Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Virgil Matthews Is Back And Thinks He Can Be Effective In Any Role He´s Put In

Virgil Matthews is a 35 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing his 12^th professional season and fourth with the Niners Chemnitz. He has given his massive experience and helped the club currentlyachieve a 10-0 record averaging 6,6ppg, 2,9rpg and 4,8apg. Last season he played with the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA) playing 24 games averaging 8.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 71.4%. Two seasons ago he almost led Chemnitz (Germany-ProA) into the BBL playing 40 games averaging 9.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 63.0%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 86.7% He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played 31 games averaging 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga) playing 29 games averaging 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). In 2009-2010, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL) playing 28 games averaging 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL).In 2010-2011, he played his first season for Erdgas Ehingen playing 32 games averaging 11.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT:71.3%. He would play until 2014 with Ehingen playing 126 games with three seasons in the Pro A and one in the Pro B. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketballlate in the summer about basketball.

Virgil thanks fortalking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how was your summer?

I’m in Chemnitz now summer was good, I just worked summer camp and spent time with family.

You have been very active over the years with me as this will be our 15th interview as we started back when you were with Ehingen. When you look back at your years with Ehingen up to now, do you feel like your career has flown by?

Yea the career has gone fast, but it’s has been good I’ve made lots of friends and seen lots of things here in Germany.

Your 35 years old and still playing. If someone had told you 8 years ago that you would still be playing at age 35 what would you have honestly thought?

I never thought I would still be playing at this age. But I’ve changed my game as I’ve gotten older. Now I’m transitioning into learning things for my future where I hope to coach.

Do guys like the Science Jena trio of legends Derrick Allen, Immanuel Mcelroy and Julius Jenkins motivate you to keep playing? One of them will retire one day as the oldest of the trio and you might be the same in the Pro A. Do you have the drive to keep pushing yourself into your late thirties?

No, it’s pretty amazing what those guys have been able to do they have taken good care of themselves and are all smart players which allow them to keep playing on such a high level. I don’t think I have it in me to keep playing that long.

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The Older Gents Carry And Save The Fraport Skyliners Nipping Braunschweig 82-77

The Fraport Skyliners have played a whirlwindof a season so far as their results and play in the Eurocup and easyCredit BBLhave been like day and night. Injuries as usual has been a huge factor whilethe chemistry has stalled in it´s growing, but that isn´t any different withother teams like an Alba Berlin who lost three guards, but continue to keepwinning. The Fraport Skyliners lone bright spot this season has been theirstellar play in the Eurocup as with two games remaining, the club has alreadyqualified for the next round having a record of 5-3. Even if they have playedunsatisfactory at times, the difference to the BBL has been that they havefound ways to win. In the easyCredit BBL that hasn´t been the fact as they cameinto the Braunschweig game in 14^th place with a record of 2-5 anddesperately need some kind of success to get them out of their current rut.After starting 1-1, they lost four of their last five games and lost their lasttwo homes games in crunch-time games they most likely would have won underother Gordon Herbert teams. The team at times have lacked the needed intensityand passion at both ends of the court. The Basketball Lowen Braunschweig areplaying a solid season and have a record of 3-5 considering that for them it isalways an uphill battle with their limited budget. They like the FraportSkyliners have been like night and day as they began the season in the cellarlosing their first five games, but recently found an uphill trend having wontheir last three games. That winning streak was started by something teamshaven´t done in years which is beat top team Brose Bamberg. They then finishedoff Wurzburg and MBC and arrived in Frankfurt with a lot of confidence andmotivation led by top BBL center Scott Eatherton. The Basketball LowenBraunschweig almost made it four wins in a row, but were unable to handle theolder Gents of the Fraport Skyliners suffering a tough, but hard fought 81-77loss. It was another game where Frankfurt didn´t play well for 40 minutes, butfound a way to win. Canadian rookie Trae Bell Haynes carried the FraportSkyliners in the first half to a 49-30 lead as his penetration effectivenesstore apart Braunschweig, but a weak third quarter of scoring only 12 points andallowing 31 points in the fourth quarter almost cost them the contest. “We arestill waiting for playing a full game well. We started hot, but became cold inthe third and fourth quarters. We stayed together at the end despite themmaking seemingly every shot. We did a good job on defense for the most partletting them take only one shot and rebounding well and getting out ontransition. We didn´t do a good job guarding the three point line in the fourthquarter and I had bad turnovers. We have to take better care of the ball”,warned Trae Bell Haynes. The Basketball Lowen Braunschweig played with a lot ofheart and made an amazing comeback in the fourth quarter only to drive homewith the loss as they couldn´t make key stops at the end. “The first quarterwas close back and forth. In the second quarter Bell Haynes carried them and wealways seemed a step to slow and weren´t physical enough getting beat by lay upafter lay up. We knew coming into the third that we were a well rounded teamand never believed that the game was over. We fought until the end, but at theend just couldn´t pull out the win”, stressed ex Hamburg Tower DeandreLansdowne.

