The Post season is what the faithful EPG Baskets Koblenz fans have been waiting for for 7 months as now the season really begins. Everyone knows in Koblenz that the club should of arrived in the playoffs with a spotless record, but the club had a little slip up against Hanau in their living room that cost them the perfect regular season. The gang led by head coach Pat Elzie still came into the playoffs well prepared having won 14 games in a row and had the best offense with 92 points per game and best defense in the league with 71 points allowed. Meeting the EPG Baskets Koblenz were the EN Baskets Schwelm who slipped into the playoffs on the last game day beating the TKS 49ers. Schwelm is a team that can have high scoring games on occasion as they averaged 81 points per game, but also allowed many points with 81. The EPG Baskets Koblenz saw an old teammate with Mr versatile CJ Oldham who had played in Koblenz in the 20-21 COVID season. On an untypical Monday night the EPG Baskets Koblenz welcomed the EN Baskets Schwelm and had many struggles during the 40 minutes, but overall were able to control the game and find their identity in the fourth quarter and steamroll past the EN Baskets Schwelm 97-76. When you only lost 1 game all season long, the expectations grow from week to week as the goal of moving up to the Pro A grows and grows. ‘We were nervous at the start. We had problems making shots but we remained stable on defense. We began to play our game in the second half. A win is a win’, warned ex easyCredit BBL player Marvin Heckel (190-PG-1997). The EN Baskets Schwelm battled all night long, but one noticed that they just didn’t have the man power and bench to combat the game of the EPG Baskets Koblenz. ‘We couldn’t match their physicality. You could see how much experience they have. We are still very young. Their deep bench helped and we simply had too much respect for them. We underestimated their quick hands as they forced us to many turnovers’, stressed ex easyCredit BBL player Chris Frazier.
Brian Butler at the FT line
The EPG Baskets Koblenz had 2 great minutes, but then their game fizzled as they allowed the EN Baskets Schwelm to play their game and have the surprising 4 point lead after 10 minutes. The EPG Baskets ran out to a 6-2 lead as they got a lay and free throws by ex Ehingen center Brian Butler and ex Temple (NCAA) guard Alani Moore made a lay in. The EPG Baskets Koblenz inserted a playoff press that worked wonders and defended aggressively and found good shots on offense. But that all came to an abrupt end as the guests strolled out on a 10-2 run to lead 12-8. The guests calmed down and suddenly had more room on offense. That was perfect for a player like the born shooter Chris Frazier who nailed 2 three’s. Give him just a spec of room and he will make you pay. Ex Leverkusen forward CJ Oldham also supplied 2 buckets. Koblenz lost their brutal defensive intensity and on offense attacked the zone aimless trying to break through an unbreakable wall. The EPG Baskets Koblenz actually found some offensive spark going on a 5-0 run as ex Pro A player Nicolas Sperber made an offensive rebound and put back and ex MLP Academics guard Leon Friederici supplied a trey to lead 13-12. But the guests continued to hit big shots as Germans Till Hornscheidt and Mailk Eichler connected from the parking lot for the 19-15. ‘We defended well for the first 2 minutes. We had no real offensive flow and had uncontrollable penetration. We had no concentration on our finishes’, stated EPG Baskets CEO Thomas Klein.
Johan Flaa from outside
In the second quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz had to witness the EN Baskets Schwelm controlling the slim lead as Koblenz began well, but couldn’t be consistent. But in the last few minutes the EPG Baskets Koblenz found their game and walked into the locker room at the break with the 6 point lead. Eichler began the second frame with the lay in giving the guests the 21-15 lead. But that didn’t stand for long as Pat Elzie and his troops made a move going on a 9-2 run to regain the 24-23 lead. In the run ex Bremerhaven center Moses Poelking displayed his beast qualities making a runner and dunk, while Sperber continued to be aggressive draining a trey and assistant coach/player Yassin Turan sparkled with his quickness scoring on the drive. ‘We upped the speed and were more concentrated on the close outs. We defended better on 1-1 and pick and roll’, said Thomas Klein. But then came another lull by the EPG Baskets Koblenz as they allowed the EN Baskets Schwelm to get some confidence with their offense. A 5-o run led by a three pointer by German Marius Behr and step back jumper by Chriz Frazier gave the guests the 28-24 lead. One saw on occasion in the first half, that the nervousness of the EPG Baskets Koblenz was present. They had a lot of pressure and now had to perform. Koblenz was too much up and down, but here and there they played well in spurts. Alani Moore who had been more passive in the game changed that making a trey and lay in on transition to give his team the lead back at 32-31. The game showcased mini runs as ex FC Bayern Munich youth player Robert Merz supplied a runner and three pointer for the 38-34 Schwelm lead. But the EPG Baskets Schwelm then played their best basketball of the first half closing out the second quarter with a severe 12-2 run to lead 46-40 at the break. In the run, Koblenz got their offense rolling again. Marvin Heckel scored a trey a lay in while Brian Butler made a lay in. Pat Elzie then called a time out and drew up a beautiful play for Brian Butler. Marvin Heckel fed him for the thunderous alley-oop dunk. ‘That was a brutal alley-oop. Brian had a lot of hang time’, stated Thomas Klein. Friederici also added a three pointer.
Marvin Heckel to the hoop
In the third quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz were able to control the game and lead for a long time by double digits, but at the end allowed the EN Baskets Schwelm to get under 10 points, but after 30 minutes trailed by 10 points. The EPG Baskets Koblenz came out and found a better rhythm on offense. They got vital three’s from Friederici who connected twice and Heckel also scored from down town for the 58-43 lead. The EN Baskets Schwelm did all they could to stick around, but couldn’t really get over the hump. Malik Eichler was able to give key support from the bench with a 6-0 run with a trey, lay in and free throw as the EPG Baskets Koblenz led only 62-49. The EN Baskets Schwelm continued to chip away and got buckets from Eichler, Oldham Merz and Behr, but couldn’t get the needed stops to get closer to Koblenz still trailing 66-55. The EPG Baskets Koblenz had no offensive rhythm which was the chance for the guests. They were in a little flow and got some more production from Till Hornscheidt who dropped free throws and Behr made a lay in as suddenly Schwelm were behind only 67-60. Sperber closed out the third quarter with a deep three pointer getting the perfect swing out pass from Heckel. ‘We didn’t have the fluid offense that we wanted. I think mentally we weren’t where we had to be. Missing so many shots in the first quarter affected us at times’, added Marvin Heckel. ‘Koblenz played a strange zone. I didn’t know why but maybe they were playing with us. We need to attack that better and the pick and roll’, stated Chris Frazier.
Roberz Merz at the FT line
The EPG Baskets Koblenz had their best phase in the game at both ends in the fourth quarter winning it 27-16. Norwegian guard Johan Flaa began the last frame with a lay to cut Koblenz’s lead to 70-62. The EPG Baskets Koblenz then didn’t waste anytime finding their strong offense as they went on a 9-0 run to lead 79-64. In the run Leon Friederici was a one man wrecking crew scoring 7 points. He was aggressive scoring two buckets including a rare bank shot jumper and 3 free throws. Alani Moore also supplied an acrobatic lay in after grabbing a loose ball. Koblenz played a strong zone while Friederici carried the EPG Baskets Koblenz. Hornscheidt and Sperber who finished with 11 points then traded three point bombs, but the EPG Baskets Koblenz still had the overwhelming 82-67 advantage. ‘Niclas played a good game. He hit big shots’, said Thomas Klein. The EPG Baskets Koblenz took the momentum of Sperber’s three pointer and rattled off 8 more unanswered points to ultimately decide the game leading 88-67. In the run the top South Pro B team was led by Heckel and ex easyCredit BBL player Dominique Johnson who were aggressive and scored in the lane. Koblenz were closing out well and were too physical for the guests while playing transition basketball. The EPG Baskets Koblenz didn’t have any lapses in the last minutes closing out the game in fine fashion. After Moore free throws and a Poelking lay in, EN Baskets Schwelm head coach Falk Moeller was handed a technical foul. Heckel remained aggressive and got to the free throw line two more times closing out the game. ‘This was our best quarter without a doubt. We hit our shots well and made good defensive pressure and forced them to turnovers. Plus we got out on transition’, added Marvin Heckel. ‘Experience was missing on our side. When guys like Friederici and Heckel are playing their game and making shots, It’s tough to come back’, said Chris Frazier. The EPG Baskets Koblenz had 6 guys in double figures and were led by Marvin Heckel with 20 points. Leon Friederici added 18 points and Brian Butler 16 points while the EN Baskets Schwelm were led by CJ Oldham with 15 points and 13 points by Malik Eichler while Chris Frazier added 11 points. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 43% from the field and 39% from outside and had 40 rebounds and 8 turnovers while the EN Baskets Schwelm shot 51% from the field and 31% from outside and had 28 rebounds and 14 turnovers.
It seemed like ages ago, but it was finally that time of year for the Pro B playoffs and the Dragons Rhondorf were finally there again. The last time they had reached the promised land had been in 2018 where they finished in third place and had been led by future Euroleague player Kameron Taylor. This season the Dragons Rhondorf finished with a solid 14-10 season in fourth place. The Dragons Rhondorf entered the playoffs having won 4 of their last 6 games, but had had tough loses on the road in Wolmirstedt and Wedel within 4 days. The Dragons Rhondorf knew that they had to step up now as there are no breaks in a tight 3 game series when you have a slim roster.They met a tough opponent with the Basketball Lowen Erfurt that finished in fifth place with a 13-11 record. They are a team that showcase 2 walking buckets with ex Gonzaga (NCAA) player Guy Landry Edi (198-PF-1988, college: Gonzaga) and American Tyseem Lyles. They entered the playoffs having won 8 of their last 9 games and had extra recovery time as they had been idle on the last regular season weekend game day. On a mild spring evening the Dragon Dome was packed with boisterous Dragon fans and about 15-20 motivated Lowen fans as they would witness a hard fought play off like game. Both teams gave it their all, but a tough Zaba Bangala foul in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter robbed Rhondorf of the win as they couldn’t pull it out in overtime losing 102-95. ‘When your up by 13 and let them come back, it’s a sign of everybody having fault. They did a good job matching our physicality. Our poor rebounding and 1-1 defense hurt us again tonight’, stressed Dragons Rhondorf forward Florian Koch. The Basketball Lowen looked like they were down and out being down by 13 near the end of the third quarter, but they never gave up pushing through to overtime and then closing out the game. ‘This was a very tough game. It took us a long time to find our game. It was a very physical game. We were lucky that Rhondorf’s three’s didn’t fall better’, stated Basketball Lowen head coach Enrico Kufour.
