Will Reinke is a 24 year old 208cm center from Lawton, Oklahoma that signed with German Pro A team  BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProA) for the 2014-2015 season. Last season he played for  CS Energia Rovinari Targu Jiu (Romania-Liga Nationala): 6 games: 6.7ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.5spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 48.4%, FT: 83.3%. He started his basketball career in 2009 for  Stephen F. Austin (NCAA): 29 games: 4.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.0bpg. He then transferred to Oklah.Christian (NCAA2) playing his last three years there and as a senior played 26 games: 19.0ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.5bpg, FGP: 57.3%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 74.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before game three against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg.

Will congrats on the 66-61 win against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg evening the semi-finals series at 1-1. How happy and proud are you of being the first team to get a win off Wurzburg in the playoffs?

We are happy to get a win, but still hungry for 2 more. We know that Wurzburg is a very good team and we will have to continue improving each game to win the series.

Gotha had the comfortable lead going into the fourth and didn´t let Wurzburg make a run. In the Giessen series, Nurnberg made a run in the fourth, but Giessen held it off. TJ DiLeo stated that the club doesn´t panic anymore and has developed this trait well throughout the season. Was not panicking and playing the Gotha style a reason you held out to win?

We didn’t panic because we knew they were going to be aggressive and make a run. So we tried to continue to attack on offense and not relax at all.

Both teams shot extremely bad from the free throw line. Is this something the team will practice more going into the Friday game were critical free throws could decide the game?

We will absolutely continue to work on free throws. If we would have shot better from the line in game 1, then we might be up 2-0. So I personally will be shooting some extra free throws and I know we will as a team before the next game.

Gotha has held Wurzburg to an average 60,5 ppg in the first two playoff games while in the regular season games gave up an average 82 points. What adjustments or defensive schemes has the team practiced better in this series?

We have prided ourselves on defense all year. We have just stuck to our rules this series and the low scoring reflects that.

Gotha goes into game three going back to Wurzburg. Does Gotha have the momentum now and what will be key in getting the win?

We have momentum that we needed and put some pressure on them, we will have to continue to attack the basket offensively and hit more of our free throws if we want to win.

Do feel that the series will end with defensive battles taking over?

We want a defensive battle, that is our style and gives us the best chance of winning against Wurzburg, so I hope the defensive battles keep going.

The rebounding duel was pretty tight and surely without your 13 and 13 effort Gotha would have had problems winning this game. Is the fact that you know the opponent better with experience help you in game two to a very solid performance?

Yeah, I wasn’t as aggressive as I should have been game 1. But that game helped me see opportunities where I could look to be a little more aggressive scoring and rebounding in game 2.

Giessen leads the other semi final series 2-0 against Nurnberg. Do you see Giessen sweeping this series?

It will be tough to sweep Nurnberg, they have a lot of talent and fight. But Giessen is tough so I will be interested to see what happens.

Do you see any NBA upsets happening in the first round?

I don’t see any upsets, but since the Thunder are out of the picture I haven’t really been watching haha!

Thanks Will for the chat.

For a majority of the history of the Frankfurt Skyliners, they have been used to having success winning the 2000 cup and 2004 league titles as well as two final appearances and many playoff visits since 1999. Except for a short drought from 2006-2008 where the club missed the playoffs and didn´t get back until the return of the babba king Murat Didin where the club reached the next three. However the club has been in a bit of a rut the last three years not reaching the promised land in May playing playoff basketball, but instead being home and testing the old playground rims like a Quantez Robertson did in Cincinnati the last years. There wasn´t really much to cheer about the last three seasons for the Frankfurt Skyliners except for some big wins at home against teams like FC Bayern Munich, Brose Baskets Bamberg or Alba Berlin as consistency was as distant for the club as it is for a Jacob Burtschi not clawing around on the floor for a loose ball or a Justin Cobbs not calmly leading comebacks successfully as he did against teams like Enisey or FC Bayern Munich this season. Of course in the last years there were also many great single game performances from the likes of ex NBA players Andrew Rautins or Jermario Davidson or a Zach Peacock, but all in all nothing that translated into hardware. This season however has been a different story as the Fraport Skyliners have been Germany´s little darling having a season of two tales as they started off slow had to battle injuries and found themselves near the bottom only to benefit off a Richard Williams injury getting rookie Justin Cobbs in November and since his arrival he has led the club when he played to a 28-6 record reaching the playoffs including a perfect 10-0 record in the Eurochallenge as in many moments he was like an offensive magical wizard keeping calm and playing as if has been a seasoned veteran instead of a rookie leading the comeback charge. Other big highlights this season have been the massive come back wins against Enisey where they were down 19 points 44-25 at halftime and pulled out possibly one of their biggest wins in history 85-80 as well as the youngest win the unbelievable fourth quarter comeback against FC Bayern Munich where a Svetislav Pesic looked as pale after the loss like a home grown Siberian citizen does in the dead of winter. Another giant highlight was the breathtaking 36 point 10 three pointer effort from Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi who literally was in the zone as the hole wasn´t as big as the ocean, but as vast as outer space. Another highlight is during Fraport Skyliner home games to witness a cute little girl not more than five years old doing little cheers with her pom poms behind the Frankfurt bench and dreaming of one day being a member of the Fraport Skyliners dance team. The big season goal of the playoffs has been reached while the next big highlight the Eurochallenge Final 4 in Turkey is happening this weekend.

