It isn’t always the easiest thing to win on the road, but the Dragons Rhondorf have shown this season that showing class and heart in opponents gyms is something they can handle. They have a 3-1 record on the road and are actually playing better there than in their own living room. Last weekend they defeated the ambitious new Pro B team Vechta 2 102-91 who moved up after playing in the Regionalliga the last years. Despite a massive game from American Vechta guard JJ Culver, the Dragons Rhondorf had their own weapon as Devon Goodman had another incredible performance with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 10 dimes and 3 steals. Now it was time to start a long home winning streak. They faced former Pro A team Itzehoe Eagles who came to Rhondorf with an unflattering 4-5 record, but had a solid 2-2 road record having beat Cologne and Iserlohn. On a freezing Saturday evening 2 weeks before Christmas eve where everyone in the Dragon Dome was happy to be indoors instead of outdoors saw the Dragons Rhondorf meet a pesky Itzehoe Eagles who just wouldn’t go away until the fourth quarter where the Dragons Rhondorf pulled away and didn’t look back squeaking out big 80 74 win. Ex easyCredit BBL player Florian Koch (197-SF-1992) who led his team with 29 points was more than aware that despite the win, it wasn’t the Dragons best effort of the season. ‘We found a way to win. We didn’t do a good job on the paint touches. We made big plays down the stretch when we needed to’, stated Dragons Rhondorf forward Florian Koch. Itzehoe played a solid game, but just didn’t have enough for 40 minutes as they couldn’t produce consistent execution at both ends of the court in the fourth quarter. ‘They played aggressively and we fought every minute. I feel we lost this game at the free throw line. It was an even game. I liked our heart. They had bigger guys, but I liked how we fought for the rebounds’, stressed Itzehoe Eagle Shaquille Rombley.

Shaq Rombley at the FT line

The Dragons Rhondorf raced out to a quick start leading 4-0 before 1 minute was played as Koch and Zaba Bangala scored. But Itzehoe then displayed a ruthless 8-2 run as American Trey McBride was a one man wrecking crew scoring 8 unanswered points to lead 8-6. The American from Ohio scored from 2 levels from the mid range and near range unveiling a reverse lay up, pull up jumper and step back jumper. Both teams played more in the paint as the three wasn’t falling well yet. The guests played with more intensity and continued to up their advantage to 15-10 as they controlled the paint getting a basket from Rombley and a trey from ex PS Karlsruhe German Emil Marshall. But the Dragons Rhondorf continued to scrap away and got key three’s in the last minute as Koch and ex Rostock guard Nicholas Buchholz connected from downtown to dead lock the game at 16-16. Both teams had horrible three point percentages, while Itzehoe had the 13-11 rebound edge and both teams took good care of the ball with 2 turnovers a piece. ‘We took more three’s than two. Our game is getting into the paint. Shaq Rombley did a good job being the classic rim protector.

Zaba Bangala drives to the hole

The second quarter was a tight affair as no team had a bigger lead than 5 points, but at the break, it was Itzehoe that led by 1 point. Ex Telekom Baskets Bonn forward Florian Koch blasted off in the second quarter as he paced the Dragons scoring the teams first 10 points with 2 three’s, a lay in and a step back jumper to lead 28-23. There was no stopping him, but as an ex BBL player something his teammates expect from him. ‘We had low energy, but he kept it up. We aren’t surprised when he puts on a scoring show like that. I’m happy it worked’, stressed Dragons Rhondorf captain Paul Albrecht. But as Koch’s momentary show ended, came a Itzehoe run of 9-4 run to tie the game at 32-32. German Erik Nyberg was key leading the charge with 5 points. Rombley continued to be a menace getting easy baskets as his quickness and cleverness allowed him to get to the hole quickly and finish easily. The Koch tirade in the second quarter wasn’t over as he added another three pointer for the 35-32 advantage. But the guests closed out the game strong with a McBride left hand lay in and Emil Marshall led his players into the locker room with a hard 1 hand dunk as Rhondorf trailed 36-35 after 20 minutes. ‘We didn’t defend well. We gave them open shots and were punished’, stated Florian Koch.

Emil Marshall with the dunk

The third quarter continued to be very close as both teams defended with passion and didn’t allow the other to get away. After being rather quiet in the previous 15 minutes, Trey Mcbride returned in the second half and carried Itzehoe with his precision scoring as he supplied 6 points, but Itzehoe only led 43-42. But the Dragons Rhondorf then found some daylight cruising out on a 9-3 run to lead 51-46. The Dragons got huge support from German role player Adrian Bergman. Last season he played in the Pro A with Schwenningen and the club wanted to actually keep him, but in the end he landed in Rhondorf. He offered 7 points with free throws, a lay in and a trey as the hustle player showed his whole worth off the bench. Rombley was having a monster game and played his heart out keeping the Eagles in the game with his relentless and non stop work in the paint scoring twice. He gives the definition Work Horse a new meaning. Rhondorf also got some points from point guard Devon Goodman who was closed down in scoring, but dished out 11 dimes. McBride got an easy basket as there was no 1-1 defense as Rhondorf led 55-54. Zaba Bangala found some energy in the last minute scoring twice as the Itzehoe Eagles trailed 59-56. ‘Last week in Vechta we had the problem that we were in control, but couldn’t slam the door shut. We had the same problem against Itzehoe. Their zone slowed us down. They forced us to play their game’, stated Florian Koch. ‘I thought that we defended well, but they rebounded well on the offensive glass and got extra possessions’, said Shaq Rombley. Both teams shot better from the field near 40%, but shot a poor 10-46 from outside. The guests continued to control the boards 35-30, but had 10 turnovers while Rhondorf had 6 turnovers.

Paul Albrecht at the FT line

In the fourth quarter the Dragons Rhondorf offense became more fluid and got more support from various players which the Itzehoe Eagles just couldn’t match and never could regain the lead. The Dragons Rhonndorf begam well getting a trey from Florian Koch which fueled the offense which led to a Bangala runner and Pual Albrecht old school hook shot and 69-62 lead. The energy level of the Itzehoe was wanning except for Shaq Rombley who never had his motor off scoring a bucket and making free throws to cut the Rhondorf lead to 69-65. But then came the key blow a s the Dragons Rhondorf went on a 9-4 run to extend their lead to 78-69 with 2 minutes to go. In the run, the Dragons got valuable production from Zaba Bangala who was a beast scoring 3 buckets. Rombley did all he could in the post to defend him, but there is only so much you can do when baby Zion is 3 times as wide. ‘Even if he is huge, I never backed down. He really knows how to use his body to his advantage. We tried to get him in foul trouble, but it didn’t work’, smiled Shaq Rombley. Back up point guard Jonas Falkenstein added a three pointer. The Itzehoe Eagles got a Marshall runner and three pointer from McBride in the last minute, but it was too little too late. ‘Our offense was more fluid in the fourth quarter and we had good decision making. Bangala energy sparked us also’, stated Florian Koch. ‘Not making free throws hurt us as well bad fouls. We also didn’t finish defensive plays’, said Shaq Rombley. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Florian Koch with 29 points and 12 boards while Zaba Bangala had 18 points and 12 rebounds while the Itzehoe Eagles were led by Shaq Rombley with 26 points and 15 rebounds while Trey McBride had 24 points and 12 rebounds. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 52% from the two point area and 30% from outside and had 41 rebounds and 7 turnovers while the Itzehoe Eagles shot 53% from the two points range and 16% from outside and had 41 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

Tags : FLORIAN KOCH, TELEKOM BASKETS BONN, GERMAN BASKETBALL

After a scary and poor start to the season where the Fraport Skyliners Juniors raced out to a 3 game losing streak, they have rebounded well winning 5 of their last 6 games. They continue to prove that when they have a full roster, they can beat anyone. Even when they had a roster half full with NBBL (U-19) players, they still gave top pro B team Oberaching a good run for their money. They met 4-5 team Ehingen who came from the Pro A and brought a solid 2-2 road record, but had lost their last 2 games. On a untypical early Saturday afternoon game 2 weeks before Christmas eve, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors who had beat Erfurt last week on the road were fully motivated and played a hard fought game against Team Ehingen Urspring and saved their best for last executing in fine fashion in crunch-time getting by Team Ehingen Urspring 71-67. After a slow shooting day, Philipp Hadenfeldt stepped up his game hitting some big shots at the end to preserve the win. ‘I think our only good strength today was our fighting qualities. After a slow start we never stopped fighting. This win was huge for our mentality. We won the last game easily and now were tested and saw that we can win the tight ones’, stated ex Wurzburg guard Philipp Hadenfeldt (189-PG-1999) Team Ehingen Urspring played a good game and for many phases seemed to be the team in control, but Frankfurt really came together in the fourth quarter and the guests didn’t have the same defensive intensity anymore. Team Ehingen Urspring American Andre Nation carried the team for almost the whole game and was disappointed after the loss. ‘We had a good first half, but sluggish third quarter. We lost our composure at the end. We played consistent for 35 minutes and played good defense for 27 minutes. We want to keep getting better and defend better. We feel that if we can hold teams to 65 points then we will always have good chances to win’, stated ex James Madison (NCAA) forward Andre Nation.

