Haywood Highsmith is a 24 year old 198cm forward playing his first season with the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-BBL). Last season he played with the Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League) playing 43 games averaging 10.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 70.2%. As a rookie the ex Wheeling Jesuit University (NCAA2) standout played with the Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League) playing 45 games averaging 12.3ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 66.7%. He also played 5 nBA games for the Philadelphia 76ers. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the Merlins 76-64 win where he contributed 5 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal in 29 minutes.

Congrats Haywood on the satisfying 76-64 win over the Fraport Skyliners. Your 7-1 at the moment. How good does basketball life feel at the moment?

Basketball life is really good now. Anytime you win is good. We played well against Frankfurt. I hope that we can keep up the streak and keep improving.

This was a hard fought win. How taxing were the ups and downs for the HAKRO Merlins?


We knew coming in that it would be a dog fight. Frankfurt was a very good team at both ends of the court. We knew that we wouldn’t run away with the game. We knew that we had to keep fighting. At half time we talked about how we had to come out in the second half and gut it out and do the little things necessary to win.

Quantez Robertson said before the game that they couldn’t allow Crailsheim to play their game. How content were you with how well you were able to perform the game plan?


We struggled a bit at the beginning. We scored only 34 points at half time which isn’t a lot for us. We fixed a few things at the break and then came out and played our style. We had better ball movement, controlled the pace and played great defense. 

After creaming medi Bayreuth last weekend and dishing out 31 assists, how challenging was it coming out and holding Frankfurt to only 64 points?


Frankfurt is a good offensive team. We had to lock in more on Mobley and Gudmundsson. Our defense is similar to Bayreuth’s. We knew that we had to step it up. We did a good job communicating and limiting their transition. We also did a good job not letting their shooters get hot and were physical on defense. 

Crailsheim went on a huge run in the fourth to seal the win. How much do you appreciate the sniper qualities of Maurice Stuckey?

Mo is one of the best shooters in the BBL. He has been around for a while and knows how the game is played. We always believe that every shot he takes will go in. He is a dead eye sniper.

The team rebounded great and had only 8 turnovers. What part of the Merlins game were you most proud of tonight?


I liked the way we fought. We were down by 8 points in the third quarter, but we kept fighting and pushing. We then performed the final knock out punch in the fourth quarter. I was most proud of our willingness to fight, toughness and grit.

What kind of an experience was it playing against top BBL defender Quantez Robertson? What impressed you most about his game?


He is an older guy and knows everything. He knows what space he has to be and knows the type of plays teams run. He gets in passing lanes well. He is definitely one of the best defenders that I have seen in the BBL.

Trae Bell Haynes is a big MVP candidate. His organization skills are excellent. How has he continued to get better in last weeks?

He is a great point guard that is quick. I think that he has improved his shot a lot. I get up shots with him before and after practice and I have noticed that his shot is more fluid and that he is more comfortable. We totally believe in him and he proves each night that he belongs to the best in the league. 

How content were you with your game of 5 points and 5 rebounds. You seem to be coming into your own as a guy that will do anything to help his team?


I’m not having the greatest statistical season, but I’m just glad were winning. I just try to do my best to help the team keep winning. I think that I’m doing my thing on the defensive end well which is good for me. I know that my shots will start to fall. I just have to keep pushing and never get too high or too low. 

Christmas is around the corner. What is your fondest X-mas memory as a kid?


I had older siblings, but I felt like an only child. I got a lot of gifts. I just remember waking up in the morning seeing the presents under the tree. That was a special moment. For me it’s important to give back to people and keep the Christmas spirit going.

What is your favorite X-mas movie.


Home Alone.

Thanks Haywood for the chat.

The Fraport Skyliners have been on the rebound the last few weeks after starting 0-4 and have won two of their last three games. After a very satisfying victory on the road in Chemnitz where they demonstrated a disciplined defense allowing only 70 points, they returned home to lose to playoff team Ludwigsburg and then get a great offensive performance  scorching medi Bayreuth for 104 points. Skyliner identity figure Quantez Robertson was only 6 years old when on December 30, 1990 then Orlando Magic guard Scott Skiles dished out an incredible 30 assists in a 155-118 win against Denver that would break the record of Kevin Porter who had had 29. In the game against medi Bayreuth, the Fraport Skyliners played offense like an NBA team dishing out an easyCredit BBL record 31 assists. “It was cool being part of that record 31 assists. We were playing loose and free all night long. Nobody was afraid to take any open shots”, stressed ex Auburn(NCAA) standout Quantez Robertson. Jon Axel Gudmundsson led the club with 8 assists while Joe Rahon added 7 dimes, Quantez Roberson had 6 assists and even pure scorer Matt Mobley showed some unselfishness with 4 assists. It was one of those games where everything was going so smooth that talk of any records didn´t show up during the game. “Honestly I never thought that we had so many. At the end of the game, I thought that we had something like 20 assists. It felt like Scott Skiles game where he had so many. We were having so much fun sharing the ball”, added Quantez Robertson.  Everybody thought the record was 31, but actually after better scruntity it is actually Phoenix Hagen that has the record of 38 assists and the Artland Dragons once had 35 assists.

                It was a refreshing breath of new air on the offensive end for the Fraport Skyliners  who shot out the lights at 63% from the field and 48% from down town while netting 15 three´s. They also rebounded the ball very well, a part of their game that hasn´t always worked to their content this season. They haven´t always been consistent scoring, but against medi Bayreuth everything came together. Scoring the ball well like in the past has been very distant for Quantez Robertson as remembering those 100 point games is tough. “This was our best offensive performance of the season. This is the first time I can remember scoring 100 points since I have been here. We did a good job being more aggressive on offense during the week of practice. We were more comfortable in practice and that carried over into the game. What we did well in practice, we did a lot better in the game”, said Quantez Robertson. The club has had their point guard issues this season, but the return of Joe Rahon who played for the club last season has made a huge difference. That discipline and consistency has returned back to the playmaking that the club had been lacking the last weeks. “Joe has been a pretty good addition. He doesn´t look so much for the shot, but rather likes to find his teammates. His addition has helped move Jon Axel Gudmundsson come off the ball more so he doesn´t have to bring the ball as much. Joe always has the ability to find the open guys. I feel like we already had guys here before Joe came that were able to get assists. It does get contagious when you have many guys that can find the open guy. Joe´s added playmaking has rubbed off on us”, expressed Quantez Robertson.

                A month ago the season low point happened in Oldenburg as Frankfurt was crushed 86-69 and head coach Sebastian Gleim questioned the mentality of certain players. The team mentality has definitely changed in the last weeks as the focus has team which has become more present. “We aren´t letting each other down anymore. We are playing harder now and want to play for each other”, stressed Quantez Robertson. The team has improved since that ugly loss in Oldenburg, but there is still a lot to do on the court for this club to be able to feel comfortable. “It was tough starting the season playing against 2 top teams. I think that we have shown progress in each game. Even in games we lost, we played hard against top teams that helped us. I think that we have improved on defense by playing against top teams. Talking and helping out on the back line has improved most on the defensive end. We also have been rebounding better. We have been gang banging on the defensive glass and it has shown in games”, commented Quantez Robertson.  Now with some more wins on their belt, they may just be able to find some consistency slowly. “Consistency will come by being more active on both ends of the court. We have to always play hard and believe that we can beat anyone”, warned Quantez Robertson.

                The Fraport Skyliners want to keep their winning streak alive with a victory in Crailsheim against the HAKRO Merlins. The Fraport Skyliners will have a reunion with ex player Canadian Trae Bell Haynes who played with the Skyliners in the 2018-2019 season. Quantez Robertson can name hundreds of ex teammates, but he is really excited to play against him again. “He is a quick crafty point guard that can get to the basket a lot, but also likes to find guys for assists. Now I can finally play him in a real game and not just in practice”, smiled Quantez Robertson.  Bell-Haynes made a massive progression in the last 2 years. Last season he had a solid season in Finland, but it wasn´t explosive. This season he has taken the easyCredit BBL by storm leading the league producing almost double double stats with 21ppg and 9,0apg. Even Quantez Robertson who has a good eye for talent didn´t expect this big rise in play by his ex teammate. “I knew in Frankfurt that he was a good point guard and that he could get to the rim and free throw line, but I honestly didn´t see him being able to lead the BBL in scoring and assists this season. I saw him averaging something like 10,0ppg and 7,0apg. He continues to show that he can make the extra pass and that has showed in Crailsheim”, added Quantez Robertson. Bell Haynes was only a Skyliner for a few months, but Tez does remember the cup game against ratiopharm Ulm. “Trae scored like 20 points off the bench. It was a heck of a game from him”, remembered Quantez Robertson. The game was tight in the end until Robertson hit a big shot which was followed by a big Bell Haynes shot to ice the 78-74 win. Making shots under pressure is something Bell Haynes has always exceled at. ““I have to give a lot of credit to my time in college. I have learned it´s important to be poised down the stretch. Pressure is a privilege. It is a lot of fun and these are the games we live for”, warned Trae Bell-Haynes. The Fraport Skyliners not only have to keep an eye on Trae Bell-Haynes, but the whole team is very dangerous. Crailsheim have a 6-1 record and are second best in scoring in the easyCredit BBL with 93 points. “We have to slow them down and make them play our type of game. They like to get up and down the court. We will have to play very good defense and limit them to one or no shots each possession”, warned Quantez Robertson.

