Dashaun Wood is a 29 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that just completed his seventh professional season and first with Tofas Bursa (Turkey-TBL) averaging 14,4ppg, 2,6rpg and 4,1apg. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA) playing 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. In 2010-2011, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. He played for Alba Berlin from 2011-2013. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-ProA) 26 games: 14.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 81.2%; Eurocup: 8 games: 16.4ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 46.6%, FT: 93.3%. After a two year break from the last interview with German Hoops, Wood spoke to German Hoops again from his hometown Detroit.

Dashaun thanks for talking to German Hoops. How has your early summer vacation been going in your home town Detroit?

Everything is going good. It is nice to be back home again to see family and friends and just being able to do things that one couldn´t do the past year.

Since leaving Frankfurt, you played two seasons with Alba Berlin, one with Le Mans in France and last season in Turkey with Bursa. How quickly has time flown since you last wore a Skyliners jersey?

 

It really has flown by quickly. When I left Frankfurt I was 25, 26 years old and now I am turning 30 in September. I remember holding up that MVP trophy as if it was yesterday, but I have played for three teams since leaving Frankfurt.

This season in Turkey, you played for Tofas which ended the season in 16^th place. What kind of experience was it playing for a losing game and did your game profit someway from this new experience?

The first part of the season started ok as I was an all-star and was second in scoring, but the second half of the season was up and down. It was the first time in my career that I didn´t end the season with a winning record or make the playoffs. All in all it was a very hard season. Every practice and game and everything in between is so important, but the team didn´t understand it. The season was a learning experience for me. I don´t plan on having a season like that again. I want to move forward having learned from that.

You had very strong stats in the Turkish league as well as in the Eurochallenge competition. You have had consistent stats for years. Why is your game suited to any league as you have played well in Italy, Germany, France and Turkey?

I think the reason why my game is suited so well to so many leagues and styles is that I understand the game. As a player I know who the best player is, who needs to have the ball, shoot the ball or get to the rim. I call myself an all-around point guard. That makes it easier for me to make transition to so many different leagues. Being able to stay consistent also has been important for making adjustments from country to country.

Your season highlight was your 33 point explosion in the win against Galatasaray and ex NBA player Carlos Arroyo who only had 11 points. Does a performance like this give you peace of mind that even if you didn´t make the NBA that you can play with anyone?

No question having these kind of games gives me peace of mind. We went into their place against a Euroleague team with tough fans and maybe the best fans I have ever seen. It is unbelievable how aggressive they are. It was one of those nights when I got going, and it was hard to slow me down. That game really wasn´t anything new as I have had those type of games in the past wheather it was playing against Bobby Brown, Carlos Arroyo or Earl Boykin, I showed that I can compete with guys that have played in the NBA.

You are 29 years old. Are you in your prime or is there even better Dashaun Wood play to come in the future?

I would say that I am in my prime now. Since leaving Frankfurt, I have played so much basketball. If it was playing league games in Germany, France or Turkey or Euroleague, Eurocup or Eurochallenge, I have gained a lot of experience, played with great players and coaches and just continued to learn. I think that I can put together 2-3 great more years where I can achieve team success. I believe that in the next few years, I will be able to write a good closing chapter to my career.

What part of your game are you most proud of in the past? Could it be your shooting as you shot over 40% in Euroleague with Alba Berlin, in Eurocup with Le Mans and this season 53% in Eurochallenge play with Tofas?

I would like to say that I have always been a good three point shooter, but in the past my shooting from outside has got to a higher consistent level. Teams now seem to be very worried with my shooting and that opens up the game more. If you look at a guy like Steph Curry, you see how much his shooting can change a game and open it up. My shooting is my biggest strength now bigger than my penetration. There was a long span in Turkey last season where I would make 5-6 three pointers in a row in a game. Not many can do that. I am glad that my consistency is so good now.

During the season Tofas played two Eurochallenge games against Russian team Avtodor losing both games. What kind of experience was it playing against ex NBA player Courtney Fortson. Did you ever play against a faster player than him as a professional?

It was a good experience playing against him this season. We respected each other right when we stepped on the court. He had some great numbers this season. I was very impressed how he played this season and he is a reason why I play because I want to always play against the best. I am sure that we will meet again in the future.

You won back to back cups with Alba Berlin in 2013 and with Le Mans in 2014. The first title may have been the sweetest, but which one was the hardest earned?

I think the hardest was with Le Mans. We played three games in three nights instead of two and didn´t have home court advantage. We had many great players, but this experience was different than in Berlin as I had more of a leadership role there and it was more my team.

How strange was it finally playing together with ex Wright State guard Vaughn Duggins as a professional and winning your second title together after the Horizon tournament in 2007?

It is strange in that every time that we play together we win a title. It was our second season together and we are 2-0. It was great being a teammate with him again. It took me back to college. We lived next to each other and our wives got to know each other well. Vaughn is one of those guys that you always want to be around, because you know good things happen when he is around. He has continued to develop this season in France as he has made the next round of the playoffs.

With Tofas you had teammate Miro Todic who played with Frankfurt from 2005-2007. Were any stories told from back in the day or did you not even know he played there?

 

He told me right away that he played for Frankfurt. One could see right away that we both shared the same thoughts and feelings about our days in Frankfurt. We took a lot of time reflecting on the great time that we had with Frankfurt

You played two seasons for head coach Gordon Herbert in Frankfurt and Berlin. In Frankfurt you were the dominant force and in Berlin one of many. If you could have a third chance, what would be the perfect role for you?

I have said so many times in the last years how great of a coach Gordon Herbert is. If I were ever to play for him again, then I wouldn´t be worried, but confident that he would have the perfect role for me. He is known for preparing very well. He would have the perfect plan for me and the team.

It has been four years since you played for the Frankfurt Skyliners. How has your game developed as a whole since then?

All the experience that I have gained since leaving Frankfurt have helped me develop mentally and physically. I have just played so much basketball. I am more of a team player now and next season I want to get back to winning again something I was used to before coming to Turkey.

Gordon Herbert has mentioned that he will get in contact with you. Could you imagine making a return to the Frankfurt Skyliners?

I have always thought about Frankfurt before each new season and giving Frankfurt another chance and going for an incredible run like we had. Frankfurt has always been my home away from away. If the right opportunity comes, I will definitely look into it. I always wanted to try it again with Frankfurt. I have a family now and would like to get that family experience within the Frankfurt community.

Two seasons ago Frankfurt had ex NBA player and ex Syracuse sniper Andrew Rautins who was having a great season until an injury finished his season. Would having a player like that on board be the final straw for you to come to Frankfurt?

Having Rautins there would definitely help my decision. Having a Rautins and me on the court would make it very hard for teams. Herbert knows what it takes to win. I know that coach would be able to put together a winning team. He sees things before they develop.

I believe Quantez Robertson did learn passing from you as in the last season he often fed ally-op dunks instead of dunking himself. What have you missed most about Quantez Robertson on and off the court?

