Miles Jackson-Cartwright is a 25 year old 190cm guard from Van Nuys, California that is playing in his third professional season and second in Germany and first with the TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB) averaging 14,7ppg, 5,0rpg and 4,8 apg. His last club was the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games averaging 11.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 71.4%. In his rookie season he played with Aris Leeuwarden (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five) playing 18 games: Score-3(16.1ppg), 3.3rpg, Assists-1(5.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 80.2%. He started his basketball career at Pennsylvania (NCAA) in 2010 and played there until 2014 playing a total of 115 NCAA games and in his four year career averaged 11,6ppg, 2,6rpg, 2,8apg and 1,0spg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Miles thanks for talking to German Hoops. We both have a very uncommon same name. How many other Miles´s have you met in your life? My count is less than 5.
Ha! I have actually met quite a few, to be honest. Definitely more than I can count.
You sat out a whole season. Talk a little about your time off. Was it a planned thing to pursue other interests or were offers scarce and just not the right opportunity to play professionally last season?
I actually signed with a Bulgarian team last season before the new year. It did not work out for the best, but I was appreciative of the team for giving me the opportunity obviously, I wanted things to work out differently but I probably would not be in the position that I am now if not for what happened last season.
Congrats on signing with TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB). Two seasons ago you played in the German Pro A with the Hebeisen White Wings. Do you feel like your taking a step back this season or what benefits do you see by playing in the Pro B this season?
Thank you! I truly believe that this is the best situation that I’ve been in so far. It’s the best of both worlds for me. I get the chance to lead a young group with the Pro-B team, all while being able to play and learn from Coach Dirk Bauermann and the talented group of guys on the BBL team. Being here with Coach Liam Flynn has always been something that I’ve looked forward to, and the opportunity to also play in BBL games is truly a blessing. This organization is first-class in all facets and I have never been more excited to be playing for a team like I am here.
Last season Maxi Begue already had his chance to breathe some NBBL air as he was placed into nine games, but saw the brunt of the action in the JBBL(U-19 league) where he led the team into the JBBL final 4 in Frankfurt. The NBBL last season was filled with many guards so he could learn from many including the highly talented Isaac Bonga, but with the 18 focused on his career and making the next step in the BBL, the 16 year old who will be turning 17 next year has been shoved into a big role, one he probably wouldn´t have had had Bonga not developed so nicely and was still playing in the NBBL this season. In the last two weeks, Begue has progressed immensely accepting that role of having to take much more responsibility and also coming through with success on the court. Three weeks ago, he had his big breakthrough scoring 30 points in Hagen, but wasn´t rewarded with a win as Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners lost 75-72, but two weeks ago had a big success moment after he showed what he was made of not having a good first half as the club was struggling, but breaking through in the second half and leading his team to a massive comeback and getting the 64-58 win against TSV Bayer o3 Leverkusen as he found his scoring stroke especially at the end as he nailed a big shot from the baseline helping secure the win. It will be interesting and exciting to see where his journey will go this season as his development process continues with every new game. Begue took his 4-2 team and met another 4-2 team with the Metropol Baskets Ruhr on a typical early Sunday afternoon game and did it again being masterful in crunch-time like against Leverkusen two weeks ago helping power his team to the 78-70 victory as he took in the last minutes supplying seven points as he finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. After the contest he seemed a little bashful in having to talk about his game once again. “My first six points today came quickly, but then for along time I didn´t score. In crunch-time I just did my thing which is to score. I did a good job hitting my mid distance shot out of the pick and roll while it was harder during the zone”, stressed Maxi Begue. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners remained unbeaten at home and continued to develop as a team for 40 minutes as well as keeping their nerves intact in crunch-time. “Our strengths today was our defense, team basketball and ball movement. WE rebounded well, but also gave up a lot if offensive rebounds”, reflected Maxi Begue. After the loss a disappointed Till Hornscheidt who was the Metropol Baskets Ruhr top scorer on the loss, but was still content with how his team played. “I think that this was one of our best games this season. Frankfurt was the clear favorite, but we were at eye level with them. It hurt us that Fin Fleute was missing especially under the basket and I feel that he would of given us another option on offense”, stressed 16 year old Metropol Baskets Ruhr point guard.
