Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Matt Vest Sacrifices And Puts The Team First Which Is Something He Will Never Shy Away From

Vest Matt Vest is a 25 year old 195cm guard from Kettering, Ohio that finished his fourth professional season and first with the Rhein Stars Koeln (Germany-ProA) averaging 7,8ppg, 2,3rpg and 3,2. He played two aseasons with Paderborn and as a rookie in 2014, he played with BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProA): 38 games: 6.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 67.6%. He played at Wright State from 2010-2014 playing a total of 114 NCAA games and as a senior played 29 games: 7.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 65.4%, 3PT: 43.1%, FT: 64.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the end of the 2017-2018 season.

Matt thanks for talking to German Hoops. It´s never easy the day after but the season of the RheinStars ended abruptly with a 3-0 sweep. For me a total shock. Is this one of the toughest weeks in your basketball career?

The end to our season was definitely a disappointing one, but I’ve learned over my career that the most difficult times are typically the most beneficial in terms of learning and growing as a player.

The RheinStars were down 2-0 in the series. One would have expected a total turnaround at home, but instead you lost by 20 points. The RheinStars were so talented and so deep. Is there any kind of logical explanation for this?

We were a very talented and deep team, but we ran into some injury problems to key players during the playoffs. These injuries really came at a bad time for us and kept us from playing at our best.

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Terrell Harris Is All About Progress And Would Love To Come Back To Germany And Play Again

Terrell Harris is a 24 year old 190cm guard from Indiantown,Florida that completed his professional season with the Svendborg Rabbits (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 24 games averaging 17.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 71.6%. In his rookie season he played with the Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-ProB) averaging 18,1ppg, 4,3rpg and 1,8apg. He started his basketball career at Mars Hill (NCAA2) in 2011 and then moved to Georgia College in 2012. As a senior he played 29 games averaging 24.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 4.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 76.8%. He concluded his college basketball career winning the All-PeachBelt Player of the Year 2016. Harris spoke to German Hoops after completing his season in Denmark.

Terrell thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your early summer vacation?

Hey, Miles everything is going good. I have been home in Florida spending time with family and training a lot preparing my body physically and mentally for this upcoming season.

You recently completed your second professional season in Denmark with the Svendborg Rabbits (Denmark-Ligaen). Coming form Germany what kind of experience was it playing there?

Yes I just played my second season in Denmark first league. It was an unexplainable year. We started out good for the first half of the season and we won some big games. We went into break at the number 3 seed or tied for number 3. Around December time it seemed like everyone body started to breakdown. We had some bad injuries as guys were missing for extended time such as weeks and months. At one point I was at the starting point guard spot for 6 games straight because of injuries. As a team top to bottom we had the second best team on paper but we all know you have to put it on the court and win games. Unfournately we did not win enough and that was frustrating no matter if we were injured or didn’t put it together.

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It Was An Adjustment For Jaleen Smith Being On The Court For Only Half The Game Instead Of The Whole Game

Smith Jaleen Smith is a 22 year old 193cm guard from Freeport, Texas that completed his rookie season in Germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA) averaging 7,6ppg, 2,8rpg and 2,9apg.. He had a stellar four year career with New Hampshire (NCAA) from 2013-2017 where he played a total of 120 NCAA games. He improved his scoring, rebounding and assists average each season and as a senior he played 32 games averaging 15.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 78.1%. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of his rookie season.

Jaleen thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on a solid rookie season in Germany. However your season ended on a sour note losing to the Romerstrom Gladiators 3-2 after being up 2-1. How disappointing was ending the season like this?

There is No disappointment here. I’m so glad to have started my rookie season with great coaches, players, and Management. Yes I wished we would’ve won the series, but that takes nothing away from the great season MLP Academics had this year.

Were these the toughest two back to back loses in your young career? Did this compare to anything you witnessed in the NCAA?

Man the Game 4 loss in Trier really hurt. We just didn’t finish the game at the end. Game 5 was just an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Even though I haven’t played a lot of professional games, this maybe was the funniest series I will ever play in. This series compares to nothing in the NCAA it’s really different.

