RaiQuan Gray (203-F-1999, college: FSU) is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Ft Lauderdale playing his 5th professional season and second overseas and second with AEK BC Athens. He played his first 3 professional seasons in the G-League with Long Island and Austin and also played 3 NBA games with the Spurs and 1 with the Nets. He began his basketball career at Dillard High School and then played at Florida State (NCAA) from 2018-2021 and in 2021 was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets at #59 in the second round. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against Alba Berlin.

Thanks Raiquan for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second season with AEK BC Athens. What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

It has overall been very enjoyable. I have a new journey and it´s been a lot different to what I was used to from the States. I´m really happy playing for AEK BC Athens.

Has Athens become like a second home for you?

For sure. It took some time to get familiar with all, but it has been great. It is great competition and crazy fans. Greece is a very beautiful country.

Was there some culture shock at first coming from the smaller Ft Lauderdale?

Not as much. As soon as I got to understand everything, it was good. The people are all nice. The biggest adjustment was being ahead 7 hours to home.

The team is playing well and is in third place in the Greek first division standings. How enjoyable is the challenge of competing against the 2 Euroleague teams Panathinaikos and Olympiakos?

It´s been great. I´m a competitor and always want to play the top teams and measure up to them to see where I´m at. It is great competition. I have shown that I belong on that stage.

The team next battles the 3-0 Alba Berlin in the Basketball Champions League. Does AEK have what it takes this season to win a international title?

I think so. My primary purpose why I came back was too win the BCL. We as a team went so far last season and know what it takes to get so far. Now we want to win it. We feel like we have good chances to win. We want to build off our momentum and keep getting wins.

How valuable has a guy like ex NBA player James Nunally been for you? Is he like a mentor for you?

Yes for sure. He has been playing for a very long and has a great IQ. All ears are on him when he is speaking. He is a really good teammate and guy.

Your having solid seasons in both competitions. You’re a guy that fills the stat sheet really well. What exactly is your role on the team this season?

I do it all. I feel like that has always been my role. I´m a versatile player and can affect the game in many ways. If it means rebounding, scoring or defending the other team´s best player, I will do it.

Your almost averaging 4,0apg in the BCL. Have you been asked to be more of a facilitator in the BCL?

I think that I have always been a natural passer. Roles are always changing. Last season we had more of a passing center with Grant Golden and this season, I have been called upon to be more of a passing forward.

You never took many three´s in the G-League. Is incorporating a three pointer more into your game a goal of yours?

Yes I do. I want to have better three point shooting percentages. I think that I just need to take more reps and I´ll be fine.

You were overseas last season for the first time. What was your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I think it happened during a domestic game last season. I didn´t play in the second half. I didn´t have a good first half. I understood after that I needed to have a better focus and understanding of the game so I would play more. I needed to learn more about the game, but still be myself on the court.

You reached the BCL Final 4 beating French team Nanterre in an exciting 3 game series and then lost Malaga. What memories do you have of that run?

It was so electric. We hosted the Final 4 in Greece. The atmosphere was amazing and so were the fans. It was real high level hoops. One won´t really know what that feels like unless you were there. It was one of the best experiences in my life.

You played your first 3 pro seasons in the G-League and NBA. You played 4 NBA games and scored in double figures in 3 of them. Those are pretty unusual stats. Do you feel like you got a fair chance to show your game?

Not really. No one really ever asked me that question before. I never felt sorry for myself. I mean I feel like I did the most I could with the opportunity that was given to me. I feel like these times helped me grow. I couldn´t have asked for a better opportunity then.

You played your rookie season with the Long Island Nets averaging 7.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 20.3%, FT: 82.5%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie?

That first year showed me that I had to fix my habits and create good habits and be confident. I needed the right mind set and it made me hungrier.

In your second season you averaged 15.0ppg, 7.8rpg, 3.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 64.9%, but only played 4 minutes more than the season before. Did head coach Ronnie Burrell discover your scoring abilities?

I don´t know if he discovered it. I will always appreciate that he believed in me and let me be myself. I was aggressive and played with that chip on my shoulder. He saw something in me and pulled it out.

You were really consistent that season and didn´t get a call up until the end of the season. Was this another good example that politics rules the NBA business?

Possibly. A lot goes on behind the scenes that one can´t control. I just go out and take what´s given to me and do the best possible.

You made your NBA debut against the 76ers and had a fine game with 16/9/7 in 36 minutes. How much fun was that game? You were a bit in the shadow of Cam Thomas´s 46 points though.

It was a really cool moment. My family was there to witness it. I was actually home 2 days before my debut and then flew back to play. I knew before the game that I would play well. I knew since I was a little kid that I would be a NBA player one day. I had put in so much work. I was confident and ready to have a good game.

The next season you played with the at Austin Spurs (NBA G League) averaging 15.4ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 76.1% and played 3 NBA games with the Spurs. Once again you got called up at the end of the season. You won the last game against Detroit. What was your personal highlight from those 3 games?

I got extended minutes at Oklahoma City. I let it all out on the court. I hit shots early and felt good. I also had a solid game in Detroit. I was able to fit into a system and be myself around good players.

You were teammates with Victor Wembanyama and saw what he did then an dhow he has continued to develop. Where do you see his game being in 5 years?

He will be the best player in the NBA in 5 years. I saw what he could do behind closed doors. He had an incredible mentality and work ethic. He was different.

How big is your personal NBA goal? Guys have gone back after coming overseas.

My goal is still the NBA. I will never shut the door on the NBA dream. I´m 26 at the moment and not 30. I feel like I still have a small window open. If the opportunity ever presents it´s self then I´ll take it. Meanwhile I will keep building my resume overseas.

You played at Florida State from 2018-2021 and reached 2 NCAA Sweet 16´s. What loss was tougher? To Gonzaga or Michigan?

I think that Gonzaga was the tougher loss. I wasn´t ready for the moment. It was my first year in the NCAA- The game was super fast. We had the team to do it that year.

You had many great games at FSU including beating North Carolina twice as a senior. What was your fondest moment on the court?

It wasn´t my moment, but when Trent Forest dunked on Jordan Nwora against Louisville. We were #5 at that moment. It was the loudest that I ever heard the crowd.

How did head coach Leonard Hamilton groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He taught discipline early and gave me freedom. He taught me to be professional, take care of business and how to communicate. He held me accountable, but also allowed me to make mistakes and be able to learn from them and grow.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Malik Osborne?

I will take myself.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced on the court in your life that reached NBA?

