Robert Smith (186-G-2001, college: Delaware St.) is a 201cm forward from Wyncote, Pennsylvania playing his rookie season overseas with KK Dynamic Vip Pay Beograd (Serbia-KLS). He began his basketball career at Bishop McDevitt High School and then played 3 seasons at West Chester University (NCAA2) averaging 14.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 46.0%, FT: 74.2% as a freshman. In his second season he averaged 15.5ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 74.4% and in his last season averaged 17.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 77.9%. He then finished at Delaware State University (NCAA) averaging 18.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 78.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after his monumental 48 point game in Serbia.
Thanks Robert for talking to germanhoops.com You recently exploded for 48 points for Dynamic VP in a 106-97 win over Cacak 94. Was the win double special with your 48 points? Hi yes it was a double special seeing all the guys happy for me while we celebrated. The win was a great feeling.
You scored 30 + points in the NCAA 2 and NCAA, but never 48 points. Was that the most in your career that you scored? Actually I scored 50 plus somewhere else it wasn’t in the NCAA though. I´m just a natural scorer.
Talk a little about the game. How quickly did you know that you could have a really good scoring game? I always know I will have a good scoring game because that is just something that I do. I will get my shots regardless.
You improved your scoring each game in the last 3. Did the 48 points surprise you a little or did you always know that you could do that? Not really because I put up that kind of numbers before so it was bound to happen someday
Did you know in crunch-time that you were close to 50 points? No I was just doing anything to get the win. When I got my last and 1 and looked up it said 48. I said O wow
Does 48 points give you extra confidence that you might go for 50-60 points this season? That definitely gave me more confidence but I wont force it. I will let it come to me if it happens then it will happen like last game.
There were 20 team assists as your team was finding you well. Despite that did you still score a lot on the isolation? Yes my coach and I realize that they bigs could not guard so we basically used that into our advantage with getting the switch on them with me and I worked on my iso game so much for situations like this.
Did you get any special wishes from the states besides just family and friends? Not really mainly friends and family that wished me congrats and people from here as well.
What was your favorite own basket of the game? My spin ankle breaker in to the right hand finish And1 that was my favorite basket.
Will you take out your team or supply donuts after scoring 48 points or will they? I would supply donuts if they all want some because without them putting trust in me this not possible.
3 things that Pro B clubs Frankfurt, Orange Academy and FC Bayern Basketball 2 have in common is that they are the fam teams of easyCredit BBL clubs, but one thing they don´t have in common so far this season are the results. FC Bayern Basketball 2 and Orange Academy had a combined record of 11-4 and were 2-3 in the standings and have really taken the league by storm while the Skyliners Juniors were still searching for their rhythm having only a 2-4 record. A big reason for their success had been simply that years of playing together had really shaped their team chemistry. Whereas other teams are still looking for their chemistry, Orange Academy and FC Bayern Basketball 2 have it. It also has helped that they have been successful at the youth sector. Orange Academy have guys that won at the JBBL (U-16) level and had guys reach the U-19 NBBL (U-19) top 4. FC Bayern Basketball 2 had 6 players from last seasons NBBL title team in the Pro B. The only good news for the Skyliners Juniors was that after starting slow losing 4 of their first 5 games, they struck back last weekend with a very convincing win in Speyer 84-69. They wanted to keep the winning streak alive against the 6-2 Munich team. On a mild Saturday night in Frankfurt, FC Bayern Basketball 2 controlled the game for 3 quarters, but in the fourth quarter couldn´t contain a massive Skyliners Juniors comeback, but in the end the guests prevailed with the grind out 95-90 win. “We played well for 32 minutes, but didn´t in the last 8 minutes. They played a zone that pushed us out of our offense. We came back together and closed out the game strong. However we shouldn´t have allowed them to come back”, stressed FC Bayern Basketball 2 guard Agust Kjartansson. The Skyliners Juniors had to play catch up basketball the whole night and saved their best for the last quarter scoring 35 points, but their massive comeback wasn´t rewarded in crunch-time as little errors caught up with them. The biggest problem for the Skyliners Juniors was not being able to show consistency for 40 minutes. “We can´t come out for 30 minutes and not be ready to play and stick to the game plan. We have to come back way to much this season in games. We defend and rebound well when we come back, but we have to do this for the whole game. It is a mental thing. We have to get our stuff together”, warned a distraught Dusan Nikolic of the Skyliners Juniors.
Nikolas Sermpezis at the FT line
The Skyliners Juniors were without German forward Julius Messer and Czech Republic guard Lukas Smazak, but had 2 guys back after injuries with Ivan Crnjac and Maxi Peters. Both teams found their offensive rhythm right away as both teams got their bigs involved as Italian Alessio Calamita scored twice as did ex Kronberg big Florian Dietrich. Both teams were aggressive on the glass and there were 4 lead changes in the first minutes as Frankfurt had the 8-7 lead. But then came the first turning point of the game as FC Bayern Basketball 2 went on a 12-2 run to lead 20-10. In the run, the guests showed nice inside out basketball getting 3 three´s with one from Kjartansson and two from German U-19 ´world cup silver medalist Nicolas Kodjoe while Calamita continued to get good position getting a lay in while ex Dresden center Kilian Fischer connected on free throws. Munich defended with discipline and didn´t allow Frankfurt to score on the drive while Frankfurt had a lack of communication on the defensive allowing open looks. Crnjac scored his first field goal of the season and Nikolic dropped free throws while Greek youth national player Nikolas Sermpezis (196-SF-2007) added a 25 footer and free throws as FC Bayern Basketball 2 led comfortably 24-14 after 10 minutes. “The Skyliners Juniors were missing some key players and had to integrate 2 new guys which was difficult getting all on the same page. They were aggressive on the rebound, but missed too many easy lay ups”, stressed Eintracht Frankfurt/Skyliners head coach Thore Bethke. FC Bayern Basketball 2 shot 42% from the field and 43% from outside and had 11 rebounds and 1 turnover while the Skyliners Juniors shot 26% from the field and 0% from outside and had 14 rebounds and 4 turnovers.
Jamie Edoka with the massive dunk
In the second quarter FC Bayern Basketball 2 continued to control the game while fans saw 2 spectacular plays. Both teams found their offensive rhythm punching back and forth. Sermpezis nailed a trey while Frankfurt remained aggressive reaching the rim as Jamie Edoka and ex Neustadt forward Leif Zentgraf made lay in´s, but the guests still led 29-19. After a Desmon Yiamu who came to Munich in 2022 during the Ukraine war made a lay in, it was the big moment of Jamie Edoka as he came from the wing and took no prisoners as he flew to the rim and made a massive poster dunk as Frankfurt trailed 31-21. “That was a great dunk. He read the close out really well. He has a 7,1 wing span which is crazy for his height”, added Thore Bethke. Both teams continued to trade baskets as American Gob Gabriel added 5 points and Frankfurt got lay in´s from Crnjac and Nikolic, but the Skyliners Juniors just couldn´t get over the hump trailing 40-25. After Yiamu hit an old school hook shot and Crnjac made a floater, it was time for the second great play of the quarter. Kjartansson who reads the game so well somehow had eyes in the back of his head as he made a sweet over the shoulder pass ala Jokic to an open Fischer who made the lay in for the 46-30 advantage. “That was a nice pass. You can´t let him be able to operate like that. He has so much experience and gives them good stability”, stated Thore Bethke. FC Bayern Basketball 2 simply had the better offensive execution and had the more aggressive defensive play that stifled Frankfurt time in and time out again were able to lead 50-32 at half time as Kjartansson dropped a trey to end the second quarter. FC Bayern Basketball 2 shot 49% from the field and 50% from the three point line and had 21 rebounds and 1 turnovers while the Skyliners Juniors shot 35% from the field and 0% from the three point line and had 21 rebounds and 5 turnovers. “There were ups and downs with the Skyliners Juniors. Smazak was missing in the guard rotation and the pick and roll wasn´t that good. There were too many guys playing out of position”, stated Thore Bethke.
