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 next game against TBB Trier

 

A tough 91-72 loss last weekend to the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. SC Rasta Vechta was up by one point at half, but a crushing 29-8 third quarter run sealed the win for them. What were the main reasons for giving up so many points in the third quarter

 

We gave them too many easy looks and on offense we were taking quick shots. They got rolling and we couldn’t stop them.

SC Rasta Vechta was only 2/15 from downtown as you nailed the only SC Rasta Vechta three pointers of the game. The rebounding also suffered a bit as Braunschweig won that 37-31. Are these two areas where the team will focus on this week?

The rebounding didn’t kill us. Defense did. Our focus this week is to maintain our focus on defense for the entire game and playing with intensity.

Isaiah Swann led Braunschweig with 17 points and also was one of the culprits in the third quarter that did much damage. Could one say that that team goes with the flow of Swann? How important is he for the success of that club?

When he gets going its hard to slow him down and other players feed off his confidence.

Seldom does one see a game with so little turnovers. SC Rasta Vechta had eight turnovers which is solid, but Braunschweig had only three turnovers. Was this just an example of a team the Phantoms taking very good care of the ball or less aggressiveness on the part of SC Rasta Vechta on the defensive side?

For me it shows our lack of intensity and ball pressure on defense. We allowed them to move the ball as they pleased.

Ex NBA player William Conroy is with SC Rasta Vechta in a try-out. What has been your first impression of him? Do you too fit well at a 1-2 guard combo or how will it work?

We both are point guards with the ability to score. It gives us another ball handler so I can play off the ball a little more.

Do you remember him in the NBA? What valuable pointers have you been able to take from his game in practice?

His confidence and knowledge of the game are two things I notice right off the back. Very experienced player so I can definitely pick up a thing or two from him.

What are your memories of the big 87-84 win in Trier at the start of the season?

Being down double digits late in the game and making a run to win. Also the heart and toughness we played with.

TBB Trier pounded SC Rasta Vechta on the boards and had some guys hot on an eight man rotation. This is a must win for both teams? What kind of game can we expect and what will be key in getting the win?

This will be a game where Trier will want revenge and for us, we want to show it wasn’t a fluke. Also to be one more game out of regulation.

Have you been watching the Winter Olympics? What events do you like most?

I haven’t been watching much of it but I’ve caught the snowboarding events.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Iceberg Slim.

 

Thanks Richie 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 loss in Dresden

A tough 91-76 loss in Dresden. A long bus ride is always longer after a loss. What was on your mind most after the loss in Dresden as you were sorting your thoughts on the trip home?

Plenty of things were invading my mind on the long train ride back but the one that stood at most to me is why we rebound the ball so poorly. I couldn’t put my finger on it I have to review the game and pin point our mistakes.

Dresden only had a 39-38 lead at halftime. Where there any indications in the play of TV Langen in the first 20 minutes that a lull could occur in the second half?

Im sure everyone figured they would come out aggressive. As a team we were supposed to hold our ground and push ahead but it didnt work out like that

Dresden led by 11 points after three quarters. The German players of Dresden gave them a lot of support in getting this big lead. It seemed like they were getting many easy buckets in the zone. Wasn´t TV Langen to make any defensive adjustments?

Well Coach Thomas wanted to slow down there penetration a bit more heading to the second half he thought the zone would be a better fit under the circumstances of us being short handed and Max and I being in foul trouble, so we dealt with what we could in the zone

Dresden kept their healthy lead in the fourth quarter and never trailed by less than eight points. TV Langen was playing on a small rotation. Did you guys get more tired in the fourth quarter or what were the reasons for not being able to make a run?

The line up he had in at the time was the most uncommon with me at the Center position and four guards. Thomas does this so we can be the fastest and most aggressive on defense but offensively we didn’t have much going on simply because we don’t have any plays designed for that line up

What was it like battling Damon Smith who had a solid game scoring 22 points? He got them going early and was more the go to guy as usual go to guy Andrew Jones had a quiet game with eight points.

