It was October 29^th  2020 when I ventured to Bonn to watch a mid-week Basketball Champions League game between the Telekom Baskets and top Turkish club Besiktas Istanbul. In all my years of covering basketball, I have come upon many players and Jordan Theodore who I covered extensively one season when he played for the Fraport Skyliners belongs in my top 5 players that I have covered in my career. It was a no brainer that I would venture to see my guy Jordan play again after not having seen him in 3 years. The Besiktas squad had a very talented roster with up and coming German guard Ismet Akpinar , but also had 2 other very top notch Americans with 2 time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors James McAdoo JR the son of ex NBA scoring freak James McAdoo and Shaquille Mckissic who made the jump to Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-Euroleague) and has a huge career ahead of him. On any night, you won´t find a better trio of American players on one team with Theodore, McAdoo and Mckissic in the Basketball Champions League. But wait there was a fourth American on the squad with Todderick Gotcher and I actually had a connection to him and also wanted to see him play and meet him. He had hit me up early in 2019 lauding my work which was nice being he had never played in Germany but still read my work and had been playing in France and I decided  to give him an interview.  He is a player that tailors his game after an Eric Gordon and Bradley Beal and just plays his role not thinking about putting up the eye opening stats. On this cool rainy evening in Bonn, the American from Garland, Texas didn´t catch his best night playing 16 minutes and scoring 0 points. Playing on a team with so many scoring options, he didn´t necessarily have to score 20 every night, but as always focused on trying to be the smartest on the court offensively and defensively. At the end of the night, Besiktas Istanbul suffered a tough 86-82 loss. That was only the beginning of more hardships to come for the Turkish squad. Not too long after, Todderick Gotcher all of a sudden was the lone American on the team and had to take on bigger roles to help the team. “It was not too tough on me personally. In college, I played for 4 different head coaches and changes so I am used to adapting to whatever situation I am in. I just tried to make the best of the situation by doing my job the right way and keeping a positive mindset. It was tough to see my teammates leaving. I have built great relationships with each of them. We continue to keep in touch but each of them went to great situations for them and their families. But I just continued to put the work in on my end. Shaq McKissic & Jordan Theodore were the ones that got me prepared everyday. Battling them in practice everyday elevated my game.”, stressed Toddrick Gotcher. The team was up and down in his lone time there, but then as quickly as all his American teammates left, came COVID-19 and his season abruptly ended.

                When COVID-19 struck like a fierce hurricane in March 2020, Toddrick Gotcher was still in Turkey. When he first heard about it, he wasn´t too concerned, because his wife who is a nurse kept him updated about what was happening in the medical world. But he did utter a phrase that just about every player I interviewed in the last 6 months said to me. “I must admit, I did not expect it to shut down the entire world”, stressed Toddrick Gotcher. He didn´t go home right away, but had the experience to see how the Turkish culture was responding to COVID-19. His time in Turkey during COVID-19 was a time where he could actually get a gripe on other things in life and be a very special role model to his 1 year daughter concerning how to handle one´s self. “In Istanbul, I stayed at home and read many books during this time. It was helpful because I had the time to catch up on things unrelated to basketball. The Turkish culture was not too bad, people stayed home. I was more aware of how I handled myself. The main reason is because I have a 1 year old daughter so I was more worried about her more than anything”, stated Toddrick Gotcher. The first few months in 2020 were tough for all basketball players and it wasn´t any different for Toddrick Gotcher. A benefit from the ending of the season was focusing more on family, but it also had other disadvantages like playing the last few games without fans and not to mention having to take a long time to digest the meaningless tragedy that the basketball world suffered with the death of Kobe Bryant which set off 2020 on a very low note. “We as players, were all disappointed and wanted to finish the season. This is what we go overseas to do and it is something we love to do. It was disappointing, but we could use this for good and spend quality time with family for the time being. I think it is tough for us to play without fans. Obviously, we do not mind it, but it is tough and Lebron James said in the media “What is sport without fans. When I heard about Kobes death, I was in a restaurant. I got at least 5 calls about it and I was in disbelief. He definitely had a huge impact on my life. Everytime I shoot a piece of trash to the garbage, I still scream Kobe”, commented Toddrick Gotcher.

            It was a very long extended summer for all involved in basketball. When had a Toddrick Gotcher ever been on summer vacation in early March as a professional player? As a professional your usually off in May and if you make the playoffs don´t return home to weeks or a month later. The American returned back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and like in Istanbul was around many many other people. At least he was back home with his loved ones, but the mood was very tense as the United States were going through hard times with COVID-19. “I believe there is fear everywhere. Obviously in the bigger cities due to more people being receptive to the virus. But I would think it is equal with everyone’s mood and everyone being more aware”, warned Toddrick Gotcher. Having extended family time was a huge plus for all overseas basketball players, but they also had to contend with something totally new. Often players return home, do nothing for 2 weeks, then go on a vacation and start training in June while their agents look for teams. But now players could start training in April, but also had the disadvantage of finding a place to train as gyms were closed. Just as creative he is on the court, he had to be even more creative where he could work on his craft. “  It will be a huge adjustment for us all. It will be pretty weird to start workouts earlier knowing we will not have to be in game shape for a while The advantages of this is allowing our body to recover, but the disadvantage is too much time off”, warned Toddrick Gotcher back in March 2020. COVID-19 was an eyeopener for all and it was something that made many stronger as well as the American. “During this tough time, I have learned to just appreciate everything in life. Take some positive out of every negative. Use this time to our advantage with our families”, expressed Toddrick Gotcher.

            When COVID-19 hit back in March 2020, the American who played 135 NCAA games at Texas Tech had more time to reflect on his season with Besiktas Istanbul. Despite losing high class Americans, the club got the last playoff spot despite having a 11-12 record. It wasn´t an easy season for the club in the last few months, but he took on the challenge. “There were many ups and downs this season but we had a next man up mentally. Everyone stepped up when we needed them. It was good to see how resilient we were as a team”, added Toddrick Gotcher. Not only did the American learn to deal with a new challenge of being the lone American at the end, but didn´t have a Theodore or McAdoo to get a Mcdonalds midnight snack, but had to form new kind of relationships with his Turkish teammates. “I spent great quality time with my Turkish teammates. They are great guys and showed me the Turkish way, so I have give them appreciation for everything. We all have great relationships as well”, stressed Toddrick Gotcher.

            The American got a bit lost with his game with the American trio of Theodore, McAdoo and Mckissic, but here and there he did break through and have some strong games like his 22 points in a huge crushing of Italian team Brindisi in the Basketball Champions League. In the end, he held his own averaging 9,9ppg, 4,7rpg 2,3apg and 1,5spg while shooting 33% from outside in the BSL league and in the BCL averaged 10,8ppg, 3,5rpg and 1,6spg while shooting 41% from outside. and didn´t need his American teammates, because he did just fine with his Turkish teammates. “I honestly started off the season really slow. I was not playing the way I needed to and was not getting the job done. But as the season progressed, I got better and better. I still have a lot to improve on with my game, but I think I can bring more to the game”, warned Toddrick Gotcher. It was obvious that as the Americans left, his minutes increased and his role changed as well. “My role changed a lot. At first, my job was to only shoot 3s to space the floor and defend. But as my teammates were leaving, I had to take on bigger roles, whether it be playing with the ball in my hands or rebounding doing whatever I can to help the team win”, added Toddrick Gotcher. He came to Turkey in the summer already as a versatile player, but as the season progressed, he had many more duties and became even more versatile. “I actually did score more as the season progressed due to my bigger role. My main focus was just doing whatever I can for the team to win. I appreciate the trust of my coach and teammates for allowing me to be myself”, said Toddrick Gotcher. He finished the season strong scoring in double figures in his last 5 games in the Turkish league and had two double doubles and had stats leading toward a triple double and took new steps in his 4^th professional season after playing 2 seasons Greece averaging double figures in scoring in the A-1 league and playing in France. “The new step I took was playing the point guard. I enjoyed having the ball in my hands and setting my teammates up to score. I believe that I improved my game and improved my ball handling to get my teammates involved”, stated Toddrick Gotcher. He definitely will never forget Istanbul, but it´s time to move on as basketball player lives like a nomad. “Istanbul, Turkey is one of the best places I have ever lived. It is safe and beautiful with great people. Great environment to live in. One of the top places to stay in my opinion for basketball players”, stressed Toddrick Gotcher. The American will commence his fifth professional season with KK MZT Skopje Aerodrom (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) and continue to look to develop further as a player as well as helping his team be as successful as possible. He also will have a parallel to the second half of the Besiktas season in that he won´t be the lone American, but have one teammate with Hassani Gravett and have many North Macedonian teammates but also a Serb teammate. Learning to play only with Turkish players helped strengthen his game last season and this season he will have the opportunity to continue to develop and get by with mostly North Macedonian players. He may not find a Mcdonalds in Skpje because it was banned, but at least he will still have Burger King and not have to go alone, but have a good conversation in English with lone American Hassani Gravett and for a little period feel like he could be back home in America.

Kerry Carter is a 28 year old 188cm guard from West Covina, California that last played in the 2017-2018 season with Generazione Vincente Cuore Napoli (Italy-Serie A2) playing 12 games averaging 20.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 44.6%, 3FGP: 37.6%, FT: 76.0%, in Jan.’18 moved to Hapoel Haifa (Israel-National League) playing 10 games averaging 19.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.3apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 74.3%. In 2016-2017 he played with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen (Germany-ProB) playing 24 games: Score-1 (24.8ppg), 4.0rpg, 5.2apg, Steals-2 (2.9spg), FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 84.2%. He racked up Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Player of the Year -17, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Guard of the Year -17, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -17, Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -17, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Defensive Team -17. As a rookie he played for Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 5 games: 3.2ppg. He started his basketball career with Citrus College and then moved to St.Mary’s, CA (NCAA) where he played 63 NCAA games and as senior played 31 games averaging 12.1ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg. He spoke to germanhoops.com during COVID-19 in 2020.

Hi Kerry Our last interview was from September 2017 as you had arrived in Italy. How fast has time flown by and what have you missed most about basketball?

Miles, thanks for having me. Seems like the days are long but the weeks fly by. In regards to basketball I miss competing more than anything. There’s nothing like going to battle every night and putting your preparation to the test. That and some of the lifelong relationships you make through the game. 

where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus?


I’m home in California. Since the beginning of the pandemic my mindset has been to win the wait. A mentor of mine told me that there are winners and losers whenever there are interruptions like this. So, I’ve made it a point to ensure that I come out of it all as one of the winners. 

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

This has been kind of a black swan event for me. I have never seen anything like this so I didn’t really know what to expect. I see now why people who have lived through serious historic events like the Great Depression take such precautious measures now. When you’ve never seen anything like it though, you don’t understand the fragility of it all and how quickly normalcy can be taken away. 

How Have you experienced the day to day life in West Covina? How has the general public there accepted the Coronavirus?


Daily life back home is different. You see a general feeling of fear with all of this because people don’t really understand it. The energy is different. 

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

I’ve always been a bit of a germophobe with that stuff, staying clear of people who appear sick and I don’t really like to dap up unless I really know somebody. This stuff has only reaffirmed that for me. 

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe. Have you had any contact to ex teammates and friends that have been overseas?

Definitely. LA is one of the hubs for basketball talent so I have talked to a lot of guys that are back home due to having seasons cut short and some that live in other areas as well. There’s generally a lot of mixed feelings about how all this has unfolded. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

I know guys have expressed different opinions but for me, I’m a true competitor through and through. I don’t care who’s in the building I’m trying to win. So as much as the fans contribute to the atmosphere, I think guys just have to get back to the root of it all and remember why they do it. It’s a blessing to play the game, no matter who’s watching, especially when you get paid to do it.

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

I’ve had to switch gears from being a player. I stay in shape and in the back of my mind there was always a belief that I would go back and play. But these times have shown me that it’s bigger than hoops. I can take that passion I have for the game and apply it to anything and be successful. Ultimately, I learned the importance of knowing my WHY and making sure every decision I make aligns with a clear set of core values. 

You have been recovering from injury. Have you been able to keep in shape at home? What kind of exercises have you been able to do and do you have a specific routine?

Absolutely. I have a ton of equipment at home so this time has been extremely productive for me from a physical standpoint. From resistance bands to Viprs to kettlebells. I’ve been able to really get after it now that there’s a little more downtime. 