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The Cinderella Story For Brayon Blake Continues As He Looks To Rise As A Professional

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber meeting Brayon Blake after he poured in 18 points in a tough loss in Frankfurt

The basketball world is huge and the influx of Cinderella stories that have occurred over time is as rampant as it is seeing how the NBA has gone from an offensive league to a crazy offensive infested league with teams putting up 140 points as if they had Lebron´s and Steph´s secretly parading in masks for them. The examples are huge of guys going from the bottom to the top like currently Golden State Warrior´s 203cm forward Alfonso Mckinnie who was making 1,500$ only a few years ago in the second Luxemburg league and now is teammates with Draymond Greene and Mr few touches equals many points Klay Thompson.Especially in Germany one has often seen guys move from the Regionalliga to the top division BBL over the last years like a Steve Wachalski or from the Pro B his new teammate Deandre Lansdowne. Then again there are guys like a Brayon Blake who was at the peak in 2014 winning the Washington high school state championship with top school Garfield that boasted great basketball alumni like Brandon Roy or Tony Wroten, but only a half year later wasn´t teammates with current Euroleague player with Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus Nigel Williams Goss at Washington or with current Indiana Pacer Domantas Sabonis at Gonzaga, but instead was living in Sierra Viste a small rural town with 43,000 plus habitants and playing for Cochise CC which was about as far away from the NCAA as he was from ever being able to perform a guitar solo the way the legendary Jimi Hendrix could of who is one of the most notable alumnists form Garfieldhigh. But he worked his butt of and via N.Idaho JC (JUCO) and then played his last two years of ball at Idaho(NCAA) putting up great numbers as a senior that may have gotten him drafted by the NBA had he played in a higher conferencethan the All-Big Sky. “I had a huge chip on shoulder because I wanted to prove to people my skills and that’s what I did. I just never got content with awards and accolades I wanted more so I kept working hard each day and that’s why my numbers are like that. I just tried to get a little better each season”,stressed Brayon Blake. He then breathed some NBA air over the summer of NBA Summer league with the Cleveland Cavaliers and now is playing in one of Europe´s top leagues the easyCredit BBL with theBasketball Lowen Braunschweig. He now can exchange basketball stories withteammate Deandre Lansdowne and compare who´s chips had had more weight on their shoulders as he now is about as far away from Sierra Viste is as his new teamin Germany is from making the playoffs. This is the fascinating story of ayoung American basketball player with Brayon Blake who has seen a lot in his young career as his Cinderella story continues with this up and coming playerlooking to continue to rise through the ranks in Europe and beyond.