The Fraport Skyliners go into the Eurochallenge Final 4 coming off a huge 76-73 win against FC Bayern Munich which will increase their self confidence and have won three of their last four games in the BBL. Johannes Voigtmann warned after the victory, that the club can´t get too tangled up in their amazing feat against Munich as head coach Gordon Herbert calls it “winning hangover” and that the team will be mentally ready to compete. Frankfurt who currently is in sixth place in the Beko BBL will face off against Nanterre of France that have had a strong season in the France Pro A and currently are in second place behind Strassburg. Nanterre is an interesting club, because they have slowly moved up the league ladder and were in the fourth division in 2001, moved to the third division in 2002 and to the France Pro B in 2004. They played seven years in the Pro B before moving up to the first division in 2011. In only their second season in the France Pro A and just squeaking into the playoffs at position 8 surprisingly won the league title. Winning didn´t stop there as they won the France cup last season. It was just one of those fairy tale seasons where everything came together as ex BBL players Chris Oliver and Trenton Meacham basked in the limelight and added hardware to their professional collection. The success continues to stay consistent with the French team as the team is a favorite to win another league title and need two wins in the Eurochallenge to win that title. Much of the credit has to be given to 50 year old head coach Pascal Donadieu who has been with Nanterre since the start in 2000 and grown with the club in its rise. Nanterre had a superb Eurochallenge campaign record of 11-3 and swept their quarterfinal opponent from Italy Enel Brindisi 80-68 and 77-72. The club is led by two ex BBL players with ex Bonn forward Kyle Weems who is averaging 12,5ppg, 4,6rpg and 2,3apg while shooting 43,3% from downtown in the France Pro A and in the Eurochallenge is averaging 14,8ppg, 5,2rpg and 1,9apg while shooting 48,1% from downtown and ex TBB Trier forward Jamal Shuler who played two seasons with TBB Trier with current NBA player Chris Copeland, was a BBL slam dunk contestant in Bonn in 2010 competing against Quantez Robertson and is known for the “shot” a breathtaking buzzer beater against Limoges with then team Vicey which had the TV broadcasters in a vocal frenzy after that unbelievable and unexpected finish. Shuler is averaging 13,6ppg, 4,0rpg and 2,8apg in the France Pro A while in the Eurochallenge he is averaging 14,1ppg, 4,0rpg and 2,4apg. The club also boasts solid point guard Phoenix native TJ Campbell who can score and dish depending what the team needs of him on any given night and currently is averaging 11,2ppg and 5,5apg in the France league and 8,8ppg and 5,5apg in the Eurochallenge. Especially in the quarterfinals against Enel Brindisi he stepped up with 13 points twice and six and seven assists. The club also has experienced small forward Mykal Riley who could trade Jermario Davidson stories with Quantez Robertson as he played with him at Alabama(NCAA) as well as ex Fraport Skyliner Junior Demetrius Jemison. The American is averaging 12,1ppg, 4,4rpg and 3,2apg while in the Eurochallenge he is averaging 11,1ppg, 5,1rpg and 3,0apg. The club has only one true tall big man with 20 year old 208cm Mouhammadou Jaiteh who is averaging 11,3ppg and 6,3rpg in the France Pro A and 8,8ppg and 5,5rpg in the Eurochallenge. The x factor could very well be 27 year old 201cm power forward Laurence Ekperigin who had junior and senior stats of 18 and 11 and 21 and 12 at Le Moyne (NCAA2). He averaged nine rebounds in the last two years in the second divisions in Italy and France. He will have to step it up under the basket against the taller Frankfurt inside rotation.

