Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Can Ray McCallum (Unicaja Malaga) Make It Back To The NBA After A Season In Europe?

There are many great things to observe when entering the Brose arena in Freak city Bamberg like the overwhelming and amazing atmosphere that the fans give the players or seeing ex NBA player Dorrell Wright make that next amazing highlight reel memory or just sitting back and reminiscing about the good old days when Marcus Slaughter was finishing alley-op dunks with authority, ex NBA player Casey Jacobsen dropping clutch three´s from the corner or fans spelling Kyle Hines name wrong with Heinz. However at anytime in good times back then or in even bad times now as the Trinchieri era ended recently, fans are always served up a delectable menu with great players during the Euroleague season. Almost every opponent has at least one ex NBA player on board and many great European players. When the big name teams like Real Madrid and Panathinaikos enter the Brose arena you may get lost in the smorgasbord of fancy names or get wrapped up in a tasty German hog dog or pizza slice or even smuggled something in from the REWE supermarket under the arena, you may even mix up a name or two if your NBA knowhow isn´t that advanced the classic Lebron, Steph or Russ names. However sometimes that simple error can arise like recently when Spanish top team Unicaja Malaga played in Bamberg and one read the name Mccallum. For the NBA amateur´s one may have thought that CJ McCollum had taken a break from his scoring tantrum´s and taken a rest from the NBA and moonlighted to Europe, but at closer watch, it was the name Ray McCallum who also played in the NBA, but didn´t reach the notoriety of a CJ McCollum of the Portland Trailblaziers that easily belongs to the top 10 shooting guards in the NBA currently averaging 21,4ppg. Sometimes reading a name right and seeing that only an A and a O separate the names of two players is beneficial as the NBA worlds of CJ McCollum and Ray McCallum are currently about as far away as the Boston Celtics are from winning an NBA title this season with the absence of Kyrie Irving. Mccollum has helped lead the Portland Trailblazers to the third best record in the west behind Golden State and Houston at 49-33 while Ray Mccallum is playing in the best country league in Europe in Spain with Unicaja and trying to lead them to a ACB title. This season Bamberg swept Unicaja Malaga in the Euroleague and won in Bamberg 93-88 despite 13 points from Mccallum. The American remembered his first experience with German basketball 7 years ago. “I definitely remember playing in the World University games with Draymond Green and Darius Miller. I’m happy to see those guys are doing well and having a lot of success in the NBA. Germany along with the other teams in the tournament were challenging. That was my first experience with the physicality of European basketball”, stressed Ray Mccallum. After 4 professional seasons in the States and three in the NBA, Mccallum came overseas to try something new, but like any other player that has gone this path still has the NBA in his rearview mirror. “I feel I belong in the NBA and that’s where I want to be, but at this point in my career I knew that coming to Malaga was the best decision for my career”, stressed Ray McCallum. But before his European basketball vacation started, he first had to mature as a player in the NCAA and get valuable NBA experience that will help his game further in Europe.

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Robin Christen (Rasta Vechta) I Want To Develop Every Year To Hopefully One Day Show I Can Play In The BBL

Robin Christen is a 26 year old 203cm German forward currently playing with German 2. Basketball Bundesliga, Hauptrunde, Hinrunde, 1. Spieltag, 22.09.2017, RASTA Vechta - Römerstrom Gladiators Trier, Saison 2017/18 Pro A team Vechta. He started his basketball career with BBLZ Mittelhessen and then played with Lich from 2008-2012 while also having a double license with BBL team Giessen where he played 17 games and played his first BBL game at age 18. Since 2012, the German has been playing in the Pro A and played three seasons with the RTB Wohnbau Baskets playing a total of 78 games. Two seasons ago he made his Pro A breakthrough with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (ProA) playing 29 games averaging 12.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 80.4%. Last season he played with the Rhein Stars Koeln (ProA) playing 33 games averaging 9.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 80.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Robin, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 104-76 win against Phoenix Hagen in game one of the playoffs. It was the third win of the season and the second blow out in a row. Is Vechta just so good or Phoenix Hagen so bad? How do you explain these amazing dominance in the last two games where you outscored them 208-141?

Hey Miles, thanks for the interview. I think we did a great job as a team in the last 2 games against Hagen. We played our high intensity defense and on the offense side we moved the ball very well and made our shots. But we know Hagen has a lot of firepower, so we have to be ready for every game.

