Pic credit: Angel Media

Jonas Niedermanner (205-SF-1996) is a 29 year old 205cm forward playing his sixth Pro A season and first season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz averaging 7,7ppg, 3,5rpg, 1,4apg and 1,0spg. He has a lot of experience in the Pro A having played for MBC, Hanau, Schwenningen,Trier and Kirchheim and has more than 150 Pro A games experience. He began his career in the MBC organization where he played 6 easyCredit BBL games and also played with USC Leipzig and Sandersdorf. He spoke to germanhoops.com last summer about basketball.

Thanks Jonas for talking to germanhoops.com. We have a faint connection. I remember during the 2016-2017 season you played a game in Rhondorf losing 86-76 and scored 13 points. I called the game and pronounced your name wrong and one of your parents told a fan at game and they told me at half-time. I learned something from your parents. How important have they been for your career?

Hey, thanks for having me. I actually remember that, because my Grandma was really upset and it kind of became a family inside joke. My family is the main reason I was even able to play basketball. The little village my family lives in doesn’t have a basketball team or even a court, so my basketball journey started with having to go to a different city to practice and play and my parents/grandparents had to drive me sit there at practice for 1,5/2h and take me back everyday. They never complained or told me they can’t make it. Even now when there is a chance to be there at a game they will be there. And I am really thankful for all of this.

Your 28 years old and have played for 8 teams and now 9 with the EPG Baskets. Did you envision yourself being more of a journeyman after your time in the MBC organization?

No actually not at all. I always envisioned myself more like a Sascha Leutloff, staying with MBC for what seemed like an eternity and maybe even having my Jersey retired and always staying in touch with that one club and one city. But live played out different and I am also thankful for that because I found my girlfriend and met so many great people and had amazing experiences. And you never know, because my dream is still there.

You have been a sold Pro A player now for 5 seasons. Is the easyCredit BBL still a goal for you? Why do you feel wasn´t the BBL in your cards as a player after MBC?

Yes the BBL was and is always the goal. It’s the highest German league and making it there is a huge accomplishment in my opinion. I think, when I was younger, I just took it for granted too much. Everything just always came pretty easy to me. I played Pro B with 14 years and everybody told me what great potential I had, and so it took me too long to understand just being good and giving 100% in practice isn’t even enough for me to get to that goal and I have to invest more than that, but when that realization, that it’s not somebody from the outside hindering me or keeping me back, I was already like 21/22 years old.

Your starting a new challenge with the EPG Baskets. What were the main reasons why you joined this ambitious organization? Was their huge team goals a reason?

The main reason were the talks with Coach Stephan. I had a good connection with him right from the first talk and the things he told me about his visions for the team and the style of basketball he wants to play really resonated with me. And I wanted to be a part of his vision. Plus I saw who they already had signed and that was a clear sign that the club puts an emphasis on also signing great characters. I think that’s the most important thing for being successful in whatever way. I believe we can really become a team where everybody wants to fight for each other and make everybody around him better.

How did the talks go with Stephan Dohrn? He really likes your team play?

We didn’t need many talks, which I think shows we had a good connection from the beginning. I think he liked my defense the most, being able to guard multiple positions and taking pride in guarding the opponents top scorer plus we really fast agreed on basketball is most beautiful when a group of guys embrace playing as group, like the 2014 Spurs, with great ball movement and giving up good looks for a better look.

What instantly did you appreciate most about Stephan Dohrn´s basketball philosophy?

Like I said the basketball as a team topic was great. And I think he knows we don’t have to invent basketball completely new. There are so many ways to be successful, the main thing will be getting everybody on the same page in almost every Situation.

You have never averaged more than 8,0ppg in the Pro A. Is this season a personal goal of yours to have a breakout offensive season or will you be content having the kind of roles you have had the last years in the Pro A?

I never really looked at my stats. I want to be a part of team and just fit in where we need help the most, which also made me a lot of times to passive. And I don’t think that helps anybody. My Main Focus will be being a great defender on all positions and be more aggressive and more consistent offensively, but I won´t be looking at my Points to be an indicator for that, because its more than that. I am Confidence that I can be a Great Part in our offense.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 205ccm forward. If you had to compare your game to a Euroleague or German player who would it be?

I am a big Fan of Tadas Sedekerskis from Baskonia (Also the reason they are my Favorite EuroLeague Team). He does everything on the Court and is a great leader. He doesn’t need 15 points to stand out. He can score 15 without a doubt but it´s all the little things he influences that amaze me and make me want to Play like that.

You’re a versatile player that can guard many positions. Talk a little about your strengths on the offensive end?

My versatility and IQ. And Like I said in the past I thought to much about „oh yeah I am kind of open but if I shoot now…“ plus a struggle with my confidence made me to indecisive. Last year especially in the beginning I did a way better job, because I know for example how good I can shoot off movement. I am practicing every day and I showed it last season when I move before I shoot it helps me think less and just do.

Your three pointer continues to be a work in progress. You have never shot higher than 34% in the Pro A. How realistic is it still for you to reach 40% in a season?

I think I can do it or get really close. I have done it in multiple Season for stretches also last year in the Playoffs with the little time I was allowed on the Court. It’s a mental thing. I doubt myself to quick and then I want to make the next Shot so bad It puts so much more pressure on myself. I think about every Little Detail on my Shot and what is not Perfect instead of just shooting without having a thought.

