Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Travis Thompson Drives The Fraport Skyliners Juniors To 74-69 Victory Over The Dragons Rhondorf

Last year was a season to forget for the Dragons Rhondorf as they finished dead last in the German Pro A and were regulated back to the Pro B, a place where they had played many seasons against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors. Two seasons ago, both teams split as the Dragons Rhondorf lost an exciting spectacular game in Frankfurt 77-75 as Kyle Fossmann won the game with his bread and butter the deep three from the parking lot and teammate Johannes Richter was in monster mode under the boards netting 22 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. In the return game in Rhondorf, fans witnessed the total opposite as the Dragons Rhondorf destroyed the Fraport Skyliners Juniors 119-65 as they had five players score in double figures led by American Justin Smith with 26 points and Germans Tim Schonborn had 21 points and Fabian Thuelig contributed 20 points. A little more than two years later the two teams met again as the eighth place Dragons Rhondorf with a record of 4-6 faced the Fraport Skyliners Juniors with a record of 3-7 and resting in tenth place. Only a hand-full players from two seasons ago remained with Viktor Frankel-Maus and Sascha Tratnjek while Frankfurt could only offer Lenny Okeke. The Fraport Sklyiners Juniors now had to contend with the beast Aaron Nelson who carried 23 and 13 stats into game and Frankfurt head coach Eric Detlev wished that he could of had a Johannes Richter on board, but then again didn´t need him because he had Mahir Agva who came on the train with teammate Stefan Ilzhoefer from Braunschweig after helping beat the Basket Lowen Braunschweig the night before with the Fraport Skyliners and helped the Pro B team overcome a Rhondorf come back in the second half and beat them 74-69. After the loss, a dejected Dragons Rhondorf point guard Viktor Frankl-Maus reflected on the loss and buzzer beater from two seasons again. “I remember that buzzer beater as I was just coming back from an injury. I warmed up before the game, but didn´t play. That was an up and down game with less points. I thought that we could get back and possibly win this game tonight with a last shot. It is hard to believe that we couldn´t win despite having 22 offensive rebounds. Usually you should score 80-90 points when you get that much. We didn´t shoot well, but our defense was ok except for the second quarter”, explained German Viktor Frankl-Maus. After the win, Agva was stretching and when confronted with the notion that he had been responsible for the team turnaround after his return where he produced 30 points and the game winner against Leverkusen a week ago and 15 points in Rhondorf, he just innocently sighed and took the winning feeling all in stride. “I try to be the team leader and do what the team needs from me with scoring and rebounding. We were lucky to win this game. Usually when you get 22 offensive rebounds you win. We had big plays at the end and made our free throws. But that is how basketball works sometimes. Our defense was key at the end as well. I am glad that we are winning and I think that we are on a good way”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Mahir Agva.

It was another new home coming for Fraport Skyliners head coach eric Detlev who worked 11 years for the Dragons Rhondorf starting as an assistant coach and getting the head coaching job in 2009 and leading the club to the Pro B title in 2010 and then moved to Frankfurt in 2012. Before the game he felt like he shook 15 hands as well as hugs from many well-wishers from back in the day. When the last well-wisher traded his own anecdote with Detlev, the game finally began which saw the guests get out in a big way leading 6-2 quickly as Alaska native Travis Thompson who tested his 64% three point percentage and ex Ludwigsburg guard Stefan Ilzhoefer dropped consecutive three pointers. However Rhondorf got into the game quickly as they set the tone early on the offensive glass demonstrating their aggressiveness and never ending desire to rule on the rim as they got some easy buckets inside from Illinois native Aaron Nelson and German Florian Wendeler made an offensive rebound and put back dunk and then dunked on the pick and roll with Frankl-Maus as the game was tied at 10-10. Both teams then would trade buckets twice as Ilzhoefer and Thompson scored while Rhondorf countered with a Nelson lay in and Thomas Michel off balance shot to tie the game at 14-14. The Canadian sensation Mike Lucier than muscled down an offensive rebound and made the put back for the first Dragons lead of the day. However 17 year old German sensation Isaac Bonga rammed home an extra athletic exclamation mark as he saw daylight and flew down the lane with a thunderous one hand dunk which silenced the Dragon dome ending the first quarter 16-16. “We did a good job getting second chance opportunities and points. We also played with a lot of heart against the physical defense of Frankfurt”, stressed Dragons Rhondorf CEO Boris Kaminski. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 50% from the field and from outside while the Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 39% from the field and 0% from outside. Rhonndorf had the 13-5 rebound edge, but five turnovers while Frankfurt had three turnovers.

