Interviews

Demetrius Ward (I’m Not A One Dimensional Player And Think I Can Make An Impact In The Pro A)

Demetrius Ward is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Detroit, Michigan that completed his fifth professional season with MTV Wolfenbuettel Herzoege (Germany-ProB) averaging 19,0ppg, 6,4rpg and 4,2apg.. This was his fourth Pro B season with the club after having helped the team move back up from the Regionaliga last season where he played 21 games: 11.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.8apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 72.9%He played at Western Michigan from 2008-2012 playing a total of 129 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 12.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 76.2%. He recently was promoted to player/coach and spoke to German Hoops after the completion of the 2016-2017 season.

Demetrius thanks for talking to German Hoops Congrats on helping Wolfenbuettel stay in the Pro B. What kind of experience was it playing 6 pressure games this season in the playdowns compared to the playoff pressure from last season?

Hello Miles thanks for taking the time to do the interview. The experience was a lot different from last season being in the playoffs at the 2nd seed. We accomplished our goal by making the playoffs last season. This year we were unfortunately in the playdowns and had to play to stay in the league. Just coming from the 2nd spot in the north last season into the 10 spot this season was pretty difficult.

Wolfenbuettel played some fine basketball in the second half of the season beating playoff teams like Schalke, Bochum and Iserlohn. How disappointing was it not reaching the playoffs?

Not making the playoffs was a hard pill to swallow. Throughout the season we showed how good we can be by beating some of the top teams in the league. We also showed how inconsistent we can be by losing to some of the team we should’ve beaten. Overall we didn’t have consistency to get us over that hump to make the playoffs.

Did Wolfenbuettel have a large chip on their shoulder going into the playdowns? You won four of your first five playdown games. You took care of business quickly.

Going into the playdowns we knew how close the teams were in comparison to points in how important each game was to stay in the league. We started clicking late toward the end of the season where we as a team played with good confidence.

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Quinton Mcduffie (Club Trujillo /Peru) I Grew So Much Mentally And Physically During My Time In Europe

Quinton Mcduffie is a 26 year old 197cm swing man originally from San Diego, California and on account of a military back round went to high school in Virginia and currently is playing for Club Trujillo (Peru-LNB). In the 2015-2016 season he played for La Gallofa Cantbasket 04 (Spain-EBA). He played his rookie season for Portsmouth Cavaliers (APBL): 6 games: 24.6ppg, 6.0rpg, then moved to TLG-13 NGO S.Tulga (Mongolia-MBA) averaging 21.9ppg, 9.2rpg, then signed for Planeta-Universitet Ukhta (Russia-Superleague). Before turning professional he played for Va.Wesleyan (NCAA3), Alabama St. (NCAA) and Chowan (NCAA2) and as a rookie played 27 games averaging 14.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 74.2%. German Hoops has spoken to Quinton in the past and it was time to check in on him again in Peru.

Quinton thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how content are you with your basketball life at the moment?

Thank you guys over at German Hoopsfor your continuous support over the years. I am Currently playing in the LNB, which is the top league in Peru. I am very satistified with my living arrangements and basketball life here in Peru. The people here are very generous and helpful.

You started the season with KK Radnicki Gorazde (Bosnia-D2), but left in pre season. Why was your stay so short?

I spent the pre-season in Bosnia, which was a great experience, however the team was very young and at this point in my career I am trying to grow as a player on the court and I am looking to play alongside more experienced guys. I feel as though it will allow my game to develop

You have witnessed the last few years how difficult it is in general to find a team. Did experience with the process make the time finding a new team easier for you?

Yes, I feel as though the market is very hard to breakthrough, you must have patience and faith while you are going through the process of finding a job in this business. Without these two things, it´s very hard to continue to move forward.

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Jordan Faison (Coming From A Winning Environment In College My Rookie Season Was A Different Kind Of Adversity

Jordan Faison is a 22 year old 201cm forward from Lake Forest, California that recently completed his rookie in Germany playing for the UNI-Riesen Leipzig averaging 20,8ppg, 9,2rpg and 1,7apg. He played at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 107 NCAA games. As a senior he played 30 games averaging 16.9ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.8apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 22.5%, FT: 65.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after his rookie season in Germany.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Jordan Faison in Frankfurt after he finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds in 73-67 win against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors

Thanks Jordan for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the 73-72 win against Nordlingen. Was this a victory you couldn´t really enjoy simply because the club was unable to stay in the Pro B on account of Rhondorf beating Lich?