Marvin Bagley and Zion Williamson.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Trent Forest, Terrence Mann, Justin Linder, DayRon Sharpe and Mfiondu Kabengele

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I didn´t see it.

Thanks Raiquan for the chat.

Brendan Temple (206-C-2000, college: Purdue NW) is a 206cm center from Colorado playing his second professional season and second with Racing Luxembourg (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) averaging 15,8ppg, 9,9rpg and 2,6apg. Last season he averaged 21.2ppg, RPG-5 (12.0), 3.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP-2 (60.4%), 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 66.7%. He began his basketball career at Douglas County high school and then played 4 seasons and 112 games for Carroll College (NAIA). In his last season there he averaged : 13.3ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 75.8%. He then played one more season with Purdue University Northwest (NCAA2) averaging 14.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 64.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Brendan for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second pro season overseas and second with Racing Luxemburg. Was it a no brainer to stay after helping the team move up to the first division?

Thanks for reaching out and yeah it was definitely an easy decision. I really liked my teammates and coaches, and I wanted to see what we could do together in the first league. On top of that, living in Luxembourg City has been a really nice experience, so it just made sense to come back.

You hail from beautiful Castle Rock that has a scenery many Americans would die for. What have you found beautiful in Luxemburg since arriving in late summer 2024?

I actually grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago in La Grange, Illinois. Moved to Castle Rock in high school and have been living there ever since. Since coming to Luxembourg, I’ve noticed how beautiful and clean the city is but the rolling green hills outside of the city are definitely underrated and remind me a little bit of Colorado.

You lost a tough test game in Germany to the Dragons Rhondorf. Germany is the place for basketball since years ever since Germany won world cup and now they are Euro champs. Is Germany on your bucket list to play in one day?

Yes, I’d definitely like to play in Germany one day. I liked the style of basketball there; it was physical and methodical, which I feel fits well with my own game.

Racing Luxemburg is a team that wants to make waves in the first division Luxemburg. Is the goal really only to stay in the league?

The goal is definitely bigger than just staying in the league. We want to turn some heads and make people change their opinion of the club. The focus is on making Racing prominent in the first league and showing that we belong at that level.

The team has many great veterans like home grown players Max Hilger and Steve Lanners. Does the team have the depth to remain in the league?

Yeah, I think the team definitely has the depth to stay in the league. We’ve got a group full of super competitive guys, and everyone knows their role and contributes to making winning plays for the benefit of the team. That kind of mindset is rare, but it’s also something you see in really good teams, and I feel like we have that here.

What has it been like being teammates with ultra veteran Antonnio Bivins? Was he like a mentor for you last season?

Tone has absolutely been a mentor for me. I’ve gone to him with all my questions, which is ironic because we have completely different play styles and energies. But when your teammate has had such a long and successful career, like he has, you tend to listen to what the man has to say. Having Tone help me with the start of my career has been a huge help.

Let´s talk a little about your game. You’re a 206cm center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Drew Timme

Is it fair to say you have some old school in you? You had nifty hook shots with both hands as well as a running hook shot and nice fade away jumper. It looks like you have watched quite a few players in your life.

I really developed that scoring touch in college. The hook shot became a go-to for me because it’s such an efficient way to score in the post while only needing a few dribbles. I’ve always watched college basketball more closely than the NBA, and since post play is such a big part of the college game, it stuck with me.

Name some players that you have watched over the years where you have soaked up things from?

NBA bigs that I have stolen things from are Kevin Love, Pau Gasol, Al Jefferson, and Jokic, just to name a few.

You take the three, but not that many. Are you working to incorporate more of a three pointer into your game?

Oh absolutely, becoming consistent from the three will open up my game and make me harder to guard.

What kind of a defender are you now as a pro player? Do you still classify yourself a bit raw? What kind of a defender would you like to still become?

Yeah, I know I can definitely improve on the defensive end. I have a good understanding of positioning off the ball and how to help my teammates, but I know I can still grow as a one-on-one defender. I want to be able to guard multiple positions well.

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

I’m trying to improve my three point and free throw. Getting more consistent in these areas will make me more well rounded.

Last season with Racing Luxembourg (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) you averaged 21.2ppg, RPG-5 (12.0), 3.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP-2 (60.4%), 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 66.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

In the basketball sense, it was the first game against Mess. I realized the game was much different than college and how the refs call the game. In the world sense, it was going to the grocery store and adjusting to the layout, different language, and food brands.

You had so many great games last season. You had 40 points against Bascharage and a massive 20/21 game against Soleuvre. Which of these 2 games was your favorite. Bivins once had a crazy 52/24 game against the latter.

The 40 point game against Bascharge. It was on my birthday.

You played 4 years at Carroll College (NAIA). How formidable were these years for your early basketball development under Kurt Paulsen? How did he help your game most?

My development at Carroll was not what I expected it to be. Believe it or not, I was a wing in high school, shooting the three and having very little post game. Then I got to Carroll and there were more talented guys playing on the wing. The opportunity for me to play was on the block. Coach Paulson developed my post game by teaching me how to finish through contact, having+ great footwork, and developing touch.

You reached the NAIA Elite 8 in 2021. What do you remember from that run? The team bowed out against SAGU:

It was one of my favorite college memories. My favorite game during that run was the round of 16 game against #2 William Penn. I think we were the #15 seed and the team really came together and played our best game of the year.

You had some great games against Providence MT with 27/17 and a 27/13 game against UMW. What was your fondest moment there?

The game against UMW was the first conference home game as a senior. So it was special to start the senior year with a good game and a win. After 3 years of being a role player it was nice to step up for the team.

You then finished at Purdue University Northwest (NCAA2) averaging 14.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 64.6%. You had no adjustment needed going from the NAIA to NCAA 2. How did your game grow that year?

I really credit it to Coach Boom. When I was looking for a new school he was clearly the coach that believed in me the most. He unlocked my game. At PNW, I was able to play make and impact the game from different areas of the court, not just in the paint. *

You had many great games in the NCAA 2. What memories do you have of your 15/5/7/1/1 game against GVSU where you had the game winning basket?

My favorite memory from that game wasn’t the game winner, but the possession prior when I threw a lob to Kalil Whitehead, who is probably the most athletic guy I have ever played with, who just threw it down to secure the lead.

How did head coach Boomer Roberts give you the last needed preparation in being able to turn professional?

Like I said earlier, the biggest thing Coach Boom did for me was give me confidence. He does this with all his players. He builds great relationships.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Dalton Gayman?