In the second quarter, Frankfurt gave an early sign that they were in the mood of breaking away, but Rhondorf withstood a few tries, until they wilted halfway through as the guests would break open the game and lead by double digits. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors took control right away going on a 8-3 run to lead 24-19 as ex Bremerhaven guard Garai Zeeb connected on back to back three pointers and young German Armin Trtovac hit a pretty 20 footer. Rhondorf came back getting buckets from New York native Will Trawick and German Bastian Winterhalter who made a running hook shot to cut the Frankfurt lead to 26-24. Then came the turning point of the second quarter as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors exploded for a 14-2 run to go into halftime with the comfortable 40-26 advantage. In the run, Frankfurt dominated the paint area as there was no big body to serve as a wall as Nelson was on the bench. Frankfurt got two tough buckets in traffic from Ilzhoefer and Thompson and then the Alaska native rushed by two Rhondorf defenders for another easy basket. Agva got to the free throw line twice, but connected only twice while Bonga made a runner. Agva really put a dagger through Rhondorf´s heart in the last seconds as he nailed a trey with his usual high rainbow. “Not having Nelson in hurt us in the paint area as Frankfurt got many easy baskets. Our back up point guard Patrick Reusch couldn´t play to add stability when Frankl-Maus was out. It really hurt us when he wasn´t in. We started to lose confidence and had doubt after a few missed shots”, added Dragons Rhondorf CEO Boris Kaminski. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 60% from the field and 56% from the three point line while the Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 31% from the field and 0% from the three point line. Frankfurt did a better job on the boards narrowing the Rhondorf rebound advantage to 18-17. Rhondorf had six turnovers and Frankfurt had five turnovers.

In the third quarter, the Dragons Rhondorf staged a fierce comeback carving down the Frankfurt lead to 52-50 after 30 minutes. The Fraport Skyliners started off the third quarter with a beautiful play as Ilzhoefer found Bonga back door, but instead of making the lay up chose to distribute the no look pass to the better positioned Agva who made the bucket for the 42-26 advantage. Bonga once again demsonstarted his unselfish play something which can be credited to his early beginings in Koblenz. Rhondorf got some production from Frankl-Maus making free throws and from Nelson getting another easy basket inside to cut the Frankfurt lead to 44-32. Zeeb and Ilzhoefer then made free throws extending the Frankfurt lead to 46-32. Then came the Dragons run of 18-6 which shocked Frankfurt and got the home team back into the life and brought life back into the quieter Dragon Dome. American Will Trawick started the big run with a trey ending the Rhondorf three point drought. Rhondorf just kept chipping way looking for Nelson inside for easy buckets and Frankl-Maus also scored inside showing how well he can help lead a team under pressure. Michel also made a big bucket converting on a trey to cut the Frankfurt advantage to 48-42. Frankfurt got an important basket from 17 year old ex TV Langen guard German Niklas Pons who helped them get some production in this Rhondorf dominated time, but Nelson simply continued to be too much scoring from anywhere as he dropped a 20 footer and then converted an offensive rebound into a put back and Wendeler secured free throws as Frankfurt led by only 52-50 after 30 minutes. “We didn´t play good offense. We all made mistakes including myself. Rhondorf got the momentum and the gym got loud which helped them”, stressed Mahir Agva. “We played a lot better and that showed with our bod language and intensity on the court. We worked from stop to stop and did all the small things better like rebounding and getting loose balls. We also did a good job keeping the Frankfurt defense under pressure”, added Viktor Frankl-Maus. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 50% from the field and 36% from the parking lot while the Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 35% from the field and 14% from the parking lot. Rhondorf rebounded a lot better again having the 34-24 edge and both teams had eight turnovers a piece.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners executed on another huge run, but the Dragons Rhondorf exhibited heart again not letting their heads hang and fought back a last time. Nelson got Rhondorf on the board first with a lay in over the Frankfurt double team to dead lock the game at 52-52. Frankfurt then burst out on a 12-0 run to claim the comfortable 64-52 lead. In the run, they got continued solid production from Agva who connected on another mid distance shot and rocked home an off balance shot. Bonga also scored on an off balance shot, Ilzhoefer and Thompson connected on free throws and Zeeb  poured home a deep three on transition rounding out the run. Frankfurt had the momentum again displaying how quickly their offense can get going and played more rigid defense not letting Rhondorf get good shots. Rhondorf still had some energy in their tank and kept their composure and rode out on a 13-4 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 68-65. In the run, Rhondorf got some much needed support from downtown as Nelson and Trawick connected, but also got vital production in the paint from Wendeler with a lay in and Frankl-Maus showcasing his immense  speed once again not getting contested by Bonga. Nelson nailed a baby hook shot over Agva and all of a sudden the Dragon Dome was loud again and Rhondorf down by only 68-65. Bonga and Frankl-Maus then traded free throws as Frankfurt still led 70-67. Despite the youth of Frankfurt as they average only 18 years per player, they stayed very calm in the last minute and a half and gave the reigns to Travis Thompson who drove the Fraport Skyliners Juniors to the win with a very difficult drive form the base line in traffic and connected off the glass for the 72-67 Frankfurt lead. Frankl-Maus then made free throws as did Thompson for the 74-69 lead. Ilzhoefer doused the last attempt by the Dragons Rhondorf with a steal ending the game. “We were a bit tired at the end, but we can´t take that as an excuse. I think that not having Reus today hurt as impulses from him were missing. We played good defense on Thompson and he made a tough shot”, stressed Viktor Frankl-Maus. ”They were tired at the end, but so were we. We were the better team mentally and wanted to win the game more”, expressed Mahir Agva.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Travis Thompson with 21 points. Mahir Agva added 15 points and seven rebounds. Stefan Ilzhoefer produced 12 points while Garai Zeeb contributed 11 points and six assists while Isaac Bonga had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Aaron nelson with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Viktor Frankl-Maus produced 15 points, five rebounds and eight assists. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 52% from the field and 38% from outside while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 37% from the field and 22% from outside. Rhondorf had the 43-31 rebound edge including the massive 22-3 offensive rebound edge and both teams coughed up the ball 10 times a piece.

