pic credit: Foto Zink

Trevor Baskin (206-F-2002, college: Colorado) is a 23 year old 206cm forward from Colorado playing his rookie season overseas in Germany with Pro A team Nurnberg Falcons averaging 12,2ppg, 6,8rpg and 1,5apg, 1,0spg and 1,0bpg. He began his basketball career at Pomona High School. He then embarked on a 4 year stay at Colorado Mesa University (NCAA2) playing a total of 123 games an din his last season averaged 18.4ppg, 8.4rpg, 3.9apg, 1.2spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 64.4%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 67.4%. He then added a final season at the University of Colorado (NCAA) averaging 7.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 66.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Trevor for talking germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season with German Pro A team Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA). What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

It has been an amazing experience so far, I really do love the city that I’m living in right now. Everyone around the team has made it so easy to adjust living in a new country with new people and a new culture. I have really enjoyed the beauty and the architecture of all the cities in Germany but especially in Nuremberg. I have been able to travel to a few places near bye which is a luxury in Europe that we don’t have in the states.

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

I would definitely say the first week was tough adjusting to the sleep and understanding the time change between Germany and back where I’m from in Colorado. Getting off the plane and realizing that I’m in a completely different continent was a little scary, but then I realized I was doing something that I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a kid.

Nurnberg has had a roller coaster season so far winning the first 2, then lost 4 and then had a 4 game winning streak. How can you explain the early season play as of now?

It has certainly been a mix of highs and low, Starting off so strong in preseason and the first two games I think gave us a false sense of confidence. And then that four-game skid was a wake up call to really buckle back down and play the way we were expected and the way we did in preseason. But our goal every week is just to go one and oh from here on out don’t worry about games in the past and just look on to the next game and understanding that it’s a long season and we can only control what is in front of us.

The team has been playing good basketball as of late and won 2 nail bitters. What strides have you seen the team make in the last weeks?

Winning those two close Derby games against rivals was really amazing because I think it’s important to learn how to win close games so when it gets into late season and playoffs we know what to do and how to when close games like this. I think our defense has taken a step and still has plenty of room for improvement, but everything is attached to defense and getting stops so that has been the biggest difference.

So far your averaging 12/6 stats. You have needed no adjustment period. What has been your secret to the success?

Even though my numbers have still been good I I think there is a lot of room for improvement, But I think I’ve done a good job of playing my role and doing what the team asks. I understand it’s my first year and there’s still an adjustment so I tried to do what I’m best at and then expand off of that.

How key have German guys Julius Wolf and Lars Lagerpusch been for you? Have they been like mentosr in the early going? What have you soaked up most from him so far?

Julius Wolff and Lars Lagerpush have been extremely helpful this year they have been around this game and league for a long time so helping me understand the INS and outs of European basketball and specifically basketball in this league has been really helpful. Julius especially talking about always giving the best shot possible and giving up a good shot for an even better one.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 206cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description.

I would say players I try to play similar to would be Franz Wagner, or A Much smaller Giannis a player that likes to use transition. I would like my game to develop into a Jaden Mcdaniels or a really great 3 and d player.

You’re a versatile forward. Would you describe yourself as a modern day big man. What are your biggest strengths on the court?

I’m not sure if I would call myself a modern day big man, but my biggest strengths are definitely being able to post guards and attack larger players off the perimeter. Another strength would be my ability to run the floor and another thing I take pride in is being able to guard one through 5. I’m still working at that and always room for improvement but being able to switch with any position and be a bit of a Swiss army knife is my biggest strength.

You can do it at both ends. Would you also describe yourself as a 2 way player?

I would definitely describe myself as a two way player to be successful in any professional setting you have to be able to defend at a high level on ball and as a team defender, But also take great shots and make them, which I would say I do a pretty good job at.

Your three pointer has been up and down the last years but currently shooting 30%. What goals do you have with your shooting this season?

My biggest goal is to have a larger willingness to shoot, I have great shooting mechanics and confidence in my shot I just have to show willingness to shoot more when I’m open and trust the work I put in. I have proven I could shoot at the college level at Colorado Mesa, Now I just have to be more willing to shoot when given the option and it will open up the rest of my game even more.

