BBL

Josef Dulibic(Berlin Dreams) Sees Germany Competing For Medals For The Next 10 Years

pic credit: FIBA

Josef Dulibic is in his third season as head coach of the NBBL team Berlin Dreams. Prior he was active with Alba Berlin winning the 2018 NBBL title with Franz Wagner and in 2023 won the JBBL title with Mathieu Grujicic. He was 13 years active in the organization as coach with Croatian top team Cibona Zagreb. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the success of German basketball.

Thanks Josef for talking to germanhoops.com Germany is Euro Champion 2025. What kind of a feeling does this give you involved with German basketball?

I´m very proud of the success of German basketball. Being able to say that Germany is now always a contender is crazy. Basketball is a global sport that has so many countries that have great basketball. Germany has shown that it simply has a high quality of players. One now can always say we are contending for a title. Only some years ago, it would have been crazy to say that.

Is it crazy to have predicted a Gold medal before the tournament started? If you had to guess how many German basketball fans out of 10 would have predicted the Gold before the tournament how many would it have been under your estimation?

It would be less than what the experts would have predicted. I think people generally don´t know really how good basketball is in Germany. But with this Euro win, there are of course more people that now understand how good basketball really is in Germany.

It was the 2 best teams in the tournament with Germany and Turkey at 8-0. Was this the top final compared to the 1993 final vs Russia and 2023 final vs Serbia?

The Euro title in 1993 was a sensation and surprise. I remember it well. I was only 13 years old and was in Munich. In those days you had a certain amount of countries form the Balkan region that played for medals. Those were boring times with less competition. One can compare the last 2 wins easier. I think that this title was more difficult. There was less pressure with the World Cup 2 years ago. This time the expectations were a lot bigger.

How did you experience the final. The game was a real dog fight with Turkey leading by as much as 11 points and being very strong. What got Germany the Gold medal after 40 minutes.

The difference was simple in that Germany had more depth. The intensity and physicality in the game was very high. It didn´t help Turkey´s chances that a Osman or Larkin had to play so many minutes. Germany had fresher guys from the bench and more players carrying them. Every German player had a good phase during the game. There simply came more as a team from Germany than Turkey.

There has always been talk about the intense mentality, great team character and togetherness of Germany the last years. How does one keep developing it and not losing it over time?

Firstly it really helps when a team has success. This way it is easier to have a cult. It helps that the majority of the guys are close in age. It is never generally good when you have much young and old in a team. The German players were all on the same wave length. All know each other and like each other. That is always a big help.

There was a time in the 80s and 90s where you said in German football and after 90 minutes Germany always wins. I feel like there is this mentality now in German basketball. I was never fearing a loss in the fourth quarter even when Turkey was up by 6 points.

I really had the feeling when Turkey was up by 6 points that at that point that was it for them. I really didn´t see them having anything more to give. I was writing back and forth with Konstantin Lwowsky during that phase. I felt like we had more reserves and more weapons coming from the bench. I think now you can say that in the end Germany always wins. They are deep and each player has their own identity. The team is simply unpredicatable

How valuable was Franz Wagner for this tournament. How is he a better player now than in 2023 despite 2 years of more experience?

The biggest change is that he grew into his body. I think he is a stronger player and at the peak of his qualities. His body helps suit the quick game of Germany. The guy is almost 210cm and handles the ball well. Coupled with his athleticism, he can dominate the game. He has a great IQ and made another jump in his game. He is consistent now and has no bad games. He simply plays at a very high level now.

Isaac Bonga continues to grow as a player since coming back from the NBA? Shouldn´t a tournament like this and especially how his game has developed the last 3 years give him another NBA opportunity?

Bonga plays very well and from what I have heard, there is NBA interest there. Bonga went to the NBA very young and his game has grown since he came back the last 3 years. He has a decent shot now. He is more than a 3 and D player now, but more of a specialist. The question is always is the NBA really a good thing? He showed the last few years that he could play well at the Euroleague level. In the NBA teams often play with a 8-9 rotation. There simply isn´t enough room for all players. Players want to play and not sit on the bench.

You either like or dislike Dennis Schroder (185-PG-1993), but he came up big in the second half after being closed down well in the first half. How do explain his unbelievable ability to be able to turn around the lever and play like a winner when his team needs it most?

Turkey was well prepared for him. He did a great job in the second half. He got more space and was able to produce with scoring. The problem is that nobody really knows him except his teammates. His teammates in the German national team have always stuck behind him. There is a blind understanding between them. He likes leading the team. The problem in the NBA was that he always played with more known players than him. He has so many more duties in the national team and he likes that.

I have never understood that despite showing the last years what an incredible leader he is for Germany, he gets overlooked by NBA teams and has been a journeyman? Do NBA bosses have the wrong perception of him?

The competition is highest at the guard position in the NBA. It is very tough to make it. Juan Carlos Navarro was a top player in Europe and came back after 2 years in the NBA. Anything besides being a role player is difficult. Dennis just isn´t at the level of the top players. He is 1 in many.

Dirk Nowitzki has been the GOAT of German basketball for more than 15 years. With the World and Euro won, Is Dennis Schroder at Nowitzki´s level in terms of being in the same category as him?

I wouldn´t compare 2 great players. I feel like both had different situations. Back when Dirk was playing, he had to carry the team more than a Schroeder. Dirk had to do it all and made his teammates better. The teams with Dirk also weren´t as good as this one. Dennis is full of great players. He is a clutch player.

One of the big winners is your colleague Alan Ibrahimagic went from assistant coach to Euro head coach winner. How valuable was his input? What do you believe could he still give a team that already had all the pieces of being a winning team?

I wasn´t there to see all the dynamics. Alex Mumbru had a plan and that was followed by the team. Alan always said that he didn´t take the role of Mumbru. Alan was on the side lines and had to make the right decisions. Sometimes things can go wrong when the head coach isn´t there. But Alan did everything right. He was calm and cool and never panicked. He did a great job. He let the team play and I never once saw him be nervous. He did his job perfect.

There were some nice plays in the final like Isaac Bonga´s dunk or Franz Wagner´s mega block. What was your favorite play of the final?

I loved that difficult lay in by Dennis Schroder in crunch time that he laid in high off the glass. There was so good help and he still made it was incredible. That was such a tough shot to make.

Can one compare Germany´s success now with Spain from 2006-2011 where it won a World Cup and 2 Euro championships. Does Germany have a dynasty?

Yes you could make that comparison. If one followed the youth development in Germany the last years, one could have had a feeling that success would come for the men´s national team, but never to this large extent. One could have thought that success may go away in Spain after the Gasol brothers retired. Now Germany have to continue to be hungry and take advantage of the current success. I feel like Germany could be playing for a medal in the next 10 years.

This dynasty should go on. The future still looks good with a nucleus of the Wagner brothers, Tristan Da Silva, Andi Obst, Isaac Bonga and Isaiah Hartenstein plus the new wave of guys like Ivan Kharchenkov, Hannes Steinbach, Matthieu Grujicic, Johan Grunloh, Christian Anderson and others. Does Germany have the mentality to keep it going with the new wave of players that you have seen the last years?

These are all great players. The question now is can the young players make the next step from youth to men´s basketball? You never know what direction a player will go in in their development. Some guys don´t make it. One good example is Luc Von Slooten. The hype was big, but he only became a solid BBL player. Tristan Da Silva is also a good example. I wouldn´t have expected him to make such big steps after I saw him in the NBBL, but he did. You never really know who will make it. The coaches of the players always see the best case scenario. I think it is important that these young talented players now take that mentality from the men´s team. There has been criticism of the Nil, but I see it as positive for the players. In the BBL it is tough to get minutes, but these guys will get good minutes in the NCAA.

You coach young men and are right there seeing the work and effort. Often now adays the talk is young players aren´t as hungry as back in the day. In other words players today aren´t challenged enough with too many outside influences. What makes young German players different than young players from other countries in this generation?

I really don´t see it so different. Things have changed in the last 20 years. You will have positives and negatives then and now. Now you can take your phone and see Kyrie dribble within 5 seconds. 20 years ago that wouldn´t have been possible. Then you would have had to inspire yourself in other means. Go out and practice shots, but it isn´t different now. The training is great with Alba Berlin. Guys aren´t doing less now. Guys know that everywhere in the world are talented kids training to get better. Players know today just like 20 years ago the more you work hard, the better chance you will have to make it.

Thanks Josef for the chat.

