Kris Davis is a 25 year old 188cm guard from Detroit that finished his fourth professional season and first with Phoenix Hagen averaging 13,6ppg, 2,4rpg and 3,5apg. He played the last three seasons in Spain. Last season he played with KIA Sakimovil Navarra de Pamplona (Spain-LEB Silver) playing 35 games averaging 14.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 75.0%. Two seasons ago he played with Arcos Albacete Basket (Spain-LEB Silver) playing 30 games averaging 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 72.5%. As a rookie he played with Penas Huesca (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 40 games averaging 7.1ppg, 1.4rpg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 65.3%. He started his basketball career with SIU Edwardsville (NCAA in 2011 playing a total of 110 NCAA games. In his senior year he played 28 games averaging 14.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 69.9%. He spoke to eurobasket.com about his season in Germany.

Kris thanks for talking to eurobasket.com. Where are you at the moment and what will be the first restaurant that you will visit when you get off the plane when you get home?

Miles, thank you for taking the time to reach out to me again. Right now I am still in Hagen enjoying some down time with my teammates. The first restaurant I will visit when I get home will be 8 mile Grill Coney Island. Straight from the airport, no stops!

Has the NCAA Madness taken your mind off not reaching the playoffs with Phoenix Hagen? 

Actually it has the opposite effect. Watching the NCAA tournament only reminds me that we should be playing post-regular season games too but it didn’t work out for us this season. 

The fight for the playoffs in the Pro A was fierce as the teams 9-12 were very close behind not more than two wins less. How disappointing was it not making the cut into the top 8?

It was very disappointing for everyone a part of the Phoenix club. With the same exact record last year, Phoenix was able to secure a spot to the playoffs but there was so much parity in the league this year that 15 wins was not enough for us this time around. We only have ourselves to blame because we had multiple chances to secure our spot in the play-offs; We just didn’t get it done. 

What is your summary of the team season. Were a few import players missing and what could the team have done better to have reached the playoffs?

It was definitely an up and down year for us. Firing our first coach after 6 games, then not having a head coach for the next 3 games, and finally adjusting to Coach Harris’ style of play was a lot to deal with in one season. Given the circumstances, I thought we did pretty well with handling most of the adversity. We had everything that a playoff team needed but we let too many chances slip away in games that we should have won. 

Phoenix Hagen had a very roller coaster season. It’s best stretch of the season was from mid November to Christmas. Why couldn’t the team find that success again in 2019? 


I think during that stretch we were playing so incredibly hard because at that point we had nothing to lose. I believe we won 8 games in a row before we eventually ended up losing to Ehingen. It’s hard to say exactly why we couldn’t harness that energy again to go another streak. The truth is we were winning on the road but couldn’t manage to win a home game in 2019. 

The club lost four of five games to end the season and miss the playoffs. Was the bitter 92-90 loss to Trier at the start of this five game skid the game that mentally broke you guys? 

Mentally everyone was still activated even after the loss to Trier because we knew we still had a chance to make the playoffs. Everyone was always optimistic and positive until the very end of the season. Coach Harris did a great job of keeping us motivated before, during, and after the games too, win or lose. I think during this skid we just had a bit of bad luck. 

Phoenix Hagen scored points and was one of the top rebounding teams, but despite giving up 80 points still ninth best. It seems like the Pro A is becoming more of a scoring league. Why do you feel are clubs having more difficulty keeping points off the board?

I think it’s more so to do with the quality of players in the Pro A. Compared to other leagues I have played in, the Pro A is more of a fast paced/one on one type of league. Of course there are some teams who are great at executing set plays but for the most part guys put their individual skills on display each game. So I wouldn’t say clubs are having trouble playing defense, it’s just the quality of players in the Pro A is at an exceptional level.

Despite missing the playoffs, what positives can the club take from this season? 

Even though we didn’t make the playoffs, everyone remained relatively healthy. Only one major injury with Marco and his knee. We managed to turn a 2-6 start around with 8 straight victories in a very close/competitive league. Through all the ups and downs of the season the team managed to stay together and not point fingers at each other when things didn’t go our way. I’d say these were the most positive things that we could take away from this season. 

Let’s talk about your teammates. What kind of a pleasure was it playing with Alex Herrera? How good is he and what stories from Spain did you tell each other?

I absolutely loved playing with every guy in that locker room, including Al. Al has a lot of weapons that most guys his size do not have. He can back you down on either block, finish with either hand, shoot the pick & pop mid-range shot, and he can even step out and hit an occasional three when he wants. Down on the defensive end the guy is a great rim protector. It’s interesting because we both had similar experiences from playing in Spain and we would always talk about how grateful we were for the situation at Phoenix. 

You played with many German players. Which player do you feel made the biggest jump in their development this season?

It’s hard to say because I didn’t get to see any of them play last year to have this year to compare it to. Just off of the top of my head, I think the younger guys who would practice with us sometimes (Emil, Tobi, Jonah) really learned and improved a lot this year. 

What was your impression of German Jonas Grof? He has had BBL experience. What do you remember from your duels with him in practice and what did you appreciate most about his game? 

With Jonas being 6’5, he has a size advantage that most point guards you’ll run across won’t have. He does an excellent job of getting into the lane and using his size/body to get where he wants to in the paint and finish strong. On top of his body control, he also has great court vision in transition and when reading pick & rolls. Above all of his qualities as a basketball player, Jonas is a great guy on and off the court. At all times he remained positive and he probably has the most contagious laugh I’ve ever heard. Just a fun guy to be around. 

Another German who had a solid season was Jannik Lodders. How did you see his development and what did you appreciate most about what he was able to display on the court? 

The thing is appreciated most about Jan is that he always give his maximum effort when he stepped on the court. He brought the same energy that he used offensively to the defensive end as well. He’s very athletic, can guard positions 1-4, and can shut down the opposing team’s best wing player. Jannik is a very good two-way player. 

What kind of impression did German Dominik Spohr who has BBL experience make on you. Was his glue guy like abilities one that helped the team most?

Dom’s leadership aura is the first impression I had of him. He’s just the kind of guy you want with you when it’s war time. Dom always put the team first when it came to anything basketball related. His basketball IQ and veteran savvy helped us out a lot when games were close down the stretch. 

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 13,6ppg, 2,4rpg and 3,5apg. How content were you with your first season in Germany? 

We didn’t make the playoffs so it was not enough. I should have done more to put our team in position to be playing in April. I’m not sure how most Americans do in their first year in the Pro A so it’s hard for me to say if I’m content with those numbers. I just know it was not enough for to make the playoffs so I have to be better next time around.

In our last interview you stated, ‘It’s always a challenge trying to keep your shot on point. Especially with the 3 point line being a little further back, you just have to adjust. However, practice makes perfect and I’m confident that I will reach 40% shooting from Three again’. You were so close at 39,8%. How much of a challenge was being a good three point shooter in the German Pro A compared to the Leb Silver in Spain?

The difference in level became clearer to me as each game of the season came and went. I found myself having to focus a little more and to pick my spots better because of the level of individual defense and team defense in the Pro A; So shooting well in the Pro A was a little bit more of a challenge. 

How do you feel were you able to grow as a player in the German Pro A. As a point guard it is vital to make the right play. Was this something that continued to grow in your game? 

Absolutely. I feel my ability as a playmaker/decision maker was the one quality that increased the most this season. I was given more opportunities to create for my teammates by making defensive reads and quick decisions. 

What was your personal best game this season? Possibly your 22 point effort in the victory over top Pro A team Chemnitz? 

I think this game against Chemnitz was probably my best game too. Not only because of the stats but because of the timing of the win. It was a very important road game for us and we needed the W badly. I was glad I was able to perform well and help us get the win. 

What is the next step for you? I’m sure you will get good offers from Pro A playoff teams and possibly some BBL teams. Would Germany be a big option on your list or could you imagine taking on a new challenge and culture in another country? 

Staying in Germany is definitely a big option. I don’t know exactly how this summer will unfold but I will talk with my agent and make the best decision for myself and my family. Seeing new cultures is always fun and exciting but sometimes it’s best to remain where things are familiar and comfortable for you. 

You have a long summer ahead of you. On what things will you be working on most in the basketball lab as you get ready for that next opportunity? 

Well I’ll start going to the weight room about a week after I fly back home. I need to become a little stronger and work on my core a lot in the off season. As far as in the lab, I’ll work on shooting off the dribble a lot and continue developing point guard/playmaking tendencies. I’m also going to prepare mentally a lot more to get over the hump from being good to being great. 

Please name your five all-time best teammates in college and pro’s

Wow haha this is a tough one. I think I would have to go with these five guys: Mike Torres, Derian Shaffer, Ray Lester, Joel Aminu, Rozell Nunn 

It’s still so early, but when all is said and done could Luka Doncic be one of the greatest Europeans that ever played in the NBA?

I don’t see why not. He has everything that an all-time great possesses. His offensive skill set is unbelievable and he thinks the game really well too. I guess it all comes down to if he will win enough to be considered an all-time great European player. 

What was your reaction when you heard that Lebron James named himself the greatest of all-time?

I admire the confidence he has in himself and the journey he has taken to be able to say something like that. I’m not in a position to say if he is right because I was too young to see Jordan’s era but LeBron is the best player I’ve ever seen. 

Charles Barkley recently proclaimed that Tom Brady Is more of a GOAT than Michael Jordan. Do you share his opinion? 

Of course I do. Tom Brady went to the University of Michigan so by default he is more of a GOAT than MJ (I’m a huge Michigan Wolverines fan). But all jokes aside, I agree with Charles. MJ took a break in the middle of his career to go and play basketball. Tom Brady has been consistently great for as long as I can remember. I think his longevity gives him the edge over Michael. 

Tom Brady won sixth Super Bowl. Where will he be if he wins a seventh next season? 

He is already considered to be the greatest quarterback of all time so if he wins a seventh in the following season, I think that places him in a stratosphere all by himself. 

What was the last movie that you saw? 

The last movie that I saw was a classic called Money Talks. One of Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen’s funniest movies to this day.

Thanks Kris for the chat

Shavar Newkirk is a 23 year old 183cm guard from the Bronx, New York that played his rookie season in Germany with FC Schalke 04 (Germany-ProA) averaging 15,4ppg, 4,2rpg, 2,8apg and 1,5spg. He began his basketball career at Cardinal Heyes HS /Bronx, NY. In 2014 he began his NCAA career with St.Joseph’s (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 3.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.3apg. In his sophomore season with St.Joseph’s (NCAA) he played 37 games averaging 8.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 73.8%. In his junior season at St.Joseph’s (NCAA) he played 12 games averaging 20.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 84.7%. In his senior year with St.Joseph’s (NCAA) he played 32 games averaging 17.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 76.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the season

Shavar thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Has the NCAA madness distracted you a bit from not reaching the pro A playoffs?

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk. I haven’t been able to watch any college games since I been out here, so the March Madness didn’t have any effect on us reaching the Pro A playoffs.

After having a 9-21 record and knowing the talent that the team had. Do you feel like the club underachieved this season or was the many players coming and going and inexperience factors that would justify the team not underachieving?

There is no reason why we didn’t have a better season than what we did have. The team were full of great talent and basketball players with high IQ. Players coming and going was one factor to the struggling performance we had. It was a rocky start , but when the team found consistency, you saw it in the game play. We played more fluently on offense and our team spirit was very high.

