Rivaldo Soares (198-G-1999, college: Oklahoma) is a 198cm guard from Boston playing his rookie season in Germany with the easyCredit BBL team Telekom Baskets Bonn currently averaging 3,9ppg and 2,6rpg in the easycredit BBL.. He began his basketball career at the O´Bryant School of Math and Science. He then played 2 seasons at South Plains College (JUCO) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 79.7% and in his second season averaged 15.2ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 71.8%. He then played 2 seasons with the University of Oregon (NCAA) averaging 4.7ppg, 2.7rpg and 7.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 25.3%, FT: 83.1%. He finished his NCAA career at the The University of Oklahoma (NCAA) averaging 9.4ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 69.5%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 80.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Rivaldo for talking to germanhoops.com. How blessed are you to be overseas?

I am in a state of gratitude. Feeling blessed to have this opportunity because people where I come from and my demographic don’t get these opportunities. Basketball has always been a part of my life and I feel like as long as I don’t cheat the game it will continue to treat me as it has my whole career. There are ups and downs but I am just grateful to have this opportunity

Roel Moors brought you to Bonn. What did you appreciate about his basketball philosophy right away?

I appreciated coach Moers approach because he didn’t sell me a dream. He didn’t cut corners or sugar coat anything. He was honest in the process and gave me a blueprint of how he envisioned me as a player.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm forward that can fill the stat sheet at ease. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I see myself as a two way player that can impact the game in many ways. I can see myself being a Paul George like player who can make tough shots. I also see myself being productive and doing things that don´t always show up in the stat sheet like Josh Hart.

You showed your scoring in JUCO, but in the NCAA never averaged more than 9,0ppg. How would you describe your scoring development in the last years. What are your biggest strengths?

The NCAA is a different system. If you look at it, I never got the same volume of shots as I did in JUCO. I think it’s part of the reason why coach Moers recruited me. I played a role in the NCAA and it was different from the one I had at my JUCO. My ability to play hard, guard, rebound, and play make are reasons I stayed on the floor. When the opportunity presented itself I was able to become that scorer in the later part of the season last year averaging just over 15 in my last 17 games or so.

You had some up and down three point shooting years, but last season as a senior you shot 39%. How confident do you feel like you can continue to let your three point shooting percentage grow overseas?

I have nothing but confidence in my shot. I put a lot of things aside last year and just focused on basketball. I stayed in the gym and my shot was as comfortable as ever.

You’re a very strong defender that can defend 1-4. What kind of a defender would you call yourself now and what kind of a defender would you like to be in a few years?

I know I can guard but to play in a physical league I know I’ll need to get even better. I actually don’t know what type of defender to call myself. Defense has just been embedded in me. It’s just my competitive nature.

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

Even the greats are always working on their game. I want to improve everything from on the court to the weight room even down to nutrition. I want to get better at everything so I don’t have a weakness.

You played your first 2 years of college ball at South Plains College (JUCO) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 79.7% and 15.2ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 71.8%. Every guy that I have interviewed that played Juco have said that JUCO was tough, but an experience they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

I would say the same thing. It was in the trenches for two years. It also helped me grow as a man. My first time living outside the city of Boston, MA. It forced me to grow up faster than some kids out of high school would. Being coached by a Hall of Fame coach like Steve Green was also an honor and helped my development drastically. He emphasized winning to us everyday. No one´s looking if you aren’t winning.

How vital was head coach Steve Green in your 2 years at South Plains? How did he help shape your game in those 2 years?

Hall of Famer. I owe him a lot. hard nosed coach but let us play our game. I come to a loss for words when describing what he means to me because without him tracking a chance on me I don’t know if I could say I’d be in the same position I am in right now.

You then played 2 seasons at the University of Oregon reaching the NIT Sweet 16 and Elite 8. You had to suffer a tough 3 point loss to Wisconsin. Is that one of those games that you will never forget?

I’ll never forget it because we had been winning majority of the game if I remember correctly. I had been guarding the kid who hit the shot all game and unfortunately I wasn’t on him for that shot. I had been playing well in the NIT getting my career high a game or two before that and just wished my season continued. Especially knowing now that that would be my last season as a duck.

Your minutes rose almost to 10 minutes in your second season at Oregon. How did your game grow under the legendary head coach Dana Altman?

It honestly started in the film room. There was so much attention to detail that I had never really expected. The scouting reports were so specific and it taught me to watch film and focus on opponents tendencies. He trusted me to guard the opponent´s best players

You finished at The University of Oklahoma (NCAA): averaging 9.4ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 69.5%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 80.4%. How important was it going to Oklahoma? You finished out your NCAA career strong in the last 2 months being a real consistent scorer.

Going to Oklahoma just gave me a fresh restart with a coach that was willing to trust me in any situation. When our team got hurt towards the end of the season it just called for another role from me and it was to put the ball in the hoop. As efficient as I was, coach Moser just gave me more opportunity and poured confidence into me. It felt good having the offensive impact I had. like I had said before I just cleared my mind and forced on what I could control.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jalon Moore?

There weren’t too many one on ones with Jalon. We just competed a lot of live segments. Being close in size we were always one anothers matchup. He´s a strong wing who is very athletic so you always have to know where he is. even when he’s on defense. He got me better as I got him better. but I got this one.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

No one gave me fits like Will Richardson. Just a high IQ player who doesn’t look it but is wiry strong and knows how to use his body to create space. 3 level scorer with a good handle and could make tough shots.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Will Richardson teammate at Oregon

Jermaine Coousinard teammate at Oregon

Noah Fernandes who I played with in AAU

Tre Mitchell who I played AAU with

Myron Gardner South plains Teammate

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Lebron, Kobe, Michael, Shaq

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

They should have left it alone HAHAH.

Thanks Rivaldo for the chat.