Month: September 2018

Demetris Morant (Artland Dragons) I Wouldn’t Call Myself An Intimidator But I Could Be A Force When I’m So Close To The Basket

Demetris Morant is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Las Vegas playing his second professional season and first with the Artland Dragons. Last season as a rookie he played with Aris Thessaloniki (Greece-A1) playing 6 games averaging 2.7ppg, 2.3rpg; and in the BCL 3 games averaging 0.7ppg, 1.3rpg. He played a season at UNLV playing 13 NCAA games and then three seasons at FGCU (NCAA) playing 89 NCAA games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 10.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 75.6%, FT: 62.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

Meech thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Hello Miles it’s nice to meet you. I’m currently in Hong Kong working out.

Before we get to the meat of the interview how did you obtain the nickname Meech?

Lol it’s funny because I actually got my nickname in high school from some random guy walking down the hallway and it just stuck ever since.

After a tough rookie season in Greece where you gained good experiences with the game and talented players, how did you enter your second professional season transfer market? What were you seeking as a player for your next move?

Coming into my second season I was just looking for a team that was willing to help develop me as a player and also a team that I could fit in their play style.

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Growing Up In Compton Made Iziahiah Sweeney Used To Facing And Overcoming Adversity And Didn´t Fear Anything But God

Iziahiah Sweeney is a 22 year old 193cm guard from Compton, California that recently played with the HowardHoops tour in the Dominican Republic. He began his basketball career at Compton High School and in 2014-2015 played at Portland St. (NCAA) playing 23 games averaging 3.0ppg. He then played a season at E.Los Angeles JC (JUCO) playing 29 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 63.6%. He reached the NCAA in 2016 an dplayed 56 games for Northwestern State (NCAA). In his junior year he played 29 games avergaing 8.4ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 68.8%. In his senior year at Northwestern St. (NCAA) he played 27 games averaging 11.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 68.6%. He got his first pro experience with Team Miami (Eurobasket Summer League in Las Vegas) last summer. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Iziahiah thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

I’m in Los Angeles, California working out and staying in shape just getting back from the Dominican Republic where I was playing on a tour team.

You recently finished at Northwestern St. (NCAA) and had a very solid two year career. It is mid September and you were recently in the Dominican Republic playing on a tour instead of already getting ready for your rookie season overseas. How did it come to this? I mean did you not find the right representation this summer?

Yes, I basically did not find the right representation and was misled by many people.

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Jackson Kent (Nurnberg Falcons) Continues To Strive To Expand His Game

Jackson Kent is a 24 year old 201cm guard from High Point, North Carolina playing his second professional season and first with the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA. Last season as a rookie he played with BK JIP Pardubice (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 46 games averaging 11.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.4%; and 4 FIBA Europe Cup game averaging 9.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg. He began his basketball career at High Point Christian Academy and in 2013 his NCAA career at JMU (NCAA, starting five) playing 30 games as a freshman averaging 5.9ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 74.1%. In his second season at JMU (NCAA) he played 33 games averaging 10.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 79.3%. In his junior year at JMU (NCAA) he played 33 games averaging 7.7ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 37.7%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 72.4%. In his senior year at JMU (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 84.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Jackson thanks for talking with germanhoops.com. How was your summer?

I had a great summer in the gym and weight room. I improved my body and skill level this summer.

Congrats on signing with the Nurnberg Falcons. One of the places you really want to visit is Italy. Have you checked the game calendar this season when a good opportunity may arise for you to visit?

I’m not sure when I’ll visit Italy haha but I’m very excited about being with the Falcons and I’m enjoying every minute of the process.

After a solid rookie season with BK JIP Pardubice (Czech Republic-NBL) what were your goals going into your second professional season? How did you witness your second professional transfer period? What did you learn from your first summer?

