Interviews

Mardracus Wade (Nurnberg Falcons) Playing With Four NBA Players Who Were The Core Of The Team I Knew Who To Get The Ball Too

Mardracus Wade is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Chatham, Virginia that is playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA). He played his rookie season with the Central Texas Swarm (ABA) and played in the D-league the last two seasons with the Iowa Energy (D-League) playing 35 games averaging 5.9ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT-1(50.0%), FT: 68.1% and last season split time with the Iowa Energy (D-League) playing 8 games averaging 4.9ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.8apg and the Greensboro Swarm (D-League) playing 6 games averaging 5.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 62.5%. He started his basketball career at  Arkansas (NCAA) in 2010 and played 125 NCAA games in a four year career with his best season being his sophomore one where he played 31 games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.2rpg. Currently in the Pro A with Nurnberg he is averaging 10,0ppg, 2,5rpg and 3,4apg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Mardracus thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on signing with German team Nurnberg Falcons. Did the fact that you were a try-out player motivate you even more to play at a high level?

Yes sir, I knew what I brought to the table and I felt really confident in my skill and abilities coming into it. I just had to play hard and do my part.

After playing in the States for your first three professional seasons you now have made the jump to Europe. How blessed are you to be in a place where everybody knows German and not in the back woods of Bosnia where you might not see a Mcdonalds for months?

I’m very blessed to be in the position I’m in today. I feel like this a great start to my career overseas and that the sky’s limit for me if I continue to put in the time and effort. Nuremberg is a really cool place and have great people and food here. So I’m happy about that.

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Rashid Mahalbasic (EWE Baskets Oldenburg) I Am A Real Austrian And Won´t End With This Disgrace Against Germany

Rashid Mahalbasic is a 27 year old 211cm center that was born in Jesenice (Slovenia), but also has the Austrian citizenship and plays for the Austrian national team and is playing his first season with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Mahalbasic started his basketball career in 2006 for the Worthersee Piraten (A Bundesliga) where he played until 2009. In the 2009-2010 season he played for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (Bosnia-D1, starting five): DNP, in Oct.’09 moved back to kelag Worthersee Piraten (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 27 games: 18.4ppg, Reb-2(8.6rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 64.4%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL), in Dec.’10 loaned to Tofas Bursa (Turkey-TBL) playing 10 games averaging 3.7ppg, 3.0rpg, in Mar.’11 signed at KK Split (Croatia-A1) playing 13 games averaging 5.0ppg, 2.3rpg. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Zlatorog Lasko (Slovenia-Telemach League) playing 2 Slovenian League games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.0spg, 1.5bpg; IN the Adriatic League he played 3 games averaging  4.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0bpg. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-TBL) playing 36 games averaging 11.0ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 58.0%, FT: 68.7%; In the Euroleague he played 10 games averaging 9.1ppg, Reb-5(6.8rpg), 1.3apg, FGP: 58.2%, FT: 59.1%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 18 VTB United League games averaging 11.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 63.5%, FT: 72.2%. In the NBLleague he played 29 games averaging 10.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP-2(68.8%), 3PT-1(66.7%), FT: 62.2%; In the Eurocup, he played 18 games averaging 11.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 60.6%, FT: 69.0%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for BC Astana (Kazakhstan-D1) playing 33 VTB United League: 33 games averaging 14.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 61.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.8%. In the  EuroChallenge he played 12 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 62.8%, FT: 73.6%; Kazakhstani D1 playing 11 games averaging  8.2ppg, Reb-2(6.5rpg), 2.4apg, Steals-2(2.0spg), FGP: 53.7%, FT: 51.4%. In the 2015-2016 season he played for BC Nizhny Novgorod (Russia-VTB) playing 27 games averaging 12.6ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 73.1%; In the Eurocup, he played 20 games averaging 11.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 8.3%, FT: 58.1%. Last season he played with  Yesilgiresun Belediye (Turkey-BSL, starting five)playing 9 games averaging 11.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 71.4%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 78.3%, in Dec.’16 moved to Betis Energia Plus Sevilla (Spain-ACB) playing 22 games averaging 10.1ppg, Reb-4(6.6rpg), 1.8apg, FGP: 57.5%, FT: 71.2%. He spoke to German Hoops the day after the brutal 90-49 loss against Germany in a 2019 World Cup qualifying game.

