Elite Shooter Logan Willoughby Can Impact The Game In Many Ways And Wants To Retire One Day On His Terms

Logan Willoughby (188-G/F, college: Manchester) is a 188cm guard from Indiana who played high school basketball at Whiteland Community High School. He then played at Manchester University (NCAA3) from 2021-2025 playing 62 games and as a senior averaged 16.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 90.0%. He has pro experience with Howard Hoops (Thailand-Warriors League) averaging 18.1ppg, 9.1rpg, 4.7apg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 75.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before playing at the RSI Las Vegas Overseas Combine.

Thanks Logan for talking togermanhoops.com. Your playing at the RSI Las Vegas Overseas Combine. How excited are you to taking part and showing your talent?

I am very excited. I love the ability to compete with other talented players. Everyone is there for the same goal to get seen and signed so it’s going to be a great, competitive environment that I’m grateful to be in.

How did you find about the offer and why did you believe it was the right opportunity for you?

Ron Howard told me about the combine. I’m with his agency RSI, and he was explaining how this showcase is a great opportunity to get more eyes on me as well as make more connections so it only made sense to me.

What is your impression of the man in charge Ron Howard? You already played for him in Thailand. Are you aware of his incredible track record of helping place guys overseas with jobs?

I really appreciate Ron, I have been in contact with him since about last September, and he’s always been quick to reach out about anything important. I know he has confidence in my game and that means something coming from a former overseas pro who now established himself as someone who can really help get guys overseas.

What do you appreciate most about Ron Howards character and his ability to help hungry guys get set with a pro career?

I just think it’s that he’s hungry to be that guy that helps players. As one of his clients you can see that, and I appreciate it.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 188cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would say I think I am kind of a mix of Andrew Nembhard and Payton Pritchard. Both crafty, physical guards who can shoot with a quick first step and love to compete.

You’re a guard that can really fill the stat sheet well. How big is versatility in your game?

I think it is huge. I want to win and be the best player I can be so I challenge myself to impact the game in as many ways as I can.

You are an incredible three point shooter and shot 48% in your last season at Manchester. Where do you see the development of your shooting at this stage of your career? What is the next step for you as a shooter as a pro?

I believe that I am an elite shooter, but I am definitely trying to become more comfortable taking 3s off the dribble when the defense gives me space. I’ve put in the work and that part of my game is something I think I can show and will help me reach another level.

Talk about your playmaking. How did your game grow in school and where do you see your playmaking at the moment?

I think I am a great playmaker as well. I feel like my ability to get downhill and make plays for others is a strong point of mine. In college we had a guard heavy team, but that helped me as an overall playmaker as sometimes I’d play the 1 and be playmaking from up top, but I’d also get out on the wing as well and be able to play make from other areas of the court. I feel that I have versatility as a playmaker as well.

Talk about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I am a versatile defender. In college I would typically guard the other team’s best player if they were bigger and more athletic. We switched 1-4 and even 1-5 at times so I think the experience I got having to guard all positions helped. I have quick hands too, and I feel like that bothers players. I think I can definitely become a better pressure defender and pick up a little higher.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I would say becoming a knockdown 3pt shooter off the dribble and becoming an elite pressure defender will help take my game to another level.

Let´s talk about your career. After high school, you played at Manchester University (NCAA3) averaging 8.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 50.0%.15.8ppg, 5.1rpg, 3.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 81.6%, 13.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 39.1%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 83.1% and 16.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 90.0%. How did your game grow further there?

It grew tremendously. I played alongside Zach Sawyer who is another overseas pro now, and Bryant Smith who finished 7th all time in Manchester’s scoring history. They both scored over 1000 career points and I was on pace for about 1500 as well. We won a conference championship our sophomore years. We had elite guards who loved to play and compete so I got better every day. Playing with these guys helped me become a pro because we all had to be efficient and still impact the game in many ways. I also learned how to battle adversity at Manchester. I had some injuries and an illness my junior year so I only played 62 out of 103 possible games. This made me mentally tough though, and I learned how to work smarter on my body. I just feel like my overall college experience built me to be a pro.

How did head coach Nate Conley groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Coach Conley was great for me. He knew I was a gym rat, and he had a lot of confidence in me. He put me in positions to succeed offensively and defensively. I feel like playing for him helped show my versatility and continue to improve on it.

How won a 1-1 in practice you or Zach Sawyer?

We actually were able to workout together about a month ago and we played 2 games and it was 1-1. At Manchester we typically would have a few guys in the gym at once so it wouldn’t be directly 1 on 1 but more king of the court with a few people but Zach or I typically won those. He’s a great player who’s versatile as well.

You played with Howard Hoops (Thailand-Warriors League) recently averaging 18.1ppg, 9.1rpg, 4.7apg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 75.0%. How cool was this first pro experience? What could you learn from it?

It was amazing. I hadn’t been out of the United States since I was like 10 so the overall experience was new. I feel like I played pretty well in the league, and I was one of the youngest guys in the league so that was eye opening for me to just keep on working. There were a few games that I feel like we should’ve won that we let slip away so I think as a PG just being in better control of the game is something I learned.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Hayden Thomas?

I’d take myself in that one. I am more off the dribble then Hayden is, but he is an elite shooter. We became good friends in Thailand, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in Vegas.

What is your biggest dream as a pro player?

Be able to play for as long as I can. I love the game and it has given me so many friends, experiences, and memories so it’s just something I love and cherish so the dream is to retire on my own terms.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

I would say Trayce Jackson-Davis, he was a senior when I was a sophomore in high school and he was a man amongst boys out there. Plenty of dunks, blocks, and rebounds.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Zach Sawyer, Bryant Smith, Austin Willoughby, Max Sullivan, Kayden Welling

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I haven’t seen it, but it sounds like I should check it out.

Juhwan Harris-Dyson Wants To Become An Even Smarter Defender And Win The Pro B Title With The EN Baskets Schwelm

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Juhwan Harris-Dyson In the Dragon Dome Bad Honnef in 2026

Juhwan Harris-Dyson (198-SG-1999, college: California) is a 26 year old 198cm forward playing his sixth professional season and fifth in Germany and first with Pro B team EN Baskets Schwelm. Last season he played with the Dragons Rhondorf averaging 14.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.6apg, Steals-3 (2.4spg), 1.1bpg, FGP: 67.8%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 51.7%. In the 2024-2025 season he balled with SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 20.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.9apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 57.0%. In the 2023-2024 season he played with BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 64.4%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 63.9%. He played the 2022-2023 season with CSM Galati (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 8.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6apg, Steals-1 (2.4spg), FGP: 63.5%, 3PT: 20.7%, FT: 50.9%. He played his rookie season overseas with BBG Herford (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 17.6ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-3 (2.9spg), FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 62.8%. He began his basketball career at Heritage Christian High School and then played 3 seasons and 70 NCAA games with the University Of California (NCAA). He spoke togermanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Juhwan for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer going?