After a year overseas I learned a lot more about style of play in Europe which helped me look at the game differently

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The Miles Where Are They Now Player Feature with Jimmie Hunt

Over the years one thing that the Frankfurt Skyliners have never had a shortage of was talented and strong guards. It really didn´t matter how successful the club was in whatever season, there were mostly always good guards on boards, but as is the case always it depends how well the club chemistry is built and how well they can mesh together. After the unforgettable 2006-2007 season where Frankfurt missed the playoffs and had one of their worst seasons ever, there was a lot of assurance going into the next season that the club would find back to old glory since Turk Murat Didin was brought back to save the ship. The club had two strong guards with Skyliner legend Pascal Roller and American Jimmy McKinney who had had a stellar rookie season. The club also had young German Dominik Bahiense De Mello and young Swede Rudy Mbemba, but another scoring combo guard was still missing and over the summer the club signed American Jimmie Hunt who had had two years of professional experience in Slovenia and the season before had caught fire leading the league in scoring and assists and seemed to be a huge steal. Nine months later that scoring genius that had set the Slovenian league on fire was never lit in Frankfurt as the season was a struggle for the jovial American. He not only didn´t get the ample amount of minutes that he would have liked and was used to having in school and Slovenia, but he just couldn´t compete with the minutes race with the other guards on the squad. There might also have been another huge factor why his play was affected, but due to courtesy to the player won´t be mentioned. Through the whole one year experience in Frankfurt Jimmie Hunt always remained 100% professional and was always a guy you could talk to as a journalist and was positive and upbeat. Jimmie Hunt is presented this time in the Miles where are they now player feature.

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Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Jimmie Hunt in Frankfurt in the 2008-2009 season after a game.

Jimmie Hunt was born on September 14, 1982 in Utica, New York and most guys that were born in that time and were professional players are mostly retired, well almost everyone except for his ex teammate from Frankfurt Derrick Allen who is a living basketball dinosaur who might still be playing in his 40´s if he continues to stay healthy and have that drive to go to extremes to stay in shape. Hunt is only two years younger than Allen and turned 37 today and he is still active as he is suiting up with Luxuris Celje (Slovenia-2SKL) this season. He has been a basketball globetrotter all his life and as a professional has played in Slovenia, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy and the Czech Republic.

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Alex Barner´s Career Hasn´t Been A Struggle But A Process

Alex Barner is a 193 com guard from Fort Scott, Kansas that recently participated at the HowardHoops tour in the Dominican Republic. He played at Fort Scott CC and Cent.Methodist (NAIA) where as a senior he played 30 games averaging 5.7ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 70.0%. He has professional experience with the Kansas City Soul (ABA) and last season played with Asocoacion Baloncesto de Apopa (El Salvador-Liga Superior) playing 23 games: Score-2(31.3ppg), Reb-2(16.5rpg), 3.2apg, Steals-2(2.7spg), Blocks-2(2.0bpg), FGP-3(57.6%), 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 77.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Alex thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

At the moment I am in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The basketball life is treating me well. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a grind, but being a small town kid from Kansas I’m just blessed to have been granted the opportunity to take my skills to other countries where people that have never seen me play can enjoy and appreciate my craft.

You been out of school five years now and have minimal professional experience having played in the ABA and in El Salvador. Why do you feel has it been such a struggle for you?

I wouldn’t say it’s been a struggle I look at it as more of a process. We all have different paths and mine has brought me right to where I need to be. Coupled with a complete lack of knowledge of the overseas basketball experience and lack of contacts that slowed me down some but I’ve stayed committed, got my foot in the door and new opportunities present themselves to me in what seems like every day.

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Demarcus Robinson´s Basketball Dream Stays Alive Seeing The Impact He Has On The Kids And People In The Community

Demarcus Robinson is a 25 year old 178cm point guard from Jonesboro, Georgia that competed last weekend at the HowardHoops tour in the Dominican Republic. He began his basketball career at Snead State Community College (NJCAA) in 2011 where he played two years. He then finished at Alabama State (NCAA) in 2015 averaging 11.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 77.6% and 10.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 74.5% in his two seasons. He has professional experience with the Atlanta Aliens (ABA) and Kentucky Thoroughbreds (NAPB). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Demarcus thanks for talking to Germanhoops-com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

The pleasure is all mine. Currently I am on a tour in the Dominican Republic with Ron Howard. Basketball is treating me well but still pushing for bigger and better things to come out of it.

