BBL

Bryce Workman Has Worn Green And White His Whole Life And It Continued With The EPG Guardians Koblenz

For some some things never change. In terms of winning, you can never get enough, but only few can win very much. For example athletes like Spain’s Antoni Bou won 34 consecutive FIM Trial World Championship (17 outdoor and 17 indoor) between 2007 and 2023 or Pakistan’s Jahangir Khan’s 555 consecutive wins in squash from 1981 to 1986, or Dutch wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer winning 470 matches in a row. But for some, it´s not just the wins, but the colors. My favorite color is blue, but I do love the color green and white very much, because it´s the color of my home town team Boston Celtics. There are also other guys who know the color of green and white very well, and kept the tradition alive this season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz. Bryce Workman (201-F-2000, college: Jacksonville) begin his professional career in Germany with Pro A team EPG Guardians Baskets but unfortunately wore their green and white only through pre season and 1 pro game before leaving the club to head back to USA on account of personal reasons. In terms of colors nothing changed. “ I saw that the EPG Baskets wear green & white. My elementary school was green, my high school team was green & white, college team was green & white so I just felt like it was meant to be”, stressed Bryce Workman.

Bryce Workman who lists Kevion Nolan, JD Notae, and Tyrese Davis as his best teammates of all-time was born in Tampa, Florida and attended Sickless high school averaging 19,8ppg and 13,3rpg in his senior year and he also played AAU basketball with E1T1. He is the son of ex NBA player Haywoode Workmann who enjoyed a stellar 10 year basketball career and played 359 games for teams like Atlanta, Washington, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto. He also played overseas in Italy and Israel and is currently a professional referee. There is nothing better than having a family member involved with basketball the way his dad was. That made the introduction to the game a lot easier. “Growing up I always was around basketball. I started playing at the YMCA at a young age which then led to me starting to play AAU ball in the 3rd grade. I would always watch my dad ref pro-am games going to different events with him while he worked. I don’t really have none from when he played. I actually went to All star weekend back in the 6th grade and got a ball for a bunch of players & ex-players to sign. I met people like Blake Griffin, Dikembe Mutombo, Dominique Wilkins, & Gary Payton”, remembered Bryce Workman. When you see a lot of those father and son combo´s often they are at the same position for example with Patrick Ewing and his son, but with Bryce and Haywoode, there was a considerable height difference as his dad was the classic 183cm guard and he the undersized big at 201cm. Even playing different positions, did some of dad´s skills rub off on his son? “Well growing up I feel like we never really would get in the gym. When I got to playing, I feel like maybe some of his skills rubbed off on me. Obviously around the age of 5 maybe the skills weren’t there but by the time I got to the 6th grade I just tapped into another mode because at that point I was like 6 foot and was so much bigger than everyone which was an advantage”, said Bryce Workman.

The Florida native who lists LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Kevin Durant on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore played at Jacksonville University (NCAA) form 2018-2024 playing a total of 131 NCAA games. In his first 2 seasons he averaged only 12 minutes averaging 2,5ppg and 2,1rpg while in his second season he averaged 5,6ppg and 4,5rpg. His game really took off in his last three years as his minutes rose as he averaged 26 minutes per game and averaged 10.4ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 65.9% and 9.8ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 54.0%, FT: 68.8% in his fourth season and 13.0ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 71.6% in his senior year. “When I first got to JU, I still had some weight on me from high school, so I was still kind of trying to get in better shape. As each year came, I feel like I proved myself to the coaches that I could play and would show it in practice, the only thing was I had a bunch of upper-class man ahead of me, so I had to wait till my sophomore year to really play. When COVID hit in 2019, that’s when my game really elevated & my body was in a different form to perform good. As each year went on after that it got better, my scoring went up rebounds went up & I really made a name for myself in the conference. When we played teams sometimes, I would get scouted so much that teams would start to double team me. At that point I knew I had become a force”, stressed Bryce Workman. In his last 3 seasons he played 72 games and scored in double figures in 41 games. His career high was an explosive 33 points in a 86-82 win over Stetson, but that wasn´t his most memorable game. His most memorable games were his last 3 in his career against KSU, EKU and Stetson where he had 19 points in a loss. “I wouldn’t say my “most memorable game”, I would say the run & numbers I put up during the stretch of playing after I had broke my hand & tore my ACL was the most memorable because most people who have such a tragic injury don’t play the same after. I felt like I played better than I did before the injury somewhat. After the injury I had to find ways to score because I couldn’t move like my old self. Being able to get to the conference tournament after being in 10th place in the conference after conference play & scoring a double double in all 3 games, knocking off the top teams in the conference was something that I had to do in order for us to keep progressing to the championship. That was the most memorable moment because nobody expected us to get that far”, remembered Bryce Workman. He also wouldn´t be the player he is today without the diligent leadership and guidance of coaches Tony Jasick and Jordan Mincy. “When I first got to JU coach Jasick was a good coach but playing under Jasick taught me to be more patient & taught me structure. Mincy was probably one of the best coaches I had ever. He really taught me to trust the process in whatever you do, he taught me that in life you have to go get it because nothing will ever be given to you”, warned Bryce Workman.

The undersized big man who remembers splitting 1-1 battles in practice with teammate Osayi Osifo began his professional career in Germany. He is a modest young man off the bat, because he already knew things about Germany that many American ballers wouldn´t have necessarily known without having done research. “I really don’t know much about Germany to begin with. I know you guys have something called Oktoberfest & the different kinds of food that is popular over there like Schnitzel, Brezel & Käsespätzle. I don’t know much about basketball except that the culture is amazing & people love sports & basketball there”, commented Bryce Workman. He also didn´t sign to keep only his green and white colors streak going, but for many other reasons. “ It was just the idea of getting to play in another country for the first time right out of college really. Especially playing somewhere like Germany, that’s one of the best places to play overseas I heard. When I looked at the teams instagram I liked how much the team posted about them, what they were posting. I see the team works with kids on their basketball skills and stuff & like to give back to the youth too. It seems like they are about their business, but they know how to give back to the community”, expressed Bryce Workman. Having that first impression is always vital in building up a harmonious relationship as a season is long and hard and you need to be on good terms with the coach. He saw eye to eye with head coach Marco Van Den Berg right off the bat. “I thought coach Marco was a nice person. The conversation we had went really well. Everything we had talked about was something that I was looking to be a part of, & I’m looking forward to the challenge. When he talked to my mom and asked her questions about me & how I am as a person, I feel like the things he heard sometimes don’t come around as often as a young man from the U.S”, stated Bryce Workman.