            The Fraport Skyliners won´t have a Christmas break after the Crailsheim contest as Braunschweig comes to town on December 26^th, and then have away games in Giessen on December 30^th and in Weissenfels on January 2^nd. Of course the team will take each game one at a time, but they also know that the next weeks could slowly point the way in what direction the season journey could go. “We can´t look past any team. They may not be high in the standings, but any team can beat anyone. We have to understand that we can´t underestimate anyone. Any team can get hot and go on a wining streak”, warned Quantez Robertson. Robertson is hoping that his team can pull out another win even if it means going against the tough HAKRO Merlins. He will spend a lot of time on Face Time during Christmas as his family is back home. Watching his family open presents and eat good home cooking surely won´t be easy, but in the end he still has his big love basketball and will be focused to keep the Skyliners having positive performances on the floor. He hasn´t been content with his game as he needs to be better for his team to be successful on the court. His scoring hasn´t been as spot on as in other years as becoming more aggressive could be a proper 2021 New Years Resolution. “I will just continue to do what I do on the court. But being more aggressive is important. I will be that no matter what. I have to work more on my shot. Sometimes I overthink when my turnovers go up. I just have to remember not to overthink and just play”, warned Quantez Robertson. Even if he gets bored during X-mas, he could still go on You Tube and relive that magical Scott Skiles 30 assist game for added offensive inspiration for the upcoming battles.

Elias Valtonen is a 21 year old 201cm forward from Finland that is playing his first season in Germany with the Tigers Tuebingen currently averaging 12,0ppg, 2,2rpg, 1,5apg and 1,0bs. He played the last 2 seasons in the States with Arizona State University (NCAA) playing 38 games. He began his basketball career with UU-Korihait Uusikaupunki (Korisliiga). He then played He then played 3 seasons and 71 games for HBA-Marsky Helsinki (1st Division) and in his last season played 31 games averaging: 14.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.8apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 74.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com late in the summer about basketball. 

Elias thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been despite the whole COVID-19 effecting the world

I have been in Tuebingen for 2 days now. My summer has been actually almost normal. In Finland COVID-19 is not the worst so we were able to practice the whole summer with National team. So it’s been pretty good.

How have you experienced the whole COVID-19 crisis in Finland the last months How much did the last 6 months change your life and how much of a challenge was it finding the time and places to be able to stay in shape and be able to work on your game?

Like I previously mentioned, it wasn’t that hard for me since June. From March till June I was just in my hometown Eura and practiced in outside gym and courts. Basically I did a lot of other stuff as well during that time.

How do you feel did COVID-19 make you stronger as a man?

I feel like it helps me and others respect more little things like access to the gym. Gratefulness.

You played your last game on Feb 20 against Oregon. How difficult was it for you personally not playing competitively for so long. Was there anything special you did from time to time to stay mentally active with basketball?

In our Open Gym practices in Finland we had pick-up games twice a week and in the end of the summer we had National team camps where we prepared for two games against Estonia.

Congrats on signing with the Tigers Tuebingen. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball?

Thank you! About Germany I know that it is one of the biggest countries in Europe and has very deep culture of football and basketball. Of course, Nowitzki comes to my mind every time we talk about German basketball.

Head coach Danny Jansson has known you for a while. How was he able to sell you best about joining this organization?


Yea we have known each other a few years. I know how good a coach he is to develop players and he just said that here would be a good place to take a next step as a player.

After 2 very tough seasons in the NCAA with Arizona State, you are very hungry to show your game in Germany. With what kind of expectations are you going into your first season in Germany with?

My expectations for the upcoming season is just to keep improving every day and keep progressing towards bigger leagues. I am hungry to show what the best Elias is capable of.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm guard that can play the positions 1-4. Your favorite players are Kevin Durant and Gordon Hayward but if you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

It’s hard for me to say any player who I remind. I just like versatile players who can play in both ends.

It is no secret that your biggest strength is your versatility, but what other strengths does your game possess? 

I think I can read different situations well like attack close-outs and push the ball in transition. On defense I think my size helps me to guard multiple positions.

Even though you didn’t play much in the NCAA, you shot the ball very well from outside. How vital was being efficient and shot selection in your 2 years at Arizona State University?

I think ot was very vital. I think that’s one factor why I started couple games last season. Maybe I should have taken few more shots as well.

You’re a very good defender. How much pride do you take on the defensive end and how do you feel will you help the Tigers most on defense?

I take pride on my mach-ups. Basketball is a game of small matches and I feel like if you win those small battles more you have good chance to win. I think when I am active on defense I can force people to take tough shots and get steals.

On what things did you work on this summer the most on your game so you will be best prepared for the Pro A?

I worked most on my shooting this summer. To being able to get to the next level I think I have to be more consistent on that.

You played 2 seasons with Arizona State. You went from 4-13 minutes per game in your second season. What were the biggest positives that you got out of this experience?

I played with a couple NBA guys during that time and I know the level of their daily work. I also learned about competiiveness and more individual style of game. Now I feel it’s good to come back to more familiar team ball for me and come back to Europe.

You scored once in double figures with 10 points in a win over ST Johns. What was your most memorable game in the NCAA?

I would say that game against St. Johns, I had couple good looks in that game and was able to deliver.

How did head coach Bobby Hurley groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

We didn’t talk a lot individually, but I learnt toughness from him and feel like he helped me to understand that basketball could be played in a lot of different ways.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Lugentz Dort

Me of course, Lu is known to be bad defender. Just kidding. I think Lu got couple more 1 on 1 wins than me but I also got couple.

At the U-17 World Championships in 2015, you beat Germany 92-63. In that game NBA player Isaiah Hartenstein scored 9 points. What memories do you have of him and did he look like a future NBA player?


I remember him to be very tall and athletic during that time. I heard he was a NBA prospect during that time and thought that he would make it there.

In that game you also played against a young Oscar Da Silva. 2 years later you played against him and Stanford going 1-1 while Da Silva scored 20 and 15 points. He had a tough injury last season, but how good did he get and could you see him reaching the NBA?


I think if eveything goes right he has chance to make it but he will definitely be a good European player because of the understanding of the game and feel.

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCCA or anywhere that went to the NBA?

I think Anthony Edwards, potential top-3 pick in the upcoming draft. I had the chance to start against him against Georgia and I think I did pretty good job with him in that game.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time? 

Lauri Markkanen, Luguentz Dort, Zylan Cheatham, Remy Martin and Shawn Huff

Please construct your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present players?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant

What is your personal opinion between the never ending debate between Michael Jordan and Lebron James concerning who is the greatest of all-time?

No explanations, but I will say Michael Jordan

What was the last movie that you saw?

I think I watched movie ‘Escape from Alcatraz’ on Netflix

Thanks Elias for the chat.

 George P. Filkinis is a FIBA Basketball Coach from Athens and well known as a master of the “Running Basketball”as his teams are always distinguished particularly by the extreme speed of development and execution of their offense. His way of offensive basketball is influenced by the presence at Loyola Marymount University next to his “mentor” coach Paul Westhead. He is also considered as a defensive genius as he eminently uses complex and pressing defenses with “traps”, multiple and consecutive rotations that confuse and overwhelm the opponent. Besides , it is no coincidence the fact that his personal record in 701 official games , 496 (70,8%) wins , 205 (29,2%) defeats , while he has conquered 11 (eleven) championships at all levels as a head coach and 6 (six) as assistant coach and defensive coordinator With coach Filkinis we had a really interesting conversation for the friends of germanhoops.com .

•Welcome coach to the site of germanhoops.com. I’d like to ask you to inform us about you and specifically about your style of play . It’s known that you are an “up-tempo” coach but it’s useful our fans to know more details . *

Thanks a lot for the hospitality dear Miles and for the opportunity to contact with many friends and basketball fans both in Germany and elsewhere in Europe . I decided to follow coach Westhead’s way of play first of all because he was my offensive teacher during the period I was in USA and secondly because I found out the last 18 years that the game of Basketball has to change , to become faster and finally I vindicated by the results that my teams achieved and by the fact that even late FIBA decided to establish the rule of 14 seconds ! The basic thought that created the entire offensive philosophy of the “Running Basketball” is purely a matter of probabilities . The more efforts to make shots from your opponent , the more chances you have to beat him if you are simply able to maintain a minimally “acceptable” accuracy . And when we are talking about shooting “efforts” obviously are needed more possessions of the ball than our opponents . As when we are talking about “shots” we mean “open” shots and from specific spots . So when the 99% of the basketball coaches in all over the world are “teaching” their players offensive “systems” and “plays” to face all the possible game situations , general and specific , depriving them the creation and the initiative we “teach” our team how to create “possessions” and “open shots” in 3 seconds with the help of the basketball fundamentals and mathematics . This style of play, has nothing to do with the “common” running game that some teams use at times and if you “adopt” it once you CAN NEVER COME BACK . If you follow this first of all you will not be popular . This is a “radical change” and people don’t like radical changes .

Your fellow coaches, administrators and fans will dislike you . Because it’s too hard for anyone to understand . For example why you are still running when you are up 15 and there are 4 minutes to go in the game and you don’t delay the game ? They can’t understand that it’s impossible to “stop” your team ! Even the officials will absolutely dislike you because you make them work too hard . So why we do this ?

Because it works , has great results , makes our team solid and almost unbeatable and personally I don’t give a damn if they like me or not , if they hate me or not , when my team runs and strangles the opponent ! I don’t give a damn also, because my job is to find “ways” to make my team win the games and this kind of basketball “proven” is the best I ever had ! The philosophy of this “Running Basketball” is that we run on every situation. Turnovers, steals, defensive rebounds, made shots, missed shots, loose balls, up 20, down 20. Non stop running . I’m a strong believer in what Sun Tzu writes in his book ” the Art of War ” When you prepare everywhere you will be weak everywhere . ” So we don’t spend our time in practices to teach our team what to do against personal defenses or zone defenses . Our fast break is all that we do, we run it and that’s it. We have no zone offense as I said earlier , no press offense , no secondary offense , no delay offense . We do one thing and the players know we do one thing and they believe in what we do because they have no choice. They have no choice because there’s no alternative . We have a 7- second offense on missed shots . If we get the defensive rebound we like to shoot the ball within 7 seconds . On made shots we have a 3 second offense. We will get the ball out of the net and shoot within 3 seconds. It takes us 7 seconds to get a shot if the opponents miss and 3 seconds if they make it. Our main goal is to get 100 shots a game when our team is ready. We are more interested for shots and points than in anything else and when we get a lot of points we usually win. We never but never use “scouting” we don’t waste our time to analyze our opponents way of play. Our assistant coaches and all our staff works hard for our team. And in most games we don’t call time outs, we don’t need them as we haven’t anything to say and our players know very well what to do and they have to do only one thing. Deeper than that if a team is scoring on us the worst thing for us to do is to call timeout because we need the clock running to do our game. Dead time hurts us stop our pace and gives breaths to the opponents .This is just a part of my offensive philosophy that gave me till now in 701 official games , 496 (70,8%) wins and 205 (29,2%) defeats and this is my one and only weapon.

