Pic credit: Florian Ulbrich

Richard Schmitt (203-F-2007) is a 19 year old 203cm forward playing in the Alba Berlin organization and this season played for Pro B team Lok Bernau averaging 4/1/1 an din the NBBL averaged 11,6ppg, 3,6rpg, 1,4apg and 1,1apg. he also played a easyCredit BBL game for Alba Berlin. Last season with Lok Bernau he averaged 2.6ppg, 1.4rpg, and also played with the Alba Berlin NBBL team averaging 9.2ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 80.6%:He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Thanks Richard for talking to germanhoops.com Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 205cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA or Euroleague player who would best make the description?

Maybe a modern forward who can play multiple positions and impact the game in different ways. I don’t have a good comparison.

You’re a guy that can fill the stat sheet well. How big is versatility in your game?

It’s very important. The more things I can do on the court, the more valuable I can be for my team.

Your known as a very good three point shooter, but under 30% in the Pro B and NBBL. What steps are you making in your shooting preparation most daily to continue to improve your shooting?

I work on my shot every day. A lot of repetitions, focusing on technique and consistency with different drills to get better and more consistent.

Talk a little 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 would say I’m an aggressive defender, who brings energy and can guard multiple positions. I still want to become more consistent and smarter defensively.

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

I work on my shooting, ball handling and decision making, but also off the court a lot on my body.

You were already a fixture on the NBBL team as a 16 year old. How valuable was it for you already playing against the best competition at a very young age?

It was extremely valuable for my development, because I learned early how to compete at a high level

Last season you lost to Ulm at the NBBL top 4. What will you always remember from that tough loss?

It was a very tough loss, but also a big motivation for the future.

You played ANGT last season averaging 6.0ppg,6.5rpg, FGP: 25.0%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 80.0%. What memories do you still have playing against great youth teams like FC Barcelona?

Playing against top youth teams and prospects I would say. Also, how different the level of basketball can be in my age in Europe. This is something I learned a lot from.

This season you made the jump to Alba Berlin playing a BBL and BCL game, What was the biggest adjustment that you had to make playing against grown men?

In my opinion it’s the physicality and the speed of the game. It’s so much higher and you have to make decisions so much faster.

You scored your first pro field goal against BCL team Sabah. How cool was that and what will you always remember from that basket and game?

It was a special moment that I will always remember.

How valuable has the experience been practicing with BBL team Alba Berlin. What has impressed you most about Pedro Calles?

He is a very detail oriented and demanding coach. You learn a lot from him every day.

You also have gotten good minutes in Bernau for Dan Oppland that has a very deep team. How do you feel has your game grown further this season under Oppland?

I feel like I improved a lot, especially in my understanding of the game and also how to deal with different situations on the court.

What is your goal as a player? Is there anything else on your bucket list besides reaching the highest level possible?

Just improving every day to reach the highest possible level and getting the best version of myself.

Who Is the toughest player that you ever battled in your life that reached the NBA or Euroleague?

I don’t really know. I have played against a lot of talented players, so it’s hard to pick just one.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I have had a lot of great teammates in jena, where I played before and I have also great teammates here in Berlin. It’s really difficult to name only five.

Please name your NBA, Euro (players from Europe non german) and German Mount Rushmore of your favorite 4 players of all-time?

NBA: Micheal Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant
Euro: Vezenkov, Diamantidis, Navarro, Spannoulis
German: Dirk Nowitzki, Detlef Schrempf, Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroeder

Who is your Goat?

LeBron James

Thanks Richard for the chat.