Vance Hall (MLP Academics Heidelberg) I Take Pride In Making Toughness Plays

Vance Hall is a 25 year old 193cm point guard from Frankfort, Kentucky that is playing his second professional season and first with the  MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA). Last season as a rookie he played for  Thor Thorl (Iceland-Dominos League) playing  26 games: 23.6ppg, 6.8rpg, 4.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 86.8%. He started his basketball career in 2010 with Wright St. (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing a total of 55 NCAA games. In 2012 he moved to Bellarmine (NCAA2) playing 32 games: 14.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 45.9%, FT: 91.4%. As a senior for Bellarmine (NCAA2) he played 31 games: 14.7ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 41.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 64-49 win against Nurnberg.

Vance thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 64-49 win against Nurnberg. Coming into the game Heidelberg had lost three of four games. How important was getting the win and is this the start of a longer winning streak?

Losing 3 out of 4 games is very tough but I hope we learned from each of those games. It was very crucial that we went to Nurnberg to handle business and get back on the winning side of things. Hopefully this is a start to a longer streak of wins

Last week Diante Watkins went off for 34 points. This time you held him to 14 points and six turnovers. How vital was it really making basketball life difficult for him for 40 minutes?

It was very important for us to limit him in that game and we did so by team defense. That was one of our goals for the game.

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Kruize Pinkins(Hebeisen White Wings) I Won´t Force Any Three´s But If They Are There Then I Will Take Them

Kruize Pinkins is a 23 year old 201cm forward from Marianna, Florida that is playing his second professional season with the Hebeisen White Wings. He started his basketball career at Chipola (JUCO). He then played at USF (NCAA) from 2013-2015 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 65.0%. As a rookie last season with the Hebeisen White Wings he played : 29 games averaging 13.1ppg, Reb-3(9.1rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 68.9%He spoke to German Hoopsafter the big 71-65 win against Crailsheim.

 

 

 

 

Congrats Kruzie on a big 71.65 win against top team Crailsheim. In the last weeks it has been a short rotation equals win. Have the Hebesien White Wings proved in the last weeks that a team doesn´t necessarily always need that deep team to win?

 

I dont think that is the case. We know that we need everyone in order for us to be a great team. Im just ready for everyone to get healthy because we need each person on this team. Rather its them playing 15 mins or its 30 mins. It could be the difference.

How much has Jordan Wild´s struggle with the health of his father sparked the team in this phase?

It has motivated us a lot. We always say that we are doing it for Jordan and his father. He is a big part of out team.

Crailsheim had the six point advantage at halftime, but that didn´t faze Hanau regrouped in the third quarter scoring 24 points having the 56-53 lead after thee quarters. What did head coach Simon Cote tell the team to do better in the third quarter?

He Just told us that it was a six point game and that we didnt play as good as we were capable of and that we needed to pick up our defense we picked up the defense in the second half.

The Hebeisen White Wings held the lead in the fourth quarter as you continued to play tough defense. What was key in the crunch-time for getting the win?

It was just a matter of possesions and which ever team got defensive stops and made shots was going to win and we did both and was able to get the win.

How has the short rotation sparked the team in that even late in the game where the strength might not be as much as earlier in the game to come out and just continue to be tough and make plays?

We just knew from the begining that it was going to be a tough game so we just stuck with it and kept fighting.

You had another huge game with 28 points and 11 boards. Has your mentality to your role changed any in the last weeks on account of the small rotation?

 No my mentality hasnt changed. Its still the same. My shot was falling and my teammates just kept finding me on the court.

Your three was falling as you netted three. The most that you have made as a professional. How happy were you that you took five three´s and will this be a trend you could enjoy on a game basis?

It was good that my three was falling and it really opend up the rest of my game but Im not going to force any threes, but Im just going to take what the defense gives me and read and play and if the threes are there then I will take them.

Hanau has a three game winning streak in the last weeks with a short rotation and have won seven of the last eight games. How much of a winner mentality has the team developed in the last eight games that will continue to carry over through the rest of the season?

We work so hard at practice so it makes the game fun and we really enjoy playing with each other but we just have to stay hungry and not be satisfied and keep working to get better each week

How vital has the arrival of Sherwood Brown been? What does he give to the team that it didn´t have before?

He was really big for us. A lot of the things that he did wont be on the stat sheet but he plays really hard and he got us a lot rebounds and hustle plays.

What have you learned to enjoy most about his game in the first few days that you have seen him play on the court?

 He plays really hard and is a great rebounder from the wing position. Brings good energy to the team.

What have you learned to appreciate most from assistant coach Joey Cantens who came from Indiana, PA (NCAA2).

 He is always working. We can call him anytime of the day and he’ll stop what he is doing and come put you through a workout or what ever you need. He really knows the game and has helped me a lot.

The next game is against Paderborn. What will be key to getting the win and do you expect to play with another small rotation or could somebody return?

We just have to go and play harder than them and make sure we are playing good defense and we give ourselves a good chance to win. Im not sure if Paul and Brian will be back this week.

