Interviews

James Milliken (APOP Paphou) Bernau Wanted To Change My Role To Being Just A Defensive Player

James Milliken is a 25 year old 188cm guard from Siler, North Carolina that is playing his rookie season in Cyprus with APOP Paphou (Cyprus-Division A). He started the season in Germany with Lok Bernau, but left in pre season. He started his basketball career with Cowley County CC (JUCO). He then made the jump to the NCAA to Creighton and played 65 games from 2014-2016. In his junior year he played 30 games averaging 9.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 77.6%. In his senior year he played 35 game averaging 9.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 70.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

James thanks for talking to German Hoops. From Germany to Cyprus. How blessed are you that you were able to find a new team after your short stay in Germany?

I am very blessed to have found a team really quick after my stay in Bernau!

You were only with Lok Bernau in the pre-season. It was a short stay. What were the reasons for your time being there cut very short?

And my time being cut short was more of a decision between both parties

You played with some very talented German players with Lok Bernau. Did it seem like the club was focusing more on them at your position?

I am a scorer and they wanted to change my role to being just a defensive player based off of the history of players I have defended! But yea I think offensively they had plans for other players and it just wasn’t something to further my career being that it was already a pretty low level league

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Good Coaches Have Allowed Anish Sharda (ASC Theresianum Mainz) To Be So Consistent In His Career

Anish Sharda is a 35 year old 188cm Us/India point guard that is playing his 12th professional season and fifth with ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career in 2001 with Moorpark JC. He then finished school at University of Mary (NAIA) in 2005 and as a senior averaged 15.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.8spg, 45.9% FGs, 38.7% 3-pts, 83.2% FTs. He came to Germany in 2007 and played two seasons for ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-Regionalliga) helping them move up to the German Pro B in 2008. He then played a season for USC Freiburg and for Hanau from 2010-2014 helping them move from the Regionaliga to the Pro B in 2011. He also played with TV Langen and last season with ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-Regionalliga) played 24 games averaging 19.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 86.0%. He recently joined Weller Sports & Entertainment agency and spoke to German Hoops about basketball in January before the second half of the Regionaliga season.

Anish thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you spent the holiday season?

How are you Miles? I’m actually in Los Angeles for a few days with family.

It has been a little more than three years ago where I last interviewed you. Has basketball time flown and do is your passion and game still where it was then or has it changed?

My passion is still the same. I love to compete and love to prepare and of course love to play this game.

You recently got the German citizenship. Was that a difficult process and what advantages will this have for you with basketball down the road?

The process of obtaining the German citizenship was an interesting one. A lot of studying and preparation for the language exam but a fun one. It reminded me of college. I hope it helps as far as opportunities go. Time will tell.

You have played in German places like Hanau, Freiburg and Langen, but what makes Christmas so special in Mainz?

Mainz is special because my wife and her family are from there. But also for me because this is where my career all started.

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Peyton Siva (Alba Berlin) I Didn´t Lose Confidence In The Way I Know How To Play

Peyton Siva is a 27 year old 183cm point guard from Seattle, Washington playing his fifth professional season and second with Alba Berlin. Currently he is averaging 13,4ppg, 2,2rpg and 5,3apg. Last season with Alba Berlin he averaged 9.4ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 83.8%; and in the Eurocup averaged 11.3ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-3(6.3apg), Steals-2(2.0spg), FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT: 86.7%. In his first season in Europe in 2015-2016 he played with Pasta Reggia JuveCaserta (Italy-Serie A) playing 21 games averaging 13.3ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-1(6.5apg), Steals-1(2.0spg), FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT-1(91.9%). He played his first two professional seasons in the G-League with Fort Wayne and Erie and played 22 NBA games with the Detroit Pistons. He played at Louisville from 2009-2013 playing a total of 144 games and as a senior helped them win the NCAA title and played 40 games averaging 10.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 5.7apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 86.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the BBL game against Science City Jena in Jena.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with Peyton Siva in the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt after the Alba Berlin loss to Frankfurt in 2017

Peyton thanks for talking to German Hoops. A sweep of Bamberg, the cup top 4 around the corner and a second place in the BBL standings, how good is basketball life now?

It´s really good. I am enjoying being around my teammates and playing in a good environment. Coach Aito makes it a good environment to play basketball.

There aren´t many players that can say that they swept Bamberg in a season. How good does it feel having had their number this season?

