Jacob Burtschi is a 28 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who is playing his first season with the Bremerhaven Eisbaeren. He played as a rookie for Phoenix Hagen in 2010-2011 averaging 14.2ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-3(1.5spg), FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 82.2%. He played at the Air Force from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 35 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 39.0%, FT: 77.3%. He had offers to play in the NBA, but served in the Air Force the last three years and could only play club ball. Some achievements that he got in the NCAA were  All-MWC Honorable Mention -05, MWC Regular Season Runner-Up -06, All-MWC 2nd Team -06, 07, NABC All-NCAA District 13 2nd Team -07, and NIT Final Four -07. Last season he played for  CAI Zaragoza (Spain-ACB, starting five): 9 games: 2.6ppg, 2.4rpg; left in Nov.’11, in Dec.’11 moved to Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL): German League: 22 games: 8.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 87.5%; EuroCup: 2 games: 5.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0spg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball recently.

What was the main reason for the slow start of the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven at the start of the season?

We played against three good teams, but that is no excuse. We were just flat and didn´t start the games well. Bamberg outplayed us, against Wurzburg we couldn´t hit a shot for our life and against Ulm, we hit shots, but didn´t get stops. What we fixed one game didn´t work in the next.

You missed a dunk against the Fraport Skyliners in Bremerhaven. Has that happened often in your basketball career?

I have missed dunks before in practice. Danilo Barthel was running with me and I wanted to make the sure dunk since I remembered him blocking me  afew times last season in practice.

On what player does Fraport Skyliner Ted Scott remind you with?

He reminds me of a David Bell of Hagen. He has the ability to score very much. He can light up the scoreboard and he is a threat at all times for the defense.

You are playing your first season for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. How do you like it?

I like that it is small. It has that small town feeling that I know about coming from Oklahoma.

You don’t have any big spaces of water in Oklahoma. What has been the coolist thing that you have seen at the sea?

I have really had the chance to be at the sea, but I am very amazed about all the big ships that come in and out of the harbor.

Doug Spradley practiced calling all the new players on the phone to get to know of them. What was your first impression of him?

I already had known about him from ex teammates who had had him as head coach. I think it is great that he took the time to contact us instead of having it done over agents or general managers. I got sold to coming to Bremerhaven with that. It is just great that he reaches out like that and asks how our summer is and just wanting to reach out and touch base.

What is your most diffiuclt task as captain?

I don’t really consider myself the lone captain, but we have so many experienced players on the team that I see it more as captain by committee. I try to get everyone ready in practice and for games and just keep all focused.

How intense is your relationship to Doug Spradley?

We have  a good relationship and his office door is always open for everyone. Sometimes we break down tape together. He is always ready to take advice as well as give it. He is a  players coach.

What does Stanley Burrell have as a point guard that others don´t have in the Beko BBL?

His physicality sets him apart from the rest. He is fast, can get to the cup, hit the mid range and distribute the ball like others, but he is so strong which helps his game more.

What does Stefan Jackson give to the team besides his brilliant shooting?

His energy is so important. He is probably our quickest player on the team. He is very athletic and he does a great job getting us on transition what we need more of.

German national player Philipp Zwiener seems to be like a silent leader. How does he make you laugh?

He is actually a pretty funny guy. You don´t see it as first. He can make us laugh during practice or when we are all in a restaurant and is very good with one liners.

Can Scott Morrison become a dominating big man in the Beko BBL?

He is a force that has great foot work and hands. He could become a strong player in this league. He has the tools for it.

Justin Stommes is known as a deadly shooter. Many see him as one dimensional. What is a hidden strength in his game?

He is very good with the dribble pull up and getting to the cup, but what many don´t see is that he is a very good defender especially against smaller guys. He does a good job staying in front of his man.

What captain skill would you like to have from Fraport Skyliner captain Marius Nolte?

There are so many that I would like to have. I learned so much from him. The great thing with Marius is that he is always supporting us. He knows how to get the team going even when they are in a funk. He is always the first guy off the bench cheering and always gives 110%.

Have you found a replacement for Mai Thai restaurant in Bremerhaven?

Not yet. That place is tough to beat. I really miss it, but there are some good places to eta here.

What do you like most about the German language?

It is so frustrating to learn it. I have problems with the ch. I really want to be able to learn it so I can go to the mall or grocery store and just be able to use it.

Can Tez dunk over you?

I was never known as  a shot blocker I think he could, but to stop that I would just take in and take the charge.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Takin 2. It wasn´t as good as the first one, but it was good.

Thanks Jake for the chat.

Myles Hesson is a 20 year old 195 cm forward from Birmingham, England that is playing his first season in Germany in the PRO B fort he Weissenhorn youngsters. He started his professional career in 2009-2010 for  Birmingham Aces (EBL2) averaging 13.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 33.3%. In 2010-2011, he played for the Essex Pirates Basketball Club (BBL): 11 games: 9.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 68.4%. Last season he played for Liverpool Mersey Tigers (BBL, starting five): 27 games: 15.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 61.5%. This past summer, he was a member of the British national team taking part in preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He also took part at the British 3×3 Mixed and menTeam for World Championships in Greece  in 2012. He spoke to German Hoops after the convincing 83-56 win against the Fraport Skyliners juniors.

 

 

Congrats on the 83-56 win. Was the win as easy as it looked?

 

We played very well. We knew that some of their best players were missing, but we wanted to play with the same intensity for 40 minutes and we did that. We were clearly the better team.

 

 

When I say 65 of 85 was missing, do you know what I mean?

 

No.

 

65 of the 85 points that the Fraport Skyliners average per game were missing. That made it a lot easier for Weissenhorn. But you didn´t take them lightly did you?

 

 

Even if they were shorthanded, any team can win on any day. All it takes is for some players to get hot. But we played very well throughout and played good defense keeping them at 56 points.

 

 

Weissenhorn led 39-23 at halftime. What was key for having the lead at halftime?

 

We played tough defense and got running on the break which led too many fast break points.

 

 

What did head coach Tim Lewis tell the team to do better in the second half?

 

Get more offensive rebounds and keep them off the glass. Frankfurt got too many offensive rebounds in the first half.

 

German Kai Guasa hit a big shot near his own free throw line. How important was this shot for stopping the momentum of the Skyliners run at the end of the third quarter?

 

The Skyliners hit three buckets in a row heading into the third quarter. The shot by Guasa was big and just helped us stay focused and go positive into the fourth quarter.

 

When was the last time that you saw a shot like Kai Gausa go in?

 

I saw a shot like that last season. I hit one like that for Liverpool in the BBL in England where we came back to win the game.

 

 

In the fourth quarter, Weissenhorn picked up their game even more and led as much as 31 points. Did the Fraport Skyliners juniors get tired?

 

 

I don´t think that they got tired physically, but more mentally. We were just too good for them and they made silly mistakes.

 

What was key for keeping the Fraport Skyliners to 56 points?

 

They never found their rhythm. On the pick and role we did a good job getting help on the baseline. They had difficulty running their offense.

