Christopher Miller (192-G-1993, college: Salem) is a 29 year old 193cm guard from Brooklyn, New York who is playing his eighth professional season and first with GoldCoast Wallabies NLB (2nd League). He played 3 seasons with the Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga) and last season averaged 17.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 17.5%, FT: 78.6%. This season for Bensheim he averaged 19,5ppg, 3,8rpg, 2,0apg and 1,5spg. He has had experience in countries like El Salvador and Bosnia. He recently played for the South Shore Monarchs (TBL) playing 8 games averaging 22.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 83.3%. He began his basketball career at Clinton Community College and also played two years at Salem University (NCAA2). This season he teams up with Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with weekly chats about his basketball season.
You are now in Switzerland playing for Wallabies. How is autumn in your new country?
This Fall isn’t bad at all. It’s a bit warmer here. I’m enjoying the last bit of good weather before winter.
After a win the team lost against Akad Fribourg 74-65. Talk a little about the 40 minutes. Was this game decided in crunch-time?
This game was a up and down game which I felt we let slip away in the second half. We had things under control and then let it slip away and the opposing team gained confidence and momentum.
You came to a team that is struggling. What is your overall impression of the team? How is the team chemistry?
I believe this team is better than what the record shows. I think the chemistry is growing . I think it just takes a team a while to adjust to changes like this midway through the season. I believe we will turn it around.
Both teams struggled shooting from outside. But your team grabbed 18 offensive rebounds. Is this team generally a good rebounding team? We are a good rebounding team. We have a lot of athletes who are capable of getting on the boards.
You had your second game with 20 plus points. How does the second Swiss league compare with the German Regionalliga?
I think the Swiss league has overall a bit more talent than Germany. Germany is more physical for sure. Still adjusting to the physicality here.
Has there been any adjustment that you have had to do with your game?
I just have to play a bit faster here some moves that worked in Germany don’t work here at the same speed . I like that this league keeps me on my toes. It’s a new situation.
You had 10 steals in the first 2 games. How do you explain that incredible rise in steals?
I came in to this team focusing more on my defense again and getting that step back to be able to reach those passing lane steals. I hope to continue this and showcase my defense on this level.
Is the scouting for opponents different than how you were accustomed in Germany in the Regionalliga?
It’s a new league I am still getting used to the style of play here and good players but my coaches are doing a great job at scouting and having us prepared for the opponents.
The Lakers are 2-10. Are you surprised by the start and will they rebound?
I think any team with Lebron James will be fine it’s a long season I believe the will be a playoff team and in the playoffs everyone has a chance.
That it isn’t easy to scout BBU Ulm is nothing new for Bona Baskets Limburg head coach Danny Stallbohm as the roster of the Regionalliga team consists of 22 highly talented young boys shuffling between the Regio-Pro B and NBBL teams. The Ulm squad came to Limburg sporting a 5-3 record and sitting in 5th place. Their big strength is their defense which allows only 65 points per game. The Bona Baskets Limburg came into the season off the wrong side of the bed as the loss of work horse KJ Sherril massively hurt their inside game resulting in 4 loses. But the team then somehow displayed will and heart won 3 games in a row where their defense came of age against Kronberg and Tuebingen and in the overtime thrill er in Giessen saw a career high 52 points by their point guard Matej Kljaic. After a tough loss in Saarlouis last weekend where their defense lost their footing allowing 99 points, Limburg wanted to get back on the winning track and tame the Ulm team that has an average age of only 18 years, but they couldn’t master crunch-time as Ulm guard Joel Cwik hit 2 big money shots to propel the guests to the 98-89 victory. ‘We began the game really well with team play, but we lost intensity in the second quarter. We came back again in the second half with team basketball and kept pushing each other. This was a real team win. Playing fast and having good ball movement was big in us getting the win’, stressed 2022 JBBL champion Joel Cwik. The Bona Baskets Limburg played great for long junctures of the game, but the game has 40 minutes and they just couldn’t finish it as their defense continued to haunt them. ‘We played a good first half pressing well on defense, but in the second half we gave them too many open tree’s. Our lack of communication on defense was a big problem. We also got beat to often on 1-1 plays’, stressed Limburg center Brandon Cataldo.
Finn Lehner from outside
The first quarter was a wild back and forth tug of war grudge match as there were 10 lead changes, but in the wanning minutes BBU 01 Ulm broke free posting a 12-2 run to lead comfortably 29-20. The Bona Baskets did a good job early on moving the ball around and getting many involved as Matej Kljaic, Brandon Cataldo and Swede Hugo Florestedt scored while the guests did the same getting big baskets form Cwick, diminutive 175cm point guard Marko Rosic (175-PG-2005) and Thomas Gaus as they had the 10-8 advantage. The lead changes kept going back and forth and Cataldo who was a monster and couldn’t be stopped scored twice. As soon as the Oregon native good good position to the basket, it’s good night for the opponent. BBU 01 Ulm continued to execute getting another trey from Guas, a put back by Cwik and a jumper from Rosic. Kljaic also continued to be a force always finding the small hole and squirting through for easy baskets as Limburg led 18-17 after the 10th lead change. But suddenly the Bona Baskets Limburg couldn’t hold up with Ulm and gave up the 12-2 run to end the first quarter. A big difference and game changer was the Ulm bench which would produce 30 points while the Limburg bench countered only with 4 points over 40 minutes. In the run the guests got huge production from Czech Republic forward Benjamin Koeppke who contributed 5 points while Bulgarian youngster Stefan Mihaylov scored as did Rosic with his pretty floater. ‘Allowing 29 points in the first quarter isn’t a good way to begin a game. We weren’t always organized on defense and gave up too many easy baskets. We have the potential to be a good defensive team, but we have to learn to paly together and be consistent’, stated Brandon Cataldo.
Hugo Florestedt at the FT line
In the second quarter the Bona Baskets Limburg produced 2 big runs to first get back into the game and then take the lead into the break. With BBU 01 Ulm leading comfortably 34-24, the Bona Baskets Limburg escaped out on a massive 14-2 run to retake the lead at 38-36. In the run, Limburg got huge production from Hugo Florestedt who produced 10 points. He played with huge intensity that Ulm couldn’t match as he scored two lay ins, got to the free throw line twice and also hit a jumper. Cataldo kept being a beast inside and German Norman Klima who is in his sixth season with Limburg also gave them bench points. Cataldo showed that whenever he was on the floor, everything worked with Limburg, but when he was off the floor, lapse would arise. Ulm also got sloppy in their offensive sets. But that wouldn’t last long as Ulm would steal the lead back 44-40 as they continued to get good support form the bench as Mihaylov added 5 points and Simeon Dimitrov also scored. But the contest showed again how often basketball is a game of runs as Ulm lost their rhythm again which Limburg took full advantage of and drove into half-time with the 53-47 lead. In the run Cataldo was unstoppable again scoring 6 points while Kljaic was always in attack mode getting to the free throw line twice while Jari Beckmann made a runner. Florestedt saved his best for last as he escaped on transition and scoring with a lay up at the buzzer. ‘Getting buckets on transition is Florested’s game. It all started with getting good press stops that led to easy baskets. We worked hard on our zone. That is a big part of our game’, stated Brandon Cataldo.
Thomas Gaus at the FT line
The third quarter continued to be a tight affair as the Bona Baskets Limburg held the lead, but they just couldn’t slam the door early on Ulm. The first few minutes was the Guas and Cataldo show as they traded baskets twice, but Limburg still led 58-52. Both teams then also had a good, but short phase hitting three’s as Ulm got two from their small and quick guards Rosic and Stoll while Limburg got one form Beckmann, but Limburg still had the upper-hand with the 63-58 advantage. BBU 01 then had a positive phase again going on a 10-2 run to grab the 68-65 lead back. The guests continued to demonstrate good team basketball where all ego’s were put on the back burner as German Sebastian Pachucki scored twice, Cwik made an off balance shot and Dimitrov scored in the paint. But the Bona Baskets closed out the third quarter in style with a brutal 9-0 run to lead 74-68 after 30 minutes. Limburg picked up their defensive intensity and forced Ulm to tough shots and also made them rush decisions. On offense Limburg got a huge spark from Beckmann getting 7 points off a trey and 4 free throws. Cataldo added an offensive rebound and putback. ‘We played more aggressive and together and stuck to the game plan better’, added Brandon Cataldo. ‘We had problems containing Cataldo and gave up too many easy baskets’, stated Joel Cwik.
