Texas Tech University Athletics
Catching Up with Monique Smalls
October 23, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Former Lady Raider point guard Monique Smalls is playing her first professional season in Germany.
Oct. 23, 2014
TexasTech.com caught up with former Lady Raider Monique Smalls (2009-13) who is playing her first season overseas in the German Basketball League second division with the BG 74 Veilchen Ladies club.
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TT.com: So what's it been like getting to go to Germany and continue playing?
Smalls: "It feels very different living in Germany but it feels almost like home at the same time because it really does look just like the States in some places. Well, except for the different language. But it's been very exciting. I really thought my career as a player was over - especially after I sat out a year to finish school. But it ended up working out just right."
TT.com: So how much did it help being here and working out as a strength and conditioning student with Tory Stephens but taking same time off the court at the same time?
Smalls: "It did a lot. It really paid off because I feel like I got my body back to being healthy and strong. Taking that time off where you aren't playing every day gave me a chance to fully recover with my muscles, knees, my back and then there's my feet. I suffered for years with plantar fasciitis. And for all that to go away almost completely has helped me tremendously in being able to keep playing. I think I just needed that time to regroup."
TT.com: So can you say any German phrases to me?
Smalls: "I can say hello! Well there's different ways. You say, `Hallo.' which is like hi. Or you say `Tag' or "Guten Tag" which is more formal. And then `Danke Schoen' which is thank you. But yeah, that's pretty much all I got. I'm actually going to take some German classes so I can learn more."
TT.com: So what's the league like? How different is it from playing college basketball and what's the difference in style from playing in the U.S.?
Smalls: "The style of play in Europe is very different. I struggled my first few games because of different things they did. Like on an in-bounds pass, normally there's all this time given to set up a play or get different personnel on the floor and here it's out, and in-bounded in a matter of seconds. A lot of it is with the rules. Like you can't in-bound a pass and send it to someone in the backcourt. It has to stay on whatever side you are on. Just little things like that took me some time getting used to. It's not that you picked on for being American, but there's no leeway. They expect you to know the rules just like someone who has been playing over here for years."
TT.com: Do you play with a lot of Americans in your league?
Smalls: "Each team, or club, has about two to three American players. I'm playing in the second division here because I missed a year in between so it's kind of like trying to prove yourself all over again. But in the first division you're only allowed to have a maximum of up to three Americans on the court at once. So I'm playing in second division where you are only allowed to have up to two Americans on the court. So usually, you only have around two Americans on the team. But for instance there were three on the team we played today. So sometimes there's more. Then it's nice because you can carry a conversation on with them. But I'm going to learn German! I'm determined to."
TT.com: So even though you haven't learned the language, how about taking in the culture in Germany? Have you gotten to go do any touristy things since you got there?
Smalls: "Oh yeah. I had to. You can't be here and not find ways to experience the culture. I was definitely a tourist when Oktoberfest came! That was one of the best experiences here. We had some time off after a game and two others drove five hours with me to Munich, went to Oktoberfest, and then came back. That was a whole new experience for me but it was like the one thing people tell you to go experience if you are here this time of year. I've never seen anything like that in my life."
TT.com: So how much of your experiences here at Texas Tech helped you prepare for this point in your life and being able to continue playing?
Smalls: "It prepared me a lot. I grew up a lot the last couple of years in college. I've talked to or texted a lot of coaches just to thank them for everything and what they taught me. I can remember feeling frustrated and not fully understanding some of the things we did to try and be better leaders and players - and now I do. I get it. Coming out here has helped me understand that. In division two you have a lot of young players. So I'm actually the second-oldest on the team. And to have that leadership ability and be able to direct players and tell them their strength and weaknesses and what we need to do better during a game to help us be at our best - that's the stuff I learned while I was playing at Tech and playing college basketball. I just didn't realize how much it rubbed off on me to now. But I'm definitely so glad I was there and got the opportunity to play and grow into a leader."
Fans can follow Smalls in Germany by CLICKING HERE to go to the BG 74 Veilchen Ladies home page in German. The page can also be translated into English. Check out former @TechAthletics Lady Raider Monique Smalls featured on her team's promo in Germany #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/OComctwuUX
- Travis Cram (@traviscram) October 19, 2014 
