Minus the injuries to guys like Mike Morrison and Philip Scrubb and seemingly countless sicknesses in the last weeks, the Fraport Skyliners would be in a lot better position in the EasyCredit standings now and would have a lot more leverage over other potential playoff teams. But the reality of the matter was that there were 10 games left for the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup winner and the season is far from over. The Fraport Skyliners still have a lot of tough games remaining including two difficult home games against Munich and Bamberg and hard road games against Alba Berlin, Bayreuth, Bonn and Oldenburg. It was no secret that the 2004 BBL champion would get active again on the transfer market and did hauling in guard Jordan Sibert who reached the NCAA Final 4 with Ohio State and NCAA Elite 8 with Dayton and is a huge steal for Gordon Herbert as he was somewhat underappreciated by ex team Mitteldeutscher BC where he was consistent and put up solid stats averaging 12,2ppg, 2,5rpg and 1,0apg and was let go when ex hero Andrew Warren was picked up again after being a main force in the 2004 Fiba Europe Cup moving back to the BBL this season. With Sibert, the Fraport Skyliners got a scorer who will add more scoring consistency to the wing position and give the team a new dimension something they had in abundance last season, but have been lacking this season. The Cincinnati, Ohio native who gained professional experience with the Erie Bay Hawks (D-League) and last season with PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece-A1) who lists Austin Rivers as his most difficult cover in the NCAA and his rebounding as a hidden strength could be the x-factor and the guy that is key for the Fraport Skyliners making the playoffs as the team adds some depth again in the playoff run. It was the Skyliner debut of Jordan Sibert who had only had two practices with the team, but the American had a fine debut with Frankfurt contributing 13 points, three boards, one assist and shot 63% from the field in the 90-82 victory against Gotha. After the win, he had to make the rounds with the local press and was happy with the win and new team. “My goal was to come out and make it simple and knock down some shots. I only knew a few plays so I didn´t have to think so much. I want to make as many shots as possible to help this team win. I felt great on the court hitting some shots and winning. It was good to be back on the court. I did miss some defensive assignments, but I need to be more aggressive in the future”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Jordan Sibert. Hi teammate Philip Scrubb led the team in scoring again, but was content that he had some added firepower on the floor. “He fits our system well. He handles the ball well on ball screen and can shoot the ball. I am surprised that we were able to get him, but we were very lucky”, stressed Philip Scrubb.
Demetrius Ward is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his sixth professional season with MTV Wolfenbuettel Herzoege (Germany-ProB) and last season played 22 games averaging 19.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 83.6%. He played at Western Michigan from 2008-2012 playing a total of 129 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 12.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 76.2%. Currently he is averaging 17,4ppg, 6,4rpg and 4,7apg. He spoke to German Hoops before game 2 against the Dragons Rhondorf.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel´s guard Demetrius Ward after dropping 22 points in a game one win at Rhondorf 83-76
Demetrius thanks for talking to German Hoops. Before we start about the playoffs how is Tom Alte doing? How difficult was the long drive home? You won a big game, but had a very disappointed Tom Alte on board.
Hello Miles thanks for having me. Tom will be fine its nothing serious, we are not sure if he will play or not this weekend. The ride back was pretty long but it wasn’t so bad with a win, unfortunately Tom got injured in the last seconds of the game.
Congrats on the big win in Rhondorf in game one. Rhondorf fought until the end, but MTV Herzogee Wolfenbuettel overpowered them. What did you feel was the biggest strength on the night? I would imagine the team basketball?
Yes, I would say our team ball was a big strength for the night. I would also say that we stayed focused and didn’t get to concerned when they made a run.
How key was Kameron Taylor in the game plan in game one? Despite filling up the stat sheet one could see in his face that he couldn´t play his game. How satisfied were you with the team effort on slowing him down?
We know how important he is for his team and how is can explode for 20-30pts with 10rebs and 8-10ast. We wanted to make it as difficult as possible for him. We kept him under his average as far as points but he rebounded the ball well which he had a few offensive rebounds. We still can improved on our defense with containing him but we are happy about the win.
How much of a factor will the departure of Tom Alte have? The depth is a bit smaller upfront. Will you be making adjustments how to combat that? Does this mean that Ole Angerstein will have an even bigger role than usual?
We had injuries or roster changes the whole season. At times we are playing with only 8 players 5 big men and 3 guards. In this situation it will be difficult because its the playoffs but we will have to adjust and other players will have to step up. Ole is always providing something for us in the game, either rebounds block shots and put backs. He will be ready for this weekend.
Your teammate Tarique Thompson said that Ole Angerstein was a huge factor in the stretch where you won 8 of 9 games. How have you seen his development. He was out of basketball for 2 years. He is 22 now and back when he was with the Spot Up Basketball Medien, some experts countered that he was more talented than Daniel Theis when he was younger.
I knew Ole from when he was playing with Braunschwig. He was always strong and athletic. I think over this time he has developed a lot, setting good screens, making good reads and his defense is a lot better.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Pro B top guards Demetrius Ward and Kameron Taylor after combining for 39 points in game one in Rhondorf
You said in our last interview that Constantin Ebert has a bright future. I hadn´t seen him play since he was with Wurzburg. I feel he has developed very well. I thought he was the ex factor in game one. What is keeping him from getting more minutes at the BBL level?
That a good question, I’m not sure what is keeping him from getting minutes in the BBL. He is doing a good job running this team, he made a big turnaround from last season. His time will come where he is getting minutes in the BBL.
I also saw Germans Lars Lagerpusch and Luis Figge play many minutes for the first time live. BBL team Braunschweig have always had talented young German players, but besides Dennis Schroeder nobody has made the breakthrough there. Do you feel like these two can make that real breakthrough and what do you appreciate most about their game?
Yes I think they both can make the breakthrough if they keep working hard and if they get the opportunity to. Lars is a very smart player that knows how to use his body to get good position under the basket. He is also good enough to attack from the outside and a good passer. The things I like about Luis is that he is always going to play extremely hard. His shot has gotten a lot better from last season. He became one of our best shooters from outside.