This is the first time in your career you have played with a very good team. Last season you made the playoffs with the RheinStars, but Vechta is another step up for you in terms of winning. What have you learned about winning mentality this season that you never saw before in your career?

We have obviously a lot of talent in our team. But that doesn´t automatically win games. I think our will to play as a team on both sides on the floor is the key and we always believe that we will win at the end. Besides, it also helps that we have a really good chemistry in our team.

Vechta are with Crailsheim one of the favorites to win the Pro A and move back to the easyCredit BBL. Vechta has displayed little pressure and just played like a champion. On what things does the team need to focus on most on the court besides winning now in the playoffs?

Our key focus is to play great defense and then the offense will take care of itself.

Let´s talk a little about the team Vechta in this season. What have you appreciated most this season with the club? The team obviously has a lot of talent and depth, but how key has the chemistry been that played a big role early on?

I appreciated most this season that the support of our fans is phenomenal. This give us a real homecourt advantage and will also be important for every single game of the playoffs. Like I mentioned earlier our chemistry helped us from the start of our preseason to build a real team who love to play for each other.

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Brandon Lockhart Plays Double OT Hero Lifting The Rostock Seawolves Past Giessen To The Semi-Finals 93-89

With 45 seconds to play in game 2, Rostock Seawolves guard Brandon Lockhart made a Brandon_Lockhart_Artland_SylviaFunk lay in and were trailing 69-68. With the game winding down, Rostock enlarged the amazing atmosphere and noise level in the Stadthalle arena as they saved the best for last in terms of defensive presence not allowing their opponent Giessen from getting a shot off in the allowed 24 seconds setting up a possible heroic experience for Rostock on the last play that would have sent the home arena into an electric frenzy never seen before, but instead as the buzzer sounded, the Rostock Seawolves had to look forward to another 6 hours bus ride for a do or die game in Giessen. The last 18 seconds seemed like a basketball eternity as they had two golden chances through Jordan Talbert and Chris Frazier, but couldn´t get the ball to sink through the netting as the sold out arena and 3000 fan´s hearts sank and upset the Easter Sunday with unmemorable basketball thoughts as they were looking for Easter eggs. Instead of welcoming Iserlohn for a semi-final clash they had a do or die game in Giessen. The good news for Rostock was that they had won game one on the road and Rostock´s two top Americans Brandon Lockhart and Jordan Talbert have had good experiences in Pro B do or die battles combined having a 5-1 record with both winning against Oldenburg and Wurzburg as teammates with Nordlingen two seasons ago and last season Talbert defeating ex teammate and friend Lockhart with the ScanPlus Baskets. On an untypical very warm Sunday evening in early April the Rostock Seawolves returned to Giessen for a do or die duel and if fans thought that game 2 had been exciting, well game 3 topped that as both teams battled through two overtimes with the Rostock Seawolves coming out with the stronger nerves and a self confident Brandon Lockhart who nailed two big buckets to seal the well deserved 93-89 victory. “What a crazy game. You think you have the game won and a technical takes you into overtime. We knew that we had to win this game to be able to achieve our goals. We refocused after the technical and we continued to fight. We were down 10 points, but no one quit. Our fight was our most important strength tonight”, stressed ex Drury(NCAA2) guard Brandon Lockhart. Giessen gave all they had, but just couldn´t get the needed stops down the stretch and finished their season with low spirits, but will never forget that they gave Rostock all that they had. “Both teams competed very hard and I have to give credit to Rostock for the win. We had a good season, but came a little short at the end. A couple mistakes down the stretch cost us the game, but we played our hearts out”, stressed ex FIU (NCAA) guard Dennis Mavin.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber inetrviewing Rostock Seawolf Brandon Lockhart after he led his team past Giessen 93-89 with 19 points

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Brandon Lockhart (Rostock Seawolves) This Year I’ve Been Better At Controlling The Game When Things Might Get Chaotic

Brandon Lockhart is a 27 year old 185cm guard from St Louis, Missouri that is playing his third season in Germany and first with the Rostock Seawolves currently averaging 14,6ppg, 4,2rpg, 4,8apg and 2,2spg while shooting 43% from outside. He completed his third professional season and first with German team ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen (Germany-ProB) averaging 12,0ppg, 3,8rpg and 6,2apg. As a rookie he played for BK Levicki Patrioti (Slovakia-Extraliga) playing 34 games: Score-5(16.7ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.3apg), Steals-1(3.0spg), FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 78.9%. He played at Drury (NCAA2) from 2009-2013 and as a senior played 35 games averaging 12.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 6.1apg, 2.9spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 77.1%. Two seasons ago he played for the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB) playing 29 game averaging 16.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 5.7apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 26.8%, FT: 81.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the playoff do or die game in Giessen.

