Daniel Norl (191-SG-95, college: Omaha) is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Clarksville, Tennessee that completed his third professional season and second with PS Karlsruhe averaging 12.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 73.0%. In his first season with PS Karlsruhe he averaged 10.4ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 76.6% He scored 26 points against Nurnberg and 23 points against Paderborn. As a rookie he played with Cheshire Phoenix (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 32 games averaging 13.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 73.4%. He began his basketball career at Eastern Kentucky (NCAA) playing 9 game averaging 1.3ppg. In 2015-2016 he moved to Mineral Area CC (JUCO) playing 31 games averaging 10.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 77.5%. He finished at Omaha (NCAA) playing 29 games as a junior averaging 5.6ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 80.0% and as a senior at Omaha (NCAA) upped his stats playing 30 games averaging 13.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 81.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 20-21 season.

Thanks Daniel for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you and how is basketball life tertaing you?

Basketball life has been okay. I just recently got back into the swing of things and working out after having a minor injury in my foot. It feels good to be getting back on the court and preparing for the next season.

When you touched down back in the States what was the first eatery that you sought out?

The first thing I got to eat when I got back home was ‘Cookout’. A chain restaurant with burgers and other southern foods.

The 20-21 season was a tough season for every basketball player. What was the biggest challenge for you this season with the whole drama around COVID-19?

This past season was a tough season. I think the hardest thing about it was being away from home with little to no interaction out here due to the Covid rules.

PS Karlsruhe didn’t reach the playoffs. How can one honestly rate this season with so many things happening for teams that didn’t allow them to play at 100%

The Covid was tough on a lot of teams this year but you still have to give credit to those that were able to look past that and be successful with such a unique time.

On February 27th the club had just won four out of five games and then finished the season with a 6 game losing streak. How tough was it ending the season like this?

It was very tough going out like that. We had a rough patch where we lost our last 6 games. I feel like a lot of those losses had to do with the where we were at during that part of the season. We were just off of a two week quarantine, trying to get back in to a rhythm and never caught one.

In the losing streak most loses were blow outs except for a one point loss against Phoenix Hagen. The club allowed 86 points. Why was it so difficult to find a defensive identity this season?

I don’t think it was tough to find a defensive identity this season. We just weren’t consistent throughout the year.

Was the season highlight beating top team Bayer Giants Leverkusen? What memories do you have of that incredible win?

That was a good game for us but I wouldn’t say that was our seasons highlight. The highlight of our season was being together and growing as a team

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much fun was it playing with big man Maurice Pluskota. After posting solid 12/8 stats isn’t this guy finally ready for a bigger type of role for a easyCredit BBL team?

Maurice can definitely play in the BBL for a lot of teams. He’s very talented and bring s a toughness that a lot of teams can use.

How valuable was veteran Adam Pechacek for the team after playing in Italy and Spain first divisions? How did he impact the game best with his play?

Adam was very valuable for our team. He made our team better when we played bigger teams. You saw what happened when we lost him at the end of the season

Greg Foster played his first season in Europe. What did you appreciate most about his game and what story about his globetrotting days did you enjoy most?

Greg brought leadership and toughness to our team that you can always appreciate. It was always an honor to watch him grow and transform as a player on and off the court like he did this season, considering the new situation.

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 12,2ppg, 2,9rpg and 2,1apg and shot 44% from outside. How content were you with your season?

I wasn’t too satisfied with the season. We didn’t win enough games. Regardless of the stats, we just didn’t win enough. As a player you always feel like you can do more to help the team win and that wasn’t enough this year.

You increased your minutes from 23 to 29 minutes in your second season with PS Karlsruhe. You always have been a aggressive offensive player. How have you grown as an offensive player in your two seasons?

I would say that I shot the ball a little bit better this past season, particularly from three. I was also able to step back and change my game a little bit because of the guys that were brought in. I was able to adapt and be more a floor spacer instead of a Creator.

In our last interview you stated this about your three point shot. I think shot selection is important, but for me it’s more mental. I have had games where I have shot the lights out and then I have had games where I haven’t shot it well. Obviously getting the reps is important, but mentally it’s also a big part to being able to shoot well’. This season you shot the best in your career at 44%. What was the secret to having this breakout?

Just knowing that’s what the team needed from me. We needed shooting to surround some of our penetrators and post guys. Maintaining the confidence to continue to shoot the ball and take the shots I’m supposed to be taking.

You have stated in the past that your playmaking and defense gets overlooked. Have you made strides in these area’s in the last two years?

I believe I have made strides. Especially defensively. I look to continue to improve my playmaking ability in the next season as well.

You had many great games, but was your 23 points in the exciting 86-83 win over Bremerhaven your personal most memorable moment this season?

Nah, not really. That win was a good win for us though and any time you can impact the game and help the team win, it always feels good.

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the Pro A this season?

I can’t think of someone that really stands out. The league presents itself with a lot of good ball players.

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

Things I’ll be working on mostly this off season is shooting off the dribble and playing with pace. I want to be able to have the ball in my hands more and make plays for myself and teammates.

What is the next step for you? I can imagine you will continue to want to remain in Europe?

I’m not too sure what the next step for me will be. Right now I have resigned with PSK and my focus is on that season and that one only now.

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 one of the purest point guards this game has ever seen. Even without a ring, I would put him top 5 point guards ever.

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?

Jayson Tatum is one of the best young players in the league. It’s great to see what he’s accomplished and he’s only going to get better.

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

That’s hard to say, but the European game is much different than the NBA game. Nevertheless, he’s such a talented, transcendent player, he’s always going to leave his mark on the game.

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

I don’t agree that Draymond Green is the best defender in the history of the game, he’s definitely a great defender but this league has seen a lot of them!

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

I haven’t seen it yet.

Thanks Daniel for the chat.

Sometimes when a team didn´t start off well, one tends to think that the light at the end of the tunnel will be far when future opponents are called FC Bayern Munich, ratiopharm Ulm, and Brose Bamberg, but in the case of the Fraport Skyliners the tide changed rapidly after they registered a massive cup upset over the EWE Baskets Oldenburg where new player Brankou Badio was the hero in crunch-time displaying a special electricity and athleticism that had even Skyliner legend Quantaz Robertson raving. Before the big three were on the menu, the Fraport Skyliners had a date with the Hamburg Towers who are playing their second easyCredit BBL season and lost their last game against the Fraport Skyliners in their living room. Like Frankfurt Hamburg arrived into the game like with a 0-2 record and were seeking to finally experience a proud moment in the new season. Hamburg actually haven´t played all that bad having played Ludwigsburg tough losing a one point nailbitter and then lost by 8 points to the always pesky Niners Chemnitz. The Fraport Skyliners couldn´t take that momentum from the cup win stinking up their living room with 26 unacceptable turnovers as the Hamburg Towers secured the 74-64 win. After the loss the Skyliner players fled the court quicker than Dashaun Wood could go from one end of the court to the other, so the only one to speak for the club misery was head coach Diego Ocampo who wasn´t a happy camper. “We turned over the ball 26 times and alone 10 times in the first quarter which brought us behind 22-12. We knew that Hamburg would come out aggressive. We weren´t able to adapt to the referees. We didn´t start to play until the 35^th minute”, stressed Diego Ocampo. Hamburg won their first game of the season and the players also fled the court after the game quickly, but only because they had to catch a train home. Hamburg didn´t play their greatest game either, but it was enough to defeat the hapless Fraport Skyliners.“We began well and showed the aggressiveness that we needed to show. We are still missing the needed self-confidence in certain moments. I thought our biggest strength was that we stayed together as a team”, stressed Hamburg Towers sport director Marvin Willoughby.

                The first few minutes was a back and forth as both teams found their offensive rhythm. Ex Arkansas(NCAA) guard Jabril Durham who came into the game averaging 9,0apg nailed a three pointer. He gave Frankfurt fits all day long as at the end he had registered 8 steals. 221cm Dutch big man Matt Haarms hit some free throws and made a lay in while Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson also was aggressive and scored inside, but Hamburg stayed close getting buckets from big man Maik Kotsar and ex Vechta forward Robin Christen to dead lock the game at 8-8. But then occurred the turning point of the game as Hamburg closed out the first quarter with a 14-4 run to lead 22-12 after one quarter. Frankfurt wasn´t able to bounce back thus playing catch up basketball for the whole afternoon. In the run Hamburg got vital support from Seth Hinrichs who got 2 baskets, Robin Christen, ex Bamberg forward Eddy Edigin and young German Lukas Meissner also scored. Frankfurt was unable to come to terms with the aggressive defense from Hamburg that especially disrupted the Frankfurt guards Donovan Donaldson and Len Schoorman. This led to a turnover fest that resulted in an unbelievable 10 after 10 minutes.

