When you play in high leagues, that NBA flair isn’t there every day but you see it every so often. And you can be sure the more a player performs at a high level against the chosen few who have had the opportunity to battle with the best in the NBA, the more the self confidence of that player rises like the steam would from the nostrils of a Shaq who has to hear the criticism of someone questioning his decision to make the movie Kazam which might not have been the biggest selling movie, but hey seeing the likable Shaq as a Genie entertaining to watch. One of those talented players but like so many players in a pool where escaping to make a NBA roster is so difficult because of little spots available is current MHP Riesen rookie Tommy Kuhse (188-G-1998, college: St.Mary’s, CA) who arrived in Germany only a few weeks ago after getting his first taste of the NBA playing in the G-League. In his first 4 games in the easyCredit BBL, he played against teams like Alba Berlin that showcased NBA draft pick Gabriele Procida where he scored 18 points in his debut and 6 days later suffered a tough loss against ratio Ulm that had ex NBA players Brandon Paul and Bruno Caboclo where he only had 7 points, but was right back at it last weekend suffering another brutal loss against Germany’s top team FC Bayern Munich where he held his own against former NBA ballers Zylan Cheatham and Freddie Gillespie. In the game he showed again what qualities he has scoring 14 points, 4 assists and 6 rebounds belonging to the best on his team. The only negative aspect were his 5 turnovers, but that can still be excused because it is never easy getting adjusted quickly to the different style overseas. Of course he battled many future NBA players in the NCAA with St Mary’s, but got his first taste of the NBA last summer playing NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic. In a game against the New York Knicks, he was the best player on the court producing 25 points and 5 steals while Knicks Miles McBride and Quentin Grimes had 23 and 22 points. In 3 games he averaged 17.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, Steals-2 (3.0spg), FGP: 71.4%, 3PT: 40.0%. He will never forget getting the opportunity and as classy as he is gives credit to others before himself. ‘I was fortunate to be on a Summer League team with a great group of guys. It was a very memorable experience that gave me a lot of confidence that I could play well at the professional level’, stressed Tommy Kuhse. He knows that playing so well against the Knicks was no fluke, but also can’t continue to look into the past, but always look ahead and know what he has to do to continue to get better. ‘I have to continue to prove myself and be consistent on both ends of the floor. Shooting the 3 at a high level consistently as well’, warned Tommy Kuhse. At the moment, the NBA is way off his radar as his main focus is helping the MHP Riesen close out the season as best they can and erase their current losing streak.

Miles meets Miles. Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with New York Knicks player Miles McBride in March 2023 in Boston

Tommy Kuhse who remembers Jalen Suggs, Andrew Nembhard and Jalen Williams as being his toughest players to oppose in the NCAA was born on January 5, 1998 in Mesa, Arizona. He attended Mountain Valley high school in Mesa that has produced some notable athletes like high class MLB players Shea Hillenbrand and Max Hall. He played baseball and basketball, but concentrated fully on basketball after his junior season. He helped lead his team to the state quarterfinals averaging 21/4/5/2 stats and attaining player of the year. After high school, he surprisingly became no offers from major schools, but more from small colleges from his area. The only division one school who showed any major interest was St Mary’s. He had a connection to head coach Randy Bennett because his dad had been high school classmates with the coach. He had to experience some growing pains in his first 2 years as he sat out his first year as a red shirt and in his second season played only 24 of the team’s 36 games and totaled only 10 points in the season. His role grew in his red shirt sophomore season as he started in 27 of 34 games and concentrated on the playmaking allowing Jordan Ford currently with the Stockton Kings chasing his NBA dream to focus on scoring. He averaged 6.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 83.0% leading the team to a 19-8 record as a starter. He had 17 points against USF and 15 points against San Diego. He added 8 points against top school Gonzaga wining the WCC tournament final, and reaching the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Villanova by 4 points. In his third season he averaged 6.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 68.6%. He played with Jordan Ford again and helped the school to a 26-8 record. He scored 20 points in the second game of the season against LBSU and also had solid games against USF and Pacific scoring 15 points apiece.

