Interviews

Garrett Jackson (TG s.Oliver Wurzburg) It’s Not About Having A Chip Or Proving Anyone Wrong But Proving Myself Right

Garrett Jackson is a 26 year old 201cm forward from Portland, Oregon playing his third professional season and first with TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB) Currently he helped his team remain in the pro B and with one playdown game remaining he is averaging 19,2ppg, 7,6rpg and 2,1apg. Last season he played with the Sydney Kings (Australia-NBL) and the Dandenong Rangers (Australia-SEABL) playing 12 games averaging 16.6ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 70.9%. In his rookie season he played with the NW Tasmania Thunder (Australia-SEABL) playing 15 games: averaging 21.1ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 82.8% and with the Melbourne United (Australia-NBL) playing 6 games averaging 5.2ppg, 2.2rpg, 2FGP: 54,5%, 3FGP: 25.0%, FT: 80.0%. He played at USC(NCAA) from 2010-2012 playing 65 NCAA games and at St.Mary’s, CA (NCAA) form 2013-2015 playing 52 games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 8.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 46.7%, FT: 71.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball before the end of the regular season before the playdowns started.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing ex USC(NCAA) forward Garrett Jackson after dropping 18 points, hauling down 16 boards and dishing out 5 assists for Wurzburg in a 72-56 loss in Rhondorf in Pro B action.

Garrett thanks for talking to German Hoops. You have been 3 months in Germany now playing for Pro B team TG s.Oliver Wurzburg. How has the overall experience been for you being this is your first professional season in Europe?

Overall it’s been great. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to do what I love on a team of people I enjoy being around. This is my first time in Europe, so I’m doing my best to take in the culture and experience new things every chance I get.

Did the city Wurzburg and Main river remind you a bit of home Portland and the Willamette river. Did that make the first days of the adjustment period a little bit easier in conjunction with English being a language that everybody identifies with

Yeah, there are some similarities. Portland’s a bit bigger and we have a lot more bridges. I was actually surprised at how many people speak English here. I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but everyone’s been really helpful. I’m trying to learn some German too.

You played your first two professional seasons In Australia. Did the contact to the team and signing come through your contact to Australian coach Liam Flynn? Talk a little about how you got your feet into the European basketball world?

I hadn’t met Liam prior to this and he’s Australian. I spent the last two years in Australia playing year round in two leagues so I hadn’t been home that whole time. My season just finished up in September where we lost in the SEABL championship. I decided that I would go home and see my family and if an opportunity came up to play in Europe I would take it. I was only home for a couple weeks when Liam contacted me. He was looking for another foreigner for the roster and asked some of his contacts in Australia. A couple people mentioned me. I later found out that some opposing coaches and players, as well as former teammates recommended me. Coach definitely did his homework. I jumped at the opportunity to come out here and play.

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Denzel Johnson (Ibbenbueren) Having Front Row Seats To Watch My Uncle Gary Payton´s Career Was Enough To Make Me Want To Do Great Things

Denzel Johnson is a 190cm guard from Fresno, California playing his second professional season and first with TVI Basketball SWAP Ballers Ibbenbueren (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season as a rookie he played with Nature Nardo (Italy-Serie C Silver). He played at Santa Clara from 2011-2015 playing a total of 109 games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 8.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 40.3%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 74.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Denzel, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. How good is basketball life for you at the moment? When you came to the losing team Ibbenbueren, did you ever think that te club could have such a big turnaround?

First I want to thank Eurobasket for taking the time to speak with me. My time here in Germany has been nothing short of amazing! When I got here my team was struggling and was towards the bottom of the league. It was made very clear that they wanted to change that by signing me and that confidence they showed in me was everything I needed to come here and make a difference. I was not surprised at all by our success because I came ready to make an immediate difference.

One could say that you have been the difference going from 2-7 to 12-2. Does the club and fans feel like you have been the savior? I am quite sure you will say that it has been a team effort since you arrived.

