James Milliken is a 24 year old 188cm guard from Siler, North Carolina that will be playing his rookie season in Germany with Lok Bernau. 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 earlier this summer.
James thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
I am in Raleigh North Carolina at the moment and it’s been going pretty good!
Congrats on signing with SSV Lok Bernau. How relived are you finally be a professional basketball player. Were the last 16 months from your last NCAA game against BYU were you scored 10 points an eternity?
Yes it felt like the longest I’ve been away from basketball in my life so I was definitely relieved.
How difficult were the last 16 months? Last summer you were let down by an agent and had to sit out the season. Were there ever moments were you wanted to quit? What kept you positive?
No I never thought about quitting I knew it was going be a process to go out finding agents on my own so it was a learning experience and I think that having that year off it made me better and more aggressive.
CJ Oldham is a 26 year old 203cm forward that was born in Berlin, but grew up in the States and also in Germany. He started his basketball career at Akron in 2010, but played only 17 NCAA games in two seasons. He then transferred to Gannon(NCAA) in 2012 playing a total of 57 games and as a senior played 30 games averaging 5.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, FT: 73.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2015 with BSG Bremerhaven (2.Regionalliga) playing 7 games averaging 14.6ppg. Lasts eason he played for the Kongsberg Miners (Norway-BLNO) playing 31 games averaging 9.9ppg, 9.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, Blocks-5(1.0bpg), FGP: 57.5%, FT: 75.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing CJ Oldham dad Calvin before a Alba Berlin game against the Fraport Skyliners in the old Max Schmeiling arena in Berlin in 2007
CJ thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer coming along?
I appreciate the opportunity to get a chance to talk with you. At the moment I am in Erie, Pa where I finished my college career. Summer has been great so far. I got a chance to spend time with my girlfriend, family, and friends after being away during my season.
Congrats on signing with the German pro B team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. You are coming from the first division in Norway from Konigsberg. After being a rookie with BSG Bremerhaven, how important was it for you to come back to Germany and play for a team?
Germany has always been like a second home to me. It’s a place where I grew up and learned a lot. To have the opportunity to come back to Germany to play is really exciting, especially Leverkusen where I spent many years.
Your dad Calvin has been affiliated with many teams in Germany like Bayreuth, Ulm, Alba Berlin or Bremerhaven. After being in the Bremerhaven organization you now are with Leverkusen where your dad once coached as well. What was the deciding factor that made you sign with this traditional team?
Leverkusen is a great club to play for and having a previous relationship with both the head and assistant coach made it an even better choice. I have known Achim Kuczmann and Hansi Gnad since I was young and I know having them as my coaches will help me improve as a basketball player.
Ricky Hickman is a 31 year old 190 cm guard from Kernersville North Carolina that is going into his 11th professional season and second in Germany and first with Brose Bamberg. He played his college basketball career at North Carolina-Greensboro from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 14.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 36.5%, 3Pts: 27.8%, FT: 70.9%. In 2007-2008, he played in Romania for CS Otopeni Bucuresti playing 11 games and averaging 19.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 70.8%. In 2008-2009, he played in Germany for LTi Giessen 46ers playing 24 games and averaging 6.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 65.7%. In the 2009-2010 season he played for Namika Lahti (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 38 games leading the league in scoring at 23.7ppg), 5.4rpg, Assists-2(3.8apg), Steals-3(2.4spg), FGP-3(62.8%), 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 73.2. In the 2010-2011 season he moved to Fastweb Junior Casale Monferrato (Italy-Lega2) playing 41 games averaging 17.5ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-4(4.0apg), 2.0spg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 84.3%. In the 2011-2012 season he moved another step up joining Scavolini Siviglia Pesaro (Italy-SerieA) playing 41 games averaging 16.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 81.1%. He then played at Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv (Israel-Premier League) from 2013-3024 winning the Euroleague in his second season where he played 38 games averaging 10.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 82.7%; He also played 38 Euroleague games averaging 12.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 75.2%. He then played two seasons at Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL) and in his second season played 10 games averaging 5.1ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 74.1%;He also played 20 Euroleague games averaging 4.6ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.3apg. Last season he played for EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (Italy-Serie A) playing 34 games averaging 10.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 71.4%. He also played 20 Euroleague games averaging 10.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 80.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Thanks Ricky for talking to German Hoops and welcome back to Germany. So many great players and character guys come from North Carolina like you, Chris Oliver and Kyle Hines just to name a few. Is there really something special in the North Carolina air that has given the basketball world so many great players and basketball people?
