Interviews

Folarin Campbell (BK Ventspils) Darius Hall Was A Good Player But Also A Great Entertainer

Folarin Campbell is a 30 year old 193cm shooting guard/small forward playing his ninth professional season and second with BK Ventspils (Latvia-LBL). He comes from Silver Springs and played at George Mason from 2004-2008 reaching the NCAA Final Four in 2006. He finished career at George Mason ranked fourth all-time in assists (392), fifth in three-point field goals attempted (489), sixth in three-point field goals made (163) and eighth in scoring (1,545 points). He is the only player in school history with 1,500 points, 450 rebounds, 350 assists, 150 3-pointers, 100 steals and 50 blocks. Before he turned professional, he played at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) playing 3 games averaging 12.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.0apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 37.8%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 83.3%. As a professional he has played in countries like Germany where he played for teams like Artland, Bonn and Ludwigsburg and in Italy, Greece and Poland. Last season he played for Energa Czarni Slupsk (Poland-TBL) playing 37 games averaging 11.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 67.4%, He spoke to German Hoops recently when he was in Oldenburg playing Champions League.

Folarin thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. When I think about your career, I remember you early in your career in Germany with Artland and Bonn in your second and third seasons, but I hardly remember your time in Ludwigsburg two seasons ago. What kind of experience was that for you playing for head coach John Patrick?

It was a great experience. My time was cut short because of an injury. But the couple months I was able to play for coach Patrick were good. He is a players coach and he gives you a lot of freedom to be yourself on the court. It also helped that he was from the same state as me in the US so we were familiar with each other prior to Ludwigsburg.

Now you are back in Oldenburg. What memories do you have of playing against this team over the years? I remember you won a tight 74-72 contest with the Telekom Baskets Bonn where you scored 17 points.

Well I don’t really remember that individual game to well. But I do remember the city and the atmosphere in that gym. The fans are great and passionate about their team. I’m excited to come back and play in this gym. I know it will be a hostile environment.

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Cardell McFarland (Uni-Riesen Leipzig) I’ve Never Disrespected The Game Just Sitting Out Because I’m Faking An Injury

Cardell McFarland is a 29 year old 182cm point guard from Evansville, Indiana that is playing his fifth professional season and recently signed with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig. He started the season with the DBL Sharks Sheffield (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 11 games and averaging 10.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 2FGP: 56.5%, 3FGP: 40.0%. Last season he played with the Bristol Academy Flyers (United Kingdom-BBL): 24 games: 17.6ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.8apg), FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 66.7%. He started his basketball career at Missouri State and then played his last two seasons for Ky Wesleyan (NCAA2). As a rookie he played for CS Farul Constanta (Romania-Division A): 7 games: 12.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 88.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for the Giants Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB), playing 18 games: Score-2(23.8ppg), 3.1rpg, Assists-2(5.6apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 65.3%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 72.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he remained in Germany playing for the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-Pro B) playing 20 games averaging 18.9ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-3(5.5apg), 1.5spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 71.2% He spoke to German Hoops about basketball and his new team Uni-Riesen Leipzig.

Cardell thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. How does it feel to be back in a country where you dominated with your game on the floor?

No worries, Miles its always a pleasure speaking with you. It really feels great to be back in Germany. I’m familiar with the leagues here and I love the culture and country. It will be an easy adjustment. I’m not to worried about the past success I’ve had here. I’m looking forward to the challenge of making an even bigger impact.

Your first stay was in a village in Nordlingen, your second stay was a big town Hanau and now your in a real city of Leipzig. Does it feel more like home in Evansville where you can find a Mcdonalds?

I’ve learned you can find a McDonald’s anywhere no matter where you go. I plan on trying my best to stay away from the fast food. McDonald’s in Europe is great other Americans will understand what I’m saying. Evansville is actually pretty small city compared to here. Leipzig is a beautiful city especially in the summer time. Really nice parks and lakes. Has a good football team which is currently tied for 1st in the league so it also has a good sports vibe here. East Germany is different from the last two areas I previously played in Germany but I like new experiences. I’ll adventure out more and get to know the city in my time here.

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Wayne Bernard (Science City Jena) Sometimes A Simple One Second Look With A Head-Nod And Jenkins And Mcelroy Immediately Know What I’m Trying To Say

Wayne Bernard is a 35 year old 190cm guard from Poway, California playing his 14^th professional season and ninth in Germany and third with Science City Jena. He started his basketball career at Davidson(NCAA) in 1999 where he played until 2003 playing a total of 99 NCAA games and as a senior played 27 games averaging 15.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 5.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 83.3%. He turned professional in 2003 and in his first five seasons played in Israel, Greece, Sweden, France and Finland. In 2008 he moved to Germany and has continued to play here playing three seasons with the Mitteldeutscher BC helping them move to the BBL in 2009, and then also gained further experience with Giessen, Ludwigsburg and Nurnberg. He spoke to German Hoops during the Christmas holidays before playing his 150^th BBL game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Wayne thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is your ninth season in Germany. Could one say that Germany has become your second home?

