Jaleen Smith (193-PG-94, college: UNH) is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Freeport, Texas that is playing his fourth professional season and second with the MHP Riesen currently averaging 15,7ppg, 5,2rpg, 5,5apg and 1,8spg. Last season he played 28 games averaging 10.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 82,8%. In 2018-2019 he played with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA) averaging 12,7ppg, 3,9rpg and 2,7apg. In his rookie season with Heidelberg he averaged 7,6ppg, 2,8rpg and 2,9apg. He had a stellar four year career with New Hampshire (NCAA) from 2013-2017 where he played a total of 120 NCAA games. He improved his scoring, rebounding and assists average each season and as a senior he played 32 games averaging 15.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 78.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the MHP Riesen game 5 95-73 win over Brose Bamberg

Congrats on the massive 95-73 victory over Brose Bamberg. How good does it feel winning again after seeing adversary twice?

It felt great. The way we played in game 5 shows the kind of character that we have. When the tough get going the going gets tough. We played tough and got back to playing Ludwigsburg basketball.

How tough was that bus ride home after game four. On what things did you think about first about doing better in game 5?

I thought about coming back more focused in game five and make an impression on defense.

Losing two games in a row is something that the club hadn’t witnessed before this season. What do you believe did the team learn from the two Bamberg loss that would help them come out strong in the do or die game?

We learned that we had to be ready to play. A team like Bamberg had nothing to lose. We knew that we had to get that mentality again to get stops to win games.

After losing two games in a row something that never happened this season, did you sense a different mentality with the team as you stepped on the floor for the tip in game 5?

We came into game five more locked in and be more focused on defense than on offense. We knew that if we got back to defending the way we know how we would be able to get out running where we are at our best.

It was like night and day between game four and game five. The MHP Riesen found back to their typical game by getting into their offense via the defense. Bamberg did a good job with the match ups and physicality. Why didn’t it work out at all in game five?

I think key in game five was that Bamberg wasn’t able to bring the kind of physicality that they had had in game three and game four. We used so much energy in game five that they were drained.

The MHP Riesen did a good job really not allowing Bamberg to get over the hump once. You had 8 players that had 8 offensive rebounds. How proud are you of the team the way their heart and desire came together in a do or die game?

It was great getting that kind of support. We were tough and knew that we could of closed out the series earlier had we been more focused.

How much fun is it playing with Jamel Mclean? Should he get a patent on his fade away jumper?

Yes I think so. At the start I kept wondering why he always used that shot, but now I know that it works best for him. That is his thing.

How focused were you coming into the game? You had had a tough 2/16 game against Crailsheim, but also couldn’t find the hoop in game 4 going 2/13. I thought you may have been a bit mentally fatigued in game four?

Yes I have to credit Bamberg for playing good defense on me. I didn’t get easy looks and they where all over me full court. They did a good job making it tough for me to get the ball and took me out of the game. I have to give credit to my teammates for stepping up and making shots.

How did you personally go into the game preparation mentally? On what things are you most focused on with your game after a bad shooting game?

I don’t think about getting more shots, but on being locked in on defense. No matter what happens on offense, play hard on defense and get my guys involved. Picking and choosing when to go or find my teammates is also important.

You didn’t have a great shooting game, but made up for it in other areas with rebounding and playmaking. How vital is it having a deep roster where you don’t have to always worry about making that big shot on every other play?

It is a relief when you know your 8-9 guys deep that can make plays and you never know which guy will go off on any given night. It is fun and relaxing to know that I don’t always have to make that shot.

The MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg next clash against FC Bayern Munich. You split the season series 1-1. What kind of series can we await?

I believe the series against Munich will be even more physical than against Bamberg. They are bigger, but I feel we will be ok if we can use our quickness to our advantage. We are really looking forward to meeting them.

Ludwigsburg have a huge winning streak at home. Will that record still be alive come game 3?

It is tough, but I honestly believe that we will still be undefeated at home. We play really well at home. I feel that we are more comfortable at home than on the road even without fans. Having our families watching us relaxes us.

You had two tough games against FC Bayern Munich. How psyched are you to be going up against ex NBA player wade Baldwin?

If I want to reach the Euroleague or NBA, I have to be able to go up against guys like that. But for me it isn’t about my game, but more the Lubo/Munich match up. I’m more focused on that then individual match ups.

What kind of series can wea wait between Alba Berlin and ratiopharm Ulm. Ulm are a real final dark horse team. Can Ulm make the upset?

I think Ulm could make an upset. Ulm played so well against Oldenburg. Troy Caupain has been playing like a maniac. If he keeps playing like that I can see it happening.

Do you remember German player Kay Bruhnke of medi Bayreuth? He said in the current BIG magazine that if he could have the skill set of one player for a day it would be you. How does that make you feel when a German kid says that about you?

That is crazy. Coming from the States, I have my own idols, but being in Germany and hearing a German kid say that you wouldn’t think that that would be said. I’m still wondering what my skill set is. It is a blessing and so cool to hear.

What was your reaction to how Kwame Brown described how he was treated by the Washington Wizards and Michael Jordan early in his career?

Many rookies seem to go through something like that in the NBA. Some can handle it while others can’t. He was so passionate about how he was treated. It is very sad to hear.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Money talks.

Thanks Jaleen for the chat.

It had been day 7 for me in the hospital in the toughest stretch during my battle against cancer as I was in the middle of my recovery. The pain at times had been unbearable and I was just trying to cope the best way as I could. The hospital experience was harder than the first two surgeries because my pain disallowed me to continue to do my basketball work. It was Saturday night and I was trying best to pass my time. I was either staring straight ahead at the blank white wall thinking about my son’s current new love for sliding down lamp poles on streets, thank you Fireman Sam, or wondering which professional basketball player I was going to interview next, or somehow scrambling out of my bed which can take minutes due to the pain in my stomach area due to the many cuts and just gaze out my window and look at the Mainz football stadium structure hiding through the trees which was only about one kilometer away or looking up to the Lerchesberg at the ZDF TV head quarters and wondering if I could ever be a spectator in their famous Saturday night Sport Studio show which I have never been at. Here and there, I would also be inspecting my cell phone and checking all the basketball sites and also wondering if Chris Paul could lead the Suns to an upset first round upset over the Los Angeles Lakers and if my Boston Celtics had any chance of upsetting The Brooklyn Nets with their trio of stars. On Social Media, I observed a post of Tibor Pleiss (221-C-89). He posted a pretty picture of his home town Cologne river with the head line ‘On more week’. He was referring to coming back home, because he and his Turkish team Efes was one of four teams that would battle in this weeks Euroleague Final 4. It was early evening and I had no idea that Tibor Pleiss would be accompanying me all through the night in thought.

I had adopted a very disciplined sleeping time of about 10,30 since being in the hospital, because usually I do go to sleep a few hours later due to my basketball work and interviews that at times happen with players. After I had received my sleeping pain shot and sleeping pill and had my eye patches over both eyes, I began my quest for getting a good night sleep. While trying to fall asleep, I thought about Tibor and his career. I thought why not trying to do an interview with him before the Euroleague Final 4. I also thought hmmm could be a bit difficult with the short time window to it beginning on Friday and my stay and recovery in the hospital. I fell asleep and then sometime around 4am I was up for a short bathroom break. I climbed back into bed like a 90 year old man as slowly as a snail crosses a street not to feel any pain. Before I knew it, I was in basketball heaven. I don’t often have basketball dreams, but suddenly I was in Cologne and in the Laxness arena and there beside me was the 221cm giant Tibor Pleiss. It was as usual a strange dream, because it showed me and Tibor as well as old flashbacks from the 2006 and 2007 BBL Allstar games that were played in the Laxness arena that I had visited and been able to do play by for radio. What I do remember about meeting Tibor again in 2021 in my dream was me trying to get a picture with him. For all who know me know that I love taking pictures with players more than Russell Westbrook does getting a triple double. We know that Russ is the all-time triple double record holder, but everyone who knows me knows that I will do anything for a photo with a player. As so often in my dreams, I always tend to have difficulty getting that much desired picture and it wasn’t any different with Tibor. I remember he being his friendly self, but I don’t remember getting my photo taken with him. I’m sure with my luck in dreams, I didn’t. I was planning to go to Cologne on Sunday and try to catch FC Barcelona leaving their hotel and get my photo with NBA legend Pau Gasol signed. I had met Gasol two years ago in Boston thanks to ex BBL player Charles Lee who I was interviewing in the Milwaukee Bucks hotel and the giant big man was also having lunch in the cafe so I couldn’t resist meeting him. Getting a Gasol autograph, why not get another picture with Tibor Pleiss. My last one dates back to 2007.

I covered Tibor Pleiss in his early days in Germany and also broadcasted many games of his and have very fond memories of him. I remember seeing him play for the first time in 2006-2007. I remember as if it was yesterday as Tibor made a fancy half court shot right before half-time. The game had been in played in Cologne in the tent as people called it and everyone of the 3000 spectators knew already at that time that he was going places. I remember seeing Michael Hakim Jordan in the stands as he was off from his Italian club Cantu and was visiting his old team who he had helped win the BBL title the season before. I wonder what Jordan would have said to the question in 2007 that Tibor Pleiss would be in the NBA in 2015? Pleiss had been touted early as a young teenager by his mentor and discoverer Stephen Baaeck who managed Rhein Energie Cologne. The 1993 Euro winner with Germany compared him to being the next Dirk Nowitzki. Ok that never happened, but it would be difficult to argue that he has been the best and most consistent German center in the last 10 years. My first and only interview came in the 2007-2008 season. It was a pre Christmas game in Frankfurt and Pleiss was out with an injury. In those days, I called games on radio and was always running around the arena like an injured road runner trying to secure a pre game interview and giving Frankfurt an early dose to what it would be like a few years later when the speedy road runner and MVP Dashaun Wood be having his own track meet during games. So I approached the 18 year old German big man on the bench and just asked him almost shyly knowing he would be a German legend one day and he replied generously with a yes. The interview was a normal pre game one concerning his injury and the state of the game.  I had interviewed his teammate Immanuel Mcelroy with a Santa Claus hat, but had taken it off for the Pleiss interview. I looked absolutely ridiculous with my Santa hat on, but hey it was different times and I liked it. I’m sure Tibor will remember the interview if he saw the photo again. A few years later he signed it.