The whole world economy is going to be affected including Italian basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?


I think there will be a huge discrepancy between price and value for a lot of players. As the global economy tanks, so do team’s resources so it will be interesting to see which teams manage financial hardship best. This is going to be a make or break deal for a lot of organizations that can’t afford to have many mistakes. 

How has your approach to family changed since the outbreak of Corona? What things have you seen yourself do that you may not have done before?


Being that I didn’t play this year, my time was dominated by work schedule. I found time to get my workouts in and I am almost done with my master’s degree but there wasn’t time for much else. The family aspect has benefitted the most from all of this. The amount of time I’ve been able to spend working on my relationship and being there for my queen has been a blessing. 

You missed the last 2 seasons due to injury. How tough have this time been for you? Has there been a specific person that has been the biggest help besides family?

When I had my surgery, it was a revelation for me to just how special my girl really is. Anybody who’s been through a knee surgery knows how vulnerable you are during the recovery process. I couldn’t even put my socks on by myself and to just make myself something to eat required an effort that would put me in a full sweat. On top of that you’re not able to workout like you used to or do some of the things that brought you peace to begin with. She held it down for me and did all of the little things to make me feel comfortable on top of being my emotional support. 

Talk a little about the injury you had and how your rehabilitation period went? Are you 100% again and ready to go again with basketball?

My injury was a combination of things. I initially had a strained ACL and that’s when it started giving me problems. From there I learned that I had basically destroyed the cartilage in my knee and had to get it replaced. The rehabilitation period was great and I’m now almost 15 months post op so I’m back to 100%.

What did you learn about yourself in the last two years that allowed you to get through this tough period?

That’s a loaded question. Some things I learned and some things were reaffirmed. One of the things I learned is that I’m not built to be a worker, I’m built to champion a cause. Whatever I’m doing has to be a direct reflection of my purpose or I’m not going to reach my potential. 

You haven’t played in two seasons. Are you a bit nervous what will await this summer with the Coronavirus effect and you long absence of how teams will pursue you?

Not at all. What’s for me won’t miss me. What misses me isn’t for me. I firmly believe it will all work out as it’s meant to. 

After missing two full seasons, how will you start training on the court again to get back to the type of player you once was?

First thing I had to do was get my body ready for the impact of the game. I had to get back into physical shape. I was coaching and jumping in on scout so I got a ton of live reps this year against some young guys who are hungry to prove themselves. From there it was just about getting my rhythm and my feel for the game back. 

You had an amazing season in Germany and made the next step in Italy and Israel. How intense are your own mind games concerning how well you will find back to your game?

Being away from the game made me appreciate the present moment. I’m not stressing over things I can’t control and there’s even less reason to stress if I can control it. I’ve been able to explore meditation and mental stimulation in a lot of ways that calms the mind so that hasn’t been an issue for me. 

In your last season you split time with Generazione Vincente Cuore Napoli (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 20.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 44.6%, 3FGP: 37.6%, FT: 76.0%, in Jan.’18 moved to Hapoel Haifa (Israel-National League) averaging 19.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.3apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 74.3%. Were you proud of your achievements with your game or was it something expected simply after coming from the German Pro B which was a lower league?


I expected to have a better turnover ratio, better shooting percentage and FT%, but most importantly more wins. I never got a championship and if I could go back I would make more strategic decisions to put me in a position to help a team win one. 

After making the next step in Italy and Israel as a player how do you feel did you make the next step in your game as a player? After Germany you stated you made this step with the fluidity your game changed and you felt more comfortable in certain situatiosn where you usually rushed things. What new steps did you make in Italy and Israel?


I became more comfortable on the ball and making the right reads in pick & roll situations. I focused on getting to the midrange instead of all the way to the basket sometimes so I could be a threat before the help would get there. I didn’t like how sped up I got at times so I tried to just let the game come to me. 

You recently began a Podcast called ‘Feed The Fam’. How did you come up with the idea and what is your goal with the program?

The goal is to just have an authentic space to share content. There are so many creative people that want to share their knowledge and help others. The objective is to collaborate and bring them together in a place that can be mutually beneficial for them and anyone listening. 

Luka Doncic had an amazing sophomore campaign. Is he a top 3 NBA player now?

No but he’s special and he definitely put the world on notice. 

Where were you when you heard about the death of Kobe Bryant. What kind of influence did he have on you during adolescence? 

I was at home. Growing up in LA, Kobe is a huge part of the culture and he is a large part of why I took basketball so seriously. The finals series between him and Allen Iverson changed my life. 

How bitter is it that the NCAA March Madness has been canceled? This tournament for some kids is the greatest time of their lives. What advice would you give that senior who worked hard for 4 years and would have had his one and only chance now?

It was a really unfortunate situation for a lot of programs. To work that hard and not have the opportunity to play on that stage is tough. I would tell the seniors to stay patient and win the psychological. You have to have supreme faith that everything will work out. Doubt is the enemy, especially for the rookies. 

What was the last movie that you saw?

Above the Rim. 

Thanks Kerry for the chat.

Abel Baptista is a 23 year old 193cm guard from Belgium that last season played with VOO Liege Basket (Euromillions League) playing 9 games averaging 10.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 82.1%. In 2018-2019 he played with Fellows Ekeren BBC Antwerp (Top Division I) averaging 15.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, 2.8bpg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 58.6%. In 2017-2018 he played with Hubo Limburg United (Euromillions League) playing 19 games averaging 2.0ppg. In 2016-2017 he played with Kon BC Gistel Oostende Duva Fruit (Top Division I) playing 20 games averaging 16.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 72.3%. He began his basketball career with Port of Antwerp Giants B . He spoke to germanhoops.com during the summer of 2020 about basketball. 

Abel thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been despite the whole COVID-19 crisis?

Thanks for having me. At this moment I’m at home with my family in Antwerp, Belgium. Despite the crisis my summer has been quite busy. I’ve had rehabilitation workouts and also basketball workouts and lifting weights, all of the good stuff basically.

How did you experience the whole COVID-19 crisis in Belgium. You played your last game on January 11th. Did you have tough injuries that effected your last season?

Because of the crisis I actually had more time to spend with my family, being with them basically 24/7 almost everyday for a couple of months. Something that I haven’t been used to ever since I joined the youth program at Antwerp Giants back in 2012. Yes I did get injured last season. I had plantar fasciitis which is a very nagging injury in the heel and feels like someone is stabbing a knife in your foot, that’s how painful it was. But I had treatment and rehabilitated and now I’m finally healthy and working out and playing basketball again. Thanks to the crisis (weird to say this) I had more time to rehab and work on my body. I feel good right now.

Was it a difficult challenge for you during COVID-19 to find gym time and a suitable place to keep in shape and practice your basketball skills?

Yes it was really difficult because in Belgium there are no open gyms and you have to use your creativity a little more. I worked out in my backyard and in my room to get back in shape but it’s really different from actually going to a gym because of the lack of apparels. I just made the best out of it and thank goodness the gyms are back open so I got back in shape pretty quickly since then.

How do you feel has the whole COVID-19 experience made you stronger as a man during these hard times?

It definitely made me stronger, it also made me a little more patient because everything actually slowed down and there’s nothing I could do about it. I can only control what I can control.

You played last season with VOO Liege Basket (Euromillions League) playing 9 games averaging 10.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 82.1%. You left in January 2020. How content were you with your season? Would it be fair to say that it was your strongest season as a professional?

I’m really hard on myself so I’m not really that satisfied with my season. I honestly feel that I could’ve done way better but I’ll try to do better wherever I might end up next season. Yes, this is my strongest season as a professional but I feel like there’s more to come. I feel like I can do more and I can do better.

What is your focus now as you search for a new club? You have played in Belgium your whole career. Do you feel like you might stay at home or could you imagine playing in another country?

Right now I’m focused on working on my game.And I’m staying ready for an opportunity whether it’s here in Belgium or abroad.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

That’s a very good question. I think I play like DeMar DeRozan (without all of the athleticism lol) but with a better three point shot. And maybe a little bit like Jimmy Butler. But I try to watch as many as possible different NBA players so I can add a little something of everybody in my game.

Talk a little about your strengths. What do you feel is the biggest asset in your game?


My drive to the basket and creative finishes are definitely the biggest assets in my game. But my three point shot has also become a threat for sure. You can’t leave me open.

You shot 42% from outside in the Euromillions league last season. Do you feel like you have the needed self-confidence now to be able to keep shooting high percentages from outside?

Yes, I feel more confident about my shot right now but I’m not going to relax because it still needs more work to become a real threat. As were speaking right now, I’m actually extending my range a little more and working more on the off dribble pull up.

What kind of experience was it taking part at the 2020 Euromillions Allstar 3 point shooting contest? Which shooter in general is your biggest role model?

I didn’t take part in the Allstar 3 point shootout because I was injured. But my favorite shooter right now is definitely Damian Lillard

On what parts of your game are you working on most as you continue to work yourself up the basketball ladder?

I’m working on every aspect of the game. I think it’s important to work on everything, especially with the time I have right now. I just work on everything.

Two seasons ago you played with Fellows Ekeren BBC Antwerp (Top Division) averaging 15.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, 2.8bpg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 58.6%. How important was this season for you taking a step back after a tough season with Limburg?

It was a step back I had to take to stay ready for the next opportunity.

In 2017-2018 you played with Hubo Limburg United (Euromillions League) playing 19 games averaging 2.0ppg. What do you remember from this season and what do you feel was the most positive thing that you gained from this time?

I remember everything from that season. Despite the lack of playing time I had a really good time learning from all of my teammates and coaches, everybody was cool. And I’ll definitely remember the life lessons I got from the team captain Wen Mukubu.

After playing the first years of your career with Port Of Antwerp, in 2016-2017 you switched to Kon BC Gistel Oostende Duva Fruit (Top Division I) playing 20 games averaging 16.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 72.3%. What memories do you have from this season and how vital was that season for your development being it was your first club after Antwerp?


I remember every single detail of that season. That was my favorite season ever for sure, I had great teammates, a great coaching staff and we had a great supporting cast over there. Everything was great in Oostende.I could say that it prepared me for the professional basketball world.

You began your basketball career with Port Of Antwerp. What memories do you have from your early basketball schooling and could you imagine returning back in the future to play?

I remember the first practices there. Very tough because it was my first time practicing twice a day everyday but I learned a lot and it made me better. I could see myself returning one day but we’ll see what the future holds.

Who was the toughest player that you ever played against that was in the NBA?


I never played in the NBA but the toughest player I played against in the Euromillions League is Braian Angola

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

There’s too many to just name 5 lol

Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore of players past or present

Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant 
Kevin Durant
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Wilt Chamberlain 

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate between who is the best between Michael Jordan and Lebron James?

I think it’s something subjective and everybody is entitled to have its own opinion but MJ is the GOAT by far!

What was the last movie that you saw?

I don’t really watch movies that often, therefore I can’t remember. But I love watching series and the last series I watched is called Black-ish.

Thanks Abel for the chat.

It was a very unseasonably warm afternoon in February  2020 when I found myself at Frankfurt airport with my son as we were in Terminal 2 watching planes land from far away places like Hong Kong and Los Angeles and planes take off to far away places like Buenos Aires and Sydney. Life was still feeling good as COVID-19 had struck in the far east, but was still a few weeks away before totally paralyzing the rest of the world. After watching some planes, I went inside and watched my son play in the indoor play ground and in the corner of my eye, I saw a giant waiting to get some food at a take out place. I knew instantly that that person was a basketball player and not too long after, I recognized a familiar face in Fraport Skyliner power forward Niklas Kiel. Right away his young career flew through my mind like lightening and my first thought was “How much misfortune can a person only have”? Here was a 22 year old 207cm power forward who could have had everything he wanted as a basketball player, but just like thousands of players who asked themselves in March 2020 “what could have been with our season had COVID-19 not been reality”, Kiel and many more will wonder forever where his career would have gone had he been able to continue his career until retirement in his 30´s. Instead the big friendly German will have to look for a new job as he announced his retirement at age 22, 2 days shy of his 23^rd birthday. Anybody that knows me as a basketball journalist might have expected me to go over to Kiel in the food line and be a semi pain in the neck drilling him with questions about his medical condition. Instead I walked over to him smiled and said hello. We had a little small talk and then said goodbye. I respected his privacy and for once in my life didn´t have interview plastered all over my face. “I have never known a player that had as much bad luck as Niklas did. I seriously believe that if he hadn´t had all these health complications that he could of reached a Euroleague or even a NBA team. That is just how good he was”, stressed Fraport Skyliners captain Quantez Robertson.

