Dane Erikstrup (208-F-2003, college: WSU) is a 22 year old 208cm that grew up in Oregon, but has the Danish citizenship and is playing his rookie season with Donar Groningen (Holland-DBL). He began his basketball career at Beaverton High School and then played a season at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (NCAA2) averaging 11.6ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 79.6%. He then played 3 seasons at Eastern Washington University (NCAA) averaging 6.5ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 75.8%, 10.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 87.6% and 12.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 64.4%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 75.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against Weissenfels MBC.

Thanks Dane for talking to germanhoops.com Your playing your rookie season with Donar Groningen (Holland-DBL). What kind of an experience has it been so far and what have you enjoyed most about it?

It’s been a great experience. I love the coaches and players on this team and the amount of trust they have in me to attack and be aggressive on offense.

The club has won quite a few titles in the last 12 years, but last won a cup in 2022. How big is the hunger in the organization to win again?

We’re obviously hungry for it. Being in a situation to be able to compete for a championship two years after the club went bankrupt is great progress towards that goal.

What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I would say just the time difference and not being able to connect with my family and friends who are 9 hours behind us.

You played the last years in the NCAA and now have just come over and have torn up both the BNXT and ENBL. What has been your secret to being able not to play good but great?

Just been trusting the system the coaches have put in place for us and always stay aggressive and trust my teammates to do the same.

You had 36 points in your first pro game against Union Mons and won the game. What will you always remember from that game. You filled up the stat sheet as usual.

I’ll always remember that it was Donar’s first win in Belgium in a year so that was fun to be a part of.

What has it been like playing for head coach Jason Dourisseau. I saw this guy play in Germany back in the day. He won 9 titles in Holland. How has he helped your game move forward this season?

He’s really opened my game up and put his trust in me. He’s helped me see different opportunities within the game to become a better more effective player both offensively and defensively.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 208cm power forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

N/A

You’re a player that fills the stat sheet very well. Is versatility the main staple in your game?

Yeah I like to stay aggressive be able to catch and shoot score off the bounce get to the rim and attack mismatches both guards and bigs.

You shot the ball very well the last years in the NCAA, but have stepped it up another notch now overseas. Talk a little about the development of your shooting in your rookie season.

I stayed in pullman (my old college) the whole summer and put up at least 300 shots a day so that is probably what helped the most in the advancement of my shooting percentages this year.

Talk a little about the development of your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I am a defender who can guard the 4/5 and be able to hold my own keeping any guard in front of me. I want to become more versatile on defense and be able to guard smaller quicker guards more effectively

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

My continued growth in shooting, attacking off the dribble, and improving my perimeter defense.

You played a season at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (NCAA2) averaging 11.6ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 79.6%. How vital was it for your early development playing for basketball legend Greg Kamansky? How did he help your game most in that first season in the NCAA2?

He was a coach that put his faith in me. He helped me trust my game and gave me actions that I would be effective in scoring in.

You then moved on to Eastern Washington University (NCAA) averaging 6.5ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 75.8% and 10.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 87.6%. You played 14 and 18 minutes per game each season. How did your game grow? You showed that you could be efficient consistently.

I developed my body became a better defender and my screen and roll game improved drastically.

What do you remember with your battles with Ethan Price? He like you is a rookie overseas. How intense were those battles?

Iron sharpens Iron. He was great competition to compete against throughout college.

You reached the NIT Sweet 16 in 2023 beating WSU, but losing to OK State. What will you always remember from having had that once in a lifetime experience?

N/A

In your last season you had 2 massive back to back games against South Dakota and NDSU scoring 32 and 27 points. What game do you remember most?

Game against NAU at NAU my first year at EWU keeping our win streak alive.

You played your last NCAA season with Washington State University (NCAA) averaging 12.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 64.4%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 75.6%. You were reunited with David Riley and Ethan Price and reached the big dance. You had some great games like against your ex school EWU and San Diego. What was your fondest moment there?

Probably scoring 24 points against my old team with all my friends and family in attendance against EWU.

How did head coach David Riley groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He taught me what a real work ethic looks like and what I need to be able to do to make it and perform at the next level.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Ethan Price?

He’d win some I’d win some pretty even.

You have been a member of the Danish national team the last years. How is the state of Danish basketball? Are there some interesting prospects coming up?

We’re on the rise have a lot of young talent coming up such as myself, Tobias Jensen, Bakary Dibba, Marcus Moller, and Gustav Knudsen.

You had 32 points in a win over Norway. What does it feel like playing for Denmark despite growing up in States? How big is your focus to possibly making a career out of playing for Denmark?

It’s amazing being able to represent Denmark and make my dad and my grandparents super proud. Obviously taking Denmark far in competition would be amazing.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA or Euroleague?

Paolo Banchero in AAU basketball in the states

Please name your five best teammates of all-time?

N/A I like them all

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore of 5 best players of all-time?

Steph, Lebron, Jordan, Shaq, Magic

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron.

Thanks Dane for the chat.