The guard who remembers the lifetime 1-1 battles with Jordan Ford as being even became the leader in his red shirt senior year as the school lost Malik Fitts and Jordan Ford tograduation. Even if it COVID was wrecking havoc he still started 24 games while averaging a whopping 35 minutes per game. His stats grew as well as he averaged 12.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 5.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 79.7%. He wasn’t only a playmaker, but now a player that could score. He scored in double figures in 15 games including a career high 34 points against Eastern Washington and 24 points against UTEP. He returned for a fifth season as a graduate and started 21 games while also slipping into a special role coming from the bench and won the WCC sixth man of the year award while averaging 12.2ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 45.0%, FT: 80.8%. He scored in double figures 18 times. He had some huge games against BYU sand USF scoring 25 points and 22 points in wins as well as hitting Santa Clara for 27 points in a big victory. But he saved his best for last in the NCAA tournament where he led his school to the 82-53 win over Indiana supplying 19 points. The school ran out of gas against UCLA ending his career as he contributed 11 points. ‘I was disappointed we didn’t play our best game against UCLA but proud of all we accomplished as a team that year’, stressed Tommy Kuhse. His time at St Mary’s is definitely a time he will never forget as well as getting all the needed guidance from head coach Randy Bennett, assistant coach Micky Mconnell who played in Germany as a professional some years back and teammate Jordan Ford. ‘Saint Mary’s is an incredibly special place. I will most cherish the relationships I formed throughout my 6 years. Winning the conference championship game was an unforgettable experience. We had a great group of guys. Villanova was a tough loss but it was my first game in the NCAA tournament which was also special. Coach Bennett is incredibly detailed and works extremely hard. He instills these qualities in his players and makes them tough. Mickey was a great mentor for me. He helped me with pick and roll play and shooting tremendously. I credit Jordan tremendously for helping me learn to score around the basket and improve my ball handling skills’, stated Tommy Kuhse.

The Arizona native who lists Jordan, Lebron, Kareem, and Magic on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore embarked on his professional career in the summer of 2022. After playing NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic, he signed a training camp agreement with the San Antonio Spurs. He was waived on October 10th and then signed with the Austin Spurs on October 24th. He had a very solid G-League campaign with Austin as he averaged averaging 8.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.1apg, 2FGP: 54.4%, 3FGP: 30.3%, FT: 81.3%. Unless you’re a big prospect who needs to be evaluated as best you can and other boarder line NBA guys, getting consistent minutes in the G-League can be like playing the lottery and as unpredictable as knowing when the New York Knicks are ever going to win a NBA title again. He averaged 20 minutes per game, but also played less than 20 minutes in 18 of the 38 games. He knew quickly that playing in a league where every player’s focus is the NBA and hunger to get there is bigger than Shaq’s appetite could ever be that his time in Texas would be no cake walk. ‘There is a ton of talent and any player can beat you on any given night’, warned Tommy Kuhse. He scored in double figures in 17games including hitting the G League Ignite for 25 points and scored 20 points against Capitanes M. Even if he didn’t play a full season in the G-League, he knows he improved in area’s of his game. ‘I felt I got adjusted to the speed of the game and improved defensively as the season went on. It’s always tough not playing but I was just focused on trying to do what I could to help the team win’, expressed Tommy Kuhse. He was waived by the Austin Spurs on February 27th, 2023.

The ex St Mary’s guard who lists Jordan and Lebron as his GOAT’s has begun a new challenge in Germany with ambitious easyCredit BBL team MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. Even if Germany is a new place for him, he definitely has connections to the country. ‘ I don’t know much about Germany or European basketball. I do know my last name ‘Kuhse’ is German and have ancestors from here way back in my lineage. My teammates have been teaching me about the league and culture and it’s been fun to hear about everything’, said Tommy Kuhse. When he got the offer to play for the MHP Riesen, it was a no brainer. ‘I was in a great organization with the Spurs for my rookie year. I did not plan to come overseas this year but had interest in playing over here at some point in my career. When the opportunity to play for Ludwigsburg came up I jumped at the chance. I was excited to play with talented players and in a system that utilizes the pick and roll well. Ludwigsburg has both. I was also excited to have a chance to compete for the playoffs’, stated Tommy Kuhse. He grew up studying Canadian Steve Nash and now studies New York Knick Jalen Brunson and is a player that strives getting into the paint, but also excels at creating opportunities for himself and his teammates. But he has also proven so far in Germany that he can be that aggressive defender currently swiping away the ball 1,5 times per game. ‘I feel I am a smart defender who can make plays on the ball. I want to continue to improve to become a really consistent defender. Transitioning from the college to professional game, players are stronger and faster’, commented Tommy Kuhse. So far he hasn’t disappointed in 4 games as he is averaging 12,5ppg 2,8rpg, and 5,3apg. He knows that in order to keep climbing the basketball ladder and moving up, he will have to keep grinding in the lab and keep fine tuning his game. ‘I want to become a point guard who can control the pace of the game and organize the team and offense in all situations is a focus of mine’, warned Tommy Kuhse. Right now his focus is on the MHP Riesen and being as successful as possible for a club that wants to make noise in the playoffs. He is playing in a system that is dominated by guard play, but so far that hasn´t affected his play in a negative way. ‘There is a lot of unknown for me but I hope my ability to attack the paint and make plays will translate well’, stressed Tommy Kuhse. It will be interesting to see how Tommy Kuhse continues to play in the next month and playoffs. He is an exciting player with massive upside and has that straight ahead focused attitude that will only spark the MHP Riesen to new heights.

.

Tags : TOMMY KUHSE, MHP RIESEN LUDWIGSBURG, GERMAN BASKETBALL