Nils Leonhardt at the FT line

The Fraport Skyliners entered the game without German Jordan Samare who was being rested for the easyCredit BBL game that evening against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. The first quarter was a very tight affair as there were 4 lead changes. Team Ehingen Urspring got some early production from their young Germans Daniel Zacek and Moritz Heck while Frankfurt got baskets from sharp shooter Felix Hecker and 7 year man Alvin Oniya. Both teams had early problems with taking care of the ball as both teams combined for 14 after 10 minutes as the press was giving both clubs problems. After ex Trier forward Nils Leonhardt gave Frankfurt the 6-5 lead, Team Ehingen Urspring then took the lead back and kept it. Andre Nation who was a menace all day long connected on a trey and Luxemburg stat filler Ivan Delgado made a lay in. Frankfurt tried to use the size advantage as Team Ehingen Urspring was very small and fed ex BBL player Marco Voeller inside and he used his experience and touch with a lay in and hook shot to stay close trailing only 12-10. Team Ehingen Urspring then got a three pointer from JBBL champion with Alba Berlin Erik Penteker for the 15-10 advantage. Team Ehingen Urspring did a good job keeping the touches of Felix Hecker limited. Frankfurt got some key baskets down the stretch form Hadenfeldt and Justin Onyejiaka to stay close and trail only 17-15 after one quarter. ‘We prepared well for them, but they came out with a different game plan which rattled us a bit. We were unsure how to play their press and they did a good job getting in passing lanes’, stressed Philipp Hadenfeldt Both teams had horrible three point percentages and Team Ehingen Urspring had the 8-7 rebound edge.

Daniel Zacek from outside

The contest continued to be a tug of war in the first 5 minutes of the second quarter, but Team Ehingen Urspring buckled down in the last 5 minutes controlling the game and going on a run to have a 9 point lead going into the break. Team Ehingen Urspring had good support from their bench as Mateo Vidovic nailed a trey and ex Paderborn 210cm center Vincent Neugebauer made a lay in while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors continued to get valuable production from Marco Voeller who hit a hook shot and made an offensive rebound and put back for the 24-22 advantage. No team could get away from each other as the game was a turnover party as there had been 19 turnovers before 14 minutes had been played. Andre Nation tied the game with free throws and Vacek made a lay in for the 26-24 Team Ehingen Urspring lead. Onyejiaka then made a thunderous one hand dunk as Marco Voeller some how saw him from near the three point line to dead lock the game at 26-26. But then the game took a little turn as Team Ehingen Urspring closed out the second quarter with a timely 11-2 run to lead 37-28 at half-time. In the run, It was Andre Nation that took control scoring 3 baskets including 2 runners. ‘He is hard to defend. He is their main player. He had a hand everywhere during the game’, stated Philipp Hadenfeldt Team Ehingen Urspring stepped up their defense as well getting extra possessions on a block by Linus Ihle and overall superb defense where Frankfurt got little open shots. ‘We had problems with their pick and roll defense. They switched a lot and the help was quick. We didn’t move the ball fast enough and they were always a step quicker’, warned Philipp Hadenfeldt The Fraport Skyliners Juniors continued to shoot badly with 34% from the field and only 9% from outside while Team Ehingen Urspring shot 48% from the field and 31% from outside, but Frankfurt had the 18-16 rebound edge and 12 turnovers while Team Ehingen Urspring had 13 turnovers.

Felix Hecker from downtown

Team Ehingen Urspring continued to have the comfortable lead in the third quarter and even led by as much as 13 points, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors got stronger in the last few minutes and clawed their way closer trailing only by 5 points after 30 minutes. Team Ehingen Urspring continued to get good support from the bench as Neugebauer scored twice and Nation made a step back jumper to keep the Fraport Skyliners Juniors down 43-32. The Frankfurt offense was inconsistent and after Felix Hecker scored on the drive, Team Ehingen Urspring then scored twice on two horrendous mistakes by Frankfurt as the miscommunication on offense was terrible. Two turnovers led to two easy buckets by Delgado and a pretty double pump dunk by Andre Nation as Team Ehingen Urspring had their biggest lead of the game at 47-34. ‘My favorite dunkers are Kobe and Vince Carter. I got that double pump dunk from Kobe’, smiled Andre Nation. Team Ehingen Urspring continued to play great defense getting in passing lanes and just not allowing Frankfurt to get into a rhythm. But the Fraport Skyliners Juniors then closed out the third quarter reborn going on a 12-4 run to trail 51-46. In the run, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors received sound support from Nolan Adekunle who was off his mark having an off night with 9 points, but in the run supplied 5 points. Big man Alex Richardson also had an off night made his only basket count with a hammer dunk and Voeller also scored using the mismatch well. ‘Hecker gave us the needed energy that we didn’t have before’, stated Philipp Hadenfeldt ‘We made silly turnovers. We sped up our game to much. When they went on their run, we had miscommunication’, expressed Andre Nation. Team Ehingen Urspring continued to be the better shooting team, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had the 25-24 rebound advantage and 18 turnovers while Team Ehingen Urspring had 20 turnovers.

Erik Penteker at the FT line

The game remained tight in the fourth quarter, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had the better nerves and execution to crunch-time to prevail. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors began with a bang going on the 10-4 run to recapture the lead 56-54. Marco Voeller was feeling it this game and carried the team in the first minutes of the fourth quarter supplying a clutch 9 points to lead Team Ehingen Urspring only 56-54. Voeller was supplying the total package with his outside shooting and sound pick and roll game. But one guy Frankfurt didn’t have on their menu was Daniel Vacek who suddenly became a sniper scoring 3 three’s in a row to give Team Ehingen Urspring the 63-60 advantage. ‘He has been struggling and for him to make those shots was huge for us. We always want the open guys to get up shots’, stressed Andre Nation. That Vacek momentum carried on a bit more as Penteker made an off balance shot and Delgado a free throw as Frankfurt trailed 66-60. But the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were never out of it as they were clawing their way back. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors then supplied the knock out punch with a 9-0 run to lead 69-66. Hadenfeldt led the charge with a key three to give Frankfurt the 67-66 lead. Voeller also continued to wear down Team Ehingen Urspring in the paint with an offensive rebound and put back and Adekunle also scored. ‘We executed better and the pick and roll worked better. We knew when we had the advantage and had guys in the right place. I knew I had to make big shots and had the self confidence to do it’, said Philipp Hadenfeldt With 17 seconds to go and Team Ehingen Urspring down 69-67, they still had the ball, but top player Andre Nation made an offensive foul which led to Hadenfeldt free throws to secure the win. ‘That was an offensive foul. We got sped up by their pressure. It was a miscommunication. I was supposed to slip screen. It was a good call by the ref. They really did a good job. It’s really tough to ref in this league’, stated Andre Nation. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Marco Voeller with 23 points while Philipp Hadenfeldt added 14 points and Team Ehingen Urspring were led by Andre Nation with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Daniel Zacek added 14 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 40% form the field and 20% form outside and had 36 reboudns and 21 turnovers while Team Ehingen Urspring shot 46% from the field and 32% from outside and had 32 rebounds and 26 turnovers.

Tags : PHILIPP HADENFELDT, FRAPORT SKYLINERS FRANKFURT JUNIOR TEAM, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Trey McBride (188-PG-1997, college: Northwood) is a 25 year old 188cm guard from Cincinnati, Ohop playing his third professional season and first with the Itzehoe Eagles. He last played for the Norwood Flames (Australia-NBL1 Central) averaging 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.6apg, Steals-3 (2.8spg), FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 81.3%. He split his rookie season with teams at KK Crn Dream Struga (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 6.3ppg, 2.0rpg, in Feb.’21 moved to KKK Radnicki Kragujevac (Serbia-KLS) averaging 8.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 25.8%, FT: 41.7%. he began his basketball career at Archbishop Moeller High School and then played a year at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (NAIA) averaging 12.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 70.2%. he then played at Northwood University (NCAA) from 2017-2020 playing a total of 86 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

Im currently in Itzehoe playing pro B. Basketball life is treating me well, I am very proud of where I am at career wise.