It’s really impressive coach this kind of play and I’d like to give us more details and if it’s possible a sample of your defensive philosophy and about your next plans

 Some times even though it seems a little selfish , I enjoy with some who claim , insist and flaunt that their teams are running .You’ve heard about early offense ? Let me inform you that I have and I use a pre early offense ! Everything happens so quickly that sometimes even the guy who operates the game clock , the timekeeper , is confused ! But the most important of this offense first of all is that due of its quickness the opponent teams are constantly in a situation of transition defense and fail to apply against us their well – training defenses and secondly that our players do whatever all the basketball players in every point of the planet like to do : To run and shoot the ball and no one will care or worry if they will make the basket or no It’s normal to play special defenses that will allow us to steal balls , to push the opponent for turnovers and to make easy baskets . Our players like to play aggressive on defense because they know that always a teammate is next to them for help  I always in our practices force the defense to play with a player less , when other teams play 5 VS 5 and believe me that in two weeks with our right guidance and drills , team is quite ready to play a whole game with four players . You asked me about my plans . Thank God I am independent both as a professional and as a person and so I’m not making compromises and concessions ! I had proposals this season but were not tempting not from the financial side but in terms of the quality, the work conditions and the goals.  I’ll continue to choose the teams with which I want to cooperate and I’ll continue to propose myself to groups with “low profile” but which are stick at nothing like me to overthrow forecasts and projections and to succeed where others do not dare even to think I will continue dear Miles , to spread my love to basketball and to face challenges and emotions that only this game can give , as long as God gives me the power ! My hard program and my results are my only credentials . •

As usual coach the communication with you is extremely interesting and the way you play the game impresses . I would like to ask you at this point how feasible it is to put this game mode in any basketball team and how long it takes to consolidate your way .

I am delighted Miles with this question . When I’m going to a new team early in the season and before the start of it’s summer preparation , I always try to locate if the team has already 3 or 4 players, whom I’ll use as a main “trunk”, who like to run , push and jump 120 minutes continuously , with only a 2 minutes water break , because this will be the situation they will face in our practices the whole year . If I’m lucky and find these players it’s easy around them to build my offense , otherwise I have to find them and to bring them to our team . The next step is to explain in great detail to each player individually , what exactly is his role in our offense and what I’m asking from him . It’s very important all players to know their job in the court and to work hard every day to improve themselves and team’s play . But all these are the ” easy job ” as the hardest part of our effort to make our offense to work , is to change initially the mentality of our players and to make them to forget the ways they played in the past and to accept and love the new way of play , which is a radical change in everything they knew and did so far They must consolidate that for us and for THEM offensively our running game is all we have and our main goal is in every single to make it faster and more effective ! And believe me dear Miles that there is not  in all the corners of the earth , basketball players who does not like to run and shoots the ball without agony if he will make it or not as nobody is going to blame him if he misses it ! In two weeks they make certain in action the effectiveness of our game and they gradually begin to believe it and to enjoy it … Generally Miles it takes about ten to twelve weeks more or less for team’s preparation in our new way of play offensively and defensively and to be ready , solid and competitive for the new championship against anyone .

•Thank you George for this interview and for all the answers and the information you gave us. *  Thank you so much Miles for our communication and for the opportunity to inform the basketball fans about the way I work and play the game and for our excellent results ! coach George P. Filkinis Basketball Coach Certified by FIBA Facebook : George P. Filkinis E mail address : gfilkinis@gmail.co

2020 has been a difficult year for the whole world with COVID-19 having changed the lives of everyone and it hasn´t been any different for American baller Tucker Haymond. COVID-19 ended his Pro A season with FC Schalke, left him in limbo in the spring and summer about how his basketball career would continue as well as finding ways how to keep in shape and left him sweating as getting that new contract didn´t happen until November. But that hadn´t been the whole story of his 2019-2020 season as he began in Cyprus, but had to depart early from there. Then he hung out in Cologne where he had played with the Pro B team RheinStars Cologne the season before winning the scoring crown. He didn´t mope about his tough situation and worked out with well known German individual trainer Paul Gudde and had that hard brush with sleeping on the floor. “Sleeping on the floor for the past month has almost been something out of a movie. Going from winning a G league championship to bouncing from country to country, house to house, has shown me what I’m really made of. How dedicated I am. And because of all of these things, when an opportunity arises, I will be ready for it. Because of the work I put in and sacrifice I’ve made. I’m just lucky to have a wife that will go through this with me and support me even when it may look like there’s no way out. She believes in me”, stressed Tucker Haymond. After his job abruptly ended in Schalke, he returned home and had to deal with the whole COVID-19 crisis. He had to deal with finding gym time as well as just hope he would find a new job opportunity. “ My off season training consisted of a lot of dribbling at home and outside. I went weeks where I had no access to a hoop and all I had was a ball. Now that things have started to open back up, I practice basketball 6 days a week, and do strength and conditioning 3/4 days a week. I am in the best physical fitness of my life because I have had so much time to really focus and invest in my body. I´m more ready than ever to get back to playing because I know this is the hardest I’ve ever worked. The transfer period has been very different, it has definitely been challenging because of all the unknowns of what will happen. I knew it was going to be a very special off season due to Covid and me only being able to play 5 games. The only thing I have stayed focused on is making sure I am physically and mentally ready for whenever I get the call. I know I can’t focus or worry on things I can’t control, I´m just very excited for when I´m able to play again. I miss Germany”,stressed Tucker Haymond. The waiting finally ended as German Pro B team SC Rist Wedel called in November But his basketball life would excellerate an incredible 180 degrees as after 2 games he got promoted to the easyCredit BBL team Hamburg Towers who were suffering some injuries and gave him the special BBL 5 game contract. The last year has been a massive rollercoaster for Tucker Haymond, but 2020 has had a happy ending for him as he made his BBL debut against ratiopharm Ulm playing 4 minutes. So there he was on the bench and head coach Pedro Calles looked at him and gave the Washington native the call. “My first reaction was excitement and happiness to get this opportunity so fast after my arrival in the end of November. Together with my agency ATHLEADZ I decided to sign with SC Rist Wedel because besides playing for their Pro B team the organization wanted to give me the chance to practice a lot with their BBL affiliated team Hamburg Towers which we thought would help me a lot to step up my own game by practicing with high quality players like Jordan, Kam or TJ and being coached by head coaches Pedro Calles (BBL) and Benka Barloschky (ProB) on a daily basis. So once I received the news, there wasn’t a lot of time to think about it because the preparation process for Ulm began immediately with watching film and mentally preparing myself for the game, not only for me personally, but how I can step in and do whatever coach asks me to do to help, in whatever way that is”, stressed Tucker Haymond. The American has left sleeping on the floor with no job in Cologne to suiting up with BBL team Hamburg Towers.

            Obviously signing with SC Rist Wedel was a no brainer for Tucker Haymond. Even if he landed back in the Pro B, he had a massive advantage to his other German teams RheinStars Cologne and FC Schalke that he had played with in the past in that SC Rist Wedel was the farm team of the Hamburg Towers. He would have the opportunity to practice with the BBL team on a regular basis. He didn´t disappoint in Wedel with his game as he had his usual sniper qualities present as he scored 27 points in a victory against Lok Bernau and contributed 23 points in a tough loss to Itzehoe. He had been practicing with the Hamburg Towers and then suddenly he got his chance to tackle the BBL level. If his buddy Jan Zimmerman had told him a year ago when he was getting him off the floor to get into the gym that he would inhaling BBL minutes, the American would only have looked up to God. “Thanks for the flowers Miles, but I think I’m not quite there yet. I’m glad I played my first BBL minutes and it was an important experience for me to built on. I still have to study the game a lot to get on this level and I will definitely do my best to earn a chance to get called up by coach Pedro again. But if someone had told me one year ago I think I would have just thanked them and continued to put my faith and trust in God and continued to work hard every day. During those times I didn’t know what was going to happen or what direction God was going to send me, I just knew whatever the path was, it was meant for me. And I was blessed to start working with my agent Robert Cardenas Ruda (thanks to my old teammate Jan Zimmerman) around that time who one hundred percent believed in my abilities, and worked very hard to get me fitting opportunities”, warned Tucker Haymond.

