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 88-65 win over FC Munich 2. You didn´t play? Was your DNP on account of a safety measure? Did something flair up from the last game where you did play?

Unfortunately my injury has gotten worse so I will be out.

How big was getting this win? You had lost 3 of the last 4 games coming in, but didn´t play bad basketball, but lost 3 tight games by only 9 points combined.

It was a very much needed win we dropped a few games that we shouldn’t have and this win helped a lot.

In the second half the RheinStars didn´t score as much anymore, but didn´t let up on the defensive end. Was this defensive performance how the team wants to defend during the playoffs?

Yes we have to get back to our defensive identity. We want to be more aggressive on the defensive end and just continue that intensity into the playoffs.

The RheinStars have their share of young players, but how much of a role did the vast experience of the RheinStars play?

Yeah we have some young’s guys but also have some guys who’ve been playing for some years on this type level. So we know what we have to do to win and to compete for championship.

The RheinStars have 4 games left. How big is the desire to get that #1 position?

I think our main focus right now is to just win these four games and seeding will take care of itself I try not to focus too much on the 1 seed.

You next play the Lowen. You have revenge thoughts as they beat you 93-92 in your living room. What will be key to getting the win?

Yeah I know we most definitely want to get back at them from the last game. We have to continue the aggressive defensive mindset I think that will be the big key for it all

Thanks Malik for the chat.