The team was up and down in the first months of the 2018-2019 season, but at least was winning games, but in 2019 the club won only 3 games, but lost 11 games. Why was winning so difficult in the second half of the season?

Winning was difficult in the second half of the season due to us not closing out games correctly. It is hard to beat teams twice because game plans are changed and intensity picks up. Plenty of games were close and came down to crucial possessions when we needed stops and key buckets. We just didn’t handle it very well at the end of the game. 

In basketball and many other sports you are always confronted about what could have been. You lost four very close games to Baunach, Trier, Rostock and Hanau. Was crunch-time a time this season a type of disease for the team in being able to make the right offensive plays and get stops?

As I mentioned in the previous question , the end stretch of the game was difficult for us. The last few minutes came down to who wanted it more, can get key stops and put the ball in the basketball. We just didn’t execute well in crunch time.

Despite not making the playoffs, the team was one of the top rebounding teams in the Pro A and had the seventh best defense in the league. The offense seemed not to score enough points this season. What do you believe was missing from the team offense that disallowed the team to score more points on a consistent basis?

We were missing execution. Coach Raffi did a great job with coming up with plays and sometimes we didn’t run it to a T, but when we did , we managed to score pretty easily .

Despite not making the Pro A playoffs, what positives do you feel could FC Schalke take from this season?

Schalke can take that we still remained in Pro A. The community instill in their people , ‘Schalke No Fear’ and lives by it. Just have to stay together and make strides next season.

Despite losing some tight games, you also had some big wins against Ehingen and Trier. What do you believe was the team highlight this season?

The team highlight this season was when we beat the number two seed at home and everyone knew that they were going to win. That was a great feeling .

Let’s talk about your teammates. In our first interview you stated this about Courtney Belger ‘Because of his experience I’m getting a lot of wisdom which will help me at game time. He has taken me under his wing like I’m his little brother. I can’t wait to war with him. I haven’t experienced game time with him yet, but what I’ve seen in practice is amazing. With his experience and my youth and me being a blur, I think we will make a dynamic duo’. What kind of experience was it being his teammate and how did you see his development this season? What one experience with him will forever remain with you as you keep your rookie season in your memories?

Courtney Belger was a great teammate and is a remarkable man. He taught me so much off the court while my time at Germany. It was also great playing a long side him on the basketball court, he was a true teammate . He did what it took to get the win and knew all the right things to say to his teammates I will never forget the late night shooting sessions we had, working on our game when we thought the previous game we played bad .

German center Adam Touray made the next step in his career making the jump from the Pro B to the Pro A. How did you witness his development and do see him becoming a very good consistent Pro A player?

Adam Touray is a true center. He has a high motor and is great defensively . His timing on blocking shots is impressive. His presence is felt inside.

You were also teammates with American Brandon Parrish. What did you appreciate most about his game and how did he improve his game?

I loved Brandon Parrish’s game. He was an underrated defender and came up big for us when we needed to lock down the key player. He also has a great shot and if he gets space he will knock it down.

German Bjoern Rowher who had been playing for years in the Ulm organization came to Schalke and made the most of his opportunity. Is he still a raw talent or has he reached his potential?

He hasn’t reached his potential and he’s not raw. He’s a good player and getting better everyday . He has a lot of upside.

Let’s talk about your game. You had a very strong rookie season with FC Schalke and needed no adjustment period coming to a losing team. What do you feel helped you most being able to be strong on the court despite not having success as a team?

The coach really helped me with that. He said he liked my talent and didn’t want me to be timid. He wanted me to play my game and do whatever it took to help the team win. So everyday I laced up my shoes and went to work .

What was the biggest adjustment that you had to make coming rom the NCAA to the German Pro A?

The biggest adjustment didn’t come on the court, it came off the court. It took me a while to get adjusted to the time difference.

You averaged 15,4ppg, 4,2rpg and 2,8apg. How content were you with your shortened rookie season in Germany?

I made the best of my opportunity in the time frame I was given. I’m never content with what I do because I know I can always do more. I feel like my numbers could have been way better.

You said in our first interview that you wanted to be the best player that you could be with FC Schalke. Do you feel like you achieved that?

No I do not feel like I did that. Being a player is more than what you do on the court. I feel like I can work on my leadership skills more .

You had some big games, but they came in loses. What was your personal highlight on the court as a rookie in Germany?

My personal highlight came in the last possession of the Rockstock game, the coach put his faith in me to take the game winning shot. Even though I was successful in that moment that meant a lot that he wanted me to take that shot.

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

The toughest player I had to go against this season was the Point guard from Tuebingen. 

What is the next step for you? You were able to perform well and make a name for yourself in Germany. Would you welcome returning to Germany or could you imagine finding a new challenge in another country?

The experience of Germany was great and I can see myself coming back next season.

You have a long summer ahead of you. On what things will you be working on most in the basketball lab as you get ready for that next opportunity

The mind and body is key to having longevity . This summer I will be enhancing my body and mind.

It’s still so early, but when all is said and done could Luka Doncic be one of the greatest Europeans that ever played in the NBA?

I don’t think hewill be just be one of the greatest Europeans to play the game , but one of the greatest period. The kid has talent .

What was your reaction when you heard that Lebron James named himself the greatest of all-time?

My reaction was as he should be, but when you make that claim you have to back it up . This season as a Laker he didn’t do that .

Charles Barkley recently proclaimed that Tom Brady Is more of a GOAT than Michael Jordan. Do you share his opinion?

I do not share the same opinion due to the fact , they are in two different sport categories. Now if they were playing the same sport then I would might share that thought.

Tom Brady won sixth Super Bowl. Where will he be if he wins a seventh next season?

Tom Brady will just be adding on accolades to solidify him being in the Hall of Fame.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movies I saw was Us. 

Thanks Shavar for the chat.

Demetrius Ward is a 28 year old 188cm guard from Detroit, Michigan that played his seventh professional season and first with Pro A team uni Baskets Paderborn and averaged 9,1ppg, 4,4rpg and 5,6apg. He played his first six professional seasons with MTV Wolfenbuettel Herzoege (Germany-ProB) playing a total of 138 games. He played at Western Michigan from 2008-2012 playing a total of 129 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 12.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 76.2%. Currently he is averaging 17,4ppg, 6,4rpg and 4,7apg. He spoke to germanhoops.com at the end of the 2018-2019 season.

Thanks Demetrius for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and has the NCAA Madness helped keep your mind off not reaching the playoffs with the Uni Baskets Paderborn?

Hello Miles, I’m currently still in Paderborn. The NCAA tournament is really interesting this year. I’m going for Texas Tech to win it all.

After five Pro B season and one in the Regionalliga, you made your debut in the Pro A at age 28. One could say better late than never. After playing Pro B for so many years and never getting an opportunity in the Pro A, were you able to fully enjoy it and appreciate the opportunity despite the tough season? 

Yes I was able to enjoy the opportunity this season. It was a blessing after so many years finally getting the chance to prove myself in the Pro A. I really enjoyed the live streams of the games. After 6 years in Germany my mom could finally watch a game.

With what kind of expectations with your game did you go into the Pro A? Talk about your experiences on the court and what were the biggest differences between the Pro A and Pro B? 


I wanted to be myself and just play my game. The experiences I had were pretty good, our home crowd was unbelievable. I would say the differences from the Pro B to the Pro A is there are more referees and more imports on the court at one time.

It wasn’t a very good season for the Uni Baskets Paderborn. Did the 77-64 win against FC Schalke ease the woes of the season a bit? At least you closed out the season on a winning note.

Winning the last game was so important for us. It was Uli’s last game coaching after 5 seasons. We wanted to go out and win for him he deserves it.

There was a short span at the end of January where the club won two of three games against Trier and Hanau. But then the club went on a seven game losing streak. What do you feel went wrong in that time?

It was also one quarter where we didn’t play our brand of basketball. We had a lot of mental breakdowns and wasn’t able to recover from it.

A big problem this season for the Uni Baskets was the inability to get stops. The team gave up 84 points per game. Playing good hard defense has to do with passion and effort. What were the biggest problems this season in not being able to defend better?


Playing hard defense does has to do with passion and effort and it also has to do with being focused. Many times I think we would lose focus and let people get easy buckets. Or we turn the ball over and they score this way. I think we wasn’t focused for 40 minutes.

Do you feel like the club was able to take some kind of positives out of the season? Will the win in Rostock and sweeping playoff team Trier be some of the more memorable moments?

Yes I think there is always something to take positive from a season no matter the outcome. I think this season we were able to stay in the league. The Trier sweep was also positive for us.

Let’s talk about your teammates. How did it feel playing among so many rookies like Matt Klinewski, Darnell Foreman and Grant Benzinger. Did you at times feel a little old? Did you have a special kind of extra role with your experience?

It felt a little different, last year I had only one rookie this year 3. I did feel old at times during some of our conversations. It was good to have them around, I experienced a good time with the guys on and off the court.

What kind of an impact did Darnell Foreman have on the club. He came in late but put up great stats. Could the season have gone differently had he been there from the start?

Darnell is very competitive and he brought it every day. The season could’ve went different if he was there from the start but nobody really knows.

How did you see the development of Connor Wood. He had a solid rookie season. Do you think that he could play at an even higher level than the German Pro A?

Coming in we all knew that Connor could shoot the ball. We didn’t know how athletic he was and that he could play defense. His development over the season was good, he didn’t only shoot the ball but he was one of our best defenders. I think he could play at a higher level than the Pro A if giving a chance.

Another guy that had a very solid rookie season was Grant Benzinger. How bitter was it seeing him go down for the season prior to the seven game losing streak? What did you appreciate mostly about his game and did he tell any stories about his baseball dad?

Before Grant’s injury he was leading the team in points and rebounds. He was off to a good season. It sucks seeing I’m go down with an ACL injury. He always worked hard and was always in the gym getting in extra shots. He never told me any stories about his dad but I did meet him when he came to visit. He’s a cool guy.

What kind of experience was it battling Darnell Foreman on a daily basis. Do you think that that kind of mentor student relationship developed or was there more of that competitive nature there?

It was a fun experience, we both are very competitive and don’t like to lose. We both talk a lot of trash during practice so it got pretty intense.

What kind of an experience was it playing for German coach Uli Nachster? You have played for other German coaches. What was something that you could take from him that you hadn’t seen from other coaches that you have witnessed in Germany?

I would say that coach was very patient with us. He didn’t yell or scream much but you understood when he was mad. I had a great experience with coach Uli, he gave me the chance to play in the Pro A. He believed in me from day 1.

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 9,0ppg, 4,3rpg and 5,6apg How content were you with your debut season in the Pro A?

I like winning more than stats. The season could’ve went a lot better. The personal achievement for me was I was able to play all 30 games without any injuries. My numbers weren’t the greatest but it shows I’m an all around player

What was the biggest adjustment that you had to make coming from the Pro B? You shot only at 22% from outside. Did the faster pace of the game make it more difficult to shoot the three or was it other factors?

It was a mental things for me shooting 22% from 3 this season. 

You played 7-8 minutes less than what you usually did in the Pro B? Was it difficult at first getting used to playing less minutes and still be effective in the minutes you got?

It was difficult getting used to playing these minutes but I made the best of the opportunity.

You averaged only about half the points 9,0 per game than what you did the last years in the Pro B. With so many scoring options did you have more of that playmaking role than in previous seasons?

Scoring wasn’t my role for the team, I didn’t need to go out and score this season. 

