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 about basketball.

Julian thanks for talking to German Hoops You are playing your second season in Germany with the Uni Riesen Leipzig. You have worked hard in training camp, but haven´t been cleared to play. How tough has this been on you not being able to help the team win?

It has been very tough. I have worked really hard all summer to prepare and be ready to help this team be the best it possibly can. Watching the guys play without you is definitely a struggle so I am hoping things get sorted out very quickly.

Last weekend Leipzig was killed in Karlsruhe. How confident are you that the club would have won with you and Brandon Shingels on the court?

I am always confident in my team with or without me and Brandon. Karlsruhe also had two missing pieces also so theres no answer on who would have won but it definitely would have been a great game to watch.

Will you be able to make your debut this weekend in Frankfurt?

Like I said before I am hoping Brandon, Ucce and I will be able to play this weekend as a team we have been pushing each other all week to prepare for this game and would be great to join my guys out there on the battlefield.

With Leipzig having you and Brandon Shingels on board what do you believe that this team is capable of doing this season?

I believe the Uni Riesen Leipzig is capable of proving a lot of doubters wrong. I dont believe we are respected as a team who can do something in this league I plan to change that with the help of my teammates and coaching staff.

What strength does the team possess on the court besides the scoring strength of the Americans?

We have Veterans who have experience. Who knows what it takes to compete and work hard. I am still learning from them each and every day how to read certain situations in order to help the whole group.

What kind of an experience is it playing with German veteran Sascha Leutlof that has 155 BBL games experience and won the 2006 BBL cup with top team Alba Berlin?

Sascha Leutlof is someone I definitely listen to on all aspects of the game. He talks to me all the time showing me what things to look for and me and him make a really strong 1 two punch when we play together. My nickname for him is Cap short for captain haha. I hope to still learn more and more from Sascha. He is a competitor and has a very high basketball IQ love playing with him.

How do you and Damir Bagaric compliment each other best on the court. What is it like playing with a Croatian player?

Damir Bagaric is awesome and he is a very physical player and works hard, has a good personality and as of late keeps my head up when I am frustrated. Basketball is basketball Croatian or not Damir will definitely be a big help this season.

You are a scorer and can also shoot the three which you displayed well at Adams State, but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

I want to say my ball handling. This summer I spent time working on that just in case I am needed to play a different position such as the small forward for example. I just want to be prepared for any situation that I might be needed for.

Last season you played for TSV Quackenbruck averaging 29ppg. Did it sometimes feel like you were a man playing among boys?

I wouldn’t say a man amongst boys I had to work really hard in order to accomplish something like that. My coach Florian Hartenstein definitely gave me the freedom to play how I liked and put time in helping me develop my skills I had great teammates also who looked for me all the time. So it was thanks to them.

Last season you played together with giant German talent Isiah Hartenstein. Describe some of the battles that you had in practice? Did his toughness at age 17 surprise you and Is the sky the limit for him? He chose not to go to the NCAA, but stay here. Do you think he might play over in the States in the future as a professional?

Isaiah is definitely something special. He surprised more than a few times with the things he was capable of doing. Can shoot move and is very athletic definitely made me work and he was only 17 so I cant wait to see how much more he grows. Yes I definitely think Isaiah is NBA prospect he can do things at such a young age and has a good basketball IQ and with Flo there training him every day he will only get better and better. Good luck to him and the Artland Dragons this season.

You got to play only 25 NCAA games at S Utah. What game did you cherish the most?

I would say Playing against Gonzaga. The crowd was amazing and they were a very tough team but I enjoyed every second of it

How important was it moving to Adams St. (NCAA2) your senior year. What part of your game do you believe got better as a senior?

It was very important I got the opportunity to get my Masters degree in business administration as well as have a great group of guys who pushed me every day. As senior I feel my speed got a lot better, because we always had to run so slow was not an option on that team.

How did Brandon Veltri groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

Brandon Veltri was the assistant coach. The head coach was Louis Wilson who is the assistant coach now at Utah state. Wilson was a very hard passionate coach who loved the game and expected me to be the best player on that team. He challenged me mentally and physically every day. Definitely the toughest coach I have ever played for which I believe helped me in the long run.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Desean Anderson?

Me and Desean never played but I am sure I would win hands down haha

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Will he ever be mentioned in the same breath as a Michael Jordan?

Cleveland Ohio. Yes he will but I am a Kobe Bryant guy.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Last movie I saw recently was South paw.

