One thing that the basketball places Crailsheim and Wurzburg have shown really well for some seasons had been having that special talent of bringing in point guards who wouldn´t just make an impact on the court, but an immense impact. Back in the years 2019-2021 when Crailsheim was still in the easyCredit BBL, they had two incredible years reaching the playoffs with guards Dewayne Russell, Trae Bell-Haynes and TJ Shorts. The maker of the findings and success was current NBA coach Tuomas Iisalo. All players had chips on their shoulders and helped lead the club to the playoffs and then all reached higher leagues. It wasn´t any different in Wurzburg from the years 2023-2025 as head coach Saso Filipovski preferred having guards who were the main forces on the court having Stanley Whittaker, Otis Livingston and Jhivvan Jackson who like the Crailsheim guards all had incredible seasons with the latter two Americans helping their teams reach the playoffs. In the Pro A, there is also a trend like this happening in Kirchheim. Ex BBL player Igor Perovic has done incredible work there for the last 6 seasons and is entering his seventh season coming off his best season ever there having reached the Pro A final last season. All in all he has reached the playoffs 3 times and did it each season with incredible guards where he had that unique feeling that these guys would be the leaders to help the team gain success. Veteran Richard Williams, Michael Flowers and last season Philipp Russell were the point guards who waved the magic wanes and led the teams to the playoffs. Perovic comes back every season with one of the lower budgets in Pro A and somehow finds a competitive roster. This season he is hungry and has built another interesting roster and this season his point guard is CJ Hines (193-PG-2002, college: Temple) who is in his second pro season and like many players overseas has a huge chip on his shoulder after playing in the NAIA and in Serbia last season. Obviously he is seeking to make the next step in Germany. Does he feel any extra pressure having to live up to the point guard magic in Kirchheim? “I wouldn’t say I feel pressure. I see it more as motivation. Obviously, Coach Perovic has had a lot of success with guards, and there have been some very talented players who have developed and had success in Kirchheim. At the same time, I don’t want to come in trying to be the next version of somebody else. I want to be myself, play my game, and bring my own strengths to the team. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m confident in my ability to contribute. For me, the goal is to learn from Coach Perovic, earn the trust of my teammates and coaches, and help the Knights win. If I can do that while continuing the tradition of successful guards here, then I’ll be very happy”, stressed CJ Hines.

CJ Hines who lists ex Auburn and current Los Angeles Clipper Jihni Broome as his toughest opponent in the NCAA because of his size, strength and skill and basketball IQ made him so difficult to stop was born on March 18th, 2002 in Atlanta Georgia. He began his basketball career at Archer High school and then played 3 years at Faulkner University (NAIA). He made massive strides in his game there averaging 9.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 46.0%, FT: 73.5%, 17.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 77.5% and really exploded in his third year averaging 21.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 80.9%. Playing at Faulkner under Scott Sanderson helped his overall game so much. “I became a much more complete player at Faulkner under Coach Scott Sanderson. When I first got there, I was still figuring out what kind of player I could become at the college level. Each season, I took on more responsibility and became more confident in my ability to score, make plays, defend, and impact the game in different ways. Coach Sanderson really helped me understand how to play the game the right way and poured endless confidence in me. He trusted me with more as I developed, but he also held me accountable and pushed me to improve the areas of my game that needed work. By my last season, I had become a much more confident scorer and playmaker, but I also understood that I needed to do more than just put points on the board. I think the biggest thing I took from Faulkner was learning how to be a complete guard and how to handle a bigger role. That experience gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to take the next step, eventually play at Alabama State, and then begin my professional career overseas”, warned CJ Hines. In his last season, he scored in double figures in all 38 games he played, scored 20 points or more 19 times including a 38 point explosion against LSUS and helped his team win the SSAC title. He also reached 2 NAIA Sweet 16´s. “My fondest moment on the court at Faulkner would definitely be winning the SSAC championship. The 38 point game against LSUS was a great individual memory, and I’ll always be proud of performances like that, but winning the championship with my teammates meant more to me. There’s something different about accomplishing a goal together after putting in so much work throughout the season. Everyone had a role, and when we were able to come together and win the conference, it was a really special feeling. It showed me that all the individual work is important, but ultimately, basketball is about winning and doing whatever you can to help your team succeed. That championship is probably the memory I look back on the most from my time at Faulkner because of what it meant to our team and the people I shared it with”, remembered CJ Hines who remembers beating TJ Madlock in 1-1 games.. He picked up many awards at Faulkner including SSAC All-Freshman Team -2021, All-SSAC First Team -2022, 23, NAIA All-Americans Third Team -2022, All-SSAC Player of the Year -2023, SSAC All-Tournament Team -2023, NABC NAIA All-American Team -2023, and NAIA All-America First Team -2023