            On December 12^th, he scored 23 points in a loss against Itzehoe and then would give his BBL debut the next day against one of the BBL´s top 5 teams ratiopharm Ulm. All of a sudden he was sharing the floor with BBL identity figure Per Guenther, German national player Andreas Obst, ex Euroleague player Patrick Heckmann and a slew of talented Americans like John Petrucelli, Troy Caupain and Demitrius Conger. There were 2 vital things that he wanted to get out of the few minutes he played as well as being able to make that adjustment as the BBL is a totally different world to what he saw in the Pro A and Pro B. “Important was to gain experience and confidence. Besides speed, physicality and basketball IQ, I think the biggest difference is just overall combined experience in the players on the teams. Most teams in Pro A have a lot of guys who have many years of combined mid or high-level experiences in basketball. Whereas sometimes in Pro B, you can have a very talented young team with most guys 18-21 and they are on their way to getting to those places that the guys in Pro A have been”, explained Tucker Haymond. Another huge advantage that Tucker Haymond has with being able to gain new experience with a BBL team is being able to soak up as much as possible with head coach Pedro Calles who easily belongs to the top 3 coaches in the league. The head coach had a Cinderella season with Rasta Vechta and brought them to a new level and now he is trying to go 2/2 with success as he attempts to guide the Hamburg Towers to new heights where they haven´t been before. “Even in this short time of 2-3 weeks practicing with the Towers I have gained more then I can even type out. He has been patient with me and is a great teacher of the game. Since coach Pedro is known for his high intensity, fast pace, defense and team orientated style of basketball, I have the chance to learn something new every day and I try my best to apply it to my game. Him, coach Benka (AC BBL), and coach Miguel (AC BBL) have been very positive and patient with me, which has helped me learn so many new concepts in a short time. When I also practice with Wedel, it’s more reps at the same system. Coach Benka pushes me on both teams and has helped tremendously in different parts of my game, not just skill wise, but mental and technical parts of the game, too”, stressed Tucker Haymond. He had the family feeling in Cologne with manager Stephen Baaeck and it isn´t any different in Hamburg with ex German national player Marvin Willoughby. “We have connected well, we have a mutual friend in Paul Gudde, who told me a lot about him before I even met him. Ever since my first practice, and before any games for either team, Marvin, Christoph (sport director Wedel) and everyone in both organizations have treated me with nothing but respect and welcomed me to a family like environment. I’m just thankful and blessed to be here”, said Tucker Haymond.

            The American who currently is watching the TV series Your Honor knows that he only has 5 games in the easyCredit BBL to be able to leave a lasting impression for the Hamburg Towers as well as other BBL teams and teams from other high levels. But the guy has an amazing work ethic and is so focused to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity. “Practicing with the Towers is great and I try to take advantage of it in every way. Playing with the Towers is a big bonus for me and I’m trying my best to earn it since it isn’t guaranteed. I’m also trying to make my BBL teammates better every day in practice, if I can achieve that, then the team improves and I did a good job. But my main focus right now is winning games in Wedel doing whatever is asked of me to help achieve a win and be a good leader for this young and highly talented group”, expressed Tucker Haymond. He has many excellent teammates like BBL veteran Bryce Taylor and diminutive electric point guard TJ Shorts, but there are so many other key players where he can soak up additional vital basketball knowledge on offense from versatile player Jordan Swing and defensive stopper and pest Max Dileo. “I like how Jordan gets to his spots on the floor with his changes of pace, as well as his angles of attack. He is a very talented player. Practicing/Playing with him and watching him reminds me of another lefty I once played with, with similar playing styles – Darrun Hilliard. With Max, I just try to watch how he uses his body and his different angles he takes on defense, as well as positioning. But his biggest asset on defense is his effort. I’ve never played with anyone who gives as much effort on defense as he does, and its contagious. When he gives high effort, other players on the court match his intensity. One of my main goals for this season was/is to be equally dominant on defense and offense and luckily I have players within the team like Max and Kam which lead by example and force me to perform on a high level every day in practice. You’re always working hard to get better”, warned Tucker Haymond.

            Even though the ex Western Michigan(NCAA) guard has been practicing in Hamburg, he is living in Wedel and needs to make the 45 minute drive to Hamburg. He is so focused on making a positive statement with his game that he probably couldn´t tell you where the breathtaking Alster lake is or where the overwhelming famous harbor is. “To be honest I haven’t seen much of Hamburg or Wedel, once I got out of quarantine by the end of November I started practicing 1-2 times a day, sometimes in Wedel, most of the time in Hamburg, so I spend all my time either at home, in the gym, or on the way to the gym. Definitely looking forward to explore the city together with my wife whenever I’ll have the time for it”, warned Tucker Haymond. Even if COVID-19 is still a pain in the neck for the world, basketball wise Tucker Haymond is sitting on top of the world with this very rare BBL chance. Even if he was only a Pro B player two years ago, you can never doubt the self confidence of a professional player. Most have chips on their shoulders and are always gunning for more and reaching the top of the basketball ladder. It hasn´t been any different for him. As soon as he saw Washington native Peyton Siva in the easyCredit BBL, he knew exactly where he wanted to go in Germany. “Ever since I got to Germany it was a goal of mine to play in the BBL. I gained a lot of experience in Pro B and I was a dominant player in Pro A with Schalke (2019-2020). I grew up watching Peyton Siva back home, he was someone I looked up to as a young kid, so being in Germany I wanted to do the same. I think I’m still on track and I will do my best to get closer and closer to accomplish my goal of being a respected BBL player. God has blessed me with this new opportunity in Wedel and Hamburg and I’ll just continue to work hard wherever I’m at, no matter the situations or circumstances”, stressed Tucker Haymond. Even if 2020 has been a year that no one has ever experienced before, one thing is for sure, Christmas will still be there. It is a time of the year where all the turbulence gets forgotten a bit. A time for Tucker Haymond to reflect on his interesting journey in the past 12 months as well as being able to spend precious time with his wife. “I’ll be celebrating this year with my wife, maybe try to go see some Christmas lights if possible and FaceTime back home with family. Of course watch Christmas movies and just enjoy family time, something I’ve learned to savor this year more than ever. And yes, this Christmas I’m blessed to have a comfortable place to sleep and a team to play on, 2020 has taught me to never take anything for granted, big or small.”, added Tucker Haymond. He has witnessed so much that he easily could of written a book about what he went through and would of easily titled the last chapter of his book concerning his easyCredit BBL experience as Faith & Humility. He has everything he needs in Wedel/Hamburg having his wife and having the biggest professional opportunity with the Hamburg Towers. Only one thing is different this holiday season and that is he will have traded the floor in Cologne for a big comfy bed in Wedel. But then again, if he still has that kid at heart in him, then he may actually risk sleeping one night on the floor on Christmas eve next to the Christmas tree to see if Santa Claus actually makes house calls in Germany.

Julian Harris is a 24 year old 196cm forward from Mansfield Texas. He has one season of professional basketball under his belt playing for the Raleigh Firebirds (TBL) and Kitchener-Waterloo Titans (Canada-NBL Canada) playing 22 games averaging 2.6ppg, 1.9rpg He began his basketball career at Lake Ridge High School and then played at the University of Texas at Arlington (NCAA)from 2014-2018 playing a total of 93 NCAA games. He helped the school reach the NIT Elite 8 in 2017. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

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

I am currently in the Dallas Texas area. Basketball life right now is mostly working out in mornings with my trainer and watching some games on the TV.

Before we talk about your career, let’s us talk about how you experienced COVID-19 in 2020. You played your last professional game on March 8. How did you experience COVID-19 and what was most challenging about staying in shape and being able to keep working on your game?


Yeah so talking about Covid, I played my last game on March 8th. I got a flight back to Texas and probably a week later, I actually caught COVID 19. I was quarantined for 14 days. Didn’t get my taste and smell back until 2 months later. It was a little rough. But thank God I didn’t have to be hospitalized. Once I made a full recovery, the biggest struggle was just finding gym time during the lockdowns. So me and my trainer had to improvise with outside workouts and dribbling drills.

With everything you experienced of the court how do you feel did COVID-19 made you stronger as a man?


This year of COVID taught me a lot of lessons. But the one that’s stuck with me the most is, that things can get taken from you in a matter of seconds, so whatever that you are doing or investing into put your all into it. Give it everything because it could be gone before you even know.

The 20-21 season is underway, but not all leagues are playing. How difficult was this season’s transfer period? Do you feel like COVID-19 has played a major role in you being without a team now?

I think COVID had a big part in me not being on a team right now, you know it blocked a lot exposure and film that could’ve been used to get myself out there.

You finished at Texas Arlington (NCAA) in 2018, but began your rookie season in 2019-2020. How tough was that year after finishing school? Did you have a job and did you ever doubt the basketball process?

My first year out of college wasn’t tough at all, it was really like a weight off my shoulders. I didn’t have to buy into a system anymore, I could focus solely on myself and my skillsets. Which me and my trainer hit hard right after graduation that whole summer. I had been playing the 4 and the 5 in college. I could finally focus on my guard skillsets. Which I would need for the pro level. I also did play basketball that year. I played for the Raliegh Firebirds in the TBL (The Basketball League). Where I got rookie of the year there and got to play at the guard and wing positions. The TBL is a smaller league in the US that pros can play in and travel around America.

You played your rookie season with the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans (Canada-NBL Canada) playing 22 games averaging 2.6ppg, 1.9rpg. What was your rookie wake up call in Canada where you knew that you were very far away from Texas?

So the shocker that I knew I wasn’t in Texas anymore was when we were on the road for our first scrimmage in Sudbury and I woke up and looked at my phone and saw -8 degrees on the screen. I had never been to place that cold.

Was your rookie season such a big adjustment considering you hadn’t played that much either in school?


No, it wasn’t to much of an adjustment compared to college, you know I had to play my role for the success of the team. But that just gives me more fuel to the fire that I have to play this game, t work harder so there is no question that the coach needs me to on the court for the success of the team and not on the bench.

What kind of an experience was it playing in the Canadian NBL? The league is on the rise. What did you enjoy most about the whole experience in Canada?


.Playing in the Canadian NBL was great experience, I was like a sponge up there just trying to learn and grow as a professional. It was great competition, the biggest thing I enjoyed the most was learning from some of the vets on my team and just creating some good relationships.

How valuable was a guy like veteran Olumuyiwa Famutimi? Was he one of those players you paid extra attention to and tried to soak up as much as possible from his game?