When I think about Tez, I have to think about our losing season last season. We really missed a guy like that on our team. He always did the little things that weren´t on the stat sheet being a hustle play, ally-op or dive. He is a player that every team needs and wants, but not every team can have. I took the year for granted when I was in Frankfurt. He does so much on the court. You could see at times his great vision on the court. With experience he took his passing to a new level.

How does a summer work out day look like for Dashaun Wood on and off the court in 2015? Do you feel that you have to change your daily routine with age?

I rest a bit now and in a few weeks will slowly get back into my routine. When I start to prepare for the season, I will get up at 6am and go to the gym and lift weights. Then I will go home, eat and take a nap. At 1 or 2 I will get up shots and then come home again and eat. At night I will play some 5-5 or in league games.

You have been a fan of Lebron for a while, but does Steph Curry have the game to dethrone a guy like Lebron in the future?

Curry has the ability to smack down anyone. I watch a lot of film on Curry and try to implement his game a bit, but Lebron is on a mission and nobody can get him.

What is your 2015 NBA finals prediction? Will the Cavs and Lebron win or will Golden State and the splash brothers take it?

Cavs in six with Lebron as MVP. If he reaches that then he is the second best player of all time after Michael Jordan.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Hot Tub Time Machine 2. It was a funny movie.

Thanks Dashaun for the chat.

Richie Williams is a 27 year old 178cm guard that recently played for the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL): EuroChallenge: 2 games: 9.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 6.5apg, 2.0spg; German BBL: 9 games: 8.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 40.6%, 3FGP: 48.0%, FT: 70.6%, in Jan.’15 moved to SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA): 12 games: 4.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played  36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.’10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. In 2011-2012, he played for  UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB) 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for SC Rasta Vechta playing 38 games: 15.6ppg, 5.2rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 79.9%. In the 2013-2014 season for Vechta he played 34 games: 14.6ppg, 4.7rpg, 4.4apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 82.7%. He spoke to German Hoops following the 2014-2015 season.

Richie thanks for talking to German Hoops. What was the first thing you did when you got home besides seeing family and friends?

The first thing I did was go to Sarita’s Taco shop

You just completed your season in Germany with SC Rasta Vechta after having started the season with the Fraport Skyliners. How frustrating was this season for you considering you had huge expectations coming to Frankfurt after a very strong BBL season with Vechta?

I’m a true believer that things happen for a reason. There’s no time to dwell. I just have to learn and move on.

Your stay with the Fraport Skyliners was shortened to four months even though you only played five weeks of games. Was this short working agreement a misunderstanding from both sides?

Sometimes things don’t go as planned and when that happens, changes are liable to happen.

Do you feel that your stay in Frankfurt would have gone a lot different had you arrived in Frankfurt 100% healthy?

Definitely. Everyone is aware of what I can do when I’m 100% healthy.

You had some solid games against Artland and in Eurochallenge play against Baaken. What positives were you able to gather from your time with the Fraport Skyliners?

It’s confirmation that I’m one of the best when I’m at full strength.

Which Fraport Skyliner did you have the most pleasure playing with this season?

I was closer to some players than others but they were all fun players to be around and play with.

In January you went back to your old team SC Rasta Vechta and in 12 games averaged 4,6ppg, 2,7rpg and 3,3apg. Were you completey healthy went you returned?

I was healthy but I was coming off almost 3 months with no basketball activity and not touching a basketball.

You never found your rhythm with Vechta. Did you feel much pressure coming from the Frankfurt situation and having to put up the kind of numbers you had last season?

There wasn’t a pressure issue for me. My frustrations came from not playing at a level I have known myself to play at

Vechta already had point guard Derek Wright. In retrospect were you ok with having to get less minutes than last season?

I was okay with it. I knew what I was getting myself into.

This was your first season where you played for two teams. What lessons did you learn this season that will help you this summer when you enter the transfer market again?

I learned to make sure I’m 100% healthy going into training camp.

Do you think you will stay in Germany or could you imagine going to another country to play?

I have no clue what’s in store for me in terms of where I will next play season. I like Germany and I’m comfortable in Germany but I wouldn’t oppose playing anywhere else.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The Loft.

Thanks Richie for the chat.

With the first beko BBL semi-final finally set, fans will see two of the leagues power houses with one time BBL champion FC Bayern Munich that lives by their physical nature against eight time beko BBL champion Alba Berlin that also knows how to bang when they feel it´s necessary. This series could be like in the manner of the 80´s playoff atmosphere between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers where there was no love lost between both teams as the hot topic before and after each game was who was more physical and what was the physical play of the game. Another hot topic in this best of five series which starts Sunday will be the battle between the ex Alba Berlin players Heiko Schaffartzik, Nihad Djedovic, Lucca Staiger, Yassin Idbihi and Bryce Taylor and Jan Jagla(only player who wasn´t with winning team last season) who are seeking to defend their title from last season and go two for two against Alba Berlin. However the most interesting aspect of this series will be, can this series be as physical as an amateur bout at the local boxing club in Detroit or will this series go to the extreme punch like during a Mike Tyson/Evander Holyfield in the 90´s, but not including any ear play. It is no secret that both teams like to tear up the paint the way an Egyptian goose does it´s territory when other birds get in their way. Alba Berlin love to defend aggressively and with Clifford Hammonds or Akeem Vargas one has two of the most fierce defenders in the back court while down low a Marko Banic or Leon Radosevic don´t shy away from anyone. FC Bayern Munich show their special defined physicality with John Brant and Vladimir Stimac who won´t stop getting to the hoop or getting by 2-3 opponents until the ball is safely in the bucket or them getting to the free throw line. The inside play of FC Bayern Munich wasn´t always clean in the playoff series against the Fraport Skyliners as Danilo Barthel witnessed in game three as he got a taste of the elbow of Nihad Djedovic. Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert was less than pleased of Djedovic and even let out his frustration with a verbal tirade in front of 6-7 Munich employees and coaches following the game four loss in Frankfurt. After the loss, Herbert gave to record that the play of Djedovic in game three was uncalled for and that he should have been suspended. Herbert also didn´t understand why the league didn´t value the video evidence as it was clear that Barthel was punished by Djedovic unjustly in the paint. After the loss, Herbert had his view to this playoff series and what could happen if these two teams play dirty instead of fair. “IF FC Bayern Munich play against Alba Berlin with the same physicality that they played against us, then I think that a brawl could ensue on the court”, stressed Gordon Herbert. The beko BBL can only hope and dream of a more clean series, but especially when the stakes are so high, a team will do anything to win a game no matter what.

