Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Julian Gamble (Telekom Baskets Bonn) I Think Increasing My Efficiency Will Automatically Take My Game To The Next Level

Julian Gamble is a 28 year old 207cm power forward/center from Durham, North Carolina that is playing his fifth professional season and second in Germany with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He started his basketball career at Miami(NCAA) in 2008 and played there until 2013 playing a total of 127 games. In 2013 he started his professional career with Saint Vallier Basket Drome (France-ProB): 44 games: 16.3ppg, Reb-3(9.0rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, Blocks-1(1.5bpg), FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 10.0%, FT: 62.9%. In 2014 he moved to the Basic-Fit Brussels (Belgium-Scooore League) playing 25 games: 17.0ppg, Reb-3(7.6rpg), 1.4apg, 1.1spg, Blocks-1(1.6bpg), FGP: 57.0%, FT: 69.2%. Two seasons ago, he remained with the Basic-Fit Brussels (Belgium-Scooore League) playing 36 games: Score-5(16.6ppg), Reb-2(8.3rpg), 1.3apg, 1.5spg, Blocks-1(1.9bpg), FGP: 60.8%, FT: 68.1%. Last season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn he played 37 games averaging 13.2ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.7apg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP: 61.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 58.0%; He also played 16 FIBA Europe Cup games averaging 12.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 58.2%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Julian Gamble doing some play by play at the Gezieten Cup in Rhondorf in 2017

Julian thanks for talking to German Hoops How did you enjoy the holiday season a second time in Germany and how special is it celebrating the new year in Bonn?

My holiday season was great. It is always good spending that time with family and my team. It gives us a chance to not think about the games as much and enjoy time with each other and the fruits of our labor

Are you the kind of guy that believes in new years resolutions or do you tend to shy away from that?

I believe in New Year resolutions to a degree. I think we should always try to improve ourselves and set goals to achieve, but a New year resolution is a way to focus on a bigger goal for the calendar year.

Congrats on the big win against the Giessen 46ers. How important was it closing out 2017 with that win?

Closing out the year with a win is always good! Especially when you have a little break between games, it’s always good for the mood of practice for the next week to be coming off of a victory.

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Kris Richard Knows That In The Basketball Arena You Are Your Own Business

Kris Richard is a 27 year old 196cm guard playing his seventh season and was recently with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen (Germany-BBL). He was surprisingly released recently despite putting up solid stats averaging 11,5ppg, 2,0rpg and 2,6apg. He has gathered professional experience in Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Latvia. Last season he played with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL) playing 26 VTB United League games averaging 9.7ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 87.1%; In the Latvian LBL, he played 24 games averaging 11.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-3(1.8spg), FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 80.8%. He played at Tulane(NCAA) from 2007-2011 playing a total of 120 NCAA games and as a senior played 30 games averaging 11.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 71.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball recently before his release.

Kris thanks for talking to German Hoops. Your career continues to be a spiral going up as after playing in Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Latvia, you are now in the best league that you have played in in your seventh professional season. Has the road to Germany felt a bit long and difficult at times?

Yeah, the BBL is very competitive, same as the VTB was for me last season. It’s definitely been a blessing to have continued success and professional progression each year. Each season has had its challenges, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

How was your mentality through your first six professional season. Has it felt a bit like a Cinderella story or do you feel it was just part of your special process of getting here?

Yeah for sure, with all the negativity that comes with playing at lower levels it was hard not to get discouraged and try to find another profession. In the basketball arena you are your own business. You construct a plan, pray, and trust that your process will work in your favor.

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Are the Dragons Rhondorf Really A Pro B Title Team Or Just A Playoff Team?

Sometimes one has to wonder how much added fun there would be in Germany in the Christmas time if there was the same amount of opportunities for kids to meet Santa Claus at the local mall as in the States, because that amazing experience is always a high light for any kid before the real game starts with opening presents. One also has to wonder if a Viktor Frankl-Maus could be as exciting playing a Santa Claus for kids as he is making breathtaking passes that makes him a kind of passing magician in the German Pro B. Either way with the great passing ability, positive character and sense of humor, he could easily attempt to a play a Santa Claus if asked. Not only is it fun for any kid to sit on Santa´s lap and wish for that special present, but it has been extra fun again this season coming into the always boisterous Dragon Dome and watching the Dragons Rhondorf play basketball again with you trying to predict for how many points a Kameron Taylor will go for and watching the grand leadership of Viktor Frankl-Maus and his Rajon Rondo type passes that he always good for. But most important the Dragons Rhondorf are winning again something they hadn´t been doing on a regular basis since their spectacular Pro B run in the 2014-2015 season that led them into the Pro A. Are the Dragons Rhondorf back on course good and ripe enough for a title again or will the playoffs be a certain reality, but nothing more?