Robert Allen (Reale Mutua Basket Torino) Took The Words Show Them What You Want To Be Known For And Ran With It

Robert Allen (206-F-2000, college: N.Texas, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) is a 25 year old 206cm forward from Orlando, Florida playing his second professional season and first with Reale Mutua Basket Torino (Italy-Serie A2). Last season he played his rookie season with Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart (Austria-BSL) averaging (21.3), RPG-1 (11.2), 2.1apg, SPG-5 (1.7), FGP: 55.0%, 3PT-2 (41.6%), FT: 72.2%. He began his basketball career at Edgewater high school and then played 2 seasons at Samford University (NCAA) averaging 9.9ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 65.5% and 14.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 65.0%. He then played 3 seasons at the The University of Mississippi (NCAA) and then latched on a season at the University of North Texas (NCAA) averaging 7.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.9%, FT: 66.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Robert for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season with Reale Mutua Basket Torino (Italy-Serie A2) and your second overseas. What kind of an experience has Italy been for you?
Italy has been an amazing experience so far. The city as well as Italy as a whole is such a beautiful place. My team has been more than welcoming since my arrival. There are always things that you have to adjust to when you are an American coming into a new country and a player coming from a new team but that is something that comes with life and is very normal. It’s a totally different environment from Oberwart, and it’s truly everything I prayed for. I have been enjoying my stay here so far and have been able to explore the city a little

How blessed are you to be living in a city like Torino. Is a big culture shock to Orlando where you come from?
I am more than blessed for the opportunity to live in Torino. God has placed me in a city that has so much history behind it as well as its city like but not too crowded in a sense. There are a number of things that are different between Orlando and Torino but nothing that is a true culture shock. Mostly because Europe as a whole is different from Orlando. If I had to pick anything I would say their rules and roads when it comes to driving a car has been a little difficult but I am getting the hang of it.

You had a great rookie season in Austria and now are playing in one if not the top second league in Europe. How confident are you that your game can translate to the A-2 league?
I am highly confident that my skills will be able to translate in this highly ranked league. I believe I was placed here by God and If he made this one of my stops on this journey then I am meant to be here. I work hard, I love learning the game and I push myself to the max and that helps me to keep elevating my game. Lastly, I play with fire in me and a drive like no other and I think that separates me from others.

Your teammates with skilled American Macio Teague. What has it been like being his teammate? Could you 2 guys be that 1-2 punch that will carry the team to success?

Macio is a great player and an even better teammate, it has been great playing with someone who works as hard or even harder than me. On the court we need everyone in order to do big things in this league, that’s why basketball is a team sport. I can say that our present will be impactful to our team’s success.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 206cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?
I do not really watch the NBA so I do not have a comparison for you.

You’re a guy that can fill the stat sheet well. Have you always had that versatility in you or was that developed at the many NCAA schools that you played at?

I think it was always in me but it took me time to truly embrace it. There are often times coaches will put you in a box and only pull your strongest ability out of you that will help the team win. Throughout my college career that was the case but it was a blessing in disguise. Everyone wants to score the ball but it showed me there are other important things that impact winning other than putting the ball in the basket. It allowed me to strengthen my abilities in those categories. Which now has led to be me being like you said a person who can fill a stat sheet

You shot a lot of three’s at Samford, but then little at Ole Miss and N Texas and then a lot in Austria again. Was it tough not shooting many three’s for some years and then doing it again last season? How would you describe the development of your outside shot?

It was a hard transition for me. Going from a coach who wanted me to shoot at Samford to coaches who did not want me to shoot at Ole Miss and north Texas. It can be a tough mental battle when you know you can do something on the court but you’re being held back by your coach. Most coaches would label it as the way they created their teams. Therefore, they had players who were better three point shooters than me, which was true. At the time it wasn’t my strongest ability but it could be done. I let that motivate me honestly to keep working everyday on my own time. Just because I was not using my shot at the time, I knew it was a skill I could add to my game to make me a better player. Before I left for Austria a Vet pro player told me ‘ this is your chance to reinvent yourself, they don’t care what you did in college, that is what got you there. Go out there and show them what you want to be known for’. I took those words and ran with it, it was my chance to break out of the box. I kept working on my shot and different aspects of my game on my own time and when it was my time to shine. I didn’t hold back

Talk a little about the development of your defensive game. How would you describe your game now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

Defense was different from offense for me. It was something that came to me naturally. Being able to read the plays and understand how to defend the basket was naturally easier for me to understand. Un-like offense, I had to work day and night to get where I am now. I know that I am a good defender but there is always room for improvement. I want to become an ELITE defender, one who can do any coverage no matter the team or level of competition. A player who can defend all positions making more of a valuable and versatile player

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

I work on all parts of my game because I want to become an all around player, that is what is going to allow me to stand out and continue to elevate in my career. If I had to pick a few, it would be finishing around the basket. My wide post game and my shot 2s and 3s. As well as reading the court better on defense.

Last season you played your rookie season with the Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart (Austria-BSL) averaging (21.3), RPG-1 (11.2), 2.1apg, SPG-5 (1.7), FGP: 55.0%, 3PT-2 (41.6%), FT: 72.2%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I don’t know if I understand your question exactly but i will answer it to the best of my ability.
I do not think there was ever just a wake up call when I was a rookie that was like wow I’m far from home. When I got on that plane and left America I knew what I was coming to Austria to do. I understood and accepted all the sacrifices that came with the Job. My goals were already set and the fight began on the first day of practice. Now did I know I was going to play as well as I did NO but everyday I woke up I prayed to God for strength in order to keep chasing my vision he places on my heart.

You won the double in Austria and beat BBC Nord in the final. What was so special about this team last season?

I think we were just all focused on the same goal and that is what made us different from everyone else. No matter what was going on we all knew we wanted to win the championship. That was going to be the only way the season ended. It was a long season for sure and we did not want to waste any time at all. Therefore we all knew that in order to get as much rest and end the season the right way we had to win every series 3-0 and that’s what we did.

How special was teammate Quincy Diggs for you? That guy has it seen it all. Was he like a mentor for you?

Quincy is such a cool dude man, his presence on that team was a game changer, he is the type of dude that brings a team together and that is exactly what he did for us. When we needed it the most.

You began your NCAA career at Samford (NCAA) in 2018 and played 2 seasons averaging 9.9ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 65.5% and 14.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 65.0%. How valuable were these 2 seasons in your basketball development? How did your game grow there?

Honestly I feel like those seasons were more valuable mentally for me than it was to my game itself. It was like a wake up call , when I actually believed that I could play pro if I took basketball seriously. Those seasons ignited the first step of me truly believing in my basketball abilities. During my time at Samford I was just having fun with life. I was grateful to get out of Orlando and had the opportunity for basketball to be a way for me to get my college paid for.

You had many great games at Samford like scoring 23 points against VMI. What was your fondest moment at Samford?

My fondest moments at Samford weren’t even on the court. It was the time I got to spend with my teammates. Our team was like a family, we did everything together. That was the first time I really experienced something like that. Therefore just being able to play with them and enjoy the entire journey was my fondest moment. From the long bus rides to the hard losses. I enjoyed every second of it.

You then played at the University of Mississippi (NCAA) from 2020-2023 reaching the NIT Sweet 16. How tough was it going from playing a lot at Samford to having a lesser role? What did you learn from this experience?
It was a big challenge for me. I didn’t really understand the overall thought process of basketball because before I was just playing for fun and free education. It took me some time to understand everything but I was not going to give up. I found a way to get on the court my first year at Ole Miss and started playing more. My mind set at the time was to make sure I was prepared because my time was going to come and I knew I was going to be ready for it and did. My second year I was understanding it a lot more than my first year at Ole Miss. When I felt like I had finally got the ins and outs of the system I got injured. I tore my acl mcl and post lateral corner. Therefore throughout my years at Ole miss iIwent through a lot but I’m grateful for every step of the way. It made me who I am now. Throughout that journey I learned who Robert Allen really is and who he wants to be in life. I learned the amount of sacrifice it will take to fulfill the dreams I desire. I learned how to listen to my body more. Lastly for me that was the beginning of my rebuilding my relationship with God.


You then finished at the University of North Texas (NCAA) averaging 7.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.9%, FT: 66.3%. You reached the NIT Sweet 16. What memories do you have of that run? You scored 13 points against Tulane.

Not much at all for real, I just remember that my college career was coming to an end and I was going to play as hard as I could these last few games

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Moullaye Sissoko

Of course I did lol

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

I can’t remember

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Thats a hard question but Josh Sharkey ( samford) Anferene Simons ( Edgewater high school ) Matthew Murrel ( Ole Miss) Tye Fagan ( Ole Miss) Ziggy Reid ( Gunners)

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore (5 best players ever)?

Michael Jordan , Steph ‘Curry, Lebron , Dennis Rodman , Giannis

Who is your GOAT?

Giannis

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

I did not see it.

Thanks Robert for the chat.

Kenan Reinhart Pulls Out The Microwave Leading The Dragons Rhondorf to 83-80 Win Over Racing Luxemburg

The road to the start of the 2025-2026 Pro B season continues for the Dragons Rhondorf as they continue to test all they can to be ready for the new season. The club continues to showcase good performances were 3-0 having beaten Pro B teams Frankfurt, Neustadt and Rist Wedel. The club has demonstrated early on that the new coach Max Becker and his young team are on the same page defensively. The next test was against Luxemburg team Racing that moved up to the first division from the second division. It was the first test for the ex Pro A team in their living room Dragon Dome and 100 fans came out in support to see an interesting pre season duel as the Dragons Rhondorf survived a late scare by Racing Luxemburg to win 83-80. Racing Luxemburg did a great job reaching the free throw line 42 times, but missed 21 shots which severely hindered their chances to win while the Dragons Rhondorf secured 57 rebounds and were a real force with 24 offensive rebounds and played an overall superb team game having 5 guys in double figures led by Mr microwave Kenan Reinhart who led his team with 17 points. “I feel like we only played our real game for 10-20 minutes. Our focus was gone at the end. Even if our rebounding was a problem at the start, we came back and rebounded well. We were able to win this game through individual qualities”, stressed Dragons Rhondorf guard Kenan Reinhart. Racing Luxemburg had to overcome double figure leads by the Dragons Rhondorf, but never gave up and were in it until the end. They most likely would have won had they been able to connect better from the free throw line. “I love how we fought today. We were down in the third and fourth quarters, but always found an answer and came back. I´m proud of every player. We even had a chance at the end. We missed too many free throws and gave up too many offensive rebounds. All in all, it was a fun game”, stressed Racing Luxemburg forward Antonio Bivins.