If it was on the block I would win in a 1v1 scenario but if it was taken anywhere outside the paint DG had my number.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

I played Scottie Pippen Jr quite a bit growing up and he has turned out to be an outstanding player.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Shamrock Campbell, Andrew Cook, Antonio Bivins, Jovan Sljivancanin, CJ Jackson

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Jokic, Tim Duncan, Steph Curry

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Wouldn’t know, haven’t seen it.

Thanks Brendan for the chat.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with Khyri Thomas in Frankfurt

Khyri Thomas (190-F/G-1996, college: Creighton) is a 29 year old 190cm guard playing his 8th professional season and first in Germany with the Syntainics MBC Weissenfels (BBL). He began his basketball career at Benson high school and alsomplayed at Fork Union Military academy. He then played 3 years at Creighton (NCAA). He then was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 38th draft pick. He then played 3 seasons in the NBA and G-League playing with the Pistons and Rockets in the NBA and with Grand Rapids and Austin in the G-League. He came overseas in 2021 and played in countries like Spain, Israel, and Turkey. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Khyri for talking to germanhoops.com. After stops in Israel, Spain and Turkey, your now in Germany with the SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

It’s been a decent journey so far, We have a great group of guys and staff has been very professional.

Your far away from big places like Detroit and Houston. Is it still a tough adjustment to off court things or is the quaintness of Weissenfels perfect to focus more on basketball?

I am not a very needy guy so adjusting isn’t a big problem at all. Learning new things each week about Germany is fun.

The SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL) are an incredible organization. They won the Fiba Europe Cup in 2004 and then had many not so successful years in the BBL and even moved down to division 2 and last season surprisingly won the German Cup. What is so special about this organization?

What’s special is the group of guys are very unselfish and all about winning. Which makes things a lot more fun and enjoyable.

The team have so many interesting guys like John Bryant a BBL legend in his 15th BBL season, a Spencer Reaves, the brother of NBA player Austin or Collin Welp the son of Chris who helped Germany win the 1993 Euro. There many more guys and then there is you the ex NBA player. How does your character add to the uniqueness of this years team?

I think just learning from each of those guys has made my style of play be great for the entire team.

From those guys I mentioned above or others, is there a player that has had the biggest impact on you this season?

I’d say Akeem Vargas or John Bryant have been most helpful and their IQ for the game is very amazing.

The team has great scoring balance as 6 guys are scoring in double figures in the BBL this season. In Frankfurt you had big shots in crunch time as did Marcus Foster. What exactly is your role on the team and can any guy be the go to guy on any night?

My role is to be best version of myself on the court and lead as well.

Last summer you played with the Calgary Surge (Canada-CEBL) averaging 8.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-3 (1.8spg), FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 77.8%. What kind of experience was it. The CEBL is a rising league. How did this experience help your game more than just being at home and working out?

Simply just getting back in shape from a hamstring injury and knowing how tough this league can be.

Last season you played with Socar Petkimspor (Turkey-BSL) averaging 14.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 70.4%. That was your second tour of duty in Turkey. You lost a tough playoff series against Fenerbahce being swept. What was so tough getting over the hump in that series?

We overcame a lot that season but a team like with that much talent and experience is always challenging.

How tough was the 2022-2023 season? You began in Turkey with Tofas Bursa but then stopped palying for personal reasons, but returned later in the season to Hereda San Pablo Burgos (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 10.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 86.5%. You had to play in division 2. What did you learn about yourself in this season?

That season was extremely fun and going to championship was a huge confidence boost for me personally.

In Burgos you were teammates with Rasid Mahalbasic, a very unique player that had amazing seasons in the German BBL and had a string of triple doubles. Was that one of the most versatile bigs that you played with so far overseas?

Too many to name honestly.

In your first season overseas you split time with RETAbet Bilbao Basket (Spain-Liga ACB) and with Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv (Israel-Winner League) averaging 7.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 36.8%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 80.0%; and 3.5ppg, 2.2rpg in the Euroleague. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Just score and try to get back into the NBA.

How big of a learning lesson was the stay in Tel Aviv? You played in the Euroleague, but overall witnessed that you can´t just jump in and expect 30 minutes. How did that stay help you adjust to the ballers life overseas?

To simply stay ready and control what you can control.

You had some amazing teammates in Tel Aviv with Derrick Williams, Scottie Wilbekin and James Nunnally. Was a guy like Williams a mentor for you for your first season overseas?

Absolutely, those guys were very professional, extremely talented, and very welcoming.

You played your rookie season with the Detroit Pistons (NBA) playing 29 games averaging 2.6ppg. What do you remember being your wake up call being a rookie in the NBA?

Control what I can control is all I could do.

You had some real veterans on the team at the guard position like Ishmael Smith and Wayne Ellington. Was one of these guys or someone else like a mentor for you in your rookie season?

Ish Smith was always in my ear and teaching me things.

In your second pro season you played 6 NBA games and 2 G-League games. How tough was this season for you? How tough is it in general to continuing to make a name in the NBA when you can´t show your abilities? Does one lose the footing that one had established in your rookie season? Each season new young guys are coming into the league?

I understood it was a business and nothing personal. Just hooped like always.

In your third pro season and last in the NBA you played 5 games for Houston and 7 in the G-League. How tough was this season during Covid? Was Covid another experience that derailed your attempt to continue to try to establish yourself in the NBA?

Just keep trying to prove I deserve a chance to showcase my talent.

What was the best example that you saw in your 3 years in the NBA where you saw first hand that the NBA will always be a business first?

Just being able to watch veterans be so professional was truly amazing and unforgettable.

You played against so many great players like Dirk Nowitzki, Shai Gillgeous-Alexander Devin Booker or Chris Paul in the NBA, Was there one meeting on the court with a player that you will never forget?

I barely played so I just walked back to the locker rooms honestly.

You played 3 seasons at Creighton (NCAA) and 102 games. You made big jumps in your game each season. How did your game grow in those 3 years?

Locking in mentally and going at the other top guys we played against.

What do you remember from the great NIT Elite 8 run where you beat Alabama and Wagner but lost to BYU?

That was a huge jump in my role for the team going into the next season.

You then reached 2 NCAA tournaments losing to Kansas State and Rhode Island. What memories do you have of the big dance? S What was missing from going further?

Playing with with guys whose last year ended in that type of game and environment.

You had so many great games like against Depaul and St Johns in your senior year. What was your fondest moment on the court in the NCAA?

Simply winning the games and enjoying them with family friends and teammates.

