Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Will Trawick (Dragons Rhondorf) Emory Basketball Players Are Extremely Unique

Will Trawick is a 22 year old 196cm guard from Bedford, New York that will be starting his professional career in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf. He played at Emory (NCAA3) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 120 NCAA games. As a senior he played 27 games averaging 15.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 78.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball during the summer.

 

Will thanks for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Hi Miles. It’s nice to finally make it to the professional level and be able to talk to German Hoops. My summer has been good. For the most part, I have been training and talking to coaches and teams. I am currently in Atlanta, Georgia. My university is here so I decided to stay to train with my coaches and use the facilities.

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What Fortunes Can The New Youth Program Era Reloaded 2.0 Bring The Fraport Skyliners This Season?

The 2010-2011 Fraport Skyliners season seems like it was ages ago as guys from that successful semi-final run loss to Alba Berlin like Pascal Roller, Roger Powell, Dominik Bahiense De Mello, AJ Moye Jimmy Mckinney and Marius Nolte are all retired and Chris Moss might be hanging up his sneakers now soon as well. The only guy still with the team is Skyliner identity figure Quantez Robertson who now has the distinction of being part of a second basketball cycle that is commencing in the Frankfurt basketball world. A cycle is a recurring period of time in which certain events or phenomena occur and reach completion or repeat themselves in a regular sequence. In life one has all kinds of cycles like the astronomical cycle, climate and weather cycles, geological cycles, agricultural cycles or medical cycles just to name a few and if you want to get cute and absurd actor Charlie Sheen and his own bizarre sex cycle that is as rapid as the daily new lines that Donald Trump is delivering to the world. The two best import point guards that the Fraport Skyliners ever had with Dashaun Wood and Jordan Theodore were present at the start of the first cycle in 2011 and end of the first basketball cycle in 2016. No one is really sure where Gunnar Wobke came up with the idea of starting this basketball youth development factory in Frankfurt wheather it was looking over the shoulder of Henrik Roedl and TBB Trier as they were on the youth development trip starting in 2010 or if the lack of budget left him no other choice? In any event, the Fraport Skyliners youth program era began in 2011 and first cycle ended in 2016 and now the club has clearly displayed that a new youth program era reloaded 2,0 is commencing again with new faces, challenges and hopes. With guys like Niklas Kiel, Max Merz and Stefan Ilzhoefer on the verge of making their BBL break through, Garai Zeeb in his second season in development and new German faces of Mahir Agva and Daniel Mayer continuing their development in Frankfurt, the club feels that the youth program era reloaded 2,0 will be one too remember. Not to forget 16 year old Isaac Bonga who is a 203cm point guard and the most interesting player to watch in the next years where the sky isn´t the limit, but moreover outer space is the limit.

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Larry Gordon (KT Sonic Boom) I Have A Chip On My Shoulder And That´s The Way I Will Play This Season In South Korea

Larry Gordon is a 28 year old 196cm forward that recently finished his first season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven playing 33 games averaging 10.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 84.3% This season he will take his talent east to South Korea. The American played a total of 101 games for Phoenix Hagen from 2012-2015 leading them into the playoffs once  He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NCAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie) playing  36 games and averaging 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) from 2010-2012 before coming to Phoenix Hagen in 2012. Larry Gordon has been a regular for German Hoops as he gave his 39th interview for the website recently from South Korea.

Larry thanks for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how was your summer?

No problem sir it’s always a pleasure man. At the moment I’m in South Korea, preparing for my upcoming season in the KBL. I had an incredible summer, took a vacation, traveled a lot and of course worked on my game.

After 7 years in Europe and four in Germany, you are headed east to South Korea to play for KT Sonic Boom. How excited are you about this new adventure?

Man I’m real excited, it’s a new situation for me and my career. The league is a bit different than leagues in Europe, but I’m adjusting so far and just want to make big impact here my first year.