Diminykas Pleta at the FT line
The first quarter was a very tight affair as no team could get away from the other as there were 4 lead changes, but after 10 minutes the Dragons Rhondorf had the slim 1 point advantage. Both teams top guards Devon Goodman and Tyseem Lyles nailed three’s. Erfurt was deliberately forcing the Pennsylvania native to take three’s as he was at 29% and favors the drive as his quickness fools almost every opponent. Erfurt’s best player Guy Landry Edi was taking many shots, but early on connected only on 2 as the game was dead locked at 14-14. At that juncture, Rhondorf was excelling with team play while their 1-1 defense was suspect and the Lowen sparkled with their rebounding effort. Rhondorf also was unable to take advantage of the extended turnovers that Erfurt were having. Down the stretch 6 year Pro A player Paul Albrecht found some daylight scoring 7 kpoints and keeping the Dragons slightly ahead as the guests could erase a 5 point Rhondorf lead closing out the first quarter with a 4-0 run with buckets from Alieu Ceesay and Guy Landry Edi to trail 24-23. ‘This was a typical playoff fight between the 4-5 teams as no team gave away any gifts. You could sense early that both teams were prepared for a battle’, stressed Alieu Ceesay. The Baksetball Lowen Erfurt shot 59% from the field and 40% from outside and had 9 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 50& from the field and 29% from outside and had 6 rebounds and 2 turnovers.
Florian Koch at the FT line
The second quarter remain a dog fight as there were 7 lead changes. The Dragons Rhondorf never led by more than 4 points and had to look up at the score board at the break down by 1 point. Devon Goodman continued to sparkle on offense keeping his team slightly ahead getting to the free throw line, making a trey and setting up German Adrian Bergmannn with a lay in on transition after making the steal. The guests kept ground getting superb support from their bench as Latvian guard Otto Fahrenhortsts made the first of three floaters on the night and Brooklyn, New York native Tyseem Lyes was aggressive and drove to the hoop twice for buckets for the 39-38 Erfurt lead. The Basketball Lowen continued to be the more aggressive team on the glass getting a few extra possessions and continued to slow down the Dragons three point shooting efficiency. Rhondorf also took good care of the ball. Goodman and Lyles then traded baskets, but Erfurt still led 41-40. Edi who played in Finland and Iceland then connected on a 20 footer and Fahrenhorsts made a lay in for the 45-42 Erfurt lead. In the closing seconds of the second frame, Goodman found Zaba baby Zion Bangala on the back door cut for the lay in at the buzzer, but the Dragons Rhondorf trailed 45-44 at half-time. ‘We played very aggressive. Our length helped on the boards and Tobias Bode gave us good support. Edi and Goodman continued to play with a groove’, added Alieu Ceesay. The Basketball Lowen Erfurt shot 53% from the field and 25% from the three point line and had 21 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 43% from the field and 24% from the three point line and had 16 rebounds and 3 turnovers.
Tyseem Lyles jumper
In the third quarter the game remained tight, but midway through the quarter the Dragons Rhondorf finally went on that much desired run only to see it get shaved down from 13 to 6 points after 30 minutes. Even if the teams two best players put on a show in the first minutes as Edi added 7 points and Goodman 4 points, there were other guys who gave their 2 cents to the other team’s success. Bangala made a routine lay in, but it was the acrobatic pass from Goodman that made this play most likely the highlight play of the game as the American spun and looked like he would finish himself but instead served up Baby Zion for the easy basket. While the guests got a clutch three pointer from Lorenz Schiller who had 80 plus Pro B experience under his belt, but still no team was running away from the other as it was 53-53. Then came the first massive run of the contest as the Dragons Rhondorf exploded on a 16-3 run to lead comfortably 69-56. In the run the Dragons Rhondorf received 4 three’s. It was Florian Koch who started the rampage with back to back three’s. Sometimes that is all what it takes to get a team going. Koch also added 2 more free throws while ex Rostock guard Nicolas Buchholz dropped 2 three’s as 2013 Pro B champion with Leverkusen Florian Wendler made an offensive rebound and put back. The Dragons upped their intensity while the guests that live from their 1-1 play didn’t get shots to fall. The Dragons Rhondorf were unable to hold the momentum and relinquished a bitter 9-2 run to trail only 71-65 after 30 minutes. In the Erfurt run, they got impressive production from Fahrenhorsts who supplied 6 points and Edi made a tough three from the corner. ‘We got good stops on defense and got rebounds. We did a better job hitting shots that allowed us on the run’, stated Adrian Bergmann. ‘Rhondorf hit their three’s better. I lost Koch once and then he found his game. We played too slow and allowed them to paly their game’, added Alieu Ceesay. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 48% from the field and 33% from the parking lot and had 24 rebounds and 4 turnovers while the Basketball Lowen Erfurt shot 50% from the field and 29% from the parking lot and had 29 rebounds and 9 turnovers.
Florian Koch from outside
The Dragons Rhondorf kept their 7-8 point lead for a few minutes in the fourth frame, but then allowed the Basketball Lowen Erfurt to creep back into the game and then force overtime. Paul Albrecht and Devon Goodman executed for the 75-67 Rhondorf lead, but the guests just kept chipping away and went on a 6-0 run to trail only 75-73. Ceesay continued to give great stability from the bench scoring twice while Schiller also scored as the Dragon’s 1-1 defense continued to be inaccurate. Rhondorf halted the run and sped out on a 5-2 run to lead 80-75. A Goodman lay in and clutch trey from Jonas Falkenstein did the damage. The trading of the runs continued as Erfurt went on a 7-2 run to dead lock the game at 82-82. On the run young German Dominykas Pleta flew to the hoop with the crushing one handed dunk and Lyles made a finger tip role and Edi remained in attack mode at all times making 3 free throws. Rhondorf’s 1-1 defense was obviously lax with 5 team fouls on their shoulders. Koch free throws and a clutch Devon Goodman floater kept Rhondorf ahead 86-84 with 5 seconds to play. A Koch flagrant foul which was his fifth and Bangala foul with 1,5 seconds sent Erfurt into overtime. Rhondorf had fortune that Edi only made 2 of 3 to tie the game at 86-86. ‘We became more aggressive and helped each other. We were 100% ready and had energy’, said Alieu Ceesay. ‘Even if the flagrant foul and Bangala’s foul hurt, we had too many turnovers’, commented Adrian Bergmann. In overtime the Dragons Rhondorf began bad and then everything went downhill. The Basketball Lowen Erfurt stopped the Dragons first 4 possessions and punished them with Pleta and Edi lay in’s to lead 90-86. Rhondorf had no flow on offense and made poor decisions and just didn’t get the desired options. Finally on the fifth possession, Goodman connected on transition to trail 90-88, but that didn’t faze the guests as they spanked Rhondorf back with consecutive three’s from Edi and German Jan Heber who had 22 easyCredfit BBL games on his resume for the 96-88 lead. Goodman answered with a lay in and three pointer from Buchholz, but Heber answered with 4 free throws and Ceesay with 2 free throws to seal the game 1 win. ‘We took the momentum from the fourth quarter into OT and began well. Rhondorf didn’t react well to pressure and our three’s helped us’, said Alieu Ceesay. ‘Nothing worked for us on offense and we didn’t play well under pressure. The game turned to their favor quickly’, said Adrian Bergmann. The Basketball Lowen Erfurt had 6 guys in double figures led by Guy Landry Edi with 37 points. Jan Heber had a great game with 16/8/7 stats and Tyseem Lyles added 13 points while the Dragons Rhondorf were led by Devon Goodman with 37 points and 14 dimes. Florian Koch added 17 points and Nicolas Buchholz 14 points. The Basketball Lowen shot 49% from the field and 29% from outside and had 44 rebounds and 13 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 45% from the field and 28% form outside and had 39 rebounds and 10 turnovers.
It was finally that time of year again where you know it’s time for playoff basketball in the Pro B when the days are longer and warmer. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors finished the regular season in third place with a 14-10 record and had had a great stretch in Feb and March winning all 6 games, but entered the playoffs a bit flat suffering a 2 game losing streak where they lost 2 tough games in crunch-time. They met the RheinStars Cologne who had finished in 6th place in the Pro B north with a 12-12 record. They came into the playoffs having won 4 of their last 5 games scoring 90 points or more 3 times, but had lost the last regular season game to the BSW Sixers. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors had to be sharp on offense as they met the leagues fifth best defensive team as they only allowed 76 points per game. On a mild Saturday spring night with a real zealous fan base from both clubs, both teams gave a crazy playoff atmosphere, but the RheinStars Cologne came out physical and aggressive and controlled the game for 4 quarters and withstood a Frankfurt come back attempt in the fourth quarter to prevail 73-62. ‘We did a good job sticking to our game plan being physical and taking them out of their stuff and playing fast. We had some lapses in the fourth quarter, but we closed out the game well’, stressed Cologne guard Ali Sow (185-PG-1998, college: Laurier). The Fraport Skyliners Juniors played a solid defensive game, but just couldn’t execute on offense the way they know how as their three point shooting was miserable. ‘We began slow. They were more aggressive. We couldn’t match it and they overran us. We didn’t have the confidence and hesitated on making decisions. We found a rhythm at the end and finished with a good feeling. We will be ready in game 2’, stated Frankfurt guard Nolan Adekunle.
