When you look back at the rosters of the Frankfurt Skyliners between the seasons of 2007-2010, you will come across players that one never saw again in action playing for another German Beko BBL team like an Adam Emmenckar, Jimmie Hunt, Greg Jenkins, Dragan Labovic or Seth Doliboa. The list grows however when you list the names of guys that one saw play again since their stay in Frankfurt with guys like Jimmy Mckinney, Konrad Wysocki, Anthony King, or a Dominik Bahiense De Mello. There are even a few guys that changed jerseys more than once like a Koko Archibong who played in towns like Giessen, Bayreuth and Munich or even a Max Weber who really might have had a rebate on Regio trains in Germany as he was shuffling all over the place from Giessen to Kaiserslautern, to Goettingen or to Ludwigsburg and now is closer to home playing with SC Rasta Vechta. But if one had to choose one player that one has the most affection for when seeing him dazzle the paint area even in a strangers uniform then it is Mr ballerina Derrick Allen. He also has changed uniforms more than once in the Beko BBL since his last season in Frankfurt in 2009-2010. His last game was the bitter last second loss to the Brose Baskets Bamberg in game 5 of the 2010 finals. Since then he went for the money in the twilight of his career playing for Alba Berlin form 2010-2012 and last season in Belgium for Belgacom Spirou (Belgium-Ethias League). He is known as being one of the hardest workers in the game of basketball and in his time with the Frankfurt Skyliners was the go to guy playing a total of 148 games for the 2004 BBL champion. He was second in league scoring in 2008 and was just a delight to watch and one of those guys when asked why you came out to the arena saying to watch Derrick Allen play. His trademark was his unconventional, overhasty moves that at times looked like a factory worker stumbling to punch out at 4.30 in the afternoon to get over to the bar to join the boys. He may be 33 and is his twilight of his career, but he can still be a force as he has formed a solid forward punch with Brian Harper with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He was back again at the office dueling against his ex coach Gordon Herbert who he had as coach in Frankfurt and Berlin, but couldn´t put a dent in the explosive Andy Rautins Show as the Fraport Skyliners snapped their two game losing streak 88-72. Allen was sold again in his third game scoring 13 points, grabbing five rebounds and finding the open man from the post with two assists. Brian Harper who was a force last season with TBB Trier and is 5 years younger than Allen scored only two points and is always able to learn something from the Alabama native. D.A is the ultimate professional. He plays hard every minute in practice and game. It is awesome to watch him play and I can still learn from him and get better. It is an honor to play with him. He is a great captain”, added Bremerhaven forward Brian Harper. Allen was playing a lot of center in the game and Skyliner Jacob Burtschi was glad he didn´t have to be perplexed by his ballerina moves. “He works so hard and I am happy that I didn´t have to guard him. He makes you play and never takes any possessions off. I have a lot of respect for him”, added Jacob Burtschi. After the loss Bremerhaven head coach Calvin Oldham had little mimic in his expression, but when he heard the name Derrick Allen, his face lit up as bright as the New York skyline. “As a professional, Derrick is at the top of the list. There are always guys you like to be around no matter their talent. I always feel like he says and does the right ting at every moment”, lauded Bremerhaven head coach Calvin Oldham.
Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Allen And Harper Aren´t Bremerhaven Real Estate, But Their Basketball Foundation For The Eisbaeren Success
A phenomenal thing about basketball is besides being able to use actor´s Billy´s Crystal´s favorite word marvelous is that the Beko BBL never gets old or tedious as each season as there are so many wonderful new things to get excited about like the life of the famous American celebrity family Kardashian where daily surprises could be their middle name. It is no different in the Beko BBL as each new season you can go down the board and check each team and see new exciting beginings like with Alba Berlin where youth being in the spotlight was never usual, but this season the club are holding onto players Johannes Wolfarth-Bottermann, Ismet Akpinar, Bar Timor and Akeem Vargas for a combined 12 years. Or in Munich where the club has possibly the best put together roster of all time in the beko BBl where there isn´t a 12th man bus driver, but each player could start for any other Beko BBl team. Other exciting things happening in the league is the return of diminutive point guard David Holston to Artland, new team Rasta Vechta or the Fraport Skyliners who could be called the German Skyliners. After the less than satisfactory season of Bremerhaven last season, the club is begging for new success and could have the best position four tandem in the league with Derrick Allen and Brian Harper. They sound like an American real estate company, but really are the basketball foundation for Eisbaeren Success this season. Out with the old and in with the new can only be described in that they are new to the team, but in their case being 28 and over 30 hasn´t hurt their production at all yet. What do you get when you pair a hectic ballerina dancer and roadrunner meeting on a deserted road in the desert of Arizona ? You get a mix of Derrick Allen and Brian Harper. Derrick Allen is finally back in Germany after spending last season in Belgium with : Belgacom Spirou playing 28 games averaging 10.4ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 56.7%, FT: 65.1%; EuroCup: 5 games: 12.4ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 76.9%. This will be his ninth season in the Beko BBL after stops in Karlsruhe, Leverkusen where he won the scoring title in 2007, Frankfurt and Berlin. 33 year old Allen has dazzled fans in Germany for years with his unique style of play in the zone where his side steps and spins are as lethal as his mid distance jumper. He has been a scorer all his life and will continue to be a scoring option under head coach Calvin Oldham. Harper is a 28 year old 206cm forward that is playing his second season in the Beko BBL. Last season he played for TBB Trier playing 33 games: 11.0ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 60.3%. His legs look like chicken legs and has a first step that can leave any defender looking for his jock strap. Last season he dazzled observers with his nonstop flights to the rim and could get the Eisbaeren cage heated up early before the first snow drops. It will be interesting to see how Oldham uses his two lethal weapons at the forward position. One thing is for sure, there will never be a dull moment on the court when one of them is playing.