 

 

Rasid thanks for talking to German Hoops-. Normally this week you would be preparing for a Basketball Champions League game with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, but instead are with the Austrian national team preparing for 2019 World Cup qualifying games against Serbia and Germany. What is your general opinion about having the qualifying games during the regular season?

 

At first I thought it would be an advantage not seeing the best players playing, but I was wrong. We showed that we were one of the worst teams. We weren´t prepared. We simply don´t have the quality of players to prepare for three days and then be ready.

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Anthony Ireland (Juventus-LKSK Utenos) I Had Played 5,000 Pick And Rolls And Those Greek Legends 35,000 Pick And Rolls

Anthony Ireland is a 26 year old 175cm point guard playing his fourth professional season and first with Juventus-LKSK Utenos (Lithuania-LKL). Last season he played for Trefl Sopot (Poland-TBL) playing 33 games averaging 17.4ppg,  2.9rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 89.9%. As a rookie he played with ES Chalon-Sur-Saone (France-ProA) playing 33 games averaging 9.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 81.7%. Two seasons ago he played with SEFA Arkadikos (Greece-A1) playing 8 games averaging 7.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 45.5%, 3FGP: 36.4%, FT: 73.7%, in Mar.’16 signed at Trefl Sopot (Poland-TBL) playing 7 games averaging 19.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 39.0%, 3PT: 54.5%, FT: 62.5%. He played at Loyola Marymount (NCAA) from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 18.5ppg, 3.7rpg, 5.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 81.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Basketball Champions League game against the EWE Baskets in Oldenburg.

Anthony thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are in Oldenburg preparing for a Basketball Champions League game. Is this your first time in Germany or have you been here before?

This is my first time to Germany. My first impression has been good. At shoot around tonight, I got a first impression of the gym and I liked it. It was very clean and looked new.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Do you have any buddies playing in Germany? I remember your ex teammate Jared Dubois played with Frankfurt.

I know a few guys that play for the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and a few guys that play for Alba Berlin. I talked to Bryon Allen after shoot around and he told me that the BBL is very competitive and that it is good from top to bottom. Anybody can beat anybody on any given night.

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James Robinson (medi Bayreuth) I Understand My Path Is A Bit Different But I Will Continue To Work To Reach My Dream

James Robinson is a 23 year old 190cm guard from Mitchellville, Maryland that is playing his second professional season and first with medi Bayreuth (Germany-BBL) averaging 8,6ppg, 2,2rpg and 3,8apg. Last season as a rookie he played with BC Igokea Aleksandrovac (Bosnia-Division I) helping them win the cup playing 16 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT-2(48.8%), FT: 75.8%; He also played in the Adriatic League playing 24 games averaging 12.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 86.3%. Before turning professional he played at Pittsburgh (NCAA) form 2012-2016 playing a total of 137 games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 10.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to German Hoops late in the summer about basketball.

James thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on signing with German BBL team medi Bayreuth. After winning the double with BC Igokea Aleksandrovac (Bosnia-Division I) and having a very strong rookie season, what was your main goal to achieve in the off season in terms of finding a new team?

My main goal this off season was to continue to improve my game in every way possible while looking for an opportunity to play for a club that would help me to continue to grow as a player and as a person.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball.Has Dennis Schroeder been a guy that has impressed you with his game the last years?

I know Germany has a rich tradition when it comes to basketball. Recently, Schroeder has been one of the stars to come from Germany and yes I watched him play since he joined the Hawks. He’s an impressive player that feeds off of confidence and is now the leader of the Atlanta organization.

 

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Byron Sanford (BBC Coburg) A Guy May Be A Little Bigger Than Me But My Will To Want The Ball Is Greater

Byron Sanford is a 183cm guard from Louisville, Kentucky that is playing his professional season in Germany with BBC Coburg. He played at Trevecca Naz. (NCAA2) and really excelled in his last two seasons as a junior he played 17 games averaging17.2ppg, 6.5rpg, 4.2apg, Steals-3(2.9spg), FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 72.0%. In his senior year at Trevecca Naz. (NCAA2) he played 32 games averaging 18.4ppg, 7.6rpg, 4.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 69.5%. He was the G-MAC Player of the Year in 2016. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about basketball.

Byron thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

I just got to Coburg Germany and getting adjusted now. My summer was great!!! Long and hard but it will pay off. I was ery competitive working and playing with all the pros from Louisville (Kentucky)

Congrats on signing with German Pro B team BBC Coburg. How thrilled are you about being able to call yourself a professional basketball player?