I´m in the Duesseldorf area now. I have been working out and also played some 3X3 ball. It is a really fun game. You have to be in a different type of shape. I think that it is a great addition to the sport.

3X3 has gotten so big in the last year. Why do you think it has blown up so quickly?

It is a very competitive sport. People play 3X3 or 4X4 at the parks. The rules are different and it´s an exciting game. A lot can happen in 10 minutes.

How has your summer been? Did you take a nice vacation?

I went to Bulgaria and spent time at the nation´s capital Sofia. I also played some 3X3 there. The people were very welcoming. I will be visiting Paris on Thursday.

Is there a place you would like to visit in USA that you haven´t been to?

I want to visit Disney Land in Orlando, Florida. I have been to Miami.

You could have been home sooner in May after the Dragons season ended, but you opted to remain in Germany and stick with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. What positives did that time have for your game?

I think being able to practice with BBL team Telekom Baskets Bonn helped my game in many areas. I got used to the physical side of the game in the BBL. My decision making got better as well as I got better used to the speed of the game. It also helped me that I could practice against strong players like Grayson Murphy.

After training a season with an easyCredit BBL team, what do you feel is still missing from your game to reach that level?

I think it´s really just shot selection and being able to take more three´s in rhythm and in the flow of the game. I need to expand my offensive game, because defensively I know that I can keep up with BBL players.

You won´t suit up with the Dragons Rhondorf. Wasn´t there a chance you could stay? I mean the chance to practice with a BBL team won´t be possible this season.

There was a lot of consideration for me to return to Rhondorf. It was great working with Max Becker. But I just felt it was time to take a different step in my career and Schwelm was the best place for me.

Congrats on signing with the EN Baskets Schwelm. Did you not have some Pro A offers?

I had no offers, but a little interest from some teams.

What were the main reasons for joining the EN Baskets Schwelm?

I joined this organization, because they have shown in the past that they are a consistent playoff team. They have experienced Pro B players. I also like the atmosphere in their gym.

What do you instantly like most about this organization the EN Baskets Schwelm?

It is a good place. I have only heard good things about them. I think I will be able to get better there and let my game grow to what I want it to be.

How did the talks go with head coach Falk Moeller. What did you instantly enjoy most about his basketball philosophy?

He gives a lot of freedom to the players and his focus is on defense. I will be able to paly my style which is up and down. I feel like I will become a better defensive player in his system.

You battled against Schwelm twice last season losing both games, but scoring 18 points in each game. What memories do you have from those games?

I remember the games being up and down and very physical. They played very good defense and I had tough looks. The atmosphere was great when we played there.

The EN Baskets Schwelm are a hungry club with high expectations. Is a title a realistic goal?

Every team I go to, my goal is to win a championship. If we can mesh well as a team and go through the ups and downs, anything is possible.

You had a potent season with the Dragons Rhondorf. What are your main goals with your game this season?

I want to shoot better than last season. I think that my shot selection was good last season. I need to continue to take good shots and make them. I will continue to be in the gym and work hard on my shooting.

You belonged to the best defenders in the Pro B last season. Do you feel like you can make the next step on the defensive end this season?

I need to stay out of foul trouble. I played less minutes when I was in foul trouble and couldn´t help my team more. I have to be a smarter defender. I want to win defensive player of the year.

On what areas of your game are you working on most this season? Perhaps your FT shooting?

FT shooting and three´s will be key. I want to be able to shoot better all around the court. Also I want to work on my ball handling as well.

You won´t battle the Dragons this season because they play in the Pro B south. Will you still keep tabs on them?

I will continue to keep tabs on them. I hope we meet in the playoffs.

Are you a football (soccer) fan? Have you followed World Cup?

I looked at the scores here and there. I also watched some games at night. I´m getting more into the sport.

USA had a nice run, but lost 4-1 against Belgium. What impressed you most about their game?

I watched them a little. It was impressive how far they got.

Who do you think will win the World Cup?

I think Argentina will win. They have the GOAT with Messi.

Thanks Juhwan for the chat.

Emanuele Berti(Alba Berlin) Observed Over Many Years How Jack Kayil(New York Knicks) Went From El Nino To A Man

Pic credit: NBBL

As crazy as this may seem sometimes even an Andi Obst isn´t enough at the end to secure a title in a nasty game 5 atmosphere on the road for Alba Berlin who witnessed that recently. For shooting star Jack Kayil, he didn´t have his best game in game 5 shooting a dismal 2/11 from the field, but in the end all that counts is the chip. The 2 baskets he did make were important ones in the fourth quarter in the miraculous comeback from Alba Berlin. He also downed valuable free throws in the game to secure the 84-81 victory in Munich. The last weeks have probably been the best in the life of Jack Kayil. He won his first real pro chip with Alba Berlin after winning the NBBL (U-19) title back to back with Alba Berlin in 2023 and the Young Rasta Dragons in 2024 and then topped that by being drafted in the NBA in the second round and landing with the New York Knicks. He had an interesting path that had some adversary long the way, but in the end everything he did was right. One guy who was on his side for many years during his youth period as an assistant coach and the last pro season with Alba Berlin as a player development coach was affable Italian Emanuele Berti. Both were on the court in Frankfurt in 2023 celebrating after Nils Machowski dropped a buzzer beater to beat the Young Rasta Dragons and celebrated again recently in Munich after Alba Berlin won the easyCredit BBL title. They went through so much together and Berti had many fond memories with Kayil on the court, but nothing topped the win in Munich recently. “Being able to win the BBL title together was unexpected. I mean we fought through so many difficult situations during the season. Jack had so much pressure with college on his mind, then scouts, NBA etc. It was so much to digest, but he was still in the gym every day and worked hard to get even better. When we won in Munich, Jack was the first player I met on the court. I gave him a big hug. It was not normal for a 20 year old kid like him to play such a big role on a title team. Being able to hug him after the win was the moment where we closed the circle. It was the end of his development. Now he would become an NBA player. His nickname from me was always “El Nino (the kid), but now he had become a man”, warned Emanuele Berti.