It feels good. Those were two very big wins. You always want to get those tough wins out of the way when going into the playoffs. It was great getting these wins, but we are focusing on the next game against Jena.

You were the best player on the floor scoring 25 points. Do you feel like you took your game to another level?

It was just me playing with confidence. Coach Aito put me in a position where I could play with confidence. But my teammates like Spencer Butterfield also were a big factor making big shots in helping getting this win.

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Chris Longoria (TV 1860 Lich) I Need To Score But More Importantly I Need To Be A Defensive Stopper First

Chris Longoria is a 25 year old 193cm guard from Peachtree, Georgia playing his second professional season and first with TV 1860 Lich 2nd team (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season as a rookie he played with Buova Virtus Lamezia Terme (Italy-Serie C Silver) playing 16 games averaging 22.7ppg. He got experience playing at three schools with Binghamton (NCAA) where he played 31 game avergaimg 6.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 37.6%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 84.8%. He played a season at Samford (NCAA) playing 13 games averaging 3.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.0apg. He played his last season at Valdosta St. (NCAA2) playing 20 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 69.4%. He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

Chris thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment an dhow have you enjoyed the Christmas time?

I am here in Lich, Germany and have really enjoyed my time here so far. Christmas time in Germany is something special.

Congrats on signing with Lich 2 recently. After having a strong rookie season with Buova Virtus Lamezia Terme (Italy-Serie C) playing 16 games averaging 22.7ppg, it took you some time finding a team. How was the transfer period in your second go compared to your rookie season? Did clubs have reservations or did the right fit just not surface?

It was definitely a process because I had to switch agents. The rules changed in Italy regarding their Americans. Luckily, I had a former college teammate Nils Dejworek who told me about his agent Lothar from Regiospot, and I got hooked up with him. However, the leagues in Germany had most of their Americans at the time, so he told me that we could find something at the Christmas break. With so many Americans trying to play pro basketball overseas, I am just grateful and blessed that I got this opportunity for a second year, no matter what time of the year it came.

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Deandre Lansdowne (Basketball Lowen Braunschweig) I Have An Obsession Of Being Great And Never Satisfied With Where I Am

Deandre Lansdowne is a 28 year old 187cm guard from Albuquerque, Mexico that is playing his first BBL season with the Basket Lowen Braunschweig. Last season he played with the Hamburg Towers averaging 12,3ppg, 5,0rpg and 2,3apg. He started his career in Germany in 2015-2016 in the Pro B where he played with Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-Pro B) playing 27 games: Score-2(22.9ppg), 8.1rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-5(2.6spg), FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 66.5%. He played college ball at Fort Lewis (NCAA2) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 50.7%. He then gained his first professional experience with Pioneros de Delicias (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive) before continuing career in Germany. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball shortly after the new year.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber has covered the Cinderella career of Deandre Lansdowne since he played in the Pro B with Herten via Pro A team Hamburg Towers. The American has adjusted well to the BBL as he dropped 11 points and dished out 6 assists in a 78-71 loss in Frankfurt

Deandre thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how did you celebrate the holiday season?

Hi, Good speaking with with you again. I’m in Braunschweig. I didn’t do much. We had quite a few games the last weeks. So I’ve just been focusing on basketball. But the good part is my mother has been in throughout the holidays, so it’s been nice spending time with her.

You played in Herten and Hamburg before moving to Braunschweig this season. Was there anything special in your new home in the holiday season that you hadn´t seen before in Herten and Hamburg?

Nope, nothing new. I would say Hamburg had a better holiday season with their huge Christmas market.

Congrats on reaching the easyCredit BBL in your third season with Braunschweig. In our last interview in April 2017 you stated that “My Next Step Is To Be One Of The More Dominant Players In Pro A”. Did you not sell yourself a bit short? You must of felt after that strong Pro A season that you could reach the BBL or not?

My plan was always to get to the BBL, but if I happened to play in Pro A again, that was my goal, so that I could only spend 1 more season there.