Kelvin Martin has retired at age 33 after having some very productive seasons with the Sacremento Kings. What was your impression of his game and are you surprised he retired so young?

 He was a great scorer and could really shoot. I didnt even know he retired. Im pretty sure he had a good reason but he had a great NBA career.

Thanks Kruize for the chat.

 

Carlos Medlock (Basketball Lowen Braunschweig) Looks To Stick In The BBL Like Stickum Did To Lester Hays

It really doesn´t matter what basketball player you ask in Germany that isn´t playing in the easyCredit BBL, they will answer that their ultimate goal of reaching it one day and the chance of that happening isn´t so off the rocker. What is funny the lower you go league wise, the more confident the player will get of their abilities while players in the Pro A are just as confident of their abilities, but seem to know that they are so close and will keep a more controlled mouth work as they know just having that one strong Pro A season plus having the right contact might be enough to be able to wear the jersey of that BBL club. The list of players that move up from league to league in Germany is as large as the beast magnitude that a guy like Demarcus Cousins displays each night and one of those guys that has experienced this move has been American Carlos Medlock of the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. The 29 year old 183cm point guard needed some grooming in the Pro A, but so far this season the ex Eastern Michigan(NCAA) player has displayed that he can compete in one of the best leagues in Europe as in 11 games he is averaging 11,0ppg, 1,5rpg and 4,2apg while shooting 32% from downtown for the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig as he finally reached his goal even if it took a bit longer to reach.

After coming out of college, he had to start at the bottom and prove himself in the always improving English BBL league where he led the Guildford Heat to the British trophy while playing 17 games averaging 14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-4(4.6apg), 1.7spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 64.1%. He already showed as a rookie, that he could recover in a grand way from a set back as he came over the pond after making his first experience in the D-League with the Utah Flash. There he noticed quickly that the D-league wasn´t his route as he played three games averaging 4.3ppg, 1.3rpg and instead of wasting a whole season there, he reacted quickly and came over to Europe to try his luck and in hindsight, it turned out to be the correct decision. After sitting out the season in 2011, he came back strong in 2012 and the next destination on his basketball map was Iceland a place that always turns into an adventure with the beautiful scenery, daylight issues and weather, but at least the road trips are short and it isn´t worth it to switch on the lab top as you will have reached your next destination before the opening credits of Suicide Squad have even ended. In Iceland he wore the jersey of U.M.F. Skallagrimur Borganes (Iceland-Dominos League) and one could be cautious, but still say with pride that the rest is history. Like many players before him, he tore up a weak league, but for some reason many players that have achieved success here have moved on to bigger and better things. Just ask a Derrick Allen who balled with Medlock last season in Vechta as he won the cup in Iceland in 2004 and after moved to the German BBL and is currently playing his 12th season in that league and for a time belonged to the top three power forwards. In Iceland Medlock played 24 games and was second in scoring averaging 27.2ppg), 4.4rpg, 4.8apg, Steals-5(2.3spg), FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 78.9%.

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Dane Watts(Gotha) I Always Want To Be Playing For Something Greater Than Myself

Dane Watts is a 30 year old 203cm forward from Warrensburg, Missouri that is playing his ninth professional season and first with the BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProA). In his first two games with Gotha, he is averaging 15,5ppg, 6,0rpg and 2,0apg. He played at Creighton (NCAA) from 2004-2008 with NBA player Anthony Tolliver. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 11.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3Pts: 42.5%, FT: 71.8%. In 2008, he came to Germany and started his professional basketball career with EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga) playing 32 games: 8.9ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP-1(68.4%), 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 68.7%. In 2009-2010, he came to The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 34 games: 10.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 71.0%. In 2010-2011 for Tuebingen, he played 33 games: 13.7ppg, Reb-4(7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 54.5%; in May’11 moved to Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (France-ProA): 3 games: 7.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg. He then played for ratiopharm Ulm from 2011-2013. In the 2013-2014 season he played briefly for the Fraport Skyliners before another injury forced him to cut his season short. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Baloncesto Sevilla (Spain-Liga Endesa): 7 games: 2.4ppg, 3.6rpg; Eurocup: 6 games: 2.0ppg, 2.0rpg, in Jan.’15 moved to Limburg United (Belgium-Scooore League): 15 games: 8.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.5spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 64.1%. Last season he played with UBC Magnofit Gussing Knights (Austria-A Bundesliga): 27 games: 15.1ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 25.4%, FT: 74.8%; FIBA Europe Cup: 10 games: 13.5ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 77.6%He spoke to German Hoops about his move back to Germany to Gotha.

 

 

 

Thanks Dane for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You were away for two years playing in Spain, Belgium and Austria. What did you miss most about Germany?

Spain was a totally different culture but Belgium and Austria were more familiar for me and my family after being in Germany so long. We have made a lot of good friends over the years being in Germany so we missed seeing them and of course the schnitzel.

I was actually preparing an article concerning your ex teammate Michael Jenkins who will play in Frankfurt again after 7 years where he played the first time in 2009 with Tuebingen and you as his teammate. I almost put Dane Watts as retired in the section with many players from that season, but didn´t because I was figuring you might not be done yet. An hour later I heard the news that you signed with Gotha. Did you have less offers this year than in the past?

Not less offers but with a rough market a lot teams were taking rookies or young players. With a family and two kids there are only certain situations I’m looking to play in overseas.