North Carolina is just a basketball state and so many guys just eat, sleep, and play basketball all day. I believe that guys in North Carolina just have such a strong love for the game and I believe it shows if you watch them play
I remember when you played with Giessen. You played 24 games averaging 6.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 65.7%. You lost twice to your future team Bamberg losing by an average 19 points and you scored a total of 3 points in 32 minutes. When you look back at the last nine years, were you just a slow starter as a professional and needed more time to mature and develop as a player
When I was in Giessen I was coming into a situation with a new team in the middle of the year and I was still young trying to find myself and I definitely remember playing against Bamberg and just thinking after we got smacked that it was another level I had to get to if i wanted to be at that level. So I worked and here I am.
The next season you went to Finland to play for Namika Lahti (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 38 games: Score-1(23.7ppg), 5.4rpg, Assists-2(3.8apg), Steals-3(2.4spg), FGP-3(62.8%), 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 73.2%. This was the turning point of your career as after this you got signed by Italian teams but even there in your first season had to play in the second division and after that became a Euroleague player. What was it in your season in Finland that really shaped your game and did the mental part of the game also play a role?
In Finland it was the first time at the pro level were a coach told me play your game don’t look at me on the sidelines and I trust you! This feeling was unbelievable and I took full advantage of the trust and the freedom. Maybe too much but I loved just playing like that and it showed throughout the season
Eric Kibi is a 26 year old 198cm forward from Ontario, Canada that recently completed his fifth professional season and first with the Randers Cimbria Basketball (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 31 games averaging 10.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 70.2%. In the 2015-2016 season he played with the Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-ProB) playing 3 games averaging 4.7ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, left in Oct.’15, in Jan.’16 moved to KK Strsljen Gusinje (Montenegro-Erste Liga): 4 games: 3.8ppg, 5.5rpg, in Mar.’16 signed at London Lightning (Canada-NBL Canada) playing 23 games averaging 1.7ppg, 2.5rpg. Two seasons ago he completed his second season in Germany and first with Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 20,5ppg and 15,0rpg. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Jacksonville College (NJCAA) where he played until 2010. He then played a season with UALR (NCAA) playing 29 games: 4.4ppg, 4.2rpg. He finished his college career in 2012 with Abil.Christian (NCAA2) playing 20 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 60.0%. In 2012 he started his professional basketball career with Abil.Christian (NCAA2) playing 20 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 60.0% He then played with Ottawa SkyHawks (NBL Canada): 29 games: 4.4ppg, 4.7rpg. He spoke to German Hoops about last season in Denmark and his new experience with the Congolese national team.
Eric thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Hey Miles thanks for the interview like always. I’ve had a great summer and was able to travel Europe a bit after the season then I got to see my family in Canada for two months then in early July I flew out to Congo for the Congolese National Team training camp and I’ve been here ever since.
This is our eighth interview in the last two years. When you look back to our first interview in the summer of 2015 before your season in Germany with Herten do you feel like time has really flown by as you have experienced very much playing also in Luxembourg, Montenegro, Canada, and Denmark?
Yes I can say time has really flown by, but I can say I feel much better now physically and mentally then I did then.
We last spoke in March 2017 as you were battling to get into the playoffs. Your team Randers did reach the playoffs, but got swept by Horsens. They had your number in the regular season having a 6-2 record. Was Horsens just a better team in most areas on the floor that enabled them to have a 9-2 record against you last season?
You could say they had our number yes but I felt that individually and talent wise we matched up with them very well but it’s not always about that. They were a better team than us and played that way definitely.
Ricky Easterling is a 33 year old 190cm guard from Baltimore that completed his 11th professional season in Germany and first with BG Karlsruhe(Pro B) averaging 14,4ppg, 3,5rpg and 2,5apg. Over the years, he made a name for himself in the German Regionalliga being crowned Mr Regionaliga as he averaged over 30 points three times with TV Saarlouis belonged to the the top 3 players in the Pro B the last two seasons. Before moving to Saarlouis in 2007 he played at Bridgewater (NCAA3) and then as a rookie played with TSG Reutlingen (Germany-Oberliga and Bergheim Bandits (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season with TV Saarlouis, he played 28 games: Score-1(23.1ppg), 4.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 81.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about the next step in his basketball career.
Ricky thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
My summer has been good up to this point. I spent most of my time this summer working at Kutshers Sports Academy where I teach basketball to the youth, and also have the opportunity to stay in shape and work on my game. I am now finished at KSA and am currently in Baltimore visiting my family.
We did a season ending interview in April and almost four months later your still unsigned. Did the whole BG Karlsruhe mess interfere with your summer transfer period and in what direction you were going to go in?
I don’t think the BGK situation held me up. I feel the situation or Role I had on the that team messed up my transition process this summer. I had to deal with some ups and downs that were not my fault and I guess teams are second guessing me for some reason.
