Month: April 2017

Kruize Pinkins (Hebeisen White Wings) The Coaching Staff Brought My Game To Another Level

Kruize Pinkins is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Marianna, Florida that completed his second professional season with the Hebeisen White Wings. In his second season he averaged 17,9ppg, 9,5rpg and 2,5apg. He started his basketball career at Chipola (JUCO). He then played at USF (NCAA) from 2013-2015 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 65.0%. As a rookie last season with the Hebeisen White Wings he played 29 games averaging 13.1ppg, Reb-3(9.1rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 68.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season.

Kruize thanks for talking to German Hoops! Where are you at the moment and have you slowly got into your professional post season rhythm?

I am always working on my game during the offseason as soon as our season finished I took a few days off and then started back working on things I need to improve.

It was a tale of two seasons for the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. The second half was one too forget. How disappointed were you with how the second half went and how long did it take you to digest the season?

It was disappointing in that we had a few games that we let slip away but that is a part of basketball you have your ups and downs but I am thankful to have played with and be coached by a great group of guys. Guys never hung their heads and gave in when we could have.

In the last two months, I was checking the box score every Sunday night and just continued to see loss after loss. After January 28, Hanau only won one more game. If someone had told you on January 28th that the team would go 1-10 what would you have thought?

I wouldn’t have believed it. But like I said basketball is full of ups and downs and lessons to be learned. I am sure everyone has learned from this and it will make them a better player and person in the future.

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Richard Freudenberg Watches The Fraport Skyliners Three Point Crunch Time Party Overpower Science City Jena 69-61

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber´s first encounter with Immanuel Mcelroy in the locker room after he won the 2005 BBL cup with Rhein Energie Köln in Frankfurt

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing BBL identity figure Immanuel Mcelroy of Science City Jena after 69-61 loss in Frankfurt

The highlight for Easter for any child is too be able to go into the yard and explore and hunt for those chocolate easter eggs that are already melting in their mouth, but if you are an old school BBL basketball fan in Frankfurt the gigantic highlight on Easter Monday is entering the Fraport arena and seeing two real professional basketball dinosaurs playing together and still playing the game they love with Julius Jenkins and Immanuel Mcelroy. Which one of these BBL legends would come away with the most chocolate eggs if they would have a contest is difficult to determine, but it would definitely be a very competitive match. You obviously cant compare these two BBL veterans to future NBA legends, but their longevity, importance and play in the German BBL can be compared to the likes of the Lebron´s and Melo´s of the league. These two BBL players just keep coming back and don´t want to retire. Jenkins is 36 and Mcelroy is 37 and still going strong. Their longevity speaks for itself as combined they have played up to this season a total of 630 BBL games and 201 international club games and share 10 titles between them. The massive experience doesn´t end there as there is also Wayne Bernard who rounds out the trio as he is 35 and is only playing his 5^th BBL season but 9^th straight season in Germany and can boast 136 BBL games going into this season. Jenkins and Mcelroy have been BBL identity figures for over 10 years and it will be a sad day in German basketball when these two retire, so there were probably quite a few Skyliner fans that were hoping that this wasn´t their last appearance in Frankfurt. However the Frankfurt fans only had Immanuel Mcelroy to observe as Julius Jenkins was out with an injury and saw how Science City Jena dominated in the first half, but fell apart in the second half as a hot shooting Jenkins was dearly missed as they lost 69-61. After the defeat, Mcelroy was stretching his sore muscles and if his words of retirement were really genuine after the loss was hard to tell, but if he keeps battling guys like Quantez Robertson on a regular basis who make him go to his limit then this might have been his last game in Frankfurt. “It is always fun to play against a competitor like Robertson who does everything on the court. I respect him a lot and how he competes at both ends of the court”, stressed ex Alba Berlin guard Immanuel Mcelroy. For Quantez Robertson, it is no different in that he is only 4 years younger than Mcelroy, but has had numerous battles with the ex Braunschweig player over the years. “It is always fun to play against him, because he competes at both ends of the court. We both know each others moves well and try to trick the other one”, stressed ex Auburn star Quantez Robertson.

