Julian Gamble is a 27 year old 207cm power forward/center from Durham, North Carolina that will be starting his fifth professional season and second in Germany with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He started his basketball career at Miami(NCAA) in 2008 and played there until 2013 playing a total of 127 games. In 2013 he started his professional career with Saint Vallier Basket Drome (France-ProB): 44 games: 16.3ppg, Reb-3(9.0rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, Blocks-1(1.5bpg), FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 10.0%, FT: 62.9%. In 2014 he moved to the Basic-Fit Brussels (Belgium-Scooore League) playing 25 games: 17.0ppg, Reb-3(7.6rpg), 1.4apg, 1.1spg, Blocks-1(1.6bpg), FGP: 57.0%, FT: 69.2%. Two seasons ago, he remained with the Basic-Fit Brussels (Belgium-Scooore League) playing 36 games: Score-5(16.6ppg), Reb-2(8.3rpg), 1.3apg, 1.5spg, Blocks-1(1.9bpg), FGP: 60.8%, FT: 68.1%. Last season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn he played 37 games averaging 13.2ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.7apg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP: 61.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 58.0%; He also played 16 FIBA Europe Cup games averaging 12.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 58.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after the club returned from a training camp in Slovenia.
Julian welcome back to Germany. You are playing your second season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Did the summer fly by quickly? What was your most memorable thing that you did in the summer?
Thank you, I am very happy to be back. Yes, the summer flew by like it always does after a long season but it was amazing. The most memorable thing was traveling to Cancun, Mexico with my family for the wedding of a very close family friend.
Before we start about this upcoming season, I have to ask you about last season. You were a main figure in Bonn reaching the BBL playoffs as well as helping the team into the Fiba Cup semi finals. You played 37 games averaging 13.2ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.7apg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP: 61.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 58.0%; In the FIBA Europe Cup you played 16 games averaging12.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 58.2%. Was this tops your best season as a professional weighing in the team success and your play?
Yes I believe this was my best season. We accomplished many great things as a team that we can be proud of and somewhat restored the tradition of Bonn in the playoffs. We accomplished some things on the European stage which was good as well. For me individually, I was able to overcome a lot of adversity in my play and become a big factor in helping my team to important victories and big games. So I am looking to build on that this season.
I saw the loss to Nanteere live and was shocked that the Telekom Baskets Bonn let it slip away. Did that fourth quarter come up here and there in your thoughts over the summer and what did the team learn from this loss that will help them be stronger in those kind of situations this season?
No, it didn’t. My goal is to be better in every way this season and help lead this entire new group of guys to where we ultimately want to be. All due respect to Nanteere but that happened because of us and not them. We will be stronger in any situation like that moving forward, that is for sure.
Lionheart Leslie is a 22 year old 178cm point guard from Houma, Louisiana that recently finished a stellar college career at CS Fullerton. He started his basketball career in 2013-2014 with Blinn JC (JUCO) and as a freshman played 30 games averaging 9.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 79.5%. In his second season at Blinn JC (JUCO) he played 32 games averaging 14.7ppg, 5.1rpg, 5.7apg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 52.1%, FT: 76.9%. In 2015-2016 he moved t CS Fullerton (NCAA) and as a junior played 29 games averaging 8.3ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 71.3%. In his senior year at CS Fullerton (NCAA) he played 31 games averaging 10.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 23.0%, FT: 75.8%. He recently took part at the Howard Hoops tour in Germany and spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Lionheart thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. It is late summer 2017 and most guys are signed to play somewhere in the world except you. When you were nearing the end of a very solid senior year at Cal State Fullerton would you ever have thought you would be playing in with a basketball tour team in small gyms in the back woods of Germany?
To be honest, towards the end of my senior year I would’ve never thought I’d be playing ball in the back woods of Germany, but I am very humbled by this experience and thankful for this opportunity to play.
Ronald Howard is like a basketball savior for young hungry and at times unknown players just wanting to get their foot in the door. He continues to bring guys to Germany and a few weeks later they have jobs. How thankful have you been for getting this chance and do you see him as a savior?