Your playing your third professional season in Germany for the Itzehoe Eagles. What kind of an experience has it been? What have you cherished most about the experience?

It has been a pretty good experience. I think the thing I value the most is the freedom to be myself. Coach Timo has allowed me to lead, be vocal and a part of our game plans, and experiment and grow parts of my game that I might not have been able to elsewhere.

The team went down from Pro A to Pro B and have been struggling. Do you feel like there is pressure to move right back up? The legend head coach Pat Elzie left.

I do not feel like there is pressure to move back up, this is an entirely different roster. It would be unfair to put last years expectations on a new team that is very young.

There is only one other American teammate on the team with Shaq Rombley. You guys must have a good understanding of each other. Who has the bigger chip on their shoulder? You both played JUCO and NAIA and then NCAA 2 ball.

I actually did not play JUCO but I did play NAIA and D2, I am not sure honestly we both have similar goals, and we both have a lot to prove. So I wouldn’t say we have chips on our shoulders but gashes.

Shaq Rombley is a player that can score and fish those rebounds down off the glass. What have you appreciated most about his game?

He plays hard on both ends. That is special at this level.

The team is pretty young, but have some older guys like veteran Thorben Haake. What has it been like sharing the back court with this veteran? What do you appreciate most about his game?

He is more with the second men’s team but does help us a bit in practice and we talk a lot off the floor. He’s very crafty and has a great feel for what has to be done to win. I think having him participate in our practices as an older German voice that’s not a coach is beneficial because the young players can identify with him more. He can also communicate a message better sometimes because he speaks the language

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

Kyrie Irving, John Wall and Jrue Holiday.

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard? What other strengths does your game incorporate?

Yes it is fair to say that I am a scoring guard, other strengths include I have a high basketball IQ, my athleticism, my versatility on both ends of the floors and my ability to play both ends of the floor at a high level.

You have had pretty low assists averages in your career. How much of a focus is it for to become more of a facilitator?

I would love for my assist numbers to reflect how I facilitate. I get a lot of assist that don’t show up in the box score like setting screens, cutting hard to draw the defense to me to open up a teammate, as well as making the pass to the pass that’s the assist.

Your also a very potent defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become down the road?

I think there are three phases to being a great defender, on ball, off ball, and guarding the post. I would say I am good at on ball and off ball defense. I could definitely become a better post defender so that I am not a liability at higher levels.

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

Three point shooting, upping my assist numbers, and just gaining as much knowledge that will prepare me for the next level.

You last played for the Norwood Flames (Australia-NBL1) averaging 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.6apg, Steals-3 (2.8spg), FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 81.3%. What kind of an experience was it living and playing down under? Did you have any real long lasting memory?

It was the most fun I have ever had playing basketball. Yeah I have a lot of relationships with some great people down there and memories that will last two lifetimes. My favorite memory would be just betting on myself and not really being sure if I would sign down there and it all worked out we ended up finishing top 5 in the league and went to the playoffs.

As a rookie you split time with KK Crn Dream Struga (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 6.3ppg, 2.0rpg, in Feb.’21 moved to KKK Radnicki Kragujevac (Serbia-KLS) averaging 8.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 25.8%, FT: 41.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was touching down in Macedonia and being in the airport trying to find my way and seeing cyrillic on all the signs, I thought I was on another planet.

How tough was it being a rookie and having to change teams within a month? What did you learn from your rookie season?

I learned to be patient and things unfold at their own pace, and just because it did not work out in one situation does not mean it won’t work out in another.

In Serbia you played with a legend named Rasko Katic. How quickly were you aware that he was a legend and what was your coolest story with him?

I believe right away, I can’t remember if I found out while I was doing research or if my agent told me. It’s somewhat personal but basicaly he told me how he wanted to go to University in America but was not able to at the time due to some world events. But turned his life/career into a one of a living legend so I respect him not letting outside events affect how successful he would be.

You played at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (NAIA) averaging 12.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 70.2%. Every guy I speak to who played JUCO say it was tough but an experience they wouldn’t have given have changed the world for. NAIA is the fourth college league. What memories do you have from NAIA? What positives could you take from that one year in NAIA?

I learned a lot playing at MVNU, I would say the memory that sticks out the most is sleeping on my older teammates couch a lot during the week because we would be up all night just talking or playing cards.

You then played at Northwood (NCAA2) from 2017-2020 playing a total of 86 games. You were really consistent there. How do you feel did your game grow in those 3 years?

My game grew at NU by building my confidence in my leadership, which I think helped me overall as a player.

You reached the Gliac final in 2020. Will the loss to Michigan Tech be one of those games that you will never forget?

For sure, I still have not watched the game yet, we had that game won and Kyle Monroe turned to Superman for the last 10 minutes of the game.

You had many memorable games at Northwood, but how do you have the 2 back to back wins against Saginaw Valley and Lake Superior where you had 23 points apiece in very tight wins?

I don’t really remember those games but I am a creature of habit and I do everything the same so my guess is I just trust my preparation.

How did Lonne Griffin groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Griff was my assistant coach when I was in school but he was hard on me and he really challenged me to be better and to always do more. That has really prepared me because as an American you have to be able to do a bunch of different things on the floor at a high level and if you do not you are going to struggle to get a job.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jakavien Lewis?

Me always. but JK was probably the best on ball defender I have ever played with.

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

Jorden Poole, Keevon Harris, Xavier Simpson, Kendale McCullum and Tacko Fall

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Nate Georgetown, Andrew and Dan Weber, Matt Lycet, and Shaq Rombley

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, MJ, LeBron, Steph

What is your opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron and why isn’t Kobe mentioned more?

It’s subjective they all are great but Kobe is my goat. I have a Kobe tattoo. If you ask any player who has played the game at a high level they have Kobe either as the goat or 1b.

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

No I did not I am totally against film remakes and sequels

Thanks Trey for the chat.

Tags : TREY MCBRIDE, ITZEHOE EAGLES, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Jeremy Ingram (183-G-1991, college: AAMU) is a 191 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 spoke will team up with Miles Schmidt-Scheuber on a weekly basis this season to talk basketball.

Congrats on the huge 41 point win against Rendsburg. Seriously as a player how does a 41 point win feel like compared to a 20 point win?

Well anytime you win by this amount you know that your team played very well and we had a lot of fun, especially doing it in front of our home crowd.

Was the win harder to get than the score implies?

Nah, we definitely pretty much dominated this game.

Talk a little about the 40 minutes. When did Bargteheide decide the game? Was the game already over in the third quarter?

I say 2nd half is when we pretty much turned our play to another level , especially on defense. And they could not recover from it.

How vital is it having a high scoring import in Regionalliga play? Rendsburg didn’t have that?

Well I believe they did have an American at 1 point during the season but he is no longer there. But it’s definitely important to have a scoring import if you want to compete in the league.

You destroyed them on the boards and had only 7 turnovers. What were you most proud

The defense? Our defense was immaculate. When we play defense like this, it will be hard for any team to beat us. Because with great defense comes a lot of fast break points and that’s when we are at our best.

Ibrahim Jabby had a solid game with 15 points. What do you appreciate most about his game?

I love to see him succeed and have good games. I think he just needs to play with this same confidence and stay locked in every game like he was this game and he’s going to be a pretty good player.

You had a 18/6/1/5/2 game and shot 3/12. How do you rate a game like that for you? I guess the win is all that counts.

I mean I didn’t shoot the best this game but to be honest I don’t have to focus on offense because i Iave other good scorers on my team unlike previous teams I played on so I really put a lot of energy into playing defense. Long as we get the win that’s all I care about, but I will shoot better next game for sure.

When you get 5 steals in a game, how hard is it to get 10?


Well in this league to be honest, they never actually keep the stats exactly right so I probably had more steals than that . But getting 10 steals in a game is definitely on my to do list.

You next play Potsdam who are below you in the standings. What will be key for getting the win?

Potsdam is no longer a team in our league.

Thanks Jeremy for the chat.

Tags : JEREMY INGRAM, TSV BARGTEHEIDE, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Kobe Webster (183-PG-1999, college: Nebraska) is a 23 year old 183cm guard from Indianapolis, Indiana playing his rookie season overseas for the Heroes Den Bosch (Holland-DBL). He began his basketball career with Park Tudor high school. He then played 2 seasons and 57 NCAA games for Western Illinois averaging 17.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 76,8% and 17.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 79.0%. He then moved to the University of Nebraska (NCAA) playing 57 games in total averaging 8.2ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 38.6%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 67.9% and as a senior averaged 6.2ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 39.4%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

I am currently playing my first year of professional basketball in The Netherlands with Heroes Den Bosch. Basketball life is treating me well. I have enjoyed adapting to the new environment and looking to continue to grow as a player and person both on and off the court.