So what kind of a player could German basketball fans have witnessed had he remained with the EPG Guardians with Bryce Workman who believes the classic Coming To America movie with Eddie Murphy should have been left alone? He is a forward that can do so many things on the court and would compare his game to New York Knick Julius Randle. “I can post up against players my size, taller, & smaller. As big as I am I feel like I’m a lot faster and more agile than guys my size & I feel like I got some of that from dad being a point guard. I can space the floor and be someone who knocks down the outside 3 ball. I can bring the ball up the court. I know how to play the game and actually do other things than score the ball, almost like I fill every aspect of the stat sheet”, warned Bryce Workman. It isn´t just scoring and rebounding the ball that gives him high praise, but also other things. “I feel like I just got a good IQ in certain situations. I know how to do other things that help the team like bringing energy on & off the bench, always trying to make my teammates better during practice and things like that so that when games come it will flow better. Whenever I play people say I have a good energy to me & that’s something every team needs”, warned Bryce Workman. Often bigs come to Europe without having much of a three game. For example Avery Sullivan who won the pro B title with the Dragons Rhondorf last season took a total of 6 three´s at Lamar (NCAA) in 4 seasons and then raised his total from 14 as a rookie to 63 last season. Workman took only 37 three´s at Jacksonville, but 22 in his last season and is also look to add more of his three to his game overseas. “As each year went on, I felt like I grew that trust from my coaches & worked on my game enough to the point where when those type shots came around, I would take them with more confidence. As I got to shooting more it was really just a confidence thing”, said Bryce Workman. He is also a passionate defender and is a guy that will be able to display his immense versatility. “At JU, some games we would have to switch 1-5 or sometimes we would switch 1-4 & I’d be stuck on a guard sometimes & I would look at it like a challenge. I feel like I can guard 1-5 & be disruptive to a team’s offense if need be. I take pride in defense like my dad did because I feel like if you can’t score on me, you’re not better than me”, stressed Bryce Workman. He will continue to be a gym rap and grind in the lab so his game will continue to grow. “At this point I feel like being able to dribble better, have a consistent shot & being able to have good endurance because professional ball is way faster than college ball where you always setting plays, waiting for the coach to call something whereas at the professional level you kind of have a couple of set plays but you really out there just hooping like at open gym, just more organized”, said Bryce Workman. He comes over as a very good guy and for once his GOAT isn´t Michael, Lebron or Kobe. “My mom is my goat because she was like my dad and mom at one point in my life. She’s like my best friend to where we can talk about anything especially now that I’m older. She always made sure me & my brother had everything we needed. She always stopped what she was doing to take me on my away trips when I was younger. She just did everything so that I could grow up a well-mannered & to have morals and live life the right way”, added Bryce Workman. He is the real deal on and off the court and should be a massive enrichment for whatever team he suits up next with.

Vinnie Shahid(Hakro Merlins) I´m One of 13 Leaders On The Team

pic credit: Hakro Merlins

Vinnie Shahid (180-PG-1998, college: NDSU) is a 26 year old 180cm point guard from Minnetonka, Minnesota playing his fifth pro season and first with German Pro A team Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. Last season he played with Openjobmetis Varese (Italy-Serie A) averaging 14.8ppg, 1.9rpg, 3.1apg, 2FGP: 57.1%, 3FGP: 40.5%, FT: 94.3%;in the Fiba Europe Cup and in the Italian Serie A averaged 7.0ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 40.0%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 80.0%, in Jan.’24 moved to Ferraroni Juvi Cremona (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 15.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 81.7%. In 2022-2023, he played with Thor Thorlakshofn (Iceland-Subway League) playing 27 games and leading the league in scoring and assists averaging 26.4ppg, 4.3rpg,8.7apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 88.2%. Two seasons ago he played with Entente Cergy Osny Pontoise BB (France-NM1) leading the league in scoring averaging 21.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 85.5%. He played his rookie season with AB Contern (Luxembourg-Total League) averaging 22.6ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.9apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 79.2%. He began his basketball career at Hopkins high school and then played 2 years at Western Nebraska Community College (JUCO) averaging 15.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 81.0% and in his second season averaged 18.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 47.6%, FT: 86.8%. He then played 2 years at North Dakota State University (NCAA) averaging 13.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 84.9% and in his senior year averaged 1.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 88.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a 84-67 win over Nurnberg.

Congrats Vinnie on the 84-67 win over Nurnberg. How good does it feel to be 2-0 as well as beating a BBL team in cup play?

It feels really good. We don´t try to get to excited, but just try to get better every day. We are happy to have started off well, but we know that we still have a lot to do.

Is there a massive ambition and a bit of pressure within the organization to get back to the easyCreditBBL

I don´t think that there is much pressure, but there is much ambition. Coach Mccray has done a really good job of letting our goals be known. The whole organization is hungry to get back to the BBL.

The first quarter was tight. With what kind of a focus did head coach David Mccray want you guys to enter the second quarter with?

We weren´t being ourselves. We didn´t play fast paced and physical on defense. We wanted to play like that in the second quarter.

In the second quarter the Merlins went on a little at the end and got 2 clutch three´s from veteran Maurice Stuckey. How vital is this German player for the team?

It is very vital to have veteran leadership with Mo. He is still super productive for his age.

In the third quarter the Merlins took the momentum of the second quarter and carved a nice 10 point lead with 10 minutes to play. How comfortable have you gotten to now finding your spots with your new teammates?

I think that it is still happening. I´m very comfortable with my teammates and they with me. I think we have yet to have played our best brand of basketball. We are still finding each other.

You guys put an exclamation point on the win in the fourth quarter. Nurnberg cut the lead down to 70-67, but you closed out the game with 14-3 run. How proud were you of the team making a big improvement on the defensive end in comparison to the first game?

I´m very proud how we finished the game. We gave up way too many points in the first game. We wanted to prove to the Pro A that we can play defense. We showed a bit of improvement in that second game

Are the Hakro Merlins a team this season that can develop into a top defensive team and one that can win the close ones?

We pride our game on defense. We are definitely a defensive minded team. We would rather be a better defensive team than an offensive team. It is a good goal to be want to be a great defensive team. That will help us get stops in crunch-time.

What was the key to the win? The three point shooting or crunch-time defense?

Our crunch-time defense was key. It doesn´t matter if you can shoot out the lights, because if you can´t get stops than you won´t beat anyone.

The Merlins have real great guards in Devin Goodman and Tyrese Blunt. Talk a little about what you appreciate most about them? Have you felt that Blunt has a big hunger to produce after coming from the Pro B?

We have a really good back court and have so much versatility. We all bring something different. Blunt is a great player and defender. He also brings so much at the offensive end. He is definitely hungry. Devon is lightening quick and a great decision maker. He is also a great on ball defender. He is a better shooter than most would think. Their games make my job easier. I´m really high on their abilities as well as everyone else on the team.

Americans Ladarien Griffin and Anthony Gaines will also be guys that will have to produce every night. How vital is it having 2 guys where you know will produce each night?

It is really great to have them on the team. They are both versatile players. Griffin is a 4 man that can shoot the 3 and post up. Gaines is a player that brings that down hill attacking ability. Both also have a defensive presence on the court.

You had a potent game with 21/3/5 stats and shot 9/15. How content were you with your game?

I was happy to get the win. There is always room for improvement. We did a good job of showing improvement from week 1 to week 2.

You had a great season in the Italian Serie a and B. Why did you choose to come to a second division team in Germany?

I felt like the Merlins had a very good idea and clear picture of what their goals were. I had the impression that they were building something special. It isn´t always about what type of league you play in, but moreover about being happy with the people around you. It is a great organization from top to bottom. We all believe in our goals and I believed it was a good fit for me on and off the court.

The Merlins have many potent guards. What is your role? Are you one of the leaders with Maurice Stuckey?

I would look at myself as one of the leaders on the team with Mo. I honestly feel like everyone on the team is a leader in some way. We all have a voice and respect for one another. I´m one of 13 leaders on the court.

What has it been like playing for head coach David Mccray. This is the first German coach you have played for. Have you noticed that German sense of discipline in his coaching?

Coach Mccray is great. He is really big on details. It is the small details that make a difference especially in the fourth quarter when you need stops. He does a great job of making us understand how important every possession is. He also does a good job of pushing us and challenging us each day.

You were a lethal scorer and guy that filled the stat sheet in lower leagues in Luxemburg, France and Iceland. What kind of a player do you hope to develop into this season?

I don´t want to say I want to be that type of player. The biggest thing for me is to win games. Some games it might be 30 points, another game 10 points and another game 0 points. I will always be happy when we win and play the right type of basketball.

You have seen so many beautiful places in Europe, but what have you appreciated most about Crailsheim?

I appreciate the group of guys most. We get along so well and have good relations especially off the court.

Who wins a 1-1 you or Devin Goodman or Tyreese Blunt?

Me each time. But if you ask them they will go with themselves.

Thanks Vinnie for the chat.

