BBL

Devon Daniels Carries The Veolia Towers Hamburg To Upset Win On The Road Over The Skyliners 82-78

The up and down weeks of the Skyliners continued as they lost a tough crunch-time game in Trier. A few weeks before they also lost a tough crunch-time game in Rostock as finishing games well continues to be lacking. What the Skyliners needed badly was getting an opponent where they could get back on the winning track. With the lowly 3-10 Hamburg Towers, they had an opponent where if they played their game could shine again in their own living room the way they did recently beating Eurocup team Chemnitz with a Isaiah Swope buzzer beater. Despite having lost 5 of their last 6 games, Hamburg had upset Ulm on the road last weekend and came to Frankfurt with a lot of self-confidence. The Skyliners had to be ready and couldn´t take them lightly, but instead of controlling the game had to play pick up basketball all night long and their come back came up short at the end as they lost 82-78 moving to 8-9 while Hamburg moved to 4-10 with a massive win on the road. “We did a good job handling the runs of Frankfurt. We only had problems when we didn´t have pace and when we weren´t able to control the defensive rebound”, stressed Veolia Towers Hamburg guard Devon Daniels (196-G-1998, college: NC State). “We weren´t able to play as a team the way we wanted to. We had way too much 1-1 play and forced too much. We allowed way to many easy baskets”, stressed Skyliner guard Radii Casin.

Kenneth Ogbe at the FT line

The Skyliners had a great start, but then got sloppy and allowed the Veolia Towers Hamburg to find their game and trailed 18-16 after 10 minutes. The Skyliners jumped all over the Veolia Towers Hamburg taking the swift 9-0 lead with a little more than 3 minutes played. Ex Dragon Rhondorf guard Will Christmas found too his game right away scoring 7 of the 9 points with a trey and 2 lay in´s while ex G-League slam dunk contest winner Logan Johnson also made a lay in. Their aggressive defense led to easy offense while Hamburg looked anything like a easyCredit BBL team looking nervous and couldn´t get any good looks. However Frankfurt got sloppy and allowed the Veolia Towers Hamburg to find their game as they cruised on a 7-0 run to trail 9-7. Daniels got aggressive scoring 4 points while ex Meno College (NAIA) great Ross Williams added 3 points. Frankfurt got on track again with a massive dunk form ex Bonn center Till Pape after getting a nifty behind the back pass from Logan Johnson. “We don´t see that so often from Logan in practice, but every now and then”, smiled Radii Casin. But that didn´t rattle Hamburg as they went on a 11-5 run as Devon Daniel was a one man wrecking crew. He added 9 of the team 11 points in the run getting inside for 3 scores and also added a trey. Skyliner guard Isaiah Swope came off the bench and was back after his magical buzzer beater finish 2 weeks ago against Chemnitz, but he simply couldn´t find a real groove on this night. He played 4,17 in the first quarter going 0/2 with 2 turnovers. “Hamburg did a good job slowing down the game after our run. We had to play too much half court and they played good team defense not allowing us good looks”, stressed Skyliner guard Garai Zeeb. The Hamburg Towers shot 35% from the field and 13% from outside and had 8 rebounds and 3 gturnovers while the Skyliners shot 41% from the field and 25% from outside and had 11 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

Zacharie Perrin with the dunk

In the second quarter it was the Veolia Towers Hamburg that had the quick start that allowed them to control the game until the break where they led 35-28. The Veolia Towers Hamburg struck the Skyliners with a lethal 9-0 run to extend their lead to 27-16. In the run, Hamburg got 5 points from ex MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg forward Kenth Ogbe while ex French U-20 national player Zacharie Perrin made am offensive rebound and put back and LG Thorpe who played at UNC-Asheville scored a easy bucket on transition. Hamburg was very aggressive at both ends while the Skyliners were forcing too much and when they did get some open looks, they couldn´t execute. Frankfurt finally stopped the Hamburg run with 20 footer by ex G-League player Jaedon LeDee at the 6,12 minute mark. Frankfurt couldn´t muster much offense or team ball, but still had an excellent 1-1 player with LeDee who was the main man in keeping the Skyliners in the game. The Veolia Towers Hamburg continued to execute well getting a jumper from Williams and ex Ehingen forward Jared Grey dropped a 15 footer for the 31-20 advantage. Hamburg made good decisions while the Skyliners had a lot of mis fortune getting some good looks, but still not being able to execute. The team ball of Frankfurt was lacking but they continued to feed LeDee who added 4 points at the free throw line while Swope finally made his first field goal of the game with a runner, but the Veolia Towers Hamburg kept the advantage getting a tough lay in high off the glass in traffic from Thorpe while ex Ludwigsburg center Martin Breunig made an old school hook shot for the 35-27 lead. “We just didn´t have good team basketball. They did a good job keeping the ball out of our guards hands”, stressed Garai Zeeb. The Veolia Towers Hamburg shot 39% from the field and 13% from the three point line and had 22 rebounds and 8 turnovers while the Skyliners shot 29% from the field and 20% from the three point line and had 20 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

Jaedon LeDee at the FT line

The Skyliners struck back in the third quarter scoring 28 points and tying the game at 56-56 after 30 minutes. The Skyliners began strong going on a 6-3 run to trail only 38-34 as Johnson made an off balance shot and LeDee a tap in while Pape made and offensive rebound and put back. However the Veolia Towers Hamburg always had an answer to keep Frankfurt at bay. German Osaro Rich drilled home a trey and Perrin made a hook shot for the 44-37 lead. However the Veolia Towers Hamburg continued to execute very well getting a runner from Daniels and a lay in by ex Braunschweig forward Benedikt Turudic for the 48-39 lead. After Christmas and Rich traded baskets and the guests led by 9, Frankfurt made a big 15-6 run to close out the third quarter. Frankfurt really stepped up their intensity at both ends. Will Christmas led the charge with his aggressive defense which led to 3 points while Swope got a steal and made a 20 footer at the shot clock buzzer to trail 50-48. American Ryan Hawkins added a trey, but Hamburg kept the slim lead getting an old school hook shot from ex FC Bayern Munich center Jan Niklas Wimberg for the 54-51 lead. However Frankfurt continued to battle and got free throws from Christmas, but Rich made a lay in for the 56-53 advantage. Frankfurt had one more possession in the third quarter and Will Christmas turned the arena into bedlam with a buzzer beater trey to dead lock the contest at 56-56. “We were a lot more aggressive at both ends. We were able to get out on transition more which allowed us easy baskets”, stated Radii Casin. “We weren´t able to paly our game anymore, but played more their game. When we ran, we were able to get more stops”, stated Devon Daniels.

Isaiah Swope with the jumper

The fourth quarter was a real dog fight as both teams punched back and forth, but in crunch-time, the Veolia Towers Hamburg made a few stops in a row and capitalized on the Skyliners mistakes to get the hard fought victory. Both teams big men took over in the first minutes as Perrin made an off balance shot and made a thunderous alley-op dunk after getting the perfect feed from big man Martin Breunig while the Skyliners center Till Pape made a trey and runner, but Hamburg still led 62-61. Then it seemed like Hamburg had gained some momentum as they got back to back dunks from Perrin and Daniels for the 66-61 lead. However the Skyliners fans were loud and cheered their team on and Frankfurt didn´t disappoint going on a rapid 7-0 run to lead 68-66. Pape made a lay in in traffic and LeDee dropped a clutch trey. Nobody could get away now as both clubs had a faze again where both punched backand forth. A LeDee dunk was followed by a Daniels floater to tie the game at 70-70. Daniels and ex Virginia Tech (NCAA) guard Nahiem Alleyne then followed with three´s as the game was tied at 73-73. Then came the turning point of the game as Hamburg went on a 6-0 run to lead 79-73 and they would never look back. Ross Williams added 4 points on free throws while Perrin made another massive dunk from the wing as there was a break down in the Skyliners defense as he had an open lane to the rim. Isaiah Swope had mis fortune missing a shot and causing a turnover. The Veolia Towers Hamburg now had control and managed the game well to the buzzer getting added free throws from Daniels, Perrin and Ogbe to seal the win. “We came together and stuck together making big shots. We also did a good job keeping them to 1 shot”, added Devon Daniels. “We couldn´t get stops. A big problem in the game wasn´t being able to string along 2-3 stops in a row. If you get more stops, then you get more comfortable on offense. We traded too many baskets”, added Radii Casin. The Veolia Towers Hamburg were led by Devon Daniels with 25 points while Zacharie Perrin added 14 points and 11 boards while Ross Williams added 12 points while the Skyliners were led by Will Christmas and Jaedon LeDee with 21 points a piece. The Veolia Towers Hamburg shot 48% from the field and 23% from outside and had 39 rebounds and 18 turnovers while the Skyliners shot 41% from the field and 31% from outside and had 36 rebounds and 13 turnovers.

