Former BBL Players

Kyle Hines (Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus) It Was A Great Expereince Being Able To Play In Bamberg And Win 2 Titles

Kyle Hines is a 25 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his first season with Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece). He is a powerful player who loves to attack the basket. Has a good 1-vs-1 game and likes to go inside. He is undersized to play the power forward, but his great wingspan (7-1) allows him to guard taller players and to intimidate. He’s also a great leaper and reads the opponent’s game well He played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 31 games: 19.2ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 12.5%, FT: 62.8%. He was invited to play at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 3.3bpg, FGP: 78.6%, FT: 72.7%. He then had predraft workouts with Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). He then went to Europe to Italy and played with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 34 games: 16.9ppg, Reb-4(8.6rpg), 3.0spg, Blocks-2(1.8bpg), FGP-2(66.0%), FT: 58.5%. In 2009, he took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League (Oklahoma City Thunder). In 2009-2010, he stayed in Italy with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 40 games: 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, Steals-2(3.5spg), Blocks-4(1.6bpg), FGP-3(64.0%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 57.8%. He played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (New Orleans Hornets) in the summer of 2010. Last season he played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga): Euroleague: 10 games: 12.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 64.3%, FT: 46.7%; German League: 46 games: 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP-3(61.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 52.4%. He won the double with Bamberg last season. He spoke to German Hoops before the Euroleague Final 4 in Turkey.

You are playing your first season for top European team Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus. Has this season been everything thing that you have dreamed of?

Yes it has. We have achieved many goals and have reached the Euroleague Final 4. If we continue to improve then I think that we can still achieve many things this season.

Is ist like a dream playing with top players like Joey Dorsey, Acie Law, Vassilis Spannoulis, Pero Antic and Lazarzs Papadopoulos?

For me its like a dream being able to play with them each day. For me it is a learning experience each day. They also have been a big reason why the team has improved so much this season. Half of the team is 23 or younger and they have benefited a lot from them?

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Jimmie Hunt (Murat Didin Would Say Bubba At least Every 5 Minutes)
Jimmie Hunt is a 29 year old 187cm guard that is playing for the second time for Euroins Cherno More in Bulgaria. He started his basketball career at Franklin Pierce (NCAA2) in 2000 where he played until 2004. He started his basketball career for : Kemoplast Alpos Sentjur (Slovenia) in 2005. In the 2006-2007 season for : Kemoplast Alpos Sentjur (Slovenia ) he played : 35 games: Score-1(18.4ppg), 3.1rpg, Assists-1(4.6), 1.6spg, 2FGP: 55,9%, 3FGP: 38,9%, FT: 80,0%. In 2007-2008 season, he played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany)German League: 43 games: 2.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.1apg; ULEB Cup: 10 games: 4.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.4apg. He ha splayed in Bulgaria since 2008 and last season for the Florida Flight (CBL). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
It has been almost four years since you played your last game with the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Has the time moved quickly since then?
Yes and no. I really missed my time in Frankfurt, but at the same time I have had good times since so I can´t complain.
You are playing your second time for Cherno More in Bulgaria and since 2008 in Bulgaria. You seem to like Bulgaria to stay?
Bulgaria is a nice country which has treated me good. I have always goten nice contracts so why shouldn´t I stay?
 
You live in Varna which is on the Black sea. What do you like most about the city?
The Black sea is nice. It is a nice place to walk around and there are always people around you. It isn´t Frankfurt, but Varna is nice.

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Jon Leuer Bringing That Ferris Bueller Cleverness To The NBA