We can expect a totally different Dragons Rhondorf team in game two. It will be a do or die game for them, but how vital will it be for the MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel to remain aggressive? How confident are you that the team won´t back down and take care of business?
It is very important that we stay aggressive and keep attacking the basket and not get to passive. I’m confident in our ability to come out and get the job done. We must stay consistent and focus on the scouting report and I think we would have a good chance to get a win.
There are a lot of talented teams this season in the Pro B. You saw Rostock twice this season winning both games. They are one of the favorites to win it all. Do you feel having beat them has given your team some extra added self confidence that has fueled the team this season and now?
I think our confidences comes from our hard work and listening and trusting our coaching. He put us in good situations no matter how many players we have in practice or at the game. He does a great job preparing us during the week. That is where our confidences comes from.
You battled against many top guards this season, but what is like playing against Brandon Lockhart of Rostock. Does a talented guy like that motivate you to continue to work hard in practice to always get better?
Brandon is a talented guy for sure, but I think we are two different type of players.
You won round one against Kameron Taylor. He will be highly motivated to win on Sunday. How much did he bring the best out of you in game one?
It is always fun going against the top scorer in the league. He is a very good player, I just tried to play my game and not get into a scoring match with him or a personal 1-1 game.
You played against many top guard this season in the Pro B north. Where does he rank with the best that you battled?
He is a different guard from the ones from the north, he is a bit taller and also played Pro A last season. The other guards are smaller and didn’t play pro A. He is at the top no doubt about that, its a reason why he’s the top scorer in the league and had 3 triple doubles.
How does your role change in the team when the German BBL license players are absent? What kind of leader are you when they are absent and when they are on board?
When the German double license players are not there depending which players are not there, I must be more aggressive offensively. If Tom or Lars isn’t there I must play the 4 and rebound and guard the 4. I’m always a leader with the players talking on and off the court doesn’t matter if they are there or not.
Let´s talk about your game. You hit six three´s against Rhondorf which was one of your best shooting games. You hit six treys against Wedel and seven against Stahnsdorf. Do you feel the good team basketball has helped your confidence with your shooting this season?
Yes the team ball helps me with my confidence because I am getting good open shots. We also do a lot of practicing with spacing and finding the right spots for my shot.
You stated in the last interview that “my personal goal, to win games without jacking so many shots or taking a hundred dribbles”. Is this something that has improved and grown this season with the talented roster that Wolfenbuettel has?
It improved with the help of coach Steve. He made a good point on how to be effective without taking so many shots or dribbles. He is the reason for the success.
You also stated in our last interview that “Getting steals and playing defense is in my opinion two different things. I would like to be always in the right spot when needed to be. That takes focus and effort”. How do you stay a consistent good defender?
That comes down to effort and watching film. When you know your opponent it helps you a lot knowing what he likes and what he don’t like to do.
You also stated in a previous interview that you aren´t a one dimensional player. Your only 27 years old. Are you in your prime now or will we still see you there?
I don’t think that I’m in my prime yet, I think I’m getting there.
You were flirting with a triple double in the victory against Rostock. Do you feel at times that your versatile play on the court doesn´t get noticed the way it should like it does for other players like a Kameron Taylor?
Yes I believe I don’t get enough of credit at times. I think that I’m one of the most efficient players in the league. I guess because I’m not the fastest or the most athletic player it goes unnoticed.
Your goal has always been the Pro A. How tough is it seeing other guys make the jump to higher leagues? Statistically you have deserved a chance. A Kameron Taylor most likely will sign until the end of the season with BBL team Telekom Baskets Bonn. Was there never an opportunity to get that kind of deal with the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig?
It’s hard to say last season I took over as the head coach in Pro B and we were fighting to stay in the league. So I wasn’t able to practice with them anymore. Its very tough seeing others making a group from the Pro b to the BBL with their farm team. Maybe my time will come until then I can´t cry or complain about things I can´t control.
The 2018 NCAA tournament is here. What sleepers do you see making some noise and which 4 teams will make it to the final 4?
I honestly haven’t watched an NCAA game in the past years.
Lebron James had some amazing passes last night against the Los Angeles. How do you personally rate his passing game in his overall offensive arsenal that he has?
I would say he’s a 9 out of 10 passer. He has the whole package, he can score at will but he is also very unselfish.
Davon Roberts is a 31 year old 197cm forward from Covina, California playing his second season with Bochum (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career with Cal.St. Sacramento in 2004 where he played until 2007 playing 83 NCAA games. He played his senior year 2007-2008 with Azusa Pacific (NAIA). He turned professional in 2008 and played with the Spot Up Medien Baskets Braunschweig (Germany-ProB) playing 29 games averaging 16.5ppg, Reb-2(9.4rpg), 2.1apg, 1.7spg, Blocks-5(1.0bpg), FGP: 60.1%, 3PT: 13.3%, FT: 67.4%. In 2009-2010, he played with BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games averaging 10.5ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 56.3%. In 2010-2011, he played with Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels (Germany-1.Bundesliga) plaiyng 22 games averaging 3.2ppg, 1.9rpg. In 2011-2012, he played with BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProB): playing 15 games averaging 5.5ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 54.1%. He sat out the 2012-2013 season to back to school and get his degree. He returned to Germany in 2013 and played with BBV Saar-Pfalz (Germany-Oberliga) playing 5 games averaging 25.4ppg, in Dec.’13 signed at VfL Stade (Germany-ProB, starting five): 15 games: 13.7ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 53.7%. He played two seasons with BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season with Bochum he played 27 games averaging 10.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 17.2%, FT: 71.8% He spoke to German Hoops before game 2 against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors.
Davon thanks for talking to German Hoops Last season your season ended after 8 games and this season it could happen after 2 games. How shocking was losing game one to the Fraport Skyliners 87-83?