Luis Soragha to the rim

The Dragons Rhondorf did get the lead 1-0 with a Daniel Mayr free throw, but Racing Luxemburg suddenly came to life taking the 8-3 lead as Miami native American Antonio walking bucket Bivins who once had a monster 52/24 game in Luxemburg scored 3 of the 4 baskets with all lay in´s as he displayed sheer athleticism. Rhondorf had problems with offensive execution and 1-1 defense, but slowly came out of their funk getting lay in´s by ex Iserlohn guard Jorge Mejias and Reinhart to trail 8-7. However Racing Luxemburg who were led by Bivins energy continued to carry the team with another lay while Steven Lanners who has played a decade with the team scored lay in´s for the 15-10 advantage. However the Dragons Rhondorf dead locked the game at 15-15 with an off balance runner by Dusan Ilic and a three pointer by Lagui Diallo. However Racing Luxemburg continued to be in scoring mood as they got a trey by Croatian guard Emmanuel Loncaric and a lay in by Colorado native Brendan Temple to lead 22-17 after 10 minutes. “We had a bad start. We showed little energy and focus. We didn´t make open looks early, but found our rhythm better late in the quarter and got back into the game”, stated Kenan Reinhart. Racing Luxemburg shot 42% from the field and 29% from outside and had 12 rebounds and 2 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 33% from the field and 10% from outside and had 16 rebounds and 6 turnovers.

Dusan Ilic at the FT line

In the second quarter Racing Luxemburg got away early from the Dragons Rhondorf and led by 9 points, but the Dragons Rhondorf battled back and had the 38-37 lead at half-time. Racing Luxemburg took off on a 6-2 run to lead 27-19 thanks to 4 points by versatile center Brendan Temple who displayed a beautiful bag of left hand, right hand, runners and floaters in his game. But Rhondorf did a good job using their height as ex Oberaching center Benjamin Sadikovic and young German Carlo Schmid scored on the pick and roll as Rhondorf trailed only 32-25. However Racing Luxemburg continued to keep up the pressure getting a lay in by Luis Soragha who is playing his 13th season with the team to lead 35-27. But the Dragons Rhondorf staged a late second quarter come back going on a 11-2 run to totally turn around the game and lead by 1 point after 2 quarters. In the run, the Dragons Rhondorf were led by California native and Swiss army knife Juhwan Harris Dyson with 3 buckets on the drive and including one on transition. Defensively the Dragons held the paint area with force with Daniel Mayr and Sadikovic. The Dragons Rhondorf also did a great job limiting Bivins with points from the field who had massive problems at the free throw line going 0/6 at half-time and was 4/15 for the game. “This had to be my worst game ever from the free throw line. I just didn´t feel comfortable with the ball in my hands. I will continue to attack and just need to make my free throws”, warned Antonio Bivins. “It was an up and down quarter for us. We were more aggressive getting to the rim and rebounded better. We also held Bivins better in check”, stated Kenan Reinhart. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 32% from the field and 6% from the three point line and had 34 rebounds and 9 turnovers while Racing Luxemburg shot 36% from the field and 13% from the three point line and had 21 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

Juhwan Harris Dyson form downtown

In the third quarter the Dragons Rhondorf took control of the game with a big run and led 69-56 after 30 minutes. Mayr began with free throws and then Harris Dyson and Bivins traded buckets as the Dragons Rhondorf had the slim 42-39 advantage. Back in the 80´d Detroit Piston Vinnie Johnson showed his microwave moments heating up and in Rhondoerf, they have their own microwave with Kenan Reinhart who led the Dragons Rhondorf on a 12-4 run as he scored 10 points in the run. “I wasn´t shooting well up to that point, but I just kept shooting. That really helped my self confidence”, said Kenan Reinhart. He made 2 lay up´s and nailed 2 three´s as well. Rhondorf did a good job during this run keeping the guests away from the free throw line. Racing Luxemburg kept fighting led by Bivins who continued to be a beast in the paint getting 2 buckets, but Rhondorf still led 57-48. The Reinhart push really carried his team as they continued to execute well as Ilic made a lay in on transition and trey while Diallo also made a three pointer as Racing Luxemburg trailed 66-49. The defensive intensity by the Dragons Rhondorf was really strong in the third quarter and the bigs continued to be a wall for Racing Luxemburg. Benjamin Sadikovic made a lay in at the buzzer to close out the third quarter. “We took the momentum for the second quarter. My shots gave the team motivation. We also were able to play our game in this phase as well”, added Kenan Reinhart. “They found the open man and we scrambled on defense. But we never put our heads down and kept fighting and trying to come back”, said Antonio Bivins. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 40% from the field and 20% from the parking lot and had 50 rebounds and 16 turnovers while Racing Luxemburg shot 33% from the field and 17% from the parking lot and had 29 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

Antonio Bivins at the FT line

In the fourth quarter Racing Luxemburg came back, but couldn´t get over the hump as the free throw line once again let them down. Mejias began the fourth quarter with a pull up jumper, but Racing Luxemburg then staged a brutal 12-0 run to trail only 71-68. In the run the guests got key support from Temple who added 6 points including a pretty left handed hook shot, but the bench also stepped up as Johan Bouttet hit a three pointer as did Angelo Caruso. Bivins also got into the action with a lay in. The Dragons Rhondorf lost their intensity while the guests stepped up their energy a few levels and played with emotion. ”I think with Schmid getting hurt may have brought us out of our rhythm. We did a good job stopping their bigs, but weren´t ready for Lanners”, said Kenan Reinhart. The Dragons Rhondorf held on to the lead, but couldn´t shake Racing Luxemburg. The Dragons went inside again something that helped them in other phases of the game. Giant Daniel Mayr added 6 points including a three pointer and led 79-71 with a few minutes to play. But Racing Luxemburg had found a way to come back all game long and did it again adding more intensity on defense and got 2 clutch three from sniper veteran Steve Lanners to trail only 79-77. “I love him. He is a great shooter and guy. We have so much confidence in him”, stressed Antonio Bivins. Reinhart then stroked home a trey and Mejias added a free throw, but Lanners wasn´t done yet as he nailed another trey to trail only 83-80 with less than a minute to play. Temple made a steal on Mejias which led to Lanners being fouled at the free throw line. He missed all 3. Game over. “We won´t win games if we miss so many free throws”, stated Antonio Bivins. “I remember asking Sadikovic why did you foul him. He will make them all. I was very surprised he missed all 3”, added Kenan Reinhart. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Kenan Reinhart with 17 points. Lagui Diallo added 12 points while Racing Luxemburg were led by Antonio Bivins with 24 points and Brendan Temple had 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 39% from the field and 22% from outside and had 57 rebounds and 21 turnovers while Racing Luxemburg shot 37% from the field and 28% from outside and had 40 rebounds and 16 turnovers.

Kilian Binapfl Leads PS Karlsruhe To 79-72 Pre-Season Victory Over The EPG Baskets Koblenz

The road to the start of the 2025-2026 season continues for the EPG Baskets Koblenz as they continue to test all they can to be ready for their third Pro A season. The club continues to showcase good performances especially in the Pro A as they beat new team RheinStars Cologne with ease and also upended the Giessen 46ers despite not being complete. They played the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim tough on the road, but went home with a hard fought loss where scoring was the main dish on the menu for both teams. With a little less than 2 weeks remaining to their first game against 2010 Eurochallenge winner BG Goettingen, they tested one more time against a Pro A team with PS Karlsruhe. Only 2 seasons ago, they won the Pro A and opted to remain in the Pro A. The club is always feisty and annoying to play. It wasn´t any different on this night in Koblenz as PS Karlsruhe despite coughing up the ball 25 times, defended hard all night, rebounded well and sank 33 free throws winning 79-72. 2019 NBBL champion Kilian Binapef was a force scoring 26 points and leading the charge for 2005 Euro silver medalist head coach Demond Greene. “We played aggressive all night long and did a great job getting to the free throw line. We were able to play our fast game and played as a team”, stressed PS Karlsruhe guard Kilian Binapfl (198-SG-2000). The EPG Baskets Koblenz had to play catch up basketball for the whole evening and never found a real rhythm on offense and had problems stopping the guests drive. “Our energy was low in the first half. We were able to pick up our energy and game more in the second half. Our defensive pressure was good at the end, but we didn´t play together as a team for 40 minutes”, stressed EPG Baskets Koblenz guard Garrett Hicks.

