Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

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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Brian Butler Dunks The ScanPlus Baskets Past The Dragons Rhondorf 92-69

Only a few days ago, it was carnival time in the Rhein area of Bonn/Bad Honnef and you had many many people dressed up in funny and in some cases memorable costumes acting crazy and just enjoying life while others in other parts of Germany were carnival free and going about their daily business. If the carnival craze had infected Americans Kameron Taylor and Brandon Watkins was unknown, but seeing a Taylor prancing around in a Trump costume or Watkins donning a OJ Simpson costume would have been enjoyable, but with only a few weeks left in the Pro B regular season, they most likely were already mentally locked in to the big game against the ScanPlus Baskets who are in first place while the Dragons Rhondorf had one victory less and were parked in second place. Watkins wasn´t with the team yet in October, but Taylor was and had bad memories of the 103-72 blow out loss in Elchlingen as they met an offensive powerhouse that averaged 28 points for the course of three quarters. The ScanPlus Baskets shot over 50%, dominated the boards and forced Rhondorf to cough up the ball an annoying 24 times. It was a game to forget for the ex Pro A team Dragons Rhondorf as they couldn´t find a defensive remedy on this day to combat the lethal offensive arsenal from the southern German team. Watkins most likely saw film from that horrible loss and also got some extra information from Taylor as both Americans and their German teammates were seeking revenge and wanted to extend their good home record to 10-1. As always it was a full packed house as the Dragon Dome was electric and burning with basketball passion as it was loud and the type of atmosphere that is rarely seen in the Pro B except if your in Rostock, but the home team Dragons were unable to keep their almost immaculate home record as they got overpowered by the ScanPlus Baskets 92-69. The Dragons Rhondorf did the best they could despite being without three key players, but just couldn´t withstand the potent consistent offense of the ScanPlus Baskets for 40 minutes. “Good defense was key for the win. In the last games we had been shooting too many three´s and we wanted to stabilize our inside game tonight and did. We had good communication and when we play good defense then our offense works. It was obvious that they had a hard time without Viktor Frankl-Maus, but we showed we could dominate in the first game where they were complete. Our ball movement was good as well as our pick and roll. It was fun to play”, stressed ex Ehingen guard Brian Butler. After the loss, a disappointed Brandon Watkins reflected on the 40 minutes, but was still proud how the team played despite the many injuries. “It was a tough game and we were missing key players. But guys that don´t usually play stepped up. These young guys know how to contribute now and it was a good learning experience. They are a good team and hurt us with their pick and roll. Our help side wasn´t good as they kept attacking it. We will have to work on it so other teams don´t do that”, stressed ex West Virginia(NCAA) forward Brandon Watkins.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing 2017 easyCredit BBL slam dunk contest winner as he led the ScanPlus Baskets to the 92-69 win with 19 points and 12 rebounds in Rhondorf

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Gabe York (medi Bayreuth) I Was A Test Subject And Learned That Not Everything Is Like Green Grass And Beautiful But That I Need To Get Better

Gabe York is a 24 year old 190cm guard from Orange, California playing his second professional season and first with medi Bayreuth. Last season as a rookie he played for Vanoli Cremona (Italy-Serie A) playing 6 games averaging 4.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.5apg, left in Nov.’16, later that month moved to Erie Bay Hawks (D-League) playing 44 games avergaging15.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 83.7%. He played at Arizona from 2012-2016 playing a total of 124 games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 15.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 75.6%. With Arizona he won the Pac 10 tournament in 2015 and reached the NCAA Elite 8 twice and NCAA Sweet 16 once. He spoke to German Hoops before the 2018 easyCredit BBL cup semi-final game against Alba Berlin in Ulm.

Gabe thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the great season. Fourth place in the BBL, playoffs in the Basketball Champions League and top 4 cup appearance. How good is basketball life right now?

It´s been really good. After coming off a bad experience in Italy last season and playing in the NBA Summer League where I had a chance at the NBA, I had to take a step back this season, but the season has been great and I want to finish strong and do some damage in the playoffs.

Bayreuth is 150 kilometers away from Wurzburg. Who visited who more until his release you or Ryan Anderson who was your teammate at Arizona?

He was released 3 or 4 months ago. We had planned to hang out, but we never did because of our schedules

How excited is the club for the cup weekend in Ulm? You have to beat Alba Berlin to get to the final. You beat Alba Berlin already once this season. Is this team feeling title in their veins?

