Pic credit: ratiopharm Ulm

Meissa Faye (198-SF-2007) is a 18 year old 198cm forward playing his first season in the ratiopharm Ulm organization. This season he has gathered duty in 4 competitions. He helped the Pro B team reach the pro B final averaging 17/471/1 stats and helped the NBBL (U-19) team reach the NBBL Top 4 tournament in Berlin averaging 16/4/2 stats and also played 6 Eurocup games and 1 easyCredit BBL game. He began his basketball career with Pole Paris France (NMI) and last season averaged 9.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 72.7%. He has played Angt and last summer played at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket in Belgrade (Serbia) winning the silver medal averaging 8.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 35.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Thanks Meissa for talking to germanhoops.com. You played 1 easyCredit BBL game against Chemnitz. What kind of an experience was that. What do you feel is still missing from your game to play more minutes?

A German passport, because I played more in Euro cup because there is no limit of foreigners

You had your Eurocup break through scoring 16 points against Trento. How cool was that experience? What did you learn about your game in that game?

it was nice I just played like I know how to do. Coach gave me confidence and minutes so I just showed what I was capable of.

Ulm has many very talented pro´s. If you had to pick one player who has had the biggest impact on you who would it be?

I would say Tommy Klepeisz and Nelson Weidemann by giving me advices either on the mental part or on my game. They have a lot of experience and they really helped me. It’s always good to receive advices from experienced players.

You began your basketball career with Pole France Paris. How do you remember your early years there? Did you have a mentor there?

It was really impressive at the beginning to arrive in this campus where a lot of great athletes were before and you just inspired by all those NBA players who went there before. So you work hard to end up like them.

You were teammates with Nathan Soliman. How special of a player is he? He is like you also a big French prospect for the NBA.

He was great. He was ready really young and everybody knows he’s a top prospect and he will be great in the NBA. He always had that special thing that you cannot explain.

You won the Silver at the U-18 Euro in Serbia. What memories do you have of that tournament? Was the 82-81 loss to Spain one of the toughest in your career?

Honestly, it’s tough at the beginning but now I have only great memories because it was an incredible experience with great people. Great staff great players. And we can be proud of what we did. Yes, it is the toughest loss but I wasonly 18 so I know I will still win a lot of games and lose some as well. This is basketball.

Is the NCAA still a route for you? It can help but also be tough. Spaniard Guillermo Del Pino who scored 23 points against you in the U-18 Euro final went to Maryland this season and only averaged 1,7ppg.

In your career, you have to make choices so for now staying in Europe is my priority, but I don’t close no doors to anything.

What is your biggest goal NBA or Euroleague? Some Europeans that I have interviewed actually have said Euroleague. Can you understand that?

My biggest goal is the NBA, but of course I can understand it because euroleague is also a great competition with great basketball that can be more entertaining than NBA. Some players also think more of the Euroleague career than a NBA one.

How cool would the headline read Teo Millicic and Meissa Faye reach the NBA? How special of a player is Teo and how is your relationship with him?

Teo is really talented, but he is also a hard worker. He is very passionate and always try to give his best on the court. Of course it will be nice that’s a goal for both of us. And we have a nice relationship on and off the court and we always trying to get better.

You battled Boston Celtic Hugo Gonzalez once. What do you remember from that battle most?

It was a big game, the final of the Euroleague Juniors against Real Madrid. We lost after overtime but those kind of games makes you want to become better because you can see that there’s a lot of good players in Europe.

Please name your 5 teammates of all-time?

Nolan Traoré

Adam Atamna

Hugo Yimga Moukouri

Nathan Soliman

Cameron Houindo/Noa kouakou heugue

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

Lebron James

Michael Jordan

Kobe Bryant

Kevin Durant

Wemby

Tony Parker

Nando de colo

Rudy Gobert

Hm Evan Fournier

Who is your Goat?

Tyrese Maxey

Thanks Meissa for the chat.

