Interviews

Reco McCarter Was More Of A Defensive Minded Player Growing UP And His Offensive Game Developed As He Grew Older

Reco McCarter is a 27 year old 198cm forward from Goldsboro, North Carolina that is playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with VFL Stade (Regionalliga). He played the last three seasons in Spain in the EBA league. As a rookie he played with CB Cazorla Jaen Paraiso Interior (Spain-EBA) playing 15 games averaging 10.3ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 62.9%, 3PT: 25.5%, FT: 52.9%. He played the last two seasons with Agricola Villarrobledo CBV (Spain-EBA) and last season played 31 games averaging 9.4ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 63.1%.He began his basketball career at Virginia Commonwealth University (NCAA), but played only 10 games. He then moved to Campbell (NCAA) in 2012 and played there three years amassing 91 NCAA games and as a senior played 28 games averaging 10.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 55.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

Reco thanks for talking to Germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

I am back home in Goldsboro, North Carolina, trying to spend as much time possible with my family and friends, on top of staying in basketball shape. I spend so much time with family and friends over the summer because I am away for 9 months out of the year.

Congrats on signing with German regionalliga team VFL Stade. After playing your first three professional seasons in Spain, was the biggest reason for coming to Germany for getting a taste of something new?

I wouldn’t say something new, it just happen to be that Germany is the location basketball has taken me. After talking with my agent, coach Fernandez, Sonke, and my family, I felt like Stade was the right fit for where I am in my career.

You played three solid seasons in Spains fourth league EBA. You must have had ambitions to move up to the Leb Silver. Was there any interest this summer and how confident are you that you could of continued to make an impact in a higher league?

Yes of course, like you said previously I played my last three season is Spain so playing in Leb Silver were my expectations. I feel like with my skill set I can make an impact on any level as long as the opportunity is there.

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Jett Speelman (SC Rist Wedel) I Never Had To Correct My Shot And Was Able To Become A Good Shooter Faster Than Others

Jett Speelman is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Granville, Ohio that is playing his second professional season and first with SC Rist Wedel (Germany-ProB). Last season as a rookie he played with FSU Selfoss (Iceland-D1) playing 12 games averaging 22.9ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 84.2%. He started his basketball career at Newark Catholic and then played 35 games with Ashland (NCAA2) from 2013-2015. He then played at Denison (NCAA3) from 2015-2017 playing a total of 55 games and as a senior played 27 games averaging 18.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 0.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

Hi Jett thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

At the moment I am at my home in Ohio. My summer has been great! July has been a very busy month.

Before we get to the meat of the interview please tell me how you got this out of the ordinary name Jett? Did you have more positive or negative experiences with this name?

Well I must give all the credit to my parents. I believe they picked the name Jett from an old movie character. I have had a lot of positive experiences with the name, one common mistake people make is calling me Jeff instead. When I was born, the doctors incorrectly wrote ‘Jeff’ on my birth certificate and it had to be changed.

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Jordan Brangers (Eisbaeren Bremerhaven) I Feel Like I’m One Of The Greatest JUCO Players To Never Play NCAA D1

Jordan Brangers is a 188cm guard that was born in Radcliff, Kentucky and attended North Hardin High School. He is playing his professional rookie season in Germany with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He began his basketball career with South Plains JC (JUCO) and in his second year played 30 games averaging 16.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 74.4%. He left school after only two years and could be the first player ever to come out of JUCO and reach the easyCredit BBL. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball before he made the journey to Germany.

Jordan thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

I’m currently in Daytona, Florida working out and getting ready for the upcoming season. My summer has been very good. A lot of workouts and playing a lot of basketball.

You recently played in the Miami Pro League and scored 43 points. You were dropping shots from all over. Was this as much as you have ever been in the zone and was the hole like the ocean on this day?

Wouldn’t say it’s the biggest zone I’ve been in. The biggest was pretty big, but I’ve gotta credit my teammates for getting my good looks and making the right passes to me in my spots.

Congrats on signing your first professional contract with German team Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. Would it be fair to say you are one of the greatest JUCO players that never played in The NCAA but could have with Colorado State or Texas Tech?