Emanuele Berti joined Alba Berlin in 2018 when Jack Kayil was 12 years old. He saw him play for the first time in the U-13 and then was his coach for the first time in the U-15. “I remember him being a reserved kid, but he was always open to jokes. He liked to be funny. He was a kid you just liked right away. On the court, I noticed this special personality right away. He wasn´t shy with the ball. He saw things on the court that other kids did not see. He had fakes, could go full court, made great passes and had this smell for steals. He was a special player”, stressed Emanuele Berti. Kayil was always one of the younger players and one could see already then he really was a unique player that had a massive future in front of him. “I remember in his second JBBL year, he was injured in Feb and we had to play Rostock and prompt lost without him. One could see a huge difference in the team play when he wasn´t there. The team really struggled without him trying to find easy solutions. He had the best + – that season. One could see how important his game was for the success of the team”, remembered Emanuele Berti. Him being one of the youngest on the team continued in his first NBBL season with Alba Berlin in 2022-2023 and despite the team being filled with so much talent, he showed right away that he could be an impact player, but he also got vital trust from the coaching staff who let him make mistakes. “I will never forget the second game of the season in Vechta who was one of the best teams in the NBBL. We were without our top players Elias Rapique, Nils Machowski and Rikus Schulte who were with the BBL team. We had the next man up mentality and that person was Jack. Jack began with 5 consecutive turnovers. Usually the coach will take him out, but I have to give a lot of credit to Vladi Bogojevic who kept him in. He had to learn from mistakes and see what it felt like to struggle. He played 28 minutes and showed early that he had something special. He would show flashes of making flashy dunks or big baskets. The turning point was at ANGT in Munich. It was his break out. He was young and had no expectations, but he totally turned it on. He played unbelievably well creating for others and making key baskets. It was not normal for a young player like him to take over when there were older guys on the team”, stated Emanuele Berti.

Pic credit: Alba Berlin

Alba Berlin would win the 2023 NBBL title mainly because it had a deep roster that had great talent at each position. The club was especially talented at the guard position with Nils Machowski, Jack Kayil and Dorian Grosber. None of these guards were dominant, but instead there was a healthy balance between the three. “Our style then was a lot different to what Vechta did. We did a mix of isolation, finding our teammates and getting the big men more involved. Nils was in front of Jack and Dorian. It was good for them 2 to learn from him. Jack and Dorian played more transition. But already then Jack had a special knack of reading the game well and knowing how to make the right play”, remembered Emanuele Berti. How well were his leadership qualities already developed on a team that already had many great leaders? “At the beginning he didn´t speak so much, but led by example. He became more vocal later. Elias Rapique was the vocal leader then. But he showed that he was never scared to take over in important moments of games and put his body on the line. He was fearless and showed his teammates how it should be”, stressed Emanuele Berti. Kayil already had a potent drive in 2022-2023 and nice offensive game, but it was his playmaking that was still raw then and would develop nicely the last years and especially last season having a teammate like Martin Hermannsson around. “Jack already had the ability to read the pick and roll well and when to go by himself or create or to slow down the game when needed or look for the correct tactical solutions. His passing made big strides this season. Jack always has had good instincts and knew how to find that first scoring option. But this season Martin worked a lot with him reading the situation well when the opponent makes adjustments. He learned that it doesn´t always have to be that first pass, but the late pass can be just as important. Jack couldn´t have found a better person than Martin to help him with his playmaking”, remembered Emanuele Berti. But it wasn´t only his offensive game that got him to the NBA, but his physicality and defensive skills were big assets as well. “Jack has always been an athletic kid. If you were to see his brother, you would think a mountain is there. He is a bit shorter, but double the width. You notice right away that there is something special in the family in terms of body. His body mass helped him then already to slow down the game, change speeds and be in the air longer than others. His physicality came latter, but was in the making then. He did a good job the last years continuing to build on his physicality. In terms of his defense, he always had a knack to steal the ball. He didn´t have the habits yet when he was young, but it grew with time. He made his biggest jump this season on defense. Pedro Calles said it best when he said that Jack used his physicality every second. He understood to be physical on every possession”, added Emanuele Berti.

After Jack Kayil won the 2023 NBBL title with Alba Berlin, he surprised many by leaving the organization and joining rival Young Rasta Dragons. This move had 2 sides that one had to understand. Many people didn´t understand this especially Alba Berlin. “On the one hand, it was brave for him to leave his comfort zone and he gained valuable experience being away from home and taking on a new challenge. However on the other hand we as Alba Berlin tend to think that we do an excellent job with our youth. We think that he could of even become better had he stayed with us. He could of played with the BBL team earlier and been successful. Serbia was a tough experience, but all in all a time where he could face adversary and grow as a player and person”, said Emanuele Berti. He took another step this season with easyCredit BBL team Alba Berlin averaging 12.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 78.5% and in the Basketball Champions League averaged 11.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 77.4%. “Jack became a very very reliable player this season. Pedro Calles said it best in preseason when he said Jack was like a 7th American. His strong physicality and mentality counted like a seventh American. His confidence also continued to grow within the season. The team began to accept quickly that he could make the big plays. His defensive presence was amazing. Jack had a big role on scoring passing and just being unpredictable. You never knew what you would get from him”, laughed Emanuele Berti. As Kayil departs for the NBA, the special working relationship between Berti and him has come to an end. It is a relationship that he will never forget. “We had a very open relationship. He was a very responsive kid that always wanted to understand and asked questions and was never short of having ideas. When I was an assistant during his youth days, we weren´t as close, but now as a player development coach we were closer. He was always nice to be around and was always focused about basketball, but could also be funny off the court. He is the example of how I would like every youth player in the Alba Berlin organization to come out to the pro´s. He was always in the gym and had the right mind set”, warned Emanuele Berti.

Kayil was drafted by the Houston Rockets at #39 and traded to the New York Knicks. “It was a huge achievement for him to be drafted. It was always his dream. Now we will see what happens. Him being drafted was a good representation of the hard work that the Alba Berlin organization put in. The coaching staff was huge for his big development this season. But really every person in the Alba Berlin organization have a piece in him being rewarded being drafted”, added Emanuele Berti. The German guard is coming to a team that just won the NBA title after 53 years again, have a German big man with Ariel Hukporti and incredible players like Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. “I think that Jack has all the tools to make it. He has proven in the past that he can overcome any challenge and get the best out of it. I´m very optimistic he will make it. The Knicks have an Italian player development coach and I hope that Jack takes advantage of it”, commented Emanuele Berti. With Jalen Brunson, he will have a top guard that could serve as his mentor. “I think that he will be perfect. They have a lot in common. Both were second round pics, have a nice mid range game and are physical. Hermannsson did a good job helping him become a pro in Europe and Brunson can do the same in the NBA”, stressed Emanuele Berti. The question now is will Jack Kayil be a role player or impact player in the NBA? “I think that he could be an impact player if the situation is right. When I see how well a guy like Hugo Gonzalez fit in Boston, I don´t see why Jack can´t do the same in New York. I don´t know how much time it will take, But he has the tools to become a high level player in the NBA”, warned Emanuele Berti.