I unfortunately have covered many players over my 20 + year reporting career that have left us way to early. Some names that popped up right away in my mind was the great German warrior Ademola Okulaja who didn´t even reach age 50 or Nate Fox who annoyed BBL teams in Germany with his play and lost his life to a senseless murder. Another player that comes to mind was ex NBA player Tyler Honeycutt who lost his life committing suicide during a shoot out with police. Another guy that also lost his life too early was ex NBA player Andrew Gordon (208-C-1990, college: N.Mexico) who died in 2024 in a car accident. I had interviewed all 4 of these guys and remembered having been really interested in interviewing Gordon who ended up having an illustrious 11 year career that allowed him to reach the NBA and play in 8 different countries. I remember getting Gordon´s number from 2024 World Champion Gordon Herbert who had coached him in Russia and interviewing Gordon in the 2021-2022 season when he had been playing in the Ukraine who at that time were at war with Russia. I remember him asking me if I wanted to concentrate the interview on his time in the Ukraine, but I actually wanted to focus on his whole career instead of only on his adventures in the Ukraine. He was totally fine with that. He actually was teammates with Tyler Honeycutt at UCLA and only had fond memories of him. Now both are in heaven. “T was a solid solid dude. It was devastating to get the news of his passing. Heart breaking. We were just together a few months prior playing in the VTB all-star game. Being able to hoop with him in college and then see his game grow and our paths cross again was special. The basketball community gets so small the higher you get. He was always laughs and jokes even in college. I’m sad that he is not with us anymore but he has family and friends that will forever love him”, remembered Andrew Gordon.

I will take a look back at Andrew Gordon´s journey and use his great answers that he gave me during our interview more than 4 years ago near the end of his professional career. He was born on July 20, 1990 in San Jose, California and played at Archbishop Mitty high school where he had an great career being named a 2008 member of Long Beach Press-Telegram’s Best in the West first team as well as the 2007–08 Les Schwab Invitational most valuable player and played at the well known Jordan Brand classic. He began his NCAA career at UCLA, but in 2 seasons played only 40 games. In his second season he played only 6 games and then left. He had some growing pains at UCLA, but also saw it as a learning lesson. “I learned that I needed to focus on basketball more. I was getting distracted and taking things for granted. I wanted to get to the NBA so badly I was not focused on the present. I was looking to far into the future for sure”, said Andrew Gordon. He then played 2 seasons at the University of New Mexico (NCAA) averaging 13.0ppg, 10.5rpg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 52.7%, FT: 67.8% and 14.0ppg, RPG-4 (11.2), 1.3apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 54.1%, FT: 75.6%. He had an incredible 2 year career at New Mexico where he played 60 games. In his senior year he scored in double figures in 26 of 34 games including 19 double doubles including a monster 27/20 game against UNLV. “Man that was a fun game to play. It´s definitely up there on most fun games I played. When I was at UNM my goal was to try to grab at least 15 and 15 so I had a lot of games where I was putting up big numbers. But really just hooping at UNM and in the Pit was dope. We had a lot of fun, we played well as a team also”, commented Andrew Gordon. He was lucky to have a great teacher in Steve Alford who prepared him best for a pro career. “He helped me focus in on hooping and what it was going to take to be a pro. I feel like my skills were still pretty raw, so he helped get my post game right and the preparation it takes leading up to a game to give our team the best chance of winning”, stressed Andrew Gordon.

