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 after the big 72-67 win against the Giants Nordlingen.

 

 

Jeremy congrats on the huge 72-67 win against the Giants Nordlingen. After starting the season at 0-3, the club has a four game winning streak now. How confident were you throughout that painful losing streak that this team would turn it around eventually?

Thanks Miles, it was really frustrating to start the season on a three game losing streak; It took us a little longer to settle down on some issues within the team. We knew, we would hit some bumps in the beginning but we just kept working; we didn’t complain we just stayed in the gym and raised our intensity level.

BG Karlsruhe have really stepped up their defense in this four game winning streak, but where do you rank that 16-6 first quarter in defensive performances in that time?

When you want to win games you have to get stops, especially on the road. The opening quarter set the tone for us and its definitely one of the bright spots for team to look back and build on.

Have you ever witnessed a crazy quarter like the second where Nordlingen began with a 16-0 run and then you halted it and went on a 16-0 run into the break. How proud were you of the team to come back like that after having lost the momentum and being in the hole?

Honestly, I didn’t even know that happened. I’m very proud of my teammates we got the stops when we needed them the most.

Nordlingen never gave up cutting the BG Karlsruhe lead to 70-67 with 1.24 minutes to go, but you held your nerves to pull out the win. Would BG Karlsruhe have lost this game earlier in the season?

Probably so, It really depends on the opponent. We played some tough teams in the beginning of the season.

What has changed with the play of BG Karlsruhe at both ends of the court since the arrival of head coach Jibril Hodges?

I think everything; Jibril holds everyone accountable on both ends of floor. Practice is very competitive and shows in each game we get a little bit better.

The club has held the last four clubs in the winning streak to under 70 points. Has the improvement on defense been a combination of coaches wisdom and the team execution and what is the team doing better?

Yes it has been a combination of both. I think our effort on the defensive end has picked up a lot and we communicate more. We really get after each other in practice and I think it starts there.

Is BG Karlsruhe on the right track to becoming a Pro B contender again with their attitude and play now?

Absolutely, the season is still young and we still have a lots of room to grow.

Top Pro B player Ricky Easterling hasn´t got the stats of past seasons, but has accepted the role. Does this character demonstrate just how much of an unselfish player he is?

I believe it does. I know Ricky wants to win, he is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

How enjoyable has it been playing with big man Anton Kazarnovski this season. How do you guys compliment each other best and how is his game different than Marcus Smallwood?

It’s been awesome to have Anton back here. Anton plays outside and I play more inside. Its really not much of a difference from with Marcus. We where somewhat undersized big men who played really physical. Anton can do it all. Where as me and Marcus weren´t really set on which one of us would play the four or five for a certain game.

Do you feel like guys like Marcel Davis and Kwame Duku can develop into players that will be able to help even more on the offensive end as time goes by?

Absolutely, Marcel has been sick for some time now so once he is back healthy he can only help us. Kwame also has been nagged by injuries but he still fighting and i think over time he will definitely get there.

Your averaging beast stats with 12,5ppg and 11,3rpg. You have never averaged this many rebounds as a professional. Has it just been being in the right place at the right time and anticipating the bounces off the rim better or have you changed something up differently in your game?

Rebounding has always been one of my strengths. Its combination of being in the right place, anticipating where the ball will bounce and just being aggressive while being around the rim.

Did you feel the need to change something up in your game after this losing streak that has helped the team more?

Minor adjustments but that comes from whatever the team needs to be successful.

With Curry, Thompson and Durant and the supporting cast, shouldn´t the Golden State Warriors be even better than last year despite a 4-2 start?

I’m not convinced, They don’t have a real defensive anchor like they had in Bogut and they reshuffled there bench a little too. They haven’t been the same team defensively.

Does a 0/10 shooting night by Steph Curry prove he is really only human?

He is human but I think that the Warriors are still in an adjustment period. I think as the season goes along they can only get better.

Kevin Garnett has retired. Where do you feel does he rank in the best power forwards of all-time?

Top 10 for sure, He is one my personal top 5 power forwards.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Conjuring 2.

Thanks Jeremy for the chat.