Pic credit: Darius Baumgart

Oshane Drews (198-SG-2001) is a 24 year old 198cm shooting guard playing his second professional season with the Rostock SeaWolves. He began his basketball career at RSV Stahnsdorf and then played 2 years with the Junior Loewen Braunschweig (NBBL) and SG Braunschweig (2.Regionalliga). He then played 2 seasosn with the Dragons Rhondorf and then made the next step to the Uni Baskets Paderborn (PRO A). He came to the Rostock Seawolves in 2023. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a game against the Frankfurt Skyliners.

Congrats on the big 84-68 win in Vechta. Is every game now like a do or die game?

We want to win every game. Every game counts now. We don´t go easy into games. We still see ourselves as the underdog. That is the reason why we have come so far this season.

Rostock had the slim 18-15 lead after one quarter. In the second quarter, Rostock exploded for 31 points. What was the focus going into the second quarter?

We changed our defensive sets a lot. It took us a while to get it going in the first quarter. We defended better in the second quarter and they didn´t adjust well.

Everything was clicking with many guys getting involved. Was that one of the best offensive quarters this season?

I think it was one of the best this season. We are a defensive orientated team, but I feel like we have have improved a lot on offense.

Malik Osborne and Pedro Bradshaw were huge. How vital have they been for the success?

It is never easy for a player to come in the middle of the season. You have to understand your role quickly. With Bradshaw we got a player who is great off ball and Osborne is a very strong offensive player that has helped us a lot on offense now.

Rostock managed the lead well in the second half. Did the defensive intensity lose some steam in the second half with such a comfortable lead?

We lost a little concentration with our different defensive sets and switches. They also adjusted well.

Johan Grunloh had a strong game with 14/10. Will he go to the NBA or possibly go to the NCAA?

I think college is out. He will get drafted and then play in the NBA

Frankfurt has a 2 game winning streak. Rostock easily won in Rostock 83-66. What will be key to getting the win on the road?

Both have new teams and both have had runs. We can´t underestimate them only because they are lower in the standings. We will come in motivated. We need the win. The team that wants it more will win.

Your playing your second season for the Rostock Seawolves. Has Rostock become like a second home?

What I really like about Rostock is that is near to my home Berlin. If we hadn´t come back so late from Vechta and I hadn´t slept so late, I would have returned home on my off day.

How exciting is the easyCredit BBL this season? Between position 3 and 14 is only a 2 win difference. Will Rostock make the playoffs this season?

Our goal are the playoffs. I feel like that if we keep playing the way we are now, we will reach it.

The team began 4-8 and then after Christmas won 6 of 7 games. What were the reasons for the team picking up their game?

We had a crisis meeting after the bad start. We changed the team a bit as well as our tactics. We understood what we needed to do to execute the game plan the right way and be successful. The new players and underdog mentality has been key in our success.

How vital has head coach Przemyslaw Frasunkiewicz been for the success of the team? What have you enjoyed most about his teaching philosophy?

We had many injuries and our game plan changed a lot. Coach knew how to make the right adjustments and kept the offense and defense flexible.

What has it been like being teammates with American Bryce Hamilton? How valuable has he been to the success?

Bryce is a great player and our offensive leader. You can give him the ball and he will do his thing.

Is Robin Amaize like a role model for you? What is the most important thing that you have soaked up from his game?

He is also a super player. He plays different than Americans do. What I try to do is take things I like from players and try to incorporate it into my game. I like his mentality and IQ. I try to soak that up from his game.

Your averaging 5 minutes per game, 1 minute more than last season. How tough is it in general finding minutes with this stocked BBL roster?

It is difficult to get minutes. I wasn´t even planned to be on the team. But I stayed and have gotten my chances. I just will keep working hard and earn minutes.

How tough is it being as efficient as possible? Do you sometimes let your defense make noise letting it spark your offense?

Yes I do. I always want to get into the game with my defense. It is tough to do something on offense with little touches. I think that I could do more on offense. The problem is when I come in, I try not to make mistakes. That mentality leads me too think twice during decision time. The BBL is so quick that you need to decide quicker. That second thought often leads to my option being gone.

Thanks Oshane for the chat.