Sometimes basketball fairy tales come to an abrupt end just like a Derrick Rose floater lay up attempt that is swatted away by Dwight Howard into Lake Michigan or former German president Christian Wulf waking up again in Niedersachsen instead of every morning in Schloss Bellevue and anotehr very sympathetic basketball figure Mike Taylor had to experience his fairytale ending last spring having to hand over the reigns shortly before the season ended. Taylor had arrived in Ulm in 2003 and built up that basketball program leading their basketball farytale into the Beko BBL in 2006 and reaching one playoff in the 2008-2009 season. He was known as a players coach who had been an importnat part of the rise and development of German national players Robin Benzing and Per Guenther. Now less than a year after his departure, the team hasnt had a slow rebuilding process, but instead have risen instantly starting a new basketball fairytale as Thorsten Leibenath who has always been known as a talented coach has finally made his break through after failing in Giessen and Artland. Ratiopharm Ulm is quietly becoming a team you might want to love after your favorite team and even though this fairytale may not be the equvialent of Linsanity, ratiopharm Ulm fans may not admit it, but Ulmsanity is dancing in their thoughts. After a great game against the Brose Baskets Bamberg at the 2012 Beko BBL cup semi final where they were as close to winning as Ohio State is to reaching the 2012 NCAA final, but losing 99-96 in OT, the ratiopharm Ulm fairytale will continue to carry on into the playoffs and it is as refreshing as seeing an unknown name like Sergio Perez getting second place at the Formula One in Malaysia. “Before the season started no one would have thought that ratiopharm Ulm would be so good. A story like this happens almost every season when a team found the right mix of players. They are playing loose and all accept their roles and know them. Every once in a while some guys need to do more, but each guy knows exactly what they have and are allowed to do. The key position is the point guard position with Per Guenther. He brings exactly what the team needs and so they can play more international players at each position like Bamberg can with Germans like Tibor Pleiss and Karsten Tadda”, expressed Lti Giessen 46er Achmadschah Zazai.

 

From 2003-2011, the names Mike Taylor and ratiopharm Ulm stuck belonged as tightly together as German beer and lederhosen in Bavaria, Franz Beckenbauer and football club Bayern Munich, Red Auerbach and the Boston Celtics and Paris Hilton and outrageously big sunglasses. The Pennsylvania native Taylor achieved massive success in the Schwabenland leading the club he cherished into the Beko BBL in 2006 and into the playoffs in 2009. In April 2011, came the sudden and unexpected split by management and the gregarious American. It seemed like Mike T as many called him was on the verge of a contract extension, but there came a rift and he was gone quicker than Shaq can eat a Big Mac and is famous slogan GO ULM was history. Taylor not only is classified as an Ulm basketball legend, but will always be remembered for his wide smile that could compete for best smile with ex Giessen 46er Michael Jordan and for being able to develop and secure playing time for young German talents like Robin Benzing, Per Guenther and Sebastian Betz. It was a shame that management didn´t allow Taylor to coach the last home game of the season, but nothing is fair even in the basketball world. “I think Mike was a face for the Ulm team for years and he is a respected coach in the BBL and around the world for basketball. He did a great job while he was there and I think he was important but sometimes the way this profession works sometimes change is needed”, stressed TBB Trier guard John Bynum.

Last season, ratiopharm Ulm finished a less than satisfying season at 14^th place with a record of 12-22. They started off the season with a four game losing streak and right away were reeling to get out of the Beko BBL cellar. The team simply wasn´t consistent and really missed having a comfortable 6-7 game winning streak. It also didn´t help matters that they closed out the season losing 10 of their last 12 games. It was no secret that the team was capable of putting up many points putting up 80 or more points 19 times. Many of their box scores read like NBA scores, but Ulm often was simply outshot. They also had problems closing out games losing six times by five or less points. The club was simply unable to get their offense and defense on the same page last season. Differences to last years team are noticeable. “I think they are solid in more positions this season and dont have any let ups when someone comes in the game. They are a deeper team and have more options. As far as style goes I just think they are more patient and get the most out of each possession. They are a better defensive team and they have a lot more structure as well”, added John Bynum.