When I say you have a 7-3 record against somebody affiliated with Gotha could you guess off the top of your head who I mean?

Reading the question below is see Chris haha. Don’t know anyone else I could have played against 10 times

You owned your new head coach Chris Ensminger as a professional in Germany having a 7-3 record against him. You were perfect with ratiopharm Ulm 4-0 against him and Bonn, you were 3-1 with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen against him and Bonn, but 0-2 with Ludwigsburg against him and Paderborn. Now that you know this will you have some friendly ribbing with him at some point letting him know about your success?

That is in the past and when I was in Ulm we beat everyone except Bamberg. I want us to enjoy success together now working in the same organization.

Will it be strange having Chris Ensminger as a head coach or do you see it as being able to learn something new at age 30?

It’s not strange, just makes me realize I have been around for a while. When I was younger I thought it was weird when my teammates said they played against the coach or were teammates before. Now I played against the coach for many years and also was a teammate with the assistant.

You had some serious battles with him as a professional. One either hated or loved the guy. He was a very tough player on the court. What did you respect about him as a player and competitor?

I respected that he was able to play so long at a good level, especially as a big guy you never know how the body will hold up. To me that means he was being a true pro and taking care of himself. To do that for so long, have a family and still produce on a top level is impressive.

Currently the team is in ninth place with a record of 5-5 and still finding themselves. Do you see yourself as being a type of savior or a guy that will bring the needed energy to the team?

I am coming here to provide leadership and experience, playing in some of the top leagues in Europe over my career I have learned a lot and help this team with their goals. There is a good group of guys here and we will come together.

Last season you had a very solid season with UBC Magnofit Gussing Knights (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 27 games and averaging 15.1ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 25.4%, FT: 74.8%; FIBA Europe Cup: 10 games: 13.5ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 77.6%. Do you feel like your role will to be a scorer or more of a glue guy?

I showed last year that I can be the reliable veteran every night and lead a winning team. It was a crazy situation that ended our season but we were 29-4 before they didn’t let us finish the season. I am coming here to help the team win, if I need to score then I can but there are other intangibles that I bring that help teams win and that is probably most important at this point.

What do you believe is still your biggest asset as a player now at age 30?

Leadership and experience can’t be taught, having played so much you see things that younger guys don’t see yet. Having another voice tell a young something guy can help him learn quicker. I have played with some great guys and will help others just like they did for me when I was coming up.

How excited are you about this new experience? You will be the oldest guy on the team. Are you looking forward to be teaching the youngsters tricks of the trade on the court?

I am excited about this experience. It is good for my family and my wife is also excited to be back in Germany. My son was born here and we have had good experiences and memories here. Also for basketball it is a chance to help a club that has aspirations, I always want to be playing for something greater than myself. I was the oldest on my team last year in Austria, I don’t feel old, just experienced.

You didn´t spend much time with the Fraport Skyliners in 2013-2014 playing only four games, but when you see how successful they were the last two seasons and see how much their struggling now, do you feel a bit for your ex teammate Quantez Robertson who has his hands full as captain?

I really enjoyed the team and my time in Frankfurt. I was disappointed in how that ended for me there. I followed them ever since and was happy to see them succeed in the Fiba cup and see the players grow individually. It’s always tough to see friends struggle, I know the coaches and everybody around the team is doing things right so it’s hard when it doesn’t translate into wins.

Who won a one on one in practice last season you or Cody Larson?

I would give Orville buckets

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

Shaq, Dirk, Larry, MJ and Bron Those are the guys that I liked watching growing up, there will always be debate but that’s who I like.

Lebron finally brought an NBA title to the Cavs. Where does he stand at the moment in the never ending debate with where he stands as the best of all-time?

Not sure there will ever be a clear cut debate on who is the best all time. If a Bron wins more titles that will make it harder for sure

Where do you rank Kevin Garnett with the best power forwards that ever played the game?

Not far behind Duncan. He was a great competitor and always played with intensity.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The man from U.N.C.L.E was on the airplane ride over here.

Thanks Dane for the chat.

 

 

 

Kyle Hines(CSKA Moscow) At My Age I Don´t Need To Always Rely On My Athleticism But More On My Basketball Wisdom

Kyle Hines is a 30 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his fourth season with CSKA Moscow. He is a powerful player who loves to attack the basket. Has a good 1-vs-1 game and likes to go inside. He is undersized to play the power forward, but his great wingspan (7-1) allows him to guard taller players and to intimidate. He’s also a great leaper and reads the opponent’s game well. He played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 31 games: 19.2ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 12.5%, FT: 62.8%. He was invited to play at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 3.3bpg, FGP: 78.6%, FT: 72.7%. He then had predraft workouts with Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). He then went to Europe to Italy and played with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 34 games: 16.9ppg, Reb-4(8.6rpg), 3.0spg, Blocks-2(1.8bpg), FGP-2(66.0%), FT: 58.5%. In 2009, he took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League (Oklahoma City Thunder). In 2009-2010, he stayed in Italy with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 40 games: 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, Steals-2(3.5spg), Blocks-4(1.6bpg), FGP-3(64.0%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 57.8%. He played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (New Orleans Hornets) in the summer of 2010.In 2010-2011 he played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga): Euroleague: 10 games: 12.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 64.3%, FT: 46.7%; German League: 46 games: 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP-3(61.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 52.4%. He won the double with Bamberg. He played for Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1) from 2011-2013 winning two Euroleague titles. Last season for CSKA Moscow he played 39 games averaging 8.4ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 64.9%, 3PT-3(50.0%), FT: 63.0%; Euroleague: 29 games: 10.9ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 67.4%, FT: 65.8%.He spoke to German Hoops before the Euroleague game in Bamberg.