It was a tough pill to swallow last week. Now we have our work cut out for us but the road to the championship is never easy.
I was expecting a 20 plus win for Bochum since the BBL team had at the same time a game in Goettingen. Did you underestimate Frankfurt a bit?
I think we underestimated them a little and didn´t jump on them from the start as a result they stayed in the game and started to gain confidence and then boom we lost.
The stats weren´t so different as Frankfurt shot a bit better, but the rebounding and turnovers was pretty even. Was this game a good example of what can truly happen in a game when one team has the depth and talent advantage, but can still lose when the effort and heart isn´t present?
Yes it is now playoffs where anybody can be beat on any given day if you don’t execute the game plan. You must take every opponent seriously and be ready to play 40 minutes of tough basketball.
Head coach Gary Johnson is still young. How focused do you see him making adjustments and coming up with a good game plan against Frankfurt?
Gary as a player and a coach is a competitor. So he is helping us make adjustments in order to give us the best opportunity to be successful.
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors will have more depth in game 2 simply because the BBL team plays Sunday. How confident are you that a totally different Bochum team will be on the floor than in game one?
I am very confident we will be a different team due to the fact that it is win or go home. I know we are not ready to go home !!!
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors will have a few more guards on the floor and have added guard terror. What will be key in getting the win on the road?
The key will be to try and keep their guards under control. Playing on the road is always tough. I think the focus is more on us rather than them. Meaning we have to stick to our game plan and execute it for 40 minutes long.
Bochum has so many weapons and so many can step up at anytime. How vital would it be for a guy like Marco Buljevic to get hot from outside?
Marco is a key part to our team. He is a veteran and has been here before and he will be ready to step up and hit shots. He is a big time player and I´m sure he likes moments like this.
You had a very special run last season losing to Weissenhorn. This season´s team was hit with a bad loss in game one, but what has been special to this season´s team and how is it different from last season´s team?
We have a special group of guys we get along on and off the court which is important for the team chemistry. There is not that much difference from this year than last year other than the obvious missing Gary Johnson being the General on the floor with us.
Last season you came to Bochum to fill in for the injured Ryon Howard. How much of a joy has it been playing with him and as two of the oldest guys on the team do you rib him about his age?
It has been a joy playing with Ryon. He is a great basketball player with a high IQ. Yes we are two of the oldest guys on the team but when we lace them up no matter if its for a game or practice. Practice is intense because we are both competitors and hate to lose.
How important has the consistency of Felix Engel been at the point guard position? The team has had injuries at that position and he has stepped up? Can he be a force in game two against the Frankfurt guards Garai Zeeb and Jules Akodo?
Felix is a great PG and is our teams Captain. His play is very important and it is what gets us going. He will be a force in game two as he will have a tough task defensively guarding one of the best guards in the league. It will be a challenge but thats why we play this game. I am sure he will be ready to lead the way.
One of the big winners on the team this season has been Alex Angerer who continues to develop and improve and has turned into one of the top German big men in the Pro B. How have you followed his development from last season?
Alex is a hard worker. He has been great for us when he is bringing is energy to the court. This year he has been more aggressive offensively which has been good in regards to his production.
He will be turning 22 in a few months. How much potential does he have and could he make the jump to the Pro A?
I´m sure if that is what he wants he will get there with hard work and dedication. The skies the limit for Alex aka The Big Schnitzel !!!!!
Let´s talk about your game. Last season you stated “Besides winning a personal goal when I got injured last year was to come back from a tough injury. It wasn’t an easy year for me at all and I think some people even counting me out but God is good. Allowed me to rehab and stay focused to come back and play the game that I love”. What kind of role do you have this season?
This season my role has been just like the last bring energy on both ends of the floor. Since my injury I bring the energy every game because I know in a blink of an eye this game can be taken from me.
You can score and rebound, but what other special strengths do you have now that additionally helps Bochum be successful?
When I am aggressive on both ends of the court I think it best helps us to become successful when my teammates see me working hard on both ends hopefully gets everybody motivated and working hard as well
Your not getting any younger, but are still putting up solid consistent stats. What do you work on on your game now at age 31 that will keep you around for some more years?
My jump shot is always a great thing to have as you get older. So I say I can work on my mid range and three point shots.
Your still in very good shape. How much longer do you realistically see your self playing. Does it help keeping a clear mind and motivating your self each day when you have some veterans like Howard and Johnson on the court each day?
I still enjoy playing the game of basketball and I am able to still do it on this level I say realistically a couple years and I can say I have got what I want out of basketball.
Who was your toughest opponent this season in the Pro B on the court? This year for me
I would say Artland they have a lot of weapons and can hurt you in every position.
If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?
Kobe Jordan Shaq Magic
Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?
Michael Jordan is the best of all time this debate will go on and on. But in my opinion the NBA was a lot tougher in the 90s when Jordan was coming up. Now with these super teams the NBA is starting to become like the WWF but it still is good entertainment lol
There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?
No I do not feel that is a fair assessment Russel Westbrook is one hell of a competitor and he never takes a play off. It is hard to find this quality in NBA players.
How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?
To be honest I haven´t kept up with all the rookies besides Lonzo Ball and Kuzma because I am a Lakers fan but other than those two I really like Denis Smith Jr. He will be a monster in the league in a couple of years.
Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?
Yes they have a complete team and James Harden has been playing on another level for the past couple of years. It is tough to say who will win between them and the Warriors so we will all have to tune in to see.
How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?
I think it was great for both teams I´m sure the Celtics didn’t want to pay a undersized PG a max contract and Kyrie wanted out of Cleveland so it turned out to be a win win for both.
Where will the journey of the Oklahoma Thunder go this season with Westbrook, George and Anthony? Can they make a serious run in the west?
The journey will stop whenever they Meet The Rockets or the Warriors it will be a good Western Conference finals though between the Rockets and the Warriors and it should be interesting.
