Interviews

Isaiah Sykes (Hebeisen White Wings) I Can Play Different Positions And Impact The Game In Many Different Ways

Isaiah Sykes is a 26 year old 198cm forward from Detroit, Michigan playing his third professional season and first with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. He started this season with Hapoel Gilboa Afula (Israel-National League) playing 4 games averaging 11.5ppg, 11.5rpg, 2.8apg, 1.5spg. Last season he played with accabi Hod Hasharon (Israel-National League) playing 25 games averaging 19.9ppg, Reb-2(14.3rpg), 4.9apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 59.9%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 34.5%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with U.S. Basket Recanati (Italy-A2 Silver) playing 28 games averaging 17.2ppg, 8.2rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 55.2%; A2 Gold Playoffs: 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.0apg. He played at Cent.Florida (NCAA) from 2010-2014 playing a total of 125 NCAA games and  as a senior played  30 games averaging 17.2ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 54.0%. He spoke to German Hoops after his arrival in Hanau recently.

Thanks Isaiah for talking to German Hoops. 2017 has come and gone and we are already into February. Did you make any new years resolutions or are you the type of guy that doesn´t believe in that?

Just to continue to grow and take care of my daughter while building on my career.

Welcome to Germany and the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. After a year in Italy and Israel, you have arrived to your third tour of duty now in Germany. What do you in general about the country and it´s basketball?

The style of play is different and more aggressive I love it and will adapt to it as the season progresses.

Do you have any friends playing in Germany and did anyone give you some useful advice about coming to Germany?

 Yes I have some friends playing here in Pro A and Pro B as well as the BBL!

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Michael Cobbins (s.Oliver Wurzburg) You Need A Drive And A Will To Make Things Happen To Reach The NBA

Michael Cobbins is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Amarillo, Texas playing his second professional season and started this season with AS Apollon Patras (Greece-A1) playing 12 games averaging 6.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 61.4%, FT: 55.6%, in Jan.’17 moved to s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-BBL). Last season as a rookie he played for the Oklahoma City Blue (D-League): 27 games: 1.7ppg, 1.4rpg. He played his college ball at  Oklahoma St. (NCAA) playing a total of 106 NCAA games and as a senior played  29 games averaging  6.8ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.8bpg, FGP: 58.2%, FT: 56.9%. He spoke to German Hoops recently when he arrived in Wurzburg, Germany.

Michael thanks for talking to German Hoops. You recently joined German team s.Oliver Wurzburg after starting your rookie season with Apollin Patras in Greece. How big an adjustment has it been for you coming from the warm coast of Patras in Greece to cold Germany? Is the beautiful Wurzburg scenery and river a little consolation?

Yes, the scenery was a big change but I am enjoying my time here and the views of this town.

What kind of a feeling was it for you having to play your first professional game in Germany against top club FC Bayern Munich?

It was a great first game to get a feel for the league and the fan base was amazing! Having a crowd like that at home always helps.

You played against top Greek teams Olympiacos and Panathinaikos holding your own with seven points. Were these two teams with their lineup still a notch above what you saw from FC Bayern Munich?

These teams are all good and play at a high level. But the style of play is different from both leagues.

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Amir Carraway (ETB Wohnbau Baskets) I Have Unfinished Business In The Pro A

Amir Carraway is a 25 year old 198cm forward playing his third professional season and first with the  ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProA). He played at Chico State from 2010-2014 playing a total of 117 games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 13.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 81.3%. He started his professional career in 2014 with  SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA) playing 22 games averaging 3.9ppg, 1.7rpg. Last season he played with SC Rist Wedel (Germany-ProB, starting five): 17 games: 12.5ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 83.3%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Amir welcome back to Germany. Time really flies. It seems like it was only yesterday when you were a rookie with SC Rasta Vechta. You keep coming back to Germany as you have signed with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets. What are you looking forward most to doing on the court again?

I’m excited to be back here in Essen where my last game in ProA was.  In my first week being here with ETB Wohnbau Baskets we’ve already got a win and I’m looking forward to keeping that up. 

You signed in mid season. How difficult was the last 9 months between the Wedel and Essen jobs? How difficult was it not losing faith and being positive about getting a new job?

I wouldn’t call it difficult at all. It’s hard to be mad when you live in California during the summertime. Anyone who follows me on Snapchat sees the same thing everyday.  I get my conditioning in, I get my work in on the court, and I get in the weight room. It’s simple & repetitive but I love it.  The extended time off allowed me to attend two different weddings with close friends.  I got a chance to work with the NBA2K franchise on their upcoming game.  I got a chance to go back to Chico State in both the summer and the fall to watch the newest players prove themselves. I finally saw my Raiders play in the Coliseum and I even made it to a Drake and Kanye concert.  These are things people don’t realize we sacrifice leaving home but I was fortunate to do that and spend Thanksgiving with my family which is something I haven’t been able to do for a long time. 