Brandon, thanks for talking to German Hoops. You’re nearing the end of your third professional season in Germany and this is our 15th interview. Has time flown by for you in Germany in the last years?

Hey Miles, always a pleasure talking with you. My time in Germany definitely has flown by. I can remember arriving into Nördlingen like it happened yesterday.

Rostock finished in third place in the regular season. With the huge ambitions of the team did the club underperform a bit not finishing first?

The most important goal going into this season was to make the playoffs. We accomplished that. So I can’t say that we underperformed.

The team started off very slowly losing three of it´s first four games and then had a 6-6 record up until December 2017. The club didn´t play bad, but lost every game by 6 or less points. Why couldn´t the team learn to win those tight games?

It was early in the season and we were still figuring each other out. When you bring in a complete new roster, you cannot expect everything to be perfect.

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Chase Adams (Hebeisen White Wings) My Leadership Badge Didn´t Get Removed In Hanau But I Kept It On

Chase Adams is a 29 year old 188cm point guard from Baltimore, Maryland that is playing his first season with the Hebeisen White Wings. He played twos easons with the Uni Baskets Paderborn and last year averaged 11,9ppg, 4,1rpg and 5,6apg. He started his basketball career at Centenary (NCAA) in 2006 where he played three seasons and a total of 89 NCAA games. As a senior he moved to Pittsburgh (NCAA). He turned professional in 2011 and played briefly in the ABA and in the UBL before making Germany his home as he played for teams like Dortmund, Bochum, and Science City Jena. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the 2017-2018 Pro A playoffs.

Chase thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is now our seventh interview since our first in October 2015 where you were embarking on your first season in Paderborn. Now your trying to end your third season since our last interview in fine fashion. Has time flown by since that first interview.

I would first like to thank Eurobasket.com for interviewing me once again, it’s always been a pleasure. Time is surely flying and I’m glad to be here still working toward big things.

Your playing your first season with the Hebeisen White Wings. Was it just the logical choice to make the move from Paderborn to Hanau despite the club not being a proven playoff team last summer?

Even though last season we beat Hanau twice, I felt that team had a lot of potential and was missing one key piece. I had thought about the possibility of playing alongside Til Jönke and when I found out the interest was mutual, I couldn’t pass the opportunity. As long as I’m not fearful of failure, I am willing to take a risk if I feel it’s best for me in the long run. I have a vision for myself and Hanau fit that perfectly.

Congrats on reaching the Pro A playoffs at position 7. How thrilled are you to have made the playoffs once again in your fourth attempt in the Pro A?

It’s a good feeling reaching your goals, especially when you buy in as players. This team is comprised with so many new players, our faith in one another is a true testament to our togetherness. I’m beyond ecstatic with our placement in the league.

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Assem Marei (medi Bayreuth) There Are A Couple Of Aspects Of My Game That I Need To Develop To Have A Legitimate NBA Chance

Assem Marei is a 25 year old 206cm forward from Cairo, Egypt playing his third professional season and second with medi Bayreuth. Currently he is averaging 12,6ppg, 6,7rpg and 1,5apg in the easyCredit BBL and 11,6ppg and 5,6rpg in the Basketball Champions League. Last season for medi Bayreuth he played 36 games averaging 11.9ppg, Reb-2(7.2rpg), 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 62.8%. In 2015-2016 he played his rookie season for BC Siauliai (Lithuania-LKL) playing 37 games averaging 12.1ppg, Reb-2(7.5rpg), 1.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.4%, FT: 53.6%; In the FIBA Europe Cup he played 6 games averaging 12.5ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 62.7%, FT: 64.7%; and in the Baltic League, he played 8 games averaging 12.3ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 58.3%, FT: 68.3%. He started his career with Al Zamalek (Superleague) and then played at Minn.St.-Mankato (NCAA2) from 2012-2015 olaying 85 games and as a senior played 20 games averaging 19.3ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.8bpg, FGP: 62.6%, FT: 59.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after the Basketball Champions League loss to the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and before the BBL clash against the Fraport Skyliners.

