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 will team up each week to talk basketball. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big 82-80 victory in Giessen.

Congrats DJ on the impressive and exciting 82-80 win in Giessen. How huge was making this statement on the road after the tough loss in Ulm? 

Thank you !! I thought it was a huge bounce back win for us. Games like that, after a big loss, are usually hard to play well. I thought we had great energy and focus during Monday’s Practice and carried it over to the game. I think we made it a little tougher than it had to be but I’ll take the W any day.

How tough was it preparing for this game? What was the secret to the pre game preparation for Giessen? Was a lot of film and one practice about all you could do? 

Yes that was about all there was time for. It was extremely tough to prepare because they had a different line-up than they had been playing with all season. I think the key was focusing on ourselves more, making sure we limited mistakes and got back to what works well for us. Danny had a great game plan for us and I thought we did a really good job executing it 

In the third quarter Giessen broke away a bit scoring 27 points. What struggles did the team encounter on the defensive end? 

I thought after we jumped out to an 11 point lead, we relaxed. That was our chance to put the game away but we let off the gas. We’ll get better at that for sure. But defensively we had a tough time guarding their bigs inside. They were making some tough shots; one legged fade-aways with contact, but I think we just needed one or two stops in a row and the cane would have completely changed in our favor. 

Talk about the crunch-time. How valuable was Jacob Mampuya who scored 8 of his 12 points in a one minute span. Did this show again just how valuable the depth is on this club?


Jacob was huge down the stretch for us. He had struggled a bit to start the game. But everybody on our roster knows what he is capable of. It wasn’t a surprise to us that he finally found his rhythm. Yes I think this club is extremely deep. We mixed up the starting lineup tonight and that just added much more depth and fire power off the bench. 

The fourth quarter was a tight struggle. What kind of steps do you feel did the club make once again with this close victory? 

I mean we’ve had so many games that have come down to the wire this season already, and we’re finding a way to win most of them. I think that’s a huge step for a team. Having a big lead and losing it, trailing by double digits and coming back, tight games from start to finish, foul trouble, crucial free throws, game winners. We’ve seen it all and it’s only been 8 games. Finding a way to win is always the most important thing, and we’ve done that so far. 

How proud are you of the team nerves and stamina on the last stop on Tim Kopple and David Amaize? What new steps did the club make on defense tonight?

Definitely a crucial stop and a big defensive play, but to be honest we got a little lucky. It was a tough drive to defend because he caught the ball on the run after the free throw rebound. All I could do is stay in front of him and try not to foul. I thought Amaize had an easy put back on the offensive rebound but left it short. Could have easily been an overtime game. But once again I’ll take it. 

Obviously Giessen is the opponent, but still what kind of a feeling is it seeing a performance like that by Johannes Lischka. How inspirational is a guy like that for you considering what he has gone through health wise in the last years? 

Basketball has always been an outlet for some people, an escape from what the world can throw at you at times. Lischka has been amazing all year long. I heard about his story last season and for him to still be dominating this league the way he does is crazy to see. Hope to see him continue his journey and inspire others along the way. 

How big was the play of Zaire Thompson. He isn’t known for consistent scoring, but how valuable was his scoring output tonight? 

Z was huge for us again tonight. He gave us the spark we needed at every crucial moment in the game. They were helping down so much on Brian the entire game, it just opened everything up for him to create and get to the basket. And once he did that enough, it opened up his outside shooting. His speed gives us another weapon on offense and fits right into the up-tempo style we like play.

You had a great game with 16 points, 10 boards and 6 assists. How good did it feel filling the stat sheet again? 


Felt like I struggled a bit shooting the ball. I ad so many easy looks that didn’t fall. But I really wanted to focus tonight on being aggressive on offense and help out rebounding as much as possible because of how big their post players were. I always feel like I can impact the game in more ways than scoring. 

How excited are you to be playing 15 year old Joshua Bonga on Saturday who is the brother of Washington Wizard Isaac Bonga. Will you feel slightly old?

I always feel old when we play against these farm teams!! Always makes me think about what I was doing when I was 15 and 16 years old. But it’ll be interesting to see how he plays this weekend. You can tell the talent and mindset are going to be there. Frankfurt does a really good Job at consistently developing their youth players I don’t doubt that they’ll do the same with Joshua 

Some area’s in Germany are going to sharpen the closing down of certain things. How conscience are you aware that the season could end any moment and all the hard work will have been done for nothing?


I try not to think about it so much but it’s hard not too. Every day I feel like we’re getting closer and closer to shutting the season down. I’m hearing lower leagues are postponing even more than they’ve already had to, and now that the league is making us test before each game, players are testing positive and more games are being canceled. I’m trying to stay optimistic about it but a phone call saying the league is postponed wouldn’t surprise me at all. All We can do is try to stay healthy. 

What was the last movie that you saw? 


I haven’t really been into watching movies lately. But I’m rewatching these British series: Sherlock. One of my favorites. Each episode is about the length of a movie so I guess it counts. Highly recommended if you have some time. Won’t regret it.

Thanks DJ for the chat.

Imagine battling easyCredit BBL legends Ricky Paulding and Quantez Robertson on a daily basis in practice in back to back seasons, but never really playing in official games. That is what happened to American Nigel Pruitt in the seasons 2018-2020. He was fortunate to play for the farm teams of both the EWE Baskets Oldenburg and Fraport Skyliners. He was fortunate enough to play 1 minute in a easyCredit BBL game in a 87-76 loss to Bamberg with the Fraport Skyliners, but that amazing experience probably went by faster than Quantez Robertson does when he makes a full sprint coast to coast. Of course being able to practice with 2 different BBL teams on a regular basis in a 2 year period surely heightened his game. When he suited up with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors, it wasn’t rare to see a Quantez Robertson in the stands watching and supporting the team. Robertson had that special ability to be playing games on his phone, but still be able to give an accurate summary of the first half as multitasking is an art for the ex Auburn (NCAA) player. In Oldenburg, he saw an ultimate legend with Rickey Paulding who has been with the same team since 2007 a feat that you rarely see in any league by an American. Paulding is 38 years old and not slowing down as he is statistically as strong as even 10 years ago. Just being able to see the ex Detroit Pistons draft pick from 2004 operate in practice and present his unbelievable work ethic must have left an impression on him like he had never seen before. There are guys that would have died to have been able to work together with both guys and having been able to have this experience is something that Pruitt would never have taken for granted. ‘One thing I will never forget about Tez as a player is his work ethic and his defensive motor. He works extremely hard to bring results and never backs down from any challenge. Rickey Paulding was a hardworking guy who always had a smile on his face. He was always about the team and never focused on individual stats and he was always super competitive’, stressed Nigel Pruitt. When I put Pruitt on the spot as to who would win a 1-1 between the two legends Paulding and Robertson, it was obvious that he would be unable to pick sides. ‘Both Rickey and Quantez are both legends in their own rights for their teams and the BBL. They were both very friendly and encouraging people who always pushed you to do what you did best. They were also both team first guys so they would both do whatever it took to help their teams succeed. It is hard to say who would win in a 1-1 game. That would be a close game. I would rather say that they are two great players who have made their stamp on their respective clubs. I couldn’t root for just only one guy because they both are great competitors and even greater individuals’, warned Nigel Pruitt. 

Pruitt was born on October 3rd, 1994 in Knoxville, Tennessee and began his basketball career at Northwest High in Germantown, Maryland and then played a season at the well known Montrose Christian High in Rockville, Maryland that produced famous NBA players like Kevin Durant, Linas Kleiza, Greivis Vazquez, Patrick Mccaw and Jason Conley who carved out a nice career in Europe and was an important player for the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He also gained further experience at the Bullis school in Potomac, Maryland averaging 17,5ppg as a senior. ‘I played at The Bullis School for the last 2 years of my high school career. There were many great memories there, but the best was winning the league title during my senior year. During my one year at Montrose, it was challenging because I was super young at the time. It was my sophomore year in high school (second year) I was really trying to just improve my game and gain my confidence with the game of basketball. I had some pretty talented teammates there at the time. To name a couple who went on to play in the NBA were Terrence Ross, Justin Anderson’, remembered Nigel Pruitt. 

He then went on to play at Kennesaw State University (NCAA) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 115 NCAA games. In his freshman year, he averaged : 5.1ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 61.4%. In his junior year he upped his stats a tad bit more averaging 7.3ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 80.0%. He had his breakout season as a junior averaging 12.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 76.8% and as a senior averaged 8.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 75.5%. In his last 2 years he played 55 games and scored in double figures in 26 games. In his junior year, he scorched USC Upstate for 32 and 26 points, but lost each game. He hit Youngstown for 29 points in a victory and had 21 points in a win over Samford. ‘I would say my fondest memory was being able to play against Ben Simmons during my senior year. It was a great experience to go toe to toe with him at the time, NBA prospect. We lost the game, but I was able to showcase my ability to play against bigger talent’, added Nigel Pruitt. He held his own against Simmons finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds. He also remembered his personal good games against USC Upstate. ‘The USC Upstate game was definitely my best game. That game was a conference game, so it was huge, and we were in it until the end but in that game, I was fortunate enough to showcase my ability to take over a game’, stated Nigel Pruitt. He was fortunate to learn from 2 coaches with Lewis Preston and ex Boston College coach Al Skinner and remembered vividly exactly how both helped him to be able to perform well as a professional player. ‘The biggest way they groomed me to prepare for a professional basketball career would be how to handle adversity mentally when situations are not as clear or concise as they need to be’, commented Nigel Pruitt. 

He crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 2016 and went on to play 2 seasons with TSG Westerstede (Germany-Regionalliga). He needed no real adjustment time on the court as he averaged 20.2ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-4 (3.1spg), FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 47.0%, FT: 81.0% and 21.4ppg, 10.5rpg, 2.6apg, 3.3spg, FGP: 39.6%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 85.0% in his 2 seasons. He was 100% consistent in producing points scoring in double figures in all 25 games he played and registered 8 double doubles. He scored 20 points or more 12 times and 30 points or more 5 times. He remembers his wake up call to beinga rookie as more being mentall. ‘The game of basketball itself wasn’t so different for me but what really caught my attention as to saying that I am an actual professional and not at home, was the responsibility that was put on my shoulders daily to constantly perform in practices and in games’, remembered Nigel Pruitt. His best scoring games in the Regionalliga included a 33 point explosion against Vechta 2, and 32 points and 31 points against Wusterhausen. His consistent play in the Regionalliga rewarded him a job in the Pro B with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg farm team Baskets Akad.Weser-Ems/Oldenburger TB (Germany-ProB). He had a solid first Pro B season playing 27 games averaging 14.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 76.7%. There he had the opportunity to play with many young German kids, but was also teammates with ex Alba Berlin veteran Philipp Zwiener. ‘A special experience we had together would be making it out of the first round of the Pro B playoffs when we defeated the defending champions at the time ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen’, remembered Nigel Pruitt. He proved that he could be a strong player at the Pro B level where he scored in double figures in 21 of 27 games including scoring 28 points, getting 10 boards and dishing out 5 assists in a 88-82 win over Bochum and hit Schwelm for 23 points in a 91-79 victory over Schwelm.

