EJ Dambreville (191-G, college: FSC) is a 191cm guard that was born in Dorcehester, Mass and is playing his second professional season and second in Denmark and first with the Bakken Bears Aarhus (Denmark-BasketLigaen). He palyed his rookie season with Team FOG Naestved (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 9.8ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 75.3% and with Marineros de Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic-LNB) averaging 5.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg. He began his basketball career at Woodstock Academy and then played at Florida Southern College (NCAA2) from 2018-2023 playing a total of 126 games and averaged 18.1ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 85.2% as a senior. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against Bamberg.

Thanks EJ for talking to germanhops.com. Your playing second pro season in Denmark with historic Danish team Bakken Bears. What kind of an experience has it been so far? What have you enjoyed most about the time?

It has been a great experience so far. I think what I’ve enjoyed the most is being able to learn from the older guys that we have on the team. They have a lot of pro experience all over the world and at very high levels so being able to pick their brains and learn from them is something I’m grateful for and enjoy the most.

The club is used to winning titles. How present is that winning culture on a daily basis? You won 2 SSC titles so you know what winning is like.

Winning is the standard. We are expected to win every time we step on the court. So our approach everyday is just that. Which feels very similar to my teams in college that were able to win conference championships.

You hail from the east coast and live in Denmark. What have you learned to appreciate the most about the tranquility of Denmark?

I’ve appreciated everything about Denmark. The culture, the weather and the people. Adapting to living here the last couple years was easy in some ways but the things that aren’t easy to adapt as quickly, I actually appreciate the most. That’s what makes this experience as an overseas pro special.

Your playing in the ENBL and will face off against German team Bamberg. What do you know in general about the country and it´s basketball? Do you know that Germany is current world champion?

I actually went to Germany in high school with a team to play against some of their clubs, so I know basketball is big out there and they have high level players. I also have some close people to me that are from Germany so I ha’ve been informed on a lot of things about Germany.

Do you have any former teammates or opponents that have balled in Germany?

Yes, I do. I have a couple people that I know that have played in Germany.

What has it been like being teammates with Skyler Bowlin. Has his leadership qualities rubbed off on you?

It’s been great being teammates with sky. I’ve tried to be a sponge around him as much as possible. He has had a great career and that is something I want for myself as well so I always try to watch and learn from him.

How valuable is a guy like Urald King for the young players? Has he been like a mentor for you?

Urald is super valuable. Leader on the court. Has a strong voice in the locker room. Leads by example. He has a great story as well, working his way up the ranks of the overseas basketball world. So there is so much to learn from him and I’m appreciative to have him as a teammate.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 191cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I never really thought about who I would compare to as an NBA player. A lot of people say I play like Lou Williams, Jr Smith, Malik Beasley. I would say I play with passion and energy like Russell Westbrook.

You’re a very versatile offensive player that fills the stat sheet well. How big is versatility a staple in your game?

It’s huge for me. I just try to impact the game in as many ways as possible to win the game. I feel like the more versatile you are the more helpful to the team you will be.

You are an unbelievable rebounder and averaged close to 12 per game in your last 3 seasons in the NCAA2. Did you do anything different in those last years to make such a big jump on the boards?

No, I just played with confidence. My first couple years in high school I played the 4 and my job was to get rebounds and be athletic. If I wanted to score I had to get offensive rebounds and tip ins. So that helped develop my nose for the ball. my freshman year in college I had a rough year overall and didn’t play that much. But once I figured out my confidence everything started to fall into place.

Your three pointer continues to be a work in progress. Talk a little about the development of your three pointer. What are your biggest goals as a shooter?

I know I’m a great shooter. it’s all mental and staying confident in my shots. I will always put the work in and trust the work to show on the court.

Your also a very good defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I’m a very aggressive and physical defender. I like to be active and just make things harder for the offensive man. I want to continue to work on my defensive skills so that I can be a lockdown defender for multiple positions.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

During the season I’m really focusing on growing in my role. Just be a defensive dog on the court, bringing energy, rebounding and knocking down shots when they are there. That is my focus now. Just being the best I can be in those spots.

You played your rookie season with Team FOG Naestved (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 9.8ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 75.3%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Getting on the 9 hour plane ride. I knew I was nowhere close to home but I was going to figure things out no matter what.

You also played with Marineros de Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic-LNB) avergagng 5.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg. What kind of an experience was that for you? What main positives could you attain from that?

It was a good experience. I learned a lot about myself. Both on and off the court. Very different from the Danish league but I pride myself on being able to adapt to any situation. So overall it was a positive period of growth.

You played 5 years at Florida Southern College (NCAA2). You made a huge jump in your game in your last 3 years. How did your game grow in that time?

By staying in the gym, continuously working on different parts of my game, getting mentally stronger and believing in myself. And a great support group around me.

You won 2 SSC titles. Which one was sweeter?

The 2nd title was sweeter because I felt like I actually had a part in it. My freshman year I barely played but my sophomore year I was a starter so that felt great.

You had so many great games at Florida Southern. What was your fondest moment on the court?

I had so many great memories, individually and as a team but I would have to say winning that 2nd championship in 2020. We won at home. We were 29-2 on the season and about to host the NCAA tournament being the 1st seed in our region before covid happened. That was a great moment.

How did head coach Mike Donnelly groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

He allowed me to be myself. On and off the court. He allowed me to make mistakes and play through them. I was able to develop year by year knowing that he trusted me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Xavier Rhodes?

lol! I don’t know if we ever played 1-1 in practice but when we competed it was always a dog fight. X is a great player and a great person.

Who is the toughest player you ever face din the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I can’t think of anyone that I played in college that plays in the NBA. but the toughest player I played against was my teammate Brett Hanson. He was d2 player of the year. I guarded him in practice everyday and he was just so tough to handle.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I have so many great teammates. But if this is based on the best players iIplayed with I would say Cole Swider, Brett Hanson, Jon Lawton, Selim Fofana, Skylar Bowlin. (based on careers)

Your NBA Mount Rushmore?

LEBRON, KOBE, KYRIE, STEPH, JORDAN

Your Who is your GOAT?

LEBRON JAMES

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I’ve heard of it but I’ve never seen that movie.

Thanks EJ for the chat.