All it is is 4 letters and a number, but so often that is a road block in the dreams of so many guys chasing the dream overseas. There are so many talented guys that played NCAA 2 that never were able to play overseas probably mostly because of the cliche that guys that come from there don’t have what it takes. Of course there have been many many guys that have not only been able to reach Europe and have a solid career, but even guys that have reached high levels. One of those guys has been Kameron Taylor who I love to use as an example of having gone from the NCAA 2 at Seton Hill all the way to the Euroleague with obstacles along the way. There are other talented guys like Taylor who have gone a similar path like Henri Wade-Chatman (188-G-1992, college: Edinboro), but are still climbing and climbing up the basketball ladder searching for the basketball peak in a high league. Wade-Chatman and Taylor battled many many times in the NCAA2 that they could of made an interesting head to head mix video. In his first season Wade-Chatman beat Taylor 77-54 as he held his own against him while another time he exploded for 32 points, but lost a heartbreaker 76-74 while another time won 99-88 scoring 20 points and holding his own again against the future Euroleague player. He will never forget those classy duels and has the utmost respect for him, and often guys like Kameron Taylor are the inspiration for guys to keep grinding, but for Wade-Chatman, it is actually someone else who is his inspiration to get to the top. ‘Kam is my guy I’m happy he’s getting the opportunities he’s getting he always has my support. I’m just waiting for my turn. I’m my own inspiration I know what I can do and bring to a team it’s all about opportunities and sometimes being lucky’, stressed Henri Wade-Chatman.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing ex Seton Hill legend Kameron Taylor in Rhondorf Germany in 2017 when he was playing his second pro season with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf

The guard who remembers ex NBA player Dejuan Blair being the toughest player that he ever faced was born on September 9th, 1992 in Pittsburgh. He began his basketball career at Brashear high school. His chip evolved at Community College of Allegheny County-Allegheny (NJCAA) where he was for one season. For most guys playing JUCO was the greatest experience, but at the same time the toughest, but for him the latter was actually different for him. ‘It wasn’t tough for me because CCAC was located in the city that I lived in so it was like a regular day, but those practices are the hardest I’ve ever had’, remembered Henri Wade-Chatman. He then made the jump to Edinboro (NCAA 2) where he played from 2013-2016 playing a total of 72 games. He was able to improve his scoring each season averaging 13.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 62.0% as a freshman, 19.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 39.1%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 71.9% in his second season and as a senior averaged 20.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 78.4%.As is so often the case, his game progressed through extreme hard work not hanging out at the local pool during the summers, but staying at school and dedicating his time to improving his craft. But head coach Pat Clearly and his coaching staff also were instrumental in guiding the high scoring guard the correct way during his three seasons there. ‘Coach Pat & coach Chris Bess gave me the freedom and the green light that most players didn’t have, but they also saw me work for it. I was in the game with coach Bess every day in the summer’, remembered Henri Wade-Chatman who remembers beating teammate William Marow in most 1-1 battles in practice, but also remembers him being the best defender that he ever went up against and made his life so much easier in games up to this day. His favorite moment at Edinboro was hitting the game winner against Cal U and in his last 2 seasons scored in double figures in 42 of 43 games had big games against Lock Haven with 32 points and his 32 points against Seton Hill.

The prolific scorer who lists Jaymon Mason Will Marrow Demetre Rivers Justin Baker and Greg Gantt as his 5 best teammates of all-time and came overseas in 2016 the same year Kameron Taylor did and played his first 2 professional seasons in Spain with Comercial Ulsa Ciudad de Valladolid (Spain-LEB Silver) averaging 15.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 71.9% and in his second season averaged 14.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 78.8%. The Silver is the third division in Spain and a very respectable league and also a perfect place for Americans to begin their professional career. Despite having to get used to the language barrier as well as a new culture and structure, that didn’t hinder his performance on the court. He was an instrumental part of helping his team move up from the third to second division called Gold what is like the first division in many other countries in terms of skill and competitive level. He didn’t have the greatest series against Lucentrum in the playoffs, but his game really took off against Moron where he had massive games including 23 points in the nailbiter 76-73 victory and had huge performances in games 2 and 4 scoring 28 and 22 points for the title against Zornotza. ‘I will never forget that the arena being sold out that’s the most people I’ve ever played in front of and to win it on our home floor was even better’, said Henri Wade-Chatman. Often winning that first title will produce not only life long memories, but also life long friends and that wasn’t any different with teammate from Britan Rowell Graham-Bell. ‘That’s my guy. We were roommates my first year, and I remember him dunking on a lot of guys. We for-sure are brothers for life’, warned Henri Wade-Chapman. In his 2 years in Spain he played 80 games and scored in double figures in 63 games. In his second season he played twice against FC Barcelon’s farm team and split scoring in double figures in both games and holding his own against future NBA players Luka Saminic and Rodions Kurucs. It’s no secret that all Americans overseas have a special self-confidence that is difficult to match. It was only logical that no one on the floor was better than him. ‘I always felt I was the best on the floor’, warned Henri Wade-Chatman. In his third professional season, he took on a new challenge and packed his bags for Latvia playing with Parnu Sadam (Latvia-LatEstBL) averaging 14.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 72.1%; and in the Estonian KML averaged games: 12.6ppg, 3.9rpg, Assists-4 (4.5apg), 1.0spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 57.6%. Once again he showed his incredible consistency and being able to adapt well to 2 new leagues. He had some great games that season including firing up 31 points against top Estonian team Kalev-Cramo and ex NBA player Tony Wroten and also had 24 points against Rapala. He lost a tough 2 game playoff series against other top Latvian team BK Ventspils pouring in 28 points. ‘I feel like my game rises to the occasion when we play a superior team, at the moment I think they were a champions league team’, said Henri Wade-Chatman who believes the sequel to the classic Coming To America should never have been made as some classics are best left without one.

The ex Edinboro great who lists Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore decided to go back to an old stomping ground for the 2019-2020 season in Spain and played with TAU Castello (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 12.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 40.3%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 83.1%. He had a lot of success there winning his first chip and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he returns back one day. ‘I loved playing in Spain. In Spain is where I first started playing point guard’, stated Henri Wade-Chatman. He had some outstanding games that season including scoring 29 points against Granada. He has always been a player that was never shy from trying a new challenge and did so again in the 20-21 season going to Slovakia to play with with Patrioti Levice (Slovakia-SBL) averaging 17.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 82.1%. He didn’t have a solid season, but an outstanding season. Once again he led his club into the playoffs, but couldn’t get the chip. He was instrumental in helping his team get past Inter Bratislavia and scoring 18 points in a do or die game, but lost a tough 4 games series to Nova Ves averaging 20,0ppg in the series, but losing 76-75 in the last game. ‘It will always leave a bitter taste the way it ended. We were always short of two important guys to our roster but we fought’, expressed Henri Wade-Chatman. He scored in double figures in 36 of 40 games in Slovakia including big games against Lucenic with 30 points and 27 points against Handlova. He came back to the team this season and will never forget his time there. ‘I will always remember the good bonds I have with my former teammates there. I took the opportunity to come to Cramo and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do’, stated Henri Wade-Chatman. Last he played with CSM Focsani 2007 (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 16.2ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 78.6%. It was another great statistical season for him, but a season to forget because the team didn’t win much. He did have huge games against Constanta and Steaua B scoring 27 points apiece.

After starting the season in Slovakia, the guard who believes Jordan is hands down the GOAT and always will be as nobody comes close to MJ and Kobe can be mentioned but nobody is greater than MJ is playing for Fiba Europe Cup team BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (Estonia-KML). He couldn’t be happier to finally have landed with this historic organization. ‘Since 2018 I wanted to play for this organization and now I have my opportunity. It’s a first class organization and very professional something I’ve been looking for for a while’, stressed Henri Wade-Chapman. Winning the Fiba Europe Cup title is currently a reach, but adding to his Spanish chip with the KML title is a huge possibility as currently the team is unbeaten at 7-0. He is still getting adjusted to his new role as he has only been with the team since December and is averaging 11,1 ppg, 3,0rpg, 1,7apg and 1,3spg while shooting a potent 44,0% from outside. The underrated passer who compares his game to NBA veteran Lou Williams has always been known as a scorer throughout his career and that is something that surely will continue, because that is what teams want him to do more. Perhaps he will receive that task down the road where he can show his playmaking skills. ‘I just play my role and most of the time that is to score the ball’, warned Henri Wade-Chatman. Three point shooting has been a constant work in progress as he did it once in his second season at Edinboro in 2014-2015, but it seems his current hard work in the lab is finally paying off. ‘To reach the 40% mark a big goal I think that will happen this year I’m shooting it at a very efficient percentage at the moment’, added Henri Wade-Chatman. The grind to get better will never cease for this talented ex D-2 player. 10 years ago he was at Community college and not dreaming of a professional career yet.’ I wouldn’t have believed anyone saying I would be playing professionally in 2023. The grind doesn’t stop, I had to work my way up the ladder since my first job in Europe. It’s a harder grind for us guys that came from a D2 school. I have a big chip on my shoulder and it grows every season for personal reasons’, warned Henri Wade-Chatman. You just have to love this guy’s love and will to achieve his goals. It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop in the next years and just how much farther he can go up the ladder. One thing is for sure when he and Kameron Taylor ever meet again in a professional game, then there may be brief small talk during pre game warm ups, but as soon as the clock starts, it will be a fierce battle again just like back in the day when fans were chanting their names during Seton Hill-Edinboro games

Tags : HENRI WADE-CHATMAN, BC KALEV/CRAMO TALLINN, GERMAN BASKETBALL

One of the most exciting trends to watch for me in professional basketball is a player’s journey and march up the basketball ladder. Obviously watching a Lebron James go from high school to the NBA was interesting, but after a few years in the league it was apparent that he was something special and he would become a superstar. But for me watching the underdog with a lot of talent that had to always grind and have a chip on their shoulder as heavy as mammoth pick up truck move up the ladder with slow steps was inspiring. There are hundreds maybe more of these types of players in Europe that have a special story and one of those is Deondre Burns (190-G-1997, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) (190-G-1997, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) (190-G-1997, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports). Ok so he doesn’t have the total crazy story of going from JUCO to the a high league, but still went from a small role on a NCAA team to a big one at Oral Roberts (NCAA) and now is continuing to toil and battle making a name for himself and moving up the basketball ladder. Currently he is playing in Cyprus for Keravnos Strovolou (OPAP Basket League). It was a few days before Christmas 2022 and the American guard was battling ex Euroleague team Brose Bamberg at home in a Fiba Europe Cup game. When the buzzer sounded, his team had suffered a brutal 90-87 loss, but he had belonged to the best players on the court with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 6 dimes against a team from a top 5 league in Europe and a league he would surely like to play in one day. He is having a super Fiba Europe Cup season and surely has turned heads of some GM’s from teams in higher leagues. Tomorrow is the return game in Bamberg and he will be extra motivated to get revenge. His offense is a big strength in his game, but he wants to be known as a 2 way player. Tomorrow he will have the chance to possibly battle against Patrick Miller who didn’t play in the first game in Cyprus and other top players while having that mind set to have to prove himself all over again especially on defense. ‘I believe I am a pretty solid good defender, have gotten much better each year from the previous. No teams look to attack me, I pride myself on not being the weak link on that end of the court. Although, I have room to improve certainly to become an even better defender and overall player’, warned Deondre Burns who believes LeBron is the greatest complete basketball player ever, Jordan is the most iconic and greatest competitor and Kobe is great, one of the greatest in fact, just not on those two guys’ level in his opinion.

