Head coach Simon Cote celebrated his biggest coaching success with the Opel Skyliners in 2004 winning the league title and got some valuable experience soaking up as much knowledge from Gordon Herbert early in his coaching career. After Frankfurt he was a scout with the Denver Nuggets, coached BBL team Giessen 46ers, coached in China and now has been in charge on the sidelines with the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau who he coached the last 4 years in the Pro A. After more than 10 years away, he returned back to an old stomping ground in Frankfurt facing his old team, but not in the BBL, but in the Pro B. He brought his club Hanau with a 4-3 record to Frankfurt and could have had an even better record had they not lost nail bitters against Baunach and Giessen. His foe the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had an identical 4-3 record and won last weekend in Munich against Oberhaching and won the last three road games in a row. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were looking to get back on the winning side at home having a 1-2 record while Simon Cote wanted to celebrate a successful experience against his ex team. Not only Cote had a special home coming, but also his player Benedikt Nicolay who played in the Skyliners organization from 2009-2012 playing a total of 5 BBL games and 143 Pro B games. On a cold autumn Saturday afternoon two teams met to keep their record over 500, but as the buzzer sounded after 40 minutes, the stoic face of Simon Cote told the whole story as he looked like he had just seen the basketball God turn into a basketball ghost after the disgraceful third quarter as his team relinquished 33 points which sealed the win for Frankfurt. Less than 24 hours earlier the BBL team Fraport Skyliners had done the same masterpiece, but only in the fourth quarter scoring 33 points to secure a great come from behind win. After the victory new Skyliner Junior Nigel Pruitt reflected on the win. “It was a roller coaster of a game. We were all excited because it was a derby game. We were too passive on defense in the first half, weren´t boxing out and they were more physical. In the second half we rebounded better, had better ball movement and shot better. We were also more aggressive on defense taking their stuff away. We got all involved on offense in the second half which wasn´t the case in the first half”, stressed Tennessee native Nigel Pruitt. Ebbecke White Wings Hanau forward Ryan Beisty played a solid game and was disappointed that the team couldn´t put it together for 40 minutes. ”We gave up way too many offensive rebounds and couldn´t score when they went on runs. We didn´t show the effort to want to win. We had too many defensive breakdowns”, stated Ryan Beisty.

            The Ebbecke White Wings jumped all over the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in the first few minutes, but Frankfurt struck back making it a close game after 10 minutes. Hanau got a quick 11-2 lead as they stifled Frankfurt with their aggressive defense and on offense got three trey´s from ex Fraport Skyliner Junior guard Felix Hecker, ex Nordlingen big man Josef Eichler and Ryan Beisty. Hanau also got a lay in from ex ratiopharm guard Til Joscher Joenke. Frankfurt got a fade away jumper from Nigel Pruitt. The Ebbecke White Wings Hanau were hitting the three early while Frankfurt couldn´t find a rhythm on offense while Bruno Vrcic got off to a slow start going 0/5 from the field. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors didn´t let the quick Hanau start blind their game as they slowly started chipping away on offense and executing as they made a 14-5 run to dead lock the contest at 16-16. In the run Bruno Vrcic finally executed with a reverse lay up and big man Aaron Kayser also got into the action with back to back buckets. Frankfurt wanted to get the ex Chemnitz center more touches and shots as he had only attempted 9 in the last three games while before that he had shot 27 in three games. Pruitt also dropped a three pointer and 6 year Skyliner German Konstantin Schubert scored inside getting a shovel pass from Jazz Bains. But Hanau halted Frankfurt´s momentum as Joenke hit a trey as Frankfurt trailed 19-16 after one quarter. “Frankfurt didn´t take care of the ball well or rebound well. Frankfurt couldn´t control the defensive rebound as Hanau got second and third chances”, stressed ex Aubrun(NCAA) forward Quantez Robertson. The Ebbecke White Wings Hanau shot 47% from the field and 57% from outside and had 11 rebounds and 2 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 33% from the field and 25% from outside and had 11 rebounds and 2 turnovers.

            In the second quarter the fans saw a game of runs as the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau were able to break away and this time keep the Fraport Skyliners Juniors at bay. Just like in the first quarter the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau started firing away right away going on a 7-1 run to extend their lead to 26-17. In the run German guard Jonathan Mesghna hit a jumper and Ryan Beisty nailed a trey and a lay in showing that in no way is he a one dimensional offensive player. The guests poured on their defense and forced Frankfurt to two turnovers which Hanau took advantage of. Frankfurt´s perimeter defense wasn´t working. But the Fraport Skyliners Juniors demonstrated that they could match the Hanau long range shooters getting back to back trey´s from Vrcic and German captain Cosmo Gruehn as suddenly the Hanau lead was only 26-23. Then it was time again for the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau to escape on a run netting 5 points as Mesghna hit another trey and Beisty made a tip in showing that he can be aggressive on the offensive paint as Frankfurt trailed 33-23. Then it was time for Frankfurt to go on a run again as Pruitt took it into his own hands scoring 6 points cutting the Hanau lead to 33-29. In the last minutes Hanau got two baskets from Beisty and ex Skyliner Benedikt Nicolay who played 5 BBL games with Frankurt. Frankfurt got a lay in from Schubert as Pruitt displayed his fine playmaking skills which doesn´t always get noticed, but trailed 39-32 at the break. “Frankfurt had no communication on the pick and roll and there was no help. Hanau got easy baskets inside. Frankfurt continued not to take good care of the ball and secure defensive rebounds”, stressed Quantez Robertson. The Ebbecke White Wings Hanau shot 44% from the field and 35% from the three point line and had 20 rebounds and 3 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 32% from the field and 27% from the three point line and had 24 rebounds and 6 turnovers.

            The turning point of the game came in the third quarter as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors exploded for 33 points while holding Hanau to 9 points. Eichler began the third quarter with a lay in, but then it was almost all Fraport Skyliners Juniors. They exploded for an amazing 33-7 run to extend their lead to 65-48. In the run, they got some serious scoring in bunches from 17 year old Len Schoormann who dropped two trey´s and continued to be a reliable shooter and also produced two lay ins. Frankfurt finally got production from other faces besides a Pruitt and Vrcic who only scored once in the third quarter. Gruehn contributed a trey, Jordan Samare scored twice in the paint and Jaz Bains was also reborn. After a tough first half, he finally found a groove on offense. He scored twice and would finish with 17 points on 5/11 shooting and would continue to execute in the fourth quarter. “Jaz is my import brother. He plays with a lot of confidence. I told him to remain aggressive. He calmed down and took easier shots. He is a special player that will always continue to keep attacking”, stated Nigel Pruitt. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were executing and everything was working while for the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau, they couldn´t hit the ocean. After 30 minutes Frankfurt led 65-48. “Schoormann was a big part of the success in the third quarter. He took responsibility at both ends of the court. With a two man show everybody zones out, but when you play team ball, it gets a lot easier and it prevails”, stated Nigel Pruitt. ““We let them get going in the third quarter. We couldn´t get anything going on offense. We had no energy and just didn´t step up”, stressed ex Regis(NCAA) forward Ryan Beisty. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 44% from the field and 33% from the parking lot and had 37 rebounds and 8 turnovers while the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau shot 39% from the field and 28% from the parking lot and had 23 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

            In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were able to keep the lead despite the Ebbecke White Wings playing better and cutting down the Frankfurt lead to 10 and 9 points on two occasions, but they couldn´t get over the hump and steal back the lead. Jaz Bains got Frankfurt on the board first in the fourth quarter finding his spots on the way to hole tip toeing like a Kemba Walker for the basket. Vrcic added a free throw as Frankfurt had the very comfortable 68-48 advantage. But the Ebbecke White Wings didn´t want to sneak home unnoticed with a blow out loss in their baggage and came together and went own a 15-5 run to cut the Frankfurt advantage to only 73-63. Hanau did a good job sharing the ball as many players contributed to the come back. Calfornia native and rookie Preston Beverly scored with a tap in while ex Spanish ACB player Miguel Servera who was held to only 4 points on 2/10 shooting scored inside as did Eichler. Hanau did a super job getting to the free throw line as Joenke, Eichler and Beisty produced free throws. After scoring 33 points in the third quarter, Frankfurt let up a bit not executing on offense and losing their defensive aggressive. Hanau got easy points at the free throw line and inside. But the Fraport Skyliners Juniors did a good job stopping the Hanau momentum and executing in key moments to up their lead again as Jaz Bains scored 5 points giving Frankfurt the 78-63 advantage. Hanau made one more push led by Joenke who scored 7 points cutting the Frankfurt lead to 83-74 with 1,29 minutes to play. But Hanau would not score again as Frankfurt went on a 6-0 run to close out the game with points all from Len Schoormann. “It was back and forth in the fourth quarter. Hanau is a tough team and we knew that it wouldn´t be a cake walk. We hit the big shots when we needed them, but we have to learn to close out games better”, warned Nigel Pruitt. “We had to be smarter to be able to stop their tendencies. We couldn´t lock them down”, stressed Ryan Beisty. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Len Schoormann and Bruno Vrcic with 18 points a piece. Nigel Pruitt and Jaz Bains added 17 points a piece. The Ebbecke White Wings Hanau were led by Till Joscha Joenke with 24 points. Ryan Beisty added 12 points and Josef Eichler added 11 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 45% from the field and 37% from outside and had 46 rebounds and 13 turnovers while the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau shot 40% from the field and 26% from outside and had 35 rebounds and 9 turnovers.

Curtis Hollis is a 21 year old 198cm forward from Arlington, Texas that is playing his first season overseas and first in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf currently averaging 20,4ppg,7,7rpg,3,5apg and 3,2spg. He began his career at Mansfield Summit High School. In 2017-2018 he played with Hutchinson CC (JUCO) playing 34 games averaging 6.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 66.3%. In 2018 he played in Lavar Ball’s new league with the Houston Ballers (JBL) playing 7 games: Score-5 (29.3ppg), 11.3rpg, 5.3apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 71.8%. He and I will team up every week to talk basketball in the Miles basketball minute.

Congrats Curtis on another win the fourth in a row for the Dragons Rhondorf over BG Hagen 104-96. Is waking up Sunday any different for you when you win or lose or are they all the same?

They are all the same! I usually watch the film Sunday and see what I could have done better then try to focus on the next game.