                Kiel was born on September 4^th, 1997 in Herford and began his basketball career at BBG Herford. He learned quickly what it meant to play with men as he played with BBG Herford as a 15 year old and overall played 27 Regionalliga games between 2012-2014 while also playing for the Paderborn(U-16) youth team. Before he even landed in Frankfurt, he was a huge basketball prospect and had experienced a lot. Before coming to Frankfurt, he had played 2 U-16 European championships, played a few JBBL(U-16) championships where he was named MVP in 2013 posting 26.9ppg, 20.0rpg stats and in 2014 he was named NBBL rookie of the year with impressive 15.1ppg, 13.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3bpg stats. He also played at the famous Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany (Unofficial World Championships U18) in 2014 putting up strong 12.7ppg, 10.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 20%, FT: 66.7% stats. He came to Frankfurt in 2014 with a lot of self-confidence and put up solid numbers for the farm team Juniors averaging  9.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 19.6%, FT: 70.8%, and also played for the Skyliners U-19 team and also celebrated his first BBL game in October 2015 against Tuebingen and nailed his first shot which was a three pointer. “I can still remember a young Niklas when he arrived in Frankfurt. He was excited and had so much energy. He was so happy to be part of a high level organization like the Fraport Skyliners”, remembers Quantez Robertson. In his second season, he continued to get extended minutes with the Pro B farm team and had his break out there playing 24 games averaging 14.1ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT-2(90.4%). He was still getting groomed as a future BBL player and was only inserted into one BBL game scoring 5 points in 8 minutes in a crushing 92-64 victory over Tuebingen. In his third season he had his break-through as he played 27 BBL games averaging  6.4ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 79.0%; in 14 minutes per game and also got his first taste of international club basketball playing 12 Basketball Champions League games averaging 2,8ppg and 2,3rpg in 12 minutes per game. During this time, he was living with a host family. It happened to be with his teammate Max Merz and he saw close hand how quickly a career can end as Max´s brother Jakob had to retire at age of 17 on account of massive cartilage damage in both legs. Merz wasn´t the only young Skyliner that had to retire because of injury, but it also had happened to other players Dominik Hennen and Kirsten Zoellner. Kiel was already a good kid from nature, but this experience showed him up front how valuable an education was and he proceeded to finish school and have a degree in his pocket.

            The 2017-2018 season was when the basketball God no longer looked after him and the annoying misfortune came and just wouldn´t leave him alone. After a solid third season, the expectations grew for the talented German who was a modern day forward that could score in the paint, rebound, pass and hit the three pointer. His goals were clear. He had to continue to develop and wanted to test the NBA Draft in 2019. But instead of steady development came constant agony. He suffered his first concussion in preseason as he got a unintentional elbow to his face from teammate Mike Morrison in practice. Instead of taking more time to analyse his condition, he was back on the court a few weeks later. It didn´t take long until he suffered his second concussion in his 3^rd game back and then he sat out for 3 months. All in all, the big man played only 10 games in his fourth season averaging 1,1ppg and 1,6rpg. In the summer came concussion number 3 as he suffered dizziness and fell on his head. This was the absolute down point in his young life. He had to sit in a dark room for many weeks as his sense of balance and ability to smell were damaged, his sight was limited and he had severe physical and coordination deficits. He never gave up and fought his way back in the 2018-2019 season and made his come back on March 29^th against Rasta Vechta playing 12 minutes 316 days after his last game. He finished the season strong considering all that he had suffered in the last 12 months averaging 4,8ppg, 4,1rpg and 1,2apg. He had 2 9 point games against Wurzburg and Bremerhaven. In August 2019, the Fraport Skyliners announced that Kiel wouldn´t be in their plans for2019-2020 season. Obviously his health wasn´t 100% as his concussion history must of continued to give him set backs. I reached his ex coach Gordon Herbert in Russia today and one could feel just how much respect and love he has for his ex player. “Niklas was a tremendous prospect with a great future. A very sad situation that ended his career. He is a great kid that faced tremendous adversity and fought his way through it a couple of times. The last time was just too severe with the after effects. He was a great inspiration to all of us that saw what he went through. He is a young man with great human values which is a reflection of his parents. I wish Niklas all the best going forward”, stressed ex Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert. Despite Kiel playing his last BBL game in May 2019 and having had all that health baggage accompany him, his teammate Quantez Robertson still saw a lot of growth in his game. “He was a hard worker and tough. He always crashed the boards strong and was a good rim protector at times. He was that modern day power forward, a player that could score with his back to the basket, get to the rim and hit the occasional jumper. He was working on his three pointer the most at the end”, added Quantez Robertson.

                I never had that special one on one relationship with Niklas Kiel, but it was nothing personal, because it has always been the Americans that I have clicked best with. But any encounter I had with him was always positive. He was always friendly and had good manners the way any young person should be. I remember seeing him play every weekend in his first 2 seasons sometimes 2-3 times because he was playing for many teams like the Pro B team Juniors and NBBL(U-19) youth team. I saw Niklas grow as a player and like so many other basketball junkies am very disappointed that I will never see how he would have turned out as a player. Obviously the most important thing is that he can have a healthy life after basketball and be able to matriculate into a profession where he will be content and happy. His ex teammate Quantez Robertson is sure that Niklas will go his way successfully after basketball even if it won´t be a cake walk at the start. “It will be tough for him to get over this. It will take some time. It took him this long to decide to retire. That just shows how much he really loved the game”, stressed Quantez Robertson. The German goes into retirement having played 49 BBL games for the Fraport Skyliners, 51 Pro B games and 12 Basketball Champions League games. Fans will remember him as a hard working player that had a lot of talent, but just couldn´t shake the injury and misfortune bug. Gordon Herbert surely could of mentioned many fondest moments with him, but instead will always remember 2 qualities of him that defined him as a player and person. “: “I will remember most how he competed overall and how much he wanted to succeed”, warned Avtodor head coach Gordon Herbert. His teammate Quantez Robertson stayed brief about his fondest memory, but it was one that clearly showed how he saw life. “Niklas always had a big smile and was just a happy kid. That is how I will remember him most”, stressed Quantez Robertson. I wish Niklas Kiel all the best and maybe he will come back every now and then and watch some home games. I´m sure that that big smile will still be on display.

 Kendall Stafford is a 23 year old 193cm guard from Corinth, Mississippi that completed his rookie season in Germany hooping with the Baskets Vilsbiburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 20 games averaging 21.3ppg, 9.8rpg, 3.2apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 61.7%. he began his basketball career at Corinth High School and then played at Northeast Mississippi Community College (JUCO) from 2015-2017 averaging 6.1ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 57.9% as a freshman and 10.7ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 68.0% in his second year. He then moved to the University of North Alabama (NCAA2) averaging 15.6ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 45.8%, FT: 65.8% as a junior and 10.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 65.9% as a senior. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus crisis.

Hi Kendall where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus?

I am currently at home, in Corinth, MS. My mood is actually pretty good, because I am finally at home with my family and friends. I am enjoying spending as much time with them (at a distance) as I can before returning back overseas. I miss them so much. Although, I am disappointed our season was cut short. 

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

When I first heard, I did not expect it to be as serious as it is. The main reason why is because public officials and media did not portray it to be a big deal. They acted like it was just a common flu or seasonal allergies. I believe that America should have acted sooner, and possibly this could all be under control by now. It is crazy how this one virus has affected almost the whole entire world. 

How have you experienced the day to day life in Germany during the Corona Virus outbreak? Did you see that corona effect on the culture there or was it not so much different happening in your day to day dealings?

I did not get to experience the effects of COVID-19 in Germany. My coaches sent me back to America before things became how they are. I do believe that the Germans would take it more seriously than us, Americans.

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

Yes, I have learned a lot about the 4-6 feet rule, washing my hands often, and avoiding crowded places. I also try to avoid people who think they have been in contact or showing symptoms of COVID-19. 

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season?

I was very disappointed because we just had begun figuring each other out and all it took to win. We were also on a win streak and I believe we could have won the rest of our games at the rate we were playing. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

I would personally not like playing without fans, because I enjoy having people watching me. It is a motive to do good and try my hardest. When the crowd’s energy is there, so is mine. 

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

These times have taught me to not take life for granted. You never know when your last game, practice, social event, or just day alive will be. We all need to start taking better care of ourselves and our environments.

Wil it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this?

The advantages will be getting back in the gym sooner and working on perfecting and advancing my crafts. I will be able to get back doing what I love. There are really no disadvantages to this when you are a gym rat and basketball is your passion. 

The whole world economy is going to be affected including Polish basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

I believe that in the beginning a lot of people are still going to be afraid of big crowds and big events, so fan base will smaller. I am not really worried about the future though, because I know everyone loves sports. Everyone is constantly talking about sports starting again and being broadcasted. Although, I am anxious to see how things will turn out next year.

How have you experienced the day to day life back home in the States? How has the Coronavirus affected your daily life? How have you been keeping in shape inside your home. Talk about the type of exercises and work out you have been able to perform inside your own 4 walls.

It is difficult being at home and not being able to do some things. I was so excited to come home and go eat at my favorite restaurants and go shopping at my favorite stores. When I got home, everything was almost already closed or closing soon, and I did not get to enjoy those things. I wanted to go on vacation also, but unfortunately that will probably not happen either. 

If you had to name another player besides guys from your team that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?

Kendarius Smith

Let’s talk about your rookie season in Germany with Baskets Vilsbiburg. The club finished in 6th place with a 11-9 record. How would you summarize the team season?

I would not say it was the best season, but it was pretty solid. A few factors contributed to our season not going as successful as it could. One factor was injuries and the other factor was team chemistry. Like I said in a previous question, I believe we would’ve finished higher if we were able to complete our season. We were just figuring each other out and we were becoming unstoppable

The club began the season 6-8, but played their best basketball in 2020 winning 5 of their last 6 games. Why do you feel did it take so long to finally get some team consistency?

We had a coach change in the middle of our season and I believe getting to know the new coach’s style was an adjustment that took time for us. We also had a few injuries that changed the lineup and we had to get used to that as well. 

The club scored 88 points per game, but also allowed 86 points per game. What kind of an adjustment was it for you coming from the NCAA and experiencing how defense is played overseas?

There was not really an adjustment. 

You and experienced American Kenny Fluellen averaged 40 pointscombined per game. Do you feel like the club at times relied too much on you 2 guys for the scoring?

No, every person on a team has a role. It just happened that Kenny and mine role was to score and we were fine with that if it meant our team would win. 

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a pleasure was it playing with Kenny Fluellen? Was he like a mentor for you and was that NCAA 2 connection a big benefit as you both knew where the other came from

A big pleasure, he was a great player and friend. Our games really complemented each other’s.

What was it like being teammates with Czech republic big man Lubos Novy. He got injured just as the team started rolling. How was his game most valuable for the team?

He was fully of energy and we needed that. He was unstoppable offensively and defensively. We really need his inside threat for our offense.

Let’s talk about you game. You averaged 21.3ppg, 9.8rpg, 3.2apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 61.7% as a rookie. How content were you with your game?

I was not content at all. Every day and every game I worked to be a better player than the day before. I will continue to work to get better. I will never get complacent. 

If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Lebron James because I am a versatile player just like him. I am just a little bit less athletic and explosive. 

You are an amazing and lethal rebounder for 193cm. You made huge strides from JUCO to the NCAA in terms of rebounds and continued into the pro ranks. How do you explain your huge surge in being able to rebound the ball?

All of my coaches told me I had it in me to get all rebounds, I believe them and I went for it. To this day I still do. Plus, getting rebounds leads to easy points. 

You have been an ok three point shooter in your last 2 seasons in the NCAA and pro’s, but shot an overwhelming 45% in your junior season. What is your strategy in continuing to improve your outside shooting?

I will keep getting up as many shots as I can in my free time. I will also continue working on my confidence, when I am confident I see my shot is a lot better.

On what other aspects of your game will you continue to work on as you attempt to climb the basketball ladder?

Ball handling is something I also need to work on. 

You had 2 amazing games as a rookie scoring 40 points against Troester Breitengussbach and a fascinating 28 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 steals. What game was more memorable?