Jannis Sonnefeld at the free throw line

PS Karlsruhe who were without ex EPG Baskets Koblenz center Maurice Pluskota got off on a lightening 8-0 lead before even a minute was played. The guests caught Koblenz off guard drilling 2 three´s from Germans David Pisic and Binapfl and UK player Wesley Oba smacked home a hard dunk that had the gym very quiet. The EPG Baskets were flat while PS Karlsruhe could play their fast game and showed they had some range from downtown. PS Karlsruhe had massive on ball pressure and hedged well. Ex easyCredit BBL player Marco Bakak finally got Koblenz on the board with a lay in at the 6,07 minute mark. The EPG Baskets Koblenz began to defend more with heart and aggression which led to a trey by ex Kirchheim forward Jonas Niedermanner. However PS Karlsruhe didn´t lose their offensive rhythm as they added a trey by Mikal Dawson who played at the University of Akron and David Ejah who compares his game to Draymond Green made a lay in as Koblenz trailed 13-6. However Koblenz defended well and closed out the first quarter with a 7-2 run to trail only 15-13 after 10 minutes. The EPG Baskets Koblenz were able to play inside out basketball getting a lay in by ex Dragons Rhondorf center Alexander Moeller and a trey from ex wiha Panthers guard Badu Buck. “They began fast hitting shots while we missed too many open shots. We were too unconcentrated on offense, but had good on ball pressure. We didn´t play smart when to penetrate and when not to”, stressed EPG Baskets Koblenz sport director Thomas Klein.

Tyrese Williams from outside

In the second quarter both teams were able to heighten their offense somewhat, but it took a few minutes as both teams had 3 possessions a piece and were unable to score. PS Karlsruhe did a good job getting to the rim while Koblenz got 2 lay ups from Bacak and ex MBC guard Aleksa Kovacevic to trail 21-19. However Koblenz was unable to get over the hump as PS Karlsruhe took advantage of the EPG Baskets getting their 5th team foul early and responded with free throws from Pisic, ex Wurzburg guard Tyrese Williams and a lay in by Pisic for the 27-19 advantage. Koblenz had no ball movement and bad shot selection while the guests practiced good pick and roll defense. Koblenz also weren´t aggressive, but here and there they showed that when they were aggressive, they would be rewarded as Jonas Niedermanner and ex Trier forward Janis Sonnefeld made lay in´s to trail 28-23. DJ Jefferies who had only been in Germany 2 weeks made the dunk of the game with an explosive 2 handed jam as Koblenz trailed 30-25. “We will see more dunks like that. We try to hit him early so he can make dunks like that”, smiled Garrett Hicks. “I like to play above the rim and get the crowd excited”, smiled DJ Jefferies. PS Karlsruhe continued to hold the momentum and continued to execute well getting 2 baskets from David Ejah while Koblenz got some key support from ex Wurzburg guard Calvin Wishart who once again showed his rapid scoring adding 5 points, but PS Karlsruhe led 38-30 at half-time. “We continued to have concentration problems. We allowed them to get to the free throw line way too much. Our mind set just wasn´t there. We let guys like Binapel and Pisic beat us”, stated Thomas Klein.

Calvin Wishart from downtown

PS Karlsruhe continued to lead in the third quarter and tried to break away, but the EPG Baskets Koblenz continued to claw their way back and trailed only 55-52 after 30 minutes. Once again both teams had immense problems in the first minutes as both teams had 5 possessions with no points. PS Karlsruhe were aggressive and finally got some baskets from Binapel who made a nice move around Jefferies and Ejah made a pretty turn around shot for the 43-32 Ps Karlsruhe advantage. The EPG Baskets Koblenz had difficulty getting into the zone with their drives. But at times it doesn´t take a team long to fight back as Koblenz finally found their touch from outside getting three´s from Hicks and Buck to trail only 43-40. Kovacevic had been on the bench for some minutes and that order and calmness was missing, but once inserted, Koblenz got back on track. PS Karlsruhe once again were able to get away again to lead 49-42 as Oba and Binapfl hit free throws and Dawson made a lay in. However the EPG Baskets Koblenz kept fighting back led by Calvin Wishart who found his spots well making a lay in and 4 free throws to trail only by 3 points after 3 quarters. “We weren´t aggressive enough. When we are aggressive, we gave them problems. We had good on ball defense, but had problems stopping their drive”, commented Thomas Klein. “We lost some energy when they came back, but we still did a good job keeping the lead with our strong switch and hedging”, stated Kilian Binapfl. “Our vets picked us up. We pressure them more and hit more shots”, added Garrett Hicks.

Wesley Oba at the FT line

In the fourth quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz got their first lead of the game, but weren´t able to hold the momentum as PS Karlsruhe were able to get lead back and control the crunch time to win. The EPG Baskets Koblenz began the fourth quarter well as their offense clicked as Sonnefeld scored on the nifty back door pass by Bacak, Moeller made a lay in and Buck drilled home a trey for the 59-58 Koblenz lead. Niedermanner added another trey for the 62-58 lead as their 10-3 run shocked PS Karlsruhe. However PS Karlsruhe showed that they could duplicate Koblenz´s game with a run and three´s that led to 8 unanswered points. Binapfl began with free throws and Dawson and Ejah stroked home three´s for the 66-62 advantage. Buck answered with a clutch three pointer to trail 66-65, but Koblenz couldn´t buckle down on defense and get stops. Dawson added a lay up and Williams a in your face trey for the 71-65 PS Karlsruhe lead. Jefferies then made a lay in as Koblenz trailed 71-67 with 2,08 to play. “DJ came late to us. He still doesn´t have his fitness up to par. He can play ¾ and is quick on his feet. He is integrated well into team and is a nice guy. He is a real hustler and will give us an impact”, warned Thomas Klein. However PS Karlsruhe didn´t let up, but kept up the pressure getting a lay in by Binapel and 2 free throws by Dawson to lead 75-67 with less than 2 minutes to play. Calvin Wishart led a charge at the end with 2 steals and a lay in to cut PS Karlsruhe´s lead down to 75-71 with 1,01, but it wasn´t enough as the guests closed out the game with 4 free throws by Kilian Binapfl. “We got to the free throw line and stayed aggressive. We played smart and continued to share the ball well. We stuck together as a team despite the 2 turnovers at the end”, said Killian Binapel. “We let them get to the free throw line and couldn´t stop their transition. Plus our 1-1 defense wasn´t good”, stated Garrett Hicks. PS Karlsruhe was led by Kilian Binapfl with 26 points. Mikal Dawson added 15 points and David Ejah 12 points while the EPG Baskets Koblenz were led by Badu Buck with 14 points and Calvin Wishart added 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals. PS Karlsruhe shot 42% from the field and 27% from outside and had 42 rebounds and 25 turnovers while the EPG baskets Koblenz shot 40% from the field and 22% from outside and had 27 rebounds and 15 turnovers-.

Antonio Bivins(Racing Luxemburg) Has Carved Out A Fine Overseas Career In Luxemburg And Has A Chip On His Shoulder As His Dad Taught Him To Play Hard And The Right Way

Antonio Bivins (199-F-1992, college: UMass Lowell) is a 33 year old 199cm forward from Florida playing his 10th professional season and second with Racing Luxemburg. Last season he averaged 25.6ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.7apg, SPG-3 (2.5), FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 26.8%, FT: 67.8%. He has played most of his career in Luxemburg amassing 7 seasons there. But he also played in countries like Finland, Columbia, Bolivia and Uruguay. He began his basketball career at American high school and then played at UMass-Lowell from 2010-2014. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a test game against the Dragons Rhondorf.

Thanks Antonio for talking togermanhoops.com. Your playing a test game in Germany. You played most of your career in Luxemburg. Why didn´t you ever land in Germany and play for a team?

To be completely honest I’m not sure why I never played in Germany. I’ve played a few different German teams in different preseasons while being here in Luxembourg and competing against those guys has always been fun, but I guess I never just got the right opportunity to land a contract.

Your in your 11th season as a professional overseas. You have played in South American and Finland as well. What do you enjoy most about the basketball globetrotter life?

Traveling the world and seeing many different cultures has been a fun experience I enjoy most trying the different cultural food and comparing to the food that I’m used to and also to the other countries I’ve played in.

You have been a walking bucket your whole life. Do you have a chip on your shoulder? You could surely play at higher levels than where you have been?

I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder just something my dad instilled in me just playing hard and trying to play the right way. I’ve never really had the opportunity to go other places I am super grateful though for all of my opportunities up until this point.

You have had countless 20, 30 and 40 point games as pro. You once had a 52/24 game in Luxemburg. What do you remember from that game? Do you have a video of that game?

That 52/24 was amazing! I truly just remember being in a great zone mentally and everything was just moving in slow motion and of course I was making almost every shot I took that night! Unfortunately I do not have any film from that game but it will always be a great memory for me.

Your 33 years old. How good do you feel? Could you be a guy playing until your 40?

My body feels great honestly I have to stretch and warm up longer than usual but once I get the body warm I feel amazing. I don’t see myself playing until 40 I truly believe my body would shut down before then that would be entirely too much basketball I believe.

You have played most of your overseas career in Luxemburg. What do you enjoy most about the lifestyle?

I love the culture here in Luxembourg and the people have always been welcoming and it’s more Americanized than most people think. I’ve also started a family here so of course I love that the most!

Your playing your second season with Racing Luxemburg. What kind of an experience has it been playing for this organization?

Playing for Racing has been amazing up until now. From top to bottom from coaches, owners, and fans! They’ve been welcoming to and my family from day 1 and I will forever love them for that!

Last season you helped the club move back to the first league. What was so special about this team?

Yes last season we were able to achieve our team goal and reach promotion, we had a great group of guys and great coaches who pushed us everyday in practice and held us accountable. Our captain Max came in from the first practice and was our leader.