There was only one win where the smile was at it´s greatest for American Kameron Taylor and that was following his unforgettable buzzer beater pull up jumper against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors which saw nothing but net, but other than that one could really debate in which of the other games his smile was bigger, because the Dragons Rhondorf have easily disposed of every other opponent with Leverkusen, Munich, Schwelm and Karlsruhe that have attempted to make some noise in the loud Dragon Dome and were easily put in their place and sent home trying to figure out what went wrong. Two weeks ago, the Dragons Rhondorf easily took apart HIT GEQOUS Karlsruhe and saw the struggle of Kameron Taylor getting in early foul trouble and regrouping and having a strong second half to produce 18 points in 18 minutes while his teammate German Patrick Reusch was reborn after battling injuries and stepping up big in the absence of Taylor and racking up 18 points in 18 minutes and giving the team that much needed push form the guard position while the American was fighting with his thoughts on the bench. The Dragons Rhondorf came into the game with a potent 9-2 record and resting comfortably in second place in the Pro B south standings sporting a four game winning streak and were looking for their six win a row at home a place that has turned into that special dominating living room as they welcomed the 11th placed TG s Oliver Wurzburg as they had a miserable 1-10 record and were one place away from being the leagues doormat. The Dragons Rhondorf entered the contest as the huge favorite and showed no real signs of having difficulty in losing as they played a solid defensive game and as always when they needed instant points, they looked to Kameron Taylor who came up big in the fourth quarter scoring 12 points and leading his team to their sixth win in a row at home. After the game, the Maryland native was focused and trying to save his smile for another day even if he had flirted with a quadruple double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and eight steals, he never noticed. “I can´t even imagine getting a quadruple double. I just play my game and my stats come on their own. Statistically this may have been my best defensive game, but I try to compare my best defense to how well we contain the opponents best player”, stressed Kameron Taylor. The focused attitude of the American had more to do with how well he really felt his team played. “It was an ugly game and we weren´t satisfied as a team. We were disappointed and feel that we could of played a lot better, but were happy we got the win. It shows what kind of team we really are when we aren´t happy with a 16 point win”, added Kameron Taylor. TG s.Oliver Wurzburg were without many key players and that showed in the play of the team. “We had a lot of guys that had to step up and play out of position. We lost so much inside and this game was a real challenge. We knew that we had to stop them on transition. I felt we defended and rebounded well for three quarters, but in the end they edged us out. Rhondorf was the better team”, stressed ex USC(NCAA) forward Garrett Jackson.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kameron Taylor after his masterful 22 point, 10 rebound, seven assist and 8 steal game in 72-58 win against TG s.Oliver Wurzburg with his agent Jens Wellar looking on
Its approximately 3.20 pm in the afternoon on a cool Saturday afternoon and the Fraport Skyliners Juniors have just completed the first quarter and are behind 25-14 against the ScanPlus Baskets and hadn´t found a remedy on how to stop Hayden Lescault until that moment as he had scored 10 points and later would win the game with a buzzer beater and the crowd is sparse for a Pro B game which is the third German basketball league. However there is one spectator sitting up in the stands by himself enjoying some take out chicken and looking very sporty in his attire. The young man explains to me that The ScanPlus Baskets are a very tough and physical team and have a lot of experience. You could see that Frankfurt was missing a big man and it was tough to match up. This wasn´t some dad of a player, coach or basketball writer sprouting his expertise knowledge of the game, but Philip Scrubb professional basketball player of the Fraport Skyliners. When he left his mark at Carleton(CIS) winning 8 titles, for some he became known as the greatest Canadian college player of all-time. On a free afternoon before the highly anticipated Sunday battle in Bamberg against top team Brose Bamberg most of Scrubb´s teammates are elsewhere and trying to free their mind before getting mentally focused for the Bamberg duel. A guy like Quantez Robertson was probably spending time with his cute kids, a Mike Morrison was possibly doing a play afternoon with his son and Tai Webster might have been skyping with his family back home in New Zealand. Having the label of being the greatest Canadian college player of all-time may not have the same clout as being the greatest Canadian basketball player of all-time which Steve Nash pretty much has racked up, but definitely an honor that he appreciates. If a Steve Nash, Andrew Bennett or Andrew Wiggins were sitting in Scrubb´s place in the stands fans surely would recognize them, but with Scrubb he looks like that normal Joe Schmo in appearance, but when he is on the court it´s a totally different story as he becomes that amazing player with phenomenal shooting abilites, but also overall excellent offensive skills and a basketball IQ that any player would die for. So what is the greatest Canadian college player of all-time doing at a minor league basketball setting? Most professional basketball players wouldn´t waste their time taking in a game like that even though his teammates Quantez Robertson and Mike Morrison are often there as well, but for Scrubb being a faithful spectator watching his team´s farm team is as normal as practicing free throws every day. “ I just like watching basketball and I think that it is important to support the guys. I´m living on my own so usually I don´t have anything else to do”, stressed Philip Scrubb. In his rookie season when asked about that greatest Canadian college player of all-time he responded very truthfully “There have been many great players from Canada. I played at the best program and for the best coach. There was much handed to me. Winning improves the way people look at you. I was lucky to be on winning teams. The media helps people remember this”, stressed Phiip Scrubb. His character really stands out and get´s lauded everywhere he goes. “He is quiet and humble and never talks about his self. He works hard, listens and always wants to help the team first”, stressed Valencia forward Aaron Doornekamp. Even if he missed his entire second season with a knee injury, the Canadian from Vancouver is back fresher than ever and on route with winning another greatest label if he continues his stellar play in Germany in the EasyCredit BBL.