With the clock winding down and a few minutes to play and the Dragons Rhondorf down by 11 points, it got untastefully quiet in the usual boisterous and electric Dragon Dome as fans were not wanting to believe that the game was going down the basketball drain, but basketball reality was rearing it´s ugly head into their Saturday night entertainment and playing spoiler. The Dragons Rhondorf had been like a fortress at home losing only two games at home in the regular season to Giessen and the ScanPlus Baskets and when it counted most in the playoffs, they were unable to get the job done in their own comfortable living room losing game one 83-76 to MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel and now had eight long days to recuperate, play long mental games, devise a game plan and win a do or die game in Wolfenbuettel next weekend. To make the whole situation even worse, but in a way the sudden and scary injury to Tom Alte with seven seconds remaining stole the Dragons Rhondorf fans from the pending miserable game one loss as their disappointment from the game quickly shifted 180 degrees as sheer horror entered everyone´s mind as the talented German big man lay helpless on the floor to the side of the basket in tears and massive pain as minutes went by and he didn´t get up. He had battled Rhondorf guard Viktor Frankel-Maus for a rebound and came down on his foot and twisted it. The ex TV Langen forward finally did get up and was helped by players and team helpers to the bench where his suffering continued while nobody cared anymore for the last seconds of the game. It was an unwanted and unneeded ending to a long and dreaded day for the Dragons Rhondorf as they have their backs to the wall and have to travel to northern Germany to save their season and let it continue. Even if the status of Tom Alte was unknown 15 minutes after the end, he was somewhat smiling again as he was helped by Ole Angerstein and another teammate to the bench. Everybody hopes that Alte will be ok, but from the look of his injury, it seems like his season is history. The question now for all Dragon Rhondorf fans is, will Kameron Taylor smile again, or will his season abruptly end next weekend in Wolfenbuettel.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kameron Taylor after his buzzer beater against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors
Usually after games this season in Rhondorf, Kameron Taylor had poured out that incredible winners smile that could lite up even the darkest rooms in broken down housing areas in the Bronx, New York and when he is at his basketball happiest, his radiance can be as bright as a store window at FAO Schwarz during the Christmas time. But when a Kameron Taylor loses, he can become as stern as that police cop who stops you and has no expression when the driver tries to be funny in the most unwanted of situations expressing “where were you hiding”? After the game one loss, Taylor was like that cool, but angry looking cop minus the sunglasses. For a guy like Taylor who is used to winning and has been a huge factor in the success of the Dragons Rhondorf having to lose game one the way he did must of already created unbearable unending thoughts in his mind minutes after the buzzer sounded. But to credit his immaculate character, he didn´t shun the press and head into the locker room like a spoiled seven year old kid who didn´t get the right gift at Christmas, but hung around as I finished interviewing Demetrius Ward and waited patiently until he got the second round of drilling from me. His mind probably went over the 40 minutes in the five minutes while he was waiting for me and when it finally was his turn, he answered all questions patiently and as always with a lot of class. One could easily feel in his tone that he was a mix between disappointed and raging mad. “We were unable to get stops the whole game. They got too many easy baskets. When we did get stops, we couldn´t execute on offense. We tried to be aggressive, but they got in the lane too much getting easy baskets”, stated Maryland native Kameron Taylor. Those were crystal clear words from Mr Triple double Taylor who produced back to back triple doubles at home this season against BBC Coburg and the Dresden Titans. Those words were about as direct as they could ever come from the American as he obviously was disgusted by the team performance and probably would have loved to have played a rematch right then and there, but he will have to wait a long week before he can battle in game 2 in Wolfenbuettel. All Dragons Rhondorf fans hope that Taylor will flash that gregarious smile again next Sunday so they can witness a do or die game three in Rhondorf.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Pro B top guards Demetrius Ward and Kameron Taylor after combining for 39 points in game one in Rhondorf
So what were the keys to victory for MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel and what went wrong for the Dragons Rhondorf? The two main factors were having their EasycRedit BBL license players on board who combined for 40 points and Kameron Taylor being put out of his comfort zone. The four Germans Lars Lagerpusch, Luis Figge, Tom Alte and Constantin Ebert were simply an annoying energy bunch that kept coming at them all night long. The Dragons Rhondorf really had their hands full trying to stop the nonstop aggressiveness of Lars Lagerpusch who´s 207cm is difficult to contain. The Dragons Rhondorf are already a very athletic team, but with a Luis Figge you have an even more athletic player that hurt Rhondorf inside, Tom Alte also threw athleticism at Rhondorf all night long living on the rim and his shot blocking capabilities always had the Dragons on alert as no offensive possession was easy not even their beloved transition play. Constantin Ebert was without a doubt the X-factor on the night. He may only have had nine points and five assists, but he made their offense flow all night long and always put the Dragons Rhondorf reeling on defense when he was in attack mode as his finishing or kick out passes led to automatic points or him getting a hockey assist. Not to mention American Demetrius Ward who had a hot night with 22 points on 6/9 shooting from outside. These five players combined for 72 of the 83 points. Had they been without 1 or 2 BBL license players, the game would have been very different. At first glance, the stats of Kameron Taylor of 17 points, 13 boards, six assists and four steals would have been a career game for 80% of the players in the Pro B game, but if you know Taylor he wasn´t satisfied with his game. Even if he had scored 40 points and lost, he would have been moping after the loss. Granted Taylor was all over the court, filled up the stat sheet like usual, but he couldn´t play his game. MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel focused on him limiting him only two 12 shots and making everything difficult for him. He did a good job finding his teammates, but the club shot only 32% from outside and they had enough open looks that just didn´t want to fall. The question is will they fall better on Sunday in Wolfenbuettel?