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EasyCredit BBL Playoff Preview 2018: Alba Berlin-FC Bayern Munich 3-2

The one club Alba Berlin is looking to get back to the top of the German basketball totem pole while the other club FC Bayern Munich in a way also is. Because since arriving back to the BBL in 2011, Munich has only won two titles in that span, but now could win two titles in a season and get the club looking like a great basketball organization instead of only a good basketball organization. That would also have FC Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness content that all the effort he gave the program is finally paying off. Let´s rewind back last weekend, where Alba Berlin started their dominating quest of getting back to the top of German basketball by making an amazing sweep of the German U-16 and U-19 championships beating FC Bayern Munich and the Young Rasta Dragons. The U-16 team led by Elias Rodl, Evans Ripieque and Nolan Adenkunle breezed through the semi-final and easily disposed BBA Ludwigsburg 89-60 and then beat Fc Bayern Munich 96-82 defending their title from last season. The NBBL team of Alba Berlin had their backs to the wall in both the semi final and final, but thanks to nerves of steel, timely execution, the heart of a lion and clutch shooting from Franz Wagner, Jonas Mattissek and Badu Buck, they were able to make the double perfect for the team from the German capital. After the nerve wracking come from behind 77-68 win against the Young Rasta Dragons, Franz Wagner who is the brother of Michigan(NCAA) standout Moritz Wagner and was able to make a 180 degree turn in looks as like some of his other teammates, he traded the comb for the razor and shore off his hair and one could only have guessed he was related to the big Mo with that special twinkle in his eyes. He was a bit miffed by the question what was still missing for Alba Berlin. He then learned that all that the great organization Alba Berlin was missing now was the triple with the league title in the easyCredit BBL. After a gasp and smile, he quickly reshifted thoughts and agreed that the triple would be a nice thing. Franz´s brother Moritz may be the big news story and have the limelight at the moment, but if Alba Berlin can win their third title within weeks, then Alba Berlin will be at the top again and both Wagner brothers won´t be bored telling their great accomplishments from the past season and flashing that warm Wagner smile that has continued to grow as their habit of racking up titles continues to grow. FC Bayern Munich experienced a lot of FC Hollywood especially with the coaching change which was made so prematurely in the crunch time of the season, but with a few weeks left in the season, they are in the driver´s seat in the final and with good chances of securing that second league title since returning back to the BBL in 2011. The only thing that will hinder FC Bayern Munich from hoisting their second title of the season will be inconsistency. So it is Alba Berlin that has played the most beautiful basketball of the season against FC Bayern Munich who has the better experience and depth. Both teams looking for that true recognition and respect which only one team will get while the other will have to wait another year for redemption as it will be a battle to the finish and go 5 games. Franz Wagner as a very talented 16 year old already has sniffed BBL air this season and with the title could start that amazing Wagner summer as his brother Moritz most likely will be drafted by an NBA team in a few weeks.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing 2018 NBBL Top 4 MVP Franz Wagner

Alba Berlin breezed into the easyCredit final by sweeping the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. Many were expecting a tighter series, but Alba Berlin overpowered them and the underdog just didn´t have enough gas left in their gas tanks after a very long, but successful season. Alba Berlin didn´t defend as well as they are capable of except in game two, but it was their dangerous offense that carried them into the final as they averaged 96 points in the three game series. In game one, Alba Berlin won the shoot out 102-87 as was their 28 free throws and controlling of the boards helped them get the win. Luke Sikma had his usual great game giving his two cents in every way as he scored 19 points, grabbed six boards and dished out six dimes.

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Iserlohn helped Julian Scott Be More Comfortable With Sharing The Load

Scott Julian Scott is a 27 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that completed his fourth professional season and first with the Iserlohn Kangaroos averaging 14,0ppg, 7,1rpg and 1,1apg. Last season he played in four countries with Germany, France, Luexemburg and in Iraq. His last team was Residence Walferdange (Luxembourg-Total League) where he averaged 17,0ppg and 8,2rpg. In the 2015-2016 season he played for the Uni Riesen Leipzig playing 23 games: Score-5(20.4ppg), Reb-2(10.5rpg), 1.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 17.9%, FT: 66.7%. He picked up Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Forward of the Year -16, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -16, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -16. As a rookie, he played for TSV Quakenbrueck (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 16 games averaging 29.7ppg. He started his basketball career at Yuba junior college and then played two years at S.Utah (NCAA). He finished at Adams St. (NCAA2) playing 27 games: 10.8ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 70.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after his fourth professional season was in the books.

Julian, thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is our 9^th interview since the summer of 2015 when you signed with Leipzig. Has time flown by since then for you?