Thanks Julian for the chat.

Trent Wiedeman is a 23 year old 203cm forward from Suwanee, Georgia that is playing his first season for the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA). He played three years at Charleston (NCAA) playing a total of 67 NCAA games then finished at Georgia South (NCAA) and as a senior played 31 games averaging 11.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 69.9%. He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

You are a rookie after playing at Charleston and Georgia Southern in the NCAA. When did you seriously know that you wanted to be a professional player?

I knew I wanted to be a professional player when I was in high school. Nothing was more fun to me than basketball and I knew then that I wanted to continue playing as long as possible.

The MLP Academics are a very focused organization that have high goals and play in a very competitive league the Pro A. What was the deciding moment where you knew that you wanted to play for this team.

The deciding moment for me wanting to play for this team was when I did research on the team and former players. They are well known for taking good care of their players and it is a great situation for rookies.

You had a fine game in your debut netting 16 points making all six shots against the Fraport Skyliners winning 77-59. What has been your early impression of the style of German basketball and what quality in your game will translate best from the NCAA?

German basketball is more physical compared to playing in the NCAA. I think the fundamental part of my game will translate well to this league.

The club is pretty youthful with rookies TJ Sapp and Aaron Thomas, but also has some skilled veterans like Johannes Lischka. What has been your early impression of your fellow Americans rookies who look to give power to the back court?

I enjoy playing with both TJ and Aaron. TJ’s ability to play both guard positions adds a lot of value to this team. He is an unselfish player that sets up other players to score, but can also score himself. Aaron has elite athleticism and is very dangerous in transition. He also has the ability to be a lockdown defender.

You are as tall as Johannes Lischka and has had a basketball career that could be told in a book and plays the position four. How well do you feel that you will compliment each other best on the court?

I feel that Johannes’ game and mine compliment each other well because we both can score and create scoring opportunities for each other

You don´t have size for a center, but have very skillful moves and are a consistent scorer, but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

I think the most underrated part of my game is my passing ability. I think I can score when I am one on one and create an open shot for someone else when I am double teamed in the post.

You closed out your NCAA career with a high scoring like college football score losing to rival Georgia State 38-36. Was this more a game where no one could hit the ocean or was this the best defensive performance of the season?

The final game or the season against Ga State was low scoring because we really tried to slow the game down. They were a very good offensive team so we tried to take them out of their element.

When you were at Charleston you hauled down 18 rebounds against UNCG. Do you feel that rebounding is a part of your game that will continue to develop at the professional level?

Yes I think rebounding is a very important part of my game and it’s important to this team. We do not have a lot of size and a lot of the rebounding responsibility will fall on me.

How excited are you to be playing against ex teammate Jelani Hewitt who plays for Science City Jena this season? What was the most amazing thing that you remember seeing him do on the court?

I’m incredibly excited to play against Jelani. We are both competitors with a strong desire to win. The most amazing thing I saw him do was when we played at Stetson University. We were struggling offensively throughout the whole game and then he hit three 3’s in 3 straight possessions all from NBA range.

How did head coach Mark Byington help groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career in your senior year at Georgia Southern?

Coach Byington always worked with my on skill development on the weakest parts of my game. He made me more of a complete player and gave me less weaknesses on the court. He also prepared me mentally; how to impact the game even when my shots are falling and how to be a leader.

Who won a one on one in practice last season you or Eric Ferguson?

Eric won a majority of the one on one we played but it was pretty close. We both pushed each other and made each other better.

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Will he ever be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Jordan?

I think LeBron is still the best player in the world right now. I think he deserves to be mentioned in the same conversation as Jordan but I do not think he will ever reach his level

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was mad max fury road.

Thanks Trent for the chat.

Johnathan Loyd is a 173cm point guard from Las Vegas, Nevada that is starting his professional basketball career with German Pro A team ETB Wohnbau Baskets. He played at Oregon from 2010-2014 playing a total of 141 NCAA games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 7.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 4.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 82.4%. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2013 and spoke to German Hoops about basketball before he came to Essen.

Congrats on signing your first professional contract as you will play in Germany for the ETB Wohnbau Baskets In Essen. How did you experience your first summer in the transfer period? Did you have some freedom to choose from more offers or were the offers more rare?

This summer I didn’t have to many offers. I felt like coming to Essen was the best place for me to start off my pro career.