Thank you I appreciate it. It’s a major blessing to be a professional athlete and part of the BBC Coburg organization. I dream I have prayed and worked for is now reality so it’s a great feeling. I am happy but nowhere near satisfied.

You will be taking your talents to BBC Coburg. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

I know basketball in Germany is a growing sport year by year. I am glad to be a part of the growing process of basketball in Germany. Also I think Germany will be a great country to adjust in since it has some similarities to the States. I have had friends play in Germany and most have all had great experiences.

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The Longevity Of Justin Gray (U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca) Is Credited To Doing What He Does Best And Not Proving Something He Can´t Do

Justin Gray is a 33 year old 188cm guard from Charlotte, North Carolina that is playing  his 12th professional season and first with U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca (Romania-Liga Nationala). He is versatile enough to excel at point guard as well as big guard. An enthusiastic, high-energy guard who brings a swagger to the team. Gray is one of the team’s vocal leaders, possesses great quickness, and is an exceptional perimeter shooter. He started his basketball career at Wake Forest where he played with NBA superstar Chris Paul. Gray played at Wake Forest from 2002-2006 and in his senior year played 33 games: ScoreACC-4(18.2ppg), 3.6rpg, AssistsACC-5(4.3apg), 1.0spg, FGP: 36.7%, 3PTACC-4(36.1%), FTACC-5(83.4%): Finished career ranked 8th in Wake Forest history in scoring (1,946 points), 1st in three-point attempts (860), 2nd in three-point field goals (319) and 8th in assists (382). His 319 career three-point field goals are 7th best in ACC history. In 2006-2007, he started his professional basketball career and in 11 seasons has been the ultimate basketball globetrotter as he played in 13 countries like Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, China, Germany, France, Turkey, Lebanon, Bulgaria and Belarus. He won two titles with CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) and three titles with Tsmoki-Minsk (Belarus-Premier League). Six years after last having played in Germany with the Fraport Skyliners, he sat down with German Hoops before a Champions League qualifying game in Ludwigsburg.

Justin thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You are in Ludwigsburg preparing for a Champions League qualifying game. You never played against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. How excited are you to be back in Germany?

I am excited to be back in Germany. I had a good start with the Fraport Skyliners in 2011, but then got injured. I remember Germany as being a place where I was always treated well and fans were always in the arena´s. I am happy to play against Ludwigsburg tonight. It´s another new adventure.

It has been six years since you last played for a German club the Fraport Skyliners. Since then you have played in eight countries for eight teams. Before you landed in Frankfurt you had already played for seven teams in four countries. Do you feel like a basketball globetrotter at times?

Yeh you could say that. But nowadays it isn´t so typical for a player to be in one place for a long time. I am blessed that I have received so many opportunities from so many clubs in different countries. Teams wanting me is a testament to my skill and staying healthy. I will just continue to do what I do and hope teams continue to call my number.

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Joey Jenkins Witnessed How Scrupulous People Realize You Love Basketball Far More Than You Love Money

Joey Jenkins is a 33 year old 198cm forward that has waited a long time to get to Europe which he did in 2014 playing for the Westfallen Mustangs of the Oberliga and Paderborn and continued to playin Italy and for the Missouri Quake (CBDL). He played college basketball with Evangel University (NAIA) and Oklahoma Wesleyan (NAIA). As a professional he has played in the minor leagues in the States with teams like the Gastonia Gamers (WBA) or Springfield Thrill (UBL). In an unreleased interview in 2015 the American told his fascinating story to German Hoops about his basketball life in 2015.

Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

I am back in Springfield, Missouri for the moment after just returning from Germany a couple weeks ago. I came into the summer season very hopeful and optimistic about getting picked up by a club in Europe, mainly because of all the hard work I have put in and now with some experience in Europe the last few seasons, I feel my game is well-suited for the European style of play regardless of what position I play.