You been out of school four years now and have minimal professional experience having played in Eurobasket summer leagues and for the Atlanta Aliens (ABA) and Kentucky Thoroughbreds (NAPB) Why do you feel has it been such a struggle for you? Do you feel like your size may have been a road block for you in getting the deserved respect that your game really has?

In the first years there was a lack of exposure and representation that held me back, had a bad situation with that. Once I missed a full year despite my resumé from college it’s been an uphill battle and journey since. My size definitely plays a factor as well now that I lack much professional experience.

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Malcolm Delpeche (WWW Baskets Muenster) Having My Brother Around Has Provided Close To A Mirror Image Of Myself To Compete Against On The Court

Malcolm Delpeche is a 22 year old 203cm forward that was born in Wilmington, Delaware, but also has the British citizenship and will play his second professional season with the WWW Baskets Muenster. He played at Bates(NCAA3) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 100 games. In his senior year at Bates, he played 24 games averaging 13.2ppg, 8.8rpg, 1.5apg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 63.1%. Last season as a rookie he played with BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 24 games averaging 13.9ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2bpg, 2FGP: 51.7%, 3FGP: 37.5%, FT: 64.0%, in Mar.’18 moved to Bristol Academy Flyers (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 12 games averaging 6.2ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 54.5%, FT: 70.0%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about basketball.

Hi Malcolm, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Right now I’m currently in Wilmington, Delaware. My summer has been really good thus far! I’ve enjoyed catching up with friends and family members. In addition to getting the chance to really focus on my game and make sure that I’m coming back better as a basketball player than I was last year.

Welcome back to Germany. Congrats on signing with the WWW Baskets Muenster. What were the main reasons for coming back to Germany and signing with the WWW Baskets Muenster?

I’ve decided to come back to Germany for a couple of reasons. For one, I definitely feel more comfortable being here now that I’ve already played here for a full season last year. I also enjoyed my experience in Germany last year, and would like to further indulge myself in this country. I chose Münster for a couple of reasons. As many might know Münster competed in the same league as us last year in Regionaliga 1 West. They were one of two only teams that beat us last year. And the only team to deny us single victory all season. Despite the agony of defeat, I also saw a lot to love about the Münster Club. Some of these regarded to how the team was run, their playing style, and their commitment to success.

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TJ Bray (Rasta Vechta) The Princeton Offense Taught Me How To Play Without The Ball And It Benefited Me Throughout My Career

TJ Bray is a 26 year old 196cm guard from New Berlin, Wisconsin that is in his fifth professional season and first with Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA). He began his career in 2010 with Ivy league school Princeton (NCAA) and played a total of 115 NCAA games and as senior played 25 games averaging 18.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 64.9%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 80.1%. He turned professional in 2014 and played with Lighthouse Trapani (Italy-A2) playing 29 games averaging 9.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: In his second professional season he played with Novipiu Casale Monferrato (Italy-Serie A2) playing 35 games averaging 14.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 80.8%. Two seasons ago he got experience with Fit Brussels (Belgium-Euromillions League) playing 33 games averaging 8.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 62.5%. Last season he played with Kolossos H Hotels (Greece-A1) playing 27 games averaging 12.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 76.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

TJ thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

I’m living in Milwaukee for the summer. Milwaukee is home for me and it’s been great being back here getting to see my friends and family, working out, and playing some golf.

Welcome back to Germany. You were briefly with the MHP RIesen Ludwigsburg in 2016, but early season knee injury ended your season in Germany. How often was Germany on your mind in the last 2 years and the thoughts of coming back one day?

I thought about Germany a lot the past two years. I was very excited about my contract with Ludwigsburg and it turned out that I was correct in being excited. They’ve had two great seasons, in both Germany and Europe, so I was able to follow them very closely. The league as a whole has always interested me with the amount of success teams have had in European competitions. I think it’s a very good league from top to bottom and I’m excited to experience it.