Nolan Adekunle at the FT line
The RheinStars came out strong, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors came back only to have a severe defensive lapse in the last minutes to trail by 6 points after 10 minutes. The RheinStars Cologne began quickly finding an offensive rhythm sharing the ball nicely as German veteran Steffen Haufs made a step back, American Elijah Schmidt made a lay in and ex PS Karlsruhe forward Antonio Pilipovic drained a trey. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors also found their groove finding German big Alexander Richardson for 2 baskets and a lay in by 2018 JBBL champion Nolan Adekunle. Frankfurt came back playing transition and allowing Adekunle to be aggressive as he nailed a three pointer for the 10-9 Frankfurt lead. Frankfurt had problems matching the Cologne physicality and then lost control in the last minutes as huge German talent Jannis Von Seckendorff who began his career in Rhondorf scored 7 points in a row to close out the first quarter. He made a lay in, tip in dunk and three pointer to lead 18-12. ‘He does so much that doesn’t appear on the stat sheet. He is our longest and best defender. He showed just how good he is”, stated Ali Sow. Both teams shot under 40% from the field while Cologne was at 25% from outside and Frankfurt was at 0%. Both teams had 10 rebounds but Frankfurt had 7 turnovers and Cologne 2 turnovers. ‘It was a real playoff battle that was defensive orientated. We played physical and were focused on each possession’, stated Ali Sow. ‘Cologne played physical and tough. They made tough shots. We didn’t get through screens and didn’t rotate on crosscourt passes and weren’t vocal’, said Fraport Skyliner Quantez Robertson.
Jannis Von Seckendorff to the hoop
In the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors fell asleep in the last 5 minutes allowing a massive run to trail by 16 points at the break. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors began well going on a 9-4 run to trail only 22-21. The combination of Marco Voeller to Nils Leonhardt functioned twice as the ex Gotha big man showed that he is an excellent passer. He also showed he has range from outside drilling home a three and Drago Crnjac made a nice floater. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors had found a groove and seemed like they might change the game, but instead the RheinStars hit them back with an even bigger run of 15-0 to have the very comfortable 37-21 advantage at half-time. Ali Sow who entered the game averaging 23 points per game found his rhythm scoring 5 points, while German reserve and ex Dragon Rhondorf player Robin Straub hit a trey. Ex Trier guard Ruppert Hennen who is a bundle of energy added 5 points including an offensive rebound and put back and Von Seckendorff topped off the run with a big dunk. Cologne was playing great pick and roll defense and Frankfurt allowed too many open shots and their 1-1 defense was suspect. At the break the guests shot 43% from the field and 36% from the three point line and had 18 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 32% from the field and 7% from the three point line and had 17 rebounds and 12 turnovers. ‘Frankfurt was rushing their offense and weren’t patient. Frankfurt wasn’t talking on defense and Cologne had to many open shots’, said Quantez Robertson. ‘We had a flow on offense and moved the ball well. We couldn’t come to terms with their physicality’, expressed Nolan Adekunle.
Bennet Schubert to the rim
In the third quarter both teams heightened their offense scoring more, but that didn’t aid the Fraport Skyliners Juniors as they couldn’t get over the hump trailing by 22 points after 30 minutes. The guests got 5 points from Ali Sow and a trey from Ruppert Hennen while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors allowed Alexander Richardson to be a one man wrecking machine scoring 7 points. Pilipovoc made a trey, but the RheinStars Cologne still had the brutal 49-30 lead. The guests played nice team basketball and just had better options on the night and were executing better. Whenever Frankfurt had an answer so did the RhenStars Cologne. Frankfurt continued to have bad rotations and Cologne punished them with open shots. The RheinStars Cologne continued to execute well and got good production from their bench as Antony Bauer scored twice while ex easyCredit BBL player Andrew Onwuegbuzie made a lay in. Frankfurt got two buckets from Nolan Adekunle but just didn’t have much fire power on this night from other players. ‘We continued to play our game having a flow on offense and being physical on defense. We did a good job not giving up second chance points’, expressed Ali Sow. ‘We wanted to keep them to 73 points and did. We didn’t rebound well and not get enough stops to get closer. We also didn’t take good care of the ball’, added Nolan Adekunle. The RheinStars Cologne shot 46% from the field and 42% from the parking lot and had 26 rebounds and 9 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 35% from the field and 11% from the parking lot and had 27 rebounds and 15 turnovers.
Anthony Bauer at the FT line
The Fraport Skyliners sJuniors aved all their energy for a comeback, but it wasn’t enough. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors came into the fourth quarter spanking the RheineStars Cologne with a shocking 21.6 run to trail only 65-58. In the run Frankfurt was aided most by Nolan Adekunle who dominated and showed he can always be a major walking bucket as he led Frankfurt’s offensive comeback with 13 points and 4 three’s. It finally rained three’s as Felix Hecker also added one and Alexander Richardson remained aggressive scoring twice in the run. Frankfurt upped their defensive aggressiveness, but also was aided by some dumb RheinStars turnovers. But Frankfurt just ran out of gas as Cologne hit them with a 5-0 run to lead 70-58 with 2 minutes remaining. In the run Anthony Bauer nailed a three and Ali Sow dropped free throws. Voeller added a dunk and Felix Hecker an offensive rebound and put back to cut the guests lead to 70-62, but it was too little to late as time was running out. Von Seckendorff made a lay in to close out the game. ‘We had some lapses on defense and bad rotations. We were too complacent. Anthony Bauer is super physical and made a big shot. He always creates room and spaces the floor well’, stated Ali Sow. ‘We fought hard, but were back too many points. This was only one game, but it’s a whole series. We will be back and fight hard in game 2’, stated Nolan Adekunle. The RheinStars Cologne were led by Ali Sow with 18 points, 8 boards, 5 assists and 3 steals while Ruppert Hennen scored 13 points and Jannis Von Seckendorff 11 points while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Nolan Adekunle with 23 points while Alexander Richardson added 15 points. The RheinStars Cologne shot 44% from the field and 38% from outside and had 35 rebounds and 15 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 41% from the field and 23% from outside and had 34 rebounds and 16 turnovers.
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 big 86-790 win in game 1 over Morges Saint Prex. How vital was it getting this first win under your belt?
It was very vital to start the series in high gear. We respect our opponent and came out aggressively. It’s a long series even thouh only 3 games but it felt good to get the first one.
Talk a little about the 40 minutes. Was it a close battle from the first minute?
It was a tough battle between two teams that have championship aspirations. It was close all the way to the end back and forth. We made a few more plays on defense securing the win.
What memories do you have form crunch-time? What was key for being able to pull out the win at the end? At the end it came down to defense and free throws to secure the win.
How key was the team performance on the offense glass? 7 guys helped out with offensive rebounds?
Rebounds can stop our defensive possession or add more time to our offense either way it helps us. We have a lot of athletes and we wanted to really attack the glass .
Talk a little about how vital the bench play was? Wallabies won it 11-2.
Our bench came in big especially on defense the point production might not have been so high but overal everyone was locked in and any advantage we can get we want.
You had a solid game of 17/7/3/3. I can imagine that your still seeking your peak in the playoffs? At this point whatever it takes to get the win . I showed I can have better games. Showed that I can put in numbers this playoffs is about what can each of us do toward winning.
Will you get up extra shots between games as you were 0/4 from outside? It was a tough shooting day for sure. I have been working on it . I felt they were good shots hopefully next game they fall.
What will be key in game 2 to wrap up the series?
Key to finish it off is just focus defense and team play . If we do these things I believe we have a chance.
Michael Flowers (185-G-1999, college: WSU) is a 185cm guard from Southfield, Michigan playing his rookie season in Germany with the Kirchheim Knights currently averaging 16,1ppg, 3,0rpg and 2,9apg.. He began his basketball career at / Southfield Arts & Tech High School and then played 3 years at Western Michigan University playing 87 NCAA games and in his last 2 seasons averaged 15.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 78.4% and 16.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 84.4%. He then played a season with the University of South Alabama (NCAA) averaging 21.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 82.5%. He finished his NCAA career with Washington State University (NCAA) averaging 14.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 85.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Michael thanks talking to germanhoops.com. ? Congrats on signing with German pro A team Kirchheim Knights. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball? Thanks, I’m currently learning more about Germany basketball. I do know they have great competition here and we’ll respected leagues.
You put up very good stats in the NCAA for 3 different schools something one sees rarely in the NCAA. How big is your chip on your shoulder to want to prove your abilities as a rookie?
I’ve always kept a chip on my shoulder ever since I was a younger basketball player. I would say the chip is still the same to overcome the doubts that others put on me and show what I’m capable of.
Only 60 guys can be drafted and there are hundreds and hundreds of great guards world wide. Do you feel like explosiveness is something that may have held you back form the NBA?
I honestly don’t know if that’s the case. I do know there are less explosive guards than me that are currently in the NBA. However, I feel that my journey is going exactly the way it’s supposed to be.
Head coach Igor Perovic is a calm and laid back guy. How did you like your first talks? What did you learn to appreciate most about his basketball philosophy? Me and Coach Igor had great conversations prior to me signing to the Knights. I’m also calm and laid back so I believe we had some similarities on the way we approach the game. I appreciate his philosophy of the offensive style of play he likes to use while also emphasizing the importance of playing good defense.
The club pretty much has already stated now that you will be the first scoring option. Your confidence must be very high after a fruitful NCAA career for how you will fare as a rookie. Yes, I’m a confident player. Whenever I step on the court I feel as if I’m a threat to the other team. I plan on utilizing all my skills this year to help lead my team to a successful season
Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 185cm guard that can flat out score the ball. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?
