Month: November 2016

Michael Dixon(AEK Athens) My Passing Ability Will Become More Valuable As I Progress And Move Up As A Professional

Michael Dixon is a 25 year old 186cm guard that is playing his third professional season and first with AEK Athens (Greece-A1). He started his basketball career in 2009 with Missouri (NCAA) playing a total of 104 NCAA games. He transferred to Memphis (NCAA) and as a senior played 34 games: 11.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 84.4%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with Sigma Barcellona (Italy-A2 Gold), only pre-season, then moved to Dzukija Alytus (Lithuania-LKL): 15 games: 10.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.5apg, 2FGP: 39.6%, 3FGP: 41.1%, FT: 85.0%, in Dec.’14 signed at Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys (Lithuania-LKL): 23 games: Score-1(16.0ppg), 3.0rpg, 3.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 79.1%; Baltic League: 7 games: 13.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 56.1%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 85.7%. Last season he played with CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 19 games: 14.5ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-4(4.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 81.3%; FIBA Europe Cup: 11 games: 16.7ppg, 4.5rpg, 4.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 63.5%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 84.6%;: VTB League: 31 games: 14.4ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 88.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Ludwigsburg.

Michael welcome to Germany. Last season you played in the Czech Republic. Did you ever make a road trip to Germany or is this your first time here?

I played in a preseason tournament with Nymburk last season in Jena. I remember we lost to Braunschweig. The landscape is pretty similar to the Czech Republic. I couldn´t really see much since we had the normal routine of hotel and gym. I have learned that the BBL is very similar to the NBA and how it´s run. The teams in Germany have very nice logos and nice buses. A nice bus picked us up at the airport today. I also like how players get paid on time in Germany. That is why we play so we can get paid.

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Jordan Wild(Hebeisen White Wings) The Key To Our Success Has Been Defense As Our Attention To Detail Has Been Good

Jordan Wild is a 27 year old 203cm forward from Kingsburg, California that is playing his third season in Germany and first with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. He started his basketball career at Fresno Pacific (NAIA) in 2007 where he played until 2011. As asenior he played 34 games: 11.8ppg, 7.4rpg, FT: 78%. He played in Australia the last three seasons. As a rookie he played fort he Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (Australia-SBL) playing 27 games: 20.6ppg, 11.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 72.9%. He played for the Stirling Senators (Australia-SBL) the last twos easons and this past summer played 29 games averaging 21,2ppg, 14,0rpg and 3,0apg. In the 2014-2015 season he played for the VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA) playing 23 games: 8.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 53.5%, 3FGP: 30.3%, FT: 71.4%. In the summer of 2015 he played for the Stirling Senators (Australia-SBL) playing 6 games: 15.5ppg, 10.7rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 39.3%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 86.4%. Last season he played for VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA) playing 32 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 84.6%. He recently spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Jordan congrats on the huge 70-66 win on the road in Nurnberg. How good is basketball life for you at the moment?

I’m enjoying it. Great location with a really well supported club.

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Devaughn Akoon Purcell (Bakken Bears) My Job Is To Go Out Every Night And Play My Heart Out

Devaughn Akoon Purcell is a 23 year old 196cm forward from Orlando, Florida playing his rookie season with the Bakken Bears (Denmark-Ligaen). He started his basketball career at Eastern Oklahoma State College before moving to Illinois St. (NCAA) in 2014 where he played 28 games: 12.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 77.1%. In his senior year he played 31 games: 14.2ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 71.2%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Devaughn for talking to German Hoops.You have not needed any adjustment coming overseas as you are tearing up the Denmark-Ligaen and playing very efficiently and strong in the Champions League. What has been toughest for you playing twice a week and in two different competitions and levels?

Playing twice a week and due to all the traveling has been tough. But as a professional taking care of your body plays a major role in how you perform. So I’ll say trying to eat the right things, stretch as much as possible, and lift weights consistently.

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Sterling Carter(I’ve Prided Myself On The Defensive Side Of The Ball My Whole Career)

Sterling Carter is a 26 year old 183cm point guard from Seattle, Washington and played his rookie season with Pro A team Dragons Rhondorf last season averaging 15.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 34.2%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 64.6%. He started his basketball career at Pacific, then played three years at Seattle(NCAA) and finished at Purdue in 2014. Carter played 25 games averaging 15,6ppg, 3,5rpg and 3,5apg. He is still unsigned and spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Sterling thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your life going at the moment?

At the moment I’m at home getting ready to watch the Seattle Seahawks game. Life is going ok it would be better if I was on a team playing ball.