You were born in 1999 in the summer. Kobe Bryant had already played 3 years in the NBA. Did the name Kobe have something to do with Kobe Bryant and your parents naming you that way?

I like to believe so as Kobe Bryant is my all-time favorite player. Kobe was starting to become popular at the time, so I think my parents heard the name and liked it.

You’re playing your rookie season for Den Bosch in Holland. What have you enjoyed most about the overseas grind so far?

I have enjoyed adapting to a new environment and getting to know new teammates from all over the world. This has shown me new perspectives on the game and how it is played as well as create new relationships with people that I previously may not have interacted with back home.

You have already won your first chip as a professional while other guys go a decade and career with never winning one. Can you compare it to winning 2 in high school?

The first professional championship was fun, although it was at the beginning of the season. As a team, we are of course wanting to be on top at the end of the season by winning the national championship in Holland and then advancing in the BNXT cross boarder playoffs to hopefully win that as well. As far as comparing it thus far, the high school ones were a little more special at the moment just because they were what we worked for all season. Winning the league championships at the end of season will definitely top the high school ones if we are able to do so.

Den Bosch has reached the next round in Fiba Europe Cup and play some tough teams from Germany, Estonia and Turkey. How big are the expectations in general to keep advancing?

As a team, we go into every game expecting to win. We have high standards for ourselves both individually and collectively so we want to continue to play at a level that matches those standards which will lead to us winning games in the next stage of FIBA Europe Cup.

The club got 8 new players. What has been key for team chemistry having developed so quickly and the team having success?

Coach made it a point from day one to build chemistry with one another both on and off the court. He makes sure that we are engaged during team meals and has also held team events and activities that allow us to get to know one another much better as people and basketball players.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would compare myself to someone like Tyus Jones, a guy who is solid, runs a team well but can score at many levels as well. I’m also a fan of Kemba Walker who is similar in size and has a scorer’s mentality like myself.

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard? You fill the stat sheet well. What other strengths does your offensive game have?

I would agree that I am a scoring point guard. I think I am quick and can get into the paint to make plays for my teammates. Particularly with this team, we have a lot of talent and guys that can score different ways which makes it easy to create both shots for myself and them.

You only averaged 1,0 steal per game during a season in the NCAA. Is that stat line deceiving? Obviously playing good defense is more than getting steals. What kind of a defender are you?

I would say that stat is deceiving and I’m sure my teammates would agree. Since being here, coach has really encouraged me to pressure the ball full court which has led to many more steals. I would say I am one of, if not the best on ball defender on the team.

What is a hidden strength in your game that isn’t always on the radar of people?

I would say my defense. As a guard, I play defense full court almost every possession of the game. Most times, people see a scorer and think that defense is not something that I am focused on, but I actually like to rely on my defense to get myself going offensively.

At Western Illinois you averaged 33 minutes, at Nebraska 22 and now in Holland 20. How big has it been in general for you going from heavy minutes at Western Illinois to less now?

Like I mentioned before, we have a lot of talent on this team as we did at Nebraska. It was an adjustment, but it also gives me time to observe the game more and understand what it is I need to bring to the game when I am on the court.

You’re putting up decent stats in less minutes. How more important has decision making become for you with less minutes?

Decision making is a huge part of the game for me, especially as the point guard. I have to make sure that I am bringing energy, directing traffic, getting my teammates involved, on top of staying aggressive for myself. As games get tougher throughout the season, it will be important to be smart and understand what is needed at certain points in the game so that we can continue to be successful.

You were a very good 3 point shooter in the NCAA but still searching for your touch in Europe. What has been the biggest challenge for you shooting the three overseas?

The first thing that I had to get adjusted to was the ball that we use and also the fact that in FIBA we use different basketballs each game depending on what country we are in. The physicality of the game is another thing that I’ve had to get used to which has an impact on focus, technique, and overall conditioning. This may lead to more tired legs or less balance on some shots, but I am adapting and see my percentage going up as the season progresses.

How key has other American Austin Price been for you? Has he been a type of mentor for you? What have you appreciated most about his game?

Austin has been great to have, especially in my rookie season. We workout with the same basketball and strength trainer back home so he had told me a lot leading into the season about what to expect. Austin is very level-headed and of course a great shooter which compliments my game well.

After a great high school career at Park Tudor, you played at Western Illinois from 2017-2020. You averaged 17/4/3 stats in the 2 years. Did you want a bigger challenge going to Nebraska?

Yes, I felt like playing on a bigger stage would help me improve my game and increase my opportunities of playing at higher levels professionally.

How instrumental was head coach Billy Wright in your time at Western Illinois? How did he help you most of becoming the player that you were at Western Illinois?

Coach Wright and assistant, Coach Joshua Jones, were both instrumental. Coach Wright gave me the green light to play my game from day one which allowed me to perform at the level I did while coach Jones was who I worked out with on a daily basis, watched film with, and ultimately help me with the smaller nuances of the game during my time at Western Illinois.

You had so many great games at Western Illinois but often in losing causes. Was your 40 point explosion against Omaha one you still think about despite the loss?

Of course. The 40 points in that game was my career high and was actually my last game played at Western Illinois’ arena and a record for points in a single game. I also had some special fans in attendance that game which made it special.

You then played at Nebraska (NCAA) from 2020-2022. Nebraska has had some really good players over the last 6-7 years and 2 that come to mind were Shavon Shields and Taj Webster 2 guys I saw play weekly in Frankfurt. What do their legacy mean to the school and how big are they role models for you?

I am honestly not very familiar with them as they were there years before I transferred.

You had many memorable games at Nebraska, but I can imagine your 13 points in the exciting 62-61 win over Penn State is high on your list?

Yes, that is one that I remember for sure. However, my favorite game was the one against Creighton in my second year at Nebraska. That is a huge rivalry game, and it was also after COVID when fans were allowed in the stadiums, so the arena was sold out. I was coming off of a back injury, and it was my first game that season. Even though we lost, I ended with 20 points in front of the home crowd and sort of cemented my spot in the rotation for the rest of the year.

How did head coach Fred Hoiberg groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Hoiberg really helped in becoming a professional, understanding the things outside of just workouts, practice, and games. At points, I was in situations where I may not play as much as I wanted, but it taught me that I had to continue to stay positive and support my teammates. He also showed me the importance of taking care of my body and not overworking (working smarter, not harder). Lastly, Coach Hoiberg helped in making me more of a playmaker and passer rather than only a scorer. He preached simple plays and the ‘good to great’ shot concept which has stuck with me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Alonso Verge?

We actually did not play a lot of one on one practice. I’m honestly not sure if we ever played one on one, but we definitely had some great battles in practice during scrimmages and other live segments of practice.

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

Kelan Martin, Eugene German (China)

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jaren Jackson Jr., CJ Wilcher, Trevon Bluiett, Dalan Ancrum, Justin Roberts

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

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Stephen Curry

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

Kobe Bryant is better than both, but if I have to choose, Jordan

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

I agree. I was not a huge fan of the second movie

Thanks Kobe for the chat

Tags : KOBE WEBSTER, HEROES DEN BOSCH, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Christopher Miller (192-G-1993, college: Salem) is a 29 year old 193cm guard from Brooklyn, New York who is playing his eighth professional season and first with GoldCoast Wallabies NLB (2nd League). He played 3 seasons with the Giessen Pointers (Germany-RegionalligaThis season for Bensheim he averaged 19,5ppg, 3,8rpg, 2,0apg and 1,5spg. He has had experience in countries like El Salvador and Bosnia. He recently played for the South Shore Monarchs (TBL) playing 8 games averaging 22.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 83.3%. He began his basketball career at Clinton Community College and also played two years at Salem University (NCAA2). This season he teams up with Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with weekly chats about his basketball season.

Congrats on the huge 82-65 win over Levaux. How good did it feel to win again after the nail bitter last weekend?

Thank you. Anytime we can get a win it feels good. I’m happy we got this one hopefully it starts up a few more.

Talk a little about the 40 minutes. When was the turning point of the game and what was key in crunch-time for getting the win?

We were very motivated to get it going from early , but it was a battle in the beginning. I think the third quarter we separated ourselves a bit. They fought back a few times but we put them away in the fourth.

Both teams shot poorly from outside, while there wasn’t too much difference in the rebounds and turnovers. How key was the shooting percentage in the paint which you did well as a team?

This was not our best shooting day but we were the bigger team. We tried to take advantage of our size and exploit mismatches. It was a ugly game but overall we were able to do that.

