Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Terrence Billups(Uni-Riesen Leipzig) We Have To Prove That We Can Defend With Teams

Terence Billups is a 198cm forward from Jeffersonville, Indiana that is playing his fourth professional season and third in Germany. After tearing up the Regionaliga with Cottbus and Rendsburg, he now will attempt the next step in the pro B with the UNI-Riesen Leipzig. He started his basketball career with Western Dakota Tech (JUCO) and then moved to Indiana SE (NAIA) in 2012 playing 20 games averaging 9.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 46.0%, FT: 85.7%. In 2013 he started his professional basketball career with West Michigan Lake Hawks (ABA). In the 2014-2015 season he came to Germany to BBC White Devils Cottbus (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 22 games Score-3(24.8ppg), 8.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, Blocks-2(2.0bpg), FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 76.3%.In the 2015-2016 season he played for Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games averaging 18.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 27.2%, FT: 67.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 73-67 win on the road against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors.

Congrats on the big 73-67 win on the road in Frankfurt. Describe the ride back home to Leipzig. Was their some serious celebration going on or was it more relaxed knowing it was only one game and the team needs many more wins?

It was a relaxed ride back. We are happy we won this game for sure, but this isn’t the time to have a celebration. We still have a long way to go.

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Rickey Paulding´s Shooting Ages Better Than Fine Wine

Flashing that big smile and showing those shiny whiteys after a very hard fought 40 minute battle with victory glistening all over their bright faces like John John from Sesame Street after remembering that 16 comes after 15 in his counting challenge with the lovable Herry back in the day is something that many American players have come to have practiced in the BBL over the years. No guys have displayed their pleasure of winning in the form of a excited smile over the years in the Beko BBL better then guys like former Fraport Skyliner Jimmy Mckinney ,ex Rhein Cologne point guard Michael Hakim Jordan who actually should of tried his go at Hollywood after his few masterful scenes in the German documentary Phoenix in Der Asche, but instead is an assistant at Colgate university which name is also the name of a well-known American tooth paste company. Rickey Paulding who is also known as Mr Oldenburg or if the city should ever be renamed then it would be fitting to call it in typical German manner Pauldingburg as he has made the comfortable city in north Germany his home since 2007 and never turned his back. The former NBA Draft Pick of hometown team Detroit Pistons is also a guy who can smile with the best of them. His enjoyment and smiling were at their all-time high in 2009 when the EWE Baskets Oldenburg won their first league title at the expense of the Telekom Baskets Bonn in a tough 5 game series. However between 2009-2015 a span of almost 6 years, the American went without a title, but reached a final against the Brose Baskets Bamberg in 2013.

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Richard Williams(RheinStars) We Have Quality People To Make Our Plans Come To Fruition

Richard Williams is a 29 year old 178cm guard that has joined the RheinStars after having started the season with Phoenix Hagen playing 5 games averaging 12.2ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.4apg, 2FGP: 54.2%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 82.4%,. Last season he played for Kirchheim Knights averaging 15,5ppg, 4,2apg and 8,0rpg. In the 2014-2015 season, he played for the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL): EuroChallenge: 2 games: 9.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 6.5apg, 2.0spg; German BBL: 9 games: 8.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 40.6%, 3FGP: 48.0%, FT: 70.6%, in Jan.’15 moved to SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA): 12 games: 4.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played 36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.’10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. In 2011-2012, he played for UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB) 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for SC Rasta Vechta playing 38 games: 15.6ppg, 5.2rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 79.9%. In the 2013-2014 season for Vechta he played 34 games: 14.6ppg, 4.7rpg, 4.4apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 82.7%. He spoke to German Hoops after signing with the RheinStars.

Richie congrats on the big 91-85 victory against the Dresden Titans. How did it feel presenting your basketball abilities with the RheinStars?

I had a great time. They gave me a very warm welcome and I appreciated that.

Except for the third quarter, one could say it was an offensive minded contest. Could one say that Cologne was the better offensive team on the night and had what it took to get the win?

Lol. That’s a fair assessment.

