Sometimes you see a player and some time later you realize that was the last time you ever saw him play competitively in a professional game overseas. That happened to me in the second half of last season as I did play by play of a Pro B game between the Dragons Rhondorf and the EN Baskets Schwelm. The guy that I saw for the last time play without knowing it was Robert Nortmann (204-F/C-1987, college: Dalhousie). He was a guy that I would discover for the first time in the 2017-2018 season when he had his first tour of duty in Germany. His playing resume stood out to me instantly because he had had an interesting career. A career like so many guys overseas that consisted of nonstop grinding in the lab and having to play in lower leagues, but feeling grateful for playing the game he loves for a living.. He would play 4 of his last 5 years in Germany and one could say that Germany became like a second home for him. Interviewing guys like this that have a story to tell is always fascinating for me. But surprisingly even if he decided to hang up his jersey after 8 professional seasons, his out of the ordinary life will continue after banging on the court in Germany. Over the years the Canadian native has had a special bond to Toronto and recently had the unbelievable rare opportunity to film a commercial with Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam. ‘There was a casting call for high level, tall basketball players and luckily I was able to get the role. It was a really cool experience, and it’s actually my 4th national commercial that I’ve done in my life. I’ve done two commercials for the Toronto Raptors and one for NBA League Pass. I recently got an agent for acting and I’m looking to take this more seriously’, stressed Robert Nortmann. He has had a special connection to the Toronto Raptors organization since 2017 when he was able to practice with them and has cherished every moment with them. ‘I was able to train with the Raptors farm team in both the fall of 2017 and 2019. I made a few contacts in university that actually ended up working for the Toronto Raptors. I played against Harry Ezenibe in university and he became an assistant coach with the Raptors. I also knew Shelby Weaver, who is on the Raptors basketball operations staff, and she encouraged me to try out and work out with their farm team. The Raptors organization does a good job of identifying the top players in Toronto and giving them an opportunity to display their ability. It was amazing being coached by Jerry Stackhouse in 2017. He instilled a lot of confidence in me and it was just cool to be around a former NBA All-star. I had many battles with NBA Champion Joel Anthony that helped to sharpen my abilities. I also was training with some players who would eventually play in the BBL like Kaza Kajami-Keane and Aaron Best. That Raptors opportunity definitely helped me to easily transition to the Pro A level in Germany’, said Robert Nortmann. A new life has started for Robert Nortmann as he went from Schwelm to making a Mcdonalds commercial with Toronto Raptor Pascal Siakam.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Robert Nortman in Rhondorf, Germany in 2022

The 35 year old forward who played like NBA allstar Draymond Greene as a player played 4 years at Dalhousie University (CIS) and finally broke out in his senior year averaging : 14.6ppg, 6.4rpg, FGP: 49.4%, FT: 61.7%, but that didn’t guarantee him a free pass to higher leagues. He won 2 AUS titles and hit St Francis X for 30 points. He played his rookie season down under with the Maitland Mustangs (Australia-WARATAH) averaging 18.0ppg, FGP: 54.6%, FT: 56.1%, but that didn’t secure him any offers from Europe. Instead he played the next 3 seasons in Canada for teams like the Halifax Rainmen (Canada NBL) and Island Storm. He never averaged more than 2,0ppg in Canada, but his determination to play the game he loves never waned. In 2017 he finally made it to Europe and played 4 years in Germany and one in Iceland. His best season was in Iceland with UMF Sindri Hofn (Iceland-D1) averaging 16.2ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 64.8%, but one has to remember that the league in Iceland was not the same kind of level as the Pro A in Germany where he balled for three years. In total he played 58 Pro A games for Trier and Tuebingen with his most memorable games being a 16/11 explosion against Ehingen and hit Baunach for 14 points. He never averaged more than 4,0ppg in the Pro A. He played his last season with the EN Baskets Schwelm in the third division called Pro B averaging 5.8ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 47.9%, FT: 46.3%. For me it was always a riddle why he didn’t get more of an opportunity as an offensive player. Ok so in the Pro A, it was more difficult, but why not last season in the Pro B? ‘I would have definitely liked to have been featured more on offense. It’s always more fun to play when you know that you are trusted to make plays with the ball. I know that I definitely could have done more offensively if I was given more touches and minutes. As a big man, you depend on your guards to get you the ball. If they would rather shoot than throw it inside it’s hard to have a consistent impact offensively. I made the most of this situation and just tried my best to impact winning.’, remembered Robert Nortmann. Many leagues around the world are filled with guys looking to make a name for themselves and better themselves and continue to climb the basketball ladder. The best example is the G-League where many guys are playing for their stats. It isn’t any different in the Pro B. ‘I’ve noticed that at the Pro B level there are many young guys looking to make a name for themselves. So guys can end up playing for their next contract instead of playing team basketball. Those players all had the green light to shoot freely and I can’t fault young, hungry players who are trying to make a name for themselves. This is the business of basketball and this typical behavior at these levels. I know that I play basketball the right way and I don’t play for my statistics, which has also hurt my career at times. I always play for the W’s and I try to make the right team basketball plays. So personally, I measure my success with team wins and losses. I am happy that we were able to turn our season around and that we got a lot of W’s last season.

