It isn´t like Jordan Bohannon isn´t engulfed by special basketball vibes each weekend when he enters into huge basketball buildings in the States when he is on NCAA duty battling the likes of Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State or Seton Hall, but even during the dog days of summer and approximately 4,532 miles away from Iowa, the American will be presented with some NBA and brotherly vibes even if he doesn´t know it. When the American who hails from Marion, Iowa and could have called the University of Wisconsin a second home when he was younger sets foot in the tiny size OSP Rhein-Necker arena in Heidelberg, Germany that seats 2,000 on Tuesday it may seem like just any other ordinary gym with one side showcasing stands and the other side where the team´s benches are only a wall behind it, but in reality it will be more than that. The 20 year old 183cm point guard will be at the first stop of a summer basketball tour that will also take him and the Iowa Hawkeyes to the mountains and chocolate of Switzerland and to the pasta and wine of Italy. The first stop in Germany is a very special one as Iowa is taking part in a special event for the Basketball Aid organization that has been fighting against cancer that effects children since 2007 by giving awareness and having events where the proceeds go to cancer aid. As Bohannon and his teammates clash against a special put together Basketball Aid roster of mostly German professional players, the sophomore will have that special brotherly vibe following him all around the court as his brother Jason played for the then USC Heidelberg second division team that played in the OSC gym. He also will taste that NBA flair that is in the arena as current Chicago Bull Paul Zipser learned his basketball trade in this gym when he was a youth and actually was teammates with his brother Jason in the 2010-2011 season and played two games together at the end of the season where the German played two minutes scoring two points and the American tallied a total of 14 points in the two games. Another NBA aspect to this arena is that German basketball legend Pascal Roller will be coaching the Basketball Aid team. He had a stellar career winning 2 titles in Germany with the Frankfurt Skyliners and like Zipser started his career in this gym, but even better was a long time teammate of Dirk Nowitzki in the German national team that fed the Dallas Maverick in the post more times than Tyler Cook will ever dunk at Iowa. Now more than 6 years later Zipser is in the NBA, Jason Bohannon has retired from professional basketball and Jordan Bohannon is on the verge of continuing a very solid NCAA career. Basketball Aid international tour chairman Hans Beth was able to get a Maik Zirbes German national team jersey that was autographed by every member of the team and will be auctioned off at halftime.
On Tuesday August 8th, the University of Iowa will meet the Basketball Aid allstars and the American team led by head coach Fran Mccaffery at Iowa since 2010 are coming off a season ending loss in the NIT Sweet 16 to TCU 94-92 and embarking on the 2017-2018 season with many returning players, some interesting new freshmen and needing to compensate the loss of top scorer Peter Jok.
There was a time in the 70´s where the Montreal Canadians owned the hockey world establishing a special dynasty similar to what the Chicago Bulls mastered in the 90´s winning six NBA championships, but outlasting the Jordan´s and Pippen´s with their brilliance of hockey talent and sheer eloquence on the ice with the names of Lafleur, Gainey, Robinson and Dryden producing 8 titles and made these Gentlemen household names in Canada. Even if Ice Hockey isn´t the most played sport in Canada, it just seems like the countries most popular sport with the success of teams like the Montreal Canadians having a total of 24 Stanley Cups and the success rate of the Canadian national team that has won 26 Gold medals at World Championships and their biggest win of 47-0 against Denmark would be like the Cavs and Lebron James pouring in 350 points against the hapless Brooklyn Nets. Even if basketball has made strides in the last 7-8 years in Canada as it has sent more and more guys to the NBA with Andrew Wiggins, Tristan Thompson, Tyler Ennis, Andrew Nicholson or Jamaal Murray just to name a few, it is out of fashion for the country to develop rare talent like a Rick Fox or a Steve Nash back in the day as nowadays it seems like a few new players reach the NBA each year. Currently it fields 354,000 kids playing the sport in the 3-17 age group, Ice Hockey is still king in comparison to basketball as 543,390 people lace up the skates which is 1,64% of the Canadian population. Canadian national basketball player Tyson Hinz could easily stroll down Rideau street in downtown Ottawa undetected where he hails from while Ottawa Senator Daniel Alfredsson might have a hard time dodging some autograph collectors and gawkers in cafés and even a more older Guy Lafleur would be recognized more than a HInz, but the basketball player is like a Montreal Canadian without skates, but just a tad better. Whereas the Montreal Caandians won 8 Stanley Cup titles in the 70´s, Hinz has accomplished his on impressive feat at only the age of 25 as he has also won 8 titles at Carleton(CIS), plus a Silver medal at the World University Games in Shenzhen (China) in 2011 in only 8 years and with his special lady luck and knack pf knowing how to mesh well with new teammates and teams and win titles, there will surely be new hardware added to his collection soon. He would have had even more had he been able to win in his first two professional seasons in Holland where he reached the semi´s and final, but he finally won his first professional title recently winning the German Pro A with 2004 Fiba Europe Cup winner Mitteldeutscher BC.