How did head coach Greg Mcdermott groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Treated me like a son of his own. Couldn’t ask for more of him.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Marcus Foster?

ME!!

Who is the toughest player that you have faced in your career?

Marcus Foster!!

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Not fair to the rest of guys I’ve got to play with.

Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant.

Who is your Goat?

Kawhi Leonard

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I have not seen it. Couldn’t tell sorry but most people I know didn’t like the sequel.

Thanks Khyri for the chat

Pic credit: Fiba

The first time I realized that some famous athlete shared the same birthday as mine of September 20 was in grade school. He wasn´t a basketball player, but a NHL legend with Guy Lafleur. He was also my first favorite player as his grace on the ice was mesmerizing as was his free flowing blond hair as he raced to the goal with his scoring and playmaking skills. Later when I was covering basketball in 2006, I noticed that Braunschweig guard Ashanti Cook was also born on my birthday day. It hasn´t been many, but for the research of this piece, I also came upon other notable people from the basketball world like like Donatas Motiejunas, Nathan King and Kyle Anderson and the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics Red Auerbach as well as people like Sophia Loren, Gary Cole and Kristen Johnson all known in Hollywood. When I was researching for my next article for Musa Abra (179-PG-2006), I came across that blessed day of mine of September 20 with the young talented German player Musa Abra. “My best gift ever was a bracelet that I received for my 18th birthday. I would like to get a dog”, smiled Musa Abra. He is a player I have seen play the last years in the pro B as his minutes and skills have grown every season. His play was noticed by the German basketball federation as he was able to compete at the last U-19 World Cup where he earned an incredible Silver medal. He has always been a late bloomer, but his game is finally coming together. He has massive goals and one of many young German players to keep an eye on in the next years. USA is the long term goal of Musa Abra as College and The NBA are on his bucket list.

The 19 year old German who names Christian Anderson and Calvin Wishart as his toughest players he has battled in his career so far found his way to the orange basketball through his 2 sisters who inspired him to play. Another friend also began to play which began their love for the game at age 10. His first 2 basketball inspirations were Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose while his father was a mentor for him. He began with the Basket Lowen U-10 team and played for the Gotha Rockets in the U-16 and for the Basketball Lowen U-19 team. He found love right away for the Basketball Lowen Erfurt that he was never tempted to go anywhere else. “Everything around the court was special. The staff, medicals, volunteers and what I enjoyed the most, are the fans who never give up on u”, said Musa Abra. He began to play for the Lowen NBBL team in the 2022-2023 season averaging 5.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 3.4apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 90.0% and also played 12 Pro B games. His minutes kept rising in the Pro B from 13 to 21 and he averaged 3,0ppg in the pro B and in the NBBL 16.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 4.8apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 26.2%, FT: 72.1%. His minutes rose again last season to 30+as he had his real pro B break through last season averaging 10.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 73.3% and in the NBBL was a top player averaging 20.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.9apg, 3.3spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 79.6%. His game grew every season. “I think I got way more comfortable in playing my position, my confidence got higher over the time and I think I got much stronger body wise”, said Musa Abra. He also was very fortunate to have had 2 great guards with American Tyseem Lyles and German Jan Heber that helped with his game through the years. “Both of them are really great players. I was always able to learn a lot from both players. From Tyseem, I learned a lot about his approach to training, and from Jan, I learned how to lead a team”, stated Musa Abra.

The German who names Guy Landry Edi, Jan Heber, Tyseem Lyles, Noah Kamdem, Paul Albrecht, and Mike Mitchell Jr as his best teammates of all-time is now in his fourth pro B season and has seen the misfortune of the club in the last 3 years. The ambitions of the Lowen organization have always been massive as the Pro A is a big goal. However the results in the playoffs were never good. The club lost in the quarterfinals the last 3 years and have a 1-6 record in those games against Koblenz, Wolmirstedt and Paderborn. “I think it was down to us every time. We didn’t play with complete confidence at the decisive moments, which then cost us the game”, remembered Musa Abra. This season the club is currently moving in a direction where the club won´t make the playoffs. The club allows more points than what it makes which has cost them too many games. “I think we lack energy on both ends. We got beaten way too often in one on one situations and conceded a lot of points as a result. And even though we were the better team offensively, we still lost most of the time because of that. I still believe we will correct this problem in a short time”, commented Musa Abra. Lyles and Heber have departed the club, but he has great teammates with Paul Albrecht who is in his third season with the Lowen and rookie guard Mike Mitchell who are both players from which the young German can soak up much from. “ I think Paul is a very important piece in our offense. He can pass, he can shoot and he can finish under the basket. With a player like that in the offense, you can play very creatively. I really enjoy playing alongside Mike on the court. He is a very good shooter and is also very good at creating for himself. This draws defense to him and allows him to find his open teammates, or he takes the shot himself”, expressed Musa Abra.

So what kind of a player is Musa Abra exactly who lists Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar on his NBA Mount Rushmore and Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Detlef Schrempf on his German Mount Rushmore? Some players develop quicker as others as a Ivan Kharchenkov who is a freshman at Arizona (NCAA) was already a top Pro B player at age 16 while Abra developed differently. “You could say that I’m a late bloomer, as I’ve only developed physically and as a basketball player in recent years, while others were already much further ahead much earlier on”, said Musa Abra, He is a 187cm point guard that compares his game as a mix between Sylvain Francisco and Maodo Lo. He is a scoring point guard who can also find his teammates with ease, but also understands that he wants to continue to improve his playmaking skills. “I think scoring and being aggressive is a really big strength I have. But for me it is also important to get my assist rate higher”, added Musa Abra. But if one thinks he is all about making an impact on the offensive end, he is just as capable as making an impact on the defensive end. “ Defending is also a big part of my game, full court or one on one. I think situations like closeouts and staying in front of my man are one of my strengths”, warned Musa Abra. Scoring is something that he has continued to improve the last years and knows what other areas of his game are most important to improve now. “I want to improve my passing abilities but also in taking care of the ball in every situation”, said Musa Abra.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Musa Abra in Frankfurt in 2025