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Brandon Lockhart (ScanPlus Baskets) I Would Like To Be Playing Close To My Absolute Best When The Playoffs Arrive

Brandon Lockhart is a 26 year old 185cm guard from St Louis, Missouri that is playing his third professional season and first with German team ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen (Germany-ProB) As a rookie he played for BK Levicki Patrioti (Slovakia-Extraliga) playing 34 games: Score-5(16.7ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.3apg), Steals-1(3.0spg), FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 78.9%. He played at Drury (NCAA2) from 2009-2013 and as a senior played 35 games averaging 12.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 6.1apg, 2.9spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 77.1%. Last season he played for the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB) playing 29 game averaging  16.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 5.7apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 26.8%, FT: 81.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 87-81 win against his ex team.

Brandon thanks for talking to German Hoops. 2017 is here and we already have February. Are you a guy that likes to make new years resolutions or don´t you bother with it?

Hello Miles I make them but I like to make them with others so we can hold each other accountable. It really helps to stick with the resolution.

The ScanPlus Baskets had some ups and downs recently, but currently are riding a three game winning streak. Is the team playing the correct ScanPlus Baskets basketball at the moment?

 It’s nice to be on a winning streak currently but I believe there is still room for improvement. We just want to make sure we are playing our best basketball around this time as we head into playoffs next month.

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Matt Reid (Artland Dragons) Confidence Is Always Good But Too Much Can Be Deadly

Matt Reid is a 33 year old 185cm guard that hast he German/American citzenship and is playing his tenth professional season and first with the Artland Dragons. He started his career with Cerritos JC (NJCAA) and then played two seasons with Cameron (NCAA2) and as a senior played 26 games averaging  20.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.3apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3TP: 36.0%, FT: 81.0%. He turned professional in 2007 and played for the Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga).He then played two seasons with Saarlouis before moving to SC Rasta Vechta where he played from 2010-2012. He then gained further experience with RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf (Germany-ProB) and Herten(Pro B). He returned back to SC Rasta Vechta in 2014 where he played two more seasons before moving to Artland this season. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 91-82 win against Stahnsdorf.

Matt thanks for talking to German Hoops 2017 had come and we are already in February. Did you make any new years resolutions or are you more the type of guy that doesn´t bother with that?

My New Years resolution is to just stick to the plan and stay focused on helping our team reach our goal this season and win a championship.

Congrats on the 91-82 win against Stahnsdorf sweeping the season series. How much was the 77-73 win in your minds as the game started? Did the team know how important it was to take this team seriously?

We knew that it would not be an easy game to win, both teams season statistics match up almost exactly alike and I think it just came down to effort and the willingness to win the game. The next 4 games are extremely important for us to win to get the number 1 seed going into playoffs and I’m confident in our team to reach this goal. We worked hard all season to put ourselves in this position but right now we are only focused on our next opponent Bochum that has not lost a home game all season so far.

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Mateusz Ponitka (Pinar Karsiyaka) I Am At The Beginning Of My Career And Will Do My Best To Be Remembered

Mateusz Ponitka is a 23 year old 196cm guard that is playing his first season for Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir (Turkey-BSL). He started his basketball career in 2008 with Kasprowiczanka Ostrow Wlk. He then played three seasons with Tempcold AZS Politechnika Warszawa (1Liga). In the 2012-2013 season he made the jump to Asseco Prokom Gdynia (PLK): 34 games: 8.7ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 27.2%, FT: 70.7%; Euroleague: 10 games: 8.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 38.1%. He then played two seasons with Telenet BC Oostende (Belgium-Scooore League). Last season he played for Stelmet Zielona Gora (TBL): 41 games: 10.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 76.1%; Euroleague: 10 games: 12.0ppg, Reb-3(7.9rpg), 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 67.6%; Eurocup: 10 games: 13.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 47.6%, FT: 69.4%. Last simmer he took part at the NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas (Denver Nuggets): 4 games: 2.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.3spg. The Polish player spoke to German Hoops before the Champions league game against the Fraport Skyliners, but is injured and didn´t make the trip.

Mateusz thanks for talking to German HoopsThis is now the third interview that your giving for the site after giving one two years ago when you were playing in Belgium and last summer when you were playing for the Polish national team. How is basketball life for you currently?

Life in total is good. I came to Turkey straight after Eurobasket Qualification and now its already 6 months I am here. Its really nice in Izmir. It’s a beautiful city with a lot of great places to visit. Basketball wise we have good team which can compete with anybody in the Turkish League and in Champions League. I got my role in the team so I am also happy about it. Fans are amazing ! Making great atmosphere during the games and supporting us everywhere we go. Club is well organized which is also very important.

2017 is here and one month has already passed. Did you set any new years resolutions for yourself or are you the type of guy that doesn´t bother with that?

No, its not my thing I guess. I prefer sticking to my plans which have been made years ago and from time to time do something spontaneously. No new year resolutions.

