Pic credit: Vanderbilt University

Saben Lee (188-SG-1999, college: Vanderbilt) is a 26 year old 188cm shooting guard from Tempe, Arizona playing his 6th professional season and second with Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (Greece-GBL). Last season he split time with Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv (Israel-Winner League) playing 8 Euroleague games averaging 12.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.5apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 47.6%, 3FGP: 31.6%, FT: 76.0%, then moved to Manisa Basket (Turkey-BSL) averaging 18.7ppg, 3.8rpg, 6.0apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 77.3%; and finished with Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (Greece-GBL) averaging 6.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 73.3%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 55.0%. He played his first 4 pro seasons in the NBA with Detroit, Philadelphia and Phoenix playing a total of 134 NBA games. He began his basketball career at Corona del Sol high school and then played at Vanderbilt University (NCAA) from 2017-2020 playing a total of 95 NCAA games and as a senior averaged 18.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 75.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Euroleague game against FC Bayern Munich.

Thanks Saben for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second pro season overseas and second with Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (Greece-GBL). What kind of an experience has it been playing for this historic team?

It has been great being able to play with so many highly talented individuals. You have no choice, but to get better and playing in front of our fans has been awesome.

How big are the expectations for this club? Your defending champions in Greece, won the cup last in 2024 and Euroleague in 2013. Is it a different kind of expectation compared to how NBA teams are run?

The expectations for this club are very high. We always want to win. We want to win at every level with the Greek League and Euroleague. The expectations are a little different than in the NBA. They emphasis more on winning overseas and I think there is more passion playing for the various countries.

In the Euroleague teams are stacked with many nationalities whereas in the NBA it is a lot less. You already played Euroleague last season. How has your game improved in your short time in Europe?

I feel like my game has definitely adjusted to the European tendencies. There is more team basketball here whereas in the NBA more isolation and a lot more shots

How would you classify your role with Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (Greece-GBL)? You don´t have that scoring role that you had in Turkey last season?

My role is just to help the team win in any way I can. I don´t have that scoring role like I had in the past, but here is to manage the game and get the ball to where it needs to be. I just do whatever the team needs to me to do so it is successful.

How vital was teammate Tyler Dorsey since you arrived last season? He is a real Euroleague veteran and has seen it all overseas.

He is a great player and I feel like he is underrated. He can score the ball in a variety of ways and is a great shooter. He is a Euroleague veteran and I have been able to see the kind of work that he has put in to be successful. He has had many good games.

Last season you split time in Israel, Turkey and came in Feb to Greece and prompt won the league title. How tough was it coming from Turkey playing and scoring so much to having a different role in Greece?

It wasn´t too tough changing my role from scoring. Obviously I feel like I can score the ball in a variety of ways and at a big clip, but it is just an adjustment that Olympiacos wants me to take and I´m all for it. Winning for me is more important than scoring.

In warm Israel everything seems top with the food and weather, but still did you have a wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from the States?

I actually never went to Israel, because we were staying in Belgrade on account of the war there. My wake up call was the living conditions, because it was very different to the States.

You played your rookie season with the Detroit Pistons (NBA) playing 48 games averaging 5.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 68.5%. What kind of an experience was it for you?

It was a great experience being able to play with some of my friends like Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey and Killian Hayes. We had a good rookie class and I have a lot of good memories. We obviously weren´t winning as much, but we were definitely building something.

How valuable was it having a veteran like Canadian Cory Joseph in Detroit? What could you soak up most from him?

He is a good friend of mine and a real mentor that I looked up to and still do. He was a great player. I think his winning qualities and how he carried himself day to day really helped my development in Detroit.

In your third pro season you played a few NBA games with Philadelphia, played for 2 G-League teams and finished the season playing with the Suns. How tough was all the moving around and what did you learn about the NBA?

It´s not to tough moving around in the NBA. guys get traded, waived and have to learn new sets. I learned that you have to adapt on the fly and still have to be bale to play at a high level.

In the 2023-2024 season you played your last season in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns (NBA) playing 24 games averaging 3.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.3apg. You were teammates with Kevin Durant. What kind of an experience was that? What was your best Durant story?

Just working out with him. I would work out with him during every game day in the mornings. The first time that I worked out with him just us 2, the first thing he said was we will make 10 in a row. Doing that catch and shoot is already tough, but then he said we will do 10 in a row with a variety of shots. Just being able to lock in and see the talent that he has and his work ethic showed me where he is.

You played against so many NBA superstars. What was your fondest memory from a game playing against a Lebron, Doncic or Giannis?

I don´t really have a fond memory playing against them. My memories are more just being out on the floor with them and just competing. That was enough for me.

Is the NBA still a reality for you or is Europe 100% on your menu now?

I don´t know what my future is now, but just worry about where I am now.

You played at Vanderbilt University (NCAA) from 2017-2020. Your game made big strides there. How did your game grow especially in your 2 last seasons?

My game really grew from watching the collegiate game and just watching a lot of film. That really helped my game improve.

You always gave Kentucky a good game, but never beat them in the NCAA. What do you remember from that grind out 56-47 loss?

Playing against Kentucky was always a lot of fun especially playing in Rupp arena and playing against many high level guys with lottery picks and future NBA players. I was always ready for those games. NBA scouts were always there as well.

How did head coach Bryce Drew and Jerry Stackhouse groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

I was really grateful to have 2 NBA guys as coaches. They were able to tell me their process and gave me their words of wisdom and tell me what it takes to get to the highest level.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Darius Garland?

I never got to play against him as he was hurt. He came in as a highly touted freshman. He is a really good player and I´m happy for where he is now.

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

Shai Gillgeous-Alexander

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, Corey Joseph, Josh Okogie, Nassir Little

Who is your GOAT?

My dad

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

I did not see the classic Coming To America.

Thanks Saben for the chat.