Back in the 2009-2010 season, it was a tough first season for Beko BBL team Phoenix Hagen as they were barely able to stay in the league as they were treading water near the end and were almost smothered by a big ship. Near the end of the season in Frankfurt, it was ex Brose Baskets Bamberg guard and current Colgate(NCAA) assistant coach Michael Hakim Jordan who was injured and was watching the horror show against the Skyliners from the bench and tried to talk some sense into his team during halftime in the locker room as Ingo Freyer and Steven Wriedt were studying the stat sheet outside. Jordan gave an accurate description of his team as the door mat of the league which became a famous scene in the documentary Phoenix in der Asche. If there was a Jordan type speech at half time in any of the last Hanau games was unknown, but one thing was sure two of the door mats of the German Pro A Hanau and Rhondorf met as both teams were 0-5 and were desperately searching for that first win. The biggest problem that both teams shared had been the inability to put up a decent number of points each game while giving up an average of 80 plus points. The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau have had massive injury problems that hampered their pre-season and had put a healthy team chemistry on hold while Rhondorf have talented players, but that experience factor with the imports is missing. Both teams entered the game on a mission with a lot to prove and many questions marks and only one team stood at the top of the mountain after 40 minutes as the Hebeisen White Wings finally won their first game of the season 87-62 putting up an annoying and unstoppable 36 point fourth quarter that totally smothered the Dragons Rhondorf who had led mostly for three quarters, but just caved in the fourth quarter. It was a total team effort, but it was especially the two Americans Miles Jackson-Cartwright and Kruize Pinkens that combined for 45 points to lead the charge while Rhondorf´s two Americans Sterling Carter and Antoine Davis combined for 38 points, but got little support from the rest of the team on a consistent level. After the win Hanau head coach Simon Cote came out of the dressing room relived after finally winning the first game of the season as if a big 1000 pound elephant had been removed from his back. “I am really happy about this win. The team has been working hard all season long in practice. We hadn´t been playing good enough long enough until today. We didn´t start well, but we showed fortitude and stayed together. We haven´t been shooting well from outside all season long, but we have good shooters. We were 0/12 from outside, but I kept saying keep shooting if your open and then shots started to fall”, stressed head coach Simon Cote. Washington native Sterling Carter who sat out last season to support his daughter and worked three jobs finally is able to play the game he loves for a living and one could sense on his sad face that every added loss is hurting him more and more, because he simply cherishes every game he plays and losing just hurts extra much for him. “Both teams played hard in the first three quarters. We were in the same position and we were confident that we would win. However they found confidence in the fourth, got loose balls, worked harder and just wanted it more!, added ex Purdue guard Sterling Carter. “This win just feels very good. We had a very good week of practice and prepared well. We felt that we hadn´t played our best yet and the focus and hunger was just there tonight”, stressed California native Miles Jackson-Cartwright.

In the first two minutes of the first quarter Simon Cote might have been thinking “oh no here we go again” as the Hebeisen White Wings got off to a dismal start falling behind quickly 8-2 as diminutive point guard Sterling Carter demonstrated shooting poise nailing two three pointers, but that big advantage didn´t last long as Hanau went inside early as if they knew that outside shooting would be as difficult as hitting the ocean and ex Giessen 46er Robin Christen scored inside as did rookie Kruize Pinkens cutting the early Rhondorf lead to 8-7. The first quarter remained a game of small runs as Rhondorf was able to stop the Hanau run going on a 8-4 run to lead 16-11 as they did heavy damage inside as Hanau had problems closing down the lane as German big man Floran Wendeler scored inside three consecutive times. Rhondorf got easy baskets inside while Hanau had massive problems connecting from the parking lot. Jackson-Cartwright closed out the first quarter with a mini 4-0 run with a lay in and free throws as the Dragons Rhondorf led 16-15. “I don´t think that we were really playing good defense. They got too many offensive rebounds and easy baskets inside while our offense wasn´t crisp. We relied too much on the three, but that wasn´t falling”, stated ex Aris Leeuwarden guard Miles Jackson-Cartwright. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 39% from the field and 29% from outside while the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau were shooting 31% from the field and 0% from outside. Hanau had the 12-11 rebound edge and three turnovers and Rhondorf four turnovers.