Deondre Burns who remembers Marcus Keene being his toughest cover in the NCAA was born on January 16^th, 1997 in Carrollton, Texas. He played at Newman Smith high school for coach Percy Johnson. In his senior year he was one of the top players in the Dallas area class 5A and averaged 23,9ppg, 4,4rpg and 2,1apg and was named all-area honorable mention. He then played at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 70 NCAA games and missed the entire 2017-2018 season because of a knee injury. He was able to make strides there improving his stats each season. He averaged 1.7ppg as a freshman and then in his second season averaged 7.0ppg, 1.5rpg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 80.8%. After sitting out the 2017-2018 season he made another jump in his game his junior year averaging 10.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 76.7% In his freshman year he helped his school win the Sunbelt title .Halfway through his second season his game took off with games against Appalachian State and Co Carolina where he produced 16 and 17 points. After that he finished the season scoring in double figures in 6 more games. He remembers what his secret was to finding his touch on the floor. ‘Minutes and freedom. Simply being on the floor and having the freedom to be myself and comfortable was key in that stretch. Those were the first starts of my career’, remembered Deondre Burns. His game really took off in his junior season as he scored in double figures in 12 games including 22 points against S Alabama, but his biggest moment was against Howard where he shot almost flawlessly 9/10 from the field while steering 29 points in the big 97-76 victory. ‘I remember my family traveling up to come to this game, the basket seemed bigger this night. I had a great workout that morning and remember my body just feeling great going into the game’, stated Deondre Burns. He then felt the need for a new challenge and went to Oral Roberts University (NCAA). Here he once again had to prove himself and made another step in his development playing 31 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 79.8%. He couldn’t of made it without the supreme guidance of head coach Paul Mills. ‘He was always talking about being a pro. All of my previous coaches talked about being a pro as if it was a unlikely thing. Mills always showed us video clips of why pros are pros, and I would always think to myself ‘hey, I can do that’ or ‘I need to work on this’, remembered Deondre Burns who remembered having great practice battles with RJ Fuqua who was one of the best competitors he had ever been around. In his senior year he scored in double figures in 23 of 31 games. He scored 20 points or more 11 times including 31 points in a tough 74-68 loss to North Dakota. He also had big games scoring 22 points in wins against Central Oklahoma and Western Illinois. He was named to the Summit League second team and newcomer team.

The high scoring guard who lists LeDarrius Drain, Mike Morrison, Nate Krill, Matt Milon, and Vid Milenkovic as his best teammates of all-time. He came overseas during Covid in late summer 2020 and played with the Starwings Basket Regio Basel (Switzerland-SBL). Despite Corona wrecking havoc all over the place and also having to adjust to a new culture and overseas game, he needed no adjustment period on the court. He showed that basketball is basketball all over the place averaging 20.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 82.2%. It is obvious that his wake up call wasn’t on the floor. ‘My wake up call was the fact that I could not regularly eat my favorite snacks and foods from back home’, smiled Deondre Burns. He scored in double figures in 28 of 30 games and scored 20 points or more 17 times including 2 explosions of 31 points in a win against Boncourt and 30 points in a win against Neuchatel. He played his first playoff series and had great series in the wins over Geneva averaging 17/6/6 stats and averaged 22,0ppg and 7,0apg in the series win over Neuchatel, but it wasn’t enough as the final was lost 3-0 to Fribourg. ‘I learned to be grateful, although we lost. I helped take a team who has never been to the finals before in history’, said Deondre Burns. When looking at his time in Cyprus one could quote the 80’s classic from Rod Stewart with some guys have all the luck. Some guys play 10 plus years and don’t win a chip while others may win 1, but Burns has won a total of 4 at the young age of 26. He knows that you can’t take anything for granted. He may have inherited a wining gene form somewhere? ‘It has been a great experience. It is always fun being a part of a culture that not only wants to win but expects to win. As a high-level competitor, that’s what you look for. I have to credit that to God; he has blessed me with a winning career thus far. As for having a winning gene, I do think what I bring to the team as a basketball player affects winning in many different positive ways’, warned Deondre Burns. Last season he took his skill set from the Swiss alps to Cyprus and made another step up the basketball ladder averaging 21.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 4.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT-1 (47.2%), FT: 87.0%. Once again he showed that he is the ultimate scoring point guard scoring in double figures in 31 of 32 games. He scored 20 points or more 17 times including a 39 point explosion against Apollon, but saved his best for last. He helped win the league title against AEK Larnaca coming back from 2-1 down and win in exciting fashion in game 5 90-88 and putting up a Jordan like 39 points. ‘This was by far my most meaningful and memorable game up to date. It was a win or go home situation, I just wanted to be as aggressive as possible. I think coming in with that attitude gave us the best chances to win in a hostile away crowd’, remembered Deondre Burns. He also watched teammate Collin Malcolm have a great season with him and now has moved up the basketball ladder to top 5 league easyCredit BBL in Germany. He knows where he is now, but is focusing more on himself than on where others are. ‘Collin is a great guy and basketball player. I had several of those opportunities during free agency this past summer but felt it wasn’t best for myself and career at that particular time. Also, I think comparison is the thief of joy, so I try not to focus on what someone else has going on. My path is my path’, stressed Deondre Burns.

The Texas native who has Michael Jordan. Allen Iverson. Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. On his personal NBA Mount Rushmore won 3 titles last season in Cyprus and already his second Super Cup this season. It is obvious that the expectations are high, but so far the club is are where they want to be at #1 with a 13-1 record. The club has a healthy mind set and don’t worry about expectations and the need to have to win. ‘We feel no pressure. We come to work and do our jobs every day. Not worrying about the month of May but instead focusing on getting better on that particular day. We believe we are good enough and when that time arrives, we will be ready to compete’, warned Deondre Burns. A big reason for the success has been the experience factor. The club has 4 guys that are 30 and over. Older veterans like Titus Robinson and Remy Abell had been instrumental in the team’s success, but the basketball world can be cruel and before one knows it guys end up elsewhere. ‘ It was great having guys like Remy and Titus around. Great team guys that will play basketball for a long time. Unfortunately, our time got cut short together as both of those guys are no longer with the Keravnos organization’, stated Deondre Burns.

The guard who believes that the classic Coming to America should have been left alone is a 190cm guard that doesn’t like to compare his game to one player but thinks his game resembles a mixture of a group of different players and not just one and tries to add certain aspects from player’s games to his. It is no secret that his scoring game really took off at Oral Roberts and got even better as a professional overseas. ‘That season at ORU was by far my best and most productive season. The staff there is amazing, allowed me to be my aggressive self all while improving other areas on my game. Especially guys like Soloman Bozeman, whose currently head coach at UAPB. Ian Laymon, and Dakota Brasher really helped hone my skills into what they are today’, warned Deondre Burns. His playmaking also has vastly improved since his Oral Roberts senior season. He has averaged 4,0apg the last 4 seasons and could continue to be a vital aspect of his game especially for teams in higher leagues. ‘I believe my game affects winning in many different areas and not just scoring. I think as I continue to reach higher levels, these attributes would be even more critical’, stressed Deondre Burns. Last season he belonged to the best three point shooters in Cyprus shooting 47%, but this season is down at 32% in Cyprus and 24% in the Fiba Europe Cup. He knows that he will be able to up his percentages as the season goes on. ‘Shot selection has by far been most challenging for me this year. The offense has been tough to know when and where my shots are coming from. Things will average out towards the end of the season when I get more acclimated within the offense. No shortage of confidence or reps whatsoever’, expressed Deondre Burns. His stats in Cyprus may be down form last season at 12,0ppg, 3,2rpg, 3,8apg and 1,2spg, but he is tearing up the Fiba Europe cup being the second top scorer averaging 19,9ppg, 4,2rpg, 4,4apg and 1,3spg. He isn’t worried about his stats and scoring in Cyprus, because he has proven what he can do the last 2 seasons, but mainly about other areas that will aid him to continuing to climb the basketball ladder. ‘Making the right play, sometimes it means just a quick pass to get the ball reversed. It doesn’t show up in the stat sheet but can be very critical in a possession. The little things I am trying to focus and improve more’, commented Deondre Burns. It will be interesting to witness where the career will go in the next few years. One thing is for sure, he is already a winner and that always looks great on resume’s and high level clubs are always looking for great defenders. Priding himself as not being the weakest link will always help him no matter what.

