Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Brandon Shingles(Uni-Riesen Leipzig) I Felt Like I Had To Shake Off Some Rust In The First Half And I’m Ready To Keep Improving

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 at the Christmas break about basketball.

 

 

Thanks Brandon for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how have you been spending your holiday season in the last week?

Thanks for the interview Miles. I’m currently back in US spending time with my family before I head back after the new year.

With 2016 fast approaching what New Year resolutions do you have as Brandon the person and Brandon the professional basketball player?

My personal resolution is to build a better relationship with God. My basketball resolutions is to just “stay the course” and everything will work out at the end.

At the moment Leipzig is in third place in the German Pro B south with a record of 10-5. How much did the last two loses against Elchingen and Weissenhorn remain in your mind the last week?

To be honest when we played them they were the better team that night and they deserved to win.

The Uni Riesen Leipzig had been playing excellent basketball winning eight of nine games, but then lost their last two games before Christmas. What did the team get away with?

We came away with knowing what we are made of and knowing what it’s going take to win in this league .

In that positive 8 game stretch Leipzig was defending pretty well averaging giving up only 76 points per game, but 88 in the last two games. Defense is all about effort. Was the effort missing in the last two games?

You are right defense effort was missing. My opinion I felt that fatigue had a lot to do with it . Now the we had the Christmas break I think we will be ready and fresh for the 2nd half of the season.

Besides getting a rhythm on defense again how key will it be too shoot better as a team from outside?

I think it will come. We can’t think about it we just got to keep playing our game. We practice shooting 3’s everyday and hopefully it pays off in 2016

Your teammate Julian Scott has been a beast averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds a game. Is he your early season favorite as league MVP?

Julian has been playing his butt off. My personal opinion he is the early favorite but we got to continue to win to make that happen.

What has been the key for the consistency of Julian Scott in the first half of the season?

I think his inside play has been the key. I feel no one can stop him on the block. We are going need that down the stretch.

Your third in scoring, first in assists and third in rebounding on the team. Do you feel now with knowing the Pro B level better that you will heighten your game in the second half of the season?

With me not playing the last season I felt like I had to shake off some rust in the first half and I did and I’m ready to keep improving and getting back to my old self.

You are 0/14 from outside. How focused and motivated are you to improve in this area in the second half of the season. Do you question your mechanics or is it a question of just putting up more shots?

I knew this question was coming haha. To be honest I’m very motivated to change this stat. I feel my mechanics are better than before and it’s the fact of putting up more but doing that through our offense.

How proud have you been of young 19 year old German Jonas Niedermanner of his play and development?

Very proud of Jonas and his play. He helps this team in many ways. What I like the most he is a student of the game and wants to get better.

Do you see a guy like Steph Curry hitting 70 points this season?

Honestly I never thought he would be THIS good but he has proven me and I’m sure a lot of other people wrong. The way he scores the ball in sure 70 püints is no problem for him.

What was the last movie that you saw?

House Party.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

 

 

 

 

Jordan Callahan All Grown Up In His Third Professional Season Running The Crailsheim Merlins Offense