Caspar Vossenberg with the dunk
The Skyliners Juniors were able to improve their scoring in each quarter, but defensively still allowed 26 points and were unable to make any ground on FC Bayern Basketball trailing 76-55 after 3 quarters. Both teams continued to execute well on the offensive end as the guests got buckets from Calamita and Kodjoe in the zone while Frankfurt got lay in´s from Joschua Zentgraf and Dietrich, but couldn´t make any ground trailing 56-40. Kjartansson made his second great pass of the game making a behind the back bounce pass to Calamita. It was a mix of Doncic, Teodosic and Bird. “I have developed my passing over the years and I have a special feeling to pass the ball. I practice it a lot and do watch a lot of Milos Teodosic. That pass wasn´t Doncic or Bird, but just me”, smiled Agust Kjartansson. Even when the Skyliners Juniors found some daylight, they couldn´t hold that momentum long. Even after they went on a 6-2 run to trail only 58-46 as Nikolic added 4 points and Edoka made a floater, the guests poured on the pressure again going on a 18-9 run to have the 21 point lead after 30 minutes. 16 year old German youth national player Caspar Vossenberg got hot scoring 6 points while Serbian youth national player Andrija Susic added 4 points and Sermpezis made an off balance shot while the Skyliners Juniors got 2 three´s from Maxi Peters. “We came into the third quarter up by 18 points. We wanted to have much energy and keep the lead up and we did that. We executed well at both ends and didn´t let them have any easy shots”, commented Agust Kjartansson. “We didn´t play hard enough or together enough”, commented Dusan Nikolic. FC Bayern Basketball 2 shot48% from the field and 41% from the parking lot and had 30 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the Skyliners Juniors shot 36% from the field and 14% from the parking lot and had 31 reboundsa nd 8 turnovers.
Florian Dietrich at the FT line
The future of the Skyliners Juniors looked bleak going into the fourth quarter, but then came the much desired comeback, but they fell just a bit short at the end. The Skyliners Juniors came into the fourth quarter energized and wasted no time breaking out on a 14-3 run to trail only 79-69. It was the Jamie Edoka show as he scored 9 consecutive points and 11 of the 14 Frankfurt points. He was a one man wrecking crew going down hill time in and time out and proving he can take responsibility for the team. Frankfurt followed Edoka´s energy while FC Bayern Basketball 2 didn´t play team basketball anymore and lost some discipline at both ends. The guests continued to lead with 10 points as Kodjoe and Susic hit shots, but Frankfurt didn´t wilt, but kept fighting as Dusan Nikolic added 6 points as his drive and aggressiveness carried him to success as Frankfurt trailed 85-79. The Skyliners Juniors continued to fight and defend with passion getting stops which led to a 7-0 run as Leif Zentgraf added 5 points and Edoka a lay in to trail only 89-87 with 1,35 to play. “Our pride took over. We didn´t want them to embarrass us. We really didn´t shoot well all game, but we just kept shooting and finally some shots fell foe us. We believed we could come back and played like men”, warned Dusan Nikolic. “We gave them hope. We are a young team and this is basketball. Things like that can happen. We allowed too many easy baskets”, commented Agust Kjartansson. But that was as close as Frankfurt would get. FC Bayern Basketball 2 stayed strong and didn´t fret. Sermpezis added free throws for the 91-78 lead. They then buckled down getting stops and got more free throws from Sermpezis and Gabriel to seal the victory. “We stayed calm. Sermpezis is a straight line driver and so important for us. He got to the basket at the end and made the free throws”, said Agust Kjartansson. “We gambled a bit at the end and couldn´t execute. They had more luck, but that can happen when they played better for 3 Quarters”, said Dusan Nikolic. FC Bayern Basketball 2 were led by Nikolas Sermpezis with 18 points. Agust Kjartansson added 12 points and Niclas Kodjoe had 11 points as did Adrijia Susic while the Skyliners Juniors were led by Jamie Edoka with 25 poiunts while Dusan Nikolic added 17 points. FC Bayern Basketball 2 shot 44% from the field and 40% from outside and had 35 rebounds and 13 turnovers while the Skyliners Juniors shot 45% from the field and 32% from outside and had 40 rebounds and 13 turnovers.
Elijah Miller (183-PG-1997, college: UPEI) is a 28 year old 183cm point guard from Ontario, Canada playing his third professional season and second in Germany with Pro A team Eisbaeren. Last season with the Eisbaeren he averaged 13.4ppg, 3.9rpg, APG-2 (6.7), 1.0spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 88.0%. In his rookie season he played for KK Kozuv AD Gevgelija (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 10.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 81.3%. He also played 2 seasons with the Edmonton Stingers (CEBL) averaging 8.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 25.8%, FT: 75.0% and 8.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 80.0%. He began his basketball career with the University of Prince Edward Island (U Sports) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 82.1%, 20.7ppg, 5.4rpg, Assists-2 (5.9apg), Steals-4 (2.7spg), FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 86.6% and in his last year averaged 19.7ppg, 5.3rpg, 5.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 89.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after scoring a career high 33 points in the 88-84 win over the Artland Dragons.
Thanks Elijah on the big 88-84 win over the Artland Dragons. The Eisbaeren are now 6-1. How good does another one feel?
It feels good, but I have to give credit to the Artland Dragons who played a great game. We have to be ready again for the next game at Paderborn on Sunday.
Does a win feel better every new week?
They feel great every new time. We show that a new guy can step up every game. Every win feels good, because it isn´t easy to win in the Pro A.
The Eisbaeren had the 22-21 lead after 10 minutes. You got your first points with the last basket of the quarter. Did you have any idea then that you could have a good scoring night? I not really focused too much on my scoring but just take what the defense gives me.
The Artland Dragons had the 42-41 lead at the break. You only had 5 points at the break. How did you go into the second half mentally with your own game? I felt like I had to be more aggressive and put more pressure on their defense. I didn´t want to force too much, but play team basketball. I knew if I did that, that shots would come.
The Artland Dragons went on a quick 11-2 run to lead 53-43. What defensive principles did the Eisbaeren get away from? We weren´t being aggressive enough. We didn´t show our best pick and roll defense. They were getting way too many easy baskets inside from their 5 man. They also found their shooters. That was the recipe for their scoring.
You got going in the last minutes scoring 8 points and Artland led only 61-60. Did you have to risk more or did you let the game come to you? I let the game come to me. In the first half, they wanted me to take three´s. I was more patient in the second half and didn´t force anything. I shot with confidence and my teammates trusted me.
You scored the first 7 points for your team in the fourth quarter to regain the lead. Did you take the momentum of the end of the third quarter?
Yes I did. As soon as I saw one go in, my confidence was really high. I made sure that we ran the right play for myself or my teammates. They made me go under screens and we made them pay with open three´s.
Hendrik Warner hit some big baskets in crunch-time. How huge has his game been this season?
Hendrik is a great player in the Pro A. He is a real work horse. Coach always tells us that we have to reward our bigs by getting them the ball inside for easy baskets. Coach always says that our bigs have the hardest jobs on the team.
You continued to execute and scored 10 more points to help seal the win. What was key in crunch-time for the win? I think key in crunch-time was just trusting the process. It was a long game and we did a good job disrupting them a bit. We found ways to get crucial stops and made big shots. We made sure that we scored and they didn´t.
You scored 33 points a career high. How good does that feel? It feels good. I´m really not too focused on scoring, but it does feels good. It feels even better when you win.
Does a game like that spawn you to want to go for 35 the next game?
Yes it does. I know that I can score at a high level. I think that a game like this puts pressure on other teams defense because they know I can score the ball and be dangerous while also be able to create anytime for my teammates. They know that you can´t fall asleep on me on defense
Your averaging 9,0apg going into the Artland game. How strange does it feel not getting a dime in the game? The last game where you didn´t have an assist was on July 11th in the CEBL. I feel like that was a mistake. I had at least 2 assists. I had an obvious assist to Jannis Von Seckendorf on the alley op.
The team continues to build chemistry and get better. How is this team better now than last season? I think key in our success has been keeping many guys from last season and the new core of guys this season have all learned the system and adapted to it very well.
