Brandon Spearman is a 24 year old 190cm guard playing his second season in Germany in the Pro A for the Gladiators Trier. He started his basketball career in 2010 for Dayton(NCAA) where he played 36 NCAA games. He then moved to Indian Hills CC (JUCO) and finished his last two seasons at Hawaii (NCAA) and as a senior played 26 games averaging 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 52.8%. As a rookie last season in Germany he played for SC Rist Wedel (Germany-ProB) playing 18 games: 17.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 64.0%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 77-69 victory against the Finke Baskets Paderborn.

 

 

Brandon thanks for talking to German Hoops You spent Christmas and new years in Germany. Despite not being home in the United States, what were you able to cherish most about the experience in Germany?

Spending Christmas in Germany this year was amazing. I stayed in Trier and had my girlfriend come out to visit me. It was well spent.

What new year resolutions have you given yourself as the basketball player and the person off the court?

Basketball resolution is to continue playing well for the Gladiators and help lead this team to the playoffs. Off the court nothing changed for me from 2015, I will continue being the same Brandon Spearman.

Congrats on the big 77-69 win against the Finke Baskets Paderborn. How proud are you of the team to come back after losing the last two games before the Christmas break and getting the first win in 2016?

Very proud of my team it was the right way to start the new year off with a win. Very happy how we played we must continue this effort.

How vital was it holding Paderborn to 9 points in the first quarter to laying the foundation for a very strong defensive team performance?

Defense comes first on this team and were looking to do a much better job at that end of the floor this second half of the season.

New Gladiator Kwadzo Ahelegbe scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter of his debut against Paderborn. Did he give an early indication that he could be an added crunch time type of player in the second half of the season?

Kwadzo is another player on this team that can make big plays for us. He played a great game. Can’t wait for Saturday game

The club did a good job limiting Paderborn top scorer Chase Adams to eight points and four assists. Was this was one of the keys for the game to contain him well?

Adams is a strong pg that is always on the attack and we slowed him down with our constant pressure.

Coming into the Paderborn game the Gladiators Trier have held opponents to 70 points or less eight times and did again to Paderborn keeping them to 69 points. With the team defending so well this season can you still get excited over a defensive performance like that despite it happening on a regular basis this season?

Every weekend when we hit the floor we want to set that tune on defense. We have to be that team that makes plays on the defensive end. We can and will continue to make progress on both ends of the floor.

Kwadzo Ahelegbe had a great debut with 20 points, eight boards and four assists. What has impressed you most about his game and what does he give the team that it didn´t have before he came?

Kwadzo is another capable guard that can do a lot for this team. He’s a smart experience guard that played in Europe before. With our team being young he’s a great add on for us all. Excited about playing with Kwadzo we can be top back court in the League in my eyes. Love to have him apart of the team.

The Gladiators Trier went into the Paderborn game in 10th place with a record of 7-9. You are a lot better team than the record shows. How do you see the club still being able to heighten their game in the second half of the season?

In 2015 we lost a lot of close games that we should of won. Now in 2016 those close games have to be won games for us. We not looking back in 2015. 2016 is here now and we are 1-0 and a much better team, we have a lot to show. We confident coming in to the new year.

What are the team goals for the second half of the season and with the team chemistry having been interrupted with players coming and going do you see a healthy team chemistry being developed now in the second half?

The chemistry is great everybody enjoy playing with each other and everybody has that winning attitude. With players coming and going we still able to come together.

Jack Eggleston is averaging 8,3ppg and 6,0rpg. He is still finding his rhythm after displaying his craft in the German Pro A the last years. What does he give the team that wasn´t present before he arrived?

Jack is another experienced player that brings a lot to the team, he does a lot of work for us that goes unnoticed. He’s a very smart player and willing to sacrifice anything for the team. Jack brings a lot to the team and he will continue to do so.

The team has had injury woes at the guard position losing German Simon Schmitz for a long extended period. How well has other German Kevin Smit taken on the responsibility at the point guard position in the absence of Schmitz?

Schmitz is working his away back and having him would be another great add on for the new year. With adding Kwadzo now we have multiple guards that can handle multiple responsibilities

Your leading the team in scoring with 14,8ppg. Is your shooting range from downtown one of the main areas that you want to improve on in the second half of the season?

