Brian Harper is a 28 year old 206cm forward that is playing his first season for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. Last season he played for  TBB Trier (Germany-BBL, starting five): 33 games: 11.0ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 60.3%. He started off playing guard at 6’5″ at Paine and grew to 6’10” and never changing positions. Brian’s a smooth shooting wing with explosive athleticism. He has tremendous lateral movement with a wing span of 7’4″. Brian is a talented ball handler. He adds an extra advantage as he utilizes his size to rebound over smaller defenders. He played at Paine(NCAA2) from 2003-2007. He turned professional in 2007 and played for Gimle BBK Bergen (Norway-1Div., starting five): 15 games: Score-3(25.1ppg), 8.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, 2.0bpg, 2FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 21.5%, FT: 66.3%. In 2008-2009, he played for KCC Egis (Korea-KBL, starting five): Korean League: 9 games: 15.1ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 76.7%; released in Nov.’08, in Feb.’09 moved to Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League): 8 games: 3.5ppg, 1.6rpg; in March ’09 signed at Reno Bighorns (D-League): 5 games: 1.2ppg. In the last three years, he played in Japan for  Toyama Grouses (Japan-BJ League) playing a total of 102 games. Last season, he played 49 games: 16.3ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 28.7%, FT: 61.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Thanks Brian for talking to German Hoops again. Congrats on the win against BBC Bayreuth extending the Bremerhaven winning streak to two games. Is team heart finally showing its beautiful redness on the court

Thanks Miles. I think that we are starting to play well together and it has helped us a lot these past two weeks.

The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven are on a two game winning streak. What have been the main reasons for the better play of the team in the wins against Bayreuth and Phoenix Hagen?

I think in both games we were able to find a rhythm as a team. Over the last few weeks we have started to come in to our own as a team and have begun to develop an identity. We have played good team basketball the last two games and I feel that’s the biggest reasons for us coming out with two wins.

Head coach Calvin Oldham has been criticized a bit in the early going. Can it be that sometimes it just takes a bit longer for players and coach to gell on and off the court?

Yeah I think it just took us a while to get going. Coach Calvin is a great coach and a great asset to this team and we are lucky to have him. You never want to start off a season dropping games like we did, but the team and the coaching staff stuck together and I believe we are coming into our own.

The first seven games must have been a nightmare for veteran Derrick Allen who has been used to winning most of his career. How important is his leadership been this season?

Derrick Allen is the ultimate professional and his leadership on and off the court has been vital for our team. It doesn’t matter if we are winning or losing he approaches every game and practice the same way. I’ve already learned a lot from him and will continue to as the season goes on.

You have a different role in Bremerhaven then you had in Trier and Japan in that you come from the bench and have less minutes than before. Was it difficult accepting that role?

Yeah this is a different role then I have ever been in but it hasn’t been hard at all accepting it or growing in it. I approach the game the same way no matter my role, and that’s with the attitude that while I’m on the floor I’m going to do all I can to be productive and help my team.

How confident are you that the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven will step it up more in the next weeks simply because there are still many players that are still searching for their rhythm on the court?

We are definitely looking to step it up even more. The team is starting to gel and our chemistry is getting better every day. We just have to continue to work hard and stay focused. It’s a long season and our best basketball is yet to come.

The next game is against the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Air Harper against Tony Gaffney. How excited are you about playing him and extending the winning streak against one of the top teams?

I’m looking forward to the game this weekend. Bonn has a very talented team and they’ve had a lot of success so far this season so it’s a great opportunity to go up against a top team. And whenever you get a chance to play against a player as talented as Tony Gaffney it’s always fun.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Iceman.

Thanks Brian for the chat.