pic credit: Martin Jung

Kenan Reinhart (194-SG-2007) is a 18 year old 194cm guard playing his second season for the Dragons Rhondorf. Last season he averaged 3,7ppg in the Pro B for the Dragons and in the NBBL for Bonn averaged 17.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 85.4%, In the 2023-2024 season for the RheinStars he averaged 3,1ppg in the Pro B and 24.9ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 80.3% in the NBBL. He also played at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany (Unofficial World Championships U18) in 2024 averaging 6.5ppg, 2.3rpg and at the FIBA U17 World Cup in Istanbul (Turkey) -2024 averaging 4.0ppg. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Kenan for talking to ghermanhoops.com. You just finished the 2023-2024 season and it was a heavy load with, AST, NBBL, Pro B and the World Cup U-17. How was the season for you mentally and physically?

I feel strong! I love basketball and it’s fun. That always matter it easier no made how tough the struggle may be.

You played at the U-17 World Cup and Germany finished in 11th place. How did you summarize the tournament? I guess you can’t make excuses with some guys not being there?

It was a really good learning experience to see where we stand against the rest of the world. I felt like we were competitive. We always gave our best to stay with the opponent.

Germany had some loses to Turkey and France. Did these games show that there was a big difference in talent and class?

I don’t think so. They had some really good players. We had already demonstrated in the preparation that we could stay with them.

What could you learn from games like these?

To always keep fighting and never give up. A game has 40 minutes and you should never give up early.

You averaged 4,0ppg at the World Cup U-17. How did you summarize your play?

My three pointer didn’t fall well. I tried to help my team as best as I could and just give my best in the minutes that I got.

You also played at the AST. I remember watching a tough loss to Serbia and then an almost win against China. What were you able to take from the AST?

We had a good mentality after the loss to Serbia and just looked ahead and prepared for the next team. We had no time to cry. We had a very young team. I felt we gave our best given the circumstances.

What is it like being coached from Dirk Bauermann. He is a legend and is lauded from his players for his work with the young players. What kind of a relationship do you have with him and how has he helped you most?

It was an hon0ur to play for a legend like that. I had a very good relationship with him. The most important thing that he taught me was mental toughness.

What has it been like being teammates with athletic Jervis Scheffs. Did anyone console him after missing key shots against China at the end?

It was nobody’s fault. We win and lose as a team. We pushed each other in practice no matter what.

Let’s talk a little about your game. You’re a 194cm shooting guard. To what pro player have you heard comparisons from other people about how you play the game?

I hear the name Andi Obst a lot and recently have heard Reed Shephard who recently was drafted. I’m shot dominated and play good defense. I give whatever the team needs.

You’re a great scorer and shooter. Are you more than just a 3 and D player?
I needed to do more in the NBBL and showed it. I do whatever the coach asks of me, but being a 3 and D player is a strength of mine.

Dirk Bauermann said he wants you to become like Andi Obst. Do you follow his game and watch his videos?

I watch a lot of his videos and his natural moves. I tried to copy his step back jumper for my game.

Your also a talented defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I feel like I’m a solid defender, But I know that if I want to play at a higher level, I will have to defend better. Stephan Baeck always stresses that you will stay on the court if you play good defense.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game best?

My main focus now is on my body and to get more athletic. I’m also working on my mid range game and trying to incorporate a small floater into my game.

You were a member of the RheinStars Cologne. What was it like being part of this great organization? What did you appreciate most from the experience?

We are like a family. I feel like I’m supported from everyone in the organization. You go into the gym and everyone knows you. If you have a good game, they congratulate you and after a bad game they push you.

You had a great NBBL season averaging 24/7/2/1 and played your last game in December. You concentrated more on the pro B. How do you summarize your NBBL season?

I had a successful season and was named rookie of the year. I’m really proud how far we went this season after not winning a game last season.

You made your Pro B debut at age 15 scoring 4 points against Wolmirstedt. What memories do you have of that game?
It wasn’t sure before the game if I would play. I remember thinking on the bus that if I do get in, I won’t be afraid of no one and just play my game.

Last season you played in the Pro B averaging 3,0ppg in 9 minutes. How did your game grow?

The biggest thing that grew was my self-confidence. I want to build off that season this year. Last season was important in that I was able to find myself in the league and understand what I had to do to be successful.

You had so many talented teammates in the Pro B. Which RheinStars Cologne player had the biggest influence on you.

I think that the guys that played at my position with Bryan battle and Tim Lang had the biggest influence on me. They got more minutes and I always pushed myself to be better than them.

You reached the 2023 JBBL top 4. What kind of an experience was it playing there? You and Davi Remagen carried the team.

Davi is a good friend of mine. It was great playing in an atmosphere like that something we had never seen before. It was an unforgettable moment. It was the first JBBL top 4 in the RheinStars history.

How important has Zoran Kucic for your basketball development the last years’? How did he help you most?

Zoran has been very important in my career. I do a lot of individual training with him. He is always ready to train with me when I call him. He really believes in my game.

Why did you leave the RheinStars Cologne to come to the Dragons Rhondorf? Were there too many talented players in Cologne?

I left Cologne because the Telekom Baskets are more professional as there are more chances to move up as a player.

What kind of an experience has it been playing for the Dragons Rhondorf? What do you like most of the experience?

It has been a very educational experience especially with the coaching change and it is preparing me well for the life as a professional player. I like the atmosphere of the fans the most.

Your minutes have been consistent since the coaching change and before that up and down? What have been the reasons for you being more a part of the rotation?

I think that I was able to prove I could play in the minutes that I got and always tried to help the team as much as possible in practice.

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced on the court?

Andreas Seifert.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ruppert Hennen, Bjoern Rohwar, Jannis Von Seckendorf, Davi Remagen, Ali Sow

Please name your personal NBA, Euro and German Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, Jordan, Lebron, Steph Curry
Shane Larkin, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Milos Teodosic, Luka Doncic
Kendrick Nunn, Dirk Nowitzki, Tibor Pleiss, Dennis Schroeder

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James.

Thanks Kenan for the chat.