Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Guy Aud Retires Trading Basketball For Music

Guy Aud is a 28 year old 186cm point guard that has the Israeli/German citizenship that began playing basketball in Israel in the late 90´s. He played five years with the Hapoel Jerusalem youth team and also for teams like Hapoel Hevel Eylot (Israel-Artzit), Maccabi Hod Hasharon (National League), and Hapoel Afula (Israel-National League). He came to Germany in 2011 and played for teams like Lich, Paderborn, Chemnitz, Dresden and last season with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig (ProB) playing 12 games averaging 11.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 5.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 34.1%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 82.9%. He sat out this season to concentrate on his other love music. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball and music.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Guy Aud who produced 13 points after the 73-67 win of USC Leipzig in Frankfurt.

Guy thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is life going for you?

Thank you for having me, I’m doing well and I stayed to live in Leipzig at the moment.

It has been 3 years since our last interview and time really flies. Instead of being on the court, you have taken a break and pursuing music. How did this come about?

Beside the basketball I always used to play instruments, since I was a kid I played the drums, guitar and harmonica as main instruments, in the past few years I started to write more and more songs, and I felt this stronger feeling in me like it was something I got to do, and I decided to quit basketball and concentrate only on music.

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Kevin Pangos (B.C.Zalgiris Kaunas) Winning Is The Most Important Aspect Of Being A Great Point Guard

Kevin Pangos is a 25 year old 188cm points guard that has the Canadian/Slovenian citizenship and is playing his third professional season and second with B.C.Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL) having collected three titles with the Lithuanian team. Last season with B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL) he played 47 games averaging 7.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 78.6%. In the Euroleague played 30 games: averaging 8.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 28.4%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 86.2%. As a rookie he played with Herbalife Gran Canaria (Spain-Liga ACB) playing 33 games averaging 10.8ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 87.5%; and in the Eurocup played 19 games averaging 11.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 4.8apg, FGP: 36.7%, 3PT: 51.2%, FT: 75.6%. He played at Gonzaga(NCAA) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 143 games and as a senior he played 38 games averaging 11.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 43.1%, FT: 82.4%. He spoke to German Hoops. about basketball.

Kevin thanks for talking to German Hoops. You have been to Germany the last years playing in Ludwigsburg, Alba Berlin and Bamberg. What has been your overall impression of the country and it´s basketball?

Overall it seems like a great country for basketball. Each of the games I have played there, the fans have been very supportive of the team and created great atmospheres.

At Gonzaga you were teammates with Germans Elias Harris and Matis Monnighof. What memories do you have of these guys as teammates?

I really enjoyed playing with both of them at Gonzaga. They were really talented players and good guys to hang out with off the court as well. I had a chance to catch up with Elias when we went to Bamberg earlier this season.

What memories do you have of the tough 92-89 OT loss against Ludwigsburg where you scored 31 points? Do you feel like this was your real professional breakout game?

I remember it being really intense and difficult game. It was an up and down game where both teams were shooting the ball really well and they just happened to pull out the win at the end. (more…)

Eric Kibi (C.B. Torrons Vicens L’Hospitalet) You Got To Give Everything You Have But In A Controlled And Smart Effort

Eric Kibi is a 27 year old 198cm forward from Ontario, Canada that is playing his sixth professional season and first with C.B. Torrons Vicens L’Hospitalet (Spain-LEB Silver). Last season he played with Randers Cimbria Basketball (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 31 games averaging 10.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 70.2%. Two seasons ago h eplayed in Germany with the Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-ProB) playing 3 games averaging 4.7ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, left in Oct.’15, in Jan.’16 moved to KK Strsljen Gusinje (Montenegro-Erste Liga) playing 4 games averaging 3.8ppg, 5.5rpg, in Mar.’16 signed at London Lightning (Canada-NBL Canada) playing 23 games averaging 1.7ppg, 2.5rpg. He also played with Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga), Ottawa SkyHawks (NBL Canada) and BG Halstenbek/Pinneberg (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career in 2008 with Jacksonville College (NJCAA) where he played until 2010. He then played a season with UALR (NCAA) playing 29 games: 4.4ppg, 4.2rpg. He finished his college career in 2012 with Abil.Christian (NCAA2) playing 20 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 60.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about his season in Spain.

Eric thanks for talking to German Hoops. Since the last time we spoke eight months ago you have had an exciting time playing with the Congolese national team and now are in Spain. How good is basketball life for you at the moment?