                In the second quarter the Hamburg Towers kept up the pressure and lead in double figures as the Fraport Skyliners could get consistent stops and make some ground. Hamburg began to execute really well from outside as ex Liberty(NCAA) standout Caleb Homesley, ex Wichita State(NCAA)guard Zach Brown and Robin Christen twice hit from downtown giving the guests the very comfortable 36-20 advantage. As usual when Frankfurt needs a savior, it is almost always Rasheed Moore who did it last year and continues to do it this season giving the new word scoring in bunches a new meaning. He led his team on a 7-0 run with a trey and free throw while ex Alba Berlin forward Lorenz Brenneke also connected cutting the Hamburg lead down to 36-27. But Hamburg continued to execute well and head coach Pedro Calles who dedicated the win to his friend head coach Martin Schiller who recently had been fired after only a few games in Lithuania  did a good job with his bench and got good support from ex Bayreuth guard Lukas Meissner with a three and ex Vechta guard Max DiLeo made a lay in. “I support Martin Schiller because I think that he is one of the best coaches that I know”, stated Pedro Calles. The Fraport Skyliners closed out the second quarter with a bang getting a buzzer beater lay in from Brancou Badio, but Frankfurt still trailed 43-31. A positive note for Frankfurt in comparison to the first quarter was that they only coughed up the ball 3 times in the second frame. Another nice thing to note was that Quantez Robertson tallied his 4000^th easyCredit BBL points in the first half.

                Nothing changed in the third quarter as the Fraport Skyliners trailed mostly by double digits and just couldn´t make ground on Hamburg. The Fraport Skyliners actually began the second half strong going on a 4-0 run to cut the Hamburg lead down to 43-35 as Badio and German national player Lukas Wank scored. But it was clear to see that Frankfurt lived off 1-1 play and it was difficult to recognize any kind of plays or real team play. Quantez Robertson wanted more than just 4000 points and scored back to back baskets with a lay in and trey cutting Hamburg´s lead down to 47-40. But the Hamburg Towers then totally broke open the game with a 12-2 run to extend their lead to 59-42. On offense they moved the ball well and chose the right decisions as they let it rain three´s. Christen had the hot hand on this day connecting twice and Homesley scored again. Down the stretch, it was Mr “I can score in bunches” Rasheed Moore who made a runner and transition basket. Hamburg got baskets from Christen and Homesley. Matt Haarms closed out the third quarter with a buzzer beater but the Hamburg Towers still led comfortably 65-50.

                In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners made one last push to cut the Hamburg lead down to 8 points, but time ran out. Lukas Wank got Frankfurt on the board first, but Hamburg continued to execute well getting baskets from Durham and Kotsar to keep the comfortable 72-53 lead. Frankfurt then had their best stretch going on a 11-0 run to cut Hamburg´s lead down to 72-64. In the run they got great production and support from their young kinds Felix Hecker who was only playing his third easyCredit BBL game had 4 points and Lorenz Brenneke supplied four points. In this good stretch, the Fraport Skyliners were without their two guards Donovan Donaldson and Len Schoormann. It had been a day to forget for both as they combined for 9 turnovers. They combined for 1 point and 6 assists in 45 minutes. The club has a point guard problem, but head coach Diego OCampo was as neutral as a coach can be. “The problem is more our turnovers and how they occur. It is my responsibility and a team problem. I don´t want to point fingers, but give my support. We know that we have a problem and need to find a solution”, warned Diego Ocampo. Durham closed out the game with a lay in for the win. “We were too focused on closing out the game. We got away form playing the kind of basketball we know how”, stated Hamburg Towers guard Max DiLeo concnering the Frankfurt 11-0 run. The Hamburg Towers were led by Robin Christen with 19 points. Caleb Homesley had 14 points and Jabril Durham added 11 points, 11 assists and 8 steals while the Fraport Skyliners were led by Quantez Robertson with 17 points and Lorenz Brenneke added 14 points and 9 boards. The Hamburg Towers shot 39% from the field and 37% from outside and had 36 rebounds and 16 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 42% from the field and 29% from outside and had 37 rebounds and 26 turnovers.

After the big cup win over the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, Fraport Skyliners sport manager Marco Voeller was all smiles when some reporters lauded him about his fantastic 27 point explosion in Giessen the night before, and it was hard for him to blush. He countered with a smooth “I can still play”. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors have found their form after a slow start getting blown out my the EPG Baskets Koblenz coming back and winning their next two games at home against Oberaching 93-59 and then clawing out a 78-77 win on the road in Giessen where sniper Felix Hecker won the game on free throws. Frankfurt next met the young and always ambitious and talented FC Bayern Basketball who only had an average 18 years and had a poor 0-3 record. They lost to Orange Academy by 14 points, the EPG Baskets by 11, but then got clobbered by Dresden by 25 points. FC Bayern Munich definitely wanted to uphold the good Munich name and finally get their first victory of the young season. But that had to wait as the Fraport Skyliners juniors gave their best performance of the season ripping apart FC Bayern Basketball 77-53. It was one of those great efforts where everything went right at both ends of the court. After the big win German Konstantin Schubert was all smiles and was in full agreement that this win was a step higher than the last home win against Oberaching. “I´m so proud of how we began the game. It was incredible basketball. I have great respect for Munich who had some very young players 15 and 16 years of age. The first quarter really decided the game. Our preparation was key. We knew the most used plays and sometimes knew exactly where their passes were going to”, stated Konstantin Schubert. For FC Bayern Basketball, it was a game to forget as they had a terrible shooting night, and coughed up the ball a pathetic 24 times. Except for a good stretch in the third quarter, they literally stunk up the BCM gym in Frankfurt “We gave up way too many easy points. We lost the game in the first quarter”, stated 15 year old Russan talent Ivan Khartchenkov.

                The Fraport Skyliners Juniors started the game with an unbelievable high intensity that FC Bayern Basketball couldn´t match. Their high intensity quickly got their offensive rhythm going which led to sound execution. Frankfurt began with a rapid 4-0 run as ex Hanau guard Felix Hecker scored as did ex Ehingen forward Nils Leonhardt. Munich got some baskets from German Jonas Sauer and Sierra Leon big man Mohammed Sillah, but Frankfurt had this intense groove going on offense which led to a trey by Hecker and another lay in by Leonhardt giving Frankfurt the 9-4 advantage. Frankfurt were anticipating well and getting into passing lanes which led to transition success. The only positive thing the guests were doing was getting offensive rebounds as Sillah made a put back cutting Frankfurt´s lead to 9-6. Even if the game was tight, the teams looked like night and day as Frankfurt then would began an offensive frenzy closing out the first quarter on a 13-0 run to lead very comfortably 22-6. In the run, the Juniors continued to move and share the ball well as ex Wurzburg guard Philipp Hadenfeldt scored in the paint as did Konstantin Schubert and ex Nurnberg guard Matthew Meredith while Felix Hecker dropped his second trey of the first quarter. Frankfurt continued to be a menace on defense bringing that aggressiveness to a new dimension and forcing turnovers. Konstantin Schubert closed out the quarter with a pretty buzzer beater hook shot. “I love bringing the hook shot. I have a good touch and my long arms help me. I´m not stronger than my opponent, but quicker which allows me to use this shot”, stated Konstantin Schubert. The guests shot a poor 18% from the field and 0% from outside, but had the slight 10-9 edge on the boards, but had 6 turnovers while Frankfurt only had 2. “Munich has a lot of very young players. I think that the long bus ride and 0-3 start played a role mentally for their poor start. They had little self-confidence. Munich play very physical and look strong, but they don´t put it together on the court. We played the way that we should at home. We were physical and didn´t give up anything easy”, stated Fraport Skyliners NBBL coach Miran Cumurija.

                The Fraport Skyliners Juniors continued their tremendous supremacy in the second quarter playing exceptional defense and going on a 13-5 run to take the incredible 32-11 advantage. Frankfurt got baskets from Hadenfeldt with two and from Schubert as they led 28-8. FC Bayern Basketball had their chances, but just had very little fortune as they couldn´t buy a bucket. They were missing shots that just made you shake your head in disbelief. Philipp Hadenfeldt was a huge factor in the success on this night. His nonstop energy and intensity had Munich running in circles as he was always able to find his teammates and kept the offense on a sound groove. The guests finally received their first field goal at the 6,22 minute mark as 15 year phenom Ivan Khartchenkov made a lay in with amazing quickness that made it look so easy. He had scored 16 points against Koblenz and 17 points against Dresden. He definitely had people turning their heads. “He has a very impressive body for that age. He was a little off the radar in the first half. But teams have to be careful. If you let him play then he is capable of hitting from all over”, said Miran Cumurija. Frankfurt continued to defend with passion that led to easy transition baskets from Konstantin Schubert and Matthew Meredith. Another trey from Hecker gave Frankfurt the commanding 35-11 lead. Frankfurt lost a little focus at the end allowing a 5-2 run to lead 37-16 at the break. Munich got baskets from Khartchenkov and Sebastian Hartman while Hecker hit a runner. Munich continued to be at 0% from down town and couldn´t hit the ocean, but were rebounding well having the 15-11 rebound edge. “Frankfurt was subbing in intelligently bringing in Leon Puellen and Bennet Schubert to give the starters a rest. The biggest plus on defense was just staying in front of their man. When they began to rotate is when they got problems”, stated Miran Cumurija.