Last season the Eisbaeren had as usual a very formidable roster on paper and had a solid first half, but totally fell apart in the second half losing too teams they should of beat and just had no team chemistry and there were talks of rifts in the team. The team finished in 12th place with a record of 15-19 and missed the playoffs for a second straight seasons and the yearning of having the Jeff Gibbs, Lou Campbell or Andrew Drevo winner types is something that fans will never forget. Consistency was a big factor last season for the unsuccessful season despite home wins against FC Bayern Munich and the Brose Baskets Bamberg which helped carry one or the another fans into the dog days of summer with sweet memories. But what better way then to go into their 10th year anniversary with a season to forget with highlights and a playoffs appearance? The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven entered the Beko BBL in 2005 reached three consecutive playoffs, two Top 4 cup appearances and two semi final playoff showings.
Bremerhaven manager Jan Ratjen who is more of a reserved person when observing him in arena´s is hungry for success again and did a house cleaning bringing in new coach Calvin Oldham who coached in the Alba Berlin system back in 2005 and had been coach in Korea the last six years winning the title in 2009 and coached Brian Harper then. The team let go of nine players and kept German national player Philipp Zwiener, sharp shooter Stefon Jackson and young German talents Jusuf E l Domiaty that developed well under ex coach Doug Spradley and Bazoumana Kone. The club brought in very experienced players Derrick Allen and Brian Harper. The rest of their new Americans Devin Searcy, Darius Adams and Angelo Sharpless don’t have more than three years of professional experience combined. German Nick Schneiders developed well in Braunschweig, but is no where near done with reaching his potential as is young Lithuvanian Adas Juskevicious. Young Germans like Jeferey Martin, Helge Baus and jonathan Malu round out the roster as these three will also play for their cooperation partner. The club has an average age of 24,3 years and a player like Derrick Allen will be the prefect role model for the young guns as there is no harder worker in the Beko BBL then the Gadsen native. Back when Allen was in his second season as a professional after being a rookie and top scorer of the Iceland league, he came to Karlsruhe as a still unfinished player in his development and learned from top scorer of the German league in 2005 Narcisse Ewodo. Now he has the role of Ewodo in Bremerhaven. Oldham has put together an athletic team and wants to use that to his advantage and play flashy and defend aggressive leading to easy points on the break. In the set play you wont find a better scorer than Derrick Allen and with some height and strength at the center position open it up for their shooters like Jackson. The club hasn´t always had fortune at the point guard position so it will be interesting to see how Darius Adams develops in the Beko BBL. Their youth could be their weakness this season as they may have too little experience in spots. The x factor this season could be Philipp Zwiener. The team has strong Americans, but will desperately need the consistency of Zwiener on the offensive end to give the team depth.
Since The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven entered the BBL in 2005-2006, they have had some interesting battles with The Skyliners. Bremerhaven have had the number of Frankfurt in the first four season posting a 6-3 record. In the first two seasons, Bremerhaven totally dominated Frankfurt with a 4-0 record. Who could forget the stunning 89-88 Bremerhaven win in their first meeting ever in the fall of 2005 as Brian Jones won the game with a buzzer beater. The Eisbaeren won the return date in Bremerhaven 94-78 as ex Skyliner Nino Garris played one of his few good games for Frankfurt dropping 20 points. However in the 2007-2009 seasons, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have had a positive record of 3-2 and were 2-2 at home. The curious thing is that the two games at home were decided by one point. In the 2007-2008 season, Frankfurt lost 82-81 in the Ballsporthalle and last season Frankfurt nipped Bremerhaven 66-65 with 16 points and 11 rebounds from ex Skyliner Lorenzo Gordon. In the 2009-2010 season, both clubs played seven games including five games in the playoffs. Frankfurt won the season series 4-3 last season posting a 2-1 record in the Ballsporthalle and posting a 2-2 record in Bremerhaven. The two wins at home remain unforgettable as Frankfurt won the season game 70-69 as Pascal Roller led the charge with 15 points and game two 84-83 as Aubrey Reese poured in 18 points. In the 2010-2011, Frankfurt won 81-66 at home as Dashaun Wood and AJ Moye led the charge with 19 points a piece and they also won in Bremerhaven 71-56 as Dashaun Wood had a Lebron James type game with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Since the Eisbaeren entered the Beko BBL in 2005, the series between both teams has the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven with the 11-10 advantage. In the first meeting in the 2011-2012 season, the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven came to Frankfurt winning 63-55. Torrell Martin hit some big shots leading his team with 19 points. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Justin Gray and Jermareo Davidson with 14 points a piece. In the second game in Bremerhaven, the Fraport Skyliners lost 76-70 thanks to a strong 28 point second quarter sparked by a 25 point Anthony Smith night in which the Skyliners couldn´t recover from. Jimmy Mckinney led the Fraport Skyliners with 16 points and Tim Ohlbrecht and Devin Gibson added 12 points a piece. In the first meeting last season, the Eisbaeren came away with a 74-68 win as ex Skyliner Jacob Burtschi led the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds. A strong fourth quarter and 41 rebounds helped pave the way for Bremerhaven. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Ted Scott with 17 points and Zach peacock with 14 points points. In the return game in Frankfurt, the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven losing 86-73. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Dawan Robinson with 17 points while Ryan brooks added 16 points. The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven were led by Stanley Burrell with 19 points.
