Virgil Matthews is a 30 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing in Germany in the PRO A for Erdgas Ehingen now in his fourth season. He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played  31 games: 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 29 games: 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). In 2009-2010, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL, starting five): 21 games: 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL).In 2010-2011, he played his first season for Erdgas Ehingen playing 32 games: 11.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 71.3%. In 2011-2012 for Ehingen, he played  28 games: 11.4ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 77.1%. Last season for Ehingen you played  Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (Germany-ProA, starting five): 33 games: 11.5ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.5apg, Steals-4(2.1spg), FGP: 57.3%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 70.5%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Giessen 46ers.

 

Virgil thanks for talking to eurobasket.com again. Congrats on sweeping Science City Jena this season and winning the last game 85-82. How good does it feel sweeping this team that belongs to the top three teams?

Thanks! It feels good to win more so because of our place in the standings we are just trying to get as high as we can so we just try to win every game.

Out of the last seven games, Erdgas Ehingen have won three of seven games by only a combined total of seven points. How important is this ability to win close games at this juncture of the season where the playoffs are coming closer?

I think playing in close games and winning them are important most games in playoffs and late in the season will be close so its good to get those wins. The more you experience the situation the easier it becomes the more confidence you get.

So far Erdgas Ehingen is 0-3 against BG Goettingen and Crailsheim. You still have a chance to upset BG Goettingen. When you look at these two teams, what do you feel is missing in the game of Erdgas Ehingen to get you to that level?

We actually lost to both of them twice already. I don’t really know what it is we played Goettingen tough just couldn’t get over the hump, and both Crailsheim games were not good don’t know whats missing but we don’t see those teams in the near future so we don’t worry about that.

How has Ehingen current top scorer and combo guard Carlton Guyton and yourself made each other better throughout the season? You guys are often on the floor at the same time and seem to feed off each other very well.

I think we do feed off of each other we both are point guards so we do a good job of controlling the team. He probably makes me better more than I do him. Guarding him every day in practice is tough he is probably the toughest 1on1 guard in the league so it just lets me work on defense. For as much as we are on the court together we are mostly going head to head in practice.

With the season winding down, you are currently averaging 10,3ppg, 4,4rpg and 4,8apg. You continue to be a major force in steals. With the stretch run in full swing how happy have you been with your game? You are near 40% from outside and I am sure you want to get that back up in that range.

I’ve been ok with my game I haven’t been shooting the percentage I want from 3 or from the field but I’m actually feeling better about it coming down the stretch, but that 40% from 3 is a good goal to have.

The next game is against the Giessen 46ers who you lost to 82-75 in Giessen earlier this season. Ehingen lost the rebounding battle badly. What else do you remember from the loss?

They got out early on us we weren’t ready for their intensity on the boards that was a big deal. But I mean this game means a lot for both teams and if we want to be a real contender and a playoff team these are the games you have to win especially at home.

Lebron James recently scored 61 points. Do you think any of the other top players in the NBA will break Kobe Bryants 81 points in the future?

I don’t think 81 will be happening soon 81 is a lot of points when you think about it, its crazy!

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 Watched a classic, Snatch with Brad Pitt.

 

Thanks Virgil for the chat.

 

 

Brian Harper is a 28 year old 206cm forward that is playing his first season for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. Last season he played for  TBB Trier (Germany-BBL, starting five): 33 games: 11.0ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 60.3%. He started off playing guard at 6’5″ at Paine and grew to 6’10” and never changing positions. Brian’s a smooth shooting wing with explosive athleticism. He has tremendous lateral movement with a wing span of 7’4″. Brian is a talented ball handler. He adds an extra advantage as he utilizes his size to rebound over smaller defenders. He played at Paine(NCAA2) from 2003-2007. He turned professional in 2007 and played for Gimle BBK Bergen (Norway-1Div., starting five): 15 games: Score-3(25.1ppg), 8.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, 2.0bpg, 2FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 21.5%, FT: 66.3%. In 2008-2009, he played for KCC Egis (Korea-KBL, starting five): Korean League: 9 games: 15.1ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 76.7%; released in Nov.’08, in Feb.’09 moved to Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League): 8 games: 3.5ppg, 1.6rpg; in March ’09 signed at Reno Bighorns (D-League): 5 games: 1.2ppg. In the last three years, he played in Japan for  Toyama Grouses (Japan-BJ League) playing a total of 102 games. Last season, he played 49 games: 16.3ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 28.7%, FT: 61.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against Braunschweig.

 

 

The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven sustained a tough loss in Bonn. It was the fourth close loss of the season. Does one ever contemplate where the team may be resting in the standings had you won those four games, or do you try not to dwell on it?

 

It’s always hard losing a close game like the one in Bonn. Like you said we’ve had a few close ones this season where we have only lost by a few points but we don’t have time to dwell on that. What’s important at this point in the season is that we learn from those situations and allow them to help us down the stretch.

Describe the last play of the game where Derrick Allen missed the last shot. Was the play designed for D.A or had their possibly had been an even better option on the floor?

 

We executed the last play exactly how we wanted and got a great look. Coach Oldham drew up a play and Derrick had a good look. When the game comes down to the wire like this one did all you can ask for is the kind of quality shot and were confident that the next one will drop.

What was your impression of new point guard Eugene Lawrence? Does he give the team a new added threat that Jared Jordan didn´t have?

Eugene Lawrence is a good point guard and I think he is really going to do well in Bonn. It’s never easy comparing two players both are talented and everyone knows how unique and valuable Jared Jordan is to any team. I’m sure both will be successful during the remainder of the season.

A loss is a loss, but is there any positive thing that the team can take out of this game to build on the next game?

Yeah I think it’s always important to try to learn from each game. With that said we wanted to win the game and I felt like we played well enough to do so. At this point in the season every game is crucial and even though there is no such thing as a moral victory there’s still a lot we can take from a game like this one.

 

The next game is against the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. Bremerhaven suffered one of those close defeats 77-73 on the road. Do you have some of the 32 points from Isaiah Swann in your mind?

We are looking forward to the game against Braunschweig this weekend. We expect another close game and are confident that if we come out and execute our game plan we will give ourselves a great chance at winning. When it comes to a guy that can score like Swann we just have to come out and try to make him work for everything he gets and stay locked in on him the entire game.

 

Every win now in the down stretch is huge. You will face Braunschweig at home. What kind of game can we await and what will be key in getting the win?

 

When it gets to March every game is big and this weekend is no exception. We are expecting a fight and know that it’s going to take us coming out ready to play in order to get the win.

Lebron James recently hit for 61 points. Do you think that he will ever break the 81 points of Kobe Bryant?

 

If anybody in the League can its Lebron, KD, or Melo. I wouldn’t put it past any of those three guys.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Gravity.

 

Thanks Brian for the chat.

 

 

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.