Bryan Johnson is a guard from Bogalusa, Louisiana that played high school ball at Bogalusa and Bensford academy. He then played at William Carey University. He will play at the 2020 Howard Hoops tour in Germany. He took some time to talk to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Bryon thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how have you held up the last months through this?


I want to thank eurobasket.com for giving me this opportunity. Through this entire quarantine I have been located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It has been a little difficult to find a gym I must say. Especially, with the COVID cases going up daily. 

How have you been keeping in shape best during COVID-19? Did you make a special plan so that you could train and work on your game as best as you could despite the tough times?

During the tough times my gym was closed for the first stage of COVID-19 I just used the outside city parks to stay in shape. I did have to travel a few hours just to use someones gym to put up shots work on ball handling and defensive slides sometimes. 

How do you feel did COVID-19 make you stronger as a man? What have you learned about yourself that you didn’t know about earlier?


I can definitely say COVID-19 made me a stronger man mentally because it put me in a lot of difficult situations especially when it came time for me to help my family. The difficult times made me realize that I can go through anything as long as I keep a positive mind set and stay consistent. 

You are from Louisiana. Talk a little about your childhood. You attended W.T White high school. When did you know that you were hit with the basketball bug?


When I was growing up I watched a lot of sports with my family. My favorite players were Tracy Mcgrady, Derrick Rose and Allen Iverson. I attended Bogalusa high school for a bit then transferred to Bensford Academy. During that changing of schools I met a few coaches and worked out with them a few times. They told me that I had game and should play travel ball , but my family couldn’t afford it. So I just played for the schools and made the most out of my opportunity. 

When you were growing up who were your main basketball inspirations and how did they influence your game the most?

I can say growing up my inspiration was my grandfather as he always watched sports when I came to visit him. He would always say, watch grandson you might learn something. I felt that gave me the confidence I needed to get started with sports at a young age. 

Talk a bit about the basketball experience that you have had in your life. You played at William Carey University. What kind of experience was this and how do you feel did you benefit most from the opportunity?

I can say my basketball experience has taught me a lot. Especially, when it comes to having chemistry with people and learning how to trust in difficult situations. My time at William Carey University had it’s ups and downs. I had to learn a new system and basically change my game. In high school I played point guard and when I got to college they put me at shooting guard. So I pretty much ran off screens and learned how to play without the ball in my hand. Which helped me push my game to another level. I became a very good shooter in the process. 

How big is the chip on your shoulder in general? Have you been one of those guys that was always doubted and haven’t had fair opportunities? How tough is it having to accept your situation and how big is your chip on your shoulder grown over time?


The chip on my shoulder is always going to be there. During my time at William Carey University it was tough. I had to fight for every minute of playing time I got. The coach that recruited me left to go coach at another school after my red shirt year. When he left it wasn’t the same. I wanted to transfer to the Juco he was at, but I would of only had one year to play because it was a community college so I stayed at William Carey University. I honestly should of left because all I did was get recruited over from the new coaches bringing there players in. It taught me a lot about people and how the system works. I became a much stronger person that learned how to just work hard and be consistent. 

Do you have any kind of professional experience? Or is the Howard Hoops tour going to be your professional debut?


I have worked out with professional oversees players , but that’s about it. I am really looking forward to my first debut with the Howard Hoops Tour.

Let’s talk a bit about your game. You’re a two way guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

If I was to compare my game to an NBA player it would be an Avery Bradley or Patrick Beverley. 

Your a very good offensive player that can shoot as well as find the open man. But you also give 100% on the defensive end. How much pride do you take on being a hard nosed defender?

I take pride in my defense because I don’t like when the other team scores. It should be a hard battle every time for them. 

On what things are you currently working on so that you can continue to get better as a player as you attempt to climb the basketball ladder the next years?

What I mainly focus on is my ball handling and developing my IQ because I believe in making the right decisions at the right time. I feel like if I continue to develop my understanding of the 1 and 2 position the sky is the limit for me. 

You will be taking part at the Howard Hoops Tour in August. How excited are you to play in Germany and how hungry are you to show everyone that you have game?

I am very excited to participate in the Howard Hoops Tour. The game will speak for itself. I’m just going to continue to work on my craft and learn from others around me. 

How did the contact to Howard Hoops CEO Ronald Howard (181-PG-84, college: Mayville St.) come about? What was the deciding moment that made you chose to play for him?

I was working out with one of my high school coaches and he was like man you should try and go overseas. So I contacted the coach that recruited me from William Carey University and he told me about Ronald Howard. Then we started from there. 

Ronald Howard has a great track record of helping players find jobs. How aware are you that you have a real golden opportunity to get a job because of him?


The coach that recruited me told me that Ronald Howard is the real deal no gimmicks. If you show him you are serious he will be behind you one hundred percent. 

Have you met Ronald Howard and trained with him. He truly cares for the best for his players. How have you gone to appreciate him as a coach and person the most?

I haven’t had the opportunity to train with Ron yet , but just by speaking with him on the phone I could feel the energy of greatness. He is definitely someone you need in your corner. The man is about his business. 

With what kind of personal expectations are you heading into the Howard Hoops tour? What kind of player will we see in Bryan Johnson?

My main focus heading into the Howard hoops tour is to win with my team and enjoy doing it. of course want an overseas contract that would be a dream come true. The most important thing is just learning from other people and continue to get better every day. The type of player you should expect from Bryan Johnson is someone that is going to bring positive energy and confidence to his team. 

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced on the playground or in a gym that has been in the NBA?


I would say there has been a lot of overseas players and a few G League players I have played against in open gyms I don’t really no them by name.

Please construct your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of 4 heads past or present.

My NBA Mount Rushmore is Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Durant

Where were you when you heard of the death of Kobe Bryant? How did he influence you the most when you were growing up as a kid?

I was actually asleep at the time and my phone was just going off like crazy. So I woke up and looked at my news feed saying Kobe Bryant and Gigi died in a plane crash. I just couldn’t believe one of the greatest players the world has ever seen dead just like that. Kobe Bryant influenced me with his fade away. My grandfather and Aunt loved to watch Kobe Bryant. He was the first NBA player I remember seeing on TV. 

Why isn’t Kobe mentioned in the standard conversation of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?


I honestly believe everyone has their own opinion of who is the greatest. When you take the time and just look at the film of those players you will see the skill level. Kobe Bryant is the most skilled in my opinion out of Michael Jordan and Lebron James. The man’s footwork is off the charts. It can’t be matched at all. 

Will you be following the NBA restart? Do you feel like we could see a surprise winner this season with all the drama that has happened with COVID-19?


I will most certainly be following the NBA restart this season. I believe that the Lakers will bring it home this year. It will be a tough road for them, but they will be victororious in the end. 

What was the last movie that you saw?


The last movie I saw was called Hanna. 

Thanks Bryan for the chat.

It´s the dog days of summer, but the professional European basketball market is buzzing as loud as a Bee´s nest resting under a roof of an Iowa farm just outside Iowa city. Especially in Germany the countries leagues have really had an influx of signings in the last week and it will probably continue in the next few weeks before it will begin to calm down. This is a very testy time for team´s fans as they hope that their teams will get the right mix of players that will spell success for the course of the season. Some fans just aren´t patient and are able to wait for the team´s official press release, but instead are rather impatient and will try to do anything in order to find out which player might come. Some put in false or wanna be rumors and give wild speculation while other´s play detective. For some playing detective means stalking a club´s Instagram and seeing which people have recently followed the club. As soon as a player starts following a club, the wildest speculation starts to run it´s course. Often when a player follows a club, there is a reason for it and often it is the beginning of a relationship with a player and club separated only by the contract. For anyone who might think I have a pseudonym at Schoenen-Dunk(Germany´s most known online basketball forum), I don´t, but I try to read as much as I can. A few days ago, I noticed in the Basketball Lowen Baskets thread that a fan had mentioned that Kevin Franceschi had began to follow the team on Instagram. The fan gave in his 2 cents about this and it didn´t really interest anyone else, but it did interest me. Could an ex Pro B player reach the easyCredit BBL? Well a few years back, the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig had given the ultimate Cinderella story Deandre Lansdowne his BBL break, so why not again now for Franceschi? Franceschi felt amused when I told him about a fan mentioning him in the forum “I didn’t know about this but it is intriguing, it shows how involved the supporters are there. Braunschweig got a great organization and ambitions, they’re hungry. I support that”, warned Kevin Franceschi  Now it was time for me to do some detective work.

         Kevin Franceschi is a 26 year old 191cm guard that can literally jump out of the building grew up in France, but spent a lot of time in the United Sttaes in his young life. He played high school ball at Romain Rolland HS) and then played at 3 different schools in a span of 4 years playing at Weatherford College (JUCO) averaging 5.6ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 10.5%, FT: 22.2%, the University of Missouri – Kansas City (NCAA) averaging 2.6ppg and finishing at Oklahoma Baptist University (NCAA2) averaging 13.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 38.9%, 3PT: 21.5%, FT: 82.7%. He returned back to Europe in 2017 playing in Spain with BEHAPPY2 – CB Myrtia (Spain-LEB Silver) averaging 9.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 62.2%. In 2018-2019 he made further strides in his basketball career in Germany with BBC Coburg (Germany-ProB) averaging 15.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 78.5%. He had his absolute best game as a professional with the German side scorching Rhondorf for 39 points at home on 9 three´s. In his third professional season he played in the second Greek division for Vivechrom A.O. Agriniou (Greece-A2). It is absolutely no secret that the scoring machine is craving for another opportunity in Germany. But this time he isn´t looking little at the Pro B, but looking big at the easyCredit BBL. Could current German NBA player Dennis Schroeder have a say in his future in Germany?