The forward who named Kawhi Leonard and James Harden as his toughest opponents in his career began his pro career in 2012 at the NBA Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks playing 5 games averaging 4/6. He played his rookie season with BC Partizan MT:S Beograd (Serbia-A League) playing 10 Euroleague games averaging 9.1ppg, Reb-3 (7.5rpg), 1.5apg, 1.1spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 11.1%, FT: 62.1% and then moved to Banco di Sardegna Sassari (Italy-Serie A) averaging 11.6ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 64.6%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 57.9%. Just like every other American baller overseas, he also had a wake up call overseas to where he knew that he was far away from home. “I mean just the long, long practices and being yelled at in a different language. As well as the different alphabet that was used out there. I just remember getting there and being like “damn these practices are like twice as long as any of the longest practices I’ve had in the states.” Also how crazy the fans were during games. Don’t get me wrong the partisan fans are some of my favorite die hard fans. I still remember some of their chants during games. But it was just a way different world than I was used to. I use to come out of games after playing, the road flares, the fights, the banners, the things being yelled at us and thrown at us, and the smoking in the stadium and thinking to myself what the hell did we just play through. That was wild. I would love to play in that environment and the partisan fans again now that I am older and understand the difference between the states and Europe”, remembered Andrew Gordon. He battled against future legends like Juan Carlos Navarro, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Milos Teodosic, Nenad Kristic, Casey Jacobsen and Bostjan Nachbar in the Euroleague and it must have been like being a boy in a candy shop or wasn´t it? “Honestly I didn’t know who any of them really were. To me they were just hoopers on a different team that we needed to beat. I was so ready to go play in the NBA I didn’t pay much mind to the rest of the world of basketball. I didn’t understand that there was so much talent over the waters. I don’t think Boban Marjanovic was in euro league but I loved playing against him. I used to try to dunk on him any chance I got. He was just one of the biggest people I had ever seen”, added Andrew Gordon. He was teammates with young talents like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Davis Bertans. They later would reach the NBA. “Bogi and Bertans are my guys! It was so cool seeing them make the jump to the league they deserve it. They worked their asses off to get there. playing against them was fun in practices, we never really got to go head to head because we were different positions but watching them play was awesome”, commented Andrew Gordon. He played parts of two seasons with Drake and Travis Diener guys that actually weren´t brothers. “So they are actually cousins. Great guys! And great hoopers. I feel like when they shot the ball it was going in no matter what. They could really turn it on in games. They helped us get through a lot of tough games. We all lived in the same complex as well so our families got really close. For the most part I keep in touch with a lot of guys I have played with. From domestic guys to foreign players”, added Andrew Gordon. In the 2013-2014 season he split time with Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-TBL) and with Banco di Sardegna Sassari (Italy-Serie A) averaging 9.0ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 59.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 60.5%; and played Eurocup playing 8 games averaging13.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.1spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 74.1%. He won his first chip in Italy with the cup. “Turkey was a cool place to play with good competition, however while me and my wife were out there we had someone break into our apartment and try to steal our things. After that we didn’t feel safe out there so we decided to make a switch. But some of my teammates from that team I still remain close with. They were a fun team to be around. Playing in Italy was probably our favorite location to play, the fans were awesome as well. We had a good group of vets and the practice style was shaped more like the NBA than other places I have played. Which means that we were more fresh going into games and had more energy to play hard for the chip and for the fans. I would go back to play there again for sure”, stated Drew Gordon. In Italy he lost a tough 6 game playoff series tom top team Milan and Keith Langford. “It was tough for sure. I feel like everyone wanted Milan to win so we got some iffy calls and it made it tough to play against Milan. But being able to put our heads down and push forward was huge for us because Milan had some big time talent”, expressed Andrew Gordon.