Gael Gillieron was a beast with 16 rebounds. He wasn’t that tall but still got rebounds when he wanted. What made it so difficult to control him?

He is a hustler.. He was always around, not giving up on the play, going for second and third chance efforts. He just seemed to keep having the ball in his hand. Containing him was difficult it was a collective team effort .

Jerome Domingos had a strong game with 16 points. What do you appreciate most about his game?

I think Jerome is a very skilled versatile player. Who brings everything to the table . He can shoot ,rebound, defend and handle the ball. I appreciate having a teammate like him. He is a guy who has the capabilities of changing a game. Today on top of 16 points he had 8steals!!

You had another solid game with 24/8/6/3. How content were you with your performance?

I am pushing for more from myself. I am happy with the performance and to be able to have these games. I just want to take it to the next level and be even more of a help for my team.

The team shot 53% from the free throw line. Was it just one of those days?


For some reason it just seemed to be one of those days. Its no excuse we were bad today at the line.

You next play against 6-5 team Winterthur. What will be key to getting the win?

We have to come out with focus and work to execute our gameplan. Its going to be a battle so everyone needs to be in it.

Thanks for the chat.

Tags : CHRISTOPHER MILLER, GOLDCOAST WALLABIES, GERMAN BASKETBALL

If a player from Heroes Den Bosch had been bored on the bus trip to Crailsheim, because their Netflix menu of movies had run out, that player surely could of sat next to Austin Price (193-G-1995, college: Lehigh) and been entertained. One of my standard questions for ages for professional ballers has been the classic debate question of all-time who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron and why isn’t Kobe mentioned more. Granted I have interviewed guys who have won chips here and there, but 98% of the time, the answer to the GOAT question ranges from one word to 3 sentences. But every now and then a player will philosophize about the question like Austin Price did. When I did some simple research on Austin Price and searched for his titles, I came up with 4 as a professional, but he has won more than that. ‘, Growing up I was used to winning and playing in important games. In high school I went to 3 Final Fours and won the State championship in my senior year. In college I got to 2 PLC title games. I won my rookie year, got to the semis in Belgium the next year. In year 4 I was part of a fiba euro cup team. Although I didn’t play in that final, I believe it says something about a person who is always indulging in a winning culture wherever they end up’, stressed Austin Price. He has won so much already and knows what winning is about and so do the GOAT candidates like a Jordan, Lebron or Kobe. So who is the GOAT? One could write a book about this topic. Where are you Dan Shaughnessy? The Boston Globe legendary columnist has written various incredible books like the Curse Of The Bambino and would surely give his 2 cents to this topic. The older folk most commonly will chose Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain or a Oscar Robertson. For me it’s Larry Bird no discussion, but for the younger generation the GOAT question is always between Michael Jordan and Lebron James. It’s only a shame that Kobe isn’t mentioned more in this debate. ‘Lebron does everything on the court. He is going to be #1 all time scoring, top 5 assist and top 5/10 in rebounds. The 3-1 comeback did it for me. 6’9 250 runs like the wind and has super bounce. I have never seen anything like Lebron. Even players coming up now I just don’t see how they are close to Lebron. I can’t imagine an NBA without him because he is still the most talked about player. I love Jordan though. Incredible scorer and defender. He has a lot more micro skills than Lebron that I can use. Kobe isn’t mentioned as much because I think it was clear Lebron was better. In their matchups Bron won most of them. I think Kobe is disrespected because he is Jordan without extreme intangibles. Like huge hands, extreme athleticism (Kobe is athletic but not in the tier of Bron and MJ). Kobe was more influential on the world than both of them though from a personal growth standpoint. He worked his ass off and was able to explain why he did things the way he did things. He built his mind, body and spirit. He wasn’t necessarily as gifted as MJ and Bron but he realized his full potential regardless’, warned Austin Price. But he can do more than just philosophize brilliantly about basketball, but at the same time is a great player as well.

Austin Price who lists Malcolm Brogdon and Edmond Sumner as his toughest foes in the NCAA was born on September 16th, 1995 in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to Detroit when he was in high school. He went to Detroit country day school and averaged 16,0ppg, 5,0apg and 2,0spg as a junior and was team captain as a senior. He also was gifted in the class room amassing a 3.65 GPA. He then attended Lehigh University (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 124 NCAA games. In his freshman season he was named to the Patriot League all rookie team and was on the Patriot League honor role. He made the Patriot League third team in his junior and senior seasons. He was able to improve his scoring average each season. ‘At Lehigh I felt like I was always adapting. I played with great players. I want to say 6 of us played in Europe while I was there. I think I mostly grew defensively. I was challenged with guarding the best guard of every team I played against in college’, stressed Austin Price. He reached 2 Patriot League title games losing. The first one against Holy Cross was a 3 point nailbiter while the second was a blow out loss to Bucknell. ‘The 2nd final hurt more because it was my last college game. You never want to take off your jersey for the last time with a loss’, remembered Austin price. In his last 2 seasons he played 63 games and scored in double figures in 42 games. He had some big games against Bucknell scoring 25 points and 24 points against Lafayette, but the most memorable game was his last game against Colgate where he scored 27 points. ‘My fondest game I would say is beating Colgate in my last home game in Stabler. To go out with such a great game was a blessing. I also am very proud of how I played against Villanova. Although we lost, I proved to myself I can compete against the best of the best’, stated Austin Price. He also has fond memories of his teammates like Kahron Ross who balled in Germany and would go back and forth with him during practices. Two other guys were the beast Tim Kempton and Kyle Leufroy who had 2 productive seasons in Germany in the Pro A, but currently are out of basketball. ‘I thought Tim would fare better overseas. He always had a knack for scoring. I would ask myself how he scored many times in my career at Lehigh. He came down with an injury and we almost were reunited in Belgium but he wasn’t able to fully recover. Last time I spoke with Kyle he said he was looking to make a comeback to basketball’, expressed Austin Price. He left Lehigh second in school history with 240 three-pointers, and 13th in scoring with 1,453 points. A lot of his success on the court is credited to head coach Brett Reed who helped groom and prepare him for a professional career overseas. ‘Coach Reed would always hold you accountable in everything you did. Looking back it’s the biggest thing he taught to me is hold myself to a standard’, remembered Austin Price.

The American who lists Jodan Price (my brother), Edmond Sumner (high school teammate,) James Young (AAU teammate), Tim Kempton (college teammate) Khadeen Carrington, Pat Miller, Briain Angola, and Wayne Selden as his best teammates of all-time began his rookie season overseas with the Koping Stars (Sweden-Superettan) averaging 20.1pp), 4.2rpg, 4.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 87.0% and bang in his first pro try wins the league title. Despite adjusting so well on and off the court, he does remember his wake up call to being overseas and being far away from home. ‘The first week when I tried calling my mom and it’s 5am there and for me it was 11am so it felt normal to make a call after an early workout but she answered and was worried because it was so early there. When I was in school it felt far. I was 10hours driving but being 6hour time difference made it difficult to connect with my family since I am normally sleeping the time they are off work’, said Austin Price. He scored in double figures in every game including 31 points against AIK Basket and 29 points against Djurgarden. Having other American veterans on board is always helpful in the integration and he will never forget Stan Brown and Steve Smith. ‘I love my guys. I still talk to Stan every now and then. It was great having him as a vet. He also played for my uncle in college so we had a connection right away. He just taught me not take everything coaches say to heart just learn from it and adjust. Steve, I haven’t talked to him in a while but he would just tell me to play my game. Great captain when things in practice started to get out of hand or energy was low he would always get us back right and going hard’, warned Austin Price. In his second season he made the jump to a higher league playing with Hubo Limburg United (Belgium-Euromillions League) averaging 9.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 88.0%. After defeating Leuven and Spirou in the playoffs, his season ended against Oostende. He gave all he had scoring 20 points, but it simply wasn’t enough. ‘From that game in particular I felt like I was really hitting my stride. We had a coaching change and it took me awhile to really learn how to use the system he created. I played well sure and ran the system but at the end of the season I really started to string some games together. Coach really instilled confidence in me that I can play at a high level. I was going up against Khadeen Carrington every day and competing with him so I learned I have it in me to be a great player in Europe’, stressed Austin Price. He scored in double figures in 21 of 37 games and dished out 10 assists against the Kangoeroes.