Assem, thanks for talking to German Hoops. medi Bayreuth were denied a trip to the Basketball Champions League Final 4. How tough was this loss? You started out well in the first quarter, but from the second quarter until the end, you had to play catch up basketball. What was key for Ludwigsburg getting to the Final 4?

Their physicality and their aggressiveness played a huge part in their win. They are a good team with a deep roster, and they were in the same position last year with a one point deficit. It was a really tough loss but we are very proud of what we have done this year in the champions league.

Despite this loss, do you feel like this will motivate the team not to sink their heads and finish the season strong?

Yes of course, we need to come out with energy and concentrate on BBL games.

How does it feel being the first Egyptian player in the EasyCredit BBL? What have been your best experiences in Germany having this unique title?

I don’t really thing about it that way, but I’m grateful for this experience and I hope it will open doors for other Egyptians and portray my country in a good way. It was nice to see how much support I actually did receive from the fans, some of them would also show up to our games with an Egyptian flag and that meant a lot.

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Kameron Taylor (s.Oliver Wurzburg) I Want To Focus On Defense In The BBL Which I Feel Will Separate Me

Kameron Taylor is a 23 year old 198cm guard from Hyattsville, Maryland that recently finished his second professional season and first with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf and tore up the Pro B averaging 23,4ppg, 7,9rpg and 5,6apg, and 2,6spg. Last season as a rookie he played with Team Ehingen Urspring (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games averaging 10.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 43.9%, FT: 80.2%. He started his basketball career at DeMatha Catholic and in 2012-2013 started his career at Seton Hill (NCAA2) and as a freshman played 28 games averaging 7.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 70.0%. In his second season at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 27 games averaging 12.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.6apg, 2.0spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 77.9%. In his junior season at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 16 games averaging 13.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 70.6%. In his senior year at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 27 games averaging 20.8ppg, 8.7rpg, 4.1apg, 2.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 76.8%. He spoke to German Hoops after he gave his EasyCredit BBL debut in Berlin with s.Oliver Wurzburg scoring 16 points in a 80-76 loss.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kameron Taylor after his buzzer beater against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors

Kam thanks for talking to German Hoops. Your 2017-2018 dream continues as you have made the jump from the Pro B to the EasyCredit BBL. How would you describe this dream at the moment?

I don’t consider it a dream but a goal I set for myself to accomplish by the end of my Pro B season. And now I’m setting more goals as I accomplish them.

You told me at the Dragons Rhondorf season ending party that you weren´t sure about how you would end your season. You had had a try out with the s.Oliver Wurzburg. Did you know at that time that you would be ending the season with them?

I didn’t know at the time because they were down 2 key Big guys and were highly considering picking up another Big Man.

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Forrest Robinson (ETB Wohnbau Baskets) Nobody Has To Drive Me To Work Hard I Do That Naturally

Forrest Robinson is a 24 year old 208cm forward from Eastland, Texas playing his third professional season and first with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProB). He started the season with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Euromillions League) playing 6 games averaging 3.5ppg, 2.2rpg. Last season he played with CD Universidad Catolica de Santiago (Chile-Liga Nacional) and Tartu Ulikool/Rock (Estonia-Alexela KML). As a rookie in the 2015-2016 season he played with Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A) playing 18 games averaging 12.6ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT-3(40.5%), FT: 66.7%. He started his basketball career at N.Texas (NCAA) and finished at De Paul (NCAA) where as a senior he played 32 games averaging 6.3ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 88.0%. currently he is battling in the Pro B playdowns averaging 7,7ppg and 4,5rpg. He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

Forrest, thanks for talking to German Hoops. You started the season in Belgium. Did you have any chance of seeing Germany or is this the first time that you’re here?

I didn’t get to see much of Germany when I last came. But I hope I get to now that I am here playing.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Do you have any friends playing here?

I don’t know much about basketball in Germany. I know a few guys that played in Germany before and they all have nothing but good things to say.

What was most appealing thing about the ETB Wohnbau Baskets that led you to sign here?

What made me sign with ETB was the opportunity to play a big role in the success of the team moving forward.