Despite breaking the all-time three point shooting record at Tulane, winning and having to prove himself hasn´t always been the easiest in his basketball career, but this season Jordan Callahan is all grown up and making the best of the challenge of running the offensive show for the Crailsheim Merlins in one of the top leagues in Europe Beko BBL. Callahan is a 25 year old 184cm guard from Marietta, Georgia that is still young enough to make a very lasting impression as a professional basketball player coming from the 59,000 city as it only has Cedric Henderson to boast of who played 8 NBA games for Milwaukee and Atlanta in 1986 and played 10 years as a professional. Callahan played at Tulane and had three consecutive losing seasons until his senior season where the team went 20-15, but overall only 56-70 in his four years there. His senior year wasn´t his statistical best as his second and third were better as he came close to beating the assist mark against Houston with 21 points and 12 assists, but he knows why his senior was most special. “Statistically it probably was my best game at Tulane. I still remember that game to this day! Tulane’s single game assist record was 13 at the time. I had two opportunities to break the record but unfortunately the ball just didn’t bounce right way. I’ll always remember. Personally I think my best game was my senior year when I broke the all time 3pt record. That’s just a moment I’ll never forget”, stressed Jordan Callahan. As a rookie in Poland in 2013-2014, he had to split time with two teams, but his stats were impressive for Kotwica Kolobrzeg (Poland-TBL, starting five): 16 games: Score-4(15.8ppg), 3.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 82.0%, in Feb.’14 moved to Anwil Wloclawek (Poland-TBL, starting five): 19 games: 14.9ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-5(4.2apg), Steals-5(1.7spg), FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 83.6%. Having the chance to play for two Polish teams helped him immensely. “I think I grew a lot. Getting adjusted to the European style of play was big. My first game I think I got called for five traveling violations. Something I think every American can attest to in their first year overseas. With that being said I had two good coaches who really allowed me to work on my game. I actually would tell people back home that I got better after that year. Two practices a day. One being intense skill development and the other being team drills and scrimmaging. How could I not get better”, added Jordan Callahan. Just when he wanted to build from that impressive rookie season, his second in Belgium with Port of Antwerp Giants (Belgium-Scooore League) was a season to forget as he had to depart in December having played only 8 games: 9.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 40.5%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 95.5%; EuroChallenge: 3 games: 10.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 4.3apg. He had three very good scoring games where he combined for 59 points with current Bremerhaven guard Kyle Fogg, but then five not so good scoring games where he combined for 17 points. “I’m not sure what they wanted from me. Let’s just say it wasn’t a great fit for me and my game. Nothing against Antwerp. They run a very professional organization and I appreciate the opportunity they gave me”, said Jordan Callahan.

(more…)

Luke Loucks (Hebeisen White Wings) I Want To Be As Efficient As Possible Every Time I’m On The Court

Luke Loucks is a 25 year old 196cm guard from Clearwater, Florida playing 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 about basketball.

Luke thanks for talking to German Hoops Congrats about signing with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. What do you know about the country Germany and its basketball?

I have followed German basketball for a very long time. When I was 16 I came over with my high school to play in a tournament in Tübingen for 10 days and I had a great time. I have also had many friends and former teammates play in Germany so I have always kept tabs on the league. I am very excited to be here.

You joined a very ambitious team that is playing its first season in the competitive pro A. Do you feel a lot of pressure of leading this club since you have a lot of experience and are a point guard?

I enjoy being in a situation where the coaches and the management are as ambitious as the players. The White Wings as an organization have very high goals for the coming years and I believe that our team this season will help take the next step toward those goals. I’ve played in a lot of leagues and different levels, so I am looking forward to embracing my role as a veteran on this young team.

(more…)

