Omajae Smith (196-G) is a forward that was born in San Diego, California and grew up in El Cajon, California. He began his basketball career at Foothills Christian high school. He then played a season with Humboldt State University (NCAA2) averaging 4.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.5apg. He then played 2 seasons with Fullerton College (JUCO) averaging 7.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 78.8% and in his second season averaged 11.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 71.9%. He then played his senior year at California State University Stanislaus (NCAA2) averaging 4.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 20.7%, 3PT: 15.0%, FT: 75.0%. He is taking part at the 2022 Howard Hoops Germany pro Tour.

Thanks Omajae for talking togermanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

Currently I’m in San Diego. Basketball is treating me better than what it was a few months ago.

You just finished school at California State University Stanislaus (NCAA2). You only played 6 games in the last 2 seasons. Do you feel like Covid had an effect on your development?

No, but at the same time yes. The reason I say that is because my recruiting suffered a lot because of covid, I wasn’t able to take visits or really talk to a lot of coaches because of everything that was going on due to quarantine.

Do you feel like Covid also had an effect on your success on the transfer market. How did the search go for you? Do you have an agent or did you have to do everything alone?

Yes, transferring from junior college was hard because covid ended our season during playoffs and that is usually when a lot of coaches recruits. I don’t have an agent, I have been mostly doing everything alone for the most part.

You now are with the Howard Hoops tour. How did connect with Ron Howard?

I connected with Ron Howard through one of my cousin’s husband that used to play overseas and he told me to reach out to him if I still had aspirations to go overseas.

Ron Howard has a super track record for getting guys jobs. How blessed do you feel having got to know Ron Howard?

I am grateful to have this opportunity because I know opportunities like this don’t usually come around for most guys especially when you are doing this alone.

Have you met Ron Howard? What kind of an impression have you gotten through the talks with him?

I have only talked to Ron through zoom and whatsapp but I have not yet met him in person. The impression of Ron is that he seems like a very stand up guy and seems like he genuinely wants to help players get to the next level.

How confident are you that you will be able to find a job after your tour with Howard Hoops?

I am pretty confident in myself that I will get a job somewhere after the tour.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I am more so a shooting guard/backup point guard than a forward, but I can play forward as well. If I had to compare myself to someone in the NBA I would have to say Jimmy Butler, the reason I say that is because he is a pass first guard but score when needed, and a defensive dog.

You can score and rebound the ball well. What other strengths does your game have?


Defense is one my main strengths along with making plays for others. Also, I have a high basketball IQ.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most now so that you will be best prepared for your next challenge?

It’s always important to work on ball handling and shooting

You began your career at Humboldt State University (NCAA2) where you only played 6 games as a freshman. What positives do you feel did you gain in this season despite hardly seeing action?

I started and majority the games as a freshman then I got hurt. But the positives I got out of it was I knew I was capable to play at any level.

You then took a few steps back to play JUCO at Fullerton College (JUCO). Was doing this one of the best decisions that you ever made?

Definitely, it helped me build on every facet of my game. If I had to redo my journey I most likely would have chose to go to junior college first, the only stress of Juco was getting out, but I like that type of stress because it taught me to work hard and focus on my goal.

You really raised your game there and showed in your second season how versatile you are. How did your game grow there?

During my second season I had a different role than my first year. During my first year my role I gave myself was to pass first and defend the other teams best player. My second year, my role was more to score and make plays for others.

How important was head coach Perry Webster in your development there? How did your game mature under him?

Coach Perry was a huge part of my development as well as my assistant coaches, Andrew Bock and McKay Lasalle. They helped me in every facet of the game, from building my IQ to finishing better around the rim, and even shooting.

You then finished at California State University Stanislaus (NCAA2). How tough was coming off a high from JUCO where you were rewarded to play NCAA 2, but then Covid disrupted everything? What positives do you feel could you still attain?

It was tough transition and decision. The reason I chose to play at Stan State was to be closer to my family, then my other choice in Washington. I didn’t attain any positives from playing at Stan State that I could think of.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Travion Williams?

Me.

Who was the toughest player that you ever battled on a court anywhere that made the NBA?

Lonzo Ball

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

TJ Leaf
Christian Grey
Tawon Elston
Morgan Means
Lucas Siewert

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Magic Johnson

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

Lebron is better than Michael Jordan in every facet of basketball.

Where do you rank Steph Curry right now of the best point guards of all-time?

I would rank Steph Curry 3rd after Magic being 1st and Isaiah being 2nd.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

Never saw it, But yes classics should be left as Classics.

Thanks Omajae for the chat.

Lorenzo Ervin (200-F) is a 200cm forward that has one season of professional expereicne having played with FC Artsakh (Armenia-League A) playing 7 games averaging 10.0ppg, 7.3rpg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 13.3%, FT: 66.7%. He is taking part at the 2022 Howard Hoops Germany pro Tour in Duesseldorf. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Lorenzo for talking togermanhoops..com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

You’re welcome it’s my pleasure, I am currently in my home town of Kent Washington a smaller city located outside of what most people know as Seattle. Basketball life is treating me extremely well, I’ve been in the lab working on my game both strengths and weaknesses to be 100% ready to shock the world during the Howard Hoops Tour.

You are a real basketball warrior. Do you ever wonder if one could compare you to a cat and 9 lives? Despite all the hardships you have had to never die but always get up again?

It’s actually funny that you say that, because recently I had a friend compare me to a cat he asked me if I was a cat because of how many chances life has given me. At that moment it hit me I feel as if any hardship I face I choose to overcome them instead of giving up because I know there’s pressure to make it but one thing is certain pressure makes diamonds. A great example of a hardship during my journey that taught me to always get up again was when I was convinced of an opportunity in the country of Dominican Republic being sold false dreams, was told there would be scouts at the game and they weren’t there and dealt with pretty harsh living conditions, etc. At that point I could have given up, because I knew when I came home back to the United States I wouldn’t have a source of transportation I quickly realized I put all my eggs in one basket but through this all I kept faith in God and feel like the best of the journey is yet to come.

There have been guys at the Howard Hoops tour that have no college, but I don’t remember a player having no college but still landing a job overseas. How often have you heard the line ‘Why didn’t you play in college’?

I would say its’s a blessing and a curse being told that almost everyday. I feel like I’ve battled statistics my whole life. Not playing college can sometimes be the fuel to my fire knowing I have that chip on my shoulder. But that never stops me from my end goal. A lot of the reasons why I couldn’t play college would be due to a 1 year High School career, no college offers and a personal family tragedy.

Let’s go back to the start. Your career didn’t begin well either. You broke both legs in high school. How does one do that?

Honestly just thinking of this question gives me chills flashing back to that moment. It honestly feels like an out of body experience looking back because I played a whole half on a broken leg with will power and adrenaline to get me to the finish line, now how did it happen you may ask? It was 8th grade summer going into freshman year of high school, I remember the energy in the gym was out of this world one of my first times playing in front of a big crowd. Everything felt great like nothing could stop me but I was totally wrong. It was a very intense and close game and my team was in a full court 1-3-1 defensive press and I was the guy in the very back to intercept cross court or full court length passes, during the play in which I injured myself the ball went over my head and I tried to make a play tipping the ball out of bounce not knowing the distance from the hoop to the wall and landing with all my weight on one leg against the wall. A day I will never forget.

Did that experience already give a big dent in your mental state and self-confidence?

Honestly no it didn’t give a big dent in my mental state of self confidence because as a kid I felt like I was ahead of my time. With the mental strength that my Father in bedded in me at such a young age, I was taught that injures were a part of the game and that you’re not defined by what happened, but by how you over came it. If anything the experience gave me more confidence because the doctors told me I would never play the game of Basketball again, at a high level. So I had to enter mamba mentality.

You then also only played for the C- team. Is it fair to say you have always had doubters in your career?


One hundred percent. I have always had doubters in my career and I still do until this day. Seems like I’m constantly trying to prove myself.

Was playing for a C- team a reason you didn’t play in college? Did anybody want you?

It wasn’t the main reason, but it was defiantly one of the reasons why I didn’t play college, because I never heard of a Cinderella story of somebody making it to college that only played 1 year of High School. So I felt like going pro was my only option. Sad to say but during my High School career I had zero college offers.

In high school you played for coaches Kent Meridan and coach Pizzalatto. Despite all the tough times you went through did you get anything positive from their teachings?

Even though the High School journey wasn’t easy, I actually did get something positive from coach Pizzalatto’s teachings such as, the only limit on things is yourself. He taught me what it’s like to fight through adversity because at times I felt like I should’ve been on junior varsity as a freshman with all my friends but he made sure that mental battle wouldn’t affect my play on the court and help me develop into a man. Lastly, a positive teaching from Coach Pizzalato is discipline. At times during practice I would think we were a track team with all the running that we would do.

Last season you got a job with t FC Artsakh (ArmeniaLeague A) averaging 10.0ppg, 7.3rpg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 13.3%, FT: 66.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were very far away from home?

Well for starters, I was on an 18 hour flight, time zones were different by 12 hours from back home, every store or restaurant that I entered there were no English words. So there was defiantly a language barrier. I couldn’t even walk down the street without everybody staring at me wondering where I came from, I have never had that many eyes on me waking down a street before.

