Tony Perkins (193-G-2001, college: Missouri) is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Indianapolis, Indiana playing his second pro season overseas and first with Rigas Zelli (Latvia-LBL). In his rookie season overseas he split time with Kedainiu Nevezis-Optibet (Lithuania-LKL) averaging 17.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 81.1%, in Nov.’25 moved to Nutribullet Treviso Basket (Italy-Serie A) averaging 2.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.0spg, in Jan.’26 signed at ERA Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging 9.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 82.5%, and in the BCL averaged 11.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.4apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 66.7%. He began his basketball career at Lawrence North High School and then played at the University Of Iowa (NCAA) from 2020-2024 and in his last two seasons averaged 12.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 76.3% and 14.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 78.8%. He then added a season at the University of Missouri (NCAA) averaging 8.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 75.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against Rostock.
Thanks Tony for talking to germanhoops.com. After playing for 3 teams as a rookie overseas in Lithuania, Italy and Czech Republic, how confident are you that you will be only in Latvia this season?
I´m very confident going into the Eurocup and the Latvian season with Rigas Zelli. I already knew some of the guys and have seen how good this team is for the improvement for everyone.
Did you take a different approach in the off season with your agency into how you would chose your new club for this season?
No I used the same tactics and strategy that I used in my rookie season in picking my new team. That allowed me to be myself and work hard without letting it effect my mentality.
What have you approached most about the new organization Rigas Zelli (Latvia-LBL) that you are playing with? They were founded in 2023 and already won a super cup.
I was able to approach this opportunity to learn more about the organization and help raise my personal experience and own goals.
You demonstrated in Lithuania and the Czech Republic that you had game. What are your personal biggest goals with your game in your second pro season besides winning? How big is making the next step in Eurocup?
I want to win this season. I have always had a winning mentality. I also want to continue to improve my game so I can take another leap forward in the overseas competitions and opportunities.
With Ben Shungu, you have a veteran point guard on the team. How is that chemistry evolving between you to?
Our chemistry has been great. I have been able to learn and hear things from him. Also watching him will allow me to feel and understand the length of how to have a long and deep career.
You were a solid three point shooter in the NCAA and had your ups and downs last season. What steps do you want to take with your three point shooting this season most?
I have to stay confident and bring the mind set and mentality that I had during my time in Lithuania where I was one of the top scorers.
What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas in Lithuania where you knew that you were far away from home?
I don´t think that there was really a wake up call. I had spent some time overseas with a college trip. I think I was able to adapt and adjust well overseas as a rookie.
You put up good stats in Lithuania. Even if you didn´t stay long, how valuable was this first experience for you? What did you learn most from this experience?
This experience was very important, because I was able to learn what type of player that I can be. I was able to learn how to be a professional without being in school. I was able to focus more on basketball and get better with my craft.
You exploded for 36 points against Siauliai while ex NBA player Cam Reddish only had 20 points. Does a game like this give you the satisfaction that the NBA might not be so far away?
I think that the NBA and Euro style are similar in ways, but overall I think that there are differences.
You then played briefly with Nutribullet Treviso Basket (Italy-Serie A) averaging 2.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.0spg. How tough was this experience? Could you get anything positive out of it.
It wasn´t a bad experience. I just didn´t know what to expect switching roles. I came from a team where I was the first option and top scorer to trying a new role on a new team. It taught me to continue to produce and develop my game despite having difficult with my mindset.
You finished your rookie season with a bang with ERA Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging 9.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 82.5%. You won your first chip overseas. You played a big role in the final against Pardubice. What was so special about this team?
It was a special team, because everyone learned about each other and their cultures while finding ways to improve individually and collectively as a team.
How valuable was it for you having a guy like veteran Jaquan Lawrence as a guy where you could soak up extra information? How did he help your game most?
He is a great guy and I learned from him about the mentality and work ethic. He also helped me understand the emotions and values about being on a team like Nymburk.
You played at Iowa (NCAA) from 2020-2024. You were patient and really broke out in your last 2 seasons averaging 12.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 76.3% and 14.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 78.8%. What kind of a player did you become there?
I became a leader and learned how to help build up the confidence level of my teammates as well as expanding their skills and mine.
You had many other great games at Iowa like scoring 32 points in a 81-79 win over Illinois. What other game really stood out there for you?
I think that every game that we won and where I was able to contribute really stood out. I love that feeling you have after winning and seeing the emotions and happiness on everyone´s faces.
How vital was legend Fran McCaffery for your basketball development? How did he help your game most?
Having a guy like Fran around was really important to me, because I learned how to understand the importance of how to lead and grow as a player and learning how to become the man you want to be outside of sports and how makes family and friends feel welcomed in different aspects.
You then finished at the University of Missouri (NCAA) averaging 8.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 75.7%. You reached the NCAA tournament losing to Drake. How will you remember your last NCAA season playing for head coach Dennis Gates?
I learned a lot from Dennis Gates like allowing me to have the ability and confidence level that has allowed me to use it overseas.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Caleb Grill?
We never played 1-1, but spent a lot of time working out together and learning a lot from each other despite being rivals in our careers at one point. He is an ultimate great guy all around.
Who is the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
Jaden Ivy, Zac Edy, Terrence Shannon and Chris Duarte
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Ahorn Ulis, Joe Toussiant, Josh Ogundele, Payton Sandfort, Owen Freeman
Who is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?
Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Russell Westbrook
Who is your GOAT?
Kobe Bryant or Paul George
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?
I watched it and I think that all was great to the point where everyone I know that has come to America have spoken on some similarities based on the movie.
Thanks Tony for the chat.