Talk a little about the development of your defense in the last years. Your flexible and give your team good energy. What kind of defender do you still want to become?

I want to be even more talkative, especially when I am put on the weak side just being louder telling the others what’s happening behind them. And staying away from overaggressive stupid fouls keeping my distance because I am probably taller and longer than my opponent and can still pressure without getting beat. And Rebounding I do think I box out a lot but I can still make an extra effort to pursue the ball after boxing out.

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

3 things: Shooting is the thing I practice the most right now, because no matter what you have to be able to shoot the ball and my condition, because it keeps u healthy and on the court. And last ball handling to be more confident to just handle the ball in every situation.

You played the last 2 years in Kirchheim. You were an important role player as always and was consistent. How vital was Igor Perovic in your development in this time? Would you say these 2 years were probably your best 2 seasons in the Pro A statwise?

Igor was one of the best coaches for me. He was always straight forward in what he sees in somebody and how we could get there. And if you ever had a question about anything basketball he had the answer and explained in a way everyone understood in a great positive way. I am really really thankful for the two years in Kirchheim and it was just a good time especially when a lot of guys stayed and we pushed Hagen to Game 5.

You played a season in Trier averaging 17 minutes. What memories do you have of this season and losing to Leverkusen in the playoffs?

Trier will I think always be the most special time in my career. We had such a unique and special group that just clicked right from the start and we went through everything together and we were so talented. On the other side I had my personal struggles with depressions and had to go to hospital for a month. So yeah a lot of great people and great times but also a lot of darkness thinking back.

You also played a season in Schwenningen averaging 8.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.2%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 73.3%. How important was this season coming from the Pro B and showing you could be a good player in the Pro A? How vital was Alen Velcic in giving you the needed freedom to shine?

Hahahah yeah Schwenningen was definitely an experience. Alan said right from the beginning everybody is going to eat shit but if you put in the work you will get a chance and he kept his word on those things. He gave me the chance to move and it showed me yes I can be good in Pro A and maybe even be great with a lot of work. So being there was important for my view of myself. And getting to know Coach Nadfeji and being able to work with him was incredible in every aspect of professionalism and basketball

You played a season with the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau (ProB) averaging 8.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.0apg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 81.3%. How vital was veteran Josef Eichler in your basketball development at that time? What could you learn from him best?

Hahahah I loved playing with Josef not in practice but he had that stoic calmness about him, which made him be a great leader for us without having to constantly talk or being appreciated for what he did. And you knew what his opponent had to go through and how bruised they became because he did the same everyday in practice and all of us realized what physicality really meant and how to use it.

You played a long time in the MBC organization playing also for Leipzig and Sandersdorf. Did you have a special kind of mentor in your early days?

Yes Jaro Tyrna was my first vet and he helped me a lot. He made me understand that first of all nobody cares how old you are. When you want to play professional nobody will say oh no he is only 13 lets take it easy on him. No it’s sport you want to be part than you have to be ready.

You played 6 BBL games including against Alba Berlin and played 8 minutes in total. What was your fondest moment in the BBL?

Playing in Bamberg. We are down 30 and coach puts me in. I was so surprised to even make the trip. I never thought he would put me in. Bamberg has always been my favorite team and playing there in front of freak city was amazing and then I get the ball drive by Luca Steiger and get absolutely hacked by Ricky Hickmann. I make one freet hrow so I am on an absolut ehigh. A couple posessions later I get the ball in the corner and just shoot and It goes in. It was like a dream. I was so happy but couldn’t show it because we were down 30. And then the game is over and all of a sudden I see my family in the crowd. I had no idea… My mom had tears in her eyes and my Dad had that big awesome smile and it will always be a memory that will stick with me.

In Leipzig you were teammates with ex BBL player Sascha Leuloff. How much of an impact did the ex Alba Berlin player have on your early basketball development?

He was the guy I looked up to the most. Just the perfect example of being a pro and a loyal great human.

You also got some experience playing with the BSW Sixers. How was this time playing for Thomas Grepl?

Thomas and I really didn’t match. It was a bad experience for me. He told me not to shoot because he thought I couldn’t shoot and basically told me when I catch the ball to just pass it to the next guy. It took all the fun away from basketball and took all my confidence away.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Ferenc Gille?

I have to say I won every single game. And I am sure he says the same that he won every game. Hahahah I miss the guy always fun when I had the chance to see and play him.

What was your favorite game in your career in the Pro A and Pro B?

Game 3 last year in Hagen. We needed a guy to step up and I just did. The whole team and everybody was just happy and it was just amazing.

Who is the toughest player that you ever battled that reached the NBA?

I think I played Dennis Schröder once in NBBL. He showed up 10 minutes before Tipp Off. I think a bag of chips in his hands. And just killed out whole team with 30/10/10 in like 20 minutes.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Dimi Ward

Melkisedek Moureaux

Chris Frazier

Enosch Wolf

Garai Zeeb

Please list your personal Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Shane Battier
Andre Igoudala
Dirk Nowitzki
Sascha Nadfeji

Who is your GOAT?

Shane Battier

Thanks Jonas fort he chat.