                The third quarter was FC Bayern Basketball´s best quarter as they won it 20-15 and cut the overwhelming Frankfurt lead down to 13. But Frankfurt recovered half way through and ended the third quarter owning a 17point lead. FC Bayern Basketball came out recharged in the second half going on a quick 9-2 run to cut Frankfurt´s lead to 42-27. In the run the guests got solid support from the 15 year gem Khartchenkov who supplied 5 points as he displayed amazing calmness hitting his spots and connecting. 19 year old Mohammed Sillah who only began playing basketball 4 years ago hit a hook shot and Serbian Aleska Vucetic made a lay in. Munich upped their intensity on defense which made Frankfurt rush too much and produce turnovers. “It is incredible to see how Khartchenkov plays at age 15. He still needs to work on his defense, but offensively he is already a good scorer at the Pro B level”, stated Konstantin Schubert. Frankfurt then began to calm down and execute better again on offense despite Munich doing the same, the guests were unable to cut the deficit under 10 points. Schubert and Marco Voeller who scored twice gave some vital support in the paint keeping the lead at 49-33. After German big man Daniel Helterhoff dropped a 20 footer, Frankfurt got momentum back getting two key back to back baskets from Nils Leonhardt who supplied great energy making a lay in and then instantly making a steal and finishing with a crushing two handed stuff. Konstantin Schubert supplied his third quarter ending buzzer beater with a runner and 55-38 Frankfurt lead. “I never had had two buzzer beaters in a game. I actually wanted to pass the ball, but the clock was down so I decided to make the floater”, smiled Konstantin Schubert. FC Bayern Basketball still hadn´t hit a three, but still had the slight rebound lead 26-24. “We know Munich would come out hard and so did we, but we didn´t. We had to many turnovers, but then we made hustle plays to get back into the game”, commented Konstantin Schubert.

                The Fraport Skyliners Juniors found back to their game in the fourth quarter winning it 22-15. Frankfurt quickly broke out on a 6-2 run to extend their lead to 61-40. Frankfurt received two baskets from Schubert and Voeller. Frankfurt was playing smart basketball again and elected to go inside taking control of the mis matches. Frankfurt continued to be in command getting baskets from ex Giessen guard Niklas Bilski and Leonhardt for the commanding 65-42 lead. Down the stretch Munich would get some added support from Vucetic who had been quiet for the first three quarters as he connected on a trey and hit a pretty floater. Khartchenkov also got into the action with a lay in as Munich trailed 66-49. Munich was slowly coming back again, but Frankfurt slammed the door shut on them closing out the game with a 11-4 run to win the game. Hadenfeldt continued to be that energizer and offensive force scoring 5 points while Bennet Schubert also connected on free throws. Khartchenkov made one last basket on transition. “It was important that we blocked off that third quarter run and didn´t allow them to come back again. Munich saw then that we weren´t going to let them do it again. We played as a team and the fight was great. It is great how well we started. We have many new guys and a coach, but everything is working”, stated Konstantin Schubert. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Felix Hecker and Philipp Hadenfeldt with 15 points apiece. Konstantin Schubert added 13 points and Nils Leonhardt 12 points while FC Bayern Basketball was led by Ivan Khartchenkov and Mohammed Sillah added 13 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 45% form the field and 15% from outside and had 37 rebounds and 14 turnovers while FC Bayern Basketball shot 38% from the field and 8% from outside and had 38 rebounds and 24 turnovers.

In the last few years Shaun Willett (193-PF-96, college: Queens, NC) was giving scoring a new name and producing double doubles as easily as current Denver Nugget Nikola Jokic is making people believe that he is the 2021 MVP due to his leadership despite not having the most talented guys around him in the playoffs. The American from Palm Bay, Florida who shares European duties in Europe as a player with fellow Palm Bay resident Cameron Long showed in the NCAA 2 with Queens University (NCAA2) that he could produce double doubles at ease averaging 19.9ppg, 11.6rprg. He proved that that was no fluke and came on to the scene as a rookie in Europe in Luxemburg in 2019 and plastered explosive stats of 29/13 with BBC Arantia Larochette (Luxembourg-Total League) displaying a 43/20 game and a 39/16 explosion while scoring 30 points or more in 8 of 12 games. This season he ventured to Germany and began the season with the wiha Panthers Schwenningen in a tougher and higher league, but was very close to the double double numbers averaging 17/9 stats in 9 games. Often scoring like an Allen Iverson is wonderful to watch and can really boost your market value, but when the team isn’t winning, you won’t remain there long as in Europe winning is the norm. But the American who believes that Golden State Warrior Draymond Green is a great defender and can defend multiple positions, but isn’t the greatest defender of all-time helped lead the Panthers to a respectable 5-3 record early and was on a roll scoring 27 points, 23 points twice and 21 points all in wins. But then he was suddenly gone from one day to the next as his new address was Heidelberg. Sometimes not even the best stats and winning can hold a player somewhere as Willet found out. Especially wiha Panthers head coach Alen Velcic is a guy you don’t want to push to the limit with his nerves. Willet didn’t stick to some rules and that cost him his job in Schwenningen, but sometimes getting that second opportunity in the season can bring happiness and a feeling of contentedness. Willet would sign with future Pro A winner MHP Academics and the Panthers reeled in another explosive scorer with Courtney Stockard who helped lead them to the playoffs and their best season ever. Current wiha Panthers guard Chris Frazier couldn’t have described the situation better how the player roulette effected both teams best. ‘I wouldn’t say the move it was wrong or correct. It was a move that coach thought was right and he brought in Courtney. Both players were our best players, Courtney just led us better. Coach has a crazy way of knowing how players could fit together so at the end of the day it was the right move to make’, warned Chris Frazier. He definitely had to put his ego on the back shelf, but it was definitely worth it. ‘The whole goal of basketball is to win championships and to win one in my first year in pro A is just unreal! I’m blessed beyond measures. The decision to come here was a tough one because I knew what I would be giving up, but the reason that I came was to win a championship and succeeding in that let’s me know I made the right choice’, warned Shaun Willett.

The American who doesn’t agree with basketball legend Dino Radja that Russell Westbrook couldn’t lead a team in Europe to success, but moreover see’s Russ as unstoppable played his last game with the Panthers on December 30th and then rapidly found a new team with ambitious organization MLP Academics Heidelberg. He played his first game on January 20th helping beat Paderborn 85-79 giving a very spirited debut with 14 points and 11 boards and showing his defensive qualities as well with 2 steals and a block. A little less than 4 months later he was at a point in his professional career where he had never been before winning that first chip. He played a two game series where the team that won by the most points had the title. Heidelberg pretty much decided the title in the first game routing another ambitious club Bayer Giants Leverkusen by 30 points sparked by a strong 24-9 second quarter that fueled the victory. ‘The quarter was definitely a big turning point and a huge reason to the big victory in game one for sure. We executed on defense and made good decisions on offense’, remembered Shaun Willett. Even when you win by a massive margin like that, it doesn’t mean that one team wanted it more than the other. ‘I wouldn’t necessarily say we wanted it more, of course both teams wanted it extremely bad, but we just did the key things in key moments to give us a better advantage for the game. And as Frenki would say we also had a little bit of luck’, smiled Shaun Willett. The Heidelberg team could of put on blindfolds for the second game being up by 30 points, but they continued to battle and after 40 minutes experienced a rare 93-93 draw. The club obviously would have liked the win since ending in it in a tie felt weird. ‘It feels like unfinished business. Like you had a work assignment due and you forgot to look on the back side for the last 2 questions. I’ve never had a game end in a tie no’, stated Shaun Willett. Rating the magnitude of the Pro A title is huge since the COVID season was such a difficult one with no fans, injuries and numerous COVID tests that one can easily say that he was part of a very special team. ‘It was so much fun this year. We had so much talent on one team that on any given night anyone could be the top scorer. When you have a team like that it’s always exciting to see who’s night it will be. I would say the character of our guys on this team was the secret to our success. We had such a great mixture as soon as we all got together. Nobody was selfish, nobody wanted to be more than the team. We all sacrificed because we knew we had a chance to do something special, and it worked’, stressed Shaun Willett.

