Adonte Parker (183-PG-89, college: Dayton) is a 23 year old 183cm point guard from Harvey, Illinois that is playing his rookie season in Germany for PRO B team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He played at Drake from 2007-2009 and then played for Dayton (NCAA) from 2010-1012. He played a total of 130 NCAA games. Currently he is tearing up the German PRO B. He spoke to eurobasket about his rookie season.
Josh welcome to Germany. On the court you have had no adjusting to do, but how have you adjusted to the German way of life?
Thank you I am so glad to be here! I have been adjusting to the German way of life pretty good. Germany is really Americanized and easy to adjust most of the people here speak English so it has been a smooth transition for me.
The team currently has a record of 3-4. What has been the main reasons for the 3-4 start?
Its been some ups and downs through the season like every team and with our team we lost some very close games that could have easily went our way that was unfortunate. With a team it always take some time to get familiar with everyone and now I feel like we are getting a pretty good feel for one another and starting to play well together.
In the first seven games you are averaging 30,1ppg, 7,1apg and 3,7rpg. Have you been surprised by your total domination in the German PRO B?
I have been blessed to be able to play the way I have been playing just worked hard as I can over the Summer to improve my game and just constantly trying to get better. I really give all the credit to my team and coach. They have given me a great opportunity to play the game the way I know how to play it and it has really helped me improve through the course of my time here. So I really give them most of the credit for this start!
Does it feel like you are a man playing with little kids?
(Haha) Not at all!!! There is some great competition at this level. Players and teams come to win every night so its been great to be able to compete with guys that want to win and get better. Im just like one of them trying to improve and get better each game.
How would you describe the PRO B compared to the NCAA? Is your experience in the NCAA paying dividends being able to play so well in the German PRO B? There are some comparisons with Pro B and NCAA. Some of them include the way coaches prepare for games with the scouting reports, and practices they want to win just like the players. Also the way teams compete every night they want to win and have a chance to make the playoffs similarly to NCAA where your record reflects where you are positioned in the post season whether its NCAA, NIT, or any other post season tourneys. So there are many more comparisons but those are the main one I have. Yes playing in the NCAA has really helped me prepare myself for the Pro B. Playing against some of the top competition in the NCAA every night, practices, workouts, film etc. has really prepared for this level and I wouldnt trade that experience for nothing.
You can light up the scoreboard, but also have a sense for setting up your teammates. Are you more a scoring point guard or more the classical point guard?
I am more of a scoring point guard that has the ability to create for my team! Growing up in Chicago a point guard always had to have the ability to score while also making his teammates better, and I feel like my game is a reflection of that.
What is a strength in your game that doesnt get noticed right away? The strength of my game that doesnt get noticed right away is my passing ability. People say I can shoot, handle the ball or score but doesnt notice my passing right away. I take pride in passing the ball as I continue to grow as a player I would like for that to be noticed more also.
Bayer Giants Leverkusen head coach Achim Kuczmann has lauded you that you are one of the three best players that he has ever coached and he has coached top players. How proud does that make you to get lauded like that after such a short time in Germany?
Thats an honor to be a part of that group and to have a coach that has coached many great players, and for him to say that about me words cant even describe the feeling it means a lot to me!
What is your relationship like to Achim Kuczmann? How has he helped you adjust to the style in Germany and your game?
Our relationship is very close! Just the short time I have been here he have really been an intricate part in my success, helping me adjust to the style of play, telling me what I need to do to get better every day, and just being there for me not only on the court but off the court as well and Im just really blessed to have a coach like him!
There is an interesting parallel between you and ex teammate Josh Young of Drake. He played in Leverkusen two season ago and had great stats and made the jump to the Beko BBL. Is it too early to think about making a jump like this? Playing in the BBL is definitely a goal that I have for myself but right now Im just focused on getting better, making my team better, and reaching the goals we have as a team.
On what things do you still need to improve on your game?
I feel like I still need to improve on my decision making at times and I always want to improve on the defensive side of the ball. I feel like these two areas will really help improve my game.
To what NBA player would you describe your game too? I would describe my game to Derrick Rose. I watch him all the time we play the same type of style and both are from Chicago of course. I just love the way he can score while also getting his teammates involved, and how he keep defenses honest. He is a great player.