In the second quarter, the game remained tight, but whenever Hanau got close, Rhondorf was able to keep the lead and make the next big shot to keep the lead. The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau got their first lead of the game starting the second quarter with a mini 4-0 run as ex Florida State guard Luke Loucks scored himself and then did what a playmaker is supposed to do finding Pinkins for the easy bucket. However Rhondorf also was firing away from downtown and now capitalized on a 11-0 run to retake the lead 27-19 as ex Sechtem forward Antione Davis who averaged 26ppg in the Regionaliga dropped a trey, German Robin Lodders scored and German Viktor Frankl-Maus who has improved his scoring, rebounding and assist average each season since coming to Rhondorf in 2012 nailed a three pointer as did Davis again. Hanau had a faze where they were shooting from outside like crazy as if they had been ordered to do so as any shot if good would wipe out hurricane Patrica and Jonathan Mesghina really was hit hard as he couldn´t connect on any shots. However Hanau continued to understand how vital a win was and kept pushing and grinding down and fighting as they went on a 7-2 run to cut the Rhondorf lead to 29-26. Hanau continued to miss from outside, but did a super job getting to the free throw line as Jackson-Cartwright and Pinkins connected from there and Till-Joscha Johnke scored inside as did Cartwright. However whenever Hanau got too close it Rhondorf than got a big bucket as Davis nailed another three pointer extending the Rhondorf lead to 32-26. Hanau made one more run in the last minute ending the second quarter with a timely 6-0 run to tie the game at 34-34. Hanau went into half time like a flash of lightening capped off by the quickness of Jackson-Cartwright who twice scored inside as no one could handle his speed and Pinkins finished with a dunk after being served a dime from ex Speyer swing man Sebastian Heck. “a nke really carried us with his energy and defensive pressure. We got to the free throw line and got into the lanes”, added Miles Jackson-Cartwright. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 35% from the field and 35% from the three point line while the Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 39% from the field and 0% from the three point line. Hanau had the 22-20 rebound advantage and seven turnovers while Rhondorf had eight turnovers.

The third quarter remained tight until the Hebeisen White Wings finally hit a three pointer which was the spark that ignited their sputtering offense up to that juncture. Sterling Carter kicked off the third quarter with a crazy three pointer in the face of Jonke which was an early warning about what was still going to happen, but the Rhondorf lead was short lived as Hanau stole the lead back with Cartwright free throws and a Josef Eichler reverse lay up as Rhondorf led 38-37. If it wasn´t Carter shooting out the lights then it was Davis as he netted another trey for the 40-38 lead. Cartwright dead locked the game at 40-40 with a jumper from the corner. Rhondorf then ran away with a quick 6-0 run as Frankl-Maus scored and Carter hit again from way down town Hanau as Rhondorf led 46-40. Cartwright continued to score, rebound and dish out assists as he continued to be in the zone, but Carter continued to nail three pointers from anywhere on the court as Rhondorf led 49-45. “Carter is a great player. We knew that he would get his fair share of shots. He is a small guy from Seattle, but he is a tough shot and just has very good hands”, stressed Miles Jackson Cartwright. Then came the turning point of the game. Two things happened with one that took 28 minutes to occur and the other a few months. German veteran Joleik Schaffrath who is playing for his eighth team with Hanau was playing his first game of the season as he had been laboring a bad injury scored inside getting a nice pass from Jonke and got the club going and then finally the first three pointer of the game after 28 minutes was made by Christian Von Fintel. Jonke free throws and another bucket by Schaffrath courtesy of a step back jumper had rewarded Hanau with an 8-0 run and 51-49 lead after three quarters and they would never look back. “The game was tight and Carter was making many tough shots. However we knew that if we would continue to close him out then he would miss and that happened in the fourth”, added Miles Jackson-Cartwright. The Hebeisen White Wings were shooting 41% from the field and 7% from the parking lot while the Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 35% from the field and 36% from the parking lot. Hanau led the rebound battle 33-28 and both teams had 10 turnovers a piece.

