Interviews

Kris Douse(Westfalen Mustangs) Our Goal Is Not To Lose Any Games And Ride The Wave As Long As Possible

Kris Douse is a 30 year old 198cm forward from Toronto, Canada that is playing for for the Westfalen Mustangs (Germany-2.Regionalliga) this season. 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). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Kris thanks for talking to German Hoops again. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your fifth season in Germany as a professional?

Hello Miles I am currently playing for Westfalen Mustangs which is located in Wiedenbruck. So far it has been a great start to the season being undefeated and excited to build on the franchise winning streak of 112 straight wins.

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Jack Cooley(MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg) The Attention To Detail In The NBA Is Always Over looked But It Had The Biggest Impact On Me

Jack Cooley is a 25 year old 206cm forward7center from Evanston, Illinois playing his fourth professional season and first with MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg (Germany-BBL). Last season he played with the Utah Jazz (NBA), released in Oct.’15, later that month signed at Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), released later that month, in Nov.’15 signed at Idaho Stampede (D-League): 6 games: 14.5ppg, 11.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 58.3%, FT: 63.0%, in Dec.’15 moved to Unicaja Malaga (Spain-Liga Endesa): 27 games: 5.5ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 57.0%, FT: 62.3%; Euroleague: 14 games: 6.3ppg,059, 4.3rpg, FGP: 60.0%, FT: 63.6%. He started his basketball career in 2009 with Notre Dame (NCAA) where he played until 2013 playing a total of 123 NCAA games and as a senior played 35 games averaging 13.1ppg, 10.1rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 70.3%. He started his professional career in 2013 with Trabzonspor Basketbol (Turkey-TBL): 29 games: 12.5ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT-1(66.7%), FT: 68.8%. In the 2014-2015 season he played with the Utah Jazz (NBA): 16 games: 1.7ppg, 1.6rpg, in Mar.’15 agreed terms with Idaho Stampede (D-League): 20 games: 16.8ppg, Reb-1(12.5rpg), 1.1apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 21.1%, FT: 69.0%. He spoke to German Hoops recently about his basketball career.

Jack thanks for talking to German Hoops Your playing your first season in Germany and first with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. You are having a great season stat wise in both BBL and Champions League. Did you feel any pressure coming in to fill the shoes of ex NBA player Jon Brockman?

I did not feel any pressure coming in to fill Brockman’s shoes. He is a great player, who’s game I respect greatly, but I have not felt pressure to fill take his place. I came to this team because it is a great opportunity for my career going forward.

Early in the easyCredit BBL season the team could have two more wins after narrow loses to BG Goettingen and the Fraport Skyliners. Recently you lost big to Bamberg and Ulm. Why do you feel is the team still so up and down on paper. One game the defense shines giving up 60 points to Bamberg, but then gives up 87 points to Bremerhaven?

We have had some close losses in the BBL, which has been frustrating, but it highlights how our team always fights out on the court. The defensive fluctuations are just typical of a season, different match ups can lead to different results.

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Murphy Burnatowski(Cytavision Apoel Nicosia)The Scrubb Brothers Are Both Great Teammates And Know How To Play The Game The Right Way

Murphy Burnatowski is a 25 year old 200cm forward from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada that is playing his third professional season and first with Cytavision Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A). He started his basketball career with Maine (NCAA) in 2009 where he plyed two seasons playing 56 NCAA games. He then moved to Colgate (NCAA) where he played two seasons and 62 NCAA games and as a senior played 30 games averaging 14.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 76.8%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with WKS Slask Wroclaw (Poland-TBL): 12 games: 1.2ppg, 1.4rpg, left in Jan.’15, later that month moved to SLUNETA Usti nad Labem (Czech Republic-NBL, starting five): 21 games: 11.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.5%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 67.2%. Last season he played with Starwings Basket Regio Basel (Switzerland-LNA, starting five): 30 games: Score-3(20.5ppg), 7.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 72.0%. He spoke to German Hoops before a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bonn against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Murphy thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. What experiences have you had here? You played in the Czech republic as a rookie and last season with the Starwings Basket Regio Basel (Switzerland-LNA)

I have been to Germany many times. Most recently last season when I was playing in Switzerland. Basel was only about a five-minute drive from the German border so I would go frequently.

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JJ Mann(Belfius Mons-Hainaut) My Favorite Phoenix Hagen Memory Was When Everyone Got In The Zone And We Would Just Rain Threes

JJ Mann is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Smyrna, Georgia that is playing his third professional season and first with Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Belgium-Euromillions League): He started his basketball career in 2010 with Belmont (NCAA) where he played until 2014 totaling 140NCAA games. He started his professional career in 2014 with the Redwell Gunners Oberwart (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 38 games averaging 13.4ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.2apg, Steals-1(2.0spg), FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 82.1%
Last season he played with Phoenix Hagen (Germany-BBL): 30 games: 11.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 91.3%. He spoke to German Hoops recently when he was in Bonn preparing for a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

JJ thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany, but before we talk about Fiba Europe Cup and the Telekom Baskets Bonn let´s talk about food. Wiener Schnitzel can be found all over Europe, but where have you had it best in Austria, Germany or Belgium?

