Angelo Caloiaro is a 24 year old 203cm forward from San Jose, California that is playing his  second professional season and first in Germany with the Mitteldeutscher BC. He played at USF(NCAA) from 2008-2012 playing a total of 127 NCAA games and as a senior played 14.1ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 78.5%. Last season as a rookie he played for Rilski Sportist Samokov (Bulgaria-NBL): 24 games: 12.7ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 79.8%; Balkan League: 7 games: 9.7ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 68.8%. He spoke to German Hoops  recently.

The Mitteldeutscher BC stepped up their game at the end of the first half of the season. What have been the main reasons for the improvement?

 

We are playing very good basketball now and we continue to get better in practice. I feel that we are never satisfied and always want more. We are always in the gym and always hungry.

 

How important has MBC head coach Silvano Poropat been for the current success?

 

He has been very important for the success and is a really good coach. We have a lot of trust in him and we know exactly what he expects us to do.. He gives me a lot of confidence for my game and if I make mistakes he doesn’t lose confidence in me.

 

Who has been the unsung hero of MBC in the first half of the season?

 

It has been Marcus Hatten. When he came to us, he really sparked us and has led the team to success.

 

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

 

That is a tough question, but I would say posting up, because it is something I usually don´t do.

 

On what things do you need to work on on your game?

 

I can improve in many areas, but the most important areas are my pull up jumper and shooting off the dribble.

 

What was the most important thing that you learned from ex NBA player Rex Walters who coached you at USF(NCAA)?

 

I think that I learned many good qualities and he gave me a lot of important things that he got from coached like Pat Riley and Roy Williams who he played for. I learned how to do everything in a professional manner on and off the court.

 

You played a season with German Justin Raffington at USF. What do you remember from your teammate most?

 

He was the first contact that I had to a German person. He didn´t play much at USF and transferred to FAU and is having a break out year. He is a real big body that is always hard to defend

 

Coming from an Italian back round and growing up in San Jose that is a hockey town, how did you get into basketball`

 

Well Oakland is only an hour away where the Golden State Warriors play and my mom played who was the alltime leading scorer at Pepperdine. I really played all sports as a kid and as I kept growing, I felt that basketball was just best for me.

 

You played as a rookie in Bulgaria last season. What was the most important thing you picked up as a rookie that has helped you mature to the Beko BBL style?

 

I learned the different types of basketball rules in Europe as well as the different speeds and the 24 clock shot was totally new to me. But most important was getting used too many new styles on the court.

 

Your teammate Josh Parker has spoken highly of you in interviews. Now it can be your turn to laud the stellar play of the Chicago native.

 

He is a great scorer and hard to guard. He has been so big for us this season. When we need the big bucket or he has to score he can create for himself. He is just a good player.

 

San Jose isn´t New York, but like New York compared to Weissenfels. What do you like most about the village?

 

It is a different style of living. There isn´t much to do there, but the whole area is pretty and you can get aquainted to nature. Weissenfels is like a little community.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

The hunger games.

 

Thanks Angelo for the chat.

 

 

 

Jermel Kennedy  is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Toronto Canada that is playing his first season in the German Pro B with TV Langen. He started his basketball career in 2008 with  Iowa Central Community College (NJCAA) playing 26 games: 4.3ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP:47.3%, FT: 57.1%. In 2009-2010, he played for Volunteer State Community College (NJCAA) playing  27 games: 11.7ppg, 8.2rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 83.0%. He finished his college basketball career at Lander in 2012 playing two seasons there and as a senior played  27 games: 11.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 66.1%, FT: 70.5%. Last summer he was drafted by Moncton Miracles (NBL Canada,1rd(6)). He spoke to German Hoops after the 90-80 drubbing of Weissenhorn and reaching the playoffs.

 

Congrats on the 90-80 win in Weissenhorn. How good does it feel making the Pro B playoffs?

Thanks Miles it feels really good to have reached one of our goals we have made this season. As long as we’re not satisfied with this and continue to play well I’m sure the post season will be a special one

Weissenhorn has a very talented roster and would you agree are a lot better team than their record shows? Why do you think that they don´t have a better record?

I agree they have a talented team I just don’t think they play that well as a team and it hurts them

TV Langen had a strong first quarter scoring 27 points as Martins Woody got going, but Weissenhorn came back in the second quarter to trail only 45-40. What things were clicking in the first 20 minutes and what not?