 

You had a monster game with 25 points, monster dunks and blocks. How happy were you with your own game?

 

I was happy with my game against Frankfurt, but you can always play better. I want to thank my teammates for getting me the ball on the fast break.

 

You had so many dunks today. I counted three. Have you ever dunked more?

 

The most dunks that I had in a game was seven. This season I had five dunks.

 

Who is your dunk hero?

 

I always liked Vince Carter. He brought flair to dunking. I remember him winning the NBA dunk contest with that 360 windmill.

 

Who wins a one on one in practice you or Til Joscha Joehnke?

 

We actually had one the other day and the game was 1-1. He is a very good one on one player.

 

 

Can he become a second like Per Guenther in Ulm?

 

I think that he can. He plays with so much heart. He plays every possession as if it is his last and never gives up. That resonates for the whole team.

 

Why is he such an incredible rebounder averaging seven per game?

 

He has an incredible eye for the ball and always goes to the basket for the rebound.

 

You practiced with the British national team. What impressed you most about NBA player Luo Deng?

 

I really liked his professionalism and always takes each practice seriously. He is always early to practice and the last to leave. He goes hard each possession.

 

You practice with ratiopharm Ulm each day. Which player do you respect most?

 

I like Allan Ray. He brings no fear flair to the game?

 

How far are you from the Beko BBL?

 

I hope I can play in the Beko BBL next season with ratiopharm Ulm. If that doesn´t happen, my dream is to play somewhere in a top league.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Man on fire with Denzel Washington.

 

Thanks Myles for the chat.

 

 

It had been a strange sight and something that one had to get used to in the first few months in Frankfurt basketball land not seeing Jimmy Mckinney sporting his GQ outfits and St Louis Cardinals hats, listening to his actor like soft voice philosophying  about the game like a young Wesly Snipes or just getting into a groove of saying ahhhhhhhh after witnessing the grace and beauty of seeing his shooting stroke from all over the court. Not seeing Jimmy Mckinney in a Fraport Skyliners jersey has been as difficult for fans on the Main as if the famous Frankfurt drink Appelwoi had been banished for good, the Romer place had been painted pink for marketing reasons or if the famous Frankfurt wurtschen hot dogs had been replaced by the ball park franks. These things ever happening would have been like a cut in the heart for people just like it was the gregarious St Louis native packing his stuff and heading to Wurzburg. Mckinney had returned back to Frankfurt in preseason with the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg to battle in a preseason game at the Skyliners traing facility which they lost. However that preseason clout wasn´t the same for Mckinney as returning to the Fraport arena which had been his living room for the past six years. Mckinney has started a bit subpar into the season shooting under 40% from the field and from downtown, but when one saw Mckinney step on the floor for the first time in a Wurzburg jersey, one could see the look in his eyes that he was as focused as head coach Mike D antoni trying to bring glory days back to the Los Angeles Lakers, well known soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic still showing that he can score amazing goals like a Messi or Ronaldo at the ripe age of 31 or like any American making the most of a Thanksgiving meal each year. Mckinney came back to Frankfurt and wasn´t a big factor on offense scoring seven points, but helped guide the team to a hard fought 59-55 victory. “It was tough playing, because the whole return was so emotional which led to me not finding my rhythm until the end.  I was really happy to play against Tez. He is my guy and I love him dirty. He is like a real brother to me and I hope that we can be teammates again someday. He is one of the best athletes I ever saw”, stressed Jimmy Mckinney. Robertson also enjoyed playing against his friend. “We competed very hard and really made it hard for each other. He didn´t score much, but the team still scored. I miss the fun we had on and off the court”, smilied Quantez Robertson. Jason Boone was all smiles when describing the worth of Mckinney to the team. “He might not have admitted it, but Jimmy was locked in for this game. We really wanted to get him the win. He works so hard is always the first in the gym and last to go. He just wants to win so much. I never saw such a pure shooter like him”, warned New York native Jason Boone. “I like Jimmy Mckinney. He is a real smooth guy and great shooter. You can´t give him any space. You always need to know where he is at all times”, stressed American Skyliner Ted Scott.

The Fraport Skyliners entered the game in 12^th place and coming off a high with their domination and win against ratiopharm Ulm last weekend. They were looking for their fourth home win in a row and were defending like a Boston Celtic team of the 60s with Bill Russell at the helm as they were averaging only giving up 60 points a game. Frankfurt stayed on track allowing only 59 points, but were unable to get a flow on offense. “It was one of those games where the ball wasn´t falling. We had great looks, but they just weren´t falling. On offense you need to execute and we didn´t do that. Everyone has to be in the right place. We were a bit hesitant at times and were a bit too unselfish. At the end of the day if you want to be successful you still have to hit your shots. We did play good defense though”, stressed  Ted Scott. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg entered the game in 13^th place and were coming off a big win in Eurocup play against Valencia. They are a team that is known as playing in the trenches on defense, but still haven´t found a consistency in offense. They didn´t have their best offensive game, but played hard enough defense to prevail and even at the end when the Fraport Skyliners made a run and cut the lead to three points, were able to grind out the win in crunch time even though they had lost three games with seven or less points.  Jason Boone saw parallels to the 55-51 loss in Wurzburg.” Both games were similar in that both teams defended very well. We were able to grind out the game at the end and hit some big shots”, added Jason Boone. Mckinney was as comical as usual when asked if he could win round three at the battle of Wurzburg later this season. “I think we can win round three in Wurzburg. Only Miles can say something like that”, laughed Jimmy MCkinney. Quantez Robertson had a fierce look of a tiger about round three at the battle of Wurzburg latte rin the season. “Jimmy knows I want revenge and he better be ready”, warned Quantez Robertson.

4,560 fans wanted to watch a classic defensive battle on a Sunday afternoon and that is exactly what they got. The first few minutes remained scoreless as both teams were feeling each other out as Quantez Robertson already set the tone on defense as he made two steals. No team was giving the other team any gifts as defense was on the menu and offense seemed like a rotten apple had been served for desert. Jimmy Mckinney finally got Wurzburg on the board first with an off balance jumper. Skyliner head coach brought in energy spark Zach Peacock who came from the bench and right hit a fade away jumper from the left wing. The game continued to be very tight as both teams had to fight like a lion for their shots as open shots in the first quarter seemed as scare as finding water in the desert. Jason Boone then got the 300 Wurzburg fans who made the trip to jump from their seats with a powering left handed slam dunk over American Dion Dowell. Robertson then tied the game at 4-4 with a pair of free throws. Villanova alumnist Dwayne Anderson then showed that he can score in bounces like a Mckinney making a floater and jumper from the wing as Wurzburg led 8-4. Wurzburg continued their run to 7-0 as they had great ball movement and found Mckinney open and he dropped a three pointer  as Wúrzburg led 11-4. The Fraport Skyliners then put a small dent into the run making a 5-0 run to cut the Wurzburg  lead to 11-9. Dowell who iis always a threat from outside nailed a bomb form outside and Robertson got to the free throw line again making two free throws.  Jason Boone then made like Shaq again dunking as if that was all he should do as German Danilo Barthel did the right choice by stepping out of the way. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg led 13-9 after one quarter. “This was what all expected with a defensive battle. Both teams had problems finding a rhythm on offense. Both teams seemed a bit nervous and one could see that the Skyliners were missing their injured players”, stressed s.Oliver baskets assistant press secretary Michael Will. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 38% from the field and 25% from outside while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 25% from the field and 25% from outside. Wurzburg had the 10-5 rebound edge and both teams had five turnovers a piece.