What were the main reasons for joining the ETB Wohnbau Baskets? Did you get some advice from ex teammates Garret Sim, Waverly Austin or Jay Strowbridge who have all gained experience in the German Pro A?

The main reason for coming to Essen was that I heard how competitive the Pro A league is here in Germany so I felt like it would be a great place to start my career. I confided in a couple of my ex teammates and coaches who know what it was like and they also said it would be a great fit.

What do you know about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Some ex teammates at Oregon have played here as well as German Martin Seiferth who was your teammate your freshman year.

I didn’t know much about German basketball before I got here. I had just heard it was a well respected league in Europe and to be here for my first job was a blessing.

Was it important for you to join a team where you knew that there would be an experienced point guard like Gary Johnson who will help you adjust.

It wasn’t very important that I had an experienced pg, the most important thing was that I went to a program that would help develop me as a player and had winning aspirations. And also a program where I could use my strengths.

You recently played at the China Four Nations Tournament in Chenzhou, Jiahe, Shenzhen and ZaoZhuang (Team USA) playing 7 games averaging 16.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 8.1 apg, 3.1 spg. You had very good stats. Was this most a great confidence builder for you coming off a year off from basketball making the transition from the football field?

Yes it was a very big confidence booster. Having not played in a real game for a while, it was important for me to get back out on the floor in order to get my timing down. Practicing with the Oregon basketball team helped but this tournament was truly what I needed.

When looking at your basketball vita, one sees you had a solid college career that ended in 2014 and then there is a hole. However there was a reason for that as you played a fifth year in another sport football something that is very rare. Why did you decide to do this?

I decided to play football because I wanted to see what I could do on the field. I was pretty good in high school so I wanted to test out my abilities at the next level. Also I have a lot of pride for the University of Oregon so being able to help them win is very satisfying. And I knew this would be my last chance to put the shoulder pads on one last time so I didn’t want to regret the choice.

Did the idea of possibly getting injured and putting a professional basketball career in jeopardy not enter your mind? Or did you not see this as being a risky venture?

If you think about injury you are bound to get hurt. I didn’t really have that in my mind but of course there was always the possibility.

How difficult was it for you to adjust to football again which you hadn´t played in 5 years since high school? Did you have to make a basketball body into a football body?

The transition to the football field was a very difficult one. I had to change my mindset and my body in order to be able to compete.

How would your football year have ended up if you hadn´t had a guy like Keanon Lowe pushing you from day one?

If K Lowe wasn’t there for me from the start I don’t know if I even would have played to be honest. He was the one who convinced me to strap up.

You played mostly special teams on the Oregon football team. Did this experience help you in any way physically concerning your future basketball career? What did you learn from this year playing football?

Playing football helped me a lot. I learned a lot from the excellent coaching staff and even the leaders on that team. Becoming the punt returner was my ultimate goal so when that happened it was a dream come true.

You had a very solid basketball career at Oregon winning 94 games. You had numerous great games like the win over Arizona, or your 23 points and 15 assists against Ole Miss or your 19 points over UCLA. Was your alltime own best game one of these or was it another?

My all time best game would have been in the PAC 12 tournament championship. Just the gravity of the situation and what was at stake makes that game much better than any other.

You played against so many great point guards over your career like Larry Drew at UCLA or Justin Cobbs at California, but if you had to pick one player that was the toughest you faced who would it be?

The toughest player I played against I would say was Isaiah Thomas at the university of Washington. I was a freshmen when he was a senior and I could tell he was ready to be a pro. And also the whole Duke team my freshmen year. Their whole team was great.

You also had to witness some tough loses like the game winner from Justin Cobbs over Oregon. What do you remember from that game most?

I just remember not having a very good offensive game. I remember Justin Cobbs hitting the game winner on me and just being devastated.

How did Oregon head coach Dana Altman prepare you best for a professional basketball career at Oregon?

Coach Altman taught me how to come to work every day. Regardless of what is happening in your life, when you hit the basketball floor it’s all about basketball.

In your last two seasons how did Dominic Artis make you better as a player? I am sure the head to head battles in practice made both of you better at the point guard position

Playing against Dominic Artis everyday forced me to be ready because he was coming at me. He’s a great player so if you not locked in he’ll make you look bad.

You are from Las Vegas. Do you catch some of the NBA Summer League games? If yes what player made the biggest impact on you this summer?

I do check the summer league games out. In the summer league Seth Curry was most impressive.

