Interviews

Dennis Clifford (Alba Berlin) Pat Heckmann Would Always Talk Trash Germany VS America

Dennis Clifford is a 25 year old 216cm center from Boston that is going into his second professional season and first in Germany with Alba Berlin. Last season as a rookie he played with the Santa Cruz Warriors (D-League) playing 38 games averaging 11.9ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 59.2%, FT: 64.5%. He played at Boston College(NCAA) from 2011-2016 playing a total of 124 games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 9.9ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 9.1%, FT: 61.6%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about Basketball.

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

At the moment I am in Boston. my summer has been great! I like being in Boston because that is where I workout and I also get to see my friends on the weekends.

Congrats on signing with top German team Alba Berlin. After a season in the D-League are you ready for a career in Europe or is the route back to the States and NBA still high on your list?

My dream ever since I picked up a basketball has always been to play in the NBA but having said that if the NBA doesn´t work out I would love to have a long and prosperous career in Germany.

You have signed with Germany´s second most winningest team Alba Berlin. What do you know about Germany and it´s basketball? Do you remember BC teammate Patrick Heckmann telling you about his homeland?

I have heard that the German BBL is one of the best leagues in the world so I am very excited to be a part of it! Pat Heckmann was my roommate in college so we would always talk trash about Germany vs America. haha but on a serious note he has told me a lot about Germany- how the people are very kind and they love their basketball! He also said the BBL is a very competitive league and has a lot of great players

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Michael Smith (Crailsheim Merlins) I Believe That We Can Do Something Special This Season

Michael Smith is a 22 year old 193cm guard from California that is starting his professional career in Germany with the Crailsheim Merlins. He played at Cal.Baptist (NCAA2) from 2013-2017 and set the NCAA 2 on fire in his last two seasons as a junior he averaged 21.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 83.6%. In his senior year at Cal.Baptist (NCAA2) he played 25 games averaging 24.6ppg, 6.2rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 83.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Michael thanks for talking to German Hoops. Your from San Francisco, went to school in Riverside and now your in Crailsheim. Has it been kind of a culture shock concerning the geography? What kind of early beauty have you been able to take from Germany?

It has definitely been some what of a culture shock dealing with the time change and the language barrier of living in Germany but over the past few weeks I have come accustomed to the living.

Your starting your professional basketball career in Germany in the pro A with the Crailsheim Merlins. You were a lethal scorer in the NCAA2 and had a work out with the Los Angeles Lakers. How did you land with the Crailsheim Merlins? Did you get any advice from German teammate Kalidou Diouf?

I was able to land the job through the help of my agent Scott Nichols.

How did you experience your first summer transfer period coming from school. I can imagine that many professional teams were enticed by your scoring like from a team in Mexico where you had an offer. What was the deciding factor that made you chose the Crailsheim Merlins?
The deciding factor for me picking the Crailsheim Merlins was the type of culture that the organization presented. They are hard working and family based team. I also wanted to make sure that I started my career on a team that is fighting for a championship and with the Merlins I believe that we can do something special this season.

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Jason Clark (Antwerp Giants) Never Forgot His Georgetown Roots

Jason Clark is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Arlington, Virginia that is playing his sixth professional and second season with Telenet Giants Antwerp (Belgium-Euromillions League. Last season for them he played 40 games: Score-2(15.9ppg), 3.6rpg, Assists-5(4.5apg), Steals-4(1.5spg), FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 82.0%; In the FIBA Europe Cup he played 11 games averaging 14.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 44.0%, FT: 92.0%. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Georgetown(NCAA) playing a total of 130 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 75.0%. In 2012 he started his professional career for Generali Okapi Aalstar (Belgium-Ethias League) playing 9 games averaging 15.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 69.7%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 15.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.8apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 86.2%. In 2013 he played for Belgacom Spirou Charleroi (Belgium-Ethias League) playing 11 games averaging 8.2ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 65.6%. In the 2014-2015 season he played with Okapi Aalstar (Belgium-Scooore League) playing 5 games averaging 13.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 64.5%, 3FGP: 15.4%, FT: 74.1%; In the EuroChallenge, he played 6 games averaging 16.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.5apg, 2FGP: 53.0%, 3FGP: 18.2%, FT: 80.8%, In Dec.’14 signed at Mamak Belediye Ankara D.S.I. (Turkey-TB2L) playing 22 games: Score-5(22.0ppg), 4.1rpg, 3.3apg, Steals-2(2.3spg), FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 83.8%. Last season he played with Mamak Belediye Ankara D.S.I. (Turkey-TBL): playing 12 games averaging 20.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 3.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 82.2%. He recently was in Frankfurt to play a pre season tournament and found some time to talk to German Hoops about basketball.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing ex Georgetown Hoya Jason Clark after leading Atwerpen to 86-85 pre season win against the Fraport Skyliners

Jason thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are going into your sixth professional season and fifth in Belgium and second with Telenet Giants Antwerp (Belgium-Euromillions League). Has it just always been the right fits in Belgium or does that leagues style just fit your game best that hasn´t made you test other leagues except Turkey?