Yeah Olu is my guy, he was a great vet to me. He helped me with some of the mental side of the game. Talking to me, encouraging me. I was always keeping a eye on how he approached the game, on and off the court. Awesome experience to play along side him.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

If I had to compare my game to anybody, I would say Kawhi. Because we have the same demeanor when we play. Don’t really show too much emotion. I can defend like him and same type of style on offense.

Talk a little about your strengths on the court. What area on offense do you see you helping teams most as well as on the defensive end?

I would help the team improve the most in is the ability to score off the dribble and getting to the rim. I also would help improve the flow of the offense with smart movement. Then on the defensive side would be on ball defense, one thing that every coach has done is put me on the best player to guard. I am also a very good help defender.

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


I am enhancing my ability to be more proficient with my jump-shot and to build up my percentages.

How big is your hunger to play overseas? Do you have any ex teammates or friends that have played overseas?

It is tremendous, I am hungry and humble. Yes I have a couple old teammates that play overseas.

Describe in a few sentences as to why you could help any team at this moment?

I would bring an overall set of skills, that has been proven to enhance a team wherever I go. What I bring also is leadership ability along with enhancing the elevation of everyones game around me. I believe in team and team wins championships.

You played 4 years at University of Texas at Arlington (NCAA). What was your fondest moment there? Possibly reaching the NIT Elite 8?


My fondest moment at UTA was winning the Sun Belt Conference and also yes playing in that elite 8 game at home for the NIT.

As a freshman you played 11 minutes and scored 2 points against powerhouse Kentucky that had 10 future NBA players including Devin Booker. What do you remember from that game and did you have that feeling that you belonged?


Well how I felt about it was, It was great experience but a bit overwhelming at times. Due to the talent level that they had in comparison to what we were accustomed to playing against, but it was a great experience for me because that’s when I saw myself with comparable skillsets had I played in my proper position.

Despite not having the biggest role on the team how do you feel did your game grow and mature in your 4 years?


My overall game matured each year due to good coaching, level of play, IQ and hard-work.

How did you witness future NBA player Kevin Hervey grow as a player and what was your fondest memory with him in those 4 years?

.Yeah Kevin was actually my roommate for 3 of the years I was there. Tha’ts my brother we’ve been through the fire together. It was great to grow with each other and push each other everyday. 

How did head coach Scott Cross groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?


He taught me good work ethic, and just an overall basketball insight.

Who won a one on one you or Kevin Hervey?


Kevin and I would play a lot of one on one. We both got some wins on our belt he might be ahead by like 2 games. Lol

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


The toughest player that I played against that is in the NBA was Devin Booker. He shot the lights out against us.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Erick Neal Kevin Hervey Olu Famutimi Jacob Van Faith Pope

If you had to construct your very own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you pick old or new?


Micheal Jordan Julius Erving Kareem Magic Johnson

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate about who is better Lebron or Jordan? As a player and stats Lebron owned him, but Jordan has 6 rings?

.I am a Jordan fan all the way, my dad grew me up on MJ. My first ball was a MJ ball. Now Lebron has my full respect with everything he has done. But Jordan is still the G.O.A.T. His drive and passion for the game is above the rest.

What was the last movie that you saw? 

I just recently watched this movie on Netflix called AVA.

Thanks Julian for the chat.

Justin Cobbs is a 29 year old 191cm point guard from Torrance, California playing his seventh professional season and second with KK Buducnost Voli Podgorica (Montenegro-Erste Liga). Last season he played 20 Adriatic League averaging 15.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 5.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 84.7%; and played 9 Eurocup games averaging 15.4ppg, 2.4rpg, Assists-2 (7.3apg), 1.0spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 80.0%. He played his rookie season in 2014-2015 with the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL) playing 27 BBL games averaging 14.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.4apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 80.3%;and played 12 EuroChallenge games averaging 16.3ppg, 2.9rpg, Assists-4 (6.1apg), FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 83.1%. In the 2015-2016 season he also gained further experience with Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi (Turkey-BSL) averaging 7.6ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 64.3% and averaging 5.2ppg in Eurocup in Dec.’15 moved to FC Bayern Muenchen (Germany-BBL):playing 26 games averaging 6.8ppg, 1.3rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 83.3%, 2.1apg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 75.0%. In the 2016-2017 season he played with BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral (France-ProA) playing 34 games: Score-3 (16.9ppg), 3.6rpg, Assists-5 (5.5apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 87.9%; and played 11 FIBA Europe Cup games: Score-4 (18.9ppg), 4.0rpg, 5.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 89.4%. In the 2017-2018 season he played with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-ProA) playing 47 games averaging 14.1ppg, 2.9rpg, Assists-4 (5.9apg), FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 88.7%. In the 2018-2019 season he played with KK Cedevita Zagreb (Croatia-Premijer Liga) averaging 12.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 91.8%; played 25 Adriatic League games averaging 13.9ppg, 1.8rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 83.0%; and played 16 Eurocup: games averaging 14.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 5.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 38.7%. FT: 82.8%. He played at Minnesota (NCAA) and California (NCAA) reaching the Elite 8 in 2014 and has won professional titles in Croatia, France and Montenegro. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game in Ulm about basketball.

Justin thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Welcome back to Germany. How did it feel returning back to Germany where you had your first success with the Fraport Skyliners?


It was good to be back in Germany and see some of those familiar faces. It brought back many memories like playing against DJ Cooper with Frankfurt in the Eurochallenge. I always think good things about Germany. 

Before we talk about your career, I have to ask you about how you experienced COVID-19 the last 7-8 months. What was the biggest challenge for you in terms of being able to keep in shape and work on your game during the hard times.

I was in Los Angeles. There was no big challenge. My circle is very small. I usually work out in the mornings and am by myself. The hardest part was keeping my little one inside. It wasn’t easy being locked in the house. 

With everything that you experienced how do you feel did COVID-19 make you stronger as a man?

I was locked in. It was a good time to relax my mind. It was also good to be able to spend more time with my family.

Your playing your seventh professional season and second with KK Buducnost Voli Podgorica (Montenegro-Erste Liga). What kind of experience has it been playing in a new country? How has it been different from other places that you played in?


I think that the biggest difference in comparison to other countries is the format of the playoffs. Every game is important as only 4 teams make it. Having that home court advantage is huge. The pressure and expectations are higher in the ABA league. You always have to be on you’re A game. You need to always have good results and be able to do that consistently. 

The club is doing well in the ABA and Eurocup. Where do you see the journey of the team going this season?


We are doing great in the ABA. We are in the Top 16 of the Eurocup I see us as being one of the best teams. I feel that if we peak right then we can go far in both. My goal is the Eurocup final and winning the ABA title.

You have 2 new teammates with Melvin Ejim and Willie Reed. What have you learned to appreciate most about both guys play?

Melvin helps the team in so many ways. He is so humble and always gives advice. You always know what you will get from him. He always gives the same energy. Willie is an athletic presence. He can dunk at a high rate and always disrupts the other teams offense. He is a great rim protector and rebounder. 

What kind of experience was for you sharing the back court with ex NBA player Sean Kilpatrick? You both turned professional in 2014. 


We actually were together many years ago at a Charlotte (NBA) work out. We relived those times. This was only his second time overseas. Everything was new to him. My job was it to help him. Often guys coming from the NBA have a difficult time making the adjustment to overseas ball. He has done a good job figuring out and is playing with Gran Canaria now.

In 2018-2019 you played with KK Cedevita Zagreb (Croatia-Premijer Liga) playing 12 games averaging 12.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 91.8%; played 25 Adriatic League: games averaging 13.9ppg, 1.8rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 83.0%; and 16 Eurocup games averaging 14.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 5.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 82.8%. What did you appreciate most about last season? You won a cup title.


There were two things I appreciated the most. One was the coaching staff who deserve a lot of credit. They had a lot of faith in me. It was a bit shakey with some of the guys they kept. They were totally behind me and Jacob Pullen to lead the team. Jacob was a great guy to have in the back court. Sean Kilpatrick and me were the most dynamic back court. 

You won the France pro A title with Le Mans. How good did it feel winning your first professional title in your fourth professional season. Did it feel a little extra sweet simply because Le Mans came into the season having missed the playoffs.

I actually wasn’t familiar with the club when I arrived. It isn’t always typical that you know about the history when you get to a new team. We started off well, but we didn’t really realize that we had a chance to win it all until we reached the playoffs. We knocked off teams like Asvel and Strasburg. We didn’t read any of the newspapers, but we were told that we were picked to looe every playoff series. We really had good chemistry. 

Not only was the regular season amazing, but what you experienced in the playoffs was nothing for bad nerves. First you beat Asvel, then beat Strasburg in five games and then Monaco in five games. Was there any point in the playoffs where you knew that nothing was going to take you from winning the chip?


I think the only time that we questioned not being able to win it was when Romeo Travis was suspended for game two. We lost game one and had to win game two with out him. We found out only one hour and a half before the game began. That was when guys knew that they had to step up. 

After being up 2-1 against Monaco, you lost at home and had to come back on the road. You won game 5 76-74 and had to rally to win. Talk about the last seconds and how you witnessed winning your first chip?


I honestly was never worried. Chris Lofton made a big shot and I made important free throws. Paul Lacombe took the last shot and missed a tough floater. It was an exciting time seeing all the energy in that game. It was fun to win on the road in Monaco.

What made the season so amazing was that the core players were all new. What was the secret to this team always being able to come out of holes and being able to win when you needed it most?

I just credit our team. We were a team that always played with the hot hand. It didn’t matter if it was me, Romeo Travis, Chris Lofton or DJ Stephens, someone always made the big shot. We had many guys that contributed on a consistent basis. We always fought hard and never stopped believing. We proved in the playoffs that we could get it done. 

How vital was it for your game to have a guy like Chris Lofton. How much easier was it for you to play your game having such a lethal sniper by your side?