The Fraport Skyliners didn´t get out of the gate fast in the second quarter as the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg stepped up their intensity on offense speeding out on a crushing 8-0 run to lead 21-9. Wurzburg got three pointers from unlikely players like John Little and German Christoph Henneberger. One can defend a Little in that he has vastly improved his scoring in the last year as he was always known as a top defender. Since the playoff series last season against Alba Berlin, he was top scorer in that series and was more like a Dashaun Wood than a John Little on offense in that series. Ex Skyliner Alex King then found some space inside and also dunked. Frankfurt continued to have difficulty on offense by getting any support besides from Peacock who traded baskets with Little. Wurzburg continued to get too the free throw line as Dwayne Anderson drew two fouls. Peacock then scored a turn around jumper over Anderson as whenever he called for the ball he got it. Devin Gibson then made a shot in the lane as Frankfurt trailed 28-15. Frankfurt continued to be too inconsistent and lacked concentration as Robertson made a steal and then lost the ball on that possession in the first quarter and Gibson did it in the second quarter. Ex Artland Dragon Lamont Mcintosh nailed a pull up jumper and Johnathan Jones made a tip in as Frankfurt trailed 30-18. Dwayne Anderson then made a pretty penetration giving Germans Barthel and Voightman nice head fakes and then laying in the ball with his left hand. Jones closed out the second quarter with a coast to coast run as the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg led 33-21 at halftime. “The first two three pointers by Little and Henneberger were key for getting the momentum. We ahd better ball movement and the Valencia game gave the team self confidence. It was just a mental thing before our shots started to fall”, added Michael Will. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 43% from the field and 30% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 29% from the field and 11% from the three point line. Wurzburg had the 20-13 rebound edge, but ten turnovers and Frankfurt had eight turnovers.

In the third quarter, the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg continued to keep their 10-12 point lead as the Fraport Skyliners continued to have scoring woes. The team could have used Ted Scott who is still out with an injury as that deadly shooting presence that the American has was missed as much as Germna national player Holger Badstuber will be for the FC Bayern Munich soccer team. Boone started the third quarter with a free throw as Wurzburg led 34-21. Zach Peacock was a player that was being the go to guy, but another Skyliner was being a presence with German Konstantin Klein. The young German who is a license player that also plays PRO B was a guy that was really trying to take charge as he was looking for the shot, penetrating and just being a beast any way he could as a guard. He dropped a three pointer and right away on the next play force a turnover on American Ben Jacobson. Frankfurt still trailed 34-24. Then it was time again for Jason Boone who was in dunk mode making two consecutive dunks in a row as Wurzburg led 38-24. After missing a dunk, Boone got another chance and kind of dunked it home softly like a baby. “I like to play physical, but at times, but the opponent buries me and I miss the dunk, then I get a different mindset and that is the wakeup call for the next opportunity to finish well”, stressed ex BG Goettingen American Jason Boone. Little and Peacock exchanged three pointers as Wurzburg still had the upperhand leading 41-30. Here and there there were minor breakdowns in the Frankfurt defense allowing a Alex King to fly unscathed to the hop for an easy lay up as his man and help were nowhere to be seen. Johannes Voigtmann continues to use the extended playing time to grow as a big man as he made a pretty baby hook shot over Jason Boone. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg still led after three quarters 45-34. “The third quarter was back and forth and we knew we had to keep a good lead, because Frankfurt can always come back. We kept lead at 10 points”, added Jason Boone. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 52% form the two point range and 27% from the parking lot while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 37% from the field and 19% from the parking lot. Wurzburg had the 27-19 rebound edge, but 16 turnovers while Frankfurt had 12 turnovers.

With ten minutes to play, time was running out for the Fraport Skyliners, but one should never count out the players of Muli Katzurin until the final buzzer has sounded. Peacock started the scoring for Frankfurt with a nice shovel lay in between King and Boone. Little then hit another big three pointer as Wurzburg led 48-36. Saved his best for last dropping a three pointer and hitting a pull up jumper. Robertson also hit a three pointer, but Wurzburg still led 55-41 as the Fraport Skyliners continued to be unable to make any ground. However one can argue what are the most exciting things in a basketball game to mega dunks or monster blocks, but the ability for a team to race back into a game with a run has to be high on the list for any basketball fan as the Fraport Skyliners did exactly that going on a 11-0 run to cut the Wurzburg lead to 55-52 with two minutes to play. A massive Zach Peacock dunk on the fast break got Frankfurt the momentum for the run. German Johannes Voigtman also played an important role hitting back to back mid distance jumpers in the run. Robertson then made a lay up and on the next in bound play, Gibson stole the ball out of Mckinneys hand under the basket and fed the ball to Tez for the next lay in and three point difference. “Frankfurt never gave up. There are so many teams that when they are down much will say we will get them back the next day, but not Frankfurt. Frankfurt hit big shots and got the crowd going. We had to shut the door faster, but couldn´t”, stressed Jason Boone. The Fraport Skyliners seemed like they were going to pull out an incredible come from behind win, but then had misfortune again as Jones made a big steal and fed super Tez, but he missed the lay up with a hard penetration. After  Mckinney got the ball, he went back and Skyliner Devin Gibson tried to draw a foul, but instead got hit for too much acting getting a technical foul and sending Mckinney to the free throw line. Then Frankfurt had a chance to cut the lead to two points, but Robertson missed a tough three pointer from the wing.  “ I tried to get off the quick shot to cut the lead to two points, but it just didn´t want to fall”, commented Quantez Robertson.  Little then made two free throws and Klein hit a tough lay in high off the glass, but was all too late as the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg escaped the trench of the Fraport arena with a win. “Giving up 59 points is good on defense, but we need to find some offensive punch. Peacock did a good job, but we need to have more guys step up. We missed too many free throws”, warned Devin Gibson.

The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were led by John Little with 15 points. Dwayne Anderson contributed 11 points and Jason Boone mustered 10 points and seven rebounds. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Zach Peacocok with 18 points. Quantez Robertson had 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and five steals. The Fraport Skyliners had a weak day at the shooting office shooting 35% from the field and 20% from downtown while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg shot 37% from the field and 26% form downtown. The offense will have to improve if the Fraport Skyliners want to see more wins this season. “We weren´t always taking open shots. We were taking more tough shots. We have to create more for others”, warned Quantez Robertson. Wurzburg won the rebounding duel 34-30. Frankfurt did a great job forcing Wurzburg to 20 turnovers and having nine fast break points and not allowing Wurzburg any fast break points. The next game for the Fraport Skyliners in on December 8^th in Oldenburg.

