Even if the Fraport Skyliners quest to return back to the easyCredit BBL looks like it could happen and winning is the norm again this season, there has been one thing that has been difficult to get used to and that is not seeing the great hustling play of Quantez Robertson (188-SG-1984, college: Auburn, agency: Interperformances) and his big smile. Even if the team has great new players and 2 new lock down defenders with rookies Cameron Henry and David Muenkat, there will only be one Quantez Robertson also known as Tez. It was no secret that Tez would get his #23 retired and the date was finally set recently for March 17. I was joyful that I would be able to see Tez again, but also sad that this day would pretty much put a lid on his stellar career and all that would remain after would be the memories. I had mixed emotions heading back to the arena on Sunday afternoon. I mean I had talked to him on occasion and interviewed him a week ago via phone and wrote him on occasion, but now it was slowly setting in that this might be the last time I will see him for a long time. I mean I don´t get down to Alabama a lot when I´m back in the states as home base is Boston and New England. As I approached the arena, I saw the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven team bus and entered the arena. I quickly noticed small dark blue signs with thanks Tez and the Fraport Skyliners players on the court wearing special made tee shirts with tez legend on them. Now I knew that today was real and other Skyliner legend Pascal Roller´s number #11 would very soon have company with #23. So I walked around and took in the atmosphere as more fans were coming into the building. I looked for the legend Tez, but couldn´t find him. Then after a while he approached the Fraport Skyliners bench shaking hands and as usual sporting his gregarious and warm smile. I saw him and gave him a big hug and conducted a little small talk while a Skyliners helper was filming everything probably for some kind of farewell video for him. I knew everybody wanted a piece of him so I let him go and continue saying hi to people. Game time was slowly approaching and one could feel the building of the excitement. Tez had his close friend Jermale Jones by his side who made the trip from Switzerland who at age 37 is still playing professionally and his ex teammate Rasheed Moore who made the trip from Jena where he is playing professionally.

I went back to my spot courtside behind the basket where I was to call the play by play with my colleague Jan Kolod. We tried to arrange some half-time interviews. We were able to get ex Tez teammate Danilo Barthel who played 5 years with him and current Bremerhavener German Adrian Breitlauch and Felix Hecker for some game analysis. It was announced that the game would begin a bit later because of the Tez jersey retirement festivities. With 8 minutes before game time, the Eisaberen were rapidly introduced and then it got dark as the Skyliners were introduced with a lot of glitz and fire. When all the players had been introduced, it was time for the legend himself, Quantez Robertson to step on the court and the applause was overwhelming. He walked to center court and was accompanied on the scoreboard with a dramatic 6o minute video that displayed some of his biggest plays in his 14 year career. He approached Fraport Skyliner CEO Gunnar Wobke and hugged him. Wobke began with some of his memories and even broke down momentarily when saying that Tez was the all-time steal leader in the BBL. “The moment got the best of Gunnar. I almost cried myself. It was such an emotional moment that I could understand it”, stressed Quantez Robertson. Then his large jersey was slowly raised up next to Pascal Roller´s as the big spot light was shone on his jersey. Honestly it felt like hours as his jersey was slowly lifted and in that moment so many memories went through my head and the applause seemed neverending at a decibel rarely reached in the sold out arena of 5,000 people. “When I saw my jersey go up, it was very emotional for me. It was a once in a lifetime moment”, stated Quantez Robertson. Then Quantez Robertson was able to say some words and thanked everyone and one could see that he was very touched. He also made it aware how important his wife had been for his success. He received a pretty plaque that had some cool action pics of his playing days. “This was one of the best days of my life. I came to watch a game to a sold out crowd and my jersey got retired. I mean you can´t ask for more. I just wish that my parents could have been here. But I´m happy that my wife was here. It was a great feeling”, commented Quantez Robertson.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Quantez Robertson doing play by play of the Skyliners-Bremerhaven game on day of his jersey retirement