Anthony Roberts(Dinamo Bucuresti) May Not Be A Lockdown Defender Yet But Takes All Assignments Personal

Anthony Roberts (192-G-2000, college: Stony Brook, agency: Players Group) is a 24 year old 192cm guard from Michigan playing his third pro season and first with Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania-Liga Nationala). Last season he split time with ESSM Le Portel Cote d’Opale (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 36.1%, 3FGP: 20.0%, FT: 94.7%, in Nov.’23 moved to Arconic-Alba Fehervar (Hungary-A Division) averaging 14.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 83.8%. He played his rookie season with Vitoria SC/Costa Guerreiro Lda. (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 21.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 85.5%. He began his basketball career at Western International and then played 2 seasons at Kent State University (NCAA) averaging 5.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.0% and 12.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 75.0%. He then played a season at St. Bonaventure University (NCAA) averaging 5.3ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg and then finished at Stony Brook University (NCAA) averaging 16.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 82.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against Bamberg.

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

No problem and I’m in a good space with basketball still learning the game as a student of it to get better

Your playing your third pro season and first with Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania-Liga Nationala). What kind of an experience has it been playing in Romania after having played in France and Hungary?

I will have to wait until mid season to fully give my experience because preseason is different from the real season but so far it’s competitive

Last season you played 2 Fiba Europe Cup games and this year playing in a very new competition ENBL league. What are your personal expectations from this league?

My personal expectation is to lead my team to a deep run in the enbl league and win a championship and to leave my mark with my play

The club last won the league title in 2003 and cup in 1980. Do you feel that urgency within the organization to win a title again?

Yes I feel an urgency for sure winning a championship is always on my mind no matter where I play at but it is not easy to do

Congrats on winning the first game in Romania. You scored 18 points. Has head coach Dragan Nikolic given you the keys to the team?

I would say so yes, but with the keys to the team comes great responsibility and high expectations which I feel like I can handle

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 192cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would compare my game to Paul George because we play at our own pace and we don’t let anyone speed us up

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard? What other strengths does your game have?

I wouldn’t say point guard I would call myself a combo guard that can play point at any time. Other strengths my game has is my IQ and physicality I play with and also my defense. I´m not saying I´m a lockdown defender but I take my assignments personal

You made a big jump with your outside shooting in Hungary at 41%. How well is your three pointer developed now and what is your biggest goal with your shooting besides staying consistent?

It developed a lot with me staying consistent in the gym focusing on getting better from 3, my biggest goal is to match that number from 3 or even shoot better

You averaged 3 assists the last few years. Do you feel like with the more team game overseas that you playmaking will grow?

It has been my goal to average more because I´m looked as a playmaker so this is something I definitely want to increase

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

The defender I am right now I feel like I’m the best defender I have ever been in my life and I just need to stay engaged and focus and putting effort always on the defensive end

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

Defense for sure is something I have been working on I feel like all aspects of my offense game is complete even though I still work on my game but defense is definitely something I improve

Last season you began with ESSM Le Portel Cote d’Opale (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 36.1%, 3FGP: 20.0%, FT: 94.7%. You put up solid stats, but left. What positives could you get from the short France stay?

France is a great league to compete in every day and night everyone is playing hard and from every position there talented guys I wish I could have stayed to showcase more of my game but everything happens for a reason

You then played with Arconic-Alba Fehervar (Hungary-A Division) averaging 14.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 83.8%. You played your first playoff rounds there and lost a tough 3 game series to Szolnok and game 3 with 1 point. What will you always remember about the series?

I will always remember the atmosphere in Szolnok. The fans were crazy and very supportive and loud for their team

How beneficial was it having veteran Siyani Chambers there? Was he like a mentor for you?

Having a vet like Siyani helped me grow a lot just to see how focal he was and how he led the team and also helped me improve my defense because I have never had to defend someone with his speed

You played your rookie season with Vitoria SC/Costa Guerreiro Lda. (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging (21.9ppg), 3.4rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 85.5%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I have always been far from home due to me being in school. I went to school in Ohio and New York so being overseas felt like I was back in school without doing any homework

You had huge games in Portugal. What was your favorite moment there?

My favorite moment in Portugal was beating sporting at home in Vitoria that game for sure was one of my favorite for sure

You played at 3 NCAA schools. How vital was this for your player development? What kind of player did you become in 2022 and what kind of player were you in 2018 when you began at Kent State?

A lot has to due with maturity on and off the court understanding that studying and being a student of the game is important

You played your first 2 NCAA seasons with Kent State and made a huge jump in your game in your second season. How vital was the start of the season having big games against Hiram and Towson?

It meant a lot to make that jump as a sophomore. I worked hard that summer and during the season so I just wanted to showcase my game and work

You then moved to St Bonaventure and still played good minutes, but averaged only 5.3ppg. How tough was this season and playing only 3 games?

During my time at st Bonaventure I wasn’t mentally all the way there. I was dealing with a lot of family issues and on top of that it was Covid going around I couldn’t focus there so I decided to step away for my mental health and family

You capped off a fine NCAA career at Stony Brook University (NCAA) averaging 16.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 82.3%. You had amazing games including a 40 point explosion against Maine. How did your game grow that season?

It grew because once I left from Bonaventure. I immediately started working out. My trainer ed turner helped me from winter all the way up until it was time for me leave. He helped me look at the game different like how I look at film and on court things as well.

How did head coach Geno Ford groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He always held me to a golden standard no matter what and held me accountable for my actions on and off the court

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tykei Greene?

To be honest we never played 1-1 but if we did would for sure but Tykei is my guy and got game

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

The greatest players I played against that reached the NBA were Cassius Winston and Darius Garland

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Antonio Booman Williams, James Dickey, Phlandrous Fleming, Siyani Chambers, Tykei Greene

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryan,t Lebron James, Joel Embid

Who is your GOAT?

Michael black Jesus Jordan all day

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

Yes I felt like they should have left it a lone the first one was an instant classic and the sequel wasn’t as funny as the first one

Thanks Anthony for the chat.

Brandon Thomas(Artland Dragons) Wants To Remain Consistent And Feels No Pressure To Still Have To Bring It At Age 40

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Brandon Thomas in Frankfurt in 2024

Brandon Thomas (198-SF-1984, college: UMass, agency: Interperformances) is a 40 year old 198cm forward playing his 18th professional season and fourth season with the Artland Dragons. He has played most of his pro career in Germany having played with teams like Jena, Giessen, FC Bayern Munich and Braunschweig. He also played in countries like Argentina, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Spain, Denmark and Austria. He began his basketball career at Judson high school and then played at Long Island University (NCAA) and UMass (NCAA). He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 106-96 win over Bayreuth.

Congrats on the huge 106-96 win against Bayreuth. Artland is 2-0. How good does it feel starting this well after last season?

It feels unbelievable. It is a lot different this season. Last season was one of the worst start for many of us. With this start we feel very hopeful. We feel very strong. This season is so different.

After a good defensive game against Nurnberg, Artland opted for a shoot out win. Is this years team unpredictable?

At the moment we are trying to figure out our identity. We are very versatile and have many options. That is dangerous. We rely on different guys on different nights. WE are hard to scout. That will be a real advantage for us.

You led 57-53 at the break which could have easily been the score after 3 quarters. Was this just one of those days where defense wasn´t on the menu? Was it that tough guarding the 3 line? They hit 16 three´s

It is still early in the season and we are focusing on defense. We obviously didn´t want to give up so many three´s, but they had capable shooters. We did a better job in the second half. It is all a matter of concentration. It was nice to score, but our deefnse needs to be better.

In the third quarter Callum Baker-Magnaye got hot. What made it so difficult to contain him?

He is a good player that can drive and shoot the ball well. He was one of their main guys. We had trouble locating him in transition. He had a great game.

Bayreuth went on a run in the fourth and made the game very exciting. Robert Oehle made a shot and you made a trey. Did that shift the momentum in your favor?