Only  a few minutes after I read this interesting tidbid about Kevin Franceschi at Schoenen-Dunk, I reach the athletic 191cm French player in Paris. Just like many other players, he has had to deal with the whole COVID-19 crisis as best as possible. In the last months, he also found some time to return back to Germany to train with his ex teammate Yasin Turan who will play for the  BSW Sixers Sandersdorf (ProB) this season after a 6 year stint in Coburg. The French man has been concentrating on working on his game and just making sure to capitalize on every day to get better in the lab, but also remembered using the extra time for other important things. “ COVID-19 affected me on many levels, but I try to use it as positives. I spent a lot of time with my mum and brothers in Paris, I rarely get to do that, I’m usually in the US training in the summer”, stressed Kevin Franceschi. Players have had to be really innovative, not picky and extra dedicated in getting in the best workouts, even if COVID-19 didn´t always make it an easy task.  “In the beginning it was rough, just playground and “street-workouts” I used it to rebuild the foundation and get sharper mentally. As time went on, I left for Germany and had access to a weight room and a gym more usually”, added Kevin Franceschi. In the last months the ex BBC Coburg player didn´t only continue to add to his game in the lab and spend quality family time, but also let the whole COVID-19 mess help make him stronger as a man. “ You can’t take anything for granted in life, I thought that this summer would be as usual, and that I wouldn’t have a problem to find a great opportunity to move up and compete against stronger competition, but it made everything harder. I just have to stay patient, it’ll come”, warned Kevin Franceschi.

            After his very potent season in Germany, he made the next step last season in Greece with Vivechrom A.O. Agriniou (Greece-A2) playing 21 games averaging 16.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 75.2%. He showed his consistency not only as a scorer scoring in double figures in 19 of 21 games, but filled the stat sheet like usual. He felt very comfortable in Greece and even if his game might be better suited to the German style, his fine game showed on the court in Greece. “ It was great, I had a great coach Ioannis Diamantakos that taught me a lot about the game, the league was very competitive, lot of great players, they breath and eat basketball there. The style in Greece is different, it is more of a physical and half court league, a lot of plays, pick and roll, etc. In Germany the game is faster and more athletic, a lot more transition game, which would fit me better  ”, stated Kevin Franceschi.  Two seasons ago, he stated in an interview that he felt that he had put his mark on the German Pro B. Did he feel as if he had also left his mark on Greece division 2? “I think I did yes, I’m always looking for improvement in my game so I always see the mistakes and things I need to work on the following summer. I grew a lot, especially mentally, it’s important to learn how to play for different playstyles, to adapt quicker when needed”, stressed Kevin Franceschi.  If he ever does return back to Greece, he definitely will be ready for the difficult Greek names. In his first season in Greece, he didn´t waste anytime producing special nicknames for his teammates.

            Let´s turn back to Germany, the Schoenen-Dunk fan comment about Kevin Franceschi and how is Dennis Schroeder involved in all of this. Recently the French guard took part at a Summer League in France called the Amiral League with many French national team players and other 1st league players like Charles Kahudi and Amara Sy. He was named the revelation of the tournament. This was a great opportunity for the talented guard to make a name for himself and it was an opportunity that he will never forget. “ It was great, I haven’t played in France in a while, last summer I was at the Skinz League in Oklahoma city, and this year the Amiral League in Cergy. Amara Sy, who is one of the main ambassadors of French Basketball, put up an amazing event, in a short time span, the competition was great and the atmosphere amazing. I always knew I could compete with accomplished players and I showed that in France. It definitely brought a lot of exposure, but now it’s not up to me. I controlled what I could, that’s all I know”, warned Kevin Franceschi. In the last years there have been special Cinderella stories of guys making the easyCredit BBL from lower leagues in Germany like a Kameron Taylor, Zack Wright or Chris Carter so why not Kevin Franceschi? He definitely has a big heart for Germany. “ I love the culture in Germany, people are respectful and they love sports, so I fit in well there. My hunger is big, it’s a very competitive league and I hope to get an opportunity”, stressed Kevin Franceschi. When a player begins to follow a professional team like on Instagram, there is usually a reason and there definitely was a link between him and the Braunschweig organization. “I got in indirect contact and then direct contact with Dennis Schröder, but nothing concrete yet. I have a lot of respect for him to take his time to talk with me about his team. Very humble guy, for his stature. Besides that I’m staying patient for the right fit”, warned Kevin Franceschi. A great thing about Kevin Franceschi is that he knows he is a strong player and has his limitations and knows he has to keep grinding, but a certain touch of being arrogant doesn´t hurt either. “I know I can compete in 1st league and have an impact. But I also know I have to prove myself. I keep the same hunger to learn and improve, with that I think I’ll be fine”, stressed Kevin Franceschi.

            As he continues to work diligently hard of improving and moving up the basketball ladder, he knows that there are certain area´s of his game that he needs to get better at. One of those area´s is his three pointer. He hasn´t had the best percentages in the last two seasons in Germany and Greece with 28% and 30%, but the guy can explode on any night and hit 6 or 7 three´s as if it was the easiest thing. “My catch and shoot needs to be more dead on. It’s repetitions and repetitions, it’ll grow a lot more this season”, expressed Kevin Franceschi   One thing he doesn´t need work on is sharpening his attitude, because it is as piercing as a shark´s tooth. He understands 100% why he is on the court and is able to bring that exemplary attitude where ever he has played in his career  He is a player that entertains the fans and inspires his teammates to play better. “ I give everything I have every day, practices and games, and the fans always stuck with me, they pay to come watch basketball games and it’s our jobs as athletes to give maximum intensity to help the team win and something fun to watch with the way we play”, warned Kevin Franceschi.  Kevin Franceschi may reach the easyCredit BBL or he may not. One thing is sure though, he will have a job somewhere this season in Europe. easycRedit BBL or not, his chip on his shoulder will always be there no matter if he were even to reach the NBA or Euroleague. Nobody can take that away from him or strip that chip. “The chip on my shoulder will continue to grow until I leave the game, it is my strength. When I will lose that hunger, I won’t be a threat anymore, I never consider myself the most talented, but my work ethic and my mindset helped me exceed the expectations that people had of me”, warned Kevin Franceschi . The chip will always be there and it is what will continue to get him the good basketball jobs every season. Everybody knows that in life it´s always about who you know and being in the right place at the right time especially in the NBA. He already seems to have Schroeder in his corner. Now he needs head coach Pete Strobl a guy who demonstrated last season that he had audacity reeling in players from lower leagues. Maybe it will happen again with Kevin Franceschi as there would be a second Pro B to BBL Cinderella story in Braunschweig after the BBL birth of Deandre Lansdowne was established there. .

Jaylon Pullen is an American basketball player from Dallas that has semi-pro experience. He will be part of the 2020 Howard Hoops tour in Germany. Eurobasket spoke to him about his basketball career.

Jaylon thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how have you held up the last months through this?

I’m currently in Dallas Texas and I’ve been pretty good just have been working and training trying to stay ready

How have you been keeping in shape best during COVID-19? Did you make a special plan so that you could train and work on your game as best as you could despite the tough times?

Best way I have been keeping in shape is not over eating and making sure I am running daily. No special plan just trying to stay active Due to some gyms being closed I’ve improvised

How do you feel did COVID-19 make you stronger as a man? What have you learned about yourself that you didn’t know about earlier?

Covid 19 has helped me become more aware and grateful due to the lives taken by it so far

You are from Dallas, Texas. Talk a little about your childhood. You attended W.T White high school. When did you know that you were hit with the basketball bug?

I’ve played basketball since 4th grade and have been addicted to it since. It’s always been a certain joy the game gives me and in 7th grade I was cut from my first AAU team and kind of set a fire inside of me and as I got older improving was the only thing that I wanted. High school ball was a fun experience I played all 4 years on freshmen and a little JV and was actually moved up to Varsity in the middle of my sophomore year which made me feel great for accomplishing that and made me want even more out it

When you were growing up who were your main basketball inspirations and how did they influence your game the most?

Growing up I enjoyed watching Lebron James but I’m not his size so I tended to look at guards around 6′-6’3 range like Tony Parker or Lou Williams and even Derrick Rose watching how they play the pick and roll and change pace to create their own shots

Talk a bit about the basketball experience that you have had in your life.. You played at St Gregory’s in Oklahoma for a year, but then had to depart because of family problems. How tough was this part of your life and how did you survive?

When I Had to leave school it broke me . I had no control over the situation at the time and though I had to come home to help my family I continued to play basketball and even started coaching along side a coach I once played for so that passion for the game remained in me. Bad times come and go and we managed to get through it. Seeing the game from a coaches perspective gave me more respect for the coaches I’ve had in my life

How big is the chip on your shoulder in general? Have you been one of those guys that was always doubted and haven’t had fair opportunities? How tough is it having to accept your situation and how big is your chip on your shoulder grown over time?

I wouldn’t say I didn’t have fair opportunities but I did feel doubted and that’s normal it’s basketball but I tried using that to fuel me because I love to play and I wasn’t going to let criticism stop me from playing growing up and being older now it’s just about showing I know what I’m doing when I play

You have had semi-professional experience in Dallas under Torrance Moody. What kind of experience was that for you? Could you get any positives from that?

When I First Started playing semi pro it was a good feeling it was nice being back on the floor and playing in games against good basketball players some of them are pros now so I think it helped me a lot seeing the other levels you could possibly reach and seeing what others hard work got them …I just think to myself …Why Not Me!?

There are so many guys in the States playing semi-pro ball that could play at higher levels. What has bene the toughest aspect of having to accept having to have gone this route for years?

Taking this route wasn’t by choice but god has plans for everyone even if it includes basketball or not but it’s so many people I know and I’m sure others may know people that could be playing somewhere and but one thing that’s tough to accept is I didn’t finish school completely basketball wise and I feel that could hurt me but then again what’s life without hope?