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Dorian Pinson (Hebeisen White Wings) Many Doubt Division 2 Players Because Of Status But That Changes Once They See Me Play

Po-Dorian Pinson Dorian Pinson is a 22 year old 196cm forward from Greenville, South Carolina playing his rookie professional season with Pro A team Hebeisen White Wings. It hasn’t been the best of starts for the White Wings as they are currently 1-9, but the rookie has held his own averaging 12,9ppg, 5,5rpg, 3,5apg and 1,9spg while shooting 40% from outside. Before going to Lincoln Memorial (NCAA2) he got various high school experience with Southside High School averaging 13.5ppg, 8.0rpg, 4.0apg, 3.0spg, played with the SC Raptors Elite (AAU) and finished at Legacy Charter High School averaging14.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 2.3spg. He then played at Lincoln Memorial (NCAA2) from 2014-2018 playing a total of 103 games. He was able to score in double figures in his last three season there. In his senior year he played 34 games averaging 15.5ppg, 9.4rpg, 4.1apg, 2.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 63.0%. germanhoops.com spoke to Pinson during the summer about basketball.

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

I am in Hanau, Germany and my summer has been great filled with memories, workouts, and loved ones

You had an incredible and decorated career at Lincoln Memorial (NCAA2). How did you experience your first summer transfer period? Did you have a good share of offers?

My first summer transfer was very interesting for me personally trying to figure out how becoming professional works. I had a good amount of offers, teams still reach out but I have committed to a team already and take my business personal so therefore I tell them no to deals and offers

Congrats on signing with the Hebeisen White Wings in Germany. The club is very high on your abilities, but how vital was the fact that your ex Lincoln Memorial teammate Luquon Choice will be your teammate as you embark on your rookie season?

Luquon Choice was very vital to my decision to sign with the White Wings due to chemistry and a winning culture so I am trying to continue that same path with this new team.

How excited are you to be professional teammates with Luquon Choice? He doesn’t talk much and stands out with his play. What is something about him the player that many don’t seem to know?

I’m very excited to play with Luquon Choice again because he is a team first guy and an extreme competitor.

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Brady Heslip Recovers From His 48 Seconds Of Hell Powering The Fraport Skyliners Past Rytas Vilnius 65-63

On the weekends Quantez Robertson plays againsttop guards in the easyCredit BBL and this season during the week he playsagainst the top guards in the international competition Eurocup and in the pastweek the ex Auburn(NCAA) standout had a few meetings which players he oncedueled against in the BBL in his illustrious 10 year career. Only a week ago,he battled ex NBA player Brian Roberts who lasted five years in the big show NBAand had a positive 7-4 record against the Cincinnati native and won a titleover him in his rookie season. This week the freak athlete didn´t have one but potentiallytwo top guards who he had faced with DJ Seeley and Chris Kramer. He faced DJSeeley only once and that was in his rookie season when he was balling with medi Bayreuth and the ex Cal-Fullerton guard came away with the hard fought 72-64 win in Frankfurt. With Kramer it was a totally different story as he played against the ex Purdue guard from 2011-2017 12 times and had a negative 5-7 record against him. They had some unforgettable battles as five of the 12 games ended by only a two point difference. Not only did Quantez Robertson wantto come out on top again, but also his team Fraport Skyliners who have beenstinking up the easyCredit BBL the last weeks having lost four of their lastfive games. They had a huge motivation to win again especially in the Eurocupwhere a win would have brought them to the next round. Quantez Robertson onlyhad to face Seeley as Kramer didn´t make the trip and helped lead his team to ahard fought 65-63 victory reaching the next round. Robertson finished with 12points and 9 boards including mixing it up in the paint securing 6 offensiverebounds and always loves the challenges of facing the top guards. “It isalways fun battling talented guys. Playing against a Roberts and Seeley showswhere my defense is at. It also shows that I can score with them going bucketfor bucket”, smiled ex Auburn(NCAA) star Quantez Robertson. The FraportSkyliners played a poor first half, but played a lot better in the second halfand Canadian sniper Brady Heslip recovered from his 48 seconds of hell and crawledout of his hole in the fourth powering the Fraport Skyliners to the tough win.After the win an exhausted Jason Clark who played 24 minutes and had logged thefourth most minutes on the team reflected on the grind out win. “It was a verytough win. We were getting beat bad in the first half, but we never gave upfighting. We wanted to make a statement in the second half. Everybody wanted towin. We were more aggressive on defense and had more pressure on the ball whichhelped us take them out of their offense”, stressed ex Georgetown guard JasonClark. The Lithuanian team Rytas Vilnius played a solid game, but couldn´t keeptheir consistency at both ends of the court in the second half. “I thought thatwe played a good game. We had very good moments and some bad moments. We just couldn´t pull out the win at the end. We played good defense and executed aswell as we could on offense”, stressed ex Cal-Fullerton(NCAA) guard DJ Seeley.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and assistant coach Uvis Helmanis who played in the BBL with Bamberg 15 years ago