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Guaros de Lara Survive Scare TipToeing By The Fraport Skyliners Winning Fiba Intercontinental Cup 74-69

Usually around this time in mid September, Fraport Skyliner captain Quantez Robertson would be going through his normal pre-season routine with the club getting in synch with his new teammates, learning the new plays, finding chemistry with the new point guard that was hauled in late, annoying his teammates in practice with his never ending superb man on man defense and getting reacquainted with the Footlocker store in the NWZ mall where he lives only a short walk from the Skyliners training facility looking for the newest trendy shoes to help enhance his footwear. However September 18th, 2016 wasn´t any other ordinary day in the home stretch of the pre-season, but a very special and out of the ordinary as the Cincinnati native could have been able to achieve something that guys like ex Skyliners  Pascal Roller, Mario Kasun, Robert Garrett or Tyrone Ellis hadn´t done. These great players all won one a title for the Skyliners in one calendar year, but never two in that period. It took Robertson 7 seasons to win his first professional title and almost 5 months later, he had the golden opportunity to win a second with the Intercontinental cup. “It felt good trying to bring a second title to Frankfurt in the same year. Even if it felt like a normal BBL game, we were playing for a lot more. It definitely felt like a playoff game with the atmosphere in the arena”, stated ex Auburn guard Quantez Robertson.  For ex Mississippi(NCAA) forward Zach Graham, he didn´t feel any real pre-season anxiety, but had only title in his thoughts. “I just love to play this game. It is every player´s dream to play in a title game and we had fun and came home with the gold”, added 2016 Fiba Intercontinental Cup MVP Zach Graham.

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Zach Graham (Guaros de Lara) It Would Be Great For Venezuela And Our Team History If We Could Bring The Intercontinental Cup Home

Zach Graham is a 27 year old 198cm forward that is playing his second season with Guaros de Lara (Venezuela-LPB) helping them win the Liga Americas. Last season he played for Movil Estudiantes (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 7 games averaging 8.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 36.6%, 3FGP: 22.7%, FT: 91.7%, left in Dec.’15, in Jan.’16 moved to Guaros de Lara (Venezuela-LPB) playing 31 games averaging  15.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT-1(45.0%), FT-3(85.3%); Liga Americas: 8 games: 14.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 80.0%He started his basketball career in 2007 with Mississippi (NCAA) and played a total of 135 NCAA games until 2011. As a senior he played 34 games averaging 14.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 87.1%. He turned professional in 2011 and was part of the Atlanta Hawks veterans roster after the lockout and also played with the Reno Bighorns (D-League). In the 2012-2013 season he played for Maliye Milli Piyango (Turkey-TBL2) playing 33 games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 76.5%. He also played for Air21 Express (Philippines-PBA) playing Governor’s Cup: 9 games: 28.2ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 77.9%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Soles de Mexicali (Mexico-LNBP) playing  38 games averaging 19.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 52.9%, 3FGP: 35.8%, FT: 82.0&. He also played for  Indios de Mayaguez (Puerto Rico-BSN): 5 games: 26.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 65.5%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 96.9%, in April signed at Caciques de Humacao (Puerto Rico-BSN) playing 15 games: 19.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 86.8%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Soles de Mexicali (Mexico-LNBP) playing 51 games averaging 20.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 60.2%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 85.4%. He also played for Brujos de Guayama (Puerto Rico-BSN) playing 18 games averaging 11.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 83.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Intercontinental Cup game against the Fraport Skyliners in Frankfurt, Germany.

Zach thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are now starting your sixth professional season and second with Guaros de Lara (Venezuela-LPB). Except for a short stint in Turkey with Maliye Milli Piyango (Turkey-TB2L,  and last season with Movil Estudiantes (Spain-Liga Endesa), you have played mostly in the States(D-league) and Central and South America. Is money and the weather a big factor that has driven you away from Europe?

 

I never consider how the weather is when I am deciding about a team. I am from Atlanta, Georgia and we have all seasons there. I play the game because it´s my passion and so I can feed my family. Important for me is the type of people that I will be around. Another important factor is where I can grow the most as a player and person.