There are not enough words to express how thankful I am for getting this opportunity to play. This is something that I will always be grateful for in my life. Ronald Howard portrays all the characteristics of a what a savior is because with given this chance, I’m able to continue to play the sport that I love and am passionate about.
Talk a little about your Howard Hoops experience. You really lit it up on the weekend and demonstrated why you had such a good career at Cal State Fullerton from 2015-2017. Did it sometimes feel like you were a man playing among kids?
I wouldn’t put it in that way, but the feeling was very much similar. Given this opportunity, I felt it was my time to showcase everything I got in the time that I was given. When I’m determined to do something, I put my mind and everything I have in me to do so.
It may only be preseason, but the majority of the EasyCredit BBL teams not only have the core of their roster battling in preseason games in order to get tuned up for the upcoming season, but also five to seven import players on the stat sheet to help get their chemistry rolling except for the Fraport Skyliners who like every August/September in the last years have had to scramble through the preseason with their few import players that had stayed on board and the rest of their young kids rounded out by some of their farm team players from the Pro B. It wouldn´t have been half as bad had their three veterans Quantez Robertson, Mike Morrison and Jonas Botterman-Wolfarth been present, but they were missing in action and one suddenly had to rely on the future with kids Isaac Bonga and Richard Freudenberg. The good news was that Mr Canada Philip Scrubb was back after missing last season on account of injury and had personal expectations as high as Mount Logan and was as hungry as a famished tourist in Ottawa getting ready to chow down at the trendy eatery Fauna and his stellar play showed. The trio of Scrubb, Bonga and Freudenberg may not have the experience of a Mayo, Gamble or Klein of the Telekom Baskets Bonn, but they are like a fountain of youth as the other three teams at the Giessen weekend tournament of Bonn, BG Goettingen and the 46ers could only dream of having young talent like that on their roster. The Fraport Skyliners weren´t rewarded for their furious comeback against the Telekom Baskets Bonn losing 82-76 a day earlier as 17year old German wunderkind Isaac Bonga made his first real serious breakthrough in a BBL setting as he filled up the stat sheet like a Lebron scoring 16 points, hauling down 10 boards and dishing out five assists. On Sunday the Fraport Skyliners were playing for pride in the game for third place facing home team Giessen 46ers who stunk up the building a day earlier losing by almost 40 points to BG Goettingen, but on this day the troops of head coach Ingo Fryer not only came to play, but played a well rounded consistent game that Frankfurt couldn´t combat despite their second half comeback losing 102-90. After the game ex NC-Greensboro (NCAA) forward Kayel Locke was relaxed doing his postgame stretching and even though he didn´t lead his team in scoring, his overall energy level at both ends of the court infected his team to totally rebound form their embarrassing performance the day before. “We were too sluggish against BG Goettingen and against Frankfurt we came out with more energy especially on the defensive end where one could see each man was trusting each other to help each other. We didn´t get good shots against BG Goettingen, but better one´s against Frankfurt and made them”, stressed KB Bashkimi Prizren (Kosovo-SuperLeague) forward Kayel Locke. The Fraport Skyliners lost their second game in a row of the Preseason and at times there wasn´t a player over 20 years of age on the court and second year man Canadian national player Philip Scrubb transformed into the leader with so many veterans absent and played his heart out especially in the second half leading his team back into the game, but the club just was unable to step up together as a team when it needed it most in crucial moments of the game. “This was our second game in a row where we didn´t start out well and weren´t focused on defense with no communication. In the second half, we communicated better on defense, got defensive stops which led to easy buckets on transition. We showed a good sign in the second half, but we need to bring it for 40 minutes”, warned Philip Scrubb.
The Giessen 46ers jumped all over the Fraport Skyliners right off the bat gaining the 7-2 lead as their two main offensive threats Kayel Locke and Austin Hollins scored and new American and ex E.Carolina (NCAA) forward Jamar Abrams showed his shooting expertise nailing a pull up jumper.