The Fraport Skyliners are looking to bring Germany its fourth international basketball title after Alba Berlin´s Korac cup win in 1995, Mitteldeutscher Bc´s Fiba cup in 2004 and BG Goettingen´s Eurochallenge win in 2010 and are led by Los Angeles native Justin Cobbs who played the last three seasons at California(NCAA). His record of 28-6 speaks for him with Frankfurt and currently in the Beko BBL he is averaging 14,6ppg, 2,5rpg and 4,6apg and even more dominant in the Eurochallenge averaging 17,1ppg, 3,2rpg and 6,4apg while shooting 46% from outside and just owns the competition. He has scored in double figures in 25 of 29 games in both competitions combined. Even though he has struggled a bit in the last seven games with taking the care of the ball as he has had four games where he had five turnovers in each game, he knows what is on the line in the Eurochallenge. Johannes Voigtmann goes into the weekend having won two BBL awards with the most improved the second year in a row that a Skyliner has done it with Danilo Barthel last season. The German big man is averaging 12,4ppg, 5,7rpg and 2,2apg in the BBL. He has scored in double figures 19 times and had a career high 27 points against MBC and had 26 points against Phoenix Hagen. He became a European name as he has dominated the Eurochallenge and has played 15 games averaging 15,7ppg, 7,1rpg and 1,8apg. In Eurochallenge play he has scored in double figures 13 times including three double doubles and had masterful 26 points against Tartu Rock and in the do or die win at home against Enisey. Another key performer for Frankfurt is another rookie with Sean Armand from Brooklyn New York who is currently averaging 12,6ppg, 2,9rpg and 2,6apg and in the Eurochallenge 13,9ppg, 3,6rpg and 1,9apg.He has scored in double figures in 20 BBL games and was a big reason for the team winning against FC Bayern Munich and had big games with 31 against Avtodor and 23 points against Enisey. 6 year man Quantez Robertson who is the minister of defense is averaging 11,3ppg, 4,3rpg and 3,2apg in the BBL and in the Eurochallenge 11,7ppg, 4,5rpg and 2,5apg. He is motor that gets the team going and has become a dependable offensive player in the last years. Other important roles players for Frankfurt are veterans Canadian national player Aaron Doornekamp(BBL 6,0ppg3,8rpg, 1,4apg/EC 6,3ppg, 4,1rpg 1,7apg) and ex Airforce player Jacob Burtschi(99,8ppg, 4,1rpg 1,5apg/EC 9,5ppg, 4,0rpg 2,0apg) as kind of the combo glue players. Both do a little of all and can score if needed as Burtschi showed against Bremerhaven with 36 points and Doornekamp with 22 against Oldenburg and 21 against Den Bosch. Further key players are front court players American205cm forward Mike Morrison(7,3ppg, 3,4rpg/EC 5,3ppg 3,2rpg who played at George Mason(NCAA) and Danilo Barthel(10,2ppg, 5,2rpg, 1,5apg/EC 11,4ppg, 5,1rpg, 1.0apg). Barthel has been struggling a bit since returning from injury where he missed two months as he has been lost a bit in the shuffle on offense, but that is only normal as the roles have developed over time on the team. Morrison is the pivotal man off the bench that will spark the team with a monster block or big dunk to get the team going. When looking at the team stats, Nanterre averages 83 points in the competition and Frankfurt 80 points. On the defensive side, both teams belong to the top defensive teams as they are three and four in the Eurochallenge with Frankfurt giving up 74 per game and the French side 75 points. On the boards, despite having the height advantage Frankfurt is seventh in rebounding at 35 while Nanterre is fourth with 36 per contest. Both teams are shooting 48% from the field and Nanterre is seventh in three point shooting percentage at 37% while Frankfurt is tenth at 35%. Both teams know how to score, but also know how to defend. Offense wins games and defense wins titles and that will be the difference. Frankfurt head coach Gordon Herbert is known for having potent defensive teams and he will have his team ready for Nanterre. Despite both teams having athleticism and Frankfurt having the size and height advantage down low, they will have to be wide awake and ready to match the athleticism of Nanterre all over the court. Slowing down Weems and Shuler will be a tad more than half the rent to victory. Frankfurt has the deeper and more talented roster, but key figures with Cobbs and Armand lacking in international experience in big games. This will be an intense battle with two very hungry teams with the winner most likely winning the Eurochallenge title. The winner will face the winner of Trabzonspor vs Rovinari.

Brandon Spearman is a 23 year old 190cm guard playing his rookie season in Germany for SC Rist Wedel. He started his basketball career in 2010 for Dayton(NCAA) where he played 36 NCAA games. He then moved to Indian Hills CC (JUCO) and finished his last two seasons at Hawaii (NCAA) and as a senior played 26 games averaging 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 52.8%. Currently the American has one game left in the regular season before the playoffs start and is averaging 16,8ppg, 5,3rpg and 1,4apg. He spoke to German Hoops after reaching the 2015 Pro B final.

Congrats Brandon on reaching the 2015 German Pro B final. SC Rist Wedel reached the final with a 6-1 playoff record. How do explain the strong post season record? Did the three game winning streak at the end of the season get the team in the right frame of mind?

Well we just have been playing as a collective group this second half of the season. We worked hard to be in this position to play in the finals.

SC Rist Wedel jumped off to a big start in the first quarter and that momentum pretty much carried the team to the win. At halftime, you led comfortably 43-28. What did head coach Michael Claxton tell the team to be most focused on in the last 20 minutes?

Just to continue putting pressure on them. We were playing a great team that had the ability to strike back. But we didn’t want that to happen we stayed disciplined on the task at hand.

How proud are you of the team that it was able to play a 40 minute game pretty much consistently on offense. If you had to give the scouting report a grade what would give it and how the team was able to follow it?

We played extremely well it wasn’t just us on the court the coaches were giving it there all and so were our fans. I’m very proud about the outcome. Excited for the championship ahead.

Iserlohn´s two import player Orlan Jackman and Matt Cavanaugh combined for 30 points. How key was it keeping the rest of the German players in check?

Those guys can play they played really well for their team this series when Iserlohn needed buckets or stops they delivered. Defensively we made the right adjustments and came out with the win.