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Can The Fraport Skyliners Make History In Intercontinental Cup Sunday As Germany´s Only Two Time International Title Winner?

Usually titles are finalized in May and June of each year while September is the month where clubs are putting their final touches on the rosters, new American rookies are still getting acquainted with the gear stick in their team cars and in Skyliner country key players being signed late as they have demonstrated in the last three years with guys like ex NBA player Andrew Rautins, Jordan Theodore and new point guard Markel Starks being brought in as prices were reduced. However this season, the Fraport Skyliners have the big chance to reel in the club´s fourth title after the 2000 BBL cup, 2004 BBL League title and 2016 Fiba Europe Cup win with the 2016 Intercontinental cup. If Fraport Skyliner captain Quantez Robertson made any wishes on New Year 2016 about winning the Fiba Europe Cup is unknown, but if someone had told him he might win two titles in 2016, he probably would have screeched “sayyyyyy what”? But sometimes three is a charm as the Fraport Skyliners snuck in through the back door as originally they had no right playing the INtercontinetal cup, but only snuck in because CSKA Moscow and Galatasaray Istanbul were banned from the Fiba from playing this game which is known as the world title as it pits the Euroleague winner against the South American champion. The Fraport Skyliners will clash against South America champion Guaros de Lara. This Intercontinental cup  may not have much prestige, but a title is a title and they don´t necessarily grow on trees for an organization like the Fraport Skyliners so if one can be the beneficiary of a rift between the Fiba and CSKA Moscow and Galatasaray Istanbul, then one takes advantage of the early Christmas gift. If the Fraport Skyliners win, they will be the first team with 2 international titles as the only other German clubs with international titles are Alba Berlin, Mitteldeutscher BC and BGGoettingen with one each.

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Worthy De Jong (Dutch National Team) We Want To End On Top And Not Trash Germany But Show The World That Dutch Basketball Is On The Rise

Worthy De Jong is a 28 year old Dutch 194cm shooting guard that is currently playing with the Dutch national team in the European qualifying round. He completed his sixth season for Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (Eredivisie) playing 34 games: Score-2(16.9ppg), 6.6rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-1(2.9spg), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 69.0%; FIBA Europe Cup: 6 games: 17.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 79.2%. He will play this season for SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProB) He started his basketball career with the Rotterdam Challengers (Eredivisie). He had his best season last season playing 34 games averaging 15.0ppg, 5.9rpg, Assists-4(4.5apg), Steals-2(2.6spg), FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 74.1%. He also had a solid performance at the 2015 European Championships playing  5 games: 9.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT-2(66.7%), FT: 81.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the last qualifying game in Leiden against Germany.

 

 

Worthy thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the 4-1 Holland record in the Euro qualifying. How good does it feel to have that #1 spot?

Well it feels good but it doesn’t mean anything yet until the last game against Germany.

You are preparing in Leiden now where you played 5 seasons. Does it feel strange waking up in a hotel bed and not in your apartment where you lived the last years?

Well I actually live in Amsterdam where I have my own house so being here I am staying in the comfort of my own home.

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Chris Miller (I Worked My Whole Life For This Moment So Now I´ts Time To Embrace The Moment)

 

Chris Miller is a 193cm guard from Brooklyn, New York that is a professional basketball player. He got his first experience with Clinton Community College and then moved to Salem Intern. (NCAA2) where he played two seasons. Last season he turned professional and played with the Jamestown Jackals (PBL). He came to Germany a few weeks ago and played with the Howard Hoops tour and just signed with TV Heppenheim. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

 

Chris thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

My summer was great. I devoted all my time to training and playing basketball in preparation for a professional contract. Now I am residing in Mannheim.

You have been in Germany for some weeks now and now have signed with TV Heppenheim of the Landesliga. You came to Germany to play in the Howard Hoops tour and now you got a job. With what expectations did you come to Germany with?