The Fraport Skyliners will take their 0-2 record to Bremerhaven and be looking for their first win while the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven are returning home with a 1-1 record and 40 point thrashing in ULM. Both teams will be on a mission and wanting to prove something. Jacob Burtschi will be returning to his ex team and knows that the game will be a fight. “We will be pumped for this game as well as Bremerhaven who will have a short memory after their loss in Ulm. Both teams need a win and it will be a tough game”, stressed Fraport Skyliner forward Jacob Burtschi.
The club not only held on to Derrick Allen and Brian Harper, but also Stefan Jackson who is playing hiss second season with Bremerhaven. He is a 28 year old 196cm guard from Philadelphia that played at UTep and finished career as UTEP and Conference USA’s all-time leading scorer with 2,456 points. His defense and mid distance shooting is his weapons as is his experience having played in Turkey and Belgium. Philipp Zwiener is a 28 year old 201cm forward that is playing his season in Bremerhaven. He started his basketball career with TSV Lesum-Bremen (2Bundealiga) in 2002. He played with Alba Berlin from 2005-2010 winning a league title and cup. He played at TBB Trier from 2010-2012. Last season for Bremerhaven he played 34 games: 9.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 81.3%. Oldham will use him as a mismatch whenever possible. Darius Adams is a 24 year old 182 cm point guard from Decatur, Illinois. He was one of the best players in Division II in his college career. Unlike most high-profile guys, Adams has been through the struggles. He went from being a bench player for the Generals to a two-year college before becoming the nation’s seventh-best scorer in division two. So far in his short career he has gotten around as a rookie playing in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic and last season for Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih (Ukraine-Superleague, starting five): 14 games: 19.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 5.1apg, 1.9spg, 2FGP: 49.2%, 3FGP: 36.1%, FT: 79.0%, in Apr.’13 moved to Entente Orleans 45 (France-ProA, starting five): 4 games: 6.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.5spg. He is an athletic point guard that is tough to stop in the one against one. He still needs experience and it will be interesting if he can lead the offense?
Devin Searcy is a 24 year old 208cm power forward from Romulus, Michigan that is entering his third season as a professional. He played at Dayton with NBA player and ex Bamberg star Brian Roberts. After a solid rookie season for Toyama Grouses (Japan-BJ League) 45 games: 13.8ppg, Reb-5(10.8rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 55.6%, FT: 62.2%, he got a 2012 Summer League invite by the Philadelphia 76ers and was close to sticking to the team. Last season he played for Triumph Lyubertsy (Russia-PBL): 5 games: 5.6ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP: 59.1%, FT: 40.0%, 3.1rpg, 3.4rpg, FGP: 51.4%, FT: 72.2%. He is a very physical player that likes to go where it hurts most. Adas juskevicius is a 24 year old 194 cm swingman. He played for top club B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (LKL) the last two seasons and last year played VTB League: 25 games: 4.6ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.2apg; Euroleague: 13 games: 2.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.0apg; Lithuanian LKL: 19 games: 7.7ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.4apg, FGP-2(73.7%), 3PT-2(53.6%), FT: 60.0%. He is a quick player with a lot of talent that will help in the shooting department. Jusuf El Domiaty is a 22 year old 189cm guard that is playing his second season with Bremerhaven. He started his basketball career in 2006 for SG FT/MTV Braunschweig (2.Bundesliga). He played 29 Beko BBL games for Braunschweig. Last season for Bremerhaven he played 15 games averaging 3,5ppg. His best agmes were a 11 point performance against ratiopharm Ulm and 10 points against Giessen. He can always hurt you with his timely shooting something he showed last season. Nick Schneiders is 29 and has the distinction of being the biggets player in the league at 221cm. He played the last three seasons in Braunschweig playing a total of 97Beko BBL games and was able to improve hiss coring each season. Last season he played 32 games: 5.1ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP-3(67.4%), FT: 60.9%. he had 13 points against Wurzburg and 12 points against Bayreuth. Angelo Sharpless is a 23 year old 193cm guard that is a rookie that played at Elizabeth City (NCAA2). In his rookies eason he played 28 games: 20.5ppg, 8.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 77.8%. He played at Elisabeth City with ex Artland Dragon Anthony Hilliard. How well he can get used to the European style will be interesting to see. Bazoumana kone is a 19 year old 190cm guard that followed Julius Jenkins is cutting his hair. He has been in the Bremerhaven system since 2011 after starting his career at Bramfelder SV Hamburg junior team. He is very quick and has a big future. Lasts eason he had five points against Braunschweig. Jonathan Malu is a 20 year old 198cm forward from Congo that was born in Wiesbaden. He came to Bremerhaven in 2010 after playing for the Cologne and Rhondorf junior teams. He is your typical robust 198cm player that fights for every rebound. Jefery Martin is playing his first season for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven after last season playing for : BSG Bremerhaven (2.Regionalliga): 13 games: 7.5ppg. He is a young point guard that will gain valuable experience each day practicing with the Beko BBL team. Helge Baus is a 19 year old 205cm forward that is a big talent from the year 1994. He played the last two seasons with BSG Bremerhaven (2.Regionalliga) and now makes the jump to the Beko BBL team. He moves well for his height and can shoot. His development will be interesting to observe in the next years.
