Pic credit: Marina Schwarz

Noah Kamdem (198-C-1998) is a 28 year old 198cm center that is playing his 13th season and first with Pro B team TV Langen. He played the last 4 seasons with the CATL Basketball Loewen Erfurt (ProB). Last season he averaged 13.8ppg, Reb-5 (8.6rpg), 1.7apg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 73.7% He has been a real basketball traveler in Germany having played with Troster Breitengussbach, Nurnberg, Herzogenaurach, Team Ehingen, Rolstock, PS Karlsruhe, Schwenningen, Coburg, Frankfurt and Elchingen. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big 71-63 win over his ex team Erfurt

Congrats on the big win over the Basketball Lowen Erfurt. With what kind of emotions did you go into the game playing your ex team?

It wasn´t difficult. For me it was just like any other game. I want to win and that wasn´t always the case in Erfurt. We were only one season at the top. We were mostly in the middle.

The team is very different. It lost key guys like Paul Albrecht, You and Musa Abra. Are they missing some pieces that will help them get over the hump?

Their import is injured. With him they are a lot better. They still need to find themselves. They force a lot. They have to define their roles more. They took many crazy shots. We made the same mistake in the first game, but against Munich everything clicked for us. We like to share the ball. It is always better making extra passes than just one to get in a flow.

How good does it always feel winning a game where you never trailed?

It was super. This game was a lot of fun to play.

With what kind of game plan did you go into the game? Erfurt was 1-2. You definitely didn´t underestimate them.

We wanted to go into the game and play very hard from the jump ball. There is a big difference this season to when I was with Erfurt. We really go hard in practice with TV Langen and that wasn´t the same in Erfurt. If you practice hard in practice then it shows in games.

TV Langen led 19-10 after a quarter. You and Niklas Pons had 7 points a piece. How special is Pons as a player? He had a triple double last season.

It is great to play with him, but also with Carlos Hidalgo. They both move the ball, but also like to do it. They don´t force anything. They really help me be able to score. It is a lot of fun playing with them.

TV Langen set the tone in the second quarter with a 5-0 run. How valuable was it getting stops right away and showing who was in command?

That is really important. In Erfurt we always had our bad third quarter. It obviously helps if you set the tone right away in a game. You shouldn´t go out and play relaxed. You always have to go at the opponent right away.

Erfurt went on their first run of the game in the last minutes to trail only 32-30 at the break. What did TV Langen get away from allowing them to get very close again?

We played too soft.

Why do teams give up runs after having their own run?

Runs are part of the game. I mean when your up 10 points, you naturally tend to relax. Thinking the win will come is present. You have to always play hard and never give up. We play at the Pro B level and runs happen frequently. That won´t happen in higher levels.

The third quarter showed runs from both teams, but you still led 50-42 after 30 minutes. What did head coach Tobias Jahn tell the team for the fourth quarter?

We had to finish the game strong and rebound better and play with a strong will.

Cooper Creek began the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run. How vital is his play for the team and what do you like most about his game?

I think that his two biggest assets is his shooting and hustle. He is a really good shooter. He also has a really good mid range shot. He will make 40-45 shots on 50 shots on the shooting machine. He hit a lot of tough contested shots. We have to create better spacing so he can get more consistency with open looks. He is also a winner having winning records the last seasons. He also played a lot. He played in the UK and then down under and now he is with us. He played like 50 games last season. He is also a really nice guy. He is a real team player. He doesn´t look at stats, but only concerned about winning.

TV Langen closed out the game very well never letting up. What was the team´s biggest strength on this night?

How do you get fun. Working hard isn´t always fun, but the goal is fun. When we get stops, we burn for it. I remember when I blocked Anthony Watkins, all were on fire on the bench and cheering. We burn as a team. Our defense and will makes us strong. We play with heart and give our all in practice. That is beautiful.

You already had your double double in the third quarter and finished with a 20/15 game. How happy were you with your performance.

It was Ok. The double double makes me happy. I missed too many shots though. I could have had 30 points. Then I would have been happy. I have played much too long in the Pro B. That isn´t my last stop.

Your averaging 18/11 in your first 3 games. Could this be your best season ever?

Yes it could be. I don´t want to revel too much now. I get so much trust from my teammates and coaches. Having so many unselfish teammates will only help my game.

You next face weak team Speyer. What will be key for the win?

We can´t underestimate them. Cooper Creek and I watched 1,5 quarters of their game against Leverkusen. They didn´t make it easy for Leverkusen. Speyer was present. They have many imports and legend DJ Woodmore. We will play our usual game which is paly hard with good aggressive on ball defense.

Thanks Noah for the chat.