You lost a game by 50 points + and then lost some nail bitters. How tough was this first experience overseas and what did you learn about yourself?

Its honestly crazy to say I was apart off a game losing so many points because it was a whole new experience for me and I never lost by that much in my entire career, so it was an unfamiliar feeling. One nail bitter game that I remember vividly would be the last game I played before I left where we lost by one point in a very controversial game. The first experience overseas actually started for me in pre-season. I remember being extremely nervous knowing that I would be competing against some pro’s, division 1-3 college guys because I didn’t know the quality of competition to expect but playing against the highest level always brought out the best in me as a player. It was just a matter of getting comfortable of the pace of overseas play. I learned a lot about myself during my time in Armenia. I learned that mental strength can push you to limits that I never thought could be overcome. I learned that I actually thrived and can play well in a system when I get assigned the right role display my talents.

You now are with the Howard Hoops tour. How did connect with Ronald Howard (181-PG-1984, college: Mayville St.)?

Ron and I actually met via social media maybe about 3 years ago and I heard about his Howard Hoops tour before I actually met him through other connections and they had nothing but great things to say. So I thought now would be a perfect time to attend the tour in Germany.

Ronald Howard has a super track record for getting guys jobs. How blessed do you feel having got to know Ronald Howard?

I am beyond blessed to know someone as great as Ronald Howard, because he’s the only person to give me a chance to display my talents on a big stage in front of legit decision makers. Without his guidance I wouldn’t know where my next step would be in my professional career. But he is given me the confidence to shoot for the stars and aim for the moon. So to have met Ron I am forever grateful.

Do you feel like having had that Armenia experience will give you an advantage?

I wouldn’t say it gave me an advantage on the court but it would defiantly give me an advantage off the court being that I’ve already played at a pro level before, so I know the expectations of an American player playing overseas.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 200cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

The NBA player that I would have to compare my game to which so happens to be one of my favorite players in the league would have be Kyle Kuzma, because I feel like we share the same qualities such as being able to defend multiple positions, stretch the floor with my shooting, play making abilities as a taller wing, finishing well in transition and unorthodox like game.

You can score and rebound the ball well. What other strengths does your game have?

I would say my best strength would have to be shooting because as a younger kid I was forced into developing a consistent jump shot because I had a skinny frame and had to find other ways to score without absorbing too much contact being that I always play against older and much stronger people.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most now so that you will be best prepared for your next challenge?

Scoring off the dribble has been a key focus as of lately because I know with my size and shooting ability I would be able to get my shot off over anybody. Plus it would allow me to pick apart the defense in other ways than just catch and shoot.

Who was the toughest player that you ever battled on a court anywhere that made the NBA?

Playing AAU growing up it opened up my eyes to competition all over the country and during those times I ran into a few players that made it to the NBA such as Jaylen Nowell who is currently on the Minnesota timber wolves, Malachi Flynn who currently is on the Toronto Raptors I also played against Internet sensation Jordan McCabe who plays at UNLV and will be entering the NBA draft next year. So I’ve defiantly have had battles with some high level guys.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I’m glad you asked this question because honestly this is my favorite question out of all of them, it actually makes me feel like a kid again thinking of all the teammates I’ve had over the years but if I were to crunch it down to five it would have to be in no order but those guys would have to be: Romaine Jackson Jelani Bell Dewan White Ethan Walker Tyler Lord These are my dawgs I’d go to war for them out there on the court.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Shaq

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

Simply Lebron for me, I grew up in the ‘King James’ era. I could go hours on why I think Lebron is the greatest of all time, I’ve gone as far as full on heated arguments with friends over this topic alone, so I’m going to leave it as, Lebron is the goat.

Where do you rank Steph Curry right now of the best point guards of all-time

In my personal opinion with the way he has changed the game I would say he is the second greatest point guard of all Time currently but I could see him passing Magic Johnson when his career is said and done, I’ve never seen a point guard with the abilities that Stephan Curry displays.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone? P

Please don’t hate me for this, but I’ve never seen Coming to America a day in my life but after this interview that will be the first thing that I watch and then I would be able to answer that little better you can hold me to that.

Thanks Lorenzo for the chat.

Tim Frazier (178-PG, college: MacMurray) is a 178cm point guard that was born in Springfield, Illinois and grew up there. He began his basketball career at Lanpher high school and then played at MacMurray College (NCAA3) form 2013-2017 playing a total of 52 NCAA 3 games. He only played 5 games in his first two years but then got his chance averaging 7.6ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 60.5% as a junior and 13.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.5% as a senior. He has had professional experience having played with the Springfield Panthers (MBL) and with Team Milwaukee (Eurobasket Summer League in Chicago) averaging 6.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.3spg. He spoke to germanhoops.com before the start of the 2022Howard Hoops Germany Pro Tour.

Tim thanks for talking togermanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

I am in a great place. I’m very confident in my game and ready to play at the next level. I train everyday and give my all during every workout.

Before we get to basketball, I have to ask you how often you get asked about Tim Frazier the NBA player of the Grizzlies? Does it happen a lot and how do you deal with it?

It’s been happening since he was at Penn State. People would make jokes or references to me about him. I’m ok with it .

How big has your urge been to be a professional player since leaving school? You have played semi-pro ball in the States.

I been wanting to play pro since I was a child. Nothing has changed. The more I play The more Urged I am to complete that goal.

Have you also had a 9-5 job the last years to pay the bills? Were you able to use your degree and work in the field you wanted to?

I have had jobs at harbor freight, a mentoring program , and Fedex . While I chase my goals I still need to support myself.

What do you believe has been the biggest obstacle for you not having landed overseas yet? Obviously you don’t see many NCAA 3 players reach the professional level, but it has been done.

My biggest obstacle has probably been lack of consistency in networking or being in front of the right people. I have been to combines but I don’t think I have been to enough of them to really get my name out there.

Let’s talk a little about COPVID-19. What were the biggest challenges for you during this time? Was it tougher keeping that normal work out routine?

At first it was very hard because all of the gyms were closed and they removed all of the rims from the parks. I did stationary drills at home and many body weight exercises until the gyms opened back up

With everything that you have experienced during COVID-19 off the court how do you feel did it make you stronger as a man?

I always appreciated things because as a child I grew up in a poverty stricken environment so I had to make a lot out of a little. So when the gyms were taken away and given back to us I started to spend more hours perfecting my craft because I didn’t know if we would be stripped of the gyms again.

You will be taking part at the Howard Hoops Germany Pro Tour in August. How excited are you to show your abilities in front of GM’s and coaches?

I’m very excited. I never been overseas before so to actually be in front of the people who can help me reach my goal it’s breathtaking.

How excited are you to be playing in Germany? What do you know about the country and it’s basketball? Have you had friends or ex opponents or teammates play there?

I’m very excited. I actually don’t know much about Germany but I’m eager to experience it . I don’t know anyone that has went to play in Germany.

How did you get in contact with CEO and founder Ron Howard? Did he find you or did you find him?

I found him . I saw his social media profiles and contacted him because I believe he can help me reach my goal of becoming a professional basketball player.

Ron Howard is a legend. He is the voice for the unknown players wanting to get a job overseas. What kind of relationship do you have with him and what do you appreciate most about his character.

I would like a great mentor that I can come to for many tips . I appreciate that he is patient , understanding , and very helpful.

What is your biggest goal at the Howard Hoops Germany Pro tour besides getting a job overseas?

My biggest goal is to learn a little bit about how the business works outside of basketball . I want to network with as many people as I can.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 178 cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

If I had to choose one person I’ll say Nate Robinson because of my athleticism.

What was it like growing up and even in the NCAA 3 concerning your height? Did you hear the usual comments about your height?

I was doubted by many people but I worked two times harder than the next men so it wasn’t a big problem.

Talk a little about your game. You’re a point guard that can fill up the stat sheet easily. Is your versatility your biggest strength?

Yes it is . I’m a hustle player that never gives up. One small slip up from the next player and I’ll edge them. Whether it’s on a rebound , fast break and etc

What other strengths does your game have at both ends of the court?

I’m very quick and I’m strong for my size. It’s going to be a battle every play.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most so you can continue to grow as a player?

I work on everything but conditioning and shooting are my main priorities.

You played at MacMurray College (NCAA3) from 2013-2017. What kind of an experience was that for you?

It was very different for me because there weren’t too many people that even wanted to play basketball after college . So my drive was a bit more intense than others.

You only played 5 games in your first two seasons. How tough was it experiencing those growing pains at the start?

It was very tough on me mentally but I stayed consistent and prepared my game so that when my shot came there would be no doubt that I could help my team.

You really picked up your game in your last two seasons averaging 7.6ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 60.5% and as a senior 13.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.5%. How do you feel did your game grow as a senior?

I started to figure out how to slow the game down and take advantage of every opportunity my opponents gave me. I became a lot more poised and it worked for me.

How did head coach Todd Creal groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He always told me I needed to get physically stronger so that I wouldn’t be a liability at my height . He also showed me that sharing the ball more helps me out in the end and opens me up more.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Marshall Corbon?