Damon Smith can play when he wants to unfortunately for us that day was yesterday. He wasn’t as passive as he usually is and he had great presence of mind to attack me more in the second half because of my foul count situation. Andrew just got back in the line up he was hurt and out for a couple games so we didn’t expect too much from him anyway.

You scored 19 points in 22 minutes and was the most effective TV Langen player and second in the game behind Damon Smith. Do you go back and watch your own games on film the day after?

I usually watch my games and my opponents games to see where I can be more effective and also to get an insight on what we as a team do wrong or not so well. Also try to fix some of these things in practice during the week.

The rebounding result has to be of some concern as Dresden outrebounded TV Langen 44-24. It seems like a real real big man with length is missing. Martins Woody is a work horse and can´t do everything by himself.

This is a reoccurring problem on this team right now we can’t seem to rebound out our spots at the moment and it starts with me. I haven’t rebounded that well the last couple of games I need to do a better job crashing the boards after guarding a perimeter defender.

Even after a loss like that, is there anything positive that you could take out of the game that will motivate you for preparation for the next team Baunach?

The positive is that we know what are emphasis is on Saturday and it has to be rebounding .Hopefully everyone knows the importance of this game and we don’t lose in front of our home crowd. We play well there so I’m sure we will come hungry.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Transformers.

Thanks Jermel for the chat.

Anthony Young is a 24 year old 200cm forward from Indianapolis, Indiana that is playing his second professional season with ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. He started his basketball career in 2008 for  Kankakee CC (JUCO) where he played until 2010. He finished his two last seasons of school at  Ky Wesleyan (NCAA2) an din his senior year played  31 games: 19.7ppg, 7.9rpg, FGP: 49.9%, 3Pts: 40.0%, FT: 84.6%. Last season as a professional rookie he played for BSV Wulfen (Germany-ProB, starting five): 22 games: Score-4(21.1ppg), 8.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 82.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after his huge 39 point effort in a Essen win in Giessen

Anthony congrats on the big 94-72 win in Giessen. Did your German teammates Fabian Franke or Marco Buljevic call you the new Logan Stutz after your amazing 39 point game? Stutz had some big games last season for Essen like you did in Giessen. Did the name Stutz come about in the ride home to Essen?

No I didn’t hear the name Stutz at all. I know who he is from previous conversations about last year’s team but as far as my game high compared to his no. We are two totally different players.

You had a monster game with 39 points. When was the last time that you scored 39 points and where do you rank this game alltime in your basketball career in terms of individual performance?

The last time I scored 30 plus was last season in my rookie year with Wulfen, I would have to rank this as my number one performance. I have been in a zone like this maybe 3 or 4 times in my life where I really just couldn’t miss. In summer tourney’s with other pro’s and a college game. But this is number one so far.

I remember ex NBA player Desmond Ferguson hit seven three pointers in a Frankfurt skyliner win in 2005 where he connected on seven three pointers in Giessen. Your shooting the three very well this season at 47%, but did you ever think that you were capable of making eight three pointers?

I honestly dont think about how many three’s I could make in a game, I guess it kind of just happens. I think it’s going in every time I shoot honestly, it’s a self confidence thing.

You hit your first three pointer at 4.42 of the first quarter. How were you feeling then? How sure were you that this could be a very good scoring day for you?

I have gotten off to good starts in the past in the first half’s of games and then cooled off some in the second half’s but I knew the night was going to be special in the third quarter. The feeling I had was unexplainable! I was in a zone, I wanted the ball so bad and my coach just let me isolate time after time again and it just kept dropping for me.

After a three game losing streak, this was a very big win. What really did you like from the Essen game? Obviously, your 39 points led the way to the win, but basketball is always a team win.

The biggest thing I liked was our team defense, we were really playing well on the defense end and rebounding extremely well. This was our best defense performance of the season!