The Georgia native who lists TJ Madlock, ASU, Derrian Ford, Temple, Aiden Tobiason, Temple, Gavin Griffiths, Temple, and Kario Oquendo, Serbia as his five best teammates of all-time then was rewarded and made the jump to the NCAA and played 2 more years at  Alabama State University  (NCAA) averaging  9.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 34.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 79.1% and 14.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 73.8%. There he demonstrated his leadership qualities again and won another chip with the SWAC title in 2025. What was so special about that squad? “What made that squad so special was how relentless we were. We had a group of guys who refused to quit, no matter what the situation was. Whether we were up big, down, or in a close game late, we always believed we were going to find a way to win. That mentality became a big part of who we were as a team. We also genuinely cared about each other and understood that everyone had a role. We pushed each other every day in practice, held each other accountable, and competed at a high level. There was a lot of confidence in that group, but we never felt like we had accomplished anything until we actually won. Winning the SWAC championship in 2025 was special because it was the result of all that work we put in year round. We went through adversity together, stayed together, and kept fighting. That’s what I’ll remember most about that team”, stated CJ Hines. He showed that he could play in the NCAA and scored in double figures in 44 of 65 games. He had so many memorable games, but one he will never forget was his amazing buzzer beater against UAPB winning 93-91 and having a 23/6/4/2 game. “That shot was an incredible feeling. Everything happened so fast, but when the ball went in and I saw the clock hit zero, it was one of those moments where you almost don’t realize what just happened. To hit a game winner like that, especially in a close game, and have my teammates and coaches celebrating with me was something I’ll never forget. I’ve definitely watched it a lot of times. I couldn’t even give you an exact number at this point, but it’s probably somewhere in the dozens. I’ve watched it by myself, with my teammates, with friends and family, and ended up seeing it on social media more times than I can count. Every time I watch it, I still get that same feeling from the moment. It’s definitely one of those basketball memories that I’ll always have and every player dreams of”, commented CJ Hines. One person that was very instrumental in his basketball development in the NCAA was head coach Tony Madlock who helped groom and prepare him for overseas. “Coach Madlock played a big role in helping me take that final step toward becoming a professional. When I got to Alabama State, I already had confidence in my ability, but he helped me understand what it really takes to play at the next level. He challenged me to be more consistent, more disciplined, and to understand that every possession matters. One of the biggest things he gave me was confidence. He trusted me with a bigger role and put me in situations where I had to make plays and take responsibility. That helped me grow not only as a player, but also mentally. He pushed me to believe that I belonged at the D1 level since my first day on ASU campus. Looking back, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to play for him. He gave me a huge push to take my game to another level”, added CJ Hines. Last season he played his rookie season with SPD Radnicki Kragujevac  (Serbia-KLS) averaging 15.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 70.6%. It didn´t take him long to have his wake up call to being overseas and knowing that he was far way from home. “I think the biggest wake up call was probably when I first got to Serbia and realized how different everything was from what I was used to back home. I was in a completely new country, away from my family and the people I had been around my whole life, and I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. Even simple things like getting around, communicating, and adjusting to a different culture made me realize, “Okay, I’m really overseas now.” Basketball also made it real for me pretty quickly. The game was much different than college and there was a lot of responsibility on me as a rookie to adjust and prove myself. There were definitely moments when I missed home, but I think that experience helped me grow up a lot. It taught me to be more independent, stay focused, and handle situations without always having someone familiar around. Looking back, I