The team also defends very well. What has Steve Esterkamp drilled into your heads about the importance of defense in the Pro A? We always practice defense first and offense second. Putting a lot of pressure on teams each game is key.
On Sunday you travel to 2-5 team Paderborn. What will be key to getting the win?
We have to stick to the basics. We have to follow our game plan and be disciplined. We have to play fast and make quick decisions and be locked into defense.
Michale Kyser (208-C-1991, college: La Tech) is a 33 year old 208 cm center playing his 11th pro season and first in Germany with easyCredit BBL team EWE Baskets Oldenburg averaging 8,7ppg, 3,8rpg and 1,2apg. He began his basketball career with Christian Life Center Academy and then played at Louisiana Tech (NCAA) from 2011-2015. He turned professional in 2015 and has played for 18 organizations in 10 countries, including USA, Canada, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Latvia, Israel, Spain, Turkey and Poland. He also played 3 years in the G-League.
Thanks Michale for talking to eurobasket.com. You’re a guy I have always wanted to interview. Over the years I have interviewed many of your former teammates overseas. I know you as a very experienced player. Tyrell Corbin mentioned you in one of my articles ‘My 5 best teammates of al-time are Eric Washington (Chemnitz German BBL), Gary Payton II (Golden State Warriors), Danuel House (Utah Jazz), Derek Cooke Jr (Gilboa Galil), Michale Kyser (Hapoel Holon). How does that make you feel?
It makes me feel good to be recognized, because I put in the work, but not comfortable at all. I know that I can achieve more. But it makes me feel good of course.
Did you ever imagine your career would take you to this point?
I think for me, I probably would have said that’s what I wanted, but to experience all the places that I experienced. I don’t think I would say that I would be here right now. But I thank God for putting me in this position, and I’m not stopping now. I want to just keep going, keep pushing myself to another level.
What drives you to keep playing at a high level, even into year 11 of your career?
You say that like 11 years isn’t normal,I think the thrill of knowing I can keep getting better. I don’t see myself declining – age or not. I’m jumping better now than I was when I was younger. I’m smarter, I study the game better, I can take criticism better. I just want to prove to myself that I have another level, and help my team get to a new high.
What has helped you evolve as a player from league to league?
For me the constant let downs the lack of opportunity, the year we like him, but he’s not good enough for another year to stay with us, then the next season you get calls like oh we should have kept you or we didn’t know what we had. I know I’ve played in a lot of leagues, but I wasn’t taught everything. I had to learn this game on my own. My goal each season is to be better than the last. I’ve been limited in some seasons, but in the ones where I was involved we were successful, I’m not chasing wins – I’m chasing a better version of myself, and a place where I can grow and help my team compete for a championship, so maybe that’s what it is, I’m not just trying to stack wins, because you can win as many games as possible if you don’t get Gold, what was it for a lesson? Ive had enough of those, I just want to keep getting better and leave a mark wherever I play.
What drew you to this new opportunity in Germany? Yeah, I watched them last season. I had friends playing in Germany who said it’s a real basketball culture. That’s what I’ve always wanted. The coach reached out and told me he’s watched me over the years and saw my growth, and knows i can bring more which I’ve stated over years so, That helped my decision. My uncle was stationed in Germany for many years and he always told me it would be a great place for my family and as well a challenge to get better and take my game to a new place so that helped out a lot .
What stood out about coach Krunic in your conversations? I liked how he knew exactly who I was as a player. He brought up my three-point shooting how he knows I can space and not many people know I can shoot it. People see me listed as a center, but I’m I’m really a forward, and can play anywhere on the floor. He knows l that, and how my goal is the same as his when it comes to winning, and that helped me decide. I’ve heard he’s hard-nosed, but those are the best coaches – the ones who push you. He’s got history with winning, and I want to do the same this season.
You have averaged double figures in a season only 5 times in your career.How vital has not only your offense, but other areas besides scoring been in your game? I think that stat is something that I’ve had to back up a lot, in order to score points per game you have to either have the ball in your hands, receive it, or play big minutes to go get it from rebounds etc, for me I know I can achieve way more than stats say, especially with that being one of my goals for this season, but to answer your question. Defense is what I do right with it. Every time I step on the floor, it’s on my mind – to be one of the best defenders out there. Whether it’s guarding bigs or guards.
What type of defender are you now, and can you still improve?
Of course I can still improve. I’m faster, smarter, and more aware. God’s kept me healthy. If players who are considered the best at their craft are stating they can get better, I’m nowhere near better than the next man thinking i can’t improve as well. I’m always working to learn and push past my limits.
You hold the BCL all-time block record. How does that feel? All glory to God. That record will probably be broken soon, and that’s okay. I study the greats – Giannis, Olajuwon, Mutombo, Rodman, Ben Wallace, KG, Watching them showed me how to be impactful defensively.
You played many seasons in Israel. Did that become like a second home to you?
Israel definitely has a place in my heart. I made history there. I was in Holon for about two years. I was supposed to go to Eilat last season, but the war changed that. I’m grateful for the experiences and people that believed in me.
You played in two leagues last year with Hapoel Holon (Israel-Winner League) averaging 7.8ppg, 4.4rpg, BPG-2 (1.5), FGP: 57.2%, FT: 83.1%; and in the Basketball Champions League) averaged 7.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.4apg, BPG-5 (1.1), FGP: 66.7%, FT: 87.5%What was that like?
It was a wild one for sure. From going to a last place team in the league to a top 4 and have the championship in my hands, but lost 3 games in a row, yea something i gotta just tip my hat off to the other team for achieving, but it was a wild experience for sure both places taught me a lot.
What was it like playing in the ACB?
That was one of the highlights of my career. ACB is one of the best leagues outside the NBA.I wish I could’ve played there longer. I learned a lot from Andrew Goudelock, it’s good to see him healthy and killing in Greece, i appreciate him for all the advice he gave while i was playing and when i wasn’t, he made sure i never got down on myself, and told me to just keep growing and working til my time was called. It was all exciting the good and bad, wouldn’t trade that time for anything, my youngest daughter was born there in Bilbao while i played, so that experience will always be with me.
What was it like battling ex NBA player Jeff Withey on a daily basis? Yeah, we battled a lot before being teammates. I asked him questions about playing at Kansas or the Pelicans, i don’t compare honestly i think everyone has their own path, and while all reach for the same goals some get the short end of the stick. Besides that Shoutout to Jeff, and great dude on and off the court, I hope he wins a championship in Indonesia.
How was it guarding top Euroleague center Walter Tavares? He’s huge, 7’2′ or 7’3′. It’s always a battle against him. But honestly, all the bigs in ACB are a challenge. It was a great experience.
What was special about that championship with Holon? Man, that team was built different. We had Tyrus McGee, Joe Ragland, Chris Johnson, Guy Pnini, Adam Smith – a squad. We clicked off the court, and that translated on the floor. Everyone said we were crazy for thinking we’d win – and we did, so i hold that forever.
What made the Latvian title so memorable with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL) where you averaged 12.1ppg, RPG-3 (7.1), BPG-1 (1.6), FGP-2 (72.9%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 70.6%? Coach Janis pushed me to levels I didn’t know I had. My teammates believed in me. We were all locked in and all wanted to get better and we all pushed each other to be better, and won player of the year and to be that was the most favorite team i played on, we made a hard time with COVID less stressful, because you had a group of guys and staff that all wanted everybody to be their best even given the circumstances we were under with the curfew and no fans and no gatherings it was wow something I’ll never forget.
What did your time at Louisiana Tech and the NBA G League teach you?
At Louisiana Tech, I was raw. Didn’t know much, but I knew I wanted to make history. My thing was defense and dunking. That got me my opportunity with the Raptors. I only had two workouts and that’s just been the point of my career not really getting that opportunity, I know if I went about the agent process different I would have had a better shot at the NBA, as far as the g league just find your niche and be ready everybody wants to make it to the nba and they can if they have opportunity to showcase their ability while proving they can work and be patient. It taught me to not take any shot for granted, because you only get that exact time once.