The best Wiener Schnitzel I have had so far was in Austria. Havent seen as much of it in Belgium but I would have to give the top spot to Austria.

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Brandon Lockhart(ScanPlus Baskets) I Believe We Can Defend Better And We Just Have Too Many Mental Breakdowns Throughout The Game

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 tight 95-92 victory against his ex team Nordlingen..

Brandon congrats on the 95-92 win against your ex team Nordlingen. Did this game have any meaning for you since most guys were gone from last season?

Danke Miles! It was a special game since I played for the Giants last season. Since most of the guys from last year are also playing for new teams, I was able to approach it like it was just another team in the league. (more…)

Elijah Allen(Gotha) My Goal Is To Be Aggressive In The Time I Get And Find Ways To Help My Team Win

Elijah Allen is a 26 year old 195cm swing man from Columbus, Ohio that is playing his first season with Gotha in the Pro A. Ke played the last two seasons for Lich and last season played 27 games averaging 13.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 69.3%. He started his basketball career at NW Missouri St. (NCAA2) in 2007 where he played until 2011 playing a total of 103 NCAA games and as a senior played 26 games: 14.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.1apg, FG: 44.8%, 3Pts: 23.1%, FT: 74.8%. He came to Germany in 2012 and played his first two seasons for the VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga) and in the 2013-2014 season played 26 games averaging 20.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 68.4%. In the 2014-2015 season for the Licher Basket Baeren he played 28 games: 10.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.2% He spoke to German Hoops after the big 64-56 win against Heidelberg last weekend.

Elijah congrats on the 64-56 win in Heidelberg. How good did it feel to win on the road again after 4 straight loses on the road?

Thanks a lot. It was a good feeling. We must continue to build off this.

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Preston Medlin(Kirchheim Knights) We Might Not Have The Deepest Rotation But When We Need Guys To Step Up They Have

Preston Medlin is a 25 year old 193cm guard that is playing his third professional season and first with the Kirchheim Knights in the German Pro A. He started his basketball career in 2009 with Utah St. (NCAA) where he played until 2014 playinga total of 102 NCAA games. As a senior he played 32 games averaging 12.4ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 41.1%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 78.0%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with BK Saldus (Latvia-LBL): 29 games: Score-4(14.7ppg), 3.1rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 75.8%. Last season he had limited duty with Enosi Kalathosfairisis Kavalas (Greece-A1): 3 games: 3.7ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.3apg. German Hoops talked to Preston after the tough 90-72 loss in Trier.

Preston thanks for talking to German Hoops. You came into the game with Trier with a 11-1 record and had won 8 times. As a professional basketball player does a time come when one has won a lot that you just think it will go on and on?

Going into the Trier game we felt like we were rolling and nothing could touch us and we got a reality check, which I think in the long run, will be good for us.

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Nik Caner-Medley(AS Monaco) Coach Chris Fleming Took His Job Very Seriously And That Motivated Me As A Rookie

Nik Caner-Medley is a 33 year old 206cm power forward from Portland Maine that is playing his 11^th professional season and first with AS Monaco Basket (France-ProA). He played the last two seasons with BK Astana (Kazakhstan-D1) and last season played VTB League: 17 games: Score-3(18.2ppg), 7.9rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 85.7%; FIBA Europe Cup: 6 games: 14.5ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 44.0%, FT: 73.7%. He has also played in countries like Germany, Italy and in Israel for top team Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv (Israel-Premier League). He played most of his career in Spain in the Endesa league for six seasons with teams like Malaga, Estudiantes Madrid Gran Canaria, Sevilla and Valencia. He also played at Maryland from 2002-2006 playing a total of 127 NCAA games reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2003. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Nik thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You played as a rookie in Germany for the Artland Dragons and have played in Germany over the years like against Alba Berlin in the Euroleague. With what kind of feeling do you have returning back to Germany?

I have great memories of my time in Germany. Playing for coach Fleming was a great experience, he helped prepare me for the rest of my career in Europe. I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and as a man, great guy and very hard worker. One of the things I remember most about my time in Germany was the fans. All of the teams had great support from their fans and it was really fun to be a part of such a passionate basketball culture.

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Vance Hall (MLP Academics Heidelberg) I Take Pride In Making Toughness Plays

Vance Hall is a 25 year old 193cm point guard from Frankfort, Kentucky that is playing his second professional season and first with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA). Last season as a rookie he played for Thor Thorl (Iceland-Dominos League) playing 26 games: 23.6ppg, 6.8rpg, 4.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 86.8%. He started his basketball career in 2010 with Wright St. (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing a total of 55 NCAA games. In 2012 he moved to Bellarmine (NCAA2) playing 32 games: 14.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 45.9%, FT: 91.4%. As a senior for Bellarmine (NCAA2) he played 31 games: 14.7ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 41.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 64-49 win against Nurnberg.

