Pic credit Leche Rio Breogan lugo

Anthony Polite (198-G-1997, college: FSU) is a 26 year old 198cm guard from Switzerland playing his first season with Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (ACB). Last season he began with LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) playing 8 Euroleague games and then moved to the Veolia Towers Hamburg (Germany-BBL) averaging 13.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 85.5%;and in the Eurocup averaged 15.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.3%. He began his basketball career with Benetton Fribourg and then made the trek overseas and went to school at Boca Raton, FL / St. Andrew’s School from 2013-2017. He then played at Florida State (NCAA) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 106 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Thanks Anthony for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Hello I am currently in Lugo, Spain.

Your playing your first season with Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (ACB). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you learned to appreciate from the ACB the best league in Europe and what is the biggest challenge?

It’s been great! The organization and the fans have been extremely supportive. I am loving it. I came here because I know Coach Mrsic can help my game elevate and I have always wanted to compete in Spain. There is not much room for mistakes as each game comes down to a 1 or 2 possession game and one small mistake can cause you to lose the game. Keep adapting to better my game.

Leche Rio Breogan Lugo has no American on the team which is very rare. The club has players from Lithuania, Serbia, Croatia, Argentina, Italy and Greece. How special is this team and how far can the journey go for the organization this season?

I believe this team is very special. We have everything a team needs to win. It’s a pretty new team, there are only 5 returning guys. Everyone works extremely hard and is willing to learn. We will be in the gym everyday working and will let the results speak for themselves.

Last season you finished strong in Germany with the Hamburg Towers. What expectations do you have with your game in the ACB. How would you like to see your game develop?

Keep growing keep getting better each and everyday. Breogan it’s definitely where I want to be and can see myself taking the next step in my career as a player. I don’t like to look too far ahead but just work win and enjoy the journey.

What has been your impression of young big man Matej Rudan? He developed well with FC Bayern Munich and broke out last season with BC Mega MIS Beograd (Serbia-KLS). What has impressed you most about his game?

He’s a great young man, extremely talented can pretty much do everything on the court, I’m glad to have him on my team!

Last season you began with LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA). You only averaged 10 minutes in the France Pro A and left after a few months. How tough was this time? Could you gain any positives out of the experience?

I take that experience as a positive, I saw how a Euroleague program works. I played with and against some of the best players in Europe. I know I can play at that level, and now I know exactly what I need to work on to get back there.

What was it like being teammates with Nando De Colo? Was he a guy that took you under his wing since you were a rookie?

It was a cool experience having someone with that many accolades and accomplishments. Trying to pick his brain on different aspects of the game.

You then finished the season strong with the Veolia Towers Hamburg (Germany-BBL) averaging

13.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 85.5%; and in the Eurocup averaged

15.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.3%. The team didn ´t make the playoffs, but still you helped them win some games. What do you feel was the biggest positive that you got from playing there?

Being able to play and get better. Being my first year professionally I think it was good to play and don’t just have a small role.

How memorable was the 89-87 Eurocup win over Italian team Trento where you scored 27 points? Were you feeling it early on?

It was a huge win as we locked a spot in the playoffs. It was one of those games we couldn’t lose the whole team had great energy and we all were able to play good basketball and convert. I was made a couple shots early on and the team was able to keep finding me for good looks.

You played at Florida State (NCAA) from 2017-2022 reaching 2 NCAA Sweet 16 ´s. Which loss was tougher too swallow, the one vs Gonzaga or Michigan?

Probably against Michigan as I had a bigger role on the team.

There was so much talent on the 2 teams that reached the SWEET 16. 5-6 guys that reached the NBA. What was missing to go all the way?

I don’t think anything was missing, it was just how the game went. Both teams played very well and it is called March Madness anything can happen.

You had many great wins, but where do you rate the 79-78 victory over Duke where you contributed 9 points?

It was a really good win and it felt great but it can’t compare to the wins in march madness or when we won the Regular season title.

How did head coach Leonard Hamilton groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He’s a great Coach and person, he prepares his players not only for basketball after college but life. He teaches you lessons that you will have to face in real life.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or M.J Walker?

We played so many times we both won

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Ja Morant, Zion Willamson

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James

Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan

Shaquille O’Neal

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron James. There is nobody that can do what he did from the start of his career until today 38 years of age

Thanks Anthony for the chat.

Pic credit Chicago Bulls

It is hard to believe it has been 6 years since I remember checking the 2018 NBA Mock drafts and seeing where Luka Doncic and Isaac Bonga were standing while they were into their final season overseas before reaching the big show. But checking on these 2 players and seeing where their game worth was as kids wasn´t the only thing that was grabbing my attention, but also something else. At that time, I also remember reading the fascinating story about a player that at that time was living the total Cinderella dream having began his professional career in the second division in Luxemburg and then via the G-League with the Windy City Bulls, returned in his third season and cracked the Toronto Raptors lineup and a season later became a vital role player for the Golden State Warriors who would reach the NBA final. The player that I´m referring to is Alfonzo McKinnie (203-F-1992, college: Green Bay). I love these Cinderella stories of guys who are talented but for whatever reasons had to begin at the bottom. Ever since that I had been following his career and when I learned that he had signed back in Europe to play in Italy, I told myself, I have to interview him. So I checked his work of employment which was Dinamo BDS Sassari to see if there were any players that I knew and bang there was Stanley Whittaker, a guy that I have loved covering and seen move up the basketball ladder from low leagues in Serbia and Austria to reaching a top 5 league in Europe in Germany with the easyCredit BBL and this season in Seria A Italy. Whittaker is a player that I featured time in and time out again the last 3 years and shown him the kind of media love that many would dream of having. He was a true gentleman and helped set up the interview with Alfonso Mckinnie. But the funny thing is that many observers in Europe don´t even know that he played his rookie season in Luxemburg. “Some people don’t have that on their radar. A lot of people see NBA and skip over Luxembourg but the Eastside Pirates was the first professional club I played for”, stressed Alfonso Mckinnie. It is only fitting that a guy like Whittaker help me out. Guys with chip on their shoulders and who have come from the bottom to the top stick to each other. “I sense that chip in Stanley every day whether it’s practice or a game. He’s the first person to the gym everyday. He’s a hard worker and brings it everyday. He’s been a guy on this team that I’ve talked to a lot to help me with my transition to playing here in Italy. The chip will always be on my shoulder. Not to prove anybody wrong but just to keep learning and trying to be the best version of myself. I’ve played at the highest level and even though I’m not in the NBA right now, I’m still that caliber player”, said Alfonzo McKinnie. Even if the American isn´t sure if he is a role model for Americans overseas dreaming of playing in the NBA, his story is definitely inspiring. “I don’t know if I’m their role model but I definitely think guys look at my story and it gives them some kind of inspiration. Inspiration to never settle and that anything is possible”, warned Alfonzo McKinnie. Alfonzo McKinnie (Dinamo BDS Sassari) lived the Cinderella dream going from Luxemburg to the NBA and was near tears when Steve Kerr told him about getting roster spot.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Stanley Whittaker in Frankfurt Germany in 2023

Alfonzo McKinnie who has future NBA player Kenneth Faried being his toughest foe in the NCAA as a guy who had an unmatched motor who was literally dunking on everyone on every possession and never got tired was born on September 17th, 1992 in Chicago, Illinois and grew up on the west side. He began his basketball career at Curie Metropolitan High School and then finished at Marshall Metropolitan High School where he earned All-Red West Conference honors averaging 11,2ppg and 8,5rpg. He then played 2 years and 54 NCAA games at Eastern Illinois University making a big jump in his second season averaging 10.2ppg, 7.0rpg, FGP: 56.7%, FT: 72.2% after only averaging 3,6ppg and 3,6rpg as a freshman. He scored in double figures 13 times in his sophomore season including having Maine´s number scoring 24 and 20 points. “My two years at EIU were some of my best times in college. I had a lot of fun at that school. My freshman year I didn’t really play and my sophomore year I got a lot more minutes. Watching and learning the system from the previous year had me ready for my sophomore season. I had some pretty good games that year. I ended up transferring though because of a coaching change. When that happened I had an opportunity at UWGB to team up with my best friend and former HS teammate Keifer Sykes. Also Coach Chrys Cornelius who had recruited me to EIU in the first place before leaving for UWGB”, remembered Alfonzo McKinnie. He then transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Greenbay (NCAA). “The biggest positive I took to UWGB was that I could play Division 1 basketball and that I could be an impactful player. Just having big games my sophomore year at EIU gave me that confidence”, said Alfonzo McKinnie. He played 43 games with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, but he had to battle injury woes tearing his meniscus twice. “I redshirted my first year at UWGB. I was looking to get big minutes that next year because we had some seniors graduating. I had a good redshirt year and towards the end I tore my meniscus. I had surgery and then right at the beginning of the following season I tore it again. One of the roughest times mentally for me because I was so excited to play and then one move on the court and I was sidelined again. This made realize that I have to cherish the game everyday that I´m able to play because it could be taken away so easy”, warned Alfonzo McKinnie. He had some great games scoring 23 points in a win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee and 16 points in a win against UALR and also reached the NIT tournament. “Looking at the bigger picture the NIT was a highlight for the program because we qualified to play in a post season tournament. Not everyone gets to play post season. Our personal goal was to make The Big Dance (NCAA) so we as players weren’t so excited for the NIT”, said Alfonzo McKinnie. He was fortunate to have been able to play for the right coach in Brian Wardle where he could flourish. “The biggest thing I took from Coach Wardle was on how to focus on being a star in my role. That was very beneficial for me because every year no matter what team i was on. I was able to identify my role and do that to the best of my abilities”, stated Alfonzo McKinnie who doesn´t remember having played former teammate Greg Mays, but if he did probably won.