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel´s guard Demetrius Ward after dropping 22 points in a game one win at Rhondorf 83-76
The Dragons travel to Wolfenbuettel this weekend with their backs to the wall with a do or die game while MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel have less pressure and just have to continue to play their game. Head coach Thomas Adelt will prepare this week with the knowledge that Wolfenbuettel will have their BBL license players on board again as Braunschweig play Saturday at home and the Pro B game 2 is on Sunday. The only good news for the Dragons Rhondorf will be that Wolfenbuettel will be without Tom Alte who suffered a severe injury in game one. Despite the game one loss and sour outlook for game two, the Dragons Rhondorf have to keep their spirits up as they didn´t play a bad game in game on.e Despite the size and length advantage that MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel has, they were outrebounded by Rhondorf 36-34 and held their own on the offensive glass losing by a slight margin of 11-9. Both teams shot pretty even, but Rhondorf had four more turnovers which gave Wolfenbuettel four extra possessions. This won´t be a blow out win for MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel, but the Dragons Rhondorf won´t lay down and die. They will come at MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel with all they got. Key will be the boards again as Rhondorf has to match the intensity and aggressiveness of their opponent and just want it a tick more than them. The Dragons Rhondorf have to play smart heads up defense and not get hit with early fouls which put them near the limit early in two quarters and limited their aggressiveness down the stretch. The team will need that rim protector in Brandon Watkins to be a beast and also get help from German Alexander Moeller and most importantly stay away from early foul trouble. MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel played smart team basketball and had great ball movement. The Dragons Rhondorf should really mix up their defensive sets and continue with their press and try to find new schemes as Wolfenbuettel did a pretty good job against it game one. The Dragons Rhondorf are a totally unselfish team that strives to play team basketball, but are also inspired and energized when Kameron Taylor can play his game. He is the leader on the court. If Taylor is being denied shots then his teammates have to do an even better job getting open and hitting shots early on. Taylor never got into his offensive groove in game one and will have to in game two early on for his team to be successful. It has been a great season for the Dragons Rhondorf, but in their minds long from really over. It has been a MVP season for Taylor and he wants that title as badly as his brother James Robinson wants that Basketball Champions league title. Taylor still has to settle a score with Pro B north top point guard Demetrius Ward as he was cooking after the loss. He remained disciplined and uttered this friendly warning. “It was fun against Ward. I can´t wait until next weekend”, stressed Kameron Taylor. Taylor wants to continue the Pro B season as long as possible and keep long lasting memories for the Dragons fans. He will get that locker next to Josh Mayo soon enough after the Dragons Rhondorf season ends. Now it´s time for business and all anybody wants to see is Taylor returning home Sunday night with a smile and another chance for a win at home in the Dragon Dome on Tuesday.
Brandon Watkins is a 23 year old 206cm forward from Atlanta playing his rookie season in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf. He started the season with AZS Koszalin (Poland-PLK), only pre-season, then signed at Enosis Neon Paralimni (Cyprus-Division A) playing 2 games averaging 7.0ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg. He played at W Virginia(NCAA) form 2013-2017 playing a total of 113 NCAA games and as a senior played 36 games averaging 4.3ppg, 2.8rpg. He helped the school reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2015 and 2017. He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Dragons Rhondorf rim protector Brandon Watkins after he supplied 6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks in the 92-59 loss against the ScanPlus Baskets
Brandon thanks for talking to German Hoops. You recently joined German Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf after gaining rookie experience in Poland and Cyprus. How good is basketball life for you at the moment playing for a winning team?
It’s been great! I’m happy to be playing with a great team and coaches.
You have experienced the carnival atmosphere in Rhondorf. How important was this time for the team to relax a bit in a time with the very hectic stretch run?
It was a time for us to not worry about basketball and enjoy hanging out with each other to celebrate an important part of their culture.
How tough has your rookie season been. You left Poland in preseason and played only two games in Cyprus. You were idle for almost three months. How did you mentally survive your rookie season?. Did you ever have doubts about trusting the professional system?
I just kept faith and hoped that I would get another opportunity to play. At one point I did, but Shasta Scott , my agent , told me that things would work out and just keep working.
How have you adjusted to your new home in Germany? I can imagine that culture wise, Germany has been easier to get adjusted to than Poland or Cyprus?
So far I’ve gotten used to being out here in Rhondorf. It is much more easier to get around and a lot of people speak English and is much friendlier.
The Dragons Rhondorf have had a great season. Do you feel like the club has that confidence to win the title?
Yes, we feel like we could make a run towards a title. We just have to keep working hard together and take it one game at a time.
The team can score a lot and rebound very well. What has personally impressed you most about this team?
I am surprised at how unselfish the team is. Also how they keep their composure when other teams go on big runs.
A big strength is the consistency and team chemistry of the German players. Talk a little about the importance of these guys being able to step up from game to game?
They know that in order to win games we have to execute our game plans and play hard. We all know how each player plays and try to put them in situations to contribute. We also know that every game somebody is going to have to step up and we all take on that challenge.
How much of a delight has it been being teammates with Kameron Taylor? He is the absolute leader on the team, but is as humble as they get. What have you appreciated most about his play on the court and how he handles himself off the court?
It has been great playing with Kam. He’s been a leader on and off the court. I like how he is a fierce competition and loves to see his teammates do good as well. Also he has been a great friend off the court, he has helped me a lot with getting settled here and showing me Around.
Let´s talk about your game. Before you arrived the team had Canadian Kevin Thomas at your position. Your teammate Kameron Taylor attempted to compare you to. “Brandon is a little taller and a bit more powerful than Kevin but they both provide the same with basket protection and great energy around the basket which makes them very hard matchups on defense and offense. They both are able to guard the Big and small positions which makes them very versatile and valuable to the team”. How would you describe your game best?
I’ve always been a rim protector, I like to run the floor, get defensive and offensive rebounds, I am a pretty good interior passer, I have nice range on my jump shots and have post game as well.
You’re a guy that can do a lot on the court, but if you had to compare yourself to an NBA player who would you pick?
I would say Kevin Garnett in a sense.
You have never been the dominant offensive player, but do you feel like when you make big plays on the defensive end that that can more often than not spark your offense?
Yes, I feel like if defense creates offense. So, I try to help get stops so we can turn that into instant offense and with that I get rewarded.