Yes I think it did. That was a dagger. Who knows how the game may have gone had it gone 5 minutes longer. We are very fortunate to have many veterans and a talented point guard that can make plays in crunch-time. That sealed the win for us.

What was key in the last few minutes for holding the lead. Was this the best defense that Artland played down the stretch?

That is hard to say. I felt like we had good stretches in the game where we defended well. We have to learn to put it all together for 40 minutes

How key were the 23 free throws and 12 offensive rebounds? Was that the team´s back bone in the game?

It is always great to score more free throws than the other team. Plus getting more extra opportunities off offensive rebounds is always key.

How key is Buzz Anthony in general? Could he become the leagues best all-around point guard?

I believe so. He is everywhere on the floor. He does so much for us. He is a key player for us.

Is the word beast correct for Tajh Green. When you see his game what NBA player comes to mind?

I don´t like making comparisons. He is his own player. He can jump, and shoot and makes very exciting plays. He is willing to learn. He makes big plays on the defensive end. He is very versatile and just tough to stop. I´m really excited to be able to play with him.

How valuable is it having another physical big man coming from the bench with Robert Ohle? He just seems to keep chugging along year by year?

Robert is so strong and is just the ultimate professional. He is always in the weight room and still willing to work on his game even at his age. I think he sets the best screens in the league. He is an important part of our team.

How vital was Joanic Gruettner in the win. He recovered from a goose egg against Nurnberg to 10 points against Bayreuth.

He does the little things and is like a glue guy. He makes plays and is our best on ball defender. He may not score one game, but will be that offensive threat the next game.

Just how much of a true leader is Yasin Kolo. I think this may have been the team´s best pick up this season?

He is another veteran presence for us. He has so much experience having played in Japan and the BBL. He really understands the game. He is so big and strong and hard to stop under the basket. He was a great pick up for us.

Taylor Johnson was a late addition. What has been your impression of him thus far?

Taylor is relentless. He will do anything to win. He is a great shooter and on transition. Plus he is a great scorer.

You had a great game with 18 points. How is your 40 year old body holding up with 29 minutes?

I feel great now. I work hard during the summers so I´m best prepared for another season. I´m fit and feel good mentally. I´m trying to be the best leader possible and at the end of the day just trying to help win games.

With this start you must feel even more motivated. Does your inner-self ever pressure you to have to consistency even at age 40?

I want to always be as consistent as possible and yes that pressure to be a leader is there. I want to perform well and be reliable in some way. I enjoy pressure and am so fortunate to still be playing. The pressure is nothing for me.

What has been the secret of the early success? Some guys went and there seemed a bit of turmoil weeks ago. But now it seems like all are on one page?

It is hard to say since it´s still so early. We are just trying to keep improving each week. Our first win wasn´t pretty so we looked at the game and tried to improve. We won again last weekend and are trying to improve this week. We have great guys who want to get better. I hope the winning continues.

How dangerous is it not to get too euphoric with the start? Is head coach Vincent Macaulay keeping all down on earth?

He is keeping all down to earth and he has the veterans helping him. It is very dangerous if you get to complacent and comfortable. Adversary can always set you back, so just try to do your best to avoid it.

What has been his biggest coaching strength so far to get through adversary early and begin 2-0?

Vincent is very vocal and lets everyone know how he envisions the game. He doesn´t have that typical coaching style that you see in Germany. He loves excitement and just understands his players and how to get them on the same page.

My buddy Joe Asberry was very truthful and told me he wouldn´t be able to beat you in a 1-1 game. How vital is his presence for the young and old in the organization?

Joe is doing a great job. He has so much positive energy. It is really refreshing. He just makes everyone feel so good. He is a consistent presence. He is always there. It is a joy to have him here and I´m glad that he is here.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

This Could Be The Year Where Marcus Bingham(Hapoel Holon) Evolves Into An Elite Shot Blocker

Marcus Bingham Jr. (213-C-2000, college: Michigan St.) is a 24 year old 213cm center from Grand Rapids, Michigan that is playing his second professional season and second in Israel and first with Hapoel Holon (Israel-Winner League). Last season he played with Hapoel B Cure Lazxr Haifa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 14.5ppg, Reb-2 (8.1rpg), 1.1apg, 1.1spg, Blocks-2 (1.8bpg), FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 20.4%, FT: 67.6%. He played twice for the Dallas Mavericks at the NBA Summer League playing 8 games. He began his basketball career at Catholic Central high school and then played 4 seasons at Michigan State (NCAA) and averaged : 9.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.1bpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 74.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against Wurzburg.

Thanks Marcus for talking to germanhoops.com. How blessed do you feel about playing the game you love. You didn´t blossom until high school in basketball and the rest one can say is history.

I feel very blessed to play the game I love.

Your playing your second professional season in Israel and first with Hapoel Holon (Israel-Winner League). You must have fallen in love with Israel. What is so great about the country besides it´s weather and food?

Israel is a great place with great people and great weather. I like how hard everybody works and how they cheer hard for their sports teams. The food is nice too!!

This is your first season where you will play in 2 competitions with the Basketball Champions League. After your great season as a rookie, you must be sky high with self-confidence. Do you feel like you can be an impact player in that league?

I think I can be that this year I just have to go out and do it. I feel more confident than I ever been.

Your playing a game in Wurzburg, Germany. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you ever had friends or teammates play there?

I don’t know much about the country. I’ve never been to Germany before but I know they love basketball out there

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 213cm center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Christian wood, Jaren Jackson those type of builds

You can score, rebound and block shots really well. What other strengths do you have?

I think the more experience I get the more my game grows

You made another jump in your game as a rookie in Israel. How did your game grow overseas last season?

It grew a lot, I was just happy to be on the court after a year and half. I think I just picked back up on what I was already good at.

You have always been a super shot blocker. How would you like to continue to develop as a shot blocker and how far away are you from being an elite shot blocker?

I’m not far from being elite I think I can get to that level this year

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?

My shooting, I focused on getting mechanics back together. My conditioning I think I am strong and faster this year

Last season you played with Hapoel B Cure Lazxr Haifa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 14.5ppg, Reb-2 (8.1rpg), 1.1apg, 1.1spg, Blocks-2 (1.8bpg), FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 20.4%, FT: 67.6%, What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

After the first week, I never have been so far from my family before so it was a real change of everything

You played 2 summers back to back NBA Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks. What kind of an experience was that? What do you remember being the most important piece of advice from coaching besides the usual keep working hard?

My experience was ok, the advice I took from there is to always be a professional because you never know who’s watching

You played at Michigan State (NCAA) from 2018-2022 playing a 115 games and reached 3 NCAA tournaments. In your second season you scored 13 points in 12 minutes in a loss against powerhouse Duke. You held your own against future NBA player Vernon Carey. What memories do you have from the game and him?

I just remember it being a big game and college game day was showing the game, but we battled it was fun.

You had many great games at Michigan State like against Duke and Wisconsin in your senior year. What was your favorite game there?

My favorite game my senior year was against Duke it was my last game as a spartan, even though we lost I think it was my best game of the year.

How did Tom Izzo groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He taught me how to work hard for what you want

Who would win a 1-1 today you or Dereck Lively?

Me over anybody

Who was the best player that you battled in the NCAA that went to the NBA?

Anthony Edward’s

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant

Who is your GOAT?

Kevin Durant

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

No

Thanks Marcus for the chat.

Tim Smith Jr(Dragons Rhondorf) Good Teams Always Find A Way To Win Even If It´s Ugly

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Tim Smith Jr in the Dragon Dome

Tim Smith Jr. (201-F-2000, college: N.Alabama) is a 23 year old 201cm forward playing his first season overseas with the Dragons Rhondorf. He began his basketball career at Lakewood high school and then played at 3 Universities. He began at California University of Pennsylvania (NCAA2) averaging 8.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 88.9%. He then played 2 seasons at Walsh University (NCAA2) averaging 10.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 72.1% and 16.1ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 87.1%. He then finished at the University of North Alabama (NCAA) averaging 9.4ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 79.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big win in Fellbach.