Hey Miles what’s up my man! Yes time has definitely flown by for sure.

I would like to congratulate you on a great season. Unfortunately the ride ended against Rostock. Despite the sadness of the season ending how proud are you of your team Iserlohn?

I’m damn proud of my guys we hit adversity all year and never used it as an excuse once so I can live with the results.

Iserlohn gave it all it had, but came up short in OT. Rostock hit you with an 8-2 run in OT. Was their overall overpowering game just too much for Iserlohn after the 40 minute mark?

I wouldn’t say overpowering but they did hit some big shots in clutch moments more than we did down the stretch.

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Ilian Evtimov (Cholet Basket) I Still Have Some Basketball In Me And Plan To Prove This Next Year

Ilian Evtimov (35) is a 201cm forward that has the French/Bulgarian citizenship and recently completed his 12^th professional season and second with Cholet Basket (France-ProA) averaging 4,3ppg,1,7rpg and 1,4apg. He started his basketball career at North Carolina State in 2001 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 10.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FG: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 89.5%. He started his professional career in 2006 which took him to Italy, Germany and Cyprus in his first four seasons. In 2010 he moved to France and has been there ever since. His most successful time was between 2010-2016 where he played with ES Chalon-Sur-Saone (France-ProA) winning four titles. German Hoops has chatted numerous times with Illian Evtimov in the last 10 years about basketball and did it again. He spoke to German Hoops on his 35th birthday recently.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber visiting Ilian Evtimov in Chalon in 2013

Evti, thanks for talking to GermanHoops.com. Happy Birthday! You turned 35 today. Is there something you would rather get for a birthday present now more than you would 10 years ago?

A nice family vacation. 10 years ago, I didn’t have a wife and children. Time away is always appreciated when with the family these days.

The last interview we did was before the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup Final 4 in Chalon. It has been 2 years since then. Has time flown by for you since then?

It has gone by very fast. Since then I have had a new child, Iliana, who was born in September 2016. Now the house is full with children. I don’t realize how fast the time goes by.

Chalon lost in the semi Finals to the Italian club Varese. What memories do you have of that weekend and was it in the end a bit of a consolation that your ex team Frankfurt won the title?

I wished we would of played against Frankfurt. In 2007, during the final 4 of the Eurochallenge, I played with Bologna against my old team of Estudiantes. I thought history would repeat itself. I am very happy for Frankfurt that they won the title. They were my 2nd pick after my own team of course.

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Evan McGaughey´s Biggest Step As A Rookie Was Understanding The European Game

Evan McGaughey is a 24 year old 203cm forward from Carthage, Illinois that completed his rookie season in Germany with the MLP Academics Heielberg averaging 11.8ppg, 6,4rpg and 2,1apg while shooting 41% from outside. The American played an illustrious career at Quincy(NCAA”) where he averaged double figures in scoring average each season. As a senior he played 25 games averaging 16.6ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 50.6%, FT: 77.8%. He spoke to German Hoops after his rookie season in Germany.

Evan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on a solid rookie season in Germany. However your season ended on a sour note losing to the Romerstrom Gladiators 3-2 after being up 2-1. How disappointing was ending the season like this?

Hey Miles! We had quite a season this year. It definitely ended on a sour note for us though. It’s hard to lose in the playoffs like that after you work so hard all season to get to that point. The day after a season ending loss is always the hardest, but I’m sure in a few weeks we will be able to look back on the season and be proud of what we did.

Was these the toughest two back to back loses in your young career? Did this compare to anything you witnessed in the NCAA?

Yes, I would say these are the toughest back to back loses I’ve ever experienced. It’s a little different in the college post season, because if you lose once then your out. In a playoff series you still have hope after each game. We just weren’t able to put the series away when we had our chances.

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Former German Pro A Player Cliff Tucker Passes Away At Age 29

The world wide basketball community is saddened by the loss of Cliff Tucker. Tucker tragically lost his life Monday morning in a car accident. Tucker was only 29 years old. He was a 198cm swing man that had a stellar career at Maryland (NCAA) and also was able to see the world as a professional basketball player as he played in numerous countries mostly in North and south america and his only stop in Europe was in Germany where he played with rent4office Nuernberg (Germany-ProA).

