Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and DJ Woodmore in Frankfurt

Times really seems to fly when all you do is cover basketball all day. I can remember seeing DJ Woodmore (190-SG-1992, college: VWU) play for the first time in his rookie season almost 10 years ago in Frankfurt. Back then he had a solid game with 21 points, but little else worked for the Bis Baskets Speyer as they lost by 21 points. He would rebound in the return game in Speyerthat season guiding his team to a great 94-84 victory as he poured in 25 points. Nobody on the Frankfurt team are around in 2024, but some things never change as only 2 people are left from that Speyer team head coach Carl Mbassa and Woodmore in 2024. Another thing also doesn´t change and that is the yearly birthday. The Virginia native Woodmore recently turned 32 years of age and times really has flown by. “It feels amazing. 10 years since I moved to Germany and I feel thankful to still be playing at a pretty high level. I never would have thought 10 years ago, I would have been in this position. Very thankful. Time has moved fast. I definitely learned to embrace and take in the moments. The time with the family and friends is everything. But also the time by myself means just as much. I´m extremely thankful for the people that are still around to make the day special”, stated DJ Woodmore. Having to celebrate that birthday in the prime time of winter overseas isn´t always easy when you can´t have all family and friends around from stateside. But when you have been overseas as long as he has, you get used to it the same way you do with food and other facets of the German culture. “I’ve adjusted and learned to make the most of the day regardless where I am and if I can see someone in person or not”, stressed DJ Woodmore. After being overseas so long, birthdays tend to become more of a routine than something being unique. “Wake up, practice, answer some texts and phone calls, relax, and practice again! Summer birthdays are probably a little better I’d suppose”, said DJ Woodmore.

Only a few weeks ago, the ex Virginia Wesleyan College (NCAA3)guard who wants the 49ers to win the Superbowl, but knows it´s tough to bet against Mahomes hit Ludwigsburg for 40 points which was a career high and that began a 3 game winning streak for the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer. They did lose last week against Coburg, but still the team is playing their best basketball of the season having won 3 of their last 4 games. “I think the chemistry and some of the younger guys having a bit more confidence and experience has set it. It feels like everybody is still on the same page and also having Marko back, helps us big time”, warned DJ Woodmore. At the moment they are in 10th place and fighting for the last playoff spot just 1win away. Only 2 wins separate the 4th team from 10th team Speyer. There are still 8 games to play and a lot of basketball left. Can Speyer slip into the playoffs? “I hope so. This stretch between January and February is really important. So far so good. Just can’t relax at the moment”, added DJ Woodmore. He has really picked up his game in the last 4 games averaging 26,0ppg, 6,0rpg and 4,0apg while shooting a colossal 42 for 69 from the field. He seems not to have changed his breakfast from Corn Flakes to Wheaties as there is no secret. “Nothing really, just being a little more aggressive but also other guys starting to step up and make more shots, allows me to get open looks. I just have to knock them down when I get them”, warned DJ Woodmore. So how did the quick guard celebrate his 32nd birthday? It was during the 3 game winning streak. “Just practice and a lot of sugar. I gave up sugar for the month of January, so the last few days and weeks were difficult. But being able to celebrate at the end of the month, makes it all worth it. Cakes, Haribo, huge breakfast, everything”, expressed DJ Woodmore. He definatley doesn´t get up for birthdays the way kids do, but instead looks at the long picture of life. “I’m just looking forward each year to the challenge ahead and the next step in my life. Always optimistic about the future”, said DJ Woodmore. Did his teammates think of him on his birthday? There are some German traditions that Americans will never understand. “I got some birthday wishes, but they made me bring a cake to practice. Weird German tradition I’ll never understand”, stressed DJ Woodmore.

The ex EPG Basket guard who believes Luka Doncic could be the third NBA player to crack 80 points in a game after Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant isn´t a kid anymore, but he has fond memories of his childhood birthdays. “Usually my birthday fell on or around the Super Bowl so it was always great to have a huge party and watch the game the entire night. All my friends at the house playing ball and video games that day”, remembered DJ Woodmore. I grew up in a totally older generation and can remember liking some kind of Stars Wars toy as being my favorite Birthday present and later as a 11 year old meeting German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer in New York City. For the newer generation like Woodmore, the trend goes a different direction and one that isn´t too surprising. “The Nintendo 64 easily was my favorite birthday gift!! I haven’t missed a gaming console since my first then. I still have my Nintendo to”, smiled DJ Woodmore. When your birthday was always around the Superbowl as a kid, it´s no surprise what his favorite children´s party was. “ My favorite kids party was the Super Bowl. Even though my team lost to the Broncos that night, I will always remember it as good times”, added DJ Woodmore. As a kid you have so many birthday wishes and dreams, but how is it as an adult? His dream now definitely isn´t material. “Today the dream isn’t so big, just want to enjoy every moment I can while I’m still able to make a career and life while living my dream to play pro ball”, warned DJ Woodmore. I and many basketball folk hope that DJ Woodmore plays for many more years, because it´s simply always a delight to see him give his all despite not being a young buck anymore. Keep grinding DJ.