Yes most defiantly it’s quiet shocking right now I’m not shooting well from 3 something I been great at in previous seasons. But there’s a lot work I have to put in not just from 3 but all around included but I’m more than confident that it will come back to me.

Do you see Steph Curry hitting for 70 points this season?

Curry can go for 70 for sure.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Hoop Dreams.

 

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

 

 

Sterling Carter is a 24 year old 183cm point guard from Seattle, Washington and is rookie in Germany playing for Pro A team Rhondorf. He started his basketball career at Pacific, then played three years at Seattle(NCAA) and finished at Purdue in 2014. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 83-65 win against Rent4Office Nurnberg

 

 

Sterling, thanks for talking to German Hoops. How was it spending your first Christmas and New years in Germany? Was it what you expected?

No problem anytime. Christmas and New Years was very lonely different from what I’m used to but it’s a sacrifice and I signed up for it. It was very different then I expected especially New Year’s I heard fireworks right outside my window and it woke me up, in the States you have to go a ways away to light fireworks. But the holidays were still great got to talk to my family and spent most of it talking to my Fiancé on FaceTime.

Congrats on a very impressive 83-65 win against Rent4Office Nurnberg in the first game after the Christmas break. This was a much needed win and biggest of the season. How proud are you of the team?

I’m extremely proud of the team we came out and played our hearts out and guys really stepped up in the first half while I struggled a little it gave me confidence to have a better second-half. I’m so proud of the guys from tonight win this group of guys works really hard each and every day and practice so I think that when was this a reward and it shows that we are a better team than what we showed in the first half of the season.

Rhondorf had the slim 34-33 lead at halftime, but Rhondorf came out on fire in the third quarter hitting for 32 points. With what kind of direction did head coach Boris Kaminski send the team into the second half?

Well basically he told us that the game wasn’t over and we still had a second haaf to play and he wanted us to go out and put our hearts on the line and battle with each other for each other and we did that and we came up with a win

The third quarter was key for the win. You scored 14 of your 16 points in the third quarter keying the win. Did you feel an urge to take control as big time players do, or was it more just what the offense gave you?

I felt like I let the team down in the first half with my struggles and when I got the opportunity in the second half it was my time to take over and win the game but without my teammates encouragement I wouldn’t have came out as strong as I did in the second half.

This was after the Bayer Giants Leverkusen the second fewest points that Rhondorf has given up all season long. You forced Nurnberg to 18 turnovers and as a team had 10 steals What part on the defensive end were you most proud of that the team did best together?

Well in the first match up against them we allowed a player to score 39 points on us and tonight we focused on playing defense as a team and not allowing any easy buckets and we succeeded with that he ended up with zero points tonight

How important has the pick up been of American Justin Smith been who scored 21 points in the win against Rent4Office? What new element has he been able to give the team that wasn´t there before?

Playing with Justin has been a great addition for this team he can stretch the floor he can rebound and really shoot the mid range he also plays with a lot of energy and a lot of passion and that helps me because it’s another player out there I know that is just as fired up as I am going into the game and during the game.

What goals does the team have for the second half of the season besides keeping consistency on the defensive end?

Well our number one goal is to continue to play at a high-level and play with a lot of heart and energy on both sides of the ball and give our all for 40 minutes and whatever result we get with doing that we will be fine with come the end of the season.

The team averaged only 13 assists this season, but dished out 23 against Nurnberg. As the point guard is this an area where a lot of responsibility lies on your shoulders. What was the key to getting the offense going better tonight that wasn´t present as much in the first half of the season?

Well the difference tonight was that we all were firing on all the same cylinders and we knew where each other was going to be and each other’s decision-making and we played with a lot of heart. That’s what helped a lot with the assist as well

Has one step to improving the defense been the pick up of Jordan Hamilton? What kind of presence does he give Rhondorf on the defensive end that wasn´t present before?

With Jordan he is a very energetic defender and it helps us when he’s out on the floor playing with all his energy. Adding him to our team has helped us out a lot.

How have you seen the development of young German Robin Lodders? He played a lot more in the first 7 games and his minutes have been cut down a bit. How vital will his production be for the success of the team in the second half of the season?

I think that Robin’s development has been going pretty good him being young he will have ups and downs but as he continues to grow and get better he will take his downs and turn them into ups very quickly once he gets a better understanding of the things that he should work on, but I think his production level will rise in the second half of the season as well as our teams production.