The Hebeisen White Wings carried over their stellar play form the last minutes of the third quarter getting out on a 10-2 run in the fourth to take the 61-51 lead. In the run, Cartwright played his amazing versatile play hitting a three pointer, scoring inside and finding Pinkins for the lay in. Robin Christin also added a trey. The Hanau offense was finally in a place that Simon Cote would like to see it more often just flowing as beautifully as the long blond hair of Gisele Bundchen and the club was also doing all the little things that also count like falling for loose balls, playing defense and just outhustling Rhondorf on both ends of the court. Carter then hit two brilliant back to back wild shots that found nothing but net as Rhondorf was clawing back, but didn´t seem to have a total secure grip as they trailed 63-57. What wasn´t working in the first 28 minutes with the outside shooting now looked as easy to Hanau like a comfortable Sunday stroll in the park as Cartwright connected as did Von Fintel twice as Hanau led 71-61. The last four minutes was all Hanau as they kept shooting and hitting almost everything closing out the game with a 17-1 run. In the run it was Pinkins that really did some nice improvement to his stats as he poured home eight points. It wasn´t only the imports, but also the German role players that contributed as Heck, Jonke and Schaffrath also added buckets. In the end the Hebeisen White Wings had scored 36 points in the fourth quarter two points more than in the whole first half. “Scoring 36 points in the fourth quarter was crazy. I don´t remember having an outburst like that before with another team. We finally got into a nice offensive flow. The ball was moving and popping. Each player was more active on offense and that came from making stops on defense. We also got out on transition that helped and it was a total team effort. Pinkins was a beast and we got great minutes from Heck”, added Miles Jackson-Cartwright. “I told Savo in the first half that they won´t miss like this all game. They then hit a few and then everyone hit. We fell apart in the fourth and got outrebounded. We worked on rebounding all week long, but Hanau wanted it more”, stressed Sterling Carter.

The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau were led by Miles Jackson-Cartwright with 23 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Kruize Pinkins added 22 points and eight rebounds. Till Joscha-Jonke added 11 points. The Dragosn Rhondorf were led by Sterling Carter with 24 points. Antoine Davis added 16 points. The match winner of the evening was Jackson-Cartwright who was humble after the win, but one could sense that a big load had been cleared from his back as he finally produced the way he should, but he took it like a regular day at the office putting up those Russell Westbrook stats. “I love how Westbrook does everything possible to help his team. I just go out and play and try to help my team the best way that I can. I just hate losing and want it to end. I was on some losing teams at Penn and in Holland. I had better focus this week and was just locked in”, added Miles Jackson-Cartwright. The way Sterling Carter looked after the game one would of never expected he had scored 24 points and dropped seven three pointers, but more as if he had been 0/7. “My shot really hasn´t been so consistent this season, but I always try to play with confidence. I am always the smallest on the court and when you are small you either have to have a quick shot or be crafty. I have developed a quick shot, but also know I won´t get calls when I get bumped going to the rim so I work more on my shot”, warned Sterling Carter. The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau shot 51% from the field and 24% from outside while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 34% from the field and 36% from outside. Hanau won the rebound battle easily 45-31 thanks to a 12-3 balance in the fourth and both teams finished with 11 turnovers a piece.

Sterling Carter is a 24 year old 183cm point guard from Seattle, Washington and is rookie in Germany playing for Pro A team Rhondorf. He started his basketball career at Pacific, then played three years at Seattle(NCAA) and finished at Purdue in 2014. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau

Sterling thanks for talking to German Hoops You have been in Germany now two and half months. What have you learned to appreciate the most about Germany?

What I most appreciate about Germany is how relaxing it is. In Bad Honnef it is very quiet at night and peaceful. I also appreciate all the great views this country has to offer. Every road game I see something beautiful in each city.

After working three jobs last season, now you are a professional basketball player. How thankful are you of having this opportunity and what don´t you miss from working 12 hours a day last year?

I am very thankful for the opportunity I have gotten to live out my dreams of being a professional basketball player it is a blessing and I thank God everyday for it. I’m also grateful to have a great agent to help make all this possible. I don’t miss anything about working those long hour days. I finally get to do what I love as a full time job.

You are playing your first season with Rhondorf and are still looking for the first win. When you started the season and knowing the talent you have are you surprised that the team is 0-5?

Yes it is very surprising but I have faith that we are going to turn things around and surprise a lot people.

The club has an experienced guy with Savo Milovic that was teammates with NBA player Marcin Gortat 10 years ago, but is an experienced American missing?

I feel that the guys we have are more than good enough for the job having more experience would be great but I think this team is fine with the guys we have now.

What have been the biggest problems in games? The club averages only 66 points per game, but is allowing 86 points per game. What do you believe have been the biggest problems on defense and how do they have to be corrected?

The problem that we were having problems keeping people in front of us and making our defense help to much but we have since fixed that problem and we are improving each and every game.

After two blow outs against Kirchheim and Vechta, the team has been giving up only 81 points per game in the last two outings. Is the team making strides on the defensive end even if only slowly?