In the 2019-2020 season the American who lists his own personal NBA Mount Rushmore with legends like MJ, Kobe, LeBron, Shaq and Magic Johnson moved to the Fraport Skyliners Juniors playing 18 games averaging 14.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT-1 (51.7%), FT: 86.8%. He had his best season ever shooting an incredible 51% from the parking lot leading the Pro B in that category. Playing a second season with a easyCredit BBL farm team definitely helped his game mature another step. ‘I profited the most just being able to practice with the first team at Frankfurt. That allowed me to see how their system was supposed to be ran and also it gave me more confidence that I could perform and play at the BBL level’, stressed Nigel Pruitt. It wasn’t always an easy season for him as sometimes his minutes went up and down, but he made the best of the situation and still scored in double figures in 13 of 18 games. He had some great games exploding like a volcano against Baunach with 32 points netting 10 treys and scored 30 points against the Lowen. The game against Baunach was a special experience for him. ‘Professionally, I would say that the Baunach game was definitely my best in game performance to date. It was a great night for my team and me. During this time, we were on a three or four game winning streak, so it was important that we kept it going. For me I just wanted to continue to do what I was doing for the team during the winning streak so that is what I did, and God blessed me and allowed me to have a remarkable game’, said Nigel Pruitt. He also played his first easyCredit BBL game playing only a minute in a loss against Bamberg, but he knows that if he ever had the opportunity to battle in the top German league, he would be confident he could play a role with any team. ‘I don’t remember much from that game, but I do remember that I was super excited about the chance to possibly play and help the team. If given the chance I feel 120% positive that I could compete at that level. My game would fit in very well’, warned Nigel Pruitt. 

The last movie that he watched was the week of with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock and is a player that compares his game to a Paul George in that he can help teams with his hot and timely shooting, attack the rim and defend many positions. He is a guy that can do many things on the court and remembers growing up who influenced him most at a young age. ‘The two main players that were my favorite and role models growing up were Tracy McGrady and Dwayne Wade. I loved the way that T-Mac could destroy you in a game. He could shoot, dunk on you or play make at a high level. He was the complete package. D-Wade was an electrifying player to watch and made the game of basketball fun for me and made me want to really pursue a career with basketball’, commented Nigel Pruitt. A hidden strength in his game is his playmaking ability as well as doing the little things not always seen on the stat sheet, but he also recognizes that he still has things to work on with his game so he can continue to climb the basketball ladder. ‘Right now, what I am working on the most to continue to improve my game is the leadership aspect of the game. Just trying to be more vocal on the court with my teammates. Also, I am really working on increasing my IQ for the game as far reading the game even faster than I do now and being able to be 2 to 3 steps ahead of my opponent’, said Nigel Pruitt. 
The American has made the next step in his career and is playing in the first Austrian division with the Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart (Austria-BSL). He has been pleased with his deveoplment in his first 4 professional seasons in Germany and is ready for the next step. ‘I believe that since my rookie season, I was able to always take something away from every station or team I played at. During the 2 years in the regional league, I was able to get a taste of the European game. I was able to find my game and get comfortable in Germany during these 2 seasons. Then, in the next two seasons in the Pro B, I was able to take my game up a notch and prove to not only myself but to many others that I belong and that my game can translate through multiple leagues’, stressed Nigel Pruitt. 2020 has been a very tough year for every one including Nigel Pruitt. One of the biggest obstacles was being able to stay in shape and work in the lab to continue refining his game. ‘The last 7-8 months, I was in Germany the entire time. I really wanted to go home to the States to see my parents, but I wasn’t able to due to the travel restrictions. I could have still traveled to the States, but I would have had to quarantine when I returned so it was better for me and my wife to just stay in Germany. During this time the most challenging part was trying to find place to get into a gym to shoot and workout. The small area that my wife and I live in is like a small village so there aren’t many available gyms to shoot at. I was lucky to be able to lift and keep up my conditioning at the local home gym. I feel that COVID-19 definitely slowed down my usual summer of work’, stressed Nigel Pruitt. Even if so much negative things have happened during COVID-19, there were also positives that players could experience and Nigel Pruitt is thankful for the extra time he had to accomplish new things. ‘Obviously, the news of COVID was alarming for me just like it was for everyone. I didn’t go out at all and I stayed home mostly. But that allowed me to find new interest and new skills. I was able to improve my German language skills. That allowed me to obtain the German passport this summer which was a huge accomplishment for me. It was a lot of work, but I successfully passed all the requirements needed for it so now I am a dual citizen (US-German Citizen)’, added Nigel Pruitt. Many players haven’t had as much luck finding new teams in this difficult time while others were patient and lucky as a guy like Orlando Parker who played in the German Pro A and moved up to the UK BBL joining the London Lions and Pruitt also took his time and signed in late November.’The transfer market was definitely not the nicest. It was a lot of talks of interest but nothing coming through on paper for a long time but thanks to my agency (The Sports Law Group) and my agent Rob Falk, they were able to help find me a great next step for my career. I am extremely thankful’, stated Nigel Pruitt. 

He finally has reached a first division team in his fifth professional season and is a guy that definitely deserved it and his overwhelming joy about showing that he belongs is high. ‘It feels great to finally get the breakthrough opportunity I have been working hard for, for the last four years. But I’m still hungry and working for the next step in my career’, said Nigel Pruitt. Not only on the court does he have much new challenges to conquer, but off the court he is extremely lucky to be living in an area in the eastern part of Austria only a 10 minute drive from Hungry and 45 minute drive from Slovakia. ‘I have only been here for 2 and half weeks and at the moment there is a lockdown going on so I haven’t been able to see much other than the gym and my apartment so maybe once the lockdown here is lifted then I will be able to explore a bit more and see more of Oberwart’, commented Nigel Pruitt. His new team has won 7 titles and is off to a perfect record in the Austrian BSL and the goals of the team are very clear. ‘The goals of this team are the same as it is for most successful clubs, which is to win the league title and to continue to improve on a daily basis to be better than the day before. We have a talented group of guys, so I believe that we can go very far and contend for the title as long as we take it day by day and focus on being a better team daily’, warned NIgel Pruitt. For the first time in his professional career, he has the fortune to be playing for an organization that has many nationalities with many young Austrians, a Dutch player, a Lithuanian player, a Serb player and 2 other Americans including the experienced ex easyCredit BBL player Quincy Diggs. He has only been there a short time, but knows that a guy like Diggs will be instrumental in his development there. ‘Quincy Diggs is good player who can do a little bit of everything. He is also a great teammate who is always encouraging not only me but every one of his teammates to be the best they can be daily. Since this is his second stint with Oberwart, I have been able to get a better understanding of how the coach wants things to be done by just always talking with Quincy’, expressed Nigel Pruitt. The American had a solid NCAA career and could have started in a higher league in Europe and might have been further up the basketball ladder. But instead the basketball God chose a different path for him. Vital for him was that instead of trying to be a one man show in the Regionalliga, he stayed calm and level headed and showed his true team colors and played 2 very strong seasons that carved his path in a positive way to where he is today. He remembered how tough the beginning in Germany was. ‘Due to unfortunate circumstances, I knew that I was starting a lower point than expected, but my story has always been different. I have always had to go the hard route and prove myself every step of the way, so this was nothing new. I embraced the challenge and just went out to prove to myself and everyone watching that I can play and that I belong in the higher leagues’, warned Nigel Pruitt. The American may be far away now from being able to referee a one on one duel between Rickey Paulding and Quantez Robertson, but now he is ready to continue to prove that he can play at a higher level in Austria. He also recognizes that the whole professional basketball life is a process and so far he has adjusted very well to it and will continue to climb the basketball ladder at his own pace. 

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 will team up each week to talk basketball. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the tough 98-75 loss against Ornage Academy.

After a big win against Speyer, the EPG Baskets Koblenz suffered a tough 98-75 loss. You knew going in that this would be a tough game, but was their play for 40 minutes tougher than you expected?

Yea, they were really tough to defend. We knew going into the game that they belonged in the top half of the league. But I don’t think we were expecting to run their sets so well, and shoot the lights out. I felt like there was a point where they didn’t miss a shot for 5 or 6 mins each quarter. Huge credit to them, they were ready from the start and kept their foot on the gas the entire time. 

Orange Academy exploded in the second and third quarter combined for 64 points while Koblenz tallied only 42 points. What were the main reasons for the team defense destructing? 


Our defense wasn’t great tonight at all, but honestly I thought Ulm killed us with great offense. We were a little late on rotations for sure but they still had to make the shots. I think they shot 50% from 3. And 57% from the field. Hard to beat a team that isn’t missing shots.

Orange Academy is a very young team. What makes this team so good? It seems like a big key is how well it’s coached from Anton Gavel? 

They are a well coached team and extremely disciplined. Run each play with a purpose and know exactly which option they need to look for when a team defends a certain way. Everybody knows their role: guards create, shooters shoot, slashers drive hard, and big men play big. They play with tons of confidence and trust in each other. They’re by far the toughest team we’ve played so far this season but we’ll learn from it and bounce back. 

Even though Koblenz did a very good job registering 10 offensive rebounds, it still lost the rebounding battle 40-30. Is rebounding becoming more of a problem as the season wears on?


I think it’s something we can definitely work on. But I don’t think it’s a huge problem right now. Tonight they were just making every shot, so there weren’t too many chances to rebound. With Edin injured at the moment, we have to find a way to team-rebound. That’s the best solution until he returns. 

Was the Koblenz 18-11 fourth quarter the only positive thing you could take from the game? 


Yes. There wasn’t much going right for us tonight. But our younger guys came in and did a great job on both ends. Brought the energy to cut the deficit down some. We need to bring that same intensity and energy from the jump if we don’t want to have games like this anymore.

Orange Academy have many very talented young players, but one who could go really far is Nat Diallo. What was your impression of him? How did Koblenz have him scouted going into the game? 

We knew he was a big force for them but He’s changed his game completely compared to last year. He’s the key in everything they do. Averaging multiple blocks a game. Switching onto guards, and making legitimate post moves down low. He was a beast tonight. And with his size and athleticism, he has a chance to dominate at a higher level as well.

You scored 9 points, had 2 rebounds and 3 assists in 28 minutes on 2/7 shooting. Was it just one of those days where you couldn’t get into a good shooting groove? 


Yea it was a tough night for us shooting again. But I thought I got some easy looks early but didn’t get the same ones later on in the game. They forced us into a lot of bad shots and turnovers, and there just wasn’t a chance to get in my rhythm at all offensive since they were killing us on the other end. 

After a big loss like this how do you return to the lab on Monday. On what things will you focus on most this week?


We have a quick turn around luckily. But we’ll watch this film and take some notes from them. See what changes we need to make to our defense and offense and hopefully be ready to go for the next game. No reason to hang our head on this game. Still a long season to go. 

The next game is against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors who won their first game of the season against the Arvato College Wizards. They have an average age of only 19 years. How confident are you that you won’t underestimate them and will you be able to defend better as a team?

We’re actually playing against Gieen on Tuesday for a make-up game due to Covid. So we’ll focus on that Sunday and Monday. And turn our attention to Frankfurt for on Wednesday. But I’ve seen them once or twice this season and they have some young talent too. I Don’t think we’ll take them lightly after tonight. But it’s important that we stay focused for 40 minutes this time. 

You can watch 2 NFL games every Sunday night on German TV Pro / Maxx. Are you able to follow NFL Football or do you spend your Sunday nights differently? 


