Kevin Hunt Jr. (190-G-1997, college: Denver, agency: Helping Ballers) is a 26 year old 190cm guard from Little Rock, Arkansas playing his second professional season and first with Gartenzaun24 Baskets Paderborn (Germany-ProB). He played his rookie season with the Little Rock Lightning (TBL) averaging 8.8ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 78.6% and then went overseas playing with BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers (Austria-BSL) averaging 16.2ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.8apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 50.5%, 3FGP: 26.7%, FT: 57.1%, and later that month moved to Tundja Yambol (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 12.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.2apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 76.9%. He began his basketball career at Bryant High School and then played at 4 schools. He began at College of Central Florida (JUCO) averaging 8.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 24.2%, FT: 73.5%. He then played a season at McNeese State University (NCAA) averaging 6.9ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 67.4% He then played at Morehead State University (NCAA) averaging 6.9ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 77.8%. He finished his NCAA career at Denver University (NCAA) averaging 15.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 78.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the brutal 66-63 loss to the TSK 49ers.

Paderborn suffered a tough 66-63 loss to the TSK 49ers. How tough was this loss to digest? You won the first meeting 81-57.

It’s always humbling whenever you lose a game. Going into the game after a huge victory the week before, you never want to underestimate an opponent but I feel that’s what we did as a unit. Only thing to do is learn from our mistakes and prepare for the upcoming game

How were the TSK 49ers different as a team now then back at the start of the season?

They were locked in from jump to finish. We started off slow, got down double digits and were fighting our way back for majority of the game. They had more will and fight than us.
What had been the focus coming in? You had forced top point guard Andriy Kozhemiakin to 9 turnovers, but last weekend to only 2 turnovers.

Our focus was to control the rebounds and push the tempo, something we didn’t necessarily do at the level that we had practiced this entire week. Andriy didn’t have a good game the first match so he was maybe more motivated and focused to perform at a high level.

The TSK 49ers had the comfortable 38-29 lead at the break. Defensively Paderborn was over what they usually give up per game. What was giving the team the most problems defensively?

Our lack of focus was our biggest problem in my opinion. The small details like communication in pick and roll defense, defensive rebounding, those things hurt us throughout the game. We gave up 2-3 offensive boards from free-throws, those are the things that cost us down the stretch.

Kozhemiakin was playing great with scoring and rebounding in the game. Was he a different player than in the first game or was it more about the Paderborn mistakes?

Every player was different. As the season progress, teams become more seasoned and figure out their identity, players figure out their roles, we knew it would be a dog fight coming in

In the third quarter Paderborn cleaned up their defense allowing only 9 points. What adjustments did the team make defensively?

Just to go out and compete. X’s and O’s can only take you so far in games like these, you have to go out and compete and let everything else fall into place. Our starting 5 at half did a great job of locking and getting us back into a single digit deficit.

In the fourth quarter Paderborn had the 8 point lead early after you went on a 6-0 run and you scored 2 buckets. Did you feel the need to get aggressive?

I felt that I had missed some easy lay ups early in the game that I normally make. So I knew that eventually I would make them if I focused in a little bit more. I wanted to do whatever I needed to do in order for the team to win.

They then kept chipping at your lead and Paderborn was held scoreless for many minutes. Did the team get too comfortable?

We did let our foot off the peddle for a minute. In my experience from being on championship teams, that’s when you let defense win you games. The smaller things matter, limiting them to one shot, controlling our turnovers, running out the clock. We haven’t been in a close game like that in so long and It showed. Moving forward, we see what we need to do to win close games.

At the end Kozhemiakin hit a big three and then Dominik Von Waaden had a last shot but missed. Take me through the last 2 possessions?

Joaquin hit two major free throws down the stretch which tied it. We knew they’d milk the clock and keep the ball in their hot hand. In games where a team hits a go ahead shot, you want to blame that last shot for the reason you lost when in reality it was our gameplay throughout the game. We made a lot mistakes which lead to us being in that predicament.

How tough is it in general as a player to accept a loss when you defended well as a team?

You have to give credit where credit is due. They came out and competed from tip to finish. We did a lot of things well but not well enough to the point we come out on top as victors. It’s frustrating, of course, but tip your hats off to them and move on. We have a long week of practice and learning from our mistakes.

On what areas of the game will Paderborn have to work on most this week during practice?

After watching the game, I say just focusing on the areas we’re not particularly great at like free throws, making the easy plays, shooting more open shots, and defending. I say that vaguely but there is a lot of detail that goes into those categories which is what will improve us as a whole moving forward.

How much fun is it in general to play with Spanish point guard Jose Carrasco? How much easier does he make your job?

It’s really fun because every single day, I mean EVERY single day, he comes in with great energy! A true professional and veteran player. He wants everyone around him to be better as a player and person. He sees things as a PG that I don’t see and understands the game at a distinct level many players do not. He wants to find the open players and does a great job dishing the ball out and running our offense along with defending at an elite level.

You had a solid game with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks. You made an impact on defense. How content were you with your game?

I wasn’t content at all and felt I could’ve done more. I shot poorly from the field, took some questionable shots early in the game, and I was challenged at half time to figure out what was best for the team. I tried to make adjustments while I was out there but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough

Your 2 point game is working well, but your three isn´t falling at all. How tough is it being in a season three point shooting slump?

It’s been tough because I know for a fact I’m very capable. My teammates encourage me all the time to trust in my shot and to not overthink the misses. I’ve sought advice from players like Archie Goodwin, former NBA player, whose playing in China right now. He gave me advice that I take with me to work every day. All it takes is for me is to have one good shooting display from 3, and it will improve tremendously, I wholeheartedly believe that so I won’t stress it.

Paderborn next plays against the Berlin Braves. You lost the first game on the road 76-71. How big is the revenge factor?

It’s important in two ways. One, we just lost a winnable game last game so I’m hungry to get back in the W column. Two, we’re playing at home which we obviously thrive at. It’s not more so the team we play this game but more so how do we respond after letting a game like the 49ers slip through our fingers.

Paderborn had way too many turnovers. Badu Buck left the team. What will be key to getting the win?

First and foremost is to go out and compete at a completely high level. Focus from start to finish and execute the gameplan. Those are the things that will put us in a good place to win the game. Everything else will follow

Who will win the Superbowl? Kansas City or Philadelphia Eagles?

The Chiefs for sure! My pastor and his family are KC Chiefs fans and since I’ve been hanging around them a lot, I’ve noticed myself rooting for all KC Missouri teams, Patrick Brady, I mean Patrick Mahomes is one of a kind, I know that he’ll pull off the 3 peat

Thanks Kevin for the chat.