Jamel Mclean is a 25 year old 203cm forward from New York that grew up in Hampton, Virginia and is playing his first season for Alba Berlin. He started his basketball career in 2006 for Tulsa(NCAA) and then moved to Xavier (NCAA) where he played from 2007-2011. As a senior he played 31 games: 10.6ppg, 8.4rpg, FGP: 53.9%, FT: 61.2%. In 2011, he started his professional basketball career for : Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-D1): 36 games: 9.3ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 62.8%. In 2012-2013, he played for Givova Scafati Basket (Italy-Lega2, starting five); EuroChallenge: 5 games: 10.0ppg, in Oct.’12 moved to Telenet Oostende (Belgium-Ethias League), left in Dec.’12: Eurocup: 6 games: 4.7ppg, 4.8rpg; Belgian Ethias League: 5 games: 7.0ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 52.0%, FT: 42.9%, in Jan.’13 signed at Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-BBL, starting five): 21 games: 13.7ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 59.3%, FT: 65.9%, 6.6rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.6%, FT: 69.6%. Last season he played for the Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-BBL): Eurocup: 10 games: 15.5ppg, 6.7rpg, FGP: 53.6%, FT: 77.3%; German League: 38 games: 13.2ppg, Reb-1(7.7rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 21.1%, FT: 69.8%. He spoke to German Hoops a day after his buzzer beater against the San Antonio Spurs.

 

 

Jamel thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the historical win against the 2014 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs! What was going through your head as you were dribbling over center court with two seconds remaining in the game and you had the chance to win the game?

 

I was just thinking that I had to get a shot off and give my team a chance to win the game.

 

As you released the ball did you know that the ball was going in?

 

When I released the ball I didn´t even get a chance to see the ball go until I saw the red light go on ending the game and then I saw as the ball was in the hoop and then I knew that we had won the game and the O2 arena went crazy.

 

How much weight does this historical win by Alba Berlin have on the further development of the Beko BBL?

 

I think that this is very good for the BBL. It shows really how strong the BBL is and not only in Germany but also other countries. It shows that there is very good talent all over in Europe.

 

You came off the bench contributing 18 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes and won the game with a buzzer beater. Where do you rate this game in your career?

 

Beating The San Antonio Spurs was the best game that I have ever played in my career. This is my #1 best game just because of the significance and the amazing atmosphere that was on the court.

 

Does your performance give you incentive to dream of the NBA even more and hope for a 2015 NBA Summer league invitation?

 

Yes it does make me think about the NBA Summer League. It would be nice if a team would invite me next season. I believe that I have shown people that I can play at a high level and the NBA is where everybody wants to play at

 

What could you learn in the 40 minutes from NBA star Tim Duncan just by watching him on the court?

 

 

 

 

He is just such a smart player on offense. He doesn´t do any extra things, but just the things to be successful and is calm in all moments of the game.

 

Was there any San Antonio Spur that you enjoyed playing against the most?

 

I definitely had no fun playing against them, but I just have so much respect for every player on that team. I respect the ability of how guys like Tim Duncan and Tony Parker share the ball and communicate on the court.

 

How do you get down form that historical win against the San Antonio Spurs and focus on your ex team Telekom Baskets Friday night?

 

Bonn will be a tough game. We have to get back to business. We have to play our basketball and not celebrate anymore, but focus and concentrate on the Beko BBL again.

 

How excited are you play in Bonn again where you played one and half seasons?

 

I don´t want to be to excited and put pressure on myself. I have to see it as just another game. The Bonn fans won´t be cheering for me.

 

What kind of game can Alba Berlin expect against the Telekom Baskets Bonn?

 

It will be a tough game. It is their home opener and they will be ready for us. Every game will be difficult this season, because every team is aiming to beat us. I honestly think that the Bonn game will be tougher than the Spurs game.

 

How important was your stay in Bonn for the further development of your game?

 

My Bonn time was great for my development. My first coach Michael Koch just let me play my game which really built my confidence. Last year I had to be an undersized five man and this really gave me strength to expand my game. Playing center at the Eurocup level also helped develop my game, because it showed that I could play against centers in the Eurocup.

 

Where will the journey of the Washington Wizzards end this season in the NBA?

 

I have no idea.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

I just watched the Transformers.

 

Thanks Jamel for the chat.

 

Marcus Smallwood is a 32 year 198cm forward that played with VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA,) playing 29 games: 11.1ppg, 7.9rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 57.4%, FT: 67.7%He is from Elgin, Illinois and played at Northern Illinois from 2000-2004. He came to Europe for his rookie season and played for Ostromecko Astoria Bydgoszcz (Poland-EBL): 4 games: 9.5ppg, 9.0rpg: was released in and later that month signed at Pyrbasket Tampere (Finland-Sparliiga): 6 games: 13.5ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 59%, and also played shortly at Solna Vikings (Sweden-Basketligan): 3 games: 8.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0bpg. The next season, he played in Finland for Forssan Koripojat (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 26 games: 19.7ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 1.3apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-1(1.4bpg), 2FGP-3(64.1%), 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 56.2%. 2006: Elgin Racers (IBL). He had a very strong season in Finland, but surprisingly in the next few years played only briefly in the IBL for the Elgin Racers. He played for Kaiserslautern from 2008-2010. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA, starting five): 9 games: 12.6ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 51.6%, FT: 52.8%; in Dec.’10 moved to VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA, starting five): 20 games: 15.7ppg, Reb-1(10.8rpg), Blocks-2(2.1bpg), FGP: 60.3%, FT: 47.8%. In 2011-2012 he played for  Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels (Germany-ProA, starting five): 10 games: 6.5ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 60.4%, FT: 31.8%; left in Nov.’11, in Dec.’11 moved to Sigal Prishtina (Kosova-SuperLeague, starting five), later that month signed at SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProB, starting five): 19 games: 12.1ppg, Reb-4(10.5rpg), FGP: 53.7%, FT: 51.4%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for the VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games: 11.1ppg, 7.9rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 57.4%, FT: 67.7%. Last season he played for BIS Baskets Speyer (Germany-ProB) playing 20 games: 16.2ppg, Reb-2(12.1rpg), 1.3apg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 56.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

