Skyler Bowlin (190-G-1989, college: MSSU) is a 32 year old 190cm guard that is playing his 11th season as a professional and his sixth in Germany and first with the Telekom Baskets Bonn currently averaging 11,7ppg, 2,0rpg and 3,9apg while shooting 43% from downtown. Last season he split time with GS Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece-A1) averaging 8.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 47.1%, 3FGP: 30.8%, FT: 70.6% and also played with Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora (Poland-EBl) averaging 9.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 78.3%.. In the 2019-2020 season he played with s.Oliver Wurzburg averaging 11.2ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 87.2%. and the season before averaged 9.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 70.7% in the BBL and in the Fiba Europe Cup averaged 8.4ppg, 1.9rpg, 5.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 37.2%, FT: 72.2%. The ex Missouri So (NCAA2) began his professional basketball career with BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-ProA) and then played three seasons in Denmark with Horsens IC and a year in Sweden with the Sodertalje Kings (Sweden-Basketligan). He played two seasons in Germany with the Giessen 46ers and with Science City Jena (Germany-BBL) playing 32 games averaging 11.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.1apg, Steals-5 (1.6spg), FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 80.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before the game against FC Bayern Munich

Thanks Skyler for talking to germanhoops.com. Before we talk about basketball, I have to ask about what your feeling about the conflict in the Ukraine. How have you taken in all the drama in the last almost two weeks?

The situation in Ukraine is very unfortunate. I try to keep up with things that happen each day and just hope that it ends as soon as possible. No one deserves what is happening right now in that country.

Do you feel safe in Germany and have you ever wondered if a third world war could break out?

I feel very safe here in Germany. It’s scary to think maybe another big war could happen, but these days you should never say never.

Congrats on the massive 101-96 shoot out win against the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. How good did it feel getting revenge from the first loss?

The win against them was huge. The standings are so close that every single win is important.

There was little that separated both clubs in the first 30 minutes. Did it feel like May and being like a high spirited playoff match?

There was definitely a high energy in the game. I feel like a lot of these games the last month or 2twowill feel like that.

The fourth quarter was really exciting. Bonn got away a bit before crunch-time, but Crailsheim never gave up and cut down to three points with 48 seconds remaining. What was key in crunch-time for getting the win?

We did a lot better job on Shorts in the second half. He’s a very good player and we limited him as much as we could which is why I believe we got the win.

TJ Shorts had another great game with 29 points. Does one get the sense that his motivation has risen since playing in the Cup Final 4?

I think he’s always in attack mode. I doubt he’s a guy that needs any extra motivation.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright had a solid game with 13/5/7 stats in the win. Is it fair to say that he didn’t have to do as much in the scoring department because of Javontae Hawkins big game?

You could say that. We have different guys who can step up each night when needed. Parker does so much for us so we have to help him out however we can.

What type of dimension does Javontae Hawkins give the team and what has really stuck out in his game since he got more minutes?

Hawk does a bit of everything on the court. He’s athletic, can shoot, defend. He’s a guy that just gives you so much so it’s nice that he’s back healthy and on our side.

Jackson-Cartwright continues to have very solid games. Do you feel like teams are even more aware of him since his 40 point explosion over Bamberg?

I think teams noticed how good Parker was very early on. The 40 point game was amazing, but teams already focused on him a lot before that.

Many of the pundits as well as basketball magazine BIG have TJ Shorts currently as the MVP. Is that hard to comprehend for you seeing where Bonn and Crailsheim are in the standings.

Everyone has their own opinion so I can’t really say much to that. He’s a great player along with a lot of other guys in the league who are in that conversation.

His stats are almost identical only that Shorts scores 2 points more while playing 2 minutes more. Does he have to do more for his team to be successful than Parker does?

Crailsheim also has other guys who can do things but of course the offense is focused around Shorts. He makes everyone better.

The regular season is winding down and now teams have more games and less time to recuperate. Obviously the Fiba window gave teams time to rest, but how good is the team fitness level currently?

I think we are feeling good. Everyone has bumps and bruises at this point but we have to push.

What kind of an experience has it been playing for the Telekom Baskets Bonn? Does the atmosphere and culture there tell you that this will have a special season ending?

We have some great fans. I hope by the end of the year we can get back to full capacity. They help us every game and really give us the extra edge in our games.

Your having another very solid BBL season. Since years you have been a very solid BBL player after paying dues in lower leagues. Do you ever wonder how your career may have gone had you never set foot in Germany?

I always wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t been given an opportunity to play in the BBL. I’m very grateful for the experience and just want to continue to get better and win games. Germany has been so good to me and my family.

What is it like playing for Tuomas Iisalo? What is his biggest asset that has made him be able to make Crailsheim and Bonn so competitive?

Tuomas is a great coach. I tell everyone that asks, the reason he has so much success with his teams is that he demands success. He pushes you mentally and physically so much that you have no choice but to get better.

What is your impression of the Crailsheim Merlins? Do they have the ability to win the Fiba Europe Cup?

Crailsheim is a very good team. I think they definitely have a chance.

What has it been like playing together with Parker Jackson-Cartwright? I’m sure he is your BBL MVP: What does he give the team that you feel maybe isn’t seen in comparison to what Shorts gives Crailsheim?

Parker is first of all great person. Regardless of the on court stuff, he treats people the right way all the time and always brings a good attitude and mindset. On the court he does so much for us on both ends. He’s so fast and creates a lot of problems on both sides of the ball.

You don’t have much time to relax as 72 hours after the Crailsheim win, you battle top team FC Bayern Munich. You lost the first game 100-81. How confident are you that they won’t hit 19 three’s again?

It never gets easier in the BBL. We have to regroup and get ready to compete as hard as we can.

FC Bayern Munich has Paul Zipser back who played a few years with the Chicago Bulls. What kind of a dimension does he give the team?

It’s good to see Paul back on the court. He’s very skilled and a big body so he can cause a lot of problems.

What is your opinion of Charles Barkley’s assessment that Giannis would only come from the bench back in the day?

Ah man I think the older guys just like to talk on TV for stories. No chance they actually believe the stuff they say all the time

Thanks Skyler for the chat.

Tags : SKYLER BOWLIN, TELEKOM BASKETS BONN, GERMAN BASKETBALL