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Dragons Rhondorf guard Kameron Taylor after dropping 24 points and a buzzer beater against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in 82-80 win

Last season was a season to forget as the club had seemingly a competitive roster, but with the talent that they had underachieved.

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Thomas Walkup (MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg) Our Unselfishness Has Created Our Recipe For Winning

Thomas Walkup is a 25 year old 193cm guard from Pasadena, Texas playing his first season with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. He played his rookie season with the Windy City Bulls (D-League) playing 40 games averaging 7.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 28.2%, FT: 84.5%. He played at SF Austin (NCAA) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 133 NCAA games. In his senior season he played 34 games averaging 18.1ppg, 6.9rpg, 4.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 62.7%, 3PT: 25.6%, FT: 81.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg in Oldenburg.

Thomas, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Last season you were in the States for Christmas and New year playing in the D-League, but this season playing in Germany a day before Christmas and playing after New Years. Are you a fan of this type of schedule or would you rather have that special time with family and friends?

Spending time with the family is always very special. I was lucky to have my family visit me on December 26^th. But at the same time this is my job and you have to make sacrifices and you have to be ready to play.

The NBA is the goal of every player, but after a season in the G-League, you decided to put it on hold and come to Europe. How vital has the signing with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg been considering how well the season is going for the team and your play?

It has been very important. As a player I am reaching my potential here and doing all I can to fit the system. It has been a great fit for me. I really like to play for coach Patrick. The team and coach also fit well and is one of the reasons why we have been successful.

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Van Girard (Nuernberg Falcons) I looked Internally And Spent Time Developing My Game Trying To Take It To The Next Level Rather Than Blaming The World

Van Girard is a 28 year old 193cm guard from Los Angeles, California playing his first season in Europe with the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA). He has bounced around North America in the last 4-5 years getting exposure in the Drew League as well as with the S.California Summer Pro League (And1 Select team)and Newport Beach Sunblockers (WCBL). He also got further experience with the Elite Talent Exchange Glo Japan playing 10 games averaging 12ppg, 8rpg, 2apg, 3spg and with Vaqueros de Saucillo (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive): Score-1 (27.5ppg), Reb-2 (12.9rpg). He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

Hi Van thanks for talking to German Hoops. Before we start I have to ask you about your name Van. It is one of those uncommon names and I actually only have heard it once before with ex NBA player Van Wafer. How much do you like having this rare unique name and with what kind of experiences did you have growing up with the name as well as today?

I’ve liked it a lot. I’d get the occasional joke about “driving a van” or wearing “Vans” brand tennis shoes, but for the most part it was all about my dad. I’m named after him (Van Girard Sr.) He’s actually a well known and respected basketball coach especially around LA and in the NCAA world so everywhere I go people ask if that’s my dad, or if I’m related to him! It’s actually kind of cool because we look a lot alike too.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and the Christmas holiday season is also around the corner. How have you experienced living in Germany as a kid coming from Los Angeles. What have you learned to appreciate the most about Germany and it´s culture?

Germany is definitely different than LA, in a good way though. I really appreciate the history, the culture, and the hospitality. People are welcoming, and Nürnberg specifically is absolutely beautiful. Definitely lucky to be living here.

What did you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball before you came? Your ex teammate in high school Caspar Ware had played here. Did you have any other friends playing in Germany over the years?

I’ve actually always had my sights set on playing in Europe, so I had definitely done a little bit of research. I always compare the type of basketball to how the Spurs play. Very balanced, very strategic, and team oriented. I like that a lot. And yes my buddy Kaiymen Pruitt has been playing in Germany for a while so I’ve heard nothing but good things from him.