The ETB Baskets rebounded very well winning the battle 37-27. How proud were you of Michael Fakuade who helped you out getting nine rebounds?

Mike always rebounds well for us, so honestly it was nothing new, we expect Mike to rebound well and block shots. That’s just what he does.

What has been your early impression of Diego Kaplen? He chipped in 14 points and had five assists. Is he the missing link to the team that could make a run in the second half of the season?

I like Diego and what he brings to our team, he gives us more of a scoring threat so that really helps me and Chris out on the offensive end. He is exactly what we were missing. Also he is a very good passer as well and can really see the floor.

You tore up the German Pro B last season and this season you are having a very respectable Pro A season having scored in double figures 17 times. Does a game like this give you an added spec of self confidence that you can make the next step?

This game gives me a bigger boost of confidence for sure, I would be lying if I said it didn’t, Im already looking forward to the next game just so I can get back out there. It’s a really good feeling.

After a game like this, could you think about a change in your role on the team or will you keep doing your thing helping with scoring and rebounding?

No, my role won’t change, that’s why I like playing for Igor so much because he know’s that I am, capable of having games like I did against Giessen. But I just haven’t played up to my standards for the majority of the season scoring wise. Individually these are all career lows for me. But Igor want’s me being aggressive and gives me the green light to go, it’s just on me weather i’m making shots or not.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last DVD movie I saw was Insidious chapter 2, which is a horror movie. Horror and comedy are my favorite films to watch in my spare time.

Thanks Anthony for the chat.

David Pruett is a 24 year old 190 cm guard from Gainsville, Georgia that is on  atry out basis with German Beko BBL team SC Rasta Vechta. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Armstrong Atlantic (NCAA2) where he palyed until 2010. He played the last three seasons for  Lander (NCAA2) and as a senior played  26 games: 16.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 38.4%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 83.5%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been PeachBelt Tournament Semifinals -09, and PeachBelt All-Academic Team -12. He spoke to German Hoops about his new basketball adventure in Germany

 

David thanks for talking to eurobasket.com again. Congrats on the 73-58 win against Leipzig. Was the win as easy as the score indicates?

The deciding factor in the win over Leipzig was the big run we had in the third quarter. However, Leipzig was short handed so we took advantage of that with our size advantage.

You had five points, couldn´t find your range from outside going 0/4, but you hustled down six rebounds including three offensive rebounds. How much pride do you take in rebounding?

Yea it was a tough shooting night, on nights were the shot isn’t falling I look for other areas where I can help the team, weather it be defense, leadership or rebounding. I take pride in every aspect of the game as long as it helps us win.

You have played five games and the team has given up only an average of 58 points in the last two games. What improvements and adjustments has the team done in the last two games on the defensive side?

Well, Coach has really done a good job focusing on team defense during training. The team is buying in and taking pride on the defensive end. Defense is all about understanding position and when to help. Everything else is just heart and effort. I believe the team is putting more effort and heart on the defensive end. Its a lot of fun when we do that.

How much fun is it playing with Martins Woods and Jermel Kennedy? What things do you appreciate the most from their games?

It is fun playing with them because they are complete opposite. Martinis does a great job getting position deep in the post early and making it easy for him to score. While Jermel scores in a variety of ways. He uses his athletic ability and his basketball IQ very well.

Sebastian Barth like yourself is a very good shooter. Barth has been with TV Langen with the exception with a short stay in Nurnberg his whole career. Is he one of those players where you instantly listen to his words of wisdom during games and in practice?

Sebastian is a great leader on the team. He has helped my transition to the team. Sebastian’s has the ability to make others around him better, many people don’t see that right away. Its a hidden talent of his that helps the team play at a high level. He is a team first guy and plays with a lot of heart. I enjoy going to battle with him.

You had a short stay with Beko BBL team SC Rasta Vechta before coming to Langen. What during this short stay helped you the most on the court that you have been able to use on the court?

