James Nunnally is a 27 year old 201cm forward from California that is playing his sixth professional season and second with Fenerbahce Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) whom he helped win the 2017 Euroleague title averaging  5.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 87.0%. In the Turkish league he averaged 11.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT-1(57.1%), FT: 86.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2012 with  Enosi Kalathosfairisis Kavalas (Greece-A1) playing 2 games averaging 9.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5apg; Balkan League: 1 game: 11pts, 3reb, 1ast, then signed with the Bakersfield Jam (D-League) playing 51 games averaging 10.3ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 88.6%. In the 2013-2014 season he made the jump to the NBA playing with the Phoenix Suns (NBA) playing 9 games averaging 2.6ppg, 1.2rpg, played with the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) playing 4 games averaging 4.5ppg, 2.0rpg, played with the  Bakersfield Jam (D-League) playing 25 games averaging 18.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 84.8%, played with the Frisco Texas Legends (D-League) playing 10 games averaging 17.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 78.1%, and played with the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) playing 9 games averaging 2.6ppg, 1.2rpg. In the 2014-2015 season he played with Tuenti Movil Estudiantes Madrid (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 7 games averaging 9.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 58.1%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 75.0%, and also played with Maccabi Ashdod (Israel-Winner League) playing 24 games: Score-4(17.1ppg), 7.8rpg, 3.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 80.0%. In the 2015-2016 season he played with Scandone Avellino (Italy-Serie A) playing 40 games: Score-3(18.4ppg), 4.2rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT-2(90.8%). He played at UCSB (NCAA) from 2008-2012 playing a total of 122 NCAA games and as a senior played 30 games averaging 15.7ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 37.2%, FT: 79.8%. He spoke to German Hoops  before the Euroleague game against Brose Bamberg in Bamberg,

 

 

 

 

James thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. Last season you swept the series against Brose Bamberg. Had that been your first time in Germany or had you been there before?

 

No that had been my second time. My first visit to Germany was when I played with Italian team Avellino and we played in a pre season tournament in Hagen. I remember a couple of good games. The fans were crazy there. It was a good experience.

 

 

 

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

 

One of my good buddies is Peyton Siva who plays for Alba Berlin. I also played briefly with Dennis Schroeder with the Atlanta Hawks and my sister in law is German.

 

 

 

Last season you won a nail bitter at home by one point and won on the road in an also tight game. What memories do you have of last season´s victory in Bamberg?

 

 

The fans were crazy in Bamberg. We actually had quite a few Turkish fans in Bamberg so the fan support seemed even. It got really loud in that arena when the game got tight. Bamberg had great fans.

 

 

What was your impression of Bamberg last season? They had a very good team and with some breaks might have gone farther in the Euroleague. Did you see that also?

 

They were a talented team. I remember Darius Miller who was their best 1-1 scorer and also Daniel Theis who is a big time hustle guy that always brought great energy.

 

 

This season they are struggling with the BBL and Euroleague as the team had a big facelift. What kind of game can we await and what will be key to winning?

 

Every game in the Euroleague is a fight. You battle each game and have to fight for everything.

 

Has Brad Wanamaker told some interesting stories from his time here? How have you sensed his demeanor coming back to an old stomping ground?

 

 

 

 

He hasn´t talked so much about the basketball side, but said the city wasn´t big, but just chill. You had to find things to do. I do sense that he wants to play his old team again though.

 

 

If some bold person had told you in the summer of 2009 after your freshman year at UCSB that 8 years later you would have played in the NBA and won the Euroleague what would you have thought? How blessed are you with your life?

 

I don´t know. I probably would have believed those words, because I was confident in myself. I always knew what I wanted to do and playing professionally was it. People dream of these things happening and sometimes dreams come true. Dreams happen when you put in the work and I did that .Even if I have won titles and reached the NBA, I strive for more. I am always hungry.

 

 

 

After playing NBA Summer League from 2012-2016, you didn´t play this past summer after winning the Euroleague. Are you content now at age 27 to be a high profile Euroleague player and seek titles and put the NBA on the back burner?

 

 

 

I never want to say no. I am fine where I am now. If the opportunity presents itself then I would have to think about because the NBA is the best league in the world and has the best players. But the Euroleague has a great history, great competition and has good players also.

 

 

What was really the key component last season in the Euroleague win that allowed this special team to win it all?

 

 

 

 

We were an experienced team that was healthy and played together at the right time. The struggles we did have during the season helped us turn things around and play our best basketball when we needed it most.

 

The club kept a majority of players from last season title team and added Brad Wanamaker and Nicolo Melli. Does the team feel much pressure to repeat and is the “we believe” feeling in your minds already now?

 

The season just started and we are still feeling each other out and still trying to gel with each other. We did get new players that have to learn a new system. That takes time.

 

 

 

After coming from the NBA in 2014, you got your feet wet again in Europe in Spain and Israel and the season after moved to Scandone Avellino (Italy-Serie A) playing 40 games: Score-3(18.4ppg), 4.2rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT-2(90.8%). Do you feel like this was your true breakout season in Europe which was something like your Euroleague screen test?

 

 

My time in Italy with Avellino made me like basketball again. I wasn´t enjoying basketball before that. I wasn´t treated well in Spain, but then I moved to Israel and I loved my time there. But I loved Avellino. That was a very special place for me. I got a chance to show there what I could do on the court. We had a lot of veterans which made it easier increasing my learning speed. I won the MVP there and I give a lot of credit to the coaching staff and my teammates.

 

 

 

How important was it having a guy like ex NBA player Alex Acker around who had seen it all in the NBA and returned back to Europe and has had a stellar career. Did his experience from having to make the transition back to Europe rub off on you?

 

 

Alex helped me in many different ways like with certain strategies on offense and defense. He was a good veteran to have and was a good friend off the court.

 

In the 2014-2015 season you came back to Europe and split time with  Tuenti Movil Estudiantes Madrid (Spain-Liga Endesa): 7 games: 9.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 58.1%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 75.0%, in Dec.’14 moved to Maccabi Ashdod (Israel-Winner League, starting five): 24 games: Score-4(17.1ppg), 7.8rpg, 3.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 80.0%. After moving from Spain to Israel you really blossomed. Was Israel a good example of how important a certain situation can be?

 

 

 

Yes Israel was a very good example of how important the certain situation can be. In Spain, I didn´t understand why the coach didn´t want us playing more than 20 minutes a game when all we had was one game per week. Spain simply wasn´t the right fit for me. Israel on the other hand was a different style and that fit the team best. We had very good players. We might not have had the best record, but made a great turnaround. When I arrived the team was 1-11, but when the season ended we were one game away from the playoffs. We were successful at the end because we talked things out and had to figure things out on our own.

 

You spent a season in the NBA and D-League in 2013-2014 with the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers and played with the Bakersfield Jam and Texas Legends. You had 10 day contracts and played 9 games with the 76ers and 4 games with the Atlanta Hawks. When you look back at your NBA gig, what did you appreciate most about the experience?

 

 

I appreciated how hard I had to work to reach the NBA. Dreams really can come true when hard works really pays off. I didn´t have the best opportunity to showcase my skills, but all in all the experience was a big blessing.

 

 

With Atlanta you saw the early development of German Dennis Schroeder who has kept developing. How far do you see a guy like him getting down the road? Could he become a top 5 NBA point guard?

 

 

Dennis has game. He could be a top 5 NBA point guard depending how hard he works. He still has a lot of upside. He was a gym rat. I remember going to the gym with him after games.

 

 

 

What did you learn about the NBA process? There are probably many less talented players than you that have stuck in the NBA. Has it bothered you that over the years despite showing your craft in the NBA Summer League that you didn´t get an another chance?

 

 

That is a great question. It has bothered me. I will not watch the next guy. I feel that I wasn´t in the right place at the right time. Some get in the right situation and then get a great chance.

 

I know you have played with hundreds of players and against thousands, but let´s see how good your memory is. In 2014 you played 5 NBA Summer League games with the Miami Heat and your teammate was German Danilo Barthel. Do you have any memory of him?

 

 

I don’t remember playing along with him in summer league maybe I missed him since I played with Indiana in The Orlando summer league prior to switching from Dallas to Miami in Las Vegas.

 

As a rookie you played briefly with Enosi Kalathosfairisis Kavalas (Greece-A1). What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home in California?

 

 

I had no wake up call there at first. I wanted to go there, but my agent told me not to. I should have listened to him but I was thinking to much of the money. The club didn´t pay a big portion of my money and I eventually left. After going from practice to practice, playing games, and taking 16 hour bus rides to Bulgaria, I was just fed up and angry. I decided not to play the next game and threatened to leave, but the club wanted to keep me, but after still seeing no money, I left a few days later and flew back to San Francisco. Soon I was playing in the D-League with the Bakersfield Jam.

 

 

 

You played at UCSB from 2008-2012 winning two Big West tournaments. When looking back which one was sweeter?

 

 

The first one. There had been a huge drought at UCSB for years of losing and not reaching the tournament.

 

 

 

How did head coach Bob Williams groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

 

 

He was a hands on coach. He made you responsible for your mistakes. Also his assistant coaches played a big role as did he in getting me ready for professional ball.

 

 

What memories do you have of Orlando Johnson? How competitive was playing with him and going into your senior year, did either of you two ever mention the NBA being a possibility?

 

 

 

Yes we talked about the NBA. He is one of my best friends. Every practice with Orlando was very competitive. Coach always had to switch up the lineups, because when we played on the same team, we always won. He brought out the best in me and I brought out the best in him. He had a plan and reached the NBA playing three years there.

 

 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Orlando Johnson?

 

 

 

We also train together in the summer. He won his share and I won my share. He is a great one on one player that is very hard to stop.

 

 

 

 

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 

 

The fastest was Ty Lawson. He played with the great North Carolina teams with Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington, Tyler Zeller, Deon Thompson and Ed Davis. I remember that was my freshman year and my third game as we were in the  game and even led before halftime. Another tough player was Evan Turner who played with Ohio State.

 

 

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 

Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq

 

 

 

 

 

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

 

 

 

My list now is 1.Jordan 2 Kobe 3 Lebron

 

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

 

Yes it is a fair assessment. He was on a bad team and was stacking his stats. I am big on winners like Tim Duncan who is one of my favorites of all-time.

 

 

 

 

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 

 

I didn´t follow the young boys much. Lonzo Ball will have a hard time because he has a target on his back. But Ball is very good. Ben Simmons will win rookie of the year.

 

 

 

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 

 

 

I don´t know. I think that they are missing a dominant big man.

 

 

How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?

 

 

The deal was great for Kyrie Irving. I think it was messed up how Isaiah Thomas was treated. He did great for them and they just traded him. The deal is great for the Celtics long term.

 

 

Where will the journey of the Oklahoma Thunder go this season with Westbrook, George and Anthony? Can they make a serious run in the west?

 

No they can´t

 

 

 

 

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

 

 

I have been watching the TV series 24. It´s a great show.

 

 

Thanks James for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ronalds Elksnis is a 24 year old 203cm forward from Latvia that is playing his first season in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf. Last season he helped  BK Jelgava/BJSS (LBL2) win the Latvian division two title playing 34 games averaging 11.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP-3(63.2%), 3PT: 45.0%, FT: 82.0%. The season before he played with  Gulbenes Buki BJSS Riga (Latvia-LBL2) playing 23 games averaging 12.8ppg, Reb-5(10.0rpg), 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 61.6%. He spent some years in the states at La Jolla Prep (Calif.) and played a year at Clark St. CC (JUCO) and John Brown (NAIA). Currently with the Dragons Rhondorf, he is averaging 3,3ppg and 1,9rpg. He spoke to German Hoops  at the end of the summer about basketball.

 

 

 

 

 

Ronalds thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are starting a new adventure in Germany this season. What will you miss most from your native country the abundance in snow or the food Rupimaize?

 

Thank you for reaching out me! I am not going to miss snow thats for sure! For me, its not the first I am away from home forav long time period. But I will definitely miss my family, girlfriend, close friends and my dog LeBron.

 

 

 

Welcome to Germany. You won the Latvian second league title last season with BK Jelgava/BJSS (LBL2). Was there never any thought about going into the first division and play against better competition and top teams like VEF Riga or Ventspils?

 

 

Yeah it was a thought and opportunity. In the same time, I wanted to go play pro ball outside the Latvia. I believe I made the right choice, because it will help me now and further in career.

 

 

 

 

What do you know in general about the country and Germany? How much of a basketball presence does Germany have in Latvia?

 

I have been a couple times in Germany already. So I know the language very well, and the country doesn’t feel so strange for me. I think there are not so many player German players in Latvia. But everyone know that German basketball system is one of the most developed in Europe.

 

 

 

 

You have joined the Dragons Rhondorf that are a very ambitious organization that played in the Pro A two seasons ago and underachieved last season. What sold you best about coming to this club?

 

 

The organization and team have huge goals, and I want to help them to succeed. They see me as a great fit in the team. I believe this place will help me to develop and improve my game better and get to the next level. Dragons Rhondorf have corporation with Telekom Basket Bonn, which is a great opportunity to showcase what you are capable to do to a higher level team.

 

 

What has been your early impression of head coach Thomas Adelt? He is in a similar position as you in that he also wants to prove himself at the next level.

 

 

He is very confident and settled as coach. Coach Thomas really wants to build that trust between player and coach, which helps a lot mentally for me. Off the court he is a great person, because we can talk about everything not only basketball. I can see a lot of potential in him as becoming a great coach.

