Brian Harper is a 33 year old 208cm forward that is playing his 12th professional season and third in Germany and first with the Tigers Tuebingen. He played two seasons in Germany playing 66 BBL games combined with TBB Trier averaging 11.0ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 60.3% and with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-BBL) averaging 5.9ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 62.7%. He also played four seasons in Japan and also played in countries like Norway, Korea, Lebanon, Cyprus, Estonia and Israel. He began his basketball career at Paine (NCAA2) in 2003 and played 108 games in a four year career and as a senior averaged 16,6ppg and 6,9rpg. Last season he split time with Hapoel Ramat Gan Givataim (Israel-National League) playing 4 games averaging13.0ppg, 4.3rpg, in Feb.’18 moved to Cytavision Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A) playing 12 games averaging 12.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 75.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball. 

Brian welcome back to Germany. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Hey Miles, thanks I’m happy to be back. I’m currently in LA but will be in Germany soon. Life is great and Basketball is always good.

Welcome back to Germany. You were away four seasons away. What did you miss the most from the country Germany and it’s basketball?

The thing I missed most about Germany would have to be its people. As for basketball I would have to say the level of professionalism and the quality of basketball. Also the fans in Germany always make it great to play there, they are some of the best in the world.

We have done 7 interviews in the past. Has time flown by since your playing time in Germany that brought to new places like Cyprus, Estonia and Israel?

Yeah time has flown by for sure. I’ve had a good time playing in many different countries these past 4 years, but I’m really excited to be back in Germany!

You signed with Pro A team Tigers Tuebingen of the Pro A. What were the main reasons for signing with the team that once played BBL?

I am super excited to be joining the Tubingen Tigers! I was looking for a situation this season where I could play for a great organization and compete with a team looking to win.

How difficult were the last months? At age 33, you were unsigned. Did you ever have any thoughts about possibly calling it quits as a professional?

Ask any professional basketball player it’s always tough waiting for the deal that you feel is right. I was lucky enough to have some opportunities come up these past few months, and even more fortunate to have found the deal I wanted. There are a lot of good ball players looking for a job so I’m thankful for this opportunity.

What do you remember from your duels against Tuebingen with Trier and Bremerhaven? Could you off the top of your head remember your record on the court against them? You must remember the first meeting since it was your first BBL game.

I remember the arena was packed with fans and it was a great atmosphere. I don’t remember my record against Tubingen, but I do remember playing them in my first BBL game and winning that game.

You had a 2-2 record in Germany against Tuebingen. Is there a game that still stands out or does their pink gym still remain active in your mind?

My first game against Tubingen stands out because it was my first BBL game so there is no way I could forget it. Out of all the gyms I’ve played in the pink gym is one I’m sure I’ll always remember.

Your coming to a struggling team that really needs wins. The club doesn’t want to say it, but it seems like you are a type of savior coming in. How excited are you for this new challenge?

I’m really excited to be joining The Tubingen Tigers! Every season has it’s challenges and obstacles, and as a team we will look to be successful throughout the rest of the season. My goal is to come in and do everything in my power to help the team win games.

You will be playing for head coach Alexsandar Nadjfeji. What memories do you have of him on the court? He was one of those guys that never seemed to get older and was still playing at a high level well into his 30’s

I remember Coach Nadjfeji always playing hard and being a great competitor.

What kind of role do you see yourself having with the Tigers Tuebingen? You have always been a consistent scorer. Is this something that will be a big focus besides other things?

I’m looking to come in and do whatever Coach Nadjfeji feels the team needs from me. I’ve always been able to score the ball, but I’m also looking to provide multiple things on both ends of the floor.

The BBL remembers you well with your amazing flights to the rim back in the day. How well has your athleticism been holding out as you continue to play into your 30’s?

My body feels great and I still feel like I’m athletic and explosive. I think fans can still expect to see some of the high flying they remember.

How has your game developed further in the last years since you last played in Germany. What do you believe are you doing better now than when you were balling in Germany?

I feel like my game has grown a lot in the last four years. I have added more to my offensive skill set and also have grown into an even better defensive player.

When guys get older, it seems like they can’t rest, but actually have to do more. There are many guys in the BBL that are old like Julius Jenkins, Derrick Allen, Immanuel Mcelroy that are still playing very well in their late 30’s. Are these guys role models for you as your return to Germany and continue to want to play well at a consistent rate?

Yeah those guys have set a blueprint on how to continue to play at a high level well into your 30’s. That’s for sure a goal of mine, and I’ve already had the pleasure of playing with and watching Derrick Allen work during our time in Bremerhaven. He is an ultimate professional and one of the hardest working players I’ve played with.

On what things are you still focusing on now to get better at? You shot the three extremely well in Israel and Cyprus last season. How much pride are you putting into your shooting now as you get older?

I’m focusing on continuing to get better at everything. I feel like if you stop trying to get better you are doing yourself an injustice. I definitely take pride in shooting the ball well. Shooting the 3 at a high rate is one of those things that I continue to stay focused on. Last season it definitely paid off .

You also played with Tartu Ulikool/Rock (Estonia-Alexela KML) playing 22 games averaging 12.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.0apg, Blocks-2 (1.3bpg), FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 55.0%; and played 11 FIBA Europe Cup games averaging 11.0ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 66.7%;and played 6 Baltic League: games averaging 12.8ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 88.0%. What kind of experience was it playing with top Estonian veteran Janar Talts? Did you exchange any BBL stories as he was teammates in 2004 with NBA player Marcin Gortat?

I had a real good time playing with Janar Talts. We did end up spending some time talking about our experiences playing in the BBL. I enjoyed my time in Estonia and learned a lot that season. I had a good time competing in the FIBA Euro Cup, and Baltic League!

You returned to Japan in 2016 to play with Tokyo Hachioji Trains (Japan-B League D3) averaging 14.6ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.1apg, Blocks-3 (1.3bpg), FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 63.2%. You played four seasons in Japan. What do you remember most fondest about the culture and the way basketball is played there?

I love the Japanese culture and my wife and I enjoyed our time there. My fondest memory of my time there would be my wife and I getting pregnant with our first child while living in Tokyo. The style of basketball is up tempo and more one on one basketball in most cases. I’ve been able to have some success in both styles of play so I enjoy playing in both.

