Matt Lane is a 24 year old 216cm center that completed his rookie season for BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga averaging 13,4ppg, 14,6rpg and 1,3bpg and also had a double license for Pro A team SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt averaging 2,8ppg and 2,8rpg. He began his basketball career at Bethpage high school and then played at Molloy College (NCAA2) from 2020-2025 and as a senior averaged 8.2ppg, 11.7rpg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 60.0%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the season about basketball.

Thanks Matt for talking to germanhoops.com You’re playing your rookie season for BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga). How blessed do you feel being able to play overseas? It isn´t that common for NCAA 2 players to get pro contracts overseas.

It has been an amazing opportunity and I feel extremely blessed and grateful for the opportunity to play professional basketball overseas. This is something I’ve been working toward for years and I take pride in representing my school, where I come from, and showing that Division II players can succeed at the professional level through hard work and dedication. Playing for Tigers allows me to keep growing as a player and a person and I am thankful that I can continue playing the game I love and improving my self every minute on the floor.

What have you enjoyed most about playing for BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga). Has there been an experience as a rookie that you won’t forget?

What I’ve enjoyed most is building strong chemistry with my teammates and learning more about the European style of play. As a rookie, one moment I’ll always remember is my first home game. The passion of the fans in Germany is incredible, and experiencing that atmosphere right away made it clear how special it is to play here.

As a guy from New York, how have you embraced the German culture? What have you enjoyed most about living in Germany?

As someone who grew up in New York, Germany was definitely a change of pace at first but with my coaches, teammates, and support from home, I was able to embrace the culture with an open mind. I enjoyed exploring the region, learning about local traditions, and of course trying new foods. The overall sense of community and camaraderie on our team has made the transition much smoother and helped me settle in here.

Did you experience a wake up call to being a rookie in Germany where you knew that you were far away from home?

One of the biggest wake-up calls was realizing how different everyday life is in Germany – from the language to adjusting to a new routine without family and friends nearby. Being so far from home definitely pushed me to become more independent and adapt to the new environment.

It hasn´t been the greatest season for the club as it has a losing season. What has been your summary of the season?

It’s been a challenging season, but also one with a lot of growth. We’ve faced adversity, but the team has continued to work and stay professional. For me personally, it’s been valuable learning experience. It has encouraged me to find ways to best understand the ups and downs at the professional level and continue identifying ways to improve every day regardless of the results. Staying focused on the process is critical in having the right mindset to a good path forward.

What has it been like being teammates with potent guards Yannick Von Hain and Joryam Saizonu? What have you enjoyed most about their games?

Playing with skilled guards like Yannick and Joryam has been a great experience. Yannick’s ability to shoot the ball efficiently from 3 opens up the court and Joryam’s ability to create opportunities across the floor and get downhill has played a crucial role in our wins this season. Both of them have a competitive edge about them that keeps them focused on improving for the team.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 216cm center. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I’d compare my game to Steven Adams. I focus on the physical and fundamental aspects of the gamerebounding, protecting the rim, setting strong screens, and finishing around the basket. I take a lot of pride in doing the little things that help my team win and make life easier for my teammates.

What exactly is your role on the Regionalliga team? The team has 2 prolific guard scorers. Is your biggest job to get the rebounds and just be a big presence inside?

Yes, my main role is to be a strong presence insideprotect the rim, grab rebounds, set solid screens, and finish around the basket. With two talented guards who handle the scoring, my job is to do the little things that help the team succeed and make sure we control the paint on both ends.

What other offensive strengths do you have besides scoring and rebounding?

Besides scoring and rebounding, I work hard to focus on offensive details to help the team flow. I focus on setting solid screens, rolling hard to the basket, and being physical in the paint. I also make it a priority to to run the floor in transition and open up good opportunities for the team.

You don’t take many threes. It seems like all bigs overseas have a 3. Is that something you are looking to add to your arsenal?

Yes, it’s something I’m definitely looking to develop. I’d like to add a reliable pick-and-pop game and be able to knock down more threes to stretch the floor. For now, I focus on my strengths inside, but expanding my range is a goal for the future.

Stats don´t always tell the whole story as your averaging 1,2 blocks per game. Talk about the defensive player you are now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I’m a defender who takes pride in controlling the paint and making it tough for opponents to score inside. Blocking shots is always great, but being a presence in the paint with my size and length allows me to affect plays in many other ways just by forcing guards to redirect. I want to still continue to developing my ability to guard quicker players in the space and be more versatile.

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

The one area of my game that I am working on the most is becoming stronger and more explosive as a big man. I also plan to round out my development by improving the ability to stretch the floor and knock down more outside shots.

You also have a double license to play with the SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt in the Pro A. You have played 3 games. What kind of an experience has it been practicing with the team?

Yes the dual license to play with SBB is a big reason why I decided to come to Germany. I just played my 4th game with them over the weekend. Being able to practice everyday with the Pro A team has been a great experience. Going against experienced bigs everyday in practice has helped me develop my game and learn how physical the game can get at the proA level.

What has it been practicing against and learning from veteran Modestas Pauluskas? What have you soaked up most from his game?

I’ve learned a tremendous amount from Mo and his years of experience in Germany. Being able to practice with Mo has been extremely valuable and I am grateful to be connected with him. Learning from his experience and his approach to the game helps shape my mentality when on the floor.

You had 2 20 plus rebound games back to back combining for 46 rebounds. Did those games feel a little like Kevin Love?

Maybe a little, Kevin Love undoubtably works hard to be in the right position and have ideal timing with great instincts – all of this is tremendous for a big man at the rim. I take pride in rebounding and work extremely hard to pursue the ball to keep the play alive and do the little things to help us win games.

You played at Molloy (NCAA 2) from 2020-2025. What memories do you have from these years? You didn´t have a big role, but really blossomed in your last season averaging 8.2ppg, 11.7rpg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 60.0%, FT: 66.7%. What kind of a player did you become at Molloy?

My years at Molloy were really special. I didn’t have a big role early on but that fueled my work effort to get after it every day and keep improving. By my last season, I became a player who could make an impact on both ends rebounding, protecting the rim, and finishing efficiently around the basket. Those years taught me patience, discipline, and how to contribute in ways that help the team win, even if it doesn’t always show up in the box score.

You had many great games at Molloy and had 2 20 plus rebound games. What was your fondest moment on the court in the NCAA 2?

Every game in a Lions jersey was a memory for me. My fondest moment on the court in division 2 is setting the single game rebound record at my school with 23 rebounds on my last home game in my senior year.

How did head coach Charles Marquardt groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Marquardt played a huge role in my later success at Molloy and my development into playing overseas. Coach Marquardt took a chance on me out of high school and took me under his wing to help me develop. He had a tremendous amount of experience at the division 2 level. He truly pushed me to stay focused and improve every day.

You never had a teammate taller than 6.8 during the years. Did you ever play 1-1 with anyone on the team and if so with who and who won?

We ran a number of 1 on 1 games over the years and they were always a battle. Regardless of the opponent, I found my best oath to a W was by leveraging my size and strength to get to the rim and score.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that reached the NBA or Euroleague?

I haven’t really played against any big time names that have reached the NBA or Euroleague. I have played along side some players who have made it to the NBA but not any big time names

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I’ve been fortunate to have played with many great teammates from teams I was on as a kid to today as a professional who remind me of how great this game is. Singling them out wouldn’t be fair to the others.

Please list your personal NBA, Mount Rushmore of 5 best players ever?

Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal,

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

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

I haven’t seen that one but I will have to give it a watch.

Thanks Matt for the chat.