Yes I’m following all the time. My teammates and I are in a couple fantasy football leagues. My team is absolutely horrible but we’re trying to make a playoff push. I’ll watch a few games throughout the night but my Sundays are usually filled with sleep and Call of Duty lol. I’ll sometimes squeeze football somewhere in there just so I can talk trash to the team on Monday.

Thanks DJ for the chat

A new month has arrived with December and possibly finally better days for the Fraport Skyliners Juniors. The last weeks have been very very difficult for the easyCredit BBL farm team as losing has been as frequent as it has been for the first team as the Fraport Skyliners who also were still searching for their first win. The biggest problem that the farm team Juniors have is that they lack the needed experience as the club boasts an average age of only 19 years. They have difficulty on the offensive end as multiple scorers are simply missing in the offense. On defense, they are also missing experience giving up 80 points on the floor. They didn´t have an easy opponent with the Arvato College Wizards as they arrived in Frankfurt with a 3-3 record with an explosive offense with the trio of oldie ex BBL sniper Rouven Roessler, dominating big man Eyke Prahst and new American Alexander Thompson. It is always a pleasure for any basketball fan to witness another game of Rouven Roessler who at age 40 still isn´t slowing down The Fraport Skyliners Juniors had been close the last 2 weekends losing at home to Giessen and on the road in Hanau, but this time three was a charm as they finally put together a good effort for 40 minutes against Karlsruhe winning their first game of the season 79-75. The German leaders of the team Matthew Meredith and Philipp Hadenfeldt combined for 36 points and saved their absolute best for last letting it rain three´s in crunch-time nailing 2 a piece. After the big win a relived Miran Cumurija explained what was key for Frankfurt to win their first game of the season. “We had the passion and were prepared tonight like we were against Giessen two weeks ago. The difference to the Giessen game was that we knew that we had to play well until the end. We showed that we wanted to win today. We fought, played good defense and pushed the ball well. At the end we had good looks when they were defending well. Everything worked well for us”, stressed Fraport Skyliners head coach Miran Cumurija. The Arvato College Wizards fell to 3-4 and had their moments, but just couldn´t put together their game in certain moments of the game. “We had some health problems. I still feel like we had a stronger  team. I don´t want to show any disrespect towards Frankfurt, because they are young and have a lot of talent. We gave them way too much confidence in the first half to allow them back into the game. Frankfurt took their emotion, confidence and talent and combined it with their belief to win the game. We just didn´t have enough intensity”, stressed Arvato College Wizards head coach Daniel Nelson.

                The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were without point guard Alvin Onyia who had departed Frankfurt with the easyCredit BBL team Fraport Skyliners for the game in Chemnitz on Sunday. The first minutes were a brutal back and forth struggle as no team could break away as there were 5 lead changes. Frankfurt received the first bucket as ex PS Karlsruhe center Noah Kamden used his physicality to muscle down an offensive rebound and made the put back. Frankfurt had found their early go to guy as Kamden would make two more baskets with a 20 footer and 5 footer while the guests also had found their early going go to guy with 209cm Eyke Prahst who played 37 Regionaliga games the last two seasons with Karlsruhe and scored in double figures in 34 games and had 29 double doubles got 4 buckets in the early going including a trey totally for a quick 9 points and 10-8 Arvato College Wizards advantage. Karlsruhe would keep the lead letting it suddenly rain three´s as ex Rhondorf guard Aaron Schmitz who is the brother of ex BBL player Simon Schmitz scored as did three point specialist Christop Rupp who shot 42% from outside last season. Frankfurt got two valuable buckets from ex Nurnberg guard Matthew Meredith who supplied aggressiveness from the get go getting two baskets inside as his quickness always got the best of the defense, but Karlsruhe led 16-12. Frankfurt had it´s problems covering the three point line while the guests had found a nice groove on offense.  The Arvato College Wizards continued to drop gigantic trey´s from 40 year Karlsruhe legend Rouven Roessler and Rupp. A big strength on this night for the Fraport Skyliners Juniors was that very often when it seemed like the Arvato College Wizards might break away got sufficient support from their young bench. 15 year old guard Joshua Bonga came up big making a rapid lay in displaying his nice fist step and then hit a trey cutting the Karlsruhe lead down to 23-19 after 10 minutes. “Prahst had a huge game last weekend. He took that confidence into this game. Frankfurt did a good job switching and tagging him. He had to take some farther away shots and some late into the shot clock”, stressed Arvato College Wizards head coach Daniel Nelson. The Arvato College Wizards shot 57% from the field and 50% from outside and had 7 rebounds and 3 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 56% from the field and 25% from outside and had 7 rebounds and 4 turnovers.

                The Arvato College Wizards jumped all over the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in the first few minutes of the second quarter and it seemed like they were going to run away with the game, but Frankfurt made a rapid comeback and actually led 42-41 at half-time. The Arvato College Wizards broke out on a 6-2 run to extend their lead to 29-21 over Frankfurt. In the run the guests got vital production from Prahst who grabbed an offensive rebound and produced a put back while German Florian Rothenberg who began his career in Leverkusen and has 94 Regionalliga games on his resume made a 20 footer from the wing and Irish guard Sean Flood who played at Longwood(NCAA) from 2018-2020 made a lay in. Frankfurt got a lay in off the pick and role from 18 year old German Alexander Richardson. But the Fraport Skyliners Juniors didn´t let that quick start get in their heads as they buckled down and surprised Karlsruhe with an annoying 14-5 run to recapture the lead 35-34. In the run Frankfurt first got back to back baskets from Noah Kamden who dropped a trey and then made a lay in. A quiet Rouven Roessler who finished with 9 points in 34 minutes hit a trey for the 32-26 lead. But Frankfurt continued to chip away at the Karlsruhe lead and had a formula of 3 things that allowed them to get the lead back. Big hustle plays from Alexander Richardson, aggressive defense which then led to transition opportunities and easy baskets. Huge in the tail part of the big 14-5 run was Richardson who shot a rare three pointer, but followed up his miss and some how got on the rim and made the tip in dunk. Soon after he showed his presence inside and made a lay in. The big man finished with 6 points and 5 boards in 19 minutes. “He played very solid and knows how to use his body. He isn´t afraid of anybody. I want to continue to watch him grow and see how he can solve problems on the court. I´m not afraid to put him. He does a good job scoring and rebounding”, warned Frankfurt head coach Miran Cumurija. The guests then got the lead back 36-35 with a Schmitz lay in, but that didn´t last long as Joshua Bonga faked one player out stepped up a few steps and iced a pull up jumper. Rupp continued to penalize Frankfurt with his trey giving Karlsruhe the 39-37 lead. However Hadenfeldt was getting warmed up for his crunch-time heroics nailing a trey and Bonga made free throws for the 42-39 advantage. Rupp closed out the second quarter with an offensive rebound and put back, but Frankfurt led 42-41 after 20 minutes.  “We gave Frankfurt the confidence to come back. They played good pick and role defense mad took that confidence into their offense”, stated Arvato College Wizards head coach Daniel Nelson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 53% from the field and 31% from the parking lot and had 16 rebounds and 7 turnovers while the Arvato College Wizards shot 53% from the field and 44% from the parking lot and had 13 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

                In the third quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors played their best defense allowing only 13 points and always held the lead despite the Arvato College Wizards were always threatening, but Frankfurt´s offense mostly was able to find a good answer in their execution success.  Frankfurt began very well getting 2 quick steals while Hadenfeldt sped by two defenders and made the easy basket for the 44-41 advantage. Frankfurt was for once not playing catch up, but setting the tone and keeping their lead over Karlsruhe. Meredith continued to get easy baskets on transition and always pushed the ball on transition. The guests got important baskets from Roessler who played five seasons in the BBL and 134 games and 145 Pro A games and Rupp, but still trailed 48-47 and just couldn´t get over the hump. Frankfurt continued to get vital production from their bench as German/Turk Cem Akbayir who began his career in Offenbach and only plays when Frankfurt is missing bodies scored 5 huge points to keep the slim 53-50 lead. In this phase, Joshua Bonga made a huge play on defense chasing a Karlsruhe player on transition and making a monster block. The block brought back memories to when his brother Isaac was playing in the NBBL in the 2016-2017 season when he also shone with big monster blocks. “I like Joshua a lot. He is always prepared and never gives up. He gives everything. The best thing about him is that he is isn´t afraid of anything. He just loves to play”, added Miran Cumurija. Frankfurt was playing with a lot of heart and just fighting to keep the lead. They did a good job forcing Karlsruhe to bad shots and often rushing their shots. Frankfurt kept the lead down the stretch getting 2 baskets form Kamden at the end holding the 59-54 lead after 30 minutes. “We did a good job defending and kept the lead. It is easier to always be leading then playing catch up”, stressed Fraport Skyliners head coach Miran Cumiurija. “They found added confidence with their switching defense and their bench made big shots. Their defense gave their offense confidence”, stressed Arvato College Wizards head coach Daniel Nelson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 51% from the field and 36% from the three point line and had 28 rebounds and 13 turnovers while the Arvato College Wizards shot 45% from the field and 35% from the three point line and had 20 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

                The fourth quarter was a real dog fight in the first 5-6 minutes, but then it was the Hadenfeldt and Meredith show that let it rain three´s to power Frankfurt to the win. The Arvato College Wizards came out strong going on a rapid 9-1 run to gain back the lead again at 62-61. The guests played more aggressive on offense and got Eyke Prahst the ball  more and he delivered scoring two baskets inside while using the mismatches each time and using his physicality to get easy baskets. Flood and Rupp also also added baskets in the run. Karlsruhe were more calm on offense and just played smart taking the best possible shots. Frankfurt just came out rusty and were stagnant on offense. As usual basketball is a game of runs and Frankfurt saved their best for last on offense going on a 8-2 run to somewhat break away from the guests to lead 68-62. In the run, Frankfurt got a 5 footer from Maxi Begue who had a quiet day in the scoring department netting only that basket. Hadenfeldt continued to be a one man wrecking crew hitting consecutive three´s. Karlsruhe stayed with Frankfurt getting two buckets from Thompson, but now it was Meredith´s time to excel nailing two three´s to keep Frankfurt comfortably ahead 76-69. Thompson continued to step up making an easy Frankfurt win turn into a nail bitter. Thompson scored 7 points in a row and suddenly the Arvato College Wizards trailed only 77-75 with 26 seconds to play. But Hadenfeldt slammed the door shut for the win with two free throws for the 79-75 victory. “Hadenfeldten played well the whole game. I told him before the game that we needed more from him today. Meredith did a good job at the end not over pacing, but letting the game come to him”, stressed head coach Miran Cumurija. “We knew that Hadenfeldt could shoot. They played good pick and role which took the attention off him. Meredith also played very well. He is an excellent player that any team would want to have”, warned head coach Daniel Nelson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Noah Kamden with 21 points while Philipp Hadenfeldt added 20 points and Matthew Meredith scored 16 poiunts while the Arvato College Wizards were led by Christoph Rupp with 19 points while Eyke Prahst added 18 points and 11 boards and Alexander Thompson had 14 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 515 form the field and 38% from the parking lot and had 40 rebounds and 20 turnovers while the Arvato College Wizards shot 42% from the field and 28% from the parking lot and had 28 rebounds and 13 turnovers.