Marshall was a good player and worked just as hard as me. It was challenging but I believe I got him a little more than he got me.

You have professional experience with the Springfield Panthers (MBL). What kind of experience was that and what do you feel did you gain from it?

I got to see what it was like to play 48 minutes in a game and I had to condition more to be able to be successful in this league.

In 2019 you played with Team Milwaukee (Eurobasket Summer League in Chicago) averaging 6.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.3spg. What do you remember from this summer league and how brutal is the competition at those places?

This was challenging for me because everyone there wanted to play professionally and played their hearts out. I learned a few new things about myself and worked on them afterwards.

Who was the best player that you ever battled that went to the NBA?

I haven’t played anyone that made it to the NBA but there are countless that played overseas.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I’m going to list the people that really helped their team in all ways more than scoring . Josiah Gordon (high school ) , Derek Bourke (college ) Marshall Corbin (college ) ) Michael Cameron (college ) Hunter Flesner (college )

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Michael Jordan Lebron James Kobe Bryant Stephen Curry Shaquille O’Neal

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

My pick is Lebron James. When I judge someone on being the greatest I look at all around gameplay . He dominates every stat line and has done it for years.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was the new Space Jam . I enjoyed it although I think it’s more for the kids to watch.

Thanks Tim for the chat.

Tags : TIM FRAZIER, NE

Josh King is a coach that was recently appointed new head coach of the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. He played college ball at Eckerd (NCAA2) and began his coaching career in 2008 with Vassar College (NCAA3). He got vast experience in the NCAA coaching at the University of Massachusetts – Lowell (NCAA2), 4 years at Marshall and 2 years at the University of New Hampshire (NCAA). He then was 3 years with the MHP Riesen as an assistant and last season got the head coaching gig with USK Praha (Czech Republic-NBL). He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Josh thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Thanks Miles, I am currently in Ludwigsburg. Basketball is going well, just trying to build another winning Ludwigsburg team for next season.

Congrats on signing with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. Do you feel any pressure having to start a new era and fill the shoes of John Patrick?

JP is an amazing coach and I am going give everything I have to keep the Ludwigsburg going in the same direction.

How did you follow the team last season? What in general was missing last year and the year before from being able to win a title?

I watched as many games as I possibly could last season. I think the success Ludwigsburg has had the last couple seasons has been amazing.

How quickly did this deal come about? Had you known months ago that John Patrick was going to go and you had a good idea that you could become the new coach or did the contact come only some weeks ago when the first rumors came that Patrick was going to go?

The process wasn’t lengthy, I found out JP could be leaving during the BBL playoffs. I was excited to find out that I was a candidate.

Talk a little about your coaching style. You’re a guy who likes to help develop players and likes players to have a strong work ethic. Talk a little about your philosophy and what you want to instill into the playing style of the team in 22-23?

We are going to play a similar style to the way Ludwigsburg is accustomed to playing. We want defensive minded players first and guys that can play multiple positions.

How prevalent will the full court press and annoying defense be? Can we expect this years club to continue to be able to defend at a very high rate?

Annoying other teams will always be the goal, the plan will be to have a defensive mindset first and foremost.

Even If John Patrick doesn’t like to hear the hire and fire politics, will we see a more steady roster or could their be changes left and right during a season?

We will make adjustments accordingly always doing what is best for the Ludwigsburg team.

Last season you coached your first season as a head coach in the Czech Republic with USK Prague. You won an exciting series against NH Ostrava and then lost an exciting series against Opava. What is your summary of your first season as a head coach?

It was a great learning experience. Obviously many highs and lows but I thought we ended on a good note.

Was the absence of Kyle Mangas the difference between advancing and not?

I never want to put one player above the team, losing a player like Kyle was tough to replace in a short amount of time.

Even if Kyle Mangas played in the NAIA and so did Cameron Hunt who went from pro B in Germany to a solid BBL player in Germany. Wouldn’t it be logical to give Kyle Mangas a chance?

Kyle is a very good young player and I really think he is going have a great pro career.

You were assistant coach from 2018-2021 in Ludwigsburg and was the right hand for John Patrick. How important were these three years for your coaching development after coming from the NCAA?

Those three years were an amazing experience I learned so much about the game of basketball from JP.

What do you feel is the most important aspect of coaching that you learned from John Patrick in your 3 years under Patrick?

JP is the master at getting players to buy in for the betterment of team and that is something that I will strive to get my teams to do as well.

You coached Jaleen Smith for 4 years. 2 at UNH and 2 in Ludwigsburg. What kind of player was he in 2016 and what kind of player was he in 2021 when he left?

Jaleen was a very good college player but he was lacking confidence and self trust. Jaleen now plays with an abundance of confidence and believes he is the best player when he steps on the court.

He had an incredible season with Alba Berlin. He played NBA Summer League in 2021. Could his year of Euroleague experience give him a better shot at the NBA this season if he played NBA Summer League again?

There is no doubt Jaleen is an NBA player, but I think he is just enjoying his time in Berlin and he just keeps getting better and better.

You coached at Vassar, Umass, Marshall and UNH. Talk about all the head coaches you worked for especially Bill Herrion who you had at Marshall and UNH and how each guy helped you best in your development?

I played for Bill in college and then got to work for him at UNH. He is an amazing person who gave me an opportunity to be a division 1 player and also a division 1 coach. He is an old school coach who preaches defense first and gets his players to play very hard, two things I will try to instill in my players.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Well if you mean coaches I think you have to say Phil Jackson. I don’t think he gets enough credit for the managing job he did with big personalities and egos.

Where does Steph Curry rank now in the all-time best point guard?

Miles I’m from North Carolina and have been following Steph since his high school days. I’m a huge fan of his and I’m not sure if he is the best but he is for sure the best shooting point guard of all time.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

Miles I’m not sure if this is a good or a bad thing but I haven’t seen this film. Thanks for the interview!!

No problem Josh.

Bubba Furlong (206-C, college: NWOSU) is a 206cm center from Waco, Texas that will be starting his professional rookie season in Germany with the White Wings Hanau. He began his basketball career at Midway High school and then played 3 seasons at Sam Houston State University playing a total of 75 NCAA games. He then finished at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NCAA2) averaging 8.7ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.1bpg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 66.7% in his junior year and 12.2ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, 2.5bpg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 67.6% as a senior. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

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

Basketball is good! Working every day to make myself the best player I can be.

I have to ask you about your name Bubba. It isn’t a very common name. I think it’s the first time I have heard it in basketball. How did you experience the name growing up?

Lol yes it’s a very unique name. I love my name though and I love it. The name came from my sister she used it like ‘brother’.

Congrats on signing with the White Wings Hanau. How blessed do you feel to be able to play the game you love. What do you in general love about the game most?

Thank you! I’m blessed and excited to start my pro journey! I feel beyond blessed to play because honestly if it wasn’t for my parents I wouldn’t even be able to play. What I love most about the game today is still feeling like my dad’s in the gym watching me. He passed 2 years back, and he was my biggest fan along with my mama.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball? Did you get tips from ex teammate Josh Boutte who played in Germany?

I got family friends in Germany and also some friends who play American football out there. Germany felt like a great fit after talking to my agent and family. And yes Sir I talked to Josh a few days before I made a decision.

The White Wings Hanau are really impressed by your game. The talks went well with the coach for you. What was the deciding factor that didn’t allow you to say no to this offer?

For me it was talking to my family. They’re a big part of my life when it comes to making decisions about my future.

With what kind of expectations are you going into your rookie season? How confident that you will be able to play your game at the European level?

Make a name for myself and show the world what I can do. I’m very confident. I’m different from a lot of bigs. I feel like it makes me different

Let’s talk a bit about your game. You’re a 206cm center and weighs 239 pounds. If you had to describe your game to an NBA player who would best fill the description?

I like to compare my game to a young Kevin Garnett. A very versatile but sometimes undersized big man. He could do it all and brought some fire into the NBA with his presence.

You showed in your senior year at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NCAA2) that you are a very versatile big man. You can score rebound and block shots well. What other strengths does your game possess?

I like to think in a pretty good passer. Finding the open man especially when I’m being doubled.

You have a very high assist rate for a big. Is passing out of the post or the extra pass out of the pick and roll something you enjoy?

Yes it is. I love getting my teammates open looks. Nothing better than a wide open 3 out of a double team.

What do you believe is a part of your game that is still off the radar as you enter your pro career?

The way I can stretch the floor, working on all parts of my game always but I believe I can do a lot at the next level on both ends of the floor. Also attacking off the dribble. A lot of bigs have slow feet so for me that quick first step has always been an advantage.

You are a very good shot blocker. What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become in the next years?

Right now I’m a run protector but I also can switch onto guards and sit down for a whole possession. I want to be a defender like Kawhi Leonard. Able to guard 1 through 5 all game and also be a superior threat to all players on the offensive side.

On what areas of your game are you working on most this summer so you will be best prepared for your rookie season?

Coach wants me to run the floor a lot this year so I’ve been conditioning myself for that. But I’m also working on every other part of my game. Ball handling, shooting even passing because I want to be an elite player.