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Going To Europe Was The Best Route For James Michael McAdoo´s Goal To Return Back To The NBA

James Michael McAdoo is a 25 year old 206cm forward from Norfolk, Virginia that is playinghis fifth professional season and first season with Fiat Torino (Italy-Serie A). He began hisbasketball career at Norfolk Christian H.S and then played at NorthCarolina(NCAA) from 2011-2014. In his senior year he played 34 gamesaveraging 14.2ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.8%, FT: 53.7%. He turned professional in 2014 and played partsof three seasons with the Golden State Warriors playing a total of 126 gamesand won two NBA titles there. Last season he played three games with thePhiladelphia 76ers and also split timewith the Delaware 87ers (NBA G-League) and Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario(NBA G League). He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing James Michael McAdoo after a Eurocup game in Frankfurt, Germany in October 2018

James thanks for talking to germanhoops.com You were recently in Germany for a Eurocup game against theFraport Skyliners. Was that your first time back to Germany sincewinning the 2010 U-17 world championships title? What do you know in generalabout Germany and it´s basketball?

Yes this was my first time back in Germany since the world championships. I obviously know Germany because of Dirk and his impact on the NBA and how hereally revolutionized the way big men play the game of basketball. I also know that they have one of the best leagues in Europe with very talented teams and very great organizations.

Your dad Ronnie is a second cousin to former NBA legend Bob Mcadoo. What stories do you remember hearing about him growing up and haveyou ever met him before?

I just remember my mom and dad telling me about when he played for the Lakers. They lived in California and he would give them tickets to go and see the Lakers play. They were so good and fun to watch with so many Hall Of Famers on one team. They really were one of the best teams the NBA has ever seen.

You played four seasons in the NBA and won two NBA titles. What was your main motivation for coming overseas and turning your back on the NBA?

I just wanted to go play and work on my game. I want to become a better basketballplayer and I felt playing overseas was best for me at this time of my career. The NBA is great and I wouldn’t say I turned my back on the NBA. I want to get back to the NBA and I saw this as the best route to do so.

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Jerai Grant (Neptunas Klaipeda) My Mother Taught Me That Basketball Was Just One Aspect In Life

Jerai Grantis a 29 year old 203cm forward from Hyattsville,Maryland playing in his eighth professional season and third with NeptunasKlaipeda (Lithuania-LKL). He comes from a very well known basketballfamily as his dad Harvey played in the NBA for 11 years, uncle Horace is a 4time NBA champion and his brothers Jerami and Jerian are currently playing inthe NBA. He began his basketball career at DeMatha Catholic High School and then played at Clemson (NCAA)from 2007-2011 playing a total of 127 NCAA games and as a senior played 34games averaging 12.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.0spg, 2.3bpg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 71.1%. He began his professionalcareer in 2011 and has played in countries like Australia, Italy, Israel,Latvia and Venezuela. He talked to germanhoops.com before a BasketballChampionsleague Game in Bayreuth, Germany,

Jeraithanks for talking to germanhoops.com Welcome back to Germany. You have playedhere quite a few times in the last years playing against Alba Berlin, Oldenburgand Ludwigsburg. You know off hand what your overall record is?