There seemed to be some turmoil within the team before the break. What was the state of the team going into the Nurnberg game and as one of the team leaders what did you do to get some more calmness into the roster?

Well we just told ourselves that no matter what happens on the court we have to play through adversity and as a leader of the team, I told my team is once it started to get a little chippy between the teams I said look at the scoreboard we don’t have to go into a tussle match with them we have to be smart and not lose our cool.

Your leading the team in scoring, second in assists and third in steals. What things do you want to improve in the second half?

I want to improve every category but mostly my percentages and I want to work on being very consistent through the second half of the season.

You take very many shots including very tough shots and are shooting 34% from downtown. Do you see yourself keeping this pace in the second half or possibly stepping it back a little and getting your team even more involved?

Well honestly I take the shots, because I’m confident and I work on the shots and yes my percentage may not be the best but I feel that I will continue to be better and I will continue to help my team to be better with Justin and Jordan being added to our team I won’t have to take as many tough shots as I did in the first half of the season but as the leader of this team it’s my job to take the tough shots and I make some And I miss some but I have to live with it either way it goes. A lot of people may see me as a selfish player but I feel that I do a great job getting everyone involved on our team but at the same time I make decisions off of what the defense gives me and the confidence I have about my game.

Do you see Steph Curry hitting 70 points this season?

No way Steph Curry won’t score 70points but he will get close.

What was the last movie that you saw?

CREED.

Thanks Sterling for the chat

Andre Calvin is a 30 year old 201cm forward from Michigan that is playing for the Beko BBL team Crailsheim Merlins. Last season he completed the season with BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA) playing 24 games: 12.5ppg, Reb-1(9.8rpg), 1.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 24.5%, FT: 75.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for BG Karlsruhe (Germany-ProA): 28 games: 10.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 85.2%. He is a long and athletic forward that possesses good quickness and a leaping ability. Has an excellent jump shot and can score the ball off the dribble or on a post up. Also, he is a solid competitor who can adequately defend and who grabs rebounds at his side of the court. He played at drake(NCAA) and started his professional basketball career in 2007 for  Gussing Knights (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 29 games: 13.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 2FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 75.0%. He then played for Casino Figueira Ginasio (Portugal-LPB, starting five): 11 games: 11.8ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 11.4%, FT: 59.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners.

 

 

Thanks Andre for talking to German Hoops. A tough way to go out in 2015 with a loss against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 100-65. This was a curious game. Ludwigsburg led 23-7 laying the foundation for getting the win, but Crailsheim didn´t give up and actually won the second and third quarters, but then gave up 34 points in the fourth quarter. Have you ever witness two so crazy quarters like the first or fourth in your career?

Thanks for having me. I can’t remember having quarters like that, we have to learn from this and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Was the biggest key the rebounding which Ludwigsburg won 39-19? One shouldn´t give excuses that an Adam Chubb was missing but how tough is it battling nonstop against guys like Jon Brockman and Adam Waleskowski down low and then having to stop big Jason Boone coming from the bench?

With those three guys you just named you have to try and keep a body on them at all times and find them as soon as the shot goes up. They’re going for the offensive board no matter what. Brockton leads the league in rebounds and I see why.

Ludwigsburg German/Spaniard Alvaro Munoz had his best game of the season scoring 25 points doing a good job filling in for the missing Mustafa Shakur. How good is it to see a Spanish player in the German Beko BBL and what was your impression of his game?

Munoz is a good player, he has knowledge of the game and he can do a lot of things out there on the court to help his team. He made some big plays for them against us.

Crailsheim is currently in 14th place with a record of 5-11 fighting against getting down into the cellar. The Crailsheim Melrins really have played some very good games, but then come back the next week and stink up the arena giving up 100 points. Why is this team so up and down?

I think we are getting better as the season goes on. We had some games in the beginning where we really struggled as a team. Now we are doing a better job at trying to match the other team’s physicality and intensity.

Crailsheim makes 73 points per game, but gives up 89 points per game. Where do you feel lies the biggest problems on the defensive end? Do you see this team finding a more consistent rhythm on defense?

Yes I think we will find a more consistent rhythm on defense. I feel like we have improved on the defensive end and we will try to continue to get better.