He could catch fire at any time. He scored 34 against Monaco and 25 points against Strasburg. He is one of those guys that can take over a game at any time in 10-15 minutes. He took a lot of pressure off me and when I had a bad night, he would pick it up.

One of the true professionals is Romeo Travis who won the playoff MVP. How key was his character for this team having success? Would the team have won the title without him?

He kept everything together. If things got hectic, he would calm us all down. He had a lot of experience and had been in those moments before. He was a tremendous leader.

How many Lebron James questions do you suppose slipped out from you over the course of the season or did everybody respect his friendship with the king and not hassle him with questions?

He didn’t have too many crazy Lebron stories. I know that all 5 guys form the movie have a group chat. He talked a lot about his high school days. People were always asking him about Lebron.

Before we talk about your current game, I would like to go back a few years. After a stellar rookie season with the Fraport Skyliners, you suffered some sophomore blues in Turkey where you didn’t find your groove and with Munich got lost in the shuffle with less minutes to spare. What did you learn from this season?

That season taught me that if there are situations that don’t work out, you just have to embrace the journey. I wasn’t the same player in Turkey the way I had been in Frankfurt. I learned if something goes wrong, just keep playing your game and keep that same confidence.

How big of a challenge was it for you in 2016 going into your third professional season wanting to turn around from your second season. You struck back with BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral (France-ProA) playing 34 games: Score-3 (16.9ppg), 3.6rpg, Assists-5 (5.5apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 87.9%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup played 11 games: Score-4 (18.9ppg), 4.0rpg, 5.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 89.4%. What was key for you this season for being able to bounce back? Did you work extra hard in the summer or was your self confidence somehow increased quickly?


That team was smaller and had a lot of confidence coming in. I always bring the same work ethic where ever I go. I also use each summer to get better. I think a big factor in my good play was changing my mind set and getting back to playing thew ay I know I can. 

How important was it having that familiar face around with Richard Solomon from the university of California who was your teammate there. How much of a role did he play for you being comfortable and finding back to your game?

The life style and food is different abroad for Americans so any time you have a familiar face around, it makes everything easier. Richard helped me relax and just be myself. 

You have always been that scoring point guard, but already showed that special knack of knowing exactly when to score and when to set up your teammates which you demonstrated time in and time out as a rookie in Frankfurt especially in that do or die game against Enisey in Frankfurt. How do you work on continuing to improve decision making? How vital is watching film in your preparation?

Film is key for my game. It helps knowing where guys will be open and the opponents defensive schemes. I always know where a guy will be open on the pick role before it happens because of film. Watching film and knowing the scouting report always gives you an upside. 

Except for your second season in Turkey and Germany, you have been so consistent. What has been your personal secret for doing this? Some players say that they played for good coaches. How has it been for you?

Playing for the right coach is always key. I have been lucky to have played for coaches that have let me play my game. It is important for them to believe in you and let you play through your mistakes. If that doesn’t happen then you won’t have confidence. I think that me putting in the work has also been key. Since playing in Munich, I have always had the best defender defending me. I always had to be prepared and my team helped me also.

What do you believe kept you from the NBA? I interviewed your ex teammate David Kravish recently and he said you could have been in the NBA


I speak to guys about this all the time. If you take a Mike James the best player in Euroleague and switch him with Cameron Payne then I feel like James could help the Suns more than a Payne could CSKA Moscow. No disrespect to the player Cameron Payne. That is just how I feel. I think to get to the NBA has more to do with timing than talent. Guys come form the NBA to Europe and are unable to play here. 

How important was your rookie season in Frankfurt for you personally? How important was head coach Gordon Herbert for you as a rookie? He had the confidence in your game and gave you total freedom. Is this something that you will always remember?

My first real job was with NBA team Charlotte. Then I went overseas to Riga and was instantly thrown into the fire. I thought coming to Europe would be easy, but it wasn’t In Riga I was expected to be a program changer. The expectations were really high. I played against top teams CSKA and Khimky after only 2two practices. I didn’t produce. I was cut. After that brief experience, I questioned myself if I could play in Europe. I thought that I was done. Gordie believed in me and revamped my career. I came to Frankfurt and believed in myself and the process. Sean Armand and Quantez Robertson allowed me to play my game. Without that time in Frankfurt, I really wouldn’t have known where I would be after.

You probably have many very fond memories from your Frankfurt days, but what is your fondest memory? Possibly that do or die Eurochallenge game in Frankfurt against Enisey where you were down by 18 points at the break and still won?

I remember telling the guys at half time, ‘Come on guys do you really not want to win this game’ ? I remember how much fun we had as a team in Frankfurt. It was great times. I remember the exciting playoff series against Munich. Everybody counted us out, but we proved them wrong. I remember when I got to Frankfurt, we were something like 14th in the league and then finished 4th. Those were some of the best teammates that I had in Frankfurt.

How have you been following the career of your ex teammate Johannes Voigtmann? He is playing his 6th season in the Euroleague. Any memorable story with him from Frankfurt?

We had two of the best big men in Europe with Joe and Danilo Barthel. We were all hungry to play at the next level. Joe can do it all. Both deserve the success they have achieved. Watching them grow over the years has been amazing. I still tell stories today about how Joe and Danilo were my big me my rookie year. 

Who would win a one on one today if you played again. You or Sean Armand?

I will always take myself. Sean would put up a tough fight. He loves to paly defense. I will always take myself except if I go against a Lebron or Jordan.

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


I remember two guys. I remember when we played Washington State and Klay Thompson going off for 44 points. Those were the most impressive 44 points I ever saw. The other was Damian Lillard. You could tell he had potential. 

If you had to construct your very own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you pick old or new?

Jordan, Lebron, Shaq, Kobe, Iverson

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate about who is better Lebron or Jordan? As a player and stats Lebron owned him, but Jordan has 6 rings?

They are two different players. Lebron is more like a Magic. Jordan had that killer mentality and scoring

What was the last movie that you saw? 

Set it off.

Thanks Justin for the chat.

DJ Woodmore is a 28 year old 190cm point guard that is playing his first season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz. Last season with Morgenstern BIS Basket Speyer (Germany-ProB) he played 21 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 87.3%. In 2018-2019 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.2%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.6% in the Regionalliga. In his first two seasons with Speyer he averaged 14.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 72.1% and 17.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 76.4%. he played at Virginia Wesleyan College (NCAA3): from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 20.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.3% (219/435), 3Pts: 46.0% (91/198), FT: 76.9% (93/121). Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and DJ Woodmore team up each week to talk basketball.

Congrats DJ on the massive 88-45 win over the Fraport Skyliners Juniors. Did this at times feel like a practice game? 

Thank You!! I wouldn’t say it felt like a practice but it was definitely one of the best defensive games we played this year. We were prepared for almost everything and came out with a better sense of focus. We didn’t want to give them a chance to gain some confidence throughout the game like we have in the past!! 

Mental lapses is something that happens to all teams but also something that happens frequently to the EPG Baskets Koblenz. You were up by 18 points, but allowed a 9-1 run shortly before the break. Why does the team allow these kinds of runs by the opponent? 


You’re absolutely right! Happens way too often with us. But I think it’s because we take our foot off the gas for a split second, and teams take advantage. There’s no time to relax in this league because everybody is capable of beating everybody. We’re still trying to fix that but it seems like we’re getting a little bit better each week. 

Head coach Danny Rodriguez got very loud at half time in the locker room. What did he remind the team that it had to do to get back on track? 


Yeaa Coach can be.’passionate’ at time times lol but he just wanted us to stay focused. Like you said we gave up a small run right before the half and that could have easily been a time where we put the game away. But I think he woke us up again and we were able to put together a great second half. 

The team heeded his words and exploded for 28-5 third quarter. Was this the best 10 minutes of basketball by the team this season?

By far!! I thought we combined good defense with out best offensive display as well . I didn’t realize they only scored 5 points. Felt like we were doing everything right on both ends. Now if we could duplicate half of that throughout the entire game, we’d be cruising. 

The team allowed only 17 points in the second half. What adjustment did you make on the defensive end? 

Thought we adjusted well to their high pick and roll play because They killed us with it in the first half. We started closing the middle on closeouts and rebounded the ball extremely well. Limited the second chance points we always give up. 

It is never easy to play against a young and inexperienced team. What do you feel was the team’s biggest strength today?


Focus and energy. I thought we did a great job of being locked in for 37 of the 40 minutes. Even when the younger players from us came in, they brought the same energy. Always good to see them playing at a high level. 

You had another great scoring 18 points to lead all scorers. You took command in the second quarter scoring 9 points. Was this production more of a result of what the defense gave you?Yess I think so. When we went into a small scoring drought in the first half, Brian and a few other teammates reminded me to be aggressive. So I looked to score a lot in transition and get easier points from our defense.

I love how easy you make hitting a three pointer. You had a special relationship to the basket. Does it at times feel like nothing will fail with this relationship? 

Sometimes it actually does. Constantly working on my shot throughout the week. Like I said in the past, I know the shots I feel comfortable taking and I’m pretty confident when I can get to those spots. But when something is off, I try to force myself to the free throw line just to see the ball go thru the basket.

You were matched up at times against Joshua Bonga. What was your impression of his game?


You can tell he’s going to be a special player. I thought he was extremely quick, very good first step, and incredibly confident for his age. He hit a few shots that were really tough. Shots I don’t know if most 15 year olds are taking, and he’s making them look easy. I think he has a bright future ahead of he keeps working. 

Kyrie Irving recently proclaimed he will have a season black out with the media. Do you feel like this will hurt or help his game more?

I actually use to be a huge Kyrie fan but the last years he’s kind of got under my skin a little with his relationship with the media. I think he’s one of the most talented players in the world for sure but he’s hurting not only himself, but his teammates by causing an unnecessary distraction for something that’s not that serious. Just answer a few questions and leave. Doesn’t seem so hard to me. But we’ll see what happens after the 25k fines start adding up.