The scoring point guard who lists Michael Jordan as His GOAT in the past and Lebron James as his present GOAT celebrated his biggest success so far in his young career with winning a silver at the 2025 U-19 World Cup with Germany. “It was a great thing, especially with this team. And it gave me the motivation to work on myself even harder”, said Musa Abra. He had incredible teammates like Christian Anderson and Hannes Steinbach who are currently playing in the NCAA and possible NBA draft picks in 2026 and others like Jack Kayil, Declan Duru and Eric Reibe who also are massive promising prospects. Unfortunately for him, he didn´t get big minutes. He actually only accumulated a total of 20 minutes in 5 games, but wouldn´t have traded the experience for anything. “I leaned to stay ready in every second of the game. Your chance will come even if it´s frustrating”, stressed Musa Abra. Even if Germany stayed with USA well for the first half, they completely collapsed in the second half as their athleticism totally overpowered Germany. He played 2 minutes against Team USA and saw future NBA draft picks play. Does he feel like his game is so far away from future NBA guys like Dybantsa and Peat? “I think my game isn´t so much far away from them. They are quality wise, body wise and mental wise better than me. But If work hard enough over the next years, then I can get even closer to their level”, warned Musa Abra. His teammate Jack Kayil who is having his BBL break through season with Alba Berlin is another guy where there is possible NBA buzz brewing. He knows how valuable the weeks were with him last summer and knows how good his chances would be in a 1-1 duel in practice. “Jack is great player but also a really good team leader. I think leading a team is a quality from him I can learn from. If I make all my shots and if we play make it take it, it could be a close game“, expressed Musa Abra. Is the NCAA a goal for him in the future and is he more of a NBA or Euroleague guy? “College Is the goal for me for the next years and my biggest goal is to play in the NBA”, warned Musa Abra. It seems like the German march to the NBA will continue in the next years with so many great German talents. Why not another one with Musa Abra? The German wave of young prospects has never been as strong and as exciting as now.

Zac Watson (201-F-2000, college: Longwood)s a 26 year old 201cm forward playing his third pro season and first in Germany with the RheinStars Cologne currently averaging 5,1ppg and 3,4rpg. Last season he played with BK Ventspils (Lat-Est BL) averaging 11.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 80.2%. He split his rookie season with Frederick Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 15.2ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 49.2%, 3FGP: 24.6%, FT: 73.0%, in Mar.’24 moved to Kordall Steelers Rodange (Luxembourg-LBBL) averaging 20.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 75.0%. He began his basketball career at Liberty high school and then played 2 seasons at the University of California Riverside (NCAA) averaging 6.1ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 50.8% and 2.8ppg, 3.0rpg. He then moved to Longwood College (NCAA) playing 3 seasons and 94 NCAA games averaging 5.7ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 57.1%, 7.7ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 56.1%, FT: 80.7% and 7.5ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 78.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Zac for talking to germanhoops.com. After stops in Cyprus, Luxemburg and Latvia, your now playing in Germany. Would you call yourself a young basketball globetrotter?

Nice to talk with you Miles! And yeah I guess you could say that. I’ll be playing in my 4th country in 3 years, and being a globetrotter hasn’t necessarily been my goal but I’ve enjoyed it.

It seems like you are having to pay your dues overseas. What has personally been your biggest challenge with mastering everything overseas on a daily basis?

I would say the biggest thing has been playing with consistency. I’m showing that I can play with anyone, but the great players always play consistently. There is less room to be able to just write games off as ‘eh, just a bad game.’

Your playing your first pro season in Germany with the RheinStars Cologne. Have you had any former teammates or opponents play in Germany over the years?

I have a former teammate that will also be playing in German ProA this year actually, Miles Tention. I’m sure there will be other guys playing in Germany I have crossed paths with before that I just don’t know about yet.

What was most appealing to you with this organization? They have a very rich history.

It was really a combination of things that drew me to the RheinStars. The team is on an upswing in the last couple years, obviously with the promotion back up to Pro A for this season. Talking with coach Stephan also gave me great confidence in the decision but overall it’s a historic team in a historic city and I’m excited to take advantage of the opportunity.

How did the talks go with Stephan Baack? Did you know that he is a German basketball legend?

Yeah like I mentioned, speaking with Coach Stephan was a big factor in helping me choose to play for RheinStars. He’s very easy to talk to, honest, and knowledgeable. I didn’t know he’s a legend though. I’ll have to ask him about that.

What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

He’s very in tune with how the game is going, in the sense of playing with pace, attacking early, and putting players in multiple positions. I will obviously know more when I get involved with the team, but I can tell that coach has a great basketball mind.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

Aaron Gordon, Rui Hachimura are guys I see myself playing like. Originally guys that were athletic forwards but have continued to improve their shots and playmaking.

You’re a physical and athletic player that gives his team many things. Talk about your biggest strengths on offense?

I’d say my biggest strength offensively is my versatility, being able to fit quickly into different schemes and make the right reads. Shooting and attacking in transition are coming as well.

Your three pointer still seems to be a work in progress. How have you seen the development of your three pointer overseas? What is your biggest goal in Germany with your three pointer?

Yeah it’s encouraging to see the improvements happening from year to year. First it was being comfortable taking them, then hitting open ones consistently, and now hitting more difficult shots or over a contest if necessary. I want to shoot 40% from 3 again this year and be a real threat.

You also have a very good defensive game and can block shots well for your size. What kind of a defender would you call yourself now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I feel like I anticipate the game very well. That helps me stay in position and be a solid defender. I also take on the challenge in defending guards on switches in the half court. Being able to guard multiple positions is huge.

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

I’m focused on my ball handling much more now. Making multiple moves and playing against pressure specifically. That and shooting on the move.

Last season you played with BK Ventspils (Latvia-LBL) averaging 6.7ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 75.9%; and in the Lat-Est BL averaged 11.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 80.2%. What was it like playing for one of Latvian’s best known basketball organizations? What was your fondest moment there?

I really loved my time in Ventspils. I learned and grew a lot as a player with coach Fogels, and they’re a great organization to play for. My proudest moment has to be sweeping Zelli to get to the LBL finals. But even day to day I loved working with the guys on the team and I enjoyed the little things like the road trips and just hanging out.

During the season you played an incredible 9 times against VEF Riga. How crazy was that? I’m sure at the end you knew every move by Cleary and Lawrence.

Yeah that was my first time experiencing something like that. I always wondered what it was like for NBA guys to get to Game 7’s in a playoff situation. But yeah you get to know the other team really well and like I spoke about before that’s where being consistent is the most important because you’re not catching anyone by surprise.

You split your rookie season with Frederick Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 15.2ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 49.2%, 3FGP: 24.6%, FT: 73.0%, in Mar.’24 moved to Kordall Steelers Rodange (Luxembourg-LBBL) averaging 20.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 75.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

I don’t know if there was a specific time where I had that realization, but a handful of little moments. Just kind of a small feeling of being alone. The days of grinding overseas can add up just like any job, but being away from friends and family has an added weight.

