Ross Williams (178-G-2000, college: TAMUCC) is a 24 year old 178cm guard from Oakland, California playing his second season with Fribourg Olympic (Switzerland-SBL). Last season with Fribourg Olympic he averaged 10.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 85.9%; BCL: 2 games: 3.0ppg, 1.5rpg. He began his basketball career at Bishop O´Dowd High School. He then played 2 seasons at Menlo College (NAIA) averaging 4.8ppg, 1.6rpg and 15.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 84.4%. He then played 2 seasons at Colorado Christian University (NCAA2) averaging 19.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 75.0% and 19.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 78.5%. He then finished at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (NCAA) averaging 9.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 88.4%. He spoke to germanhops.com before a Fiba Eurocup game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Thanks Ross for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second season with Fribourg Olympic (Switzerland-SBL). You have lived in so many places in the States because of your Dad as a NBA and coach. Can you call a place like Fribourg like a second home or is that more difficult because of how much you have moved around

Fribourg is definitely a place that will always have a special place in my heart since I started my career here. Second home for me is probably Oakland California.

You won the double as a rookie with Fribourg and currently are undefeated. How special is this organization and what has been the secret to the team success?

I think the secret to our success is our chemistry off the court. Our locker room is really close and everybody has taken time to get to know everybody so when we get on the court we are always on the same page

Your showing this season that you are very consistent in 3 different competitions. Has your experience playing with so many different schools prepped you for being consistent?

I would definitely say playing at 3 different levels in college has prepared me for this moment this year. Playing in different competitions you have to able to adjust to the style of play and the refs but this year I feel like my teammates and coaches have put me in really good positions to succeed.

How vital was a guy like Eric Nottage your rookie season? Was he like a mentor for you?

Eric is definitely like a mentor to me we are really close off the court as well. Especially as a rookie he really took me under his wing and taught me a lot I will always have a lot of love and respect for him.

What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call as a rookie was definitely my first practice. My teammates and coach were speaking a totally different language the style of play was different than anything I had ever experienced and I realized right away that I was a long way from home but it was a new challenge that I was determined to succeed in.

Last season you beat Nyon and Geneva in the playoffs and then played a tough series against Massagno. The first 2 games were combined decided by only 4 points. What memories will you always have from that final?

I’ll always remember winning a championship my rookie year but it was a really cool experience. Every possession mattered and guys were playing the best basketball of the season so it was just a true blessing to be out there competing with those guys.

You played 1 NBA Summer League game with Detroit. What kind of experience was it for you? Did you hide the fact who your dad was or did they know it?

Summer League was a really great experience. I really wanted to see if and how I could compete with those guys and it gave me a reality check of things I need to work on and get better at but gave me a lot of confidence that I can play and compete against anybody. The whole coaching staff knew but some of my teammates didn’t know but found out when my dad came to all my games.

Let´s talk about your game? You’re a 178cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

If I had to give an NBA comparison for my game I would say athree guys I really try to model my game after are Lou Williams, Isaiah Thomas and Patty Mills. The way those guys as undersized guards affect the game with their speed, and scoring ability.

Are you just by nature more of a competitor on the court because your 178cm? Is getting overlooked part of your daily life?

Most definitely my whole life basketball has never came easy always being looked over or told that I can’t make it or play at a certain level so everytime I step on the court I play with that chip on my shoulder not to prove people wrong but to prove myself right that I can play against anybody.

Your definitely a guy that can fill the stat sheet at ease. What is your biggest strength? You showed at 3 different levels NAIA, NCAA 2 and NCAA and shot over 40% from outside.

Yea my biggest strength is definitely my shooting ability being able to make 3s and touch shots from the perimeter is definitely what I bring to any team that I am a part of. Also my defense being able to pick up players full court and bring energy and fast pace to the game.

You haven´t reached the 40% mark again the last 2 pro seasons. Is it difficult setting goals as a shooter when you shot 40% each season in school?

No not really I don’t put too much pressure on myself and even though I haven’t surpassed the 40% mark I’m really close last year I shot like 39.7% so I know I’ll always be a threat from 3 so much that you definitely can’t leave me open. But 40% or more is always the goal for sure

What advantages do you have as a defender with your size? Is it easier to get steals than for bigger guards?

Yea my size definitely helps when it comes to playing defense on the ball being able to put pressure on guys and get steals.