What was your reality in the G League? You think you’re doing everything right, and then boom – a guy with more history or training camp deal comes in and takes your minutes. You just gotta be patient and always ready. It’s not for the weak. I left because I had kids to provide for. If I didn’t, maybe I’d have stayed longer. But I had responsibilities, the g league is a dog eat dog world, just as same as overseas ball, but with a smaller window of opportunity.
What’s something people don’t realize about that business in the g league It’s always business first. You’re not flying charter, you’re hopping buses and commercial flights. It’s about adapting and staying ready no matter what, and you need to be ready when your name is called, because if not you might not get the next one for a period of time.
What was your experience like playing for Aris?
Amazing. The fans were unbelievable. They welcomed me and my family – my oldest daughter was just born then. Playing in those big derbies, especially against Pana or Olympiacos, was wild. The fans were like a sixth man. Much love to Aris, it’s something about that color yellow i guess.
Tell me about your time with Enosis and later Kymi .
The team Enosis Paralimni saved my life, even though I went there, with no intellect on the country or team, the life style, I loved every moment, I got my license right before I moved there, they made me grow up and the coach challenged me constantly to be my best, as well as my teammates. I had fire in me due to prior being released by the SLC stars, as well as Rio Grande Valley Vipers who were in the finals with teammates like Onuaku, Chris Johnson, Isaiah Taylor, JP Tokoto, Dakari Tucker who I met prior in SLC, but I didn’t get a minute of it and saw them lose to my former team the Raptors 905 with NBA champs soon after Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. So when they Enosis called It was just my time to transition into a new place even though my salary was 1,000 usd. I was grateful, because after what I had experienced prior I just wanted to ball and then my oldest daughter being born after the summer I had with being released to not playing in the finals in Rio Grande to going on a china tour to get a deal, everything was moving fast until time stopped, I got a call from my girlfriend at the time, now my wife, that my oldest was about to be born, so I left that tour as it was coming to an end and saw the birth of my first child Mia. Sorry for the rundown, but that’s what led me to signing in Cyprus I didn’t have any place to go and they gave me a chance at life. I just got my jersey from them last year while I was in Holon. Even though I left, Enosis, they still showed me love and said they will honor me if I have the chance to come visit so it’s amazing to have left a mark there. So about Kymi I left Enosis, because my agent said it was the best decision to make if I wanted to make more money, well that extra 500 dollars changed the whole trajectory of my career. To playing with very elite guys playing in their first year to guys who were established like Thad McFadden, Gary McGhee, Ramon Harris, Lenzelle Smith, Teddy Okereafor, Cam Jones, that group was nice. I know if I was there first instead of being in Cyprus, we would’ve been in a better position, but that season changed the whole trajectory of my career, I’m grateful for everybody I played with during that time those teammates shaped me to understand european basketball the grind and what it took to be a pro overseas. I’m forever grateful for both those teams, and everything that led up to me playing there.
What was it like playing with Thad Mcfadden?
Man, he doesn’t miss. Those high-arching shots look like they’re going off the top of the backboard, then boom – straight through the net. He’s one of the greatest shooters I’ve ever seen, in Europe or anywhere. And he works at it. We still talk. I see he’s doing well in Mexico. I’m rooting for him to win another chip.
What do you remember most about your playoff run with Kymi? Coming from Cyprus and helping that team go from bottom to a playoff spot? It was incredible. I made first team defense and second team all-league. Playing against Spanoulis, Bobby Brown – legends. We didn’t win, but I’ll always remember it.
What happened during your season with Salt Lake City where you averaged 3,3ppg and 3,8rpg?
It was tough. One of the worst seasons I’ve had. I didn’t play much, and people just looked at the stats and judged me. But I wasn’t given the opportunity. That’s kind of been the story of my career in some places – just not getting the shot to show what I can really do. Eventually, they released me and brought in a veteran big. That hurt – I didn’t know how I was going to take care of my family. But I bounced back. I’ve always bounced back.
What was your G League wake-up call? Thinking I was going play and then seeing guys from training camp – like Bruno Caboclo, Norman Powell, Delon Wright – getting sent down. They were already in the system. I wasn’t. That’s when I learned it’s not always about who works the hardest – it’s business. That was my wake-up call. I could’ve gone overseas right then, but I was chasing the dream.
What was it like going up against Sim ?
That man is huge. I played against him in college, and once he sealed you, it was a wrap. But when we became teammates, he was a great dude – on and off the court.
Looking back, what do you remember most about Louisiana Tech? We were top 25 – hadn’t been that in years. We should’ve been in the NCAA tournament. We would’ve made noise. But even with that, I’m proud. The NIT run, the teammates, the memories – I hold onto all of it. It’s been 10 years since I graduated, and I still love my Tech family.
You almost had a triple-double with blocks one time – what was that like? Yeah, I was always trying to get 10 blocks, double-doubles, even a triple-double with blocks. I got close, and it just proved I could do it. Who knows, maybe I’ll hit that mark this season – with blocks, rebounds, and points too.
What did Coach Mike White mean to you? What did you take from him in your pro career ?
I was his first signing. He always told us to be our best and he wasn’t always the most athletic or tallest, but he worked hard and played just a harder. He made sure we practiced like that and anything less he’ll kick you out, not to waste your time or his. That’s what I took from him. I try to leave it all on the court like it’s my last game.
Who won those 1-on-1 matchups between you and Erik McCree? I won or he won, I can’t say exactly how many, but from what I know it wasn’t easy. Shoutout to E though, it’s good to see he’s still doing great, and it’s awesome to see how far he’s gone thus far in his career.
Who ist he toughest player you’ve ever battled? Michael Beasley. No question. Played games against him in runs during the summer and honestly he’s just different – his game, his knowledge, his skill. For me he’s the toughest, and one of the best I’ve seen.
Name five of your favorite teammates.
Speedy Smith, Raheem Appleby, Joe Ragland, Dakari Tucker, and Kyle Allman Jr., but love all my guys I had the chance to battle with thus far, I only answered that because you only gave me 5 haha
Who’s on your NBA Mount Rushmore? No particular order – Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson and I’d say either Kareem, Tim Duncan, or Hakeem Olajuwon. I could even throw in Shaq. All legends. It’s hard to choose just five.
And your personal GOAT? That’s tough. I’d say Mike is the GOAT, but I’m a huge Kobe fan, or honestly what else does LeBron have to prove for him to get his respect to say he’s the goat, I think in all it depends on preference of peoples era and basketball knowledge I think.
Jon’il Fugett (183-PG-1999, college: UCCS) is a 25 year old 183cm guard from Denver, Colorado playing his third professional season and second with TSG Westerstede (Pro B) while also playing for easyCredit BBL team EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Last season he helped TSG Westerstede (Germany-Regionalliga) move up to the Por B averaging (23.3), 4.9rpg, 4.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 69.0%. He played his rookie season for 3 clubs with BC Spartak Pleven (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 12.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 41.7%, 3FGP: 58.3%, FT: 93.8%, in Jan.’24 moved to KK Pelister Sport Bitola (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 4.5ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, in Feb.’24 signed at KK Vardar Skopje (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 13.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 65.5%. He began his basketball career at George Washington high school and then played a season at Butler Community College (JUCO) averaging 7.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 62.7%. He then played 2 years at West Texas A&M University (NCAA2) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 71.4% and 12.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 77.3%. He then finished at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (NCAA2) averaging 13.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 44.1%, FT: 75.0% and 15.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 74.6%. He spoke to eurobasket after his monumental 48 point game in the Pro B.
Congrats on scoring 48 points against Neustadt. Could you in anyway realize this amazing feat despite getting the loss? Thank you and yes I’m starting to realize just how big it is with all of the attention that it is getting throughout this past week. Although I do really wish that the stats came with a win.
Last season you had a 41 point performance in the Regionalliga. Was 48 points your career high?
48 is my new career high. To be honest I knew that I had a lot of points but I did not know that it was 48. I was more focused on the win in the moment.
