Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Ryan Richmond in Frankfurt, Germany January 2024

Ryan Richmond (183-PG-1996, college: Bentley, agency: SLN) is a 27 year old 183cm guard from Toronto, Canada playing his fourth professional season and recently played with the EPG Baskets Koblenz. He began the season with Melilla Ciudad del Deporte (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 6.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.0apg. He played the last 2 professional seasons in Germany with the WWU Baskets Muenster (Germany-ProB) averaging 17.4ppg, 5.4rpg, 5.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 72.3% and the ART Giants Duesseldorf (Germany-ProA) averaging 15.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 77.8%. He played his rookie season with MAFC Budapest 2 (Hungary-B). He began his basketball career at David & Mary Thomson Collegiate and the played at Williston Northampton High School. He then played at Bentley College (NCAA2) from 2015-2019 amassing a total of 104 games. He took off in his stats in his last 3 years averaging 21.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 84.6%, 23.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.5apg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 80.9% and.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 89.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com in London after the big 66-63 win at home against the Romerstrom Gladiators Trier

Thanks Ryan for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the massive 66-63 win over top team Trier. How huge was this win for the current season?

This win was huge. I feel like this win could propel the team forward. To be able to beat the top team and stop their 12 game winning streak is no small feat.

After the tough loss to Giessen, You beat Artland on the row and now top team Trier. This win really speaks for the mora of the team. With what kind of attitude did the team go into the game with?

We have responded really well the last 2 games. We showed that we can beat the top team and be able to do something special. I remember using the word opportunity. We focused all week long and worked really hard in practice to achieve the goal of beating Trier.

The game started low scoring and ended as a low scoring game. What kind of volumes does that speak for the defense?

It speaks volumes for the team defense. Up to this game Trier had always scored a lot of points. To be able to keep them well below their average is a testament to our defense. Our focus and effort that we put forward on defense is something to be proud of.

After allowing 91 points to Giessen and 75 points to Artland, what major adjustments did the team do on the defensive end after 40 minutes against Trier?

We made a few minor adjustments on the pick and roll defense. I think that our mindset has been key for us playing better defense in the last 2 games. We began right from the start having this great desire to want to stop them. We had the opportunity to lock in on defense and took advantage of it.

In the second quarter Trier picked up it´s scoring with 20 points. What adjustments did they make and or what did Koblenz get away from?

I think that Trier just showed how talented a team they are. They have very skilled players and simply know how to adjust well on the fly. They have good bigs and good guards that know how to make plays when they need them.

The game continued to be a tight affair in the third quarter. How valuable was it for Koblenz going into the third quarter with the lead and what did head coach give the team as motivation going into the fourth quarter?

I think it was all about who wanted it more. We felt very comfortable going into the fourth quarter and it was just a matter of taking the game.

Benham Yakhchali was annoying in the fourth quarter. He seems to make the most out of every situation. What made it so tough slowing him down?

He made some really difficult shots and got to the free throw line. He made play after play for them. But we came together in the fourth to slow him down. We have more than enough capable players on the defensive end. I like how he plays. He kept them close in the game.

How vital were the 2 big buckets from Saffer and Poelking at the start of the fourth quarter? Did that kind of give Koblenz major momentum?

Those baskets were huge, but I feel our team MVP was Leon Friedrici. He hasn´t had the easiest time finding his role since the new coach came in. There were moments where he didn´t know if he would play. But he was always ready to play. He had a huge impact on the game.

Robert Hall was the unsung hero of the game. How big was his contribution? He sometimes seems to not to get the credit he deserves?

I agree. Trey was also huge. He is my boy. He is always working hard and does the little things. He always plays great defense and yesterday made timely baskets. He was our energizer. He played super well.

What besides Leon Friedrici´s three in crunch-time was key for the win?

We stuck together and key was also how we started the game. When everyone is one and we play the right way, then we can compete with anyone. This was a pivotal win and could change the entire trajectory of the season.

You told me after the brutal loss in Frankfurt that you guys made new steps as coach got the beast out of you as a team. What new steps did you make after the Trier win?

I have to give coach Marco Van Den Berg a lot of credit for the current success of the team. He has been able to tap into every player and made every player think in a different way. He has been able in a short time to achieve that he could get a collective mind set where everyone believes that we can beat anyone

A side note last week was you were only signed for 5 games. You played your fifth game and now will look for a new club. How tough was this whole time for you?

It was tough for sure. My time in Koblenz has come to an end. I did my best with the EPG Baskets. I took it as a professional and now am looking for the right situation. I will be ready and happy for the next opportunity.

Thanks Ryan for the chat.