Timo Lanmueller (193-SG-2001) is a 23 year old Austrian-German 193cm shooting guard that is playing his first season with the Fraport Skyliners. He began his basketball career in the ratiopharm Ulm system playing in their youth program as well as for Pro B farm team Orange Academy. He was able to play 2 easyCredit BBL games. He then moved to the Tigers Tuebingen where he played parts of 4 seasons playing 100 pro A games and last season played 30 BBL games averaging 2.7ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.4apg. He spoke to germanhoops.com on the eve of his birthday after the big 77-69 win over the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg

Congrats Timo on the 77-69 win over the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. How big was this win? You came off a 4 game losing streak in the easyCredit BBL?

This win was really good for us. It helped us get more distance away from BG Goettingen. I think that the Mallorca trip got us more together. We want to end the season as successful as possible. We knew that Ludwigsburg would be aggressive and physical. Our goal before the game was to keep them under 75 points, win the rebounds and get less than 12 turnovers. We got 2 of the 3 goals for the game.

The MHP Riesen had also been on a losing streak. Their Fiba Europe Cup season ended against Dijon. Do you feel like mentality that loss was still in their heads? They were a team that should have gone far in the competition.

I don’t know. But they have struggled as of late losing some players. Maybe there was some disorder in the team? Maybe they were a bit surprised how we fought in the second half.

The MHP Riesen are a team that defend with passion, but offensively not a high scoring team. How proud were you with the team defensive performance keeping them to only 69 points?

Their trademark is being aggressive and physical. They do a good job getting second chance points, but in this game we did a good job taking that away from them with rebounds and getting big stops. I think it hurt them that Maldonado was out. They have streaky shooters. They hit shots early, but in the second half, we got stops when we needed it most.

Ludwigsburg had a rapid start and Frankfurt didn’t get their first field goal until the 5,10 minute mark. Was the team still in thoughts of the Mallorca stay?

It could be. We weren’t focused as usual. Perhaps our rhythm was missing a bit. I’m really proud how we stepped it up in the second half. We knew that they made some shots in first half that they don’t usually make, but we also knew if we keep forcing them to tough shots that we would be successful.

Frankfurt came back strong especially with the energy of Garai Zeeb? How valuable is this guy? You don’t get more efficient than that in the first few minutes of a game like he did?

He is a guy that grew up in the Skyliners system. The fans identity with him. We know that he is a pass first point guard and conducts the offense very well. He showed that in that phase making good decisions, getting to the free throw line and hitting a trey. He made a nice drive, but missed, but that was a good decision. He played a great game. I’m really happy for him.

The MHP Riesen took control in the second quarter. How much did the Joel Scott alley oop dunk spark them in their run?

That was an absolute highlight play in the game. I didn’t expect him to dunk like that. They were aggressive forcing us to 19 turnovers in the game and that play gave them a transition play. It gave them energy. You didn’t see much of that in the second half from them.

Frankfurt could have trailed in double figures at the break, but Jordan Theodore made back to back buckets as you trailed only 39-32. Do you personally have that sense of 100% comfort when he has the ball knowing he will deliver when the team needs it most?

Yes we have 100% trust in Jordan. He has so much experience at a high level. We simply know what he can do. He has incredible individual qualities like shooting out of the pick and roll or catch and shoot.

In the third quarter Ludwigsburg controlled the game, but Frankfurt always kept punching back. Marcus Domask gave valuable input in the second and third quarter. What do you appreciate most about his game?

He was really vital for us in those phases. He gave us a big push. I like how composed he always is on the court. He plays at his own tempo. He makes really good decisions out of the pick and role and puts defenders in jail. He is really big for his size. I liked his pass to Jacob Knauf.

The team continued to fight back and trailed only by 4 points after 30 minutes. How vital is it in general for the team to be successful when a Malik Parsons is being controlled well?

That gives us a lot of confidence for the next games. Malik won’t have many games like today when he scores so little. We made good solutions.

In the fourth quarter the Patrick brothers were a one man show in the first minutes. It isn’t normal to see 2 sons and the dad as coach. How have you seen the development of the brothers over the years?

I played with Johannes some summers ago in the U-20 German national team. I know him. I’m happy to see guys at my position doing good having a role and getting minutes in the BBL. They both work very hard and have developed really well in the last years. They both showed today that they are able to play at a high level.

The game was dead locked 63-63 at the 5,37 minute mark. Frankfurt then closed out the game with a 16-6 run. Was that the best 5 minutes of play at the end of a game this season?

Yes I think so. That was the best run at the end of a game this season. In the games against Bonn and Ulm we were ahead and got the win.

Do you believe that the back to back three’s by Parsons and Theodore broke Ludwigsburg’s back?

Yes I think so. Their three’s really helped. I think our defense and getting stops was most decisive and the three’s really helped. It is great having players like them with great individual qualities.

Do you believe that the Skyliners wanted it more in crunch-time?

Yes I think so. We were really strong on defense and rebounding.

The team buckled down on defense in the last minutes. Was that buckle down defense that would have made a Gordon Herbert proud?

I was really proud of how we played defense. I don’t know Gordon Herbert personally, but if you say that then I believe so.

Stat wise Frankfurt lost the turnovers and offensive rebounds. Where was the game won?

The total rebounds was huge as well as keeping them to 31% form the field.

What was your favorite play of the game? Maybe the crazy Theodore three pointer in crunch-time?

That was an unbelievable play by Jordan, but my favorite play was the block by Knauf on Polas. Polas had him beat, but Jacob recovered great and came back and made the block.

The Frankfurt Skyliners next battle ratiopharm Ulm. The next game is against ratiopharm Ulm. Will you win it for Booker Coplin or will he be back? There are rumors he may be back?

I read that online. But I can’t confirm that. The Skyliners haven’t communicated anything. Of course we would want to win for Booker.

The first game against Ulm was spectacular as you won it on a buzzer beater. What will be ‘key to getting win?

We have to do the same as against Ludwigsburg and match Ulm’s intensity and physicality. We also need a good offensive day. That would really help. We have to also play with good tempo, rebound well and generate good team shots.

The team was in Mallorca for a week. What kind of a team was it going there and what kind of a team was it when it left?

When we arrived in Mallorca, we had that certain distance as a team. We got to know each other better off the court doing various team functions. We got together more and now know how each other ticks and how to support each other.

Has Klaus Perwas implemented anything drastically new to the overall game plan since the departure of Denis Wucherer?

The biggest difference is that Klaus wants us to be more dynamic on offense. He wants us to move the ball more left to right. He really likes discipline and hates when the offense doesn’t have movement.

Unfortunately you don’t play much, but you can soak up so much from each game. What was the most important thing that you learned from this game?

I leaned the next play mentality in this game. In the past when other teams went on runs, you would see us put our heads in the sand and lose. Today when we had bad phases, we showcased that next play mentality. That helped our team and me a lot.

How did you like the dunk by Mac McClung at the 2025 NBA slam dunk contest. Where do you rate it all-time?

That is tough to say. There have been so many great dunks. The best dunk contest for me was the Aaron Gordon vs Zack Levine one. I also liked Michael Jordan’s dunk from the free throw line. I will rate McClungs dunk at #3.

The Dallas Mavericks only have 8 guys. How crazy is their injury problems? Has the basketball God jinxed them?

I don’t know if it was a jinx. They have had some real tough times as of late. They trade their best player and get Davis that gets injured. Many are questioning the front office and their decisions. They have to live with the consequences. It is really bitter that they have so many injuries, but at the end of the day, it’s their own fault.

Thanks Timo for the chat.