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 germanhoops,com about basketball.

A tough 67-59 loss in Dresden. How tough is it in general for a player to play a good defensive game, but still lose?

It’s very tough to play good but still not end up with a win. Basketball is a game of runs and Dresden capitalized better.

It was a low scoring game and the Dragons were only down 52-49 after 3 quarters. Not much was working on offense. What was the team mind set going into the fourth quarter?

Our mindset for the fourth quarter was to have better offense of flow and try to move the ball around to tire out our opponent. We had some good looks but just didn’t go in.

The Dragons began the fourth quarter well with a 7-2 run and led 56-54. But then Heck and Uboh hit three´s. Despite not being down by much, the Dragons couldn´t get over the hump. Did those three´s effect the team mentality at that moment and what was key for not getting over the hump?

I don’t think Those threes effected the mentality of the team. I think just watching our shots not fall in as a team effected our heads and that was the reason we couldn’t get over that hump.

Moritz Heck had a great game with 25 points. What was with him that made him so tough to control?

Mortiz Heck played a good game and we followed a good game plan for him. Overall we made him shoot 28% from the floor and was 1/7 from three point but we sent him to the line too much. He was 14/15 from free throws and if we cut down half of those the outcome of the game would have been different.

There were a lot of negatives like the three point shooting, assists and turnovers, but was the 6 steals and 6 blocks something the team can build on for the next tough game against Leverkusen?

I think overall as a team we played very solid defense, and those 6 steals and blocks are something we can build on in the future. If we cut some minor mistakes on defense and we’re always locked in we can be

You were the only bright spot with a good game of 17/7 and shot well. How tough is it to enjoy a good own game when you lose?

Even though I had a good game there were some things I could’ve done better individually and things I could’ve done better at helping the team. I look back at film learn what I need to do and try to be better the text game

There are some guys on the team that aren´t performing up to standard. Was there some serious team soul searching this week?

I believe in the guys that we have that I know will and can perform. It’s still a lot of the season left and a lot to grown and improve.

You next have a tough game against Leverkusen and need an answer. What will be key to getting the win?

Our key to beating Leverkusen is stopping their big man. Be tough and physical with him and outwork.

What was your favorite kids costume as a kid?

My favorite costume as a kid was ghost face.

Thanks Sahmi for the chat.