Going into my 6th season and I’m loving Europe. Traveling to many different countries and playing so many games is a blessing. I think the Belgian league is a great fit for me but I also know other countries are also. I love the Belgian league and I felt like I had a lot to prove especially after being one of the best players my rookie season and having it cut short by a season ending injury.

Last season with Port of Antwerp Giants (Belgium-Euromillions League) you won your second professional title with the Super Cup. With that second title under your belt does that give you a new kind of self confidence going into this season?

Last year was my first full season in Belgium and I was in the perfect position. Playing under a great coach that believed in me and put his trust in me to play the PG position. It wasn’t an easy road but I learned the position pretty fast. We won the super cup (2nd time winning it) I also won with my team my rookie season in Aalst. Our team last year finished 2nd in the rankings and made it to the semifinals. With those great accomplishments also came with a league MVP trophy for me. But it wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the great coaches and great players I had around me.

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Andrew Jones Has Always Had A Scoring Gene But In The Pro A Can Put More Energy Into Defense

Andrew Jones is a 34 year old 191cm shooting combo guard that has been a professional basketball player since 2007. He played at Miles(NCAA2) and has played in Germany for most of his professional career with four seasons with the Dresden Titans and three seasons with the BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga). He also gained experience playing with teams like Marietta Storm (SEBL), BC Celtics (SEBL), C.B. Aridane (Spain-EBA) and Universidad Tecnologica Equinoc. Quito (Ecuador-National League). He last played with the Dresden Titans (Germany-ProB) playing 28 games averaging 9.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 23.7%, FT: 63.6%. Currently he is practicing with the German Pro A team Chemnitz. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Andrew Jones hits the Fraport Skyliners Juniors for 38 points leading Dresden to 88-80 win in 2013. Full Game:

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

What’s up Miles! I’m living in Dresden with my wife and daughter. The summer was very relaxing.

Did you experience anything really cool this summer, an experience that you had never had before that made your summer extra special?

Being able to wake up every day healthy and strong was coolest thing I did this summer. This summer was more about rest and family. There were no big vacations.

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Chris Hortman (EN Baskets Schwelm) It´s Not About Height Or Size But About Heart And Pride

Chris Hortman is a 28 year old 190cm guard from Milwaukee, Wisconsin that will be playing his second season in Germany and first with the EN Baskets Schwelm. Last season he played for the TVI Basketball SWAP Ballers Ibbenbueren (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: Score-1(25.0ppg), 9.7rpg, 5.1apg, 2.9spg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 76.9%. He got vast experience in the states before turning professional playing at various schools like Milwaukee Area Tech JC (JUCO), Missouri Valley (NAIA), Wisc.-Stout (NCAA3) where as a senior he played 27 games averaging 14.7ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 85.5%. He also played with the Gold Coast Rollers (Australia-SBL) in 2014 averaging 28,6ppg. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about Basketball.

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

Hey miles thanks for the opportunity to talk. Rght now I am in Schwelm, Germany and had a really successful summer with working out with my trainer and building my own training company swish dreams elite in Denver Colorado.

Usually Americans are still in the States in July enjoying the last weeks of summer with family and friends before heading back to Germany. You were already in Germany in July. Was it difficult leaving everyone so early and what really brought you back so early even if your Regionalliga season ended on April ist.

Yes it is difficult every time leaving family and friends to come to a new land with new customs, but I felt it was very necessary to leave early and get a head start on the season learning the plays, building a relationship with the head coach and meeting the staff and the city to prepare for this next major step in my career.

Congrats on signing with the EN Baskets Schwelm. How excited are you to be playing in the Pro B with this club and what is your biggest goal on and off the court?

Thank you. and yes I am very excited to have moved up leagues with the EN Baskets Schwelm into the Pro B league. My biggest goal on the court is to just show my skills as a basketball player and show that I belong. Also on the court continue to learn the European style of play and off the court I’m currently working on learning more German so I can more effetely communicate and express myself with my teammates and members of the community.

