Jordan Riewer is a 24 year old 188cm guard from Staples, Minnesota that is playing his first professional season in Germany for Gotha. He played at MSU Moorhead (NCAA2) from 2010-2015 and as a senior played 25 games averaging 15.9ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.8apg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 49.6%, FT: 94.6%. Currently he is averaging 8,9ppg, 1,3rpg and 1,8apg. He spoke to German Hoops after the loss to Science City Jena and before the start of the playoffs

 

 

Jordan thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 72-53 loss against Science City. How disappointing was it to end the regular season like this when you had beat them in the first try?

Any loss is difficult and disappointing. We just couldn’t get it going, they were the better team that night.

Gotha was down in the first half and mustered only 22 points in the second half. Why didn´t anything go consistently well for Gotha on this night?

Obviously too many turnovers and the open shots we did have, we didn’t knock down. To the credit of Jena, they played and executed very well. I believe it’s something we will learn from and getter better here before the playoffs.

Science City is the number one defensive team in the German Pro A allowing 65 points per game. What makes this team so difficult to beat on the offensive end?

They try to speed you up and they want you to play their style of basketball. I’d like to call it chaos basketball.  If you don’t take care of the ball it will cost you and unfortunately, we didn’t play well and it cost us as you can see from the score.

The only bright spot was that Gotha won the rebounding duel 29-23, but the team coughed up the ball 22 times. Does this up and down play not scare you a little going into the playoffs?

No, not really. We’re a young team. But we all know what we have to get better at before the playoffs and we will be working hard every day before that first playoff game to improve.

One always wants to end the regular season on a good note, but could this hard loss be a positive in disguise letting the team know that you still have things to work on and have to work and improve?

Absolutely. Losing to Jena obviously was not fun, but it doesn’t take away the regular season that we did have. We know that if we come to play and do the things we  practice on and follow our rules we will be successful at the end of the day.

With what kind of mind set are you personally going into the playoffs with how you played this season? You cut down on your turnovers in the last 12 games with only seven turnovers while in the first 18 games it was 26.

Just stay relaxed and let the game come to me and most importantly just enjoy the moment and have fun. Everyone is 0-0 now and anything can happen in the playoffs. We have a deep team that is very capable of making a deep run here in the playoffs coming up.

Gotha now faces the Hamburg Towers. How excited are you about playing your first post season as a rookie?

Very excited to get the opportunity to play in the playoffs as a rookie and it being my first year. I’m not going to take anything for granted and just try to outwork everyone that we play. We’ve been going hard since August, so if you can’t give it your all in the playoffs something is wrong with you.

Gotha split the season series with the Hamburg Towers. Do you see this becoming a kind of grind out series or could be see more points being scored this time?

A little bit of both, both teams like to score the basketball but it will come down to who can get more stops consistently. It will be a very fun series.

 

Hamburg dominated the boards in the season series. How key will it be to control the boards in this playoff series?

Rebounding will be very important and we will need everyone to do their job and box out.

Bazou Kone played very well in both series. As a guy that prides his game on defense, how much are you looking forward to making an impact not letting him dictate and control the games?

Kone is a very skilled player and he has been having a great season. The job for us guards will just be to make it as difficult as possible for him and try not to give him any easy ones, make him earn everything.

What are you most looking forward to in your first playoffs? Do you see yourself being able to step up your game an extra notch more?

The crowds both times we played them were great and even though it’s my first professional playoffs I will be very excited to play in this type of series. It’s one of the reasons why I came to Gotha, which is to play in the playoffs and get the opportunity to play games like these.

Were you surprised by so many upsets in the NCAA March Madness? Is there more parity with NCAA schools than possibly in the past?

 It’s March Madness, I’m never surprised. I don’t think anything in sports lives up to the hype on a consistent basis as much as March Madness does. Just goes to show people how many great players are out in the world, small colleges or not.

Which two teams out of Villanova, Oklahoma, Syracuse and North Carolina will reach the NCAA final and who will win it?