 

 

 

 

Kyle thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how are you enjoying basketball life at age 30?

 

I am in Moscow at home. I have experienced so much in Europe in the last years and it´s been an incredible journey for me. My 20´s went well with basketball and I hope it will continue in my 30´s.

 

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Michael Thompson(Besiktas Sompo Japan Istanbul )Defensively Quantez Robertson´s Hard Work And Desire Was Unreal

 

 

 

Michael Thompson is a 27 year old 177cm point guard from Chicago, Illinois that is playing his sixth professional season and first with  Besiktas Sompo Japan Istanbul (Turkey-BSL). He played at Northwestern from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 16.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 82.5%. He turned professional in 2011 with the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga) in 2011 and palyed EuroCup: 6 games: 7.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 34.8%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.3%; German League: 27 games: 8.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 76.1%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (France-ProA) playing  35 games: 10.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 84.8%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez (France-ProA) playing 30 games: 11.6ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 40.5%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT-3(93.8%). In the 2014-2015 season he played for SPO Rouen Basket (France-ProA) playing 33 games: 13.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 86.1%. Last season he played for Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez (France-ProA) playing 36 games: Score-1(17.9ppg), 2.1rpg, 5.1apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 89.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

 

 

 

Mike thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are playing your first season in Turkey with Besiktas. How refreshing is it having such normal warmer temperatures at this time of the year? Something you never witnessed in Chicago, Germany or France the last years?

 

 Thanks for having me. It’s very refreshing to have had such wonderful weather, but it is starting to get cold. Last year in Pau, France the weather was warm for the majority of the season.

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Tyrone Nash(Ironi Nahariya) My Last Game With Tuebingen Against Phoenix Hagen Felt Like A Playoff Game

Tyrone Nash is a 28 year old 203cm forward from Queens, New York playing his sixth professional season and first with  Ironi Nahariya (Israel-Winner League). He started his basketball career with  Notre Dame (NCAA) in 2007 and played 118 NCAA games until 2011 and as a senior played  34 games averaging 9.5ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 68.9%. He started his professional career in 2011 with the  Walter Tigers Tuebingen where he played for three seasons playing 99 BBL games and in his last season there played  33 games: 10.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 68.4%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for SPO Rouen Basket (France-ProA): 11 games: 8.3ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.1%, FT: 50.0%. Last season he returned back to Germany to play for the Basketball Loewen Braunschweig (Germany-BBL) playing 34 games averaging 10.9ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game against the Fraport Skyliners.

 

 

 

Tyrone thanks for talking to German Hoops. Your playing your first season in Israel for Ironi Nahariya (Israel-Winner League). You played the last years mostly in Germany and one season in France. In terms to weather how close are you to living in a paradise atmosphere?

 

It is really great waking up to sunshine everyday and having the beach literally across the street from me. I can see why a lot of players choose to play here.

 

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The Fraport Skyliners Practice Conservativeness Instead Of Aggressiveness in Crunch-Time Falling To The EWE Baskets 80-77

Players come and go each season so developing an identity with one player over a longer period of time in the EasyCredit BBL at times can be as difficult as it is for Oklahoma Thunder fans for getting used to the fact that a Kevin Durat isn´t getting fed any longer from Russell Westbrook, but moreover from sniper Steph Curry. Of course there are so many exciting players to watch each weekend as so many bring their own special rare spice to the court, but there are really few players left that have been around in the league for a long time except for guys like Julius Jenkins and Immanuel Mcelroy who are riding out their stellar careers in Jena, but there are also other guys like  Rickey Paudling and Quantez Robertson who battled each other head to head since 2009 and just coming to the arena to watch them duel is worth the price of admission as they have been top players in the league for years. Together they have amassed 19 years and this season Paulding is in his 13th season and Robertson is in his eighth professional season. They have had some very interesting battles over the years as Robertson usually is on the floor having to stop the others team best players as well as supply his freak athleticism as well as his all-around play as he can fill up the stats sheet deep the way Tom Brady can NFL records. Paulding on the other hand is the bona fide leader that has been one of the most consistent offensive performers in the BBL since his arrival in 2007. His overall play and character have made him one of the BBL identity figures for years. Paulding is 34 and Robertson is 31 and it is hard to believe that between them, they only share three professional titles, but knowing the competitiveness of both guys and will to keep performing at a high level, they will probably play some more years.