In his third pro season, he went to another new country Bulgaria and had a good season playing with BC Beroe (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 15.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, Steals-5 (1.8spg), FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 84.6%. ‘I got a lot of positives. Got life long friends from that season. I learned how to lead a team. Every game I had to bring my A game and that’s tough to do. You learn to not get too high or too low’, added Austin Price. He scored in double figures in 19 of 20 league games in Bulgaria including 23 points against Academic and 22 points against Rilski. In 2020-2021 he played with Maccabi Raanana (Israel-National League) averaging 17.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.1apg, 2FGP: 49.2%, 3FGP: 37.3%, FT: 75.8%. It wasn’t all fun and games with the weather and food in Israel, but he had to deal with COVID like all the rest. ‘ Covid was definitely an experience. I was in my apartment for 2 weeks when I got to Israel and multiple times during the season we had lockdowns where I couldn’t leave the apartment or the area I was living in. However, as the restrictions eased it felt as though COVID was gone and I was able to have a good time’, expressed Austin Price. He had some massive games against H Afula exploding for 36 points and hit H Acre for 33 points. In the 33 point game, he was the best player on the floor outdueling ex New York Knick Chris Smith. ‘They were big games because I proved to myself I can outplay other big time players and I felt like I was getting my game to be more complete. I made 3s those games but I also got to the rim and scored in different ways other than 3s’, remembered Austin Price.

So now lets fast forward to 2022 as the scoring guard who lists Bill Russell, Kareem, Magic, and Jordan on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is playing his second season with Hero’s Den Bosch and already has won 2 titles in his short time there. Last season he demonstrated his consistency in 3 leagues BNXT League averaging 13.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 82.4%; 11.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.4apg, Steals-5 (1.5spg), FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 74.2%; in the Dutch DBL and: 10.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 71.4% in the Fiba Europe Cup. ‘It’s been a great experience. Personally I have had my ups and downs. There was a learning curve to learning the system but now that I have got it down I can thrive here. I appreciate that the organization that let’s the players play and takes care of everything off the court’, said Austin Price. The club is having another good season and reached the next round of the Fiba Europe Cup. The team changed their roster around bringing in new key pieces with Kobe Webster, Emmett Naar, Chris-Edou Ndow and Donte Thomas just to name a few and have found a healthy chemistry, but the team is nowhere near their peak yet. ‘We all get along and converse with each other daily. I feel we are still not close to reaching our full potential as a team. In comparison to last year we aren’t near where we were last year as unit moving as one. We have more talent, but the chemistry is only just beginning to blossom in my opinion. I believe we have a great chance to do well in Fiba Europe Cup. Right now we are further ahead defensively than on the Offensive end. There’s a ton of upside on that end as we begin to adjust to what other teams are trying to take away’, warned Austin Price.

The guard who didn’t see the sequel to the classic Coming To America but normally believes that classic movies like that should be left alone is having another solid offensive season. He is a player that has never modelled his game after certain NBA players, but just taken bits and pieces from guys. He has always been a player that has filled the stat sheet. ‘I’m very versatile. I find I adapt well to the situations coaches put me in. Sometimes longer than others but I will get my role down and be successful no matter what is asked of me’, warned Austin Price. In the BNXT league he is averaging 12,3ppg, 2,6rpg and 2,2apg and shooting in an amazing 52% from outside while in the Fiba Europe Cup he is averaging 8,5ppg, 1,3rpg, 1,8apg and 2,2spg. His scoring is down from last season, but his outside shooting has really stood out while he is less of a facilitator then in other years in his career. ‘ We have a lot more talent this year so the points are more spread out. So my role as a scorer has diminished due to having a lot more weapons but that’s ok. My shooting is great in the BNXT. I am working to transfer that to Fiba games. I would say in past years I had the ball in my hands more. I brought the ball up more often and was more of a decision maker. Here I have been the finisher. I mostly work out of catch and shoot situations where I deal with close outs’, stressed Austin Price. He is a player that has proved he can be consistent in various leagues in Europe and still wants to climb the basketball ladder, but knows that there are still area’s in his game to improve. ‘I am working on rebounding and ball handling. I feel like with my size I need to be an elite ball handler and I need to be able to prove I can get rebounds. I felt like that was the only difference between me and other players who made big leaps from last season’, stated Austin Price. It will be interesting where his journey will go in the next years. Adding more titles to his collection is a big priority and with Hero’s den Bosch he will have good chances. One thing is for sure, the long bus rides from De Bosch to other cities in Europe where they are playing Fiba Europe cup games will never be boring when Austin Price is on board. Give him the topic of Goat and that seemingly 6-7 hours bus ride will go in a flash when he describes why Lebron James is the GOAT.

Levi Randolph (196-G/F-1992, college: Alabama, agency: Slash Sports) is a 30 year old 196 forward from Madison, Alabama playing his 8th professional season and first with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (Israel-Winner League). He began his basketball career at Bob Jones high school and then played at the University of Alabama (NCAA) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 134 games. He turned professional in 2015 and played parts of 5 seasons in the G-League. In Europe he has gained experience in Italy, France and Belgium and also played in New Zealand. Last season he played with Filou Oostende (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 15.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 76.6%; in the BNXT league and in the BCL: averaged 17.4ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 83.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a BCL game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

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

Right now we are traveling to Germany for our next champions league game. Every thing is good. No complaints here for me.

Your playing your first season with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (Israel-Winner League). What kind of experience has it been so far for you? Every American that I have spoken to that played there loved it.

It’s been a great experience for me so far. I’ve enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to a lot more great memories here.

Your living in the holy city Jerusalem. What kind of an experience has it been as an American taking in the special culture?

It’s been a great experience for me living in the holy city. I feel at home.

Your having a very strong season again putting up good stats in 2 leagues. What is your secret to always being consistent I different countries and leagues overseas?

There’s no secret to it. When you put in the work it will show. I just try to show up to work every day and continue to grow and get better. It’s all in the preparation.

You are the leader of the team and are averaging the most minutes in your pro career since playing in the G-League. What do you feel is still missing from your game to play in the Euroleague?

For me, I feel that I just have to continue to show that I can affect winning. If I can continue to do that and be consistent in my production then the opportunity will present itself when the time is right.

Last season you played with Filou Oostende (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 15.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 76.6%; in the BNXT league and 17.4ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 83.9% in the BCL. How did your game grow in this season after having had 2 more additional years of experience in the G-League?

I was able to have a big role with great teammates and coaching. They helped to elevate my game to the next level.

After playing your rookie season in the G-League, you then came overseas and played in Italy before heading back state side to play 3 more years in the G-League with Canton. Especially your second season was really strong. Did you ever feel like you were close to a NBA call up? You had 35 points at the start against Delaware and 47 points against Westchester near the end of the season.

Yea every year I felt that I was close. I started each of my seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers so I was an extension of their roster. Each preseason I started in the NBA before being sent to the g league. Eventually I got my NBA call up in 2020.

A guy like Dean Wade put up similar stats to you and then in your second season made the Cavs and is still there? Do you still have hope for the NBA or is Europe now your number one focus?

Dean Wade is one of my good friends. I was able to play along side him and see his growth. He prepared and when he got his opportunity he took advantage of it. I’m very happy for him. My main focus now is to be where my feet are. I have a great opportunity in Europe and I will continue to cherish this opportunity.

After playing your rookie season in the G-League you came overseas in 2016 for the first time and had a solid rookie season with Scandone Avellino (Italy-Serie A) averaging 9.6ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 75.0%; and in the BCL averaged 12.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 76.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were very far away from home?

The wake up call was more so off the court. I was in a whole different culture where there was a major language barrier. My day to day life took a sudden turn. Trying to figure out how to live outside of the US was the biggest wake up call.

You had so many great players on the team like Joe Ragland, Marquis Green, David Logan, Martin Leunen and Kyrylo Fesenko. Do you remember one guy having the biggest impact on you? I can imagine it was David Logan?

All of these guys had a big impact on me. They showed me the ropes of playing and living in Europe. It was definitely a blessing to be able to play with them as a rookie

In your second season you split time with Banco di Sardegna Sassari (Italy-Serie A) averaging 8.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 52.9%, 3FGP: 21.1%, FT: 95.2%; and in the BCL averaged 9.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 56.4%, 3FGP: 35.7%, FT: 62.5%, in Jan.18 moved to SIG Strasbourg (France-ProA) averaging 8.6ppg, 2.5rpg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 36.9%. What memories do you have of this season? At least you had David Logan as a teammate.

This was a big season again for me. Being able to play along side another group of legendary European players. Zach Wright, Dee Bost, Miro Bilan, David Logan. This season we were able to win a lot and accomplish a lot as a team.

How did your game grow after 2 years overseas after having played as a rookie in the G-League?

I was able to be more strategic with the way I played. I was able to see the game from a different view point.