Ratiopharm Ulm moved out of the beloved tiny Kuhberg halle which was always like hell for opponents, because at times it felt like the fans were sitting in the laps of the players or were a secret sixth man on the court, simply because the fans are so close to the floor. On December 10th the team moved into the new 6,200 arena which seats double as much as the Kuhberg arena and have a9-1 record since, but are pretty tough on the road as well boasting a 11-4 record. As a result, the team budget was doubled to three million euros. With the departure of Taylor came a known face in the beko BBL with Thorsten Leibenath. The German has a lot to prove, because this will be his third team he is running in the Beko BBL and will be best remembered for missing the playoffs two consecutive times with The Artland Dragons that had two deep talented rosters and playoffs written all over, but instead missing the playoffs on the last day each time and sending Dragon fans to the cafes early to talk over their basketball misery over coffee. Leibenath started his head coaching career in reaching the British BBL final in 2007 after being assistant coach in Giessen for many years. He now started a new coaching gig in Ulm and has showed that he has matured as a coach keeping ratiopharm Ulm very consistent and behind the Brose Baskets Bamberg at times this season with Alba Berlin wondering if they are seated in a very unentertaining movie without salted popcorn. Ratiopharm Ulm did a massive summer cleaning keeping only Americans John Bryant, Rocky Trice and Tommy Mason Griffin and Germans Per Guether and Sebastian Betz. Guys like Robin Benzing, Coleman Collins, Lee Humphrey, Sean Sonderleiter and Travis Walton all departed.

The team brought in a healthy core of Americans with double double candidate Dane Watts, scorer Isiah Swann, Beko BBL veteran Steven Esterkamp that gets another chance after sitting out a year and playing in the PRO A with Essen last season and Skyliner Jon Leuer teammate at Wisconsin Keaton Nankivil. On paper the club looks like a playoff team, but ratiopharm Ulm manager Thomas Stoll is careful not to get too excited. “The league is stronger this year. Of course the fans can dream of the playoffs, but we just want to finish better than 14^th place last season”, stressed Thomas Stoll. “We want to win more games than we lose. Maybe we can be near the playoffs”, added ratiopharm Ulm head coach Thorsten Leibenath at the start of the season. The Ulm fans were dreaming of the playoffs after the strong 3-1 start. The club started the season with an impressive win in Bayreuth possibly the loudest arena in the league, then came home and beat playoff candidate Artland Dragons, then lost by a slim margin of 64-59 showing that they already have understood how to play strong defense early in the season against the leagues best Bamberg and then beat the always tough defensive minded TBB Trier on the road getting a monster game from John Bryant with 27 points, 16 rebounds and five assists. Instead of suffering a tail spin the team has been strong all season having winning streaks of seven, six and five games. “They are a solid team with some great players at each position. They will be a team in my opinion that will be in the playoffs if they continue to get better and work together as a team. I wouldnt call them a sleeper anymore but I am sure no one expected a lot from them this season. I do think they can make a push for the playoffs and I think they have great guard play and solid back ups at each position. They have guys who can shoot the ball and a great inside game with Bryant in the middle. As far as weaknesses the only thing I see would be what would happen if Bryant or Watts both got into foul trouble at the same time”, warned John Bynum. The secret to the success has been a combination of coach Leibentah who found the right mix to follow his system and a group of nonselfish players that play for each other and always want to win. Before the season, Leibenath was humble suggesting he wanted to win more games than he lost. Now a month before the playoffs, he has won four times more than lost. The team is coming off a bitter third place at the 2012 Beko BBL cup where they had Bamberg on th ropes, but lost a bitter 99-96 game in OT. They will be motivated to finish the season strong and get revenge in the playoffs.

