Patrick Lanipekun (195-G-1999, college: Mt.Hood CC) is a 26 year old 195cm guard that was born in London, but also has the Irish citizenship. In the 2024-2025 season he played with Carrick Cruisers (Ireland-Division) averaging 5.9ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.2apg, 2PT: 36.4%, 3PT: 24.2%, FT: 33.3%, then moved to Scotts Lakers St. Paul’s Killarney (Ireland-Division 1) averaging 10.0ppg, 1.5rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, 2PT: 66.7%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 60.0% In the 2023-2024 season he played with C.B. Aridane (Spain-EBA) averaging 3.3ppg, 3.1rpg, in Feb.’24 moved to BC London Elite (United Kingdom-NBL) averaging 9.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 37.8%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 65.4%. He began his basketball career with Charnwood College (EABL) and then played with the City of London Academy, Southwark (United Kingdom-U19 League). He then played with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (NCAA2) for 2 years averaging 1.5ppg, 1.3rpg and 2.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.4apg. He then came back home and played with Mount Hood Community College (JUCO) averaging 4.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.2apg. He then played with the Plymouth City Patriots (United Kingdom-BBL) averaging 1.8ppg. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Patrick for talking to germanhoops.com. You played your third pro season in Ireland with St Pauls´ Killarney. What kind of an experience has it been playing at home after playing in England and Spain the last 2 years?

It was good, getting to see family again and connect with my Irish side, I used to come here a lot growing up so it’s always been a part of me but now getting to live here as an adult is something special.

How blessed do you feel being able to play the game you love? It is rare that guys from JUCO get an opportunity to play professional basketball. Do take every day like it could be your last?

It’s definitely a blessing I get to do what I do and the path I’m on now seems to be a good one so I’m just trusting the process and trying to work every day.

Do you have a chip on your shoulder? It seems like you will never see a day where you won´t have to be proving yourself on the court to someone?

I think I play freely without a chip I would say I only have to play for myself and my family so there’s not much pressure that I put on myself

What was it like playing for Ron Howard? He has made a name for himself for more than a decade to get guys from low college leagues to get pro contracts. How blessed do you feel having a guy like that in your corner?

It was great. Getting to work out with him is a great experience, he’s been a pro and gone places I want to get to, but also an amazing guy off the court.

What did you appreciate most about Ron Howard´s coaching ability and his overall character?

He is a players first coach and someone that takes time to understand you as a person which is rare in coaching, he knows everyone on the team what they are going through or if they had a tough week and takes it into consideration when coaching which is really good

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 195 cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

My first player comp would be rondo, I used to watch him play and get to the paint and make decisions and I knew that was the player I would want to be like, also just impacting the game in different ways with high Iq plays, knowing the rules of the game to a T and really studying is something that we both have in common.

You seem to be a guy that can fill the stat sheet. How big is versatility in your game?

Versatility is huge it’s the reason I get most jobs to be honest, my first job I didn’t play the point at all but still found ways to try and impact the game defensively or without the ball, now the ball is in my hands a lot so I get to make decisions and get everyone involved so now it’s just putting the scoring together and I’ll be a full package.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. Is your three pointer something that you will continue to work on diligently overseas?

Yeh it’s frustrating because I can really shoot lol, most workouts I get in a good rhythm and now it´s more just finding ways to translate to a game, the last preseason game I hit 4 threes and I’m sure I’ll be able to get that more consistent during the year with the amount of reps I take during the week

You are also a very active defender. What kind of defender are you right now? Where do you want your defensive game to go to in next years?

I think I’m best guarding the ball and I have good instincts on help side, I think last week I had a ton of deflections now I have to turn those into steals, I like playing defense and when I get to a higher level I’ll have to keep showing that.

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

I would say I’m working most on getting reps and just conditioning to be able to play the whole game

After playing at the City of London Academy, Southwark (United Kingdom-U19 League), you came to the States to play at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (NCAA2) averaging 1.5ppg, 1.3rpg and averaging 2.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.4apg. Your minutes rose to 9 more in your second season, but you never averaged more than 2,6ppg in a season. How tough were these 2 years not having a big role? What positives could you take from the 2 years?

Covid was tough for me, I couldn’t really get in the gym because of the restrictions but I have a lot of love for my UCCS family but being away from home and kind of stuck in my room wasn’t best for me at the time, I definitely learnt a lot and can look at it as an achievement to be able to have played college basketball is something not everyone can do so I’m grateful for that

You then took a few steps back and played at Mount Hood Community College (JUCO) averaging 4.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.2apg. How tough of a pill was it to swallow going from the NCAA 2 to JUCO and again not having a big role?

I wasn’t originally going to go back to school so going to Juco was a last second thing, our team was really good and again I had some good games but it was more so I didn’t pick the right situation to go to, I was more of a facilitator and going to juco you need to be scoring the ball which I didn’t really get to do

You made a big jump from JUCO to the first division in England with Plymouth City Patriots averaging 1,8ppg. Not many JUCO guys make it to a first division in Europe. Once again you didn´t have a big role but played at a high level. What did your game gain most from this experience?

Just being around pros is a huge thing for young players had probably two of the best guards in the league in front of me with Elvisi Dusha and Antonio Williams they both have different play styles so getting to learn from them from a guard perspective is huge

Last season you began with C.B. Aridane (Spain-EBA) averaging 3.3ppg, 3.1rpg, in Feb.’24 moved to BC London Elite (United Kingdom-NBL D1) averaging 9.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 37.8%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 65.4%. In Spain you played against Real Madrid 2 and battled some of the biggest talents in Europe. You scored 7 points. What could you take form that game?

I don’t really remember that game but I would say that the young talent in Europe is great, to play against 17/18 year olds and they compete and understand the game was a real eye opener. That as well as the coaching at high programs is amazing to watch

Who was the best player that you battled in your life that went to the NBA?

I played against two guys in the league right now when I was in London, both younger than me Tosan Evbuomwan And Jeremy Sochan

Who were your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My top teammates are probably Louis Norton Cuffy, Sesan Russell, Sam Keita, Padiet Wang and Aaron Badibo

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Mount Rushmore would be Kobe, MJ, Bron And Steph

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

I didn’t see the sequel but now I definitely won’t after that review haha, thank you