In German basketball when a team scores 100 or more points, the player that scored the 100 point has to buy a round of drinks. 17 year old kid Simas Lukosius scored the 100 point. Was any of that talked about in the dressing room after the game and did he come through during the week?

Yes our team does donuts though. But it’s crazy because nobody has got them yet haha.

Everyone knew that BG Hagen was depleted with injuries. I remember telling a kid we will win by 25 points. Boy was I wrong. After one quarter they had scored 32 points. What disappointed you most letting up 32 points in the first 10 minutes?

Yes it was. We weren’t disciplined at all! But we really settled down and focused on it so we can become better.

What words of wisdom did head coach Yassin Idbihi give the guys after the first quarter that allowed you to score an explosive 34 points in the second quarter?

Just be patient and defend. We all know we have talent and can score but our defense would help us get good looks offensively.

BG Hagen forward Salathiel Ligons exploded with 34 points. How deadly was his mid range game and was he another guy where you tried to soak up some of that mid range game?

Man he played really good. His mid range was pretty much automatic and he really got to his spots. It’s always good talking with him too because he’s a vet and I really try to soak up as much as I can from him.

The Dragons Rhondorf did a great job managing the game in the second half and like you told me after the game weathering the storm. It seems like being able to do this is becoming more and more of a strength for the team.

Yeah it has. As crazy as it is we’ve been through a lot of adversity early this season so we have been through a lot of situations. So with that we know what to do and how to figure it out because we’ve been through it before.

After the win Yasin Idbihi stated in the press conference that the defense was a catastrophe. What new measures did the team work on this week to be able to come on the floor in Essen and shrink the points allowed?

Just like I always say all around defense. Being in the right spots, staying in front of your man, all different things.

The club keeps working on defense every week, but little improvement is seen on the court. Do you feel that the problem could be more the mental side getting in the way of defensive execution?

No I just think we have to really focus and know every situation and where to be defensively.

The teammate spotlight this week is on Mark Kotieno. He had his best game of the season scoring 25 points and adding 7 boards. He seemed like reborn. How motivating was it for him starting the game and could this performance heighten his game in the next games?

Man he played really good and showed his talent. He was motivated because we didn’t have Gabriel so he felt the opportunity was there to have a big game & he was right. We needed that from him against Hagen.

You had another normal day at the office with 23 points and 13 boards and 6 assists. Only Anish Sharda had more with 7. How pleased have you been with your playmaking this season?

Pretty good. I feel like it’s getting better everyday I’ve been really learning and trying to slow the game down. Read every option so it’s been good. I’m only going to continue to keep getting better.

If the Dragons Rhondorf allowed you to play point guard for a day and gave you 32-33 minutes, how would your stats look like?

I honestly don’t know. I’m sure I’d play pretty well, but I know one thing I know we would win though!

At the start of the fourth quarter you attempted a long jumper, felt it wouldn’t fall and got your rebound for the put back. When was the last time that you made a play like that? It isn’t so common for a player to execute that?

Haha it’s crazy because it’s just knowing where the ball is going to go and the basketball gods on my side. I usually just try to attack the ball because I know I’m going to miss and find it from there.

The other day Lebron James and Luka Doncic put on a show making triple doubles. How long will it take until people start saying that those are the two best players in the NBA at the moment?

Man it might already be able to be said. We all know LeBron is crazy but Luka is special. Really special I’m glad he’s in Dallas because he’s putting on for the city!

What was the last Basketball video of a player that you watched? 

I’m not sure I watch so many videos of players and stuff so I don’t remember exactly which one.

Thanks Curtis for the chat.

With a few minutes left in the Dragons Rhondorf-BG Hagen game, young German Simas Lukosius made a bucket hitting the magical 100 points. In Germany it is normal in the basketball sport that the player that makes the 100 points has to buy a full round for the whole team. Usually this is connected as a very joyous moment, but at that moment the game was still tight as the Dragons Rhondorf were inching their way to a victory. Despite the Dragons Rhondorf pulling out another win 104-96 over BG Hagen under new head coach Yassin Idbihi, Lukosius probably was spared the stress of buying enough drinks as the team had other worries. The Dragons Keep winning games despite presenting an unstable defense. Even if the style of the Dragons Rhondorf isn´t run and gun a style that was made famous in Germany by Phoenix Hagen under head coach Ingo Freyer more than 10 years ago, the scores sure look similar to what Phoenix Hagen was putting up then. The Dragons Rhondorf have a perfect 4-0 record under new head coach Yassin Idbhi and have been able to score as easily as the Crailsheim Merlins have been able to have the surprising success early in the BBL season, but they also let up a lot of points. For Yassin Idbi way too many points. In the four game winning streak the Dragons Rhondorf have averaged scoring 102 points and given up n average of 83 points per game. Teams always get into slumps or get injuries, these are all obstacles that could affect the Dragons at any time. What happens if they have a few off shooting nights and don´t come ready to defend? Then the start of a losing streak could happen quicker that Enric Garrido Foz can sprint to the hole with the ball. Scoring  a lot of points and giving up a lot of points is very risky and something that Yassin Idbihi wants to avoid.

                The offense is no problem and have been great this season. They have scored 80 points or more nine times and learned early on that sharing the ball leads to success. They already had that unselfishness and extra pass mentality instilled under ex ehad coach Markus Rowenstrunk. They have many many scoring options. Curtis Hollis led the way at the start and guys have been following his lead ever since. Hollis now doesn´t have to score right away, but can let other guys get into a groove and then gradually along the way gest his offense going and makes it a habit to react to what the defense gives him instead of forcing to much. Hollis in fact is way to good for the Regionalliga West. He can score at anytime if he wanted to, but this league is also a great opportunity to tweak his playmaking skills as he continues to build his game for higher leagues and opportunities. Killian Binapl became a prolific scorer under Idbihi averaging 24,0ppg in the first 3 games under the new coach. His self confidence has risen dramatically. A sore spot in the last years was having that strong German big man. This season they have one in Gariel De Olveira who is his own wrecking crew in the paint. While young Mark Kotieno profited from De Olveria last weekend playing a BBL game in Vechta, was inserted into the starting lineup and delivered a career high 25 points. De Olveria and Kotieno could be the best 1-2 German big man duo this season. With Slovenian Jure Besedic the club has a very versatile big man who won´t put up big stats in his minutes, but if he had to play 25-30 minutes would probably achieve double double stats. The back court duo of Anish Sharda and Enric Garrido Foz total 74 years and 34 years of basketball experience and no team in the Regionalliga can boast such a talented and experienced back court. Sharda gives you that reliable three pointer, but at the same time is an unselfish player that has the perfect knowledge of knowing when to finish and when to create for others. Foz gives you that controlled playmaking and at any time lay up that he can generate with his speedy Gonzalez quickness. German Jeffery Martin started the season slow, but has had some good games in the last weeks and can give much needed scoring punch at anytime. Bearing no unfortunate injuries, this club will continue to score at ease and fans will see many more 100 point games this season.

                But what about the defensive end? Will the instability ever turn into stable defense? After the fourth win in a row, head coach Yassin Idbihi didn´t shy away during the press conference to speak his mind. He stated that the Dragons defense was a catastrophe. I mean why should he lie, he was totally right. 10 minutes after the press conference, I bumped into him after he had exited the VIP room and had come back to strength with some delicious food after the win and I congratulated him on the win. I then didn´t hesitate to mention that the club needs to improve their defense. He just glared at me and agreed. It was the kind of look where one could interpret quickly that he might have some short nights examining video in the next days. An old adage about defense is that you don´t necessarily have to be talented. On offense if you can´t shoot, then you have a problem. But on defense, it is a lot less about skill, but more about effort, passion and will. You have to want to play defense to be successful. If you don´t have the right mind set then you can pack it in and go home. Why was the Fraport Skyliners teams of the past under Gordon Herbert always so successful? Because he didn´t have good defenders, but great defenders who gave it their all like a Quantez Robertson or John Little. At the moment the passion isn´t there. There are spurts where the club defends very well, but then again they lose aggressiveness and fall into bad habits. In the game against BG Hagen, they had absolutely no cure how to slow down Salathiel Ligons who hurt them time in and time out with his mid range game ending the night with 34 points. Communication, rotations and 1-1 defense have been the Dragons Achilles heel so far this season. Curtis Hollis is a very talented player that knows how to defend. Because of that he should be the defensive leader and really be vocal and help get his teammates motivated. He leads by example with his steals, deflections and tips every night. If he could be that serious vocal defensive leader, then it would propel his game again to another level. Head coach Idbihi has showed early on that he is a coach that won´t accept mediocracy and if you make mistakes, will sit while the next guy on the bench  gets his chance. Idbihi has the capabilities to make this team good on the defensive end. That will work if he can get the team believing and wanting to defend every night. Once the team has that first real defensive success, they will build off that and be all right. That could happen this weekend as they travel to Essen to battle the weakest team in the Regionalliga West. The key for defensive success will be Curtis Hollis and Yassin Idbihi. Playing good defense is all in the mind set and showing 100% effort. The improved defense might not be there right away, but you can be sure that Yassin Idbihi will get the guys thinking defense. The guys love to play offense and have success. Now they have to love to play defense. Yassin Idbihi will transport that love to the players.

Dmitri Thompson is a 23 year old 196cm guard from Orlando, Florida playing his second professional season and first with Cytavision Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League. Last season as a rookie he played with Atlas Ferzol (Lebanon-LBL) playing 7 games averaging 12.7ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 82.6%. He began his basketball career with Orlando Christian Prep and then played at Elon (NCAA) from 2014-2018 playing a total of 129 NCAA games. In his senior year he played 31 games averaging 12.0ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 75.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before the Fiba Europe Cup game against medi Bayreuth in Bayreuth.

Dimitri thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Welcome to Germany. Before we start with your basketball career how did you receive the nickname Meech?

That is actually a funny story. My family called me that as a baby. I hated it. In high school my coach called me Big Meech. Later Rick Ross made a song called Big Meech. But it had nothing to do with me. 

This this your first time to Germany? What has been your impression of the country from what you have seen so far?

I love Germany. It has a homey feeling. I feel like I’m in the states. It’s so Americanized. I had been to Germany before. My college did a tour here some years ago.

What do you know in general about the country and it’s basketball? You have friends that are playing here at the moment with Sheldon Eberhardt, Jackson Trapp and Michael Gilmore. Have there been other guys that you have followed make their way through Germany like an Orlando Parker?