Every guy of SC Rist Wedel produced in some way, but how key was having a focused German Christoph Roquette who had a team high 6 assists from the center position?

Christoph is a great offensive treat and has the ability to do many things. I’m not surprised at all that he had 6ast. As a team we move the ball well.

Was it a big surprise, but just a part of basketball that both top regular season teams Rostock and Iserlohn got swept by Oldenburg and SC Rist Wedel?

We were just worried about ourselves, we just focus on the next opponent, we have Oldenburg next that’s all. Me and teammates are focused on.

SC Rist Wedel now face Oldenburg in the final who are looking to defend their title. How excited are you about the two game final competition? Have you felt the revenge factor from guys like Watkins, Roquette or Bocke after they lost to them last season after having won game one?

We Ready

You really have stepped it up in the playoffs averaging 18ppg in the seven games. How motivated are you to win this title after coming in midseason and will you step it up a notch?

My teammates have been looking for me they know where I like to have the ball and I just deliver the best way possible. But I wouldn’t be playing this good if it wasn’t for my teammates.

Both teams split the season series and won their respective games at home. What kind of series can we await and what will be key to winning the title?

I’m not sure what’s ahead in the finals. But I know for sure we are ready to take on any challenges.

Do you see any upsets happening in the first round of the NBA playoffs?

No upsets in the first round but have the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The Departed.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

Jarrell Crayton is a 24 year old 200cm forward from Omaha, Nebraska that will be playing his first season in Germany for EBC Rostock Seawolves (Germany-ProB). Last season he played for Thor AK (Iceland-D1) playing 20 games: 20.9ppg, Reb-2(12.2rpg), 2.1apg, 2.5spg. Before turning professional, he played for Boise St. (NCAA) and in his senior year played for  Montana St. – Billings (NCAA2) playing 30 games: 16.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.5spg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 57.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball

Thanks Jarrell for talking to German Hoops. A tough 89-70 loss to Oldenburg. Despite the season coming to an end how proud are you of the success of the team and season?

Would’ve been nice to make it to the final round of playoffs, but with this being our first year in pro B this will definitely be a memorable season, feel like we accomplished a lot this year. Begining of the season we were the underdogs, didn´t think anybody would have picked us to make it to the final four let alone be the number 1 seed going into the playoffs. It takes a special group of guys to do that.  

Oldenburg had a key 17-0 run in the second quarter which pretty much paved their road to the win and reaching the final. What were the main reasons for Oldenburg getting on this run?

It’s tough beating good teams at home but when the whole team is shooting light outs makes things even harder. Defensively we we had a couple minor slips but far the most part we did everything right. Oldenburg just had better ball movement and when they found the out man seemed like they couldn’t miss.   

Your teammate Yannick Anzuluni said it best when he said before the game that Rostock has to be aware of the feisty Oldenburg outside shooting as they have four good shooters on the court at all times. Oldenburg connected for 14 three pointers. Why was the team unable to keep their three point shooting accuracy down?

It’s was tough because when dealing with shooters you cant help off them to much, but at the same time when one of your teammates gets beat off the drive you’ve got to help them out, then another teammate has to help the helper. Next thing you know you’re scrambling around trying to find the open man. Oldenburg just kept finding the open man and they’d knock down the out look.  

Rostock had been successful in a few do or die games in the playoffs. Was Oldenburg team wise just a step ahead of Rostock in overall play?

Wouldn’t say they were wise. We fought untill the end but our last series against Hanau was a brawl for three straight games and when it came time to play Oldenburg think we were just a step slower than them. When it all comes down to it though playoffs is a battle of will and the team that wants it more and is more crisp on offense and defense is going to come out on top       

Oldenburg now battles SC Rist Wedel in the final. Oldenburg won the title last season while they beat SC Rist Wedel in the semi finals. SC Rist Wedel will have a lot of revenge wanting to win. How do you see the two game series and who will win?

Both teams are really good and both gyms are difficult places to play in but whoever can steal one on the road will be the victor but if I had to pick I would have to go with Wedel.

Rostock played a tremendous season and have kept progressing up the last few years. What was your highlight of the season?

The highlight of the season would have to be our last session of conditioning we’re at the beach it’s a bit gloomy and windy. Then in the middle of the session it starts to rain and it’s not soft rain, this rain was like baby draggers hitting you repeatedly, most people would stop and go home but everyone decided that we’re going fight though it and finish strong. After that I knew this was going to be a special year for us.

Coming into the last game you were averaging 9,5ppg and 6,0rpg. How do you summarize your first season in Germany?

Was good and bad would have liked to average 2 more ppg 3 more rpg but even though I had a slow start took me awhile to figure things out, think I ended the season strong.

Your teammate Yannick Anzuluni had a tremendous season. Wasn´t he way to good for the German Pro B? Do you see him moving up a level somewhere in Germany next season?

Wouldn’t say he was to good, he’s got that no bodies going to stop me no can guard me attitude. He can talk to talk and walk the walk with that attitude personally I think he could play anywhere in any league.

