Zach Graham is a 27 year old 198cm forward that is playing his second season with Guaros de Lara (Venezuela-LPB) helping them win the Liga Americas. Last season he played for Movil Estudiantes (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 7 games averaging 8.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 36.6%, 3FGP: 22.7%, FT: 91.7%, left in Dec.’15, in Jan.’16 moved to Guaros de Lara (Venezuela-LPB) playing 31 games averaging  15.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT-1(45.0%), FT-3(85.3%); Liga Americas: 8 games: 14.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 80.0%He started his basketball career in 2007 with Mississippi (NCAA) and played a total of 135 NCAA games until 2011. As a senior he played 34 games averaging 14.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 87.1%. He turned professional in 2011 and was part of the Atlanta Hawks veterans roster after the lockout and also played with the Reno Bighorns (D-League). In the 2012-2013 season he played for Maliye Milli Piyango (Turkey-TBL2) playing 33 games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 76.5%. He also played for Air21 Express (Philippines-PBA) playing Governor’s Cup: 9 games: 28.2ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 77.9%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Soles de Mexicali (Mexico-LNBP) playing  38 games averaging 19.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 52.9%, 3FGP: 35.8%, FT: 82.0&. He also played for  Indios de Mayaguez (Puerto Rico-BSN): 5 games: 26.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 65.5%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 96.9%, in April signed at Caciques de Humacao (Puerto Rico-BSN) playing 15 games: 19.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 86.8%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Soles de Mexicali (Mexico-LNBP) playing 51 games averaging 20.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 60.2%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 85.4%. He also played for Brujos de Guayama (Puerto Rico-BSN) playing 18 games averaging 11.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 83.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Intercontinental Cup game against the Fraport Skyliners in Frankfurt, Germany.

Zach thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are now starting your sixth professional season and second with Guaros de Lara (Venezuela-LPB). Except for a short stint in Turkey with Maliye Milli Piyango (Turkey-TB2L,  and last season with Movil Estudiantes (Spain-Liga Endesa), you have played mostly in the States(D-league) and Central and South America. Is money and the weather a big factor that has driven you away from Europe?

 

I never consider how the weather is when I am deciding about a team. I am from Atlanta, Georgia and we have all seasons there. I play the game because it´s my passion and so I can feed my family. Important for me is the type of people that I will be around. Another important factor is where I can grow the most as a player and person.

(more…)