I couldn´t tell you. I feel it´s about equal.

You have a lifetime 3-3 record against the German teams splitting with each team. Is there a particular series or game that stands out? Perhaps the series against Ludwigsburg two years ago where they beat you advancing to the quarterfinals?

I remember that game. I believe John Patrick was the coach. They had a lot of bodies on the squad. My boy Cliff Hammonds was on that team

Your back in Germany and will play medi Bayreuth. There are some real competitors on the team including ex NBA player Adonis Thomas and shot blocker Hassan Martin. How excited are you to battle them and will it just be another day at the office for you?

Every game is exciting for me. They have a lot of Americans on the team and you need to pay a lot of attention not only to them, but to the home grown players. They are a dangerous team and have good athletic players and shooters.

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FC Bayern Munich 2 Escape Rhondorf With 78-70 Victory

For six years German Viktor Frankl-Maus paradedin the Dragons Rhondorf back court and was the identity figure and heart andsoul of the team. The way he played the game and left his heart on the floorfor the Dragons, one had the feeling that he could never leave the club andbecome a Dragons lifer that would always give his all in the Dragon Dome forthe home court fan. But last summer he decided on taking on a new challenge andjoining Germany´s most famous sports club FC Bayern Munich and to be honest whocould blame him. It was a once in a lifetime chance to play for such arespected organization and later on tell his grand children stories of how hewas mingling with people like football legend Uli Hoeness or top player ThomasMuller or a Robert Lewondowski. Fans in Rhondorf not only will never forget hiseffort on the court, but the brilliant 2014-2015 Pro B season where the Germanled the club into the Pro A. Fans also won´t forget his beautiful feeds to topplayers like Aaron Nelson or Kameron Taylor in the last two seasons. The timehad to come where Frankl-Maus would return to his old stomping ground in theDragon Dome as he led the fifth ranked FC Bayern Munich who had a record of 5-2against his ex team Dragons Rhondorf who were resting in tenth place with adisappointing 2-6 record. It was a game where there was little differencebetween the two even though the standings told a different story. A basketballgame has 40 minutes, but the Dragons played only 37 minutes as they allowed FCBayern Munich to break out on a 10-0 run at the end to decide the game. Afterthe game ex Dragons Rhondorf guard Viktor Frankl-Maus was all smiles as he hadhelped lead his new team to a win over his ex team. “I was very happy to behere. It is one of the highlights for me this season. I was happy we got thewin and was very happy how much the fans cheered for me. It tells me that Ileft a lasting impression here. We had problems rebounding, but overall playedwell at both ends of the court. We didn´t play perfect and made mistakes, butwhen it counted most, we stuck together”, warned FC Bayern Munich guard ViktorFrankl-Maus. After the bitter loss Dragons Rhondorf center Zygimantas Riaukatold it like it was, but was still pleased with the club´s effort. “Theyoutrebounded us which is unacceptable. It came down to us missing some layups. Wemissed a couple of bunnies. I am happy how we played as a team. Everybody wasfighting. Earlier in the season we would have gave up. We are a young team, butcan´t make anymore excuses. We have some big games coming up and need to produce if we want to make the playoffs”, warned Zygimantas Riauka.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing FC Bayern Munich captain Viktor Frankl-Maus after the Munich win

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Rebounding And Interview Expertise Go Hand In Hand With Giessen 46er Larry Gordon

