Rickey Young is a 23 year old 206cm forward from Atlanta, Georgia that recently played fort he Giessen 46ers. He started his basketball career at  W.Virginia Tech (NAIA) and then played at  Pikeville College (NAIA). In 2011, he started his professional basketball career for  BC Ulcinjska Rivijera Ulcinj (Montenegro-1A, starting five): Montenegrin League: 2 games: 3.0ppg; Balkan League: 2 games: 1.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.0spg, in Nov.’11 moved to KK Centar Bijelo Polje (Montenegro-1A, starting five): 22 games: 12.7ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.3bpg. Last season he played for KK Teodo Tivat (Montenegro-1A, starting five), pre-season, then moved to KK Centar Bijelo Polje (Montenegro-1A, starting five): 8 games: 16.8ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 51.8%, 3FGP: 26.9%, FT: 73.0%, in Jan.’13 signed at KK Danilovgrad (Montenegro-1A, starting five): 18 games: 11.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 58.7%. He talked to German Hoops about basketball.

 

How was the relationship with you and rookie headcoach Denis Wucherer? Were you guys always able to see eye to eye? What did he give you as a player that will help you in your career)

 

 Denis Wucherer is a great young coach! He had a legendary career here in Germany as well as abroad and understands the game extremely well which carries over into his coaching. I actually Learned a lot from him this season, and feel that playing for Denis during my time in Giessen has made me a much better player moving forward 

 

Giessen stated in the press release, that it wasn´t easy letting you go as you were loved by the fans. Were these the best fans that you ever had the privilege to play for?

 

 Yes! These were definitely the best fans I’ve played in front of, they are relentless! And bring passion and energy to every game. They create the type of environment that players dream about playing in. Blessed to have had that opportunity!!

 

You are playing your third season and the German Pro A was probably the best league that you have played in so far in your professional career. What did you learn on and off the court most in your time in Germany?

 

 I think the biggest thing I learned during my stay in Giessen, Pro A, and Germany as a whole would be how to take care of my body. At this level with the speed/intensity of each game and practice you have to take care of your body. Whether that’s proper stretching, weight lifting, or nutrition, it’s something I will carry with me throughout my career.

 

If you could choose one game that you will remember the most as a member of the Giessen 46ers, which one would you mention?

 

 

I’d mention the first home game of the season against Leverkusen. Because we had a very tough, physically demanding preseason in Giessen. So to come out and win the first game of the season by 20 points was very gratifying.

 

The Pro A is very tight this season. Do the Giessen 46ers have the talent and desire to win it all in the Pro A?

 

Definitely!! Every player in that locker room is a fighter and when completely healthy they will be a tough out for any team!

 

The Giessen 46ers have many talented Americans and Myles Hesson, but rarely does one mention German Benjamin Lischka. What impressed you most about his game?

 

 Bene is just a very versatile player, but I believe his biggest strength is his footwork. Whether around the basket or on the wing he is a tough cover, because he stays balanced and is a crafty scorer once he get you on your heels.

 

You are looking for a team now. If you could sell yourself in a few sentences as to why you could help any team now how would you do it?

 

I believe my easiest selling point at this stage of my career, is my energy! I bring a lot of passion to the game, whether that’s crashing the boards, blocking a shot, or stepping in for a charge. I feel like I can help a lot of teams now. Whether they are looking to improve in the playoff race, or hoping to avoid regulation. I believe I can help.

 

 

What is your Super Bowl 2014 prediction? Will Denver or Seattle win?

 

 

 I’m actually an Atlanta Falcons fan, to the core!! So I’m going to watch the game but I have no predictions or favorites after my Falcons make it there next season I’ll make a prediction for you lol 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Last DVD I saw was “Brooklyn’s finest” a movie centered around three New York police officers dealing with different problems and hardships which is actually one of my favorites.

 

Thanks Rickey for the chat.

 

When looking back at the first half of the 2013-2014 Beko BBL season, one could study each team in the league and find many early season highlights that have made the Beko BBL season so far exciting and a product of high quality. For example, the Brose Baskets Bamberg hauled in ex Los Angeles Laker Ellias Harris to help in the stretch run of the season, FC Bayern Munich has been controlling the league and seem still to have much gas in their tank to upgrade their play, Alba Berlin have a player in Levon Kendall that is moonlighting as a smooth singer, rookie head coach Tyrone Mccoy has formed a playoff caliber team and meshed together different new characters on the court which has brought instant success to the Artland Dragons, Edgar Sosa pulled an Alex King in Eurocup play nailing seven three pointers, Gordon Herbert is coaching a playoff team at the moment and developed the German three of Barthel, Voigtmann and Klein further in Frankfurt, the Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg have added extra NBA flair with Coby Karl to add to the legend basketball name Stockton, Josh Parker has emerged as a consistent scorer in Weissenfels and one of those rare players to go from Pro B stardom to Beko BBL stardom, Phoenix Hagen is having sophmore blues after surprisingly reaching the Beko BBL playoffs last season, SC Rasta Vechta is the little darling of the league fighting to stay in the league and Richie Williams also has come from the Pro B via the Pro A and has become a top five point guard, Darius Adams is quietly leading the league in scoring playing for 15^th ranked Bremerhaven, medi bayreuth and the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg have the Koch brothers as coach and both are reeling not to go down to the Pro A, and the Walter Tigers Tuebingen are in desperate need of a savior as they rest in 18^th place with currently no real direction of how to get the Tigers out of quicksand as they are slowly being sucked in. However none of these single moments for each team can equal the many amazing occurrences that happen each year at the Beko BBL allstar game where everybody in the German basketball community come together to celebrate their passion for a day.