Yeah, I would definitely say I feel like I’m one of the greatest JUCO players to never play NCAA D1 and I say that as humble as possible. I’ve put in a lot of work up to this point to be as good as I am and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

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Raekwon Miller (Dragons Rhondorf) I See The Game Very Well It’s Almost Like I´m Two Steps Ahead

Raekwon Miller is a 22 year old 191cm guard from Marion, North Carolina embarking on his professional career in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf. He played his NCAA career at NC-Asheville from 2014-2018 playing a total of 91 NCAA games. In his senior year he played 33 games averaging 11.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 47.9%, FT: 76.2%. He spoke to Germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

Raekwon thanks for talking to Germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been coming along fresh out of school?

Right now I am currently back home enjoying my summer but also staying in the gym and working on my craft as I know its more important now than ever.

Before we get into the meat of the interview, I have to ask you about your unusual name. Does it have a special meaning and how did your parents come up with it?

My name was actually given to me by my brother, he listened to Raekwon the Chef apart of Wu tang Clan back in their day when it was really popular. My parents liked the name so they went with it.

Congrats on signing with German Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf. This was your first summer experiencing the professional transfer market. How was it for you and did you have a fair amount of offers or was it a tough go around?

The experience had me very anxious I mean I was basically putting all trust into my agent who is wonderful enough to get me the opportunity to play at the professional league. The waiting around for offers to come in got to me a little bit but it was all worth it in the end.

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Growing Up In Compton Made Iziahiah Sweeney Used To Facing And Overcoming Adversity And Didn´t Fear Anything But God

Iziahiah Sweeney is a 22 year old 193cm guard from Compton, California that recently played with the HowardHoops tour in the Dominican Republic. He began his basketball career at Compton High School and in 2014-2015 played at Portland St. (NCAA) playing 23 games averaging 3.0ppg. He then played a season at E.Los Angeles JC (JUCO) playing 29 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 63.6%. He reached the NCAA in 2016 an dplayed 56 games for Northwestern State (NCAA). In his junior year he played 29 games avergaing 8.4ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 68.8%. In his senior year at Northwestern St. (NCAA) he played 27 games averaging 11.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 68.6%. He got his first pro experience with Team Miami (Eurobasket Summer League in Las Vegas) last summer. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Iziahiah thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

I’m in Los Angeles, California working out and staying in shape just getting back from the Dominican Republic where I was playing on a tour team.

You recently finished at Northwestern St. (NCAA) and had a very solid two year career. It is mid September and you were recently in the Dominican Republic playing on a tour instead of already getting ready for your rookie season overseas. How did it come to this? I mean did you not find the right representation this summer?

Yes, I basically did not find the right representation and was misled by many people.

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Jackson Kent (Nurnberg Falcons) Continues To Strive To Expand His Game

Jackson Kent is a 24 year old 201cm guard from High Point, North Carolina playing his second professional season and first with the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA. Last season as a rookie he played with BK JIP Pardubice (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 46 games averaging 11.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.4%; and 4 FIBA Europe Cup game averaging 9.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg. He began his basketball career at High Point Christian Academy and in 2013 his NCAA career at JMU (NCAA, starting five) playing 30 games as a freshman averaging 5.9ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 74.1%. In his second season at JMU (NCAA) he played 33 games averaging 10.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 79.3%. In his junior year at JMU (NCAA) he played 33 games averaging 7.7ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 37.7%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 72.4%. In his senior year at JMU (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 84.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Jackson thanks for talking with germanhoops.com. How was your summer?

I had a great summer in the gym and weight room. I improved my body and skill level this summer.

Congrats on signing with the Nurnberg Falcons. One of the places you really want to visit is Italy. Have you checked the game calendar this season when a good opportunity may arise for you to visit?

I’m not sure when I’ll visit Italy haha but I’m very excited about being with the Falcons and I’m enjoying every minute of the process.

After a solid rookie season with BK JIP Pardubice (Czech Republic-NBL) what were your goals going into your second professional season? How did you witness your second professional transfer period? What did you learn from your first summer?