A big issue we have had in previous interviews was your goal of not taking too many shots or taking a hundred dribbles. How did that part of your game continue to develop in the Pro A?

I didn’t take many dribbles and you could see that in my assist to turnover ratio. I want to be efficient without the unnecessary dribbles and taking so many shots. 

You averaged nearly 6 assists in the Pro A which proved that you can be that good playmaker at the Pro A level. How did your playmaking improve in the Pro A and with the harder competition do you feel like you also are a better passer?

I think I’m a good passer, I like to share the ball. I think my passing improved on watching a lot of film and learning from my mistakes the past season.

Are you in your prime? You had a solid Pro A season? Do you feel like other Pro A teams took notice? Are you confident that you will get another chance in the Pro A?

I’m in my prime for sure. I think I will get another chance in the Pro A. I didn’t have the best season but I didn’t have that bad of a season. I think some teams noticed me. 

What was your season highlight? Possibly your 15/6/7 game in the win over Tuesbingen?

I would say the game against Baunach were I didn’t score a field goal but had 14ast and we won.

On what things will you be working on most this summer as you prepare for next season? After playing your first Pro A season do you feel like you will be working on other things than usual to get you ready for a higher level than the Pro B?

I will work on my body and nutrients, that will be my main focus this summer.

What is the next step for you? I can imagine that you will stay in Germany. Or would that challenge of seeing a new culture and style of basketball in another country be appealing to you? 

I will apply for the German passport and would like to continue playing in Germany.

Please name your five all-time best teammates in college and pro’s

Keith Appling, Deon Dismuke, Khalil Kelly, David Kool, Donald Lawson

It’s still so early, but when all is said and done could Luka Doncic be one of the greatest Europeans that ever played in the NBA? 

Yes I think he will be one of the best .

What was your reaction when you heard that Lebron James named himself the greatest of all-time? 

I think he deserves it 

Charles Barkley recently proclaimed that Tom Brady Is more of a GOAT than Michael Jordan. Do you share his opinion?

I don’t believe in anything Charles says 

What was the last movie that you saw? 

Girl with the dragon tattoo 

Thanks Demetrius for the chat.

Years come and go in Bonn and in the end it is never them heaving that BBL plaque in the air, but moreover watching on the other side of the court as their opponent is doing the celebrating or watching on television. Since reaching the BBL in 1997, they are still seeking their first professional title despite having reached 8 finals. With so many opportunities of being better than their opponent over 40 minutes, one has to wonder if the basketball God is doing something to keep them from getting that championship. If one look at their neighbors Fraport Skyliners, they came into the BBL a few years later and in 7 finals have won three titles. Basketball life can be very difficult in Bonn and it doesn´t get any easier when you have to battle the EWE Baskets Oldenburg who have been a nasty thorn in their sides for many years. The Telekom Baskets Bonn have played the EWE Baskets in three playoff series since the 2008-2009 season and lost all three in five games. They lost back to back series in 2013 and 2014 and were always so close, but just couldn´t make the right decisions and small things cost them each time. Their most bitter series was in 2009 where they were as close to winning that first title, but then let it slip away losing 71-70. Basketball can be so curious and fascinating and who knows what their future would have looked like had they won that first title back then. Current Telekom Baskets Bonn guard TJ DiLeo wants no part of a curse, but then again he is from New Jersey and not from Boston and never had to deal with unwanted long losing or stupid curses. He never thought of a curse being present in Bonn. “ I can’t speak for others. But I look at every season as a new opportunity. I think everyone just wants us to go out and fight and make them proud”, stressed ex Giessen guard TJ DiLeo. Usually three is a charm, but Bonn lost that third straight playoff series to Oldenburg in 2014. Maybe the Telekom Baskets Bonn can start a new trend with four is a charm? The only bad news is that Mr Oldenburg and BBL legend Rickey Paulding was present in all three series and has a 3-0 playoff series record against Bonn. If that isn´t a bad omen.

            It was a very strong season for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg who for the first time in many many years didn´t have the extra load of inter week international club competition. They had the luxury of being able to prepare extensively each week just for BBL teams which they definitely profited from. They finished the regular season with a 28-6 record. The Oldenburg troops had a very consistent regular season winning 12 of their first 14 games to get a good grasp with the top teams in the league. It then lost two of three games including a bitter buzzer beater in Frankfurt at the hands of Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson, but then proceeded to finish the season strong going on a 15-2 record despite slipping and losing the last game on the road against the weak Crailsheim squad 99-87. Their biggest wins was the thrilling 83-82 victory against FC Bayern Munich, sweeping Brose Bamberg and also winning against Alba Berlin. The team was able to shine at both ends of the court as they had a lethal offense that averaged 92 points per game best in the league scoring 90 points or more in 18 contests. But after scoring an amazing basket, they didn´t let up on the defensive end, but continued to give it their all allowing only 83 points on average third best in the league. They also belonged to the top rebounding teams grabbing 31 on average fifth best on the club. There was already a healthy team chemistry as the season started as only three new players were hauled in. The team featured five players scoring in double figures and head coach Mladen Drijencic had the right feeling getting point guard Will Cummings(20,5ppg,3,0rpg,4,3apg) who led the team with the perfect combination of scoring/playmaking and won the MVP award. With him as a go to guy, the club also had two others that can decide games at any time with Rashid”Mr triple double” Mahalbasic(13,8ppg,8,9rpg,4,8apg) who belongs to the top centers in the league and Mr Oldenburg Rickey Paulding(13,3ppg,3,9rpg,1,8apg) who at age 36 still plays at a extreme high level. Three other versatile offensive forces that shoot above 40% from outside is American Nathan Boothe(12,1ppg,4,5rpg,1,0apg 48,5% 3pt) who is also a force on the defensive end, energizer Franz Massenat(11,5ppg 40,5% 3pt) and experienced sniper German Philipp Schwethelm(8,8ppg,3,4rpg, 43% 3pt). Ex Alba Berlin guard from Macedonia Vojdan Stojanovski(8,2ppg) also gives scoring punch. The club has a number of young German players with Marcel Kessen, Haris Hujic, Marko Bacak and veteran Karsten Tadda, but don´t get many minutes as the club has concentrated on giving it´s top players the majority of the minutes and limit the development of further role type players.

            The Telekom Baskets Bonn experienced a turbulent regular season that saw head coach Predrag Krunic have to pack his bags as assistant coach Chris O´Shea took over, have players come and go as well as underachieving in the Basketball Champions League. But in the end, the club was able to give their fans another playoff appearance extending their season a few weeks more. Often when a season starts off one can´t always understand it, but then again can´t understand how a quick good start translates into sudden losing. Bonn won it´s first three games, but then lost 8 of 10 games as Krunic obviously wasn´t reaching his players anymore and it seemed like they didn´t know how to win anymore and had difficulties beating weak teams like Science City Jena and the Crailsheim Merlins. The team brought in O´Shea who made changes and the team responded playing better team defense and letting the transition game shine more again. The team then won 9 of 11 games to get back on track. They had a weak April losing four of five games, but got the needed wins at the end against Braunschweig and Jena to get into the playoffs. They closed out the regular season with a big 102-98 win against FC Bayern Munich, but with the playoffs starting got a bit lost in the shuffle and upcoming challenge against the EWE Baskets. They are a good offensive team averaging 86 points per game eighth best, but also allow 86 points per game 12^th best in the league. The team do a good job under the boards getting 31 per game sixth best in the league.The team has a nice 9/10 man rotation led by guard Josh Mayo(14,3ppg,50%3pt) who is really shooting the lights out this season. Center Martin Breunig(10,6ppg,4,6rpg) who had his break through season after Charles Jackson got injured. Charles Jackson(13,0ppf,6,2rpg) was injured for some time, but is back giving the club the needed extra physicality and stability in the paint. The guard duo of TJ Dileo(8,5ppg,4,9apg) who made another step as a playmaker and athleticism and defense continues to be vital and Yormon Polas(9,0ppg,4,3rpg) who belongs to the best defenders in the league can always change the impact of a game in seconds with their energetic play. They have two further big men with Bojan Subotic(8,6ppg, 3,8ppg and Stefan Bircevic(7,1ppg,3,8rpg) who spread the floor with their inside/out game. Ex NBA player James Webb(6,0ppg, 4,2rpg) didn´t become the consistent scorer, but can explode at anytime and is a key helper under the boards. Ex Boston College guard Oliver Hanlan(8,3ppg) has been a solid player from the bench and ex Euroleague player Nate Linhart(4,6ppg,3,3rpg,2,4apg) hasn´t exploded, but gives energy and superb basketball IQ from the bench.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Rickey Paulding in 2019 in Frankfurt

            The EWE Baskets Oldenburg swept the regular season series without problems winning 98-78 with Rickey Paulding exploding for 32 points at home and 109-95 on the road where Will Cummings had 32 points and Rasid Mahalbasic a 28/13 outburst. In their home win, they shot out the lights from the two point range while Bonn made only 1/3 of their shots from there. On the road, Bonn rebounded better, but their inability to take care of the ball hurt their chances of winning. The EWE Baskets have the best offensive machine in the league and if the Telekom Baskets Bonn aren´t able to set some vital impulses on defense then this could even result in a sweep by Oldenburg. The Telekom Baskets Bonn are a good rebounding team, but so is Oldenburg and will have to take advantage of the extra chances. Even If Bonn can slow done 1-2 of Oldenburg´s best players which isn´t a given, Oldenburg still have enough options to get enough scoring from other guys. Bonn has a lot of talent and are deep and have to come together for once and play consistent. Josh Mayo is having his best season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn and it´s time that his leadership qualities get rewarded with a brilliant series from him. But the EWE Baskets Oldenburg simply have too much fire power that the Telekom Baskets Bonn won´t be able to stop in a five game series. History and luck have been on the side of the EWE Baskets Oldenburg in the last three playoff series against the Telekom Baskets Bonn and nothing will change this time as they will lose for the eighth time in a row in the quarterfinals.

One can easily say that both impact players Derrick Williams and Deandre Lansdowne have seen it all in their professional basketball careers as they both belong to the top players in the easyCredit BBL, but their paths have been as completely different as night and day or the NBA and the Czech Republic professional first division. Deandre Lansdowne is a guy that has truly lived the Cinderella basketball life and would warrant making a movie about with a Denzel Washington type actor playing him. Only three years ago he was about as far away from the easyCredit BBL as the Boston Celtics are from a NBA title after their mind boggling pathetic display of basketball in the Milwaukee series. The American had just come off a brilliant Pro B rookie season with Pro B team Herten where he was second in league scoring 22.9ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.6apg, 2.6spg, but he hasn´t been the only guy in the past that have dominated the league as two years ago it was a Kameron Taylor or this season a Tucker Haymond, but it is simply not only rare to make the jump form that league to the BBL, but to become the third best scorer in the league is an unbelievable feat, but one that Lansdowne mastered. His amazing rise in the last three years in the Pro A with the Hamburg Towers and the last two years with Braunschweig just shows that there are players off the radar in lower leagues and those talented guys should never lose faith in the process. With nonending hard work and having that healthy self confidence and continued drive to get better has brought him to the level of player he is today. Early in the season he explained why he is where he is today. “I have an obsession of being great. I’m never satisfied with where I am, I always want to keep climbing. I want to continue learning more, getting better, and playing basketball at a high level. But I also never lose sight of how far I’ve come and how much I’ve enjoyed the ride”, warned Deandre Lansdowne. The path of Derrick Williams has been totally different and one where he was never doubted, but was a star already at La Mirada High School and needed only two NCAA years at Arizona where he averaged 19,5ppg,8,3rpg as a sophomore and then prompt was drafted at #2 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He then played parts of six NBA seasons totaling 377 games for teams like Minnesota, Sacramento, New York, Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers. He put up solid stats and was teammates with guys like Lebron James, Kyrie Irving and Dwayne Wade and played against the best players in the world. This playoff series has to be the biggest challenge and most enjoyable for a guy like Lansdowne while for Williams it will be just another day at the office and not rate anywhere as big as what he saw in the NBA. The FC Bayern Munich-Braunschweig series has that David vs Goliath effect, but so does the Lansdowne-Williams careers.