The 2014 Beko BBl Allstar game was set in Bonn where it had been before in 2010. It was my 8^th visit to a Beko BBL allstar game after I missed the game in Nurnberg last season when I was stranded in London as some snow had covered the region and Heathrow airport had to be closed which left me dancing with loads of Basketball thoughts and what I was possibly missing in Nurnberg last season. I somehow got over this personal basketball tragedy and before I knew it, it was time for the 2014 Beko BBL allstar game in Bonn. One of the great aspects of the German basketball allstar game is that it isn´t just a journey to some location, two hours of basketball, but it is a day long event. Fans can enter the arena at 15.15 and experience the whole atmosphere leading up to the tip of at 20.15. This time around, it seemed like the interest was a tick greater, because I couldn´t remember from previous visits to games in Cologne, Manheim, Bonn, Trier and Ludwigsburg, that the traffic around the location was so clogged as I was on the ramp next to the Telekom Dome, but it still took 15 minutes until I could turn off the engine in the dirt area of the parking lot. The official opening of the gates for the fans was at 15:15 and I got in at 15.18 meaning I was three minutes late and that could mean a lot depending where I would be standing in line for the 15.45 scheduled autograph signing session of the basketball players. I got my press pass rather swiftly and quickly ran up the stairs to the location and was rather happy to land fourth in line. I quickly met many familiar faces from around the league. I had a short, but interesting chat with basketball journalist Sebastian Finis who revealed to me that he also had that kid aspect in him and wanted to get some autographes of some players he had interviewed in the past. After a few minutes and my promise that I would snap a photo with Angelo Caloiaro and him, I took a few steps to my right and glanced back and the cue in the line was about 30 yards already. Yards instead of feet and I am already looking forward to the AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. The players finally arrived, but 10 minutes late at 15.55. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the autograph area as it was dark and felt like one was in a club. You just had that feeling that you and the player was more one on one and one could enjoy your few seconds a bit more. I get older each year, but my love for handing a player a piece of paper and asking for an autograph hasn´t eluded me as I keep doing it when I have the chance. A few days ago, I was face to face with the Toronto Raptors in Boston which is a different feeling where one is in awe and now I was rapping with Beko BBL players which in a sense is a different more relaxed feeling, because I know many of the players. It is always nice to be able to receive a personalized autograph in my name without asking the player for it. One could notice a difference between the national and international players that many of the older players like a Julius Jenkins, David Logan or Tony Gaffney were relaxed and more vocal, while the young national players like Danilo Barthel, Maximilian Kleber or Daniel Theiss looked like first year university students in a seminar with that bashful look on their faces with the hopes of no professor calling on them. Here and there, I was happy to take a photo for a fan. One nice memory was this woman who gave me her Ipad and desperately wanted a photo with Heiko Schaffartzik, Lucca Staiger and Anton Gavel. I took about 8 shots and she seemed the more pleased with each new photo. After the photo session, I joked telling her, look you have the first picture with three FC Bayern Munich players for next season as I was riding the immense speculation that Gavel will be spend his free time along side the Isar river and playing for Svetislav Pesic next season. The players were behind curtains and  a funny  experience was Boston native Tony Gaffney granting an autograph wish through the opening of the curtain while Per Guenther pressed his head through for a photo with a fan. Per Guenther congratulated me on the pick up of Dane Watts for the Fraport Skyliners, my Boston homie Tony Gaffney and I were talking Patriots as he predicted a 35-21 victory for the Patriots against the Denver Broncos and Jared Jordan and I who went to opposing prep schools in the Hartford area talked briefly about the Farmington area. It seemed like Phoenix Hagen Larry Gordon who is leading the league in rebounding with 8,0rpg at 196cm was having the most fun as he had a nonstop smile plastered on his face. He is one of those guys where you can´t turn that smile off.

The autograph session went for about an hour and one could see countless happy faces on small kids who had their dream moment meeting their favorite stars. Early in the program, it was announced that two time Beko BBL slam dunk champion Benjamin Salu Tadi who won in 2011 in Trier and 2102 in Ludwigsburg failed to qualify for the second consecutive year. In the last two years, the Beko BBL had brought in professional dunkers. On the one had, the fans want to see spectacular dunks, but on the other hand bringing in professional dunkers reduces the chances of a Beko BBL player of winning the coveted dunk title. With still much time to kill before the start of the NBBL allstar game, it was time to talk to people, make new contacts and just observe all the basketball people who were in the arena to take in the festivities. The people I noticed during Allstar day were guys like Ludwigsburg guard Keaton Grant, German basketball federation press speaker Christoph Buker, 1993 Euro champion with Germany Henning Harnisch who heads the basketball academy, Marko Beens, Chris Ensminger who said hello outside the VIP room, Mario Probst who heads the Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg youth department, Jens Staudenmayer the ex referee who called 850 games and now heads the department sport for the Beko BBL, Ralph Held assistant coach of the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, Oliver Herkel manager of Phoenix Hagen, Alexander Meilwes CEO of the Artland Dragons, Artur Kolodziejski from ratiopharm Ulm, Dennis Schroeder agent and ex North Carolina Tar Heel Ademola Okulaja, Oldenburg players, Dominik Bahiense De Mello, and Jannik Freese, Telekom Baskets Bonn player Andrej Mangold, and German national coach Frank Menz. I also observed a player whos face I knew, but after seeing so many players this day, I just couldn´t place the name. He had that wide smile I knew and I first thought it was ex Fraport Skyliner Johnathan Jones, but when he got up, he was so short that the name David Holston popped into my head. Aggy Mock of TBB Trier who is the physical trainer and only guy that has his own mascot was there dressed as the mascot, and could have had a hair and beard contest with the SC Rasta Vechta mascot that was a rasta man. The NBBL allstar game began at 16.45 where the best young players under 19 face off to show their best skills under the watchful eyes of team managers and scouts. The south won 66-55 in front of a sold out house before even dinner time in Germany. The south was led by  Max Ugrai (s.Oliver Baskets Akademie) with 14 points and Daniel Mayr (Science City Jena) chipped in with  12 points and  9 Rebounds. The North was led by  Jan Niklas Wimberg (Baskets Akademie Weser-Ems) with 22 points and Alba Berlin player Ismet Akpinar chipped in with 13 points. I couldn´t watch much of this as I was doing interviews with players, but the good play of Wimberg and giant Mayr wasn´t surprising as they belong to the best to what the game had to offer. “Daniel Mayr is the son of German basketball legend Rolf Mayr and he reminds me of Tibor Pleiss. He Will be a good player one day”, stated Telekom Baskets Bonn sport director Andreas Bottcher.

