Tradavis Thompson (188-G, college: Lynn, agency: Starting 5) is a 188cm guard from Raymond, Mississippi playing his rookie season in Germany with Regionalliga club TuS Red Devils Bramsche currently averaging 13,3ppg, 2,6rpg, 1,6apg and 1,1spg. He began his basketball career with Raymond high school and then played 2 seasons with Jones College (JUCO) averaging 11.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 69.1% and in his second season averaged 15.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 68.8%. He then played 2 seasons at Mississippi College (NCAA2) averaging 14.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 80.9 and 17.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 78.1%. He played one final season with Lynn University (NCAA2) averaging 17.5ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.7apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 62.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Tradavis for talking to germanhoops.com Your not only a talented basketball player, but musician. I read that your dropping an album. Is music just a hobby or something your more serious about?

I just enjoy music, it keeps me going and make me have a clear mind and I wanted to just make music of my own for fun that’s all

Congrats on signing with German team TuS Red Devils Bramsche (Germany-Regionalliga). How exciting is it playing your rookie season overseas?

I am very excited to be a part of something that I was dreaming about when I was a kid.

It is rare for ex JUCO players to turn pro. How blessed do you feel and how would you describe your excitement in a few words?

I am very blessed to have an opportunity to prove myself and just get my career started, I’m joyful, blessed, excited, and thankful for the opportunity.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

I heard Germany is one of the best of the best leagues in the world and basketball means a lot to the fans and I’m glad to be a part of that

Have you had any people you know ball overseas besides Ben Gahlert? Did you seek any advice form him regarding Germany?

I have been talking to multiple overseas guys that are still playing and they gave me some good advice and the advice that I got from Ben Gahlart is to just be myself and live in the moment.

TUS Bramsche have a rich basketball history. What were the main reasons for you to join this organization?

The reason I decided to join the organization is because the type of style they play, things I can bring to team, and I just love to win.

How did the talks go with head coach Christian Fischer? What did you enjoy most about his basketball philosophy?

The talk with coach Fischer was very good and he a wonderful coach and he really cares about his players and that means a lot to me.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 188cm guard. If you had to compare you’re game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Jalen Brunson and DeAaron Fox.

You’re a guy that can score really well, but also fill the stat sheet at ease. What would you classify as your biggest strength?

My Strengths of playing the game of basketball is getting my team involved, scoring at high level in the mid range and getting to the rim and just being a leader for the team.

You demonstrated at 3 different schools and in 2 different leagues that your very consistent. How important has consistency been in your career?

My first Juco coach Randy Bolden always told me when I was a young kid that if I want to be really good in this sport I have to be consistent. So that has been molded in me and I have been sticking with that throughout my whole career.

You made a big jump in your 3 point shooting at Mississippi College, but tailed off a bit at Lynn. How much is your 3 pointer still a work in progress?

I had a bad summer last year due to a small injury and I didn’t get to work out last summer but right now I’m having a really good summer and my 3 pointer is really progressed from where I was last season.

Your also a very strong defender. What kind of a defender would you classify yourself at the moment and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I love playing defense and I love to play on the ball a lot to get other players uncomfortable because defense wins games.

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

I am focusing on a lot on fundamentals right now to improve my game to become a better basketball player.

You played 2 seasons at Jones College (JUCO) averaging 11.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 69.1% and 15.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 68.8%. Every guy that I have interviewed that played Juco have mostly said that JUCO was tough a real grind, but one they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

Juco was a very good start for me and I learned a lot of new things and met new people throughout that journey so Juco was really fun.

How important was head coach Randy Bolden in your development as a player in your 2 JUCO years. How did he help you most to become the player entering the NCAA2?

Juco really prepared me for NCAA2 because Juco pushed you to be a better player on and off the court so when I got to Mississippi College I knew the expectations.

You then played 2 years at Mississippi College averaging 14.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 80.9% and 17.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 78.1%. How did your game grow in these 2 years?

I had two great summers there and I stayed in the gym 24/7 and when I played I knew I did everything to be in the right position that I was in.

You exploded against UAH with 47 points in a 92-62 win and hit 9 three´s. What memories do you have of that game? How quickly did you know that you were in the zone?

Tbh I was not supposed to play that game back was aching and I told my coach I’m still going to play and while I was playing, I got going early and the rim just got bigger and bigger.

You then finished at Lynn University (NCAA2) averaging 17.5ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.7apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 62.9%. How important was it playing an extra season at Lynn? You proved you could be an impact player again for a different school.

The Lynn experience was good because when I first got there, they were 4-21 and I knew they had some great pieces and they have a good winning background and with my skills and leadership I knew that I can be a big part of that team and get it back where you’re supposed to be.

What memories will you always have of German big man Ben Gahlert? Did you enjoy feeding him dimes?

Ben was a funny guy. He kept everybody on their toes and he was a great leader and a great teammate probably one of the best teammates I ever had and I will miss giving him dimes maybe he will come out of retirement and we can play today again one day

How did head coach Jeff Price groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Price cared about me more off the court than on the court and that what´s made him a great coach and he gave me some good advice as a young man and I really appreciate him for that.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jamison Evans?

lol Jamison Evans couldn’t ever beat me in one on one in practice but he is a really great player.

Who is the best player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Ashton Hagans was a really great player in high school because he could score at all 3 levels and he was really quick.

Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time?

Alen Smith,Miles Miller, Quentin Toles, Joshua Sasser, and Bee McCrary.

What is your personal NBA mount rushmore of past or present heads?

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Allen Iverson

Who is your GOAT and why?

Carmelo Anthony is my GOAT, He is a great person and great role model and was a great Basketball Player.

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

I really liked the 2nd Coming to America, It was very funny and better than the first one in my eyes.

Thanks Tradavis for the chat.