How would you describe your defensive game now? What kind of a defender are you now and what Kind of defender do you still want to become?

I would call myself a very scrappy and disruptive defender that is anxious to get better. I move very well for my size and have great length which I can use to my advantage to get deflections, blocks, and steals. I think I have very good instincts as a team defender and do a good job of rotating and always being in the right positions. I still have a lot more room for improvement in terms of getting through on and off ball screens, and also getting my hands in more passing lanes. Good news is that is something I can work on, and something I want to become better at.

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

I would say defensively always communicating where I am, and getting through screens on and off ball. I would also say becoming a more more willing shooter I have a lot of confidence in my shot and sometimes I hesitate for no reason. Those are the two largest things and then I still think my finishing can take another jump and they can become even more efficient. I could fill up pages of what I want to get better at, but those are the more prominent things.

You played at Colorado Mesa University (NCAA2) from 2020 to 2024 and really picked up your game a lot in your last 3 years averaging 13.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 26.2%, FT: 63.3%, 14.0ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 63.4%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 68.7% and 18.4ppg, 8.4rpg, 3.9apg, 1.2spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 64.4%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 67.4%. How did your game grow in these 3 years?

They grew tremendously each year I took it upon myself to improve in the summer in certain aspects whether it was in the weight room or on the court. I also have to credit a lot to the coaching staff of coach to DeGeorge and coach Bossier, they were the only coaches who believed in me and I would not be where I am without them.

How valuable was head coach Kyle Bossier in your basketball development. How did he help groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He was an unbelievable help and changed my basketball career he helped me with my shooting mechanics for three years and it finally clicked my last year and he never stopped believing in me and a lot of the things that he helped me with I still do every single day to continue to make strides in my shot and as a basketball player. He really is a basketball genius and I’m yet to meet people who know more about the game than him.

You had so many great games at Colorado Mesa including exploding for 43 points in a win over NMHU. What was your fondest moment on the court in those years?

There is no shortage of memories and my four years at Colorado Mesa I got really lucky and played with a set of brothers for all four years I was there. A lot of games stick out when we won the conference title 3 out of four years. I would say winning the conference tournament at home my freshman year. Or beating Lubbock Christian my sophomore year in the NCAA tournament. Lastly senior night my senior year.

You added on a season with the University of Colorado (NCAA) playing 35 games averaging 7.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 66.1%. You had 2 great games against Arizona State. What was your fondest moment on the court?

I would say beating Yukon in the Maui Invitational was the highlight of my career at CU beating A 2 time national champion and doing it in the most prestigious in season tournament in college basketball was amazing. Having conversations with Roy Williams mid game and being around so many basketball legends was truly an amazing experience.

How did head coach Tad Boyle help give you that last guidance to helping you continue to develop your game in the NCAA?

He helped develop a part of my game that I was lacking which was becoming a better defender I had always gotten away with being more athletic than other players in college and he really made me take in larger emphasis on being able to defend multiple positions. He demanded nothing but my best every single day and helped me become more of a professional which is why I think I’m so ahead of the curve as a rookie.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Andrej Jakimovski?

Andrej and I would play one-on-one all the time as we trained together and lived together all summer for NBA workouts. I am going to say myself of course, but if you ask him he is going to say himself of course, just know he is LYING.

You played against many great players in the NCAA, but who was the toughest battle that is in the NBA now

Javon Small I would say was definitely a difficult person to guard, I would say Keyshawn Hall who is at Auburn also stuck out, also JT Toppin.

Please name your best teammates of all-time?

Blaise Threatt who is now with the Grand Rapids Gold, Owen Koonce, Surrey 89ers, Andrej Jakimovski, Graham Ike Isaac Jessup, Mac Riniker ( all time leader in fouls in NCAA history)

If you had to construct your very own NBA mount Rushmore which 4 heads would you pick?

Lebron James, Nikola Jokic, Micheal Jordan, Kareem

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James without a doubt

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

I have not seen the sequel, because they should have left it alone. I don’t understand Hollywood they know that it can’t be better than the original so why even try to make it. I feel strongly about this for a lot of movies.

Thanks Trevor for the chat.