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The Uni Riesen Leipzig Led By Cardell Mcfarland Live Another Day Escaping Rhondorf 85-73

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Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Uni Riesen Leipzig guard and leader Cardell Mcfarland after he dropped 20 points and led a fourth quarter charge beating the Dragons Rhondorf 85-73

If one was given a special helicopter ride as a 50^th birthday present from your spouse and you could roam above the quant town of French Lick, Indiana and the tiny town of Rhondorf in Germany and have a nice birds eye view of the territory, one would come to the conclusion that there isn´t much difference between the two. Population wise, French lick boasts 1,941 persons, while Rhondorf has 2,327 people making their home there while from a nature standpoint, there is a lot of greenery to enjoy. The two biggest differences between the two places is that French Lick has no major body of water while Rhondorf sits on the scenic and famous Rhein river that displays historic castles and many boats while French Lick has for many oldschool basketball fans the best basketball player that ever graced the planet with Larry Bird who grew up there and still has a residence there. After the last bitter loss in Nordlingen in the Pro B playdowns where the Dragons Rhondorf shot a miserable 30% from the parking lot and got the big goose egg of 0/16 from outside from their top players Canadian Mike Lucier, American Will Trawick and German Viktor Frankl- Maus, one could of asked manager Boris Kaminski just how good his connections were in the NBA and if threr was any spare change to book the Bird man for some extra shooting practice last week leading up to the game against the Uni-Riesen Leipzig. The Uni-Riesen Leipzig entered the game having a 2-1 record against the Dragons Rhondorf this season, but had lost the game in Rhondorf earlier in the season. Rhondorf had a four point lead over Leipzig in the Playdowns in the fight to stay in the Pro B and with a victory could have booked their Pro B ticket for next season, but instead have to wait another week and play a do or die game in Lich to see their fate as they fell to the Uni-Riesen Leipzig 85-73. The score definitely didn´t tell the whole story as the Dragons Rhondorf dominated the boards with 15 offensive rebounds and forced their opponent to 24 turnovers and had 8 extra possessions, but that all didn´t matter as they were unable to produce when it counted most in crunch-time. “We really had our destiny in our own hands. We rebounded very well and defended very well also, but we couldn´t take care of the little things. Down by four points, we didn´t execute the game plan and a few of their scores and stops of us suddenly had us down by nine points. We fought really hard, but we were missing experience and a few missed lay ups and turnovers cost us the game”, stressed Viktor Frankl-Maus. After the win, Uni-Riesen Leipzig guard Cardell Mcfarland was very relaxed as if his furious fourth quarter outburst had been the most normal thing and he found the right words in victory. “This was a big game for both teams and we knew that they were a very strong team at home. We came out very focused. Our defense was key for getting the win. Our zone at the end really hurt them. We gave up too many turnovers and offensive rebounds, but in the end all that mattered was the win”, added ex Nordlingen guard Cardell Mcfarland. The game also displayed some BBL faces as Telekom Baskets Bonn players ex Giessen 46er Yorman Polas and ex Fraport Skyliner Johannes Richter took in the game on their free Staurday night. After the game, Richter Joked about the opportunity of having had a Larry Bird flown in for extra shooting practice. “I actually rather would have had Dirk Nowitzki´s shooting coach Holger Geschwindner. It was a very physical and hard fought game. Rhondorf had to win this game. I would have had liked to have seen Valentin Blass play more as he is very good on the pick and roll”, stated ex Bamberg center Johannes Richter.

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D´Andre Bullard (PS Karlsruhe) I Know Where I Belong So I Just Use This Season As Motivation So One Day Get To Where I Want To Go

D´Andre Bullard is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Apopka, Florida playing his second professional season and first with PS Karlsruhe. Last season as a rookie he played for the Leeds Force (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 30 games averaging 7.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 39.6%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 61.1%. He started his basketball career in 2011 with Florida A&M (NCAA) where he played until 2014 playing a total of 83 NCAA games. In his senior year he played for Virginia Union (NCAA2) playing 18 games averaging 10.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 62.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.

D’Andre thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life for you at the moment?

Hello, I’m Currently In Karlsruhe Germany. Basketball has been Great, I’m loving the city and the fans and Organization are all like one big family.

Your playing your second professional season in Germany with PS Karlsruhe 2 and recently was promoted to being able to play with the Pro B team. What kind of experience has it been playing in Germany this season?

I’ve enjoyed my experience here thus far, the German style of play is a bit different from the states in which I’ve learned a few things and being able to play with the Pro B to get a feel for that level was also enjoyable.