Congrats Tim on the big 78-75 win on the road over Fellbach. How does it feel to get your first pro win under your belt?

It felt good. I really wanted it. We really had to work for it. It was a good win seeing that we could come back from behind. Good teams always find a way to win even if it´s ugly.

How fortunate can the team feel getting the win despite coughing up the ball 20 times and having 9 more turnovers?

Yes we were very lucky. It wasn´t only the turnovers, but they missed a lot of free throws as well. They missed 17 free throws.

How tough was it losing captain Kelvin Omojola after 2 minutes. Who do you believe tried to take on that responsibility as leader on the court?

It was tough losing Kelvin. He was on the sidelines seeing if he could come in. We didn´t have his voice on the court which hurt. We didn´t really have a leader then, but I took it apoun myself to take on the leadership role. I told the guys that we have to play together. I think that my play in the fourth quarter lit a fire and we played the way we should of. We stuck together and all it really takes sometimes is a few plays to get back into it.

You guys started off strong making 2 three´s, but gave up lay up after layup. What did head coach Stephan Dohrn try to make adjustments in that area?

Coach was telling us whole game we have too defend better 1-1. We were really bleeding in that area. They got straight up lay ups on us. We knew we had to lock up on defense and did in the fourth quarter.

Alex Lagerman hit a crucial three late in the first quarter and finished with 14 points. How important will his input be this season`?

He made big shots early, but was also in early foul trouble. He made big plays in the fourth quarter and played great defense especially on Zaire Thompson. He has size and length and we will really need him this season to defend well.

You finally found your scoring groove in the second quarter. Were a bit nervous in the early going?

They began face guarding me in the first quarter. I just didn´t get any touches. I wasn´t nervous at all. I was wanting the game to come to me. At some point assistant coach KJ Sherrill told me to please score the ball.

In the third quarter Fellbach made their move to lead 67-58. Getting stops on the penetration continued to be a problem. Did the Dragons lose some of that fire?

I think that we didn´t really have a good first half either. It was ugly. We didn´t play our brand of basketball in the third quarter. We just couldn´t get stops.

Zaire Thompson was a menace and led his team in scoring. Was finding his spots one of his biggest strengths that night?

He didn´t shoot the three well, but got to the rim and free throw line well. But he did find his spots well.

How tough was it defending top undersized center Brian Butler. That guy is very difficult to move out of the zone.

He is really athletic and strong. I had to guard him 1 or 2 times and he scored on me once. He is big and quick and hard to stop. He has good spin moves as well.

What did head coach Stephan Dohrn tell the team heading into the fourth quarter to do better on the defensive end?

He told us to play harder and more aggressive. Regardless of what happens, I feel like if you can do that as a team then you can get stops and find a way to win.

How proud were you of the incredible defensive effort in the fourth quarter allowing only 8 points? In the last 6,31 you allowed only 2 points on free throws and no field goal

It was really incredible that we could pull out a win like that in a hostle environment. We showed that we can stop a team when we need to and just lock in as a team. But we have to show now that we can do it for 40 minutes and not only 6 or 10 minutes.

How exciting was the last minute? The Dragons made free throws and there was a big block from and steal with 37 seconds remaining.

I have been in this type of situation more than I have wanted to in my career. It is just stressful especially for my family who is watching. We knew that we just had to make plays. On my block, I was actually out of position, but sprinted over and got it. Your body just moves on instincts in do or die situations.

Could one say that the Dragons Rhondorf wanted it more at the end?

Yes for sure. Our energy was amazing. Everyone on the team had the mindset that we could win the game. We battled out our hearts.

You finished with 27/5/3/1/2 stats. How contest were you with your pro debut?

I can´t complain, because we got the win. I played pretty well. I didn´t shoot the three ball well which is my staple, but I got to my spots well. I played hard. I got like 8-10 points on offensive rebounds. I was just battling hard. I wanted to make those last free throws so much. I just didn´t want to lose the first game of the season. The worst loses are when you battled your heart out, and the best wins are when you battled your heart out.

The next opponent are the RheinStars Cologne who is the big rival. The Dragons are favorite on paper. A lot of respect as they play 2 16 year olds. What will be key to getting win?

We have to come out with the right energy. We have to play the same way we did in the fourth quarter. Just flying around, talking and having much energy. We have to feed off the energy of the crowd.

How confident are you in the play of Marko Rosic? These next games could be big in his development in Kelvin Omojola´s absence.

Marko practices with the BBL team Telekom Baskets Bonn and holds his own. He does get tunnel vision sometimes, but he is a great passer and knows how to find his spots well. He just needs to learn the game a bit better, but that will come with experience.

How wins a 1-1 in practice you or Marco Rahn?

I do. I will always take myself because nobody can guard me.

Thanks Tim for the chat.

Keyshawn Feazell(Bamberg)Anton Gavel Does A Great Job Of Feeling Out What Is Best In Each Situation

KeyShawn Feazell (206-F-1998, college: Creighton) is a 25 year old 206cm forward that was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that will play his third pro season and first in Germany for easyCredit BBl team Brose Bamberg. Last season he played for CSO Voluntari (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 11.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0apg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP: 67.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 76.2%. He played his rookie season with the Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 14.9ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.6apg, Blocks-5 (1.2bpg), FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 72.9%. He began his basketball career at Lawrence County high school and then enjoyed a 5 year NCAA career at 3 schools playing a total of 127 games. He played his first 3 NCAA seasons at Mississippi where he never averaged more than 1,5ppg. He then moved to McNeese State University (NCAA) averaging 13.1ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 76.4%. He played his last season at Creighton University (NCAA) averaging 3.1ppg, 2.3rpg. He spoke to germanhoops.com after getting the first win of the season in Frankfurt over the Skyliners 66-58.

Congrats on the massive 66-58 win in Frankfurt. How good did the first win feel after the horrible loss against Braunscwheig?

Thank you. Having that first win under our belts felt great, we know we have to continue to build on it, but overall just happy to have a win in the books.

With what kind of a focus did the team come to Frankfurt with? You obviously showed that you can let up 38 less points the next game?

We played them twice in the preseason already so we were familiar with the team. I feel as if we were more focused on being the more aggressive team and locked in defensively.

Was this game a nice old fashioned grind out win? Did it remind you on college rival games?

I would say it felt more like a playoff game because of the pace and familiarity with the team.

How big was the focus to slow done the guard duo of Calvin and Parsons who only combined for 25 points. How big was containing Parsons to only 9 points?

Well we knew they would be aggressive like always so we just wanted to make it difficult on them as much as possible.

The game was pretty even in the first quarter as Bamberg led 19-15. Both teams executed ok offensively. What was the difference?

Just felt like we were settling in and trying to catch some type of rhythm.

In the second quarter Frankfurt fought back and Bamberg had problems executing. What adjustments did Frankfurt make defensively?

I don’t think it was necessarily what they were doing, I feel as if we had great looks and just missed some good shots. We did a good job overall taking care of the ball.

After 3 quarters, Bamberg led 50-43. The game was a real dog fight. What do you enjoy most about these kinds of games?

The best part about these games is that you really feel the importance behind each single possession.

Then the game was tight in the fourth quarter. How key was your tip in for the 59-52 lead. After that Bamberg had control even if Frankfurt did make some three´s.

It was just a hustle play, being in the right place at the right time. It was a big bucket though, gave us a bit of breathing room.

How vital was Anton Gavel´s in game coaching in crunch-time? How much of a factor was he?

His coaching is always a factor, does a great job of feeling out what’s best in each situation, whether that’s play calls, lineups that work well together, or even defense adjustments. He does all that well especially when it matters most!