I would say I best compare to Fred Van Vleet. His playmaking and shooting ability is what I would say I’m similar to. Also we’re around the same height and play the game at about the same pace.
You a very good scorer but also can fill the stat sheet very well. What other strengths does your game incorporate.
I believe that I’m also a great playmaker who can get my teammates involved and a good guard rebounder. While being a willing defender as well.
How much of a priority is your playmaking? You averaged 3,0apg in the NCAA. Could you imagine averaging 5 assists in a season overseas? Yes, I can very likely see myself accomplishing that. I believe the way the game is played in Europe it will only compliment my playmaking ability.
What kind of defender are you presently and what kind of defender do you want to become in the next years? I would say I’m a willing defender at the moment who takes pride in stopping my opponent. I want to someday become a lockdown defender.
On what area’s of your game are you working on most now so you will be best prepared in your rookie season? I would say just sharpening my passing reads as a PG and figuring out new ways to score within a new offensive style of play.
You played 3 years at Western Michigan University and made a huge step in your second and third seasons. How do you feel did your game grow there in those last 2 years? I believe my game grew because of the work I put in during the summer. I stayed for the entire summer both years to work extra on my game and I believe that prepared me for the season.
You had a lot of really good games at Western Michigan in losing causes, but where does the 34 points in the 115-110 win over Milwaukee rank? That game is one of my personal favorites. I would rank it in my top three. The feeling I had that game was amazing and my teammates made it even better.
You then played at the University of Southern Alabama averaging 21.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 82.5%. What did you gain most from this year? You averaged 37 minutes per game and just showed scoring consistency.
I feel I gained how to play through adversity the most from that year. We had a lot going on within our team with Covid going on. I had extra responsibilities that year and I feel it made me become a better player.
You then played a senior year at Washington State University (NCAA) averaging 14.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 85.4%. How vital was it for your game being able to play in one of the top 3 conferences? What kind of player did you become here? Playing at Washington State was a great experience for me. I learned how to play on a team with a lot of talented players and find other ways to be effective. I believe I became a better leader because our team was so young and I also learned how to play better off the ball and became a better defender.
You had so many great games at WSU like scoring 22 and 21 points back to back against Stanford and California or 22 and 27 points against SMU and BYU. What was your most memorable game? I would say the BYU game was the most memorable game for me. That game sent us to MSG and the celebration in the Locker room is one I’ll never forget.
How did head coach Kyle Smith give that last needed touch and groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach Smith helped me look at the game in a more analytical way. He’s big on the numbers which I believe the game is moving towards. I think that really helped me be conscious of what parts of my game I’m better at and what teams are looking for to be efficient.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tyrell Roberts
Me and Ty would go back and forth every practice. That’s my guy and I know he will do big things for his last year of college.
What kind of an experience was it having a work out with the Indiana Pacers? What was the most important advice they gave you for your game and journey?
That was a great experience for me. Some of the best advice they gave me was after the workout when we all went out to eat. They just talked to us about being aware of our mental health which I believe is an important piece to being the best on the court.
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced on the floor so far in your career that reached the NBA? Jordan Poole
Please name your five best teammates of all-time?
All of them.
Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore
Steph Curry Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan LeBron James Shaq
What is your opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all time Jordan or Lebron? Michael Jordan
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone? No, which means they probably should have left it alone lol.
There are guys that I have always wanted to interview that aren’t necessarily in the NBA that could have gone and then again there are guys I really really want to interview that should of played there. You know those really high level players balling in the Euroleague. One of those guys has always been Errick McCollum. Ok so he isn’t currently battling in the Euroleague, but he has been there in the past and has belonged to the best for many many years. I can’t exactly remember when I had my first encounter with him, but it was some years ago when I really wanted to interview him. I called him up in his hotel and he was really friendly, but it didn’t work out on account of team policy. But I recently saw him again in Bonn, Germany when he played a Basketball Champions league game and it finally worked out. McCollum is one of those incredible players that has achieved just about everything overseas, but surprisingly never played in the NBA. Besides being the brother of NBA star CJ McCollum of the New Orleanes Pelicans, he is a flat out walking bucket, but can also if needed give you 12 dimes on any night. His vita is a read that only few guys overseas can match in the last decade. Since turning professional in 2011, he has played in more than 500 games and showed consistency his whole career and been a high level scorer in countries like like Israel, Greece, China, Turkey, and Russia. Oh did I forget to mention this guy played at a NAIA school. Turning professional from a NAIA school is about as seldom as NBA star Luka Doncic having a very low scoring game. It just doesn’t happen often and when it does, those guys rarely even reach the first division in a country. Not only did McCollum reach first divisions, but took apart the competition everywhere he has played. He led the Eurocup in scoring twice, was a solid scorer in the Euroleague and once averaged 39,0ppg in a season in China. And he also won titles in Turkey and the Eurocup. With a career like that and having that well known McCollum name, why the heck didn’t this guy ever get a NBA chance? Oh he could of, but he didn’t need it. He played NBA Summer League in 2014 and knew pretty quickly the NBA would not be for him. ‘I hated it, was a poor experience. Nothing worst then being good enough to play, showing it in practice everyday and then having to watch because draft picks and rostered guys are in your positions. So that was my first and last experience, because in summer league the best don’t always get an opportunity. I told teams no to summer league every year after that experience’, remembered Errick McCollum. He observed from Europe what was happening in the NBA and also knew from his brother how the NBA worked. Sometimes you just trust your gut feeling and how you can be most happy. ‘I had 2 offers at different times to go to NBA over the years. But the role, was not what I desired. I had no interest to go to the NBA and be a 3rd PG and to watch the games, I wanted to play. And the offers I had didn’t provide that opportunity. But I respect the teams because they were honest and didn’t lie to me. They told me minutes would be inconsistent as a 3rd PG and sometimes you will not play and others low minutes. So at this time for me it was hard because I worked so hard to build name and resume in Europe and now To just leave Europe, make way less money because NBA contract was a minimum deal, and to play bench role was not for me. I valued happiness and I knew I wouldn’t be happy in this situation so I stayed overseas. Best decision I ever made’, warned Errick McCollum (188-G-1988, college: Goshen).
Errick McCollum who has Romeo Travis, Jamar Smith, Raymar Morgan, Caleb Green, Charles Gaines, and Muhaymin Mustafa as his six best teammates of all-time was born on January 22, 1988 in Canton Ohio. He began his basketball career at Glen Oak High School where he played from 2002-2006 where he was teammates with future NBA player Kostas Koufas. Later his brother CJ joined the team in 2006. He then had an illustrious career at NAIA school Goshen College from 2006-2010 where he was named NAIA All-American every season. He left the school as it’s all-time leading scorer with 2,789 points and was named First team NAIA All-American in his last year. Even if the basketball wasn’t as competitive as at a NCAA school, it was the school experience in all area’s that really shaped him to become the player he is today and man. ‘Goshen taught me how to navigate in different spaces, with different people and different cultures. The school had students from all over the world and at the time I didn’t know it but it helped open up my mind and prepare me for my future basketball career overseas’, stated Errick Mccollum. Despite playing in the NAIA, he didn’t have any problems finding a job right out of school as he played in Israel for Elitzur Netanya (Israel-Premier League). It was the competitive first division where he played EuroChallenge: averaging 4.2ppg, 1.3rpg; and in the Israeli League averaged 2.9ppg. He obviously had growing pains in his rookie season, but that is one that many Americans suffer when going into the wide world overseas. But he showed already in his fourth game against Euroleague power house Maccabi Tel Aviv that he had game scoring 9 points in 10 minutes against guys like Jeremy Pargo and Baby Shaq. He definitely won’t forget his rookie season. Sometimes an American is totally alone being the lone American, but he was fortunate to have teammates like Romeo Travis, Adrian Banks and Joe Smith who showed him the ropes early on how to survive in the shark tank. ‘First time out of the country is always tough, dealing with a new culture, place, and being on your own. It was tough but luckily I had great vets to get me through. Romeo Travis was instrumental in helping me adjust to Europe and showing me the ropes. He is like a big brother to me’, remembered Errick Mccollum. In his second season he took a step back to the second division and it paid off. This is a step that not many players risk, but some get rewarded as Kameron Taylor showed in 2017 going back to the third division in Germany and 4 years later was a Euroleague player for Maccabi Tel Aviv. McCollum played his second season with Hapoel Kfar Saba/Kohav Yair (Israel-National League) leading the league in scoring 24.3ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.9apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 80.1%. He scored in double figures in each game including having 20 points or more in 20 games including 40 points and 15 assists against Lev Hasharon. He showed this season that he is the real deal and had that scoring and playmaking down. ‘I was always good enough to play in first league and when given the opportunity I showed my class and ability. The problem was opportunities were limited for me so the next year I went to a place I could show myself and my ability and I was able to do that in my season playing in 2nd league Israel. It was great for my mental and confidence’, commented Errick McCollum.
The flashy guard who is honest and remembers beating his brother CJ at at 1-1awhen they were younger, because he was 3,5 years older, but now admits that his brother wins more duels was able to play his next 2 seasons in Greece and witness his career really take off. In 2012-2013 he joined AS Apollon Patras (Greece-A1) and was the leagues fourth best scorer averaging 15.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 76.5%. That season he scored in double figures in 22 of 28 games including 31 points against KAOD and held his own against Euroleague top teams Panathinaikos scoring 22 and 16 points and against Olympiakos had 19 and 15 points. He took another step in his game the next season heightening it with Panionios ON Telecoms Athens (Greece-A1) being the top scorer in the Eurocup averaging 20.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 81.3%; and led the Greek league in scoring with 17.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 80.8%. He scored in double figures in 31 of 35 games in the Greek league including 27 points against Panathinaikos and 25 points against Olympiakos and in the Eurocup scored in double figures in all 16 games including 31 points against N.Novgorod and 28 points against ACB team Bilbao. ‘Those seasons my confidence, and my ability to run a team grew. I always thought highly of myself as a player but not the rest of Europe was starting to see me in that light. These 2 seasons spring boarded my career’, warned Errick McCollum. Back in those days, the Greek league were filled with spectacular and top players like Dimitris Diamantidis and Vassilis Spanoulis that he will be able to tell his grandchildren about. ‘They are both legends and great players. I played against them over the years, many battles. I just like how they approached the game and how they always showed up in the clutch moments over their careers. That stood out to me’, expressed Errick Mccollum.