Matej Kljaic from the corner
In the fourth quarter BBU 01 Ulm fought back and regained the lead, but did allow Limburg one more lead, but quickly stole the lead back and then would never look back again. The Bona Baskets Limburg started the fourth quarter nonchalantly and not focused and were scolded with a smack in the face and 9-0 run by the guests as they led 77-74. In the run Ulm received got brutal production from Cwik with 7 points. He delivered with a trey, lay in and hard dunk while Gaus made an off balance lay in. The guests would keep the narrow lead and got a clutch three from Finn Lehner from the bench but Kljaic also continued to be a force. He showed that he was excellent knowing when to score and when to dish as he showed with 15 assists. With crunch-time around the corner he scored back to back buckets with a floater and lay in as Limburg led 84-83. But then came the turning point of the game as BBU01 Ulm closed out the contest with a ruthless 14-3 run to win the ball game. Dimitrov began with a lay in which was followed by a Rosic 15 footer. Gaus had a lay in and Cwik then put the nail on the lid with 2 three’s as the guests led 95-86 with less than 2 minutes to play. Cwik finished with a team high 22 points. ‘Rosic found me and got me open shots. When I have the chance in a big moment, I have to make the shot. I had had a bad phase missing some shots, but my teammates continued to have confidence in me and told me to keep shooting’, stressed Joel Cwik. The guests still had energy left and just stepped up their intensity as Limburg couldn’t get easy baskets. Beckmann did hit a late three, but it wasn’t enough. ‘We ran out of gas and didn’t communicate enough. I have to be more vocal in a situation like that’, said Brandon Cataldo. ‘We ran the whole game and still had energy at the end. Key was that we had a deeper bench and just outran them’, expressed Joel Cwik. BBU 01 Ulm was led by Joel Cwik with 22 points. Marko Rosic added 18 points and Thomas Gaus 17 points while the Bona Baskets Limburg were led by Brandon Cataldo with 24 points and 15 boards while Matej Kjaic had 23 points and 15 dimes and Hugo Florestedt had 21 points and 11 rebounds. BBU 01 Ulm shot 55% from the two point range and 44% form outside and had 33 rebounds and 16 turnovers while the Bona Baskets Limburg shot 50% from the two point range and 15% from outside and had 40 rebounds and 17 turnovers
Brandon Cataldo (213-C-1991, college: Portland St.) is a 30 year old 213cm center from Oregon that is playing with German Regionalliga team Bona Baskets Limburg. He turned professional in 2015 with the Westfalen Mustangs. He played 3 seasons in Italy with teams Lorenz CMS Certaldo (Italy-Serie C Gold), Sutor BK 1955 Montegranaro (Italy-Serie C) and APD OR. SA. Barcellona (Italy-Serie C). He also gained further experience with teams : Barcelona Sporting Club (Ecuador-National League), Ungmennafelagio Snaefell (Iceland-D1) and KFUM Kalmar (Sweden-Superettan. He played at Portland State from 2011-2015 playing a total of 83 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.comabout basketball.
Thanks Brandon for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?
Hello thanks for having me I’m very honored to be chosen for an interview by you and look forward to meeting you this weekend I’ve heard some good things about you. Life is great honestly being back in Limburg! I have been wanting to come back since I left but things just didn’t work out and due to covid I chose to play in France NM2 last season for Horrsariou which was an overall amazing experience also!
Your back in Limburg playing basketball. You were here before. You must have a special relationship with head coach Danny Stallbohm.
Coach Danny has been somewhat of a godsend for me because I was cut from my team in France this season in the first month due to not arriving in great shape however it wasn’t a good fit system for me there in Agen NM3.
You came during the 3 game winning streak. How crazy was coming in and playing that crazy game in Giessen where your teammate Matej Kljaic had 52 points.
That game against Giessen was really fun despite fouling out before the end of regulation it felt good to know my team could get it done and Matej is a special player for sure! I have had some good teammates before but Matej has vision unlike a lot of them and I almost immediately felt a connection with him on the court in the first practice 3 weeks ago
You were welcomed back to the Regionalliga by Terry Winn who had 33 points and 14 rebounds. What was it like battling him? Terry Winn is a big time talent I noticed right away and it was cool to play against him. I look forward to the next time I get to play against him! It felt like I was back at the level I belong in and it’s really motivating to me to play against good players like this!
Even if Limburg did lose a tough game in Saarlouis, it has been playing better despite a short rotation and work horse KJ Sherril out. Has the team been playing on adrenaline and has it understood that it has to do everything possible in order to win?
This team has been figuring out our identity on the defensive end of the game due to the short rotation but we are definitely a talented group, we just have to figure out how to play together and move the ball more and we will compete with even the top teams. I was looking forward to playing with KJ but he got hurt right before I came.
What exactly is your role? I can imagine you are there to control the paint and score My role on this team is currently to give Limburg an inside presence on defense and offense scoring easy buckets inside and also stretching the floor a little bit. Physically I am difficult to stop when I get the ball close to the basket so I have to really just do my best to set good solid screens and roll to the basket and our guards have done a great job at giving me the ball.
You played little in the NCAA and had limited roles in other countries but you proved in Iceland that you can be a double double man. Currently your averaging 14/12 stats. Do you feel that your game has been underestimated in some places?
My game has definitely been underestimated and this has led me to getting more limited roles but I know inside that I am very capable and having a coach like Danny who believes in me is just what I have needed!
You are teammates again with Justin Stallbohm. What do you enjoy most about his game and how infectious is his smile?
Justin is a knockdown shooter who is currently going through a small slump however I am confident he will get back into his rhythm and get back to normal soon. His smile is very infectious and I’m really are fortunate to get to play with a guy like him
An important addition has been Swedish forward Hugo Florestedt. How would you describe his game and is he a sort of glue guy for the team?
I would describe Hugo Florestedt as an all around gifted offensive player who can knock down shots and run the floor for easy baskets in transition so it has been great being his teammate and I think we will definitely continue to be effective together!
Last season you played with KFUM Kalmar (Sweden-Superettan) playing 6 games averaging 3.2ppg, 3.7rpg. You were there only a month. What positives could you take in your short time there? I was actually in Kalmar for 9 months but I came in February of 2021 in the midst of covid all across the world and stayed there to get back into shape and get back into my game. It was a good experience and now they are in top league Sweden so I wish nothing but the best for them! I was playing behind an absolute beast Tobias Sjoeberg, so everyday at practice was a battle! I would say that they helped me get back into shape because they worked really hard in practice and preseason especially!
You didn’t play in the 20-21 season. I can imagine that Covid played a role. Were you back at home in the States and could you still be involved with basketball?
In the 20-21 season I was somewhat lost in terms of where to go but I always wanted to come back to play in Limburg! I have remained in contact with Coach Danny but it just didn’t work out for either party.
You played the 19-20 season with Ungmennafelagio Snaefell (Iceland-D1) playing18 games averaging 18.6ppg, Reb-5 (12.3rpg), 1.8apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 60.0%. Despite losing many games, it must have been an incredible experience living in Iceland. What do you remember being the coolest thing you saw in the country during your stay there? Playing for Snaefell was really a fun experience, despite losing almost every game the time in Iceland was something I’ll forever cherish because they took very good care of me there and I got to see one of the most beautiful countries in the world! I would say the coolest part of Iceland was Blue Lagoon and also Reykjavik in the downtown area. The Golden circle was also very beautiful!
You had 2 games with 22 and 21 rebounds. Not many bigs can say they have hauled down 20 or more rebounds. Did it sometimes feel like you were a man among boys in the paint?
The games I had over 20 rebounds I was being very active on the boards and due to my size that tends to make it easy to get those type of numbers for rebounds. I would say I’m a man among boys almost everytime I touch the floor it just comes down to being smart and not picking up silly fouls and that’s something I’ve always struggled with due to being bigger and stronger than most of my opponents.
You played 3 years in Italy with Lorenz CMS Certaldo (Italy-Serie C Gold), Sutor BK 1955 Montegranaro (Italy-Serie C) and APD OR. SA. Barcellona (Italy-Serie). What kind of an experience and how do you rate the competitive level and skill level of players in general in the C-Gold? Italy is like my second home away from home i would say out of all my experiences my time in Serie C is a time I really appreciated the most due to the culture of Italy and the competition is much better than I originally anticipated!
Often you were the lone import among Italian players. What did you learn to appreciate about Italian players in general? I mostly was by myself as a lone import but they always tended to help me out and I picked up the language in Italy in my time there due to the language barrier. I have always loved Latin based languages I speak fluent Spanish and Italian now due to the experiences I’ve had abroad and my studies at Portland state and High school. I appreciated mostly the comradary of the Italian players those guys all became my life long brothers!
You played your rookie season with the Westfalen Mustangs (Germany-2.Regionalliga). What a team to start your rookie season with. The organization didn’t pay it’s players. How did you survive this season?
I played for Westfalen my first month of overseas basketball in 2015 and ended up going to play in Serie D Italy and won a championship with San Vincenzo Basket. That was a season that I really loved because it was my first taste of overseas basketball. Despite it being a really low level I enjoyed every moment and winning a championship is special anywhere you go!
What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
I remember my first morning in Westfalen we had been moved out of one apartment into another haha it happened 3 times but I was very jet lagged and was just taking it all in we played in a tournament I remember and we ended up winning every game there that I played but I had 2 American teammates that really were veterans that both ended up leaving after a couple months I left after the first month. I just want to say one thing about all my experiences and that is this. I have been all around the world literally, Italy Germany Mongolia Iceland Ecuador Sweden France and Germany has been the best fit for me and my game so far from what I can see
Were you able to bond with some players that season? I remember Kris Douse was on that team. He had played previously in Limburg. Almost every team I’ve played on I have a few good close teammates who I stay in touch with daily almost such as Ben Kil, I run a consultation service to help connect players with teams overseas I’m not sure if you knew that but I ended up getting Ben a player coach job in Iceland he was the first Korean American import in Europe so that’s one Stat I want to highlight also I’ve made connections with a lot of other teammates but I really want you to know how special of a bond I have with this one player we have been in the middle of Iceland together but we met first in Mongolia playing for the “Lakers of mongolia” “SBL” they had like 4 or 5 national team players including sanchir and Tommy Bilgens I think I spelt his name correct but I had 3 American teammates in Mongolia that short season after I played in Limburg last in 2019 that team in Mongolia brought me in to help win playoffs but I ended up playing against Ex NBA Player CJ Giles and losing in game 7 of the championship series. Another amazing experience out there in Mongolia. I really have a lot to say about all my experiences but I want to highlight bringing in Ben Kil. To Iceland for the first Asian American import in European basketball history in my own consultation service
You were at Portland State from 2011-2015. What kind of an experience was it playing there? You never averaged more than 10 minutes a game?