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When your living during COVID-19 times, life can be boring at times especially when you’re a professional player. It doesn´t get any easier when your in a foreign city like Haywood Highsmith is called Crailsheim that has a population of 32,000 people. Not too long ago, the American was playing in the States for the G-League club Delaware Blue Coats and even reached the big show playing 5 games for the Philadelphia 76ers. Today he is in the German easyCredit BBL which isn´t bad, but actually a top league in Europe, but still it isn´t the NBA. Today he is living in a simple apartment and only has the luxuries of the travel and hotels of the NBA in his memories. He also remembers the way he was spoiled in the NBA getting meal money and excellent room service in 5 star hotels, but on the other hand, he is an easy man to please as he lists his one special luxury in Germany having his own team car. The language barrier has been a problem as sometimes when he is alone and doesn´t have a German teammate to help him order, he has to figure it out himself. But other than that, the American is content with his current situation and really enjoys the fact how enthusiastic the fans in Crailsheim are for their team. But his eyes really light up when the topic of the NBA is brought up and January 8^th, 2019 the day that changed his life. On this day he not only played two games in one day which is rather rare, but also played his first NBA game and even scored his first NBA points on his first shot. “I never played NBA Summer League with the 76ers as I was cut shortly before. But they gave me a G-League contract. I began the day beating the G-League Raptors team and then I went to the 76ers training facility and signed a contract. They told me that they would call me up that day for the night game against the Wizards. My whole family was there. We were winning easily against the Wizards and then coach Brett Brown gave me the call and the only thing I was thinking then was please don´t mess up. I remember the first time that I got the ball, I almost turned it over. I remember playing a floppy pin down screen with Shake Milton having the ball. I came down off the screen, got the ball and made the three pointer. I remember my family and teammates going crazy. It was my first day with the team and I made my first shot. It was a wild and great game. It was without a doubt the best day of my life”; stressed Haywood Highsmith. I don´t know how many he has already told this story to teammates and others and how many more times he will recount his first day in the NBA, but for now he is entrenched in Germany in the easyCredit BBL and is highly motivated to be an impact player at both ends of the court.

                Haywood Highsmith is a 23 year old 198cm forward from Baltimore, Maryland that began his basketball career at Archbishop Curley High School. He then moved on to  Wheeling Jesuit University (NCAA2) where he played form 2014-2018 playing a total of 110 NCAA 2 games. He had a stellar career there and was able to improve his scoring, rebounding and assists each season., In his freshman season, he became a starter near the end of the year and averaged 9.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 64.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 56.8%. He made another gigantic step in his next two seasons averaging 14.5ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 63.8% as a sophomore and as a junior averaged 15.4ppg, 11.0rpg, 2.7apg, 1.1spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 64.0%. His development continued to go up as he exploded in his senior year averaging 22.0ppg, 12.5rpg, 3.0apg, 1.9spg, 1.8bpg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 75.7% wining the All-MEC Player of the Year award. He had many great games, but the pinnacle of his NCAA 2 career came when he won the AEC tournament in 2018 after having reached the semi-finals in his first 3 years. “After being so close the first 3 years, we really wanted to win it all. One of my teammates was hurt and couldn´t play and we wanted to win it for him. That was one of my top days in my life together with my first NBA game”, stressed Haywood Highsmith. In the 80-65 final win over Charleston, the American exploded scoring 31 points, hauling down 11 boards, dishing out 4 assists and had 3 steals. “It was a great game for me, but I couldn´t have achieved that without my teammates. I went into that game knowing that there was no way that I would lose. I went into the game with that killer mentality”, remembered Haywood Highsmith. He exploded that senior year scoring in double figures in all 31 games and had a stretch from November 18^th to Feb 3^rd where he scored 20 points or more in 15 of 16 games including 30 points or more in his last 4 games. “I believe that my aggressiveness and having that self-confidence that went through the roof helped me have that type of season I had as a senior. I also put in a lot of work that helped”, said Haywood Highsmith. The American who remembered having many one on one duels in practice with Jeremiah Wilson and winning them is also extremely thankful for having the guidance and push from head coach Danny Sancomb who played a big role in helping him become the player he is today. “Key with coach was that he always got the best out of me. He made me the best that I could be. He cussed at me at times, but that was simply tough love. You can´t ask more from a coach. I wouldn´t be where I am today without him”, warned Haywood Highsmith.

            Highsmith who last watched the movie Tag left the NCAA 2 remembering two guys very well with Thomas Wimbush and Segr Bonifant who both have played in Germany with Ludwigsburg and Ehingen and will forever be etched in his mind as the toughest players he ever witnessed playing against. If somebody had told him in March of 2018 as he was finishing up school that he would be in the NBA shortly after the new year, it would probably been difficult to accept. “My dream was always to play in the NBA. I probably wouldn´t have believed it, but on the other hand, I wouldn´t have seen it as impossible. I did put in a lot of work in school to become as good as possible”, stressed Haywood Highsmith.  He began his professional career in 2018 with the Delaware Blue Coats and quickly found his rhythm scoring in double figures in 8 of his first 9 games. He had a few off nights after that, but overall picked up his game scoring 20 points or more 4 times including 23 points against OKC and 22 points against Greensboro. He also dropped 22 points against Fort Wayne and hit Greensboro again with 20 points. Then came the call up to the Philadelphia 76ers on January 8. His NBA run in his rookie season would last 5 games. His second game was against Denver and then he went back down to the G-League until being called up in April again where he would play 3 more NBA games. Back in the G-League, he showed better consistency and finished the season strong scoring in double figures in his last 11 games. He continued to demonstrate his overall versatility in many games including a 10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks in a loss against Windy City. He finished his first season in the G-League playing 45 games and averaging 12.3ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 66.7%. He scored in double figures in 32 games and had 5 double doubles. When the G-League season ended, he was called back up to the Philadelphia 76ers. He lost against Dallas and Miami, but won his last game against the Bulls. He scored 2 points in each game and increased his minutes in the last 2 games from 10 to 15 minutes. He didn´t have the pleasure to battle German legend Dirk Nowitzki who was out that game, but at least can tell his grand children one day that he dueled against Luka Doncic. “I really didn´t know anything about him. He had come form Europe, but quickly established himself and today is a top 10 player in the league. His skill level and how he operated was pretty scary. He knew what would happen before it already happened. I can see why he was a top player in Europe”, stressed Haywood Highsmith. Not only did Highsmith have the opportunity to battle against many great players in the few games he played, but also was extremely lucky not only having NBA superstar Jimmy Butler as a teammate, but also had his locker next to his. “Butler was an unbelievable worker. I remember always asking about his routine. It was really important that I could learn as much as possible. I can see why he was able to carry the Miami Heat to the finals. I remember asking him one day how many workouts he did per day. He said 3-4 per day. That is pretty impressive”, remembered Haywood Highsmith.

            Even if his NBA stay was a short one, it is one that the Baltimore native will cherish forever. Even though that amazing experience was almost 2 years ago, he likes to think back to all the great moments he had. Like any guy that has been in the NBA and left, he definitely wants to return. There have been so many examples of guys reaching the NBA after many years in Europe with guys like Brad Wanamaker or Malcolm Delaney or guys that began in the NBA, went to Europe and returned like PJ Tucker. The American knows that nothing is impossible, but also knows that you need to trust the whole process 100%, because the NBA will be a business first forever. “You will see that anywhere you play, it is a business first. The goal for teams are to win. You see guys getting cut left and right and guys that could play not getting signed. You have to go into the situation prepared to know it´s a business. It´s not easy to stay in the NBA. It always depends on what role fits you. Nowadays all it takes is to be able to do one thing really well to help a team win. The NBA will always be a dream for me. I was there and the goal is to go back. I need to continue to put in a lot of work and just keep believing I can return. I don´t feel like getting back is impossible”, stressed Haywood Highsmith. In his second professional season he remained with the Delaware Blue Coats playing 43 games averaging  10.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 70.2%. He scored in double figures in 23 games and registered 6 double doubles. After having played in the NBA in his rookie season, the expectations may have been higher for him to put up bigger stats which he didn´t do. “The expectations may have been higher, but I wasn´t so disappointed with my season. There was a lot going on in Philly. I thought that I did what I had to do. I knew my role which was to guard the other teams best player, hit three´s and rebound. That second year was a good experience. I had good stretches and should have put everything together better. I was let down a bit with my shooting numbers, but overall it was a solid season”, warned Haywood Highsmith.

            The American who lists guys like Shake Milton, Pat Moseh, Drake Goddard, Chris Carmody and Kyle Ritz as his best teammates of all-time has made the trek overseas to play in the German easyCredit BBL with the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim. Like for many other players, he had to deal with COVID-19 the last months. He had a long road in 2020 to finally land with a new club, but did the best that he could with the new situation with his dealings on and off the court. “I was in the G-League and the season was first postponed and then cancelled. I went home not knowing what to expect. It was hard to work out with the lockdown so at first I trained at home and ran outside. Then I worked out with guys like Stanton Kidd and Keandre Cook who just signed with the Charlotte Hornets It was also a good opportunity for more family time and playing video games. Later in the summer, I went down to Miami to work out with guys like Ronald Taylor and Michael Beasley. Off the court COVID-19 helped become more patient and levelheaded and just let God figure everything out. I became mentally and spiritually stronger and got in better shape during COVID-19”, added Haywood Highsmith. After playing 2 seasons in the States, he took his time finding the right fit for his third professional season. “I really didn´t know anything about the country Germany or it´s basketball. I heard good things about the league in that it is a top 4-5 league in Europe. Frank Barkley who plays with medi Bayreuth also gave me advice saying it would be a good step for me. I chose the Merlins, because I wanted to play for a good team that has a good coach, enthusiastic fans and that fits my style. They needed a player that can do many things on the court”, stressed Haywood Highsmith. The club is off to a great start having won it´s first 2 games against MBC allowing only 66 points and then winning a shoot out against the tough Brose Bamberg. Highsmith is confident that the club will show the fans many sides of success. “We play a hard physical style and like to share the ball. We want to have the ability to hold teams down as well as score a lot of points. Our defense will determine this season how well we play. We will show many different ways of winning”, warned Haywood Highsmith. An instrumental factor in the success has been Canadian Trae Bell-Haynes who is leading the easyCredit BBL in scoring and assists and continues to prove that his ex coach Gordon Herbert of the Fraport Skyliners didn´t lie saying that he is the best penetrator together with ex Seton Hall(NCAA) standout Jordan Theodore that he has ever seen. “Trae is the ultimate point guard. He is a pass first guard, but can score also. He can make a lot of plays off the dribble and attacks the close out well. He is great at pushing the tempo and have to agree that he is one of best drivers that I have ever seen”, expressed Haywood Highsmith.