Alba Berlin is led by power forward/center Jamel Mcclean(13,9ppg, 6,5rpg, 1,9apg) who made his international break through this season in the Euroleague averaging 13,0ppg, 5,6rpg and 1,6apg and scored in double figures in 16 of 21 games. He belongs to the most dangerous inside scorers in the league with John Bryant. Alex Renfroe(10,9ppg, 4,7rpg, 4,3apg) who helped Bamberg win their last title in 2013 has given his new team much experience primarily being that energy player from the bench and explosive scorer. Reggie Redding(10,8ppg, 3,9rpg, 4,5apg) is the team´s third leading scorer and top assist man. His versatility is his biggest asset as he can play so many positions. He had some big games against FC Bayern Munich with 23 points and 27 points against Zalgiris. Leon Radosevic(10,1ppg, 4,2rpg, 1,1apg) continues to adjust well to the BBL in his second season and is that presence inside, but doesn´t shy away from placing the mid distance jumper through the net. The Croatian scored in double figures 17 times and had big games against Bonn and Bamberg netting 18 points a piece and had 16 points in the 80-70 win against FC Barcelona. Croatian Marko Banic(9,5ppg, 3,4rpg) also presents his inside out game to perfection, but especially inside is difficult to contain. He scored in double figures 15 times. American Cliff Hammonds(9,2ppg, 2,9rpg, 3,1apg) who balled at Clemson(NCAA) continues to be the top defender in the league and is just that reliable point guard that keeps an offense moving and netted 18 points against Frankfurt and Ulm. Two time NCAA champion with UCONN Niels Giffey(7,0ppg, 2,7rpg) has had a solid rookie campaign adjusting well to the European style and packed Alba Berlin roster. His best game was 17 points against TBB Trier, but on a team that is stocked with scoring power, he helps the team on defense and does small things not seen on the stat sheet. Alex King(6,5ppg, 2,5rpg, 1,2aapg) has matured unbelievably as a player who has gone from Murat Didin´s doghouse in Frankfurt 10 years ago to a respected Euroleague player. He is the team´s captain and an athletic bull that really can do so much well now from shooting to finding the open man. German Akeem Vargas(5,7ppg, 2,5rpg) started only seven games, but when one defensive pest in Hammonds took a breather then came in the next defensive pest in Vargas. Vargas is regarded as one of the most annoying players as he likes to use that physicality and had some good scoring games with 15 against Phoenix Hagen and 14 against Artland. German Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann(2,7ppg) got lost a bit in the big man shuffle this season fighting for minutes, but he is always an asset as he continues to develop. His best game was 10 points against BG Goettingen. The club also boast talented German Ismet Akpinar(3,2ppg) and veteran Jannik Freese(1,9ppg, 1,7rpg) who came to Alba Berlin in the second half of the season and went from practice player to rotation player.

FC Bayern Munich without a doubt have the deepest roster in the league and one would want almost each guy on your team as most would be starters on any other team in the league. The star of the team is John Bryant(13,5ppg, 7,9rpg) who played three seasons with ratiopharm Ulm and is the best center in the league as he is so difficult to stop, but the most valuable player on the team is Serb Nihad Djedovic(15,0ppg, 3,5rpg, 2,6apg) who is a high energy player that is so versatile that just does all on the court scoring in double figures in 19 of 24 games. After missing two months, he came back strong in April as if he had never been away. Head coach Svetislav Pesic has had his luck with picking the right Serb´s as Dusko Savanovic(11,6ppg, 4,6rpg, 2,1apg) was the hidden MVP as he is also a very mobile and versatile big man who is unselfish and belonged to the team´s best performers in the Euroleague. The guy with the biggest heart Bryce Taylor(9,5ppg, 3,1rpg, 1,3apg) was the team best three point shooter and as captain his team play was never missing. He came back slow from injury, but started going in February. Some just come and pay admission to see Anon Gavel(8,4ppg, 2,1rpg, 4,0apg) launch his line drive shots led the team in assists and can always haunt you with his bombs from outside. With Bryant taking a rest an opponent gets hit with the next bruiser with Vladimir Stimac(8,1ppg, 5,4rpg). There is nothing fancy about his game, but he gets the job done as Bonn witnessed as he poured in 19 points. The Serb connection continues with 2014 NBA draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers with point guard Vasilije Misic87,6ppg, 2,1rpg, 3,7apg) who is like an energizer bunny and is just a pest to deal with from the bench. Just when you thought that that was the roster, you still have six Germans on the team. Heiko Schaffartzik(6,9ppg, 1,6rpg, 3,4apg) started only seven games, but was the teams second best three point shooter at 41% and can scare anyone with his focused look on the court at all times. Robin Benzing(6,5ppg, 2,2rpg, 1,3apg) is playing his fourth season in Munich, but his scoring stats have fallen the last three seasons. His scoring average obviously will suffer on a team like Munich, but he is always good for some unexpected big plays. Jan Jagla(5,3ppg, 2,8rpg)still going strong at 33 and is always effective in the minutes that he gets. Paul Zipser(4,9ppg, 2,4rpg) is a guy that needs to fight for his minutes, but showed what he can do scoring 20 against Tuebingen and 13 against Valencia in the Eurocup. Yassin Idbihi(3,5ppg, 2,0rpg) can always give support from the bench with points and rebounds, but this season is more a cheerleader.

I did predict correctly that Alba Berlin would get by the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, but never in a sweep as I saw it going the distance, but the injuries of the 2015 Beko BBL cup winner were to extreme to make it a real competition, but they still did a good job holding their own. What would have happened if they would have had Nemanja Aleksandrov on board? Could that have made the difference? If Oldenburg had not let that 10 point lead slip away in the last five minutes in game one, they might have been able to go home win and have the 2-0 lead, but that never happened as Alba Berlin were challenged, but won game two and three comfortably by 10 points a game. Oldenburg was severely limited in game three as they only really had a six man rotation as the rest three were Pro B players and Julius Jenkins was out. Alba Berlin simply had the deeper rotation and experience factor which made the 3-0 series win look a lot more decisive than the scores did with all their injury problems. Nobody gave the Fraport Skyliners a real chance as people were speaking sweep from the start. Frankfurt actually did win one game at home in game two as they crushed FC Bayern Munich as they had a golden day while the opponent had a black day as their focus and effort were about as far away as the Allianz arena in Munich is from Frankfurt. Frankfurt had lost German national player Johannes Voigtmann after the game one loss in Munich and still were able to make such a performance and that had to be their best game of the season. However in game three and four the Fraport Skyliners had no chance as they were rocked 82-64 and 92-71. The biggest key´s for FC Bayern Munich advancing to the semi-finals was their consistency, rebounding, deeper bench, physicality, and better three point shooting of 18/43 while the Fraport Skyliners shot 9/39 from downtown.

