Javontae Hopkins (183-PG-2001, college: PVAMU) is a 23 year old 183 cm point guard that was born in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in Texas playing his rookie season with the Lugano Tigers (Switzerland-SBL). He began his basketball career at Fort Bend Travis High School and also played AAU basketball at T.T Elite. He then played 106 games at Tarleton State University (NCAA) from 2019-2023. He then played 1 more season at Prairie View A&M University (NCAA) averaging 14.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 62.2%

Thanks Javontae for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first pro season overseas. You came from Virginia to Switzerland. You couldn´t be living in a more beautiful place in Lugano. What do you like most about the country?

What I like most about Switzerland are the people. The people here are so welcoming and are genuinely nice people. They’re very polite and majority of them actually speak great English.

What has it been like playing for the Lugano Tigers. Do you feel that rich tradition within the organization?

I am truly blessed to be able to play for an organization like Lugano Tigers! We aren´t having the best season so far due to some tough losses in our first 12 games, but we fight and play hard every game. The coaches and staff here are greate and want nothing but the best for us players. I am very grateful for the opportunity given to me to play here.

The club is struggling so far. What have been the main reasons for the losing? The defense has given up too many points?

Yes we are struggling a bit but like I said we play hard and fight till the end of each game. We have a very young team with 8 of our 12 players under 20 years old and me being a rookie. I would say we are just unexperienced, but that doesn’t stop us from competing.

You are leading the league in scoring and have needed no adjustment time. What has been your secret to being able to adjust so well?

Playing fearless and confident is the big secret. I believe that has helped me adjust so well this season. Also my teammates and coaches believing in me plays a huge part in it.

How vital has teammate Antonio Ballard been? Has he been like a mentor for you?

Yes I would say Tone has been a mentor for me because he has the most experience playing overseas basketball on our team if not in the whole entire league. His knowledge and leadership has benefited me in numerous ways. I learn something new from him every day.

Let´s talk about your game? You’re a 183cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would it be?

I watch a lot of Allen Iverson and Brandon Jennings! I try to compare my game to them guys because of how fast, athletic, smart, and fearless they played. Both of them aren’t the tallest but were always the most outstanding on the court. Allen Iverson I’ve been watching since I was in elementary school because he is from around the same area I grew up in and I wanted to be just like him. Brandon Jennings is probably one of the most skilled and craftiest left handed players I’ve ever seen so I like to take pieces out of his game and put them into mine since I´m also left handed.

You’re a player that can fill the stat sheet. What is your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength on the court is my speed and athleticism. I have yet to play against or with someone as fast and quick as me. The athleticism I have at just 183cm allows me to play and compete with guys that are taller.

Your shooting very well from outside. What do you still have to make to make the next step as a shooter?

This past summer I worked on my 3pt shooting so much and it is still not where I want it to be. But I can say the hard work has helped because I’m shooting the best I ever have in my entire career at the moment. I want to be shooting around 40% by the end of the season as a point guard.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I have always been a great pesty defender. In high school I was labeled as both a great defender and scorer then once I went to Tarleton I had a defensive roll to play if I wanted to be on the court so scoring was out of the picture for a long time until I transferred to PVAMU my last year of college where I still had to play great defense to be on the court but my coach also believed in my offensive game. So, I have always had the defensive mindset and always will.

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

I am always working on my 3pt shot! I believe developing a great consistent 3pt shot will take my game to the next level.

You played at Tarleton State University (NCAA2) from 2019-2023. What kind of an experience was this. You never averaged more than 6,7ppg in a season. What was your role there?

My first year at Tarleton as a freshman my role was to simply come in and play smart and hard as a back up point guard. Once I got a new coach sophmore year, my role was strictly to guard and be a pest on ball. My coach told me that was the ONLY way I would ever be on the court. So scoring was out of the picture for 4 years.

You had many solid games at Tarleton State University (NCAA2) like 23 points against Northeastern State. What was your fondest moment there on the court?

Probably getting 2 consecutive fast break dunks. It was very cool to be able to do that as a freshman.

You then finished at Prairie View A&M University (NCAA) averaging 14.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 62.2%. You had your break through season in the NCAA. How did your game grow in your senior year?

I would say me gaining my confidence back after having 4 terrible seasons at Tarleton helped my game grow my senior year. With also coach Smith believing in me.

How did head coach Byron Smith groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Smith prepared and put me in the best possible position to become a professional player by believing in me and not giving up on what he saw in me. Forcing me to get in the gym to put up shots, film session on what I need to fix to become a better player, playing against me in shooting drills to better my jump shot. All these things he did helped me prepare for the professional career I have now.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Kevin McGaskey?

I actually never played against Kevin 1-1. I’d say to a game of 11, I win 11-9.

Who is the toughest player that you faced that went to the NBA?

Tyrese Maxey! By far the toughest player I have ever faced.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Freddy Hicks (Tarleton), Orlando Horton (PVAMU), Isaiah Range (Tarleton), Joshua Hawley (Tarleton), Shamir Bouges (Tarleton). These are my top 5 favorite teammates. My 5 best teammates as players are Freddy Hicks (Tarleton), Montre Gipson (Tarleton), Shamir Bouges (Tarleton), Isaiah Range (Tarleton), Joshua Hawley (Tarleton).

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Kobe Byrant, Lebron James, Allen Iverson, James Harden I did my homework.

Your GOAT is Kobe. That is a great choice. Why is he your GOAT?

Yes Kobe is my GOAT. Mainly because of the mentality he had as a player. It was unique, and you rarely see guys in the NBA with that mentality these days.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America?

I’ve never seen either. I guess now that’s something I have to watch. Looking forward to it.

Thanks Javontae fort he chat.