Even if the EasyCredit BBL season has been one to forget for the Oettinger Rockets, there most likely have been times when Ekene Ibekwe made the trouble times just a tad easier being able to sprout some of his worldly basketball experiences with his teammates in the quaint city of 46,000 persons. Ebekwe is a 32 year old 207 center that is playing his 11th season and his basketball resume looks like a fine delicate mess simply with all the places he has discovered and played at in his stellar career. In his 11 year career he has played in 11 countries and laced up his sneakers for 19 different clubs. In Germany he has worn the jersey of five clubs with Artland, Bayreuth, Giessen, Frankfurt and currently with the Oettinger Rockets and last season for the first time played with four teams experiencing highs and lows like no other which has been transported into this season. With so many stations and teams, one can debate if he was even around enough to win titles, but he has racked up his titles over the years starting before he was a professional with Maryland(NCAA) winning the tough ACC tournament in 2004 and collected a Bronze medal at the 2005 African championships. As a professional he has done most damage in France winning the Pro B title in 2008 as a rookie with Besancon Basket Comte Doubs and was Pro A champion last season with Chalon. He also won the 2015 NBL title in Australia with the New Zealand Breakers and has had no problems living the nomadic basketball life. “I just will go there where a team wants me and where I fit in best”, warned Ekene Ibekwe. The Nigerian/American who has played with the Nigerian national team for ages also had very fond memories balling for the African Nation playing at the 2006 World championships and losing to Germany on a Dirk Nowitzki buzzer beater and priceless memories of taking part at the 2012 Olympics in London and 2016 Olympics in Rio where he led the tournament in blocks. His exciting basketball career just continues as he keeps chugging along past the ripe age of 30 as last season he encountered a period of ups and downs that has carried over into this season. Last season he played a total of 55 games in 6 competitions in four countries Czech Republic, Germany, Turkey and France. Even if he moved around as much a Russell Westbrook seemingly does on the court in each game his season ended with a happy experience e. He began in the Czech Republic playing seven games, but the club had a stacked roster and he quickly found himself with the Fraport Skyliners where he played very well averaging .9,3ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 65.6%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 90.0% in the Basketball Champions League and in the German BBL 7.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 2FGP: 56.3%, 3FGP: 35.3%, FT: 69.2%. However in Frankfurt he also got lost in the shuffle and then had a very short stay in Turkey with Muratbey Usak Sportlif Basketbol where he didn´t get the desired minutes averaging 5.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 50.9%, FT: 52.8% in the Turkish BSL. With spring time having arrived, he was ready to pack up and go home to Los Angeles for the summer, but instead the big man that can hurt you from outside on any given night landed in France with Chalon as they needed an experienced player in their stretch run and playoff hopes. With Chalon he played 15 games averaging 5.2ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 70.6%. He averaged 15 minutes per game, but was an important player from the bench giving energy on both ends of the floor. He witnessed two very exciting playoffs series beating Paris in four games and overcoming Strasburg in five games to win the Pro A title as he powered 7 points in game five. Even if he could entertain a crowded Lantica Trattoria restaurant in Gotha with his basketball experience and wisdom for an evening, just reliving what had happened last season would have lasted a whole night into the wee hours of the morning. He finished off last season with a high and this season is currently encountering a low as he and the Oettinger Rockets are near the end of the EasyCredit BBL standings in 16th place as their biggest misfortune has been seemingly unending injuries. Despite the hardships, he is holding his own averaging 13,6ppg, 7,1rpg, 1,0spg and 2,4bpg while shooting 44,4% from outside and leading the league in blocks. He hasn´t lost his touch and is just as good as a player as when he was 25 or 26 years old. He has done the best he could and continues to prove that he can fit in anyway and takes losing like a professional. He may not win a title this year, but just being able to produce a wonder and somehow keep the Oettinger Rockets in the EasyCredit BBL for another season will be like winning a title.