Talk a little about your short time in Poland and Cyprus. What growing pains did you make and what did you learn about the basketball business that you will do better the next time around?
Just getting used to being away so far was difficult at first. I’ve always known at a professional level basketball would be a business and not to take it very personal. Next time just know that it is different than being at home and being willing to adapt.
You had two good games in Cyprus, but was the heavy guard rotation something that doomed your stay there?
Partially , but overall it just wasn’t a good situation for me.
You played at W.Virginia (NCAA) from 2013-2017. What did you enjoy most of the NCAA experience. Did the success of the team and two NCAA Sweet 16 runs outweigh the actual playing time that you got?
Just being able to play for a university that I always wanted to play for and take on some of the best teams in the country. No, I had ACL Surgery and that it was hard to bounce back.
What kind or relationship did you have with Devin Williams? He got the minutes and almost put up double double stats as a senior. How did you profit best from him on and off the court?
Devin has been like a brother to me since we first met on an official visit. To practice against him was good because arguably he was one of the nations best power forwards so I had to work and I also learned a lot from him.
After a tough rookie season in Australia and the G-league, Williams is having a strong G-league season with Maine. Can this guy get an NBA call up?
We talk all the time and the summer before he put in a lot of work. In my opinion I definitely think he should.
What do you remember most from the 39 point rout against Kentucky in the NCAA Sweet 16 that boasted 8 future NBA players? Which Kentucky player impressed you the most then? How great of a team that was.
I was impressed with Karl Anthony Towns the most.
Last season you lost only 61-58 against 2017 NCAA finalist Gonzaga. What do you remember most about that loss in the last minute?
That’s we had them against the ropes and somehow let them get away with a victory.
How did head coach Bob Huggins groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?
Playing for Coach Huggins taught me how to play the game and understand that the small things you do can really have a big impact.
Who won a one on one in practice you or Devin Williams?
We would go back and fourth , but it was always a tough battle .
Who was the toughest player that you battled in the NCAA that is in the NBA right now
Karl Anthony Towns
If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you chose?
Michael Jordan, Lebron James , Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal
Lebron James failed to win his fourth NBA title and is still three away from Michael Jordan. Where does Lebron stand right now in your opinion in the never ending debate of who is the best of all-time?
He’s second, Jordan will always be the greatest in my opinion.
There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?
No, he just plays very hard . He does at time take questionable shots, but a guy with his skill set and will to be the best , you can’t blame him.
How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?
Donovan Mitchell has been a beast all season and I didn’t expect for him to be playing like how he is now.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Dragons Rhondorf rim protector Brandon Watkins after he supplied 6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks in the 92-59 loss against the ScanPlus Baskets
Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?
I think they will make a run to the conference finals I’m not sure if they will beat the Warriors in a seven game series, but I would like to see them make a finals run.
How do you rate the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? Who got the better deal and which team will profit better in the long run?
Well Kyrie was the best trade because I.T isn’t with the Cavs anymore . Boston would keep Kyrie forever.
What´s your take on the Cavs trade deadline dealing of Thomas, Wade and Rose. In what direction is this team heading in?
I’m not sure but hopefully in a better direction that their season has been going.
Where will the journey of the Oklahoma Thunder go this season with Westbrook, George and Anthony? Can they make a serious run in the west?
Yes I think they can make a run, but the western conference has always been so stacked I’m not sure how far they will make it.
Tarique Thompson is a 24 year old 196cm forward from Raeford, North Carolina playing his rookie season in Germany with MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel (Germany-ProB). He played with High Point (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 107 games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 10.0ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the Pro B playoffs against the Dragons Rhondorf.
Tarique thanks for talking to German Hoops. You just completed the regular season with MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel. What kind of overall experience was your first season overseas like?
My first season overseas was a great experience, The game is played slightly different here, I had to get used to not taking a step before I put the ball down so I was adjusting to that, it took a while but I got used to it pretty fast. I’m in a nice town, and as far as meeting people it wasn’t that hard because I’m more of a people person because I’ve moved around as a kid so many times because my mom and dad was in the Military so adjusting to the culture wasn’t really that hard for me, the only thing that I would say was hard was the time difference.
How proud are you of the team in general of making the playoffs and bouncing back after the poor year last season?
I’m really proud of the accomplishments that we’ve had this year, everybody has worked extremely hard to get where we are at right now. Making the playoffs is a great thing to do but we don’t just want to make the playoffs, we want to win it!!! The coaching staff is amazing, Coach Steve is a great coach and he knows the game extremely well. Yes we’re the players playing on the court but he’s the main reason we are where we are now because its more than just scoring more points it’s how you do it and the way you do it and he’s taught us every step of the way. Last years season I don’t think was as structured as it was this year, Not taking anything away from their coach they had last year.
Michael Holton JR is a 26 year old 185cm guard from Portland, Oregon that is playing his second professional season and first in Germany with RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf (Germany-ProB).Currently he is averaging 20,3ppg, 4,7rpg and 3,4apg and shooting 44% from outside As a rookie two years ago he played with ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 38 games averaging 8.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 75.7%; He also played 6 FIBA Europe Cup games averaging 10.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 87.5%. He started his basketball career in 2010 at St.Michael’s (NCAA2) and as a senior played 17 games averaging 14.9ppg, 4,5rpg, 3,8apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 79.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about his season in Germany.
Michael thanks for talking to German Hoops. You played your rookie season with ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) and took a step back to play in the German Pro B league for RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf. When looking back at the season did you regret having made this decision?
I have no regrets this season playing in this league or with Stahnsdorf. I’m actually extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had this season to play for Stahnsdorf and in the Pro B. Basketball is my passion and every opportunity I get to go out and play is a blessing. I’ve enjoyed my experience this season being able to do what I love and I’ve been able to learn a lot from it.