Yes we have made big strides the last 3 games we played we were in them all till the end of the 4th quarter. We have fixed our bigger issues as a team now we are finding our way we still have some fixing to do but just little minor things but I have faith we will surprise a lot of people by the end of march when the regular season is over.

How have you been viewing the development of forward Antoine Davis. He had a huge year in Regionaliga and jumped up two leagues.

He is a great player and his game speaks for itself he shoots the ball very well and its always great for a PG like me to have a guy like him to go to.

How important has Savo Milovic been for you on and off the court? He is watching you more during games, but I am sure that you watch him closely during practice as he has much experience.

Having Savo around is great for me and he has been playing a very long time and watching him in practice and talking with him I gain a lot of knowledge and wisdom. He is a great guy and he is always there to answer questions of mine when I have them he has be a great vet for me.

Currently after five games you are averaging 12,6ppg, 2,6rg and 3,2apg. How have you been adjusting to the German Pro A?

Now I feel really good after the 5th game. I know it hasn’t gone the way I would like so far but I know that I can only get better from here. Its not always how you start the season but how you finish it.

I know your 5.8 turn overs per game aren´t acceptable to you. What has been giving you the most problems on the court and how are you correcting it?

Well 5.8 T.O aren’t good at all and I would just say my first few games I was called for a lot of traveling calls so now I’m adjusted to the officiating here in Germany so that 5.8 will be down really soon.

You are currently averaging 2,0spg which is very strong. Do you feel you can heighten your defense to another level?

Yes I am a defender at heart and as I get used to the way the games are officiated my defensive stats should continue to be better.

How important were the 26 points against Gotha? Of course you couldn´t enjoy it because you lost the game, but did that game go click in your head that you can play at this level?

That game was a heart breaker for me because I felt I could have done a lot more for my team. I feel like I belong on this level and will continue to get better and better as the season goes on.

The next game is against the Hebeisen White Wings who are also 0-5 One team will be victorious come Saturday night. No disrespect to Rhondorf, but on paper this team is favored, but how much are you looking forward to this game and being an angry and very determined underdog?

Well on paper we are most likely the underdog in every game in this league, however I will go into this game giving my 110percent that I give every game. Being a underdog is something I am used to and I have been very blessed to overcome a lot of adversity and me my teammates will do the same this season. We have 25 games left to change people´s views about us.

Derrick Rose is injured again. Is there a curse on him? Do you feel like he will ever play a full NBA season again?

I think Derrick Rose will be fine and yes I think he will play a full season this year. Its always motivation for an athlete like D Rose to come back stronger when people count you out. I had to deal with the same type of things on my journey.

What was the last move that you saw?

The last movie I watched was Blue Streak.

Thanks Sterling for the chat.

Antoine Davis is a 195cm forward from Rustburg, Virginia that will play his second professional season. Last season as a rookie he played for SG Sechtem 1971 where he tore up the Regionaliga west averaging 26,4ppg, 7,2rpg and 2,3apg in 25 games while shooting 42,0% from outside. His stats from last season were amazing as he scored in double figures in all 25 games including a 42 point game against Grevenbroich and he scored 30 points or more in eight games including 36 point efforts against Munster and Duesseldorf. He started his basketball career at Louisburg JC (JUCO) and then played three seasons at Carson-Newman (NCAA2) and as a senior played 28 games: 19.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 84.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Hebeisen white Wings Hanau.

Antoine thanks for talking to German Hoops. You have been in Germany now two and half months. What have you learned to appreciate the most about playing in the German Pro A?

I’ve learned a lot the speed of the game and talent level is a lot higher than when I played with Secthem last year.

You are playing your first season with Rhondorf and are still looking for the first win. When you started the season and knowing the talent you have are you surprised that the team is 0-5?

I didn’t think we would be 0-5 but we are making strides as a team to get better.

The club has an experienced guy with Savo Milovic that was teammates with NBA player Marcin Gortat 10 years ago, but is an experienced American missing?

Savo is a really smart guy and he is a leader on this team and I don’t think we need a experienced American we just have to play the right way.

What have been the biggest problems in games? The club averages only 66 points per game, but is allowing 86 points per game. What do you believe have been the biggest problems on defense and how do they have to be corrected?

Our defense has to get better and it will get better. That’s what we have been working on the offense will get better once we get more stops on defense.

After two blow outs against Kirchheim and Vechta, the team has been giving up only 81 points per game in the last two outings. Is the team making strides on the defensive end even if only slowly?

I think we are but we still have a long way to go to be where we want to be as a team.