We never want to look past our opponent which is Alba Berlin. If we stick to our game plan, then we feel that we can beat anyone in the league. Alba Berlin is a really fast paced team and we will have to be ready for them. We will have to be ready for any punches they throw and be ready throw them back.

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Hayden Lescault (ScanPlus Baskets) Nobody Is Taking This Success For Granted But It’s Driving Us More To Validate It Come Playoff Time

Hayden Lescault is a 25 year old 196cm guard from Folsam, California playing his third professional season and first with the ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen (Germany-ProB). Last season he played with the Glasgow Rocks (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 35 games averaging 12.9ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 75.3%. As a rookie he played with BG Karlsruhe (Germany-ProB) playing 25 games averaging 13.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 71.8%. He played at Point Loma (NCAA2) from 2011-2015 and as a senior played 21 games averaging 11.5ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.7apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 78.7%. In his junior season he won the NCAA 2 title and played 30 games averaging 16.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 72.5%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Dragons Rhondorf.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Hayden Lescault after dropping 31 points and a buzzer beater in the 87-84 win against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in Frankfurt

Hayden thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the huge 104-96 win against Iserlohn. It was the second most points the team has given up this season. Was the defensive effort the main thing one could criticize about the win?

It’s never good to give up 90+ points but it happens sometimes when the game is played at such a fast pace.

Donte Nicholas and Julian Scott were a one man wrecking crew as they combined for 55 points. Nicholas as been one of the top players in the Pro B south with Kameron Taylor. What made it so difficult to control him as a team?

Those two guys are great players and they were working hard. Nicholas plays very physical and it was hard to keep him out of the paint.

You reached the BBL final with the Glasgow Rocks. What was so enticing about returning to Germany? Possibly the competitive ambitions of the ScanPlus Baskets?

The season was pretty successful in Glasgow and I enjoyed playing for the Rocks, but I had to weigh my options in the off season and coming to play for ScanPlus made the most sense. Sitting in first place right now, we have our goal set on winning the title and gaining promotion.

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After Taking A Step Back To The Pro B Can Kameron Taylor (Dragons Rhondorf) Take Two Steps Forward To The BBL?

Early in the 2017-2018 Pro B season in late October, Dragons Rhondorf fans were witnessing an entertaining and exciting duel against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors who had been massive under dogs coming into the game as they only dressed 7 players as some of their key BBL double license players like Garai Zeeb were playing at the same time in Munich and weren´t available. Instead of running out the clock and being ready to celebrate an easy 20 plus point win, the Dragons Rhondorf were clinging to life as the game was dead locked at 80-80 with 11,2 seconds to play, but the Dragons team had possession. It was that moment in the game that Kameron Taylor had seen before and that time where he especially comes to life as having the ball in his hands when it counts most is when he flourishes and is in his special element. Back at Seton Hill(NCAA2), the Maryland native had celebrated some huge moments with game winning shots against Gannon and Edinboro, but was still waiting for that first professional game winning buzzer beater and against Frankfurt he would help propel himself another step into Dragons Rhondorf heaven and history. As the ball was inbounded, Taylor got the ball and had control of the court and everyone in the gym knew he would make that last play. Taylor was focused on the basket and this was the moment where he blocked everything out and saw only himself the basket and his man Englishman Jules Akodo. With the seconds winding down quickly he met Akodo at the three point line at the top of the key with six seconds and after a few dribbles lost a bit of the handle and almost lost the ball with three seconds, but gathered himself went briefly to his right and had his man off balance and fired away unleashing a lethal step back jumper that saw nothing but net and brought the whole Dragon Dome into an electric frenzy. It had been the club´s sixth game of the season and third home win in a row which had upped their record to 5-1. The season had been a total turnaround from the disappointing last season where the club had to fight in the playdowns to stay in the league and did, but the whole experience had been nothing for weak nerves. This season has been a total 180 degree turn as the club currently has a 15-5 record in second place in the Pro B south standings. A big reason for the success has been the incredible dominance of American Kameron Taylor who is on course of winning the Pro B 2018 MVP and the team have legitimate chances of winning the title as well. So often the success of the team is based a lot on the how well the player performs and meshes with his teammates and that has been the case with Taylor. But in a way Taylor shouldn´t even have been in the Pro B simply because he is way to good. It was his choice coming to the Pro B after having a solid Pro A season with Ehingen as a rookie. “Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward”, warned Kameron Taylor. He is on his best way of getting back to a higher league next season. However not only the Pro A will be calling, but perhaps even the easyCredit BBL.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Dragons Rhondorf guard Kameron Taylor after his brilliant 31 point, 8 rebound, six assist and 3 steal explosion in 90-72 win over the Bayer Giants Leverkusen

Before Taylor became a living legend in the small city Bad Honnef by the Rhein in Germany, he had to learn the fundamentals at Seton Hill(NCAA).