Some Beko BBL teams are fortunate to get those special gems that would sweeten any woman´s Christmas with those special jewels snuggled under their Christmas tree. I am not talking about hard rocks, but those extra special players that will make the difference on and off the court between getting far in the playoffs or just losing 3-0 in the first round. Alba Berlin has Nihad Djedovic who is possibly the biggest European talent from the birth year 1990, FC Bayern Munich has Yotam Halperin who has that special Euroleague stamp engraved on his body, the Brose Baskets Bamberg has ex NBA player Bostjan Nachbar that has played 305 NBA games and might be the best player the Beko BBL has seen since Wendel Alexis and the s.Oliver Baskets have versatile Dwayne Anderson who has been carrying the team this season the best he can. Anderson is a 26 year old 198cm forward is playing his fourth professional season and third in Germany. He got his early basketball experience in the NCAA playing for Villanova where he had spectacular teammates like Reggie Redding and Corey Stokes, but seemed to be  a bit in the shadow of future NBA player Dante Cunningham. There he was a member of teams reaching the NCAA final 8 and Sweet 16.  He came as a rookie to BG Goettingen in 2009 as ex BG Goettingen head coach John Patrick understood his raw talent and gave him a chance. In his two years in Goettingen, he led the team to two Beko BBL playoff appearances and was an instrumental player in the 2010 Eurochallnge win. Last season, he played for  Morpho Basket Piacenza (Italy-Lega2) playing 32 games and averaging  15.4ppg, Reb-2(8.2rpg), 1.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 72.5%. There he kept up his dominating play and decided to return back to Germany this season to Wurzburg. Just how important John Patrick was for bringing the American isn´t too clear, but if Anderson sought any advice where to play this season, one could assume that their paths crossed. If the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg will have success like last season, it will take a team effort, but a big factor where the team lands at the end of the season could be effected by the play of Dwayne Anderson. It doesn´t really matter who you talk to, but the positive remarks about the American come as quickly as tennis balls are fired out of a tennis ball machine. It was also no surprise, that John Patrick still had sweet memories of the forward form his time in Goettingen. “He came in as a rookie to Goettingen and developed quickly. Dwayne is a great teammate and loves to compete and likes the physical play. He worked on his shot during his time at Goettingen. Every coach wants a guy like him. He was a Eurocup first team player two seasons ago and he is on his way again showing that he is a top European player. I remember a game in Treviso where he had 21 points in the first half and destroyed 2011 Timberwolves draft pick Donatas Motiejunas. He is a guy that has the same routine each day, going to the barber, getting groceries and just saying hi to everybody. He is a very unique guy”, stressed 2010 Eurochallenge winner John Patrick. “When I was a freshman, Anderson was a junior and he took me under his wing. I looked up to him like a big brother. He was one of the hardest working players that I have ever seen. I remember our coach telling him that he would never play for Villanova, but Dwayne worked harder and proved them all wrong and became one of the best players in the NCAA. Redding was one of the best defensive players that I ever played with”, stressed ex BBC Bayreuth player Corey Stokes. “It was fun playing with Dwayne. He was so athletic and I remember how aggressive he was attacking the rim and getting rebounds. I talk to him a lot now. He is a good player and guy. I am looking forward to playing against him and my buddy Allan Ray of Ulm”, added Walter Tiger Tuebingen American Reggie Redding.

 

 

Basketball in Wurzburg was more or less born in 1997 as the club came into the beko BBL mostly due to a 19 year old tall blond talent named Dirk Nowitzki. The team stayed in the top German league until 2005 as it developed future German national players with Robert Garrett, Demond Greene and Marvin Willoughby. The team then wasn´t able to successfully stay in the league and also had a dark ominous cloud of bankruptcy hovering over the team. However the club was able to escape any financial problems and started new in the second Bundesliga as Mainfranken Basket. The club wanted to rely on German players, but this experiment failed as they won only one game and departed the second league. The team then rechanged their name to the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg and started new again in the Regionaliga and the club steadily started their rise back to the Beko BBL first reaching the PRO B in the 2008-2009 season winning all 24 games in the Regionaliga. In 2009-2010, the s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg reached third place in the PRO B and had some fortune as the Hertener were financially unable to play in the PRO A, so the Wurzburg team was able to move up to the PRO A after all. Their dramatic rise continued in the PRO A as they finished the season in second place with a record of 21-7 and reaching the Beko BBL again after 6 years of being away.

The first order of business in Wurzburg last season was finding a head coach and the team did that reeling in American John Patrick early in the summer. Patrick started to quickly build his new team, but as the new season approached his roster looked very much different than two months earlier as some players that had been signed had to go. Americans Patrick Flomo(Gloria Giants), Tim Burnette(Furstenfeld, Austria), Achmadschah Zazai(Giessen 46ers) and American Mike Tisdale had to pack their bags early and in the meantime, the American hauled in new players with Chris Kramer and Robert Tomaszek. The way Patrick functions may not always be favorable to a player, but in the long run, he has had success with his style of players and should know best. “Coach has his way and his ways seem to be successful and if a player doesnt fit into what he is trying to accomplish why should he keep him. It is his team and his system and he knows what is best for his team”, warned John Bynum. Patrick did a smooth and intelligent act bringing in three ex Goettingen players with Jason Boone, Ben Jacobson and John Little who won the Eurochallenge in 2010 and have much experience that will help the younger players in Wurzburg. “Anytime you have a familiar face in your corner it is always a good thing because you know things about the guys already instead of bringing in guys that you may not know about besides their stats. Character takes you a long way and if you already know what your getting then it is an advantage”, warned John Bynum. “The best part about being reunited with these guys is the fact that we’ve become accustomed to a certain level of success. And any time one of us, or our teammates is not 100% focused on pursuing that level, we are there to put each other in check. We missed a little of that last season in Gottingen but I’m confident Ben Jacobson will bring that back with him. He brings the best out of John and I”, added Jason Boone.  Patrick also brought in talented Americans Gilbert Brown(was waived after 8 games, 4,3ppg and 1,8rpg) and Rickey Harris and also wants to show his love for German youth development by bringing in Oliver Clay and Alex King who isn´t 18 anymore, but is a player who fills out his role well. Ivan Elliot might be one of the big winners in the roster, because last season he was in the Beko BBL with Bremerhaven got cut and went to the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg helping the team reach the PRO A. Patrick decided to keep the American and already has become an important force this season. The team recently also added Chester Frazier who is no unknown player to the Beko BBL.

