Foto credit Christian Becker

Ryan Schwieger (198-G-1999, college: Loyola, IL) is a 24 year old 198cm guard from North Carolina that completed his rookie season with Rasta Vechta averaging 14.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 63.1%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 80.6%. He began his basketball career at Weddington high school. He then played at Princeton (NCAA) from 2017-2020 improving his scoring average each season. He played his senior year at Loyola University of Chicago (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 9.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 80.4%. he spoke to germanhoops.com after his rokkie season.

Thanks Ryan for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on winning your first pro title as a rookie with Rasta Vechta. If someone had told you in September you will be Pro A champ what would you have thought?

Rasta is a club that expects to compete at the highest level and puts forth the effort to do so, so even back at the beginning of the season we all had championship expectations. It would’ve been great to know we were going to win that early on! But it’s still tough to win any championship and doing so in my first year is a blessing.

How rapidly did you notice in the fall that there was a winning culture in Vechta? What is so special about the organization Rasta Vechta that you won’t see in other places?

I knew before I even joined the team that Rasta will not settle to be a mediocre club, and that was only confirmed getting there in the fall. I think in Vechta there is a real culture around the team that makes you feel proud to wear the jersey and play in front of those fans every game.

The club went into the season with high expectations and rolled over the competition. How important was it for your game coming into this winning culture and performing well at a high level?

We started off the season very well in large part to the leadership and play of the returners / vets. Tajuan Agee, Joel Aminu, and Chip Flanigan in particular dominated our first game against Artland and the next few, which really set the expectation for the younger guys like myself that we were on a mission that season

The Pro A finals are always 2 games with the winner having the best scores in the 2 games. How strange was that 78-78 score in game 1? Were you still waiting for the OT period to come?

I really can’t believe we tied a basketball game even now, but at the same time it almost felt inevitable in a way. Tuebingen was such a good team and we had been neck and neck all season and I mean the tie really was the fairest representation of the teams at that point I think.

Was the 78-78 more an advantage or disadvantage from your perspective for Rasta Vechta or for the Tigers? You as a team must of felt very confident with the incredible fans going into the second game?

I think tying the first game was sort of a win for us. Especially with how the game went, we were down in the first half and came back to end in a tie. I think even if they had won by one point, it would have been a totally different feeling between games 1 and 2 even though score-wise it’s not that big of a difference. Coming back to our home arena and our fans it did feel like we have all the advantage and we were in a great position to win.

Vechta had the 8 point lead in the fourth quarter but the guests made a furious comeback and trailed only 63-61. What do you remember going through your head at that time?

They actually did the same thing in the first game we played them in Vechta where Julius Wolf hit the game winner at the buzzer. I think they took the lead late in both games. But I know the guys that we had on our team and know that we have the ability to make big shots and get big stops so I wasn’t too worried. It was more about withstanding their run and not losing our cool.

You made some massive shots in crunch time. How confident were you feeling with your game and how good did it feel getting the call where anyone else could have been the go to guy?

Honestly I wasn’t really thinking about my game at all, at that point all that matters is winning the game however you have to do it. Joshka Ferner made a big 3 to put us back in the lead. I ended up scoring a layup and some free throws but it’s really because the defense has to worry about guys like Joshka, Joel (who scored 30+ points the last 2 games), and Tajuan that I was able to have success late.

How highly can you credit the season of Tuebingen? What did you respect most from the team?

Tuebingen really was an awesome team. Hard to say what I respect the most but it seemed like they were always the team that we kept our eye on all season and knew that we would have to get past them to win the championship. Of the four games we played them we won one at the buzzer, tied a game, they won by 10 or so and we won by 7 or 8 in the last game. So in my mind the teams were literally right there with each other all season and we just pulled it out in the end.

How was the celebration night? When did you finally go to sleep and what will you never forget from the party night?

The celebration was great. Rasta fans know how to party.

Rasta Vechta reminded me a lot of top Pro B EPG Baskets Koblenz who won the pro B title. They like you had a very deep and talented roster. They had an incredible chemistry. What was your team’s biggest strength?

I think our biggest strength was our competitiveness. From day 1 of practice we were going at each other and competing so much that it almost got too much at times and we had to dial it back. But once we got to the games and especially the playoffs, there was just no way that we were going to lose.

Two of the team’s main components were Joel Aminu and Tajuan Agee. Talk a little about what you appreciated most from them on the court?