How mentally challenging and tough has this season been for you playing in the German Regionaliga 2 coming from the British BBL which is the first division. Has there been a day where you didn´t have to reassure yourself that you are a lot better than at the level your playing at?

I wouldn’t say it was as challenging because i’m always grateful for the opportunity to play the game I love despite the level. I know where I belong so I just use this season as motivation and try and take advantage of every opportunity that come’s my way so I can one day get to where I want to go.

You have been tearing up the German Regionaliga 2 and recently put up 44 points. Does it feel like you’re a man playing among boys?

My Job is to go out and compete at the highest level no matter who my opponents may be. I treat every game the same and play every game like it’s my last.

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‘Ich Bin Ein Oldenburger’ Rickey Paulding Remains Their Kennedy Staying Until 2019

The well known speech from John F Kennedy in Berlin where he uttered the famous and unforgetable words “ich bin ein Berliner” may be more than 53 years old, but that remains something that every kid learns about in the history books from Brooklyn, New York to Perth, Australia and yesterday Rickey Paulding (196-F/G-82, college: Missouri) let “Ich bin ein Oldenburger” slip his tongue and got standing ovations for minutes in the EWE arena in Oldenburg. Paulding’s 4 words won’t ever get the world wide press or rememberance as Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner”, but in Oldenburg Paulding will always be their Kennedy.The reason for the long standing ovations and fuss about Paulding was on account of the announcement that he will remain in Oldenburg until 2019 which would give him 12 years in the BBL with one team which is as seldom seen in the BBL as it is teammate Brian Qvale attempting more than one trey a game which he did against the Telekom Baskets Bonn this season and hit both and brings his total of three point attempts in 6 professional seasons to only 14. It is just not a given in todays age of where money rules and the game is a business that a player will remain with one team for that long a period. At the end of this contract extension he will have eclipsed the longevity of Fraport Skyliner legend Pascal Roller who was 11 years with Frankfurt.

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Jarvis Davis (Rostock Seawolves) I Wasn´t Dominating Every Single Night like Westbrook So I Have Work To Do

Jarvis Davis is a 25 year old 183cm guard from Columbia, South Carolina that completed his second professional season in Germany and first with the Rostock Seawolves averaging 20,4ppg, 4,4rpg and 3,8apg. As a rookie he played for AngraBasket/Vaquinha (Portugal-Proliga) averaging 25,2ppg, 7,5rpg and 2,9apg. He started his basketball career with Cent.Florida (NCAA) in 2010 an dthen moved to Gardner-Webb (NCAA) and as a senior played 35 games averaging 8.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 87.1%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball and his season with the RostockWolves

Jarvis thanks for talking to German Hoops. 2017 has come and we are already into April. Did you set any new years resolutions and if you did have to stayed faithful to them in the first few months?

I mean I wouldn’t call it a resolution. But I had a goal to work my hardest to get better every day individually to make myself better. I feel as if I did so. I did what I could control.

The Rostock SeaWolves closed out the regular season with a satisfying win against Recklingshausen 92-76. How important was it getting this win and going into the playoffs with confidence?

Super important. If we lost, we don’t make the playoffs. We win, we were in. So it was simple, WIN or GO HOME!

The club had their best span during the Christmas holidays having a 4 game winning streak, but since then were up and down having a 3-4 record. What do you believe were the positives and negatives in these 7 games?

We could’ve played better defense. I COULD’VE PLAYED BETTER DEFENSE. We could’ve played better offense, I could’ve been more efficient. But sometimes it not positives and negatives. Sometimes as a team, you just don’t have it. Sometimes you work hard that week, but that team is just better. Basketball isn’t rocket science. You win some, you lose some.

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De´mon Brooks (medi Bayreuth) I Try To Focus On Things That Don’t Show In The Stat Sheet

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 before the game against the Fraport Skyliners in Bayreuth.

Demon thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 83-65 loss against Brose Bamberg. How much did the big 28-18 first quarter kind of set the path for the visitors to victory?

Bamberg is a great team. They did a good job controlling the speed of the game and making us work hard for every shot on offense. We knew coming in that we needed to start strong. We just a trouble getting into a rhythm.

How disappointing was this loss? Medi Bayreuth played Bamberg tough in the first game losing only by 4 points and had chances to win. Bamberg won the rebounding battle, but you had 5 extra possessions with only 8 turnovers against a very tough defense. Where do you feel was this game lost?