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

The next progression of my game is definitely becoming more of a point guard so really working on my ball handling and making reads off of pick and rolls and trying to make my teammates better as well as finishing around the basket so I’m a 3 level threat whenever I’m on the court

You’re the son of ex NBA player and coach Willie Green. What is the most important of advice that he has given you for basketball?

The most important advice my dad ever gave me is first you have to play every game like it’s your last nobody should ever question your effort and energy because those are two things you have 100% control over. The second is always have fun and play with joy at the end of the day basketball is a game so it’s important to always have fun because the ball will stop bouncing for everybody one day.

You saw so many NBA games and players. Did you ever meet Kobe or Lebron? I know you saw Dwight Howard play and he had an impact on you. Which NBA player that you have met had a big influence on you?

Yea I got the chance to meet both of them so that was really cool. The biggest influence has been a mixture of Chris Paul and Jose Alvarado. I really look up to both of them.

You worked out with Pelican player Jose Alvarado. How vital is for you being able to soak up as much as you can? Does your confidence rise when you see I can keep up with him?

He’s definitely like a big brother to me so being able to ask him questions and compete with him definitely keeps me hungry but give me a lot of confidence as well.

You began in NAIA. How humbling was that time for you? Yor game really grew in your second season at Menlo averaging 15.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 84.4%. How did your game grow in that season?

I put in a ton of work that summer playing with a lot of older guys and overseas pros and when I got back to school the work met the opportunity and my teammates and coaches put me in really good positions to have a lot of success that year.

You then made the jump to Colorado Christian University (NCAA2) averaging 19.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 75.0% and in your second season averaged 19.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 78.5%.How much of a turning point was this in your career?

I really wanted to challenge myself and move up to the D2 level. I went to a really good league we had like 4 or 5 teams in the top 25 in the nation so it was good competition. Being able to have success at that level gave me a lot of confidence to further my basketball career after college.

You had so many great games, but also tough loses against Chadron State and Yellowstone scoring 37 points. Was there a loss more difficult?

Fortunately in my basketball career I’ve been a part of a lot of good teams so we didn’t lose a lot. Colorado Christain even though I was putting up numbers we lost a lot and I hate losing so all the loses were hard both years I was there.

How important was head coach Liam Simmons for your basketball development in those 2 years?

Liam Simmons gave me a great opportunity. Put the ball in my hands and trusted me to make decisions but also made sure I had tons of gym time and a lot of individual works it’s with him and the assistant coaches which really helped grow my skill and understand for the game.

You finished at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (NCAA) averaging 9.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 88.4%. What memories will you always have of March madness beating Semo and losing to Alabama?

March Madness was surreal experience having watched it on tv my whole life and then finally getting to play in it was amazing. The first game against SEMO was in Dayton Ohio and I’m from Detroit Michigan which is not too far so a lot of my family made the drive down so being able to get that experience in front of my family was definitely the best part. Playing against Alabama in front of a sold out crowd was amazing too 20,000 people watching you do what you love is an unforgettable moment.

How did Steve Lutz give you the last push for a professional career?

Mainly time management and what it was like to truly play as hard as possible and made me a way better defender. Playing for Lutz also taught me how to play a role on a winning time embracing a team culture and just being addicted to winning. I got a lot of love for coach Lutz for sure.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Damarion Davis

I didn’t play with Damarion Davis but I played a lot of 1on1 with Owen Dease, Terrion Murdix, and Jourdyn Grandberry who are all really good players and sometimes I won and sometimes I lost it was a pretty even battle every time and we played pretty much everyday.

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

I would say either Marvin Bagley in high school or Trae Young at top 100 camp.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Elijah Hardy, Terrion Murdix, Eric Nottage, Khalid Price, Bj Shaw

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

My NBA Mount Rushmore is Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Allen Iverson

I did my homework. Your GOAT is Kobe. That is a great choice. Why is he your GOAT?

My goat is Kobe because of his approach to the game and his work ethic. Every night he wanted to go out and kill no matter who he was playing no matter if he was injured or not if he could play his intent was to dominate. But he dominated because he out worked everybody behind closed doors and because of that he will always be the greatest in my eyes.

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

I did see it and the first coming to America was one of my favorite movies of all time so I definitely feel like that’s a movie that should have never been recreated and just left alone. It’s a true classic.

Thanks Ross for the chat.