            Despite some turbulence during the end of last season with the coaching change, FC Bayern Munich came together and won the BBL title and this season cruised through the BBL regular season to a commendable 31-3 record. Their two sore spots in the season was getting ousted in the cup competition and not getting farther in the Euroleague competition. In the BBL the club didn´t suffer their first loss until Valentines Day losing a bitter 83-82 contest in Oldenburg after winning their first 20 games. After a non spectacular 91-80 win at home against the floundering Eisbaeren of Bremerhaven, they prompt suffered their second loss in three games on the road against Cinderella team Rasta Vechta. They then closed out the regular season winning 11 of their last 12 and go into the playoffs having lost in Bonn 102-98. The team is without a doubt the best team in the league with the best players and deepest and most versatile bench. They may of only had the fourth best offense that averaged 88 points per game, but glittered on defense allowing the fewest points in the league at 76. The club have five players that average in double figures and when they need a rest have a second five that could start for any other team. It was amazing to see the kind of quality the team had on the bench, but only normal for a team with the highest budget. The potent offensive attack starts at the guard position with top pick and role player Stefan Jovic(6,4ppg,4,4apg), speedy Maodo Lo(7,1ppg,2,8apg) versatile Braydon Hobbs(6,0ppg,2,4apg) in only 13 minutes per game and a guy who should have had more minutes and sharp shooter Petteri Koponen(8,9ppg,40%3pt). At the forward position Danilo Barthel(12,1ppg,4,6rpg,2,5apg,44%3pt) has become the best German forward playing in the BBL, versatile Vladimir Lucic(10,3ppg, 4,0rpg, 45%3pt), the energy machine and sniper Nihad Djedovic(12,4ppg,3,0rpg 45% 3pt) and ex NBA player Derrick Williams(12,0ppg,3,4rpg,45% 3pt). Devin Booker(10,0ppg,3,4rpg) who played only 15 games due to injury and experienced Leon Radosevic(5,9ppg,2,2rpg) round out the center position. All in all so much fire power scoring 80 points or more in 32 games, and three point accuracy shooting 41% as a team and but also that willingness to defend with heart and passion as they gave up 70 points or less seven times. The club simply has all the ingredients to defend their BBL title with their amazing athleticism, length in the back court and can at anytime dominate little teams like Vechta with their inside game or demoralize big teams with their quickness.

            For the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig just reaching the playoffs has been an amazing accomplishment. Just 48 hours before the start of the playoffs the hope wasn´t great to get there, but it was there. The small miracle happened due to beating the Fraport Skyliners at home with a big second half and a crushing 100-85 win against medi Bayreuth slipping into the playoffs with a respectable 17-17 record.  However at first the playoffs looked like a serious reach as a few days before Halloween 2018, the team was 0-5 and reeling to find that first win. They finally found out of their seemingly growing hole rattling off 9 wins in 10 games. Everything seemed to work for them in this phase as they defended strongly as a team kept three teams under 70 points, won a 100-99 nail bitter against Ludwigsburg and surprisingly did the impossible beating Bamberg and Alba Berlin. But that was the end of their consistent success as they then lost 11 of 17 games, but didn´t always play that bad, but just suffered misfortune. They were the recipients of the short end in six games losing by 6 points or less and lost by three points or less in four games. Their biggest strength is their rebounding as they pulled down 33 a game best in the league and had pretty good team chemistry which helped them win their last two games and secure the playoffs. They have four players that average double figures in scoring. Even if no where in the league it will be like this, but in Braunschweig they have the best center with Scott Eatherton(17,1ppg,9,1rpg,2,2apg) who excels on the pick and role and best guard with Deandre Lansdowne(19,3ppg,3,6rpg,3,8apg) who´s versatile offensive game made him the third best scorer in the league. Austrian national player Thomas Klepeisz´s(10,5ppg,4,7apg,403pt) combination of playmaking and shooting has been instrumental on the offensive execution and German rookie Christian Sengfelder(10,7ppg,5,9apg) has been vital on the boards and with Eatherton getting more space with his lethal outside shot. American Brayon Blake(9,1ppg,4,0rpg) has given the team added scoring expertise and added muscle on the glass while Shaquille Hines(7,4ppg,4,1rpg) has been a defensive enforcer and contributed solidly on offense and American Joe Rahon(6,4ppg,4,6apg) has been that pass first guard that has shown flashes of skill on the offensive end. “Reaching the playoffs is a huge accomplishment for this club and everyone apart of it. No matter who we may play against it’s just a great feeling to be apart of the post-season. We’re the underdogs, we’re just going to go out there and continue trying to play our style. With a high amount of intensity, have fun, and just play basketball”, stressed Deandre Lansdowne.

            The question isn´t by how many games FC Bayern Munich will win the series by since a 3-0 sweep is the best bet unless the starting five gets sick and three bench players lose their skills, then Braunschweig could have good chances to win the series. But the question is by how many points will FC Bayern Munich win each game by. FC Bayern Munich had no difficulty sweeping the season series winning each game by an average 16 points. FC Bayern Munich have no real flaws except their rebounding where they were only 17^th best in the league grabbing 28 per game. Even if they have an off day shooting, they probably will still shoot better than Braunschweig as they have seven players that are shooting 40% or better from the parking lot. Braunschweig have a lot less options on offense as they live by the pick and roll and aren´t the best three point shooting team in the league. Braunschweig has a solid 7 man rotation, but after that they have many talented Germans that lack the minutes and experience in the playoffs. FC Bayern Munich will sweep this series with ease and be a warmup for their most likely semi-final meeting with Brose Bamberg. Even if Lansdowne pulls a Damien Lillard or Scott Eatherton makes like Anthony Davis and score 40 points apiece, Braunschweig still won´t win. Even if it will be a real big challenge for Braunschweig, Deandre Lansdowne is as optimistic as he can be. “Hopefully the series will be a fun, and full of good basketball, with us coming out on top. But we’ll have to be detailed on defense and be disciplined on offense, we’ll really have to rebound the ball though”, stressed Deandre Lansdowne.

Ex Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly probably can´t go anywhere in Buffalo today and not be recognized or asked why he never won a Superbowl after making it to four in a row from 1990-1993, in England the football national team have been blanked since 1966 not winning another title again and in German basketball the Telekom Baskets Bonn are the best example of the German version of the Buffalo Bills as they have reached 8 finals(5 league, 3 cup) since 1997 and are still looking to sip champagne for that first title as fans have been hit hardest as every new season and no hardware haunts them just a bit more. Ok it isn´t nearly as bad with Alba Berlin who have celebrated cup titles the last years totaling three since 2013, but have been stumped winning that league title for some time as the last championship dates back to 2008. Alba Berlin´s last title was in 2016 where they upset FC Bayern Munich led by head coach Sasa Obradovic and American Jordan Taylor, but going into these playoffs could have had two more added to their previous 19 titles, but this season were more than rudely denied where one had to wonder if someone had been unfriendly to the basketball God. The season title hardships began in Bamberg where they were as close to winning the title as Oklahoma was a playoff game a few weeks ago until a certain Damien Lillard demonstrated that there are other elite guards who know how to win and sent Russell Westbrook home with a long summer to ponder why he can´t lead teams to titles. But Greek legend guard Nikolai Zisis hit a brutal buzzer beater sending Freak City into basketball ecstasy and giving Alba Berlin their first nasty hardship of the season. Their second title miss was in the Eurocup where they faced up against a talented tough Valenica side in the final, but not as an intimidating team as many others as they took them to three games. Alba Berlin won an unforgettable game two 95-92 in OT, but ran out of gas in game three getting clobbered by 26 points. An interesting fact is that in 2010, Alba Berlin also lost the Eurocup to the Spanish side. Perhaps three is a charm in the BBL playoffs, but first they will have to erase ratiopharm Ulm from the playoffs. Ratiopharm Ulm like the Telekom Baskets Bonn are also looking for their first title. They arrived in the BBL in 2006 thanks to the elite coaching of Mike Taylor who recently did it again bringing Hamburg to the BBL and have reached 5 finals(3cup, 2 league) in that time. In a span of five years from 2011-2016, they reached a final each year except in 2015. Ratiopharm Ulm has been a consistent playoff team in the last years and even finished first in 2017 after having an unforgettable amazing season, but couldn´t win a title. It looks very much like the club will have to wait another season as this season their inconsistency and lack of cohesiveness won´t get them by Alba Berlin. A title would be a nice way to say farewell to head coach Thorsten Leibenath who will step down after the season and step into the front office. But there are better chances of Mike Taylor returning to Ulm than ratiopharm Ulm hoisting their first ever BBL title in June.

                Even if Alba Berlin lost two finals, they had a solid BBL season with a record of 27-7 and would have finished in second place had the EWE Baskets Oldenburg not have had such a surprising strong season. The club played fairly consistent this season having a seven game winning streak and two five game winning streaks. They lost some uncharachteristic bitter crunch-time games against FC Bayern Munich, Braunschweig and Bayreuth. Their biggest success in the regular season was surely sweeping Brose Bamberg. Their biggest strength is their team chemistry and without a doubt they play the most beautiful basketball in the league. They have the second best offense averaging 91 points per game and second best defense allowing only 80 points. They are well balanced at every position and have five guys that average in double figures. They have 2018 BBL MVP Luke Sikma(11,3ppg,5,9rpg,4,5apg) who belongs to the most complete players in the league. They have one of the best point guards in the game with Peyton Siva(10,7ppg,6,7apg). Sharp shooter Martin Hermannsson(11,7ppg, 41% 3pt), athletic shooter and defender Niels Giffey(10,7ppg) and the versatile Rokas Gieraitis(12,6ppg, 42,8%3pt) round out the scorers in double figures. The club is well taken care of inside with Landry Nnoko and German national player Johannes Thiemann and guards Joschiko Saibu and ex Michigan(NCAA) standout Derrick Waltin Jr. Their great team play often overshadows their other big strength rebounding which is second best in the BBL as they haul down 32 per game. The club also has a lot of discipline and get hit with the fewest fouls in the league. This will come in handy in the down stretch of games when the game may be tight. They also dish out the most assists per game at 22. When their offense is rolling and they are defending well, then they can beat anyone in the league and would even give FC Bayern Munich a good series. The club also has one of the deepest benches in the league and have the luxury to bring big German talent 17 year old Franz Wagner who belongs to the core rotation and has been given the chance to develop further under legendary Spanish head coach Aito.