28, 17, 7, & 7. I had a good overall game and I also had my teammates involved. The win was just a good one for all of us.

Against Regnitzal you were on a quadruple double path. Was that the best game in your career and what did you learn about your game after 40 minutes on this night?

I do believe it was the biggest game of my career. I realized that I can be a versatile player, and I have what it takes offensively and defensively. It showed me that when I am locked in and focused, it is really hard to stop me.

Who was the toughest guy that you faced in the Regionalliga this season?

Erik Land.

You showed as a senior at University of North Alabama (NCAA, that you can be a very good NCAA player, but had to pay your dues in JUCO and did it this season in the German Regionalliga. Talk a little about how huge the chip on your shoulder is and how you deal with it mentally. It must be very high at the moment after a strong rookie season overseas.

I do have a chip on my shoulder, because I know that I can play on a high level. Although, I humble myself enough to know that I am not where I want to be and I have a lot of work to do to get there. 

How important were your two years at Northeast Mississippi Community College (JUCO). What was key for your game in these 2 years that helped you make the jump to the NCAA?

Northeast prepared me for what it took at UNA to be the player I was. I was formally a guard coming to NE, but ended up playing multiple positions. It helped me become the well-rounded player I am today. 

You played at the University of North Alabama playing NCAA 2 in your junior year and NCAA in your senior year. How cool was being able to move up and how do you feel did your game develop best I these 2 years?

It was cool because I got to play against a variety of different talents and environments. I feel that my game developed best in the Division 1 & 2 level because the talent I played was good. My basketball IQ and efficiency was changed the most these two years. With my IQ increasing, my efficiency increased as well because I was seeing things better and taking better shots.

You lost 96-51 against powerhouse basketball school Gonzaga. How did it feel standing on the floor against this school and future NBA players after having played in JUCO only 2 years earlier. What will you remember most from this game?

It was a great experience being in front of such a big crowd and being on that stage with great players. When you are presented an opportunity like this you have to give it your all. You never know when you will get another opportunity to be on a stage that big to showcase yourself and what you have to offer to someone else.

How did head coach Tony Pujol groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?


Coach P was one of the coaches that pushed me to be the rebounder I am today. He also molded me into a leader my last year at UNA. I tried to bring my leadership role to BasketsVilsbiburg and I believe that it helped our team.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Jamari Blackmon?


Never got the chance, but if we did it would be a good game!

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

Devin Booker

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Kendarius Smith
Leroy Buchanan
Raheem Sorrell
Sharwyn McGee
Wesley Harris

Please produce your own personal NBA Mount Rushmore with 4 heads past or present?

Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Paul Pierce, and Carmelo Anthony

What is your general opinion with the debate between who is greater Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

Michael Jordan is the best basketball player and competitor. Although, Lebron is the best ‘ALL-AROUND’ player. 

What was the last movie that you saw?

Angels in the Outfield

Thanks Kendall for the chat.

Coming from Boston, it isn´t unusual for a basketball enthusiast kid to like 2 basketball teams. The first major choice was obviously the Boston Celtics who had the amazing 60´s dynasty around Bill Russell and in the 80´s it was Larry Bird and Co which made many a nights more enjoyable in the living room. The second most obvious choice at least for me growing up was Boston College. They are a basketball program that have reached the NCAA tournament 18 times and have placed countless players in the NBA and in Germany over the years. I´ll never forget getting my first taste of the Boston College Eagles close hand in the early 80´s. After watching Doug Flutie punish Rutgers 27-21 on the football field, I ran across the street after the game and ran into the Eagles basketball practice gym and would see future NBA players like John Bagley, Michael Adams, John Garris, and Jay Murphy practice their autographs for me. That was my earliest basketball NCAA memory and I was always a close follower of college basketball as a kid and also loved the Georgetown teams around Patrick Ewing and North Carolina around Michael Jordan, but soon UConn would also be a school that I would constantly be reminded of. I don´t know how many bus rides I took from Boston to Harford when I was going to Avon Old Farms school, but it was a lot and every time we were chugging down I-90, not long after entering Connecticut a sign would pop up “Storrs” home of the UConn Huskies. UConn basketball has been around since 1901 and their program didn´t start to have big success until 1999 where they won their first NCAA title and the next ones followed in 2004, 2011 and 2014. They have played in 33 NCAA tournaments, reached 5 NCAA final 4´s and 11 Elite 8´s. The basketball factory have placed many former players in the NBA with the most notable being Kemba Walker, Ray Allen, Rudy Gay, Richard Hamilton, Caron Butler and Emeka Okafor. But there have also been a few players that have played in Germany that played at UConn. My journalistic connection to the basketball school is traced to 3 of their NCAA titles. I was fortunate to interview ex NBA player and 1999 NCAA winner Khalid El-Amin who played with BG Goettingen for 2 seasons, saw Souleyman Wane play in 2005 in Germany when he played for Giessen who won the 1999 title and I have been covering Niels Giffey for years as he is the only German player to have won 2 NCAA titles with the 2011 one with Kemba Walker and 2014 title with NBA player Shabazz Napier. I was fortunate to interview Nils Giffey back in the fall of 2010 when he was a freshman at UConn and when he turned professional in 2014 with Euroleague team Alba Berlin. There haven´t been many guys that played at UConn to have played in Germany as the list is short with Khalid El Amin, Niels Giffey, Souleyman Wane, Marc Suhr, Enosch Wolf, Leon Tolksdorf, Sam Casell Jr and Daniel Guest, but a new one has arrived with Christian Vital. The easyCredit BBL is enriched anytime a new UConn player like a Christian Vital(BG Goettingen) comes into the league.

                Christian Vital was born on March 21^st 1997 in Queens Village, New York and is the oldest of 6 kids and was an avid chess player as kid beginning at age 5 and took part at tournaments in New York through high school. Even if he is a player who loves the quick paced game, chess gave him that calmness that he would be able to bring to his game in certain situations where the game had to be slowed down. He played at various schools like the Rectory school in Pomfret, Connecticut and the Thomas More school in Connecticut where he played his final 2 years of high school averaging 16.8 ppg, 7,0rrpg and 2,2apg leading his team to a 31–7 record and the National Prep Championship final. He earned New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class AAA first team honors and was picked to play in the Jordan Brand classic scoring 13 points, dishing out 7 dimes and had 4 steals. UConn wasn´t first on his list of school´s that he wanted to attend, but he actually wanted to play at UNLV, but then declined as head coach Dave Rice left. Despite getting an offer from Louisville, he chose UConn and the rest is history.

            The American like so many other guys in the NCAA was a player that set foot on the Storrs campus and wasn´t a high recruit coming in, but instead of sinking his head in the sand, went on a mission to make his UConn career a memorable one. He never ever was short of self-confidence, but actually possessed a very healthy one which allowed him to perform at a high level and knew that if he worked hard, he would be rewarded in games. Even if the program wasn´t winning during his stay, he had extraordinary leadership skills that helped him keep his teammates on the same page in tough times. As a freshman, he started 10 games and averaged  9.1ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.0%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 70.8%. UConn finished with a less than satisfactory 16-17 record and it was the school´s first losing season something that the American had to swallow. In that first season he did score in double figures in 13 games. With head coach Kevin Ollie at the helm, the club continued to be a losing program then going 14-18 in his second season, but Vital made big strides in his game averaging 15.0ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 84.5%. He would set records at UConn and the first ones occurred that season as he ranks second and third with most points off the bench with 30 against Boston University and 29 points against Columbia. He led the team in rebounds and steals and scored in double figures in 24 contests He declared for the 2018 NBA draft, but decided to return to school as he still had things to prove in the win column.  In his junior season, he had a new coach with Dan Hurley, but they still couldn´t get over the hump registering a 16-17 record. He continued to offer consistent stats averaging 14.2ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 81.3% and led the team in steals. He scored in double figures in 27 games.

As a senior everything turned around as the team finally got back on the winning track having a 19-12 record and was 5^th in the ACC with a 10-8 record. It was too bad that COVID-19 hit, because like for so many other players in leagues around the world, the American was left with that sour “what if” feeling about how the season would have ended. He improved in many categories in his senior year having his best stats in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals averaging 16.6ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.6apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 89.7%. He scored in double figures in 25 games and finished his career red hot averaging 24,0ppg in his last 7 games and in his last 3 games averaged 27 points as he scored 28 points against Tulane, 27 points against East Carolina and 26 points against Houston and helped the school win it´s last 5 games in their shortened season. UConn assistant coach Tom Moore is in his 16^th season as an assistant having been part of 2 NCAA titles and in between coached 10 seasons at Quinnipiac University. ““My favorite memory of Christian is him playing a great game in a huge win against a tough Houston team in his last appearance at home in Gampel Pavillion. To see him address the crowd and thank them for all the support after the game was heartwarming and something I won’t forget.”, added UConn assistant coach Tom Moore. For a player who never played in an NCAA tournament at UConn in 3 decades, he sure played like he wanted to be there. Sometimes things just don´t work out as well as you want. If he would have been a bit older, he could of experienced totally different scenario´s with guys like Walker and Napier on his side. He continued to leave it all on the court in his senior year and was rewarded as the team had a winning season. He played 110 games in a row and scored 1,735 points in his UConn career, nailing an AAC-record 265 three-pointers. For a guy where nobody was expecting much from when he began at UConn, he didn´t do badly as he passed ex NBA players like Donyell Marshall and Khalid El-Amin to become the 13th leading scorer in UConn history. ““He had the misfortune of coming to UConn during the only rebuilding period in the last 30 years of the program. That did not ever beat him down though as he kept his belief in himself and his teammates until the end. It was extremely frustrating to see COVID take away the end of his career because he was playing at the highest level he’d ever played at and he was extremely excited to see if we could finally get into an NCAA Tournament.”, stressed UConn assistant coach Tom Moore

                Now he begins his professional career in Germany with 2010 Eurochallenge winner BG Goettingen. The club reached the easyCredit BBL in 2008 and until this season had mostly been led by 2 head coaches with John Patrick and Johan Roijakkers. Roijakkers came in 2012 and after 2 seasons back in the Pro A have stayed in the BBL since 2014. BG Goettingen is one of those clubs that doesn´t have the biggest budget, but mostly have been able to remain in the league because of good coaching and being able to land steals with players. Roijakkers has made the next step to Bamberg and now BG Goettingen will be led by head coach Roel Moors of Belgium who came from Bamberg. It will be a rebuilding year as many new faces will grace the floor like ex G-League player Aubrey Dawkins and ex NBA player Jorge Gutierrez or German BBL veteran Akeem Vargas who returns back to his old stomping ground  or British national player Luke Nelson who has played in Europes best league in Spain called ACB. So how will Christian Vital fit in? He should fit in well. Head coach Roel Moors is thrilled about having the rookie start his career in Goettingen. “He is a very versatile guard that can play various positions at both ends of the court. He is a good shooter from outside, a very good defender and for a guard a good rebounder”, added Roel Moors. If there is any doubt that Christian Vital can get the job done with BG Goettingen, then UConn assistant coach Tom Moore quickly dismisses those doubters with brutally strong and effective words. ““Christian is a tough-minded, determined young man. He has as much self-belief as any player I’ve been around in my 33 years of coaching college basketball. That may be his biggest strength. He has great confidence that he can make the next shot, the next play, or get the next stop.”, warned Tom Moore. One thing is for sure, it is a good omen that an ex UConn guy like Khalid El Amin had played in Goettingen 5 years ago. He almost brought them into the playoffs his first year and saved them his second season from moving down. Maybe Vital will do something that El Amin didn´t do and help the club reach the playoffs? He finished strong at UConn and why shouldn´t that momentum carry on with BG Goettingen. No matter how the season goes, Vital will leave it all on the court. It is what he did at UConn and really all he ever did and knows how to do.

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Trevon Evans is a 24 year old 183cm guard from Kansas that completed his rookie season in Germany with the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim 2nd team (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 22 games averaging 20.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.7apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 70.0%. He began his basketball career at Eisenhower High School. In 2014-2015 he played at Pratt Community College (JUCO) playing 32 games averaging 7.1ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 58.6%. In 2016-2017 he moved to Dodge City Community College (JUCO) playing 28 games averaging 9.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 75.4%. He played his last 2 college seasons at the University of Sioux Falls (NCAA2) averaging 21.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 78.9%, and : 22.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 75.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Hi Trevon where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus?