The American who sees Phoenix Suns Chris Paul as a top 10 NBA point guard of all-time not only is thankful for having been meshed together with great players, but also for gaining the trust of manager Matthias Lautenschlager and head coach Frenki Ignjatovic as well as them being able to transport their vision for success to the players. ‘A lot of credit to them both! Frenki being a great coach on and off the court, and Matthias literally doing everything he can to make sure we are good and ready for every game and event we had. They had a vision and they made it into a reality’, warned Shaun Willett. He already had some nice talent in Schwenningen to play with, but in Heidelberg the talent level was a step higher. He played with amazing guys like MLP Academics lifer Shy Ely who led the club. ‘Playing with Shy gliz was like playing with an older brother that just knows the game and works on his craft so detailed and specific. He was the piece that just held us together, like we would never feel like we were out of a game knowing we have Shy on our team. Great father, great teammate, just overall great dude. Loved being able to just take every little thing I could from him’, remembered Shaun Willett. Heidelberg had probably the best trio of guards in the league with Ely, Jordan Gist and Saaed Nelson and Willett had nothing but love for them who knew how to find him every now and then when they weren’t shooting out the lights. ‘JG is special! Flat out Hooper, gets to his spots whenever he wants, and is one of the most clutch dudes I’ve seen in person. Great teammate and great dude. He gave me all of my alley oops so I have to say good things about him lol. But no he was huge for this team really. Sa silky Nelson is a flat out dog! The energy he brings, the way he weaves through defenders and gets to the paint is insane. I tell him all the time he has to work on his hops so those layups turn into dunks! But I have no worries about what will be next for him, the sky may not even be the limit, he might have room to reach another planet if he keeps working. He’s going to be at the highest level in basketball really soon in his career’, warned Shaun Willett. He also knows that the club wouldn’t have had the success without the German bangers Armin Trtovac and Philipp Heyden who became one of the Pro A’s top center duo. ‘They were the pillars of course! Without good big no team no team is complete. The energy that big Philly brought made him the captain that we loved and we needed. He always made sure that we were better than we played and always held guys accountable. Armin hammer came in huge as well with his energy off the bench. He was starting at one point I think and things happened but he didn’t let it affect his production to this team. We have no success without those two for sure’, expressed Shaun Willett.

The Florida native who sees Jayson Tatum currently as a top 10 player and most difficult player he battled in the Pro A was wiha Panthers forward Courtney Stockard came to Heidelberg and played 24 games averaging 9.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.3spg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 76.1%. His numbers in Heidelberg compared to Schweningen was like day and night, but he knew that sometimes that making sacrifices can lead to big things at the end. ‘Moving from Schwenningen to Heidelberg, I knew it wasn’t going to be the same with my numbers, but I always had the bigger picture in mind. I was never worried about my performance because I knew at the end of the day my game speaks for itself and I went to win a championship and did that so I’m perfectly fine with the outcome’, commented Shaun Willett. He scored in double figures in 11 games including 24 points in a win over Tuebingen, but he also did a great job adjusting to a lesser role even if it wasn’t easy. ‘Any real hooper knows that it’s tough when you go from being the main option to the 6th, 7th, or maybe even 8th option. But the toughest part to me was trying to feel useful in a sense. Like making sure I’m being productive and helping my team out every chance I got in anyway possible to just be successful and to know that I did what I could to help my team have a better chance to win’, stated Shaun Willett. He believed that he made another step in his game with Schwenningen and Heidelberg even if he couldn’t find that consistency with his jump shot. ‘It’s really all just about reps and confidence. The more confidence that you have in taking the shots that you know you work on all the time. The better your numbers will be’, warned Shaun Willett who also feels that the cult Movie Coming to America should have been left untouched. Not only on the offensive end did he make further strides as a professional, but also on the defensive end where his athleticism continues to bolster how he can defend with success. ‘ Defense has been my strong suit since I would say late high school or in my college days. The fact that I’m getting bigger and stronger and fast just makes it more easier to defend more positions in basketball’, warned Shaun Willett. The American had the right feeling joining the MLP Academics and also knows that in order to experience something like that again, he won’t only be taking 500-1000 shots per day this summer when the temperature crack 90 degrees in Florida. ‘I’m not just keying in on one thing at all I’m focusing on all aspects of my game this summer to be ready for whatever is next’, warned Shaun Willett. He isn’t only a talented player that can rack up big time stats, but within a few months learned to curb his ego and win a professional title. Having these new qualities will help him immensely continue to climb the basketball ladder in Europe.

John Murry (192-G-95, college: Austin Peay) is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Indianapolis, Indiana that is playing his third professional season in Germany with BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga). Before that he had experience with the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans. He played two years at Owens Community College playing 63 games and two years at Austin Peay State University (NCAA) playing 56 NCAA games and as a senior averaged 16.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 81.1%. He and Miles Schmidt-Scheuber talk weekly about basketball.

John thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Your itch to want to play regularly has been huge the last two years. Now you can play a new season, but the first game got cancelled against Hagen-Haspe because of Covid. What was going through your head when you heard the news?

Thanks my guy. Thanks for having me again. I was extremely upset about the cancellation of the first game because it was crucial for us to get that 1st win of the season and we didn’t even get to play, but moving forward it gave us more time to prepare for our future success.

Do you sometimes wonder if there could be a curse on you to play professional games overseas?

No, I believe God has a plan for me and all though Ive been waiting for years for my opportunity at higher levels for numerous reasons, everything works out for the good and things happen when they are supposed to.

I haven’t heard about a player catching COVID thus cancelling a game. How bitter is seeing this? You would have thought that this wouldn’t be able to happen anymore?

I definitely agree because I’m ready to play but for us to be successful we have to keep pushing and preparing for to win, we can’t worry about things we cannot control

Finally you got the season underway. Despite a great offensive game by you, Grevenbroich lost 99-97. How tough was this game to digest?

It was very tough but we know what we need to do moving forward in order to generate a lot of wins for this current season.

Take me through the last seconds. What were the main reasons that Grevenbrocih wasn’t able to pull out the win?

We fought to the very end and we put ourselves in a hole in the beginning, I believe if we cut down on turn overs in the future we won’t have such struggle in the end and we can pull out the win.

Grevenbroich forced 24 turnovers and won the rebounding duel, but still lost the game. How difficult was it guarding the three point line? They nailed 14 three’s.

We just have to do a better job at closing out on shooters and making sure we take the extra step on defense and not take the easy or lazy way out.

Grevenbroich got super support from Marc Rass. How much fun is it playing with him? You guys seem to be a 1-2 punch?

We love the support that Marc gives us and it helps us out when we need a bucket.

You and Matt Frierson combined for 70 points. To which NBA player did his hot shooting remind you of.

Matt played a really good game, he performed well for him and his team.

You had an outstanding game with 33 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assist and 3 steals. How happy were you with your own game?

Well there is more work to do considering we lost, I definitely watched the film countless times to see what else I could do more of to make sure we come out with the win next time.

You also seemed to pick your spots well. Were you happy with your shot selection?

This was probably the only thing I was happy with from the offense end of my game, shooting 75% from the field (12-16) is something you can’t complain about when the it’s crunch time.

After a game like that where you were very solid, on what area’s will you work on most? Is shooting one of your biggest priorities?

Shooting is a big component but working and studying film to make sure I play a complete game on both ends of the floor is what I will pay most attention to.

You next paly Hamm. What will be the major focus in practice this week?

Making sure we pay close attention to detail and the scouting reports, mistakes cost us the game so we want to limit those as much as possible going into this weekend

Tom Brady visited New England last weekend for the first time since leaving in 2020. How big of a mistake was it letting Brady go?

He is one of the greatest QB’s of our era. Letting him go was just a way for him to win somewhere else, players like him are going to win no matter what. It’s a lifestyle that he lives by.

Thanks John for the chat.

Stanley Whittaker (183-G-94, college: Keiser) is a 26 year old 183cm point guard from Philadelphia playing his third professional season and first in Germany with PS Karlsruhe. He played his rookie season in Lithuania and last season had his break through with UBSC Raiffeisen Graz (Austria-BSL) playing 24 games: Score-2 (21.5ppg), 6.3rpg, Assists-2 (8.0apg), Steals-1 (2.6spg), FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 78.4%. He played his college ball at Frank Phillips (JUCO) and Keiser (NAIA). He will team up every week with Miles Schmidt-Scheuber to talk basketball

Stan thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. After a blow out loss, then came a blow out win and now another blow out loss. How difficult is it digesting another brutal loss?

It’s tough, even though we were missing 4 players to our team, we still want to be competitive regardless of the circumstances. However, that wasn’t the case against Trier, but I credit my guys that did play and gave it their best. All we can do is move forward and get healthier!

As a basketball player how is it best to explain getting blown out after blowing out a team. How much of the mental part figured into the 96-75 loss to Trier?

It’s mentally challenging because no matter the circumstances we still want to be competitive and give ourselves a chance. We’re all professionals at the end of the day, so we have to figure out ways to remain competitive once we step in between them four lines.

The game began on a sour note for PS Karlsruhe as you only mustered 7 points. What adjustments did PS Karlsruhe make in the second quarter to get out of the rut and score 21 points.