After playing NBA Summer League with the 76ers in 2014, the ex Euroleague player who list Jordan, Lebron and Kobe on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore finally reached the NBA in his third season, but his time was brief as he only played 9 games and spent most of the season in the G-League with Delaware where he averaged 13/10 stats. His fondest memory was in pre season. “Being able to play against my brother in the preseason. It had always been a dream of ours to be able to play with or against each other on the big stage. There is a picture of us somewhere floating around on the internet of us sitting on the bench and just taking in the fact that we both made it to the NBA. A super special moment”, remembered Andrew Gordon. He played against so many legends including Dirk Nowitzki who had a great game against him. “It was a cool moment for sure. It sucked though because I think he dropped something like 45 that game on our heads, so film wasn’t very fun the next day. And once again just realizing that I made it to the NBA and had my name announced as I checked in. Playing alongside people I had watched growing up as a kid”, said Andrew Gordon. There are always those what if questions in terms of what could have really been with his NBA career had certain things happened. The big man rotation was crowded with players like Hollis Thompson, Brandon Davies, Chris Johnson and Henry Sims. Could he have had a better chance of a career if he had gotten more of an opportunity? “Yeah for sure I could have. I was coming back from ankle surgery so I was just starting to get my hooping rhythm back. And I was on a non guaranteed contract the first year, in hindsight I would have resigned with them for another year. I had the opportunity but turned it down. Because I ended the year in the G my contract was void. The organization wanted to put me back on a nonguaranteed contract but I politely declined and wanted to try my luck getting back into euro-league or a job with a bit more stability”, stressed Andrew Gordon. In the 2015-2016 season he was back overseas again and balled with Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket (France-ProA) playing 30 games averaging 14.0ppg, Reb-2 (9.6rpg), 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 62.5%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 72.7%. It was vital that he would have a great season again right away overseas. “I mean it´s always a good thing to hit the group running. Oddly enough coming from the NBA there weren’t a lot of teams who were super interested. It´s like I made the jump to the NBA then Europe forgot about me when I tried to get back. So playing well was a must. Well, playing as I usually play”, said Andrew Gordon. He was teammates with so so many guys in his career. But the question is how good could he remember certain players. I covered Miro Todic when he was a young player in Frankfurt in 2005. He saw him 10 years later. “Man! That was my guy! It´s unfortunate what the team tried to do by forcing him to leave. I thought he was a really solid player that would have helped us down the stretch. But unfortunately the team had other ideas. Why it didn’t work out and the team ended up doing that I won´t ever really know but he has a great resume and is a solid dude”, remembered Andrew Gordon.

In the 2016-2017 season the California native who remembers beating Alex Kirk in 1-1 played in the land of basketball with Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania-LKL) averaging 10.6ppg, Reb-3 (7.1rpg), 1.5apg, FGP: 59.7%, 3PT: 19.1%, FT: 64.0%; and in the Eurocup averaged 12.6ppg, Reb-1 (9.6rpg), 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 15.8%, FT: 58.7%. He definitely never forgot the fans there. “The fans were awesome! I loved the energy that the fans brought. Vilnius is such a cool place to play also. The downtown was awesome to be able to walk around in, good eats as well. I will say Lithuania ball was much more physical than I originally thought. And playing every team so many times was kind of rough. I think we ended up playing a team something like ten times because of regular season, the cup, and playoffs. For me I don’t want to play a team 10 times over in a single season. But being able to play in the arena with the fans going crazy was always fun. Shout out the the Rytas fans”, said Andrew Gordon. In the 2017-2018 he played his first time in Russia with Zenit Sankt Petersburg (Russia-VTB) averaging 11.1ppg, Reb-5 (6.7rpg), FGP: 62.6%, FT: 57.1%; and in the Eurocup averaging 12.4ppg, Reb-5 (7.0rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 54.4%. Another new place with new memories. “We loved it in Saint Petersburg ! That was one of the prettiest cities we had played in. I was hoping to be able to stay on with Zenit at the end of the year because again we had a solid group of guys. I think if we stuck together we would have been able to do some crazy stuff the following year. It took us a second to get adjusted, especially in the cold weather and the short days, but we ended up loving it. The VTB league is always fun to play in, I feel like it´s one of the strongest leagues and you end up playing against a lot of guys that bounced out of the NBA so it´s always competitive and a good time seeing a lot of guys you used to play against in the states”, added Andrew Gordon. He played a number of times against Mr Euroleague Kyle Hines and he couldn´t pick a clear winner in their battles. “I would say it went back and forth. I usually had pretty solid games against CSKA. But it´s been years since I have been able to play against him again. Hopefully I can tell you for sure that I got the better of him the next time we meet”, said Andrew Gordon. In the 2018-2019 season he returned back to the States and played with the Long Island Nets (NBA G League) playing 35 games averaging 7.3ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 15.6%, FT: 62.0%. He had been away from the NBA for 3 years and it was a tough season for him to go through. “It was a rough time for sure. I wanted to stay in Europe, but for our family the best move was to come back into the states because we were expecting our son Zayne, so we wanted to be back around family for that. I was playing behind Alan Williams and he was playing really well so I was taking the time to work on my body and prep for the baby coming. I think you touched on it earlier with this, but unless the team really has their eyes on you it is tough to get a fair shake in the league”, warned Andrew Gordon. He only averaged 15 minutes per game. Would 30 minutes have done the trick with a ticket back to the NBA? “Yeah man, 15 minutes spread out over the length of the game is tough to really get rocking and get into a groove of playing. Especially when the team is tailored to only be looking at a few guys. I feel like if I was able to rock out then I would have had a much better chance for sure. However, it wasn’t in the cards”, remembered Andrew Gordon. Does one notice that sometimes you can be really efficient in the minutes but when an organization is eyeing only certain guys and focusing on young guys, that it will be a reach to get that shot? “For sure it is! I feel for a lot of the G-league guys. You can have a crazy P.I.R and still not get a look. There are certain things that teams are looking at so it makes it tough. With covid being a thing guys had/have more chances at getting call ups with dudes catching covid. But I feel like unless you are a two-way player its super tough to get that look”, said Andrew Gordon.

