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.

Congrats on the big 90-86 win over TSV Oberaching. How good does it feel going into the break with a win?

It always feels great going to win and before the break is even better.

In the first quarter Cologne was able to establish a 2 point lead, but really broke open the game in the second quarter outscoring them 26-11. What was key for the big lead?

I think in the second quarter we were a lot better at getting stops and running the floor on offense

Oberaching never gave up kept fight and trailed only 68-58. Omari Knox and Peter Zeis hit many three´s. How pesky of a team was Oberaching? They are another team with super chemistry.

They had more older and experienced guys in there team so we figured that they wouldn’t just go away and it was be a fight until the end. They have great chemistry.

In the fourth quarter Oberaching kept chipping away at your lead. But they never got over the hump. Whenever they punched you punched back. What was key in crunch-time for getting the win?

Trying to get good shots and not rush too much. We tried staying in control of the game.

The RheinStars had 5 guys score in double figures. How vital was Luca Michels with his 16 points?

Luca was big time he brought a lot of energy for that game. I feel it helped us so much and gave us as a team a boost.

You led the RheinStars with 22 points. How quickly did you know that you could have a good shooting day?

After the first 3 shots went in felt like I would have a good shooting day. Every shot felt good.

What is your summary of your play in the first half?

Just felt like I was in a good rhythm that’s first half. And had great looks to get my shot off.

The RheinStars are 10-2 together with Leitershoifen. Will these 2 teams compete for North title or do you see another team compete with you?

As of now it looks that way but still have another half of the season so we will see.

Thanks Malik for the chat.