Currently you also have been coaching in Dallas. What kind of experience has that been and if a professional career doesn’t work out, could you imagine getting more involved with coaching down the road?

Coaching has been great and I’ve learned a lot from it and from other coaches I’ve met. If a professional career didn’t happen I’d still coach definitely. Being a player you spend a lot of time on self improvement to help your team of course and coaching gives you the chance to not only help your team get better but also watch them grow as individuals and that’s great to me personally

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

I honestly don’t compare my game to anyone else’s but I do watch certain players like Bradley Beal or CJ MCollum always trying to find new moves

What are the biggest strenghs in your game and on what parts of your game have you been working on most now so you can continue to improve as a player?

Growing up I’ve always been a shooter but as I’ve gotten older I’ve stressed to pace myself and ball handling focusing on being able to get to my spots

You will be taking part at the Howard Hoops Tour in August. How excited are you to play in Germany and how hungry are you to show everyone that you have game?

I’m very excited to not only play in Germany but be in Germany and I’m anxious to get out there. This is a big opportunity so I look to make the most of it

How did the contact to Howard Hoops CEO Ronald Howard (181-PG-84, college: Mayville St.) come about? What was the deciding moment that made you chose to play for him?

I first saw Ron on Instagram and he happened to follow me and I seen he was a coach and I messaged him after he posted about a tour to Dominican Republic and I talked it over with my coaches in Dallas and my family and everyone told me to go and roll the dice and after meeting him and being trained by him and going 10-0 in DR and ended up going back thanks to Ron so I had to see what this Germany tour would be like because he knows what he’s doing

Ronald Howard has a great track record of helping players find jobs. How aware are you that you have a real golden opportunity to get a job because of him?

I am very aware I have a great chance to get a job because of him and all I can do is do my part and hear him out to succeed in the areas I want to succeed in

You have met Ronald Howard and trained with him. He truly cares for the best for his players. How have you gone to appreciate him as a coach and person the most?

I’ve appreciated him since I landed in DR on Day 1 because it’s all about basketball yes but he also tries helping each player he meet grow as a individual and I’ve seen first hand so not only player to coach he has my respect and appreciation but man to man as well

With what kind of personal expectations are you heading into the Howard Hoops tour? What kind of player will we see in Jaylon Pullen?

Personal expectations are to play hard every second and focus on making plays for the team and be a team player

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced on the playground or in a gym that has been in the NBA?

I personally have never played against anyone that’s been in the NBA I bet you’d learn a thing or 2 if you have though

Please construct your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of 4 heads past or present.

My Mount Rushmore would be Lebron James Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson

Where were you when you heard of the death of Kobe Bryant? How did he influence you the most when you were growing up as a kid?

I was at a basketball tournament when I found out Kobe died and it changed everyone’s mood that day. .Kobe’s work ethic is what made him different so always try to maintain a good work ethic

Why isn’t Kobe mentioned in the standard conversation of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?


Kobe is brought up nonstop where I live so all 3 will forever have that conversation between them

Will you be following the NBA restart? Do you feel like we could see a surprise winner this season with all the drama that has happened with COVID-19?


I will definitely watch the NBA when it’s back and it’s surely a chance something crazy can happen due to what’s going on with Covid 19 so I wouldn’t be surprised

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last Movie I saw was The Old Guard

Thanks Jaylon for the chat

Cameron Gause is an American basketball player that is a point guard and grew up Tucson, Arizona. He has college experience with New Mexcio State and Northern Colorado and professional experience in the ABA. He was going to take part at the 2020 Howard Hoops tour in Germany for a second year in a row, but won´t due to a passport problem, but it´s always fun to talk basketball with him. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball. 

Cameron thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how have you been holding up the last months during COVID-19?

Hey wassup Miles. At this exact moment I am In Los Angeles, California. I have been holding up well, I can’t complain too much.

How has the whole COVID-19 crisis affected your life in the last 4 months? What kind of adjustments did you have to make in terms of training?


The COVID-19 effect has been pretty interesting these past 4 months. It hasn’t affected me as bad as other, it was sort of a blessing in disguise for my situation. The adjustments I made for my training were just workout the body as much as I can at home or away from the gym. For actually basketball activity training wise. There really wasn’t any until the parks started back opening. LA had pretty much shut the city down by placing a curfew, and taking down all the hoops at parks around the city or boarding them up.

COVID-19 has affected the whole world. How do you feel have you become stronger as a man off the court during these hard times?

I wouldn’t say I became stronger as man during this time with Covid, I would say it just taught me more to rely on God more and more everyday than rely on anything else.

This is our second interview. Last summer I interviewed you as you were to play at your first Howard Hoops tour. What memories do you have of last summers Howard Hoops tour? How much of a positive experience was it for you?

Last year’s Tour was definitely a overall good experience, it could have gone a little better. But I feel like I controlled was much as I could to the best of my ability at that time. Some of the memories I have are leading the tour in scoring for our team. Going 5-1 in our games, seeing a different part of this beautiful world. And getting a taste of what it’s like to be a Professional overseas.

Did you make any meaningful connections and life long friendships with the teammates that you had then?

Yes, I definitely feel like I made life long friends. We still have a group chat from that tour, even though we don’t use it that much. But I definitely feel like if I ever need anything and those guys can help me they would. And vice versa.

What was the coolest experience that you had at last years Howard Hoops tour that continued to be in stories that you told to people?

I think the best part personally for me was the first game we played. That was my first competitive game in a while so I was anxious to get out there. So it was like a breathe of fresh air to get on the court outside the country and play for something. Which resulted in me scoring 20pts off the bench first half & leading our team to a win!

You are going to take place at a second Howard Hoops Tour which isn’t so normal as players usually find a job then. With what kind of expectations will you be coming back to Germany in 2020?


I am coming back to Germany expecting to be on a team this upcoming season, as long as basketball is being played.

How much hungrier are you this summer than last summer to make your mark at the Howard Hoops and to continue to grow as a player and ink that much desired contract

I am definitely hungrier because I am in my prime years and I’m not getting any younger. I’ve spent a lot of time this year studying and at NBA G-League games and I feel like I can eventually play on that stage, so I am eager to get this ball rolling.

How did you experience the whole transfer period after your first Howard Hoops tour? Some teammates found playing jobs. How was it for you? Did you find a job in the last year?


It was interesting. I stayed in Europe and visited friends and family in England. I was in talks with one team through Ron who’s coach said they wanted me on the team. But with the GM pulling all the strings and living situations still being needed to figure out. They went in a different direction.

One phrase that I remember vividly from our last interview was when you said ‘Ronald Howard (181-PG-84, college: Mayville St.) doesn’t need me, but I need him’. Give a good example of his selfless approach to life and how important every single player is for him form his Howard Hoops tour?

I feel like a good example is his tours. He’s doing this to help underdog players get jobs that wouldn’t necessarily be available without him. Every player is important to him because the better we do the better it reflects on him. Especially for RSI guys like myself who have signed to him, we are a family.

Talk a bit about how you experienced Ronald Howard at the last Howard Hoops tour. What kind of relationship did you have with him and what was the most important piece of advice that he gave you?

It was my first time meeting him so I wasn’t fully sure what to expect. But we built a solid relationship. If not I probably wouldn’t be back again ha! I remember him saying you have to be a Dawg! And have that Dawg mentality. So I’ve definitely kept that in mind as far as being aggressive as a player. I definitely took that with me when I had a tryout with the Delaware Blue Coats once I came back to the United States.

Ronald Howard is a workaholic and has done so much in the last years from starting Howard Hoops, to training players individually to helping guys get jobs with his agency. Ultimately he wants to coach. From having him as a coach last summer, how far do you feel can he go as a college coach?


I feel like he can be a good Head Coach. He’s a players coach, he lets you go out there and play your game. But he also knows that players can and can’t do, so for the X & O’s he will put you in the best position to succeed.

What have you appreciated most from his coaching style and how did he help your game most in the short time that you were with him in the summer of 2019?

I appreciated that he let me play my game, which always instills confidence in a player. once we started playing and he saw more of my ability to shoot the ball and run a team. He put me in the position to do exactly that.

How did you spend the last year off the court? You studied journalism in school and had been working at a Jewish community center. Did anything change in the last year in terms of the things you did off the court?

I officially extended my Stay in LA. When the season started and I was jobless basketball wise. I started working at Starbucks which i still work at. I wanted a job to which i could pick up and leave at any moment if need be.

In our last interview you stated that you would compare your game to a Quinn Cook or Tyler Ulis and your strengths are quickness, ball handling, effort, passing, and I’ll say shooting because I’ve spent a lot of time this past year shooting and working on my shot. How would you say has your game grown in the last year with the countless work that you have put in?

I would say shooting still because you can never become too good at shooting. Just look at Steph Curry as an example. And I’ll say lower body strength and quickness.

On what things are you working on currently to continue to improve as a player and achieve the type of growth that you need as a player?

I’m working on defense, overall strength, and conditioning. And different finishes going to the rim. If you look at the top undersized guards in the world. They are very crafty at finishing different ways at the rim. And of course more shooting.

In our last interview you described that having played for winning programs is something that any team could use in terms of your services as a player. How big is your chip on your shoulder to prove that you can give more on the court than the average player

I meant to correct you on the last interview, but only One winning program I was under but didn’t play outside of practice. That was New Mexico State University. The other University I attended I had sat out and only worked out with the players and ran open gym. The chip on my shoulder is bigger than ever. Especially with getting that taste last year and then playing with High level guys my confidence in myself is through the roof! If you ask anyone that knows me. They will all tell you I work extremely hard at my craft, whether that be the weight room, skill work, shooting, or conditioning. I’m always the hardest worker.

Where were you when you heard of the death of Kobe Bryant? How did he influence you the most when you were growing up as a kid?

