Sahmi Willoughby (192-F/G-2001, college: Marietta) is a 25 year old 192cm guard from Ohio that is playing his second pro season and first in Germany with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf. He played his rookie season with Lahti Basketball (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 8.7ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 80.0%, played also at Team Pajulahti (Finland-1st Division) averaging 22.4ppg, 14.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 72.7%. He began his basketball career at Reynoldsburg high school and then played at Marietta College (NCAA 3) from 2019-2024 playing a total of 113 games and as a senior averaged 12.6ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 64.9%. He got early basketball experience playing with the Great Falls Electric (TBL) averaging 9.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 60.0%. He spoke to germanmhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Sahmi for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second professional season for Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf after a NCAA 3 career. How blessed do you feel each day for being able to call yourself a pro player? Does a chip exist on your shoulder?
I feel extremely blessed being able to call myself a pro player especially coming from where I came from. A lot of Division 3 guys don’t have the opportunity to play pro, so the fact I can call myself a pro is a blessing! And I hope it inspires the Division 3 guys that it is possible to make it pro coming from that level.
You were with the Telekom Baskets Bonn last season after starting your pro career in Finland and know the organization. Was it a no brainer to come back and play for the Dragons and practice with BBL team Bonn?
Yes it was, when I transferred last year I lacked some developmental things. So when the offer was on the table to come back I took it. I feel like I can grow as a player and as a pro, so I felt like this organization can help achieve my goal this season.
How are you a better player now since Finland with having had that experience with the Telekom Baskets Bonn?
I feel like my game has diversified since the transfer. I can play multiple positions and provide different roles for my team.
How did the talks go with Dragons head coach Max Becker? What did you instantly appreciate about his basketball philosophy?
The talks with coach Max were great. I had multiple workouts and practices with pro B team last year and loved the structure. It is a lot of the same concepts as the BBL team which I appreciate the most.
You practiced against Juhwan Harris-Dyson for months. How was that experience? Would you say that you guys are in a way similar type of players? You both have versatility and can guard many positions?
It was a good experience, he’s also been in the pro scene for a while so I had learned some things from him. I would say he’s more of a guard than me where I am more of a forward and power forward, and can also play the 5 man some. I’d say we are similar where we can guard many positions on the court.
The Dragons Rhondorf have added 2 great players with Mychael Paulo and Justin Onyejaika. What do you see being your role and what goals do you have with your personal game this season?
I see myself playing 3-4 man this season. Maybe the 5 man some just depends on lineup. And my goal is to at least average a double double this season and have an overall successful season this year.
Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 192cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would bets fit the description?
I’ve always been called Dennis Rodman with a jumper, so I am just going to stick with that.
You’re a guy that can really fill the stat sheet well. How big is versatility in your game?
Versitility is a big thing, makes me more of a threat on the court.
You’re an incredible rebounder. You averaged 8 rebounds per season in your last 3 at Marietta. Talk a little about the development of your rebounding. What is your secret to consistent rebounding?
As a kid I have always been that incredible rebounder. I was never the guy who was the best scorer so I had to figure out what set me apart from other players and that’s what it was. There’s no secret to it, you just have to work hard and you have to want it more than everyone else.
Talk a little about the development of your defensive game. How big is that goal of being that special defensive stopper?
Once again I have always been a solid defender. Coming to the Baskets last season improved that by educating me with their defense of concepts that they have. So putting that into full effect this season is a big goal of mine.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game best?
What I’m mostly working on is being a consistent shooter, learning how to read ball screens and attack then screens. Also being a more consistent ball handler as well. In college I didn’t have to make those decisions so being able to will evolve my game.
You played your first season overseas with Lahti Basketball (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging8.7ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 80.0%, played also at Team Pajulahti (Finland-1st Division) averaging 22.4ppg, 14.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 72.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?
The main wake up call was just the speed of the game. The first couple games were rough because I had to get adjusted to the game.
How valuable was your experience in the Korisliiga? How did your game grow in Finland?
My experience was very valuable in Finland. I learned that I could play with those top guys and I was an undersized 4 man and was still able to produce and get those boards.
After a stellar NCAA 3 career, you remained in USA as a rookie with the Great Falls Electric (TBL). How tough was this season for you? What did you learn from the experience and did you ever have doubts about the grind as a pro?
The season in the TBL wasn’t tough for me. I didn’t really learn anything about being a pro so if just made me grind even more towards being a pro.
You played at Marietta College (NCAA3) from 2019-2024 and won 2 OAC titles. Which title was sweetest?
I will say the sweetest title was 2021-2022 year.
You bit a thrilling 30 foot bank shot to force a second OT against Heidelberg winning in the second OT. What memories do you have of that game and did you know shot was going in?
That’s an incredible memory that I still think about to this day. That game was a rough game and I couldn’t get any layups to fall only 3 pointers. The last two play calls were for me and I didn’t hit the first but I knew that second one was going in. It was just a good feeling.
You had a 24 and 22 rebound games against Baldwin Wallace. What was your greatest game on the court with Marietta?
That game was the best game I performed by far at Marietta. It was a complete game for me and ended my senior night in the history books.
How did head coach Jon Vanderwal groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach V best helped me prepare for my pro career by the hard work he put me through the 5 years at Marietta. From how practice was ran, to the liftings and even the meetings we had. We had a way of doing things at Marietta which was called the Marietta way that I still use today: In life and in basketball
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Lovenson Xavier?
Me and lovenson never 1 on 1 but if we did I would win.
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that reached the NBA?
I never faced anyone at college who went to the NBA, but I played against Trey Burke and Gary Trent JR in some pro runs, but it is hard to say the toughest
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Jason Ellis, Lukas Isaly, Lue Williams, Corey Tripp, Mason Lydic
Who are your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?
LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Michael Jordan
Who is your GOAT?
LeBron James
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?
I haven’t seen it but normally they shouldn’t make sequels to those type of movie.
Thanks Sahmi for the chat.
