Kaan Kus (178-PG-1993) is a 33 year old 178cm guard playing for the Baskets Limburg. He has played with this club most of his life. He also has garnered experience with teams like TV Idstein and BC Wiesbaden. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

After almost 15 years of covering the Baskets Limburg, I finally can interview you. Sorry for the long wait.

Oh that’s ok. Thanks for thinking of me.

You have been wearing a Limburg jersey for the longest time. What does it mean for you to wear this jersey?

Limburg is my home town. I play with so much love for this club. I have played for some other teams, but none ever felt like it does playing for Limburg.

What has been your summary of the season? The Baskets Limburg have been solid but not great?

Our goal this season wasn´t to move up. We have new management with Justin Stallbohm, Berkant Campinar and myself. Our motto this season was to develop the youth. We had 8 guys form Limburg. We still had a successful season. Our goal for the next years is to keep developing the youth.

What has it been like being teammates with Myles Howell? Where would you rate his poster dunk recently?

He is a young athletic player that is always good spirited. I have seen many great dunks in my life, but his is at the top.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 178 cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description? Is Marcus Smart a good choice?

Yes Marcus Smart is correct.

Talk about your strengths as a player? You have never been much of a scorer, but what other aspects make you shine?

That is true that I have never been a scorer. I´m a playmaker that brings calmness to the court. I do things that don´t pop up on the stat sheet. I bring a lot of energy to the game with my defense. I keep the team together and enjoy defending the other team´s best player.

Talk about your defensive game. Do you model your game after Marcus Smart on defense?

Yes I try to model my game after him. I´m a very nasty defender that likes to get under the skin of my opponent. I would never want to play against myself. I will get on opponent´s nerves and am able to defend bigger players.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now?

I love to create for my teammates and don´t take many shots. Because of that, I´m always working on my shot, because with less shots that I take, I want to always make them.

How has your game developed over the years under Danny Stallbohm? What have you appreciated most about his coaching?

I like how he gives us freedom and just let´s us go out and play our game. If you deliver then you get minutes. He had been more offensive minded in the past, but now had become more defensive minded.

One of your best friends is Justin Stallbohm. Does he have the most incredible smile ever?

Justin is a sweet guy. He has a great smile. His smile puts smiles on the faces of others.

How has he helped you be a better player over the years?

We talk together a lot. We have been teammates on the court for many years. We are always helping each other on the court with tips. We have helped each other mentally to help each other get to the next level.

What is your fondest memory with Justin Stallbohm on the court?

My fondest moment with Justin happened in our youth in the U-20 Oberliga. We won the Hessen U-20 title.

You played a season with the incredible Kris Douse. What memories will you always have of him?

He was an energizer and a great scorer. He was a super teammate and everyone liked him. It didn´t matter if you were young or old or a great player or not, he always tried to make everyone better.

You were also teammates with Kevin Yebo. He went from the Regionalliga to the Euroleague. Did you already see his talent 10 years ago?

I saw that he was a raw diamond right away. But I had no idea that he could get to the BBL or Euroleague then. You saw right away that he had things that you couldn´t learn. He had that special athleticism and anticipation that you can´t learn. I´m still in contact with him today.

Your coolest Mantas Bernatavicius story?

He was a phenomenon. He was one of our most important players even if he was never a scorer. He did such vital things like setting great blocks and being our anchor on defense. No player wanted to drive to the rim. He was so physical.

I remember in 2015 watching a young Isaac Bonga play in Limburg with Koblenz. What memories do you have of him in that game?

I remember that game with Bonga well. We all knew how talented he was. He was 3 heads bigger than me. He did a shifty spin move around me for the lay up.

What was your fondest moment on the court with a Limburg jersey?

In my early years my fondest moment was when we went from the Regionalliga 2 to Regionalliga beating Kronberg with a buzzer beater.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced on the court?

Matej Kljaic. You can´t defend him on the pick and roll.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Justin Stallbohm, Berkant Campinar, Max Mattel, Kevin Yebo, Melvin Adrovic

Please name your NBA and German Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Rose

Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schroeder, Pascal Roller, Per Guenther

Who is your Goat?

Lebron James

Thanks Kaan for the chat.