Davonte Lacy is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Tacoma, Washington that is going into his second professional season and first with German Pro A team Ehingen. Last season as a rookie he played with UBC Magnofit Gussing Knights (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 11 FIBA Europe Cup:games averaging 7.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.1apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 37.8%, 3FGP: 20.0%, FT: 80.6%; and 21 Austrian A Bundesliga gamesaveraging 10.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 49.4%, 3FGP: 32.9%, FT: 80.2%, left in Feb.’16, later that month moved to BC Hallmann Vienna (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 15 games averaging 5.9ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 66.7%. He started his basketball career with Washington St. (NCAA) in 2011 playing a total of 110 NCAA games. His best season was his junior season where he played 23 games: averaging 19.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 39%, FT: 83.5%. In his senior year he played 31 games averaging 16.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 77.0%. He spoke to German Hoopsearlier in the summer about basketball.
Thanks Davonte for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
At the moment I am back home in the Tacoma/Seattle area just working on my game. And enjoying family before I leave.
Congrats on signing with German pro A team Ehingen. You didn´t play last season. How thankful are you that you will be able to continue your professional career?
I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to continue my career I know I can still play at a high level I just need the opportunity and thanks to coach and the management at Ehingen for believing in me.
How tough was it for you being away from the professional game for so long? What was toughest in this time for you to accept?
It was extremely tough but I needed to heal my body and make sure that I am 100% and ready to make a team better. The hardest to accept was the fact I had to wait and not have the chance to play.
Scott Eatherton is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Hersey, Pennsylvania who will be playing his third professional season and second in Germany and first with the Basketball Loewen Braunschweig (Germany-BBL). Last season he played with BG Goettingen (Germany-BBL) playing 33 games averaging 11.9ppg, Reb-4(6.9rpg), 1.5apg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 76.9%. As a rookie he played for Moncada Solar Agrigento (Italy-Serie A2) playing 35 games averaging 12.4ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.2apg, Blocks-4(1.5bpg), FGP: 62.3%, 3PT: 29.0%, FT: 64.1%. He started his basketball career with St.Francis, PA (NCAA) where he played 57 games and then moved to Northeastern (NCAA) and as a junior played 30 games averaging 15.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 1.2apg, 1.8bpg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 65.8%. In his senior season with Northeastern (NCAA) he played 35 games averaging 14.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 62.6%, 3PT: 25.8%, FT: 69.4%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about Basketball.
Hi Scott thanks for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Currently I am in Hershey, PA and my summer has been great so far.
You hail from Hersey, Pennsylvania. Now that you have lived in Germany for a year, would you still take a good old Hersey candy bar over a tasty German candy bar like Milka or Ritter Sport?
I would still choose a Hershey bar.
Congrats on signing with the Basket Lowen Braunschweig. I was a little surprised at first that you signed there since you had a great second professional season in Germany with BG Goettingen and were named to the Eurobasket.com German Bundesliga All-Newcomers Team. Did your desire to feel like you could make a serious difference in their success outweigh personal gains of possibly playing in a higher league and better team, but reduced role than what your going to have with Braunschweig?
I felt like I can make big impact with Braunschweig after speaking with coach Frank. I was excited about what he had to say and feel like we can compete more this year than last year.
Till Gloger is a 24 year old 204cm forward from Bochum, Germany that signed with the Mitteldeutscher BC. Last season he played with the Uni Baskets Paderborn (ProA) playing 30 game averaging 14.5ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 82.1%. He got valuable experience overseas in the States playing at Maine (NCAA) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 116 NCAA games. As a senior at Maine he played 30 games averaging 14.5ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 82.1%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about his basketball career.
Til thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your been going?
I am back in Paderborn after staying with the A2 National Team the last couple of days. On Sunday we will leave to China to play the Stankovic Cup.
Congrats on signing with EasyCredit BBL team Mitteldeutscher BC. How did head coach Igor Jovovic convince you best that you fit to his basketball philosophy and how MBC play on the court?