Marko Petric(Wurzburg) Learned Hard Work From His Dad Marin And Knows That Without Him Wouldn´t Be Playing Basketball Today

I remember the time of year as it was yesterday. It was early spring in 2013 and I was driving to Duesseldorf to see game 3 between Duesseldorf and Nurnberg. The main reason I went was too see my friend Murat Didin who was coaching Duesseldorf at that time. I had got to know Didin when he coached Frankfurt when I had just got into basketball reporting in 2004. There were some players at that time that I enjoyed watching like Ahmad Smith and Zamal Nixon or Adam Waleskowski and Kendall Chones, but Marin Petric sure wasn´t one of them. But I surely respected Petric just like any other player. I was already interviewing guys then like crazy and just loved reporting about them. Nurnberg won game 3 to lead 2-1 in games and wouldn´t wilt as they came back from behind to win the series 3-2, then proceed and beat Jena, but lose in the final against Vechta. Petric had a strong series averaging 16/4r in the last 4 games against Nurnberg series and would play many more years until he retired in 2020. When all was said and done, he had played 20+ years and played more than 400 professional games and played for 14 clubs. He mostly played in Germany, but also had stints in Spain and Switzerland. I saw him play numerous times when he played with clubs like Trier, RheinStars and the Scanplus Baskets. I also saw him play in a special game in the summer of 2017 when he played for a team put together of German players that battled the University of Iowa (NCAA) in Heidelberg in a charity game for Basketball Aid. What is Marko´s earliest memory of seeing his dad play? “Unfortunately, I didn’t see him in his prime, but I still remember many good years. My first memories are from the 2012/2013 season in Düsseldorf, when the team was in the Pro A final against Vechta. He was always a great shooter and a hard worker, and that’s what stands out most about him as a player”, remembered Marko Petric (202-SG-2008). A few years ago, I witnessed the name of Marko Petric and it didn´t take me long to put 1 and 1 together that he was the son on Marin. It is always nice to see the offspring of former players come on the scene and play basketball and then being able to witness them develop and grow is such a joy. It also shows me that I have been around for a while reporting on the sport.

pic credit : Chiara Greve

Marko Petric who lists 7´3 big man Australian Rocco Zikarsky as his toughest opponent that he has faced so far in his career was born on April 21, 2008 in Spain where dad Marin was playing with C.B. Aridane Tenerife (Spain-EBA). He moved around a lot simply because his dad played in many different places. He came to Germany and lived 2 years in Freiburg, 6 years in Duesseldorf and 7 years in Ulm. “. Basketball was always a big part of my life, my weekends were usually spent in the gym, either watching my dad play or playing myself. Aside from that, I’d say I had a pretty normal childhood”, stressed Marko Petric. Growing up his dad as well as Steph Curry and Michael Jordan were his biggest influences. When you’re a small kid and all you see is your dad playing basketball day after day, it is only logical that you build a special relationship to the game. “Without my dad, I probably wouldn’t play basketball. Growing up in the gym watching him made me fall in love with the game. Early on, I tried to copy him as much as possible, but nowadays I’ve developed my own style. His impact was and still is huge”, warned Marko Petric. A lot has changed with work ethic in the last 20 years with young players mainly with so many outside influences, but luckily for Marko, he knows exactly what that is. “Especially in my early years, I learned almost everything from my dad. The most important lesson he taught me was that hard work is necessary to develop as a player. He coached me on all aspects of the game, which allows me to play as a guard now, even at 2.02 meters tall. It definitely helps that he was a guard too, as he can pass on his experience to me”, stressed Marko Petric.

Pic Credit: Chiara Greve

Hisis dad played his last pro season with Orange Academy which is where son Marko who lists Michael Jordan as his GOAT began his pro career in the youth sector. It was in this time that he sampled vital first experiences with basketball and even found another basketball mentor besides his dad. “Playing in Ulm against all the talented players was always great competition. Besides my dad, my early mentor was Max Becker in the U10 and U12 teams. During those years, we were very successful. Max helped me enjoy the game and taught me to be a leader and a team player”, remembered Marko Petric. That summer he competed at the FIBA U16 European Championship in Skopje (North Macedonia) averaging 2.3ppg, 1.2rpg. He then took the next step and moved to Vechta. Vechta is known since years as being a top organization in the youth sector. “Vechta was the first time I practiced with a professional team and competed against grown men. That experience helped me learn to read the game better and find solutions against physical players. Off the court, it was a big learning experience too, as it was my first time living on my own”, said Marko Petric. He was a young player that always seemed to play older than his age kind of like Ivan Kharchenkov. Head coach Harm-Ubbo Horst gave him the opportunity to become a major force on the NBBL squad as a 15 year old. “It was a very positive experience to be a starter most of the season among all the other talented and older players, and to earn Habbo’s trust to defend Ivan Kharchenkov in the semifinals. In my second year, he gave me a leading role on another strong team, even though I was still in my “rookie” year in the NBBL”, remembered Marko Petric. He also played 7 Pro A games and made his debut at age 15. In his first NBBL season he averaged 7.3ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 70.0% and helped to finally bring the title to Vechta after 2 consecutive final loses. “It was one of the best moments of my life. We worked extremely hard all season to finally win the NBBL title, especially after losing multiple years in a row. It was a huge relief when we pulled it off. It’s hard to pick just one moment, because the whole week after the win was amazing as we celebrated nonstop”, commented Marko Petric. He had the fortune to be teammates with 2 incredible young players with Johan Grunloh and Jack Kayil who didn´t only make an impact on the court. “When I think of Jack and Johann, I first think of how great they are as people. All of us young players looked up to them for what they did on the court, but off the court, they were just like one of us. I believe both of them will play in the NBA someday”, warned Marko Petric. That first season he also had the luck to play at the well known Albert Schweitzer tournament for the German U-17 team that featured coaching legend Dirk Bauermann as the head coach averaging 7,0ppg and 3,5rpg. “As a U17 team, it was a tough tournament where we lost every game. But for me personally, it was a great experience to play against top prospects from around the world while being two years younger than the competition. Dirk Bauermann is the most accomplished German coach ever, and playing for him was an honour. He was tough on us, but overall it was a special experience and I learned a lot”, added Marko Petric. That summer he played at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket in Heraklion (Greece) averaging 8.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 21.6%.