I know that Germany is one of the better places to play in. All my friends who have played here have said excellent things about Germany. I played together with Orlando Parker in high school. He loves Germany and always kept coming back. Hearing that is a great thing. Maybe one day I can play in Germany. Germany is really a lovely place. 

Your playing your second professional season with Cytavision Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) What kind of experience has it been playing with a club so rich in tradition?

It has been amazing. Last season I played for a team that was the complete opposite. It had no tradition. Now I’m in a very good situation. The club has treated me well and I love the country. We are just getting started now.

As a guy coming from Orlando, you probably have had nothing against the climate, but what is like been living in Cyprus? What have you learned to appreciate most about the culture so far?

The climate is beautiful. It is a vacation place. The people have been welcoming and have made it very comfortable to live there. It jumped out at me with the people being so friendly.

The team last won the league title in 2014 and the cup in 2016. How much do you feel the need to win a title again? How high are the expectations this season?

We talk about it as a team. Our time is now. Last season’s team played with a high budget, but fell below expectations. We need to bring that winning tradition back. We feel that we can do it. We need to click and put things together. Our goal is to compete for the title. 

How valuable has it been for your second professional season to have an abundance of Americans on the team? How has the chemistry developed further with the guys?

I really enjoy the fact that we have more than 2 Americans on the club. I don’t feel so much pressure to have to do so much. I feel very comfortable. We are just starting to find our rhythm and getting a flow and figuring each other out.

How vital has Michael Cufee not only been for the success of the team, but for your you? Is he a guy that you see that mentor in? He is a guy that could tell you unending stories about the European game?

When I found out that Mike was on the team, I was very ecstatic. He has seen so much and played for top teams. Where he has been is where I want to be. He has seen everything and knows everything. Whenever he decides to teach me, I will always follow his lead.

How has it been playing with point guard Jarvis Garrett? He like you is a second year man that had a superb rookie season in Cyprus. What have you learned to appreciate most about his game in the early going?

Jarvis has a great feel for the game. He knows where his spots are and where our spots are. I appreciate his game. He tries to do all that he can on offense and defense to make the team successful.

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

I would say Bradley Beal. I’m a combo guard that can score, make plays and play defense.

You have shot the ball well the last two years, but started slowly this season in the Cyprus league. What kind of strategy have you taken to improve your shot? Do you watch videos of other players to add to your shot?

Right now my favorite player is CJ Mccollum. I watched all his highlight film from last season. I did that to get a better feel of the game. I try not to put pressure on me. I think that the more you think about your shot during a slump the harder it is. I let the game come to me naturally and take less shots.

You’re a guy that can fill the stat sheet with ease, but what is a hidden strength in our game that doesn’t get noticed right away on the court?

A hidden strength of my game are the little things on defense. If I have to guard the other’s team best player than I want to take him out of his rhythm and make it hard for him. I do the little things not seen on the stat sheet.

As a rookie you played with Atlas Ferzol (Lebanon-LBL) playing 7 games averaging 12.7ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 82.6%. How challenging was it playing here as a rookie?

Playing in Lebanon as a rookie was a huge challenge. It kind of broke me down. There were high expectations put upon me. You could only have one American. I felt like all was hanging on my shoulder. The league was very competitive and it was a struggle for me. I started the season strong, but then a new guy came in taking my minutes. Then it all got weird. It was difficult having a load on my shoulders. 

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

It happened quickly. I was pushed over the edge. We were in the mountains and a huge snow storm came. Our game was at Beirut city. We were supposed to have a bus, but there was none. I had to drive there. It was a mess. 

You had 22 points in your first game against Beirut club in a win. What memories do you have of that game?

That was a good game. It was my first professional game. I made a fast break dunk over a Lebanon national player. I saw it in all the faces of the people in the arena and how crazy they all went. It was an unbelievable moment.

You were teammates with Taylor Brown who I covered when he was a rookie in Germany. The guy has played for big time European teams in Turkey and Lithuania. What do you remember about the day to day interaction with him? What kind of things did you soak up from him?

Taylor was one of my fastest growing friends. Lebanon was a hard experience, but he eased it. When things weren’t going well for me, he would always reassure me that things would get better. He always told me to keep playing and I will end up in a better place. He helped me very much with my self-confidence.

You played at Elon (NCAA) from 2014-2018.You played a lot of games, but the team didn’t have much success. Besides not winning as much what did you cherish most about the experience?

I cherished growing as a player at Elon and also going through the hard times. I loved Elon. Coming from high school where I won titles to not winning any at Elon wasn’t the best experience. Having hard times brings more out of you. When your on the brink, so much goes through your head. The whole experience helped me grow as a player.

A player can call themselves lucky to have played against a top team like Duke once in their career, but you played against them each season. Explain how your mentality was on game day? I can imagine it was your favorite game of the season?

Playing Duke was my favorite game of the season. I was nervous in my first game as a freshman. I was an 18 year old out of high school and suddenly I was playing on the biggest stage. After that first game, it wasn’t so bad anymore. I felt bad my sophomore year as we were beat badly. In my junior season we had a really good team and were up at half-time, but ended up losing by 10 points. By my senior year having played them three times, my confidence had really grown.

Elon played Duke tough your junior season, but you scored 13 points in your senior year. Was one of these games the most memorable in your battles against Duke?

We lost badly at Duke. The Duke crowd is a real game changer. I battled Grayson Allen in that game. That is what I will always remember.

You battled against NBA player Grayson Allen. When you look at a guy like that, does his exceptional shooting motivate you to grind harder every new day in the lab?

Yes for sure. Playing against a talented guy and seeing his success like that, you have to believe that you can get to the next level. You feel like if he can do it, so can I. If I put in the work maybe I can get to where he is. Maybe my efforts will be recognized. 

As a freshman you lost to Duke 75-62 scoring 8 points and getting 5 rebounds in 9 minutes. What memories do you have of that game. Were you in serious awe before the game?

Yes I was in serious awe. I usually don’t get nervous, but I was shocked in that game. Just seeing Duke’s pre game ritual was shocking. It was a special night as many ex NBA alumni were there. Then when Coach K came out, I was really shocked. 

That team had 8 future NBA players on the roster. Do remember who stuck out the most to you as a young kid from high school?

The one guy that really stood out form the others with his skill set was Justine Winslow. After that game I knew that he would have an amazing NBA career. His frame and skill set and everything he did on the court was special.

You played three seasons with German Sheldon Eberhardt who is a professional rookie in Germany with MBC. He developed nicely as a senior. What part of his game will prosper most as a rookie this season?

I believe his ability to control the game will prosper. He is one of the best fluent scorers that I ever played with. He never really was able to show that in school. His ability to play point guard will help him develop and become more polished. His scoring ability will shine and he will have an amazing career.

You had Northeastern’s number scoring 17 points in a win and 23 in an exciting 105-104 victory. Was the latter one of your nicest memories? But then again you beat S Florida 79-78 with 23 points. It must be hard to choose?

My best game was my last game against Delaware. That was an amazing game. My favorite games were those two wins over Northeastern.

How did head coach Matt Matheny groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

He groomed me best by helping me polish up the little things in my game. Without polishing up the little things in my game, I wouldn’t have gotten away with as a professional. He also helped me with my shooting.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Dainan Swoope?

I wish we would of played more. He is a great competitor. I would take myself. But I will say playing against Sheldon Eberhardt would have been difficult to beat.

Who was the toughest player you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA?

The toughest player that I played against was Caris Levert. When he was at Michigan, he was a top 5 player in the country. He didn’t score much, but when I was defending him, every little things that he did was so polished. Even times when I thought that I had him, he still made plays. He played very hard on offense and defense. 

Where will the journey of the Golden State Warriors go now with the injury to Steph Curry? Is the Dynasty now over?

The Warriors aren’t over yet. I think that even if they have a sub par season, they could get a top 5 NBA Draft Pick. Then they will start over. Trade a Deangello Russell. Then Klay and Steph will return. Then they can start again.

What is your choice of your own personal NBA Rushmore? Which 4 heads would you pick?

Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry

What is your personal opinion of who is the best of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

That is tough. All that I know about Michael Jordan is what I have seen on the highlight films. I have just seen the good side of Jordan. I haven’t seen if there was any bad side. It is just hard to go against Lebron. I will go with Lebron.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Joker. I loved it. It is one of my favorite movies. 

Thanks Dmitri for the chat.

Jarvis Garrett is a 24 year old 182cm point guard from Milwaukee, Wisconsin that is playing his second professional season and first with Cytavision Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) after starting the season with the Rethymno Cretan Kings (Greece-A1). Last season as a rookie he played with Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A) playing 21 games: Score-2 (18.0ppg), 4.4rpg, Assists-2 (6.0apg), Steals-3 (1.5spg), FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT-3 (84.8%). He began his basketball career at Notre Dame Prep School and then played at the University of Rhode Island (NCAA) from 2014-2018 amassing a total of 123 NCAA games. His best season was his sophomore campaign where he played 30 games averaging 12.4ppg, 3.9rpg, 4.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 69.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against medi Bayreuth

in Bayreuth.

Jarvis thanks for talking germanhoops.com. Halloween has come and gone. You once played with a Hannibal Lector mask in the NCAA with Rhode Island. What was your favorite Halloween costumes as a kid that you wore?

I never really had a favorite, but I liked going as Batman.

Welcome to Germany. Is this your first time here? What do you know in general about the country and it’s basketball? Have you had any friends balling here besides Jarelle Reischel?

I have had friends that have played in Germany in the past like Carrington Love and Hassan Martin who played with medi Bayreuth last season. I don’t know much about the country Germany, but what I do know is that no matter who I talk to, I am always told it is a great place to play. The basketball fans in Germany are very loyal and supportive. Germany is a place where I would like to play in.

What memories do you have of Jarelle Reischel who played with you at Rhode Island? He went on to explode at Eastern Kentucky.

I have great memories of him. We talked a lot when we were at Rhode Island and we worked out together a lot and hung out as well. He is a very good player and friend of mine. I still talk to him today and check up on him. The best memory of him that I have was just the constant battles that we had in practice on a daily basis. We would always talk trash. It was very competitive between us. 

You began the season with Rethymno Cretan Kings (Greece-A1). What kind of experience was that for you playing in a strong league?

I was on one of the best islands in Greece. It was an eye opening and great experience for me. It was a good start to seeing how the basketball works in Greece. I was able to play some games and get a feel of the league. It was a very physical league and the fans supported the teams well.

