Jeremy Black is a 30 year old 203cm forward from Tampa, Florida that is playing his sixth season for BG Karlsruhe. He played at Tampa (NCAA2) from 2004-2008 and in his senior year played 30 games: 18.7ppg, 11.0rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1bpg, 1.5spg, FG: 49.3%, 3Pts: 30.8%, FT: 72.1%. He turned professional in 2008 and since then has always played in Germany except two seasons ago where he played for AB Contern (Luxembourg-Total League) 4 games: 12.8ppg, 10.3rpg, 1.8apg, in Nov.’14 moved to BCKE Wallabies (Switzerland-LNB). He also played two seasons for Science City Jena. Last season with BG Karlsruhe he played 21 games averaging 11.4ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 17.6%, FT: 61.5%. He spoke to German Hoops before the season opener in Rhondorf against the Dragons.

 

 

 

Thanks Jeremy for talking to German Hoopos. You are playing your sixth season for BG Karlsruhe. What is missing most in Karlsruhe that could almost substitute it with Tampa as home?

Karlsruhe is my new home base. I can always go back home but what I miss most is my family and the food!

Except for a short stay in Luxemburg two seasons ago, you seem to always come back to Karlsruhe. What is most appealing about the organization and city that makes you want to return?

Yeah, Karlsruhe is and always will be special to me. I came here not expecting much but I got way more than I can bargain for. The city is awesome besides the never ending construction. The people who I’ve came in contact with while being here have been nothing short of amazing.

When looking back at this season´s roster, for me BG Karlsruhe seems just a tad weaker than last season. How do you summarize this seasons roster in comparison to last season?

I think last year’s team we had more veterans who led the team, while this year’s team we have a few vets and will rely more on our younger German players.

BG Karlsruhe lost key guys like Marcus Smallwood, Rouven Roessler and Hayden Lescault, but gained top Pro B player Ricky Easterling, center Anton Kvarnoski and Kenny Fluellen. How will this season´s team be different in playing style in comparison to last season?

I don’t think it would be much of a difference! We will still let our defense dictate our offense! We will push the tempo for quick easy baskets, when we can and when we can’t, we will run our plays.

How much will you miss big man Marcus Smallwood and how is the game of Anton Kavarnoski different than of Smallwood?

Marcus was a great teammate and a competitor. He was one of the key reasons why we were successful last year and we played really well together. Anton is more than capable of replacing him. Anton I think is the best shooting big man in the league and he is capable of posting up and putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket.

What do you see as being BG Karlsruhe´s biggest strength on the court this season?

I think our defense will be our focus and let that dictate our offense and how we control the game.

What BG Karlsruhe German do you see as having the biggest chance of having his breakthrough season?

Aaron Schmitz or Andrej Schmidt

Ricky Easterling is considered the best Pro B player. How thrilled are you to have him on your side and will he continue to be as dominating or perhaps become more of a playmaker?

How can you not be excited to have a player like Ricky join your team? I think you will see him doing both. He knows the game and our team well. He has the experience to know what our team needs him to be at a given time.

Have you ever seen a more deadly mid distance shot than his? Will the day come when he can blindly hit that shot?

Haha in this league honestly not; I think its no different than having multiple defenders contesting his shot and him being capable of consistently knocking it down.

You have had very consistent stats throughout your career. Now at 30 where do you see your game going as you get older?

I think I’m still improving. At this point in my career, everybody knows what I can and can’t do. I strive each day to get better. I have the experience to know how best I can help my team achieve success.

The next opponent are the Dragons Rhondorf. They are back in the Pro B after a horrible Pro A season where they only mustered two wins. What kind of game can we await in the season opener?

The first game of the season is always tough to measure. Rhondorf and my team both want to start the season on the right track. I think both teams have a lot to prove so I think it will be a defensive battle.

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore and chose 4 NBA heads which best four would you pick?

Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James

Now that Lebron finally brought an NBA title to the Cavs where does this further NBA title put him against the best that ever played the game?

LeBron is definitely a top five player in the history of the game. Players and game itself has changed a lot over the years. LeBron still has years to play and I think his point in history should be judged when he is done playing the game or he gets three rings in a row just make his case while still playing

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Good Neighbor.

Thanks Jeremy for the chat.