Marcus, how are you? Thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you and how has your summer been?

Right now I’m in Stuttgart Germany where I have been doing my individual workouts as well as being able to practice with one of the teams in the area in order to stay around basketball which has really been fun for me.

 

I saw you play at a street ball tournament in May in Frankfurt. Were you able to go back to Chicago and spend some time at home?

I was able to spend a little time in the states but it definitely went by too quickly for sure

You are 32 and the German leagues are starting up now. How has the player market been this summer? Does it keep getting tougher each season to find a team? How has the experience been for you?

It definitely becomes tougher but past experience has taught me it’s better to be patient for the situation that is best for you instead of taking a job out of desperation or fear of having no team. It’s really taught me to have patience and faith that things work out as they should

Last season you played for the BIS Baskets Speyer. Was there any interest to resigning you? You had super stats of 16.2ppg, Reb-2(12.1rpg) You have played German Pro A almost every season in Germany, but still never have breathed Beko BBL air. I guess that you have come to terms now with age, but if I asked you today why you think you never reached the top German league, could you give an answer? Don´t Gm´s tell you why they might not have chosen you?

 

I just think I don’t fit the typical profile of a four man that teams look for in the BBL. I’m just an old school power forward that will shoot a 3 if he has to but rather crash the boards and do whatever it takes to get the job done. To be honest I really don’t take it personal because the BBL, Pro A and Pro B are full of great players so all of us are looking for a chance to be as successful as possible on the highest possible stage.

Last year you played for BIS Baskets Speyer (Germany-ProB) playing 20 games: 16.2ppg, Reb-2(12.1rpg). How much did you enjoy this season? Does your outlook on goals change a bit as you get older? Do you enjoy basketball more today then maybe 5 years ago?

Playing in Speyer was a great opportunity to become better as a player which I took full advantage of. The people in the management there are some of the nicest I have ever met so they really made it enjoyable. Of course I will always have the ambition of playing as high as possible but my main focus is to stay healthy and be on a team where I can be a leader and positive influence through my work ethic and commitment to the team.

 

You played a season with Speyer head coach Carl Mbassa. Where do you see his coaching career going in the future?

Honestly he is a really talented, hardworking and goodhearted person that does things the right way. If he chooses his career will continue to go upward.

With age what do you do to keep in shape best? Do you have to train twice as hard or do you actually protect your body more by not overstressing it with double training? You don´t seem to slow down with age.

No and I honestly hope not to for a few more years. I think as you get older you just find a training routine that fits best for you and I was really lucky to find one for myself that keeps me in really great shape

What has been your secret to not dipping in stats, but still having very solid stats and keeping those double double stats intact year in and year out?

I always just look at the season as a whole and continue my same training regimen and routine throughout the year. I always have the goal to play my best basketball as the season progresses

If you could sell yourself in a few sentences as too why you could help any team now how would you describe your abilities now at age 32?

I think my biggest ability is to be a leader and influence others through my hard work and bring a positive energy to a team. Teams know of my talent already so if it was based on just that I probably have a job already. So I just want an opportunity to be a good teammate and have a fun and successful season

In your first season in Germany, your teammate was ODarrien Bassett. He then played in Romania and the last four years in the France Pro B and last season helped JL Bourg Basket move up to the Pro A last season and will play at the top France league at 28. When you see a story likes that, do you still dream at 32 to maybe reach the top level in Germany or has that ended?

It would be nice but I rather just focus the rest of my career on playing for a team that is the best fit for me, pays me financially what I want to be making, and puts me around good character teammates where I can just enjoy the experience of being a professional basketball player!

 

 

Where will the NFL journey of the Chicago Bears end this season?

 

Hopefully the playoffs but I guess we’ll have to wait and see

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

The last movie I saw was Contraband with Mark Wahlberg.

 

Thanks Marcus for the chat.