As a 12 year old kid 22 year old Jon Leuer might have had sweet dreams of going head to head against his idol Kevin Garnett one day, but after a stellar career at Wisconsin there was no question that he would be playing somewhere in the world as a professional and after playing against top Beko BBL players Derrick Allen, Predrag Suput, Jan Jagla or Dane Watts recently, he now has played against Boris Diaw, Andrew Bogut and Andray Blatche in a matter of weeks and he soon might be rubbing his eyes when he sees Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett running on the same floor as the Minnesota native in an NBA game. For the 208cm power forward who was drafted in the second round at #40 of the 2011 NBA draft, his dream of reaching the NBA has come true even if it was delayed a bit by the NBA lockout. Leuer brings the Ferris Buellar look similarity and cleverness to the NBA. For 80s movie freaks, the movie Ferris Bueller is a classic where Matthew Broderick fools his family and school principle that he is sick and needs to stay home from school, but instead takes his two friends to Chicago to enjoy the day school free. Bueller is so clever that he makes up his bed as if his body is there and rigs the answering machine with a recording that he is there and installs snoring sounds. Visually, Leuer has a similarity to Ferris Buellar even if he can´t recollect ever having heard it . “I never heard that resemblance before, but Ferris Bueller is a cool dude so I am all right with it”, added Jon Leuer. Ferris Bueller had the talent to trick his family and school principle in thinking he was too sick to go to school which would be equivalent if ex Skyliner Leuer used his canniness to set back the office clock of ex head coach Muli Katzurin, getting the BCM practice court flooded or making a call so the practice basketballs had to be secretly taken, because TV Langen needed them for their practice just so the Fraport Skyliners would have to cancel practice. Of course, Leuer would never have a mischievous thought like this simply because he wants to play basketball and is too focused on the court and always has that all business demeanor. Leuer uses that sharpness not to the disadvantage of canceling a team practice, but to the advantage of helping his team win on the court displaying his great team mentality and defensive smartness and knowing how to score (and to gain fouls) in the low post and with his hot outside shooting. Leuer may seem like the quiet guy at first glance, but his hard focus is deceiving. “I lived with Jon for 3 years at Wisconsin. He is a laid back guy but when it comes to competing in an activity, he’s one of the most competitive guys out there. He can be vocal with his teammates and let them know what needs to be done in order to get the win.”, stressed ex Wisconsin Badger Tim Jarmusz. Even If Leuer has never heard the Ferris Bueller look comparisons, his ex Wisconsin teammate Keaton Nankivil wasn´t perplexed when asked about the Ferris Bueller comparison. “Jon has some resemblance to Ferris Bueller, but his character also fits to him”, stressed ratiopharm Ulm player Keaton Nankivil. The nickname Ferris Bueller might have slipped the mind of his ex teammate at Wisconsin Tim Jarmusz since so many funny names were being knocked around. “He is not too much like Ferris but I like the nickname none the less. We had millions of nicknames for everyone on our team. One that fit Jon well was “Jonny I wanna score more” from the kids movie Little Giants we all watched growing up. He has also been a guy who can fill up the score box”, stressed Tim Jarmusz.

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Ilian Evtimov (Pascal Roller Reminds Me Of The Character In The Movie Taken With A Bruce Wills Look)

Ilian Evtimov is a 28 year old 201 cm forward playing his second season in France for Chalon. He has the French-Bulgarian citzenships and played at North Carolina State from 2001-2006. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 10.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FG: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT. After a short stint with Estudiantes Madrid in 2006, he played at VidiVici Bologna in the 2006-2007 season. He played FIBA EuroCup playing 15 games averaging 6.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 65.4%, 3FGP: 47.1%, FT: 72.2%; and playing15 games in the Italian league averaging 3.1ppg, 2.1rpg. In 2007-2008, he moved to The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing 10 ULEB Cup games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 85%; and in the German League playing 44 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 86.2%. In 2008-2009, he continued playing in Frankfurt playing 10 EuroChallenge:  games averaging 8.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 70.0%; and in the German League playing 34 games averaging 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 74.6%. In 2009-2010, he played for BC Levski Sophia (Bulgaria-NBL): 1 game: 6pts, 5reb, 2ast, 3steals; Balkan League: 1 game: 3pts, 1reb, 1ast, 2steals; in Oct.’09 moved to Proteas EKA AEL Limassol (Cyprus-Division EuroChallenge: 13 games: 10.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 83.3%: FT-2(90.9%). Last season, he played for Chalon playing  33 games: 11.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 84.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about his ex teammate Pascal Roller who recently had his farewell game and with whom he was teammates with from 2007-2009.

How much of a pleasure was it playing with Pascal and having him as teammate?

Pascal was a great leader in all aspects, on and off the court, he led by example. He is the wise man, never getting upset. Always being calm helped everyone around him be calm. It was a great pleasure to play with someone like him. I learned a lot.

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Jukka Matinen (KTP Basket Kotka): The Way Pascal Roller Treates Everyone Well is Unique

Jukka Matinen is a 33 year old 203cm forward that was born in Kerava, Finland. He started his basketball career in 1995 for New Wave. He then played for NMKY Helsinki, ToPo Helsinki, Tapiolan Honka and Honka Espoo from 1997-2002. He then played for the Skyliners from 2002-2006 playing 104 Beko BBL games, 19 ULEB cup games and 9 Euroleague games. He won the German championship in 2004 and reached the final in 2005. He then played for Honka Espoo Playboys from 2006-2011 playing 195 games winning the Finish title in 2007 and 2008. He spoke to German Hoops about the Pascal Roller farewell game and basketball in general.

