In addition to being among the most accomplished players in NYU men's basketball history,
Jason Boone (class of 2007) has forged a successful professional career playing overseas.
A 2007 All-American and 2006 University Athletic Association (UAA) Co-Player of the Year, Boone holds the Violet career records for blocked shots (206) and field goal percentage (.636), and ranks seventh on NYU's all-time scoring list with 1,319 points.
Since his graduation from NYU, Boone has spent the past six seasons competing in Germany. He is currently playing in the
Beko Basketball Bundesliga, the nation's top league and one of the most competitive in all of Europe.
Boone has continued to thrive as a professional. Currently playing with
s. Oliver Baskets, where he averaged 10.1 ppg and 5.0 rpg last year, Boone will remain under contract with the club through the 2013-14 season.
Boone is just one of a group of recent NYU graduates who have also gone on to play professionally.
Keith Jensen (class of 2010) currently competes in the Philippines in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
D.J. Glavan (class of 2011) has played in both the English Basketball League (EBL) and the British Basketball League (BBL) in the United Kingdom, while 2013 graduate
Carl Yaffe will soon begin his professional career after receiving multiple international contract offers.
Recently, Boone sat down to discuss his career and how his time with the Violets helped him to where he is today.
Tell us about your career so far. Where have you played and what are some of your professional accomplishments?
I started playing in the fourth level of German basketball, but was only there for six months. I performed well and opened some eyes, so I was given the opportunity to try out for a team in the Bundesliga. I was fortunate enough to make that team, and I've been in the Bundesliga ever since. I played there for three years, and I'm now in my third year with s. Oliver Baskets. I've been to the playoffs all but one year and reached the semifinals in 2012. I also helped my team to a European Challenge Championship in 2010. Individually, I was Honorable Mention Center of the Year this past season.
How popular is basketball in Germany? How does being a professional athlete there compare to the United States?
Soccer is the still the biggest sport throughout Europe, but it's amazing to see the progress basketball has made. Every year the league gets tougher as bigger 'name players' sign here. I think a large part of the recent boom has to do with Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA title a few years back. He is originally from Wurzburg, so a large portion of the population took a greater interest in the sport.
How well do you speak German? Was adapting to the language difficult?
The first year when I played in the fourth league, my coach was German and didn't speak much English. I was the only American on my team, so I decided to enroll in a langauage class. It was two hours a day, three days a week, and it really helped me feel more comfortable out there. Once I was able to play at a higher level with more American players and coaches, I was known as "the guy that speaks a little German." As a result, I was always encouraged to do interviews in German. The people here really appreciate the fact that I put in the effort to learn it.
How do you compare living in New York to living in Germany? What is the best part about living in Germany?
The history and the culture here is certainly the best part. I can walk down a street, look across a river and see a 600-year-old castle that a Duke or a Prince used to live in. Where I live now is very different from the fast pace of New York.
How did going to school at NYU and living in New York City help prepare you to play professionally abroad?
The best thing about NYU and New York City in general is how much of a melting pot it is. You come in contact with so many different people from so many different backgrounds that it forces you to think outside the box. That really helped me feel comfortable enough to leave my family and everything I've ever known in order to fulfill my life-long dream of playing professional basketball.
How did playing basketball at NYU prepare you for a professional basketball career?
The European game is played very differently than in the United States. I received great coaching at NYU, and I was taught to compete all the time. When I was considering playing professional basketball, Coach (Joe) Nesci sat me down and told me I wouldn't be successful at the next level if I only compared myself to the level of competition I faced in college. I was stronger than most of my college opponents, but I learned that was not enough. Coach Nesci always challenged me to be better than I was the day before. More so than anything else, playing at NYU instilled the tough mindedness which has been essential for the success I've had in my basketball career.
Who are some of the best players that you have played with or against while in Germany?
Ben Jacobson and John Little, two of my best friends, have been teammates of mine for five of the six years I've been in Germany. They both played at the University of Northern Iowa. As far as opponents, I had the chance to play against players with NBA and All-Star experience such as Allen Iverson, Deron Williams, Brian Skinner, and Gerald Green during European Challenges. The Bundesliga has had some star college guys like Casey Jacobson (Stanford), Lee Humphrey (Florida) and Allan Ray (Villanova).
Was it difficult to establish yourself coming from a Division III school? What advice would you have for other NYU or Division III basketball players who are looking to pursue a professional career?
You definitely don't get the respect without proving yourself. Fortunately, I showed myself to be a very efficient player right away. Success doesn't happen overnight. It takes a ton of work before you get an opportunity, and then you have to show up and perform. It's important to put yourself out there, use your education, network, and reach out to anyone you think could help in pursuing your goal.
Keith Jensen, D.J. Glavan and Carl Yaffe are all playing or will be playing professionally – what advice do you have for them and have you been able to help them at all?
The NYU family will always be special to me. I have spoken to the three of them on separate occasions. Just by telling them my story, pointing them in the right direction and giving them advice I feel like I've been able to help them all. I'm hoping to have the chance to compete with or against them at some point in our careers.
What's next for you? What do you still hope to accomplish in your career?
I've had some success during my time in Europe, but I want to win a Bundesliga title. There are a few leagues that are better than mine elsewhere in Europe, and I'd love to play in one of those leagues later in my career. I also hope to compete in the Euroleague, which is the highest level of international club basketball in Europe. Having competed in both the Eurochallenge and the Eurocup (two lower tiers of international club competition), the Euroleague seems like the next big step for me. Other than that, I want to make sure I'm seen as a winner, someone that played the game the right way and someone that made a difference in the community. If I can look back and say that, I will be happy with this chapter of my life.