Since ratiopharm Ulm entered the Beko BBL in 2006, the Frankfurt Skyliners have a 6-5 record against them. They won in overtime 87-83 in 2007 with Murat Didin. The Eric Chadfield buzzer beater will for some reason always be stuck in the minds of people, which had an eerie similarity to the buzzer beater of Justin Gray against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg this season. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have a positive 2-1 record in the Ballsporthalle. In 2009-2010, Frankfurt lost 74-69, but got a strong game form ex Skyliner Lorenzo Gordon who scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. In the first meeting last season, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners dominated the game and put on a scoring display led by 23 points by Seth Doliboa as the club prevailed 95-82.Frankfurt shot an astronomical 57% from the field and easily won the rebounding fight 34-25. Ratiopharm Ulm did a great job only having seven turnovers. In the return game in Frankfurt last season, Ratiopharm Ulm lost 84-77 as Skyliner American Seth Doliboa had another monster game pouring home 18 points and 15 rebounds. Last season, Frankfurt lost a 87-82 nail bitter in the Kuhberg arena, but returned home to win 74-67 as Dashaun Wood poured in 17 points and 12 assists. In the first meeting of the season, the Fraport Skyliners lost a winnable game 81-75 in the old Kuhberg Halle where Dane Watts made the two big buckets at the end showing NBA player Jon Leuer that guys from Missouri can play basketball. Ratiopharm Ulm had five guys in double figures, shot better and rebounded better. Frankfurt was led by Justin Gray with 14 points. After the spirited 66-60 win in Artland, the Fraport Skyliners seem to be on a mission to get into the 2012 Beko BBL playoffs no matter what. The team is on a 5 day training camp on the Spanish island Mallorca to add some team building and extra togetherness for the stretch run. The team continues to live from their aggressive defense and will need another top performance against ratiopharm Ulm. “Frankfurt has to play there game and keep Bryant out the lane and control the boards and play there tempo. They also have to control Swann and Esterkamp as well. Ulm just has to play their game and go inside out. They have great guard play but they are a great team and I believe they can get a lot out of going inside-out”, warned John Bynum. “The biggest key for Frankfurt will be containing zeek(Isiah Swann). He has the ultimate green light in Ulm and when he gets hot it can be demoralizing to teams and the game can be over as fast as it started. Do that and keep their home crowd into the game and I think they will have a good chance to pull off an upset that is vital for them in making a push to the playoffs”, stressed 2012 Beko BBL cup finalist Tony Gaffney. Fans could see the comeback of Justin Gray who has been out of action since November. The leader of the team who got struck on the knee needed 4 and a half months to recover, but has been practicing with the team since two weeks and looks ready to go on Sunday.

Ratiopharm Ulm is led by Isiah Swann who is a 26 year old guard from Germantown, Maryland and is playing his fourth professional season. He is a athletic, left-handed point guard who is capable of putting up big numbers. He played at Florida State(NCAA) from 2004-2008 reaching the NIT Elite 8 in 2007. In 2008-2009, he started his professional basketball career in Italy for Aget Imola (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 15 games: 13.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.1apg, 3.1spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 71.9%; left in Jan.’09, in Feb.’09 moved to Harem Scafati (Italy-Lega2): 1 game: 4pts, 1reb, 2steals, 1block; in March ’09 signed at Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 13 games: 7.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT-3(46.3%), FT: 87.5%. In 2009-2010 he played for Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 27 games: 8.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 81.5%. Last season, he played for Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League): 3 games: 7.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, in Dec.’10 moved to Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion (Israel-Premier League, starting five): 24 games: 12.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 84.1%. Currently he is averaging 20,5ppg, 2,3rpg and 1,8apg. John Bryant is a 24 year old 208cm center that was born in Berkeley, California and grew up in San Pablo. He played at Santa Clara university coming in in 2005 as well known players Doron Perkins and Kyle Bailey had just graduated. He played 124 NCAA games getting WCC Player of the Year in 2009. In his last three years, he was able to average double figures in points. In his senior year, he tore up the NCAA playing 33 games: 18.1ppg, 14.2rpg, 1.1apg, 2.5bpg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 78.7%. In 2009 he was drafted by the Erie BayHawks (D-League,2rd(31) and played 48 games: 13.2ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.6apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 49.3%, FT: 77.6%. In the summer 2010, he played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (Milwaukee Bucks). “He has a great feel for the game. This is his first season and who would of thought that he would play so well? He stays with his strength and takes high percentage shots. He has a very high basketball IQ with scoring and rebounding. I think that he could compete at any level in the world.”, stressed ex teammate Travis Walton. Last season for Ulm he played 34 games: 14.6ppg, Reb-1(10.9rpg), 1.1apg, Blocks-2(1.5bpg), FGP: 60.4%, FT: 74.2%. Currently Bryant is averaging 13,8ppg, 11,3rpg abd 2,0apg.