Last season the young German who lists Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, and Andi Obst on his personal German NBA Mount Rushmore played his second season with Vechta and made big strides in the NBBL averaging 16.9ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 77.1% where he had a 33 point explosion against Bonn Rhondorf while in the Pro A his minutes rose from 6 to 14. He also had extra experience playing with men playing for SC RASTA Vechta 3rd team (Regionalliga) averaging 12.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 70.6%. He had a 29 point game against Bramsche. “Last season I started getting good minutes in the Pro A. I had the chance to defend the best players at the Pro A level and learned to compete against grown men. What helped me most was getting used to playing in front of big crowds, like in Trier and Hagen”, explained Marko Petric. He surely could of remained in Vechta for a third season, but instead decided to take on a new challenge in Wurzburg with a double license to play BBL and Pro B. He must be taking a bit after his dad with moving around so much as a player. “I felt that moving to Würzburg would be great for my development as a guard. The Baskets offer young players many opportunities to improve individually and within the team. With Sasa and Alex as coaches, I have a lot to learn. I’m never afraid of competition, in fact, it motivates me to assert myself against talented players, and I think we have many great players in Würzburg too”, said Marko Petric. He knows exactly what he wants to achieve in his first year in Wurzburg. “My main goals are to take responsibility on the Pro B team and help us win as many games as possible. In the BBL, I want to earn minutes and have a positive impact every time I step on the court. I also want to further develop my guard skills as I get the chance to play as a guard in the Pro B”, warned Marko Petric. He has needed no adjustment time in the Pro B as he is averaging 10.9ppg,4,8rpg, 2,4apg and 1,3spg. He is playing for ex pro and head coach Alex King who like him played at a high level at a young age in Frankfurt. “With the Pro B team, I’m asked to be a leader on both ends of the floor. Most of the time, I’m guarding the other team’s best player. On offense, I’m expected to create for myself and my teammates. Because I’m very vocal, I also bring a lot of energy and emotion. Working with Alex has been really fun so far. He has a lot of experience from his playing days, and you can learn a lot from him. As a coach, he’s passionate and demands a lot from us, but that’s what we need to improve individually and as a group”, stressed Marko Petric. He also has had his easyCredit BBL debut logging 8 minutes against the MLP Academics Heidelberg and made a free throw. “The best moments were scoring my first point and being on the court with one of my best friends, Noah Koch. I’m thankful for the opportunity to play 8 minutes in my first BBL game. It was a great experience”, said Marko Petric.

Pic credit: FIBA

The 202cm shooting guard who names Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is a player like with EPG Baskets Koblenz American Tim Smith Jr who compares his game to Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum. “Like him, I’m a tall player who can handle the ball and create my own shot, while also being effective off the ball. Defensively, we’re similar too, as we can both guard multiple positions at a high level”, said Marko Petric. He has shown his Swiss Army qualities since years as doing a bit of everything has always been his strong suit. “Versatility is definitely one of my biggest strengths. I can impact the game even if one aspect isn’t working, whether it’s offense, defense, or something else”, said Marko Petric. Last season he shot a strong 41% from outside in the NBBL while in the Regionalliga shot 27% and currently shooting 31% in the Pro B. “Shooting has always been an important part of my game. Over the last two years, I think I’ve become more consistent with my three-pointer, and my goal this season is to continue building on that progress”, warned Marko Petric. His size and long arms gives him special qualities on the defensive end that helps make an impact not only on the offensive end. “I always want to guard the opposing team’s best player, regardless of position. Since I started playing, I’ve taken pride in my defense. I think I can improve as an off-ball defender, like being better in reading passing lanes and fighting over screens”, stated Marko Petric. He also knows exactly what he has to do to continue to do every day in practice to continue to improve his game. “I’m not focusing on just one area. I want to improve at all levels of the game”, warned Marko Petric. It is always interesting to hear what young players will say when they are asked if their goal is the NBA or Euroleague. American guys will mostly say NBA while German kids will choose the NBA, but many also rather would reach the Euroleague. For him why not both? “Like most players, I dream of making it to the NBA, but I’d also love to experience playing in the EuroLeague because of the incredible fan culture and atmosphere. For now, I’m focused on improving every day and becoming the best version of myself”, stressed Marko Petric.

Harry Larsson Exploded For 67 Points And Knew He Would Have A Big Night After He Outscored The Opponent 24-22 In The First Quarter

Harry Larsson is a 23 year old 180cm point guard playing for the at Onsala Pirates BBK Kungsbacka (Basketettan). He began his basketball career with Hogsbo Basket Goteborg and also got experience playing with Basketklubben Marbo (Basketettan). He spoke to germanhoops.com after scoring 67 points in a game.

Thanks Harry for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing with the Onsala Pirates BBK Kungsbacka (Basketettan) and recently had 118 points in 2 games. Did you know before the 67 point game that something like this could ever happen?

Yes, it is these types of games that you visualize about, maybe not exactly 67 but to just have a game where everything goes as planned.

You play in the third division in Sweden and even in a league like that scoring 30-40 games isn’t easier. How do you explain 67 points? That is 3 points away from 70 points. That is absolutely mind boggling.

Ofcourse it is not easy but when you are in an environment where you feel comfortable and happy everything feels much easier and more things go your way.

How quickly did you know in that 67 point game that you may have an incredible and unforgettable scoring game?

I knew it since the first quarter, where I had outscored the other team. I had 24 and they had 22.

When the scoring continued and continued, what kind of a zone did that feel like for you?

For some reason the rim felt larger.

After a while did your teammates especially always want to find you because you were hot or was a lot of your scoring simply what the defense gave you?

Both, of course my teammates were finding me but I had some easy baskets as well either due to the steals or the type of defense they were playing.

Did you buy dinner for Derec Feggins? He dished out 11 assists in the game and found you a lot. How special of a player is he?

As mentioned earlier the guys were finding me, not only dark got his dinner, the whole team got their dinner.

You nailed 12 three’s which is 2 away from the world record of 14 by Klay Thompson. There are not many guys in the world that have made as many three’s as you. Was the basket feeling extra big that day?

Hahah yes, to be honest it just felt like a day where everything was going in. At that point in the game I didn’t know how many threes I had, if I knew I would have got more than 14.

2 seasosn ago, you had 2 games back to back with 8 three’s. Was reaching the 10 three’s mark a hidden goal for you?

Not really but of course it is a nice accomplishment

What was your favorite basket of the day?

I think it was in the third quarter where I had a fadeaway three from the volleyball line.

Now that you hit for 67 is 70 a goal or are you the kind of player that won’t put extra pressure on yourself to have to do that again?

70 would be nice but not exactly a goal of mine

Was your phone flooded after the game? Did you get any cool messages from people?

Yes, I think I had over a hundred dms.

In the next game you scored 51 points. I don’t think that there have been many back to back 50 point games in Europe. How special was this game compared to the 67 point game?

51 didn’t feel to special after hitting 67

If someone asks you in 20 years what you will remember most from these 2 amazing back to back games what will it be?

he thing I will remember is being in the locker room after the game with the guys and just soaking it in.

Thanks Harry for the chat.

Overseas Rookie Bernard Pelote(Tigers Tuebingen) Is Working On Not Being One Dimensional And Being Unpredictable

Bernard Pelote (203-F-2002, college: WCU) is a 23 year old 203cm forward from Georgia playing his rookie season overseas with German Pro A team Tigers Tuebingen averaging 15,8ppg and 4,6rpg. He began his basketball career with Woodville-Tompkins High School. He then played 2 seasons at Catawba College (NCAA2) averaging 7.4ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 76.2% and 13.7ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 78.9%. He then palyed 3 seasons with Western Carolina University (NCAA) averaging 5.5ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 61.5%, 6.9ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 80.0% and in his last season averaged 13.8ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 70.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com last summer about basketball.

Thanks Bernard for talking to Germanhoops.com. How blessed do you feel to play overseas? Not many guys who played in the NCAA 2 get this opportunity?

I’m just thankful to be in this position to keep pursuing my dream because everyone don’t get this opportunity to play professionally so I’m just excited and hungry to turn my dream into reality.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

I don’t know much about Germany from a basketball standpoint but I heard that it is very physical and fundamentally sound type of basketball.

Have you ever had ex teammates, opponents or friends play in Germany? Did you get feedback from your coach Justin Gray?

Coach Justin Gray basically told me that it is physical and fundamental and you have to be willing to play and flourish in your role.

I´m sure you did some research on the Tigers Tuebingen. What stood out the most about this organization?

I like how engaged the fans are with The Tigers Tuebingen Organization. I love playing somewhere where the fans want us to be successful as bas as we want to be successful.

How did the talks go with head coach Henrik Sonko. He told you that he wants the team to play like a family. What else was appealing about his basketball philosophy?

One of the factors that was also appealing to me about Coach Henrik Sonko is that he was looking for me to basically play my game. We both feel like my game matches his philosophy. I just have to go out on the court and play the same way I’ve been playing and of course keep growing and learning more efficient ways to make easier for me and my teammates as well.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm power forward. If you had to describe your game to a NBA player, who would best fit the description?

