Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Brandyn Curry(Helios Suns Domzale)Quantez Robertson Is The Best Defensive Player I’ve Come Across In My Career

Brandyn Curry is a 25 year old 187cm point guard from Huntersville, North Carolina that is playing his third professional season with Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Liga NovaKBM). Last season he played with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-BBL): 27 games: 3.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.0apg. As a rookie he  played for the SPM Shoeters Den Bosch (Holland-Eredivisie). He played 33 games averaging 14.9ppg, 4.1rpg, Assists-2(5.0apg), 2.0spg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 83.7%; EuroChallenge: 12 games: 16.2ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.9apg, Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 72.7% He played four years at Harvard(NCAA) playing a total of 113 NCAA games and as a senior played 23 games averaging 9.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 58.5%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions Cup game against the Fraport Skyliners.

 

 

 

 

Brandyn thanks for talking to German Hoops. Den Bosch, and Bremerhaven were your first towns that you lived in in your first two professional seasons and in your third you are in Domizal in Slovenia playing for Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Liga NovaKBM). What have you learned to appreciate the most in your new surroundings in the first few months?

Well first I just appreciate and thank god that I am fortunate enough to be entering my third year as a professional basketball player. Slovenia is a really beautiful country so just been enjoying the all the sites they have here.

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Tre Demps (Belfius Mons-Hainaut)We Have The Type Of Team Where There Can Be A New Player Of The Game Every Night

Tre Demps is a 23 year old 188cm guard from San Antonio, texas playing his rookie season in Belgium with Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Belgium-Euromillions League). He played at Northwestern (NCAA) from 2011-2016 playing a total of 133 NCAA games and as a senior played 32 games averaging 15.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 66.2%. Before turning pro he took part at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) playing  3 games: 16.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.7apg. He spoke to German Hoops  before the Fiba Europe Cup game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Tre thanks for talking to German Hoops. You’re a rookie playing your first season overseas for Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Belgium-Euromillions League). Your from San Antonio, Texas and also lived 4 years in Chicago playing for Nothwestern(NCAA). Has it been a big adjustment living in the pretty countryside of Belgium?

The adjustment has been good so far. I’ve moved around my whole life so I’m kind of used to being able to pack up and adjust to new places. Belgium is a very relaxed place with a lot of great places to shop. My family and I love the peacefulness of Belgium the most coming from Chicago.

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Trent Weaver(FC Schalke) We Need The Mindset That We Are The Aggressors From Start To Finish

 

Trent Weaver is a 22 year old 203cm forward from Columbus, Ohio that is playing his rookie season in Europe in Germany with FC Schalke. He got an early taste of being  a professional this year as he played for the Columbus Condors (CBA). Before turning professional he played for Ohio Dominican (NCAA2) from 2012-2016 playing  atotal of 98 games. As a senior he played 28 games: 15.5ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 72.5%. He spoke to German Hoops after the tough 81-71 loss against Bochum.

 

 

 

Trent thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 81-71 loss in Bochum. How tough was it losing again after having won a game twice this season and then not being able to extend a new winning streak to two games?

Hey Miles, the loss to Bochum was definitely a tough one. Especially going into halftime with the lead. We need to do a better job as a team to pull out these difficult, but winnable games.

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Scott Machado Puts His Foot Down In Crunch-Time Leading SC Rasta Vechta Past The Fraport Skyliners 68-61

