Even if he goes by the name of Scott Stone (193-G-1995, college: St.Cloud St.), he is listed as Scott Stone on the world´s biggest basketball portal eurobasket.com and for some that special basketball bible as it currently has almost 1 million player profiles. If your looking for a baller no matter if in the NBA, the back woods of Europe or somewhere in Africa, you are sure to find him or her there. I had come across the name Scott Stone maybe a year or two earlier and had wanted to interview him, but for some reason had forgot. That happens with me when your interviewing players daily all around the world. It wasn´t until a few days ago where I was reminded about Stone in an email from a German basketball follower named Gerd. After getting some positive feedback for my work of covering all leagues in Germany and giving lesser known guys in lower leagues a platform, he preceded lauding Stone. His stats and play the last years in the Regionalliga in Germany more than warranted a look into his journey via the media. He is an American like so many overseas that is definitely way too good for having to grind in a fourth or fifth division. He has experience having played 3 seasons in Australia and 5 in lower leagues in Germany despite having a great NCAA 2 career. There are guys that didn´t have as good stats in division 2, but are playing in higher leagues overseas. As usual, he has a chip that is heaver on his shoulder than the burden the New York Knicks have had for more than 50 years to finally win a NBA title again. Some guys like a Shawn Scott and John Murry had to pay their dues for some years, but eventually moved up. How long can he still grind before moving up and does one have to love the game more than others to survive? “I mean I have a good agent now, and that is really the biggest thing is having an agent who is well connected and cares about your career so like I said I have my best basketball ahead of me and I’m just looking to enjoy the ride from here. I think a lot of guys love the game equally. We all grew up playing and it’s a kids game at the end of the day. I think to survive you need to have a great support system around you, and you got to have some luck with injuries and opportunities. It’s one of the most competitive job markets in the world and timing is everything. So being patient and staying healthy will take you a long way”, warned Scott Stone.

Scott Stone who lists former NBA players Matt Thomas and Deonte Burton as his toughest opponents in his basketball career was born on April 2, 1995 in Melrose, Minnesota. He began his basketball career at Melrose high school putting up explosive stats of 29.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.1apg, 2.1spg. He scored over 2,000 points breaking the school record held for 39 years by Mark Olberding. He also led Melrose to a 27-2 record and No. 1 state ranking during the 2012-13 season and also holds single game school record of 44 points. He picked up HS All-State Honorable Mention -2012, HS West Central Conference most valuable Player -2012, and 2013 and HS St. Cloud Times' boys basketball Player of the Year -2013. But having a stellar high school career still wasn´t enough for the NCAA and he began paying his dues at St. Cloud State University (NCAA2). In his freshman year he averaged 6.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 37.9%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 81.8% and in his second season made a big jump averaging 13.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 46.6%, FT: 82.4%. His game continued to take massive steps in his last 2 seasons as he averaged 19.9ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 82.4% and 17.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 93.2%. “My game grew with just more opportunity, and the coaching staff having more faith in me. The staff there during my time really helped me grow as a player and person and put me in situations that were perfect for my skill set at the time”, stressed Scott Stone. He had so many great games there like hitting Mary and Minn-Crookston for 32 points and Wayne St NE for 34 points, but there was actually another game that stood out most. “I would say beating Augustana my senior year on our home court. They were a powerhouse my entire career in college so it was awesome to sneak out a win against them my final season there”, remembered Scott Stone. In his last 2 seasons he scored in double figures in 45 of 48 games and scored 20 points or more in 22 games. All of his success wouldn´t have been possible without the guidance of head coach Matt Reimer. “He taught me a lot about being organized and being on a schedule and sticking to that schedule. He showed me the importance of producing night in and night out and put me in positions to do just that throughout my career. Our entire staff at the time there was great. Chad Welk and Mahmoud Abdelfattah both were also instrumental in getting my game to where it needed to be. Love all those dudes to this day”, stated Scott Stone.