The forward who lists MJ, Lebron, Kobe, and Steph on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore came overseas in 2015 and played his rookie season in Luxemburg with The East Side Pirates in the second division. It was only logical that coming from Chicago to Luxemburg was like night and day and an experience that was hard to get adjusted to. “I went to Luxembourg I didn’t know what to expect. For one I’ve never heard of Luxembourg until my agent at the time mentioned it to me. When I mentioned Luxembourg to everybody else they would say “Germany” lol. Everything about Luxembourg was a complete 360. Completely different everything. It was a culture shock for me. I was so used to being around family and not being far away from home and now I’m in Luxembourg isolated. I couldn’t understand the language. I didn’t know how to drive a manual car so I pretty much stayed in the house majority of the time. That year taught me a lot about mental health and how powerful it is. Mentally I was going through it because I felt out of place. But thanks to my family and friends and some teammates just keeping me motivated I was able to make it thru the year”, remembered Alfonzo McKinnie. He finished his rookie season in Mexico with Rayos de Hermosillo (Mexico-CIBACOPA) averaging 15.3ppg, 7.5rpg, FGP: 62.7%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 63.2% and scored 30 points in his first game. “I enjoyed playing in Mexico. The competition was higher than Luxembourg. The Rayos were #1 in the league when I arrived. I literally remember talking to the Rayos on like a Tuesday/Wednsday and I was in Hermosillo playing my first game like Friday. Atmosphere was crazy. My teammates were cool. The city showed me a lot of love. After being in Luxembourg for 8 months and pretty much losing every game. Mexico sort of rejuvenated me in a sense, upped my spirits because we were winning. We fell short in the finals but overall I enjoyed Mexico”, commented Alfonzo McKinnie. He scored in double figures in 19 of 24 games. In his second pro season he played with the Windy City Bulls (D-League) averaging 14.9ppg, 9.2rpg, FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 70.6%. There he was reunited with Alex Brown from Wisconsin and was teammates with many talented guys like current NBA player Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets. He was very consistent especially in the middle of the season. Unfortunately he never got an NBA call up. “My year with Windy City was special. I was able to be close to home and my family could attend all my games. That was the biggest plus for me. I ended up making the D league All star team that year as well. I felt like I should of got a call up but it didn’t happen so that kind of added fuel to the fire. That year took my confidence to another level. I felt like I was good enough to make a NBA Roster because I had performed well against a lot of NBA guys who was down in d league playing on assignment. Guys who were at my position. So after that year was over, my goal was to go to whatever mini camp I could go to and then get to summer league and sign to a team”, expressed Alfonzo McKinnie. He scored in double figures in 41 of 50 games including netting 29 points against Sioux Falls and 26 points against Greensboro.

The Chicago native who lists Keifer Sykes, Draymond Green, Demarcus Cousins • Lorenzo Brown and Demar Derozan as his 5 best teammates of all-time finally reached the NBA in his third season playing 12 NBA games with the Toronto Raptors and also played with the Raptors 905 Missisauga (NBA G League) averaging 13.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 69.3%. He made his NBA debut against Portland and in his second game scored 9 points in 9 minutes against Denver. “I remember checking in that game and just looking around in somewhat of Awe. It was the first real game I got to play in. I just wanted to go out and not mess up honestly. I ended up getting a few buckets. I can’t remember if we won or lost but I was just happy I got to play”, expressed Alfonzo McKinnie. When you’re a rookie in the NBA, there is usually no way about getting around having certain duties for the veterans. “My rookie year I had some rookie duties. I had to carry this little girly pink book bag with the letter A on it haha. I had to take that thing everywhere with Me. Other little rookie duties were just having to go get the team breakfast before a flight or something or making sure the vets bags got to the room on a road trip. Nothing too crazy. I had some cool vets”, remembered Alfonzo McKinnie. He was teammates with so many incredible players during his NBA time including Serge Ibaka who has come overseas this year and is playing in Germany for FC Bayern Munich and is easily the greatest ex NBA player to ever play in Germany. “I remember Serge being a cool dude. Down to earth guy. Probably the most fashionable guy on the team. He was a hard worker and it showed on the court. He was one of our best players. Glad to see him back playing and getting do what he loves”, stressed Alfonzo McKinnie.

In his fourth season he made the roster of the Golden State Warriors. He was able to play 94 NBA games and helped the club together with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson reach the NBA final. This was like a dream where he felt like a little kid locked in a candy store. “My year in Golden State is probably the most memorable. I signed with them for training camp for no money. I had the chance to secure a two way spot but I ended up getting a roster spot after pre season. I remember Steve Kerr telling me I was going to get my exhibit 10 converted to a two way and then the day after it was going to get converted to a roster spot. I was speechless. Honestly could have dropped a tear because it took me back to my rookie season in Luxembourg. Just seeing where I started out at and where I was now. I was with the back to back defending champs. Steve Kerr gave me an opportunity early in the year and I took advantage of it and I was able to be crack the rotation that year. Playing and then finishing #1 in the west and making it to the NBA finals. Huge accomplishment for me to be a part of”, remembered Alfonzo McKinnie. He lost the final to his former team Toronto Raptors and despite not winning will forever cherish that time. “The finals I remember the atmosphere being next level. Everything about it, on and off the court was next level. Nothing I’ve seen before. The overall experience was bittersweet though for me because we lost but at the same time I was able to experience that. Alot of guys don’t get to experience that. I’ll always cherish that experience. I remember flying my family to Oakland and setting everything up for them to come watch me in the Finals. I wanted them to apart of that experience too”, added Alfonzo McKinnie. He scored in double figures in 7 games including netting 19 points and hauling down 10 rebounds against his home town team Chicago Bulls. He had the special opportunity to play with the NBA´s greatest three point shooter Steph Curry, a guy who is on many of the younger generation NBA Mount Rushmore. “Steph was a genuine dude. I watched him work day in day out and go showcase his game at the highest level every night. Something he’s done for a long time now. A story I tell people is Steph was the first person to congratulate me on making the team and the day I got cut he called me and we talked for a little bit about what had happened. That there showed how genuine and how good of a guy he was. I honestly don’t think I’ve met anybody who doesn’t like Steph though”, stressed Alfonso Mckinnie who believes the original Coming to America is funnier than the sequel.

The scoring forward who has Lebron James as his goat next suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) averaging 4.7ppg, 2.9rpg. This was a very young team and he had one of his best games scoring 15 points in a victory over the Detroit Pistons. “My year in Cleveland was a roller coaster to say the least. We were a young cored team. Had a few vets. I didn’t really play to start but as the year went on I was able to get more oppurtunity and then we had a coaching change. Coach JB gave me more opportunity and I had kind of made myself a rotational player. Crazy thing in Cleveland was I got cut then ended up signing a 10 day then getting cut then signing a another ten day then ended up signing a deal with the Cavs. Crazy right. Unfortunately, covid happened and our season got shut down when we’re kind of finding our way”, said Alfonzo McKinnie. He scored in double figures in 5 games including 14 points against the New York Knicks. Covid hit the world and he actually was able to remain in the NBA in such an uncertain time in the world. He was able to lace up his sneakers with the Los Angeles Lakers and call Lebron James his teammate. “I got traded to the Lakers right when it was time for camp. I got covid so I had to miss training camp pretty much. That whole year covid played a big role in everything. Guys would have to miss games because they tested positive for covid. There weren’t any fans allowed in the arenas to start. As time went on some were allowed back. That year was pretty crazy when you really think about it. We were a part of a global shut down and then came back to play still not really knowing everything about Covid”, stated Alfonzo McKinnie. He played 41 games and scored in double figures in 4 games including 11 points against Sacramento. Any player would die to be able to be Lebron James´s teammate or battle against him. It´s no wonder that Lebron James had a positive influence on him during his time there. “I’ve watched Lebron since his HS Days. Arguably the greatest player to play the game. It was interesting to see how he carried himself. How he approached every practice, every game. Probably the smartest IQ wise that. As far as stories, I mean I got to see him go off in a lot of games so a lot of them would basketball stories”, expressed Alfonzo McKinnie. In the 21-22 season he experienced playing in the G-League and NBA with Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico-NBA G League) averaging 24.1ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 46.3%, 3FGP: 43.3%, FT: 86.2%, and Chicago Bulls (NBA) averaging 3.5ppg, 1.9rpg. “Getting called up to Chicago was a dream of mine. I knew I was going to get a call up. It was a matter of when and to what team. I was blessed to get called up to the home team. Also was blessed to be the first guy to sign for the full season out of the G league. I always wanted to play for the Bulls since a kid. One of the dopest moments of my career. My family being able to come to all the games. You would think I had a lot of tickets.l but I got 4 tickets every game and I gave them to my mom and she decided who got the other 3. Made it easy for me”, smiled Alfonzo McKinnie. He played 17 NBA games for the Bulls and scored 16 points against Houston while in the G-League scored 32 points against Rio Grande and 30 points a piece against Birmingham and Memphis. Last season he played with Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico (NBA G League) averaging 14.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 72.2% and lived in the giant city Mexico City and had no complaints. “Mexico City was dope. One of the best food scenes I’ve seen. Living situation was nice, nice arena, we had a great fan base. I enjoyed living in Mexico City. MC is a place I’ll go back and visit for sure. Beautiful City. Traffic was crazy, hell it’s 23 million people living there so I wouldn’t expect it to be any different. Thank god I didn’t have to drive out there though”, said Alfonzo McKinnie. Hes cored in double figures in 29 of 41 games including scoring 33 points against Iowa and 31 points against Memphis.

Now 7 years since his Luxemburg rookie season, Alfonzo McKinnie is back in Europe balling in Italy. The differences of the 2 countries in terms of the basketball is like day and night. “Luxembourg D2 and Italy Serie A two completely different leagues. The level of completion being the main factor. Also a lot of guys on my Luxembourg team had regular jobs while I was the only American and professional on my team. In Dinamo everybody is a professional”, added Alfonzo McKinnie. When you played so many years in the States, it it isn´t a cake walk to come back overseas and score 20 points every night and win games. “The experience playing in Italy so far has been an adjustment for me. On and off the court. Just being in a different country and not speaking the language is the biggest challenge off the court. On the court it’s a different style of play and different rules from what I’ve been used to the last 7 years. I’m learning more and more each day though. Coming in everyday and competing and just finding a rhythm and where I fit into the system here. Overall though Italy is a beautiful country and I’m interested in exploring it more and seeing what it has to offer”, stated Alfonzo McKinnie. The club has started off slow in the Serie A currently at 1-5 and 0-2 in the Basketball Champions League. There is a lot of room for improvement. “We haven’t had a great start but that’s expected with everything that has gone on in the club with injuries. I mean I had a few days of practice before playing my first game. But the more we practice the more we get to learn each other and find out what works best for us as a unit. As far as my role, I think I’m here to help on both ends of the floor. Be able to run the floor and create some opportunities,space the floor on offense and make shots and then to be a defensive presence on the other end”, warned Alfonzo McKinnie. “He is 31 years old now and is the NBA still reality for him? “If the right oppurtunity presents itself for me to get back to the NBA. It’s definitely something worth looking into but now I’m focused on the right now and just enjoying the journey. Wherever it may lead me. I´m 31, but still got a lot left to give this game”, warned Alfonzo McKinnie. It will be interesting to see if he can get back to the NBA? Guys have done it with PJ Tucker. Why not Alfonzo McKinnie. His massive chip on his shoulder definitely will continue to drive him to get back to the NBA a place he deserves to be at.

