It is always nice to see old familiar faces of the Fraport Skyliners family return back to the Fraport arena or the BCM training facility after having given their services to the club. Many years ago one could remember Jonathan Mesghina seeing action in a ULEB cup game and then he fled to the United States to further his basketball career and did something very unusual playing for four colleges in four years with Central Wyoming(JUCO), North Dakota State(JUCO), Maine(NCAA) and last but not least the university of Montana-Billings(NCAA2) where he played at the old stomping ground of ex TV Langen sniper Marcus Hallgrimsen. Mesghina has come to start his professional basketball career with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau and is joined by another ex Skyliner faithful with experienced basketball teacher Steven Clauss who had been an assistant twice back in the early 2000´s and with Murat Didin in the 2007-2008 season where eating the Kebab Doner became a regularity with the Turkish head coach and recently coached the NBBL team of the Fraport Skyliners. Both Clauss and Mesghina were back in the BCM and were trying to get the Hanau basketball team back into winning ways after the team started 0-5 with Ty Shaw and since the coach change are 1-1. However Hanau met a very hungry Fraport Skyliners Juniors team that had won their last four games and Clauss had to do without the usual Murat Didin Kebab Doner lunch and possibly had a lunch box lunch wrapped up for him nicely to transport that extra dosage of verbal energy, but the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau didn´t need an extra burst of energy, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors could have used the Murat Didin Kebab Doner with extra meat because they were run over by the guest 74-56. After the game, Steven Clauss had a big smile on his face as the Hanau savior has led his team to two wins in his first three games and what sweeter way then to get a big win in his old living room. “I told the guys before the game that this was once my second living room. I worked here for seven years and then came back for another three years. It was great seeing many friends as well as kids I taught before. It was good to win against friends”, stated Hanau head coach Steven Clauss. Jonathan Mesghna was also all smiles after the win and he took some time to reflect on his time in Frankfurt many years ago before his four year stay in the States. “It was good to be back. I remembered every part of this gym. I spent a year working in the Skyliners office so I saw the gym every day. I was able to practice here as well and it was good for my development”, stated Jonathan Mesghna. Frankfurt had their four game winning streak snapped, but were also without their top players Max Merz and Johannes Richter. “We didn´t have enough power at the start. We didn´t defend the way we should of giving them easy rebounds and baskets. On offense we didn´t get into our sets and often the shot clock was down. When you get down by much against a good team then it is difficult to come back. We should of played calm the way we did in the last minutes”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Lennart Okeke. Hanau is slowly coming together and despite having such a talented offensive team, they want to be also known for their defense. “Defense, defense, defense was key to the win. We gave up eight points in the first quarter and that was our foundation for the win. We let up in the end, but all in all, we played very well keeping them to 56 points”, commented ex Montana-Billings(NCAA2) guard Jonathan Meshna.

Despite being without Max Merz and Johannes Richter, the Fraport Skyliners didn´t let this unlucky misfortune put a damper in their start as they stormed out on a mini 4-0 run as Stefan Ilzhoefer scored on the fast break getting a perfect feed from Kyle Fossman and Tim Oldenburg finished with a two handed dunk. For a minute it seemed like the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau were scratching their heads in disbelief, but they quickly forgot the spurt of energy that Frankfurt had started with and increased their intensity which helped their offense get going. Hanau went out on a 13-2 run to lead 13-6. Hanau was moving the ball well and just got production from four different players. German 26 year old Joleik Schaffrath gave Frankfurt an early impression that the paint wasn´t going to be their stomping ground as he got inside easy for a reverse lay up. Mesghna also did damage inside scoring as did Cardell Mcfarland while German sharp shooter Christian von Fintel tested his 22% three point shooting percentage seeing nothing but net. Schaffrath scored again inside as American Cory Copperwood found him for an easy bucket. Hanau was defending very well and had Frankfurt reeling on offense as it took them much time before they got into their sets as the shot clock was often near the end. After Canadian Kyle Fossman put a dent into the run with a pull up jumper, it was Cooperwood who played at Wright State with current Phoenix Hagen forward Todd Brown ending the first quarter with two consecutive buckets as the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau led 17-8. “We started off playing very aggressive defense that Frankfurt didn´t come to terms with. But one can´t forget that Frankfurt had some players out and they had an average age of about 20 years old. You could see early that we had advantages in many area´s”, said injured Hanau forward Tobias Jahn. The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau were shooting 62% from the field and 20% from the field while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 29% from the field and 0% from outside. Hanau had the 9-8 rebound edge and six turnovers while Frankfurt had seven turnovers.

The Hebesien White Wings Hanau didn´t let up, but kept up their intensity and their offensive flow was still there as the Fraport Skyliners were still trying to recover from their weak first quarter, but Hanau didn´t let Frankfurt get into the game going on a 9-2 run to extend their lead to 26-10. In the run, Hanau was able to continue their dominance in the paint as they scored four times. Cooperwood started the run with a tough turnaround shot in traffic, Schaffrath continued his unspectacular, but consistent play in the paint with a turnaround shot, Mcfarland scored inside and ex BG Goettingen guard Aron Donkor hit a mid distance jumper. Frankfurt had very little resistance inside as Hanau was getting inside and scoring as easily as German national goal keeper Manuel Neuer can be the teams extra defender in the back and coming out and clearing away balls. Frankfurt also had had some extra misfortune getting to well accustomed to touching the line in the corner forcing a turnover upon themselves three times. However basketball wouldn´t be basketball without the game of runs that the Fraport Skyliners were able to capitalize on going on a 8-0 run to cut the Hanau lead to 28-18. On the run, Frankfurt got needed production from Lennart Okeke and Nicolai Vukovic who connected on three pointers bringing a little momentum to the home team. However Frankfurt couldn´t sustain this momentum as Hanau showed just how explosive they can be when they are having a weak moment and scored in bunches as ex Nordlingen top scorer from last season Cardell Mcfarland who played with ex medi Bayreuth forward Kyle Weems at Missouri State hit a in your face three jumper against German Jamin Knothe and Cooperwood hit a jumper. Mcfarland hit free throws and Fossmann ended the second quarter with a bomb from outside, but Hanau led 35-21. “We did a good job getting the ball inside even more in the second quarter. We were able to undercover many weak spots in the game of Frankfurt in the second quarter”, stressed Tobias Jahn who played three seasons with current Phoenix Hagen forward Larry Gordon at Cal Poly Pomona(NCAA). The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau were shooting 60% from the field and 25% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 32% from the field and 25% from the three point line. Hanau had the 18-14 rebound advantage and 11 turnovers while Frankfurt had 15 turnovers.

In the third quarter, the Hebeisen White Wings came out of the locker room and kept up their dominance extending their lead even more winning the quarter with 25-12. Hanau was the run king of the afternoon as they went on another crushing run of 11-2 to extend their lead to 46-23 as Frankfurt continued to be able to muster very little on offense. Schaffrath continued to be a nasty thorn in the side of Frankfurt as he could do what he pleased inside as no defender was able to match his intensity or aggressiveness. He scored three buckets in the run including two inside and one on the transition as American Cardell Mcfarland got the dime. After a Tim Oldenburg mid distance jumper, Hanau went on their next devastating run of 10-2 to further up their commanding lead to 56-27 as the win was as good as sealed here. Hanau continued to play superb inside out team basketball as their offense was just in the flow. Mesghna nailed a three pointer and Cooperwood scored on the fast break. Schaffrath scored two more times inside as there was no Skyliner on this day that was able to rudely kick him out of the zone. In the last minute, Frankfurt got some added production from Fossman and Armin Musovic in form of jumpers, but Hanau led very comfortably with 60-33. “Coach Clauss told us at halftime to keep the focus up that not get overconfident. We didn´t want to let the game get tight again so we continued to let the ball flow, hit our open shots and our big man got points inside”, added Hanau guard Jonathan Mesghna. The Hebeisen White Wings were shooting 61% from the field and 31% from the parking lot while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 31% from the field and 21% from the parking lot. Hanau had the overwhelming 32-17 rebound edge and 14 turnovers while Frankfurt had 17 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter the game stayed even, but on account of the gigantic Hanau lead, Frankfurt was unable to make any serious ground despite a run at the start and at the end. When Frankfurt did make that run to end the game with a 12-0 run it was too little to late. Skyliner forward Tim Oldenburg started off the fourth quarter with perhaps the prettiest basket with a quick spin move that made Cory Cooperwood look like a lost farmer in Arkansas that had forgotten what field his crop was on as that was the start of a Frankfurt 9-3 run. Frankfurt played some high spirited basketball in this run getting out on the break something they hadn´t really been able to do earlier in the game. Fossman continued the run with a three pointer and then also scored on the fast break as did Oldenburg as Hanau still led 63-42. After Sebastian Kohnert and Fossman traded buckets, Hanau did their last damage of the evening going on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 74-44 as Kohnert connected again on a jumper and Cooperwood and ex Nordlingen center Josef Eichler who played 17 Beko BBL games hit three pointers. The Fraport Skyliners ended the game in strong fashion with a 12-0 run as Hanau walked off the court with a 74-56 win. In the run everything worked for Frankfurt while Hanau might already have been thinking if they were going to get to the sports bar in time to check out the German Bundesliga game of the night at 18:30. Oldenburg led the Frankfurt 12-0 run with three buckets as he was twice served with perfect passes on a silver platter from 17 year old 2014 NBBL rookie of the year Niklas Kiel. Vukovic also dropped a pull up jumper and Jamin Knothe hit a three pointer to end the game. “We have to know that we can always play the way we did at the end even if a Merz or Richter aren´t playing. We lost today, because we weren´t ready at the start. This loss reminded me off the loss in Iserlohn, because we weren´t there mentally. Maybe we weren´t focused the way we should of seeing the opponent having the bad record. We have to learn to react when we aren´t playing well. We need to learn from these mistakes and play better next weekend”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Niklas Kiel. The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau were led by American Cory Cooperwood with 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Joleik Schaffrath contributed 17 points and nine rebounds while Cardell Mcfarland had 14 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Tim Oldenburg with 17 points while Kyle Fossman steered 12 points. Hanau shot 54% from the field and 35% from outside while Frankfurt shot 39% from the field and 28% from outside. Hanau destroyed Frankfurt on the boards 41-29, but had 19 turnovers while Frankfurt had 18 turnovers. Hanau head coach Steven Clauss likes what he has seen from his team since he has arrived and sees their direction going up up up. “We are finding our way slowly. The team is slowly finding their self confidence something they didn´t have in the first five games. Our goal is going to the playoffs. We have to take it week by week and get wins and always play a little better each week”, warned Hanau head coach Steven Clauss.

