Liam Zwanbun Q&A

After an intriguing first German national team appearance for Liam Zwanbun at the 2025 Szent Istvan Cup in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, Florian Kurth connected with the talented guard and talked about his first steps in basketball, background in football (soccer), goals on and off the court, family, and much more.

He is coming off a strong U16 season in the German JBBL, where he averaged 25.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 1.6 APG.

For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2009-born German prospect Liam Zwanbun, from Düsseldorf, Germany:

Pro Insight: To start off, please introduce yourself to our audience.

Liam Zwanbun: Hi, I’m Liam. I’m 16 years-old and currently live in Dus̈seldorf with my mom, my stepdad, and my sister. I’ve been playing basketball for about two-and-a-half years now, and I currently compete in the JBBL for ART Giants Dus̈seldorf. I was recently selected to join Germany’s U16 national team, which was a huge honor and a great experience. My goal is to continue growing as a player, stay focused, and make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.

PI: Talk to us about your background and how you got to where you are today.

LZ: I actually started playing football when I was just three years old, and by the age of nine, I was already playing at the youth academy of Borussia Mon̈chengladbach (Bundesliga team). At the time, I believed football was my true passion. But as I got older, I discovered basketball. At first, I just played it on the side for fun — some of my relatives, like my uncle, played too, which helped spark my interest. I eventually attended my first basketball camp — the Academy Camp — and I had a great time. After that, I joined ART Giants Dus̈seldorf. That was my second full season playing basketball, and it was the first time I really committed myself to the sport. Since then, things have taken off. I’ve grown quickly as a player, both technically and mentally. I’ve had great support from my family, even though I’m actually the first in my family to seriously play basketball — my biological father and my stepfather both played football. My stepfather has been like a real father to me since I was one year old, and I’m grateful for everything he’s done for me. Having strong family support helped me focus and stay motivated, and now I’m fully committed to continuing my journey in basketball.

PI: Why basketball? Talk about what the game means to you.

LZ: Basketball is more than a game – it’s passion, expression, and connection. On the court, I forget everything else. It teaches me discipline, teamwork, and how to handle setbacks. Every shot and every pass matters. Basketball gives me confidence, focus, and a sense of belonging – that’s why basketball.

PI: Do you watch much film? If so, who do you watch most often?

LZ: Before games, I often watch a lot of videos of my favorite players. For example, I really like watching Jalen Green because his explosiveness and athleticism impress me a lot, and I can learn a lot from his game since we have similarities in how we play. I also enjoy watching Amen Thompson, especially for his defensive tips on how to defend best. And I like watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander because of his creativity on the court and his shot creation, which I really admire and can learn a lot from.

PI: We saw you for the first time in Hungary at the Szent Istvan Cup – how was your experience at the event that weekend?

LZ: For me personally, it was an unforgettable event. I made my debut for Germany and we played against international teams. It was a great opportunity to see how basketball is played outside of Germany and to learn from others. I was naturally very excited and nervous because it was my first time representing the national team. But I really enjoyed it and will never forget the experience.

PI: What did you learn? What were your biggest takeaways?

LZ: What I took away from the experience is that staying calm under pressure is crucial, especially when playing internationally and representing Germany. I noticed many players were nervous, and learning to manage that was important to perform well in the tournament. Defensively, I played very well and was able to show my athleticism. Offensively, the game was more team-oriented, which was an adjustment for me since I usually create a lot on my own with the ball for my club team. But I learned that to win games and advance, you have to play as a team. That’s why I didn’t score as many points as I usually do, but I’m still satisfied with my first tournament for Germany. I also learned the importance of making smart decisions, passing the ball, and not always trying to do everything myself. You have to read the plays and react accordingly.

PI: Which other participants impressed you the most, there?

LZ: Hungary really surprised me. I didn’t know the country could play such good basketball, especially at the youth level. I wasn’t aware that their senior teams even competed in European or World Championships, so I thought Hungary wouldn’t be that strong. But in the end, they won the tournament, which impressed me a lot. Their players weren’t the biggest or the most athletic, but they played so well together as a team that they were able to beat every other team.

