Dominick Von Waaden (195-SF-1999) is a 24 year old 196cm forward that helped PS Karlsruhe win the Pro A title averaging 4,1ppg and 1,9rpg. He began his career with TSV Troester Breitengussbach and then played 3 years at John H Pitman high school in California. He played a season with Wolfenbuettel and 3 years with the SBB Baskets Wolmirstetd where he improved hiss coring average each season. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Dominick for talking to germanhoops.com Congrats on winning the Pro A title with PS Karlsruhe. How does it feel winning the pro A title?

It feels super. I watched the movie Money Ball on the flight to California that features Brad Pitt. I got goose bumps when he said line nothing matters unless you win last game of the season. That summarized our season. I´m also so happy that my roommate last season Kelvin Omojola also won the pro B title.

Is it fair to say that this was the ultimate Cinderella story or just a Cinderella story for PS Karlsruhe?

We never saw it as that. We worked hard every day all season. It wasn´t just luck. We always knew that if we played well, we could go far.

If someone had told you in September 2023 that PS Karlsruhe would win the 2024 Pro A title what would you have thought?

To be totally honest, I always go into every season no matter where I am wanting to win title. It wasn´t any different with PS Karlsruhe. It was important to get to the playoffs. Then it´s different rules and you find a different rhythm. Then anything is possible.

Jessi Ani told me on Saturday a day before the final game in Frankfurt that there would be no more fairytale talk after Sunday. Were you sick of hearing all the hate and fairytale talk?

Coach also stressed this so much. We all wanted to win the title so badly and prove all wrong that nothing we did was luck.

I think PS Karlsruhe was locked in as a team from the start of the season. How vital was consistency and team chemistry?

The team chemistry was so important especially when guys got injured. Others had to step up. We trusted each other. In the semi finals all were fit.

PS Karlsruhe easily swept the Fraport Skyliners in the final. Is it fair to say that you wanted it more and Frankfurt already had their final against Trier?

Yes absolutely. You could easily see that Frankfurt had a different physicality and intensity level against Trier. In the final they showed that their mission had already been completed. They were happy and satisfied of having achieved their goal of moving back to the BBL.

I joked with Garai Zeeb after game 4 in Frankfurt vs Trier that PS Karlsruhe doesn´t even need him as his injury has limited him in the last weeks. What was the secret to performing so well?

We all stuck together and Bailey played great. I hit shots and we defended consistently as a team. I think it also helped our rhythm playing games every 2 days. We were better conditioned against Giessen and fresher than some of their older guys.

Michael Flowers was the league MVP, but couldn´t O Showen Williams have been the league MVP? How important was he truly for the team?

He was so important. I feel he made the next step as a player with us. He played super at the end of the season and in the playoffs. He played at a higher level and made better decisions in the playoffs. I remember that last possession against Giessen. He could of gone through 4 guys, but made the extra pass and every guy touched the ball on the last possession. That showed how unselfish our team was.

Bakary Dibba has made huge strides the last seasons with Tuebingen and PS Karlsruhe. How good is this kid?

He is such an unbelievable great player. He gained more confidence with his outside shot. You have 2 type of players. The one will drive to the hole and go through guys while he is a player that gets through the cracks and finishes nicely. It will be interesting to see where his journey will go.

Victor Bailey exploded for 48 points in the final and was MVP. He was the x-factor. How often did you tell him to be aggressive aggressive on the court?

I told him to do that a lot. I told him especially to do his drive or mid range game before taking his crazy step back three´s. He is so athletic and just played so consistently in the playoffs.

Dennis Tunstall JR was the real junkyard dog. What was it like for you to share the court with him?

He is consistent every game and never complains. It doesn´t matter if he scores 0 or 10 points, he always does his job at both ends. He is always prepared to do his job and help where he can.

Lachlan Dent was the perfect point guard. What did you enjoy most about his game and passing? Did you have a favorite pass from him?

He has such great court vision and is so smart. It was his first season in Europe and he needed time to adjust at first, but he found his rhythm and then was so valuable for us. He found me a lot in playoffs and made big 3´s in playoffs.

How important has head coach Alexsandar Scepanovic been? How much credit does he get for the success of team?

He gets a lot of the credit and always had a plan for us. Practices could be really hard, but we were always ready for the next game. He did a great job having us conditioned and game ready in the playoffs. We played really well against the Giessen´s bigs, but that was only because we brought the needed energy and intensity. If we didn´t do that each game, we wouldn´t win. We didn´t show that in game 1 against Giessen or game 2 against Hagen and lost. We just couldn´t play any other way than having that energy and intensity every game. Coach instilled that in us.

You had a solid season averaging 4,1ppg and 1,9rpg. You averaged 4 minutes more than the season before. How would you summarize your play this season?

I didn´t start so well hitting my outside shot, but worked hard on defense to be able to contribute in that area. I think as Zeeb got injured, I was able to play more and found my flow. I was reborn in the playoffs. I shot close to 60% from outside in the playoffs and helped as much as possible on defense. I´m really happy that I gave my part to the title.

What exactly was your role on the team? You didn´t have to score much, but you had other duties?

I came in and brought energy on defense and got offensive rebounds. I was that 3 and D player. I also had that steals and rebound mind set. My biggest goal is to always win. Scoring points isn´t important for me.

How do you feel did your game grow in the Pro A this season with this so special team?

Last season I was one of the youngest and this season, I belonged to the older group. I think that I arrived in the Pro A this season. The Pro A style got easier for me. I knew how coach wanted to play defense. I raised my three point game in playoffs and made steps as a player.

Where do you see yourself now as a player? Your 24. I can imagine you will want to remain with PS Karlsruhe?

I would like to remain in Karlsruhe. I like it there.

On what areas of your game will you be working on most this summer so you can continue to improve your game?

I have to keep working on my ball handling and improve it. I will feel more comfortable then.

Who was the toughest player that you faced this season in the Pro A at your position?

Victor Bailey Jr in practice every day.

You played 4 years at John Pitman high school in California. It was in the middle of nowhere but you could travel to San Francisco which was about 2 hours away. How were these 4 years for you?

That was a totally different experience. They received me with open arms. The school was like a community. I loved how everyone supported every sports team. They really empathized defensive communication there. I made a step forward there. I wouldn´t be the person I am today without having gone there.

You played a season with Wolfenbuettel. What were the daily battles like with Luis Figge? How could your game grow?

We didn´t practice against each other every day, because he was a BBL double license player. I saw him once a week. That was a tough season. We only had like 6-7 guys per practice. We moved down that season.

You played with the SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt from 2019-2022. You were able to improve your scoring each season. How did your game grow there?

It was important the first season to have played many minutes in the Regionalliga. I got much help from the veterans who really helped me read the game better and helped me find my role and help the team best.

You played 3 years with ultimate teammate Jordan Talbert. What could you learn from his game?

We always practiced and stretched before practice. He wasn´t the most talkative, but he helped me most to learn what it really means to be a professional. His work ethic was amazing.

You were teammates with walking bucket Bill Borekambi. What do you remember being the craziest shot that he made?

His spin move fade away jumper was very memorable. I learned that it is important that you find a shot that works for you. When you have that you can get in a flow. Every player had a different kind of shot.

Who was the toughest player that you have played against in your life?

Michael Flowers. That guy was incredible. He never forced anything, but always made the right decision and shot.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jordan Talbert, Maurice Pluskota, Lorenzo Cugini, Lovell Cabbil and Victor Bailey Jr.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, Bill Russell

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James. What he has done for 20 years being consistent is incredible.

Thanks Dominick for the chat.