 

Robert Gilchrist is a 24 year old 206cm forward from London, England that is playing his first professional season with BG Karlsruhe. He started his professional basketball career in 2008 for the London Leopards (EBL). H ethen played at Polk Community College before moving to Florida St. (NCAA) in 2012 where he played two seasons and as a senior he played 34 games: 3.0ppg, 1.8rpg. He spoke to German Hoops after the 86-82 victory in Langen.

 

Congrats on the 86-82 win against TV Langen. It isn´t usual that one can´t enjoy a win as much when there were other factors that happened on the court, but was this a victory where your thoughts were more with teammate Paul Brotherson than the game result after?

Most definitely found that my thoughts as well as those of the rest of the team were more so with Paul as well as securing a road win.

 

BG Karlsruhe was totally in the flow had scored 31 points in the first quarter and then suddenly that cheap shot from TV Langen Filmore Beck. Could you please describe the scene and what happened from your perspective?

Before I got into the game I could see that he was frustrated. Not sure why but I could see him getting a little more physical. A few plays before that incident I had to get between him and Paul but I thought that would be the end of it. For me it was frustrating just because my natural reaction would be to retaliate but of course that would just add fuel to the fire. He did it out of frustration and surely something else must have been bothering him. I have thrown some elbows or stuck out a knee on a screen but never been mad enough to hit someone knowing you could throw your career away

 

According to eye witness reports the blow must have been very bad? Have you ever seen something like that in your time as a player or to what scenario could you compare it to?

I think the league will handle the situation appropriately and we will continue to play with class and respect for the game. I have never seen anything like that in person in Langen. I have seen a few college basketball fights but never been in that situation

 

 

Does Filmore Beck deserve to be suspended or even banned from playing anymore games this season? What kind of punishment does this deserve from your point of view?

I don’t think its my place to say what he deserves but i know the league will deal with it as they feel appropriate

 

 

BG Karlsruhe still had the lead at halftime with 48-39. How difficult was it to concentrate on the court after what had happened to Brotherson? I expect the team was playing for him?

There Is no question that we continued to play for Paul. Yes it was difficult to concentrate but we have pretty good chemistry and banded to play the game with class and not try to continue or start anymore problems

 

TV Langen big man Martinis Woody cut the bG Karlsruhe lead to 84-82 with 19 seconds to play and Aaron Schmitz sealed the win with free throws. How proud were you of the team and what was key to sticking it out and getting the win?

 

We were able to sustain a good defensive game and the results show that

 

What was it like banging with TV Langen scorer Martinis Woody? He was held to 12 points which is considered a solid effort against him.

Woody is a solid player and he did what he could on the night

 

How much will Paul Bortherson be missed on the team? What is his biggest quality on the court for the team?

 

Paul will definitely be missed, he has a great IQ and feel for the game. He makes plays on both ends of the floor everyone is going to have to step up!

 

 

After starting the season 2-3, BG Karlsruhe has a 3-0 record now. Is BG Karlsruhe finally putting the pieces together?

 

I think we are finding our way now, we are a young team. Our coaches have taken the time and have been patient with us and I think we will continue to grow and make solid progress throughout the season.

 

 

BG Karlsruhe easily defeated Hanau earlier in the season 75-54 and they also seem to be making strides. I think both BG Karlsruhe and Hanau could be teams that are way at the top of the standings when both teams fully find their rhythm. Why do you think it has taken these two very ambitious teams that want to move up to the Pro A so long to get started?

 

Sometimes teams with a lot of potential take a little longer to get going but once they do they are quite the force rolling into the back end of the season where it counts the most

 

 

 

You are a rookie and are averaging 5,6ppg, 6,6rpg and 1,4bpg in 16 minutes. How happy have you been with your play so much?

As you said, I am a rookie and I’m still finding my way, coach took a chance and he knows I will do whatever I can to help the team get the win. I want and need to improve my game in every area. For me right now I need to find consistency!

 

 

Who wins a one on one in practice on the court you or Adrian Lind?

 

lol I’m pretty sure a one on one with Adrian Lind would be easy money. I would much rather play jimmy but he’s always running from this pressure!! you can tell jimmy to stop running from this pressure when you speak to him

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

The last DVD movie that I saw was Think Like a man too with Kevin Hart.

 

Thanks Robert for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a time when the Frankfurt Skyliners were involved with international club play year in and year out and even if the majority of the fans stayed clear of the arena as they had better things to do during the middle of the week, but for the fans that made the trek to Hochst to watch high class basketball, they were entertained by high class players like Gerrod Henderson, ex NBA player Shammond Willimas, ex NBA player Daniel Ewing, ex NBA player Tyus Edny or Scoonie Penn. However in the last three years, the Fraport arena has been closed for middle of the week basketball and as dark and lifeless as the Frankfurt airport during the wee hours of the morning. The last time that the Fraport Skyliners could register a win in international play was almost four years ago three days before Christmas against Khimik Moscow as Gordon Herbert was coach and Frankfurt was led by Dashaun Wood with 18 points, Marius Nolte started the game registering four points and two rebounds in 12 minutes battle, American Joe Dabbert played 25 minutes and Frankfurt legend Pascal Roller was held scoreless in 17 minutes. Since then the club is riding a seven game losing streak in the international club play. Back in the 2011-2012 season, they lost six times in Eurocup against teams like Banvit(turkey), Lokomotiv(Russia) and Gran Canaria. Only two players from the roster of today with Quantez Robertson and Danilo Barthel found action in those games. In their first game this season in the Eurochallenge play, they were embarrassed 94-59 in Aalstar, Belgium as a one time little used Phoenix Hagen player from Belgium Thomas Dreeson led all scorers with 22 points, but one has to understand that they were hurt much by injuries. This wasn´t any different today as the Fraport Skyliners had to battle Bakken of Denmark and had to withstand a tough Danish squad that fought until the end, but the 2004 Beko BBL champion had a strong fourth quarter mustering a 74-64 victory winning their first game in the Eurochallenge. It was an unlikely hero who stepped up when he had to as it wasn´t Cinderella, but just young 20 year old German Johannes Richter who shone in the spotlight before midnight leading Frankfurt with 15 points and six rebounds. After the victory five journalists were crowded around the ex Bamberg center as guys like Quantez Robertson, Danilo Barthel and Johannes Voigtman slithered past the big man unnoticed as they were not on the question menu. Richter was all smiles after the win and reminded the journalists that he is a normal guy that tomorrow morning has class at university at 9AM. “I came into the game playing with pain and it wasn´t easy. I was hoping that I would get some minutes, but the Barthel and Voigtman foul problems gave me extra minutes. I thank coach for giving me the confidence and I am happy that I could pay him back with good play. I have to also give thanks to Tez and Richie Williams for finding me and letting me finish and get into the game. I have much confidence from the Pro B games and practice, but in reality basketball is the same everywhere, so this game for me is nothing special”, remarked Johannes Richter. “This wasn´t Cinderella, but something that Richter is capable of doing. I am so happy for him that he could give us this performance when we needed it badly. He has a real fighting heart which is his best quality”, warned assistant coach Eric Detlef. It was the second win in a row for the Fraport Skyliners and a real team effort as Bakken didn´t give any presents for 40 minutes. “Baken really did a great job making it hard for us to get into our sets. However we did the little things and hustle plays in the second half which we didn´t do in the first half. Richter played great, Kyle Fossmann hit crucial three pointers and Sean Armand warmed up in the fourth quarter helping us get the lead, “warned RichardWilliams. Bakken lost their second game and just couldn´t sustain the Frankfurt offense in the last quarter. “Frankfurt didn´t give us any second chance shots and just played overall good defense. That whole team was on the same page on defense”, stressed Illinois native Maurice Acker.

