Depending just how many Green´s had babys in the last two weeks which was about as possible as it is Tom Brady almost always finding tight end Rob Gronkowski in that needed second when he has to for a quick touchdown or German national goalie Manuel Neuer making that all so important big save time after time as he displayed against Georgia last weekend, the number of Green´s living in the United States recently was 492,338, and there is only one Green named Garlon that can be so very proud to say that he is the brother of NBA player Gerald Green who has performed spectacular dunks for years in the NBA scene winning the 2007 NBA dunk contest. Garlon Green is a 24 year old 201cm swing man from Missouri city, Texas that is playing his third professional season after having a stellar career at TCU (NCAA) and has got his foot wet in professional waters in Australia and Japan the last two seasons. Green compares his game to Dwayne Wade and Andre Igoudala and comes to Tuebingen already having to fill big shoes in the jumping department as Tigers manager Robert Wintermantel has never seen such an amazing jumper like him in the BBL. His athleticism is so extreme one could be bold and even compare him to a Quantez Robertson in the freak athlete department, but he takes it all in stride and doesn´t let his mouth do the talking, but his legs. “It’s kind of hard to think of myself as a “freak athlete” but it’s nice to know people enjoy how I play”, expressed Garlon Green. Green was a go to guy at his previous stations and will be again in Tuebingen as he currently leads the team in scoring, but will also need to distinguish between taking good and bad shots and that he will have teammates that could lead the club in scoring on any night. Showing that he is a versatile player is high on his priority list, but when it comes to dunking and his brother Gerald he always has a special place for these two issues as he was the best dunker in 2011 in Houston and took part in the college dunk contest in 2013. His brother Gerald is only 5 years older than him, but is already starting his 11^th professional season and despite all the success that his brother has had there is not an ounch of jealousy there. “He is my brother and I love him just like my other siblings”, warned Garlon Green. Green won´t be transformed into the savior role that ex Miami heat guard Daequan Cook had a few years ago, but will be an important part of the puzzle for success for a talented Tigers team that should be somewhere in the middle of the standings and not have to fidget in April about the possibility of moving down to the Pro A. At home growing up, Garlon had to take a seat backwards when it came to quenching his thirst when Gerald was around. “I don’t see him as “Gerald Green the NBA player” He is the same older brother who drinks all the soda”, smiled Garlon Green. If Gerald ever does come in for a lightening visit to Tuebingen at least then one would hope that Garlon will have the oversight of the remote control and of course the soda in the refrigerator.

After making a spirited run for the Beko BBL playoffs in 2013 finishing in 10^th, the last two seasons have been tough for head coach Igor Perovic and company as they finished in 16^th and 14^th place and really having to tremble in April the last two seasons. Of course like so many other teams, Tuebingen wasn´t freed by injuries as that was a big nagging problem as well. There wasn´t really much to cheer about last season in the win column except for some big and notable wins against Oldenburg and sweeping playoff team Ludwigsburg, Bremerhaven and Crailsheim. They never did find a consistent rhythm or identity on defense as they gave up 80 points or more in 24 games while not having that lethal offense like so many other teams. There biggest success was signing a gem is Augustine Rubit who was one of the top rookies that had come from S Alabama playing 33 games: 14.0ppg, Reb-4(7.3rpg). He like so many players before him like Reggie Redding or Vaughn Duggins made the next step in their career thanks to Perovic giving relatively unknown players like him a chance and now he has moved up to a better team and more money moving to ratiopharm Ulm.

This offseason Igor Peroviic and Robert Wintermantel were very busy early getting their new team intact signing their imports quickly. This season the team held on to four players and added seven new players. Perovic has more players on his roster currently and no injury problems and believes the team is stronger than last season despite a 1-2 start. The team will play physical and use their athleticism and play fast. The big question mark will be defense. As always can they come together quickly and develop that team chemistry earlier than usual and bring some consistency? In the win and loss to BG Goettingen and Ludwigsburg, they defended very solid giving up an average of 66 points, but in the loss to Bremerhaven fell apart giving up 89 points. Important this season will to use their home court advantage as it is never easy to play there and especially when you are down the pink colors around the tight arena can really get on one´s nerves and beating the teams that are in their area of the standings as well as winning the derby´s which is always good for the self confidence.