Chris Frazier is a 27 year old 182cm shooting guard that hails from Heidelberg, Germany, but also has the American citizenship and is going into his fourth professional season and first with the Rostock SeaWolves. He started his basketball career at TV Schwetzingen (Germany-2.Regionalliga) before moving to the States to play at Dubuque (NCAA3) from 2010-2014 playing a total of 107 games and as a senior played 26 games averaging 13.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 88.0%. He came back to Germany in 2014 and played with the Otto Baskets Magdeburg (Germany-ProB) playing 20 games averaging 16.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 80.6%. In the 2015-2016 season he made the jump to the BBL playing for the Crailsheim Merlins (Germany-BBL) playing 13 games averaging 2.3ppg. Last season he played for the Artland Dragons (Germany-ProB) playing 25 games averaging 13.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 79.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.
Chris thanks for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Hi Miles, thanks for having me. I am currently in Rüsselsheim enjoying my family and working on getting in the best shape that I have ever been.
Congrats on signing with the Rostock Seawolves. You stated you wanted to come already two seasons ago, but that didn´t work. Instead you got a BBL chance with the Crailsheim Merlins. Are you in a way happy that you hadn´t signed with Rostock 2 years ago?
Well Rostock is where I really wanted to go because I knew that they had something special going on there. I didn´t expect to make the jump from Pro B to the BBL so quickly. I wouldn´t say I was happy that I didn´t sign to Rostock, but it is hard passing up a chance in the BBL.
Rostock have the passion and support and know how to reach the Pro A. Was a combination of all this a big reason why you decided to sign on the dotted line?
Oh YEAH! As soon as I got there I felt the energy in the town itself. Coach Ralf and some of the players made me feel welcome right away. Spending some of the day with our manager Jens helped a lot also, because he brings a lot of energy to this project and I want to help build on that.
Chris Carter is a 25 year old 195cm guard that was born in Brooklyn, New York and is from Port St. Lucie, Florida that will go into his third professional season and second in Germany and first with SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA). Last season he played for BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA) playing 40 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-4(2.1spg), FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 73.4%. As a rookie he played for Bipa Basket Odessa (Ukraine-SL Favorit Sport) playing 32 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.0apg, Steals-1(2.2spg), FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 77.3%. He started his basketball career at Air Force (NCAA) and then played the last three years of school at Florida Tech (NCAA2) and as a senior played 21 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.
Chris thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer coming along?
Hello Miles, I hope all is well. Thanks for this interview I am currently back home doing some traveling around the states working out and getting ready to head out in the next few weeks back to Germany. My summer is coming along okay. I just got back from a China tour so I have been pretty busy with basketball.
You share the same name, but the legendary NFL wide receiver is spelled Cris. How often do you get asked about Chris Carter who shares your name?
I don’t really get asked that question much. I think my name is pretty cool and my goal is to make people think of a great basketball player when they hear the name Chris Carter.
How thankful are you in general for going into your third professional season when you look at a very talented guy like your ex teammate Jermaine Jackson who put big stats up at Florida Tech like you, but has nothing on his basketball resume except for playing in the semi-pro league UBL?
I am very thankful and blessed to be heading into my third professional basketball season. It’s a shame that my college teammate Jermaine didn’t get an opportunity to showcase his talents on the court at the European level. He is a great player and would have no problem scoring with the best in Europe. Maybe this summer he will get his opportunity. Overall, I am grateful that my agency, and Bipa Odessa gave me the opportunity to start my professional career.
Thomas Cooper is a 196cm guard from Chattanooga, Tennessee that will be starting his professional basketball career with the Uni Baskets Paderborn in Germany. He bounced around in his first two college years in North Carolina, California and Nebraska before finding a home with the University of Calgary (Canada-CIS) and as a junior played 27 games averaging 25.7ppg, 7.5rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 81.0%. In jis senior year at the University of Calgary (Canada-CIS) he played 26 games averaging 22.9ppg, 7.7rpg, 3.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 75.1%: He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.
Thomas thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer?
Thanks for having me. Right now, I am still in Calgary just training and enjoying the time with the people who helped me grow here. I’ve been coaching and training and just enjoying every day with my teammates and friends.
Congrats on signing with German pro A team Uni-Baskets Paderborn. After coming from the CIS where you averaged 24,0ppg in your last two seasons, did you find a lot of interest from teams and were you on the radar of teams in Europe?
Thank you. I think there were a good amount of teams that were interested and some that blew me off as well. I’m happy to be playing where I will be playing
How thankful are you about being able to call yourself a professional basketball player? There was a time three a half years ago where you were fed up with basketball and stopped. Are you a very good example that even when it looks most bleak, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel?
I’m more thankful than anyone can imagine mainly because of the adversity I went through to get to the position that I am in. I’m an example of a person who would not accept failure no matter what cards life dealt me.
