pic credit: Angelkingmedia

Ty Cockfield Jr. (183-PG-1996, college: Arkansas St., agency: BIG) is a 183cm point guard that is playing his 4th professional season and first in Germany with Pro A team EPG Guardians Koblenz currently averaging 18,5ppg, 2,8rpg and 3,1apg and 1,3spg.. Last season he played with Proton Cable Prizreni (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 18,2ppg, 4,5rpg, 4,8apg and 1,1spg. In 2021-2022 he played with KB Trepca Mitrovice (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 15.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 25.5%, FT: 81.7%. He played his rookie season with at BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers (Austria-2.Bundesliga) averaging 22.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.6apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 87.0%. He began his basketball career at Johnson high school and then played at Stetson University (NCAA) averaging 7.1ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 83.3%. He then played at Georgia Highlands College (JUCO) averaging 16.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.2apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 78.1%. He then finished at Arkansas State University (NCAA) averaging 15.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 78.2% and in his senior year averaged 22.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 82.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Ty for talking to germanhoops.com. How did you experience Xmas in Germany in 2024?

It was pretty cool. We got a get together with all the import guys who didn´t have family here. We all brought food and had a great time together.

What was your coolest Xmas experience in Germany? Was it the Xmas markets?

Most definitely the Christmas markets. I love how Germany celebrates the holidays. It seems like whenever there is a holiday, they celebrate it for the whole month. The way Germans celebrate holidays are dope and unique.

Koblenz has the incredible festival on Ehrenbreitstein with lights which I´m visiting tomorrow. Were you able to see that this year?

I actually have not been there. But I hope to get there sometime tomorrow.

Congrats on getting a contract extension. You’re a guy that could play in many places and the Guardians are struggling. It isn´t self-evident that you resign. You must have a lot of love for this organization?

I most definitely have a lot of love for the organization. I have a lot of love for Thomas Klein and the city. I have a great relationship to Thomas. As soon as he told me how I would fit in in the future of the club, it was a no brainer. I´m very happy here. It is a great environment.

I know Thomas Klein really adores your game. Did he have to do much convincing for you to stay?

Not to much convincing from his part. I want us to remain in the Pro A. At the moment, we are doing fine. We have to find a way to put it together.

The team is 5-9. Why is it so up and down?

It has to do with us. We are still trying to find our identity and how to put it all together. We want to make a run. If it isn´t enough for the playoffs, then we want to make a run to feel good. We want to make hard for teams to play us and at the same time have fun.

The crazy thing is that the 4 wins out of the 5 were difficult crunch time wins by not more than 4 points. You lost only one close game to Nurnberg at home. The team definitely knows how to win at the wire.

The close wins we had are really a testament to how hard we work during the week. We really dig deep. Even in games where we lost, we worked hard during the week. We have not had more than 2 days in a row off this season. We feel comfortable when games go down to the wire.

The team had 2 very good defensive performances against PS Karlsruhe and against Tuebingen. But since the Tuebingen win, the team has averaged allowing 93 points per game in the last 3 weeks. Why is the team struggling so much on the defensive end?

I think it´s all about guys trying to learn coaches philosophy. It isn´t easy for the younger players to adapt to his philosophy. Guys are attacking it and studying film. It´s all about us playing his and our game at the same time.

How have you seen the development of rookie Michael Bradley? Have you taken him under your wing?

I have taken him under my wing. I try to give him as much wisdom as possible. I´m helping him with leading the team, finding his spots better and how to put his team in a better situation to win. I keep motivating him every day.

How have you seen the play of David Boehm and Ben Stevens? They bring important things to the team and are different players. Shouldn´t they be bringing more production to the team?

Most definitely they can give more especially David. We can get more out of him. He is so versatile. He has a great game and has the opportunity to have a long career. We want both guys to step up as much as possible and capitalize off their games. Ben is a great guy and a real motor. He could get a few more rebounds and demand the ball more in the post.

Let´s talk about your game. Would you be more happy with your game if the team were in fourth or fifth place?

Oh yes. I would be more happy if we were winning more. I´m not selfish. It´s not about me. The accolades look great, but I want to win more. I could average 15 points per game and be in third place. That would be amazing.

I personally think your leading the team really well, but the team is losing. How do you deal with your situation mentally. Your playing well and doing all you can for the team, but it still loses too much?

I see myself as being 1 player on the team. I´m only human. If I get double and triple teamed, then other guys have to step up. Of course it is frustrating when you look good, but still not enough to win. Longevity is a goal of mine to help rebuild this program and see guys compliment me so I can blossom even more. I will bring even more to the team this season. I´m mentally strong. We are having growing pains at the moment. For me it´s about stacking great days, leading the guys and motivating them.

Your 4/25 shooting in the last 2 games. Does that gnaw at you mentally or is your self-confidence so huge that you know you will break out on Sunday against Artland?

I will Break out on Sunday. A shooting slump is part of the game. I had 8-9 great games and then 1-2 games where I struggled. I mean sometimes you have games where the shots just don´t fall even though I still got to my spots. I´m not worried at all. Sometimes, it does get in my head, but I´m still going to take the same shots.

Do you fear that clubs will scout you better in the second half of the season?

They already have. It began after the first game. The Pro A is a great league. Teams are already getting on me. Team´s best defender guard me every weekend. Teams are defending me hard and trying to get to my spots before I do. I´m an elite scorer and It´s my job to figure it out.

When the team is losing the way it is now, do you put more pressure on yourself pressuring yourself to have to do more?

Yes I do. That is every elite player´s job. It´s only natural for guys like that to put pressure on themselves. When we lose, I put blame on myself and when we win, it´s always the team that did it. That is what a leader does.

The EPG Guardians next clash against the Artland Dragons. They have had a crazy season. They began on fire with 4 wins, but now are riding a 10 game losing streak. Is the team thinking too much now on their horrible season last season?

Yes I think so. Guys got tight after some loses and the confidence went downhill. That changed their perspective about the league, I honestly think the Pro A is top 2 in the world in the 2nd divisions.

Do you feel like the EPG Guardians won´t underestimate them? You swept them last season.

We won´t underestimate them. We lost 3 games in a row. I won´t let them underestimate them. We have to be us and fly around.

How much are you looking forward to battling pass first point guard Buzz Anthony? He leads the league in assists and steals.

These kind of matchups are always fun. I really strive for games like that. I have more fun in games like this. I don´t think that he will get so many steals.

The Artland Dragons have a talented offensive team, but no identity on defense. What will be key to getting the win?

We have to attack. We play defense. We have to put our offense together. I will be in attack mode and bring team with me. We will be aggressive on both sides of the ball.

Thanks Ty for the chat.