No we for sure were able to enjoy it because we know that if it wasn’t for the league taking away 2 points we would be able to stay in the league regardless. But mistakes happen and you can only learn from them, but overall we were very excited about this win!

What kind of experience was it for you playing in the playdowns and playing 6 games where the team was under immense pressure to win? How did these last 6 games shape you as a player?

It was great because the competition level was high every game. You had teams fighting for their lives and it brought the best out of everybody. I think for me it definitely it was a different experience that taught me a lot, and that I will grow from.

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Alex Foster (When I Got To Germany My Opponents Would Try To Attack Me On Defense Now I’m Able To Disrupt Their Offense)

Alex Foster is a 24 year old 203cm forward that grew up in Portland, Oregon and also has the German citizenship and completed his second professional season with the RheinStars(Germany-ProA) averaging 9,3ppg, and 3,5rpg. Last season as a rookie with the RheinStars he played 29 games averaging 9.6ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 78.4%He played at Emory (NCAA3) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 108 NCAA3 games and as a senior played 20.1ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 79.8%. He was able to improve his scoring and rebounding average each season. He spoke to German Hoops after his second professional season.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Alex Foster of the RheinStars after a 2016-2017 pre season game against the Fraport Skyliners in support of Basketball Aid at the Clay Kaserne gym on the Wiesbaden Airbase.

Alex thanks for talking to German Hoops. Your season has unfortunately ended to the hands of 2004 Fiba Europe Cup winner MBC. I doubt anyone was expecting miracles, but how disappointing was getting swept?

It was pretty embarrassing to be honest. Everyone in the Rheinstars organization expected us to compete with MBC and we thought we could beat them. However, they played really well and we didn’t.

In German one says “Da war nichts zu holen in diese Saison gegen MBC”. The RheinStars won only one game against MBC this season and lost the playoff series averaging giving up 20 points per game. Was MBC just flat out a more talented team and deeper that had your number all season long?

We beat them by 15 at home, so there’s proof they were beatable, but you have to put 40 minutes of really good basketball together to do that. They’ve got talent and they play well together. That makes them really hard to beat.

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Marqueze Coleman: My Rookie Year Will Not Only Make Me A Stronger Professional Basketball Player But A Stronger Individual

Marqueze Coleman is a 23 year old 193cm guard from Mission Hills, California that completed his rookie season in Germany with the Dresden Titans (Germany-ProA) averaging 8,7ppg, 4,7rpg and 2,3apg. He played at Nevada (NCAA) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 120 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 14.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 74.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after finishing his rookie season in Germany.

Marqueze thanks for talking to German HoopsI don´t want to start of an interview like this, but on one hand you can be very thankful of having landed 2 jobs here with Wurzburg and Dresden, but at the same time it hasn´t been the easiest rookie season after leaving Wurzburg, you were 0-7 with new team Dresden. Did you ever think your rookie season could go like this as you got off the plane last summer in Germany to play for Wurzburg?

Yeah I’m very thankful to have two great opportunities to play in Germany, it is such a great country to play in. Although it hasn’t been the ideal rookie season for me, I’m using it as a learning tool for myself and another obstacle for me to overcome. The experiences I’ve experienced my rookie year will not only make me a stronger professional basketball player throughout my career but a stronger individual aside from basketball.

Your rookie season has finally ended. You played 7 games for the Dresden Titans averaging 8,7ppg, 4,7rpg and 2,3apg. How would you summarize your short stay with this German team?

I definitely feel I could have done better with the Dresden Titans but with the circumstance given I thought I competed hard each game.

What did you learn from your rookie season that will help you in your continued path as a professional?

The style of play is one thing that will help me as I continue my professional playing career. There’s a lot of new things about the way the game is played in Europe that I will continue to use and get better at.