The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg got off to a superb start last season of 2-0 beating an always tough defensive minded TBB Trier and crushing the LTi Giessen 46ers 85-60 in the Osthalle. In the 73-67 win against TBB Trier, they showed their defensive qualities forcing TBB Trier to 16 turnovers and In Giessen held a new formed 46er team to 60 points holding them to 38% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while forcing 21 turnovers. American Rickey Harris has quietly been the go to guy amassing 43 points total in the first two games. John Patrick had been known in his years in Goettingen to play a special brand of basketball called 40 minutes of hell where his team plays pressure pressure and pressure bringing the opponent often to the brink of despair. Last season, the 40 minutes of hell seemed to have dipped to 20-25 minutes of hell. If Patrick will have this pressure play in Wurzburg like he had in Goettingen is hard to say, but his pressure style will somehow always be in his blood. “I think the pressure was more in Gottingen but dont let that comment think that you dont see a lot of pressure. They disrupt your flow of the game and often you have to rush your sets because you get the ball back to the point guard with around 17-18 seconds and thats what you have to work with your offense”, warned John Bynum. Can John Patrick make the s.Oliver Baskets a steady playoff team the way he did with BG Goettingen? “Wurzburg can be a playoff team if they protect their home court and get some away teams. Their type of play differs from most teams in the league and teams struggle playing against them”, added John Bynum last season. After the loss to the Fraport Skyliners, Wurzburg had a very strong stretch having a 5-2 record. They had big home wins against ratiopharm Ulm and the Telekom Baskets Bonn and showed that they were nothing like a team that might have problems staying in the Beko BBL for a second season. Then came a dry spell as they lost three games in a row including only one of their two home losses of the season against Bamberg,  a tough 73-70 road loss in Hagen. Since then the team won three of their last four games including huge home wins against FC Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin. Wurzburg continued to a very strong home team having a 8-1 record in their living room and it seems like Patrick had brought some of that magic invincible aura from the Lokhalle to the s.Oliver arena. Wurzburg also lets up a league best lowest 67 points per game. Wurzburg then lost possibly one of the best games of the season for the Fraport Skyliners 56-51 as the word aggressive physical defense got a new name of SkyWur!. In the second half of the season, the team had a 10-6 season, but had a strong phase having a five game winning streak where they beat teams like Oldenburg and Bonn. They seemed a bit tired at the end of the season registering a 3-5 record, but it wasn´t embarrassing as they lost to top teams Berlin, Bamberg and Munich. They finished the season in sixth place with a record of 20-14. They entered the Beko BBL playoffs against eight time Beko BBL champion Alba Berlin and made  a huge upset sending the team home with a 3-1 win and once again denying the German capital team a title dating back to 2009. In the semi-finals against ratiopharm Ulm, they seemed to have little gas left in the tank getting swept 3-0. Only the fewest ever expected such a strong season which can be credited to John Patrick once again understanding how to form a competitive team and making the best out of his players and having success.

Soon after the playoff loss to Ulm, a very interesting and surprising development occurred as the team let successful head coach John Patrick go. It was hard to believe that the team and head coach would go separate ways, but for the insider it was clear that there seemed to be clear differences between management and the head coach. Both sides rather stayed silent to what happened and both sides didn´t destroy each other in the media either as no one dragged the other side into quick sand. The club decided to name assistant coach Marcel Schroder as head coach. Schroeder was no unknown coach as he had already experienced success with the Bavarian team leading them to the Beko BBL in 2011 from the PRO A. Schroeder is a coach that breathes basketball 24 hours a day and surely gained experience learning from John Patrick. The club was able to increase their player budget from last season, have built  a more potent team than last season, kept  a healthy core of players and the goal remains reaching the Beko BBL playoffs. The club kept the three BG Goettingen amigos Americans beast under the basket  Jason Boone, versatile Ben Jacobson and pitbull John Little who belongs to the top defenders in the league and was one of the most important players in the Alba Berlin series last year as he took a page out of 2011 Beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood scoring as if he had been transformed in the Detroit native´s body. The team also kept German Alex King who continues to develop well. “Alex really has made his way in the Beko BBL after being only a role player averaging 5-10 minutes”, stated John Patrick. Germans Oliver Clay, big talent Maximilian Kleber and experienced Chistoph Henneberger were also retained.  The team lost important players like Americans Chris Kramer, Ivan Elliot and Ricky Harris. Losing team top scorer Chris Kramer hurt very much as he played with so much intensity on offense and defense and could change impact of a game. However the team did a super job filling these spots. The team added American Jimmy Mckinney who left the main in Frankfurt after six years. Mckinney is known as a deadly shooter and is looking to make the next step in Wurzburg being more of a go to guy than he was in Frankfurt. The team got Dwayne Anderson who belongs to the top five forward in the Beko BBL, German national player Chris Mcnaughton who is injured, but will form a nice center duo with Boone, experienced Lamont Mcintosh who celebrated much success with Artland Dragon teams including the 2008 Beko BBL cup and talented German Maurice Stuckey who is on loan from Bamberg where he will get more minutes than in Freak city. The biggest strength of the team will be that the team was formed early and many players were kept from last season. Why should the team change their style when it works. John Patrick practiced the quick aggressive style that he had had in Goettingen called 40 minutes of basketball hell. It was quite that extreme last season, but it was still used maybe 25 minutes of hell. Schroeder still likes to play like this, but so far this season, the team is still looking to come together as the team is parked in the middle field of the standings. Their offense is more versatile and unpredictable compared to last season.  Weaknesses this season could be being able to play up to expectations. Also Schroeder is a young coach that is coaching his first season in the Beko BBL. The Eurocup season could leave marks in the second half of the season and injuries could also play a role as the team already found out early with the injury to Chris Mcnaughton.

The Fraport Skyliners have fond memories from the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg winning both games. The FRaport Skyliners squeaked out a 80-78 win at home as American Justin Gray won the game with a buzzer beater. Justin Gray led the Skyliners with 18 points while NBA player Jon Leuer chipped in with 17 points. Chris Kramer had 16 points while Ivan Elliot and ricky Harris contributed 13 points each. In the return game in Wurzburg in early January, the fans witnessed a gruesome hard fought battle in the trenches as no team wanted to give the other teams any gifts as Frankfurt prevailed 56-51. Frankfurt was led by Quantez Robertson with 12 points, Devin Gibson added 11 points and Jermario Davidson produced 10 points. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were led by Ben Jacobson with 15 points. The Fraport Skyliners want to win their second game in a row and extend their winning streak against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg who have lost five of their lasts even games and are coming off a 69-62 loss against TBB Trier at home. Fraport Sklyiner Devin Gibson remembers the defensive battle win in Wurzburg last season and knows what the team will need to do to win their second game in a row. We will have to play defense, defense, defense and pressure, pressure pressure to win”, smiled Devin Gibson.