Right now I am currently in Sioux Falls, South Dakota working out and training trying to get ready for this upcoming season. I’m trying hard not to let this whole situation get me in a weird mood. I’ve taken this time to work on other things outside of basketball that are helping me mature in all areas of my life. This time made me realize how many things I’ve taken for granted, especially basketball.

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

At first I wasn’t really worried about it, but as more cases and casualties started to happen all over the world I realized pretty quickly that this thing is REAL. It’s sad and everybody is affected by it in some way I do believe that better days are coming though.

How did you experience the day to day life in Germany during the Corona Virus outbreak? Did you see that corona effect on the culture there or was it not so much different happening in your day to day dealings?

Not much changed. It was at the very beginning so a lot of places were still deciding if they should shut down or not. I came home before it got any worse because I wasn’t trying to be stuck in Germany during all of this. 

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

I feel like before all of this happened if anybody coughed it wasn’t a big deal. I still try to keep my distance regardless, but coughing happens if you’re sick or not. I’m already the type of person who gives fist bumps instead of hand shakes or just a head nod. But this situation definitely helped me to enforce that instead of handshakes. 

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season?

I was upset. I wanted to finish out the season more than anything. We were having a pretty solid year too so it sucked that we couldn’t finish it out. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

I feel like it would feel more like a scrimmage than a game if there is no spectators. The fans bring a lot of energy to the games and without that, it just kind of feels like a exhibition game or something. It’s definitely a different feeling to the game when there are spectators at the game.

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

Perseverance. Tough times aren’t meant to break us. Everybody experiences hard times throughout life, but maintaining and pushing through the storm helps us mature and grow. It’s not easy but it’s worth it in the end.

Will it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this?


I don’t think so. I feel like it’s more of an advantage than disadvantage. It gives players either more time to rest if they need it, more time to get their body ready, and more time in the gym. Off season is extremely important so a little extra time Is more beneficial. 

The whole world economy is going to be affected including Polish basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

I’m trying not to worry about all of that. All I can do is focus on what I can control and that’s how I perform on the court. I can’t do anything about the other stuff. If I tried to worry about that then it would cause more stress to my life that I don’t need, especially not right now. Just trying to keep praying and letting God take care of the rest. 

How have you experienced the day to day life back home in the States? How has the Coronavirus affected your daily life? How have you been keeping in shape inside your home. Talk about the type of exercises and work out you have been able to perform inside your own 4 walls. Have you been able to work with Shane Hennen?

To be honest my trainer, Shane Hennen, has been able to get me in the gym and start working out so I haven’t had to do much workouts inside my house. If anything I would go on runs outside or run hills to try and stay in shape. But, now I’m able to be on the court so I’m beyond thankful for that. 

If you had to name another player besides guys from your team that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?

I can’t even name just one I stay in touch with a lot of my guys who are playing overseas. Cameron Hunt, Cameron Clark, and Justin Taylor to name a few. 

Let’s talk about the season of Crailsheim 2. The club finished in 5th place with a record of 12-11. How would you summarize the season as a whole from a team standpoint?

Overall I feel like we had a pretty good season. We lost a few games that we should’ve won so our record doesn’t show how good we really were. Plus we were the youngest team in the league so we played really well against a lot of the more experienced teams. 

Just how competitive was the Regionalliga South West this season? From standings #3-11 there was only a difference of 2 wins. What did you enjoy most about the league and competitive level this season?

Each game was a dog fight. Not one game was considered ‘easy’. Especially since all the teams were so close. One loss could take you from 3rd place to 11th so you had to play your best every single game. I wasn’t sure what to expect before I went out there but the league was really competitive so I enjoyed it.

How much did the competitive level and skill of the league help to continue to push your game as a rookie? With every game being so tough, do you feel like that helped your game and let you give your best?


It definitely did. Especially playing against the more experienced teams. You can’t take any games off so you had to prepare yourself mentally and physically to go out there and play the best you can play. That’s what I like though. 

Talk a little about the season. The team had a 4 game losing streak in January, but finished strong winning 3 of 4 as Corona halted play. Did you end the season with a good feeling?


Yeah we had a little slump in the middle of the season. What’s crazy is the fact that a lot of those games we lost were close games and we were all in a shooting slump during that time. We shouldn’t have lost 4 straight. We found our rhythm again going into the last few games of the season and we felt good as a team so yes, I say we ended the season with a good feeling. Especially since we won our last game. 

I can imagine that the season team highlight was sweeping second placed team Koblenz and especially winning one of the games in very exciting fashion with 86-84. What are your memories of that game?

Most definitely! That was the best memory from the season for me at least. I remember we played Koblenz at home earlier in the year, the game we won 86-84, and that was one of the most intense and hyped up game I’ve ever played in. The energy was unreal and both teams were playing at a high level. I’ll always remember that game

Talk a little how special this team was. There was a 28 year old with leo Vrkas and you were 24 and a rookie. The rest were all younger. The team was so young and still had a very strong season. How much credit goes to Marco Stankovic and the coaching staff?

Right I feel like the coaches did a great job! It’s not easy coaching younger players especially when all the other teams in the league are older. They took the challenge as coaches and definitely helped us all get better. I give a shoutout to Coach Marko and the assistants because they really took the time to make sure we would be ready every game. 

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a joy was it playing with the most experienced guy on the squad Leo Vrkas? How key was his presence also for you to be able to sometimes take some pressure away on offense?

Leo is a great player and an even better teammate. He brought a different level of energy, hustle, and work ethic to the team even during practices. It’s nice to have an experienced player who knows what it takes to win in this league. He definitely made it easier for me offensively because with a player like him it forces the defense to spread out and gives me more space to work. He also worked hard defensively and crashing the boards. He’s a very good player overall. 

How important were the 2 young imports Sandro Antunovic and Vladan Lazic for the success. They were big time contributors on offense as well. What did you appreciate most about their games?

Sandro and Vladan were a HUGE part of our success. Both came ready to play and work every day. Sandro was a great pick and pop player so again it forced the defense to space out and give me more space. Teams had a hard time guarding the pick and roll against Sandro and I. Vladan is extremely aggressive offensively so I loved that about him. He is constantly in attack mode and putting pressure on the defense. He’s also a great shooter so that made it easier for me to drive the lane and if teams collapsed on me its an easy kick out 3 for Vladan or whoever. 

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 20.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.7apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 70.0%. How content were you with your rookie season?

Statistically, it looks good, but I know I was capable to do so much more. I got in a bad shooting slump in the middle of the season, battled fatigue, etc. So it irritated me that I wasn’t doing what I knew I could do. It’s okay though because I’m happy with how I played my rookie year and I know what I need to improve on to keep getting better,

You’re a guy that fills the stat sheet well and have been a prolific scorer the last 3 years. What happened coming from Pratt Community College (JUCO) and Dodge City Community College (JUCO) where you never averaged double figures in scoring to the University of Sioux Falls (NCAA2) where you began to average over 20,0ppg and continued to take it into your professional career?


JUCO ball is not the same as D2 or professional. There wasn’t much team play in JUCO, but I’m thankful for the experiences I had at JUCO. I always knew I could score and make things happen for whatever team I play on and once I got to the University of Sioux Falls, coach Johnson told me I would be that guy for the team to do so. So hearing that from him gave me more confidence in myself and made me want to work harder to help contribute to the team.

You shot 40% once from outside in JUCO and been near 40% the last 3 years. What do you feel will take for you to become a 40% shooter? Is it the usual bla bla of taking more reps and watching shot selection or could there be other factors like mechanics?

It’s a mix of all of that. I need to get more repetitions of course so I can feel more confident with my shot, make sure I’m taking the right shots in a game instead of forcing at times, and I have a problem with my guide hand sometimes when I shoot. So working on all of that will help me a lot. But at the end of the day, I just have to make the shot regardless. 

The amount of steals doesn’t tell the whole story of how a guy defends, but you averaged 1,0spg the last years, but as a rookie heightened it to 2,3spg. How do you feel did you make another jump in your defensive game this season?

It was something I tried to take pride in this year. I’ve always heard that I don’t play defense so I took it as an insult to my game. Also, the way our team played defense was aggressive and fast paced so I loved that. I know I can be a great defensive player too. It’s a mindset that I’ve been trying to work on. 

How much does a game like your second last to the season against top ranked team Karlsruher SC where they held you to 5 points motivate to grind even harder in the gym. What was so tough playing against them? In the first game you did score 16 points.


It was one of those games where I couldn’t find a rhythm offensively. They did a good job scouting and making sure I had a hard time getting to my spots or even getting the ball. I hate having games like that so it makes me want to get back in the gym and work on my game. I missed a lot of shots I usually make too so it was irritating for me. I’m working on being more consistent with my jumper this off-season.

On what things will you be working on this summer to continue to grow as a player? Your left hand has been a weak point. Is that something that you believe improved during this season?

Most definitely. I’ve been working a lot on being more confident when using my left hand. It’s not that I can’t go left or finish with my left, it’s more of me being more confident in doing it. I actually prefer to go left most of the time but it’s something I’m trying to work on. Also, my pick and roll reads, passing, more consistent with my jump shot, making sure that I’m in better and taking care of my body. 

Who was the toughest guy that you faced in the Regionalliga this season?


Ricky Easterling. Dude could fill it up from anywhere. I’m pretty sure he had 40 on us at their place. He was hitting 3s, taking it to the rim, making pull ups, etc. Even with good defense he was still making tough shots. He’s a bucket getter for sure. 

You played your first two college years at 2 different JUCO schools named Pratt Community College (JUCO) and Dodge City Community College (JUCO). How important were these 2 years for your development and why do you feel was it key having that experience at 2 schools instead of only 1?


It helped me mature as a player. You have to be a dog to play JUCO and I feel like JUCO gave me that mentality. There isn’t anything like the JUCO life though I can tell you that. All JUCO players know what I’m talking about. 

You then moved to the University of Sioux Falls (NCAA2) exploding both seasons averaging 21.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 78.9% and 22.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 75.9%. You proved any doubters wrong about your basketball skills. How do you feel did your game mature in these 2 years?

I became more of an all around player at USF. Coach helped me grow in every aspect, not even just offensively. The way we played helped me strive as well which is what I’m grateful for. Having a coach/coaching staff who believes in you more than you do yourself at times is a blessing and that’s what I had at USF. The fact they believed in me so much gave me more confidence in myself! 

American Players that hoop in the German Regionalliga would be lying if they said that they don’t have a chip on their shoulders, because they all do if it’s Tyseem Lyles from Eimsbuettel, Christopher Edward from TV Langen or a Curtis Hollis from Rhondorf. How do you deal with that chip being a player that has a lot of talent but has to continue to pay your dues? 

It’s part of the process. Yes, it’s tough paying your dues but that’s the hand we were dealt. If that doesn’t fire you up and make you want to prove people wrong then you aren’t going to move up. At the end of the day it’s a marathon and I believe I’ll make it to where I want to play at. May take some time, but I’ll get there. Everybody’s route is different.

You had so many huge games, but also many in losing causes like your 39 points in a loss against MSU Moorhead or your 42 points in a loss against Northern State. You had 2 great back to back games with 35 and 33 points at the end of your junior season in wins against Concordia-St Paul and Minn-State-Mankato. What was your most memorable game?

The game against northern was my most memorable out of those games. I was lighting them up from everywhere. It was one of those games where I felt like every shot I took was going in and nobody could stop it. I will never forget the game against MSU Moorhead my junior year at Moorhead when I hit the game winner though. It was right after the 42 point performance against Northern then the next day played at Moorhead and had 29 plus the game winner. The game was crazy!

How did head coach Chris Johnson groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?


More than anything I feel like coach Johnson made sure I was ready in all areas. Offensively, defensively, leadership wise, etc. I remember at practices coach would tell all the players that they can’t communicate or say anything because he was trying to get me to be more vocal on the court. At the time I was pissed because I didn’t see the big picture. But those lessons and experiences helped me out a lot. Coach didn’t let me take it easy, ever. But that’s why I love him and appreciate him. 

Who won a one on one in your senior season Milan Surlic or you and did he give you a good introduction to how basketball is played in Europe?