There are quite a few qualities about Larry Gordon that nobody would ever have the audacity to complain about on and off the court. He has many qualities that stand out as he is a prolific scorer and hard worker on the defensive end, but the skill that stands out the most is his rebounding. There has to be a reason why where ever he has laced up his sneakers being if it was with Cal Poly(NCAA2), Austria, Germany, Korea, or Kazakhstan he has belonged to the top rebounders. One also can´t forget that the American isn´t a center listed at 2,10cm or a power forward listed at the ideal height of 2,03cm, but a small forward listed at 1,96cm that rebounds the ball with heart, passion and effort. Having the knack to haul down the ball seems to be in his blood. “I can´t really explain it, it´s just something that is embedded into my game. It´s a lot of heart and relentless effort to get the rebound that makes me so good at it. When the ball goes up you will always see me near the rim no matter what. That is just what I do”, warned Larry Gordon. What else does any coach want from a player when it has that commending attitude. Giessen 46ers head coach Ingo Freyer could probably fill a university auditorium in Giessen any day now and give a heart filled lecture about why he loves Larry Gordon. There has to be a reason why he was able to hold him three years in Hagen in a low market including for a third season after he had torn up the BBL averaging 15,5ppg and 7,6rpg where he must have had better offers from top teams in Germany and elsewhere. There also has to be a reason why Gordon is back together in Giessen this season reunited with his former head coach Ingo Freyer. It has already fit between the two guys. But not only on the court is Gordon at home with his game, but off the court with how he treats the media. There are quite a lot of players that I have enjoyed not only interviewing once, but two or three times and then again there have been guys that I have interviewed more than 10 times like three time Euroleague winner Kyle Hines, Jacob Burtschi, Kevin Hamilton, John Bynum or Josh Young to name just a few. However there are few that have had my question thrown at them as often as Larry Gordon. One could say that Gordon has had more interviews with me that Allen Iverson uttered the word practice in his legendary press conference years ago. To be exact Gordon has done 40 interviews with me since he arrived in Germany in 2012 with the first being in October 2012. Alone in his first two seasons it was 22. He still had patience with me in his third season, but after that the Q & A sessions have died down a little as he played in other countries. After 40 interviews there is only so much you can ask the guy, but the way he can handle the boards with ease, the same he does with my pin point questions as there has never been a dull moment in our question and answer sessions. Not only does rebounding come automatically for him, but so does interviewing. “It isn´t a challenge. If you look at my past, rebounding has always been a part of my game. Rebounding comes automatically to me. There is no effort for me I just go go go to the basket and enjoy rebounding”, warned Larry Gordon. Many guys know how to play the game well and other´s are noted interview partners while rebounding and interview talent go hand in hand with Larry Gordon.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber has covered Larry Gordon since his arrival in Germany in 2012. Gordon belongs to the most interviewed player in Schmidt-Scheuber´s career as at the moment the count is at 40. This picture was taken at the 2015 BBL allstar game in Bonn

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Ron Howard Continues To Expand Creating The Howard Hoops Academy

Ron Howard is an ex player that spent many years overseas and since retiring has focused his energy on helping unknown players get exposure by organizing games and in many cases helping them find professional jobs. He founded Howard Hoops in 2013 where he brought numerous players overseas to help them find jobs and since 2018 has started the Howard Hoops academy where he helps train unknown players and help find basketball jobs. German Hoops has been covering his work since years and have interviewed him again about his current work.

Ron Howard CEO of HowardHoops and journalist Miles Schmidt-Scheuber have had a special bond since 2012. Howard has been organizing games for hungry and lesser known players to get that chance to showcase their skills while Schmidt-Scheuber gives the players media exposure

Ron thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

Hey Miles it’s always a pleasure to talk to germanhoops.com. Thanks for having me. Currently I am in Santiago, Dominican Republic. For me Basketball right now is Amazing!!!

Tell us how Howard Hoops has grown and expanded in the last year? After your success with Howard Hoops in Europe, you now have gone forward with a new idea and started an academy. Tell me how you came up with this idea?

Howard Hoops has grown tremendously in the last year. We have now expanded to developing a Basketball Academy in Santiago, Dominican Republic . I wanted to start the Academy because I was tired of seeing players in America pay trainers who never been to the level these players want to get to. I felt I have the tools and the mind set to guide them in the right direction and the Dominican Republic was the place to be. It takes my players completely out of what their comfortable with in America and makes them fall in love with the process of knowing what it takes to be a Pro.

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