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PS Karlsruhe Tame And Wear Down The Dragons Rhondorf 82-73

It really doesn´t matter who Aaron big dawg Nelson has battled this season in the paint, he has usually has come out as the victor regarding his personal game even if that wasn´t the case as often for the Dragons Rhondorf concerning the win column.. However at home in his Dragons living room, Nelson not only has won every battle down low, but also has helped his team to a perfect record of 3-0. In the season opener, the Illinois native who played in South American in his first two professional seasons has really exploded in the German Pro B currently averaging 24,1ppg and 14,1rpg and wanted to be two for two on the season against Karlsruhe teams. In the season opener, he went crazy on BG Karlsruhe as he produced 26 points and swiped 18 boards to help the Dragons Rhondorf to the win. In the paint area where the big dawg feels as home as Hilary Clinton won´t in the Oval office in the chair without Bill, Nelson out battled Anton Kazarovski and Jeremy Black who combined for 33 points and 13 rebounds. This week, it was back to the drawing board and time for that fourth victory of the season, but it wouldn´t be easy as not only was top placed Pro B team PS Karlsruhe in the house boasting a 6-1 record, but had two talented undersized and quick front court players with Jordan Talbert and Bill Borekambi, but also had to contend with 203cm forward American Orlando Parker. Every game is a new challenge for Aaron Nelson and as usual he had his game face on and wanted to prove again that nobody leaves the big dawgs office unscathed as his clawing, boxing out, flying, shooting and passing ability was on display again as he gave his all filling up the stat sheet like Lebron James does with 31 points, 15 boards, two steals, three blocks and three trey´s, but PS Karlsruhe had too much transition, athleticism and easy buckets inside for the Illinois native to combat as the Dragons Rhondorf lost their first home game of the season 82-73. After the loss, Nelson had the usual post game face on and one couldn´t have known if his team had just won or lost as he was still pondering the loss and the athletic bodies he had to combat inside. “PS Karlsruhe came out with more energy and there is a reason why they are the best team in the league. They played together and stuck to their game plan. They did a good job switching up their defense and getting out on transition. They don´t have one guy that will score 30 plus points, but a bunch that will get you 10 points apiece. This was one of my tougher games as I had to face the double and triple team all night long. I was expecting a tough game and Talbert and Borekambi are big players that are skilled and were physical with me and made it tough to catch the ball”, stressed Aaron Nelson. PS Karlsruhe won their seventh game of the season and remained unbeaten on the road and after the game American Jordan Talbert remained poised and seemed like winning on the road was as easy as at home. “We played well as a team and winning on the road is always a challenge so we know that we have to play hard. We played fairly consistent defense except for a few of their runs. We are satisfied with this win. We knew key would be to keep Nelson out of the paint. We did a good job helping whenever possible, but he is a good player that really knows how to use his body and is very skilled at it”, added ex Nordlingen forward Jordan Talbert. PS Karlsruhe guard Dimitrij Kreiss had the perfect reason as too why PS Karlsruhe is always successful again. “We practice very hard and that is how we play. Teams feel that all game long”, warned Dimitrij Kreis.

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De´Mon Brooks(medi Bayreuth) My Bread And Butter Is Just Playing Inside And Taking What The Defense Gives Me

De´Mon Brooks is a 24 year old 202cm forward from Charlotte, North Carolina that is playing his third professional season and first in Germany with medi Bayreuth. He started his basketball career in 2010 with Davidson (NCAA) where he played until 2014playing a total of 123 NCAA games. As a senior he played 24 games averaging 17.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 56.4%, FT: 75.3%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with Givova Napoli Basket (Italy-A2 Gold): 17 games: 17.5ppg, 8.2rpg, 2FGP: 58.9%, 3FGP: 32.4%, FT: 77.6%, in Feb.’15 moved to Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League): 14 games: 9.3ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 69.6%. Last season he played with Orsi Derthona Basket Tortona (Italy-Serie A2, starting five): 39 games: 15.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 82.3%. He spoke to German Hoops over the summer after signing with medi Bayreuth.

De´mon thanks for talking to German Hoops Welcome to Germany. You are playing your third professional season and first in Germany with medi Bayreuth. What were the main reasons for joining this club?

Bayreuth is a beautiful city in one of the most prestigious leagues in Europe. With the

coaching staff and the people here creating such a positive environment it was an easy

choice for me.

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Jeremy Black(BG Karlsruhe) We Hit Some Bumps In The Beginning But We Just Kept Working And Raised Our Intensity Level

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.

