This season there is so much going on with the Skyliners that would invent excitement to watch them play in their living room than other seasons. I mean they have one of the best rosters in the last decade and being able to watch guys like Judah Mintz, ex NBA player Ryan Arcidiacono or Mr Iso Isaiah Swope is an enrichment. However for me, I also can get excited to watch guys from other teams especially this season with the vast talent in the Eurocup. But even in the easyCredit BBL, there are guys on each team that present you with that zeal to enter the Skyliners arena. When I checked the Veolia Towers Hamburg roster, It was a number that first tickled my interest. I saw 175 and was instantly excited. New Hamburg guard Zakai Zeigler (175-PG-2002, college: Tennessee) is only 175cm, but a player that can definitely ball. I have always adored short players simply because I´m short. Back in the day, the first short player I tried to imitate on the court was Boston Celtic Tiny Archibald. Back in those days I also enjoyed guys like Muggsy Bogues, Spud Webb or Piston great Isaiah Thomas. Overseas there have also been great short point guards like Facundo Campazzo, Shane Larkin or TJ Shorts. Being able to see a young and still some what raw player like Zakai Zeigler was exciting. In the third quarter he drove to the rim showing his impressive combination of speed, ball handling, athleticism and agility going underneath and finishing with an acrobatic reverse lay up high of the glass that had me reeling not to fall of my chair. It was that nice. Not only are talented players who are taller, but off the radar and paying their dues in lower leagues have chip on their shoulders, but usually small players have that weighty chip on their shoulders. For Zeigler, there is that chip, but he got the correct motivation, drive and confidence early on to strive for his goals no matter the so called adversary. “ Playing basketball is always what I did. My mom always told me I could do what I wanted to in life. I always wanted to be a pro player and that is what I am. I always liked watching Kemba Walker. I have a personal connection to him since my dad knows his dad. Kemba and I also have the same agent. I always watched how he handles the pick and roll. I also like watching guys like Trae Young and Fred Van Vleet”, stressed Zakai Zeigler.

The Veolia Towers Hamburg came to Frankfurt with a 1-3 record and played the Skyliners tough in the first half, but in the second half were unable to penetrate the walling up and packing the paint by Frankfurt who were able to really stifle the Towers offense. It also helped that they upped their shooting percentages. “We played well in the first half even if we were a little up and down. We didn´t respond well in the second half when they punched. We were unable to swing when they swung”, stressed Zakai Zeigler. Frankfurt were on a mission and never let up in the fourth quarter allowing their least points in the game with 16 and just buckled down like a good defensive team should. “They did a good job packing the paint. I feel like we were too hooked to play the correct way than being aggressive. I think that if we had been as aggressive like in the first half, then the game couldn´t of gone in a different way”, warned Zakai Zeigler. It also didn´t help Hamburg´s cause that they had to withstand a player like Judah Mintz who had the hot hand in so many instances when Frankfurt were on runs. Mintz proved that he was the master of the runs in this game. He finished with 27 points leading the Skyliners to the win. “He is a very good player. I knew him before the game as we had played against each other in college. We talked some smack. He shot the ball well. When he gets downhill, he is great”, stressed Zakai Zeigler. The American who was born on Long Island and played at Our Saviour Lutheran School in the Bronx had 13 points and 2 assists in 29 minutes and shot the ball well at 42% from the field, but felt like he could of done more in the second half after a good first half. “I began strong in the first quarter. I could have been more aggressive in the second quarter. I played Ok. I´m never satisfied”, stressed Zakai Zeigler.

The ex University of Tennessee (NCAA) guard who had stints playing in the NBA Summer League with the Pistons and Spurs and played his rookie season overseas with Nanterre 92 (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) is playing his second pro season with the Voelia Towers Hamburg. The BBL is in a way similar to the France Pro A, but also different and he is confident that his new team can do big things despite the slow start at 1-4 in the BBL. “I think that the biggest difference between both leagues is the physicality. The refs let you play more in the BBL. I feel like we can have a good season. The playoffs are the goal. We just still have things to figure out”, added Zakai Zeigler. He is also very fortunate to have some great teammates this season with young player Noah Thomasson and veteran David Muenkat who had a home coming on Sunday playing against his ex team Frankfurt. “I played against Noah in school. I love his game. He has that James Harden play style. He is great at scoring the ball and going downhill. David is amazing. He is our leader and rebounds the ball so well. He can get on your back, but then turn around and give you a high five”, smiled Zakai Zeigler. So far through 5 games, he is averaging 11/4/2/1 stats in 26 minutes. He has showed that he needs no adjustment time to being an impact player in the BBL. “My role this season is to be that point guard that is aggressive, makes shots and is a lock down defender”, commented Zakai Zeigler. This season the Hamburg Towers don´t have the double stress of Eurocup competition and only have to focus on the easyCredit BBL. The American has one big goal what he has to improve this season. “I have struggled my whole career on shooting and that is something I definitely will work hard on”, warned Zakai Zeigler. As a guy who grew up in the tough Bronx, it must be one of the biggest culture shocks living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world with Hamburg. I bet there are very few people from the Bronx that have been in Hamburg. “Hamburg is amazing. I´m really happy that my family is here with my sister at the moment. When I have some time, I really like to go sit and relax at the Alster lake”, said Zakai Zeigler. He also has found a liking to the great German food. “I really like the bread. I like going to the store and being able to get fresh bread”, smiled Zakai Zeigler. It will be interesting to see if the Veolia Towers Hamburg can dig themselves out of their little hole and how Zakai Zeigler continues to develop this season. I´m sure his dazzling exciting play will enrich other people in other arena´s in Germany this season.