How important has the arrival been of American Daquan Holiday who played the last two games. Will his play give the inside that needed presence that was missing in the first three games?

He’s a big presence on the court and we missed him the first 3 games and I’m glad he’s back.

How have you been viewing the development of point guard Sterling Carter? He has had solid stats, but do you see him heightening his game in the next months?

I think he will perform better as he gets used to playing in the pro A.

Sterling Carter is averaging 5,8 turnovers per game. How is the team trying to help him on the court get those down?

As a team we have to give him better passing lanes to get us the ball.

Currently after five games you are averaging 10,4ppg, 3,0rg and 1,4apg. How have you been adjusting to the German Pro A coming from the German Regionaliga?

I think I can play way better than I am right now and I will play better the more I get adjusted to my team and this league.

How is the game and your role different this season? With Sechtem you were the main go to guy and averaged 7,2rpg. This season as expected your stats are way down.

My role is different I play a lot more off the ball than I played I Sechtem so I’m just trying to adjust more to that.

What kind of things are you doing more on the court this season that you didn´t have to do last season in the Regionaliga?

Just playing more off the ball that’s the only real difference.

Your shooting only 22,0% from outside. Is your three pointer something that you are working extra on after practice?

I have confidence in my jumper and it will not stay that percentage. I work on that all the time.

The next game is against the Hebeisen White Wings who are also 0-5 One team will be victorious come Saturday night. No disrespect to Rhondorf, but on paper this team is favored, but how much are you looking forward to this game and being an angry and very determined underdog?

I really looking forward to this game and me and the team will practice hard this week to get ready for it.

Derrick Rose is injured again. Is there a curse on him? Do you feel like he will ever play a full NBA season again?

I think he will be fine but he won’t get back to being the old Derrick Rose.

What was the last move that you saw?

The other guys.

Thanks Antoine for the chat.

Deandre Lansdowne is a 26 year old 187cm guard from Albuquerque, Mexico playing his first season in Germany with Herten. He played college ball at Fort Lewis (NCAA2) and then played with Pioneros de Delicias (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive) before continuing career in Germany. He spoke to German Hoops recently as Herten was stuck in their losing streak.

Deandre thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 83-65 loss against Bochum last weekend. Was the only positive thing from this game the 10 turnovers that the team suffered. The score was bad enough, but if you had had 20 turnovers the team would probably have lost by 30 points.

Yes the game was a tough loss! Turnovers a very key part of the game, and can change a game in either direction! But we continue to find the good out of losses and continue working forward.

Herten came into the season with high expectations, but started at 0-3. How is the current mood in the team? 0-3 isn´t great, but it isn´t 0-7. Knowing the fact that its still early give the team hope?

Every team has high expectations, and I still believe it’s too early to decide, and It’s all about your team peaking at the right time in the season. I like that the team isn’t satisfied with our losses and we believe that we still can be a contender, just takes time. being said, it can take time because there is a lot of new pieces on this team.

Fans are getting a little uneasy even if it is still early, but from your stand point, what have been the main problems that the team has been performing the way it has?

Haha what do you expect from fans, that’s just how fans are. They’re happy when you’re winning, dissatisfied when your loosing. But we’re all still slightly working on getting the feel for each other and getting a feel for coaches system. Some teams already have a unique identity, and we’re still trying to find ours, and once we do, I think that will be the team they believed us to be.

Herten is scoring 64 points per game while giving up 84 points. If these two were reversed Herten would probably be 3-0. The team should be able to score more than it has so far. How confident are you that scoring will improve?

Yes, I think that it will increase, like I said we’re still getting used to our offense and finding it’ strengths per player and where everybody. is most comfortable and effective. But we also need to defensively get better and stop teams from averaging 84 points per game. If we get more comfortable and better on offense as well as defensively, we should be just fine!

You are a rookie and have been one of the few bright spots in the first three games averaging 19,0ppg, 4.7rpg and 2,0apg. How tough is it enjoying your own good play when the team is losing?

I’ve never been a player to think individual play is more important then team success. I am here to do whatever the team needs me to do game to game depending on our individual match-ups. And for individual success you can only say thank you tongue teammates because they got you the ball in spots you can succeed or set you great screens.

After playing in the NCAA and in Mexico you are in Germany in the Pro B. You have had no need to get adjusted. Why do you feel have you been able to adjust so well to the style of the Pro B so quickly?

