DJ Woodmore (190-SG-1992, college: VWU) is a 33 year old 190cm point guard that completed 10th professional season and 8th with the Ahorn Camp Bis Baskets Speyer averaging 16,8ppg, 4,9rpg, 3,5apg and 1,3spg. Last season with Speyer he averaged 17.9ppg, 5.9rpg, 4.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 82.9% and 2 seasons ago averaged 16.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 86.6%. Three seasons ago he averaged 15.5ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 81.0%. In the 2020-2021 season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz he averaged 13,3ppg, 6,0rpg, 4,3apf and 1,3spg. In 2019-2020 with the Morgenstern BIS Basket Speyer (Germany-ProB) he played 21 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 87.3%. In 2018-2019 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.2%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.6%. In his first two seasons with Speyer he averaged 14.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 72.1% and 17.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 76.4%. he played at Virginia Wesleyan College (NCAA3): from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 20.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.3% (219/435), 3Pts: 46.0% (91/198), FT: 76.9% (93/121). He spoke to germanhoops.com about his 10th pro season and 8th with Speyer.

Thanks DJ for talking to germanhoops.com. A tough sweep by the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. Despite the sweep how proud are you of your team for reaching the playoffs again and for the first time the second round?

Extremely proud of this team. Bad luck that we ran into arguably the best Pro B team of all time. But I’m glad we were able to make it as far as we did.

Speyer reached the playoffs now for the fourth straight year. Is this a run a good reason for you to come back for a new season to keep this playoff appearance going?

I was going to come back regardless. Speyer is honestly hope now. The playoff streak is a bonus and shows that the organization is steady growing and staying consistent with that growth.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen were the big favorite going in. What was the series game plan and how much of it could the team do?

There was no game plan to be honest. We knew it was going to be tough. We were down a few key guys. We just wanted to go out there and compete. Try to make it tough for their guards, but Heinzmann put a stop to all of that.

Game 2 was pretty much already decided at the break. Did you just try to have some fun in the last half at home for the fans even if your shot wasn´t falling?

That’s all there was left to do. I had a good time watching some of the younger guys get in the action. Hopefully we gain some experience from it and can get back next year as well.

2 categories that were very apparent in both games was the rebounding advantage and 2% from Leverkusen.Are these 2 things that did in Speyer the most?

Yes basically. Heinzmann didn’t miss many shots. And they’re disciplined on offense. They won’t force anything that isn’t there.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen are on a mission. They have only lost 1 game this season. Are they one of the best or the best team you ever saw in the Pro B in your career?

Easily the best. They had no holes in the team. 2 good players at every position. Bringing a 7 footer off the bench just shows how stacked they are.

There were 8 sweeps early from north teams over south teams. Is the North that much better?

No.

Another great season from the BIS Baskets Speyer. The fourth year in a row reaching the playoffs. Does the club need 1 more lethal scorer more to be able to make a run in the playoffs?

I don´t think it’s about needing a scorer. I just think we need to find a way to stay healthy going into the post season. Being down 3 key players when it matters most will affect any team. Just look at Iserlohn.

What was so special about this years Speyer team that made it so nice to watch besides the team chemistry?

Just a team that bounced back from adversity time and time again. We lost Carlos and guys stepped up. Lost Latrell and guys stepped up. Guys this season had heart. And I think the experienced guys took a lot in their shoulders and came through.

For guys like Djordevic, Rupp, Diala and Hidalgo, it was the second season in Speyer. It would be so vital for them to remain to keep the great team chemistry intact. Do you see a good chance of that happening?

I see a couple of those guys coming back. But not all of them. I would like to run it back with the same team, but we know that’s not show ports work. I’m curious to see what the roster looks like next season. But I can imagine it looks very different.

How vital was defensive specialist Latrell Grosskopf for the success of the team especially on the defensive end this season?

He was really vital. He had to play out of position this season. And he worked his tail off to be a factor at the center position. Especially towards the end of the season.

Was perhaps Benjamin Hoehmann the most improved player on the squad? He averaged 8/3 after playing 3 years in the 2 Regionalliga?

Benny did a good job for us. Would have liked to see him out there the second half of the season. Injuries really hurt his progress.

How key was new Austrian guard Felix Angerbauer in the second half of the season. He gave the team added scoring and playmaking punch at the guard position.

Felix was great for coming in and giving us exactly what we needed. At times this year our offense struggled. But he helped relieve some of that pressure off myself and keep the defenses honest because of his shooting ability. Great pick up for us and hope to see him again next season.

You had another great personal season of 17/5/3/1 and shot 43% from outside. How content ere you with your season at age 33?

Really content with how things went this year individually. Felt like I took some steps in my game. Hoping keep improving next year as well.

Your stats were similar to last season. Does the game really get easier with more experience?

Honestly it does. I think I’m really good at knowing which shots I can take and make consistently. And I focus on those.

You have shot 40% or better form outside in 4 of the last 6 seasons. Would you call your three pointer your biggest weapon on the court now?

I would actually say the midrange is the biggest weapon. I don’t like shooting the 3 as much as the pull up. But being able to shoot it at a high percentage, makes it easier to get to my spots.

Does your good three point shooting of the last years strive you to want to shoot even better down the road? Would added shooting and less conditioning be the route as you keep getting older?

I think the older you get, the more conditioning you need. Just to stay ready. I’m always going to get enough shooting in.

I can imagine your 40 points against Wurzburg was your most memorable game, but what was your second most memorable?

Honestly the 40 was probably the second most memorable. I think the away game against Iserlohn was my favorite game to play this season. Packed arena, season on the line, buzzer beater to send it to OT. That was easily my favorite.

Your ex teammate Kelvin Omojola surprisingly announced his retirement yesterday. What memories do you have of him?

Kelvin is one of the bets teammates that I ever played with and is still one of my closest friends. The league immediately felt his impact when he arrived. I wish that we would have had the chance to play a few more years together. He was and still is a crazy competitor. I´m sure everyone will feel his impact on whatever his next journey brings.

Who will reach the NBA final and win it all?

OKC should win it all. But I’d like to see someone in the east make some noise

Is Nikola Jokic the MVP or will Shai Gillgeous-Alexander get it?

Shai will get it. But I think Jokic is going to struggle with voters fatigue like LeBron did.

Thanks DJ for the chat.