RIP Kobe, I was just getting to work when someone told me. First thing I said was stop playing, I don’t know why you even joking like that. I wanted to cry at work but I couldn’t. I couldn’t believe the Great Kobe was gone, and I hadn’t even gotten to meet him yet. He influenced me greatly, with him playing High school ball in Philly. Me being Born in Philly I felt we had that Philly connection. I’ve worn almost every shoe, tried to model my game after him growing up footwork wise and mid- range jumper wise. MY FAVORITE PLAYER OF ALL TIME.

In our last interview I asked you one of my standard end of interview questions of who is the best of all-time MJ or Lebron and you picked MJ and said maybe Lebron later. Why isn’t Kobe mentioned in this conversation more?


Kobe is still mentioned in that. To me Kobe is Jordan. But to the Jordan era folks. Kobe is the copy cat, so it’s like if you see someone copying someone else and doing it great your going to just go with the original. But now it’s more like rings and stats which determines greatness.

Will you be following the NBA restart? Do you feel like we could see a surprise winner this season with all the drama that has happened with COVID-19?

Of course I will be, got to see if my guy Pascal Siakam will win another ring for New Mexico State Aggie nation. And see what Bron can do with my Lakers. But yeah this years NBA championship is up for grabs, I feel like the way the season was suspended and with the new play in situations. Anyone can win.

What was the last movie that you saw?


The last movie I’ve watched was The Jordan Documentary. Thank you for your time Miles, much love. God bless you, stay safe and make sure you #getyafruitsin .

Thanks Cameron for the chat.

Oliver Amajoyi is a 201cm forward from Rancho Cucamonga, California that began his basketball career at Los Osos HS. He then played at 2 JUCO schools Trinidad State Junior College (JUCO) and Citrus College (JUCO). He then played at William Jessup University (NAIA) from 2017-2020 playing a total of 73 NAIA games and as a senior played 21 games averaging 7.1ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 45.4%, FT: 66.1%. He will take part at the 2020 Howard Hoops Tour in Germany and spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Oliver thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how have you been holding up the last months during COVID-19.


Currently I’m back home in Rancho Cucamonga, California after graduating from William Jessup. Lately I’ve been holding up well just working out and staying safe.

You played your last college game on March 5th against Arizona Christian losing 92-81 scoring 7 points and hauling down 5 rebounds. How tough was it having to end your NAIA career like this?

No it wasn’t the best way to end my college career but even getting to the conference tournament was a blessing itself despite my team’s injuries and other walls of adversity that hit us throughout the year but we never backed down and that’s one thing I could always hold my head on.

How did you keep busy the last 4 months? How much of a challenge was it staying in shape? Did you know in March 2020 that you wanted to prepare and be ready for a possible professional career?


These last 4 months have been hard working, a little creative and rewarding. So far I’ve dropped 20 pounds since I’ve been at school so now I’m sitting at that 240 range now. The fact that gyms were closed did make it difficult but then it gave me the opportunity to go back to where it all started at the parks so I would get some work in on the outside courts after my morning runs while making the best of what I have at home to get my exercises done there and just been keeping at it and its lead to my body feeling at its best. It was well before March that I wanted to be ready for this because I know I would regret it if I didn’t chase my dream.

You just finished your college career at William Jessup University (NAIA). How excited are you to be able to test the professional waters this summer?

I’m looking forward to testing the professional waters since I’ve been motivated by my playing experiences in the Venice Basketball where I was blessed to receive an All Star team accolade and the Drew League. Playing with and against all those professionals and holding my own against them gave me inspiration that I could take this to the next level and excel in it.

COVID-19 has affected the whole world. How do you feel have you become stronger as a man off the court during these hard times?

The pandemic helped in quite a few ways. I learned how to be quick to adjust which I know will help me going to a foreign land. Along with that it forced me to be more patient with waiting for this opportunity. Then another would be learning how to make the best of the situations or conditions that come about.

I have often met American players having high expectations of themselves and not knowing how brutal the professional basketball world is. How aware are you that having that long professional career coming from NAIA isn’t easy, but it can be done?

I am truly aware of how difficult it is to get to that professional basketball journey started and lasting but I’m confident that I’ll be able to push through those walls given the obstacles I’ve had to beat it in the past which motivates me to always keep striving to be better at anything I do and always bounce back when being hit.

A good example of how tough professional basketball is Kendall Williams who played at your high school Los Osos. He had an amazing career at New Mexico, played NBA Summer League and played at some top levels in Europe, but now after some years last played in Ireland as his career has gone backwards a bit. Is he like a role model for you? Have you met him or seeked advice from him in how to survive overseas?


It is funny you mention that because Kendall and I go way back to when I was a 4th grader when him and my brother are very close friends and even played on the same team from 8th grade through high school so I grew up with him basically. I never got any advice from him though I wish I could’ve.

How big is your hunger to prove people wrong after playing at 3 schools in 6 seasons? How big is your chip on your shoulder to show people just what you are made of on the court?

I have a big chip on my shoulder for the fact that I’ve been doubted multiple times throughout my time in basketball at every level I was on, I am a late bloomer considering I had some setbacks during my college career. Grateful to God that I was able to push through those obstacles.

You have signed up with the Howard Hoops Tour. How did the contact to Ron Howard come about. He is currently living in Minnesota and has been training young hungry players for years. Is that how the contact came about?

The contact actually came from my teammate from William Jessup. Yeah, my guy Erik Kinnebrew connected me with Ron around March then its history from there on.

How excited are you about having the opportunity to go to Germany and show your talent as a player? What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball?


I’m very excited to go and show my talents along with experiencing a new culture. About basketball in Germany I know that it is growing out but that’s about it, but I’m looking forward to learning about it all because it will help me get better and while gaining more knowledge.

What do you know in general about the Howard Hoops Tour? How aware are you of the positive record of Ron Howard helping get guys like you with little or no experience jobs? Has that increased your hunger even more to succeed?


I know how the process of how Ron is doing this helps put his clients in the best position to get a contract. He’s proven that he’s done so along with that he’s always kept it real with me and that’s what made me trust him while it motivated me to prove him right since he believes in me. 

How big is your dream of becoming a professional player. Does your feeling of wanting that succeed any kind of feeling you have ever had for anything in your life?

This dream of mine is pretty big. I just want to use my love for this game to help inspire and help people wherever I’m at the best way I can and my desire for wanting to help people keeps me going because this is the first time I’ve been this passionate about something. 

Talk a little about the man Ron Howard. He is an absolute basketball workaholic. How have you gotten to know the man on and off the court the best and what do you appreciate most about him?


Personally I’ve only gotten to know Ron through phone calls and social media, but I’ve learned how dedicated he is to his craft which is being an agent in this sense. One thing I do appreciate about the man so far is that he’s straight forward with you and that’s what makes people better. 

How important will it be for you not going into the Howard Hoops tour totally alone as there will be some fellow William Jessup University players along for the ride. 


Yeah it feels good knowing I got one of my best teammates going with me on this tour does help since I’ll have someone who I already have chemistry on the court with.

Let’s talk a little about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would bets fit the description? 


I would give my comparison to a Eric Paschall of the Warriors since we have around the same build as undersized post players that are versatile in shooting and scoring inside the paint along with the ability to guard multiple positions. Then to top it off with the athletic ability.

Talk a little about your strength as a player. What kind of attributes will be on display when you play in Germany?

I look to bring toughness and defense to Germany along with the ability to display my I.Q to the coaches and scouts. I look to show my ability to make the open shot along with doing the dirty work rebounding through traffic. I also look to show my ability to be coachable and do what is needed to win whether that is defense, rebounding, scoring, etc. 

On what parts of your game are you working on most in the lab so that you can continue to improve your game as you continue to move forward as a player?

This summer I improved on my footwork and shooting. Dropped 20 pounds so far so I could build up my quickness, and endurance, but it actually helped me with my overall game completely. I’m still looking to improve on all aspects of the game moving forward because you never know what a team will need

You began your college career at Trinidad State Junior College (JUCO) playing 24 games averaging 2.0ppg, 2.0rpg. What kind of experience was it getting that first JUCO experience? I have interviewed many JUCO guys in my career and often hear that playing JUCO is really tough. Is that why so many guys have chips on their shoulders?    

 That first year was an experience like no other because it was the first time I left home and I soon come to find out that I wasn’t ready for that even though there was a lot more I could’ve grown being out there but at the end of the day it was God’s plan and I learned from it. 

You then played a year at Citrus College (JUCO) playing 5 games averaging 1.2ppg, 1.8rpg. How tough was this season after having played so little the season before? Did you get any positives out of this experience?

Okay, this was a time for real growth in my basketball journey. I partially tore my ACL, MCL, LCL, strained calf and pulled hamstring all in one play on November 21, 2015 and took me out that season then again on July 16, 2016 with the same ACL and my meniscus root which sat me the following year so my experience at citrus wasn’t really positive but more life learning and knowledge rewarding on how the game should be played.


You then played at William Jessup University (NAIA) from 2017-2020 playing 73 games. How important was it being able to be with this program for 3 years. What did you learn about yourself as a player and man here that wasn’t present in your 2 JUCO years?

I believe Jessup was the school I needed to be at to really find out who I really was as a basketball player and how to get my basketball IQ up to prepare myself for the next level. I learned how to survive on my own compared to the JUCO lifestyle where I commuted from home

You were able to improve your scoring and rebounding each season. How do you feel did your game grow in your 3 years at William Jessup University (NAIA)?

The more healthy I was getting after that knee surgery was when I made my jumps each year. I’m a late bloomer and I was able to accept that keep pushing and getting better.

What memories do you have of the 2019-2020 season? You won a really exciting semi-final game against Vanguard before losing the final to Masters.

Going to the NAIA National tournament

As a senior you scored in double figures in 8 games. Was your 11 points and 11 rebounds in the win against Ottawa, Arizona one of your most memorable games?