You began the game with a block and then had 5 points in less than 2 minutes. Was that just a normal start for you as you’re a walking bucket? I feel like I kind of do what the team needs in terms of the way that games start. A lot of it depends on the way the defense is playing me. I came into this game knowing that I needed to be a little more aggressive though and that’s what I was trying to get my team to mimic.
You then scored 11 more points and had 16 points after a quarter. You made a three pointer at the buzzer. Was that the moment where you thought this could be a special game of 40+ points? The shot at the buzzer wasn’t necessarily my thought that I could go and get 40 but more so was just a feel good morale boost for the team. I feel like that was a shift in momentum and definitely helped me with my confidence the rest of the game.
You only scored 6 points in the second quarter. Your shots weren´t falling. How important was it that you remained aggressive and got to the free throw line and just kept shooting the ball? After the second quarter I kind of saw their lead grow and I knew that I had to make sure I could give us a little more on the offensive end if we were going to be able to keep competing.
In the third quarter you scored 9 points, but Neustadt still had the 69-63 advantage after 30 minutes. At that point you had 33 points. What was your mindset going into the fourth quarter? At the end of the 3rd quarter I was really happy with our teams fight and perseverance and I kind of used that as motivation for myself offensively and defensively. As a competitor and someone who loves the game you live for these close games with a packed crowd. Whether it’s home or away you just want to get the win however you can.
You guys kept fighting back and you scored 5 points in the last minute. But in the end it was the free throws from Neustadt that cost Westerstede the game. What do you believe could the young guys learn from the loss? I think the biggest thing the young guys can learn is just how important the details get when you’re in those pressure situations. The smallest details that nobody is willing to do can determine a win or a loss.
What does this personal feat of 48 points mean to you. You took many three´s and would have easily reached 50 points or close to 60 had you hit more shots? This accomplishment means a lot to the work dedication and patience I’ve had so far throughout my career. A lot of my shots rattled in and out of the rim and I’m just happy that I had coaches and teammates who were confident in me and my ability. That night it was a good night for me but we will need a good night from everybody throughout the season so when someone else is feeling it I will show the same support.
As a competitor like you does a game like this lift your expectations for eclipsing the 50 points? I feel like I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think I could go get 50 or even 60 at some point, but again that’s just me being confident in what I am able to do. My first goal is bringing whatever the team needs to win.
Did you get special messages from friends and family from USA?
Yeah I got some love from friends and family back in the US so that was cool to see. I got a good support system back there so I’m blessed for that.
What was your favorite bucket of the game?
My favorite bucket of the game had to be the last 3 I hit that I personally thought was an and 1 but the refs didn’t see it that way.
Toru Dean (183-PG, college: Langston) is a 183cm guard from Miami Florida playing his rookie season overseas with the TSV Bargteheide Bees (Germany-Regionalliga). He began his basketball career with South Miami High School and then played 3 seasons at Barry University (NCAA2) averaging 8.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 65.1% and in his second season averaged 12.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 46.2%; and in his third season averaged 9.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 39.9%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 62.9%. He then finished at Langston University, OK (NAIA) averaging 10.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.5apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 81.0% and 9.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.1apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 69.4%. He teams up every week with germanhoops.com to talk basketball.
Congrats on the tight 84-82 win over Bramsche. How did it feel winning a very tight game? It was a really good game, I feel like sometimes we need to be in games like that to prepare us for the playoffs and when things get hard we would know how to execute and focus on the little details.
Talk about the 40 minutes and crunch-time period. How did you see the 40 minutes and what was key at the end for winning the game? The key to this game was just defensively just being able to stop the ball in transition and not giving them any threes.
The team really let it rain three´s with 18. What was it like seeing the hot shooting. 6 guys hit three´s in the game. How special was that?
The last few games we had been struggling to make shots I feel like this is a good momentum starter for us again to carry on to the next game
How key was German Fabian Paetsch with 9 points and 3 three´s. What is so special about his game? He can really shoot the lights out of the ball. Just have to know when he’s ready to get the ball to him so he can let it fly.
What was it like battling Boston Stanton. He led Bramsche with 21 points. What made it so hard to contain him? I didn’t really get to guard him because I was sick. But he is a creative scorer.
You only had 6 points but 11 assists. How important was it for your game to experience a game like that? You only took 5 shots but impacted the game with your playmaking. Yes I had a running fever and I didn’t have the energy to really create open shots for myself so I was just able to find my teammates for open shots.
You next play 2-6 team Bremerhaven. What will be key to getting win`? Defensively just getting stops and moving the ball on offense.
Ok so the NCAA basketball title drought that Ohio State has at the moment isn´t as bad as what Boston Red Sox fans had to endure for 85 years with the Curse of the Bambino, but at the moment it stands at 65 years. It really is slowly time for them to win again. They could have won a few more as they were finalists in 1961 and 1962, but since then have been battling to get that chip again as their best showing was reaching the final in 2007 and losing in the semi-final in 2012. Ohio State is always aiming to achieve the best and for the 2025-2026 have added 2 new interesting players. The one has a well known last name with Myles Herro who is the brother of NBA sharp shooter Tyler while the other one is a bit more unknown in the States, but a house hold name in Europe with the basketball nerds with the name of Mathieu Grujicic (198-G-2007). He belongs to the absolute best players in Europe from the birth year of 2006. He recently averaged 24,9ppg at the U-18 Eurochampionships and should be a 2025 NBA Draft pick. Both Herro and Grujicic could be the next great guard duo in the NCAA. “Time will tell, but we are really excited about them”, said Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler. Mathieu Grujicic is 18 year old who was born in France on July 2nd, 2006. His father is from Serbia and mother is from Germany. His parents met in France. They came to Berlin when he was 4 years old. He speaks German and Serbian and a little bit of French and has a German passport. He began his career with Alba Berlin and played the last 2 seasons with top Spanish organization FC Barcelona. One very interesting basketball trait that he has is that he knows how to win. In the last few years he helped Alba Berlin win the U-16 title in 2023, won the Adidas Next generation tournament in 2024 and 2025 where he is thrown together with talented guys that need to win a title on the fly and won the Spanish U-19 title with FC Barcelona in 2025. Winning the 2026 NCAA title with Ohio State would be the next milestone in his career, but he has many other great attributes on and off the court. “I’m excited to be able to work with a player who has such high basketball IQ and eagerness to learn. I believe this will create a pathway for major development in a short time period”, stressed Jake Diebler.
Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler will have the pleasure of coaching Mathieu Grujicic this season. It must always be very interesting for coaches seeing a potential candidate for their squad when they observe that first video of that player. For Diebler, he saw many fine things in his game. “ I saw that high basketball IQ and understanding of the game. I liked his ability to score the ball, whether as the primary creator or playing off other good players. I believe he also has an ability to make others better”, stressed Jake Diebler. He is a player that can do so much and he is so much more than just an incredible shooter. “He is a versatile, high IQ player with good positional size. He is capable of being a primary playmaker and playing off of other playmakers”, added Jake Diebler. He was already a top defender for his age in the U-16 competition in Germany and has continued to mature in Spain the last 2 years. It will be interesting to see how his defense will develop further at the NCAA level. “He is a versatile and smart defender. A high level communicator and connector”, warned Jake Diebler. 2 other major attributes are his leadership and killer instinct something which he already had when he was making waves with Alba Berlin at age 15. “I think his experience will provide great value in our locker room and throughout the season as we play high level games because he has played in more high level games than most players his age. The killer instinct is a special quality that most young players don’t have because they haven’t had a chance to fully develop it. It comes natural to Mattheiu though”, warned Jake Diebler. How well could the German player mesh with other high quality guards Bruce Thornton and John Mobley? “I think he will mesh really well because he is different than the perimeter players we have. His basketball IQ also allows him to play with other really good players well”, added Jake Diebler.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Mathieu Grujicic after he led Alba Berlin to 2023 JBBL(U-16) title in Frankfurt, Germany
Grujicic has so many incredible basketball skills on the court, but he also has other amazing attributes that often aren´t seen so well developed at a young age. One is his character. He may only be 18, but his maturity level is already that of a professional player. Coach Diebler was impressed with his character right away. “Mattheiu was mature and direct with his communication. He and I formed a connection quickly and that gave me confidence in understanding who he is and why he wanted to be a Buckeye. He spoke consistently about winning”, commented Jake Diebler. Another big strength off the court is how easy he makes you feel even if you had never met him before. I remember meeting him after he just won the German U.16 title in 2023. He put his arm around me as well as German and Canadian basketball legends Dirk Bauermann and Gordon Herbert. You would have thought that he had known everyone for years and were great friends. “Mattheiu has an ability to connect with people quickly. He is perceptive and kind, but also knowledgeable which allows him to carry conversation with people of all ages and backgrounds”, expressed Jake Diebler. But one of the greatest lines he ever gave me was when I asked him at age 15 if his biggest goal was the NBA or Euroleague. “ „My biggest goal is to have no regrets for trying to become a good basketball player”. Most guys would have said the NBA, but he chose one that no other player would of ever thought of. “That answer speaks to his maturity and desire to become great”, warned Jake Diebler. It is usually the great players that win titles. The 2025-206 Ohio State season should be a very interesting one. I won´t make any predictions if Ohio State will finally win that much desired next NCAA title, but I could imagine him becoming a press favorite with the scribes in Columbus.