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Franz Wagner Leads Alba Berlin A Step Closer To Being Back On Top Of German Basketball Winning The 2018 NBBL Crown 77-68

With 10 minutes remaining in the semi-final contest between FC Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin, Germany´s most famous team had the five point lead an even if the game was a close affair, they seemed to have control of the game until Franz Wagner and Jonas Mattisek stepped up as both finished with 18 points. Wagner opened up the fourth quarter with back to back three´s as his attention to planting his feet and nailing that next shot were as ruthless as a jaguar on a safari tour in Africa when it´s hungry. That brought Alba Berlin to life and 2018 NBBL MVP Jonas Mattisek followed the Wagner three´s with his own arsenal of three´s after having had much misfortune with his shot. Both guys had that killer instinct on their mind and they wanted to continue that mind set and positive play in the final as they met the home team Young Rasta Dragons. It had been their overwhelming experience that had aided Alba Berlin getting over the hump against FC Bayern Mun ich and now they had to deal with a very feisty and creative Young Rasta Dragons team that was looking to win at home again after capturing the JBBL(u-16) title back in 2014 and head coach Florian Hartenstein was looking for his second title. Both teams entered the contest focused and battled hard for 40 minutes and in the fourth quarter it seemed like the Young Rasta Dragons would capture the title, but just like in the semi-final game where it looked like Alba Berlin were down and out again, but made an amazing comeback again showing impressive character and fighting mentality rallying to win the 2018 NBBL title 77-68. The day had started out superb fashion for Alba Berlin as they won the JBBL(U-16) title and now achieved the double and 2018 NBBL top 4 MVP Franz Wagner was all smiles after the win, but had his problems solving the riddle of what was still missing for Alba Berlin. After he learned that the only thing that was missing was the BBL team winning in the final and achieving the triple, he quickly understood that Alba Berlin is very close of reaching the peak of German basketball again.

“This was an unbelievable fight and one of the hardest games that I ever played in. We were behind, but our character showed that we can perform also in tough games. We did a good job playing under pressure and had a great team mentality”, stressed Alba Berlin forward Franz Wagner.

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Alba Berlin Is At Close Range Of Reaching The Peak In German Basketball Again

When trying to fit these three terms At Close Range, Sean Penn and Alba Berlin together, the average observer born after 1990 most likely will be unable to piece together the similarities that they do have, but the older generation that follow movies and German basketball might just be so shrewd and be able to link it all together. Close Range was an 80´s movie and for many the only thing that will be remembered will be the theme song by Madonna “Live to tell” and that it featured up and coming actor Sean Penn. At that time in 1985, the American who was an up and coming actor was reeling off the critically acclaimed flick the Falcon and the snowman and followed that up with the next masterpiece “At Close Range”. The only problem, nobody noticed except for the critics as the movie theaters weren´t overflowing as it grossed only $2,347,000 at the North American box office during its theatrical run in 83 theaters, earning less than its production budget of $6.5 million which was a major disappointment. Ok so these three terms might not directly have too much in common with the famous German team Alba Berlin, but there is always a way how certain things can be linked. In the case of acclaimed actor Sean Penn, Close Range and Alba Berlin, it has to do more with success. At that time, Sean Penn was a big acting talent, but just hadn´t really had that big success at the box office, but they would occur later in his career. It isn´t much different for Alba Berlin either. The German basketball powerhouse have had a lot of talent over the last 10 years, but not had as much success as a Marco Baldi would have liked. Winning cup´s are nice, but not the same as going through the playoffs and standing at the top of the peak at the end of the successful run. Winning a cup translates in a successful weekend where you win two games and was able to play your best basketball in a short period of time. The fact of the matter is that Alba Berlin hasn´t won a league title in 10 years and the Alba Berlin drought has been as annoying for the traditional organization as it has been for the Boston Celtics who also won their last NBA title in 2008. Penn was looking for that box office success in 1985 while Alba Berlin is seeking that league title success after a long delay, but they are at close range. But not only is the Professional team Alba Berlin that is at close range this season of reaching the basketball peak, but also the two youth teams the JBBL(Under 16) team and NBBL(under 19) team that are battling this weekend in Quakenbruck for two titles. Alba Berlin is battling the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg for the ticket to the easyCredit BBL final as well. In a few days the German basketball world will know if the Alba Berlin organization will celebrate two youth titles and in a few weeks if Alba Berlin can finally win a league title again.

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