Thanks DJ for the chat.

What is better than having two totally different teams face off, but having come off two huge nail bitters wins. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors had began the season with a severe drought losing their first 6 games, but finally won their first game of the season at home against the Arvato College Wizards 79-75. In that game Frankfurt received some clutch crunch-time shooting from guards Philipp Hadenfeldt and Matthew Meredith which carried the team to victory. The EPG Baskets Koblenz on the other hand rebounded from a massive drubbing in Ulm and returned 72 hours later to eek out a breathtaking thriller win 82-81 in Giessen despite having to accept a 35 point explosion from ex German national player Johannes Lischka. The EPG Baskets Koblenz had 4 guys to score in double figures and were led by athletic flyer Brian Butler with 23 points and ex Speyer guard DJ Woodmore filled up the stat sheet like no other with 16 points, 10 boards and 6 dimes. Now Koblenz welcomed a very very young team with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors who have an average age of only 19 and the home team was heavily favored on paper. The contest also marked the return of 15 year huge German talent Joshua Bonga who is the younger brother of Isaac who currently plays for the Washington Wizards and began his career in Koblenz. Bonga had a tough start, but then finished with 6 points, but was unable to give any heroics as the EPG Baskets Koblenz controlled the game despite having some ups and downs in the first half showing no mercy destroying the Fraport Skyliners Juniors 88-45. After the gigantic win, EPG Baskets Koblenz head coach Danny Sullivan stood at the press conference with the usual same expression and didn´t really seem impressed by the domination. “Overall we gave a good performance. We couldn´t hold our energy level in the first half and allowed Frankfurt to come back shortly before half-time. The team has to understand that we live off our energy level at both ends of the court. When the team starts to understand that we have to give gas for 40 minutes, then we will be difficult to beat”, stressed head coach Danny Rodriguez.  Fraport Skyliners head coach Miran Cumurija knew that he had just faced the best team in the Pro B and that his team would have needed a perfect performance to win. “All guys can score on this team and that is why they are one of the best teams in the league. They have so much experience that they just know how to play. We didn´t invest enough to be able to stay with a team like Koblenz”, stressed Miran Cumurija.

                The Fraport Skyliners Juniors got on the board first executing their first play well as German forward Clavin Schaum nailed a trey. But that didn´t impress the home team as they rapidly sped on a 7-0 run. In the run, Koblenz got a three pointer from ex Speyer guard DJ Woodmore and as usual got German forward Brian Butler involved quickly and early as he connected on a turn around shot and then made a hard one handed dunk tip toeing around Calvin Schaum Frankfurt got a tap in from German Matthew Meredith, but Koblenz just kept pouring on the sound offense as Butler scored two more times and ex Fordham(NCAA) guard Zaire Thompson dropped a trey for the 15-5 advantage. The EPG Baskets Koblenz offense was flowing with beautiful ball movement and just great ball movement while Frankfurt´s offense was sloppy and they couldn´t get adjusted to the aggressiveness and physicality of Koblenz´s defense. However Frankfurt may be a young team, but not one that will hang their heads in the sand. They came back going on a swift 9-1 run to cut Koblenz´s lead to only 16-14. In the run they got some big support from Schaum with two baskets and Meredith used his stellar inside game scoring first on a reverse lay up and then nailing a three pointer. Koblenz lost their offensive rhythm and had mental lapses something they have had to live with all season long. Frankfurt increased their intensity at both ends and helped better on defense. But out of nothing the EPG Baskets Koblenz erased the great Frankfurt comeback by slapping a rude 7-0 run in their face taking a 23-14 lead after 10 minutes. Koblenz got baskets from ex Leverkusen forward CJ Oldham and a runner from ex Tuebingen forward Jacon Mampuya. A big strength of the EPG Baskets Koblenz is their great ability to be able to dominate their opponents by their individual skill class something that Frankfurt couldn´t match on this night.

In the second quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz dominated for the most part leading by as much as 18 points, but then lost focus in the last few minutes allowing the Fraport Skyliners Juniors to cut their deficit under 10 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors actually had a good start going on a quick 4-0 run getting baskets from ex Wurzburg guard Philipp Hadenfeld and a lay in from 18 year old German Alexander Richardson while getting 4 consecutive stops to trail only 23-18. But once again a little burst of energy and baskets didn´t faze the EPG Baskets Koblenz as they then exploded for a lethal 15-3 run to totally open the contest and take the overwhelming 38-21 lead. In the run the EPG Baskets Koblenz got some serious production from Virginia native DJ Woodmore who took matters into his own hands scoring 9 unanswered points. The club also got a clutch three pointer from ex Schwenningen center Edin Alispahic who had a super efficient game finishing with 9 points and 6 boards in 8 minutes off the bench. The EPG Baskets Koblenz once again used their individual class from DJ Woodmore to break open the game while Frankfurt was unable to match the physicality of Koblenz. But like in the first quarter, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors didn´t want to crawl back into the locker room at the break down by 20 and clawed back together going on a 9-1 run to cut the Koblenz lead down to 39-30. In the run, Frankfurt got a trey from 15 year old German Joshua Bonga and got vital support from German big man Jordan Samare who dominated inside the paint getting two lay in´s and then finishing off the second quarter with a pretty alley op dunk getting the nice pass from ex TV Langen forward Leon Pullen. It was no surprise that Frankfurt coach Miran Cumurija had to answer his thoughts about the young German gem Bonga who was back home in Koblenz. “Of course I wish him to reach the highest level with the NBA like his brother Isaac. He is a super guy who is always working hard and just wants to play. He shows each day that he isn´t afraid of anybody”, added Miran Cumurija. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors showed once again that they are always good for a surprise while the EPG Baskets Koblenz were up and down.

In the third quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz shifted up from second gear to fifth gear winning the quarter 28-5 and thus deciding the game after 30 minutes.  The EPG Baskets Koblenz really buckled down on the defensive end upping their aggressiveness and physicality and didn´t allow the first Frankfurt field goal until the 3,19 minute mark. Butler scored the first points for Koblenz with a free throw and then was followed by a trey by DJ Woodmore for the 43-30 lead. It is always a pleasure to observe DJ Woodmore stand somewhere and just release that three pointer with so much confidence just as if he is in a relationship with the basket. He just knows that nothing will fail with his special relationship with the basket. Koblenz continued to defend with passion and expertise causing Frankfurt turnovers while also increasing their three point execution as CJ Oldham and Dutch forward Chad Wellian connected for the 51-31 advantage. The EPG Baskets Koblenz also showed their presence inside as they used their immense physicality getting baskets from Butler and Alispahic for the 55-31 advantage. Koblenz was also doing a great job getting extra possessions with increased offensive rebounds. Frankfurt finally received it´s first field goal of the third quarter from Alex Richardson to cut down the huge Koblenz lead to 55-33. Frankfurt had no rhythm on offense and just continued to cough up the ball while the EPG Baskets Koblenz continued to be super consistent and closed out the quarter with a 12-2 run to lead 67-35 after 30 minutes. In the run, the home team continued to share the ball so unselfishly as Butler made a massive two handed dunk, sniper Jean Louis Marley nailed a trey, Woodmore made a steal and lay in and Alispahic made free throws. “We kept the pressure on as Frankfurt lost it´s soul and had no more energy”, stressed EPG Baskets Koblenz head coach Danny Rodriguez. “We weren´t in the game and hung our heads. Koblenz was more prepared then we were and wanted it more”, added Fraport Skyliners Juniors head coach Miran Cumurija.

In the fourth quarter, the EPG Baskets Koblenz had the massive 28 point lead and just closed out the game well winning the quarter 21-10. The EPG Baskets Koblenz began the fourth quarter well producing 4 stops on Frankfurt and got two baskets from German Noah Westerhaus and a trey from Chad Wellian for the 72-35 lead. Frankfurt got their first field goal of the fourth quarter from Cem Akbayir who dropped a trey. Koblenz wasn´t as forceful on offense, but still got baskets when they needed to from German Henning Schaake and another trey from Jean Louis Marley to extend their lead to 77-41.The EPG Baskets Koblenz did  agreat job on the defensive end allowing only 15 points in the second half. “We switched a lot in the first half and played better on the pick and role in the second half. We also rotated better and had better communication”, added EPG Baskets Koblenz forward CJ Oldham. With the contest more than decided EPG Baskets Koblenz head coach allowed some of his young German kids to come in with ex Giessen guard Lukas Meyer and ex Alba Berlin center Joshua Luebken. Both didn´t disappoint as Luebkem executed two pretty hook shots as he took some of that Brian Butler inside presence to his game muscling close to the basket and scoring while Meyer made a pull up jumper and free throw. “We played well together and played fast. We had our ups and downs in the first half, but did a good job controlling the game in the second half”, said German Henning Schaake. All 12 EPG Baskets Koblenz players recorded points. The club was led by DJ Woodmore with 18 points and Brian Butler added 15 points while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Jordan samara with 8 points and 7 rebounds and Calvin Schaum and Matthew Meredith chipped in with 7 points a piece. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 43% from the field and 32% from outside and had 43 rebounds and 12 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 32% from the field and 26% from outside and had 41 rebounds and 29 turnovers.