We started the game executing our offense and getting everyone involved I think we might have went away from that a bit and I feel like fatigue played a role because of our limited rotation

 

The second half was very very tight, but TV Langen broke a way somewhat in the fourth quarter. How important were your two consecutive buckets for the 78-73 lead?

I believe they were important only at the moment since they were on a bit of run and that ended it for them

You and Martins Woody had your usual very solid games, but it seems like Filmore Beck can get lost in the shuffle with you two guys are  on, but how valuable was his play? Was he a type of unsung hero with his timely three pointers?

Filmore has been playing some great basketball these last couple of games if he can keep this up I honestly don’t believe anyone can play with us.

Would you agree the best team stat of the night were the 23 assists. You know the ball is being shared well when a Martins Woody leads the team with six assists?

Well Miles we’re first in the league with 17 assist a game so it’s not surprising at all to me neither is Woody’s distribution abilities he sees the floor well and our guards do a great job of cutting if your open you can best believe he’s going to get you the ball

What was your impression of big German talent Till Joscha Joenke? You have seen many players in your life, but is he possibly the best 189cm rebounder you have ever seen? His anticipation is very strong.

I thought he was pretty good he has a knack to where the ball is going to land and it goes unnoticed being a guard

How pleased were you with your game of 20 and 10, four assists, three steals and 69% shooting? You were the most efficient TV Langen player. Do you and Martins Woody have friendly competition to see who has the better game? Of course the team winning is most important, but healthy competition between teammates can never hurt.

I was happy with my performance I understood the importance of the game so I was really focused. Woody and I only make jokes on who will rebound better usually when he loses he plays harder the next game to beat me

The next game is against Hanau. What do you remember from the 66-61 loss and what will be key in going strong into the playoffs with a win?

That was earlier in the season we had some costly turnovers late in the game but I believe we found our team identity now so I expect a win come next week.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Pearl Harbor starring Ben Affleck.

Thanks Jermel for the chat.

 

In the last years, big Frankfurt basketball news stories on and off the court were things like what new rap video ex NBA player Jermario Davidson would upload next, predicting how many points Detroit native Dashaun Wood would be making in the next game, speculating how many times Danilo white men can jump Barthel might dunk in the next game or guess the roster for each new game as injuries for the Beko BBl team this season have been as common as the daily Justin Bieber escapades around the globe. However the biggest basketball news story in Frankfurt these days has nothing to do with the men of the Beko BBL team, but of the juniors of the Pro B team who were riding a seven game winning streak and will be in their second playoffs in a row. They ended 2013 ice cold with a five game losing streak and 4-9 record and now after seven victories stand at 11-9 and in fourth place. One of the amazing things about it is that they have become a real crunch time team despite not having their Beko BBL license players in the last three games. Frankfurt has won the last four games combined with not more than eight points. They played the last three games completely only with one import player Canadian Bryson Johnson and up and coming Pro B star Max Merz and a supporting cast of solid Pro B players Nikolai Vuckovic, Jan Novak, Johannes Richter and Tim Oldenberg. 19 year old 180cm Max Merz was the hero in the last two games winning the game with a last shot almost identically off the pick and role with an off balance shot. The Pro B team tried their luck again against last placed team BG Leitershofen and didn´t need another last second shot from Max Merz, but instead dismantled Leitershofen without any problems 83-61. Despite winning by 22 points, the score didn´t indicate the difficulty of bringing the win home. “Getting this win was a lot harder than what the score shows. Leitershoefen caught us sleeping in the first half on defense as they got some easy buckets inside. We stepped up our defense in the second half and hit more shots while they missed shots that they usually would of made”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Canadian Bryson Johnson.  After starting the season on a six game losing streak and then getting big wins against Dresden and Weissenhorn, the club has had massive difficulty getting wins as they lost their tenth game out of their last 12 games. After the loss Leitershoefen guard Brandon Provost had to struggle to find words for the loss. “I thought that we did a good job until halftime staying with them. However in the third quarter, they started connecting on more shots while we couldn´t hit easy shots. In the fourth quarter, we tried something different by going to zone which was a risk because they are a good shooting team, but we felt that it was the right choice at the moment, but we didn´t do a good job getting to their shooters”, stressed Texas native Brandon Provost.