 

 

 

How has he helped you most in the early going in helping you get adjusted to the German level? How has your game profited from him so far?

 

Coach wants me to play my game, and he trusts that I can make a huge impact at this level. In the early going I am just adjusting to the team, and speed of the game. I can bring that champion mentality in this team culture and help other teammates, which is very important.

 

 

 

The Dragons Rhondorf are very high on your skills and like your versatility. Would you consider yourself a modern day forward?

 

Probably yes, as a modern day forward. This summer I worked really hard on my game and my weaknesses. I can see myself as all-around player

 

 

You have a nice inside out game, but what other strengths do you have in your arsenal?

 

I believe I can bring a lot to the table, since I worked on my game this summer a lot. So I will let my game do all the talking.

 

 

 

 

You lived in the States in California and got your does of NBA when you lived there. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would you pick?

 

 

My comparison would be Danilo Galinari or Kevin Love. They are more like all- around PF, that can shoot the ball and do other stuff and are great offensively and defensively.

 

 

You are a player that can fill up the stat sheet, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

 

I make my teammates better around me. By communicating and talking on the court, help them use their strengths, always put confidence so they be efficient. At the same time,  I must be efficient, which is one of the other things that doesn’t get noticed right away.

 

 

 

What kind of experience was it playing with two sets of brothers with the Krumins and Justovics? What did you learn about brotherly love that you had never known about before?

 

First of all, I have brothers too, and I know a lot about brotherly love. Second, both Krumins are not related. But that aside, I learned many things from these experienced players. They helped me grow mentally, and show the passion what it takes to win games and even a championship. It was a great experience to play in such a team and players.

 

 

Two seasons ago you played with  Gulbenes Buki BJSS Riga (Latvia-LBL2): 23 games: 12.8ppg, Reb-5(10.0rpg), 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 61.6% and last season with  BK Jelgava/BJSS (LBL2): 34 games: 11.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP-3(63.2%), 3PT: 45.0%, FT: 82.0%. How do you feel has your game developed further since coming back to Europe from the States?

 

It has developed a lot since coming back from States. Just in these two years I feel way more better than before. It feels good to focus on basketball, and have people around me, who really support me. I got my confidence back, which was really damaged when I played back in States. I am really happy how everything is moving forward and in the good way. Can’t wait to develop my game even more.

 

 

 

You spent time in the States at La Jolla Prep (Calif) as well as Clark St. CC (JUCO)
and John Brown (NAIA). How was this whole experience in the United States for you? What were the positives and did you have any negatives?

 

It was a definitely a huge life lesson for me. To be honest, overall it was the most negative experience. Of course, there were positive things like seeing how life is overseas, met new people, education, played with and against great players, saw many beautiful places and so on. but the whole experience, If I had a chance to go back in time and do this again, than I would say no.

 

 

 

 

How do you feel was the time in the States positive for your game and how did this time benefit your game that you wouldn´t have gotten had you stayed in Europe?

 

States basketball is more physical and athletic than European. During the time in college I learned how important is to have success as a team, and that it is not everything about me. I definitely learned how to play a more physical game. I learned how important is the communication on the court.

 

 

 

You didn´t get much of a chance at John Brown (NAIA) playing 19 games averaging 3.9ppg, 3.6rpg. Was one of your nicest memories when you scored eight points and hauled down nine rebounds in the win against Avila?

 

 
The whole season was pretty hard for me. I battled most of the season with two injuries. So its hard to say if I had any nice memories.

 

 

How did head coach Jason Beschta help your game at John Brown in the year that you were there? Did you incorporate any American basketball know how in your year there?

 

I believe he could helped me a lot more, but the year was not great for my health. So it was very difficult to make any progress in that situation, when you battle injuries and try to get healthy.

 

 

 

 

 

How did you profit from talented Austrian national player Maximilain Hofgartner at John Brown? How much did you push each other in practice and do you follow his career now?

 

 

He is good player with a lot of potential and talent. I believe we were two players that spent most of the time in gym/weight room. He has a great work ethics, and that´s why  I saw him a lot to work in the gym, so it kind of pushed me to work even harder. I know that it is his third season in Spain. I believe, he is doing pretty good there, since he will start his third season in Spain. I wish the best for him, and I know he is capable to be a great player in the future.

 

 

 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Maximilian Hopgartner?

 

Good question. It was going both ways. He was really good competition.

 

 

Did you have any funny experience concerning your name? I can imagine kids called you more Ronald than Ronalds simply because I can imagine American kids not being able to master the Ronalds on a regular basis.

 

 

That is so true. Well Ronald is familiar name to people in the States, because of the former president of USA Ronald Reagan. So I told everybody that you can call me Ron, which is way more easier. In college I got my favorite nick name The Latvian Lion, thanks to Coach Rob. So I will use that one a lot, but usually people call me Ron.

 

 

Did it seem like you lived in paradise at times in La Jolla California not far from San Diego? What was your most memorable experience off the court that you will never forget?

 

Oh man that place is just beautiful. Cali is one of the most amazing places I ever have been. Like the weather is perfect all year long, the beaches, people of different cultures, just a positive place. It seems like a paradise, not going to lie.

 

 

 

Who was the toughest player you battled in the states in high school or college time that is in the NBA or in Europe now?

 

From talent perspective and who has gone the furthest in career: Anthony Davis. There are other great names I played against like Doug McDermmot, Steven Adams, former first pick Anthony Bennet, and Latvian player Davis Bertans, and others

 

 

 

 

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 

 

 

My own NBA Rushmore would be: LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Micheal Jordan.

 

 

 

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

 

 

In my opinion, he is close to Jordan, like very close. I am LeBrons fan since high school to be honest. People just dont appreciate his greatness. There won´t be other player like him, that can attractspeople with his greatness. What things he does on the court are just unreal. I believe he will be all time greatest basketball player, but that´s just my opinion.

 

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

 
I will put in this ways. Its great that he brokethe  record and won MVP. There is no question that he is one of the best players in the leauge. In my opinion, I would rather win Finals or Finals MVP, because I am more focused on team success and not individual awards.

 

 

 

 

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 

 

 

 

 

I think this years draft was not that great. I see that Jayson Tatum could make a major impact already in the league. I was impressed with Dennis Smith JR performance during summer league, he can play huge role in Dallas. Latvian player Anzejs Pasecniks got drafted this year to Magic, so he can get a chance.

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 

 

 

 

Well I am not a fan of James Harden´s game. I think Houston is not the right place for CP3. I believe they won´t make a serious run at the title. I don´t see CP3 and Harden cooperate that great on the court, but we will see.

 

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

Spider man: Homecoming. I am Marvel fan!

 

Thanks Ronalds for the chat

Adam Smith is a 25 year old 185cm point guard from Jonesboro, Georgia playing his second professional season and recently played with ES Chalon-Sur-Saone (France-ProA) averaging 12,3ppg, 2,1rpg and 3,3apg and in the Basketball Champions League averaged 13,5ppg, 3,5rpg and 4,0apg. Last season as a rookie he played with Mec-Energy Roseto (Italy-Serie A2) playing 37 games: Score-2(23.6ppg), 3.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 86.8%. He played at three NCAA schools from 2011-2016 with NC-Wilmington, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech playing a total of 112 NCAA games. In his senior year with Georgia Tech he played 35 games averaging 15.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 39.5%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 80.3%. He was released from ES Chalon-Sur-Saone on the eve of their Basketball Champions League game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.

 

 

 

 

Adam thanks for talking to German Hoops. You didn´t make the trip to Germany to play in the Basketball Champions League against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg on account of being released by ES Chalon-Sur-Saone. Would this have been your first time in Germany or have you been here before?

 

 

I have stopped in Germany before and have some friends playing here. I have heard that the BBL is a really good league. Many of their teams play in Euroleague, BCL and Eurocup which is a big market. If you play well in Germany, you can attract a lot of attention.

 

 

You have a very common name. I knew a Adam Smith in grade school. How many Adam Smith´s have you come upon in your life

 

 

Honestly I have never met one in person. All like to make the reference to the famous economist Adam Smith and his book “Invisible Hand”. It inspired me to read his book. The book wasn´t really my cup of tea, but it intrigued me to read it.

 

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

 

 

I know a few guys like Thomas Walkup who I would have played against in Ludwigsburg. We trained together a few summer ago in Phoenix with the Phoenix Suns. I also know Malik Mueller who plays with Bamberg. We were teammates at Virginia Tech for three years. Bryon Allen of the EWE Baskets is one of my good friends.

 

 

 

Your played briefly for Chalon putting up solid stats. After a great rookie season in Italy you needed no adjustment period. What were the main differences from the Italian Serie A-2 and the Pro A?

 

 

The level of competition was different. In France Pro A there was a lot of pick and roll, experienced players and it was very athletic. Plus you can use five Americans in France Pro A and only two in Italy 2. The adjustment wasn´t too big. I played shooting guard in Italy and point guard with Chalon.

 

 

 

 

Chalon have had some start problems in the France Pro A having a 1-7 record and lost five very close games that you could of won. Do you feel like the losing record is one of the reasons the club released you?

 

 

 

When teams lose at any level, they will look to make changes and look for the problems and make solutions. I think that losing so much made them in making the change with me. I have nothing bad to say about the organization Chalon. The club and I have to move forward. I learned a lot in the short time I was there. I thought that we were coming around. I felt we were improving. Losing makes you come together and you tend to fight harder in practice and games. I saw this fight and respected it a lot.

 

What is the next step for Adam Smith? I am sure you won´t be without a team long?

 

 

My agent and I are looking for our next best and right situation for me. I will take what I learned with Chalon and take it to my new team. I have nothing on the table yet and just waiting for the right opportunity. My stats were pretty good in Pro A and BCL and I would like to get with a team that is playing for a title. I feel that I could be a valuable piece for any team competing for a title.

 

 

How did it feel to be the leading scorer of Chalon in both the France Pro A and BCL that has talented and experienced guys like ex NBA players Kris Josepth, Mickale Gelable and Lance Harris?

 

 

It felt natural. It felt like I was playing my game. Scoring is simply what I am good at. I really loved playing in the Basketball Champions League. It is a very professional league. I really got up for those games and loved leading the team and it felt good except for the losing. I´ll never forget the Chalon fans. It was always a great atmosphere there. It is a very small French city and I was always amazed how well they supported their team. They are extremely loyal to the players and coach.

 

 

Does a young player like you feel in awe sometimes just being able to play and spend time with a guy like Mickale Gelable? Does the urge to ask some questions about his NBA days or time at Real Madrid come about or do you just leave him be?

 

 

We spoke a bit during my time there. He was a veteran and would come randomly to me giving advice while not saying so much. I learn important things from him like about how to handle one´s self at practice and at pre game. I just tried to soak in as much as possible form him.

 

 

Let´s talk about your game. You a pure scorer and have shown it from Jonesboro, through the NCAA at three schools and last season in Italy. Were you born with the scoring genes?

 

 

I think so. When I was five years old, my dad gave bought me a plastic ball and basket. That first night I took over 1000 shots. From then on, I just loved watching see the ball go through the hoop. It is the same way today. I just love being alone in the gym, putting on music and putting up 1500 shots. The gym is my sanctuary. Time flies by when I´m in the gym putting up shots.

 

 

Your obviously a guy that can score at ease, but also know when to set up your teammates, but if you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would come to mind?

 

 

I would say a Kyrie Irving. He can get to the basket when he wants to. I might not be able to do that as well as him, but I know how to shoot and find my teammates. I also have a nice variety moves and can shoot over any kind of guard. I can get all over the floor and get off any type of shot for myself or my teammates.

 

 

 

You’re a guy that can fill up the stat sheet, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that isn´t always noticed right away on the court?

 

 

My leadership qualities is a hidden strength in my game. I have become more vocal and lead by example. I feel that I am very mature for my age. Veterans like Kris Josepth, and Mickale Gelable have respected that about me.

 

You put up great stats in the NCAA, but when you decided to attend Georgia Tech so you could pursue a Masters Degree in Music Technology you stated the words of wisdom ““Hopefully, I get a chance to play professional basketball,”  “But at some point, it’s going to end. Was there really some doubt in your mind that you couldn´t play professionally?

 

 

When your in college, you don´t really know anything else except what is going on there. I had known guys that had come over to Europe played ball and made money, but I myself had no idea what kind of process it was coming over here and being a professional basketball player. Coming over here is everybody´s dream. I was playing it safe when I made that quote, but really there was never any doubt in my mind that I could come over here and play professional ball. But you never know what can happen. You could suffer a career ending injury. You can only hope for the best.

 

Last season as a rookie you played for Mec-Energy Roseto (Italy-Serie A2) playing 37 games: Score-2(23.6ppg), 3.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 86.8%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home in Georgia?

 

 

I was in a really good spot. I was right on the beach with great food. The people were all nice and treated me well. They really made me feel at home and we were winning and there wasn´t any pressure or stress. I was blessed that the coaching staff and teammates let me play my game and be successful. I know there was some doubt coming in, but as soon as they saw what I could do, they gave me free reigns to lead the team.

 

 

 

Last season you scored 20 points or more 24 times in 37 games. The Italian Serie A-2 is very respected, but did you sometimes feel like a man playing among boys?