Pleiss would go on to have a very illustrious career since leaving Rhein Energie Cologne in 2009. He went on to play for Brose Bamberg from 2009-2012. Instrumental in his arrival in Bamberg was Bamberg legend and at then time manager Wolfgang Heyder. He did win his first title in Germany with Cologne, but would 5 more with Bamberg including 3 BBL titles in a row. In Bamberg he made massive steps as a player and developed greatly under head coach Chris Fleming who now is an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets. ‘It was great playing with Tibor in Bamberg. In 2010 he was still trying to come into his own. I know that this weekend means a lot to him playing in his own home town’, added Mr Euroleague Kyle Hines. He became the BBL’s best German center scoring and grabbing rebounds at ease and being one of the top shot blockers. It between he was also drafted by the New Jersey Nets (NBA,2rd (31). ‘He was very young when he came to Bamberg. He was already very focused and ambitious. He always worked hard and did everything to get better. Bamberg was a very important building block in his career. He had coaches like Arne Woltmann and Steffen Weissenbock who challenged him and he got crucial minutes especially in international games’, stressed ex Brose Bamberg manager Wolfgang Heyder. He never hurried with the NBA as it would still take some more grooming before he made it. After Bamberg, he made the next step playing in the best country league in Spain ACB club Caja Laboral Vitoria (Spain-Liga-ACB) and also played with FC Barcelona. In 2015 he then finally decided to make the big leap over the Atlantic to the NBA. Even though he put up solid 12/10 stats with the Idaho Stampede in the D-League, his NBA journey ended after 10 games. One had the feeling that he truly never really wanted to be there. Plus his game was better suited to the European game. His most memorable game was probably his 8 points in a loss against the San Antonio Spurs where he shared the floor with legends like Tim Duncan and Manu Ginoboli plus future legend Kawhi Leonard . Despite having a solid NBA Summer League with the Jazz in 2016, he ended his NBA experience heading back to Europe to become that solid Euroleague player where he played with Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) and Valencia Basket (ACB) and currently is balling with Anadolu Efes Istanbul (Turkey-BSL). ‘He continued making step after step in the last years. Last season, he didn’t only get physically stronger, but was also a stable three point shooter. He also has played for impressive teams like now with Efes that is a top team’, added Wolfgang Heyder.Currently the 31 year old has 239 Euroleague games on his resume and will be wanting to add on to that with two more this weekend including his first Euroleague title. Since leaving Bamberg, he has only won two more titles with the 2017 Spanish Cup and 2019 Turkish league title. ‘He is a great player and one of the more reliable players for Efes in the last couple years and a big reason for their success and a reason for who they are’, warned Kyle Hines. I definitely won’t have it easy who to root for. I obviously want to support my guy Mr Euroleague Kyle Hines who is going for his fifth with Milan and with whom I have shared a special 22 interview relationship since 2011 as well as his ex team CSKA who I have grown to love, but I also will put some strength in crossing my fingers for Pleiss and his Turkish teammates. But back to my all through the night in thought experience with Tibor Pleiss. One thing is for sure if I ever here the classic 80’s song ‘All Through The Night’ by the iconic Cyndi Lauper, I know I will be instantly reminded by my night with Tibor Pleiss in thought. The only problem one seldom hears that beautiful ballad anymore. But I’m not afraid, because my Tibor night in thought will always have a special meaning, because it happened during my cancer struggle. Also with every player I have had dealings with or thought about in my life, I never have had a whole all through the night in thought experience. Believe me I have thought many hours of Larry Bird since childhood, but never had a dream with him. There you go Tibor. You have beaten my Goat at one thing.

With 1,18 to play in a Euroleague do or die game something that Mr Euroleague Kyle Hines (198-C-86, agency: BeoBasket) lives for,his club AX Armani Exchange Milano was in full charge like a Russell Westbrook is at the moment concerning his overwhelming fetish for triple doubles leading 91-79 with 1,18 to play. Some Milan players may have already been emotionally and mentally half way to Cologne where the Euroleague final 4 will be in thought, but then came a surprising turn in the game as FC Bayern Munich buckled down and took charge suddenly making an incredible comeback. The German side began to execute at both ends of the court as Vladimir Lucic nailed a trey and big man beast Jalen Reynolds who is one of the top centers in the easyCredit BBL was worth every penny scoring inside with his brutal physicality and also showed his versatility stepping outside and hitting a three pointer. He isn’t only respected in the Euroleague, but also in Germany. ‘I remember when we played Munich, I was battling Jalen Reynolds the whole game in the paint. He told me man your really strong and your left hand is really tricky’, stressed ex Mississippi (NCAA) great Murphy Holloway. Reynolds had a monster game dropping 19 points and hauling down 10 boards and Kyle Hines who had a solid contest with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks had his hands full with the Munich big man. ‘He is a talented player. His awareness around the court is key for his success. The ball always seems to find him at the right place and at the right time. Going into game five, we knew that we had to limit him. I tried to make everything tough for him’, warned Kyle Hines. FC Bayern Munich just kept fighting executing on offense while Milan made silly plays and coughed up the ball. Ex NBA player Wade Baldwin brought more extra excitement to the Munich bench scoring with 14 seconds to play with a lay in to cut the Milan lead down to 91-89. Munich had gone on a 10-0 run in a span of 1.04. It was really a mystery how an experienced team like Milan could make a sure looking win into a real nail bitter at the end. ‘I honestly don’t know how we gave up that lead. We showed how not too close out a game. But you have to credit Munich, because they never quit making plays and hitting big shots. We did everything in that span that we shouldn’t have done’, remembered ex CSKA Moscow center Kyle Hines. Milan just kept giving Munich extra chances as game top scorer Shavon Shields made a turnover giving Munich the chance to tie the game or take the lead with 14 seconds to go. Then came the massive play by Kyle Hines that saved the day. Baldwin was sprouting with extra self-confidence after his last basket and wanted more as he drove by ex NBA player Malcolm Delaney, but suddenly out of nowhere came this brick wall called Mr Euroleague Kyle Hines that smothered the American. ‘Honestly I blacked out. I don’t even remember the position that I was in. I remember seeing Baldwin drive and I was on the weak side. I slid over and was able to tie up the ball in a very crucial moment’, warned Kyle Hines. Once again Kyle Hines demonstrated why he still belongs to the top players in Europe even at age 34. Shavon Shields made one more free throw for the 92-89 Milan lead and Munich then had one more chance with a wild last second three attempt from ex NBA player Paul Zipser that only hit the side back board.

It definitely had been a very exciting quarterfinal series as AX Armani Exchange Milano had taken a rapid 2-0 series lead which also was benefited from a neat Zach Le Day game winning tap in at the buzzer. But FC Bayern Munich never gave up and knew that they had to deliver at home and did winning game three and four 85-79 and 85-82. ‘In a five game series each game and situation is different. We knew that Munich would make adjustments. We knew that guys like Lucic and Zipser would step up after not having big games in Milan. We couldn’t get it done in game three. I felt that we had game four under control, but we just couldn’t close out the game’, said New Jersey native Kyle Hines. The first quarter of GAme five was tight, but in the second quarter AX Armani Exchange Milano was able to break away and control the game until the last minute allowing Munich to sneak back into the game. ‘I felt that we were able to get back to our game plan. We were a little nervous at the start, but once we settled down we were able to take off and have big lead. Coach Messina continued to always remind us who we were and what needed to be done’, expressed ex Brose Bamberg center Kyle Hines. AX Armani Exchange Milano definitely showed that they were able to cope with pressure in the most important parts of the game. ‘We knew that it wouldn’t be easy, but we had experience and had had some guys who had played in crucial game five games. We just knew what we had to do to win this series’, added ex University of North Carolina at Greensboro (NCAA) center Kyle Hines.

The incredible game five victory by AX Armani Exchange Milano was obviously a team effort, but one can’t deny the fact that Danish forward Shavon Shields was another of many hero’s on the night as he exploded for an incredible 34 points. He has proved all season long that one can count on his scoring as he has scored in double figures in 27 of 32 Euroleague games including dropping 26 points against Khimki and 23 points against Zalgiris. One really has to wonder if AX Armani Exchange Milano would have won this key fifth game without him? ‘He was definitely our leader of the game. He stepped up big time. He showed that he is one of the top players in Europe. He has hit so many big time shots this season. For me it has been a lot of fun to watch his growth and maturity this season’, stated Kyle Hines. In 2016 Shields played his rookie season in Frankfurt with the Fraport Skyliners where then head coach Gordon Herbert’s son Daniel had seen something very special in him after scouting him at Nebraska. After a season in Trento, he now is in his fourth Euroleague season after playing three seasons with Spanish ACB team Baskonia. With his massive 34 point game against Munich and a possible MVP final four weekend, isn’t it about time he gets an NBA gig? ‘He has shown this season that he is one of the rising stars in the Euroleague. He will be on the big stage in Cologne and will have a great opportunity to show his game. Now it will be up to him to see what is best for him. I’m sure after his 34 point game, he will be on many team’s radars even those of NBA teams’, warned Kyle Hines who is very happy for the success of ex teammate Mike James who has been making the most of his 10 day contracts with the Brooklyn Nets recently.

When the buzzer sounded after 40 minutes in the Mediolanum Forum in Milan, there was a huge celebration on the Milan sideline. Team president and world famous designer Giorgio Armani who was sporting all black and a simple white mask was all smiles and so was Kyle Hines. ‘The management and Mr Armani said that he was very proud of the team for the way we played and the way we represented the Armani group and the city of Milan’, expressed Kyle Hines. After celebrating the last 6 years with CSKA Moscow, he experienced a very special celebration with Milan. ‘I think getting to every Euroleague Final 4 is different. It was a great feat in the Milan basketball history, because they haven’t been to a Final 4 since 1996. It was very special for the region that has been hit so hard with COVID and especially for the fans so they can be excited about something. Mr Armani has done so much for the club keeping it complete. We celebrated one of our goals that we had set at the start of the season. This is just an incredible achievement’, stated Kyle Hines. Of course his phone and social media feed was bombarded with congratulatory messages from all over the world including ex Bamberg teammates and German fans who obviously were pleased they had defeated FC Bayern Munich. Kyle Hines wouldn’t be Kyle Hines without his extreme humbleness. The guy has reached a ninth consecutive Euroleague final 4 and is going for his fifth win. There is no arrogance, but just gratitude and having that feeling of being blessed for having this amazing consistent track record in the Euroleague. He doesn’t have that feeling of being invincible in the difficult Euroleague competition. ‘Each season and final four is different. I just have been very lucky to have been on so many great teams and situations. Of course I always want to keep winning titles. I just have been very fortunate the last nine years’, commented Kyle Hines. He is also aware that he could win a new title in the first season with a new title the same way Tom Brady did with Tampa Bay. But he isn’t thinking about the fifth Euroleague title yet. ‘It is still a long road ahead for us. It would be a big achievement to win another one. I have sought out to win every season. This would definitely be an incredible achievement for Milan because it hasn’t been done in so long’. Warned Kyle Hines.