            Highsmith who lists Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, Bird and Magic on his personal own NBA Rushmore is a player that best compares his game to NBA player Robert Covington. He is a special defensive player that is able to defend many positions. He is that classic three and D player which is his biggest asset on the court similar to a PJ Tucker in the way he plays. Even if he can score in double figures and haul down many rebounds, it may just be his defensive work that will be the biggest strength that he will give the Merlins. “I am able to guard different types of players from the positions 1-4. I like playing that tough and physical defense and getting over screens. Playing good defense is all about effort. I like picking up guys full court and making them work hard for everything”, stressed Haywood Highsmith. He also will give the Merlins offense a special quality that still seems to be under the radar. “People don´t realize that I´m a good passer. I love pushing the ball and throwing up lobs. I feel like I´m a pretty good playmaker for the 3-4 position”, added Haywood Highsmith. Currently he is off to a slow start on the offensive end averaging 4,5ppg, 3,0rpg, 1,0apg, but has found a rhythm on defense averaging 2,5spg getting 4 steals in the victory over Bamberg. It isn´t always easy to adjust to a new style of play. “There are different rules in the BBL. Attacking off a closeout and different defensive schemes are things I need to get better used to. The ball is different and three point line is closer”, said Haywood Highsmith. Having that first strong season in Germany is a huge priority and of course never letting that NBA dream slip away will be important as well as continuing to grind in the lab and improve his game. “COVID-19 helped me getting better shape. I have cut out bad food. I worked a lot on my lateral quickness last summer as well as ball handling. I want to become an even better playmaker and just all around better player”, commented Haywood Highsmith. The season is still young and Haywood Highsmith is no where near playing the game the way he  knows how to play, but with head coach Tuomas Iisalo, he has one of the better head coaches in the easyCredit BBL that will help him adjust quicker as well as helping him add new nuances to his game. He may be farther away from the NBA like he would wish at the moment, but then again  sometimes all it takes is one good season and right situation coming along to reach the big dance. With new added experience in Europe and added development in his game this season, if he ever does get that next first call back on to the floor in an NBA game, he surely won´t be thinking those words of “please don´t let me mess up”.

Jermale Jones is a 33 year old 186cm guard from Birmingham, Alabama is playing his 10th professional season and first in Switzerland playing for Swiss Central Basket Luzern (Switzerland-NLB) currently averaging 21,3ppg, 3,3rpg and 4,7apg. He can look back at a long career having played 6 seasons in Germany with 5 in Lich and 1 in Bernau while also getting experience in Luxemburg with Black Star Mersch (Luxembourg-N2) and played two seasons with CS Politehnica Unirea Iasi (Romania-Liga Nationala). He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career during the last summer..

Jermale thanks for talking togermanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been despite the COVID-19 crisis?

I’m currently in Luzern Switzerland. This summer has been a very difficult one but it gave me a chance to learn more about myself and allowed me to spend more time with my family.

How did you experience COVID_19 before coming back to the States when you were in Lich, Germany. Did you get home early or did you see a bit more with how well Germany was coping with it?

When Covid started I had to leave right away. Germany took Covid very seriously immediately. After the season I had plans to go to different places but with things happening the way they did I couldn’t.

How did you experience the whole COVID-19 crisis back home in the States. Did life change drastically for you?

Life back home in the states was so different because of Covid. Being without the gym and able to go places made it very hard. Felt like I was really locked down.

Was it a big challenge being able to stay in shape during COVID-19? Did you find any special ways how you could be able to get your workouts in with and without the ball?

During Covid it wasn’t hard to stay in shape because we were able to go outside and run and do other things. I was doing Garage workouts and drive way workouts while everything was closed.

With all the experiences that you made in the last months during COVID-19 how do you feel did you get stronger as a man?


Honestly I got mentally stronger & i gained more confidence in everything as time past by.

Congrats on signing with Swiss Central Basket Luzern (Switzerland-NLB) at age 33. Do you ever wonder why you didn’t get more kind of breaks like this earlier in your career?

Yes I used to wonder all the time why I didn’t get certain opportunities. I had seen many players that I was better than but I had to grow and realize everyone’s path is different .Sometimes it takes longer than others.

You played the last two seasons for Lich Basketball (Germany-2.Regionalliga) and now will play in the second Swiss League. How did this transfer come about? Often guys from lower leagues get totally overlooked by top league teams. What do you believe sold Swiss Central on signing you?

I think what sold Swiss Central was me being an experienced player and me being able to be a leader to the young players.

What do you know in general about the Swiss league? I imagine the skill level is somewhere between German Pro A and Pro B.


I know Swiss has a pretty solid basketball league and no matter what skill level it’s compared to in Germany I’ll be ready when the lights shine bright.

Your going from Lich to Luzern. How excited are you to be living in such a beautiful city like Luzern? Is it like a late basketball dream come true in your career?

I heard a lot about the city of Luzern and I’m excited to see what all the hype is about. Every year is different and I’m just thankful to continue to do what I love each year. Make the best out of every opportunity.

How excited are you to be able to be competing each week against top competition? Do you feel like you will be able to take your game to a new level in the Swiss league?

Yes I feel I can take my game to another level. It’s all about opportunity. When given the opportunity you take advantage of it & that’s what I plan on doing.

Does making the roster of a second division team at age 33 give you a new type of motivation? Could this job actually help you prolong your career even further now knowing you can still compete at a high level at your age?

Every year is motivation for me to continue to do what I love. At the age 33 I still feel amazing. I will play long as I can long as the situation is good.

You didn’t have to prove anything more in the German Regionalliga and now most likely won’t be putting up massive stats again like the last 2 seasons. You may have a totally different role. How will you help this team most besides giving your experience?

I will help this team mostly by being a leader and holding myself & others accountable. I will give a lot a knowledge to the young players to help them grow to become not only better basketball players but to become a great human outside of basketball.

How thankful are you for Lich Basketball for the last 2 seasons and how do you feel were you able to let your game grow another notch in your 30’s?

I’m really thankful for Lich in every way. I love that club and my heart will always be there. They took me in at my lowest when I didn’t have any where to go because of what happened in Romania. They took me in right away and let me get back to doing what I do and being in Lich helped me gain all my confidence back because they believed in me 100%.

You didn’t have such a long trip form Lich to Frankfurt to watch your buddy Quantez Robertson, but he will have a long trek from Frankfurt to Luzern. How confident are you that he will be bale to come and see one of your games this season?

I’m pretty sure Tez will come see me play and come here just to be here when he gets some off time. Just like when I have some free time I will be at the Frankfurt games like always.

Having you been watching the NBA in Orlando? What has been your impression and who will win it all?

My biggest impression is the fact the players are still going out competing everyday getting themselves ready for games knowing it’s no fans their and it’s just them. I know it has to be weird feeling everyday playing. It’s going to be tough who wins it all but I have to go with the Bucks.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I watched was The Hate U Give

Thanks Jermale for the chat.

The date was November 11^th, 2012 just another normal game for the Fraport Skyliners as they welcomed the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. It was an exciting game where in the end the Fraport Skyliners grinded out a 61-59 win that had some memorable plays There was one play that for some reason I have never forgotten as it was extremely spectacular and showed the strength of the Fraport Skyliners at both ends. Braunschweig came down on transition and the freak athlete Quantez Robertson who was only in his 4^th season with the Skyliners made an incredible block from behind as if he was climbing stairs up to the back board. The block landed in American guard Jonathan Jones´s hands and he led the fast break the other way and fed American ex Giessen forward Zach Peackock for the poster dunk over Eric Boateng. Quantez Robertson would go on to become a Fraport Skyliner lifer legend currently in his 12^th season with Frankfurt and become the leagues identity figure and win one title with the 2016 FIBA Europe Cup. But there were 2 other players on the court on this day who scored only a combined 3 points, but like Robertson went on to amazing careers. The one is German Dennis Schroeder who reached the NBA in 2013 and has been a very good point guard in the league for years while the other is American Thaddus Mcfadden. He had a brief stay in Brauinschweig playing only 15 games averaging  5.4ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 39.4%, 3FGP: 39.5%. He had to depart in January 2013, but landed in an old stomping ground the Czech Republic where he quickly found his scoring touch again. Braunschweig didn´t turn out the way he wanted to, but he didn´t freak out over the experience. At least he can say today that he was teammates with Dennis Schroeder. “I felt like the club knew I was a good player but just wanted to go a different way in the style of play. I felt like I could of been very successful there, but that’s the business, you have to do what you have to do, no hard feelings and still have respect for the club, firm believer of everything happens for a reason. Dennis and I were cool and with us being the younger guys on the squad we connected well and we still do, I actually went to him play in the eastern conference finals, but I remember thinking man he’s good for his age and have a good chance at the NBA, and telling people that. He’s playing good ball in the NBA right now and has had a good start to his career. I’m proud of him well deserved”, stressed Thaddus Mcfadden in 2016  He also never forgot Quantaz Robertson who he battled against him in the 2015-2016 Fiba Europe season. “I remember him being athletic, a good defender, and being the leader of the team, from what I see from watching film on them in fiba cup now, I still see him as one of the key players to their success”, said Thaddus Mcfadden in 2016. He may have been the recipient of a monster in your face block from Robertson, but since his brief stay in Braunschweig has come a very long way having played in many leagues, including the best in Europe with the ACB, won a scoring title in Greece and also won 4 titles along the way with most recently the 2020 Basketball Champions League.

                But before reliving his newest title the 2020 Basketball Champions League, one has to back track some years just to understand how much the guy has developed and continued to improve over the years. The 33 year old 187cm guard from Flint, Michigan who was a scoring ace at Fairmont State University (NCAA2) didn´t move around as much in his first 7 professional seasons. He played parts of 4 seasons in the Czech Republic and then won 3 league titles in Cyprus. But in the last 5 seasons, he has become somewhat of a basketball globetrotter having played for 9 organizations and in 5 countries. After gaining added new experience in France for Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProA) and playing for 2 teams in Greece with PAOK Thessaloniki and winning the Greek scoring title with GS Kymis, he made a totally new experience playing in China. He would have 2 tour of duties there with  Chongqing Sanhai Lanling (China-NBL) averaging 38.7ppg), 7.1rpg, Assists-2(5.6apg), Steals-1(2.9spg), FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 80.6% and also played with Wuhan Dangdai (China-NBL) averaging 36.1ppg), 6.3rpg, Assists-3(7.7apg), 1.9spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 76.3%. “China was a fun experience. I remember my first game I shot the ball 15 times now I thought this was a lot because in Europe this is a lot so after the game my agent called me and said the team said if you shoot 15 times again your fired because 15 is not enough. So I said ok I can definitely shoot more lol but china was fun I enjoyed it”, remembered Thaddus Mcfadden. In 31 games, the American scored 40 points or more 14 times. He will never forget his massive 61 point explosion against Beijing where he netted 14 three´s. “I remember thinking wow I took 30 shots, but importantly getting the win. We needed to win that game to get closer to the playoffs and we were short-handed we fell short but we still made the playoffs so honestly winning is everything so just trying to win nothing matter if you don’t”, warned Thaddus Mcfaaden. Two seasons ago he made the jump to the ACB with Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (ACB) averaging 12.4ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.3apg, and also played with Divina Seguros Juventut Badalona (ACB) averaging 9.3ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT-2(50.0%), FT: 73.3%.. Here he was able to show any haters once again that he belongs on any court in the world. “It was a huge step in my career playing in the ACB best league in Europe and just the mental part of my game grew a lot, reading situations, picking and choosing your spot, it´s never a night off so you have to bring your A game every night every team has to or you will lose. You have to do your homework in the ACB. There is so much talent and great players here, but sometimes a team can be 10 times more talented but lose because you weren´t focused mentally. Playing in Spain really helped my game a lot both physically but more so mentally and playing the game the right way”, warned Thaddus Mcfadden. He also helped lead Burgos to an exciting 87-83 victory over top Euroleague team Real Madrid scoring 18 points, a game that also will be forever be in his mind. “Winning against a great team like Real Madrid is always big. We all know the great players and coaches they have. I have great respect for them, but your chip should never get lighter and still go for more, but of course winning a game like this is big”. Said Thaddus Mcfadden.