The Fraport Skyliners got going quickly in the first quarter going on a 6-3 lead as the Skyliners German duo of Danilo Barthel and Johannes Voigtmann scored in the paint. Quantez Robertson got into his comfort zone quickly on defense getting a quick steal and going coast to coast for the lay in. After a Acker bucket, the Fraport Skyliners continued to run their well oiled offense cruising out on a 10-2 run to lead 16-7 as Canadian Aaron “Mr 7am practice man” Doornekamp nailed two three pointers, Armand split the defense for a bucket and Richter made his first presence muscling for an offensive rebound and put back. Frankfurt kept their momentum and just got support from everyone from the bench as Richter made a stuff and Canadian Kyle Fossmann dropped a three pointer. Williams found his shooting touch early as he displayed his fancy foot work doing a cross over and drillied home a jumper. Bakken forward Nicolai Pederson ended the first quarter with a bomb from down town as Frankfurt had the comfortable 23-15 advantage after 10 minutes. “Frankfurt did a good job showing their presence on defense which led to some fast break points. Frankfurt demonstrated good team basketball and Doornekamp hit some big three pointers”, stressed Italian basketball agent Luigi Battista. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 66% from the field and 75% from outside while the Bakken Bears were shooting 50% from the field and 33% from outside. Both teams had six rebounds a piece and Frankfurt had six turnovers and Bakken had seven turnovers.

The second frame was a tale of two quarters as the Fraport Skyliners kept up their intensity and lead in the first five minutes, but then let up drastically letting the Bakken Bears back into the game and handing over the lead at the end going into halftime. Quantez Robertson started the second quarter hitting an open pull up jumper, but Bakken came back in a fury and used their inside presence getting two quick buckets. 35 year old Chris Christoffersen who played at Oregon(NCAA) form 1998-2002 and played three seasons with ex Giessen 46er fan favorite Florian Hartenstein made a quick lay in and Jonas Bergstedt followed with a lay in as these two big men harmonized well. Frankfurt made a rapid halt to this run as Quantez Robertson buried a three pointer and Williams connected on a floater as Frankfurt had a double digit lead again at 30-20. However Bakken now got stronger and finished the second quarter on a 18-6 run to sneak into halftime with the 37-36 lead. Cristoffersen did damage again inside as his huge body was like a big mack truck as nobody was going to stand in his way as he scored inside again. Doornekamp had one highlight in the Bakken run finding daylight from the wing and smashing home a one hand dunk. However Morten Sahlertz right away silenced the Fraport arena nailing back to back three pointers as Bakken was inching its way back into the game and trailed only 37-31. Bakken continued to come back and reach the free throw line. 23 year old forward Thomas Laerke ended the second quarter with a three pointer as Frankfurt´s once big lead had dwindled like an ice cube that is left out to melt on a hot sunny day. “Bakken did all the same things which Frankfurt didn´t do. Frankfurt turned away from their team basketball from the first quarter. Frankfurt defended less and were less aggressive on the boards while Bakken tried to finish more inside”, added Italian basketball agent Luigi Battista. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 42% from the field and 35% from the three point line while the Bakken Bears were shooting 48% from the field and 41% from the three point line. Bakken had the slim 18-17 rebound edge, but 11 turnovers while Frankfurt had only nine turnovers.

Both teams took a rest from scoring in the third quarter as more aggressive defense and sloppy play reigned on the field and there were an impressive 10 lead changes which showed that both teams were willing to fight extra for the win. Armand got Frankfurt the lead back at 39-38 with a lay in. Bakken then retrieved the lead back as Bergstedt nailed free throws and Bakken led 40-39. No team was able to hurry off on a run as the lead changes just went back and forth. Williams then made an amazing play with 0,6 seconds left on the shot clock, he somehow pushed the pass in traffic to Richter who somehow got off the shot and scored as Frankfurt fetched their lead back to 41-40. Thomas Laerke then responded with the 42-41 Bakken lead with a tough off balance shot. Voigtmann then connected on free throws as once again the lead changed and Frankfurt led 43-42. Bergstedt and Robertson then traded buckets as Frankfurt led 45-44. Bakken American Semaj Inge who played at Temple with NBA player Lavoy Allen and ex Fraport Skyliner Ryan Brooks and current Giessen 46er TJ Dileo hit a difficult off balance shot as Bakken led once again 46-45. Voigtmann then made his prettiest basket of the evening making a nasty spin move around Bergsetdt and laying the ball in as Frankfurt led again 47-46. After Bergstedt and Williams free throws, it was Acker who nailed a ridiculous in your face three pointer over Barthel as Bakken led 52-49 after 30 minutes. “No team was able to get a run. This quarter was a combination of good defense and sloppy play. We missed mayn easy lay ups, but you have those days sometimes”, stressed San Diego native Richard Williams. “Both teams played excellent defense and it was tough to score and get into rhythm”, added Maurice Acker. The Bakken Bears were shooting 44% from the field and 37% from the parking lot while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 38% from the field and 27% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 28-23 rebound advantage, but 15 turnovers while Bakken had 14 turnovers.

The Fraport Skyliners left the sloppiness of the third quarter behind them and found back to their old ways of sound structured offense that is flowing like it was in the first quarter. Frankfurt didn´t waste any time sprinting out on a 15-5 run to lead 64-57. The Fraport Skyliners got their run started after Iverson had scored inside with a very peculiar play where they definitely had some luck as Williams tried to throw the ball off a Bakken defender to get a new possession, but instead the ball deflected right to Richter who had the easiest put back of his life. American Sean Armand and Canadian Kyle Fossman now combined for 10 points as each nailed a three pointer and scored a field goal which was the beginning of the end for Bakken and Armand ended the run with another jumper as he saved his best for the fourth quarter. “I hurt my wrist in the last game and I had swollen hand, but I still played. With my shot not falling early, I just tried to get my team involved and play good defense”, said Sean Armand. After a Bergstedt two handed slam dunk, it was Armand showing his unselfishness even when he is scoring to go down a gear and let somebody else score riffling a pass inside to Richter who had no deadline to midnight, but just made a routine put back as Frankfurt led 66-59. Frankfurt did a good job not leaving the door open in crunch time and just buckling down and getting the win. Armand and Richter closed out the scoring as the Fraport Skyliners left the floor with a 1-1 record in Eurochallenge play. “I thought that we played the way we wanted to and dictated the game. We did a good job controlling the offensive boards something we have had problems doing this season and executed on second chance points. When we do those things good things happen. This win gave us more confidence and momentum going into the next tough game in Bamberg”, warned Sean Armand. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Johannes Richter and Sean Armand with 15 points a piece. Quantez Robertson contributed nine points and eight rebounds. Richard Williams had eight points and nine assists. The Bakken Bears were led by Jonas Bergstedt with 23 points. Maurice Acker added 10 points. The Fraport Skyliners finished the evening shooting 43% from the field and 33% from outside while the Bakken Bears shot 39% from the field and 26% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebounding duel 41-32 and had 18 turnovers while Bakken had 19 turnovers. The Fraport Skyliners next play on Sunday November 16^th in Bamberg.

Maurice Acker is a 27 year old 176cm point guard that was born in Kansas City, Kansas, but grew up in Hazelcrest, Illinois and is playing his first season for the Bakken Bears (Denmark-Ligaen). He started his basketball career in 2005 at Ball St and then moved on to Marquette (NCAA) where he played from 2007-2010 and as a senior played 34 games: 8.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 49.5%, FT: 72.7%. Concluded the season season ranked second in the nation and first in the BIG EAST in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.1). Led the BIG EAST in 3-point field goal percentage (.495). He started his basketball career in 2011 with Bucaneros de La Guaira (Venezuela-LPB): (Elimination Round) 15 games: 8.2ppg, 1.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.6spg, 2PT: 40.0%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 92.0%. In 2011 he also played for Quebec Kebs (Canada-PBL): 18 games: 8.5ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 80.0%. In the 2011-2012 season he moved to Magixx KidsRights Nijmegen (Holland-Eredivisie) playing 31 games: 14.0ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-3(4.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 79.3%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Trefl Sopot (Poland-TBL, starting five): 4 games: 10.5ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.8apg, then signed at BK 04 AC LB Spisska Nova Ves (Slovakia-Extraliga, starting five): 37 games: Score-1(23.9ppg), 2.5rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 37.2%, FT: 84.4%. Last season he played for Denain ASC Voltaire (France-ProB, starting five): 42 games: Score-4(17.0ppg), 2.6rpg, 4.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 88.8%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurochallenge game against the Fraport Skyliners.

 

Thanks Maurice for talking to German Hoops. Is this your first time in Germany? What do you know about the country?

Before coming to Frankfurt yesterday, I once flew in to Berlin, but that has been about it. I know that basketball is huge in Germany and is respected in Europe. I have also heard that the BBL is one of the top leagues in Europe and that it is a good environment to play in.

 

 

You are playing your first season for Bakken Bears (Denmark-Ligaen). Your also playing your second international club game. You lost to Boras 86-79 and you chipped in with 16 points. How did it feel playing this type of basketball?

It was exciting to play my first international game against Boras. The result wasn´t to my liking, but I believe that we got better and will be ready for Frankfurt tonight.

 

 

You are playing in your fifth professional season, but for your seventh team. Do you feel like a basketball globetrotter?

Yes I do feel sort of like a basketball globetrotter because I have been around. I enjoy this life style and have gotten used to the travel, learning new cultures and teams. It is part of the game.

 

You are playing your first season in Denmark for Bakken who are number one in the Danish league. You have been a scorer almost your whole professional career. What is exactly your role with Bakken?