Alba Berlin and FC Bayern Munich split the season series as the two games were only decided by a total of 5 points. Alba Berlin won the first game at home 83-80 as Americans Jamel Mcclean and Reggie Redding were on fire combining for 46 points with 23 points a piece. Alba Berlin only shot 4/18 from outside, but shot better from the two point range and rebounded better. In the return game in Munich, the home team pulled out a squeaker 70-68. Nihad Djedovic was the top scorer of Munich with 21 points and the game was literally decided on the free throw line as FC Bayern Munich hit 17 more free throws. When breaking down the team stats between Alba Berlin and FC Bayern Munich, Munich scorers more(88-85), rebounds better 38-36), and lets up only (10-13 turnovers) while Alba Berlin shoots better from the field(49%-47%), and better from the three point line with (37%-36%). Both teams stack up very well head to head and on paper. Both teams are deep and experienced, but in this regard I would put the slight edge with the Bavarian team. In this series the home court advantage could very much decide the series which Alba Berlin has. The key players to stop is Mr everything Nihad Djedovic and Mr energizer Bryce Taylor that exhibited his scoring in bunches against the Fraport Skyliners. The key players to stop for Alba Berlin is center Jamel Mclean who needs to be pushed out of the zone because he is unstoppable as soon as he has the ball and position and Mr versatile Reggie Redding who does everything for the team and fills up the stat sheet like no one else. Both teams are strong defensive teams and in this series defense will make the difference as effort and who really will do the little things will decide the series.

Sometimes there are those kind of players where one is waiting for the big breakthrough and one waits and waits like a middle aged woman hoping for that marriage proposal year after year, but it never happens. For certain professional basketball players that don´t develop quicker tend to get a label especially if he has those boyish looks that don’t seem to go away. German 210 cm power forward/center Tim Ohlbrecht is still only 26, but for some may as well be only 22 as that is what it feels like as it simply took him a longer time to develop in the Beko BBL. In the BBL, he had the constant non ending comparisons to a big blond from Wurzburg that never went away and the big man surely could have had long talks with FC Bayern Munich forward Jan Jagla who had the same kind of comparisons years earlier. It still seems to be a riddle why his maturity went so slow in Germany where guys like Maik Zirbes or Tibor Pleiss rose a lot quicker than Ohlbrecht did and went to top teams in Europe. Whereas in the States Ohlbrecht made the NBA in just one year and won back to back D-league titles with the Rio Grande Vipers and Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He may have played only three NBA games with the Rockets, but there are only a hand full of German players that can boast that he played in the NBA. It is even harder to believe that Ohlbrecht won his first BBL title 8 years ago when he was only an 18 year old basketball baby in Bamberg with players like ex NBA players Casey Jacobsen and Vincent Yarbrough and was teamsmates with German legend Steffen Hamann and Bamberg legend Chris Ensminger. He also played in places like Bonn and Frankfurt and now 8 years after hoisting a BBL title with the Brose Baskets Bamberg, the only 26 year old Ohlbrecht will clash with his ex team. Even though Olbrecht played three seasons with the Brose Baskets Bamberg as well as with their cooperation teams Breitengussbach and Nurnberg, he only played 68 BBL games. He never got a real chance with Dirk Bauermann and co and after three seasons the team gave up on him. Maybe he had left the Bayer Giants Leverkusen (1.Bundesliga) too early in 2006 as his development hadn´t been ready for the drastic change. This season he has finally made his full breakthrough in the BBL as he has superb stats for the minutes he is getting as in the BBL he is averaging 12,5ppg, 5,5rpg, 1,2bs, in 21 minutes per game and an astounding 40,0% from downtown as his banning of taking the three as was the case in Frankfurt under Muli Katzurin seems nonexistent in Ulm. In the Eurochallenge, he was also very solid as he played six games averaging 10,8ppg, 4,5rpg, 1,2apg in 18 minutes. Even if Michael Koch has left the Telekom Baskets Bonn, Ohlbrecht was able to get revenge on his old team helping Ulm get by in five games and now he is more than motivated to finish off his ex team Bamberg the favorite.

The leading scorer of ratiopharm Ulm is German national player Per Guenter(13,4ppg, 1,6rpg, 4,9apg) who recently signed an extension to remain in Ulm. Guenther is the best German point guard playing in the BBL as he has become such a complete player scoring in double figures 23 times and being a scorer if needed in crunch time and is the teams best three point shooter at the moment. Tim Olhbrecht(13,0ppg, 5,5rpg) is back in the BBL after a two year stay in the States that brought him 3 NBA games for the memories. He has become a consistent player in the BBL having scored in double figures 24 times and registering 4 double doubles. Will Clyburn(12,9ppg, 7,7rpg, 1,9apg) belonged to the most improved players in the league , leads the team in rebounding, steals, third in scoring and third in assists. He scored in double figures in 23 games and had a masterful 28 points against Ludwigsburg. He is the teams MVP this season. Greek Ian Vougioukas(11,4ppg, 2,9rpg) brought his 62 Euroleague experience in March and will need to produce. Slovenian Jaka Klobucar(11,3ppg, 2,7rpg, 3,2apg) has been most valuable with his versatility and added scoring punch from the bench. Brion Rush(10,5ppg, 2,1rpg, 1,9apg) came in February and is another talented guard that gave immense support with his scoring in wins against Artland and BG Goettingen and is a pest on defense. Marten Leunen(7,7ppg, 3,7rpg, 1,7apg) is the glue that keeps the team together as the 2008 Houston Rocket NBA draft pick played the last five years in the Italian Serie A and shines with his experience, team play and is the teams current best three point shooter. Philipp Schwethelm(5,4ppg, 2,5rpg) already played his first BBL game at age 16 with Cologne and is still only 26 and is known for his aggressive defense, but can also be very effective as he showed scoring 22 points against the Fraport Skyliners with five three pointers. Isaiah Philmore(3,7ppg, 1,9rpg) is a rookie who doesn´t get many minutes, but plays effective for his 10 minutes per game and is another big body down below. Adam Hess(2,4ppg, 1,4rpg) is 34 and can still hit the three pointer and had strong games against his ex team Phoenix Hagen with 16 points and 12 against Crailsheim, but his worth is more his experience and vocal leadership as he gets limited minutes. Rookie Deonte Burton(1,8ppg) who had a stellar career at Nevada(NCAA) and played NBA Summer league with the Washington Wizards in 2014 has been lost in the roster mix with little playing time, but the experience he got playing with top players should help him with his career in Europe should he remain. He is another big scoring threat waiting to get on the floor.