As a rookie you played for Omonia Nicosia a club that has no titles in the A-League and is only playing it’s second season in that league. Now you have joined Cytavision Apoel Nicosia a club rich in tradition and has 32 club titles. Has the new experience been like night and day going from a lesser known club to a famous one?

The goals are really the same everywhere. Your always playing to win a championship. We want to make the playoffs this season and win the league title. Important is to play hard every day.

An interesting fact is that Milwaukee native Lavelle Felton also played with Cytavision Apoel Nicosia back in the day. He was murdered in 2009 in Milwaukee. Since your from Milwaukee had you known about this sad tragedy? 

I have heard about this. It was back in the news recently But when it happened I was very young.

Cytavision Apoel Nicosia hasn’t won the league title since 2014. The club has a strong roster. How big are the expectations to get the job done this season?

The expectations are very big. We know that we have a chance to win the title. We have to continue to get better each day and continue to gain more chemistry as the season goes on. I feel that by the end of the season, that we will be in the right position to do that.

How much easier has the whole new integration been for you with 4 other Americans on board? How vital has 36 year Michael Cuffee been in the early going for you?


It has been great being teammates with Mike. We always talk on and off the court. I try to pick his brain as much as possible. He has taken me under his wing and I try to soak in as much information as possible. He is teaching me to be a leader and to do the right things on and off the court and what the wrong things are.

How much fun ha sit been playing in the Fiba Europe cup where you averaging 17,0ppg and 7,0apg. How has this competition helped your game most that you haven’t been able to get in the league in Cyprus?

It has been a great experience playing in the Fiba Europe Cup. The competition has helped me most in that you always have to be ready to play. You play against many different teams and you have to always be able to adjust to what the defense gives you. I have to be ready what the defense gives me and then be able to put my teammates in the best positions to be successful.

Your favorite player is Chris Paul. Would you say that you try to model your game after him?

Chris Paul was actually my favorite player when I came out of high school. My two favorite players now are Kemba Walker and Damian Lillard. I try to watch both of them at least twice a day. I try to watch as much as possible how they are able to control the pace and read the defense. The way Walker is able to change the speed and pace is how I like to play. 

You played at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg that had groomed many NBA players like Steven Adams, Will Blalock and Michael Beasley. Was there one player that once went there that really stood out to you? A player that you began to follow more after knowing that he played there?

That didn’t really matter to me. I knew of the players that played there before me. I watched them a little bit.

You have been a very solid three point shooter since playing at Rhode Island, but never reached the 40% clip. How do you describe the development of your shot now in your second professional season? Are you confident that you can become a 40% plus shooter from outside?

Yes I do. I work day in and ay out putting up a lot of shots. I practice the catch and shoot and shooting off the dribble. I watch a lot of film on myself to see if I’m getting off balance or how my foot work is. I feel that being able to be a good shooter is all about putting up repetitions and muscle memory. 

What do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn’t always get noticed right away?

Playing defense, rebounding and help side.

Last season as a rookie you played with Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A) playing 21 games: Score-2 (18.0ppg), 4.4rpg, Assists-2 (6.0apg), Steals-3 (1.5spg), FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT-3 (84.8%). What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home?

I never had a wake up call. I was always a person that didn’t mind being away from home. I went to prep school at age 17 and was away from home. I was used to it. Being in Europe now is just another journey in my life.

Last season as a rookie you helped beat AEL 88-84 with a 20 point, 7 rebounds and 12 assists game. Was that one of your most memorable games and do you feel like you could achieve that triple double sometime?

A big goal of mine is to achieve a triple double. I have never had one before. I feel that I’m getting close to achieving one.

You played at Rhode Island (NCAA) from 2014-2018. Was winning the Atlantic tournament in 2017 one of your biggest achievements there or was it reaching the NCAA tournament? What memories do you have of that weekend?

Winning the conference title was my biggest achievement there. I went through a lot of ups and downs that season. Winning the title despite what I was going through was special. I was sick and had a disease called Ulcerative Colidis. It deals with your stomach and colon. I still have the disease, but it isn’t as effective as before. 

Talk a little about your NCAA career. You averaged 34 minutes as a sophomore, but every other season 22 minutes twice and once 25 minutes. How do you feel was your game able to develop there having had different roles and having to always adjust to new situations?

My first two years were pretty good, but my last two years weren’t that good because of the stomach illness. My last two years I had to play a different role. It wasn’t about me. I simply did whatever the team wanted me to do. I had to bring energy off the bench and I was ok with that. 

Your last NCAA game was against Duke at the big dance where you lost 87-62. What memories do you have of that game? Did a guy like Marvin Bagley impress you the most?

Marvin Bagley was a very good player. It was good to see just how good he was in person. My memory of that game was that our shots weren’t falling like they normally would.

You were teammates with Kuran Iverson that is related to Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby. What was it like having a guy like him on the team and did he have family stories?

Kuran is a very good friend of mine. We are very close and still talk to this day. He would tell stories what it was like being around Allen Iverson. But there weren’t any real major stories. 

How did head coach Danny Hurley groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

Coach Hurley showed me how to work as a pro. He didn’t prepare us how to be a college player, but already what it took to play at the next level. He helped us with our diet, meditating, reading books and just life things.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Jared Terrell?

We had our battles. He won more than I did.

Players usually always take themselves.

I’m a fair person.

Who is the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that then reached the NBA?

In high school the two toughest players that I faced were Fred Van Vleet and Yogi Ferrell.

If you had to construct your own personal NBA Rushmore, which 4 heads would you pick that bets fits your taste?

Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Lebron James. 

Where will the journey of the Golden State Warriors go now with the injury to Steph Curry? Is the Dynasty now over?

I don’t think that the dynasty is over yet. Young guys have to step up now. They will step up, because it is their time now. They will show that they belong in the league. 

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

I feel that both are great in their own right. I think that because they played different positions, you can’t make this best of all-time debate. They also played in different era’s. But if I had to pick one then I would take Jordan. He reached 6 finals and won each one. At the end of the day all that matters are the titles.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Joker. It was a really good movie.

Thanks Jarvis for the chat.

Yasin Kolo is a 27 year old 208cm center that is playing his fourth professional season and first with the wiha Panthers Villingen-Schwenningen (ProA) currently averaging 6,4ppg and 4,4rpg. Last season he played with the Rhein Stars Koeln (ProB) playing 11 games averaging 16.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 74.3%. AS a rookie he played 17 BBL games with Tuebingen and also boats professional experience with Ehingen and the Artland Dragons. He began his basketball career with ASC 46 Goettingen (2.Regionalliga) and then spent six years in the States getting valuable experience with the Fayetteville Christian School an dpalyed 15 NCAA games in total with East Carolina and Hartford. He finished his college career with Bellarmine (NCAA2) playing 29 games averaging11.0ppg, 5.8rpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 46.6%, FT: 66.3%. He spoke to eugermanhoops.com about his basketball career late in the summer.

Yasin thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

My pleasure. I am in a small town in Germany spending some quality time with family as well as rehabbing and preparing myself for the upcoming season. My summer has been great so far being able to refresh my physical and mental state after that injury and challenging season. It’s good for the soul to have my close ones around during this process.

Congrats on signing with the wiha Panthers Schwenningen. After being disappointed in your career a few times, at what things do you keep notice of most now when deciding if a team will be the right fit?

The atmosphere on the team and in the organization is very important to me. I also care about the character of the Head Coach, and how his past players got along with him/her

For you it wasn’t a difficult choice to come to the wiha Panthers because you have known Bill Borekambi since your childhood and the trust from Alen Velcic. Talk a little about how vital these two people were in making your decision easier?

They definitely had a huge impact on me to decide to play with Schwenningen next season. I have a good relationship with Bill. We have played against each other since we were little kids, and the idea of joining forces with him was hard to resist. I also had the chance to get to know Coach Alen Velcic better on my visit. He is a Coach that really wants to win, and knows how to get the best out of every player. He made it happen to move from the Regionalliga to Pro A within 2 years so, that just shows that he is a winner. And I definitely wanted to be part of a winning program. Alen Velcic also cares about his players off the court which is a good thing. He is going to be hard on you, but off the court you can crack jokes with him

Please say something about Bill Borekambi’s game that you like most? Everyone knows that he is a walking bucket, but what is something else that he is that few might actually don’t know?

Like you already said, he is a really good scorer. He is also pretty strong and even though he may be a little undersized for his position, he gets the job done. Bill is overall a great guy to be around and makes everyone around him better.

After a tough season with the RheinStars where a nasty injury derailed your season, how fit are you now and how confident are you that you can bounce back this season?

As of now, I am doing really well in terms of my progress over the past months. Getting better every day and I definitely enjoy the process. Of course the past season was tough, but over the past months, I had the chance to grow even more mentally with the help of God, my family and the power of will. This helped me attack rehab even harder to bounce back and pushed my confidence to a whole different level.

How excited are you to be able to play alongside Marko Bacak. You both compliment each other. What are you looking forward to most this season being able to be his teammate?

I am definitely excited to play with Marko. He is a good player. We definitely complement each other well and I am that we can build a big man duo that can help our team to make some noise this season

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 208cm versatile big man. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I don’t like to compare myself to proven players like that. But my playing style often gets compared to the ones of Lamarcus Aldridge, Al Horford, Kevin Love or Demarcus Cousins. Just in terms of being a big that can score inside but can also spread the floor and make shots at a high right or make plays off the dribble. I also like to pattern my game after Carmelo Anthony.

You have a pretty outside shot. You shot 45% in your last season at Bellarmine (NCAA2) and in between didn’t shot as well in Tuebingen, Ehingen and Artland, but found your stroke again last season with Cologne shooting 50%. How excited are you for this season concerning your three pointer continuing to work well. How confident are you that you will keep the accuracy from last season?

Well, in Tuebingen I shot about 38% but only attempted 8 3s all season. In Ehingen, I dislocated and broke my finger and played with a cast on my hand that I never figured out how to shoot with. Then I came to Artland and didn’t attempt a single 3 point shot while I was there. Then in Cologne, I could finally find my groove again and use my strength. I am a shooter, so my confidence in my shot is always high because I put the work in

You’re an inside presence that can finish with right and left, score and get rebounds. What other strengths will fans see in the Pro A this season?

I think my passing abilities for a big man as well as my ballhandling. Besides that I think I can be a good screen setter to get my teammates open and roll or pop quick. I definitely want to showcase a positive attitude to the fans and my team and be willing to do whatever helps us to be successful

What are aspects of your game that you will be working on most this summer so you will be best prepared to be an impact player in the Pro A?