Us only netting 7 points in a quarter is quite flustering to me. Especially, when I’m on the court. I have to be more assertive when things aren’t going our way offensively. In the second quarter, we just were more aggressive, played with a slightly better pace and we made a few shots so that helped.

PS Karlsruhe had it’s up and downs all through out the game. After being down 45-28 at the break, Trier kept supplying the pressure and scored 27 points in the third quarter and had a big lead. Why couldn’t your team find a defensive identity on this night?

Defensively we had trouble communicating as well as finishing defensive possessions with rebounds, so Trier were able to get offensive rebounds and they made us pay. We have to be better defensively, there’s no question about it.

PS Karlsruhe easily lost the rebound battle 56-19. Obviously you were undermanned but like I said two weeks ago isn’t the team missing another big?

That’s a huge difference. We still have to find a way to put a body on our man to give ourselves a chance. And we were missing two of our big men against Trier.

Was having 10 turnovers and still forcing Trier to 24 turnovers some of the only bright spots in the game?

As bad as the score may look, and with us being undermanned I think we did do some good things at certain points of the game. I think we can build on those positives.

Do you believe not having other potent scorer Ferdinand Zylka had a mental effect on the team? I guess you noticed quickly how much he was missed.

I don’t think that had a mental effect on the team. I think the entire week was rough on our group as far as preparing for Trier and not having our full team.

What was it like battling ex Seton hall (NCAA) standout Derrick Gordon? Did you know his history of having come out during school and then being a firefighter and an actor?

He was a good player, I wasn’t familiar with his history or anything like that. But I’m a competitor, I always enjoy competing.

How much confidence do you get being the best player on the court and seeing ex BBL players like Garai Zeeb have a ok night but nothing compared to you. Does reaching the highest level in Germany become more of a reality.

My confidence comes from the work I put in throughout the years. If I’m being honest, my confidence never wavers no matter who I’m competing against. And it’s no secret, I would love to have an opportunity to play at the highest level here in Germany but I’m focused on this season and the group I’m with now.

I hate asking the same question after a blow out loss, but how much did this loss hurt compared to the Leverkusen loss. You had 30 points. Do you feel like your teammates let you down a bit?

We actually look for the lessons in the losses more so than hang our heads. My teammates are my teammates, these the guys that I battle with day in day out, they can never let me down.

How difficult is it being a point guard to lead successfully when the team is so depleted with bodies. What is your main focus in a game like that?

Being a point guard is difficult in general, but I think that’s when the true character of the player shows, when your going through adversity. My main focus in a game like that is try to keep the team as composed as I possibly can.

Tom Brady returned back to New England last weekend for the first time since leaving for Tampa Bay in 2020. If Tom Brady wins one more Super bowl, is he then the greatest athlete of all-time in the world?

I’m a huge Tom Brady guy, so my answer will probably be a bit bias, but I already think he’s the greatest NFL player. When he win it this year he’ll just be adding on to his all time great career! Haha

Thanks Stan for the chat.

It was only 4 years ago where having a professional career become a sweet reality was still very far away for Tanner Leissner (201-PF-95, college: UNH). He had just come off a third straight AEC tournament semi-final loss this time to Vermont and that would be the last game of his teammate and good friend Jaleen Smith. Both guys had had solid careers at UNH and put up consistent stats that many guys in the NCAA would have died for. But when you play in a weaker conference like the AEC, you probably will go pro like both guys did, but not necessarily find a home in a high league. 4 years later one can truly say that both Tanner Leissner and Jaleen Smith are living the Cinderella dream and have really made it as their road to where they are now didn’t come easy. They both had to pay their dues, but Jaleen Smith recently played NBA Summer League and if he had chosen to try the NBA route could have possibly landed on a roster, but instead gave his Euroleague debut last week with Alba Berlin against top team FC Barcelona while Tanner Leissner is playing his fourth professional season and first with top Lithuanian club BC Rytas Vilnius. Smith had to play two seasons in the German second division before making his ascension up the basketball ladder while Leissner played his rookie season in the German second division also called the Pro A before continuing to make his rise moving to the German first division and then to Turkey. Leissner is extremely humble in what his thoughts would have been back in 2017 if someone had told him if he believed he could go pro. ‘If you told me we’d both be pro players, I’d be skeptical. But for both of us to be playing at this level, coming from a mid major and starting in Pro A, I wouldn’t believe you. We’ve been given great opportunities, shown our abilities and both been able to grow from them. It was an honor being able to grow with Jaleen. We are similar in our love and respect for the game, our work ethic, and drive’, warned Tanner Leissner. Tanner Leissner (BC Rytas Vilnius) was always overlooked as A youngster but the whole UNH experience helped him become the player he is today.

Tanner Leissner who lists ex NBA player Jameel Warney from Stoney Brook as his toughest opponent in the NCAA as he always gave them problems regardless of what they threw at him as he was a dominant force was born on September 25th, 1995 in San Antonio, Texas and grew up in Coverse and attended Judson high school. There he was HS District MVP in 2012 and 2013 and made the All-State Team in 2013 and 2014. He then attended the University of New Hampshire (NCAA) from 2014-2018 playing a total of 121 NCAA games. He reached three AEC tournament semi-finals. Not winning a AEC title is something that was tough. ‘I know winning a title is a major accomplishment and experience. Not winning, especially when we had talented players working hard every single day, definitely stung. In my four years at UNH, alongside Jaleen Smith, we made the most of our time on the court and accomplished a lot for the program and for ourselves’, remembered Tanner Leissner. He gave the word consistency a new meaning averaging 15,0ppg and 7,0rpg in his four years there. He scored in double figures in an incredible 103 of 121 NCAA games. He scored 20 points or more 36 times. He had many great games in the NCAA like hitting UMBC with 36 and 30 points or Dartmouth with 32 points. Even though he lit up the scoreboard like no other, he actually remembered another game as being his most haunting. ‘I remember that double OT loss to UMBC, but my most memorable was losing to Vermont in the America East semis my sophomore year after almost coming back from a 20+ point deficit’, said Tanner Leissner. He also showed his stellar play against top level competition like UConn and Florida and many more that he could hold his own against future NBA players. He always got up for games like that and having that chip on his shoulder allowed him to flourish. ‘I was grateful for my time at UNH and the conference I played in. Coach Bill Herrion put a lot of confidence in me and allowed me to develop on the court. Without those opportunities, I’m not sure where I’d be today. Since I was young, I’ve been overlooked and underestimated. Whether it comes to my size, my speed, or my abilities. I constantly try to improve and have to always prove myself. I’m blessed to have made my way to a good organization in the champions league, but I’m hungry for more. I know I can compete at the highest level’, stressed Tanner Leissner. One guy that most likely now has a life long pass of getting free meals from him is UNH head coach Bill Herrion. This extraordinary coach was a big reason why Leissner was able to make his difficult route as a professional. ‘Coach Herrion helped me in numerous ways. He helped me become a better defensive player. He also gave me the opportunity to start my freshmen year and gain confidence throughout college, playing a high amount of minutes with many opportunities to score. He’s a good man and the opportunities I had at UNH helped me become who I am today’, remembered Tanner Leissner.

His experience at the University of New Hampshire wouldn’t have been as enriching and enjoyable if he hadn’t been teammates with Jaleen Smith. They went through thick and thin there and later would be reunited in Germany in Ludwigsburg with the MHP Riesen. That was where Smith would make his professional break through while Leissner played his first full professional season in a first division. They have been through so much and their early connection at UNH will last a life time. ‘Jaleen Is one of my closest friends. I would say my sophomore summer, when I stayed with Jaleen and his wife Monica in their apartment, was when we got close. I hold him in the highest regard. We stood up in each other’s weddings, our wives are best friends, and I’ve gotten to grow our relationship over the years. We have both come along way and then reuniting again in Ludwigsburg for a year was unfathomable. We’ve both come along way and he’s earned being in the Euroleague. I’m so happy for him and his family’, expressed Tanner Leissner who won most of his one on one duels in school against Jacoby Armstrong. For Smith the feeling is mutual as he has the same amount of love for his ex teammate. ‘Me and Tanner together accomplished so much at UNH and over the years there and even after we left school we still stay in contact to this day. He was in my wedding and I was in his. That’s my brother for life for sure. I’m just glad I met another great player but also a great friend. He would be the main guy everyone would focus on. I would try to get him in his best spots and he would deliver. We just had great teams over the years when we were in New Hampshire’, stressed Alba Berlin guard Jaleen Smith.