From a NBA Standpoint I would compare myself to a guy like PJ Washington. A guy that rebounds defensively and offensively, plays defense and can stretch the floor out on the offense of side with my ability to shoot.

Would it be fair to say that you’re a modern day big man? How valuable is versatility in your game?

I wouldn’t really say I’m a big man. I’m whatever the coach needs me to be in order for us to be successful. My versatility place huge role game because I feel like you can put me anywhere on the court and I will still produce.

You have had a solid three pointer in the last 2 years. How would you rate your development in the lasty ears? What is your goal as a rookie with your shot?

With my Development, I just had to trust the process and stay in the gym and keep working. For me it was never a matter of “will it happen”, instead it was more so “when it will happen”. My goal as a rookie is to establish myself and gain respect from my teammates and the league we are in with my style of play and how I perform night in and night out.

I saw a thunderous alley-oop dunk from you against Citadel. Are you a type of guy that can give your team instant energy with dunks?

Yeah I´m type of guy to make highlight plays. I can’t wait to get my first one in a Tigers Uniform !!

Talk a little about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of a defender do you want to become in the next few years?

Defensively I feel like I am a solid defender but of course there is always room to grow. I feel like I have to grow in the area of being in passing lines a bit more.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I’m working on not being one dimensional and being unpredictable.

You played 2 seasons at Catawba College (NCAA2) averaging 7.4ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 76.2% and 13.7ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 78.9%. You made big strides in your game in your second year. How vital was head coach Rob Perron for your early basketball development?

Playing for Coach Rob Perron was fun. He gave me a chance to grow and adapt to playing in college. He gave me a chance to play through my mistakes as a freshman.

You had huge games against Anderson, Limestone twice and UVA Wise just to name a few. What was your fondest moment there?

Playing against those teams were great because in those particular games my teams trusted me to knock down shots and make plays to put us in position to win.

You then played 3 years at Western Carolina University (NCAA) playing 91 games and in your lasty ear averaged 13.8ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 70.3%. How did your game grow in these 3 years?

Being at western Carolina really helped my game and gave me a chance to compete at the division 1 level. Over the course of three years I got the chance to become an overall better player because I was to adapt and grow mentally and physically to perform well against the teams I was playing against. I feel like my first year was like a test to see if I was ready for the division 1 level and the 2nd and third was a lot being able to produce and put my team in good situations to win every time we played.

You had big games against Citadel and Milligan. What was your fondest moment on the court in the NCAA?

My fondest moment at Western Carolina was my Junior when we beat Vanderbilt University because they are a power 5 school and too go in there in a hostile environment and take care of business was very fun. I feel like those are the moments you live for as an athlete.

How did head coach Justin Gray groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Justin Gray´s system and how he coached is very professional. He always kept it pretty simple. He made me look at basketball as my job. He had standards that we had to uphold and I had to come with it everyday in practice and show up at games.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Collin Granger?

I beat Collin Granger a lot of times in 1v1.

Who is the toughest player that you ever battled that reached the NBA?

Kam Jones or Chaz Lanier

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I don’t really have just 5 best teammates of all time because I feel like a lot of my teammates in the past played a significant role to my success.

Please list your personal NBA, German and Serbian Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant

Who is your GOAT?

My goat is Michael Jordan but my favorite player is Kawhi Leonard because he keeps it simple and he is very efficient.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I saw the movie and I actually liked it, I feel like it always good when you can come out with sequels to movies that was made a long time ago.

Thanks Bernard for the chat.

Will Cherry Isn´t Sure How Much Longer He Will Play But If He Had 1 Million Dollars Then He Probably Could Play Until 41 Years Old Like Lebron James

Recently I was really happy to see a news on eurobasket.com saying that Will Cherry (185-PG-1991, college: Montana) had signed in France with JL Bourg en Bresse. The ex NBA player had been off my radar a bit the last few years simply because he hadn´t played in Europe, but moreover in Iran, Egypt and Venezuela. He had played for 3 organizations in Germany starting with Alba Berlin in 2015 and then after reaching the Euroleague, he came back to Germany years later to play for the Skyliners and MHP Riesen. He played in the easyCredit BBL at a time where he battled against real legends like Rickey Paulding, Quantez Robertson and John Bryant and many more. Unfortunately many of those BBL legends have retired, but he still has real nice memories playing with and against those guys. “Back then I was on my younger side when I played again st them especially when I was with Alba Berlin. All three of those guys were a real staple in the league back in the day. It is funny now being back in Germany to play and I´m more of an elder statesman. I´ll be 35 in a few weeks and I´m slowly knocking on the door”, stressed Will Cherry.

I reach Will Cherry on a Monday night just as he had settled into his hotel in Chemnitz on the eve of a big Eurocup game against the Niners Chemnitz. He last played in Germany for the MHP Riesen in the 2022-2023 season and in the last years stayed away from Europe. “It was good for me to get into different markets. I wanted to explore and see some other things and I saw that they had more to offer. Basketball is universal and many guys are testing new markets”, said Will Cherry. He is more than delighted to be back in a top league in Europe with the Pro A France. “It feels good to be back. We have a great team and are the top team in the Eurocup. This is an amazing organization, It is run top notch from top to bottom. The organization is well organized and all have been real nice. I don´t have to worry about anything except playing. This is one of the best organizations that I have ever played for. I couldn´t have asked for a better situation”, warned Will Cherry. The team is fighting for a good playoff spot and have shown just how dangerous they are in the Eurocup. “I think that a big strength of ours is simply that everyone likes each other. The coaching staff is very professional and every player is hard-nosed, unselfish and all have one common goal which is too win”, stated Will Cherry. The club has no real superstar, but a collection of players that are all hungry to make the next step. “We have many great players and everyone is working together to be the best. All are big into winning and everyone knows that not just one guy can get the job done, but everyone together”, stated Will Cherry. One talented player on the team is American Darius Mcghee who had a great season in Germany last season having a 44 and 40 point games in the easyCredit BBL. Is Cherry like a mentor to him? “He is a great player and isn´t overbearing. I try to give in my 2 cents to help. When I say something here and there, I know he listens. This cat definitely knows basketball and he just goes with trial and error”, added Will Cherry. He even had a very nice reunion in his first Pro A game as he fought ex Skyliner teammate Len Schoormann who led Nantere to the 101-93 win with 22 points. “Len had a great game and was knocking down shots left and right. I was really excited to see him play so well. You could see that he has worked hard on his game the last years. He has a bright future”, warned Will Cherry.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Will Cherry in Frankfurt in 2022

The Oakland California native has only been with Bourg a very short time and is averaging 18 minutes in the France Pro A and 12,5 minutes in the Eurocup. He hasn´t been there long enough to have a defined role yet. “I honestly don´t know my role yet. I´m a leader as always, but have only played 3 games so far. They are still easing me in. I just got off the plane. I still need to be integrated and learn the plays. I don´t have to be a hero like in Frankfurt. We have so many talented players that there is no pressure on me”, stressed Will Cherry. He played heavy minutes in Iran and Venezuela and playing less minutes hasn´t been a real adjustment for him. “I think that these are different circumstances. We have a deep roster and nobody plays heavy minutes. Playing less minutes is good for me body. The most important thing iis being as effective as possible when I get in”, warned Will Cherry. He will be 35 years soon and does he concentrate on other things more now with his game and body then say 10 years ago? “I´m still a leader. That is automatic and everything is still the same. My job is to win and do whatever I can to help the team be successful”, said Will Cherry.