Definitely my lateral quickness as well as explosiveness. That was a big goal of mine to improve in those areas, especially after my injury. Defense, in all areas is something I really had my focus on so far

Let’s talk about your career?Last season you played with the Rhein Stars Koeln (ProB) playing 11 games averaging 16.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 74.3%. How tough was this season with the injury and do you ever wonder what would have happened to the club’s chances of remaining in the Pro B if you hadn’t been injured?

Definitely loved and enjoyed my time with the Rheinstars Koeln. But indeed, it was tough season for us as a team with all the injuries. I have actually been thinking about that subject a lot this simmer. I definitely blame myself for not being able to help the team to stay in the league in this crucial time. But unfortunately it’s part of the game.

In the 2017-2018 season you split time with the Team Ehingen Urspring (ProA) playing 9 games averaging 3.3ppg, 2.7rpg, left in Nov.’17, in Dec.’17 moved to Artland Dragons (ProB) playing 13 games averaging 9.8ppg, 6.5rpg, FGP: 55.2%, FT: 77.9%. How tough was this season for you? Did you ever lose hope and faith in the basketball process in this season?

Yes, it was a tough season. People questioned me, of course. Being a guy that likes to shoot the ball, having a finger injury, the shot is not falling how it used to. Then playing for the Artland Dragons and not attempting a single 3 point shot. But I look back and I am thankful that I went through this. Because it made me stronger. And I never lost hope or faith once in the process. Because there is always beauty in the struggle

You were teammates for a few months with rising German talent Kevin Yebo who in three years made it from the Regionalliga to the BBL. What memories do you have of his game and could he be a German national player down the road?

Kevin is a really talented guy. He has always been super athletic and fast. He was always a hard worker and definitely earned everything. Back then he was really raw skill wise and had to rely on his athleticism to make plays. But within a year he became a more complete player which comes from hard work. The sky is the limit for him I think and I hope he will get a chance at one point.

After six years in the States you returned back to Germany in 2016 and played a season with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. You played only 17 games averaging 1,2ppg. How disappointing was this season. What positives did you gain from this season?

It was probably one of the toughest years in my career but like I said before. There is always beauty in the struggle. But I learned a lot that year and I am thankful for that and had the chance to compete with some high level players.

After six years in the states, how Americanized were you coming back to Germany? Has that rubbed off a bit in the last few years or is that American feeling still with you?

The American culture has always played a big role in my life. When I came back to Germany after 6 years, I did have a hard time to adjust back to the German lifestyle. I had a very strong accent when I was talking German, my family would always laugh about it. But that is normal when you speak only one language for six years. The American feeling will always be within me, especially because of my family there

Tuebingen had a talented front court with Gary Mcghee and Isaiah Philmore. Did you believe like you got a fair chance there from Tyron Mccoy?

Yes, the front court was very talented and experienced that year. Not only the front court, but our entire team. Shane Battier once said ‘Don’t complain about playing time. My job is to play so well the coach can’t sit me. I guess I haven’t proved myself enough but it is what it is

You began your career with ASC Goettingen (2 Regionalliga). What were the main reasons for going to the States? I think back then it was hip to do that in 2010 whereas now it seems like it has become less over the years?

My sister and I always talked about me playing in America and going to college to play basketball. So I always kept that dream with me. Definitely one of my favorite moments when I told her that I got a full ride scholarship from a University to play Basketball after my Highschool year in the States. Priceless.

In your first three NCAA seasons with East Carolina and Hartford, you played a total of only 15 games. How tough was this whole experience? What positives could you achieve from being at two schools despite not playing much?

In my first NCAA game, I had a pretty good game but then I got hurt and had to sit out the rest of the season. That was a difficult situation because I started off so well. My second year I had to fight my way back in the lineup after not playing for a whole year. After that I decided to start a new Chapter and transfered to Hartford where I had a few good games and got some good playing time. It was a learning process that I had to go through back then and that is okay. If I knew then what I know now, I would have done a few things differently. But I had the chance to play in different conferences, play lots of different teams and see a lot of America itself. It was a great experience.

Three was a charm for you as you moved one last time to Bellarmine (NCAA2) and didn’t regret it. How enjoyable was that year for you and what were your fondest moments there?

It was a fun year. The bond of the team was very strong and of course Bellarmine was a D2 powerhouse where winning was just what we expected of ourselves. I remember us winning the Regional Championship at home and then making it to the Final 4 in 2015 and just losing by 1 point in the semifinals. It was a great year but we ultimately missed our chance to win it all.

How excited are you to be playing against your ex Bellarmine teammate Adam Eberhart who signed with Heidelberg? What memories do you have of his game then?

I am definitely excited to play against him. I talked to him after he signed with Heidelberg and they definitely got a good player with him. He always had a good feel for the game. He is not a player that is going to wow you with spectacular athleticism or lightning speed. But he is such a high IQ player that he is going to wow you with the intelligent way he plays with. Definitely excited to see how his game evolved over the years.

You had many great games at Bellarmine, but was your 22/15 game in the 89-79 win over Northwood in your first ever game one of the best you had there?

Yes, it was one of the best I guess. But stats were not important to me back then. I just wanted to come in and be part of a winning culture

How did head coach Scott Davenport groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?


He had a huge impact. Definitely something I will always be thankful for. He was hard on me, which prepared me well for my professional career. He had high standards for me and if I didn’t live up to them, he would let me know. Excellence was one his key words. He is a Hall of Fame Coach, and when you are around him, you definitely know why he is in there

Who won a one on one in practice you or George Suggs?

I don’t remember ever losing against him if that counts as an answer haha

Who has been the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA or in Europe?

I would say Montrezl Harrell

Please list your five best teammates of all-time?

Quinn Cook, Austin Rivers, Julian Washburn, Quincy Miller, Stanton Kidd

Please name your personal own NBA Rushmore. Which four heads would you pick past or present for your list?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

Michael Jordan hands down

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Equalizer

Thanks Yasin for the chat.

Sometimes It takes clubs a lot longer to get out of a slump, but for the Dragons Rhondorf they needed no time finding their way back on the winning streak. Ok so beginning with a 3-3 record doesn´t really categorize being in a tailspin, but for the ambitions of the ex 2015-2016 Pro A team, their start wasn´t exactly what anyone there expected. The team didn´t wait to long to make a coaching change, but reacted quickly bringing in Yasin Idbihi and since then the club is like reborn having a 3 game winning streak. The club has tweaked their offense as one can see that the team feels more comfortable, there is more trust, the roles are understood and the club is just having fun playing together. The defense is still a work in progress, but improving slowly as currently they are allowing 81 points per game while scoring 90 points per contest. Curtis Hollis continues to fill the stat sheet and be the team´s leader while German Killian Binapfle has exploded averaging 24,0ppg in the winning streak and the pick up of 37 year old Spanish point guard Enric Garrido Foz could be the club´s biggest pickup since getting Kameron Taylor in the summer of 2017. The crafty lightening quick guard brings a new dimension and pure playmaking something the team didn´t have before. Their opponent BG Hagen had had an up and down season coming into the game with a 4-5 record having lost three of their first four games, but rebounded and came into the game having won three of their last five game. The club lost two nail bitters to Herford and Recklinghausen by not more than seven points combined. They also were fighting the injury bug and entered the Dragon Dome for a new success experience and were close to upsetting the Dragons Rhondorf, but couldn´t get over the hump in crunch-time losing 104-96. The Dragons Rhondorf continue to struggle on defense, but their offense has been very potent and carried them the last weeks as the deep roster consistently perform. After the big win Rhondorf American Curtis Hollis reflected on the clubs fourth win in a row. “We fought well and showed good signs of being a good team. We overcame adversary, but didn´t play good defense. But a win is a win and we´ll take it”, stressed Curtis Hollis. Even if BG Hagen lost it´s sixth game, American forward Salathiel Ligons saw the loss as a type of win. “We played only 9 guys and were missing many. I think this loss was like a big victory. We came here to win. Our coach told us to fight and that no one would expect us to win. We believed in the coach. Rhondorf overpowered us. They are a top team”, stressed Salathiel Ligons.

The Dragons Rhondorf were without German Gabriel De Olveria who was playing in Vechta with the Telekom Baskets Bonn while BG Hagen had numerous injuries as Pascal Zahner-Gothen, Tobias Wegmann and Daniel Zdraveski were all out with injuries while top scorer Lithuanian Vytautas Nedzinskas was sick. After starting off 18-0 in their last home game, it didn´t go quite to plan this time around for Rhondorf as they watched BG Hagen take a quick 7-0 lead. BG Hagen played a 1-3-1 zone and would do so for most of the evening and stumped Rhondorf on it´s first four possessions. On offense they got into a fast rhythm sharing the ball around as 217cm big man Alexander Kortenbreer scored in the paint, Ligons hit a jumper and German sniper Yanick Opitz hit a three pointer. The BG Hagen offense was moving the ball well and being patient while their zone was compact. The Dragons Rhondorf finally got on the board as ex FC Bayern Munich forward Killian Binapfel who was averaging 24,0ppg in the last three game hit a pull up jumper. Opitz kept firing away keeping BG Dorsten ahead making 5 points, but the Dragons Rhondorf started to get their offense going getting a three pointer from German Jonas Falkenstein, a lay in from Texas native Curtis Hollis and a trey from 37 year old Anish Sharda as BG Hagen had the slim 14-12 advantage. BG Hagen continued to score at ease and were carried by Ligons and Opitz who were carrying the offense and keeping them ahead. Ligons scored 5 points while Opitz drilled home two more three´s for the 30-21 lead. In this phase the Dragons Rhondorf were being carried by young German Mark Kotieno who scored three baskets and was sprouting self-confidence as he took the opportunity to start playing for De Olveria who was in Vechta playing BBL. Spanish 37 year old Enric Garrido Foz and Ligons closed out the scoring as BG Hagen led 32-24 after 10 minutes. “We didn´t respect their zone. It caught us of guard. We weren´t hitting shots at the start, but we knew that if we could get our transition game going that we could come back”, stressed Curtis Hollis. BG Hagen shot 60% form the field and 62% from outside and had 9 rebounds and 1 turnover while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 52% from the field and 40% from outside and had 7 rebounds and 2 turnovers.