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The Fraport Skyliners Hand Gordon Herbert Welcome Back Present With Massive 81-74 Champions League Win Over Aris

There are some players that play in the Fraport arena like German national player Per Guenther who has been annoying the Fraport Skyliners since 2008, but then again there are players that played there once and then don´t return for many years as Michael Jenkins did. Jenkins came into the BBL in 2009 after playing at Winthrop(NCAA) and his rookie season with BC Buducnost Podgorica (Bosnia-1A) and then made a splash with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen averaging 14.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.3apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 72.6%. In the time from 2009-2016, the Kinston, North Carolina native gathered valuable experience in Belgium for two years, Italy for two years and in Turkey for two years. He even had a taste of the NBA being a part of the Oklahoma Thunder in training camp in 2014 and playing catch and picking the brains of future NBA legends Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. A little more than 85 months ago on October 18^,2009 Jenkins made his first appearance in the Fraport arena getting plastered with Tuebingen by Frankfurt 98-66 as he supplied the losing squad with 11 points. Back in that game he had teammates like Lebron James friend Romeo Travis and Bane Ratkovica that are still playing today while Frankfurt had guys like Aubrey Reese, Greg Jenkins, Seth Doliboa or Dominik Bahiense De Mello all retired now. Jenkins also battled against Pascal Roller and Marius Nolte who usually watches the Champions League game from various area´s in the arena. Dinosaur Derrick Allen was also on the floor and is still chugging around in the paint in Germany displaying his never aging ballerina moves. There was only one player on the floor from 7 years ago that was also present in 2016 with Frankfurt and that was current Fraport Skyliner captain Quantez Robertson who was a young pup fresh out of Auburn(NCAA) and was a rookie showing the BBL his first taste of his freak athleticism as he finished with 10 points, eight boards and three steals. Both guys met again with the biggest difference that Robertson has called Frankfurt his home since then while Jenkins has gotten around. The Fraport Skyliners were reeling finally to get a win again as their 6 game BBL losing streak had effected the club and had to meet up with Greek powerhouse Aris the ex team of Gordon Herbert and they came up with a special welcome back gift for their coach who had been out for a while as they stepped up in crunch time shocking Aris 81-74. After the big win Quantez Robertson was already playing daddy for Autumn on the court, but had big words for Michael Jenkins whom he opposed as a rookie in 2009. “I really didn´t even remember him until assistant coach Klaus Perwas said during video that he played in the league once. He made some tough three´s and got going early and stayed with it until the end”, stressed ex Auburn(NCAA) guard Quantez Robertson. For Michael Jenkins there was no happy return to the Fraport arena as his record there fell to 0-2, but remembered Quantez Robertson. “It doesn´t only feel good to play here, but just being able to play each day is a blessing. It is always good playing against familiar faces like him and being in Germany in general”, added Aris guard Michael Jenkins.

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Virgil Matthews(BV Chemnitz) I’m Probably Harder On Myself Now Just Because I’m Smarter And See Things Better

Virgil Matthews is a 33 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing his tenth professional season and third with BV Chemnitz. Last season for BV Chemnitz he played 33 games averaging 12.6ppg, 6.1rpg, Assists-2(7.6apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 75.2%. He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played 31 games averaging 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga) playing 29 games averaging 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). In 2009-2010, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL) playing 28 games averaging 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL).In 2010-2011, he played his first season for Erdgas Ehingen playing 32 games: 11.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 71.3%. He would play until 2014 with Ehingen playing 126 games with three seasons in the Pro A and one in the Pro B. He spoke to German Hoops after the 79-63 win against the Hamburg Towers on the road.

Congrats on the 79-63 win against the Hamburg Towers. After a three game losing streak, BV Chemnitz now are riding a two game winning streak. How good is basketball life now?