Lukas Smazak(Skyliners) Can Be An Explosive Scorer But Also Make Fancy Passes Like Milos Teodosic

Pic credit: FIBA

Lukas Smazak (188-G-2007) is a 18 year old 188cm point guard from the Czech Republic that completed his first season with the Skyliners organization playing Pro B averaging 8.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP-3(69.0%), 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 85.0%, played also at Eintracht Frankfurt / Fraport Skyliners U19 team (Germany-NBBL) averaging 15.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.9apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT-16(91.9%). He also played 1 easyCredit BBL game. He began his basketball career with the BK Snakes Ostrava (U19 League). Last season he split time with Srsni Photomate Pisek (NBL) and the Snakes Ostrava (1Liga) averaging 20.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.0apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 87.7%, played also at BK Snakes Ostrava U19 team (U19 League) averaging PPG-1 (30.9), 6.9rpg, APG-1 (6.6), SPG-1 (4.5), FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 81.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

You came from the Czech Republic to play in Germany. What was the biggest adjustment for you living and playing basketball in Germany.

I live alone, so probably be able to do what my parents did for me in Czech and basketball side. Definitely physicality and defense.

Let´s talk about your game. You once told me that Steph Curry is your idol. After what pro players do you try to model your game?

Probably Luka Doncic

You have a great shot, but also are a great passer. Is there a little bit of Milos Teodosic in your passing?

I’m glad you are asking, because I was watching his highlights from a young age.

How would you rate the development of your 3 point shooting this season? You shot 33% in the NBBL and 37% in the Pro B. How did your game grow in Germany this season?

I’m really working on my shot every day and I think it´s getting better, also in shot selection.

You showed your defensive qualities in the Jena game 3 with 3 steals in a row. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I became better in defense here in Germany. I want to be the best as I can.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can keep improving your game?

Shooting and making better reads.

You began your career with BK Snakes Ostrava (U19 League). How do you remember your early years there. Did you have a mentor there?

I was always practicing with older guys and that made me a better player. My dad was my mentor.

You improved every season in the U-19 league and averaged PPG-1 (30.9), 6.9rpg, APG-1 (6.6), SPG-1 (4.5), FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 81.5% last season. How did your game grow in the years 22-25?

Like I said I’ve played with older guys, so basically I was in U19 almost 4 years. Each year I had bigger role.

You once scored 60 points in a game and also had a triple double. What memories do you have of those games?

Firstly I thought I had like 40 points and I couldn´t believe when they said 60. It was just amazing to see that my work ethic is paying off.

You also have been a member of the Czech Republic U-16 and U-18 teams. How is the state of Czech basketball? What young players are coming up that we should know about?

We are in B divisions in these categories on European championship, but U20 have A division. Nikos Koulisianis. He is playing in USA now.

You played at the U-18 Em averaging 17.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.9apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 88.9%. You had big games scoring 30 points against Switzerland, 27 points against England and 26 points against Finland. What memories do you have of that tournament?

I thought we can make in out of the group, but we didn’t unfortunately. For me it was nice, because I had big role in the team. The last games I played well, but the start of tournament wasn´t that good.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that made NBA or Euroleague?

I don´t think I have ever played against somebody from NBA or Euroleague.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Vojtech Sýkora, Kevin Týml, Jan Karlovský, Mikuláš Cank, Nikos koulisianis

Please list your personal NBA, Czech and Euroleague Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-team?

Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Milos Teodosic, Jan Veselý

Who is your GOAT?

MJ

Thanks Lukas for the chat.

Armenian Prospect Daniel Kirakosyan Wants To Become A Lock Down Defender And Help People In His Country Play Basketball And Chase Their Dreams

When one scopes the world for great basketball players, they can be found all over. The NBA has seen great players hail from Africa like a Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam or a Bol Bol just to name a few or from Asia with players like Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin that really set the league on fire while now adays you have newer guys like Rui Hacimura or Yuki Kawamura to name just a few. Of course most NBA players outside USA come form Europe. Over the years Spain and France have produced many great players while Germany have had a massive influx in the last 5 years as well. But it isn´t always these bigger countries that make the great players of tomorrow, but even smaller countries like Armenia. One player that recently put his name on the basketball map in Europe was Daniel Kirakosyan (190-PG-2005) who scored an unbelievable 84 points in 30 minutes and 3 more than Kobe Bryant´s personal NBA record of 81. The young guard like so many players have big dreams, but at the same time also is thinking about what he can do for others if he makes it to the big time. “ I work hard to reach my goals, and my dream is to play in the best leagues in the world, like the NBA or EuroLeague. But beyond that, I want to give back and help people in my country have the opportunity to play basketball and chase their dreams”, warned Daniel Kirakosyan.

The 21 year old guard who lists current Duke player Caleb Foster as his toughest opponent on the court so far was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, but his nationality is Armenian. He didn´t have a ball in his hands at age 3, but rather started to play the game quite late at age 11 and joined a proper team at age 13. “I got into basketball because my older brother went to practice one day and said it was fun, so my mom made me go with him. At that time, I actually wanted to play football,,but I fell in love with basketball later on”, said Daniel Kirakosyan. His early NBA and Euroleague basketball player inspirations were Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, Isaiah Thomas, and Milos Teodosic. He also had a very special mentor growing up that actually was someone very close to him. “Growing up, my mentor was always my dad. I’m not from a basketball family, but he was always the person I could go to for advice and someone who would tell me if I was doing something wrong”, remembered Daniel Kirakosyian. Before joining Urartu V-bet Yerevan (A-League), recently he began the season Temp-SUMZ-UMMC Revda (Russia-Superleague), but played sparsely playing 4 games, 14 minutes and netting 3 points. “ I wanted to play professionally in Russia, and it seemed like a good opportunity, so I decided to continue my career there. In the end, though, it didn’t turn out to be the most beneficial move for me. It was a good experience, and I definitely learned a lot of new things and improved in many areas. Even though I didn’t get as much playing time as I wanted, I still found a lot of positives that helped me grow as both a player and a person”, stated Daniel Kirakosyan. He came back and suited up with BKMA Yerevan (A-League) averaging 53/11/7 in 3 games and finished the season with Urartu V-bet Yerevan (A-League averaging 31/7/4.

The 190cm guard who lists Chris Jones, Egor Demin,Trent Lincoln,Andre Spight,and Yura Melikyan as his 5 best teammates of all-time compares his game as a mix to NBA player Payton Pritchard and EuroLeague player Thomas Walkup who is a player that prides his game on versatility something that helped Thomas Walkup carve out an incredible Euroleague career. However the Armenian prospect has so much more to offer than just versatility. “ I think my biggest offensive strengths besides versatility, are shooting, basketball IQ, and defense”, added Daniel Kirakosyan. He shot 35% from outside at the U-20 Euro. He still has a long way to go to find the sort of stability that he wants, but is becoming a 40% shooter from the parking lot realistic? “ I’m always working on my shot in the gym, putting up a lot of reps. I think I can definitely become a 40% shooter; I just need to be more selective with my shots, since I took a lot of last-second attempts”, commented Daniel Kirakosyan. He also has massive goals on the defensive end. He doesn´t only want to be that impact player on the offensive end, but also on the defensive end. I think I’m pretty good on defense, but there’s always room to grow and get better. I study a lot of film to become smarter on defense. My goal is to be a lockdown defender, someone who can guard the best player on the opposing team every night”, stressed Daniel Kirakosyan. He also understands that in order to climb the basketball ladder, he needs to do extra duty in the lab. “I work on every area of my game to become a complete player, but if I had to pick the three areas I focus on the most, I’d say shooting, basketball IQ, and athleticism”, expressed Daniel Kirakosyan who lists Steph Curry as his Goat.