In the second quarter the Dragons Rhondorf exploded for 34 points and had the five point lead at the break. The Dragons Rhondorf went on a 6-3 run to trail BG Hagen only 35-30. The Dragons Rhondorf got three buckets from Hollis, Binapfel and Kotieno while BG Hagen got another basket from Ligons. But just as quickly as the Dragons Rhondorf could come back, BG Hagen was able to get away again going on a 6-2 run to extend their lead to 41-32 as Opitz continued giving his hot shooting touch making an off balance shot and then showing his speed getting a lay in. Rhondorf had a serious lack of communication and were terrible on close outs. The contest continued to be a game of runs as now it was Rhondorf´s opportunity and went on a 11-1 run to grab the lead 43-42. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Hollis making two layins while Jonas Falkenstein dropped a huge trey as Binapfel also scored. Both teams would trade buckets as 4 more lead changes occurred. Down the stretch, the Dragons Rhondorf received hot shooting from Anish Sharda as he hit two three´s and Kotieno made a pretty hook shot as the Dragons Rhondorf led 55-50 at half-time. “We started to make shots and pass the ball more not taking the first shot right away. We got into a groove”, stated Curtis Hollis. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 53% from the field and 41% from the three point line and had 20 rebounds and 5 turnovers while BG Hagen shot 54% from the field and 41% from the three point line and had 13 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

In the third quarter the Dragons Rhondorf were unable to get away from BG Hagen as the guests stayed on their heels for the most part of the quarter, but near the end they could extend their lead a bit to 6 points. Salathiel Ligons gave work horse and scoring in bunches a new meaning as he scored the first 10 points of BG Hagen keeping his team very close trailing only 63-60. The American from California would finish with 34 points. “Tonight was the day to have a big game. My team and coach got me motivated. My coach called me in the morning telling me it would be my day and my son said the same thing in the morning”, stressed Salathiel Ligons. The Dragons Rhondorf got two baskets from Slovenian center Jure Besedic, got a transition lay in from Hollis and a lay in from Kotieno. The Dragons Rhondorf continued to execute well on offense and get out on transition. The Dragons Rhondorf continued to spread the ball around as ex BBL player with Bremerhaven Jefferey Martin hit a three pointer and jumper from Garrido Foz, but BG Hagen just wouldn´t go away as Opitz scored again and ex BBL player Soren Frtize was aggressive and took advantage of the early Dragons 5^th foul sinking 5 free throws trailing Rhondorf 70-69. BG Hagen gave up a 9-4 run in the last minutes as the Dragons Rhondorf led 79-73. Rhondorf continued to get easy baskets inside as Hollis hit a step back and Garrido Foz scored with his left hand on the drive and Kotienio made a lay in. “We got stops and executed our offense well. I have to give credit to Ligons who was making tough shots all night long as we had hands up and were double teaming him. We continued to weather the storm when they scored. We just kept going”, stressed Curtis Hollis. “We had a short rotation and one guy to rebound and four guys to get back. We had to utilize our strength the rest of the way”, added Salathiel Ligons. The Dragon Rhondorf shot 54% from the field and 36% from the parking lot and had 29 rebounds and 8 turnovers while BG Hagen shot 51% from the field and 35% from the parking lot and had 21 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter the Dragons Rhondorf were able to extend their lead to 10 points but BG Hagen demonstrated that basketball continues to be a game of runs coming back, but in crunch-time couldn´t get over the hump. The Dragons Rhondorf got off to a quick start getting 6 points as Hollis scored following his three point miss and getting the tap in, Kotieno made a hook shot and Martin a lay in for the 85-76 lead. The Dragons Rhondorf continued to excel in the set offense, get transition success and made the vital hustle plays. But BG Hagen had some energy left going on a 7-2 run to cut Rhondof´s lead to 90-85. Ligons continued to be a scoring machine making a lay in and dunk while Fritze nailed an amazing long trey. Binapfl then scored in bunches making two baskets in the paint, but Fritze and Opitz countered with baskets cutting the Dragons lead to 94-89. But with time running down came the turning point of the game as Hollis and 17 year old Simonas Lukosius dropped back to back trey´s for the 100-91 advantage. After a Opitz basket, Hollis coughed up the ball with 57 seconds to go, but erased his previous mistake stealing the ball back and making a two handed dunk with 43 seconds remaining as Rhondorf led 102-94 sealing the win. “Those two three´s at the end were key. We had a big margin lead with 1 minute 30 seconds to go”, added Curtis Hollis. “Those last few three pointers killed us.it was the nail in the coffin. We believed until the end that we could win. We are just trying to catch the playoffs”, warned Salathiel Ligons. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Mark Kotieno with 25 points. Curtis Hollis added 23 points and 13 rebounds. Anish Sharda added 14 points and Killian Binapl 13 points while BG Hagen was led by Salathiel Ligons with 34 pointsYannick Opitz added 24 points and Soren Fritze 19 points. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 53% form the field and 31% from outside and had 39 rebounds and 11 turnovers while BG Hagen shot 51% from the field and 38% from outside and had 27 rebounds and 16 turnovers.

Shaquielle Mckissic is a 29 year old 196cm small forward from Kent Washington playing his 5th professional season and first with Besiktas Sompo Japan Istanbul (Turkey-BSL). Last season he played with Gaziantep Basketbol (Turkey-BSL) playing 31 games averaging 13.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.3apg, Steals-3 (1.6spg), FGP-2 (70.7%), 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 69.3%. He also got further experience playing with teams like Usak Sportlif Basketbol (Turkey-BSL), Herbalife Gran Canaria (Spain-Liga ACB) and Avtodor Saratov (Russia-VTB). In his rookie season he played with Consultinvest VL Pesaro (Italy-Serie A) playing 9 games averaging 15.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 45.9%, 3FGP: 40.8%, FT: 75.0%, in Dec.’15 moved to Changwon LG Sakers (South Korea-KBL) playing 28 games averaging 16.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 71.8%. He began his basketball career at N.Idaho JC (JUCO) and played a season at Edmonds Community College (NJCAA). He ten played at Arizona State (NCAA) from 2013-2015 playing a total of 66 NCAA games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 67.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a Basketball Champions League game in Bonn against the Telekom Baskets Bonn. 

Thanks Shaquielle for talking to germanhoops.com. Welcome back to Germany. Two seasons ago you played a Eurocup game in Ulm losing. What memories do you have of that game?

Two years ago I was with Gran Canaria. I didn’t really fit that system. Also me and that coach were at odds. I didn’t play that much that game. I think I talked back to the coach in the first quarter and he sat me the rest of the game to ‘prove a point’. So no memories from that game, but from that experience with Gran Canaria and the coach, I learned to hold my tongue and not react with emotion.

You have played for many teams in many countries. What have you sampled over the years about the German basketball? Have you had some friends or ex teammates ball in Germany?

I have had a few teammates and close friends play in Germany. I play currently with JT and Ismet who both played in Germany and both love the country a great deal. Also my ex-teammate Brandon Frazier plays for Bonn. He also loves Germany and the Bonn organization.

Your playing your fifth professional season and playing for your sixth team Besiktas Sompo Japan Istanbul (Turkey-BSL). Do you sometimes feel like a basketball Globetrotter? What has been your favorite place you have played and lived in before this season?

I love all the countries I have played. My son was born in Pesaro, Italy so that was a blessing. But nothing Beats Turkey. The comfort I have in this country is unmatched. I truly feel at home. Usak and Gaziantep were both great cities with crazy fans. But playing for Besikats in Istanbul is a dream come true. 

Your playing your first season with Besiktas Sompo Japan Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) and your third time in Turkey after playing with Usak Sportlif Basketbol and .Gaziantep Basketbol. What kind of experience has it been so far and what kind of special aura do you feel whenever you step on the home court at Akatlar arena?

Akatlar arena is very comfortable for me. It always has been. So to play here as a home means that much more. I definitely feel this will be my best season since becoming a pro. It feels different mentally.

This season you have three other American teammates and many Turks. You have played with many Americans over the years, but how special has the trio of Theodore, Mcadoo and Gottcher been? All three guys have very different characters. Have you noticed that this will have a special effect as to how the team will perform this season?

Yeah I mean the good things about this group is that we are all married. So it isnt as many distractions as previous years. All of these guys are good moral guys and have great character off the court so its easy for us to tell each other what to do without somebody getting offended and taking it to hurt. 

How happy are you that Jordan Theodore is on your team? Three seasons ago he had that amazing season with Banvit and swept the season series with Usak. In the second game he exploded with 39 points. I can imagine that it is one of those games that one doesn’t forget simply because of a players amazing performance.

That year JT was on another level. We did the best we could to try to contain him but he figured out every scheme and took advantage of it. The thing with me and JT is we understand each other very well. So we allow each other to be coachable towards one another. If I need to step it up he has no problem telling me and he knows I won’t contest what he is saying, because we both want to win. I also have worked on being coachable by my peers and understanding I don’t know everything.

What kind of an impression has German Ismet Akpinar had on you? This is his first season in Turkey after developing well in Germany. What has impressed you most about his game so far?

Ismet is just very likable. Super humble and comes in everyday not one complaint and does his job. We all know he can shoot with anybody in Europe but Ismet off the court is what is most impressive for me. No ego, and just wants to get better.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm athletic and plays the 2/3. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I don’t really know. I mean NBA players usually have one thing there good at. I feel in Europe I am unstoppable in transition and once I get going down hill I’m hard to stop. But I can improve with my 3 point shot and free throws. I really took this summer to work on not leaving points at the free throw line. So I don’t know but if I had to say, I think a shorter Tobias Harris. Maybe it’s because I always loved his game. 

You’re a guy that can really do it all on the court. But your athleticism is something that stands out. You take no mercy when flying to the court. Do you feel that at times other attributes in your game get forgotten because of the number of crushing dunks that you always produce?

I mean it’s human nature to focus on eye popping adrenaline plays so I know it gets overlooked. But I am also able to use that to my advantage. Guys when guarding me just think don’t let him get to the hoop. But this year my game has developed with experience. So now I can drive and find teammates that are wide open. I’m my biggest critic so there are still times I get frustrated when I watch film and see opportunities in which I took and made a really tough shot because of my athleticism but I missed a wide open guy in the corner and I wouldn’t have had to exert so much energy. 

You have been an up and down three point shooter in your career. Often players will just say it’s all about reps. But how do you work on improving shot selection? Do you watch a lot of film just trying to find ways to be the best shooter that you can be?