The robust rebounder who thought they should of left the original classic movie Coming To America alone played the 2019-2020 season with Stelmet Enea BC Zielona Gora (Poland-EBL) averaging 10.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 60.1%, FT: 66.7%: and in the VTB United League averaged 13.3ppg, Reb-4 (8.3rpg), 2.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 75.3%. He won his second pro chip, but it wasn´t the same with Covid being around. “It was frustrating. I´ll take the title but we didn’t get a chance to play that final game and lift the trophy like we were planning on doing. We didn’t get a chance to enjoy the championship because we were too busy trying to get our butts home before the airports closed and we were stuck in Poland. Playing for Zan was great, we still stay in contact. He was a coach that really knew how to interact with the team”, stated Andrew Gordon. In 2020-2021 he split time in Russia with Avtodor Saratov (Russia-VTB) averaging: 8.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 2FGP: 55.1%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 71.4%, in Jan.’21 moved to Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia-VTB) averaging 13.3ppg, Reb-2 (7.7rpg), 2.0apg, FGP-3 (68.5%), 3PT-3 (50.0%), FT: 50.0%; and in the Eurocup averaged 9.0ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 66.7%, FT: 62.5%. This was the first time in his career since 2013-2014 where he split time with two organizations. “It was tough. Avtodor was a tough place to play. And an even colder place to live. We had some good players on the team. I still keep up with Nate and Markel. But I think the toughest part when coming on to a new team is being able to fit into the system. Taking that gamble on going to a new team and hoping the coach and players accept you. And you are able to produce right when you get to the new team”, remembered Andrew Gordon. I interviewed Gordon when he was home from his Ukraine season in 2021-2022 on account of the war. It obviously wasn´t an easy time going from the war zone and then being at home and seeing the sad footage on the news. “Its sad man, I wish that everyone would come to a peaceful conclusion to it all. The Ukraine is a very beautiful place so to see it being damaged is sad. However, while being out there, we didn’t feel a threat of war at all really. It wasn’t until the very end of our stay in Kyiv did we feel any sort of distress. It was always on the back of our minds obviously, but it was business as usual right up until the very end”, added Andrew Gordon. Most guys got out of the Ukraine while some guys had to escape. He had everyone in his thoughts then especially his teammates. “We had a great group of guys this year that really wanted to win. We were living in Kyiv which was a great place to be able to walk around and see the rich history of the Ukraine. Something that will also be an ever-lasting memory is trying to help teammates and friends escape once they got stuck. Very odd feeling knowing that you can only help so much. You worry about their safety and their families safety and well being”, stressed Andrew Gordon. He played that season with Budivelnyk Kyiv (Ukraine-Superleague) playing 29 games averaging 13.9ppg, Reb-1 (10.6rpg), 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 59.0%. He was having one of his personal best seasons since 2015, and then suddenly the season ended. “It was tough man, I wasn’t really planning on leaving until the embassy shut down. I liked the basketball we were playing and I happened to fit well into coaches system. I was playing well yes, but a lot of that comes from the team. How we interacted with each other and the chemistry that we had made it easy for lots of guys to play really well. It was unselfish basketball which is always a fun way to play. It sucks that the season had to stop”, said Andrew Gordon. Despite the horrible experience in the Ukraine, it didn´t have an effect on how he would choose jobs in the future. “I don’t think it will influence it much. This was a terrible and unfortunate thing that happened in the Ukraine but its´ not like it happens all over the world every year. I just want to make sure me and my family are safe and the living is good. It´s tough to go a full year with wife and kids in a place where living is tough. I want to make sure they enjoy where they are at. It´s much better for everyone’s mental”, stated Andrew Gordon. He played his last season in 2022-2023 with Fukuoka Rizing (Japan-B2 League) averaging 7.1ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 50.0%. I had asked him in 2022 if he could ever imagine playing in Germany. “I played against Alba Berlin a few times. Walking the Berlin wall was super dope. I actually have a picture of me standing in the same spot I believe 9 years apart. Maybe 8 years but still a super cool place. I would love to play in Germany! My guy Brandon Ashley said he loved playing there so I would love to try to go play there for a year or two”, stressed Andrew Gordon. Unfortunately it never happened. But he will always be in the hearts of so many in the basketball community like ex Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert. “Drew was a better human being than basketball player. He was a great guy that was just great for the team and great in the locker room. He was an extra ordinary person”, remembered 2024 German world champion Gordon Herbert.