After the NBBL Allstar game, came the two big highlights before the main spectacle Beko BBL Allstar game with the three point shooting contest and slam dunk contest. The three point shooting contest contestants were Jermaine Bucknor of TBB Trier, CJ Harris of the Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg, Edgar Sosa of ratiopharm Ulm, Lucca Staiger of FC Bayern Munich and Per Guenther of ratiopharm Ulm who jumped in for the 2011 winner Jacob Burtschi who had to withdraw on account of back problems. It is always hard to predict a winner since all these guys are shooting in the high 40´s and often it has to do with the shooting condition of the player on that day and how well they can get aquainted to the rims on short notice. Many surely had Per Guenther on the radar to win it all, but I grabbed into a hat and picked Edgar Sosa who had hit seven three pointers recently in a Eurocup game. Jermaine Bucknor contributed 12 points while Edgar Sosa got hot early, but cooled down late to get only 15 points. The two Germans per Guenther and Lucca Staiger dueled and each were tied with 19 points. Staiger who has been labelled as a shooter all his life and once connected for 116 points in a youth game at Ehingen might have had the edge over Guenther, but the German national player Guenther really has improved his shooting in Ulm the last three years going from 27% in 2011 to 39% in 2012 and to a ridiculous 56% last season leading the league from the parking lot. He came into the event shooting 47,7% from downtown. However it was Chris Paul friend CJ Harris who stole the show from both Germans as he was last to shoot and might have had an advantage in that he knew what he had to beat. Harris and his sidekick Keaton Grant who singlehandedly beat the Fraport Skyliners in their living room with a fierce display of fire power this season. Harris who played at Wake Forest won the contest with 21 points nailing the title with a money ball shot which counts for two points. After the shooting contest came the Slam dunk contest which might be the highlight of the day out jumping the 40 minute game which follows.

The three point shooting contest consisted of five very interesting candidates with ex Fraport Skyliners Ryan Brooks who can fly when we chooses to, Fraport Skyliner Ramon Galloway who probably booked his ticket in the three OT win in Ulm with a poster dunk, Will Clyburn of ratiopharm Ulm who has been a spectacular player how whole young career, the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven´s Brian Harper who was given the name air Harper while his stay in Trier and SC Rasta Vechta forward Rashad Bishop who was the least unknown player of the lot and seemed a bit lost with the dunking crowd. The judges were comprised of a nice mix of Chris Ensminger, Ademola Okulaja and Henning Harnisch who gave their votes to the quality of each dunk with 1 being the worst and 10 being perfect. The dunking contestants were also joined by Polish amateur Rafal Lipinski who later would give the meaning white men can jump a new meaning. If there is one athlete who knows the meaning saving the best for last is New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady who has had over 30 fourth quarter come from behind wins in his football career. One may have thought that the dunkers would slowly heighten the effect and how spectacular the dunks would be with each new dunk, but instead the dunkers saved their best for first than last as they performed mouth watering crushing dunks as the arena seemed in ecstasy. Philadelphia native Ryan Brooks started coming into the arena in a dark captains suit and didn´t make three a charm, but his fourth dunk that rocked the arena. Next up was American Rashad Bishop who disappointed having to always settle for the sure easy dunk as time was slipping away. It seemed like Bishop had gotten lost in the hair of the rastaman mascot of SC Rasta Vechta and couldn´t find the rim. Next up was Will Clyburn who was innovative as he had teammate Per Guenther lay under a ball basket with a hole in it and threw the ball up as the American came flying over the basket catching the ball and driving it through the rim. Fraport Skyliner Ramon Galloway was next up as he was the only player to wear a Skyliners jersey over his dunking jersey and he needed no assistance as he took the ball with an unbelievable sense of naughty self confidence and made a nasty dunk that had Isaiah Swann jumping up and giving a special dance that one probably only knows in Germantown, Maryland where he comes from. Next up was ex TBB Trier forward Brian Harper that has the skinniest legs ever seen on the court and he had some assistance from ex teammate Canadian Jermaine Bucknor who dribbled the ball tossed the ball up over the Bremerhaven mascot dunky and Harper took the ball in flight and dunked the ball home. Then it was time for amateur Lipinski who took the ball with authority and flew over the Beko BBL mascot with much airtime and making a spectacular dunk. In the final, it was Lipinski, Ramon Galloway and Will Clyburn. Galloway started and couldn´t master a very spectatcular dunk, but still got all 9´s from the judges. Clyburn then got help from Guenter again as he threw the ball off the side of the back board and the American took it in mid air and jammed it home. Only one guy saved the best for last and that was Lipinski who had  a trick up his sleeve and brought 212cm center Dirk Madrich to the zone and he took the ball and dunked over him. This dunk quality electrified the crowd and the judges gave all 10´s except for Ensminger who had the audacity for a change giving him 11 points and the players on the court couledn´t hold back their excitement for the effort of the amateur who was really a professional dunker. The final results were Lipinski with 76,3 points, Clyburn with 74 points and Ramon Galloway with 70,6 points. Lipinski celebrated by hanging onto the back of Artland Dragons mascot Tobi as the arena was going berserk. ”Being at the Allstar game was  a great experience especially seeing new faces. I was in the States and got in at 7am and had 45 minutes to prepare and I am happy that I could jump. Lipinski is a great dunker. I had fun and the time of my life”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Ramon Galloway.

