Chris Miller is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Brooklyn, New York that is playing his first season with German Regionaliga 2 team Giessen Pointers. He completed his rookie season in Germany with VfL Bensheim (2.Regionalliga). Before coming to Europe, he got semi-pro league experience in the states with the jamestown jackals. He played college ball at Salem international University and graduated in 2015. He spoke to German Hoops recently about his season with the Giessen Pointers.

Chris, thanks for talking to German Hoops. You’re playing your second season in Germany and first with the Giessen Pointers. Last season it was sheer excitement about playing the game you love. What kind of a feeling is it now playing your second season? Has the excitement calmed down a bit or is it still as much there?

Thank you for taking your time to interview me. I still play the game the same way, every day that I get to live out my dream is a blessing and I want to live it to the fullest. The excitement is still the same since I was 13 years old in my first organized game.

You had such a strong season last year with Bensheim, one would have thought you would make the next step to the Regionalliga or Pro B. Did you not get offers from higher teams and what is your goal as a player this season?

After the Season finished I did not have many contacts. Even though I had much success individually, my team did not do very well. In this profession you have to be a winner and I was given an opportunity to lead the Pointers to a championship this year. The offer from the Pointers was great. Under Coach Kostic I felt I could add a lot more aspects to my game before moving to the next level.

How do you stay on the ground now in your second season not taking your success for granted. Do you remind yourself that there are 1000´s of guys wishing they were in your shoes?

Growing up I was always the underdog. I always had to work hard for what I got. I have seen many people before me come and go because they got too comfortable on top. I always told myself I would continue to work hard no matter if I was number 1 or 15 on my team. I do not take it for granted at all. Seeing the guys wishing they were in my shoes also adds fuel to the fire but most of the fuel is from my own passion to be one of the best players I could be.

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Chris Miller is a 23 year old 193cm guard from Brooklyn, New York that completed his rookie season in Germany with VfL Bensheim (2.Regionalliga). Before coming to Europe, he got semi-pro league experience in the states with the jamestown jackals. He played college ball at Salem international University and graduated in 2015. He spoke to German Hoops about his rookie season in Germany and before he signed with the Giessen Pointers.

Chris thanks for talking to German HoopsWhere are you at the moment and how is professional basketball life treating you as a rookie.

Hello, and thank you for having me. I am Currently in New York City In the gym crafting my game for next season. I am blessed, I get to do what I love and earn money from it, not many people can say that.

You have had a long rookie season as you went through the Ron Howard Hoops program last season and prompt got signed by German rRgionaliga two team Bensheim. Did your rookie season full fill your expectations of what it would be like in your first professional season?

It was a long journey to get to VFL Bensheim but overall I am happy with the way I have handled this year. I came in with the mindset to prove that I belong in this profession and I believe I achieved that goal.

Bensheim finished in ninth place out of 12 team and had a 10-12 record. You had a great rookie season being the MVP. Did your great stat season help lessen the tension of having a losing season?

Our season was very rough. In the beginning we had a full team and were seen as a contender. As the year went on we lost 7 players and a coach. I had to increase my level of play tremendously for my team to have a chance to win. I was looked at to score a bulk of the points, defend, assist. Basically be the “MR. Everything ” of the team kind of like Russel Westbrook this year. The outcome doesn’t look pretty on paper, but given the situation I was put in I feel I did a pretty good job.

What do you feel was missing from the Bensheim team that could have ended the season higher up in the standings?

Even being under manned we still found a way to compete. One of our biggest problems was scoring. Almost the whole season the opposing team would play box and 1 denying me the ball. We had trouble punishing teams with when they did that. I feel if we had one more guy who could go get a basket and another big man we would of won the league no question.

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