Steve Esterkamp is a 30 year old 198cm forward from Cincinnati, Ohio that is playing his ninth season in Germany. He is a great shooter and great competitor, has also a very solid mid-range shot, brings a lot of toughness to his team, is a solid rebounder from the wing position, is a excellent free throw shooter throughout his career, plays always extremely hard and to win, not afraid to take the big shots at the end of the game and always finds ways to get the job done. He is probably best remembered for playing with the Paderborn Baskets from 2004-2009 helping the team reach the beko BBL in 2006 winning 50 games in a row in the second Bundesliga. In Paderborn, he was part of the three Muskeeters with Marius Nolte and Tim Black. Esterkamp played a total of 159 games. In 2009, he helped force Alba Berlin to a 5 game playoff series that they eventually lost. He then went to Bremerhaven in 2009, but got hurt and never played a game there. Last season, he got his career back on track playing for ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProA, starting five): 13 games: 16.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 73.2%. Currently he is averaging 12,5ppg, 3,5rpg and 2,3apg. Per Guenther is a 3year old 185cm point guard that was born in Giessen and grew up in Hagen. He has very good speed and can dribble with both his hands he is very good in shooting from the arc and he has very good organizational skills, he watches the court with one glance and can assist his team-mates on a blind method pretending that he will shoot. He has an inborn charisma of a leader from a young age so he leads his team without having any problem. He played for BBV Hagen from 2003-2006 and with Phoenix Hagen from 2006-2008. In his last season in Hagen, he raised eyebrows with his play playing 29 games: 14.5ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 55.8%, 3FGP: 35.7%, FT: 80.1%. He has improved his play each season as in 2009-2010 he played 34 games: 6.6ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 80.3%. Last season, he became into a real scoring option, but still keeping his playmaking qualities in front of him. He got into three games at the World Championships in Turkey in 2010. Last season the German national player played 34 games: 12.4ppg, 1.2rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 84.2%. Currently Guenther is averaging 8,8ppg, 2,8rpg and 3,0apg.

Dane Watts who is a 25 year old 203 cm who is playing his fourth season in Germany and who is a modern day forward doing the job inside and outside. He played at Creighton from 2004-2008 playing with NBA player Anthony Tolliver. In his senior year, he averaged 11,3ppg, 6,4rpg and 1,0apg. Last season, he quietly had a very solid BBL rookie season in Ludwigsburg averaging in 20 minutes averaging 8.9ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP-1(68.4%), 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 68.7% in 32 games. It wouldn´t be a surprise if most followers of German basketball didn´t even know that he led the BBL in field goal percentage at 68%. in 2008-2009 as a rookie. He is a team player that still has a lot of potential and could become a scoring option in Tuebingen. „“Dane has a lot of potential and has all the qualities that a big player of today needs. He can shoot, is athletic, has good ball handling and defends well“, joked Jay Thomas. In 2009-2010, Watts played 34 games: 10.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 71.0%. Last season he played 33 games: 13.7ppg, Reb-4(7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 54.5%; in May’11 moved to Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (France-ProA): 3 games: 7.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg. Currently he is averaging 8,3ppg, 6,0rpg and 1,0apg. The team brought in Keaton Nakivil who is a 22 year old 203cm forward from Madison Wisconsin. At Wisconsin he played together with Skyliner Jon Leuer and played a total of 107 NCAA games. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 9.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 83.8%. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2008 and 2011. “Keaton “The Anvil” Nankivil is going to play a big role in Ulm’s success this season. He is a rookie but has been picking up on the European game quickly. He is a team player with high basketball IQ and is automatic from 3pt land. He might drop an anvil on somebody’s head in transition this year if they are not careful”, stressed teammate Dane Watts.

26 year old 200cm forward Sebastian Betz is a a young, hardworking wing who provides energy, defensive effort and consistent three point shooting. He started his professional basketball career in 2003 with Bamberg playing there until 2008. In five years, he was only able to play four games never being able to shake the Dirk Bauermann rotation. Mike Taylor scooped him up in 2007 and the German is playing his fifth season in Ulm. His best season so far has been 2008-2009 as he played 36 games: 5.2ppg, 1.5rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 54.9%. Last season the German played 34 games: 4.1ppg, 2.8rpg. Currently he is averaging 3,8ppg and 1,3apg. The team brought back 27 year old 191cm forward Rocky Trice from Georgia that is palying his third season in Ulm and could probably make a living touring the world dunking, but is too versatile and valuable to basketball to do that. He was signed shortly before the season started and gives that extra push on defense and on the transition game. He has made a big splash in Germany tearing up the PRO A three years ago with Cuxhaven and two years ago with BG Goettingen leading the team into the playoffs averaging 11.7ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, Steals-1(2.6spg), FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 69.6% in 34 games. In 2009-2010 the South Carolina alumnist played 33 games averaing12.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.2apg, Steals-1(2.4spg), FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 75.0%. Last season, he played 24 games: 11.1ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 78.6%. At the moment the guard is injured. The team also brought back 21 year old 190cm guard Tommy Mason-Griffin who was born in Houston Texas. He came to the team at the end of last season and played 10 games: 5.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%. He James Madison High School / Houston, and hast he distinction of having played only one year of NCAA ball with Oklahoma playing 31 games: 14.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 5apg, FGP: 39.8%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 81.3%. before coming to Ulm, he played shortly with Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League): 5 games: 2.6ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.8apg:

