pic credit: Dennis Green

Zharon Richmond (201-F, college: MSUB) is a 201cm rookie that played the 2024-2025 for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-ProA). He began his basketball career with Skyview High School. He then played at Montana State University Billings (NCAA2) from 2017-2024 playing a total of 79 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a win against the EPG Guardians Koblenz and about his basketball career.

Thanks Zharon for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the big win over the EPG Guardians Koblenz. Do you feel like the team is on a good way going towards the playoffs? The team has won 5 of it´s last 7 games.

We have definitely put ourselves in a good position for the playoffs. In a great spot but have four tough games coming up. Since I’ve been here we have dropped a couple games that we should not have and that definitely hurt our playoff position.

I saw that game in Koblenz and was really impressed with the extra pass. The team is totally unselfish. Was that unselfishness there from day 1 or did it grow with time?

For coming as a midseason signing I wanted to make sure my teammates knew the way that I play. That is being a team player and making the extra passes and helping the team with or without score. I would say that is how everyone on this team plays.

The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven are having a good season. What has been the secret to the success?

Similarly to the last question, we play our best basketball when we are selfless and everyone is involved. I wouldn’t say there’s a secret I think any team can find success when they play together and defend.

The team has no real stars, but 10 guys that average 7,0ppg or more. Have you ever seen this before in your career? Does everyone play for each other?

We have a lot of guys that can score and in many different ways. As far as the teams I’ve played on I have never seen this amount of depth when it comes to scoring. Everyone know their roles and what everyone else is capable of so we know that if one person may have an off night that someone else will pick up the slack.

The team allows the second least points in the Pro A with 75 per game. What is the biggest strength on the defensive end that has allowed the team to have this special identity?

I think the biggest strength that has helped this team is the level of IQ we have. From our ability to recognize opponents plays we have gone over to changing of coverages. We are a good team when we communicate and defend and we all know how important that is.

What has it been like being teammates with young German Peter Hemschmeier? How talented is he? He hit big three´s against Koblenz?

Peter is a really talented young player with a lot of potential. From the short time I have been here I have seen improvement in his game. Peter has made some big shots this year and helped us win games. Another thing about Peter is off the court he is hilarious, sometimes on the court as well.

The team has so many great players. Who would you call the team´s Swiss army knife? Possibly Carlos Carter?

I think it is safe to say Carlos is our Swiss army knife. I say this because he is very versatile offensively and defensively. With his size he is able to score and defend in the post, and his speed and ability to handle the allow him to play and defend the guard positions.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

NBA player comparisons are tough, someone once told me I play like a smaller Karl Anthony Towns.I found that agreeable with the ability to stretch the floor score in the post as well as rebound and defend.

You have always been a scorer your whole career while being consistent. What do other strengths does your game have?

Other than scoring I feel my strengths are being unselfish and making the extra pass, defending with some room for improvement, and I try to do other little things that can help our team win.

Versatility is huge in your game. How has that helped you the most this season as a rookie?

Being versatile has helped me get on the floor. With some injuries we had we were lacking depth at the center position, although undersized I was able to step in and play minutes at that position. This gave our team some different options offensively which I think opened up our game.

Your shooting 51% from outside and have made a big jump this season. Did coach Steve help you or has it been mostly with your preparation and mechanics?

Nothing has changed as far as mechanics for me but what I think changed the most is the kinds of shots I’m taking. In college I was depended on more to score and I didn’t always take the most high quality shots. With this team this year I have been able to take and make high quality shots open shots, most of which are created by my teammates. Getting here midseason there hasn’t been much time to work with Coach Steve, the help he has given me is telling me to shoot the ball when I’m open.

How has your defense grown this season? Bremerhaven gives up only 75 points per game and is one of the best defensive teams in the Pro A?

Personally I’ve learned and adjusted to defensive strategies I’ve never or rarely done before. As for our team, when we limit our opponents to jut one shot we are very good. Some of the games that we have lost or were close we were not able to do that.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

I believe I can take a big step up defensively. I also want to improve my ball handling, this will just expand my versatility even more. Strength is another thing I need to improve, especially with the physicality in this league.

This season your averaging 9/3/1 in only 20 minutes which is 16 minutes less than last season. Has it been a tough adjustment playing less? You still are very efficient.

It is definitely different playing for a team when you aren’t needed or expected to play over 30 minutes. With more limited minutes you have to give the effort and try and give the most you can because sometimes you don’t know how much time you will get.

You played at Montana State University Billings (NCAA2) from 2017-2024 and had your ups and downs including being injured. What kind of a player were you coming in and what kind of player did you become when you left?

Coming into college I was skilled but also still pretty raw, many times I just relied on my athleticism. As the years went on I was able to learn more about the game and fine tune my skills. After my time away I came back with a much better perspective and was in a real leadership role for my first time in college. This helped me learn a lot about myself and about team dynamics.

You had many great games in the NCAA 2 especially against Alaska and Alaska Anchorage. What was your fondest moment on the court?

There lots of memorable games for me in college, first game, games against D1 opponents but the end of my senior year had to be my best one. It started with a senior night win against one of our recent rivals in Saint Martins. Then we had the Alaska trip where I had a career weekend. Something like 61 points in 2 games and only 3 missed field goals was pretty special. That weekend also helped clinch our teams first regular season GNAC title.

How did head coach Luke Fennelly groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

From the start coach told me I was a leader on this team and that I have an impact on how good this team could be. This motivated me to lead by example and trying show what or team needs and the effort needed for success.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Daniel Moody?

We never actually played a game of 1-1 but we did have our fair shares of battles in practice. The game would be very competitive, so much in fact that it might have to turn into a series because one game might not be able to decide it.

Who is the best player that you ever faced on a court that reached the NBA?

I think the best player I player against was Corey Kispert who played at Gonzaga and got drafted by the Washington Wizards. Played him once in a team camp and once in an AAU tournament, he was pretty impressive.

Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time?

My dorm roommate Tyler Green. Another former roommate Jordan Lehrer. Kobe Terashima, Jalrn and Jajuan Tot

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

MJ, Bron, Kobe, KD

Who is your GOAT and why?

Kevin Durant, growing being a Thunder fan being able to go to games and even go to his camps in the summer he has always been my favorite player. Except for about two months after he left OKC and signed with the Warriors. At his size with his ability to handle the ball and score the way he does, it’s a work of art.

Did you see the sequel to the classic coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I didn’t see the sequel. Most movies should be left alone, especially when so much time has passed.

Thanks Zharon for the chat.