On a rare weekend off for the Fraport Skyliners Beko BBL team, many players were in attendance watching their farm team play like Konstantin Klein, Danilo Barthel, Johannes Voigtmann, Jacob Burtschi, Jarred Dubois and Aziz Ndiaye. The first quarter was very tight as no team was able to pull away. Kevin Wysocki got Leitershoefen on the board first with a turn around shot, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors went on a mini 4-0 run as Bryson Johnson scored as Max Merz. Nedim Hadzovic and Alex Bazzell scored on the fast break as Leitershoefen led 6-5. Frankfurt kept the pressure on and Johnson fed Johannes Richter a perfect lob pass for the easy bucket and Nikolaj Vuckovic dropped a three pointer as Frankfurt led 10-6. Leitershoefen went on a 9-2 run to take the 15-12 lead as Provost hit eight consecutive points including two three pointers.  Skyliner Tim Oldenburg hit his bread and butter mid distance jumper as Leitershoefen led 19-17 after one quarter. “Both teams were feeling each other out in the first quarter. I thought that Frankfurt didn´t have as much intensity. We had many open shots and often shot a bit too early”, commented Fraport Skyliner Konstantin Klein. BG Leitershoefen was shooting 47% from the field and 40% from outside while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 47% from the field and 33% from outside. Frankfurt had the 10-8 rebound edge, but four turnovers while Leitershoefen had three turnovers.

The second quarter remained tight as both teams didn´t fancy giving any gifts to the other team until the last few minutes where the Fraport Skyliners Juniors broke away a bit. Frankfurt got heads up play from young German kids Jamin Knothe who was giving his best Jacob Burtschi impression of diving on the floor and making hustle plays and Mark Appiah racked in three offensive rebounds and made a big bucket at the end. However BG Leitershoefen got hot quick as 19 year old German Nicolas Breuer sunk a three pointer and Provost connected on two shots. Frankfurt got two three pointers from Vuckovic, but still trailed 27-24. However the Fraport Skyliners juniors closed out the second half of the second quarter with a spirited 14-2 run to go into the break with a satisfying 38-30 advantage. Tim Oldenburg hit back to back shots to knot the game at 29-29. Frankfurt kept up the offensive pressure being aggressive at every moment as Appiah made a massive two handed dunk after getting a Jacob Merz no look pass, Johnson showed his passing qualities setting up Jan Novak with a beautiful hard bounce pass for the easy bucket and the Canadian then knocked down a three pointer. Appiah scored again as Frankfurt led by eight points. “Frankfurt played with more intensity and Mark Appiah made big plays. The rebounding was very good and Vuckovic hit big shots”, added Konstantin Klein. “Appiah is a young kid, but he did a good job. He was a real presence”, warned Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert.  The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 48% from the field and 42% from the three point line while BG Leitershoefen was shooting 41% from the field and 44% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 21-13 rebound advantage and eight turnovers while BG Leitershoefen had seven turnovers.