The s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg are led by  Jason Boone who is a 27 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York who played  four seasons with Goettingen and is playing his second season in Wurzburg.  Four years ago, he made the jump from the Regionalliga to the BBL, which is similar as if a professional baseball player jumped from A ball to MLB. In 2010-2011 for BG Goettingen, he played 37 games: 8.5ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 59.8%, FT: 34.9%; EuroCup: 14 games: 9.1ppg, 6.2rpg, Blocks-4(1.1bpg), FGP: 59.8%, FT: 36.0% . “Jason Boone is a strong athlete who likes to finish around the rim and is not a shooter at all. One should give him the jump shot and don’t let him penetrate. He is a strong offensive rebounder and goes to the boards each time. He isn´t  a good free throw shooter and don’t give him any easy layups. One should attack him on defense and despite his athletic body, doesn´t move his feet so well and he is foul prone”, Frankfurt still will have to keep an eye on him in the paint”, added 2009 Beko BBL top scorer Omari Westley.  “Boone is probably one of the strongest low post players in the BBL. He can move anybody with his strength down low”, added Ricky Hickman who is playing for Macabbi Tel Aviv.” I always want to improve my game, and I feel like coming into this season fully healthy will help me establish myself as a top center in this league. In retrospect I think, on a personal level, 2010-2011 was a “down” year for me, but it taught me a”, commented Jason Boone.  Last season for Wurzburg, Boone played  40 games: 8.7ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 53.6%, FT: 52.4. Ben Jacobson is a 28 year old 188cm guard that is a big Time Point Guard, very good defender and a great scorer who can create his own shot that is playing his  second season in Wurzburg. Before coming to BG Goettingen in 2007, he played at Northern Iowa with teammate John Little and in other German places like Erdgas Ehingen and the Mitteldeutscher BC. His most successful season was 2009-2010 where he helped BG Goettingen win the Eurochallenge. In 2010-2011 he played for Ikaros Kallitheas (Greece-A1, starting five), only pre-season, in Dec.’10 moved to Boulazac Basket Dordogne (France-ProB, starting five): 19 games: 12.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 34.9%. Last season for Wurzburg, he played 40 games: 8.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 65.7%.

The third member to arrive from BG Goettingen in 2011 is John Little who is a 28 year old 180cm guard from Peoria, Illinois. He played four seasons with BG Goettingen. He played at Northern Iowa from 2002-2006. In 2007-2008, he wanted to play for the Peoria Kings of the ABA league, but the team folded, so he returned to Northern Iowa and finished the season as assistant coach. Last season, he played EuroCup: 9 games: 6.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 80.0%; German League: 33 games: 6.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 21.0%, FT: 75.0% “Little is their energy guy. He brings  a lot of energy and athletic ability from the bench. He doesn´t have much of a shot and likes to drive to the hoop and finish at the rim. He is  a good rebounder for his size. He is possibly the best defender on the team. He has long arms and plays the passing lanes well and is their best on ball defender”, stressed Omari Westley. “He is probably one of the scrappiest players in the league and always plays hard and gives 100% every minute on the court”, added Ricky Hickman. Last season for Wurzburg, he played 41 games: 9.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 64.1%. The team brought in American Jimmy Mckinney who is a 29 year old 192cm shooting guard from St Louis who is cousins with ex Skyliner Lorenzo Gordon. Mckinney is a s a solid knock-down shooter, but also can score from penetration and with rim-rattling dunks. He played at Missouri from 2002-2006 where he was a teammate of NBA player Linas Kleiza. He played a total of 133 NCAA Games. He played for the Frankfurt Skyliners from 2006-2012 playing a total of 218 games reaching the 2008 Beko BBL semi final and 2010 Beko BBL final where hew a son the floor in a tough game 5 loss in Bamberg. Last season for Frankfurt he played EuroCup: 6 games: 14.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 92.3%; German League: 34 games: 13.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 84.0%.

The team also hauled in Lamont Mcintosh who is a 30 year old 190cm guard from Georgia that is playing his ninth professional season and first in Wurzburg. He played at Georgia Tech from 2000-2004. In his first  two seasons he played for the Southern Crescent Lightning (WBA) and then went to Europe to play for the Scottish Rocks (United Kingdom-BBL). In 2005, he showed that he could play in a more higher league playing for  Verviers-Pepinster (Belgium-D1): 28 games: 15.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 51.0%. He then played for the Artland Dragons from 2006-2009 reaching the playoffs each season. In 2009-2010, he played for Politekhnika-Halychyna Lviv (Ukraine-Superleague) 20 games: 16.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 73.8%. In 2001-2011, he played for Enosi Kalathosfairisis Kavalas (Greece-A1, starting five): 25 games: 7.1ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 80.8%. Last season, he played for  AZS Koszalin (Poland-PLK): 14 games: 11.2ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 43.1%, FT: 85.2%. Christopher Mcnaughton is a 29 year old 211cm center. He is a true back-to-the-basket big man, but does possess good mobility for his size. He started his basketball career in the Bamberg system in 2000 playing 35 games for TSV Troester Breitengrussbach in the second Bundesliga. He then played at Bucknell from 2003-2007. After getting valuable experience in the NCAA, he played two years in Spain before moving to BG Goettingen in 2009-2010. He helped the club win the Eurochallenge and scoring 22 points in the final. He played EuroChallenge: 15 games: 8.9ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 61.4%, FT: 71.1%; German League: 37 games: 7.4ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 62.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 71.4%. In 2010-2011, he played for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg playing EuroCup: 6 games: 5.8ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 55.6%, FT; German League: 39 games: 5.0ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 60.7%, FT: 80.7%. At the World Championships in Turkey in 2010, he played 5 games: 5.4ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 58.8%, FT: 77.8%. Currently, he is averaging 10,3ppg and 5,6rpg. Last season, for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven he played 34 games: 12.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 61.9%, FT: 79.0%.

The s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg also has its share of German players including Alex King who moved to his third Beko BBL team Wurzburg in 2011. King is a 27 year old 200cm forward from Munich, Germany. King started his basketball career in Frankfurt playing for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners from 2002-2008. In that span he won the German league title in 2004 and was a finalist in 2005 and played a total of 129 BBL games for Frankfurt. He played for the Telekom Baskets Bonn from 2008-20011 playing a total of 101 Beko BBl games. In 2010-2011 for Bonn he played EuroChallenge: 6 games: 2.5ppg, 4.0rpg; German League: 31 games: 4.9ppg, 2.3rpg. Last season for Wurzburg, he played 41 games: 4.8ppg, 3.0rpg. The team also brought in young German Oliver Clay in 2011 who is a 25 year old 205cm power forward/center from Berlin. He started his basketball career in 2006 for TUS Lichterfelde Berlin (2.Bundesliga): 25 games: 3.2ppg, 2.7rpg. He then played for Alba Berlin playing mostly for the Regionaliga team where he was German Regionalliga (North Group) Champion in 2010. In 2010-2011, he played for TBB Trier (1.Bundesliga): 33 games: 2.5ppg, 1.9rpg. Last season for Wurzburg he played  22 games: 1.9ppg, 1.1rpg. Christoph Henneberger also stayed with the team. Henneberger is a 28 year old 188cm guard who has seen the ups and downs of Wurzburg basketball since 2003. Last season, he played 11 games: 0.8ppg. The team also has young talented Maximilian Klebber on the roster who is a 20 year old 196cm forward. He started his basketball career in 2008 with SCH Wuerzburg Baskets (Regionalliga). Last season he played  26 games: 3.1ppg, 1.2rpg. The team also brought in Maurice Stuckey who is a 22 year old 187cm guard that was born in Augsburg and is on loan from Bamberg. He started his basketball career in 2005 for BG Leitershofen. He then moved to Ehingen/Urspringschule (ProB), where he played from 2007-2009. In2009-2010,  he played for Troester Breitenguessbach (ProB): 20 games: 17.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 62.4%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 85.3%, played also at Brose Baskets Bamberg (1.Bundesliga): 4 games: 1.3ppg. At the 2010 European Championships U20 in Croatia he played  9 games: 8.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.7apg, Steals-5(2.2spg), FGP: 34.6%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 75.0%. In 2010-2011, he played German League: 35 games: 2.2ppg; Euroleague: 3 games: 2.3ppg; also played at TSV Troester Breitenguessbach (ProB): 18 games: 14.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 77.5%. Last season he played 5 games for Bamberg averaging 1.6ppg; played also at TSV Troester Breitenguessbach (ProB, starting five): 8 games: 8.8ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 85.7%. The team also has 20 year old 201cm forward Malte Herwig. Last  season he played for BG Goettingen (1.Bundesliga): 7 games: 0.6ppg; EuroChallenge: 1 game: 0pts; played also for ASC 46 Goettingen (Regionalliga, starting five): 17 games: 7.6ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 56.3%, FT: 60.9%.

