Benjamin Vazquez (187-G-2002) is a 23 year old 187cm guard that was born in Sevilla, Spain. He played basketball in his young years in Spain. But he decided to go abroad in the last 2 years playing in Ireland and Denmark. In the 2024-2025 season he played with the Carrick Cruisers (Ireland-Division 1) averaging 17.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, 2PT: 55.2%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 68.0% an dlast season played with EBS Holbaek-Stenhus (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 7.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 22.5%, FT: 68.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Benjamin for talking to germanhoops.comWhere are you at the moment?

Right now I’m in Denmark, making the most of the offseason. I’m working on the areas of my game that I want to improve, training every day, and also enjoying time with my girlfriend. We’re trying to travel a little, relax, and enjoy the offseason before getting ready for next season but aproaching the time to improve as a player

You’re a 23-year-old guard from Spain and have played the last 2 seasons in Ireland and Denmark. It seems like you realized early in your career that playing abroad is better. Have you turned your back on Spain?

I wouldn’t say I’ve turned my back on Spain at all. Spain will always be my home and where I learned the game. However, the opportunities, trust, and respect that I’ve found abroad have been difficult to compare with what was available to me in Spain at that moment in my career. Playing abroad has allowed me to grow as a player and as a person. That said, I would love for our paths to cross again in the future.

You are very interested in playing in Germany. What makes the German market so attractive to you?

I think Germany would be a great fit for my profile as a player. I’m no longer a rookie and next season would be my third year playing professionally outside Spain. I’ve gained valuable experience, especially in decision-making and adapting to different basketball cultures. Combined with my style of play, I believe I could fit very well into German basketball.

Have you ever been to Germany? Is there a city you would like to visit most?

Actually, I visited Berlin this season with my club, Holbæk-Stenhus. We went on a basketball trip and had the opportunity to visit Alba Berlin’s training facilities. We spent a few great days there, and both our U19 boys’ and girls’ teams played games against Alba Berlin’s youth teams. It was a fantastic experience and gave me a closer look at German basketball culture.

How have you followed German basketball in the last years? What do you believe has made Germany the top basketball address in Europe in the last four years?

I think many basketball fans started paying even more attention to German basketball after Germany won the FIBA World Cup. The success of the national team, strong domestic clubs, excellent player development, and the ability to stay competitive internationally have all contributed to Germany’s rise over the last few years.

Is there a German player currently that you see as a role model for any young player?

Maybe the obvious answer would be Dennis Schröder because of everything he has achieved, but I don’t think all the attention should go only to him. Germany has produced a lot of talented young players in recent years, and that’s one of the reasons why German basketball is in such a great moment.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 187cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a EuroLeague player, who would best fit the description?

I think it would be a bit funny to compare myself directly to a EuroLeague player at this stage of my career. However, there are several guards that I enjoy watching and try to learn from. Because I’m not the tallest guard, I pay a lot of attention to players like Facundo Campazzo, Nico Laprovittola, Mike James and Shane Larkin. Their ability to create for teammates, score in different ways and control the game is something I really admire.

You’re a guard that fills the stat sheet well. What are your biggest strengths on offense?

Even though it wasn’t my strongest statistical category this season, my three-point shot on and off the dribble, is an important weapon offensively. But if I had to choose my biggest strength, it would be my first step and my ability to absorb contact and finish around the basket. I also take pride in my passing ability. I enjoy making difficult passes and creating opportunities for my teammates, and I believe court vision is one of my strengths.

Talk about the development of your three point shot. It was under 30% the last 2 seasons. What steps do you still need to do to become more consistent?

I understand the numbers, but I think they don’t always tell the full story. My three-point shot is actually one of my main offensive weapons and something I trust a lot. In Ireland I finished the season around 30%, but I was also one of the players taking the most three-point attempts on my team. At one point during the season I was around 46.5% from three and among the best shooters in the league, so I’ve shown that I can be very efficient from that range. In Denmark I also had games where I was very efficient from three, like 7/10 in Ireland in one game and 6/8 here in Denmark, which shows the level I can reach when I’m in rhythm. I know shooting is about consistency and also about rhythm, confidence, and decision-making across the whole season. This year my percentages went down, even though in some situations I took fewer threes than in the past. What I’m focused on now is becoming more consistent game to game and improving my shot selection and balance, so I can maintain a higher level over a full season. But I have no doubt that shooting is one of my biggest strengths offensively and something I will continue to build on.