I’m hoping for a Oklahoma Vs North Carolina championship. With Buddy Hield and Oklahoma going out on top.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio.

Thanks Jordan for the chat.

 

Julian Scott is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that is playing his second professional season and first with the Uni Riesen Leipzig. Last season he played for TSV Quakenbrueck (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 16 games averaging 29.7ppg. He started his basketball career at Yuba junior college and then played two years at S.Utah (NCAA). He finished at Adams St. (NCAA2) playing 27 games: 10.8ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 70.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after the tough 91-86 loss against Iserlohn ending his season.

 

 

 

Thanks Julian for talking to German Hoops. A tough 91-86 loss in game two to Iserlohn that abruptly ended the solid season of the UNI Riesen Leipzig. If someone had told you on February sixth in Lich that you would win no more games what would you have thought?

I believe we will win every game we play so would of told you they were crazy.

In game one the UNI Riesen Leipzig scored a strong 80 points which was a bit above the team average and 86 points in game two, but averaged giving up 92 points on defense in the two games. Why couldn´t the team make adjustments from the first game on the defensive end?

We were there as we are in most of our games but couldn’t seal the deal. We made plenty of adjustments.

The UNI Riesen Leipuig made a huge comeback in the fourth quarter, but just fell a little short. What was key for Iserlohn being able to keep their nose ahead in the final minutes?

Respect to Iserlohn they have a deep roster and very well coached so they made plays when it needed to be done.

I hate to bring this topic up, but how key was the bench in this series for Iserlohn moving on?

They have an 11 man rotation so it makes it tough playing against that many fresh bodies at full speed a whole game. So their bench is just as good as the first they don’t lose a beat.

The UNI Riesen Leipzig lost their last seven games of the season. Did the UNI Riesen Leipzig run out of gas in the stretch run and get mentally tired?

I am not really big on excuses so I’ll just say we gave it all we had and it just didn’t go our way.

The team played some superb basketball this season including a 9 game winning streak. What were the main positives that the team took out of this season?

The goal was to make playoffs and to stay in the league. It was a bitter loss but in the end we did our job. That’s the positive thing we fought hard though and I am proud of my team.

How satisfying was it being able to play with such an amazing player and character like Sascha Leutlof? What will you remember most about him?

Big Sascha has been a player coach for this team and it wouldn’t have been possible to have made the playoffs without him. He has mentored me all season and I’ve been able to pick up and understand a lot of it.

What was your personal season highlight this season?

Personal highlight this season would be the game against Nordlingen that we won in triple overtime. Everybody left it out on the floor and it was one of the funniest games I’ve ever played.

You played a very strong second season in Germany after having played in the Regionaliga with TSV Quackenbruck. You averaged double double stats in points and rebounds. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your season?

Personally the goal is to win games. I can’t really rate a season by number we fought hard that’s all I care about.

How did Tuna Isler help you develop your game further this season as a second year man?

Tuna Isler biggest focus was to help me with my passing and finding open shooters in order to get them going in the game as well as my spacing in some regard and I have improved on that. Want to thank him for the opportunity to play for this organization

There have been players that have gradually moved up from league to league. How excited are you to be testing the market this summer or could you remain in Leipzig for another season? There was some good chemistry between you and Brandon Shingels.

We will see I will speak with the managers of the Leipzig organization if they are interested in having me back and go from there. I am excited definitely my goal is to move up and play BBL so I’ll keep working to make sure that happens. Me and Brandon are great on and off the court. He is definitely a true point guard/ forward only guard I know who loves to get in the paint and grab rebounds and I enjoyed battling with him this season.

 

Who was the toughest player that you battled this season at the forward position?

Honestly the toughest forward for me to guard all season was my teammate Sascha Leutloff. He is one of the craftiest forwards I’ve ever played against all season.

 

What two teams in the Pro B do you see reaching the Pro B final?

