Joel Opoku-Tham (190-G-1996) is a 30 year old 190cm guard from Ghana, Africa. He has experience abroad having played in Greece with Trikala BC (Greece-C) and AO Trikala (Greece-National League 2). He also played with Spintex Knights Accra (ABL D1). He recently played at the Pathway Pro Tour and spoke to germanhoops.com about his career.

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

It is a my pleasure and thanks for having me as well. I am currently in Germany in Bad Kreuznach and with the off season working and looking for where the next opportunity lands to do what I do best

You took part at the Pathway Pro Tour In Germany. How did that come about?

Elijah Allen is a friend and he connected me to the event.

Talk a little about how then tour was run. Was it just practices and games or were other things involved?

It was a great experience and it was a moment of networking with great basketball minds in the country as well as practicing and playing against top talents in the country.

How good was the competition and how did you fare stat wise during the tour?

The competition was great with a mix up of Pro B, Pro A and Regio 1 players. I did great stay wise with an average of 9 points in all 3 games and 4 assists per game. Also judging from coaches feedback I looked composed and helped create shots for the team when needed.

Talk a little about the organizers Elijah Allen and Joe Asberry. What did you appreciate most about them as people and how did they help your game best?

Elijah and Joe were great. I have known Elijah and his approach to the game with professionalism and detail is great. Joe on the other hand was my first time meeting him, but had already heard a lot of good stuff about him as well before our meeting. That made it exciting to get to know him, he is a very honest person who shows an unwavering passion towards the success of everyone around him.

Let´s talk a little about your game. You’re a 190cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would fit the best description?

I would say Donovan Mitchell or Dennis Schroeder.

Talk about your offensive game. What are your biggest strengths?

Creating for a middy and 3, fast paced transition initiator, strong finishing,v ersatile in PNR.

How would you describe the development of your three pointer? How has it grown over the years?

It has grown over the years with an average of 3 per game.

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

I’m a Strong on ball defender with quick hands and good defensive instincts. I have good lateral quickness but want to improve it more.

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

More of my catch and shoot 3s.

You are from Ghana. Talk about your early years. How is basketball in Ghana. Did you have an early mentor?

I began basketball at the age of 13 and it was not an easy start because my parents didn’t agree from the beginning until I made the national U18 team to represent the country. So I had to sometimes sneak to practices and train on empty stomachs because I used my upkeep money for transportation to practice, or sometimes miss school classes so I could make it for basketball camps and practices. Basketball in Ghana now is much better than when I began with a growing interest now. My mentor growing up was definitely my basketball coach (Coach Mike) who taught me great values to have as a young athlete.

You played in Greece for Trikala BC (Greece-C). What kind of an experience was Greece. How did your game grow there?

This was my first professional and overseas experience as such it taught me how to be mentally tough, and quickly adapt to situations and improved my basketball IQ greatly. I grew from being a young athlete to being a mature athlete with an improved IQ.

You recently played for Spintex Knights Accra (ABL D1). What kind of an experience was that for you?

It was an honor and pleasure to represent a club from my home country in the BAL despite having a slight injury going into the tournament. The experience was another shift to a more athletic league rather than IQ dependent.

What goals do you have as a player? What is your dream?

My dream is to be an NBA player and also be a light of impact to the next generation through this game of basketball.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that reached the NBA or any other top league?

Ben Bentil and Prince Ali

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Emmanuel Wolff, Maxwell Okoampah, George Leipinotis,

Please name your personal NBA and Mount Rushmore of you’re your personal 4 best players of all-time?

NBA: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Derrick Rose

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant (RIP)

Thanks Joel for the chat.