How vital was this season in your career? You had come from the NCAA as a guy that never averaged more than 7,0ppg and then bang in 2 countries was a main scoring guy. What did you learn from this season?

My rookie season was huge for me. It was a struggle but it was very necessary. I had to put in long hours to make that transition to a wing more so than an undersized big. Having the ball in my hands was crucial for that to happen.

You played at the University Of Riverside (NCAA) from 2018-2020 averaging 6.1ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 50.8% and 2.8ppg, 3.0rpg. Your minutes dipped from 18 to 12 in your last season. What positives could you get from this experience and how did your game develop there?

It was a wake up call that basically just showed me I needed to work harder. That’s really it. I needed to find another opportunity, but also work harder and get better.

In your freshman season you scored 25 points in a blow out win against Bethesda. What memories do you have of that game?

I don’t remember that much about that game to be honest. I do remember hitting a few 3’s which back then was out of character lol. But it kind of felt good to see it’s at least possible to score like that with time.

You then finished and played 3 years at Longwood College (NCAA) averaging 5.7ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 57.1%, 7.7ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 56.1%, FT: 80.7% and 7.5ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 78.7%. How important were these 3 years for you? Was it one of your best basketball decisions?

I would make the decision to play at Longwood 10/10 times again. Statistically they were all very similar years but I progressed a lot mentally at Longwood.

You won the Big South title in 2022. What memories do you have of beating Winthrop and then playing at March Madness against Tennessee?

I remember getting to the championship game and being so confident in us winning I had no worries going into the game. We put so much work in that year it was only right. Then playing Tennessee, okay, we lost by a lot but only so many people can say they played in a March Madness game. The experience was worth it.

How did Griff Aldrich prepare you best for a pro career?

The most valuable teaching I got from coach Griff was how to approach practices. You need to practice in October thinking about March, or in a pro season, April or May when playoffs start. He was always adamant about noticing complacency and addressing it. He taught me how to really be aware of my habits and my daily mindset.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Michael Christmas?

We actually never played 1 on 1 games like that. For a lot of the time we were at Longwood together he was hurt. But today, it could go either way.

Who is the toughest player that you ever battled that reached the NBA?

A few guys from Dallas I played against growing up are in the NBA now. Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Maxey. Good guys. Another guy is Mason Jones who is with Sacramento right now.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

It’s impossible to pick just 5. But I’ll say Leslie Nkereuwem, Jordan Perkins, Nate Lliteras, Dragan Elkaz, and Isaiah Wilkins

Please list your personal NBA, German and Serbian Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Personal: LeBron, MJ, Curry, and Shaq

German: Dirk, Schroder, Hartenstein has been good lately, and the Wagner brothers I guess. I don’t know too many German players off the top of my head.

Serbia: Jokic, Peja Stojakovic, Bogdanovic, and Vlade Divac

Who is your Goat?

LeBron easily

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

I’ve never seen the sequel so I can’t really speak on it honestly lol

Thanks Zac for the chat.

Pic Credit: Jan Pawliczek

2025 Was a very exciting time for young German players with the influx to the NCAA. So many took the trek across the Atlantic with heavy prospects like Ivan Kharchenkov, Hannes Steinbach, Declan Duru and Johan Grunloh to just name a few. The last months remained very exciting as many have taken the NCAA by storm winning and putting up great numbers. However not every talented German took this step as some have stayed in Germany to use other options and advantages. One of those guys is talented guard Jonathan Zeisberger who took the jump from IBAM to Pro B team TSV Oberaching Tropics. The Pro B is a different route than the NCAA, but still a respectable one where guys can get good minutes and prepare themselves for higher leagues playing against men. The young German has exploded this season putting up astronomical scoring numbers. He is displaying that he had no problems taking that next step form the youth league NBBL to the Pro B. Whereas other German guys are taking the NCAA by storm, he is doing very well in the Pro B and knows that there will be fruitful opportunities down the road. I want to keep improving, and for the future, I‘m keeping all options open. The NCAA and college basketball are definitely an option, but playing in Pro A or BBL would also be really exciting”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger (185-PG-2006) He recently got a double license to play with Pro A team Bayreuth as he continues to climb the basketball ladder.

The scoring guard who lists Ivan Kharchenkov as his toughest opponent so far in his career was born on September 30th, 2006 in Germany. As is so often the case when your young, soccer was his first option as a kid and not basketball. He played on a soccer team with his friends, but soon basketball did follow when he was 8 years old. His mother played professionally and introduced him to the sport. His older brothers also played and basketball soon became a sport that he adored. His earliest basketball inspiration was his family, but he also had one special player that really motivated him. “The player who inspired me the most was James Harden. I loved his creativity, his scoring ability, and the way he controlled the game”, said Jonathan Zeisberger He began his basketball career at TSV Olching where his mom was also a coach. He then joined IBAM where he would develop his game a lot the last years. The most famous players to ball at Ibam where the Da Silva brothers Oscar and Tristan who reached the Euroleague and NBA. “Playing at IBAM was really awesome, definitely a great experience. I had really great coaches like Darryl Siegel, Georg Eichler and Danilo Barthel who guided me and helped me develop my game. Tristan and Oscar Da Silva weren‘t really role models for me because they played different positions than I do. Of course, I have followed their path and they made great moves in their careers, but I mainly looked up to Joshua Obiesie”, stated Jonathan Zeisberger