The goals and expectations with the Oettinger Rockets have been huge for years as their rise from Regionalliga also has been huge. In 2009, they were still playing in the Regionalliga until they moved up to the Pro B in 2010 and in only two short seasons won the Pro B crown in 2012 and moved to the Pro A. They reached the Pro A playoffs in their second season and in their sixth season got to the EasyCredit BBL. A lot of the success and growth of the club had to do with the successful management of Wolgang Heyder who had been successful in Bamberg and had a new vision with Gotha. Also the coaching duo of Chris Ensminger and Steve Esterkamp was key, but they were unable to fullend their goal of the BBL as they were dismissed last season in a down period last where they weren´t winning and in a way were unjustly left out in the cold to freeze losing their jobs. Gotha finished the season with Ivan Pavic. They gave their fans an unforgettable playoff run beating Crailsheim in four and then doing the unexpected somehow overcoming Chemnitz winning three do or die games in a row as they had been down 2-0 early and won the last three games by a combined total of not more than 11 points.
The Oettinger Rockets came into their inaugural BBL season going with a very risky plan by Wolfgang Heyder where he put a big focus on developing Germans, but as the summer wore on less and less imports were signed which got many to think how this club would survive a BBL season and not return back to the Pro A. A big problem is that the club brought in unproven Germans like Johannes Richter(7,0ppg, 4,0rpg) and Andreas Obst(11,3ppg, 2,4rpg, 1,3apg 49% from outside), but were very hungry to develop further and prove to their ex clubs that they have the talent to become very good BBL players. Both have had a good start and their confidence will carry them to good seasons. Robert Oehle(4,3ppg, 2,4rpg) is an experienced BBL player, but a player that would need to take a lot more responsibility here then he would anywhere else and putting up consistent solid stats with Gotha is rather unrealistic. The ex Bamberg players Daniel Schmidt(6,3ppg, 1,1rpg, 3,5apg) and Dino Dizdarevic(4,4ppg, 1,4rpg) are talented guys yearning for a chance and getting it, but also unproven that also need to take responsibility. All have shown flashes this season, but being consistent is a goal that is seemingly impossible for these players to be able to accomplish. On top of needing production from their Germans, Gotha has been hit with a massive injury bug as planned key players Dane Watts and Sava Lesic were lost to injuries putting a dent into their team chemistry. It also didn´t help the club that main club sponsor decided to turn off the clash flow fountain. The club has some talented Imports. Ekene Ibekwe is the leader and keeping Darrell Mitchell(6,0ppg, 3,5rpg) was a plus as his experience having played in the top leagues like France and Turkey has shown in the BBL as he has needed no time to adjust. Belgium national player Retin Obasohin also has done a fine job taking responsibility in his second season after coming from Scandone Avellino (Italy-Serie A) is taking the scoring load for Gotha averaging 14,5ppg, 4,6rpg and 3,4apg. Another bright spot has been Serban Nemanja Jaramaz(12,3ppg, 3,3rpg, 2,8apg, 42,9% from outside) who also adds Euroleague/VTB experience. But the club didn´t extend his short term contract as he moved to the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig.
At first glance on paper the Oettinger Rockets might seem like a team not deep enough for generating sufficient scoring power, but they are averaging a surprising 82 points per game and can light up teams on any night as they have scored 80 points four times, but there biggest problem is defense as they give up 89 points on average. They have allowed 90 points or more four times and even if they did win their last game against Tuebingen 90-83, there seems to be no cure for their defensive woes. They are also the worst rebounding team in the league getting only 25 rebounds per game. Granted the loss of Sava Lesic and Dane Watts has put a void into their rebounding core, but still they have big bodies with Richter, Ibekwe and Ohle that just need to be more physical and show more presence in the paint as well as the guards who need to help out more. Gotha isn´t a bad team as they have talent and can score on any night, but they simply need more effort and heart on the defensive end. If they could find some kind of chemistry on the defensive end then there might be some hope in saving their season, but at the moment they have some fortune and breathing room as seemingly way better stocked teams like Tuebingen and Bremerhaven are underachieving and worse than the Oettinger Rocekts. However the Oettinger Rockets are still one of the main favorites to move down. It is only a matter of time before Bremerhaven finds a groove and Tuebingen has the talent, but need the right coach now to save them. This coming weekend surprise team Fraport Skyliners come to Gotha with the sixth best defense in the league. Frankfurt have prided themselves on always defending well for 40 minutes as their defense hasn´t peaked yet and maybe Gotha should take some notes how well Frankfurt communicate, switch and clog the paint area to make life very uncomfortable for their opponents. The Fraport Skyliners have a slim rotation, but Niklas is back, but still needs time to adjust after his concussion that kept him out for six weeks. Both teams will be rested after the World Cup qualifying period and have the needed energy for a 40 minute battle. But the Fraport Skyliners will grind it out on the road without problems as Philip Scrubb will be very motivated to get back on the winning track as he and Canada were upset by the Dominican Republic earlier in the week and with their combination of aggressive defense and well molded offense that continues to get better over time.