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015. How far is he really from being mentioned in the same breath of Michael Jordan or is he already?

In my personal opinion you can’t compare Lebron and Jordan. They have two different styles of play and they are on two different levels mentally. Jordan is the best ever and a better comparison to him would be Kobe who is next in line.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was straight outta Compton.

Thanks John for the chat.

German regionaliga team Limburg are ready to kick off their season on September 19th against SV 03 Tuebingen and have their team as well as complete, but are missing that one import player that is so usual in the Regionaliga. As far as the German players on board, head coach Danny Stalllbohm can work this season with players like son Justin Stahllbohm, Norman Klima, Robin Pflueger, Daniel Hahn, Kaan Kus from Idstein, Mike Sharma from Horchheim, Henry Volkert from Gieen and Devidas Balka from Noerdlingen. The club left the football organization that it belonged to and formed their own organization and as a result money that was usually there in the budget is missing for this season.

The position of the import player has yet still to be determined. The club has had Americans in for try-outs, but nothing has become official with a signing yet. Currently there are two Americans in try-outs with the club and possibly one could be signed? When that new player will signed is unknown, but it would be benficial if he was before the season opener. In the last years, the club has been very fortunate having guys that really carried the team like Canadian Kris Douse and Ron Howard two years ago. Douse has made a name for himself in the German Regionaliga having played in Euskirchen last season and will ball with Rot Weiss Cuxhaven this season. Douse recently hammered home 14 points against Bremerhaven in a test game. Howard has retired and quickly out of almost nothing formed his own player agency named Howard Hoops and already placed some players with teams. Last season Limburg had talented American BJ Miller who went back to Florida, Kwame Duku who has moved to Pro B team Nordlingen and Irish lad Paul Dick who has made the next move heading to Spain and will play in the third division with Araberri Basket Club (Spain-LEB Silver).

Limburg has been on the risesince 2009 when it moved to the Bezirksliga and then to the Landesliga playing two seasons in that competition. They continued to march up the ladder getting to the Regionaliga 2 and in 2012 moved to the Regionaliga and in their first two years reached the positions 10 and 13 and last season had a surprising, but well earned fifth place with which many didn’t expect. A lot of this success has to do with head coach Danny Stallbohm who eats drinks and sleeps Limburg basketball as he even played there in the late 90s.If Stallbohm can duplicate or better the success from last season is unknown, but if he can it won’t be easy. A lot will have to do with how well his Germans play and can mesh quickly into the season as a slow start will hamper their season as well as how well the new import player can perform. His son Justin Stallbohm (182-PG-92) is optimistic that the club could have success if many pieces fall into place. “Our team has had many changes. many guys left, but we have young talented players, a player from Lithuania and two Americans in try-outs. I am expecting a tough season, because the other teams are strong and built competitive teams and we will go with many young players. Our goal is to remain in the league. However I go into every game to win which means anything can happen. I feel that if we can present ourself well as a team then we can move up in the standings during the season. Robin Pflueger and I have to lead the team and try to integrate the new players into the team. We also have to score more as our scorers from last season are gone. I will continue to work hard in every game and give the team what it needs and hope to reach our goals”, warned Justin Stallbohm.

Cor-J Cox is a 25 year old 195cm swing man from Washington, North Carolina that has played two professional seasons. He played at Miss.Valley St. (NCAA) and as a senior played 34 games averaging 11.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 54.5%. In 2012 he started his professional basketball career with Albacomp-UPC Szekesfehervar (Hungary-A Division) then moved to BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 31 games averaging 11.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 74.2%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for : Porvoon Tarmo (Finland-1st Division) playing 12 games averaging 13.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 53.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

At the moment I’m home in North Carolina & My summer was awesome! I just got back from France teaching kids basketball and English. Also did the ACC Barnstorming Tour with Quinn Cook, Trevor Lacy, Darius Leonard And Angelo Sharpless.

What do you get asked more about daily from strangers what is your favorite own dunk or how do you get such a unique name as Cor J Cox?

Good question! Usually I’m asked why I’m so humble and why I’m not in the NBA yet. That I should be there in the near future. My favorite dunk to do is a windmill over multiple people. My name came from my grandmother. I always asked her how she came up with the name but she say it was given to her in a dream.