I was feeling really comfortable with Coach Jovovic and the Management right from the start. When we met up in Weißenfels a couple months ago, I could get a valuable inside view from how operations are handled. Since we battled against each other twice in the regular season, I had a pretty good understanding on how MBC is playing.
You are joining a very ambitious club who have moved up and down to the EasyCredit BBL three times in the last nine years. How excited are you to be joining this organization and are you ready for Germany´s top league?
Yes, I am very excited to join MBC and can´t wait to get on the court with my new teammates. For me it is very special to be part of such a traditional Club with such amazing fans. I am looking forward to a new challenge in the EasyCreditBBL and want to prove myself right from the start. I am ready for a new chapter and believe in our team to be successful.
Gilles Dierickx is a 25 year old 213cm center from Belgium that is playing his second professional season and first with the Artland Dragons(PRO B). Last season as a rookie he played for three teams with Arcos Albacete Basket (Spain-LEB Silver) playing 2 games averaging 9.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5bpg, in Nov.’16 moved to Rot-Weiss Cuxhaven (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 5 games averaging 13.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 2FGP: 72.2%, FT: 73.9%, in Dec.’16 signed at Melco Ieper (Top Division I) playing 10 games averaging 12.4ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 46.5%, FT: 78.9%. He went to school in the states starting with FIU (NCAA) in 2011 and then moved to Washington(NCAA) playing only 28 games in two seasons. He finished his college career at Seattle Pacific (NCAA2) playing 31 games averaging 11.4ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 56.0%, FT: 61.0%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about basketball.
Gilles thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been coming along?
I am currently in Quakenbrück already, I decided to come a bit early to get adjusted to the new environment before preseason starts and get some individual work outs in with the coaching staff. My summer has been good, I’ve been working out and took some time off with family.
You played at three NCAA schools and as a rookie played in Spain, Germany and Belgium. Do you already feel like a basketball globetrotter at the tender age of 25?
Definitely a little bit, I think all those experiences helped me become the person that I am today.
How confident and lucky do you feel that you will complete the whole season with your new team Artland Dragons and not continue your basketball globetrotter ways this season?
I feel very fortunate to be with the Artland Dragons, for this season I definitely wanted to be in a stable situation the whole time and not be moving from one place to the other.
Devonte Brown is a 24 year old 188cm guard from Killeen, Texas playing his second professional season and first with the Uni Baskets Paderborn. Last season as a rookie he played with OKK Sloboda Tuzla (Bosnia-Division I) playing 28 games averaging 8.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.0apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 64.5%. He started his basketball career in 2012 with Indiana St. (NCAA playing a total of 129 NCAA games. As a senior he played 32 games averaging 15.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 23.2%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about Basketball.
Devonte thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
I’m currently back in Texas training 3 times a day, working on weakness I’ve shown in my first professional year . It’s been a great summer thus far . Ive been spending time with my family and training some of youth and high school talent in area.
Congrats on signing with German Pro A team Uni Baskets Paderborn. After playing in Bosnia as a rookie how did you experience your second transfer period? Did you have a hard time choosing between offers or was the German offer simply too good to pass on?
I enjoyed the second transfer period a lot more than first simply because I knew what to expect and when teams would start to calling . Going to an organization with a great coach such as Uli Naechster seemed to be a no brained to me. This opportunity was simply too good to pass on.
Your new head coach Uli Naechster describes you as a point guard that can score, but also be a playmaker. He also sees you being a leader this season as a point guard should be. What other strength in your game will Germany see from you on the court this season?
It always good to hear the coach talk about you in that way and I’m excited to show defensive skills to go along with my offensive ability that coach has pointed out.