 

 

 

Chris Gadley is a 25 year old 207cm center from Amherst, New York that is playing his first season fort he Uni Riesen Leipzig in the PRO A. He started his basketball career at Hofstra in 2005 where he played until 2007. He then played three seasons for  Canisius (NCAA). He turned professional in 2010 and played for the  Buffalo Stampede (ACPBL) and  Summerside Storm (Canada-NBL). This is his first season overseas and has taken the PRO A by storm averaging 13,9ppg, 11,7rpg, 1,3apg and 2,8bpg. He spoke to German Hoops after the 96-94 win against the Kirchheim Knights.

Congrats on the 96-94 win against Kirchheim in OT. What was key in getting the win in OT?

Well really as a team we stuck together and just really made sure we didn’t lose that game! We really wanted to win this game for ourselves we were all playing for each other and it felt really good! Even though we had a little trouble throughout the game in rebounding we pulled through as a team and got the win!!

You had a monster game with 17 points, 16 rebounds and 11 blocks. Can you count the number of triple doubles that you have had in your career or have you had more than a handful?

Yea I’ve had a bunch of triple doubles! In highschool I almost averaged a triple double! In high school senior year I averaged 29points 18 rebounds and 8 blocks so yea I’ve had a few in my career!

You had 11 blocks. Can you ever remembering having more blocks in a game? Were you in the zone on this day on the defensive end?

Yea actually when I was in highschool I had a 17 block game lol! Yea I mean since I’ve lost all this weight I’m learning how to use my body again so now I’m really actually starting to use what ability I have again!

How disappointed are you with your 5/14 free throw shooting? Your only shooting 48% from the free throw line this season. Are you taking extra free throw practice in practice?

Yes I’m extremely unhappy with my free throws! I have never shot this bad in my basketball career! Yes I’m putting in a lot of time with them! It’s really not my form that’s a concern but it’s my confidence at the free throw line that I need to get back!

You had the height advantage over Marcus Smallwood and Dominik Schneider under the boards. Was this an easier day at the office down low or were you pushed by them?

No not at all those guys are extremely tough players! I would say they gave me personally and are team the most trouble in rebounding this year!

You had a monster game, but so did Nikita Khartchenkov. Where would the team in general be without his hot shooting?

Yea Nikita is a awesome player he is a great teammate! I think we would have a harder time without his shooting!! He truly is a major piece to the puzzle of our team!

This is your third professional season after playing in North America in the ACPBL and NBL. You are really taking off this season. What is your secret to your individual play so far?

Well basically I wanted to make a name for myself.  I know I can play and I want people to know that I’m here in pro a! I want to show my dominance and want to earn the respect of the League!

What has been the main reason for being able to adjust to the German PRO A so rapidly?

Well I think I was already prepared by playing in the states at a division 1 school! So really I had the tools to be successful,  but now I am really just using all the tools and tips my coaches have taught me in the past!

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

I believe my biggest strength that people may not notice is the way I’m able to get my teammates open shots! I love doing it and seeing them get an make open shots!!

On what things do you still need to improve in your game on the court?

Well I believe I can improve on everything
My left hand
Free throw shooting
Conditioning
Rebounding
Defensive play
Being a better teammate
I believe I can improve on every aspect of the game!

To what NBA player would you compare your game to?

Ehh I don’t think I can compare myself to a particular NBA player but Shaq I love and I use his philosophy of domination when I play the game!

Your from the New York area. If you could ask the legendary Patrick Ewing one question what would it be?

I would ask him what is the best way to make the rest of my basketball career the most successful!

What is your biggest Christmas wish this holiday season?

My biggest wish I just hope my family stays in great health and we all stay successful in everything we do! And Leipzig gets in the playoffs!!

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Last DVD I saw was called warrior!

Thnaks Chris for the chat

James Washington is a 24 year old 182cm guard from St Louis Missouri. He played at W.Illinois (NCAA) from 2006-2008 and then transfered to Middle Tenn.St. (NCAA). In his senior year he played 32 games: 14.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 86.4%. Last season he started his professional basketball career for TBB Trier (Germany-BBL) 23 games: 5.7ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 38.8%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 80.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

James where you currently at and how has your day been going?

I am currently in the states at my hometown St. Louis, Missouri. And my day has been going alright, I cant complain too much.

December is around the corner and you are still unsigned. Are you surprised that you still don´t have a team at this point?

Yes, you can say I am surprised. But I mean that is the way it goes sometimes. I look at it as just a small bump in the road you know. A call will come soon though and I’ll be more then ready.

Last season, you came late into the season to German Beko BBL team TBB Trier, so you know first hand from last season how difficult it is to find a team. Does the market seem to be even tougher to crack this season?

Well last season was difficult because of the NBA lockout and NBA guys were signing overseas to play. And of course me being a rookie and only having College stats didn’t make it any easier. But this year its pretty tough too I guess. But my name was off the market overseas for a while because I had signed a contract to play in NBA D League this season at first.

How tough is it mentally to cope with being unsigned when many of your friends are playing overseas at this time?

When it comes to being mentally tough that is usually me. But I cant even lie, every day when I talk to my bros playing overseas it bothers me a little bit. Especially when they tell me about some of the players and competition their playing against night in and night out. Then knowing my skills set, and my athletic ability makes it even worse. But hey, it be like that sometimes. like I said earlier, teams will call soon and I will be ready.

You had a solid season at TBB Trier last season playing 23 games: 5.7ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 38.8%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 80.0%. Wasn´t there any chance that head coach Henrik Rodl would keep you?

Thanks a lot. Yea I had an okay season I would say. Wish I could have played better though and helped my team get some more wins. I dont think I got to show all what I can do. And yes there was. Coach Rodl is a good coach and even better person off the floor. I had signed a 2 year player/team option contract with TBB Trier. I think its best we just leave it at that.