Talk about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I’m putting a lot of work into the defensive side of my game. Coaches often tell me that with my physical tools and energy, I should be able to bring a lot of intensity on that end of the floor while staying focused and disciplined. I’m the type of player who dives for loose balls and never gives up on a possession. I also enjoy taking charges and doing the little things that help a team win. Going forward, I want to become an even more complete and reliable defender.

What defensive player do you model your game after?

I enjoy watching players who combine toughness, intelligence and competitiveness. I don’t try to copy just one player, but I really admire guards who take pride in defending and doing the dirty work for their teams. Those are the kind of players I like to learn from.

How developed are your playmaking skills? What passing guard do you enjoy following most?

Playmaking is one of the strongest parts of my game. I’ve always enjoyed making my teammates better and creating opportunities for others. If I had to pick one player, it would probably be Facundo Campazzo. His creativity, competitiveness and ability to make difficult passes look easy are things I really enjoy watching.

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

Right now I’m working a lot on playing off two feet, improving my mid-range finishing, and becoming more efficient in those in-between situations. Of course, I’m also spending a lot of time improving my three-point shooting consistency.

Who were your role models as players when you grew up?

To be honest, I spent most of my childhood playing basketball and other sports with my friends rather than watching a lot of television. But like many players of my generation, I grew up admiring Lebron James.

When and how did you fall in love with basketball?

I’ve been playing basketball since I was five years old. It happened very naturally. Like many kids, my parents signed me up for a sport, and in this case, basketball ended up being my path. You could say it was meant to be hahahahaha

Where did you begin your career and when did you know that you wanted to be a professional player?

I’ve always been very competitive, and sports came naturally to me because I was quick and agile. I never played for one of the biggest youth academies in Spain, so I wasn’t considered one of the top prospects. But I always knew basketball was what I wanted to dedicate my life to. I believed I had talent, and I was always the kind of kid who loved competing in sports. I didn’t know exactly how I would get there, but I was determined to find a way. My coaches always told me that I would have to work harder than everyone else to have a chance, and that’s a mindset I’ve carried with me ever since.

Did you have a mentor growing up? A person that really was key in your early basketball development?

Without a doubt, Tomas Lopez. He became my coach when I was playing U12 basketball. He had previously been a professional player and had a very successful career before a serious injury forced him to retire. He has been incredibly important in my development, not only as a player but also as a person. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for him.

How refreshing was your season in Ireland? You had many different nationalities as teammates. What kind of a player did you become in Ireland?

Ireland was a great experience because it exposed me to different basketball cultures and playing styles. It was there that I learned how to be a player with more responsibility, someone who had to create offense, score, and make decisions for the team. It helped me become more confident and comfortable in a leading role. I also really enjoyed my time there because of the community. I grew very fond of the people in the town and the surrounding areas. Everyone was very supportive of basketball, and it makes me really happy to see how much the game is growing there.

You played three seasons in the EBA. How did you see the development of your game there? What kind of a player did you become?

The EBA was a very important stage in my development. It taught me how to compete against experienced players and improved my understanding of the game. It was where I started developing into a more mature guard and learned the importance of consistency, discipline and competing every day, also the culture in the basketball in spain made me to understand the game better.

What are your continued goals as a player? Just reaching the highest levels? Is the Spanish top league ACB or Primera FEB a goal as well?

My goal is to keep improving and compete at the highest level possible. I don’t limit myself to one specific league or country. Of course, playing in leagues such as Primera FEB or another top league would be an honor, but my main focus is becoming the best player I can be. If I continue improving every season, the opportunities will take care of themselves.

Please name your NBA and Spanish Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Im so bad answering this questions but

NBA:

Lebron

Jordan

Kobe

Curry

Spanish:

Pau Gasol

Juan Carlos Navarro

Ricky Rubio

Marc Gasol

Who is your GOAT?

100% Lebron James hahaha

Thanks Benjamin for the chat.