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Demetrius Ward (MTV Wolfenbuettel Herzoege) My Goal Is To Be Efficient Without Taking So Many Shots Scoring The Ball With Limited Dribbles

Demetrius Ward is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his sixth professional season with MTV Wolfenbuettel Herzoege (Germany-ProB) and last season played 22 games averaging 19.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 83.6%. He played at Western Michigan from 2008-2012 playing a total of 129 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 12.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 76.2%. He spoke German Hoops to about basketball.

Demetrius, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and what are you looking forward to most this Christmas?

Hello Miles I’m currently at home in Detroit. I am looking forward to spending time with my family during the break.

Before we talk about Wolfenbuettel, I have to remind you about this quote you gave me in your last interview in April 2017. “I definitely think I can make an impact in the Pro A on and off the court. I’m not a one dimensional player, I can create my own shot and also create for others. I guess all I need is a chance to show my talents at the next level”. Are you very disappointed you didn´t catch on with a Pro A team? What do you feel is missing for getting that opportunity?

It was disappointing but, I have a great opportunity here in Wolfenbuttel which maybe better than playing in the Pro A. I think I don’t have the representation or anyone pushing me to go to the Pro A. My time will come eventually or maybe its not meant to happen but I definitely can play Pro A.

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Vaughn Duggins (s.Oliver Wurzburg) My Job Is To Be An Aggressive Creator On Offense And A Bulldog On Defense

Vaughn Duggins is a 30 year old 190cm guard from Pendleton, Indiana that is playing his seventh professional season and first with s.Oliver Wurzburg. Last season he played with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg playing 22 games averaging 10.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 85.2%. In 4 BCL games he averaged 11.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg. He started his basketball career in 2006 with Wright St. (NCAA) where he played until 2011 paying a total of 130 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 18.0ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 82.2%. In 2011, he started his professional basketball career in Germany with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen where he played until 2013 and in his second season played 33 games averaging 14.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 82.0%. He then played two seasons in France with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-ProA) playing 31 games averaging 10.5ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 85.9%; and 10 Eurocup games averaging 10.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 79.2%. He also played with Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProA) playing 32 games averaging 14.5ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 79.3% and played 12 Eurocup games averaging 11.1ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 78.6%. He spoke to German Hoops before the BBL game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Vaughn thanks for talking to German Hopps. Congrats on becoming a dad for the second time. What is most different about being a dad for the second time than for the first time?

The biggest difference is the amount of time it takes to do anything. If you expect any task to be done in a certain amount of time, double it!

Before we get to basketball, I have to ask you about German Christmas. You have seen it in Tuebingen and Oldenburg and now witnessing it in Wurzburg. How has the atmosphere been in the Bavarian city and is there anything more unique about it in Bavaria than it was before?

We love the old German charm of the cities here in the South and Würzburg is no different. Great for families and the location is perfect.

Last season you experienced an amazing run with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. How special was that run for you personally and being a teammate of Mr Oldenburg Rickey Paulding?

It was special because the season was very challenging for us at times. It was great that it all came together at the right time. Rickey is an amazing player but it doesn’t touch how good of a person and teammate he is!

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Kendall Timmons (Baskets Vilsbiburg) Great Coaches Have Challenged Me To Be A Complete Player And Not Just Rely On My Athleticism

Kendall Timmons is a 27 year old 195cm guard from Fort Worth, Texas playing his fourth professional season and second with the Baskets Vilsbiburg (Germany-Regionalliga) currently averaging 18,5ppg, 12,2rpg and 4,9apg, 3,8spg and 1,0bpg. He played at Tulane(NCAA) from 2008-2013 playing a total of 117 games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 8.2ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 66.0%. He started his professional basketball career in 2013 with U.M.F. Grindavik (Iceland-Dominos League) playing 2 games averaging 14.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.5apg, in Dec.’13 moved to Jackson Showboats (ABA). In the 2013-2014 season he played with Sampaense Basket (Portugal-LPB, starting five): 21 games: 12.9ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.9apg, Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 61.9%. Last season he came to Germany to paly with the Baskets Vilsbiburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 15 games averaging 17.6ppg, 9.7rpg, 3.7apg, Steals-3(3.3spg), FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 59.1%. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.

Kendall thanks for talking to German Hoops Thanksgiving came and went and for the fourth time in five years you were away from home for this big American holiday. What was your favorite childhood memory of thanksgiving?

My favorite memories of thanksgiving have to be all of the different foods and desserts that my family would make.