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Michael Jenkins (Umana Reyer Venezia) It´s Been Tough Accepting Less Minutes But At The End Of The Day It´s All About The Team

Michael Jenkins is a 31 year old 192 cm guard from Kinston, North Carolina that currently is playing his tenth professional season and first with Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy-Serie A). Last season he played with Aris Thessaloniki (Greece-A1) playing 17 BCL games averaging 11.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 83.8%; In the Greek A1 he played 19 game averaging 9.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 44.8%, 3FGP: 39.3%, FT: 75.0%, in Mar.’17 moved to The Flexx Pistoia (Italy-Serie A) playing 11 games averaging 10.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 95.5. Over the years he has gained valuable experience playing in countries like Belgium, Italy and Germany where he played with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen in the 2009-2010 season playing 34 games averaging 14.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.3apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 72.6%. He played at Winthrop(NCAA) from 2004-2008 playing a total of 131 NCAA games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 13.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PTConf-6(36.8%), FT: 71.3%: He finished his career as the 10th leading scorer in Winthrop history with 1,253 points. He spoke to German Hoops after the Basketball Champions League loss to medi Bayreuth.

Thanks Mike for talking to German Hoops. We spoke last season when you were playing with Aris before a Basketball Champions League game against the Fraport Skyliners. This season your playing with Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy-Serie A). Your had a shoot around in the Oberfrankenhalle in Bayreuth before the game against medi Bayreuth. With so many seasons, teams and opponents is setting foot in an arena for the first time still exciting or has that excitement worn down a bit over the years?

It’s still exciting sometimes but it has definitely worn down a bit.

Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy-Serie A) are having a very strong season in Serie A and are in a dogfight for position 2 in the Basketball Champions League with three other teams. What do you feel has been the secret of the success of the team this season?

There’s no secret. It’s been our coaching, our talent, work ethic, our fan support, and a bit of luck in some of the close games

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Malcolm Hill (Telekom Baskets Bonn) Is More Than Just A Scorer

Malcolm Hill is a 22 year old 198cm guard from Illinois playing his rookie season as a professional for the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He had a four year career at Illinois(NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 136 games and as a senior played 35 games averaging 17.2ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 78.4%. With Illinois he reached the NIT Sweet 16 in 2014 and Elite 8 in 2017. He spoke to German Hoops before the easyCredit game against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg.

Malcolm thanks for talking to German Hoops. Six days ago you witness the biggest win of the season destroying Bamberg and then a few days later got ousted from the Basketball Champions League competition losing to Besiktas 95-79. Was this one of the worst up and down weeks you have ever had or did you witness that at Illinois(NCAA)?

I don´t see this week as an up and down experience, but more of a new type of learning experience for me. We have a positive attitude going into the Oldenburg game. I thought that we competed well against Besiktas, but they were a very good team.

How is the state of the team at the moment. In a moment like this do veterans like Josh Mayo or Julian Gamble do extra to keep the team spirit up or are there other factors involved?

Those two guys have been a big help keeping everyone positive. They understand that an experience like this can be tough for a rookie.

You are in Oldenburg preparing for an easyCredit BBL game against the EWE Baskets. You won the first game in Bonn rather easily 90-68. You shot very well as a team from outside, won the rebounding battle and coughed up the ball only 7 times. Was this one of the best defensive efforts of the season?

Yes for sure. We did a good job guarding Paulding in that game who can be explosive at any time. Key in that game was Yorman Polas who set the tone on defense and set the bar and we followed him. We were already clicking on offense which helped.

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Kenny Gabriel (Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens) Living The Dream Going From Junior College To The Euroleague

Kenny Gabriel is a 28 year old 209cm forward from North Carolina playing his sixth professional season and second with Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens (Greece-A1). Currently he is averaging 2,3ppg and 2,4rpg in the Euroleague. Last season he started with club Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia-VTB) playing 5 Eurocup games averaging 6.8ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 77.8%. In the VTB United League, he played 5 games averaging 3.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2bpg, in Nov.’16 moved to Panathinaikos Athens (Greece-A1) playing 21 games averaging 6.6ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP-1(73.2%), 3PT-3(47.1%), FT: 60.0%. He also played 23 Euroleague games averaging 5.2ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 61.5%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 60.0%. Previously as a professional he played two seasons with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-BSL), a season with A.G.O Rethymno Aegean (Greece-A1), a season with The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs (New Zealand-NBL), Proteas Danoi AEL Limassol (Cyprus-Division A) and Maccabi Ashdod (Israel-Premier League). He started his basketball career with Paris JC (JUCO) and finished at Auburn(NCAA) and as a senior played 31 games averaging 12.2ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1spg, 2.3bpg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 64.6%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Euroleague game against Brose Bamberg in Bamberg.

Kenny, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. What do you know about the country Germany and its basketball and do you have any friends playing here?

I don’t think (to my knowledge) that I have and friends playing basketball here. But I know that German teams like to get up and down and run and they play hard.