I wouldn’t say it was my most memorable, but it will be a remembered game most definitely.

How did head coach Lance Von Vogt groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

Coach V taught me most how to react when adversity hits.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Erik Kinnebrew?

Haha I did.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Keith Phillips 
Khalil Williams 
Austin Dill
Kevin Maclemore
Jaydon Clark

Who has been the best player that you have battled on a court anywhere that has been in the NBA or a high level?

Ben Maclemore 

The best known NBA player from your home town Rancho Cucamonga is Darren Collison. You live in a big area, but is he a guy that you have come across in your life and possibly even trained with in a gym?

No I wish I could that would be a blessing 

Please list your personal NBA Rushmore of 4 NBA heads past or present?

MJ, Lebron, Kobe, Wilt

Where were you when you heard of the death of Kobe Bryant? How much of an influence did a guy like that have on you growing up?

I was driving home from school and it hurt me deeply knowing the reason for me playing basketball past away.

People often compare Jordan and Lebron as the best ever, but why isn’t Kobe Bryant mentioned more often in this discussion? Do you feel like Kobe gets a little side tracked in this discussion?

Kobe gets very side tracked in this debate but I don’t think the people are ready for that talk.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The 5 bloods.

Thanks Oliver for the chat.

Every season you can witness extremely talented guards showcasing their goods in the Pro A and there are always players that have been good enough for the easyCredit BBL, but didn´t make it simply because there are simply such an abundance of great guards in the world greater than all of Paris Hilton´s closets filled with her exoctic shoes. Just in the last few years there have been great Pro A guards like Davonte Lacy, Rayshawn Simmons, Shy Ely, Casey Hill or Kendale Mccullum who could easily have been barking plays on the floor for BBL teams. A guy Like Kendale Mccullum currently has BBL offers and another guy that you can add to this list is Chris Carter. The only difference between Carter and the rest of this pile of extra ordinary guards is that Carter has made it to the top of the basketball mountain reaching the BBL playing  a season for Rasta Vechta. Another difference between him and these other top players is that he is the Pro A to BBL magician having helped and played a gigantic role for Rasta Vechta and the Niners Chemnitz reaching the easyCredit BBL in the last few years. Even if I find that he has those special leadership qualities and focus to reach his goals and has displayed those basketball magician qualities in helping Vechta and Chemnitz reach the big show, it is actually his humbleness that won´t allow him to accept having that Pro A to BBL basketball magician title. When I asked him about being that basketball magician on the day that his new club Rostock Seawolves announced his arrival, he was quick to fire two sentences back at me. “No I’m not. I just been blessed to be a part of two good programs”, warned Chris Carter. Yesterday his new club Rostock Seawolves made it official that he will play the next two seasons in Rostock. After his second season in Chemnitz, he was happy to have gotten minutes again and had an important role in comparison to the season before in Vechta where he didn´t play much. “I learned a lot from my stay in the BBL last year but most importantly I learned how to be a winner and how to be a leader. I needed this season for my mental health for sure because I told myself last year that I had to take one step back to take two steps forward. I bet on myself basically saying I know I am a BBL player and I will be back in 2 years”, stressed Chris Carter. Because Carter is remaining in the Pro A, he might have to wait 3 years to get back to the BBL. But for some players it is that amazing challenge of trying to help a club move up that is more important than playing in the BBL:

            Chris Carter is a 28 year old 195cm guard that was born in Brooklyn, New York and is from Port St. Lucie, Florida that completed his fifth professional season and second with the Niners Chemnitz averaging 9.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 5.1apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 66.7%. He played with Rasta Vechta from 2017-2019. In 2018-2019in the BBL he averaged 4.0ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.4apg. In his first season with Rasta Vechta he helped the club move from the Pro A to the easyCredit BBL winning the Pro A title averaging 11,0ppg,3,4rpg and 5,3apg and shot 40% from outside. In 2016-2017 he had his first tour of duty with the Niners Chemnitz(Pro A) playing 40 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-4 (5.7apg), Steals-4 (2.1spg), FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 73.4%. As a rookie he played for Bipa Basket Odessa (Ukraine-SL Favorit Sport) playing 32 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.0apg, Steals-1 (2.2spg), FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 77.3%. He started his basketball career at the Air Force (NCAA) and then played the last three years of school at Florida Tech (NCAA2) playing 77 NCAA games averaging in his 3 years  17.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.9spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 73.7%, 17.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 7.4apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 39.5%, 3PT: 29.8% and 14.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 75.8%. The American has had a very fulfilling professional basketball career and has played major minutes in 4 of his 5 pro seasons and won 2 titles helping 2 teams move up to the top league. Now he will have that golden chance to do it a third time with the Rostock Seawolves.

            It is the end of July when I reach a very relaxed and up beat Chris Carter who has been in Rostock for a few days. In Vechta he was in the countryside and could have counted cows if bored and in Chemnitz lived in a big city where he had more recreational options than in Vechta and now he will call Rostock home for 2 seasons. He will live by the water and have home Port St. Lucie, Florida in his thoughts. “ I think it is cool that the beach is here. I hope the weather is nice for a while to enjoy it though”, stressed Chris Carter. The possible transfer to Rostock had already been leaked by someone last weekend, so the signing of him wasn´t  a big surprise for many. Just like so many other people in the last months, life has been hectic due to COVID-19, but he has tried to make the best of it and used that extra time to spend with his family. After the amazing season that he had experienced with the Niners Chemnitz, you would have thought that he would go into the easyCredit BBL with the club the same way he did with Rasta Vechta a few years back, but sometimes you chose from the heart and go where you feel the most appreciated. “It wasn’t a difficult decision. At the end of the day you have to go where you are wanted. That is what I did”, added Chris Carter. In the basketball language you hear the phrase “it´s a business” about as much as NBA fans are already proclaiming the Lakers as the COVID-19 2020 NBA champion and in the case of Carter it wasn´t any different. There were no hard feelings in the second separation between him and the Niners. “That wasn’t my decision. There is a business side to basketball and they made a business decision with me. I wish the club nothing but the best”, expressed Chris Carter. In the press release the American gave his thoughts to why he chose the Seawolves. “I know Rostock is a great city and you can experience a lot there. But more important is that Rostock is an ambitious club that is hungry for success. The training staff, fans and organization are top. I am ready to go to work”, warned Chris Carter. Going to Rostock was obviously a no brainer and when asked what reason was more appealing, the ambition of the club or playing for legendary head coach Dirk Bauermann, he decided to remain neutral. “It just made sense to go to Rostock. Their ambition to move up and to play with coach Bauermann were all very appetizing to my decision”, commented Chris Carter. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is getting that chip. Carter has done it twice as a professional and his new teammates Ronald Zakis and Behnam Yakchali also have won chips coupled with having a legend like Dirk Bauermann in control of the reigns, there really can only be one goal. “The goal is to be the best team in the league and to lead my team to a championship”, warned Chris Carter.

            Carter has been very fortunate to have played for two very good head coaches in the last four years for Pedro Calles and Rodrigo Pastore. He is more than confident about what Calles will be able to achieve in Hamburg. “Pedro is a fantastic coach. I have no doubt he makes that team a top 5 team this year”, warned Chris Carter.  Now he will be able to add a third great coach to his list with Dirk Bauermann. Bauermann is a German legend that helped lead the Bayer Giants Leverkusen to 7 titles in the 90´s and Bamberg to two titles in 2005 and 2007 while also coaching the German national team for many years and leading them to a silver medal at the 2005 European championships together with NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki. He will have plenty of time in the next weeks to learn more about the head coach. “I heard he is a great coach, knows the game, harps on defense,and will bring the best out of you”, warned Chris Carter. Carter is mostly known for having those unique leadership qualities as well as being that brutal floor general that will do whatever it takes for his team to be successful while filling the stat sheet like no other. But something that at times gets forgotten is his defense. He has always taken a lot of pride on the defensive end. Even if he was fourth in steals in the 2016-2017^th season and first in steals in the 2017-2018 season, he does so much more on the defensive end including things you don´t see on the stat sheet. That should please the defensive guru Dirk Bauermann. The American is excited to be able to work with the coaching legend and despite being a great defender has that drive to always improve “I am always willing to learn and become a better defensive player”, stressed Chris Carter. Consistency has always been an important aspect to Carter´s game not only on the offensive end, but also on the defensive end and he already knows what he will be striving on improving this season under Bauermann. “Just being solid and being in the right place all the time”, warned Chris Carter. He also knows that once in a while you have to get away from the x´s and o´s on long road trips to Nurnberg, Trier or Heidelberg and that could be a good opportunity to pick Bauermann´s brain concerning Dirk Nowitzki.  Bauermann wasn´t kidding when he described Carter as the absolute winner in the club press release. In the BBL season with Vechta, it was Carter´s most difficult season in his career  as he wasn´t playing and had to suck in the disappointment. His great character also allowed him not to take it personal and laud coach Calles for his superb coaching even if he wasn´t playing him. His ex teammate Seth Hinrichs described the Carter character best after that amazing Vechta run. “Chris could’ve easily tried to get his own but he sacrificed his own personal numbers for the sake of the team”, warned Seth Hinrichs. Carter´s response to Hinrich´s quote was. “I just try to compete every day in practice and play with passion. I try to make sure my team is on the same page offensively and defensively and just try to learn as much as I can from the vets and the coaches”, stressed Chris Carter. Rostock Seawolves fans have witnessed a lot of joy in the last years moving up from the Regionalliga to the Pro A and now with the legendary head coach Dirk Bauermann and top character guy and Pro A to BBL basketball magician Chris Carter on board, three´s a charm could be the motto now going into the season and be the reality in May 2021 with the American´s third title in Germany.

