pic credit: Basketball Champions League

Sam Griesel (200-G/F-2000, college: Nebraska) is a 24 year old 200cm guard that is playing his rookie season for easyCredit BBL team Telekom Baskets Bonn. He began his basketball career at Lincoln East High school. He then played for North Dakota State University (NCAA) from 2018-2022 averaging 14.3ppg, 6.6rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 75.6% in his final season. He added an extra NCAA season with the University of Nebraska (NCAA) averaging 12.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 68.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the tough game 3 BCL loss to Peristeri.

The Telekom Baskets Bonn lost a tough best of 3 series to Greek team Peristeri. Is this one of those series that will be difficult to digest?

I´m the type of guy that can move on quickly. It´s a part of life. There are more important things in life than basketball. We really wanted to win this game. But we know that it´s still a long season with much more basketball to be played. We want a top 6 seed in the BBL. We can´t dwell on the loss anymore.

After a strong win at home, Bonn was crushed by 28 points in Greece. With what type of mindset did the team go in to game3?

We felt that we had played well in the first game. I think that maybe we went into game 2 too overconfident. They smacked us early in game 2 and we never found our rhythm. They overpowered us in both games with their physicality.

The Telekom Baskets Bonn began well with a 7-2 lead, but then let the guests on a 25-10 run to close out the first quarter. Did that run kind of put the guests on the right path?

Yes I think so. We had to chase them the rest of the game. They have really talented guards and you can´t take everything away from them. They hit some tough shots throughout the game. You have to give them props. We feel like we did all we could on the defensive end. All you can do is tip the cap to them.

In the second quarter Bonn scored 26 points, but also allowed 24 points. What was the biggest team defensive flaw on the night?

We did a pretty good job on the ball screens, but not on the closeouts and 1-1 defense. They did make some easy baskets, but also tough shots. We feel like we did all we could. That’s basketball.

Harold Frey was instrumental as he scored basket after basket in the second quarter. Does his three point shot overshadow his overall game too much?

Harold is one of the best shooters that I have played with. It was nice to see him hit big three pointers. But he is so much more than just a great shooter. He is one of our main creators and such a great passer. I really enjoy playing with him.

In the third quarter Peristeri managed the lead well, but Bonn still had enough energy for a comeback in the fourth quarter. What adjustments did the team make?

We did a really good job feeding off our crowd´s energy. We had had a tough game against BG Goettingen on Sunday and it wasn´t easy coming back 2 days later to play a big BCL game. We obviously came into the game with a lot of adrenaline, but the crowd really helped us. We came together as a group and have no regrets. We left it all on the floor.

But in crunch-time Peristeri was able to go on a 9-2 run. How vital was their aggressiveness and getting to the FT line. Did that win them the game?

Yes for sure. We wanted to speed up the game while chasing the lead. It makes it difficult coming back when they got to the free throw line so much and gave them extra opportunities to make points. Their scoring stopped our flow. We couldn´t stop them getting to the free throw line and when we did, they made tough shots.

The scoring with Bonn was balanced pretty well, but was a third main scorer missing on this night?

I think a few times yes. We feel like we have a very talented and balanced team where 3-4 guys can score a lot on any given night. We can´t dwell if we had a good or bad game, but just move on.

The 3 point shooting was terrible in game 2 and 3. How aware is the team that it has to find back to it´s groove as the fight for the last playoff spot continues?

We are Confident in our shots and sometimes they just don´t go in. We are aware that our shots didn´t fall in game 2 or game 3, but that´s not going to scare us away from taking them an d being confident in them.

Joe Ragland was a great floor general in the last 2 games averaging 21 points per game. What was so difficult in slowing him down?

He obviously has a lot of experience. His quickness stood out. He is still very quick for his age and at a different level. He has the ability to move left or right very well. He also did a great job being able to finish well with both hands.

The Telekom Baskets Bonn lost in the Quarterfinals of the BCL. How would you summarize the BCL season?

We think that we belonged in the Final 4. We have enough talent. But you can´t forget that this was a new team and there was pressure on us coming from last season´s success. If I look back to how we were last August to now, we have grown so much as a team. I feel like our BCL season was successful and one that we can look back with joy.

What did you learn from this series that will help you and the club move forward for the rest of the season?

I think what I learned most is that you have to really be able to bring physicality in these big games. We definitely didn´t bring it in game 2 and game 3. The physicality becomes so important in big games. You have to bring it from the jump to set the tone and we didn´t do that.

Thanks Sam for the chat.