How important has the pick up of Shy Ely been. He is currently the teams most consistent three point shooter. What is his most important asset that he supplies the team that they didn´t have before?

Shy has been great for us, he’s hard worker and he’s a great teammate on and off of the court. He’s very athletic. He can score, rebound, and defend guards and forwards.

After playing your first 4 years in Germany in the Pro A, you are playing your first season in the Beko BBL and currently averaging 9,2ppg, 3,4rpg and 1,0apg. What do you feel has been the biggest adjustment for you this season?

The biggest adjustment for me was all of the games we had in December. I haven’t been in situations where there were so many games back to back. In a situation like that you have to make sure you’re ready mentally and physically.

Is rebounding and steals, two areas where you feel you could improve to help your team even more in games?

Yes, for sure. Rebounding is a big thing that need to improve on. Its something that I know I can do well.

With veterans Adam Chubb and Konrad Wysocki out, do you embrace having to be more of a leader on the court with Shy Ely?

Coach said to the team since those guys were out that everyone needs to step up and do more to make up for those guys not playing. Not just two people.

The next game is against the Fraport Skyliners that beat MBC last and qualified for the cup tournament and are in fifth place. What kind of game can we await?

It will be a good test for us out there for sure. Frankfurt is a good team and we are going to go out there and try to match their intensity and physicality.

Do you see Steph Curry hitting for 70 points this season or is there too much firepower on that team to prevent it?

I am sure he can do it if he wanted to, but he has a great team and there is really no need for him to go for 70 points.

What are your fondest memories of New Years eve as a kid and re you more of a fire cracker or bottle rocket type of guy?

Just being at home in Detroit with family, it was too cold to be outside playing with fire crackers haha.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Concussion.

 

Thanks Andre for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julian Scott is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that is playing his second professional season and first with the Uni Riesen Leipzig. Last season he played for TSV Quakenbrueck (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 16 games averaging 29.7ppg. He started his basketball career at Yuba junior college and then played two years at S.Utah (NCAA). He finished at Adams St. (NCAA2) playing 27 games: 10.8ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 70.2%. He spoke to German Hoops at the Christmas break.

 

Thanks Julian for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been spending your holiday season in the last week?

I’m in Sacramento spending time with my loved ones it’s been great

With 2016 fast approaching what New Year resolutions do you have as Julian the person and Julian the professional basketball player?

No real new years resolution as a person just be the best man I can be. As for basketball the focus is to lead my team to a championship that’s what matters.

At the moment Leipzig is in third place in the German Pro B south with a record of 10-5. How much did the last two loses against Elchingen and Weissenhorn remain in your mind the last week?

The last two games didn´t remain in my mind long it happens anybody can beat anybody so we just need to be the better team in the end

The Uni Riesen Leipzig had been playing excellent basketball winning eight of nine games, but then lost their last two games before Christmas. What did the team get away with?

We just didn’t execute like we should of in order to win those games. Both teams were prepared and handled business simple as that

In that positive 8 game stretch Leipzig was defending pretty well averaging giving up only 76 points per game, but 88 in the last two games. Defense is all about effort. Was the effort missing in the last two games?

I wouldn’t say we didn’t put in the defensive effort. I believe we go into every game focused with the mindset and do what it takes to win it just didn’t happen for us this time

Besides getting a rhythm on defense again how key will it be too shoot better as a team from outside?

Our guys can shoot the ball so I’m not to worried it will come and when it does we will be very hard to beat

Your teammate Brandon Shingles is third in scoring, first in assists and third in rebounding on the team. With more knowledge of the Pro B, do you see him heightening his game in the second half of the season even more?

I believe Brandon will do what needs to be done in order for us to win games whether it be scoring or passing, it doesn’t matter, because he has a high basketball IQ which makes him very effective

You and Brandon Shingles are combined 2/26 from downtown. How much more potent will the Uni-Riesen Leipzig be when both of you get going from downtown?

We don’t really focus on that that much as we have shooters who can hit those shots that’s not our job but if it’s open we will take them and if they drop that’s a bonus for us.

You have been a beast in the first half of the season averaging 22,5ppg and 10,5rpg. Your scoring rose from the fourth game on as you scored in double figures in eight of the last nine games. How important has your confidence level been in these 9 games?