My time there was amazing I had my family at every single home game and I got to go travel mostly all of the united states, coming from a small town in Oregon “Rainier, Oregon” I hope you don’t forget I was ranked number 10 in the nation in my class at my position in the 2010 class and I had Over 35 division 1 offers but I chose Portland state because it was close to home and I fractured my tibia my senior year In high school. I chose Portland state and I’m very blessed to have gone this path despite very little production on the stat sheet. I have so much to talk about I’m trying to just be limited in my answers to answer everything you’re asking and more. Portland state was a great experience but I think I stayed 5 years in the wrong university system I’m just happy I met my wife at a road game in the Big sky because without her I wouldn’t be who I am today and that means a lot to me family is something I’ve often put above pride or accolades and that is maybe why my career never really took off but I’m happy to accept this fate
You had a 16/13 game against Walla Walla. Was that one of your more memorable games in the NCAA?
My game against walla walla was a game I barely remember but it was against a team much worse than the level of my team so I was given a lot of freedom to do my thing in that game even though I could’ve done more in the regular season as well but I respect my coaches decision. I had a double double against Kham Birch who’s in the NBA now. That was my most memorable game but I remember playing walla walla it felt very easy like most the times I touched the floor at Portland State. I was limited in minutes because I was stubborn in my development in that school. I just wanted to do things my way and I was very inconsistent which is why I didn’t perform. I got down to 258 pounds at Portland state but I am more confident and powerful and able to dominate somewhere closer to where I am at right now which is 300 pounds. 290 to 300 lbs is my go to weight. For example in Iceland I was where I’m at currently in weight. But most of my career I have been above this weight and it’s caused me to be less productive. The game is very mental and I think when I’m not confident from my coach it makes things harder. You can see even though I’m 300 I still was very efficient in the last game against Saarlouis. I’m right where I want to be and I’m improving weekly
How did head coach Tyler Geving groom and prepare you best for a professional career? Coach taught me a lot.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Collin Spickman? You can ask Collin Spickman about this match up but he will tell you that I killed him daily as well as Japan professional Kyle Richardson. I’ve had my fair share of dominant practices and they will never doubt my abilities if you ask my teammates. Collin was a great shot blocker and could play at a fast pace like coach Geving wanted. He was what I would call a 4
Who was the best player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA or a higher league?
The best player was Damian Lillard I can say very confidently he played us a few times while having several injuries in college despite being the leading scorer the couple years he had been healthy. I remember he had 38 points on us at our house in the regular big sky conference match up and 40 against us at their house. We ended up playing them in the semi finals of our conference playoffs. He had 24 points but I would say that game my teammate Charles Odum killed him and earned a mid major all American status in that game along with the rest of the season. Kham Birch Ime Udoka, Mike James, Damian Lillard, and Marcus Smart are among my top 5 best players I’ve played against
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
My best teammates were in my AAU years for sure but I’ve had some very special teammates in my professional career as well but I see the term “best” as all time bests. I have had Mike James as a teammate in AAU, chehales Tapscott at PSU, Charles Odum at PSU, Nicola temperini “sutor montegranero” and John shodipo “ecuador Barcelona serie A” would be my top 5 best teammates overall
Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?
NBA Mt Rushmore is clearly #1 Dame Lillard, I’m a die hard blazer fan, #2 Kobe Bryant, #3 LeBron James, #4 Tim Duncan, #5 Shaquille O’Neal “my middle School email address was shaq_in_training@hotmail.com but I loved Arvydas Sabonis and Dirk Nowitzki as well which enticed me to go play overseas. I am confident that If I attempted to tryout for the NBA g league or NBA at this point they would give me shot because I can really back down most of these special athletes in the NBA today tomorrow and the next day
What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?
In the discussion of LeBron vs Jordan I say Kobe Bryant was the best of all time, I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I think in terms of legacy and true impact of the game you have Kobe Bryant but I guarantee that answer will change soon due to the upcoming talent coming into the game now. I don’t consider LeBron and MJ being comparable
Did you see the sequel to thze classic Coming To America movie? Shouldn’t they have left it alone? Never seen the sequel to coming to America because I never got into American films since I’ve been overseas
De’Jon Davis (201-SF-1998, college: CBU) is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Oakland, California playing his third professional season and first in Germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg. Last season he played withAS Apollon Patras (Greece-GBL) averaging 9.5ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 66.7% . He played his rookie season with Petrolina AEK Larnaca (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 15.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP-3 (59.9%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 72.9%. He began his basketball career with Oakland Technical High School and then played at California Baptist University from 2016-2020 playing a total of 122 games and as a senior averaged 11.6ppg, 9.6rpg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 74.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.
Thanks Dejon for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season in Germany for the MLP Academics. What kind of experience has it been playing for this organization and living in the city that has one of the most famous castles in Germany.
It has been real fun. Heidelberg is a beautiful city. My family really loves it. We feel very comfortable here.
It’s still early, but how would you compare the Greek first division to the easyCredit BBL? Is the BBL more structured compared to the up and down tempo in Greece? I would actually say that it is the opposite. I have seen the BBL as being more up and down and fast paced. I felt like Greece was a lot slower and we ran our sets more.
The MLP Academics are playing their second season in the easyCredit BBL that have a new coach and many new players. How do you see yourself fitting into the system as a very versatile offensive player that also can make an impact on the defensive end?
I think that I fit in really well. I love taking the mismatches inside, but also love to shoot on the perimeter. I have also always been a very defensive minded player. This season It has taken me longer to get a feel for coaches system, but I’m getting a better hang of it now. I’m having more fun now.
What kind of an experience has it been playing with the experienced Shy Ely? What kind of an aura does he sprinkle on and off the court for you?
Shy is one of my go to guys when I need advice. He is one of the leaders on the team. He helps me on reads and how to help on defense like when I’m hugging my man to much. I definitely go to him for help, because he has so much wisdom.
Eric Washington dished out 14 assists in the first game and then scored 16 points in a row to beat Frankfurt. How have you been impressed by his game and is he more than just an incredible facilitator?
Eric has been one of my favorite guys to play with. He is a great point guard. You really don’t find many guys like him that can facilitate well, but can also score at such a high rate. He is a pass first guard, but a great scorer as well. I knew from the start that he would lead us to having a great season. He encourages everyone and we follow him. It has been very fun to play with him.
Let’s talk a bit about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?
I have always liked to stay away from comparisons and have never focused on it. For me, I try to work best on my skill set to become the best player that I can be. Most people have compared me to Dwight Howard because of my big shoulders. Others have compared me to Amare Stoudemire.
You’re a scorer and rebounder, but what other areas of your game do you sparkle in? My energy is something that I mostly bring to the game. I am very active on the court. I become very animated when there is a big play and my motor is high. My energy level is contagious and gets guys going.
You had a steal and block in the first game against Ludwigsburg. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?
I love to block shots and be active on the help side. I also like to switch. It isn’t something my current system does, but I believe like I’m versatile. I want to improve on hard hedging and stopping the guard and get back faster to my man.
Last season you played for AS Apollon Patras (Greece-GBL) averaging 9.5ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 66.7%. After a super rookie season in Cyprus, you needed no adjustment period to the stronger Greek league. How do you feel did your game grow in Greece?
Greece was more of a learning season.- My season in Greece was good, but not up to my expectations after my season in Cyprus. I have to deal more with my mentality and continue to work hard to get better. I believe that I finished my season strong in Greece. That definitely helped raise my confidence.
You had 2 strong games against Euroleague powerhouse team Panathinaikos with 12/8 and 12/10 games. What did you learn about your game in these 2 games where you understood you belonged with ex NBA guys like Okaro White and Jeremy Evans? I learned in those games that I could play with those guys because of my physicality and rebounding instinct. These games were important for my game and I want to keep growing having the mentality of staying strong and improving.
You played your rookie season with Petrolina AEK Larnaca (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 15.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP-3 (59.9%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 72.9%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
I had 30 points on the road. I believe it was my third game. My wife was there but that was it. We enjoyed the moment, but I wasn’t able to enjoy the moment with other family and my old coaches. That was hard, but that is the choice we make to play the game we love. These are sacrifices that I need to make.
How special was this team? You won the league title and cup?. What will you never forget from this club?
I loved the team in Cyprus very dearly. I still talk to guys from that team today. I remember when I got there the whole team embraced me as if I had been there forever. There were 35 year old veterans that encouraged me every day. It felt amazing. I think the biggest reason why we were successful was because we were so close. We loved each other. It was like a brother hood.
Despite winning the league title over Kervanos, you couldn’t match your 29 points from game 1. Had Keravnos found your number after game 1?
That was very interesting. I had had many very good games against that team in the regular season and then also in game 1. After my 29 points in game one, their coach made it a point that I didn’t score again. They sent double and triple teams against me. But that opened up the floor for my teammates to shine. We showed that we were truly versatile and not a one man show.
You played at California Baptist University (NCAA) from 2016-2010 playing a total of 122 games. You really took off with your game in your last 2 seasons averaging 10/9 and 11/9 stats. How did your game grow in those last 2 years? You seemed to have no adjustment going from the NCAA 2 to NCAA. My game grew a lot. In my first 2 years in division 2, I played the 5, but in my last 2 years I played the 4. In my first 2 years I didn’t shoot the ball in the post but only rebounded and played defense. In my last 2 years coach wanted me to become a versatile 4. I worked hard the two summers and the coaches really developed me well. The development there helps me be able to play both the 4 and 5 today.
How cool was it playing in the CBI against Loyola? What memories were you able to take with you?
I remember losing on a hook shot at the buzzer. I remember still being happy after losing because we had had a good first year in Division 1. I was really excited to get back to work and prepare for my senior year.
You had many great games in school but was your 31/15 explosion in the exciting 88-87 win over Seattle one of your most memorable?
