Timothy Clifford (211-C-1986) is a former professional player that played 1 season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn in the 2008-2009 season playing 29 BBL games averaging 1,9ppg and 1,0rpg and played 12 Eurochallenge games averaging 3,7ppg and 1,7rpg. He began his basketball career at Walpole High School and then played at Holy Cross (NCAA) from 2004-2008 playing 114 NCAA games and as a senior averaged 18.0ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2apg, 0.7spg, 2.3bpg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 78.2%, 3PT: 33.3%. He looked back on the magical Bonn season of 2008-2009 during the 2023 BBL finals.

Thanks Tim for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Living near my hometown with my wife Jess and our 3 kids Jack, Jameson, and Maggie. Im working as a Middle School history teacher. Our family is happy and healthy. Life is good. I play the occasional men’s league with some former players but it’s just for fun now. It’s more about my kid’s sports now. My oldest loves hockey.

You retired in 2009. You played one season but went out almost in style reaching the BBL final. Could you have played longer or did you get some kind of other good opportunity off the court that you simply couldn’t give up?

I could have played longer but it seemed like a better long term plan to pursue my career in education and for my wife to work toward her career in Anesthesia.

How have you been keeping busy since you retired in 2010? Do you still have some kind of ties to the game?

I have been mostly focused on career and family. I coached a few years at the high school level but gave it up when my oldest son was born. Otherwise I read, spend time with friends, and play the occasional men’s league. Mostly I give my time to my kids.

You played at Holy Cross from 2004-2008 and had the pleasure of playing with 3 great guards with Kevin Hamilton, Keith Simmons and Torey Thomas. How do you remember them best?

As good teammates, good leaders, and good people.

In your junior year you lost a tough 57-45 game to Duke. What memories do you have of that game playing against future NBA guys like Gerald Henderson and Lance Thomas?

I remember that the Cameron Crazies weren’t as bad as the Bucknell fans.

Who was the toughest center that you battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

The center from Dayton OH who I played my senior year, can’t think of a name though.

You came to Bonn in 2008 after having a sensational senior year averaging 18/5. Did you expect your rookie season to be easier than how it went? You hardly played for head coach Mike Koch.

I didn’t go in expecting much playing time. I knew I was a backup.

I can imagine one of your most memorable BBL games was the win against Bamberg where you had 9 points. What do you remember form that game?

Not a thing. I know that sounds funny but it was a lifetime ago.

You helped the Telekom Baskets Bonn reach the final in 2009. Bonn is back in the final for the first team as they had an incredible season. Do you still follow your ex team?

I don’t but I wish them and the city all the best. It was a lovely place to play and live. My memories of the city are fond and will always stick more than any particular game.

The 2008-2009 Bonn was a special team that finished the regular season in fourth place. What do you remember being this team’s biggest strength?

Comadre among players and good coaching

The team had 2 ex NBA players with Ken Johnson and Vincent Yarbrough and a third player by the name of Brandon Bowman who I felt should always have made it. How important was his play for the success of the team?

Obviously important to the team.

How will you remember John Bowler most? He was an unorthodox player that also had a original character and humor.

As a good friend and a good teammate.

What memories will you always have of EJ Rowland? The guy just completed his 18th season at age 40. I guess his wheels never fell off.

He was a really good leader and quality person.

Bonn began the playoffs by sweeping Ulm. Could the series have changed for the worse had Bonn not won game 2 71-69?

Yes.

Is Jeff Gibbs one of those guys that you will never forget playing against? How does a 22 centimeter advantage that Ken Johnson still give a big man problems? Was he one of the greatest undersized bigs you ever saw?

He was a great player but Germany was full of great bigs.

The Alba Berlin series was crazy. Bonn won the first 2 games combined by 5 points and looked like the final was an easy bet , but then they strapped up the defense and allowed Bonn to average 40 points in the next 2 games. What did they change up?

In the playoff they picked up the intensity

Then came the crazy final against Oldenburg. Bonn was always up a game, but Oldenburg always fought back. Was the 71-70 loss in game 5 your toughest loss in your career?

It was certainly up there

Talk a little about the last seconds. How do you remember witnessing them?

It’s been a while but it was an emotional moment.

What was the difference in the series? Could Bonn had won the series keeping Ricky Paulding better in check? 
Yes.

Please name your starting 5 of favorite Bonn teammates?

They were all such lovely people I can’t choose.

Who won a 1-1 you or John Bowler?

Me

Who do you remember being the toughest center that you battled in Germany?

Chris McNaughton

The Telekom Baskets Bonn are down 01 in the best of 5 series against Ulm. What is your prediction?

I’m late replying but I hope they pulled it out!

Thanks Tim for the chat.