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Brevin Pritzl (191-G-1996, college: Wisconsin) is a 26 year old 191cm guard from Wisconsin that is playing his fourth professional season and second in Belgium and first with the House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He began the season in Germany with the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. Last season he played with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) playing 28 BNXT League games avergaing 16.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 83.3%. In 2021-2022 he played with Team FOG Naestved (Denmark-BasketLigaen) playing 28 games averaging 16.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT-13 (97.4%). He played his rookie season with KK Tamis Pancevo (Serbia-KLS) playing 29 games averaging 13.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT-8 (89.0%). He began his basketball career at De Pere High School and then played at the University of Wisconsin (NCAA) from 2015-2020 playing a total of 122 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball late in the summer before coming to Germany.

Thanks Brevin for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

I’m currently back in Wisconsin and working as a basketball trainer, helping kids improve their skills. I’m also working out and training myself in the evenings.

A question I like to ask the American ballers is what was the first restaurant you sought out after returning home from a season in Belgium? Or did you actually take in a home cooked meal from mom?

The first place I went to when I got back to the U.S. was Culver’s for some chicken tenders. I made my dad stop after he picked me up at the airport.

Congrats on signing with ambitious easyCredit BBL team Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. Was taking this offer almost like a no brainer?

I’ve always wanted to play in the BBL, so when my agent told me about this offer, I was very excited and wanted to jump at the opportunity.

How many guys do you know that have played in Germany? I´m very sure some of your ex Wisconsin teammates have played here like Jordan Hill.

I know a few guys who have played in Germany and have followed along with them for quite a while. Ethan Happ was here two years ago and one of my brother’s former teammates TJ Bray played in Germany too.

How excited are you to challenge yourself in a top 5 league? One can say you deserved this after grinding in lower leagues and moving up the ladder?

I’m very excited! Every season that I’m able to continue playing basketball is a blessing and I’m just thankful to be able to play. I try to enjoy every new experience, culture, and meeting new teammates – no matter the league. It has been fun to grind my way up to where I am now.

How big is the chip on your shoulder especially after having a tough junior year? How big is your drive to always get better and knowing you have to always prove yourself again?

I wouldn’t say I have a chip on my shoulder after my junior year at Wisconsin. Of course, I was frustrated with the way the season turned out because I believe I was a better player than I showed in college. To answer the second part of your question, I’m always trying to get better and perform better. I want to see how far basketball can take me, so I just keep working every year.

You’re a 191cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

If I had to compare my game to an NBA player’s, I’d dream it would be Klay Thompson. He has such a beautiful jumper and can really shoot it off of screens and on the move.

You come from a very sports orientated family. How important was having that kind of background in your development as a player?

My dad played basketball in college and instilled a strong work ethic in my brother, Brandon, and I as kids. Being four years younger than Brandon, I got to watch him go through everything first – AAU, college recruiting, etc. I was always trying to better than he was.

How established is the word versatile in your game background? You’re a guard that can fill the stat sheet with ease. Talk a little about your strengths?

I think my biggest strength is my shooting and that’s what I’m most known for. However, I’m always trying to get better and add new pieces to my game. No matter, I play hard and give my all to each game.

You reached the magical 50/40/90 plateau in Denmark. How developed is your shooting now coming into your fourth pro season?

In my eyes, shooting is the great equalizer in basketball because just a few threes can close a big gap. This is why I’ve always focused on becoming a better and better shooter. Each year I try to come back a better shooter than I was the year before.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become?

I’ve never been known as a defender, but I’ve always had coaches who pushed me to try and become one. Right now, I would say I’m a willing defender because I will give my best effort every time. I’m always trying to continue to improve as a defender and working hard at it.

On what area of your game are you working on most this summer to keep refining your game best?

This summer I’m focusing on my conditioning to push myself into even better shape. I want to be able to play at even higher energy during the games and need less rest.

Last season you played with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 16.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 83.3%. How did your game improve in a stronger league coming from Denmark?

Coach Casteels pushed me to play with the ball in my hands more than anyone ever has. I was able to do things with the ball that I hadn’t really done since I was a teenager. In Leuven, I was also pushed to take on bigger challenges defensively and that allowed me to stay locked in on the game. Each season, I continue to understand the European game better and that helps me perform.

You played a great playoff series beating Aalst and Den Bosch, but then lost a tough series against Charleoi. What memories do you have from this experience?

I just remember being so singularly focused on the playoff games that it felt like I was in the zone constantly. My teammates and I had a blast competing in practice every day, which made the games easier to play.

You played your second pro season with Team FOG Naestved (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 16.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT-13 (97.4%). You reached the 50/40/90 plateau. Talk a little about this season. Do you feel pressure to have to reach this plateau again?

Coach Hipsher had a great offense that allowed all of us that season to maximize on our abilities. He put each of us in a position where we would work best, and it showed. I wouldn’t call it pressure to hit these stats again, but it’s something that I believe I can do and want to do each year.

You were teammates with American Vincent Bailey who had played in Germany early in his career. What memories will you always have of him?

Vinnie was a great teammate and a lot of fun to be around. He is a very unusual player being a big man with guard skills and guard size. Vinnie was dominant for us that season and really helped elevate our team.

You played your rookie season with KK Tamis Pancevo (Serbia-KLS) averaging 13.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT-8 (89.0%). You were a rookie as Covid was in main force. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie in Serbia where you knew you were far away from home?

The first real culture shock I had was when I got off the airplane in Serbia and I couldn’t read any signs. Luckily the team owner’s sons picked me up and helped give me the lay of the land.

How special was your 42 point explosion in the thrilling 104-103 win against Dynamic SP where you shot 15/18 from the field. I suppose this was your best shooting game as a pro.

I would have to agree. I haven’t ever really had a game where I was that efficient. It was a great feeling! It really felt like every single time the ball left my hands, there was no doubt it was going in.

You played at Wisconsin (NCAA) from 2015-2020. What memories do you have of the 2017 NCAA tournament run where you won an exciting game over Villanova with 3 points and then lost a tough game to Florida 83-82?

I remember that we had a great group of guys, many of which have made successful pro careers, who played well together. Teamwork is what really allowed that Wisconsin team to be successful.

How tough was your junior season? Your minutes dipped from 29-19. Then your senior year they were up to 27 again. How did you cope in that season against adversary?

Stuff happens. You get cold and you don’t play as much. We had so many talented players on the team and our coaches were trying to play the guys who were “on” and who they thought could help us win and unfortunately that year it just wasn’t me. I just stayed the course, put my head down, and continued working to improve my game.

How tough was your senior season which ended abruptly due to COVID? What was your most memorable game at Wisconsin? You had a great game against Minnesota near the end of the season.

My senior season ending due to COVID was hard, especially since we were playing our best basketball and I was getting into a bit of a groove. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s hard to pick my most memorable game at Wisconsin, but I think the game against Minnesota would have to be up there for sure. So was beating Marquette at home my senior year.

How did Greg Gard groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Gard helped me improve my game throughout college and allowed me to learn more about myself in the process. I had never really considered a professional basketball career until Coach Alando Tucker came in and started to talk to me about the possibility of being a pro. He also did many workouts with me before my final season, that helped me develop my game to translate to the pros better.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or D`Mitrik Trice?

I don’t think Meech and I ever actually ever played 1-1 in practice, but if we did I would say it would be a pretty even split.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA?

The toughest players I faced in the NCAA were Luka Garza and Cassius Winston.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

This one was tough because I’ve played with so many talented guys. But my five best teammates of all-time would probably be Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ, Vitto Brown, Aleem Ford, and then Michael Ballard or Carter Higginbottom. While they didn’t play that much, Mike and Carter’s teammate value was through the roof.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ, Lebron, Kobe, Kareem

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron is my GOAT. He is the all-time leading scorer, he’s won championships, the Olympics, etc. In my eyes he is the best player of all time but I would say MJ is right there too, it is too hard to pick just one really.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I haven’t seen it and I can’t recall if I’ve seen the first one either!

Thanks Brevin for the chat.

After a tough loss at Orange Academy, the Dragons Rhondorf didn´t have much time to digest the loss as the next incredible team filled with Germany´s next talented young players arrived in the Dragons Dome with Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg. Dragons fans couldn´t have asked for a better showdown as they saw the 2 best teams in the Pro B south with identical 5-1 records. Ludwigsburg is a young, but experienced team that have played together for years combined with an ambitious and knowledgeable young coach with Khee Rhee. The Dragons Rhondorf have demonstrated all season long that they are a very lethal offensive team scoring 94 points on average, but relying on shoot outs won´t get them the Pro B title as they still haven´t found a defensive identity yet as they allowed 90 points per game. Ludwigsburg were also an offensive powerhouse, but defended better than Rhondorf. The Dragons Rhondorf had to be prepared to remain undefeated at home. Once again their defense wasn´t consistent and 1-1 defense horrible, but when it counted most in crunch-time, they stuck together and gave all they had at both ends and won a real nail bitter 97-95. It wasn´t pretty, but a win is a win. “We were resilient tonight. When they took the lead in the fourth, we found a way to come back and play defense and finish the game. Every guy that touched the court made an impact. We all had each others back on defense at the end”, stressed Dragons Rhondorf center Avery Sullivan (203-F/C-1999, college: Lamar). Even if Ludwigsburg moved to 5-2, one can´t forget that the team has an average of 18,5 years of age. After the loss Ludwigsburg head coach Khee Rhee was still proud how his boys played. “This was a high scoring game that was played at a high intensity. I think this was the best game that the Pro B has seen this season. The reason we play young guys is so they can play possession by possession and not hang their heads. The way my guys played for 37 minutes was admirable. We never gave up and always came back. This was the first time this season that we had to come backl”, stressed Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg head coach Khee Rhee.