An Early Rickey Paulding Shooting Clinic And Big Third Quarter Spark The EWE Baskets Oldenburg Past the Fraport Skyliners 72-63
If there are two things that Beko BBL fans and opponents can remember most about Florida native Julius Jenkins who is starting his eighth season in the Beko BBL and second with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg is his explosiveness and unlimited range of shooting which has dominated the league since years and can be compared to the shooting of Kyle Korver in the last years in the NBA. The other is his extremely noticeable rasta braids which was like an institution since he entered the league with Alba Berlin in 2006. The only thing missing at times on the court after hitting a three to win a game was that slick Milli Vanilli dance which would have fit perfectly to his extra ordinary appearance on the court. For some it may have been a shock this preseason when the EWE Baskets Oldenburg released first photos of Julius Jenkins with shaven hair where one could actually notice his ears which really stood out. Some may have wondered if Oldenburg had picked up a new player. Jenkins now was making competition with Mr Oldenburg Rickey Paulding who has been sporting that type of look for years after having more hair at the start of his Oldenburg tenure. After winning titles in Berlin and Bamberg and getting so close with Oldenburg last season reaching the final, the 2008 finals MVP might have wanted to make a change as some kind of good luck charm. It definitely took some getting used to watching Jenkins run up and down the court with less hair, but he was still his old self dropping shots as if there was no tomorrow. His teammate Ricky Paulding stole him the limelight with his crazy shooting clinic in the first half helping 2009 Beko BBl champion EWE Baskets Oldenburg to the comfortable 72-63 win against the Fraport Skyliners. Jenkins might not have had a 20 point game, but came from the bench with five points support and help under the boards with five rebounds and two assists. His new look is something to still get used to even if he is still the same player on the court. “He had told me last summer that he would cut his hair. I didn´t believe it until he sent me a picture. It was weird at first with his new look and change, but no matter what he looks like, you know what you get from him. When he gets hot, he is hard to stop”, commented Ex Purdue guard Chris Kramer. His teammate Italian Andrea Crosariol saw fotos of him before and had the perfect comparisons For Jenkins. “He looked like Bob Marley before, but now looks like the brother of Paulding”, smiled Crosariol. “We are used to his look now. He is always Julius. We are used to it”, stated 2004 Detroit Pistons draft pick. One guy who can always tell it like it is Fraport Skyliner Jacob Burtschi who sees advantages to the new Jenkins. “He looks younger and more clean cut. He is just a stud”,a dded Jacob Burtschi.
Cedric Brooks (If You Are Not First Then You Are Last)
Cedric Brooks is a 32 year old 185cm guard that was born in Frankfurt, Germany and grew up in Texas. He has been a professional basketball player for 10 years. He started his basketball career at Pittsburg St. (NCAA2) and in his senior year played 28 games: 20.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.9apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3Pts: 30.0%, FT: 82.4%. He started his professional basketball career in 2003 and in his first two seasons played in some Spanish summer leagues, in the WBA and in mexico. In 2005 he came to Germany and has played here most of his career. He played for Nordlingen from 2005-2007 and in his second season led the German second Bundesliga in scoring playing 30 games: Score-1(24.9ppg), 2.9rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-2(3.4spg), 2FGP: 59.4%, 3FGP: 35.1%, FT: 82.4%. In 2007-2008, he played for Saint Vallier Basket Dr쎴me (France-ProB): 11 games: 9.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.5apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 39.1%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 72.0%, left the team for medical reasons, played shortly at Correcaminos UAT Victoria (Mexico-LNBP, starting five): 3 games: 10.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.3apg, 3.0spg, in Feb.’08 joined Atomeromu SE Paks (Hungary-A Division): 8 games: 10.8ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.0apg. In 2008-2009 he played for FC Bayern Muenchen (Germany-ProA, starting five): 23 games: 15.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-5(2.0spg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 76.5%. He played for the Kirchheim Knights from 2009-2013 playing a total of 112 games. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Thanks Cedric for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and what are you doing?
Hello Miles. I am currently in Texas. Working out with some Austin Toros of the NBA Developmental League and also working at a car dealership for a little extra money until I can find an offer to come back to Europe.
How was your summer? What was the coolist experience that you had in the last months in the States?
My summer was great, I had the chance to see some old friends and go to a wedding. I also went to Orlando to work out with some teams. The coolest experience was being around friends and family, being able to travel and play basketball without any stress or worries.
They Aren´t Saying It, But The EWE Baskets Oldenburg Have Title Aspirations Plastered In Their Minds
The last time the EWE Baskets Oldenburg sipped and enjoyed the taste of sweet champagne winning their first and only Beko BBl title, FC Bayern Munich hulk John Bryant was a house hold name at Santa Clara registering 18 and 14 stats in his senior year, ex Fraport Skyliner Lorenzo Gordon was active in his first tour of duty in the Beko BBL and it wasn´t always easy to see who could smile wider him or his cousin Jimmy Mckinney and Chris Fleming had just completed his rookie campaign in Bamberg with no titles and was at the start of building that four peat. Oldenburg did have some severe lady luck and basketball god looking over their shoulder beating the Telekom Baskets Bonn in a series that seemed almost lost in 2009. However basketball can be a weird sport at times and in the end all that matters is how the ball rolls. It took Predrag Krunic two years to build a champion after coming on board in 2007 for the departed Don Beck. In those two years, Krunic was able to bring continuity into the club rapidly by holding important players and practicing that great mix of American and Baltic basketball. After the title followed three less than satisfactory seasons where Oldenburg got worse each season. They were the best team in the 2009-2010 season finishing the regular season in first place, but couldn´t achieve anything in the playoffs losing unexpectedly to the future new Oldenburg head coach Sebastian Machowski and the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. In 2010-2011, they finished in fifth place after the regular season, but lost early again in the playoffs and in 2012 didn´t even reach the playoffs. It seemed like the air in the Oldenburg balloon had left as quickly as do German national players under Joachim Low who don´t perform well and never return. It seemed like that last team under Krunic had been put together wrong, as team chemistry was never built and the fire in the thunderbird had been doused by a north sea rain fall that had fallen upon the city. After one season under Sebastian Machowski, it seems like Oldenburg CEO Herman Schuller has done everything correct. The success came a lot quicker than most might have thought as the team reached the Beko BBL final last season being swept by Bamberg, but in three hard fought games where a few possessions here and there could have given Oldenburg a win or two and then who knows what could of happened. One never wants to get too confident, but the team performance by Oldenburg last season was no fluke. The Beko BBL gets more competitive each season, but why can´t Oldenburg stop the four peat of Bamberg this season. It is the second season of Machowski and it was the second season where Krunic took Oldenburg to the winners circle. Machowski has done something that usually gives winning teams the edge in the playoffs by keeping most of its players and keeping the team chemistry intact. Bamberg has been doing it for years and the formula for titles keeps giving additional hardware for Chris Fleming. Oldenburg have the talent on paper, experience and heart to win it all this season. There possibly are not two more experienced American Beko BBL players on the same team than Detroit native Ricky Paulding and Julius Jenkins. Paulding may have the biggest basketball heart in the league and Jenkins the work ethic that many players strive to have. It will be interesting to see how the season develops for the club as they will pull out some wins against Bamberg, Alba Berlin and FC Munich. If many things do come together and the club is still playing basketball in June then anything is possible and they could possibly be the first team ever to win titles in two different buildings standing side by side.