At 20.15, it was finally time for the Beko BBL Allstar game. The best player game ovations went to the Bonn players Gaffney, Jordan and Veikalas. Dirk Madrich was getting pumped doing push ups, young Germans Daniel Theis and Maxi Kleber had a staring contest at center court even though it was a quick photo shoot while ex Tv Langen forward Robin Benzing was practicing left handed hook shots. Heiko Schaffartzik when introduced ran to center court got on his back and moved his legs in a bicycle motion while when Madrich was introduced, he just walked slowly to the center as if he was a tired basketball warrior that is still waiting for getting that surprise Rasta haircut. Since they went to the international-national format in the 2011-2012 season, team international had a 2-0 record. Last season the game was more of a blow out, but that was not the case in Bonn. One can never expect much defense in these types of games as the fans want to see a show and offense is what they get. The game started with a great defensive play as Theis blocked Gaffney. The game was filled with an abundance of ally-ops and what better people to have on the court than Jared Jordan and tony Gaffney who have made this play a type of art in Bonn. Guenther and Theiss also hooked up with an ally-op proving that lobbing and dunking is also done in Ulm. Swann got hot late in the first quarter dropping two three pointers as team international led 22-20. In a timeout, it was time for the mascots to have fun as Tobi the Dragon stole the skate board from FC Bayern Munich mascot Berni as he was enjoying his new toy only to be pounded by Phoenix Hagen mascot Felix. Team national stayed well with team international and only trailed 31-30 after 10 minutes. Team national was shooting better from outside and had the rebound edge, but still trailed.

In the second quarter German basketball legend Henning Harnisch took the seat next to me and noticed my appreciation for the play of Danilo Barthel and also lauded his play and laughed when I mentioned on more than one occasion that I had never seen so many ex Alba Berlin players on the court. It was Fraport Skyliner Danilo Barthel that had two nice plays scoring with a hard penetration to the bucket and then blocking ex Euroleague player David Logan. However team international was able to cruise out on a 10 point lead and keep the lead for a while until team national came storming back. After Texas native Brandon Thomas gave team international a 47-36 lead with a three pointer, team national came back going on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 49-49. It was one Skyliner and two ex Alba Berlin that sparked the run. Barthel scored inside while Staiger scored inside and nailed a jumper while Andreas Seiferth contributed with a dunk and lay in. Then came one of the big moments of the whole 2014 Allstar day as suddenly there was a pause in play as Jared Jordan suddenly had disappeared and then returned to the court followed by Beko BBL legend Chris Ensminger who retired last season after a 15 year career in Germany and top rebounder in the league from 2001-2005. Ensminger played a few minutes to the overwhelming delight of the fans. Ensminger tied the game at 51-51 with a massive dunk and there surely were some fans that were hoping that he had hung up his short coaching career at Gotha and coming out of retirement and continue on the quest and playing until he is 50 and possibly playing with his sons. After Guether gave team national the 60-55 lead, it was Chris Ensminger that scored his second bucket since his arrival posting up against Heiko Schaffartzik and giving the mismatch a total new meaning. Maxi Kleber and Isaiah Swann exchanged three pointers at the end as team international trailed 65-63 at halftime. Team national was still shooting and rebounding better and the question was when would team international shift up some gears and start to take control of the game? At halftime Chris Ebsminger was honored for his 15 year Beko BBL career as highlights were seen on the screen and Beko BBL boss Jan Pommer gave him a special jersey with four shades of the four teams that he played with in Germany with MBC, Bamberg, Paderborn and Bonn that will forever be retired and left at the Beko BBL office in Cologne.

The third quarter remained extremely tight and it belonged to Bryce Taylor who scored 16 points and team international was able to get a better lead in the last few minutes. Some nice plays in the third quarter was Jared Jordan dribbling through the legs of Dirk Madrich and teammates Benas Veikalas and Tony Gaffney hooking up for one of the countless Bonn ally op productions on this night. One of Taylor´s 16 third quarter points was an ally op dunk and Jordan who else was the pass recipient. Team international was able to break away a bit in the stretch run of the quarter as Larry Gordon hit a few buckets and Swann lite up the scoreboard with two consecutive three pointers. Schaffartzik also got into the scoring mode connecting on a floater and nailing a three pointer. Thomas ended the third quarter with a bomb from downtown as team international led 97-88. A highs coring third quarter by team international gave them the higher shooting percentages, but team national was still dominating the boards. In the fourth quarter, team international kept the lead as team national was able to cut the deficit to one point, but team international closed out the game with a 8-4 run to win 121-116. Swann and Gordon hit big shots in the early going of the fourth quarter as team national trailed 106-99 as they missed too many easy shots while team international remained more consistent with their shooting. Team national cut the lead to 109-107 after Gaffney missed two free throws and Staiger nailed two consecutive three pointers. Team international also did the better job winning most one on one matchups as Gaffney easily scored twice inside. Gavel nailed a big three pointer as team international led only 113-112, but team national couldn´t get big stops that they really needed. Gaffney and Taylor hit three pointers and Jordan scored inside as team international led 121-112 with less than a minute to go and the hopes of team national getting that first win dwindling. Gavel and Theis scored the last points of the game as time ran out. “Being an allstar was a great experience for me. It was great being here as a player and not a fan. They won because they hit open shots and Swann and Taylor were unstoppable. It was hard stopping them one on one, because that is the style that the Americans have known their whole life”, stressed Fraport Skyliner forward Danilo Barthel who finished with eight points, four rebounds and one block. As voted by the fans, New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig guard Isaiah Swann won the MVP award scoring 25 points nailing seven three pointers. One could see from the start that he had that MVP look and was aggressive from the first minute showing a special gracefulness with his shooting touch and deserved it. All in all it was a great day for basketball and now the fans can get ready for an exciting second half of the season.