In the third quarter, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors ran away with the game as they got their first lead over 10 points and never looked back. Frankfurt started on a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 45-32 as ex Bamberg center Johannes Richter was a one man wrecking crew as he connected on three consecutive buckets. “Frankfurt was moving the ball very well and taking advantage of the miss matches. On defense they didn´t allow Leitershoefen second chances”, said Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi. Leitershoefen didn´t allow the Fraport Skyliners to totally run away with the game as they fought hard going on a 7-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 45-39. Provost hit a jumper and snuck inside as did Kevin Wysocki scoring with his left hand. Jan Novak then made a running hook shot and Tim Oldenburg scored twice as Frankfurt led 52-43. Frankfurt closed out the third quarter with a 8-3 run to lead 60-46 after 30 minutes. Appiah made a big on this run and made another dunk while Max Merz got too the free throw line twice. Nicolas Breuer ended the third quarter with an off balance turn around shot way behind the three point line which was possibly the biggest shot of the night for BG Leitershoefen. “Frankfurt was doing a better job moving the ball and limiting BG Leitershoefen to one shot. Max Merz did a good job getting to the free throw line”, expressed ex Phoenix Hagen forward Jacob Burtschi. “We had more intensity on defense. Appiah gave us  a big boost with rebounds and blocks. He gave us the energy which flowed into the team”, stated Bryson Johnson. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 49% from the field and 33% from the parking lot while BG Leitershoefen was shooting 40% from the field and 42% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the overwhelming 33-17 rebound edge, but 11 turnovers while BG Leitershoefen had eight turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors kept their lead as BG Leitershoefen got a bit tired. Frankfurt started off the quarter with a 5-0 run to lead 65-46 as Johnson nailed a three pointer and Appiah got the no look pass from Jacob Merz who made another hard dunk. Frankfurt hurt the Leitershoefen zone with good ball movement and steady shooting. Even a mini 4-0 run by BG Leitershoefen couldn´t intimidate Frankfurt. Provost and Wysocki got clear inside for easy hoops, but Frankfurt continued to get consistency on the offensive end. It is never easy to stay fully focused when a team is leading so comfortably, but Frankfurt did a pretty good job even if it seemed like they were playing not to lose more than wanting to win. After Wysocki and Richter traded baskets, it was Wysocki and Vuckovic that swapped three pointers, but nothing changed with the lead as Frankfurt still had the 75-55 advantage. The Fraport Skyliners closed out the game with a 4-0 run as Johnson scored on a jumper and Appiah finished the scoring with an ally-op dunk getting the perfect feed from Oldenburg. “Frankfurt played a lot better in the second half doing the little things well. All in all it was a great team win”, added Jacob Burtschi. “They seemed  a bit tired, but also that technical foul frustrated them. We did a good job controlling what we could with our game and not worrying about their game. We did a good job controlling their role players, while controlling a Provost or Wysocki will never be easy”, said Nova Scotia native Bryson Johnson.  “Rebounding was an issue tonight and most of season. Noting against Hadzovic and Wysocki who always do a good job, but the guards don´t help out enough. We gave them too many second chances. Often when a team is struggling the team tends to separate. We can´t do that. We have to stick together”, stressed Brandon Provost.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Tim Oldenburg with 18 points and seven rebounds. Johannes Richter and Nikolaji Vuckovic had 14 points a piece while Bryson Johnson had 13 points. BG Leitershoefen was led by Brandon Provost with 22 points while Kevin Wysocki had 13 points. Frankfurt shot 54% from the field and 37% from outside while BG Leitershoefen shot 38% from the field and 40% from outside. Frankfurt dominated the boards 45-22, but had 16 turnovers while BG Leitershoefen had 10 turnovers. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors continue to be the big basketball story in Frankfurt as they haven´t lost since December 21^st in Langen. The team continues to play very hard and their middle name is team basketball. Skyliners head coach Eric Detlef sees the secret to the success being three factors. “One it is luck. We have won many close games and teams haven´t played as well as the first half. Two we have been able to play with more intensity in the second half of the season and three the team has simply improved. Having Johnson and Richter have made us more deeper. Vuckovic has been our most improved player”, stated Eric Detlef. Canadian Bryson Johnson agrees with the head coach and adds”, Coach has given us the needed self confidence. Getting wins at the end has become more easy since we have done it before. Everybody is getting more comfortable with each other and the communication is better”, stressed Bryson Johnson.

Brandon Provost is a 23 year old 190cm guard form Houston, Texas that is a rookie in the German Pro a for BG Leitershoefen. He started his basketball career in 2008 for Air Force and then transferred to UTPA and as a senior played 30 games: 14.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 79.7%. He was able to improve his scoring, rebounding  and assists in each of his last three years. The American spoke to German Hoops after the tough 83-61 loss against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors.

It has been a very tough season for BG Leitershoefen. What have been the main reasons for being  a last placed team?

We have been hit very hard by injuries. We lost seven players from the official roster. We are also a very young team. They are doing the best job possible to help us out and doing a good job.

You are having a solid season in the Pro B averaging 17,5ppg, 3,8rpg and 1,9apg. How happy have you been with your game? Coach said the only thing missing is your killer instinct.

I feel that my game has been decent. I don´t mind the pressure, but I am not used to having to have to score. I hear about my  Killer Instinct each day. Coach tells me to score and there are many situations where I need to be more aggressive. I am a pass first player and I never have had to take 16-17 shots like here. In my senior year at college I was averaging nine shots per game. I am here to get 22-25 points a game. I just have been missing that killer instinct this season. I never had it.

What do you need to improve in your game?

My killer instinct and mental things in my game.

How much fun is it playing in the backcourt with fellow rookie American Alex Bazzell?