Medi Bayreuth Survive The Brick Battle As Brian Qvale Leads The Charge Past The Fraport Skyliners 74-67
The last time the Fraport Skyliners played an official game, FC Bayern Munich still wasn´t crowned Champions League winner they weren´t fretful at all of the chances of Borussia Dortmund to upset them, tennis ace Andy Murray was probably still having numerous Wimbeldon dreams of winning and Lebron James was pulling an Eddie Murphy from Beverly Hills Cop babling “lalalala I cant hear you” to any doubters about him ever being able to repeat as NBA champion which he did. All these events occurred after April 27th the last official game of the Fraport Skyliners in the 2012-2013 season as they had to win on the last game day to stay in the league and did putting the Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg in their place with a huge home victory. Fans now had to wait more than five months to get the ball bouncing again and the Fraport Skyliners didn´t have an easy place to start the new 2013-2014 season as they had to play at medi bayreuth one of the nastiest and loudest arenas in the Beko BBL. Since Bayreuth has returned to the Beko BBL, Frankfurt has a 1-2 record in the Oberfrankenhalle and even lost three years ago with a monster game by 2011 MVP Dashaum Wood who proclaimed the arena one of the loudest that he has played in Europe. The Fraport Skyliners opened the new season in Bayreuth losing a tough defensive battle that was dominated by bricks in the first half from both teams as neither could hit the ocean and as always a very loud crowd that made life difficult for the Fraport Skyliners. “It was an ugly first half for both teams. There are days where shots fall and days where they don´t. Nobody could any shots into the ocean and both teams were standing on the beach”, smiled ex Bamberg forward Beckham Wyrick. One of the match winners of the game was Brian Qvale who was gleaming after the game when asked about the home crowd. “I like the home crowd fans. It was a great atmosphere and they helped us the whole game. I am looking forward to playing all home games this season”, added Brian Qvale. “Even though it was an ugly game, our fans were always behind us. WE defended very hard and we don´t care if the game is pretty or ugly, but that in the end we get a win”, stressed medi Bayreuth guard Simon Schmitz.
Jay Threat(MLP Academics Heidelberg) I Get A Lot Of Rebounds And Start My Fast Breaks That Way Just Like Rajon Rondo
Jay Threat is a 24 year old 180cm point guard from Richmond, Virginia that is playing his second professional season and first in germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg. He started his basketball career with George Mason and then transefered to Delaware State where he played from 2009-2012 an din his senior year played 26 games: 8.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 6.0apg, Steals-1(3.0spg), FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 26.4%, FT: 82.1%. He played a total of 89 NCAA games. Last season as a rookie he played for Ungmennafelagio Snaefell (Iceland-Dominos League): 28 games: 18.5ppg, 5.3rpg, Assists-1(8.9apg), 1.9spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 77.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Jay thanks for talking to German Hoops. You signed very late with German team MLP Academics Heidelberg. Was the job market tough this summer or were you just weighing your options?
I was just weighing my options for the best fit. Being on a team that wants you, and for you to play your game is key.
What were the main reasons for coming to Germany to play for MLP Academics Heidelberg. What sold you on joining this team?
The main reason for coming to Heidelberg was coach really wanting me to be here and play my game. Me finding out about the tourist attractions and the city was just a plus.
Heidelberg is a big tourist attraction. What do you know about Germany. Do you know any guys that are playing in Germany?
My old college roommate Cam Long is playing out here on a BBL team and another college teammate from DSU Marcus Oliver is out here on another Pro-A team. Tyrese Rice is a good friend of mine and he helped me make this move (played out here last year).
Last season you played for Ungmennafelagio Snaefell (Iceland-Dominos League) playing 28 games: 18.5ppg, 5.3rpg, Assists-1(8.9apg), 1.9spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 77.8%. You dominated the league. How did it feel like having Rajon Rondo like assist stats?
I had a pretty good year in Iceland last year and my teammates made it real easy on me by allowing me to just play my game and not having to force up a bunch on shots and they also taught me a lot.
Was there anything difficult to get used to living I Iceland? What is an experience that you had that you will never forget?
Where I was in Iceland I was in a small town and very SLOW! So it was different coming from a city back home. All the snow was a crazy experience for me, as well as the limited hours of sunlight in December.
You obiviously can pass the ball, but can also score when you have to. What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t always get noticed right away.
I think scoring was my hidden strength until last year. My college stats are very misleading. We played in a slow system. But now I would have to say my rebounding. I get a lot of rebounds and start my fast breaks that way just like Rajon Rondo. I get my defensive pride from him and chris paul. I am a Sneaky and smart defender.
