Justin Onyejiaka (195-SG-2004) is a 20 year old 195cm guard that has returned back to Rasta Vechta for the 2024-2025 season. He couldn´t play his first game this season until January 3, 2025 due to a tough injury. Currently he has played 8 games in the Pro A averaging 5,6ppg, 2,1rpg and 1,3spg. He played the last 2 seasons with the Frankfurt Skyliners. In his first season he played 6 easyCredit BBL games and in the Pro B averaged : 13.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 23.2%, FT: 57.1%. Last season he played 41 pro A games averaging 7.0ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 72.8%, and in the Pro B averaged 23.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 47.8%, FT: 60.0%. He began his basketball career with BBC Osnabruck and then played 2 seasons with Rasta Vechta in the JBBL, Regionalliga and Pro A. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the U-20 European championships.

Thanks Justin for talking to germanhoops.com. Last summer Germany finished the U-20 Euro at 12th place. What was your summary of the tournament?

I thought it was a good tournament for us. We had some good wins, but also some tough loses against France and Italy. I think had we won those games, we would have been in a better position to have a better result at the end.

Is it possible to feel after the preparation how well the team could do going in? What kind of a feeling did you have?

I had mixed feelings. We had some bad results in the preparation. But I knew that we had good potential going in.

Germany lost a tough game to France 103-78. Germany shot out the lights with 15 three´s, but gave up 26 turnovers. What do you believe did the team learn from the game?

The biggest problem was their length which they had at every position. You don´t see that much at that level. We had problems playing switch defense.

It is always nice to see a well rounded scoring team, but was the team possibly missing 2 very dominant go to guys? Martin Kalu is one of those guys.

I wouldn´t say that. I feel like with all the talent we had, the scoring was evened out. Any player could have stepped up in any game.

You averaged 8/1/2 stats in 18 minutes at the 2024 Eurochampionships. How content were you with your game? Your three point and free throw shooting weren´t great?

One could see in the last games that we were all exhausted. I feel like I played a good tournament in the minutes that I got. I showed what I could do on the court.

What was it like playing for new Vechta BBL coach Martin Schilling? What did you appreciate right away from his coaching abilities?

I appreciated how structured his practices were. They weren´t boring at all. He had all kinds of drills from skill work to defense. I really like that. It was good to see what is to come with Vechta.

Did you notice anything in his coaching that he brought over from his G-League time?

I can´t really say. I did notice that he had many different plays. He was always ready with plays especially in difficult situations or with little time left on the clock.

The minutes were well defined, but how big was the competitive level for minutes, something that will be great again in Vechta this season?

It is always like that with talented teams. You always have to fight for minutes. It was similar like that in Frankfurt as well. I´m always ready for the Competitive fight for minutes. That is part of the basketball business.

You were teammates with so many great young German players. Was there a guy that had a big impact or influence on you?

I can´t pick just 1 player.

After 2 years in Frankfurt, you have returned back to an old stomping ground Vechta. Vechta has grown tremendously as an organization in the last years especially with developing young players. Did you see a bigger chance of getting minutes and developing further than remaining in Frankfurt?

Yes I do. That was a big reason why I returned to Vechta. The perspective for young players is better in Vechta. With Frankfurt the biggest thing is to win.

What are your biggest goals this season besides helping the team win? I´m sure you will get more Pro A minutes than in Frankfurt and in between get BBL minutes.

I will do whatever is asked of me. I will work very hard. My biggest motivation is always sky is the limit.

How excited are you to play with big German talent Johan Gurneloh before he leaves for bigger and better things? What do you like most about his game. His block shot strength and your athleticism and long arms could form a great duo on defense?

I have known him since a long time. He is a super big talent. It is crazy how well he has developed in the last 2 years. He is a great shot blocker and I like to paly pick and roll with him.

How excited are you to play for Hendrik Gruehn again? How have you seen him develop in last 2 years?

I´m really looking forward to work with him again. I´m so happy for his success. He has come such a long way with the NBBL team and then leading the Pro B team to the Pro A.

You played the last 2 years in Frankfurt. How did you grow as a player and a man in Frankfurt?

I became more mature and stable as a player. I learned a lot from Klaus Perwas especially on the defensive end. I learned effort over all. You can overcome mistakes with high effort.

You came to Frankfurt wanting to become a two way player. Did you achieve that?

Yes I think I have. I have gotten nearer to that goal and that will continue to be my card.

How tough was that first season in Frankfurt having to move down to the Pro A? What did you learn from that season?

It was a tough season. It was overburdening. I was injured and the overload with BBL and Pro B was too much for me. We practiced too much and that was a reason why I got injured. There was a lot of chaos. The second season was a lot better. There was more structure and rhythm that season.

You had the delight to be teammates with Quantez Robertson for a season. What is your nicest moment with him?

It was really cool to have a veteran like him around. I liked his motivational speeches most. He was always able to pick you up when we were down.

You helped Frankfurt reach the Pro A final. What was so special about this team?

We had a great bond. Everybody understood each other really well. I hadn´t really ever seen that before. We always had fun and were motivated. We were really together.

Last season in the pro A you averaged 7,0ppg and 1,8rpg in 15 minutes. I personally would have liked to have seen you have a bigger role. How do you summarize your season?

I saw my season as positive. I was really happy how I was able to come back from an operation and get integrated so well and play well. I would have liked to have a bigger role, but that is how it happened. I wouldn´t have changed it for anything.

Head coach Denis Wucherer stress defense. How did he help you become a better defender?

I got my minutes because of my defense. I had to give full energy and shut down the opponents best player

You had many wonderful games like against Paderborn, Jena and in the 2 final games against PS Karlsruhe. What was your fondest moment on the court?

My favorite moment was winning game 5 in Trier. That was a crazy game and just an unreal feeling winning the game. I also liked my game against Paderborn. Coming back from an injury and little practice and playing that well was a big moment.

How well will Germany do at the Olympics?

I obviously support Germany, but I don´t see them winning a medal. USA will win Gold. Canada Silver and France or Serbia bronze.

Thanks Justin for the chat.