Tevin Brewer (173-PG-1999, college: Duquesne) is a 173cm guard from Arkansas that played his rookie season with Kipina Aanekoski (Finland-1st Division A) averaging 29,3ppg,4,6rpg, 10,1apg and 2,2spg. He began his basketball career with Northside high school. He then played at 2 JUCO schools with Eastern Oklahoma State College averaging 27.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 5.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 80.5% and at Coffeyville Community College averaging 11.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 92.2%. he then played 3 years at Florida International University (NCAA) averaging 6.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.3apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 34.9%, 9.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 76.7% in his second season and 15.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 5.6apg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 82.9% in his last season. He then finished at the University of Duquesne (NCAA) averaging 7.6ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 37.1%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 73.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

You’re playing your rookie season with Kipina Aanekoski (Finland-1st Division A). What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about being in Finland?

Finland has been a different experience. They play more physical over here and don’t give you a lot of calls that you are used to getting in the states. But how they move the ball and shoot a lot of threes I´m very used to it. I think I have enjoyed learning how they play basketball over here adapting to their style of basketball this year.

You had to pay your dues in college playing 2 years in JUCO, but then had a solid NCAA career at 2 different schools. Now you’re paying your dues again. How big is the chip on your shoulder and how do you cope with it?

There always a chip on my shoulder. Everybody thinks I’m too small but I played at the highest levels in high school and college so I always had the confidence and know I could excel playing basketball. The way I cope with is by working hard and knowing I put in the work that most people don’t put in and it will always show.

How big of a challenge has it been being a basketball player at 173cm? Is your heart bigger than most players out there?

I don’t think it’s a challenge for me because I know I out work a lot of people. I definitely have the biggest heart and some the best IQ in the game.

Your averaging 29/4/10/2 stats. How content have you been with your game? What was the biggest adjustment coming overseas for you?

I feel like this a great start to my career but I’m not content I feel like I could shoot even better then what I have been and it showed last game in my eyes im 45-50% from the three point line. The biggest adjustment is just how physical they let us play. Some calls I don’t get that I usually would.

How cool has it been being reunited with ex NCAA teammate Victor Hart? Are you guys like brothers?

I think it was great to reunite with my teammate. I knew he would be a great fit playing with me because he is versatile and I know with my playmaking abilities I could give him the ball where he likes to get his shot and help him excel.

Let´s talk about your game? You’re a 173cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would make the best description?

I think I would compare my game to Trae Young and Darius Garland the way they get their teammates involved and make the game easier for them. Also how good I shoot the ball like them and have a floater that makes them and me be a 3 level scorer.

You almost averaged 6,0apg one season in the NCAA and averaged10,0apg as a rookie. Do you feel your playmaking will continue to develop as you move up to higher leagues?

Yea I always feel like I have been a great passer and love making the game easier for my teammates so I feel more and more people real recognize my playmaking ability.

You are an above average three point shooter. You shot 40% one season in the NCAA and doing it as a pro. How vital is your three pointer in your game?

I feel like this a very important to my game because teams can´t leave me open on the perimeter or go under the ball screen when I have the ball. I don’t need much space so teams try to take away the space for the shot so that makes it easier to use my quickness to get my floater or layup.

You’re also a very aggressive defender. Where do you see yourself as a defender in your development? Where do you still want to go with your defensive game in the next years?

I feel like my defense is underrated. I don’t get beat off the dribble maybe once or twice during the game. I also read passing lanes and kind of anticipate where the ball is going next. I average two steals this year I see that part of my game getting even stronger in the future. I think I could’ve had more steals this year so I’m definitely going to improve on all steals and passing lane steals in the years to come.

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

The area of my game I’m working on the most will be my strength continue to get my body stronger and that will help me more aggresive on defense and my shot making ability you will always have a job if you shoot the ball well so I will work on this most to stay consistent and be dangerous.

You played at 2 JUCO schools Eastern Oklahoma State College averaging 27.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 5.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 80.5% and at Coffeyville Community College averaging 11.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 92.2%. Every guy I interviewed that played JUCO said it was a grind, but one that they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

It was definitely a grind especially at my first school Eastern. Coffeyville I loved it I played most with my friends in AAU and we were winning almost every game by 15-20 plus points and were top 5 all year so yea I´m glad I was a part of the JUCO grind.

What memories do you have of the Final 4 run with Coffeyville Community College? What was so special about that team?

Just enjoying the process with my teammates and friends. We all bonded together and that was what made us so good on the court. We played defense at a high level and could shoot the ball and run with any team we played that year. We went 31 -4 and did 5 out 5 in my number went down but the team was so good I didn’t have to score so much.

You played 3 years at Florida International (NCAA) improving your scoring each season. How did your game grow under Jeremy Ballard?

We played NBA Style offense so it helped me understand the ball screen read which slows the game for me and helped my playmaking ability grow. This offense is the reason I feel I’m averaging 10 assists my rookie year.

You finished at the University of Duquesne (NCAA) averaging 7.6ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 37.1%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 73.3%. You played your first game against NCAA powerhouse Kentucky playing 14 minutes. What memories will you have playing against this top school and what Wild Cat player do you remember impressing you the most?

I really was not supposed to play this game because I got sick 3-4 weeks before and was in the hospital with appendicitis. But I wanted to just experience Rupp arena and playing against a legendary coach. Antonio Reeves was a player who impressed me the most with his shooting ability.

How did your game grow in your last NCAA season under former professional player Dru Joyce. Him being a ex guard must of helped your game?

He was a real defensive minded coach so he always was hard on me about staying engaged on defense and just growing as leader.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Dae Dae Grant?

We really didn’t play 1-1 in college but he always made me better and I always made him better.

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

I got a couple but I would have to say Trae Young, Malik Monk and Michael Porter jr were the best I ever faced.

Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time?

Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Dae Dae grant, Isaiah joe, Daniel Gafford, Jimmy tre Clark

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

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

I would say Michael Jordan. HIs dominance in the game I feel like no one has come close to his killer mentality besides Kobe.

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

I have seen the second movie but I definitely feel like they should’ve left it alone too much of classic and the made the second one too late.

Thanks Tevin for the chat.