Mike Taylor is in his 17th season as a professional coach and currently head coach of the Polish national team and preparing the team for the Euro 2017 tournament. He is the son of Dick Taylor who was an NCAA coach and assistant with the New York Knicks. Mike Taylor started his coaching career in 2001 with Chemnitz (Germany-2.Bundesliga). In 2002-2003, he got valuable experience in the UK with the Essex Leopards London (United Kingdom). In 2003, he started to coach for ratiopharm Ulm leading them into the Beko BBL in 2006 and Beko BBL playoffs in 2009 before leaving in 2011. He had a record of 101-15 in four years of second Bundesliga basketball. He also has coached Kansas Cagerz (USBL) in the summer time as well as being an assistant for the Czech national team. In 2011 he made the jump back to the states and was an assistant for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers(D-League). He then was head coach of the Boston Celtics D League team Maine Red Claws and they reached the playoffs for the first time in team history. He spoke to German Hoops before Poland played at the Super Cup in Hamburg, Germany.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber visiting coach Mike Taylor in Maine when he was head coach for the Boston Celtics D-League team Maine Red Claws
Thanks Mike for talking to German Hoops In our last interview a year ago, I started off what was easier changing a diaper or to deny John Bryant the ball in the post. You stated that “My wife Alice would tell you that I am much better at changing defenses than changing diapers but that is a time when there is no problem doing the dirty work”. Did your diaper changing improve in the last year?
My diaper skills definitely improved! Luke will be 2 Sunday the 20th so it has been a fantastic life experience and I am very thankful for Alice and our family.
Before we start to talk about the Super Cup and Euro 2017, I have to take a step back and talk about Euro 2016. Poland Played a very good Euro winning their group 5-1. What positives do you and the team want to take from last seasons run into this years competition added with what the club brings to the table this season?
Our strength is our team. We have been together for three successful years winning two Qualification groups and advancing to the Top 16 in Eurobasket 2015. Our core of players and coaches have worked very hard together and we are battle tested. We have faced pressure games and top opponents together. Now enter into our fourth, we are preparing for our biggest challenges yet with Group A in Helsinki. We are focused internally on being the best team we can be and I believe in our guys. We will be ready for the challenge to beat great teams.
Mateusz Ponitka is a 23 year old 196cm guard that will be playing his first season with Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (Spain-Liga Endesa) and currently is playing with the polish national team. Last season he played with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-BSL) playing 27 games averaging 13.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.3apg, Steals-4(1.7spg), FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 70.8%; BCL: 19 games: 10.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 70.7%. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Kasprowiczanka Ostrow Wlk. He then played three seasons with Tempcold AZS Politechnika Warszawa (1Liga). In the 2012-2013 season he made the jump to Asseco Prokom Gdynia (PLK): 34 games: 8.7ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 27.2%, FT: 70.7%; Euroleague: 10 games: 8.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 38.1%. He then played two seasons with Telenet BC Oostende (Belgium-Scooore League). Last season he played for Stelmet Zielona Gora (TBL): 41 games: 10.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 76.1%; Euroleague: 10 games: 12.0ppg, Reb-3(7.9rpg), 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 67.6%; Eurocup: 10 games: 13.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 47.6%, FT: 69.4%. Last simmer he took part at the NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas (Denver Nuggets): 4 games: 2.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.3spg. The Polish player gave German Hoops his fourth interview before the Super Cup weekend in Hamburg
Thanks Mateusz for talking to German Hoops again. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Right now I am at the airport as we are heading to Hamburg with national team to play tournament against Germany Serbia and Russia. My summer was pretty long because we finished season early in Turkey and I had a lot of time for rest and practice. So the first 10 days was holidays and then 1,5 month individual work.
You have been preparing for Euro 2017 with the Polish team the last weeks. The club beat the Czech Republic twice, split with Latvia and lost to Lithuania. How content have you been with the preparation of the club so far?
We are working hard since the 15th of July. Training camp and now friendly games so basically my season already started. We are practicing really hard the last few weeks and in those friendly games our performances are different. We are in a good spot and we are looking forward to finish preparation to start the real battles in Eurobasket.
When looking at the current roster that still will be trimmed down to 12 for the Euro 2017, one doesn´t see much change except that there is no Marcin Gortat and no Maciej Lampe. How will the 2017 Euro roster be different and better than last summer´s?
Maciej Lampe is with us and he will play in tournament in Hamburg. We are trying to quickly put him in our system. He is very talented and experienced player so his help is priceless. Marcin finished career in national team so we can´t count on him anymore. Last summer we won our qualification group because we built collectiveness. This year we will try to do the same thing.