My arrival has seemed to allow everyone on the team to elevate their game to another level. But yes the fans here have been very vocal about their infatuation with me. Also the other coaches in the league always seemed to express their recognition of the difference I have made here, which surprised me because that was usually after we just kicked their butts. (more…)

Jordan Talbert (Rostock Seawolves) My Confidence Has Allowed Me To Shoot Myself Out Of Slumps

Jordan Talbert is a 26 year old 198cm forward from Little Rock, Arkansas that is playing his fourth professional season and first with the Rostock Seawolves (Germany-ProB). Currently he is averaging 13,4ppg, 8,7rpg and 2,2apg. Last season he helped PS Karlsruhe Lions move up to the Pro A averaging 13,3ppg, 7,2rpg and 2,1apg helping lead the team to the Pro A. He came to Germany as a rookie in 2014 and played with the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games averaging 21.6ppg, 9.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2.0spg, Blocks-4(1.5bpg), FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 78.4%. He played his college career at Missouri SO(NCAA2) from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 11.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 70.1%. Two seasons ago with Nordlingen he tore up the Pro B averaging 17.5ppg, Reb-1(11.0rpg), 2.4apg, 1.7spg, Blocks-5(1.5bpg), FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 27.5%, FT: 73.4%. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the playoff series against Iserlohn.

Jordan thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is our 18th interview since you went to Nordlingen in 2015. How has time flown by since then?

Really it’s been that long?? Time has definitely flown by. I still remember very well my time in Nordlingen, seems like yesterday.

Congrats on getting by Giessen in the playoffs. What a wild series. First the game one win on the road, the shocking game 2 loss at home which Rostock could have won on the last play and then the thriller of a game three. How else could you summarize this series?

It’s the playoffs. Every moment and every play counts. Probably the most intense playoff series I’ve been a part of in my 3 seasons in the Pro B. I’m just glad we came out on top.

Congrats on the thrilling game three win in Giessen. I guess your friend Skyler Bowlin who made the trip from Jena was the team´s good luck charm? What did it mean for you to have him in Giessen?

Yeah, I wonder if Jena will let him come to the rest of our games in the playoffs. It meant a lot to have him there. Almost a decade of friendship so we’ve seen the growth in each other over the years. I was glad to be able to share that moment with him.

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Carlbe Ervin (BBG Herford) At Kansas State I Was The Defensive Stopper Off The Bench

Carlbe Ervin is a 23 year old 190cm guard from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma playing his rookie season in Germany with BBG Herford in the Regionaliga. He started his college career at Connors State College and in 2015 moved to Kansas St. (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 3.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.5apg. In his senior year at Kansas St. (NCAA) he played 35 games averaging 2.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.4apg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Carlbe, thanks for talking to German Hoops. You played at Junior college and then transferred to top Big 12 school Kansas State and now was a professional rookie with BBC Herford. Has your chip on your shoulder continued to grow this season?

I have felt that the chip on my shoulder has always been growing. Ever since JUCO I have had to depend on myself and overcome obstacles.

You didn´t have huge stats at Kansas State, but you’re a great example of guys with a lot of talent having to start at the bottom as a professional. How tough has your rookie season been mentally and your ego knowing you can play, but having a long road in front of you with your goal of continuing to climb the basketball ladder?

I think this was the perfect start for someone like me. I know I didn’t have the astonishing stats, but I knew I was good enough to play at another level. Playing away from the US has been tough. Not being able to really communicate with the surrounding community makes it hard to feel at home.

You are having a very strong rookie season with BBC Herford in the German Regionaliga. How tough was the adjustment coming from playing in front of 12,000 fans on a regular basis to 500-1000 in Germany. Having had that experience of being at the bottom before at Connors college help you make the adjustment easier?

Being at Connors was one of the biggest blessings of my life. The crowds were small, but I was able to refine my game and really learn how to take over.

