Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

The Fraport Skyliners Point Guards Carry Team To Eurocup Win In Vilnius 70-61

Ok after six games it is obvious that Fraport Skyliner Jason Clark won´t be stealing Jared Jordan´s nickname Mr Pass anytime soon, but the ex Georgetown standout supplied the needed energy and scoring punch when the team needed it most helping carry the 2016 FIBA Europe Cup winner to it´s second Euro Cup win over Rytas Vilnius 70-61 as it´s record grew to 2-1. You have those pass first point guards and you have the scoring point guards and Clark definitely belongs to the latter. So far this season he has shown his moments in the playmaking category and been that scorer he was brought in for scoring 16 points against Turin and Vechta. There has been criticism that the club has a point guard problem, but does it really? The season is young and the team continues to find ways to win and in the second half it was the point guard duo of Clark and Bell Haynes that took control and were vital in the team escaping with a win. The American who made a name for himself in Belgium playing most of his professional career there and is on the way of doing the same thing in Germany now was in good spirits shortly before boarding a plane in Lithuania back to Germany the day after and was content about the victory “The key to the win was our defensive intensity. We brought it from the start and did a good job continuing to do it in the second half”, said Jason Clark.

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Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Jason Clark after a game in Frankfurt. Clark led a second half charge in Vilnius helping the Skyliners to big 70-61 win as he steered 14 points

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Lazeric Jones (AS Monaco) The NBA Isn´t Always About Scoring But Being Efficient And Fitting Into A Puzzle

Lazeric Jones is a 28 year old 182cm point guard from Chicago, Illinois that is playing his seventh professional season and first with AS Monaco Basket (France-ProA). He has played in various countries in Europe like Israel, Greece, Hungary and Turkey. He has won three professional titles with two in Hungary and one in Turkey. He started his basketball career at Simeon Career Academy where he helped the school win the state title in 2007 while playing with Derrick Rose. He then played two years at John A. Logan College before finishing at UCLA. He spoke to germanhoops.com  after the 75-65 Eurocup win in Ulm.

Lazeric thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Was this your first time in Germany? What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

This was my first time in Germany. Ulm is a nice city. I have really enjoyed my stay here. I only heard good things about Germany.

Congrats on the convincing 75-65 win keeping a very offensive team like Ulm under 70 points. The way you have been defending in the early going, does this team have the potential to be a very good defensive team?

I think so. Coach is big on defense. As long as we give the effort I feel like we will always do well against any team we play. Sky is the limit for us this season on the defensive end.

You have played in many countries in Europe in Israel, Greece, Hungary, Turkey and now France. How cool has it been playing for AS Monaco Basket (France-ProA) and living in Monaco?

It has definitely been different. Monaco is such a beautiful place. The organization has been great and given me everything I need to be comfortable. The weather is great and I love the view.

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Dominique Collier (FC Schalke) Is Benefitting From Learning From Courtney Belger

Dominique Collier is a 22 year old 188cm guard from Denver, Colorado that will be starting his professional career in Germany with FC Schalke. He played at Colorado (NCAA,) from 2014-2018 playing a total of 121 NCAA games and as a freshman played 30 games averaging 4.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.5apg. In his second season at Colorado (NCAA) he played 34 games averaging 7.5ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 33.9%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 75.7%. In his junior year at Colorado (NCAA) he played 25 games averaging 6.0ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 34.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 74.0%. In his senior year at Colorado (NCAA), he played 32 games averaging 7.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 72.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com  about basketball earlier in the summer.

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

I was in Colorado back and forth from Denver and Boulder working out and getting my stuff prepared to come out here to Germany. And the summer has been good!

Congrats on signing with German Pro A team FC Schalke. How did you experience your first summer pro transfer period? Did you have a good share of offers and was this whole process at times humbling?

Thank you! I had a couple of offers but when talking with my agent we thought this was the best fit because the coach won coach of the year last year in Pro B and they had a returning guard that was really good and saw that as an opportunity to learn from him. And yes the process was a humbling but good experience.