Pic credit: Jan Pawliczek

The big German talent who lists Philipp Bode, Matija Milosevic, Nedzad MuratovicPeter Zeis, and Frederik Müller as his 5 best teammates of all-time is a player who saw the big name FC Bayern Munich as surely tempting to play for, but it simply never happened. “FC Bayern was the big rival, of course, but I never thought about playing for them. There was a contact, and at times it wasn’t easy with IBAM and the coaches, but I‘m really happy I stayed with my team and stayed loyal to IBAM”, smiled Jonathan Zeisberger He made big strides in the last 2 years averaging 29 minutes and averaging 13ppg and 18ppg as his game developed very nicely. “I would say my game improved a lot. Getting a lot of minutes in the NBBL at IBAM helped me build confidence, and I always had my own team around to support me. I also spent many hours in the gym over the past two years to get better”, said Jonathan Zeisberger Of course he will never forget his special and challenging battles against Munich in the NBBL and even beat them 89-85 in his first try. “Beating Bayern was an amazing feeling. After long preparation time for the new season you want to know where you are as an individual and the team. That was a great start”, added Jonathan Zeisberger He then did the trick beating them again as they had Marco Volf and Dominik Dolic and had a stronger roster. He had more of a role in the win. “Our team was also stronger, the plays worked better and for me as the playmaker the systems were better to handle. I celebrate my own points, but there is nothing better than well studied and executed plays with the team. Winning against them again, with Marco Volf and Dominik Dolic on a stronger roster, was amazing. I played a bigger role in the team this time, so it felt really good to help make that win happen”, smiled Jonathan Zeisberger In the playoffs Ibam was swept by FC Bayern Munich and this was the first time in the NBBL that he battled Ivan Kharchenkov. He had 24 and 35 points and Zeisberger had 18 and 22 points. They were the 2 best players on the court. “Playing against Ivan Kharchenkov is really cool because he‘s such a great player. I‘ve actually known him for a long time – we played against each other back in U12, when he was at Landsberg and I was at Olching, and we also often faced each other in the school team games. But I don‘t try to copy his game or measure myself against him; I just focus on playing my own game”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger Last season in the NBBL he lost to Ulm in the playoffs. Ibam always had good teams the last 2 years but couldn´t get to the Top 4. What was missing from making that next step? “We faced a few injuries during the end of the season, and Bayern and Ulm were some of the best teams, so they were really tough to beat. That made it challenging for us to reach the top four”, remembered Jonathan Zeisberger He also played for Regionalliga 1 team MTV Schwabing. This was also something that was vital in his development being able to play with men instead of only boys. “Playing for MTSV Schwabing in Regionalliga 1 was a really valuable experience because I got to play against older and more experienced teams. It helped me develop my game, face tougher competition, and learn a lot from my teammates and coaches”, expressed Jonathan Zeisberger Even if he never reached the NBBL Top 4, his time there was one that he ´ll never forget. “ My fondest moment with IBAM was definitely the NBA showcase tournament in Senegal. That experience was amazing – the competition, the atmosphere and being there with my teammates made it truly unforgettable”, said Jonathan Zeisberger

The German who lists Stephen Curry, James Harden, Lebron James and Nikola Jokic on his NBA Mount Rushmore and Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, Dirk Nowitzki and Isaac Bonga on his German Mount Rushmore found a new challenge this season as he is playing for Pro B team TSV Tropics Oberaching. Was it a tough decision coming to Oberaching? “This decision wasn’t as easy as it looks like now. I was talking to a couple of other great teams about minutes and being their supportive point guard. It also involved the decision to leave home for a uncertain game plan. In the end I choose Oberhaching because playing time is the most important thing for me. I didn‘t want to sit on the bench – I want to play. I had a really good conversations with Mario Matic and everything just felt right”, said Jonathan Zeisberger The club is grinding hard battling for a playoff place despite having lost key veterans Omari Knox and Janosch Koegler. “Of course, it‘s unfortunate that Omari Knox isn‘t playing with us anymore, but Koegler is back in the roster. The strong team chemistry is definitely one big reason why we‘re doing so well. We focus on playing easy basketball, and we mostly play with the same group of players with very little rotation”, commented Jonathan Zeisberger He needed no adjustment period to the Pro B as he is currently has 24/2/5/1 stats. His impressive play sure makes his decision to join the Tropics brilliant. “Joining Oberhaching was the best decision. I‘ve never had so much fun playing basketball, and everyone there is really, really cool. I have the best teammates around me. Even so it’s not a big team, I can develop and strengthen my game with them. I have taken my confidence over to the new season in Pro B, because I was used to the same role at IBAM. At Oberhaching, I immediately got the trust of Mario Matic, and I‘m very grateful for that. I basically have the same role as I had before, and I love to guide the team and take responsibility in tight situations”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger I also don´t remember seeing a German guard dominate the Pro B as much as he has as he has had 8 games with 30 or more point games including 34 points against Coburg and Speyer. It seems like I checking the box scores every weekend to see if he scored 30 + points again. He is also averaging the most assists in his career. Did he always know that he had that playmaker in him? “I‘ve always known that I have good court vision and can play good passes. Now at Oberhaching, I just have the teammates who can really score with these assists, which makes a big difference”, stated Jonathan Zeisberger He also has been blessed to have the ultimate freedom from head coach Mario Matic to allow him to perform the way he has. “Mario Matic is definitely one big factor in why I‘m playing so well right now. He gives me a lot of trust, and that really helps me perform on the court”, said Jonathan Zeisberger

pic credit: Jan Pawliczek

The 19 year old 185cm guard who lists Lebron James as his GOAT is a player that has garnered quite a lot of comparisons to Euroleague players like Shane Larkin who has left the tongue of Mario Matic on occasion. “It‘s actually true, because Shane Larkin is also one of my favorite players, and I think our games are quite similar. I also really like Mike James and Matthew Strazel and the way the play. In the end I want to develop my own style and my own game to take speed and execution to the next level”, said Jonathan Zeisberger He loves basketball and received a special nickname with the Tropics with the refrigerator. “It‘s really funny. I got the nickname refrigerator at Oberhaching because the only thing I do is basketball. I train in the morning and the evening and between the sessions they see me in the refrigerator to wait for the next session. Philipp Bode called me that because all I do is train and wait for the next session”, laughed Jonathan Zeisberger When looking at his explosive stats, one sees him first as that great offensive player. His biggest strengths are attacking the basket, his mid-range shot, and finding passes to his teammates, but he also has demonstrated zeal and skills as a defensive player. “ I think my defense is actually good. I can stay in front of my man and make it hard for him to score, but in the future, I want to become an even better defender”, warned Jonathan Zeisberger He knows that in order to make that next step as a player, he will have to continue to grind in the gym. “Right now, I‘m focusing a lot on my shooting to make it even more consistent. I want to become quicker in the decision making process with the ball, take shots more easily, fake plays and make it harder to defend me”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger It will be interesting to see where his journey will go next season. I personally would like to see him remain in Germany. Germany simply needs some really good German players stay at home. Enough German prospects have developed great here and continued to go their ways. Jonathan Zeisberger will definitely go down the right path no matter what he picks.

pic credit: Jakob Berger

Declan Duru (203-F-2007) is a 19 year old 0cm forward that is playing his first season at the University of Texas (NCAA). He played the last years in the Real Madrid organization. He won the Gold medals at the U-16 and U-18 European championships and a silver at the U-19 World Cup. He spoke last summer to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Declan for talking with germanhoops.com. You played with the Real Madrid organization the last years. How enriching of an experience was this? What will you never forget about this experience?