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Robin Christen (Rasta Vechta) I Want To Develop Every Year To Hopefully One Day Show I Can Play In The BBL

Robin Christen is a 26 year old 203cm German forward currently playing with German 2. Basketball Bundesliga, Hauptrunde, Hinrunde, 1. Spieltag, 22.09.2017, RASTA Vechta - Römerstrom Gladiators Trier, Saison 2017/18 Pro A team Vechta. He started his basketball career with BBLZ Mittelhessen and then played with Lich from 2008-2012 while also having a double license with BBL team Giessen where he played 17 games and played his first BBL game at age 18. Since 2012, the German has been playing in the Pro A and played three seasons with the RTB Wohnbau Baskets playing a total of 78 games. Two seasons ago he made his Pro A breakthrough with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (ProA) playing 29 games averaging 12.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 80.4%. Last season he played with the Rhein Stars Koeln (ProA) playing 33 games averaging 9.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 80.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Robin, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 104-76 win against Phoenix Hagen in game one of the playoffs. It was the third win of the season and the second blow out in a row. Is Vechta just so good or Phoenix Hagen so bad? How do you explain these amazing dominance in the last two games where you outscored them 208-141?

Hey Miles, thanks for the interview. I think we did a great job as a team in the last 2 games against Hagen. We played our high intensity defense and on the offense side we moved the ball very well and made our shots. But we know Hagen has a lot of firepower, so we have to be ready for every game.

This is the first time in your career you have played with a very good team. Last season you made the playoffs with the RheinStars, but Vechta is another step up for you in terms of winning. What have you learned about winning mentality this season that you never saw before in your career?

We have obviously a lot of talent in our team. But that doesn´t automatically win games. I think our will to play as a team on both sides on the floor is the key and we always believe that we will win at the end. Besides, it also helps that we have a really good chemistry in our team.

Vechta are with Crailsheim one of the favorites to win the Pro A and move back to the easyCredit BBL. Vechta has displayed little pressure and just played like a champion. On what things does the team need to focus on most on the court besides winning now in the playoffs?

Our key focus is to play great defense and then the offense will take care of itself.

Let´s talk a little about the team Vechta in this season. What have you appreciated most this season with the club? The team obviously has a lot of talent and depth, but how key has the chemistry been that played a big role early on?

I appreciated most this season that the support of our fans is phenomenal. This give us a real homecourt advantage and will also be important for every single game of the playoffs. Like I mentioned earlier our chemistry helped us from the start of our preseason to build a real team who love to play for each other.

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Brandon Lockhart (Rostock Seawolves) This Year I’ve Been Better At Controlling The Game When Things Might Get Chaotic

Brandon Lockhart is a 27 year old 185cm guard from St Louis, Missouri that is playing his third season in Germany and first with the Rostock Seawolves currently averaging 14,6ppg, 4,2rpg, 4,8apg and 2,2spg while shooting 43% from outside. He completed his third professional season and first with German team ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen (Germany-ProB) averaging 12,0ppg, 3,8rpg and 6,2apg. As a rookie he played for BK Levicki Patrioti (Slovakia-Extraliga) playing 34 games: Score-5(16.7ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.3apg), Steals-1(3.0spg), FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 78.9%. He played at Drury (NCAA2) from 2009-2013 and as a senior played 35 games averaging 12.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 6.1apg, 2.9spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 77.1%. Two seasons ago he played for the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB) playing 29 game averaging 16.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 5.7apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 26.8%, FT: 81.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the playoff do or die game in Giessen.

Brandon, thanks for talking to German Hoops. You’re nearing the end of your third professional season in Germany and this is our 15th interview. Has time flown by for you in Germany in the last years?

Hey Miles, always a pleasure talking with you. My time in Germany definitely has flown by. I can remember arriving into Nördlingen like it happened yesterday.