The big forward who’s dad is German and from Hamburg didn’t have a great last season to go out in the sunset totally content as his shooting was up and down, but there were other area’s in how he performed where he was content with. ‘I just felt that my ability was undervalued and this resulted in inconsistent minutes. I showed my ability and I proved my value on the court last season. I was happy with the way that I performed in this difficult situation. I believed that I should have had more touches and overall minutes. There was no emphasis on getting the ball inside and I believe that the bigs were underutilized last season. Schwelm had two of the most talented bigs in Pro B. Both Daniel Mayr and I brought a lot of complimentary abilities to the team that could have really worked well together. But we were often competing for minutes when I feel that we should have both been on the court together. There were many times where I felt that I was running, defending and setting screens without being rewarded offensively for my effort. The ball movement was our team’s achilles heel and it frequently led to isolation basketball from the perimeter’, remembered Robert Nortmann. Last season he had some solid games against Duesseldorf and Bernau and he will never forget his one season in Schwelm. ‘My fondest moment would have to be bringing my daughter on the court after our win at home in the playoffs. That was a very special moment for me and I’ll always cherish that experience. The Schwelm fans were fantastic and they really showed me and my family so much love. They nicknamed my daughter Zaia “die kleine Maus” (little mouse) and I loved bringing her to all of the home games’, expressed Robert Nortmann. In the Pro A his toughest opponent is current easyCredit BBL player Owen Klassen and last season remembers playing against a real thorn, a guy that is a walking bucket and has given multiple teams head aches over the last years with his ability to shine on the 1-1 play. ‘The best big man that I played against was Bill Borekambi. He gave our team a lot of problems last season. His mobility and unorthodox midrange game was really hard for us to guard defensively. He was especially effective out of the pick and roll and off ball cutting situations. I like his game a lot’, warned Robert Nortmann.

So now let’s fast forward to 2023. The ex national player of the Bahamas that has Jordan, Lebron, Kobe and Kareem on his personal NBA Mount probably would have enjoyed continuing his professional career, because his love for the game is so massive, but there were outside factors that effected his decision to hang it up. ‘There was interest and offers but I had decided to focus on creating stability for my family. I had told myself that I would only take a job if it was really financially beneficial to my family. And with the pandemic and the war in the Ukraine, the market just isn’t the same. So unfortunately I couldn’t accept any of the offers as they couldn’t provide mt family what we needed. I love playing basketball but it was time to focus on something more important than the game’, stressed Robert Nortmann. Many don’t recognize that so many ballers overseas have the stress of moving around with family. Toronto is home for him now as his wife Maddie is from there. It was only logical with both his and her families being in Toronto to move there. Their one and a half year old daughter Zaia needs the family support and stability He has transitioned into teaching and is working on his Masters of Science in adolescent education. He also teaches physical education at a Montessori school here in Toronto. The guy is just oozing with lots of energy for many projects and even if he isn’t playing professionally overseas, he is still on the court a lot besides when he is making commercials. ‘I started my own basketball team in Toronto, named “Team Triple Threats”. My goal is to get my team into the TBT “The Basketball Tournament” and to get into the FIBA 3X3 circuit with my team. I have recruited some talented former pro players to my team. Former Canadian National Team member Brady Heslip currently plays on my team and I have other players who have played at various other levels professionally. I am definitely looking forward to moving forward with this project. I am also very interested in the opportunities that are afforded by the CEBL and FIBA 3X3. I would love to either continue my playing career or transition into the coaching field with the CEBL. I have been playing in four different leagues in Toronto. All four of my teams have won the championship in their respective leagues, so I know that I still have some game left in the tank. There are a lot of options and opportunities right now. I’m just happy that I’m finally putting down roots and creating a home for my family’, expressed Robert Nortmann.

He has so many projects in his new life now that you wonder if 24 hours a day is even enough for the ambitious 206cm big man to be able to tackle every challenge and task? Even if he didn’t play at the highest level, he has battled against some guys that 1000’s of guys world wide couldn’t say they ever did and might be a bit envious. ‘I’ve been lucky enough to play against many players with NBA experience over my career. I’ve shared the court with Klay Thompson, Anthony Bennett, Deandre Ayton, Stanley Johnson, Dwight Powell, Pascal Siakam, Quincy Miller, Buddy Hield, Corey Joseph, Joel Anthony, Brandon Jennings, and many other NBA players. You can definitely see abilities that makes these players NBA level. I’ve also always gotten respect from these high level players for my abilities as well. I feel like I can go to any court at any level and contribute to winning basketball’, warned Robert Nortmann. How about writing a book about your experiences playing against them? I would buy it. Over the years my last question in interviews has been who is the GOAT Jordan or Lebron? The older gents say Jordan and the younger generation usually go with Lebron. Recently I have asked who currently the best player is? Most say Steph Curry while Giannis and Luka are a second and third. But you would never guess who Robert Nortmann said. ‘Is it too early to say now that Luca Doncic is the best player in the NBA or is a guy like Steph and Giannis ahead of him? I would have to say that Nikola Joki is the best player in the NBA right now. He is like nothing that we have ever seen before and he is an unbelievable teammate. I have to show love to the big men that keep everyone involved’, stressed Robert Nortmann. Or becoming a story teller would be another thing he could do if he had 48 hours per day. It is definitely never boring with Robert Nortmann. You definitely never know what you will get from him.