TreVion Crews (183-PG-1996, college: Bethel, IN)s a 26 year old 183cm guard from Fort Wayne Indiana recently played his first season overseas with German club PS Karlsruhe playing 17games averaging 12.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 91.3%. He also gained experience with the Fort Wayne Vision (MBL). He began his college ball at Jackson College and then played at Bethel College, Indiana from 2018-2021 playing a total of 98 games. He put up insane stats of 20.3ppg, 8.5rpg, 5.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 81.8%,, 23.1ppg, 5.5rpg, 5.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 90.6% and 24.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 5.0apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 86.2%. He spoke to eurobasket about his basketball career.
Thanks TreVion for talking to eurobasket.com. Straight from the NAIA to Germany. Do you feel like your living the ultimate Cinderella story? You must be aware that very few NAIA guys have reached the Pro A level?
Oh yea absolutely! Like I said my journey to get to where I’m at has been amazing and each day I just stay consistent and control what I can control! Yes I am aware, but there is a lot of talent at the NAIA level!
What besides a giant chip on your shoulder and immense hard work has allowed you to keep progressing in your basketball career?
Two things, the love for the game and my family! Without a doubt if I wasn’t getting paid to play I would still try to compete because I just love it so much and it’s a part of me, and my family has been there for me through all my hardships and all my trials so they keep me level headed!
Since COVID emerged you were in the States and Romania. What were the biggest challenge for you on and off the court during the pandemic?
I didn’t go to Romania! But the biggest challenge in the states would have to be finding gyms with a consistent schedule! It was hard to get on courts and get in different locations because some places wasn’t allowing 2-3 people at once, so I struggled during that time trying to find a gym!
With all that you experienced during COVID, how do you believe did you get stronger as a man?
Covid allowed me to be more organized in what I was doing! I had a schedule, I had a diet, and I had a plan and I stuck with that plan for a while now so it helped me grow in that area!
You played your rookie season with German Pro A club PS Karlsruhe. What did you know in general about Germany and it’s history and basketball?
I didn’t know much about Germany so that’s why I was excited to come over and check it out! It’s a beautiful place, it’s a great league to be in and I’m happy I got this opportunity!
I can imagine you have heard about the Cinderella story of Cameron Hunt who played at Southwestern KS? You had a very exciting last months. Do you have immense self confidence coming to begin your pro career in a very competitive second division after having a G-League work out?
I’m not familiar with Cameron Hunt story!
You had insane stats in the NAIA. With what kind of a mind did you go into your rookie season in Germany?
Yes I would have high confidence in myself even if I didn’t train in the GLEAGUE! I’m just a confident player and I work on my craft and I’m confident that things will translate. My mindset will be how it always is, Dominate! Any opportunity I get to take the floor and lace up my shoes I want the world to know who I am and what I’m capable of so I must be a dominant player from start to finish! If I play hard and do what I’m supposed to do the stats will speak for themselves!
Let’s talk about your game. You have a game similar to Chris Paul. To what other NBA players would you compare your game to?
Yea I would also say Damian Lillard in terms of shooting the NBA 3 off the dribble and change of speeds to get to my spots
You have the complete package as a player. With you being so versatile, would you say that that is your biggest strength?
Yes absolutely, being able to do multiple things on the floor is a blessing and it makes it hard for teams to guard and scout against me!
How much pride do you take on the defensive end? What is your biggest strength there?
I take a lot of pride in defending I think it shows a lot of heart to do so much offensively then turn around and stop your man from scoring! My strength would have to be my quick hands and how strong I am!
On what area’s of your game are you working on most now so that your game can continue to progress?
Being more vocal as a leader is an area I’m constantly growing in! I’m great at leading by example but at times I need to speak up and allow the team to hear my voice
Last summer you were in for a try-out with the Indiana Pacers. What kind of an experience was that seeing that NBA atmosphere at close hand? With what kind of a feeling did you leave there?
I actually did a pre draft workout for the Indiana Pacers! But the atmosphere was amazing, everything was professional and on time and I enjoyed it very much!
You were a bit nervous, but still held your own. What key advice did you get from the coaching staff?
Yes I was super nervous but one of my mentors/close friends told me that I’m not even supposed to be there so that alone helped me relax my mind and my body and to just leave everything out on the floor!
There you battled Kyle Mangas a guy you met often in the NAIA level. Was he able to help you reach another level in your game with all the times you played him and at the NBA workout? Do you continue to follow his path? He is playing a very good rookie season in the Czech Republic.
Yes playing against other great players will always bring the best out of you so having him at the workout was great! Yes I follow him still he is putting up great numbers in the league he’s in!
After high school you played with the Fort Wayne Vision (MBL). What kind of an experience was it being a boy playing with men?
Playing with the Vision was great, my uncle (Carlos Derrick) is actually the head coach so he made it a little smoother for me by teaching me everything I needed to know about the league! It definitely helped me get better as a player playing against men!
You then played a year at Jackson College (NJCAA). How did your game grow there and prepare you for your next step in the NAIA?
I got the privilege to be coached by an ex-NBA player Carl Thomas so that in itself was amazing and he allowed me to become more of a scorer then I was used too! He gave me a lot of knowledge as well and I learned a lot from playing for him!
You then played at Bethel University, Indiana (NAIA) from 2018-2021. You scored in double figures in 95 of 98 games. That’s incredible. What kind of rapid steps did your game make there?
I was ready, plain and simple! I had been prepping myself playing against great talent since I came out of high school so once I stepped on the college floor I was ready to show who I was!
You had so many incredible games including having 5 40 plus games. What was your most memorable game there?
That’s tough, I can’t choose 1 game but I’ve had a lot of great games against Indiana Wesleyan, Mount Vernon, and Spring Arbor!
How did head coach Steve Drabyn groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach Draybn helped me hold myself accountable off the court! He was the guy who could careless about you as an athlete but more of you as a person! That translates to being a professional by being organized and doing the little things off the court professionals need to do to stay ready!
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Zac Owens?
I always torched Zac! But no he is a great player, we’ve gotten so much closer as brothers since he came to Bethel!
Who was the toughest player that you faced that reached the NBA?
Kay Felder or VJ Beachem
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Terrell Crews, Treyvon Covington, Lowell Griggs, Demarien Smith, Ed Dyson
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?
Lebron, Wade, Steph Curry, Shaq, Kobe
What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?
I think Lebron is the greatest hands down! The teams he was able to get to the finals, the stats don’t lie, all that stuff shows he’s better to me
Did you see the sequel of the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
Naw I thought it was actually ok, it’s better than Bad Boys 3 and the remade Lion King!
Thanks Trevion for the chat.
