Stanley Whittaker (183-G-94, college: Keiser) is a 27 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 teams up every week with Miles Schmidt-Scheuber to talk basketball

Congrats on the huge 109-94 win again Bochum. Shoot outs are always risky. How worried should a team be about their defense when they are involved in a shoot out?

Teams shouldn’t want to be involved in a shootout. Well, at least that shouldn’t be how teams prepare. The game of basketball presents different challenges, so I can understand if that happens. But definitely shouldn’t be how teams prepare.

The first half was tight as PS Karlsruhe led only 53-45. Why couldn’t you get away as a team?

It’s a long game, we knew we wouldn’t beat this team in 20 minutes, we had to put together a full 40 minute effort to secure the victory. In which we did, glad we were able to protect home court!

In the second half, PS Karlsruhe was never in danger of losing as you led by double figures for most of the half. What do you believe was most key today for getting the victory?

– The thing that helped us secure the victory was our continuous effort to playing a good defense and finishing possessions, once we were able to string together good stops, we got into a nice rhythm offensively! Rebounding was a big plus.

How key was Tom Alte’s energy tonight for keeping that energy on the glass?

Tom has been great for us, we believe in him and expect that from him night in and night out. I’m just glad he’s on our side!

What was it like battling veteran guard Tony Hicks? Do you watch game film of players like him leading up to the game?

It was nice going up against Hicks, very quick and aggressive guard. And I do my homework on the opponent’s leading up to the game, it’s part of my preparation.

You and Trevion Crews continue to be a wrecking crew combining for 55 points and 15 assists. You guys have played a few weeks together. How much better can your chemistry still get?

We can still continue to build, this is only our second game with one another so there’s a lot more we can learn as well. So we’re just looking forward to getting better daily and helping the team.

The addition of Crews has been a big Christmas gift. How do you guys compliment each other best?

I think we’re both just have a decent feel for the game, we’re both unselfish and just want to win basketball games!

Are you afraid that opponents may start to key in on both of you to slow you down?

I’m not afraid, no reason to be afraid. Teams will game plan and strategize on how to limit opportunities for me, but it’s my job to continue to find ways to be aggressive and make plays for my teammates, as well as be myself.

You had a strong game of 31 points and 7 assists. No turnover is a good one. How do you summarize how your 5 turnovers happened?

I had a couple unforced turnovers from being a bit indecisive on play opportunities where I could’ve got downhill but I was too hesitant and lost my footing. I just have to do a better job of taking care of the basketball and value each possession more.

You next play a big game in Ehingen. What will be key for the win?

The key to the game against Ehingen is to have a good preparation in this week of practice, if we take care of basketball, get back in transition and finish possessions, we give ourselves a solid chance.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

My favorite Christmas movies are, the home alone series, bad Santa one and two are good. So I’ll go with them.

Thanks Stanley for the chat.