pic credit: Skyliners EV

If Namori Omog (188-G-2006) who lists current EPG Baskets guard Calvin Wishart as his toughest opponent last season saved his best for last in last season´s NBBL playoff series against ratiopharm Ulm is unknown, but stats don´t lie. In the first 6 NBBL games, he scored a total of only 51 points while always seeming to be in the shadow of Ivan Crnjac and Jamie Edoka, but against Ulm, he literally exploded. He scored 71 points in total and averaged 23,0ppg. The only thing that was missing in the end was getting to the next round. His NBBL stats were 12.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.6apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.9% It is often that when you see a player move on, it is often instrumental how well he did during the last season against his new team that helped them make the decision to reel him in. Recently Namori Omog left his comfort zone of Frankfurt and signed with the ratiopharm Ulm organization as a double license player to play Pro B with Orange Academy and the perspective for BBL minutes with Ulm. Was there a feeling that Omog was on Ulm´s radar after that series? “I think that I was on their radar after my performance in the playoff series. I didn´t plan that though. But my goal going into the Ulm series was to definitely step up my game”, stressed Namori Omog. He had had a very strong NBBL season with Eintracht Frankfurt, but where was his feeling after the season in terms of remaining or seeking a new challenge? “I did have that feeling of possibly taking on a new challenge, but to remain in Frankfurt was still an option. But in the end, I decided it was best for my further development that I take on a new challenge”, said Namori Omog.

pic credit: Skyliners EV

It has to be 100% a no brainer for any young player to want to join the ratiopharm Ulm organization. How this organization has developed further in the last 6 years has been amazing. From Killian Hayes to guys like Jeremy Sochan, Juan Nunez, Pacome Dadiet, Noa Essengue to Ben Saraf have all been drafted by the NBA. And this season the club has hauled in the next big prospect from Italy with Diego Garavaglia. “Ulm was at the top of my list. I have a double license. My main role will be to play in the Pro B, but at the same time, I want to record my first BBL minutes”, warned Namori Omog. There were many reasons what made Ulm attractive for him not to mention the great facilities, reputation and all the young guys that made their way to the NBA in the last few years. “Jeremy Sochan´s development has been very impressive. He is surely a role model, but all in all, Ulm was very attractive for me with their great record of developing young players. I think Ulm is simply the best place for my development. Being able to practice with the BBL team and possibly play Eurocup was very attractive for me. I think that that will help me grow and become more known as a player”, stressed Namori Omog. The super speedy guard who doesn´t remember playing Jamie Edoka in practice 1-1 games last season, but feels the games would be 50/50 if played will concentrate 100% on basketball this season, but may take on an internship or help coach youth teams. He will be working intensively with Orange Academy head coach Florian Flabb who helped lead Ulm´s U-19 NBBL team into the Top 4 in Berlin last May. “I like how coach gives his players freedom. He knows the strengths of each player and how to help them implement it best into a system”, stated Namori Omog. There has been also a little house cleaning this season as new talents have arrived like Dutch player Yanu Slingerland. He knows that mentally he will have to be more than ready to compete daily against such tough competition a step above what he saw in Frankfurt. “I know Yanu. He is super athletic and physical for his age. He is a very good shooter which he recently demonstrated at the youth European Championships. I´m thankful that Ulm give young players a chance. I will have to use that chance to make an impact. I will have to continue to work hard and improve my game”, warned Namori Omog. He also understands what part of his game is most vital to improve this season. “My biggest personal goal with my game is to improve my shot. I have to get a more stable three pointer. That will make me more dangerous. I also want to grow as a leader in the Pro B”, commented Namori Omog.

The athletic guard who feels Germany will achieve a medal at the upcoming European Championships and reach the final had some good years in Frankfurt even if they weren´t always rosy. “I had my ups and downs in Frankfurt. I think that I really improved my mentality in Frankfurt. Before Frankfurt, I wasn´t as dedicated. I had to be more dedicated in Frankfurt and was forced not to see it as fun. I did a good job working on my strengths and using my speed better”, remembered Namori Omog. Last season he was part of the magnificent trio with Ivan Crnjac and Jamie Edoka. From the outside it seemed like he was a bit in their shadows. Did it feel like he had less support for his development than them and did he see easyCredit BBL perspective? “I do believe that there was BBL perspective there for me in Frankfurt, but to be honest I did have that feeling that my development wasn´t pushed as much as theirs. I wasn´t able to practice with the BBL team. I believe being able to do that would of really helped my game more. I also think that I deserved more Pro B minutes”, expressed Namori Omog. He was very blessed to have had a coach like Sepehr Tarrah who was able to get the best out of him. “He taught me exactly how much I can control an opponent by the amount of preparation I put in for each game and what advantages I can use”, added Namori Omog. He will most likely battle against former teammate Ivan Crnjac this year in the Pro B. Of course he followed his former teammate closely this summer at the U-18 European Championships where Germany only reached 7th place. It seemed like Crnjac wasn´t allowed to show his full game during the competition. “I think that the seventh place wasn´t so surprising. One saw after the first game that they weren´t going to be as strong as the U-19 team. I think that team play was lacking and their mentality didn´t work so well. I think that Ivan will learn from this low. I think an experience like this will make him stronger”, stressed Namori Omog. Who knows he may even bump into Isaiah Hartenstein before he heads back to the States who has found a love for the ratiopharm Ulm organization. What would he ask the newly crowned NBA champion first? “I would ask him what are the 2-3 vital things that I need to have in order to become a champion”, stressed Namori Omog. It will be interesting to see how well Namori Omog develops his game further this season under Florian Flabb. One thing is for sure, he has definitely picked a place where he can work on what it takes to become a champion.