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The Bayer Giants Leverkusen Survive Rhondorf Scare Winning 84-68

At this time last season the Dragons Rhondorf were hovering on cloud 9 and seemed invincible as they were led by future Pro B MVP Kameron Taylor who had an answer for almost everything on the court as was leading the team to brutal success and was time in and time out the savior. This season it has been like night and day for the former Pro A team as they are sitting in the Pro B cellar with an 0-3 record with the only good news that there are three other teams suffering the same fate as the Dragons with identical records. Nothing has gone right for the ambitious farm team of easyCredit BBL team Telekom Baskets Bonn as they are averaging a dismal 63 points and giving up a mediocre 83 points where any novice mathematician would come to the conclusion that you can´t win games like that.  The Dragons Rhondorf have a talented roster, but still have to find themselves on the court as Lithuanian big man Zygimantas Riauka has been the only real bright spot averaging 15 and 13 through the first three games and is keeping the paint area clean. The Bayer Giants Leverkusen are making amends for their lax start last season where they lost three of their first five games by racing out of the gate this season with a perfect 3-0 record. They haven´t faced the most stifest competition yet beating FC Bayern Munich that breeds young German talent and two 0-3 teams Erfurt and Coburg. So far 1993 European champion Hansi Gnad has done a fine job in his first season as head coach taking over the reigns from Leverkusen Achim Kuczmann and formed a good early season chemistry that will continue to build. With top player Ron Mvouika and a class of solid Germans, Leverkusen has been a pleasant surprise in the Pro B considering other top import Nick Hornsby doesn´t have to bring that big production he had to last season with Giessen. The Bayer Giants Leverkusen returned back to Rhondorf and wanted to get revenge for last season´s 90-72 spanking and did winning 84-68 despite getting a small scare at the start of the fourth by the Dragons Rhondorf, but buckled down and in the end won with ease. Leverkusen head coach Hansi Gnad had a long post game talk with his team, but when American Nick Hornsby returned back on the court to face the press, he didn´t try to avoid the difficulty of the game, but agreed that it was a hard fought win for his team. “It was a tough game . Rhondorf played a lot more physical. The bigs were stocky and the guards very fast and they played very physical. But we settled down in the second half and played diverse, taking care of the ball well and getting less turnovers while slowing down the game and playing inside out ball. Our guards Celebic and Blessig were a big help today”, stressed ex Sacramento State forward Nick Hornsby. After the game a pooped Zgyimantas Riauka who looked like he had just completed a marathon as he was still sweating like crazy minutes after the loss reflected on the game. “The difference was that they hit more shots than we did. They shot the three very well. We played tough, but they went on more runs. Our defense was great and we brought a lot of energy”, stressed Rhondorf center Zygimantas Riauka.

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Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Bayer Giants Leverkusen forward Nick Hornsby who finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds

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Nik Caner-Medley (Movistar Estudiantes Madrid) Is the Perfect Example Why Any Professional Player Can Flourish Financially Off The Court

Nik Caner-Medley is a 34 year old 203cm forward from Portland, Maine that is playing in his 13th professional season and fourth with Movistar Estudiantes Madrid. He has spent a good majority of his professional career in Spain having played for teams like Gran Canaria, Sevillia, Valencia and Malaga. He also got valuable experience in countries like Germany, Israel, France and Kazakhstan. He played his college ball at Maryland(NCAA) from 2002-2006. germanhoops.com interviewed him once before about basketball, but this time this interview focuses on his exemplary off court work. This interview is beneficial for any professional player that wants to flourish economically next to the court.

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Miles Schmidt-Scheuber first covered Nik Caner-Medley in his rookie season in 2006-2007 in Germany with the Artland Dragons and their paths crossed again in 2016 as Monaco played in Frankfurt in a Basketball Champions league game with this post game interview.

Nik thanks for talking to germanhoops.com It´s October and you’re an American living in Madrid, Spain. Do you take a few minutes to reflect each day just how blessed and lucky you have been able to play the game you love for so long?

*I have been extremely blessed to play a majority of my career in Spain and in some amazing cities (Valencia, Malaga, Las Palmas, Sevilla, Madrid). Spain is a second home to me, especially Madrid. I love the culture here and the ACB is such a well run league with good teams from top to bottom. It’s truly been an honor to play 8 seasons in the ACB, 4 of which have been with Estudiantes.

You’re now in your 13th professional season and are turning 35 years old on October 20th. You have played for 12 organizations and in five countries overseas and seen very much. You’re a very busy guy as your off court endeavors show. How much longer do you still want to play and how would you classify your body now at age 34, going on 35?