Jayson Edwards is a 175cm guard from Plymouth, Minnesota that is taking part in the 2020 Howard Hoops tour in Germany. He played at Robbinsdale Cooper High School and played 2 years at Lake Region State College (JUCO) playing 29 games averaging 4.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.0apg and in his second year played 28 games averaging 6.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 34.0%, 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 66.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Jayson thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how have you been holding up the last months during COVID-19?

Hello, thank you for interviewing me. I’m in Minneapolis Minnesota. During this time I’ve been really working on myself, my skills & spending quality time with my family.

Before we get to basketball and COVID-19, I have to ask you about your first name Jayson. When I first read it, it reminded me right away of Jayson Williams or Jayson tatum. How have you been able to live with this spelling and not the usual Jason? Have you had any interesting experiences with your name in your daily life?

My dads name is Jason. I love the uniqueness of a different spelling. I would say the people who don’t know me well would mispronounce my name as Jay-son. I just correct them and giggle about it. 

You played 2 years at Lake Region State College (JUCO) and then wanted to play at a 4 year school from 2017 onward. I couldn’t find any information on that. What have you been doing with your life the last 3 years? You were seeking a degree in Kinesiology. Have you been able to use that?

I stayed in the gym and worked on my craft on a daily basis. In the summer 2017 I was invited to play in two Minneapolis Pro Am tournaments. Where I was a champion in both leagues. I learned a lot from my mentor Cameron Rundles who is a 10 year veteran playing across the waters. Sticking around guys like that have improved my knowledge for the game and also competing on a professional level. I’m still pursuing my dream as an overseas basketball player so I have yet to start my career with Kinesiology. I have coached 7th graders boys basketball so I’ve been able to use some of my knowledge with them.

COVID-19 has affected the whole world. How do you feel have you become stronger as a man off the court during these hard times?

I’ve had time to self reflect on my goals and ambitions and creatively finding ways to stay healthy. Also valuing the time with my family. 

The itch for wanting to have a professional career despite your basketball resume must be big. How difficult is it wanting to realize this when you have had so little experience?

I’ve always believed in myself and my abilities and although having a resume is big I’ve always depended on my work ethic & showing my skills on the court. 

You have signed up with the Howard Hoops Tour. How did the contact to Ron Howard come about. He is currently living in Minnesota and has been training young hungry players for years. Is that how the contact came about?

Absolutely, over Instagram we followed each other for the love of the game. I noticed how many opportunities he was giving players to play across the water. I reached out to him and he eagerly accepted. 

How excited are you about having the opportunity to go to Germany and show your talent as a player? What do you know in general about the country Germany and its basketball?

I’m beyond excited for the opportunity to come to Germany and learn more about the country. I know very little other than a few players who have played in Germany. 

What do you know in general about the Howard Hoops Tour? How aware are you of the positive record of Ron Howard helping get guys like you with little or no experience jobs? Has that increased your hunger even more to succeed?

I am confident in him and his agency. With the opportunity he is giving me, but I know the rest is up to me. 

How big is your dream of becoming a professional player. Does your feeling of wanting that succeed any kind of feeling you have ever had for anything in your life?

I’ve been hungry for this for as long as I can remember. When I was 5 years old I would tell people I would be going to moving to China. Weird thing is I still want to go to China today. It’s always been in me to travel overseas and play the game I love.

Talk a little about the man Ron Howard. He is an absolute basketball workaholic. How have you gotten to know the man on and off the court the best and what do you appreciate most about him?

Of course, he’s a real motivator. Very honest and intense guy. He is the right man for the job with getting hoopers opportunities overseas. 

Let’s talk a little about your game. You’re a small guard at 175CM. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would bets fit the description? Is a guy like Nate Robinson in your list?

I have the passion of Kevin Garrett within me. My height isn’t bigger than my heart. If I have to name one player comparison it would be the drive, tenacity and athleticism of Derrick Rose. 

Talk a little about your strength as a player. What kind of attributes will be on display when you play in Germany?

I’m a push the pace type guard that loves to defend and score the ball. I get to the middle of the paint regularly with a consistent mid range pull up. I am vocal on the court and my energy is high. 

On what parts of your game are you working on most in the lab so that you can continue to improve your game as you continue to move forward as a player?

Catch and shoot threes have been a weakness of mine but it is something I have improved on over the years. 

What memories do you have of battling fellow diminutive 174CM guard Aaron Boone? How important was it having these daily confrontations on the court with him?

We battled. During practice for lose balls I guess I could say we were never friends on the court till it was time to face somebody else and we both needed that. Vital because you only want someone around you who can get you better.

You played at Robbinsdale Cooper High School and also played AAU basketball. Describe your early basketball life. Was there a point where you knew that playing NCAA basketball would be tough?

Always competitive. I always played a grade level up at a young age which demanded more out of me. In high school I was primarily the ball handler and the scorer on the team with that I had to even guard the next teams best player. AAU I played on the best team in my state Net Gain sports where I played with Mr. Basketball day in & night out. We competed against the best teams across the country like Jaylen Brown from the Celtics. That alone improved my game and is something I’ll always remember. 

You played two years at Lake Region State College (JUCO) playing 57 games. What memories do you have of playing JUCO basketball in that program?

Toughness is the word I would use. JUCO basketball is no game. Our meal plans were terrible, long Bus rides but also good memories came out. Joyful moments with my boys and friendships that still last today.

You averaged 18 minutes per game in both seasons. What kind of an experience was it being a role player and how do you feel did your game grow there in your 2 years?

I learned the game with the minutes I earned. I noticed my game was more aggressive offensively and knew that my coach pushed me to be the best I could be. 

How did head coach Jared Marshall groom and prepare you best for continuing to seek that professional basketball career?

He put me in good situations for me to excel to my strengths and when in doubt he pushed me. 

What memories do you have of battling fellow diminutive 174CM guard Aaron Boone? How important was it having these daily confrontations on the court with him?

We battled. During practice for lose balls I guess I could say we were never friends on the court till it was tome to face somebody else and we both needed that. Vital because you only want someone around you who can get you better. 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Aaron Boone?

Me. He wouldn’t be able to score on me today and he knows it. 

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time? 


– Mr. Basketball Minnesota Jt Gibson – Joey King Minnesota Gopher alumni – Brandyn Frelix Bethany Lutheran guard – AJ Nywesh Lake Region State College guard – Cameron Rundles 10 year veteran 

Who has been the best player that you have battled on a court anywhere that has been in the NBA or a high level? 

Jarvis Johnson Minneapolis Minnesota Gopher guard. We’ve battled since 6th grade and till this day in local pick up games 

Please list your personal NBA Rushmore of 4 NBA heads past or present? 


Michael Jordan LeBron James Kobe Bryant & Allen Iverson 

Where were you when you heard of the death of Kobe Bryant? How much of an influence did a guy like that have on you growing up? 


I was in the gym shooting free throws and I got the notification on my phone. I admired him because of his relentless work either. Literally nobody could guard him and I use moves from him today. 

People often compare Jordan and Lebron as the best ever, but why isn’t Kobe Bryant mentioned more often in this discussion? Do you feel like Kobe gets a little side tracked in this discussion? 


I believe he should be compared to MJ more then Lebron. In fact of his rings and his pursuit to winning. 

What was the last movie that you saw? –

Gemini man starring Will Smith. Decent film but it got my attention the entire time.

Thanks Jayson for the chat

J’Quan Brown is a 24 year old guard that played at Emmanuel Christian High School. He never went to college, but has semi-pro basketball experience with two teams Glynn County Crusaders (2015-16) (Semi-Pro) averaging 13.3 PPG 5.3 APG 3.2 RPG 1.3 SPG and the T.R.U.E. Eagles (2016-17) (Semi-Pro) averaging 20 PPG 6.3 APG 4.4 APG 2.3 SPG. He is part of the Howard Hoops tour in Germany for the second consecutive year and spoke about his basketball career and the tour.

J Quan thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how have you been holding up the last months during COVID-19?

Thanks for having me. At the moment, I’m currently in my hometown. As far as this COVID-19 stuff, I’ve been holding up pretty well. Just trying to stay out of the way.

How has the whole COVID-19 crisis affected your life in the last 4 months? What kind of adjustments did you have to make in terms of training?

It really hasn’t affected me much. Other than the fact that I wasn’t able to see a lot of my family and friends. I actually didn’t need to make any adjustments as far as my training goes. I had full access to a gym, so I was able to get my work in with no problem, which I’m very fortunate for!

COVID-19 has affected the whole world. How do you feel have you become stronger as a man off the court during these hard times?


For me, it was understanding that I could only control what I could. I had no control over the COVID-19 and the limitations that it brought upon us, but I did have control over my reactions toward it and how I wasn’t going to allow it to control my attitude.

This is our second interview. Last summer I interviewed you as you were to play at your first Howard Hoops tour. What memories do you have of last summers Howard Hoops tour? How much of a positive experience was it for you?

A lot of memories, for sure! A lot of site-seeing and going to different places. The food was pretty amazing!! And of course, I got the chance to play the game that I love at the professional level!!

Did you make any meaningful connections and life-long friendships with the teammates that you had then?

Yes, I did, for the most part. I don’t really keep up with every teammate from last year’s team, but I’m still in contact with a few of them.

What was the coolest experience that you had at last years Howard Hoops tour that continued to be in stories that you told to people?


Coolest experience. I would say probably the fact that the McDonald’s over in Germany had chicken wings, lol! And it was real chicken! Really good too! Where I’m from, McDonald’s serving chicken wings isn’t a normal thing. I still talk about that to this day, lol!

You are going to take place at a second Howard Hoops Tour which isn’t so normal as players usually find a job then. With what kind of expectations will you be coming back to Germany in 2020?


My expectations are to contribute to the team as best I can, be a sponge, stand out, and sign my first pro contract. Simple as that.