You played your rookie season with the Maine Red Claws (D-League) averaging 14.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 82.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call to playing for the farm team of the Boston Celtics?

I didn’t really have a wake up call. That year I started the season in the NBA with the Boston Celtics. I was able to learn a lot from Brad Stevens and his staff. It prepared me for the rest of the season in Maine

That season you also had really good games and was consistent. You had teammates that later would reach the NBA like Jordan Mickey And James Young. Was there a game that you particularly remember?

There wasn’t one game that stuck out. We had a lot of guys play with us that season. We were first in our division also. Terry Rozier also spent a few games with us.

You played at Alabama (NCAA) from 2011-2015. You reached the big dance as a freshman and lost the first game to Creighton 58-57. Is that one of those games you can still attempt to watch today?

I actually haven’t gone back to watch that game.

In your senior year you lost 70-55 against NCAA powerhouse Kentucky scoring 12 points and again by 22 points scoring 13 points. What memories do you have of that team with Devin Booker coming off the bench? Was that the best team you ever faced in the NCAA?

They had a really good team that season. A lot of fire power and current NBA players.

How did head coach Anthony Grant groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Anthony Grant developed a mental toughness for me and the rest of my teammates that will last a life time. That was the biggest take away from my time at Alabama.

Who is the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA

I’ve played against a lot of great players from NCAA. Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Jabari Parker, Zach Lavine. The list is long I could go on forever.

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

Michael Jordan
Allen Iverson
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

I think they are two different players of two different eras. Both great players.

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

Haha yes I saw the sequel. I enjoyed the movie. But the original is a classic and will never get old.

Thanks Levi for the chat.

Tags : LEVI RANDOLPH, HAPOEL BANK YAHAV JERUSALEM, GERMAN BASKETBALL

When you interview as many guys like I have that have played from the NCAA to Juco, there are coaches that stick with me. When I prepared questions recently for Den Bosch forward Chris Ebou-Ndow, his ex coach Ben McCullum rang a bell. He had coached the Norwegian at Northwest Missouri State and I quickly checked the ex players that had played there the last years. Then it dawned on me that I had heard the name Ben McCUllum for the first time in 2015 when I interviewed an unknown Regionalliga player in Germany by the name of Elijath Allen. The American had no easy journey playing NCAA 2 ball and then paying his dues in Ireland and Germany’s fourth division. He climbed the basketball ladder playing 2 more years in the Pro B (3rd division Germany), but then with the combination of hard work and love for the game reached his pinnacle playing 3 years in the Pro A (Germany’s 2nd division) playing 100 games and being a consistent role player that did a little bit of everything. He retired a few months ago after a fruitful 10 year playing career. McCullum was vital for Allen becoming the player he would be in Germany. ‘Ben showed me how to have a good work ethic and how to handle myself off the court. He taught me to always be tough on the court. He was big on sticking to the basics and was very old school. He didn’t like the flashy. It was A&B and nothing extra with him. The values that he put in me I’ll keep forever’, stressed Elijah Allen. It wasn’t any different for Ndow who was able to profit so much under McCullum at Northwest Missouri State and take everything he learned and implement it to also having a fruitful career overseas. ‘Coach Mac built a culture there that is unmatched. One often thinks that getting the most talented guys will help win titles, but that isn’t the case. You need players that will buy into the concept of the team and do the little things to help make others better. He taught kids to play the right way and not worry about stats. He is a very special coach’, warned Chris-Ebou Ndow (201-F-1993, college: NW Missouri St.). He came to Northwest Missouri State with talent and athleticism and returned overseas being able to impact winning in any way

Chris-Ebou Ndow who lists current NBA player Grayson Allen as being the toughest player he ever faced on the court during school is a 29 year old 201cm forward that was born in Stavanger, Norway. He began his basketball career in Norway and played for clubs like Gimle BBK Bergen (BLN), Ulriken Eagles (BLNO) and Froya Basket (BLNO) where he won the league title. He then played briefly in Germany with the BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (ProA) playing only 2 games and played 7 games for Big Basketball Gotha 2 (Germany-2.Regionalliga) averaging 15.6ppg. He then returned back home and played with Laksevag (BLNO) averaging 18.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 55.6%, FT: 70.0%. Even if it was 8 years ago that he was in Gotha, he feels as if time has really flown. ‘People told me to always enjoy the moment because time goes by fast. I remember Gotha as if it was yesterday’, remembered Chris-Ebou Ndow. He had 4 points in 5 minutes in his first game, but his stay was turbulent. ‘I remember Gotha being a very frustrating year. I was dealing with knee problems. I never got into the rotation or found my rhythm. My body just wasn’t right’, said Chris-Ebou Ndow. One player he has very fond memories of was undersized big man Torvoris Baker. ‘He was one of the older guys on the team. He was a great guy and I really got along well with him. The other guy that I got a long with really well was David Watson. Both are still friends today’, stated Chri-Ebou Ndow. He then made the trek across the pond to the United States and played at Northwest Missouri State University from 2015-2018 playing a total of 94 games and was able to improve his points, rebounds and assists average per season and as a senior averaged 13.8ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 44.9%, FT: 71.6%. He helped the school win the NCAA 2 title in 2017. Americans are often in awe of having that college experience, but even guys form overseas love the experience. ‘It was a great time there. I went there not knowing what to expect. But the time was one of my funniest in my life. I was fortunate being in a positive culture and having a great coach like Ben McCullum. Not many D-2 schools have a coach like that. He is one of the best in the country. I took winning back to Europe with me. Playing there is a reason I am the player I am today’, warned Chris-Ebou Ndow. He saved his best for last pouring in 17 points and hauling down 18 rebounds in the title win over Fairmount State. ‘Yes I did. That is probably the most fun game that I ever played in. I rank it top 3. We were so ready. I can’t remember ever being so locked in for a game like that one. We were all on the same page. It was a perfect game’, remembered Chris-Edou Ndow. In his 3 seasons at Northwest Missouri State, he helped the school win 3 straight MIAA titles and was able to improve his scoring, rebounding and assist average each season and as a senior averaged 13.8ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 44.9%, FT: 71.6%. He came as a not finished player yet and left as a winner. ‘I was a lot smarter when I left. When I went there I was talented and athletic, but I didn’t know how to play the game and impact winning. Now I can impact winning in any way. Attention to detail was also crucial. That helps in winning. It isn’t about scoring 30 points, but what you do each possession’, warned Chris-Ebou Ndow who remembers beating teammate Brett Dougherty who was one of the best players he played against. Some of his bests coring games were against Central Mo with 27 points and 24 points against Lincoln Memorial.

The defensive stopper who credits Justin Pitts, Stephen Brown, Thomas Van der Mars, David Skara, and Shawn King as being his 5 best teammates of all-time returned back home in 2018-2019 to ball for the Kongsberg Miners (Norway-BLNO) averaging 20.6ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.7apg, Steals-4 (2.2spg), FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 78.3%. His winning in the NCAA 2 rubbed off on his teammates on the Miners as they won the league title. ‘When I came home and began playing for the Miners, I realized just how much my game had grown in the NCAA 2. We won the title and I was MVP. It was a nice valudation for all the hard work that I had put in. It was even nicer being able to play in front of family and friends’, remembered Chris-Ebou Ndow. He scored in double figures in 32 of 34 games and scored 20 points or more 20 times and had a 35 point explosion against Tromso and 30 points against Gimle BBK. He also registered 16 double doubles. He then played 2 seasons with Denain ASC Voltaire (France-ProB) averaging 11.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.1% and in his second season averaged 10.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 73.2%. It wasn’t an easy time with Covid being present, but he did the most of the situation. ‘I took that season game by game and my focus was being consistent. We had a low budget and weren’t expected to make the playoffs, but landed in fourth place. We had momentum and that kept everyone motivated.. I also felt that responsibility to lead the team. This was the best team that the club had ever had’, expressed Chris-Edou Ndow. He played a total of 56 Pro B games and scored in double figures in 35 games including 25 points against Paris. Last season was another tough season as he played briefly with Boulazac Basket Dordogne (France-ProB) averaging 1.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, and then moved to Leyma Basquet Coruna (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 9.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 71.9%. Even if the France gig didn’t work out, he finished strong in Spain and dueled against former NBA player Marc Gasol 4 times but lost everytime including being swept in the playoffs. Being able to play against Gasol is something he will be able to tell his grandchildren. ‘Last season the situation didn’t fit. I learned from that experience that it is important to be wanted. Now I’m in a place where I’m liked. I remember the games well. He used last season to get back into shape. The team wasn’t doing so well, but began to play in mid season when I joined Coruna. He is a great player. His size and ability to move so well and shoot the three is a match up nightmare for everyone. It was tough facing them in the playoffs. He was a very great guy and I remember him being very humble’, added Chris-Ebou Ndow. He scored in double figures in 7 games including 18 points against Lleida.