That still ranks as my most memorable game in my career. That is top 3 if not #1. It was senior night and my last game in that gym. My whole family was there. It was a very special night. It is a game that I cherish and will never forget. Whenever I think of the game, it puts a big smile on my face.
How did head coach Rick Croy groom and prepare you best for a professional career? I love coach Croy. Every time I am home, I go back to school and train with him. He does a great job not only preparing guys for the future, but also challenges you in a way to become the best version of yourself. He worked hard with me on my shot and defense. Even if it was hard and frustrating at times, he encouraged me to get to the next level. I believed him. I put in the work. I look up to him so much. My family loves him. He is like family. I actually just talked to him after the buzzer beater win against Frankfurt.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Bul Kuol?
I think that it was a tie.
Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA? The Martin brothers Cody and Caleb from Arizona.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Derek Ogbeide, Alperen Sengun, Cleveland Thomas, Quinton Synder and Georgios Tsalmpouris.
Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads? Lebron, Shaq, Magic, Kobe, Kevin Garnett
What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron? There are so many arguments for both sides. There is no deciding factor. Every person has their own opinion.
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone? It wasn’t bad, but the first one was better.
Nate West(Union Neuchatel Basket) Wants To Become That Shooter That Opponents Can´t Igore And That Defender Opponents Don´t Want To Go Near
Nate West (180-PG-1998, college: LeTourneau) is a 24 year old 180cm point guard from Houston, Texas playing his second professional season and first with Union Neuchatel Basket (Switzerland-SBL). Last season as a rookie he played with USK Praha (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 43 games averaging 16.6ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 77.4%. He played at LeTourneau University (NCAA 3) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 112 games and. He recently played a pre season game in Germany and had a chat with germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Nate for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you? I am currently in Neuchatel Switzerland. I’d say basketball life is treating me well. I have the opportunity to play for Union Neuchatel this season.
Your playing your second professional season and first with Union Neuchatel Basket (Switzerland-SBL). After having a very solid rookie season in the Czech Republic you moved to the SBL which is a bit surprising when you could of played in higher leagues. Why did you chose this step? One of my high school coaches advised me to play where I was most wanted when I was deciding where I would play in college. I followed his advice in moving to Union Neuchatel.
How blessed are you to be able to play the game you love for a living? Very few D-3 guys go overseas. Of course it helped you that you had incredible stats in your last 2 seasons. I’m very sure you don’t take any of this experience for granted?
It is definitely a blessing to be playing especially given all the competition for each spot on a team. There are many great athletes just in my home state of Texas alone. I take this opportunity very seriously because it has always been my goal to play at a professional level.
You had a very good rookie season and proved you can play with the best. How much of a role has height played in your basketball life in terms of how people see your game? Have you always had a chip on your shoulder?
My height has always been the focus of coaches and teams over the years given taller players are expected to succeed. My teammates have mostly been taller than me since I first began playing and even more so in high school and at the college level. I think people are at times surprised by what I can do at my size. I’m not sure I have a chip on my shoulder. I have to believe in myself and my ability to make shots and to secure wins in order to succeed in this game. Mostly I work hard at my game and set goals for myself.
Let’s talk a bout your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?
Trae Young
You fill the stats sheet like a Russell Westbrook. What part of your game would you say is your biggest strength?
I think my biggest strength is my ability to see what is happening on the court and using that to help my teammates find better shots.
In school you were a very consistent and good shooter but haven’t eclipsed the 40% mark. Where do you see yourself as a shooter now and what kind of shooter do you want to become?
It is always my goal to continue to improve my shooting ability given it is a big part of what coaches notice about my game and what has brought me this far. I want to be a shooter that people can’t ignore on the court.
Your also an aggressive defender. What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become down the road? I want to become a defender that can’t be scored on easily, that the other team does not want to run their offense near me
On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?
I work to become a better overall player and make sure I put up many practice shots so that my shooting percentage stays consistent.
You didn’t begin your pro career until 2021 after finishing school in 2020. How tough was it sitting out that one year? Did Covid and your NCAA 3 school play a role in you not finding the suitable team?
I was very excited to play at the professional level and then Covid hit. It was tough waiting a year to play. Coach Miller at Letourneau University helped put me in the best position to find a team. The teams that showed interest in me that year ended up not running while they made adjustments for the pandemic. I continued to work out and play that year until an opportunity to play in Ireland opened up but then secured a spot playing for USK Praha.
You played your rookie season for USK Praha (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging 16.6ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 77.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
The wake up call I had was in practice when I first got to Europe. The coaching style was different than coaches at home. Also, the way the game is played is a lot different than how we play in the US. The adjustment period was the wake up call.
What memories will you always have form the Opava playoff series? Do you feel like you would have won had you had Kyle Mangas?
The Opava series had a lot of fans at the games and I will never forget that. I also will not forget going out there and fighting with my team. We didn’t have our whole team due to injury so just going out there and fighting with them will never be forgotten. Kyle and I were teammates and roommates. We had a certain chemistry on the court and he is very talented. Having him would have definitely made that series much closer.
You played at LeTourneau University (NCAA3) from 2016-2020 playing 112 games and breaking countless school and ASC records.How special was it winning the 2020 ASC title?
Winning the ASC title was important to me. I wanted to win that for myself, my team and for Coach Miller. It was even more special to win my least year playing for Letourneau.
You had Belham’s number scoring a school and ASC record 67 points and in another game had a triple double. Were you more than just in the zone on this night? On the day I scored 67 points it was Senior day so it was my final home game at Letourneau. I had many family members and friends there for that day and wanted my last game at the school to be special. I was playing on what had been my home court and the shots were going in.
You made an incredible transformation in your 4 years improving your stats each year. How would you describe your development over that period?
I had a great coach who made sure I had the opportunity to grow as a player. I spent many hours in the gym aside from our team practices. I played a lot of minutes and my coach trusted me to play my game
How did head coach Dan Miller groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach Miller prepared me by giving me the opportunity to play at nationals twice in my time at Letourneau. Each one of these opportunities helps get you ready for the next level. He believed in me and my ability to play professionally and that made me believe even more in myself.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Justin Moore?
I won.
Who is the best player that you ever battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
DeAaron Fox
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Derrick Alston, Kyle Mangas, Tomas Kyzlink, Justin Moore, Dalan Ancrum
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads? Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry , Lebron James, Michael Jordan
What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron? Kobe
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone? I have not seen the sequel.
Alvin Oniya stood at the free throw line with 3,7 seconds to play as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were only a short breath away from winning their second game in a row and first against FC Bayern Munich after having lost their first 3 games. A weekend is always sweetened when you can beat Germany’s most famous sports organization FC Bayern Munich. The game was already decided as Frankfurt was leading 86-72, but something spectacular and special was still on the menu to happen and something that doesn’t happen regularly in basketball. Oniya missed the second free throw which was rebounded by a Munich player and quickly passed to 16 year old German wunderkind Ivan Kharchenkov who is the half brother of Nikita Khartchenkov (201-SF-1987) who has celebrated a 20 year professional career and like him was also a much heralded young prospect with Khimki Mocow caught it and took a step forward and between his own three point line and center court threw up a last desperation shot that saw nothing but net. I was writing something down and didn’t notice that he had shot it, so It took me 2 seconds to realize during my live call that he had been the shooter. Those last second shots are very unusual shots, but that wasn’t just a special shot from the young kid. The Pro B and NBBL (U-19) player of FC Bayern Munich is a very special player. He is playing his second season with the FC Bayern Munich Pro B team and NBBL team and was already a key player for them last season at age 15. In the loss to Frankfurt he logged 32 minutes scoring 16 points on 6/13 shooting, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 4 assists and had 2 steals. It is no secret that clubs are already keying in on his game and fighting for touches is nothing new for him even at the Pro B level. In the first 4-5 minutes of the game, he wasn’t getting good looks so he let his facilitation skills take over as he had some beautiful hook ups with big man Mohammad Silla. His game is being noticed more and more and there is simply adulation where ever he plays from his peers and elders. ‘I had heard of him already last season. I really liked what I saw today. He has good size and can create his own shot that could become a consistent shooter’, stressed Marco Voeller (Fraport Skyliners). One Fraport Skyliner who was really instrumental in the Frankfurt win was Philipp Hadenfeldt who had a double double of 10 points and 11 assists. He has seen many top talents in his career and Kharchenkov doesn’t have to hide himself. ‘I have seen guys like Isaiah Hartenstein, Kostja Mushidi, Isaac Bonga and Bennet Hundt and he is just as talented as they were at age 16. He acts so mature for his age and is so calm for his age. You don’t see that often at his age and very important if you want to play at a high level’, stated Philipp Hadenfeldt. Last season I saw him only play once, but this season I was in for a double header treat. A day later the U-19 team of FC Bayern Munich faced off against Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners. Frankfurt gave it a good fight, but FC Bayern Munich took control in the third quarter and never looked back. Kharchenkov didn’t have a good shooting afternoon scoring only 8 points on 2/11 shooting, but otherwise filled the stat sheet well with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Luka Pesic the grandson of basketball legend Svetislav Pesic stole the show as his hot shooting in the second half gave the guests the needed energy and boost to win the game. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners head coach Miran Cumurija didn’t scout differently because a great phenom was in the house, but is more than aware of his abilities. ‘We didn’t scout Munich’s player personal mainly because they run plays so we scout them as a team. A team like IBAM run no plays so we scout their players more. Ivan is the absolute package and has what a future pro needs. He can do a lot at the Pro B and NBBL level and has proved it, but at the end of the day has to do it consistently and be able to take it to the next level. He is an absolute top talent’, warned Miran Cumurija. Ivan Kharchenkov is the real deal at age 16 and has the game in his blood.