Yes it definitely is. I have really grown to love the country. Definitely a lot different from the States, and “home” will always be “home”, but Germany has treated me so well these past nine seasons and I’ve appreciated my time being here.

This is also your ninth Christmas in Germany. What have you come to appreciate most about the holiday season in Germany and if you had to choose between Weissenfels, Giessen, Ludwigsburg, Nurnberg and Jena which city have you enjoyed most in this time?

CHRISTMAS MARKETS! By far. We don’t have many of these in the US, and the ones that are there, do not compare to the how big they are in Germany. I know everybody loves the Glühwein at the Christmas markets, but my favorite thing to buy when I’m there are the “Gebackene Mandeln” (baked almonds), especially when they are warm. The city I’ve enjoyed the most during this time? Very difficult to say. But if I had to pick one, I would say Weissenfels in the year 2010. I say this because that was the first year my mother had ever been to Europe and she came to visit me. Watching her having a new experience in a new culture was like watching a child open their favorite Christmas present. It was great to see someone her age “become a happy child” again.

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Keane Thomann (Bakken Bears) My Wakeup Call In Denmark Was Not Having My Truck Which Was A Big Change

Keane Thoman is a 27 year old 211cm enter from Olney, Illinous playing his fifth professional season and second with the Bakken Bears (Denmark-Ligaen). He started his basketball career with Missouri So. (NCAA2) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 117 games and as a senior played 30 games: 21.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 63.3%, FT: 72.9%. He started his professional career in 2012 with Horsens IC (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 36 games: 18.0ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 53.7%, FT: 72.7%. In his second season with Horsens IC (Denmark-Ligaen) he played 34 games: 10.1ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 69.1%. In the 2014-2015 season he played with BMI Bloodhounds (Denmark-1st Division) Last season was his first with the Bakken Bears (Denmark-Ligaen): 26 games: 5.0ppg, 2.2rpg; FIBA Europe Cup: 6 games: 2.0ppg, 1.7rpg. He spoke to German Hoops recently before the Champions League game with the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Keane for talking to German Hoops. You are playing your fifth season as a professional in Denmark. Could one say that Denmark is your second home now?

I’ve spent 10 months a year for the last 5 years in Denmark. I wish I could see my family more often but DK feels like home.

What have you learned to appreciate most about Denmark? Do people act surprised sometimes when they learn that you American since you have that Northern European look?

I like the simplicity of everything here. Riding bikes to get around and soaking in the atmosphere is a good way to get around. I often get confused for a Dane when I first meet people.

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Martell Collins (Basketball Club Rendsburg) I Learn A Lot From My German Teammates and There´s A Good Respect Level On Both Sides

Martell Collins is a 196cm swing man from Milwaukee playing his rookie season in Germany with Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career with Highland CC (KS) (JUCO) in 2012 where he played two seasons. He then moved to SW Oklahoma St. (NCAA2) playing 17 games averaging 15.6ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 73.3%. As a senior with SW Oklahoma St. (NCAA2) he played 27 games: 18.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 39.8%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 70.1%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Martell thanks for talking to German Hoops Welcome to Germany. Milwaukee is huge and Rendsburg is small, but does the fact that your new new German home has some water remind you a bit of home?

My pleasure thanks for the interview is a nice place it reminds me a little bit of Weatherford Oklahoma where I just finished college.

You could of landed in a lot of more ordinary small places in Germany than Rendsburg, but you are living in a beautiful place. What have you learned to appreciate most about your new home?

I’ve always been one who appreciate everything & the little things day to day are what I value the most like trying new foods , meeting, new people I’m thankful everyday for this opportunity.

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Eugene Harris (Hebeisen White Wings) We Need To Learn How To Take Care Of Business Regardless The Circumstances

Eugene Harris is a 29 year old 193cm point guard from Pittsburgh and is playing his sixth professional season and first in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. 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 after the big 68-63 victory against the Kirchheim Knights.

Eugene thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the huge 68-63 win against top Pro A team Kirchheim Knights. What makes a grind out win like this more difficult to accomplish than a shoot out win?

Thank you miles I appreciate you, it’s always a great feeling to win no matter the circumstances but this game was definitely more defensive oriented where it was tough to get an offensive flow on both sides

The fourth quarter started with a huge run by the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau as Kruize Pinkins scored in bunches, but Kirchheim fought back. The game was technically over at the two minute mark as German Josef Eichler hit a three and there was no more scoring after that. How strange of a fourth quarter ending was this for you?

It was one of those grind out games coach kept stressing to continue to put pressure on them defensively and it will open up in the 4th in which it did.

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Brandyn Curry (Helios Suns Domzale) I Was Really Disappointed In Myself In The Frankfurt Loss And Will Look To Bounce Back

Brandyn Curry is a 25 year old 187cm point guard from Huntersville, North Carolina that is playing his third professional season and first with Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Liga NovaKBM). Last season he played with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-BBL): 27 games: 3.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.0apg. As a rookie he played for the SPM Shoeters Den Bosch (Holland-Eredivisie). He played 33 games averaging 14.9ppg, 4.1rpg, Assists-2(5.0apg), 2.0spg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 83.7%; EuroChallenge: 12 games: 16.2ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.9apg, Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 72.7% He played four years at Harvard(NCAA) playing a total of 113 NCAA games and as a senior played 23 games averaging 9.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 58.5%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Brandyn for talking to German Hoops. It Christmas time and how is the holiday season different in Slovenia than the way it was in Germany and Holland the last two years?