How happy were you to be part of the Pascal Roller farewell game?

It was great to come back and an honor to be asked. I always enjoy coming back to Frankfurt. They have great fans there.

What was your impression of Pascal Roller. Was there much difference to 2006 when you last played with him?

He is still quick. He is still in very good shape despite being retired. He isn´t in as good shape as in 2006, but I think that he could still play in the Beko BBL now.

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Nino Garris: Pascal Roller Could Read A Play And Knew Things On The Court Before They Happened

Nino Garris is a 32 year old 200cm forward that is playing in the German Regionaliga for TV Salzkotten. He is a very athletic player with a lot of European experience(Euroleague, Uleb Cup,), great competitor, can defend very hard and he´ll gets rebounds in a crowd because he´s tough.
A complete team player, who plays smart and hard. He started his basketball career with Paderborn in 1996. He then played one season for TuS Lichterfelde before moving up to Alba Berlin in 1999 where he played until 2005. With Alba Berlin, he played a total of 132 Beko BBL games and 38 Euroleague games. He was German champion four times and cup winner twice with Alba Berlin. He then played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners from 2005-2008 where he had to fight with injury woes. He played a total of only 52 Beko BBL games and seven ULEB cup games. He finished his Beko BBL career with his hometown team Paderborn Baskets in 2008-2009. He spoke to German Hoops about the Pascal Roller farewell game January 28th.

It has been a while since you last played in the Beko BBL. Do you miss it?

I wouldn´t really say that I miss it. It was a nice time in my life, but life goes on and I have a new chapter in it now.

How is it playing in the German Regionaliga with TV Salzkotten. Do young opponents sometimes ask you for basketball advice?

After I retired from the Beko BBL in 2009, I took about 1.5 years to see what I would do. I also didn´t play to much active sport, so I gained about 20 kilos and was having back pain. But after a while it was clear that I could never stay fully away from basketball, because I love it too much. I then joined TV Salzkotten which keeps me fit. Here and there people will ask me what is was like as  a player, but I really dont get asked so much.

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Ilian Evtimov (Chalon): Chris Ensminger Loves Basketball And It Doesn’t Matter The Age, He Still Has Love For The Ball

Ilian Evtimov is a 28 year old 201 cm forward playing his second season in France for Chalon. He has the French-Bulgarian citzenships and played at North Carolina State from 2001-2006. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 10.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FG: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT. After a short stint with Estudiantes Madrid in 2006, he played at VidiVici Bologna in the 2006-2007 season. He played FIBA EuroCup playing 15 games averaging 6.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 65.4%, 3FGP: 47.1%, FT: 72.2%; and playing15 games in the Italian league averaging 3.1ppg, 2.1rpg. In 2007-2008, he moved to The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing 10 ULEB Cup games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 85%; and in the German League playing 44 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 86.2%. In 2008-2009, he continued playing in Frankfurt playing 10 EuroChallenge:  games averaging 8.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 70.0%; and in the German League playing 34 games averaging 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 74.6%. In 2009-2010, he played for BC Levski Sophia (Bulgaria-NBL): 1 game: 6pts, 5reb, 2ast, 3steals; Balkan League: 1 game: 3pts, 1reb, 1ast, 2steals; in Oct.’09 moved to Proteas EKA AEL Limassol (Cyprus-Division EuroChallenge: 13 games: 10.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 83.3%: FT-2(90.9%). Last season, he played for Chalon playing  33 games: 11.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 84.2%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurochallenge game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn January 18th.

Chalon continues to play great basketball. How good does it feel sitting in first place?

Its a great opportunity to be first, especially in a very strong league like France.

You will play against 2011 top France PRO A scorer Rick Hughes. What is always the most important thing you have to do against him on the court?

I know Rick for a few years now, we have played many games against each other. He is a great player, extremely gifted, and it doesn’t matter the age he has, he is always getting numbers. I got a lot of respect for him.