 

 

No, no, it wasn´t as easy as people may have thought. After a while teams really keyed in on me putting double teams or box and one´s which made it more difficult for me as a rookie. But that is part of being a great professional. You have to be really good and what you do really good. I had to find different ways of getting open and getting off shots.

 

 

You were the only American last season with Roseto along with Brandon Sherrod who like you was a rookie from Yale. How important were you for each other and did you become friends for life?

 

Yes we are friends for life. Brandon and I are super close. We still talk to this day. He is doing really well again this season in Italy. He is really well cultured. He is really into food and traveling. I learned a lot of things from him in how to respect different cultures and sites because of his willingness to go out and do different things.

 

 

You played at three schools with NC-Wilmington, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. How did you benefit most from playing at three schools instead of only having had that experience at one school?

 

A lot of people look at my track record and think it must have been hard to bounce around so much and never really gets settled in one place. I learned so much in my years with three different schools. I saw different coaching styles. I was on the beach at NC Wilmington, in the mountains at Virginia Tech and in the city with Georgia Tech. I lived in three different environments and it helped me learn a lot in a short amount of time. I faced some adversity, but also had some great times. I would advise people never to go to three schools, but to welcome as much change as possible. Some may be afraid of this, but I like it.

 

 

You were a freshman at NC-Wilmington (NCAA) in 2011-2012 and played 30 games averaging 13.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.8%. . You were teammates with scoring guard KK Simmons who was a rookie in Germany last season and is now playing in Austria. What memories do you have of his game and did it shock you that he finished in the NAIA?

 

KK is one of my best friends in life. He is one of the funniest guys that I know. His game is similar to his personality. I saw him shoot some crazy shoots that went in. We were roommates there. I wasn´t shocked that he finished his career in the NAIA. He takes situations that he feels most comfortable in. I know that he could have been successful as much at a high division one school as much as in the NAIA.

 

 

 

After a solid freshman season you transferred to Virginia Tech on account of academic reasons. You credit head coach Buzz Williams in being very instrumental in your basketball development in your two seasons there. How did he help shape your game best?

 

Coach Buzz taught me a lot about life. He showed me how to truly work. I thought that I had always worked hard until I came to Virginia Tech. He pushed me past limits that I honestly never thought I could reach. He helped me instill a crazy work ethic. He produced so many great players like Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder or Wesley Matthews and numerous players in Europe. Every guy played hard and worked hard and it was all because of coach Buzz.

 

 

You played a season with talented German Mailk Mueller who is now on the roster of Euroleague team Brose Bamberg. What did you like most of his game and do you see him having a fine European career?

 

 

Malik is a very versatile player that can play the point guard position and if needed the stretch four because of his size. He is a good defender, is crafty and also plays hard. He is a great teammate and I see him having a long career in Europe.

 

 

You scored 15 points in a tough 91-86 OT loss to top NCAA school Duke that had a whole roster full of NBA players. When you remember the game of Tyus Jones does his skills and where he is now motivate you further each day to work harder in the gym?

 

 

Yes but not only Tyus. Not only Duke players, but the whole ACC is filled with NBA prospects. Playing against guys like that really lifts your confidence. I have trained a lot with Milwaukee Buck Malcolm Brogdan. He motivates me a lot and is one of the toughest players I have played against.

 

 

You played one more season at Georgia Tech (NCAA) playing 35 games averaging 15.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 39.5%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 80.3% After creaming South Carolina you lost to San Diego State in the NIT Elite 8. What was your most memorable game there?

 

 

 

My most memorable game was playing Clemson in the ACC tournament in the first round. We were down by 20-25 points coming down the stretch. We never gave up, but always fought. It was the hardest that we had fought the whole season. All of a sudden when we looked up at the score board the game was tied with a few seconds to go. We pulled out the win. This game showed just how far we had come that season and what we were able to do as a team in the five months. When I look back at that game, I have so much more respect for my teammates and coaches.

 

 

How did head coach Brian Gregory give you that last push in your game to help you leave the NCAA satisfied and content about becoming a professional?

 

 

 

When I transferred there for my senior year, he reached out honestly to me and said how important it was for me to come back home. He simply let me play my game. He gave me a lot of confidence and I am forever grateful. Not every coach lets you do that at that level, because it is a system. Having this freedom and letting me play my game was crucial for my senior year. We had a successful season. A week before I started my professional career in Italy, I was still on the campus at Georgia State taking 1000 shots from the gun. I think going from there to Italy set the stage for me being successful overseas. I took a lot of confidence to Italy from there and that helped my game.

 

 

 

 

 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Tadric Jackson?

 

 

 

Definitely me. He was really athletic, but I had too many moves for him.

 

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 

TJ Warren of the Phoenix Suns. When I played against him he was going through stretch where he was scoring between 35-45 shots a game. All you could try to do was slow him down, but I didn´t slow him down. He hit my team for 35 points. Another tough guy was Erik Greene who was my teammate and now plays with Euroleague team Valencia. He was leading the ACC in scoring. Going against him daily in practice really helped my game.

 

 

 

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 

 

Kyrie Irving, Lebron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis

 

 

 

 

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the neverending debate of who is the best of all-time?

 

 

If you go by rings it´s Jordan, but by filling the stat sheet it´s Lebron. Lebron has created his own legacy. He just keeps getting better. When all is said and done there will be an answer to this question.

 

 

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

 

No It isn´t. They made the playoffs. They wouldn´t have won games if he hadn´t played like that. He just plays the game so his team can win.

 

 

 

 

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 

 

Luke Kinnard of Duke. He is a lefty shooting guard. I think that as soon as he feels comfortable around midseason that he will make an immediate impact.

 

 

 

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 

 

They have enough. I have watched some of their games. They have all the necessary pieces to make a run. They play well together. They play fast paced and like to shoot the three like Golden State.

 

 

How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?

 

 

 

 

Short term the Cavs got the better deal as they will make another run for the title. Long term the Celtics got the better deal. They have a good core of young talented players. When you take them and build it around Kyrie, then they will be successful down the road.

 

Where will the journey of the Oklahoma Thunder go this season with Westbrook, George and Anthony? Can they make a serious run in the west?

 

 

I don´t think they can. The talent of them and Golden State are similar, but the system is different. The system and how Golden State play makes them much better than the Thunder.

 

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

I saw the Pirates of the Caribbean. I am a big Johnny Depp fan.

 

Thanks Adam for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alec Brown is a 25 year old 216cm center from Winona, Minnesota playing his fourth professional season and second with Movistar Estudiantes(ACB). Last season he started the season with the Windy City Bulls (D-League) playing 50 games averaging 10.7ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.9bpg, 2FGP: 53.4%, 3FGP: 36.4%, FT: 81.0%, in Apr.’17 moved to Movistar Estudiantes (ACB) playing 6 games averaging 14.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 68.0%, 3PT: 63.6%, FT: 68.8%. In the 2015-2016 season he came to Europe and played with  Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB (ACB) playing 29 game averaging  6.1ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 75.0%. In 2014-2015 he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns (NBA,2rd(50) and  played his rookie season with the Bakersfield Jam (D-League) playing 20 games averaging 7.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 79.3%. He started his basketball career at Green Bay (NCAA) form 2010-2015 playing a total of 30 games averaging 15.3ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.0apg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 42%, FT: 72.7%. He has played NBA Summer League the last four summers and last summer won the Gold at the FIBA AmeriCup. He spoke to German Hoops before the Basketball champions League game against medi Bayreuth in Bayreuth.

 

 

 

 

Alex thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

 

 

Not much. I have played with and against guys that have played in Germany. I played with Alfonso Mckinnie who is with the Toronto Raptors now and he played in Germany.

 

He actually played in Luxemburg(D2)

 

Oh ok.

 

 

Your playing your first full season Movistar Estudiantes in the ACB league in Spain. You have played parts of three seasons in the best league in Europe. Do you feel that this league suits your game best in Europe?

 

 

I would say yes. I haven´t played in any other league in Europe besides the ACB, but so far it has worked out well. I was injured in my rookie season and then went to the D-League. I returned my second year back to Spain and it was a lot easier.

 

 

How is life in Madrid playing for Estudiantes and being in the shadow of Real Madrid? Do you notice that there is so much less pressure as everything is focused on Real Madrid?

Real Madrid is the big team in Madrid, but Estudiantes has a pretty big following as well. We will meet fans on the street and that´s kind of cool. People tend to like to cheer for the underdog. We aren´t as high profile as Real Madrid, but we believe that we can beat any team on any night.

 

Movistar Estudiantes last reached the playoffs in 2006. This season they are filled with a lot of talent, but so is the ACB league. What is your early season feeling about where the journey will end this season for the club in the ACB and BCL?

 

 

It´s still very early and it´s tough to tell. We already showed what we are capable of this season as we beat FC Barcelona when we come together as a team. If we can be consistent then we should be a good team. I think that we are a potential playoff team.

 

 

 

Omar Sharif-Cook is 30 centimeters smaller than you and is a point guard, but the St Johns legend and ex NBA player has had an amazing career? How has his play and character rubbed off on you in the short time that you have been teammates?

 

It has been great playing with Omar. I have played with many great point guards including good scoring point guards, but I have never played with a point guard that has seen the court as well as him. His IQ is amazing. Anyone would love to play with him.

 

 

You share the big man duties with Croatian Goran Sutton, but do you believe like despite the immense talent around you that this could be your break out season in the ACB where you could play a more significant offensive role than you did before in this league?

 

 

I think it could be. I showed in the last six games of last season for Estudiantes that I could be effective and help them win games. I haven´t been as consistent as last season, but I have shown in a few games this season that I can be at the level that I was at last season. I feel that my play works well within coach´s system.

 

 

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a versatile big man that can shoot the three and are an amazing shot blocker. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would you say has a game most like yours?

 

I don´t know. I´ll let other people decide that.

 

 

 

You shot over 40% in your last two years of school at Wisc.-Green Bay (NCAA) and in 2014 hit 18-25 three´s at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Was shooting something that came easy to you already at a young age or has it been a work in progress?

 

 

I feel that shooting has always been a work in progress for me. I always had a natural touch from the mid distance. I worked very hard in school in expanding my range little by little. I have to really credit my coaching staff who had a lot of confidence in my abilities and believed in me. I eventually got the green light. That has really helped open up my career and get new opportunities.

 

 

You left Wisc.-Green Bay (NCAA) as the all-time shot leader at 309. Obviously blocking shots is all about timing, but do you also study opponents a little extra more with video so you have an advantage when game time comes?

 

Yes it does. I think knowing especially what hand a player uses best or what moves they have is important for being successful as a shot blocker. Most important is the timing and knowing when to be in the right place and knowing when you need to help off the drive.

 

 

 

 

Last summer you were with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Summer League in Las Vegas. After seeing Lonzo Ball live, do you see him being able to make the Lakers into a contender in the next years?

 

Yes I think he can, but maybe not right away. He is a player with a lot of potential. He is among a lot of other talented players and if they can stay together and grow then they should be good in the years to come.

 

 

 

Last season you played mostly for the Windy City Bulls (D-League) playing 50 games averaging 10.7ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.9bpg, 2FGP: 53.4%, 3FGP: 36.4%, FT: 81.0%, in Apr.’17 moved to Movistar Estudiantes (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 6 games averaging 14.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 68.0%, 3PT: 63.6%, FT: 68.8%. You were teammates with German national player Paul Zipser. Does he have the game to have a long NBA career?

 

 

 

Yes he could have a long NBA career. I only played a couple of games with him, but from what I saw, he really knows how to read the game well. He is a very smart player and really knows how to play.

 

 

In the  2015-2016 season you played your first full season with Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB (Spain ACB) playing 29 games averaging 6.1ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 75.0%. What was your wake up call to playing your first season in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home in Minnesota?

 

 

 

It is always tough to be far away from home living on your own and then being in a foreign country. I lived in a small city where few knew English. The late dinner´s actually fit into our schedule so I liked that. My Spanish still isn´t fluid. I know basic Spanish.

 

 

In that season you lost by 30 and 15 points to top team Real Madrid scoring 10 points combined. When you look back to two years ago and look at your game now, how do you feel have you developed further that you can be an impact player this season against a team like that and in general in the ACB?

 

I have grown in the years. I wasn´t able to play to my full potential in my first season in Spain. It had nothing to do with the coach or players, but just their system that didn´t fit my style. With Estudiantes I am playing in a system that fits my game.

 

 

 

After being drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2014 you played your rookie season with the Bakersfield Jam (D-League) playing 20 games averaging 7.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 79.3%. A tough injury curtailed your rookie season as you missed many months. How tough was this rookie season going through all the lows. Were there any highs for you?

 

 

 

The D-League as a rookie was tough. I was drafted and then was injured right away and missed a long time until I returned in February. Important in that down time was doing the rehab right. I knew at the end of the season that my shoulder was good again. I put in the time to get healthy again and put in the time and didn´t risk coming back to early.

 

 

You have played the last 4 NBA Summer Leagues, but still haven´t played an NBA game. What is your current approach towards the NBA? Obviously your number one focus is Estudiantes Madrid, but how far do you feel are you from getting an NBA job. How was the feedback this past summer?

 

 

I didn´t have much opportunities last summer to showcase my abilities. I don´t plan on giving up on reaching the NBA. As long as there are opportunities to play NBA Summer league or others I will accept. There is no harm in trying for the opportunity. I don´t plan on stopping.