The ex Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus guard played recently with Cocodrilos de Caracas (Venezuela-SPB) averaging: 12.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 80.5%. Playing in South America was another check on his bucket list where he was able to experience many new things on and off the court. “Playing there was a lot of fun. It is a up and down league that is fast paced. Skill-wise it is up there. I was surprised how good the league was and they had some really good players. Europe still has better competition, but I had an amazing time”, stated Will Cherry. There he was teammates with Willie Reed who was in the NBA at the same time as he was. “Willie was an ok dude until he wasn´t. It was cool though seeing a familiar face after coming off an injury. It was nice being able to talk about our time in the NBA and G-League”, remembered Will Cherry. Last season his globetrotting ways continued as he balled with Al Ittihad Alexandria (Egypt-Superleague) where he reached the league final. This may have been his nicest destination since his BBL days especially off the court where he had his family with him. ”Egypt was amazing. I was able to explore a lot with my kids. We visited the pyramids and rode the camels. It was so amazing. I will remember it for a life time”, expressed Will Cherry. In 2023-2024 he played with Shahrdari Gorgan (Iran-Superleague) averaging 19.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.7apg, SPG-1 (2.2), FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 73.5% and reached the final. He had great stats. Iran was the perfect place to play for after having been in Europe so long. “Iran was my first experience in the middle east. They treated me with so much love. I always felt safe and was happy. The fan base is up their with clubs like Partizan, and Panathinaikos. The love there was real”, stressed Will Cherry.

Even if he isn´t playing in Germany anymore, he still has a lot of fond memories to his last 2 stations with Ludwigsburg and Frankfurt. The Ludwigsburg team in 2022-2023 was a real good one, but just had misfortune winning a chip. “It was tough losing in the BCL and to Bonn in the playoffs. But we had a good season. At first I didn´t know how I would like it, but I loved it. Stuttgart was also amazing to visit. My teammates were great. Is Yorman Polas-Bartolo really 40 years old. I thought he was 22. Prentis Hubb, Jonathan Dunn and Shon Miller were my guys. We kicked it all the time”, laughed Will Cherry. But he also has very nice memories to his season with Alba Berlin where he helped win the BBL cup that gave fans 2 unforgettable games. “My fondest moment with the German teams was winning the cup in Munich. We took down 2 powerhouses with Frankfurt and Munich with games winners from Jordan Taylor and a floater from Dragan Milosavljevic. Those are amazing memories”, stated Will Cherry. He is getting up in age and the question is how much longer can he still play? How are his wheels feeling? Could he play until 41 like his ex teammate Lebron James? “I don´t know how much longer I will play, but at the moment I have no signs of slowing down. I don´t think that I will play until 41. It would have to depend on the situation”, added Will Cherry. Has Lebron James relentless work ethic helped him play so long? “Leborn James has nothing to do with my longevity. I don´t really care about him or how he has done it. I just do what my body does. Of course it is great to see how long he has played and how he has taken care of his body. If I could spend 1 million dollars on my body, then I could play as long as him. I respect more the guys overseas who have been able to play so long”, stressed Will Cherry. It will be interesting to see how many more years he will play professionally overseas, but one thing for sure is that all he is concerned about right now is his current situation with Bourg. He definitely wants to add on to his 5 career chips with another one with them.

Rayshawn Mart(BBC Bayreuth) Originally Went To School To Become A Doctor But Instead Is Living The Basketball Dream Overseas

Rayshawn Mart (190-PG-1998, college: Xavier, LA) is a 27 year old 190cm guard form Louisiana playing his fifth professional season and first in Germany with Pro A team BBC Bayreuth averaging 12,5ppg, 2,6rpg and 4,4apg. Last season he played with Coldmaris BBC Nord Dragonz Eisenstadt (Austria-BSL) averaging 15.2ppg, 4.9rpg, Assists-4 (6.0apg), 1.5spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 71.6%. He played the 2023-2024 season with HKK Posusje (Bosnia-Division I) averaging 19.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 66.5%. He played his rookie season with Orthodox Bethlehem (Palestine-PBBA). He began his basketball career with Bourqeois high school and then played at Xavier University of Louisiana (NAIA) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 125 NAIA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com last summer about basketball.

Thanks Rayshawn for talking to germanhoops.com. How blessed do you feel as a pro player. Your playing your fourth pro season and came from an NAIA school. Not only don´t many come overseas from the NAIA, but even less play at high levels like you. Do you thank God every day for having the opportunity to live the dream?

I am very blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love for a living. I thank God everyday, and I think this is a testimony to how far hard work can take you.

After a successful season in Austria, how logical was it making the next step to Germany? Have you been following the German leagues since you came overseas? Germany is very respected for their basketball.

The opportunity to go to Germany was a big influence to me signing to the dragons in Austria. After my year in Bosnia, I had a few options but understanding that playing in Austria can open doors for me in Germany motivated me to commit to Austria and have a successful season. I have been watching German leagues my whole college career and I also have close friends who played there so I would often watch to support them.

2 reasons you signed with BBC Bayreuth was because of the organization and it´s fans. Do you feel like you will be able to grow as a player and man with BBC Bayreuth?

Yes I think this will be a monumental year in my career. BBC Bayreuth is a well known and respected organization full of great hardworking people. With my work ethic and drive I think I will thrive in this environment with the opportunities they present. I’m also extremely excited to learn from such a respected organization, so these lessons will shape me to not only be a great player but also a great man.

It has been very popular the last years Americans having a great season in Austria to come and play in Germany. Do you feel like you can make the next step in the Pro A and be an impact player?

I feel like I can win a championship in Pro A this year with BBC Bayreuth. I think I bring a lot of things to the table that make programs win. I am also a very versatile player which gives me the flexibility to do whatever is required of me each game to win, whether it’s for me to score, pass, rebound, or even defend. I think I am strong in all of those categories, and I’m also 100 percent devoted to winning and doing what’s best for the team.

How did the talks go with head coach Florian Wedel? What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

Our conversations went great. I really appreciated his commitment and effort that he already showed in the offseason. He’s already a very smart, and talented coach with much knowledge of the game, so it was impressive and also very appreciated by me to see him still working extremely hard while having those essential skills as a coach.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 190cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think a great comparison to my game right now would be a better playmaking version of Anthony Edwards

How big is versatility a staple in your game? You’re a very good volume rebounder for your size?

It’s very essential to my game because I have so many ways to get going. Sometimes if I’m a little out of rhythm offensively, I use things like defense to get a steal and score to get me going, or I get a rebound and push in transition to get going. It’s very important for my game because I feel like I’m not limited as a player having many tools and it allows me to play the right way which is winning basketball.

You never averaged more than 2,8apg in the NAIA and 3,9apg in Bosnia, but last season you averaged 6,0apg in Austria. Did you become more of a playmaker in Austria or did you always have playmaking abilities but didn´t have to use them?

Most of my career I was a playmaking point guard, when I got to college I was just needed to score in order for our team to be successful. After my season in Bosnia, I seen that I had a great scoring year leading the league in points but I wasn’t happy with the overall performance from the team so I studied a lot of film during my offseason and figured out things that I could have done better to help us win more. One thing was focus on play making again because my game draws a lot of attention from help defenders which makes that easy to do as long as you are aware.

You have always been a very ambitious defender. How would you classify yourself right now as a defender and where do you still want to take your defensive game to?

I think I am a great defender, but I still have a ton of room for improvement. With more focus and effort I think I can defend at the highest level of basketball. With my versatility I think defense can really be my selling point to play at the highest level possible.

On what areas of your game are you working on right now so you can continue to improve your game?

I am always working on shooting the ball better, in a variety of situations Like off the dribble, catch and shoot, and also in screen and roll situations. I also been focusing a lot on the mental aspect of the game studying a lot of my playoff films as well as some film from Bayreuth last season as well to just take that next jump mentally to always be a step ahead and comfortable in any situation on the court.

Last season you played with Coldmaris BBC Nord Dragonz Eisenstadt (Austria-BSL) averaging 15.2ppg, 4.9rpg, Assists-4 (6.0apg), 1.5spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 71.6%. You reached the final losing to Oberwart. What was so special about this team?

I think the way our team was able to handle adversity, and come together during tough times was very special about this team. We had many games through the playoffs when we had comeback victories and that alone shows the grit, effort, determination, and leadership we had as a team which was essential to making it to the finals.
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In the playoffs you played in 2 really exciting series beating Wels and Gmunden. Which series was the tougher one to win?

I think Wels series was tougher just because they had more offensive fire power than Gmunden. Wels played at a high intensity for the whole game, as well as playing fast and looking for early offense. That made them the tougher opponent due to the runs they were capable of going on if we lost focus for even just a 2 minute spurt of the game.