How much hungrier are you this summer than last summer to make your mark at the Howard Hoops and to continue to grow as a player and ink that much desired contract

A lot more hungrier now. Last summer, I actually injured my hip. Developed a hip impingement which caused some nerve damage. It limited me a bit as far as my performance. But I’m healthy now and ready to get the ball rolling’!

When you talk with other players, how often are do you feel like not having played college ball really has been missing for you? Do you feel like you would be a different player today, have a different development and be somewhere totally different on the basketball ladder had you played college ball?

A part of me does feel like me not playing college ball is missing. Would I be a different player today had I played in college? Probably so. Would I be somewhere different on the hoop ladder had I played in college? Possibly, but not 100% guaranteed. I know guys who have played all 4 years in college are still struggling to sign a contract. Their first contract at that! But I don’t dwell on that. I’ve been dealt a hand of cards and that’s what I’m going to work with. No regrets, I control what I can control.

How did you experience the whole transfer period after your first Howard Hoops tour? Some teammates found playing jobs. How was it for you? Did you find a job in the last year after having a few semi-pro jobs?


So, I mentioned that I developed a hip impingement that caused nerve damage. When I returned back home, getting that checked was an absolute MUST!!! Even sitting on a plane for 8 hours bothered me. Once I found out that it was a hip impingement, I was sidelined 4 months. No running, no jumping, no basketball, no nothing for 4 whole months. Talk about a difficult time! And then the process of rehabilitation and getting the strength and mobility back in that area was a task as well. But I got through it and feel better than ever!!

Howard Hoops tour director Ronald Howard (181-PG-84, college: Mayville St.) is a basketball players best friend. He tries to help any guy who is willing to work hard to achieve their goals’. Give a good example of his selfless approach to life and how important every single player is for him form his Howard Hoops tour?

The best example would be that there have been so many guys that have played overseas and done well, just like Ron! But none of them are doing the things that Ron is doing. He’s literally taking guys and opening up avenues for them to pursue their hoop dream. Most guys could care less! And he’s not getting a dime from it! We really need more like him!!

Talk a bit about how you experienced Ronald Howard at the last Howard Hoops tour. What kind of relationship did you have with him and what was the most important piece of advice that he gave you?


I actually grew pretty close with Ron from last summer. Like I said before, other than the fact that we’re both undersized guards, we’re both HUGE Nipsey Hussle fans. He kind of found it funny that he’s from South Central and I’m from Georgia, but I knew so much about Nip. And as far as advice? Man, it’s kinda hard to pick one particular thing because he’s dished out so much… I’d say… Just be a dog! Being small, you gotta work 10x harder than the next! So you gotta have that dog in you!!

Ronald Howard is a workaholic and has done so much in the last years from starting Howard Hoops, to training players individually to helping guys get jobs with his agency. Ultimately he wants to coach. From having him as a coach last summer, how far do you feel can he go as a college coach?

I feel he can go as far as he’s willing! Ron’s a player’s coach. Meaning as a coach, he can understand things from a player’s perspective. He has so much knowledge for the game and although he no longer plays, he still has that same fire and passion, just now on the coaching and training side

What have you appreciated most from his coaching style and how did he help your game most in the short time that you were with him in the summer of 2019?

One thing I love about Ron’s coaching style is that his system is set up for everyone to thrive! My game is pretty simple. And Ron realized that even though I am a PG, I can also flourish playing off of the ball, putting me in positions to flourish and execute to the best of my ability.

How did you spend the last year off the court? Last summer you told me that you had fractured your shoulder blade and had been working at a local gym. Did anything change in the last year in terms of your off court activities and having a job?

For the most part I spent a lot of time recovering and rehabbing my hip to get it back to where it was before, and even better! That was the first time in my life where in order for me to get better physically I had to sit down, literally! For 4 whole months! I was still working at the local gym, but once I got to the point where I could move freely with no hip pain and was cleared, it was back to the Slow Grind!!

In our last interview you stated that ‘My game is pretty simple, for the most part. I don’t like my game to be labeled. Yes I can score, but I’m also a guy who loves to make plays for others and don’t need the ball in my hands to make an impact on the game. I also use my size to my advantage. Yes, I’m small, but I’m definitely strong enough to hold my own. Your also a passionate defender. How do you feel has your game grown and gotten better in the last year in the many hours of work that you put in in the lab?

I feel that my game has grown more on the mental aspect. Learning how to slow the game down and play at the pace that I want to play at, rather than allowing the defense to dictate my pace. Just simplifying my game all together

On what things are you working on currently to continue to improve as a player and achieve the type of growth that you need as a player?

Everything, literally! The things that I’m not so good at, I work on those to convert them to strengths. The things that I am pretty good at, I continue to work on those to keep them sharp, although I work on my weaknesses a bit more. I’ve played enough basketball and know my game pretty well to know the things that I need to work on at this point.

In our last interview you said that any team could use in terms of your services as a player because ‘ I bring good qualities to a club. Scoring, playmaking, energy, leadership, great work ethic, determination, and a passion that’s unmatched! And though my resume isn’t the best, I know for a fact that I can play at this level. And I’m going to prove it’. How big is your chip on your shoulder to prove that you can give more on the court than the average player


That chip is about as big as I am, I’ll tell you that much! I’m far behind the 8-ball, but I trust the work that I’ve put in and ready to put it on display!

Where were you when you heard of the death of Kobe Bryant? I know that he is your all-time favorite player. How did he influence you the most when you were growing up as a kid?

Man I was actually at my little sister’s softball game. My phone was ringing off the hook! When I first heard, I didn’t believe it. I thought it was some crazy joke. But then alerts hit my phone. SportsCenter, NBAtv, Bleacher Report, the news, even the NFL Pro Bowl Game stopped to announce it. When I tell you that my heart was shattered?!?!?! I cried….. I put my phone on airplane mode because I didn’t want to be bothered by anyone! Kobe influenced me primarily off of his work ethic. I heard the stories about Kobe having a 6am workout but being there 2 hours before the trainer gets there, already in a full sweat! The man literally had an entire 2 hour workout with no ball. No ball?!?! That’s insane! He was pretending he had a ball, working on different moves and counters. And just his will to win and his desire to be the best. Kobe was different man… Even to this day, it’s still weird to know that he’s no longer here. Long Live The Mamba!!!

In our last interview I asked you one of my standard end of interview questions of who is the best of all-time MJ or Lebron and you stated Kobe Bryant is my all time favorite player! But I personally believe that Lebron is the greatest to ever do it! That’s no disrespect to MJ, he was great! But Lebron is a different animal. 6’8 260lbs and is able to do what he does at the highest level. It’s ridiculous! Everyone has their opinion on it. And there are even some who don’t believe that neither of the two are the greatest. But to each it’s own! Why isn’t Kobe mentioned in this conversation more?


I think a lot of people leave Kobe out of the conversation because he pretty much mirrored his entire game after MJ. And you can only have one. But when you analyze their games. other than superior athleticism, I feel like Kobe was a more skilled basketball player than MJ. In my opinion, the most skilled player ever!! From the footwork, the fall away jumper, ball handling, pull up jumpers, Kobe was an absolute purist!! He should definitely be in the conversation! I think him, Lebron, & MJ are the 3 greatest ever!

Will you be following the NBA restart? Do you feel like we could see a surprise winner this season with all the drama that has happened with COVID-19?

Yea, I plan on following it. I’m Lakers all the way though! This will be the most difficult championship to win due to the circumstances that they’re up against with the season being on pause due to COVID-19 and not knowing whether or not it would resume and now knowing that it is they have to deal with the bubble. It’s a lot, but I’m rocking’ with the Lakers. It’s been long over due. Do it for Kobe!!!

What was the last movie that you saw?

Grown Ups 1 & 2.

Thanks J’Quan for the chat.

is an ex player that spent many years overseas and since retiring has focused his energy on helping unknown players get exposure by organizing games and in many cases helping them find professional jobs. He founded Howard Hoops in 2013 where he brought numerous players overseas to help them find jobs and since 2018 has started the Howard Hoops academy where he helps train unknown players and help find basketball jobs. He recently started Revizion Sports International which helps players get placed on professional clubs. germanhoops.com has been covering his work since years and have interviewed him again about the current 2020 Howard Hoops Tour in Germany

Ron thanks for talking to germanhoops..com. Where are you at the moment and how have you been coping with the whole COVID-19 crisis the last months? 

Hey Miles thanks for having me, at the moment I am in Minneapolis Minnesota. This is a crazy time we are in right now. Dealing with this Covid-19 has really shaken the world in a major way. 

Talk a little about how you have been able to keep doing your thing the last months despite the COVID-19 outbreak. How challenging was it for you functioning as best you could with your many business activities? 


For me over these last few months I’ve stayed safe but very active. Doing majority everything virtually, but this has given me so much time to develop and plan how to move forward in the best way possible to be safe not only for myself but for others around.

COVID-19 has affected everyone around the world and it has been tough times for many in the world. How do you feel has this whole COVID-19 experience made you stronger as a man?

I feel the whole COVID-19 experience just brought me closer to family and to open my eyes to how much safer we must be in general.

Before we get to the 2020 Howard Hoops tour and your new agency, please give an update about how your Howard Hoops training facility developed in the last year? You were training boys and girls and also continuing to develop your coaching skills.

Yes the Howard Hoops Academy training facility was an amazing business opportunity but I have closed down since the Covid and have enrolled back into college to pursue my Masters Degree so I can obtain my ultimate goal of being A College Head Coach. 

You recently started the RSI international agency. Please talk a little about this idea came about? 

Revizion Sports International is a consultation, promotion, management & placement company based in Minneapolis Minnesota. RSI’s job is to properly advise/manage, train & place players on the best path to success. We are placing basketball players men & women all over World!

What are your long term goals with RSI? You want to be a coach down the road and will not give up this venture, but most likely pass it on.


