Bodie Hume (198-G-1999, college: N.Colorado) is a 25 year old 198cm guard from Sterling, Colorado playing his third season and second in Germany with the Telekom Baskets Bonn currently averaging9,1ppg, 3,6rpg and 1,3apg and is shooting 35% from outside.Last season he played with BG Goettingen (Germany-BBL) averaging 12.2ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 66.2%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 64.1%;and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 5.7ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 19.6%, FT: 52.9%. He played his rookie season with Boras Basket (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 14.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 68.3%. He began his basketball career at Sterling high school and then played at the University Of Northern Colorado (NCAA) from 2018-2022 playing a total of 122 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops,com about basketball.

Thanks Bodie for talking togermanhoops.com Congrats on signing with ambitious easyCredit BBL team Telekom Baskets Bonn. You lost both league games against Bonn with BG Goettingen last season, but the team as a whole played a lot better in the second game despite experiencing the loud Bonn crowd. What stood out in that special atmosphere?

I think that when we played Bonn the first time we were still learning our way to play as a team. Once we played Bonn the second time we were a lot better as a team and that was a big reason for the difference between the two. It was very cool to see how many fans were there to support the Baskets and cheer them on. Overall the Bonn atmosphere was awesome to see.

You have made further steps in your career going from Sweden to a top league in Europe and now to a better known team than Goettingen. Was Bonn the most logical step for you?

I’ve been very blessed to be able to play at such a high level only a few years into professional basketball. Bonn is a great step in the right direction. Not only for my career, but I believe I can really grow and develop as a basketball player and pro in Bonn.

What do you appreciate most about the Telekom Baskets Bonn organization besides it´s professionalism and fan support?

I agree that Bonn shows amazing professionalism in everything they do. The coaching staff has really helped me out well before I get there, as well as the front office has been great in answering any questions I have and has been awesome with working on getting everything ready for my family. The fans have also been very welcoming and the community around basketball there is special.

How did the talks go with head coach Roel Moors? What did you instantly like about his basketball philosophy?

The talks with Coach Moors went great. He was very open with what he would like to accomplish with me this year and what he sees for this team. Our goals are the same for this upcoming season and I am excited to get over there and really start working with him and his whole staff. His basketball philosophy is exactly how I want to play. We play hard, we play fast, and we really want to defend this year!

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm guard. If you had to compare your game bets to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I personally would like to play basketball like Paul George, very fluid and smooth but a master of his craft. However I know I am not there yet, so the best comparison I could give is maybe a Gordon Hayward currently, athletic shooter that can fits a system well.

You’re a really good shooter. What other areas in your offensive game sparkle the most in your game besides offensive rebounding?

I think you pretty much summed it up currently. I think I bring a great shooting presence and always want to rebound to the best of my availability. I think I do bring a shot blocking presence to our defensive end and want to be able to switch on anyone this year.

Coach Moors respects your offensive rebounding a lot. You averaged 6,6 rebounds per game in your last 2 years in the NCAA. Was rebounding always a strength or was it very much improved at Northern Colorado?

I think Northern Colorado has helped me become a better rebounder, and and I also think that as I have grown and matured I have learned more ways to get rebounds then just trying to outjump people.

You made big steps as a shooter in your first 2 pro seasons. Is your biggest goal this season to be a consistent three pointer shooter and hold that 40% range?

Yeah I think for any shooter consistency is key and I hope that I can have that consistency. Shooting the ball well is more than just repetition, it’s about having unlimited confidence in yourself and always thinking that ball is going in the basket.

You’re a tall and athletic wing. How would you describe your defensive game now and where do you want to be as a defender in the next years?

I would say that I can hold my own for the most part defensively. I am always trying to get better at defending shifty guards as well as forwards that are bigger than me. I want to be able to help my team defend in any way possible. I just try my best out there.

You’re a really good shooter, but are still finding your mark at the free throw line. Is free throw shooting possibly a mental issue in your case more than anything else.

As I said earlier shooting isn’t all just repetition you have to be very confident in your ability to shoot free throws and I have actually been working on that a lot this summer with competitive free throws so that I can be more consistent in that as well.