My role is to do pretty much what I have been doing my whole career is first off getting my team involved and later if necessary do the scoring to help my team win.

 

You played in many countries like Canada, Venezuela, Holland,Poland, Slovakia and France. How difficult is it to get used to a new style and level?

 

It isn´t always easy to adapt to a new level and style and it can be frustrating, but at end of day it is part of game and you always find a way to adjust.

 

 

You are a scoring point guard, but can also set up your teammates as two seasons ago you led the league in Slovakia with 6,7apg. What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away? Perhaps your assist to turn over ratio?

I think a hidden strength is getting my team involved. I feel that I get more credit for being able to score. I usually try to get my team involved early and later do what is needed to win the game with scoring.

 

You are a 176cm guard. Which smaller type NBA player was always your role model growing up as a kid?

As a kid, I really enjoyed watching Allen Iverson play. I liked how he didn´t back down against nobody even if they were bigger. He always played with a chip on his shoulder and I liked that.

 

You started your basketball career at Ball St and as a freshman played 28 games: 9.2ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.5spg, FG: 32.6%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 79.6%. You then sat out due to NCAA transfer rules and finished at Marquette from 2007-2010. How difficult was this season not being able to play?

Sitting out my second year at Marquette was the most difficult time in my career. Just being at practice, but not playing games was tough. I got better in this year and I learned a lot from my teammate Dominic James. I did many extra work outs to get better. In the end it was tough, but worth it.

 

You played 102 NCAA games and as a senior played 34 games: 8.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 49.5%, FT: 72.7%. Concluded the season season ranked second in the nation and first in the BIG EAST in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.1). Led the BIG EAST in 3-point field goal percentage (.495). How did Buzz Williams get you prepared best for a professional basketball career?

 

He really did a lot for me. His practices were always very hard and pushed the players. He was big on team basketball and wanted us to be leaders and that we should help each other. Coach Williams was also big on life issues which I feel has helped me adapt to life better in Europe.

You played together with many future NBA players like Lazar Hayward, Wesley Matthews, Jerel Mcneil, Jimmy Butler or Dwight Buycks. Why do you think wasn´t Marquette able to make more noise in the NCAA tournament in those years?

I think that in the years that I was there that the level was so much higher in the NCAA than now. There were many good players that went through the NBA draft.

 

You played with many great players at Marquette that went to the NBA. Which player left the most lasting impact on you?

 

Wesley Matthews left the biggest impact on me. He was a player that really didn´t get as much exposure as he should of. I will never forget his work ethic which was unbelievable. A reason he got to the NBA is because he outworked everyone else. I tried to take as much as I could from his game.

 

 

 

You also played with Chris Otule who only has vision in one eye. How did you take that whole experience with him at Marquette and what was your fondest memory with him in school and on the court?

Chris was one of the most genuine guys ever. He was always happy and in a good mood. He worked so hard on the court and you would never have thought that he only had vision in one eye. He was so smart and picked up different traits that helped him work around his disability on the court. He was a tough inside presence as hardly any one could stop him. He was one of the toughest players that I ever played with.

 

You came to Europe in 2011 and played for Magixx KidsRights Nijmegen (Holland-Eredivisie). What was your welcome to Europe experience in terms of basketball in Holland?

Just being away from home and being so far away in a different country. Off the court toughest was having to know words and phrases just to be able to buy groceries and on the court all the different systems. I recognized quickly that the game is more structured in Europe.

 

 

Two seasons ago you played briefly for Trefl Sopot (Poland-TBL)4 games: 10.5ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.8apg, What memories do you have of German/polish talent David Bremblay?

I remember David as a very good shooter and play very hard on defense. He was a good kid.

 

Who wins a one on one in practice you or Semaj Inge?

We play almost every day and it goes back and forth.

 

 

Who was the best player that you had to defend in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 

The best player that I played against was Kemba Walker. I played him a few times. One game I played ok scoring something like eight points and another time had 16 points and five assists.

 

 

Where will the journey of the Chicago Bulls end this season?

 

They will have a good season if they stay healthy.

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Friday.

 

Thanks Maurice for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janek Schmidkunz is a 24 year old 183cm point guard that is playing his first season for the MLP Academics Heidelberg (ProA). He started his basketball career with Central Hoops Berlin (Regionalliga) in 2008. He then also got further experience at ALBA Berlin II (Regionalliga). He then went to the states and played at Amer.Internat. (NCAA2) from 2010-2014 playing a total of 86 NCAA games and as a senior played 26 games: 10.9ppg, 2.1rpg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 61.5%. He spoke to German Hoops recently before the start of the season.

Janek thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer?

Right now I am in Berlin, my hometown, being with my family and friends. Its been a great summer so far. The transition from living four years on the east coast and now starting off a new chapter in my life has been hard but extremely exciting as well. Besides enjoying my time spent in the gym, weight room and running, I also make sure to catch up with first my family, but also my friends. Overall, I am happy to be back home in Germany.

You have been away in the United States for four years playing at Amer.Internat. (NCAA2) Now you are coming back to Germany to start your professional basketball career? Did time fly in your college experience?

First off, I can’t believe how fast time has gone by and I already know that I am gonna miss going back to AIC’s campus and get ready to work my butt off in pre season and seeing my friends. But I knew early on that my path will head back to Germany and therefore, I was somewhat prepared for the transition.

What were the main reasons for coming to the MLP Academics Heidelberg? What sold you on coming to this Pro A team?

What sold me was several reasons. For one, Heidelberg has such tradition as a basketball organization and it’s an established brand in Germany. I am confident that I will take my game to the next level under Coach Ignjatovic and his staff and I am grateful to be given this opportunity. Also, I fell in love with the city when I first visited in June and the addition of the perfect training and practice environment made the decision easy. It is for a reason that it is one of Germany’s Olympic bases. Last but not least I am rejoining a very good friend of mine, Nico Adamczak. I played with Nico for the first time when I was 11 or 12 and from then on we became close friends and continued playing for Berlins select team. It makes the transition much easier having Nico as a teammate once again.

When you came to the States you had just played for ALBA Berlin II (Regionalliga) playing 17 games and averaging 10.5ppg, 1.9apg, 1.5rpg. There your coach was NCAA champion Henrik Rodl and your teammate was future NCAA winner Niels Giffey. How has your game developed in the last four years in the States?

I have been able to improve as an overall player and because my coach, Art Luptowski, was a very defensive minded coach I made lots of improvements in that regard. Through lots of individual workouts I got better in shooting off the dribble and ball handling. Would one say that you are more a point guard or combo guard? When looking at your stats, one doesn´t notice very high assist stats? I definitely define myself as a combo guard. It makes me flexible in terms of where coach can put me and use me on the court. My assists have been down, but it’s definitely an aspect of my game I am trying to utilize more.

You shot over 40% from outside twice in your college career and if you were to describe that one quality in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away what would you say it is?

A trait in your game that goes unnoticed? Besides my low turnover ratio in the past years I think that my team player skills are not noticeable when looking at the stats. I am trying to keep my errors low but still take smart risks on the court. I think my feeling and understanding of the game is something my past coaches have always valued me for.

If you look back at your season with Niels Giffey at Alba Berlin(Reg) would you ever have thought that he would have developed so well in the NCAA?

Not all German players have had luck with their careers in the States. I would say I knew that he was going do well. Not saying I knew he was going win two championships but I knew that he would be valued highly as a ball player. Playing with Niels was amazing but playing against Niels (three times with AIC vs UConn) was rough. He shined a lot in his senior year but I thought he was a vital part for UConn all four years. It’s true that not all German players succeed in the states, but then not all German players are as gifted and passionate about the game as Niels. The guy worked hard and he got what he deserved.

How did Artur Luptowski help shape your game and made you into the player that you are now ready to attack the pro game? What was the most important thing he has given you on and off the court?

First, coach Luptowski shaped me a lot mentally. He made me “tougher”. I mentioned some aspects above but when trying to summarize his impact two things come to mind: defense and mental toughness. He trusted me on the court and thought of me as a leader of our team. Besides all the basketball, I had a good relationship with coach and he helped me through a lot of hard personal times and was always there for us players. I am grateful for that and happy that he made it to the next level now working as a head scout with the Detroit Pistons. Congrats to him at this point again.

Your ex teammate Bobby Harris had a very solid senior season. How did you guys make each other better on and off the court?

Bobby was a tough matchup in practice and for the opponent teams. It was tough that we had to play without him for the last few games. But with his transfer to AIC, I had another guy in practice that made me better and another teammate that helped us win games. But I don’t want to highlight one teammate, I had one of the best teammates in the world the past four years and I am sad that so few continued on playing. I miss those guys a lot. Bobby still has another year by the way and I am going follow them closely.

In your four years living in Springfield how often would you say did you visit the basketball Hall Of fame and what is your favorite exhibit to see in the Hall of Fame?

Three times to be exact. Sad thing was that it took me two years to realize how amazing it is that I played and lived in the city where basketball was created. The best exhibit was the historic part of the hall of fame, basketball’s first steps and the development of what is now one of the worlds most popular sports. It’s a must see museum for anyone that is in the area.

How does a normal Janek Schmidkunz work out day look like in the summer on and off the court?

