Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Eric Kibi (I Still Have Some Unfinished Business Left In Europe)

Eric Kibi is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Ontario, Canada that recently played for the the Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-ProB) playing 3 games: 4.7ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, left in Oct.’15, moved briefly to Luxemburg then played for KK Strsljen Gusinje (Montenegro-Erste Liga) and finished with the London Lightning (Canada-NBL Canada). Last season he completed his second season in Germany and first with Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 20,5ppg and 15,0rpg. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Jacksonville College (NJCAA) where he played until 2010. He then played a season with UALR (NCAA) playing 29 games: 4.4ppg, 4.2rpg. He finished his college career in 2012 with Abil.Christian (NCAA2) playing 20 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 60.0%. In 2012 he started his professional basketball career with Abil.Christian (NCAA2) playing 20 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 60.0% He then played with Ottawa SkyHawks (NBL Canada): 29 games: 4.4ppg, 4.7rpg. The Canadian spoke to eurobasket about basketball and his run to the Canadian NBL final with the London Lightning.

Eric thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and are you still digesting the Canadian NBL final loss to Halifax?

Hey Miles, I’m currently back in London, preparing to head back to my hometown to start my summer. As far as the Game 7 loss, it’s still very tough to digest it’s something that will be with me for a long time.

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Jordan Theodore Gains Englewood Immortality With 2016 Fiba Europe Cup Title And Moves Into Class Of Best Ever Skyliner Point Guards

What do former NBA players Mookie Blaylock, Tim Hardaway, Gary Payton, Chauncey Billups and current professional Jordan Theodore all have in common? At first glance, it isn´t hard to notice that all played the game they loved at one time or another featuring that bald head and all were point guards. The bald head of Theodore makes him a tad more experienced in appearance and gives opponents the vision that he has been around the block even if he just completed only his fourth professional season. All those former NBA great´s had illustrious careers in the world´s greatest league while Theodore is on the brink of captivating himself to a new level on the court having had his best season as a professional as for the first time he played for a great team the Fraport Skyliners that just won it´s third club title which had been in waiting for 12 years. When one is closely observing Jordan Theodore on the court, the first thing that stands out in his play is his presence on the court, but as a point guard and basketball conductor that is his job as he has to lead his team to a win every time on the court the same way music conductor Charles Dutoit guides an orchestra around the world in places like London, Paris, Berlin or Moscow. Theodore helped close out an amazing regular season in the Beko BBL finishing in the top 3 teams and conducting the club to the best Fiba Europe Cup record of 18-1. Now Jordan Theodore who is the pride and joy of Englewood, New Jersey that has brought world stars like John Travolta, Eddie Murphy, Tony Bennet, Lil Kim and Bill Parcells just to name a few has made that degree between him and the other basketball pride and joy of the 27,147 populated city 1981 NBA finalist Bill Willoughby who has the distinction of being the first player drafted in the NBA out of high school closer as he brought his hometown the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup title and now has ordered and gotten Englewood immortality stature. ”Bill and I have met a couple of times but I don’t know him that well. I read a lot about him growing up. Us being from the same town and me wanting to leave a legacy behind like he did. I haven’t made it to the NBA yet but I’m building a resume that a lot people can look up to”, added Jordan Theodore.

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Brandyn Curry (I Just Need A Situation On A Team Where I Am Just Able To Play My Game)

Brandyn Curry is a 24 year old 187cm point guard from Huntersville, North Carolina that recently finished his second professional season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven where he played 27 games averaging 3.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.0ap As a rookie he completed his first season in Europe for the SPM Shoeters Den Bosch (Holland-Eredivisie). In his rookie season in Holland 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 had the chance to talk with German Hoops after his second professional season in Germany with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven.

Brandyn thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has summer been so far?

Hey Miles no problem at all. I am currently home in Charlotte, NC. Summer has been great so far just been getting after it in the gym. Glad to be back after a long 9 months away

Was it a bit strange being home so early after playing into the end of May in your rookie season with Den Bosch?

It was a bit strange but honestly was a relief. It was a pretty quick turnaround to not get home until June after the season ended in Den Bosch and then have to go to Germany in the beginning of August.