Hinz is a 201cm forward that learned his basketball trade at the well known Carleton University in Ottawa and in a span of five years won 7 titles including four CIS titles which is the equivalent of the NCAA title in Canada and three OUA championships.
Manu Lecomte is a 22 year old 180cm point guard from Grimbergen Belgium that is heading into his senior year at Baylor(NCAA) and currently is playing with the Belgium national team preparing for the 2017 Eurobasket tournament. He started his basketball career in Belgium with BBC Kangoeroes-Boom (D2) and then played with Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Ethias League). In 2013 he moved to the States and played with Miami(NCAA) for two seasons playing 71 games. He then transferred to Baylor and made his break through last season leading the team to the NCAA Sweet 16 playing 33 games averaging 12.2ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 83.0%. He spoke to German Hoops before an exhibition game against Germany in Erfurt.
Manu thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
I am currently in Germany for the preparation with the National team. Its been a pretty good summer so far as I was first preparing the season already with my team at Baylor and now I am in Belgium trying to make the team.
As I was preparing this interview I was shocked to read that Belgium lost two exhibition games to Iceland back to back. No offense towards Iceland, but apparently they have made strides in their basketball program in the last years. How did you experience them twice and could they advance in their group where they will most likely battle Poland and Slovenia for the last spot?
We went to Iceland last week with a very young group of age. Before that we hadn’t practiced one time with each other and the vets weren’t with us. The main goal for us was really just trying to get better. The coach knew we were going to struggle since we didn’t really know each other and Iceland is also a pretty good team with a lot of very good shooters. I feel like at this point it´s not only the team with the best players that is going to win but the team that is going to play the best that day so yes I feel like they have a chance to battle with those other countries
James Milliken is a 24 year old 188cm guard from Siler, North Carolina that will be playing his rookie season in Germany with Lok Bernau. He started his basketball career with Cowley County CC (JUCO). He then made the jump to the NCAA to Creighton and played 65 games from 2014-2016. In his junior year he played 30 games averaging 9.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 77.6%. In his senior year he played 35 game averaging 9.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 70.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball earlier this summer.
James thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
I am in Raleigh North Carolina at the moment and it’s been going pretty good!
Congrats on signing with SSV Lok Bernau. How relived are you finally be a professional basketball player. Were the last 16 months from your last NCAA game against BYU were you scored 10 points an eternity?
Yes it felt like the longest I’ve been away from basketball in my life so I was definitely relieved.
How difficult were the last 16 months? Last summer you were let down by an agent and had to sit out the season. Were there ever moments were you wanted to quit? What kept you positive?
No I never thought about quitting I knew it was going be a process to go out finding agents on my own so it was a learning experience and I think that having that year off it made me better and more aggressive.
CJ Oldham is a 26 year old 203cm forward that was born in Berlin, but grew up in the States and also in Germany. He started his basketball career at Akron in 2010, but played only 17 NCAA games in two seasons. He then transferred to Gannon(NCAA) in 2012 playing a total of 57 games and as a senior played 30 games averaging 5.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, FT: 73.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2015 with BSG Bremerhaven (2.Regionalliga) playing 7 games averaging 14.6ppg. Lasts eason he played for the Kongsberg Miners (Norway-BLNO) playing 31 games averaging 9.9ppg, 9.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, Blocks-5(1.0bpg), FGP: 57.5%, FT: 75.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing CJ Oldham dad Calvin before a Alba Berlin game against the Fraport Skyliners in the old Max Schmeiling arena in Berlin in 2007
CJ thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer coming along?
I appreciate the opportunity to get a chance to talk with you. At the moment I am in Erie, Pa where I finished my college career. Summer has been great so far. I got a chance to spend time with my girlfriend, family, and friends after being away during my season.
Congrats on signing with the German pro B team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. You are coming from the first division in Norway from Konigsberg. After being a rookie with BSG Bremerhaven, how important was it for you to come back to Germany and play for a team?