I get up early, always! First workout is the lifting after a good breakfast. I added Pilates as a workout this year and it has been helpful. In the afternoon I hit the gym and work on my basketball skills. Every other day I go for a run or swim to improve my cardio. I am a big fan of doing other sports in the summer (tennis, beach volleyball or some soccer) because I think it is important to be diverse and try different things. Off the court, I am a big family guy. Spending time with them is the best. Seeing friends is a must for me as well, especially knowing that I am leaving town so soon.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

I watched “the life of David Gale” and it was a good flick. I am a huge Kevin Spacey fan.

 

Thanks Janek for the chat.

 

Jason Boone is a 29 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York That is playing this season for Torku Selcuk Universitesi Konya (Turkey-TBL) He played three seasons with the s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg and last season played 28 games averaging 8,4ppg and 4,1rpg. He played three seasons for BG Goettingen. He played at New York University(NCAA 3) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 28 games averaging 14.1ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.4bpg, 2.9apg, FG: 63.0%, FT: 64.3%. In 2007-2008, he played at Bernau(Regionalliga) before making the jump up three leagues to MEG Goettingen. In 2008-2009, he averaged 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg, FG: 53.7. In 2009-2010, he won the Eurochallenge playing EuroChallenge: 16 games: 10.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 53.8%; German League: 35 games: 9.1ppg, 6.1rpg, FGP: 60.3%, FT: 55.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about his new basketball experience in Turkey.

 

 

Jason thanks for talking to German Hoops You are playing your first season in Turkey for after 7 seasons in Germany. How strange was it leaving a country that was like a second home for you?

The decision to leave Germany didn’t come easy. I took a lot of time weighing the pros and cons. But I’ve always been one that needs to break out of my comfort zone to grow as a person. And that was definitely something I was going to have to do this year.

 

What has been the biggest adjustment for you on and off the court? Is English as widely known around the city as it was in rural Germany in places like Goettingen and Wurzburg?

Basketball is basketball. On the court the only real adjustment has been in the playing style of our head coach. He demands more of me than any other coach I’ve ever played for and his excitement about the game of basketball is contagious. Off the court, Konya is very different from anywhere I’ve ever lived. The biggest difference from Germany however is the traffic rules. Or lack thereof. It’s a free-for-all out here in these streets.

You are 29 years old and in your 8th season. Depending on who you talk to being in your prime can range from 23-27 years of age. Where do you see your self basketball wise now at age 29. Are you in your prime now?

I still feel like I can be a very efficient player out on the court. My knowledge of the game is higher than it’s ever been and I still can rely on speed and athleticism when I need to. Staying healthy is the key, but if I can manage that, I can see myself at the top of my game for a few more years.

 

How thrilled are you to be able to make this new basketball experience in Turkey. Without having played all the teams yet, but looking at the top Turkish teams of Efes, Besiktas, Galatasaray and Ulker where do you feel is more talent stacked among these teams and the top 4 in Germany?

 

I’m just excited to be able to play basketball every day. Far too often people don’t appreciate this career until it’s all over. I don’t want to be one of those guys. Like you said, I haven’t played against many Turkish teams yet but I got to watch a lot of them play during the Turkish Cup. And I can definitely say, without any doubt, that Turkey is one of the best, if not, the best league in Europe this year.

After playing mostly in Germany with Americans and Germans, now your playing with mostly Americans and Turkish players. What has been your experience playing for Torku Selcuk Universitesi Konya (Turkey-TBL)? How is the talent level for Turkish players?

 

We rely on our imports for a lot of minutes and production but the Turkish players that we have are extremely talented and hard working. We have a veteran group of smart players and it’s evident by how quickly we’ve gelled this season.

After three games you are averaging 8,3ppg and 3,3rpg. What exactly is your role on the team. You come off the bench for bangers like Sean Williams and RT Guinn.

My job duties haven’t changed much from my days in Germany. Bringing a sense of toughness on defense and a high efficiency on offense. I’m also playing minutes at the PF this year so I’ve had to really focus on defensive principles I wasn’t used to.

 

In the 88-81 win against Tofas you played against Dashaun Wood who played many years in the Beko BBL and played against you? The 2011 BBL MVP had 27 points. Is this a league that is suited for his game and could he be a scoring leader in the TBL?

He’s a very capable scorer but we were able to limit him getting other players involved and it worked to our advantage. This league is full of very good point guards so he’s going to have his hands full on a nightly basis. He won’t lead this league in scoring but he’ll have, on paper, a very good year.

 

Your teammate Sean Williams has been in beast mode so far averaging 14,7ppg and 11,0rpg. He made it into the NBA early and since then has been in Europe and always trying to get back. His work ethic has been questionable at times. Do you think that he has matured mentally and with his play with time and experience?

Sean is an incredible talent. Playing against him every day in practice, I’ve gotten to see his ability to take over on offense and his knack for perfect timing on defense. I don’t have an “immature Sean” to compare him to but like I’ve stated before, we have a veteran group of guys so we haven’t had to deal with any problems you run into with younger or immature players.

When Troy DeVries was a rookie with BG Karlsruhe in 2005, you were a junior at New York university. He has been a real warrior playing in 6 countries and even played in the (Spain-Liga Endesa). He seems to have gotten better with age. Is he a good example of how constant hard work is essential for having a long and successful career?

I can’t say enough about Troy. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever played with. He understands what it takes to win and really has fun out there on the court. He’s dealt with a few career threatening injuries but has always managed to bounce back stronger. He’s a real testament to what a true professional athlete should be.

 

Talk a little about the new Turkish culture you have been encountering. Konya has a population of 1,1 million people and is rich with history. How much have you been able to explore and what has amazed you about your new city where you live?

I’ve heard that Konya is very different than other parts of Turkey. It’s a very high population of conservative Muslims and maybe that’s why socially I haven’t found nearly as many things to do as in Germany. But the fans are great and I’m adjusting pretty well. I just started taking a few Turkish lessons and understanding the German language opened so many doors there, that I feel like learning some Turkish will do the same.

Your exteammate John Little is the only ex Goettingen player of the three amigos of you and Ben Jacobson that is playing for a third team with John Patrick. If all four of you could be reunited again on a team besides Goettingen or Wurzburg where would it be?

Your theoretical questions get better year by year. I would have to say that the best bet would be Ludwigsburg, although I don’t know how good I look in yellow. Wherever we ended up, we would be successful though. Our track record has proven that.

Where will the journey of the New York Knicks end this season in the NBA? How do you see their chances in the east?

I like Phil Jackson behind the scenes, I like the way Carmelo has looked thus far. They have a lot of improving to do if they want to be serious about competing but they have the tools to be relevant. I think they are still one or two pieces away from beating the Chicago’s and Cleveland’s on their way to a title.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

I’m currently watching the final season of HBO’s The Sopranos. I’m not sure why it’s taken me this long to watch this series. Very entertaining.

 

Thanks Jason for the chat.

 

It seems like ages when the well liked Canadian Jermaine Bucknor was wearing a Frankfurt jersey and nailing three pointers and presenting that wide smile that one could recognize even halfway to Hochst train station even when a Dashaun Wood snuck into the zone with another fascination penetration move for two quick points and then had to be careful not to slip on the latest jock strap that he had left behind from his man. However the presence of Bucknor back in the Fraport arena was a beautiful thing, but it seemed almost like it was a minor detail to the game as fans were too worried about the current situation of the 2004 German BBL champion. This season has been anything but easy as many had the 2010 BBL finalist as a team that would be fighting for the playoffs and ending games with more points than their opponent, but coming into the game with TBB Trier had a 1-6 record and it seemed were like a basketball team that was on a hiking trip on the Feld Hill outside Frankfurt had gone off course and had fallen into a hidden fox den with no ladder in sight. It wasn´t 10 to midnight in basketball Frankfurt, but 30 seconds before midnight as the BBL season of the 2010 BBL cup winner seemed to be on the line between a season fight to escape the BBL cellar or finding a start out of the fox den and back to their winning ways. The Fraport Skyliners entered the game not only having lost their first three games of the season, then presenting their best game of the season with a well deserved home win against the Telekom Baskets Bonn, but then losing three games on the road, and an embarrassing 94-59 defeat in the opening game of the Eurochallenge in Belgium against Aalstar where a bitter 38-11 second quarter by the host team sealed the loss for Gordon Herbert and his players. A day after the loss in Belgium, Skyliner forward Danilo Barthel was quoted as saying that head coach Gordon Herbert hadn´t lost his coaching magic and he was right as the Fraport Skyliners found back to their old self digging their own imaginary fox hole on the court and keeping TBB trapped inside as they stifled their offense and out worked them 65-57 and ending their four game losing streak. Injured Fraport Skyliner center Mike Morrison watched the game from the sidelines nursing an injury and one could see that he had gone through a lot on the bench cheering on the team as he was sporting wet sweat marks around his arm pits on his shirt. “This was a huge win and our home crowd was great supporting us. We have been focused all season long, but we just hadn´t been able to connect the pieces. Our offense still needs work, but defense wins games”, warned Florida native Mike Morrison. One could sense that Canadian and ex Skyliner Jermaine Bucknor had been missed as he connected with many from the Skyliner family after the game and his disappointment after 40 minutes was written all over his face even if his Mohawk haircut tried to shield his pain. “You know Miles this was a must win for both teams. It really doesn´t matter who you play in this league, anybody can beat you from top to bottom. Winning on the road is made even more difficult. I felt that we did a decent job on defense making Frankfurt take tough shots, but Frankfurt played as if their life was on the line. They battled so hard even though they had injured players and found a way to beat us. They hurt us with their rebounding”, stressed ex s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg forward Jermaine Bucknor.