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Courtney Belger(FC Schalke) I Have To Make Teams Pay And Stop Me Which Opens Up My Teammates

Courtney Belger is a 27 year old 187cm guard from St Louis that is playing his fourth professional season and first with FC Schalke 04 (Germany-ProB)Last season he played with the Itzehoe Eagles (Germany-ProB): 24 games: 12.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 65.6% and Kalamunda Eastern Suns (Australia-SBL) playing 14 games: 21.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 4.1apg, Steals-4(3.1spg), FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 22.4%, FT: 80.8%. He played his first two professional seasons with TV Ibbenbuehren (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career at Quincy (NCAA2) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 113 NCAA 2 games. As a senior he played 27 games averaging 11.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 10.5%, FT: 72.0%. He improved his scoring and rebounding average each season. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 102-73 win against Rostock.

Courtney congrats on the huge 102-73 victory against the Rostock Seawolves. How good was it not only getting a win again, but having the biggest offensive explosion of the season?

It felt good to play that way and was a lot of fun. We’re a better team when we play a high possession game.

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Timajh Parker Rivera(Lok Bernau) I Am Very Selective With My Shots And Will Be More Aggressive As The Season Continues

Timajh Parker Rivera is a 22 year old 203cm forward from Milford, Conneticut playing his professional basketball career with SSV Lok Bernau. He played four years at Towson(NCAA) playing a total of 128 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 6.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.1%, FT: 50.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 85-76 win against SC Rist Wedel.

Timajh congrats on the big 85-76 win against SC Rist Wedel. The team is now 6-1, but could be 7-0. How much have you personally thought about that annoying three point loss some weeks ago against Rostock that cost you the perfect season thus far?

We do wish we could get that game back but our main focus is our next game.

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Jesse Sanders Brings That Certain Sweetness To The BG Goettingen Game

In the last years, 2010 Eurochallenge winner BG Goettingen had the special privilege of not only having a gifted point guard in Khalid El Amin who was still motoring the team to big wins and spicing up his stat line at age 36 proving that first impressions about his body stature didn´t mean that he wasn´t able of perform as well as the other top point guards in the BBL, but teammates surely also got their fair share dose of interesting NBA stories from back in the day where the 178cm American had his share of duty in 2000-2001. With El-Amin not back for a third tour of duty with BG Goettingen, the club had to react and find a suitable replacement and did with Jessie Sanders as he has taken on the challenge and has had to live up to the legacy that El-Amin has left in Goettingen. Sanders is a 27 year old 190cm point guard that is a big bodied point guard, technically sound, who has great court vision and has the mentality of a floor general. He may not have the spice and NBA stories of an El-Amin, but he brings a certain sweetness to the BG Goettingen game and if needed can scrape out a spec of NBA information if needed if asked and be able to give a brief history lesson about his home Sugar land and why it is called that as it was founded as a sugar plantation in the early mid-20th century and incorporated in 1959 and Sugar Land is home to the headquarters of Imperial Sugar, and the company’s main sugar refinary. A person may be able to get away mentally from texting for just a second when Sanders mentions that a Tracy Mcgrady or Robert Horry came from his town, but then again when he mentions the name Hakeem Olajuwon, a person may even shut off their phone and listen intensely with sparkle in their eyes, the same way a person would sway in interest when a person shouts barracuda to shark on a full beach on Long Island on the fourth of July weekend. “I was a huge fan of them growing up! I work out at Lifetime Fitness in Sugar Land and from time to time Hakeem will be in there. We got him to play 3 on 3 with us last summer and he was still killing it”, stressed Jessie Sanders. Sanders played his college ball at Liberty (NCAA) and was the third best assist maker in the NCAA in 2012 averaging 8,0 and is playing his fifth professional season. He brought a lot of experience to BG Goettingen having played in Italy, Australia, and Belgium before coming to Germany last season to play for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He came to Goettingen with a big chip on his shoulder as his season was cut short in Tuebingen as injury limited him to 16 games where he averaged 5.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.6apg. This season the American who lists Steve Nash as his all-time favorite player and always watched how he pushed the ball in transition and created in the lane has adapted well to the BG Goettingen system and has run the team well as it is in some way still finding it´s rhythm, but he is averaging 9,1ppg, 2,5rpg and 5,1apg. He played a big part in the big 74-71 win against Lidwigsburg powering home 16 points, but has been in a little of a rut in the last weeks as he has coughed up the ball 12 times in the last three games perhaps over forcing a bit at times, but his playmaking has stilll been solid as he is averaging 5,0apg and still having good shot selection as he is shooting 60% from the field in this span. With the arrival of experienced Alex Ruoff, BG Goettingen who is a great all around player back as well as extra talented creator who is averaging 6,7apg. Ruoff is definitely a player that not only will spice up the BG Goettingen offense, but a player that Sanders will feed off nicely and who Ruoff will make better with his keen basketball IQ. This is a breakout season for Sanders and so far he has been producing nicely and once the team chemistry continues to gel, Sanders might just reach his first post season and have to delay the visit back to Sugar Land next summer to see if Olajuwon is still unbeatable on the court at age of 53.

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