Does Bamberg have the potential to be a very good defensive team? What was the biggest strength defensively today?

I definitely feel as if we can be really good defensively, we have a lot of tough minded players and I feel like a lot of defense stuff starts more mentally, just wanting it more. I would say we did a good job of limiting them to one shot and grabbing the boards.

How much fun is it playing with Ronaldo Segu? He had 5 turnovers but made key buckets and played the way a point guard should.

Always fun to have someone like him on your team. A great talent.

You didn´t have a great scoring game but was a force on the boards with 11 rebounds. Is a game like this worth more to you than scoring 19 points in a loss?

Whenever we win I feel like it’s always worth more. Of course everyone wants to score but it’s not going to be your night every time so rebounding was my way of trying to impact this particular game.

How much fun is it playing with Filip Stanic? Could you guys be a real duo force in the easyCredit BBL?

I love playing alongside Filip, I feel like we are definitely a great duo. We are both good rebounders and both bring two different dynamics to the game as well.

How excited are you to be playing in the ENBL which kicks off this week.

Very excited, I´m definitely familiar with Dinamo so it will be exciting to play against them once again.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you of Filip Stanic?

Filip is great but I got to go with myself.

Ty Cockfield Carries The EPG Guardians On His Shoulders To Come From Behind Win Over The Dresden Titans 79-76

It is never nice losing the home opener to a season at home, but what´s even more worse is stinking up the own living room. But that exactly what happened to the EPG Guardians Koblenz getting hammered by Bochum last weekend. They didn´t stay true to their new name Guardians as they didn´t protect their own home court, but rather allowed the guests to trample all over them. They needed a positive response in their second home game, but that didn´t get any easier with the Dresden Titans. They are an up and coming program that paid their dues for many years in the Pro B, but since arriving in the Pro A have really played well and just barely missed the playoffs last season. They are a team led by up and coming German head coach Fabian Straus that has a knack for bringing in the right Americans and for stressing team basketball. The EPG Guardians Koblenz had to be on top of their game to reach 500 for the season and were at least for a half as after a poor first half turned the game around 180 degrees in the second half finally showing their fans what Guardians basketball really is winning a come from behind nail bitter 79-76 over the Dresden Titans. Team leader Ty Cockfield Jr. (183-PG-1996, college: Arkansas St., agency: BIG) led all scorers with 28 points and took over the game in the fourth quarter scoring 3 buckets in a row to get the momentum and get the massive win. “In the first half we had our minds too much on last game and worried too much about it. In the second half, we played Guardians basketball. We frustrated them and tapped in as a unit”, stressed ex Arkansas State (NCAA) guard Ty Cockfield Jr.. The Dresden Titans controlled the game in the first half, but couldn´t come to terms with the Guardians heightened physicality in the second half and couldn´t sustain a good offensive rhythm and 8 missed free throws that didn´t help their cause either. “It was a tale of 2 halves. We had a great first half where we did everything right. In the second half, we got to confident and took our foot off the gas pedal. They punched us back in the face. We got away from our principles”, stressed Dresden Titans forward Wes Dreamer.

Maurice Pluskota at the FT line

The Dresden Titans were without their floor general Grayson Murphy while the EPG Guardians were without Bryce Workman who was back in USA due to personal reasons and Alin Blunt who is still out. The Dresden Titans got off to a hot start and totally shocked the Guardians taking the rapid 8-2 lead as their defense was spot on. Their very physical on ball defense was brutal as they got 3 steals in a row which led to 3 transition baskets by Sapwell who scored twice and nifty speedster Daniel Kirchner. But Dresden also got good execution on offense from their German role players as Lucien Schmikale nailed a trey and Lukas Zerner made a lay in for the lethal 13-4 advantage. The only Guardian who was spot on was Cockfield who showed his incredible 1-1 skills scoring twice. The Titans execution continued as ex Florida AtlanticUniversity (NCAA) guard Pablo Bertone got a perfect back door pass from ex Skyliner Aaron Kayser who obviously learned passing in Frankfurt. But the Guardians finally found some energy nailing back to back three´s from ex BBL player Leon Friderici and Pro A veteran Maurice Pluskota as suddenly they only trailed by 3 points. But Dresden didn´t relinquish the lead as they kept the lead continuing to execute well getting production from everyone. Schmikale scored in the paint and rookie Adam Paige who played at the University of Alberta hit a clutch trey. Cockfield continued to keep his team in the game with 4 points, but Dresden still led 23-17. Then with a few seconds remaining, Daniel Kirchner heaved up a bomb ala Tom Brady that was right on the money as Bertone got the easy lay in. “We don´t practice that. They were guarding the front side, so we could do it. Plus Kirchner has a high IQ and we communicated well as a team”, added Wes Dreamer. The Dresden Titans led 25-17 after 10 minutes. “It was an up and down quarter for us. We had no stability and had many turnovers. We had problems on 1-1 defense. It looked worse than it really was”, stated EPG Guardians sport director Thomas Klein.

Sebastian heck floater

In the second quarter the Dresden Titans continued to play their game while the EPG Guardians had to play pick up basketball. Dresden began with a quick 6-2 run as Kayser, Bertone and Kirchner all got in the paint easily and scored easy lay up´s to lead 31-19. Now there was a phase of a few minutes where both teams went back and forth executing very well. The 3 ball was falling well as Dreamer connected twice while ex BBL player Dominque Johnson scored as did ex MercyhurtsNCAA2) guard Michael Bradley, but Dresden still led comfortably 37-27. Dresden then upped their defensive intensity a bit while still executing well on offense with a 7-0 run as Kirchner and Kayser scored easily in the zone and American Matthew Ragsdale who played at Black Hills State University (NCAA2) made a big three pointer for the 44-27 advantage. But Koblenz held their composure and continued to fight, but just couldn´t get stops. Ragsdale hit another three pointer while Lukas Zerna made a big dunk. The EPG Guardians had their moments as ex Assumption (NCAA2) guard Kasey Draper connected on a trey while big man Moses Poelking made a lay in and Cockfield continued to be productive with 4 points, but Dresden led 50-36 at the break. “Dresden shot really well. We didn´t really defend that bad, but when our first guy was beat then they got a three pointer and they were all spot on. We still weren´t physical enough and gave up too many offensive rebounds”, stated Thomas Klein.

Ty Cockfield with the fade away

In the third quarter came the turning point of the game as the EPG Guardians finally played their game with protecting their home court. Dresden did have the better start going on a 5-2 run to lead 55-38 as Dreamer scored with ease inside and Kirchner nailed a trey. But the EPG Guardians then finally had their first run of the game of 12-3 as they crept closer trailing only 58-50. Koblenz was more aggressive on the boards getting 2 offensive rebounds and put backs from Pluskota and Cockfield while Bradley added a three pointer. Cockfield carried his team scoring 2 more times with a jumper and massive slam dunk. “We were more physical on defense and played better 1-1 defense while on offense we found a flow”, stressed Thomas Klein. But Dresden recovered well from that run making 3 stops and getting 4 points from Bertone and Kirchner and 62-50 advantage. Koblenz didn´t let up, but played Guardians basketball finishing the third quarter with a 9-3 run. Koblenz shared the ball well and got hot shooting from Leon Friderici who scored 5 points while Bradley made a runner and Cockfield free throws. “We played more as a team and were more physical. We played better 1-1 defense which gave ús more self-confidence”, commented Thomas Klein. The EPG Guardians trailed only 65-59. “We didn´t come out ready. They were more physical and did a good job getting offensive rebounds”, expressed Wes Dreamer. “Our goal coming into the second half was to switch our defense wanting to get 3 stops in a row. On offense we played our game and found a rhythm”, said Ty Cockfield Jr..