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Hugh Robertson (RheinStars) Germany Is Going To Be A Really Good Test For Me

Hugh Robertson is a 25 year old 196cm forward that wll play for the RheinStars this season in the German Pro A. He started his basketball career at Tallahassee CC (JUCO) and finished at S.Florida (NCAA) and as a senior played 36 games averaging 6.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 69.4%. He started his professional basketball career in 2013 with Hopsi Polzela (Slovenia-Telemach League) playing 18 games: Score-5(15.1ppg), 4.1rpg, 1.8apg, Steals-5(1.6spg), FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 78.1%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Hopsi Polzela (Telemach League) playing 16 games: Score-1(19.9ppg), 5.6rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 62.2%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 76.5%, in Feb.’14 agreed terms with Tadamon Zouk (Lebanon-Division A): 11 games: 20.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 78.0%. IN the 2014-2015 season he gained further experience with : Cognac BB (France-NM1) playing 30 games: 15.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.1apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 70.7%. Last season he played for Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Telemach League)playing 36 games: 12.5ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 85.0%; FIBA Europe Cup: 6 games: 11.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 38.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 76.9%; Alpe Adria Cup: 7 games: 14.4ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

It feels great to be home, after a long season away from my family, I’m really happy to finally see them

How did it feel coming home to Macon, Georgia as a two time champion with Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Telemach League). Did all the hard work as a professional that you put in each day finally pay off?

I’m really excited to start my new journey, I have been putting in a lot of work throughout the year, and it’s starting to pay off.

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Kyle Wiggins (Division Two Players Can Compete Against Anyone In The World But We Just Need The Opportunity)

Kyle Wiggins is a 190cm guard from Leavenworth, Kansas that recently completed his college career at Washburn(NCAA2).As a senior he played 17 games averaging 13.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 72.6%. In 2012 he won the MIAA tournament with Washburn. He recently spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thanks Kyle for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your early summer been?

Thank you for the opportunity. My early summer has been great. I’ve been constantly working out preparing myself for any opportunity that comes my way. At the moment I am trying to find a good agent to represent me to start my professional career and staying ready and hungry is what I’ve been focused on.

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Tre Bennett (KTP Basket Kotka) I’m A Bit Underrated As An Athlete But I’m A High Flyer And Can Catch Alleys With Ease

Tre Bennett is a 23 year old 178cm guard from Houston, Texas that will start his professional career in Finland with KTP. He played at three colleges at Lamar St.CC (JUCO), Indiana St. (NCAA) and Angelo St. (NCAA2). He finished his college career at Angelo St. (NCAA2) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 17.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 5.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 87.8%. He was a LSC Tournament Finalist and NCAA 2 Sweet 16 competitor in 2016. There was a mishap recently where German club Bayer Giants Leverkusen announced he had signed with them, but in reality he will play in Finland. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thanks Tre for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying the time since the end of your college career?

I’m currently in Houston Texas, my hometown. I’m enjoying my time since season has been over. Just been working out and hanging with friends and family while I’m in town

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Cardell Mcfarland (I´m Doing The Steps Necessary To Get In The Right Position To Play At The Ultimate Level In Europe

Cardell Mcfarland is a 28 year old 182cm point guard from Evansville, Indiana that just finished his fourth professional season and first for the Bristol Academy Flyers (United Kingdom-BBL): 24 games: 17.6ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.8apg), FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 66.7%. He started his basketball career at Missouri State and then played his last two seasons for Ky Wesleyan (NCAA2). As a rookie he played for CS Farul Constanta (Romania-Division A): 7 games: 12.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 88.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for the Giants Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB), playing 18 games: Score-2(23.8ppg), 3.1rpg, Assists-2(5.6apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 65.3%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 72.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he remained in Germany playing for the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-Pro B) playing 20 games averaging 18.9ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-3(5.5apg), 1.5spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 71.2% He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

I’m currently back home in Evansville, Indiana working out and spending time with family. Been home for 3 weeks now andI’m really enjoying it.

This past season you played your first season in the UK for Bristol Academy Flyers (United Kingdom-BBL). What overall experience was it for you playing in a new country?