You had an incredible triple double against Graz. How special will that game always be in your memories?

It was very special to me to see my work come together. What also made it more special was it being against a guy who is from my college town who I got to play against and train with before turning pro. I think it will be high in the ranks as one of my favorite moments but I also think many more games like that will come.

You played your second season overseas with HKK Posusje (Bosnia-Division I) averaging 19.7ppg), 5.8rpg, 3.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 66.5%. How do you remember this season? You wasted no time becoming an elite player in Bosnia.

I think this was an important part of my career. I learned a lot about basketball playing in Bosnia. Starting out, I was very talented and relied on being my talent and athleticism, but they taught me how to read the game and use more of my mind to dominate.

You played your first 2 seasons with Orthodox Bethlehem (Palestine-PBBA) and Orthodoxi Beit Sahour (Palestine-PBBA). What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I was very excited but I also was very nervous as well. Ultimately the nervousness drove me to work very hard and win a championship there.

What memories will you always have of Palestine? What was the coolest experience off the court? Were you invited to some cool parties in palaces?

The love that I got from the people there was amazing. I think the coolest experience I had was seeing Jesus birth place in Bethlehem.

You played 5 seasons and 125 games with Xavier University of Louisiana (NAIA). You won 2 GCAC titles in 2020 and 2021. Which title was sweeter?

I think the first one was the sweetest because that year really taught me how to win. It taught me the sacrifice necessary and standard of work required everyday to do that. We also had maybe one of the best teams every at Xavier that year, so it is by far my favorite season there. Practices was a constant battle and we had a group of guys who all were committed to helping the team when their number was called.

You made strides with your game each season and had big seasons in your last 2 seasons. How did your game grow there?

I think at Xavier, I got the opportunity to really get a lot of game experience and I had a big role since I got there as a freshman. That responsibility alone shaped me to be a great player. Originally I chose Xavier due to academics to become a doctor so when basketball started to workout, it made me really well rounded and I felt I had so much time which made it easy to invest in my game when I made the transition to become a pro.

You had many 30 plus points including against Texas College and Tougaloo just to name a few. What was your favorite game in the NAIA?

My favorite game would be the conference Tournament championship game against Tougaloo. Just knowing the adversity that was overcame in that game makes it my favorite. It has a lot to do with the player I am today.

How did head coach Alfred Williams groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Aj is super disciplined and hardworking. All through my college career we practiced 5-6 days out of the week at 5:30 every morning. Having to be on the floor starting our stretches at 5:15 by the latest so that means we had to get to the gym at 5 am. Things like that within his program really helped me value my time more, learn more and prioritize my work properly to be successful on the court and also as a young man.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or TJ Jones?

Me, maybe TJ beat me one time after a long day of practice haha.

Who is the toughest player that you ever battled against on the court that reached the NBA?

It’s a tie between Mike James and Lamar Peters

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ed Carter, Will Loyd, Chance Gasery, Aj Rainey, Kevin Johnson

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Shaq, LeBron James, Steph Curry

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Yes, I think it was a good film but I also watched it with the expectations of it not having a chance to be better than the first one

Thanks Rayshawn for the chat.

Matthew Goodwin(London Lions) Knows That He Has To Be Almost Perfect Daily In Order To Get Minutes

Matthew Goodwin (188-PG-2005) is a 20 year old 188cm point guard currently playing for the London Lions (SLB). He began his basketball career with the Manchester Magic playing for their U-19 team averaging 16.7ppg, 5.6rpg, APG-3 (6.5), 2.5spg, FGP: 35.1%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 77.8% while also playing 6 BBL games. Last season he moved to the London Lions playing 27 games and averaging 1,0ppg. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Niners Chemnitz.

Thanks Matthew for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second season with the London Lions (SLB). What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about it?

It has been nothing but a positive experience. I have learnt so much and improved so much at such a rapid rate

I have enjoyed the challenge the most. Playing against older and stronger players is going to be difficult but it has been fun competing against them and I love a challenge

Your playing a Eurocup game against German team Chemnitz. How have you followed German basketball the last years? Is there a German player that has really stood out to you?

I haven’t watched much German basketball if I’m being completely honest. I tend to watch Euroleague and Eurocup the most

The London Lions are having a great season in the SLB. How big is the hunger to win titles with this great organization?

The hunger is always there. The lions has had an incredible history of winning titles and it’s almost our duty as players to keep adding to the silverware

Currently the club is a top the SLB. What has been the secret to the success?

The secret is defense. Always has been and always will be. Our team´s ability to limit shots but also to make shots difficult has made our lives a lot easier on the offensive end. Our defense fuels our offense

What has it been like playing with such talented guards like ex NBA player Chasson Randle and Shaver Reynolds? What have you soaked up most from those 2 on and off the court?

Those 2 and loads others have been amazing role models. They show me loads of details on the floor and help me with my game. But further they show me what it takes to be a professional. Taking care of your body with recovery. Eating the right food. How to be a good husband. They have impacted me on and off the floor

There are many great UK players on the team as well with Williams, Rai and Sandy just to name a few? Which player has had the biggest impact on you?

Tarik Philip is the biggest impact. He shows so much interest into helping me get better and improving my game. He’s honest with me and firm but at the same time caring. He’s been a massive help

What has it been like playing for Tautvydas Sabonas? How has he helped shape you to be the player that you are today?

He’s intense let’s be honest. But that has brought the best out of me. He has made me be more hungry and more aggressive and proved I can do things I never thought I was capable of. He has brought out a side of me I didn’t know I had and it’s such a positive result

Let´s talk about your game. You have had sparse minutes last season and this season. How tough is the battle on a daily basis to get playing time for the Lions?

It’s a constant battle. You have to be almost perfect daily. And the people I´m competing with for minutes are Ex NBA players and some of the best UK talent so it is very difficult but like I said I love a challenge

You’re a 188cm guard that fills the stat sheet well. If you had to compare your game to an NBA or Euroleague player who would best fit the description?

I’d have to say Alex Caruso. Plays his role well. Plays solid defense and makes the right read. Hits an open shot if he has it and if in doubt can go ISO ball with a mismatch

You’re a guard that fills the stats sheet really well. Talk about your offensive game. What are your biggest strengths?

I’d say my biggest strength is shooting from behind the arc. Whether it’s a spot up 3 or a off the dribble 3. I’ve been missing a few in game recently but I know I can make the because I was last season in SLB

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. Talk a little bit about the development of your three pointer. What kind of a shooter are you now and where do you want to be in the next years?

Like I said I’m missing a few as of now. But I hope to become a 40-45% three point shooter. A threat on the catch and shoot and the pull up

Your also an ambitious defender. Talk a little about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I think I’m a little nuisance. Out there to cause havoc and create a problem for the offense by being physical and disciplined. I want to become a sound defender. I want to be the guy you put out there to stop there best player

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I want to improve my point guard skills. Reading the game quicker and understanding what to do when in terms of running plays

You began your basketball career with the Manchester Magic (NBL D2) How valuable were these early years for your basketball development? Did you have a mentor there?

Massively important. The foundations of my game were learnt there. I had loads of Coaches in Manchester, each of them providing something. Joe Forber, Sergio Lara Bercial, Will Brown and Peter Pareskeva are to name a few

You made a big jump in your game with the Manchester Magic Academy U19 team (U19 League) averaging 16.7ppg, 5.6rpg, APG-3 (6.5), 2.5spg, FGP: 35.1%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 77.8% in your last year. How did your game grow there?

It grew quickly. Teams were quick to learn that I could score so they adapted rapidly to forcing the ball out of my hands with a double team or Box and 1 defense. So it made me learn how to deal with such defense. But also gave me confidence to be more aggressive

You got your first BBL experience with the Magic. What do you remember from your first game in the BBL?

Technically my first BBL game was against Cheshire Phoenix with Manchester Magic in a Pre season match up. I hit a corner 3 and the crowd went wild!! I was only 16 so they were all happy to see me succeed

Last season you were teammates with experienced TU Holloway. What memories will you always have learning from a veteran like him? What could you soak up most from his game?