You played 2 seasons with Union Atletica Montevideo (Uruguay-Metropolitan) What kind of an experience was playing and living in Uruguay? What was your coolest experience off the court?

Playing in Uruguay for Union was amazing! The fans there welcomed and they love their basketball team. My favorite part about being in Uruguay playing for Union was living directly across the street from the beach and the food there was amazing!

You also played a season with Club Deportivo y Cultural La Salle de Tarija (Bolivia-Libobasquet) averaging 13.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 68.3%, 3FGP: 26.3%, FT: 52.6%. What was it like living in Bolivia? Did you ever visit La Paz and get infected by soccer?

Living in Bolivia was nice. But I never got a chance to fully embrace the culture there because I didn’t play there for a full season. I also wasn’t able to visit La Paz.

You also played a season with Kipina Aanekoski (Finland-1st Division) averaging 25.5 ppg 10.2rpg, 1.7apg, SPG-2 (4.0), 1.0bpg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 81.8%. Your game didn´t suffer despite Covid. Did all you do was focus on basketball?

Yes playing in Finland during the height of Covid made it super easy to just focus on basketball and my body!

You won 2 playoff series that season, but lost a tough 3 game series to Huima losing the last game 91-90. What memories do you have of that tough loss?

The only bad thing about that season was losing in the finals. All the games were played closed and to be honest that loss in the finals still sticks with me!!

You only played 4 games with Residence Walferdange (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) averaging 28.8ppg, 12.3rpg, 1.8apg, 4.0spg, 1.0bpg. What was it like being teammates with Marcus Neal? You were reunited with him again after playing with him with Kordall. Do you still have contact to him today?

I love Marcus Neal! He was like a big brother for me in Kordall and for Residence Walferdange. I still keep contact with him we speak practically everyday! Playing with him I learned so much about how to be a pro how to train and prepare for games.

You played your first 3 pro seasons with the Kordall Steelers (Luxembourg-Total League) averaging 27,0ppg and 10,0 rpg. Was this the best basketball that you played in your career?

Statistically I think that was the best basketball of my career, but my time in Uruguay I believe was my best basketball in my career!

How vital was German head coach Kevin Magdowski for you? He gave you your break in Luxemburg and then coached you again in Columbia.

Coach Kevin was a key part of me learning different ways to score the basketball. He put the ball in my hands from the first practice and always challenged me to do more on offense and defense. So much he asked me to go to Colombia with him. That being my first time in South America at that point him and I became closer there also because of our relationship in Luxembourg.

You played with Aguilas de Tunja (Colombia-Liga DirecTV) averaging 14.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6apg, SPG-1 (2.7), FGP: 59.3%, 3PT: 16.3%, FT: 59.3%. What memories do you have of Columbia? Was that league the strongest that you played in in South America?

My memories of Colombia were amazing and the basketball was great the fans were amazing and the country has so many different beautiful cities! The strongest league I played in while in South America was the LUB in Uruguay.

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

My first memory being overseas was going to the gas station and pumping gas first and paying. Still to this day that blows my mind every single time!

You played at UMass Lowell from 2010-2014. You reached the Northwest tournament final in 2012. What memories do you have of that season?

I will forever LOVE Umass Lowell!

You had many great games at UMass including 25 and 24 point games against Maine. What was your fondest moment on the court there?

My fondest memory was my senior night my last two college points was a poster dunk in front of all of our fans and students thinking about it right now brings a smile to my face.

How did head coach Pat Duquette groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Duquette instilled a lot of good practice habits in me he taught me how to watch film and most of all he and his entire staff held me accountable for everything I did good and bad and I’ll forever be thankful for them for that.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Kerry Weldon?

I won every 1on1 against Kerry I can give you his number so you can ask him. I love Kerry though he’s still my best friend!

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

Toughest player I played against was Shabazz Napier at UConn

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Donald Robinson, Brendan Temple, Marlin Mason, Marcus Neal, Dj Foreman

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore (5 best players ever)?

LeBron James, MJ, Kobe, KD, Shaq

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

Yes I saw the sequel and I wholeheartedly agree they should’ve left it alone!

Thanks Antonio for the chat.

Quantzez Robertson Googled Slim Jesus Right Away And Will Never Forget Kimmo Muurinen´s No Legs Plea For Help

I always knew that my interview sessions would never end with Quantez Robertson (188-SG-1984, college: Auburn, agency: Interperformances)n even almost 2,5 years after he retired. It is 2025 and I´m still interviewing him. This is my 76th interview/article since his rookie season in 2009. My love for him and his game is still there. And why not there are always interesting basketball topics to talk about. However never in a million years did I ever think that I would be preparing a few questions about his ex teammate Kimmo Muurinen who was his teammate seemingly ages ago in 2010-2011. I mean Kimmo was a very skilled player, but Finnish and more taciturn. It would be more fitting and logical to talk about guys like Jordan Theodore, Mike Morrison or Gordie Herbert who he had more dealings with during his Skyliner years. Muurinen who remembers nailing 50 free throws in a row and having Jordan and Magic as his childhood idols was one of those players that wasn´t flashy, but did what ever the team needed to win and was a great shooter as he shot 44% from the parking lot in his only easyCredit BBL season with Frankfurt. He was the kind of player that didn´t shy away from pulling a Larry Bird on the court and concentrated more on rebounding and defense and didn´t have to score consistently. “I think a hidden strength in my game is my dirty work like diving for loose balls that doesn’t get noticed as much”, said Kimmo Muurinen in 2011. When I told Quantez Robterson about slim Jesus, the first answer was Huh? Then I explained to him that Miikka Muurinen was producing a massive splash at the 2025 Euro especially with the dunk that went viral against England and seemed to pop up on everyone´s phone from Helsinki to Sydney, Australia. Miikka was 3,5 years old when he arrived in Frankfurt with dad Kimmo in late summer of 2010. “I remember his little son. Man that makes me feel old. Time shows that everyone has been growing over the years and kids then are showing their talent as players now”, chuckled Quantez Robertsonn. Tez as everyone calls him also remembers a funny experience with Kimmo Muurinen during training camp in 2010. “I think we were in the Czech Republic. I remember he was playing defense and was so tired. Some guy made a move on him and Kimmo just fell to the ground. He just said oh no no more legs. Gordon Herbert and Klaus Perwas were laughing”, remembered Quantez Robertson.

Quantez Robertson at Halloween in USA

I felt it was time to catch up with Quantez Robertsonn again after last talking to him shortly before Christmas 2024 when he was celebrating his 40th birthday and went down memory lane once again with me. I reach Quantez Robertsonn on a Saturday night as all I hear around him are kids and noises. Tez apologies saying he is at a volley ball game of his daughter. The ex Auburn guard who was a freak athlete during his playing days retired in 2023 and like every other ex baller has gotten used to not playing anymore or has he? “I would like to say retirement has gotten easier, but it´s still tough. Believe me if I could, I would love to jump on the court right away again, but I did retire because of injury”, stressed Quantez Robertsonn. It is never easy for retired players to keep their shape that they had when they were professional athletes. Often they will gain weight while others will really ballon in weight like guys Like Shawn Kemp, Shaq and Magic Johnson have. Tez has had a hinderance with his foot. “I don´t have the weight that I had as a player. I had surgery on my foot and that kept me doing a lot of physical activity. My foot is healed. I do a lot with my kids”, said Quantez Robertsonn. The last time we checked in with him he was coaching basketball at Tennessee Valley Community Christian, but since then he has found a new job in life. “I have stepped away from teaching kids for the time being. If the opportunity ever presents itself again, I might do it again. At the moment, I´m a warehouse manager at Alabama A& M”, stated Quantez Robertsonn. Of course he is very active supporting his 2 kids with their sports. His daughter plays volleyball, softball and basketball while his son plays baseball and football.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Tez Robertson

No interview with Quantez Robertsonn can happen without Skyliner talk. Once again the Skyliners have reeled in many new faces for the 2025-2026 season, but one thing hasn´t changed. Klaus Perwas is still there and for the first time in his career the head coach from the start of a season. That has to be a good omen for the season. “Yes it is. He was always cool and focused as an assistant coach. Now as head coach, we can see how he does everything his way. His defensive principles were always the same as Gordie Herbert. Now we will see how his offense will work. He has always been known as a defensive coach, but now we will see how the Skyliners offense works”, commented Quantez Robertsonn. One thing that we will never know is how the Skyliners history would have evolved from 2019 until now had Perwas became head coach in 2019 after Herbert had left. “I think that Klaus would have been able to have kept the tradition of reaching the playoffs alive. I mean it is always tough with personal and injuries, but I feel the history would have been different”, expressed Quantez Robertsonn. Since Tez´s departure, the club is still looking for an identity figure. Maybe it could be Garai Zeeb, but Tez had one guy in mind who left after 2 seasons. “I think that David Muenkat would have been a good choice. He was a beast at both ends and had many dunks. He got big blocks and was able to get the fans to their feet”, remembered Quantez Robertsonn. So after playing 14 seasons with the Skyliners organization and having hundreds of teammates, with what guys did he have contact with just in the last week? “I talked with Mike Morrison, Jordan Theodore and Aaron Dornekamp”, smiled Quantez Robertsonn. It is only logical that a Fiba winning team from 2016 never loses contact.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Tez Robertson in Frankfurt in 2024