Brian Butler is a 25 year old 196cm German forward that completed his second season with the ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen (ProB) averaging 10,9ppg, 6,9rpg and 1,9apg and will return for a third season. He started his basketball career with the FC Bayern Muenchen junior team (NBBL) and then moved to BG Illertal/Weissenhorn (ProB) where he played from 2010-2013 playing a total of 74 Pro B games. He then played two seasons with Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (ProA) playing 65 Pro A games. He spoke to German Hoops about his summer and upcoming dunk contest in Cologne Germany July 22nd.
Brian thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Hi thanks for having another interview with me ! I am in Elchingen right now and my summer was pretty successful till now.
You have been busy this summer with basketball. You recently won the street ball tournament Shut Up and Play in Berlin. That was the biggest trophy I ever saw. How did it feel holding that in your Hand?
It was great ! We already won the tournament 2 years ago so it was a familiar feeling but it’s always a great feeling to get a check of 4K.
How much fun is it in general is it playing 3 on 3. How is this format different than the usual 5 on 5? What do you enjoy most about this Format?
It’s a big difference because you just play on one basket and most of the time it’s just one on one so that’s the most part I like because you have to guard your opponent as good as possible on your own if you ain’t able to do that it is hard to helbecause if you do so it’s an easy kickout to the shooter so basically you got be a good one on one player
Kris Douse is a 31 year old 198cm forward from Toronto, Canada that recently completed an unforgetable season for the Westfalen Mustangs (Germany-2.Regionalliga). He will play this season for BBC Herford(Regionalliga). He played at Laurinburg (N.C.) Institute while Fraport Skyliner Quantez Robertson also played at Laurinburg (N.C.) prep. He started his college career at Nebraska (NCAA) and then played two seasons at Delaware State. As a senior he played at Point Park (NAIA) playing 27 games: 20.1ppg, 12.6rpg. In 2011-2012 he started his professional basketball career at Liverpool Mersey Tigers (United Kingdom-BBL, starting five): 18 games: 15.9ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 13.6%, FT: 54.6%; then agreed terms with Keflavik (Iceland-Express League): 6 games: 9.5ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 44.7%, FT: 69%.In the 2012-2013 season he played for Turi Svitavy (Czech Republic-NBL): 2 games: 0pts, left in Oct.’12, in Nov.’12 moved to BG Aschersleben Tigers (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 17 games: 14.1ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3Pts: 10.0%, FT: 50.4%. In the 2013-2014 seaosn he played for EVL-Baskets Limburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 25 games: 26.2ppg, 11.6rpg, 2.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.4%, 3Pts: 32.1%, FT: 59.1%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for the Plymouth University Raiders (United Kingdom-BBL): 3 games: 5.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.3bpg, in Nov.’15 moved to Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A): 6 games: 1.5ppg, 1.7rpg, in Jan.’15 signed at SG ErftBaskets Euskirchen (Germany-Regionalliga): 9 games: 21.8ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.7spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 62.9%. Last season he played for Rot-Weiss Cuxhaven (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: 10.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 18.4%, FT: 53.2% He spoke to German Hoops about his nightmare season with the Westfalen Mustangs.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kris Douse in 2013 in Limburg, Germany
Kris thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how sad are you that you can´t be enjoying the Canadian summer now?
Hello Miles, it’s a pleasure to update you on the situation and let you know how this whole fiasco is going. Currently I am in Herford with my new club that has been nothing but great the last few weeks and has really helped me get grounded and familiar to my new stomping grounds. As far as not being able to be home this summer this is mainly due to the legal circumstances, which is definitely not what I had planned for my summer, but I can say that it does give me a huge sense of pride to know that I am all in to fight the mistreatment towards me this season by the Mustangs organization.
Congrats on signing with Regionaliga team Herford. Was there a time in the last months where you lost trust in the game you love basketball or will any struggle not hinder you from continuing to be a professional
This whole situation definitely made me reflect and consider other avenues because stability is an important part of life, but I don’t believe I should stop playing because of another person’s actions and when I stop playing it should be on my terms. What is more surprising is how Florian Eichstädt is able to avoid court dates as he called the courts and asked to be excused from the first date for Temur and knowing him I am expecting him to do that on July 13 for Albert as well as myself on July 14. This has been a knowledgeable experience which I believe in the long run will be useful for my development as a person. I’ve been able to learn a lot about the German system and how the laws and regulations dealing with any job in Germany is regulated, and thus have gain a much better perspective on player rights especially when referring to contracts. I would like to take this chance to thank everyone in the BBG management especially coach Messenburg our Vorstand Mr. Jürgen and our president Mr. Steffen for the new opportunity in Herford and i am looking forward to an exciting season this year.
German Hoops 