You have a 2-1 record against German teams Bamberg and Ulm. What memories do you have of the loss to Ulm last season in the Eurocup?

I can’t remember. It was a while ago and I’ve played a lot of games since then. But I know that they played really hard.

Bamberg have been underachieving in the BBL, but been a surprise in the Euroleague reeling off some exciting come from behind wins. Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens (Greece-A1) won the first game this season in Athens 93-83. What kind of game can we await this time, what will be key to winning and could Dorell Wright make a difference this time around?

I expect a tough game. Dorell Wright is a great player!! He can do a lot of things on offense! He brings a lot to Bamberg!

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Bryce Leavitt (WWU Baskets Muenster) Playing At N Idaho Made Me Tougher And Saved My Career

Bryce Leavitt is a 23 year old 193cm guard from Kennewick, Washington that is playing his second professional season and first with WWU Baskets Muenster (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season as a rookie he played with TV 1864 Salzkotten (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 23 games averaging 20.3ppg, 7.9rpg, 4.6apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 84.9%. He got college basketball experience with three schools with Washington St. (NCAA), N.Idaho JC (JUCO, starting five) and Seattle Pacific (NCAA2) where he played his last two seasons and as a senior played 31 games averaging 9.6ppg, 6.8rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 22.0%, FT: 78.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Bryce thanks for talking to German Hoops. You’re playing your second professional season in Germany and first with Muenster. What kind of experience has it been for you playing the in the German Regionaliga? What have been the biggest benefits and negatives for you personally?

I feel like I have been able to grow as a player in this league, and show the value I can bring to a team. I wouldn’t say there are any real negatives, just motivation to keep improving as a player.

Has it been difficult being able to work on your game consistently with the lack of daily practices? Are you able to put up shots when you can and get gym time or is that a real problem when your at the Regionaliga level?

Not at all, I am able to work on my game every day here. Our coach, Philipp, is the director at a sports school. So every morning I meet him for individual training/shooting, and then join our strength coach Baris Türkel in the weight room for his performance program.

You have put up great stats in your first two seasons. How big is your drive to continue to get better and move up the ranks. Would you pay the price of playing say 4- 5 years in the Regionaliga before making the jump to say the Pro B or is this experience something you will just take it year by year?

I’m just striving to keep improving as a player, and taking a step forward in my career every season. Right now my full focus is on helping Muenster to win games and fight for the championship. After the season I will be able to step back and evaluate my future.

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Michael Bramos (Umana Reyer Venezia) I Really Enjoyed Every Place That I Played At And Never Had A Bad Experience

Michael Bramos is a 30 year old 196cm forward from Michigan that also has the Greek citizenship playing his third season with Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy-Serie A). Last season with the Italian team he played 45 Serie A games averaging 9.2ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 72.3%. In the BCL, he played 22 games averaging 8.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 81.3%He started his professional career in 2009 with DASH Peristeri Athens (A1). He then followed playing two seasons with C.B. Gran Canaria 2014 (Spain-ACB) and two seasons with Panathinaikos Athens (A1):.He played at Miami, OH (NCAA) from 2005-2009 playing a total of 120 games and as a senior played 30 games averaging 17.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 40.2%, 3Pts: 35.7%, FT: 83.3%. He played at the 2011 and 2013 European championships with Greece. He spoke to German Hoops before the Basketball Champions league game against medi Bayreuth.

Thanks Michael for talking to German Hoops. I saw you play LIVE once in November 2011 when you beat Frankfurt in Germany 71-58 and you had 10 points. Do you remember anything from that game like Jon Leuer being there?

I don´t remember much. I remember it was a Eurocup game, but it was a long time ago.

You have played against so many teams in your career, but if I asked you how many games you won against German teams in your 11 games could you guess the correct number?

I would say I won 8 times.

You have 9 victories and played against teams like Bamberg, Ulm, Artland Dragons, Fraport Skyliners, Ludwigsburg and Bayreuth. Do you have a memorable win against one of these teams in the last 7 years?

My most memorable game was when we won in Bamberg. They were really good then.

After winning 4 titles with Panathinaikos Athens (A1), you joined Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy-Serie A) in 2015 and are playing your third season with the club.You won the Serie A title last season in your second season there. After achieving so much with Panathinaikos, what did that title mean to you last season?

It was a different experience for me. It was nice winning this title, because it was the first one for them in their history.

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