The last movie that Hines saw was the Disney movie Soul now slowly starts to look ahead to the Euroleague Final 4. He knows that he could meet his ex team CSKA Moscow in the final, but before that can become a reality AX Armani Exchange Milano have to take care of business against top ACB team FC Barcelona. AX Armani Exchange Milano don’t have fond memories of their two games this season against FC Barcelona as they lost both games by 16 points. But he also knows that in the final 4 everybody will be at 0 again. ‘It will definitely be a challenge. We had command in the first game and let it slip away and in the second game we had had a down period and had had injuries They are a good strong defensive team. We have to continue to get better in the next weeks and take steps and then see what happens’, warned Kyle Hines. He is also thrilled to compete against ex NBA player and teammate Corey Higgins. ‘We are very close and like family. I am happy for his success with Barcelona. It is always fun to play against him. This will be the fifth time that I will be playing against him. We know each others game well’, stressed Kyle Hines. If he does reach the Euroleague final, he knows that he will be meeting family as it could be his ex team CSKA Moscow or ex teammate of Bamberg Tibor Pleiss who is balling with Turkish team Efes. ‘When ever we see each other, Tibor and I talk and engage in conversation. I’m very happy for his success. It is great for him that he will be returning home to Cologne where his career began and be able to see family’, stated Kyle Hines. Not everyone has appreciated the way AX Armani Exchange Milano has had success and how they play. Recently coaching legend Svetislav Pesic who guided Germany to the 1993 upset Euro win over Russia stated that Milan plays old school basketball and wasn’t impressed with their game. Quotes like that doesn’t faze Hines as all that matters at the end of the day is the win and chip. ‘Every person is entitled to their opinion. I respect his opinion. But at the end of the day our style has gotten us this far. It has been successful for us. It isn’t every bodies cup of tea, but it is our preferred style and we have been successful with it’, warned Kyle Hines. If Kyle Hines can win a fifth Euroleague title and with a new team, he will forever be immortal as a player the same way Tom Brady is. Then maybe a coaching guru like Svetislav Pesic will see that old school basketball isn’t extinct yet.

Omari Knox (187-SG-86, college: Bloomfield) is a 33 year old 188cm guard from Brooklyn, New York that recently completed his 9th professional season and second with TSV Oberhaching Tropics Deisenhofen (Germany-ProB) averaging 15.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 87.5%. He has played his whole professional career in Germany including 2 years with OSB Hellenen Muenchen , one season with the RhenStars Cologne and 4 years with the TSV Dachau Spurs. He played 8 seasons in the Regionalliga and has belonged to the top guards in the league averaging over 20 points 5 times and twice averaged 27,0pp in a season. He began his basketball career at Bloomfield College (NCAA2) and as a senior averaged 18.8ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 40.1%, 3Pts: 40.1%, FT: 71.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus in 2020. The interview was misplaced and found again.

Hi Omari where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus?

Hey wassup Miles, I’m doing ok. I’m still in Munich, and handling the current crisis as best as anyone can. I’ve stayed in heavy prayer and been optimistic that everything will improve over time. I am a bit worried still, with my wife and I expecting the birth of our first child, in July but I’m sure everything will be fine.

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

I guess none of us knew how bad it would get. It seemed to spread so quickly, but many people didn’t take it seriously. I also figured at worse, it would be a typical winter/flu season and then go away once the weather changed. I would have never thought it would have this much of an impact on everything.

How did you experience the day to day life in Bavaria when you were still in Germany? What things did you notice in the surroundings there that showed that life wasn’t normal?

With everything being closed except for the essential businesses (Supermarkets, Restaurants, Pharmacy’s, Hospitals, etc.) it’s been difficult at times. I’m used to seeing people outside enjoying the nice weather as often as they can, but with social distancing, the streets have been fairly quiet. I’ve just taken the time to get things done, that I had been putting off, and talking a lot more to my family and friends back home in the states.

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

I’ve always been a bit of an introvert. I definitely don’t like people coughing or sneezing around me, (whether it’s controllable or not) so I wouldn’t want to expose anyone to it either. Once it got bad, I also stopped shaking hands with people.

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe including the Pro A. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season?

I feel like our team had just found a good rhythm, and chemistry just in time for the postseason. I was excited for the play-downs, because there weren’t many people who thought we would be able to stay in the league. I was looking forward to showing whoever we had to play, that we would be much tougher than our record showed. I understand that health and safety comes before anything else, so it was definitely necessary to shut the leagues down.

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

I think it’s tough to play a game without spectators. It sort of takes the advantage away from the home team, having their crowd behind them to cheer. In terms of getting the games played and finishing the league, this is the best option. Games can be streamed for spectators.

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

This crisis has been difficult for everyone. It’s made me grateful more than anything else. Grateful that none of my friends and family have been directly affected. Too many people have died, so I’ve learned not to take the people or things that I do have, for granted. I’m hopeful that there will be better days ahead.

Wil it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this?

I planned to take some time off after the season ended, anyway. This is an advantage for any guys who had injuries, to heal up before the next season begins. I’ll just be working on staying physically fit until things open up, and everyone is allowed back into the basketball gyms. It doesn’t take me too long to get back into a basketball rhythm.

The whole world economy is going to be affected including German basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

It’s a scary thought for a lot of people, but I try to only worry about things that are in my control. I just hope for the best, and have trust in my agent that he will be able to find me the best possible option to play for next season. I also think that in some cities, more businesses may slowly start to open up over the next weeks.

If you had to name another player besides guys from the Panthers that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?

One guy I’ve talked to regularly is Zamal Nixon. We’re actually childhood friends. We laugh about the fact that somehow we managed to bump into each other multiple times over the years, here in Germany (in different cities), without even planning to. Now, we live just 5 minutes away from each other here in Munich. This a very small world.

How has the day to day life been now in the States with the outbreak of the Coronavirus? Have you noticed any differences and are there any differences between the Americans and German people on how they are coping and handling themselves?

Day-to-day life here in Munich has been a lot less stressful than for my family and friends in New York City. One major difference is in the population. Here, I can at least go outside for a walk without the streets being crowded. I feel for all of those in the big cities, who don’t have the luxury of a yard or balcony to sit outside and get fresh air. Many Americans are struggling much more because the numbers are higher. It’s hard to predict when things will get better.

How has your approach to family changed since the outbreak of Corona? What things have you seen yourself do that you may not have done before?

I try to talk to most of my family, regularly. Before all of the crisis, everyone has been so busy and may not have had the time to schedule calls. Now everyone is in the house so it’s much easier. It’s been one of the only good things to come from all of this.

Let’s talk about the season of the TSV Oberaching Tropics. You moved up from the Regionalliga and finished in the Pro B with a 7-15 record in 11th place and were set to battle Frankfurt and Munich to stay in the league. The season left many unanswered questions. How tough is it never knowing what would have happened?

I don’t think about it much anymore. All of my teammate’s and coaches and I had the same goal which was to stay in the league, by any means. However, we achieved that goal under different circumstances. I wish we could have had the chance to play, only to prove the people wrong who doubted we would stay in the league. That’s just the competitor in me.

The club will play Pro B again thanks to the Coronavirus. How content were you with the team effort considering it came from the Regionalliga?

The team’s effort this season was incredible. That’s what made the difference. I believe that if it weren’t for unfortunate injuries, we would have easily been a playoff team.

The club lost 8 of it’s first 9 games. How vital was this bad start for the season going in one direction?

The bad start was difficult. For a newly promoted club that type of start could have destroyed the season. It hurt playoff chances, but I can honestly say that the whole organization kept faith the entire time and believed things would get better.

The club then upped it’s play having a 6-7 record winning 2 of the last 3 games. Did the trust continue to grow with the club and how confident are you that you would have made a run in the playdowns?

Our coaches simply told us not to look at what every other team did. As long as it was still in our own hands, we would get the job done. Every win built our confidence that much more. I’m confident that we would have been able to make a run in the Playdowns.

It is never easy to make ‘what if’ predictions, but do you feel like the team could have made the playoffs had you been on board from the start?

I wasn’t ready to play at the start of the season because of my surgery last summer but I think if I was completely healthy, and played the entire season we would have made the playoffs.

What was the team highlight of the season the win against Orange Academy, Speyer or Frankfurt?

I think the Frankfurt win was the highlight of the season. Shortly before that, we had some really huge loses, and needed a tough win on the road to rebuild the confidence and chemistry. That game helped a lot.

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a pleasure was it playing with John Boyer? You had dueled him many times in the Regionalliga over the years. He can do it all. What did you appreciate most about his game?

John is a special player. It was a lot of fun getting the chance to play alongside him for once. He makes the game easier for everyone, and it seems so effortless. He can do it all. His ability to see the entire court and make plays passing the ball, is what impresses me the most. He actually played the whole season long, with a nagging hamstring injury. He was never at full strength. It’s amazing what he was still able to do, while hurt.

Was the solid season of young German Justin Hedley a surprise or something you expected after coming to Oberaching? He came from Hanau and needed no adjustment period. Is he a guy that you mentored a bit and what did you like most about his game?

Justin and I worked out together for most of last summer. We also stayed in touch while he was in Hanau. I told him, once he signed with Oberhaching that he would have a good season, simply because he would be allowed to play his game. He works really hard and I’m glad it paid off for him this season. His abilities to get to the basket, and hit the mid-range shot, are what I enjoy most when watching him play.

What was it like playing with German Peter Zeis who had the most BBL experience on the team. Does the fact that he played some years in the BBL make that competitive level with you bigger in practice despite playing different positions?

Pete and I took some time to click, but I enjoyed playing with him. The competitiveness in him definitely challenged me in practice. It really helped me a lot mentally. I was struggling with trusting my knee while coming back from surgery, but Pete, as well as the other guys didn’t hesitate to let me know they were still going to hold me accountable. That’s what great teammates do.

How good of a coach is Mario Matic and how much of a opportunity does he deserve to coach at a higher level than just the Regionalliga or Pro B?

Mario is a really good coach. He’s a ‘Player’s Coach’. Some might discredit his style because he’s not so technical, and more strategic. He gets the job done. He has been successful at both levels where he’s coached. He definitely deserves an opportunity to coach higher.

Let’s talk about your game. You played your first season in the Pro B 15.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 87.5% despite coming back from injury. How content were you with your first Pro B season?

Looking back now, I can say that I’m satisfied with the season that I played. It was very frustrating for me at first. I was forcing things, because I kept thinking about what I would do in the league if I was completely healthy. My coaches and teammates helped tremendously, by keeping me focused on being patient and letting me know it would all come back over time.

After playing most of your career in the Regionalliga, does it bother you today that you didn’t get more shots at a higher level in Germany?