Dominykas Pleta at FT line

Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg were without Lenny Anigbata while the Dragons Rhondorf were without Jekabs Beck and Tyrese Blunt. Both teams didn´t shy away from using their offensive weapons right away. Ludwigsburg had the quick 7-3 lead showing their inside out game as ex Erfurt forward Dominykas Pleta and Ognjen Veljkovic scored inside and ex Dragon Eslie Edigin nailed a trey. But Rhondorf didn´t let down quickly tying the game at 9-9 as big men Leon Bulic and Avery Sullivan scored inside. Ludwigsburg made their presence quickly on the offensive glass getting extra offensive rebounds. The teams would trade leads often and Pleta was in attack mode from the get go and would go on to have his best scoring game in the Pro B. The Dragons Rhondorf tried to get away going on a 7-0 run to lead 20-13 as Sullivan and 17 year old Janne Muller hit three´s, but Ludwigsburg punched back with a 10-2 run to lead 23-22. In the run the guests got super production from young Dutch man Mock Icke with 2 baskets inside, a reverse lay up by Pleta and a clutch three points by young German Luca Stuebel with the 23-22 advantage. But ex Orange Academy guard Marko Rosic had the last laugh with a lay in and 24-23 Rhondorf lead. “We played too fast at the start. When we found to our game, we got rolling. We also had problems on the boards. We took it personal and did a better job in the second half”, stated Avery Sullivan. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 50% from the field and 38% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 6 turnovers while Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg shot 42% from the field and 25% from outside and had 12 rebounds and 3 turnovers.

Kelvin Omojola at the FT line

In the second quarter the game would continue to be at even eye level except for the last minutes where the Dragons Rhondorf tried to pull away, but the guests fought back to trail only by 2 points at the break. There were 10 lead changes. Pleta continued to do his thing attacking the paint and scoring at ease while Omojola and Bulic also scored inside, but Ludwigsburg led 29-28. The Dragons Rhondorf then found some daylight getting away on a 10-2 run to grab their biggest lead of the contest at 38-31. In the run the Dragons got vital support from Texas native Avery Sullivan who showed his beast qualities with 2 buckets including a dunk while Bulic also scored inside and Croatian sniper Matje Silic nailed a trey. Rhondorf had upped their intensity and Badu Buck did a great job with the playmaking while Ludwigsburg were too hectic in their offensive sets which can happen with youth. Ludwigsburg stayed sharp and continued to chip away at the Rhondorf lead continuing to attack the paint. Abdulhay Komurkara, and Nico Santana scored while guard Stuebel got an offensive rebound and put back that was totally unacceptable for the Dragons giving up to trail 41-37. Aeneas Jung finally found his game nailing a trey and lay in while Pleta was in the zone all game long getting a lay in and dunk getting Ludwigsburg over the hump and 46-45 lead. “He is very mobile and a solid big. We did all we could to contest him, but he did whatever he wanted against him. We will be better prepared next time”, warned Avery Sullivan. Despite Jung hitting a trey on the last possession, it wasn´t enough to keep the lead as Muller and Sullivan added key buckets for the 52-51 Dragons lead at half-time. “We knew going in that they had the most possessions in the league. We knew it would be a back and forth game. We knew that they would make their shots so we just had to keep fighting and stay with them”, added Avery Sullivan. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 51% from the field and 31% from the three point line and had 18 rebounds and 7 turnovers while Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg shot 49% from the field and 21% from the three point line and had 22 rebounds and 6 turnovers.

Nico Santana from outside

The contest continued to be a close affair, but the Dragons rhondorf controlled the third quarter and were up by 6 points after 30 minutes. After Junga and Bulic traded baskets, Pleta continued to be up to his deadly execution scoring inside as Ludwigsburg led 55-54. The Dragons Rhondorf then upped their defensive intensity and finally showed some consistency getting stops with 4, but could only get a three pointer and offensive rebound and put back from Leon Bulic to lead 59-55. The three´s weren´t falling so both teams attacked the paint with consistency. Ludwigsburg got baskets from Veljkovic and Edigin while Rhondorf got buckets from Omojola and Muller to lead 63-59. Muller had his break out game in the Pro B with 18 points, but something his teammates expected from him. “That performance was no surprise for us. He works so hard in practice. It was only a matter of time. He stepped up big time”, stated Avery Sullivan. That 4 point lead was quickly shaved down to 1 point after Stueble made 3 free throws. But Rhondorf closed out the third quarter with force with a 7-2 run to lead 72-66. In the run, Rhondorf produced some stops and got lay ins from Omojola and Buck and free throws from Silic and Sullivan. “When we are able to get stops and get in transition, then we can be strong. We did that and kept them on their heels”, warned Avery Sullivan. “We attacked them over and over in the paint, but with some match ups, those baskets weren´t that easy to get. The tempo is so high that it makes it difficult to make the lateral movement on defense. We tried to keep a high tempo to make them tired”, commented Khee Rhee. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 50% from the field and 25%2 from the parking lot and had 28 rebounds and 10 turnovers while Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg shot 45% from the field and 15% from the parking lot and had 31 rebounds and 12 turnovers.

Avery Sullivan lay in

n the fourth quarter, both teams had the chance to decide the game, but instead it was the Dragons Rhondorf that had to fight back at the end get over the hump and let the Sullivan and Omojola show take over. It seemed like the Dragons Rhondorf had found Ludwigsburg´s number continuing to execute in the first minute grabbing the 79-72 lead as Sullivan nailed a beautiful old school hook shot, Muller made a lay in and ex Cologne German Antonio Pilipovic hit a trey. Rhondorf was on top, because they were getting support from many sides while Ludwigsburg seemed to only have a Pleta who could make a bucket blindfolded on this night. But they also had their 2 captains and main leaders Santana and Jung who began to contribute getting some baskets to trail only 79-77. After a Bulic step back jumper, Ludwigsburg made their last run of 11-2 to lead 88-33. In the run, the guests as usual got heavy production with Pleta who scored twice, and and Edigin made a thunderous dunk. The guests held the momentum as the Dragons 1-1 defense was nonexistent and now wanted to slam the door shut on the dragons with a Jung runner, Santana and Pleta free throws to lead 93-87 with2 minutes to play. “We were ok. We practice those situations all the time in practice being down by 5 points. We just stayed calm and fought back”, stated Avery Sullivan But the Dragons didn´t give up. Buck came up huge with a trey while Kelvin Omojola fed Sullivan with the perfect dime for the alley-oop dunk as Rhondorf trailed 93-92 with 1,30 to play. “Avery and I work on the alley-oop play. I had him in the corner of my eye”, said Kelvin Omojola. After a stop, Sullivan made free throws to give Rhondorf the 94-93 lead back. Esli Edigin came up big with a lay in with 47 seconds to play. Rhondorf that executed again as the Sullivan-Omojola show continued as Omojola found Sullivan wide open inside for the 96-95 lead. Omojola could of shot, but instead found the better positioned Sullivan for the winning basket with a few seconds to play. “I could of shot it, but I read the defense and saw him a mile away. He was the 99% basket”, warned Kelvin Omojola. “Kelvin and me are close on and off the court. Our chemistry showed. He is unselfish and just wanted to make the winning play”, expressed Avery Sullivan. Rhondorf then buckled down and forced Santana to a turnover and Sullivan closed out the victory with a free throw. “We had no communication on defense. Young guys get hectic. We didn´t execute the way we should of this. This was a learning lesson”, stated Khee Rhee. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Avery Sullivan with 34 points and 12 rebounds. Janne Muller added 18 points and Leon Bulic 16 points while Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg were led by Dominykas Pleta with 29 points and 16 rebounds while Nico Santana added 16 points and Esli Edigin 15 points. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 50% from the field and 29% from outside and had 35 rebounds and 13 turnovers while Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg shot 48% from the field and 145from outside and had 40 rebounds and 13 turnovers.

Aeneas Jung (203-PF-2002, agency: Octagon Europe) is a 21 year old 203 cm power forward that has the German/Cyprus citizenship and is playing his second season with Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg and has a double license with easyCredit BBL team MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. Last season in the Pro B he averaged 10.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 77.8%. He made his easyCredit BBL debut in the 2020-2021 season. He also is a member of the national team of Cyprus. He spoke to eurobasket before a pro B game against the Dragons Rhondorf.

Thanks Aeneas for talking to eurobasket.com. You have been in the Ludwigsburg organization for some time. What makes this organization so special?

I believe that the Ludwigsburg organization is really good for my basketball future. It is run very professionally. The resources are great here. You can combine school and basketball well. Everything is run very smoothly.

This season the Ludwigsburg pro B team is 5-1. Is this simple recipe for success correct? The team is experienced, many have played together for years and it has a talented and ambitious young coach with Kee Ree?

Yes that is correct. We are very young. Some guys have been together for years and know each other very well. It really is like a family here. We do things together on and off the court.

You and Nico Mojica are the leaders. How special is it having Nico as a teammate?

It´s very special. He helps me a lot to keep control. I was captain alone last season. Now we are both captain. We have a very good relationship as well as with the coach. That makes everything easier.

How talented is Luca Stuebel? Could he be the next Patrick in the Ludwigsburg stable of point guards coming up?

I hope that happens. He is very talented and has developed well here. He has good phases. I continue to keep telling him to be aggressive. I keep telling him that not many can keep up with him at the Pro B level. He is a very hard worker. If that continues then he will have a very bright future.

How athletic is Esli Edigin? Have you experienced a wow moment with him on the court?

I see wow moments form him often. What he can already do at his age is wow. He is very fast and controls the ball well. He also has a good shot. He is always the last one out of the gym. I hope that he will go far in his career.

How valuable has Kee Ree been in your second season? How has he helped you with your game best?

He gave me so much trust from the start. If I told him that my knee was hurting then he told me to rest. Not all coaches are like. He wanted me too feel good first and not keep playing to get hurt again. It isn´t easy to cope with pain, but he really helped me come back from my long injury in getting the feel on the court again that I needed.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm forward/center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I´m a power forward. I´m a little slow now but that was because of my injury. I´m working hard to regain my quickness again. I hope to be where I want to be with my quickness in 2 years. I have heard comparisons to Euroleague player Kostas Papanikolaou. He moves well off the ball, can shoot and pass. My goal is to play like him.