When you played with TBB Trier you were teammates with Canadian Jermaine Bucknor. He is still with them. What do you remember most about his game and character? I am sure he is a guy out of the 100’s of teammates you have had that you won’t forget.

Jermaine is a great basketball player and an even better person! The thing I remember most about our time together would have to be the battles we would have in practice. We would push each other to get better and it always prepared us for the upcoming game. We stay in touch and are good friends and our families are close.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the BBL in your two year run with Trier and Bremerhaven?

There were so many good players when I played in the BBL it’s hard to just pick one. One of my teammates in Bremerhaven proved to be one of the toughest. Darius Adam’s led the league in scoring and could facilitate and defend.

If you had to pick your all-time starting 5 of best teammates which 5 players would you pick?

I’ve played now for 12 seasons as a professional basketball player and have played with so many great players. It would be almost impossible to only pick just 5. I’ve been blessed enough to be a part of some special teams. The team that I won a Championship with in Cyprus, and the team we had in Trier would be two of the better overall teams I’ve played on.

If you had to construct your very own NBA mount Rushmore which 4 heads would you pick?

Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant

What is your personal opinion about the never ending debate of who is the greatest between Michael Jordan and Lebron James?

I think Lebron will go down as one of the best of all time, but Michael Jordan in my opinion is still the greatest.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Creed 2

Thanks Brian for the chat.

Andrew Barnum is a 28 year old 198cm forward from Memphis, Tennessee that is playing his fifth professional season and first in Germany with the Hamburg Towers (Germany-ProA). He has been an instrumental player in the club having a 11-4 record and sitting in second place of the pro A standings leading the club is scoring at 16,8ppg, 4,1rpg and 1,8apg while shooting 38% from outside. Last season he played with the Maine Red Claws (NBA G-League) playing 37 games averaging 4.9ppg, 2.8rpg. In his previous four professional seasons he gathered experience in Japan, Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary. He began his basketball career with Christian Brothers High School and then played two seasons at Memphis (NCAA) playing 49 NCAA games. He finished his NCAA career at Gonzaga playing two seasons from 2012-2014 amassing a total of 65 NCAA games and as a senior played 36 games averaging 6.3ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 48%, FT: 64.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before the season started.

Drew thanks for talking to germanhoops.com How was your summer?

Summer was great. The NBA G-league season finishes early so I got a lot of time to work on my game and improve. I have arrived in Hamburg, Germany.

Your playing your fifth professional season and can be charachterized as a globetrotter having played in Japan, Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary in only your first three seasons. You have seen a lot, but do you have any idea that you will be living in one of Germany’s most beautiful cities with Hamburg?

I did not. It is truly a beautiful city and a great club. I am excited not only to live in Germany but to take part in the season with great teammates and coaches/management. 

Some years ago your new head coach Mike Taylor spent some time at Gonzaga and remembers your positive character and the way you treated your teammates then. What do you remember positively sticking in your mind about how Mike Taylor presented himself there?


First of all, he is extremely positive and genuinely cares about the people he coaches. This is why he visited Gonzaga. He is a hard worker and really understands the game of basketball. He gives you his all into making you and your team a better group. Nothing but respect for him. 

Congrats on signing with the Hamburg Towers. The club is very high on your abilities and character and Mike Taylor had seen you play before. Besides Mike Taylor what were other deciding factors that made you want to play for the Hamburg Towers?

I thought it was a good situation for me at the place I am at, in my career. Secondly, I want to win and Hamburg has the same goals to win and move up to first league. 

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball? How excited are you to be battling former Gonzaga teammate Kyle Drangnis this season?

I have a lot of former teammates and friends playing in Germany. All of them had positive things to say about the quality of basketball and Germany as a country. 
He is already talking some smack so I can’t wait to play him and his team. The weekend before I arrived in Hamburg, Kyle and I were groomsmen in a wedding together so we have had plenty of conversations. 

With what kind of feeling are you coming to Germany. You played in the G-League last season not being that offensive force due to a lack of minutes. Do you feel pressure coming back to Europe and needing to prove yourself?

I don’t feel any pressure. The G-League is a very talented league and can be difficult for people if you are not a selfish player. I am just happy to be doing what I love, and confident in my abilities to help Hamburg. 

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a versatile player that is a team player and has a dangerous shot. If you had to pick an NBA player that best describes how you play who would best fit that description?

The three players I watch the most and try to implement my game after are Mike Miller, Klay Thompson, and Gordon Hayward.

You last shot over 40% in your senior year at Gonzaga at 46%. Since then you were close twice at the 40% mark shooting 39% in the Czech Republic and Romania. How much of a daily challenge is it for you to do what is needed to get your shooting at 40% or over?

I shoot when I’m hot, and shoot to get hot. A lot of the %’s has to do with the quality of the shots and the difficulty of them. But shooters shoot, so I don’t concentrate too much on the % but trying to get the best shot up and in to help my team. 

You’re a player that can fill up the stat sheet at ease, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn’t get noticed right away on the court?

I think a hidden gem is sneaky athletic and knowing where to be on the court at the right times. Whether that is spacing in the corner to give the big man room to work drawing the defense out because of my shot or being in the correct spot on defense.

How refreshing was it coming back to the states after three years overseas and playing in the G-League. You didn’t play as much as you would have liked. What kind of experience was it and would you try the G-League again or has that route ended for you?

I was nice to be able to go home and see my family and my sisters’ kids for a year. I had been gone a while and it was a good experience for me. I was able to do some workouts with the Celtics and learned a lot.

In 2016-2017 you split the season with BC Mures Targu-Mures (Romanian Liga Nationala) playing 13 games averaging 13.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 3.1apg, 2FGP: 41.3%, 3FGP: 39.8%, FT: 73.3%; FIBA Europe Cup: 7 games: 9.4ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.7apg, 2FGP: 32.1%, 3FGP: 40.6%, FT: 81.8%, in Jan.’17 moved to Falco KC Szombathely (Hungary-A Division) playing 33 games averaging 8.4ppg, 5.3rpg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 62.7%. Was reaching the Hungarian final which made the season all in all a positive one in the end?

