Darnell Edge (188-PG-1997, college: FDU, agency: Slash Sports) is a 29 year old 188cm point guard from Saugerties,New York playing his eighth professional season and first with Balkan Botevgrad (Bulgaria-NBL). He is a real basketball globetrotter having played in countries like Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Romania, Kosovo, Dominican Republic, Israel, Cyprus and Germany. He began his basketball career with Saugerties High School and then played 4 years at Fairleigh Dickinson University (NCAA) averaging 16.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 47.7%, FT: 88.7%. He spoke to Germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against ratiopharm Ulm.

Thanks Darnell for talking to germanhoops.com. Your in your eighth season and playing in your 11th country overseas in Bulgaria. You must have an incredible Passport with all those stamps. If someone had told you in 2019 that your route overseas would have been like this in 2026 what would you have said?

I would of said that I´m sure that a lot of growth would have happened for me to do that. I really wouldn´t have expected that then, I mean I have gone through so many obstacles and grown in the last years. So much has happened to me overseas and I feel like I always made the most out of my opportunities and continued to grow as a player and person.

You’re the ultimate globetrotter. What has given you the most pleasure overseas so far in living this kind of life style?

First and foremost I´m just so blessed to be able to play the game that I love and make a good salary. Being able to experience different cultures has always been on my bucket list. I feel like every culture that I have experienced overseas has helped to continue to shape me as a man.

Your playing your first season for Balkan Botevgrad (Bulgaria-NBL) and will play Eurocup which is the highest international competition you have ever played in overseas after Fiba Eurocup. Has having to have proved yourself every season make this season really special for you because you proved again that you can make the next step?

I think that I have had to prove myself in my overseas career as well as being able to experience so many cultures. I was always open for a challenge. But I do feel like in the last 2-3 years me having that feeling of having to prove myself hasn´t been as prevalent for me. I know what I can do with my abilities and if I get that opportunity, I always do the best that I can. I have always worked hard to try to get to the highest level and just show my game as best as I can.

You won 3 titles in Kosovo. Does your drive to win titles get bigger each season as you get older?

Of course. That is the reason why we play the game. The ultimate goal is to grow and get better and win titles. My biggest goal every season is to get better and reach the team goals and my personal goals.

What is your biggest goal with your personal game this season? What steps do you want to make this season concerning your game?

I want to continue to develop my game at the highest level. I want to continue to develop as a leader and be able to continue to knock down shots. I have showed over the years that I can get from the lower leagues to the higher leagues. I don´t take anything for granted. I want to also continue to travel the world and expand my horizons.

Last season you split time with Keravnos Strovolou (Cyprus-ECOMMBX BL) averaging 19.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 51.7%, FT: 87.5%, in Dec.’25 moved to MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg (Germany-BBL) averaging 6.6ppg, 1.0rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 41.7%, then moved to Dziki Warszawa (Poland-OBL) averaging 16.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT-1 (48.3%), FT-4 (98.1%). How taxing was this season for you? You did finish the season strong in Poland. What did you learn about this season so deep in your career?

I learned that nothing is ever certain and that you have to adapt quick where ever you are. In all 3 places, I was there within 24-48 hours. I had to adapt to a new system on the fly each time. I also had to learn each teammates tendencies and just always be open minded. I gave myself grace and transitioning isn´t always easy, but that’s part of the game.

In the 24-25 season you played with Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona (Israel-Winner League) averaging 12.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 85.3%. Every American that I have interviewed that balled in Israel loved it. What was your most memorable experience on and off the court?

Israel is such a historic place. I remember going to Jesus´s tomb on Christmas morning. I also saw the dead sea and seeing the war was also something I won´t forget. I remember seeing the missiles from my apartment in Tel Aviv. Israel has been my favorite place to live in so far. The lifestyle is great. The beaches are so pretty. I also will always remember then practices, wins and the relationships that I built with my teammates.

In the 23-24 season you had your most successful season with KB Trepca Mitrovice (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging PPG-4 (17.9), 4.2rpg, APG-3 (5.8), 1.1spg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT-1 (44.6%), FT-3 (87.1%). You came late to the team and helped them win 3 titles. Was this the best confirmation that you might have been that missing piece to the success. What was so special about this team?

I think that I fit in perfectly into their system. They were looking for a point guard that could run the team well, run the pick and roll well and hit shots. They saw me as being the missing piece to bring the team to their potential. Winning 3 titles in one country is tough. We almost had a 20 game winning streak that season. I was ready to go that season.

How exciting was that finals series against Ylli where you won in 5 games and won game 5 67-66. What will you always remember from the deciding game?

I just remember us being able to get over the hump. We ran through the league and when we reached the final, we were a different animal. Both teams won their 2 home games and in game 5, it went to the wire that we were able to pull out the win. We were so locked in. It was a great feeling that I will never forget. I also will never forget our team´s fan base. It was one of not the best fan base that I ever played for. Everyone was so excited. The club had been waiting 12 years for that moment. It was great for all.