Mardracus Wade is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Chatham, Virginia that is playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA). He played his rookie season with the Central Texas Swarm (ABA) and played in the D-league the last two seasons with the Iowa Energy (D-League) playing 35 games averaging 5.9ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT-1(50.0%), FT: 68.1% and last season split time with the Iowa Energy (D-League) playing 8 games averaging 4.9ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.8apg and the Greensboro Swarm (D-League) playing 6 games averaging 5.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 62.5%. He started his basketball career at Arkansas (NCAA) in 2010 and played 125 NCAA games in a four year career with his best season being his sophomore one where he played 31 games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.2rpg. Currently in the Pro A with Nurnberg he is averaging 10,0ppg, 2,5rpg and 3,4apg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Mardracus thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on signing with German team Nurnberg Falcons. Did the fact that you were a try-out player motivate you even more to play at a high level?
Yes sir, I knew what I brought to the table and I felt really confident in my skill and abilities coming into it. I just had to play hard and do my part.
After playing in the States for your first three professional seasons you now have made the jump to Europe. How blessed are you to be in a place where everybody knows German and not in the back woods of Bosnia where you might not see a Mcdonalds for months?
I’m very blessed to be in the position I’m in today. I feel like this a great start to my career overseas and that the sky’s limit for me if I continue to put in the time and effort. Nuremberg is a really cool place and have great people and food here. So I’m happy about that.
Rashid Mahalbasic is a 27 year old 211cm center that was born in Jesenice (Slovenia), but also has the Austrian citizenship and plays for the Austrian national team and is playing his first season with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Mahalbasic started his basketball career in 2006 for the Worthersee Piraten (A Bundesliga) where he played until 2009. In the 2009-2010 season he played for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (Bosnia-D1, starting five): DNP, in Oct.’09 moved back to kelag Worthersee Piraten (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 27 games: 18.4ppg, Reb-2(8.6rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 64.4%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL), in Dec.’10 loaned to Tofas Bursa (Turkey-TBL) playing 10 games averaging 3.7ppg, 3.0rpg, in Mar.’11 signed at KK Split (Croatia-A1) playing 13 games averaging 5.0ppg, 2.3rpg. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Zlatorog Lasko (Slovenia-Telemach League) playing 2 Slovenian League games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.0spg, 1.5bpg; IN the Adriatic League he played 3 games averaging 4.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0bpg. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-TBL) playing 36 games averaging 11.0ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 58.0%, FT: 68.7%; In the Euroleague he played 10 games averaging 9.1ppg, Reb-5(6.8rpg), 1.3apg, FGP: 58.2%, FT: 59.1%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 18 VTB United League games averaging 11.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 63.5%, FT: 72.2%. In the NBLleague he played 29 games averaging 10.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP-2(68.8%), 3PT-1(66.7%), FT: 62.2%; In the Eurocup, he played 18 games averaging 11.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 60.6%, FT: 69.0%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for BC Astana (Kazakhstan-D1) playing 33 VTB United League: 33 games averaging 14.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 61.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.8%. In the EuroChallenge he played 12 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 62.8%, FT: 73.6%; Kazakhstani D1 playing 11 games averaging 8.2ppg, Reb-2(6.5rpg), 2.4apg, Steals-2(2.0spg), FGP: 53.7%, FT: 51.4%. In the 2015-2016 season he played for BC Nizhny Novgorod (Russia-VTB) playing 27 games averaging 12.6ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 73.1%; In the Eurocup, he played 20 games averaging 11.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 8.3%, FT: 58.1%. Last season he played with Yesilgiresun Belediye (Turkey-BSL, starting five)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-ACB) playing 22 games averaging 10.1ppg, Reb-4(6.6rpg), 1.8apg, FGP: 57.5%, FT: 71.2%. He spoke to German Hoops the day after the brutal 90-49 loss against Germany in a 2019 World Cup qualifying game.