Playing with the Real Madrid organization over the last few years has been an incredible experience. One of the things I’ll never forget is getting the opportunity to train with the first team. Being around such high-level players every day challenged me to raise my game and learn from the best. The professionalism, intensity, and attention to detail in those sessions were on another level. It taught me what it takes to compete at the highest stage and helped me grow both on and off the court. That experience really shaped my work ethic and my mindset moving forward.

Last season you played 1 ACB game and 1 Euroleague game. The competition must be incredibly difficult. You played for Jesus Mateo and other coaches in the youth sector and EBA. Was there a coach that had a big impact on you?

Coach Javier Juarez in the youth sector really helped me develop confidence and versatility. He believed in my potential early.

You practiced a lot with great players like Hezonja, Garuba and Guerschon at your position. Which player had the biggest impact on you last season?

Training with players like Mario Hezonja and Usman Garuba last season was a fantastic experience. Mario, in particular, had the biggest impact on me. He helped me a lot on the court, teaching me valuable skills and how to stay confident under pressure. In return, I helped him improve his German, which was already pretty good but got even better over time. Beyond that, we became very good friends, and that mutual support made the whole experience even more meaningful.

How has your game grown in the last 3 years playing in the Real Madrid organization?

It’s grown a lot. I learned to think the game on a higher level. The pace, physicality, and professionalism at Madrid changed the way I approach every training.

You won ANGT in 2024 and was teammates with Hugo Gonzalez. How special of a player was he? I think he could be big steal for Boston Celtics in 2025 NBA Draft.

Winning the ANGT in 2024 was an unforgettable experience, and playing alongside Hugo Gonzalez made it even more special. Hugo is an incredibly talented player — he has great skill, basketball IQ, and the kind of competitiveness that lifts the whole team. I agree, he definitely has the potential to be a big steal for the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA Draft. His work ethic and ability to perform in big moments really set him apart, and I’m excited to see where his career goes.

You will play at the University of Texas. You are going the route of so many young players. Why did you choose Texas?

Choosing the University of Texas was a decision that felt right for me both on and off the court. Texas has a great basketball program with a strong tradition and an exciting coaching staff that really believes in developing players. Beyond that, the culture and environment felt like a place where I could grow not just as a player but also as a person. I’m excited to be part of a team that competes at a high level and to take my game to the next stage while getting a good education. Following the path of other young players who have thrived there was definitely inspiring.

Texas is the same school as Kevin Durant went to? Do you see yourself playing more years there or taking this more as a chance to help your NBA draft chances?

Yeah, Texas is the same school Kevin Durant played at, which definitely adds something special. Knowing that someone like him came through that program and went on to have such an incredible career is really inspiring. For me, going to Texas is about both I want to help the team win and grow as a player, but I also see it as an important step toward reaching the NBA.

Right now, my focus is just on getting better every day, adapting to the college game, and contributing in any way I can. Whether I stay for one year or more depends on my development and what makes the most sense when the time comes. I’m just taking it step by step, but I know Texas is the right place to prepare me for that next level.

Who is the toughest player that you have battled so far in your career that reached the NBA?

I’ve faced some really talented players who’ve made it to the NBA, but three that stand out are Egor Demin, Tristan da Silva, and Hugo Gonzalez. Each one challenged me in a different way. Hugo Gonzalez was probably the most intense to go up against. We were teammates at Real Madrid, so we battled a lot in practice. He’s super athletic, physical, and plays with a lot of energy. Every possession felt like a real game he pushed me every day to bring my best. Demin is incredibly skilled for his size. He’s so smooth with the ball, sees the floor really well, and can hurt you in a lot of ways scoring, passing, defending. You always had to be locked in when playing against him because he can shift the game so quickly. Tristan da Silva is a bit older, but I’ve had chances to learn from watching and working around him. He’s super versatile, he plays smart, doesn’t force things, and just knows how to take advantage of mismatches. You see how mature and efficient his game is, and it really shows what it takes to succeed at the next level. Competing with and learning from players like them has helped me a lot in my own development mentally and physically.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

That’s a tough question because I’ve had the chance to play with a lot of great teammates, but if I had to pick my top five, I’d go with:

Hugo Gonzalez – We were teammates at Real Madrid and won the ANGT together. He’s a fierce competitor, super athletic, and brings intensity every time he steps on the court. We had a strong connection both in games and in practice.

Ivan Kharchenkov – We’ve been playing together since I was about 10 or 11. He’s one of my closest friends and someone who’s pushed me since day one. Playing alongside him in the German youth system really shaped who I am as a player.

Egor Demin – Egor is such a high-IQ player. His size and skill make him so unique, and he has that calmness on the court that lifts the whole team. Being his teammate at Real Madrid helped me see the game in a different way.

Mario Hezonja – Training with Mario was a big moment in my development. He taught me a lot, especially about staying confident and sharp under pressure. We became good friends too, which made learning from him even more meaningful.

Facundo Campazzo – Even though we didn’t play the same position, being around Campazzo and seeing how he controls the game, leads a team, and competes with so much heart — that left a real impression on me. He’s a true leader and a great teammate.

Each of them brought something special, and I learned so much from being around players of that level. It definitely helped shape my mentality and game.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My personal NBA Mount Rushmore would be:

LeBron James – His all-around game, longevity, and ability to impact every aspect of the game is unmatched. He’s one of the greatest leaders and competitors we’ve seen.

Michael Jordan – The ultimate competitor. Six rings, never lost in the Finals, and he changed the mindset of what it means to be great. Every player today still feels his influence.

Kobe Bryant – His mentality had a huge impact on me. The ‘Mamba Mentality’ isn’t just about basketball it’s about how you approach everything in life. His work ethic and mindset are something I try to carry with me.

Dirk Nowitzki – As a German player, I have to include Dirk. He opened the door for so many of us. What he did for German basketball and the NBA as a big man who could shoot and lead a team to a title is legendary. He’s a true role model.

That mix of mentality, leadership, and impact on the game both globally and personally is why they’re on my Mount Rushmore.

Who is your Goat?

For me, the GOAT is LeBron James. What sets him apart isn’t just the stats or the titles it’s his consistency over two decades, his ability to adapt and stay at the top, and the way he impacts every part of the game. He can score, pass, defend, lead whatever the team needs.

And beyond the court, he’s built a legacy with how he carries himself, supports his teammates, and gives back to the community. That combination of greatness, longevity, and leadership is what makes him the greatest in my eyes.

Thanks Declan for the chat