 

It is a lot of fun. He was out for half of the season so it has been tough finding that chemistry. We had that chemistry at the start, but its been tough finding it now. By nature he is a pass first guard like me and is always finding his teammates.

 

What young German player on your team has impressed you most with his development?

I really like the game of Nicolas Breuer. He is a very good shooter and so fast. He has so much heart and he never gives up.

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

Passing. I play so much off the ball that I simply don´t get the chance to pass that more. I shoot  a lot more than I would like and am not able to pass the way I want to.

How did you get the nickname BP3?

Chris Paul was always my favorite player. Teammates in high school gave me the name.

You played your freshman year at the Air Force, but left after a year to attend UTPA. Why did you make that decision?

I basically had a difference of opinion with head coach Jeff Reynolds. He wanted me to be  atype of defensive player which is ok, but I wanted to get into a better situation. I made some mistakes and felt is was better for a change.

Jacob Burtschi played at the Air Force from 2003-2007. Did you know about him as you came to the Air Force?

He was a legend there. I heard so many good things about him, but never saw him play. He was a member of many great teams that were ranked in the top 25 in the country. He was on his way out as I was coming in.

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

I played against Klay Thompson. He only had eight points, but beat us by 30 points. I don´t think he brought his best in that game.

Who wins a one on one you or Alex Bazzell?

We never have played, but of course I would take myself.

You are a big Houston Rockets fan. Where will their journey end this season?

They will be very good in the future. I think that they just need to find that specila chemistry. They have many great players. It took some time until the Miam Heat found their chemistry an dnow they have two NBA titles. Rumor is that Kevin Durant might come aboard.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Warrior.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

Jeremy Black is a 27 year old 203cm forrwad from Tampa, Florida that is playing for BG Karlsruhe. He played at  Tampa (NCAA2) from 2004-2008 and in his senior year played  30 games: 18.7ppg, 11.0rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1bpg, 1.5spg, FG: 49.3%, 3Pts: 30.8%, FT: 72.1%. He turned professional in 2008 and since then has always played in Germany. He has only played for two teams with Science City Jena and is now playing his fourth season with BG Karlsruhe.Last season for BG Karlsruhe he played 39 games: 12.3ppg, Reb-3(8.8rpg), 1.5apg, FGP: 49.6%, FT: 66.8% He spoke to German Hoops before the game against Crailsheim.

 

BG Karlsruhe suffered a tough 86-77 loss last weekend to Kirchheim. Kirchheim broke away in the second half to win the game. What was the main difference in the second half for getting another loss?

I think we lost a lot of tough ones over the last 10 games played, Kirchheim was no different. We gave up 47 points in the second half. Our lack of defense consistency and too many errors I think hurt us the most.

Had BG Karlsruhe shot better from the free throw line the way Crailsheim did, then you probably would have won the game. How agitating is that and will free throws be on the agenda this week?

Free throws are always critical I think in any game, however I wouldn’t say that lost us the game! I personally feel like we lost the game on the defensive end of the floor! When we cant score points you have to counter that by not letting your opponent score either.

After a nice playoff run last season, the hopes were very high this season, but it has been a season to forget. How frustrating has it been? Do you have any reasons why the club is at the bottom despite having a pretty nice roster?

I think everyone around the league wants to know the answer to this question. This year has been a complete opposite mirror image of last year. I’ve never been on a team with so many injuries. Every week its been someone different since pretty much preseason. Its frustrating but its life and you can’t pick and choose your battles. You just have to keep fighting.

Have you ever had a stretch in your career like this season where you have lost so many close games? BG Karlsruhe have lost seven tight games by less than five points. There was even a stretch where the club lost three games in a row by not more than 5 points combined. Is it more a mental problem or is the team not a crunchtime club this season?

I haven’t had a season like this ever in my career! I would say its bad luck I guess. I remember last season we won the last three of a five game winning streak by a margin of five points as well.

How badly does BG Karlsruhe miss Michael Stockton and are you surprised that he has fit in very nicely at the Beko BBL level?

I’m not surprised at all that Mike is playing well in the BBL. His game speaks for itself. He’s a fan favorite and an energetic leader, I don’t know what organization wouldn’t miss a player like him.

You are averaging 11,3ppg and 8,22rpg this season. How happy have you been with your season and what can still be improved most in your game?