Jalen Harris (185-G-1999, college: CS Fullerton) is a 27 year old 185cm guard from Los Angeles, California played his second professional season and first with BC Nokia (Finland-1st Division B) averaging 31.1ppg, 6.9rpg, 5.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 77.7%. He played his rookie season with the Manchester Giants (United Kingdom-BBL) averaging 6.8ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 62.5%. He began his basketball career at Windward High School and then played 2 seasons at Casper College (JUCO) averaging 5.7ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 74.6% and 16.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 73.7%. he then played 3 seasons at California State University, Fullerton (NCAA) averaging 5.2ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 35.7%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 71.4%, 9.3ppg, 1.0rpg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 81.0%, 12.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 39.8%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 73.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

You played your second pro season for BC Nokia (Finland-1st Division B). How tough was it not playing last season. Why did you sit out last season?

Sitting out last season was definitely tough for me, and at times it was difficult to process – but it was necessary for me to gain perspective and be a more complete person without basketball. Sitting out definitely taught me some invaluable lessons that I am forever grateful for.

What kind of an experience was it playing in Finland? How would you describe the style of play and talent level in comparison to the BBL in England?

Playing in Finland has been a great experience and could not have come at a better time. The style of play is similar to the BBL as they both emphasize freedom to make plays within the concepts of the team.

As a guy who hails from sunny California, how did you survive the cold winter in Finland? Did you see a lot of snow?

Being that I went to Juco for 2 years in Casper, Wyoming, the snow wasn´t a complete shock for me. It took some adjusting too but once I did I learned to appreciate it.

What have you learned to appreciate most about the culture in Finland? What was your nicest experience off the court?

I have learned to appreciate Finland’s love for ice swimming and sauna. This was also great recovery for me so it fit right in with my lifestyle.

Your averaging 31/6/5 stats. One could call you the Russell Westbrook of Finland. How has your game grown this season?

Shoutout to LA and NBA legend Russell Westbrook, that´s very high praise. I think my coach entrusted me with a lot of responsibility which forced me to grow and become a better player.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 185 cm point guard. If one had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I feel like because I´m a left handed guard, my player comparisons would have to be Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Thomas both of those guys are great left handed point guards who dominate the NBA level.

You fill the stat sheet really well. How big is versatility in your game at the moment? Has it always been there or suddenly come this season?

Versatility has always been an important aspect of my game. The more things you can do on the court, the better you are for the team. With this in mind I have always wanted to help my team in any way I could.

You shot at 40% twice in Juco and the NCAA. How would you describe the development of your shot? Your near 40% again this season?