Basketball life is always good when you’re winning and its nice to get back to winning after three straight losses

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Michael Jenkins (Aris Thessaloniki) Durant And Westbrook Treated Me Like A Guy That Belonged There

Michael Jenkins is a 30 year old 192 cm guard from Kinston, North Carolina that currently is playing his ninth professional season and first with Aris Thessaloniki (Greece-A1). Last season he played for Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey-BSL): 17 games: 15.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 86.2%; FIBA Europe Cup: 13 games: 12.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 88.9%. He played at Winthrop(NCAA) from 2004-2008. He didn´t play as much his first two seasons, but got increased playing time in his junior and senior years. As a junior, he averaged 14.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PTConf-1(41.5%), FT: 70.2% in 34 games. In his senior year, he played 34 games and averaged 13.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PTConf-6(36.8%), FT: 71.3%: and finished his career as the 10th leading scorer in Winthrop history with 1,253 points. With Winthrop, he was the Big South Conf. Regular Season Champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and won the Big South Conf Tournament from 2005-2008. He was named to the Big South Conf. All-Tournament Team in 2007 and 2008. In his first professional season 2008-2009, he was drafted by the Albany Patrons of the CBA and in November 2008 signed with the Albany Patroons playing 3 games and averaging 6.7ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 47.4%, but left during the season and moved to BC Buducnost Podgorica (Bosnia-1A) . In the 2009-2010 season he came to Germany and played for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen averaging 14.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.3apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 72.6%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Belgacom Liege Basket (Belgium-D1) playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 11.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 12.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 84.6%; Belgian League: 13 games: 12.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-1(2.8spg), FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 78.3%. In the 2011-2012 he played for Optima Gent (Belgium-D1) playing 29 games: 13.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.6%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Centrale del Latte Brescia (Italy-Lega2): 38 games: 17.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 79.6%: In the 2013-2014 season he played for Pallacanestro Cantu (Italy-SerieA) where he played 33 games: 10.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 87.5%; Eurocup: 16 games: 11.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 63.6%.In the 2014-2015 season he started the season with the Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA), released in Oct.’14, in Nov.’14 signed at Oklahoma City Blue (D-League): 14 games: 13.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 44.3%, FT: 84.8%, in Dec.’14 moved to Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi (Turkey-TBL) 15 games: 15.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 87.0%. Last season he played for Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey-BSL): 17 games: 15.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 86.2%; FIBA Europe Cup: 13 games: 12.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 88.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game in Frankfurt against the Fraport Skyliners.

Welcome back to Germany. You have been busy in your career with German Hoops as this is your 18th interview with me. It´s always a pleasure to talk with you. How are you and do you feel that you are in your prime now at age 30?

What’s up Miles, and thank you! It always feels good to be back in Germany whether for a game or just during a layover in the airport. Gives me a chance to buy an apfelschorle and eat some currywurst (lol). I’m doing very well. A lot has changed in my life since we last spoke I’m sure, and being 30 now is definitely one of the biggest changes. I still feel like I’m 26 or 27 on the court though, so that’s definitely a positive.

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Jordan Sibert(PAOK Thessaloniki) The NBA Is A Real Business And You Can´t Dwell On The Past

Jordan Sibert is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Cincinnati, Ohio playing his second professional season and first in Europe with PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece-A1). Last season as a rookie he played in the NBA Pro Summer League in Orlando (Orlando Blue): 3 games: 11.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg. He then was signed by the Orlando Magic (NBA), released in Oct.’15, then moved to Erie Bay Hawks (D-League): 44 games: 13.1ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 87.1%. He started his basketball career at Ohio St. (NCAA) in 2010 and played a total of 49 games. He then finished his last two years at Dayton (NCAA) and as a senior played 36 games: 16.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 78.8%. He spoke to German Hoops a day before the Champions League game against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg in Oldenburg.

Jordan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. Is this your first time in Germany. I guess the weather reminds you a bit of home Cincinnati at this time of year?

Yes this is my first time here. It reminds a lot of home with the grey skies and cold.