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Justin Alston Brings Way More Than Just Refreshing Basketball Skills To Trier But A Very Keen Mind

Sometimes the beauty of where a basketball player is able to call his athletic and intellectual home for four years doesn´t change even when he moves on to the professional level. Not all players have that luxury of being able to go from class to class, from meal to meal and from practice to practice and have that combination of that urban feeling combined with that touch of nature that is lurking whenever one wants to forget about all the studying and exam stress coupled with the aches and pains of practice and just be able to get immersed with the bit of green that is present in Boston. Players that had to endure a 4 year stay at places like in the Bronx, New York where one can´t exactly feel comfortable with the nonending smell of filth or in other big cities like in Los Angeles with USC or Philadelphia with Temple didn´t have the grandeur of a Justin Alston who not only was able to taste the combination of city and nature for an extra year in that he had a university education for five years, but the beauty of his surroundings will continue as he embarks on his professional journey in Germany tonight. Alston played 5 years at Boston University from 2012-2017 and could be driving down Commonwealth avenue and witness the bustling student life on both sides of the street while always getting closer to the Prudential building which hovered on the horizon, but at the same time be a few minutes away from the pretty Charles river off Storrow Drive which is like a snake that weaves itself around the Boston area. Along the Charles river, the American could find a comfy spot and open a book while having a picturesque view of the Boston skyline while getting that last studying in for that next exam or just get lost for a few minutes with the next opponent Lehigh and try to figure out a way how to contain a Tim Kempton Jr well again. One could say his beauty of nature that he had in Boston will continue in his rookie season when he will be playing for the Romerstrom Gladiators in Trier.  Alston will call a city home that like Boston is enriched with unending traditional history and is even older than Boston as it was founded by the Celts in the last 4th century BC and belongs to the oldest cities in Germany. It doesn´t match the population of Boston as only 104,000 people reside there, but the beauty of the Mosel river on which the small city lies on will bring back memories of the Charles river. When driving down Paulin street for the first time and passes the historic and breathtaking Porta Negra, he will remember some of the old landmarks in Boston and feel right at home.

Alston is a 23 year old 203cm forward that hails from Washington DC and just finished his basketball career at Boston University. He will play his rookie season in the German Pro A which is the second division, but a very respected and growing league that has produced some very good talent over the years and helped guys make the next step.

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Kavin Gilder-Tilbury (RheinStars) A Personal Goal This Season Will Be Breaking The 40 Percent Mark From Outside

Kavin Gilder-Tilbury is a 201cm forward from Houston, Texas that is starting his professional basketball career in Germany with the RheinStars Cologne. He played at Texas St. (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 128 games and as a senior played 36 games averaging 15.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 65.7%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about Basketball.

Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been? Did you do anything out of the ordinary this summer?

 I am currently in my home town Houston Texas. My summer has been good. I just been training all summer getting ready for the next level.

When you look back at your life, have there been more benefits to having the name Kavin than not? At least you have a unique name and it isn´t written Kevin which is a household name.

 I haven’t had any benefits for having the name. But I definitely been told it was unique and different.

Congrats on signing with Pro A team RheinStars Cologne. How did you experience your first summer testing the transfer market. Did you notice just how competitive it is when there are so many players trying to land a job somewhere in the world?

 It has been a new experience for me. I’ve been learning the process on how things go and what It takes to play at the next level. It’s all about working hard and waiting for an opportunity to present itself and also have the right people in your corner. That’s what I did to get to this point. It’s definitely been a competitive summer. Every work out or training session I’ve been to all the guys were competing making each other better which is the biggest goal.

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

 I don’t really know much about German basketball. I’ve been told there is some competition there and if I work hard I would have a chance to show my talents.

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Marcellus Barksdale Has Improved his Mental Focus So When He Gets Good Looks He Knocks Them Down

Marcellus Barksdale is a 24 year old 196cm guard from Lexington, Kentucky that recently completed his first professional season in Germany with TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB) averaging 17,0ppg, 6,0rpg and 3,3apg.He played at IUPUI (NCAA) form 2011-2016 playing a total of 131 NCAA games. As a senior he played 31 games averaging 8.7ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 73.1%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Marcellus thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

 I’m back home in Lexington, Kentucky. I’ve had a great summer spending time with my family and friends.

What was the coolist non basketball event that you did this summer that you hadn´t done before in your life?

I got the opportunity to fly to New York City this summer and work as a basketball choreographer for a basketball theatre musical called BOUNCE. It was by far the most random thing I’ve done in my life but I enjoyed working closely with talented actors and singers.

 It´s September and teams around the globe are slowly filled and you are still unsigned. After playing your rookie season you must be extremely hungry to keep the basketball journey going. How tough is it for you at the moment sitting at home and waiting by the phone?

Surprisingly, it all feels very similar to last year for me. Last year I didn’t sign until the end of September so it feels normal. I just have faith that the right opportunity will come soon.

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