It’s definitely been a blessing these last few months, opportunities like this to represent a whole nation don’t come too often.

Before we talk about your newest and current challenge in Spain let´s talk about last summer and you playing with the Congolese national team at the Afrobasket Championships. What kind of experience was this for you and what did you appreciate most about having this opportunity?

It really was one of the most unique experiences I have ever been a part of. Being a kid born in Canada with parents from Congo I had never imagined that basketball would be the thing that allows me to return home to see my roots and origin. Also just like I said representing a nation of 80 million people with all the support was just amazing, I still get chills thinking about it.

The club went 2-2 and didn´t have the NBA players. Do you believe that this played a big role in how the team did?

Honestly we are proud of those Congolese guys who represent us In The NBA But We went through most of training camp without Bismack Biyombo(Orlando Magic) and Emmanuel Mudiay (New York Knicks). They still came into practice a few times to support us and encourage us but I think their NBA insurance was an issue. So all of training camp we knew we were going to the AfroBasket as underdogs, we were picked to finish 15th out of the 16 teams and the fact that we reached the quarter finals and defeated the defending champions Nigeria was a huge step in the right direction for basketball in our country I’m proud of what we achieved NBA guys or not.

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Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners Experience Schoormann´s World Escaping The RheinStars 68-64 In NBBL Play

The NBBL regular season is slowly winding down as Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners with a record of 8-4 are going down a straight path to the playoffs while the RheinStars Cologne were caught in quick sand early on losing three of their first four games and couldn´t react properly and are going down a different path without the playoffs. In their first meeting in Cologne in November, Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners gave a solid performance over 40 minutes winning 84-65 despite coughing up the ball an unacceptable 22 times. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners relied on their consistent defense, depth as German Denis Machlab who isn´t known as a scorer contributed 16 points and six boards in 24 minutes and on their rebounding as they outrebounded the RheinStars 42-30. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners was unable to keep Colognes top prospect Tillmann Woerner who showed his versatile and unselfish play netting 20 points and dishing out seven assists. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners relied on their deep roster in the first win in Cologne as they had four guys scoring in double figures with Machlab, Maxi Begue, Niklas Pons and Leon Puellen. Both teams met in Frankfurt in the pretty BCM gym in the return game which has welcomed NBA players like Dirk Nowitzki, Carlos Arroyo and Alan Anderson over the years for an early 1.00pm Sunday matinee. Fans witnessed an exciting ending as Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners squeaked out a nail bitter 68-64 as they cruise into the playoffs. Even if the game seemed decided at half time, the RheinStars never gave up and stepped up their game in the second half and could even have won the game on their last possession, but in the end Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners had the better nerves. The Fraport Skyliners have been known for years to not only developing young talent, but also finding those young 13-14 year old kids and reeling them in. The next big talent Len Schoormann has been tearing up the JBBL(U-16 league) where he once scored 42 points in a game, but he also has adjusted to the NBBL(U-19 league) and had his real breakout game netting the RheinStars for 26 points showing everyone his world on the court and doing absolute everything on the court and filling the stat sheet like a Russell Westbrook. After the win, the 15 year German reflected on the win and his break out game and was very eloquent and seemed very at ease talking basketball. “We lost our rhythm a bit in the third quarter. We had the needed energy and we knew we had to win to get the home court advantage in the playoffs. Overall we moved the ball well and our good offense gave us more energy to play good defense. I have gotten better into the team the last weeks. There is a difference to the JBBL as here the guys are bigger, understand the game better, have more experience and the skill level is higher. It was important for me that I started off well hitting my first shots which brought me self confidence”, stressed Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners guard Len Schoormann. The RheinStars Cologne played their hearts out and gave everything despite not having their two top scorers on board. After the loss, one could see the disappointment on the faces of the young players and 16 year old 200cm German Thomas Fankhauser was sad, but also proud of his teammates who never gave up. “We slept at the start, but heightened our game in the second half. We gave a great team effort. We fought hard and it was too bad we couldn´t pull it out at the end. We did a good job compensating the loses of two top players. I felt we moved the ball well and did what the game gave us well”, added RheinStars forward Thomas Fankhauser.