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Ricky Easterling (BG Karlsruhe) I Was Able To Put My Feelings And Ego To The Side For The Team

Ricky Easterling is a 33 year old 190cm guard from Baltimore that completed his 11^th 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 at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 pro B season.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Ricky Easterling after he dropped 36 points With Saarlouis in a 90-80 losing cause against the fraport Skyliners Juniors

Ricky thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and what basketball thing has occupied you mostly today?

Hello Miles! It is always a pleasure chatting with you. At the moment I am still in Germany. Our season is over so I am taking a short break from basketball. I want my body to recover from the long season. I recently linked up with my guy Chris Cummings and we made a work out plan that will start next week. He has helped me a lot with my game over the years and I am looking forward to training with him again.

Your season has ended after a tough three game series against Weissenhorn. Did the tough three game series against Oldenburg take it´s toll on the team mentally and physically?

I don’t think the Oldenburg series effected us at all in the Weissenhorn series. We had enough time to rest and scout Weissenhorn. We had our chances to win the series and we were not able to do it. It is simple as that in my opinion.

Do you feel as if the series against Weissenhorn was lost in game one? Had you won game one, you would have been on the best way to advancing.

Yes I think that is an accurate statement. Game 1 is the away game we should have won. We had it and gave it away at the end. If we would have won that game I think we still would have won at home and we would be advancing to the final 4.

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Mario Kasun (Ex Orlando Magic) My Best Time In Life Was In Frankfurt Playing With Great Players Like Christopher Williams

Mario Kasun is a 34 year old 213cm Croatian that is a retired ex NBA player. He started his career in Croatia with Gorica (D2) and was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers (NBA,2rd(41) in 2002. He then played for the Frankfurt Opel Skyliners from 2002-2004 winning the BBL title in2004. He played in the NBA from 2004-2006 playing for the Orlando Magic playing a total of 72 games. He then played two seasons for FC Barcelona and two years for Efes Pilsen before going home to Croatia to play for KK Zagreb where he played 9 games averaging 8.4ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 64.4%, FT: 78.3%; Croatian League: EuroChallenge: 2 games: 17.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0bpg; injured in Nov.’10 and was off for 1 month: EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 11.5ppg, 5.5rpg; Adriatic League: 21 games: 13.3ppg, Reb-5(6.4rpg), FGP: 63.3%, FT: 67.5%. He has played for the Croatian national team playing at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 European championships. He also has won the Spanish and Turkish cups. He played for Montepaschi Siena (Italy-SerieA) in the 2012-2013 season playing 9 games averaging 6.2ppg, 3.4rpg, FGP: 58.1%, FT: 50.0%; Euroleague: 8 games: 5.0ppg, 4.0rpg, He then played for Al Wasl Dubai (United Arab Emirates-D1) and briefly for BC Levski Sofia (Bulgaria-NBL) in 2014 before retiring. He spoke to German Hoops concerning his career and death of former teammate Chris Williams.

Mario thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is retired basketball life treating you these days?

My life after basketball is pretty interesting and I am doing things I enjoy. I am working with motor cyles and doing Real Estate. I am really enjoying my life after basketball.

Before we talk about your long professional career, I have to ask you about your ex teammate Chris Williams who recently passed away. When did you exactly hear about his passing and what were your first thoughts about it?

Regarding Christopher, it was a huge shock. We lost a great friend. He was an amazing basketball player, but even more an amazing friend. It is pretty sad that he left so early, but I am convinced that he went to a better place.

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Marcellus Barksdale ( I Do Feel As If I Could Have An Immediate Impact In German Pro A)

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 after the conclusion of the season.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Marcellus Barksdale after giving his debut as a professional in Frankfurt helping power the TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB) to 80-67 win after he contributed 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

Marcellus thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and what were your foremost basketball thoughts today?

I’m currently back in my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Honestly, I’ve tried to free my mind from basketball this past week to give my mind and body a chance to rest.

You and TG Wurzburg gave it a great fight, but came up short in a do or die game against the ScanPlus baskets. How disappointed were you of ending the season like this?

It’s never a good feeling after taking a loss, especially a season ending loss. Initially, I was disappointed but looking back on things, my teammates and I were able to come together and we had a special season.