What are your plans? Do you see the chance to stay in Rostock where their future remains very bright with their aspirations? What would you like to do?

No plans right now just talking to my agent and seeing what’s next, would be nice to come back one more season but what ever happens happens.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Avengers.

Thanks Jarrell for the chat.

Eintracht Frankfurt stormed into the NBBL playoffs with the best record in the South West having a 15-1 record and went into the series against Team Basket Munchen Nord as the favorite, but were given a scare as they lost Niklas Kiel to the series. The 17 year old 2014 NBBL rookie of the year who is heralded as one of the top players form the year 1997. He was hit with a concussion in the Pro B series against the Rostock Sea Wolves and missed the whole series against Munchen Nord. His dominating inside out play that has given him 16 and 8 stats this season was missed in the series as Eintracht Frankfurt was forced to a do or die game three at home, but overall the team held together well and came through adversity and won the series. The club continued to show their defensive consistency as they held Munchen Nord to an average of only 64 points per game and surely gave them massive confidence going into the series with ratiopharm Academie Ulm. Eintracht Frankfurt knew that this series will need a strong defensive performance, team basketball and togetherness as the opponent averages 89 points a game and are simply a real genuine offensive powerhouse. After having missed the last 4 NBBL games, the 207 cm big man with the shade of red was back in the lineup to showcase his baby twin tower play, but received a defensive lesson along with his teammates from ratiopharm Akademie Ulm who played an amazing consistent game on defense for 40 minutes stifling Eintracht Frankfurt 54-42 and taking a 1-0 series lead. Eintracht Frankfurt had held their opponents under 50 points 12 times this season and got a taste of their own medicine as they had never witnessed an aggressive defense like that of Ulm who made offense a burden for Eintracht Frankfurt all afternoon long. Eintracht Frankfurt defended very well, but Ulm even better which was the difference in game one. “We came into the game knowing that Eintracht Frankfurt was a good team. We prepared well all week long and practiced hard and played as a team. We did a good job denying the lanes and didn´t let them move the ball well. We did a good job on one on one defense. We were lucky that they missed so many free throws”, expressed ratiopharm Akademie Ulm point guard Carlos Cerdan. Eintracht Frankfurt never found a consistent rhythm on offense and were limited to 42 points their lowest of the season. “We started well moving the ball, but they then got us out of rhythm and we never had any easy shots. They did a good job rebounding and were more physical then us. They also didn´t let us play transition”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Junior Jules Akodo.

The first few minutes of the first quarter didn´t actually predict that the contest would be a low scoring affair as both teams got on the board on a consistent rate. Ratiopharm Akademie Ulm got off on a 4-0 lead as Spanish point guard Carlos Cerdan hit a jumper and 17 year old German 206cm forward Bernhard Benke scored off the inbounds pass from Cerdan. Eintracht Frankfurt then got back to back buckets from Paderborn native Kiel with a step back shot and 17 year old 201cm center Armin Trtovac scored inside. 19 year old 201cm forward Joschka Ferner who played one Eurochallenge game with BBL team ratiopharm Ulm then nailed a floater and Kiel scored inside dead locking the game at 6-6. The lead then went back and forth as Jules Akodo made one free throw for the 7-6 advantage, but 18 year old 210 cm German Daniel Woltering made a hook shot for the Ulm 8-7 lead. Eintracht Frankfurt then found some daylight on offense going on a 5-0 run to retake the lead 12-8. In the run it was Akodo stifling Ulm with a slick cross over as he found the hole plus the free throw and then found big man 203cm Ivan Mihaljevic for the left handed lay in. However ratiopharm Akademie Ulm stepped up their energy on defense in the last minutes which led to good offense as Woltering scored inside and after a Ferner block, it was 16 year old Nikolas Moebus scoring inside tying the game at 12-12. Trtovac then got an offensive rebound and put back something he usually gets, but wouldn´t get as much against Ulm as that lane was clogged so often. Eintracht Frankfurt had the slim 14-13 lead after one quarter. “It was a very good defensive game. One could see that both teams had scouted well”, added Fraport Skyliner assistant coach Eric Detlev. Eintracht Frankfurt was shooting 43% from the field and 0% from outside while ratiopharm Akademie Ulm was shooting 38% from the field and 17% from outside. Ulm had the 11-10 rebound edge, but five turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt had three turnovers.