Germany has always been like a second home to me. It’s a place where I grew up and learned a lot. To have the opportunity to come back to Germany to play is really exciting, especially Leverkusen where I spent many years.
Your dad Calvin has been affiliated with many teams in Germany like Bayreuth, Ulm, Alba Berlin or Bremerhaven. After being in the Bremerhaven organization you now are with Leverkusen where your dad once coached as well. What was the deciding factor that made you sign with this traditional team?
Leverkusen is a great club to play for and having a previous relationship with both the head and assistant coach made it an even better choice. I have known Achim Kuczmann and Hansi Gnad since I was young and I know having them as my coaches will help me improve as a basketball player.
Ricky Hickman is a 31 year old 190 cm guard from Kernersville North Carolina that is going into his 11th professional season and second in Germany and first with Brose Bamberg. He played his college basketball career at North Carolina-Greensboro from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 14.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 36.5%, 3Pts: 27.8%, FT: 70.9%. In 2007-2008, he played in Romania for CS Otopeni Bucuresti playing 11 games and averaging 19.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 70.8%. In 2008-2009, he played in Germany for LTi Giessen 46ers playing 24 games and averaging 6.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 65.7%. In the 2009-2010 season he played for Namika Lahti (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 38 games leading the league in scoring at 23.7ppg), 5.4rpg, Assists-2(3.8apg), Steals-3(2.4spg), FGP-3(62.8%), 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 73.2. In the 2010-2011 season he moved to Fastweb Junior Casale Monferrato (Italy-Lega2) playing 41 games averaging 17.5ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-4(4.0apg), 2.0spg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 84.3%. In the 2011-2012 season he moved another step up joining Scavolini Siviglia Pesaro (Italy-SerieA) playing 41 games averaging 16.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 81.1%. He then played at Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv (Israel-Premier League) from 2013-3024 winning the Euroleague in his second season where he played 38 games averaging 10.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 82.7%; He also played 38 Euroleague games averaging 12.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 75.2%. He then played two seasons at Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL) and in his second season played 10 games averaging 5.1ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 74.1%;He also played 20 Euroleague games averaging 4.6ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.3apg. Last season he played for EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (Italy-Serie A) playing 34 games averaging 10.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 71.4%. He also played 20 Euroleague games averaging 10.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 80.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Thanks Ricky for talking to German Hoops and welcome back to Germany. So many great players and character guys come from North Carolina like you, Chris Oliver and Kyle Hines just to name a few. Is there really something special in the North Carolina air that has given the basketball world so many great players and basketball people?
North Carolina is just a basketball state and so many guys just eat, sleep, and play basketball all day. I believe that guys in North Carolina just have such a strong love for the game and I believe it shows if you watch them play
I remember when you played with Giessen. You played 24 games averaging 6.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 65.7%. You lost twice to your future team Bamberg losing by an average 19 points and you scored a total of 3 points in 32 minutes. When you look back at the last nine years, were you just a slow starter as a professional and needed more time to mature and develop as a player
When I was in Giessen I was coming into a situation with a new team in the middle of the year and I was still young trying to find myself and I definitely remember playing against Bamberg and just thinking after we got smacked that it was another level I had to get to if i wanted to be at that level. So I worked and here I am.
The next season you went to Finland to play for Namika Lahti (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 38 games: Score-1(23.7ppg), 5.4rpg, Assists-2(3.8apg), Steals-3(2.4spg), FGP-3(62.8%), 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 73.2%. This was the turning point of your career as after this you got signed by Italian teams but even there in your first season had to play in the second division and after that became a Euroleague player. What was it in your season in Finland that really shaped your game and did the mental part of the game also play a role?
In Finland it was the first time at the pro level were a coach told me play your game don’t look at me on the sidelines and I trust you! This feeling was unbelievable and I took full advantage of the trust and the freedom. Maybe too much but I loved just playing like that and it showed throughout the season
Eric Kibi is a 26 year old 198cm forward from Ontario, Canada that recently completed his fifth professional season and first with the Randers Cimbria Basketball (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 31 games averaging 10.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 70.2%. In the 2015-2016 season he played with the Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-ProB) playing 3 games averaging 4.7ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, left in Oct.’15, in Jan.’16 moved to KK Strsljen Gusinje (Montenegro-Erste Liga): 4 games: 3.8ppg, 5.5rpg, in Mar.’16 signed at London Lightning (Canada-NBL Canada) playing 23 games averaging 1.7ppg, 2.5rpg. Two seasons ago he completed his second season in Germany and first with Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 20,5ppg and 15,0rpg. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Jacksonville College (NJCAA) where he played until 2010. He then played a season with UALR (NCAA) playing 29 games: 4.4ppg, 4.2rpg. He finished his college career in 2012 with Abil.Christian (NCAA2) playing 20 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 60.0%. In 2012 he started his professional basketball career with Abil.Christian (NCAA2) playing 20 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 60.0% He then played with Ottawa SkyHawks (NBL Canada): 29 games: 4.4ppg, 4.7rpg. He spoke to German Hoops about last season in Denmark and his new experience with the Congolese national team.