Hannes Saar (198-G-2001, college: UCCS) is a 25 year old 198cm guard from Estonia playing for Tartu Ulikool Maks & Moorits (KML). He began his basketball career with BC Tartu and then went to the States in 2020 to attned prep school and in 2021 played 2 seasons at Barton County Community College (JUCO) averaging 8.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 38.0%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 83.7% and 10.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 62.9%He then finished at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (NCAA2) averaging 10.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 73.3% and 11.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 69.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Rostock Seawolves.
Thanks Hannes for talking to germanhoops.com.Your back in Europe after being 4 years in the States. How are you a different player now compared to 2021 when you left your country? Actually, I was in the States for five years — I first went to prep school and then to college. Over that time, I became a lot stronger physically and gained much more confidence in my game. I also learned a lot about basketball, both on and off the court. One thing I really took away from my experience is the positive mindset in the U.S., and I think that has played a big role in shaping the player I am today.
I can imagine it isn´t so typical for young Estonian players to go to USA to play college ball. It has become very popular now with NIL, but in 2021 it was different. Was going to USA one of the best decisions in your life?
Yeah, I would definitely say it was one of the best decisions of my life. At first, my main goal was just to play basketball while getting a college degree, and I’m really grateful for the offers I got and the people who reached out to me. Being able to play in the U.S. was an amazing opportunity. Looking back now, five years later, NIL has become such a big deal, and a lot of young talents want to go there as soon as possible.
Your back with Tartu Ulikool Maks & Moorits (KML) with whom you played as a junior player. How important has this organization been in your basketball development? Is it your special home?
This organization has been huge for me. I started here as a little kid, around seven years old, and played until I was 18. To be back home now feels amazing. I’m really grateful for the chance to return and start my pro career here. Tartu has the best basketball school in Estonia and has developed a lot of great players over the years. And yes, it’s definitely my special home—I always came back here to work out every summer while I was in the States.
How excited are you to be playing Fiba Europe Cup? You will be showcasing your skills on a big stage. How confident are you that you can be an impact player? I’m really excited to play in the FIBA Europe Cup and to showcase my skills on that stage. It’s definitely a more physical competition than the Estonian league, and the players are bigger and stronger, so it will be a great challenge. For me and for our team, it’s a great opportunity to test ourselves and see how good we can be against strong European clubs.
Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA or Euroleague player who would it be?
That’s a tough one, I don’t really like to compare myself to others, and maybe it’s better to ask my coaches or teammates about that.
You’re a player that fills the stat sheet very nice. Could one describe you as a Swiss army knife?
Jeremy Coombs actually used to call me a Swiss army knife. I just try to do whatever helps the team win games, whether that’s scoring, defending, rebounding, or creating for others.
Your shooting still is a little up and down. How would you describe the development of your shot at the moment? What kind of strides do you want to make with your shot this season?
The last two years I had to play different roles and positions because of injuries on the team, so I was often getting different kinds of shots than I was used to, and that affected my rhythm a bit. For me, shooting has always been more about confidence, and right now I’m feeling really good about it. I definitely want to be above 38% from three this season. Earlier in my career, I had a wrist injury on my shooting hand after my freshman year, which also impacted my shot for a while, but now it doesn’t bother me anymore.
Would you still classify yourself as a raw defender? Talk a little about your strengths as a defender?
I wouldn’t classify myself as a raw defender. My strengths are probably my wingspan, which helps me get steals, and my experience playing against different types of players and styles. Both in the U.S. and in Tartu, I’ve faced a lot of different opponents, and that’s helped me learn how to guard effectively.
On what areas of your game are you working on most? Is taking care of the ball one of those issues? Last season you had 2 games with 5 turnovers and one game with 6 while averaging 2,2 to´s per game.
Definitely shooting and decision-making are the areas I’m working on the most. About the turnovers, I averaged 2.2 per game, and most of them come because I’m trying to make the extra pass instead of taking the shot myself. I always want to be unselfish, but my coaches remind me that sometimes I need to be more selfish and take the right scoring opportunities. It’s something I’m focused on improving this season.
You played at Barton County Community College (JUCO) averaging 8.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 38.0%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 83.7% and 10.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 62.9%. How tough was it playing JUCO? Was your ego challenged somewhat?
JUCO was a great experience for me. We played against a lot of D1-level guys, so the level was really strong. Practices were tough at first a lot of running and hard work but that made the games feel easier. I wouldn’t say my ego was really challenged. At first, I didn’t know what to expect, so I just focused on learning and improving. Overall, it was an excellent experience, and I’d definitely recommend it to other players looking to grow.
Every guy I have talked to and it has been 99% Americans have said JUCO was very tough, but a great decision in their careers. How was it for you?
Definitely, it was tough, a lot of running and conditioning but we had a great group of guys, a really good team, and I met a lot of great friends there. JUCO is hard because everyone is trying to move up to a higher level, like Division I or Division II, so it’s a real battle. Even though it was challenging, it was absolutely worth it.
You were a NJCAA D1 Plains District Finalist in 2023. What memories do you have of that run? I still get a little mad thinking about that final game against Butler Community College. We had a nine or ten game winning streak, and during the regular season, we even beat Butler at home by 20. But in the finals, we lost by just a couple of points, which was a huge blow because it kept us out of the national tournament. I really feel that if we had won that district and made it to nationals, we could have gone pretty far.
How vital was head coach Jeremy Coombs for your basketball development in JUCO? How did he help your game most? Jeremy Coombs was huge for me. He trusted me to guard the opposing team’s best players, which really boosted my confidence. At the same time, if I didn’t play well, he was very demanding, which pushed me to improve. He’s definitely one of the best coaches I’ve ever had.
You then played at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (NCAA 2 ) averaging 10.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 73.3% and :11.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 69.6%. You showed your consistency. How did your game grow at the division 2 level?
I feel like I grew a lot as a leader and was able to show that I can lead a team. Consistency was also a big focus for me. In my first two years, I would have good games and then some bad ones, but in the last two years, I became much more consistent and reliable on the court.
You scored in double figures in 37 of 57 games and had many good showings. What do you remember being your fondest moment on the court?
I think one of my fondest moments was the first conference game at home last year against Black Hills State. It was really close, and I scored nine points in a row at the end to force overtime. Unfortunately, we lost, but we had so many great moments, especially beating ranked teams. Those wins were always fun and really memorable, so definitely playing well against top competition stands out as the fondest moments for me.
How did head coach Jeff Culver groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach Culver has a ton of experience and has coached great players like Derek White, so he really knows what it takes to be a professional. He put me in different positions to help me succeed, pushed me when I needed it, and also gave me confidence when it was needed. I’m really thankful for his guidance, it definitely prepared me for the next step in my career.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jayden Washington? Me not even close lol
You played your youth years with Tartu Ulikool. Do you remember having a coach that was like a mentor for you?