Sorry Milan, but I was definitely out there taking all the W’s. Milan is my boy! He definitely helped me with a lot preparing for the European game. Also, if it wasn’t for Milan I wouldn’t have the agent I have now. Out of all the teammates I’ve ever had Milan and I bonded faster than anybody. Weird because we are both from two completely different cultures and all of that, but Milan and I are similar people and it’s scary. That’s my brother for life.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

Alonzo Trier, Stanley Johnson, Devin Booker, Malik Newman and Kelly Oubre were TOUGH. I can’t even name one so I named a few. All scored in different ways but were elite in their own way. 

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I have played with some really good players. It’s tough to pick 5. I’ll have to say Allonzo Trier, Shake Milton, Drew Guebert, Dennis Jones, and Vladimir Brodziansky

Please produce your own personal NBA Mount Rushmore with 4 heads past or present?

Kobe, MJ, LeBron, and Shaq. 

What is your general opinion with the debate between who is greater Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

We will never have the true answer of who is better because they won’t ever play against each other. They are both great players for the era they played in and I feel like if either player played in the other era they would still be dominant. It’s tough though that’s for sure. 

What was the last movie that you saw?


Angel Has Fallen I watched that whole series. Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen, and then Angel Has Fallen. GREAT series. 

Thanks Trevon for the chat.

Christopher Edward is a 201cm forward from Los Angeles, California that completed his second professional season and second with TV Langen averaging 22.2ppg, Reb-5 (10.9rpg), 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 66.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 53.7%. In his rookie season he averaged 22.2ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 56.7%. He began his basketball career at Claremont high school and then played 2 years at Chaffey College (JUCO). He played at Concordia University, Oregon (NCAA2) from 2016-2018 and as a senior played 28 games averaging 16.0ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 1.0%, FT: 56.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus crisis.

Hi Christopher where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus?

I am in Los Angeles, California. My mood is all over the place, for the most part I am doing well. It is sad to see all the damage that is going on due to the virus. To see all those big milestones for people get cancelled or postponed or done in a nontraditional manor. I am safe and healthy, at this point that is a great thing to be so I am grateful for that. 

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

No I did not, I thought it would be just like the flu that got people sick. Then the more and more it grew and infected people the more serious I saw this virus. It really has impacted the world in a way that I don’t think anyone could have for seen.

How did you experience the day to day life in Germany during the Corona Virus outbreak? Did you see that corona effect on the culture there or was it not so much different happening in your day to day dealings?


I had left the country right before the outbreak had reached pandemic levels. As the levels were rising I saw some concern from people but for the most part the day to day dealings were the same not much change was going on. 

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

Coming home, yes I became more cautious about shaking hands with people. I have always been cautious about germs in general. So my habits in regards to dealing with people in public were the same, just nice to see the rest of the world being just as cautious. I try to avoid people who are coughing or sneezing anytime of the year all my life, not just during this crisis. 

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season?

I was a little disappointed, I felt that there were some games to left to prove. We had two ‘revenge’ games with playing Mannheim and Karlsruhe. I was definitely disappointed that we didn’t get the chance to show that we are not that same team they played the first time around. It’s never fun to have a season cut short and definitely not on the embarrassing way we lost the last game of the year. However, as unfortunate as it is. It was only three weeks left so not too much was cut out and I was happy I was able to make it home safely. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

I think it is weird. Even if you have a smaller crowd, it is still exciting to play in front of those people. There is a different atmosphere of the game when you play without a crowd. It feels like a scrimmage that doesn’t matter too much, so I think the mentality of the players had to be different. 

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

The whole thing is scary in itself, I have learned to trust in the Lord much more. It’s a bunch of unknown but to put my confidence in him has made me much stronger than I could have ever thought. 

Wil it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this?

The biggest adjustment, for me, is not having as easy access to a gym to play basketball. I am home earlier than I expected to be and doing workouts earlier, but that is not a bad thing. I got a little bit more time to rest and recover from the season, that is a big advantage. Allows me to slowly work back into workouts and build that endurance again giving me more time to do more intense workouts as the new season gets closer. My skill development is what I am most concerned about. With the virus shutting down gyms, parks, pretty much any place that I can play basketball, I can just do dribbling drills at home and some phantom shooting. I am hoping that will change soon and I can get back to playing.

The whole world economy is going to be affected including Polish basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

I am worried about the smaller leagues that really depend on certain sponsors that won’t be able to pay due to lack of business. I am doing my best to not let it get to me, as I mentioned before this is a wild time of unknown. At this point I take it day by day, week by week, month by month. It’s the best way to handle something like this, for me personally.

How have you experienced the day to day life back home in the States? How has the Coronavirus affected your daily life? How have you been keeping in shape inside your home. Talk about the type of exercises and work out you have been able to perform inside your own 4 walls.

It’s a bit odd. I haven’t seen most of my family and friends since I left last August. I miss them so much and it sucks that I am home but still have to keep my distance. Daily life is relatively the same with the exception that I cannot go to a gym to shoot or lift. I am forced to do home workouts. I stay in shape by doing some sort of workouts, like bicep curls, tricep extensions, yoga, pushups, squats, wall sits. I go for walks everyday and I go for a run every other day. On my walks I bring a ball to dribble around just so I continue to have a feel for the ball. 

If you had to name another player besides guys from your team that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?

Not on any team I have played on would either be Maurice Jones or Igor Markiewicz

Let’s talk about the season of TV Langen. You guys finished in 3rd place with a record of 12-10. How do you summarize the season performance of the team?

The team played well this season. We had some really good wins and some really bad losses. It took us some time to find a rhythm but when we did we were a force to be reckoned with. I don’t think anyone besides the team thought we would place as high as we did and I am so proud of our team. We worked hard in practices and we proved a lot of people wrong.

How competitive was the Regionalliga South West. Between 3rd and 11th place there was only a difference of 2 wins. Did the competitive nature of the league and players motivate you and heighten your game more?

Very competitive. Any team could win their matchups for the week. Yes absolutely, nobody wanted to lose and I definitely was one of those. I would push myself to be ready for the matchup and ready to go home with a win. I wanted to be sure that I did everything I could to help the team be in the best position to win. 

TV Langen had their best stretch of the season from mid December to mid February attaining a 7 game winning streak. Why do you feel was the club most successful in this time?

We focused on our defense. As a team we had no problem scoring. The thing to work on was can we step up and stop our man and play great team defense. During that stretch we did that, and did it very well. 

The club had some very exciting wins like the two 3 point victories against Tuebingen and Idstein. Do you feel like one of these wins was the team highlight of the season?

I would say the Idstein win at Idstein was a big highlight for us. Such a hard fought battle from tip off to the final buzzer sound. An amazing team win!

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a pleasure was it playing together with German Rueben Spoden. He played many years in the German first division BBL. What could you soak up from his game that helped you most?

It was great. Ruben’s basketball IQ is crazy high, I was able to learn a lot. From him giving me advice, to watching him, guarding him, him guarding me. I felt like having him on my team the first couple years really helped me elevate my game. 

Sebastian Barth played only 2 games but is a TV Langen legend. Was he another one of those veterans where you could get something from his game and words of wisdom?


Yes, Basti was another one of those high IQ veterans he came in and in his game you could just tell he knows what he is doing. Reads the defense great, makes the right play. A pleasure to have him on the team. 

The club had a lot of German players. If you had to choose one that improved the most who would you pick?

Felix Feilen. From my first year to last season he improved in shooting and more importantly confidence. I am super excited to see where he goes with basketball. 

Let’s talk about your game. This season you averaged 22.2ppg, Reb-5 (10.9rpg), 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 66.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 53.7%. How content were you with your season?

I was very proud with my season this year. It’s hard not to be. Although I know there are a lot of things I need to work on and improve on, definitely my freethrows. However, I am proud of myself and I am excited to continue to get better. 

Your stats form your rookie season with TV Langen are almost identical. How difficult is it to improve yourself when you have such a productive rookie season?

It’s very hard especially when the second half of season rolls around and everyone knows you even better. Every year, there are some slight differences in how you play, adjusting to your team and the needs of the team. I think improvement was made but in small areas of my game, areas that are not always shown on the stats. 

You played 2 minutes less per game than in your rookie season. How do you feel did you develop further as a player in your second season?


I felt I was much more efficient this year. I took the better shots, I made better passes. Overall I felt as if my IQ went up. 

You shot a total of 10 three’s in the last 5 years including your 2 years with Concordia and 1 year at Caffrey College. Do you see yourself developing your three more to become more of a versatile player in the next years?

Yes of course, I always want to be more versatile. I do work on my threes every off season and during practice. But, I want to put my team in the best position to win so I take the shots that are the best for me and the team. 

You’re a very good rebounder and defender. How else do you want to improve in these area’s to continue to grow as a rebounder and defender?

Thank you, rebounding would be simply increasing my vertical. Getting better at boxing out is always a plus a basic fundamental that can always be improved. Defending, to work on my agility and quickness. To be able to guard from PG to Center just in case there is a switch and I will have to stand my ground and contain. Both these areas are what I am looking to improve big time this offseason. 

Who was the toughest guy that you faced in the Regionalliga this season?

Phew tough question, but I would probably say Ricky Easterling. His layup package is great, his midrange is one of the best I have seen. As a center, having a PG score, those layups is so frustrating. He can hoop.

What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Germany where you knew that you were very far away from home?

It was one of the first couple weeks there. I was just so lonely and bored, that it hit me. Like, I am so far away from anyone I usually talk to. This is insane. Sitting by myself in this apartment waiting for practice all day was just a lot of time to me, perhaps it was too much time. 

I’m sure you went some Fraport Skyliner games in the last 2 years who ball in the first division. When you watch a game like that what do you observe most closely to help you the next time in practice when your working on your game?

I watch the centers/power forwards. How they defend each other, how they run the floor, how they make their moves on offense, how they play help side defense. 

You played your first 2 seasons at Chaffey College (JUCO) and almost averaged double double stats in your second season with points and rebounds. How vital were these 2 years for your early basketball development?

Huge for my basketball improvement. To this day, a decision I will make again forever. Extra time to play with some real talent and gain muscles, get used to my body a bit more, learn to be more athletic, run the floor. The knowledge I got from those two years are incredible. 

When you start in JUCO does a chip start to grow on your shoulder? How have you come to terms with your early basketball journey? Is your chip at an all-time high now after 2 strong Regionalliga seasons?

I think the chip grew before you even step foot in the JUCO gym. But yeah, there’s always a chip on my shoulder. I want to be great, I want to go as high as I can. I come from a small high school where basketball is not big. I was overlooked besides from my coaches at Chaffey, they gave me a chance and that’s all I needed. My chip is still there for sure and it absolutely gets bigger and it gives me that competitive edge I have. I have it everyday I work and this offseason I still have it. 

You then played your last 2 years at Concordia University, Oregon (NCAA2) and had a solid junior season with 10/8 stats but really broke out as a senior with 16/10 stats. How did your game grow in your last 2 years?

Concordia really gave me the confidence in my game. My junior year, I felt like I had something to prove and my senior year I wanted to make a statement, saying this is my year. Those two years I really developed a lot but I would say my confidence was probably the biggest growth area in those two years, which trickled down into my offensive growth and defensive presence. 

A lot of your best games came in close loses, but you had solid games in a 65-64 win against CS San Bernardino and 16 points and 15 rebounds in a 60-58 win against Simon Fraser. Was one of these games your most memorable game as a senior?


As a Senior both games were memorable. CSUSB, was a big win for me because those are the guys I played in HS and Juco so it was playing against hometown rivals and to come out on top with such a dominant performance was great. Then Simon Fraser was big, it broke a rather long losing streak and the feeling of finally getting a win was unmatched. I would say my most memorable game though would be against Western Oregon at Western Oregon, the game where I broke my own career record in scoring and it was against a top ranked team. 

How did head coach Brad Barbarick groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

The entire staff at Concordia played a big part. Whether it was providing me a place to have a voice, to lead, to give me drills to use to improve on my skill. Extra workouts. Especially the athletic training staff of Liz Corbett and Kyle Nelson. They kept my body intact and helped me be able to play. Even though I was full of injuries, without the help of these two I would not be where I am today. 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Deanndre Stallings?

I did. Every time! 

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

In High-School the toughest player would probably be Lonzo Ball.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Brian Beard
Jarrett Gray
Latrell Wilson
Ruben Spuldon
Omar Mahmoud 

Please produce your own personal NBA Mount Rushmore with 4 heads past or present?