The game became even more defensive as ratiopharm Akademie Ulm held Eintracht Frankfurt to five points and sped out to a 29-19 lead at the break. In the first five minutes both teams were putting up a brick clinic as nothing was falling for either team. It was then 2015 Beko BBL Allstar slam dunk contestant Marvin Omuvwie who brought his team some energy which got ratiopharm Akademie Ulm going and really never looked back as their defense stayed very consistent, but offense had its ups and downs. Cerdon found Omuvwie with an ally op pass that the German couldn´t dunk home in spectacular fashion, but did just enough to get the ball to fall through. The 17 year old Omuvwie who played at the u-16 European championships in 2013 in the Ukraine then made a coast to coast sprint finishing with a dunk as Ulm led 17-14. Armin Musovic then got his bread and butter the pull up jumper to fall even if the back rim helped as Eintracht Frankfurt trailed 17-16. Ratiopharm Akademie Ulm then went on a 5-0 run to lead 22-16 as 16 year old Christoph Phillipps hit free throws and Cerdan then used his big strength the penetration scoring with his left hand. Lennart Okeke then stopped the Ulm run with a huge three pointer cutting the Ulm lead to 22-19. However ratiopharm Akademie Ulm finished the second quarter strong going on a 7-0 run to go into halftime with the comfortable 29-19 lead. In the run it was Ferner dropping a timely three pointer and then scored inside as well as Cerdan as Eintracht Frankfurt had immense problems on one on one defense. “Eintracht Frankfurt wasn´t playing as a team and didn´t have good ball movement. Ulm kept them out of the paint and Omuvwie gave them the needed energy with his play. Frankfurt didn´t come to terms with the Ulm aggressive defense”, stressed Fraport Skyliners Juniors head coach Eric Detlev. Ratiopharm Akademie Ulm was shooting 36% from the field and 15% from the three point line while Eintracht Frankfurt was shooting 29% from the field and 9% from the three point line. Ulm had the 24-19 rebound advantage and both teams had nine turnovers a piece.

Ratiopharm Akademie Ulm remained to have the comfortable lead in the third quarter until Eintracht Frankfurt were able to cut it down and trail only 38-31 after 30 minutes. Cerdan continued to be the best player on the court as he dropped another jumper which was matched by a Kiel lay in who made some Ulm players dizzy with his nonstop moves. Ratiopharm Akademie Ulm then missed 8 straight shots, but Eintracht Frankfurt were unable to capitalize as their offense continued to fizzle. It couldn´t continue to be unproductive so in time they got production again from Benke with a lay in and a coast to coast run and lay in from 18 year old 193cm point guard Michael Dorsch as Ulm led 35-23. Eintracht Frankfurt then closed out the third quarter going on a 8-3 run to trail only 38-31. Musovic got going making a lay in and step back jumper. Eintracht Frankfurt also got free throws from Kiel and Can Akbayir, but only one from two as the free throws haunted them all afternoon long. “Coach told us at halftime to be aggressive, move the ball better and rebound better. We did it sometimes in the third, but not consistently”, added Jules Akodo. “We played good defense and moved the ball well. If we do this then we usually have success”, stressed Carlos Cerdan. ratiopharm Akademie Ulm was shooting 31% from the field and 11% from the parking lot while Eintracht Frankfurt was shooting 28% from the field and 7% from the parking lot. Ulm had the big 41-26 rebound edge, but 15 turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt had 13 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, ratiopharm Akademie Ulm stayed strong and despite some resistance from Eintracht Frankfurt were able to consistently score while the home team didn´t. Akodo got Eintracht Frankfurt going with a huge three pointer and after three quarters where his three pointer was as flat as Paris Hilton´s chest, he finally got one to fall and it was a relief as he looked up at the ceiling as to signalize a thank you to the lord. Eintracht Frankfurt cut the Ulm lead to 38-34, but would never get closer. Ratiopharm Akademie Ulm then slowly closed the door on Eintracht Frankfurt breaking their back going on a 16-7 run to win game one. In the run it was Cerdan who got his team going scoring five points with a pull up jumper and three pointer. Eintracht Frankfurt then got a rare easy bucket as the two big men Kiel and Mihaljevic harmonized nicely as the latter made a lay in. However the guests continued to score at leisure while Eintracht Frankfurt continued to be forced too tough shots with the shot clock very low. On offense Ulm got further production from Dorsch who made back to back shots with a runner and floater. Every time Eintracht Frankfurt made a bucket which was rare there was hope as Akodo cut the Ulm lead to 47-38 with a pull up jumper, but Ulm then gave them a slap in the face as Phillipps hit a three and Benke a turn around shot to decide the game and extend the Ulm lead to 52-38 with a few minutes remaining. Eintracht Frankfurt continued to miss free throws as on the day they shot a miserable 40% 10/25. “Sometimes a team needs somebody to spark the team and I did at the start with my shots. We played tough defense. I don´t think they ever faced a defense like ours this season and they got tight in the fourth quarter and tired”, stressed Carlos Cerdan. “Ulm had a good rhythm at the end and we just took bad shots. We weren´t to this aggressive type of defense which made it so much harder having to come back. They masde everything tough for us on offense”, added Jules Akodo. Ratiopharm Akademie Ulm were led by Carlos Cerdan with 14 points. Joschka Ferner added 10 points. Eintracht Frankfurt was led by Jules Akodo with 10 points. Both teams shot miserably as Ulm shot 35% form the field and 16% from outside while Eintracht Frankfurt shot 28% from the field and 10% from outside. Ulm easily won the rebound battle 52-37, but had 20 turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt had 15 turnovers. Next weekend Eintracht Frankfurt faces a do or die game in Ulm. “We have to be more physical, keep them out of the paint, rebound better and play team basketball”, warned Jules Akodo. “If we stop one on one and guys like Kiel and Akodo and play team basketball, then we have good chances to win”, warned Carlos Cerdan.