*The most important thing I have learned over the last 12 seasons is how to take care of my body. Last season I had some very unfortunate losses in my family and it was a bad year for me on the court, I was not myself and not healthy, but this summer I combined all of things I have learned about nutrition and training and it’s been amazing because I feel the best I have felt since I was 29 or 30. I am 100kg (215lbs) and this is the lightest I have been since I was in high school and it has had a huge impact on my movement and energy. I think I will have one of my best seasons of my career and as long as I feel this good I will continue to play. Im still very passionate about the game.

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The Fraport Skyliners Experience And Potential Outweigh Current Question Marks

The Fraport Skyliners are currently 2-2 in three competitions and a few days ago witnessed an ugly 91-64 loss in Malaga, Spain in Euro Cup play. Is it time to worry and start erasing the band wagon feeling that I have had since pre season where the amazing, talented and experienced roster that head coach Gordon Herbert put together so early this season something that hadn´t been seen before in recent years? No it´s not time to worry yet. The leaves are still turning red, there have been some warm days that could suggest that summer is coming back and Halloween is still more than two weeks away. The 2018-2019 season is still in its baby faze and there is still so much basketball to be played. Canadian sniper Brady Heslip was all smiles after the exciting cup win against ratiopharm Ulm, but one could see in his eyes that he was positive, but at the time also hesistant not to get to euphoric after two tight wins against Torino and Ulm. “We are coming together fast now after two games. We are figuring out how to win games now”, added Brady Heslip. People were obviously excited about the two close wins and wanted to see more in Malaga 72 hours later, but instead were brought back to reality quickly with the crushing loss. Despite the blowout loss in Malaga, the club had shown good things before the loss and will surely return back to it in Vechta on Saturday. “I think that we have done well so far. Winning the close games has been good as we will have these type of games all season long. Our chemistry is good and every player knows its role. We are all competitive and want to win. When your on the same page and want to win then that will go a long way”, warned Jason Clark.

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Last season Miles Schmidt-Scheuber´s favorite post game Skyliner interview partner was Mr Canada Phil Scrubb and this season it appears to be Jason Clark who gives great game insight!

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TJ Bray (Rasta Vechta) Is Back In Germany And Flourishing In His Second Attempt In The BBL
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and TJ Bray in tthe Fraport arena in Frankfurt in 2019

 

If you were to ask TJ Bray where he will be on January 18 th 2019 and where his mind will be, it will be interesting to see what his answer will be, because this date should be one knowing his mindset and competitiveness that should be marked red on his calendar. Some Steeler fans may remember this day in 1976 where they won Superbowl 10, while people involved with the disease Aids might recall the beautiful “That’s what friends are for” sung gracefully from legend Dionne Warwick hit #1 on the US Billboard charts in 1986 or in Boston Celtics fans may remember this date in 1998 as the day where the 00 jersey of one third of the Big three Robert Parish was hoisted to the rafters. New England Patriots fans might remember the sweet drubbing of the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship game in 2015 which led to the amazing Superbowl victory against the Seattle Sea Hawks. For TJ Bray he doesn´t look back in history on January 18th, but is actually looking forward in time as he hopes in making some sweet history in forms of a win against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. It has been two long years for TJ Bray since signing a contract to play for The MHP Riesen Ludwisgburg in 2016 for ambitious coach John Patrick. However the American who grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin never reached Ludwigsburg as he got injured at home but was able to play that season finishing with Basic-Fit Brussels (Belgium-Euromillions League).Despite not having won a professional title yet and last winning a title in 2011 with Princeton with an Ivy league championship, Bray is a player that has had a solid professional career in Italy, Belgium and Greece. In the last two years, his thoughts continued to remain with German basketball and what could have been had he played with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. His desire to play in Germany and in the countries top league easyCredit BBL has become a reality as he is currently lacing up his sneakers for club Rasta Vechta. “I thought about Germany a lot the past two years. I was very excited about my contract with Ludwigsburg and it turned out that I was correct in being excited. They’ve had two great seasons, in both Germany and Europe, so I was able to follow them very closely. The league as a whole has always interested me with the amount of success teams have had in European competitions. I think it’s a very good league from top to bottom and I’m excited to experience it”, stressed TJ Bray. The American is finally back in Germany again and flourishing in his second attempt in the BBL.