Like the question before, these two guys were probably the most competitive and never were okay with losing in anything. Once it got to game time with these two guys on our team, I knew we would be in good shape. As players also they both really carried us a lot during the season. Tajuan’s physicality and scoring ability, combined with his unselfishness, made him such a problem for other teams and he would just impact the game so much. Joel was similar in the guard position. His confidence and shot making were huge for us down the stretch, especially in those two 30 point games, but I think his impact on defense was underrated and really allowed us to dominate teams on both ends.

Who was the team unsung hero and who improved the most from the young Americans?

Unsung hero maybe Siler Schneider? It’s hard to say because I think as a team we recognized and appreciated everybody for what they brought. Siler coming in during the season brought such a great attitude, along with his ball handling, playmaking and scoring, that he had the ability to kind of guide the team at times and keep us playing well and together. Also hard to say who improved the most. Naz , Andrew and I all were important to us winning in different ways. Naz is a matchup nightmare for other teams who also changes games with his energy and motor. Drew’s scoring and shooting ability along with his defense and athleticism make him so impactful on both ends that he could carry us in games. They both could.

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 14/2/3 stats and shot 41% from outside. What was your personal summary of your rookie season in terms of your game?

My shooting numbers are good but I’ve really got to improve the passing and rebounding. I think the assists will come naturally but I do think I’ve got to focus a lot more on rebounding the ball especially for my size

You were very consistent as a rookie. How tough was it being that scorer you knew you were despite playing on a team where many guys could score and had the ball in their hands?

The only difficult thing for me was balancing scoring and setting guys up. I learned how to do it better as the year went on but can still really improve at that. The great thing was that we had such versatile players that it allowed us all to incorporate our strengths into the game really. Julius, Tajuan, and Naz were great playmakers as bigs, so it let the guards play off the ball and score. And then Robbie and Joshka and other guys were elite at scoring the ball efficiently so it helped really open up the court.

You have continued to improve your three point shooting percentages. How do you feel did your game grow in general in the German pro A?

I felt I got a lot better this season. I worked a lot with the coaches individually and then just through competing at practice and in the games they let me play through mistakes and learn on the fly. So Im really grateful for how much they helped me improve.

What was it like working together with head coach Ty Harrellson. How did he help let your game grow best this season?

Coach Harrelson was a player himself, and a big point guard, so he really understood what position I was in and he always knew how to help me. He also really lets his players play their game and doesn’t try to take anything away from them so it lets you play confident and free, which is the best thing you can feel as a player.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the German pro A this season?

Mike Flowers gave us about 40 in Vechta so i’m going to go with him.

You played 3 seasons at Princeton (NCAA) and improved your stats each season. How blessed were to play for Mitch Henderson? What kind of a relationship did you have with him and how did your game grow under his guidance?

I have a great relationship with coach Henderson. Both on and off the court. He taught me how to compete, how to be in shape, and how to really improve and get better. Off the court though he taught me a lot as well, how to make good meaningful relationships and how to really care for the people around you.

In your second season you lost by 51 points to Duke (NCAA). Do you remember having a wow moment seeing Zion Williamson up close?

Zion is legit. RJ Barret was the only who really killed us though. Definitely the biggest loss of my career. Did you have to bring that up ?

You then finished at Loyola University of Chicago (NCAA) averaging 9.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 80.4%. How special was it winning the MVC title beating Drake? What will you always cherish from that title?

Playing at Loyola was awesome. They have a culture of winning that is really great to be a part of. I’ll really just cherish the time I spent with my teammates and coaches there and how much I learned from all of them.

How did head coach Drew Valentine groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

I think the world of Drew. I really think he is a special coach that will be great for years to come. He does a great job of balancing the relationship of being your coach and holding you accountable, to being family off the court and helping you as much as you can with whatever he can. I’m forever thankful for letting me come to Loyola and be a part of their program

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Aher Uguak?

Me of course. We used to play everyday after practice and he never beat me one time. He’ll deny it though.

Who was your toughest player you face din the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I’d have to say RJ Barret. Chimezie Metu also really killed us when we played USC.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Chip Flanigan , Lucas Williamson, Richmond Aririguzoh, Amir Bell , Tate Hall

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan , Lebron, Kobe , Magic

Who is your basketball GOAT?

Mike

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

Yes and no.

Thanks Ryan for the chat.

Tags : RYAN SCHWIEGER, RASTA VECHTA, GERMAN BASKETBALL