Tags : DEONDRE BURNS, KERAVNOS STROVOLOU, GERMAN BASKETBALL

I can remember exactly when I saw Quantez Robertson (188-SG-1984, college: Auburn, agency: Interperformances) for the first time. It was in September 2009 in the BCM training facility as I saw a shy young man sitting in the stands who had absolutely no idea what was ahead for him overseas. Murat Didin who reeled him to Frankfurt from Auburn (NCAA)knew he had a gem and the rest is history. ‘If someone had told me my rookie season that I would be the Skyliners all-time leading scorer in 2023, I would of thought that they were crazy. I wasn’t ever a first, second or third option on offense. I made my mark as a defender, rebounder and making buckets on the fast break’, commented Quantez Robertson. 14 years later the affable 38 year old is the easyCredit BBL’s all-time leader in steals and recently the Fraport Skyliners all-time leading scorer surpassing other Skyliner legend Pascal Roller. The date was January 29th, 2023 a day that will be forever remembered in the life of Fraport Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson. There is so much basketball info clogged in my head that I can’t always know exactly everything. I do know my Celtics are incredible this year, that Lebron James is close to becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and Fraport Skyliner Jordan Samare is a very good table tennis player, but there was something else that was about to happen that was totally off my basketball radar. It was sometime in the second quarter where my faithful basketball colleague Timur Tinc of the Frankfurter Rundschau told me Tez is only 3 points away from passing Pascal Roller as the Fraport Skyliners all-time leading scorer. Then my basketball brain cleared up and I remembered that he was close to achieving that feat. ‘I didn’t really know I was that close. JJ Frazier kept reminding me that I was getting closer and closer. But I wasn’t worried about. I just wanted to play my game and help my team win’, stressed Quantez Robertson. You would have to dig very deep in the archives to Quantez Robertson‘s first easycCredit BBL bucket, but the Cincinnati native actually remembers when it happened. ‘I scored my first basket in Oldenburg. I think it was a reverse lay up’, stated Quantez Robertson.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Quantez Robertson doing play by play at the 2010 BBL allstar game in Bonn

The morning of January 29th, 2023 was a normal day for him like any other. ‘I did the usual that I do on game day. I didn’t do anything different. I ate my usual bacon and egg sandwich’, smiled Quantez Robertson. Even if the Quantez Robertson record is an incredible achievement for him, there was something more important on this day and that was producing a win against the Hamburg Towers and continuing to crawl out of the easyCredit BBL cellar. The first half was a weak one by the Fraport Skyliners as they got into foul trouble early and had no idea what 1-1 defense was and what protecting the paint was. Robertson began the day with 4,304 points and made a string of 3 buckets in a row in the second quarter to get his juices going and give his team energy. But the best was still to come for Tez. The Fraport Skyliners trailed 54-40 at half-time. In the third quarter the team began to play better at both ends of the court and with Frankfurt still fighting and in comeback mode trailing 67-54, it was time for Quantez Robertson to step up and become immortal in Frankfurt. He scored points 7 and 8 on a back door cut getting the dime from Joshua Obiesie and then on the next possession got the Skyliners all-time scoring title with his bread butter the lay up. ‘I’m really happy for Tez. He really deserves it. He has been so faithful to the Fraport Skyliners for 14 seasons. To be able to get this record being a player that was not known really as an offensive player is a big plus’, stressed former teammate Marco Voeller. The record breaking basket was his 4313th point. He ended the game with 14 points and 4,318 points. His young teammate Jordan Samare is thrilled to have witnessed it. ‘Tez is an inspiration to all. He is always trying to help you. He is a fun loving guy and I’m happy to be his teammate’, said Jordan Samare. Even if Quantez Robertson was in the spotlight with his big record, it was his teammate German national player Joshua Obiesie who was the other hero leading his team with 21 points and making a clutch three and 4 free throws at the end, but he showed nothing but love for his legendary teammate. ‘ It was unbelievable to experience it. I’m very proud to have seen it. I have never experienced something like that before. I think he will score a few more before it’s all over. I follow his words in that he always tells me to be myself and have fun’, commented Joshua Obiesie.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Quantez Robertson clowning around in April 2021 in Frankfurt

You have to wonder how a humble guy like Quantez Robertson who calls Alabama home now will digest a monumental record like this. He has accomplished a lot in his 14 year career winning the 2016 Fiba Cup title, is the easyCredit BBL all-time steal leader and reached a few easyCredit BBL finals, but where does this record compare to his career achievements? ‘This is definitely top 2 after the Fiba Cup title. You know that I had been saying for the longest time that I wanted to win a title and we finally did in 2016’, stated Quantez Robertson. 20 minutes after the game was over and Tez had done the rounds of interviews, autographs and pics, I finally had my 5 minutes with him on the court on the cushion we have sat on so many times the last years. The record is so much greater simply because he was an energy defensive specialist that played many years on Frankfurt teams that had lethal scorers ‘It feels great to be able to reach another milestone in history. It’s a cool feeling that you will be forever be remembered for it. I would rather have gotten it on the dunk, but it’s ok. It shows that you can get a record like this even when plays weren’t run for you. It also shows that I was effective when I got the ball. I got a lot of fast break baskets and many alley-oop baskets and passes from guys like Sean Armand, Dominik Bahiense De Mello, Dashaun Wood, Dawan Robinson, Justin Cobbs and Aubrey Reese’, smiled Quantez Robertson. He was also very fortunate that he was able to stay healthy which helped him reach a feat like this. The record is also a big deal simply because Americans usually are globetrotters and move from team to team where the most bucks are. Tez and Rickey Paulding proved you can stay with one team for a whole career. ‘You don’t see Americans staying so long with one club. It is beautiful to see the respect and loyalty. It is insanely rare’, stressed teammate Marcus Lewis.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Quantez Robertson after becoming the Fraport Skyliners all-time leading scorer in 2023

The question now is how much longer will Quantez Robertson still play? One could speculate that he may call it quits after this season if the Fraport Skyliners move down and his decrease in minutes. I personally hope he doesn’t retire. I will forever miss my interview partner. The retirement question has crossed his mind. Plus having this record would be the perfect way to go out. ‘This record could be a good way to go out, but I’m still taking it day by day. I will talk to my wife and see how it goes. If my body holds up, we will see what happens. But I’m definitely in talks with my family’, stressed Quantez Robertson. So where was Pascal Roeller on this historic day? He was in Braunschweig calling a game for TV and you have to wonder how that first interaction would go between Roller and Tez? Will Roller call his ex teammate? ‘I think Pascal will say congrats and then say it took you a while. It is really awesome getting this record from him. I saw his work ethic when I came. He was always getting up shots after practice. I played 2 seasons with him. Even in his last season he was always an offensive threat. He was always ready’, warned Quantez Robertson. It seemed like Pascal Roller wasn’t aware of the record until I told him. I reached him 5 hours after the Frankfurt win and he still had his usual humor on hand. ‘So is he Lebron and I’m Kareem? I’m very happy for Tez. This now means that my jersey won’t be alone up in the rafters. Well done Tez’, stressed Pascal Roeller. One thing is for sure Kareem and Lebron will forever be legends in Los Angeles and not 1-2 as Magic Johnson will have a say in that, but in Frankfurt, Pascal Roller and Quantez Robertson will go down as being the 2 greatest players all-time. Just don’t ask me who is 1-2. Those that know me will instantly know my choice.

A few weeks ago the basketball life of the Fraport Skyliners looked a bit rosier again as they had a little bit more breathing from the cellar, but after 2 loses in a row again to Crailsheim and Chemnitz, the nervousness is taking shape again as they were tied with Braunschweig with 4 wins a piece and only had 1 win more than 18th placed team medi Bayreuth. The only good news was that they had won 3 of their last 4 games in their own living room. But the way they played in the last loss at home to Crailsheim made one uneasy about their overall play. They met 14th placed team Hamburg Towers who were sporting a unsatisfactory 6-10 record and had recently fired Raoul Korner. They came to Frankfurt sporting a 5 game losing streak and had also lost their last 3 easyCredit BBL games. Both teams were reeling on the edge and were in desperate need of a win. Fans in the arena saw two completely different halves as the Hamburg Towers dominated the first half, but in the second half watched as the Fraport Skyliners make a heroic comeback after being fueled by Quantez Robertson (188-SG-1984, college: Auburn, agency: Interperformances) breaking Pascal Roller’s club points record edging Hamburg 97-93. After the big win, Quantez Robertson was being flooded with interviews and fans wanting autographs, but one of the other hero’s JJ Frazier was alone in the runaway and was in a good mood to reflect on the 40 minutes of severe hard work. ‘Hamburg out ran us in the first half and were more physical and tougher and just executed a lot better at both ends. We always felt like we had a chance. We just wanted to keep it close. We just kept it simple and played at our pace. We started to make shots and they didn’t. We played well together and played smart in the fourth quarter getting the lead and keeping it. I always want to win it for Tez’, smiled Fraport Skyliner guard JJ Frazier. The Hamburg Towers lost total grip of the game in the second half and with time and every new Frankfurt basket got more unsure of themselves. They coughed up the ball at an alarming high rate and were just smothered by the Skyliners energy and fan support in crunch-time. ‘We played 20 good minutes of basketball. We got lazy and sloppy in the third quarter. Frankfurt made tough shots in the fourth quarter. When you feel comfortable and have the crowd behind you, you feel like every shot you take will go in’, warned Ex Paderborn guard Kendale McCullum.

Yoeli Childs at the FT line

It took the Hamburg Towers a few minutes to get going, but when they did the Fraport Skyliners were reeling and allowed 32 points in the first quarter. Ex Fraport Skyliner Len Schoormann got Hamburg on the score board first sneaking inside for the back door lay in. Frankfurt didn’t waste anytime either as German National player Lukas Wank scored 5 unanswered points for the 5-2 advantage. But the Hamburg Towers then started to display their strong offensive power going on a 18-7 run to lead 20-9. Before the Fraport Skyliners knew it, they had gotten their 5th team foul at the 7,09 minute mark. Hamburg did the logical thing and attacked inside as ex BYU (NCAA) Yoeli Childs was in constant attack mode and scored 3 buckets for the 15-9 advantage. Childs that fed ex Bayreuth guard Lukas Meissner for the 2 hand stuff and ex Bayreuth guard James Woodard nailed a trey. Frankfurt had no intensity on defense as it looked at times like the Hamburg Towers were on a casual Sunday walk doing whatever they wanted to in their living room. The Fraport Skyliners them executed well back to back nailing 2 three’s from sniper Marcus Lewis and ex Georgia (NCAA) guard JJ Frazier to cut the lead down to 21-15. But Frankfurt’s up and down play continued as they could never use their momentum to their advantage as new mistakes led to easy baskets for Hamburg. The Hamburg Towers then shifted gears out of nowhere going on a 11-2 run to lead 32-17. In The run ex ACB player from Slovenia Ziga Samar scored 7 points leading the charge scoring inside twice as there was no 1-1 defense from Frankfurt. Ex Vechta forward Seth Hinrichs also added a basket. Frankfurt closed out the first quarter with 2 Joshua Obiesie free throws and a lay in by 221cm giant Matt Haarms to trail 32-21. The Hamburg Towers showed their precision shooting of 10/14 shooting from the 2 point range and 9 players scored showing their love to share the ball and team play. ‘They came out aggressive and put us in foul trouble. We were behind the 8 ball, but knew that we had to regroup’, stated JJ Frazier.

