Clint Driftmier jumper April 24, 2008

Dunking in Deutschland--Driftmier a hit in Germany

Five years and several inches on his inseam ago, Clint Driftmier came to Central College hoping to earn a spot on the high-powered Dutch men’s golf team.  

But while a late growth spurt played havoc with his tee shots, standing 6-foot-10 does have its advantages in other venues and the former non-scholarship athlete became a standout basketball player at Central, then found himself as a play-for-pay player in Germany. A two-time first-team all-Iowa Conference pick and one of the top scorers and rebounders in Central history, Driftmier averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds for MJC Trier in Trier, Germany, a city of about 100,000 where he competed in the Erste Regionaliga, the third of five levels of play. Players range in age from 17-27.

Driftmier landed in Trier after an early shot at a second-level team in eastern Germany was denied because the staff was scared off by his slender 205-pound frame. Yet Driftmier quickly began posting statistical double-doubles just as he did at Central.

“It took a while to adjust to the style of play and the referees’ style, as far as what they expect,” he said.

Ironically, the player who, throughout his career was deemed not physical enough, has had to rely more on finesse in Europe.

“They’ll let you bang down low but there are a lot more touchy foul calls away from the basket,” he said. “And obviously, posting up is different because of the different lane width in Europe.”

But he enjoyed life in a league where shooting skills are valued, even in a big man. At Central, Driftmier possessed a deft shooting touch, ranking second in school history in career field goal percentage at 59.0.

“The coaches give you the green light to step out and shoot from outside,” he said. “I think that’s why you see a lot of European big men who are good shooters.”

Driftmier, who racked up 28 career double-doubles at Central, averaged 18.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in leading a resurgence in the Dutch program that carried over to this year, when the squad’s 14-10 mark was its best in 13 years. A Clarinda, Iowa native, Driftmier ranks ninth in career scoring at Central (1,239 points), fourth in career rebounds (653) and fourth in career blocked shots (70).

But his game grew in Europe.

“I’ve learned a few more things,” Driftimer said. “I jump a little better now and I’m shooting a little more. I’m continuing to learn as a player.”

MJC Trier usually plays one game a week in a season that stretches from September to April in several southwestern German cities. But there’s little down time. There are 3-4 practices a week and weightlifting, along with additional duties as head coach of a women’s team and regular work with three youth groups.

“I eventually want to teach and coach, so being a coach in Germany will look good on my resume,” Driftimer said.  

And his work with the women’s team is enjoyable as well.

“It’s fun,” he said. “They go hard. They want to get up and down the floor and they listen well. You can’t ask for anything more than that. We had a pretty good time.”

The players made his duties simpler by speaking English in practice and the MJC Trier squad does as well. He was among three American players on the MJC Trier roster, the league limit.

Driftmier could have returned and might have been been picked up by a team in a higher league for better pay. But he enjoys being back in Iowa and had two job interviews the day after he returned. He accepted a position as a teacher and coach at Knoxville High School.

“I enjoy it and I love playing basketball,” he said. “But I miss my family. Family is pretty important to me, so that’s the worst part of it. And I’ve been pretty blessed to have no major injuries so far.”

He also missed watching his old Central teammates continue their steady rise on the court, although he did get to see a Dutch victory during a quick holiday trip to the U.S. after Christmas. He was an avid reader of the team news on the Central Web site and has the Dutch schedule taped to his apartment wall.

Driftmier even listened to a Webcast of a Central game in December, but that wasn’t always a realistic option.

“There’s a 7-hour time difference,” he said. “If the game starts at 8 o’clock in Iowa, that was 3 in the morning for me.”

Driftmier’s mother and two sisters visited him in Germany and did some sightseeing, which he enjoyed. But he’s glad to be home.

“I’m really excited to start my career and do it so close to Central,” he said.