Not a problem always enjoy it. Well this will be the first year that I’m not going to be going home for Christmas or new years so that is about the only difference.

Helios Suns Domzale recently lost in Greece to Aris. Their arena is supposed to be one of the toughest to play in. What kind of experience was it playing there and how difficult was it to hear your teammates on the court?

Well unfortunately I didnt get to play in that game due to an injury but just being in that atmosphere was a great experience.

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Cory Remekun (Helios Suns Domzale) Quantez Robertson Is Usually Always In The Right Spot Defensively

Cory Remekun is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Mesquite, Texas playing his fourth professional season and first with Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Liga NovaKBM). Last season he played with Rogaska Crystal (Slovenia-Telemach League, starting five): 26 games: 11.6ppg, Reb-5(7.8rpg), Blocks-1(1.3bpg), FGP: 65.0%, FT: 64.6%. He started his basketball career in 2009 with St.Louis (NCAA) playing a total of 133 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 4.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.1bpg. He started his professional basketball career in 2013 with the Dragons Rhoendorf (Germany-ProB) playing 25 games averaging 13.4ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-1(2.6bpg), FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 74.2%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for AE Nea Kifisia Dimoulas Athens (Greece-A1): 10 games: 2.0ppg, 1.3rpg: 9 games: 2.2ppg, 1.4rpg, in Feb.’15 agreed terms with HKK Siroki Primorka (Bosnia-Division I): 21 games: 7.5ppg, Reb-1(8.2rpg), 1.0apg, Blocks-1(2.0bpg), FGP: 56.6%, FT: 49.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thanks Cory for talking to German Hoops. It Christmas time and how is the holiday season different in Slovenia the last two years in comparison to the way it was in Germany, Greece and Bosnia where you played many years ago.

No problem, it’s real nice in the capital around this time of the year. I like the atmosphere, it’s pretty similar to some of the cities in Germany during Christmas time.

Welcome back to Germany. As a rookie you played for the Dragons Rhoendorf (Germany-ProB) playing 25 games averaging 13.4ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-1(2.6bpg), FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 74.2%. When you think of that experience, what is the first thing comes to mind when hearing the phrase Dragons Rhondorf?

Great organization and fans. They really look after you there. I really appreciated my teammates and coaches helping me adjust to Europe.

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Diante Watkins (Nurnberg Falcons BC) I Really Like The Assist And Was making The Right Plays

Diante Watkins is a 26 year old 174cm point guard that is playing his fourth professional season and first with the Nurnberg Falcons BC. Last season an injury in pre season derailed his path playing for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He started his basketball career in 2009 with Daley CC (JUCO): 28 games: 26.5ppg, 5.8apg, 2.7rpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 44%, 3Pts: 38%, FT: 86%. He then played two seasons with Robert Morris (NAIA) and as a senior played 27 games: 24.4ppg, 7.4apg, 3.0rpg, 2.1spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3Pts: 38.9%, FT: 82.7%. In 2013-2014 he started his professional basketball career with SC Rist Wedel where he played 30 games averaging 16.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 86.9%. He improved his play in 2014-2015 with SC Rist Wedel playing 32 games: Score-2(21.3ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-1(6.8apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 87.4%. He cleaned up the Eurobasket awards winning Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Honorable Mention -14, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Player of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Guard of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Import Player of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -15, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -15. He currently is tearing up the Pro A averaging 21,0ppg, 2,3rpg and 5,8apg and spoke to German Hoops after the huge 90-83 win against Ehingen.

Diante thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 90-83 win in Ehingen. How soothing was finally putting points on the board again after averaging only 50 points the last two games?

It was great for us, our confidence was down as a team on the offensive end.

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Dan Oppland(Nurnberg Falcons BC) We Need To Build Off The Momentum From Ehingen With The Right Attitude And Focus

Dan Oppland is a 32 year old 203cm forward that is playing his third season in Nurnberg and first with the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA. He started his basketball career for Valparaiso (NCAA) in 2002 where he played until 2006. He started his professional basketball career in 2006 for Hanzevast Capitals Groningen (Holland). He then played in countries like Poland and Sweden before coming to Bayreuth in 2008. He then played for seasons four Allianz Swans Gmunden (Austria-A Bundesliga) where he won three titles. Two seasons ago, he played for Namika Lahti (Finland-Korisliiga) 47 games: 15.7ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.0%. Last season for Rent4Office he played 32 games averaging 9.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 72.6%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 90-83 win against Ehingen.

Dan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 90-83 win in Ehingen. How soothing was finally putting points on the board again after averaging only 50 points the last two games?

It was definitely a great feeling to get that win against Ehingen, especially after the way we played the last two games, and in the first half against Ehingen. Hopefully we can build on this game.

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