The team also has 20 year old 208cm center Michael Wenzl and his two year younger brother Andreas. Michael Wnezel played 4 BEKO BBL games in 2009-2010 averaging 1,0ppg and played for the Basketballakademie Ulm (Oberliga): 21 games: 13.8ppg. Last season for Ulm he played 24 games: 1.3ppg; also a license to play for BG Illertal/Weissenhorn (ProB, starting five): 18 games: 10.4ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 53.8%, FT: 49.3%. The team also has 21 year old 196cm shooting guard Marcel Heberlein that started his basketball career in 2007 with TV Konstanz (Regionalliga). He then played for Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (ProB): 3 games: 4.0ppg, 1.0rpg, left in Dec.’09, also played at HolidayCheck Baskets Konstanz (Regionalliga): 25 games: 12.0ppg. Last season he played for ratiopharm Ulm (1.Bundesliga): 5 games: 0.8ppg, also a license to play for BG Illertal/Weissenhorn (ProB, starting five): 11 games: 12.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 70.2%, also played at HolidayCheck Baskets Konstanz (ProB): 14 games: 10.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 64.9%. The team also brought in 21 year old 201cm forward Femi Oladipo who has already had many stations in his young career having played for SG Urspringschule/Schelklingen, VFL Stade, Eisbaeren Bremerhaven, BSG Bremerhaven (2. Regionalliga), Oldenburger TB (Germany-Regionalliga) and last season for Crailsheim Merlins (ProA) 27 games: 7.5ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.2%, FT: 40.4%.

Falko Thelig is a 20 year old 192cm guard from Giessen. He is playing his second season for the Fraport Skyliners. He played for the Lti Giessen 46ers from 2008-2010. Last season for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt II (ProB), he played 25 games: 8.4ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-5(5.6apg), FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 24.7%, FT: 66.3%. He has played for the German national U-16 and U-18 teams. He played at the European Championships U20 in Bilbao (Spain) -11: 4 games: 0.5ppg He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Congrats on the 95-75 win against Alba Berlin 2 and keeping the Fraport Skyliners in the PRO B. With what kind of feelings did the team go into game 3?

We were all pretty nervous and excited at the same time. It was a do or die game. For the guys that returned from last year, we wanted to win this game badly and not lose again like we did against Wolfenbuttel last season. We knew that we had to stay strong. We got a great team effort in the second half.

Was this the biggest game of your career?

It wasn´t my most important games, but it was an important one. It was a big game because we wanted to stay in PRO B. It is a great situation having a Beko BBL and PRO B team in one place.

At half time the score was 40-40. What did head coach Klaus Mewes tell the team to do better in the second half?

We had had a nice run in the second quarter, but lost it again due to bad turnovers. He told us to stay calm and not get crazy. He told us to play better defense.

In the third quarter, the Fraport Skyliners exploded for 29 points. What was key for this?

We played better defense and got better offensive chances due to our defense and got easy baskets. We were able to crack their zone and we were all on the same page.

Did you ever think that German national player Lucca Staiger could shoot so bad in the first two games at 6/34?

That can happen. The balls in the Beko BBL and PRO B are different. If you are used to practicing all week with BBL balls then it can be tough in a PRO B game with those balls. When you have an experienced shooter like Staiger, you can see that even when he isn´t hitting he just continues to shoot. He shot better in game three. He took many tough shots and was defended well from Benedikt Nicolay.

Would the Fraport Skyliners have won the series without German national player Tim Ohlbrecht?

I think that we still would have won without him. The teams have a lot of motivation playing against Ohlbrecht. It is never easy finding that team rhythm when new players come on board, but we did a good job.