The explosive scorer who lists Daryl Corletto, Josef Eichler, Jacob Gibson, Robin Seeberger and Andy Foley-my all-time favorite shooting partner, Connor Niehaus, James (Jimmy) Fort and Patrick Fischer as his best teammates of all-time came to Germany in 2020 and laced on his sneakers for Lich Basketball (Regionalliga 2). It isn´t always easy for Americans coming overseas and make the big transition and often players experience that wake up call where they realize just how far they are away from home. “That was a tough year because of Covid so I think everyone there was just doing the best we could with the options we had at the time. However, the lockdown was definitely taxing on the mind, but luckily I got to spend a lot of time with the strength coach at Lich, Michael Stephan. He spent hours of his own time helping me get my body where it needed to be, and that time really kickstarted my recent success so I’m beyond grateful for him”, commented Scott Stone. He then made the next step to TSV 1861 Nordlingen where he is currently in his fourth season. In his second season he helped the club move from the Regionalliga 2 to Regionalliga. “The very cool part about that team is that it is majority the same guys we have on the team today. Almost all our local players grew up and played for Nordlingen when they were kids. Guys like Robin Seeberger, Bene and Leo Schwarzenberger, Julius Kluger, Pascal Schöppel, Lukas Hahn, Jakob Scherer, and Thomas Hirsch were a part of that team and are still main pillars of the team we have today. The special part about the group we have is everyone has played with each other for years now. Everyone knows their roles and are stars in their roles which is hard for a lot of teams to accomplish. It’s why we are competing for playoff spots every season even with such a young team”, added Scott Stone. Over the years he has had so many great games, but nothing so far has beat his 51 point explosion against Haching where he nailed 13 three´s. “That was a crazy night. The entire team was sick with the flu including myself. We only had 7 players on the roster, but everyone that played in that game played with such heart. Robin Seeberger had a 20 and 20 night with points and rebounds as well, so just a massive group effort. Just one of those days I needed to have a good shooting day and luckily it worked out”, said Scott Stone. It has to be truly mindboggling for him knowing that Steph Curry´s NBA high in three´s is 13 just like his career high. “Well that’s the best shooter ever so if anyone can match the type of numbers he’s putting up I’d say that’s a major win”, laughed Scott Stone.

The Minnesota native who lists MJ LeBron Kobe 2004- NBA MVP Minnesota and Timberwolf-Kevin Garnett on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore certainly can call both Germany and Australia as second homes. “I’ve done 3 full seasons in Australia and 5 here in Germany. So both places have become quite comfortable for me to live in. Being familiar with guys, coaches, and teams in the league has made for some exciting matchups in both spots. However, above all the management and players here in Nordlingen have made it become like family so it’s a special place for me”, added Scott Stone. What younger basketball fans may not know is that Nordlingen actually played in the BBL more than 15 seasons ago. There is a special basketball tradition in Nordlingen. “I think what people don’t realize is how much the city and the people here love and appreciate good basketball. It’s been very cool to see the support especially for the local guys who grew up playing for the club”, said Scott Stone. Seeing Americans play for 1 Regionalliga team is rare, but the organization is just so special that leaving just isn´t in the cards. “It’s been a real honor to play for Nordlingen. They take gigantic pride in having played in the BBL and 2.Bundesliga and it shows with the management. It’s an extremely professionally run club. From our General Managers Moritz Pösl and Matthias Thienel who brought me in and gave me a real opportunity to build my career here in Germany and I’m forever indebted to them for that. We also have an extremely professional and highly respected coach in Ajtony Imreh. It has been an absolute pleasure playing for him. He knows the game at an extremely high level, but also knows how to manage guys and the players very much respect him for all he does. Both the management and coach have brought so much professionalism to the club so you can tell very quickly they appreciate the history of the club and want to continue the tradition here”, warned Scott Stone. A very big factor why he even came to Nordlingen was Josef Eichler who was on that BBL team in 2008 as a19 year old. “Josef is my brother. He’s one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Nordlingen