You’re a very versatile player. Would you call yourself a modern forward? How big is versatility in your game?

It is big. Now all bigs can shoot. You don´t have an influx of heavy players in the post. The game has become fast. I like to push the ball.

How defined is your three pointer? How vital is it getting a consistent shot to being able to make the next level as a player?

A big goal is to get a consistent shot. I´m working very hard on that. I have my ups and downs, but I continue to work on it.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I´m still slow. I have no problems against big men, but I want to be able to guard guards on the switch

On what area´s of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

I´m working mostly on my shot.

What are your goals as a player? Ludwigsburg have many talented youth players and cracking the BBL team roster is tough. Do you see yourself getting more minutes this season?

I want to have a good season and help my team as much as possible. I want to be consistent and not force anything. I simply want to play as best as possible.

You are a member of the Cyprus national team. How is the state of basketball in that country. How positive do you the future for the country in basketball?

Basketball is getting better and better in Cyprus. The problem is that the young talented players aren´t getting tough competition. The country doesn´t have the proper resources for the guys to work on their game. We have talented young players but it is waisted potential.

You missed the whole 2021-2022 season because of injury. How tough was this season? Plus Covid was still around. What did you learn about yourself in that time?

It was a very tough time. I tore my second ACL: I knew how it went, but having to do it a second time was tough all over again. I had to start at 0 again. I am thankful for my physical trainer who helped me a lot and got me back to where I am now. I was alone many days and it was tough mentally I never knew if I could get back to my old level. I learned to be tougher. I feel like my mind set got stronger as well. I began to work even harder, because I valued be able to paly again. I´m very grateful that I can still play.

You played NBBL many years ago with Jacob Patrick and have seen him develop. How big is your desire to go the same route as him as he has worked himself well into the BBL rotation?

Each guy has their own path. Some get there earlier and others later. My goal is to work hard each day and If I continue to do that then I know that I will get my chance.

You played your first BBL game in 2021 against Braunschweig. What memories do you have of that game?

I will never forget my offensive charge and Andrew Warren hitting many three´s. I´m really grateful that I got a chance.

You played for John Patrick. He is a tough coach. What do you believe was the most worthwhile thing you could take with you from his presence in Ludwigsburg?

He taught me to stay humble and focused no matter if you win or lose.

Who was the toughest player that you have ever faced in game in your life?

In the Pro B it was Jeremy Sochan and Ariel Huckporti who was my teammate.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore.

Lebron, Jordan, Kobe, Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

If I had been born in Jordan´s era then it would be him. But since I´m not it is Lebron.

Thanks Aeneas for the chat.

Koen Sapwell (193-G-1999, college: CS Monterey) is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Adelaide, Australia playing his first season in Europe in Germany with pro A team Dresden Titans currently averaging 15,8ppg, 3,8rpg and 2,0apg while shooting 42% from outside. He began his basketball career with the Central District Lions. He also has gained experience down under with teams Hobart Chargers, South east Melbourne Phoenix, Ballarat Miners, Brisbane Bullets and last played with the Southern Districts Spartans (NBL1 North) averaging 25.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.0apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 66.2%. He also played 3 years with the California State University Monterey Bay (NCAA2) playing a total of 60 games. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Koen for talking to germanhoops.com. How does it feel for an Australian boy to be living in historic Dresden? What have you appreciated most about the city so far?

Dresden is an awesome city! I’ve loved being able to get out and experience everything. I love the history side of the city and find it super interesting. I’ve definitely been the tourist taking photos of everything so far.

An important aspect for you coming to the Dresden Titans was the fact that many guys remained. Do you feel that family like atmosphere with this club?

Absolutely. From an international perspective, it´s always hard to get a real gauge on the culture from the outside looking in, but when I was able to talk to fab over the phone and talk about so many guys returning, it´s pretty obvious that people like Fabo and head office have made a culture and family environment at the Titans. It also speaks to the character of the other guys on the team, no one has any hidden agenda and just wants the best for the guy next to them. Makes a winning culture.

What have you learned to appreciate most about the basketball philosophy of Fabian Krauss? Is he a coach that will help you make the next step?

I think the biggest thing which is hard to find in many head coaches, is that we’re humans first. He understands that at the end of the day, we’re going to be better basketball players, teammates, partners, husbands and son’s if we’re all happy off the court. He sees his players as humans and that’s something I really like, and it makes you want to play for him more, and I think this naturally helps me get to the next level.

What has it been like being teammates with Tanner Graham and Grant Teichmann? What have you appreciated most about their games?

Tanner and Grant are great guys, makes it really easy to get integrated quick when you have other guys that are natural English speakers. It helped me early with bridging the gap with the other local guys on the roster. I’m at the point now were I’m really comfortable with all the guys and enjoy any time spent with them, on or off the court. As far as basketball goes it’s pretty clear that they’re great players, it makes my life easy when they have the ball, I know they’re always going to make the right decisions. I back them 100%

This is your first time in Europe. How would you rate the level of play in Germany compared to what you witnessed in Australia and NCAA 2?

Playing in the NBL the last 2 years has been really fulfilling and something that I will forever be grateful for, as it’s a top 3 league in the world. Being able to come from a league with so many great players I think has prepared me really well for this next chapter of basketball in Europe. The league here is really good, and I think our close game to Hamburg last weekend speaks for itself. We’re a good team, and when were at our best we’re going to be a tough team to beat.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm combo guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

It’s always hard to answer this type of question because I think the NBA is a league that’s very 1v1 based and rely on too many individual pieces to succeed. I’ve always prided myself on being a team guy and want to play the right way. If I had to choose I would love to say someone like Devin Booker, CJ McCollum or Klay Thompson. Someone that doesn’t really need the ball to succeed, and someone that can create for himself and others when I need to. I’ve always been someone that can shoot, so I’d love to think I play like these guys. Obviously just not as good LOL.

You’re a guy that can score very well and fill the stat sheet well. What is your biggest strength on the court?

I think my biggest strength is my ability to create plays and read defenses. I’ve played this game for a very long time and grown up in a household where my father and brother played and talk basketball 24/7, so I like to think I have a high basketball IQ. I trust myself to make the right plays at the right time, whether it’s scoring, assisting or defending.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

Defense is something I pride myself on. Something that I’ve worked on really my whole life. Being touted as a defender and getting the best defensive assignment every night is something that I look forward to and something I take personally. As an Australian playing international basketball I want to make sure I represent that well by being a hard-nosed defender, and someone that can change the game regardless of how I’m playing offensively. Moving forward I want the narrative around me to be that I’m an elite defender and someone that other teams don’t want to play against.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

Becoming a better rebounder is something that I would love to improve on, and I think I’m going to have an opportunity this year to do so. We’re a relatively small team, so we’re going to have to rely on people like myself, Grayson, Grant and Daniel to being good rebounding guards.

You played the last few years down under since playing in the NCAA2. How has your game grown most in the last few years?

If I was to compare myself now to what I was when I was in college it would seem though I were two different people. While college is a great stepping stone and something that prepared me for professional basketball, it is still very, very different. I was able to work in a professional environment where my only obligations were to improve as a basketball player. I have become someone that isn’t just a shooter and someone that would only play if I was shooting well/not, to a player that is slowly becoming a more well rounded player. I would say that I’ve gotten better at almost every aspect of basketball since I started college.

You played at California State University Monterey Bay (NCAA2) from 2017-2020 playing 60 games. Talk a little about your time there. What was your fondest moment there?

College for me was more about becoming a man more so than anything else. I think moving away from home when you’re 17 is a really big life choice, and to allows you to really take care of yourself. Some of my greatest memories are things that were not involved with basketball, but meeting best friends, eating the same $2 ramen meals with your roommate who is just as broke as you are. At the end of the day I was able to make lifelong friends and have stories that I will tell my future kids about, and they mean more to me than any stat line I had over my 3 years.

You had many great games but where do you rate your 22 points in the exciting 78-76 win over California-San Diego?

I rate it very highly! It was something that no one thought we would be able to do, and something that made us all come together closer as a team. They were nationally ranked, and it was one of our few good team wins that season, so it made it all the more sweet.

How tough was your last season at California State University Monterey Bay (NCAA2) Your season ended on November 30th and then COVID came. How do you remember that season?

´2020 as we all know was a pretty tough time in everyone´s lives. I think the scariest part of it all at that point was just the uncertainty of everything. We didn’t know if we were going to finish our season, or even how deadly Covid actually was. I actually left college and went back to Australia a little bit early, and luckily missed a lot of the COVID protocols that were rolling through California at the time.

How did Isaac Williams groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Isaac was helpful for me in a way that he challenged me each day and gave me a coaching style and perspective that I would never have gotten if I stayed in Australia. He helped me improve as a professional, and allowed me to learn how to really hold myself accountable for each day I was playing for him. Something I am very thankful for to this day.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jahvon Johnson?

I’m going to go with me, but surprisingly enough we didn’t play that many 1-1 games.

Who is the best player that you ever faced on the court that reached the NBA?

Playing in the NBL there are a lot of players who have played NBA minutes. Some people I got to know really well and see their work ethic daily were Mitch Creek and Ryan Broekhoff. Ryan played a number of years in the NBA and both guys were always open to having me pick their brains about basketball. Another guy I played against a lot was Bryce Cotton. He’s a player that has won 4 out of the last 6 MVP’s in the NBL.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time? Best basketball players

Tyler Johnson 2. Nathan Sobey 3. Mitch Creek 4. Aron Baynes 5. AK Gak Best teammates 1. Josh Kollman 2. Brent Hank 3. Chevy Spurr 4. Matt Johns 5. Ambros Eugster

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Wilt Chamberlain

Who is your GOAT and why?

Michael Jordan He is just the GOAT.

Thanks Koen for the chat.