The American who lists Khadeen Carington, Jaleen Smith, Nick Babb, Pako Cruz, and Evaldas Kairys as his five best teammates of all-time began his professional career in Germany with Team Ehingen. On the court he didn’t need much adjustment time as he averaged 16.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 84.9%. But off the court he did have a wake up call that so many Americans have when they come overseas. ‘The culture shock for one. Living in a different country was a whole new experience, having never been to Europe before. Also, the physicality and quickness of the game, coming out of college, was like nothing I’d seen before’, remembered Tanner Leissner. He scored in double figures in 28 of 33 games including hitting the Uni Baskets for 29 points and registered 26 points a piece against Hamburg and Heidelberg two teams that since have moved up to the easyCredit BBL. One teammate that he will never forget is Reyshawn Simmons who like him had to pay his dues and then reached the highest league in Belgium called the Euromillions league. ‘Rayshawn is not only a great PG but also a great leader. He helped me and influenced me a lot in a positive way, especially since I was a rookie and new to being overseas. I know he’s dedicated and aspires to play at the highest level, which I admire and know he can do if given the opportunity’, added Tanner Leissner. He then finished out the season in Israel which is probably one of the most favorite countries to play for Americans. In Israel the players have great weather and often the beach only 100 feet from their apartments and delicious food. He was about an hour from the beach and an hour and a half from Jerusalem and he had a lifestyle that many players that play in Bosnia or Romania can only dream about. He played with Hapoel Beer Sheva (Israel-Winner League) playing 7 games averaging 9.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 62.5%, FT: 80.0%. He had some talented players on his team like Jordan Swing, Travis Warech and Kerron Johnson all of whom have played in Germany before, but he also witnessed at times not just good opponents, but breath taking and legendary guys he had to battle. You have to wonder what his first thoughts were when he dueled against ex NBA player Amare Stoudimire. He didn’t play against him just once, but actually three times in only seven games. How much luck can a player get to receive this honor? ‘Once I signed and figured out his team was my first opponent, I was shocked. I remember watching him be dominant in the NBA for years. Going against him was one of the top moments in my early career. That opportunity Beer Sheva gave me was the icing on the cake, and I’ll be forever grateful to them! I think about my time there quite often and fondly’, commented Tanner Leissner.

After his rookie season the ex UNH forward who last saw Seven with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman signed in Germany with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and was teammates with old friend Jaleen Smith. With Ludwigsburg, he once again was able to prove that his game was suited for a new league as he averaged 10.2ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 81.4%. There he played for top easyCredit BBL coach John Patrick who took him a little out of his comfort zone and gave him new challenges to master which he did. ‘It definitely tested me mentally. I feel like that was the first year I got to prove myself as a shooter and prove I can play at a high level especially coming from Pro A as a rookie. Also, playing the 5 showed I could be used in multiple ways and made me more versatile’, said Tanner Leissner. His best scoring games was 21 points in a win over Hamburg and 20 points in a victory over ratiopharm Ulm. He is back in Germany tonight and will face up against the always tough EWE Baskets Oldenburg. ‘It’s great to be back! Germany was my first destination in Europe, and it has been one of my favorites. I hope to have the opportunity to come back at some point in my career’, warned Tanner Leissner. He played his third professional season in an up and coming Turkish first division called BSL. He balled for HDI Sigorta Afyon Belediyespor (Turkey-BSL) averaging 11.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 84.6%. He had 21 points against Darussafaka and 20 points against Buyukcekmec, but without a doubt his two best games occurred against Efes who would win the 2021 Euroleague title. He hit them with 19 and 20 points and split against them. Being able to play against the best team in Europe gave him a kind of self-confidence that will help him this season and down the road. ‘It reassured me that I can play against high level opponents. The whole Turkish league in general has a lot of talent. Last year, I had to opportunity to compete day in and day out at a very high level, which was a great test for me as a player. I learned a lot’, warned Tanner Leissner. After his strong season in Turkey where he performed at a very high level on a high stage, I would have thought his next address would have been a Euroleague team. But he is still young and has to be patient. Good things will come to those who’s game continues to progress. ‘I felt my game grew in a few ways. First, I realized I had to get stronger to compete with power forwards in the very physical league. I made that an emphasis this last summer. I also feel my IQ of the game grew from the many different situations thrown at me last season. I think being at Rytas this year is a good next step for me in my career’, stressed Tanner Leissner.

So now let’s fast forward to 2021 as the Texas native who has Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Shaq, and Kobe Bryant on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is looking for new success in Lithuania. The last year and a half wasn’t easy for anyone during COVID. He was in Ludwigsburg when it hit and then was in Turkey and now is in Lithuania. He experienced so much in this time, but it was something he like everyone else had to get used to. ‘During covid, my biggest challenge has been adapting to the new life it has created. In Germany, the virus was new and just emerging, so there was a lot of chaos and unknowns. Last year in Turkey, the constant testing was uncomfortable and playing without fans really changed the atmosphere of the game. This year, it’s starting to feel like we may get back to normal eventually. Having people behind us in the stadium brings energy and life back into the sport’, stated Tanner Leissner. Last season in Turkey was the most difficult time for him during COVID, but the experience definitely made him stronger. ‘Being alone and living in a hotel in a small city in Turkey really tested me. While the country was on lockdown for a good portion of the season, the only time you could leave was for practice or to grocery shop. Mentally, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Not only is it lonely, but my family wasn’t able to visit either due to the difficulty and uncertainty of traveling with the virus. Now, I feel mentally stronger and more appreciative of everything’, reflected Tanner Leissner. With BC Rytas Vilnius. He is playing with one of Lithuanian’s most famous basketball organizations. Lithuania has 2,7 million inhabitants, but are in love with their basketball. Leissner noticed that rapidly when he signed. ‘So far, my experience has been great. Right when I signed, my inbox was overwhelmed by welcoming messages from fans. The culture around the club is well established. This club is very professional and well organized. Our first away game was about 2 and a half hours away. In the stands, there were more fans for Rytas than there was for the home team. The amount of noise that came from our section was astounding. Afterwards, the team was greeted outside by team chants, flares, and celebration.
‘, commented Tanner Leissner. He is on a team that has few Americans, but many high class Lithuanians that should compete for the country title. ‘We have some great Lithuanian players. They are a good mix of young and experienced players. We have a club that is well sized and can stretch the floor. You can expect a team that plays hard and may surprise some people’, stated Tanner Leissner. It will be interesting to see how he will continue to develop. One thing is for sure, his basketball IQ will rise another level as he plays with guys that give the name team basketball a new meaning. ‘I am very excited. This is a new challenge for me at a higher level. I have some great Veterans to learn from. My expectations are to continue to develop my game and to play my role to the best of my ability, while trying to help the club win games’, warned Tanner Leissner. The country is very small and perhaps his head coach Giedrius Zibenas will allow him to watch his best friend Jaleen Smith play BC Zalgiris in Euroleague action. Vilnius is only an hour drive away. This time they will meet only off the court, but who knows perhaps next season they will be opponents in the Euroleague. Tanner Leissner has the game and character to deserve a Euroleague opportunity. One thing is for sure that he and Jaleen Smith will continue to give UNH a great name overseas.

Mike Nwabuzor (188-G, college: NMHU) is a 188cm guard from Lakewood, California that been a part of three professional season last playing briefly for Crailsheim Merlins 2 as Covid stopped his season in 2020. In 2019-2020 he played for Regionalliga team BG Dorsten playing 3 games averaging 21.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 6.0apg, 3.3spg As a rookie for BG Dorsten he put up massive stats averaging 22,2ppg, 8,2rpg, 5,6apg and 2,5spg. He scored 20 points or more 19 times and had an incredible 43 points against Hagen-Haspe. He also produced a triple double against Dortmund with 27 points, 12 boards and 10 assists as a rookie. He played at three schools with Central.Arizona JC (JUCO)UTRGV (NCAA) and finished at N.Mexico Highlands (NCAA2) playing 28 games averaging 12.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.5apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 80.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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


I appreciate the interview. I am currently at home and the basketball is treating me well, I can’t complain.

The 2021-2022 Regionalliga season has started, but you haven’t surfaced anywhere. For me that is tough to believe. How tough is it at the moment not having a team?

It’s tough not having a home to start the season but I know that God has a bigger plan for me and I just have to stay the course and be ready when that time comes.

We spoke in April 2019 after your successful rookie season in Dorsten. If someone had told you then that you would play only 4 games in the next two seasons what would you have thought?

It’s crazy because in life you always have a plan of how things will go and you are hit with curveballs. You either adjust or get left behind. After having the season I had that year, I thought I would be in a much different position right now but because I’m not, I’m hungrier to get to where I belong.

The 2019-2020 season was already tough you didn’t sign until January 2020. Why didn’t you just resign with BG Dorsten in the summer of 2019?

I didn’t resign because I had a very successful season that year and I believed it was time for me to move up to Pro B. I was also promised different deals that never came through which ultimately led to me continuing to decline the Dorsten re-sign until it was my only option.

How have you experienced COVID in the last year and a half? What were the most challenging things that you had to deal with on and off the court?