The Fraport Skyliners juniors closed out the season with a 6-16 record. Despite injuries, youth and not always having all players that the season was ok?

Anytime that you have to fight to stay in the league, you can´t be happy with the overall season. We only had 2 guys that were always at each practice with Larry Wright and Demetrius Jemison. We never ever had a full team in practice since guys were injured or in school. Despite never really having a full squad to practice, we played good games against top level teams like Gotha and lost close games to top teams. Despite all that, I think that we did a good job as a team.

How happy were you with your PRO B season? You increased your points and were a bit down on assists?

I had problems at the start getting a rhythm. I had private problems and had to stop my studies. I think I was able to improve my shot. I worked hard with Klaus Perwas. I have to score at times at the point guard position and I think that I was able to improve there too, but I expected a better season for myself.

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

I have the ability to set and control the tempo. I also think that I have a good eye for the better positioned shooter. I can penetrate, create the open shot and my size helps with my quickness get inside.

What was the most incredible thing that you saw Larry Wright do?

He is a great ball handler that can create open shots. His cross over and ability to shoot is amazing. He often made the opponent look really old. He is a player that can score when he wants to.

What could you learn from Larry Wright?

Dribbling and shooting from the dribble.

How difficult is it combining Beko BBL and PRO B?

We didn´t really practice so much with the PRO B. usually the practices were right after the other. Sometimes I would practice twice which I felt in my bones.

What do you still have to do better in order to get healthy minutes in the Beko BBL?

My body needs to get more stable so I can hold my own against bigger players at my position. I also need to be more calm. Sometimes I get nervous and I need to be more calm.

The team is in Mallorca in a 5 day training camp. How big is the “we believe” attitude for reaching the playoffs?

We believe and have a chance for the playoffs. We aren´t talking about the playoffs, but look more game to game. The Goettingen loss was bitter, but we came back and played well at Artland. Our problem is sometimes we play well and then we don´t. We won´t give up.

What do you want to take with you from Mallorca?

It isn´t really my city, but I want to take something from the culture an don the court improve and get ready for Ulm.

Michael Thompson and Devin Gibson are rookies and young like you. What can you learn from young players like that?

Juice has really improved since Justin Gray got injured. At the start, he had some problems, but now he is a consistent player. He has calmness and can shoot very well in crunch time. Gibosn plays that American style that you don´t see in Europe. His biggest strength is that he is athletic and quick and always aggressive on offense and defense.

How did you get involved with basketball?

I had started playing soccer and wasn´t very good. A friend wanted to try a new sport which was basketball and got me to come along. We started to play on the street as a group of 10. We played so much that at night people would ask us to stop because they wanted to sleep. We would get up early and play again in the morning.

Who were your NBA idols as a kid?

Dirk Nowitzki. I never have met him, but I like how he presents himself and how professional he always is. I also liked players at my position like Steve Nash and Chris Paul. I also liked Juan Carlos Navarro. I liked how he could score despite his size especially with his floater. I also liked Lebron James.

You played two seasons for the Lti Giessen 46ers. Why did you leave there to go to Frankfurt?

I was always a stay home kind of guy and wanted to stay in Giessen, but the situation didn´t fit anymore. I was young and the BBL team wasn´t the problem. I got my first game as an 18 year old, but moreover it was the PRO B team. I didn´t get much playing time in the PRO B. The coach didn´t want to try something new, but elected to play me at shooting guard against bigger players. I wanted to go and then came the chance with Frankfurt and I took it.

What is still missing for Johannes Lischka to make the jump to the German national team?

He really has everything that he needs to be a national player, but he can´t seem to put it all together. He can shoot, rebound and penetrate, but sometimes he seems to put too much pressure on himself. He definitely can play for the German national team.

What was the most amazing thing that you saw David Teague do?

His 35 point game against Alba Berlin. It felt like he scored 40-50 points. He was unstoppable. He was hitting everything.

What were the most free throws that you made in a row in practice?

52

What was your most crazy shot in your career?

We were down 2 points and I hit a three pointer out of the pick and roll.

Who will reach the NCAA final and win it?

I think that Kentucky will win it.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Clash of the titans.

Thanks Falko for the chat.