Rostock finished in third place in the regular season. With the huge ambitions of the team did the club underperform a bit not finishing first?

The most important goal going into this season was to make the playoffs. We accomplished that. So I can’t say that we underperformed.

The team started off very slowly losing three of it´s first four games and then had a 6-6 record up until December 2017. The club didn´t play bad, but lost every game by 6 or less points. Why couldn´t the team learn to win those tight games?

It was early in the season and we were still figuring each other out. When you bring in a complete new roster, you cannot expect everything to be perfect.

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Chase Adams (Hebeisen White Wings) My Leadership Badge Didn´t Get Removed In Hanau But I Kept It On

Chase Adams is a 29 year old 188cm point guard from Baltimore, Maryland that is playing his first season with the Hebeisen White Wings. He played twos easons with the Uni Baskets Paderborn and last year averaged 11,9ppg, 4,1rpg and 5,6apg. He started his basketball career at Centenary (NCAA) in 2006 where he played three seasons and a total of 89 NCAA games. As a senior he moved to Pittsburgh (NCAA). He turned professional in 2011 and played briefly in the ABA and in the UBL before making Germany his home as he played for teams like Dortmund, Bochum, and Science City Jena. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the 2017-2018 Pro A playoffs.

Chase thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is now our seventh interview since our first in October 2015 where you were embarking on your first season in Paderborn. Now your trying to end your third season since our last interview in fine fashion. Has time flown by since that first interview.

I would first like to thank Eurobasket.com for interviewing me once again, it’s always been a pleasure. Time is surely flying and I’m glad to be here still working toward big things.

Your playing your first season with the Hebeisen White Wings. Was it just the logical choice to make the move from Paderborn to Hanau despite the club not being a proven playoff team last summer?

Even though last season we beat Hanau twice, I felt that team had a lot of potential and was missing one key piece. I had thought about the possibility of playing alongside Til Jönke and when I found out the interest was mutual, I couldn’t pass the opportunity. As long as I’m not fearful of failure, I am willing to take a risk if I feel it’s best for me in the long run. I have a vision for myself and Hanau fit that perfectly.

Congrats on reaching the Pro A playoffs at position 7. How thrilled are you to have made the playoffs once again in your fourth attempt in the Pro A?

It’s a good feeling reaching your goals, especially when you buy in as players. This team is comprised with so many new players, our faith in one another is a true testament to our togetherness. I’m beyond ecstatic with our placement in the league.

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Assem Marei (medi Bayreuth) There Are A Couple Of Aspects Of My Game That I Need To Develop To Have A Legitimate NBA Chance

Assem Marei is a 25 year old 206cm forward from Cairo, Egypt playing his third professional season and second with medi Bayreuth. Currently he is averaging 12,6ppg, 6,7rpg and 1,5apg in the easyCredit BBL and 11,6ppg and 5,6rpg in the Basketball Champions League. Last season for medi Bayreuth he played 36 games averaging 11.9ppg, Reb-2(7.2rpg), 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 62.8%. In 2015-2016 he played his rookie season for BC Siauliai (Lithuania-LKL) playing 37 games averaging 12.1ppg, Reb-2(7.5rpg), 1.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.4%, FT: 53.6%; In the FIBA Europe Cup he played 6 games averaging 12.5ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 62.7%, FT: 64.7%; and in the Baltic League, he played 8 games averaging 12.3ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 58.3%, FT: 68.3%. He started his career with Al Zamalek (Superleague) and then played at Minn.St.-Mankato (NCAA2) from 2012-2015 olaying 85 games and as a senior played 20 games averaging 19.3ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.8bpg, FGP: 62.6%, FT: 59.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after the Basketball Champions League loss to the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and before the BBL clash against the Fraport Skyliners.

Assem, thanks for talking to German Hoops. medi Bayreuth were denied a trip to the Basketball Champions League Final 4. How tough was this loss? You started out well in the first quarter, but from the second quarter until the end, you had to play catch up basketball. What was key for Ludwigsburg getting to the Final 4?