The Fraport Skyliners came into the game with six healthy players and six Pro B players on the bench waiting for their chance to get their moment like Canadian Kyle Fossmann who made his Beko BBL debut playing 1.05 minutes and Stefan Ilzhoefer also found action playing 1.29 minutes. TBB Trier got on the board first as ex medi Bayreuth center Stefan Schmidt nailed a mid distance jumper and Bosnian Adin Vrabac hit a runner. Frankfurt got into their offensive sets well, but Quantez Robertson and Danilo Barthel missed easy shots. The Fraport Skyliners then got their first points as German national player Johannes Voigtmann showed his stellar big man passing skills finding ex Iona(NCAA) guard Sean Armand for the back door pass and lay in. Frankfurt did a good job keeping the two TBB Trier scorers and Canada connection Jermaine and Jermaine Bucknor and Anderson idle, but got sound production from Vrabac as he made a free throw and then scored inside as TBB Trier extended their lead to 7-3. However it was only a matter of time before the Fraport Skyliners would start hitting shots as the ball movement was there and they suddenly rushed out on a crushing 12-0 run to take the 15-7 lead. In this stellar run, Frankfurt got production from four different individuals. Voigtmann started the run with a difficult step back three pointer as the shot clock was winding down and would end the run with a lay in after getting fed by Robertson. Robertson made an amazing spin move so rapidly around Stefan Schmidt that he was looking where exactly he had lost his jock strap, Danilo Barthel made a running lay up and Richard Williams nailed a three pointer. Frankfurt did a great job being very aggressive on defense getting many hands on balls. The first quarter was the run quarter as TBB Trier didn´t back away and followed Frankfurt with their own run of 7-0 to cut the Frankfurt lead to 15-14. TBB Trier got some big three pointers from Laurynas Samenas and Adin Vrbac and Max Merz missing two free throws didn´t help the Frankfurt offensive cause. However Frankfurt halted the TBB Trier run and ended the first quarter with the momentum with a 6-2 run and led 21-16 after 10 minutes. In the run Frankfurt got buckets from Barthel and from Robertson who went coast to coast. “Frankfurt had the focus and intensity from the jump ball, but just didn´t hit shots. When they did find their rhythm, they went hard and found each other on offense. Frankfurt did a good job closing down Bucknor and Anderson and the lane not letting Trier penetrate”, stressed TV Lich guard Jermel Jones. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 62% from the field and 50% from outside while TBB Trier was shooting 45% from the field and 40% from outside. Frankfurt had the nine to five rebound edge, but five turnovers while TBB Trier had four turnovers.

In the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners kept their nose ahead, but could never fully get away from TBB Trier as they hung around going into half time. TBB Trier got on the board first as German Dennis Kramer who was picked up a few days ago after starting the season with Baunach after a solid NCAA career at San Diego(NCAA) got his first professional points hitting a three pointer and finding nothing but net. After Barthel hit one free throw to give Frankfurt the 22-19 advantage, fans saw some blood as the court resembled a boxing ring more than a basketball court as Skyliner guard Max Merz got an elbow to the face from Marko Lukovic and had to depart, but came back in the third quarter. Lukovic was hit with an unsportsmanlike foul, but Armand missed both shots. “I don´t think that that elbow from Lukovic on Merz was intentional. Lukovic was playing and as he turned, the head of Merz was just there and his elbow moved and he got hit”, stressed Jermel Jones. The Merz blood motivated Frankfurt as they hit massive three pointers from Williams and Canadian Aaron Doornekamp, but TBB Trier retaliated with an Anthony Canty jumper and Vitalis Chikoko as Frankfurt led 28-23. Frankfurt was on the midst of an 8-2 run and got added production from Voigtmann with a lay in and thunderous Barthel one handed dunk after he made a quick steal and went coast to coast. TBB Trier continued to fight back always chipping away at the Frankfurt lead and went on a 5-1 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 33-28. Frankfurt continued to shut down Bucknor in the scoring department, but the ex Richmond(NCAA) player was so valuable in other areas. He made a quick feed to Mathis Monninghof for the lay in, then made two steals. Ex Bamberg guard Jermaine Anderson then made a crisp lob pass to Chikoko for the easy bucket. “We have so many scorers on the team. I don´t care if I score or not. I am happy if I can create for my teammates and just make the right plays”, stressed top assist man of the game Jermaine Bucknor who had six. Bucknor then would make the only bucket of the game hitting a very tough off balance shot that was helped by the back board. Anderson followed with a fade away jumper and Frankfurt led only 35-32. The Fraport Skyliners then closed out the second quarter in fine fashion ending it on a 6-0 run to lead 41-32 at the break. Sean Armand made an incredible jumper with one second on the clock and Richard Williams made a cross over then split the defense for the lay in. “TBB Trier was doing a great job staying with Frankfurt and just fighting back. Frankfurt was defending well , but TBB Trier made tough shots and there is nothing you can do. Williams really got it going. He got the team going on offense and transition. That lay up at the end where he split two defenders was nice”, added TV Lich American Jermel Jones. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 56% from the field and 40% from the three point line while TBB Trier was shooting 54% from the field and 50% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 17-10 rebound edge and both teams had seven turnovers a piece.

Many like myself had predicted this too be an ugly defensive orientated old fashioned basketball game played in the trenches with head coaches Gordon Herbert and 1993 NCAA champion with North Carolina Henrik Roedl working the whips, but after both teams were scoring in the first half, it seemed like it would continue, but instead the game became more defensive as less points were made, and Frankfurt still were in command of the game and had the lead. After the blow to his head in the second quarter, Merz was back in the third quarter and witnessed as ex Braunschweig forward Aaron Doornekamp hit a three pointer. Chikoko followed with a lay in after getting a perfect feed from Bucknor in traffic who could have finished himself, but opted to give the better positioned man the ball as Frankfurt still led 44-39. With seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Fraport Skyliners were hit with their fifth team foul. However the opponent didn´t use this to their advantage as TBB Trier only scored three more points in the third quarter. After Chikoko made one free throw, it was Robertson who made a lay in and then followed with a three pointer as Frankfurt extended their lead to 49-40. A few minutes passed with both teams missing tough shots as both sides heightened their defense and both teams were hit with frequent turnovers. Anderson then nailed a jumper with two seconds remaining on the shot clock as Frankfurt led 49-42. Frankfurt closed out the scoring with a Robertson free throw and Williams ended the third quarter with a lay in as time expired as the Fraport Skyliners had the 52-42 advantage. “After getting our fifth team foul early, we set up our defense so that they had to shoot over us and not letting them drive”, added Mike Morrison. “With Frankfurt getting that fifth team foul early, we had a great chance to get to the foul line often, but didn´t because we didn´t do a good job executing and utilizing the situation. In this league, it is vital to do that to be successful”, warned Jermaine Bucknor. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 46% from the field and 35% from the parking lot while TBB Trier was shooting 47% from the field and 36% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 24-20 rebound lead, but only 10 turnovers while TBB Trier had 15 turnovers.

The game remained a defensive combat, but the Fraport Skyliners hit the clutch shots while TBB Trier didn´t which was key in the end for the home team winning. It took both teams two minutes before either team scored as Anderson scored a bucket inside cutting the Frankfurt lead to 52-44. However the Fraport Skyliners then found some offensive spark going on a 8-2 run to lead 60-46 as this pretty much put the club near the winners circle as the only thing missing were some free throws at the end to seal the win. In the run, Robertson did what he does best using his athletic strength by scoring inside. He then hit a free throw. Williams followed with a perfectly timed San Diego style floater from the base line over an outstretched Chikoko and Doornekmap ended the run with a jumper and free throw. Williams and Doornekamp could have debated who had the prettiest shot of the game as Williams had had that beautiful penetration cross over splitting the defense shot in the first half, while Doornekamp hit an amazing off balance shot while falling to the ground backwards somehow getting the shot off. As he fell backwards hitting the ground, he did an incredible feat that perhaps only Canadians know how do since there is always an abundance of snow as he slid backwards as if the white soft stuff had been groomed on the Fraport arena floor especially just for him. “Aaron got a tough rebound and then made a shot falling back. Looked like he was going snowboarding as he was sliding backwards”, smiled Cincinnati native Quantez Robertson. With a few minutes left, TBB Trier made one last run ending the game on a 9-3 run, but it was too little too late as they ran out of time. TBB Trier got an Anderson step back jumper and Chikoko three pointer, but Frankfurt got insurance free throws from Williams and Armand putting the game out of reach for TBB Trier. “The second half was stressful to watch. IT was crazy how one half we hit everything and the second half nothing. We had the lead in the fourth quarter and our point guards did a good job dealing with the press. We didn´t get turnovers, got stops and used the whole shot clock”, added Mike Morrsion. “Key for getting the win was our team moral and having confidence. We got the win with effort and concentration. We weren´t perfect on offense or defense, but our intensity and aggressiveness made up for our lack of execution”, expressed Richard Williams.

