Jakob Milling (203-G-2003, college: MSUB) is a French 203cm forward playing his first season with Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration (NM1). He got early experience in his homeland with Limoges CSP U21 (ProA U21): 8 and Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (NM2). He then went to USA and played 2 seasons with San Diego Miramar College (JUCO) averaging 8.4ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 73.5% and 15.7ppg, 12.2rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 74.5%. He then played a season at Sonoma State University (NCAA2) averaging 10.8ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 73.0% and finished at Montana State University Billings (NCAA2) averaging 8.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 61.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a test game in Germany against the EPG Baskets Koblenz.

Thanks Jacob for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

I am in Mulhouse right now going through preseason training and as of right now I couldn’t be happier with my basketball life. I am living the dream I have been chasing all my life and I couldn’t have any complaints about it.

You are a French player playing for Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration (NM1). After 4 years in the States, how are you a different and better players then before that?

Before going to the States, I was developed to play basketball the true European way which is with a lot of passes and always looking for the extra pass and trying to play the right way. When I got to JUCO, I quickly learned that if I’m not more selfish, I’m not going to be able to get on the floor as much. So I am more aggressive offensively than before and I also think my communication on both sides of the floor is better because that was a big emphasis from my coaches.

Your playing a test game in Germany against the EPG Baskets Koblenz. How have you followed German basketball the last years? Are you aware that they are defending World and Euro winners?

I haven’t followed German basketball at all before and I honestly didn’t know anything about Koblenz but I am excited to play a team with such a good reputation and history. For my first game back in Europe, this is a perfect matchup in my opinion.

What were the main reasons for joining for Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration (NM1). What was so special about this organization?

I joined Mulhouse because of the reputation they have in NM1 as a winning club and also I used to play for Frank Kuhn when I was in high school and I know that he is a great coach and will get the best out of me. I love the feeling of family that this club has within the team and the organization as well.

How did the talks go with head coach Frank Kuhn? What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

The talks with Frank Kuhn went great, like I said I have known him for years and it felt good to reconnect with him. We have very similar basketball philosophies when it comes to proving yourself no matter your past seasons. With Frank, it doesn’t matter who you are, you have to perform to be able to get on the court and that means everyone has a chance to prove themselves.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would bets fit the description?

With my teammates in the USA, they have told me baby Jokic because I play at my own pace and I am good at finding passing angles. I am also capable of hitting the tough shots Jokic sometimes shoots because I shoot with the ball over my head so you can’t really block my shot either.

You’re a good offensive player that can do many things. Talk about your offensive game and it´s strengths?

I think the best thing I provide offensively is my versatility. I am able to play multiple positions and also I’m very adaptable depending on what role is needed at the time. I can become the guy who scores or the glue guy at any time during the game.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. How do you see the development there and what are your main goals with your shot this season?

I am confident in my three point shot, I just have to be more consistent. The more game like reps I get in the better it will be. My biggest problem with my shot in my opinion is my balance and I am currently working on it.

Your also a very solid defender. Talk about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I would say my defensive game is similar to my offensive game in the versatility aspect. I can guard almost anywhere on the court and I want to become better at guarding guards. I am pretty good defending on the inside because I use my speed as an advantage but with guards I still sometimes have trouble keeping up with their speed.

On what areas of your game are you working on most at the moment so you can continue to grow as a player?

Consistency and physicality are the two main things I work on, Getting more consistent at making my shots is something I been working on for a while now and playing against bigger and stronger guys now means that my physicality has to get better as well.

You played 2 seasons with San Diego Miramar College (JUCO) averaging 8.4ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 73.5% and 15.7ppg, 12.2rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 74.5%. Every player that I have interviewed that have played JUCO have reported that JUCO was a grind but an experience that they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it with you?

I am extremely grateful to have gone through the JUCO route. It taught me a sense of grind and work ethic like nothing I could’ve imagined. If you can make it though the JUCO grind, you can make it through anywhere.

How valuable was head coach Nick Gehler in your development in JUCO? You made big strides in your game those 2 years?

Coach Gehler was big in finding my confidence in my game from the start of my experience. He was always there to push me to be the best version of me every day and I still talk to him regularly and still has a big impact on me to this day

You then played a season at Sonoma State University (NCAA2) averaging 10.8ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 73.0%. How vital was head coach Rich Shayewitz for your development? What strides did you make under him?

Playing under coach Shayewitz was unique. Our sports program went through something unique so it had an effect on all of us. At Sonoma State, I would say I learned to truly trust in my instincts and do anything possible to win.

You then finished with Montana State University Billings (NCAA2) averaging 8.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 61.1%. What could you take from this season?

This was a great season. For me personally, it wasn’t the best stat wise, but I filled my role as a glue guy on that team to the best ability as I can. I had so much fun playing at MSUB and wouldn’t trade that year for anything.

How did head coach Luke Fennelly groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Fennelly has sent a lot of players in his program to a professional career so he taught me how to be more physical than before and also improve my decision making speed as well.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jonas la Tour?

I don’t think I lost once against Jonas lol. He is a very good player and an even better person off the court but in 1-1 he couldn’t do anything against me.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I didn’t play against him in an official game but I played against Jaylen Wells who is an incredible defender and his shot making that day was something I have never seen before. I knew from that day that he would make an impact in the NBA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Damien Miller, Cam Barry, Alex Mirhosseini, James Nobles, and Mason Landdeck

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem and Dirk Nowitzki

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant had such an impact on me growing up and it was also easy to pick him because my older brother was a Celtics fan.

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

No I haven’t seen it and that probably means they should’ve left it alone lol

Thanks Jakob for the chat