It was early fall in 2020 when I remember walking into the Dragon Dome in Rhondorf. The whole world was in disarray with Covid and the Dragons Rhondorf were in their second season in the Regionalliga after having been in the Pro A only 5 years earlier. It was tough times for the organization and before anyone could get used to the solid 3-1 start into the season, the German Regionalliga would be cancelled due to Covid. I was happy that I could witness a few games of the Dragons before the season ended. I remember standing behind the Dragons basket and watching warm ups about an hour before tip off. Yassin Idbihi who at that time was working for the Dragons in management and had witnessed a super career as a player came over to me and said look at that kid. I looked over at a young and scrawny kid and at first was baffled. I asked him if he mixed up that kid with young prospect Ousmane Ndiaye a guy who made his debut with 15 years in Rhondorf and since has landed in the Spanish ACB with Palencia and is on NBA mock draft boards. He just smiled and said no no, I mean Esli. I said who? Eslie Edigin. The name sounded familiar and soon it made click that he was the little brother of Eddy Edigin a rare player that made the jump from the Regionalliga to the easyCredit BBL. This 15 year old kid had bounce and was super athletic. He would find his way into the Dragons Rotation in the next season and now is playing his second season with Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg, the farm team of BBL team MHP Riesen. Edigin is 18 years old and continues to develop in a fine fashion forward. He will never forget his days with the Dragons Rhondorf and Yassin Idbihi. ‘Yassin was very important for me. He was like a mentor for me in that time. He always gave me feedback and was always there for me when I had problems. He always listened to me’, remembered Esli Edigin (194-SG-2005)

Eslie Edigin who lists current Hamburg Tower William Christmas as the toughest player that he has ever faced on the court was born on April 11th, 2005 in Regensburg. He began playing soccer at a young age and then realized at age 12 that there was basketball. The main reason for that was because of his brother Eddy who was had just began to play with the FC Bayern Munich NBBL (U-19) team. Eddy is one of those rare players that went from the Regionalliga to the easyCredit BBL and is playing also in Ludwigsburg, but with the BBL team. Esli began playing basketball for the U-14 team of the Regensburg Baskets. In his first year he made big strides. He went from averaging 4-6 points a game to being the leading scorer of the team. Soon after he was sighted at a basketball tournament in Berlin by Bamberg and he then played JBBL (U-16) for them while being reunited with his brother Eddy who was also in their organization. He then moved to BG Bonn-Meckenheimer TuS (Oberliga) and then played with the Dragons Rhondorf club in 2021 playing 23 pro B games averaging 4.9ppg, 1.3rpg, and also played with Team Bonn/Rhoendorf U19 team (NBBL) playing 6 games averaging 10.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 25.0%. His first pro B season was a big stepping stone as he averaged 16 minutes per game and right away got the full trust from head coach Julius Thomas. He scored in double figures in 6 games including in his first 3 games of the season and hit Hamburg for 18 points. He will be back in the Dragon Dome this weekend for the first time since his stay there. ‘I’m really looking forward to coming back and seeing familiar faces again. I’m really thankful how the club pushed me when I was there. I got minutes right away and got experience’, remembered Esli Edigin In Rhondorf he was teammates with other talented young German Oshane Drews who also has climbed the basketball ladder and has played 5 BBL games already with Rostock this season. Even if Drews is 4 years older than him, does he regret maybe not having gone to a smaller BBL team and playing BBL right away? ‘Oshane was a very good teammate. We played a lot of 1-1. At the start he beat me at 1-1, but at the end of the season the battles were more even. I never think about what could have been. I think that if I had gone to a smaller team, I would have had to change my game. In Ludwigsburg, I have time to develop. I’m happy with my choice’, warned Esli Edigin

In the summer of 2022 the guard who lists Lebron, James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Anthony Edwards on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore made the jump to Ludwigsburg. He was pleased with the Bonn/Rhondorf situation, but personally felt that the Ludwigsburg experience would be more meaningful. Plus there were some uncertainties with Bonn/Rhondorf that also made him decide to leave. Last season he and the young tLudwigsburg eam had to pay their dues. The club struggled and he had to find himself and needed adjustment time. He averaged 8.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 70.0% in the Pro B and in the NBBL averaged 11.2ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 64.1%;In the pro B he scored in double figures 8 times including scoring 21 points against Hanau and 19 points against Koblenz. In the NBBL he scored in double figures 6 times including netting 23 points against Jena and 22 points against Urspring. He suffered a tough 3 game playoff series lost to Urspring in the NBBL that halted their way to the Top 4 in Frankfurt. ‘The loss to Urspring was bitter. I still think about that loss today. I feel that we had to win the series. Urspring having had home court was vital. I’ll never forget the atmosphere there and this loud siren’, said Esli Edigin The ex Rhondorf guard who lists Lebron James as his GOAT is playing his second season with Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg and the club has had a great start currently at 5-1. The key to the success is simple. The team is young, but has experience, has guys that have played together for years and have a very ambitious and talented young coach with Khee Rhee. The leaders on the team are German Aeneas Jung and Nico Mojica and with young guard Luca Stuebel who could be the next type of Jacob Patrick player coming up. ‘I like the kind of energy that Aeneas brings to practice and games. I like his leadership. He forces us to be focused and will have 1-1 talks with us. Mojica is also a very good player and very emotional. He always wants the best from us. Luca is very talented. He didn’t play as much last season as he didn’t get the trust. But this season he has shown that he can play. He very well could be the next Patrick type of player here’, stressed Esli Edigin Currently he is averaging 11,0ppg, 3,5rpg, 1,0apg and 1,2spg and is shooting 45% from outside. Khee Rhee already showed last season that he had trust in him and that continues to be present this season. ‘He was straight up with me from the start telling me what he thinks of me and what my role would be. He gave me trust and confidence. I have improved a lot under him. We watch a lot of video and he has helped me read the game better’, warned Esli Edigin who feels national team teammate Ivan Kharchenkov has NBA potential.

Brothers Eddy and Esli in Bonn

Last summer he also had further incredible experience winning a Bronze at the U-18 Eurochampionships and played Addidas Next generation tournament where he scored 8 points and dueled Real Madrid and current UCLA player Jan Vide who scored 19 points. ‘Some were skeptical of how we would do, but I always knew that we had a good team, but didn’t know how we would perform. Even if we had a bitter loss to Serbia, It was a positive experience. There was a lot of intensity in the game against Real Madrid. They took charge early and we fought back, but it wasn’t enough. Vide was a scorer and I just remember him being so effortless with everything. It was also a great experience playing against high level guys’, remembered Esli Edigin Even if people have compared his game to Donovan Mitchell, he personally likes to observe Paul George and Anthony Edwards. He tries to model his game after Edwards. One might think that just through stats, he is a three and d player, but that isn’t true. He can do a lot on the offensive end and continues to get better on the defensive end. ‘I feel like I’m a two way player. At the moment I’m more of a half court defender. I want to be able to defend full court in the future and 8 seconds which will help me get more steals’, stated Esli Edigin He also has stabilized his outside shot in Ludwigsburg and has become a 40% shooter. ‘In Rhondorf my technique was always changed. I was always tweaking my shot and that was why my percentages were down. I did take a lot of reps in Rhondorf, but it just didn’t show in the stats. I want to be consistent and in Ludwigsburg, I’m keeping the same technique on my shooting stroke which has helped me’; warned Esli Edigin He knows that at the moment he has to focus most on his shooting and ball handling. It will be interesting to see where his journey will continue to go. The kid is only 18 and the sky is the limit. If he continues to have that consistent three pointer and sharpen his defense which fits the BBL’s Ludwigsburg team philosophy, then who knows he may see BBL minutes a lot quicker than anyone ever expected. It would also give the easyCredit BBL another brother duo on the same team.

One of my standard questions that I ask all players in interviews is who won a 1-1 in practice. Since 98% off all my interviews are with Americans, I like to go back to their college days and ask them this question. I will study the college/university roster and see what player could have been that player that might have battled after practice in a friendly game of 1-1. Usually I take the guy that is about same in height which would seem logical as that 1-1 partner. It is hard to say what the percentages are of guys having dueled that guy and not, but I would say it´s about 60 to 40 for having made the right match. If a guy never played that guy in a 1-1 match, then usually the player will say, I would have won. It is always interesting to hear the comments. If you’re a player, it is about 99% normal that they will take themselves, but every now and then I will get an honest player who will actually give credit to the other guys as winning. Some guys are very neutral and say the games went 50/50. Usually I will get 2-3 sentences from the player describing the 1-1game, but very seldom a long paragraph which I got from D.J. Fenner (198-G-1993, college: Nevada). He is a player that has been grinding overseas now in his seventh season and in his eighth country in Holland. I got the full hot order from him in terms of how he matched up against his ex Nevada (NCAA) teammate Jordan Caroline a versatile player that played for the Lakers NBA Summer League team, ACB in Spain and currently is in Asia with the Nishinomiya Storks (Japan-B2 League). I don´t always pick the right 1-1 partners, but with Jordan Caroline, I was spot on. “Funny story about how Jordan and I became really good friends: He had just got to campus the summer going into my senior year, and we were playing 2v2, which seemed to quickly turn into a 1v1 between him and I. He beat me, but not only did he beat me, he was talking so much trash while doing it, so much so, that afterward, I sat under the basket in the empty gym with tears in my eyes and vowed to myself that I will never leave the gym before he leaves. In other words, I vowed to work on my game more than him! Then, the next open gym, my team was playing against his team, and he was guarding me, and I was busting his a** and talking so much junk that he got so mad he picked me up and slammed me to the ground giving me a huge knot on my head. We finished the game and I hit the game winner, and he wanted to fight, but he’s not anybody you really want to fight. Long story short, we became really good friends after that, and by the end of the season, we were sharing tears in the locker room after our final game together. I love Jordan and to answer your question, he pretty much won 1v1, but if we played today, I don´t know, it might be a different story”, smiled D.J. Fenner.