The Brose Baskets Bamberg is led by American Ryan Thompson(13,8ppg, 2,6rpg, 2,4apg) who has had a great season after coming from the Belgium league has belonged to the most dangerous three point shooters on the team. He has scored in double figures 21 times including a 35 point explosion against ratiopharm Ulm. Brad Wanamaker(12,9ppg, 3,7rpg, 4,6apg) from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh(NCAA) is the teams MVP and has been the motor that has made the team so successful. He scored in double figures 23 times and was instrumental in the two wins against Alba Berlin scoring 21 points and 16 points. Ex Xavier player Josh Duncan(12,7ppg, 5,5rpg, 1,8apg) was troubled by injury this season playing only 18 games, but returned in April and will be key in the playoff run with his athletic inside out play. He had big games against FC Bayern Munich and Oldenburg with 22 and 21 points. EX Minnesota(NCAA) forward Trevor Mbakwe(10,5ppg, 7,0rpg, 1,0apg) who had 10 and 10 stats as a rookie with Virtus Roma has been a high flyer in the BBL and has been a regular on the highlight films this season as he is a beast on the offensive glass. He has scored in double figures 19 times including a 25 point 10 rebound game against Phoenix Hagen. Dawan Robinson(10,5ppg, 1,6rpg, 2,2apg) came in January and has been a vital spark from the bench giving his vast experience of 9 professional seasons as his physical stature gives him much advantage getting buckets inside while his outside shooting has been spot on at 48%. Latvian Janis Strelnieks(10,2ppg, 2,3rpg, 2,7apg) is the full package at the point guard position as he excels in pick and role and changing the tempo and has scored in double figures 20 times including a 31 point outburst against FC Bayern Munich. High energy player German Daniel Theis(10,2ppg, 5,2rpg, 1,3apg) who can play inside out with the best of them had a good start to the season then a lull in the middle and has finished strong scoring in double figures in the last five games including a 20 point game against ratiopharm Ulm. Ex NBA player Darius Miller(9,6ppg, 2,1rpg, 2,2apg)who played with the New Orleans Pelicans the last two years playing 97 games came very late to the team, but has been a reliable asset from the bench shooting 46% from outside. Ex Gonzaga(NCAA) player Elias Harris(7,0ppg, 3,2rpg) who played two NBA games with the Los Angeles Lakers forms the best power forward duo with Theis in the league. He has scored in double figures 9 times and has suffered a bit with the deep rotation, but he is always a dangerous player that can change a game. German Kartsen Tadda(3,5ppg, 2,1rpg, 1,1apg) has won the most of anyone on the team with 7 titles with Bamberg and is a real team player that is always capable of making a big play. Croatian Dalibor Bagaric(1,3ppg, 1,2rpg) who played three seasons with the Chicago Bulls is a 217cm 130 kilo center who doesn´t play much, but when he does no one really want to bump into inside. He adds to the vast depth on the team.

The Brose Baskets Bamberg advanced to the semi-finals with a comfortable 3-0 sweep of the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, but getting by Ludwigsburg was a lot more difficult than what the sweep scores showed. Bamberg averaged 87 points per game in the three game series while Ludwigsburg averaged 80 points a game. Both teams showed their offensive presence, but Bamberg just had a bit more fire power. Bamberg won the first game 87-79 was up 14 after 30 minutes and held on despite a late Ludwigsburg come back. Bamberg was led by the point guard duo of Philadelphia natives Dawan Robinson and Brad Wanamaker, shot better as a team and just slipped by on the boards 40-39. And they had the bit stronger bench and all around rotation. In game two, Ludwigsburg gave it their best shot taking the game into OT, but never could get over the hump as Bamberg always led in extra time. Statistically there wasn´t much difference of both teams as Bamberg shot a bit better while Ludwigsburg won the rebounding duel 40-34. Both teams showed their ability to have a different top scorer as John Little had 21 points and Daniel Theis had 17 points while ex NBA player Jon Brockman was in beast mode again getting a double double. In game three Ludwigsburg played a controlled and focused first half leading by seven points, but just couldn´t keep it up for 40 minutes as Bamberg powered home 52 points in the second half winning 87-79. Ludwigsburg won the rebounding battle, but the difference were the three pointers as Bamberg shot better. Wanamaker and Kennedy led their respective teams in scoring, but once again the deeper bench of Bamberg was a big factor why they could pull out another win.

The Ulm-Bonn series was the most exciting as it went the distance of 5 games. The first three games were all close affairs as the games were decided by not more than 12 points and both teams won their first games on the road and then the next two games each team won at home and game five Ulm was able to win in Bonn again for the third time in four games this season. Down 2-1, Ulm struck back at home winning 86-73. Ratiopharm Ulm won the quarter scoring in the first three and were in control for most of the game until giving 27 points in the fourth, but they scored 24 points and still could win with ease. Both teams shot well from the field, but poorly from outside and Ulm won the rebound duel and the 20 turnovers of Bonn hurt them. Ulm big man Ian Vougioukas led the team with 22 points and 10 rebounds and Will Clyburn had 22 points and eight rebounds while the Bonn guard tandem of Richard Mcconnell and Eugene Lawrence combined for 31 points and 15 assists. Game 5 was a battle to the finish and after 30 minutes Bonn led 59-57 at home, but couldn´t withstand the Ulm power surge in the fourth as they dropped 29 points for the 86-79 victory. There wasn´t much that was separating both teams as the stats were very close. A big factor for Ulm was top scorer Greek Vougioukas who scored the most points for Ulm in the last three games. Per Guenther also found to his old strength scoring 13 points, dishing out six assists and getting three steals after not being at his best in the first games of the series. It was clear to see when the road team is able to win a do or die game on the road shows that Ulm just wanted it a bit more.

The Brose Baskets swept the season series as they crushed Ulm at home 101-74 and then won on the road 95-88. Ulm had no remedy for American Ryan Thompson who was in the zone with 35 points and Bamberg had five guys in double figures while Per Guenther led Ulm with 16 points. Both teams hit 8 three pointers while Ulm had six more free throws and Bamberg led the rebound battle, but the story of the game was the Bamberg 29 field goals which was 16 more than Ulm. In game two Bamberg won in Ludwigsburg 95-88. This was a wild game as Ulm scored 33 points in the first while Bamberg scored 33 in the second. Bamberg kept up their offensive strength scoring 49 points in the second half and winning. Both teams shot over 50% from the field, but Bamberg also did from downtown while Ulm sot 43% from outside. Both teams were relatively even with rebounding and turnovers, but the difference was that Bamberg had six guys in double figures as Theis had 20 points. When looking at the team stats, Bamberg leads each category against Ulm with points per game(84-83) Field goal(51%-46%), three point shooting(40%-36%),turnovers(12,2,13,0) and assists(17,2-15,3) and only rebounds is it even(34-34). Both teams match up pretty well in that both have long players, athletic players and good shooters. The duel of the series will be Wanamaker vs Guenther. Ulm will need Guenther to play very well to be successful while a Wanamaker does make his team go when he is on, but even if he has an off day, they have enough other weapons to keep the team going. However in the end the better defensive team will win and that is Bamberg. Bamberg will always be able to score against Ulm. Ulm has to play their best defense, but can they do it in three games stopping their fire power? Both have deep benches even if Bamberg´s is a bit deeper and Bamberg has more experience which will put them ahead to the final.