I believe everything happens for a reason. The offers that I did receive weren’t great, so I decided to always stay at the same level to make a better living. At some point, I knew that I would stay in the Munich area so I also didn’t need an agent, which I think could have made a big difference when searching for contracts in the higher leagues.

Your used to having put up monster stats in the Regionalliga like 27,0ppg one season with Dachau. How much of an adjustment was it scoring less in the Pro B and how did you become a better player having had the chance to play in the Pro B?

It wasn’t a huge adjustment for me. The level of talent usually will increase around you the higher the league is, so it was expected that my numbers would go down. I think the same would have been possible in the Regionalliga, had I played with the same group of guys. I did learn how to pick my spots better, when being aggressive.

What is the next step for you? Your turning 34 in November. How much longer do you still want to play and how willing is your body at this point? You have the German citizenship and it would be easier getting jobs with the dual citizenship.

I‘m growing older but my body still feels pretty good. Strangely, before my injury I felt I was in the best shape of my life. I’ve already played 9 seasons but I think that somehow, the years in the Regionalliga helped to preserve my body. Less practices, and less strenuous games than at the top levels. However, I’m looking to make more of an imprint in the pro leagues (whether Pro A or BBL) the next years, as long as my body permits it. The German citizenship should definitely help with opportunities.

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the Pro B this season?

Either Miguel Servera (Hanau), or Marvin Heckel (Baunach)

Luka Doncic had an amazing sophomore campaign. Is he a top 3 NBA player now?

Luka is a beast, but I wouldn’t say Top 3 yet.

Where were you when you heard about the death of Kobe Bryant. You were 12 years old when he began in the NBA. What kind of influence did he have on you during adolescence?

I was at home sitting in my living room when I read the news, and I couldn’t believe it. Kobe had a huge influence on me. He was amazing to watch from the beginning of his career. I love how is game continued to evolve as he got up there in age. Every now and then I’ll still watch an old game of his. He will truly be missed.

How bitter is it that the NCAA March Madness has been canceled? This tournament for some kids is the greatest time of their lives. What advice would you give that senior who worked hard for 4 years and would have had his one and only chance now?

I would tell them that they should still be proud of everything that they did accomplish in their four year’s of playing college basketball, because many don’t even get that opportunity.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Bad Boys for life.

Thanks Omari for the chat.

Jordan Theodore (182-PG-89, college: Seton Hall, agency: Network Sports International) is a 31 year old 182cm point guard from Englewood, New Jersey that is playing his eighth professional season and second with Unics Kazan. Last season he began with Besiktas Istanbul (Turkey BSL) averaging 13,8ppg, 2,8rpg and 6,8apg in the Turkish league and 11,8ppg, 2,8rpg and 5,6apg and then moved to Unics Kazan playing 16 Eurocup games averaging 6.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 71.4%. In the 2018-2019 season he played with AEK Athens (Greece-A1) playing 20 games averaging 8.6ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 80.0%; and played 8 BCL games averaging 9.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.5apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 71.4%. Three seasons ago he played for EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (Italy-Serie A) playing 20 games averaging 10.4ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 75.0%; and played 23 Euroleague games averaging 11.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 86.5%. In the 2016-2017 season he played with Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-BSL) playimg 31 games: Score-3 (18.4ppg), 3.7rpg, Assists-1 (7.2apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 81.2%; In the BCL, he played 19 games: Score-4 (16.2ppg), 4.1rpg, Assists-1 (7.5apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 76.3% In the 2015-2016 season, he had his most successful season as a professional winning the FIBA Europe Cup with the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL) playing 37 games: 14.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.1%; FIBA Europe Cup: 18 games: 14.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 90.2%. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Seton Hall (NCAA) where he played until 2012 127 NCAA games and as a playing a total of senior played 32 games averaging 16.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 6.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 82.7%. In 2012, he started his professional career with Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye (Turkey-TBL) playing 29 games averaging 15.8ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-for Mersin Buyuksehir Belediyesi (Turkey-TBL) playing 27 games averaging 12.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 73.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for JL Bourg Basket (France-ProA, starting five )playing 17 games averaging 12.7ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-2 (6.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 21.6%, FT: 87.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Jordan for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing with Unics Kazan. This is the second team after Antalya where you have been a second season. Is this club like a second home for you?

Every one from management to the coaching staff to all the Russian players have made me feel like home. Also Jamar Smith who has been here four years and all the new guys have shown me nothing but love and respect. Nobody has shown any dislike. It really feels good to play here.

What makes playing for this organization special and different than for other teams that you have played for?

It’s a close-knit family. It is a family run business run by the son and daughter of the president. The coaching staff have been here for a long time. The chemistry is really good.

What was for you personally the most challenging thing that you had to cope and master dealing with COVID in the last year?

I think that the biggest adjustment in the last year has been adjusting to all the different rules that your confronted with. I have been very fortunate that my family has been with me the whole time. The family part hasn’t affected me as much as other guys overseas. It has been tough with the rules. Having to wear masks and wash your hands every where has been life changing.

With everything that you have seen off the court with COVID how do you feel has COVID made you stronger as a man?

COVID has shown me much love and compassion toward people that you love. These times have shown me that you need to reach the people you love more. COVID has affected people in many different ways around the world. It has taught me to love and care for the people that you love most.

Unics Kazan is playing another great season. Your playing for the VTB title. You have a better record than CSKA Moscow. How good does that feel? What has been your definition of the secret of the team success?

I think that the main thing has been our chemistry. We have come together well and have understood that having success hasn’t been about one person, but a team thing. I came a little late and the team had been affected by COVID. They were one piece away until I came. We then started to click. I came in and helped the team. Despite losing the Eurocup final, we still had a great season. We finished top 3 in VTB which had been one of our goals.

The team is so deep and talented. Does it feel like a Euroleague type of roster in terms of talent and depth?

Of course we feel like we have a Euroleague roster. We feel that we can compete with any one at any level. We are two deep at every position and guys could start for any other team. We have a lot of experienced players that have been through wars in Europe and had ups and downs. The experience has been the biggest reason for our success.

The older Russian players aren’t scoring much, but how valuable is their experience for keeping the ship running?

Kolesnikov is my guy. He has a ton of experience. Guys like Sergeev and Antipov also have been around for a while. Klimenko was able to show this season just how good he really is. He really has stepped up in the paint as have other guys.

How beneficial has it been having ex NBA player Isaiah Canaan 235 games for 6 teams as a teammate a guy that can score and do playmaking?

Isaiah has been great. This is his first year in Europe. He is still trying to understand the game and it isn’t always easy coming from the NBA to Europe. It has ben an adjustment to the style, country and travel. It also has been life changing for him. He has done a great job spacing the floor for, because he is such a good shooter so I can get to the rim easier. I feel his creating is very underrated. He has had some big games for us.

Can a scorer like you learn anything new from sniper Jamar Smith in the scoring department?

Jamar has it all. He is 34 and just won the Eurocup MVP award. He has had a great season and played point guard earlier in the season. He is our leader and captain. He has become like a brother to me. I don’t know too many players in Europe that can put the ball in the basket the way he does.

You have so many experienced guys around you. How has a Nate Wolters been able to rub off his playmaking skills on you?

I like Nate very much. He is a nice guy. He is a little quiet and doesn’t speak much, but he comes to work and gets the job done. He is a guy that can score. When I came in, we had to split time and he had no problems with it. He plays well and is respected.

Unics Kazan lost a tough series to Monaco for the Eurocup title. As a guy who has won 5 titles, how much did this loss hurt?

Losing the Eurocup final hurt a lot. I have had my shares of wins and loses over the years. I reflect a lot before big games and understand that getting an opportunity like that doesn’t come that often. It is hard to be on a team where there is 100% chemistry and to get to the final. It really hurt the way we lost getting swept. I feel like I could of played better. I will have to live with it.

How confident are you that you would have won the title had Jamar Smith not gone 0/4 from outside. Obviously he isn’t at fault as every player can have an off day. Did you have some soothing words for him after the loss?

I had no soothing words for him. He has played well all season. Our team has that next man up mentality. When a guy had an off night, other guys stepped up all season long. It is never about one person. We know that we all could of done better. Our great defense that we have played all season didn’t show up and we also didn’t communicate well.

You had your best game with Kazan against ex coach Gordon Herbert and Avtodor. Were you extra motivated to play against your ex coach?

It is always fun to see Gordie. He is still my guy. We talk like two to three times a month. Our relationship now is still as strong like when I played for him in Frankfurt. I had a good shooting night. It is always fun killing Gordie.

Were you surprised he was fired considering the club wasn’t playing that bad, but I guess the expectations were very high?

I was very surprised he was let go. He was only a few games out of the playoffs with five games to go. I think that the move surprised everyone.

Do you remember some kind of words he told the team in the last minutes against Varesse in the 2016 fiba Europe cup final?

He didn’t say anything. He is a coach that is great with motivating players as well as with tactics. In crunch-time after he draws up a play, he screams the defense that we should run. He expected greatness out of us and I’m sure he knew that we would win the final. He also always knew exactly when I would shoot. He didn’t really have to say much, because we always knew what had to be done.

Your having a solid season but not putting up massive scoring stats. Is your role different this season than usual?

My role has changed. People know me as a scorer and facilitator and a guy that knows how to fill up the stat sheet. This year we have a lot of weapons on the team. I have taken a back seat and put my pride on the side and have done what is best for the team. I will do anything to win if that means taking two or five shots. If they tell me to get five or six assists, I will do it. I do that in my sleep. I know that people know that my stats are down, but that doesn’t bother me. I’m happy that I’m on one of the best teams in Europe. Numbers don’t matter when your winning.

Your three pointer continues to be a work in progress. How much does it bother you that you haven’t become that lethal 40% shooter?

It’s all about the shots that I have to take. In Gorden Herbert’s system, I was more of a spot up shooter. That is one of the reasons why I shot so well and it was one of my best three point shooting seasons as a professional. Now all my three pointers are more off the dribble and at the end of the shot clock which is why my three point percentages are down. I shoot a lot of bombs. But that doesn’t bother me. When it’s time to make shots, I make them.

If you were to call Gordie Herbert and ask for advice about winning a title, what would he say?

That is a funny question. I don’t know the last time where he won a title?

It was the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup with you.

I don’t know. That’s a weird question.

Chris Paul recently passed Magic Johnson for fifth all-time in assists. Where do you rank him with the best point guards all-time despite never having won a ring?

Chris Paul is a pure winner. He is top five in assists. He is in his 17th NBA season. He has won everywhere where he has been. He is top six if not top five all-time. His numbers don’t lie. It isn’t easy to win an NBA title.

Dino Radja recently said he couldn’t see Russell Westbrook leading a team in Europe to success. Do you agree?