PI: For those who haven’t seen you play before, how would you describe your game?

LZ: I would describe myself, as most scouts and coaches do, as very athletic and unique for my size. Since I come from a soccer background, I’m very agile on my feet and extremely fast, which coaches really appreciate because it’s not common for someone my size. Defensively, I’m strong and tough, and I use my athleticism well on rebounds. I’m also good at setting up my teammates and making smart decisions. My drives are definitely one of my strengths because I can use my body control really well. I can shoot threes too, but I’m still working on improving that.

PI: What else are you really specifically focused on improving/developing?

LZ: Right now, I’m focusing a lot on improving my lateral quickness so I can defend the ball better and get stops. Timing is also key, so I’m working on stealing the ball without fouling. To do that well, I need to get stronger and build more muscle. Additionally, I’m practicing shooting deep threes – about three to four steps behind the line – so I can be a threat from even further out.

PI: What would you say keeps you motivated?

LZ: What keeps me motivated is my goal to become a professional player and to get to college in the U.S. as early as possible to showcase myself there. I want to get better every day and prove how far I can go with my talent and hard work. Representing my team and my country is also very important to me. Ultimately, my biggest dream is to make it as a pro.

PI: Who is someone you really look up to or are inspired by?

LZ: A player I really look up to is Jalen Green because we have a very similar playing style. I’ve noticed his exceptional athleticism and skills since high school. I also admire how far he’s come with the support of his family – even though he missed a year of team play and only trained individually with his parents, he still made it to a high level. His skills and dedication really inspire me.

PI: What are your biggest short and long term goals on the court?

LZ: My short-term dreams are to play college basketball and to show what I’m capable of right now in my first NBBL season. My long-term goals are, of course, to play in the NBA or the EuroLeague.

PI: How about off the court? Any life goals?

LZ: Off the court, I want to grow as a person – stay disciplined, focused, and humble. I also want to give back to my family for everything they’ve done for me.

PI: What are your plans for the rest of the summer?

LZ: For the rest of the summer, I’m planning to focus on training hard – working on my shooting, speed, and strength to come back stronger. I’ll also spend time recovering and staying healthy so I’m ready for the upcoming season. Besides basketball, I want to relax a bit and recharge, spend time with family and friends, and maybe watch some games to learn more.

PI: You mentioned the NCAA and the possibility of going that route – can you imagine going to college one day?

LZ: Yes, absolutely! Going to college is a big goal for me. I see it as an important step to develop my game, gain experience, and showcase my skills on a bigger stage. It’s also a chance to grow both as a player and as a person, learning from coaches and teammates. I’m excited about the opportunity to compete at that level and take my basketball career to the next step.

PI: What are your biggest interests off the court?

LZ: My biggest interests off the court are definitely spending time with friends who bring a lot of positive energy. I also enjoy playing other sports, especially soccer. I like listening to music, and relaxing a lot. I make sure to get good rest and focus on recovery by going to the sauna or swimming. Besides that, I really enjoy spending time with my family, especially my sister. I also spend a lot of time with my athletic trainer, who feels like a friend and brother to me. We enjoy going out together, and he always motivates me and keeps my spirits high. I owe him a lot, and I hope we stay in touch forever.

PI: If you had a free/off-day where you weren’t allowed to play basketball or work out/train, what would you spend your time doing?

LZ: If I had a free day with no basketball or training allowed, I’d probably spend it relaxing and recharging – maybe hanging out with friends or family, watching movies, or listening to music. I’d also enjoy spending some quiet time just resting, maybe going for a swim or visiting the sauna to help my recovery. It’s important to take those breaks to come back stronger.

PI: We’ll end with some quick-hitters. What’s your favorite book?

LZ: To be honest I don’t read books.

PI: Favorite movie?

LZ: Hustle.

PI: TV show?

LZ: Prison Break.

PI: Top-three most-used apps on your phone?

LZ: Tik Tok, Snapchat, Instagram.

PI: Favorite snack?

LZ: Chocolate.

PI: Go-to pre-game meal?

LZ: Rice with chicken.

PI: Last question – five years from now, where do you see yourself?

LZ: In the NBA or EuroLeague.