Iserlohn looks like they are clicking pretty well so I’d say them and maybe Ehingen.

Which two teams will reach the NCAA final?

I think the best game will end up being Oregon and Kansas

What was the last movie that you saw?

Glory road.

Thanks Julian for the chat.

 

Brandon Shingles is a 28 year old 190cm guard from Albany, Georgia playing his third season in Germany and first with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career at Morehead St. (NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games: 4.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.8apg, 1.5spg. In 2010 he started his professional basketball career at  Aschersleben Tigers BC (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing  15 games: 14.5ppg. He led the team to the Regionaliga 2 title. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Guildford Heat (United Kingdom-BBL) playing  6 games: 7.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 31.3%; left in Nov.’11, then moved to BBC Febro Eagles Magdeburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing  7 games: 16.1ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 63.0%. He then played for KB Drita Gjilan (Kosovo-SuperLeague) and two years ago for GBP Badajoz (Spain-EBA) playing 15 games: 15.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.6apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 6.3%, FT: 57.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after the tough 91-86  loss against Iserlohn ending his season.

 

 

Thanks Brandon for talking to German Hoops. A tough  91-86 loss in game two to Iserlohn that abruptly ended the solid season of the UNI Riesen Leipzig. If someone had told you on Februry sixth in Lich that you would win no more games what would you have thought?

Thanks for the interview Miles. If someone said this I would have thought this was a joke but we let a few games slip this season.

In game one the UNI Riesen Leipzig scored a strong 80 points which was a bit above the team average and 86 points in game two, but averaged giving up 92 points on defense in the two games. Why couldn´t the team make adjustments from the first game on the defensive end?

We don’t have a deep roster so it’s hard to maintain good defense for 40 minutes without any mistakes especially on the defensive side .

The UNI Riesen Leipuig made a huge comeback in the fourth quarter, but just fell a little short. What was key for Iserlohn being able to keep their nose ahead in the final minutes?

 I think they stayed true to their game plan even through adversity during the game. Kudos to them.

I hate to bring this topic up, but how key was the bench in this series for Iserlohn moving on?

 I think that’s the reason they won the series. Their bench is the most important key to their team. They have like a 11 man rotation which you think is important in the playoffs.

The UNI Riesen Leipzig lost their last seven games of the season. Did the UNI Riesen Leipzig run out of gas in the stretch run and get mentally tired?

This season was a grind. Physically and mentally. All the odds were stacked against us the whole year and we made the playoffs so I’m proud of my team .

The team played some superb basketball this season including a 9 game winning streak. What were the main positives that the team took out of this season?

The positive I take from this season is that when were locked in we could play with any team in this league.

How satisfying was it being able to play with such an amazing player and character like Sascha Leutlof? What will you remember most about him?

I was very blessed to have a teammate like Sascha. He makes the game so easy. What I will remember the most is his calm demeanor no matter what the score is. A true professional …

What was your personal season highlight this season?

The home game against Nördlingen was probably my personal highlight of the season . We were down 20 and came back and won the game. I’m sure the fans would say the same.

You played a very strong season in Germany after having played in England, Kosovo and Spain. How happy were you with your season?

 I think I did pretty good for a guy that’s didn’t play for a last season and was about to retire. This season was “the get back” for me.  I’m just blessed to have had this opportunity to play back in Germany.

How did Tuna Isler help you develop your game further this season?

Coach Isler is a very good coach. He challenged us all every day. I think that playing for him made me a better leader. I am very thankful for him giving me a opportunity to play for him this season.

What are the chances that you could remain with the UNI Riesen Leipzig? There was some good chemistry between you and Julian Scott?

I enjoyed playing with Julian. .I admire the way he went to war every night. I wouldn’t mind coming back here to do it all over again. Next time for a deep playoff run

Who was the toughest player that you battled this season at the guard position?

 Devon Moore and Randall Holt. I played both guys in college. They have both makes their teams better and bring it every night.

What two teams in the Pro B do you see reaching the Pro B final?