I don’t agree. There aren’t a lot of guards his size that can push the ball, find the rim, have the power and athleticism that Russ has. I don’t see anyone stopping him. Bigs don’t challenge him in the NBA and I don’t see it happening in Europe either. There aren’t too many bigs that can stay in front of him off the pick and roll. He would need an adjustment period in Europe, but once he figured it out, he would win.

Draymond Green recently said he is the best defender of all-time. Do you agree?

I like Draymond and what he does. He is all over the place on defense and offense. But It is hard to say if he is the greatest of all-time. A guy like Tony Allen guard edKobe and Lebron and they said he was one of the best defenders that they ever saw. I remember watching Bruce Bowen and Dennis Rodman who were great defenders and the list goes on and on. There are plenty of great defenders. He would definitely be in the conversation for top 10 all-time.

Have you seen the Coming to America sequel? It has had mixed reviews. Shouldn’t they just have left it alone?

I didn’t see it. They should of left in alone. The first was a classic and I still like watching it. The second wasn’t needed.

Thanks Jordan for the chat.

Darryl Middleton (203-F/C-66, college: Baylor) is currently an assistant coach for top Euroleague team CSKA Moscow. He can look back at a long and illustrious professional playing career that spanned 4 decades as he played from 1988-2013. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. He played the majority of his career in Spain spanning 18 years and 12 years in the top European league ACB. He also played in Turkey, Italy, Greece and Russia. CNN Sport Has namned him as one of the most famous american players in European basketball history. He played at Baylor (NCAA) from 1984-1988 reaching the NCAA tournament in 1988. He spoke to germanhoops about his Baylor days and the special basketball magic there.

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

Baskeballt has been great to me,the last 7 years since I stopped playing. I have been here in one of the biggest clubs CSKA Moscow. I have learned so much by being here with coach Itoudis and our staff, We won 2 euro league titles and 6 Russian titles as well so it’s been great being apart of this plus now we are preparing now for another euro league final 4 this month as well as the Russan league playoffs.

You have been assistant coach of top Euroleague team CSKA Moscow since 2014. What kind of an experience has that been and have you never had aspirations of being a head coach?

I think any assistant coach would love to be a head coach. It’s a lot of work as well because then I would be in the front seat making very tough decisions. A head coaching job is not just coaching players, but you have a lot of other responsibilities as well. You have to make sure all the players understand their roles. Some players have big egos and feel they should be able to do more, want to play more minutes or whatever the situation may be, and as the head coach you have to keep everyone on the same page and sometimes,it’s very difficult.

CSKA Moscow is playing a great Euroleague season, but were only in fourth place in the VTB a league you win almost every year. How do you explain this? Are teams especially fired up for you this season?

I believe it’s dificult for a lot of players to have the same motivation to play in Euroleague, which is the top league and when they play in the VTB league, they don’t play with the same motivation. I think it’s wrong to play like this because players are paid to play and not to choose what league they should be more motivated to play in. It’s sad to see this as a coach because you know your players and when they are not playing like they should in VTB, it makes the coaches very frustrated because you are doing something that you love to do, why should players lower themselves like that just because it’s a different league. Once they get on the court in whatever league, they should play100%. It’s their job and when they play below their standard, it makes them look really bad

You played an incredible 27 professional seasons until you were 47. Did God bless you with the perfect body?

I played 27 professional seasons. I can’t believe it myself that I played until 47 but it wasn’t easy from the start. I worked my butt off every summer to prepare myself for every season. I always felt that I had something to prove once I came to Europe so that was a good motivation for me to prove to people that I can play. I always wanted to be the best player on the court on defense and offense. I wasn’t a gifted player so I had to really work hard every summer to improve my basketball skills. Yes, I was blessed to have played for so many years and most importantly I stayed away from injuries. I think by training so hard in the summer, that really helped me to get through the season without any injuries

You have won 20 titles as a player and assistant coach. What part of your title genes do you believe have rubbed off most on your players?

I have won 20 titles in my career, and not many people can say that and for sure not many people in the club or players knows this but it’s something to be proud of for sure and shows what hard work can give you.

Let’s talk about your alma mata Baylor. They won the 2021 NCAA title. How did you feel the day after the win?

I was very excited to see my Baylor Bears win the NCAA title and not only they won it but how they won the championship. They played 2 great games from start to finish. They had a goal to win this title. you could see it in their body language, and in their eyes, that they wanted this title and they came out very motivated especially in the final.

Playing overseas is always a problem when you want to catch NBA and NCAA games. Did your schedule permit you to stay up and watch history being made? It must have been early morning in Moscow when the game started so you could of watched it.

I dont have much time to watch college games or NBA games because of our schedule and because of the time difference. I would have loved to watch more of Baylor games but I just watched some of their games during their season and the final 4.

You played at Baylor from 1984-1988. You reached the NCAA tournament in 1988. At that time that had been the school’s first appearance in 38 years. What was special about that team?

It seems like a life time ago but we had a great group of guys. My 4 years there and by the time we all became seniors,we were really playing well and after 38 years we went to the NCAA tournament, It was a great achievement for us and for the school. We put Waco Texas on the basketball map

How proud are you of head coach Scott Drew? Do you feel he will get more respect after this win?

Coach Scott Drew has done a great job at Baylor. He had these guys believing that they can win a national title. He had two of the best players in college hoops there with leaders Mitchell and Butler. These guys played great as well as the rest of the team. It was a great final 4 to watch and now with 4 main players leaving, they will need to start to rebuild again but for sure with this national title, they will be able to recruit some very good players for the upcoming years.

Have you seen Coming To America 2 yet? The reviews have been mixed. Shouldn’t they just have left the original classic untouched?

I haven’t seen coming to america 2 yet. It will be a summer movie but I liked the 1st one.

Thanks Darryl for the chat.

Michele Vitali (196-G-91) is a 29 year old 196cm guard from Italy playing his first season in Germany with Brose Bamberg. He began his basketball career with La Fortezza Bologna (SerieA) and also played with teams like Pasta Reggia JuveCaserta (SerieA), Germani Basket Brescia (Serie A), Banco di Sardegna Sassari (Serie ) and MoraBanc Andorra (Spain-ACB). He also played with the Italian U-18 and U-20 teams and also has been a member of the Italian men’s national team. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 83-69 game one loss to Ludwigsburg.

Michele thanks for talking to germanhoops.com com. Brose Bamberg lost game one 83-69. How challenging is having this 2-2-1 game format?

It’s playoff time and the best time of the season. You always have to reset and be ready.

How much has the injury to Devon Hall hurt the team? He runs the team and is the team’s MVP.

We lost the team’s best player. It is a little unlucky with his injury but that can always happen. We have to be able to play well even when he isn’t on the court. We have to do more than before and help the team make plays. If a player is ready mentally and knows what he will do, then we will be fine.

Both teams battled in the first quarter as Bamberg had the 22-18 advantage, but in the second quarter the MHP Riesen got way winning the second quarter 22-11. It seemed like Ludwigsburg did the most damage inside.

I feel that we were playing a great game and good defense, but we gave up too many offensive rebounds and second chances. We have to be ready and the second point is that we have to have the focus of grabbing the ball first and also getting the 50/50 balls.

You cut the Ludwigsburg lead down to as much as seven points in the fourth quarter, but you couldn’t get over the hump. How key was Ludwigsburg doing a good job of controlling the paint area and getting 20 offensive rebounds?

We have to be more focused on the boards. We can’t let them take so many offensive rebounds again. We have to find a way to out beat them on the rebound. We play good defense, but we have to restart and do a better job getting the defensive rebounds.

When you look back at the 40 minutes in game one what positives can you take from the game?

I thought that there were many positives things in the game. We were ready to play and never gave up. We always have to reset and we need to learn from our mistakes so we can do it better in game two.

Stealing a win in Ludwigsburg in game two will be vital. What things have to get better with the Bamberg game?

We have to be quicker in making decisions. When we slow down on offense, then they are able to react too quickly on defense. We do a good job creating open shots which then gives a good chance to get the rebound. When we are able to share the ball well then we play well.

How much fun has it been playing with talented German Christian Sengfelder? He just resigned for two more years.

He is a tough player that knows how to play the game. When all of us are on the same page, it is a lot of fun to play together. You feel blind because you know where every one is on the court. He is a great player.

What kind of an experience has it been playing with other talented German Kenneth Ogbe? He has had his problems this season but had a great performance in game one. How vital is his performance for the success of the team?

He is also a great player. One can always have ups and downs during a season. The most important thing is how you react to down moments. He is a player that has been able to adjust in down times. He has been very important for us.

Another experienced player has been Alex Ruoff. He hasn’t been able to show his game the way he knows how. How vital is his basketball IQ for the team even when he isn’t on the court?

Alex was injured for a while. It is a lot of fun playing with him. He has been very helpful with suggestions. He sees things that we players may not see on the court. The great thing with this team is that all are on the same page and help each other. We all are able to react to problems.

I love the aggressiveness of Tyler Larson. He had a tough injury this season, but is back again. How confident are you that he could be a consistent impact player now what the team needs to badly?

Tyler had a tough injury. It is never easy to come back after a long time being out, but right in his first game against Saragoza, he gave all he had and did a great job on defense and getting rebounds. A great thing about Tyler and everyone else on the team is that no one is selfish and all want to share the ball.

Your playing your first season in Germany and your second time away from your homeland Italy after also playing a season in the ACB with Andora. How would you compare the BBL with the Serie A in terms of style, competitiveness skill and players?

I really like the BBL. I’m glad I came here. When I came here I expected the league to be very physical. It is physical, but it is also a league where many tactics are played and there are so many different kind of coaches from different countries that bring a special philosophy. You always have to find different ways to win.

You have been known for being a very good three point shooter. You’re a guy that doesn’t go crazy shooting three’s. How important is your picking your spots for your success?

I think the key to shooting at a high percentage is to create a good shot. That way you have more possibilities of it going in. But it isn’t only me, but every teammate has the same focus when shooting.
Your known as being a very good shooter, but what other part of your game do you wish you would get more recognition for?

I try not only to be a shooter, but also try different things like involving my teammates. I really like to find the open man and create for my teammates.

Last season you were teammates with another great shooter David Walker. Can great shooters become good friends during a season?

Yes of course. I love being able to share things on and off the court. I enjoyed my season with David.- He isn’t only a great shooter, but a great athlete and guy. It was my first year out of Italy and it was fun being able to spend a season with him. It was also great playing against him this season. You never know if something like that will happen again.

What was the last movie that you saw?

I’m watching dynasty at a moment a series. In these tough times me and my better half have tried to find ways to be active at home. We sing and play piano and also do yoga together.

Thanks Michele for the chat.