The club held on to four players including Bogdan Radsavljevic who is playing his third season with Tuebingen and is a 22 year old 213cm center. He started his career with FC Bayern Munich, but never got areal chance and moved to Tuebingen where he has been able to improve his scoring and rebound average the last two seasons. Last season he played 33 games: 8.2ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 79.8%. He is a modern day center that can do much well and will be the main option inside and if he gets his share of shots could have his real breakout season. Vladimir Mihailovic is a 25 year old 193cm guard from Montenegro that is playing his second season with the Tigers after a short stint in Belgium and three years with Eurocup team KK Buducnost Voli Podgorica. Last season he came in November, but had no problems adjusting playing 17 games: 11.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 73.5%. He is hard to stop thanks to his quick first step and on defense a pest that can guard bigger players. Just when one thinks the time has come not to see the name of Aleksandar Nadjfeji on a roster, there he is again for another season as the 38 year old 203cm forward just won´t retire completely, but why should he, he can still play with the best of him. He is playing his fourth season with Tuebingen after stops in Bonn, Cologne, Berlin and Munich and has 4 BBL titles in his collection. He won´t get many minutes unless the club is flooded with injuries. In his prime he was the best power forward in the BBL and now can stills core at ease and riffle that bullet pass to the open man out of the post. Julian Albus is a 23 year old 193cm guard that started his career in Tuebingen in 2010 with the junior team and this is his fifth BBL season and he brought 63 BBL games experience into this season.

Besides adding Garlon Green, the Walter Tigers Tuebingen first added new point guard Jessie Sanders who is a 26 year old 190cm point guard from Sugar Land, Texas who has big shoes to fill as he is averaging a solid 4,0apg, but not yet there at the 7,2apg that Bane Ratkovica left behind last season. He played at Liberty(NCAA), Lega 2 in Italy and in Australia and last season with Limburg United (Belgium-Scooore League)29 games: 11.5ppg, 5.1rpg, 5.0apg, 2.2spg, 2FGP: 48.7%, 3FGP: 42.6%, FT: 79.8%. He is a controlled pass first point guard, but can also nail 3-4 three pointers a game if needed. His leadership will play a big role this season. William Buford is a 25 year old 196cm guard from Toledo, Ohio that is playing his fourth professional season after playing at Ohio State and winning the Big 10 tournament twiceand being a rookie with Blusens Monbus Obradoiro CAB (Spain-Liga Endesa) and played the last two seasons in the D-league. Last season he played for the Canton Charge (D-League): 11 games: 6.3ppg, 2.5rpg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 52.9%, FT: 88.9%, in Jan.’15 signed at Texas Legends (D-League): 25 games: 8.4ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 66.7%. He should be an athletic beast with Green this season while also hurting the opponent with his three point shooting. Nick Russell is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Arlington, Texas that split his NCAA days between Kansas State and SMU. Last season as a rookie he played for ichelin Etha Engomis Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A) 23 games: 12.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-4(1.7spg), FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 76.9%. He will help Tuebingen with his all around skills and can score if needed. Toarlyn Fitzpatrick is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Tampa, Florida playing his third professional season. He played at S.Florida (NCAA) from 2009-2013 playing a total of 132 NCAA games and as a rookie in Belgium and last season for AS Apollon Patras (Greece-A1) playing 26 games: 11.1ppg, Reb-5(7.3rpg), 1.2apg, Blocks-3(1.1bpg), FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 65.9%. He is a versatile big man that can defend the five and also shoot the three. The team also added highly talented Mahir Agva who is a 19 year old 206cm center that played his first BBL game with Tuebingen at age 16 in the 2012-2013 season. Last season he had triple duty with Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (ProA): 25 games: 13.6ppg, Reb-3(8.7rpg), 1.3apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 68.4%, played also at U19 team (NBBL), in Apr.’15 moved to Walter Tigers Tuebingen (BBL, starting five): 5 games: 6.0ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 38.7%, FT: 66.7%. His game is under the basket as his physicality is ripe for his age and won´t stop until he has the rebound.