Rasid thanks for talking to German Hoops-. Normally this week you would be preparing for a Basketball Champions League game with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, but instead are with the Austrian national team preparing for 2019 World Cup qualifying games against Serbia and Germany. What is your general opinion about having the qualifying games during the regular season?
At first I thought it would be an advantage not seeing the best players playing, but I was wrong. We showed that we were one of the worst teams. We weren´t prepared. We simply don´t have the quality of players to prepare for three days and then be ready.
Nick Hornsby is a 201cm forward that was born in Irvine, California and is going into his rookie season in Germany with the Giessen 46ers II (Germany-ProB). He won two high school titles with Tustin and then played at Sacramento State form 2013-2017 playing a total of 123 NCAA games and was able to improve hiss coring and rebounding each season. As a senior he played 31 games averaging 11.3ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 71.2%. This season with Giessen he is averaging 13,6ppg, 7,6rpg and 2,6apg. He spoke to German Hoops shortly after he signed with Giessen about his basketball career.
Nick thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on signing your first professional basketball career with the Giessen 46ers 2 team that play in the Pro B. After coming off a stellar 4 year career at Sacramento State how did you experience your first summer transfer period as you were looking for your first professional team? Did you have sufficient offers?
My first summer out I have just been focused on getting better as an all around player. Whether its one day working on my shot or the other my ball handling. It was a great summer and I got to play with/against a lot of great players.
You chose the Giessen 46ers 2 team. Head coach Rolf Scholtz was high on your versatility and team game. What were the main reasons for deciding to play for head coach Rolf Scholtz? I can imagine being able to soak up the BBL experience with their first team and be able to practice with them was an important reason?
Coach Scholtz just seemed like a great guy and I thought that this would be a great place to start my career. Like you said being able to practice with the BBL team and scrimmage against them was a big part of it so I could not pass up that opportunity.
Will Thomas is a 31 year old 203 cm forward from Baltimore, Maryland playing his 10th professional season and second with Valencia Basket (Spain-ACB). Last season with Valencia he won the ACB title and averaged 6.7ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 92.3%. In the Eurocup, he played 23 games averaging 6.3ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 23.9%, FT: 65.6%. He started his professional basketball career in 2008 with Belgacom Liege Basket (Belgium-D1) and on the Belgium Super Cup in 2009. He then played with Ostende and in the 2011-2012 season played with Army Sport Klub Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) with the Georgian league title in 2012. He then played the next two seasons with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-TBL) and with Sidigas Avellino (Italy-SerieA). In 2014 after 6 professional seasons and at the age of 28 finally made the jump to the Spanish ACB playing two seasons for Unicaja Malaga (Spain-ACB). He played at George Mason from 2004-2008 playing a total of 131 NCAA games reaching the NCAA Final 4 in 2006. As a senior he played 34 games averaging 16.1ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 64.2%, FT: 67.2%. Finished career ranked 1st all-time at Mason in games played (131), games started (118) and minutes played (4,144). Also ranks 1st all-time at Mason in field-goal percentage (.616) and 3rd all-time in the CAA as well as 3rd all-time in rebounding (993) and 6th all-time20in the CAA. He spoke to German Hoops before the Euroleague game against Brose Bamberg in Bamberg.
Will thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. In your long career you have played against German teams 15 times scoring in double figures in 8 of 15 games. Could you guess what your record is vs German teams?
It might be negative.
It is 8/7. Your over 500. What are your fondest memories of playing German teams? Possibly sweeping Alba Berlin last season in Europe Cup or BG Goettingen in the 2011-2012 Eurochallenge?
I remember that German teams have always been really good over the years. All the teams are always competitive and they play really well.
You are back in Bamberg. You split with them in the 15-16 Euroleague season. With Unicaja Malaga (Spain ACB). With what kind of feelings are you returning back to Bamberg and what memories do you have of then?
I remember the games against Bamberg as always being very tough. The atmosphere in Bamberg is great and their fans are unbelievable.
What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? You played three years in Belgium early in your career. Did you ever come to visit and do you have friends playing here?