Another topic that I have to share with Tez is the current 2025 European championships where Germany is seemingly marching to their next medal. They won a hard fought quarterfinal game against Slovenia. Despite a 39/10 game by Luka Doncic, Germany prevailed with a strong last quarter after not playing particularly well in the first 30 minutes. To have your 2 best players with Dennis Schroeder and Franz Wagner combine for only 11/37 and still win with 8 points shows just how many other weapons Germany has. It is amazing how incredible Germany´s track record is in the last 3 years with a Bronze at the Euro, Gold at the World Cup and a fourth place finish at the Olympics. “Germany has so much talent now with all their NBA and Euroleague players. They have so much experience. They are so tough now. Before this success, they didn´t get their top guys, now they have all their best players. They are able to show their real talent now”, warned Quantez Robertsonn. In German basketball one talks about guys like Detlef Schrempf, and Dirk Nowitzki as people who were very important for the sport. But in the last years, one has to put a Gordon Herbert with these names. “Gordie changed the culture and showed how to win. He brought a different demeanor and coaching style. Players simply love to play for him. He gets the best out of every player”, stressed Quantez Robertsonn. Tez is really proud to have been teammates with current German national players Isaac Bonga and Leon Kratzer. Was he like a mentor for Bonga? “I was a mentor for all the young players in Frankfurt. I showed them the ropes and tricks on the court. I didn´t work privately with any one player. I taught Isaac defensive concepts and helped his mobility and control on defense”, stated Quantez Robertsonn. He played a few seasons with Bonga and then saw him move to the NBA and Euroleague. “My fondest moment with him was when he was drafted. I told him that I wanted some adidas socks”, said Quantez Robertsonn. He also witnessed Leon Kratzer on a daily basis for 2 seasons in Frankfurt. Kratzer´s rise from then on with Bonn and Paris has been amazing. “Leon made big steps each season. He left a big impression in Frankfurt even if he made small steps on offense. He was always a problem on defense. It wasn´t easy to score on him with his rebounding and shot blocking ability”, added Quantez Roberson. In the States, the only thing that really counts in the basketball world is the NBA and Olympics. In 2027, Germany will be strong with their core of veterans along with most likely Isaiah Hartenstein and many young guys. How does he see a USA-Germany match up then? “USA will be strong. I mean we won´t have Lebron, but we will have our best players. And we have a scary young group of guys coming up. USA will still beat Germany”, smiled Quantez Robertsonn. That is still 2 years away. Now all Germany is concerned about is beating Finland in the semi´s and winning the Gold. I´m sure Tez will have his fingers crossed for Germany this weekend.

Dyami Janeck Has A New Challenge With LWD Basket Leeuwarden And Wants To Get Comfortable In The Uncomfortable And Read The Game At The Next Level

pic credit: FIBA

Dyami Janeck (185-PG-2005) is a 19 year old 185cm guard playing his first season in Holland with Leeuwarden. He began his career with ROTH Energie Basketball-Akademie Giessen (NBBL) and then played the last 3 seasons with the Dragons Rhondorf NBBL and Pro B teams. He played a total of 27 Pro B games and last season averaged 3,5ppg. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Dyami for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing with Leeuwarden. It will be your first time playing in Holland. How big is your relation to Holland?


Thanks for having me! The Netherlands has been my second home country. My mother is Dutch and my brother and I have the Dutch Nationality as well since we were children. Furthermore the rest of my family lives in the Netherlands and I always visited them when I was young. Therefore it really feels like a second home in the Netherlands additionally to Germany.
Was going to college in the States ever an option for you? Why did you decide to go to Holland? It is obviously a big new challenge for you.

Firstly I just finished my school this summer, after that I had great tryout experiences and interest in Germany. Then my focus was on the Dutch U20 National Team, which I got selected again this year and after the Eurobasket in Armenia, BNXT clubs showed interest. So there was no time to think about college, but it is for sure in my mind and let’s see what the future brings. Now I feel myself on a really good journey here in Leeuwarden and I am thankful for this great new challenge.

How did you see your development with the Dragons in the last 2 years? Did you feel like you couldn’t do it as well as now with Leeuwarden?
At the Dragons I had a great developing time with the coach Stephan Dohrn. There were inspiring teammates, wonderful fans and good individual trainings by the Telekom Baskets Bonn. The last 4 months after Stephan Dohrn left, it was a bit more difficult for me, also due to the fact that I had an injury. Since 2022 I was at the TABU school in Bonn. They have a great support for athletes, which allowed me to have my focus completely on Basketball. This gave me the optimal possibility to finish my Abitur and have a strong basketball development with the Dragons the last two years. Now I know that Leeuwarden is the best place for me to make my next steps in my basketball career.

What were the main reasons for signing with Leeuwarden? The club was founded in 2004 and until now only reached the final in Holland once?
I am very much in the moment. With the coach Vincent Van Sliedregt, and with all the players, which I get to know now every day a little more, it feels really good for me to grow and develop here in Leeuwarden at the BNXT Level.

How did the talks go with head coach Vincent Van Sliedregt? What did you like about his basketball philosophy the most?
We had a very open and sympathetic exchange in which I could express my sport desires and goals. Now that we worked already some weeks together I can say that I really like his character and mindset.

You are playing in the first division called BNXT. This is levels above the Pro B. What kind of expectations do you have?
I want to improve every day, which means working hard and learning a lot in practice. This way the performance in the game will improve. Matching and surpassing the energy and physicality is the most important thing right now.

What is your goal with your game this season? On what areas do you want to make the next steps?
For sure the main area is shaping myself authentic as a Ball handler. I want to get comfortable in the uncomfortable and read the game on the next level.

You played 2 seasons with the Dragons Rhoendorf. What was your other nicest experience besides winning the Pro B title in 2024?
Winning the Pro B title in 2024 is an experience I will never forget. Besides that I really enjoyed playing for the fans and seeing them go crazy in a packed Dragon Dome. Interacting with the fans and seeing the happy faces from the kids when you high five them was for sure one of the nicest experiences in the two seasons for the Dragons.

Your minutes in the Pro B went from 4 to 10 in the last 2 seasons. How did your game grow?
I would say the key words are consistency and confidence. Knowing in what areas your strengths are and learning how to use them really helped me and this way I got more opportunities to play more minutes. I always kept working hard and the rest concerning minutes was not in my hands.

You always gave instant energy from the bench. Did you always have that high energy in your game or was that mostly developed in Rhoendorf?
That energy has always been a big part in my game due to the fact that I am a very energetic and motivated person. Basketball gives me the space to let this out.

You had many great teammates in Rhoendorf. Which player had the biggest impact on you in the last 2 seasons?
Kelvin Omojola. He was my Captain for the last 2 Seasons in Rhoendorf. He is a great leader but also having that matchup in practice really had a big impact on me. Every time when I had questions he didn’t hesitate to answer, I really learned a lot from him.

Last season you had 3 very good scoring games against the Lowen, Wurzburg and Speyer. What was your best Pro B game last season?
Every game gives me something to learn from. I just keep working. If I had to choose one of the three you mentioned it would be Speyer, because I really liked how I played Defense in that game.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Janne Muller?
It has always been a pleasure to practice with Janne. But my main mindset is to bet on yourself.

You played at the U-20 European championships averaging 5.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 76.5%. What kind of an experience was this for you?

Last year in 2024 was my first experience at the Dutch U20 National Team, the long selection of 6 weeks and the whole European Championship made a big impression on me. This year at the European championship in 2025, I was grateful to have been selected again and could grow even more. Playing in a different environment like that really helps to improve, be more consistent and adapting yourself.

How is the state of Dutch basketball in general? How do you see the future?
I feel like the Dutch Basketball is improving every year and there is a lot of talent.
In addition the BNXT is a great League for all the people in this area to enjoy, emphasize and get a closer connection to Basketball.

What Dutch players are up and coming? Would you include the Slingerland brothers?

There are a lot of good Dutch players that are playing in college and other very respected leagues.
With Noah Slingerland I played two summers together at the National Team and he is a great person. I have a very good relationship with him and I enjoyed having him as my teammate a lot. Noah now plays in the BNXT League, but he also played a year for Oldenburg in Germany and his brother Yanu is at the moment in Ulm. I would for sure include the Slingerland brothers, both are great Players.

Who are your 4 best players of all-time in the NBA euroleague and from Germany?

NBA: Lebron James, MJ, Kobe Bryant, Shaq
Euroleague: Vassilis Spanoulis, Kostas Sloukas, Mike James, Luka Doncic
Germany: Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schroeder, Franz Wagner, Andi Obst

Who is your GOAT?

If it is between MJ and Lebron, I take Lebron. But personally Kyrie Irving is my favorite player.

Thanks Dyami for the chat.

