Zac Watson (201-F-2000, college: Longwood)s a 26 year old 201cm forward playing his third pro season and first in Germany with the RheinStars Cologne currently averaging 5,1ppg and 3,4rpg. Last season he played with BK Ventspils (Lat-Est BL) averaging 11.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 80.2%. He split his rookie season with Frederick Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 15.2ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 49.2%, 3FGP: 24.6%, FT: 73.0%, in Mar.’24 moved to Kordall Steelers Rodange (Luxembourg-LBBL) averaging 20.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 75.0%. He began his basketball career at Liberty high school and then played 2 seasons at the University of California Riverside (NCAA) averaging 6.1ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 50.8% and 2.8ppg, 3.0rpg. He then moved to Longwood College (NCAA) playing 3 seasons and 94 NCAA games averaging 5.7ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 57.1%, 7.7ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 56.1%, FT: 80.7% and 7.5ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 78.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Zac for talking to germanhoops.com. After stops in Cyprus, Luxemburg and Latvia, your now playing in Germany. Would you call yourself a young basketball globetrotter?

Nice to talk with you Miles! And yeah I guess you could say that. I’ll be playing in my 4th country in 3 years, and being a globetrotter hasn’t necessarily been my goal but I’ve enjoyed it.

It seems like you are having to pay your dues overseas. What has personally been your biggest challenge with mastering everything overseas on a daily basis?

I would say the biggest thing has been playing with consistency. I’m showing that I can play with anyone, but the great players always play consistently. There is less room to be able to just write games off as ‘eh, just a bad game.’

Your playing your first pro season in Germany with the RheinStars Cologne. Have you had any former teammates or opponents play in Germany over the years?

I have a former teammate that will also be playing in German ProA this year actually, Miles Tention. I’m sure there will be other guys playing in Germany I have crossed paths with before that I just don’t know about yet.

What was most appealing to you with this organization? They have a very rich history.

It was really a combination of things that drew me to the RheinStars. The team is on an upswing in the last couple years, obviously with the promotion back up to Pro A for this season. Talking with coach Stephan also gave me great confidence in the decision but overall it’s a historic team in a historic city and I’m excited to take advantage of the opportunity.

How did the talks go with Stephan Baack? Did you know that he is a German basketball legend?

Yeah like I mentioned, speaking with Coach Stephan was a big factor in helping me choose to play for RheinStars. He’s very easy to talk to, honest, and knowledgeable. I didn’t know he’s a legend though. I’ll have to ask him about that.

What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

He’s very in tune with how the game is going, in the sense of playing with pace, attacking early, and putting players in multiple positions. I will obviously know more when I get involved with the team, but I can tell that coach has a great basketball mind.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

Aaron Gordon, Rui Hachimura are guys I see myself playing like. Originally guys that were athletic forwards but have continued to improve their shots and playmaking.

You’re a physical and athletic player that gives his team many things. Talk about your biggest strengths on offense?

I’d say my biggest strength offensively is my versatility, being able to fit quickly into different schemes and make the right reads. Shooting and attacking in transition are coming as well.

Your three pointer still seems to be a work in progress. How have you seen the development of your three pointer overseas? What is your biggest goal in Germany with your three pointer?

Yeah it’s encouraging to see the improvements happening from year to year. First it was being comfortable taking them, then hitting open ones consistently, and now hitting more difficult shots or over a contest if necessary. I want to shoot 40% from 3 again this year and be a real threat.

You also have a very good defensive game and can block shots well for your size. What kind of a defender would you call yourself now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I feel like I anticipate the game very well. That helps me stay in position and be a solid defender. I also take on the challenge in defending guards on switches in the half court. Being able to guard multiple positions is huge.

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

I’m focused on my ball handling much more now. Making multiple moves and playing against pressure specifically. That and shooting on the move.

Last season you played with BK Ventspils (Latvia-LBL) averaging 6.7ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 75.9%; and in the Lat-Est BL averaged 11.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 80.2%. What was it like playing for one of Latvian’s best known basketball organizations? What was your fondest moment there?