You played only four games at George Mason before transferring to Delaware State. What is your fondest memory of Folaran Campbell that played in Germany a few years ago?
Folaran Campbell (we call him shaq) is a funny guy. Just all the jokes we used to make through out the day. But on the court he is all about business.
You averaged 3,0 steals per game in your three years at Delaware State. After what NBA player do you pride your defense on?
I pride my defesne on guys like Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo
How did Gregory Jackson get you prepared best for a professional basketball career?
Coach Jackson helped me to be able to control the tempo of the game better.
Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA that might be in the NBA or Europe now?
The best players that I played against in the NCAA that are in the NBA now are Michael Beasley and Evan Turner.
Richmond has no NBA, NFL, MLB or NHL team, but have other professional teams. What Richmond team did you follow most closely as a kid and why?
Honestly there was no team that I followed closely in Richmond.
What was the last DVD movie that you saw?
The last DVD movie that I saw was Above the rim one of my favorite movies.
Thanks Jay for the chat.
Can A New Name And Complete Predrag Krunic Lift medi bayreuth To Their First Playoff Appearance?
The glory days of Steiner Bayreuth and Michael Koch hoisting the Beko BBL title are a distant memory for the hardcore fans as well as breathing playoff air as the last time it was able to do that the walk man and listening to a Michael Jackson Bad cassette in the mall while doing some people gazing and seeing how many Madonna look a liikes one could count on your fingers was the game, a slew of German soccer legends like Lothar Matthaus, Rudi Voller or Jurgen Kinsmann were still looking but close to their first and only world cup title and the music trend acid was making its rounds following by the dance emergence in Europe and the grunge scene was only a few years away and already preparing for take off as the late 80´s were ending as was the high point of Bayreuth basketball. A long lull and dry spell followed as the club went through bankruptcy and falling into lower leagues until the reemergence of returning to the first German basketball league in 2010. In it´s first three years back in the top German basketball address, the club had some solid teams, but were unable to make noise in the playoffs due to a minimal budget and a continued heightening of the level of play in the Beko BBL. The club wants to change all that and after more than 20 years of feeling like wily coyote with their mouth foaming and foaming with hunger for being able to play in May, the club hopes to make that step this season. With a new name, a complete Predrag Krunic who is able to select his own roster this season unlike last season where he arrived as a fire fighter to douse the fire like he did in his Oldenburg tenure where he led the team to a title in 2009 and a stronger roster than in recent years, this could be the year where the club reaches the promised land for the first time. A new name could be that good luck charm and the name, resume and the intense eyes of sheer focus and desire to achieve success of Predrag Krunic could give Bayreuth fans this season something to forget their misery of certain departed players from last season and to pass their time before the Wagner games commence.
Will The Fraport Skyliners Be A Grab Bag Team This Season?
Back in the day even at the most boring children´s birthday parties like at the local pizza place munching on soggy pie, trying to find humor at the bowling alley while trying to hit a strike and stay clear of the gutter, riding lame donkeys up and down the tiny backyard in your home or playing boring board games while counting each second to when it was time to go home, there was almost always a constellation prize for kids when the party was over with the traditional grab bag or party favor. This going home present was a way to say thanks for coming and by the way here is a gift for you. Gifts range from tiny toys, candy and pencils. Once you are of a mature age and are able to visit a wedding, there a person has the chance to get a more sophisticated gift like classic favors that can go from the classic sugared almonds or delicious chocolates to candles and scented soaps. Modern gift trends include CDs with the most desired music of the bride and groom, shot glasses filled with colored candy or beautiful picture frames with a photo of the couple. So what does all this grab bag jibber jabber have to do with the 2013-2014 Fraport Skyliners? Well this is a team that has been constructed in a way that it will be hard to make a real defined prediction what this team will be able to achieve and is sort of like getting a grab bag served at a function and not knowing what is inside it. Guessing how many wins the Fraport Skyliners will achieve this season is no different than having had to predict how many cheese balls legendary comedian Chris Farley could have eaten in the cheese ball machine in a minute, how many times Allen Iverson would utter practice in a practice 2 press conference or how many goals soccer god Lionel Messi will hammer into the goal this season as he already got off to a good start in the first win of the season netting two goals for FC Barcelona. Just the notion of not knowing what this club is capable to achieve makes this season so interesting and exciting in the Beko BBL.
The Fraport Skyliners have returned 2004 BBL champion Gordon Herbert back to Frankfurt for a third tour of duty. In the last years as is the case for most Beko BBL teams except for TBB Trier, Americans are as abundant on rosters as are NBA players on the French national team. Since the 6/6 ruling, there has been more of a need for German players to be on Beko BBL rosters. And since that is the case why have German players rotting on the bench when one can give them minutes and let them develop in a more healthy way. The Fraport Skyliners have usually always lived with their Americans, but already last season showed their interest in getting young Germans playing time. This season the club has only five imports with Quantez Robertson, Dawan Robinson, Jacob Burtschi, Aziz N’Diaye and raw gem shooter with a golden pistol Andy Rautins.The club this season has displayed a desire to implement more Germans and possibly have fans chant “Here come the German Skyliners. The club has six German players younger than 22 years of age. The team kept Konstantin Klein, Johannes Voigtmann and Danilo Barthel from last season and these guys most surely will get even more minutes this season. The club also added two more Germans with U-18 German national player Stefan Ilzhoefer who was a very interesting pick up that will also get extra playing time with the Pro B team. He comes from the Ludwigsburg system and recently played the European Championships U18 Division B in Strumica (FYR Macedonia) playing 9 games and averaging 6.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 40.0%. The club also hauled in Kevin Bright who is a 20 year old 196cm swing man from Mannhiem. He comes from the Ehingen program and left a lasting impression from his rookie season in the NCAA with Vanderbilt (NCAA) where he played 33 games averaging 6.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 58.8%. He was the leading rebounder on the team and few will forget his buzzer beater winner against Georgia. It seems like more and more teams are trying to follow the TBB Trier route of developing young Germans. “I like this new concept of the Skyliners. It is an interesting mix of German talents. The club has kept them for the long term which gives the club planning security and allows the Germans to develop calmly”, stressed ex Basketball player and Lumani agent Jan Rohdewald. The club hopes that all players will develop in their own way, but seeing who develops the best and fastest is also has a type of grab bag effect. “Voigtmann, Klein and Barthel already got their minutes last season and they will profit from it this season. It is really very hard to say, who will develop the best, but all three will make a step forward, plus a very good player with Kevin Bright has joined them. I think that Johannes Voigtmann is very talented, but he needs to get even fitter and use his potential more. He is an intelligent player that already last season had good games. I think that he will get even more consistent this season”, warned Jan Rohdewald.