Daniel Kirchner at the FT line

In the fourth quarter the come back attempt of the EPG Guardians continued as their defense was top as after allowing 50 points in the first half allowed only 26 points in the second half. Koblenz jumped all over Dresden to start the fourth quarter as they went on a 7-0 run to get their first lead of the game of 66-65. In the run Dominque Johnson hit a trey while Draper and Pluskota added free throws. Now it was a dog fight as both teams would change leads 4 times. Sapwell scored with a lay in as Dresden led 67-66, but Bradley struck back with an off balance shot for the 68-67 advantage. The guard play of Dresden found some daylight as Kirchner dropped free throws and Sapwell made a lay in for the 71-68 lead. But Ty Cockfield Jr. had seen enough. A competitor like him doesn´t like to lose as he led his Guardians on a brutal 10-0 run to extend their lead to 78-71. Cockfield just took control and it seemed that with his 3 buckets, he was taking on the whole Dresden team and there was no stopping him. Friederici added a put back and free throws for insurance. But the game wasn´t over as the Dresden Titans led a late comeback as Schmikale made a clutch three pointer to trail 78-74. After another stop, Schmikale made free throws to trail 78-76. Pluskota made one free throw to seal the win and the CGM arena was in pandemonium. “We played Guardians basketball and just kept hammering them. It is my job to lift the team when we need it. If I can give energy at both ends then I´m happy. I will do whatever it takes to help my team win”, warned Ty Cockfield Jr.. “Cockfield is a great player that is fast and shifty. We had trouble controlling him”, stated Wes Dreamer. The EPG Guardians were led by Ty Cockfield Jr. with 28 points. Leon Friederici added 12 points and Maurce Pluskota had 11 points while the Dresden Titans were led by Lucien Schmikale with 14 points while Wes Dreamer added 13 points. The EPG Guardians shot 46% from the field and 38% from outside and had 38 rebounds and 15 turnovers while the Dresden Titans shot 47% from the field and 29% from outside and had 26 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

Jorke Aav Leads Team Ehingen to Exciting 74-72 Road Win Past The Fraport Skyliners Juniors

After a long summer vacation, it was finally time for the Fraport Skyliners Juniors to kick off the Pro B season. The club as usual is there to showcase their young German players and give them minutes, but one thing was different than in previous years. They were even younger this season. They lost veterans like Marco Voeller, Nils Leonhardt, Alvin Onyia and other younger players like Leif Zentgraf, Trevian Bell, Calvin Schaum and Jordan Samare. They were also very brave going into the season without an American. The good news was that Philipp Hadenfeld was back after taking 6 months off to full-fill a University obligation down under. On the first game day, Frankfurt met another really young team with Team Ehingen who brought in some new players from Spain, USA and Sweden to help bolster the roster of mostly young Germans. It was a close game through out and it came down to a last Skyliner shot that just didn´t want to fall. Frankfurt seemed in control as crunch-time came, but then it was the Aav and Martinez show who combined for the last 8 points to seal the narrow win. “This win showed the kind of personality that we have this season and what we are capable of doing. We didn´t find our groove in pre-season, but showed tonight that we can fight for 40 minutes. We played for each other and we executed the pick and roll defense very well. We helped each other well and moved the ball well and found our spots well”, stressed Team Ehingen guard JJorke Aav (184-PG-2005). The Fraport Skyliners Juniors are a young team that showed they could get out of adversity many times, but when it counted at the end, they were stopped on the last possession on a shot that could have won them the game. “After our 8-0 run, we allowed something like a 22-7 run. You can´t let that happen. This was a tough loss for us, but we stuck together well. Ivan Crjnac was ejected which didn´t help our cause either. All in all, we can be happy with how we played in our first game. We are a young team and it can only get better”, warned Fraport Skyliner Junior Malik Kordel.

Malik Kordel at the FT line

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were missing 3 guys with Marvin Esser, Florian Dietrich and Jaime Edoka while Team Ehingen was without Finn Doentgens. Frankfurt began with a fury going on a lightening 8-0 run as their 3 ball was popping as veterans Felix Hecker and Bruno Albrecht connected while Philip Hadenfeldt dished up a nice alley oop dunk for Kordel. The veterans were leading the charge and the team was sprouting with nonending joy. But that joy and energy didn´t hold long as the guests slapped a 8-0 run right back n the faces of Frankfurt as Ehingen attacked the paint and got relatively easy baskets twice from ex Swedish youth national player Rickhard Rietz while Aav and ex Hanau guard Tim Martinez scored. Frankfurt had problems finding an offensive rhythm as their 3 ball was totally shut down and just allowed the guests to get past them and get the 15-12 lead as they continued to get easy buckets inside as Spanish big man Albert Prior scored as did Rietz again. Diminutive 173cm guard Travis Davis drilled a trey for the 3 point lead. Frankfurt had problems with Ehingen´s changing defenses as they would throw everything at Frankfurt with press, man and zone. On the offensive end they continued to get easy baskets as Prior and 204cm big Man Leon Geissler scored and Davis closed out the first quarter with a lay in and 22-15 advantage. “Ehingen did a good job locking up on defense after the 8-0 Frankfurt start. Ehingen played tough and their press messed up Frankfurt and their aggressiveness disrupted Frankfurt´s offense”, commented ex Giessen Pointer Chris Miller. Team Ehingen shot 48% from the field and 13% from outside and had 12 rebounds and no turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 36% from the field and 33% from outside and had 11 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

Jorke Aav from outside

In the second quarter Team Ehingen controlled the game leading by as much as 12 points, but in the latter part of the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors staged a comeback and trailed only by 4 points at the break. Team Ehingen began with a 10-5 run to extend their lead to 32-20. In the run the guests got production from Aav with a trey while Rietz and Martinez scored in the near distance. Frankfurt continued to struggle with offensive execution while on defense couldn´t contain the paint area well enough as they allowed easy baskets. That basketball is a game of runs is no secret as Frankfurt finally found some daylight and closed out the second quarter with a lethal 13-5 run to trail only 37-22 at half-time. The run was started by veteran Felix Hecker who nailed a trey, but then it was the young German kids that showed real responsibility. The universal genius Ivan Crnjack supplied 5 points with real key baskets scoring on transition and then making a real heads up play getting an offensive rebound and put back. Namori Omog made a lay in as did Malik Kordell who was given the extra pass from Ivan Crnjack. “At the start of the quarter, Ehingen continued to attack the mis matches and get easy baskets. Hecker picked up the energy and the others followed. Ivan Crnjack gave great energy. Frankfurt wasn´t using their big man Kordell enough”, stated Chris Miller. Team Ehingen shot 43% from the field and 13% from the three point line and had 22 rebounds and 5 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 38% from the field and 20% from the three point line and had 22 rebounds and 9 turnovers.

Caleb Bellach at the FT line

In the third quarter both teams executed their offenses fairly well, but no team could escape the other as the game was very close. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors began motivated with a 11-2 run to lead 44-39. In the run it was 17 year old Ivan Crnjac who proved he is a 3 level scorer as he scored with the drive and a trey while Hadenfeldt hit a trey and then dished out a pretty behind the back past to Kordel who made the thunderous dunk. “I see those kind of passes from him all the time. He does a good job always seeing me. He has a really good IQ which helps”, stated Malik Kordel. But Team Ehingen came back and chipped away at Frankfurt´s lead going on a 6-0 run to grab the lead back at 45-44. Aav led the offense as playmaker and scorer as he made a fade away and Montana native Caleb Bellach made a lay in. It was now a real game of runs as Frankfurt retaliated with a 8-2 run as now it was Bruno Albrecht that took charge scoring twice for their 52-47 advantage. But the runs didn´t stop their as Team Ehingen took charge one more time closing out the third quarter with a 9-2 run to lead 56-55. Team Ehingen wasn´t having any fortune with the 3 ball, so they just continued to get the ball inside as Drago Crnjac, Bellach and Geissler connected for easy baskets. “We had problems in the first minutes how to rotate on Kordel. It was really a game of runs. On our runs, we were more physical on defense and took advantage of our quick hands”, commented JJorke Aav. “We got beat on the rebound. They were more physical. We are a young team and have to improve on that. We have to work harder and hustle more”, warned Malik Kordel. Team Ehingen shot 43% from the field and 9% from the parking lot and had 31 rebounds and 10 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 40% from the field and 26% from the parking lot and had 33 rebounds and 16 turnovers.