There will be many players left from Euro 2016. You will have vetearans Damian Kulig and Aaaron Cel on board. How much stronger will Poland be this summer?
Every player witht such an experience like Damian and Aaron is for us big help. So basically we are happy that we can count on them. Both can really improve our game and make a big impact on the score.
Poland will have their real first test this weekend in Hamburg at the Super Cup. How excited are you to be heading back to Hamburg where you played at the U-17 world championships in 2010? I have been there many times and its always going be great place for me. Memories are coming back very quickly. For me personally that was a great tournament and to be honest my career started form there. It all started from the silver medal in Hamburg and now we are here. So it will be a hard tournament for us playing against the best teams in Europe but also great test. We are looking forward to competiting with all three teams and to check at which point we are now.
What memories do you have of the U-17 World Championships in Hamburg. You were the second top scorer of the tournament averaging 19,0ppg. What players do you remember form that tournament that now belong to the best in the world? I remember everything like it was yesterday. All games we played and of course the final against USA. I remember all them big players who are now playing in NBA or in Euroleague. Too many to count them but that was a great tournament with a lot of talented players.
You face Germany on Saturday whom you lost to the last two seasons. NBA players Dennis Schroeder and Daniel Thesis will join the team for the Super Cup. How confident are you that Poland will be able to win this game considering Poland has had the core of it´s team together longer? I think the German team is always well prepared and well organized. I know Dennis and Daniel and I know how big of an impact they can have on the team. So I think Germany will be very strong especially playing at home. We are ready to play against everybody and hungry to compete with the best teams.
How have you followed the development of German basketball in the last year. Dennis Schroeder continues to get better, Paul Zipser made it to the Chicago Bulls, Daniel Thesis was signed by the Boston Celtics and Isaiah Hartenstein was drafted by the Houston Rockets. Germany was also fifth at the U-19 World Championships. Is it just a momentary run or do you see German basketball continuing to develop better? Germany have a great basketball system and they take care of their youth players. Taking care of the development of young players is very important and this has to bring some progress. As you see – more and more players from Germany are going to the NBA and young players are always high in standings of youth competition. With that good system German basketball is developing.
Poland is in a tough Group A with France, Greece, Slovenia, Finland and Iceland. This will be a real battle for the fourth and final spot. What will be vital for Poalnd to do on the court to help them advance? We have to play as a team and compete against every team on 100% of our abilities. Its a hard group but we are not without chances to advance. We will do our best to make some surprises and win games we have to win.
How vital will the consistency and good play of AJ Slaughter be for the success of Poland? How is your relationship to him. Do you ever give him advice or do you see him having a big Euro 2017? AJ adapted really well to our team and our system. He is very important player for us and we count on his good performances at Eurobasket. I think you don´t need to give him any advice as he is anexperienced player, he played in many good clubs around Europe and he excatly knows what to do to play good.
Poland has a lot of veteran players on the team this summer, but not as many young players. What is the state of Polish basketball concerning it´s youth. What young players on the team do you see making the next step in the next years? Ok I see you don´t consider me as a young player anymore. I think experience is very important on a tournament like Eurobasket. We have some young players who will be very helpful in the next few years. Right now is 4 players from the 93 generation in the team and we are looking forward for some youngsters to come and join us when they will be ready.
What has been your impression of young guard Andy Maturczak that played in the NCAA and last season as a rookie in Greece and this season will play in Germany with Chemnitz. He probably won´t make the 2017 Euro 2017 roster, but how bright is his future and what do you like most about his game?
I think he is a very smart player. He got feeling for basketball especially as a point guard. Also he is very cool and focused on basketball. I think he can really help us at some point and he will play good in the German league. Every year he will be better and I wish him all the best for his career.