 

One of the great things to observe and get excited about in the German Pro B week in and week out is seeing how well the American imports will do and if there will be a man among boys comparison depending on how much they actually take off on the court. Once called Take Off Wurzburg, their guard Donovan Morris was the oldest player on the court in the BCM training facility of the Fraport Skyliners as he squared off against the Juniors. Donovan who hails from beautiful San Bernadino, California that one can never miss on highway 10 as you drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs and has the first Mcdonalds restaurant has had a whirlwind career. After setting many school records at Fresno State, he moved to Long Beach state(NCAA) and started his professional basketball career in 2009 with Falco KC-Szombathely (Hungary-A Division) where he put up solid EuroChallenge stats averaging 11.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.5spg, FGP: 62.7%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 78.4. In the same season he moved to the Giants Noerdlingen (Germany-ProA) playing 6 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 79.2%. His career then stalled for three seasons as he played in the lower league WCBL for the Santa Baraba Breakers and Liepajas Lauvas (Latvia-LBL). It wasn´t until last season that he had a rebirth in his career where he played for TV 1864 Salzkotten (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 19 games: 26.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 4.4apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 64.4%, 3Pts: 49.1%, FT: 92.6%. This season he made the jump to the German Pro B with Take Off Wurzburg that recently changed their name to TG Wurzburg Baskets Academy and stayed true to the old team name taking off against BG Karlsruhe in a 89-83 victory as he exploded for 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He wanted to continue to be on take off cruise in the second game in Frankfurt, but wasn´t as hot as in the first game as his points against Frankfurt got shaved down to 16, but in the end all that mattered was the win as TG Wurzburg squeaked past Frankfurt 71-64. Morris had some mixed feelings about his game, but was still happy about the win. I could go 0/10, and I would still be happy if we won the game. I have to give Frankfurt credit because they played great defense. Im not happy that I missed two easy lay ups and mid distance shots. I know I have the offense, but I have to work on my defense as I missed some assignments”, stressed California native Donovan Morris. It was a hard fought game, but in the end it was the little things that decided the fate of Frankfurt. “In the last four minutes, we finally started hitting shots we usually would have missed. We played better defense and fought harder than they did”, warned Donovan Morris. The Fraport Skyliners move to 1-1 and understand that every game is a learning process. “This was a game with high intensity. I thought that we defended well and that we would win, but Wurzburg had good answers. Nico Brauner hurt us with his shot form the corner. We had our chances, but missed open shots. All in all it was a one possession game”, stressed Paderborn native Marius Nolte.

The game took place on a untypical Tuesday night, but both teams were focused as a defensive battle loomed in the first quarter as no team gave up easy shots. The Fraport Skyliners started off with a bang going on a 8-2 run as their offense clicked right way. Max Merz who played 25 Beko BBL games last season started off the run with a three pointer. Ex Bamberg forward Johannes Richter followed up with another shot from the parking lot and Merz scored on the penetration as his shielding from the kick out or finish is breathtaking. However the defense of Wurzburg started to clamp down better as they got back into the game as they were killing Frankfurt on the offensive board. Christian Wolf scored inside after the third try, but young German Jamin Knothe who was inserted into the starting line up dropped the third three pointer of Frankfurt in the first five minutes as Frankfurt led 11-4. However Wurzburg closed out the first quarter with an annoying 8-4 run to trail only 15-12 after 10 minutes. Wurzburg went on a 6-0 run as Max Ugrai scored inside twice as did Nico Brauner as Frankfurt led only 11-10. Frankfurt did a good job keeping American Donovan Morris off the scoring sheet and keeping Wurzburg off the defensive boards, but had no cure to keep Wurzburg off the offensive boards. Frankfurt then got a offensive rebound and put back from Tim Oldenburg and Max Merz free throws while Würzburg countered with a Corneilius Hoepfner jumper. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 31% from the field and 43% from outside while TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was shooting 33% from the field and 0% from outside. Frankfurt had 14 rebounds while Wurzburg had 11. Frankfurt had five turnovers and Wurzburg had two.

The second quarter was tight as it went back and forth for the first few minutes, but TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie then got the lead back and kept it until halftime. 28 year old Dominik Schneider gave TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie the lead 16-15 with two free throws and a lay up. Max Merz got Frankfurt the lead back 19-16 with two free throws and a step back jumper. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie then went on a 6-0 run to lead 22-16. Florida native John Florveus hit a fade away, free throws and Donovan Morris finally got on the board with a pull up jumper. After Richter connected on a pretty finger tip roll, it was the Wurzburg Americans again that did damage on offense as Morris hit a jumper and Florveus made an offensive rebound and put back as Wurzburg led 26-21. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was playing smart basketball as Frankfurt was losing concentration too much which led to unneeded turnovers. At this stage of the game Wurzburg was out working Frankfurt as well. Wurzburg was unable to break away as Johannes Richter unleashed his dangerous outside shooting nailing consecutive three pointers as Frankfurt trailed only 28-27. However Wurzburg didn´t allow Frankfurt to take the three point momentum into halftime as Wurzburg closed out the second quarter with a 5-2 run. Ugrai made a catch and pop jumper while Wolf dropped a three pointer. Marius Nolte finished the second quarter scoring with an offensive rebound and put back. “Frankfurt wasn´t finishing their plays and taking bad shots. Morris also hit some tough shots. Frankfurt wasn´t defending as hard as before”, stressed Fraport Skyliners point guard Konstantin Klein. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was shooting 45% from the field and 33% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 31% from the field and 38% from the three point line. Frankfurt had 19 rebounds and Wurzburg 21 rebounds. Both teams had nine turnovers a piece.

TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie kept the lead in the third quarter as they were clearly the better team while the Fraport Skyliner Juniors continued to chip away, but couldn´t find a healthy rhythm to regain the lead. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was playing clever using their size and drawing fouls. Ugrai, Morris and Florveus all sunk free throws as Wurzburg held the 41-33 lead. Merz than retaliated with a lay in and free throw to cut the Wurzburg lead to 41-37. However whenever Frankfurt got close to Wurzburg the opponent had an answer being able to make their lead bigger again. Brauner made free throws and Wolf another three pointer as Wurzburg led 46-37 again. However despite Nolte missing two free throws, Frankfurt closed out the third quarter in fine fashion going on a 8-2 run to trail only 48-45 after three quarters. Merz made a floater, Oldenburg two free throws and Fossmann got his own miss off a floater and shot it in. “Frankfurt continued to defend well, but just weren´t hitting shots. It was important that Frankfurt held their composure”, added Fraport Skyliner American Sean Armand. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was shooting41% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while the Fraport Sklyiners were shooting 29% from the field and 28% from the parking lot. Both teams had 30 rebounds a piece, but Wurzburg 16 turnovers and Frankfurt only 12.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners fiercely retook the lead on the help of a 7-0 run to lead 52-48. Young German Lennart Okeke nailed a three pointer which was followed by a Kyle Fossman three pointer. Despite Wurzburg big man John Florveus getting to the free throw line twice, Frankfurt could keep the lead with a Fossman lay in and Merz free throws as Frankfurt led 56-51. However Wurzburg went on a 7-0 run to retake the lead 58-56. It was the Americans Florveus who got to the free throw line and Morris that was clutch nailing a shot from the wing and then somehow sneaking inside and coming up with the ball in traffic and scoring on the fourth Wurzburg attempt. Frankfurt then tied the game at 58-58 with possibly their finest set play of the fourth quarter as Fossman found the hole in the zone and scored with his left hand. The lead now would trade back and forth as Okeke hit free throws for the 60-59 lead. Florveus then made a tip in for the Wurzburg 61-60 advantage. Then it was time for 18 year old Okeke to hit another big three pointer for the 63-61 Frankfurt lead. “He played a good game. He hit big shots. He needs playing time and will only get better like that”, warned Marius Nolte. However the hero of the game wasn´t going to be John Florveus or Donovan Morris, but 19 year old Nico Brauner who played at ASC Theresianum Mainz (Regionalliga) last season showing his scoring qualities averaging 19,5ppg. He nailed a huge three pointer from the corner and then followed with a lay in as TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie led 68-63 with under a minute to go. Frankfurt did get some free throws from Fossmann, but Florveus closed the door on Frankfurt with two free throws. The unlikely hero was Nico Brauner who knew how to step up. “We have a system that is designed for many players to score. The point guard saw me, found me and I didn´t hesitate and just shot it. This game gives me more self confidence and I am finding my form better from game to game”, added Nico Brauner.

TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was led by John Florveus with 20 points and five rebounds. Donovan Morris tallied 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Maxi Ugrai had 12 points and nine rebounds. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Max Merz with 19 points and five assists. Kyle Fossman had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists and Johannes Richter added 11 points and seven boards. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie shot 39% from the field and 33% from downtown while the Fraport Skyliners shot 29% from the field and 27% form downtown. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie had 44 rebounds while Frankfurt had 39 rebounds. Wurzburg had 18 turnovers and Frankfurt had 16 turnovers. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie is 2-0 now and Donovan Morris´s face lit up when asked about the chances of his team. “If we keep fighting the way we did today then the sky is the limit. We will get more confidence with time as the team gets better”, warned Donovan Morris. Marius Nolte was also positive after the loss and the future of the club. “We are a young team and need to grow. It is all a process. We are a very ambitious team that wants to work hard. Pro´s know how to react in low phases while we might hang our heads. We have to learn how to get strong in weak phases. However we always have intensity and heart and that is something you can´t learn by practicing”, warned Marius Nolte.

 

Matt Kavanaugh is a 23 year old 206cm center from Ohio that is a rookie playing for the Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos. He played at Dayton from 2009-2014 playing a total of 111 NCAA games. AS a senior he played 33 games: 5.7ppg, 3.5rpg. He helped Dayton reach the Elite 8 in 2014. He spoke to German Hoops after giving his professional debut in a 77-70 win in Langen.

 

 

Matt congrats on the 77-70 Iserlohn win in Langen. It was a very interesting win, but also very hard fought game. What was key for the win?

 

The game had many ups and downs. Down the stretch we did a very good job forcing enough turovers and we got big three pointers from Orlan Jackman and Yannick Opitz.

 

How challenging was it playing against TV Langen go to man Martinis Woody who was held only to six points?

 

It was fun playing against him. I especially like to play against a player like him who has a similar play style to me with having the back to the basket. I felt very comfortable playing against him.

 

You are a rookie this season in Germany. What has been the biggest change for you coming from the NCAA?

 

The biggest change has been getting adjusted to the 24 shot clock. We had the 35 second clock in college and there you have more time whereas now the play is a lot faster.

 

You are a professional rookie, but have played 5 years in the NCAA and got experience from him. Do some of the young Germans ever ask you for advice?

 

We have a good mix of young Germans and older guys. Some of the Germans have had professional experience and I am still feeling it out. The young Germans go to the other older players for advice. However the young Germans have asked me what it was like playing in the NCAA.

 

What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 

I would like to say my three point shooting, but I don´t get that chance in the Iserlohn system.