Players come and go and one remembers some very dearly while others get erased off the personal memory bank as rapidly as a nasty hurricane can wipe out a complete neighborhood in Florida in their dog days of September where homeowners pray every year that they still have their own shelter as soon as October comes around. It also is rare for a club like the Fraport Skyliners to present two welcoming mats back to back, but that is exactly what happened this week as five days ago, old friend Jordan Theodore who was a main reason the club won only it´s third ever title last season returned back to Frankfurt in Champions League play and once again displayed that dominance and coolness on the court this time leading his new Turkish team Banvit past his old team in his ex living room. Just how much reunions with loses could the Fraport Skyliners handle as five days later another ex Skyliner Derrick Allen returned back to his old stomping ground especially in the paint where Theodore and Allen do their most damage at will. Derrick Allen is a dinosaur who is a 36 year old 203cm forward from Gadsen, Alabama that just keeps chugging away playing in his 14th professional season and 12th in Germany. He was a rookie in Iceland and also played in Belgium. He has played for teams in Germany with BG Karlsruhe, Bayer Giants Leverkusen, Frankfurt(2007-2010), Alba Berlin, Bremerhaven and Braunschweig. He won a scoring title with Leverkusen, was runner up once with Frankfurt, is a three time BBL allstar and two time finalist with Frankfurt and Alba Berlin. He may not have the speed of his 10,7 track mark in 2009 in Frankfurt, but he still is able to get easy buckets inside with his ballerina moves or his fade away mid distance shot. Since his departure in 2011, Allen has gone on to play with Alba Berlin, Bremerhaven, and Braunschweig and came back to compete against old friend Quantez Robertson who he was teammates when the Cincinnati native was a rookie and almost won the BBl title in 2010 against Bamberg. Allen returned back to his old stomping ground flirting with an 8-5 record against his old team, but had his better run with Alba Berlin where he was 7-2 while with Bremerhaven and Braunschweig only had a 1-4 record. He also has stayed relatively consistent in his games against Frankfurt scoring in double figures nine times in 13 games. Allen was back now, 10 years the senior of Theodore, but just as motivated as the younger ex Skyliner and D.A as his friends call him wanted to rack up win number nine in his head to head encounters with his ex club and did as he contributed 7 points and five rebounds in 18 minutes of work helping SC Rasta Vechta win their first game ever against the Fraport Skyliners 68-61. After the game, Allen was all smiles as he had his two year old daughter in his arms and even was congratulated by ex coach Gordon Herbert. Allen still looks trim and plays like a 28 year old, but knows his days are numbered as a professional. “Whenever I enter the Fraport arena, I always think of the old days. I played here for three years and it is a very special place. Seeing all these familiar faces always brings back good memories. I won´t play into my 40´s. I may look and feel like I could, but I won´t”, smiled Derrick Allen. Allen teammate Scott Machado who is 10 years younger and still has many years ahead of him as a professional could imagine him playing for a long time. “I don´t see why he couldn´t play into his 40´s. If he wanted to he could. He is the energizer bunny and is the life of practice. He is always trying to give us his basketball wisdom on the court”, expressed ex NBA player Scott Machado.

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Khalil Kelley(MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel) I Am Farther Along Mentally And My Feel For The Game Is Better Than It Was In Leipzig

Khalil Kelley is a 203cm forward from Rancho Cucamonga, California that is playing his second professional season and first with MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel (Germany-ProB). As a rookie he played with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig (Germany-ProB) playing 28 games: 15.0ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 49.6%, FT: 63.8%. He racked up Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Center of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -15, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -15. He started his basketball career in 2010 with  Pacific (NCAA) where he played until 2014 playing a total of 117 NCAA games. As a senior he played 29 games averaging6.1ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 48.8%, FT: 59.8%. German Hoops spoke to the American after signing with Wolfenbuettel last summer.

 

 

Khalil thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on signing with MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel (Germany-ProB). How blessed are you start a new chapter in your professional basketball career?

I’m very blessed and grateful to Wolfenbuettel for the opportunity to play basketball professionally again after missing a season which was tough for me. I hope to make the most of this chance and by working hard this season I will.

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Ricky Easterling(BG Karlsruhe) This Season I Don’t Have To Score As Much So I Take Less Shots And Give Teammates More Of An Opportunity To Score

Ricky Easterling is a 32 year old 190cm guard from Baltimore that is playing his 11th professional season in Germany and first with BG Karlsruhe(Pro B). Over the years, he has been crowned Mr Regionaliga as he averaged over 30 points three times with TV Saarlouis belonged to the  the top 3 players in the Pro B the last two seasons. Before moving to Saarlouis in 2007 he played at Bridgewater (NCAA3) and then as a rookie played with TSG Reutlingen (Germany-Oberliga and  Bergheim Bandits (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season with TV Saarlouis, he played 28 games: Score-1(23.1ppg), 4.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 81.2%. He spoke to German Hoopsafter the 75-68 win against s.Oliver Wurzburg.

 

 

 

 

Congrats Ricky on the 75-68 victory against TG s.Oliver Wurzburg. At first look at the box score, I thought maybe you got injured since you scored only four points which was only the second time in three seasons that you didn´t score in double figures. But you are still 100% healthy?

 I have been sick this past week but that is no excuse for the game against Würzburg. I guess it was just not my day. Happens to the best of us sometimes.

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Will Trawick (Dragons Rhondorf) I Love Imagining Making Those Big Shots With The Clock Ticking Down.

Will Trawick is a 22 year old 196cm guard from Bedford, New York that is playing his first  professional season 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 after the big 92-87 OT win against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen.

 

Will congrats on the big 92-87 win at home against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. How good does it feel to remain unbeaten at home?

It feels great to remain unbeaten at home. To remain unbeaten at home is one of our top priorities this season.