I would accredit to the countless hours of focused repetitions I put in since I was 10 years old. Once you get to a certain level shooting becomes much more about your focus and preparation more than anything mechanical.

Let´s talk about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you right now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I want to be a lockdown defender, and a defender that can guard multiple positions. Again that versatility is something that I feel would be valuable to any team.

On what areas of your game are you working on right now? Your averaging 4,0 turnovers per game.

This is definitely somewhere where `I am working to improve my game, and that just comes with a heightened focus of taking care of the ball.

You played your rookie season with the Manchester Giants (United Kingdom-BBL) averaging 6.8ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 62.5%. What was your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I think my wake up call came as soon as I stepped foot off the plane in Manchester. I could tell the culture and way of living was different than what I was accustomed to.

How vital was it having a teammate like Jamell Anderson as a rookie? Was he like a mentor for you?

Any time you have a veteran teammate from the area on your team that´s a good sign. I learned a lot through my experience being a teammate of Jamell’s whether that was in the locker room, on the court, or off the court.

You began your college career at Casper College (JUCO) averaging 5.7ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 74.6% and 16.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 73.7%. Every guy that I have interviewed in my career that played Juco have reported that Juco was very tough, but one of the best experiences for them. How was the 2 year Juco grind for you?

I would have the same sentiments of juco! It was so tough while going through it but also some of the best times of my life. I wouldn´t trade my juco experience for anything in the world as it shaped the player and man I am today.

You made a big jump at Casper in your last season there. How vital was head coach Shaun Gutting for your development? How did he help you make the jump to the NCAA?

Coach Gutting was great for me in my second year at Casper, I was very comfortable with him being that he was my assistant my first year. I also want to acknowledge Coach Lester Stewart who came along my second year as well – he instilled a lot of confidence in me and we put a lot of sweat in together on the court.

You played 3 seasons and 71 games for California State University, Fullerton (NCAA) and improved your scoring average each season. What kind of a player did you become there?

I became a player who could adapt to any situation while at Fullerton. Each year my role was different and I had to adapt in order to help the team win games.

You had big games against UC Irvine, Pepperdine and Hawaii. What was your personal best game in the NCAA?

I feel my personal best games at Fullerton came against Pepperdine in my final year. This was the first home game of the season and iIplayed well in front of family and friends.

You won the title against LBSU 72-71 scoring 10 points. What memories will you always have of that?

I actually wasn´t playing well for much of that game, I ended up turning it on in the second half. The play that will always stick out was me missing the layup and Ej Anosike getting a tip dunk over LBSU player, that changed the course of the game for us.

You then faced Duke in the first round of March madness losing 78-61 and had 10 points. What will you always remember playing against one of the best schools in the NCAA and Paulo Banchero?

Growing up Duke was always my team so it was a surreal experience when I heard they were our matchup in the first round. I will always remember checking in the game, and seeing Coach K walking towards me while arguing with the referees, I had seen it on tv so much but it felt different seeing it in person.

How did head coach Dedrique Taylor groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Taylor was pivotal in my development at Fullerton and as a professional. As a professional our relationship is still strong as I go back to CSUF every summer and train with the guys. That´s huge because it shows that he truly cares about me even after i left his program.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Latrell Wrightsell?

Shoutout my guy Trelly, he just finished up a great season at Alabama post achilles injury. We had some intense battles in practice that made both of us better.

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

The toughest player has to be Paolo Banchero because of his size and athleticism. It is rare to see someone at his size play the way he does.

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I have had a many of great teammates through my time playing basketball, but my top 5 would have to be Ryse Williams, Dante Maddox, John Michael Square, Nick Stampley, Landis Spivey

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My NBA Mouth Rushmore is Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry

Who is your Goat?

My goat is Kobe Bryant.

How do you rate the historical 83 points from Bam Adebayo? I´m sure the very least would have ever thought Bam could do that?

I think it was a historical feat that very few can dream of accomplishing. Shoutout Bam

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

Yes I did see it, I feel like some movies don´t need a sequel but that´s okay.

Thanks Jalen for the chat