 

You reached the Elite 8 with Dayton last season. What was the secret to the success of a team that had no real superstar?

 

I think that our depth was the secret to our success. We had a 11-12 man rotation and when you play 35 games, you have an advantage over other teams because you can always put in fresh bodies. We always had a positive attitude and never gave up.

 

How did Dayton head coach Archie Miller get you prepared for a professional basketball career?

 

He is a coach that doesn´t focus on one thing, but on all aspects of the game and that got me prepared best.

 

What was the most amazing thing that you saw ex teammate Chris Wright do in a game or practice?

 

Well I saw many amazing things in a game or practice, but actually the most amazing thing I saw was on TV when he dunked over a Marquette player jumping over him from 10 feet away.

 

What do you remember about ex teammate Devin Searcy at Dayton?

 

He was physical and athletic.

 

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

 

Andrew Nicholson of the Orlando Magic.

 

Why do so many good players like yourself come from Ohio?

 

We have so many good players because the competition is very good within the many leagues.

 

Who wins a one on on ein practice you or Marcel Kesson?

 

Its about 50/50.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Lets be cops.

 

Thanks Matt for the chat.

 

 

Tobias Jahn isn´t even 30 yet, but he can look back at a very interesting basketball career where half of it has been spent in the States in California at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) where he was teammates with top Beko BBL player Larry Gordon for three seasons and he spent a year at Forth Worth Christian high school. In Germany he started his basketball career at TGS Ober-Ramstadt (Regionalliga) and also played at TV Langen, Ehingen and now is playing his second season in Hanau. After playing two times in Langen first in the 2005-2006 season where he played with guys like Alex King or Dominik Bahiense De Mello and a second time in the 2012-2103 season where he had teammates like Martinis Woody and Sebastian Barth. It is always nice for the German to come home to Langen to duel against his ex team. Two seasons ago his coach was American Ty Shaw in Langen and now in Hanau he is his coach once again now for the third year in a row. Last season Jahn helped his team win 66-61 in Langen, but lost a nail bitter in Hanau with 62-61 against his ex team. Jahn was back in Langen his second home in the Rhine-main area and despite being very motivated to win the game, big man played his heart out giving offensive rebound a new meaning and forming the blockade the Eichjahm wall in the defense with Josef Eichler, but in the end the club run by ex Nordlingen American Ty Shaw lost in OT 70-67. It was a game that was dominated by runs and turned into a defensive battle in the second half. In some ways, one can say that TV Langen was lucky to win while Hanau kind of let the game slip out of their hands. “We knew that Hanau would be very tough, but we kept our poise at the end and stayed together. The loose ball I got was key. I saw the ball free and just tried to sprint as quickly as I could and am happy I got it in OT”, smiled South Carolina native Martinis Woody. After the game American Jefferson Mason who played in Iraq recently stayed positive despite the 0-2 start. “Coach Shaw told us to stay together. We have a good team , but we hurt ourselves with missed free throws and missed lay ups. The season is still over and it’s a learning process. The season isn´t over now after two games”, warned Jefferson Mason.

Both teams had lost their season openers and both were motivated to get that first victory while TV Langen got on the board first as point guard Maxim Schneider scored inside and Martins Woody scored on a reverse lay up as he was trying to make amends after his poor six point effort in the loss against Iserlohn last Friday. However the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau weren´t perplexed by the quick TV Langen run and quickly went on a 7-2 run to take their first lead 7-6. Glue guy Jonathan Mesghna who played at four different schools in the States in four years and really does a bit of every thing on the court hit a beautiful step back jumper and then connected from the parking lot. TV Langen point guard Maxim Schneider was very effective getting to the free throw line. Both teams traded leads as 31 year old Hanau guard Sebastian Koehnert nailed a three pointer for the 10-9 Hanau advantage. In the last two minutes, both clubs traded 4-0 mini runs as TV Langen started the run with a Nick Freer steal and lay in and Woody making a lay up getting the perfect feed in transition from Schneider as TV Langen led 15-10. Hanau then got needed production from German Tobias Jahn making a mid distance jumper and a put back as he was a beast on the offensive boards getting the rebound. “It took Hanau a bit to find their rhythm without their point guard Cardall Mcfarland who is injured. I thought that Aaron Donkor did a very good job organizing the Hanau game. TV Langen was missing that scorer”, stressed Fraport Skyliners U-14 head coach Igor Starcevic.

The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau stormed into the second quarter with a 6-0 run to retake the lead 20-15. Hanau was doing a great job with their bigs as Tobias Jahn and Joleik Schaffrath scored at the rim and ex BG Goettingen 19 year aaron Donkor scored on a runner. Hanau had more intensity than TV Langen and also had more fortune getting looseballs. Hanau kept the lead in the second quarter, bu TV Langen never gave up staying in the game sometimes taking advantage of Hanau defensive possessions where they lost some intensity giving TV Langen easy buckets. After Donker gave Hanau the 25-19 lead with a three pointer, it was Maxim Schneider that connected on a beautiful finger tip roll that looked so much sweeter because of the non resistance from Hanau. TV Langen got needed production from little used players as well as Gianluca Raebel who gave the team some energy with a coast to coast run cutting the Hanau lead to 25-23. Christian Von Fintel and Nick Freer then traded baskets, but Hanau still led 28-25. Hanau really turned it up in the last two minutes as they swarmed above the offensive rim like Bees protecting their nest as they grabbed four offensive rebounds. Schaffrath and Tom Alte traded buckets at the end as Hanau went into half time with the 33-27 advantage. “TV Langen did a pretty good job holding TV Langen to 33 points. However their offense did too little. Tobias Jahn hurt them on the offensive boards. TV Langen shot only two three pointers which is much too little”, warned Igor Starcevic.