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Tai Webster Sparks The Fraport Skyliners Past The Mitteldeutscher BC 83-67

After the embarrassing and unacceptable 83-59 loss in Giessen shortly before Christmas, one would have expected a total 180 degrees turnaround in the return game and the Fraport Skyliners showcasing ecstatic faces after the win, but instead players moped back into the dressing room after the 86-70 loss and sweep by the Giessen 46ers with their heads hanging and fearing to have to confront head coach Gordon Herbert in the dressing room with his post game rant. Four year Skyliner veteran and Florida native Mike Morrison was limping to the dressing room like a destroyed World War 2 battle ship and the usual taciturn Philip Scrubb seemed even more quiet just with the dejected expression on his face. Gordon Herbert left right after the press conference skipping the normal VIP room dinner and one could only have hoped that he had calmed down by Easter Sunday. The only good news was that despite the poor sweep to the Giessen 46ers, the Fraport Skyliners were still in seventh place, but had teams like ratiopharm Ulm and Giessen close on their heels with only one win less for the playoff hunt. However with so many tough games remaining against playoff teams, the 2004 BBL champion had to start winning games against lesser teams in order to have some leverage if they lose some games to the other top teams down the stretch. The Fraport Skyliners had one of those must win situations against 2004 Fiba Europe cup winner Mitteldeutscher BC who they had barely survived winning a nail bitter 96-93 in their first meeting as new Skyliner Jordan Sibert put a scare into his new team with 23 points while Philip Scrubb and Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann carried the Fraport Skyliners with 47 points combined.

Basketball BL, FRAPORT SKYLINERS - MBC M ITTELDEUTSCHER BASKETBALL CLUB WEISSENFELS

Tai Webster made 11 of 18 shots and finished the game with 26 points.

The contest also featured the first meeting between Jordan Sibert and his ex team who had rudely disposed of him after bringing back last season´s hero Andrew Warren. The Mitteldeutscher BC entered the game in no man´s land with 8 wins, but wanted to close out the season strong, while Jordan Sibert who had put up strong stats with the Mittledeutscher BC was searching for some revenge. Sibert didn´t gain revenge with his play in limited minutes, but had the last laugh as the Fraport Skyliners disposed of the Mitteldeutscher BC 83-67 keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Sibert had a smile on his face, but one could sense that he was disappointed he couldn´t contribute more on the court. “The win was important. It was like a practice again for me seeing the guys. It was good to see the guys healthy and playing. There are no hard feelings. I´m happy that we stuck to the game plan, executed on offense and were aggressive on defense”, stressed ex Dayton(NCAA) guard Jordan Sibert.

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Kruize Pinkins (Mitteldeutscher BC) I Think Being A Knock Down Shooter Would Really Open Up My Game A Lot More

Kruize Pinkins is a 25 year old 201cm forward from Marianna, Florida that is playing his third professional season and first with the Mitteldeutscher BC. He played with the Hebeisen White Wings in his first two professional seasons. In his second season with Hanau he averaged 17,9ppg, 9,5rpg and 2,5apg. He started his basketball career at Chipola (JUCO). He then played at USF (NCAA) from 2013-2015 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 65.0%. As a rookie last season with the Hebeisen White Wings he played 29 games averaging 13.1ppg, Reb-3(9.1rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 68.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners on Easter Monday.

Kruize, thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is your third season in Germany and our seventh interview. Your third professional season is coming to an end. Has time flown by since your first professional game against Vechta where you netted 12 points and hauled down 12 boards After two very strong seasons in the Pro A with Hanau, you made the jump to 2004 Fiba Europe Cup champion Mitteldeutscher BC. How much of a blessing has it been for you being able to play in one of Europe´s top 5 leagues?

It´s a big blessing and I never take it for granted. It´s a very tough league that is making me a better player.

The Mitteldeutscher might only have won 8 games to this point, but any season where it remains in the BBL is a big success. How have you experienced your first season in the BBL? What have been the team highs and lows so far?

It´s been a great experience for me. I have learned a lot of things throughout the course of this season. The hardest thing I had to deal with was being out two weeks with an injury but we have a great medical staff here which helped me return quickly

The club lost 4-5 very close games The club allows 88 points per game. Where do you feel the team would be today if it had been able to play more consistent defense? What have been the main flaws on the defensive end this season?

It was not about defense in most of those close loses. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t drop your way and every possession matters. Most of those teams were very experienced. Our guys go out and play their hearts out on defense every night. Every team has a defensive drop here and there, it´s a part of basketball.

Marcus Hatten doesn´t play your position, but belongs to the players with the most professional experience in the BBL. He is a guy that has seen it all. Have you become an overall smarter player on the court just by seeing his play and stories about his basketball life?

Yeah, Marcus has taught me a lot. It´s made me a better player just by getting knowledge from him. So yes I take as much knowledge about the game from him as I can!

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