It has been no secret that there has been a type of injury bug curse upon the Fraport Skyliners for years now as bothersome as the current train strike situation in Germany as one never really knows when it will strike. Especially last season the walking wounded list of the Fraport Skyliners was as long as the candy list of Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose who has admitted having on going binges or eating two pounds of candy in one day and admitting he has a Skittles vending machine at home. In the 2013-2014 season the Fraport´s Skyliners injuries woes were severe as they had lost key players like ex NBA player Andrew Rautins, Quantez Robertson, Jacob Burtschi or Dane Watts for long periods of time. If one were to compare the last two seasons which was worse injury wise, one could even fly in a stats guru who probably wouldn´t be able to dissect the reasons or game to player missed stats any better. Especially this season the club had tough injuries to guys like Konstantin Klein, Richard Williams which were key positions in the first few months where the club had little resources to compensate those positions or to a guy like Danilo Barthel would was injured at a very inconvenient time in January where the team was playing key Eurochallenge games and once again the team wasn´t deep at the power forward position. St Peters Burg, Florida native Mike Morrison missed seven games which also hurt the center position. Another key time where the team couldn´t afford any injuries was in the FC Bayern Munich series where 2014-2015 most improved player Johannes Voigtmann was injured in game one and never returned to the series as Frankfurt had a big hole at the center position which then was feeding time for the Munich big men that totally took advantage of with their over aggressive play in the paint. At times it felt like there was team one and two watching the game as team one was on the bench and team two was behind the bench sitting in the first row and if one really had to could have even made a team three with all the players little kids wandering around that area. And if one had to give an award of best non-point guard of the year than that would have been given to Cincinnati native Quantez Robertson who often had to play point guard or at least use his ball handling skills and bring the ball up the court in the set offense. Robertson told me years ago he would love to act as a point guard one day, well this season he had that chance and even if he wasn´t as skilled as Cincinnati native the Big O(NBA legend Oscar Robertson) who was a combo guard, he definitely showed his zeal and effort was there and being second best assist man behind Justin Cobbs wasn´t self-evident. Despite all the untimely injuries this season and bad start, the team was mostly able to claw out of unfortunate situations with the superb guidance of the coaching team and then the timely acquisition of American Justin Cobbs.

When looking at the season in review, The Fraport Skyliners goal was to reach the beko BBL playoffs and they were able to do that despite a horrible start and the injury woes. The club came into the season seemingly ready with a solid roster, but there was no guarantee to make the playoffs as their budget was in the lower one third of team budgets in the league and with the competition factor rising each season making the playoffs wasn´t necessarily as a matter of course as many people saw Frankfurt ending anywhere from 6-15. However the first five weeks of the season, the season went a totally different course as they started the season 1-7 and even the most loyal Skyliner fans were starting to wonder when the team was finally going to slip out of their season opening slump funk. Many were questioning the signing of Richard Williams who wasn´t bad or great, but solid and not being that exceptional floor general leader that team really needed. Konstantin Klein was injured and soon after Richard Williams went down and the club had no beko BBL point guard on the roster. In the 94-59 drubbing in Aalst Belgium in their first Eurochallenge game the team played with only a six man rotation and three Pro B players. It got worse two weeks later as they nearly beat Boras of Sweden in Eurochallenge play as they lost on a last second buzzer beater from Adama Darboe despite Frankfurt playing only with a starting five and two pro B players and Pro B player Kyle Fossman in the starting lineup and Quantez Robertson playing point guard. After a win at home against the Walter Tigers Tuebingen the turning point came on November 29^th in Leipzig in a game against the Mitteldeutscher BC where the beko BBL saw the birth of Justin Cobbs who had a long three months before as a rookie training with Laboral Kutxa Vitoria (Spain-Liga Endesa), then being the last cut of the Charlotte Hornets (NBA) as his dream had cracked and then his first stint in Europe with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL) was a misunderstanding as nothing fell in place with him and the coach. The amazing thing about Cobbs is that he was brilliant for a long time from the start until March where he seemed to tire a bit, get a small turnover phobia and teams seemed to have found out how to defend him better with time and experience and video analysis. He scored in double figures in 20 straight games as he led the team to a 18-3 record as he scored in double figures in 21 straight games and the team had a 18-3 record in BBL and Eurochallenge play. The only game where he didn´t score in double figures was his first in Leipzig against the Mitteldeutscher BC where he had just arrived to the team a day earlier. Cobbs is a guy like Dashaun Wood in that can score in bunches and become explosive whenever he decides to turn on that Cobbs switch. He looks so controlled out on the floor most of the time and is a master of changing speeds. He gave Frankfurt so much stability something they didn´t have previously this season. Even though his stats may suggest that he is a scoring point guard, he actually is a pass first guard even if its hard to believe. When that night came when his shot was cold, then one would have seen his passing qualities come to light. You could have been trapped in the bathroom and missed the game and not known who had won after Cobbs exited the dressing room because he always had that same expression. The guy was always focused and was just all business. He didn´t want to be the best guard in Europe, but battle with the likes of Paul, Curry and Wall in the NBA. In these three months, Cobbs was the main reason for the team going from the bottom to a playoff contender and to the Eurochallenge final four. With the bitter 76-70 loss in Bonn on March 7 where the team led by 10 points late, but gave it away was when the Cobbs play started to suffer a bit, but not of that of the team as they finished with a record of 7-3. In his last 14 regular season games Cobbs had seven games of five turnovers.

Another strong point of the team since the arrival of Cobbs was their ability to win close games. Especially their ability to have the nerves and win in two double overtime games in Eurochallenge play against Den Bosch and Avtodor on the road showed great class. They also beat Den Bosch at home with 75-70, and beat Enisey 77-74 at home and then won 85-80 as they made a miraculous comeback of 19 points down at halftime which was their best and most exciting win of the season. In this time they also beat Alba Berlin in overtime 87-80 and the EWE Baskets Oldenburg 83-81 in overtime and squeezed out a thriller at home against medi Bayreuth 90-89 even if one could have described the cover of the game as ugly. Another big reason why the Fraport Skyliners were so successful was the coaching staff. Head coach Gordon Herbert has always had the ability to do the best possible with what he has to work with. Even then when adversity arises, he is brilliant with making the needed adjustments to be able to compete as well as beating top teams. He might not have made the best decision with Richard Williams, but he made it good again with getting Justin Cobbs who turned the season around. He stayed true to his continued belief of developing the big three of Danilo Barthel Johannes Voigtmann and Konstain Klein as well as giving more minutes to a Johannes Richter, Stefan Ilzhofer or Kevin Bright. There is no better German big man tandem than Johannes Voigtmann and Danilo Barthel in the BBL than then. Herbert also had the guts to give them minutes from the start something one haven´t seen any other teams do as the Americans are seeded as much as are peanuts for the average baseball fan at a game. Another strength that the club had which helped them be so successful was their special value and attention to team basketball. This was something cemented by Gordon Herbert and the team stuck to it. It was mostly a pleasure to watch the team play as you had the extra pass at every position. Cobbs who seems to be a scoring point guard is actually pass first guard. Sean Armand exhibited great passing qualities even though he is a sniper. At the forward position Quantez Robertson used to be the main recipient of ally-op passes, but this season may have actually given the most to Mike Morrison as Tez was watching more this season then actually flying to the basket. There are seldom less selfish players than Jacob Burtschi and Aaron Doornekamp who loved the extra pass and at the center position with Johannes Voigtmann you have one of the best passing centers in the league if not the best and third best assist man on his team. Danilo Barthel wasn´t too shabby himself as watching Voigtmann and Barthel set each other up was at times worthy of ohhhs and ahhhhs. Their inside passing too each other was amazing. At the end the Fraport Skyliners had to meet FC Bayern Munich and with Voigtmann out after game one, it was close to impossible to win the series. They gave their best, but at the end experience, deepness, rebounding and physicality was too much for them to compete over 40 minutes. All in all it was the best season since the final run in the 2010-2011 season. The only damper was losing both games in the Eurochallenge, but sometimes in basketball life when opponents are well matched up, it comes to the little things and that was exactly what happened as Frankfurt lost by only eight points combined against Nanterre and Rovinari.