                Ratiopharm Ulm had an up and down season as they finished in sixth place with a 20-14 record. They started off the season slow losing five of their first six games. They then had a good stretch winning nine of 11 games, but then prompt lost four of five games. In mid march they picked up their game and finished strong winning nine of their last 12 games. Injuries and having two games a week with the Eurocup coupled with inconsistency had an effect on their success. They were unable to beat neither of the big three of Munich, Berlin and Bamberg and one would have to say that sweeping Cinderella sensation Rasta Vechta was their BBL season highlight. They have scoring power with the seventh best offensive team averaging 87 points per game and had their moments defending allowing 85 points per game which is tenth best in the league. Like Alba Berlin they have a deep roster as seven players average 20 minutes or more and five guys get 10 minutes or more. The club has five players that average 9,0ppg or more and three guys averaging double figures stats. If they had been more of a factor at the top of the standings then Dwayne Evans(14,7ppg, 6,7rpg) would have been an MVP candidate.  Just three years ago, he was in the Pro A dreaming of the BBL and now he is a top 20 player in the league. Leibenath did a good job hauling in Javonte Green(14,0ppg) and point guard Patrick Miller(11,4ppg) that can change the outcome of a game quickly. Other solid players are veteran Ryan Thompson(9,4ppg) and German national player Ismet Akpinar(9,4ppg). Big man Bogdan Ravosavljevic(6,4ppg, 3,0rpg) and forward Isaac Fotu(7,6ppg,4,2rpg) are other guys that can lead the team in scoring on any given night. The bench has further talented guys with David Kramer(5,0ppg) who continues to develop nicely, Ulm legend Per Gunther(5,0ppg) and sharp shooter Katin Reinhart(6,1ppg). All in all a talented bunch, but over the course of the season, the club has displayed inconsistent shooting percentages and still hasn´t found their peak. They are near the end of the team stats in assists despite having three talented point guards with Miller, Akpinar and Gunether. That is a stat that is hard to believe, but the club was unable to develop that lethal playmaker. Will they suddenly and unexpectedly find their peak in the playoffs against power house Alba Berlin?

                Alba Berlin swept the regular season series winning 92-74 and 92-81. In both games Alba Berlin crushed ratiopharm Ulm on the boards 57-41 and crushed them inside with scoring. In the second game, both teams had problems taking care of the ball as Siva, Miller and Akpinar coughed up the ball combined 17 times. Both teams come into the playoffs strong and won´t be lacking self confidence. Alba Berlin are the favorite and ratiopharm Ulm have nothing to lose and will be able to risk more. Ratiopharm Ulm have an athletic bunch and should have success if they can get a majority of the mis matches to their advantage and execute especially at the guard position. Alba Berlin is very difficult to stop when their offense is flowing. Ratiopharm Ulm will have to find a special identity on defense in this series and have consistency if they want to present Alba Berlin with problems, but that is easier said then done. If they can defend better than in their best games this season, then they will have a chance like in the second game where they forced Alba Berlin to 21 turnovers. If the game is close, then the sometimes shaky free throw shooting of Alba Berlin could become a thorn in their side. Ratiopharm will need to get more input from their German players. Alba Berlin is one or even maybe two classes to much for ratiopharm Ulm. The underdogs have the depth and talent to be successful, but not in a five game series against Alba Berlin. Alba Berlin wins this series 3-1. It would be nice for Thorsten Leibenath to win a playoff round, but with an early exit he can focus on getting the new head coach for next season unless he is already on tap to be announced as soon as the season is over.

In the upcoming 2019 BBL quarterfinal clash between Bamberg and Vechta, there are two players with Josh Young and Ricky Hickman who go into the playoffs with a different kinds of feelings. In the case of Josh Young the famous better late than never phrase is the perfect phrase in 2019 that fits to his solid nine year professional basketball career. He is a guy that had to start in a lower league Pro Be with Leverkusen in 2010 and then incredibly with hard work and luck reached the BBL with Tuebingen and proved there that he belonged at that level. He also played some Pro A seasons only to find another surge and return back to the BBL in 2018 with Rasta Vechta. In his first years in the BBL, he played for a lower budget team Tuebingen that never made the playoffs, but now in his ninth season, he has finally made it to the promised land with the leagues Cinderella team Vechta that have been the little darlings of the league and added some special spunk to a continuing rising league in Europe. So for the Oklahoma native, the inspiring amazing season of Rasta Vechta was a ride that he will never forget and now with his first playoffs it is like the icing on the cake for his unforgettable season. He has that winners smile just like many other ex BBL players like Michael Hakim Jordan or Jimmy Mckinney who won titles and reached the final in the BBL, but his path to the title will be a steep climb, but one he will cherish forever and give his all like he has his whole career. For Ricky Hickmann reaching another playoffs is a special experience especially at the age of 33 when one never knows when the career could suddenly end. Hickman also has had that type of Cinderella career in that he didn´t reach a top league the Serie A until his fifth professional season after toiling around in lower leagues in Hungary and Finland and having difficulties in the BBL in 2008 with Giessen. But with nonstop hard work, he reached the top winning titles in Italy, Israel and Turkey and reaching the pinnacle in 2014 with the Euroleague title with Maccabi Tel Aviv and playing five seasons of Euroleague ball totaling 124 games. Reaching this years playoffs is just added icing on the cake on a very respectable and great career for the North Carolina native.

                    Rasta Vechta has had an amazing and extremely unexpected Cinderella season which no team has achieved in the last decade as the only team that came close to scratching what they have done was medi Bayreuth a few years back and Ludwigsburg 13 years back who also met Bamberg in the playoffs that year in 2007 but lost. Will Rasta Vechta also have this fate a second time around?. Rasta Vechta had an incredible 24-10 record and if one had asked anyone before the season that the club would be so potent and consistent one would have said, it would be more probable of a Thomas Mueller of FC Bayern Munchen making a full court shot in the Rasta Dome with a whole gym booing him. Of course in Vechta nobody would have doubted a poor Vechta season except for the one or other Bayern fan who happens to be living there. On offense they share the ball very well averaging the third most assists in the league and on defense have the most aggressive team in the league that practice an unorthodox play that force the most turnovers playing a press with two guys pressuring the ball handler. “We were able to turn our season around through consistency. We merely just became better at the things that we were already doing, working on. With each win, our confidence grew. Our secret to defensive success has been hard work. We work on our defense practically every day. And the way people see us play defense in games, is the exact same way we play it when nobody is there watching. We are creatures of habit”, stressed guard Josh Young. Even if reaching the playoffs was a great feat, they also did something that very little teams can say they did in the last years beating FC Bayern Munich, Alba Berlin and Bamberg in the regular season. Their success hasn´t only been being able to score(average 87 points per game 6^th best) and give up 82 points per game(4^th best, but also have the perfect coach with Pedro Calles that has formed the best team chemistry that has translated in success. “Pedro has been the biggest reason for the success of this club. From his ability to capture his players, to his coaching philosophy, to the way he approaches the game, he is the ultimate professional. Our guys love playing for him and as you can see, we play extremely hard under his leadership. It’s been cool to watch him grow as a head coach this season”, warned Josh Young. The team has no real superstars, but guys that play for each other and have big hearts. Guys like Austin Hollins(16,1ppg) and TJ Bray(14,8ppg,7,6apg, 41,5% 3pt) grew into league stars, but never lost their unselfishness. The pick ups of experienced BBL player Tyrone Nash(10,0ppg, 5,1rpg) and talented big man Clint Chapman(13,6ppg,3,5rpg, 53% 3pt) were big in the stretch run. Guys like Josh Young(11,8ppg) and Seth Hinrichs(13,0ppg,5.0rpg,3,1apg) stepped up after many years in the Pro A. The team also had a solid bench with guys like Marcel Kessins, Robin Christin and Max DiLeo that never ever let the team energy weaken when they came in.

        For Brose Bamberg, it was also a very productive season despite the circumstances after experiencing some woes after the Trincheri era ended. The club reached the playoffs again and also won a title again with the cup taking the underdog role and upsetting Alba Berlin. Bamberg finished with a record of 22-12 despite having a coaching change from Ainars Bagatskis who was relived of his duties after the brutal 85-67 loss at home against Rasta Vechta and 34 year old Federico Perego took over the helm. The club didn´t start off so bad under Bagatskis winning 9 of their first 11 games, but their results reminded one of the old Phoenix Hagen teams under Info Freyer where offense was golden and defense rotten. In Hagen they practiced offense while defense was put on the back burner. In Bamberg defense was worked on, but didn´t translate to success in games. Playing good defense had always been the norm under old coaches Fleming and Trinchieri, but now it wasn´t which was disheartening. The team then lost three of four games and Bagatskis had to depart. Under Perego the team won 8 in a row, but the defense remained weak as the club allowed 85 point or more in five games. The club ran out of gas in the last two months losing 7 of 11 games. All in all they had the fifth best offense in the BBL averaging 88 points per game and even the ninth best defense allowing only 84 points, but for a club that has played superb defense in the last years, allowing that many points isn´t satisfactory. Their biggest strength is their experience and inside game as the trio of Augustine Rubit(14,8ppg, 5,2rpg), Cliff Alexander(9,2ppg, 5,6rpg and reborn Elias Harris(9,2ppg, 3,3rpg) who are as dominant of an inside trio as you will see in the league. The club has a lot of experience and talent at the guard position with MVP candidate Tyrese Rice(15,8ppg, 6,1apg) and up and down Euroleague winner Ricky Hickman(11,2ppg, 40,0% 3pt) in the scoring department, but after that many question marks with guys like Bryce Taylor, Niko Zisis, and Maurice Stuckey. Another strength is their depth, but that will have to be more consistent in the playoffs.

                In the regular season the two teams split as Bamberg got creamed at home and then won a typical shoot out on the road 101-95. Rasta Vechta played a great game in the 85-67 blow out victory in Freak City. It was an almost perfect game as they shot out the lights dropping 13 trey´s, won the rebound battle, forced Bamberg to 21 turnovers and limited their bench to only 8 points. In the return game, Brose Bamberg came to terms with the Vechta aggressive defense and connected for 101 points. Vechta won the rebound battle again as it was little things that decided this game. Rice scored 30 points and Rubit and Harris combined for 39 points. This will be an interesting series, but a few weeks ago, one could have predicted a 5 game series, but with the serious blows of losing glue guy Seth Hinrichs and consistent versatile big man Clint Chapman as combined they average 26 points , it suddenly gets a new dimenstion. Of course guys like Hollins and Bray are vital for the success, but Hinrichs leadership and all around play will be dearly missed and Chapman is the only dominant big man. These two loses will put extra pressure on Hollins and Bray and possibly too much for them to carry an inexperienced team. Bamberg has more experience and will need to destroy the inside area over and over and just punish them there to be successful. Bamberg hasn´t been a good outside shooting team and Vechta will have to take away the paint area and possibly have success with different zones to keep the underdog off balance. Vechta will win a game at home, but succumb to their inexperience and not enough overall firepower despite playing against an instable Bamberg defense.

