Martinis Woody is a 31 year old 201cm forward from South Carolina that is playing his fifth professional season and second with TV Langen. He played at Benedict(NCAA2) and turned professional in 2009 and played for  NOMA Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-Regionalliga) playing  12 games: 20.8ppg, 11.8rpg, 2.2bpg, 1.6spg, 1.5apg, FGP: 60.9%, FT: 64.9%. In 2010-2011 he played for CRE Eagles Itzehoe (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 21 games: 18.5ppg. In 2011-2012 he played for SSV Lokomotive Bernau (Germany-ProB) playing 27 games: 16.3ppg, Reb-3(10.6rpg), 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.6%. Lasts eason he played for TV 1862 Langen (Germany-ProB): 27 games: 14.2ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 55.6%, FT: 69.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Congrats on the good looking 93-69 win against the Fraport Skyliners. TV Langen played with only a seven man rotation. What was key for the win?

It doesn´t matter who you bring or how many players you have, but all that matters is how willing the team is play team basketball. If you are able to share the ball and play team basketball and can add 15-20 assists than you can beat anyone.

What was key for the hot run in the first quarter for TV Langen?

We knew that we had to start off well against Frankfurt and be able to carry that momentum into the second quarter and let it go until the end of the game

The Fraport Skyliners got better into the game in the second quarter and got some big three pointers by Kevin bright. Did TV Langen lose some intensity in the second frame?

 

We were rushing our offense more. We gave up easy lay ups and let them get easy shots.

The third quarter was the lowest  scoring in the game and TV Langen did a great job not letting Frankfurt get the lead. What was key for that?

Our defense really stepped up in the third quarter. When you get stops then you win games easier.

Were the seven points by Sebastian Barth in the fourth quarter key for getting that win against the Fraport Skyliners juniors?

Yes it was. Getting that technical foul so often can help or hurt you. In our case it helped us get the bigger lead and get us in better position of getting the win.

 

One could say the biggest strength was the 62% shooting from the field, but I think there was another strength that outweighed the shooting.

 

We played team basketball for 40 minutes.

 

What was your impression of Kevin Bright? He had a big game in Frankfurt, but tonight you held him in single figures.

Bright is a great three point shooter. He killed us in the first game. We knew that if we could take him out of his comfort zone it would better our chances to win and we did a good job containing him.

What do you like most about playing with Canadian Jermel Kennedy? You two guys could be called the double double twins.

He is so athletic and I love playing with him. He always brings energy on every play. His big dunks and energy feeds off on his teammates to play better.

 

In Canada Jermel Kennedy is called Air Canada. What are you called?

I am just a big man down low. People call me Woody and if I get a ball down low and if you don´t double team me it will be an easy bucket for me.

What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 

My rebounding is a hidden strength as is my shooting. It is not about size. I like going against bigger guys and I just run them down. I never give a bigger guy a second chance. People don´t really know that I can shoot the three pointer.

As a rookie you played in the Regionaliga and this is your fourth year in the Pro B. You have always had strong stats. Are you disappointed that you haven´t moved up a level?

I think a lot of it has to do with my age. I am 31 years old and I started very late as a professional player. I think that if I am given the chance to play at a higher level that I will be able to be successful with scoring, rebounding and passing. I think I showed what I could do against the Skyliner BBL players. 

What did you learn for your rookie season at Iserlohn where you ahd to leave early on account of disciplinary reasons?

No matter if you are right or wrong, you have to take it in, deal with it and be quiet. At the end of the day no matter what the coach has the last word.

What was your nicest memory with your ex Bernau teammate Jermel Jones?

I played against him in college. He brings a lot of energy and it was very fun to play with him. He reminds me a lot of Jermel Kennedy.

Last season your teammate was Malick Cooke. Who would win a one on one game?

Of course I would.

What was the most important thing that you learned from Bendict head coach Fred Watson?

He taught me to be humble. I should never bring outside problems on to the court. I should focus on basketball and take my anger out on the court.

Who were the best players that you played against in the NCAA2?

 

Brian Harper, Kenny Jones who plays in Mexico now and Monya Pratt.

What do you like most about Christmas in Germany?

I like the Christmas markets.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Once a documentary about Vlade Divac.

Thanks Martinis for the chat.