Shawn Scott(Lok Bernau) Believes That Isaiah Hartenstein´s NBA Title And Rise Adds A Fresh Modern Layer To German Basketball Pride

Shawn Scott (185-G-1996, college: SW Christian) is a 29 year old 185cm guard that will completed fourth season pro season and first with Pro B team TSV Neustadt temps Shooters averaging 6.8ppg, 6.1rpg, 3.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 77.9%. Last season he played with BG Hagen averaging 30.1ppg, 9.0rpg, Assists-2 (5.9apg), Steals-5 (2.7spg), FGP: 59.9%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 78.0%. In 2022-2023 he split time with TVO Biggesee / TV Jahn Lindhorst (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 31.2ppg, 10.4rpg, 6.1apg, 3.6spg, 2FGP: 56.2%, 3FGP: 30.4%, FT: 77.6%, in Jan.’23 moved to BG 2000 Berlin (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 14.2ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.6apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 64.4%. He began his career at Jenks High School and then played 3 seasons at Southwestern Christian University. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the 2025 NBA finals

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

Thanks for having me Miles! I’m currently in Phoenix Arizona and my offseason has been pretty good but really focused on making sure my body is in shape and healthy for the next season.

How has your summer been? Did you visit any nice spots in Europe before heading stateside?

It’s been great! I’ve done quite a bit of traveling in the states but wasn’t able to go anywhere in Europe because I had to go home pretty early.

How has the summer transfer period been for you? Do you think like you may play in Germany again?

It’s been good. I think I will be coming back to Germany for next season yes.

Let´s talk NBA. OKC are NBA champions. They dominated the whole season. What made them the best team for you?

I think chemistry. Those guys genuinely love each other and you could see by the way they play defense that they were so in sync and I think chemistry has a lot to do with that. Everyone knew Shai was the go to guy and the others played their roles perfectly and that’s what got them a championship.

How did you rate OKC going into the 2024-2025 NBA season. Were they a team you saw making a run in the playoffs?

For sure. They were always going to be a playoff team but the main question was could they get over that hump of getting eliminated early. I honestly believed that once they got past Denver, it was going to be smooth sailing but Indiana proved that that wasn’t going to be the case.

What is your summary of the finals? Did OKC win it fair and square?

They won fair and square yes. You can’t predict an injury is going to happen and I really feel bad for Haliburton and Indiana out more of fight than I expected them to. But I do believe Okc won it 100% fair and square.

Tyrese Haliburton had 9 points in the first 8 minutes, but then left with injury. The Pacers kept pace for a long time. Would the Pacers have won the final with him?

I don’t think so, but it would’ve been extremely close as it was all the way until the end. I just think Okc would’ve get it done at home no matter what.

Where do you rank Tyrese Haliburton now as a point guard in NBA? Is he top 5 now?

He’s not top 5 currently no, but top 10 for sure. He’s a great player no doubt but he has some inconsistencies that I think he needs to fix. But you can’t deny that he is built for the moment and he showed that all playoffs.

What was key in game 7 for OKC winning. If you look at the stats, the To´s seemed to be the big key.

TO’s and I think just staying calm. They’re a young team and not experienced in these situations so I think staying poised when it got rough was the key and sticking to their game plan.

What was the difference between OKC´s defense and other teams? How key was having a coach like Mark Daigneault for keeping the defensive principles intact all season long?

OKC ran one of the most switchable defenses in the league. They didn’t rely heavily on traditional drop coverage; instead, they often switched or hedged depending on the matchup. Mark Daigneault got every player, from star to role player, to commit to defensive principles. That’s not easy with a young roster.

If you had to chose an unsung hero for OKC in the final series and season who would it be?

Alex Caruso, he was everywhere defensively and knocked down big time shots when they needed it.

Which Indiana Pacer player made the biggest jump this season?

So many of their players have showed consistency the last years. Andrew Nembhard, He went from being a steady role player in his rookie season to becoming a secondary playmaker and clutch scorer.

SGA made the next step. Is he the top point guard in the NBA and top 3 best players in world?

Yes for sure. SGA has been consistent the past few years with being essentially unguardable and took a crazy leap defensively.

What is the next step for SGA? Can he elevate his game now to another level or has he reached his prime?

I mean, he’s a consistent 30 ppg scorer and can play defense. I think the only thing really is being able to knock down 3’s consistently which I think he was 40% shooter in regular season.

How cool is it for Germany having that second NBA winner ever after Dirk Nowitzki with Isaiah Hartenstein. You played most of your career in Germany.

It’s very cool and meaningful for Germany to now have Isaiah Hartenstein join Dirk Nowitzki as an NBA champion. Dirk will always be the icon, but Hartenstein’s rise adds a fresh, modern layer to German basketball pride.

Hartenstein became a NBA champion with OKC after having to pay his dues for many years. Still I feel like he isn´t respected as a offensive scorer yet. OK so OKC has many great offensive players, but can Hartenstein ever get more of a scoring role? He just doesn´t get enough shots.

Hartenstein has one of the best floaters I’ve ever seen as a big, so maybe if he can work on being able to take one dribble and getting to his spot, he can easily become an offensive threat.

How did you see development of Jalen Williams. Is he on track of becoming an NBA superstar?

Jalen Williams’ development in the 2023–24 season was a major leap, and yes he’s absolutely on track to becoming an NBA superstar if he continues this trajectory.

How key was the big man duo of Holmgren/Hartenstein. Would OKC have won only with 1 player?

Major. I think with just Chet, it wouldn’t have been enough to win so adding Hartenstein was the best thing they could’ve done.

What is possible now with OKC. I picked a dynasty with Boston last season and was wrong. Can it happen with OKC?

Okc is set with draft picks for the next four years which makes Sam Presti a genius. Winning a championship this early and with a young team shows that a dynasty could be brewing.

Thanks Shawn for the chat.

Justin Edler-Davis Has Shown Consistency His Whole Pro Career And Believes His Defensive Versatility Is Underrated

Justin Edler-Davis (193-G/F-1998, college: CSUB) is a 27 year old 193cm guard from San Diego, California playing his fourth professional season and first with the Veolia Towers Hamburg. Last season he played with CSO Voluntari (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 14.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 48.2%, FT-3 (91.6%); and in the ENBL averaged 14.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 74.5%, 3PT: 46.7%, FT: 90.7%. In the 2023-2024 season he played with KB Peja (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 17.4ppg, Reb-3 (9.2rpg), 2.0apg, Steals-2 (2.0spg), FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 78.8%. He played his rookie season with S.C. Lusitania EXPERT (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 15.8ppg, Reb-3 (8.5rpg), 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT-3 (90.0%). He began his career at Morse high school and then played at California State University Bakersfield (NCAA) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 147 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Justin for talking to germanhoops.com. After stints in Portugal, Kosovo and Romaina, you now

will play in Germany for BBL team Hamburg Towers. How blessed do you feel?

I am extremely happy and thankful any time a club gives me an opportunity to represent them. I

am excited to get things going with the Towers.


You have proven in every league that you can be a top scorer and rebounder. How confident are you

that your consistency will continue in Germany?

I am confident that I can continue the consistency into any league I play in because of the work I

put into my game. I feel as though my work is translatable and I can make the necessary changes to

be productive in Germany.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

From an outside perspective I have only heard positive things about the country of Germany as a

whole. The BBL is a league that I have followed since I have become a professional and somewhere

that I have wanted to play because it is a high level league and is seen all over the world.


Have you had any friends or former teammates or opponents play in Germany besides Justin McCall?

Off the top of my head Deandre Lansdowne is a guy that comes to mind. He trains in my

hometown during the offseason and he was my opponent in the FIBA Europe Cup when I was in

Kosovo.


You will play for BBL team Hamburg Towers. Was playing Eurocup one of major reasons why you

signed there?

Playing in the EuroCup was a major factor because it is a level that I believe I should be on and

pairing that with playing in the BBL was something that became difficult to refuse.

How did the talks go with head coach Benka Barloschky. What did you appreciate right away from his

basketball philosophy?

Talks with Benka went well starting from our first conversation, we connected well and he showed

that he was intrigued with me as a player. I appreciate that he’s a coach that likes to play with

tempo because I believe that it is an attractive brand of basketball and one that suits my game

well.


Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA

player who would best fit the description?

I have always tried to model my game after Kawhi Leonard even though I’m not as tall as him. His

versatility on both sides of the floor is what I have always aspired to have. Mid-range pull ups

offensively, defensive switch ability. Things like that are what I have tried to incorporate into my

game.


You score the ball really well and are an excellent rebounder for your height. What other strengths

does your game have?


Another strength is that I am switchable defensively and guard 1-4 maybe even 1-5 depending on

the matchups. I believe my defensive versatility is underrated.


You’re a really good rebounder. How do you explain this and do you have a particular rebounding

guard that you like to watch?

My rebounding comes from when I was playing position 4 throughout my college career and

learning how to get the ball off the rim as well as positioning. I always watched PJ Tucker

specifically when he was on the Rockets and he was their starting center. We are the same height

& weight so it was natural to watch him.

You were always an ok three point shooter but last season in Romania shot 48% and in the ENBL shot

46%. How do you explain this crazy rise last season?

My shooting became an emphasis the summer before this past season and it was something that I

dedicated a lot of time into. Those shooting percentages are products of fixing slight form issues

that I had in my shot and I also improved my shot selection which helped my percentages.

How would you describe yourself at the moment as a defender? Where would you like to take your

defensive game to?


Like I said earlier I believe I am quite versatile defensively the biggest thing I would have to

become better at is when I am a help-side defender.


On what areas of your game are you working on most so you be best prepared for Germany?


I am dedicating a lot of my time to my ball handling and being able to create for myself off the

dribble I think those would be things other teams would put on my scouting report.


