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Henk Droste (195-PG-2001) is a 24 year old 195cm guard that completed his fourth season with TV Langen averaging 11/6/2/2 and helping them win the 2025 South West Regionalliga title. He began his basketball career with the SW Baskets Wuppertal. He then played a season with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen NBBL team averaging 11.7ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.7apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 72.1%. He then played a season with the EN Baskets Schwelm. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

You began your career with SW Baskets Wuppertal (2.Regionalliga). What memories do you have of this time. Was there a coach or someone that helped you most then?

In my first year, when I was 16 we won the U18 NRW Championship and I played really well against the grown men in Regio 2. I was a starter sometime along the season. Lennart Urspruch, my best friend growing up, convinced me to join him playing Basketball when I was 9. On the court it was pretty much him and I against the other team before we joined Leverkusens youth program. We pushed each other to the next level everytime. Without him I might still be playing soccer or in a low level home town team. We still play whenever I get back home in the summer. He plays for Schwelm (Pro B)

You then played a season with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2nd Team (Regionalliga) averaging 3.7ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.4apg, played also at TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen U19 team (NBBL) averaging 11.7ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.7apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 72.1%. How important was this season for your basketball development under Jacques Schneider?

Jacques was my coach in Regio (during the JBBL times) and in the NBBL. He still is the best coach I ever had and I am glad to see him go towards the BBL this year. We had a great team and we had a good shot at NBBL Top 4 but unfortunately we could play in the playoffs due to covid and the season was cut short.

You then played a season with the EN Baskets Schwelm (ProB) playing 2 games averaging 1.5ppg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg. How tough was this season during Covid? What did you learn about yourself during these hard times?

That was a difficult time. I started med school and had to travel to Frankfurt and back once a week. I felt like I wasn’t treated right. I only played twice and began to lose confidence and even didn’t enjoy playing basketball anymore. Ever since then I know the importance of a great team spirit and fun. Also I want to prove to myself that I am more than capable to play at Pro B level.

You had some incredible teammates in Schwelm with Alexis, Scott, Mayr and Kharchenkov just to name a few. Was there a player that had a big impact on you?

Monty (Scott) was really shifty and I knew my defense wasn’t ready for that level. Nikita played in Langen and told me to play here when I told him I was moving to Frankfurt, so that was a great part. Also I learned what it meant to be a pro.

You came to Langen in 2021. Was that one of the best basketball decisions that you made in your life?

Maybe, yes. I thought about joining the Skyliners. But I am glad I didn’t since it all turned out great. I enjoyed it, had a great time with great teammates and played winning basketball.

You must have had bigger aspirations then just the Regionalliga or were you content just being a Regionalliga player?

As of right now, I am happy about my decisions. I am in med school and am about to be a doctor, so Regio is maybe all I can do for now. Maybe if there are options, I might pause my career to pursue basketball for another year or two.

You were teammates and played with Ty Harrelson. What kind of an experience was that and did you see him being able to coach in the BBL one day?

Ty is one of the funniest guys I met. He saved us 3 years ago and he deserves to be exactly where he is right now. He even came to our games in Ulm and Söflingen this year. It is always nice to see him and talk to him.

You had many great games with Langen in your 4 years. What was your best game?

There were plenty. I dropped 29 or 30 against Tübingen 2 years ago with all my friends from Uni cheering at the sideline chanting MVP, MVP. I went 12/14 FG that game. That was a lot of fun. I played really well against Fellbach when we beat them the year they moved up and this year I played a couple really good games. Ulm, Lich, Gießen, Karlsruhe, just to name a few.

Your only 24 years old. On what area of your game do you still want to improve on?

I think my scoring, shiftiness and shooting can use improvement. If I can get that to be one of my strength, I think I am ready for the next level.

Who is the best player you ever played against that reached the NBA or a high league?

Franz Wagner

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Lennart Urspruch, Niklas Pons, Leon Fertig, Risto Vasiljevic, and I would have loved to see Tobi Jahn in his prime

Name your your 5 best players of all-time?

Dirk, Dennis Schröder, Franz, Mo Wagner is very underrated and Andi Obst is one of my favorite players

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron, I believe in team oriented basketball. He is criticized for passing to the open teammate when the game is on the line and that is exactly what I believe in.

Thanks Henk for the chat.