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

I’m trying to work on my ability to make reads off the ball and find the open guy more. As I grow I really would like to see the game better, whether it is making the right pass or looking to attack the rim instead of shoot. I also am working on developing a pull up 2 game because I have really struggled with that in the past.

Last season you played with BG Goettingen (Germany-BBL) averaging 12.2ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 66.2%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 64.1%; and in FIBA Europe Cup averaged 5.7ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 19.6%, FT: 52.9%. You played a very solid BBL season, but struggled in the Fiba Europe Cup. What did you learn about yourself last season as a player making this experience?

I think that I had a bad approach to the Europe Cup and overall realized that we as a team need to win and play well in all basketball games. So this year I’d like to focus on one game at a time and really work hard between each game.

You had some real memorable games last season twice against Heidelberg and once against Chemnitz. What game did you enjoy most?

I think that we had a lot of exciting games this year. Heidelberg, Crailsheim, Chemnitz all were awesome games for me. I think that all the games against Vechta were extremely fun because we competed very hard against them. But I think my favorite game was the Braunschweig game in Göttingen. With it being a derby and us pulling out a win was very special.

You played your rookie season with Boras Basket (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 14.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 68.3%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a pro player overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Yeah I think for any American moving over to play basketball in Europe can be difficult. While at Boras I didn´t feel as though I struggled too much with homesickness because I had my wife there with me and was accepted quickly by my teammates. Those guys are some of my really good friends. They were a great team for me to start my career just because of all the things I learned on and off the court.

What was it like being teammates with Christopher McKnight? Was he like a mentor for you?

Being teammates with Chris was awesome. He started his career in Boras the same as me so I would always pick his ear on how his career path went and what he would change. On the court he taught me how to use my athleticism and body against defenders in order to finish better. And in return I taught him how to finally shoot the ball. (Just joking he could shoot)

You got your first playoff experience winning 2 series and then losing a tough 6 game series to Norrkoping. What will you always remember most from that series?

I’ll remember a lot of things about that series. They handed us our only home losses of the season in the finals. You can always look back and wish you had played better so that what I do most often.

You played at the University of Northern Colorado from 2018-2022. You had so many great games there. What was your most memorable moment on the court in the NCAA?

I think my most memorable moment was giving the best team in the nation trouble. We got to play Arizona my senior year and we were able to be in a very close game until late in the second half. Now that was a fun game.

In your senior year your teammate Daulton Knecht averaged 8,9ppg and in the next season 21,0ppg and was drafted by the Lakers. Did you already see that future greatness with him when you were there?

I think a lot of people knew Dalton was a special talent with his build and athleticism. He has always been a very good basketball player and has a great ability at getting to his spots. I’m really happy he got drafted and am excited to watch how well he does in the NBA.

How vital was it playing for 2 coaches at Northern Colorado from Jeff Linder and Steve Smiley? How did they groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Both coach Linder and coach Smiley helped me tremendously throughout my time at UNCO. They taught me so much offensively and defensively I am very thankful for them. They had always ran a European style of offense so it was relatively easy for me to make the jump.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Dalton Knecht?

I don’t think Dalton and I ever played 1-1 but we would go at each other constantly in practice. I’d say overall we were pretty level. I haven’t been around him in a while so I{ guess we won’t know really who would win today.

Who is the best player that you ever faced on a court that reached the NBA?

I’ve been able to play against so many great players that I can’t just name one. All those guys that have made it to the league have been successful.

Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time?

That’s a really tough question because I have had some great teammates. I’ll have to say all my old teammates in Sweden are up there, but they count as one. I have become good friends with Osaro Rich so I’ll put him in there. I also got Zach Ensminger, Grant Antecivich, Fedor Zugic, and now my new teammates. There are just too many to give only five.

What is your personal NBA mount rushmore of past or present heads?

Give me Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and give me Carmelo Anthony.

Who is your GOAT and why?

Michael Jordan is my GOAT, I just think what he was able to do on the court against the teams and players he played against was something very special and puts him over the top.

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

I did see the sequel and I agree the first one was unmatched compared to the second one

Thanks Bodie for the chat.