In our last interview you stated that Tomasz Gielo has the potential to make the next step. Last summer Aaron Cel wasn´t on the team, but is back this summer. Do you see the hard head to head competition making Gielo even stronger these weeks leading up to the Euro 2017? For sure its great chance for him to improve. He is around good, experienced players and no matter how long he will play this situation is perfect for him to develop.
Last summer you said this about Polish national team coach Mike Taylor “. He is a big time professional and his attitude and approach is awesome. He gives me this positive motivation to work every day. Great coach and great person”. After another year of seeing more basketball and having more experiences, how has coach developed further in the last year that you have seen the last weeks?
I know him for last 4 years and I know how hard he is working to prepare us to the Eurobasket. He is everything I said last year plus one more year of experience. I really like playing for him and probably not only me. He refreshed our national team, brought positive energy and taught us how to become the best versions of ourselves.
Let´s talk about your game in the Polish national team. Last summer I asked you what your role would be and you stated “I am trying to be as versatile as its possible because then I can fit to every basketball system. Mike knows me very well and he knows that whatever he will need me to do he will get it. I am working very hard to be an all around player and national team is a great place for me to develop those skills”. You averaged 15,3ppg at Euro 2016. How will head coach Mike Taylor want to use you this summer best so Poland has the most success? Similar to last year. I will try to do everything its need to be done to win the games. Simple as that.
A quote that I have kept in my head in the last year was this. “You can be able to know how to score 30 points in the game but it is not the same if you don´t know how to win the game”. You definitely know how to win having won titles in Belgium and in Poland. Do you feel like you can transform your winning genes to your teammates this summer? I think we have good potential and many players who won something during their careers so probably it´s not going be needed that much. I won 2 championships in Belgium and 2 in Poland but you can´t compere it to playing at Eurobasket its different competition and its much harder to win something out there.
Last season you had a very solid season with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-BS) playing: 27 games averaging 13.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.3apg, Steals-4(1.7spg), FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 70.8%; In the BCL you played 19 games averaging 10.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 70.7%. You were a Turkish allstar, reached the Champions League quarterfinals and Turkish cup semi final. You weren´t the go to guy like the year before, but a guy among many that had a significant role. How did your game prosper most last season that will help you make the next step this season with Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (Spain-Liga)? I learned a lot last season. As you pointed out my role was different and I tried to help my team in different ways. Like I said last year I am trying to adapt to every system you put me into so also in the Karisyaka system I found my role and tried to be the best at this particular role. I hope every next season will prepare me better for playing a solid role in the best teams in Europe. This is my goal for next years – to get ready for being an important player in a Euroleague team rotation. And Iberostar Tenerife is a great environment for me to do it.
What kind of a feeling is it for you going to Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (Spain-Liga) who won the 2017 Basketball Champions League? Here it will be similar to last season in Turkey where there will be many talented players that can score. What part of your game do you feel will translate best to the style of the Endesa league? I have never played in Spanish league before but it was always my dream. So now I am ready for every next challenge. I am really looking forward to start competing at this level. I know we have many good players in the team but I also have my experiences and I will try to use them as well. I hope this will be a great season for all the team not only me and that we can do something special.
You continue to develop as a player and after playing in Poland, Belgium and Turkey, you have reached the biggest league in Europe Endesa in Spain at age 23. Do you feel any pressure possibly in a few years having to be the guy that will take the torch from guys like Marcin Gortat and Maciej Lampe and be the guy keeping Polish basketball move forward?
I don´t feel any pressure. Pressure comes when you are not ready for the challenge. And I will be working hard every day to be ready and accept all those challenges life will put in front of me. Success with the Polish national team is very important to me and I take it personally. I want to do something special with this group of people. That´s why we are working so hard every day.
You recently played against New York Knick Kristaps Porzingis. He has had a very good NBA career so far. Do you see him becoming the next best European in the NBA after a Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol or is a guy like Nikola Jokic on a better way? Definitely Kristaps is franchise player. He showed many times his talent and ability to play on the highest level for many years. I believe he can achieve a lot in his career when he will be healthy and that´s my wish for him.
What was the last movie that you saw? I rarely watch movies I prefer reading books.
German Hoops 