The Only Firemann The Mitteldeutscher BC Hope For On The Court Is Marcus Hatten

If one were to be really bored and one had lost internet connection, lost the key to the library to snatch a nice classic book about World War 2, or suffered a broken X-box, then one could still go back to what people did in the olden days for a sort of entertainment and passing the time without totally going crazy and just comparing things and see how much time could actually pass. For instance when taking two normal places in Germany Goettingen and Weissenfels, there wouldn´t be too many similarities as Goettingen already is classified as a medium city in size as it has 117,000 inhabitants and is known for being a university place lying on the river Leine while Weissenfels is a tiny spec on the map having nearly 40,000 inhabitants, but when one has zipped through the main street in about 20 seconds, it feels more like half as many people could really be living there. However it does have some similarities as in non-basketball terms, both have Mcdonalds which has always pleased American basketball players and in basketball terms it has two things in common when talking basketball and the first is that both teams have won international titles with the Mitteldeutscher BC in Weissenfels the Fiba cup in 2004 and BG Goettingen the Eurochallenge in 2010. The other affinity that both clubs have is when the going gets tough, don´t fire the head coach, but bring in a fireman for the sidelines, but instead bring in a fireman on the court which both did recently with ex NBA player Khalid El Amin in Goettingen and basketball globetrotter Marcus Hatten. Both teams in a way are hoping that both Americans can save their season. Another alikeness is that Hatten started the season with BG Goettingen. It has been a very difficult season for MBC as they have a budget in the lower half of the league teams and have to always rely on putting together the best possible for the money available while praying for a stable team chemistry early to help carry the team through the season, but that hasn´t happened this season. Hatten is a 35 year old 185cm point guard from Baltimore that is playing his 13th professional season and second with the Mitteldeutscher BC. Hatten is the classic basketball globetrotter as he has played in 10 countries professionally and it would have been more if he hadn´t played three seasons a piece in Greece and Italy. It would be interesting to see if he could rattle off all the countries he has played in with the United States, Poland, Spain, Israel, Venezuela, Greece, Italy, Belgium,Romania and Germany, the way Matt Damon did his fictitious 12 brothers as Marky, Ricky, Danny, Terry, Mikey, Davey, Timmy, Tommy, Joey, Robby, Johnny and Brian in the Academy Award winning movie Good Will Hunting. Damon portrayed an unrecognized genius in the movie, while Hattten would settle for being a genius some of the time on the court. Since Hatten arrived the club has gone 2-5 and won their first game with him with 97-76 against Crailsheim who can always be an annoying opponent. The team also beat total underachieving Bremerhaven 88-84. They are definitely playing better basketball with Hatten on board as they lost tight affairs to Tuebingen and Braunschweig by 7 and in Giessen 74-69. Hatten has scored in double figures in each game except the last against Alba Berlin where he mustered 6 points and has given the team that extra experience and stability on both ends of the court that it was lacking. Currently Hatten is averaging 12,0ppg, 3,9rpg, 4,4apg and 1,6spg as he is still a pest on defense despite his 35 years of age. The Mitteldeutscher BC remembered what he did in the 2013-2014 season as he played 25 games averaging 13.6ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-5(5.0apg), Steals-2(2.2spg), FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 84.3%. He was a big reason why the team just missed the playoffs finishing in 9th place. Mitteldeutscher BC manager Martin Geissler won´t be expecting a playoff appearance this season, but just be happy with seeing another Beko BBL season next year.

(more…)

Pit Bull Little Wins Round One Against Bully Boone as Jordan Theodore Paces The Fraport Skyliners Past The MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 83-78