 

 

 

 

Edgar Sosa is a 26 year old 193cm guard form the Dominican Republic that grew up in New York. He is playing his first season with ratiopharm ulm. He played at Louisville from 2006-2010 for well known basketball coach Rick Pitino. As a senior he played 33 games: 13.1ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 65.4%. AS a rookie in the 2010-2011 season he played for  Angelico Biella (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 30 games: 14.1ppg, 1.4rpg, Assists-3(4.5apg), 2.3spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 66.7%. He sat out the 2011-2012 season due to injury and last season played for  Blancos de Rueda Valladolid (Spain-ACB): 2 games: 4.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.5apg and then signed at Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico-BSN): 31 games: 7.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 65.2%. He spoke to German Hoops at the 2014 Beko BBL allstar game.

You are playing your first season in Germany and for ratiopharm Ulm. Would you agree when I say that Edgar Sosa and ratiopharm Ulm is a very good situation for you?

Yes I would. Ulm is a great and I have no complaints. The coach is great, the system is great and since I am a homebody type of guy, Ulm is perfect and I have been having a great time.

You were an allstar in Italy and now you took part at the three point shooting contest. Are there any differences to both events?

Not really, in Italy the set up was similar to here with a great arena in Milan, the perfect atmosphere, and the autograph meeting with the fans.

In the Beko BBL everything is run perfectly and the league has really grown over the years, but some communication was lacking when dealing with you.

Yes that is true. I guess they made it official weeks ago, but I actually didn´t know I was taking part until a few days before the event.

Where would you say does the three OT win loss against the Fraport Skyliners rank in your alltime best games?

It ranks with my best games ever played no matter at what level. The game went back and forth, the atmosphere was great and there were constantly big shots being made. I will remember most how we came back a few times down by four points to send the game into another OT despite being very tired.

What is exactly your role with ratiopharm Ulm?

My main role with Ulm is too come off the bench and spark the team with energy. I like to always play aggressive and get to the cup and make big shots. The great thing about this team is that we don´t have one superstar, but many great players that are unselfish. At the end of the day we all want to win and it doesn´t matter who scores.

Who has been the unsung hero of ratiopharm so far this season?

The unsung hero and my favorite player is Matt Howard. He does so much for the team and things that nobody else can do. We have scorers like Per Guenther, or myself, but he is the only guy that brings this special energy to our defense. He really has been the key player for our success this season.

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

Everybody sees that I can score, but a hidden strength is that I am a good pick and role player. That is where I can create and am able to make the right decisions.

Do you ever watch film of other great point guards like a Jared Jordan?

Yes it is always beneficial to watch good guards like a Jordan. I like how he passes the ball and try to play the game the way he sees it. I have a lot of respect for him. He is a great player.

Not too many players have had the chance to play for a Rick Pitino. How did he make Edgar Sosa into the player he is today?

Rick Pitino was amazing. He is the type of coach that is able to make players be able to play well in any system in any country. He taught me to play basketball the correct way. He made me into a better player.

At Louisville you played with two NBA players Earl Clark and Terrence Williams. How proud are you of their success now?

I am very proud of them. Clark has so much athleticism. Clark and I are still very close and he just signed  a three year deal with the Cavaliers. Terrence Williams is on his way back to the NBA via the D-league.

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

When I was a freshman I remember playing against Georgetown and current Boston Celtic Jeff Green. He was the first player where I was in total awe on the court. He really separated himself form the other players. Green made the game look so easy.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

I saw Flight with Denzel Washington. He is my favorite actor.

Thanks Edgar for the chat.

Josh  Parker is a 23 year old 183cm point guard from Harvey, Illinois that is playing his rookie season in Germany for PRO B team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He played at Drake from 2007-2009 and then played for Dayton(NCAA) from 2010-1012. He played a total of 130 NCAA games. Currently he is tearing up the German PRO B. He spoke to German Hoops at the 2014 Beko BBL allstar break

 

 

The Mitteldeutscher BC are in 10th place with a record of 8-9 and have done a great job getting out of the lower positions by winning five of the last six games. How much has the team improved over the last six games and in what areas?

I feel like we have really improved as a team. We just have to continue to play hard and play together like we have been and I feel like will be ok.

 

After a successful stretch like this, do you start thinking about Beko BBl playoffs or will the team continue to take it one game at a time?

Of course the playoffs are apart of everyone’s goals for the season. But right now we are just focused on getting better and competing every game!

At the halfway point, you are averaging 14,9ppg, 2,6rpg and 1,9 apg and are shooting 40% from outside. What have you been most proud about in your game this season?

I really just like the way I have adjusted and improved over the course of the year. I just been focused on working hard and staying consistent for my team.

