The American big man is enjoying his first season in the BKT EuroCup.
Ben Lammers, Gran Canaria: 'We should be pretty happy with our EuroCup play'
Interviews
8 Mins read
Sometimes a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered. Ben Lammers is thriving at his new club, Dreamland Gran Canaria, in the BKT EuroCup after moving from ALBA Berlin, where he spent three years playing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
The 27-year-old big man has averaged 9.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in Gran Canaria’s 5-0 start to the 2023-24 season. For a team looking to defend its EuroCup title, Lammers has already shown that he has the qualities needed to make sure Granca remains one of the teams to beat in the competition.
During an interview with the official BKT EuroCup website, Lammers – ALBA’s all-time EuroLeague leader in blocked shots – discussed switching the city of Berlin for the island of Gran Canaria, how he is settling in with his new team and his thoughts on the EuroCup, as well as much more.
After spending three years in the EuroLeague with ALBA Berlin, you made the move to Gran Canaria in the EuroCup. How have you found going from a city like Berlin to the island lifestyle in Gran Canaria?
"It’s definitely a different type of lifestyle. Berlin is very German; you have the stereotype of doing everything on time and the correct way. Then you go to Spain in general, which is typically more relaxed, but especially on an island off the coast of Spain. It’s definitely been a lot more relaxed. I can walk five minutes to the beach, so it’s been quite a nice change. The weather and everything like that has been a big plus."
You started your professional career in Spain with Bilbao Basket in 2018 and stayed there for two seasons before heading to ALBA. How does it feel to be back in Spain? Are there many differences between life in Bilbao and Gran Canaria?
"Bilbao is in the Basque Country, which is northern Spain, and it was my first time ever playing in Europe, so I didn’t really know in Spain that there are different cultures inside the same country. That’s when I learned about the Basque people and that they still spoke the [Basque] language. Then when I got here [in Gran Canaria], they have their own separate culture as well, so I think that’s always been an interesting thing. Growing up in the U.S., you learn about different countries but you don’t learn about the details, like how things are different inside [the country].”
Gran Canaria is a well-established team in the EuroCup and brought back many of its players from last year’s championship-winning side. Did you find it easy to fit in?
“I think they’ve made fitting in pretty easy. Obviously, with so many guys returning, it makes it a little easier because most people already know the system, so there’s plenty of people to help you out and help you along when you mess up a bit. Sometimes when you come to a new team like that, it can be a little difficult, but everyone has been really nice, everything’s matched up really well with my playing style, so all in all, it’s been a pretty pleasant experience."
Gran Canaria has started this season how it finished last year, going 5-0 through the first five games of the campaign. What are your thoughts on how the team is playing right now?
"I think in the EuroCup we’re doing pretty good. We also have the ACB [Spanish League] so those games can be quite tough, but it’s just the beginning of the season so we’ve still got some things to hammer out, some more details when it comes to offensive and defensive tactics. In general, though, I think we should be pretty happy, especially with our EuroCup play."
Gran Canaria is trying to become the first team to go back-to-back in the EuroCup since the competition’s inception in 2002. Was that challenge one of the reasons you agreed to join the team?
"I think that was definitely one of the appeals. They’re a successful team, so you want to join up with them to help them continue being a successful team. They have a history of high performance, so that’s what makes it fun when you’re playing with a good team with good players. It makes it a more enjoyable year, rather than just struggling to get a win."
What lessons did you learn in your time in the EuroLeague that you are now using with Gran Canaria in the EuroCup?
"Obviously, when you play so many games, you’re bound to pick up a few things here and there about how to play a little bit. I’m used to playing six games in 12 days or even more, so I’m used to a pretty high turnover of games. Compared to that, playing two games a week here with the EuroCup, it’s really nice. It’s kind of like a nice little break, because now I know I’ll pretty much always have two days or three days between games, rather than just having one day between games."
You have started in just one of your five appearances so far in the EuroCup. What is the difference for you between being a starter and coming off the bench?
"I’ve never really cared too much about starting because, at the end of the day, it depends how you perform as to whether you start or not. Also, I’ve preferred to be the one that ends games if it’s a close game, because that’s usually a more important moment than starting the game. Actually, in Bilbao, I didn’t start that many games either and I almost like it that way, because it’s a little easier for me to get a feel for the pace of the game. I can watch the first few minutes and then go in and help out immediately."
You won the German League twice as well as the German Cup during your time with ALBA. How would it feel to become a EuroCup champion with Gran Canaria this season?
"That would definitely be a nice thing to add to the whole career. Obviously, that will be quite difficult, but I think it’s definitely something that is possible. It would make my career look pretty good so far!"