You are playing your second season with Baskets Vilsbiburg (Germany-Regionalliga). After being a runner up in the Regionalliga last season was it only logical for you to return to win it all this season and move up to the Pro B?

After finishing second last season only playing half of the season with the team, I thought that there would be a great chance of having another great season this year.

The club Baskets Vilsbiburg (Germany-Regionalliga) have started off well. The scoring really stands out as the club has scored 80 points or more in nine of it´s 13 games. Is this the team´s biggest strength at the moment?

I do think that because we are able to score a lot of points that it makes our team very difficult to play against because everyone is capable of contributing.

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The Morrison And Tez Lebron Show Fails But The Fraport Skyliners Whip The Walter Tigers Tuebingen 90-63

After the disgusting 83-59 loss to the Giessen 46ers in the always annoying Osthalle where the home fans tend to be rather aggressive with their choice of words at times, the Fraport Skyliners crawled off the court with the only thing missing was bags to cover their faces as not only had Frankfurt been the clear favorite which no one expected to lose, but to be splattered with an embarrassing 23 point loss was about as untypical with the current stellar play of the team as it would be for the New England Patriots to lose their last two home games against Buffalo and Miami. After the loss Quantez Robertson escaped off the court after stretching with that bewildered look as if he had found out that Mcdonalds was closing in the Nordwest center mall where the club trains and lives, but in reality he was still trying to fathom what the club had produced in the second half. The Fraport Skyliners scored a measly unacceptable 22 points and gave up 43 points as their defense their usual staple had totally betrayed them. Usually it is their stellar defense that fuels their offense, but on this unforgettable 22^nd of December in Giessen, the defense actually influenced their offense in a negative way. A week earlier Gordon Herbert had boasted that the incredible win against Alba Berlin had been one of the best wins he had ever been a part of and a week later the loss in Giessen has to go down as one of the worst loses in the club history in the last 10 years. The uninspired and haphazardly play of the Fraport Skyliners scared a lot of people and the only positive thing after a miserable loss like that was that it could only get better. The horrible loss gave a bad taste for their Christmas and the team didn´t have much time to prepare for their next opponent or digest their Christmas dinner either as Herbert had his team practice every day over the holidays. The Walter Tigers Tuebingen were fighting for their lives, had a new head coach with Mathias Fischer and desperately needed wins. The Fraport Skyliners came into their own living room having done a lot of soul searching over the holiday weekend and came back rejuvenated, focused and very aggressive retaliating from the Giessen embarrassment and whipping the Walter Tigers Tuebingen 90-63.

Basketball BL, FRAPORT SKYLINERS - WALTER TIGERS TÜBINGEN

Tai Webster shot 3/3 from the three point line and finished the game with 20 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

After the big win, one could see a more content look on the sweaty face of Fraport Skyliner center Mike Morrison who was a big factor in the good start of the team. “One we made shots, two we played defense and three we played with a lot more energy than in Giessen. When you play good defense, you get more transition opportunities and we made it tough for our opponent from the start”, stressed Florida native Mike Morrison.

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Reggie Upshaw´s Relentless Hard Work Has Made Him An Elite BBL Player Despite Playing For A Losing Team

Having that certain drive to get better and always have the ambition to keep working harder is something that not every player has because sometimes that God given talent takes players away from doing that extra shift on the court or in the gym hours after your teammates have left and gone over to the campus eating area or back home to their families to catch some down time. However for Reggie Upshaw a rookie for German BBL cellar team Walter Tigers Tuebingen, nothing has changed in the last five years from being a freshman at Middle Tennessee State to now in Tuebingen as his relentless hard work continues to be there and pay dividends as his development and growth as a player continues as it has made him an elite BBL player despite playing for a losing team. His confidence also has been affected by his hard work as last July when he was signed by the German team, he uttered these bold words. “I definitely feel like I can be an impact player in the BBL especially if I come in with an open mind to work hard each day”, warned Reggie Upshaw. So far he has stuck behind his wise prediction as his stellar play has brought him to the elite in the BBL. Of course his hard work has brought him a long way and will continue to, but another strength is his character as just a week before he was signed by Tuebingen last summer, he was battling NBA players every day and then he stated how much it was a dream to play in Germany and for Tuebingen something that he credits his dad to helping him mold. “He’s a big part of who I am today if it wasn’t for him I don’t think my character would be like it is now”, warned Reggie Upshaw.

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