Playing in the UK was an easy adjustment from the culture side of things it’s very similar to America and speaking the same language is always a plus. The BBL is a league on the rise I see a very bright future for the league. The league is very athletic & physical.

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One On One With George Filkinis

George P. Filkinis is a FIBA certified Basketball Coach from Athens, Greece and well known as a master of the “Running Basketball” , as his teams are always distinguished particularly by the extreme speed of development and execution of their offense. His way of offensive basketball was influenced by the presence at Loyola Marymount University of his mentor coach Paul Westhead.
He is also considered as a defensive “genius” , as he eminently uses complex and pressing defenses with “traps”, multiple and consecutive rotations that confuse and overwhelm the opponent.
Besides , it is no coincidence the fact that his personal record in 686 official games , is 483 (70,4 %) wins and 203 (29,6%) defeats , while having conquered 11 (eleven) championships at all levels as a head coach and 6 (six) as assistant coach and defensive coordinator. With coach Filkinis we had a really interesting conversation for the friends of eurobasket.com.

I want first of all your opinion on the recent controversy between FIBA and Euroleague and the World Federation’s decision to punish the National Teams of the countries which will participate in competitions of the Euroleague.

Thanks a lot for the hospitality Miles and for the opportunity to contact with many friends and basketball fans both in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. In response to your question I think that it is legally unfounded the threat of FIBA against the federations of the countries whose teams chose to play in the Eurocup than in the Champions League. Teams should have the freedom to choose in which organization they will participate and I do not think that this kind of extortion eventually will benefit the sport. I believe that this rivalry comes from personal ambitions and will create bigger problems in European basketball, as well as degrading it rather than to enhance it. As a fan of the basketball initially and then as a professional I wish to prevail logic, to lower the controversies and to find a solution to ensure the sport’s progress and not its dwindling.

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Dashaun Wood (If I Were To Return To Frankfurt I Probably Would Have To Play For Less)

Dashaun Wood is a 30 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that just completed his eighth professional season with Cholet(France Pro A) playing 18 games averaging 12,7ppg, 2,1rpg and 4,8apg. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA) playing 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. In 2010-2011, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. He played for Alba Berlin from 2011-2013. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-ProA) 26 games: 14.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 81.2%; Eurocup: 8 games: 16.4ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 46.6%, FT: 93.3%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Tofas Bursa (Turkey-TBL) averaging 14,4ppg, 2,6rpg and 4,1apg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball from his hometown Detroit.

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

I have been home in Detroit for about three weeks now. I have been spending a lot of time with my family and friends. I also have begun to work out a lot sooner than I usually do during the summer.

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Luke Loucks (I Want To Improve My Ability To Look For Myself Occasionally In A Scoring Mentality Rather Than Always Looking For The Next Best Pass

Luke Loucks is a 25 year old 196cm guard from Clearwater, Florida that completed his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-ProA). He started his basketball career with Florida St. (NCAA) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 136 NCAA games. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2011 and as a senior played 35 games averaging 7.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 70.8%. In 2012 he started his professional season with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL): VTB League: 6 games: 1.5ppg; VTB United League: 6 games: 1.5ppg; Latvian LBL: 4 games: 1.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 5.3apg, in Jan.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A) playing 11 games: 10.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 6.4apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 76.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he played with the Kangoeroes Basket Willebroek (Belgium-Ethias League): 26 games: 10.3ppg, 3.3rpg, Assists-2(4.7apg), FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 77.9%. Last season he played with the t Erie Bay Hawks (D-League): 10 games: 4.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.4apg, in Feb.’15 moved back to Maine Red Claws (D-League): 9 games: 2.4ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.2apg. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

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

Miles, as always, thanks for taking the time to interview me. I am currently living in Tallahassee, FL and spending some time back at Florida State University working out where I played in college. My summer has been going great so far.

Your season ended at the end of March. Has the time from then until now felt like an eternity or has the time away from games flown by?

The offseason always seems to go quick so time has flown by up to this point. I am trying to work my tail off this summer to be prepared for my next season in Europe.

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