Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Avery Sullivan in Rhondorf in 2023

Avery Sullivan (203-F/C-1999, college: Lamar) is a 24 year old 203cm center from Texas that is playing this season with Lahti Basketball (Finland-Korisliiga) currently averaging 20,6ppg, 10,8rpg4,3apg, 2,6spg and 1,3bpg. Last season he played with the Dragons Rhondorf averaging 13.7ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 60.1%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 70.2% and helped them win the Pro B title. In 2022-2023 he played with KB Teuta Durres (Albania-Superliga) averaging 16.0ppg, Reb-3 (11.0rpg), 1.6apg, 1.5spg, Blocks-4 (1.1bpg), FGP: 59.3%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 70.5%. He played his rookie season with at Depiro Rabat Imtarfa (Malta-BOV League D1). He began his basketball career with Pflugerville High School and then played 4 seasons and 102 NCAA games at Lamar averaging 12.3ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 50.2%, FT: 74.0% and in his senior year averaged 9.8ppg, 7.2rpg, FGP: 44.3%, FT: 77.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball

Thanks Avery for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

I am currently playing in Lahti, Finland not too far from where you last saw me. I would say basketball life is treating me very well at the moment, I couldn’t ask for much more.

You’re playing your first season in Finland with Lahti Basketball (Finland-Korisliiga). What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

Overal it’s been nothing short of great! One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about this new experience would have to be their fan base and overall community engagement.

The winters weren’t that rough in Germany, but how is Finland? Is it tough for a Texas native to get through the winter?

Honestly, when I first signed I was really worried about the winter here in Finland because in Texas we very rarely get snow. When the time came it wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. Don’t get me wrong it was still very cold and unusual for me as a true Texan, but I enjoyed seeing the snow.

I mean you won titles in Albania and one in Germany and now you’re currently 19-0. Can one say that you’re infectious with winning?

I guess some could say that. I, however, just enjoy the feeling of playing each and every game I’m able to. I love the competition of it all.

The team is unbeaten. How does that feel? Does every new game become more difficult because every team is shooting for you?

Winning is always a great feeling, because at the beginning of every season it’s definitely my number one goal to try and win each game played. I would say the pressure from other teams has increased as we move on in the season due to our undefeated streak. It adds more of a target/incentive for other teams to beat us.

The team seems to be very special. It can score a lot, almost averaging 100 per game and gives up only 73 points. What is the team’s biggest strength?

Our biggest strength is everyone’s selflessness and willingness to pass. We love to play in transition to create dunk opportunities and open 3’s.

You won a game 201-54. When I read that I thought WTF? What memories do you have of that game?

The memory that stands out to me the most during that game is feeling accomplished in what I was playing for. Although it was a very high scoring game, it was more meaningful to underfunded youth sports, and every point scored meant 10 euros to support those children.

You had a triple double of 53/20/11. Were you superman on this day? How quick did you know that you could have an exceptional game?

Again I wasn’t necessarily playing for the stats but overall just wanted to do everything I could in that game to up the amount for charity.

Was this your first triple double in your career? What were you most proud of this from your own game?

Yes this was my first ever triple double. I think overall my self-assessment from that game would have been happy in how I passed the ball and was able to work fluidly with my teammates.

Did you get any cool messages after achieving that triple double from around the world? What about from your ex Dragon’s teammates?

Yes. A lot of my friends who play in Europe had sent texts asking if what they were seeing was real life? My ex-dragon teammates sent the score from that game in our old group chat which led to an in-depth discussion and an analysis of the game. There was definitely a lot of jokes from my ex Dragon’s teammates on why I didn’t do that last year.

What is it like playing with Lue Williams? He also had 50 plus points in the 201 points win. What do you appreciate most about his game?

It’s definitely a blessing to play alongside someone like Lue who is able to compete on both ends of the court. Lue’s willingness to take on the biggest defensive assignment every game is one of the things I appreciate of him.

Did you and him have to get the team dinner after the 201 point win or did they do something for you both?

No. We did end up having a team sauna night after the game.

Do you ever kid Lue about his name and annoy him with Lou Williams?

I did early on in the season, but over time the joke kind of faded.

14. Let’s talk about your game. You’re averaging 20/10/4 in 30 minutes. Last season you had many scoring options. Are you the main go to guy this season?

I wouldn’t say I’m the main go to all the time, but I try to make myself as open as possible to give people that outlet when needed.

15. This season you’re averaging 20/10/4 in 30 minutes and last season in Rhondorf you averaged 13/9/1 in 2 minutes less. That is an incredible jump. How has your game grown this season?

I believe I’m starting to read the floor better and recognize situations sooner than before.

You’re making 1.3 spg and almost 3.0 blocks per game in Finland. You improved your defensive game already last season, but how have you seen it develop further in Finland?

I think me paying more attention to detail and the patterns in the people I’m guarding has helped me further develop my defensive game.

You obviously want to win that next chip, but how else do you want to continue to improve your game this season?

The 2 areas I want to see the most improvement are shooting the 3 ball more consistently and better decision making.

The Dragons Rhondorf aren’t having the kind of season like last year fighting for the playoffs. Do you follow their progress?

Yes, I follow them weekly. I try to catch as many games as I can when they’re on. I will occasionally re-watch the game later if I miss it and don’t talk to the guys first.

Do you still have contact with your ex Dragon teammates? Is there one guy that sticks out most with whom you have contact with?

I still talk to most of the guys. I would say Kelvin sticks out to me the most as he was and still is a close friend of mine.

Where do you rank the Mac McClung dunk in the NBAs all-time best dunks?

Top 5.

Thanks Avery Sullivan