You played your first 3 years at Sam Houston (NCAA) playing 75 NCAA games. You never averaged more than 9.8 minutes and 3,4ppg. What kind of an experience were these 3 years. Despite not being able to play good minutes, how do you feel did you develop further as a player there?

Being at the Division 1 level was great got to play against some premiere talent. And got to mold my game and get better everyday with my teammates help.

You matched up two years against NDU Chidozie. What memories do you remember in your daily battles with him? I’m sure you both pushed each other.

Awe man my brother Chizzy, we used to battle everyday! He was a great person to go up against because he is a true 7 footer with crazy athleticism. It definitely helped me a lot learning how to guard dudes bigger than me. I do remember one practice though where all we wanted to do was dunk on each other!

You had some good games in the NCAA against Randall and Jackson State. What was your personal most fondest game in the NCAA?

Playing at Clemson! The atmosphere in there was crazy and it was a really good game all together.

You then finished at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NCAA2) playing a total of 44 games and as a senior averaged 12.2ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, 2.5bpg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 67.6%. How tough was your first season where you didn’t play until the last few months?

It was pretty tough because we’re used to starting so early the pre season was long. Guys got bored quickly but I stayed the course and trusted my coach!

You averaged only 3 minutes more as a senior, but you made a massive rise in your game. How do you feel did you mature as a player as a senior?

So my first year the covid year was right after I had lost my dad to cancer. That first year was tough trying to get past the mental block of my dad not being there anymore. But I finally decided to let it fuel me instead of hurt me. My last year there was great. I was captain of the team and did my best to lead them everyday.

You had many great games in the NCAA 2 like scoring 32 points against UAM. What was your personal most fondest game at Northwestern Oklahoma State?

The 32 point game vs UAM definitely was most fondest. I could feel my dad in the gym. It was like he was in the stands. But it was just a night I will never forget it, because everything went in that night.

How did head coach Vinay Patel groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Very well! Coach V is a great coach who has helped many players develop their game to get to the next level. He did the same with me and helped me figure out the next steps after college.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Mato Drgo?

Me. Easily

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Nic Claxton from Georgia. He was 7ft and bringing the ball up. He was definitely a great person to get to guard.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

No specific order 1. Zach Nutall 2. Cam Delaney 3. Chris Galbereath (CG) 4. Brian Free 5. Kai Mitchell

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Oooooo hard one past, Shaq, Mike, Kobe, Kareem Present, Giannis, LeBron, KD, Steph

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

I feel like Mike was the greatest player in his era just like LeBron is. It’s just hard for me to compare because of how different their games are and the era they played in. But I’m a huge fan of both.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

Yes I did, and we could’ve definitely lived without it!!

Thanks Bubba for the chat.

Tre’Shaun Fletcher (202-G/F-1994, college: Toledo) is a 27 year old 202cm forward that was born in Wilmar Arkansas and grew up in Tacoma, Washington has decided to retire after a 4 year professional career. He enjoyed a fine career playing in the G-League, Finland, Italy and Belgium. He began his basketball career at Lincoln high school and then played 3 years at the University of Colorado playing 88 NCAA games. He played his senior year at the University of Toledo averaging 18.1ppg, 8.0rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 71.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Thanks Treshaun for talking to germanhoops.com. You came out on social media recently and announced your retirement from the game. For a guy at age 27 who was having great seasons, it seemed a bit mysterious, but there were reasons behind it. Is it fair to say that you didn’t go into your season in Belgium with the correct mind set? What happened to you in the summer of 2021 after your great season in Italy?

Yea I had caught covid right before I had to get on the plane to Belgium so I already started that season off on the wrong foot going right into practice right after coming right off the couch.

You were in great shape despite 3 knee surgeries and had a good season in Italy. Did off court interests conflict with your professional career?

Yes it did

You were in Belgium with Limburg for only a short time. Talk a little about your last professional season. Every player can have a bad situation with a team. Did that way in a bit in your being unhappy which then got you thinking about life after the game?

Yes, definitely my treatment by Limburg was unacceptable and they still owe me money.

You did play with a great player in Limburg with Cliff Hammonds. Despite only playing with him for a short time what will you always remember about him as a player and teammate?

Cliff is great guy great teammate definitely one of the best. One of the most stand up guys I ever been around. Same with the rest of the Americans that’s helped me thru that time.

You are chasing the dream now of being a NBA skills trainer and owning your own business. Talk a little how this came about. Were these things that were on your mind in Belgium?

Yes they were I found myself asking what I was going to do if it was really over. I am passionate about being in the gym & working out.

You only played 4 seasons but how would you like fans to remember the player TreShaun Fletcher?

Just someone who came & worked hard everyday with a strong mindset

You split time during the 2021 season in Italy with teams Lavoropiu Fortitudo Bologna (Italy-Serie A) averaging 7.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 46.9%, FT: 66.7%; an d hen moved to Georgio Tesi Group Pistoia (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 13.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 29.0%, FT: 80.0%. Talk a little about your memories in Italy. What did you cherish most from this season despite it being Covid?

Italy was a tough year but it taught me a lot about life & what being a pro is all about.

In the summer of 2019 you played NBA Summer League with the Utah Jazz. What kind of experience was that for you. What kind of advice do you remember the Jazz coaching staff giving you after your stint there?

The Jazz are a first class organization. I made great connections with my time in Utah.

There are so many important and famous guys walking around the arena in Las Vegas. What kind of people do you remember meeting and what will you never forget from those few weeks?

Man I was just a fly on the wall In a lot of situations. Just gaining knowledge.

You played the 2019-2020 season with at Kaarinan Ura Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 18.0ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 72.6%. That was your first season overseas. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were very far away from home?

That was a tough year for me. I spend time away from my family & 2 of my best Friends died within my first 2 months of me being there. But then covid happened & I was able to come home early.

How tough was it being in Finland and learning about the deaths?

Never got a chance to cope with that until now.

Two of the killers are still on the loose. How is the status on that cri

The case is still open. Feel free to look into & bring attention to the situation.

You played your rookie season with the Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G League) playing 9 games averaging 2.3ppg. How tough was coming so late to the team?. You were coming off a tough knee injury from your senior year?

Really tough. I was no where near where I need to be to play at that level.

How did you experience the whole NBA/G-League process? NBA teams are usually grooming certain players. Did you at times feel like you were just a body that was there to fill space?

It’s great league for players to get experience against real pros.

What was the best example that you saw in the G-League that shows that the NBA will always be a business first?

When we played others teams on their rookies would play all the minutes over the stars of the g-league team.

You had a good game against the Lakers farm team South Bay scoring 11 points in 18 minutes. What do you remember from that game? Did you feel like you belonged?

That was my first game I felt comfortable in because I spend time in LA doing my rehab & my support system was there

You began your NCAA career at the University of Colorado playing there form 2013-2016. A knee injury slowed you down as a freshman, but after that you were able to improve your stats each season. What do you remember from your time there and how did your game grow?

I had certain personality traits used against me in that situation.

In your junior year you had some good game sin wins over Washington, Oregon and Arizona State. What was your most memorable moment there?

I was in the zone.

You played a season with Spencer Dinwiddie. What memories do you have of him and did you think he could ever have such a good NBA career?

Man it’s crazy. The game Spencer tore his ACL I got subbed in for him & I tore my knee. But it’s good at the time Spencer & I bonded & all he was talking about was Bitcoin. I wish I would have listened lol

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or George King?

Hahahah next question!

You finished your NCAA career at the The University of Toledo (NCAA) averaging 18.1ppg, 8.0rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 71.3%. How refreshing was this season where you were able to display your whole skills set?

It felt good to play free. It felt good to be able to play with my family watching me. But life happens and you just got to keep finding a way to keep going.

You celebrated a rare triple double against Northern Illinois with a 20/11/11 game. What do you remember most from this game? Was this one of your best games in your career?

Just being in the zone.

How did head coach Tod Kowalczyk groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Next question.

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

Joel Embild

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?


I love all my teammates. We all family fellas tap in at anytime.

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

Jordan

Thnaks Tre’shaun for the chat.

Drake Jeffries (6’5”-G-1999, college: Wyoming, agency: One Motive Sports) is a 23 year old 196cm guard/forward from Mattoon Illinois that signed a exhibit 10 contract with NBA team Orlando Magic. He began his basketball career at Mattoon High School where he also competed in track and field. He began at Minot State (NCAA2) averaging 6.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 68.0%. He then played a season at Indian Hills Community College (JUCO) averaging 9.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 83.3%. He then completed his NCAA career at the University of Wyoming (NCAA) playing a total of 59 games averaging 7.4ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 88.2% as a junior and as a senior averaged 10.3ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 81.3%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 81.1%. This past summer he had NBA workouts with the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz. He played 1 NBA Summer League game with the Denver Magic. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball journey.

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

I am currently at home working out and the basketball life is treating me well!

Two years ago you had just finished JUCO and weren’t even an NCAA player yet. If someone had told you then that you would play NBA Summer League and have NBA workouts 2 years later what would you have thought?