After an incredible season like that he probably could of moved up another level, but the guard who lists ex NBA player Dequan Cook who he faced in high school as the toughest player he ever faced still had to wait for his Euroleague debut. He took on a new challenge in China where Americans began going to where the money wasn’t just good, but great and averaging just 25 points was only average. He played twice in China the first time with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls (China-CBA) averaging an absurb 39.6ppg, 7.4rpg, 5.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 84.9% and the second time with the Beikong Fly Dragons (China-CBA) keep up the craziness averaging 37.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.7apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 82.4%. He played 74 games in total and scored 30 points or more 56 times, 40 points or more 33 times, 50 points or more 10 times and had 60 points or more 4 times. But the league has definitely changed from back when he last played in 2016. ‘The CBA is different now. Contract stipulations, salary caps, guarantees, the amount of foreigners, how often they can be on court, practice players etc have weakened the league. I feel like now the league is watered down and not nearly as strong but when I played the league was stronger in foreign talent. It was enjoyable because every night you knew you were lining up across from a dog! The foreigners were extremely elite offensively and gifted players. The domestic players in China were not near the talent level of the Europeans in the upper leagues of Europe. That’s what separates the CBA from say the Euroleague, or champions league or Eurocup. The amount of foreigners teams can play with on court and the skill level of the domestic players. Don’t get me wrong there are still some top notch elite foreigners in China like Marshon Brooks, Kyle Fogg, Jamal Franklin, and several more (these guys are elite and have done it for many years) but there are definitely many without the experience or resumes that slide through the cracks and struggle’, stressed Errick McCollum. He also has the ultimate story for any occasion as he once out did Kobe scoring 82 points in a game in China against Guangdong ST outdoing his 81 points. ‘ It was a crazy game, I got extremely hot and found a rhythm early. It was one of those zones where I didn’t feel fatigue until immediately after the game. I didn’t really hear the crowd much (even though they were loud.) Everything was just white noise because I was so locked in and focused. Just a surreal game, something I never experienced before. And yeah I outscored Kobe by 1 it’s crazy to think, but his was against much better competition’, smiled Errick McCollum.
The ex Euroleague top scorer who lists NBA legends is Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Magic Johnson on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore then went to Turley to battle for Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 15.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 82.1% in the Turkish league and averaged 18.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 86.5% in the Eurocup. He scored in double figures in 27 of 34 BSL games including 31 points against Turk Telekom and in the Eurocup scored in double figures in 17 of 20 games including 32 points and 30 points against Neptunas. He led the team with 16 points in the Eurocup win against Strasburg. ‘That Galatasaray team was one of the best teams I ever played on. From the talent, depth, chemistry. Everything just fit together there and players all complemented each other well on the court with their styles. I loved it there and have a soft spot in my heart for those fans there till this day. An incredible experience. And Blake Schilb is one of most talented players I ever played with. He can do everything on the court. Pass, shoot, post, dribble and he’s tall 6’6. He was a Swiss Army knife, one of those players that could literally do everything well offensively on the court’, remembered Errick McCollum. In his second season he came near the end of the season to Turkey averaging 13.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 71.2% after having played in China for the second tour of duty. He finally reached the Euroleague in the 2017-2018 season with Anadolu Efes Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 17.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 78.9%;in the BSL and in the Euroleague averaged 14.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.5%. In the BSL he scored in double figures in 27 games including a 41 point explosion against Usak and 34 points against Tofas. He played for the great coach Ataman where he saw early on that he was a special coach. ‘I’ve had some success and titles under Ataman. What makes him win I believe is that he and his staff are good at selecting players that fit well together and fit his system. They do a good job with this and second is that he gives freedom to his main players to make decisions on the court and to play their game. He gives trust but with this trust comes big responsibility for those players’, said Errick McCollum. In the Euroleague he scored in double figures in 19 of 29 games including 31 points against Maccabi Tel Aviv. In his first Euroleague game, he battled against 17 year old big talent Luka Doncic and with him was the best player on the floor as they scored 26 and 27 points. He didn’t have to rub his eyes after countless fascinating plays from Luka, because his was extraordinary. ‘I knew he was special when my team matched up against him. Often times guys get a lot of hype but he backed it up. He had size, skill, smarts, and a great basketball feel all at just 18 years old. It was incredible to witness. He was too skilled for the taller players to stay in front of him defensively and too strong and tall for the shorter players to guard him’, remembered Errick McCollum.
The prolific scorer who saw the sequel to the classic Coming To America and likes the original most then played the next 4 years in Russia for 3 different teams. He continued to play at the highest level while also earning very good money for his stellar play. He played with Unics Kazan from 2018-2010 and played for the first time in a new league called the VTB and didn’t disappoint there either averaging 14.1ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 80.6%; in his first season and upped his game in his second season being the league’s third top scorer averaging 19.9pp), 2.9rpg, 3.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 78.4%. He scored in double figures in 27 of 49 VTB games including 33 points against Tsmoki-Minsk and Kalev/Cramo and 30 points against top Euroleague club CSKA Moscow. In the Eurocup he averaged 13.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 83.5% in his first season and 17.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 83.8% in his second season where he was the leagues third best scorer. He scored in double figures in 27 of 36 games including 32 points against his future team Lok Kuban and 32 points against Badalona. In Kazan he was teammates with one of my favorite top 5 guards of all-time that I have covered with ex Seton Hall (NCAA) guard Jordan Theodore. The New Jersey native like McCollum is one of many guys who is good enough to play in the NBA. ‘Jordan is my guy! I loved playing with him. He’s tough, fast, and explosive and at his small stature he’s really good at getting in the paint and finishing or finding guys open. He’s excellent In pick and roll and a really good passer. He helped our offense and pushed the tempo and is solid defender. The NBA is tricky, there are only 450 spots but there are double maybe even triple that of talented players out there. Sometimes it’s about fit, or team need, or politics. You never really know but he’s had a great career regardless and will help any team he goes to’, warned Errick McCollum.
He remained in Russia and next played with BC Khimki Moscow Region (Russia-VTB United League) and again showed consistent scoring in the VTB averaging 14.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 83.0%;and in the Euroleague averaged 11.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 84.8%. In the VTB he scored in double figures in 16 of 20 games including 31 points against Enisey and in the Euroleague scored in double figures in 16 of 28 games including 29 points against Crvena Zvezda. With Khimki, he wasn’t the only high class scorer, but also shared the floor with ex NBA player Alexi Sheved ‘It was a different experience for me, that season I had to be even more efficient and ultra aggressive because minutes were limited and there were very few possessions for me. I think I was able to do that, be productive, and still impact games. In an environment like that, this is not easy’, expressed Errick McCollum. Last season he remained in Russia again and balled with Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia-VTB United League) remaining a top player in the VTB averaging 18.2ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 87.4% and in the Eurocup led the league in scoring averaging 22.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 88.1%. In the VTB he scored in double figures in 24 of 30 games including 38 points against Tsmoki-Minsk, 34 points against CSKA Moscow and 32 points against Lok Kuban..In the Eurocup he scored in double figures in each game including 33 points against Partizan NiS and 30 points against ACB team Andorra. This can easily have been his best season as a professional. To be able to lead a high level competition like the Eurocup in scoring at age 34 is phenomenal.’ I was pleased with my season, I spent a lot of time preparing not just my game and skill set but my body and mind. I pride myself on being a professional and to be able to have a dominant season like that was a tribute to my hard work. That season was special because as you get older people always wonder when you will slow down or show your age. But for me I think I sped up and showed my youth. Was a good balance in creating and scoring and I was extremely efficient and most importantly we were winning! And the best part I think I brought that people didn’t see, was the leadership and ability to help my teammates. Many are on different teams this season at high level and thriving. I think I was a good Vet to them and helped by setting a good example’, remembered Errick McCollum.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber meeting Errick McCollum in Bonn Germany in 2022 before a BCL game
Let’s fast forward to 2022 as Errick McCollum who had had interest from German teams in the past, but was never close to signing is in his 13th season with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-BSL). He has always had great seasons, but his best experience winning has been in Turkey. ‘Turkey is my favorite country for sure, having won 2 titles while playing in this country definitely makes it even more memorable. But the truth is the country is beautiful, the people are great, food and culture here is excellent. It’s very easy for someone to adapt when all those things align and you feel accepted. That’s what Turkey is for me, almost like a 2nd home’, smiled Erick Mccollum. I can imagine he will play for a while and stop when his body strikes, because it doesn’t matter where he plays, he just wants to play and have success no matter where it is. ‘For me basketball is basketball, my approach and mindset never changes. Rather here or another team or another country. I come to win, I put the work in, and make my impact felt on the court. Nothing changed for me on that end’, stressed Errick McCollum. . He is having another incredible season as age continues not to show as in the Turkish BSL he isleading the league in scoring averaging 19,6ppg, 3,0rpg, 4,5apg and 1,2spg and in the Basketball Champions League averaged 18,8ppg, 3,5rpg and 6,6apg. His team is in third place and battling for the title An ability that surely has helped his game and scoring in the past decade has been his pure ability of making tough off balance shots and winning the 1-1 duels. ‘I’ve always had good touch and feel for the game. But as a kid, when I started to fall in love with it I approached the game differently. I wanted to hone my game and go as far as I could with it so I spent countless hours in the gym, getting many repetitions. All of my work was done at game speed and game like shots. Practicing pretty much every scenario. But I put special emphasis on the bread and butter shots. Basically ones I know I can go to when the game is tight or my team really needs a bucket. On those shots you practice them even more. After the practicing and skill work I did what I think kids lack today. I played as much as I could. It was one on one, 5 on 5, 2 on 2 it didn’t matter I just needed to try my moves out and shots on live defense. To see what worked and what didn’t, and what I could improve on. That was extremely beneficial for me and then just constantly watching the game, studying it, learning it so that I could always evolve with the game of basketball’, warned Errick McCollum. Even if his scoring is his bread and butter, he can dish out 10 assists at any time. ‘I think my passing ability is extremely underrated. But over the years I have gained a good feeling of when to pass and when to shoot. It’s something that takes time, experience, but comes with success and failures. But with this you fully start to grasp the when and how. Also a lot of film study and understanding defenses and a team’s defensive principles is extremely helpful’, stated Errick McCollum. I hope that he plays many more years, because once he is gone, he will be missed. He may never have played in the NBA, but he will always have that NBA connection through his brother CJ. Happiness is what he got overseas and not reaching the NBA will never faze him. The connection to his brother will always be special. ‘I love my brother, we are best friends, we struggled together, had success together, really worked for everything we got. It’s different I’d say because we are close in age and embraced the same path with the ups and downs. That adversity draws you closer’, stated Errick Mccollum. If he ever does get bored, CJ will surely have enough NBA stories to keep any evening with the families next to the fire memorable.