The Armenian prospect who names Stephen Curry, Steve Nash, Allen Iverson, Kyrie Irving and Kobe Bryant on his NBA Mount Rushmore, Mike James, Milos Teodosic, Facundo Campazzo, Kostas Sloukas and Chris Jones on Euroleague Mount Rushmore and Albert Tadevosyan, Andre Spight Mkrtchyan, Artem Tavakalyan, Arkadiy Mkrtchyan and Mikael Pogosyan on his Armenian Mount Rushmore was also very active with the Armenian youth national teams. He sees a bright future for Armenia in the next years. “I think basketball in Armenia is developing like never before. There are a lot of Armenian kids around the world playing basketball. At the same time, I believe the game can be developed even more in Armenia, and I hope I’ll be able to help the country with that in the future. I’d also like to mention some young players who deserve more attentionone of them is Yura Melikyan. I think he has a very bright future”, warned Daniel Kirakosyan. He recently played at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket Division B in Yerevan (Armenia) in 2025 averaging 15.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 33.3%. “It was a great experience. I love playing with my national team. It’s always good vibes and a great group of people. I’ve learned a lot through our coaching staff and game experiences, and I really enjoy representing my country. The only disappointing part was that we lost several games in clutch times. I still think about those games to this day, but I stay focused on the next national team games because we need to win them”, warned Daniel Kirakosyan. He also has had experience with the Armenian national team playing 4 games. He is fortunate being teammates with Euroleague player Chris Jones. “Chris Jones is an incredible person. Being around him pushes you to get better. He’s always challenging me and giving me advice, and I’ve learned a lot from him”, said Daniel Kirakosyan. It will be interesting to observe where hie basketball path will lead him in the next years. He may never hit for 84 points again, but we will surely see him in higher leagues in the next years.

Staying In Europe Over The NCAA Is Meissa Faye’s(ratiopharm Ulm) Current Goal But His Biggest Goal Is The NBA

Pic credit: ratiopharm Ulm

Meissa Faye (198-SF-2007) is a 18 year old 198cm forward playing his first season in the ratiopharm Ulm organization. This season he has gathered duty in 4 competitions. He helped the Pro B team reach the pro B final averaging 17/471/1 stats and helped the NBBL (U-19) team reach the NBBL Top 4 tournament in Berlin averaging 16/4/2 stats and also played 6 Eurocup games and 1 easyCredit BBL game. He began his basketball career with Pole Paris France (NMI) and last season averaged 9.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 72.7%. He has played Angt and last summer played at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket in Belgrade (Serbia) winning the silver medal averaging 8.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 35.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Thanks Meissa for talking to germanhoops.com. You played 1 easyCredit BBL game against Chemnitz. What kind of an experience was that. What do you feel is still missing from your game to play more minutes?

A German passport, because I played more in Euro cup because there is no limit of foreigners

You had your Eurocup break through scoring 16 points against Trento. How cool was that experience? What did you learn about your game in that game?

it was nice I just played like I know how to do. Coach gave me confidence and minutes so I just showed what I was capable of.

Ulm has many very talented pro´s. If you had to pick one player who has had the biggest impact on you who would it be?

I would say Tommy Klepeisz and Nelson Weidemann by giving me advices either on the mental part or on my game. They have a lot of experience and they really helped me. It’s always good to receive advices from experienced players.

You began your basketball career with Pole France Paris. How do you remember your early years there? Did you have a mentor there?

It was really impressive at the beginning to arrive in this campus where a lot of great athletes were before and you just inspired by all those NBA players who went there before. So you work hard to end up like them.

You were teammates with Nathan Soliman. How special of a player is he? He is like you also a big French prospect for the NBA.

He was great. He was ready really young and everybody knows he’s a top prospect and he will be great in the NBA. He always had that special thing that you cannot explain.

You won the Silver at the U-18 Euro in Serbia. What memories do you have of that tournament? Was the 82-81 loss to Spain one of the toughest in your career?

Honestly, it’s tough at the beginning but now I have only great memories because it was an incredible experience with great people. Great staff great players. And we can be proud of what we did. Yes, it is the toughest loss but I wasonly 18 so I know I will still win a lot of games and lose some as well. This is basketball.

Is the NCAA still a route for you? It can help but also be tough. Spaniard Guillermo Del Pino who scored 23 points against you in the U-18 Euro final went to Maryland this season and only averaged 1,7ppg.

In your career, you have to make choices so for now staying in Europe is my priority, but I don’t close no doors to anything.

What is your biggest goal NBA or Euroleague? Some Europeans that I have interviewed actually have said Euroleague. Can you understand that?

My biggest goal is the NBA, but of course I can understand it because euroleague is also a great competition with great basketball that can be more entertaining than NBA. Some players also think more of the Euroleague career than a NBA one.

How cool would the headline read Teo Millicic and Meissa Faye reach the NBA? How special of a player is Teo and how is your relationship with him?

Teo is really talented, but he is also a hard worker. He is very passionate and always try to give his best on the court. Of course it will be nice that’s a goal for both of us. And we have a nice relationship on and off the court and we always trying to get better.

You battled Boston Celtic Hugo Gonzalez once. What do you remember from that battle most?

It was a big game, the final of the Euroleague Juniors against Real Madrid. We lost after overtime but those kind of games makes you want to become better because you can see that there’s a lot of good players in Europe.

Please name your 5 teammates of all-time?

Nolan Traoré

Adam Atamna

Hugo Yimga Moukouri

Nathan Soliman

Cameron Houindo/Noa kouakou heugue

Please list your personal NBA and French Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Lebron James

Michael Jordan

Kobe Bryant

Kevin Durant

Wemby

Tony Parker

Nando de colo

Rudy Gobert

Hm Evan Fournier

Who is your Goat?

Tyrese Maxey

Thanks Meissa for the chat.