I would have never thought I would be in this position today. I was a D2 kid who landed at the right JUCO school who then led me to the best spot for me in Wyoming.

You were on the Denver Nuggets NBA Summer League Roster. What kind of an experience was this for you? Were you a bit in awe at first seeing the kind of players that were playing?

It was a really fun experience! I met a lot of cool guys who were super cool and who were very knowledgeable about the game. I wasn’t really in awe of anyone, just really cool to meet guys.

You played one game against the 76ers. How competitive was the whole experience for you. There are guys that don’t even get to play but just sit on the bench. Do you feel like you did all you could in practice to get that 1 chance or do you feel like you could have had more opportunities.

The one game against the 76ers was super cool to get into. I just knew I had to stay ready the whole time. I definitely had some good practices and felt like I did my all to get some playing time.

You did the most of your opportunity scoring 6 points with 2 three’s in 5 minutes. What will you always remember from these 6 minutes?

I think I’ll just remember hitting those shots. Surreal moment with an NBA summer league jersey on to make those shots as that was always a dream of mine.

Despite hitting 2 three’s, you also had a turnover and missed a free throw. How content were you overall with your performance?

I thought my performance was overall pretty good. I hadn’t got on the floor at all through the first 3 games so getting on the floor and performing like that was good for me. I can always be better but I am happy with what I did.

What was it like battling a guy like Christian Braun who was the team’s first round pick. How much does it motivate you to keep grinding seeing him and how you play. Do you feel like there is so much difference between some drafted and undrafted guys that you saw?

It was really fun battling a guy like Christian everyday. He’s very good and very physical. There is definitely some difference but everyone is at this level for a reason.

Talk a little about the hoopla around the Summer League. There were many legends walking around like Lebron James. Could you make any important contacts while your time there?

I saw and met some pretty famous people while I was in Vegas. Even at mini camp with the Nuggets there were some good guys and players who everyone in the world knows. I was mostly focused on basketball instead of networking

What kind of feedback did you get form the Nuggets coaching staff that will stick with you this summer?

I got feedback that was positive. Just stay the course and stay focused. And that’s what I did. I have always done that and will continue to do that.

What do you feel was the most important thing that you got out of the NBA Summer League that will stick with you as you make those next steps in your career?

I think what will stick with me the most is just the memories I had with the guys. We had a really good group of guys and they made everyday really enjoyable.

Who was the toughest player that you saw on the court in your time in Las Vegas?

There were so many good players in Vegas during SL. There were a few who I really enjoyed watching. If I had to pick 1, I would say Kevon Harris from the Timberwolves who is now my teammate!

Let’s talk a little about your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I would say Pat Connaughton. We’re both super athletic and can really shoot the ball.

You’re an incredible outside shooter. What other strengths do you have besides just being able to shoot out the lights?

Outside of shooting, I’m really athletic and can guard the ball. I took pride in defense this year because I know how important it is.

I noticed in your senior year that your shooting consistency from outside was up and down. What do you believe will you have to do to correct that has your in your rookie year?

Just staying in the gym will be the biggest thing. Getting up a lot of shots and different type of shots. Training myself to make difficult shots.

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

I’m working on my ball handling and finishing right now along with just shooting the ball at an elite level.

You began your college career at Minot State University (NCAA2). Your first year was a red shirt year. How tough were these 2 years and despite that what do you feel was the most beneficial thing that you got out of the 2 years?

My years at Minot State were really good to me. I learned a lot and grew as a player and person and overall got better.

You then took a step back and played with Indian Hills Community College (JUCO) averaging 9,8, 2.9rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 83.3%. Why did you do that? There are enough good examples where taking a step back was worth taking 2 steps forward as numerous players have showed?

I wouldn’t say it was a step back. It was a step up in my career so that I could get to where I wanted to be. Transfer rules don’t allow you to go from D2 to D1 and play right away. You have to sit a year. I knew if I went to a junior college I would be in a great spot to go division 1.

Every JUCO guy I have interviewed have all said JUCO was tough, but an experience they wouldn’t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

JUCO is tough, but they’re right. It’s an experience like no other. You have everlasting bonds with guys and coaches because of the things you go through.

You then played 2 years at Wyoming (NCAA). You made a huge jump in your game as a senior. How do you feel did your game grow in your last year?

I was very happy with the jump I made in my game. I stayed in the gym all summer and off-season to prepare for a big year ahead.

You had an incredible game against Hastings scoring 33 points on 11 three’s. There are hundreds of current and ex NBA players that have never hit 11 three’s in your career. How much does this feat mean to you making 11 three’s?

That was a really fun game for me to hit 11 3’s. My teammates just kept feeding me the ball and I was hot. I knew there would be a day to where I hit double digit 3’s in a game.

How did head coach Jeff Linder groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Linder coaches really hard and he’s super honest. I think that is what prepared me best for my pro career because he always wants the best for his players while coaching them really hard.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Hunter Maldonado?

Haha Maldo and I never played 1 on 1 directly. Only ever in situations in practice. We had some good battles.

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

I would say Bennedict Mathurin from Arizona who is with the Pacers now.

Please name your 5 best teammates so far in your career?

I can’t say 5 best because they’re all good. My favorite ones to play with though were Max Cody, Dorian Aluyi, Malique Jacobs, Hunter Maldonado, and Graham Ike. That is just from college. I enjoyed every single guy though.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My Mount Rushmore is Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, and Larry Bird.

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

Jordan is the greatest and it isn’t close.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America in 2021? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I did not see the sequel haha.

Thanks Drake for the chat.

Tags : DRAKE JEFFRIE

Ok some guys are living and playing in their own galaxy with Lebron, Luka and Ja to just name a few, but the idea that there are many many many guys in Europe that could play in the NBA and never will has been a fact for a while. There are only two little roster spots and way to many talented guys grinding overseas always having that dream of someday making the NBA. I’m not saying that Carlos Medlock (183-PG-1987, college: EMU) could of played in the NBA, but that he is very very talented is something that he proved in his illustrious 11 year career. He is one of those guys that reached the top leagues in Germany, Greece and Poland, but also had to pay his dues always having to prove himself playing in some second divisions as well. In the season when he reached the first division in Germany with Braunschweig, he demonstrated over and over that he couldn’t only stick it to the best teams in Germany, but that he not only held his own against ex NBA players, but belonged to the best on the floor. For example late in the season in 2016-2017 he played FC Bayern Munich and was the game’s top scorer with 17 points and dished out 6 assists as he outbattled guys like future NBA player Maxi Kleber, ex NBA player Nick Johnson and Lebron James friend Dru Joyce. In another game against Brose Bamberg he was the game’s top scorer again with 21 points and dished out 7 assists as he outbattled future NBA players like Darius Miller, Daniel Theis and Nicolo Melli. In another game against top team Alba Berlin he scored 19 points belonging to the best on the court as ex NBA player Peyton Siva, future NBA player Malcolm Miller and two time NCAA champ Niels Giffey were on the court. These games weren’t a rarity that season, but one could of yelled bang, bang, bang, because they happened so often. Saying bang, bang, bang reminded me of Elane on Seinfeld yelling the Fake, Fake, Fake Fake in the famous episode called Mango from 1993. The American proved over and over that season that he belonged to the best in the easyCredit BBL and that the NBA surely has many talented guys, but that there are enough guys overseas who can hold their own against them. Medlock had to prove himself his whole career and showed over and over that he belongs everywhere that he has played. Despite him probably having his best season as a professional in Germany in the easyCredit BBL, he had a logical answer as to why he wasn’t at his total best that season. ‘You can add Ulm to list as well. But no I don’t think that was me at my best. Because it took sometime for me to adjust to the BBL coming from Pro A. But once adjusted my talented started to show a lot more. If I would’ve came back for a second season there you would’ve seen Carlos Medlock at his best’, warned Carlos Medlock. The American announced his retirement in 2022 after 11 professional season.

Carlos Medlock who lists Dionte Christmas as being his toughest foe in the NCAA was a 35 year old 183cm point guard that began his basketball career at Murray-Wright high school in Detroit, Michigan. He then received a scholarship to Eastern Michigan (NCAA )where he played from 2005-2010, but did miss one year because of injury. He played a total of 110 NCAA games and underwent a fine development. In his four year career at Eastern Michigan he averaged 13,0ppg, 2,0rpg and 3,0apg. He had many great games and memories there, but his finest wasn’t on the floor. ‘Being at Eastern Michigan was the best time of my life. I still have close friends with all my teammates from EMU. My son being born and meeting my wife there is my fondest moments’, remembered Carlos Medlock. He still talks to his ex teammates John Bowler and Nick Freer who both played in Germany and in his senior year he averaged 16.9ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 80.5%. Some of the achievements that he got there were Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team , MAC Freshman of the Year by FOXSports.com, All-MAC Honorable Mention , MAC West Division Regular Season Co-Runner-Up , All-MAC 2nd Team , and NABC Division I All-District 14 2nd Team He knows that he couldn’t have had all his success there without the guidance of head coach Charles Ramsey. ‘He taught me how to hold myself accountable for my own actions’, stated Carlos Medlock. One teammate that he will never forget is fellow guard Jarred Axon who he had extra battles against in practice. ‘Me and Jared never played one on one. But I did beat Jarred in a one on one shooting game in practice which he would never admit to’, commented Carlos Medlock.