            The stats of the American who lists his personal NBA Mount Rushmore with Lebron, Jordan, Kobe, Magic, Kareem are incredible since leaving Southwestern Academy and arriving at St. Clair County Community College in 2006. He has averaged double figures in scoring everywhere he has played except 2 times being in Germany and in Spain in the Basketball Champions League in the 2018-2019 season. He averaged over 20 points in the NCAA 2, Czech Republic and China. Especially since leaving Cyprus in 2016, his game has continued to be consistent and dominant despite playing in so many new countries and leagues. But what many people don´t always see is that guys who don´t perform as well or are as consistent usually weren´t used the correct way or put in the right situation and that is a common occurrence in every league in the world. “I’ve got better and yes my game has developed since then, but I think I got the opportunity actually to show what I can do. I feel like there are a lot of players that can play at the highest level but don’t have a opportunity to show or don’t have the right representation to get them these opportunities. I was blessed but for the most part I think I´m the same player that was in Cyprus yes a little better”, warned Thaddus Mcfadden. Another big strength of his is his humbleness. You can laud the guy a million times about his consistency, but in the end, he is very respectful to how his basketball journey has moved along. “I work very hard and you get what you put into the game. I never cheat the game and I’ve had good coaches to put me in spots to be successful, Just God will and hard work put in”, stressed Thaddus Mcfadden. The guard has always had a chip on his shoulder and it didn´t get any lighter in the 4 years where he had a title drought until his recent Basketball Champions League win. In 2016, he stated an unforgettable quote. ““I feed off having the underrated label and it makes me even more motivated because I know my abilities”. Some guys flourish with the chip while other don´t, but the American has and also has enjoyed it. “Yes I feed off this underdog label and every year it´s something new and it´s actually fun to me to prove people wrong until this day people always say he can’t do this he can’t do that, but the only person that can tell you you can’t do something is yourself, I had lots of people telling me Cyprus is the highest you will go.  You know many times every single person on this earth has been wrong so I just said ok we will see. Like Omar Cook would say bet on yourself, but I’ve learned to listen don’t take things personal because only you can change the outcome of your life. Yes I’m human and I see the comments and sometimes I think wow like I’ve played against the best, did good against the best, most importantly won against the best and people still say but he is to small, he can’t do this he can’t do that. It´s so funny to me like winning is everything right honestly make me question a lot of people´s basketball knowledge, but its a part of the game”, understands Thaddus Mcfadden.

            So let us fast forward to October 2020. While most clubs are preparing for the new season and Euroleague teams have already played season games, there was still one competition to be decided with the 2019-2020 Basketball Champions League title. Burgos had to knock off Jerusalem to reach the final 4 and did. In the semi´s, they met Dijon and got by them 81-67 as ex BBL player Ken Horton led the way for the winners with 19 points. In the final they had a very tough date with the Euroleague powerhouse team AEK Athens as they won 85-74. It was his 4^th professional title and it was possibility his most favorite in a very difficult time with COVID-19. “It feels great anytime you win a title especially when you win a title with a very special team and group. Winning the basketball champion league was definitely top basketball feeling in my whole career. Everything has been different because of the Covid 19. I pray things will get back to normal soon. All teams had a different roster and I think what helped us is we have group of great guys on and off the court, and really good veteran players so I have to give our coaches and management huge credit for putting together a championship team”, stressed Thaddus Mcfadden. Hereda San Pablo Burgos won the final 85-74 and were able to use their strength on the boards, but were lucky to pull it out not being able to take care of the ball well. “rebounding was key and we shot the ball very well. I felt like for the most part we took care of the ball at the end. We had most of the turnovers and they took advantage of them but for the most part we did good in all phases of the game. They are a very good team so you have to play great to beat them”, expressed Thaddus Mcfadden. AEK Athens was packed with great ex Euroleague players like Slaughter, Langford, Zisis, Lojeski and Rice, but Mcfadden didn´t feel like the Greek side underestimated them. “AEK always have a very good team and I think they were hungry to win just like us. They have a great coach that I respect a lot, and I know he had them well prepared in the best way possible. I don’t think they over looked us and we have guys on our team that’s known all over as well. So to me being over confident is a good thing. I think I’m the best combo guard in Europe and I said this many years ago. I put in to much work to not think so, so over confidence is what helped me grow and grow every year, but I think that our coaches came out with a very good game plan We have one of the best young coaches in all of Europe I really mean this you will hear Joan Penarroya a lot for many years to come. He told us to go have fun, play together and just take advantage of the moment and at the end we did that made more plays and executed in key moments of the game. That’s why I say everything can happen in basketball just go compete. We really have a good team and we know we have a great chance at great things but we also know it won’t be easy and we have to work very hard to have a great season”, warned Thaddus Mcfadden. The American who was also named 2020 Basketball Champions League MVP adding18 points feels that the fans were a big part of the success. “This title means a lot for the players and coaches but especially for the management and fans. They put this team together five years ago to win a basketball champions league in your fifth year is amazing. This fan base is one of the best in Europe win lose or draw the fan is always the same very supportive and the games will still have 10000 people. I know teams that if you start to lose the fans and management will panic and fans will not come. But this does not happen in Burgos. 10000 fans will always be there and the management will always be behind you so this is special they deserve this championship”, warned Thaddus Mcfadden.

            An amazing thing about the title win for Thaddus Mcfadden and co was that they did it with players from last season and new players. Two guys that really stood out were Americans Omar Cook and Alex Renfroe, but there were also others as they demonstrated how lethal early season chemistry can be. “The new players Omar, Alex, Dejan, Ken and Xavi are veteran players and Jordan is a young player with great potential. So the chemistry was picked up faster because these guys have played in big games, big teams, so nothing is new for them. That’s another advantage this team has chemistry, but we still have a lot to do. It won’t be easy but we are very confident in each other and team so we all expecting a big season this year”, stressed Thaddus Mcfadden. But will the Spanish club still be hungry for new titles this season? I´m very confident. We know we have a good roster so why not take advantage.  I’m a huge believer of taking advantage of the moment and we are all on the same page”, stressed Thaddus Mcfadden. The 2020 Basketball Champions League title also put the German easyCredit BBL league a bit in the spotlight as 2 ex players with Mcfadden and Ken Horton were instrumental pieces in the success. “The BBL is a good league; very respected league, and a very professional league. When I was there I had no problems. I’ve seen players play good in Germany and really benefit from that in the years to come so I have great respect for the Germany league”, said Thaddus Mcfadden.

            The American who´s last movie that he saw was Escape Room turned 33 in May and is still going strong. His amazing play and consistency stands out and the question is how much longer will he still want to play? The answer may be long since he is teammates with 38 year old ex NBA player Omar Cook who gives forever young a new meaning as he is still playing very strong at his age. There have been some guys in the BBL that I thought would play into their 40´s but didn´t, but Thaddus Mcfadden believes that Omar Cook could be one of those candidates. “Omar Cook is a legend. He makes the game so easy for us all. He is a true winner whatever it takes he does it. In that final he got us going. He’s best known for his great passing, defense, but a very underrated offensive player. In the final he hit 5 huge three pointer all 3 were in huge moments for us. I bet before the game if you tell him to give us 5 blocks, I´ll bet everything he will do it. Even before the game he would send motivational speeches. He definitely is a true leader and I wouldn’t mind playing with him for many many years I want to play until I’m 40. I think he will play until he’s 45 and let´s not forget about Alex Renfroe. It was a pleasure playing with him too, a winner another guy that’s huge for our success as well they are different in style but both styles are good for the team.. So it´s a pleasure playing with both”, added Thaddus Mcfadden. Obviously the chances of being able to play a long career gets more realistic when you stay healthy and can soak up as much as possible from an Omar Cook on a daily basis. “Omar´s work ethic is amazing and I’m learning. He takes care of his body and is just a true professional I’m playing until I’m 40 or 41 so learning from him is very useful”, stressed Thaddus Mcfadden. The American is on a high now in Burgos Spain and is hungry to add on to his 4 titles with some more this season. The guy has had so much success and demonstrated over and over everywhere he has played that he can be a top player there. 8 years ago in the Fraport arena, Thaddus Mcfadden had already had great seasons in the Czech Republic, but was still unproven in top leagues in Europe, but today he is not only at another level, but a lot better player that has deserved the recognition he has gotten and all of his success. You don´t even have to wonder what could have been 8 years ago had he came to Braunschweig with no Dennis Schroeder. “I don’t think Dennis not being there would of made a difference I think the team already had in mind what they wanted to do with me and use me more in the second year because I signed for two years. Years later this is what I was told. I wish I would of known this then, but man I’m so proud of Dennis. He deserve it all and he’s still a good friend of mine”, stated Thaddus Mcfadden. 8 years later Thaddus Mcfadden is on top the world and is hungry for a lot more. He definitely has done everything right in his career since leaving Braunschweig.

 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 will team up each week to talk basketball. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the exciting grind out victory over Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer

Congrats DJ on a huge 72-68 win at home against the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer. What kind of feelings do you have in general playing against your ex team where your career began? 


Thank you! I thought it was a much needed win for us. Not the prettiest offensive game we’ve played, but really solid defensively. It was a pretty emotional week leading up to the game. Of course I wanted to play well individually, but the win was the most important thing. 

What kind of a relationship do you have in general with your ex head coach Carl Mbassa? How vital was he for your game early in your career?

Coach and I still have a really good relationship. I talked to him a little this summer and thanked him for the great years we’ve had in Speyer. He did a lot for my growth as a playmaker in the 5 seasons I was there. Can never thank him and the rest of the club enough for giving me my first and second chance to play professional ball! 

You guys grinded out a tough 72-68 win over the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer. How big was this win in general? You guys survived a scare in the fourth quarter. Was this the biggest win of the season?


I thought it was a big win just to get back on track. We definitely didn’t want to have a bad taste in our mouth going into the Ulm and Giessen game. The fourth quarter was pretty rough for us but I thought Speyer did a good job of mixing up the defenses and keeping us on our toes the entire time. They made shots difficult for us and put a lot of pressure on us late in the game. Luckily we were able to make plays when we needed. 

It is very hard to believe that Speyer kept Koblenz without a field goal in 9,32 minutes. What made it so tough to get a field goal in the last quarter?

I had no idea we went so long without scoring. Great job on their part. Like I said, they kept mixing up the defenses and kept us guessing at all times. It felt like the basket had a lid on it. But we were able to knock down some key free throws and got a huge basket by Chaed when the game was on the line.

Chad Wellian made a huge jumper with less than a minute to go. How important is this guy for the team? It seems like he is a second Brian Butler in terms of his fierce athleticism?

He is very important for us. I think he adds another dimension to our team. Versatile on offense and defense. Adds athleticism and energy to the lineup right away. Plus his ability to get hot from the 3 point line will make it easier for us to go on longer runs.

After a tough loss at Oberaching a week ago, what new steps do you feel did the club make on the defensive end against Speyer?