Now it´s time to give player grades and speculate if a player will stay or depart. Johannes Voigtmann gets an A and completed his third season with Frankfurt and was able to improve his scoring and rebounding each season. His stats in the BBL were 12,2ppg, 5,9rrpg and 2,4apg and scored in double figures 21 times with three double doubles. He was even better in Eurochallenge play as he played 17 games: 16.0ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 64.8%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 79.4%. He scored in double figures in 15 of 17 games including big games with 26 points against Tartu Rock and Enisey. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-EuroChallenge Center of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-EuroChallenge, European Player of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-EuroChallenge 1st Team -15, and Eurobasket.com EuroChallenge All-Europeans Team -15. For many he was the teams MVP and made his breakthrough. He should be a full time German national player in 2-3 years. He has a contract with the team. The team MVP was Justin Cobbs who was a rookie and gets an A and played 27 BBL games averaging 14,4ppg, 2,5rpg and 4,4rpg. He scored in double figures in 20 games including a 27 point effort against Ludwigsburg. In the Eurochallenge he played 12 games: 16.3ppg, 2.9rpg, Assists-4(6.1apg), FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 83.1%. He scored in double figures in 11 of 12 games notching 23 points against Den Bosch. Who knows where the Fraport Skyliners would have been without the arrival of Cobbs. He led the team into the BBL playoffs and Eurochallenge final four. Cobbs will try to reach his dream of the NBA via the summer league with the Charlotte Bobcats. If he doesn´t reach the NBA, he will return back to Europe and get bigger bucks elsewhere. Cobbs won´t return. Sean Armand was a rookie out of Brooklyn New York and gets a B and played 36 BBL games averaging 12,8ppg, 2,9rpg and 2,4apg and shot 37% from downtown. He scored in double figures in 25 games including a 27 point effort against Phoenix Hagen In Eurochallenge play he played 16 games averaging 13.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 88.2%. He scored in double figures in 11 games including a 31 point outburst against Avtodor and 23 points against Enisey. He became a top sixth man in the league and showed just how lethal he could become as a shooter. With his play as a rookie, he could be the next David Bell in the BBL. He showed that he was a good passer, but was inconsistent with taking care of the ball as at times turnovers were a problem. He has a contract option. 50/50 chance he will stay. The minister of defense Quantez Robertson completed his sixth season with the team and gets an A-. He had his best scoring average and assist average in his professional career. In the BBL he played 37 games averaged 11,1ppg, 4,4rpg and 3,3apg.He scored in double figures in 22 games including 22 point games against Artland and Tuebingen. In Eurochallenge play he played 17 games: 10.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 76.2%. He scored in double figures in 10 games including a 30 point effort against Avtodor. Tez does it all on the court energizes the team and could play a 7OT game if he had to as his motor only is empty when his daughter makes him weak by her presence. He showed he can score on a consistent basis and just having his presence on the court on defense was golden. His only knack is he tends to get out of control with his one on one. In Oldenburg its Paulding burg and in Frankfurt its Tezfurt. Tez will end his career in Frankfurt and have his number #13 next to Pascal Roller under the rafters one day. Canadian Aaron Doornekamp finished his fifth professional season and second in Germany after play with Braunschweig last season. He gets a C as a grade. He played 37 BBL games averaging 6,8ppg, 4,0rpg and 1,6apg. He scored in double figures in nine times including a 28 point game against Ludwigsburg and 22 points against Oldenburg in big wins. In Eurochallenge he played 17 games: 6.1ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 43.9%, FT: 71.4%. He scored in double figures three times including a 21 point effort in the 94-92 OT win in Den Bosch. One thought he would be more of a scoring threat, but he wasn´t. At times one thought he was in a shell and was trapped not being able to get out and perform the way he knew how. However he was a glue guy and hard worker under the boards. He did many of the little things that weren´t visible on the stat sheet. He has an option to remain. 40% chances that he will stay.

Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi came out of semi-retirement and returned back to Frankfurt for the third time after Frankfurt came calling needing a replacement for the injured Danilo Barthel. Burtschi gets a B. In the BBL he played 15 games averaging 7,3ppg, 3,8rpg and 1,8apg. He scored in double figures three times including his best point game in his career as he smacked Bremerhaven with 36 points and ten three pointers. In Eurochallenge he played 8 games: 8.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 42.5%, FT: 66.7%. He scored in double figures three times including a 17 point effort against Avtodor. Burtschi was also a glue guy who did everything for the team and also did much that one didn´t see on the stat sheet. The Fraport Skyliners may have to choose between him and Doornekamp. Burtschi has no contract for next season. He is a guy that gives the same effort be it 5,10,15,20 or 25 minutes a game. He is the ultimate team player. Frankfurt most likely will take Doornekamp over him meaning he probably won´t return. 30% chance that Burtschi will return. Heidelberg native Danilo Barthel completed his fourth season with Frankfurt and gets a C+. In the BBL he played 30 games averaging 9,3ppg, 4,6rpg and 1,1apg. He scored in double figures in 14 games including a 22 point game against Braunschweig and 22 points against Crailsheim. In Eurochallenge he played 10 games: 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 81.0%. He scored in double figures in seven games including 16 points against Aalstar. The German had a solid first half, but was injured in January which put a damper into the second half as he missed two months. He had a slow return. He was a big factor in the club success in the first half. He still has a contract. After Belgium, Cyprus and Finland Mike Morrison came to Germany. He gets a B-. He played 32 BBL games averaging 7,4ppg, and 3,4rpg. He scored in double figures 11 times including a 23 point game against Phoenix Hagen. In Eurochallenge he played 12 games: 6.3ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 69.6%, FT: 73.3%. He scored in double figures three times including 14 points against Nanterre. He had a solid season being the perfect back up to Voigtmann as their games compliment each other. He often brought much needed energy from the bench which got the team going in difficult situations. At the end of the season he was making his ally-op dunks as normal a procedure as a John Bryant put back. Morrison has an option on his contract and there are 70/30 chances that he will remain. German Konstantin Klein completed his third season with Frankfurt and was ready to make his complete breakthrough, but had two injuries cutting him to 16 BBL games where he averaged 6,7ppg, 2,6rpg and 1,8apg. He gets a C+. He scored in double figures in four games including 16 points against FC Bayern Munich. In Eurochallenge play he played 6 games: 6.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 52.9%, FT: 83.3%. He scored in double figures in two games including a 11 point game against Tartu Rock. His injuries slowed him down. His known aggressiveness play and scoring was there at times. He still has a contract and will be more than hungry to return next season with vengeance. After many years in Finland the ex Kyle Hines teammate at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) Mikko Koivisto played his first season in Germany. He gets a C+. In the BBL he played 15 games averaging 5,5ppg and 1,4rpg. He scored in double figures four times. In Eurochallenge play he played 6 games: 2.7ppg, 1.2apg. He showed specs of brilliance scoring 14 points against FC Bayern Munich and the Walter Tigers Tuebingen as he scored 14 points a piece nailing four three pointers a piece. He was gotten early in the season as the team fought injuries, but later as more came back, he was the odd man out as the extra international player. He had an excellent character and never once complained about his situation. Everybody would have liked to see him play more. Despite his overall good character he won´t return. Johannes Richter was one of the big surprises on the team. He gets a B. In his first full season he played 24 BBL games averaging 2,3ppg, and 1,4rpg. He scored 10 points against Bamberg and in Eurochallenge play he played 11 games: 3.8ppg, 2.2rpg. He scored 15 and 10 points against the Bakken Bears and was crowned as the Bakken Bears honey spoiler. He made big steps through hard work in practice and playing against the best each day in practice like a Johannes Voigtmann. He has a lot of potential in the next years. He has option and will stay in Frankfurt. The double license players played too few minutes to get grades, but get a season summary. Stefan Ilzhofer played 13 BBL and 6 Eurochallenge games. He always showed hustle, good movement away from the ball and fought for open shots. He had a good development. He has an option and will stay. Kevin Bright played 15 BBL games and four Eurochallenge games. He was an aggressive player on offense and didn´t shy away from running up against Physical players. He didn´t play as much as he may have liked as he was usually with the BBL teams. More than 4 Pro B games surely would of helped his development. He has option on his contract. 50/50 chance for him to stay. Max Merz played 10 BBL games and 6 Pro B games. It was pretty much a lost year for him. He had a long injury and then had a semester in Australia where he practiced against professional players. He returned back for the FC Bayern Munich playoff series as he had a semester break. He has a contract and will return.