I feel I have always been a player who can play in any type of system or style of play and be fine! I can play in a more slow, controlled, smart league as we have here in Germany. Or I can play in a very fast, high scoring league like in Mexico! I have always liked to challenge my game and knowledge of the game to better myself as a player.

You scored 40 points in your first game against the Artland Dragons in a 89-63 loss. Despite hitting just about everything from the two point area, you were 0/3 from outside and had five turnovers. You then had three points in the next game. Was that your wake up call to be a professional in Germany how your play can go up and down from one game to the other?

Yes the 5 TOs really bugged me, being a PG that is way too many in a game. 0/3 was just how some games go, shot didn’t fall. My coach, team and myself know my outside shooting is fine, and teams will believe they can should go under screens, but I think I proved them wrong in Bochum. I believe that is just basketball, some games go your way and some don’t go your way. Maybe because of foul trouble, or shots don’t go in, whatever it maybe, you move on to the next game and week to get better as a team and player.

It has been a while, but do you remember your 35 point game against New Mexico Highlands in college? Do you ever look back at this game for inspiration?

You know I really don’t look back to my college games much anymore. I think my game is much more rounded, and I’m playing a different position as well. Also as my competition is a bit better and bigger now. Haha

You are only a rookie, but also 26. Do you see yourself taking on even more of a leadership role now in tough times?

I have always looked at myself as a leader. I’m one of the older guys on this team so I really feel my leadership is much more needed! As a PG also you need to have that leadership mentality since you control so much in the game, you need your team to look for you in adversity.

Your teammate Eric KIbi has been going a tough stretch shooting only 17,6 from the field. How have you been helping him get his confidence up?

The #1 always is to tell him he is a great player and never sell him short of that! I just always keep him moving forward, next shot/play. He works so hard outside of team practice that it is only a short time till we see the player he can be. He’s a great teammate and is always a positive person, so seeing him in a slump has been slightly hard on me.

How confident are you that as soon as Eric Kibi gets going that the team will start to have success?

I think Kibi is the biggest part missing right now, and we’re just trying to get him in the offense in spots he’s most confident. We see him starting to get a groove, we all feed off of that! But championship teams are teams that when one of your best players struggle, someone else should be able to step into that spot or another player steps their game up a bit more.

How confident are you that the team will respond this weekend against Izehoe? A reaction has to come. What will be key to getting the first team win of the season?

I think we have responded well this week, we grabbed the positives from Bochum, recognized some weaknesses and we’re fixing them. Most important we need to just come out hungry and with a chip on our shoulder, leave it all on the floor! A few keys for us in playing inside -> outside, rebounding, being aggressive on the defensive end without fouling and lastly controlling the game.

Derrick Rose is injured again. Is there a curse on him? Will he ever be able to play through a whole season healthy? It’s a sad story.

I really wish he could stay healthy and show us what he is capable of doing! But we’ve seen it before in some stars, just can’t escape injury, it’s just part of the game!

What has you started to appreciate most in Germany after two months living here?

I’m a big fan of eating, so I would say I love all the food and meals that I have had here. As well as some of the people I am surrounded by, very respectful, down to earth people! next month I am visiting Berlin, Netherlands and Belgium so I am very excited to see more of the area and bordering countries.

What was the last movie that you saw?

I’m a big movie guy, especially in my downtime. Most recent was Mission impossible 5 I think it was!

Thanks Deandre for the chat.

Brandon Jefferson is a 23 year old 175cm point guard from Flower Mound, Texas that is playing second professional season and first in Germany with Phoenix Hagen and currently averaging 10,5ppg, 2,8rpg and 4,0apg. Last season as a rookie he played for KTP Basket Kotka (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 48 games: Score-4(18.5ppg), 4.0rpg, 2.4apg, Steals-2(2.2spg), FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 88.0%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 13.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 88.5%. He started his basketball career in 2010 for Metro State(NCAA2) where he played a total of 129 NCAA games. In college he was able to improve his scoring and rebounding average each season. As a senior he played 34 games averaging 21.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.4apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 45.3%, FT: 92.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 86-83 victory against the Giesen 46ers.

Thanks Brandon for talking to German Hoops A big 86-83 win against the Giessen 46ers. Would you have won this game without the services of David Bell?

DB is our captain and a great player. He had a great game and really led us the whole way. It was a must win in our eyes and he took it to them. Ivan Elliot also made some big plays in the end for us!

Giessen closed out the game with a 14-6 run, but lost 86-83. Did Phoenix Hagen lose some focus at the end which allowed Giessen to get very close again?