Derrick D.J. Fenner Jr who lists childhood friend Zach Lavine of the Chicago Bulls as his toughest foe in the NCAA was born on December 7, 1993 in Seattle, Washington. He got his first basketball experience at Seattle Prep where he averaged 17,0ppg and 18,0ppg in his first 2 seasons and then exploded as a senior averaging 27,0ppg. In between he was in Washington DC at Gonzaga College high school. He then had a stellar career at the University of Nevada (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 133 games. He began his freshman season in typical fashion averaging only 14 minutes and averaging 2,5ppg and 1,8rpg, but that rapidly changed in his sophomore year as his minutes fluctuated to 24 as did his stats to 8,9ppg, 2,6rpg and 1,0apg. He won´t forget dueling Zach Lavine and UCLA in his freshman year losing 105-84 as his friend scored 21 points and he finished with 4/2/1 stats. “Later that night, if you turned on ESPN sports center, he was on there doing a windmill on a fast break and staring into the camera as a he landed. It’s amazing he is a 10-year NBA vet now, but he’s easily the best player I’ve ever played against”, said D.J. Fenner. His game really took off in his last 2 seasons as he averaged 13.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 85.5%n and as a senior 13.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 83.3%. Every school has a rivalry and the Nevada-UNLV rivalry is as intense as they get in the NCAA. “Playing in a college rivalry like Nevada vs UNLV was honestly a dream come true. UNLV usually had the upper-hand on us before I arrived to Nevada, but throughout my 4 years there, we dominated that battle. After erupting for 37 against them, I realized that all of my hard work truly was paying off. I also remember thinking that I was only 3 points short of having 40”, remembered D.J. Fenner. He topped off his senior year helping win the MWC title scoring 12 points and getting back to the big Dance where Nevada hadn´t been to since 2012. “That was probably my sweetest moment, yes! It felt like everything had come full circle. I stuck it out at Nevada through all of my 4 years of eligibility, and I wanted nothing more than to be a part of the group that sent Nevada back to the NCAA tournament. I was the only player/coach/team trainer that was there from my freshman year, so I felt like a “lone-wolf” to a certain extent, but I felt so proud that I did not transfer, stuck it out, and became part of that championship team. To this day, it is probably one, if not THE best moment of my basketball career”, remembered D.J. Fenner. In his last 2 seasons he played 72 games and scored in double figures in 48 games. He had other fine games like scoring 30 points against Air Force, 26 points against Morehead State and 24 points a piece against Fresno State, Colorado State, Oregon State and Montana. He was fortunate to get the exceptional coaching skills from David Carter and Eric Musselmann and help guide him to a professional career. “Coach Carter helped me realize the game was definitely more cut-throat at the college level, and that you have to spend a lot of time in the gym (we used to have 4 hour practices). Musselman was definitely one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. Not the nicest guy in the world, but nice doesn’t matter that much when it’s all about winning especially at the professional level, because players get fined or fired for not winning or producing. I definitely had a love-hate relationship with Muss, but I loved him because he turned our program around and helped make me a champion, something that I’ll love him for way more than anything I could dislike him for”, stated D.J. Fenner.

The Washington Native who lists Jordan Caroline, Cam Oliver, Marcus Lovett Jr., Zach Lavine and Trey Wade as his 5 best teammates of all-time embarked on a professional career in the late summer of 2017 to Europe. His start overseas wasn´t all roses and glory as he had to suffer growing pains right away. He began with top Hungarian team Alba Fehervar, but only stayed to the mid point of the season averaging 4,8ppg, 5,0rpg and 1,5apg in the Fiba Europe Cup and 5/4 in the Hungarian league, but at least found a job quickly after in the Greek first division averaging 5,2ppg and 2,2rpg. There at least he could see where he stood against top players like Bobby Brown, Brian Roberts and Serbian legend Vassilis Spanoulis. “I had quite a few wake up calls that year! One of my biggest was being cut from the team in Hungary and learning about it on Instagram, and another was not getting paid the money I had worked for in Greece. I quickly realized that not only is this a business, but if you don’t have the right support, you can find yourself in a very difficult situation. I remember being extremely proud of myself, however, once the season ended and I spent an extra few days in Athens, Greece, touring the city. I told myself, “I did it! I completed my first season as a professional athlete. I definitely remember playing against those guys, especially Brown and Spanoulis. I remember watching Brown in warm-ups from the other side of the court, and watching him pretty much make every shot. I remember thinking to myself how poised and patient they were. They did not play rushed or outside of themselves, and they made every possession count”, expressed D.J. Fenner. In his second pro season he split time with Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 11.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 43.9%, 3FGP: 30.0%, FT: 92.6%, and in Apr.’19 moved to HKK Siroki Primorka (Bosnia-Division I) averaging 9.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 81.8%. His stats improved and so did his whole European experience. ”The main positives I could take from that time in Finland was I remember working on my game every day before and after practice. I made sure to take advantage of my time there to build better basketball habits which mainly included creating pre/post-practice routines”, said D.J. Fenner. In Bosnia, he won his first chip something many guys can say they didn´t in a 10 + career as he did it in Bosnia with HKK Siroki Primorka. The team was down 2-1 to Spars Sarajevo and then still won 3-2. He came up big averaging 13,0ppg and 4,0rpg in the 5 game series. “Leading up to that playoff series, I was not playing well at all. I was struggling with my shot and I believe I was a difficult player to play with because I hadn’t quite grasped the European play-style. The last two games of the playoffs, however, it felt like something “clicked” and I ended up playing my best basketball since I had arrived in Bosnia & Herzegovina. My best memories was the celebration after we won. It was something I will never ever forget”, stressed D.J. Fenner. In the 2019-202 season he signed late with KK Tamis Pancevo (Serbia-KLS). He suffered his first real off season hardship as a professional player as his career was really in jeopardy. “ Before going to Serbia, I was in the states, without an agent, working at a consignment shop to make ends-meet. When I got an opportunity to go back overseas, I took full advantage. It was difficult because I was playing for little money, and my wife was back in the States pregnant with our first child, but I made the best of the situation because it was my way back in the European market, and I knew it would be a good opportunity to rebrand my game and start making progress again in my professional playing career”, remembered D.J. Fenner. His season was cut short on account of Covid, but he made the best out of the situation playing 9 games averaging 16.2ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 88.1%. He scored 28 points against Metalac and 26 points against Dynamic VP.

The ex Nevada (NCAA) player who lists Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore had his first tour of duty in Portugal in the Covid 20-21 season playing for Imortal Luzigas Albufeira (Portugal-LPB). It was at that point in his career his best season as he was third in the league in scoring averaging 19.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 82.5%. He really landed in Portugal that season scoring in double figures in 30 of 32 games and had 20 points or more 17 times. His best game was against top team Benfica Lisabon scorching them for 33 points in a 93-86 win. There he was reunited again with ex UCLA player Bryce Alford who had beat him with Zach Lavine and later almost reached the NBA. This time Fenner was the best man on the court and out dueled ex NBA player Quincy Miller-Scott along the way. “That was definitely one of my fondest moments in my basketball career so far. I knew I could play at a high level and I knew I could compete against those caliber of players, and after that game I felt like I sort of proved to myself that I could do that. The best part about that game, however, was seeing the joy and excitement on my coaches’ and teammates faces”, smiled D.J. Fenner. In his fifth professional season he took the trek to Poland and played with MKS Dabrowa Gornicza (Poland-EBL) averaging 14.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 77.4%. It looked from a stats perspective as another successful season, but don´t let the stats fool you. “This was one of my more difficult seasons because we started off strong as a team, and then I tore my meniscus causing me to miss most of the season, and our team ended up falling out of the playoff race. I did, however, enjoy coming back from injury and finishing off the season very strong”, commented D.J. Fenner. He still had some huge games against King scoring 29 points and hit Legia for 22 points. Last season he found his way back to Portugal where he played for Sporting Clube de Portugal Lisboa (Portugal-Liga Betclic averaging 15.5ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.6apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 46.9%, 3FGP: 44.4%, FT: 90.2%, and in Dec.’22 moved to Arka Gdynia (Poland-EBL) averaging 13.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 78.3%. In Portugal he was back to his dominating form especially in the FIBA Europe Cup where he averaged 17,0ppg and scored 24 points against Antwerpen, 23 points against Anwil and 21 points against Kormend.He really had Anwil´s number also scoring 25 and 23 points against them in the Polish league. In Poland he continued to deliver fine stats and dueled against ex NBA players like Toney Douglas and as usual examined closely how he operated. “The biggest thing I noticed about playing against Toney Douglas was his constant communication on the court both on defense and offense. I noticed he was always communicating during the game, in huddles, and timeouts. Furthermore, he always played through his mistakes. No matter the mistake, he had such a short-term memory regarding the mistake that it was like he completely forgot about the mistake since he was already focused on the next play. I think the main difference between NBA guys and non NBA guys is the confidence and ability to make a play regardless of how the game has been going for them”, remembered D.J. Fenner who never watched the sequel to the classic Coming to America because he listened to the rumors about it being terrible and didn´t want the sequel to ruin the original for him.

. This season D.J. Fenner who lists Kobe Bean Bryant as his GOAT has taken on a new challenge with successful Dutch team Hero´s Den Bosch which is his 10th professional organization he has played for in 7 seasons and in 8 countries. One can say he is a genuine basketball globetrotter. “I really enjoy experiencing the different cultures and meeting good people. I love trying new foods, learning new languages, and submerging myself into the overall experience. Most of all, however, I enjoy being on the basketball court and competing in different leagues, gyms, and countries”, said D.J. Fenner. The season is only a month old and he has already noticed that this is a special club he is playing for. “This year’s team is definitely unique compared to the other teams I’ve been a part of. Besides having a lot of talent at each position, this team has a lot of chemistry off the court, which is beginning to translate to having a lot of chemistry on the court. The personalities on the team seem to mesh very well, and we are constantly building our relationships with each other. We are still growing as a basketball program, but I believe that we are close to reaching a breakthrough point where we sprout into a really really good basketball team”, warned D.J. Fenner. He is playing solidly in the new established BNXT league averaging 13,3ppg, 4,8rpg and 2,3apg that has been around a few years that combines the first league teams from Belgium and Holland. He has seen so many leagues in his career and wouldn´t necessarily rate it at the top at what he has seen on the court as a player. “Greece and Poland are definitely higher level leagues, but I don’t believe I have enough experience in the DBL/BNXT league to rank it amongst the others. It does, however, remind me of the Portuguese league because there are a few very high level teams, and then somewhat of a drop off with the lower level teams in the league”, stressed D.J. Fenner. He also has started off hot in the Fiba Europe Cup competition averaging 20,0ppg and 4,5rpg. His secret to having been able to adjust to any league and produce well is very simple. “Although I rely a lot on my ability to score, I believe it’s my overall work ethic that allows me to translate my game into the different leagues. Each league is unique in its own way, and some leagues are easier to score in than others, but it’s my work ethic on and off the court that gives me an edge to be able to translate my abilities throughout the different leagues I’ve been a part of”, added D.J. Fenner. He faces off against German team Niners Chemnitz on Wednesday in Fiba Europe Cupup action and will be pumped for another great performance by his team and himself. It will be interesting to see in how many more countries he will land in. Maybe I should construct a new special interview for him and ask him his top 10 favorite 1-1 duels with teammates and opponents. I´m sure he will be able to come up with some new funny stories about his experiences with guys on the court.