The Michigan native who lists Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore began his professional career in 2010 with the Utah Flash (D-League) playing 3 games averaging 4.3ppg, 1.3rpg. His stay was very short. He is more than positive that length had nothing to do with him not breaking through in the D-League. ‘ I don’t have no memories there but some cool teammates. No, I never felt I was too small. That just wasn’t a good situation for me’, stressed Carlos Medlock. He was teammates with NBA player Orien Greene who shared one big similarity with him. He knew how to score. ‘Orien Green was a bucket. I haven’t seen or talked to him since I left the Utah Flash hope all is well with him’, said Carlos Medlock. He then finished his rookie season in England and proved right away that his game could adapt right away overseas. He played for the Guildford Heat (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 17 games averaging 14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-4 (4.6apg), 1.7spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 64.1%. He also right away got a taste of what wining is about as he helped the Heat reach the BBL cup final. ‘I got there 3 months left in the season. So for me it was for film and to build my name’, added Carlos Medlock. He scored in double figures in 17 of 20 games including netting 25 points against Worthing T and 22 points against the Mersey Tigers. He played his second professional season with t U.M.F. Skallagrimur Borganes (Iceland-Dominos League) where he was the leagues second top scorer playing 24 games: averaging 27.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.8apg, Steals-5 (2.3spg), FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 78.9%. He was smart enough to know that this would be a make or break season for his career. ‘I remember saying to myself. If you don’t kill this year you will have a bad career’, warned Carlos Medlock. He scored 30 points or more in 9 games including 43 points against Thor Thorl and 40 points against Fjolnir. Iceland is a country Americans love to go to, because they can use it as a flatform to higher leagues and that is exactly what he did moving to Germany where he would play the next four seasons and toping it off in his last finally reaching the easyCredit BBL after paying his dues once again in the German second division called Pro A. It is only logical that Germany will always have a special place in his heart. ‘Germany will always be my second home. What I enjoyed the most about being there was winning lol. My wife and kids had a great time there as well which was key for me’, stressed Carlos Medlock. In 2013-2014 he had his first tour of duty in Germany with the Crailsheim Merlins (Germany-ProA) averaging 17.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 82.2%. Even if he exploded against Science City Jena with 39 points, it was actually his 20 points, 9 assists and 0 turnovers he remembers most fondly, but one can’t discredit his incredible scoring game against Jena. ‘It was just one of those game where I went into that zone. At the time they were the number 1 in league. It was an important game that we needed to win’, warned Carlos Medlock. In Crailsheim he was teammates with Yorman Polas who was still paying his dues. A few years later he reached the BBL and has been there ever since. He is one of those special players that he will never forget. ‘Man I’m very proud of Yorman. He really made a name for himself in the BBL. When his career is over he will be one of the best defensive players ever to play in the BBL’, expressed Carlos Medlock.

The guard who had many big battles in Germany remembers guys like Josh Mayo, Carlton Guyton, Richie Williams, Ahmad Smith, Garrett Sims, Peyton Siva, Shy Ely, and Brandon Hobbs as the toughest next joined s.Oliver Wurzburg (Pro A) in 2014-2015 averaging 13.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 75.4%. He came to Wurzburg to show that he wasn’t only a scoring point guard but also could run a team. ‘Yes that was my mindset going into that season to show I’m more than just a scorer. Wuerzburg might’ve been my best experience overseas. I loved playing there’, remembered Carlos Medlock. He had some massive games in wins over Baunach with 26 points and 25 points against the Hamburg Towers. He was instrumental in the club beating Gotha and Hamburg in the playoffs, but suffered a bitter 77-76 loss to Giessen in a one game final, but the club was still regulated. It was sad and a bit surprising that Wurzburg didn’t retain his services for the BBL, but in the next season he conducted the same trick with SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA) helping the team to the BBL averaging 14.1ppg, 2.2rpg, Assists-3 (6.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 78.5%. This was without a doubt possibly his most enjoyable season in his professional career. ‘ Andreas Wagner did a great job putting that group together. We all had a great time with each other off the court which showed on the court. Plus that year it was just me and my son there together because my wife stayed home to finish school. So just spending that time with him made that season special in itself’, stated Carlos Medlock. He was teammates with two real basketball dinosaurs Derick Allen and Chase Griffin. Allen played until almost 40 and Griffin recently retired also. With them especially with Allen, he saw a totally different dimension with how work ethic really works. ‘Yeah both of them had great work ethic. But Derrick Allen’s work ethic was on a different level. I never met or seen anyone that worked like he did and it was crazy to see’, remembered Carlos Medlock. In his four years in Germany he played a total of 142 games and scored in double figures in 118 games.

He like many people around the globe saw the sequel to the classic Coming To America and is content knowing the original was better took a change in scenery after Germany in 2017-2018 splitting time with Rethymno Cretan Kings (Greece-A1) averaging 8.2ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 35.3%, 3FGP: 28.6%, FT: 78.6%, and then moved to King Szczecin (Poland-PLK) playing 24 games averaging 15.8ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 44.0%, FT: 77.5%. In Greece he was able to duel against one of the top basketball institutions in Europe with Olympiakos where he played against so many ex NBA guys like Hollis Thompson and Brian Roberts. But it wasn’t that big of an eye opener since he had seen so many NBA guys before that experience. ‘ During my career in the summer I played against a lot of NBA talent. So playing against them was like another game. I wasn’t impressed by someone’s name or where the played before. But playing against that team I really got to see a bunch of high level talented guys coming together to sacrifice their individual abilities for the greater of the team to win’, warned Carlos Medlock. In Poland he was consistent as usual scoring in double figures in 21 of 24 games including scoring 28 points against Trefl and 25 points against BM Slam Stal. In 2018-2019 he had his first experience in Turkey with Karesi Spor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 17.4ppg, 4.0rpg, Assists-2 (7.3apg), Steals-1 (2.1spg), FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 66.5%. This was another great example of how he dominated a European second league. ‘Being that it was my first year playing and that league I wanted to leave a mark. On the court it was a lot of fun playing with those guys. We played at a fast pace which was a strength to my game and it showed within my stats’, stated Carlos Medlock. He scored in double figures in 26 of 29 games including massive games against Yalova Bld with 36 points and recorded 28 points against Ankara DSI. He had another strong season in 2019-2020 heading back to Poland to play with Trefl Sopot (Poland-EBL) averaging 14.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 6.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 81.7%. He scored in double figures in 16 of 21 games in the Covid short end season. He registered 24 points against Polpharma and 21 points against Legia. Last season he returned back to Turkey to play in the second division again this time for Bornova Belediye (Turkey-TBL) playing 30 games averaging 16.6ppg, 2.2rpg, 5.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 78.1%. It was the second time for him in Turkey to play in the second league and not get a chance in the first league. In Germany he had to play in the second league three straight years before getting his opportunity in the BBL. Playing so often in second class instead of first class was very taxing, but one he was able to master. ‘ It was very frustrating at times. Especially in Germany I felt like I was the best player in the second division 3 years in a row. I still wasn’t getting the respect from those BBL teams and when I was in the first division I still displayed the same talent that I was showing when I was playing in the second division. But I had to prove myself my whole life so I was used to it’, stressed Carlos Medlock. Once again he was very consistent scoring in double figures in 29 of 30 games. One could of given him an extra middle name consistent. ‘ Being consistent was something I pride myself on. I just wanted to show that I can play in any system and still be valuable. Learning how to adjust to your teammates was very important. Meaning learning their strength and once I did that it was easy for me to run the show’, remembered Carlos Medlock. He blasted Mamak for 31 points and hit Gemlik for 23 points.