Wilt Chamberlain
Micheal Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James

What is your general opinion with the debate between who is greater Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

MJ is the goat. I think he did so much more for the game than Lebron. Don’t get me wrong LBJ is a monster but MJ has him beat. 

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw at the cinema was Joker, however the last movie I watched was When the Game Stands Tall on DVD. 

Thanks Christopher for the chat.

Montrael Scott is a 27 year old 190cm guard that finished his fifth professional season and first with the EN Baskets Schwelm (Germany-ProB) playing 22 games averaaging 17.5ppg, 6.0rpg, Assists-1 (7.1apg), 2.3spg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 81.5%. Last season he plyed with the VfL Sparkassenstars Bochum (Germany-ProB) averging 15.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.8apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.6%. In 2017-2018 he played with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProB) playing 27 games Score-3 (18.8ppg), 7.0rpg, Assists-5 (5.6apg), 2.1spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 72.2%. He played his first two professional seasons in Kosovo for Golden Eagle Ylli (Kosova-SuperLeague) playing 15 games: Score-2 (20.8ppg), 4.7rpg, Assists-2 (5.5apg), Steals-1 (3.6spg), FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 70.0% and for KB Trepca Mitrovice (Kosovo-SuperLeague) playing 27 games averaging 14.0ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 68.4%;and played 9 Balkan League games averaging 13.6ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 78.3%. He began his basketball career with Prairie View A&M (NCAA) in 2011 playing a total of 124 NCAA games and as a senior played 29 games averaging 15.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 74.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus crisis in 2020.

Hi Montrael where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus? 

-Whats up, I’m currently back home in Dallas,Texas. My mood honestly is somewhat okay. Only thing I’m probably frustrated about is not being able to go hoop. This pandemic has stopped a lot of things worldwide. Hoping things will be back normal sooner than later. 

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world? –

To be honest, when I first heard about it, I thought it was a Hoax lol. Like me and my teammate at the time were like it isn’t as serious as people where making it. As time went on, I started to think to myself maybe I need to take this serious. Just made me realize that whether it affected me or those around me, it was a serious matter. 

How did you experience the day to day life in Schwelm when you were still in Germany? What things did you notice in the surroundings there that showed that life wasn’t normal? 

The day to day life was still the same for us in Germany besides waiting to see whether the season would proceed or cancel. We still were able to go to the gym, go workout, etc but as matters became serious, all of that came to a halt. So I didn’t really notice a difference maybe because I was in my apartment majority of the time haha. 

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing?

Not too be rude but, I give out more fist pumps than anything. I’m very cautious of my surroundings as well as my health. As far as people coughing, I really wasn’t around people besides my roommate, who never coughed and if so, we joked about it. In all seriousness, I had been aware of it before the virus even came to light. 

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe including the Pro B. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season? 

Disappointed and frustrated the most about the whole situation. Mainly, because we were peaking at the right time going into playoffs and I know my guys and I were hungry to fight our way through the playoffs, trying to achieve our goal as winning the Pro B season. It definitely sucked and still think about it as of today. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans? 

What’s crazy is one of my friends actually played for Bonn this season; Donald Solan. I looked at it as a good and bad thing. Good that came from it was being able to still play ball and enjoy what we love. Bad thing about it was not having that fan support that teams would be use too. Fans really make a difference in sports because besides ourselves, our family, we play for the fans as well. 

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person? 


As a person, it’s just basically understanding that tough times don’t last always. I been through tough times in previous years of playing ball. So I wouldn’t say I was prepared for this but yet in still, I knew how to adapt to things being tough for the time being. 

Will it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this? –

I wouldn’t say it will be a big adjustment because basketball is my life. it just feels different because I’m literally supposed to still be playing right now. Advantages for me would be that I get the chance to actually rest my body and get proper treatment as needed. and I don’t think for me personally there is any disadvantages because I’m still going about life as if I were still playing right now. 

The whole world economy is going to be affected including German basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect? –

I’m worried but I’m not worried because professional basketball is what the world needs honestly. The economy for sure will take a hit in every aspect possible but it’s always still hope you know. Mentally I’m handling it like everything else in my life, control what I can and leave the rest up to God. Plus, my agent and I talk on various occasions about the best scenario for next season and the future. 

If you had to name another player besides guys from the team that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be? 

Probably Kevin Rogers, Blayor Bears alum, who also plays professionally aboard or probably Jamaal Smith who played in Pro B this season. 

How has the day to day life been now in the States with the outbreak of the Coronavirus? Have you noticed any differences and are there any differences between the Americans and German people on how they are coping and handling themselves? 


Day to day life in the states is cool to me because I’m sort of like the guy who don’t really be in the mix. Things I notice is that people are buying up more stuff than they usually do. The gyms are closed, which sucks. Restaurants open for take out and plenty much more. Here in Dallas, its slowly becoming normal again but yet, no gyms are open right now. 

How has your approach to family changed since the outbreak of Corona? What things have you seen yourself do that you may not have done before? 

I’m still the same with my family. I promote this healthy lifestyle with them and also my family is staying safe always. I think the only thing I do now that I’ve never done is wearing a mask everywhere I go these days. It’s very uncomfortable for me honestly.

Let’s talk about the season of EN Baskets Schwelm. Congrats on winning the Pro B North. How tough is it never knowing what would have happened in the playoffs and who would really have won the title fair and square?


Man its tough, like I literally think about it or talk to a few teammates about what if we were still playing. In all honesty, I think the Pro B playoffs this year would have maybe been its best playoff rounds this year. I’m riding with me and my guys to be that team to have won the title fair and square. Just think, we finished tied for first, beat the number one team and were on the better end of improving the season. So I would have to say En Basket Schwelm vs Elchingen in the finals. We take home the trophy!!! 

The club has 3 parts to the season. It began explosive with a 12-2 record, then lost 4 of 5 games and then finished strong winning 3 of 4. How would you summarize the season best? 

Every season will not be undefeated, a winning or losing season. To summarize the season is simply we weathered the storm and didn’t fall apart. Every team has their runs, ours just happen to have been in the beginning. At the end of the day, we finished the season how we should have just by the way we prepared ourselves going into the New year. 

Talk about the secret of the success. It seemed like the club didn’t do one thing really very well, but were a versatile squad and team that were just solid all across the board? 

The secret to success for us was grinding everyday in practice and becoming better. Think about it, our team was balanced in a sense to where we could some days hit you from the guards spot or our front court as well. I think it just mainly was on me as one of the leaders to lead in a way that everybody would feel comfortable being themselves and contributing the best way individually as possible. 


How vital was the experienced Falk Moeller? How much credit does he receive for being able to help build a team chemistry that wasn’t self evident considering most of the top players were new? 

The experience of Coach Falk and knowledge of the game was very vital to our season. He deserves as so much credit for actually just bringing us together and enjoy playing with each other. Of course with new players, it can bring different egos and attitudes. Yet, Falk managed to keep everything in place and on course. Just like our main goal as players were to win Pro B; Falk main goal he instilled into us is to give our all every game lose win or draw. Falk in my opinion may be one of my favorite coaches to play for in my years of playing. 

What was the season highlight? Possibly beating the other top team Itzehoe in the last game. You didn’t know it then that that would be the last game, but now it must be a good way to close the season?


That was probably the season highlight and turn around for us this season. We knew we could match up with them and it would be a dog fight in the end. With that being the last game, it still feels great to know we beat the number 1 team.

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a pleasure was it playing with David Knudsen. What did you notice in his game and character that demonstrated that he was in fact an Au player and not a German player? 

It was a pleasure definitely having David on the team. I mean when we first met, I wasn’t too sold on him because I didn’t know much. Once the season came, that’s when all things started show for itself. David was by far one of the best shooters on our team. Even with him being a rookie, he’d lack the confidence from missing shots but as I used to tell him, keep shooting it bro. So he had a major part in the success of the season this year. 

How vital was having the massive experienced Nikita Khartchenkov on the team. He has seen just about every gym in Germany. He is known as a sniper, but please talk about his versatility on the floor that sometimes get’s overlooked? –

It was extremely vital having him and that experience around us all year. For a guy who played arguably everywhere and maybe have championships too; it was needed. -Sometimes his versatility got overlooked and it was tough. As point guard and knowing the type of player he is, I always wanted to make sure I got him shots where he was comfortable or even just letting him create for himself. 

Talk about the growth of Anell Alexis. He made another jump from his Pro B season with Schwenningen. Did he tell any stories about his famous dad Wendell? 

I mean with this being my first year playing with him, I knew not much about him. Prior to the season, I sat and watched a few of his highlights plus a game or two. In my opinion, his game took another great leap from his scoring, to his ability to create for himself, etc. He never mentioned stuff about his dad but I did look him up. I saw that his pops wasn’t too bad himself as well. 

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 17.5ppg, 6.0rpg, Assists-1 (7.1apg), 2.3spg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 81.5%. How content were you with your third Pro B season and how did you make another step in your game?? You picked up 3 Eurobasket awards. 

-This season was probably an all around great year for me. Never content with how it went because I could’ve played way better some games. My game did make another step and more so with my decision making when it comes to taking my shots or looking for my teammates. 

You have stated in a past interview that you’re a natural point guard. In the first two seasons in the Pro B you couldn’t play the position. You seem to have always been labelled more as a natural scorer in Germany. Did last season’s 7,1apg silence any critics you had?


It’s a gift and a curse because as good as I am scoring, I’m 10 times better as a point guard. My IQ for the game and getting my teammates the ball is what makes me a natural point guard. I think I may have silenced a lot of critics, not to mention, I did have multiple games with double digits in assists. Numbers don’t lie at all!! 

Your three continues to be a work in progress. Does your 29% from this season motivate you to work even harder this off season to continue to improve it?


My 3 point percentage is what it is due to just the lack of confidence with shooting in the game. I’m so comfortable with getting to my mid range, that I sometimes don’t care to shoot a three. Nevertheless, this summer will be focused mostly on my 3pointer amongst other things too.

Defense continues to be a big part of your game. How do you feel did you make strides on the defensive end? 

Defense has always been maybe the first priority of my game I focus on. Defense isn’t something you go to the gym for hours to work on. Instead, it’s a will and a want to stop somebody from scoring on you or even stealing the ball. I think I honestly have a nat for the ball and that’s what makes my defensive side even more impressive. 

I believe your 4,0 turnovers must really have annoyed you. What has unnerved you the most with taking care of the ball? Is this more mental than anything or is your ball handling a part that also needs more tweaking? 

It’s really nothing major besides the fact that passes I make are because I have seen an opening for a split second then it’s gone. Honestly, I don’t really turn it over like that but, sometimes it seems like that by my numbers. My ball handling can always use tweaking because I’m not where I would want to be as a player. Improve on it every summer. 

What was your personal game highlight of the season? Possibly your 28 points, 5 assists, 12 rebounds and 3 steals in the win over Duesseldorf? 

I mean that’s probably up there with a few from the season. I would have to say the one for me is against Isherlon at their gym. I ended up scoring like 44 points which is a career high. If you were there to watch, then you’d know we were down by as much as like 20+. Ended up winning the game within the final 2 or 3 minutes. Great Christmas present for our team as well as myself.

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the Pro B this season? 

Chris Hooper or Conner Washington 

Luka Doncic had an amazing sophomore campaign. Is he a top 3 NBA player now? 

Luka is nice, let me rephrase that, LUKA IS DIFFERENT. In my opinion, he can edge up to be in that 3 spot but I got him as top 5 in the league right now. His game is so skilled and him being in his second year, he will be the MVP of the league one day. 

Where were you when you heard about the death of Kobe Bryant. What kind of influence did he have on you during adolescence?


We were watching our second team play, when my roommate showed me on twitter that it was going around that Kobe died. no lie, my heart stopped and I was real life sitting there confused. I didn’t believe it but as days passed, sources confirmed, it sucked BADLY. The influence Kobe had on me and I’m sure every other athlete was just that Mentality to just go out and kick somebody’s butt. growing up, everybody wanted to be like Kobe and his impact touched everybody in every sport there is known to man. 

How bitter is it that the NCAA March Madness has been canceled? This tournament for some kids is the greatest time of their lives. What advice would you give that senior who worked hard for 4 years and would have had his one and only chance now?


It’s bitter for sure because those kids play all season to have a chance to fight and make the big dance every year. As for the seniors, if they had the chance to finish the season, advice I would give them would probably be LEAVE EVERYTHING ON THE COURT BECAUSE ONE GAME CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. 