When I was a kid I had a Guy Lafleur (Montreal Canadians legend) jersey and was so proud that we shared a birthday together and now it happened again as Ivan Kharchenkov and I also share a born day as were born on September 20. The big guard who compares his game as a mix between Luka Doncic, Steph Curry and Devin Booker began his career in Bavaria in Landsberg. When he was 11 years old he once scored 105 points of his team’s 107 points. He then moved to Jahn Munich where he could play for his dad and at age 12 scored an incredible 84 points against Bamberg. It was then no secret that a club like FC Bayern Munich would want his services. He played his first pro game at age 15 and 5 days against the EPG Baskets Koblenz scoring 16 points. His consistency at the men’s level continued as he would score in double figures in the next 4 games including 17 points against Dresden and Frankfurt and 15 points against Giessen. He is a player that you can already describe being a 3 level scorer. He also loves to play the pick and roll, post up and use the mismatches and bullying which is perfect for his strong body. But his versatile scoring is most definitely his biggest strength. ‘He has a scorer’s mentality and knows how to use his body to his advantage. The most interesting thing about him is that he is a versatile scorer and has the right mentality that isn’t necessarily always a German virtue. He is currently one of top 3 German prospects at the wing’, stated ratiopharm Ulm U-16 head coach Jochen Lotz. He then had some so so games, but then picked up his game again with 15 points against Coburg and a season high against Frankfurt with 25 points and then had 10 points against Speyer and Hanau until his season was ended in early January due to breaking his ankle. He averaged 12.7ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 75.0% in the Pro B and in the NBBL averaged 10.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 19.5%, FT: 80.6%. There he had some potent games against Bamberg with 22 points and 16 points against IBAM.
The first meeting between Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Ivan Kharchenkov in October 2021 in Frankfurt
He was out for 6 months and one would think, it would take some time to come back after a tough injury like that, but his strong performance at the U-16 European Championships in the summer of 2022 proved that he was actually able to heighten his game. He worked like a dog in the gym and it all paid off. ‘Normal would be for a player too have problems finding to his game after a tough injury like that. But Ivan isn’t normal. He has game in his blood. He went from rehab to the court and instantly had his game back’, stressed a well known German skills and development coach. The guard who lists Omari Knox as his toughest opponent in the Pro B and Benjamin Schroeder as his toughest opponent in the NBBL had a fantastic U-16 tournament averaging 13.3ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 66.7%. He had massive games against Romania with 23 points and hit Belgium and Sweden with14 points apiece. ‘The European Championships was very important for him, because he could compete against the best at his age. He was a leader on the court. Winning the Gold should be able to give him an extra boost and signal him that he can be that leader in a team. He is now in his second season in the Pro B. It is always vital to begin as young as possible to play against men, because that will make it easier to get to the next level’, warned Rasta Vechta 2 head coach Hendrik Gruhn. The European Championships was probably even more important for his self-confidence after a brutal injury than just grinding in the gym. He has continued to make strides in his development in the first month of the season in the NBBL averaging 14,0ppg, 4,3rpg,3,3apg and 4,7spg. He hit Jena and IBAM for 17 points apiece. In the Pro B he also has upped his stats currently averaging 16,5ppg, 6,5rpg, 2,5apg and 2,8spg. He scored 21 points against Hanau and 15 points against Oberaching and 14 points against Orange Academy. It is still early into the season, but it will be interesting to see how his game continues to develop during the season. One guy who probably already has his calendar marked for the game against FC Bayern Munich is EPG Baskets Koblenz manager Thomas Klein who is a die hard basketball fan and observer and has already proclaimed his respect for the kid. ‘He is the best small forward that I have seen at his age in the last 5 years. I think that he could play for a Euroleague team in 2-3 years. I’m sure that NBA scouts have him marked in their note books’, said Thomas Klein.
Even if his scoring abilities is what stands out, he does have other fine qualities like his passing skills. He has harmonized well with Mohamad Silla on the pick and roll and showed early on that he isn’t one of those guys that will keep shooting and practicing inadequate shot selection when his shot isn’t falling, but instead will find his teammates when his shot isn’t falling. ‘I think that his passing is very developed. He looks like a Pro B player that knows when to score and knows his role. He first has to bring his teammates into the game, but when he needs to score, he will. He simply knows when it is his time to score and when to play team basketball’, warned Fraport Sklyiner Junior Drago Crnjac. A question I love asking players in interviews is what they feel is their hidden strength in their game. If one looks at the game of Kharchenkov, one could say that his defense went from a weakness to a hidden strength as it seems to be off the radar at the moment. ‘Ivan is one of the most talented guys I ever saw. I saw him for the first time in the U-12 when he was with Jahn Munich. He was seen as a talented scorer that could hit the deep three, but was a lazy defender. But now he is a good defender. Last year in the scouting report, it said that he was a bad defender, but that was a mistake. He was already a good defender last season. He is physical and knows how to use it. He is quick on his feet and it looks like he has fun defending’, stressed Fraport Skyliners Juniors head coach Sepehr Tarrah. But there are also other people noticing his defense other than coaches. ‘I thought he was a weak defender last season, but in one season he has gone from weak to good. He is so good around the blocks. Munich defends very well and that helps his game. I think that he plays more physical than men on men’s teams. He has understood the worth of defending at a young age’, warned Drago Crnjac.
But there is also one more quality in his game that could separate him from being a great player from being only a good player. The 198cm German who lists Swedish youth national player Julius Price as his toughest opponent at the international level has something that a certain famous German tennis player named Boris Becker had at a young age. Who can forget how competitive the Leimen native was at 17 at Wimbeldon when he plowed through opponent to opponent as he had absolutely no fear. Becker believed he could beat anyone and it isn’t any different with Kharchenkov
. ‘You can see that he always wants to win. He simply has the right mindset to help his team win. That isn’t coachable. He has the killer instinct which will continue to help him make steps in his career’, stated Hendrik Gruhn. Becker was scared of nobody and neither is Mr Real Deal Kharchenkov. ‘He is fearless. He wants to beat everyone every time that he is on the court. That is a quality that not many have. You aren’t born being fearless. It must have come form the smallest atom in his body’, laughed a well known German skills and development coach. It will be interesting to see where the journey of Ivan Kharchenkov will continue to go. It is a bit surprising that he still in Munich considering he had offers from Euroleague teams Real Madrid and Zalgiris last summer. It is brutally hard to get into the rotation with FC Bayern Munich if you’re a young German player as only Jason George has broken through in the last years, but who knows maybe he will find his way into the BBL rotation quicker than people think. His talent level at the moment is undeniable as everyone who has seen him play clearly sees his potential. ‘He may not be at Luka Doncic’s level when he was 16, but I don’t know if Germany has a better talent right now under the age of 18 than him’, warned Drago Crnjac. I will definitely continue to keep an eye on this rare jewel and I’m very happy that I found my personal own nickname for him ‘The Real Deal’. People may find new nicknames for him in the coming years, but what he has shown so far on a national and international level is definitely worthy of being called ‘The Real Deal’.
Derrick Gordon (190-G-1991, college: Seton Hall) is a 30 year old 190cm guard that was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and decided to retire after a 2 year career overseas. He played his rookie season with BC Apollon Limassol (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 12.7ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.0apg, Steals-5 (2.0spg), FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 56.1% and last season he played with the ROMERSTROM Gladiators Trier (Germany-ProA) averaging 7.1ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 76.2%. he played at 3 NCAA schools with Western Kentucky, UMass and Seton Hall playing a total of 133 games and won the Sunbelt tournament and Big East tournament. He is the only player in NCAA history to have played in the NCAA tournament for 3 different teams. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his last season in Germany.
Thanks Derrick for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?
I live in Los Angeles. I actually just retired from professional basketball. I am very happy, overallI had a great career. I am excited for the next chapter of my life.
You played your second pro season in Germany with the Romerstrom Gladiators. It was a very tough season. Does one think more about injury after one has achieved a difficult one like you had?
I am rarely injured so me getting hurt especially being out for 5 months was a tough one to deal with.
What do you believe was the most difficult aspect that professional athletes have to deal with when being injured? Is it more the physical or mental side?
A little bit of both I would say. Especially since I knew how much I could be out there helping my teammates. It was one of the hardest things to go through but I was able to overcome those challenges.
After a strong rookie season in Cyprus, you arrived in Trier and began very well with 3 wins as your play was very good. Everything was rolling for you. What do you believe helped you most in this time that you could adjust so well to the play? Just confidence in myself, that was one of the main things I was focused on that upcoming season. I was playing really well but most importantly I cared more about winning.
Then came 3 loses in a row. What happened to Trier in that phase? You played Jena and Vechta tough and then had a bad loss against Hagen? We took some tough losses to teams that we know we could beat. It happens, most importantly we stayed together as a team.
You then hurt your knee in the game against Ehingen. I guess the best news was that you got the win. Your scream of pain was heard in the whole arena. What was going through your mind in those minutes after your injury? You must have had many thoughts running through your mind. I thought at that time my career was over, I was crying because I knew it was a pretty bad injury. I’m thankful that I didn’t need surgery.
Then came a long 5 month rehab period. What kind of an experience was that for you’? What did you learn about yourself in that time? It was an interesting experience. That was the longest I ever had to sit out for an injury. But it made me stronger mentally and I was ready to bounce back and get on the court.
Was there a teammate in that time who really stood by you or some person that really was instrumental in helping making your rehab as comfortable as possible? I was close to all my teammates in Trier, I love those guys and will be life time friends with them. It was a brotherhood.