Dusan Nikolic from downtown

In the fourth quarter it was a real dog fight where no team could break away from the other. The fourth quarter began with a bang as Mr magician Travis Davis made an incredible acrobatic lay in for the 58-55 lead. The small German guard couldn´t break into the Ludwigsburg rotation, but in Ehingen is focused and hungry with the chance he is getting. “He came from Ludwigsburg to us for a chance in the Pro B. I work with him everyday. He is an amazing player that reads plays so well. He makes up for his small size more than you would think”, warned JJorke Aav. Frankfurt hit back with Omog and Kecker baskets, but Davis continued his aggressive play dropping a trey to dead lock the game at 61-61. Frankfurt then took charge getting a left handed lay in by Hecker, a lay in by Kordel and a clutch three pointer from 2023 JBBL finalist Maximillian Peters as Frankfurt led 68-62. Kordel finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in 25 minutes. “I can always get better and have to work harder”, added Malik Kordel. Frankfurt had the momentum, but Team Ehingen was still alive. The guests battled back as aggressive Estonian guard JJorke Aav got to the free throw line twice and Tim Martinez made a clutch jumper to tie the game at 70-70 with 1,37 to play. Aav then scored for the 72-70 lead, but Bruno Albrecht tied the game at 72-72 with an off balance shot with 35 seconds to remain. Frankfurt had one last possession with 11 seconds to play, but Hadenfeldt´s last shot flew right and jumped off the rim for the loss. “We knew that they would take the 3. We switched on the screen and denied Albrecht the last shot. We wanted Hadenfeldt to take the shot”, expressed JJorke Aav. “We didn´t have a good eye on the clock and didn´t have good timing. They knew we would take the 3 so the odds were against us”, stressed Malik Kordel. Team Ehingen was led by JJorke Aav with 20 points while Albert Prior had 11 points and Tim Martinez had 10 points while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Bruno Albrecht with 15 points while Felix Hecker and Ivan Crnjac added 14 points a piece. Team Ehingen shot 42% from the field and 11% from outside and had 41 rebounds and 13 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 41% from the field and 23% from outside and 44 rebounds and 20 turnovers.

Wes Dreamer(Dresden Titans) Is Not Just Shooting The Ball To Shoot It But Making The Right Shot Each Time.

Wes Dreamer (201-F-2000, college: NW Missouri St.) is a 23 year old 201cm forward from Lincoln, Nebraska playing his rookie season for German Pro a team Dresden Titans. He began his basketball career at Lincoln high school and then played 159 games for Northwest Missouri State University from 2019-2024 winning 6 titles. In his last season he averaged 17.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 78.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Wes for talking to germanhoops.com. Before we begin to start to talk basketball, I have to ask you about your name Wes Dreamer. I don´t often just like a name off the bat, but when saying Wes Dreamer, it is a name that just sounds cool. Have you heard reactions like that before or is it just me?

I have gotten a lot of reactions to my name, over the years I have gotten used to it.

Congrats on signing with German pro A team Dresden Titans. When did you exactly know in the last years that you would want to pursue a professional career one day?

It has always been a dream of mine to continue to keep on playing after college but never expected it to actually happen. It would’ve been my sophomore year of college when things started to turn out and look for the best.

It isn´t self-evident for Division 2 guys to turn pro, but you did it. How blessed do you feel to be able to come overseas and hoop for a living?

I am beyond blessed to get this kind of opportunity. There aren’t many people who can say they are or have done something like this so I just need to cherish every moment.

You won an incredible 6 titles at Northwest Missouri State. Is that special winning gene captured inside you?

I have just been lucky enough to have been surrounded by a great group of coaches and teammates and I believe if you work hard enough at the little things, that is where the winning comes from.

What do you know in general about Germany and it´s basketball? How appealing is it to be able to play in this country?

I don’t know a whole lot about the country and it’s basketball but what I do know is that it is going to be very competitive and not easy. Germany has so many great players and is going to be a tough challenge which is appealing to me.

A great ex player from Northwest Missouri State with Elijah Allen has played in Germany for 10 plus years. Have you ever heard of him or even met or spoken to him?

I have heard of Elijah, but have never met or spoken to him.

You met head coach Fabian Strauss in Madrid. What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy`?

I really liked how coach Strauss visualized the game and how he thinks I will be able to help out the squad this year with the way I play

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward from Nebraska. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would be the best description? I have heard Ben Simmons.

I think Ben Simmons is a good comparison, him with a better shooting percentage would be pretty accurate, with his passing ability, defense, and knowledge of the game.

You’re a guy that fills the stat sheet with ease. How big is versatility a staple in your game?

It is a huge part of my game. Being able to shoot the 3 and play from the wing and then also being able to post up any defender really helps me and makes it hard on defenses.

You have more than just a stable shot but shot 40% or better at the NCAA 2 level twice and was at 39% last season. What NBA shooters have you always liked to watch and what is your goal as a shooter in your rookie season?

I have always liked watching Steph Curry shoot the 3, just the way he is able to create his shots off the ball is something I like to watch and follow. My main goal as a shooter my rookie season will just be able to make as many threes at a good percentage. Not just shooting the ball to shoot it, but making sure it is the right shot each time.

You can guard many positions which made you very valuable to the Titans. What kind of a defender would you call yourself now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I am a player that can mostly guard every position on the floor. I might not be fast like the guards but I am smart and use my knowledge and scouting to my advantage to know what moves they will make.

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

The one thing I want to keep improving on is my post moves. Just knowing how I am being guarded and making counter moves to what the defense is doing.

You played at Northwest Missouri State from 2019-2024 and won 4 MIAA titles. Which one was the sweetest?

They were all just a sweet, but my favorite one was from my freshman year in 2019-2020. I had 18 points off of the bench as a True Freshman in the Championship game.

You won the NCAA 2 title twice in 2021 and 2022. Which run was most memorable to you? I can imagine the first one was where you had a double double in the win over West Texas?

That West Texas game was for sure the most memorable because not only did I have a good game, it was the first national championship that I won there.

You were really consistent in your game in your third and fourth years, but made a big jump in your fifth season and won player of the year. How did your game grow in Ben McCollum´s last season?

I think being consistent to what I was doing the years before that is what helped me out. I didn’t try to do too much and just let the game come to me and that is what made me have the season I had.

You had many great games in the NCAA 2 but what was your personal best game statwise?

There was a game I had this year where I had 30 points in only 17 minutes of playing. I had a game in high school where I had 42 points and 15 rebounds.

How did legendary head coach Ben McCollum groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

I was blessed to have Coach Mac as a teacher and mentor for my 5 years of playing. The way he was able to develop me in the way of not completely changing my game and just going off of what I was already good at, made the player I am today.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Daniel Abreu?

We had our fair share of battles in practice but I think I came out on top most of the time.

Who is the best player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I played against Tre Jones at Duke, he is just a great all around player.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all.-time?

It’s hard for me to pick just 5, all of my teammates I have played with have been great and helped me out in so many ways.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron, MJ, Kobe, Bill Russell

Who is your GOAT and why?

My goat is LeBron James because he has been so dominant for so long and continues to show why he is the best.

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

I have not seen the sequel unfortunately.

Thanks Wes for the chat.