He is a veteran! He understands the game so well and has mastered his craft. His ability to get a bucket is like nothing I’ve ever seen. He taught me so much about how to use my body to create space and how to read defense quicker and better

You also have played for the UK U-18 and U-20 national teams. How is the state of British basketball at the moment? What young players are to watch in the next few years?

British basketball in my eyes is on the mend and will be getting much better soon

What is your biggest goal as a player? Is the Euroleague a realistic goal for you or do you have another big goal?

I think having an unrealistic goal is the entire point. So if you do reach your goal, you have reached a level no one thought you could. And if you fail you’ll end up higher than those who set a fixed goal. My goal is always Euroleague/NBA and always will be. Will I get there? I’m not sure but I’m putting in the work daily in order to get there

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in your life on the court that reached the NBA or Euroleague?

I’d have to say Ray Mcallum. He practiced with us for a little bit last season while he was in London. And he was such a creative and smart player and was always able to manipulate you to get what he wants

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

In no particular order. And this is in terms of teammates who are nice people and how they treated me

Ryan Mikesell

Sean Flood

Evan Walshe

Tarik Philip

Joel Scott

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of UK and NBA players?

UK

Luol Deng. Dan Clarke. Gabe Olaseni. Quin Ellis

NBA

LeBron James. Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron James

Favourite player thouh is Mike James

Thanks Matthew for the chat.

Shoot Out The Lights Shooter Dante Maddox Jr(Okapi Aalst) Wants To Add Versatility As A 3 Level Scorer At An Efficient Rate

Dante Maddox Jr. (188-G, college: Xavier) is a 188cm guard playing his rookie season with : Okapi Aalst (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He began his basketball career with Bloom High School and then played 2 seasons with California State University, Fullerton (NCAA) averaging 11.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 89.8% and 6.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 71.4%. He then played 2 seasons at The University of Toledo (NCAA) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 75.2% and 15.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 86.0%. He then finished at Xavier University (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 40.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 88.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

You’re playing your rookie season in Belgium. What kind of an experience has it been playing for Aaalst? What have you enjoyed most about it?

Aalst has the best fans in Belgium. They travel everywhere and they are diehards for this team. This has definitely been one of the highlights of my experience being here.

The team is doing well in the standings. What has been the secret to the success of the team?

Team chemistry

There is another young American on the team with Edie Colbert and the rest are from Belgium. Do you have a sort of mentor this season in Belgium?

We are all there for one another. Not a specific mentor to speak of. We are eager to learn from those who have been here before.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 188cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

Isaiah Canaan and Mike James are two guys that I have always looked up to and have tried to learn from and emulate their games. Not sure that I would compare myself to anybody in the NBA right now – I’m trying to do the best job at being me.

You are an incredible 3-point shooter. What other offensive strengths does your game have?

Versatility as a three-level-scorer at an efficient rate. I’m still very much a work in progress and am working hard to add more to my game so I can be a winning player and a great teammate.

You shot 40% or better from outside in 4 of 5 NCAA seasons and this season shooting over 50%. What goals do you currently have with your three pointer?

I mostly care about winning games – that’s the main goal – regardless of the percentages.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I want to be as impactful defensively as I am offensively. Working towards getting in the best shape I can possibly be so I can achieve that.

After playing 2 seasons at California State University, Fullerton (NCAA) you then transferred to The University of Toledo (NCAA) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 75.2% and 15.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 86.0%. How key was it going there? Was that the best basketball decision in your life?

Yes, it was a great decision and set me up for the next step by helping me develop as a man as well as basketball player.

You made big strides in your game. How valuable was head coach Tod Kowalczyk in your basketball development? How did he help your game most?

He is a great coach and has had very high experience with very high-level guard (e.g. RayJ Dennis; Ryan Rollins). We were a very good team – but he helped me learn how to impact the game with other talented players around me on the team. He has been very impactful to me.

What was your fondest moment on the court at Toledo?

The 17-game win streak in conference. Which was a record in the MAC at the time (and I think, still is).

You added an extra season at Xavier University (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 40.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 88.1%. You reached the big dance beating Texas and losing to Illinois. What was the coolest experience that you will always remember there?

Winning against Texas was a big and proud moment for all of us. Also, getting to play my hometown school (Illinois) even though we came up short.

You had many great games at Xavier. Where does the 26-point game against Providence rank?

It ranks pretty high. But I’d say my two games against UCONN ranked pretty high as well. UCONN was the 2-time reigning national champions and I was fortunate to make some big plays down the stretch in both games.

How did head coach Sean Miller give you that last added push and helped your game be ready for the pro level?

He definitely exposed me to a level of work ethic that you need to have to maintain high level success in college and the pros. His attention to detail and his competitiveness were really important in my development. I was very lucky to have been coached by someone of his status, resume and track record of producing great pros.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Marcus Foster?

That was my roommate, and we spent a lot of time together. He is a very talented player, and I enjoyed playing countless 1-1 games against him. Lots of good battles for sure.

Who was the best player that you ever faced in your life on the court that reached the NBA?

Keon Johnson in a game and Talen Horton Tucker in summer workouts

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time.

Been blessed to have played with some great players next to me. Would be very tough to narrow it down to 5.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron, MJ, Kobe, Steph

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron James

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Haven’t seen the sequel – only the original, but the original is definitely a classic and it would be hard to beat.

Thanks Dante for the chat.

Drago Crnjac Will Never Forget Seeing Kevin Kollmar Fly By Him And Then Seeing His Shot Sail Through The Net For A Dramatic Buzzer Beater Win

pic credit: Matthias Raith

It was 1,23 Am on Sunday January 18 when I got a link from Chris Diaz Maceo (TV Langen broadcaster) telling me to watch the last 3 minutes of the TV Langen-Dresden Titans game. I did and saw an incredible ending that had 3 baskets within 4 seconds and gave TV Langen the last laugh as Drago Crnjac (196-SG-2002) sent all Langen fans home in ecstasy as his last second shot saw nothing but net and gave them the roller coaster 90-88 victory. I had to watch it over and over just to enjoy the moment. A little more than 16 hours later, there was also a game winner in Frankfurt as the Skyliners Juniors upset BBC Coburg 74-70. It wasn´t a buzzer beater and as dramatic as what had happened in Langen, but the game winner was achieved by another Crnjac, the younger brother of Drago Ivan. I had the joy of doing the play by play with Drago as he watched in joy as his brother was the hero after 40 minutes. Having 2 Crnjac´s be the hero on one weekend probably won´t happen again and the only thing missing was a second buzzer beater. “Unfortunately I feel like a buzzer beater like mine and a game winner by my brother most likely won´t happen again. A second buzzer beater was missing but his game winner was nice. It felt good seeing him play so well at the end. I liked how he did those things well that he could control. That really needs to be commended. He didn´t have his best shooting day, but he did so many others well”, stressed Drago Crnjac. A really enriching thing was feeling the total support from Drago for his brother. There is absolutely no jealousy, but is the competitiveness between both high? “It is 100% competitiveness between us. It doesn´t matter if it´s basketball, soccer, handball or darts, we always want to beat each other. Ivan just asked me the other day if we could play 1-1 in basketball again”, smiled Drago Crnjac.