Trier played well without you and made the playoffs. You came back for the series against Leverkusen but played only 28 minutes total in the 4 games. Were you totally fit again? I was for sure totally fit again and ready to play. I was shocked cause I knew I should have played a lot more but that was the coach who made that decision.
Was it just coaches decision that you didn’t play more of a role in the Leverkusen series? It must have been tough not getting the minutes like before your injury? Yes of course its very frustrating especially know what I was able to do on the court before I got hurt. We did have a coaching change during the season and he was a very young coach so he was put in an unexpected position when the coach got let go.
How tough was losing that’ series. Trier won game 1 and then lost the next 3 in close battles with a combined score of only 14 points. What was key for not getting over the hump?
It sucked of course, no one likes losing and I couldn’t believe the season was over right as soon as I got back. Our gameplan could have been a lot better but I’m not the coach I just have to go out there and do my job when I am in the game.
Do you feel like controlling Spencer Reaves better could of made the difference? He was one of their key playesr, I could have for sure stopped him and most of the points that he scored.
If you had to pick one player that you felt developed the best during the season who would you take?
Garei Zeeb I would say. He has so much potentially, at some point I wouldn’t be surprised if I see him in Euro league
You have announced your retirement after only 2 years. You hinted that there was a specific reason why you decided to hang it up?
Personally it was just time to let it go. I know some people may think it is because of the injury I had and that wasn’t the case at all. When I got back to LA in May I just needed to do some thinking. I was fully happy not playing anymore and didn’t have that drive to want to continue to keep playing. I have two businesses that I am super excited about and I am also working on my own book. I am glad I got to end my career on my terms and not someone else’s.
What is the next step for you? You have written a book. Can you explain a little what awaits readers?
Like I mentioned I will be opening up two businesses of mine in Los Angeles that I am super excited about along with my book. My book will basically be about my life and journey and things that I went through when I was in the closet. I am all about helping people and I want to help that next guy who may be struggling.
You also have announced exciting new projects. What can we await from you in the future? You will have to stay tune and follow my social media. I didn’t announce them yet
How would you like to have fans to remember the player Derrick Gordon? That I was a guy who left it all out there every night, I’m a true winner and that is all I care about.
Where do you rank Steph Curry right now in the all-time best point guards in the NBA? In my opinion it will have to be between Kyrie and Steph
What is your take on the whole Kevin Durant drama? Do you feel all the talk and hate is hurting his legacy? Haha yes it’s a lot going around the KD situation but I hope it all works out for him wherever he goes.
What was the first eatery you visited when you touched down back in the States? Fresh Corn Grill restaurant, they make amazing salmon there. I love it.
Only a few years ago, the Fraport Skyliners and FC Bayern Munich belonged to the best U-19 youth programs in Germany, but at the moment are going through some growing pains. Fc Bayern Munich haven’t won the U-19 title since 2019 and Frankfurt last won the JBBL title in 2016. They are still respected youth programs, but who would have thought that both teams would only be 0-5 combined so far this season. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners are still looking for an identity at both ends as they are averaging only 61 points per game on offense and allowing 75 points per game. FC Bayern Munich on the other hand started 0-2, but their record is deceiving because their loses were nail-bitters with 74-72 against Jena and 76-70 against their rival IBAM. One thing was clear in that one team would leave the floor with their first win of the season. It took a lot of time before FC Bayern Munich finally showed their true colors as they allowed for Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners to stick around until the end of the third quarter, but then took full control and never looked back until the final buzzer winning comfortably 86-60. After the match one could sense that Munich Brazilian head coach Paulo Prestes who had been drafted in the NBA in 2010 by the Minnesota Timberwolves wasn’t particularly happy with the overall effort, but took the win at the end as a positive sign and new beginning for the season. ‘We started the season with 2 loses something we didn’t expect. We didn’t find our identity until the third quarter. Frankfurt played aggressive and with confidence and we missed a lot of open shots. When our three’s weren’t going in, we weren’t aggressive enough going to the basket’, stated Paulo Prestes. Frankfurt played a courageous and hard fought game, but FC Bayern Munich was simply to much to contend with for 40 minutes. 20 year old Drago Crnjac of the Fraport Skyliners Juniors took in the game and was impressed by the performance of Frankfurt, but not overall surprised by the Munich win. ‘Frankfurt played very well for 27 minutes. Turnovers was a big problem. There was a huge difference in skill level. Munich had a starting 5 of Pro B players. Frankfurt stayed with them for a long time, but Munich simply was more consistent and made more shots’, stated Drago Crnjac.
Joshua Zentgraf at the FT line
FC Bayern Munich began like they were in a frenzy leading 10-2 after only 1,57 into the game. FC Bayern Munich had a simple recipe inserting the nasty full court press forcing turnover after turnover and then getting easy baskets as well as attacking the rim in their set plays. FC Bayern Munich got buckets from German Christian Skladanowski with 2 dunks, 2 lay in’s from the Duracell energizer Amar Licina who was practically unstoppable on the drive and a dunk from German Luis Wulff (199-PG-2004, agency: BeoBasket) who has been with the club since the U-10 and has played 1 easyCredit BBL game. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners had extreme difficulties with the Munich press as they only had 2 guys help when it should have been 3. Big German wunder boy Ivan Kharchenkov didn’t get touches, but sparkled with his facilitation. But sometimes when things work so well, you lose focus and get careless and that is exactly what occurred with FC Bayern Munich as Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners fought back going on a 9-2 run to trail Munich only 12-11. In the run Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners did a super job upping their intensity and aggressiveness at both ends. They attacked the rim with force as Finley Pruever and Joscha Zentgraf drew fouls and scored while other Germans Fabrice Heberer nailed a trey and Barnabas Bode scored in the lane. FC Bayern Munich then found some rhythm again and could keep the lead. FC Bayern Munich received valuable support from the bench getting buckets from Desmond Yiamu and German Luka Pesic to lead 18-13. Heberer then hit another trey, but Munich kept up the pressure getting added support from their bench Nikola Tomic supplied a three pointer, Dominik Dolic scored on a lay in and the quick and shifty Luka Pesic hit a jumper for the 27-20 Munich lead after 10 minutes. ‘Frankfurt had problems with the Munich press, but came back into the game with better rebounding. They traded in their lack of speed with physicality. They forced Munich to tough shots’, explained Drago Crnjac.
Christian Skladonowski at the FT line
FC Bayern Munich kept their lead in the second quarter, but couldn’t keep the consistency as Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners came back and trailed only by 2 points at half-time. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners began very well as hustler and banger Joscha Zentgraf gave Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners extreme energy to begin with back to back baskets to cut FC Bayern Munich’s lead to 30-24. Then came the weakest phase of both clubs as there were 9 possessions in a row where it was raining bricks and no points. After a Skladowski basket, Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners countered with a superb 1-1 play by Hector Izquierdo and a clutch three by Fynn Noll to trail FC Bayern Munich 33-29. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners was defending with passion and were fortunate that Ivan Kharchenkov had a cold spell. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners never gave up and remained with the guests as they got key baskets from German Alexander Lagemann who remained aggressive and was a force inside, got free throws from Izquierdo and a key lay in by Heberer as Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners trailed only 37-35. FC Bayern Munich took a time out and head coach Paulo Prestes got loud with the words ‘aren’t you guys ashamed’? The guests were missing shots that U-10 players would make while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners continued to attack inside and were getting rewarded with their continued physicality. Lagemann then tied the game with a lay in, but Licina must of thought that two can play that game and also made a lay in giving FC Bayern Munich the 39-37 lead at the break. ‘Frankfurt did a good job pursuing the mismatches with guys like Lagemann, Izquierdo and Zentgraf. Frankfurt switched everything and Munich couldn’t get the ball to the basket quick enough to get the advantage’, stated Drago Crnjac. FC Bayern Munich was shooting a pathetic 34% from the field and 15% from outside and had 23 rebounds and 7 turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners shot 40% from the field and 33% from outside and had 23 rebounds and 16 turnovers.
Alexander Lagemann driving to the rim
In the third quarter Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners continued to stay with FC Bayern Munich, but the cut in the game occurred in the last few minutes as the guests would never look back again. Izquierdo began with a lay in to tie the game at 39-39, but FC Bayern Munich struck back with a 7-0 run to lead 45-39. FC Bayern Munich used their aggressive press that worked well as Kharchenkov scored on a lay up and then Licina made 2 steals that led to 2 fast break buckets from Luis Wulff. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners had some mental lapses and the Munich press was perfect for their game. But Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners continued to play hard and went on a 10-6 run to trail Munich only 51-49. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners really executed well playing fine inside out basketball as Znetgraf was aggressive making free throws and a lay in while Sergio Grothe and Bode connected on three’s. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners didn’t only have problems containing the quickness of Amar Licina but also the elegance of Luis Wulff who made a trey and runner to give FC Bayern Munich the 56-49 lead. Frankfurt remained aggressive attacking the hole as Lagemann scored cutting the guests lead to 56-51. But then came the turning point of the game as FC Bayern Munich finally found their identity going on a 10-1 run to lead 66-52 after 30 minutes. In the run FC Bayern Munich got good support from their bench once again as Dolic and Pesic stepped up. Dolic made a turn around shot and lay in while Pesic made a pretty floater and lay in on transition. ‘Dolic and Pesic were the game changers. They played great. They did what they were asked of’, stressed Paulo Prestes. ‘Pesic and Dolic gave Munich new energy and they took command. That just showed how deep Munich was’, stated Drago Crnjac.