 I really don’t know the playoff tree like that but I truly think it will be a Pro B south final.

Which two teams will reach the NCAA final?

 Well I was hoping Mich. State was going to win because I’m a big Tom Izzo fan but now that it´s not possible I’m rooting for Oklahoma. I really like Buddy Hield. My opinion he is the National Player Of The Year .

What was the last movie that you saw?

Deadpool.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

 

Matt Hunter is a 25 year old 196cm forward from Detroit, Michigan that will be playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Rostock. Last season he played briefly in Canada with the Moncton Miracles as a rookie. He started his basketball career in 2010 with Odessa JC (NJCAA) where he played until 2012. He then moved to Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) where he played two more years. As a senior he played 10 games: 9.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.8spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 57.1%. As a junior he played 30 games: 15.7ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.6apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 73.7%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 91-88 win against Dresden in game one.

 

Matt congrats on the huge 91-88 victory against the Dresden Titans winning game one of the Pro B playoffs. How did it feel playing your first professional playoff game?

Thanks. It was amazing. Was a good game

The Rostock Wolves had two weeks to prepare for game one. How was this preparation period different than for a normal Pro B north opponent this season?

The difference was we had more time to prepare for the team.

You have logged 31 minutes per game this season and 36 minutes in the last regular season game against Schwelm. How important were those two weeks off to refuel your body?

It important that I could get a little rest to get ready to play.

Lets talk about game one. After a solid first quarter, Rostock gave up an unbelievable 30 points in the second quarter. What was key for Dresden getting the big halftime lead?

They just started playing their game. Got a lot of easy run outs.

How key was the 6-0 run at the end of the third quarter which sparked Rostock to retake the lead in the fourth quarter again and the surge that Daniel Lopez gave the club which the team took to the buzzer to get the win?

That last run was important because it gave us momentum going in to the fourth. Daniel stepped up big for us

If one looks at the stat sheet, one notices that Rostock shot very poorly from outside and got outrebounded, but was it the free throw shooting that was big in Rostock getting the win?

Free-throws are always a big part of winning but we still shot a good percentage.

You had a monster game with 36 points. Does the playoffs ignite a total different person in you to feel the need to have to step it up?

It’s no different from what I have been doing all season.

For game two Rostock will travel to Dresden. What will be key for sweeping the series. How big a roll will the bench play and containing point guard Randall Holt who was dearly missed by Dresden in game one?

Just going out and playing our game. We know it starts on defense and everything else will come

You closed out the regular season against Schwelm with 35 points and had 36 against Dresden. Do you feel like you are peaking at the right time of the season?

Yes because this is the most important part of the season it’s win or go home.

In the last two games you have gotten to the free throw line a combined 26 times. Do you believe that your aggressiveness has risen in this time, or is it just within the flow of the game and what the defense has been giving you?

I really just take what the defense give me. But being aggressive also helps that.

How vital has your leadership been in your first full professional season with the Rostock Wolves?

I just go out and play my hardest to try to get us going.

Were you surprised by all the upsets in the first round of the NCAA tournament? Do you believe that there is more parity in the NCAA this season among schools?

No it’s been going like that for the past few years.

What sleeper from the early round winners do you think will go far?

I really don’t know.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Kung Fu Panda 3.

 

Thanks Matt for the chat.

Andrew Jones is a 32 year old 191cm shooting guard that has been a professional basketball player since 2007 and has returned back to the Dresden Titans this season. He played at Miles(NCAA2) and has played in Germany for most of his professional career with four seasons with the Dresden Titans and three seasons with the BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga). He also gained experience playing with teams like Marietta Storm (SEBL), BC Celtics (SEBL), C.B. Aridane (Spain-EBA) and Universidad Tecnologica Equinoc. Quito (Ecuador-National League). Last season he played for BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 19,9ppg, 6,5rpg and 3,9apg. He spoke to German Hoops after the tough 91-88 loss against Rostock in game one.