The game got very interesting in the third quarter as there were nine lead changes and the game turned into a defensive battle. TV Langen got out on a 4-0 mini run to cut the Hanau lead to 33-31 as Freer made free throws and Woody made a put back. Mesghna nailed a three pointer for the 36-31 Hanau lead. Beck then nailed a runner and Eichler grabbed another offensive rebound for the easy put back. Despite the narrow 38-37 advantage for Hanau, TV Langen was fortunate that their inability to secure defensive rebounds had put them more into a rut. Then came the big moment of ex Frankfurt Skyliner Filmore Beck as he took command and scored on the hard penetration twice as TV Langen regained the lead again 41-40. The lead would change as rapidly in the next minutes as Jefferson Mason missed free throws on this night. TV Langen was lucky to have the support from their bench as little used players Jan Moritz Overdick and Yannick Schicktanz scored. With Hanau leading 50-49, Benedikt Nikolay hit a three pointer shortly before the buzzer went as TV Langen led 52-50 after 30 minutes. After not being that scorer in the first half, Filmore Beck showed how valuable he can be when he sets his mind to it. “Coach told Beck not to talk to the refs, but just to play his game and he came through. Not many know that he is a very good penetrator. He doesn´t always have to shoot the three”, added Martinis Woody.

If the third quarter was already a defensive battle, then the fourth quarter was a brutal combat where scoring was put on the back burner as the intensity of both teams on the defensive end was mindboggling. Hanau came out in the fourth quarter with a strike going on a 4-0 mini run to retake the lead 54-52 as it was the bigs again Eichler and Schaffrath that got easy buckets inside. Once again it was offensive boards that led to easy buckets as Hanau finished the 45 minutes with the 45-29 advantage. “We had problems rebounding today. Many came over my head and Hanau automatically had the advantage to get the rebound”, stressed Martinis Woody. The game continued to go back and forth as Tom Alte tied the score at 54-54 with a lay in. Von Fintel then dropped free throws and Nick Freer hit a jumper as the game was deadlocked at 56-56. Then it was time for the Filmore Beck show again as he became that crunch time player nailing consecutive buckets on the penetration using his speed to the fullest and TV Langen led 60-56. However Hanau wasn´t put out to the cleaners yet as Mason tried to redeem himself after so many missed free throws nailing an open three from the corner. TV Langen made some bad decisions down the stretch. Schaffarth made one of two free throws to tie the game at 60-60 TV Langen had one last possession with 15 seconds to play and gave Beck the ball who missed a fade away jumper and the game went into overtime. “We didn´t keep our poise here. We got some turnovers and made bad decisions. I thought that I was fouled at the end”, added Martinis Woody.

TV Langen took the lead in the overtime period and gave Hanau the lead back once before regaining it and never looking back. Beck continued to penetrate and hurt Hanau inside with a basket. Schicktanz followed with a lay in and Hanau led 64-60. Hanau continued to fight back as work horse Jahn scored inside and Mesghna made a free throw. Mason then snuck inside for the reverse lay up giving Hanau the 65-64 lead on a 5-0 run. Cedric Quarshie then made a free throw and Nick Freer hit a huge three pointer as TV Langen led 68-65. Mesghna then made free throws cutting the TV Langen lead to 68-67. With under a minute to play Quarshie was fouled and stayed calm nailing both free throws as TV Langen led 70-67. Hanau had one last chance, but Von Fintel missed the three pointer to send it into a second overtime. “We stayed together in OT. Our young players played well with confidence and we have to keep building on that”, stressed Martinis Woody. “We didn´t hit free throws and turnovers hurt us. We helped a bit too much leaving their shooters open and they hit them. They made shots when they needed to and our missed free throws bit us in our butts. However I thought that we rebounded very well and hit big shots to get to OT”, added Jefferson Mason. TV Langen was led by Filmore Beck with 15 points. Maxim Schneider contributed 13 points and Nick Freer 11 points. Hanau was led by Jonathan Mesghna with 18 points and Jefferson Mason chipped in with 10 points.

 

 