Even if the basketball life of professional players can be a “I am here today, but 1000 miles away tomorrow living and experiencing a new style of play and culture, basketball friendships tend to be built very easily and continue as time goes by as distance can a big factor in keeping them alive. With today´s technology group chat is something that many players live by as Shawn James who had his best years with Macabbi Tel Aviv, but even now after a stay in Spain with Bilbao and now with Euroleague power house Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1) still maintains contact with his ex Macabbi players Devin Smith, Tyrese Rice and Ricky Hickman via that route. The most common way to develop a basketball friendship is by having a guy around daily not for just one season, but for many as current Fraport Skyliners Junior Marius Nolte and current Gotha(Pro A) assistant coach Steven Esterkamp had seeing the highs and lows of professional basketball from 2004-2009 with Paderborn as they moved up to the Beko BBL together in 2006 winning 50 games in a row and forcing Alba Berlin to a 5 game playoff series in 2009. Since then if you ask Nolte about Esterkamp, he would say that the Ohio native is one of his best friends as going on vacation with their respective families each summer is nothing uncommon. However the most unique friendship are those that continue to live on year by year as players continue to grow and move on from team to team with that same person. Fraport Skyliner guard John Little and Jason Boone share a very special friendship in that one could easily call them brothers. Boone and Little played together at BG Goettingen from 2008-2011 experiencing their best time there reaching the playoffs each season finishing 2009 and 2010 in second and third place as the club´s 40 minutes of hell on the court gave the BBL a new dimension, winning the Eurochallenge in 2010 and were on the same court playing against Allen Iverson in a Eurocup game in 2011 as he played for Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul (Turkey-TBL). They then moved to the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg where they played together from 2011-2014 where they reached one playoff in 2012 kicking out Alba Berlin, but also having woes in their last season as the club finished in 17th place and moved to the Pro A. Of course along the way their head coach and mentor John Patrick played a role in their staying together. Last season Little played in Ludwigsburg and Boone had his first experience outside Germany with Torku Konyaspor (Turkey-TBL). This season Boone moved to Ludwigsburg to be reunited with Patrick, but at times it seems like Boone is a part of the Fraport Skyliners as he is seen as often as possible at games supporting his good friend Little making the 2 hour car drive as a sort of sixth man and good luck charm when he is free. Even last season he came from Turkey and supported Little at games as they beat Alba Berlin. Now for the first time in their career, they faced off as opponents as Boone who forms the Bully brothers in Ludwigsburg with Jon Brockman met the pit bull Little which charachterizes his aggressive defense as both teams fought until the end, but the Fraport Skyliners were able to grind out the win 83-78 as they executed in the last minute on offense and Ludwigsburg didn´t. One could of found countless adjectives to describe the game and ex Seton Hall guard Jordan Theodore had no problem either finding the right words. “This was a tough, gritty, hard fought, down and out dirty game, with both wanting to win where both teams fought to the buzzer. A few days ago in Bayreuth we played cocky as if we had won a title or something where we let them dictate the game. Today we dictated the game and were able to pull it out at the end”, stressed Engelwood, New Jersey native Jordan Theodore. 2010 Eurochallenge winner Jason Boone was happy to play against his friend, but disappointed with the result. “This wasn´t the most entertaining game to watch. A game can become ugly when two teams like to grind out the way we do. They grinded a bit harder than we did. I always try to go into the game with the same mentality. If you get too motivated it can be a disadvantage. Little is a real fighter and gets his team to fight harder. He never backs down against anyone”, stressed ex BG Goettingen center Jason Boone. Little lost two teeth, but it was worth it getting the win against his friend. “It was crazy playing the first time against him. He is one of my best friends and we are always rooting for each other. It wasn´t the best day for either as we were both in foul trouble. There will be a next battle in Ludwigsburg”, smiled Illinois native John Little. “We rebounded very well and got every loose ball which was the difference. We outworked Ludwigsburg which we didn´t do in Bayreuth”, said Aaron Doornekamp.

(more…)

Jason Boone (MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg) I’ve Never Enjoyed Playing With Someone As Much As I’ve Enjoyed Playing With John Little

Jason Boone is a 30 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York that is playing his ninth professional season and eighth in Germany and first with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. He played three seasons with the s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg and three seasons for BG Goettingen. He played at New York University(NCAA 3) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 28 games averaging 14.1ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.4bpg, 2.9apg, FG: 63.0%, FT: 64.3%. In 2007-2008, he turned professional and played played at Bernau(Regionalliga) before making the jump up three leagues to MEG Goettingen. In 2008-2009, he averaged 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg, FG: 53.7. In 2009-2010, he won the Eurochallenge for BG Goettingen playing EuroChallenge: 16 games: 10.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 53.8%; German League: 35 games: 9.1ppg, 6.1rpg, FGP: 60.3%, FT: 55.9%. Last season he split time with Torku Konyaspor (Turkey-TBL): 14 games: 6.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 2FGP: 60.7%, FT: 46.2%, in Mar.’15 moved to SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProA) playing 12 games: 9.7ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 63.6%, FT: 51.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball before the game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Jason thanks for talking to German Hoops. Merry Christmas 2015. After having spent Christmas in Germany now at least 8 times, have you been celebrating it once at night the German way, twice, the German and American way or just the American way in Germany waking up in the mornings and opening up the presents?

Merry Xmas to you as well. I’ve been fortunate enough to become really close with a number of families in Germany. And because of that, I’ve only celebrated Christmas the way that they do. If we’re being honest though, I like it better.