In our first interview last summer you stated “Everybody has been working really hard early on here in the preseason and I can really tell that we have a great group of guys who are ready to train hard and go out and compete”. The team was rewarded in the first game with a win against Wolfenbuettel, but then lost 11 of 12 games. Did a few loses effect the team mentality in the early going that didn´t allow the team to get out of it´s funk?
We had a really rough patch and needed to keep showing up every day and putting the work in regardless of the game results. We lost a lot of those games in the final minutes. It was a really tough challenge for our young team, but we’ve been steadily learning and improving as a unit over the course of the season.
The team has had a lot of difficulty on the defensive end allowing 82 points per game. What have been the main reasons for the club not being able to be more consistent on the defensive end?
Throughout the season we’ve had some injuries, roster changes, and have gone into some games undersized; we’ve needed to adjust and throw teams different looks. The entire season has been a learning process for all of us. When we defend with a high level of energy and together as a team, we’re very competitive against anybody.
It didn´t help in that losing streak that you also lost three games by three points or less. When looking back at those three games, do you realize that had you won those three games, you might be in the playoffs now instead of the playdowns?
It’s always tough to go back and look at those close games and see the plays where you could have done something differently on offense or defense and think what could have been, and hindsight is always 20/20. I believe had we collectively been playing how we are now as a team in the first half of the season that we could be a team heading into the playoffs rather than the playdowns.
How confident are you that the Playdowns will be a success for Stahnsdorf? You go into the playdowns having won three of your last four games.
I’m very proud of our group of guys for all the work we’ve continued to put in over the course of the season. It’s hard to take a lot of losses, but we’ve been continuously learning from them and have steadily improved up to this point in the season. We’ve been playing good basketball lately and winning our last 3 out of 4 games is a testament to that resiliency. We like how we’re playing and we like our chances heading into playdowns.
The club had two dominant import players with you and Josh Smith. Do you feel like depth was missing from having been able to win more games?
Not necessarily. One of the challenges in team sports is to find a way to win with what you have available. There will always be adversity.
How much of a pleasure has it been being teammates with Josh Smith? What did you learn to appreciate most about his game?
Josh is a great teammate, a hard worker, and a very unselfish player. It’s really easy to play with him because he can make his teammates better, and he makes everyone’s jobs easier with his presence on the court.
How have you seen the development of German point guard Colin Craven? He has developed nicely since 2014 with Stahnsdorf. Do you see him making the next jump to a higher league?
This is my first season being around Colin and getting to see how he is as a player and teammate. He’s a fierce competitor and has a lot of tools in his kit. He’s improved a lot over the course of the season and I know he has what it takes to make the next steps in his career and play at a higher level.
How content have you been with your game this season with Stahnsdorf. Currently your averaging 20,3ppg, 4,5rpg and 3,8apg and are shooting 42% from outside.
Content is not a perspective I have as a basketball player. The goal is to always get better.
You never shot as well as this season from outside. Has your improved accuracy from outside been with putting up more reps or better shot selection?
Shooting is something that I’ve paid a lot of attention to over the course of my career with repetition and routine and, as long as basketball is played with a scoreboard, scoring will always be important. However, my learning curve this season has taught me that while getting good shots and the ability to score is an important skill set, true effectiveness can only come from team execution. My coaching staff and team put me in a position to get good shots and I play with a group of guys that execute.
How would you classify your overall development as a defender. In the last four seasons you have never averaged a steal a game per season. How do you justify being a solid defender from your overall abilities that isn´t based on getting steals?
I don’t necessarily think that you have to get steals to play good defense. The most important thing to me defensively is to keep the ball in front of me and to limit the amount of times our defense gets rotated. My personal challenge defensively is to not give up straight line drives towards the basket. I want to limit the amount of possessions that I give up dribble penetration, which is always a challenge for anybody who is tasked with defending primary ball handlers.
Where would you rank your 39 point explosion against top Pro B team Artland Dragons in your all-time best games as a professional?
It’s up there. We had been in a tough stretch and really needed a win, especially going into the Christmas break. Being able to have a game like that and win against a highly ranked opponent was a special feeling.
You had some very good games this season. Do you feel like you could have been even more aggressive and less unselfish in certain games that you had lost?
I’ve played on teams where I’ve scored a lot and we had some success and I’ve also scored a lot on teams that didn’t have so much success. One thing I know is that basketball is a team sport. We go to work together every day in practice, know what each other are capable of, and trust in each other’s abilities out on the floor.
You obviously have the ability to take over games. Do see yourself being able to heighten your game even more during the playdowns? Is your playmaking something you see needing to be better when you take on the challenge of the playdowns?
Situational awareness is important, and we are all aware that this time of the season calls for all of us to be playing our best basketball. Every day I wake up I feel a personal pressure to be better as a person and as a basketball player. I like being in a leadership position on this team and I accept the responsibility of playing well. My number one goal right now is to go out and play well enough to help my team survive and advance, no matter what is required of me on the floor.
Who was the toughest guard that you battled against this season? Possibly Demetrius Ward of Wolfenbuettel?
There’s a lot of talented guards and tough teams in this league. Demetrius Ward from Wolfenbuettel and Pierre Bland from Artland are both guards that do a lot for their teams and can impact games in a big way with scoring, playmaking, and defense.
From your experience this season in the Pro B, what teams do you see having the best chance of winning the Pro B title?
I think it will be interesting to see how things finish for Artland, Woflenbuettel, Schalke and Bernau as I believe they all have a good chance at the title.
With March Madness just around the corner. Who are some of the favorites to reach the Final 4 and who are your sleepers?
March Madness is such a special and unique time in sports, I’m excited to see how the brackets shape up on Selection Sunday. I think that Duke and Villanova are really strong this year as usual, and there’s some other teams not ranked as highly that are rolling right now like Michigan and Gonzaga. Can’t wait to watch.
How will the Cavs react on the court after trading away their stars Thomas, Wade and Rose and becoming younger? Where will their journey go in the next years?
