Nathan Schall: You Say “Dunk!” – I Say “How High?”

Nathan Schall made his BBL debut last season for Milton Keynes Lions after having spent the start of his career with Manchester Magic.

His spell with the Lions petered out and he was cut from the roster, but after making waves with an impressive showing at the BBL Cup Final in January winning the half-time dunk contest, Cheshire Jets soon came calling. Schall played an important role at times in helping the North West side achieve a BBL Play-Off berth and was agonisingly close to a Finals appearance.

Since then, Schall has been keeping up his fitness and making the most of every opportunity in the off-season.

Last weekend (Saturday 30th June) saw him participate in Nike’s World Basketball Festival, a worldwide series of events organised by the sportswear company, that kicked off in Brixton. There were skill drills, team competitions and also the dunk contest in which Nathan took part in.

I caught up with him to find out how he got involved, his experience of it all including meeting up with Chicago Bulls and star of Team GB, Luol Deng together with the former Bulls legend Mr Scottie Pippen, and also a few other matters associated with Schall.

Rob Jeffries: How did you get involved with the Nike World Basketball Festival?

Nathan Schall: I played in the Reach and Teach Community Classic Tournament at Turnpike Lane Courts a few weeks ago and Nhamo Shire asked me to enter in the World Basketball Festival, he also put a word in with Nike who then asked me to be in the dunk contest.

RJ: With the attentions of Luol Deng and Scottie Pippen on you, did you put in any extra practice before the dunk contest? 

NS: When I found out Luol Deng and Scottie Pippen would be there I did put a couple of hours practice in to make sure my dunks would impress. I mean, Pippen has seen ‘His Royal Airness’ in a dunk contest, so I had to bring something impressive!

RJ: Was there more or less pressure going into this competition than previously, compared to your win at the BBL Cup Final?

NS: Well, the BBL dunk contest was my first ever dunk contest so that was big for me, but the World Basketball Festival is a worldwide event and I was being judged by two NBA greats, so I’d say the pressure was the same, but easier to overcome as I knew what to expect.

RJ: Did you get time to talk with either Luol or Scottie? If so, did they give you any advice?

NS: As you can imagine they were getting a lot of attention so I didn’t get chance to talk to them like that. I did get a picture with Scottie Pippen though which was cool.

RJ: Stefan Gill claimed the win on the day – with the two of you playing together both at Magic and more recently at MK Lions, did you try to psych each other out or was it all in good spirit?

NS: Haha, well we all stuck together and got each other hyped up. All the dunkers wanted to see each other do well, and I was part of two of Stefan’s dunks, but there was definitely an intense feeling in the air as we all wanted to win. It was definitely game on!

RJ: Apart from the dunking – how have you spent your summer so far?

NS: I’ve been keeping in shape and training with the newly promoted Manchester Magic seniors who won promotion last year into EBL Division 2. I’ve also been having some quality family time before the season starts. I’ll no doubt be taking part in the Midnight Madness tournament as well. I think a holiday will be on the cards too before the new season begins!

RJ: Are you attending any of the Olympic basketball?

NS: Unfortunately not, I will be watching it on the TV though for sure.

RJ: What are your thoughts on the rebirth of Manchester Giants?

NS: I think it’s been waiting to happen for a few years now, It was just a case of who will make that first push to get the franchise going again, and I think it’s one of the best things to happen to the BBL for the 2012/13 season. They are a big name club and still have many followers. With it being the team I used to watch when I was younger, it’s an exciting thing for me personally as well.

RJ: Are you hoping still to play next season in the BBL?

NS: Yeah, I intend to spend the 2012/13 season in the BBL. There are a couple of teams that I’m talking to, but I’m hoping to sign somewhere before August.