Ivan Khrachenkov penetrating to the hoop
FC Bayern Munich took the momentum of the end of the third quarter into the fourth quarter and finished the game strong winning the fourth quarter 20-8. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners had to accept a lethal 10-3 run by FC Bayern Munich right off the bat as their bench continued to be excellent. Pesic continued to be ruthless scoring 7 points with a trey, finger tip role and off balance lay in. Skladanowski also added a dunk while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners got a three pointer from Kenny Wefing. After Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners got a turnaround shot from bench player Victor Malinowsky, FC Bayern Munich went on their next run of 10-3 to close out the contest. FC Bayern Munich got added support from Lenny Agigbata with a lay in and big dunk while Desmond Yiamu made a lay in on transition and Nikola Tomic made a lay in. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners got the last basket of the game as Colin Tolke scored off the bench. ‘Munich didn’t play 1-1, but played well as a team. Frankfurt were denied on the drives as the Munich help was there and when Frankfurt did find their shooters, they couldn’t execute’, commented Drago Crnjac. FC Bayern Munich was led by Luca Pesic with 16 points. Luis Wulff scored 13 points and Amar Licina and Christian Skladowski scored 10 points apiece while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners were led by Joscha Zentgraf with 10 points. FC Bayern Munich shot 44% from the field and 15% from outside and had 37 rebounds and 12 turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners shot 35% from the field and 32% from outside and had 46 rebounds and 39 turnovers.
Times come and go and who knows in one year when the Fraport Skyliners face off against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, the game could be a game with 10 players minus legends Rickey Paulding and Quantez Robertson. Who will forget the last 2 games between the 2 legends last season, but this season the game began without them as Paulding wasn’t there because he is retired and Quantez Robertson unfortunately has turned into a role player coming from the bench. It was very strange not seeing the energy game and winner smile of Rickey Paulding, but on the other hand the Fraport Skyliners had other worries. After possibly the worst first half in their history last weekend against the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig, the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup winner desperately needed a blast off type reaction. The team had begun at 1-4 and were on a quick roller coaster ride down, but had to shift gears and get back up the mountain. But that was easier said than done as the EWE Baskets Oldenburg came to town. The team began solid at 3-2 under the guidance of new head coach Pedro Calles, but still had much potential. They didn’t play their best basketball, but when crunch-time came, they hit the big shots and gladly took on the turnover gifts that the Fraport Skyliners gave them as they pulled out a hard fought 77-70 win. After the big win ex Giessen 46er Alen Pjanic was all smiles as his team had won their fourth game. It wasn’t a pretty game for the guests, but a win is a win something the Fraport Skyliners can’t buy anywhere. ‘We had the game under control, but then allowed them to come back into the game. We wanted to give them more contested shots, but they got some open ones where they executed. We did a good job stopping them inside in the second half. But I feel like we played too slow. We should of played faster’, stated Alen Pjanic. Every new loss for the Fraport Skyliners has to hurt so much, because they have been in every game and in 4 games there was only a combined point total of 8 points. It was another tough loss for Frankfurt as it continues to put them deeper into the hole and harder to crawl out of. ‘I thought we ganged rebound well and our help defense was also better and we shared the ball well. But when it counted most in the fourth quarter we had too many turnovers at the wrong time with live balls that they made easy scores. We were too careless with the ball’, stated Quantez Robertson.
Jordan Samare at the FT line
The Fraport Skyliners didn’t have a good start into the game as they quickly lost their forward Einaras Tubutis after 28 seconds and couldn’t muster much offense as the guests jumped out to the 11-5 lead getting to the free line and getting baskets from ex Western Washington (NCAA) guard Trey Drechsel, ex Hagen center Owen Klassen who was massive on defense with 5 blocks and free throws from new German national player Max DiLeo. Frankfurt got support from captain Lukas Wank who contributed 5 points, but then picked up 3 quick fouls. The guests continued to put a lot of pressure on Frankfurt and kept the lead as ex Crailsheim guard Dewayne Russell (180-PG-1994, college: GCU) hit a 20 footer and made free throws. But the Fraport Skyliners got some energy in the last minute getting a lay in from ex Wurzburg guard Joshua Obiesie and a lay in from Martinas Geben who had been denied the ball well by the EWE Baskets. Frankfurt’s offense had gotten better with a few three’s as the guests hadn’t hit a trey and were only at 29% from the field. Both teams had 10 rebounds, but Frankfurt had an unacceptable 7 turnovers. ‘I feel like we were too physical and got out of position. That led to our bad start. It also didn’t help us that we lost Tubutis at the start’, stated Quantez Robertson.
Dewayne Russell with the pull up jumper
The second quarter was a tight affair as no team could get away from each other. The Fraport Skyliners actually got the lead, but soon lost it again as the guests controlled the game until the break. Frankfurt began very well as they got consecutive three’s from German Jordan Samare and American JJ Frazier. But they couldn’t go on a bigger run, because they couldn’t get stops. Canadian big man Owen Klassen scored back to back baskets including a pretty hook shot and harmonized beautifully with American Tanner Leissner. Rusell and Quantez Robertson then traded baskets as Frankfurt led again 24-22. But that lead was short lived as Klassen was on a rampage scoring again with a massive 2 handed dunk. The guests had their offense moving well and got a bucket from ex Monmouth guard Max DiLeo who was fed a behind the back pass from Russell and Leissner remained aggressive and made a tip in as Oldenburg led 28-24. Dewayne Russell was a key figure in this phase as his playmaking and hustle plays caried his team. He made a hustle play that resulted in a trey by 2021 NCAA champion with Baylor Macio Teague for the 31-25 advantage. The guests were working hard inside getting rebounds while Frankfurt’s offense was stoic. Owen Klassen didn’t only have scoring rebounding and blocking on his menu, but also showed he can dish making a nice back door pass to Leissner for the 35-28 Oldenburg lead. But Frankfurt didn’t fade away but stayed in the game getting two baskets from Lithuanian sniper Laurynas Beliauskas and a huge three by Obiesie to cut the guests lead to 35-33. But even in good phases on offense, they couldn’t get stops. The EWE Baskets strolled into half-time with a 8-3 run to lead 43-36 after 20 minutes. Teague remained aggressive hitting a runner and trey and Klassen scored in the paint while Frankfurt got a three pointer from Frazier. ‘They played good pick and roll. They found guys in the middle and drove well and we were always a step behind’, added Quantez Robertson. The Fraport Skyliners shot better than the EWE Baskets Oldenburg over 40% while Oldenburg shot 29% from the parking lot. Oldenburg continued to have the 20-18 rebound edge while Frankfurt had 10 turnovers.
Jordan Samare for 3
In the third quarter The EWE Baskets Oldenburg continued to control the game and led in double figures after 30 minutes. The guests displayed fine inside out basketball as they began to get production inside as Leissner and Klassen continued to be a wrecking tandem. Leissner scored twice and on the second bucket got a behind the back feed from Klassen for the 47-38 lead. Then the team let it rain three’s as Drechsel hit back to back to back three’s for the 56-42 advantage. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg also upped their defensive intensity getting key blocks and forcing Frankfurt to turnovers. Leissner then added a trey for the 59-44 advantage as he was so open that it felt like the nearest defender was on the Main river near the arena. The offenses of both teams was like day and night as their was variety and real sharing of the ball with the guests while Frankfurt’s offense was slow and predictable. But as was so often the case in the game, Frankfurt had positive lapses. They finished the third quarter with a 6-2 run to trail 61-50. In the run Frankfurt received key transition baskets from Obiesie and Quantez Robertson who also swiped his 707 steal in the EasyCredit BBL. Pjanic closed out the third quarter with a lay in. ‘We had wrong rotations and weren’t talking. We continued not to take care of the ball and Russell continued to find guys for easy baskets’, expressed Quantez Robertson. Both teams shot solidly and were around 40% from the field and outside while Oldenburg still had the edge on the boards while Frankfurt had 13 turnovers.
MaCio Teague from down town
In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners played catch up ball and tied the score with 3,48 to play, but then couldn’t execute in crunch-time and coughed up the ball too much. The Fraport Skyliners came out on fire totally shocking the Ewe Baskets Oldenburg racking up a lethal 11-0 run to dead lock the contest at 61-61. In the run they got 2 huge three’s from Beliauskas and Samare and a pretty left handed hook shot from 221cm center Matt Haarms and a 2 handed dunk from Obiesie. Samare finished with 10 points in 25 minutes and got extended minutes because of the injury to Lorenz Brenneke and really stepped up. ‘Even though he had played the night before in the Pro B, he played hard and aggressive and did what was asked of him. He hit open shots something that we expect from him’, stated Quantez Robertson. The early 4 point play from Beliauskas really carried Frankfurt with which Oldenburg had no answer for. Now the game was a real tight affair as both teams traded baskets. Frankfurt was carried by JJ Frazier as he made some huge shots including a tip in and trey while Oldenburg got free throws and a pull up jumper by Russell to tie the game at 68-68. ‘We had good stops and shared and moved the ball well that resulted in us making open shots’, said Quantez Robertson. ‘The 4 point play gave them energy. They got the momentum on their side. We also felt the energy of the fans who were also in the game’, said Alen Pjanic. But the Fraport Skyliners folded under pressure allowing a 9-2 run to the guests ending the game. Two costly Frankfurt turnovers led to a Russell pull up jumper and Teague three pointer. Geben did hit a 15 footer, but Frankfurt then coughed up the ball again that led to a Drechsel lay in. Russell ended the game with free throws. ‘Our will got us to the win. We knew that if we could play our concept, then they would have no chance. We also got key defensive rebounds at the end’, stressed Alen Pjanic. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg were led by Dewayne Russell with 18 points. Trey Drechsel added 15 points while MaCio Teague and Owen Klassen chipped in with 13 points a piece while the Fraport Skyliners were led by Laurynas Beliauskas with 16 points. JJ Frazier added 14 points and Joshua Obiesie contributed 11 points. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg shot 43% from the field and 38% from outside and had 44 rebounds and 14 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 39% from the field and 36% from outside and had 36 rebounds and 15 turnovers.