I really loved my time in Ventspils. I learned and grew a lot as a player with coach Fogels, and they’re a great organization to play for. My proudest moment has to be sweeping Zelli to get to the LBL finals. But even day to day I loved working with the guys on the team and I enjoyed the little things like the road trips and just hanging out.

During the season you played an incredible 9 times against VEF Riga. How crazy was that? I’m sure at the end you knew every move by Cleary and Lawrence.

Yeah that was my first time experiencing something like that. I always wondered what it was like for NBA guys to get to Game 7’s in a playoff situation. But yeah you get to know the other team really well and like I spoke about before that’s where being consistent is the most important because you’re not catching anyone by surprise.

You split your rookie season with Frederick Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 15.2ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 49.2%, 3FGP: 24.6%, FT: 73.0%, in Mar.’24 moved to Kordall Steelers Rodange (Luxembourg-LBBL) averaging 20.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 75.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

I don’t know if there was a specific time where I had that realization, but a handful of little moments. Just kind of a small feeling of being alone. The days of grinding overseas can add up just like any job, but being away from friends and family has an added weight.

How vital was this season in your career? You had come from the NCAA as a guy that never averaged more than 7,0ppg and then bang in 2 countries was a main scoring guy. What did you learn from this season?

My rookie season was huge for me. It was a struggle but it was very necessary. I had to put in long hours to make that transition to a wing more so than an undersized big. Having the ball in my hands was crucial for that to happen.

You played at the University Of Riverside (NCAA) from 2018-2020 averaging 6.1ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 50.8% and 2.8ppg, 3.0rpg. Your minutes dipped from 18 to 12 in your last season. What positives could you get from this experience and how did your game develop there?

It was a wake up call that basically just showed me I needed to work harder. That’s really it. I needed to find another opportunity, but also work harder and get better.

In your freshman season you scored 25 points in a blow out win against Bethesda. What memories do you have of that game?

I don’t remember that much about that game to be honest. I do remember hitting a few 3’s which back then was out of character lol. But it kind of felt good to see it’s at least possible to score like that with time.

You then finished and played 3 years at Longwood College (NCAA) averaging 5.7ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 57.1%, 7.7ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 56.1%, FT: 80.7% and 7.5ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 78.7%. How important were these 3 years for you? Was it one of your best basketball decisions?

I would make the decision to play at Longwood 10/10 times again. Statistically they were all very similar years but I progressed a lot mentally at Longwood.

You won the Big South title in 2022. What memories do you have of beating Winthrop and then playing at March Madness against Tennessee?

I remember getting to the championship game and being so confident in us winning I had no worries going into the game. We put so much work in that year it was only right. Then playing Tennessee, okay, we lost by a lot but only so many people can say they played in a March Madness game. The experience was worth it.

How did Griff Aldrich prepare you best for a pro career?

The most valuable teaching I got from coach Griff was how to approach practices. You need to practice in October thinking about March, or in a pro season, April or May when playoffs start. He was always adamant about noticing complacency and addressing it. He taught me how to really be aware of my habits and my daily mindset.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Michael Christmas?

We actually never played 1 on 1 games like that. For a lot of the time we were at Longwood together he was hurt. But today, it could go either way.

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

A few guys from Dallas I played against growing up are in the NBA now. Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Maxey. Good guys. Another guy is Mason Jones who is with Sacramento right now.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

It’s impossible to pick just 5. But I’ll say Leslie Nkereuwem, Jordan Perkins, Nate Lliteras, Dragan Elkaz, and Isaiah Wilkins

Please list your personal NBA, German and Serbian Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Personal: LeBron, MJ, Curry, and Shaq

German: Dirk, Schroder, Hartenstein has been good lately, and the Wagner brothers I guess. I don’t know too many German players off the top of my head.

Serbia: Jokic, Peja Stojakovic, Bogdanovic, and Vlade Divac

Who is your Goat?

LeBron easily

Did you see the sequel to the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I’ve never seen the sequel so I can’t really speak on it honestly lol

Thanks Zac for the chat.