Elijah Miller (183-PG-1997, college: UPEI) is a 28 year old 183cm point guard from Ontario, Canada playing his third professional season and second in Germany with Pro A team Eisbaeren. Last season with the Eisbaeren he averaged 13.4ppg, 3.9rpg, APG-2 (6.7), 1.0spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 88.0%. In his rookie season he played for KK Kozuv AD Gevgelija (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 10.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 81.3%. He also played 2 seasons with the Edmonton Stingers (CEBL) averaging 8.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 25.8%, FT: 75.0% and 8.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 80.0%. He began his basketball career with the University of Prince Edward Island (U Sports) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 82.1%, 20.7ppg, 5.4rpg, Assists-2 (5.9apg), Steals-4 (2.7spg), FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 86.6% and in his last year averaged 19.7ppg, 5.3rpg, 5.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 89.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after scoring a career high 33 points in the 88-84 win over the Artland Dragons.

Thanks Elijah on the big 88-84 win over the Artland Dragons. The Eisbaeren are now 6-1. How good does another one feel?

It feels good, but I have to give credit to the Artland Dragons who played a great game. We have to be ready again for the next game at Paderborn on Sunday.

Does a win feel better every new week?

They feel great every new time. We show that a new guy can step up every game. Every win feels good, because it isn´t easy to win in the Pro A.

The Eisbaeren had the 22-21 lead after 10 minutes. You got your first points with the last basket of the quarter. Did you have any idea then that you could have a good scoring night?

I not really focused too much on my scoring but just take what the defense gives me.

The Artland Dragons had the 42-41 lead at the break. You only had 5 points at the break. How did you go into the second half mentally with your own game?

I felt like I had to be more aggressive and put more pressure on their defense. I didn´t want to force too much, but play team basketball. I knew if I did that, that shots would come.

The Artland Dragons went on a quick 11-2 run to lead 53-43. What defensive principles did the Eisbaeren get away from?

We weren´t being aggressive enough. We didn´t show our best pick and roll defense. They were getting way too many easy baskets inside from their 5 man. They also found their shooters. That was the recipe for their scoring.

You got going in the last minutes scoring 8 points and Artland led only 61-60. Did you have to risk more or did you let the game come to you?

I let the game come to me. In the first half, they wanted me to take three´s. I was more patient in the second half and didn´t force anything. I shot with confidence and my teammates trusted me.

You scored the first 7 points for your team in the fourth quarter to regain the lead. Did you take the momentum of the end of the third quarter?

Yes I did. As soon as I saw one go in, my confidence was really high. I made sure that we ran the right play for myself or my teammates. They made me go under screens and we made them pay with open three´s.

Hendrik Warner hit some big baskets in crunch-time. How huge has his game been this season?

Hendrik is a great player in the Pro A. He is a real work horse. Coach always tells us that we have to reward our bigs by getting them the ball inside for easy baskets. Coach always says that our bigs have the hardest jobs on the team.

You continued to execute and scored 10 more points to help seal the win. What was key in crunch-time for the win?

I think key in crunch-time was just trusting the process. It was a long game and we did a good job disrupting them a bit. We found ways to get crucial stops and made big shots. We made sure that we scored and they didn´t.

You scored 33 points a career high. How good does that feel?

It feels good. I´m really not too focused on scoring, but it does feels good. It feels even better when you win.

Does a game like that spawn you to want to go for 35 the next game?

Yes it does. I know that I can score at a high level. I think that a game like this puts pressure on other teams defense because they know I can score the ball and be dangerous while also be able to create anytime for my teammates. They know that you can´t fall asleep on me on defense

Your averaging 9,0apg going into the Artland game. How strange does it feel not getting a dime in the game? The last game where you didn´t have an assist was on July 11th in the CEBL.

I feel like that was a mistake. I had at least 2 assists. I had an obvious assist to Jannis Von Seckendorf on the alley op.

The team continues to build chemistry and get better. How is this team better now than last season?

I think key in our success has been keeping many guys from last season and the new core of guys this season have all learned the system and adapted to it very well.

The team also defends very well. What has Steve Esterkamp drilled into your heads about the importance of defense in the Pro A?

We always practice defense first and offense second. Putting a lot of pressure on teams each game is key.

On Sunday you travel to 2-5 team Paderborn. What will be key to getting the win?

We have to stick to the basics. We have to follow our game plan and be disciplined. We have to play fast and make quick decisions and be locked into defense.

Thanks Elijah for the chat.