It took some time, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors finally celebrated their first victory over the season smothering Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg last weekend after suffering a 3 game losing streak to begin the season. They finally found a defensive identity and played inspired team basketball. They definitely needed to keep their spark and positive attitude as it didn’t get any easier as FC Bayern Munich 2 came to town. It seems like the farm team is getting younger every year as this season have an average age of only 17 years. It is always an incredible experience seeing which big talents they bring to Frankfurt and this time they had Ivan Khartchenkov who already scored 16 points with 15 years and 5 days last season against top team EPG Baskets Koblenz. FC Bayern Munich 2 began the season off slow losing it’s first 2 games, but came to Frankfurt with a lot of self-confidence having defeated Orange Academy and number 1 team Oberaching last weekend. But their winning ways couldn’t continue as they met a tough and prepared Frankfurt squad as the game was pretty even for long phases, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors took advantage of a tiring Munich squad that was missing 2 key performers with Kalu and Dongmo as Philipp Hadenfeldt (189-PG-1999) put the game out of reach in crunch-time with big baskets and his playmaking was spot on as he dished out 11 assists in the 86-75 victory. It was Frankfurt’s second win in a row putting them at 2-3 while the guests also moved to 2-3. ‘We expected a game like this. Munich played very hard and that is a reason why we couldn’t get away from them. We played against a very physical and aggressive team, but never gave up. Our experience and big shots in crunch-time was the difference’, stated Fraport Skyliner guard Philipp Hadenfeldt. FC Bayern Munich played a solid game, but their 21 turnovers hurt them in different phases of the game, but especially in the fourth quarter as they couldn’t stay with Frankfurt. ‘Congrats to Frankfurt. They played a very good offensive game. We started the game well, but missing 2 key players showed in the fourth quarter as we didn’t have the strength to finish the game’, stated FC Bayern Munich 2 head coach Mihajlo Mitic.
Jordan Samare at the FT line
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were without Alexander Richardson while FC Bayern Munich 2 were without Martin Kalu, Maxwell Dongmo and Alec Agnigbata. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors began the game well going on the rapid 5-2 lead as big men Jordan Samare and Marco Voeller scored. But the guests didn’t waste any time as they got an offensive rhythm going on a 6-0 run to lead 8-5 as 2019 NBBL champions Jeremia Agyepong and beast Mohamed Silla scored as did flashy guard Amar Licina. 16 year old phenom Ivan Khartchenkov wasn’t getting shots, but instead showed his facilitation skills getting a few assists including a pretty shovel pass to Silla. But it didn’t take Khartchenkov long to finally get on the scoreboard as he drilled home a trey for the 13-7 lead. Frankfurt was having it’s ups and downs on offense, but stayed in the game due to Justin Onyejiaka’s athleticism as he scored twice in the paint to trail Munich only 15-13. FC Bayern Munich’s offense was very disciplined and they were sharing the ball well while Frankfurt didn’t have that sound rhythm yet which helped the guests close out the first quarter with a 7-2 run to lead 22-15 after 10 minutes. In the run Munich got added support from Khartchenkov with a jumper, Luxemburg U-20 national player Dan Mantz added a 20 footer and Agyepong a lay in. FC Bayern Munich Shot over 60% from the field and 40% from outside and led the rebound edge 11-5. ‘Munich sparkled with their individual class. Munich hit three’s and got good support from Licina and Skladanowski while Frankfurt’s offense was not up to par’, stated basketball expert Manuel Schust.
Ivan Khartchenkov with the pull up jumper
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors stepped up their offense in the second quarter overpowering the guests with 27 points and heightened their defense using the zone and led 42-38 at the break. Ivan Khartchenkov did start off the second quarter with a trey for the 25-25 advantage, but Frankfurt broke back going on a 6-2 run to trail Munich only 27-24. Frankfurt upped their presence in the zone and did a better job rebounding as Marco Voeller scored twice as did ex Wurzburg forward Nils Leonhardt. On his one bucket, Voeller muscled home 3 offense rebounds and finished with 5 on the night. The three’s weren’t falling so Frankfurt attacked the paint more and were rewarded. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors didn’t let up but continued to play a good zone while getting in passing lanes and forcing turnovers which allowed Frankfurt to get out on transition. This led to a 11-4 Frankfurt run and 35-31 lead. Ex Alba Berlin athletic forward Nolan Adekunle was instrumental in the run scoring 3 baskets while Philipp Hadenfeldt made an acrobatic lay in and Justin Onyejiaka also scored on transition. Frankfurt had done a pretty good job on Silla with the zone, but couldn’t keep up as the Sienna Leon center took charge in the last minutes scoring 3 times in the paint as he was a mis match problem for Frankfurt. But Frankfurt kept the upper hand and led as they got good support from Jordan Samare with 5 points and Alvin Onyia ended the second quarter with a buzzer beater lay in after getting the perfect pass from Hadenfeldt. Both teams shot over 50% from the field and despite Frankfurt rebounding better still trailed FC Bayern Munich 21-19 on the boards. ‘The Frankfurt zone worked well allowing them to play transition as Munich’s game lost pace’, added basketball expert Manuel Schust.
Justin Onyejiaka with the lay in
FC Bayern Munich won the third quarter and retook the lead 61-59. The game remained close as no team continued to be able to get away from the other. The guests got vital support from Montenegro guard Amar Licina who tested his 27% three point shooting percentage scoring back to back three’s while Christian Skladanowski also stepped up with 2 baskets. Frankfurt got baskets from Leonhardt and Samare to keep pace. Hadenfeldt had 11 assists on the night and some more spectacular than the other as he found Leonhardt for the lay in. ‘I saw Nils go to the basket in the corner of my eye. I was near the line and let the ball get away, but somehow saved it and passed it to him. He was the only option and I was lucky no Munich player was there’, commented Philipp Hadenfeldt. The next sweet pass didn’t take long as this time he fed Jordan Samare for the crushing dunk. ‘I saw that the Munich defense came up a bit leaving Jordan all alone. I made the quick pass from behind the three point line which they didn’t react quickly enough’, said Philipp Hadenfeldt. Munich kept the lead with a three pointer from 2019 NBBL champion Luis Wulf, but Frankfurt never gave up and got that instant spark again by Adekunle as he scored a trey and runner and suddenly Frankfurt stole the lead back 53-52. But Frankfurt was unable to keep the lead as FC Bayern Munich continued to execute well on offense and Luis Wulf who has been in the organization since joining the U-10 team scored 5 more points and ex IBAM (NBBBL) player Marco Frank added the needed energy form the bench with 2 baskets. Samare did add a three pointer, but Frankfurt trailed by 2 points after 30 minutes. ‘They did hit more three’s, but we just played our game and stayed with them’, stated Philipp Hadenfeldt. ‘I don’t think that it was their zone that hurt us the most, but it was their aggressiveness which we had no response to’, said Mihajlo Mitic. Both teams shot over 50% from the field, but the guests got stronger again on the boards and had the 33-23 rebound edge while Frankfurt had the 6-13 turnover advantage.
Christian Skladonowski at the FT line
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors went on a scoring spree again in the fourth quarter like they did in the second quarter with 27 points as their defense stepped up while the energy of the guests decreased. The Fraport Skyliners escaped out on a rapid 5-0 run to retake the lead 64-61 as Adekunle dropped another trey and Voeller connected on free throws. But that didn’t faze the guests as they slapped Frankfurt with a 7-0 run to retake the lead 68-64. In the run, they received a Silla lay in and Licina used his Duracell qualities with free throws and a trey. But sometimes one team just takes off and the other just shuts down and that is exactly what happened as Frankfurt went on a brutal 14-2 run to retake the lead 78-70 and decide the game. German Christian Skladanowski was removed and once that happened nothing worked anymore for the guests. He and Silla were rocks in the paint, but with his absence, Frankfurt took advantage as Voeller scored 5 points and Samare made a lay in while Adekunle made free throws for the 73-70 lead. Hadenfeldt then put a lid on the game with consecutive baskets in the paint. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors played with confidence and just took advantage of the guests wanning energy and nonending defensive pressure pushed Munich’s turnovers past 20. Khartchenkov stopped the run with a sweet 20 footer pull up jumper, but Frankfurt wanted more and added a 8-0 run to lead 86-72. In the run Frankfurt got more support from a three pointer from Adekunle and free throws form Onyia and Hadenfeldt. With the game almost over, Ivan Kharchenkov heaved up a last second three pointer from way behind center court making a buzzer beater which sweetened his scoring stats for the game. ‘Nobody thought he could ever make that when he let it go, but once it was up, it looked pretty good. I think that them getting to team fouls early helped us as well as having many offensive options that could score. We played good defense and knew their plays and took away their strengths. It also helped that they were without 2 key players’, said Philipp Hadenfeldt. ‘Skladanowski was out a month and just didn’t have more energy today. They defended aggressively until the end and changed the angles forcing us not to pass well. We had no entry’, stressed Mhajlo Mitic. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Nolan Adekunle with 22 points. Jordan Samare added 19 points while Marco Voeller added 13 points while FC Bayern Munich was led by Ivan Khartchenkov with 16 points while Smar licina had 15 points and Mohamed Silla added 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 49% form the field and 35% form outside and had 32 rebounds and 7 turnovers while FC Bayern Munich shot 53% form the field and 32% from outside and had 41 rebounds and 21 turnovers.
German Hoops 