Gordon Herbert is a diehard basketball freak that stands for focusing on grooming the tactical measures on the court with his players. In the last two seasons, the Fraport Skyliners had difficulty scoring averaging under 70 points a game and survived many games simply by letting up fewer points and just buckling down and defending for 40 minutes as if it was their last game ever. Relying on top defense surely will be a goal for Gordon Herbert this season as one doesn´t meet more bull dog like defenders than Quantez Robertson and Konstantin Klein. So making big defensive plays and getting out on the break leading to easy points is something that the team will need to have function. The team may not have the consistent scorers that can individually decide a game even though Quantez Robertson has improved his scoring and Jacob Burtschi can have big games on any night, so the team will have to play as a team each night and need output consistently from each guy 1-12 on the roster. It also won´t help the team if they start out slow like they did the last two seasons under Muli Katzurin because the heroic like second half they had two seasons ago where they had NBA players like Jermareo Davidson and Tim Ohlbrecht to save the day won´t be present this time around. The Fraport Skyliners will also have to get off to a good start and some of the young players will have to take over responsibility.There is no fear that the big German three Klein, Voigtmann and Barthel can do that and a Kevin Bright could be the big surprise, because he had the best experience for his age last season playing against the best in the NCAA. One should never underestimate a Gordon Herbert in that he is known for getting the best out of his players so why shouldn´t he be able to do that from his young players. How well Dawan Robinson will be able to follow up his amazing play from last season is still to be seen as he began contact practice in mid September If he returns to be the old sweet Philly from last season, then this team could surprise many folks. Making a prediction is difficult, because the Beko BBL is so competitive and that is why this grab bag team will be so endearing to watch. “It is difficult to make predictions. All teams made steps forward. Last season, one thought that certain teams would make the playoffs after the first half, but in the second half were near the bottom. Having consistency will help against that. Tez, Burtschi and Robinson are a foothold. Perhaps the young Germans will give the extra added pep that the team needs. I think that Kevin Bryant could be the x-factor with his effort and defense. It will be exciting to watch this team and they will reach an identity with this team”, warned Jan Rohdewald. The addition of Rautins could make the difference between a grab bag season or nipping at the end of the playoff places. It could be a grab bag season until the end for the Fraport Skyliners and who knows with Gordie at the helm who has had success all over the place, letting fans unveil a ticket to the Beko BBL playoffs from the grab bag would be a party treat and if not just watching the young Germans getting playing time and mature will make the Fraport Skyliners a more experienced team next season and then they will be able to blow up the grab bag and let it pop. Andy Rautins however is that special player that just could let that grab bag pop with hot shooting all season long.
Marcus Smallwood(I’m A High Energy Player That Feeds Off Of The Atmosphere Of A Big Game Or High Pressure Environment)
Marcus Smallwood is a 31 year 198cm forward that played with VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA,) playing 29 games: 11.1ppg, 7.9rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 57.4%, FT: 67.7%He is from Elgin, Illinois and played at Northern Illinois from 2000-2004. He came to Europe for his rookie season and played for Ostromecko Astoria Bydgoszcz (Poland-EBL): 4 games: 9.5ppg, 9.0rpg: was released in and later that month signed at Pyrbasket Tampere (Finland-Sparliiga): 6 games: 13.5ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 59%, and also played shortly at Solna Vikings (Sweden-Basketligan): 3 games: 8.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0bpg. The next season, he played in Finland for Forssan Koripojat (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 26 games: 19.7ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 1.3apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-1(1.4bpg), 2FGP-3(64.1%), 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 56.2%. 2006: Elgin Racers (IBL). He had a very strong season in Finland, but surprisingly in the next few years played only briefly in the IBL for the Elgin Racers. He played for Kaiserslautern from 2008-2010. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA, starting five): 9 games: 12.6ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 51.6%, FT: 52.8%; in Dec.’10 moved to VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA, starting five): 20 games: 15.7ppg, Reb-1(10.8rpg), Blocks-2(2.1bpg), FGP: 60.3%, FT: 47.8%. In 2011-2012 he played for Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels (Germany-ProA, starting five): 10 games: 6.5ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 60.4%, FT: 31.8%; left in Nov.’11, in Dec.’11 moved to Sigal Prishtina (Kosova-SuperLeague, starting five), later that month signed at SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProB, starting five): 19 games: 12.1ppg, Reb-4(10.5rpg), FGP: 53.7%, FT: 51.4%. At the moment he is practicing with Beko BBL s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg. He took some time to talk to German Hoops.
Marcus, the summer has come to an end. How was your summer despite not being able to relax having found a basketball job early. What were your summer highlights?