I had one friend who played in Germany years ago with Folaran Campbell. We were teammates at George Mason. When I was playing at Liege early in my career, I was in Germany almost every weekend in Cologne or Duesseldorf.
Your playing your second season for Valencia Basket (Spain ACB) and won your third professional title last season with the ACB title. What stood out most for you in being able to win this title?
Winning that title meant everything to me. Winning the ACB would mean a lot to any player. It is good for the resume and just stands out.
Does the club feel a lot of pressure defending the ACB title and having a good Euroleague season?
We plan on having a very good season in the ACB. We also plan on competing every night in the Euroleague and trying our best to win. We have new players and a new coach and we plan on taking it one game at a time.
Your playing with very many talented and experienced players that are stacked up front. What kind of role do you have and is it any different from last season?
My role isn´t any different from last season. I am doing what I have been doing my whole career which is rebounding, playing defense, bringing energy and scoring when I can. I want to continue to be a good teammate and help lead with my experience.
How thankful are you to be playing Euroleague again? Do you appreciate it more simply because you played your first game in your seventh season at age 28?
I am very thankful to be playing Euroleague again and am very grateful. When you look over Europe at how many players there are and there are only 16 Euroleague teams, you notice that only a select can play Euroleague. I am happy I can show my talent against the best.
You have been a consistent scorer and rebounder your whole professional career. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player to who would you pick?
I don´t know. I wouldn´t compare myself to anyone. When I was young, I was trying to be Michael Jordan, but that didn´t work out too well.
What kind of experience has it been playing with the talented veteran Bojan Dubljevic. How do you feel have you both profited from each other on and off the court?
I think that we compliment each other very well. He can space the floor like a stretch four and be a tough guy in the post. I do sort of the same. We bring a certain toughness to the front court that helps us win.
After six seasons as a professional having played in Belgium, Georgia and Turkey, you reached the ACB in 2014 joining Malaga. Do you feel like you developed later than others or did people just recognize your talent later?
It really depends on being on the right teams and getting the right exposure. Early in my career I played in Belgium and Georgia that weren´t top leagues, so top teams didn´t see you play. When you are playing in leagues that have less exposure, it´s hard to move up. You have to play Euroleague and Eurocup for top teams to see you play. Euroleague teams want experienced players. I had to wait my turn to reach the Euroleague.
You had some very good Euroleague games, but was your 20 point game win against Maccabii Tel Aviv one of your most memorable games?
I remember that game in Malaga. I got in the zone and there was nothing that they could do about it. It was a very nice memory.
You played two seasons with Mindaugas Kuzminskas who reached the NBA last season. Did you have a feeling in your two seasons with Malaga that he could make it there?
Yes I did for sure. He was still young then and was very talented. He might not have shown his talent as much in Europe, but he had a game that he could use in the NBA. There was more space and 1-1 opportunities in the NBA which suited his game. It didn´t surprise me when he signed in the NBA.
After playing in Belgium, Georgia and Turkey, you moved to Sidigas Avellino (Italy-SerieA) in the 2013-2014 season playing 30 games averaging 15.3ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 70.7%. Do you feel this was your real breakthrough season in a real top league?
I never have looked at it like that, but I guess it was. That got me to where I am today. Italy was considered one of the top leagues then and I worked myself up and showed what I could do. Some NBA Summer league teams took notice of me then as did top teams in Europe.
In the 2012-2013 season you played with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-TBL) playing 30 games averaging 11.2ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 67.5%; In the EuroChallenge, you played 17 games averaging 14.3ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 72.2%. What memories do you have playing in Turkey in a league that was slowly developing into one of the top 5 in Europe?
I really didn´t know what to expect when I came to Turkey, but after a few months I really could see how competitive the league was. The style was slower than other places, but there were good players there, the league was well organized and was good coaching. Every game was a battle there. You had to play very well 90% of the season to make the playoffs. I knew then that Turkey would become a top league in a short time.
In the 2011-2012 season you played with Army Sport Klub Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) winning the league title playing 6 EuroChallenge games averaging 15.0ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 68.4%; In the Georgian League, you played 25 games averaging 16.5ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 71.4%. How much of a privilege was it playing briefly with NBA player Sundiate Gaines who was there because of the NBA lockout?
He was a really good point guard. He really understood the game and knew how to get everyone involved in the offense and played very good defense. He wasn´t there long, but he helped me get off to a good start.
You played in Belgium with Ostende and in Spain with Malaga with American power forward Caleb Green. How vital was his presence for your game over the years?