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The Miles Where Are They Now Player Feature With Ronald Ross

Even though I have hardly any free time with my seemingly endless basketball work, one day I decided to organize my player photos a bit better considering that with my new book concerning my basketball life in Germany will be released soon, I will want to add some of my memories with players to spice it up. I may not be totally accurate, but I believe my first picture that I ever took with a player in Europe dates back to the summer of 2004 and the BBL final series between the Opel Skyliners and Bamberg where I had to fight my way past security to shyly ask Tyrone Ellis if he could pose with me as nobody knew me then whereas today when I´m in the Fraport arena, I perform small talk with a majority of the security personal as that place has become like a second home to me. Over the years I have continued to take photos with players simply because I´m one of those guys that enjoys to have those memories for a lifetime. My fascination and craving of photos actually dates back to my childhood when I began to collect autographes and take photos with players as back then I just loved sports, played it after school with my friends and like so many other young kids was dreaming to be like a Larry Bird, Jim Rice, Peter Mcnab or Stanley Morgan all great Boston sports figures when I was growing up. My most cherished basketball photo from my childhood is with the great Bernard king who didn´t hesitate to pose for with a kid right after suffering a brutal seven game series loss to the Boston Celtics in 1984 where he almost single-handely disposed the green machine averaging 34,6ppg in the exciting series. Since basketball became a big part of my life in 2003 in Germany and I have been reporting about German basketball since then, I continued to take photos all through the years and just as I have recorded over 1000 player interviews in my 15 year career, I also have taken probably just as many photos or even more and have a very nice collection. The quality also has very much improved over the years as I have always been old school and probably was one of the last guys on earth that moved from a normal camera that only produced print photos to a digital camera not too long ago, so there are numerous photos that have very bad quality, while others are of better quality as they were made after I made the switch. With this vast collection of fine basketball player photos that I have, I decided it would be a neat idea to share those prints and add a little story about the career of the player with the heading “The Miles Where Are They Now Player Feature”. This is a feature that I will bring regularly and not necessarily every week, but moreover when I have some time to be able to invest some good spent time to looking back on a players career. It will most likely always appear on a Thursday in conjunction with the famous throw back Thursday term. Some guys that will be portrayed here, I had no personal relationship with except taking a photo, while other guys I had a personal relationship

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber posing with New York Knick Bernard King outside the legendary Boston Garden after he and the New York Knicks lost a tough 7 game series to the Boston Celtics in 1984 averaging 34,6ppg in the seven game series

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Joe Lawson (Crailsheim Merlins)I Definitely Have Been Waiting For This BBL Opportunity And I´m Not Afraid Of The Challenge

Joe Lawson is a 25 year old 201cm forward from Indianapolis, Indiana that will begin his fourth professional season and first with the Crailsheim Merlins. He played his first three seasons in the German Pro A. In his rookie season he played with the BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProA) playing 38 games averaging 11.6ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 69.4%. IN his second season he moved to the Ninners Chemnitz(Germany-ProA) playing 40 games averaging 15.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 81.4%. Last season he remained with the Ninners Chemnitz(Germany-ProA) playing 27 games averaging 12.9ppg, Reb-2(7.7rpg), 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 80.7%. He played at Indiana SE (NAIA) from 2010-2012 playing a total of 56 games and then moved to Indianapolis (NCAA2) where he played from 2013-2015 playing a total of 60 games and as a senior played 31 games: 19.2ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 78.0%. He talked to germanhoops.com during the summer about his basketball career.

Joe thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

No problem Miles I´m currently in Indianapolis working out preparing for next season. The Summer has been very busy between visiting family and playing ball in Las Vegas.

Our last and first interview happened in your rookie season with Gotha in November 2015. How has time flown by since then and is Germany your second home now?

Yes time is flying and I´m headed into m 4th season as pro. yes you can call Germany a second home. All my years as a pro I have been there and I’ve met people in Germany that I will stay in touch with for years to come.

Congrats on signing with new easyCredit BBL team Crailsheim. It isn´t often that Pro A players make the jump to the BBL, but many dream about it. Is this like a basketball dream come true for you as you will measure yourself against the best big men in one of Europe´s best leagues?

I believe if you keep working hard no matter what level your at you will end up where you need to be. I definitely been waiting for this opportunity and I´m not afraid of the challenge that’s before me.

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