JJ Frazier turn around shot

In the second quarter the Hamburg Towers continued to dominate as the Fraport Skyliners had positive short spurts on offense, but couldn’t hold down the fort on defense. Hamburg began with a swift 6-0 run halting Frankfurt’s first 5 possessions. Hamburg continued to move the ball well and get everyone involved as Childs and Woodard scored easily in the paint and new French guard Anthony Polite also got into the action with a lay up and commanding 38-21 lead. But then it was time for the Fraport Skyliners to showcase some lightening offense going on a quick 8-0 run. Obiesie began with a lay in at the 7,14 mark and then it was Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson who scored 3 buckets in a row something that hadn’t been seen in a while from him. He gave the team a lot of energy at both ends as Hamburg led only 38-29. It was a game of runs as now it was Hamburg’s turn again as they went on a 6-0 run to lead 44-29. Polite made a tip in, then McCullum caught Frankfurt napping as he unleashed a Tom Brady like touch down pass to Meissner for an easy basket and then made free throws. Frankfurt never gave up and then went on a run of 11-3 to cut the Hamburg lead down to 47-40. Frankfurt got massive support from their imports as Lithuanian sniper Laurynas Beliauskas drilled home 2 three’s, Lewis made a dunk on transition and Isaiah Washington dropped a trey. But once again the Fraport Skyliners couldn’t keep the momentum and allowed Hamburg to go into the break with a 7-0 run to lead 54-40. In the run they got a lay in by Samar, three ball from McCullum and free throws from Meissner. ‘We couldn’t get defensive stops. We were always a step behind and didn’t communicate well’, added JJ Frazier. The Fraport Skyliners shot 44% from the two point range and 41% from outside and had 17 boards and 5 turnovers while the Hamburg Towers shot 63% from the two point range and 36% from outside and had 23 rebounds and 3 turnovers.

Lukas Meissner from outside

In the third quarter the Fraport Skyliners continued to chip away at the Hamburg Towers and got closer as they scored 26 points and trailed only by 6 points after 3 quarters. Matt Haarms got Frankfurt on the board first in the second half with an easy lay in to trail 54-42. Hamburg then got sound production from Meissner with a lay in and Polite dropped a trey as Frankfurt trailed 59-46. Frankfurt continued to execute a lot better on offense and got a tap in from Haarms, three by Obiesie and a Frazier three pointer as Hamburg led only 62-54. But as hard as the Fraport Skyliners were fighting, they just couldn’t get over the hump as Polite continued to be a menace from outside scoring and Hinrichs connected on a turn around shot for the 67-54 advantage. But then came the historic and big moment of Quantez Robertson. He scored on a back door to be 1 point behind Pascal Roller and then scored on a lay in to become the all-time scorer as Frankfurt trailed 67-58. ‘Tez has been huge in my adjustment here. When he plays well, we play well. He is a role model for anyone. He has been around a lot longer than I have and I try to soak in as much as possible and apply it to my game’, warned JJ Frazier. Once again Frankfurt couldn’t take the momentum and ride with it as Marcus Lewis got a technical and got ejected from the game. That led to a free throw by Samar and Hinrichs lay in for the 70-58 lead. But Frankfurt still had lots of energy left in their come back attempt closing out the third quarter on a 8-2 run to trail only 72-66. Beliauskas and Obiesie did the brunt of the damage with 2 three’s while Tez lifted the decibel level in his living room with a hard two handed dunk on transition. ‘We didn’t really make any adjustments but just played better together. In the first half we were losing it and not wanting to win it. Now we wanted to prove that we could beat them’, added JJ Frazier. ‘I don’t think that the Tez record propelled them to do better things. They were just loose and were playing free. It is hard to play against a team that is really confident. Congrats to Tez on the record’, stated Kendale McCullum. The Hamburg Towers continued to shoot well from the two point range at 62% and 43% from downtown and had 29 rebounds and 11 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 48% from the two point range and 46% from downtown and had 24 rebounds and 8 turnovers.

Marcus Lewis at the FT line

In the fourth quarter the Cinderella game story of the Fraport Skyliners came true as they successfully completed their come back. They didn’t waste anytime as Beliauskas continued to have the hot hand drilling a trey and Haarms connected on a 20 footer to cut the Hamburg lead down to 72-71. But the Hamburg Towers weren’t prepared or willing to cave in just yet as Woodard hit another trey and Childs made a massive 2 handed dunk to keep the lead at 79-76. Ex Fraport Skyliner Jonas Wolfarth-Botterman made a put back dunk to keep Frankfurt at bay at 81-78. But after that play the dam burst for the Fraport Skyliners as they went on a 12-4 run to take the commanding 90-84 lead in crunch-time. Obiesie and Beliauskas made key baskets, but it was JJ Frazier that made the real clutch baskets making a 2 point lead into 6 points with a lay in and a runner. ‘I felt like Josh Obiesie might be getting tired so I tried to put some pressure off of him. I know what I’m capable of. I know my team doesn’t always need my offense, but at the end they did and I delivered’, warned JJ Frazier. After one McCulum free throw, Joshua Obiesie then nailed a clutch off balance three pointer with a hand in his face and 93-85 lead as Hamburg seemed helpless. ‘We knew that we had to get Josh the ball. He is a big shot type of maker. Once he get’s going, no shot is tough for him’, stressed JJ Frazier. Hamburg made exciting one last time as Woodard scored a trey and Polite made a reverse lay up to cut the Frankfurt lead to 93-90, but Obiesie sealed the win with 4 free throws. ‘We were battling the whole time and once we were down 3 points, we knew it was time to really execute. The difference was contested shots that we made them take. In the first half they got a lot of open looks’, stated JJ Frazier. ‘They made contested shots. They got big three’s from Beliauskas, Obiesie and Frazier. They had the confidence to make any shots’, warned Kendale McCullum. The Fraport Skyliners had 6 guys in double figures and were led by Joshua Obiesie with 21 points. Quantez Robertson and Laurynas Beliauskas added 14 points a piece while the Hamburg Towers were led by Anthony Polite with 17 points. Yoeli Childs added 14 points and Ziga Samar and Kendale McCullum added 13 points a piece. The Fraport Skyliners shot 51% from the field and 50% from outside and had 30 rebounds and 9 turnovers while the Hamburg Towers shot 55% from the field and 38% from outside and had 36 rebounds and 16 turnovers.

Tags : QUANTEZ ROBERTSON, FRAPORT SKYLINERS FRANKFURT, GERMAN BASKETBALL

After starting 2023 with a big win at home against the Wizards, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors since then were riding a losing streak having lost to Koblenz and Speyer. Frankfurt wanted to get back on the winning road as the battle for home court in the playoffs had started. But getting that next win was going to be a real challenge as they welcomed the incredible 15-0 Hanau White Wings. They have been the surprise team of the season as on paper their roster doesn’t look to special but coach Marti Zamora-Mas has done a great job helping form a sound chemistry among the many role players and 2 stars Bubba Furlong and Bruno Albrecht (189-SG-2001)t. They have been close to losing a few times, but always found a way to win having won 5 games by 5 points or less. The White Wings Hanau came to Frankfurt with sky high self confidence and after a slow first half, exploded in the third quarter for 38 points paving the way for the comfortable 91-71 victory over the Fraport Skyliners Juniors. It was another normal day at the office for Bruno Albrechtt who carried his team with 22 points as the third quarter set the tone for the win. ‘We upped our intensity in the third quarter getting them out of rhythm, not allowing any easy baskets and getting to the foul line. When we have focus on defense then our shots come easier. Once we get rolling, we are too good to lose’, stressed ex Rhondorf Dragon tBruno Albrecht. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors played a strong first half, but came out in the third quarter and just stunk up their own living room in front of the watchful eyes of Quantez Robertson. After the shell shocking loss, Felix Hecker had problems dissecting the loss. ‘We had an ok first half. Both teams played good defense. But in the second half we had way too many turnovers, had no stops and couldn’t play transition’, stressed Felix Hecker.

Alvin Oniya at the FT line

The White Wings Hanau began well in the first quarter and quickly led 7-2. Hanau did a good job getting their work horse Bubba Furlong involved as he contributed 5 points and their top scorer Bruno Albrechtt also scored. After a Felix Hecker lay in on transition, 2019 NBBL winner Philipp Walz nailed a trey for the Hanau 10-4 advantage. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors had little intensity on offense while Hanau let their defense spark their offense and got easy baskets. But the Fraport Skyliners Juniors finally found a rhythm and went on a rapid 9-4 run to tie the game at 13-13. German double license center Jordan Samare led the charge with 8 points via 2 three’s. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors got calm on offense and executed during the run and weren’t as hectic anymore while Hanau had some good looks, but just couldn’t score consistently. In the last minute Bruno Albrechtt added a trey and 2018 JBBL winner Nolan Adekunle made a lay in as the White Wings Hanau led 16-15. Both teams shot poorly as the The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were at 33% from the field and from outside while the White Wings Hanau shot 29% from the field and 27% from outside. Hanau had the tight 11-10 rebound edge, but 6 turnovers while Frankfurt had 3 turnovers. ‘We began well, but our intensity went down. They forced us to too many turnovers’, stressed Bruno Albrechtt.

Tim Martinez to the hole

The second quarter continued to be a close race as the White Wings Hanau had the lead, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors never gave up and kept up well with the undefeated club. The White Wings Hanau started the second quarter strong with a 7-2 run to lead 23-18. In the run two clutch three’s came from ex Ibam German Gabriel Kuku and ex Sixer Soren Urbansky nail. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors had problems executing, but continued to defend with passion and aggressiveness that allowed them to stay in the game. Frankfurt coughed up the ball in their back court which led to a Kuku dunk and 26-20 Hanau lead. But The Fraport Skyliners Juniors didn’t let the guests run away with the lead, but instead struck with a 8-2 run to grab the 28-26 lead. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors defended well getting a Oniya steal and forcing some turnovers which led to easy baskets from Marco Voeller and Alvin Oniya. Superb three and D player Bennet Schubert added a trey for the lead. But The Fraport Skyliners Juniors couldn’t close out the second quarter strong losing some intensity and allowing a 6-0 run to allow the White Wings Hanau have the 32-28 advantage at half-time and they would never trail again in the game. In the run the guests let their inspiring team play, calmness and cleverness to get 2 easy buckets in the paint from Urbansky and ex Ehingen guard Tim Martinez and a lay in by Bruno Albrechtt with only a few seconds to go scoring on transition. ‘We weren’t chilling in the second quarter. It’s a long season, we practice a lot and have a short rotation. Plus our guards play heavy minutes. We just hadn’t found our game yet’, commented Bruno Albrechtt. The White Wings Hanau heightened their shooting at 37% from the field and 31% from the three point line and had 20 rebounds and 13 turnovers while The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 31% from the field and 22% from the three point line and had 19 rebounds and 8 turnovers.