The Rasta Vechta stay was wonderful. It gave me an idea of where I needed to improve physically and with my skills. Coach Elzie is a great coach who I would love to have another chance to play for. He helped me understand what I needed to work at on the basketball court. I have been keeping up with Rasta the whole season and wish them well.

Currently you are only averaging 16,4 minutes per game. Are you content with your role and minutes and do you see them being increased in the last months?

With the ProB rules of only allowing two imports on the court at once, I knew coming in that I wasn’t going to get many minutes right away. Plus I joined TV Langen mid season when they already had a solidified lineup with Woody and Jermel in the post. I know my role on the team. To help the team with some scoring off the bench, increase the defensive pressure off the bench and compete every minute I’m on the court. Coming off the bench is a role I have never played. This is great experience as I believe it will just help me improve.

What has been the easiest adjustment on and off the court as well the most difficult adjustment in Germany for you?

Easiest has been on the defensive end. The most difficult has been on the offensive end on when and where to take the right shot or make the right pass. I improve every game on that part of the court. It just comes with experience.

With only a few months left in the season, what are your main goals to achieve with TV Langen on the court?

We are playing every game as if it was our last. We are fighting to get a good position in the playoffs. Once we get to the playoffs anything can happen.

Who wins a one on one in practice you or German Filmore Beck?

Whoever has the ball last wins. Every time we play its back and forth. He is an awesome talent on the court. He is working hard on improving his overall game.

If someone had told you before Super bowl 48 that Seattle would cream Denver the way they did would you have believed them?

I wouldn’t! I honestly thought Denver was going to win. But in my heart I was pulling for the Seahawks as I am a big fan of their head coach Pete Carroll. He has a coaching method that hopefully one day I will be able to bring to the basketball court.

Were you surprised how badly Denver lost and how much of a dent does this loss put on the Peyton Manning vita in terms of being a choker in big games?

I am surprised. Just as everyone else is! This definitely puts a dent on Manning’s legacy. Its not an argument anymore. Tom Brady is better than Peyton Manning.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Escape Plan.

 

Thanks David for the chat.

 

Blake Poole is a 25 year old 195cm center that is playing his first season with RheinLand Versicherungen Hertener Lions (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career in 2007 with St.Martin’s (NCAA2) where he played until 2011. In his senior year he played 29 games: 19.3ppg, 11.6rpg, 2.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 54.7%, 3Pts: 28.9%, FT: 73.5%. In 2011, he started his professional basketball career with Bellingham Slam (IBL) left during the season: 17 games: 12.5ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.3% and then played for BG Dorsten (Germany-ProB) playing  26 games: 14.9ppg, Reb-1(12.9rpg), 2.8apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 70.1%. Last season he played for  Bellingham Slam (IBL): 20 games: 18.7ppg, 13.2rpg, 4.1apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 80.4%
and for BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-ProB), injured in pre-seaon, in Oct.’12 moved to BG Dorsten (Germany-ProB): 10 games: 14.7ppg, 14.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 79.4%. He spoke to German Hoops before the next game against Hannover.

 

Herten suffered a tough 99-86 loss last weekend to Wolfenbuettel. This was a game that Wolfenbuettel controlled despite having only a six man rotation. How much did this loss hurt and take to digest?

 It was a tough loss for us as a whole, but they played well and had players step up. We knew we made mistakes and look to correct them.

Herten were led by their three Americans while Wolfenbuettel had four players in double figures including two Germans and a Canadian. What were the main reasons for the loss.

 I think the main reason for the lost was going out of the structure. When we played to our strengths we made good runs in the game, but once we deviated from the structure we were unsuccessful.

Herten has averaged giving up 98 points in the current two game losing streak. Has the team been losing track of their defensive principles?

 I don’t think we have lost track of the principles. I think we need to just take more pride on defense and be a lot more consistent.

Despite the loss you had a monster game with 32 points and 16 rebounds. Is there any way you can enjoy a performance like that even after losing the game?