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The Fraport Skyliners Juniors Crunch Time Three Point Accuracy Prevails Again Topping BBC Coburg 76-73

When you observe Jordan Burris for the first time, he looks like any other American player in the Pro B standing out a bit from the rest of the majority of German kids with his 201cm athletic build and dark features, but unlike many of his American peers in the league who played at smaller and lesser known NCAA schools or NCAA 2 schools, the California native actually has seen the biggest arena´s in the United States playing against top programs like Washington, Oregon, Arizona State or BYU to just name a few and played his home games in the beautiful state of the art arena Lawlor Events Center that has a capacity of 11,200. So when the American who finished his college career at CS San Bernardino(NCAA2) entered the tiny, but very enticing and pretty BCM gym where the Fraport Skyliners Juniors play their home games, he mostly likely had no idea he was bringing some NBA atmosphere to a place that also had it. Even if it took Burris a few years to reach Europe and still has a chip on his shoulder wanting to continue to climb the basketball ladder, he played against future NBA players in the NCAA and even was part of a commercial with NBA legend Kobe Bryant. He easily could have lured some more fans into the BCM with his Kobe Bryant story had they known about it. “ He’s been my favorite player since I can remember. So to meet him and be able to pick his brain was the experience of a lifetime. At one point he stopped the production of the commercial and gave me a personal lesson on his fade away. That’s a memory I will cherish forever. He’s also a big trash talker man. But I guess in 20 years of NBA basketball he’s heard it all. Yea so when he got there I told him “I’m Jordan I’m the guy that’s going to lock you down.” To that he said “that’s not what my 30,000+ points say.” After that I had nothing to say. But just being a huge fan of his, I admire his work ethic and tried to incorporate that into my game. Be the first one in and last one out as much as possible. A line that sticks with me from Kobe is “rest in the end; not in the middle”, stressed Jordan Burris. But Burris also could of heard some stories from Skyliner employees who can boast about their own NBA atmosphere in the BCM gym as over the years guys like Dirk Nowitzki, Carlos Arroyo, Jon Leuer and Alan Anderson have played there. Burris put his NBA stories and memories of Kobe on hold for 40 minutes as he and BBC Coburg came to battle the Fraport Skyliners Juniors and departed with a disappointing 76-73 loss which had head coach Derrick Taylor shaking his head after the buzzer sounded. The head coach wasn´t happy with the outcome as neither was Jordan Burris who reflected on the BCM gym and the loss. “I was in good company being in the same gym where Dirk Nowitzki had played in before. I have played in even smaller gyms than this in Germany. When I walked in here I noticed it was nice, but as soon as the game starts, I´m totally focused on the game. We fought hard tonight, but I have to give a lot of credit to Frankfurt. They are a great team for their age. They made a lot of tough three pointers. We played good defense in the first half, but weren´t finishing our possessions with rebounds. We rebounded better in the second half, but they also hit more shots which left fewer rebounds. They hit too many open three´s in the second half”, stressed ex Nevada(NCAA) forward Jordan Burris. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors controlled the game and as always were saved by their timely shooting in crunch time. After the big win which set a date with Bochum in the playoffs, German forward Konstantin Schubert reflected on the win. “We got many baskets inside at the start from Trtovac and in the second quarter Gruehn helped us with his good three point shooting, but we were never really able to get away from Coburg. We had some bad phases when they went to zone and we also gave up some easy baskets as well”, added Konstantin Schubert.

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Dylan Ennis (Crvena Zvezda MTS Beograd) In The NBA You Look For The Quick Shot And In The Euroleague You Look For The Best Shot

Dylan Ennis is a 26 year old 187cm point guard from Brampton, Ontario playing his rookie season as a professional in Europe for Crvena Zvezda MTS Beograd (Serbia-KLS) after starting the season for BC Mega Bemax Sremska Mitrovica (Serbia-KLS) playing 10 ABA League games averaging 18.6ppg, 4.6rpg, 5.4apg, 2.2spg, 2FGP: 53.5%, 3FGP: 29.8%, FT: 69.0%. He began his basketball career in 2011 with Rice (NCAA) averaging 8.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 66.0%. He then played two years with Villanova (NCAA) averaging 5.1ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 35.3%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 78.6% and as a junior averaged 9.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.5apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 61.9%. He played his senior season at Oregon (NCAA) playing 39 games averaging 10.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 73.7%. Last summer he played NBA Summer League in Orlando, FL (Oklahoma City Thunder): 5 games averaging 8.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 41.9% and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV (Golden State Warriors) playing 6 games averaging 9.3ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 42.9%. He spoke to Grman Hoops before the Euroleague game against Brose Bamberg in Bamberg.

Dylan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. Is this your first time in Germany and what do you know in general about the country and it´s basketball?

