Ayinde Hikim (180-G-2000, college: UMass Lowell) is a 25 year old 180cm guard form Washington DC playing his second professional season and first with Fyllingen BBK (Norway-BLNO). He played his rookie season with Absheron Baku (Azerbaijan-ABL) averaging 12.0ppg, 4.1rpg, APG-4 (7.8), SPG-1 (2.2), FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 80.9%. He began his basketball career at Woodrow Wilson high school and then played 2 seasons at La Salle University (NCAA) averaging 6.1ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 63.9% and 4.3ppg, 2.4apg. He then played 3 seasons at the University of Massachusetts – Lowell (NCAA) averaging 11.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 26.2%, FT: 76.9%, 10.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.1%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 82.7% and 14.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 5.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 42.8%, 3PT: 26.4%, FT: 78.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against MBC.

Thanks Ayinde for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second pro season and first with Fyllingen BBK (Norway-BLNO). What kind of an experience has it been playing for this organization?

This experience has been a great one, my teammates the coaches the fans have all been nothing but wonderful!

Fyllingen BBK (Norway-BLNO) has won the last 2 league titles. How exciting is it being the point guard for this team? What is special about this seasons team?

Very exciting to be the Point Guard for the team knowing that I can help them accomplish their 3rd straight championship. I think this year’s team is special because we’re a new group of players together so it brings a different energy to the league and organization.

Your also playing in your first international competition in the ENBL. You will be playing MBC. They won a international title in 2004. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

I know very little about the country of Germany, I do know they are usually one the top places for international basketball so should be fun.

Your ex coach at Lowell Louis Hinnant played at MBC. Did you know that?

No I didn’t know that at all I have to go and ask him about that, he’s my guy!

What is it like being teammates with Orji Okoroafor. The guy is 45 years old. How crazy is that? Is he like a mentor for you?

I actually didn’t know that until just now. But everyone has been a mentor for me and helping me transition to this team and just being a pro.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 180cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would bets fit the description?

I get a lot of Allen Iverson which is one of my favorite players ever! But personally growing up I tried to model my game after Russel Westbrook and Chris Paul, Russ always played super hard and was very quick and explosive to where Chris Paul was a pure point guard able to get his teammates involved and make them better but still able to put the ball in the basket.

You’re a point guard that fills the stat sheet well. Would you classify yourself as a pass first point guard?

I honestly just try to make the right play whether that’s me scoring or passing first.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. You shot 33% last season as a rookie overseas a big improvement from the last NCAA years. Have you made adjustments to have a more stable shot?

Not really shooting for me has always just been a confidence and overthinking thing for me, my mechanics on my shot are good and I shoot it well just got to translate it.

Let´s talk about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you right now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I’m an okay defender at the moment I know at times I get lazy on defense but I know I can be a really great defender because I’ve shown it numerous times but just getting more consistent with it and really leaning into it.

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

Just everything, not taking any plays off always have my foot on the gas I would say. Sometimes I’m too nice or passive within my team so just working on always being aggressive especially with my playmaking.

Last season you played your rookie season with Absheron Baku (Azerbaijan-ABL) averaging 12.0ppg, 4.1rpg, APG-4 (7.8), SPG-1 (2.2), FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 80.9%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

The first night when I woke up that next morning and everyone at home was still sleep because of the 6 hour time difference lol.

You had a rough start, but after 4 games found your groove. You were surrounded by many American veterans. Was there a guy that had the biggest impact on you?

I would say my teammate Aubrey, he was a veteran and the leader of the team and he really helped me understand what a Pro is and helped with that transition.

You played 2 seasons at La Salle University (NCAA) averaging 6.1ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 63.9% and 4.3ppg, 2.4apg. You averaged 21 minutes your first season and only 14 minutes your second season. How did you experience these 2 seasons. What positives could you take from those years?

Just how to overcome adversity and how to deal with it in the moment. I went from starting playing 20+ minutes to that almost being cut in half. So I still had to be a great teammate on the bench or in practice no matter what so it just taught me how to deal with adversity.

You had some good games in those 2 years including 15 points in an exciting 78-77 win over St Joseph´s. What was your fondest moment on the court?

Man honestly all the practices with my brothers and just getting better. I had an assistant coach named Kyle Griffin and we would workout 1 on 1 all the time so those are some of the best memories I have.

You then played 3 seasons and 91 games for the University of Massachusetts – Lowell (NCAA) Was this the best basketball decision you have made and was this some of the best basketball times in your life?

It was for sure some of the best basketball memories I have. Competing and playing for Coach Duquette was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. He treated me not just like I was another basketball player but like I was a human being which is rare in college basketball when coaches are fighting for wins and their jobs. I was able to leave a legacy there and put my name in the record books so it was a very special 3 seasons for me and Coach Duq is someone I truly love and admire.

You reached 2 AEC finals, but lost both to Vermont. What memories do you have from those 2 games and what loss was tougher?

I just remember the atmosphere of the gym, it was loud. My parents were in the crowd. It was just a special time even though we lost we were 1 win away from making it to the NCAA tournament which is every kids dream. I would say the one my last year just because there wasn’t another opportunity for me to get there.

You lost a tough game to Arizona State 71-69 and had a 17/8 game and battled Frankie Collins. What memories do you have of that game?

Being able to travel to Arizona and play in a Pac-10 arena and atmosphere. It was a long week going from winning at Georgia tech then 2-3 days later playing across the country at Arizona state. I played pretty good that whole week and I just remember after that loss, I was crying in the locker room and Coach Duq came in and told me he was proud of me and that it was some of the best basketball he seen in a week span, so it was a proud moment even though the outcome wasn’t what we wanted.

How did head coach Pat Duquette groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Truly just how to handle everything and approach everyday. He taught me how to handle life and adversity while being a basketball player.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Yuri Covington?

Me of course that’s lil bro.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

Anthony Edward’s my last year of AAU on the UAA circuit. We won of course but he did have 20 something points.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ricky lindo

Max Brooks

Kiyon Boyd

Sherif Kenny

Greg Hammond

Jhamir Brickus*

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

KOBE BRYANT.

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

Yea they should’ve.

Thanks Ayinde for the chat.