Nicolas Buchholz (200-PG-2001) is a 21 year old 200cm guard playing his second season with the Dragons Rhondorf currently averaging 13,0ppg, 2,0rpg and 2,0apg.Last season he averaged 17.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 81.8%. He began his basketball career with the Rostock Seawolves playing 9 Pro A games and was a 2019 NBBL allstar. He spoke to germanhoops about basketball before the start of the 2022-2023 season.
Welcome back to the Dragons Rhondorf. Was the decision to return difficult? You must have had offers from Pro A teams? Not really, I had very good talks with Coach Julius about a second season here in Rhoendorf and I’m glad everything worked out to make another big step in the right direction.
Was knowing having a big role and being a big scoring option with the Dragons was more important than going up a level this season and having possibly less minutes? It was not really about that, I think in every other team I would have less minutes than the past season. Dragons Rhoendorf was the best overall option at the end.
Some guys would of gone to the Pro A after the season you had with Rhondorf. How confident are you that this season will be bigger for you in terms of stats and winning? We have a great team with good personalities and even better talent and hunger to get ourselves in the best position possible this season.
How vital was returning and playing for Julius Thomas? How do you feel did your game grow under him last season? Julius had a very big impact from when I came here until now, basically in every aspect and that’s a big part of why I’m staying for another year. He’s a great coach who knows what I need to get to the next level.
The team had some leader types last season with Paul Albrecht and Viktor Frankl-Maus. How important was last season for your leadership skills to grow being able to watch them? It was very important, Pauli has great leadership and I was glad to watch him past year, plus I’m happy that he stayed too.
How important is a guy like Paul Albrecht on and off the court? What have you enjoyed most about his presence?
Very important to the whole team, he has great leadership & great skills. He’s also a guy with whom you can chill off the court, it is pretty enjoyable, we have had great times so far.
This years team looks very competitive. Does it look even stronger on paper than last year?
Our team is pretty good, definitely more experienced than last year. We will see in season how we will perform compared to last year.
What was it like playing with the Senegal sensation Ousmane Ndiaje? What is the most incredible thing you saw him do on the court? Never played with someone that tall with that kind of playing style, but I wouldn’t say it’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever saw.
He has popped up on some 2023 NBA Mock Drafts. Do you feel like he will get lucky?
Maybe, I would be very happy for him, we’ll see how it works out.
Let’s talk a little about your game. You’re a 201cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player as well as a German BBL player who would best fit the bill? I don’t compare myself to any NBA or BBL player.
Talk a little about how you would describe yourself as a defender today and what type of defender you want to become in the next years? Had a hard time last year as a defender, but it’s going be better for the upcoming one. Looking forward to be a better 1on1 defender over the next years.
How much of a priority is it for you in general to raise your rebounds and assists per game? Is doing this more difficult when your always looked upon to score? It always depends on the role in the team. I will try my best to get my teammates in great positions and grab as most rebounds as possible.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can make steady progress in your game? Mostly in defense, but also to be a more versatile scorer.
You began your career with Rostock. How vital was being in this organization for your early development? Which coach had the biggest influence and impact on you? It was great to always get help and support from the club, their office and my coaches. Stanley Witt has had the biggest impact, he was my coach around my JBBL years and helped me a lot in every aspect on and off the court.
From 2019-2021 you played only 9 pro A games and played regularly for EBC Rostock Talents (2.Regionalliga). Do you sometimes wonder how you may have developed had you played Pro B? Do you feel like the 2 years practicing with the Pro A team helped you? I don’t know how it would’ve worked out going earlier to ProB. I still had great times in Rostock, but it was definitely the right step last year to move to Dragons Rhoendorf.
Were you influenced in any way by Chris Carter? He has led 3 different teams to the BBL from Pro A. What memories do you have of him? I had great times with Chris in Rostock, always a guy that does a lot of extra stuff with young players and I’m grateful for it. Had a lot of good memories with him, hard to pick a specific one.
What memories do you have of your first pro A game against Nurnberg in 2019 when you scored 5 points in 2 minutes? Was your adrenaline working overtime?
It was overwhelming, felt great to play and even score points in my hometown with my first minutes in ProA.
You belonged to the top players in the NBBL, but you have never played for a German national team at a Euro. Do you believe like you have been overlooked a bit?
I don’t think I got overlooked, there are a lot of great players in my age and maybe some players had a better fit in the team
In 2019 you played Addias Next generation with FC Bayern Munich. What did it feel like playing with Bayern players. How do you remember guys like Jason George and Sasha Grant treating you?
It was a great experience in Munich. Everyone was welcoming us very well, it was a good time playing with them
In that game you saw Deni Avdija who had a triple double and is in the NBA since some years. How sure were you then that he would reach the NBA one day?
I think he was a big prospect for the NBA a couple years before the draft. I was pretty sure that he will get picked to play in the NBA
Who was the toughest player that you faced in the Pro A and Pro B on the court Can’t say a lot about ProA, in ProB I would say Booker Coplin gave me the hardest time.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Tyler Nelson, Toni Nickel, Tony Hicks, Chris Carter, Marek Mboya
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?
LeBron, MJ, Kobe, Shaq
What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron? There will never be an official decision about that, everybody has his own opinion.
Where do you currently see Steph Curry in debate of the greatest point guards ever?
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Chris Carter in the Fraport arena in 2022
Chris Carter (190-SG-1992, college: Florida Tech) is a 30 year old 195cm guard that was born in Brooklyn, New York and is from Port St. Lucie, Florida that is playing his 8th professional season and third with the Rostock SeaWolves. He recently was granted the German citizenship. Last season he averaged 8.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 5.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 65.9%. In 2019-2020 he played with the Niners Chemnitz averaging 9.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 5.1apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 66.7%. He also played two seasons with Rasta Vechta. In 2018-2019in the BBL he averaged 4.0ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.4apg. In his first season with Rasta Vechta he helped the club move from the Pro A to the easyCredit BBL winning the Pro A title averaging 11,0ppg,3,4rpg and 5,3apg and shot 40% from outside. In 2016-2017 he played for BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA) playing 40 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-4 (5.7apg), Steals-4 (2.1spg), FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 73.4%. As a rookie he played for Bipa Basket Odessa (Ukraine-SL Favorit Sport) playing 32 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.0apg, Steals-1 (2.2spg), FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 77.3%. He started his basketball career at Air Force (NCAA) and then played the last three years of school at Florida Tech (NCAA2) and as a senior played 21 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the tough 99-77 loss to the Fraport Skyliners.
The Rostock Seawolves suffered a tough 99-77 loss to the Fraport Skyliners. Rostock SeaWolves entered the game having won 3 of 4 games. Did the SeaWolves underestimate the Fraport Skyliners?
No we didn’t.
After 40 minutes is it fair to say they don’t look anything like a last placed team?
They are a strong team.
You were a rookie in the Ukraine when Jordan Thoeodre last played in Germany in the BBL for the Fraport Skyliners helping them win the Fiba Europe Cup. What did you know about him and how did the team prepare for him?
He is a really good point guard and controlled the offense.
Did his game fill up a good majority of the scouting report.
Yes it did.
The Fraport Skyliners came out quickly leading 24-16 after 10 minutes and Rostock had to play pick up basketball the whole afternoon. Frankfurt’s three pointer was falling early. The 15 three’s Frankfurt made in the first game against Rostock must have been on the scouting report for this game.
Yes they shot it well.
The Rostock Seawolves trailed only 42-38 at the break. What was key for Rostock staying in the game besides showing those impressive fighting qualities?
We just tried to stay together on both sides.
The Fraport Skyliners exploded in the third quarter for 33 points. What did head coach Christian Held tell the team to do going in the third quarter and why couldn’t the team execute defensively?
They made some tough shots and we did not have a good defensive quarter.
What adjustments did you see the Fraport Skyliners make on the defensive end in this game in comparison to the first game in December in Frankfurt where you scored 6 points more? Did you see a different defensive identity under new head coach Klaus Perwas? Not really , they played a really solid game.
In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners continued to play their game and the Rostock Seawolves couldn’t get over the hump. Of course Jordan Theodore was a huge factor, but did you see a different kind of Frankfurt mentality under new general Jordan Theodore?
Sure, he is a veteran.