Eric thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Hey Miles thanks for the interview like always. I’ve had a great summer and was able to travel Europe a bit after the season then I got to see my family in Canada for two months then in early July I flew out to Congo for the Congolese National Team training camp and I’ve been here ever since.
This is our eighth interview in the last two years. When you look back to our first interview in the summer of 2015 before your season in Germany with Herten do you feel like time has really flown by as you have experienced very much playing also in Luxembourg, Montenegro, Canada, and Denmark?
Yes I can say time has really flown by, but I can say I feel much better now physically and mentally then I did then.
We last spoke in March 2017 as you were battling to get into the playoffs. Your team Randers did reach the playoffs, but got swept by Horsens. They had your number in the regular season having a 6-2 record. Was Horsens just a better team in most areas on the floor that enabled them to have a 9-2 record against you last season?
You could say they had our number yes but I felt that individually and talent wise we matched up with them very well but it’s not always about that. They were a better team than us and played that way definitely.
Ricky Easterling is a 33 year old 190cm guard from Baltimore that completed his 11th professional season in Germany and first with BG Karlsruhe(Pro B) averaging 14,4ppg, 3,5rpg and 2,5apg. Over the years, he made a name for himself in the German Regionalliga being crowned Mr Regionaliga as he averaged over 30 points three times with TV Saarlouis belonged to the the top 3 players in the Pro B the last two seasons. Before moving to Saarlouis in 2007 he played at Bridgewater (NCAA3) and then as a rookie played with TSG Reutlingen (Germany-Oberliga and Bergheim Bandits (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season with TV Saarlouis, he played 28 games: Score-1(23.1ppg), 4.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 81.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about the next step in his basketball career.
Ricky thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
My summer has been good up to this point. I spent most of my time this summer working at Kutshers Sports Academy where I teach basketball to the youth, and also have the opportunity to stay in shape and work on my game. I am now finished at KSA and am currently in Baltimore visiting my family.
We did a season ending interview in April and almost four months later your still unsigned. Did the whole BG Karlsruhe mess interfere with your summer transfer period and in what direction you were going to go in?
I don’t think the BGK situation held me up. I feel the situation or Role I had on the that team messed up my transition process this summer. I had to deal with some ups and downs that were not my fault and I guess teams are second guessing me for some reason.
Jaleen Smith is a 22 year old 193cm guard from Freeport, Texas that will be starting his rookie season in Germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA). He had a stellar four year career with New Hampshire (NCAA) from 2013-2017 where he played a total of 120 NCAA games. He improved his scoring, rebounding and assists average each season and as a senior he played 32 games averaging 15.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 78.1%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Thanks Jaleen for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Freeport, Texas and my summer has been good I’ve been working on different parts of my game all summer and I’ve been doing an internship with the Boys and Girls Club in Freeport.
Congrats on signing with German Pro A team MLP Academics Heidelberg. How did you experience your first signing summer? Did you have more offers than what you expected? You played in the NCAA, but in a lower conference.
It was an exciting experience my agent called me telling about the team and how they offered me right on the spot so I took it right away. I had another offer from a team in Germany Pro A as well but I felt comfortable with this offer more.
You stated that you can´t wait to test the German food. Have you heard of Wiener Schnitzel and Pommes? Translated Veal with French Fries. Would that wet your appetite?
I haven’t heard of that but it sounds good. I would love to try it though
You did something that doesn´t always happen as you improved your scoring, rebounding and assist average each season at New Hampshire (NCAA). When did you know 100% that you could actually become a professional basketball player?
After my Junior Year, my coach came up to me in a meeting and was telling me that I can play professional so that’s when I knew I could play pro.
What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Do you have any friends playing in Germany?
I know its one of the top basketball leagues in the world and I know this guy that played at a rival school in college and well play his team the first game of the year.