Diante Watkins is a 24 year old 174cm point guard that is playing his third professional season and second with SC Rist Wedel (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career in 2009 with Daley CC (JUCO): 28 games: 26.5ppg, 5.8apg, 2.7rpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 44%, 3Pts: 38%, FT: 86%. He then played two seasons with Robert Morris (NAIA) and as a senior played 27 games: 24.4ppg, 7.4apg, 3.0rpg, 2.1spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3Pts: 38.9%, FT: 82.7%. Last season for SC Rist Wedel (Germany-ProB) he played 30 games: 16.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 86.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 91-61 win against Iserlohn.

Congrats Diante on reaching the 2015 German Pro B final. SC Rist Wedel reached the final with a 6-1 playoff record. How do explain the strong post season record? Did the three game winning streak at the end of the season get the team in the right frame of mind?

Yea the 3 game win streak was huge for us going into the playoffs and we just continued to strive and focus!

SC Rist Wedel jumped off to a big start in the first quarter and that momentum pretty much carried the team to the win. At halftime, you led comfortably 43-28. What did head coach Michael Claxton tell the team to be most focused on in the last 20 minutes?

The first quarter was huge for us! And after we just focused on the defense because we knew they were going to leave it all on the floor so we had to match it and stay aggressive!

How proud are you of the team that it was able to play a 40 minute game pretty much consistently on offense. If you had to give the scouting report a grade what would give it and how the team was able to follow it?

I’m very proud of this team we are some fighters, they tried a lot of defenses and we just stuck to the game plan the coach gave us and we trusted each other!

Iserlohn´s two import player Orlan Jackman and Matt Cavanaugh combined for 30 points. How key was it keeping the rest of the German players in check?

We knew if we just played team defense and kept guys from being comfortable we would be successful today!

Every guy of SC Rist Wedel produced in some way, but how key was having a focused German Christoph Roquette who had a team high 6 assists from the center position?

It was huge we knew they were going to try to stop me and Brandon tonight so our plan was to get the ball inside and Roq and Denzell made all the right plays tonight

Was it a big surprise, or just a part of basketball that both top regular season teams Rostock and Iserlohn got swept by Oldenburg and SC Rist Wedel?

It wasn’t a surprise they were top teams but that didn’t mean much the pro B has a lot of good teams no one team was just out right better than the other anybody could lose on any night!

SC Rist Wedel now face Oldenburg in the final who are looking to defend their title. How excited are you about the two game final competition? How big is the revenge factor after losing to them last season after having won game one?

I’m very excited, I think they are the team we wanted from day 1 because they are so competitive and because how they beat us last year! It will be a great hard fought series, that I will enjoy!

You averaged 28ppg in the two games against Oldenburg this season. Is it possible for you to even heighten your game more in this series?

I will definitely raise my game to a new level against Oldenburg because it’s the CHAMPIONSHIP! It doesn’t matter about points but my effort will be unmatched!

Both teams split the season series and won their respective games at home. What kind of series can we await and what will be key to winning the title?

I just think it will be a hard fought series between two really good teams! And whoever dominates the style of play will win the title!

Do you see any upsets happening in the first round of the NBA playoffs?

No I don’t see none not in the first round but the clippers vs Spurs series will be interesting but Chris Paul is my favorite player so I want them to win

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

I watched above the rim!

Thanks Diante for the chat.

Yannick Anzuluni is a 27 year old 205cm forward from Ottawa, Canada that also has the Congo citizenship. He is playing his fifth professional season and second in Germany and first with Rostock Seawolves (Germany-ProB). He played at Houghton(NAIA) from 2006-2010. He played his first two seasons as a professional with Quebec Kebs (Canada-PBL). In the 2012-2013 season he played for the Solarto Eagles Magdeburg (Germany-Regionalliga)21 games: 17.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 4.2apg, 3.0spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 50.2%, 3Pts: 27.4%, FT: 80.2%. Last season he played for Pyrinto Tampere (Finland-Korisliiga): 1 game: 15pts, 5reb, 1ast, 5steals; Baltic League: 20 games: 8.0ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 63.2%, played mostly at Pyrinto Tampere II (Finland-1st Division): 28 games: Score-1(24.4ppg), Reb-3(13.9rpg), Assists-5(3.4apg), Steals-1(2.6spg), FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 80.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball before game two against Oldenburg.

Yannick thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 83-74 loss to Oldenburg in game one. It was the second loss in a row to them after you beat them easily in the first game. How has Oldenburg improved from the first game of the season?

They have improved and have been playing a lot better lately because of their cohesion on the court. They really complement one another very well.

Oldenburg hit eight three pointers more, but you had nine possessions more on account of their 19 turnovers. Rostock did a great job on the boards. After watching video of the first loss what did the team learn from this loss?

We learned that they have at least four good shooters on the court at all times so we need to run them out off the three point line and make them drive to get them get out of their comfort zone.