What was the last movie that you saw? 

The Belko Experiment. Fabulous movie 9/10 stars from me.

Thanks Montrael for the chat.

At the beginning of September 2019 the pre season had just began for the Dragons Rhondorf as the Gezeiten Cup tournament rolled along where fourth division team Dragons Rhondorf could measure themselves against first league team and cooperation partner Telekom Baskets Bonn. On the court was guard Trey Mckinney-Jones who has played one NBA game with the Indiana Pacers and never given up trying to get back having played an astounding 7 NBA Summer Leagues. On the other side of the court was a young man by the name of Curtis Hollins age 21 with no NCAA experience and only a season of Community College and 7 games in Lavar Ball’s league JBA. But the buzz around the gym that day was that this young man from Texas has NBA range and is on the shopping list of NBA teams. Hollins is a very special player that is raw, has special unending potential and has the heart of a lion and this exceptional self confidence that one could only witness in a Hollywood movie. The young guard/forward had a sub par Community College season, but did severe damage in the JBA league destroying every opponent on the court with his overall game as if there was no tomorrow. But wait a minute, why was this special prospect balling in the German fourth division where most Americans play for a monthly wage of 700-1000$? Even if he lit the JBA league on fire, he still seemed unproven and not ready enough to get a chance from a higher level team. Despite all the NBA talk, he didn’t t feel any pressure. Despite his amazing talent, he had to start at the bottom of the totem pole. But that didn’t t bother him one bit as he knew exactly where he is going. ‘It makes me feel great hearing the talk. I always feel like I can play and contribute at the highest level. I love the Euroleague and it would be amazing if I had the opportunity to play there’, warned Curtis Hollis (198-G/F-98, college: Hutchinson). Having to play in the fourth division did put a chip on his shoulder, but it wasn’t a heavy one, because he was so focused on getting better each day. ‘I don’t really have a huge chip on my shoulder. For me it’s more about coming in and developing. I have a pretty good shot to play with not just the national team as well so I feel like everything will play itself out’, stressed Curtis Hollis. Hollis may be underrated, but has the heart of a champion. He played his rookie season with the Dragons Rhondorf, but departed in January to go back home citing personal opinions, but in his 5 months in the German Regionalliga, he definitely turned heads and left a lasting impression. ‘I just want to tell the fans that I love them to death I’m sorry about how it ended but man they really helped us out at the nightly home games and was like a 6th man for us! My goal every night was to win and to make sure I put on a show for the fans so they were entertained and enjoyed watching us play. So I just want say to them thank you thank you thank you! You guys are honestly amazing. They supported every weekend’, stressed Curtis Hollis

Curtis Hollis grew up in Arlington, Texas and began his basketball career with Mansfield Summit High School where he also excelled at football. He played against many high level players at the high school level that would play in the NCAA and now some have landed in the NBA, but instead of landing in the NCAA, he found himself playing at Hutchinson CC (JUCO). He had offers from schools like San Diego and Lamar, but looked at the whole spectrum of where he wanted to go in his basketball career and never saw the NCAA as a place that could truly help him. ‘I feel like there’s a lot of hidden agendas in the NCAA with high level players and coaches. A lot of coaches don’t care about you and your development so it’s tough for a guy like me that’s been underrated for a long time. Plus I’ve always wanted to be a pro and develop and play basketball all day. Not be in school and have study hall and all that so I felt like if I had the opportunity to play professionally why not jump on it? Life’s so short you have to take advantage of opportunities while you can’, stressed Curtis Hollis. Instead he gave Hutchinson CC (JUCO) an opportunity, because he knew it was an outstanding program, but he never found to his game as in 34 games he averaged 6.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 66.3%. Even now two years after his last game for them, he remembers the experience as if it was yesterday. ‘It was a crazy experience to say the least. Obviously they recruited me. Hutch has an amazing basketball program and facilities. I just feel like I didn’t really get the full opportunity I wish I did. They held me back a lot and like I said kind of pushed me to the side & told me to wait my turn. Luckly I had some great teammates that helped me along the way and I also got to really develop and work on my game in practice going against the starters killing them. So it was an up and down year but I always like looking at the positive of things so overall as a man and a player I got better and learned from that year at JUCO. I left because I just felt like I wasn’t treated fairly. I could have went to any JUCO in the country and chose Hutch and had to deal with hidden agendas so at the end of the day I had to do what was best for me & my career’, warned Curtis Hollis. 

In the summer of 2018, Curtis Hollis who lists Marques Bolden (Cleveland Cavaliers) , Trevon Duval (Houston Rockets) , Terrance Ferguson (OKC Thunder) , Mitchell Robinson (New York Knicks) , and Trae Young. (Atlanta Hawks) as his best five teammates of all-time made the next step in his career and decided to ball in the newly established JBA league founded by Lavar Ball the dad of NBA guard Lonzo Ball. The JBA league is one where young players can play professionally who don’t necessarily want to go to school. This decision proved to be the right one as he put up huge stats and was able to make a name for himself. He played with the Houston Ballers (JBA) and finished as the leagues fifth best scorer averaging 29.3ppg, 11.3rpg, 5.3apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 71.8%.The American also felt that taking a chance of playing in the JBA league was the correct one as it led to bigger and better things. ‘The league was just in its first year so it had its ups and downs especially with my team. But when we went to Europe it was amazing. We played high level talent and beat them as well’, stated Curtis Hollis. He had some huge games in the JBA league scorching Philadelphia for 37 points, Dallas for 34 points and Chicago for 31 points. His hardships at Hutchinson helped groom him for the JBA league. ‘With the JBA I had an opportunity. When I played at my JUCO the opportunity wasn’t really there for me. My coaches had 2 sophomore guards who had just won the national championship so his loyalty was really with them. They kind of pushed me to the side and told me to wait my turn. Which was really hard because obviously I felt I had the talent and game to play big minutes as a freshman. That year really helped me mature though’, added Curtis Hollis. Putting up big stats in the JBA was just another step in his long road up the basketball ladder as his game definitely profited from the experience. ‘I felt like it developed a lot because of the opportunity to play and make mistakes. It was tough night in & night out nothing was given or easy so that helped me a lot. Especially playing with NBA rules & a lot of traveling and NBA 3pt line’, warned Curtis Hollins. He also will never forget playing against other top JBA players Jordan Ray and Deon Lyle. ‘It was always competitive. We all love winning and we were all talented. We battled every day at practice every chance we could. There’s so many memories I can’t really point out a specific one’, stressed Curtis Hollis. 

With his stellar play in the JBA league, the Texas native was selected to a USA select team that went overseas to compete against professional teams. Once again he didn’t disappoint as he put up ridiculous stats averaging 29,7ppg, 6,5rpg and 3,9apg. He got on the basketball radar in Germany after an amazing 40 point performance against easyCredit BBL team Brose Bamberg’s farm team Baunach who compete in the second division called the Pro A. ‘Memories probably was it was a tough game. We started off slow but eventually got into our rhythm. They never gave up and really fought us down to the wire. I didn’t know they had an NBA prospect on that team. I felt I played really well and I think I’m a NBA prospect as well so it’s always good going against those type of guys’, stated Curtis Hollis. After the great opportunity of being able to compete against high level teams and players in Europe, he made his decision of remaining here so much easier. ‘The experience was amazing. We played so many good pro clubs and pro grown men players so it was great. Playing well did make turning pro easier for me. I realized I could play at a high level professionally too so it was a great feeling’, added Curtis Hollis. 

One guy who paid close attention to Hollis in that 40 point masterpiece was Bamberg youth coach Yassin Idbihi. When he returned to his old stomping ground Rhondorf to become CEO of Sport, he hadn’t forgotten Curtis Hollins as that memorable game in Bamberg paved the way to Rhondorf for the 198cm American. Having Yassin Idbihi behind the scenes in Rhondorf and knowing that he was more than wanted was a huge reason why he signed with the Dragons Rhondorf. ‘Yassin was a huge reason for me signing. He came to me with a plan and he really believed in me & my talent so it was only right that I trusted him as well & the double license for me felt like just the perfect situation. I really believe in what Yassin had planned for me. We had a plan set in place for me & my development so that was really big for me.’, added Curtis Hollins. He really didn’t know much about Germany and it’s basketball coming in except that Bamberg had been known for having great teams, fans and a certain ex Kentucky (NCAA) standout Darius Miller who made it back to the NBA from that program. He had a huge pre-season giving fans an early impression of what he would bring to the table filling up the stat sheet like a Russell Westbrook and helped the Dragons be one of the top teams in the Regionalliga West. He played 18 games for the ex Pro A team averaging 22,7ppg, 8,2rpg, 3,6apg and 3,0spg. He scored in double figures in 17 of 18 games, scored 20 or more points in 13 games and his two best games was a triple double against Leverkusen 2 with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals and also exploded against Deutzer with 38 points. He also registered 6 double doubles. When looking back at the last months, his time in the German Regionalliga was the perfect setting for his game to grow. ‘I developed crazy. And really fast! I didn’t expect it but like I said I was working so hard every day every week so it was only right for me to start becoming elite. The difference from September to January was my patience, my understanding of the European game, my reads in the PnR, off the ball movements, starting to attack more and more every time down! Really just everything I had really started to figure it out’, warned Curtis Hollis.

Hollis who has an interesting NBA Rushmore preference with Michael Jordan, Kawhi Leonard, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant has a very versatile game and could of almost uncovered a list of players that he compares his game to as it wasn’t short as he sees his game similar to NBA guys like Will Barton, Jeremy Lamb, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, and Paul George. He sees himself as a long athletic guy that is very versatile, can score it, shoot it, and defend at a high level. But besides also having that ruthless composure like a ballerina and of a 10 year veteran and being able to defend the positions 1-4, he can do so much more. ‘I can kind of do it all. I feel like other strengths I can show is my leadership and ability to help my teammates and run the team’, warned Curtis Hollis. His smooth moving on the court is very fun to watch not to mention his high flying when he sees that air and dunks the ball hard. But he also knows that he still has many area’s to improve. ‘I feel like I can shoot it a lot better than people think and have seen. It’s still a work in progress but I’m not really too worried about it. Shooting is all about reps and mechanics and I’m ALWAYS in the gym and working so I think it will all come together soon’, warned Curtis Hollis. He has skinny legs which help him get to the rim quickly, but he also wants to add 10-15 pounds to get to 200 pounds so he can fight against the physicality of the game. Another important and noteworthy strength that he possesses is his focus. He is a player that knows that he is a very good, but is never satisfied with his game. He wants to get better everyday and that is always a positive sign about the character of a player as well. His confidence is also a strength as he has always had it in good and bad times and that will continue to accompany him as he continues to move up the basketball ladder. 

He has a special connection to the Bamberg organization. Two years ago current Bamberg player Kameron Taylor played a breathtaking season at Rhondorf as he took a step back from the Pro A to get added self confidence and put up huge stats in the Pro B. Two years later via a season in Hungary, he played with top BBL team Brose Bamberg and played a key role in their success. Rhondorf is definitely a fine address for unproven and at times players that are off the radar to get on the radar while getting ample minutes and improving their game for the next level. Unfortunately his successful run with the Dragons Rhondorf ended too soon, but he was very thankful for the opportunity and being able to play for Yassin Idbihi. ‘I’m so thankful for him I can’t even put it into words. He was such a honest and trustworthy guy. He brought me here to develop to a high level and help him win and understand how the European game works on and off the court. Without him I’m not sure where I would be European basketball wise. My lasting memory will probably just be every memory I had with him. He was so hard and tough on me and really really wanted to see me be successful and use all my talent. But even thou he was tough he would be the first to tell me how much better I was doing or that I was doing a good job. So I’ll miss Yassin and like I said I can’t put into words how thankful I am for him. We will have a relationship forever’, warned Curtis Hollis. He is ready for the next step. ‘I’m going to enter the 2020 NBA Draft so we will see where it takes me but it’s just the beginning for me and my career. This year really helped me. I learned so much’, warned Curtis Hollis. Recently he declared for the 2020 NBA draft. He has been working really hard at his game in the last months leading up to the 2020 NBA draft One thing that won’t hinder him from reaching the NBA, will be a lack of having self-confidence. He may be underrated, but he has the self-confidence of a champion and that will get him far in the basketball business.