You will be playing your rookie season in Heidelberg which is a university town and a huge tourist attraction. What are you looking forward most to in your rookie season?
To see the difference between Europe and the United States and learn about the German culture.
What was the deciding factor that made you want to sign with the MLP Academics Heidelberg? Did you talk to head coach Branislav Ignjatovic?
The opportunity to showcase my skills with basically a whole new team playing this coming season. I have talked to the coach and he is a really nice guy and loves the city of Heidelberg.
Let´s talk a bit about your game. You’re a scoring guard that can fill up the stat sheet. What do you feel will help the MLP Academics most from your game?
My scoring ability from all levels of the floor and my leadership can help as well.
To what NBA player would you compare your game too? Your favorite athlete is Paul George, but why isn´t your favorite player a guard like you?
I Just like his game he is one of the best 2 way players in the league.
You’re a guard that improved your stats each season. What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t always get noticed in your game right away?
I’m a gym rat so I know there is always some to improve on with my game but now I’m trying to master it.
You did play in a weaker conference, but held your own in loses against Uconn and Boston College in your second and third years. Explain why the AEC is a conference stronger than what people may see from the names of the schools?
It’s a really competitive league I enjoyed every single minute of it.
You scored 14 points in your last game at New Hampshire losing 74-41 against Vermont How disappointed were you to go out like that?
I was really disappointed in how we lost because I know we are a better team than what the score indicated.
You reached the AEC semi-finals your last three years. What do you feel was missing from winning a title?
I feel like we were just missing that toughness about us. We were talented but I feel like we weren’t mental tough in those semifinal games.
How did head coach Bill Herrion groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
He was really like a mentor to me. My freshman year really opened my eyes on how to grind for playing time. He has really helped me a lot through the process.
What kind of relationship did you and Texas native Daniel Dion have as teammates and how did you grow as players?
We were close friends and we grew physically as players and smarter too from our freshman year.
Who won a one on one in practice you or Daniel Dion?
I did.
How does a normal summer work out day look like for you on and off the court and what are the main things you will be working on in your game?
I work from 9-5 and after I workout for 2 hours on different things for my shooting because that’s the most improvement I need to make in my game.
If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaq, and Lebron James.
Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and has three to Michael Jordan´s six. There are so many experts that keep proclaiming that Lebron is the best of all-time. Where do you rate him in the neverending debate about who the best of all-time is?
Number 2 all time
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?
Yea I feel like he should hold his own on defense.
How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?
I liked the draft I wish I would’ve got drafted but overall it was good haha. I didn’t even watch the draft to even know.
What will the Houston Rockets be capable of doing this season with the guard duo of Chris Paul and James Harden?
I think they can co-exist but not right away. They both just too ball dominate right now.
Elijah Allen is a 27 year old 195cm swing man from Columbus, Ohio that completed his first season with Gotha in the Pro A averaging 5,7ppg, 2,0rpg and shot 42,3% from outside. He is one of the few guys that has gone from the German Regionaliga to the BBL He played the last two seasons for Lich and last season played 27 games averaging 13.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 69.3%. He started his basketball career at NW Missouri St. (NCAA2) in 2007 where he played until 2011 playing a total of 103 NCAA games and as a senior played 26 games: 14.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.1apg, FG: 44.8%, 3Pts: 23.1%, FT: 74.8%. He came to Germany in 2012 and played his first two seasons for the VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga) and in the 2013-2014 season played 26 games averaging 20.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 68.4%. In the 2014-2015 season for the Licher Basket Baeren he played 28 games: 10.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.2% He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Elijah thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Thanks for the interview. I am currently home in Lollar, Germany. My summer has been great. I have been training hard, Watching a lot of game film and spending time with the family.
After reaching the EasyCredit BBL with Gotha, you and the team took a trip to Mallorca. How was that trip and what interesting story do you have from this experience with your teammates?
The trip to Mallorca was great. It was nice to have some off time to enjoy with the guys. I don’t have anything really interesting to tell from the trip. It was just a great time and a moment that I will not forget.
I just read an interesting article about your career in the Maryville Daily Forum and the first line said “You wouldn´t even recognize”. At first I thought you meant your looks, but you meant your game. I looked at the college pic in the article and thought wow “he has really held his own in the aging department. Sometimes all the game stress, family life put a toll on you, but nothing has affected you. What is your secret?
Haha I wouldn’t say that. I have a few gray hairs now. I appreciate the compliment tho!
