Malik Riddle (193-G-1999, college: HSU) is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Tennessee playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro B team RheinStars Cologne. Last season he played with Gzira Athleta Birkirkara (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 28.8ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.5%. He began his basketball career at Rossville Christian Academy. He then played 2 seasons at Morehead State University (NCAA) and then played 3 seasons at Henderson State University (NCAA2). He teams up with germanhoops.com every week to talk basketball.

The winning streak has come to an end as Wurzburg won 91-81. Despite the loss could the loss be like a little blessing in disguise?

This loss could help us get back to playing like was did during first few games. It showed us that we have to play harder and better on defense.

They began 0-6 and now have a 5 game winning streak. This team is for real. Did you underestimate them a bit as a team?

No I don’t think we underestimated them. I ust feel we’ve been playing without our energy in the past couple games and this was just the end of it.

I saw how lethal the Wishart/Steinbach duo was last weekend in Frankfurt, but I think they were a little better this week combining for 37 points, 16 rebounds, 18 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks. Is that team more than just those 2?

Those two are for sure the back bones of the team, but they had a couple guys make some shots. I feel the whole team played hard.

Talk about the first half. They dominated in the first quarter and the RheinStars in the second quarter, but the game was deadlocked at 49-49 at the break. What adjustments did you make as a team in the second quarter?

I feel we were just patient and executing like we usually do. We got out of our game and the hurt us.

The RheinStars went on a little run late, but it just wasn´t enough. Was their 22 offensive rebounds the biggest thorn in the side of the RheinStars?

Yeah the offensive rebounds hurt us a lot. If we would’ve rebounded better I believe the outcome would have been better than it was.

You had a 8/3/2 game and shot 4/12 from the field. What will be your biggest focus this week in practice?

Just practice harder and try to find a rhythm more for myself. I know I can perform better and I will.

You next play against the pesky Oberaching team. What will be key for the win?

Getting back to us as a team. Hopefully this loss makes us get back to how we were playing the first couple games of the season. Rebound, be more aggressive on the defense end.

Thanks Malik for the chat