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Michael Fakuade Living The Cinderella Dream Going From The Pro B To Spanish ACB In 3 Years

Michael Fakuade is a 28 year old 201cm forward from Chicago, Illinois that also has the Nigerian citizenship and is playing his sixth professional season and fourth in Spain and first with RETAbet Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian (Spain-Liga Endesa). As a rookie he played for UBC Hannover playing 15 games averaging 15.2ppg, Reb-5(10.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1(2.8bpg), FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 67.6%. In his second season he played for the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProA) playing 33 games averaging 8.3ppg, Reb-5(7.3rpg), Blocks-1(1.8bpg), FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 56.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he made the jump to Forca Lleida CE (Spain-LEB Gold)playing 32 games averaging 7.2ppg, 5.2rpg, Blocks-5(1.0bpg), FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 66.0%. In the 2015-2016 season he stayed in Spain playing with Quesos Cerrato de Palencia (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 30 games averaging 9.8ppg, 6.2rpg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 22.9%, FT: 60.0%. Last season he played with Cafes Candelas Breogan Lugo (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 32 games averaging 10.1ppg, Reb-4(6.9rpg), 1.5apg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.8%He started his basketball career in 2007 for N.Illinois (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing 54 NCAA games. He then changed to play for Ill.-Springfield (NCAA2). He played a total of 45 NCAA 2 games and as a senior played 24 games: 14.5ppg, RebNCAA2-6(11.0rpg), BlocksNCAA2-2(3.5bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 3-6, FT: 56.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.

Michael thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how was your summer?

My summer was good. I was rehabbing and working out. Trying to come back stronger from a minor injury I had.

Was there anything special that you did in Chicago this summer that you hadn´t done before in the last years that was especially memorable?

Yes, rehabbing my knee was very challenging to me. This was that first time in my career that I had a major injury. It was very challenging mentally.

Congrats on signing with RETAbet Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian (Spain-Liga Endesa). You have paid your dues in your first five seasons as a professional with two in Germany and three in Spain in the Leb Gold. Did somebody have to pinch you? Your playing in the best league in Europe.

I’ am Very grateful and blessed to get a chance to play in one of the best leagues in the world. My goal was always to be able to play at the highest level possible if I could not play in the NBA.

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Tyler Kalinoski (Antwerp Giants) My Family Roots In Sports Taught Me The Importance Of Work Ethic

Tyler Kalinoski is a 24 yer old 193cm guard that was born in Cincinnati and is playing his third professional season and first in Belgium with the Antwerpen Giants. Last season he played with AS Apollon Patras (Greece-A1) playing 25 games averaging 10.8ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 56.1%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 78.7%. As a rookie he played with ES Chalon-Sur-Saone (France-ProA) playing 36 games averaging 6.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 38.9%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 82.8%;In the FIBA Europe Cup he played 19 games averaging 10.1ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 51.1%, FT: 50.0%. He played at Davidson from 2011-2015 playing a total of 129 NCAA games and as a senior played 32 games averaging 16.7ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 78.9%. He spoke to German Hoops while playing a tournament in Frankfurt Germany against the Fraport Skyliners and Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Tyler thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. You’re in Frankfurt playing exhibition games against Frankfurt and Bonn. You didn´t play against German teams in France or Greece. Have you ever been in Germany before or played here?

I have been in Germany before. We traveled through Frankfurt a number of times in my rookie season with Chalon. I also visited last season as my friend Brian Sullivan who was my teammate at Davidson was playing with the Hebeisen White Wings.

You won a thriller against the Fraport Skyliners 86-85 on Paris Lee free throws. That was a wild end. What was the wildest game that you ever played in at the college or professional level?

The most wild game that I played in college was when we beat La Salle in a conference game where we were down by 18 and won on a buzzer beater. As a professional my most wild game was when we were playing Le Mans at home with Chalon and won on a buzzer beater alley-op from out of bounds from Illian Evtimov to Devin Booker.

As a rookie two seasons ago you played with Chalon that lost a heart breaker at home to Varese. You then watched Frankfurt win the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup final. What memories did you have of Frankfurt then and what was your impression of them today?

I don´t have too much memories of Frankfurt at the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup final 4 in Chalon except that they were well coached and executed well. I saw a bit of the same in Frankfurt this weekend. They executed very well and were never out of the game and came back and almost won. They were a very good team that was well coached.

Your playing your third professional season and first in Belgium with the Antwerpen Giants. After two solid seasons in France and Greece, what are your goals as a player besides winning in your third professional season?

After not winning a title as a rookie and not making the playoffs in Greece, my main goal is to win a championship. Personally I just want to get better and continue to grow as a player. I want to take little steps and never become stagnant.

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One On One With Michael Stone

Michael Stone is a 188cm guard from Kentucky that has played for the Bowling Green Hornets (CBA) playing 10 games averaging 6.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.1apg and most recently for the Suncoast Clippers (Australia-QBL, starting five) where he played 15 games averaging 17.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.7apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.0%. He also gained experience with Transylvania (NCAA3) and Roberts Wesleyan (NCAA2, He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Michael where are you at the moment and how was your summer?

