Jonathan Klussmann (190-G-2002) is a 23 year old 190cm guard from Denmark playing his second season in Germany and first with the Paderborn Baskets. Last season he played with SC RASTA Vechta 2nd team (Germany-ProA) averaging 15.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 84.0%. He began his pro career with BK Amager (BasketLigaen) averaging 17.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 84.1% and 17.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 39.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 77.0%. He then played 2 seasons with Randers Cimbria Basketball (BasketLigaen) averaging 15.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 71.8% and 16.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 72.6%. He then played in Spain with Fundacion Globalcaja La Roda (Spain-LEB Silver) averaging 13.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Jonathan for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for the Paderborn Baskets. What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about your time there?

It has been a really good experience. It´s been my first time playing for a Big Home crowd with a lot of loyal fans. I really appreciate Them and that experience.

Do you still have ties to Vechta. In Paderborn you aren´t far away from Vechta. Was the familiarity of the area important for you to go to Paderborn?

I liked my time in Vechta but I don’t Think the area did anything to my decision. I have enjoyed both cities being close to Denmark so my girlfriend and family can visit me.

It hasn´t been the best season for Paderborn. What have been the main reasons for the club not standing better in the standings? Was defense one of the major factors?

I think the season depends a lot on how we finish it. We still have the chance to make it a good season since all teams outside the playoffs are so close and one or two wins can change a lot

You have upped your scoring from last season. Is your role different from last season. Last season you were a leader among young German players. This season there are way more scoring options and that hasn´t allowed to let your scoring suffer. How do you explain that?

Of courseI have a bigger role this year, we might also be a little bit more competitive and that lets me be myself in some of the close games, like the one in Koblenz. I think it hasn’t stopped me because I had the skills to keep doing it on this level and got the chance from the club and coach to do it.

What has it been like being teammates with young German Karl Buhner? I call him Mr offensive rebound because he is such a great rebounder for his height. How have you seen his development into a pro player the last 2 seasons?

I love Karl. He is a great guy. Its really nice to see him have a breakout season compared to last year. I think he shows he can be a top level German in this league.

How valuable has a veteran like Grant Tecihmanm been for you? Is he in a way like a mentor for you?

Grant has been great for us. It has been nice to have someone with experience. I think he has helped me with his knowledge of German basketball since he has a lot of experience from this league

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 190cm guard. If You had to compare your game to a NBA or Euroleague player who would best fit the description

I don’t know if I really know someone to compare it to. But I like to watch and see how the unathletic Europeans play the game. So hopefully it can slow down for me in the future and I can be better. While still keeping some of my more American Inspired aggression and scoring.

You fill the stat sheet well and are a great scorer. What other strengths does your game incorporate best?

I think I can be great at creating for other players. Because I can always create an advantage through my scoring. And I also hope my teammates think I´m a player they can rely on in the closing minutes and important situations

You have always been a pretty solid outside shooter, but not reached 40% yet in a season. How big is your drive to reach that and what does your shot need to get even more stable?

My motivation for that is high. I think my role and shot selection right now makes it the hardest. So hopefully going to a higher level and maturing in the future will get me to that %

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

I think I am a strong and good on ball defense and can pressure the ball when my role sees it fit. I also draw a decent amount of charges. I want to be much smarter on defense especially off the ball since I am a small guy. And also just improve my ball screen and on ball defense.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue tom improve as a player?

I think my decision making. I often create good advantages so now my next step is to make the right read. And again on the defensive end

Last season you played your first season in Germany with SC RASTA Vechta 2nd team (Germany-ProA) averaging 15.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 84.0%. How tough was this season? The team finished in 18th place at 4-30. What did you learn about that season?

It was a really tough year but it taught me to keep going and made me more motivated to prove myself. It also gave me the chance to practice with the BBL squad for half the season, which was great for my motivation and to see that I can play on that level and hopefully get the chance in the future

What was it like being teammates with young German guards Kaya Bayram and Moritz Gruess? Did you have that type of mentor role for them?