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Deandre Lansdowne(Hamburg Towers) I Still Think I Can Do Much Better And That’s The Great Thing That The Season Is Long

Deandre Lansdowne is a 26 year old 187cm guard from Albuquerque, Mexico that is playing his third professional season this season and first with the Hamburg Towers. Last season he played with Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-Pro B) playing 27 games: Score-2(22.9ppg), 8.1rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-5(2.6spg), FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 66.5% He played college ball at Fort Lewis (NCAA2) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 50.7%. He then gained his first professional experience with Pioneros de Delicias (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive) before continuing career in Germany. He spoke to German Hoops after the 99-86 win against the ETB Wohnbau Baskets.

 

 

Deandre congrats on the big 99-86 win against the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. How good does it feel being on a two game winning streak?

 It is feeling pretty good, but we still have a long way to go to get to where we want to be as a team.

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Kruize Pinkins (Hebeisen White Wings) I’m Just Playing Basketball And Scoring Is Coming Along With The Flow Of The Game

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 Hoops after the satisfying 74-68 win at home

 

 

 

Kruize congrats on the big 74-68 win at home. After the embarrassing 71-63 loss last weekend in Essen was the team especially focused to get back into the win column?

Yes we knew we let one slip away on the road and Essen. That was a learning point for us that we can’t take any game for granted. So we came in more focused from the start.

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Moses Ehambe(SC Rasta Vechta) Has The Gift Of A Deadly Shooter But Finally Has Shown The World That He Can Play Basketball

Having an unbelievable label thrusted upon you most usually is so tough to digest that it has had a difficult effect on players because having to live up to that assumption can be as difficult as it is for a Tim Tebow making the adjustment to baseball as there is simply so much media pressure on you. As for the labels, how many players have had that unfair comparison as being the next Dirk Nowitzki? It didn´t only fall upon  a guy like Tim Ohlbrecht who still did make it to the NBA, but to other guys as well in Germany. The Dirk Nowitzki label also has swayed over to other countries like Serbia where a player like Nemanja Aleksandrow got that label, but too many others as well. Having these player labels aren´t always easy to get used to hearing over and over, but what does a player like Moses Ehambe of SC Rasta Vechta think when he hears a label like “considered by some as one of the best shooters in the world” and he turns around and expects Larry Bird or a Steph Curry to be standing there? Those two NBA legends would be worthy of that label, but would a Moses Ehambe? Well many might argue that label, but his consistent and accurate shooting from downtown over the years can´t be denied. Ehambe is a 30 year old 197cm swingman from Arlington Texas that is playing his ninth professional season and second in Germany after playing his first with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in 2014. Over the years, his accurate shooting from the parking lot has consistently been at the 40% mark or higher which is a rate that isn´t achieved by every player. Ehambe has played in many different leagues from the D-league to places like Spain, Venezuela and Japan. There was even a time from 2006-2012 where he shot 40% or better which for the most part was achieved with three different D-league teams that obviously garnered the interest of NBA GM´s. The label of being the best shooter in the world seemed to have developed during his D-league time between 2008-2012 and the sniper wasn´t unaware of this label. “I have heard that before, but it isn´t about what you hear, but what you believe. It means a lot to me when I hear something like that. It makes me feel good knowing people appreciate what I do after spending countless hours in the gym perfecting my craft”, stated Moses Ehambie. Many have wondered why a guy like Ehambie never made it to the NBA considering the NBA is the prime place where a player who does one thing very well can find a home. “My goal and passion is to get to the NBA. I´ll continue to dream and work of reaching the NBA. The D-league is one route of reaching the NBA and at times faster than going the European route. My family and I decided that going the European route would be good. I feel that I have grown as a player and became more complete and just elevated my game on offense and defense”, stressed Moses Ehambe. Back in 2011, he was with the New Orleans Hornets (NBA) during training camp and got that brief NBA air and got some words of wisdom that quickly broadened his basketball horizon which has not only helped him with dealing with his NBA dream, but also helping develop his game further. “When I was cut from the New Orleans Hornets training camp, head coach Monty Williams told me that I had a gift shooting and that many can´t do it. He told me that now I needed to show the world that I can play basketball. I felt that with Bremerhaven I showed that I can do more besides just shooting with rebounding, passing it in the post or penetrating and kicking. I am a complete player now instead of a stand still shooter. Who knows what will happen now. Maybe the NBA will take notice”, stressed Moses Ehambe.  As for now SC Rasta Vechta has taken notice and signed him and he belongs to a very talented group of guys and is close to averaging double figures in scoring and as usual is shooting over 40% from outside. If The NBA ever does come calling, Ehambe will be more than ready, but for now the ex ORU (NCAA) standout is focused on performing his role to the best to his ability for SC Rasta Vechta and possibly help bring this team a lot farther than many would ever have thought this season.

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