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James Milliken (APOP Paphou) Bernau Wanted To Change My Role To Being Just A Defensive Player

James Milliken is a 25 year old 188cm guard from Siler, North Carolina that is playing his rookie season in Cyprus with APOP Paphou (Cyprus-Division A). He started the season in Germany with Lok Bernau, but left in pre season. He started his basketball career with Cowley County CC (JUCO). He then made the jump to the NCAA to Creighton and played 65 games from 2014-2016. In his junior year he played 30 games averaging 9.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 77.6%. In his senior year he played 35 game averaging 9.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 70.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

James thanks for talking to German Hoops. From Germany to Cyprus. How blessed are you that you were able to find a new team after your short stay in Germany?

I am very blessed to have found a team really quick after my stay in Bernau!

You were only with Lok Bernau in the pre-season. It was a short stay. What were the reasons for your time being there cut very short?

And my time being cut short was more of a decision between both parties

You played with some very talented German players with Lok Bernau. Did it seem like the club was focusing more on them at your position?

I am a scorer and they wanted to change my role to being just a defensive player based off of the history of players I have defended! But yea I think offensively they had plans for other players and it just wasn’t something to further my career being that it was already a pretty low level league

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Good Coaches Have Allowed Anish Sharda (ASC Theresianum Mainz) To Be So Consistent In His Career

Anish Sharda is a 35 year old 188cm Us/India point guard that is playing his 12th professional season and fifth with ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career in 2001 with Moorpark JC. He then finished school at University of Mary (NAIA) in 2005 and as a senior averaged 15.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.8spg, 45.9% FGs, 38.7% 3-pts, 83.2% FTs. He came to Germany in 2007 and played two seasons for ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-Regionalliga) helping them move up to the German Pro B in 2008. He then played a season for USC Freiburg and for Hanau from 2010-2014 helping them move from the Regionaliga to the Pro B in 2011. He also played with TV Langen and last season with ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-Regionalliga) played 24 games averaging 19.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 86.0%. He recently joined Weller Sports & Entertainment agency and spoke to German Hoops about basketball in January before the second half of the Regionaliga season.

Anish thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you spent the holiday season?

How are you Miles? I’m actually in Los Angeles for a few days with family.

It has been a little more than three years ago where I last interviewed you. Has basketball time flown and do is your passion and game still where it was then or has it changed?

My passion is still the same. I love to compete and love to prepare and of course love to play this game.

You recently got the German citizenship. Was that a difficult process and what advantages will this have for you with basketball down the road?

The process of obtaining the German citizenship was an interesting one. A lot of studying and preparation for the language exam but a fun one. It reminded me of college. I hope it helps as far as opportunities go. Time will tell.

You have played in German places like Hanau, Freiburg and Langen, but what makes Christmas so special in Mainz?

Mainz is special because my wife and her family are from there. But also for me because this is where my career all started.

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Garai Zeeb Is The Fourth Quarter Savior Again Powering The Fraport Skyliners Juniors Past TG s.Oliver Wurzburg 75-69

Miles interviewing Miles! Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing TG s.Oliver Wurzburg guard Miles Jackson-Cartwright after dropping 21 points in a 75-69 loss to the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in Frankfurt

