Jarelle Reischel (200-F-92, college: EKU) is a 29 year old 199cm forward that will play the 21-22 season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. he played the 20-21 season with the Rostock Seawolves (Germany-ProA) playing 23 games averaging 9.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 90.9%. In 2019-2020 he played for Rasta Vechta (Germany-BBL) playing BBL 18 games averaging 2.9ppg, 1.6rpg; and played 11 BCL games averaging 4.1ppg, 1.8rpg. In 2018-2019 he played for the Telekom Baskets Bonn playing 34 BBL games averaging 2.7ppg, 1.4rpg; and played 14 BCL games averaging 5.1ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 72.0%. In the 2017-2018 season he played with PS Karlsruhe Lions (ProA) averaging 13,9ppg, 5,9rpg, 3,0apg and 1,8spg. As a rookie in 2016-2017 he played with Rasta Vechta (BBL) and the Westchester Knicks (D-League). He was born in Frankfurt, Germany and grew up in Frankfurt, Germany. He headed back to the states in 2008 and returned in 2016. He played at Pleasant Beach HS and then played for three NCAA schools with Rice, Rhode Island and E Kentucky playing a total of 125 games. He had his break out season as a senior at E.Kentucky (NCAA) playing 30 games averaging 17.9ppg, 6.8rpg, 3.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 78.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 20-21 season.

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

I am currently in Frankfurt Germany. Basketball life has been treating me well, just being able to have a team during this pandemic is a blessing. So many of my friends and former teammates didn’t play this year because of the budget cuts and other covid related issues.

It has been a crazy season for all. What was for you the biggest challenge this season concerning COVID-19 and how you played on the court and lived in Germany?

The biggest challenge this season concerning Covid was to get tested multiple times a week. The PCR test was very uncomfortable because I have a very sensitive nose. Also Not being able to physically interact with our fans, family and friends as much, as well as the constant schedule changes became a challenge.

Please give the best example from Sept 2020 to now where you experienced close hand how devastating COVID-19 was for you? One never knew what to expect in this COVID-19 season.

Thankfully everybody in my surroundings were and is healthy. However we as a team did experience a lot of schedule rearrangements due to other players catching the virus during the season.

Rostock was ambitious and wanted to move up to the easyCredit BBL. They beat Science City Jena 107-104 and then the season just ended. How disappointing was this?

It was very disappointing. Our mission the whole season was to move up to the BBL and we fell short. So yeah it hurts and will sting for a while. We had everything to move up. We were such a close group, everybody liked each other and worked extremely hard for our goal.

It was a great regular season as Rostock began 10-2, then had some mid season blues losing going 5-5, but finished out the season on a 11 game winning streak. How much fun was it playing basketball this season in a winning culture??

It was a lot of fun playing in a winning culture and being at the top of the Pro A for most of the season. We had a lot of unselfish guys on the team whose main priority was to win. winning is always fun.

Then the post season came and Rostock only had a 2-4 record. Did that first close loss against Jena 85-81 hurt the club mentally and let it effect their play the rest of the way?

I will say so, being the number one team and having to play maybe the most important game on the road as our first playoff game was definitely energy draining. The loss did not affect our play for the rest of the playoffs because we still had a chance to move up.

Did fatigue play a role in the playoffs that hurt Rostock’s play?

Fatigue did not play a role we had a very deep team where each player could be a starter on another pro A team.

How instrumental was Dirk Bauermann for the success of Rostock? How did his philosophy and way to coach lead to this consistency?

Dirk was great all year around and he is a very defensive oriented coach with a lot of enthusiasm and a very good offensive system. I believe his coaching style really pushed us to having such great regular season. The best season in Rostock history.

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a thrill was it playing with American Trevor Lacey? A guy that has had much experience in international play. What were you able to soak up from his play?

It was great playing with Trav. He is such an unselfish scorer and a great guy to be around. His experience speaks for itself, but we also had a lot of other players who have first league and international experience.

Brad Losing was a high energy player that makes every team better. How vital was it for your play having a creator like him on the court with you?

Playing with Brad was amazing as his energy was through the roof all year around and his leadership skills were very impressive and helped us tremendously during our season.

Seldom do you see an Iranian player in Germany like a Behnam Yakhchali. What did you appreciate from his game and what did you learn about his culture and character? Let’s talk about your game.

What I learned from B was that Middle Eastern guys can really play! I also didn’t know that he was the first Iranian to ever play in Europe, which was huge for him his country and us. I wish that Covid didn’t exist so that we could show him a bit more of the European lifestyle.

How instrumental was the playmaking duties and leader ship qualities of Chris Carter for the success of the team?

Chris was great. He is a winner he does whatever it takes to win. I’ve known Chris for a while now and we always had a good connection. this year we were finally got to play together and were able to show how well we played off each other.

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 9,6ppg, 4,2rpg, 1,4apg, 1,0spg and shot 34% from outside. How content were you with your season?

I felt like I’ve could’ve done more and better. But I always think that. I know it’s not possible but I always try to play a perfect game/season. that’s just me and my competitiveness. I am my own biggest critic.

After playing two seasons in the easyCredit BBL playing 54 BBL games how do you feel did your game grow in those two years in the BBL?
I gained a lot of experience after my two years playing in the BBL and the champions league. Just being able to understand the European game and to play good basketball along with being a complete professional is something I take away.

You had many great offensive options with Rostock. How do you feel did your game grow at both ends of the court under the guidance of head coach Dirk Bauermann?

I was extremely focused on the defensive side this year since we had so many offensive weapons. I would say my defense improved a lot especially under coach Dirk and Chris who are both coaches who preach defense day in and day out.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the pro A this season?

The big man from Leverkusen. Heinzmann he is 7’2 whenever he came to play he impacted the game so much because of his presence.

On what areas of your game will you be working on most this summer to continue to improve your game?

Like every summer I will work on every aspect of my game becoming a more complete all around wing who can shoot pass dribble and defend at the highest level.

What is the next step for you? Would a new challenge in the BBL, another year in the Pro A for grooming or a challenge in another country be most appetizing for you?

I am not sure about my next step but whatever it is I will be ready for the challenge.

Chris Paul recently passed Magic Johnson for fifth all-time in assists. Where do you rank him with the best point guards all-time despite never having won a ring?

Chris Paul is a great floor general which we all know. However winning a ring solidifies a player. If he gets it done then I believe he will go down as a top three point guard in NBA history.

How have you seen the development of Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum? He has scored 50 plus points this season and recently 60. Where will his journey go as a player in the next years?

Tatum is so versatile and he is improving every year that I believe he could be one of the best players that played in the NBA when his career is finished.

Dino Radja recently said he couldn’t see Russell Westbrook leading a team in Europe to success. Do you agree?

I believe the European and the NBA game are completely different. But I also believe that having a guy like Russell Westbrook improves any team.

Draymond Green recently said he is the best defender of all-time. Do you agree?

Green is a great player and a great defender. He still has some more work to do to be considered the best defender of all time. But that’s just my opinion.

Have you seen the Coming to America sequel? It has had mixed reviews. Shouldn’t they just have left it alone?

No sorry I did not see coming to America sequel.

Thanks Jarelle for the chat.