think going through that first season in Serbia prepared me really well for coming to Germany”, said CJ Hines. He didn´t reach the playoffs, but had a solid first season overseas and also got to know Serbia better off the court. “One of my coolest moments on the court was experiencing the atmosphere at our home games. It was my first season playing professionally overseas, so being able to step onto the court in front of passionate Serbian basketball fans and feel that energy was something I’ll always remember. There’s a different level of emotion and intensity around basketball there and being part of that as a rookie was a great experience. Off the court, I really enjoyed getting to know the people and the culture. I had teammates who helped me adjust, and being able to experience everyday life in Serbia was something I appreciated a lot. It made the experience about much more than just basketball. As far as how fanatic the fans are, they are very fanatic. Basketball is a huge part of the culture in Serbia. People really understand the game, they follow it closely, and they’re not afraid to show their emotions during games. You can feel how much they care, and playing in that environment definitely made my first professional season special”, remembered CJ Hines.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and James Graham in Koblenz in 2024

The explosive scorer who lists LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Victor Wembanyama on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is in Germany now playing for Pro A team Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim. His first impression of Germany has been very positive and is happy how welcoming everyone has been and noticed that Germany isn´t Serbia. “There are some differences compared to Serbia, especially with the lifestyle and basketball environment, but I’m enjoying getting to know Germany and adapting to everything. I’m sure the longer I’m here, the more differences I’ll notice, but so far I’m really enjoying it”, said CJ Hines. He came to Germany knowing about Dirk Nowitzki and that there is a very strong basketball culture in Germany that is has been growing since years, but he didn´t know that Germany is the current World and Euro champions. “That’s impressive! Coming from Serbia, where basketball is also a huge part of the culture, I’m really interested to experience the German basketball culture for myself. I think there are a lot of similarities, but also some differences in the way the game is approached. I’m excited to learn from that and be part of it”, smiled CJ Hines. He also got positive reports from former guys that played in Germany like Mardracus Wade and TJ Madlock and even had a friend that recently played for the Knights. “ It’s crazy my guy James Graham played for the Knights recently and he told me he loved it. He said from the coaching to the training at 2020 and then being in Germany was great for him and it was nothing but positive feedback. Also, he is a great player that can do pretty much everything on the court. I met him when I was at my NAIA, Faulkner, and he was at AUM and we’ve built a relationship from playing against each other back then”, added CJ Hines. So all in all, it wasn´t difficult for him to make Kirchheim his second basketball home overseas. “ There were a lot of reasons that made Kirchheim the right choice for me. First, the success the team had last season really caught my attention. Reaching the Pro A Finals showed me that this is an organization with high ambitions and a winning mentality. I also really liked the opportunity to work with Coach Igor Perovic and the way the organization sees me as a player. I felt like this was a place where I could continue to develop, take on a bigger role, and help the team compete at a high level. Another important factor was the opportunity to continue my career in Germany after my first experience playing professionally in Serbia. I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment, and when I spoke with the organization, I felt that Kirchheim was a great fit for me both on and off the court. Ultimately, I wanted to join a team that wants to win, has a great fan base, and believes in me. I think Kirchheim gives me a great opportunity to grow and hopefully help the team take that next step”, warned CJ Hines. He also knew very rapidly that he and Igor Perovic would be a fit as freedom and accountability go hand in hand with his new coach. “The talks with Coach Igor went very well. From the beginning, I felt like he understood my game and what I can bring to the team. We talked about my role, what he expects from me, and how I can help the team be successful. What I appreciate most about his basketball philosophy is that he gives his players confidence and freedom while still holding everyone accountable. He has a very calm approach to the game, and I think that translates to his players as well. I also really appreciate that he values my calmness and scoring ability. For me, being calm doesn’t mean being passive. I like to stay under control, read the game, and then be aggressive when the opportunity is there. Knowing that Igor trusts me to play that way gives me a lot of confidence, and I’m looking forward to building that relationship throughout the season”, warned CJ Hines.