My long term goals is to grow RSI to being a agency that deals with players from all pro levels, then be able to hand the company over to my partners when I’m a colligate coach.

You have been helping unknown hungry players get jobs since years. How do you feel has your communication skills grown over time? You have to make deals and have been successful for many players.


I think that my communication over the years has improved. As you know it takes time to get things right. I believe I have grown over time and my hunger has gone up even more from the success of my former players. 

Please give a quick update to 2019 Howard Hoops Tour players Dorea Wilson, Brandon McElvy & Devin Buckley . How did they profit form the tour and how are they doing in 2020?

Dorea Wilson was offered by Olpe but decided that he wanted to go another direction. Devin Buckley coaches High school basketball this past season and Brandon McElvy I have recently signed to RSI https://www.instagram.com/tv/CC33UbwAvUX/?igshid=qtll67gno2u

The 2020 Howard Hoops tour is just around the corner. This will be the 7th one. Is it true that it will be the last one?

It’s crazy how H.H tours have grown to be known the way it is. I have a great feeling about this tour even with the COVID-19. This year makes it exclusive games will be live streamed on Facebook Instagram YouTube. There will be strict Restrictions & Guidelines that will be followed. I’m excited! As far as this being the last one, it WILL NOT BE. I will be coming back to Germany again in January 2021 then expanding to another country in Europe. 

How challenging was it finding a 10 man roster for this years tour. On what things do you keep an eye on most when picking the candidates?’


As always it’s not hard at all. But this year was different. I went for character more than talent. I feel character goes a long way and it speaks volumes as a man. So the guys I have this year we’re picked out of a group of 30 players. 

One guy who should have a great 2020 Howard Hoops tour and should be signed is Keith Phillips. Please talk a little about how you found him and just how much potential he has? 

I like Keith Phillips a lot. He is a straight go getter. He can score in so many ways and he plays both ends of the floor and is extremely athletic. He will be a player to watch. 

What can we await from some of the other players on the 2020 Howard Hoops Tour. There will be some second timers like Cameron Gause and J’Quan Brown, but also newcomers like Jayson Edwards, Pindo Drammeth, Oliver Amajoyi and Rene Melemdez. 

I’m interested to see how the newcomers will do Cam & Quan understand what needs to be done this time around. I’m anxious for Jayson ,Rene, Oliver but especially 6’10 
Pindo Drammeth 
https://youtu.be/OBH-qpcqIRg

The tour will have games around Frankfurt, but also a new attraction this time as the games will be streamed. Do you feel like this will give the players an added boost in terms of teams and managers becoming more aware of them? 


Yes I think this will be next level because teams are going to have to do similar things when the season starts in October. Great thing is I have already been preparing and have gotten a little push from Social Media BIL https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCtUHYAglU-/?igshid=1lisixthddq9t

You will be coaching the Howard Hoops tour team again. In the back of your mind your big goal is to be a college coach. How have you seen your development as a coach go in the last years as you continue to work at becoming the best kind of basketball teacher? 


This year I will not coach the Howard Hoops tour team. I am having a German Coach from Frankfurt Aiken Marino coach the team this year. I am still learning everyday, but I have the best mentors in the game. I can’t wait to make my debut as a Head coach!!

A 2020 Howard Hoops player said this about you. ‘So many guys that have played overseas and done well, just like Ron! But none of them are doing the things that Ron is doing. He’s literally taking guys and opening up avenues for them to pursue their hoop dream. Most guys could care less! And he’s not getting a dime from it! We really need more like him’. What continues to be your drive to continue to be a mentor for kids while really seeing no real financial gain? 

Man I didn’t know that. That means a lot. I truly try to do the best I can to put my players first and to put them in the best position possible to showcase their game to start their career. 

You were an undersized guard as a pro and I have seen you take undersized guards every tour. This summer you have a guy by the name of Jayson Edwards at 175CM: I sometimes get the feeling that the chip on your shoulder is still there now in your work after your professional career. How huge is that chip and how important has it been still having it and helping you be successful in so many things now off the court?

As you know when I played I did it all. So as I’m training Jayson Edwards in Minneapolis I’m explaining and expressing to him the kind of guard he needs to be when he arrives in Germany. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCoENABgv9G/?igshid=h01umig8v89u It’s not that I have a chip, but you remember when I started the HowardHoops Tour people thought it was a fantasy. We’re 7 years in now, I just want to keep showing that there are players in America that don’t get the credit they deserve because they played at a lower Tier college. ‘Here is your platform show what you can do’

Where were you when you heard about the death of Kobe Bryant? What kind of an influence did he have on you growing up?

I was in my home. I couldn’t believe it and until this day it’s still weird to even think that something like that could happen to him. Just shows you we are all human and we need to cherish every moment we have with our loved ones.

Why isn’t Kobe Bryant more in the discussion with the usual comparison of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James.


Because people don’t want to give Kobe the credit he deserves. 

Will you be following the 2020 NBA restart in Orlando? Do you feel like we may see a surprise NBA champion? 


Man I can’t wait, I’m so happy the season is getting back started. You know I’m a die hard Laker Born and raised. It’s are year LAKERNATION!!!

Thanks Ron for the chat.

 Pete Strobl has been around the European basketball scene for 20 years having had a stellar professional basketball career and was an assistant coach for German easyCredit BBL team ratiopharm Ulm in 2018-2019. Currently he is head coach of the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. He played at Niagara (NCAA) from 1997-2000 and then had a 9 year professional playing career that took him to countries like Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, Iceland and Switzerland. He founded The Scoring Factory in Pittsburgh and wrote a must read book called Backspin. He is a very interesting basketball mind that doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind especially on Twitter. German Hoops and Pete Strobl (agency: Octagon Europe ) (agency: Octagon Europe ) team up so often talking basketball with the title ‘Current basketball affairs with Pete Strobl (agency: Octagon Europe ) (agency: Octagon Europe ). You can follow Pete Strobl (agency: Octagon Europe ) (agency: Octagon Europe ) on twitter @petestrobl

How is the market moving and when will we see new signings from Braunschweig? 

Overall the European market is moving much slower than in the past, but obviously we’re all facing the same challenges with Corona. Nobody can accurately predict the future, so it’s normal that teams are being very careful and diligent in their planning process. With the transition to new ownership here thanks to Dennis Schroeder, we also have a new sports director so I’m excited about what the future holds. We’ve recently announced the very important signing of Lukas Meisner, but we still have some work to do and there will be more additions announced in due time.

How is the new team structure?

As is the case with any company that has new ownership, there’s a necessary learning phase for all parties to get acclimated and adjusted. Longtime coach and Braunschweig legend Liviu Calin is back with our team and it’s been a joy to work together with him in the gym everyday developing the players we still have under contract from last season. Oliver Braun is our new sports director and was actually here in the past so he knows the landscape and has the connections to bring people together to focus on our common goal. I can tell you that there’s a lot of positive energy in Braunschweig behind the scenes right now and people are all slowly starting to move in the same direction. 

What are your projections for next season? 

It’s way too early for me at this stage to make predictions about next season because we don’t even have a full team together yet. In many ways next season will represent a new beginning for us as an organization and I’m excited to be a part of this process. Our future success will be determined by our ability to bring people together and truly work hand in hand for a common goal. Braunschweig has a rich basketball tradition and there’s still work to be done behind the scenes to repair some of those old wounds while simultaneously planting seeds for the future. I can promise that we will work hard, play a style of basketball the represents our city with pride, focus on player development and take it game by game.

has been around the European basketball scene for 20 years having had a stellar professional basketball career and was an assistant coach for German easyCredit BBL team ratiopharm Ulm in 2018-2019. Currently he is head coach of the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. He played at Niagara (NCAA) from 1997-2000 and then had a 9 year professional playing career that took him to countries like Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, Iceland and Switzerland. He founded The Scoring Factory in Pittsburgh and wrote a must read book called Backspin. He is a very interesting basketball mind that doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind especially on Twitter. German Hoops and Pete Strobl (agency: Octagon Europe ) (agency: Octagon Europe ) team up so often talking basketball with the title ‘Current basketball affairs with Pete Strobl (agency: Octagon Europe ) (agency: Octagon Europe ). You can follow Pete Strobl (agency: Octagon Europe ) (agency: Octagon Europe ) on twitter @petestrobl

How is the market moving and when will we see new signings from Braunschweig? 

Overall the European market is moving much slower than in the past, but obviously we’re all facing the same challenges with Corona. Nobody can accurately predict the future, so it’s normal that teams are being very careful and diligent in their planning process. With the transition to new ownership here thanks to Dennis Schroeder, we also have a new sports director so I’m excited about what the future holds. We’ve recently announced the very important signing of Lukas Meisner, but we still have some work to do and there will be more additions announced in due time.

How is the new team structure?

As is the case with any company that has new ownership, there’s a necessary learning phase for all parties to get acclimated and adjusted. Longtime coach and Braunschweig legend Liviu Calin is back with our team and it’s been a joy to work together with him in the gym everyday developing the players we still have under contract from last season. Oliver Braun is our new sports director and was actually here in the past so he knows the landscape and has the connections to bring people together to focus on our common goal. I can tell you that there’s a lot of positive energy in Braunschweig behind the scenes right now and people are all slowly starting to move in the same direction. 

What are your projections for next season? 

It’s way too early for me at this stage to make predictions about next season because we don’t even have a full team together yet. In many ways next season will represent a new beginning for us as an organization and I’m excited to be a part of this process. Our future success will be determined by our ability to bring people together and truly work hand in hand for a common goal. Braunschweig has a rich basketball tradition and there’s still work to be done behind the scenes to repair some of those old wounds while simultaneously planting seeds for the future. I can promise that we will work hard, play a style of basketball that represents our city with pride, focus on player development and take it game by game.