Donatas Zavackas is a 31 year old 203cm forward from Lithuania that recently played for EnBW Ludwigsburg. He is a hard nosed and very versatile player, with good on 1-on-1 offensive skills; excels in game without the ball, and runs the court very well; shoots well from the distance, and defense well, thanks to a strong body can play in the two forward positions. He played at Pittsburgh (NCAA) from 1998-2003 reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2002 and 2003. He has played in countries like Italy, France, Spain, Lithuania and Poland. He played for Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius from 2008-2010 winning Lithuanian League Champion and the cup twice in 2009 and 2010 and also winning the Eurocup in 2010. Last season for EnBW Ludwigsburg, he played 27 games: 12.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT-2(49.5%), FT-3(88.5%). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball before he left EnBW Ludwigsburg..

Is it possible to stop a Jermareo Davidson without double teaming him?

It is always possible to stop any player on any night. There will be some nights where one player is better than another. We were unable to control him in the first half, but he didn´t do much in the second half. It is always good to keep a strong player under his average.

EnBW Ludwigsburg started off well winning three of the first four games including big wins at home against Oldenburg and Bremerhaven. Then the team sustained a big losing streak. What were the reasons for this?

We have good players and a good coaching staff and we won games with a good advantage, but the games we lost were very close and winnable. We tend to lose confidence in tight situations when things aren´t going right.

Was Markus Jochum unable to reach his players at the end?

When a team wins then the players win and when a team loses then the coach loses. Last season, we started slow, but finished strong and almost reached the playoffs. It would be unfair to give him the blame for the loses. Basketball is a team sport. We played and lost the games and the coach is there to help us. It was a tough situation and management decided to make a move.

What is a strength of head coach Steven Key?

He has his own basketball philosophy. I hope that he can bring us back to a winning streak.

Why did you like playing in Ludwigsburg.

I like the weather and we don’t get too much snow. We have great fans who support us and I like the town.

You are a very good one on one player and move well without the ball. How did you learn these qualities?

I have to be thankful for all the coaches I have had in my career. My first coach in Lithuania and my coach at Pittsburgh really helped me. Basketball is always a learning process and you never stop to learn the game of basketball.

How many three point shots do you take a day in practice?

I take about 150-200 shots in the morning and another 50-60 at night.

What is the most amazing thing that you have seen Mark Dorris do on the court?

He is a very special young player and competiting is in his nature. He does so many amazing things.

At the start of the season, you were playing with Terrell Harris and now he is playing with Lebron James in the NBA. Can he stick in the NBA?

If he is in the NBA, then he surely can play at that level. Every player dreams to play in the NBA and going from Ludwigsburg to Miami is like a dream. But these things happen in the NBA. He is a special talented kid and I wish him the best.

What was your childhood like in Lithuania?

It was a normal childhood where I started to play basketball at age eight or nine. Basketball is number one in my country so it was only natural I would play basketball since we love basketball.

Who were your basketball idols?

The famous players from Lithuania.

You played at Pittsburgh from 1998-2003. Was this a difficult decision for you to make?

It wasn´t easy, because it is never easy to leave your home town and family. But my parents and I made the decision that it would be best for me to go and play basketball and get an education.

What do you remember from going to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2002 and 2003?

Just experiencing the atmosphere at March Madness is something you see once in a lifetime. The media coverage was great and the fans supported us so much. Something like 5,000-6,000 fans came to one game to support us.

You have played in countries like France, Italy, Poland, Spain and Lithuania. Where have you liked it most?

It is always best when you play at home and can play in front of family and friends.

You played together with Chevon Troutman at Pittsburgh. Do you have a funny story about him?

He was always funny and just a great kid. However, I don’t remember any story from back then.

You played together with Chuck Eidson who is playing with FC Barcelona. Why isn´t he in the NBA?

That is hard to say. He is very talented, but I am no NBA general manager. He has had injuries and maybe teams have been scared away by that.

What were the most number of free throws that you have made in a row in practice?

We usually have to take 50 free throws each practice and last week I went 50/50.

What was the most crazy shot that you made in a game?

In high school, there were a few seconds to play and I got a rebound and just threw a shot from the other three point line and it went in.

What would you like to do after your basketball career?

After playing basketball for 15-20 years, you want to stay close to basketball. Basketball has been close to my heart and I would like to stay close to basketball.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

I read a lot and the last book I read was Breaking Point from Sandra Brown.

Thanks Donatas for the chat.