Jacob Gilyard (175-PG-1998, college: Richmond) is a 25 year old 175cm point guard from Kansas City Missouri playing his third professional season and first overseas with easy Credit BBL team Niners Chemnitz. He began the season with the Cleveland Charge (NBA G League) averaging 8.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 6.5apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 40.9%, 3FGP: 34.7%, FT: 72.2%. Last season he split time with the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets and with G-League teams Memphis Hustle and the Long Island Nets. He played his rookie season with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League averaging 8.8ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-1 (8.8apg), 1.8spg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 90.2%. He began his basketball career at Barstow High School and then played at the University Of Richmond (NCAA) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 154 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career

Thanks Jacob for talking to germanhoops.com. You began the season with the Cleveland Charge (NBA G League) averaging 8.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 6.5apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 40.9%, 3FGP: 34.7%, FT: 72.2%. Why did you go? Did you lose a little faith in the NBA process?

I just felt it was time. I don’t think Cleveland was really the best situation for me. But I just wanted to get to a situation and find joy and fun playing again and I think Chemnitz has allowed me to do so.

How big of a goal is it getting back to the NBA via Europe? Have you set a plan or just take it day by day?

I just take it day by day. I know how the NBA works and there’s new guys coming in every year and the younger guys usually get the benefit of the doubt. So we’ll see. I’ve been watching more BBL and Euroleague games than NBA or College. and truthfully, since being over here I haven’t really put too much thought into it. Just being where my feet are.

You began your professional career with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) averaging 8.8ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-1 (8.8apg), 1.8spg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 90.2%. You had 22 games with 10 assists or more in a game. You won the G-League assist title. How special is a title like that?

I had a really good team my rookie year with the Hustle. I thought I showed what NBA teams would want to see and we were one of the best teams in the G that year. So it was a great start and the title was great to have. Just means I was fortunate enough to play with some good players!

You were rewarded with playing a NBA game against the Thunder having a 3/4/7/2 game in 41 minutes. How did you feel when you checked in and what do you remember from that game? The team dressed only 6 players.

Of course I remember. I was nervous and just trying to help the team in any way. I definitely didn’t expect to play 41 minutes but it was certainly something I’ll never forget.

In your second pro season you had a very good NBA Summer League with the Grizzlies and were rewarded playing 37 games averaging 4.7ppg, 1.2rpg, 3.5apg,and played 6 G-League games averaging 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 8.8apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 34.8%, 3PT: 35.4%. You had 2 good games against Golden State in losing causes and other solid games. What was your fondest moment on the court?

I’m pretty sure we won one of those games but it was a blessing getting to play in so many games. Fondest moment i’s hard to pick honestly. I started at the Staples center against Lebron James. Got a block on Stephen Curry. Got a steal on Jayson Tatum. I would probably have to say getting my first start was the coolest moment and being able to share that with my Dad in the stands was special. Early in the season when we were trying to figure out how to stay afloat (I think game 11 or 14 of the season). I got a call saying I was going to start. So hearing my name called out for the lineups was a pretty cool moment for me.

You were teammates with Derrick Rose. How much could you soak up from him and did he take you under his wing?

Pooh! That’s a legend. DRose was a great vet, player, mentor, friend, or whatever you want to call him, he was great at it. It’s hard to explain but when he was talking, it was like everybody should be listening. I don’t know how to describe it but yeah any chance I got to ask questions or talk about basketball or life with him, it was super impactful to me.

You were then briefly with the Brooklyn Nets and played 4 games. You were teammates with Dennis Schroeder. How did you experience him in the short time there?

He was great. One of the most competitive people I’ve ever met. Playing alongside him and seeing him do what he does in action was really good to experience, especially as a small guard. I actually got to play him earlier in the season when he was with Toronto which was fun to get a chance to go up against him. But he was helpful, I tried to pick his brain and get some pointers on areas of the game and he was quick to share knowledge. He actually texted me after we played Braunschweig my first game and was talking trash! So hopefully we get to play them in the playoffs and he finds a way to show up to a game.

You played at the University of Richmond (NCAA) from 2017-2022 reaching the big dance in 2022. What kind of a player were you coming in in 2017 and what kind of a player when you left in 2022?

I think I was just a kid trying to play. I didn’t really know how difficult college basketball was, I just thought I was good and eventually it would show, but I didn’t expect to have the type of success I did that early. I think I left as a player who was battle tested and had been through ups and downs and always found a way to adapt.

You won the Atlantic 10 title in 2022 over Davidson. Was that one of your biggest wins in the NCAA? You got revenge after losing 87-84 some months earlier.

Sort of. It was the A10 championship so it was a huge deal for us. But beating Iowa in the tournament was probably a bigger deal and then beating Kentucky in Rupp Arena was pretty special.

In your fourth season you beat Kentucky scoring 6 points and dishing out 6 dimes. What memories do you have of that game beating a NCAA powerhouse and future NBA players?

I just remember not really having a sold out arena because of Covid which made it less fun, but still was the bright spot of that year. I think I was on Sportscetner top 10 after that game for a play I made so that was probably the thing I remember most.

You played 3 seasons with Blake Francis. He said this about you in an interview I did with him last season. “We always definitely made each other better and got the best of each other. And yeah, him having success at the NBA/G-League level drives me to keep going because you never know what may happen in the future. What memories will you always have of him? Did you guys become like brothers?

Blake was as tough and competitive as they come. He was exactly what we needed at Richmond when he transferred in. His first year playing was the year the Covid shut down the tournament, but I think we would have made some noise had it not been canceled.

How did head coach Chris Mooney groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

I think coach did a good job of preparing me for being on the court with better players. We played a style of offense that was unpredictable and did not depend on one person having the ball in their hand the whole game. So as a pro (especially in the NBA) I found myself without the ball a lot and other guys making plays and being able to play off the ball. I think he preached playing the right way and that is something that is universal in this game so just continuing to always do that has gotten me to where I am today.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Blake Francis?

I’d say Blake and I had our fair share of battles. One day he would win and then the next day I would win… Just always back and forth. But in the end, we always brought out the best in each other.

Who the toughest player you battled that reached the NBA ?

I think the toughest player I ever had to guard was James Harden. That was my matchup for the Clippers last year. It was super fun and challenging to get to go against one of the best guards to ever play the game.

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Michael Porter Jr. Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, Grant Golden.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

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

I did not watch that sequel. Usually sequels are not as good as the original, so I tend to stay away from them.

Thanks Jacob for the chat.