You told me our last interview in January that the team had had the potential to defensively lock team down. In the three game series against the ScanPlus Baskets you allowed 80 points as a team which was also the season average. Was the opponent in the long run just too good offensively to have achieved this goal?

ScanPlus is a very talented team. I felt we were able to set the tone defensiviely in game two, which led us to a win. Ultimately, they made some huge shots in game three. That was the difference.

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Eugene Harris (Gaiteros de Zulia) I Have To Keep Pushing To Reach Heights That I Set Out For Myself

Eugene Harris is a 29 year old 193cm point guard from Pittsburgh that completed his sixth professional season and first in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau averaging 14,3ppg, 1,7rpg, 3,4apg and shot 39% from outside. Last season he played for Siarka Tarnobrzeg (Poland-TBL): 13 games: 6.9ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 32.6%, 3FGP: 25.4%, left in Jan.’16, later that month moved to KTE-Duna Aszfalt (Hungary-A Division): 11 games: 6.4ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 75.0%. He started his basketball career in 2006 with High Point (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing a total of 121 NCAA games. As a senior he played 30 games averaging 14.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 87.5%.In his first five professional seasons, he has gained vast experience having played in countries like Lithuania, Georgia, Cyprus, Macedonia, and Ukraine. He spoke to German Hoops at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 Hebeisen White Wings season.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Eugene Harris after a 2016-2017 pre season game in Hanau against the Luxemburg national team during the Basketball Aid international tour

Eugene thanks for talking to German Hoops. It was a tale of two seasons for the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. The second half was one too forget. How disappointed were you with how the second half went and how long did it take you to digest the season?

We had a lot of missed opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of as a team and we have to learn and grow from it. Still digesting the long season but you have to eventually move on and get back to work

In the last two months, I was checking the box score every Sunday night and just continued to see loss after loss. After January 28, Hanau only won one more game. If someone had told you on January 28th that the team would go 1-10 what would you have thought?

Yes I wouldn’t have believed it whatsoever but like I said we have to learn and grow from this we faced different challenges and adversity and we continued to battle and fight each and every night, which showed great character regardless of the outcome.

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Julian Scott (Leaving Ehingen Left A Sour Taste In My Mouth And I Want Redemption)

Julian Scott is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that just completed his third professional season playing in four countries with Germany, France, Luexemburg and in Iraq. His last team was Residence Walferdange (Luxembourg-Total League) where he averaged 17,0ppg and 8,2rpg. Last season he played for the Uni Riesen Leipzig playing 23 games: Score-5(20.4ppg), Reb-2(10.5rpg), 1.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 17.9%, FT: 66.7%. He picked up Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Forward of the Year -16, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -16, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -16. As a rookie, he played for TSV Quakenbrueck (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 16 games averaging 29.7ppg. He started his basketball career at Yuba junior college and then played two years at S.Utah (NCAA). He finished at Adams St. (NCAA2) playing 27 games: 10.8ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 70.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about his third professional season.

Julian thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and are you already in summer mode?

Hey Miles I’m currently finishing up playing in Luxembourg. Looking forward to head back to the states and have some family time definitely.

After playing your first two professional seasons in Germany for TSV Quackenbruck and the Uni-Riesen Leipzig, you had a whirlwind third season playing in four countries. Are you relived that this season is finally over?

Yes definitely this past year was unbelievable. Would never want to go through something like that again. But on the positive side it made me tougher and I didn’t let it break me.

After being cut in pre season by German Pro A team Ehingen, you went to France to play for Gries/Oberhoffen BC (France-NM1) playing 3 games averaging 7.3ppg, 6.7rpg. How tough was it starting over after your short stay in Ehingen? You didn´t stay long in France either. What was the reason for your short stay there?

It wasn’t that tough when it came to playing for a different club. The hardest part for me was being cut due to not fitting in their system not that I wasnt good enough to do really well in that league that was probably the toughest part for me by far. When I went to France I was there to tryout against another player who had played in the same league a year prior and they decided to go with someone who had experience in that league over someone who was new to it. So a short stay but I made the most of what they gave me.

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