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Mahir Agva Fires The Fraport Skyliners Juniors Past The Bayer Giants Leverkusen 83-80

The EasyCredit BBL may still be a dream and as far away for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen at the moment as it is for the New England Patriots not reaching the playoffs again, but one thing is for sure over the last years, the club has brought in very raw talent and some of those Americans have blossomed in their short time shooting the lights out and having head coach Achim Kuczmann leave the court with a content smile more than once. Back in the 2010-2011 season, the club reeled in highly talented Josh Young out of Drake(NCAA) and he immediately tore up the Pro B playing 11 games and averaging 26.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.0apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 45.3%, FT: 79.0%. He then went on to a consistent BBL career with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. Three seasons later, the club brought in Josh Parker who was also a rookie like Young and he came out of Dayton(NCAA) having been a decent role player there and he rapidly displayed that he was way too good for the Pro B as he totally dominated leading the league in scoring at 28.5ppg), 4.5rpg, Assists-2(7.1apg), 2.2spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 80.3%. He had 15 games where he scored 30 points or more including massive scoring explosions against Dresden with 48 points and 44 points against Schwelm. He also displayed a knack of not only hogging the ball, but being a fine playmaker as he dished out 10 assists or more four times. After this unforgettable season, he also made the jump to the EasyCredit BBL with the Mitteldeutscher BC and then gained further experience in Turkey and Poland. This season the Bayer Giants have another raw scorer in Kerry Carter who isn´t a rookie, but playing his second season after playing briefly last season in the best league in Europe with Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias and showed his mastery scoring nine points in 10 minutes against Real Madrid. This season he is averaging 25,7ppg and 4,6apg in nine games and still has a bit of catching up on Parker´s 15 30 plus games as he is at four, but so far Carter has shown that he is too good for the Pro B. Almost four years ago, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors held Parker to his lowest point total of the season at 11 and kept him honest at 3/15 shooting. Carter made his debut in the BCM in Frankfurt where NBA players like Alan Anderson and Carlos Arroyo have tested the rims and was looking to give another shooting clinic and did scoring 24 points and even if he did shoot the ball 26 times, he did display his versatility as he can do so much more than just score as he gave out 10 dimes, hauled down seven boards and had four steals, but it wasn´t enough to bring home the win as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors squeaked out a 83-80 win as Mahir hit them with 30 and the  winning bucket with a few seconds remaining winning their first home game of the season and third game of the season. After the game, one could sense that Kerry Carter was more than perturbed about the loss and he had erased everything about his own game as he was nibbling too much about the loss. “My own game wasn´t good enough today”, sighed Kerry Carter. “Carter is a good player that is hard to guard. He is one of those players in that when he puts up a shot, it has a good chance of going in”, stressed Alaska native Travis Thompson. Not only Carter was disgusted with the loss, but so was assistant coach Hansi Gnad. “It was dumb how we lost and we can´t really let that happen. Frankfurt played clever at the end. They gave the ball to Agva and he finished. I remember doing that from my days”, added Hansi Gnad. “We made shots and Agva was a big presence. The game was up and down and we were lucky that we won. We knew that they would rush and we wanted to slow down the game. This was a big home win and we can build off the momentum”, stressed Travis Thompson.

The game had an interesting anecdote in that 53 year old Hansi Gnad who is the assistant coach of the Bayer Giants Leverkusen had a similarity with 25 year Fraport Skyliner Junior Travis Thompson. Both played at Alaska Anchorage(NCAA2) and Thompson had the distinction of passing Gnad on the all-time scoring record into second place on his last field goal which gave him 1667 points while the German ended with 1666 points. After the game, Thompson revealed that he had spoken to Gnad before the game to catch up on this record and their old school. “This was the first time that I had met him. We played for the same coach Rusty Osborne and talked about him and I told him about the new facilities there. He is in the hall of fame there and it´s cool that I passed him and to know how much he has accomplished. One day I will be able to tell my kids what I did. It´s a small world”, commented Travis Thompson. Both teams found a healthy rhythm early as both teams found their range. Ex Tuebingen center Mahir Agva found his rhythm right away sinking a baby hook shot, but Kerry Carter responded rapidly nailing a trey for the 3-2 Leverkusen advantage. Agva continued to make buckets getting a lay in and ex Ludwigsburg German Stefan Ilzhoefer scored on the fast break to extend the Frankfurt lead to 6-3. Ex Dresden Titan Damon Smith knotted the score at 6-6 as he sunk a trey. Both teams continued to score at a high rate as Thompson nailed his first trey of the day and German Konstantin Schubert leaped into the passing lane like a guard and went coast to coast for the lay in and Frankfurt led 11-6. Leverkusen didn´t let up and tied the score as Michael Kuczmann tested his 46% three point percentage scoring and ex Rhondorf Dragon Tim Schon born got aggressive scoring inside as no Skyliner challenged him. After Ilzhoefer and Carter traded buckets, it was Agva that made an offensive rebound and put back and Thompson made his second three of the game as 17 year old Isaac Bonga made the perfect unselfish pass as Frankfurt led 18-13. Frankfurt kept the lead with a Ilzhoefer trey and Agva hook shot. Young 17 year old German Niklas Pons made a pretty floater to add on to the lead as Frankfurt led 25-19 after one quarter. “We moved the ball well on offense and Agva did a good job in the paint scoring. We still had too many turnovers”, warned Fraport Skyliner Junior Lenny Okeke. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 52% from the field and 38% from outside while the Bayer Giants Leverkusen shot 41% from the field and 40% from outside. Frankfurt had the 10-9 rebound lead and two turnovers while Leverkusen had four turnovers.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen came out red hot in the second quarter getting back into the game going on a 9-3 run to tie the game at 28-28. In the run, they were aided by young German big man Martin Linnsen who got to the free throw line twice and Carter scored a trey and an off balance shot. The game remained very close now as the Bayer Giants Leverkusen were able to tie the game a few times, but never get the lead. Rookie American Brandon Nazione tied the game at 31-31, but Thompson once again supplied the hot hand nailing a three, but Kuczmann thought two can play that game also scoring from the parking lot dead locking the game at 34-34. Frankfurt continued to keep the lead getting valuable production from Agva who scored twice in the paint as Frankfurt led 40-36. Frankfurt kept their nose ahead as Schubert scored in buckets and Agva scored again inside as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had the slim 46-42 lead at the break. “Leverkusen went to zone and we had difficulty with that and they forced us to more turnovers. It was a back and forth game. I thought that we defended pretty well, but still didn´t do as good a job on Carter as we could off. We gave up too many open three´s”, stated Lenny Okeke. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 53% from the field and 38% from the three point line while the Bayer Giants Leverkusen were shooting 43% from the field and 59% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 22-16 rebound edge, but nine turnovers while Leverkusen had six turnovers.