Yes, it is always good to play for a championship! We had a great team in Hungary and it took me a little while to carve out time and establish myself in the middle of the season. I was a major contributor by the end and helped our team make it to the championship. 

In your second professional season you played with SLUNETA Usti nad Labem (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 41 games averaging 14.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 81.2%. This was your strongest season on the court. What memories do you have of your breakout season in Europe. You scorched Brno for 33 points and lost 112-67 to top Czech team Nymburk scoring 19 points.

This is where I added a lot to my game and became more than just a great shooter. It was fun to get to play a different role and really work on my game to improve for the next season. It was my building year. 

As a rookie you played with Oita Heat Devils (Japan-BJ League) playing 52 games averaging 9.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 74.0%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Japan where you knew that you were very far away from home?

Very little English was spoken unless it was my translator. It was a real wake up call for me to truly be on my own and figure things out. 

There were three other Americans on the team in your rookie season, but all had had previous professional experience. How important was Todd O’Brien in your rookie season for you getting through it well?

Todd was huge! He showed me how to be a true professional and exactly what European basketball was all about. He is one of the main reasons I have had the success I have had. 

You started your NCCA career with Memphis (NCAA) and played in your hometown from 2009-2011 playing a total of 49 games. You played for Josh Pastner after the well known John Calipari left. Have you ever wondered after what may have happened in your case had Calipari remained?

Calipari had his own players coming in. If he had stayed, I would have gone to play for Brad Stevens at Butler which I think would have been a good move for me.

Were you impressed amazed or dazzled by freshman Will Barton in your last season there. Would you ever have thought that he would become such a good and consistent NBA player?

I matched up with him every day in practice for 2 years. He always dazzled and played his own unique game. We had many battles against each other. I knew he would be this good if he found an NBA system that gave him freedom to be creative.

You then was with Gonzaga from 2011-2014 playing the seasons from 2012-2014. In your first season you were teammates with Germans Elias Harris and Mathis Monninghoff. What do you remember impressing you most about their games back then?

I actually came in the year Mathis left Gonzaga. But Elias was an elite level talent. He had the whole package. I wish he would have stuck in the NBA. Elias is an even better person and friend. 

You had your best season as a senior at Gonzaga averaging 6.3ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 48%, FT: 64.7%. You were the best three point shooter on the team. What was your secret that season you having the most accurate shot from outside?

Let It Fly! And I had great teammates and coaches who put in the right positions to succeed. 

Your ex teammate Kevin Pangos has had been climbing the basketball ladder for years and has reached FC Barcelona in his fourth season. Do you feel he can follow teammate David Stockton and get that NBA chance down the road?

Yes! For sure, Kevin is a NBA player who just isn’t in the NBA yet. He will be there in a couple years. Plus he is my best friend 

How did head coach Mark Few groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?


He taught me how to play the game and the fundamentals. He is a Hall of Fame coach and I grew exponentially under him!

Who won a one on one in practice you or Kyle Drangnis?

Me of course!!

You played against so many great players at the NCAA level, but which player was your toughest opponent that is in the NBA now?

I think the best I played against was Aaron Gordon or John Wall. 

How Did your 2018 summer work out plan look like? On what things will you be working on most so you will be fully prepared for your rookie season?

I really worked on ball handling. Shooting full speed of screens. And sharpening up the little parts of my game. 

If you had to construct your very own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you pick old or new? 

Larry Bird. Pistol Pete Maravich. Klay Thompson. Mike Miller.

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate about who is better Lebron or Jordan?

Jordan. Has 6 rings and has a better jump shot!

Tracy Mcgrady said that the Boston Celtics will be the Golden State Warriors of the future. Do you see that happening? 100%.

They have the best young talent in the NBA and they have, in my opinion, the best coach in the NBA. They will be dominant for many years to come. 

Deandre Ayton was the #1 NBA draft pick in 2018. Do you feel that from sheer talent and experience that Luca Doncic should have been the real #1 draft pick? 

Ayton has the better physical body, but Doncic is the better basketball player for sure! Best talent in the draft with out a doubt. He will have a great career there. 

How did you follow the 2018 NBA Draft? How cool is it having two Germans being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers? Yes! 

I really followed people from my college and people I was friends with. Fun to watch people’s dreams come true. 

Lebron James makes amazing passes in every game, but really showcased it in a game this season against the Los Angeles Lakers. He already is like a point guard, but if he played just point guard and concentrated only on playmaking how many assists do you feel would he average per game?

He is the best in the game right now. I believe him being such a threat to score helps his passing, with people focusing on him. But he could easily average 10 assists. 

What was the last movie that you saw? Let me guess Black Panther?

Haha! Actually I have not seen Black Panther yet. The last movie I watched was ‘I can only imagine.’ Great movie.

Thanks Drew for the chat

The last few days were very exciting on and off the court for the Fraport Skyliners as they found back to the winning streak on the court while off the court they found some valuable family moments during the Christmas period. Only four days ago the Fraport Skyliners were challenged by the scrappy Basketball Lowen Braunschweig in a cup quarterfinal clash and held their nerves pulling away in the second half led by the overall potent guard duo of Jason Clark and Trae-Bell-Haynes who combined for 36 valuable points and the Canadian rookie also handed out 10 dimes that silenced any critics about the Fraport Skyliners having any kind of point guard problem. The club didn´t have the normal pre game preparation for the Bremerhaven game as head coach Gordon Herbert gave his club a day and a half to celebrate the Christmas time and too get their minds off basketball only for a short time which was dearly needed in the club´s up and down season. The club is still not in the playoff hunt, but with a good stretch in the next weeks can quickly get there as the easyCredit BBL standings are as tight as it is the path for Santa Claus getting down a chimney. The Fraport Skyliners wanted a good start after the Christmas food digestion, but had to get by the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven who have had a poor season as the organization continues to struggle since they reached their last playoffs in 2011 and currently are in 16^th place and reeling for some kind of positive experience. The club entered the Fraport arena without their JUCO rookie Jordan Brangers who had been released last weekend and needed other scoring forces to come out with a victory in Frankfurt. But other than getting a combined 37 points from Americans Chris Warren and Darnell Jackson, they couldn´t muster enough offense and as usual had problems keeping a team under 80 points as the Fraport Skyliners overcame the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven 84-77. After the bitter loss, ex Mississippi(NCAA) guard Chris Warren who 18 points and dished out 6 assists and kept the team a float the whole game had problems coming up with reasons for the loss. “This was one of our better defensive efforts of the season. We have a new coach and this game was a step in the right direction. I feel that we are getting better. All we need is a win which could start a domino effect. I thought we played better pick and roll defense and scrambled better”, stressed Chris Warren. The Fraport Skyliners needed a good showing to help bolster their self confidence as they next face ratiopharm Ulm twice in a row on the road, but instead struggled at both ends of the court and were lucky that they came out with the win. “They didn´t make it easy for us. We kind of went blind into the game. We weren´t sure what they would run. We had a rough day on defense with some mess ups. But I felt that we fought through it and got the win. Any win for us is good to keep our confidence going. We struggled a bit on offense, but also had some good moments. We have to find a way to keep our turnovers down”, warned ex Georgetown(NCAA) guard Jason Clark.

