Lamont West (203-F-2002, college: Missouri St.) is a 27 year old 203cm forward from Ohio playing his third pro season and first in Germany with the Artland Dragons (Pro A). Last season he split time with Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM averaging 10.8ppg, 5.1rpg, 2FGP: 60.5%, 3FGP: 43.3%, FT: 80.0%: and in the Adriatic League 2 averaged 7.6ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 90.0%, and in Dec.’23 signed at SPD Radnicki Kragujevac (Serbia-KLS) averaged 10.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 23.7%, FT: 87.7%. He played his rookie season with the Spars Realway Sarajevo (Bosnia-Division I) averaging 12.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.3spg. He also split time in the G-League with Santa Cruz and College Park. He began his basketball career at Withrow high school and also played at Miller Grove high school. He played at West Virginia University (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 110 games. He then finished at Missouri State University (NCAA) averaging 9.6ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 91.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the tough 79-64 loss to the EPG Guardians Koblenz.

Thanks Lamont for talking to germanhoops.com. A tough 79-64 loss in Koblenz. Was it a long bus ride home or could you sleep?

Yea it’s was a tough loss and nobody slept on the bus.

The team has lost 11 games in a row. Does every loss get tougher mentally? How do you cope with it?

It is a long season you can’t get to high or to low. 11 in a row is tough, but we just need to come together as a team and come up with a solution.

The game began well for the Artland Dragons. It was a game of runs in the first quarter. You kept Ty Cockfield at 0 points. How big was the goal to limit him?

We knew Ty is a good player from the film we watched so as a team we wanted to just contain him as best as we could.

The team did a good job on Cockfield. Did you sense he got frustrated early?

I honestly couldn’t tell if he was frustrated or not I was locked in on trying to keep the lead.

In the second quarter the Dragons had a run and led 29-20, but let Koblenz come back on a big run to lead 38-34. Why can´t the team play a quarter of flawless basketball?

Playing flawless basketball is not easy for anybody. We for sure struggle to play “flawless” basketball but it’s not impossible for us.

In the second quarter You and Tajh Green gave important buckets. How do you guys compliment each other best?

Me and Taj just play off of each other’s energy and try to just do best what we do for the team. Be athletic and make big plays.

In the third quarter the EPG Guardians made the turning point of the game and led 56-37. What went wrong in this quarter?

As a team I think we need to stay more poised and not react so much to the outside and just focus on ourselves and see what we do best to keep leads. We need to be able to make smarter decisions at certain points in the game.

In the fourth quarter Artland scored well, but was the team a little tired. They had tried to exhaust the Dragons. Did that happen?

No they didn’t we did it to ourselves.

Buzz Anthony was on triple double course. Do you believe that he will make one this season?

If God has buzz getting a triple double in his plans than it will happen for him.

What did the team learn from this loss?

We just have to watch film and continue with practices and just focus more mentally.

It seems like the bench is thin with scoring power. Do guys like you, Green and Johnson feel pressure to step up?

I don’t feel pressure I get in the gym and workout extra everyday so I prepare myself to be at my best at all times. I’m sure the other have their thoughts on them scoring personally so I can’t speak for them.

I believe all you need is a win to help the team move forward. But it doesn´t get any easier. Is the team defense fixable?

Yes our defense is fixable

You only had 5 points. Obviously more has to come from you after a loss like this? What do you do after a loss? Do watch extra film?

After wins or loses my next off day I pray and I go get extra shots up and lift. I watch Hudl because I get an Instant email from the coach so I can watch the games and certain break downs.

A good friend of mine Joe Asberry is a big supporter of you and Green. He is always pushing you guys with motivation. How valuable has he been for you?

Joe is my guy! Joe is a very inspirational man and he always gives good advice and just keeps us level headed. Can’t over think this stuff it’s basketball he always tells me that. Joe is a great guy.

Your averaging 9/2 stats in the Pro A. Do you see your self stepping up your game?

I can step my game up more we have to just come together as a team and figure out our identity then I think my numbers will rise for sure. Basketball is a team game and I try to focus more on winning than personal narratives.

You have had a pretty stable three pointer in the last years and even shot 43% in Slovenia. How do you see the development of your shot?

I personally feel I am a very good shooter and I have showcased that many times. You can just watch me workout and tell how good I can shoot. I work on my jumper every practice because that can transfer to any level of the game.

You have never averaged more than 12,0ppg since high school. Do you see yourself becoming a 15-16 points scorer in time?

I never averaged 12 since high because my role on my teams have not been to dominate the game scoring wise which I could do easily but my coaches have not needed me to do that. I play my role and do what the coaches want from me. If a team needs me to score 15-20 I could easily do that. I’m tall strong athletic can shoot I bet on myself any day.

Is it fair to say that your defense is still raw. What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I don´t know if my defense is raw but I think in certain systems certain skill sets of mine show better based on our defensive principals and how we want to guard teams. I can guard 1-5 and feel comfortable I don’t need help guarding anybody I just force people to shoot over and not allow people to blow past me I have a 7’2 wingspan.

What kind of an experience has it been suiting up for the Artland Dragons? What have you enjoyed most from the experience?

Honestly I don’t have anything to complain about. I like being here and I love the fans and my teammates were just in a rough patch. Everybody seems nice and I can use the gym anytime so that’s a plus. Artland is a small town and they love basketball. I enjoy most just being able to wake up everyday and become a better version of me.

What are your new years resolution?

My New Year’s resolution is to just live everyday trying to become a better version on myself every single day.

Thanks Lamont for the chat.