They were a team trying to win the game. We were playing not to lose. We had a 18 point lead going into the fourth and we had some mental lapses and they got back into the game. We stopped being aggressive and they got us back on our heals.

Phoenix Hagen had 50 rebounds and 23 assists in the game. Does the fact that the team can share the ball well get underestimated?

We are a very unselfish team and whoever has it going, we look feed that person.

Talk a little about David Bell. He was outstanding and has been doing this for years for Phoenix Hagen. He hit 6 three´s and had 9 assists. Does he seem to amaze you every new day in some form on and off the court?

DB is someone I look up to and ask for advice on and off the court. He has taken me under his wing and taught me a lot already in this very young season. What he does on the court doesn’t amaze me because he’s a great player. He works hard behind the scenes, so what he does doesn’t amaze me at all. I see the work he puts in and it transpires to the game.

Tommy Lee Smith came recently and has been a spark off the bench. How valuable is just having his character shine through each day on the court and off?

Tommy has been great! He brings experience to our team and really helps break down things. He has a high basketball IQ.

At the moment Phoenix Hagen is 2-2 and have lost to higher teams and beat the teams in their talent range. How much potential does Phoenix Hagen have?

We have a lot of potential. It’s still really early and we are working day in and day out to improve. Don’t really like how people say “higher teams” and that it’s okay if we lose to them. If you look at the box score or the games, we were in both of those games we lost. We had bad stretches in the third quarter in both games which cost us. That’s the slim margin of error that we can’t have against those teams. A lot of people look at this league and say there are the top 4 teams and everyone else in the league have the same talent level. I look at every game as an opportunity to get better and show how good Phoenix Hagen is. In my mind, when we lose to those so called “higher level” teams, it’s the same hurt that I would have if we lost to the other teams.

Phoenix Hagen has averaged giving up 90 points in the last three games. Where do you see the biggest area that needs improvement?

That definitely needs to come down and the biggest improvement we need to make is keeping the ball in front of us. One on one is critical. Take the challenge and keep your man in front of you.

You are averaging 10,5ppg and 4,0apg which is solid. How pleased have you been with your play in the first four games?

To be honest, I’m not very pleased at all. Knowing what I’m capable of doing. I’m not going to make a big deal out of these first four games though. Need to move forward and go back to having fun out there on the court. Be myself.

You averaged only 2,4apg last season in Finland and 4,0apg in the BBL. Do you see yourself being able to heighten your assist average through time and when you gain more experience in the BBL?

Don’t go into games thinking I need to get my assist up. Just do what the defense gives me. The more experience I gain, the better off I’ll be and my comfort level will be higher.

What has been the biggest adjustment for you coming from the Finish league? Is the size factor in the lane a big factor?

The big men are bigger here in the BBL, but it’s nothing that I haven’t seen before. The biggest adjustment is really is inside my head. The mental focus on the game. Really developing the mental part of my game moving forward.

You got to take 19 free throws in the first two games and only two in the last two games. Also your scoring is down a bit from the first two games. Is balancing your scoring and playmaking each game a huge challenge?

Teams have done a good job, but it’s really all on me. Have to stay in tune each play and not take plays off. That’s the mental part of the game that I need to improve on.

The next game is against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg where you will battle experienced Dru Joyce who played high school basketball with Lebron James. Do you spend time scouting the opponents point guard? How vigorous is your own pre game scouting?

Have seen the movie “More Than A Game” with Dru Joyce and I know he’s a great player. Going to approach this game like all the other games so far.

Derrick Rose is injured again. Is there a curse on him? Do you ever see him playing a full NBA season?

People forget how great of a player D Rose is. He will return healthy and have a outstanding year.

What German food have you enjoyed the most or is the local Hagen Mcdonalds still your favorite place to get food?

Vapianos is my favorite place to eat here in Hagen!

What was the last movie that you saw?

“Beasts Of No Nation” Great movie with Idris Elba.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

Great opportunity for a USA D1 basketball program to play in promotional tour in Germany in summer 2016

The question will be: “Who will be the first US-College in this unique project”? The BASKETBALL AID International Tour offers a very interesting opportunity to a US-College basketball team in the summer of 2016. Playing games all over Germany against BBL and Pro A/B Professional teams, be the international ambassador for their sports program and university curriculum, and contribute actively to German-American friendship. One main focus as well is to support the children´s cancer charity organization „BASKETBALL AID e.V.“ BASKETBALL AID was established in 2005 in Berlin and started operating in 2009. It is a German Non-profit organization that has been supporting multiple projects benefiting kids with cancer and the scientific research concerning the disease. By hosting funding events and events in the context of basketball the organization contributes to the development of the sport as well.