Last season you played for CSO Voluntari (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 14.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 48.2%, FT-3 (91.6%); and in the ENBL averaged 14.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 74.5%, 3PT: 46.7%,

FT: 90.7%;. You had a long post season playing 14 games. You lost a tough playoff series to Valcea.

What will you always remember from that series most?

What I will remember most from that series is us fighting back to get the series to a

fifth game. It would have been easy for us to be ready to be done especially in a third

place series but we showed character and continued to play.


How special will this season always be? You won the ENBL title as well as Cup. What made

this team so special?


For me it is one of the more special seasons I have had in my career, winning 2

trophies in one season is really hard to do. What made our team so special was how

together we were, everyone in the club from the owners all the way to our chefs &

custodians were great people and it contributed to us having a successful season.

What was it like being teammates with Mike Caffey? That guy has seen it all including the

Ukraine war in 2022.

Mike is a great guy off the court as well as a great teammate, he put us in a lot of

positions to not only score because he was one of the leaders in assists but he was

the engine for our season and one of the main reasons we were successful.

You played your second pro season with KB Peja (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 17.4ppg, Reb-

3 (9.2rpg), 2.0apg, Steals-2 (2.0spg), FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 78.8%; FIBA Europe Cup

averaged 15.8ppg, 9.7rpg, 3.3apg, 3.0spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 85.7%; Balkan League

averaged20.8ppg), Reb-2 (10.0rpg), 2.5apg, Steals-2 (1.6spg), FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT-2 (88.6%). You were so consistent. Was this your best season as a pro?

I wouldn’t say it was my best season as a pro because we fell short in winning trophies, we were

expected to win and didn’t so that was a bit disappointing not winning a single trophy or even getting to a final.


You played your rookie season with S.C. Lusitania EXPERT (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 15.8ppg, Reb-

3 (8.5rpg), 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT-3 (90.0%). What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

The wake up call for me was the way of life, especially being on an island. Being from California it was

completely different than what I was used to but I think that I adjusted well.

You had many great games including against top teams FC Porto and Benfica. What was your nicest

memory in Portugal that season?

I would say the nicest moment for me was making it to the cup final four that season, even though

we didn’t win it was special for Lusitania because they aren’t the biggest club so it was nice to

represent them in that way.

You played at the California State University Bakersfield from 2017-2022. You never averaged over 10,0ppg. What kind of role did you have and how did your game grow in these 5 years?

My position in college was mainly the small ball 4 so my role consisted of getting my offense out of being the screener in pick and pops and rebounding which is why I feel like I’ve become a decent rebounder.

You had so many great games there like sinking a buzzer beater at Idaho. What was your fondest moment there?


I played against a lot of bigger schools like Arizona, Gonzaga, Arkansas, UCLA, USC I would say being

able to compete on that level and in those facilities are something that I will always remember.

How did head coach Rod Barnes groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Coach Barnes taught me how to have a proper work ethic in terms of getting in the weight room,

extra shots, etc and learning that is the reason why I am in the position I am now.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Travis Henson?


We didn’t play much 1-1 from what I remember but if we do play it would be close for sure

because he’s a great player but obviously I think I will win.

Who is the toughest player that you ever played against that reached the NBA or Euroleague?

Toughest player I’ve ever played against was Demar Derozan in the Drew League which is a

summer pro-am league based in Los Angeles. I was guarding him the entire game and thought I was

playing good defense until I looked at the stats after the game and he had 30 points.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?


This is tough. I’d say the 5 best teammates I’ve had since being a pro are:

Derek Jackson, Trey Moses, Mike Caffey, Lee Skinner and Jay Jay Chandler

Please list your NBA, Euroleague and German Mount Rushmore? That means your 5 best players?


NBA: LeBron James,Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul Jabbar

EuroLeague: Mike James, Vassilis Spanoulis, Kyle Hines, Vasislje Micic, Sergio Llull

German: Dirk Nowitzki, Detlef Schrempf, Dennis Schroder, (those are the only Germans I know)

Who is your GOAT


LeBron James the only correct answer.

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


I am believer in never having sequels because they are never as good as the first movie!


Thanks Justin for the chat.

KJ Sherril Knows That The EPG Baskets Can Score But Defense Will Be The Staple Since That Wins Games

KJ Sherrill (203-F/C-1991, college: Augusta) is a 34 year old 203cm forward that enjoyed a 8 year pro playing career overseas. He played with the Bona Baskets Limburg, the SG Luetzel-Post Koblenz (Germany-Regionalliga), Dragons Rhondorf, Telekom Baskets Bonn 2 team, Herten and the Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA). He played college ball at Charlotte (NCAA) from 2009-2012 playing 75 NCAA games and also played a season at Augusta University (NCAA2). He was an assistant coach with the Dragons Rhondorf from 2023-2025 and now is an assistant with Pro A team EPG Guardians Koblenz. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his new coaching gig with the EPG Baskets Koblenz.

How refreshing is it for you to be reunited with Stephan Dohrn. Is the work more challenging at the Pro A level than at the Pro B level?

It’s a pleasure to be alongside Stephan and Kai once again. I’m learning a lot from these guys along the way. The work load is a bit more in Pro A than Pro B, I’d say everyday is a challenge for me just because I’m still in my learning phase as a coach.

The team looks really good this season. The club has little Americans and more Germans and experience. How is your feeling about this team especially after beating one of the top Pro A teams Giessen?

I think we have a great group of guys but of course we still need lots of work. It’s still early in preseason but we’re making the right steps in the direction we want to go. Improving day by day in practice so that we have better executions in games with our good roster. The win against Giessen was a confidence booster for us, but we don’t want to settle and we want to continue building from there.

Is the philosophy this season correct with hard nosed defense and free on the offensive end? That isn’t much different than what we saw in Rhondorf?

Yes it’s pretty much the same concept here in Koblenz. With Stephan, he puts emphasis on defense. So we want that to be our identity, not just an offensive team. We know we can score, but we want to have consecutive defensive stops. That’s what wins games.

The team had good bigs last season, but this season with Bacak, Moeller and Sonnefeld real experience. It seems like the bigs weren’t as fully involved scoring wise last season. Could there be a change this season?

Our bigs maybe won’t be our outstanding scorers, but their presence under the basketball is what we need. Rebounding and being physical down low. Controlling the paint and setting good screens. With their experience, they are able to contribute to the game a whole lot and we are happy to have them with us.

How fortunate is it for Jannis Sonnefeld to play with big veterans Bacak and Moeller? Could he be one of the big surprises this season?

Sonnefeld is young but I would say he plays just as hard as the experienced guys. He will be a big factor for us this season and he has the perfect group of experienced guys to help lead him along the way.

I believe Calvin Wishart was the best signing? I heard MVP chants from someone during RheinStars game when he scored 8 points in 1 minute. Is he MVP material?

With Calvin’s scoring ability, I think it’s possible that he could become MVP in the future, but all he wants to do is win and contribute to his team. So regardless MVP or not, he will be one of our main guys.

I really love the game of Aleksa Kovacevic. He was the team’s second best signing. Do you feel like he is on a mission to show all that he ‘deserves to be a BBL player with a great pro A season?

Aleksa could potentially be one of the best guards in Pro A. He’s capable of being a huge threat offensively and defensively despite his size. I love his aggressiveness and hard nosed defense. But offensively, I see him being very successful for us.

Badu Buck is a guy you know well from Rhondorf. He had some growing pains before Rhondorf but was reborn there. What kind of a role do you see him having in a stacked team this season something he adjusted well to in Rhondorf?

Badu’s biggest role is that he is a leader. He may be the most vocal guy on the court and his experience helps make the game easier for others simply because he has such high IQ. He puts players in the right positions, the young guys especially look up to him and he does a great job leading them. In my eyes, maybe the best addition to the team. He’s our captain for a reason.

Tim Smith Jr is the other guy you know well from Rhondorf. Is he going to be this team’s version of the guy doing the dirty work especially under the glass?

Tim is our slim reaper, similar to Kevin Durant. Tim may be one of the best shooters in the league, from inside and outside. He can score in so many different ways. His game is great to watch and I think he will have a major role on this team.

Garrett Hicks is a very special player. How lucky is the team to have him who can do it all on the court and can score in bunches?

We were very pleased to sign Garrett. His abilities on the court for his size is like no other. Not only can he shoot from deep, his ability to attack the rim is very nice! He is for sure the most athletic on the team. Even though he hasn’t played many years in Europe, he is very professional and we are beyond happy that he is with us.

Do you have any added duties as assistant coach this season besides working with the bigs?

Yes I have a bit more responsibilities than I had in Rhondorf. I am the skill development coach as well, so I’m in charge of all the group/individual workouts with all players, not just Big’s.

Are you like a mentor for Kai Schallenberg? What is it like working with him again?

I really enjoy working with Kai. He’s very enthusiastic and his love for the game says it all. I would honestly say we learn from each other and being that Kai is more experienced than me when it comes to coaching, I learn from him as well. We both are young and hungry to become better coaches and I think we have the perfect example to learn from, Stephan. I think I couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff to be a part of!

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Tim Smith Jr?

Well being that Tim is a light weight compared to me, I think it wouldn’t even be fair if we played 1-1. I’d treat him like a baby, he’s too little. Love you Tim but it’s the truth!

Thanks KJ for the chat.