The Fraport Skyliners were led by Richard Williams with 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Quantez Robertson chipped in with 15 points, four rebounds and four steals. Johannes Voigtmann and Aaron Doornekamp added nine points a piece. TBB Trier was led by Vitalis Chikoko with 15 points. Jermaine Anderson added 12 points and Adin Vrbacc chipped in with 10 points. The Fraport Skyliners finished shooting 39% from the field and 26% from outside while TBB Trier shot 45% from the field and 31% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebounding battle 36-29 and had 15 turnovers while TBB Trier had 20 turnovers. After a slow start from American point guard Richard Williams this season who wasn´t totally healthy, he is slowly starting to find his old self. Last weekend he hit the Artland Dragons with 20 points and against TBB Trier one could see that the old Richie Williams is coming out of his shell as his offensive presence is greater than in the previous weeks as his confidence is rising with every new good game and hitting buckets is on the menu again. Williams knows now how to control his mind something he couldn´t do previously. “I have a new approach to the game. Previously I was too worried about what coach wanted to see and I was thinking too much on the court. Now I am thinking less and just being myself. I am letting my instincts take over”, warned Richard Williams. The Fraport Skyliners next entertain Danish team Bakken in their first Eurochallenge home game on Wednesday November 12.

 

 

You have those American players that love to globetrot in their career all over Europe fetching one year deals and learning a new culture while playing the game they cherish while there are those Americans that start in a country begin to love it there and never leave and just continue to ball until their body says no more. Guys like Immanuel Mcelroy of Braunschweig has played in Germany over 10 years for only three teams Cologne and Berlin or a Kyle Visser who has been in Germany since coming out of Wake Forest and is the heart and soul of the Braunschweig squad. Then again you also have a Chase Griffin who turned professional in 2007 and except for one season in Finland has played his whole career in Germany. He is starting his seventh season in Germany after having played for Phoenix Hagen for three years, one in Giessen and the last two in Gotha where his range from the parking lot was exceptional over 40% each season. The Washington native may be known for being a great shooter, but for the hardcore basketball fans remember his acting debut in the classic German basketball documentary Phoenix In Der Asche where the intense meeting between him and Michael Jordan displayed just what goes on behind the scenes of a basketball club where two ego´s are clashing. The two actually were teammates the following year after their basketball Oscar like moment playing for the Giessen 46ers and like their season in Hagen losing was the norm something that seemed to accompany them to Hessen. Griffin was back in Giessen last season with Gotha and celebrated a dramatic 91-89 OT win where he steered 25 points for the victory. Griffin returned back to Giessen for a second time in the Pro A and wanted to help snap the three games Giessen winning streak, but SC Rasta Vechta had tremendous problems having good starts in three of four quarters, couldn´t handle Cameron Wells and had to play come back basketball all night long which failed as Giessen won their fourth home game in a row 85-76 as SC Rasta Vechta remained winless on the road. “It is always nice to come back to paly ex teams and I can remember the OT with Gotha last season. It was always a great environment to play here, and tonight it was that again, but we had no flow, no rhythm and Giessen played good defense”, stressed Washington native Chase Griffin. The Giessen 46ers continue to play strong and high spirited basketball as they have won now six of their last seven games and are climbing higher and higher in the standings. “We did a good job focusing on the game plan and we played very good defense. We did a good job getting back, playing one on one defense keeping your guy out in front and also help side. Our good starts also were key. In the past when we have started bad, it usually took us 5-10 minutes to get into the game. When we start well, we move the ball better, are on the same page, execute better and the communication is there”, added Giessen 46er American Andre Marhold.

The Giessen 46ers were without Jonathan Malu who has knee problems and SC Rasta Vechta were without Amir Carraway. Giessen came out with an extra burst of energy as if they had extra Red Bull drinks before the game going on a 9-2 run. American Cameron Wells got going early scoring twice with a floater and lay in easily getting around German Fabian Franke and Cuban Yorman Polas used his athletic ability to score inside and Benjamin Lischka nailed a pretty running hook shot. Giessen got into rhythm fast and were making smart decisions while SC Rasta Vechta were getting good looks on offense, but just not getting their shots to fall. After SC Rasta Vechta head coach Stephan Arigbabu who played 7 seasons in Greece took a time out, it was Los Angeles native Derek Wright who took the coaches words to heart and rallied the team back into the game with a 8-3 run to cut the Giessen lead to 12-10. Wright nailed two three pointer and rookie Vincent Bailey grabbed an offense rebound and made a put back. The first quarter remained a quarter of runs as Giessen pull ed away again with a 7-2 run as Giessen continued to spread the ball around well getting scoring punch from Philadelphia native TJ DiLeo with a three pointer, A Benjamin Lischka lay in and Bjoern Schoo mid distance jumper as Giessen led 19-12. SC Rasta Vechta stayed on the heels of Giessen continuing to rally as Oliver Mackeldanz scored inside, and ex Oldenburg point guard Kevin Smit hit a timely three pointer. Wells set the exclamation point for the end of the first quarter with a last second shot as Giessen led 23-17 after 10 minutes. “We weren´t ready at all with our bad start. We wanted to be the aggressor, but Giessen was. We had good looks, but it was a law of averages as our shots weren´t falling”, stressed ex Chico State American Amir Carraway. The Giessen 46ers were shooting 67% from the field and 50% from outside while SC Rasta Vechta was shooting 43% from the field and 43% from outside. Giessen had the 9-6 rebound edge, but three turnovers while SC Rasta Vechta had two turnovers.

The second quarter remained tight and Giessen was able to lead by as much as nine points, but SC Rasta made a huge comeback in the last minutes to go into halftime trailing by one point. The second quarter was the only quarter where SC Rasta Vechta didn´t let Giessen go on a quarter starting run. It was 212cm big man Oliver Mackeldanz who reached the Beko BBL last season with SC Rasta Vechta playing 6 Beko BBL games via the German Regionaliga 2, Stahnsdorf and Cuxhaven scoring inside twice and once using the big mismatch of 9 centimeters over Johannes Lischka. Ex Ludwigsburg guard Besnik Bekteshi came off the bench testing his massive 63% three point percentage nailing a shot from outside as Giessen led 28-19. Giessen was trying to pull away, but it was German Mackeldanz who continued to own the zone scoring once over Wright and then making a put back over three Giessen players as Giessen led only 30-25. Giessen continued to get good offensive production keeping their healthy lead as Johannes Lischka scored on the penetration while slipping and DiLeo made a mid-distance jumper as Giessen led 36-27. Smit was a real force from the bench giving SC Rasta Vechta that needed push as he used his quickness to score inside as Giessen led only 36-30. With Giessen leading 39-30, SC Rasta Vechta went into the break with a furious 11-3 run to trail Giessen only 42-41. Vincent Bailey got the guests on the board with a nifty spin move and lay in, Wright hit a pull up jumper, Franke became aggressive and scored inside and Chase Griffin nailed a last second three pointer as all of a sudden SC Rasta Vechta was breathing strong down their backs. “We had a nice comeback at the end. Mackeldanz was huge off the bench and he has been doing it all season long. He gave us a huge lift. We did a good job coming back on transition defense and let them play to us”, added Amir Carraway. The Giessen 46ers were shooting 59% from the field and 43% from the three point line while SC Rasta Vechta was shooting 55% from the field and 33% from the three point line. Both teams had 15 rebounds and Giesen had five turnovers and SC Rasta Vechta had six turnovers.

It seemed like everything that SC Rasta Vechta had worked so hard to achieve at the end of the second quarter was rapidly lost in the first few minutes of the third quarter as Giessen threw SC Rasta Vechta and their breathing off their back and raced out to a 10-0 run to up their lead again now to 52-41. The Giessen offense was working like a clock work again as they set the tempo again, were more aggressive and gave the word intensity a new meaning. American Eric Palm came off the bench and did his job connecting on a three pointer, Wells snuck inside for two points and DiLeo hit free throws and sunk a three pointer. “This good start in the third quarter was key for us. We defended very well and hit shots which set the tone until the end”, expressed Giessen 46er Johannes Lischka. “Having these bad starts has been our Achilles heel this season. We need to have more intensity when starting a new quarter”, commented ex Phoenix Hagen guard Chase Griffin. SC Rasta Vechta didn´t give up, but kept chipping away at the Giessen lead and fighting back. Derek Wright connected on a three pointer and Vincent Bailey on a mid-distance shot as Giessen led only 56-49. SC Rasta Vechta continued to rally as Bailey continued to be a menace with his mid distance jumper and Smit nailed two free throws of three after Bekteshi had fouled him in the parking lot as Giessen led only 58-53. However another key element in this game was the ability of Giessen to hit big shots whenever SC Rasta Vechta was threatening. Giessen got support from everyone as Bekteshi scored inside and made free throws and in the last minute it was Cuban Polas who put a roar through the Giessen Ost Halle with a harsh dunk over Franke as Giessen led 66-56 after three quarters. The Giessen 46ers were shooting 53% from the field and 50% from the parking lot while SC Rasta Vechta was shooting 51% from the field and 33% from the parking lot. Giessen had the 25-20 rebound edge and only six turnovers while SC Rasta Vechta had 10 turnovers.

