pic credit Sabine Klar
David DeJulius(183-PG-1999, college:Cincinnati) is a 25 year old 183cm guard from Detroit, Michigan that will play his second professional season with Aris Midea Thessaloniki (Greece-GBL). He played his rookie season in Germany with BG Goettingen averaging 13.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 5.1apg, FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 69.2%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 12.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.7apg after starting the season with GS Lavrio Aegean Cargo (Greece-GBL).He began his basketball career at Edison High school and then played 2 seasons at Michigan (NCAA) He finished his NCAA career at the University of Cincinnati averaging 14.5ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 82.4% and 14.8ppg, 2.3rpg, 5.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 85.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks David for talking to germanhoops.com.You played your rookie season in Germany after starting in Greece. How did you enjoy Goettingen? Was it a big culture shock from Greece to cold Germany?
I loved it here in Göettingen. My teammates, coaches, front office, and fans welcomed me with open arms. Which is why it wasn’t much of a culture shock. I made many friends in Greece but also in Germany.
You have come to a team that was in the middle of the pack in the BBL. You needed no real adjustment period as you put up good stats. What was the biggest difference between the Greek first division and BBL?
I’d say the biggest difference was its play style. I could have more control over every possession in Greece because it’s more of a half court game where as the BBL is more of a dynamic, open court game. My game is a blend of being a game manager and dynamic which allows me to adjust to both styles.
It´s amazing that your stats were pretty similar to Greece. How do you explain your superb consistency? Is that something you learned at Cincinnati (NCAA)?
I’d say my college coach (Wes Miller) has had a big hand on that. He would say don’t worry about stats, just make the right play every time and things will work itself out. Which is why I can have a game with single digit points and double digit assists, then the next game have double digit points and single digit assist. I just try to make the winning play
What was it like being teammates with Zach Ensminger? He was a year younger than you but been a longer pro simply because he didn´t play college. How much potential does he have?
Zach was great. He’s a great player with a bright future. I’ve learned a lot from him. He has mastered the ability to draw fouls with his high IQ play. I believe it’s only a matter of time before he has the keys to a team. He can score, facilitate, shoot, and have all the making to be a great PG. And he’s a great person. I feel he’s sacrificed so much by playing behind great PG’s throughout his career. He’s battle tested. If I was a GM I’d give him a HARD look!
Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?
I’d say Jalen Brunson. Small, gritty guard that may not have the best measurable. But play with his craftiness, IQ, and skill. Great body control and court awareness. Plays with a great base and chain strength.
You’re a point guard that can fill the stat sheet with ease. Would it be fair to say that you are a scoring point guard?
51/49 Scoring to Assist. I´m not a guy that gets excited by having 20 points if I only have 2 assists. Nothing feels better than seeing a box score where 5+ guys score double digits. It’s great for the locker room and mural of the team. However, there’s a time where ultra aggression is needed.
What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?
A great half court defender. I can full court press but I’m best using my hips and physicality to navigate through screens. I love taking on that challenge. Playing half court court gives me the same feeling as when I’m in a pick n’ roll. Like I’m playing a game of chess. I’m 6’0 with shoes but have a 6’4 wingspan. So with physicality and full arm extension I’m able to contest shots. I want to have just as much of a command on the defensive end as offense. That’s my next step.
On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to grow as a player?
My range. Not at the expense of my pull up because I feel it´s a special weapon because teams give it up and I’m able to knock it down at a high clip but most definitely will emphasize deep range in the off season. Heavy ball, and core work specific workouts. Dame Lillard is someone I’m currently studying for that. Steph too but I feel Dame shooting style is more suitable for my game.
You began the season with GS Lavrio Aegean Cargo (Greece-GBL).You played against top Euroleague teams Panathinaikos and Olympiakos losing, but in both games belonged to the best players that had many ex NBA players. What player do you remember making the biggest impact on you from the opponent?
Grant from Panathinaikos. He’s a solid PG on the highest level in Europe. He’s a tough defender. I had 24 points and people were excited that it was against a Euroleague team. But tbh that was one of my worst games. I looked like a rookie that had just 24 points out of raw talent. I knew I had to be better and that game served as a learning tool. I didn’t manage that game well and I was sped up.
You began your NCAA career at Michigan (NCAA). What kind of an experience was it playing at such a great basketball institution and learning under John Beilein and Juwan Howard? I’m smiling as I type this answer. To have the opportunity to play under an offensive guru in coach B and a decorated player/coach in Coach Howard is a blessing. I learned NBA terminology from Coach Howard and my game today is most influenced by Coach B. I wish I had longer with him. He was molding me to be a floor general and I revert back to his drills and teachings today.
What kind of an experience was it to be teammates with Xavier Simpson for 2 years. How did you guys push each other and what could you soak up from him? X has had the most impact on me as a person and player as far as teammates go. He’s a friend, big brother, mentor all in one. He’s one of those guys where no matter how old we are, I’ll still look at him as a big brother. Practices were straight wars between us. He respected me for the being the freshman that never backed down and I respected him putting me in my place. But after every practice he’d give me tips and nuggets. He showed me what a leader and floor general should look like. Love that dude
You saw Franz Wagner as a freshman. What was so special already about his game then that has allowed him to become a very good NBA player?
He just made the game easy. That’s hard to do as a freshmen. You can’t speed him up and he plays the right way. From day 1 he had gifts that you can’t teach. Now he knows he’s good. I saw him as a young pup. Now he’s a Pit. He approached the game like a professional from Day 1. You can tell he comes from a great home.
You then played 3 years at Cincinnati (NCAA). You reached the NCAA tournament in 2023. What do you remember from that run? You had great games against Hofstra and Utah Valley.
I just remember wanting to leave a positive legacy, and handprint on the program. It was the most freeing basketball of my college career. I was just playing so hard to have 1 more opportunity to wear the jersey of the school that has given me so much.
You had great games at Cincinnati with 30 points against SMU and 26 points against Temple. What was personally your favorite game there? My favorite game was vs SMU on senior night. To be able to have a career high and kiss the floor on my way out was special. I felt like God was guiding my moves that game. It was the ultimate “flow state”. And all my family came to watch. A day I’ll remember forever.
How did coaches John Brannen and Wes Miller groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
I’d have to talk for 30 minutes to depict the impact that coach Wes has had on me. A coach, mentor, friend all in one. He believed in me before I believed in myself. He influenced me to start reading as well. Something I do daily now. I wouldn’t be the player nor person that I am today without him.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Mika Adams-Woods?
I honestly forgot because we played so much. But I’d like this time to shoutout my brother because I believe he’d crush it in Europe. I hope GM’s or coaches that read this give him a look. High level person and player. I don’t know his plans yet but whatever he does he’ll be successful and make a coach job easier.
Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
Payton Prichard. Cold.
Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?
Kobe, Jordan, Tim Duncan, Mahmoud Abdul Rauf.
Who is your GOAT?
Kobe. Ultimate competitor that was just about the work. No glamour. Just woke up everyday and entrenched himself in the work.
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?
I didn’t see the sequel but the first one was great.
Thanks David for the chat.