Imagine being at the most exciting children´s birthday parties in 2014 where kids were at a Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game and getting to go into the dressing room after the game and getting a jersey from Derek Jeter, being at a Justin Bieber concert and having a contest to predict how many girls will pass out or abstaining from celebrity glitz, which can be as exciting going on a river boat excursion down a river with many little surprises along the way, it seems like going home and having that special experience would be enough. However even at amazing birthday parties there is almost always a constellation prize for kids when the party is over with the traditional grab bag or party favor. This going home present is a way to say thanks for coming and by the way here is a gift for you. Gifts range from tiny toys, candy and pencils. That was back in the day while today there seem to be more sopfisticated gifts like personalized Kids birthday lollipops, mini classic gum ball machines, personalized kids crayon set or the kids personalized birthday notebooks. But before I get to the 2014-2015 Fraport Skyliners season, could one imagine how German national player and Fraport Skyliner forward Danilo Barthel would react if he got a spider tee shirt or mug or even more horrifying for him his own spider aquarium for his personal enjoyment at home. Ever since his spider phobia was reveled, one had better never mention the hairy 8 legged beast. So what does all this grab bag talk have to do with this years team? Well last seasons team had been constructed in a way that it was hard to make a real defined prediction what that team will be able to achieve and was sort of like getting a grab bag served at a kids party and not knowing what is inside it. Guessing how many wins the Fraport Skyliners would achieve last season was no more difficult than predicting who would be the US top scorer in any game at the 2014 World Championships in Spain, exactly how long New England Patriot Tom Brady will play as he seems ready to seek the record for oldest active NFL quarterback or what could be the next new internet and self advertisement after the ALS ice bucket challenge. Before the start of the 2013-2014 Beko BBL season, I stated that having the notion of not knowing what this club was capable to achieve made the season so interesting and exciting in the Beko BBL.

This notion of the 2013-2014 season being interesting and exciting definitely held its own as it was grab a bag season. With all the untimely injuries to guys like ex NBA player Andrew Rautins, Jacob Burtschi, and Quantez Robertson missing combined a total of 43 Beko BBL games, Dawan Robinson leaving after a few weeks into the season and head coach Gordon Herbert having to go with two inexperienced rookies with Jarred Dubois and Ramon Galloway at the guard position or the team´s phobia of losing close games in the second half of the season to start 2014 losing 13 of 15 games, but somehow beating top teams FC Bayern Munich and ratiopharm Ulm showed what kind of talent this team had. In these 13 loses, they lost last possession games in Oldenburg, at home against MBC, lost by a point in Ludwigsburg, lost by a point at home against the Walter Tigers Tuebingen and by a point in Braunschweig. Five loses by a combined seven points probably left head coach Gordon Herbert a few sleepless nights. However the club ended the season in 11^th place and if one would have won 4 of the 5 games that they lost in crunch time, they would have slipped into the playoffs. The Fraport Skyliners organization could have been very pleased with their season ending despite the unlucky circumstances that they had. After 40 minutes the only thing that counts is the win and not the what could have been.

The question this season will be, will it be a Grab Bag season reloaded 2.0 or will there be a DJK basketball playoff insurance? What exactly the DJK basketball playoff insurance means I will get to later, but let me examine how the club roster stands this season. For German soccer fans the injury to Marco Reus was a huge shock on the eve of the team leaving to go to Brazil for the World Cup, while a few weeks later the departure of Jacob Burtschi citing personal and injury reasons was for many Skyliner fans just as much of a jolt. Burtschi still is on the roster and there is always a dim hope that he may return. If he doesn´t return, Jacob Burtschi will go down as having been the ultimate team player in their history. Dane Watts is another curious issue as to why they didn´t keep him. Perhaps the club was unsure about his physical future after missing a whole year and then having the concussion in Ludwigsburg, but in the end Top Spanish club Sevilla believed in his abilities and signed the Missouri native. The club also said farewell to Jarred Dubois, Ramon Galloway and Aziz NDiaye. For a while there was hope that Andrew Rautins may return, but he chose the bucks in Italy. The club kept a healthy core of players starting with Quantez Robertson who now is the oldest player on the team and longest on the team going into his sixth season. One could say that he is the heart and soul of the team and the new identity figure taking over after Pascal Roller and Marius Nolte. Last season Tez Robertson played 21 games averaging 9.2ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 75.6%. It was his second best scoring season in his professional career. His three point shooting still remains his sore spot, while he still belongs to the top defenders in the Beko BBL and at age 29 in his prime. The club also held the German big three of Danilo Barthel going into his fourth season, Johannes Voigtmann and Konstantin Klein both going into their third seasons. This is where my DJK example comes in place. DJK stands in German for Deutschen Jugendkraft Sportverband or translated as German Youth Power Sports Association. In a way DJK could also stand for a basketball health insurance company as they are usually abbreviated in those terms like DKV, but if one closely observes the three letters one would see that it could also stand for Danilo, Johannes and Konstantin. All three of them have improved their stats each season and continue to develop as Danilo Barthel got his first taste of the NBA playing Summer League in Orlando and Las Vegas for the Miami Heat while Johannes Voigtmann played two 2014 European qualifying games for Germany averaging 8,5ppg and 7,0rpg. The Fraport Skyliners keep going the German way and will continue to need support from their German players. Stefan Illzhoefer and Kevin Bright remain projects and have had the injury bug last season and this season. Currently they are out and they continue to ooze with basketball potential. The club brought in five imports to round out the roster. The most important signing was Richard Williams who they secured early in late May. He has had a cinderella like fairy tale story having gone form the Pro B Hannover via Vechta to the Beko BBL. In Frankfurt he wants to make the next step and will get very much responsibility and his daily practice duels will also help guard mate Konstantin Klein improve his game. Their second signing was Aaron Doornekamp who is the Jacob Burtschi replacement. The Canadian national player already played against NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki in a international game in 2006 in Nurnberg as a college player from Carleton. He has three years experience in Italy having played 83 games for Pepsi JuveCaserta (Italy-SerieA). Last season he played for the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig (Germany-BBL) playing 34 games: 8.8ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 78.0%. In pre season, the Canadian might have been the most consistent player and seems to be Herbert´s favorite player. The club brought in a Andrew Rautins replacement with rookie Sean Armand. The scouting report is impressive as the Brooklyn native is a pure scorer and having a shooting out the lights contest with Rautins would be very desirable. Armand shot over 40% from outside each season at Iona including a potent 46,2% in his second season. He also improved his scoring each season and as a senior averaged 17.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 78.9%. He also had afine pre season and his passing skills seem tob e his hidden strength. Mike Morrison who hails from St Pertersburg, Florida is starting his third season having played at Goerge Mason and last season played for Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 55 games: 14.0ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.5apg, Blocks-1(1.6bpg), FGP: 60.2%, FT: 57.7%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 13.3ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.5apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 49.3%, FT: 53.8%. He and Voigtman compliment each other well as he plays more near the rim inside while the German has the mid range game. The last signing from Frankfurt was Finish national player Mikko Koivisto. Koivisto is an interesting player who played NCAA at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) and was teammates with future Euroleague champions Kyle Hines and Ricky HIckman. He has played his whole professional career in Finland and Frankfurt will be second station outside Finland after a brief stay with Royal Hali Gaziantep (Turkey-TBL): 12 games: 4.7ppg, 1.3rpg, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 75.0%; EuroChallenge: 5 games: 6.2ppg. He recently played at the 2014 World championships in Spain and might have one or the other stories about Kyrie Irving or James Harden who he played against. His shooting stroke and ability will be a fine addition to Armand on the wing.