                3,380 fans made their way into the Fraport arena on the second Christmas day in Germany. It didn´t take long for both teams to find an offensive rhythm, but the Fraport Skyliners had their nose slightly ahead, but Bremerhaven stayed on their heels. Frankfurt got their outside shooting going early as Jason Clark, ex Auburn(NCAA) guard Quantez Robertson and ex St John´s(NCAA) forward Richard Freudenberg fired away and executed. Bremerhaven got a trey from ex Texas A&M (NCAA) standout Elston Turner and buckets in the paint from Warren and ex NBA player Darnel Jackson who won the 2008 NCAA title with Kansas(NCAA). Bremerhaven had a lot of intensity mainly due to Chris Warren who was always pushing the ball forward and they were also active in the paint area as ex Phoenix Hagen forward Fabian Bleck made a tap in and Jackson who played with the Cavs, Kings and Bucks in the NBA made a dunk to cut the Frankfurt lead to 13-12. Bremerhaven already got going on defense playing good pick and roll defense while Frankfurt was coughing up the ball too much. For the last five minutes fans would see back and forth basketball as there were 7 lead changes and both teams were exchanging baskets as rapidly as Quantez Robertson can still get up and down the floor at age 34. Bremerhaven got vital buckets from Jackson who nailed a tough turn around shot from the wing over Erik Murphy as it was a battle of ex NBA players and also got support from Warren and Elston Turner while the Fraport Skyliners offense was fortified by a Brady Heslip lay in as his quickness fooled Bremerhaven and 5 points from ex Chicago Bull Erik Murphy who drained free throws and a trey. “It went back and forth. We have to be playing better defense. It is dangerous to trade baskets with a team like that. We gave them the self confidence to stay in the game”, warned Fraport Skyliner Jason Clark. The Fraport Skyliners shot 62% from the field and 67% from outside and got 6 rebounds and had 4 turnovers while the Eisaberen Bremerhaven shotb56% from the field and 25% from outside and had 6 rebounds and 2 turnovers.

                In the second quarter the Fraport Skyliners heightened their play and were able to carry their lead into double digits. The Fraport Skyliners got some stops and executed on offense going on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 29-20. Frankfurt got key input from Finish national player Shawn Huff who scored inside getting the perfect dish from ex Bremerhaven guard Garai Zeeb and Heslip was very effective dropping a trey and scoring on a lay in as Bremerhaven´s one on one defense was nonexistent. Bremerhaven finally got on the board from American Keith Benson who was briefly with the Golden State Warriors in 2012 connected on a 20 footer and German Fabian Bleck hit a trey as Bremerhaven unleashed their best ball movement of the game cutting Frankfurt´s lead to 34-25. Bremerhaven couldn´t get over the hump and get stops as Frankfurt was always able to get big shots when the opponent appeared to be coming back. Heslip and huff scored upping Frankfurt´s lead to 40-28. Bleck scored another three pointer, but Frankfurt got some instant damage from Jason Clark who scored 7 points in a few minutes. He made a heads up play following his free throw miss and made the put back and scored on two other possessions. “That was a good run by us. They closed out on me and I got to the rim well. I was being competitive and playing on instinct and just taking what the defense gave me”, warned Jason Clark. Frankfurt led 47-35, but the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven cut the Frankfurt lead under 10 points going into the break. Chris Warren remained aggressive and drew two fouls getting 4 points as Frankfurt led 47-39. “We defended better. We were able to get out on transition and we had better ball movement and weren´t trading baskets”, added Jason Clark. The Fraport Skyliners shot 64% from the field and 50% from the three point line and grabbed 15 rebounds and had 8 turnovers while the Eisaberen Bremerhaven shot 48% from the field and 27% from the three point line and grabbed 9 rebounds and had 6 turnovers.

                In the third quarter the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven continued to chip away at the Fraport Skyliners lead as it got smaller and smaller. Both teams were back to trading buckets in the first few minutes as Quantez Robertson made a steal and got Trae Bell-Haynes the ball on transition only to get it back on the alley-Op dunk. Huff also made a fade away jumper while the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven countered with a transition lay in from Warren who spun and weaved around the Skyliner defense and not only reminded one of a James Harden with his facial hair, but also with his quick energetic play. Jackson hit a fade away jumper over Voeller as his play didn´t surprise anyone of his NBA experience. Warren continued to supply the Eisaberen with intensity that carried them, but they had to work a lot harder for buckets on offense than did Frankfurt. After a Murphy runner, the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven found some daylight going on a crucial 6-0 run to cut the Frankfurt advantage to 53-51. In the run, the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven got first class support from ex NBA player Darnell Jackson who scored a bucket, but also made two pretty assists finding Germans Bleck and ex EWE Baskets Oldenburg forward Jan Wimberg. “Jackson gave us problems. He was a real beast in the paint. He had a couple nice turn around shots. He has such a wide boy. When he gets the ball where he wants it, he is tough to stop”, warned Jason Clark. “Coach continues to stress that the bigs have to be more prepared to pass the ball on the cuts. I continue to focus on trying to hit guys when there open”, warned Darnell Jackson. Frankfurt stopped the Bremerhaven run with a huge trey from Garai Zeeb who had his family at the game and got free throws from ex Alba Berlin guard Akeem Vargas. The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven didn´t lose their momentum or staying with Frankfurt as German Adrian Breitlauch connected as did Keith Bensen in the paint and the made free throws as the Fraport Skyliners led only 60-57. “We were very inconsistent on defense. That offense that they run is good when you don´t take way their first three passes. They had a lot of back cuts that hurt us”, stressed Jason Clark. “We got more stops and scored more. We went on a run and traded less baskets”, added Chris Warren. The Fraport Skyliners shot 50% from the field and 30% from the parking lot and hauled down 23 rebounds and had 12 turnovers while the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven shot 48% from the field and 19% from the parking lot and hauled down 19 rebounds and had 10 turnovers.