 

 

Andrew a tough 91-88 loss against the Rostock Wolves in game one of the Pro B playoffs. How did it feel playing in this playoff game? When you look back on your career, how much experience have you had in these type of situations?

Yes it was a tough loss. We gave it up in the last quarter. However, the atmosphere in Rostock was amazing. The whole gym was packed! I’ve been in many playoff and big games in my career. It’s good to know that we have another opportunity to turn things around.

The Dresden Titans had two weeks to prepare for game one. How was this preparation period different than for a normal Pro B south opponent this season? Rostock was the first time you had ever played against them?

We prepared for them the same way we prepare for the other teams, but with an extra week. We actually played against them in preseason, so we knew they have a good team.

You have logged 23 minutes per game this season. How important were those two weeks off to refuel your body?

It was great! Recovery time is very important especially heading into the playoffs.

Lets talk about game one. After a solid first quarter, Rostock gave up an unbelievable 30 points in the second quarter. What was key for Dresden getting the big halftime lead?

We kept running after their offense. We want to continue to attack them as much as possible.

How key was the 6-0 run at the end of the third quarter which sparked Rostock to retake the lead in the fourth quarter again and the surge that Daniel Lopez gave the club which the team took to the buzzer to get the win?

That run going into the fourth quarter was big for them. The crowd got involved and Rostock had more confidence in the 4th quarter.

If one looks at the stat sheet, one notices that Rostock shot very poorly from outside and got outrebounded, but it seemed to be the free throw shooting that was big in Rostock getting the win. Was fouling something that will have to be revaluated in game two preparation?

We had three guys foul out the game and a few more close to fouling out as well. Even with the fouls we controlled the game until the end. We will be more disciplined on defense for these next games.

Dresden played without Randall Holt. How proud were you off the performance by German Philipp Lieser who came in and did a good job running the offense? All in all the Dresden Titans did a supper job as a team compensating the loss of Randall Holt. Do you expect him back for game two?

Phillip did a good job! He found open guys all over the floor and attacked constantly. Yes we will have him back for game two.

You had 11 points, but did a good job filling up the stat sheet and was a vital part on defense with four steals and two blocks. Was your mind filled with thoughts on the long drive home that Dresden probably would have won had you made two more shots?

Yes that was on my mind the whole time. We controlled that game and for us lose it at the end was tough.

You took 16 shots in the game second to the 18 by Daniel Krause. This was the most shots that you had taken since the loss to BG Karlsruhe. Were you happy with your overall aggressiveness and shot selection?

Yes I was happy with the shots I took. I will make more of an effort to attack more. But, overall I felt confident with every shot I took.

With a do or die game in Dresden next weekend, what will be your personal mentality going into the game? Obviously to win the game, but how confident are you that you will step it up a notch even more in the scoring department while doing all the other important things on the court?

This could be the last game of the season if we lose. Everything has to be left out there on the floor. I’m excited to play and ready to get this win on Sunday.

For game two Rostock will travel to Dresden. What will be key for tying the series. How big a role will the bench play and limiting the team fouls?

Everyone on this team understands what is at stake. We can’t afford any mental breakdowns.

Were you surprised by all the upsets in the first round of the NCAA tournament? Do you believe that there is more parity in the NCAA this season among schools?

I think the biggest upset was Michigan St. That was probably everyone’s pick to win except Middle Tennessee fans.

What sleeper from the early round winners do you think will go far?

Texas A&M looks like a sleeper who could make a run. They are looking confident especially after the last game against Northern Iowa.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Kung Fu Panda.

 

Thanks Andrew for the chat.

 

Daniel Berger is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Medford, Oregon playing his rookie season with Team Ehingen Urspring (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career with Chemeketa community college an dthen moved to Utah State(NCAA) where he played 59 NCAA games from 2011-2014. As a senior he played with BYU-Hawaii (NCAA2) playing  20 games: 14.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 79.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 80-69 win against Itzehoe

 

 

Daniel congrats on the big 80-69 in game one against Itzehoe. How excited were you to be playing in your first playoff professional game? How was the preparation different the last two weeks for a Pro B north team then it was for the usual Pro B south teams that you had seen all season long?