I am currently in Lexington, Kentucky. My summer was great. I have been working out a lot and I feel like I have really improved. I played in a few high level tournaments here in the area with NBA, overseas, and college players and those went well. I have also been training young players and coaching at one of the high schools here in town and I enjoy that a lot.

You are one of countless professional players looking for that next opportunity to showcase your skills. You last played professionally in 2015 in Australia. How tough is it for you not getting the opportunity to play?

Obviously I wish I had been somewhere the last 2 seasons because I really enjoy the competition, but I have used this time to my benefit. I think I am different than the others in my position because I have proven myself with good numbers in a good league in Australia. My work ethic and drive separate me as well, and I truly believe that there aren’t many people out there that have the level of discipline and desire that I possess.

It has been 2 years now since you played with the Suncoast Clippers (Australia-QBL) putting up good stats in15 games averaging 17.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.7apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.0%. Do you ever think that maybe that was your last chance? Getting that second chance after that good showing might have opened up doors in your professional career that you had never seen before.

I thought my numbers were solid for my first overseas season, but I am always looking for ways to improve and I always have higher goals. I think in the time that I’ve been back I have improved quite a bit. I am in great shape, I have gotten stronger, I have improved multiple areas of my skill set, and I’ve continued to be a student of the game and learn, so I think mentally I have improved as well. I will absolutely be ready for my next opportunity, wherever that may be.

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Reggie Upshaw (Walter Tigers Tuebingen) I Can Be An Impact Player In The BBL With My Open Mind To Work Hard Each day

Reggie Upshaw is a 22 year old 203cm forward from Chattanooga, Tennessee that is starting his professional basketball career in Germany with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He played at Middle Tenn.St. (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 139 games. As a senior at Middle Tenn.St. (NCAA) he played 36 games averaging 14.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 72.4%. Before turning professional he played at the well known Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) playing 3 games averaging 14.3ppg, 8.3rpg. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about Basketball.

Congrats Reggie on signing with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen in Germany. As a competitor who played a great Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 14.3ppg, 8.3rpg as well as playing NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks are you a bit disappointed that the NBA dream didn´t continue on after Las Vegas?

No I’m not disappointed with how summer league went this past summer I felt like I learned a lot from the Bucks organization about what it takes to be a pro.

Now you will concentrate on your professional career. You have signed with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. How did you experience your first summer transfer period delving into the professional sector? What made the German offer the most interesting for you?

This summer going into my first year pro I’ve just tried to expand my game. Work as hard as I could on my game overall as far as shooting and ball handling. The deal in Germany was the most interesting because it’s in such a respected league where I could really see myself coming in and making an impact as soon as I got there.

You come over as a guy with a very good character. Just a week before you were battling NBA players every day and then you state how much it´s a dream of yours to play in Germany and for Tuebingen. How much of your good character has been rubbed off from your dad Reggie Sr?

He’s a big part of who I am today if it wasn’t for him I don’t think my character would be like it is now.

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Armani Cotton (Uni Baskets Paderborn) I Have A Name That You Have To Live Up To

Armani Cotton is a 201cm forward from New York that will be going into his second professional season and first in Germany with the Uni Baskets Paderborn. Last season he played his rookie season with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Euromillions League) playing 35 games averaging 4.3ppg, 2.9rpg. He started his basketball career at Yale(NCAA) in 2011 playinga atotal of 104 games in a four year span. AS a senior he played 32 games averaging 6.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to Eurobasket earlier in the summer about Basketball.

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

I am in my hometown of New York City for the summer and it’s been great to be back. There’s no place like New Jack City.

Before we talk about your game let me ask you about your striking name. You were introduced as Armani Cotton by your new team Uni Baskets and your eurobasket profile lists you like that also, but you also have Hunter. Is Hunter a name you use when you get sick of Armani?

Haha, no. My father’s name is Hunter and my mom gave me the middle name Armani so I wouldn’t become Hunter Cotton IV. I’ve been called Armani since I was born. I honestly didn’t register that ‘Hunter’ was my legal first name until I got a passport at around 10 years old. That being said, switching it up from time to time is a nice option to have. I might start doing that.

How often do you get asked about your name Armani and what has been something that has stuck with you when somebody meets you for the first time and asks something about your flashy name?

Yeah man, people are always surprised — in a good way though. It’s one of those names that you have to live up to so I’m glad I play a dope sport and am from NYC. It allows me to fit into the name better. A nice personality can go a long way too. Armani Cotton suits me.

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