So what kind of player will Germany see from CJ Hines who names Lebron James as his GOAT because of his combination of his longevity, consistency and versatility? When looking at his overall game, he would compare himself to rising NBA player Tyrese Maxey. “ I still have a lot to prove and I’m not comparing myself to him in terms of level, but I really like certain aspects of his game. He’s a guard who is always a scoring threat, but he can also create for his teammates and make plays with the ball in his hands. I like his aggressiveness and the way he can put pressure on the defense while still staying under control. I would say my game has some similarities in terms of being a guard who likes to score, create opportunities, and make the right play when the defense reacts”, expressed CJ Hines. He fills the stat sheet like no other and stresses versatility as an important asset in his game. “ I don’t want to be a player who only contributes in one area. I want to be able to impact the game in different ways and do whatever the team needs from me. Obviously, I’m confident in my ability to score, but I also want to create for my teammates, rebound, defend, make the right decisions, and play with a lot of energy. I think being able to fill the stat sheet shows that you’re involved in the game even when your shot isn’t falling. For me, it’s really about being a complete player. Some nights I might need to score more, other nights I might need to focus on getting my teammates involved or defending the other team’s best guard. I think that versatility makes me more valuable to my team and gives the coach more ways to use me”, warned CJ Hines. In his last 3 seasons NCAA and Serbia, he averaged 2 assists per game. This is an area that he wants to thrive in more in Germany. “It’s definitely something I want to improve. I’m confident in my ability to score, but I also understand that as a guard, one of my biggest responsibilities is making the game easier for my teammates. I want to become more of a facilitator and create more opportunities for the guys around me. Sometimes that means making the extra pass, sometimes it means creating an advantage off the pick and roll, and sometimes it’s simply recognizing when the defense is giving me an opportunity to get someone else involved. I don’t want to chase assists just to improve my numbers. For me, it’s about making the right play and becoming a better decision maker. If I can continue to score efficiently while also creating more for my teammates, I think that will make me a much more complete guard and ultimately help the team win more games”, stressed CJ Hines.

He is an incredible three point shooter. He shot out the lights in the NAIA and averaged 37% the last 3 years. What is missing to becoming a 40% shooter again? Is it more reps or the shot selection? “I feel really good about my three point shooting right now, and it’s definitely one of the strengths I want to bring to Kirchheim. I have a lot of confidence in my shot, but I also know there’s always room to improve. I would say it’s a combination of both reps and shot selection, but more importantly reps. The reps are important because I want my shot to become as consistent as possible, especially when I’m tired or under pressure. But at the same time, I think shot selection is a big part of becoming a 40% shooter. Getting comfortable with which shots I should take, understanding the flow of the game, and taking shots within the offense can make a big difference. I just need to continue building consistency and making better decisions about when to shoot. If I can do that while continuing to get my reps every day, I believe getting back to 40% is definitely realistic”, stressed CJ Hines. He doesn´t only want to make an impact on the offensive end, but also on the defensive end. “I would describe myself as a competitive and versatile defender. I take pride in being able to guard different types of players and using my size and athleticism to make things difficult for the guy I’m matched up with. I try to stay disciplined, communicate, and not give up easy opportunities. I also understand that defense isn’t always about getting a steal or a block; it’s about making the right rotations, being in the right position, and helping the team. I still want to become a more consistent and complete defender. I want to be the type of guard who can take on the other team’s best perimeter player and make their job difficult for the entire game. I’m working on being even better with my positioning, navigating screens, and staying disciplined without fouling. I know defense is something I can continue to improve every day, and I think becoming a stronger defender will make me a much more complete player”, said CJ Hines. He continues to strive to show his total game and will continue to grind in the gym whenever he can. “Right now, I’m really focused on becoming a more complete guard. I’ve been putting a lot of work into my playmaking and decision making, especially creating more opportunities for my teammates while still being aggressive as a scorer. I want to continue improving my ability to read the defense, make the right play, and control the pace of the game. Watching a ton of film and learning that way is the best way to improve my game. I’m also continuing to work on my three point consistency. I have a lot of confidence in my shot, but I want to become more consistent with the shots I take and make sure I’m getting quality looks within the offense. Defensively, I’m working on being more consistent, especially fighting through screens. Overall, I’m just trying to keep developing every part of my game. I don’t want to be known as a player who can only score. I want to be a guard who can score, create for others, defend, and make winning plays in whatever way the team needs”, warned CJ Hines. It will be very exciting to observe the Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim this season if they can reach the Pro A final again and perhaps even go a step further and win it all. No matter what CJ Hines will be an enrichment on the court and off the court for everyone.