I thought we were a lot more focused against Speyer compared to Oberhaching. We knew how dangerous Speyer can be when their shooters are making shots, so going into the game, we made sure to keep that in mind. Holding a shooting team like that to under 70 points was a big improvement for us. Just have to keep it going. 

Head coach carl Mbassa gave a lot of credit to his young German Valentin Rappold on defense especially in the way he defended you. What was your impression of the young player? 

Val played extremely well. I played with him a lot last year and always knew he could compete at the Pro B level if he wanted to. Seeing him out there in the crunch time is just testament to patience and hard work. Think it was a huge step for him this weekend.

You led all scorers with 18 points. You shot very well 6/9. It continues to be very refreshing how unselfish you are. Ok so you have been told often to shoot more, but still how vital is your unselfishness in general help you take the absolute best shot selection which you continue to do?

I think it’s been working for us. I know the spots where I feel the most comfortable on the court, and when I get those opportunities, I won’t hesitate. But There’s so much offensive talent on this team that it makes it easy to be unselfish. I probably could be a bit more aggressive scoring the ball but getting my teammates involved earlier, usually opens the game up for me later. 

Koblenz is playing very good basketball. One saw in the fourth quarter that turnovers was a big problem. Coach Rodriguez said in the press conference that one is able to practice minimizing mental mistakes. How confident are you that this will get better as the season moves on? 

I think it’ll get much better as the season goes on. For us, we’re still all pretty new to each other. Basically a completely new roster from last year, so the chemistry isn’t going to be perfect this early in the season. But I don’t doubt that we’ll find our rhythm soon and play even better down the stretch! 

The EPG Baskets Koblenz have a tough game next week in Ulm. They have a very strong record like you. What will be key to coming out with a win? 


Yes, they’re a really talented young team that is extremely disciplined. I think the key for us is to focus on our defense again. Taking away some of their strengths, and REBOUNDING the ball. If we do that, we’ll give ourselves the best chance. But we know it won’t be easy. 

What was your first thought when you heard that Nate Robinson went into the boxing ring with Jake Paul?

Lol! I didn’t know anything about it until Saturday at midnight. But of course I thought Nate would win easily. Currently waiting for the rematch date. Lol 

How did you spend your Thanksgiving. How have you learned to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving as best as possible overseas? 

Didn’t do anything for thanksgiving this year. I’ve adjusted to not really celebrating it when I’m over here in Germany. But I’ll spend a lot of day just talking to friends and FaceTiming with my family. It’s definitely not the same as being home but I’ll take what I can get. Sometimes I’ll even go to McDonald’s just to get a taste of the American culture again.

Thanks DJ for the chat

Winning streaks always come to an end and the EPG Baskets Koblenz saw their great season start of 4-0 end with a loss in Bavaria against the TSV Oberaching Tropics 90-84. As usual the EPG Baskets Koblenz were able to display a solid offensive fire power placing 5 players in double figures, but if you can´t defend in a proper manner and cough up the ball 19 times, it will be difficult to win the game. Plus it also didn´t help that ex BBL German Peter Zeis exploded for 30 points. Sometimes a loss can be a positive experience in disguise as now the club has that undefeated record off their chest and know that they aren´t invincible. The club quickly wiped the loss out of their memory and came back to battle against the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer a team that came to Koblenz riding a 1-2 record. They had had a whole month off as their last game was an unsatisfying 114-80 loss against BBC Coburg. Allowing 16 three´s and losing the rebound battle in Coburg gave the club many weeks to ponder and wanted to give a better defensive effort in Koblenz and did playing pick up basketball the whole night, but allowed only 10 points in the last quarter fighting back to gain their first lead with 57 seconds to play, but didn´t get rewarded losing 72-68. At the press conference a dejected and very somber looking head coach Carl Mbassa stood ready for any questions fired at him and had to digest the tough loss. “We were unable to find our rhythm in the first quarter. We couldn´t handle the athleticism from Koblenz. Our record may be 1-3, but we know what we are capable of doing. Still I´m proud of how the team came back and always fought and played with discipline. I thought that we sold ourselves well. We have a good character and will come back”, warned Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer head coach Carl Mbassa. EPG Baskets Koblenz head coach Danny Rodriguez had his usual game face look during the press conference questions and one could tell that he was relieved that his team could eke out a real classic nail bitter. “We wanted to start out well and did. Our energy let up in the second quarter. In the third quarter we were able to lead by 10 points again. Overal there were simply too many up and downs with our energy today”, said EPG Baskets head coach Danny Rodriguez.

Both teams had key players missing as the EPG Baskets Koblenz were without ex wiha Panthers big man Edin Alispahic while the AHORN Camp BIS Baskets Speyer were without American guard Jordan Rezendes. “I have an adductor problem that is hard to heal. I wish that I could have been out there for my teammates, especially in a close game”, said American Jordan Rezendes. The home team Koblenz wasted absolute no time jumping all over Speyer the way You Tuber Jake Paul did all over ex NBA Nate Robinson knocking him out last night taking a quick 8-0 lead. In the run it was ex Ehingen forward Brian Butler that dominated scoring 3 buckets as his overall aggressiveness and incredible anticipation for rebounds and finding the open spot and knowing where the basket is couldn´t be handled by the opponent. “Everything Brian does is great. Everything is so automatic for him.  The reason he is able to make so many plays is because of how hard he works”, commented ex Leverkusen forward CJ Oldham. Dutch forward Chaed Wellian also showed that he can compete with the athleticism of Buter making a hard slam dunk on transition. Koblenz did a good job getting out on transition as Koblenz defended aggressively, got in passing lanes and played good pick and roll defense not allowing Speyer into their offensive sets. Koblenz suffered a little lull on defense allowing Speyer to go on a 5-0 run to cut the Koblenz lead down to 8-5 as ex BBL player Tim Schwartz nailed a trey and ex Bosnian Concord University (NCAA2) forward Simun Kovac made a lay in. But it didn´t take the EPG Baskets Koblenz long to get their offense going again as they stormed back going on a 5-0 run as ex FC Schalke guard Marley Jean-Louis scored inside and CJ Oldham scored on transition executing on a acrobatic lay in and giving his team the 12-5 advantage. Oldham had another very impressive game showing his excellent versatility filling the stat sheet finishing with 8 points, 8 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. “My role with every team has been different. I just always try to make plays to help my team win”, warned CJ Oldham. Ex BBL player Marc Liyanage nailed a trey cutting the Koblenz lead down to 12-8. But the Koblenz offense was too strong for Speyer as they came back with a rapid 7-0 run to lead 19-8 getting buckets from Ex Speyer guard DJ Woodmore, Oldham and Buter all in the zone. Speyer showed no physicality inside and Koblenz played fine team basketball taking advantage of the lax Speyer physicality resulting in easy baskets. In the last few minutes, the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer got some much needed energy from their athletic 199cm small forward Darian Cardenas who began his basketball career with USC Heidelberg and had 43 Pro A games with Jena and Rostock scored 5 points hitting a pretty fade away jumper and nailing a trey. After 10 minutes the EPG Baskets Koblenz had the comfortable 22-14 lead.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz kept the lead in the second quarter, but the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer stepped up their game to another level and showed that they weren´t about to back away from the home team on this night. Once again the EPG Baskets Koblenz began well taking going on a fast 10-4 run to extend their lead to 32-18. In the run, the troops of head coach Danny Rodriguez got vital support from ex Giessen guard Lukas Meyer who drilled home a three pointer, Wellian who also connected from downtown andgot  lay in´s from Woodmore and Butler. Koblenz was displaying a fine combination of inside out basketball while Speyer continued to lose many 1-1 battles on defense. Speyer got 2 baskets from Liyanage and Cardenas, but Koblenz was defending hard and only giving Speyer very tough shots. Speyer went on a 6-2 run as at times, Koblenz was unable to keep their consistent offensive flow. Speyer got key baskets from Cardenas who makes his fade away jumper look like a work of art, ex Heidelberg forward David Aichele made a 10 footer and ex BG Karlsruhe guard Eric Curth made a smart offensive rebound and put back that enraged Danny Rodriguez to call a time out despite the comfortable 34-24 advantage. Despite no fans and loud music during the time out, one could hear the anger of Rodriguez on the sidelines as he was barking new commands to his players. Speyer was showing better energy on offense, but Koblenz continued to defend very well making every shot tough for Speyer. Despite the time out by Koblenz, Speyer closed out the second quarter in fine fashion going on a 8-4 run to trail only 38-32 at half-time. In their run, they got important help from Cardenas who was their work horse on offense tallying 5 points including a nice hook shot while Eric Curth dropped a key trey. Koblenz got buckets from Woodmore and ex BBL player Jacob Mampuya. “We went to a zone in the second quarter to try to get Koblenz out of rhythm. We just tried to change things around and it helped us. We did a good job switching ball screens and that brought Koblenz more into isolation ball”, stressed Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer head coach Carl Mbassa.

In the third quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz were able to hold the lead despite many attempts by the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer to almost get over the hump, but when ever they tried, it was huge three pointers that kept Koblenz ahead.  The Koblenz offense continued to work very well in the first few minutes as Louis, Woodmore and Wellian all scored, but Speyer also was playing a lot better on offense as Kovac brought some important intensity inside getting 2 baskets  and Kovac then when double teamed found a cutting Schwarz into the lane for an easy basket, but Koblenz still led 45-38. Speyer then went on a 4-0 run as Cardenas made free throws and Schwartz scored inside cutting the Koblenz lead to 45-42. Speyer did a good job taking advantage of early Koblenz foul trouble. Speyer was threatening, but Koblenz relied on their three point shooting as Woodmore connected to give Koblenz the 48-42 lead. Kovac made an offensive rebound and put back as Speyer threatened again trailing 49-44, but then came the next trey from Mampuya to keep the Koblenz lead at 52-44. Woodmore and Mampuya again then drilled home the next 2three pointer for the 58-48 Koblenz advantage as Speyer just couldn´t get closer and get consistent stops while exerting more energy in the comeback. Koblenz showed just how deep they were as Butler was no factor, but could easily compensate that with their raining of three´s. Schwartz made a trey late and Koblenz also got Butler going again as he scored 4 points in the last minute scoring on transition and also making another big offensive rebound with his incredible anticipation and put back as Koblenz led 62-53. “Even if we were down 10 points we always felt like we could come back. Of course if the deficit goes down to 15-20 points then it becomes even tougher to come back”, stated Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer head coach Carl Mbassa. “It is great to have the three point shooting, but we also have to play more inside. If we play more inside it also helps our shooters get open”, added Chaed Wellian.