After the festivities, there was still a game to be played. With the rapid start by the Fraport Skyliners, it was apparent that they wanted to put on a show for the legend Tez and not have him go back to Alabama without being impressed by his former team. The Fraport Skyliners controlled the game for the most part in the first half, but the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven played more team ball in the third quarter and upped their intensity and physicality to gain the lead briefly. Jan and I had a big moment in the second half in that we were able to both have our time in the spotlight with Tez in that we did some play by play with him. He was supposed to do the complete third quarter, but didn´t make it on time as he had been delayed in the VIP room. Jan and I had agreed to do 5 minutes a piece. In the end I only did 3 minutes as he arrived with 3,00 minutes to go. We had a cool time reminiscing about his playing career and when we called a BBL allstar game in his rookie season in 2010 to talking about the current team and the game. I also had to ask him about new Skyliner lock down defender Cameron henry who in a way has taken over on the defensive end for him. All in all it was very enjoyable spending some time with him. Jan and Tez then called the first 5 minutes of the fourth quarter and then Jan and I finished the game. The Fraport Skyliners retrieved the lead back in the last minutes of the third quarter and then were able to never trail again and win 84-78. As usual I was active during the post game to get my quotes for my article as I talked to Ife Ajayi and Adrian Breitlauch. Tez continued to do the rounds on his day and gave every single person who wanted it an autograph or picture. I also gathered extra quotes for this article from all types of people regarding their memories of Tez. As I had finished my work, I also needed my last minutes with Tez. I had brought 3 pictures of him and I forgot that 2 of the 3 pics, I had already gotten autographed once in his farewell in the BCM in May 2023, so this time, I decided for him to personalize it for my little son Evan. We also took a few pics and then we said our farewells as he still had to do another interview. Over the years we would always joke about the fact that I either had one last question or pic to take with him as my I could never just end it. Just one more Tez, just one more. In a way it reminded me of the Seinfield episode, where George has that annoying habit of leaving an object behind in order to weasel a second date. I reminded Tez that there wouldn´t be a last time and that I probably will call him this summer for the next interview. Tez just laughed and took it in stride as he understands my passion for basketball. It was a fantastic day and a lot of respect to the Fraport Skyliners for organizing a super day that Tez and no one in the arena that day will ever forget.

Quotations from People at the retirement ceremony regarding their thoughts and memories of Quantez Robertson.

Steven Key (Eisbaeren Bremerhaven coach) His story was an unbelievable one to watch. His career was very impressive. He went from starting low and just blew up. He was at the same level as a Rickey Paulding and Julius Jenkins.

Jermale Jones (professional player and Tez friend) I know Tez since 2008 and our playing days in college. He is like a big brother to me. He watched me become a professional player. He has a true character. He loves people.

Christian Dachs (Fraport Skyliners marketing) This was a very special day. When a guy is so long with one club then you can build a relationship. I had a true friendship with him. It is great that he could have this day where 5,000 fans could say thank you to him. My fondest memory was the party at the Frankfurt Romer after he won the Fiba Europe Cup.

Rasheed Moore (professional player Jena) He was the ultimate leader. To be able to learn from him meant the world for me., I´m so happy I could be here. It is something that I will never forget.

Dietmar Mayer (Fraport Skyliners fan) I´m really happy to be able to be here and see it. I wouldn´t have missed it for anything. I even postponed a surgery for this day. He was a real role model for me. You always knew that he would give 100% and always be present each game. He was a motor for the team and always picked it up when it needed it.

Joerg Bahren (Fraport Skyliners press secretary) It really is amazing how he was able to stay with just one organization. You always knew that he would give 110%. You also always knew that he would influence the game in some way. He had so much in his tool box. He was the type of player that did so much slightly above average but was always consistent.

Danilo Barthel (former professional player and teammate) He was one of my most impressive teammates in my career. He was a unique player and a great leader. He had a great character and it was unique that he played only with one club. He was a role model for everyone and it was an honor to paly with him.

Jan Kolod (Fraport Skyliners commentator) He was cold as ice. A player like the way he plays isn´t around anymore. He played only for 2 teams his whole life and helped Frankfurt win a title. That is impressive. He was one of the best defenders in the history of the easyCredit BBL. I have many nice memories with him, but also tear drops. However I have more good memories of him.

Harold Joisten ( Neue press writer) I remember my first impression of him wasn´t great when I saw him arrive in Frankfurt in 2009. He walked in casually and I didn´t know if he would be a good player. But how wrong I was. I liked his work ethic the most. He never ever complained. He was an absolute team player.