If you fancy observing great point guards in the easyCredit BBL, then you have good cards that you will see many of them. Talented guards in general are as abundant in Europe in the various leagues as a good Horaffe is in Crailsheim which is their famous pastry. But not only the Horaffe has been a trademark in the small southern city, but also their point guards in the last 4 seasons. Every season the club has had the luck and correct choice in bringing in American point guards that made a massive impact for their team. It all began in 2019-2020 when star coach Tumas Iisalo reeled in Dewayne Russell who used that season as a break out one. The next 2 incredible guards Trae Bell Haynes and TJ Shorts tore up the easyCredit BBL like no other and last season the club were enriched with Otis Livingston and James Batemon who showed their unique class. The club had found a new point guard for the 2023-204 season with Marques Townes and were hoping to keep the incredible point guard history in Crailsheim going with continued success. He is in his fifth season and was hungry to continue to show the basketball world that he can play like an impact player when he is playing his natural position. With the help of the Hakro Merlins, the coaching staff and teammates, this season could have been a huge stepping stone in his career granted if he delivered. “That’s something I also had an important conversation with Coach Nikola about. He believes he can help and guide me to take a massive step in my career. What I think separates me is that I am a tall PG who is very strong, fast and physical, also who is a 2-way defender. Every where I go I led the team in steals. I have an excellent mid range game and can also step outside the arc and hit 3s”, warned Marques Townes. Unfortunately it didn´t work out for him in Crailsheim as he was released after 3 games. The team reeled in a new player with experienced French guard Leo Westerman, but wins haven´t come with him either as the team has gone 1-6 since Towens departure. This season the rich tradition of great point guard season´s has suffered. It will be interesting to see how their season continues with new fireman coach Jussi Laakso.

Marques Townes (193-G-1995, college: Loyola, IL) who remembers Caleb Martin being the toughest player that he ever faced in the NCAA was born on September 3, 1995 in Edison, New Jersey and moved to South Amboy when he was 5 years old. He began his basketball career at Cardinal McCarrick high school where he played under head coach Joe Lewis. He spent 2 years there leading the school to a 22-7 record in his sophomore year averaging19,2ppg and 7,5rpg. At that time he was being recruited by several school´s including Virginia. He played his last 2 seasons at St Joseph high school where he formed a dominant trio together with future NBA players Karl-Anthony Towns and Wade Baldwin helping lead the school to a 30-2 record while averaging 17/5/3/2 stats. He helped win the states Tournament of Champions title and finished with 1,863 points the second most in school history. There was no doubt in his mind where Karl-Anthony Towns would land. “We all knew he would be in the NBA and it was only a matter of time. During our era in High school there was nobody like him. He could shoot, and dominate the paint anytime he wanted too. It was too easy for him”, remembered Marques Townes. He also showed his talent on the football field playing outside linebacker and garnering interest from Penn State. He was a HS All-Middlesex County First Team selection from 2011-2014 on the basketball court. He began his NCAA career at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he played 56 NCAA games averaging 9.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 56.4% and in his second season averaged 11.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 67.5%. He helped lead the school to a NEC title in 2016 and a NCAA tournament appearance where they lost to Florida Gulf Coast in the first round 96-65 where he scored 13 points. “Winning the NEC title was very special, not a lot of people don’t know I got hurt my freshman year and I just played enough games where I couldn’t get my year back, so coming back the 2nd year was amazing for me. We pretty much had everyone back and we got along very well with each other! I still talk to all those guys till this day”, said Marques Townes. He scored in double figures in 26 games including 26 points in a 87-72 loss against Mount St Mary´s.