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Jordan Faison Leads The Uni-Riesen Leipzig On 23-0 Run Smothering The Fraport Skyliners Juniors To 73-67 Victory

Players come and go in the basketball world and teams change personal from season to season as frequently as Paris Hilton changes her outfits on any given day depending on the occasion. Despite all the changes going on sometimes two players do meet again despite the unending possibilities of moving to another country or other leagues within the country and that is exactly what happened as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors squared off in a regular season clash with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig and suddenly German/Israeli Guy Aud found himself facing off against German Tim Oldenburg again. It was a little more than five years ago in the 2011-2012 season as both were rookies in the Pro B as Aud was in Germany for the first time after many years balling in Israel while Oldenburg was a young gun starting his basketball career in Frankfurt. Aud played with the Licher Basket Baeren and helped defeat the Fraport Skyliners Juniors 64-50 as back then a little known Danilo Barthel who now plays for FC Bayern Munich was just getting started with his stellar five year career with the Fraport Skyliners and there were also other guys like Larry Wright, Falko Thelig or Fabian Franke that one or the another will still remember. In that game in Frankfurt, both werern´t real factors as they combined for 18 minutes and three points as Aud hit from downtown. In the return game in Lich, Aud also won a nail bitter 78-76 as he steered home eight points. In the last five years, Oldenburg has stayed faithful to Frankfurt while Aud has had his traveling expense at full throttle having played in Paderborn, Chemnitz, Dresden and Israel. Five years later, the two players met again, but if you were to ask them if they remembered that first encounter five years ago or if they even knew the other played in that game, the answer probably would have been negative. “I couldn´t remember playing Tim Oldenburg, but I knew the name. I remember the Lich games against Frankfurt and remember hurting my shoulder here 5 years ago. It is always fun and competitive playing these games and I am 3-0 now against Frankfurt”, stressed ex Lich guard Guy Aud. “I can´t remember games so far back. For me it´s hard remembering the last game. I try to remember the last game as good as I can. What I can remember was winning the cup with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2010 over Braunschweig in the U-18 competition that had Dennis Schroeder and Daniel Theis”, smiled Tim Oldenburg.

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Braydon Hobbs(ratiopharm Ulm) Guarding Per Guenther Each Day In Practice Has Helped My Defense Big Time

Braydon Hobbs is a 27 year old 196cm point guard playing his third season in Germany and first with ratiopharm Ulm. Last season he played for the Giessen 46ers playing 33 games averaging 10.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.8apg, Steals-3(1.7spg), FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 86.8%. Two seasons ago he played for rent4office Nuernberg (Germany-ProA) where he averaged 11,9ppg, 4.1rpg, Assists-4(5.9apg), Steals-2(1.9spg), FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 82.4% . He started his basketball career in 2008 with Bellarmine (NCAA2) playing a total of 133 games. He turned professional in 2012 and played for Caceres Basket (Spain-LEB Gold, starting five): 35 games: 7.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 87.9%. In 2013-2014 he played for Alba Fehervar (Hungary-A Division, starting five): Eurocup: 10 games: 11.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 52.3%; Hungarian League: 32 games: 9.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-2(2.3spg), FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 72.7%. He also played three summers professionally in Australia. He spoke to German Hoops after the 84-74 win against Science City Jena last week.

Congrats Braydon on the 84-74 win Jena. Another BBL game and another win putting the team at 9-0. Would this undefeated season feel any better if the Brose Baskets Bamberg weren´t present?

The start to the season has been great for us. I don’t think it would be any different if Bamberg wasn’t in the competition.

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Jordan Faison(UNI-Riesen Leipzig) You Don’t Have To Make The Assist Pass All The Time But That Hockey Assist Pass Is Just As Important

Jordan Faison is a 22 year old 201cm forward from Lake Forest, California that is a rookie in Germany playing for the UNI-Riesen Leipzig. He played at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 107 NCAA games. As a senior he played 30 games averaging 16.9ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.8apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 22.5%, FT: 65.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about his rookie season recently.

Jordan congrats on the big 71-68 victory against the Dragons Rhondorf. How good did it feel finally helping the club win it´s first game of the season?

It felt great! We were so hungry to get this first win, and it’s exactly what we needed to get the ball rolling on this season.

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