Drago Crnjac doing play by play with Miles Schmidt-Scheuber in Frankfurt

TV Langen arrived in the Dresden game having won 5 of their last 7 games and wanted to continue that upward swing and had big revenge on their brutal 72-60 loss to Dresden earlier in the season. “Beating them felt good. I feel like our first loss in Dresden was our worst game of the season. It was very disappointing. We had a massive chip on our shoulder to win. It felt extra good to win after the game going back and forth so much in crunch-time”, said Drago Crnjac. Fabian Baumgarten began the game something not so typical. One could see with this that head coach Tobias Jahn has trust in all 12 players. “It was actually his second start this season. He is getting more minutes and has some of the most experience on our team. He simply knows what to do on the court. I like that he is playing more”, stated Drago Crnjac. Alex Lagerman got going rapidly scoring 3 baskets in the first minutes. Would one have predicted a 30 + game that early from him? “I was actually a little surprised that he had scored so much at the end when I saw the stat sheet. He is still one of the most talented scorers in the Pro B. There are few guys that get to the rim as easily as he does. He doesn´t look so strong, but he is so effective”, warned Drago Crnjac. Duje Putnik was a scoring machine in the first quarter. What made it so difficult to control him? “He is a very good player and second best scorer on their team after Scottie Stone. I don´t think it was so much 1-1 with him, but moreover Dresden showed great team basketball and always found him in the right spots”, added Drago Crnjac. The contest was tied 19-19 after 10 minutes and in the second quarter. Dresden had the slim 41-36 lead after 20 minutes. TV Langen stayed strong always fighting back, but just couldn´t get over the hump. “Rebounding helped Dresden have the lead as well as our turnovers. We had many really bad turnovers”, said Drago Crnjac. Dresden led 65-60 after 3 quarters. TV Langen doesn´t have a true center and pride their game on small ball. Playing without a big man isn´t easy, but they always find a way to compensate that in other areas. “I think that we have learned to come to terms with the fact that we are a small team. Despite that, I feel like we rebound well. I think that we tend to have problems when we play against classic post up players, but Dresden doesn´t have a classic post up player”, warned Drago Crnjac.

Pic credit: Matthias Raith

The last minute couldn´t have been more dramatic as the TV Langen come back continued to shrink the Dresden lead. It was almost at it´s climax as TV Langen led 87-85 with 4 seconds to go after a dramatic Alex Lagerman dunk. Then Scottie Stone nailed a trey for the 88-87 lead with 1 second to go. “When I saw Dresden´s play for the Stone three pointer, It reminded me that Frankfurt had had that play when I played there. When I saw Stone open, I was annoyed, because I knew he would make the shot. The buzzer went off, but I knew that there was at least 1 second to play”, said Drago Crnjac. TV Langen had one last possession. TV Langen didn´t need a three and could have opted for a 2 point play. Was Drago Crnjac the main last option and was he surprised how open he was? “The play was drawn up for Alex Lagerman. The refs were discussing something. I saw that Dresden was set for zone and that Leon Fertig was guarded on the in bound. I went over to Leon and told him that I would run my route a little different. I will be free since the zone won´t give us an alley-op. I thought Leon waited to long and the contest was there, but all in all Henk Droste set a really good screen”, added Drago Crnjac. He had a good look and let the ball fly. “I felt nothing after the release. I just shot it and then saw Kevin Kollmar come at me. I thought that he would foul me. Then he flew by me and then I saw the ball sail through the net”, expressed Drago Crnjac. His buzzer beater was perhaps a once in a lifetime shot as buzzer beaters are so rare. Was that his biggest moment of the game? “I think that the complete last few minutes was my highlight. The Lagerman dunk, Stone three and my buzzer beater was an experience that I will never forget”, stressed Drago Crnjac.

Pic credit: Matthias Raith

TV Langen face Orange Academy on the road and want to keep their winning streak alive and get revenge for the ugly 105-75 loss at home almost 3 months ago. “We will be really fired up for this game. The team is a lot different now. Some of their players moved to the BBL team Ulm like Teo Millic who scored 26 points against us then. It will be a very long trip, but we are comfortable that we can beat them. I know the area there from my Ehingen days so it should be a nice trip”, smiled Drago Crnjac. Last season he averaged 12.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 71.4% in the Regionalliga and this season is averaging 1 minute less while averaging 11,3ppg and 1,4apg. “I had start problems as we started poorly as a team. But I have been happy with my game in the last 10 games. I´m shooting over 50% from outside. Of course I would always like to play more”, said Drago Crnjac. He is averaging only 0,7rpg which is very uncommon, but 1,4apg. How vital is it for him to bring other facets of his game besides his shot? “I think that I have become a really solid passer. I´m not always getting the assist, but making the one more pass. But my rebounding is definitely something that I continue to work on”, commented Drago Crnjac. He is always working on becoming a better defender. He continues to gain new steps in his defensive game as he is playing in a system of Tobias Jahn that prides defense. “Coach Jahn really likes to play good defense. I have gained some weight this season and that has really helped me with the physicality and bumps. I feel more comfortable as a defender now”, stressed Drago Crnjac. 2026 has arrived. Did he set any special new years resolutions? “Outside of basketball my big focus is to finish my studies”, said Drago Crnjac. It will be interesting to see where the journey of TV Langen will go in the next months. The playoffs are a realistic goal. If Crnjac will hit another buzzer beater is unknown, but one thing is sure, he will continue to amaze Langen fans with his three pointer and other facets of his game that he will continue to display.

It Doesn´t Matter If Dante Maddox Jr(Okapi Aalst) Scores 41, 45 or 50 Points Because His Only Goal Is Winning And Being A Good Teammate

Dante Maddox Jr. (188-G, college: Xavier) is a 188cm guard playing his rookie season with Okapi Aalst (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He began his basketball career with Bloom High School and then played 2 seasons with California State University, Fullerton (NCAA) averaging 11.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 89.8% and 6.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 71.4%. He then played 2 seasons at The University of Toledo (NCAA) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 75.2% and 15.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 86.0%. He then finished at Xavier University (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 40.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 88.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after dropping 45 points against Antwerp.

You’re playing your rookie season for Okapi Aalst (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). You had 2 massive scoring games with 41 and 45 points. Before this season, you never averaged more than 15,5ppg in a season. Did you know that you had that scoring power in you?

I believe so, I have been lucky to play on some very good teams, and I have always played to win. I won all my years in college, so I’ve been willing to sacrifice my role and my scoring for the greater good and for my teams to win. I won 3 regular season championships in college (out of 5) so I’m most proud about that – and want to continue winning with Aalst.

This was your second 40 plus game as a rookie. Did the 45-point game feel differently than the 41-point game?

No, it didn’t – I come out consistent with my routine and my process in every game. We knew we were playing the best team in the league – a team coming off 12 straight wins in the BNXT – so I just put my best foot forward to give my team the best chance to win. The most important thing is that in both those games we all stepped up and came up big with a win.

Is your role in Belgium different to what you saw at the NCAA level?

My job is to do what my coaches and what the team requires of me, to make sure we win as many games as possible, regardless of my role.

You recently had a 45-point explosion against Antwerp. How quickly did you know that you would have another big scoring game?

My teammates put me in a great spot. We all found a great rhythm during the game – due to them having success early, it let me get to my spots, make some big shots and lock in on defense. I didn’t think about it much in the heat of the moment.

you feel being invincible like in the 41-point outburst

ZZ Leiden is a very strong team, but playing against the league’s 1-seed, there’s a feeling that there is more at stake. Coach devised an amazing plan to make sure the entire team was in lockstep, rowing in the same direction, playing great defense and making sure the entire team was “in the zone” – not just me. I definitely felt great though.

You shot at very high clips. How big of a role does shot selection play for you in general for the success of scoring a lot?

This goes back to college – one of the things I’ve always been able to do is score with less. I’ve always been an efficient player during my entire career. Here, I’ve been able to scale up my output – with trust and faith from our coaching staff and my teammates. Regarding shot selection – I am trying to adjust to the needs of the team so that we are winning games and playing at a high level.

You hit a lot of three´s and also from the 2-point range. How much of your points was pure isolation in comparison to getting open looks from your teammates?

Regardless of shooting off the catch or off the dribble in isolation situations, it all goes back to our team preparation, and coach putting all of us in position. We all make an effort to give each other the right spacing and freedom to score and find lanes to attack the basket. It’s a team game and I’m lucky to have a great setup with my guys.

You were only 5 points away from 50. Does 50 points become a new goal for you?

The only goal in my mind is winning and being a good teammate.

What was your own favorite bucket of the game?

The dunk in the first quarter, I fought hard through the screens and contested late, Niels got a great rebound and threw an outlet to me wide open. The 3pointer when the score was 66-61 also felt great – in a very important juncture of the game.

Did you get any special congrats from people after that performance?

The words my coach shared with me meant a lot. Won’t share what those were – but I am lucky to have him lead this team – and this win meant a lot to him too.