If somebody had told me in September 2018 that the Fraport Skyliners would be presenting a special Bachelor Ladies night with the German bachelor Andrej Mangold instead of  seriously playing for the playoffs in April, I would have thought that pigs could really fly or that the New York Knicks could actually be a playoff team or Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond could be a 70% free throw shooter ever before any of that happening with the Fraport Skyliners. Well I was very wrong. Even I was riding on the pre-season hoopla that the Fraport Skyliners 2018-2019 season would be one to remember and be a very successful one. Instead I was greeted with a few more women´s cheers for the bachelor in April 2019 instead of excited roars for a great play by Quantez Robertson or a thunderous Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann dunk on the court with the team on their way to the playoffs. Even a radical hair cut by head coach Gordon Herbert a few months before the end of the season couldn´t magically turn the season around. Sometimes growing that beard or crafting mohawk haircuts have helped teams in huge team runs. The massive beard by bright spot Leon Kratzer may have been a blessing in disguise, but it only helped the Bamberg player achieve his true BBL break out season and his abundance of facial hair unfortunately didn´t spark anyone else. That all didn´t happen in the season and all in all, it was a very very disappointing season for the club that has hauled in three titles in their 20 year existence. Despite a very late season run where the club finally won some games that they had to, having lost too many bitter games to lesser opponents that they should have won ultimately bit them in their butt as they couldn´t get in the playoffs on their own, but moreover had to hope for other teams losing and helping them out. Had they won in Braunschweig then they would have had a date with FC Bayern Munich and not Braunschweig. With the gigantic expectations that went into the season where that 4^th playoff spot and cup win was put as a goal, one has to proclaim that the club underachieved coupled with their strong roster on paper.

                I remember visiting the first team press conference in mid August and seeing night and day with the two new players Jason Clark and Brady Heslip. Clark who I had interviewed on many occasions gave me a friendly hello coupled with some small talk, I knew right away that he would be my new Phil Scrubb. Every season I like to pick a player that I will do the majority of the post game interviews as last season it was Mr Canada Scrubb and this season it turned out to be Jason Clark. A quick positive experience with Clark then shifted to my first impression of Brady Heslip as being one of high self confidence and arrogance. My first impression of Heslip quickly gave me the reassurance that I would not get warm with him on a regular basis in the mixed zone. My first impression would hold true. I rarely interviewed him, but when I did, he did give interesting and detailed answers, but all in all his arrogance brushed me away. Despite not being impressed with Heslip´s manner at the press conference, I did think it would be a hell of a season for the Fraport Skyliners. Boy was I wrong.

                There were many factors that led the Fraport Skyliners to underachieving. A big factor in the club having a tough season was their inability to defend on a consistent rate. Even if they were the fifth best defensive team in the league allowing only 81ppg, they would have been the best defensive team in the league had they been able to get back to the old Herbert ways defending with heart and passion and having these brutal rotations that just stuffed opponents. They gave up 80 points or more 16 times. There two biggest weaknesses was their communication and one on one defense especially in the paint area. But the first and most devastating factor was that the club wasn´t put together correctly. When you looked back at the last years, Gordon Herbert had done a great job finding guys lie Dashaun Wood, Jordan Theodore or even a Taj Webster, but this season his secret wan didn´t have the magical power of reeling in the right players. The biggest two flops were two guys that on paper at least offensively didn´t look like flops. Brady Heslip had won professional titles, secured the G-League three pointers record and scored consistently and averaged over 40% on many occasions in his career while Eric Muphy had had a stint in the NBA, won titles as well and been an offensive force everywhere he has played. But you can score as much as you want, but if you aren´t able to give up less points than what you produce, then you won´t be successful. Heslip and Murphy had huge games in their half season stay in Frankfurt, but they hadn´t found defense on the basketball menu. Heslip came from the G-League, a place where defense is as infrequent as is ever seeing a guy like Kevin Durant ball in Germany in the easyCredit BBL. In a defensive oriented system like that of Herbert, one should probably have refrained from hauling the Canadian in. Murphy just didn´t bring it defensively in the paint as too many easy buckets were scored often when he was patrolling the area. Another mistake was wanting to believe that Jason Clark could be that ultimate point guard. Granted one season he had been switched to that position in Belgium and had success, but it was a risk making him the point guard. The Virginia native had his moments and had good games as a point guard, but his strength is at the shooting guard position and he couldn´t shine at his natural position. Later when Tyler Larson came in, he was switched to his natural position and he would carry the team in many wins. Even if he was criticized often in the press, Clark was without a doubt one of the team´s strongest and most consistent performers in this dismal season. Holding Clark would be beneficial, but he most likely will have better offers elsewhere.

Akeem Vargas was injured too much and never could find that rhythm that the club hoped he could bring and Shawn Huff also had his moments, but couldn´t bring that consistency and three point accuracy that he had had on many occasions earlier in his career. Rookie Trae Bell-Haynes had his moments and did the best he could in the minutes he got, but got lost in the guard shuffle and had to depart in mid-season. The biggest bright spot was Tyler Larson who came in and quickly was a offensive force. He was a player that knew when to score and when to distribute. He was instrumental and unselfish giving the last shot to Quantez Robertson for the buzzer beater win against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg and led the team to a win over MBC with 29 points, but also fell apart in Bamberg losing a game they should of won. Larson definitely had the right mentality and focus and if the club had hauled him in at the start of the season, then the team most definitely would have reached the playoffs. The biggest disappointment was Tra Holder. I expected so much from him after a stellar career at Arizona State, but he was a player where it seemed like he was stuck in an endless revolving door as he was never able to fully get out and be able to play his game. He also had his moments like his 22 point break out game in a win in Bayreuth or last game against Giessen but he also put up the big 0 points three times combined 30 minutes in his first eight games. Too often the ball wasn´t moved properly when he was in and he couldn´t shake that timidness that would creep up on him when he wasn´t being aggressive. Injuries also played a big role in the team never finding that needed healthy team chemistry. Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann was a player that was hit with the injury bug. He began the season very strong, but faded a bit in the last months and seemed to be affected by the rebirth of Leon Kratzer. He couldn´t follow up his great break through season of last year. Quantez Robertson had another typical solid Tez season, but even if he might not be as quick as five years ago, he is still very fast and nobody can match his intensity level. On many occasions he had to take the offensive load as the team was having an off shooting night and on defense he still belongs to the top five best defenders in the league. Marco Voeller worked hard in practice, but too often didn´t play simply because he got lost in the big man rotation. He also did have his moments hitting his ex team Giessen for 10 points and being efficient in wins against Oldenburg and Crailsheim scoring 8 points in each game. He doesn´t have the most talent, but a guy that gives his everything at both ends of the court. He should have gotten more chances in the stretch run. Another big winner was Garai Zeeb. He had big games against ratiopharm Ulm and BG Goettingen and when he did see substantial minutes was able to contribute well. He didn´t have it easy in the huge guard rotation, but he made the most of it. Richard Freudenberg has his critics, but if you look at his stats, he didn´t have a bad season. He averaged 16 minutes in the BBLaveraging 6,1ppg and 2,0rpg and shot a respectable 38,5 % from outside. He scored in double figures in five games including 21 points in 22 points in a bitter 91-90 loss in Giessen and scored 11 points in a loss in Goettingen. His problem wasn´t being consistent enough. There were days where he couldn´t get anything going on the court and defensively had his deficiencies.      

       

                The season had little highlights, but with the more major and significant ones, you can count those highlights and successes on one hand, but then again also debate whether one or the other was a real highlight as well as adding one just to be nice and to make it look better at the end with having one more highlight in a roller coaster season that really should have had more. In a season that had little to cheer about, one could put the late season victory against Bamberg as a major highlight, but seriously it didn´t feel that special even though it should. Bamberg one of Frankfurt´s arch rivals should always be a joy to beat, but instead it seemed just like another win. The Fraport Skyliners had five major highlights this season and one more for good measure. Although one of the four highlights for some could be very much debatable if it really was a highlight? The first highlight happened right at the start when the club met Fiat Torino. This would have been a normal Eurocup game, but it wasn´t because the Italian side had legendary head coach Larry Brown who has an NBA title with the Detroit Pistons and NCAA championship with Kansas(NCAA) an amazing feat that makes him stand above many of the head coaches in the world. Just having this legendary figure roaming the sidelines has to have been seen as one of the biggest draws in Frankfurt for basketball since Michael Jordan´s appearance in 1990. The Fraport Skyliners were also fortunate that he wasn´t ill or back in the states as all in all he couldn´t coach all games and was fired mid way through the season. And by the way Frankfurt won. Jason Clark will never forget this game. After the game an elderly gentleman of 78 years approached and it wasn´t a lost old man on the court, but Larry Brown who had just coached one of his first games in Europe. Clark most likely was expecting a quick shake of the hands and the old man mutter nice game, a normal occurrence after the game, but so much more came. “Larry Brown told me I was a great player. Coming from him who has coached so many great players, it meant a lot to me. It was a great feeling. Obviously it was cool meeting so many great players at Georgetown, but my Brown meeting in Frankfurt is on my check list of greatest meetings. I shock his hand and I will always remember that moment”, stressed Jason Clark. Another major season highlight was reaching the top 16 of the Eurocup. In this competition, the club probably played it´s best and most consistent basketball. One has to wonder why they couldn´t put it all together in the easyCredit BBL.

            The third and fourth highlights of the Fraport Skyliners season was the further development of Leon Kratzer and the ambitious and successful return of Niklas Kiel. For many basketball experts in Germany the big 216cm center Kratzer has been seen as one of the biggest German talents from the year 1997, but he has had a slow development, but then one has to remember he played the last seasons in Bamberg where making the jump into the rotation is sometimes as difficult as understanding why a guy like Enes Kanter was wasted in the New York Knick rotation and suddenly is flourishing with the Portland Trailblazers in the playoffs as the Knicks are already home for the summer. Just ask 2018 NBA draft pick Arturas Kulbolkas whether he knows why he has been sitting more than playing and getting a chance. There have also been other guys in the past that left Bamberg for better opportunities and Kratzer was one of those. But spill dirty laundry on his ex team Bamberg? Never. Kratzer is a class act and one of those German players every mother would wish to have for their daughter. Well ok not every daughter, at least not that 160cm girl. The big man continuously sprouts good words about his ex team and has a character that the club could have welcomed a few more of this season. The German came into a new situation with the Fraport Skyliners and totally exceeded expectations. He came from the bench made his mark and soon replaced starting center Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann. He has been a force at both ends of the court making the phrase scoring in bunches his own and making big plays time in and time out on the court. With his heightened confidence, he could be on his way to bigger and better things in the future concerning his game. Niklas Kiel was also a refreshing surprise. He has been the real unlucky dog on the team as in the last two years has suffered three concussions. After the third many wondered if a kid like him could continue to take these hardships and get through another comeback? The club kept his rehab secret and third comeback attempt quiet until suddenly he was back in the starting lineup. He began slow, but with time and experience is coming back to his old self and showing that he can find back to his game.