How vital has the work been of head coach Silvano Poropat? How has his coaching ability grown throughout the course of the season?

He has been a vital part of the success we have had so far. Coach knows what he wants and likes to enforce his system, but I think he’s done a great job of putting his players where they for best within his system allowing us to strive.

How proud are you about the play of teammate Angelo Caloiaro? Is he more the team MVP or the unsung hero of the Mitteldeutscher BC?

Like I’ve always said Angelo is a player I am very happy to have on my team. He’s a good player, efficient, and plays hard, what more could ask for in a teammate! Nothing about what Angelo does goes unnoticed.

Do you think that he will be able to make an impact at the 2014 Beko BBL Allstar game from the bench?

Of course I do he’s playing against people he’s played so well against all year. So I really believe he will make an impact coming off the bench in the Allstar game I’m looking forward to seeing him out there tomorrow!

Team international has beaten team national at the last Beko BBL allstar games. Do you see team national of having any chance of winning this season?

I’m sure that it’s going to be a really competitive game this year both teams have a lot of talent. Of course I’m going for team international but I’m anxious to see how team national will respond!

What memories as a kid do you have form watching the NBA Allstar games? Was there a particular game, dunking contest or three point shooting contest that you will forever remember?

I remember growing up watching Micheal Jordan and all the other greats during all star weekend. The dunking contest I will never forget was when Jordan jumped from the free throw line and dunked it.

Will you be going home for the Beko BBL allstar break or stay in Germany? Will you be doing anything special and will you be touching a basketball?

Yes I will be going home for the break. I also will be working out and doing some basketball work while I’m home!!

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Bad boys 2.

 

Thanks Josh fort he chat

 

Richie Williams is a 26 year old 178cm guard that is playing his second season with SC Rasta Vechta. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at  San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played  36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.’10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. In 2011-2012, he played for  UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB, starting five): 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. Last season for SC Rasta Vechta he played  SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA): 38 games: 15.6ppg, 5.2rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 79.9%. He spoke to German Hoops at the allstar break.

 

Congrats Richie on the magnificent 61-52 win in Wurzburg. This is a place that is always very difficult to play in. SC Rasta Vechta allowed only 52 points. Was this the best defensive effort of the season for the team?

 

I wouldn’t say it was our best, but we played good defense. Wurzburg had some wide open looks that they missed as well. So in some cases we got lucky.

 

You have to face great players each week. How much of a challenge was it facing John Little who is seen as one of the better guard defenders in the Beko BBL.

He’s tough, strong and scrappy. He’s the toughest defender I’ve went against this season.

He only scored three points, but Maxi Kleber who entered the NBA draft two years ago and is seen as a huge German prospect who is getting much interest from top teams like Bamberg and Alba Berlin. Were you more impressed by his perimeter skills or work inside?

He has a nice skill set both inside and outside. If he works hard and stays focused he can have a bright future.

Sc Rasta Vechta is in 14th place with five wins at the Allstar break and have their first two game winning streak of the season. Is the team now on the right direction and is the break more a good thing or might it interfere with the current good run?

We’re definitely going in the right direction because we’re winning games. No matter how they look. This break will be good for us. We have a chance to tune-up some things and an extra week to prepare for our next opponent.

You are averaging 13,5ppg, are third in assists and first in steals in the Beko BBL. How happy have you been with your individual play so far?

I’m pleased with them but not content. My best basketball is yet to come. I’m just focusing on getting better every game.

Is your focus and determination rising as the season goes on? You belong to the top point guards in the Beko BBL, but weren´t added to the 2014 beko BBL allstar game. I am sure that you will pick up your game even more in the second half of the season to prove any doubters wrong.

I definitely feel I belong in the All-Star game but I’m not. It is what it is and I have to move on. I’ll speak with the way I play. This is just extra motivation to show everyone I belong to be mentioned with the best in this league. Nothing I’m not used to. Two seasons ago I was told I wasn’t good enough and had to start from the Pro B. Look at me now

SC Rasta Vechta have a much deserved rest now. Will you be doing anything special like going home, staying in Germany or exploring the vast areas of Europe?

This is the most important phase of the season for us so my time will be spent in the gym getting better.

How proud are you of German teammate Dirk Madrich who has been elected to team national. Opponents have been complaining about his overzealous physical play. How vital is the physicality of Madrich on the court to the success of SC Rasta Vechta?

Dirk is mentally strong guy. Not many guys can go from being one the top young talents, playing internationally at the highest level and then falling off. Most guys don’t have the heart to fight back for their career the way that he did. He was playing in the Pro B like me when he knew he didn’t belong there. That toughness carries onto the court and he’s always been our anchor when it comes to mental toughness and physical toughness on the court. I love my boy Dirk but I think International is going to take this one again. Haha. But I hope Dirk drops 50

 

Why will Rashad Bishop win the 2014 slam dunk contest despite having nice competition with guys like Ramon Galloway, Will Clyburn, Brian air Harper and Ryan Brooks?

He told me at practice that he will win, so I believe him.

Who are your NFL picks to reach the 2014 Superbowl with New England Patriots-Denver broncos and Seattle Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers?

I have Denver and San Francisco in the Super Bowl

With all the great quarterback matchups in playoff NFL history, where do you rank the Peyton Manning-Tom Brady duel?

Top 5. Two Hall of Fame quarterbacks going at it. Doesn’t happen too often

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

We are the Millers.

 

Thanks Richie for the chat.

 

 

 

Richie Williams is a 26 year old 178cm guard that is playing his second season with SC Rasta Vechta. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at  San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played  36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.’10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. In 2011-2012, he played for  UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB, starting five): 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. Last season for SC Rasta Vechta he played  SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA): 38 games: 15.6ppg, 5.2rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 79.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg.