So what will be in store for the 2014-2015 Fraport Skyliners? Will it be another grab bag season or will there be a DJK basketball playoff insurance this season? Gordon Herbert is a diehard basketball aficionado that stands for focusing on grooming the tactical measures on the court with his players. In the last three seasons, the Fraport Skyliners had difficulty scoring averaging under 70 points a game until last season scoring a bit better averaging 73 points a game and survived many games simply by letting up fewer points and just buckling down and defending for 40 minutes as if it was their last game ever. Relying on top defense surely will be a goal for Gordon Herbert this season as one doesn´t meet more bull dog like defenders than Quantez Robertson and Konstantin Klein. By putting San Diego native Richard Williams into the mix, Frankfurt could have the best defensive duo with Williams and Robertson in the league. Williams and Robertson with their lightening quick hands will definitely profit from each other and add some NBA Showtime to the Beko BBL as ally-ops could be as common from them two as the road runner scoot to the hoop from Dashaun Wood each game during his time with Frankfurt. The guard trio of Willimas, Klein and Merz could be the best defensive guard trio in the Beko BBL and will wear down teams. Making big plays and getting out on the break will be another popular option this season having big guys like Danilo Barthel and Mike Morrsion liking to get out on the break. I see this team being more talented than last season and there also is more experience. Last season one had four rookies with Galloway, Dubois, N Diaye and Bright while this season the club has brought in only one rookie with Armand. Williams, Doornekamp, Morrison and Koivisto have combined 14 years of professional experience. Morrison and Koivisto have combined 21 games of international club games under their belts. This experience will be a big plus and these five guys definitely have more fire power than what came in last season. So what will the club have to do to finally reach the playoffs again? Playing consistent strong defense like I mentioned already will be vital as the consistent play of the DJK German big three. There will be a lot of burden on the shoulders of Danilo Barthel, Johannes Voigtman and Konstantin Klein to perform at a high level each game and be consistent. However these three Germans are great competitors and have shown a positive curve upwards each season and are ready to continue to make the next step. They continue to be the future of the club and with extended Eurochallenge games this season will help their play as well. They should be ripe to lead the team to the Beko BBL playoffs. “For Frankfurt to reach the playoffs depends how the team finds itself. Frankfurt has a very good coach with Gordon Herbert and with Danilo, Johannes and Konstantin three very good players that are still young, but have experience. The Eurochallenge will help the three Germans and the team keep their rhythm and regain it in bad phases. If they do reach the playoffs then they will be a big reason for getting there as well as their teammates, coaching staff and office”, warned German Jannik Freese. Another big factor for the club reaching the playoffs is the rookie performance of Sean Armand. He doesn´t have to put up 30 point games like Andrew Rautins did, but if he can develop into a consistent and reliable scorer then their chances will be good to be one of the best 8 teams in May. Armand will be the X-factor for me between making the playoffs or not. And not to forget the Fraport Skyliners have their secret weapon in Gordon Herbert. He has had a good track record when having strong rosters winning it all in 2004, reaching the final in 2010, and semi final in 2011. Last season was a season to forget, but he still had the know how and feeling to lead the team to a 11^th place despite having so little to work with. One should never underestimate a Gordon Herbert in that he is known for getting the best out of his players and this season he has nice talent again to work some magic. If the club can for once stay injury free than the playoffs are more of a reality than reach. Last season it was a grab bag scenario not knowing what could happen, but this season it looks more like the team could go in a positive direction than in a negative. 10 years ago, the club had the Bermuda triangle with Pascal Roller, Chris Williams and Tyrone Ellis that won the title in 2004 and reached the final in 2005 and in 2014 the club has the DJK triangle. Danilo, Johannes and Konstantin may not be ripe to win the title now, but they are on a good way to bringing success and playoffs to the Fraport Skyliners that have been yearning for May basketball again since 2011.