Bruno Albrecht at the FT line

The turning point of the contest happened in the third quarter as the White Wings Hanau exploded for 38 points and never looked back. The White Wings Hanau began with a brutal 13-2 run to extend their lead to 45-30. Instrumental in the run was Hanau top scorer Bruno Albrechtt who came alive with 10 points. He contributed 5 points on free throws, a three pointer and lay in. ‘I held back a little in the first half. I took command in the second half and my teammates followed. I just do whatever the team needs’, warned Bruno Albrechtt. It didn’t help The Fraport Skyliners Juniors cause either that 3 key players with Samare, Adenkunle and Voeller were fouled out before the half way mark of the third quarter. The White Wings Hanau continued to execute like a well oiled ship and surprisingly did it without Bruno Furlong who was hit on the head early in the second quarter and never returned finishing with 5 points and 2 rebounds. After the win Furlong went to a Hanau hospital to take tests and get checked. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors then found some daylight cutting the Hanau lead down to 12 points 48-36 as they were aggressive on the offensive glass getting top ins by Schubert and Hecker and Voeller connected on a jumper. But that was all The Fraport Skyliners Juniors had on this night, because the White Wings Hanau then slammed the door shut on Frankfurt closing out the third quarter on a 22-7 run to lead 70-43. The White Wings Hanau executed incredibly well and let it rain three’s. Hanau shared the ball well as Walz nailed 2 three’s while Martinez, ex Giessen guard Sebastian Brach and Philip Hecker also nailed three’s. Frankfurt simply had too little offensive flow and options on this night. Felix Hecker did all he could scoring 5 points in the run. ‘We can all shoot. If we are all focused then our shots go in. If we take 10 open three’s with little focus, then more 10 contested three’s with much focus will go in. We slept on many plays on defense in the first half, but that didn’t happen in the second half’, warned Bruno Albrechtt. ‘We had 3 guys out with 5 fouls. We had to play more young guys. That makes it harder. Plus we knew that they get to the free throw line well. We couldn’t hinder that’, warned Felix Hecker. The White Wings Hanau shot over 50% from the field and the parking lot and had 25 rebounds and 17 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 38% from the field and 22% from the parking lot and had 24 rebounds and 19 turnovers.

Marco Voeller from outside

In the fourth quarter the White Wings Hanau shifted down a few gears allowing The Fraport Skyliners Juniors to score 28 points, but still executed well on offense with 22 points thus not being in any danger of ever losing. After a Kuku bucket, The Fraport Skyliners Juniors got some solid support from Drago Crnjac who compares his game to Tyler Herro supplying 8 points with 2 three’s in 5 minutes, but the club couldn’t make any ground as they still trailed 77-51. The guests executed well, but let up a bit on defense which is normal when your leading by 20 plus points. After another Kuku basket and 80-53 Hanau lead, The Fraport Skyliners Juniors found one last hurra going on a 16-5 run to trail 85-69. In the run The Fraport Skyliners Juniors got super support from Felix Hecker with 8 points while ex Trier forward Nils Leonhart added 4 points and little used German guard Isaac Obanor added a lay in. In the last 2 minutes Hanau played some of their young kids as Simon Franke and Tom Arkan also got on the scoring sheet. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors got a pretty lay in from NBBL player Dusan Nikolic, but all in all, it was a poor second half for the Fraport Skyliners Juniors. ‘The game was over before the fourth quarter began. Our bench guys came in and they went on a run. Bubba Furlong was hit on the head and couldn’t play much. We won it for Bubba’, smiled Bruno Albrechtt. ‘I forced up a lot of shots. They put in some young guys and got sloppy. We came back a little, but not enough’, stated Felix Hecker. The White Wings Hanu were led by Bruno Albrechtt with 22 points while Gabriel Kuku and Philip Walz added 11 points apiece while The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Felix Hecker with 19 points while Nils Leonhardt added 13 points. The White Wings Hanau shot 50% from the field and 46% from outside and had 34 rebounds and 23 turnovers while The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 43% from the field and 26% from outside and had 33 rebounds and 24 turnovers.

Tags : BRUNO ALBRECHT, WHITE WINGS HANAU, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Michael Cubbage (193-G-1998, college: SFC) is a 24 year old 193cm guard from New Jersey that is playing his rookie season with the Iserlohn Kangaroos. He began his basketball career at Winslow Townshop high school. He then played at 4 schhols from 2016-2022. He began at Coffeyville Community College (JUCO) averaging 6.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 17.6%, FT: 71.9% and then played at Paris Junior College (JUCO) averaging 9.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 63.8%. he then played 34 NCAA games at Marist averaging 9.3ppg, 6.1rpg, 3.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 36.4%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 62.5% and 11.0ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.5spg. He finished his NCAA career at St. Francis College (NY) (NCAA) averaging 13.3ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 74.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

I’m currently in Iserlohn, Germany in my apartment. Basketball life is treating me fairly decent. I’m still adjusting to the culture and play style.

Your playing your rookie season in Germany for Iserlohn. What kind of an experience has it been playing for this organization? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

My experience playing for the Kangaroos has been a thrill. Adapting and learning every day. My most enjoyable part is just getting to know my teammates and coaches.

What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were very far away from home?

I have two. The fact at the free throw line you aren’t allowed to fill all the spots, and a hop step is a travel here.

It hasn’t been a great season for Iserlohn but your only a win away from the last playoff spot. Talk a little about the team’s play and what has been missing for it being more successful?

As a team we lacked an identity on both sides of the floor. Accountability was the only thing missing. Seeing what we do great as team comparison to what our weakness were. Than just excelling at our strong suits.

Where do you rank your 28 point game in the exciting 85-84 win over Schwelm in your career?

I definitely put it in my top 3 since it was a pro game, but me going to States in High School still is my number 1 right now.

What has it been like being teammates with skilled point guard Toni Prostran? What have you appreciated most about his game?

It’s been great. I call him ‘Tony Parker.’ He’s an older guy with a lot of experience and he gives me pointers about my game that I wasn’t seeing at times.

Let’s talk a little about your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Jordan Clarkson

You’re a 193cm guard that can fill the stat sheet at ease. What is your biggest strength on the court?

I believe that is my biggest strength on the court. me being able to do a little bit of everything.

What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become in the next years?

I believe I’m still learning on what I can be defensively. I use my athletic ability to allow me guard and rebound as well as I do. But I want to become more of a nightmare like a Marcus Smart type of guy.

On what area of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?


The mental side of my game.

You played your first 2 college seasons with Coffeyville Community College (JUCO) averaging 6.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 17.6%, FT: 71.9% and at Paris Junior College (JUCO) averaging 9.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 63.8%. Every guy I have interviewed that played JUCO have said it was a very tough experience but one that they wouldn’t have traded in for anything. How was it for you?

My experience was eye opening. You know coming from high school every one was the man. So it humbled me throughout my career to work. So I wouldn’t trade that part of my journey at all.

Have you developed a chip on your shoulder over the years. You never had an easy rise in school and now your playing in 3rd division Germany?

I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder as a kid. Growing up playing AAU back in the states I was always overlooked. I kind of always worked for every spot every jersey I ever had.

You then played at Marist from 2018-2021. You only played 34 games. But despite that how do you feel did your game grow from JUCO in that time?

My game grew drastically. Juco ball was more equivalent to AAU. Once I got to college I had to learn how to the run the show. Learn about good possessions oppose to bad possessions. My physical stature developed. More importantly I learned my game.

You had your break out year at St. Francis College (NY) (NCAA) averaging 13.3ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 74.3%. What steps did your game make as a senior there?

It was just me doing everything I always knew I could. I broke my foot this season prior transferring to St Francis. So it was just a year of me going to display who I was.

How did head coach Glen Braica give you that last push as a senior and help groom and prepare you for a professional career?

I learned from two ‘blue collar’ type coaches Glen Braica and Ron Ganulin. They just expected energy and aggression everyday. Just having the mindset of going hard every second I was out on the court.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Larry Moreno?

Definitely me. Light Cheese Larry is my guy. But I would have to give it to myself.

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

Johnny Davis went to Wisconsin

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Elijah Campbell (New Jersey)
Terrell Phillips ( Chicago)
Darius Williams ( New Jersey)
Matt Herasme (New York)
Patrick Emilien (Toronto)

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Larry Bird

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron and why isn’t Kobe mentioned more?

LeBron is the Goat. I believe just the eras of when Kobe was playing. Kobe is in my top 10 of all time but this is a topic that could go either way depends on the person.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

Yes, movies like those should just be left alone. Not everything needs a sequel.

Thanks Mike for the chat

Tags : MICHAEL CUBBAGE, ISERLOHN KANGAROOS, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Jeremy Ingram (183-G-1991, college: AAMU) is a191 cm guard that was born in Alabama and has played his entire professional career in Germany for teams like Speyer, Idstein, Bensheim and recently SG Mannheim.This season he is playing for Regionalliga team Bargteheide. Last season with SG Mannheim he picked up South West Regionalliga player of the year while averaging (32.1ppg), 5.7rpg, 4.2apg, Steals-4 (2.6spg), FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 35.4%, 9%. He began his career with Enterprise State Community College (JUCO) and then finished with Alabama A&M University (NCAA). He teams up with Miles Schmidt-Scheuber on a weekly basis this season to talk basketball.

Congrats Jeremy on the big 101-91 win. The wins keep coming for Bargteheide in 2023. How satisfied are you?

I am very excited for my team because we were underdogs beginning of the season and now we are winning important games on the road to try and get to the playoffs. It has been a fun ride so far.

Talk a little about the 40 minutes. Was it a one way road or was it a back and forth affair?

We pretty much controlled this game start to finish. Basketball is a game of runs though so our opponents had a great 3rd quarter to make the game very interesting but we controlled the 4th quarter and finished the game on top.

Bargteheide shot the ball really well from close range and Braunschweig well from outside. What was key for getting the win?

We forced a few more turnovers than we gave up which was an important key to this win. We also got off to a great start that helped us and gave us cushion throughout this game. But our bench came into the game and played huge which was tremendous during this game because we needed their help. Carl Ceesay came up clutch in the 2nd half with 2 big three pointers that helped us seal the win and Ibrahim Jabby also had a big 9 points off the bench. S/O to them. And don’t forget the MVP of the Game Vladimir Migunov who had a double double and shot perfect from the field.

How much of a factor did the 5 more turnovers of Braunschweig play in you getting the win?

Winning the turnover battle was something we knew we needed to do before the game, and those 5 more turnovers were crucial to them.

Bargteheide may have allowed 91 points, but did a good job only allowing the guests 11 free throws and hitting only 5. How key was composure on the defensive end?