After being in Germany for so many years, what have you been able to appreciate most about the German Christmas in Germany?

I love the Christmas Market and the way it brings a city together. But I appreciate how the German Christmas doesn’t feel as commercialized. They focus more on the important things that Christmas represents.

(more…)

Alex Foster (RheinStars) It’s Never As Good As It Seems And It’s Never As Bad As It Seems Mindset Gets Me Through My Struggles And Will Keep Me Grounded As I Find Success

Alex Foster is a 23 year old 203cm forward that grew up in Portland, Oregon and also has the German citizenship and is playing his professional rookie season in Germany with the RheinStars(Germany-ProA). He played at Emory (NCAA3) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 108 NCAA3 games and as a senior played 20.1ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 79.8%. He was able to improve his scoring and rebounding average each season. He spoke to German Hoops after the RheinStars 84-83 victory against Rhondorf

Alex congrats on the 84-83 win against Rhondorf. Do you think that there will be another Christmas gift that will top this Christmas gift game winning shot?

Well my parents and little sister are visiting from the US and we’re all driving down to Stuttgart to celebrate Christmas with my mom’s family. So us all being together as a family is the best gift I could ask for, but the feeling of winning is pretty great too.

It was a wild game as the RheinStars had the comfortable lead at halftime, but Rhondorf never gave up coming back in the fourth down 9 points and taking the lead. Why wasn´t the team able to close the door earlier on them?

They deserve credit for fighting their way back into the game. I thought they were able to make us uncomfortable by switching defense and then they were making lots of plays on offense. We were out of sorts and they took advantage.

(more…)

Jeff Xavier (medi Bayreuth) We Can Play With The Best Teams In The League When We Play Hard On Defense For 40 Minutes

Jeff Xavier is a 29 year old 189cm point guard from Pawtucket, Rhode Island that is playing his seventh professional season and first in Germany with medi Bayreuth after playing his first six years as a professional in Spain. He started his basketball career at Manhattan (NCAA) in 2004 where he played until 2006 playing a total of 60 NCAA games. He then moved to Providence (NCAA) in 2007 where he played his last two seasons of college ball playing a total of 64 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 9.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 35.6%, 3Pts: 29.1%, FT: 80.0%. In 2009 he started his professional basketball career with Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 38 games and averaging 12.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 76.8%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Caceres 2016 C.B. (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 38 games averaging 9.7ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.4apg, Steals-5(1.6spg), FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 69.6%. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Faymasa Palencia Baloncesto (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 32 games averaging 13.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.3apg, Steals-3(2.0spg), FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 76.7%. He played the last three seasons for Autocid Ford Burgos where he was twice LEB Gold champion. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 82-69 home win against the Fraport Skyliners.

Congrats on the big 82-69 win against the Fraport Skyliners. Do you think that you could be getting an even better Christmas present on the 25th than getting this win against Frankfurt?

Thank you very much. It was a huge game for us and for our fans and I am glad we could give our fans a great game to watch and a present from to them.

After having lost the last three games in a row and giving respect to the wins against Giessen and Bonn, is this win against Frankfurt which was recently the hottest team in the league the biggest win of the season?

I think it for sure was the biggest win for us so far this year. We showed that we can play with the best teams in the league when we play hard on defense for 40 minutes. We need to be consistently hardnosed on defense.

(more…)

Rocky Trice Isn´t Slowing Down With Age Giving The MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg That Game Changer On Offense And Defense