                In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners broke away from the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven as their offense executed very well and they also got more consistent stops on defense.  Murphy got Frankfurt going with a lay in as he got served up the precious dime from Zeeb who broke the double team and made the perfect pass. Bremerhaven then broke out on a 6-2 run as they caught Frankfurt napping as Wimburg made a dunk, Breitlauch scored on the coast to coast lay in and Turner made a jumper cutting Frankfurt´s lead down to 64-63. But the Fraport Skyliners as they have displayed so often in this season when times got tough relied on their offensive weapons and hot shooting breaking away from Bremerhaven going on a 10-3 run to extend their lead to 77-68. In the run, they got big help from Murphy who contributed 5 points including a trey and the club also got hot shooting from the parking lot from Vargas and Heslip. Interesting to note was that neither Jason Clark or Trae Bell-Haynes the two main point guards were on the floor during the run and in crunch-time. “That group was playing well. When a rotation is playing well, you should stick with it. We both struggled today and we have to be better and we know that. Coach Herbert is getting more confident with the young guys. When I first came here I thought that Garai Zeeb was one of the more experienced guys. He forced Warren to tough shots and did a good job on him. We have the luxury that we have many guys that can step up”, warned Jason Clark. In the run, the Fraport Skyliners upped the defensive intensity level and didn´t allow Warren to do damage in the lane, but forced him to take wild three´s that didn´t fall. Bremerhaven´s defense had some good moments especially slowing up Frankfurt´s pick and roll, but overall their one on one defense was horrible. After the game ex NBA player Darnell Jackson reflected on his team´s defensive woes. “We have to have the whole team buy in to defending well and not only 1-2 guys”, stressed Darnell Jackson. The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven continued to fight getting some buckets from Turner and Jackson cutting Frankfurt´s lead down to 79-72. But Frankfurt got to the free throw line twice with Robertson and Huff draining free throws upping Frankfurt´s lead to 82-74 with 1.05 to play. Heslip and Warren traded baskets ending the game. “We made the big plays and shots when we had to. We kept fighting and stayed composed. We have a lot of talent and when we can share the ball like we did crunch-time then we are always dangerous”, stressed Jason Clark. “We gave up too many second chances and open shots”, added Darnell Jackson. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Erik Murphy and Brady Heslip with 16 points a piece. Quantez Robertson added 14 points and Jason Clark 10 points. The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven were led by Darnell Jackson with 19 points and Chris Warren added 18 points. The Fraport Skyliners shot 50% from the field and 34% from outside and had 33 rebounds and 16 coughed up balls while the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven shot 50% form the field and 14% from outside and had 22 rebounds and 12 coughed up balls.

                Jordan Brangers may of come down to Miami last summer to play in a pro league and was as about as unknown a player can ever be, but playing in the college Juco league and not coming from a well known NCAA school quickly left people uninterested and thinking of negativity at first, but after he left the court, his name was on the radar of some people´s interest and his play and suddenly his basketball path became as exciting for some there like it was years ago wondering where Shaq liked to devour burgers the most in South Beach. Brangers gave some observers that wow effect after he scorched an opponent for 43 points and was dropping long range bombs from left and right like a Steph Curry does on a nightly basis or how Scottie Wilbekin did last season nailing FC Bayern Munich for 40 plus points in a semi-final Eurocup game. And that 43 point explosion in Miami wasn´t even the best that he ever felt with his scoring touch. “I Wouldn’t say it’s the biggest zone I’ve been in. The biggest was pretty big, but I’ve got to credit my teammates for getting my good looks and making the right passes to me in my spots”, warned Jordan Brangers. There are so many incredible players that have played in the JUCO over time, but have been overlooked, laughed at and just not taken seriously by other higher-level schools or professional team´s all over the world, but that is how basketball life works. But it´s just a process and Jordan Brangers knows that. He always knew that his time would come. Jordan Brangers was already the real deal before he went down to Miami as he left his mark in the JUCO league and his play gave him legendary status. So after winning titles in the JUCO league and having a game that left many wondering why he wasn´t showcasing his skills in the NCAA or NCAA 2, he finally got some respect from German club the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven giving him a rookie contract to play in one of the top leagues in Europe. This deal was joked about many in the German basketball world last summer as the club announced the arrival of Jordan Brangers. The talk was how can an easyCredit BBL team sign a guy from the JUCO? The club was once an easyCredit BBL play off team, but despite having fair budgets over the years and signing a slew of ex NBA players like a Tyrus Thomas or Deandre Liggins to name just a few to spice up the northern Germany fisher town Bremerhaven that showcases beautiful landscapes and has the Atlantic Hotel Sail City that would remind some of the Dubai architecture, there hasn´t too much excitement in their basketball life in the last 7-8 years. It seemed like the club didn´t learn from past mistakes in the last years with the signing of the American, but everyone has been wrong to a degree. Many weren´t expecting any kind of turn around this season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven, but with almost three months played, the club is struggling, but hasn´t had as much potential as this season to have success again.  Despite everything Jordan Brangers has been the real deal. Even if Brangers has held his own and proved he can play at the BBL level, he most likely will never shed his JUCO image as his chip on his shoulder which most likely has reserved a life long place on his shoulder is as sturdy as that of a Polar bear´s shoulder as that is how you translate the German name of Eisbaer into English.

