DJ Woodmore is a 29 year old 190cm point guard that is playing his first season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz. Last season with Morgenstern BIS Basket Speyer (Germany-ProB) he played 21 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 87.3%. In 2018-2019 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.2%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.6% in the Regionalliga. In his first two seasons with Speyer he averaged 14.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 72.1% and 17.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 76.4%. he played at Virginia Wesleyan College (NCAA3): from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 20.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.3% (219/435), 3Pts: 46.0% (91/198), FT: 76.9% (93/121). Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and DJ Woodmore team together each week to talk basketball

Thanks DJ for talking to germanhoops.com The EPG Baskets finally begin the playoffs on April 1st. How vital is the off time for the club?

Thanks for having me again. Finally that time of the year. The time off has been great for our team to get our bodies recovered and ready for the stretch of games. 3 games in one week for the next few weeks if we’re lucky. I think it’s been important to have a few days off and I think you’ll see our team benefit from it!

Is it beneficial or not that you will face Giessen again in the first game? Both teams will know each others tendencies better than usual.

I actually don’t think it’s completely beneficial for us to play them first. It’s always difficult to beat a team 3 times in a year. Coming off a win last week against them, we have to make sure that our mindset is fresh. Build on the mistakes we made last weekend and play like the result doesn’t matter. They’ll have a chip on their shoulder and we need to do the same.

How has the practice time been since the Giessen game? On what things is the team focusing on most?

Practices have been fine. Nothing special but you can tell the intensity and focus has changed for the better. We have to prepare like every game is a championship game, and we’ve been doing a good job of that so far.

The last game against Giessen was a massive shoot out. What kind of game can we await this time? Will it be another high scoring affair or could it be a game in the 70s or 80’s?

Hopefully we can have the same offensive production as last game. But maybe keep one of their big three in check this time. We had some matchup some problems but we’ll find a way to combat that and buckle down a little better on defense. We can’t afford another OT thriller like that. The game could have went either way.

You also will face off against Schwelm. They had an up and down season, but finished the regular season with a three game winning streak. I would have you as favorite on paper. What kind of game can we await?

I don’t know too much about them to be honest. All the focus has been on Itzehoe the last week then that switched to Giessen. I know they have a special player in their American and they perform as he goes. So I can expect us to throw some different defensive looks at him to make it a little tough. But we’ll see.

Have you ever played against Montrael Scott? He is their best player putting up 16/6/6 stats. Is he a guy your looking forward to dueling?

Absolutely looking forward to playing against him for the first time. I know he’s been solid the last few seasons for Schwelm so he’s definitely going to be our focal point.

The last opponent are the Itzehoe Eagles. They are a very good offensive team averaging 86 points per game, but can be vulnerable on the defensive end allowing 84 points per game. What kind of game can we await?

I think we’ll have a challenge with them but I do think they can be a team we can exploit defensively. They’re used to high scoring games so our defensive is going to be key!

Koblenz will have to be awake under the court as they have two talented guys with Chris Hooper and Yasin Kolo. Do you see Brian Butler being able to match up against Hooper well?

I think it will take a team to guard Hooper down in the Point. He’s more than just a big man for them, he’s also their play maker. We have to make it tough for him and keep him guessing.

What are your biggest goals with your game in the playoffs? What kind of DJ Woodmore do you want to present?

I just want to get back to my consistent ways. I’ve finally felt like I can get a rhythm again. Body feels better, and offensively I’m starting to flow again. I’m 100% going to step it up in the next weeks and get back to my playmaking mentality. Offensively and defensively!

Basketball legend Dino Radja said he couldn’t see a Russell Westbrook being able to lead his team to success in Europe. Do you agree?

He’s highly mistaken. I don’t think he’s watched enough of Westbrook if he believes that! He lays it all on the line game after game and gives you everything he has. If that’s not a leader, I don’t know what is. At any level!!

Thanks DJ for the chat.