We gave up a lot of fast break three pointers in that 3rd quarter and wasn’t very disciplined on defense at all which gave them momentum and it’s hard to stop a team when they have momentum but we locked down defensively when it mattered most.

You had a solid game with 26 points. The team had a lot of support from other players. Is it still a time of adjustment for you not having the whole load on your shoulders like you had in Mannheim?

At times I have flashbacks where I feel like I need to go get a bucket on my own and sometimes I still have too but I have very good players on my team so I’m still learning to trust them because they are very good also and they can also go get a big bucket if we need 1.

You only had 1 turnover. Is this something you ae confident you will build on in the next games?

Yea I had about 4-5 turnovers last game and I felt that was too much and they were from rushing or forcing the issue, so this game I let the game come to me a little more than I did last game and it paid off.

You next play ASC Goetingen who are in fourth place with a 10-5 record. You are on a role. What will be key for getting the win?

We are confident we can beat any team and we just need to continue to do what makes us who we are. We go play aggressive defense get out on these fast breaks and get easy buckets and when we are pushing the breaks we are pretty much unbeatable but 1st we need to get stops.

Thanks Jeremy for the chat.

Tags : JEREMY INGRAM, TSV BARGTEHEIDE, GERMAN BASKETBALL

The fantastic season of the EPG Baskets Koblenz keeps rolling along even in 2023. After their bitter loss against Hanau shortly before the new year, the troops of Pat Elzie have won 5 games in a row including the last 2 away games in Frankfurt and Ludwigsburg. Their next opponent were the BIS Baskets Speyer who they destroyed on the road by 24 points. Alani Moore had been a scoring beast in the win scoring 22 points. This season Speyer have been up and down and came into the game with a 7-8 record. The EPG Baskets Koblenz also had another reunion with ex player DJ Woodmore who had played with them back in the 2020-2021 season. This season the EPG Baskets have played a number of games during the week and it was like that again as on a rare Thursday night they welcomed the BIS Baskets Speyer and once again played two different halves as they dominated the first and allowed a comeback in the fourth quarter allowing 33 points, but still held on for the 91-82 victory. ‘The second half was a problem. We lead by 28 points and then got into relax mode. We have to learn that other teams can play and get back into the game. It is a mental thing that we have to work on’, stated EPG Baskets head coach Pat Elzie. The BIS Baskets Speyer never gave up in the second half and if they had played better in the first quarter could of really made the game more exciting down the stretch. ‘The way we finish is the way we need to start. We came out flat in the first half and that is the advantage that they needed. Our shots just didn’t fall in the first half, but did in the second half’, stated BIS Baskets Speyer guard DJ Woodmore. The cycle in the way Koblenz ends game isn’t going in a sound direction as they witnessed in Ludwigsburg last weekend and now against Speyer. ‘We weren’t concentrated at the end. We have to work on this. I thought that we defended well overall but still gave up too many offensive rebounds. I thought on offense we did a good job reading the game knowing when to go 1-1 and when to play team basketball’, stated Brian Butler.

Marvin Heckel at the FT line

Ex easyCredit BBL player Dominique Johnson (194-SF-1992) got the EPG Baskets Koblenz on the board first with a sweet back door lay in as Butler recorded the dime. The guests then got two back to back buckets from young German Dennis Diala with a 20 footer and lay in. But the EPG Baskets Koblenz then found their rhythm and did what they do best by domination by closing out the first quarter with a lethal 27-8 run to lead 29-12 after 10 minutes. Koblenz got their clock work offense going getting some easy baskets from Alani Moore and Marvin Heckel as well as a one hand dunk and turn around shot from ex Ehingen center Brian Butler and a three pointer by Dominique Johnson to lead 13-6. Koblenz was real strong on the defensive side making every shot tough as the guests had to switch to 1-1 plays that resulted to contested shots. The Koblenz offense was gelling and had the momentum as German Moses Poelking was king in the paint making a dunk and offensive rebound and putback while ex Coburg guard Yassin Turan used his brilliant 1-1 play to score on the drive and Marvin Heckel made free throws for the 21-10 advantage. The EPG Baskets Koblenz also used the long ball getting three’s from ex Pro A players Niclas Sperber and Leon Friederici and Leo Saffer made a lay in. ‘We were good on transition and had good body language. Overal we had good team play, but could have been better on boxing out on the rebound’, stated EPG Baskets Koblenz manager Thomas Klein.

Ian Schmitt for 3

In the second quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz still led by a lot, but had some lapses where they lost their dynamic play at both ends and allowed the guests to score 19 points. DJ Woodmore began the scoring in the second quarter for the BIS Baskets Speyer with an off balance jumper. He had been contained very well by Koblenz in the first quarter and now was being more aggressive and trying to get involved. The EPG Baskets Koblenz continued to execute at a good rate getting easy baskets inside from Butler and Johnson continued to use his physicality and get inside and scored twice for the 37-19 lead. The guests executed better in the second quarter getting a trey from young German Samuel Schally, a lay in from Canadian Jake Babic and an off balance shot from German Niclas Geier to trail 43-28. Even if Koblenz had lapses on defense, they could always get a bucket on offense when they needed to. They closed out the second quarter and cruised into the break with confidence going on a 10-3 run to lead 53-31. They got vital baskets from bigs Poelking and Saffer and a three pointer from Marvin Heckel for good measure. ‘There were 2-3 minutes where our dynamic went down at both ends of the court and we didn’t move the ball on offense. When Marvin Heckel came in our dynamic and speed went up again’, stated Thomas Klein.

Brian Butler in the lane

In the third quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz kept the big lead despite letting it get shaved down a bit at the start. The guests used the energy of Jake Babic to go on a little run at the start as he netted 3 three pointers. ‘He is a strong player. He didn’t have the best three point percentage coming in, but tonight his shot was on. As a big guard being able to make that shot makes him so much more dangerous’, stressed Thomas Klein. The guests also got production and baskets from David Aichele, Nils Gesmann and Dj Woodmore to trail only 63-47. ‘We had to much 1-1 play and less team play. Babic got hot and quickly Speyer was under 20 points’, stated Thomas Klein. But the EPG Baskets Koblenz didn’t let the Babic three’s rattle them as they closed out the third quarter with a potent 12-2 run to lead 75-49 after 30 minutes. In the run the EPG Baskets Koblenz got good support from Sperber who contributed 5 points while Johnson nailed a trey and Leon Friederici made a three pointer. ‘Marvin Heckel came in in the last minutes and gave our game control and made it quicker. We dominated the rebounds and played better 1-1 defense’, stressed Thomas Klein. ‘They made it difficult for our offense being disruptive and switching everything on the ball screen and got in the passing lanes. Babic helped us with his timely shooting’, stated DJ Woodmore.

Niclas Geier at the FT line

In the fourth quarter the BIS Baskets Speyer exploded for 33 points and ex EPG Basket guard DJ Woodmore put on a show scoring 9 points in a row and 15 points in total, but the comeback attempt fell short. The guests went on a brutal 19-4 run to suddenly trail only by 79-68. In the run DJ Woodmore supplied 12 points including 2 three pointers, off balance shots and a lay in in transition. ‘DJ showed once again what he can do when he wants to. He can score any way he wants if it is with the drive, three or off the dribble. He gives his team scoring when it needs it’, expressed Brian Butler. ‘I thought like I was getting open looks in the first half, but they were falling a bit short. I got hot in the fourth and my confidence was oozing. I wish I would have hit more shots earlier’, warned DJ Woodmore. But the EPG Baskets Koblenz stopped the run and scored 8 unanswered points to extend their lead to 87-68 and have some more distance between them. Butler supplied 5 points in the drive with 2 dunks and Heckel supplied his divine bread and butter pull up jumper. ‘Heckel came in again and changed the game around. He gave the EPG Baskets control again and less 1-1 play’, stated Thomas Klein. Somehow the BIS Baskets Speyer still had some energy left and closed out the game strong with a 14-4 run, but couldn’t get over the hump. In the run the guests let it rain three’s and got 2 clutch back to back three’s from Schally, a trey from Babic and a three from Woodmore, but time ran out on the guests. ‘I don’t know why we can’t close out games. It is a mental problem, but that is human. We really have to correct this before the playoffs come. We have to be more consistent when closing out games’, warned Brian Butler. ‘We fought hard and did everything that we were supposed to do. We didn’t want to get blown out. We showed in the fourth quarter what we can do offensively when we want to’, stressed DJ Woodmore. The EPG Baskets Koblenz were led by Dominque Johnson with 18 points while Moses Poelking and Brian Butler added 13 points a piece while the BIS Baskets Speyer were led by DJ Woodmore with 23 points while Jake Babic finished with 20 points. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 49% from the field and 33% from outside and had 37 rebounds and 14 turnovers while the BIS Baskets Speyer shot 46% from the field and 35% from outside and had 39 rebounds and 18 turnovers.

Tags : DOMINIQUE JOHNSON, EPG BASKETS KOBLENZ, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Growing up one thing I can remember my dad saying to me every now and then were words like remember this name or don’t forget the name or remember my words. I guess it was his way of trying to be hip and to feel important and smart. To tell you the truth, it was so long ago that I can’t remember exactly what examples he was boasting then, but in the summer of 2022, I had a dej vu moment again where I was able to think about my pops again. The Fraport Skyliners announced the signing of massive German talent Justin Onyejiaka (195-F-2004) and I had that feeling that makes you go hmmmmmm. Thanks Arsenio Hall for giving the world that remark. I remember hearing the name leading up to the 2022 NBBL top 4 where he couldn’t play with Rasta Vechta because of injury. He was their most vital player and it was a real shame for their program that he wasn’t able to show his abilities on a big stage. The funny thing is back in May 2022, I remember hearing that name but didn’t make the connection to retired baller Torvoris Baker who had a stellar 10 plus professional career in Germany and proved then that he belonged to the best big men in the Pro A when he was with Osnabrueck and Gotha. Back in November 2021, I interviewed Baker and at the end of the interview, he left the chat with these words of wisdom. ‘One last thing before the interview is over. Keep both eyes and ears open for Justin Onyejiaka. He’s going to be the next best player coming out of Germany. Don’t forget the name. Stay tuned’, warned Torvoris Baker. Obviously Justin Onyejiaka proved last season that he belonged to the best players in the NBBL, but this season I have been able see him play on a regular basis developing his game further with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in the Pro B and have witnessed his hard work pay off with minutes with easyCredit BBL team Fraport Skyliners.

