Pic credit: Nico Leistner

Eric Washington (183-PG-1993, college: Miami, OH) is a 32 year old 182cm guard from Columbia, South Carolina playing his 10th professional season and third in Germany with the Science City Jena. In Germany he played with the NINERS Chemnitz (Germany-BBL) averaging 7.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 78.0% and with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-BBL) averaging 19.2, 3.8rpg, APG-2 (7.3), SPG-4 (1.8), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 87.1%. He really jumped around the last 2 seasons playing with Monbus Obradoiro CAB Santiago de Compostela (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 11.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 43.2%, 3FGP: 26.1%, FT: 75.0%, Reeder Samsunspor (Turkey-BSL) averaging 19.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 6.5apg, 1.3spg, in Feb.’24 signed at Happy Casa Brindisi (Italy-Serie A) averaging 12.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.2%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 88.2% and last season played with the Valley Suns (NBA G League) averaging 3.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.8apg, in Mar.’25 moved to Ferraroni Juvi Cremona (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 16.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 86.9%. He began his basketball career with W.J. Keenan High School. He then played in the NCAA playing 115 games for two schools with Presbyterian College (NCAA) and then finished at Miami University (NCAA). Before coming to Germany he played in countries like Cyprus and Bosnia and three seasons in Hungary. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big cup win in Rostock.

Congrats Eric on the big 80-79 cup win in Rostock. Does every win feel like a greater win than the one before simply because Jena is a BBL team again?

Anytime you can win a game is an accomplishment. At this level it´s difficult to win games. It´s a lot preparation that goes into it so to execute it and see if come to life is always a cool experience.

Jena had a strong 25-17 lead after 1 quarter. The game was back and forth in the first minutes, but after that Jena took control. Was that the kind of team basketball every team wished they had?

That is just something we are trying to emphasize as a team. It is still early and we are not where we want to be but we are enjoying the process of getting better.

The third quarter was a real dog fight as there were numerous lead changes and Rostock had the slim 58-57 lead after 3 quarters. What adjustments did Rostock make especially on the defensive end that allowed them to get the lead?

They did what any good team would do. They saw what we were doing and made adjustments at half. They started making shots and they made it a game.

The fourth quarter remained very tight and exciting. TJ Crockett was a severe menace showing his 3 level scoring. He already showed last season how valuable he was for Braunschweig. What made it so tough to slow him down?

He is a good player. He has the freedom to be that player so it makes it more challenging. He has good speed and the ability to shoot the basketball.

Lorenz Bank made a huge basket with 9 seconds and Naz Bohanon the clutch block at the end. How big was it to end the game like that on the road? Is Naz getting donuts or is he getting a dinner from his teammates?

Two big time plays for my guys. We work on that everyday so for those two plays to be the deciding factor was huge. I have something planned for them for sure!

Jena is 2-2 while Trier is 4-0. What is so special with the new teams that moved up? What has been the secret to Jena´s solid start and 2-0 cup start?

We have a good group of guys. We understand the opportunity that we have. We work extremely hard through the good and the bad. A lot of credit to Coach Bjorn as well cause his game planning has been good. Being able to adjust to teams and scout has been good for our team.

The team was put together very well from head coach Bjoern Harmsen. The guy is well respected and has helped teams move up leagues. What have you enjoyed most about his coaching philosophy?

He wants to win as much as I do. Super motivated and super passionate about the game of basketball. So for me that´s all that I need.

What has it been like being teammates with American Tavian Dunn-Martin? He is a special point guard that can do it all. What has it been sharing the floor with him? What do you appreciate most about his game?

T is ball player. Size doesn’t matter and he showed that early. His ability to shoot the ball is everything. I think he will be fine as he continues to learn the league.

You have big leadership qualities, but what kind of a dimension does a guy like Keith Braxton give the team with his play and leadership?

You have to respect what he brings to the game. He brings another threat that you have to account for. His ability to shoot the ball and put it on the floor forces teams to adjust.

3 seasons ago with Heidelberg you averaged (19.2), 3.8rpg, APG-2 (7.3), SPG-4 (1.8), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 87.1%. You tore up the easyCredit BBL. In the last 2 years you got experience in the ACB, Turkey, G-League and Italy. How are you a better player now than in May 2023?

Patience

Currently your averaging 17/3/3/1 in the BBL. Has anything changed with the BBL since you left? Your game surely is still strong this season?

Ask me that in May lol

You have many talented guys around. Is your biggest personal goal to keep Jena in the BBL like you did Heidelberg in 2022?

Win a championship

Thanks Eric for the chat.