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Joey King (Joensuun Kataja Basket) My Ability To Rebound And Have The Game Slow Down Will Come With Experience

Joey King is a 23 year old 206cm forward from Eagan, Minnesota playing his rookie season with  Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga). He started his basketball career at Drake (NCAA) playing 32 games averaging 6.9ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 80.4%. He then moved to Minnesota (NCAA) where he played form 2013-2016 playing a total of 99 NCAA games and as a senior played 29 games averaging 11.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 88.6%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Fiba Europe Cup game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Joey thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are a rookie form Minnesota playing for Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga). Despite coming from Minnesota where your used to hard cold winters, have you experienced anything in Finland this winter that has topped what you had seen your whole life in Minnesota in terms of hard winters?

I have been very comfortable in Finland so far, it does remind me a lot of Minnesota.

Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) finished the Basketball Champions with a record of 7-7, but didn´t advance and got bumped down to the Fiba Europe Cup. How disappointing was not qualifying. You played some very good basketball having a three game winning streak beating Le Mans twice as well as teams like Avtordor, Pinar and Macabbi Rishon?

We got off to a great start in the champions league but injuries led to a lack of depth that we struggled to overcome. There is no doubt it is easy to be mentally prepared when matching up with teams like Le Mans Sarthe and Pinar Karsiyaka, but it is important that we begin to take care of business in our domestic league as well.

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Blake Justice (Licher Basket Baeren) My Shooting Ability Has Led To A Lot Of My Success In Basketball

Blake Justice is a 24 year old 191cm guard playing his rookie season with the Licher Basket Baeren (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career with  Akron (NCAA) playing 6 games. In 2013-2014, he moved to Valdosta St. (NCAA2) playing 28 games averaging 13.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 83.3%. In his junior season he played 16 games averaging 12.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 83.3%. As a senior he played  28 games averaging 15.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.5%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 79.3%. He spoke to German Hoops recently when he arrived in Germany to start his professional career with Lich.

Blake thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. What has been your first impression of the country?

At first it took a little to adjust, but it’s been nice. Germany is a pretty country and each city I have been in has been really nice.

What did you know about the basketball in Germany besides that Dirk Nowitzki and Dennis Schroeder are both playing in the NBA right now?

I’ve had always been told that Germany as a whole had good basketball. I knew guys were known for their ability to shoot along with high IQ players. Of course Dirk is a legend that everyone knows and Schroeder is starting to make a big name for himself as well.

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Vincent Sanford (TG s.Oliver Wurzburg) We Are A Group Of Guys That Are Very Hungry And Have A Lot To Prove

Vincent Sanford is a 26 year old 190cm guard from Lexington, Kentucky playing his third professional season and first with TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB). Last season he played with Barrancabermeja Ciudad Futuro (Colombia-Liga DirecTV)Liga DirecTV-1 playing 20 games: 14.8ppg, 5.5rpg, 3.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT-2(42.9%), FT: 76.8%. He started his basketball career with Georgetown (NCAA) in 2009 where he played until 2011 playing 54 NCAA games. He then played two years at Dayton (NCAA) playing 68 NCAA games and as a senior played 37 games: 9.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 69.8%. As a rookie, he played for Thor Thorl (Iceland-Dominos League): 13 games: 22.1ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 73.0%. He spoke to German Hoops after the huge 89-86 win against PS Karlsruhe.

Vincent thanks for talking to German Hoops. 2017 is here and did you set any new years resolutions or are you the type of guy that doesn´t really put too much focus on setting those type of goals?
Our main goal is to get in a good spot to make the playoffs, and play in the post season.

Congrats on the huge 89-86 win against PS Karlsruhe. How proud are you of the guys for getting the victory against the first place team in the Pro B south?

Definitely proud, we are beginning to find our stride as a team which is very pivotal at this time being the last few games in the season.

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Seth Hinrichs (Kirchheim Knights) Playing A Full 24 Seconds Will Need To Be Our Focus Moving Forward

Seth Hinrichs is a 23 year old 203cm guard from Clara City, Minnesota that is playing his second professional season in the German Pro A with the Kirchheim Knights. Last season as a rookie he played for FC Porto (Portugal-LPB): 20 games: 8.7ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 20.7%, FT: 79.1%; FIBA Europe Cup: 6 games: 6.7ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 64.7%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 83.3%. He played at Lafayette (NCAA) from 2011-2015 graduating from Lafayette as the all-time leader in 3PG % in Patriot League history. As a senior he played 32 games averaging 12.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 83.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the incredible 93-90 OT win against Gotha.

Seth welcome back. You were out for a month and now are back. Was that the most basketball time that you had missed since your injury as a junior at Lafayette(NCAA)?

Thanks Miles I appreciate that it’s good to be back. I actually broke my foot last year and missed the last three months of the season unfortunately.

How tough was it not playing and missing three games? One could be mean and say the team didn´t need you in the three game winning streak, but seriously how proud are you of the team continuing to win despite your absence?

 It was tough to miss those games but I was glad we were winning. It would’ve been a lot worse had we lost those games. We had a rough stretch in December losing all four games so it’s nice to be back on a winning streak and be back out there playing.

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