SC Rasta Vechta didn´t learn from their mistakes from the previous starts to quarters and allowed the Giessen 46ers on a 11-2 run extending their lead to 77-58 which was their biggest in the game and it seemed like that had clinched the game for the ex Beko BBL club. In the run, it was Bekteshi who dropped another three pointer and Wells showing his dominance with three buckets including a bomb from outside. SC Rasta Vechta then gave their last once of energy first going on a quick 7-2 run to cut the Giessen lead to 80-65 as Chase Griffin scored inside getting a nice back door feed from Bailey, Mackeldanz made a huge two handed dunk and Kevin Smit nailed a three pointer. After Marhold made a small distraction in the SC Rasta Vechta run with a lay in, the former Beko BBL team continued their massive comeback scoring nine unanswered points to only be trailing 82-74 as even with the clock winding down to two minutes there seemed small hope as all is possible in basketball. In the run, it was Franke that took control scoring a couple of buckets and scoring free throws. Griffin then also scored, but time was running out. Giessen got a few offensive rebounds and free throws from DiLeo and Wells which sealed the 85-76 victory for the Giessen 46ers. “We had a 9-0 run were down by 12 points, but key was simply that they executed down the stretch and we didn´t. We showed heart in this game. We fought back the whole game and lost by only nine points when it could have been 25-30 points”, added Chase Griffin. “We weren´t tired at the end, but just had some mental break downs on defense”, stressed Andre Marhold.

The Giessen 46ers were led by Cameron Wells with 20 points. Andre Marhold added 13 points. TJ DiLeo chipped in with 12 points and Besnek Bekteshi with 11 points. SC Rasta Vechta was led by Vincent Bailey with 17 points and nine rebounds. Derek Wright added 15 points. Kevin Smit contributed 13 points. Chase Griffin had 11 points and Fabian Franke and Oliver Mackeldanz chipped in with 10 points a piece. Giessen had a superb shooting night with 51% from the field and 5ß% from outside while SC Rasta Vechta shot 47% from the field and 32% from outside. Giessen won the rebound duel 37-28 and had only eight trunovers while SC Rasta Vechta had 10 turnovers. The Giessen 46ers are continuing to gel and ex German national player Johannes Lischka had a huge smile after the win. 2Our team basketball wasn´t working at the start and it was frustrating. We knew that we had to get better and we worked hard to get better. We are a good team and we are knowing our roles now. We continue to defend well and that isn´t a problem. Our offense has been our sore spot, but here we are also getting better”, warned Johannes Lischka.

 

 

Derek Wright Is a 28 year old 179cm point guard from Los Angeles, California that is playing his sixth professional season and first in Germany for SC Rasta Vechta. He started his basketball career in 2004 for Austin Peay St where he played until 2008 and as a senior played 35 games: 11.4ppg, 2.5rpg, AssistsOVC-4(4.7apg), StealsOVC-2(2.5spg), FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 40.2%, FTOVC-7(79.1%): Finished career ranked first all-time at APSU in steals (228), third in assists (487) and tied for first in school and conference history in games played (131). He came to Europe in 2009 and started his professional basketball career with BK Synthesia Pardubice (Czech Rep.-NBL) where he played until 2011. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Levharti Chomutov (Czech Rep.-NBL, starting five): 14 games: 17.9ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.6apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 85.5%; then moved to BK Nova Hut Ostrava (Czech Rep.-NBL, starting five): 24 games: 11.6ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-4(4.6apg), Steals-4(2.1spg), FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 81.4%. In the 2012-2103 season he played for CS U-Mobitelco Cluj Napoca (Romania-Division A, starting five): 32 games: 14.6ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-1(6.8apg), Steals-1(2.9spg), FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 81.4%. Last season he played for the Lions de Geneve (Switzerland-LNA): 3 games: 11.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.3apg, 1.7spg, in Nov.’13 moved to A.G.O Rethymno Aegean (Greece-A1): 19 games: 10.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 80.5%. He spoke to German Hoopsbefore the game against the Giessen 46ers.

 

 

Derek thanks for talking to German Hoops. You got signed very late this season. Was the offers less than in previous years or just not the right ones?

 

I was just looking for a good situation. I recently got married and just wanted the best situation for my family.

 

SC Rasta Vechta needed a new point guard to replace Ahmad Smith. What sold you on joining SC Rasta Vechta?

 

I saw how professional the organization SC Rasta Vechta is. Head coach Stephan Arigbabu also convinced that coming to Vechta would be ideal. He told me that the team has a bright future and what its expectations were. He told me that he saw me as the right person that would help the team build.

 

The club is 2-1. You seemed to have made a rather quick adjustment to play. Has the many changes of scenery in the last years helped you in general have a knack for getting to know a new basketball environment better?

 

Yes I have played in a couple places the last years. However I have played for a long time and after awhile its always the same. You come into a new situation and you don´t know what to expect. Basketball is basketball so its just a matter of getting adjusted.

 

Offensively you have been scoring well, but have averaged 4,3 turnovers in your first three games. What has been the toughest adjustment for you so far on the offensive end?

 

I haven´t been myself yet, but that is because I came in late and missed preseason. I don’t have that game feel yet, but it is slowly coming back to me. My timing is off and fatigue sets in in certain situations and that effects you mentally. However my timing is slowly coming back.

 

SC Rasta Vechta is a very young team with two American rookies with Vince Bailey and Amir Carraway. You are the third oldest behind Chase Griffin and Max Weber. Do you see yourself being a leader type of guy as the season moves along and the team gets to know you better?

 

I have been vocal since I have been here. The young players have an ear open and are willing to learn. It is great to see that they take the advice. I also listen to them for advice. I hope that all will fall into place with this team. Everyone has their ears open and that makes everyone better.

 

 

 

You’re a very quick-footed PG, he’s an ideal quarterback for a run and shot game based on fast breaks. Defends very well on the perimeter, can steal lots of balls and has a good scoring range and accuracy, even from behind the 3pts arch. What is strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 

A hidden strength is my ability to lead the team. I am like a coach on the floor that wants to help the team at all times. I first look to help the team be better and not myself first. I am a hard working player and feel that my effort to help the team get better on the offensive and defensive end gets overlooked.

 

 

The next opponent of SC Rasta Vechta are the Giessen 46ers that have won five of their last six games and are a very disciplined team. What will be key to winning the game?

 

Every team can beat each other in this league. We saw video on Giessen and they move the ball very well. We will have to play Vechta basketball. We have to communicate well on defense and just do what it takes to win.

 

 

What has been your early impression of Vechta head coach Stephan Arigbabu? Did you know that he played on the German national team with Dirk Nowitzki?

 

Yes I knew that before I came in. A teammate in Greece had played with him in Greece. He is a great guy and has a great personality. He really looks out for his players and is a guy that you can always talk to. He gives good advice and shows that he believes in you. I heard that he was a good player.

 

You had a stellar college career at Austin Peay State from 2004-2008. How did head coach David Loos get you prepared for a professional basketball career best?

 

Loos was very hard on me. I didn´t understand it as a freshman, but when I left I did. He taught me very much and how to lead a team. He always pushed me to the limit and he really helped me to understand the game better. He wanted me to go into games confident and just be the most consistent player on the court and just do what I do best. I actually spoke to him not to long ago.

 

 

How important was it for your start in Europe to play your first two seasons in the Czech Republic with Maurice Hampton for BK JIP Pardubice. How did your relationship grow from your college days into the professional years?

 

I met Maurice when I was 17 years old. When I visited Austin Peay St, he was my host. He went on to become one of my best friends. We still talk today. I came to the Czech Republic as a rookie and Maurice helped me so much. I didn´t know what to expect and it was hard to adapt from the American style of play to the European style. He was always there for me when I had tough situations. It was a great experience with him and I have the most respect for him.

 

You have played in many countries like the Czech Republic, Romania, Switzerland, and Greece. What style has fit your game most?

 

I think that the style that has fit me most was in Greece. There were many athletic players there that could shot and the game was in the open court that fit my style. It was great being able to find guys above the rim or being able to penetrate and dish the ball to the wings. I learned the most in Romania. My coach there really helped me to understand the point guard position best. I was able to use my quickness and passing best there.

 

 

You played last season in Greece for Agor. What memories do you have of the 103-79 loss to Olympiacos against Vassillis Spanoulis? You held your own scoring 10 points and dishing out eight assists in 22 minutes while he had five points and nine assists in 19 minutes.

 

Spanoulis is a great player. This was my first game in Greece. I was a bit nervous before the game, but when I got on the court I felt confident. It was like a dream for me to play against these great players and seeing an Acie Law who played in the NBA. Even though we lost, I hit shots and found my teammates. Spanoulis didn´t guard me the whole time though.

 

 

What was the craziest thing that you experienced in your short stay in Greece?

 

It was on the road. At halftime, we were walking back into the locker room and some fan threw a m-80 firecracker into the stands. It sounded like a bomb. You never knew what to expect in Greece. They had some crazy fans.

 

 

Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA that is the NBA now?

 

When I was a senior, I played Derrick Rose who was a freshman. He wasn´t the best player on his team as it was Chris Douglas Roberts, but you knew that he would be great someday. When we played Memphis at the start of the season, Rose wasn´t as experienced as he would get towards the end. I was impressed how quick he was and how well he could finish for a freshman.

 

Where will the journey of the Los Angeles Lakers end this season?

 

It is tough. I don´t see them making the playoffs. They are rebuilding and missing some pieces. I hope they get those pieces. Kobe is old, but you can never count him out. I hope they can achieve something before he retires.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

The Edge of Tomorrow.

 

Thanks Derek for the chat.