                Before explaining how Jordan Brangers has been able to not only adjust to the easyCredit BBL as a rookie, but at times leave the floor as the best player on certain nights and being able to be a leader for his club Eisbaeren Bremerhaven as a rookie, one has to look back at his basketball path the last years and how he was able to reach a top league like the easyCredit BBL. Jordan Brangers is a 188cm guard that was born in Radcliff, Kentucky and attended North Hardin High School. He began his basketball career with South Plains JC (JUCO), but many don´t know he could of developed a totally different basketball resume and not had that nasty JUCO label had he not thought first about family and put basketball second. Picking family over basketball obviously deserves some respect. He could of played at Texas Tech the school where the legendary Bobby Knight once coached, but instead decided that being with his ailing grandmother was more important than beginning to carve a basketball legacy. “Sometimes I wonder how things would of played out at Texas Tech, but I feel like everything happens for a reason and I wanted to be closer to home for my Grandmother who recently passed away. It was good for me to be there for her when she was going through a lot of hard times”, stressed Jordan Brangers. So instead of being a NCAA player, the ambitious and confident scorer Brangers took many steps back and played at South Plains, but was rewarded by winning the JUCO national title in his second season while averaging 16.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 74.4%. He was near 40% from outside in his last season at South Plains as his shooting continued to improve. “My shooting grew a lot. Being able to hit deeper shots consistently and being able to make tough shots helped me a lot at South Plains. When you are being face guarded and having people chase you around the whole game it really does make it tough”, warned Jordan Brangers. The American who lists NBA top guard John Wall as the toughest player he ever faced on the court remembers that even if he did play in the JUCO and not at the NCAA level, he was able to develop his game further under the helpful guidance of head coach Steve Green. “Coach Green prepared me in so many different ways. He made sure I was a better person off the court before I was on the court. It’s a lot different playing for a Hall of Fame coach like him, but with all the knowledge he has for the game and what he’s done, it was a amazing experience”, stressed Jordan Brangers. It wasn´t only coach Green that was instrumental in how Brangers was able to develop his game in the JUCO, but his teammate Isaiah Maurice who brought good basketball skills coming from top NCAA school Kansas State and challenged Brangers on a daily basis. “He was a tough task inside and could score basically whenever he wanted too and it definitely helped me get a lot of open looks from outside the arc”, added Jordan Brangers.

            When looking at the game of sniper Jordan Brangers, the most obvious thing that sticks out is his outside shooting qualities as he has proven with his crazy bombs from outside time in and time out throughout his career, but he has so much more to his game as he is a versatile scorer. “I’m a 3 level scorer. Obviously I can shoot, but I can shoot the mid-range and I can also get to the basket and finish. There’s a lot more to my game than shooting and I definitely feel like I’m a great passer too”, warned Jordan Brangers. He demonstrated this type of scoring in the JUCO in Miami last summer and already in the easyCredit BBL this season. Another big strength of the American is his mental game as his self confidence is as big as the New England Patriots pain was after giving away a game in Miami in the last seconds a few weeks ago and knows his shooting will continue to leave a mark in the BBL coupled with his driving passion for the game. “My goal is to just play my game and continuing to get better and keep growing as a player and a shooter. I definitely see my passion growing at the next level playing Professional basketball. I definitely think it’ll reach new heights”, warned Jordan Brangers. When watching video clips of his explosive scoring many could find the quick appropriate name of ball hog, because he does take many shots, but he continues to display his knack of passing the ball as a hidden strength in his game. “My passing definitely doesn’t get noticed a lot, but I take pride in getting teammates open looks when I’m not able to get good looks and get easy shots”, added Jordan Brangers.

            What many don´t know is that he could of played two more years in the JUCO or elsewhere to continue to work on shaping his basketball game, but decided to come out early after two years and test his skills on a professional stage. A big reason for this thinking was that he wasn´t 20 or 21 years old, but already 23, a good age to start a professional career.  “I feel like it was a big reason why I didn’t think school would help me anymore and that wasn’t because of the education part, but it was because of how much older I was trying to play at the next level and I didn’t think time would wait for me”, warned Jordan Brangers. Before Jordan Brangers set out for Bremerhaven, Germany last August he used his last weeks in the States in Daytona, Florida to prep for his professional rookie season overseas by concentrating on spending time in the weight room to keep getting stronger while on the court continuing to refine his game further getting up shots and being more consistent off the catch and running off screens. At the same time, he was also outlining how his rookie season could go in Germany. Obviously he was extremely thrilled to not only get a professional contract coming from the JUCO, but also getting the opportunity to display his basketball abilities in a top league like the easyCredit BBL. He spoke to his friend Byron Sanford from home in Kentucky who was a rookie last season in the Pro B with Coburg and got the low down about Germany in that the food is very good and that the people take their basketball quite seriously. He was sold on the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven quickly as he felt just how hungry this team is for success and coupled with his unending hunger to prove himself and having that massive chip on his shoulder, he knew both sides were made for each other. “I had a great feeling about this time. I love basketball, getting better, and winning games. I feel like I can take that to this team and we can take things to the next level this season and turn some heads and try to get back to the playoffs”, stressed Jordan Brangers.