 

 

 

 

You played at Wisc.-Green Bay (NCAA) from 2010-2014. You were signified a lot with your defensive play. When you look back at your career there what were you most proud about your accomplishments on and off the court?

 

 

I think off the court just building long lasting relationships with the coaches and players. The best thing has been building life long friendships with the people there. I can always get in contact with the coaches which is nice. On the court there were a lot of achievements. It would have been nice if we would have reached a NCAA tournament, but we won the conference my senior year so that was a big achievement.

 

 

 

 

Was your 57-56 win against Wright State where you had 11 blocks one of your most memorable games in the NCAA?

 

 

Anytime you get 11 blocks that will be memorable. That game was fun. Scoring 40 points against Fairfield was also memorable.

 

 

 

How did head coach Brian Wardle groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career at Wisc.-Green Bay (NCAA)?

 

 

 

 

When I got to school I was so unprepared for everything for being able to do the level of work there. He helped me become responsible. He also helped my shot giving me the green light. He had the confidence in me and helped me develop as a player.

 

 

 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Greg Mays?

 

 

Definitely me. I don´t know what he will say, but it was for sure me.

 

 

How much of an honor was it playing for the USA national team last summer and winning the gold at the FIBA AmeriCup? You played with some NBA players. Did the feeling of playing for your own country wet your appetite for possibly doing that again down the road?

 

 

 

I would play again if I was asked. It was an amazing experience. I will never forget all the confetti coming down and everyone going crazy. I kept the jersey and medal and framed it.

 

 

 

 

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 

 

I have played against many very tough players. Too many to name off the top of my head. I played against Anthony Davis at a Nike camp.

 

 

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 

 

Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Lebron James.

 

 

 

 

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

 

It is still Michael Jordan. We will see where Lebron is after he ends his career, but he is close behind and ready to take over his role.

 

 

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

 

 

No I don´t. Anytime a player averages a triple double, it is simply amazing.

 

 

 

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 

 

I didn´t follow it closely. But from what I saw and heard and with guys I played with, I would say that Kyle Kuzma has a good chance of having a good career.

 

 

 

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 

Their conference is tough. Good luck to them.

 

 

 

 

 

How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?

 

 

The Cavs got the better deal short term and the Celtics long term.

 

 

Where will the journey of the Oklahoma Thunder go this season with Westbrook, George and Anthony? Can they make a serious run in the west?

 

They will always be good, but I doubt that they can make a serious run.

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

I recently saw the movie Thor. It was a great movie.

 

Thanks Alec for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The one guy can sink buckets as brutally and cleverly as Russell Westbrook can collect triple doubles against every NBA team as EWE Baskets guard Bryon Allen who is a 25 year old 193cm, 90 kilo guard has demonstrated not only this season in the EasyCredit BBL where he is leading the league in scoring and has scored in double figures in all 11 games in both competitions of BBL and BCL and nailed BG Goettingen for 30 points in the first game, but also in his entire career starting in Upper Marlboro via the Thomas Moore school continuing through George Mason(NCAA) as a junior onward into the pro´s in Kuwait, Italy and the Czech Republic. While the other guy is a 28 year old 206cm 108 kilo center who brings the Fraport Skyliners like no other player that it has ever had in their career as Mike Morrison can get up in the air and throw down the ball so dangerously  hard that it has been a wonder that he hasn´t pulled a Darryl Dawkins yet in his four year Frankfurt career. His emotional loud outbursts after massive dunks with his yells can only be topped by a hungry and happy wolf that is perched somewhere on a big rock somewhere in the dark winter woods of the Taunus ready to pounce on it´s next prey. Both have little in common on the court as they play totally different positions, but one thing that they do have in common is having been ex teammates at George Mason(NCAA) from 2010-2012 reaching the CAA semi-finals together twice and having an enormous competitive spirt that was already displayed last season as they battled on the court twice in the Basketball Champions League for the first time as professionals. Both won their respective games against each other at home as in Frankfurt Morrison shone with nine points and six boards in the 74-61 victory while Allen had an uncharacteristic off night scoring only four points while in the 87-72 win in Nymburk, Allen stroked home 18 points while Morrison contributed 10 points and six rebounds. This season the two friends met again as opponents who most likely have friendly wagers set. Both teams have come into the season playing strong good basketball as both teams are near the top of the BBL standings sporting identical 5-2 records, but at the end of the day only one player would leave the court with real winner smiles for a day. Mike Morrison would be that man as he helped contribute to the strong Frankfurt 93-82 victory over the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Allen might have won the points duel 16-5 over his friend, but Morrison had the last laugh getting the win. “We had no bets. It is always great to see him. There is just a lot of love. Every time I face him he gets a little better. I am very proud of him”, stressed ex George Mason center Mike Morrison. After the loss Allen had to tend to his big posse that had supported him at the game, but his respect for his ex teammate was genuine. “We split last season and we will meet again in Oldenburg and maybe in the top 4 or in May. He has got a lot better since school. He can do it all score, rebound, pass and block shots. For me he is one of the best centers in the BBL. It is nice how he has grown from being a pre adult to being a man”, stressed Bryon Allen.

The Fraport Skyliners came into the game with a perfect 3-0 record in their own living room and showed again just how dangerous and consistent they are as they controlled the game for 40 minutes and always had answers for little Oldenburg runs with big shots. The story of the game was BBL rookie Tai Webster of New Zealand who was aggressive from the get go and just totally dominated on the offensive end as he gave one of the single best scoring performances from a Skyliner guard ever as he scored 31 points and hauled down an impressive 11 rebounds and dished out four assists while being a solid asset on the defensive end getting a steal and swatting one ball away. Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert has had a good feeling with point guards in the last years as Jordan Theodore and Justin Cobbs proved and it looks like Webster is slowly finding his groove within the BBL style. The rookie also took some of the huge responsibility that teammate Philip Scrubb usually has on the offensive end as the Canadian was able to concentrate on other phases of his game besides just his scoring. He wasn´t that impressed by the guards performance mainly because he knows what he is capable of. “Tai showed today that he can take over a game. We are confident in his abilities and he did a good job hitting shots. He got more and more confident and when he really starts attacking, he is hard to stop”, stressed ex Carleton(CIS) guard Philip Scrubb. Usually when you hit 57% from the field and 50% from outside, you have good chances to win and despite giving up 83 points, the Fraport Skyliners played a very consistent game. “Usually we have a bad first or second half, but today we played a pretty consistent game. There were a few stretches where we let up, but we got back on track. It was a good win. We can build on this and take our confidence and beat the top teams”, added Philip Scrubb. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg fought hard for 40 minutes and played a good offensive game, but just couldn´t get the needed stops to get over the hump to make the game tighter and more exciting. “We had a slow start. It was tough having to bounce back after being down. They had more energy than us and more time to prepare as we have games in the middle of the week”, added EWE Baskets Oldenburg guard Bryon Allen. “Frankfurt defended like the Los Angeles Lakers when Kobe Bryant was there. They destroyed us”, stressed EWE Baskets Oldenburg center Rasid Mahalbasic.

In front of 4,820 fans the Fraport Skyliners didn´t waste any time jumping all over the EWE Baskets Oldenburg taking the quick 7-2 lead. Ex Alba Berlin center Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann got going early with his physical play draining a beautiful old school hook shot and Webster followed with a trey and an off balance jumper a she had to go 1-1 with the shot clock down. Wolfarth-Bottermann scored again keeping Frankfurt on track and Oldenburg got all their points from their Austrian national player Rasis Mahalbasic that was doing a good job countering against the physicality of Frankfurt hauling down two offensive rebounds and making put backs. His third bucket was an old school hook shot and Allen made a jumper as suddenly the guests had ripped off a 6-2 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 9-8. The first quarter was a game of runs as Frankfurt responded with a quick 6-2 run to extend their lead to 15-10. Frankfurt got vital baskets from Wolfarth-Bottermann who dropped a 15 footer and a Scrubb lay in. Despite Frankfurt having the important lead, their ball movement was still a work in progress while Oldenburg´s offensive rhythm wasn´t there as they were relying heavily on Mahalbasic who had eight of the 10 points. The runs kept being produced and Oldenburg showed why they can be such a dangerous offensive team as they struck back in a furry as ex ratiopharm Ulm forward Isaiah Philmore and Allen stroked home back to back three´s giving Oldenburg their first lead 16-15. The last run of the first quarter belonged to Frankfurt who closed out the first 10 minutes with a 8-3 run to lead 23-19. In the run, they got a big three from their identity figure Quantez Robertson, free throws from Scrubb and Richard Freudenberg and an incredible buzzer beater 4 second sprint with the ball from Webster who finished in spectacular fashion. “Having a slim rotation isn´t always bad for a team. The guys then know what their role is and won´t be worried about coming out after one or two mistakes. Oldenburg´s strength is that they know how to score quickly which held them in the game. Frankfurt led on account of their individual class and strong defense led by Robertson and Wohlfarth-Bottermann”, stressed German agent Patrick King. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 47% from the field and 33% from outside while the EWE Baskets Oldenburg were shooting 47% from the field and 33% from outside. Both teams had nine rebounds apiece and Frankfurt had two turnovers and Oldenburg three turnovers.

In the second quarter the Fraport Skyliners continued to keep the lead and build on it as the EWE Baskets Oldenburg played catch up basketball a game that they would not conquer. Webster really got going in the second half as his self confidence continued to rise after every bucket as he was unstoppable. He scored nine of the teams first 12 points as Frankfurt was able to extend their lead to 35-24. Webster hit two three´s, made a lay in and free throw. The Frankfurt ball movement improved in the second frame as the extra pass became more instrumental largely duo to the fine playmaking of Scrubb and Isaac Bonga who was playing in front of seven NBA teams who had personal in attendance. Every now and then Oldenburg would have little spurts on offense like a mini 4-0 run as Rickey Paulding hit a pull up jumper and Allen once again snuck inside for an easy lay up to cut the Frankfurt lead to 41-32, but the Fraport Skyliners had an answer each time so Oldenburg couldn´t get any closer than 8-9 points. Scrubb and Finish national player Shawn Huff responded with trey´s to keep Frankfurt ahead comfortably 47-34. After Allen and Scrubb traded buckets, Oldenburg had another spurt of offensive energy as they hit Frankfurt with another mini 4-0 run as Paulding and Allen connected again to cut the Frankfurt lead to 50-41. Webster and ex Telekom Baskets Bonn guard Mickey Mcconnell got their teams the last points of the second quarter as the Fraport Skyliners still led 52-42. “53 points isn´t normal in a system where Herbert plays a strong defense and structured offense. Frankfurt was hitting everything and had good ball movement from Scrubb and Bonga”, added German agent Patrick King. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 56%from the field and 54% from the three point line while the EWE baskets Oldenburg were shooting 52% from the field and 36% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 21-13 rebound edge, but six turnovers while Oldenburg had four turnovers.

In the third quarter both teams continued to score points at ease, but the EWE Baskets Oldenburg continued to make no ground as the Fraport Skyliners kept a comfortable lead between 10-16 points. Wolfarth-Bottermann and Mahalbasic traded buckets to start the second half and Frankfurt then unleashed back to back three´s on transition from Scrubb and Huff extending their lead to 60-46. After an Oldenburg timeout it was time for the Mickey Mcconnell show as he scored six unanswered points, but couldn´t make any ground as Frankfurt got production from Wolfarth-Bottermann who made a layin and hard dunk as Frankfurt led 64-50. Frankfurt was fortunate that they had many strong offensive options besides Webster as Scrubb had his step back jumper on fire and Oldenburg continued to rely on Mcconnell who was a one man scoring machine making another two baskets while in between, Scrubb found Morrison on the rim for a typical massive alley-op slam dunk as Frankfurt still had their nose ahead 70-60. Isaac Bonga then made a big steal and went coast to coast for the nice layin. Scrubb and Webster connected again, but ex MBC guard Frantz Massenat ended the third quarter with a coast to coast layin at the buzzer, but Frankfurt still had the 77-67 advantage. “When teams go on runs, it is important to answer quick and we always did that. We got stops and got on transition. Webster hit big shots and continued to carry the team. We showed how important it is when there is a good balance of guys being able to score”, added Philip Scrubb. “We wanted to get more stops, but they continued to hit shots and we couldn´t get over the hump. They did a good job hitting tough shots”, stressed Bryon Allen. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 60% from the field and 60% from the parking lot while the EWE Baskets Oldenburg were shooting 56% from the field and 38% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 28-19 rebound edge, but 11 turnovers while Oldenburg only had seven turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, catch up basketball continued for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg as they fought and fought, but just couldn´t find a solution on how to limit the Fraport Skyliners producing points. The Fraport Skyliners didn´t ease up on defense, but started off aggressive again stopping Oldenburg´s first five possessions, but only mustered four points on offense with Webster and Scrubb scoring inside extending their lead to 81-67. Then came another little spurt by the EWE Baskets Oldenburg by their two usual American suspects Allen and Paulding who connected on very tough shots cutting the Frankfurt lead to 81-71 as every basket the guests produced was tough as Frankfurt gave up no gifts. Frankfurt then used their extra energy that a week rest will give and closed the door on Oldenburg going on a 9-3 run to extend their lead to 90-74 with a few minutes left in the game. In the run, the Fraport Skyliners were led by Webster who got to the free throw line three times, but managed only four points. Mike Morrison also continued to give stability inside with another massive dunk while Wolfarth-Bottermann stuck to his routine sinking a hook shot. Two very late three´s by German Philmore didn´t help either as it was too little too late as he ended the night helping his stat sheet with nine points in 10 minutes The game could have become more interesting and exciting had Oldenburg hit more of their easy misses inside, but how easy were those misses? They were at close range, but Frankfurt´s physicality had a big part in Frankfurt´s defense making the big stops when they needed it. “When you play good defense for the most part, those easy misses might not really have been so easy to make. Oldenburg wasn´t in good offensive rhythm. We can´t rely on teams to miss shots”, warned Philip Scrubb. “We weren´t tired at the end. We continued to put pressure on them, but just couldn´t get over the hump. The ref´s let them play physical. Frankfurt did a good job protecting their home court, but we will see them again”, warned Bryon Allen. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Tai Webster with 31 points, 11 boards and four assists. Philip Scrubb added 22 points. Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann contributed 17 points and six rebounds ahile Shawn Huff had 12 points. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg were led byMickey Mcconnell with 18 points and eight assists. Bryon Allen added 16 points and Rasid Mahalbasic had 15 points. The Fraport Skyliners shot 57% from the field and 50% from outside while the EWE Baskets Oldenburg shot 48% from the field and 36% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebound duel 40-28, but had 15 turnovers while Oldenburg coughed up the ball only nine times.