You know my best shooting years I was never a rep guy during the season. It was all instinct. My worst shooting years I would come and shoot before and after practice. I really got away from unnecessary reps before and after practice. I do my reps during practice now more than ever with defense draped over me and the pressure of coach watching me take shots I normally don’t. When I see he doesn’t question my shot selection in practice it eases me up to do it in games. I picked Ismet’s brain about how he is such a good shooter, especially from the free throw line. He told me he doesn’t practice free throws, he just has the confidence. I think that piece of information was top 3 things I’ve heard my whole career. So I applied that to my whole game. I don’t rep 500 3’s or 300 free throws a day. I got out before the game shoot 50 3’s and about 10 free throws to get adjusted to the hoop, and the rest is confidence. It has helped me so much. I really feel my mind is convinced I’m a 90 percent free throw shooter and a 50 percent 3 pt shooter. So I give a lot credit to Ismet, because I truly feel unstoppable all because of a few conversations we had one on one. 

What is your secret to being an amazing dunker. You first really got noticed at Arizona State. There are many talented guys that can dunk, but how important is it having that nonstop ‘I’m invincible’ attitude as you fly to the rim?

I was blessed with athleticism and a body that can sustain the force of which I play. It literally has never been a doubt about making a dunk for me. I don’t know why it comes so easy. I guess I have been honing this not be denied mentality since a young age. My older brother David taught me early on, if you’re going be a dunker. Learn how to contort your body to avoid injury and know when to abort a dunk to avoid injury. That always stuck with me. You will see a lot people always asking why I don’t dunk on certain plays even though I could have, I just shrug it off because my instincts always tell me when to dunk it and when to abort it. It’s just something I’ve developed.

You have dunked so much in your career, but how well do you remember those special ones? I saw an amazing alley-op dunk from you against Colgate. Do you remember that one?

Yeah when you bring it up, I have to think hard but I think I remember. I have dunked so much it’s really all a blur. I remember the ones I missed trying to dunk on 7 footers more than the ones dunking on two or three guys. But thank God for youtube. Also my close friends make it hard for me to forget. I always ask them, like, is my dunking really that amazing ha. It’s so normal to me that I really just shrug off every dunk. I rarely celebrate dunks. 

You began the season well in the Turkish league averaging in double figures and filling the stat sheet. Only your three is a bit off. On what things are you working on most on your game at the moment?


I rarely work on my game these days. I more so work on meditation before and after the games. Really visualizing every possible outcome. Things I think about when its just me breathing and silence is often me dribbling and a defender steps up. or me on a fast break and I think about ways to euro-step to avoid being denied. Or I will think about secondary moves once I beat the first defender. I think about all of these things about 2 hours before the game, by myself in a dark room. I don’t know why but it really calms me and it feels like I’m getting up reps. People are always impressed with my calmness, It’s because I have seen every possible outcome before the game even starts. Even the possibility of things not going how I planned. It’s all apart of life. Both the highs and the lows. 

Last season you played with Gaziantep Basketbol (Turkey-BSL) putting up very good stats. It was similar to your first season in Turkey with Usak. Both seasons you were voted an allstar. How do you feel were you a better player last season then when you were with UsaK?

I was a much smarter player. In Usak we had a young ambitious team so we were all trying things to see what would work. We had 0 pressure so we had nothing to lose. Last year we really had to focus every single game. It was so much accountability, so every player knew they had to do their job or we would not win. I take a lot of pride in last years performance. I felt I took a huge step. Usak was amazing, It showed me everything I am capable of.

Two seasons ago you split time with Herbalife Gran Canaria (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 10 games averaging 5.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 55.6%: and played 6 Eurocup:games averaging 7.2ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.0apg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 41.7%, FT: 66.7%, left in Dec.’17, later that month moved to Avtodor Saratov (Russia-VTB) playing18 games averaging 8.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 62.5%, 3PT: 19.6%, FT: 60.6%. Was this your toughest time as a professional? What did you learn about yourself and the business in this time when playing in Spain?

It was my toughest time because of me. I felt sorry for myself. I didn’t know who that guy was. I defeated myself. I was so happy to play in Gran Canaria. But I made up in my mind the coach was out to get me. Even if that was the case or not I was already defeated. I let my ego control everything. Things happen at GC that I never knew was possible between player and coach and it got physical between us and my ego didn’t know how to handle it. But it made me understand that this specific coach probably wanted to win just as much as I did. The real story never came out but I’m sure one day it will. I’m positive both me and coach feel embarrassed about what happened and wish things went different. After leaving GC I still was holding onto it. I obsessed over the situation, the way things went down in GC once I left painted a wrong narrative and I couldn’t get over it. But after Russia I went back to Arizona and rebooted my life. I was a workout warrior in the weight room and I just let it go. I became happy with life again. I stop obsessing over every detail I couldn’t change and really realized life is amazing. Both the good and the bad. The highs and the lows. Once I got the confidence back it was game over. 

You rebounded well going to Russia and playing very well in the competitive VTB league. How key was it having many Americans around to help ease the tough traveling schedule as well as just feeling comfortable all the time?

It was everything. Overseas is really about creating a brotherhood with both Americans and native players. But I really hated traveling in Russia. 

In 2016-2017 you had a great season with Usak Sportlif Basketbol (Turkey-BSL) playing 26 games averaging 15.8ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 69.9%; and played 11 BCL games averaging 14.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.5apg, Steals-4 (2.4spg), FGP: 62.8%, 3PT: 23.0%, FT: 59.0%; and 4 FIBA Europe Cup games averaging 13.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.8apg, 1.8spg. How key was hitting Fenebahce for 30 Points in your debut and would it be fair to say that you matured as a player there?

I definitely matured that game. Throughout my career I never feel like I showed up in big games until that game. And literally ever since I feel all my best games are against bigger teams and opponents. But this season I feel every game is a Fenerbahce game. No games off at all. This year will be my best season as a player. 

You played your rookie season with Consultinvest VL Pesaro (Italy-Serie A) playing 9 games averaging 15.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 45.9%, 3FGP: 40.8%, FT: 75.0%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were very far away from home?

My son being born was my wake up call of life. It was so new to me. I was never scared about being a father but more so about not leaving the proper legacy. So once he was born it was go time and it still is. All because of him. 

You finished the season with Changwon LG Sakers (South Korea-KBL) playing 28 games averaging 16.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 71.8%. What kind of experience was it being in the far east? What did you gain most form your experiences off the court?

Seoul is an amazing city. I grew up loving tech. And Seoul is all tech. I was more fascinated with the city and how advanced they are technologically than playing basketball there. I hate to say it and divert from basketball but there technology there is next level. But they play many games both home and away. Sometimes 2 week road trips but it’s nice staying in hotels with amazing room service. 

You played at two NBA Summer Leagues with the Kings and Jazz. What memories do you have from there and what was the best example of seeing that the NBA is a business first in terms of how players are at times handled?

I loved summer league. I was a baby at that time and I didn’t know what to expect. I feel if I went back and played next summer I would have a different mentality. I would have more fun and not take it so seriously because the NBA doesn’t. It’s really to focus on drafted players and players the team wants to see. In Utah I had no chance, but out of ASU the kings really liked me but I shied away from the opportunity. I’m not mad about that because that was just part of my maturation process. The business of the NBA is normal to me. Its all human nature. Those businesses are going to do what’s best for their team the same as I would do for my kids. I’m never surprised about what goes on in the NBA.

Before going to Arizona State you had to pay basketball dues at N.Idaho JC (JUCO)
and Edmonds Community College (NJCAA). How key was it making first real basketball experiences at these schools. Would you have been as successful at Arizona State had you not gone there?

I mean I never made it to northern Idaho. That summer I got convicted of robbery and had to do some jail time along with a felony. So once I got back in school at Edmonds it was go time. I never worked so hard in school and on the court. All that work is still paying off. Because it showed me anything is possible. So once I transferred to Arizona State I knew the opportunity I just received and \i for sure wasn’t going to take it for granted. I committed to Detroit and decommitted. I often wonder if I would have been as successful. I’ve always found a way so I think it would have been a slightly different story but ultimately the same book. 

Besides all your amazing dunks at Arizona State with what memories did you leave the school in 2015? Was reaching the NIT Sweet 16 in 2015 and the March Madness in 2014 and 2015 ones that you will always remember?

March Madness I will never forget. My late friend Jermaine Marshall who died playing in France last year told me how epic it was. It was my first year D1! but his 5th. So once I got to experience it, it’s just kind of one of those things I will never forget as long as I live. The memories are so vivid. Feels like yesterday. I will NEVER forget the Arizona State. Knowing my past and all I had to overcome. It still feels unreal. 

You had amazing games in your last 6 as a senior. Was this the best basketball that you played in the NCAA?

Yes I mean really the whole second half of the season. I wasn’t performing up to my standards and I knew if I wanted to make it to the next level I had to turn up. So I literally went black out the second half, I don’t know what came over me. I felt regret after knowing that was in me all along. Sometimes you just have to be backed into a corner before you bring out the monster. Vintage, human nature.

Was your 22 point game in the 66-61 win against Uconn your best personal game at Arizona State?

There were a few but that one sticks out the most because they were previous NCAA champs and we were on the road and the history with that team and coach really set a nice stage for a potential big game. 

How did head coach Herb Sendek and Bobby Hurley groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

I only played under Herb Sendek and he was really like a father figure for me. He never let up. He felt there was always a way. He really taught me how to fight on the court. There is always a chance to come out on top. He always had that underdog mentality. No excuses, ever.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Savon Goodwin?

Savon will never beat me in one on one. Although he will never admit that. LOL 

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

The toughest player that I faced that reached the NBA, was for sure Zach Lavine. You could tell that he was going to be good because he had so much raw talent. But he was a freshman at the time and me and him had worked out while he was still in high school. So to see his transformation from senior year to freshman year at UCLA was eye popping. He was really unguardable being able to both shoot and attack the rim. 

Please name your personal own NBA Mount Rushmore. Which heads past or present would you pick?

My NBA Mount Rushmore, would have to be Lebron James, Michael JORDAN , Shaquielle O’Neal and Kevin Durant. I don’t go based off of statistics but just the guys I’ve watched and studied the most. I respect the past but for me that’s my personal Mount Rushmore. 