To me I will always feel like I can improve in certain areas of my game; but the most important stat to me that needs to be improved for this season is more W’s less L’s

The next game is against Crailsheim. What do you remember from the 83-70 loss? Carlos Medlock hit you with 23 points.

I don’t remember much about the game but I do know Crailsheim is sitting second on the table and just had their 11 game winning streak snapped.

BG Karlsruhe plays for pride now. What kind of game can we expect and what will be key in getting the win?

I think we will go out compete just like every game! We don’t expect any team to have a pity party for us! We just have be consistent on both ends of the floor.

Lamar Odom is back and now in Europe for a Spanish team. Do you see him playing a role in Europe and can he get used to the style here?

I think Lamar is looking for the reset button on his career. I think europe is him starting over. He can adjust if he WANTS to be there.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

I haven’t watched a DVD in a minute but I just finished the TV show, Breaking Bad!

 

Thanks Jeremy for the chat.

 

Jermale Jones is a 27 year old 186cm guard from Birmingham, Alabama that is playing his second season for German pro B club TV Lich. He started his basketball career in 2005 for  Lawson State CC (JUCO) where he played until 2007. H ethen played two more years at Tuskegee (NCAA2). In 2011-2012 he came to Germany and played for SSV Lokomotive Bernau (Germany-ProB) playing 18 games: 17.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 79.2%. Last season he played for the  Licher Basket Baeren (Germany-ProB) playing  25 games: 14.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 77.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against Baunach.

 

Thanks Jermale for talking to eurobasket.com again. In the tough 84-77 loss in Langen, you played only 20 minutes and had to leave on account of injury. What is your status and will you play on Saturday against Baunach?

My current status as of now is to take it day by day. Right now I don’t know if I will play but it will be a game day decision

The  Licher Basket Baeren had their winning streak snapped in Langen and made a run in the fourth quarter, but couldn´t pull out a road win. What were the main reasons for not getting the win?

Looking back at the start of the game.We dug ourselves a hole early. We were doing other things instead of sticking to the gameplan. In the 4th quarter we made a run but we didn’t get many defensive stops when we needed them down the stretch.

Your teammate Bill Borekambi had another solid game with 16 points. Overall he is one of the elite players on the team averaging 18,9ppg and 9,0rpg. He already has Beko BBL experience. Do you see him returning back to the top German league?

Yes I can see Bill being back in the BBL very soon.  When he joined our team only thing I could say was he was the missing piece to our team. It was amazing how we had got a player like Bill on our team. To me he is one of the best young German guys that’s playing in the league. Which ever BBL team gives him the opportunity he’s going to make a major impact to their team!!!

You are playing your second season with The  Licher Basket Baeren and have improved in scoring and rebounds. How happy have you been with your season and what part of your game do you need to work most on?

At the beginning of the season I was feeling very excited about our season because we won our 1st game and after that the next 4 games were tough losses and I was very unhappy about how our season was looking so far. As of now I feel better about our season because we started 1-4 and we have put in so much work to change our season around to where we are now. Every part of my game needs to be worked on because there is always space for improvement.

In your scouting report, you are seen as a good passer. Is getting your assists average up also something that you take pride in?

I think it’s important for me not only to be a scorer but also to share the ball with my teammates. That’s what’s making us successful.

At the moment the  Licher Basket Baeren are in seventh place with a record of 10-10. How confident are you that the team will be playing post season?

I’m very confident about playing in the post season. We just have to take care of business.

You beat Baunach 82-71 at the start of the season at home. What memories do you have of that game? Antonio Stabler was pretty consistent in the paint?

I remember them being a very young team and very aggressive. Antonio Stabler was a very solid player against us in the paint.

TV Lich wants the playoffs. What kind of game can we await and what will be key in getting the win?

We are expecting a very tough game. The key to this game is to keep them off the boards.. They are a very strong rebounding team. And if we go out and play the way we know we can and stick to our game plan we will win this game but it won’t be easy.

Lamar Odom has signed with a Spanish team. Do you seem him getting his basketball career restarted in Europe and will he be able to play team basketball?

I think it’s a nice move for Lamar Odom. To me I think he’s trying to prove a point by showing that he still loves the game and wants to play the game because NBA teams wouldn’t give him another chance. He’s trying to get back in the NBA.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

The Wolf of Wall Street.

 

Thanks for the chat Jermale.