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David Teague: I Played Until My Wheels Didin´t Move Anymore

David Teague is a 28 year old 196cm guard playing his first season for Ass.Pallacanestro Sant’ Antimo (Italy)  who is an athletic wing player who possesses an excellent perimeter shot, is a solid penetrator who can get to the basket off the dribble and is a tenacious defender who can shut down dribble penetration. He grew up in Indianapolis and went to Pike high school and at Bridgeton Academy. He played at Purdue from 2002-2007 and In his senior year, he played 34 games averaging 14.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 44.0%, 3Pts: 41.2%, FT: 75.4% Purdue from 2002-2007. In his first professional season, he played in Greece for AEL 1964 playing 23 games averaging  9.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 2FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 78.0%. Last season, he played in France for JA Vichy Val d’Allier Auvergne basket playing 4 EuroChallenge games: averaging 8.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.8spg and playing 29 games in the French League averaging 13.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 73.4%. In 2009-2010, he played for the Giessen 46ers where he led the Beko BBL in scoring playing 2009-2010: LTi Giessen 46ers (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 18 games: Score-1(20.4ppg), 4.7rpg, Steals-4(1.5spg), FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 70.0%. Last season, he played for Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Brazil-NBB, starting five): Liga Americas: 6 games: 16.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 61.1%; Brazilian League: 22 games: 13.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 2FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 81.3%. German Hoops spoke to Teague about his basketball career in Italy during the NBA lockout.

You are playing your first season in Italy in the Lega 2. How would you compare it to the leagues in Greece, France and Germany where you played previously?

It is lot like the France Pro A. There are a lot of good Americans playing in Italy and in the Lega 2.

You have been scoring nicely in the Lega 2. What is your role? Is it similar to what you had with the LTi Giessen 46ers?

It is a little different. As Campbell got hurt, my role sort of changed. Now it is a lot more like with Giessen where I am required to score more and be more aggressive on offense.

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Jared Reiner: Zach Randolph Was The Hardest To Guard In The NCAA

Jared Reiner is a 29 year old 211cm center from South Dakota. He played for Iowa from 2000-2004. As a rookie, he made the Chicago Bulls roster playing games 19 games averaging 1.1ppg, 2.0rpg; Play-Offs: 3 games: 0pts. In the 2005-2006 season, he was injured and did not play. In 2006-2007, he played for San Antonio Spurs (NBA), only pre-season, in Nov.’06 moved to Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League, starting five): 28 games: 13.8ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 48%, FT: 69.4%; 28 games: 13.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, in Feb.’07 signed at Milwaukee Bucks (NBA): 27 games: 1.2ppg, 2.6rpg. In 2007-2008, he played for Polaris World Murcia (Spain-ACB, starting five): 17 games: 5.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 2FGP: 53.0%, FT: 44.0%, in Feb.’08 moved to Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 20 games: 9.4ppg, Reb-5(6.8rpg), 2FGP: 52.1%, FT: 53.9%. In 2008-2009, he played for the 76ers (NBA), only pre-season, in Dec.’08 moved to Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 12 games: 13.0ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 53.9%, FT: 72.7%. In 2009-2010, he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), only pre-season, in Dec.’09 moved to Fort Wayne Mad Ants (D-League): 17 games: 13.1ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 45.7%, FT: 72.2%,and then moved to Gallitos de Isabela (Puerto Rico-BSN): 8 games: 12.4ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 25.0%. Last season, he played for BBC Bayreuth playing 33 games: 12.6ppg, Reb-3(7.8rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 49.7%, FT: 63.8%. Jared took some time to talk German Hoops about basketball.

When was the last time that you spent Thanksgiving at home?

Well I played four years in the NCAA and seven professional basketball seasons so 11 years ago.

Does a normal Jared Reiner Thanksgiving involve a big turkey and NFL football?

Yes it does. I get up early, prepare the food, eat the turkey and then watch football all day long.

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Keith Simmons(Banvit, Turkey): We Won´t Underestimate Frankfurt. Even Without Gray and Leuer, They Gave Us A Tough Game

Keith Simmons is a 26 year old 196cm guard from Kingston, New York that is playing his fifth professional basketball season and fourth in Turkey. He played at Holy Cross (NCAA) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 16.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 34.9%, FT: 76.7%. In 2007-2008, he played for Kepez Bld Antalya (Turkey-TBL, starting five): 30 games: 16.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 73.5%. In 2008-2009, he played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 1 month: EuroChallenge: 8 games: 8.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg; German League: 33 games: 11.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 74.1%. He has played for Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-TBL) since 2009. Last season, he played EuroCup: 5 games: 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 87.5%; Turkish League: 38 games: 10.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 76.4%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game against the Fraport Skyliners December 13th.

Congrats on the 86-67 win against Besiktas Istanbul. How noticeable was the absence of the NBA players?

Their big man was already hurt and was also missing. Any time that you lose a guy like Deron Williams, it will effect their game. I think that they will be ok in the long run though.

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