Maybe Priit Vene — he was my coach during the last couple of years before I went to the U.S. He taught me a lot, and even this past summer, when I was deciding where to play, I asked for his advice.
How is the state of Estonian youth basketball? What talents are coming up now that could make a name in the next years?
I think Estonian basketball is in a really good spot at the moment. In the B division, our U18 team came in second, and we have a lot of talent coming up. Right now, in the U.S., Stefan Vaaks and Henri Veesaar are probably the two most well-known Estonian players, but I think there’s a lot of promising talent across the board.
In 2017 you played a U-16 Euro game against Germany winning 68-61 and had 3 points. You played against future NBA players Franz Wagner and Ariel Huckporti. What memories do you have of that game? I remember it being a really important game for us. Germany had a very talented team, so we knew it would be tough. We played really hard and gave everything, and in the end, we managed to get the win.
Do you watch Germany games and watch a guy like Franz Wagner closely? Despite him being German is he like a role model for you?
I actually really like the German national team and have watched a lot of their games in the Olympics and World Cup. Franz Wagner is one of my favorite players. I wouldn’t say he’s a role model for me, but I do really admire how he uses his skills when driving to the basket and the moves he has.
Franz Wagner scored 10 points in that game. If someone had told you in 2017 that he would become a very good NBA player averaging 20,0ppg 5 years later what would you have said? I would’ve said they were crazy. Back then, he wasn’t that tall, and I don’t think people were really talking about him as an NBA prospect yet.
Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
I would say Jason Edwards. He was really good and really quick, now he plays for Vanderbilt, and maybe one day he’ll make it to the NBA. Back then, he was extremely tough to defend and a really talented player.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
I will go with players who I played together with in the States.
Joseph Locandro
Myles Thompson
James Ellis
Will Becker
Cougar Downing
Please list your personal NBA and Estonian Mount Rushmore (5 best players ever)?
Curry, Kobe, MJ, LeBron, Shaq
Martin Muursepp
Maik Kalev Kotsar
Tiit Sokk
Kristjan Kangur
Aivar Kuusmaa
Who is your GOAT? Kobe
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone
I haven’t seen it but I guess I have to watch it now and tell you later
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (198-G/F-2001, college: UCSD) is a 24 year old 198cm forward from New Zealand playing his rookie season overseas with Valmiera Glass/Vidzemes Augstskola (Latvia-LBL). He began his basketball career at St Patricks College and then played with the Wellington Saints. He then played at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (NCAA2) from 2020-2023 averaging 16.5ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 68.8%, 17.0ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 24.2%, FT: 73.9% and.6ppg, 9.2rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 70.1%. He then added 2 more seasons at the University of California at San Diego (NCAA) averaging 14.3ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 72.4%, and 19.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 75.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against German team Weisenfels.
You’re playing your first season with Valmiera Glass/Vidzemes Augstskola (Latvia-LBL). As a guy who grew up in New Zealand and lived in Hawaii and California, are you prepared for winter? Lol Honestly, not really. Growing up in New Zealand and then spending a lot of time in Hawaii and California, I never had to deal with anything close to a Latvian winter. I’ve already been warned about how cold it’s going to get, so I’m layering up and trying to mentally prepare myself. It’s going to be a new experience, that’s for sure.
What kind of an experience has it been playing for Valmiera Glass/Vidzemes Augstskola (Latvia-LBL). What have you enjoyed most about the experience so far? It’s been an awesome experience so far. Everyone at the club has been welcoming and supportive, which makes the transition overseas a lot easier. The fans here in Valmiera are great too, they bring a lot of energy to the games.
You had an incredible career in the NCAA2 and in the NCAA, were All Big West Player of the Year. With what kind of expectations are you going into the season? I expect to keep growing as a player. I don’t want to put a ceiling on myself, I want to contribute as much as I can to help Valmiera win games and also prove that I can play at a high level in Europe. It’s about competing hard every night and showing that I belong here.
You will be traveling playing in the ENBL league. You will face a German team called Weissenfels. What do you know in general about the country Germany and its basketball?
Germany has a strong basketball culture. They’ve developed a lot of talent, and right now they’re world champions, so that says a lot. I’m excited to see that level of competition.
Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA or Euroleague player who would best fit the description? I’d say maybe someone like Gordon Hayward when he was in his prime. A versatile forward who can create, rebound, and defend multiple positions. I like to impact the game in different ways, not just scoring.
You’re a player that can do so much. Is versatility your bread and butter?
Definitely. I’ve always prided myself on being versatile. Whether it’s defending, playmaking, rebounding, or scoring, I want to be the type of player who can adjust to what the team needs in the moment.
Your three pointer is still a work in progress. How would you classify the development of your three pointer at the moment? What steps do you want to make? It’s improving. At UCSD, I had stretches where I was really confident from three, but I know consistency is key. Right now, I’m working a lot on repetition and building that muscle memory so it becomes second nature.
You are so versatile, but do you feel like there is still an aspect of your game that is off the radar? Yeah, I think my passing. I don’t always get recognized for it, but I really enjoy creating for my teammates. I see myself as more than just a scorer and I want to make the game easier for the guys around me.
How would you classify yourself as a defender now as a rookie overseas? What kind of a defender do you still want to become? I’d say I’m good right now. I can guard multiple positions, but I want to sharpen my on-ball defense against quick guards and improve my reads off the ball. The goal is to be someone the coach can put on the opponent’s best player.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now as you continue to improve your game?
Mainly my shooting and strength. The European game is very physical, so I’m focused on building my body up. And like I said, getting my jumper consistent is a big priority.
Last summer you gained experience at the NBA Summer League with the Toronto Raptors. Despite playing only 1 minute in a game what positives could you gain from it?
That was an amazing experience. Just being around NBA players and coaches, seeing the professionalism, the pace, the intensity. It opened my eyes to the level it takes to succeed there. Even in a short time, I learned so much about preparation and mindset.
Before coming to USA you played with the Wellington Saints (NBL). What kind of an experience was that? What positives could you gain there? Playing for the Saints was special. That’s a winning organization with a lot of history and it gave me my first taste of professional basketball and showed me what it takes to play at that level.
What was it like playing with the ultimate veteran Nick Kay? Was he like a mentor for you? Nick was awesome. He’s such a professional, and the way he approaches the game is something I really admired. He was definitely a mentor as I learned a lot just from watching how he worked day in and day out.
You played 3 seasons at University of Hawaii at Hilo (NCAA2) averaging 17/8. What kind of a player did you become in these 3 years? At Hilo, I grew into a leader. It was where I really learned to take responsibility on both ends of the floor. I became a player who could be relied on night in and night out.
What kind of an impact did head coach Kaniela Aiona have on you? What was the most important thing he was able to help you most with your game? Coach Aiona believed in me from the start. He really helped me with confidence and developing my all-around game. He pushed me to impact the game in every area and lead the team at a young age.
You had so many incredible games there like hitting Dominican CA for 37 points. What was your fondest moment on the court?
That 37-point game was definitely a highlight, but I think the best moments were winning close games with my teammates. Those are the memories that stick the most.
You then played 2 seasons at the University of California at San Diego (NCAA). What kind of new steps did your game take there? At UCSD, the game got a lot faster and more physical. I had to adjust to a higher level, and it forced me to improve my efficiency and decision-making. I became a much smarter player there.
You received so many special accolades and had so many great games including almost getting a triple double in your first game against Denver and playing against Michigan in the NCAA tournament. What was your fondest moment there?
Playing in the NCAA tournament against Michigan is hard to top. That was a dream come true, and to compete on that stage was something I’ll never forget.
How did head coach Eric Olen give you the needed extra push to help your development the last 2 years? Coach Olen challenged me every day. He demanded a lot but also gave me the freedom to play my game. That balance helped me grow and take my game to another level.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tyler McGhie?