I Once Experienced The Bill Russell And Bob Cousy Show in Frankfurt With Hannes Steinbach And Calvin Wishart

If the Skyliners Pro B team aren’t on the road, the majority of their home games are always played on Saturday nights in Frankfurt. Even If I have seen many Pro B games in Frankfurt, there are some that I don´t forget. It was December 2024 as the Skyliners Juniors battled VR-Bank Wurzburg Baskets Akademie and met them as they had just recovered from their horrible 6 game losing streak to start the season. Wurzburg rolled into Frankfurt and won their third game in a row 89-80. What really stood out was the amazing display that young German Hannes Steinbach (211-F/C-2006) and Calvin Wishart put on as they combined for 49 points as the German registered a 28/12 game and Wishart added 21 points in the trouncing. After the big Wurzburg victory, I was on the loose searching for the perfect quotes for my post game article. I rapped with Calvin Wishart who hails from Minnesota and it is always nice when people from that neck of the woods have some positive words about my home town team Boston Celtics. I asked him if he could describe the dominance between Steinbach and him and he shot out the quote that gave me a smile. ““Steinbach and I play well together. He can do it all. My dad always say Bill Russell and Bob Cousy with me being Cousy”, smiled Calvin Wishart. They played together for a season in the Pro B and practiced together in the easyCredit BBL where Wishart also played 5 BBL games and there was one where both guys scored in double figures with Steinbach with 16/13 and Wishart producing 11 points in a 112-102 loss to the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Last season Wishart had a superb season in the Pro A with the EPG Baskets Kobnlenz averaging 14.9ppg, 3.6rpg, 5.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 81.2% while Steinbach played at Washington (NCAA) averaging 18.5ppg, 11.8rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 75.9%. Both guys continue to make steps in their careers as Calvin Wishart will return to Wurzburg to play BBL while Steinbach has landed in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets.

The Minnesota native Wishart who set countless school records at Delano High School and then went on to play 100+ NCAA games at Georgia Southern and at the University of Santa Barbara. He then landed overseas and as a rookie balled with CD Povoa (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 13.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 4.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 71.7%. He came to Wurzburg in late summer 2024 and played his second pro season with VR Bank Wuerzburg Baskets Akademie (Germany-ProB) tearing up the league averaging 20.7), 4.9rpg, APG-2 (7.4), SPG-1 (2.8), FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 75.2%. He became teammates with Hannes Steinbach and won´t forget his first meeting with Steinbach and seeing his game Live for the first time. “He was really nice when I met him. But I didn´t really know what kind of guy he would be after that first meeting. On the court I noticed right away that he could do everything. Dribble, pass, shoot and defend. He already had a real good touch and good hands. He may even have had the best hands that I have ever played with. He could catch everything”, remembered Calvin Wishart. There were so many great games that both had that Pro B season. Did it sometimes seem like the German big man was a man playing among boys. “Yes it did. It was so much fun playing with him. He is one of the best bigs that I have ever played with”, warned Calvin Wishart. The German developed really well in Wishart´s season in Wurzburg and he saw at close hand how much better he was getting. “He was already a modern day big man. There was nothing he couldn´t do. His passing and defense was superb. He was already strong, but he has gotten stronger the last years and will continue to do so. He will turn into a grown man”, stressed Calvin Wishart.

The German big man who has been compared to German world Champion Johannes Voigtmann had a very good support system In Wurzburg with head coach Alex King and his dad Burkhart who was always by his side on the Pro B bench. He most likely wouldn´t have gotten this far without their unending support. “I remember Hannes having a really good relationship with Alex King. They have been working together for a long time. His dad Burkhart was always honest with Hannes. There was absolute no special treatment from his dad”, remembered Calvin Wishart. Going to the NCAA and not remaining in Europe was also key for the German as there he got that last preparation needed for the NBA: “It is really important that he got a year in the NCAA. There he was able to solidify his standing in the NBA and he saw how effective he could be”, stated Calvin Wishart. The German now will begin a new chapter in his basketball life in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets having been drafted in the first round and will have another German as teammate with ex Texas tech guard Christian Anderson. “I´m really proud of Hannes that he got drafted. I´m not sure how he will fit in, but I believe that he will come in and develop super fast. He may be a type of role player to start, but I think that he will turn into a huge impact player”, warned Calvin Wishart. Both had so many incredible plays on the court together, but could the American pick one? “I don´t remember against who it was. I remember having the ball and sending a lob down the court to Hannes. I got poked and could barely see out of the eye, but I just know that he finished”, smiled Calvin Wishart. The question is against who was it? Was it against Speyer? I bet David Pisic would know.

There Was No Doubt With Leon Kalinic And His Teammates That They Would Win The Pro B Title Even After Losing At Orange Academy by 36 Points

pic credit: M2M visuals

Leon Kalinic (206-F-2000, college: Park, agency: Starting 5) is a 25 year old 206cm forward from Croatia that helped the ETB Miners Essen win the Pro B title averaging 7,2ppg an d4,1rpg. He began his career in the KK Cedevita Zagreb youth program. He played 4 years in the States and 3 years with Ouachita Baptist University (NCAA2) playing a total of 73 games and in his last 2 seasons averaged 6.5ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 70.0% and 6.8ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 92.0%. He then played a season with Park University (NAIA): averaging 3.7ppg, 2.8rpg. In the 2024-2025 season he played with KK Velika Gorica (Prva Liga) averaging 10.8ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 82.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after winning the 2026 Pro B title.

Thanks Leon for talking to germanhoops.com. Your 2026 Pro B champion. How good does it feel? Is this your personal biggest achievement as a player?

Feels great honestly I’m still riding the winner wave. It’s close, but I would say this would be my biggest achievement as a player in a professional league.

Essen lost game 1 by 36 points and won game 2 by 41 points. Many are saying this is the greatest comeback in German basketball. How special do you rate this massive comeback?

I might have to agree with that, I don’t know details about the history of German basketball but it has to be one of those which will be remembered and talked about.

What was the team feeling after the horrible 107-71 loss at Orange Academy? How much soul searching did the team do the days following?

How can a team feel? Losing by 36 in the first game of the finals, against the younger team, and then having to drive home wasn’t great, but that’s where we stand above everybody else. Nobody had any doubt that we would come back in the next game, even on the bus ride home we started planning our revenge.

How key was head coach Lars Wendt? How did he help the team most in the days leading up to game 2?

Coach Lars did his job, not once did he say or show it was over. Everybody played their part and that’s how we came back.

How quickly did the team know that game 2 would see only half of Orange Academy as all the talented youth players wouldn´t play because they were attending the NBBL Top 4 in Berlin?

Personally, the night before, but that didn’t matter. They could’ve come with the full team and we would’ve still become champions!

Any other team could have underestimated Orange Academy. Why didn´t Essen?

That’s us, from the coaches to the players, everybody knew their role and every game was a championship game.

What was the focus of Essen going in? I mean did you have a plan how you would come back through out a 40 minute game so you would have more than 36 points?

From the first second, the first minute hit them hard. We knew we couldn’t win in the first quarter, so we put our heads down and worked hard every second of the game and the results shows.

The team began well and led 53-32 at the break. Essen was playing well offensively, but still had to do more on the defensive end. What wasn´t functioning as well so far on the defensive end through the first 20 minutes?

Our plan was to be more than 18 points up at the half and we did more than that.

What did head coach Lars Wendt give the team for advice at half-time?

He never forgot to praise us, but also he never let us forget the main goal.

In the third quarter Orange Academy actually played well for the first few minutes outscoring Essen, but then came a 14-0 run by Essen which changed the game. What was key in the run for Essen?