I came into Germany with the mindset of MAKE IT HAPPEN. Ever since I was 15 I knew I wanted to play Professional Basketball overseas. Coming into the tour I knew this was my chance and my goal was to make the best of it, play hard, network and hope I could land a contract.

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Jordan Burris (BBC Coburg) Kobe Bryant Told Me Rest In The End And Not In The Middle

Jordan Burris is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Bakersfield, California that will start his professional career in Europe with the BBC Coburg (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career in 2010 with Nevada (NCAA) where he played until 2013 playing 92 NCAA games. As a senior he moved on to CS San Bernar. (NCAA 2) playing 25 games: 14.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 72.0%. He turned professional in 2014 and played for teams like the Santa Monica Jump (IBL),  Reno Bighorns (D-League) and  Indiana Diesels (PBL). He spoke to German Hoops eralier in the summer about basketball.

 

 

Jordan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Summer has been good just lots of workouts and preparation.

Despite having played 3 D-league games and also having had experience with teams like the Santa Monica Jump (IBL) and the Indiana Diesels (PBL) plus playing in the Drew League, how would you summarize your professional career up to now?

Pro career has been a bit rocky to start but I’m hoping that BBC will be the start of a brilliant and bright future!

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Rasid Mahalbasic (Austrian National team) Germany Is A Great Team But Many Thought that Reaching The Euro 2017 Could Be Done Before It Is Actually Done

Rasid Mahalbasic is a 25 year old 211cm center that was born in Jesenice (Slovenia), but also has the Austrian citizenship and plays for the Austrian national team. Mahalbasic started his basketball career in 2006 for the Worthersee Piraten (A Bundesliga) where he played until 2009. In the 2009-2010 season he played for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (Bosnia-D1, starting five): DNP, in Oct.’09 moved back to kelag Worthersee Piraten (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 27 games: 18.4ppg, Reb-2(8.6rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 64.4%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for  Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL), in Dec.’10 loaned to Tofas Bursa (Turkey-TBL): 10 games: 3.7ppg, 3.0rpg; in Feb.’11 moved back to Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL), in Mar.’11 signed at KK Split (Croatia-A1): 13 games: 5.0ppg, 2.3rpg. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Zlatorog Lasko (Slovenia-Telemach League): Slovenian League: 2 games: 4.0ppg, 1.0spg, 1.5bpg; Adriatic League: 3 games: 4.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0bpg. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-TBL, starting five): 36 games: 11.0ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 58.0%, FT: 68.7%; Euroleague: 10 games: 9.1ppg, Reb-5(6.8rpg), 1.3apg, FGP: 58.2%, FT: 59.1%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) playing VTB United League: 18 games: 11.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 63.5%, FT: 72.2%; Czech Rep. NBL: 29 games: 10.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP-2(68.8%), 3PT-1(66.7%), FT: 62.2%; Eurocup: 18 games: 11.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 60.6%, FT: 69.0%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for BC Astana (Kazakhstan-D1) playing VTB United League: 33 games: 14.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 61.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.8%; EuroChallenge: 12 games: 13.1ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 62.8%, FT: 73.6%; Kazakhstani D1: 11 games: 8.2ppg, Reb-2(6.5rpg), 2.4apg, Steals-2(2.0spg), FGP: 53.7%, FT: 51.4%. Last season he played for BC Nizhny Novgorod (Russia-VTB): 27 games: 12.6ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 73.1%; Eurocup: 20 games: 11.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 8.3%, FT: 58.1%. He spoke to German Hoops from Vienna, Austria before the team left for Bamberg to face Germany in possibly the biggest game since years for both countries determining who will qualify for the 2017 European championships.

 

 

Rasid thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 75-61 loss against Holland After the first day where Austria beat Holland in a hard battle, would you still have thought that the Dutch could win 3 in a row and be the #1 team after four matches?

 

It was a tough loss for us. It was a big road win for them and I believe that we underestimated them a bit. They did a good job dominating the boards and their perimeter players played well. We struggled in this game and it was our worst game in the qualifying tournament this summer.

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