What was your impression of Jordan Theodore? How crazy is it to come in and just dominate as if he had always been there?
Great player and really knows how to run the show.
Did you sense a special chemistry between Jordan Theodore and Quantez Robertson. If Frankfurt keeps this up, do you think that Frankfurt could go on a late season run and not have to worry about moving down?
Who knows. It will be interesting.
The Rostock SeaWolves still have every chance of reaching the playoffs. How confident are you that the team will turn it around in the next game against Heidelberg?
We will have a good week of practice and shake it off.
How motivated will the guys be for Alba Berlin and FC Bayern Munich? You lost both games easily at home? What are you most looking forward to in these games?
Just looking forward to putting together a good 40 mins both games.
Roy Krupnikas played his 4th BBL game of season. What has he improved most this season?
He is a great talent and has a bright future. He is learning fast.
Now that you have the German citizenship, what has given you the most gratification this season as a veteran playing with so many American players?
I’m not sure but it’s fun playing and I don’t take it for granted.
Now that Lebron James dethroned Kareem Abdul Jabbar as the NBA all-time leading scorer, is he now the real GOAT?
Sure.
Who will reach the NBA final and win it all this year?
I don’t know how it is for other spectators but for me the first thing I look for when covering overseas basketball when I visit a game is how many NBA players are on the court. I guess those 3 magical letters NBA have this force that just engulfs people more than actually noticing other players first. Recently I visited a Basketball Champions League game between the Telekom Baskets Bonn and French club SIG Strasburg where they had 2 ex NBA players with American guard Tim Frazier and Latvian forward Rodions Kurucs. Combined they had had 11 years in the NBA and now were overseas continuing their basketball journey. Of course these 2 players are very talented and deserved to be in the NBA. But it isn’t always about those former NBA players. There are enough other great players playing overseas and hundreds and probably even more that could play in the big show, but can’t because there just aren’t enough roster spots. But in this game there were 2 other players that were without a doubt the 2 best players on the floor for their respective teams. And both only measured to 175cm. I’m talking about TJ Shorts who has made waves ever since turning professional some years ago and is on MVP course in Germany and Marcus Keene (178-PG-1995, college: CMU) who like Shorts is a bundle of energy who is third in scoring in France and top 10 in the Basketball Champions League. Both guys dueled in game 1 as Keene got the best of Shorts with 26-24 points and won round one in a classic nail bitter 77-76 win. After the loss TJ Shorts tipped his hat to Keene. ”He is a scoring machine at all 3 levels. We watched a lot of film on him and will watch even more film now. You have to make it as tough as possible against guys like that’, stated TJ Shorts. The respect for the diminutive Shorts is mutual. ‘It is always motivating for me to play against very good guards. He has made a name for himself in Europe. It’s exciting for me to battle the possible MVP of Germany’, stressed Marcus Keene. The American knows small guards like them will always get underappreciated and their chips will never leave their shoulders. ‘The game keeps changing. You see bigger guards in the NBA and overseas and everyone is switching. You see teams like Monaco, Olympiakos and Partizan going this route. Teams in Europe pay more attention to defense. Smaller guards get overlooked. We are effective on offense, but aren’t bad defenders. My chip will always be there even when I get to where I want to it I was never highly ranked. I hope to reach the Euroleague. Then my chip will be even bigger. It is all about proving people wrong’, warned Marcus Keene.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and TJ Shorts in the BCM in Frankfurt, Germany in pre season 22-23
Marcus Keene who lists current Boston Celtic Marcus Smart as his toughest opponent ever was born on May 6, 1995 on a military base in Germany. He grew up in Texas and played at east Warren high school in San Antonio. He averaged 25/4/4 stats as a senior and amassed 1600 points there and was the all-time leading scorer. He was named to the all-state, all-city, and Super-City teams. Despite his stellar career he was offered only one Division 1 scholarship from Youngstown State and accepted it. He played 2 seasons at Youngstown State. In his freshman season he played 22 games and averaged only 13 minutes averaging 6.5ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 75.7%. In his second season his minutes exploded to 34 and he averaged 15.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 78.7%. It isn’t always easy as a freshman to break through. ‘I played behind Kendrick Perkins and coach didn’t trust freshmen. In my second season he let me be me’, said Marcus Keene. But overall he wasn’t content at Youngstown as he wasn’t allowed to play point guard and was mainly used as a spot up shooter. He fell in love with Central Michigan’s up tempo game and then would transfer. ‘Central Michigan was perfect for me. I needed to play point guard. I sat out a year to get my body strong and right’, remembered Marcus Keene. He scored in double figures in 28 of 33 games including stellar games against Illinois State netting 29 points and hitting UNC Greensboro with 28 points. The basketball community at Eastern Washington knew they had something special in Keene when he was ruling practices the season and letting eyes pop out as he was showing his massive abilities. He didn’t disappoint as he exceeded all expectations averaging a ridiculous 30.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 81.9%. He led the NCAA in scoring and was the first one to do it since Charles Jones in the 1996-1997 season. ‘That season was crazy for me even if my record got broken the next season. Just thinking I was scoring 30 points or more each night was crazy. Getting a lot of recognition and being able to score the ball at a high level helped me a lot’, remembered Marcus Keene. It is no surprise that his favorite moment was rocking Miami at Ohio with 50 points. ‘I had no idea I would score so much. I only had had 13 points at half-time’, commented Marcus Keene. He scored in double figures in all 33 games and scored 20 points or more 29 times. He scored 30 points or more 16 times and cracked the 40 points or more 6 times including 44 points against Montana State. He knows that he wouldn’t of had all that success without the proper guidance from head coach Keno Davis. ‘He groomed me well and taught me how to be a pro. He told me that if you want to be the best, you need to do even more work. You will have even more eyes on you when you do well. You need to work more even if your doing well’, remembered Marcus Keene who remembers teammate Braylon Rayson winning more 1-1 matches back in the day. He was an All-MAC first team selection.
The Texas native who lists Taurean Prince, Braylon Rayson, 226cm giant Sim Bhular, Tim Frazier and Kendrick Perkins as his best teammates of all-time turned professional in 2017. He got a taste of the NBA playing NBA Summer League with the Washington Wizards averaging 11.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 50.0%. ‘That was a great experience. I wish I could of played more and had more of an opportunity. I remember my boy Brad Break (Bradley Beal) telling me to be myself and they have to accept it or not!, said Marcus Keene. The American played his rookie season with Cagliari Dinamo Academy (Italy-Serie A2) playing 30 games and averaging 18.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 81.0%. One big adjustment he had to make was not necessarily getting a pay check every month. ‘I hadn’t seen that before not getting paid on time. It doesn’t matter if your in the G-League or at Walmart, you get paid on time. I had to learn to stay focused at all times when playing at a high level. Veteran teammate Deshawn Stephens was a big help. He told me not to act up, but just do what your told even if you don’t like it’, remembered Marcus Keene. In his second professional he split time with Mono Vampire Bangkok (Thailand-TBL) averaging 8.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.8apg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 27.1%, FT: 77.8%, led the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in scoring at 28.2ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2 (6.0apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 80.8%, played with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) averaging 8.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 27.1%, FT: 77.8%, and finished the season with KCC Egis (South Korea-KBL) averaging 16.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 83.3%. For me it was a riddle why a guy with his talent level would have to play in Asia. But sometimes the money is more important than the status. ‘I had agent issues that season. I fired one and got another. He got 2 good deals in Asia in Thailand and in South Korea that I couldn’t pass up. I chased the money more than the dreams’, added Marcus Keene. He was also blessed that he was able to get experience in the G-League playing with the Memphis Hustle. ‘This was a great experience. I proved I could play with and against NBA guys. I know getting to the NBA is about timing, but just knowing that I could compete with NBA guys was exciting. But ultimately I knew that my ticket was overseas where the money is’, stated Marcus Keene. He knows now that his future is in Europe, because he has proven he is worth every penny and wants to keep climbing the basketball ladder. ‘Now I’m in the mode that I want to get better and better overseas. My goal is the Euroleague and to get to the highest level. You see something like 3 small guards in the NBA now while in the Euroleague it’s so much more’, commented Marcus Keene. He scored in double figures in 10 games including scoring 22 points against South Bay and 21 points against Delaware.