I’ve always been a confident individual and I work really hard at my craft in order to be prepared for each team we play and I plan on staying that way.

Your averaging 3,1 turnovers per game. Is your decision making something that you still need to take better care of?

Turnovers are going to happen my job is to do less of it so I plan on that changing as the season progresses.

How proud have you been of young 19 year old German Jonas Niedermanner of his play and development? What have you been doing to help his development on and off the court?

Jonas is talented and can become a very good player. I don’t really do much as far as developing him but I do tell him if he has a bad game and that it’s alright and he will be better in the next one.

Do you see a guy like Steph Curry hitting 70 points this season?

No I don’t with Steph Curry

What was the last movie that you saw?

Daddy’s home was the last movie.

Thanks Julian for the chat.

 

Brandon Shingles is a 28 year old 190cm guard from Albany, Georgia playing his third season in Germany and first with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career at Morehead St. (NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games: 4.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.8apg, 1.5spg. In 2010 he started his professional basketball career at Aschersleben Tigers BC (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 15 games: 14.5ppg. He led the team to the Regionaliga 2 title. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Guildford Heat (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 6 games: 7.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 31.3%; left in Nov.’11, then moved to BBC Febro Eagles Magdeburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 7 games: 16.1ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 63.0%. He then played for KB Drita Gjilan (Kosovo-SuperLeague) and two years ago for GBP Badajoz (Spain-EBA) playing 15 games: 15.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.6apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 6.3%, FT: 57.3%. He spoke to German Hoops at the Christmas break about basketball.

 

 

Thanks Brandon for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how have you been spending your holiday season in the last week?

Thanks for the interview Miles. I’m currently back in US spending time with my family before I head back after the new year.

With 2016 fast approaching what New Year resolutions do you have as Brandon the person and Brandon the professional basketball player?

My personal resolution is to build a better relationship with God. My basketball resolutions is to just “stay the course” and everything will work out at the end.

At the moment Leipzig is in third place in the German Pro B south with a record of 10-5. How much did the last two loses against Elchingen and Weissenhorn remain in your mind the last week?

To be honest when we played them they were the better team that night and they deserved to win.

The Uni Riesen Leipzig had been playing excellent basketball winning eight of nine games, but then lost their last two games before Christmas. What did the team get away with?

We came away with knowing what we are made of and knowing what it’s going take to win in this league .

In that positive 8 game stretch Leipzig was defending pretty well averaging giving up only 76 points per game, but 88 in the last two games. Defense is all about effort. Was the effort missing in the last two games?

You are right defense effort was missing. My opinion I felt that fatigue had a lot to do with it . Now the we had the Christmas break I think we will be ready and fresh for the 2nd half of the season.

Besides getting a rhythm on defense again how key will it be too shoot better as a team from outside?

I think it will come. We can’t think about it we just got to keep playing our game. We practice shooting 3’s everyday and hopefully it pays off in 2016

Your teammate Julian Scott has been a beast averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds a game. Is he your early season favorite as league MVP?

Julian has been playing his butt off. My personal opinion he is the early favorite but we got to continue to win to make that happen.

What has been the key for the consistency of Julian Scott in the first half of the season?

I think his inside play has been the key. I feel no one can stop him on the block. We are going need that down the stretch.

Your third in scoring, first in assists and third in rebounding on the team. Do you feel now with knowing the Pro B level better that you will heighten your game in the second half of the season?

With me not playing the last season I felt like I had to shake off some rust in the first half and I did and I’m ready to keep improving and getting back to my old self.

You are 0/14 from outside. How focused and motivated are you to improve in this area in the second half of the season. Do you question your mechanics or is it a question of just putting up more shots?

I knew this question was coming haha. To be honest I’m very motivated to change this stat. I feel my mechanics are better than before and it’s the fact of putting up more but doing that through our offense.

How proud have you been of young 19 year old German Jonas Niedermanner of his play and development?

Very proud of Jonas and his play. He helps this team in many ways. What I like the most he is a student of the game and wants to get better.

Do you see a guy like Steph Curry hitting 70 points this season?

Honestly I never thought he would be THIS good but he has proven me and I’m sure a lot of other people wrong. The way he scores the ball in sure 70 püints is no problem for him.

What was the last movie that you saw?

House Party.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.