 

 

A week ago all hearts were stomping a bit harder as with 11 seconds remaining, the Dragons Rhondorf had the last possession and had their fate in their own hands and everybody knew in the always energetic Dragon Dome that Kameron Taylor would have the ball in his hands and try to create that special Michael Jordan moment in the clutch and do what he does best scoring something he proved at Seton Hill(NCAA) as well as make those deciding shots when it counted most against Edinboro and Gannon where he sealed the victories with buzzer beaters. It was no different against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors a week ago where he went one on one with British national player Jules Akodo and poured home a nasty in your face pull up jumper that saw nothing but net had the small gym in a frenzy that will be remembered for many years. Other than that amazing experience, the club has had not too many other big moments in the last two weeks. After starting the season with an impressive four game winning streak, the club suffered two brutal away losses in Elchlingen against the ScanPlus Basktes where they allowed an uncharachteristic 103 points and four days ago got crushed in Giessen 90-67. After finding their identity early on the defensive end averaging giving up only 65 points per contest, the club has totally lost their rhythm and averaged allowing 91 points per game. The club hasn´t been consistent on offense anymore and have gotten away from their solid team basketball and have lost some passion. The Dragons Rhondorf returned home to face number two team EN Baskets Schwelm and wanted to get another winning experience and fans witnessed the top guard duo of each team´s top scorers Kammeron Taylor and Chris Hortman duel for bragging rights for one night and after 40 minutes it was Taylor who won the points duel 37-22 and the game 95-72.The Dragons Rhondorf finally found back to their game that had left them and retrieved their passion that somewhere had been lost. After the contest a content Kameron Taylor was thrilled about his team finding back to the winning road. “We played good basketball for 35 minutes. We had been passive in the past, but tonight we had much energy and were always in attack mode. On defense key was making Chris Hortman take tough shots as well as their bigs”, stressed ex Seton Hill guard Kameron Taylor. The league´s other top point guard Chris Hortman had a solid game with 22 points, but was left a bit in the cold by his teammates as he didn´t get much support from them. “Rhondorf wanted the win more than we did. They did everything that a team is supposed to do when you want to win. They had a lot more trust in their main man Taylor and they did a good job finding the open man. We didn´t execute and couldn´t find the open man. On defense we weren´t able to keep our man in front and our help side wasn´t there either”, stressed EN Baskets Schwelm guard Chris Hortman.

Before the contest kicked off, there was an unusual occurrence in that there wasn´t a moment of silence for Matthias Grothe who had passed away four days earlier, but instead everyone clapped which was a different kind of gesture, but one that the German big man surely would have enjoyed and understood from above. The Dragons Rhondorf didn´t get off the wrong side of the bed like in the last weeks, but were 100% there from the jump ball as they exploded off on a 9-2 lead leaving the second place team EN Baskets Schwelm a bit shocked. Rhondorf let their defense do the talking on the first play as Canadian Kevin Thomas swatted away a Chris Hortman drive layup which sparked their offense. Rhondorf didn´t waste any time and started firing away as top German point guard Viktor Frankl-Maus and ex Telekom Baskets Bonn forward Valentin Blass connected for three´s and Kameron Taylor escaped inside using his quickness getting a lay in and free throws. The first quarter would present itself as a time of runs as it didn´t take the EN Baskets Schwelm long to get in rhythm as they sped out on a 7-2 run to cut the Rhondorf lead to 11-9. In the run, they stepped up their defense and got solid offensive production from ex Phoenix Hagen forward Thomas Reuter with free throws, a Hortman trey and Lithuanian Andrius Mikutis scored inside. Rhondorf didn´t let this sudden EN Baskets Schwelm offense jolt irritate them as they got instant offense from Taylor in the form of a three pointer and Thomas was all alone on the wing dropping a 20 footer for the 16-9 advantage. The EN Baskets Schwelm were threatening to get their first lead as Hortman and Jean Louis Marley scored, but the guests just couldn´t contain Taylor who snuck inside again for an easy layup and then nailed a jumper as the Dragons Rhondorf led 20-15 after 10 minutes. “We showed a high level of energy and intensity something that we hadn´t shown in Giessen.  We went back to our roots and had our identity back again showing the way we had played in our first games”, stressed Dragons Rhondorf assistant coach Max Schwamborn. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 38% from the field and 27% from outside while the EN Baskets Schwelm were shooting 33% from the field and 14% from outside. Rhondorf had the slim 12-10 rebound edge and three turnovers while the EN Baskets Schwelm had four turnovers.

In the second quarter, the Dragons Rhondorf continued to play at a high intensity and really stepped up their defense closing down the paint area and totally irritating their bigs as they couldn´t buy a bucket while on offense everything was clicking as it was Taylor time. The Dragons Rhondorf cruised out on a fast 6-0 run to take the 26-15 lead. All 6 points were scored by the Latvian lion Ronalds Elksnis who finally broke out of his shell as he has been a kind of an enigma playing under his expectations. Elksnis scored a bucket inside, scored on the fast break and sunk free throws. The Dragons Rhondorf defense stifled the EN Baskets Schwelm first four possessions as they clogged the paint area not letting the opponents bigs into any good positions to score. The EN Baskets Schwelm did sneak in a few buckets in the paint as 34 year old German Sebastian Schroetter scored as did ex Giessen guard Matthias Perl who hit a nifty floater to cut the Rhondorf lead to 29-20. Then came the best play of the night as Frankl-Maus set up Kevin Thomas with an acrobatic over the head pass something a Rajon Rondo or Larry Bird used to do, but that is just what the German does and no surprise to Kameron Taylor. “That was a normal pass from him. He makes even more spectacular passes in practice. He is the best passer in the league”, stressed Kameron Taylor. Then came the Taylor show as he would lead his team on a 14-5 run scoring 12 unanswered points. He hit two trey´s, a step back, a lay in and free throws. The confidence of Taylor on this night continued to grow with every knew executed shot and he ran into the locker room at half time with a solid 22 points. Frankl-Maus closed out the second quarter with a beautiful three from the corner as the Dragons Rhondorf led 48-32. “Elksnis was a bit banged up in the last game, but tonight he came very hungry and had a lot of energy which showed in the stats. We did a good job containing their big men and focusing on Hortman and Reuter not letting them get hot”, stressed Dragons Rhondorf assistant coach Max Schwamborn. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 43% from the field and 33% from the three point line while the EN Baskets Schwelm were shooting 39% from the field and 25% from the three point line. Rhondorf had the solid 24-17 rebound edge and four turnovers while the EN Baskets Schwelm had eight turnovers.

In the third quarter the Dragons Rhondorf closed the door on the EN Baskets Schwelm deciding the game with ease as they led by as much as 29 points. It also didn´t help the EN Baskets come back cause that they gave up a 13-0 run from the get go trailing Rhondorf then 59-32. The first four minutes was the best defense of the evening for the Dragons Rhondorf as they stopped the first eight possessions of the guests forcing five turnovers and giving head coach Falk Moeller headaches on the sideline. The defense sparked their offense as they got four transition baskets including one in the first five seconds as their press allowed a Taylor steal and easy layup for the first points. Taylor would score two more times as well as Blass and Thomas who finished with a massive two handed dunk and trey. The EN Baskets Schwelm finally got on the board for the first time in the third quarter at the 5.50 mark as sharp shooter and ex John Brown(NAIA) player Andrius Mikutis nailed a trey to cut the Rhondorf lead to 61-35. After a Thomas lay in and Alexander Cuic dunk who has played in nine countries, Frankl-Maus connected on another three extending the Rhondorf lead to 66-37. The EN Baskets Schwelm closed out the third quarter on a positive note going on a 7-3 run to trail only 69-45 after 30 minutes. They added some aggressiveness on defense which got them some added stops while on offense got some needed production from Horton and Cuic who scored twice in the paint. “We kept the pressure on and never let down. We continued to play team basketball”, stressed Kameron Taylor. “We started off with two turnovers and just couldn´t execute and find the open man. Their energy was awesome and they sustained the level of play. Even though Taylor scored 37 points, they still played team basketball. He just happened to be there getting the ball. We didn´t share the ball and were stagnant”, added Chris Hortman. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 43% from the field and 32% from the parking lot while the EN Baskets Schwelm were shooting 39% from the field and 24% from the parking lot. Rhondorf still had the comfortable 34-26 rebound edge and eight turnovers while the EN Baskets Schwelm had 18 turnovers.

The EN Baskets Schwelm finally got going in the fourth quarter pouring in 30 points, but they couldn´t go on a big run to cut back into the huge Dragons Rhondorf lead as they gave up 26 points themselves giving their worst defensive performance of the season as they were 29 points over their season average of allowed points. The EN Baskets Schwelm got off on the better start going on a quick 7-0 run to cut the Rhondorf lead to 69-52. In the run it was the usual suspect Hortman hitting a step back jumper and Schroetter tip toed around Alexander Moeller for an easy layup and Marley showed his Ron Artest side scoring inside with authority. Then in the next eight possessions both teams combined for six trey´s as both teams were hitting at a high rate, but the EN Baskets couldn´t make any ground as ex Speyer forward Yannik Kneesch hit two three´s, Blass and Frankl-Maus one a piece and Hortman nailed two, but Rhondorf still led 83-60. Taylor continued to wreck havoc on the offensive end as he scored two more buckets extending the Rhondorf lead to 89-64 as he totaled 37 points which was his highest in Germany as a professional and he was done for the night. “I was told that my energy had been missed the last three games. I wanted to come out attacking more and playing with more passion. I want my presence to be there for 40 minutes, but that wasn´t the case in the last games. When I´m in attack mode then we are hard to beat”, warned Kameron Taylor. The EN Baskets did close out the game with a 8-3 run, but it didn´t matter as the Dragons Rhondorf had put the exclamation on the win a lot earlier. 18 year German Anton Geretzki nailed a trey for the last basket sending all Dragons fans into a happy mood for the rest of their Saturday night. “Even when they made a little run, we never let down and kept our compassion. We kept executing which helped us finish the game strong”, added Kameron Taylor. “They never let up. When we made a run, they snuffed it. I might have scored tonight, but they were tough shots while the other team was getting catch and shoot shots”, stressed Chris Hortman. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Kameron Taylor with 37 points, six rebounds and six assists. Viktor Frankl_Maus produced 17 points and seven assists while Yannik Kneesch added 12 points. The EN Baskets Schwelm were led by Chris Hortman with 22 points while Sebastian Schroetter added 12 points. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 49% from the field and 42% from outside while the EN Baskets Schwelm shot 47% from the field and 32% from outside. Rhondorf won the rebound duel 41-28 and had only 14 turnovers while the EN Baskets Schwelm coughed up the ball 20 times.

Chris Brady is a 22 year old 208cm center from  Greenlawn, New York that is playing his professional rookie in Europe in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings. He played at Monmouth (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 133 NCAA games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 9.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 69.1%. At Monmouth he was able to improve his scoring and rebounding each season. Currently with Hanau through seven games he is averaging 7,7ppg and 4,7rpg. He spoke to German Hoops near the end of the summer about basketball

 

 

 

 

 

You have arrived in Germany and arrived to Hanau where you will be playing with the Hebeisen White Wings. What has been your first impression of Germany?

So far my first impression of Germany is great! The people are very friendly, Hanau is a very nice city, and I’m enjoying my time here so far. The food is great too.

You are starting your rookie season in Germany. What did you know about the country and its basketball coming in? Did your ex teammate Max DiLeo of the RheinStars give you some tips?

 I honestly don’t know a lot about the country and how the league works. I’ve been talking to the veterans on the team just so I can know what to expect. I am coming in every game looking to win. I’m ready to embrace every part of the country and learn its culture and customs. Max and I have also talked a few times throughout the summer both before and after I signed. He gave me some tips from his experiences over the last few years.

Have you marked the calender when you play against the RheinStars and Max DiLeo? How excited are you to see him again and now as an opponent and what will be the first thing that you will tell him on the court?

I haven’t marked the game against Max but he told me when we play a few weeks ago. I like to take it day by day that way I don’t look too far ahead and overlook games. I’m very excited to play against him as opponents because he’s such a hard working player. The first thing I’ll tell him on the court is good luck, we’ll have time to catch up after the game.