in the first place. The guy is the ultimate professional in every sense of the word. Always shows up early, plays harder than anyone, and is consistent in his approach day in and day out. I’ve learned so much about being a professional from him both on and off the court. On top of that he’s genuinely one of the nicest guys you will find. I’m very thankful for his friendship and mentorship throughout the years”, stated Scott Stone. He won his first chip in Australia and played for 3 teams named Ringwood Hawks, Western Port Steelers and Hume City Broncos. “ It was a great experience down there. My first season I got to play with the best BigV dynasty of all-time the Ringwood Hawks. That 2018 team was some of the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball. Veteran guys like Matt Fennell, Matty Snowball, Shaun Clarke, Nate Truman, Stefan Osborne and the young fellas Matty Roberts, Kaide Fittolani and Seb Lees made it extremely easy to play and win games down there. I also got to live with and learn from one of the best Americans to play there during that time Jacob Gibson. He taught me a ton during that year, and we had a blast both on and off the court together. I also had the privilege of playing with and under Daryl Corletto. One of the best shooters in Austrailan NBL history. He expanded my game more than anyone in my career. I tried to steal everything from his game, and pick his brain everyday together. He’s such an unbelievably skilled shooting guard, and I’m lucky to call him a friend and mentor to this day”, warned Scott Stone.

The guard who lists Kevin Garnett as his GOAT and believes that the classic Coming To America should have been left alone is a guard that compares his game to NBA legend Reggie Miller and Euroleague legend Sergio Llull. “Both guys are big time shot makers and play with some flare so I try to emulate that as best I can”, said Scott Stone. He is the ultimate walking bucket, but his game encompasses so much more than that. “I rebound well for my position, and I’m underrated passer. I can play out of the ball screen effectively and I would say finding guys out of the ball screen is one of my bigger strengths. I’ve worked to improve my defense as the years have gone by and this year I’m averaging close to 3 steals per game. I would say I’ve gradually become a more well-rounded player as I’ve gotten older”, stressed Scott Stone. He continues to be an incredible three point shooter and continues to grow as a defender. “I’ve always been a natural shooter. It was something that came very easy to me at a young age. I would say I’ve taken my game to a different level now with being able to shoot and make 3’s off the dribble at a high percentage, but I’ve always been a pretty elite catch and shoot guy from a young age. I would say I’ve just worked on my positioning and my anticipation has improved quite a bit. I’ve never been the fastest or quickest guy so defense has always been a struggle of mine but I’ve improved it significantly recently, and I think this will be a major impact on where my game goes in the future”, warned Scott Stone. Despite being 29 years old, he still has many years ahead of him to continue getting better and possibly making the next step up leagues. “I would say making the correct reads out of double teams. Whether that be in ball screen or iso situations just finding where the ball needs to be quickly. I’m a natural scorer so this has been an adjustment I’ve been working on improving lately”, added Scott Stone. He still has big goals and after winning a title in Australia, winning another in Nordlingen and moving up to the Pro B would be perfect for him. “I think that is on everyone’s mind here. We’ve had some injuries and roster movements that have made it tough at the beginning of the season but we’ve won 4 out of our last 5 and we are starting to play our best basketball at the right time”, warned Scott Stone. He won´t ever get a rest on his shoulder as his chip is always getting heavier. He has understood that every guy´s journey is different. His great teammate at St Cloud Gage Davis had similar stats to him, but has been balling in first divisions in Denmark and Finland the last years. “Oh Gage is a different animal. He’s a killer, and he’s deserved all the opportunities he had and will continue to have. For me I think I’ve gotten a lot better since college, and I needed to work on my game in the lower leagues to get to where I am now. But I have my best years ahead of me so I’m excited to see where basketball takes me here in the near future”, warned Scott Stone. Stone is a great player playing the game he loves for little in lower leagues. But even better than his game is his character. Being so humble and enjoying life can only be infectious to his teammates and people he touches in Nordlingen,