He was a great guy and great teammate. We played against each other in Belgium and Italy and were teammates in Belgium and Spain. We played the same position and there was a mutual respect for each other. We battled each day against each other in practice. We made each other better and we also played together at the same time on the court an we played well together, because we knew each other so well from our daily battles in practice.
You played your first two seasons with Belgacom Liege Basket (Belgium-D1). What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home in Baltimore?
I had a lot of them, but they were off the court. On the court basketball is basketball. You shoot, pass and run up and down the court. The basketball part wasn´t much of an adjustment. Off the court, I had to learn to adjust to everything. I had to learn how to cook and drive a stick. In college you were never far from home so if you needed something from home your parents would bring it. It was also tough talking to people on the phone, but not seeing them for 3-4 months.
You have won three professional titles, but how special was winning the 2009 Supercup with Belgacom Liege Basket (Belgium-D1). What memories do you have of it?
That was so early in my career. I didn´t know at that point how important the cup competition is in Europe. No one expected us to win. We were a very young team and we beat the defending champs. It was great starting the season like that winning a title. Our season then really took off for us.
After playing at George Mason(NCAA) you took part at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): averaging 17.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 64.7%, FT: 58.3%. You also played with the Washington Wizards NBA Summer league team. Are you disappointed that after your good showing at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament that you didn´t get more of a look from NBA teams?
I came out of college undersized. There was little interest. But then I had a good showing at the Portsmouth Invitational tournament. I showed there that I had a lot of talent. I got interest from European teams and some from Asia. I had no agent at that time. I remember that if you had one good game, then there would be hundreds of agents wanting to talk to you after the game with each one flinging their business card at you. It was crazy. I tried out for the Washington Wizards Summer League team, but got cut after 4-5 days.
You played at George Mason(NCAA) from 2004-2008. You reached the NCAA final 4 in 2006. What made the run so special? The club had no future NBA players, but how vital were Tony Skinn and Folaran Campbell?
We had a great run in 2006 at the tournament. No one expected to go that far. We just went out and had fun. We lost in the Final 4 to Florida who would win it all. It was a very tough game. I remember playing in Indianapolis in front of 65,000-70,000 people. I had never played in front of so many people. I´ll never forget that.
How did head coach Jim Larranaga groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?
He didn´t really prepare me for a professional career. I think that if you never experienced how it is in Europe then you can´t really prepare someone for it. Coach prepared me for college to be the best that I could be. He knew I was smart enough to learn to become a professional player.
Who won a one on one in practice you or Darryl Monroe?
We never played then. I would win today. I would kill him.
Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?
I would say Michael Beasley. He was a very tough guard. He had an NBA game already in college. He could do it all. There was a reason why he was the #2 overall pick in the NBA draft.
If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, 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 best. He is the best because of the way he always was able to perform in the moment. Lebron shrunk too much in the moment.
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 believe it´s not a fair assessment of the player Russell Westbrook. He always tries to do the most for his team to win.
How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?
I like Jayson Tatum and Kyle Kuzma
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 think so. They have pretty much the same team from last season adding Chris Paul. Nobody can beat the Golden State Warriors.
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?
Right now the Celtics. I think that the Cavs will turn it on at some point of the season. The Cavs won´t win the NBA title, but beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference title.
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 can´t get past the Golden State Warriors. None of the stars on that team have been in a final except Westbrook.
Aaron Doornekamp is a 31 year old 201cm forward from Odessa, Canada playing his eighth professional season and first with Valencia Basket (Spain-ACB). Last season he helped lead Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (Spain ACB) to the Basketball Champions League title playing 35 games averaging 12.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 85.9%; In the BCL, he played 20 games averaging 10.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 46.1%, FT: 90.9%. He started his basketball career at Carleton (CIS) in 2004 playing there until 2009 winning 4 CIS titles. He started his professional career in 2009 with Pepsi JuveCaserta (Italy-SerieA) where he played until 2012. He then played three seasons in Germany with Braunschweig and two seasons with the Fraport Skyliners whom he helped win the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup title playing 39 games averaging 11.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 44.3%, FT: 85.7%; In the FIBA Europe Cup, he played 17 games averaging 9.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 84.8%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Euroleague game against Brose Bamberg in Bamberg.
Aaron thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. How does it feel to be back in the country where you won your first professional title?
It feels good to be back. I played in Germany for three years with one in Braunschweig and two in Frankfurt. My first child was born in Frankfurt. I have good memories of Germany.
