Ife Josh Ajayi (201-F-1996, college: USA, agency: Players Group) is a 27 year old 201cm forward from El Monte, California that has the American/Nigerian citizenship and is playing with German Pro A team Fraport Skyliners. He began the season with Balikesir Buyuksehir Belediyespor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 14.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3FGP: 34.6%, FT: 66.7%. Last season he played with Saint Chamond Basket Valle du Gier (France-ProB) averaging 11.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 20.5%, FT: 77.5%. Two seasons ago he played with Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProB) averaging 7.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 62.1%. He played his rookie season with Hermine Nantes Atlantique (France-ProB) averaging 10.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 75.3%. He began his basketball career at San Gabriel Academy and then played at the University of South Alabama (NCAA) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 123 games. He averaged 13/6 in his 4 year career and 15/7 in his last 2 years. He spoke to germanhoops.com before game 3 against the Romerstrom Gladiators.

Thanks Ife for talking to germanhoops.com. It´s playoff time and the best time of the year. How have you experienced them so far with the Skyliners?

It has been a really competitive atmosphere. It has been the most competitive that I have ever been in. It has been tough on this side of the bracket.

The Fraport Skyliners took care of Jena easily. After the bad game against Artland, it seemed like many doubted Frankfurt. Was there a player who really made that vital speech before the Jena series saying it´s time to go to work

We talked about it as a whole and had talks with coach Denis and Marco. We learned from our mistakes against Artland and prepared really well for Jena. We decided to lock in collectively as a unit.

What do you believe was key for the Jena series win? Was the self-confidence and team chemistry at a new level in comparison to after the Artland game?

I think that our defense was the biggest thing that got us past them. Defense is our identity. We are deep and have good post up players that can help change the tempo.

The series with Trier is tied at 1-1. How crazy has this series been. 2 road wins and 2 crazy finishes?

I agree that the series has been crazy. It has been a beautiful atmosphere to play in and I´m sure that the fans really appreciate it. Trier is a very hostle environment but the players thrive in this kind of competition. We have young legs and are physical and can overwhelm them.

The Fraport Skyliners showed in game 1 exactly what happens when three´s start to fall. Was that the biggest win of the season so far in Trier?

That was probably the best comeback that we had this season. When we are being physical, firing away from all cylinders, play defense and post up, then we will be hard to beat.

In game 2, Trier showed up to battle in Frankfurt. Frankfurt had to pay an annoying catch up all game long. What adjustments did you see Trier make from game 1?

From what I could see was that they just made more shots and weren´t really doubling in the post.

The Fraport Skyliners made a big comeback in the fourth quarter but weren´t rewarded. Despite the loss how much was the confidence of the team lifted going into game 3?

We have all the confidence in the world. We are always telling each other that. If we can play at a high intensity and have confidence, then we know that we can punish them inside. I feel like we have the advantage with the post up. We can post up all over the place.

Benham Yakhchali is an incredible player. He really stepped up in game 2. You’re a guy that can guard 1-5. What makes it most difficult to stop him? Is it more his craftiness or his ability to make off balance shots?

I think that his best attribute is his off balance shot. He doesn´t need much space. When he starts to attack and get fouls, then it´s very difficult to stop him. We have to limit his penetration and make everything difficult for him.

Maik Zirbes hasn´t exploded but doesn´t need to with so many scoring options. What ha sit been like mixing it up with him?

Yes he doesn´t have to be a scorer on his team. But he is very physical and can be dominant. I take a lot of pride matching up against him. It has been a good battle against him. We just have to wear him down and also make everything difficult for him.

Moritz Krimmer had 0 points in game 1 and 18 points in game 2. How vital will it be slowing him down again in game 3?

We have to make him be a non-factor. We can´t let him get the kind of confidence that he had in game 2. We have to take his confidence away and play good defense on him.

The emotions are very high. Will we see another wild finish or will it be more calmed down in Trier?

I think this game will be more-calm. We have to be more-calm in how we handle ourselves. I also got a fine. It is what it is. We have to regulate our emotions and not let the crowd get to us. We need to focus on ourselves.

Frankfurt needs the microwave abilities of Kevin McClain. Could he be a type of x factor in game 3?

For sure he can be. He still hasn´t played his best offense yet. He has been very strong on defense. I keep telling him that the way he plays on ball defense, we feed off that as a team. Especially I feed off his defense. I think that he will find his offensive rhythm with the help of his high intensity on defense.

You have been up and down in the scoring department in the playoffs, but how do you feel have you affected the game best in the playoffs?

I think that my physicality and defense has affected the game best. Also I think that I have to keep having my post presence. I have to continue to play as intense as possible and let my defensive presence be known.

You don´t make an impact in the stat sheet defensively with steals and blocks, but are still effective in other ways. How big will the big defensive plays be from you looking forward?

I think being able to play well on the pick and roll will allow us for more transition opportunities.

Who will win the Hagen-Karlsruhe series that is also at 1-1?

I got my money on Karlsruhe. They are the underdog. I always take the underdog.

Who will win the Dallas-Minnesota and Boston Indiana series and who will win it all?

I think that Minnesota will surprise everyone.

Thanks Ife for the chat.