Jermel Kennedy  is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Toronto Canada that is playing his first season in the German Pro B with TV Langen. He started his basketball career in 2008 with  Iowa Central Community College (NJCAA) playing 26 games: 4.3ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP:47.3%, FT: 57.1%. In 2009-2010, he played for Volunteer State Community College (NJCAA) playing  27 games: 11.7ppg, 8.2rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 83.0%. He finished his college basketball career at Lander in 2012 playing two seasons there and as a senior played  27 games: 11.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 66.1%, FT: 70.5%. Last summer he was drafted by Moncton Miracles (NBL Canada,1rd(6). He spoke to German Hoops after the big 99-72 win against Baunach.

Jermel congrats on the 99-72 win against Baunach. Looking back on the bitter loss against Dresden last week, what things did the team improve on as a team against Baunach?

Thank you Miles well one of the things that we do a much better job at home is getting stops. We played all around exceptional defense on their key guys.  Stabler and Knight that combine for 34 points per game on a nightly bases which we held to 19.

TV Langen had the comfortable 45-32 lead at halftime. Were the 32 points from the view of head coach Thomas Glasauer TV Langen defense that the team knows how to play?

I’m sure Coach Thomas was pleased with our consistent defense. Knowing his strive to be better mindset I’m sure he wished we played better and that’s the type of attitude that drives me and the rest of the team.

In the third quarter TV Langen exploded for 32 points. What adjustments did TV Langen make on both ends of the court to really dominate the game?

Baunach decided to turn up the defense a lot in the third quarter and when we responded to this fresh aggressiveness and physicality it deemed to be more unfortunate for them

Baunach really didn´t shoot so bad and the rebounding was even. TV Langen won by many points and Had six turnovers less. Where do you think was the biggest difference in the end for getting this win?

I think the game changer in all of this would be our ability to share the ball so well. When you have 19 assists and our whole team is getting involved were surely difficult to beat.

You had another solid game with 25 points and eight rebounds. How pleased were you with your game? You got more shots and hit at a high percentage.

Im not as pleased with my performance as I should be I just felt like I could have contributed more on the glass. Baunach didn’t do a good job taking me out of my comfort zones and the game just continued smoothly for me.

Usually when you and Martins Woody combine for many points, it isn´t always a guarantee that you will win. How proud are you of the team as there were many guys that scored in double figures?

Well I have a lot trust in my teammates and on any given night when we play as a team I’m sure the results will always be similar

What was your impression of young German Johannes Thiemann who is a big talent and also plays for Bamberg? Do you see him as making a splash at a higher level?

I thought Johannes was solid very fundamentally sound and he has an array of post moves. A guy at his age and talent I can only expect great things from him in the future.

Did the solid game of German Maxim Schneider who had seven points, six assists, one steal, one block and no turnovers go unnoticed? How valuable was he for TV Langen?

Maxim’s performance most certainly didn’t go unnoticed he’s our floor general he knows where everyone wants and needs the ball. He also has great poise and understands the game very well.

I heard the NBA slam dunk contest was a bore. John Wall won, but the contest wasn´t spectacular. How much does that as air Canada disappoint you since you are a very good dunker.

I think the rule adjustments made it quite boring to watch and I wasn’t impressed with the NBA’s lack of innovative ideas. It could have been much better with the talent that was present.

Are the NBA dunkers running out of ideas or are the quality of dunkers eroding away? Are there no new Vince Carters on the horizon?

I don’t believe they are running out of ideas I just believe most of the dunks that haven’t been performed yet can’t be done by anyone in the league

What was the last DVD Movie that you saw?

Oldboy starring Josh Brolin and Samuel L. Jackson

 

Thanks Jermel for the chat.