Yeah not having a job lined up wasn’t the most fun thing but I had a chance to spend the summer in Germany and really enjoyed it. I was able to see some cities I haven’t been to before and also won the GRC streetball tournament in Koln so that was kind of cool.
Basketball is the ultimate job that basketball players live for. However each summer it is the same old story, of having to find a new team and not knowing if the basketball ride will continue or not. How frustrating was it this summer not getting a job? With your experience as a player, how are you able to cope with the uncertainty?
It was frustrating but understandable because we didn’t have a successful season and also since I worked with Kirchheim directly and gained that job myself and without an agent it meant that I had to network on my own last summer to find a job and it proved to not be the easiest task and not one I hope to not have to do again. But this is what I love to do so I deal with the uncertainty by continuing to work as hard as I can day in and day out.
After playing in Europe early in your career in countries like Poland, Sweden and Finland, you decided to go back home to Chicago to work in a business and played semi pro ball. In 2008 you decided to give European basketball another shot and have been playing in Germany ever since. At the age of 31 are you slowly thinking about life after basketball or is there still a lot of basketball in your tank?
Well the two years I took off from age 25 to 27 probably gives me a body healthy enough to go for another 4 years if I’m lucky. Fitness is central in my life so that is why I think I’ll still be able to play but life after will probably involve that in some way so it will be a natural transition into fitness training or something like that.
Last season you played for the Kirchheim Knights averaging 11.1ppg, 7.9rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg). How happy were you with your individual season? A few years back you achieved double double stats at Cuxhaven and Kirchheim?
If given the minutes I had the first time I played in Kirchhiem I think I probably achieve the same stat line. To be honest I would have been happy with those stats if it led to a successful team, but it didn’t so I wish I would have been able to contribute more.
You played last season with point guard Chris Alexander. He is returning back to Essen this season. He has been a very solid pro A player in Germany. Is he a guy that could still play Beko BBL at the age of 30?
Well I think Chris is a guy more comfortable at the type of place where he is currently at, but he has amazing quickness so if he really wanted to make a go of it I think he could find success in the right situation on the BBL level
There are so many talented players in the Pro A that could play Beko BBL and never will. What experiences have you made in your basketball career with having and not having the important contacts at certain situations?
Well I was lucky to have someone give me a type of opportunity that could of led to the BBL (playing at MBC while they were in the Pro A) but what I experienced there were people consistently trying to find faults in me and not giving me a true chance to succeed. So if you’re good enough I think you’ll get the opportunity but it’s more important to be in a place where they truly believe in you as a player, because you might only get one chance
You are one of these candidates that has had strong stats in the German Pro A and Pro B, but never have had the chance at the Beko BBL level. At age 31 your time is running out. You have seen the Beko BBL league. Do you still feel that you have what it takes to play at that level?
I’m a high energy player that feeds off of the atmosphere of a big game or high pressure environment. It’s why I’ve chased the BBL for so long to test myself in that environment. I think there would be a learning curve because I have been at places where I could solely depend on my athleticism, but with a team that really believed in me yes I think I could find success at that level still
You obviously knew some contact at the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg because you have been practicing with them. What kind of experience has this been for you?
Its been amazing to play with a team of full professionals but also to practice against veterans who have had a lot of success in the BBL such as Boone McNaughton Betz Little and McKinney. But they have a really good group of guys and they should have a successful year. You really can’t compare to being on a team full of people who do basketball as their only job being around that makes you better.
The Wurzburg power forwards Lamont Mack and Jamal Boykins obviously have some inches on you. What kind of experience has it been practicing with them and how have you preformed?
I’ve actually been more at the 5 in drills, but both guys are very solid and Lamont Mack is going to do really great things in this league this year and Ruben Spoden is a young guy who I think will have a great year as well
All you want is a try-out at a Beko BBL team. How would you sell yourself best for teams to gain interest in you?
I would say there are people that are a lot more of a risk to bring in then a guy who is currently practicing with a BBL club and has experience playing in Germany. I work hard am willing to learn and in the right system I think I could contribute to a teams goals
You are an intense and hungry rebounder at 198cm. What things do you need to do differently now under the boards with an increase in age. How does rebounding become differently and do you have to change your game a bit to keep the rebounds plentiful in your arms?
Rebounding is mainly a desire to outwork your opponent for a ball every possession and also maintain your conditioning to be able to have a body that can be an active rebounder. So at a higher level it really comes down to maintaining a high fitness level because your going against GREAT athletes every night.
Two seasons ago you played at SC Rasta Vechta helping them move up to the Pro A. .It seems like luck also has a big role in the basketball lives of players. That could have been a situation where you could of stayed and helped the team move to the Beko BBL. Does the rapid rise of Vechta surprise you?
It really doesn’t because when you have a coach who’s been in the BBL before and build a gym that is able to expand to 3,000 you had the possibly of the BBL in mind even if it wasn’t the goal at the start of the season. But they have a enthusiastic fan base that has become accustomed to winning so it will be interesting to see how their year first year goes.
What memories do you have of Whit Holcomb Faye who has made the jump from the German second Bundesliga to being a top guard in the Dutch league. Is he the best point guard that you played with as a professional?
He made me look a lot better than I was by throwing lobs at the rim anywhere on the court maybe it’s my personal bias but he should have had some type of opportunity in the BBL if he really wanted it, but he’s in a place that really values him and he deserves all of the success he is having now
Where will the journey of the Chicago Bears and Bulls end this season?
I’m not a huge Bears fan but hopefully they will make a run at the playoffs and with a Healthy D Rose the bulls should make some noise in the East, but it’s going to be tough because the East is really great this year
What was the last DVD movie that you saw?
The Dark Knight Rises
Thanks Marcus for the chat.