You had a great career at Miss.Valley St. (NCAA) winning the SWAC tournament in 2012, was on more ESPN top 10 plays than anyone in NCAA history, dunked before President Obama, played two seasons in Europe, but last season in the ABA and are jobless at the moment. This is really hard to believe. What is keeping you going at the moment?

My faith and hard work. I know it’s not the end for me and that with patience I will be back doing what I love. Until then I will continue to work hard, pray, be a leader/mentor and grind.

Has your year away from Europe been giving you the biggest problems this summer finding a team or what do you believe has kept teams away from you?

Honestly I think not playing this past season in Europe but it’s also from my injury I had in Finland. Had a minor meniscus tear that had me out for 4 months. I came back during that year and helped my team in the playoffs but we finished 2nd place.

You just got back from France teaching kids basketball. What kind of experience was this for you and were you not able to get some try outs with teams?

The experience was awesome and thanks to my Teammate Arthur Framery for the opportunity! I always love teaching the kids and motivating people to be the best they can be in life. During my time there I wasn’t able to get a workout.

How thankful were you last season for being able to play in the ABA for the NC Coyotes where you averaged 30ppg, 8rpg and 7apg. Your grandparents were sick so you stayed in the States, but at least you could play and keep your resume updated.

I was thankful and it was my rebuilding year. We lost in the championship game to the Baltimore Hawks.

You are obviously way to good for the ABA. Besides keeping consistent stats was this a time for you to work on your game as well or were you more concerned just with having incredible stats?

The stats wasn’t what bothered me my goal was to stay consistent and work on my weaknesses.

You obviously give many fans memorable and unforgettable moments at you tube watching your dunks or fans in arenas, but do you sometimes feel that people see you more as a high flyer that can dunk over anyone, but forget that you have other attributes in your game

Sometimes I feel that way but my accolades and stats show that I can do more than fly. I’m a leader and I do what it takes to win. I want to better myself for my team and the whole organization.

What is a hidden strength in your game that you feel doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

My shot and defense intensity

As a rookie you played for BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 31 games averaging 11.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 74.2%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were far away from home from North Carolina?

My wake up call was that I had to grind hard and do this for my family. If this what I’m going to do for years to come I have to continue to better myself.

You got swept in the playoffs to Klosterneub and you had 19 points combined in the three games. Did you just ran out of gas at the end of the season?

It was a up and down year for us as a team but we stuck together and fought hard.

In your second season you played in Finland for Porvoon Tarmo (Finland-1st Division) playing 12 games averaging 13.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 53.8%. You started the season off well scoring in double figures in your first seven games then got injured. Do you believe that if you would have stayed healthy that you would have had your break out season as a professional?

Yes sir I feel that it was my breakout year until my injury. But I will still have that breakout year soon.

You played for head coach Sean Woods at Mississippi Valley State. How did he prepare and groom you best for a professional basketball career?

He treated us like professionals so I never felt like a college athlete. He showed us what it took to be pros and it was up to us to handle every moment in a professional manner.

You had many memorable games against top NCAA schools Like North Carolina, Wisconsin or Florida were you were very good, but Mississippi Valley State were beat badly. What positives were you able to take out of loses where you played well?

I looked at those games as opportunities to play against the NBA level prospects and show that I’m just as great as them. It also showed me that as a team we was great and in our conference no team would match our game.

In your senior year you played against so many future NBA players, but if you had to pick one that was the toughest play against who was it?

I would say my boys from UNC. The NBA Champ Harrison Barnes.

You were on ESPN top 10 plays more than any player in NCAA history. What was your favorite ESPN play?

My favorite would be my first ever play on Top 10 lol my junior season.

Who would win a one on one in basketball you or Falando Jones in college and Finland?

Lol Me Of Course. Big Ups To My Brother.

Why are there so many great basketball players that come out of North Carolina?

That’s what we breed here a lot of athletes that look for opportunities to showcase their talent. In some areas like mine, we don’t get the exposure like everybody else. So we have to find ways to be seen.

Where do you see the journey of the Charlotte Hornets going this season?

They have a great team I see a bright future for them. And if they added me I would help the future shine as bright.

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Will he ever be mentioned in the same breath as a Michael Jordan?

Lebron James is by far the best all around basketball player in this generation. As far as rings go I consider him one of the best to come before he retires. Being mentioned as MJ no because I see 2 different eras. Lebron Is dominating this era all around and in MJ era he was destroying teams in every way possible.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Last movie I saw was He Got Game one of my favorite movies.

Thanks Cor-J for the chat.