Zilijan Jones is a 23 year old 175cm point guard that is playing his rookie season in Morocco. He played college basketball at St.Edward’s (NCAA2) for 3 years and in his last season there played 21 games: 7.3ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.4spg, FGP: 33.1%, 3PT: 25.3%, FT: 63.8%. He then moved to Oklah. Panhandle St. (NCAA2) playing 28 games: 12.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 41.0%. As a professional rookie he played for Kenitra AC (Morocco-D1) and in Spain this season. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Zilijan thanks for talking to German Hoops  Where are you at the moment and how has your day been?

Currently I am playing in the 1st National Mens división (5th) here in Spain. My team, (FCR La Roda) is the favorite to promote to the EBA league (4th). We are currently in 2nd place with the 1st place team coming to our house before the playoffs start. We are in great position to get the regular season title. So far this season we won the Presidents Cup which is a mid season final four.

At the moment you are playing for Fundacion C Rural La Roda in Spain. Describe a bit how the team is doing and what kind of experience it is for you in the EBA league.

My role on this team is to be a playmaker for my teammates. I also am a huge energy that sparks the team when we are not playing with energy. There are good basketball players everywhere. I would say the biggest difference between european basketball and NCAA 2 college basketball is the level of athleticism.

What kind of role do you have and how is the talent level in this league to what you saw in the NCAA2?

The only goal for me here at FCR La Roda is to win a championship. Anything less than a championship would be failure. Our chances to move up to EBA are very good. We just have to continue to take each game one quarter at a time.

After a bad start in Morocco, what do you hope to achieve with Fundacion C Rural La Roda. How good are the chances that the club will move up a level?

As a rookie, everything is a learning experience. I was promised things that never came into existance. I will never hold a grudge against this club, thinngs didnt workout but i am blessed and thankful for the experiences and friendships i gained during my time in Morocco.

You started the season with Kenitra AC (Morocco-D1). You had some bad misfortune there. Please explain the dealings that you had with this club?

The biggest disappointment was the lack of concern for my children. KAC knew i was talking with other clubs in Spain before they sent me a contract. KAC promised all these things to get me to come to their club and none of it was true. This put my family in danger finacially. Again everything is a learning eperience and it made me realize that you must do your research before signing a contract.

How difficult was it as a rookie coming to a foreign land and possibly being a bit naïve and taking granted of by the organization? When looking back at your short stay in Morocco, what were you able to learn from this experience?

What I learned about Morocco is in this business no one cares about your personal life. There are two types of clubs. Clubs who care about you as an all around person and the clubs who only want you for your talent.

What dealings do you exactly have with Germany. You have many friends that have played in Germany.

Germany is a good basketball market. As a young player exposure is key. Im looking for an oppritunity to show that I can perform and compete at the highest level. Germany is a great platform to showcase my skills and God given gift to lead. I have friends who play there now in lower leagues. Kendre Talley, Micheal Harvey, and Harley Fuller are my friends who play in Germany. They all play in lower leagues there and are hungy and looking for better oppritunities like me.

Do you have aspirations of playing in Germany in the future? If you could describe your game and why you could help a team how would you describe your game?

Germany is a great country, ive interacted with people from Germany and the people were great to me. Germany is a great place for exposure. If i could describe my game i would have to say im a great teammate. I can score, i can pass, and i play defense. The only stat that matters to me is winning. If that requires me to score 25 points that night then thats what i do. If i have to only pass to get the win then thts what i do. Winning is the only thing that matters to me. Im all about the teams success.

You are a short point guard. Which NBA point guards were your role models growing up?

Chris Paul. He uses his mind and creativity against his opponents. At my size you have to really know how to command respect from your teammates and be a floor leader.

You played at St.Edward’s (NCAA2) and then transferred to Oklahoma. Panhandle St. (NCAA2. What were the main reasons for making this move?

Well after playing 3 seasons at St Edwards, the coach and I felt it was best that he develop his younger guards. He wasnt the original coach that recruited me. Going to OPSU i knew would give me the best oppritunity to further my career after college.

What was your most memorable experience playing college basketball in the States?
Playing against NCAA 1 University Incarnante Word as a sophmore I scored 29 points and 7 assist. I was 19 years old.

What goals do you still have as a professional basketball player?

My goal as a profesional is to win as many championships as possible. Also work with kids and use basketball as a tool to bring all cultures together.     

Derrick Rose got injured again. Do you see him ever being a healthy player for a longer period of time or will injuries haunt his whole career as it has now?

I think like all great players, D. Rose needs to adjust his game. Making his jump shot more consistant and also using his playmaking skills more.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Taken 3 was the last movie I seen.

Thanks Zilijan for the chat