This is our seventh interview that we have done since November 2014. It is actually surprising that we hadn´t done one already years earlier. Anyway time really flies and our first interview seems like ages ago. Do you feel like time has flown even quicker by the last three years compared to your first two seasons in the German Regionaliga?
To me I don’t feel it went by so fast. Spending two years in Regionaliga and two in the Pro B while working on the side felt very long to me. It was a lot of work and stress. That is why having a successful season with the club moving up was a bittersweet feeling.
You stated in our last interview in May concerning the new season” I have no clue what the next step will be. I’m just thankful to be able to play the game I love. I will speak with my Agent over the next few weeks. I feel I can contribute and help a club with the right situation”. That was more than two months ago. Apparently you have had offers from the BBL and Pro A. Have you gone a different strategy this summer concerning your basketball future?
My main focus is finding the right situation for my career and family. The key for me is to be patient and trust my agent. I am confident that I will get signed soon.
August is around the corner and teams are slowly getting filled. What is the present status of your search. I am sure Gerrit at Scorer´s First is doing all he can to place you in a good situation.
I have learned over the years that sometimes good things take time. I trust my agents judgement. In meantime I will keep working hard and stay ready.
Lich is history, but BBL team Giessen 46ers now will have a second team in the Pro B. Wouldn´t this as an ex Giessen Pointer be a perfect situation to go back to your second home and be near that BBL atmosphere and practice with the team and give the kids on the Pro B team experience and mentorship?
It’s unfortunate that Lich is not there anymore but I think it’s great for the youth of Giessen that there is a team in Pro B in the area.
Any guy that helps a team move up to the EasyCredit BBL must be disappointed not to stay there. Did you get a response from Wolfgang Heyder of Ivan Pavic as to why they were planning without you?
At the end of the day it is a business. I wish the club and fans nothing but success going forward.
Does the fact that there is interest from BBL teams help erase the trust that Gotha must not have continued to have with you helping them in the BBL?
I have nothing against Gotha. I had a good time there. I am thankful for the opportunities I had there.
You must still follow what Gotha is doing with player personal. How have you seen their off season work. Do you feel like they will be able to survive in the EasyCredit BBL?
Gotha is a ambitious club. They signed young players that are hungry to prove themselves. Along with that the veterans Mitchell, Watts and Ohle have worked hard this past off-season. I think they will do just fine this year.
You will be turning 28 in September. You have seen much in your basketball career, but where do you currently see you in your development? Are you nearing your prime or are you there or will be there in 2-3 years?
I have grown a lot on and off the court and feel I have so much to prove still. Statistically I think I am better than what I showcased last season in Pro A. This upcoming season my goal is to prove that. I am not in my prime yet and feel there is always room to grow.
In that nice article you stated that you expanded your game in Europe and are a much better defender. How do you feel you would be as a player today had you not gone through your European transformation?
I don’t think I would have a career in Europe if I didn’t get better.
You stated in the last interview also “Knowing your role and picking when to make plays was a challenge this season. Making the most out of your role is essential to team success. I’m very hungry and determined to prove that I can play on a high level night in and night out”. What else would you need to show at the BBL level?
I feel I have the tools to help any team. It’s just about putting it all together and making the most of opportunity that is given.
You stated in our last interview in May concerning how you have become a better offensive player with Gotha “The main thing that I have learned is spacing. Having good spacing makes the game so much easier. This summer I will spend time watching film and looking for ways to improve”. On what things have you been working on the last two months to make your game even better?
This summer I have focused on attacking the basket and working as a ball handler in pick and roles. I showed that I shoot the ball. Now I want to show that I can do a lot more.
How does your summer work out schedule look like? With 2 kids now, are you still working as hard grinding like you did four years ago without kids or even toning it down a bit with age?
Weights and stretching everyday at 8am and at 9pm at night time I am in the gym conditioning and shooting. I have toned down a bit on running long distances. This schedule gives me enough off time to spend with the family while staying in shape.
I had no idea that you played in Ireland as a rookie. When you look back at that time what was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were far away from home?
Ireland was a great experience. I think the food and lifestyle was the biggest difference. It took some time to get used to things.
How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?
Very strong draft class. I think Luke Kennard will surprise some people in Detroit. He has the complete package.
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 wasn’t a fan of the Chris Paul trade. Harden and Paul are both players that need the ball a lot in there hands. I don’t see it fitting well.
German Hoops 