Justin Onyejiaka was born on June 4, 2004 and began his basketball career with BBC Osnabrueck. But what is exactly the connection between Torvoris Baker and Justin Onyejiaka? At first I just figured that he was his dad, but then why didn’t Justin have Baker as a last name? ‘Justin is my stepson but we have known each other since he is 6. 2010 is when we first met because I was dating his mother now Magdalena Baker since 2014. Justin wanted to change his last name to Baker but didn’t out of respect for his father. I also had a long talk with Justin and we came to the conclusion that he could make a name for himself in the basketball world. And this is exactly what he has been doing’, stressed Torvoris Baker. After getting a feel for the game in very young years, he moved to the Artland Dragons/Rasta Vechta youth program and played for the Young Rasta Dragons in the JBBL (U-16 league). He took on a very good development in the last 2 years despite Covid thanks to the diligent work with NBBL and Vechta 2 head coach Hendrik Gruhn. He already showed in the JBBL league that he was a massive talent as he scored 30 points against Metropol Baskets. In the 20-21 season he started to play with men in the Regionalliga with Vechta 2 and nailed Wusterhausen for 15 points in October 2020, but then the season was cancelled. He also showed on the international stage at the U-18 European championships that he has game having a 15/6/2/2/1 game against Georgia.

He then broke out in the 21-22 season as he helped lead the NBBL team to the Final 4 in Frankfurt and the Vechta 2 team to the Pro B. It was a big shame that injury derailed him from playing in the Top 4 in Frankfurt. ‘I think his absence played a big role in the title game against Alba but I think they still would have lost because Alba has a very good team and Vechta had big problems against them during the season. But not to take anything away from Rasta because it was nice watching them play’, added Torvoris Baker. He averaged 18.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 60.0% for Vechta 2 and for NBBL team Young Rasta Dragons averaged 22.4ppg, 7.1rpg, 4.4apg, 2.3spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 24.6%, FT: 60.3%. ‘Big big thanks to the staff in Vechta for developing Justin’s basketball craft. Especially Hanno Stein. Everything that he has done for Justin is and will be unforgettable. I think it was time to close that chapter in Vechta. And Justin felt like he needed a breath of fresh air after 5 years in Vechta and Frankfurt seemed to be new breeze Justin was looking for’, expressed Torvoris Baker. He had huge games in the Regionalliga scoring 33 points against Aschersleben and 32 points against Bergedorf and in the NBBL hit Paderborn for 49 points and Munster for 36 points.

The 18 year old shooting guard has begun a new chapter in his basketball life with 2016 Fiba Europe Cup winner Fraport Skyliners. The Fraport Skyliners have been known for a decade as belonging to the best youth programs in Germany. Over the years they have developed guys like Johannes Voigtman and Danilo Barthel who became Euroleague players as well as Isaac Bonga who landed in the NBA. Lately they helped Len Schoormann become a national player and Jordan Samare is their current project along with Justin Onyejiaka. ‘We are very proud of Justin and his accomplishments and many more to come. Frankfurt should be a great fit for him. He’s very excited for this new chapter in life and basketball’, stated Torvoris Baker. With Frankfurt he has the usual route just as every other talented young player having a double license to play for the Pro B farm team and also have the opportunity to receive easyCredit BBL minutes. Last season he got a first taste of the Pro A playing 3 games. But the BBL is another massive step, but he has even more talented teammates that will help guide him. One of those guys will be freak athlete and Mr Frankfurt Quantez Robertson who is in his 14th season with the club. ‘It’s always great as a young player to have a Vet to take you under his/her wings to show him the ins and outs of high level basketball. So Quantez should be a great in Justin’s transitioning’, commented Torvoris Baker.

He may only be 18 years old, but already has a very versatile game. His former coach Hendrik Gruhn compares his game to Euroleague player Maodo Lo and ex NBA player Wade Baldwin while step dad Torvoris Baker sees some Donovan Mitchell in him. He has an all-around game that has exceptional scoring talent and is best at attacking the rim and also has a well rounded mid range game. But he also has other beneficial offensive traits. ‘Justin is very athletic and at times he has good court vision. He’s great at getting into the paint and finishing with contact or finding the open man when the defense collapses’, said Torvoris Baker. Currently in the Pro B he is averaging 13,6ppg, 4,7rpg, 1,3apg and 1,3spg. He has scored in double figures in the Pro B in 6 games including a 29 point explosion against Coburg and had his break out game in the easyCredit BBL against Alba Berlin with 11 points. He is a solid shooter and improved a lot during Covid as he worked very hard with Hendrik Gruhn, but his shot selection still isn’t consistent. He has the potential to be a very good defender as his athleticism, physicality and long arms allows him to defend many positions, but his consistency and going the extra mile is still a work in progress. ‘He is concentrating on defense because we would like him to be a two way player because I always preach that getting stops on defense will build up more confidence and with his confidence on high he can be unstoppable. But of course he’s working on every aspect of the game’, warned Torvoris Baker. Not only was the coaching staff a big reason for the positive development of his game, but also step dad Torvoris who has been there from the start. ‘I coached Justin in Gotha and a year here in Osnabrueck. He was always in the summer in Gotha at 6 a.m. in the gym with me. It would have been the same in Osnabrueck but here in Germany if you don’t have your own gym you can forget about summer training unless you practice on outside courts and that’s a no for me. But that and Justin missing practice in Vechta because of not making it to the train station on time after school was a big reason why we chose to put Justin in the hands of Hanno Stein in Vechta. In which he found Justin a guest family and he was a big help when it came to Justin’s schooling in Vechta. Justin and I always talk about game like situations, better decision making, court vision, and defense’, stressed Torvoris Baker. Step dad Torvoris has been a big influence and factor in his early basketball life and has seen many incredible games from him. But it wasn’t a game that has impressed him most about him, but moreover his work ethic that was already present at a young age. ‘The most fondest moment I have had with him was when he first told me he wanted to play basketball and how serious he took it at the age of 8. His hunger to learn and practice was remarkable. He would literally watch NBA basketball clips and wanted to try different moves that he had seen. He always has questions about the game and how he can improve’, added Torvoris Baker. It will be interesting to see how well Justin Onyejiaka develops with the Fraport Skyliners and has success so there will be no need to forget his name.

Tags : JUSTIN ONYEJIAKA, FRAPORT SKYLINERS FRANKFURT JUNIOR TEAM, GERMAN BASKETBALL

For me interviewing overseas ballers on a daily basis is as normal for me as Luka Doncic taking a step back jumper. It is simply what we do best. I love interviewing guys and even if I have interviewed so many there are so many guys that are still missing in my interview collection. So there are many guys I want to interview and then special guys who I really really want to interview and are still missing in my interview collection. So recently, I checked the new Basketball Champions League group of the Telekom Baskets Bonn and checked the 3 new teams from Turkey, Spain and Lithuania. All teams have interesting candidates, but one guy really stood out from the Turkish squad was Jamar Smith (191-G-1987, college: S.Indiana, agency: Inception Sports). He is a player that has had a stellar career and had success in many places that he has played in and always been consistent. I was really pleased when his agent Chet Irvin had no problem getting me in contact with him. It is always the best when a guy can not only answer my questions, but get back to me rapidly and on top of that answer a ton of questions almost at 40. His quick reply was most appreciative. His biggest claim of fame is probably his Eurocup title and MVP honors coupled with having the Eurocup record of having made the most three pointers in history. His three pointer will always be his bread butter and he definitely can shoot out the lights. He has won 4 titles and wants a 5th with the Basketball Champions League with Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul this season. ‘It’s definitely a driving force for this year. If I could add the Champions League trophy to my collection that would be crazy. I’m grateful for all the teams I’ve been on and won but this would be even more special because it would be two trophies in two years and that’s why they brought me here They hadn’t won any European competitions and hadn’t played in the cup or playoffs before I got here so that was a challenge for me that made me coming here so interesting. I haven’t not made the playoffs since I can remember and hopefully I can keep that run going’, warned Jamar Smith. Jamar Smith is a player who is still growing strong and wants more titles before his career ends.

Jamar Smith who remembers current NBA player Mike Conley as being his toughest foe in the NCAA was born on April 7th, 1987 in Peoria, Illinois. He began his basketball career at Richwoods high school as a 3 star recruit. He then played 2 seasons at Illinois playing a total of 53 NCAA games. He averaged 8.0ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, FG: 47%, 3PT: 48.2%, FT: 70.4% as a freshman and as a sophomore averaged 8.1ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 78.8%. His ride there began well as he led the Big 10 in three point shooting as a freshman and was a Big 10 all freshman team selection. But injuries and some other problems off the court ended his time there. One guy that stood by his side at Illinois was Chester Frazier a player that had a short professional career. He always knew that he had the knack to get into coaching. ‘I thought so because he is a natural leader. He can make a room of people that don’t know him follow him. And he leads by example that’s important for hoopers. I see him now and coaching at the University of Illinois and I can bet my life he laces up and challenges his guys sometimes because that’s just who he is. He is an alpha by nature without all the bark just the bite’, said Jamar Smith. He then decided for a change of scenery and played at the University of Southern Indiana (NCAA2).The start there wasn’t easy as he hadn’t played competitively in almost 2 years, but the long wait and grinding paid off as he had 2 outstanding years. He was able to improve his scoring, rebounding and assists each season averaging 18.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 47.6%, FT: 76.4% as a junior and 21.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 79.2% as a senior. He took a step back to play in the NCAA 2, but a decision that was spot on. ‘When things change you have to be able to adapt and find your footing for what happens in life. I always had basketball to lean on and became even more focused on just being the best player that I could be. It made me resilient and flexible with change. I think that’s super important when being a pro because things change on teams monthly players coaches strategies you just have to adapt’, warned Jamar Smith. He definitely left his mark at Southern Indiana achieving numerous accolades like All-GLVC First Team 2009 and 2010, GLVC All-Tournament Team -2009, NCAA D2 All-America Honorable Mention (by Division II Bulletin) -09, Daktronics NCAA Division II All-Midwest Region Player of the Year -2010, Daktronics NCAA Division II All-Midwest Region First Team -2010, All-GLVC Player of the Year -2010, NABC Division II All-Midwest Region First Team -2010, NABC Division II All-America Team -2010, Daktronics Division II All-America Second Team -2010, and Division II Player of the Year by Basketball Times -2010. One guy who deserves a lot of credit for allowing him to develop and play a major role was head coach Rodney Watson. ‘He just let me do what I love and he told me to play basketball and don’t take it easy on people’, remembered Jamar Smith who remembers then teammate Brandon Hogg winning some 1-1 battles in practice, but he definitely won more.