It is always tough to lose no matter who the opponent is. Bamberg did a good job moving the ball getting great shots. Their efficiency on offense is what stood out this game.

If everything goes to plan then you should finish 4-1 or at least 3-2. Will that be enough to secure home court advantage in the playoffs?

Our goal right now is to take one game at a time and finish the season as strong as possible to obtain home court advantage. We have some tough opponents coming up, and in the BBL nothing is certain.

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Garrett Jefferson (Cottbus) My Drive To Move Up The Ranks Is Tremendous

Garrett Jefferson is a 25 year old 190cm guard from Lakewoon, California playing for German team Cottbus in the Regionalliga 2. He started his basketball career at Citrus and then played 61 NCAA games with Hawaii (NCAA). For his senior year he moved to Cal.Baptist (NCAA2) playing 28 games averaging 7.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 37.4%, 3PT: 20.7%, FT: 69.8%. As a professional player he has played with the Pontiac 66ers (MPBA) and Ejercito (Peru-LBL). He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.

Garrett thanks for talking to German Hoops.Where are you at the moment and how is your basketball life treating you at the moment?

Thanks for having me, I am currently in Cottbus Germany playing in the 2.Regionalliga for the “White Devils” of Cottbus. My basketball life is treating me well. I am out here trying to prove myself and make the most of my opportunity.

You finished school in 2014 and have had a hard time finding jobs as a professional. Last year you played briefly in Peru and since December are in Germany playing the game you love for the BBC White Devils Cottbus (Germany-2.Regionalliga). What is the greatest thing for you about having a job as a professional basketball player in Germany?

I think the greatest thing about have a job as a professional basketball player in Germany is just simply having the opportunity to play. I know many people are waiting on opportunities and working hard, and I think it’s a blessing to play at any level with the chance of advancement.

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Kerry Carter (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I’m On The Verge Of Making A Real Impact And I’m Not Satisfied Yet

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber post game interview with Kerry Carter in 2016 in Germany

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Kerry Carter is a 26 year old 188cm guard from West Covina, California that completed his second professional season and first with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen (Germany-ProB). Last season as a rookie he played for Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 5 games: 3.2ppg. He started his basketball career with Citrus College and then moved to St.Mary’s, CA (NCAA) where he played 63 NCAA games and as senior played 31 games averaging 12.1ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg. He currently is tearing up the German Pro B league averaging 29,0ppg and spoke to eurobasket after being ousted by the Astrostars Bochum ending his season.

Kerry thanks for talking to German Hoops. You and the Bayer Giants Leverkusen were dismissed in the first round of the playoffs by Bochum. Are you back in the States or still in Germany? What did you do in your last days in Germany?

I’m still in Germany at the moment. I am not sure what’s next but I’m just training and staying sharp. The season ended too early for my liking, I’m not ready to go into offseason yet.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen lost 2-1 against Bochum. How disappointing was this for you personally not being able to make a longer run in the Pro B playoffs?

Leverkusen had made it clear that the goal was to win the league and get promoted to Pro A, so losing was obviously a huge disappointment. No discredit to Bochum though, they brought more energy and they were the tougher team. A few plays could have changed the outcome of the series but that’s how it goes.

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Courtney Belger (FC Schalke) I Went Through Rough Patches But The Guys Always Stayed By My Side

Courtney Belger is a 27 year old 187cm guard from St Louis that completed 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 playoff loss to the ScanPlus Baskets ending his season.

Courtney thanks for talking to German Hoops . FC Schalke lost a tough 3 game series to the ScanPlus Baskets. Are you still in Germany or are you already back in the States and how did you spend your last days in Germany?

I’m actually back in Australia with my lady and playing for the eastern suns. My family came to visit me my last week so we just hung out and went to eat etc. My team had a nice end of the year team gathering before we all took off. We had a good time.

How long did it take you to digest the end of the season? What was toughest for you losing game three by 30 points?

It probably took about three days and then will come back later. I’ll just use it for motivation like always. I’m very disappointed to have let the team down with that sad game three disappearing act I displayed.

FC Schalke held opponents to 78 points in the Pro B this season, but the ScanPlus Baskets averaged 83 points in the series. What was most difficult about keeping their offensive arsenal in check?

Not much. We just couldn’t score and execute on our end. When you turn the ball over so much and can’t score it’s easier for the opposition to get out on the fast break.

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