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.
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).
Pro A club NBC didnt hesistate long to extend the contract of head coach Martin Ides making it public today. Ides was a rookie head coach that led NBC into the playoffs where they lost a hard fought five game series to the Duesseldorf Baskets. "I am happy about the contract extension. I am happy that the club has kept the trust in me and that we can continue to work together", stated Martin Ides . "We believe in the concept of Martin Ides [read more]
Pro A club NBC didnt hesistate long to extend the contract of head coach Martin Ides making it public today. Ides was a rookie head coach that led NBC into the playoffs where they lost a hard fought five game series to the Duesseldorf Baskets. "I am happy about the contract extension. I am happy that the club has kept the trust in me and that we can continue to work together", stated Martin Ides . "We believe in the concept of Martin Ides . He showed last season despite in difficult situations that he could lead the team. He totally identifies with his task in Nurnberg and he wants to build something on the long term", stressed NBC CEO Alexander Lolis.
DaShaun Wood (185-PG-85, college: Wright St.) is a 27 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that just completed his third season in Germany and second for Alba Berlin. He is a young point guard with natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side [read more]
DaShaun Wood (185-PG-85, college: Wright St.) is a 27 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that just completed his third season in Germany and second for Alba Berlin. He is a young point guard with natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 38 games: Score-5 (16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4 (3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2 (42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for : Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.'08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. In 2010-2011, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1 (19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2 (5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. Last season for Alba Berlin, he played German League: 37 games: Score-5 (15.0ppg), 3.7rpg, Assists-4 (4.8apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 79.2%; Euroleague Qualifying Round: 2 games: 9.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 4.0apg, 2.0spg; EuroCup: 12 games: 14.2ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-1 (5.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 82.2%. He spoke to eurobasket after losing the series against FC Bayern Munich.
If someone had told you before the FC Bayern Munich series that Alba Berlin would get swept what would you have thought?
I would have said that it was a lie. We played them very well this season winning in pre season, cup and in the regular season. If someone would of said that it would have been very hard to believe.
FC Bayern Munich won game one easily, but lost game two and game three with six points apiece. What was missing in the last two games to get over the hump?
The third quarter really hurt us in the last two games. Munich had some guys step up that made tough shots that usually they would not have made. We played the percentages, but you have to give them credit for having determination and effort to make those difficult shots. Those big shots gave them momentum just to slightly get the lead and hang on. I also think that we had 25 more Euroleague games in our bones and they just had more juice than we did.
Would a healthy Ali Traore have made a difference to get by Munich?
Yes he would have, but I would just have liked to have a healthy team. We had 3-4 guys that were lost with season ending injuries. Traore just brings so much to the table offensively that he really would have helped us.
Tyrese Rice/DaShaun Wood was an important match up. Rice scored 20 plus points in the last two games. Do you take some blame for not being able to keep him more in check?
Rice and I didnt really match up so much in that series. Pesic started Steffen Hamann and I started. I didnt see him as much, but we didnt play that style where you saw me scoring a lot and having that MVP type of season I once had. We had a system that I followed and we were successful in Euroleague and in the cup. My objective this season wasnt tos core 20 points, but play within the system which was team basketball. Like I have said many times, I came to Berlin to win titles and play team basketball.
It seems like FC Bayern Munich is slowly peaking. How good are their chances to win it all? Munich have great chances. They are one of four teams that can win it all. They are playing very well now, are confident, healthy and have a lot of energy. It will be interesting to see how they do in next round.
What positives could you take out of this season besides winning the cup?
I came to Alba Berlin to make history and I believe we accomplished some things that no other German team has done. First we were the first German team to play against an NBA team. Second we won a game in top 16 that no other team was able to do and third we won the cup. These are all things that I was a part of and I am very proud and will always be a part of the Alba Berlin family.
How were you able to improve your game the last two seasons with Alba Berlin? Especially this season, it was my defense and organization. I learned so much from coach Sasa. It was really the small details that made me better on defense. I became more of a complete player with Alba Berlin.
How much did the injury to Vule Avdalovic hurt Alba Berlin? It wasnt only Vule, but it was many injuries that hurt us. Nathan peavey and Vule were big keys to our team and them being injured put a big stump on our season. Peavy for me is one of the top forwards in the league and Vule is such a great floor general. We would have been a different team with them healthy.
There were rumors that you and Sasa Obradovic didnt get along this season. But it seems like in the end, you had a good relationship.
Me and coach Sasa never had any problems. The media make things up the way they want to. Sasa and I were always on the same page. I did everything that Sasa wanted me to do running the system that he wanted. Sasa and I are very alike. We are both competitors and always want to win. If we are yelling at each other, it doesnt mean that we arent getting along, but that we are showing our competitive nature. We never had problems with each other.
Would you agree with me that American Zach Morley was the unsung hero of Alba Berlin?
No I wouldnt. I mean the whole team had their roles and each guy did the best that they could to fulfill them. Morley was an unbelievable unselfish player that brought a lot of experience to the team. He was a great team player. He brings things to the court that cant be coached. He was always working hard and gave us great leadership. You either have as a player or you dont and Zach had it.
During the playoff series with FC Bayern Munich, there were rumors that you were heading back to Frankfurt. Have you talked to them?
I havent talked to any team yet. I am still thinking about our loss to Munich. In my heart, I am still a member of Alba Berlin. Until I sign with a new team, I am still with Alba Berlin.
Could you imagine playing for Gordon Herbert again?
I could imagine playing for him again, but then again any player would because he is a players coach. He is a great coach that always is competing for titles. With Frankfurt we went to a game 5 against Alba Berlin and last season we reached the playoffs with Alba Berlin.
Could you imagine coming back to Frankfurt and play for a team that is rebuilding?
I wouldnt mind playing for Frankfurt again. They are a great club and I had a great experience playing there. Playing for Frankfurt wouldnt be a step back for me.
Air Tez would probably be booked again with many flights to the hoop thanks to your passes again. Hahaha, yes Tez is a great player and has really improved on offense the last years. It has been nice seeing him play the last years. He was already a defensive animal and it is amazing that he plays almost every game for 40 minutes and doesnt get tired.
You have played against German talent Dennis Schroeder the last two years. Where do you see him landing in the NBA draft? I really dont know as anything can happen in the NBA. He could be drafted in the first round, second round or not at all. He is very talented and so young and it is scary that he still has so much potential for his age. I wouldnt be surprised if he gets drafted in the first round or second round.
Are you cheering for Detroit native Rickey Paulding to win it all?
No I am not cheering for anyone in the Beko BBL. Since we are out, I could care less who wins.
NBA player Brandon Roy has been struggling with injuries the last two seasons. Will he be able to come back or is he done? He is probably done. He has tried to come back, but it just hasnt gone the way he has wanted it too.
What is something you will do this summer that you havent been able to do the last years?
I am going to try to go to Disney World.
What will be the first thing that you will do when you land in Detroit? Clean out my house.
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