After Southern Indiana he participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) and then had pre draft work outs with NBA teams Charlotte Bobcats, New Jersey Nets, and the Chicago Bulls (NBA). He also took part at the 2010 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He then was signed by the Boston Celtics and played his rookie season with the Maine Red Claws (D-League) averaging 13.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 5.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 88.9%. He already demonstrated his consistency in his rookie season scoring in double figures in 41 of 48 games. Despite not needing any adjustment period on the court, it was a big change going from the NCAA 2 to the D-League and remembers his wake up call. ‘Living in Maine and being out of Illinois it was my first year not living in my state. But I was committed to the game so it didn’t matter where I lived and played as long as I can play’, stated Jamar Smith. Back then the NBA and D-League still had so many older veterans, but nowadays the league is younger and always getting younger. ‘The league is about being young and having potential now unless you’re an established vet. Soon the game will look like the first space jam because all the players are huge and can all handle the ball and shoot the league is in great hands’, warned Jamar Smith: He hit Austin for 25 points and Sioux Falls for 23 points. After playing 1 game in Venezuela for Guaiqueries de Margarita, he was back at it in the summer of 2011 trying to reach the NBA. He had work outs with the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls, but nothing came out of it. He decided to go overseas and got his first contract with BK Prostejov (Czech Republic-NBL) playing EuroChallenge averaging 12.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 87.5%; and in the Czech Republic League averaged 14.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 76.5%. Often Americans have big problems adjusting to the culture shock, but once again his game was consistent, but he did have his overseas wake up call. ‘I remember getting lost for practice and being lost for almost two hours. There wasn’t Google maps and stuff like that then they gave you a car and you had to remember your way around town. That was crazy but I made sure after that I had one route memorized for everywhere I needed to go’, added Jamar Smith. He scored in double figures in 48 of 54 NBL games including scoring 28 and 26 points against BK Decin. He also played his first Eurocup game scoring 22 points nailing 4 three’s giving a first impression for what would come the next years. Heading into his third professional season in 2012, he tried to reach the NBA one more time putting up solid numbers at the AirTran Orlando Summer League (Boston Celtics) averaging 9.7ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.7apg and at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (Boston Celtics) averaging 9.2ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.2apg. He was invited by the Boston Celtics again to attend training camp, but was cut. That would be his last attempt for the NBA as his route then would be 100% Europe. Those NBA Summer League stats probably could have given him a better NBA shot today than 10 years ago. So many guys have stated that he could of played in the NBA, but he has had no regrets .’I don’t even think like that, because I’m happy with my story I’m blessed to have played as long as I have and still be playing professional’, stressed Jamar Smith. He made his real break through overseas in his third professional season playing in the respected Israeli Winner league with Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 14.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 68.2%; and in the Balkan League averaged 16.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT-2 (58.1%), FT: 86.7%. It is a season that he won’t forget as he won his first chip and built a mental foundation for more to come. ‘That’s where it all started winning a title and building a bond and having ties to a team forever is special and that’s the first place I was able to do it. I have a lot of fond memories of my teammates and people I met there’, remembered Jamar Smith. He played with so many talented guys and Brandon Bowman was another one of those special players that was close to the NBA. ‘He was tough and could really do a little of everything. He wasn’t with us that long though because he had a knee injury but he definitely got game’, said Jamar Smith. He had some massive games in the Winner League hitting Hapoel Tel Aviv for 27 points and Maccabi Haifa twice for 24 points and hit Teodo Tivat for 31 points.

The ex Boston Celtic who lists Erick McCollum, John Brown, Kyle Fogg, Steph Lasme, and Zack Wright as his best teammates of all-time came into the 2013-2014 season and played with Euroleague team Brose Bamberg. He surely went there with high expectations as the club had formed a dynasty, but that ended in the season he played there despite having great pros like Casey Jacobsen, Rakim Sanders, D or Fischer and Elias Harris. He averaged 12.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 48.1%, FT: 83.3%;in the BBL and in the Euroleague averaged 10.5ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 39.1%. ‘We had a lot of vets that year with some young talent as well. But all good things come to an end Casey John Goldsberry and Anton Gavel were the guys in that team. They brought them the success in the German league that they were known for and I believe that was Casey and John’s last year before they retired so I think their success just ran its course and me and Rakim were coming up and trying to establish ourselves’, remembered Jamar Smith. He scored 22 points against Tuebingen and had solid stints in the Euroleague scoring 19 points against Strasburg and 18 points a piece against Zalgiris and Efes. He also won’t forget Mr Bamberg at that time ex NBA player and Stanford (NCAA) great Casey Jacobsen. ‘He was a pro always on time and nice to people and a good example’, expressed Jamar Smith. In the 2014-2015 season he signed with Limoges ESP Elite in and would win his second pro title winning the Pro A. The club had celebrated much success in the 80’s and 90’s winning 10 league titles and hadn’t last won since 2000. It was a special season for the organization. ‘Limoges was making it to Euroleague because of winning the French League and like I said earlier in the interview budgets matter especially in Euroleague normally the teams that win are the teams with bigger budgets and no French team could compete with the budgets of other Euroleague teams. But a lot of guys in that team made great careers for themselves’, commented Jamar Smith. He put up super stats again averaging 12.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 46.0%, FT: 82.9 in the Pro A and in the Euroleague averaged 14.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.5%, 3PT: 45.8%, FT: 81.8%. He scored 29 points against Boulogne and in the Euroleague had good games against CSKA Moscow with 19 points and 18 points against his future team Unicaja.

The sniper who lists Shaq, MJ, Kobe, and Giannis on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore then reached the big time in 2015 playing 2 seasons for Unicaja Malaga playing in the ACB and Euroleague. He played 61 ACB games in his 2 year stint nd 15 Euroleague games and in his second season had a fantastic Eurocup season averaging 10.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 78.3% and helped the team to the Eurocup title. Despite reaching the 2 best leagues in 2015, he hadn’t reached the pinnacle of his career yet. ‘They were the best leagues for sure but I wasn’t the player that I became in Kazan with coach Priftis. The confidence and freedom he gave me as a player and always challenging me helped me get there’, remembered Jamar Smith. He had huge games in the Euroleague scoring 22 points against Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos and 20 points against Banco di Srd. In the ACB, he had some stellar games against Valencia with 24 points and had 23 points against Manresa. He came up big in a do or die game in the Eurocup final against Valencia posting 20 points. He also had the fortune of witnessing a young Luka ‘magic’ Doncic at age 16-17 and played 7 times against him and Real Madrid posting a 1-6 record and twice scored in double figures. It didn’t surprise him that he would soon be a great NBA player. ‘He played for arguably one of the best teams in Europe and started some games and was a major contributor and turned the team into his own. Not many people that played against him when he was with Madrid had a good experience especially the year he won MVP of Euroleague’, stated Jamar Smith. He was also lucky to play against some of the world’s best players and be pushed to the limit on a daily basis from teammates like Demarkus Nelson and Kyle Fogg. ‘Those were my bros just the comradery we had and I still talk to both of them. Great players who used to compete like crazy in practice. Practice was harder than some games with those guys’, remembered Jamar Smith. He then played 4 seasons with Russan team Unics Kazan where he played 104 VTB League games and 77 Eurocup games averaging 13/1/2 stats where he would forever be immortalized as one of the premier players. He averaged 13/2/2 stats in the VTB in his 4 seasons. He topped off his career at Unics winning the Eurocup MVP in 2021. He never won the VTB league title simply because CSKA Moscow had their own monopoly on the competition, but he became the Eurocup all-time leader in three pointers made. ‘VTB league is tough and the travel is difficult also but CSKA built a powerhouse and had some of the best players along with one of the biggest budgets so they reigned Supreme. The Eurocup title is cool but it’s a title that’s meant to be broken. It’s cool while you have it but there is so much young talent coming up I’m sure it will be broken and the torch will keep being passed like it has now’, added Jamar Smith. Some of his biggest games in the Eurocup happened against Gran Canaria as he had 32 points and 26 points against Cedevita and Asvel and in the VTB controlled Avtodor with 29 and 27 points and had 31 points against Parma. In his 4 years he had a who’s who of incredible teammates like Isaiah Canaan, Jordan Theodore, Okaro White, Nate Wolters, Raymar Morgan, Mauric Ndour, and Anton Ponkrashov. He was also teammates with Erik McCullum another one of many guys that he played with that could of played in the NBA. ‘ I think a lot of guys could have going into the right situation with the right opportunity there are a lot of great players over here. Especially in Euroleague but for some people playing and actually contributing means more than playing in the NBA and riding the bench’, warned Jamar Smith.

Last season the guard who never watched the sequel to the classic Coming To America with Eddie Murphy joined Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 13.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 45.0%, FT: 76.9%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged: 15.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 47.5%, FT: 85.7%. He won his fourth chip with the Fiba Europe Cup. He knows how tough it was winning a title in the VTB and it isn’t any different in the Turkish BSL. ‘It is super tough because Turkey has some of the best teams in Europe in my opinion they are at the top of euroleague and euro cup that’s not a coincidence’, stressed Jamar Smith. The club just advanced to the Basketball Champions League top 16 now and have done it with only 3 Americans, and a talented French and Czech player and fine Turkish role players. ‘Our Turkish players are good and have been playing great for us. We had early injuries and got off to a slow start but have won 6 out of our last 7. We have a lot of experienced guys who know how to play and we all trust each other I think that’s what makes us dangerous’, warned Jamar Smith. He has won titles in Israel, France, Spain and last season Turkey where the team was 17-1 in the Fiba Europe Cup. Was that the best team he ever played on? ‘ It’s hard to compare the cups because they are two different levels but the team we had last year was really good and I think it shows because it was the most success the club has had and all the players from that team are still playing some are on different teams and still playing well’, expressed Jamar Smith. He will be turning 36 in a little more than 2 months. The question is how much longer can he still be going. One guy who turned professional a year before he did and has been 14 years with the same club Fraport Skyliners is legend Quantez Robertson. Back in the 13-14 season, he played twice against him and despite winning the games by 30 and 10 points, he never forgot him. ‘I remember him being relentless. He’s a dog. I liked how competitive he was and he brought it every game’, commented Jamar Smith. The question is how much longer can he still play? He is still in top shape, has superb skills and isn’t slowing down and still has a massive hunger to win chips. ‘I think 40 is a goal that’s realistic. My body will give out before my love for the game for sure I still feel like a kid when I come to the gym’, warned Jamar Smith. It will be interesting if he can keep his promise, because witnessing his love for the game at that age is refreshing.

Tags : JAMAR SMITH, BAHCESEHIR KOLEJI ISTANBUL, GERMAN BASKETBALL