Yes this is my first time in Germany. I have visited many countries as a rookie. I was only one time in Europe that was when I was in seventh or eighth grade playing in France with a AAU team from Canada. Guys like my brother Tyler, Tristan Thompson and Melvin Ejim were on the team. We saw so many things that we had never seen before in America and it really opened our eyes.

You started your rookie season with BC Mega Bemax Sremska Mitrovica (Serbia-KLS) playing 10 ABA league games averaging 18.6ppg, 4.6rpg, 5.4apg, 2.2spg, 2FGP: 53.5%, 3FGP: 29.8%, FT: 69.0%. Were you a bit disappointed you started in Serbia and not in the States considering you had a solid NBA Summer league gig with the Golden State Warriors and hit Miami for 35 points?

I thought I had played well at the NBA Summer League and was a bit surprised that I didn´t get more offers from the NBA, but that didn´t deter me to keep working hard as I brought this chip on my shoulder to Europe. I am thankful that BC Mega Bemax Sremska Mitrovica gave me a chance. This is the plan that God has worked out for me at the moment. I always dreamed as a kid to play in the NBA, but I´m happy where I am now and will continue to work as hard as possible on my game

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Demond Mallet Truly Was The Man In European Basketball

When you look back at the last 15 years in the German BBL and try to name the real dinosaurs of the league, guys that stuck around longest and provided fans with numerous memorable experiences, you couldn´t put up more than two hands. Guys that come to mind at once are great players like Chris Ensminger and Bernd Kruel who have retired as well as the Science City Jena legendary trio of Derrick Allen, Julius Jenkins and Immanuel Mcelroy all outstanding players that are still battling with the best in their late 30´s. Another guy that you have to add to this list is Demond Mallet. He didn´t have the BBL longevity of an Ensminger, Kruel or the Jena Musketeers as he played only 7 years in Germany, but overall he belongs to a rare breed of player that played until he was 40 and can look back at a spectacular 17 year career. Demond Mallet is a player that will always be remembered for never losing that competitive edge as he had that obnoxious game face mask that he never took off on the court, but when you met him off the court, you always felt like he was your best buddy. He had that never ending winning mentality and gave the word leader a new meaning. He truly was the man in European basketball. It wasn´t only winning many titles in Germany, Spain, Belgium and Israel that will keep in the hearts of many, but the way he approached the game and how he handled himself off the court where he was the ultimate role model for all. Mallet played for 17 seasons in Europe and finally has decided to hang up his sneakers at age 40. He always wanted to retire at age 40. Thursday Februry 22 was his 4oth birthday and on Friday Februry 23^rd he will be honored with a special retiurement ceremony in Bamberg before a Euroleague game against Euroleague team Crvena Zvezda.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Demond Mallet in Frankfurt in 2006 after a Cologne win

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Demond Mallet Will Be Remembered As A Good Teammate Good Person And Winner

Demond Mallet started his illustrious career with McNeese St. (NCAA) in 1997 and had a great 4 year career and as a senior played 31 games leading the Southland conference in scoring at 21.3ppg), 3.3rpg, 2.1apg, StealsSouthland-2(2.1spg), FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 79.6%. He finished his collegiate career at McNeese State as the all-time leader in career three-pointers made (331), and steals (206) and third in points scored (1,941). He started his professional basketball career in 2001 and would spend his first 6 years in Germany. He quickly became a lethal scorer in the BBL with Basket Braunschweig averaging a staggering 21,1ppg in his three years. His amazing offensive talent got the attention of Bamberg who swiped him up and Mallet would play 2 seasons there from 2004-2006 winning his first professional title. In that time, he belonged to the top point guards in the German BBL and in the title season he played 30 games averaging 15.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 41.5%. He also played 20 Euroleague averaging 13.6ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 57%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 64.8%. The next season he moved to RheinEnergie Koeln (Germany-1.Bundesliga) where his winning ways continued with the German cup and played 13 Euroleague games averaging 12.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 46.3%, 3FGP: 37.1%, FT: 81.8%. In the BBL, he played 43 games averaging 12.7ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 55.1%, 3FGP: 40.4%, FT: 75.7%.In 2007 his path took him to DKV Joventut Badalona (Spain-ACB) where he proved he belonged to the top American players in the best league in Europe helping the team win the ULEB Cup. In both seasons, he had solid stats scoring in double figures in every competition. In his last 8 seasons as a professional, he would play three seasons with Belgacom Spirou Charleroi (Belgium-Ethias League) winning the league title in 2011 as well as being named league MVP. He also played one more season in Germany with the Artland Dragons, had a brief stay in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv and returned back to Spain and played two seasons with his former team FIATC Joventut Badalona who retired his jersey last season and his last basketball station last season was with Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProA) ). Some other achievements as he leaves the game was being a 5 time BBL allstar, German Cup MVP in 2007, 2007 BBL Allstar MVP, Spanish cup winner and Israel cup winner. He spoke to German Hoops a few days before his retirement ceremony in Bamberg about his basketball career.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Demond Mallet in 2005 in Bamberg