With the Pro B regular season winding down, one can pretty much predict well where the post season journeys of the Fraport Skyliners Juniors and TG s.Oliver Wurzburg teams will take them. Frankfurt has booked a ticket for the playoffs while TG s.Oliver Wurzburg most likely will play in the playdowns to be able to book their ticket for the upcoming Pro B season. One thing that is never as predictable is what lineup the Fraport Skyliners Juniors will go with on account of their BBL license players and injuries having been a huge factor in the success they have had this season. With Isaac Bonga, one never knows will he suit up or not as he has been concentrating more on the easyCredit BBL this season and only played sporadically in the Pro B. Especially on weekends when the BBL team Fraport Skyliners are in action, his chances of playing become less, but this weekend the team was off as they had back to back games within the week. Bonga had played in the last home game victory against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen and had been a vital factor for the success as he took over the game in many phases and finished with a career high 30 points. Fans weren´t disappointed when Bonga arrived in the BCM gym for warm ups and then was present on the court ready for battle again. He didn´t score 30 again like two weeks ago, but this time it was Garai Zeeb again who was the fourth quarter savior as like some weeks ago against KIT Karlsruhe, he had a horrible first half and stepped it up in the second half sparking Frankfurt with 13 points and this time powered home 8 points down the stretch against TG s.Oliver Wurzburg pacing the Fraport Skyliners Juniors to the 75-69 victory.

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Peyton Siva (Alba Berlin) I Didn´t Lose Confidence In The Way I Know How To Play

Peyton Siva is a 27 year old 183cm point guard from Seattle, Washington playing his fifth professional season and second with Alba Berlin. Currently he is averaging 13,4ppg, 2,2rpg and 5,3apg. Last season with Alba Berlin he averaged 9.4ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 83.8%; and in the Eurocup averaged 11.3ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-3(6.3apg), Steals-2(2.0spg), FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT: 86.7%. In his first season in Europe in 2015-2016 he played with Pasta Reggia JuveCaserta (Italy-Serie A) playing 21 games averaging 13.3ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-1(6.5apg), Steals-1(2.0spg), FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT-1(91.9%). He played his first two professional seasons in the G-League with Fort Wayne and Erie and played 22 NBA games with the Detroit Pistons. He played at Louisville from 2009-2013 playing a total of 144 games and as a senior helped them win the NCAA title and played 40 games averaging 10.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 5.7apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 86.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the BBL game against Science City Jena in Jena.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with Peyton Siva in the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt after the Alba Berlin loss to Frankfurt in 2017

Peyton thanks for talking to German Hoops. A sweep of Bamberg, the cup top 4 around the corner and a second place in the BBL standings, how good is basketball life now?

It´s really good. I am enjoying being around my teammates and playing in a good environment. Coach Aito makes it a good environment to play basketball.

There aren´t many players that can say that they swept Bamberg in a season. How good does it feel having had their number this season?

It feels good. Those were two very big wins. You always want to get those tough wins out of the way when going into the playoffs. It was great getting these wins, but we are focusing on the next game against Jena.

You were the best player on the floor scoring 25 points. Do you feel like you took your game to another level?

It was just me playing with confidence. Coach Aito put me in a position where I could play with confidence. But my teammates like Spencer Butterfield also were a big factor making big shots in helping getting this win.

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Chris Longoria (TV 1860 Lich) I Need To Score But More Importantly I Need To Be A Defensive Stopper First

Chris Longoria is a 25 year old 193cm guard from Peachtree, Georgia playing his second professional season and first with TV 1860 Lich 2nd team (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season as a rookie he played with Buova Virtus Lamezia Terme (Italy-Serie C Silver) playing 16 games averaging 22.7ppg. He got experience playing at three schools with Binghamton (NCAA) where he played 31 game avergaimg 6.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 37.6%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 84.8%. He played a season at Samford (NCAA) playing 13 games averaging 3.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.0apg. He played his last season at Valdosta St. (NCAA2) playing 20 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 69.4%. He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

Chris thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment an dhow have you enjoyed the Christmas time?

I am here in Lich, Germany and have really enjoyed my time here so far. Christmas time in Germany is something special.

Congrats on signing with Lich 2 recently. After having a strong rookie season with Buova Virtus Lamezia Terme (Italy-Serie C) playing 16 games averaging 22.7ppg, it took you some time finding a team. How was the transfer period in your second go compared to your rookie season? Did clubs have reservations or did the right fit just not surface?

It was definitely a process because I had to switch agents. The rules changed in Italy regarding their Americans. Luckily, I had a former college teammate Nils Dejworek who told me about his agent Lothar from Regiospot, and I got hooked up with him. However, the leagues in Germany had most of their Americans at the time, so he told me that we could find something at the Christmas break. With so many Americans trying to play pro basketball overseas, I am just grateful and blessed that I got this opportunity for a second year, no matter what time of the year it came.

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