 

Thanks Richie for talking to German Hoops again. A big 89-70 vcitory last weekend against the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. How important was this win after the bitter loss in Frankfurt? It seems like the club really stuck together and forgot the loss in Frankfurt quickly.

 

The win against Bremerhaven was very important because we want to refrain from being one of the bottom 2 teams. Coming off of Christmas break we want to give ourselves a clean slate and play with no agenda.

 

SC Rasta Vechta did a great job on the boards with 40 rebounds. How vital was controlling the boards in this win?

Rebounding is what we do best so with that being our best asset, we have to bring it every game.

You have to step up against the best point guards each week. What was your impression of Bremerhaven point guard Darius Adams who had 14 points and eight assists. How would you rate him against other point guards you have played this season?

He’s very quick and can score in a variety of ways. I shared the responsibility with Flavio Stückemann so we can wear him down. He helps the team most when he’s scoring so I wanted to turn him into a passer and make someone else score.

The bottom of the standings is so exciting as there are many teams that have three and four victories. After a big win against Bremerhaven, the self confidence soars, but how mentally sharp is the team at the moment concerning the momentary standings place?

We’re aware of the standings but we approach every game with the same level of importance. We have to take it one game at a game so we can be completely focused and not looking ahead.

The next game is against the s.olIver Baskets Wurzburg. This is another cellar type match up. What kind of game can we await?

Granted their position, Würzburg is a pretty good defense team. They’re in a must win position just like we are so I’m expecting an intense game.

 

What has been your impression of German point guard Flavio Stuckemann that is getting much self confidence from head coach Pat Elzie. He hit some big shots in Frankfurt and played 20 minutes against Bremerhaven.

Flavio is our captain and he’s our team leader. It doesn’t matter what he’s done all game, he makes big plays when we need him to.

 

How do you see the NFL playoff games this weekend New England Patriots-Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos-San Diego Chargers?

I don’t care about anyone but the hometown team. I’m rocking with the Chargers taking the Super Bowl. I want them to play the Colts.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Silver Linings Playbook.

 

Thanks Richie for the chat.

Steven Bennett is a 25 year old 173cm point guard from Los Angeles that is playing his second professional basketball season with the Giessen 46ers. Last season he played for  the Spot Up Medium Baskets Braunschweig. With Braunschweig he played 10 games averaging 22.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 5.1apg, 2.4spg, 2FGP: 57.5%, 3FGP: 34.2%, FT: 76.6% He is one of the few special players that has a tenacity and will to win that is unmatched; it is impossible to judge him based upon height alone because he can compete with anyone in the world. He has proven this in the Maui Invitational division I tournament in 2010, and was recognized as one of the top players (All-Maui Award) from a field of other top US point guards such as Kemba Walker, Kailin Lucas and Brandon Knight. Bennett is known for his great court vision and passing ability, and is able to get in the lane at will and finish against anyone with either left or right hand. Every team bases their defensive strategy around Bennett and is forced to take create his own shot and take his three point shots off the dribble. He is an excellent shooter, but wants to continue to improve his already respectable 40% three point percentage. Steven is known for having excellent leadership skills, and is highly respected by all of his peers and coaches. He played at Citrus JC (JUCO) from 2007-2009 and then played at  Chaminade (NCAA2). Last summer he also found experience playing for the  Rockingham Flames (Australia-SBL) He played three games with 2013 NBA draft pick Dennis Schroeder last season in the Pro B. He spoke to German Hoops after the 84-82 win against BG Karlsruhe.

Steve congrats on the 84-82 win against BG Karlsruhe? How proud are you of your team that stepped it up with only seven players and without the services of Myles Hesson?

I am very proud of my team, and it was a great win for us. I think that it shows that we have a great amount of toughness to combat any circumstances that we are placed in.

This team strength of staying together and coming up big in crunch time, is that a quality that has grown over the course of the season?

Yes definitely. Being a young team, we gave a couple games up that we thought we should have won early in the season, but knowing it is a long season, we took it all as lessons that we could learn from. Now later in the season, these lessons are paying off. We are still working hard at it to get better every day.

How different is Giessen of a team when Myles Hesson is on the court?

 To be honest, I believe he is the most athletic member in the league. When he is out there, he demands a lot of attention and makes it a lot easier for everyone out there.

You came up big with your best scoring game of 27 points. How difficult is it as a point guard to know when to choose to be the creator or to shift skills and be the scorer?

 I think that is something that I had to learn, and coming to the second half of the season, I am better at recognizing the situations where I need to be more aggressive.

You have had a very solid German Pro A season so far averaging 11,4ppg, 3,5rpg and 2,8apg. How has your game developed over the first three months? You have had some up and down periods which is understandable when coming to a new league?

I think that I had to find my rhythm within the team, and realize that my team really wanted me to be aggressive and take charge. I think me as a point guard with my speed, it is important that I am always aggressive because it continually puts pressure on the other team, and it not only gives myself, but my teammates, easy opportunities to score.

What have you learned from rookie head coach Denis Wucherer and how has he been most beneficial to your development?

He has really taught me how to be a professional. With this only being my second year, I definitely had some things that I had to learn in that regard. He is a player’s coach, and really understands the game and its complexities because he has been in our shoes after having such a great professional basketball career himself.

Which Giessen player has been a kind of unsung hero player in the first half of the season?

Rickey Young comes to mind because he brings a great energy to the game. His game is something that does not show up on the stats sheets, but makes a huge to our team.