            The fifth and extra highlights was having the German bachelor Andrej Mangold restart his basketball career in Frankfurt and just having the luck and joy to continue to see Quantez Robertson battle and fill up the stat sheet like a mini Russell Westbrook. When I first read the news that Mangold was becoming a Fraport Skyliner, I thought it was a joke, but it wasn´t April first so it wasn´t April Fools. Then I thought Ok clever clever trick by the club bringing in a known German figure in the media for a marketing move that could help the club become more known in the national media. The club sold it as an investment for the future and also gave Mangold the idea that he could be in their plans for the future. Instead of making that first bucket in his first game, he didn´t actually play his first game until in Bonn where he faced off against his old team. In a way that was a cool gesture, but why bring in a player that won´t play. But in that respect Gordon Herbert did make the right decisions stating only the best guys played. Obviously Mangold had been out for almost two years with injuries and other activities so it would take some time for him to crack the rotation. Plus a guy like Garai Zeeb who has made a good development this season was playing and well and simply deserved to play over him. All in all a few teenage girls were waiting after the first game in Frankfurt for the selfie moment, but the loads of buses with screaming teenagers didn´t drive up to the Fraport arena. Mangold is a nice guy and is a solid player and it will be interesting to see if he can find back to his old self on the court. It also would be interesting to know what Gordon Herbert truly felt about this signing. Mangold only played 77 seconds and the club should have brought in a strong player for the stretch run instead which would have given them more of a chance to make the playoffs. The extra highlight for good measure is seeing that non-stopping energy spark plug Quantez Robertson running up and down the floor like it will be his last gameRobertson is a legend and at the moment a top 5 Skyliner in their history sharing that with guys like Kai Nurnberger, Pascal Roller, Chris Williams and Tyrone Ellis. When all is said and done, he will have his #23 hanging next to Pascal Roller. If he had his own way and his body doesn´t strike against him, then I can imagine him playing until he was 40, but he does have a family who will play into that decision making. Frankfurt will see him two more years and the best news of the whole season.

            So what is the next step for the Fraport Skyliners? They definitely want to get back to their winning ways. The club now has missed the playoffs in two of the last three years. It will be a good bet that the club will do a serious house cleaning. You can expect to see Quantez Robertson back as well as Leon Kratzer, Niklas Kiel and Garai Zeeb. The head coaching position also has to be resolved. For weeks the Frankfurt press have been waiting for an official statement concerning Gordon Herbert. Staying in Frankfurt is always a good fit for him, because he has all he needs in the BCM and can continue to help young players develop. But going to ratiopharm Ulm would have been a good fit.  Raoul Korner is a guy that could fit filling the vacant head coaching spot as well. Ulm would be the perfect situation for Herbert. Thorsten Leibenath who will step down as head coach and take the sport manager position has been a big supporter of Herbert. With Ulm he could play international club football again and most importantly have the Orange Academy and continue to help develop young German players. But he won´t be going to Ulm. The Herbert future becomes more and more exciting with every new day where nothing is communicated. The club has been waiting for a new arena for years and won´t continue to really grow and make strides the way they want to until that state of the art arena is there. Over the summer fans will dream about where the next Jordan Theodore or Isaac Bonga type players will come to grace the Fraport arena floor as well as hoping that next seasons team will bring in some good role players that will lead the team back to the playoffs. There is one season highlight that hasn´t happened yet, but will on August 30^th when it´s time for the 20 year club anniversary. Fans will have a long summer to look forward to seeing some of their favorite ex players back for the festivities while also looking forward to the new season. In the mean-time perhaps the club will have some special summer public relations functions concerning the Bachelor to help ease the wait

At halftime in Braunschweig  two days ago and the score deadlocked, Skyliner fans still had high hopes of somehow slipping into the playoffs, but 45 minutes later, it was the same old story with the Fraport Skyliners as inconsistency was a nasty habit that the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup winner had all season long and just couldn´t shake it. At the start of April and after a tough 91-87 loss at home to the hands of FC Bayern Munich, not many had any real hopes of them making the playoffs, but they then began a hot stretch where they won five of six contests and had some fabulous results with a win over rival Brose Bamberg and a Tyler Larson buzzer beater win in Bremerhaven. But too many unnecessary loses during the regular season put them into this precarious situation and when they needed to produce most, stunk up the second half losing in Braunschweig ending their playoff hopes. In the last regular season game of the season, the Fraport Skyliners were playing for pride against their other big rival Giessen 46ers as they also had been in good position to make the playoffs, but ran out of gas in the last two months. Fans had one constellation in that even if their would be no playoffs, they could witness some great players with Jared Jordan and David Bell possibly for a last time as well baby Shaq David Bell as they are well into their late thirties. But the good news after 40 minutes was that all three told me that they will return next season and be playing somewhere. The Giessen 46ers came into the game playing uninspired basketball losing 9 of their last 11 games, but they also were playing for pride and wanted to close out the season on a fine winning note. Both teams had their ups and downs during the game, but when it came down to crunch-time, both teams were wide awake. The Fraport Skyliners rode on a late game 9-0 run to get back into the game and win it 82-81 thanks to a Garai Zeeb loose ball hustle play that led to the game winning Tyler Larson shot. “Losing in Braunschweig was tough, but we were motivated today to come back after that loss and win it for the fans and close out the season on the right note. We stuck together in tough times even when they were making tough shots. Tra Holder was huge after struggling this season, but he played out his heart”, stressed ex Georgetown(NCAA) guard Jason Clark. Two months ago, the playoffs looked like a sure shot for the Giessen 46ers, but on the last game day, they were out of it and despite playing well, couldn´t get a good shot on the last possession for the win. “This loss sums up our season. We had a lot of close wins, but also a lot of close loses. We fought very well and made the right adjustments in the second half. So often this season we lost focus in the second half, but today we had the focus and kept them off the offensive glass”, stressed ex FC Bayern Munich guard Brandon Thomas.

                Before the jump ball, highlights of Quantez Robertson were shown on the scoreboard and then he yelled in German that he would remain two extra years in Frankfurt as the 5,000 fans in the Fraport arena cheered as if they had already beaten the Giessen 46ers. The Fraport Skyliners got off on the wrong foot as they couldn´t hit the ocean as they missed shot after shot, while Giessen wasn´t playing their best either but at least executed on some plays. Both teams were playing as if the game meant nothing which it actually did. Giessen built a nice 6-1 lead as Frankfurt had been blanked on five possessions except for one Tyler Larson free throw. Giessen received points from their two Germans Alen Pjanic and Mahir Agva and a pull up jumper from ex Marist(NCAA) standout Jared Jordan. Frankfurt finally got on the board at the 5,51 minute mark as Larson connected on a floater cutting the Giessen lead to 6-3. However Giessen kept their healthy offensive rhythm and cruised out on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 13-3. Agva continued to be a wrecking crew as he delivered his fine inside out game with a fast break lay in and dropped a trey as one could sense that he was extra motivated for proving his ex team wrong for not giving him the minutes he felt he deserved in Frankfurt in the 2016-2017 season. When Jason Clark came in, the Frankfurt offensive managed better ball movement which led to a Niklas Kiel hard two handed dunk as Jason Clark gave him the dime. Ex Phoenix Hagen guard David Bell added his bread and butter with a trey while Holder added a floater as the Fraport Skyliners trailed 16-10 after 10 minutes. “We couldn´t hit anything while they hit shots better. Maybe we were a bit tired after having played 48 hours earlier. Giessen did a good job getting what they wanted easily”, stressed Jason Clark. The Giessen 46ers shot 41% from the field and 25% from outside and had 9 rebounds and 2 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 21% from the field and 0% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 3 turnovers.

                In the second quarter the Fraport Skyliners finally escaped out of their offensive funk and began to play their game and led at the break. The Fraport Skyliners stormed out of the second quarter gates on a 17-6 run to take the 27-22 lead. In the big run they got massive production from Tra Holder who contributed 8 points including two three´s. The ex Arizona State(NCAA) guard who has had problems with getting minutes this season pushed that all to side and had a huge game with 18 points. “Tra was big for us. We always had a lot of confidence in his offensive game. He has shown this season that he has the ability to score in many ways. He has had limited minutes this season, but today he was aggressive. He didn´t worry about making mistakes. When he is aggressive, he makes great plays”, stressed Jason Clark. Clark did hit a trey, but his shot wasn´t falling as well early, so he did a good job with the playmaking as the Frankfurt ball movement became a lot better. Giessen got some key baskets from Agva who continued to play as if he was on a mission and a runner from Jordan, but Frankfurt led 29-27. Frankfurt was able to drift a way a bit with a Quantez Robertson lay in and another Holder three for the 34-29 advantage, but Giessen was able to close out the second quarter in style. At this juncture Frankfurt continued to move the ball well and were defending more aggressively and more passionately as Giessen coughed up the ball more. Jordan made a tough off balance shot and ex Bremerhaven forward Larry Gordon made a brutal offensive rebound in traffic and made the tough put back as the Fraport Skyliners kept the slim 34-33 lead. “I have been coming off the bench for some time now, but I always told coach that I had no problems with that. I told him I will give the team the needed energy. I was more the playmaker and made plays for my teammates”, added Jason Clark. The Fraport Skyliners shot 38% from the field and 36% from the three point line and had 20 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the Giessen 46ers shot 44% from the field and 25% from the three point line and had 16 rebounds and 6 turnovers.

                In the third quarter the Giessen 46ers would find back to their game and lead by as much as 8 points and have the 62-54 advantage after 30 minutes. The Giessen 46ers showed a flash of the Golden State Warriors three point expertise as they let the long ball fly and were successful. Giessen showed the Brandon Thomas show which Frankfurt couldn´t slow down. Ex Paderborn forward Niklas Kiel got Frankfurt on the board first with a trey, but Giessen then erupted on a lethal 14-2 run regaining the lead to 47-39. In the run, Brandon Thomas was a one man wrecking crew dropping 11 points including three three´s and a hard one hand dunk displaying still lively athleticism for a 34 year old who has two years left on his contract with Giessen. Clark demonstrated that he can match Thomas´s scoring in bunches contributing 8 points and two three´s to cut Giessen´s lead down to 50-46. Frankfurt couldn´t get over the hump as Thomas continued to be an offensive thorn in the side of Frankfurt as he scored from the wing getting a pass form David Baby Shaq Bell and connecting on a trey with the dime going to Jordan as Giessen led 55-48. The Fraport Skyliners continued to play at a high level of intensity and never lost focus and just chipped away. After a Larson runner, it was Garai Zeeb who made a big hustle play keeping a Frankfurt possession alive and finishing with a lay in to cut Giessen´s lead to 57-52. David Bell then used his keen sniper qualities sinking a trey while Robertson hit a wild step back jumper. Agva closed out the third quarter with free throws as Giessen led comfortably 62-54. “I missed some wide open shots in the first half, but coach continued to have confidence in me. I just kept shooting and made shots. But we all made shots and stuck with it”, stressed Brandon Thomas. “They hit shot after shot. Jordan did a good job on the screens and we overhelped which let him find the open shooters. Jordan is a real engine that ran the team”, stressed Jason Clark. The Giessen 46ers shot 50% from the field and 45% from the parking lot and had 22 rebounds and 7 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 42% from the field and 40% from the parking lot and had 28 rebounds and 8 turnovers.