So now let’s fast forward to 2022 as he didn’t have to make life difficult for himself naming only 5 best teammates of all-time, but gave much love to Terrance Watson Antonio Payton, Drell Lewis, Anthony Sparks, Tone Barry, Travis Lewis, Brandon Bowdry, Jesse Bunkley, Zane Gay, Jared Axon, John Bowler, Marvin Skipper, Jay Higgins, JR Sims, Jamil Harris, Antonio Green, Matt Balkema, Overseas teammates Josten Crow, Stevie Johnson, Jonathan Moore, Yorman Polas, Frankie Sullivan, Maine Mallett, Jason Dourisseau, Jeremy Dunbar, Sammy Givens,Carlton Guyton, Dyshawn Pierre, Sid Theis, Tommy Klepeisz, Jamal Boykin, Tim Schwartz, Darius Theus, Derrick Allen, Don Lawson, Devon Gibson, Chase Griffin Josh Young, Travis Warech, Kosta Karamatskos, Phil Frie, Cam Ayers, Nana Foulland, Hugh Robinson, Jeff Roberson, Malcolm Armstead, Stefan Moody, Travis Daniels and there are many more that he forgot. The last 2 years were difficult for everyone living and playing through Covid as he was active in Poland, Turkey and Germany and he will never forget what really stood out during these tough times. ‘The biggest thing on the court was not having fans was an adjustment for me after having that energy for so long. Off the court was not being able to enjoy the city because of all the restrictions’, remembered Carlos Medlock. The last team he played with was Rasta Vechta a team where he had helped move up to the BBL in 2016. His stay was a short one as he played only 1 game. ‘It’s wasn’t tough leaving Vechta at all. 2016 was a great time. I wish I could’ve said the same about a second time there. But the fans there was great. I enjoyed playing in front on them’, stated Carlos Medlock. There were older guys who could have played longer the last few years, but ultimately decided to call it quits because of Covid, but for him it wasn’t that. ‘Covid played no part in my retirement. I had an offer to play somewhere else just didn’t take the deal. Dealing with that last team kind of took the love for the game away. It was a decision I felt was best for me and my family. Also just knowing it was time’, stressed Carlos Medlock. Sometimes retired players need some time off to regroup and think about the future, but he didn’t need much time as he is already active in life after the game as he is training kids in his area. The guard who believes Jordan is the greatest of all-time, but thinks Lebron has more of an effect on the culture now than Jordan did then was a perfect role model for those special guys that are off the radar. He never got gifts as a player but had to work his butt off for every opportunity that he got. He gave fans everywhere he played joyous moments and hopes that he will be remembered in a special way. ‘ I was a player that gave 110% every time he stepped on a court and off the court he was just as cool as his game’, stressed Carlos Medlock. I will also never forget his play and how he never gave up and was able to beat all odds. . I only interviewed him 4 times in his career, but every talk was always very interesting as he gave great insight about his career. It is also always nice to be appreciated in some way by the player as well. ‘I won’t forget that you were patient and you have done some great write ups and interviews on me so I really appreciate the support you have given me so think and I will always remember that’, said Carlos Medlock. He was as classy off the court as on the court. I’m sure he will continue to do great things in the future off the court.

4 years ago Jaleen Smith (193-PG-1994, college: UNH) was going into his second professional season in Germany with second division team MLP Academics. He had come off a sub par rookie season and was just another typical American guard and hardly anyone really knew who he was or believed in him except for his ex college coach Josh King who made the next step and will coach in Ludwigsburg this season. ‘I’m excited for him but I’m also excited to play against him. I hope nothing for the best for him coaching this year. This will be a big year for him in his career also’, commented Jaleen Smith. But Smith never had worries or doubts, but just looked straight ahead and believed in his abilities. He had his break out season in his sophomore campaign and then just kept climbing the basketball ladder reaching the easyCredit BBL with the MHP Riesen Ludwigs and being crowned league MVP. He then held his own in the 2021 NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns and then made the next step with Alba Berlin last season winning 2 titles and growing into a solid Euroleague player. So the logical next step would be to keep racking up titles with Alba Berlin. He did sign a 3 year deal with Alba Berlin, but there is also a buy out in his contract. There has been interest from other Euroleague teams and what happens if the NBA comes calling? ‘If they do call I’ll be right in Europe waiting if not Euroleague is a great league’, smiled Jaleen Smith. The Texas native saw the last years what kind of an impact a Rickey Paulding had in Oldenburg and the league and it would make sense to continue something fruitful in Berlin and possibly be a lifer? ‘Yeah it’s very rare you have someone like Rickey stay loyal to a club for any player let alone an American guy stay. I’m 90% sure I’ll be with ALBA Berlin for the following season’, warned Jaleen Smith. So many great things have continued to happen in his basketball life and it just keeps going. This summer he got a Croatian passport and his incredible basketball journey continues as in the last year he went from NBA Summer League to winning 2 titles with Alba Berlin to playing for the Croatian national team and will play at the 2022 Euro for them. But before we get to his new challenge, it is only fitting to reminisce about the double that Alba Berlin achieved in 21-22.

I reach Jaleen Smith who lists Nick Weiler-Babb and Vasilije Micic as his toughest opponents last season during the dog days of summer. Americans are slowly arriving for their teams in various leagues in Germany while Jaleen Smith is hanging out with his new Croatian teammates and headed to the Czech Republic for some friendlies against them and Bulgaria. After never having won a professional title in his first 3 years, he came to Alba Berlin knowing of their rich history, but if someone had told him before the season started that he would win 2 titles, he probably wouldn’t have believed it. ‘They are winners so with history I had to win at least 1 championship right ? Haha I probably would’ve been just excited to win one championship’, stressed Jaleen Smith. The guy has that million-dollar smile and when he talks about last season that smile is as persistent as Steph Curry is with hitting three’s. It is always sweet to win the title at home, but when you can do it against a FC Bayern Munich on the road, the New York Yankees or Golden State Warriors of the BBL, you are just as happy. It is a double bonus when your loved ones are there. ‘They’ve been here every step of the way and it’s just satisfying to have them here for the championship run during the season. It was truly amazing to experience it together’, said Jalen Smith. Alba Berlin once won 7 BBL titles in a row in the late 90’s and early 2000’s and just know how to party the right way. ‘There was just a lot of drinking and eating of snacks out of the trophy. You just had to be there to experience it all. Just to be a part of it is just great. We got a great reception from the fans, the city, and with ourselves knowing the long season we had was worth holding up the trophy in the end’, remembered Jaleen Smith.

After Spanish legendary head coach Aito left, nobody really knew what kind of Alba Berlin would be on display in 21-22. The coaching reins had been given to Aito assistant coach Israel Gonzales and he stepped in and kept that Aito identity and the team came together in the spring and kept growing all the way to game 4 in Munich. ‘Alba lost a lot of key pieces including the coach so we were all trying to find our identity through the year and we found it within the middle of April to the end of June. During the playoffs, we really looked for one another and we played so great together you couldn’t focus on one guy to take away. It can really be any one’s night’, stressed Jaleen Smith. Anytime you want success, you obviously have to know how to score and get stops, but winning starts with discipline and work ethic. ‘Through everything that happened we still kept working every day for the end goal and that’s to be the best team come playoff time and we did that no question’, warned Jaleen Smith. He played with so many great players including Oscar Da Silva who made the next step to FC Barcelona and his guard teammates Maodo Lo and Tamir Blatt. One can say guard brothers for life. ‘Oscar is definitely is ready for the jump. He made a steep climb going from LUBU to Alba and jumped in right away and made a huge impact for our team. He’s going to do just fine in Barcelona. Maodo and Tamir are my guys man any ideas we have we always share to improve the team and that’s what you need on any team. They helped me just see the game differently and play a different way. Not only playing along side them but just watching them play it was a joy to watch’, added Jaleen Smith. It is no secret that he will always have a lot of love and respect for his 2 guard brothers, but he also can’t forget the versatile glue guy Luke Sikma. ‘I would give MVP to Maodo Lo because he has been killing for us all year. With him being our starting point our team is super dangerous. Most improved would go to Tamir Blatt because toward the end of the season him coming off the bench for us was big not only the way he controlled games but he really led our second unit even if the starters was having a bad night. The unsung Hero is Luke Sikma because without him the team is in pieces but with him on the court he keeps everything together just doing a little bit of everything for us to keep the team together’, warned Jaleen Smith.

The ex UNH guard who thinks the Boston Celtics would be crazy to get rid of Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant had a very solid first Euroleague season for Alba Berlin averaging and 8.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT-2 (93.3%) and in the BBL averaged 10.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.5apg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 90.8%. He knows that at the start of this season, he will need to keep that high that he had at the end of last season. ‘I started off terrible during the year but picked it up towards the end of the season I played my best basketball. I’ll just have to start next season right where I left off on the last’, stressed Jaleen Smith. His minutes were cut down 10 minutes in the BBL from his previous season in Ludwigsburg. ‘This helped me develop being more efficient in the minutes I played in rather than relaxing just to maintain my body for the long game I would play’, said Jaleen Smith. It was only logical that his shooting would really profit in an Alba Berlin system where unselfishness and great ball movement are the norm as well as having more energy. ‘Being more fresh during games helped and not taking as many tough shots helped my percentages be a lot more better. When you play with so many talented players, your game will improve’, expressed Jaleen Smith. His 2 most fondest games was winning the BBL title in Munich in game 4 and playing in a very hostile environment in Belgarde, Serbia. His game will continue to grow the more he practices with top level Croation players as well as competing at the 2022 Euro. It will be interesting if there will be other parts of his game that will grow and improve at the 2022 Euro besides what he achieved doing with Alba Berlin last season. ‘I felt like my shooting ability and to be aggressive the more I had the ball helped me improve and was key for me during the season with ALBA’, stated Jaleen Smith.

