Beyuan Hendricks (193-PG, college: Lee) is a 193cm guard from Tennessee that played his rookie season overseas with Basketball Club Batumi (Georgia-Superleague).He was supposed to continue his rookie season in Germany with the Seawolves Academy but health problems didn´t allow him to suit up. He began his basketball career at Baylor High School and then played 5 seasons and 134 games with Lee University (NCAA2). In his 5th year he averaged 16.9ppg, 3.5rpg, 5.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 70.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Beyuan for talking to germanhoops.com. Welcome to Germany. What do you know in general about Germany and it´s basketball?

I honestly don’t know much, other than the NBA players that are from Germany. Dirk, Mo and Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroeder

You came to a losing team. What were the main reasons for joining Rostock? Was the challenge enticing?

I joined this team because I liked the challenge. I am a winner, and want to help this team remain in Pro B and possibly make the playoffs.

How did the talks go with head coach Tom Schmidt? What did you appreciate most about his coaching philosophy? Will you also be able to practice with the easyCredit BBL team? That will be huge for the development of your game the rest of the season.

Tom is a great guy and a young up and coming coach! He was honest and told me exactly what he wants my role to be on this team and how much I can help. Tom mentioned that I will be able to practice some with them once I get settled in and adjusted to everything.

Is JeQuan Lewis a guy you will try to soak up as much as possible? He has unbelievable experience and is a true playmaker.

Yes, he is a veteran point guard, and I will try to learn as much as I can from him.

Has it felt like going back to school with so many young players on the Rostock Roster? Bringing consistency is a huge thing that coach Schmidt wants you to bring to the team. How big will playmaking be in comparison to scoring?

It’s a whole new team dynamic, much different than Batumi. But I am ready for the opportunity! playmaking season by season.

What has it been like having young German teammates like Mika Freitag and Sydnee Bijlsma? What have you appreciated most about their games?

I love playing with those guys. They are such hard workers and want to get better every day.

You began the season with Basketball Club Batumi (Georgia-Superleague). What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was definitely the first day I was there. I had little to no sleep and had conditioning the very next day.

What kind of an experience was the Basketball Club Batumi (Georgia-Superleague). You had solid stats with 7/3/4 in 28 minutes per game. The team lost a lot. Were you an escape goat or did they expect more from your game in the minutes you received?

I was no where near my best. But I also feel like they blamed me for a lot of the problems we were having. I will be much better here in Germany.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I compare myself to a Darius Garland. I’m a quick point guard who can shoot the ball and get down hill and able to make oaters and midrange shots. But also I’m a good passer with great vision and high IQ

You’re a player that can fill the stat sheet well. What would you classify as your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength on the court would be my ability to really control the game. Some games I will need to score for us to win, other games I may need to facilitate a little more. I read the defense and make plays based on that.

You shot 44% once in the NCAA 2. Where would you describe is your three point shooting at the moment in your development? What do you have to still do to get to the next level?

That was my best year shooting statistically, but I feel I should shoot in the 40% range every year. I just have to keep shooting.

You’re a very ambitious defender. Where is your defensive game now as a rookie and where do you still want to bring your game in the next years?

I’m very solid on defense. I keep my guy in front and keep him out of the paint and contest every shot. I still want to get stronger so that I am able to guard multiple positions

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?

I’ve been working on my ball handling a lot. I already have a nice handle, but I believe there is always room to get the handle quicker and tighter so that no one can stay in front of me.

You played at Lee University (NCAA2) form 2019-2024. You improved your scoring and assists per season each season in your last 3 seasons. How did your game improve at Lee?

Each year my confidence grew higher and higher, and that showed on the court.

In your third season you beat Delta State 79-64 and scored 29 points. What memories do you have of that game. That was your highest scoring game there until that point.

I remember that game vividly. I wasn’t having my best season, but that game I felt like myself again and led to me finishing the season strong and leading into my next two years

What memories of your amazing game winner against delta State in the 73-71 win do you have? You had 19 points and 9 assists.

That was my only game winner during my college career, so it is something I will definitely never forget. It was a back and forth game and I told my teammate Tylon Chatman during the timeout I was going to hit the shot, and indeed I made the shot. Legendary moment

You lost to UAH 115-109 in 5 overtimes and scored 31 points and had 11 dimes in 64 minutes. How tough was the loss, but at the same time how tough was it playing 64 minutes. What memories do you have of that game?

UAH was my college rival. That was the craziest game of my career, and will also never forget that game as well. That was a tough loss, but I was proud of my teammates and how hard we fought the entire game

Who was feeling better after that game you or JJ Barnes? You both logged 64 minutes a piece?

I think we both needed a few days o and some electrolytes lol.

You reached the NCAA 2 tournament in 2024 losing to UWG losing 75-61. What was missing on that day to get the win?

West Georgia was a tough matchup for us. They were very physical and we did not shoot the ball well from 3 especially me.

How did head coach Bubba Smith groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Smith showed me how to show up and give my 100% to basketball every day. He reminded us how blessed we are to be able to play this sport we love, and that we should never take it for granted.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tariq Daughton?

Me every time. He wanted to beat me so bad. I wasn’t letting it happen

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced on a court that reached the NBA?

I played Darius garland for 3 years in high school. He beat my team in the state championship game 50-44.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ashton Hagans, Ryan Montgomery, Jaylin Williams, Pjay Smith, Quay Kennedy

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron, MJ, Kobe, Steph, Wemby

Who is your GOAT?

King James

Thanks Beyuan for the chat.