Head coach Simon Cote as well as the management was very high on your abilities. What was the deciding factor that gave you the green light to sign with this German team?

 Coach Simon really sold me on his ability to develop players, and he’s just a genuine guy. I value a person´s character in making my decisions. He told me he could help me achieve my future goals and make a huge jump in my own development on the court within this season.

What has been your first impression of head coach Simon Cote? He is known as a very hard working coach that really takes a lot of time for his players. Have you felt that dedication to players mentality in the early going?

 He is a very hardworking coach and makes sure all of his players are taken care of. He’s on the clock 24/7, if any of us need something he’ll help us out on and off the court. Yes I’ve felt that dedication to the players since I’ve been here. The same goes for coach Tuna. They both make sure guys are getting in extra individual work outside of our group workouts and practices.

There is a solid core of Americans on the roster so far with Americans Chase Adams who is a veteran and rookie Lavon Long. Are you already sensing a chemistry on the court with them?

 I think there is a lot of chemistry between the Americans, but the German players keep us included. I’ve known Lavon since my freshman year of college so it’s cool to play with a former opponent. And Chase has been a mentor to the American rookies, he lets us know how everything works. We still have a long way to go to reach our goals but all of the guys on the team are great guys and teammates.

Over your 4 year career at Mommouth you battled against your new teammate Lavon Long twice each season and you had his number having a 6-2 record against him. Did you let him remember that great stat since you have arrived or have you held back?

Actually I never knew this stat. I’ll let him know haha. But I think the more important stat is who got the last win, and that one isn’t in my favor.

Now that Long is your teammate, have you thought back a bit more in your 8 battles against Siena over the years? Does the fact that you have a guy like Long as a teammate now bring back some of those positive memories?

 I thought about our games a few times. He’s a versatile player. He was always someone that would stand out on the scouting report because he was effective on both ends. And it helps to play with someone who’s game you know and had to study and play against for 4 years.

You and Long don´t play the same position, but simply because you are both rookies and know each other on the court, do you feel like you will make an extra effort to try to make each other better as rookies as best possible?

 Yes I do. We know each other’s games and know what we need to improve on. We both have goals on improving our games so we know we need to push ourselves and each other.

Let´s talk about your game. Simon Cote says you are a talented young big man that will give the team impulses around the rim, getting rebounds and blocks. How else would you describe your game?

 I don’t want to give a scouting report on myself for the whole league to see. I would say my game needs work all around. Offensively and defensively. I definitely bring scoring, rebounding and blocks to the team. But there is so much I want to improve that my game can be drastically better come September 23rd.

If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would you chose that most resembles how you battle on the court?

This is hard for me because I try and study many players in the NBA. I don’t feel like I can accurately answer this question because the last 4 years I didn’t watch the NBA as much because I would watch other college games.

Head coach Cote also feels that Hanau will be able to strive on the fast break thanks to your hard work using your body to your advantage in the paint. Do you feel like you will be able to make a sound adjustment in terms of raising your physicality from the NCAA level to the Pro ranks?

Coaches have told me I’m a great runner for my size. All of our bigs are great runners. Also I think it’ll be an easy transition in physicality, there will always be a difference when you go up a level whether it be from high school to college or college to pro. It’s my first year so I’ll work hard on maintaining my strength. I’ll be in the weight room working on my body and making sure I’m in great condition throughout the season.

You are a guy that can rebound and block shots well, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 Communication. A lot of coaches emphasize it but some players don’t execute it. Letting your teammates know where to be on the court, who’s guarding who, when a screen is coming, etc. it makes a big difference on the court and I think it’s an important skill to work on.

You might not necessarily score in double figures each night, but do you feel like you will be able to be an impact player as a rookie with the game you play?

 I will score in double figures each night. I’m a very humble man, but I have that confidence in the work I put in and my game. I’ll definitely impact the game and raise the level of play each game. When I’m on the court I love to encourage my teammates and see them make plays.

You played 4 years at Monmouth(NCAA) and as a freshman was far away from a professional career. What was the turning point in your first two years at Monmouth that got you on track to having a solid NCAA career?

When I got to Monmouth Coach Rice and I talked about where he saw me when I finished. He told me I can make a lot of money playing this game, I bought into his words and put the work in. It was just a matter of getting in better shape each year and my on court development. The coaching staff and players at Monmouth pushed me to get better every day, so I give them the credit for believing in me and he’ll my confidence on the court. Justin Robinson and I were roommates freshman year and always talked about becoming pros.

How did head coach King Rice groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

 I mentioned it above. But he just kept believing in my potential and made me work. I give credit to the coaching staff at Monmouth. They all helped my game in their own way and all pushed me to become a better player.

You played two seasons with Max DiLeo at Monmouth. What was your fondest memory of him on and off the court?

 His energy he brought to each game. I respect Max a lot as a player because he gives his all every time he steps on the court. Not sure I would call it the fondest but most memorable game was when we played at Canisius my freshman year and Max was pressuring Billy Baron the whole game. I guess Baron got frustrated with Max because he threw an elbow and broke Max’s front teeth. Max got the blood cleaned up and continued to play. A lot of guys would give up or switch but Max was right up on Baron the next play. I think that tells a lot about how Max is as a player.

In your junior season you celebrated big wins against top NCAA teams UCLA, USC and Georgetown. Do these wins belong to your fondest memories in the NCAA?

 Definitely, that whole season was a lot of fun. The Monmouth Bench blew up with all their bench celebrations and gave us more attention. Then people realized that we were a great team and it wasn’t luck.

When you remember playing against a guy like Tony Parker at UCLA who wasn´t drafted, but should land at a top team in Europe, what do you feel is still missing form your game to get to his level?

 I don’t think that you can compare our games because they we are different. I like to compare my game to myself. What can I do better, and how can I continue to grow. At the end of the day I’m my biggest competitor and worst enemy. No one I play against can affect my game as much as I can. A lot of players don’t see that and put a mental limit on themselves. I could have an almost perfect game and I still criticize myself. I’ll say to myself and others… I could’ve made this shot, I didn’t run back, I gave up this many points, etc.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Zac Tillman?

 I did, Zac can’t guard me one on one, I’m a whole different player one on one.

Who was the toughest player you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 Hard to say, I’ve played against a lot of great players over the years. I think Justin Jackson from UNC played great against us. It felt like he didn’t miss a shot. Jake Layman from Maryland’s game is great too. I thought he was hard to guard and very consistent.

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 I got MJ, Shaq, Kobe and Bron

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

MJ is still the best, 6 championship appearances, 6 championships. However I feel like Lebron has had better competition overall. Everyone is so skilled in the NBA nowadays that it raises the competition. Yes when MJ played there were great players but the game has changed to less physicality and more skill compared to when MJ played. MJ is the greatest to play, Lebron is the best all around player, Kobe is the best scorer.

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

I think any player who hunts rebounds is beneficial to a team. There is no such thing as being selfish with rebounds. And if he did rebound to hell his stats, so what. He’s trying to do everything he can to help his team win while playing at a high caliber

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 I didn’t pay much attention to the draft because my boy Jrob didn’t get called. I think a lot of teams overlooked his ability as a player. It’ll be fun to watch what rookies show up consistently this upcoming season though.

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 I think they have a serious run in the playoffs but I can’t make a fair judgement until the season starts. It’ll be interesting to see how the teams in the West play, there are a lot of loaded teams.

What was the last movie that you saw?

 Last movie I watched was Wonder Woman. It was a good movie, can’t wait for the other DC movies to come out.

Thanks Chris for the chat.

In the last 10 years the most prolific and most talked about EWE Baskets Oldenburg player has been Rickey Paulding who has become a BBL icon and player that will be talked about the way guys like Wendel Alexis or Henning Harnisch have been remembered over the past 20 years in the BBL. Nothing else in EWE Baskets country has been able to outshine what the former Missouri standout has accomplished in his 11 year career and not even the Bobby Brown ego escapades have been able to put even a tiny dent in the attention that Paulding has gotten in the region. There have been many side notes and memories over the years and one is the abundance of Balkan big men that have landed with the team and given their valuable two cents to the success of the team over the years with the likes of Luka Bogdanovic Milan Majstorovic, Jasmin Perkovic, Marko Scekic, and Oliver Stevic. Rarely have the EWE Baskets Oldenburg hauled in big men from anywhere except the Balkan region, States or Germany until this season. This season they reeled in the Balkan sounding name with Rasid Mahalbasic with that Austrian flair. He is a 27 year old 210cm center that was born in Jesenice, Slovenia, but grew up in Austria starting his career with Worthersee Piraten (A Bundesliga). He has had a positive and gradual rise as a professional as he has played in nine different leagues and in eight countries with teams such as Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL), CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL), and BC Astana (Kazakhstan-D1) just to name a few winning titles with the last two. Last season he split time with Yesilgiresun Belediye (Turkey-BSL) playing 9 games averaging 11.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 71.4%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 78.3%, in Dec.’16 moved to Betis Energia Plus Sevilla (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 22 games averaging 10.1ppg, Reb-4(6.6rpg), 1.8apg, FGP: 57.5%, FT: 71.2%. He has been a solid performer wherever he has played an averaged 9,1ppg and 6,8rpg in 10 Euroleague games with Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-TB) in 2012-2013. Not only in club play has he been a menace, but also with the Austrian national team has belonged to their top players since years and in the last two qualifying tournaments put up great numbers at the Qualifications to European Championships 2017 averaging 16.0ppg, 7.5rpg, 3.3apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 67.6% and at the World Cup 2019 European Pre-Qualifiers averaging 17.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 73.3%. A couple years ago, he described the mentality he has as an Austrian national player having so much responsibility on his shoulders. “I do feel a little pressure, but I know that at the end of the day that I will always get the support of the coaching staff and my teammates. I always give my best and do whatever it takes to help give my team a win. I know that if I score 20 points and we don´t win that I didn´t do my job”, stressed Rasid Mahalbasic. The big man now is on a team that is stocked with a lot of fire power with guys like Rickey Paulding and Byron Allen and other scoring threats and won´t have as much responsibility clinging to him. He will be able to play his dominating inside play that focuses on everything in the paint area. His massive experience will be a vital component for the success of the team. “My life showed me a lot places in the world, and I met a lot of people who helped me develop my personality and also the way I play, without the ups and downs in my career, I would not be the same player I am today”, warned Rasid Mahalbasic. Even if ex Oldenburg big man Brian Qvale had outstanding stats in his two years there, one can´t deny that Mahalbasic has been able to replace the American as he is currently averaging 16,1ppg, 5,9rpg, 3,7apg and shooting an amazing 77% from the field. He is more versatile than the American and has been one of the big steals in the BBL this season. Without a doubt, he belongs to the top Austrian players in the last decade together with fellow Austrian Thomas Schreiner and will make the list of ex Balkan big men a tad more forgotten this season while adding a new refreshing Austrian basketball spice to the EWE Baskets game.

Even if the EWE Baskets Oldenburg didn´t win any titles last season, it belonged to one of their most successful and most memorable in the Rickey Paulding era because of how their playoff run went even if it didn´t end with a happy end. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg had a solid season finishing in fifth place, but their season really began a new life in the playoffs. They didn´t play their best basketball near the end of the regular season having a 4 game losing streak and losing to lesser teams like Vechta and Wurzburg, but played their best basketball in the post season. Their Cinderella playoff series started by beating one of the big surprise teams medi Bayreuth of the regular season getting by them 3-1 and jumping all over the Bavarian team with a quick 2-0 lead in games as they displayed their lethal offense averaging 92 points. They closed out the series with a super Paulding game of 18 points and didn´t play their best defense in the series, but on account of being very consistent offensively beat Bayreuth at their own game. They went into the semi-finals as the big underdog against the other big surprise team of the season ratiopharm Ulm who had won the regular season title and nobody outside of Oldenburg was giving them very much of a chance to beat them in a five game series. The series went back and forth as Paulding and Chris Kramer led Oldenburg to the final. Paulding played his best playoff series as an Oldenburg player scoring 24, 28 and 27 points leaving ratiopharm Ulm shocked. Key in the series was having the better nerves and eking out two crunch-time wins. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg had more experience, class and heart which ruined an almost perfect season for ratiopharm Ulm. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg lost many key players, but will they be able to have another successful season like last year with the new additions? When a Paulding is around anything is possible something they learned in their special post season form last year.