Luckily , I haven’t experienced Covid and I have been blessed with good health. On the court, the toughest aspect is not having control over problems caused by Covid. Seasons getting cancelled, being sent home out of your control, etc. Off the court, the biggest challenge was continuing to keep going. It’s tough working out for months and not being able to display what you’ve worked hard to improve on because of things out of your control.

With everything that you dealt with off the court how did COVID make you stronger as a man?

This whole pandemic has built me up as a man mentally more than physically. I feel like it’s not much that can phase me in this life after what we have been through. I learned that regardless of circumstances, you have to keep going because when everything blows over, nobody will feel sorry for you. World just keeps going so you have to keep going.

Then you signed with Crailsheim 2 and played one game and then the season ended. How tough was life then mentally having to sit out the season?

It was tough because I felt like a I had a really good summer of improving on specifics that I needed to improve on and I didn’t get a chance to showcase it. Coming home and having to get right back into basically an off-season was tough but I’ve found a love and satisfaction on improving daily whether I’m working towards a season or not.

You were the leader on that Crailsheim 2 team and had many young Germans. How often did you think about where the journey of that team could have gone to?

We had a lot of young but talented guys that played hard. We were also very well coached and disciplined. We won our first game and we didn’t even play up to our potential so I believe we could’ve accomplished more than we even imagined.

Why didn’t you resign with Crailsheim 2? It seems like you have unfinished business there?

I didn’t resign because they went down a division and I want to continue to elevate divisions every year that I play.

Do you feel like your development suffered the last two years? What did you try to do best in the last two seasons to help your game progress despite not playing games?

If anything I feel like I developed even more than I would playing because I was able to be in the gym at home, have access to workout multiple times a day and work on all my weaknesses that I would continuously see on opposing team’s scouting reports. I have been able to play in multiple Pro-Ams and leagues while I have been home to keep me in good game shape.

On what area’s of your game did you work on most during COVID in hopes of continuing to improve your game?

My jump shot is something that will always be the focal point of my training so that’s a given. If you can’t shoot you can’t play this game at a high level. I made it a point to continue to watch film and work on mastering pick and roll reads as well.

You showed in the Regionalliga that you are a lethal scorer that can fill the stat sheet. You would love to give the Pro B level a shot. Please explain why you could help any team right now?

Man the things I can do for a team.. I believe that I can do pretty much everything at that guard spot, it’s shown and proven. Numbers don’t lie, I can score efficiently from all three levels, rebound , facilitate. My best attribute is I am a physical and athletic defender and the PG spot. I can pick up full court for a full game if need be.

Your itch to play again must be huge. What part of the game have you missed most?

HUGE. I’ve been working for so long and I’m ready to display a brand new arsenal. I just miss the setting of a team. The relationships you build in practice and team trips. The intensity and pressure of games that matter. The energy you get from the crowd. Everything that goes into a season , I miss it. I want to get back to it and I believe I deserve to get back to it at w high level. I have put the time and work in to back that statement.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they just have left it alone?

I didn’t watch it because the preview was pretty bad. There are some movies and shows that should for sure just be left as they are.

Thanks Mike for the chat.

For basketball fans in the easyCredit BBL, basketball life has been rather brutal since the pandemic hit in 2020, but with the visit back into arena’s has been a massive bright spot. Being able to be back in their living room and to see their favorite team and players and being able to cheer nonstop has been dearly missed. So imagine what kind of feeling you can get when the two league identity figures (only Per Guenter is missing) Rickey Paulding and Quantez Robertson don’t clash two times, but three times in a season? Well that is exactly what will happen this season as the Fraport Skyliners and EWE Baskets Oldenburg drew themselves in the first round of cup play. Being able to see a Paulding and a Robertson for an additional new season is very similar to what fans during the magical NBA Showtime era must of felt getting to witness a new Bird and Magic playoff series. Combined these two extra special players are playing 28 seasons in the easyCredit BBL and quite honestly don’t seem to be slowing down. These guys always give their all in every game and it isn’t any different when the two future BBL legends battle for the win. ‘Tez is a special player. He is someone you watch and see that he’s giving his all every play. What I admire most about him is leadership. There’s been times for instance last season when the team isn’t doing well. He never let up. That’s the best example especially for young players’, stressed Rickey Paulding. Ex Fraport Skyliner head coach Gordon Herbert who now is the German national team coach hadn’t even heard of the Paulding announcement that this would be his last year. ‘I saw two legends going at it today. Both are in the twilight of their career’s but still play major roles within their clubs. Rickey has been one of the best imports to ever play in Germany. He is even a better person. I saw his son play in Heidelberg. He looks pretty good’, smiled Gordon Herbert.

The EWE Baskets Oldenburg came into the game with a 1-1 record having played two real nail biting gems first losing a tough 79-78 contest to the always surprising and pesky Ninners Chemnitz and then eking out a hard fought 82-79 victory over the Hakro Crailsheim Merlins while the Fraport Skyliners are still far away from any solid form having lost their opener at home against Braunschweig and then getting blown out in Berlin 101-63. The EWE Baskets wanted a good start into the cup season while the Fraport Skyliners was seeking their first positive moment on the court with an upset. It was an even game at the start, but the guests took control in the second quarter as they let it rain three’s, but in the second half, suddenly the three onslaught stopped as Frankfurt picked up their defense and always stuck with Oldenburg as the guests couldn’t shake the Skyliners. ‘We couldn’t close them out. We were up 10 and Tez was in foul trouble in the third quarter with four fouls. But I have to credit Frankfurt. They killed us on the offensive board and with second chance points. This isn’t a very good feeling at the moment’, stressed ex Missouri (NCAA) standout Rickey Paulding. The Fraport Skyliners gave a tremendous spirited effort and never gave up keeping them in the cup competition. ‘It is a good feeling beating a tough team like Oldenburg. We fought until the end. We played as hard as we could and when we got down, we got up again. We got the needed stops and transition baskets. This win is a huge moral booster for us’, stressed ex Auburn (NCAA) great Quantez Robertson. ‘Frankfurt’s defense was good in the second half. They took Oldenburg’s three out of the game’, said Gordon Herbert.

The Fraport Skyliners came storming out of the gate climbing all over the EWE Baskets Oldenburg taking a rapid 12-4 advantage with almost five minutes having been played. In the run as usual it was a motivated Rasheed Moore who does his magic on or off the bench scoring 8 points draining two three’s. Frankfurt also received a lay up from their identity figure Quantez Robertson. Frankfurt played with vengeance and was very focused getting an offensive rhythm quickly. Oldenburg seemed there, but then again wasn’t there as the only bright spot was 2,0 Keith Hornsby reloaded guard Max Heidegger who recently had a solid NBA Summer League campaign with the Atlanta Hawks nailed a few baskets. His energy kept the EWE Baskets in the game as he connected on another three as Frankfurt led only 12-7. A 10-3 Oldenburg run got them back into the game as they trailed only 15-14. In the run the guests got vital support from Paulding, ex MBC scoring champ Michal Michalak and ex Texas Tech (NCAA) forward T.J Holyfield with buckets. The game remained tight now as there were a few lead changes, but Frankfurt kept control. One player that really stuck out was 19 year old German guard Len Schoorman who really picked up the slack for the sick Donovan Donaldson. Schoorman had been out and was expected back in a few months, but returned a lot quicker. He had no fear and was the go to guy in the latter half of the first quarter supplying 6 points. He made a two handed dunk, but also a pretty acrobatic lay in form the wing. ‘That was a pretty good lay up. Len hit big shots and gave us a push. But he did get blocked by the old guy. But so did I when he was still a young guy my rookie year’, smiled Quantez Robertson. Of course the old guy Tez was referring to was Rickey Paulding. Paulding remembered that game where he blocked Tez. ‘That was the first game we played against each other. I remember him going up for the lay up and he wasn’t expecting me as I blocked him. But that was my last block on him. I haven’t blocked him since’, said Rickey Paulding. Ex Alba Berlin forward Lorenz Brenneke got the last laugh hitting a timely three pointer at the buzzer to give Frankfurt the 22-20 lead after 10 minutes.