Vance thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 64-49 win against Nurnberg. Coming into the game Heidelberg had lost three of four games. How important was getting the win and is this the start of a longer winning streak?

Losing 3 out of 4 games is very tough but I hope we learned from each of those games. It was very crucial that we went to Nurnberg to handle business and get back on the winning side of things. Hopefully this is a start to a longer streak of wins

Last week Diante Watkins went off for 34 points. This time you held him to 14 points and six turnovers. How vital was it really making basketball life difficult for him for 40 minutes?

It was very important for us to limit him in that game and we did so by team defense. That was one of our goals for the game.

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Kruize Pinkins(Hebeisen White Wings) I Won´t Force Any Three´s But If They Are There Then I Will Take Them

Kruize Pinkins is a 23 year old 201cm forward from Marianna, Florida that is playing his second professional season with the Hebeisen White Wings. He started his basketball career at Chipola (JUCO). He then played at USF (NCAA) from 2013-2015 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 65.0%. As a rookie last season with the Hebeisen White Wings he played : 29 games averaging 13.1ppg, Reb-3(9.1rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 68.9%He spoke to German Hoopsafter the big 71-65 win against Crailsheim.

Congrats Kruzie on a big 71.65 win against top team Crailsheim. In the last weeks it has been a short rotation equals win. Have the Hebesien White Wings proved in the last weeks that a team doesn´t necessarily always need that deep team to win?

I dont think that is the case. We know that we need everyone in order for us to be a great team. Im just ready for everyone to get healthy because we need each person on this team. Rather its them playing 15 mins or its 30 mins. It could be the difference.

How much has Jordan Wild´s struggle with the health of his father sparked the team in this phase?

It has motivated us a lot. We always say that we are doing it for Jordan and his father. He is a big part of out team.

Crailsheim had the six point advantage at halftime, but that didn´t faze Hanau regrouped in the third quarter scoring 24 points having the 56-53 lead after thee quarters. What did head coach Simon Cote tell the team to do better in the third quarter?

He Just told us that it was a six point game and that we didnt play as good as we were capable of and that we needed to pick up our defense we picked up the defense in the second half.

The Hebeisen White Wings held the lead in the fourth quarter as you continued to play tough defense. What was key in the crunch-time for getting the win?

It was just a matter of possesions and which ever team got defensive stops and made shots was going to win and we did both and was able to get the win.

How has the short rotation sparked the team in that even late in the game where the strength might not be as much as earlier in the game to come out and just continue to be tough and make plays?

We just knew from the begining that it was going to be a tough game so we just stuck with it and kept fighting.

You had another huge game with 28 points and 11 boards. Has your mentality to your role changed any in the last weeks on account of the small rotation?

No my mentality hasnt changed. Its still the same. My shot was falling and my teammates just kept finding me on the court.

Your three was falling as you netted three. The most that you have made as a professional. How happy were you that you took five three´s and will this be a trend you could enjoy on a game basis?

It was good that my three was falling and it really opend up the rest of my game but Im not going to force any threes, but Im just going to take what the defense gives me and read and play and if the threes are there then I will take them.

Hanau has a three game winning streak in the last weeks with a short rotation and have won seven of the last eight games. How much of a winner mentality has the team developed in the last eight games that will continue to carry over through the rest of the season?

We work so hard at practice so it makes the game fun and we really enjoy playing with each other but we just have to stay hungry and not be satisfied and keep working to get better each week

How vital has the arrival of Sherwood Brown been? What does he give to the team that it didn´t have before?

He was really big for us. A lot of the things that he did wont be on the stat sheet but he plays really hard and he got us a lot rebounds and hustle plays.

What have you learned to enjoy most about his game in the first few days that you have seen him play on the court?

He plays really hard and is a great rebounder from the wing position. Brings good energy to the team.

What have you learned to appreciate most from assistant coach Joey Cantens who came from Indiana, PA (NCAA2).

He is always working. We can call him anytime of the day and he’ll stop what he is doing and come put you through a workout or what ever you need. He really knows the game and has helped me a lot.

The next game is against Paderborn. What will be key to getting the win and do you expect to play with another small rotation or could somebody return?

We just have to go and play harder than them and make sure we are playing good defense and we give ourselves a good chance to win. Im not sure if Paul and Brian will be back this week.

Kelvin Martin has retired at age 33 after having some very productive seasons with the Sacremento Kings. What was your impression of his game and are you surprised he retired so young?

He was a great scorer and could really shoot. I didnt even know he retired. Im pretty sure he had a good reason but he had a great NBA career.

Thanks Kruize for the chat.