The explosive guard who remembers drawing with teammate Clayton Custer in 1-1 battles, but actually playing against coach Drew Valentine more then played his last 2 NCAA seasons at Loyola University of Chicago playing a total of 70 NCAA games. In his junior season there he averaged 11.0ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 75.6% Right in his first season he helped the school to possibly one of the greatest March Madness runs ever leading the school to the Final 4. They strung out an unforgettable and seemingly impossible run by defeating Miami 64-62, Tennessee 63-62 and Nevada 69-68 before losing to Michigan. He still remembers which of these 3 massive wins was the craziest. “Sometimes I still sit here till this day and say to myself “man we actually did that”. That year, we changed Loyola University Chicago forever. I truly think that was one of the greatest runs ever in March Madness history. I actually just rewatched our game vs Miami not to long ago with some family I haven’t seen a whole. I think that was the craziest game because nobody had us winning besides ourselves. And to top it off, my boy Donte Ingram hit that shot to start this crazy run, and without winning that game none of that would of happened so I definitely think that one is # 1 for sure”, stated Marques Townes. He had many breathtaking games, but really had Drake´s number combining for 60 points in a 2 game span. “I don’t know what it was about playing Drake, but I always had my best games against them. Definitely those were some games to remember probably some of top games in college for sure”, added Marques Townes. In his senior year he was able to make another step averaging 15.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 76.2%. The school reached March Madness again, but this time there would be no renewed Cinderella story as they lost in the first round to Creighton. In his 2 year career there he scored in double figures in 49 games including his masterful 32 point and 28 point explosions in wins against Drake and 26 points in a win over Bradley. He wouldn´t have developed into the player he is today without getting that last push from head coach Porter Moser. “I always say, and will continue to say, Coach Moser is the best coach I have ever had in all my basketball career till this day. He knows exactly how to lead a team, how to get you to play together, to focus on the details, and to create a culture. He has definitely groomed me as a player. I miss him a lot, I wish he can coach in Europe he would be great”, stressed Marques Townes.

Before starting his professional career overseas, the New Jersey native who lists. Wade Baldwin, Karl-AnthonyTowns, Breein Tyree, Cameron Krutwig, and Clayton Custer as his 5 best teammates of all-time got experience playing one NBA Summer league game for the Chicago Bulls against the New Orleans Pelicans. “The coaching staff just told me to stay ready, you never know when your number will be called. So, I had to just keep supporting the team and if my number was called to play as hard as I can”, said Marques Townes. Most guys never make the ACB in Spain which belongs to the top 2 leagues overseas with the Euroleague, but he signed with Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB as a rookie averaging 6.1ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 91.7%. Most Americans coming overseas for the first time experience that wake up call to being far away from home, but he didn´t really have that as he fell in love right away with his surroundings. It also shows now as he has been permanently been living in Europe currently in Cyprus. He played only 14 ACB games as a rookie, but was pretty effective in the games he played averaging 6.1ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 91.7%. Maybe coming to the ACB as a rookie was a step to early for his development. “I absolutely still feel like I belong and can play at the highest league in Europe, but to unfortunate and uncontrollable circumstances, I wasn’t put in a good situation from the start of my career. I should have played in a league like Germany, France, Belgium, or Lithuania to start my career so I can actually play like I do now. I didn’t have the opportunity in Spain being so young and playing with loads of talent and veterans”, expressed Marques Townes. He scored in double figures 3 times including 12 points against Baskonia. He returned back to Murcia in his second pro season, but that stay was short as he averaged only 9 minutes per game averaging 1,8ppg. The whole experience was very disappointing as it seemed like he was lost in the shuffle of numerous Americans. “It was very tough for me mentally. I still don’t understand why I didn’t play because they extended my contract and brought me for the 20-21 season. I even had good conversations with the coaching staff and general management on how excited they were to bring me back. But I found out in the end that the head coach (even though he’s a good guy), didn’t like my playing style at all, so my agent told me it’s best to leave so they do not ruin my career. We also had 13 players and 6 Americans so each game someone had to be left off the roster”, commented Marques Townes. He attempted to save his season by signing with top Estonian team BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn. He played in 3 competitions and despite not playing a central role, he did win his first pro chip. “It was very late at the end of March I joined. I couldn’t really fit in properly because it was so late in the season. So, I was only there for 1 1/2 months because it ended beginning of May. To be honest it was a good way to go out, but I didn’t really feel like I earned that because I came so late in the season. But, I’m happy that I can have that on my resumé”, said Marques Townes. He scored 16 points against VTB League team Enisey and 16 points against Tarvas.

