James Eads III (193-G-1997, college: Tuskegee) is a 28 year old 193cm guard form Orlando, florida playing his sixth professional season overseas and first with Sabah BK Baku (Azerbaijan-ABL). He began his basketball career at Edgewater High School and then embarked on a 4 year stay at Tuskegee University (NCAA2) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 101 games and as a senior averaged 19.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 69.7%. He turned pro in 2020 and has played in countries like Romania, Poland, Hungary and Taiwan. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against Alba Berlin.

Thanks James for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second season with Sabah BK Baku (Azerbaijan[1]ABL). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you enjoyed most about playing for this organization?

It’s been a great experience. Sabah is a very professional club and it felt good returning to the same club for the first time in my career

Last season you won the league title with Sabah BK Baku (Azerbaijan-ABL). How big is the hunger to repeat? Is the team as talented as last season?

There is definitely a big hunger to repeat being that Sabah has won the last three championships so we just want to keep the streak going. We truthfully might be a more well rounded team this year the team mesh’s wellThere’s

The team has 2 really talented guards with Americans with Hassani Gravett and David Nichols. What exactly is your role on the team?

I would say my role is knocking down shots and using my athleticism to help the pace of the team, and being a good defender as well

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would have to say someone like a Jimmy Butler

You’re a player that fills the stat sheet well. What do you feel is your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength is my ability to shoot the ball/ physicality

You always have been a solid three pointer. Last season you reached the 40% plateau and now shooting near 40% in the BCL. What has been key for reaching the next level as a shooter?

I try to always remain confident in my shot and abilities. That even when I’ve missed a few shots in a row or had a bad game or two in a row I still feel like I’m a great shooter.

Your also a very good defender. How have you seen your development as a defender overseas. What kind of a defender do you still want to become?

Coming overseas from college it was definitely a big learning curve of how to play defense in the European game but over the years I was able to get better and better. I still feel like there’s room to grow in pressuring 94 feet every game, every possession.

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

The area of my game that needs the most improvement is rebounding, that’s something I’m trying to be more intentional about.

Last season you beat Neftci in a 6 game finals series. You had many good games. What memories will you always have from winning the title?

I enjoyed our ability to regather ourselves and come together as a group to finish out the series. It was very cool moment winning that championship

You played briefly with New Taipei CTBC DEA (Taiwan-TPBL) averaging 24.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.7apg, 1.0spg. What was it like playing in the far east? What was the biggest adjustment for you on and off the court?

I really enjoyed my time in Taiwan! It was a nice place to live and the league was exciting to play in. My biggest adjustment on the court was the 48 minute game instead of only 40 minutes. I don’t think I really had any big adjustments off the court

You played the 2023-2024 season with NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz (Hungary-A Division) averaging 12.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 78.4%. You won your first chip with the cup. How special was this title for you? The cup is such a special competition. How did you experience it?

It was really special winning the cup with all that the team went through that year. Even though we won the cup it would’ve been even better finishing out a real championship but we fell short in the finals to Falco

You split the 2022-2023 with 2 teams with King Szczecin (Poland-EBL) averaging 6.7ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.0apg, 2FGP: 62.5%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 47.6% and with Rawlplug Sokol Lancut (Poland-EBL) averaging 13.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 73.9%. It was your second season in Poland. What did you learn about the business side of it that season?

That season taught me that not every situation or every season will be perfect but you have to remain professional and consistent in your approach.

You played your first season in Poland with Twarde Pierniki Torun (Poland[1]EBL) averaging 12.6ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 26.4%, FT: 65.3%. You lost a tough playoff series against Anwil. What do you remember being the hardest thing to do as a team to try to win that series?

Trying to win on the road was the toughest challenge because Anwil’s fans give them a great home court advantage

You played your rookie season with CSM Galati (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 13.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 72.1%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Getting off the plane in Bucharest and then not having phone service on the 3 hour drive to Galati. I was a bit shell shocked. My first year overseas was definitely rough but it prepared me for the rest of my journey

You were teammates in the second half of the season with American Drew Brandon. How vital was it having a vet like that as a rookie. What could you soak up most from his game?

Drew was a great vet when he came the team and we did a 180 and was able to make it to the playoffs. I think what I took from him was his approach to the game. He was very sharp mentally

You played at Tuskegee University (NCAA2) playing 101 NCAA 2 games. You were able tó improve your scoring and rebounding averages each season. Your game really grew in your last 2 seasons averaging 16.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 71.9% and 19.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 69.7%. How did your game grow in your last 2 seasons?

I think it was really just my approach to the game, I wanted to be the best player in the conference that year and I think I accomplished that

You had so many great games in the NCAA 2 against schools like Albany State and Spring Hill. What was your personal favorite game there?

I think one of my favorite moments was the game I reached 1000 points. I think I needed around 27-28 points and before the game I told my teammates I was going to get it.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Travis Flagg?

Love him to death but he’s too small so I’d say me lo

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

At the D2 level there’s not many people that reach the NBA but Rodnerius Lewis and Tyrius Walker were some of the better players I played against

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Maurice Watson, Anfernee Simons, Myles Thomas, Demajeo Wiggins, Trevor Thompson

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron, Jordan, Kobe, Steph

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron is the best player to ever touch a basketball!

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

I think I seen it once, and I honestly don’t think it was that bad. Definitely not close to the first one but it’s a decent movie.

Thanks James for the chat.