                 It was March 7th, 2020 as the whole COVID-19 hype was continuing to grow and the reality of basketball not continuing was slowly creeping into some minds, but on this night the Fraport Skyliners Juniors and Orange Academy were involved in a do or die game to reach the Pro B playoffs. The Frankfurt side had played poor basketball the last weeks playing like they wanted an early summer vacation letting it come to this do or die situation while Orange Academy had won 3 of their last 4 games and had the momentum going in. As usual the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were fortified by many talented young Germans and 2 imports with Nigel Pruitt and Bruno Peric while Orange Academy had played most of the season with only Germans until mid January 2020 when they decided it wouldn´t hurt adding the typical talented American guard you see on so many rosters in this league. Orange Academy had signed Joe Rosga in the playoff hunt to give the team added offensive scoring punch at the guard position as well as giving that potential keen playmaking ability as he hit Giessen 2 for 9 dimes in a 93-76 victory. Frankfurt had the easy 50-43 lead at the break, but broke down in the second half as Orange Academy picked up their defense allowing Frankfurt to score only 34 points to win 92-84. Rosga had a strong game contributing 15 points. Another player that had a huge night was his teammate Zach Ensminger who was on triple double course exploding with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in 26 minutes. Rosga may not have been on the team long enough to learn something about German basketball history, but there wasn´t any doubting that he played the last 6 weeks with an aura of Bamberg legendary. Ok so Zach Ensminger was only 6 years old when dad Chris won his last of 2 BBL titles with Bamberg in 2007, but papa Ensminger was working in the Ulm organization when Rosga had arrived. Plus his head coach Anton Gavel had won 7 titles with Bamberg during Chris Flemings´ tenure a few years later. Playing with the younger Ensminger and learning from Gavel was something that not every player will get the opportunity to have but one that will help any player. “Zach was super competitive and hated to lose. The thing I appreciated most about his game was his ability to see the floor and get his teammates involved.  He is a good kid. His dad brought me here. I loved playing with him. Coach Gavel helped me the most with my finishing and ball handling I think. He was obviously a great player and he was great as a coach too. He was very engaging in workouts and wanted us to get better. Just doing different drills with me really helped me improve in those two areas”, warned Joe Rosga. Anytime you have Ensminger and Gavel around, you will profit as Joe Rosga found out with Orange Academy.

            That huge win in Frankfurt was the last game he would play in the 2019-2020 season. The club went home to Ulm on a massive high having reached the playoffs, but only a few days later the season was cancelled just like that. “It was tough, I was very disappointed when the season got cut short especially because my team had just made the playoffs and we were playing really well. I think we could’ve surprised some people in the postseason. I loved my teammates and coaches too so it was tough to leave so abruptly”, stated Joe Rosga. Just like about every other player I have interviewed since COVID-19 popped it´s ugly head into our lives, the American couldn´t believe that it would have such a big effect on the world and spread so rapidly. Like most players in Germany, he didn´t stick around long enough to experience how Germany handled the COVID-19 situation, but instead did the logical thing by returning home before Trump set the travel ban. There were a few games overseas without fans and over the summer the NBA season continued in Orlando where the games went on without fans. He got a taste on TV what it would be like playing without fans, but that wouldn´t be the same as if he were on the court battling without fans. “It would definitely be tough to play a game without fans. The environment would be very weird and pretty quiet. In college we used to have closed scrimmages all the time which we’re basically games without fans. So I have some experience with it and it’s definitely a weird feeling but if I had to play without fans I would”, added Joe Rosga.

            He soon returned home to Minnesota and there witnessed a totally new life as COVID-19 was wrecking havoc on his homeland. It was a new experience and one that wasn´t easy to get adjusted to. “My day to day life is much different. Typically wake up and get a workout in. I have some dumbbells at home as well as TRX straps so I’ve just been coming up with things to do with those. I can also go for runs outside which is nice. After working out I usually try and play some cards with my girlfriend and then the rest of the day is just spent hanging out and making a good dinner. I try not to watch any tv until a movie at a night but that doesn’t always happen”, expressed Joe Rosga in April 2020. He came home so early, a time where in the last years he would still be back at school for months. Now the American who had most contact during COVID-19 with ex roommate Kristofer Krause of Orange Academy had the opportunity to get ready for his next job a lot earlier. “I don’t think it will be a big adjustment. I love training so it won’t be hard for me to do. What will be hard is finding gyms to get into because everything is the United States is shut down right now. So it could be a lot of outdoor basketball training this summer which I don’t mind. The advantages will be you have a lot of time to let your body heal from this last season and also to work on and polish new skills. Disadvantages are that it is a long time before the season starts”, warned Joe Rosga in April 2020. It has been an eye-opening summer on the transfer market as players have had to take serious pay cuts as clubs don´t have the type of budgets they once had. The whole COVID-19 crisis has shaken the transfer market, but Joe Rosga isn´t worried about finding a new job. “That is a tough question. Especially because I just finished up my rookie year which was a complicated year for me. I am just taking it day by day. I know I want to keep playing and I am just hoping for another opportunity and I know that I will be ready if that opportunity comes”, added Joe Rosga. Nobody knows exactly when COVID-19 will be history, but the American has taken the whole crisis to heart. “I have learned that anything can happen at any given time and that life can’t be taken for granted”, warned Joe Rosga.

            Rosga who has MJ, Kobe, Lebron, Larry Bird on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore was born on March 30^th, 1997 in St Paul, Minnesota and has 4 siblings. He began his basketball career at Cretin Derham Hall High School where he averaged 19.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.2apg. He then embarked on a solid 4 year NCAA at Denver University  where he didn´t win any titles, but put up strong individual stats. He played a total of 115 NCAA games and averaged double figures in scoring all 4 years. His most productive personal season was his junior year where he played 30 games averaging 16.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 44.0%, FT: 90.1%. “My game grew in lots of ways. I improved my finishing and my passing as well. I was also a solid rebounder and had a few double doubles with rebounds. I also became a leader and a voice for the team. I was a captain all 4 years so I was constantly growing as a leader and competitor”, said Joe Rosga. He scored in double figures in 87 games in the NCAA and his 2 best scoring games was a 33 point explosion against Navy and 30 points against Jacksonville. He found his touch from down town consistently scoring 40% or better in 3 of 4 seasons. He mostly had ups at Denver like when hitting North Dakota State and Omaha for 54 points in a span of 4 days, , but also his downs losing by 61 points to well known school Gonzaga, but he reflected back on his NCAA days with joy. “Those two games my junior year was probably my best week with Denver, because both of those games were wins and I shot very efficiently. That game against Gonzaga was an eye opener for-sure because they were the Number 1 team in the country at that time and it really showed what it takes to be that good as a team”, stressed Joe Rosga. He was also lucky to have a head coach with Rodney Billups who is the younger brother of ex NBA great Chauncey who gave him freedom to use his biggest strength, “He just told me to go in with a chip on my shoulder and do what I do best which is shoot the ball. He prepared me every day and was always giving me advice”, remembered Joe Rosga.

            He came to Europe in the summer of 2019 and got his first professional experience with OKK Sloboda Tuzla (Bosnia-Division I), but his stay was short as he played only 5 games. “Bosnia was a short stint because I wasn’t getting much of an opportunity to play and showcase what I could do. I knew I could play at that level but it just wasn’t the right fit”, stressed Joe Rosga.  Coming to Germany is often a big joy for Americans and the adjustment period is short, because it seems like everyone can speak English. But sometimes a player will go to a country where he might not see a Mcdonalds or hear good English conversation for months. “My first wake up call was probably just hearing everyone speak a different language and not knowing what they were saying. That was defiantly when I knew I was very far from home”, remembered Joe Rosga. He then moved to Orange Academy and on account of COVID-19 played only 7 games, but he cherished the whole special experience playing with the ratiopharm farm team. “They gave me an opportunity and let me play. I also really bonded with the guys quick and got along with all of them great. It was just a lot of fun playing with them. I feel like what is special about their program is that the guys are all really close and get along and they all want to win and get better each day. They are all competitors and love the game”, added Joe Rosga. Even if his season was shortened, he felt happy that he was able to help the team achieve their goal. “They brought me there in order to help them make the playoffs and I was able to help them achieve that, so I was very pleased that I was able to help them win enough games to make the playoffs”, explained Joe Rosga. He most likely will never forget the season ending game in Frankfurt or the exciting 73-72 win over FC Bayern Munich 2. “Yeah, that was a great game. I will probably just think of all the things I did well and the things I didn’t and need to improve on over the summer”, remembered Joe Rosga.

            Even if the American who lists Jake Pemberton, Christian Mackey, Abiola Akintola, Marcus Byrd, and Daniel Amigo as his 5 best teammates of all-time,was a professional rookie he was the second oldest on the team to Nils Mittmann who was 18 years older, he sensed this special respect from the other young German players who were only 4-5 years younger, but knew that he had achieved a lot playing in the NCAA. “I did sense a certain level of respect. Some of them wanted to try and go play in the NCAA so they were asking me questions about what it was like all the time”, added Joe Rosga. He not only was a role model to the other young talented Germans like Christoph Philipps, but also could learn a lot from 40 year old Nils MIttmann who had had a long fruitful BBL career in Germany. “It was a great experience playing with Christoph Phillips, he was a great teammate and you always knew what you were going to get from him each game. I don’t think his game really effected how I played other than if he had the hot hand I was looking to get him the ball. Yeah, Nils definitely loves the game and has a lot of knowledge and experience which was really nice to have on such a young team because he was a major voice and the guys listened to him and respected him”, stressed Joe Rosga. He compares his game to a Steph Curry on account of his shooting had an interesting rookie season in Europe playing for 2 clubs and is content that his game grew. “Playing overseas was definitely different from playing in college. I feel like my game grew as a rookie most in learning some of the new rules and adjusting to the physicality of the European game. Also learning different types of finishes to score over bigger players and knowing when to take shots and when to move the ball”, warned Joe Rosga. This past summer he had the opportunity even if the conditions with finding gyms wasn´t always optimal, he wanted to work on these areas of his game so that he will be well prepared for his second professional season. “I have to keep improving my ball handling and my finishing for-sure. Floaters are a great thing for me to have in my game as well so continuing to work on those as well”,warned Joe Rosga. No Matter where he plays in the future, no one can take away from him having had that Ensminger/Gavel Aura with Orange Academy something from which he could only profit from and did.