We never actually played a 1-1, just me and him, as we would have a group of about 4 of us who would play post-up 1s. It was fun and games, but I would say I took the most wins.
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA? Steven Adams. My hometown coach was his coach as well, so definitely him for sure.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? It’s hard to name just five because I’ve been blessed to play with so many great guys, but I’ve made the most memories with Darren Williams, Hayden Gray, Tyler McGhie, Nick Kay, and Junior Waqabaca.
Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore? Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan.
Who is your GOAT? Michael Jordan.
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
Yeah, I saw it. The original is such a classic that it’s hard to match. I think they probably should’ve just left it alone, but it was still fun to watch.
Amon Doerries (211-F/C-2006) is a 19 year old 211cm center that is playing his first season at Bucknell University (NCAA). He played the last seasons in the Alba Berlin organization. Last season he played 5 Euroleague games for Alba Berlin and also played with SSV Lokomotive Bernau (ProB) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT-1 (50.0%), FT: 69.1%, and also played with the U19 team (NBBL) team of Alba Berlin averaging 14.2ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 61.2%. Amon spoke to germanhoops.com last summer about basketball
Thanks Amon for talking to germanhoops.com. You played at your fourth youth tournament. You have won a Gold, Bronze (AST), Silver and Goldtime you play you have success. Is that something that is always tough to realize or are you used to it now?
It’s still and will always be something special, especially the last two years writing history for the German federation in the youth department. So even though you know the group and maybe feel you have a chance the hardest thing is to perform when it matters. In all that FIBA tournaments: after the first three group games, every game is a do or die so it all can be over really quick. So I am really grateful for the experience, this group of guys and that we were able to be this successful during these last four years.
How blessed do you feel to have won medals at 4 tournaments including 2 Golds. Do you have a favorite?
As mentioned before the last four years were great, not only successful but also fun because this team is amazing and I like a lot of the guys a lot. For me the silver medal of the 2025 WC is my favorite. The path we had wasn’t easy, beating the third of last years European championship Slovenia twice, beating Serbia (last years second place) again, which is always a special duel and also beating Canada and Australia was great. But also personally it was my best tournament after a difficult summer last year.
Winning 4 medals in 4 years is a testament for the amazing work of the German basketball federation. How have you seen the development of German youth basketball in the last years?
I think this generation is special, also having the chance to play with almost the same team for multiple years in a row gives the chance to really build a team. But also the individual quality has never been this good and I hope that some of the guys will get the chance to show their talent with the men’s national team soon.Looking at other generations too, you can see a lot of talent coming up. Then seeing the men’s team already being successful on the big stages is a great feeling.
Congrats on winning the silver medal at the 2025 U-19 World Cup. How good does it feel making history for Germany again at the youth sector? As I said before I am thankful for the opportunity and all the experience I could gain. But this team was great and that was the biggest part for me because if we didn’t have this much fun it wouldn’t be half as good.
You won a Gold medal in 2022 with Germany at the U-16 Euro. Where does this silver rank with the Gold you won in 2022? Comparing these two events is hard, because it’s not only two completely different age groups but also competitions. For me it’s great to see that we were successful through all those 4 years. Honestly I would like to know how far we could have come in the A division in 2022.
Germany dominated most games until the final losing to USA. How enriching was it playing so consistent as a team against so many different countries? It was tremendous to get the chance to play against teams and players with so many different strengths and playing styles from different continents. So being able to adapt and still continue to keep playing our own style was a big part of our success.
Germany had some start problems against Slovenia, but then played with discipline at both ends reaching the final. How do you feel did Germany grow as a team in the first 6 games?
I think the reason for the struggles in the first game was because it was a first game. During preparation we had not even one game where we played as a whole team, it was always someone missing. So after getting this together we found a way to grow, keep learning tendencies and certain styles of each other.
Germany held their own in the first quarter, but then was overpowered by USA who had a 12 man rotation. How difficult was it defensively for Germany to find a solution against the American’s incredible athleticism? As you said the athleticism of the US team was something most of us where not used to play against, so keeping up this effort of stopping that over and over again was extremely hard. In addition to that they had a great game, scoring a lot of difficult shots, getting extra possessions through offensive boards because of their athletic and stops on the other end.
USA had some incredible players with Dybantsa, Peat and Brown. Which American player had the biggest impact on you?
I think all of them had their part and I don’t want to pick one. I think Peat had some great stretches especially in the beginning but also Brown and Dybansta did the things they can do best.
You have been teammates with Christian Anderson for years. He has developed incredibly in the last years. Do you see him making the NBA in the future? Chris is a great guy and it was great playing with him. I think he has a lot of talent shooting the ball but is also working like crazy. So seeing his development becoming an even better playmaker was great. I am excited to see how far he can go.
What was it like playing with Hannes Steinbach? What did you appreciate most about his game? Also Hannes has had an incredible development the last years. I think for me the craziest is his rebounding. Even though he is not crazy tall he just gets like almost every rebound, being able to tip the ball and keep it in the air until you got it is something not a lot of guys can do.
How valuable of a player was Eric Reibe for Germany? Is there anything from his game that you could soak up from his game?
He played a great tournament, after missing the last two years he showed his ability to score the ball. Especially in this tournament, you could see defenders were not ready for his left hand and the touch he has with it – this was great to see and maybe something I might work on a bit more in the future.
Jack Kayil was also an important player for Germany. How vital are his leadership skills? Jack was very important for the team, he kind of was the extended connection between the coach and the team. But also his playmaking on the court was great and he can always give you some tuff buckets in important moments.
You played in 7 games averaging 3/2 in 13 minutes. How would you rate the way you played at the World Cup U-19? I had a good feeling with the world cup. Being more solid on finishing but also defending, was a step compared to last year. And it gave the coach the possibility to speed up the game or switch on defense to change up the rhythm of the game.
You played the last 2 years with ALBA Berlin and played a few BBL and Euroleague games. How did your game grow in these 2 years? If you would ask me what’s the biggest change over the last two years I would say changing my hand of shooting. Which was a very big step for me and something I now, after such a ‘short’ time, feel very comfortable with. But most consistent was developing my body which took a big part and getting the first experiences of being a pro. This is the first time where you kind of get to do your own decisions. So this is an age where you can learn a lot and I think at ALBA you have a good base and good staff around you to do that.
You played with so many great players at Alba Berlin. What player had the biggest impact on you?
For me personally it was the professionalism of Matt. You could see he has experienced a lot and I did learn a lot from him about taking care of your body.
You won the 2023 NBBL title in Frankfurt. What do you remember from the buzzer beater from Nils Machowski?
The championship is a great memory, especially now for me leaving Berlin this is something I talked about with some of my old teammates and coaches. And the moment where you are uncertain if it’s going to be overtime or winning the game is something really exciting and great to experience.
What are your memories of the 2022 Euro Gold where you averaged 3/1 in 7 games? You had 7 points in the final against Finland. It was the first time being with this group so I kind of tried to find my own role, sometimes better and against some teams it was harder to adapt.
You won the Gold at the U-18 Euro. You played very little averaging 1/1. What positives could you take from this Euro?
This has been a difficult summer for me finding my rhythm and role in the team. But in the end we became European champion and this is what stays.
Who is the toughest player that you have battled so far in your career that reached the NBA? Maybe it wasn’t a official game but I was practicing with Franz Wagner during the off season. Not only playing against him but also talking to him, getting tips and him sharing his own experiences was something interesting.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Dorian Grosber and Anton Anton Nufer, because we have spent a lot of time together, lived together and shared most of the ALBA experiences together. Jack Kayil because we know each other since a really long time, spent a lot of time in school, practices and now also national team together. And then let’s take Jane Mueller and Hannes Steinbach because I really like these two guys and we had a great time at national team.
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Lebron and Michael Jordan we will talk about them shortly again. And then Kobe and KD. Because Kobe and his work ethic is just iconic and then KD as one of the best scorers ever and someone I personally always liked as a player.
Who is your Goat? In my Opinion MJ is the Goat as someone who has an incredible legacy, but for me overall Lebron is the best player ever.
German Hoops 