Zavian McLean (193-G-2001, college: FGCU) is a 25 year old 201cm forward that was born in Izmir, Turkey but grew up in North Carolina and played his rookie season overseas with at SC Vasco da Gama Porto (Portugal-Liga Betclic) and Entente Orleans 45 (France-ProB). He played AAU ball with Team Wall and also played at Village Christian Academy. He played 3 seasons at Columbia (NCAA) averaging 7.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 71.1%, 7.0ppg, 2.4rpg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 77.3% and 9.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 63.6%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 68.2%. He then added a season at Florida Gulf Coast University (NCAA) averaging 11.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 65.0%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 62.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after exploding for 53 in Portugal

Thanks Zavian for talking to germanhoops.com. You recently scored 53 points in a game and was the highest scorer in the world. You did it in Portugal. What does this feat mean to you?

It´s really amazing. It was something very historical that hadn´t been done in a long time. It was great to do it for the fans in Portugal and on the road. The place was sold out and to get such a big win and put on a show meant a lot.

You have only been with the team a short while. You seem to have needed no adjustment period to being able to score so easily in your first season overseas.

I think that I came to Portugal with this growth mind set. I knew that it would be a big challenge coming from the NCAA to overseas. I welcomed adversary from day 1. I put a lot of pride in working on my game and I put in the work. It was only a matter of time before this would happen.

Did you always know that you had such great scoring potential in your blood?

I have always been a scorer my whole life. I play more from the fundamental side. I took on a scoring responsibility in college. It took me a few games overseas to know that I could be a scorer here as well. I also have to say I have put in the work, but I couldn´t have done without God and my teammates.

Did you have a special breakfast or do something different on this day to help you achieve so many points?

It was the usual routine. I have a specific routine and always stick to it.

How did you feel going into the game? Do you sometimes know how your game may go after warm ups and how your shot is feeling?

I knew that the stakes were high going into the game that we needed a win badly. We knew that there was pressure, but I welcomed the challenge. I wanted to prove to all that I could compete on a big stage. I felt good going in and stuck to my game and took what the defense was and was very aggressive.

How did you get into the game flow? How rapidly did you know that you might have a real good scoring day?

I think we had already scored 20 points after 5 minutes. I knew that the game would be high scoring and high paced. I knew that both teams would get on transition a lot and it was a matter of who would score most. I felt early on that I had to execute. I played my game because my team needed me. I got into the flow early, made shots and made free throws. I knew it would be a special game after the first quarter.

The team had 20 assists in the game and you had 4. Did you score a lot on the isolation?

I did score a lot on the isolation. I was aggressive from the start and took on responsibility. I did have a lot of turnovers that really bugs me.

Did you know in the fourth quarter that you were close to 50 points?

When your playing you tend to look at the score board to see the time, fouls and time outs. I knew how much I was scoring. I knew I had 48 points and then I made an offensive rebound and put back for 50 points. I had no idea at that moment that the record was 55 points. Had I known that then I would have made it a mission to get the record.

What was your favorite own basket of the 53 point game?

My favorite bucket was the 109th point to go ahead. I got an and 1. We were up three points with less than a minute to go. That was the break or take control moment of the game. That cemented the game for us.

Did you get any special messages from people that you might not have expected from?

My family, people from home, club supporters and other fans from Europe. I turned off the phone after a while because there was a lot going on. I definitely got a lot of love.

Did you have to get your teammates donuts after game?

I didn´t have to get donuts, but if they had, I would of.

Thanks Zavian for the chat.