For the most hardcore BG Goettingen fan having Khalid El Amin back on the roster must have been an early Christmas gift for their temporary dismal season, but one thing will never change for them is being able to see ex players and coaches back in the Beko BBL. Especially in Ludwigsburg, it must be a treat being able to see guys like John Patrick, Jason Boone and Chris Mcnaughton strutting their skills all over the court weekend after weekend, but this season another ex player has joined an already very full ex BG Goettingen reunion with Roderick Trice that one could shyly ask where is Chris Oliver. Well Oliver hasn´t belonged to those guys that has stayed faithful to the Beko BBL or his old BG Goettingen teammates as he has been mainly in countries like France and this season is balling in Japan. Roderick or as he is called Rocky Trice is a 31 year old 185 cm shooting guard who may be 31 years old, but doesn´t have to be afraid to be called an old head by the 10 year younger players since the club is stacked with many veteran players with 31 year old point guard Mustafer Shakur, 33 year old Chris Mcnaughton and Adam Waleskowski, 31 year old Shawn Huff and 30 year old Jason Boone. Trice who hails from Swainsboro, Georgia feels right at home with all the other experienced players around him which is a big factor for the team success. This is the ninth professional season for the American and after turning his back on the Beko BBL the last three years and playing in Poland, returns back to an even more competitive and fast growing league and isn´t slowing down with age. After winning the NIT tournament with South Carolina(NCAA) in 2005 and 2006, the American is still searching for his first professional title. He has been a bit unlucky as he left BG Goettingen in 2009 a year before Patrick and co won the Eurochallenge moving to Ulm and left in 2012 right as that club was developing and moved to Poland where he was an allstar in 2014 and reached the Super Cup final in 2015 with WKS Slask Wroclaw (Poland-TBL). Now Trice is back in the Beko BBL and as hungry as ever a she has joined an ever developing Ludwigsburg team under John Patrick and this could be the season where Ludwigsburg win a title with their best chances in the cup where it takes only 2 wins on a weekend where everything has to be clicking. This season Trice is on a very talented Ludwigsburg roster with 12 guys that can lead the team in scoring, but the American who grew up idolizing Penny Hardaway is holding his own and has been a consistent supporter this season scoring in double figures six times in the Beko BBL and five times in Eurocup. He was a big factor in the two Eurocup wins against Alba Berlin and Enei Brindisi netting 16 points in each game. He is fourth in scoring, second in rebounds and first in assists and steals in the Beko BBL. Especially his defense continues to be his bread and butter. He led the German Pro A in steals with Cuxhaven as a rookie in 2008 and then led the Beko BBL in steals with BG Goettingen and ratiopharm Ulm in 2009 and 2010. Everything is clicking for Ludwigsburg at the moment and on Sunday it will be the battle of Rockey Vs Tez to see who digested their Christmas dinner best, but don´t tell Tez that he will be Mr T in this classic showdown in Frankfurt.

(more…)

Ken Horton (medi Bayreuth) We Have To Go To Bamberg And Play Our Hearts Out And If We Don’t Then They’ll Roll Over Us

Ken Horton is a 25 year old 199cm forward from Ossining, New York that is playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with medi Bayreuth which will be his sixth team. Last season he tore up the league in Finland playing for Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) winning the league title and playing 55 games: 16.2ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 86.8%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 17.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 76.3%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 87.5%. He started his basketball career with Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) in 2007 and as a senior played 28 games averaging 19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.7apg, 2.1spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2012 with SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProB): 16 games: 12.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 62.5%, 3FGP: 25.8%, FT: 75.9%, in Mar.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A): 2 games: 12.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg. IN the 2013-2014 season he played for teams Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP)playing 16 games: and averaging 17.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 59.1%, 3FGP: 24.1%, FT: 87.0% and Ballarat Miners (Australia-SEABL) playingb 18 games averaging 19.6ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, Blocks-2(9.7bpg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 39.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Bavarian derby against the Brose Baskets Bamberg

Congrats on the big 82-69 win against the Fraport Skyliners. Do you think that you could be getting an even better Christmas present on the 25th than getting this win against Frankfurt?

As a team, it is definitely a good way to go in to the holiday. It was a big win and much needed for the medi organization.

After having lost the last three games in a row and giving respect to the wins against Giessen and Bonn, is this win against Frankfurt which was recently the hottest team in the league the biggest win of the season?

Every win is a big in for us. Now we just have to work on being consistent as a team and getting win after win.

(more…)