Juhwan Harris-Dyson (198-SG-1999, college: California, agency: Origins Sports Group) is a 26 year old 198cm forward playing his fifth professional season and fourth in Germany and first with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf averaging 15,3ppg, 6,8rpg, 1,6apg, 2,7spg and 1,4bpg. Last season he balled with SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 20.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.9apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 57.0%. In the 2023-2024 season he played with BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 64.4%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 63.9%. He played the 2022-2023 season with CSM Galati (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 8.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6apg, Steals-1 (2.4spg), FGP: 63.5%, 3PT: 20.7%, FT: 50.9%. He played his rookie season overseas with BBG Herford (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 17.6ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-3 (2.9spg), FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 62.8%. He began his basketball career at Heritage Christian High School and then played 3 seasons and 70 NCAA games with the University Of California (NCAA). He spoke to germanhoops.com last summer about basketball.

Thanks Juhwan for talking to germanhoops.com. Your dad calls you spider fly. How did you get that nickname?

No problem, Miles… thanks for taking the time to interview me! My nickname SpiderFly came when I was 14-15 years old. The Spider highlights my pesky, smothering defensive ability and the Fly part of the nickname comes from my fly-like athleticism and ability to effortlessly soar through the air.

Except for a season in the Romanian first division, you toiled 3 years in the German Regionalliga. How good does it feel to reach the next level in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf?

It is a great feeling to take my first steps in the Pro B especially with a great organization like the Dragons Rhondorf.

Why do you feel like have you had to toil in the German Regionalliga for 3 seasons? Why do you feel like you have been off the radar for so long?

Good question… I’m not quite certain why I had to play in the Regio for so long but everyone’s journey is different. With that said, the impact of my game doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. Nevertheless, playing in the Regio has allowed me to continue honing my strengths while eliminating my weaknesses.

Now you have not only been rewarded with making the next step to the Pro B with the Dragons Rhondorf, but can also practice with the BONN BBL team. How vital was having that opportunity in your contract?

Having BBL on my contract was just a cherry on top to an already great situation, as my goal at the end of the last season was to move up from the Regionalliga.

What is your impression of the Dragons Rhondorf? You played in the Regionalliga the last years. What do you appreciate most about the organization?

Rhöndorf, from what I’ve heard, is a beautiful city with great fans that are very supportive of the team. I’m honored that the Dragons Rhöndorf organization believes in me and my abilities while also making me feel super wanted from the first talks.

How did the talks go with head coach Max Becker. What do you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

My talks with Coach Becker confirmed that our goals and basketball philosophy completely aligned. What I appreciate most about Coach’s philosophy is that he wants to play fast and attack the mismatches we create. That style play is right up SpiderFly’s alley (??).

The Dragons Rhondorf have a lot of quality inside. What do you believe will be your role this season?

Our team does have a lot of quality big men, especially considering the scarce market in Germany. My role with the Dragons Rhondorf this season will be to shut the best player on the opposing team DOWN! And as a veteran player, be a team leader.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think my NBA comparison would be Andrew Wiggins or Andre Igoudola they are both 2 way guys who can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end. You’re a guy that fills the stat sheet well.

Could one classify yourself a Swiss army knife or are you too much of a scorer?

You could definitely classify me as a Swiss Army knife. I pride myself on being a glue guy and doing whatever it takes to win… whether it be scoring 20 points, getting 10 rebounds or just completely disrupting the opponent team’s best player’s rhythm. I will do whatever it takes within the rules of the game to win. My ultimate goal is to help my team be successful.

You are a very good rebounder. You never got a chance to show it in the NCAA, but have averaged 8 and 9 rebounds per game in 2 seasons. Have you always been a good rebounder or did that grow in Germany?

I have always been a really good rebounder, but in the NCAA I had to navigate playing with/against more 7 footers to find a way to get the rebounds that would otherwise be mine. Playing in Germany has indeed helped me expand my natural basketball skills while making me a more efficient rebounder.

You have shot the ball pretty well the last 2 years. Where would you classify the development of your three pointer at the moment?

Right now, I’d classify myself more of a catch-and-shoot 3 point player. However, over the last two years I’ve worked very hard on shooting off ball screens and off the dribble to expand my game every season. Confidence and reps were key for me, as I never had to shoot much in college. It was extremely easy for me to beat my man, get to the basket and/or create for my teammates.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I consider myself an extremely aggressive defender who relishes the frustration of players who I prevent from scoring. I thrive in on-ball defense and playing in passing lanes. I still want to work on becoming a better help-side defender with my timing and reads on the defensive end of the court.

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

Free throws! I got to the line a lot last season but wasn’t able to capitalize as much as I would’ve liked to. So this area has been a major focus for me along with becoming more of a 3 level scorer. Also working on my mid range pull up and floaters.

