Pic Credit: Lukas Steppkes

Quashawn Lane (188-G-1999, college: New Haven) is a 26 year old 188cm guard that helped the ETB Miners Essen (Germany-ProB) win the 2026 Pro B title averaging 16.2ppg, 5.1rpg, 5.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 81.1%. Last season he played with Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig (Ireland-Super League) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, 2PT: 62.8%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 81.2%. He played his rookie season overseas with Uni Baskets Paderborn (Germany-ProA) averaging 11.1ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.2apg, 2FGP: 50.5%, 3FGP: 28.9%, FT: 76.3% and played with the Manawatu Jets (New Zealand-NBL) averaging 8.4ppg, 3.7rpg, APG-3 (7.3), FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 64.7%. He began his basketball career at Trenton Catholic Academy and then played at New Haven University (NCAA) from 2018-2023 playing a total of 113 games and averaged 13.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 77.2% and 14.9ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 85.0% in the last 2 seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com after winning the Pro B title.

Essen lost game 1 by 36 points and won game 2 by 41 points. Many are saying this is the greatest comeback in German basketball. How special do you rate this massive comeback?

I think this comeback was very special. It felt more of celebration for ourselves for all the hard work, practices, and sacrifices that everyone made every single day. It took a lot of focus and connectivity to have the year we did, so ending it that way was the cherry on top.

You reached a final and NAIA Elite 8 at New Haven. Did you sometime have just a little doubt about when you would finally win that first chip?

No. I understand that winning isn’t promised in competitive sports. You can work as hard as you can, and still end up short. I know that I put the work in to position myself in the best possible position, so that eliminates all doubt for me.

What was the team feeling after the horrible 107-71 loss at Orange Academy? How much soul searching did the team do the days following?

I think everyone was more focused to get back out there. Big credit to Orange Academy for playing a very complete and dominant game 1. After game 1, many felt that we worked way too hard to get to the finals and have these results. The mindset was shifted to redeeming ourselves that second game, regardless of outcome. We just wanted to put together a clean game for our fans. Many felt we owed ourselves and the organization that performance.

How key was head coach Lars Wendt? How did he help the team most in the days leading up to game 2?

Very important. I think he came into those days very calm. His trust in us never waivered once. He always believed we could win this game 2 by enough points to win the finals. All week that was his message and mindset, which I think definitely had a positive impact on the team.

How quickly did the team know that game 2 would see only half of Orange Academy as all the talented youth players wouldn´t play because they were attending the NBBL Top 4 in Berlin?

We heard some rumors, but that was never the focus. We were preparing for them to have a fully loaded roster. That was our mindset, that was what we were prepared for in game 2.

Any other team could have underestimated Orange Academy. Why didn´t Essen?

I think we did a good job not underestimating teams all year. Each player was fully aware of the gameplan every night, and it showed. Orange Academy was also the number 1 seed from the south, so we knew they were a good team overall.

What was the focus of Essen going in? I mean did you have a plan how you would come back through out a 40 minute game so you would have more than 36 points?

I think the mindset was trying to win each quarter by 10 points. If we were able to get a lead and build on it throughout the game and constantly apply pressure all over the court, we felt that would put us in best position to overcome the task.

The team began well and led 53-32 at the break. Essen was playing well offensively, but still had to do more on the defensive end. What wasn´t functioning as well so far on the defensive end through the first 20 minutes?

To us, the first 20 minutes went very well offensively and defensively. To hold a good team like Orange Academy to just 30 points at half is excellent. We were on target with the idea of winning each quarter by 10 because we were up 20 points at half. Of course we expected them to hit shots and make plays, that’s a part of the game. But we all felt we were on a great route at halftime.

What did head coach Lars Wendt give the team for advice at half-time?

Understanding that we had to basically win by such a lead, the focus was making sure that we kept our energy and drive. There were a few corrections and adjustments, but for the most part, the half team talks were positive and motivating for us. It is one thing to gameplan a game to win, it is another thing to gameplan a game to win by 40 points. So we wanted to make sure we were making progress to that 40 point lead mark.

In the third quarter Orange Academy actually played well for the first few minutes outscoring Essen, but then came a 14-0 run by Essen which changed the game. You made drives and Ben Uzoma a big dunk. What was key in the run for Essen?

We knew they would come out in the 3rd with motivation and more shotmaking. I think our constant aggressive mindset was key. I think that helped take away the thinking and passiveness out of everyone due to the circumstances. There was no time to do anything else besides focus on the next play. The energy from the spectators is always an energy booster for players, the energy from them was amazing as well.

Essen was up with 32 points with 10 minutes to play. Essen was in the drivers seat. Which player at this moment was a big motivator with words?

Everyone was key. Our team had a connectivity that anyone could have pitched in to give advice, new looks, encouragement, etc. Our captains obviously take a big part in the leadership within the team, big shoutout to Niclas and Marc.

Essen began with a 10-2 run to lead 86-46. Now all Essen had to do was manage the lead to the buzzer. Essen then held Orange Academy minutes without scoring. Did you want it more than Orange Academy?

I wouldn’t say that. I believe Orange Academy wanted to win the game just as much as we wanted to win. At that point, I just think we had all the energy, momentum, and connectivity on our side after building it all game. It was just about finishing the job at that point.

Essen outscored Orange Academy 41-21 in the last half. Was this the best defense the team played in the season?

I would say yes. We definitely prided ourselves on the defensive end all year, trying to be the best defensive team in the league. This game was just everything coming together in a sense at such a pivotal moment as well.

Essen held their 2 best scorers Joel Cwik and Namouri Omog to 8/28 shooting and 25 points. How much of a focus was the defense on slowing them down?

Extreme focus. We knew they were their best playmakers available so we wanted to make it as tough as possible for them two.

You saved your best for last with a 28/11/10 game. Was this the best game in your career?

I would say yes, definitely as a professional.

Did you wake up Sunday morning with a mission. Did you feel different than usual or did you eat a special breakfast that helped you have such a massive game?

Yes, I definitely woke up with a ton of energy. No special breakfast or anything, I stayed to my routine. But my energy was through the roof from the moment I woke up that day. It was our last game, I had to get up for that one.

What was your fondest moment in Essen against Orange Academy?

Winning the championship. In the way we did it, that should have solidified us in Essen basketball history. Every one of those guys deserve that recognition for the sacrifices that were made.

Thanks Quashawn for the chat.