Success is usually always helped when a club can keep a core of last years team added with the right mix of new players. The club would have loved to have held on to their stars Chris Kramer and Brian Qvale, but their budget just didn´t have the necessary resources to do that. The club was able to add eight new interesting and talented players while keeping four with Rickey Paulding, Maxime De Zeeuw, Franz Massenat and Philipp Schwethelm. Paulding is a 35 year old 196cm guard/forward that just keeps chugging along and is playing his 11^th season with Oldenburg and 14th overall after getting early experience in Israel and France. He may not have the quickness of 6-7 years ago, but there is nothing that is slowing down with his game, but moreover his game is aging as nicely as fine wine. Last season he had his best scoring season in the BBL averaging 16,1ppg,  2.7rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 83.4%; In the BCL, he averaged 12.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 77.8%. He is still a scoring option and a real team player, and when all is said and done, the ex Missouri(NCAA) stand out who won 2 titlles with Oldenburg will belong to the greatest Americans that ever played in the BBL. De Zeeuw is a 30 year old 206cm forward played a solid 2017 European championship with Belgium averaging 10.4ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.8%. The ex Czech champion with Nymburk who also played at the European championships in Slovenia in 2011 last season for Oldenburg averaged 9.2ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 82.1%; In the BCL, he averaged 9.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 78.1%. He is a strong inside player that can score in many ways around the rim and will be a nasty tandem with Mahalbasic in the paint area. Massenat is a 25 year old 193cm combo guard that is playing  his fourth professional season and fourth in Germany after playing his first two seasons with MBC: Last season the ex Drexel(NCAA) star who averaged 17,5ppg as a senior averaged 10.2ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 79.2%; In the BCL, he averaged 8.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 71.8%. He loves to show his accuracy getting to the rim, but has proven over the years that he has a reliable three pointer and will be another valuable scoring commodity for Oldenburg this season. Schwethelm is a 28 year old 201cm guard/forward that has been around in the BBL for ages having played his first BBL game at age 16 with Cologne. He has had a solid BBL career playing with teams like Bremerhaven, FC Munich, and ratiopharm Ulm and going into his third season with Oldenburg. Last season he averaged  7.2ppg, 2.4rpg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 80.0%; BCL: 18 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 75.0%. The 49 time German national player who played at the 2010 World Championships in Turkey is a very versatile player that will always bring valuable minutes. His three point shooting remains a big strength of his as well as his defense as he can defend many positions.

Besides Mahalbasic, the club brought in seven new talented players with Mickey Mcconnell, Bryon Allen, Isaiah Philmore, Christian Jones, Karsten Tadda, Brad Loesing and Marcel Kesson. Mcconnell wasn´t only the clubs best signing, but also belonged to one of the best in the BBL. Mcconnell is a 28 year old 182cm point guard from Mesa, Arizona who had a stellar career at St Mary´s winning the WCC tournament and MVP title in 2010. As a professional  he gathered valuable experience in Italy, D-League, France and Germany where he played with the Telekom Baskets Bonn in the 2014-2015 season. Last season he made the next jump to Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB (Spain-Liga Endesa) averaging 11.2ppg, 2.0rpg, Assists-1(6.4apg), FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 89.5%. He is a very versatile point guard that had a short stint with the Dallas Mavericks in training camp in 2013 and with snipers like Paulding and Allen around and Mahalbasic and De Zeeuw lucking in the paint will compete for the assist crown this season. Allen is a 25year old 193cm guard from Maryland going into his fourth professional season. The ex George Mason standout has been a pure scorer since his senior season in school and lit up arena´s in Poland, Kuwait, Italy and the Czech Republic the last years. Last season he won the double with CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging 14.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.1apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 72.6%; In the BCL, he averaged 15.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 76.1%. The explosive scorer who shows his unselfish side as well liking to find teammates that are in an even better position than him will finish in the top 10 in scoring and give fans many high lights this season. Philmore is a 28 year old 203cm forward with valuable NCAA experience with Townson and Xavier and in Germany having played with ratiopharm Ulm, Telekom Baskets Bonn and last season balled with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen averaging 9.9ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 79.8%The German who was born in the States has a physical game that will add depth to the Oldenburg inside game, but he also likes to step outside as he was able to improve his trey last season. Jones is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Arlington, Texas that hails from an athletic family as his dad played college ball at Tulsa. He is playing his rookie season after playing three seasons at St Johns and last year at UNLV (NCAA) playing 23 games averaging 10.2ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 45.4%, FT: 61.8%. He is a strong inside player that also has solid mid distance jumper. He will battle for minutes in a deep rotation. Tadda is a 28 year old 190 cm shooting guard that belonged to the great Bamberg teams of head coach Chris Fleming where he won 8 titles. Last season he played with Ratiopharm Ulm (BBL) playing 43 games: averaging 4.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.8apg; In the Eurocup, he played 14 games averaging 2.3ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.2apg. He will fit in great with Oldenburg supplying energy on both ends of the court as he is a strong defender being able to defend the position 1-3 and will drop his share of three´s. His vast experience with Bamberg and having played at three European championships will be an added spice to the growing team chemistry through out the season. Loesing is a 28 year old 182cm guard playing his fifth professional season after being a rookie with PVSK Pannonpower Pecs (Hungary-A Division). The ex Wofford(NCAA) star then came to Germany in 2014 needing a season of grooming in the Pro A with Gotha and then played the last two seasons with the  MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg (Germany-BBL) and last season played 38 games averaging 4.2ppg, 2.1apg; In the BCL he played 20 games averaging 3.9ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.6apg. The American also has the German passport that is an aggressive and quick guard that is also a good shooter. This energy rabbit will be an annoying player to deal with for opposing teams when he is inserted from the bench. Kesson is a 20 year old 207cm big man that brought 25 BBL games experience with Phoenix Hagen. Last season he played with the Baskets Akad.Weser-Ems/Oldenburger TB (ProB) playing 12 games averaging 11.3ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 70.6%, played also at TSG Westerstede (Regionalliga) playing 10 games:averaging 7.7ppg, 6.6rpg, FGP: 56.1%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 84.6%. He has a double license with Baskets Akad.Weser-Ems/Oldenburger TB (ProB) and will have to fight for BBL minutes.

So where will the BBL journey of the EWE Baskets Oldenburg go this season? You just have to follow this team a bit more closer simply with the presence of a Rickey Paulding who is always worth a visit no matter what even if a person is very sick or just broke up with their significant other. A big goal of the club is too improve their defense as they gave up 79 points per game last season as well as rebounding as they hauled down only 28 per game in the BBL. They also may surprise a lot of teams with their increased usage of transition basketball which they will scatter into their game more. Losing the minister of defense with Chris Kramer hurts as well as the versatile Brian Qvale, but if one inspects the two rosters carefully, the club may be a tad more talented this season than last season. If one adds up what new players Mcconnell and Mahalbasic bring to the table then they are very adequate replacements for Kramer and Qvale. Mcconnell is a totally different player to Kramer and will be an upgrade on the offensive end while Mahalbasic will bring the stats or even better than what Qvale brought. The bench is deeper and the club has more experience. Allen will be the key player this season in that if he can have a big season like he has had in the past years then the club will have that added scoring presence that they didn´t have last season. The EWE Baskets as usual will play in the shadows of the top 3 Bamberg, FC Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin, but are always good for a surprise in the playoffs. They might not have the special kind of run they had last season where they reached the final, but should reach the semi-finals if they don´t get infected by serious injuries. They will end the regular season somewhere between 4-7. But then again with Paulding on the court, everything is possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demonte Harper is a 28 year old 193cm guard from Nashville Tennessee  that is playing his seventh professional season and first with Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia-VTB). Last season he played with BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (Estonia-Alexela KML) playing 12 KM  games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.4apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3FGP: 20.8%, FT: 90.6%; In the VTB United League, he played 17 games averaging 16.2ppg, 4.8rpg, Assists-5(5.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 65.0%, in Mar.’17 moved to Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia-VTB) playing 8 games averaging 9.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 30.0%. He has gained a lot of experience in his professional career having played in the D-league, Croatia, Belarus, Italy and Poland. He played at Morehead State from 2007-2011 winning the OVC title in 2009 and 2011 and has won two cups in Belarus and Estonia. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 95-93 Eurocup win in Ulm where he led his team with 23 points.

 

 

 

 

 

Demonte thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 95-93 win in Ulm. You have played Eurocup and Eurochallenge in the past. What experience have you had in Germany as a professional basketball player over the years?

 

 

I played against ratiopharm Ulm in the Eurochallenge when I was with Enel Basket Brindisi (Italy-Serie A).

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

I don´t know too much about Germany. My friend Brandon has told me a lot about how Americanized it is and now nice the people are.

 

 

What an exciting ending. Ratiopharm Ulm put in a scare scoring 5 unanswered points, but Marco Simonovic made a huge block on Ryan Thompson who led all scorers with 26 points. How did you experience the last seconds?

 

We had to depend on our defense. We didn´t want to give up a three and just wanted to keep our guy in front of us. We were very focused played on ball and didn´t foul. We got a big play at the end to get us the win.

 

 

This is your seventh professional season and sixth in Europe and you have played for 6 teams in six countries. You really have moved around. Do you sometimes feel like you’re a basketball globetrotter?

 

 

Not really. I like to explore and see other countries and cultures. I have been lucky to have been able to see many different places in my career.

 

 

 

 

Your playing for Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia-VTB). You have won 2 professional titles with cups in Belarus and Estonia. Does the hunger for winning titles grow as your grow older each year?

 

 

That is the main goal for any player. You want to win as much as possible in your career. You play for money, but really you want to be remembered as being a winner. It is the greatest feeling in the world winning a title.

 

 

 

This is your third time playing in the VTB League. Last season you put up great numbers with  BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (Estonia-Alexela KML). Do you feel some added pressure going into this season´s VTB competition or more a challenge as you are a known player in the VTB league?

 

 

I think that it is more of a challenge for me. We want to compete for the VTB league title and I want to do my part and play the best that I can so we will be successful.

 

 

Zenit started off well in the VTB league competition and has a very talented roster with many Americans an Argentine and some Russians. What are the goals of the team and what will the club be able to accomplish?

 

We are confident that we can win a title. We do have a new team that is still learning each other, but we know that we are talented. We know that we can compete with the best teams in the VTB and we are still getting better. Plus with the new format in VTB with the final 4 anything can happen. It is only one game. This is a plus for every team. If you play your best one night, then you could be in the final.

 

 

 

How challenging has it been playing on a day to day basis with sniper Kyle Kuric? What do you feel have you gained from his game in the early going and what do you still want to soak up as the season progresses?

 

I am a veteran and already understand a lot. We play different positions. He is a sniper. I can also shoot, but moreover can do a little of everything. Our games are totally different, but Kyle is a very good player.

 

 

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a guard that can score and fill up the stat sheet. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would you chose?

 

 

I would compare my game to Russell Westbrook. I also fill the stat sheet like him. I try to add many things to the game and not only one thing. I use all my attributes that I have to do everything on the court.

 

 

 

 

Your also a guy that can fill up the stat sheet, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

 

 

I don´t really think that I have a hidden strength. I feel that I ca do everything. If I am not scoring than I am playing defense. I feel like I am a guy that gives his team that thing that it needs most at that moment.

 

 

Last season for  BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (Estonia-Alexela KML) and in the VTB league averaged 16.2ppg, 4.8rpg, Assists-5(5.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 65.0%. Do you feel this was your best season as a professional and possibly break out season as a professional?

 

 

I feel that it was one of my best seasons as a professional. I was able to learn to be a leader while being the main guy. I learned what it took to be a main player on a team.

 

 

 

You have played against top European team CSKA Moscow three times and lost each one. Last season you lost  87-68, but led all scorers with 18 points. Do you feel that a game like that might have put you on the radar of Euroleague teams?

 

 

Not really. If I do that now maybe yes. On a smaller team 18 points isn’t enough for me to get noticed

 

What kind of experience was it playing against top point guard Milos Teodosic currently injured with the Los Angeles Clippers. Is there anything else besides his court vision and amazing passing that really stands out for you?

 

That is his game. He can score and is a really good passer. He does that night in and night out. I think that he can be a good NBA player, because he knows how to run a team.

 

 

 

 

Two seasons ago you played with diminutive point game Jerel Blassingame with Energa Czarni Slupsk (Poland-TBL) playing 34 games averaging 12.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 69.6%. Did some of his leadership qualities rub off on you?

 

 

Yes it did. I took a lot from his game to Estonia where I had to play point guard. Jerel has been around for a long time and has played Euroleague. I picked his brain a lot then and still do to this day. I will call him up and still ask for advice. His leadership and how he knows how to run a team helped me the most. He always knew how to run a team, make the right plays and get all involved.

 

 

 

 

In the 2014-2015 season you played for Enel Basket Brindisi (Italy-Serie A) playing 32 games averaging 4.8ppg, 2.5rpg; In the EuroChallenge, you played 14 games averaging 7.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 66.7%. The team was stacked with many very talented players like Marcus Denmon. You didn´t play much in the Serie A. How tough was this season and what did you gain most form the season that made you stronger?

 

 

I didn´t play much that season. I learned that season that I had to play my best in the little minutes I got.

 

 

In the 2013-2014 season you played with Tsmoki-Minsk (Belarus-Premier League, starting five) playing 17 VTB United League games averaging 10.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 63.6%; In the Belarusian Premier League you played 13 games averaging 12.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 43.1%, FT: 69.2%. In the EuroChallenge you played 14 games averaging 11.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 64.3%. This was your most complete season as you put up super stats in three different competitions. How proud were you coming from the D-League that you were able to make an impact the way you did?

 

 

I was satisfied and happy. Coming from the D-League to Europe I needed to prove myself overseas and play well and be successful. I was able to develop, get better and stick around.

 

 

In your second professional season you started the season with Portland and then played with the Erie Bay Hawks (D-League) playing 50 games averaging 9.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 39.9%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 68.0%. What kind of experience was that for you and were you convinced after one season that the NBA would not be a reality for you?

 

 

The D-League was a good experience. I learned more about the NBA style. I just tried to soak up as much as possible in that season and grow as much as possible. We had many talented guys and from that team only one went to the NBA with Henry Sims. We had 9-10 very talented players from division one. There really wasn´t too much difference in the talent level of all the players. It´s all about timing between getting to the NBA and not.