Q: Last season you played with SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 20.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.9apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 57.0%. How valuable was this season for you being able to practice with Pro A team Phoenix Hagen and also play 2 games.

My experience with the Dual license last season was very valuable. It gave me an opportunity to learn and compete with high level guys in the Pro A, while still being able to develop into more of a scorer and leader with SV Haspe. Being allowed to play 2 games with Phoenix Hagen last season allowed me to experience the level I want to get to. I was glad I was able to help contribute to a win in an extremely hostile Trier environment. In addition, my game grew significantly, as my comfort level shooting off the dribble and in pick-n-roll situations increased exponentially while also increasing my confidence with making quicker reads and decisions.

How valuable was it battling guys like Naz Bohanon and Devontae McCall last season in practice. Was there a Hagen player that had a big impact on you?

Practicing against a guy like Naz, who doesn’t quit, was great for my overall development. Nas is a consummate competitor. His unrelenting pressure only helped me to grow. Seeing the energy he came with, day in and day out, was contagious and something I will take away from the season. Competing against Tae (Devontae) really helped my offensive game. Tae is a very strong defender with great athleticism… so, in the future, if I should meet a guy who has similar athleticism as me, I know exactly how to attack them. I wouldn’t say there was one specific player, the whole team was a brotherhood, everyone had their own impact in some way.

You played the 2023-2024 season with BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 64.4%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 63.9%. It was a shorter season for you, but a solid one. What memories do you have of that season?

The season was short, only playing about 14 games but it was a good one. One glaring memory from that season will always be the faithful Wulfen fans – if they are on your side cheering it’s a great atmosphere. The loyal Wulfen fans showed up every game even as the team struggled until midway through the season.

You played a season with CSM Galati (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 8.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6apg, Steals-1 (2.4spg), FGP: 63.5%, 3PT: 20.7%, FT: 50.9%. You needed no adjustment coming from the Regionalliga. How did your defensive game grow that season? You were the top steal getter in Romania.

My defense game grew a lot. I cut down on my reaching fouls while causing players to turn the ball over simply by moving my feet and staying in front of them.

You played your rookie season overseas with BBG Herford (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 17.6ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-3 (2.9spg), FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 62.8%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

My rookie wake up call came relatively early… immediately after disembarking the plane and seeing signs written in a different language I knew I wasn’t in Kansas anymore (Wizard of Oz reference). It really set in when I woke up the next morning and took a bike-ride around Herford. My first visit to the grocery store solidified I was far, far from home. Fully embracing my new reality, I was more than ready to accept my new normal and face all the upcoming challenges head on.

You saved your best for last hitting Hamm with 35 points in game 2. Was that one of your best pro games?

Yes! I would definitely classify that game as my best Pro game to date. Finishing with 35 points and ? from the 3 point line certainly went a long way in helping me to forget that absolutely abysmal 4 point performance the game before.

You played with the University of California from 2017-2020. You played 70 NCAA games. How would you summarize your 3 years there?

My 3 years at Cal were extremely memorable. Even through the string of losses my teammates showed up everyday with the same intrepid intention to compete at the highest level. Those times taught me the importance of fortitude and to never, ever give up. The cherry on top… I met some incredible people and made a few lifelong friends whom I stay in touch with to this very day.

You had many great games in the NCAA, but often in losing causes. What memories do you have of your 10/9/7 game against Washington State that you lost 79-77?

I believe at this time we were still searching for our first conference win and from the scouting report I knew it would be a game that I could thrive in due to my athleticism and high motor. It was a battle and unfortunately we were not able to secure the win. I guess you could call it a moral victory of sorts.

How did coaches Wyking Jones and Mark Fox groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Both of these coaches prepared me by giving real-world examples of professional basketball expectations and how to deal with the structure of overseas basketball. They were instrumental in giving me the necessary tools to help me easily adapt to almost every basketball and life situation.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Roman Davis?

Roman and I unfortunately never got to play 1-1 during our time their but we definitely battled it out in practice. Roman was a great older guy for me to match up with and learn from. Of course, as a competitor, I would say I would win but if I’m being honest in college it could’ve gone either way.

Who is the toughest player that you ever battled that reached the NBA?

I would say Alonzo Trier and Deandre Ayton. Both of those guys were great players for Arizona.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Over the course of my playing career I’ve had multiple great teammates. Honestly, naming only five teammates wouldn’t do your question justice. Fortunately, for me, I’ve had an amazing array of teammates that have proven to be great on and off the court.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron, Mj, Kobe and KD

Who is your GOAT?

My goat is LeBron James. I think he is the greatest basketball player. EVER!

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

Unfortunately or fortunately I haven’t seen the second Coming to America but the first one is one of my top 3 favorite movies of all time.

Thanks Juhwan for the chat