The shifty guard who lists Jordan, Lebron, Magic and Allen Iverson on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore played his third professional season back in Asia. Once again he dominated in 2 countries playing with KCC Egis (Korea-KBL) averaging 19.1ppg), Reb-1 (11.5rpg), 2.3apg, FGP: 59.3%, FT: 70.3% and with Yulon Luxgen (Taiwan-SBL) averaging 25.2ppg, 6.4rpg, 6.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 81.3% and led the league in scoring and assists while playing 37 games. ‘Once again the 2 deasl were too good to pass up. The money was so good. At that time I felt that I could play anywhere. I was thinking I could play in the CBA in China. But then I did find my way back to Europe’, said Marcus Keene. He had some massive games against Taiwan Beer netting 46 points and hit Pauian for 41 points. In Korea he was in beast mode getting 18 rebounds in 2 games. He then made the jump to Estonia playing with BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn and then his career really took off in Europe. Despite COVID being in full action and having to put up with all that drama, he still was able to focus and help his team win 2 titles and lead the VTB in scoring which is a top 10 league in Europe. ‘That was technically my first season playing at a high level in Europe. I was battling high level guys like Jordan Theodore, Isaiah Canaan and Mike James. I always knew I could play with those guys. I just had to prove it and did’, warned Marcus Keene. He had 3 special teammates with Maurice Kemp, Devin Thomas and Chavaughn Lewis and having that bond helped achieve the success they wanted on the court. ‘They are all my brothers. We were always together that season. We would go out to the beach or kick it at our houses. It was a great season for me leading the VTB in scoring but the best was being able to call myself a champion’, remembered Marcus Keene. He scored 20 points or more 13 times and had huge games scoring 31 points twice against N.Novgorod and 30 points against Enea Zastal. He was 1-1 against top Euroleague team CSKA Moscow scoring 21 points in a loss, but exploded for 26 points in a 107-102 loss where he outdueled ex NBA player Mike James who only had 19 points and is considered one of best Euroleague players since many years. ‘I was super stoked for that game. I knew what he had done in his career and that game showed that I can play against anyone in the world. He is one of my favorite players in Europe. I always try to watch him on TV. It was a fun game. He congratulated me after the game and told me to keep going’, remembered Marcus Keene. Last season he continued his rise playing solid in Slovenia with averaging with KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) averaging 13.1ppg, 1.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 85.7%, but then taking off in Italy with to Openjobmetis Varese (Italy-Serie A) averaging 18.7ppg), 2.5rpg, 4.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 89.0% and leading another league in scoring. ‘Leading the Serie A in scoring was a big accomplishment for me. Being able to do well there helped me get to France’, stated Marcus Keene. He had big games against Sassari with 33 and 31 points and executed 31 points against Trento. It is easy to comprehend that his self-confidence grew and having a teammate like ultimate veteran Jacob Pullen helped him as well. ‘I grew a lot on the court. That was the best league I had played in up to that point. To see myself excel against good teams and players was amazing. That proved to me that I could play in any league, but I did put in a lot of work. ‘Jacob is my guy and we talk to each other to this day. When I first met him I told him I was a big fan of his when he was at Kansas State. I looked up to him as a kid and then being able to be teammates with him was amazing. He taught me so much about the business’, said Marcus Keene.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber meeting Marcus Keene in Bonn before game 1 of the Basketball Champions League quaterfinals
The veteran guard who lists Michael Jordan as his GOAT and believes that the classic Coming To America movie should have been left alone just continues to chug up the basketball ladder this season playing with SIG Strasburg. The team continues to battle for the Pro A playoffs, but are moving closer to the final 4 in the Basketball Champions League. ‘Consistency has been our problem all year long. We can’t make excuses but we have had injuries or things not going our way. But currently we are on a good way. We have to figure this out and just continue to do our best’, warned Marcus Keene. Recently he got ex NBA player Tim Frazier on board who played 8 seasons in the NBA. Naming him to his best teammates of all-time after such a short time has to mean something. ‘Tim has helped me a lot and brings experience and leadership. I keep telling him that him coming off the bench is like a blessing for us. It is only a plus for us. NBA players that come overseas often need a year to adjust. But I can already say that Tim has led me in ways that I have never been led before’, warned Marcus Keene. It will be interesting to see where the basketball journey of Marcus Keene will continue to go in the next years. The next address can only be the Euroleague. And who knows with a BCL title, he may just get that wish. But for now all he is thinking about is giving his team in France in Success. When your as small as he is and toiled around in Asia, you take nothing for granted. ‘I am so blessed for this opportunity with SIG Strasburg and to just to be able to be who I am for the team’, stressed Marcus Keene But that BCL title is still a ways away, because SIG Strasburg has to first take care of business first in game 2 at home against the Telekom Baskets Bonn of the BCL quarters. I won’t make any bets, but whoever does win this series, you can be sure it will be Marcus Keene or TJ Shorts who will have been most instrumental in helping their team to the series win. You just have to love those small guards.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Derrick Alston in the Fraport arena in Frankfurt december 2022
Derrick Alston Jr. (206-SF-1997, college: Boise St.) is a 25 year old 206cm forward from Houston, Texas playing his second professional season and first with the Rostock Seawolves. He played his rookie season with the Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G League) averaging 16.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 81.4%. He began his basketball career at Strake Jesuit High School and then played at Boise State (NCAA) from 2017-2021 playing a total of 104 games averaged 17,0ppg in his last 2 NCAA seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 99-77 loss to the Fraport Skyliners.
Thanks Derrick for talking to germanhoops.com. The Rostock Seawolves suffered a tough 99-77 loss to the Fraport Skyliners. Rostock SeaWolves entered the game having won 3 of 4 games. Did the SeaWolves underestimate the Fraport Skyliners Personally no. Were both different teams from December when we last played. We are better and more efficient at running our stuff now. Seeing what Frankfurt did was different from what we prepared for. They shot the ball well and made right plays and had us in rotations.
After 40 minutes is it fair to say they don’t look anything like a last placed team?
I think that Frankfurt is fighting for their lives. Each game is do or die for them. You sense this in how they play. Jordan Theodore is huge and will be important for getting over the hump. They shoot the ball very well.
You were a senior in high school when Jordan Theoodre last played in Germany in the BBL for the Fraport Skyliners helping them win the Fiba Europe Cup. What did you know about him and how did the team prepare for him?
We prepared for them as a team. We had no film on him with Frankfurt because he was new. We had no game plan for him. We just knew that he had played well in Russia. We weren’t sure how what kind of pace they would play with him. Credit to him for having a hell of a game.
The Fraport Skyliners came out quickly leading 24-16 after 10 minutes and Rostock had to play pick up basketball the whole afternoon. Frankfurt’s three pointer was falling early. The 15 three’s Frankfurt made in the first game against Rostock must have been on the scouting report for this game.
We prepared for their three. But credit to them for how they played the pick and roll and short roll. They had us moving from side to side and had the ball hopping. They got open shots and made them.
The Rostock Seawolves trailed only 42-38 at the break. What was key for Rostock staying in the game besides showing those impressive fighting qualities?
Basketball is always a game of runs. The first quarter was tough for us. We settled in in the second quarter and got a couple of stops and got a rhythm. We builded a rhythm on offense off our defense.
The Fraport Skyliners exploded in the third quarter for 33 points. What did head coach Christian Held tell the team to do going in the third quarter and why couldn’t the team execute defensively?
He told us to come out with energy and keep working, but we didn’t do that. We came out slow and Frankfurt ran the pick and roll well and got in a flow. They felt comfortable and we had problems combating it. Plus we didn’t have one of our better days offensively.
What adjustments did you see the Fraport Skyliners make on the defensive end in this game in comparison to the first game where you scored 6 points more? Did you see a different defensive identity under new head coach Klaus Perwas?
I didn’t see anything really different from December. They did 2 things really well which was collapsing the paint on drives and playing the passing lanes well and being aggressive. Those 2 things bothered us. When you have problems combating that then it’s tough for our offense.
In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners continued to play their game and the Rostock SeaWolves couldn’t get over the hump. Of course Jordan Theodore was a huge factor, but did you see a different kind of Frankfurt mentality under new general Jordan Theodore?
I would say so. Theodore did a really good job controlling the game and getting the team into their stuff. They read our defense really well and played really smart on offense. They took advantage of our mistakes on offense and defense.
Did you sense a special chemistry between Jordan Theodore and Quantez Robertson. If Frankfurt keeps this up, do you think that Frankfurt could go on a late season run and not have to worry about moving down?
Those are 2 veteran guys that have been with the team and in the league for a long time. They know what it takes to win. It is more vital for Frankfurt with those guys to capitalize and control their destiny as much as possible than letting other teams to control their destiny. They will do all they can to keep Frankfurt in the BBL.
The Rostock SeaWolves still have every chance of reaching the playoffs. How confident are you that the team will turn it around in the next game against Heidelberg?
We don’t have to dwell on this loss. This was a tough loss but we have winnable games coming up at home. It won’t be easy but were in the thick of it. We will continue to take it day by day and game by game and just continue to focus on working hard and getting better.
How motivated will the guys be for Alba Berlin and FC Bayern Munich? You lost both games easily at home? What are you most looking forward to in these games?
Those are 2 of the top teams in Germany and play Euroleague. For me personally it will be exciting to see what kind of improvement we have made since the first time we played them. It will be exciting to play in their arena’s and see what kind of improvement we have made. Playing them so late in the season will be a good final mark to see where we are at at the moment.
Roy Krupnikas played his 4th BBL game of season. What has he improved most this season?
He is looking more and more comfortable playing with us. He was gone at times playing ANGT, but for him it has been great just having the opportunity to gain experience and get more reps against really good competition. I have enjoyed his development from the start until now.
Your having a very good season in the easyCredit BBL averaging 16,3ppg, 4,1rpg and 1,7. Your scoring has been down since we last spoke in December but till consistent. Have you noticed that teams have scouted you better the second time around?
Oh for sure. It has been like night and day from the first month where I exploded. It has been a real challenge for me being able to react to the defense and see how I play has really helped my game. I had an ankle problem and I’m still working my way back. In the States you can have something like 3-4 games in a week whereas overseas may only have 3-4 games in a month. I feel I have had a solid season with Rostock and continue to build off that.
You were 0/11 coming into the game from outside and presently shooting 29% from outside. You finally made a three pointer again. How much of a challenge is it with being able to execute the three in this league? It’s tough with the shrunken court. I haven’t got as many open three’s but more contested shots that I know I can make. I’m not getting as much daylight and room. I have to let the game come to me while still being aggressive and watching and finding gaps in the defense. I have been very grateful to be in this position with Rostock. I am thankful that I have been allowed to find my footing and play through mistakes. We as a collective team can be very proud of how far we have come this season. We want to finish the season right.
What was your best experience in Germany on the court and off the court?
Off the court I have enjoyed the bakeries the most. I have enjoyed having that in my routine each day. On the court my best experience has been the crowd and support. Seeing how the fans supported us at home against Alba Berlin and what it meant to the city was great. Seeing so many fans come to Frankfurt was great also. The fan experience has been amazing.
Now that Lebron James dethroned Kareem Abdul Jabbar as the NBA all-time leading scorer, is he now the real GOAT? I’m still going with Jordan. But Lebron has cemented himself. It was cool to see that in my lifetime.
Who will reach the NBA final and win it all this year?
I see Boston winning the east and this is the time for Denver. I see Boston winning it all.