The former Norwegian U-18 national player who has Lebron, Jordan, Kobe, and KD on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore this season has taken on the new challenge of playing for Heroes Den Bosch (Holland-DBL). He didn’t waste anytime by winning the cup already. It is obvious that he is in love with his new team. ‘The organization is very professional from top to bottom. They handle things the right way and take good care of their players. That is something that isn’t promised on each team. This is one of the better teams that I have played with in my career’, warned Chris-Ebou Ndow. He has had no adjustment period in the BNXT league filling the stat sheet like a Lebron averaging 13,3ppg, 7,0rpg, 2,9apg and 2,2spg and in the Fiba Europe Cup is averaging 13,8ppg, 8,7rpg, 3,3apg and 1,2spg. He has played in various leagues in his career and sees differences to the BNXT league and France Pro B. ‘France Pro B was a tough league. I believe that it is the best second league in Europe. The play varies a lot in Holland from top to bottom. The top teams like Den Bosch or Leiden are very good, but the gap is very big from the top to the ones at the bottom. That wasn’t the case in France’, said Chris-Ebou Ndow. His versatility is seen on a daily basis and battling experienced American Donte Thomas on a daily basis in practice has helped his game evolve as well. ‘We have a lot of smart players. I really enjoy the team. The players understand how to play and the coach does a good job as well. My job is doing a little bit of everything. I take it game to game and do what the team needs of me. Some games it will be scoring while in other games passing or defense. Donte is a real competitor. Sometimes the best practice that we get is when we play against each other daily in practice. He really makes me have to step up my game to match his energy. He is a great teammate and friend’, stressed Chris-Ebou Ndow. His game resembles Miami Heat Jimmy Butler as he loves how he plays defense. ‘. My big strength is my defense. I can guard 1-4 and help the team win. I’m the kind of player that can score 5 points and still impact the game. But I can also score 20-25 points in a game. It is all about what the team needs’, commented Chris-Ebou Ndow. Scoring and rebounding stands out right away when examining his game, but he also has other attributes. ‘I feel like I’m an underrated passer. I think I can get my teammates involved. I try to make the right play and don’t chase stats’, warned Chris-Ebou Ndow. As he approaches his thirties, he knows exactly on what area’s of his game he needs to focus on most. ‘I think now at my age it is all about continuing to read certain situations and having the IQ intact. At the same time I continue to polish my skills’, stated Chris-Edou Ndow. It will be interesting to see where his basketball journey will take him in the next years. But one thing is for sure as long as he can continue to impact winning, he will surely always get a basketball job somewhere.

Tags : CHRIS-EBOU NDOW, HEROES DEN BOSCH, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Sometimes things happen and seem way to good to be true. It is shortly before Christmas and it seems like the basketball God and Santa Claus had a meeting in hopes of helping the struggling Fraport Skyliners. A player that the Fraport Skyliners could use right away seemed to be on the market. It just seemed to good to be true. This is like if a kid saw the hottest sled on the market all abandoned on a lifeless hill and no other kid around it. As a kid you react instantly and grab it before the next kid does. Another crazy example would be if A top rated player would take a 1000 K contract per month from the Fraport Skyliners to play or if a Quantez Robertson would be offered a grand position like athletic director at his alma mater Auburn after his playing days. These are opportunities that you would jump at at an instant. But the reality usually looks a lot different. So what had happened? Kendale McCullum (184-PG-1996, college: Lewis) seemed to be on the market Sunday morning and was exactly what the hapless and losing Fraport Skyliners needed right now. Getting a type of player like Kendale McCullum would have been perfect for the Fraport Skyliners. He is a player that I have always liked and would have loved to have seen him in Frankfurt already a season ago, but then Giessen head coach Pete Strobl scooped him up. But that split second of hoping for a miracle really could only have been a dream. Only a few hours later that rumor of Kendale McCullum being on the market had been refuted.

Foto credit Hamburg Towers

For a reporter getting the scoop out has been going on forever, but the only difference now to 20 years ago was that now so many more people can get that information a lot quicker due to the internet and social media. An article had surfaced in the Hamburger Abendblatt yesterday that the Hamburg Towers had released the skillful point guard Kendale McCullum. In a way it seemed a little surprising that the club didn’t want his services anymore. The club was fighting for a playoff spot at position 8 and wasn’t doing badly in the Eurocup competition. On top of that, McCullum is putting up stellar stats averaging 16,5, 3,1rpg, 5,0apg, 2,5spg and shooting 41% from outside in the EasyCredit BBL and in Eurocupo action averaging 12,2ppg, 4,2rpg, 5,8apg and 2,0spg in the Eurocup. These are stats that hundreds of other point guards would die to have, but will never get. One can’t forget that he is playing his first season in international club play and the Eurocup is one step below the Euroleague. He is competing against some of the best players in Europe, ex NBA and Euroleague players on a weekly basis. That’s pretty good for a guy who played division 2 ball at Lewis and University of Wisconsin Parkside. Not to forget three seasons ago as a rookie played in the German Pro A and 2 years ago in Finland where he led Helsinki to the regular season title and a cup win. He played in lower leagues, but has proved last season and this season that he can play at a very high level.He proved in Finland that he was a winner and had already shown it at Lewis winning the GLVC regular season title in 2019.

He averaged 7,0apg in Finland and did it again last season in his debut season in the easyCredit BBL with Giessen averaging 7,0apg and leading one of the top leagues in Europe in playmaking skills. The only problem last season was that Giessen had a poor season and moved back down to the Pro A. But if you look at the whole picture, you can’t put the blame on him. Often when a team loses, it’s the head coach and point guard that get the blame and are the scape goats. But in this case, you can’t put the blame on McCullum. There was a lot of disarray behind the scenes and the team chemistry wasn’t good. The explosive point guard did all he could, but sometimes when the personal isn’t clicking, you could have a superstar there and that wouldn’t change anything either. The Veolia Towers Hamburg (Germany-BBL) and new head coach Raoul Korner obviously saw something special in him or they wouldn’t have reeled him in. According to the article, the club hadn’t been happy recently with his play in that he was too focused on his own game and his style didn’t fit the Towers system anymore. He also was looking to have good stats to help his resume for next season and had FC Bayern Munich and Alba Belrin on his radar. But what other players aren’t thinking about the bigger picture. Everybody is even guys in the Regionalliga where that legend in their own mind thinking is more prevalent mainly because of all the chips on the shoulders. But coach Korner seemed not to have any problems with him. Plus Korner lauded the 183cm point guard a few days ago so hearing about the release of McCullum seemed a bit absurd. So in the end all is good. McCullum is still in Hamburg and seriously belongs there. The guy is a winner and I’m confident that Kendale McCullum and the Veolia Hamburg Towers will still give the fans and the city a lot of joy this season. Later on Sunday, the Veolia Hamburg Towers had to suffer a brutal 23 point loss to the annoying Niners Chemnitz who were without the sick McCullum. One saw with this result that the club need him so much. If one looks at the momentary standings, it is apparent that the Veolia Hamburg Towers should be a playoff team in 5 months if nothing goes seriously wrong like key players getting injured. They are talent wise one of the better teams that are vying for the last playoff spots.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Kendale McCullum in Frankfurt in 2022

Often one is confronted with an eye popping article to get the basketball freaks speculating at brunch time on a Sunday morning as was the case yesterday. The author who broke the story gave his apologies a few hours later via Twitter and all was forgotten again. Sometimes as a writer, your so excited to get out that massive exclusive story that certain details get overlooked and before you know it all hell breaks loose. But as a writer you hope to do it better the next time. But everyone makes mistakes and in his case should be forgiven. But what about the Fraport Skyliners? The two seasons of Frankfurt and Hamburg are like night and day. Frankfurt has a lot more problems than Hamburg does. I mean Kendale McCullum in a Fraport Skyliners jersey would have been an incredible thing, but so unrealistic. It would have been perfect for the Fraport Skyliners as they have nothing to lose. I’m confident that he would of helped this team, but for him coming to Frankfurt would have been a risk. If he saved the team, it would of helped his career, but if not hurt his career. The chances of him ever having come probably would have been 1% or 2%. His agent would have blocked the idea. But there is no more time to dream about a Kendale McCullum scenario, but time to act now. The Fraport Skyliners need a point guard and big man right now.

Tags : KENDALE MCCULLUM, VEOLIA TOWERS HAMBURG, GERMAN BASKETBALL