The German Pro A is as exciting as ever as the top of the standings are very tight. On what things will Giessen need to improve on even more in the second half of the season?

 We just need to do a better job of closing games. I think the first half of the season, we gave away a couple games due to the inexperience of our young team.

The next game is against BG Goettingen to whom Giessen lost to 88-81. What will be vital for getting revenge this time and winning?

 This team outrebounded us badly, which is all about effort. We were up the whole game, but we gave up a couple key rebounds that changed the momentum of the game.

Who are your NFL picks to reach the 2014 Superbowl with New England Patriots-Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers?

I am going to go to the Denver Broncos because my team, the Saint Louis Rams, are out of the picture. I went to school with Raheem Moore, who plays safety for the Broncos this year.

With all the great quarterback matchups in playoff NFL history, where do you rank the Peyton Manning-Tom Brady duel?

 In my opinion, they are the greatest of all time just because of their rivalry.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Were the Millers.

Thanks for the chat Steve.

Isaiah Swann is a 30 year old 188cm guard from Germantown, Maryland that is playing his second season in Germany for The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig and will be playing in his second consecutive Beko BBL allstar game. He is an athletic, left-handed point guard who is capable of putting up big numbers. He played at Florida State from 2004-2008 and in his senior year played 24 games: 11.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3Pts: 38.8%, FT: 84.0%. In his rookie season in 2008, he played for three teams including Aget Imola (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 15 games: 13.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.1apg, 3.1spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 71.9%; left in Jan.’09, in Feb.’09 moved to Harem Scafati (Italy-Lega2): 1 game: 4pts, 1reb, 2steals, 1block; in March ’09 signed at Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 13 games: 7.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT-3(46.3%), FT: 87.5%. In 2009-2010, he played for Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 27 games: 8.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 81.5%. in 2010-2011 he played for Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League): 3 games: 7.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, in Dec.’10 moved to Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion (Israel-Premier League) playing  24 games: 12.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 84.1%. He was Israeli Premier League Champion in 2010. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) playing  40 games: Score-3(15.8ppg), 2.7rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 85.5%. Last season he played for  Royal Hali Gaziantep Buyuksehir Belediye (Turkey-TBL): 24 games: 13.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 83.8%. He spoke with German Hoops at the 2014 Beko BBL allstar break.

Isaiah, congrats on reaching your second beko BBL Allstar game. How excited are you about taking part at this great event? Thank you so much!! It means a lot to be chosen to participate in the Allstar game.

I am very excited! To be chosen is a great honor and privilege. Being that it is my second selection in two years that I have been here in Germany means a lot to me, only God could be the reason for that!!!

What memories do you have form the 2012 Beko BBL allstar game in Ludwigsburg? Team international won and Heiko Schaffartzik threw ally op passes to Tony Gaffney from the stands.

There are a lot of memories that come to mind when I think about the the all star game. I had a great time. The dunk contest was great. When Heiko threw Gaffeny the lob I thought it was over. Lol

What is the most important thing for you at the 2014 Beko BBL allstar game? To go out and have fun or really go out and give a performance that will forever be remembered by everyone on this day?

I think the most important thing for me at the Allstar game is to ultimately win. I want to go out and have a great performance, but anyone who is able to play in the Allstar game wants the same thing. At the end of the day I just want to win and this goes for when I go back to my team and we start the second half of the season!!

It seems like team international is favorite, but one cant rule out team national. Team national has very capable players. How have you seen the development of German players in the two years since you last played in Ulm?

Yeah the national team is very capable of winning. It will be a fun and challenging game to win, especially with Thorsten as the coach and Per as the point guard. I think the young German players have developed very well in the past two years.

How much are you looking forward to playing against ex teammate Per Guenther? How much has he improved since you played with him in Ulm?

 I am as excited as I was when we played Ulm the first game if the season!! It will be an adrenaline rush to play with Big John and against Per and Thorsten!!

The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig are currently in 11th place with a record of 7-10. How happy have you been with the play of the team and what does the team have to improve to get to the playoffs?

I think we have a good chance to still make the playoffs. I think with the guys we have coming back from injuries and with the team we have, we have shown we can compete with anyone in our league. I think the key for us is to not take anything for granted and we HAVE to get better everyday in practice!!

You are having a great season leading the team in scoring and assists. How has your role changed from your time with Ulm?

Honestly I think my role is pretty much the same, but the fact that we have so many young guys on our team makes be that much more important. I say that because there is a lot much more on my shoulders and I am expected to do more but I try to spread the confidence in my teammates so that is why I think we will succeed!!

You have scored in double figures in every game except putting up the big goose egg against Ludwigsburg in 30 minutes. How tough was it for you to forget this game and move on?

 Honestly I go back once a week and look at it and I think whatever happened that night will not happen again!!

What do you still want to achieve in your personal play in the second half of the season in your play that will help the team reach the playoffs?

 I want to do whatever we have to do to win games. Ultimately this is the main goal and I want to do whatever it takes to do so. With that being said, if I have to sacrifice what I do, I will, I just want to win!!

You have played with many amazing players in Israel and in the NCAA, but where does your current teammate Immanuel Mcelroy rank as a player? I can imagine he is in the top three of best teammates you have ever had?

 You don’t even understand how much Mac and I click out there on the court! He has to be my favorite besides Big John because I feel like he plays the game like I do. We are great compliments to each other and we just read each other. He has a very very high IQ for the game and that makes it easy to play with because it seems like we are thinking the same things at times.

What are your picks to reach the 2014 Superbowl between the New England Patriots-Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks-San Francisco 49ers?

I think it will be the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last DVD movie that I saw was We’re the Millers.

Thanks Isaiah for the chat.