Jeremelle Fraser is a 33 year old former 186cm professional player that currently works as a development skills trainer and coach. As a player he played with St.Thomas Aquinas (NCAA2) and New York State University – Maritime College (NCAA3). Before ehading overseas he played semi-pro ball in the States with teams like the NYC Thunder ABA,, Jersey G-force (IBL) and Westchester Dutchmen (EBA). In Europe he played with teams like Drita Gjilan (Kosovo-SuperLeague), BK Nova Hut Ostrava (Czech Republic-NBL) and Malbas Malmo (Sweden-Superettan. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

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

Hi Miles and thank you. At the moment I’m in Orlando, Florida enjoying good weather. Basketball life has been up and down obviously due to Covid and I think it’s been like this for most unfortunately.

 In our last interview several years ago, you were a former NCAA Division Three Point Guard and just played your rookie season in Kosovo. KB Drita Gjilan (Kosovo-SuperLeague) playing 7 games averaging 18.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.6spg, FT – 80.2%, 3FG – 28.7 %, 2FG – 48.6%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas ?  Also, Your story is quite different from others- taking the semi pro route and doing camps prior etc. What advice could you give to players in your shoes who may not have that attractive resume and want to pursue professional basketball ?

Yes time flies when you’re having fun ! But honestly it was a struggle and the odds we’re definitely stacked against me. I remember trying to adjust to the food and most of my teammates didn’t speak much English. There were some money problems which was frustrating but typical- I don’t know any player that played overseas who didn’t experience this . But basketball wise I learned quickly that I needed to put extra work in and study more film not only of my opponents but I’ve myself dissecting things ! My advice to players like myself is if you love the game and you’re passionate go after what you want. If you can, try to get an agent who has experience and has helped similar players with the same background successfully, get seen via exposure camps etc Hard work and some luck lol and understand the business and how things work. But most importantly BE PREPARED physically from conditioning to the Pro game itself-particularly in Europe and the style of play. As it is not the same as college.

 You then played with the Idaho Stampede (Utah Jazz D-League), only pre-season in the Fall of 2014. How was that D-League experience? 

I think it was a huge turning point for me Miles. I was the only division three player on the roster. However, guys like Jack Cooley (Notre Dame) and Kevin Murphy (Tennessee Tech) made me feel comfortable as they were pretty much the leaders and had that real NBA/D-league at that time. Head Coach Deane Cooper was a good coach and better person. Very transparent. Two things I remember from Coach Cooper. One day at the end of practice in the huddle – He said at this level we have to just play and don’t be indecisive. Also after our final preseason game the next day he had to sit down with the 5 players he was releasing. He told me he didn’t know who the hell I was at tryouts but I impressed him and that I was a PRO. I had a good understanding of the game and to keep playing. The season prior I believe he was an assistant with the Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale was the Head Coach. So that definitely gave me a lot of confidence to keep pushing. It also gave me insight for what deep down I know what would be next coaching, as I took a lot of mental notes during training camp !

 Every spring/summer you would return to the States and work at BIG APPLE SPORTS with well known NYC scout/coach TIPPY MCTERNAN. How did you develop as a player development coach and scout there ?

Well Tippy had been like a mentor to me since college. If it wasn’t for him showing me how to workout and get ready I wouldn’t have stuck. For 20 years plus Coach Tippy has helped changed lives and sent guys to school Juco, Division 1 etc All the college coaches respect him. I didn’t realize it, but he was molding me. He would have me lead workouts and coach in tournaments he put players in etc Then for our annual exposure event which is still runnning – I would help in selecting the players, connect with over 100 college coaches, and basically coach/help run the event the day. Every year during the week of the event, myself and the rest of the staff would be in Tippy´s office until 1am or 2am preparing lol- all to give kids an opportunity.

When did you know in your life that working with players and being a coach would be your calling? 

I knew this when I was a player in Europe. I would always watch the U16-20 teams of whichever club I was a part of. Then I offered to help out during the practices. Soon after, I would sign contracts to not only play but to coach the youth teams.

 Your love to play again was so big that you returned to Europe in 2017 to play with Malbas in Malmo, Sweden. Your last professional playing gig. What memories do you have of this stint and what was your fondest memories playing in Sweden ?

Sweden was definitely one of my most favorite countries to have lived in. The people were very nice and it had been a fairly smooth adjustment. My fondest memory playing were the fans. The energy and atmosphere from all the clubs were great.

 There you also worked with the U-16 and U-19 teams reaching the Final 4 in Swedish Championship games. What are the major differences with working with European kids opposed to American kids?

Yes it was a good season. I think we all got better. Especially for me as a coach. Those boys put the work in daily and I still feel that both teams were good enough to win it all ! But the major differences of working with European kids and American kids l feel is work ethic. They both have the same dreams and aspirations. But, for the euro kids it’s obviously much tougher logistically and I think they know they have to work that much harder. Most don’t grow up playing streetball, they enter a club/team at an early age with coaches who stress the fundamentals etc Why ? They are not as athletically gifted or talented as the Americans are, this is my opinion.

You have an amazing basketball development and coaching resume. It just grows and grows. What do you enjoy most about helping kids?

I have been blessed to come from the Mecca of basketball. I have notebooks full of so much valuable information. I’m grateful to have been around so many great coaches near and far. What I have enjoyed most is knowing that all the things I teach as a coach will have a direct correlation and impact on their players lives. When you coach for the right reasons, you know that it is more important to get to know “the person” rather than “the player” if that makes sense !

 You have worked with Hall of Fame Coach Bob Hurley at Hoop Group basketball camp. What important words of wisdom did you get from him ?

Make sure the players understand what it is that your teaching and how it relates to the game and make sure they do things the correct way !

 In 2019 you worked at the ZAZA PACHULIA BASKETBALL ACADEMY. What was the best experience that you could get out of this time there?

I will always appreciate ZaZa and the opportunity he gave me. ZAZA and I met believe it or not in Madison Square Garden a few days before I left to his country. He explained what was needed, expectations etc but most importantly he gave me the freedom to do things my way. In the end we won two championships (U18 and U20). We sent 2 players to top 100 camp and we got at the time the best female player in the country a full scholarship to a D1 junior college in Wyoming. I also got to work with in the summer Goga Bitadze (Pacers), Sandro Mamukelashvilli (Seton Hall) and Giorgi Bezhanishvili (Illinois)

In 2019-2020 you worked at Montverde academy in Florida as a Assistant Varsity Coach/Player Development Coach. You helped develop three McDonald’s All-Americans Plan – Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State (#3 ESPN) – Scottie Barnes, Florida State (#4 ESPN) – and Dayron Sharpe, North Carolina (#11 ESPN). What was most challenging working with these massive prospects?

For me in the beginning, it was really identifying what those guys needed from me and Coach Boyle, who I feel is a Hall of Fame Coach assisted well with that. With these players you can’t waste time and you have to know your shit. All three of them very talented and they really just needed fine tuning in certain parts of their game. The most challenging was motivating them on a daily basis to do the daily repetitive regimens which would not only prepare them for college but the Pros. They made it easy because they loved and respected the game so much !

 How do you believe Cade Cunningham profited most from your basketball wisdom?

Well I was a point guard since 5th grade, it’s the only position I played lol so all of our talks and work we put in was from that standpoint. At 6’8 with handle, jumpshot and I think his biggest strength IQ, he definitely made it easier for me ! Because of his size and again IQ Cade can also play other positions and that’s what makes him so valuable !

Who do you talk to in terms of decision making and give some credit when it comes to your professional basketball journey from a coaching standpoint ?

Tim Shea. I call him “Don Shea” lol But Tim who is originally from New York but lives in Lugo, Spain. He has been a sort of mentor for me the past few years. He is a former NBA Director of International Scout with Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Knicks. He also coached in the ACB (Spain) and was a part of the Nigerian National Team staff in 2012 that qualified for Olympics. I can’t thank him enough for his words of wisdom and not only basketball but life coaching. We talk pretty much daily.

 You are truly a basketball globetrotter. Where will you be next? What are your goals in the next years as a coach?

I love the game. I love to teach. I love inspiring and motivating players. I’m truly blessed at all the relationships I’ve built throughout all these years. It looks as though what’s next for me is college or the pros. It’s just a matter of timing and the right situation. I still have a lot more to learn and I hope I remain humble and stay a lifelong learner. My goals as a coach these next few years is to contribute and win a championship at the NCAA level or NBA level and again to continue to grow until I eventually get my shot as a Head Coach at one of these levels.

 Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Players:

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Lebron James

Coaches:

Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, Hubie Brown, Doc Rivers

What was the last movie that you saw

Above The Rim

Thanks Jermelle for the chat.

Jaleen Smith (193-PG-94, college: UNH) is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Freeport, Texas that is playing his fourth professional season and second with the MHP Riesen currently averaging 15,7ppg, 5,2rpg, 5,5apg and 1,8spg. Last season he played 28 games averaging 10.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 82,8%. In 2018-2019 he played with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA) averaging 12,7ppg, 3,9rpg and 2,7apg. In his rookie season with Heidelberg he averaged 7,6ppg, 2,8rpg and 2,9apg. He had a stellar four year career with New Hampshire (NCAA) from 2013-2017 where he played a total of 120 NCAA games. He improved his scoring, rebounding and assists average each season and as a senior he played 32 games averaging 15.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 78.1%. He spoke to before the start of the 2021 easyCredit BBL playoffs

Jalen thanks for talking to eurobasket. Before we talk about the playoffs, I have to ask you about the ending to Munich-Ulm. Do you feel for your neighbors ratiopharm Ulm for being robbed at the end on Wade Baldwin not getting a technical foul?

I was actually talking to someone when that happened at the end of the game That was a big change in the sequence of events in the game.

This does not shine a light on the league. Do you feel like the game or fourth quarter should be replayed?

I feel that the refs and the scorers table have to know when a player has five fouls. There just wasn’t enough time to make up the game.

The 2021 playoffs are here. With what feelings are you going into these playoffs in that there won’t be a bubble?

It will definitely be different. Now we won’t be playing in a neutral site, but the fans still won’t be there. Having two home games first throughout the playoffs is huge for us. We know that we will always have two games first and then we can steal one on the road.

The MHP Riesen finished the season at 30-4. How impressive is this record truly when you think of how screwed the season was with COVID being around?

Having the kind of record that we had was impressive. All 34 games were practice games without fans, but we still had to stay mentally strong and focused. We did a good job always getting the job done no matter what.

One can’t say that you ended the season great after losing two different one point games to Bamberg and Berlin on the road. What kind of an effect did these two loses have on the mentality of the club as they head into the BBL Playoffs?