                Brangers came to Bremerhaven with a lot of self-confidence and a label that not many players can say they have ever had coming from the JUCO to the BBL and never having played a second in the NCAA, but the only focus he had was the future and not the past. “ I would definitely say I feel like I’m one of the greatest JUCO players to never play NCAA D1 and I say that as humble as possible. I’ve put in a lot of work up to this point to be as good as I am and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon”, warned Jordan Brangers. He hasn´t stopped, but is continuing to make strides in his game at the highest level that he has ever played at and hasn´t been a pleasant surprise, but a very pleasant surprise as he has proven in the first few months that he can be a force in the easyCredit BBL and like his teammates has been an important contributor despite the team having a 3-8 record and resting in 16^th place. The team is stocked with much talent and if they ever come together as a team and can build harmony, then they could be successful, but that is easier said than done when you are battling in the competitive easyCredit BBL. That the team is fortified with offensive power isn´t a surprise, but they just can´t establish a defensive identity as they average giving up 87 points per game. They have given up 80 points or more 10 times and even when they win they allow way too many points which won´t guarantee a team success for the long run. The good news has been that they beat the teams they had to like Crailsheim and Jena and even upset playoff bound team Giessen, but then again lost to MBC. It also hasn´t helped that they lost three crunch time games, but they did give top team Bamberg a good run for the money losing only by five points. Brangers hasn´t got lost in the offensive shuffle as he has to compete with four 30 plus year old Americans, but then again has perfect mentors in guys like Chris Waren and Elston Turner. A few weeks before he came to Germany in August, he was reeling off a productive summer and was more than grateful about getting the opportunity to showcase his abilities in Germany, but at the same time not at all fearful of not getting the job done. “I’m really blessed to have this opportunity to play in the Top German league and it’s a really good feeling. I don’t feel any pressure to perform or anything like that, I just need to continue what I’ve been doing and that’s working hard and crafting my game. I feel really confident that I’ll hold my own and make an impact. It’s just a matter of getting the opportunity and making the best of it. I’ve worked really hard up to this point and I still feel I’ve got a lot of work to do, but that’s all about the process”, stressed Jordan Brangers last summer. Being consistent is never easy for a rookie and probably even harder for a JUCO player, but the American has had a good head on his shoulders and has proven any critics wrong with his play on the court averaging 12,7ppg, 1,7rpg and 1,9apg while shooting a solid 34,7% from outside. He has scored in double figures in four games including exploding for 29 points in a big win against Science City Jena where he nailed six three´s. He also had a 19 point effort against top team FC Bayern Munich and 18 points against Rasta Vechta. But then came a sudden jolt in his rookie season as two days before Christmas, he didn´t receive a cute polar bear momento Christmas gift from his employer, but instead surprisingly his walking papers. In a way the way the season has gone and how the front office has reacted to certain things nothing is surprising anymore. Ok so Jordan Brangers wasn´t the all-rounder, but if they had done their home work correctly, they would have known that he is an amazing shooter/scorer that can put up many points on the board while on other nights he might not be able to hit the ocean. There were some rumors of some off-court issues so this may have been added to the club´s reasoning for waiving him besides their main reason that he didn´t defend the way the club wanted him to. His self confidence was on the rise as a rookie, but now might be a little rattled, but nothing he won´t figure out and master over time. If he was still with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven now with one game a week, he would have had enough time to visit the famous Bremerhaven zoo called Zoo Am Meer and check out the cute lovable Polar Bears and never forget where he came from and how tough his basketball struggle has been in his career. With this sudden set back, it will only make him stronger mentally and make that chip on his shoulder even stronger as that bitter memory of his short stay with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven will drive him to new heights with his next team.

If opponents of the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were really bored, they could play a type of make believe lottery on their way to Frankfurt in that they try to guess which easyCredit BBL license players will be on board and which won´t. The best chance that all players will be playing is usually the day after or even the day before a BBL game, but what happens when both teams play on the same day. Well if both play at night in different cities then it is almost a 100% chance that nobody will be available, but what happens when both are playing in the same city Frankfurt and the games are 4 hours apart? Well on some days, there could be a few guys that play in both, but when the Fraport Skyliners are playing a huge cup game against Braunschweig for the ticket to the semi-final and the team already is battling huge injury woes then there is a very good chance that all the guys will be rested and ready to go for the cup duel. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were missing two key players with Garai Zeeb and Richard Freudenberg who combined average 20 points per game this season in the Pro B. But the club still had other key performers on board like Elijah Clarance and Armin Trtovac. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors faced the ambitious youth program Orange Academy of ratiopharm Ulm that has no American player and it pitted the top two defenses in the Pro B against one another. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors took control of the game in the first quarter and never looked back controlling the game and had a big enough lead late in the fourth quarter to not let a big Orange Academy run ruin their forthcoming Christmas as they pulled out a well deserved 78-65 victory. After the game 17 year old Zachary Ensminger who has that well known basketball name and the same eyes of his father Chris who belonged to the top BBL centers 15 years ago as he helped Bamberg to a BBL title in 2005 was frustrated with the loss. “We had too many turnovers in the game. There were some phases where we played well, but then again phases where we had no energy at all on offense and defense. We had problems after losing three close games and that affected us mentally as we weren´t as confident”, stressed Zachary Ensminger.

                27 year old 190cm combo guard Dennis Mavin made his debut with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors. He had been with the club for three weeks and wasn´t cleared until the Orange Academy game. The American who hails from Gainesville, Florida and comes form the same place as 2018 Eurocup champion Scottie Wilbekin started the season with 2018 Pro B champion ScanPlus Baskets, but didn´t fit into their rotation as he averaged only 10.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 40.7%, 3FGP: 16.7%, FT: 50.0%. The ex Florida International(NCAA) stand out played with Giessen last season in the Pro B and also played two BBL games against ratiopharm Ulm and Gotha got the starting nod and didn´t disappoint taking the place of Garai Zeeb who was scheduled to play in the BBL cup battle four hours later scoring 15 points, dishing out three assists and getting three steals. After the big victory, he was happy about finally getting on the floor and getting the win. “I thought overall I gave a solid effort. It could have been better, but I´m satisfied that we got the win. My role isn´t any different here than it was with the ScanPlus Baskets. The biggest difference now is that I can lead young guys here while with the ScanPlus Baskets there were more older players. I´m looking forward to growing in Frankfurt. With the ScanPlus Baskets, I had to stand out as a leader, and here I´m forced to be a leader. Our defense got us the win and it was important that we kept our intensity up. It was a collective team effort where everyone contributed on offense. It was a great team effort”, warned Dennis Mavin. After the victory 20 year old German Konstantin Schubert who is out for 6-8 weeks was thrilled about having Mavin as a new teammate. “He is super quick and a great ball handler. He gets to the bucket and is hard to stop 1-1. He will help the young kids. He really knows the game”, warned Konstantin Schubert.