                In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners made a comeback in crunch-time and held their nerves to get the win. In the first four minutes there were little whistles as both teams were practicing run and gun as both offensives were clicking, but  Frankfurt couldn´t get over the hump. The Fraport Skyliners got vital production from Jonas Wolfarth-Botterman who made a hook shot and lay in while Clark made a lay in and Zeeb a jumper. The Giessen 46ers got strong production from David Bell who stroked home five points on a trey and finger tip roll in while Thomas and Agva also scored, but Giessen still had the comfortable 71-62 advantage. But then as is so often the case in the age of basketball a hot run became the game changer as Frankfurt scored 9 unanswered points to suddenly deadlock the contest at 71-71. Frankfurt was fortified with three three´s from Larson, Zeeb and Holder. “We started to move the ball better and just stuck with it. We got on the fast break and did it against a team that likes to do it. They weren´t able to get back as well as we used it to our advantage”, stressed Jason Clark. Giessen quickly got the lead back with a Agva lay in and free throw, but Zeeb got Frankfurt the lead back with a three giving Frankfurt the 76-74 advantage. Agva continued to be a work horse and got to the free throw line sinking two shots to tie the game at 76-76.  Giessen continued to keep the lead as Thomas made a three point play and Agva made free throws for the 81-78 lead with 34 seconds to go. Robetrson then made two free throws with 28 seconds to go. Then came the big turning point of the game as Larry Gordon dribbled the ball off his foot and Zeeb made like Boris Becker diving for the loose ball and getting it to Robertson who found Tyler Larson for the winning bucket with 8 seconds to go. “I saw the ball rolling toward the sideline and just dove and tried to push the ball to Tez. He got the ball to Larson for the winning basket”, smiled Garai Zeeb. “That was a big play by Zeeb. He is such a smart player and he made a real winners play. Many guys wouldn´t have made that play in a meaningless game, but Garai is the kind of player that will always make that play. He shows that he is a winner. He has a huge heart”, stressed Jason Clark. Giessen had one last play, but Frankfurt knew where the ball was going as David Bell let a contested ball fly that had no chance of going in. “We knew that either Thomas or Bell would get it. We wanted to play solid, not foul and get the stop”, added Jason Clark. “They made tough shots and made a clutch steal and tough shot. We had our most athletic player Pjanic on Larson on that last play so we did the right thing on defense. He just made a tough shot”, stated Brandon Thomas. The Fraport Skyliners had 6 players in double figures as Tra Holder had 18 points. Tyler Larson and Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann combined for 13 points a piece. Jason Clark added 12 points and Garai Zeeb 11 points. The Giessen 46ers were led by Brandon Thomas and Mahir Agva who had 23 points a piece. David Bell added 13 points and Alen Pjanic 12 points. The Fraport Skyliners shot 46% from the field and 45% from outside and had 38 rebounds and 10 turnovers while the Giessen 46ers shot 48% from the field and 39% from outside and had 28 rebounds and 10 turnovers.

Anell Alexis is a 29 year old 200cm forward that grew up in Germany and the states and completed his fourth professional season and first with the wiha Panthers Villingen-Schwenningen (Germany-ProB) averaging 6,2ppg and 3,2rpg. In the last years he has gained further experience playing in Panama and in Germany in Bremerhaven and Coburg. He played in the States at schools like Marist (NCAA) where he played 62 games and finished at Norfolk St. (NCAA) playing 34 games averaging 7.3ppg, 3.4rpg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 78.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com at the end of the 2018-2019 season.

Anell thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on an amazing season. How disappointed are you and the club about the season ending in Munster?

Hi Miles, it was a tough way to end the season but games like these are decided by little things, and weren’t able to execute those in game 3. 

The club has some nice road trips home after the game three wins in Wedel and Giessen. How hard was the bus ride home and what were the most active thoughts going through your mind on the trip home from Munster?

It was definitely more quiet than the other two road trips but that’s the way this game goes.

The wiha Panthers had to fight back the whole playoffs and had extreme problems winning on the road early. Why do you feel did the time always have to put themselves in a hole early in the series?

We had a bad tendency of getting off to slow starts. Obviously most of the time we were able to overcome those and win the game but we weren’t able to do that this time 

Let’s talk about game three. Munster led early and you always fought back. In the second half they were able to hold the big double digit lead and at the end you made a big comeback, but time ran out. What is your game three summary as to why you couldn’t win the game?

In my opinion, us missing sixteen free throws in a three point loss was the difference. I feel especially responsible as I missed two in the fourth quarter.

What really was annoying was the many rebounds given up, turnovers and always losing the 50/50 balls. How much of a factor was the mental side in the fourth quarter of game three in Munster?

The turnovers and rebounds were the thing that was the most annoying to me because it gave them multiple chances to score the basketball.

Munster didn’t shoot well from outside in game three going 3/24 and almost always had the same procedure hurting you with their mid distance game. Was this one of the deciding factors that cost you the game?

It was something that we game planned for and decided that we were okay with living with as opposed to them shooting and making threes and getting their crowd into it. Credit to them that they were able to win the game despite us taking away a huge key for them.

Munster have many talented German players, but also some that must have been off the radar of other Pro B teams in Germany. How vital was the overall play of the German players who really stepped up the whole season for a team that nobody would have expected to have reached the 2019 Pro B final?

They play very well as a unit, are well-disciplined, and do not stray away from their game plan or scouting report. Those were the qualities that I found most impressive about that team.

Despite bowing out in the semi-finals how important do you feel was it for German basketball having two Regionalliga teams in the semi-finals? What did you enjoy most about this out of the ordinary playoff series?

I feel that it was something important because it isn’t something that you see every day at this level. The thing I enjoyed the most from this series was the atmosphere that the crowd provided in all three games.

How do you see the Leverkusen-Munster series? Who do you feel will take the series and what will be the keys for both teams to win the title?

Having played both teams this year, I feel like Leverkusen will end up on top in the end. They have a good coach who has played at a high level and gives confidence and freedom to his players, and they are an extremely balanced team offensively.

Let’s talk about the Panthers season. It was a great season. If someone had told you in September that the wiha Panthers would be one game away from reaching the pro B final what would you have thought?

That anything is possible but let’s wait and see. 

The team had it’s ups and downs, but how would you classify it’s development this season and how would summarize how this season went best?

We were a very determined and persistent team, no matter who we played or the situation. We had two game 3’s on the road where we were down by double digits in the second half and were able to pull both those games out for a victory. That is not something that you see very often. 

A big key like for Munster was having that underdog mentality. How important was being able to keep that consistent identity and not letting teams figure you out and just continuing to play your style which often happens during the course of a season?

Like I stated earlier, we had more heart than almost all the teams we played against. That is something that cannot be game planned or accounted for, no matter what an opposing coach draws up.

There were obviously many team highlights during the regular season as well as well as the many exciting wins in the playoffs. If you had to pick one or two team moments that stand out what would you chose?


For me, it would have to be both of the game 3 wins on the road and the celebrations that followed after that.

What was the most satisfying thing for you this season of being able to strap on the wiha Panthers jersey. How was the whole Panthers experience different and unique compared to other clubs that you have balled for?

Professionally, this was different for me because we had a coach who simply refused to let us take our guard down or give anything less than 100% effort. In the end, I feel that was the most important thing at the end of the day.

In our last interview you stressed this about head coach Alen Velcic. ‘He’s a very hard-driving coach but I can appreciate playing for someone like that because there are days throughout the season were the team may not be giving it’s best effort, but he won’t allow us to give anything but that. He is a great motivator and helps everyone fight and give their best’. How do you feel did he develop further as a coach and how hungry will the game three loss make him for next season?

I don’t think he needs any extra motivation to be honest but he definitely became a lot better throughout the year with adjusting in the middle of the game and changing things on the fly.

Let’s talk about your teammates. In our last interview you said this about Rasheed Moore. ‘With the numbers he puts up on a consistent basis he has to be up for consideration. He’s fun to play with because he’s still young so you can see him growing and maturing as a player with every game that we play’. How did you see his development and is he the 2019 Pro B MVP?


He should be the MVP of the league in my opinion but that is not for me to decide. His ability to stay focused throughout the whole course of a game was something that I saw improve tremendously throughout the season.

In our last interview you stated this about Bill Borekambi. ‘The most amazing play would have to be that last layup against Giessen. His body was parallel to the floor and he was still able to make it. He makes really difficult shots on an everyday basis so I can’t even say I’m surprised anymore when I see him make them’. How do you feel did he make another step in his career and do you feel like it would be beneficial for him to remain in Schwenningen and play Pro A?

I don’t think he has anything left to prove to anyone to be quite honest. It’s really what he feels is most beneficial for him and his career. No matter were he goes, he’ll put the ball in the basket.

How much of a pleasure was it playing with captain Kostas Karamatskos? What do you feel was the most vital thing that you learned from him on and off the court that you will never forget?

Biggest thing I learned from Kosta was how to enjoy yourself and the moment while still being serious and getting the job done at a high level.

German Leon Friederici had his ups and downs, but also came up big in the playoffs. He is known as a shooter, but how do you feel did the whole Panthers experience help him with his overall game be able to develop further this season?

As hard as I’ve seen Leon work, I have no doubt he’ll develop superbly over time. As long as he continues that same work ethic as he had during the season, he will accomplish all that he sets his mind to.

Let’s talk about your game. Your job wasn’t to be a scorer, but how content were you with your 7/12 shooting in the Munster series where you did a great job picking your spots?

I was just being aggressive throughout the course of the series. Once I got a feel for how they were going to guard me after Game 1, I was able to take what they gave me going forward and make them pay as much as possible.

You averaged 6,2ppg and 3,2rpg in 21 minutes per game. How content were you with your personal game?

I feel that I could have done more but it was important to me to come into a team that was already successful before I had arrived and fill in any weak spots that they might have had.

You came late to the wiha Panthers and had some time getting integrated. What was the biggest challenge coming in late and how did your game grow in the last months while playing for Alen Velcic?

The biggest challenge was really finding a role in the team that was already in full swing and was successful before I had gotten there. It was also a challenge fitting into a role that was drastically different than the one I had had on my prior team. Without a doubt, my game grew tremendously on the defensive end, with just the amount of aggressiveness I play on that end now.

You didn’t always have to play defense until you came to Schwenningen. Alen Velcic helped you become more physical and aggressive on the defensive end. How will you continue to improve in this part of your game as you might join a team that has that defensive philosophy in their style?

It helped me a lot, mainly because the type of defensive style that I had played before was one of me using my length and quickness to bother people. With this different style, I was able to use both of those attributes while also using my strength while not fouling.

You stated this about head coach Alen Velcic. ‘He doesn’t let up. That’s what I appreciate the most. At the same time, you know he’s doing it with your best interests at heart. That always makes it easier to absorb the message he’s saying and not the way he’s delivering the message’. You have played for many coaches and seen a lot in the basketball world, but one one example will you never forget from Alen Velcic the coach/person that you never saw anywhere else?

He’s different than any other coach that I had ever played for in that he is willing to be the villian in a lot of instances so that it takes pressure off of us as players. People tend to dislke him, but those are all people who don’t know who he truly is as a person. 

What was your season highlight? I would imagine your 19 points in Giessen in game 3?

Yes, that would have to be it given the circumstances and the importance of the game.

What is the next step for you? It seems like the wiha Panthers will play Pro A next season. A logical step for me would be for you to stay. Is that step also logical to you?

Hopefully everything works out for that to happen and they want me back.

In our last interview you stated ‘. Your shot is what ages the best throughout the years so it will always be something that I work on consistently’. How will you seek to improve your shooting this summer besides the usual bla bla? Could you imagine using some different methods to attack this?

Consistent work and nonstop repetition. That is the key in my opinion. 

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

There were a lot of good players but no one stood out to me more than anyone else. Probably Bill Borekambi in practice.

Who won a one on one in practice this season you or Rasheed Moore?

We never got the chance to play.

German basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki recently retired. What is your personal favorite basketball moment with him?

I grew up watching Dirk play so I was very happy for him when he won the championship in 2011. For him to beat Kobe, Pau Gasol, Brandon Roy, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh in a single playoff run is incredible.

How do you see the NBA playoffs? What two teams do you see reaching the finals and who will take it all home?

I hope the Celtics end up winning the championship.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Creed II

Thanks Anell for the chat,