I don’t think that these two close loses affected us mentally. Our goal after we clinched against Bonn was to stay fresh, but not get anybody hurt. It was a blow to Bamberg that Devon Hall got hurt. We wanted to prevent that and just finish the regular season in rhythm.

You didn’t play in the last loss to Bamberg. How motivated are you personally to battle in this series?

When that game was played, my son was born. I remember watching the second half. I’m so motivated now and just want to get the show on the road.

You split with Bamberg this season. What kind of a series can we await?

It’s a new season. They are a really tough team. They have a lot of guys that can shoot. They have good inside out bigs and we will have to key in on them. We know what their guards do and it will be on us to stop them. If we play the way that we are supposed to then we will get the job done.

What memories do you have of battling diminutive Benet Hundt. A pest like that would fit perfectly into John Patrick’s defensive philosophy.

Yes for sure. He would help especially in the full court press. He gets a lot of calls for his feistiness. You tend to see a lot of guys who could fit Patrick’s system. You have to wonder if JP is ever thinking about that player.

How proud were you of the only 4 team turnovers in the 94-93 loss despite you not even playing in the game?

We pride ourselves on getting on the offensive glass and taking care of the ball. When we do that good things happen. A guy like Jordan Hulls does a great job handling the ball. That speaks volumes for how good we take care of the ball.

Could the two team’s guard play determine this series? What will be key to reaching the semi-finals?

I think that the guard play will determine the series. If we do a good job guarding their guards well then good things will happen. On offense we have the green light. If we can make shots and plays will be the difference in this series.

How proud are you of your ex team MLP Academics wining the Pro A title and reaching the easyCredit BBL?

I told all my teammates how excited I am for them to reach the BBL. This is Frenki’s big chance. He always wanted to coach in the first league. I will continue to root and follow their games. Reaching the BBL is a blessing and experience for them.

Who will advance in the Alba Berlin-Hamburg Towers series? Will this be a Alba Berlin sweep despite Hamburg having swept the season series?

I think that Hamburg could win a game. It all depends if they will have Kam Taylor. If he plays then they will have a good chance, if not then they could get swept.

How do you see the Oldenburg-Ulm series. Could this go 5 games?

I could see this series going 5 games. Oldenburg is experienced and have guys who have been through it all. Ulm is playing hot now. I think that if Troy Caupain had still been in the game against Munich, then they would have won. Ulm didn’t have a guy who could make plays at the end. I think that Ulm will surprise a lot of people.
Are the Crailsheim Merlins pooped? Despite FC Bayern’s slumping in the BBL, could they sweep this series?

I believe Munich will sweep them, but Crailsheim will give them one tough game. It all depends how well Trae Bell-Haynes plays. He was awesome in the first game, but in the second game he had a tougher time. I believe that Crailsheim’s coach will have them ready and give a fight.

Did Russell Westbrook lose some haters since beating Oscar Robertson’s triple double record or will the haters continue to hate until he wins a title?

I think the haters will continue to hate until he wins a title. Most Wizards teammates have said that he was the best. He is always challenging guys. It is crazy how the narrative of the media is always twisting things and making him out to be the bad guy. Guys that barely know him praise him. That speaks volumes for how he stays true to himself and not have outside noise affect him.

Where do you see the journey of the Brooklyn Nets going in the post season? Can they reach the finals?

I don’t watch a lot of NBA, but when you see the roster that they have, then they have to reach the final. It is crazy how deep they are. But in the playoffs, you need to play defense. I’m sure the first round will be easy, but in the second round there is always some team that makes it tough. It will be interesting how well they can deal with adversary.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Cheaper by the dozen.

Thanks Jaleen for the chat.

There aren’t many German players playing in the NBA, but it has grown in the last years. You have Isaac Bonga in Washington, Moritz Wagner in Orlando, Daniel Theis in Chicago, Dennis Schroeder living the glitz world in Los Angeles with the Lakers, Maxi Kleber in Dallas and Isaiah Hartenstein now in Cleveland. But there is a big difference to how these players are living in comparison to how Isaiah Hartenstein was in the Mile High city Denver recently. The young German kids in Washington and Orlando re alone while Theis and Schroeder have their families, but none of them have their father living with them. Isiah’s dad Florian has taken a break from the coaching world while still looking for that new opportunity and has accompanied his son while he continues to make new strides as a NBA player. In the summer of 2020, Florian flew down to Houston to help his son seek a new address in the NBA. Isiah signed with the Denver Nuggets and Florian was by his side in Denver. Even if Florian was a professional player for 13 seasons and has been coaching for 6 seasons, he also can boast about having another massive talent that he gave Isiah during his time in Denver that helps him be the best possible professional player off the court. Eating right is something that very athlete needs to have locked into their brain and dad Florian has aided his son with the right diet. ‘ It started last summer where I cooked on a regular basis for him and he then asked me if I could be in charge of his diet to make sure that he eats enough portions, carbs and vitamins. He really liked it in Houston. Since I did not get a new job he wanted me to come to Denver to be in charge of all of his food. I like to eat good food and so I’m in the process to leaner new and different recipes to make sure that he eats good and healthy food. I watch what and how much he eats and everything is made from scratch to make sure we know what goes into his body. There is no more ordering food for him. If he is lucky he can order once a month, but that would be it. Only home cooked food. That is way cheaper then hiring a full time cook. He really liked Bolognese, which I don’t understand. It is the easiest dish to make. He is not a picky eater. He eats what I give him. He does not have a choice’, laughed Florian Hartenstein (6’9”-C-77, college: Oregon). Florian Hartenstein is hungry for a new Coaching challenge but also content having been in charge of son Isaiah’s diet.

Let’s rewind back to November 2019 where the world in many ways was still all right as COVID-19 wasn’t born yet. However on the basketball front the coaching run for Florian Hartenstein with his club Artland Dragons came to an end. Hartenstein was born in Mainz, Germany in 1977 and began with basketball at age 12 and then made the long trek across the pond in1996 where he played a year of high school ball at Thurston in Springfield Oregon and then played at Oregon State from 1997-2001. He played under head coach Ernie Kent and was teammates with future NBA players Fred Jones and Alex Scales and as a senior saw young freshmen Luke Ridnour and Luke Jackson make their first steps in the NCAA. He then returned back to Germany and had a long professional career starting with the Giessen 46ers where he played from 2001-2009 playing a total of 227 BBL games. My fondest memory of him in a Giessen jersey was his amazing game against top Euroleague team FC Barcelona in the summer of 2008. It was an exhibition game where he took control of the game in one half and was the best player on the floor as top players Juan Navarro, Ersan Iiyasova, David Anderson and Fran Vazquez witnessed his game and took a back seat. He then played three more years in the BBL with the Artland Dragons from 2009-2012 playing 42 BBL games and 17 Eurochallenge games. He then wasted no time of making that transition from player to life after beginning his coaching career in 2012 with Artland. He quickly showed his ability to be able to coach young talented German players and help them develop. He helped lead the 2013-2014 JBBL (U-16 team) to the German national title with son Isiah who put up staggering 24/12 season stats and gobbled up the season MVP and Final 4 MVP awards. He then also coached the NBBL (U-19 team and Pro B and Pro A teams.

In November 2019 he was relived of his duties as head coach with the Artland Dragons. A few months later came the next blow with COVID-19. The last 18 months haven’t been an easy time for him. ‘Being let go was not a good experience for me, especially since it was the first time. But they say you are not a real coach until you get fired at least one time. The season was just followed by a lot of bad luck. The amount of injuries we had was crazy. We had to practice with 4-6 guys, and there were times l had to help out in practice just so we could do a drill. When you lose more games than your supposed to, then the club will look for a change. That was letting me go. At the time of the release I was pretty down. I had worked for the Artland Dragons for 10 years. 3 as a pro Player in the BBL and the rest as coach for every level from U12-U18, Regio league, JBBL,NBBL, Pro B and Pro A. It was hard to let go from something I had built for a long time. Especially the youth part hurt the most. After about a week away from the Dragons I decided to start traveling to meet new coaches and watch their practices to learn and get new Ideas. Luckily a lot of coaches let me sit and ask questions and learn. Some of the teams that I visited were Berlin, Ulm, Crailsheim, Real Madrid and a couple others. I really enjoyed that time and learned a lot in that time. With the new ideas I also wrote my own defense concept that I believe will work best for my style of coaching. So I believe that I used my off time very well to learn and make more connections’, warned Florian Hartenstein. Then COVID-19 exploded on the world while Florian Hartensetin was trying to develop further as a coach while being able to experience different coaching philosophies with different coaches and teams. Even if COVID-19 effected and wrecked havoc on the world, the German was able to take positives from it. ‘Covid -19 gave me the chance to focus on myself for the first time. As a coach my only concern was to make sure the players, teams and the club were doing good. I used a lot of my free time in the gym with players, helping them to get better. With not having a coaching job and Covid, I focused on me and spent a lot of time working out and getting in good shape. I used the time spending quality time with my grandson and the rest of my family. After Isaiah left the Houston Rockets I went to Houston and helped him to get ready for the next opportunity. So I worked out with him and took care of his diet, to make sure that his body was ready for the new Team. ‘, warned Florian Hartenstein.

It is never easy letting go when you have been with an organization so long like the Artland Dragons and experienced so much at so many different levels and won titles. Sometimes a player and coach will return back as one has seen in Frankfurt with Gordon Herbert, but sometimes simply too much happened and even if both sides left on good terms, sometimes one just has to let the past rest in peace and accept that that chapter is over. ‘I am close to most of the players I developed of the years. I am not that close to the Organization anymore since a lot has changed over the years. We separated peacefully but I am not in close contact with them anymore. With the change from the BBL to the Pro B, the organization also changed management and some sponsors. The Person that I am still real close with is Gerd Meinecke. He had the same future vision when it came to the youth program and development. He was a big part of organization for me in the first couple of years to build a good youth program. When I started with the Pro B and later Pro A I was not allowed to control the youth part and the quality went down. With the cooperation with Vechta JBBL and NBBL it sadly killed the level of talent in Quakenbrueck. With that I see no future when it comes to youth work for the Dragons. With that I see no reason for me to go back. To do good youth work you have to be dedicated to the kids and offer full support in all areas like school, travel support and developing their body. That is not given anymore in Quakenbrueck. My satisfaction comes from the development of youth players no matter girl or boy and see them become pro players at the end. At this moment I see no chance that I would work for the Dragons. The focus for the Artland Dragons is only Pro A, youth has become only a requirement to get the league license. I do not see myself there anymore’, warned Florian Hartenstein. Being able to witness so many different levels with the Artland Dragons as a coach made him better as a coach. ‘I believe that I got better every year. I basically started from scratch almost every other year. Since I never had the chance to watch other coaches or talked to them or work under a coach. I had to learn by doing. At the same time it was a lot of fun. I was lucky that I was free to really express the way I believe a youth program should be run . For the first 4-5 years the program was run the way I wanted to and we went to top 4 every year with at least one team. I am very proud that I was able to change a program that before my time everybody laughed at, to one that was competing with Alba, Bamberg and even beat Bayern for the JBBL championship. That was the best youth game I ever saw and coached! Competition between Isaiah und Richard Freundberg was great. If anybody still has the video of the game. Let me Know ( League video is not available)’, smiled Florian Hartenstein. As he focused on Isaiah in Denver that he has the right diet on a daily basis, he is also dreaming of where that next coaching job will be. ‘As a coach you always wait for the next opportunity. With Covid it is hard to find something. Teams have lower budgets and don’t want to do many changes since they don’t know what the rest of the year will bring. I don’t want to waste my time sitting and waiting, so I focus on Isaiah and try to help him. He really liked me taking care of his diet by making sure he eats all fresh stuff and the right amount to make sure he doesn’t lose muscle during the season and has all the energy his body needs for good performance. That way he can focus 100% on basketball. There are one or two other projects that I am working on that I will explore to see if I want to go those directions. It is basketball, you never know what will happen, you have to be open for new things and be ready at the same time. But I am for sure still looking for head coaching or assistant coaching jobs at a higher level. But I really enjoy the time with Isaiah so that could also be a long term situation’, added Florian Hartenstein.