            In the first few minutes the game was back and forth as there were three lead changes. After a Mavin lay in where his quickness was put on a platter for all to oooh and ahh at, both teams big men got going early as Armin Trtovac scored three baskets while Orange Academy center Till Pape who has 22 BBL games and 12 Eurocup games on his resume scored twice. A big three pointer from 17 year old Maxi Begue solidified the 11-5 Frankfurt lead. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors continued to execute well on offense and got to the free throw line as Clarance made four free throws and ex Chemnitz big man Aaron Kayser secured an offensive rebound and threw down a  hard two handed dunk as Orange Academy trailed 21-10. The guests had had misfortune as they had missed three easy shots while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had a fine rhythm on offense and exerted aggressive pressure on the Orange Academy guards which didn´t allow them to get into their offensive sets. Mavin closed out the first quarter with a beautiful trey and swished two free throws as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had the comfortable 26-12 advantage. “Our goal was like in the first game there to have a lot of defensive pressure. We did a good job putting pressure on their guards and forcing turnovers”, stated Konstantin Schubert. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 50% from the field and 33% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 3 turnovers while Orange Academy shot 21% from the field and 40% from outside and had 8 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

            In the second quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors kept the lead and even allowed for Orange Academy to cut the lead down to 5 points, but had it back up at 10 at the break. Pape had the hot hand in the first quarter and Orange Academy didn´t hesitate going to him right away and he executed well giving the guests a 5-0 run on a 10 footer, lay in and free throw to cut the Frankfurt lead down to 26-16. Frankfurt wasn´t generating much offense in the first minutes and had to settle for a Maxi Begue lay in. Orange Academy continued to fight and got huge production from 17 year Timo Lanmuller who won the Albert Schweitzer tournament with Germany sunk back to back trey´s cutting the Frankfurt lead down to 28-23. This sudden come back attempt by Orange Academy didn´t faze Frankfurt as they let the long ball fly as they went on a devastating 9-2 run as Begue, Clarance and Len Schoorman nailed three´s giving Frankfurt the commanding 37-25 lead. A big strength of the Fraport Skyliners is having multiple guys come through at all times during the game. Orange Academy then halted Frankfurt´s offensive terror with their own lightening 7-0 run to cut Frankfurt´s lead to 37-32 as Pape scored, 209cm big man Nicolas Bretzel hit a 15 footer and Ensminger drooped three free throws. The 17 year old finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. The guard is happy that he has found a home in Ulm for basketball. “It has been a good experience playing Pro B as it is a lot different than the NBBL. The guards in Pro B are more physical, quick and skilled. I have to fight for my minutes in practice. Ulm is a good place for me to develop”, stressed Zach Ensminger. Another big strength of Frankfurt is that when team´s come back and are threatening, they don´t panic, but come through with big plays and shots. Schoorman drooped another trey and ex Kronberg guard Felix Hecker who was the 2017 NBBL player of the year made a lay in as Orange Academy trailed 42-32 at the break. “Their run wasn´t surprising since they are a good team and we knew that they would come back. We improved our defense in the second part of the quarter and showed that when we have room, we can score”, added Konstantin Schubert. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 44% from the field and 40% from the three point line and they grabbed 17 rebounds and had 7 turnovers while Orange Academy shot 37% from the field and 36% from the three point line and grabbed 13 rebounds and had 12 turnovers.

            Both teams stunk up the first five minutes of the third quarter as both teams were playing as if they had hot coal in their hands as they had no real good grip on the ball as both teams combined for an embarrassing 12 turnovers. However the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were still the better team as they still executed better than Orange Academy and kept their lead in the double digits. It took a little while before any team got on the board first as both teams were coughing up the ball as if it was easier than making a lay up in practice. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors did find the hot hand first as Mavin and Trtovac scored on transition giving Frankfurt the 46-32 lead. Orange Academy didn´t have many options on this day and had to rely mostly on Till Pape who saw the basket like the ocean as he also showed his good basketball IQ hitting a fade away and waiting until Trtovac fell on him getting the extra free throw. Orange Academy had no consistency and their weapons weren´t executing while Frankfurt´s long ball and transition game was working well. Schoormann scored on transition and Felix Hecker nailed a trey as Frankfurt led 53-37. Down the stretch Begue made a tap in and is becoming more and more versatile and Mavin drilled home a quarter buzzer beater three as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors led 58-42 after three frames. “Both teams had a lot of turnovers. You never want to open up a quarter like that. It was very ugly. I´m happy that our defense stayed consistent. That got us over the hump”, added Dennis Mavin. “We had too many turnovers. Frankfurt put good pressure on us not letting us get in our plays. That forced us to go more 1-1 which is something we normally don´t like to do since we are team orientated”, stressed Zachary Ensminger. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 45% from the field and 44% from the parking lot and they hauled down27 rebounds and 15 turnovers while Orange Academy shot 32% from the field and 22% from the parking lot and they hauled down 28 rebounds and had 20 turnovers.

            The Fraport Skyliners Juniors kept up the pressure for seven minutes, but then let up a bit allowing Orange Academy on a last run, but they ran out of time before they could put any big dent in the game result. Both teams started to fire away from outside as the Fraport Skyliners received good outside production from Mavin, Gruehn and Hecker while Orange Academy got two three´s from Pape and big man Bretzel, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors still had the huge 73-52 advantage as the game seemed long decided. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors then put their offensive arsenal on the back burner and coasted as Orange Academy closed out the game with a 12-3 run to lose 78-65. Timo Lanmuller did the most damage in the run scoring a total of 8 points dropping two trey´s. Nicholas Mobus also hit a trey and Bretzel made free throws. “We lost some focus at the end. But we were still consistent with our effort. We still shared the ball well and continued to make the extra pass when they went to zone”, stressed Dennis Mavin. “We played well at the end, but Frankfurt didn´t play 100%. We showed for a few minutes that we could play with them, but it was too late”, stressed Zachary Ensminger. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Armin Trtovac with 16 points while Dennis Mavin added 15 points. Felix Hecker and Maxi Begue contributed 10 points a piece. Swedish shooting Elijah Clarance added 9 points 3 rebounds, seven assists and 4 steals. He had a cold shooting day at 18% going 2/11, but he continues to make good progress in his playmaking. He came to Frankfurt to become a better point guard. His court vision against Orange Academy was good and his passing skills continue to improve. Orange Academy was led by Till Pape with 22 points. Timo Lanmuller added 13 points and Nicolas Bretzel had 10 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 45% form the field and 44% from outside and had 35 rebounds and 21 coughed up balls while Orange Academy shot 39% from the field and 33% from outside and had 34 rebounds and 24 coughed up balls.