Thank you Miles. I was very excited and thankful for the first playoff game. Our preparation was a little different because we had 2 weeks before the game. We were able to work on some areas that we needed to improve as a team as well as watch film and prepare for Itzehoe. We felt ready to go for anything that came our way.

Despite losing the last game of the season against first placed team BG Karlsruhe 77-74, did this loss give the team added self confidence going into the playoffs?

We know we can play with any team in our league if we are prepared mentally and play hard. The Karlsruhe game was good preparation playing against a high level team with solid individual players.

Ehingen played good basketball for 30 minutes winning the first three quarters and led 71-59, but then gave up a 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Was that the typical situation when a team is up big, they lose focus? Ehingen was able to keep their composure and close out the game after the 11-0 Itzehoe run. What do you feel was key in the last seven minutes for closing the door permanently on the opponent?

 Sometimes its hard to play with a lead. We didn’t stay aggressive which we needed to do. In the last seven minutes we needed to make a couple of plays. We ended up doing that but the fourth quarter is something we will look at and try to learn from. Watching Texas A&M send the game to overtime when they were down to UNI by 12 with under a minute makes you realize that no lead is safe when its March.

Devon Moore had 14 of the team 32 assists. How much credit does the American point guard get for keeping the Ehingen offense consistent all night long?

 I love playing with Devon. He’s very unselfish and just wants to make the right play. Whether its to pass or shoot, whatever is best for the team he will do. He deserves a lot of credit and us other guys need to be ready to catch the ball at all times when he’s on the court.

On the defensive end, you held Itzehoe under their season game average. Ehingen matches up pretty well against them under the basket as well. What do you believe was the biggest strength of the team on the defensive end?

 We were just trying to not make it easy for them. We tried making them take contested shots and for the most part did that. There is always going to be defensive mistakes but if you’re playing hard some of those mistakes can get covered up.

Ehingen can wrap the series in Itzehoe next weekend. On what things will the team need to tweak on this week to definitely come home next weekend with the sweep?

They are going to come out strong and aggressive so we need to be ready to match that. It comes down to our energy and focus. Not letting them get hot is key. We learned a few things they threw at us that we weren’t really expecting.

You really have picked up your game since the 96-90 win in Frankfurt. Have you felt the need to have to be more of a scorer or have you just let the game come to you more?

That game in Frankfurt was a confidence booster for me. I have just tried to be focused and aggressive since Christmas. Also I feel more comfortable overall and feel adjusted to the game here and just try to go out and play basketball like I know how.

You were more of a creator against Itzehoe with six assists. You have shown this season in other games that you can get 5-6 assists in a game. How important is the passing game for you personally as a 203cm forward?

Its important for me to get my teammates involved. If all 5 guys are working together than success will follow. As a taller wing player its easier to see over guys and get the ball where it needs to be.

You were the most effective Ehingen player in game one. How do you feel have you grown as a rookie in just being the best all around player that you can be?

 I have really tried to refine some parts of my game. I really don’t have any distractions being away from home which is tough at times, but allows me to really try and focus on basketball 100 percent. I try to learn something every game and then try and improve it.

Were you surprised by so many upsets in the NCAA March Madness? Is there more parity with NCAA schools than possibly in the past?

 Its the best tournament in any sport there is. I love March Madness. I think there is less of a gap between high major schools and mid major schools than people might assume. A lot of media hype goes into that, but there are some very good players at a lot of schools. Not just the big time schools.

What sleepers that are alive now do you see possibly making a run in the 2016 NCAA March Madness?

Id like to see Gonzaga go to the final four.

What was the last movie that you saw?

 Last movie I saw was Deadpool!

 

Thanks Daniel for the chat.