Isiah Hartenstein came to the United States in 2017 after being with B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL) and was drafted at #43 by the Houston Rockets. He spent his first season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G-League) playing 40 games averaging 9.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 60.7%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 69.0%. That rookie season in the United States, he already showed flashes of excellence as he scored in double figures in 18 games and had 7 double doubles. In his second season, he made the jump to the NBA with the Rockets playing 30 games averaging 1.9ppg, 1.6rpg, and also continued playing with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G League) playing 31 games averaging 20.2ppg, Reb-1 (15.0rpg), 3.5apg, 1.8bpg, FGP: 67.6%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 66.5%. He scored in double figures in 28 of 31 games and had 23 double doubles. He produced 20 or more rebounds 5 times and exploded against Texas for 42 points and 21 rebounds. He also had a triple double against Salt Lake City with 12 points, 16 boards and 11 assists. He got into the NBA door, but didn’t get a real chance to show his skills with decent minutes. In his third NBA season with Houston his minutes increased a bit from 7,6 to 11,6 as he played 23 games averaging 4.7ppg, 3.9rpg. He scored in double figures in three games including 19 points and 9 rebounds against New Orleans, 16 points and 12 boards against Denver and 17 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks against Minnesota. He also continued to get good minutes and playing time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G League) playing 14 games averaging 24.9ppg, Reb-1 (14.8rpg), 4.2apg, 1.4spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 66.3%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 66.1%. He had an explosive 34 points and 19 boards against the NAZ Suns and 25 points and 21 rebounds against Austin. After three years, it was apparent that he wasn’t going to play a role with the Rockets small ball concept. He played a total of 58 NBA games and papa Hartenstein saw his son develop further in this time despite coming from Europe and having to adapt to a different style of basketball. ‘I believe one of the main things in the beginning was the speed. That is very different in the NBA than from Europa. A lot faster, less offense structure. Finding your role in the system you play for is very important. It doesn’t matter what you can do. It is about how you can fit your skills into the system’, stressed Florian Hartenstein. There is so much stuff happening on a day to day basis in the NBA off the court that one would love to be a fly on a wall. In the last years the rise of German players reaching the NBA has been high. There will always be the utmost respect for the German legend Dirk Nowitzki, but really how well are the current German players really accepted by the other non European NBA players? Guys like Dennis Schroeder, Daniel Theis and Maxi Kleber are established and respected, but what about the few others. In Isaac Bonga’s rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, there was a scene where he slipped a few times on the floor and you could see half the Lakers bench cracking up led by superstar Lebron James. When asking dad Florian if son Isiah could form a good relationship with ex BBL player PJ Tucker who played in Bamberg in the 2011-2012 season when Isiah was 13, and if there were any interesting stories with eccentric James Harden, the elder made a rapid and direct answer. ‘I have no story for that one. You can cut this question’, stressed Florian Hartenstein. There will obviously be only be one Dirk Nowitzki and a be a huge and long gap between him and the rest of the German players.

Even if Isiah Hartenstein paid his dues with the Houston Rockets, coming to the Denver Nuggets was one that was very well thought out. ‘I believe that the move was right for Isaiah. The basketball culture is by far more a family. He is getting regular playing time. Isaiah still has to learn and Jokic is a great player to learn from. He is still in the beginning of his career and his time will come. He is happy in Denver and the goal is long term. We will see what the future will bring. But so far it has been positive’, warned Florian Hartenstein before his son’s move to the Cavs. It wasn’t easy getting good minutes with bigs like Michael and Porter Jr around. ‘As a player you always want more playing time. If you don’t you should not play basketball. He is not competing with Porter so there is no problem. Coach Malone and Isaiah talked before he signed with Denver and he told him what role he sees for him. It is a new team that also means to fight for every minute and wait for your chances to show your talent’, stressed Florian Hartenstein before his son’s move to the Cavs. One of the hardest things to observe in the NBA is how quickly guys can go from being a starter, to playing only 5 minutes to falling out of the rotation. One of these guys that has tasted this is Isaac Bonga who was a starter with the Wizards, but now is only playing very little. ‘It is really hard for a lot of players. The NBA is a league of opportunity, taken chances and being confident. That one chance can come from one game to another. You have to be on every night, no excuses. If you are a role player you have to be ready every second. If you are not, the next one is waiting behind you. It is hard but the reward is high once you make it and that is what I believe everyone wants to the NBA’, warned Florian Hartenstein. When looking at Isaiah’s game he still hasn’t been able to develop a three pointer yet, but that also has to do with the fact that he played in a system in Houston where he didn’t have to. ‘It is not that he can’t shoot the 3 pointer. He is playing the role that the team wants him to be. For now he will play more as a true 5. But he continues to work on his 3 so that he can use it in the future. If you watched the Play-off sand finals from the G league, there he showed that he has range, the time will come again where we will see him shoot more threes again’, said Florian Hartenstein before his son’s move to the Cavs.

Isaiah Hartenstein has many strengths, but one that I think is a bit off the radar is his mental toughness. That helped him survive in Houston and kept him strong with the Nuggets. Not only has dad Florian helped him in this area, but his vast experience also has aided him in having that ability to be very mentally tough when times are difficult. ‘Isaiah grew up in the basketball world. He had seen a lot of different situations in basketball. Not just from me. But he has been close with good pro players that told him them about their experience and what works and what not. He had seen the good and the bad part of basketball at an early age. He has had a clear goal since age of 14. Play in the NBA and do anything to get there and be a bigger part of it. He has the typical situation when the teacher asked him, what you want to be when you grow up. His answer, a NBA player. Teacher responded with think about getting a real job where you can make money. Now he makes more money than most of us. Getting into the NBA is one thing, being part of is what Isaiah wants. That takes time, focus and patience. I believe that the time in Kaunas really made him mentally tough and got him ready for any tough situations. You have to be mentally tough in the NBA, one day your down and the next day could be your best day. You have to be ready every day to make sure you use your chance’, warned Florian Hartenstein. In order to keep improving his game and wanting to be that house hold NBA name, the 22 year old 213 cm German big man grinded at the Nuggets training facility, but also put in extra time with his dad. ‘The last summer I focused mostly on finishing in traffic and finishing with contact. But we pretty much try to cover all areas that he needs to work on. I was not the only person that worked with him. His Agency (Beyond Athlete Managmanet) put people around him that worked him on every situation that could come at him. Big focus was all to put more muscle weight on him’, added Florian Hartenstein. It also helped when you have the best center in the NBA with Nikola Jokic. Not only did he learn about the game, from him but could also soak up some of his good character. Jokic wouldn’t have to spend any time with Hartenstein if he didn’t want to, but as a good guy and role model, he does it anyway. ‘It is still early in their relationship as a teammates. Because of Corona I can only watch the games on TV and there I can see that Jokic talks to him on what he could do better on the court. For a superstar to do that is very nice of him to help. He is the best center in the NBA and Isaiah tries to learn as much and as fast as he can from him’, stated Florian Hartenstein before his son’s move to the Cavs.

The last movie that Florian Hartenstein watched was the Little Ones with Denzel Washington. Isaiah is now in his fourth year in the United States after growing up in Germany, but he didn’t need any time to get americanized simply because he grew up in an American type household in Germany. Father and son have a lot of time to spend together not only in the gym, but also off the court. In Denever they lived in one of the more beautiful areas in the United States, but weren’t been able to explore the way that they would have liked. Because of Corona and the NBA rules, it didn’t allow them to go in public. ‘We have not done anything in Denver other than relax at home. I love the amount of sun in Denver. I was told it has the highest amount of sun of all States That is great for me since I have dogs. So I am outside a lot with my dogs’, smiled Florian Hartenstein. With so much time at home, because of COVID-19 restrictions, you would think Isaiah could have enough time to groom relationships with the other German NBA players, but that isn’t the case as he doesn’t have a special bond to anyone. ‘Not really, they all know each other. They don’t really have much time during the season. With 4 games a week your happy when you get home or to the hotel’, expressed Florian Hartenstein. So when Isaiah is in his apartment kitchen enjoying a home cooked meal, he can rib his dad about the last one on one duel they had in gym. ‘His skill level is for sure better than my skills ever were. Plus I am 43. I can keep up with is physicality. Since I was let go by the Dragons I got myself back in shape and I would say that I am in better shape now than when I was a pro player. In the post it is not fun to play against me. I might foul out but I make sure that I will leave marks. So nothing has changed from my pro time’, laughed Florian Hartenstein. Isaiah was traded To Cleveland and now will hope that three is a charm after he was unable to make the grade in Houston or Denver. In his first game, he got the starting nod logging 26 minutes and scoring 5 points, hauling down 14 rebounds and dishing out 7 dimes. Currently he is averaging 8,0ppg, 5,9rpg, 2,3apg and 1,0bpg. He scored in double figures in 6 games including 16 points and 12 boards against the San Antonio Spurs. Unfortunately a concussion has ended his season. Since Isaiah’s arrival in Cleveland, Florian has remained in Denver waiting out the expiration of the apartment contract. So father and son are separated now from the daily meals which leaves the son with more discipline of having to cook healthy meals for himself. But one thing is for sure, Isaiah won’t make fun of his dad too much about his wins in one on one, because he will always remember where that next yummy homemade meal is coming from once they are reunited again in the NBA or at home in Germany.