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

I think Michael JORDAN was for sure a more graceful player. But I think Lebron could have played in both eras while JORDAN may struggle now in this league not being a consistent shooter. But who knows to be honest. Maybe he would develop a shot a lot faster to adapt. But for me I’m taking Lebron James over Michael JORDAN.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Last movie I saw was the Joker. I understood the hype. But a tad bit overrated. They could have done without some of the story like to make it even better. But overall 8/10.

Thanks Shaquielle for the chat.

Branden Sheppard is a 23 year old 203cm forward from Shreveport, Louisiana that is playing his rookie professional basketball season with the VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga). He began his basketball career with Huntington High School. He then was two years at Louisiana Tech (NCAA playing 30 NCAA games. In 2016-2017 he gained further experience with Pearl River CC (JUCO) playing 23 games averaging 8.0ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 66.0%, FT: 65.7%. He then finished his college career at William Carey (NAIA) playing 27 games as a junior averaging 7.7ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 49.1%, FT: 75.9%. In his senior year at William Carey (NAIA) he played 33 games averaging 11.3ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.5bpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.1%, FT: 66.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball late in the summer. 

HI Brandon thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer coming along? 

Thank you for the opportunity. I have been doing good been a busy summer trying to stay in shape and also graduating from school been a great summer. 

You played at three schools in at three different levels NCAA, NAIA and JUCO. With what kind of emotions are you entering your professional career and how do you feel do you have an advantage having played at three schools and seen so many different levels and coaches? 

My emotions are huge and crazy going to three different schools. I gained a lot experience from La Tech coming in redshirting my first year as Mike White who coaches the Florida Gators now I learned many things then my next year we got a new coach Eric Konkol great coach I just felt that I couldn’t display my skills so I went Juco for a year to Pearl River in Mississippi. That was a good experience. I feel it made me more hungry wanting to be a pro more each day and then I went to William Carey. I couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff. We were NAIA but everything was treated as we were d-1 coach Steve knight coach Phillip McCray the best trainer down south they gave me the chance to show what I can do on the floor I wouldn’t say it’s an advantage but I experienced more and got knowledge of the game and different styles of play.

Congrats on signing with German Regionalliga team Giessen Pointers. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball? 

Thank you it’s a blessing. I don’t know much besides Dirk is from Germany so I’m pretty sure the basketball is great.

Do you know any former teammates that have played in Germany or friends that have had experience here?
No I have friends playing and played overseas but not Germany.

What were the main reasons for choosing the Giessen Pointers? What sold you on wanting to begin your professional career with them? 

The coaching staff is great the city is beautiful and I thought it would be a perfect first start.

What are you looking forward to most in your new adventure in Germany and do you feel like you can be an impact player in a league that is dominated by guards?

I look forward to trying to win a championship. I think I can be an impact player because my style of play being able to post up, play in the midrange and step outside the three could be something different in the league.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm forward that can do many different things on the court. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description. 

Well if I could compare myself to an NBA player I would say Anthony Davis.

You aren’t the classic inside man. Would it be fair to classify you as a modern day forward?

I would say I’m a minders day coward but I also have the game of the classic inside man so I would say both in a way.

You took 14 three’s last season at William Carey (NAIA). Do you see yourself continuing to develop your outside shot more as you move up the professional ranks? 

Most definitely I only took 14 because I just never took the opportunity but William Carey made me shoot them more. I was shooting them every day in practice.

How much pride do you take in your defensive game. You have become quite the shot blocker. What is your secret to being able to swat away balls on a consistent basis.

I take a lot of pride in defending I think blocking shots is all about timing and using length so if I don’t block the shot it will be a hard shot to make.

You’re a guy that can do many things on the floor, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn’t always get noticed right away? 

My outside game. Being able to put the ball on the floor and my passing.

On what things are you working on this summer to continue to polish your game so you will be ready for the pro ranks? 

Getting stronger and working on my shooting and ball handling.

You began your college basketball career at Louisiana Tech (NCAA) playing one season playing 30 games averaging 2,5ppg and 2,5rpg. It isn’t always a given that one will play much as an underclassman. How did you experience playing on the big stage in the NCAA?

It was great. I played against some big schools like Ohio State Texas A&M, Syracuse and many more it was great experience. I used to miss it lol but it made me more humble thinking about it.

You had your moments in the NCAA scoring 10 points against Millsaps and Southern. What were the main reasons for turning your back on the NCAA and leaving?

It had nothing to do with coaching. I just felt that I couldn’t display my real talent that I have.

Even if you played only a minute in the 82-74 win against Ohio State, what did it mean to you playing against this top basketball address?

Just being able to experience it was great to me.

After a season at Louisiana Tech, you took a step backwards to play for Pearl River CC (JUCO) playing 23 games averaging 8.0ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 66.0%, FT: 65.7%. How important was it taking this step for your basketball career and what were the main positives? 

It was important. It was a probing point that I can play.

You finished your college career at William Carey (NAIA). What kind of experience was this and how do you feel did you grow as a player in your two years there?

It was great. I could have went back to the NCAA after my first year but I loved the system so much I had to stick with it. I learned how to push myself and to work for what you want no matter the situation.

How tough was it losing to Georgetown, Kentucky in the NAIA Final 4 and going scoreless? Is this a game that keeps you motivated and working harder in the lab?

It was tough. I felt like I let my team down. I just take it as motivation and never wanting to feel like that again.

Was your 21 points and 14 rebounds game in the win against Florida College one of your personal best games in the NAIA?

Lol that was a nice one. I forgot about that one but yeah it was one but maybe the game I had I think 16 and 16 rebounds was my best to me but that Florida game was nice.

What were your fondest memories of winning the SSAC tournament in 2018? 

Man just feeling like you accomplished something. It felt so great just the hard work and the ups and downs that team went through made it such a great experience and feeling.

How did head coach Steve Knight groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career? 

PRACTICE AND CONDITIONING. We ran like a track team lol but it kept us in perfect shape and we were always ready. He was my favorite coach. We still talk till this day.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Jartavius Dobbs?

Lol Dobbs knows he could never beat me in one on one but he came close, but just couldn’t finish.

Who was the toughest opponent that you played in the NCAA, NAIA or anywhere else that is in the NBA or in Europe now.

Jahil Okafor. He playes for the Philadelphia 76ers. I think I played Nike summer circuit in the summers in high school. Man he is a beast.

Please list your five best teammates of all-time?

Jacobi boykins Latech Adrian Williams William Carey Cameron Douglas William Carey Brandon Cranford William Carey Rodney Mallet William Carey.

Please name your personal own NBA Rushmore. Which four heads would you pick past or present for your list?

Micheal Jordan,Kobe Bryant ,Lebron James ,Shaq, and Allen Iverson.

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

Lol man I thing Jordan is the goat but Lebron surpasses him stats don’t lie lol

What was the last movie that you saw? 

Us.

Thanks Branden for the chat.

Curtis Hollis is a 21 year old 198cm forward from Arlington, Texas that is playing his first season overseas and first in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf currently averaging 20,5ppg,7,6rpg,31apg and 2,9spg. He began his career at Mansfield Summit High School. In 2017-2018 he played with Hutchinson CC (JUCO) playing 34 games averaging 6.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 66.3%. In 2018 he played in Lavar Ball’s new league with the Houston Ballers (JBL) playing 7 games: Score-5 (29.3ppg), 11.3rpg, 5.3apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 71.8%. He and I will team up every week to talk basketball in the Miles basketball minute.

Curtis thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Congrats on a huge 104-80 win against Recklinghausen. The team has a 3 game winning streak. Do you ever spoil yourself after a win with a dinner or something else or are you the kind of guy that is happy about a win but quickly looks forward to the next game?

Nah I don’t spoil myself. It’s just another game! A win is always good but we have a bigger goal so it’s on to the next.

A big win where the offense really stood out again and the team had 27 assists. Talk a bit about the game and what other keys there were for getting the well deserved victory?

We played well together and got stops defensively any time we do that we’re very hard to beat!

American Antoine Myers was a force with 29 points. As a young buck do you take notice of certain things that he does on the court that may help you in some way in your game?

Yes I did definitely. He helped me while we were playing actually on reads and different stuff like that giving me pointers. I really appreciated that from him. He’s really good as well

The defense allowed 80 points. What kind of steps does the defense continue to make now another week goes by as everyone continues to gel better on the court?

I still feel like that’s too much. But we’re getting better figuring out our help side defense and limiting teams to 1 possession.

Head coach Yassin Idbihi inserted 12 guys. What has been his secret to keeping everyone relaxed and happy with the minutes that they get?

I mean we all know he knows what’s he’s doing. He’s playing to win so whatever he does rotation wise and stuff like that we trust him and know he’s making the right decision.

Another big offensive production by the Dragons Rhondorf. How much easier has the big rise in the offense done for you not having that pressure to need to score more It seems like you don´t have to score as much as in the first weeks

I agree. People have been coming along and getting more comfortable so it’s definitely taken some off me and I don’t have to do as much or take as many shots like you said. That’s been great! We have a talented team so when we play together everybody gets to do their thing

With so many offensive options now, how has that given you freedom to use other parts of your game to help the team be successful?

It’s given me freedom to pass and get others involved. Really help them get as comfortable as they can and making sure I get them shots where they like it in their spots. So that’s been good for me as well.

Just on steals and defense and turnovers how do you value your performance against Recklinghausen with 5 steals and 2 turnovers?

Pretty good. Could have had more steals but overall not bad. Like I always say about turnovers those aren’t a big deal for me. I see it as me being aggressive so it happens.

The teammate spotlight this week is on German big man Gabriel De Olveira. With 16 points and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. What has impressed you most about his game and do you think that he will be a solid free throw shooter by the end of the season?

He’s a monster. So athletic, knows how to finish around the rim and can really rebound the ball! He’s on a double license with the BBL for a reason. I hope he becomes a fantastic free throw shooter because like I always tell him, that’s the difference between 18 & 25. Making all your free throws.

The NBA season started last week. What is your impression of the Los Angeles Lakers. With Lebron James and Anthony Davis two top players in the NBA. But they also have a nice supporting act. Will this team function? How far will they go?

The Lakers are really good, AD & Lebron are amazing of course but I feel like they are missing a scorer. They can’t do it by themselves come playoff time.

Halloween is coming up this week. How did you celebrate Halloween as a kid and what was your favorite costume you wore and favorite candy that you got?

I just went with my friends neighborhood to neighborhood and got all the candy so I could eat it the next day at school. Haha nothing too special. My favorite candy had to be the jolly ranchers.

Thanks Curtis for the chat.