Their physicality and their aggressiveness played a huge part in their win. They are a good team with a deep roster, and they were in the same position last year with a one point deficit. It was a really tough loss but we are very proud of what we have done this year in the champions league.

Despite this loss, do you feel like this will motivate the team not to sink their heads and finish the season strong?

Yes of course, we need to come out with energy and concentrate on BBL games.

How does it feel being the first Egyptian player in the EasyCredit BBL? What have been your best experiences in Germany having this unique title?

I don’t really thing about it that way, but I’m grateful for this experience and I hope it will open doors for other Egyptians and portray my country in a good way. It was nice to see how much support I actually did receive from the fans, some of them would also show up to our games with an Egyptian flag and that meant a lot.

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Kameron Taylor (s.Oliver Wurzburg) I Want To Focus On Defense In The BBL Which I Feel Will Separate Me

Kameron Taylor is a 23 year old 198cm guard from Hyattsville, Maryland that recently finished his second professional season and first with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf and tore up the Pro B averaging 23,4ppg, 7,9rpg and 5,6apg, and 2,6spg. Last season as a rookie he played with Team Ehingen Urspring (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games averaging 10.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 43.9%, FT: 80.2%. He started his basketball career at DeMatha Catholic and in 2012-2013 started his career at Seton Hill (NCAA2) and as a freshman played 28 games averaging 7.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 70.0%. In his second season at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 27 games averaging 12.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.6apg, 2.0spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 77.9%. In his junior season at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 16 games averaging 13.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 70.6%. In his senior year at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 27 games averaging 20.8ppg, 8.7rpg, 4.1apg, 2.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 76.8%. He spoke to German Hoops after he gave his EasyCredit BBL debut in Berlin with s.Oliver Wurzburg scoring 16 points in a 80-76 loss.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kameron Taylor after his buzzer beater against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors

Kam thanks for talking to German Hoops. Your 2017-2018 dream continues as you have made the jump from the Pro B to the EasyCredit BBL. How would you describe this dream at the moment?

I don’t consider it a dream but a goal I set for myself to accomplish by the end of my Pro B season. And now I’m setting more goals as I accomplish them.

You told me at the Dragons Rhondorf season ending party that you weren´t sure about how you would end your season. You had had a try out with the s.Oliver Wurzburg. Did you know at that time that you would be ending the season with them?

I didn’t know at the time because they were down 2 key Big guys and were highly considering picking up another Big Man.

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Forrest Robinson (ETB Wohnbau Baskets) Nobody Has To Drive Me To Work Hard I Do That Naturally

Forrest Robinson is a 24 year old 208cm forward from Eastland, Texas playing his third professional season and first with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProB). He started the season with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Euromillions League) playing 6 games averaging 3.5ppg, 2.2rpg. Last season he played with CD Universidad Catolica de Santiago (Chile-Liga Nacional) and Tartu Ulikool/Rock (Estonia-Alexela KML). As a rookie in the 2015-2016 season he played with Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A) playing 18 games averaging 12.6ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT-3(40.5%), FT: 66.7%. He started his basketball career at N.Texas (NCAA) and finished at De Paul (NCAA) where as a senior he played 32 games averaging 6.3ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 88.0%. currently he is battling in the Pro B playdowns averaging 7,7ppg and 4,5rpg. He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

Forrest, thanks for talking to German Hoops. You started the season in Belgium. Did you have any chance of seeing Germany or is this the first time that you’re here?

I didn’t get to see much of Germany when I last came. But I hope I get to now that I am here playing.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Do you have any friends playing here?

I don’t know much about basketball in Germany. I know a few guys that played in Germany before and they all have nothing but good things to say.

What was most appealing thing about the ETB Wohnbau Baskets that led you to sign here?

What made me sign with ETB was the opportunity to play a big role in the success of the team moving forward.

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