 

 

As a rookie you played with  KK Cibona VIP Zagreb (Croatia-A1) playing 21 Adriatic League games averaging 5.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.1apg, What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home in Tennessee?

 

 

 

I didn´t really have a wake up call as a rookie in Croatia. I left home to go to school at age 18 so I was never home. I was used to not being at home. When I went overseas it was my job. I had to lock in and focus on my job. I couldn´t worry about missing home or wanting to go home. I was at school for 10 months and at home for two months during the year. It´s the same as a professional.

 

 

You had an illustrious career at Morehead State from 2007-2011 winning the OVC tournament in 2009 and 2011. Which title was the sweetest?

 

Winning it my senior year was the sweetest. I made the winning shot against Louisville. Peyton Siva and my teammate Kyle Kuric were on the Louisville team. I have reminded Kyle about that win, but not too often.

 

 

 

 

You played 4 years with future NBA player Kenneth Faried. If somebody had told you he would reach the NBA and stay in your freshman year what would you have thought?

 

In my freshman year I honestly would never have guessed it, but after my second year I knew he would go to the NBA. He just developed so fast and always got better. He is a great guy and one of my best friends. We always hang out during the summers.

 

 

 

You were teammates with Brandon Shingles and he was second in the nation behind John Wall in assists before he got injured. He has had a solid career in Europe and currently is playing in the German Regionalliga for Limburg. If you see a guy of his talent and see where he is today, does it amaze you that he isn´t playing near the highest level somewhere? There seem to just be too little jobs for so many talented players in the world.

 

 

I believe that Brandon could play at a higher level. It is tough when you are playing at a lower level. It makes it so much harder to make a consistent jump. With him it´s all about timing having the right moment, and a coach seeing your talent. He has just been in an unfortunate situation. Maybe it can still turn around for him. I hope it would.

 

 

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 

The toughest player I played against in the NCAA isn´t in the NBA now. He is Lester Hudson and is making a lot of money in China. He played in the NBA before, but is happy in China now and has his own show there. He was a really good shooter and could do it all. He was very tough to guard. When you thought that you played good defense against him, he made a really tough shot against you. He had the ability to consistently make tough shots and had NBA talent at the NCAA level.

 

 

 

 

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?

 

 

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Lebron James

 

 

 

 

Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?

 

 

Jordan is the greatest of all-time. Lebron is more of a unique player. We have never seen a player like him before. Lebron is great at everything whereas Jordan was a great scorer.

 

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

 

I don´t think he was stacking his stats. He did it consistently over the whole season. Anybody else would have continued to go for triple doubles and go for the record.

 

 

 

 

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

 

 

DeaAron Fox is a sleeper. I really like his game.

 

 

 

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

 

 

 

I think that if they stay healthy that they could make a serious run. They have a good roster and with the addition of Chris Paul a guy with a lot of experience. A guy like James Harden can still learn things from him.

 

 

How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?

 

 

 

I think that Boston got the better deal. Kyrie is younger than Thomas. Thomas is a good player, but Irving has achieved a lot at his age being an important piece to a Cavs championship. Boston could be a problem in the east in the future.

 

 

Where will the journey of the Oklahoma Thunder go this season with Westbrook, George and Anthony? Can they make a serious run in the west?

 

 

 

 

They have a lot of potential and could also make a serious run. The Warriors have played together for a while now, but the west overall is getting tougher. If the Thunder stay healthy and click the right time then they also will be a problem in the west.

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

 

I have been watching a lot of TV shows. The last one I watched was Penn & Teller. I like magic and like to see how they do it.

 

Thanks Demonte for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were times the last two seasons where the BCM gym in Frankfurt seemed like an unstoppable shooting gallery as there was a sniper on the premises, but the 185cm Alaska native guard wasn´t giving a clinic with bullets, but with a basketball. Travis Thompson gave the the word sniper a new meaning during his stay with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors leading the Pro B team into the playoffs both seasons and reaching the Pro B final in 2016. In his first season he averaged 16.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 88.6% and in his second season the ex Alaska-Anchorage. (NCAA2) standout who hit at least one trey in 41 games in a row and finished as second all-time in three pointers passing German legend Hansi Gnad on his last shot improved his stats last season in all facets averaging 19.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT-2(43.1%), FT: 90.0%. He also gave the name scoring consistency a new meaning as he came to play every night and scored in double figures in 39 of 42 Pro B games with Frankfurt. Who could forget his massive 36 point explosion against Lich where he dropped 10 trey´s or other huge scoring games like his 33 point effort against Leipzig or 32 points against the Dragons Rhondorf. Two seasons ago, he had a fine 4 game series against his future team as he scored 19 points twice, 20 points and 17 points in the regular season and playoffs. Already then one had an inkling that the American who has never disliked a rim anywhere might be heading east the next season as then head coach Steven Clauss had a long chat with him after the last playoff game in Frankfurt. Instead the American remained in Frankfurt for another season, but this season has become one of the Titans leaders on the club despite not having totally exploded as he is averaging a solid, but not impressive 13,8ppg, 5,0rpg and 1,4apg, but his outside shooting as always has been spot on as he is shooting 42,4% coming into the game against in Frankfurt. Thompson arrived back to an old stomping ground with the 3-3 Dresden Titans as they faced the 3-3 Fraport Skyliners Juniors, but was unable to leave the gym with a big smile as his team lost 79-68 scoring only 11 points. After the game the Alaska native reminisced about his two years in Frankfurt and explained why Dresden couldn´t pull out the victory. “It was nice to be back and see familiar faces. Last season I spent a lot of time with Isaac Bonga and Garai Zeeb and now we were opponents. I think I only scored less than 11 points once in the BCM. It is different this season with more talent and we have many good shooters. My best memories in this gym was the 36 point game against Lich and beating Ehingen in the final. We started the game well, but then got in a slump missing easy baskets and Frankfurt was able to get transition baskets. Frankfurt shot the ball very well in the second half especially Richard Freudenberg”, stressed Dresden Titan Travis Thompson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors  had a terrible start, but put it all together in the second half and had too much fire power for Dresden. “We came out very slow. We knew we had so much more talent and we forgot how to use it. Once we got in a flow and upped our intensity, we started to pull away. We did a better job defending and played with pride”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Junior Alex Fountain.

After dressing only 8 players in Rhondorf four days ago, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors met Dresden and had a deep 12 man rotation and had BBL license players Isaac Bonga, Richard Freudenberg and Garai Zeeb back on board as was Tobias Jahn who had missed the last game. In the first few minutes, there were two teams on the floor, but seemingly only Dresden totally mentally focused as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors seemed to be very far away and not in the BCM. The Dresden Titans sped out to a 12-0 lead before Frankfurt head coach Sebastian Gleim could even flinch Dresden got going quickly and got massive support from ex BBL player Helge Baues who played 12 games with Bremerhaven scored twice inside as his quickness was difficult to contain, ex Nordlingen sniper Janek Schmidkunz and Travis Thompson nailed three´s However even after the timeout, Dresden continued to do how they pleased on the offensive end extending their lead to 18-3 as they continued to pour in the trey´s as ex Speyer forward Sebastian Heck connected as did Thompson again. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were able to get a Cosmo Gruehn three and were aggressive getting to the free throw line but Jahn and Jules Akodo could only make one shot and trailed 20-8 after 10 minutes. “Frankfurt´s offense wasn´t working and looked timid while their defense lacked aggressiveness. The Hecker and Gruehn three´s got them back in the game as they finally calmed down”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Quantez Robertson. The Dresden Titans were shooting 50% from the field and 8ß% from outside while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 13% from the field and 27% from outside. Dresden were ruling the boards 14-8 and had one turnover while Frankfurt had three turnovers.

In the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors continued to up their game as their flow was slowly starting and erased the bad start shocking the Dresden Titans with a 13-1 run to deadlock the game at 21-21. In the run, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors demonstrated their vast offensive arsenal with inside out play as Zeeb drained a trey and Richard Freudenberg continued to be consistent nailing a trey and using his quick first step from the baseline to get by his man and score aggressively in the paint. Four year man Armin Trtovac grabbed an offensive rebound and made a put back while also hitting free throws. Isaac Bonga tied the score with a beautiful left handed lay in that looked so easy like if he was on a Sunday stroll. The game remained even and Frankfurt would have to wait until shortly before halftime before being rewarded with their first lead of the game. Dresden got baskets from ex Giessen guard Steven Bennett, Thompson and Baues to hold the lead, while Frankfurt got buckets from Zeeb, Jahn and Bonga to trail only 29-27. Frankfurt then allowed a big defensive play to spark their offense which led to their first lead of the game. Sometimes basketball can be so easy when the ball falls into your hands as if GOD had thrown it down from the sky. Ex Kronberg guard Flex Hecker had his back to the play was sprinting to the wing to cover his man as the pass hit the back of his head and as he turned around the ball fell into his hands which led the team on the fast break and Freudenberg closed the break with a trey as Frankfurt led 30-29. “I haven´t had a steal like that before. That was an impressive steal. He didn´t know where the ball was and it just landed in his hands”, smiled Quantez Robertson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors however didn´t go into halftime with the lead as after Baues and Zeeb traded buckets, it was the German big man Baues who has played 89 Pro A games with teams Cuxhaven, Hamburg and Dresden hitting a three giving the guests the slim 33-32 advantage at the break. “Frankfurt got settled in the second quarter starting to move the ball better, rebound better and defend better. Richard Freudenberg also continued to make shots”, added Quantez Robertson. The Dresden Titans were shooting 39% from the field and 56% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 41% from the field and 50% from the three point line. Frankfurt was leading the rebound battle 20-28, but had 10 turnovers while Dresden had nine turnovers.

In the third quarter the game remained tight until the last three minutes where the Fraport Skyliners Juniors went on a run to get their first real commanding lead of the contest. The game went back and forth in the first seven minutes as there were seven lead changes. Frankfurt got vital production from their guards Zeeb and Akodo as well as a 20 footer from Fountain while Dresden got a trey from Thompson as well as production inside from their big men Baues and Spaniard Mailk Fall as Dresden led 41-40. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors then found some daylight and continued to execute better while getting consistent stops going on a 12-2 run to take the commanding 52-43 lead. In the run, it was Jules Akodo who scored a lay in and made free throws while their two big snipers Freudenberg and Fountain connected on three´s. Dresden had a bad let down on offense taking tough shots and missed crucial free throws. Janek Schmidkunz closed out the third quarter with a trey as Dresden trailed only 52-46. “We focused more on defense and our energy in the third quarter. In the first half we relied too much on talent and not on effort. We started to gel more in the third getting a flow and playing more confident”, added Alex Fountain. “Frankfurt moved the ball well and had tough closeouts and a Fountain was rewarded standing on the three point line”, stressed Travis Thompson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 39% from the field and 40% from the parking lot while the Dresden Titans were shooting 38% from the field and 44% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 34-26 rebound edge, but 13 turnovers while Dresden had only 12 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors kept the lead, but continued to be challenged by the Dresden Titans as they could never totally shake off their opponent. Dresden came out with a lot of energy going on a timely 5-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 52-51 as German Marc Nagora who was teammates with Dennis Schroder in Braunschweig and played 40 Pro B games with that club hit a three and Heck made free throws. Frankfurt got buckets from Jahn with an offensive rebound and put back and Freudenberg hit a trey, but had to work hard for everything as Dresden didn´t let down getting a Nagora offensive rebound and put back and Heck lay in to cut the Frankfurt lead to 57-55. Key for Frankfurt was that they had no let downs on the offensive end in that whenever Dresden scored they had an answer. Fountain once again proved why you can´t leave him alone nailing a wide open three as Frankfurt led 60-55. Armin Trtovac scored free throws and made a lay in while Dresden countered with another Baues lay in and Steven Bennett lay up cutting the Frankfurt lead to 64-59. After a Schmidkunz trey cut the Frankfurt lead 64-62, Frankfurt stepped up their play in crunch-time going on a 8-1 run to extend their lead to 72-63 setting a first signal to Dresden that they were wanting to shut the door on them now. In the run, Frankfurt did a good job catching Dresden napping getting a transition bucket from Akodo, lay in from Fountain and fifth trey from Freudenberg. “Freudenberg is so important for us. He is so versatile being able to play many positions and has a high IQ. His length helps us so much on both ends of the court and he can always change the game”, added Alex Fountain. The Dresden Titans had one last hurrah ready going on a desperate 5-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 72-68 with 1.16 to play in the game. Schmidkunz and Baues scored. However Frankfurt slammed the door shut on Dresden as once again they left Fountain wide open and he punished them with a another trey for the 75-68 lead .Zeeb made free throws and Fountain closed out the game with a hard two handed dunk. “I think our talent and size advantage was key at the end. We had a lot of confidence and knew we could score at will at any time”, stressed Alex Fountain. “They hit big shots and played tough defense forcing us to tough shots”, added Travis Thompson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Richard Freudenberg with 17 points. Alex Fountain added 16 points and Garai Zeeb had 12 points. The Dresden Titans were led by Helge Baues with 22 points. Janek Schmidkunz added 12 points and Travis Thompson had 11 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 42% from the field and 43% from outside. The Dresden Titans shot 38% from the field and 45% from outside. Frankfurt controlled the battle on the boards 46-36, but had 15 turnovers while Dresden coughed up the ball 13 times.