We knew at some point they would go on a run, but we never let off the gas. Ben dominated the paint, but most importantly everyone who got in gave 100%.

Essen was up with 32 points with 10 minutes to play. Essen was in the drivers seat. Which player at this moment was a big motivator with words?

Marc Friederici was always there to bring us together and motivate us.

Essen began with a 10-2 run to lead 86-46. Now all Essen had to do was manage the lead to the buzzer. Essen then held Orange Academy minutes without scoring. Did you want it more than Orange Academy?

All I have to say is, they showed up with seven players. It’s clear who wanted it more.

Essen outscored Orange Academy 41-21 in the last half. Was this the best defense the team played in the season?

Certainly one of the best. As bad as it sounds, we had so many good defensive games I can only remember the bad ones.

Essen held their 2 best scorers Joel Cwik and Namouri Omog to 8/28 shooting and 25 points. How much of a focus was the defense on slowing them down?

Of course they were our main priority, but we knew if we wanted to win we had to stop all of them.

Quarshawn Lane had an incredible 28/11/10 game. Did you sense going into the game that he could have a type of game of his life?

Since day one I knew Q had it in him, there were so many games where he nearly had a triple double and it is kind of poetic to have it on the last game and to win the championship.

What was your fondest moment in the final in Essen against Orange Academy?

Of course the final buzzer going off and us actually winning is awesome, but I have to say my poster dunk in transition was my favorite moment.

Thanks Leon for the chat.

Dorian Grosber And Jack Kayil (New York Knicks) Are Practically Neighbors As He Won’t Have A Long Trip From Northeastern To New York To Visit His Friend

Pic credit: Flotograf

In the fall of 2022, the future of 2 young players in the Alba Berlin organization with Jack Kayil (191-PG-2006) and Dorian Grosber was unknown. Both were 16 and young to play NBBL and the one with Kayil was German and the other with Grosber was from Luxemburg and it was clear that both were very talented as they both would belong to the roster and make a difference with their play in the 2023 NBBL title win. The NBA was surely always in the thoughts of Kayil and for what young player isn’t the NBA the ultimate dream and goal, but at 16, it is still as far away for him as it was for a Hannes Steinbach or a Christian Anderson at that stage of their careers. Both guys went different paths after their NBBL title in 2023 and 3 years later Kayil was drafted in the NBA by the Houston Rockets and traded to 2026 NBA champion New York Knicks while Grosber will take advantage of NIL and play with the Northeastern Huskies (NCAA) this season after having red shirted last season at High Point (NCAA). But one thing is sure that their paths will surely cross again very rapidly in the states as Northeastern which is in Boston is only about a 45 minute flight in the air. Their first meeting in the States could happen before the NCAA season even begins. ‘I will be living in Boston and that isn’t far away. I will try to visit him as early as possible in September’, smiled Dorian Grosber.

Dorian Grosber came to Berlin in late summer 2022 after having played with the BBC Sparta Bertrange U17 team. He came to an organization Alba Berlin that had an immense history of success especially in the youth sector. It had brought up many young players over the years that had made the jump to the highest level with the best example of the Wagner brothers. He will never forget meeting Jack Kayil for the first time off the court and then seeing his game up close for the first time. ‘I remember him being a super nice kid. He was very calm and didn’t talk much, but he could be funny. He was very welcoming. My first impression of his game was that you could see that he was already a very special player. Even if he was only 16, he could perform against anyone. He wasn’t scared, but already fearless’, warned Dorian Grosber. Kayil was able to establish himself quickly with his game, but how was it for Grosber? Did he need some adjustment time coming from Luxemburg? ‘I remember that it wasn”t hard for me at all to adjust. It was simply easy to adjust when you had so many talented players around. I was confident that I could play well with smart players. It made everything easier for me’, remembered Dorian Grosber.


The 2022-2023 Alba Berlin NBBL (U-19) team was a very special team. They would go on to win the title in Frankfurt destroying FC Bayern Munich and then winning a 78-75 nail bitter over the Young Rasta Dragons on an amazing buzzer beater by Nils Machowski. The guard balance was excellent with no dominant guard while they were very deep at the forward and center position with Linus Ruff and Rikus Schulte. Was it the balance and versatility what made the team so successful? ‘Yes for sure. We had a great coaching staff with Vladi Bogojevic and Emanuele Berti. We had great players at each position and solid guys from the bench. We also never had the same top scorers except maybe for Rikus Schulte. We had no egos which really made our team chemistry strong. We played to win and our coaching staff really managed that well’, stressed Dorian Grosber. The team had 3 strong guards with Kayil, Machowski and Grosber. There was no dominant guard as the highest scoring average in the season was by Kayil at 10,8ppg. ‘It was an amazing trio. Nils and Jack had more experience than I had. I was learning from them. Jack already played like a pro. Jack was the main point guard at the NBBL top 4. Both of them were unstoppable. I was getting less and less minutes, but I didn’t care. I knew that they were better than I was’, added Dorian Grosber. Jack was so young for the NBBL, but was his talent and leadership skills really that much more developed than everyone else? ‘Yes for sure. He had had a great ANGT in Munich. He showed that he weas one of the best there and later was rewarded with NBBL rookie of the year. His leadership was already developed very well that season. He carried us in the NBBL season and in ANGT one could see how good he was. He played out of this world’, commented Dorian Gorsber.

In the 2022-2023 NBBL season Kayil averaged 10.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.9apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 81.1%. I remember his drive as possibly being his biggest strength then, but he already had other valuable assets in his game. ‘I think that his biggest strength than was already knowing when to make the right play. He was already so fast, could draw fouls, dunk on people and already had a great shot. It was all so easy for him’, remembered Dorian Grosber. A big reason why he reached the NBA coupled with his versatile guard play was his physicality at 191cm. How well was it already developed in 2023? ‘He didn’t look as strong then, but his legs were already very strong and his quickness was there. He was already defending the opponents best player then. His defense was a hidden strength then’, warned Dorian Grosber. His passing really has improved in the last years with more experience. How was it then? ‘I believe that he was always a good passer. You just notice it more now because he is playing with better players. Guys are hitting more shots now than in NBBL play. I remember him making some really nice passes in practice’, said Dorian Grosber. How good were his defensive skills in the NBBL? ‘He was already a great defender then. I don’t want to jinx anything, but he could defend anyone then and anyone now. He was already that good’, stated Dorian Grosber. His path didn’t seem to be a normal one. After winning the NBBL title in Berlin, he then went to Vechta which some didn’t understand, but he had a productive Pro A season averaging 10.5ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.5% and prompt showed how he could run another title team helping win the NBBL averaging 18.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.6apg, 3.8spg, 2FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 83.8%. He then took another step getting vital experience in Serbia with BC Mega MIS Beograd (Serbia-KLS). Recently he helped Alba Berlin win the BBL title averaging 12.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 78.5%; and in the BCL averaged 11.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 77.4%. He seemed to have gone the right path. ‘He definitely did the right steps. Some were sceptic with his decisions, but he won titles in Vechta and Berlin. He did his own thing and succeeded. I don’t care what path he would of made, I would always have supported him. He made great decisions’, warned Dorian Grosber.