The fourth quarter proved to be the best defensive quarter that the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer have played this season. They stepped up their defense like never before allowing only 10 points and held Koblenz to no field goals for 9.32 minutes. Speyer didn´t play their best offense, but it was enough to get back into the game. In the early minutes, Speyer got some key baskets from Schwartz and Liyanage who did a great job muscling inside for an offensive rebound and put back cutting the Koblenz lead down to 63-57. On the defensive end, they were playing their most aggressive defense of the game forcing turnovers left and right as Brian Butler coughed up the ball a few times and finished with 4. “Mistakes happen and they are mental. We have to learn to minimize them and grow together more as a team. We have to grow to play well for 40 minutes”, warned Koblenz head coach Danny Rodriguez. Speyer continued to chip away and got 2 baskets from Kovac inside to cut the Koblenz lead down to 63-61.  Every now and then Koblenz got to the free throw line, but twice only got 1 of 2 shots from Louis and Woodmore giving Koblenz the 65-61 lead. Speyer continued to get stronger and stronger as they began to feel they could win the game. Schwartz hit a massive trey to cut the Koblenz lead down to 65-64 with 3,29 to play. Speyer continued getting stops and Schwartz then gave Speyer their first lead of the contest with a jumper 67-65 with 1,38 to play. Oldham then continued the Koblenz free throw drought hitting only one as Speyer held the 67-66 lead with 57 seconds to play. Young 19 year old German Valentin Rappold who began his career with the TSV Crailsheim Merlins 2nd team (2.Regionalliga) played a huge role at the end. He made some big defensive rebounds and made a huge offensive rebound with under a minute to go. He got the ultimate compliment from head coach Carl Mbassa after the loss.“”Valentin was key for our comeback. He made us better. He is without a doubt our best defender. He has a great IQ and played excellent against DJ Woodmore”, stressed Carl Mbassa. After a Kovac turnover came the turning point of the game as Koblenz finally hit their first field goal of the game with 28 seconds to go. Wellian made  a 20 footer that carried his team to the victory. “”The original play was to get some one open on the post. We didn´t get that so we had to find a solution and my team found me and I made the shot. I just try to keep everybody together when we hit a slump”, warned Chad Wellian. Koblenz then closed out the win with Woodmore and Oldham free throws. “Speyer played very passive and switched everything. We didn´t attack enough and were too slow to get out on transition”, said Koblenz head coach Danny Rodriguez. “I felt like we really could of changed the game in the last 2 minutes. There were 2 crucial mistakes at the end that changed the game and Wellian´s shot was one of them”, said Speyer head coach Carl Mbassa. The EPG baskets Koblenz were led by DJ Woodmore with 18 points. Brian Butler added 15 points and Chaed Wellian contributed 11 points while the Ahorn camp BIS Baskets Speyer were led by Tim Schwartz with 20 points. Darian Cardenas added 17 points and Simun Kovac had 14 points and 15 rebounds including 8 offensive rebounds. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 47% from the field and 29% from outside and had 27 rebounds and 14 turnovers while the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer shot 45% form the field and 32% from outside and had 27 rebounds and 20 turnovers.

It was March 7^th, 2013, and the site was Conway, South Carolina, an old historical town that sits only 15 minutes form the Atlantic Ocean and gave all game show fans around the world Vanna White where on this night a quarterfinal game in the Big South Conference quarterfinals was taking place. There were no future NBA players on the court, but some players that would later play in Germany in the easyCredit BBL with DJ Covington who suited up for Virginia Military Institution and current Fraport Skyliner Michael Kessens who was only a freshman at Longwood another school in Virginia. Not only did this NCAA game have an exciting finish, but it would be a game that Michael Kessens would never forget. Virginia Military Institution had a 17 point lead, but Longwood conducted a fierce comeback in the last 11,51 minutes to cut the lead down to 2 points. However Longwood couldn´t finish their comeback as Virginia Military Institution point guard Rodney Glasgow who has put up a stellar professional career in Europe winning titles in Slovakia and England and will ball for UMFN Njardvik (Iceland-Dominos League) this season made a steal and free throws to seal the 90-86 victory. Stan Okoye who has played 3 years in the Italian Serie A and for the 2019 Boston Celtics NBA Summer League team finished with 31 points, but was held to only 6 points in the second half, but his slack was picked up by ex Phoenix Hagen forward DJ Covington who finished with 26 points and Rodney Glasgow who chipped in with 22 points. Even though Kessens lost the game, he exploded for a tournament record 36 points and 16 boards and was put safely on the NCAA map after this game. It’s been a really long time since that game, but I do remember some of that game, he was playing for Longwood and they were a very talented team that was trying to get their chemistry together that year. For us, our season was up and down and we needed the win to advance further in the conference tournament. Play by play, I don’t remember exactly what happened, but I do remember after Michael’s performance I left the game very impressed by his game. He was a freshman that season, so it was nice to see a young player out there with so much confidence”, stressed Stan Okoye( Herbalife Gran Canaria) This game is still remembered by Kessens today. “It was the conference tournament and the previous game we had eliminated the defending champs who were NC Asheville. We played VMI a couple times (led by Stan Okoye) during conference play but they outplayed us every time. I just wanted to play better than I had against Asheville and help my team win. Didn’t really follow the stats during game. It was a big game for me, yes, but the win would’ve been more important. Especially because winning the game would’ve probably saved my coach’s job (Mike Gillian) and I wouldn’t have transferred. Therefore this game really was a career defining moment but not because of the stat line”, remembered Michael Kessens. Kessens was only a freshman, but would go onto have a productive NCAA career playing with a number of other NCAA schools and now has established himself as an easyCredit BBL player in Germany and recently joined the Fraport Skyliners. It was time for another edition of the Miles Basketball Minute ex teammate scouting report with his ex Vechta teammate Chris Carter.

                Michael Kessens was born on February 16^th, 1991 in Geneva, Switzerland and possesses the German/Swiss  citizenship. He has a German mother and father from Somalia, Africa.  He didn´t find his love right away to basketball, but began playing soccer. Hs first basketball club that he played for as a youth was with BBC Nyon. He then played for the French club Cholet Basket youth team´s from 2009-2012. :He led Lycee Europe Robert Schumann in Cholet, France, to the French High School championship as a senior and played in the French Under-21 Championship in 2009 and 2010. He played his freshman year at Longwood(NCAA), but wasn´t your typical 17 or 18 year freshman, but was 21 years old bringing European experience to Longwood.He played 33 games as a freshman averaging  13.7ppg, 8.8rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 69.9%. He scored in double figures in 25 games and achieved 11 double doubles. Besides his massive game against Virginia Military Institution where he put up 36/16 numbers, he also hit Campbell and High Points for 22 points apiece and nailed Gardner-Webb for 21 points and Cornell for 20 points. He pIcked up many accolades, including selection to the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Freshmen All-America Team and Big South Freshman of the Year. He also was voted the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association (VaSID) Rookie of the Year, encompassing all Division I schools in the state of Virginia, also being named to the Big South Conference All-Freshman Team numbers,.

After a season at Longwood, he attempted a new challenge and played at Alabama from 2014-206 having to redshirt the 2013-2014 season. He played 65 NCAA games for Alabama, but wasn´t able to achieve the kind of numbers that he had at Longwood averaging  5.9ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 65.6% and in his senior year averaged 3.7ppg, 3.5rpg. In his sophomore season, he was able to lead the team in rebounds and was second in field goal percentage. He scored in double figures in 5 games amassing 18 points and 12 rebounds against North Florida and 17 points and 10 rebounds against Appalachian State. In his last season at Alabama he scored in double figures in one game hitting Mississippi for 10 points and 7 boards. After achieving some growing pains at Alabama(NCAA), he still had a year of eligibility left and decided to play at Florida International University (NCAA). The decision to play another season proved right as he was able to have another stellar productive season like he did at Longwood playing 30 games averaging 12.9ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 68.9%. He led the team in rebounding and was second in scoring. He scored in double figures in 23 of 30 games and registered 9 double doubles sixth best in the league. He had some massive games like his 17 points and 23 rebounds against Elon, and 21 points apiece against Florida Atlantic and Youngstown.

He turned professional in 2017-2018 and played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-BBL) playing 32 games averaging  6.6ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 61.5%, FT: 60.0%. He scored in double figures in 6 games including scoring 12 points against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and had 11 points against Gotha and Bayreuth. He held his own averaging 15 minutes per game, but had a lot of competition at his position and from other German players. He decided to take a new challenge with Rasta Vechta and like with his decision to add on a NCAA season at Florida International University, this change of scenery was golden as he played his first season for Cinderella team Rasta Vechta and was able to learn from up and coming head coach Pedro Calles.. He would play with Rasta Vechta from 2018-2020. Last season American point guard Chris Carter helped the Niners Chemnitz move up to the easyCredit BBL, but 2 seasons ago he had the pleasure of being teammates with Michael Kessens. There have been many Germans over the years that have had NCAA experience and they return home to Germany speaking fluent English. But not every German that returns has mastered the English language as well as Kessens did and he can communicate in 3 languages today. “I thought he was American when I met him. That is how good I thought his english was. I´m sure he had no troubles at his 3 schools”, stressed Rostock Wolves guard Chris Carter. Carter has had many teammates in his career, but he is a guy that is always able to find the perfect words that fit that teammate and despite it being over a year where they last shared the court, he was crisp and to the point concerning what comes to mind when he hears the name Michael Kessens. “He is a work horse/leader”, stressed Chris Carter. Kessens played 55 BBL games for Rasta Vechta and couldn´t match the stats from the Cinderella season of 7.3ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 62.3%, FT: 72.0% last season as he averaged only  4.6ppg, 4.2rpg. But the Swiss/German has demonstrated in Bremerhaven and Vechta that he can be an important team contributor. He never got any basketball schooling in Germany, but profited from the NCAA experience. “I think it helped him seeing the world and getting cultured with the American way of play”, warned Chris Carter.

            The 206cm big man can score and rebound, but he also has other attributes that will help his new team Fraport Skyliners as they seek the road back to the playoffs after missing them 2 years in a row. “He is a great pick and roll player, sets hard screens, and his footwork is really good. But his defense is where he excels at”, stressed Chris Carter. But it isn´t only his offensive and defensive skills that standout, but he is also a great role model that will pay dividends for the young Skyliner players. “He is an excellent leader and worked hard daily doing the little things outside of practice. He was consistently in the weight room working on his body and great man off the court”, warned Chris Carter.. Kessens arrived to Vechta lacking the needed self-confidence at times, but was helped by one of the best BBL mentors in Pedro Calles. “Coach Pedro gave him a lot of confidence that season and you can tell it has made him a better player moving forward”, added Chris Carter. Carter definitely has many fond memories, but the most memorable was the amazing Vechta win over Bamberg in the 2019 playoffs. Vechta was severely undermanned due to injuries and Kessens suddenly had to play extended minutes and excelled scoring 18 points in the unforgettable 90-86 win. It was a no brianer that the series against Bamberg remained in Carter´s mind. “On the court, the playoffs during Bamberg when I was moved to the 4 position and he was at the 5. That was fun. Off the court was when we hung out in South Beach last summer. I´m sure that was a game that he will never forget”, warned Chris Carter. In his 2 seasons at Vechta, he scored in double figures in 22 games. He had some very strong games like his 15 points against the EWE Baskets and Wurzburg and 14 points apiece against Giessen, Bayreuth and Oldenburg. Now Kessens will attempt to make another step in his development with the Fraport Skyliners. With the departure of big man Leon Kratzer, he now builds a big man rotation with Kamari Murphy and Marco Voeller. In 3 games he is averaging 13 minutes per game and averaging 3,3ppg and 4,3rpg. Carter is more than confident that Kessens will be to help the Frankfurt game. Carter saw Kessens on a daily basis and knows how Kessens will enrich a part of Frankfurt´s game that has suffered the last 2 years.. “Frankfurt’s defense definitely just got better”, warned Chris Carter. That should put a big smile on the minister of defense Quantaez Robertson´s face.