The third quarter remained tight as no team could run away with the lead. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors started off with a quick 5-0 run as Agva made a running hook shot and Thompson made the extra pass to a streaking Schubert in the lane for the easy basket as Frankfurt led 50-45. The Bayer Giants Leverkusen then rushed out on a 8-0 run to snatch the lead back at 53-50. In the run, it was Carter who played at St Marys(NCAA) that did what he does best and this is scoring in bunches as he lit up the scoreboard with a trey and then made a steal and went coast to coast and got a free throw. 31 year old German Gotz Twiehoff added on to the run with a lay in. the Bayer Giants Leverkusen were the more consistent offensive team now and were getting more stops. They continued to keep the lead as hot shooting Kuczmann connected on another trey as they led 56-52. They were able to extend their lead to 59-54, as Nazione made his second crushing dunk of the game. Basketball is and will always remain a game of runs and that is what the Fraport Skyliners Juniors practiced as they scored 9 unanswered points snatching back the lead at 63-59. In the run, Frankfurt got ample support from Ilzhoefer who had the needed extra energy which also gave their defense a spark as he made a lay in in traffic and also scored on the fast break. Bonga and Agva also scored. Smith hit a shot clock buzzer beater, but Frankfurt still led 63-62 after three quarters. “We had good ball movement and were more aggressive and did a good job attacking the rim”, stated Travis Thompson. “We had too many untimely turnovers and that will always cost you on the road”, stressed Kerry Carter. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 53% from the field and 31% from the parking lot while the Bayer Giants Leverkusen were shooting 53% from the field and 50% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 29-26 rebound edge, but 14 turnovers while Leverkusen had nine turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, The Bayer Giants Leverkusen had a horrible start, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors couldn´t take much advantage of their first five possessions that led to no points. Tim Oldenburg started off the fourth quarter sinking a 20 footer and then Frankfurt stopped four possessions, but could score themselves. After making their fifth stop on Leverkusen, Thompson then hurt Leverkusen with a trey extending the lead to 68-62. However Leverkusen then finally scored their first field goal of the fourth quarter as ex Rollins(NCAA2) guard Alexander Blessing nailed a trey cutting the Frankfurt lead to 68-65. Frankfurt then got some quick offensive spark with a 4-0 run as Ilzhoefer scored on an off balance shot and Garai Zeeb scored an acrobatic finger tip floater for the 72-65 Frankfurt advantage. However just when it seemed like Leverkusen was wilting before crunch-time had even arrived, Leverkusen didn´t get that killer scoring touch from Carter, but from Kuczmann  who nailed consecutive three´s suddenly tying the game at 73-73. Frankfurt then upped their intensity a bit more and were aggressive getting to the rim as Bonga drew two fouls and Agva made a tip in for the 78-73 lead. Frankfurt then made two huge mistakes letting 188cm guard Alexander Blessig get an offensive rebound and put back back to back cutting the Frankfurt lead to 78-77. Agva then made free throws and Leverkusen had 25 seconds remaining in the game and every one knew Carter would get the ball and he did what all big time scorers do which was nail a three pointer tying the game at 80-80 with six seconds remaining. Frankfurt had the ball and enough time to win the game. They elected to get Agva the ball and he finished successfully inside like he had all game long and then secured the victory with a free throw. “We started out flat and it was a game of runs. On that last play, I thought we did a good job denying him the ball, but they made a good back door lob pass and he did a good job getting to the rim. We did a good job taking away all their other options and he did what he had to do”, stressed Kerry Carter. “They didn´t deny Agva the ball bad, but it was a good play from us”, smiled Travis Thompson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Mahir Agva with 30 points. Travis Thompson added 15 points while Stefan Ilzhoefer had 12 points and Konstantin Schubert had 10 points. The Bayer Giants Leverkusen were led by Kerry Carter with 24 points and Michael Kuczmann added 15 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 50% from the field and 30% from outside while the Bayer Giants Leverkusen were shooting 40% from the field and 32% from outside. Frankfurt had the 41-38 rebound edge, but 20 turnovers while Leverkusen coughed up the ball 14 times.