Earl Rowland (189-PG-1983, college: SMC) is a 40 year old guard from California that recently completed his 18th professional season. He began his basketball career at Palma High School and then played at three schools called California State University Dominguez Hills (NCAA2), Hartnell College (NJCAA) and Saint Mary’s College of California (NCAA). He began his professional career in 2005 and has played in countries like Australia, Latvia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Israel, Russia, Iran and Poland. He played 2 seasons in Germany for the Artland Dragons and for the Telekom Baskets bonn. Last season at age 39, he played for Tauron GTK Gliwice (Poland-EBL) playing 27 games averaging 15.2ppg, 3.9rpg, Assists-2 (7.9apg), 1.0spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 81.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks EJ for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you? You just completed your 18th pro season and your 40. I guess your wheels just aren’t falling off yet?
Everything is good Miles. My season has finished so I’m home in Madrid. I feel the best I have in years so I guess not.
You had a stellar season with Tauron GTK Gliwice (Poland-EBL) averaging 7,9apg. How well can one rate the Polish league? I think that was the most assists you ever averaged in a season as a professional. You had 16 assists in a game. Did the playmaking dog in you finally get released?
My team played in the PLK, which is the top league in Poland. I’m not %100 sure but it probably is the first time I averaged over 8 assists. I’ve led some leagues in assists before and been close a couple other times throughout my career. My playmaking developed a lot over the years as the game slowed down.
What kind of an experience was the ACB playing with Malaga and Fuenlabrada. What was your fondest moment there?
The ACB is a great league. The knowledge of the game, skillsets, atmosphere and pace are all high level.
You also played a season in Iran? Did you have any cool stories from a visit in a palace?
I was only in Iran a couple months for the playoffs. We were basically in a bubble so I didn’t see much but everyone treated me well in my time in Tehran
How much longer can you still play? Will you be back in 2023-2024?
I feel great and have plenty to offer a team. I’d love to play another year.
The Telekom Baskets Bonn once again couldn’t pull out a final. It was another loss to Ulm in their sixth try? Is there a jinx? I compared them to the Buffalo Bills once.
Bonn had a great run this year, especially winning the Champions League title. They had a tough ending in the German league but their season was still a success.
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 follow all my former teams from afar. Bonn will always be a special place to me though, that was one of my favorite seasons.
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?
That team was really well put together. We had talent, toughness, chemistry and a competitive edge.
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?
Bobo is easily one of the most talented players I’ve played with. He had an extraordinary season, I can’t remember him losing a matchup
How will you remember John Bowler most? He was an unorthodox player that also had a original character and humor.
John had great energy, he always seemed to be in a good mood. He didn’t ace the eye test but he really had game too
What memories will you always have of Ken Johnson? Was he the gentle giant of the court?
Ken was a great athlete with super long arms and exceptional timing. I was surprised when he didn’t block a shot
Bonn began the playoffs by sweeping Ulm. Could the series have changed for the worse had Bonn not won game 2 71-69?
It always gets tricky in the playoffs. Ulm came ready to play and gave us a nice test.
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?
Jeff Gibbs was special. Dude was only a little taller than me but definitely was a problem
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?
I can’t remember all the details but Alba was tough. Winning game 5 in their Arena felt like a movie.
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?
Yea, that one still hurts when I think about it. It took me forever to even be able to watch it.
Talk a little about the last seconds. How do you remember witnessing them?
The momentum kept swinging back and forth. From being up 3 on the road with less than 30 seconds left to watching the other team celebrate. Basketball is an amazing sport but it isn’t always sweet.
What was the difference in the series? Could Bonn had won the series keeping Ricky Paulding better in check?
We did everything we needed to do to win except close.
Please name your starting 5 of favorite Bonn teammates?
That whole team was special, we really were a unit.
Who won a 1-1 you or Winsome Frazier?
Frazier won’t like my answer so I’ll stay quiet on that one haha. He could really score though
Who do you remember being the toughest player that you battled in Germany?
There were a lot of good players in the league but I think Julius Jenkins was the guy everyone was trying to catch at that time
How would the 08-09 Bonn team faired against the 22-23 team?
I haven’t seen the current team play live but I’m sure it would be a good series.
Thanks EJ for the chat.
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