It’s really not something to be that happy about if you don’t get the win. I would rather score zero points, grab zero rebounds and get the win any day.

You are currently averaging 20,3ppg and 12,5rpg this season for Herten. You are nearly averaging 3,0apg and 2,0spg. Is there any point in your game that isn´t appealing to you at the moment?

 Right now I just want to work on being a better defensive player and staying active the whole game. I like the direction my game is heading, but I definitely have room to grow.

Currently Herten has a record of 7-10 and in ninth place. What does the team have to do now to turn the season around and start a new winning streak?

We have to come together and play to our strengths, stay positive and play team defense.

The next game is against Hannover. What memories do you have form the 89-78 loss on the road?

 I remember that they are a physical and talented team.

In the loss to Hannover they had six guys in double figures and easily won the rebounding. How important will be support on the boards for you against Hannover?

Very important as much as I like rebounds, I cannot grab them all. I will always need the support of my teammates.

How proud are you of the Seahawks and did you do your own victory dance after the Seattle Sea Hawks Superbowl win or did you celebrate quietly in Herten?

 Oh yea I loved watching the Seahawks win the championship in the fashion that they did. I definitely was jumping up for the many good plays for the Hawks, just like the rest of the 12th man.

What for you was the big Superbowl story of 2014?

It just supported the quote. “Offense wins games, defense wins championships.”

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last DVD I saw was Next Friday.

Thanks Blake for the chat.

 

Michael Fakuade is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Chicago, Illinois that also has the NIgerian citizenship and is playing his second professional basketball season with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. He just completed his rookie season for UBC Hannover playing 15 games: 15.2ppg, Reb-5(10.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1(2.8bpg), FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 67.6%. he started his basketball career in 2007 for  N.Illinois (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing 54 NCAA games. He then changed to play for  Ill.-Springfield (NCAA2). He played a total of 45 NCAA 2 games and as a senior played  24 games: 14.5ppg, RebNCAA2-6(11.0rpg), BlocksNCAA2-2(3.5bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 3-6, FT: 56.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the next game against Giessen.

 

 

A tough 83-73 loss last weekend to NBC. NBC controlled the game and Essen couldn´t turn it around in the second half. What was key for getting the win?

 

We did not take care of the ball .We gave them too many easy buckets in transition.

33year old Bingo Merriex had a solid game with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists. What was your impression of the forward who still seems to have game in his legs?

I thought he was very solid; he did exactly what they needed him to do. He did not force the action and made plays when he needed to.

Last week Diego Kapelan was signed and he responded with 25 points. Is he the player that could turn the season around and what do you like most about his game?

Diego brings another scoring punch to our backcourt, as well as another ball hander. I think he can really help us turnaround the season around.

Essen is riding a three game losing streak and has a less than satisfactory 7-10 record. How much has consistency been a big problem this season for the team especially in crunch time?

I think that we are still trying to figure out how to close out games. We are in every game, but we can’t seem to get over that hump.

You are currently averaging 9,3ppg and 7,7rpg. Your rebounding work is very solid, but your scoring is down. Is a goal besides winning to demand more shots on the court?

Of course my main focus is to win Games. But I do think I need to focus on being more aggressive on the offensive end.

The next game is against the Giessen 46ers. What memories do you have from the 74-67 loss earlier in the season?

To be honest that game was so long ago I really do not remember it too much. I just know that we need to come out hungry and play as hard as we can to get the win.

In that loss, Brit Myles Hesson scored 18 points, but is injured now. What kind of game can we await and what will be key to getting revenge this time?

It will be a very hard fought game. I think the key to this game is to take care of the ball and not give them easy buckets. If we do that we should be fine.

Were you surprised how Seattle totally blew away the Denver Broncos and what was your Superbowl moment of 2014?

I was a little surprised, but Seattle had the number one defense. Defense really does win Championships. I have yet to experience a Super Bowl moment.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Ride Along.

 

Thanks Michael fort he chat.