A number of very well known basketball ambassadors are supporting this fine cause that benefits professional and college teams. In the past years, basketball mastermind and consultant Hans Beth has been busy with several sport projects. Long time ago as a student, he organized a big basketball game for wheelchair users. A German All Star Team played against an US All Star Team at the famous Johannes Gutenberg University at Mainz in front of a huge crowd. He also managed a big international tournament under the flag of the German-American friendship. Just two successful examples from the past.

The actual concept of BASKETBALL AID International Summer tour is explanatory, as it is there to benefit the players, teams and sick cancer kids. The 2016 project is aimed to bring American colleges to Europe to get young players experience playing against professional teams as well as getting a feel for the European culture. It is also focusing greatly on raising money for kids with cancer as well as having camps and getting kids more involved with basketball. Off the court the project is concerned with having cultural events to raise further awareness of BASKETBALL AID and the cause behind it. Chairman of the BASKETBALL AID International Tour Hans Beth has been able to get many well known German professional teams on board like BBL teams Fraport Skyliners, Telekom Baskets Bonn, Walter Tigers Tuebingen, Crailsheim Merlins and Giessen 46ers as well as Pro A teams MLP Academics Heidelberg, Gladiators Trier, Hebeisen White Wings and Dragons Rhöndorf. Beth also has brought on basketball ambassadors like 1993 NCAA champion Henrik Rodel, Fraport Skyliners legend Pascal Roller, well known Ex-pro player Rick Stafford and German national team coach Chris Fleming. With less than a year to go before the BASKETBALL AID International Summer Tour commences, there is still a lot of organizing and preparing to be done, but one thing is for sure: This project will be there too benefit many sides as well as keeping the German-American friendship intact and growing.

Talks with already interested colleges will be intensified the next couple of weeks and it will be interesting to see, which university will be the selected by the International Tour Committee to be part of this unique project in 2016.
Selected Testimonials

Chris Fleming, Head Coach German Basketball National Team / Assistent Coach Denver Nuggets

“For me as head coach of the national team, it is very important to bring basketball to the public’s attention as much as possible. For that matter, the BASKETBALL AID Tour 2016 is a very good opportunity and I am happy to support it. It would be an excellent event to see an American college team play here in Germany against professional teams and raise money for a good cause at the same time.”

 

Henrik Roedl, Assistant Coach German Basketball National Team /Ex-Player for the North Carolina Tar Heels/ NCAA Champion 1993

“I have played at the University of North Carolina myself from 1989 til 1993 and know exactly, how big the passion for basketball is at american colleges. Therefore, I support the BASKETBALL AID International Tour 2016 because I think it is a unique chance to show German fans the fascination basketball produces at universities. Furthermore, there is an even greater reason for this tour in the support of a good cause, which is why this tour deserves our support.”

 

Pascal Roller, Ex-Player German Basketball National Team and FRAPORT SKLINERS
“As a former professional player, I know how important it is for young players to present themselves in a professional framework such as the BASKETBALL AID Tour 2016. However, benefit even more will the children and facilities that receive donations from the BASKETBALL AID charity. Therefore, I hope the tour will be a success in 2016 – both for the players and the children that will benefit from the raised money by BASKETBALL AID.”

Former professional basketball player Rick Stafford (Seawolves / Brose Baskets Bamberg) has granted his support as well: „The goals of this tour are excellent and deserve our support.“

Bernd Kater, Board Member BASKETBALL AID e.V.

„The goals within the constitution of BASKETBALL AID e.V. are the support for disadvantaged children and the development of the sport basketball in Germany. We are always looking for projects that fit both aspects. The BASKETBALL AID International Tour 2016 is a perfect example! We and in the name of the supported children want to warmly thank Hans Beth and all supporters of the tour.“

 

“Our project truly represents German-American friendship as both nationalities work closely together to organize and promote the tour. It reflects the great synergies between sport and social responsibilty „ mentioned Hans Beth Chairman of BASKETBALL AID International Tour

„This is a great Opportunity for a Top D1 program to play against BBL & Pro-A teams while receiving great media exposure for their team/program/SCHOOL. This can promote your program and your curriculum in Europe/Germany and bring international students and athletes to your college“ said Thomas Schaarschmidt, Director PR/Media of BASKETBALL AID International Tour