It was fun. Most of the team was really young and it was a fun dynamic to experience. And of course I hope they liked me and maybe learned a thing from watching me.

You began your career with BK Amager (BasketLigaen) averaging 17.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 84.1% and 17.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 39.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 77.0%. Your were a teenager and played heavy minutes in the first Danish league. How vital was it being thrown into cold water right away? Did you become a man in terms of basketball?

I think that was great. I started playing men´s basketball at 15-16 so that was a part of growing up fast for me. Also for my Home town team, that was fun.

How thankful are you for head coach Almir Zeco who gave you that needed freedom? How did he help you most those 2 years in your basketball development?

I´m really thankful, he gave me a good chance and experience!

How vital was a player like American Robert Fields? Was he like a mentor for you? What could you soak up most from his game?

Rob is a great guy. He taught me some things on how to be professional that I could use moving on in my career.

That first season you had some really good games against top Danish team Bakken. What memories do you have of those games? You lost both, but scored 19 and 11 points.

For me it was just fun to play against some of the players and teams you grew up watching on TV. That was fun

You next made the jump to Randers Cimbria Basketball (BasketLigaen) averaging 15.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 71.8% and 16.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 72.6%. How valuable were these 2 years for your game? What steps did you make in your game under Peter Hoffman and Jimmy Moore?

Even though it was only two years it gave me a lot of different impressions which was good for when I wanted to leave Denmark. I learned how to be a full time pro. And gave me 2 pro years living with my girlfriend

You then left Denmark for the first time and played for Fundacion Globalcaja La Roda (Spain-LEB Silver) averaging 13.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being in a new country where you knew that you were far away from home?

That was a hard year for me. No one really spoke english and the style of play was different. With almost no Americans. It was a year i´ll never forget but also a year I won´t miss. The city was bad and it made me more tough for sure.

You were top scorer at the 2018 U-16 Euro averaging PPG-1 (25.0), 7.8rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 69.2%. What memories do you have of that Euro? You dominated like crazy.

That was such a fun summer. Playing with all the guys from my age group and Denmark is such a small country that you know everyone and they are your friends. It was some fun games and we played against some top teams like Russia that went on to win the tournament.

You have become a Danish national player as well having played qualifying games. What is the state of Danish basketball? There is a good nucleus of players with Bakkary Dibba, Dane Erikstrup and yourself. What other players can we watch for in the future?

I think the state is really good. The last two eurobasket qualifiers we were one basket away from going, and I think we have a lot of talent coming up. Dibba is a great player and friend! Him and Dane have a great future in the national team, hopefully with me. Also Marcus Møller is the biggest prospect we have. He is the Danish Wemby.

What is your goal for the next years? Is the easyCredit BBL a league that you believe you could join soon?

I hope so. My goal is to prove myself and get better every season. I think I have a lot of things to improve and learn, so I think the nexT couple of years will be very exciting.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life on the court who reached the NBA or Euroleague?

One of my first trips with the national team we played North Macedonia with TJ Shorts. I think I fouled him two times in 30 seconds and then I went to the bench again. He was very good.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I Think all the teammates I had as a kid. nAnd since I was a pro probably

Anton Hansen, Randers Cimbria Karl Buhner, Vechta/Paderborn

Bakary dibba, national team and angt

Luke House, Vechta Nathan Scott, Randers/Paderborn

Charles Knowles, La Roda Spain

Please name your NBA, Euroleague and Danish Mount Rushmore (4 best players)

Lebron, Jordan, Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose

MilosTeodosic, Sergio llull, Mike James, Alexey Shved

Chris Nielsen, Anton Hansen, Bakary Dibba and Linus Grøn

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron has to be. I grew up staying up at night to watch him play. My favorite player though was Dwight Howard

Thanks Jonathan for the chat.