William Lee (206-F-1995, college: UAB) is a 30 year old 206cm forward from Alabama playing his 7th professional season and first with the EPG Guardians Koblenz. He turned professional in 2018 playing in the G-League, Serbia, Tunisia and England. He began his basketball career at Dallas county high school and then played at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (NCAA) from 2014-2018 playing a total of 132 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big win over Vechta 2.

Thanks William for talking to germanhoops.com. How do you feel the day after the big 109-69nwin over Vechta?

I feel good physically and mentally. I did some treatment with Rueben today. I´m excited about what is to come in the next games.

You came and conquered in your first game. Did you eat anything special on Sunday?

I didn´t eat anything special. It was a regular day. I ate a pizza.

The EPG guardians Koblenz have had a tough season. It was on a 8 game losing streak. Then out of nothing you came along with Alexandre Bouzidi and literally the team wins like that. Were you a bit surprised how well the team played? What was your feeling going in?

I´m always excited. I was a little nervous, but I have put in the work in the lastyears. It was time for me to perform. I feel like the team was gelling well and the team chemistry is still growing. Guys are knowing where they feel comfortable.

You scored 7 of the team´s first 10 points. Did Marco Van Den Berg give you the green light right from the jump to do your thing? The team was trying to find you.

I guess I had the green light. Coach just told me to play my game. I saw that first one go in and my team just kept feeding me. As we continue to grow, it could be other guys stepping up. Anyone can get hot on this team.

You found your groove right away. What was your impression of the Pro A. How would you compare it to the BBL in the UK?

It´s a similar basketball style. I have to get adjusted to how the refs make calls. I don´t want to get into early foul trouble so I have to get used to their tendencies. The fans are great in both places.

You began hot and your energy helped everyone´s elses energy. Are you naturally a guy that speaks more with actions than words?

100% agree. I lead by actions and words follow. I have such a passion since I began to play at age 15. I have that passion to do my very best each time that I´m on the court. I always want to leave the best impression on the court.

Thomas Klein told me at halftime that your playing in another league. How big a part of your game is your midrange game?

My midrange is 80% of my game. To me it´s simple. I take 1-2 dribbles, get to my spot and then it´s target practice.

You can be the difference maker. On a team with many scoring options, would the go to guy suit you?

Yes. I can make that adjustment. I have been on many teams where I was the main scoring option. I can adjust to that or lock in on defense. I will always give my team what it needs most. Basketball is a team sport and not individually based.

You ended the game with 19 points and 9 rebounds and had 2 steals and 4 blocks. How content were you with your game?

I´m not satisfied, because I know I can give more and I want to give more. I missed some blocks. I always want to be perfect.

You made an impact on the defensive game. The Guardians defense has been a sore point this season. Do you feel like you could become the defensive anchor of the team?

Yes of course. I was the leading shot blocker at Alabama-Birmingham. It is in me to protect the rim and get defensive rebounds and get my team advantages on offense. I´m used to protecting the rim, but I can also defend the perimeter.

The Guardians shot very well and as always rebounded well. What was the biggest strength on the team in the win?

I think that our biggest strength was that we stuck together as a unit. We didn´t go our separate ways. We communicated well and had the same mission to win.

Going into the Vechta game there seemed to be concern the players didn´t understand the importance of the game and what it has to do to stay in the league. Do you feel like your teammates knew and will continue be focused?

Yes 100%. The guys are more locked in on winning now. They got that taste of winning yesterday and now know how good it feels. We will be more mentally locked in now.

What was your favorite play of the game? Maybe your alley-oop or one of your 4 blocks?

I had a lot of ones, but I think it was the lob from Leon Friederici for the alley-oop dunk. We wanted to run that the play before and then the same situation came up again and then it worked.

What did you think of the Mac McClung dunk over the KIA car? That was better than the Blake Griffin dunk years ago?

I didn´t watch it.

Thanks William for the chat.