Christian Hinckson (201-G-1999, college: Binghamton) is a 25 year old 201cm forward from Queens, New York playing his second professional season overseas with BG Hessing Leitershofen (Pro B). Last season he played his rookie season with Starlites GIG (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 13.1ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 81.3%He began his career at John Bowne high school and also gained experience at Tilton Prep school. He began his college career at Manhattan College (NCAA) averaging 3.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.0apg and 7.2ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 35.2%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 72.1%. He then moved on to Binghamton University (NCAA) averaging 3.1ppg, 3.4rp, 7.9ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 75.9% and 6.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 71.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Christian for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season in Germany with BG Leitershofen. What kind of an experience has it been and what do you appreciate most about the opportunity?

My first year in Germany has been a great experience so far, I am enjoying my time out here and love it. What I appreciate the most is that I’m able to play basketball everyday as my career and to showcase my talents in a well- respected market.

The club is in it´s third Pro B season and finished 9 and 11ththe last 2 seasons. This season the team is battling the RheinStars for the top spot. What has been the secret to the success?

Buying into the culture and embracing roles has been a secret to our success. It’s a fun brand of basketball we play and we have great players that compliments our run and gun style of play.

The team scores a lot of points with 93 per game, but also defend very well allowing 77 points per game. What is the team´s biggest strength on defense?

Our defensive versatility and aggressive style of play is our biggest strength on defensive. We have guards/wings who pressure the ball well and our bigs are athletic and agile so we can guard multiple positions with different matchups.

Leitershofen split with the RheinStars this season and the 2 games were decided by not more than 7 points. How hungry is the team to win the pro B South and be better than last season´s finalist?

We are really hungry, our as coach Richie would say we need “Saliva” meaning to be the hunters and killers as we perform. Our goal is to move up to Pro A so we are doing whatever it takes to make it there.

Your averaging 8/3/2/1 stats and shooting 36% from outside. What exactly is your role on the team?

My role on the team is to use my versatility on both ends to make plays. Defending, scoring, play-making anything that can be done to help the team win I do.

You were efficient in the NCAA. Your showing this season that your efficient. Did you develop that in the NCAA?

Yes the NCAA most definitely has helped my efficiency. Playing division 1 basketball humbled me and made me realize at every level there are roles on each team, so being efficient in your role and time played is very important.

Talk a little about the big man combo of Elias Marei and Ferenc Gille? How do they compliment each other best and what do you appreciate most about their games?

Elias and Ferenc have done plenty of good this season for our team. They do a great job being vocal on the defensive end and rim running in transition. What I appreciate the most about their games is their motors and how hard they play. Every game for sure you know you will get 100% effort out of them.

How valuable is in being teammates with fellow American rookie Asa Williams He played at 3 JUCO schools. Do you feel that chip on his shoulder??

Asa has made my journey here in Germany much easier. Coming from America, we had a few mutual friends prior to knowing each other and are able to relate. He’s also my roommate so we spend a lot of time together off the court. Without a doubt I feel that chip on his shoulder, he is a fierce competitor and we speak about it all the time about how much this opportunity means to him and the adversity he has faced playing basketball. He is having a special season, breaking records etc. and I’m rooting for him and his success.

How valuable is Dragos Dickulescu? Is he the motor of the team?

Dragos is extremely valuable to our team and has been our go to guy. He’s a very smart player and is talented. He has been a great leader and motor for us and his resume as a pro speaks for itself.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I was told by prior teammates I play like Khris Middleton or Kawhi Leonard but I’ve never been able to compare myself.

You have always been a guy that can fill the stat sheet well. Would you call yourself a Swiss army knife? Your game reminds me a bit of Pro A player Cam Henry of Kirchheim.

I would definitely call myself a Swiss Army knife! Versatility has been my game for most of my life and I have played several different positions all throughout my career. I do not know of Cam, but I’m interested to look up his highlights now

Your shooting the three pointer very well at the moment. What do you still have to do to make the next step as a shooter?

To make the next step as a shooter I would love to start taking and making deeper shots.

How would you describe your defensive game? You were a star defender in college. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I would say I am a smart and versatile defender. I know how to use my physical gifts to my advantage. I know I am a pretty good defender but there is still room for growth for me in every aspect of defensive. I want to be known as a two way player.

You played at Manhattan college from 2018-2020. What kind of an experience was that for you? You made a big increase of minutes to 13 more in your second season.

I enjoyed my time at Manhattan college and played a different style of basketball than I was used to. My first few year I got used to the speed and physicality of the college game. The year after that my minutes increased because I had a productive summer and worked on my weaknesses.

You had some big games at Manhattan including 16 points in a 57-53 win over Fairfield. What was your fondest moment there?

My fondest moment at Manhattan was off the court. The bond I built with my teammates was like no other and I still keep in touch with most of them.

You then played at Binghamton University (NCAA) from 2020-2023 averaging 7.9ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 75.9% and 6.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 71.4%. What memories do you have of these 3 years? You scored 20 points in a 81-79 win over Columbia.

What was most memorable through those years was the atmosphere we played in. Loved playing in front of about 2 to 4 thousand people every home game.

How did head coach Lavell Sanders who played 14 years in the Czech Republic groom and prepare you for a professional career?

Coach Sanders helped me a lot and I am thankful for him. He prepared me for Europe by teaching me a lot of the terminology and reads I see here in Germany and simplified my game a lot. It was an honor learning from him since he was once a professional and knows the ins and outs of the European game.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Miles Gibson?

Miles and I had many battles 1-1, I would say it’s an even split.

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

Ex teammate Hamidou Diallo

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

There are too many to name.

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James

Michael Jordan

Kevin Durant

Kobe Bryant

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

Haha I may get some hate for this but I have never seen the sequel. I watched the first one and it was great but had no idea there was a sequel.

Thanks Christian for the chat.