You split the 22-23 season with CS Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 12.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.2apg, 2FGP: 60.1%, 3FGP: 38.8%, FT: 92.9 in Apr.’23 moved to Mersin BBGSK (Turkey-TBL) averaging 16.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT: 95.0%. What kind of memories could you take from playing in Romania? How breathtaking was it living in Bucuarest?

I loved that city. It was one of my favorite cities that I lived in overseas. It was a great culture and night life with nice restaurants. Anytime you live in a capital, there is always more to do. It isn´t just go to practice and go home. We visited Dracula´s castle and the largest Spa.

You finished in Turkey having your second tour of duty in the TBL. Talk a little about the TBL. It seems to be a bit underrated in Europe as a second league. Was that a league you enjoyed playing in?

The TBL is a very competitive league. No one can just walk to the rim. It is a battle every night. There are only 2 imports allowed, so there is a lot of expectations on them. The guards are all high level that average 15-20 points per game. Their locals are also really talented. I think that locals from other countries like Czech Republic first division are as good as Turkish locals in the TBL: I was able to develop further as scorer and playmaker and run the team.

In the 21-22 season you played with Budo Gemlik Basketbol (Turkey-TBL) averaging PPG-3 (22.6), 4.0rpg, 4.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT-8 (92.2%). How vital was this season in your career? It put you on the map and was your break out season overseas.

Yes that was my break out season. That season allowed me to showcase what I can do with my game. We were a young team with mostly 18-20 year olds. I was young myself as well at 23. I took full advantage of the situation and led the team. I really worked hard that season on my game and diet.

You played the 20-21 season with MBC Mykolaiv (Ukraine-Superleague) averaging 11.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT-8 (91.5%). This was the season before the war broke out. How do you remember this season of the court? Do you remember building long lasting relationships with Ukraine folk?

I didn´t form long lasting relationships, but I still keep up with some guys on social media. The Ukraine people were all nice and friendly. The life style reminded me of old Russia. It was a real adjustment early on as no one knew English. The first month there, I was the only American and the system was in Russian. The Ukraine was one of my toughest seasons, but I made the best out of it.

You played your rookie season with Polpharma Starogard Gdanski (Poland-EBL). You only played 3 games. You remained 2 months and then headed home. How tough was this season. Did you have doubts then about the overseas grind?

It was a tough situation in Poland to start my pro career. At first I looked at the situation in a odd way thinking is this how it will be like overseas? But then I thought that this was just one situation and the next could be better. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I actually went home and then played a month in Albania. That information isn´t on eurobasket.com. It was a tough rookie season, but I realized I had to dig out of the hole the next year. And I did.

In the summer of 2019 you played 3 NBA Summer League games with The Utah Jazz. How do you remember that experience? What special advice did you get from the coaching staff?

The NBA Summer League is great. It is a special event and being part of it was an honor for me to show my game on that kind of stage. I´m really happy that I got that opportunity. The coaching staff was big on me. They saw me as a young talent and told me to keep working hard and wanted to stay in touch. I had some G-League opportunities, but I didn´t want that. I wanted to go overseas and make more money.

You played at Fairleigh Dickinson University (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 127 NCAA games and really broke out in your last season seasons averaging 14.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 94.4% and 16.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 47.7%, FT: 88.7%. What kind of a player did you transform into the last 2 seasons there?

I was a real worker there. I was in the gym all day and was using the shooting gun Dr Dish. I was totally locked in. The shooting gun would print out the shots you took and made. The whole locker room and my locker was full with those tickets. I was fortunate that upperclassman left and I was allowed to take control of the team. We went to March Madness. It was great times. I proved myself right and others wrong.

You won the NEC title twice and reached March Madness in 2019. You hit Prairie View A&M for 33 points. What memories do you have of that great game?

I just remember when the buzzer went off, I understood that we had just won the first game ever in school history at March Madness. I just remember everyone was hitting me up. My phone was flooded with messages. I was interviewed by Reggie Miller. Everyone was so excited on the flight to Salt Lake City to play Gonzaga. I remember landing at 2 or 3 Am and everyone being so happy.

How did head coach Greg Herenda groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

I will always remember the lessons that he taught us. I won´t forget when he said “Don´t wait to be great”. If the opportunity is there, step into the role and do it with all you got. The practices were always intense and he always held me accountable. He expected a lot out of me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Darian Anderson?

We never really play 1-1 like that. I would say though that our battles were about 50/50.

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

Jalen Brunson then of Villanova. He wasn´t even their go to guy as they had guys like Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Ryan Arcidiacono, and Donte Divincenzo. But Brunson was my match up. He was already so poised then and super solid.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Me, Bryce Brown, Dante Ingram, Tony Farmer and Jordie Tshimanga

Who are your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Shaq

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

Yes they should of. The second one didn´t do the first one justice.

Thanks Darnell for the chat.