Demond thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You are in Bamberg as your former club has prepared a special ceremony before the Euroleague game against Crvena Zvezda. What does it mean for you to be recognized for your two great years with Bamberg?

It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of history and to be recognized with this ceremony is just great. I won my first title and then the dynasties started. So to be recognized for my career is very humbling. I´m very grateful to be recognized for my longevity in my career.

Does it feel like time has flown by. It was 12 years ago that you last played here?

For me Bamberg is a basketball haven. When you go to Bamberg, you feel the basketball, love and culture. It is one of the best programs in Europe. I will always be grateful of Freak City.

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Demond Mallet Retires And Gives Farewell Letter

Demond Mallett has had a storied 17 year career and had a lot of his success in Germany. He always wanted to retire at age 40. His birthday is Thursday February 22 and the American from Leesville, Louisiana will officially retire from the game he cherished at age 40. He will officially be retired in a ceremony in Bamberg Friday night before a Euroleague game against Crvena Zvezda. Exactly how the retirement ceremony will be is a surprise to him, but Bamberg fans will be in for a real special treat having the chance to recount those wonderful memories of the 2005 BBL title win where he was so instrumental as well as see him in person.

Mallet started his illustrious career with McNeese St. (NCAA) in 1997 and had a great 4 year career and as a senior played 31 games leading the Southland conference in scoring at 21.3ppg), 3.3rpg, 2.1apg, StealsSouthland-2(2.1spg), FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 79.6%. He finished his collegiate career at McNeese State as the all-time leader in career three-pointers made (331), and steals (206) and third in points scored (1,941). He started his professional basketball career in 2001 and would spend his first 6 years in Germany.

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Ronald Ross (Keravnos Strovolou) Even If All The Odds Are Against You You Can Never Lose That Competitive Edge

Ronald Ross is a 34 year old 188cm point guard from Hobbs, New Mexico playing his 13^th professional season and third with Keravnos Strovolou (Cyprus-Division A) winning the league title last season. He returned back in January and has helped the etam to a 4-2 record in the country league averaging 10,5ppg, 3,5rpg, 3,3apg and is shooting 42% from outside. He played at Texas Tech under legendary head coach Bobby Knight. He started his professional career in 2005 and played in the States in the CBA and USBL leagues and in Europe in countries like Italy, Israel, Germany, Croatia, Greece and Romania. In Germany he reached the 2007 BBL cup final with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and also played with the Artland Dragons and Mitteldeutscher BC. German Hoops felt it was time to catch up again with the American in Cyprus.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Ron Ross after a game in Frankfurt in 2007 when he was playing with Ludwigsburg

Ron thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how did you spend the Christmas season this season?

Christmas was great! Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend it with my family, but I made the best of the day reflecting on the things I’m grateful for and having gratitude towards the smaller things in life.

You have spent Christmas in countries like Germany, Italy, Israel, Croatia, Romania and Cyprus. Where in your opinion did you enjoy it the most?

My perspective changed when I started a family, but each of the countries had something special to offer in their own way. From Christmas markets, carnivals, and team gatherings I shared a lot special moments with some great people over the holidays.

The last time we spoke was in the summer of 2013. Times has really flown by for me. Does a season go just as fast for you now in your mid thirties like it did at say age 27 or don´t they fly by as quickly anymore?

Time definitely flies! I think as the years past you understand more and become more patient with the process. I think for vets it’s more about getting through that “burn” in preseason, but once that’s out the way it’s go time!

Your turning 35 years on February 11, 2018 and your still going strong in your 13^th season. What is your secret to still being able to play now in your thirties? It has to be more than just discipline and taking care of your body?

You’re right, it’s more than discipline and taking care of your body. I would say it’s because I absolutely love basketball! Although it’s hard work, mentally I haven’t worked a day in my life because it’s something I’m truly passionate about and don’t take it for granted!

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