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Bray is a 26 year old 196cm guard that was born in New Berlin, Wisconsin and is playing in his fifth professional season. He isn´t playing for a playoff team with Rasta Vechta, but a club that first made it to the BBL in 2013 and since then moved down twice before returning back in 2018. He has seen a lot as a professional in various countries and was also careful with choosing Rasta Vechta, but thanks to ex Princeton teammates Douglas Davis, Ian Hummer, Jimmy Sherburne and Clay Wilson who have played in Germany as well as German Hans Brase wth whom he talked to, it made his choice of going to Vecnta a lot easier. “I’ve talked to all those guys about their experiences in Germany. They have great things to say and have coached me up a bit on how to play in the leagues and get around the country. I can’t wait to play against Hans this season. He’s a good friend of mine and I’m sure there will be a healthy amount of trash talking going back and forth”, stressed TJ Bray.

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Tony Hicks (Rostock SEAWOLVES) I Don’t Know If Donovan Mitchell Truly Knows How Much Of An Impact He’s Had On Me As A Person

Tony Hicks is a 24 year old 186cm guard from Chicago, Illinois that is playing his second professional season and first with the Rostock SEAWOLVES (Pro A). Last season as a rookie he played with the Surrey Scorchers (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 35 games: Score-2 (19.4ppg), 3.5rpg, 5.7apg, Steals-4 (1.8spg), FGP-2 (62.0%), 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 81.5%. He began his basketball career at St. Rita High School and in 2012-2013 played at Pennsylvania (NCAA) playing 30 games averaging 10.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 40.5%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 81.1%. In his second season at Pennsylvania (NCAA) he played 27 games averaging 14.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 76.4%. In his junior season at Pennsylvania (NCAA) he played 26 games averaging 13.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 77.7%. He transferred to Louisville (NCAA) in 2015 and sat out due to NCAA transfer rules and played his senior year there playing 23 games averaging 3.7ppg, 1.0rpg. He has led Rostock to a 2-1 record and is currently the top guard in the Pro A averaging 22,7, 5,7rpg and 6,3apg. He spoke to germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

Tony thanks for talking to germanhoops.com After a nice rookie season in the UK with Surrey how did you spend your first summer as a professional basketball player? Did you visit any nice sights?

My first Summer is spent totally in the gym honestly. My friends and girlfriend have to force me to go places. I’m a big time homebody.

After a very strong rookie season with Surrey what were your main goals going into this summer’s transfer period. How was this summer different than the first one where you came right out of school?

My main goals this past summer was just focusing on staying sharp. In terms of improving certain things, I just wanted to work on creating my shot a bit faster knowing I’d be going to compete at a higher level.

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Please Help Noah Berge

Sometimes life can be so cruel and when one hears about serious tragedy one tends to stop for a moment and thank God for being blessed to see another day and being healthy. Noah Berge isn’t as fortunate, but he will see tomorrow and the next day, but the bad news is he is paralyzed from the neck down and will never walk again. Yesterday the news broke in Germany that the young German basketball player had been hit by a tram in Jena. A serious operation saved his life, but he won’t be able to walk again as his life took a severe 180 degree turn last week.

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Jordan Rezendes (Cuxhaven) I Had A Don’t Care Attitude When I Was Young And Now I Take This Stuff Very Seriously

Jordan Rezendes is a 188cm guard from Wareham, MA and will be playing his second professional season and first with the Cuxhaven Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career at Wareham High School and then played at Mass.-Dartmouth (NCAA3) playing 26 games averaging 23.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 82.9%. In his senior year at Mass.-Dartmouth (NCAA3) he played 28 games averaging 29.7ppg, 6.0rpg, 6.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 81.4%. He began his professional career at SG TV Duerkheim-BB-Int. Speyer (Germany-Regionalliga) in 2017 and played 28 games: Score-4 (25.4ppg), 5.3rpg, 4.2apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 85.3%. He and Cuxhaven have started off the season well with a 3-1 record and he is averaging 29,3ppg, 4,0rpg and 5,0apf and is shooting 40,5% from outside. He spoke to Germanhoops.com about his basketball career earlier in the summer.

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

It’s going well and I am in Massachusetts at the moment.

You will be starting your second professional season and second in Germany with Cuxhaven. After a great rookie season with Speyer where you just missed moving up, you will return to the Regionalliga and play with Cuxhaven. Didn’t you have the right offers form the Pro B to continue your march up the basketball ladder?

No unfortunately I did not have any offers. I had some interests but no offers.

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