The ex Brzosport High School great who will never forget the BBQ’s he had with family this summer now has a new challenge suiting up with Croatia for the 2022 Euro. ‘I’m just excited to be representing a country and now on the international stage is going to be amazing to experience this’, stressed Jaleen Smith. For him it must feel like being in a candy store with so many incredible guys currently playing in the NBA like Ivica Zubac, and Bojan Bogdanovic and other greats like Mario Hezonja, Dragan Bender or Ante Zizic just to name a few. ‘You can pick your poison with how you want to be beat really. The team is really talented I’m going to do my best to finish as best as we can in the euro basket tournament’, commented Jaleen Smith. Scoring the ball is a big strength of his, but with so many tall towers lurking in the paint he could find himself starting a combination of throwing it up and letting the bigs do the damage as Dennis Schroeder and Daniel Theis like to practice. ‘ Throwing it up or throwing it inside will be key for us to all of our games we have a really good inside and outside presence it’s going to make my job a lot easier’, warned Jaleen Smith. Croatia is in group C and have grabbed a good one in that they are the third best ranked team out of 6. If everything goes as planned then they should advance. ‘As long as we keep getting better as the tournament goes on the sky is the limit for us. We have the pieces it’s just up to us if we can gel together in the short period of time we have together’, warned Jaleen Smith. As a guy that has played his whole career in Germany, he will be watching Germany closely. ‘They have a very tough group and everyone can beat anyone during these group phases. I think they been playing together for a long time so they’ll being playing well because they already have the chemistry with each other’, stated Jaleen Smith. Who knows Croatia might even meet Germany. Then the two teammates/brothers Jaleen Smith and Maodo Lo will battle head to head. ‘Of course we’re probably joke about the game when we see each other back in Berlin but he’s trying to represent his country to the fullest and trying to win just like me’, warned Jaleen Smith. On the court will be like in a Lion pit, but after 40 minutes they will still be brothers.

Tags : JALEEN SMITH, AL

Emmanuel Lecomte (180-PG-1995, college: Baylor, agency: Players Group) is a 26 year old 180cm point guard from Grimbergen Belgium that played his fourth professional season with Jonavos CBet (Lithuania-LKL) averaging 15.1ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-5 (4.5apg), FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 84.0%. 2020-2021 was a roller coaster as he began with the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL) playing 2 games averaging 11.0ppg, 2.0apg and then moved to moved to Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez (France-Jeep ELITE ProA) playing 2 games averaging 11.0ppg, 2.0apg, and then played with tPrienai CBet (Lithuania-LKL) averaging 14.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 5.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 86.8%. In 2019-2020 he split time with Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (Spain-Liga ACB) playing 18 games averaging 6.1ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 38.5%, 3FGP: 30.6%, FT: 79.4%, and then moved to Herbalife Gran Canaria (Spain-Liga ACB) playing 5 games averaging 5.4ppg, 1.0apg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 80.0%, FT: 90.0%. In his rookie season in 2018-2019 he played with Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario (NBA G League) playing 48 games averaging 14.1ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.3apg, 2FGP: 50.8%, 3FGP: 40.2%, FT: 86.2%, and then moved to Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (Spain-Liga ACB) playing 9 games averaging 7.1ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 15.8%, FT: 90.5% He started his basketball career in Belgium with BBC Kangoeroes-Boom (D2) and then played with Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Ethias League). In 2013 he moved to the States and played with Miami (NCAA) for two seasons playing 71 games. He then transferred to Baylor and made his break through as a junior leading the team to the NCAA Sweet 16 playing 33 games averaging 12.2ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 83.0%. In his senior year he played 32 games averaging 16.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 88.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a test game against Germany.

Thanks Manu for talking to germanhoops.com Belgium suffered a tough 87-83 loss. This game was very difficult to watch. Was this a typical first test in preparation for a big tournament?

Yes it was. There were a lot of mistakes on both sides. We had something like 10 turnovers in the first quarter. It was a great test for us, because we know Germany will be one of the top nations at the Euro. We know that we still have a lot to improve on.

A very weak first half by Germany as Belgium led 50-46. Do you feel Germany had the injury of Moritz Wagner on their minds as the bad news that he would miss the 2022 Euro as announced a few hours before the game

I had no idea of that news. It is always tough when you lose a player like that. Maybe they were thinking a bit about that.

Germany defended better in the second half and Daniel Theis finally woke up from his hibernation and made 3 big baskets down the stretch. Was that all Germany needed for the win?

I thought that Germany did a good job overall. They did a good job on ball screens. They still need to improve some things and were missing guys. But overal they closed out the game well and we made too many mistakes.

What was it like defending Dennis Schroeder? Was he still somewhere around 80% or was he just taking it easy at the start of the preparation?

I thought that he looked pretty aggressive on the court. He was trying to make plays for the team. He is so difficult to stop. He does a great job with his change of speed from slow to fast. He also draws fouls so well. I felt like I should of defended smarter. I had 4 fouls in like 15 minutes. But better now then at the Euro. It was a good test to play against him.

Franz Wagner was also a little rusty. He did make one sweet play driving and whipping a bullet kick out pass for three. What was your impression of him?

You could see that he is a great player. He had 23 points at the end. You could see that he really knows how to score. He also is still finding himself, but to play like that at this stage of the preparation is incredible.

Belgium last placed #19 at the 2017 European championships. How hot is the team to have a good 2022 Euro and how is this team different and better than then?

We have a new generation coming in. We like to play fast and controlled. I feel our biggest strength is our chemistry.

Recently you surprised Serbia 74-73 in a World Cup qualifying game. Do you believe that nations underestimating you could be a big plus for Belgium?

It is always a plus to be underestimated. But I feel like teams won’t do that. We have been showing too much that we are good for surprises. Teams may relax on us but they will see that we are capable of making a difference. We will be very competitive.

How important has head coach Dario Gjergja been for the current rise in the play of Belgium? Is he more a players coach or a guy that really stands for strict structure?

He has been huge. This will be his first Euro. We have a shot to qualify for the World Cup. He has had big wins with us. He is a player’s coach and believes in structure. I really like this balance. Every player knows their role.

Team Belgium in 2022 seems to have a lot of experience but few young players that are role players. Talk a little about some guys to watch for?

Two guys to watch for are Harris Bratanovic and Vrenz Bleijenbergh. Harris has done a great job coming in at the 5 position. He contributes well and also is still looking to blend in. Vrenz plays the 3 and also has been playing really well. He had a good game against Germany and is a very interesting player.

With yourself, Retin Obasohan, and Maxime De Zeeuw you have 3 top players. Do you guys feel pressure that you will have to score and perform at a top level each game to win?

We like the pressure and the challenge, but at the same time we have other guys that can also score. I’m not worried if I will be able to score or not, but moreover like the challenge.

Two guys that will also have to step up will be Quentin Serron and Alexandre Libert. How valuable are these players and what do you appreciate the most about their play?

They bring a lot of energy at both ends. Alex is a great shooter and brings those sniper qualities from the bench. Q is a great driver that always brings energy and can score.

I liked the play of Loic Schwartz. Could he be a key figure for the success of Belgium at the 2022 Euro?

Yes for sure. He had a great game against Germany. He can play the positions 1-3. He is a really good shooter, can create and play defense.

Group A is a very interesting one. One can’t say that Spain is a favorite to win it all. Then you have Turkey who are always dangerous and then other smaller basketball nations with Georgia, Montenegro and Bulgaria. Will it be beating Georgia and Montenegro be the key to advancing?

Yes for sure. We want to win the games we can. We have a tough group but love the challenge. We will be ready.

You had a very good season with Jonavos CBet (Lithuania-LKL): averaging 15.1ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-5 (4.5apg), FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 84.0%. How vital was this season for your mental health after your tough start to 20-21?

It was great. I needed the stability. It was great to have a good individual performance but also as a team. We moved up from second division and all thought we would go back, We finished fourth and qualified for Fiba Europe Cup. The fun part was that we did it together. It was great for my self-confidence.

Lithuania seems to be a league that suits you. You already finished strong in 20-21 there. How do you feel did your game grow in Lithuania?

My leadership improved. I was a go to guy that played against a lot of pressure. That really helped me prepare for the Euro. I think that I improved in many parts of my game.

It seems like your playmaking took real strides. You didn’t have those kind of assist rates since the G-League. Was your role more of being a facilitator?

Yes I was. I feel like my natural position is the point guard. I like to create for my team and play with speed and IQ. This was the first time I could show it. This was a great beginning for my career.

How much fun was it playing against Zalgiris 3 times. You lost the first 2 games easily but had good games, but saved your best for last scoring 33 points in an exciting 100-97 win. Was that one of your biggest wins as a pro?

Yes I think so. This win was huge. This was the first time we had ever beaten Zalgiris. It was a big achievement. In Lithuania everyone roots for Zalgiris.

What is your goal with your game with team Belgium at the Euro 2022? Do you feel like you can raise your game a bit more on this massive stage?

Yes I think I can. That is the goal. My first role is to be a service for the team. But at the same time I’m also very competitive. I want to match up against the best point guards and outplay them. I want to take my game to the next level.

How proud are you of your Baylor (NCAA) brother for reaching the NBA with the Phoenix Suns. Do you feel like he can raise his game to a new level in his second season?

I love Ish. He is a great teammate and player. It is crazy to see where he started and see that he is at the highest level now. I’m so happy for him. He really deserves it. I still see him improving in next years. He has always improved the last years. Sky is the limit for him.

Where do you rank Steph Curry currently in the talk of the best point guards of all-time?

He is top 5 all-time. I love his game. He is different than what the definition of a point guard is. He completely changed the game.

Thanks Manu for the chat.

Tags : EMMANUEL LECOMTE, JO