The ex teammate of NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns who lists Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and SHAQ on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore split his third professional season in countries Lithuania and France. He played with Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys (Lithuania-LKL) averaging 11.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.0apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 46.8%, 3FGP: 28.0%, FT: 75.0%, and with Union Tours Metropole Basket (France-ProB) averaging 11.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 81.1%. “I went through a very rough patch that year dealing with family issues that led me to leave Lithuania. Lithuania does have passionate fans from what I remember, but playing in France I think they have the best 2nd beat crowds I have played in right behind Spain”, remembered Marques Townes. He scored 21 points against Jonava. He ended that season with a bang in France as in his last game pulled off 25 points in an exciting 87-86 win over Nantes. “That will be a game I will remember forever, because during the 3rd quarter of that game I broke my hand. I felt it snap, but I wanted to continue because I was playing well. I finished the game and we won. Unfortunately my season ended there and had to get surgery”, added Marques Townes. He had another super game against St-Chamond in a losing cause with 22 points. Last season he played with Duna Aszfalt-DTKH Kecskemet (Hungary-A Division) averaging 16.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.0apg, Steals-5 (1.8spg), FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 70.2%. It was his best season as a professional and definitely one that was vital for his self-confidence coming to the easyCredit BBL. “The League is actually more competitive than I expected. I enjoyed the competitive aspect of the league. And also, fans of Hungarian basketball go crazy for their teams and it was really cool to see and play”, stressed Marques Towns. He was teammates with Slovenian legend Jaka Klobucar and was like a sponge during the season. “He is still a solid player, he taught me things that I should improve and work on if I want to get to the next level”, said Marques Townes. He scored in double figures in 30 games and scored 20 points or more 11 times including 29 points a piece against Kormend and the OSE Lions and 28 points against Arconic-Alba.

The ex MVC player of the year who lists Lebron James as his GOAT and never saw the sequel to the classic Coming to America as classics should be left alone came to the Hakro Crailsheim Merlins last summer. It became a a new country to his resume, but he has no problem being that basketball globetrotter. “The thing I enjoy most is I get to travel the world with my wife, and also experience different cultures. I also get to know many people through Orthodoxy, I have made great relationships with many priests”, said Marques Townes. He didn´t need to do any homework about Germany mainly because there have been so many guys he knows that have balled there. “ I know that in Germany it is very strong in basketball. I think it’s definitely one of the top European basketball leagues in Europe. My friend Aher Ugak is there currently who I played with at Loyola, my friend Tai Odiase, Amir Bell (High school Rival), Justin Robinson, Otis Livingston, James Batemon, Jonah Radebaugh, Barry Brown, Justin Simon, Jehyve Floyd, to be honest there’s so many others I just can´t think of right now, but those are some who come off the top of my head”, added Marques Townes. Even if he got some feedback from ex Merlins guard James Batemon about Germany and the Hakro Merlins, coming to the easyCredit BBL was a no brainer as he now has the great opportunity to make his real breakthrough in a top league. “The most important decision was the opportunity. My first 2 years in Europe I was not playing my role (playing the 2 sometimes even 3 position in Spain, Estonia, Lithuania, France). It was a bit frustrating because in college I was PG my senior year when I won (POY). I am very thankful for the Coach in Hungary last year, because I made a great season in Hungary last year playing the PG role. Ingo and Coach Nikola seen my ability and we had great conversations, and they now brought me in to be the teams PG. So to be able to be the PG and leader of this team and competing in the BBL, I could never pass up this opportunity. And also, from what I seen already, I know we will be a very competitive team this year in BBL”, warned Marques Townes. His point guard predecessors in Crailsheim all could score the ball, but also knew when to dish. But Marques Townes doesn´t only have scoring to dazzle the fans with. “I am a scoring guard, but naturally I am pass first guard. Not a lot of people know this. My passing ability is one of my strong suits, so I can´t wait to see what I can do out there this year with such a strong team surrounding me. My confidence it’s at high altitude right now, I’m very excited to get started”, warned Marques Townes. His easyCredit BBL time was short, but the ambitious baller probably will have a new club soon and have success elsewhere. If you don´t succeed at first then try try again. Who knows maybe he will land elsewhere in Germany. Then perhaps he will be able to show the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim that they shouldn´t have given up on him so rapidly.