Since the 2005-2005 season, the Frankfurt Skyliners have a record of 14-5. After losing the season series in 2005-2006, the Frankfurt Skyliners had some glorious years winning seven games in a row. In the 2007-2008 season, Frankfurt won both games as Derrick Allen totally dominated both games scoring 27 and 21 points. Even in the third game in a row the next season, Allen was top scorer with 22 points. Who could forget the 25 point effort of Keith Simmons in 2009 in a 72-59 victory. In the 2010-2011 season, the Frankfurt Skyliners swept the season series as 2011 Beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood had 34 and 22 points to lead all scorers. In the first meeting of the season in 2011-2012, the Tigers lost to the Fraport Skyliners 73-66 in a game that was on the line in crunch time and a game they could of won. Duggins brought the Tigers to 66-69 with 1.13 to play, but a Jon Leuer bucket and Justin Gray free throws sealed the win for Frankfurt. In the return game in Frankfurt, Tuebingen got revenge winning 96-89 as Reggie Redding led all scorers with 25 points. In the first meeting in the 2012-2013 season, The Walter Tigers Tuebingen played an all around solid game defeating Frankfurt 87-75 and had six players in double figures as Kenny Frease had 18 points, Vaughn Duggins chipped in with 17 points and Reggie Redding and Tyrone Nash contributed 12 points each. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Zach Peacock with 18 points and Ted Scott with 13 points. In the return match in Frankfurt, The Fraport Skyliners took apart Tuebingen 92-78 as Frankfurt was led by Dawan sweet Philli Robinson with 21 points, while Zach Peacock steered 20 points and Ryan Brooks 19 points to the victory. Tuebingen was led by Vaughn Duggins with 15 points and Kenny Frease with 13 points. In the 2013-2014 season both clubs split the season series winning on the road. In Tuebingen, the Fraport Skyliners won 76-67 and were led by ex NBA player Andrew Rautins with 17 points while Danilo Barthel scored 13 points. The Walter Tigers Tuebingen were led by Alexsandar Nadfjeji with 18 points and Bogdan Radosavljevic had 12 points. In the return game Skyliner head coach Gordon Herbert surely had nightmares of the 71-70 crunch time loss where Frankfurt could have won the game on the last play, but coughed up the ball. Tuebingen was led by Jonathan Wallace with 22 points while Bogdan Radosavljevic chipped in with 17 points. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Quantez Robertson with 17 points and Johannes Voigtmann added 14 points. Last season the Fraport Skyliners swept the season series winning at home 79-63 as they were led by Quantez Robertson with 20 points and Mikko Koivisto with 14 points while the Walter Tigers Tuebingen were led by Bogdan Radosavljevic with 20 points and Bane Ratkovica with 18 points and eight assists. In the return game in Tuebingen, Frankfurt won again 82-77 as they were led by Sean Armand and Johannes Voigtmann with 20 points a piece while the Tigers were led by Jonathan Wallace and Vladimir Mihailovic with 22 points a piece. Both teams arrive into the game with 1-2 records and something to prove. Tuebingen can play a lot better after their dismal performance against Bremerhaven while Frankfurt could easily be 3-0 had they not lost against Oldenburg and Wurzburg on the last possession. This will be a hard fought game and Frankfurt has to get back to their defensive ways like they showed in Bremerhaven to be successful. Igor Perovic has constructed a feisty team that won´t give up until the end. Their mix of athleticism, shooting and inside play will be hard to combat, but then again Herbert always has his team ready and expect a top performance from Jordan Theodore.