They’ve got a completely different look to them now in comparison to how their roster looked and how they were playing prior to trading away those stars. Maybe it was what they needed to do, by getting some younger guys that are also really good. LeBron has shown over his career that he’s able to lead all kinds of teams into the post season and even the finals. So I think they will be okay. In today’s NBA it seems like anything can happen now with trades and free agency periods. It’s really hard to forecast a team’s future with how things have gone in recent off-seasons.
Even if the Fraport Skyliner players forgot the 83-59 massacre in Giessen a little more than two months ago, head coach Gordon Herbert probably thought of that loss daily wondering what it was that negatively turned their season around? The Fraport Skyliners had had a 9-4 record going into that Giessen game on the road and anything but a win seemed realistic, but the surprising loss had turned into a negative trend in that Frankfurt had had a 3-6 record since then and suddenly the playoffs seemed to be a question mark. However their last win in Ulm 18 days ago had lifted the team´s spirits and one can´t forget that they had had suffered many unwanted injuries in that 9 game span and players had been slowly been coming back. The Fraport Skyliners had had a long break of 18 days as they had to wait out the World Cup qualifying games schedule and had a lot of time to work on their weaknesses as well as producing a potent game plan against the s.Oliver Wurzburg squad who had creamed them in their own living 81-64 shortly before the new year. On that night the Bavarian squad came alive in the second half and in total dropped 15 three´s which put out the lights for the Fraport Skyliners. Both teams were fighting for a playoff spot and the perfect playoff atmosphere was set in the Fraport arena as 5000 fans came out for a mild Sunday afternoon matinee and saw a hard fought game that wasn´t pretty and despite Frankfurt having control of the game, they never could totally shake Wurzburg from their backs as they grinded out a brutal 78-72 victory which held them on playoff course.
Philip Scrubb led Frankfurt in scoring (31) and rebounding (9)
After the game Frankfurt top scorer Philip Scrubb reflected on the big win and the battle to close down a Robin Benzing. “It was a hard fought game and Wurzburg came at us in the second quarter. But we played them tough and rebounded well. We also hit some shots when it counted most. I missed some games this season while Benzing stayed very consistent. He is really difficult to stop. I felt we did a good job making it hard for him to score in the fourth. That was one of the keys to getting the win”, warned Canadian national player Philip Scrubb. For s.Oliver Wurzburg, it was a bitter loss as they need every win they can get for reaching the playoffs. They did a good job fighting until the end, but had problems getting stops and getting Benzing involved in crunch-time. “We didn´t rebound well and let Scrubb loose. We need to tune up our defense more in the next games to be successful”, stressed s.Oliver Wurzburg guard Abdul Gaddy.
Abdul Gaddy is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Tacoma, Washington that is playing his fifth professional season and first in Germany with s.Oliver Wurzburg. Last season he played with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL) playing 26 VTB United League games averaging 5.5ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 27.5%, FT: 52.4%; In the Latvian LBL, he played 25 game averaging 9.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 5.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 50.0%. He played two seasons in Italy with Granarolo Bologna (Italy-Serie A) and as a rookie played with the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA), then moved to Maine Red Claws (D-League) playing 46 games averaging 9.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.0apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 57.6%. He played at Washington(NCAA) from 2009-2013 and as a senior played 34 games averaging 10.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 65.9%. He spoke to eurobasket before the game against the Fraport Skyliners in Frankfurt.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing s.Oliver Wurzburg guard Abdul Gaddy after he steered home 17 points in helping secure 2017 Gezeiten Cup over the Telekom Baskets Bonn
Thanks Abdul, for talking to German Hoops. Last weekend was the World Cup qualifying round and teams had a break. How did you use this time?
I went home for four days and was able to celebrate my mom´s birthday.
Your playing your first season with s.Oliver Wurzburg. After two seasons in Italy and a season in Latvia, what kind of experience has it been playing in the BBL?
It´s been good. The BBL is a defensive orientated league where you have to respect every team from top to bottom. It has been an enjoyable experience.
I had Wurzburg as one of my dark horse favorites before the season. Despite injuries and numerous guys coming and going, what do you believe has been key for still having a solid record.
We have a pretty good team. You have to credit coach Bauermann for picking a good team. We have a good mix of Americans and Germans. Our team chemistry has been good. We have had ups and downs, but we are headed in the direction of the playoffs.
Gabe York is a 24 year old 190cm guard from Orange, California playing his second professional season and first with medi Bayreuth. Last season as a rookie he played for Vanoli Cremona (Italy-Serie A) playing 6 games averaging 4.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.5apg, left in Nov.’16, later that month moved to Erie Bay Hawks (D-League) playing 44 games avergaging15.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 83.7%. He played at Arizona from 2012-2016 playing a total of 124 games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 15.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 75.6%. With Arizona he won the Pac 10 tournament in 2015 and reached the NCAA Elite 8 twice and NCAA Sweet 16 once. He spoke to German Hoops before the 2018 easyCredit BBL cup semi-final game against Alba Berlin in Ulm.
Gabe thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the great season. Fourth place in the BBL, playoffs in the Basketball Champions League and top 4 cup appearance. How good is basketball life right now?
It´s been really good. After coming off a bad experience in Italy last season and playing in the NBA Summer League where I had a chance at the NBA, I had to take a step back this season, but the season has been great and I want to finish strong and do some damage in the playoffs.
Bayreuth is 150 kilometers away from Wurzburg. Who visited who more until his release you or Ryan Anderson who was your teammate at Arizona?
He was released 3 or 4 months ago. We had planned to hang out, but we never did because of our schedules
How excited is the club for the cup weekend in Ulm? You have to beat Alba Berlin to get to the final. You beat Alba Berlin already once this season. Is this team feeling title in their veins?
We never want to look past our opponent which is Alba Berlin. If we stick to our game plan, then we feel that we can beat anyone in the league. Alba Berlin is a really fast paced team and we will have to be ready for them. We will have to be ready for any punches they throw and be ready throw them back.
