Jon’il Fugett (183-PG-1999, college: UCCS) is a 25 year old 183cm guard from Denver, Colorado playing his third professional season and second with TSG Westerstede (Pro B) while also playing for easyCredit BBL team EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Last season he helped TSG Westerstede (Germany-Regionalliga) move up to the Por B averaging (23.3), 4.9rpg, 4.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 69.0%. He played his rookie season for 3 clubs with BC Spartak Pleven (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 12.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 41.7%, 3FGP: 58.3%, FT: 93.8%, in Jan.’24 moved to KK Pelister Sport Bitola (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 4.5ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, in Feb.’24 signed at KK Vardar Skopje (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 13.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 65.5%. He began his basketball career at George Washington high school and then played a season at Butler Community College (JUCO) averaging 7.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 62.7%. He then played 2 years at West Texas A&M University (NCAA2) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 71.4% and 12.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 77.3%. He then finished at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (NCAA2) averaging 13.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 44.1%, FT: 75.0% and 15.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 74.6%. He spoke to eurobasket after his monumental 48 point game in the Pro B.

Congrats on scoring 48 points against Neustadt. Could you in anyway realize this amazing feat despite getting the loss?

Thank you and yes I’m starting to realize just how big it is with all of the attention that it is getting throughout this past week. Although I do really wish that the stats came with a win.

Last season you had a 41 point performance in the Regionalliga. Was 48 points your career high?

48 is my new career high. To be honest I knew that I had a lot of points but I did not know that it was 48. I was more focused on the win in the moment.

You began the game with a block and then had 5 points in less than 2 minutes. Was that just a normal start for you as you’re a walking bucket?

I feel like I kind of do what the team needs in terms of the way that games start. A lot of it depends on the way the defense is playing me. I came into this game knowing that I needed to be a little more aggressive though and that’s what I was trying to get my team to mimic.

You then scored 11 more points and had 16 points after a quarter. You made a three pointer at the buzzer. Was that the moment where you thought this could be a special game of 40+ points?

The shot at the buzzer wasn’t necessarily my thought that I could go and get 40 but more so was just a feel good morale boost for the team. I feel like that was a shift in momentum and definitely helped me with my confidence the rest of the game.

You only scored 6 points in the second quarter. Your shots weren´t falling. How important was it that you remained aggressive and got to the free throw line and just kept shooting the ball?

After the second quarter I kind of saw their lead grow and I knew that I had to make sure I could give us a little more on the offensive end if we were going to be able to keep competing.

In the third quarter you scored 9 points, but Neustadt still had the 69-63 advantage after 30 minutes. At that point you had 33 points. What was your mindset going into the fourth quarter?

At the end of the 3rd quarter I was really happy with our teams fight and perseverance and I kind of used that as motivation for myself offensively and defensively. As a competitor and someone who loves the game you live for these close games with a packed crowd. Whether it’s home or away you just want to get the win however you can.

You guys kept fighting back and you scored 5 points in the last minute. But in the end it was the free throws from Neustadt that cost Westerstede the game. What do you believe could the young guys learn from the loss?

I think the biggest thing the young guys can learn is just how important the details get when you’re in those pressure situations. The smallest details that nobody is willing to do can determine a win or a loss.

What does this personal feat of 48 points mean to you. You took many three´s and would have easily reached 50 points or close to 60 had you hit more shots?

This accomplishment means a lot to the work dedication and patience I’ve had so far throughout my career. A lot of my shots rattled in and out of the rim and I’m just happy that I had coaches and teammates who were confident in me and my ability. That night it was a good night for me but we will need a good night from everybody throughout the season so when someone else is feeling it I will show the same support.

As a competitor like you does a game like this lift your expectations for eclipsing the 50 points?

I feel like I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think I could go get 50 or even 60 at some point, but again that’s just me being confident in what I am able to do. My first goal is bringing whatever the team needs to win.

Did you get special messages from friends and family from USA?

Yeah I got some love from friends and family back in the US so that was cool to see. I got a good support system back there so I’m blessed for that.

What was your favorite bucket of the game?

My favorite bucket of the game had to be the last 3 I hit that I personally thought was an and 1 but the refs didn’t see it that way.

Thanks Jon´il for the chat.