You played at Drake. What are your fondest memories of Josh Young? What did you respect most about him?
I have a lot of fond memories of Josh good and bad (haha) Im just kidding. Josh is great guy that works hard no matter what the day is. He is always trying to improve and thats what really brought us close. One of my favorite memories of him was it was one game I dont remember against who but me and Josh was going back and forth scoring it was crazy. The announcer would stumble over his words because he kept saying Josh Young for three then next Adonte Parker and it kept going back and forth so he just started saying the Joshs are going to work (haha) it was funny but great! So I just respected how he handles himself on and off the court he is one of a kind.
Who wins a three point shooting contest in practice if you were to have one, you or sharp shooting German Mathias Goddek?
I would say me of course but Matthias would say that same thing (haha) its funny because every time we are in practice and we are doing shooting drills him and I always compete against each other to see who makes the most every time so its good. Matthias can really shoot its amazing Im glad I have him on my team!!
Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?
The best player that I played against was Derrick Rose I didnt play him in the NCAA but I played him multiple times in high school so I have to say him.
You played the last two seasons at Dayton. Brian Roberts who plays for the Hornets played there some years ago. What stories do you remember hearing about him at Dayton?
There were a lot of stories that I heard about B Rob he can really play!! I heard that there was barely anyone that could stop him in college. I played against him in pick up games in the summers he would always come back and play with us so I know him really well. He is a great guy and player.
What have been the most free throws that you have made in a row without missing in practice?
I have made 80 free throws in a row before in practice at Dayton.
What has been your most crazy shot that you have made in your career? The craziest shot I have ever made was a one handed throw from the opposite free throw line of my basket at the buzzer it was crazy I couldnt believe I had made it.
What was the last DVD movie that you saw? The last DVD I saw was the Ultimate Micheal Jordan film watched it with some of my teammates.
EWE Baskets secure the Semifinal appearance - May 18, 2013
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EWE Baskets - Telekom Baskets 89-80 (3-2)
EWE Baskets secure the Semifinal appearance after an 89:80 win in Game 5. The hosts trailed by 1 point at the halftime before their 27-15 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. American players dominated the game. Guard Chris Kramer (191-88, college: Purdue) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 7 rebounds [read more]
EWE Baskets secure the Semifinal appearance after an 89:80 win in Game 5. The hosts trailed by 1 point at the halftime before their 27-15 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. American players dominated the game. Guard Chris Kramer (191-88, college: Purdue) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 7 rebounds. Power forward Adam Chubb (208-81, college: Pennsylvania, agency: Pro One Sports) contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Kyle Weems (198-89, college: Missouri St.) answered with 23 points and 7 rebounds and forward Jamel McLean (203-88, college: Xavier) added 15 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Telekom Baskets. Five EWE Baskets and four Telekom Baskets players scored in double figures. Top scorers: EWE Baskets: C.Kramer 20+7reb+2ast, A.Chubb 13+5reb+3ast, J.Jenkins 13+3reb+4ast, R.Burrell 12+4reb+3ast, R.Paulding 12+4reb+1ast, D.Bahiense de Mello 9+1reb Telekom Baskets: K.Weems 23+7reb+1ast, J.McLean 15+6reb+2ast, B.Veikalas 12+3reb+1ast, J.Jordan 12+2reb+8ast, D.McCray 8+2ast, F.Thuelig 6+1ast
Richard Williams(178-PG-87, college: San Diego St.) is a 25 year old 178cm guard that played for SC Rasta Vechta this season and is sitting in the Pro A finals against the Duesseldorf Baskets. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense [read more]
Richard Williams (178-PG-87, college: San Diego St.) is a 25 year old 178cm guard that played for SC Rasta Vechta this season and is sitting in the Pro A finals against the Duesseldorf Baskets. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played 36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.'10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. Last season he played for UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB, starting five): 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4 (5.7apg), Steals-2 (3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to eurobasket after beating Duesseldorf and winning the Pro A title.
Congrats on winning the 2013 Pro A title. How proud are you of the team that they pulled it out despite not having you in the lineup?