In the second quarter the EWE Baskets Oldenburg were able to make some ground thanks to three point execution, but could never shake the Fraport Skyliners, because their rebounding kept them in the game. The first few minutes saw the team trade lead changes. Diminutive German national player Bennt Hundt dropped two three pointers while Frankfurt got loyal support from their young bigs Lorenz Brenneke and 18 year Alexander Richardson who’s development has been rising. He was fortunate to get BBL time, because Brooks DeBisshop has been out. Richardson finished with 5 points and 4 rebounds in 11 minutes and definitely has been noticed by head coach Diego Ocampo. ‘He is young. He has good size and hands. Most important is he enjoys what he is doing’, warned Diego Ocampo. Oldenburg then caught some fire going on an annoying 11-3 run to take the 37-30. In the run, the EWE Baskets showed their snipper qualities getting three three’s. Michalak, ex Crailsheim guard Sebastian Herrera and Heidegger connected. Oldenburg had some momentum and kept their offense rolling as now it was time for Mr Oldenburg Rickey Paulding to get himself some action scoring 5 points as Frankfurt trailed 42-36. Heidegger then made a big hustle play following his miss and making a put back for the 44-36 Oldenburg advantage at the break. The EWE Baskets had shot 70% from the parking lot and weren’t too shabby form the field either shooting 55%. Frankfurt was ruling the boards with the 19-14 advantage. One interesting instance late in the second quarter involved Oldenburg head coach Mladen Drijencic. Shortly before Paulding nailed his three pointer, he went a few steps on the court and disposed of a wild Butterfly and then threw it into the trash can while somehow still following the game. ‘I didn’t realize that was happening. That’s hilarious. It doesn’t surprise me that he would be able to do something like that’, stressed Rickey Paulding. ‘We didn’t pay attention on defense. We didn’t communicate and didn’t fight through screens. They had good looks’, added Quantez Robertson.

In the third quarter with the Fraport Skyliners down 10 points and Quantez Robertson being hit with his fourth foul at the 7 minute mark, the future didn’t look too rosy in the game, but the cup competition always brings out the best and has surprise moments. Badio began the second half with a lay in which was followed by a high floater off the glass by ex Boston Celtic Phil Pressy and a beautiful left handed hook shot from ex BG Goettingen center Tai Odiase for the 48-38 Oldenburg lead. But the Fraport Skyliners continued to battle and despite Tez getting into foul trouble took it upon themselves to go on a 9-1 run to trail only 49-47. In the run Frankfurt got good support from 221 Dutch giant Matt Haarms with two baskets, Rasheed Moore beat everyone on transition for a quick lay up and Schoorman hit another three pointer. The German had his BBL break out game finishing with 17 points and a lot of praise from Ocampo. ‘He worked hard in his recovery. Him coming back so early was a surprise. He is young and played solid. He created and played with a lot of self confidence’, stated Diego Ocampo. But Frankfurt also had some fortune in this phase getting crucial loose balls and the guests missing some easy give me baskets. The game of runs went back and forth as now the EWE Baskets Oldenburg found some daylight going on a 10-2 run to get another 10 point lead 59-49. In the run, their three wasn’t falling so they had to find other means to score. They got baskets inside from ex MHP Riesen center Martin Breunig and Michalak and the only three of the second half from Paulding. Frankfurt did come back closing out the third quarter strong with a 6-0 run to trail only 59-55 after 30 minutes. In the run they got more solid production from Len Schoorman who scored posting up, Richardson made a nice hook shot and Tez made a left handed lay in. ‘We fought better through screens and talked more and were more aggressive. We rebounded better on defense and Haarms altered shots well and Richardson was a monster at both ends’, stressed Quantez Robertson. ‘Frankfurt stepped up. They played harder and we didn’t execute. We allowed them to get easy baskets’, expressed Rickey Paulding.

The fourth quarter was a real dog fight as the Fraport Skyliners made their comeback and secured the lead and never relinquished it as Badio was the crunch-time hero. The team basketball effect was missing from the EWE Baskets Oldenburg on this afternoon as they had too much hero ball on their mind while the Fraport Skyliners fought together and went on a 6-0 run to dead lock the contest at 61-61. Richardson got key offensive rebounds while Rasheed Moore made another key basket and German national player Lukas Wank who had an off night on the scoring front snuck in for the lay in. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg still had some energy left and grabbed the lead back 65-61 as Breunig got a basket and two free throws. A Paulding block on Schoorman led to the free throws. Frankfurt continued to buckle down on defense and got stops as Tez and Brenneke free throws allowed Frankfurt to tie the game at 65-65. Heidegger would give Oldenburg their last lead 67-65 with free throws as crunch-time had arrived. Then came the big moment for ex FC Barcelona 2 player El Hadji Badio (188-G-99) who hadn’t had the best game shooting 1/9 and having 5 turnovers, but the athletic youngster stepped up. First he tied the score with free throws and then scored two key baskets for the 71-67 lead as Frankfurt had stopped Oldenburg twice. Badio made a lay in on transition and then made a massive one handed dunk as some were wondering who was that guy. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg seemed helpless as they gave the word force a new meaning as they tried crazy plays and crazy shots that had a few people who know the game shaking heir heads. This led to Robertson and Schoorman free throws which iced the win. ‘Badio is a young athletic player. He saw the opportunity and opening and made big plays. But we expect that from him. He was our spark plug’, commented Quantez Robertson. ‘We are a young team. In the past we would have found a way to win this game. We are still a new team finding our way. Badio made big plays. All of the Frankfurt young guys made plays’, expressed Rickey Paulding. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Len Schoorman with 17 points while Rasheed Moore added 14 points while the EWE Baskets Oldenburg were led by Max Heidegger with 15 points while Michal Michalak and Rickey Paulding added 10 points a piece. The Fraport Skyliners shot 45% form the field and 29% from outside and had 43 rebounds and 15 turnovers while the EWE Baskets Oldenburg shot 37% from the field and 33% from outside and had 27 rebounds and 10 turnovers.

Justin Stallbohm (182-G-92) is a 28 year old 182cm point guard that is playing his 11th season with the Bona Baskets Limburg. Between 2012-2018 he played 156 Regionalliga games and averaged 10ppg, 4,0rpg and 2,0apg in this phase. He began his basketball career with Eintracht Frankfurt and began his professional career in 2011 in Limburg playing for his dad Danny. He spoke to germanhoops.com after he contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds and 5 dimes in the convincing 86-66 win over SV 03 Tigers Tuebingen.

The Bona Baskets Limburg had a slow start losing it’s first two games. Why didn’t the defense find the form from the Pro B tournament in June and against the pre season duel against Pro A team Kirchheim Knights?

I think that it was a matter of concentration and not having the right communication yet. We did a better job with our zone today against Tuebingen. We took a step in the right direction

The teams has great players and scorers, but this season depth sems to be lacking. Couldn’t that be a problem down the stretch for the starters?

I think that since I have been here that we have always had a depth problem. But I feel honestly that our bench is deeper this season than the last years. We should of beat Saarlouis that is one of the best teams in the league. I think that we will play a good role in the Regionalliga this season.

How much of a pleasure has it been playing with KJ Sherrill. You have played with some great forwards like Kris Douse and Kevin Yebo. Where does he rank in the best power forwards that you have played with in Limburg?

I would say that KJ Sherril has been the best forward that I have played with. He has the complete package. He gives you 30 points, but also plays for the team and plays good defense. No other player has had that. Kris Douse was only a great offensive player.

How vital has Noah Westerhaus been? Please explain his best quality and why isn’t he a star player in the Pro B?

I think that Noah will go his way. It was hard for him to find his way in Koblenz. They always have 12 strong players. He will show with us that he belongs in the Pro B. It will help him here getting more minutes. That will help his self confidence.

You have been in Limburg as long as Kus Kan. What kind of relationship do you guys have having been teammates so long? Is he like a brother for you?

We are like brothers. We played together as youths and he is my best friend. We understand each other blind on the court. He always gives everything for the team. He is always hustling and can hit the open three.

Please tell your nicest Mantes Bernatavicius story. Could he be the perfect body guard for the German chancellor?

Mantas is a very good basketball player, but he could also be a very good body guard. He has an incredible IQ and was a Lithuanian national player. All love him. He is a super teammate. This is the best chemistry that I have had since I began here.

Does it ever get old playing for your dad Danny? Is there anything that he can still teach you?

I have played for him since joining the men’s team in 2011. Playing for my dad has it’s good and bad points. You obviously have to take a lot of criticism form him. But on the other hand he gives me and my teammates a lot of self-confidence. I can still learn from him now. He has so much experience having played in the second Bundesliga.

Do you feel like having that three and D label is just? I feel that you are so much more than that?


I have nothing against that label. I drove more to the basket in the past. Now I’m more the three and D player. I do whatever the team needs from me. I had 11 rebounds tonight.

You have an incredible smile. That rascal like smile. Do you have a funny story that involved your smile?

That smile has been with me since my childhood. Kids called me scream face. My smile reminded them of the Scream mask from the movie.

Do you ever wonder where your career may have gone had you remained in the Fraport Skyliners organization?

Frankfurt always has many good youth prospects. But they pick out a few each season and really try to push them. I feel giving each player that push is missing. I didn’t have the trust. They wanted me to be a point guard and not shoot. Back then I played for both youth teams Frankfurt and Limburg. When I played with Limburg I remember scoring 40 against Frankfurt. I don’t think they really liked that.

Please name your five favorite teammates of all-time?

Butch Wennerstrom, Kris Douse, Alex Nelcha, KJ Sherril and Kan Kus

What was the last movie that you saw?

Squid Game.

Thanks Justin for the chat.