How were you able to further develop your game as a rookie in the German Beko BBL?

Being able to practice against Dru Joyce everyday really helped me. Dru is a really good PG is now considered a veteran overseas and he helped me out with my transition from college to a rookie. My boy John Bynum helped me also. But my entire team were great teammates and coach Thomas Pach and Henrik Rodl helped me get better with individual workouts too.

Would you like to come back and play in Germany? Would you even step down a level to the PRO A if a team came knocking?

Funny you asked that because my bro Talor Battle and I were just talking about Germany on Skype yesterday. I would not mine going back to Germany at all. Germany was a great experience overall and the fans really support basketball even though soccer is the main sport there. Yes I would step down and play at a lower level. Especially now since the season has already started and I feel like I need to show what I really can do on the floor while winning at the same time.

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

I would say a hidden strength would be my point guards skills and ability to run a team. It usually gets unnoticed because I shoot the ball so well and like last season playing next to Dru Joyce, the shooting guard was basically my only job.

If you can describe yourself in a few sentences how would you describe your game and how you can help any team now?

I am a point guard that can score and shoot the ball pretty well. I can run a team, and I have the heart and will to try to win every game I play. I can help a team by simply doing just that and also being a leader/coach on the floor.

Who won a one on one in practice last season you or Dru Joyce and how would you beat him?

HaHa this is a funny question to me. But Dru and I would go back in forth at it in practice during 1 on 1. When he sees this he will try to disagree because he is so competitive too. But I won the most games 1 on 1 with us.

How does a normal James Washington work out day look like now as you keep in shape?

Ummmm, A normal day for James Washington I have no idea what it goes like for the most part because that is my Grandfather haha. But for James Washington lll thats easy. I workout at 5 30 in the morning in the weight room, come home take my niece to school, get something to eat and relax for a little bit. Maybe talk on skype to my bros Talor Battle, Dru Joyce, LaRon Dendy, Dwight Buycks, and Mike Smith. Head back to gym for court workout with trainer, come home take a nap or play 2K13. Pick my niece up from school then go back to gym and play pick up ball. Late night Im chilling spending time with the family and watching NBA or college games on TV. And of course eat some dinner.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Last DVD movie I watched was Step Brothers on my laptop. Seen it like 10 times now, but its hella funny to me.

Thanks James for the chat.

Ted Scott is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Columbus, Ohio that is playing his first season for the Fraport Skyliners. He played at West Virginia State from 2004-2009 playing a total of 120 NCAA2 games. In his senior year, he played  30 games: 23.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3Pts: 34.6%, FT: 82.8%. In 2009-2010, he played for ISS Sportino Inowroclaw (Poland-PLK, starting five): 10 games: 20.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 81.5%; in Jan.’10 moved to Ferro-ZNTU Zaporozhye (Ukraine-Superleague): 1 game: 2pts. In 2010-2011, he played for SKK Kotwica Kolobrzeg (Poland-PLK): 20 games: Score-1(25.4ppg), 4.4rpg, 2.1apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 83.5%. Last season, he played for Sport Lisboa Benfica (Portugal-LPB, starting five): 34 games: Score-4(17.0ppg), 3.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 82.3%. He won the Portugal championship last season with Benfica Lisabon with ex Skyliner Seth Doliboa. He spoke with German Hoops about basketball.

What was it like playing against Patrick Ewing jr?

I had watched him on tv when he played at Georgetown. It was a great experience being on the court with him and in general is it when playing against guys like that.

When shots aren´t falling for you, you don’t shoot 1000 times more, but also try to involve your teammates. How difficult is it as a shooter to know when to shoot and when not?

I think that that comes with time. It also has to do with instincts. It really comes naturally for me and not so hard for me.

You are playing your first season in Germany. What were your main reasons for coming to the Fraport Skyliners?

I had heard that the German league is strong and just wanted to test my skills here.

How do you like the big city feeling of Frankfurt which you know from Columbus, Ohio?

It is that same kind of feeling. There are so many things in Frankfurt that are similar to home. The food for one. It feels like home here.

You didn´t need much time to get used to the Beko BBL making 20 points in trier. Is a natural scorer at home everywhere?

Not really. I think it comes with how comfortable one is with the team and myself. I don´t think all players have it. It has a lot to with self confidence.

How difficult was it coming to  a last place team after being champion with Benfica Lisabon last season?

It wasn´t too difficult. I see it as a challenge. Everyone on the team have the same goal. We want to make the playoffs and just get as far as we can.

Did your teammates feel that you are a go to guy player?

Yes I feel it came in the first game. I hit my first shots and my teammates realized it quickly.

What is a strength in your game that doesn´t always get recognized?

I am the guy that picks up the players and encourage them when times aren´t going well.

To what NBA player would you compare your game to?

Monta Ellis of the Bucks.

Your ex teammate Seth Doliboa said that you have a rare combination of shooting and athletic skills. Where does that comes from?

It has always been like that. I am always being aggressive and I think all these things are in one.

What has been the most incredible thing that you have seen Quantez Robertson do in a practice?

In practice we were running a fast break and Tez was going to the basket and I didn´t think that he saw me throw up a ball to the rim, but he did and dunked over two guys. It was one of the hardest dunks I ever saw.

Why are so many great basketball players come from Ohio?

I think it has to do with the fact that we start young and good programs there.

Who were your NBA idols?

Ray Allen and Michael Jordan.

You tore up the nCAA2 at west Virginia State. Were you ever sad that you didn´t showcase your skills in the NCAA?

No not really. I was given a chance with West Virginia. I believe that everything happens for s reason. I just did the best that I could with the situation.

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

Stephan Dennis played at Kutztown and beat us. He signed with the Brooklyn Nets. A real good point guard at 6.6.

How did West Virginia head coach Bryan Pooe help you become the player you are today at the pro ranks?

He helped me  a lot mentally. He showed me how to be a student of the game. He showed me not only to play the game, but think it.

You played together with ex ratiopharm Ulm forward Christian Burns in the Ukraine. What is the most incredible thing that you saw him do on the court there?

He is a very athletic player. I can´t even count all the things that he did. He was climbing over guys dunking over them

You led the Polish league in 2011 in scoring averaging 25ppg. Were you a bit disappointed that you didn´t go to  a higher league after this going to  a lower league with Portugal?

Not sad, but more surprised. Sometimes that is how the cards are dealt. Benfica Lisabon gave me the chance and I did the best out of it.

What was your nicest memory with Seth Doliboa with Benfica Lisabon?

Winning the title together last season.

Who wins a 1-1 you or Quantez Robertson?

I don´t know, but it would be a good game. It would be a tough game since Tez is our best defender.

What were the most free throws that you made in a row without missing?

30

What was your most crazy shot in  a game that went in?

I missed an open dunk and then restole the ball at mid court and with three seconds to play made  a turn around shot.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Good Fellas. It is my favorite movie and I have seen it about 150 times.

Thanks for the chat Ted.