Very proud and I expected it. They've done it before against Gottingen at home and in Karlsruhe in the second half of the season. It was never a one man show this season
How tough was it not playing. When did you find out that you wouldnt play and why didnt you play?
It's the worst feeling ever. We put our blood, sweat and tears into what we do to play for moments like this and to not be apart it sucks.
Remembering winning this Pro A title will not be difficult, but what about the scores of the two final games were 84-78. Do you think anyone will ever remember these identical scores in 10 years or will that Pro A title always stick in the minds?
No way, being crowned champion means a lot more than the exact score of the game.
Was the quick start where SC Rasta Vechta led 30-16 the stepping stone of getting the 84-78 win? Definitely. Dusseldorf rallied back in the second half but in the whole they created was too much for them to rebound from.
What was key in getting the two wins in the Duesseldorf Baskets series?
I would say "I believe you". Being champions is a goal that every team strives to achieve. The actual belief, confidence, hard work and togetherness is what separates teams from others in making that dream happen.
How vital was the work of head coach Pat Elze? What was his strongest suit in leading the team to the Beko BBL? He's a players coach. He never lost confidence in us even when we started the season 0-3. Trust and confidence in your players goes a long way when coaching a team and he exemplified that all season long
SC Rasta Vechta will play in the Beko BBL. Hpw good are the odds that you will be playing against the Artland Dragons this coming season with SC Rasta Vechta?
I believe that we have a good chance. By no means am I saying we're better than the Artland Dragons but we can definitely compete and give them a run for their money.
How did your game develop in your second season as a professional? Do you think you can make the next step to the Beko BBL and be a force in the best basketball league in Germany?
I pride myself in working the hardest and winning. I've never been the strongest, best shooter, highest jumper but I feel I have great leadership skills, a fighting spirit and I will my teams to win. The BBL is for sure a different level of competition but I know I will be ready to make noise in the league next year. Being ready is never an issue.
Who was the unsung hero of SC Rasta Vechta this season?
The Unsung hero for me is Jacob Doerkson. Dude is a work horse and by far the craftiest player I've played. He posts hard, always aware of where he is on the court and he just makes things happen. The things he does you wont see on the stat sheet.
What will be the first thing that you will do when you touchdown in the States? I will land in San Diego and head straight to the Taco shop to get a Carne Asada Burrito!
Which two NBA teams will reach the final and will the Miami Heat win again?
I think the Spurs will meet Miami in the finals but Miami will win it again
After you watch any given sunday, were you positive that SC Rasta Vechta would win the Pro A title? Any Given Sunday gets me super hyped! Al Pacino gives one of the greatest pre-game speeches ever. After that I truly believed great things would happen
German A-2 head coach Mathias Fischer announced his 15 man roster that will have a training session from June 3rd until the 10th at Kienbaum in preparation for the universal games in Kasan, Russia. The German elected the following players:
Anthony Canty (Eisbren Bremerhaven), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier), Till-Joscha Jonke (BG Illertal-Weienhorn/ratiopharrm Ulm), Konstantin Klein (187-PG-91, agency: LUMANI 10 [read more]
German A-2 head coach Mathias Fischer announced his 15 man roster that will have a training session from June 3rd until the 10th at Kienbaum in preparation for the universal games in Kasan, Russia. The German elected the following players:
Anthony Canty (Eisbren Bremerhaven), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier), Till-Joscha Jonke (BG Illertal-Weienhorn/ratiopharrm Ulm), Konstantin Klein (187-PG-91, agency: LUMANI 10.7) (FRAPORT SKYLINERS), Florian Koch (Telekom Baskets Bonn), Dennis Kramer (Univeristy of San Diego/USA), Mathis Mnninghoff (TBB Trier), Stefan Schmidt (BBC Bayreuth), Simon Schmitz (BBC Bayreuth), Andreas Seiferth (TBB Trier), Christian Standhardinger (University of Hawai at Manoa), Johannes Voigtmann (FRAPORT SKYLINERS), Ole Wendt (Phoenix Hagen), Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann (Telekom Baskets Bonn) and Malte Ziegenhagen (Hawai Pacific University/USA).
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