Kayil was drafted at #39 by the Houston Rockets and traded to the New York Knicks. It is only logical that this moment must also be very special for him. ‘Whenever I hear the word proud, I feel like that is something a father would say to their son. I’m just so happy for him and his family. They went through some risks. I still can’t believe he got drafted. I felt like wow when I saw him hugging his parents. He has always been underestimated his whole life. But he really made it’, said Dorian Grosber. What player wouldn’t want to play for the Knicks who just won the NBA title and be teammates with another German in Ariel Hukporti and learn from a star like Jalen Brunson. It must feel like being a small boy in a candy store? ‘I think that it will be beneficial for both sides. He has great teammates with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. I’m sure a player like Brunson will be a great type of mentor for him. Jack is a winner’, stressed Dorian Gorsber. Will he be just a role player or an impact player in the NBA? ‘I think that he could be an impact player. He may need some time and it will depend if he gets minutes. But I feel like on the defensive end he will surely make an impact. He is fast, can guard full court and will be able to keep his man in front of him’, warned Dorian Grosber. When Grosber thinks back to his days in Berlin with Kayil, only happiness is there. ‘We had so many fond moments. I think winning the NBBL title and celebrating was one of the nicest. We hung out a lot that season together in our apartments. Even when he was Serbia, he visited me in Berlin’, remembered Dorian Grosber. Now in 2026, I’m sure that they will make many new memories together when they see each other in the States, I’m sure when The Knicks play in Boston, that Kayil will have tickets waiting for Grosber at TD-Garden.

Zavian Mclean Who Plays Defense With A Badge Of Honor Loves Porto As It Is A Mix Of New York City And Ft Meyers Florida For Him

Zavian McLean (193-G-2001, college: FGCU) is a 25 year old 201cm forward that was born in Izmir, Turkey but grew up in North Carolina and played his rookie season overseas with at SC Vasco da Gama Porto (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 25/4/3/2 and Entente Orleans 45 (France-ProB) averaging 3,0ppg. He played AAU ball with Team Wall and also played at Village Christian Academy. He played 3 seasons at Columbia (NCAA) averaging 7.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 71.1%, 7.0ppg, 2.4rpg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 77.3% and 9.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 63.6%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 68.2%. He then added a season at Florida Gulf Coast University (NCAA) averaging 11.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 65.0%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 62.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

You played your rookie season overseas with SC Vasco da Gama Porto (Portugal-Liga Betclic). You signed very late into the season. After a solid senior year at Florida Gulf Coast, why did you sign so late?

I had a serious injury at FGCU and didn’t get surgery until the end of the season. I wanted to support my teammates until the season ended. I was also thinking of staying in college. Because of my injury and not having played basketball in a while, I had no offers. Teams didn’t want to take a chance on me. I was really fortunate that SC Vasco da Gama Porto did.

What kind of an experience has it been playing with SC Vasco da Gama Porto (Portugal-Liga Betclic)? As a guy who grew up in North Carolina, what have you appreciated most about the culture of Portugal?

Portugal is really nice. Porto is a great mix of New York City that is super busy and Ft Meyers Florida that is smaller and more intimate, but has fun things to do. The club has helped me get integrated very well. The food is great and it is a lot cheaper than the States. Life is great.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I heard names like Russell Westbrook, John Wall and Kendrick Nunn. I just try to mold myself so other players can compare their game to mine. But I do try to take certain things from players for my game.

You’re a player that fills the stat sheet well. Talk about your biggest strengths with your offensive game?

I’m a competitor that will do anything for his team to win. I can shoot, go downhill, draw fouls, finish at the rim, and be efficient from the field. I think that my ability to create for others is an underrated part of my game. I try to use fundamentals to make the game easier for me. I always try to make the best decisions and not force anything.

Talk a little about the development of your three pointer. You have been shooting the ball well the last years. What kind of a shooter do you still want to become?

As a player I always want to improve my game. Steph Curry once said until I can shoot 100% from the field, I can always improve. I knew after my freshman year where I shot around 23%, that I needed to shoot better if I wanted to play more. In the Ivy league the best shooting teams win.

Talk about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I always compete on defense. I see myself as a two way player. I take pride on offense but also on trying to stop my match up and make it as difficult as possible for him to score. I scout and watch film to improve. I understand that if you don’t play defense, you won’t be respected. Playing defense is a badge of honor for me.

On what areas of your game are you working on most at the moment so you can continue to improve your game?

I’m always working on my three pointer, but I’m also working on my decision making and being a better ball handler. But overall I polish my whole game.

You played at Columbia University (NCAA) for 3 years and played 76 NCAA games. You improved your three point shooting percentage every season. What kind of a player did you become there under Jim Engles?

Columbia was a great experience for me. I learned to play the game, be efficient and be a leader. In high school I was a scorer, scorer, scorer. There I could afford to take plays off but not in the NCAA. That was a no go. I learned that I needed to work on my game. I learned about coverages, triggers, scouting and watching film. I learned to implement the technical side of basketball.

You had many memorable games at Columbia and closed out your last season there strong, but in losing causes. What was your favorite personal game at Columbia?

I think the win against Temple. It was the first major win for the school in a while.

You then added a season at Florida Gulf Coast University (NCAA) averaging 11.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 65.0%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 62.8%. How important was adding that extra season at FGCU for your basketball development?

That last year there was super important for my game. Everything that I knew about the game to that point was validated there. I learned how to act as a pro there. Basketball was my life there. I flourished there. The coaches there had been players themselves as well as coached future NBA players. I felt like I was in high school again. I played with confidence and had a role.

You had many great games at FGCU like scoring 18 points in a narrow 60-59 win over FIU. What was your fondest moment at FGCU?

Beating Jacksonville after being down by 24 points. I also cherished the back to back wins against N Alabama and Central Arkansas. It was a great atmosphere there.

How did head coach Patrick Chambers give you that push to help you be ready for a professional career?

Coach Chambers knew that I was ready for a professional career. He approached me as a man. We had a great relationship. He taught me to straight and always said that the most important thing that I can give you is the truth. We always had such meaningful conversations. He let me show my game and I was a part of winning.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Dallion Johnson?

We never actually played 1-1. He is a close friend of mine. We had a lot of battles in practice and during the summers. He was a great scorer.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Noah Kirkwood and Chris Ledlum.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My top 3 are Eddie Turner, Liam Murphy and Josh Odunowo

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Michael Jordan, Leborn James, Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I saw a snippet of it a few days ago. I will watch it.

Thanks Zavian for the chat.