Dante Maddox Jr. (188-G, college: Xavier) is a 188cm guard playing his rookie season with Okapi Aalst (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He began his basketball career with Bloom High School and then played 2 seasons with California State University, Fullerton (NCAA) averaging 11.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 89.8% and 6.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 71.4%. He then played 2 seasons at The University of Toledo (NCAA) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 75.2% and 15.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 86.0%. He then finished at Xavier University (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 40.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 88.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after dropping 45 points against Antwerp.

You’re playing your rookie season for Okapi Aalst (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). You had 2 massive scoring games with 41 and 45 points. Before this season, you never averaged more than 15,5ppg in a season. Did you know that you had that scoring power in you?

I believe so, I have been lucky to play on some very good teams, and I have always played to win. I won all my years in college, so I’ve been willing to sacrifice my role and my scoring for the greater good and for my teams to win. I won 3 regular season championships in college (out of 5) so I’m most proud about that – and want to continue winning with Aalst.

This was your second 40 plus game as a rookie. Did the 45-point game feel differently than the 41-point game?

No, it didn’t – I come out consistent with my routine and my process in every game. We knew we were playing the best team in the league – a team coming off 12 straight wins in the BNXT – so I just put my best foot forward to give my team the best chance to win. The most important thing is that in both those games we all stepped up and came up big with a win.

Is your role in Belgium different to what you saw at the NCAA level?

My job is to do what my coaches and what the team requires of me, to make sure we win as many games as possible, regardless of my role.

You recently had a 45-point explosion against Antwerp. How quickly did you know that you would have another big scoring game?

My teammates put me in a great spot. We all found a great rhythm during the game – due to them having success early, it let me get to my spots, make some big shots and lock in on defense. I didn’t think about it much in the heat of the moment.

you feel being invincible like in the 41-point outburst

ZZ Leiden is a very strong team, but playing against the league’s 1-seed, there’s a feeling that there is more at stake. Coach devised an amazing plan to make sure the entire team was in lockstep, rowing in the same direction, playing great defense and making sure the entire team was “in the zone” – not just me. I definitely felt great though.

You shot at very high clips. How big of a role does shot selection play for you in general for the success of scoring a lot?

This goes back to college – one of the things I’ve always been able to do is score with less. I’ve always been an efficient player during my entire career. Here, I’ve been able to scale up my output – with trust and faith from our coaching staff and my teammates. Regarding shot selection – I am trying to adjust to the needs of the team so that we are winning games and playing at a high level.

You hit a lot of three´s and also from the 2-point range. How much of your points was pure isolation in comparison to getting open looks from your teammates?

Regardless of shooting off the catch or off the dribble in isolation situations, it all goes back to our team preparation, and coach putting all of us in position. We all make an effort to give each other the right spacing and freedom to score and find lanes to attack the basket. It’s a team game and I’m lucky to have a great setup with my guys.

You were only 5 points away from 50. Does 50 points become a new goal for you?

The only goal in my mind is winning and being a good teammate.

What was your own favorite bucket of the game?

The dunk in the first quarter, I fought hard through the screens and contested late, Niels got a great rebound and threw an outlet to me wide open. The 3pointer when the score was 66-61 also felt great – in a very important juncture of the game.

Did you get any special congrats from people after that performance?

The words my coach shared with me meant a lot. Won’t share what those were – but I am lucky to have him lead this team – and this win meant a lot to him too.

Thanks Dante for the chat.