You had another big game with 25 points and 11 rebounds, but how much did your 1/6 shooting annoy from outside? With two more made tree pointers, Rostock may have been able to pull out a win. Was the poor shooting more about you or more about their tough defense?

I just missed a couple shots I usually make but it wasn’t the main factor of why we lost, two or three more shots from me wouldn’t of changed the result, we shot a terrible 30% as a team during the game which will always result as a lost, we’re going to have to shoot a much better percentage than that if we want to win the next game.

In your opinion what makes Oldenburg such a good team? They have only one import player who is a 28 year old rookie, but their Mr everything and the rest mostly Germans?

They are a good team because they have great chemistry together, you can see they all have been playing together for a long time and have a great feel for each others game.

What has been your impression of Jan Niklas Wimberg? He has that flowing inside out game like you do. What has it been like dueling against him this season and how has he improved?

Jan is a very good young player with a bright future ahead of him, he’s been playing a lot more aggressive and physical that he did earlier in the season which makes him a much better threat on the floor.

On Saturday you have your third straight do or die game this season which is becoming a regular occurrence for you. How will this do or die game be different than the others?

It won’t be any different really, we’ve been in this situation before so we know what we need to do to come away with the victory.

Two of the do or die games were on home court while this will be on the road in Oldenburg. Do you feel added pressure having to overcome a hostile enviroment. What kind of game can we await and what will be key in getting the win?

We were in the same situation last series, on the road with a very big hostile crowd so we know what to expect in that regard, as far as winning the game, we just need to play how we have been doing all season long, with high energy and definitely shoot a much better percentage than we did in the first game and we will be in a great position to win the game.

Steph Curry nailed 77 three pointers in one practice. How amazing is that and what were the most three pointers that you have hit in a row in practice?

That’s pretty amazing, even though he is the best shooter in the world right now 77 threes in a row is still out of this world. My personal record has been 34 threes in a row so far.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Wedding ringer.

Thanks Yannick for the chat.

Jermale Jones is a 28 year old 186cm guard from Birmingham, Alabama that is playing his third season for German pro B club TV Lich. He started his basketball career in 2005 for  Lawson State CC (JUCO) where he played until 2007. He then played two more years at Tuskegee (NCAA2). In 2011-2012 he came to Germany and played for SSV Lokomotive Bernau (Germany-ProB) playing 18 games: 17.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 79.2%. Last season for Lich he played 24 games averaging 18.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 76.2%. He spoke to German Hoops before the last agme of the season against TV Langen.

Jermale thanks for talking to German Hoops. You have one game remaining this season and Lich has secured a place for next season in the Pro B. What has been your overall impression of playing a play downs this season?

Our starting situation into the playdowns has been best for us because we went in at 9th place and with an average against the other three teams. Even though at this time it’s a lot of pressure and everyone working hard trying to do whats needed to keep their team safe in the league.

Lich has a 2-3 record in the play downs and seemed like they just did enough to return next season. Were these play downs tougher than regular season games simply because there was so much on the line for all the teams involved?

Yes I can say they were a little bit tougher because every night you come out to play it’s a dog fight because everyone is battling for something that means a lot to them and the team they are playing for.

Lich beat Speyer which was the ticket for staying in the Pro B holding them to 59 points. Was this the best played game of the season or did the two big wins against Frankfurt where you held them combined to 57 points per game challenge the Speyer game?

I think the game against Speyer was the best game. We went out and executed and did everything the right way that was planned in the scouting report and what we needed to do as a team to come out victorious.

Except for three points in one game, you had the number of Speyer scoring 28 and 29 points. Was Speyer a team that just fit into your comfort zone better than other teams?

Every game I go out I’m in my comfort zone it was just those nights we played Speyer everything was clicking and I had a hot hand.

The last game of the season is against TV Langen which is a meaningless game. Could this be a game where coach will give guys more minutes that usually don´t and overall see some experiments?

Yes I think this last game will be played with mostly guys that didn’t play a lot during the season just to get a little more experience and see what it takes to compete.

How much do you feel for your friend Martinis Woody who´s club TV Langen will have to play in the German Regionaliga next season. The club had many problems during the season.

I feel bad for the team and for Woody personally because he`s been a part of Langen for a long time. It`s his second home as well as Lich is mine. I don`t worry too much about him because he`s a great player, he´s shown that constantly and he`ll be able to show that in the next season as well.

If TV Langen would have had Filmore Beck, less injuries and Martinis Woody not getting double and tripled teamed then they most likely would have not moved down. Manager Jogi Barth said that there were too many guys not playing for the team. How much team did you see in Woody on the court?

I think personally with Filmore they are a better team and with him I don’t think they would be I. The situation they are in now. To me I see Woody being a team player because he does a lot of the dirty work. When you are getting doubled and tripled team it’s not much you can do. That’s when other players have to step up and take charge.

You are a guy that likes to take three pointers. Steph Curry recently hit 77 three pointers in a row. What were the most three pointers that you made in a row in practice?

The most I have made in a row at practice was 28.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Fruitvale Station.

Thanks Jermale for the chat.