Ricardo Artis II (198-F/G-1993, college: Wiley) is a 30 year old 198cm forward from Texas that is playing his second season in Germany and first with the bringiton Ballers Ibbenbueren (Germany-ProB). Last season he tore up the Regionalliga with SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-Regionalliga): 30 games: Score-2 (29.3ppg), Reb-3 (11.5rpg), 2.7apg, Steals-4 (3.2spg), FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 81.1%. Before coming overseas, he played back at home for TBL teams Dallas Skyline, and the Enid Outlaws and the Potawatomi Fire. He also played with the North Texas Prowlers (PBA) and Newfoundland Rogues (ABA). He played at 4 schools with Eastfield College (JUCO), McLennan Community College (JUCO), North Lake College (JUCO) and Wiley College (NAIA). He teams up with germanhoops.com each week to talk basketball. This was his last weekly interview as he has headed back home leaving Ibbenburen.

Ibbenburen suffered a tough 79-60 loss to the Berlin Braves. How tough was losing the game to new Pro B team? How was the atmosphere in the game?

It was very tough because we really wanted to get back into the win column. The atmosphere was great but in my opinion it is way more electric in our home gym on game days.

The game was deadlocked 32-32 at the break. What adjustments did Ibbenburen make on the defensive end in the second quarter to allow only 9 points?

We executed our defensive principles to our full potential.

The game was close until mid way to the fourth quarter, but a 9-0 run by Berlin got them going. Did Ibbenburen run a little out of gas?

They hit some tough shots and got multiple key stops on defense.

How tough was it controlling Mampuya and Jean Louis who combined for 28 points. How tough was it containing these ex pro A players that are flat out scorers?

For me, not tough at all. But as a team we struggled to contain them. I didn’t see any pro a potential out of them I just saw great team play and good coaching adjustments from the Braves coaching staff. No disrespect to them, they are good solid players but I have seen a fair share of flat out scorers in my career and I wouldn’t put them in that category.

What hurt Ibbenburen more the Braves work on the boards or their three point shooting?

Their execution in the 4th quarter defensively and offensively is what hurt us the most.

You had a surprising quiet day with 10/3/3 stats and took 11 shots. Did they scout you well?

I didn’t see anything different of how they guarded me than the rest of the teams we played have done. Everyone’s been guarding me physically and denying me the ball. I tried getting my team involved more this game and I wasn’t as aggressive as I should’ve been.

What did you learn from the game and what will you correct in the lab this week?

I learned we have to do better at finishing games. We have to fight harder and figure out ways to get the most out of what we have as a unit. As for my corrections in the lab this week, I’ll continue my same routine as I always do.

You next play against top team Leverkusen. This is another must win. This would be great timing for an upset. What will be key for the win?

Miles last game, will actually be my last game as a Baller. I’ve had personal problems going on at home that are serious and need to be intended to. I’ve been here for months battling these issues and I have tried to stick it out to the end. But mentally and emotionally it’s been hard for me to focus on basketball in my career right now with everything that has been going on. My general manager and teammates have done the most to make me feel like home but it still hasn’t changed my circumstances back at home. It was a difficult decision for me to make as a basketball player but as a man it was an easy, must do decision. I’ll take my time away from basketball to regroup and I’ll still be in the gym staying in shape for the next opportunity. Although, I only played a few games and have yet to even play my full potential that I know I’m capable of, I believe I made a statement that I’m a high caliber player in this league so I’ll leave with no regrets. I want to thank you personally for these opportunities to speak my truth on a weekly basis and hope that we can continue to stay in touch in the future wherever the basketball takes me. It’s been a honor.

What was your favorite Halloween childhood memory?

I visited this house with my grandma when I was around 8 years old and as I was approaching to ring the doorbell, a man came running from behind the house with a chainsaw. It frightened me and that moment has stuck with me ever since then and I am reminded about that particular moment every time Halloween rolls around.

Thanks Ricardo for the chat.

Christopher Hortman (190-G-1988, college: UW-Stout) is a professional basketball player from Wisconsin that played at Milwaukee Area Technical College (JUCO), Missouri Valley (NAIA) and University of Wisconsin at Stout (NCAA3) before coming overseas in 2016. He played his first 2 seasons in Germany with Ibbenburen and the EN Baskets Schwelm and then found experience in Croatia, Kosovo and Noth Macedonia. He has found a new home in Croatia. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his new challenge in Croatia.

Thanks Chris for talking to germanhoops.com. The last time we spoke was almost 3 years ago. A lot has happened in your life. Has time flown by?

Hey miles it has been sometime since we talked last, and yes it went by incredibly fast, seems like last week when we first met In Frankfurt many years ago.

You finished the 20-21 season in Croatia. Now it seems to have become a second home to you. What is so special about Croatia?

I definitely have fallen in love with Croatia but the main reason that it’s so special to me is my wife, my son and new daughter. With me meeting my wife while playing here, it was a simple choice when deciding where to live with my family’. So now Pula, Croatia is my hometown.

Last season you were back in the states and coached basketball. Were you in retirement mode then?

Yes, a local team here in Pula promised if I played and won them up leagues they would make me coach for the next season in a higher league. Of course I did my part of the deal on the court and we won the championship, And just as expected they lied and did not uphold their end of the deal. So I decided this would be the last straw of disrespect that I would take from any European team. I chose to take my family to America, where I would start a kids basketball academy, and landed a job as an assistant coach for Accelerated Prep. A national level high school program. I don’t think I’ll ever go into retirement mode, life just had different plans for me at that time

What do you personally enjoy most about coaching? It seems like it will be part of your future.

To me Coaching is the only way regardless of the talent on the floor there must be a strategy, some form of unity and in my opinion it’s the coaches job to bring all this together. I enjoy this process and seeing the moment it clicks. Regardless of what life brings me I will make time to coach at minimal. Especially for my son and daughter.

You have come back to Europe to Croatia to start an academy with K.K Istra. Talk a little about how that came apart?

This came about a long time ago, the moment I decided I wanted to play basketball actually. I just wanted hoop, and ignorantly drove into the basketball world, doing what I was told to grind and sacrifice. I did this cycle to the point where I had given up everything in life as I knew it and only spent my time grinding in the gym or sleeping. I blindly shut out everything to hoop. Regardless of how valiant my efforts were I always ran into an opposing political force that would try and stop the shine of the obvious skill that I had developed over time. Each time this happened to me in life I always reverted back to the grind more and sacrifice more theme. I would eventually play though college and playing pro was the only thing on my mind. I knew I was one of the best and could play anywhere. I just needed an opportunity. Finding this opportunity would eventually cost me thousands of dollars and crucial years of my youth. Most of these opportunities that I attended where in actuality were scam camps, just taking money and not getting anyone signed to a professional contract. Eventually I would find a camp in Germany where I received multiple offers to play professional. I would go on to play in 4 different countries for 9 different teams. On this journey I met you many years ago. It was simple. I came here and the teams were able to see me live and at this point my talent and skills were undeniable. They cared nothing about my resume, nothing about my age, they only cared that I could hoop and help them win games My Quest I had since I started playing pro was to find a pro team who would use this concept to pick Their American players. No matter how hard I tried to tell them my story and show the numbers of Americans who can actually play, but don’t have the resume or game film like other players. I was always me with a shut up and just play NO After years of searching for this team to partner with, I never could find one who would break from the norm of getting players from agents. Each year after seeing me fail with convincing a team to agree my wife simply said if I owned a team I would easily partner with you. And she did exactly that started a club kk Istra AND PARTNERED WITH MY COMPANY EXCUSELESS ACADEMY.

What will be your main goals with the academy? Are you starting from scratch?

My MAIN GOAL is to firstly provide education for aspiring American players. The European brand of basketball is completely different from ours in the USA. It took me years to properly learn their style of ball and even more time to learn how to mix my style with theirs. After education we want to provide aspiring american players the platform to showcase their skills in front of gms and coaches though local tryout like I did myself in Germany. Next we would like to offer up an experience. Playing pro overseas isn’t for everyone. Our academy will duplicate the pro experience and give guys the opportunity to feel what it’s like and the requirements. Lastly we want to provide resume help for aspiring american players as well. This is where our partnering club kk Istra will be in use. Giving bi weekly scrimmage games against the Americans to add recent game film to their resume.

What are you looking forward most to with the academy? Just working with kids?

I’m mostly looking forward to the opening of the academy in January. This has been a 10 year journey since I left college to pursue a professional career. I have had many ups and downs but was able to live out my dreams. With this academy I would love to provide opportunity to those like myself who truly deserve a chance, without all the hardship I had to experience to get here

What will be your duties exactly? More on the coaching side or also the business side?

I am the owner of the academy so my duties will be managing everything. Coaching the players and the business, and using the connections I’ve built over the years of playing to get the guys quality looks for possibilities of signing pro.

You also will be playing for K.K Istra. How are your skills now at age 35? Will you have a major role or a lesser one?

Yes when my wife asked me to sign to her club there really wasn’t a choice. Happy wife, happy life. My role on this team will be the same as it has been on every club I ever played for and that’s to lead through my actions. Only difference this time around is that the president of the club is my wife. We still have a coach Luka Božic who has an amazing strategy on the court and has assemble a cohesive roster for the 23/24 season

What will you focus most on concerning your own game? What can your body still do at age 35?

For me just being ready for what the team needs from you. I’ve produced stats in multiple countries from low level to top league. This is just another opportunity for me to continue the journey I started many steps ago.

You played some of your career in Germany. What do you miss from the country?

I truly miss the fans of TVI Ibbenburen my first year in Germany, they showed my so much love and matched my on the court energy off the court creating one of the most amazing environments I ever played for.

If someone had told you in August that Germany would win the World Cup, would you have believed it?

No there’s no way anyone non German could have seen that coming.

Thanks Chris for the chat.