After a year overseas I learned a lot more about style of play in Europe which helped me look at the game differently

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Alex Barner´s Career Hasn´t Been A Struggle But A Process

Alex Barner is a 193 com guard from Fort Scott, Kansas that recently participated at the HowardHoops tour in the Dominican Republic. He played at Fort Scott CC and Cent.Methodist (NAIA) where as a senior he played 30 games averaging 5.7ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 70.0%. He has professional experience with the Kansas City Soul (ABA) and last season played with Asocoacion Baloncesto de Apopa (El Salvador-Liga Superior) playing 23 games: Score-2(31.3ppg), Reb-2(16.5rpg), 3.2apg, Steals-2(2.7spg), Blocks-2(2.0bpg), FGP-3(57.6%), 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 77.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Alex thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

At the moment I am in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The basketball life is treating me well. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a grind, but being a small town kid from Kansas I’m just blessed to have been granted the opportunity to take my skills to other countries where people that have never seen me play can enjoy and appreciate my craft.

You been out of school five years now and have minimal professional experience having played in the ABA and in El Salvador. Why do you feel has it been such a struggle for you?

I wouldn’t say it’s been a struggle I look at it as more of a process. We all have different paths and mine has brought me right to where I need to be. Coupled with a complete lack of knowledge of the overseas basketball experience and lack of contacts that slowed me down some but I’ve stayed committed, got my foot in the door and new opportunities present themselves to me in what seems like every day.

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Demarcus Robinson´s Basketball Dream Stays Alive Seeing The Impact He Has On The Kids And People In The Community

Demarcus Robinson is a 25 year old 178cm point guard from Jonesboro, Georgia that competed last weekend at the HowardHoops tour in the Dominican Republic. He began his basketball career at Snead State Community College (NJCAA) in 2011 where he played two years. He then finished at Alabama State (NCAA) in 2015 averaging 11.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 77.6% and 10.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 74.5% in his two seasons. He has professional experience with the Atlanta Aliens (ABA) and Kentucky Thoroughbreds (NAPB). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Demarcus thanks for talking to Germanhoops-com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

The pleasure is all mine. Currently I am on a tour in the Dominican Republic with Ron Howard. Basketball is treating me well but still pushing for bigger and better things to come out of it.

You been out of school four years now and have minimal professional experience having played in Eurobasket summer leagues and for the Atlanta Aliens (ABA) and Kentucky Thoroughbreds (NAPB) Why do you feel has it been such a struggle for you? Do you feel like your size may have been a road block for you in getting the deserved respect that your game really has?

In the first years there was a lack of exposure and representation that held me back, had a bad situation with that. Once I missed a full year despite my resumé from college it’s been an uphill battle and journey since. My size definitely plays a factor as well now that I lack much professional experience.

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Malcolm Delpeche (WWW Baskets Muenster) Having My Brother Around Has Provided Close To A Mirror Image Of Myself To Compete Against On The Court

Malcolm Delpeche is a 22 year old 203cm forward that was born in Wilmington, Delaware, but also has the British citizenship and will play his second professional season with the WWW Baskets Muenster. He played at Bates(NCAA3) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 100 games. In his senior year at Bates, he played 24 games averaging 13.2ppg, 8.8rpg, 1.5apg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 63.1%. Last season as a rookie he played with BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 24 games averaging 13.9ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2bpg, 2FGP: 51.7%, 3FGP: 37.5%, FT: 64.0%, in Mar.’18 moved to Bristol Academy Flyers (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 12 games averaging 6.2ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 54.5%, FT: 70.0%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier in the summer about basketball.

Hi Malcolm, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Right now I’m currently in Wilmington, Delaware. My summer has been really good thus far! I’ve enjoyed catching up with friends and family members. In addition to getting the chance to really focus on my game and make sure that I’m coming back better as a basketball player than I was last year.

Welcome back to Germany. Congrats on signing with the WWW Baskets Muenster. What were the main reasons for coming back to Germany and signing with the WWW Baskets Muenster?

I’ve decided to come back to Germany for a couple of reasons. For one, I definitely feel more comfortable being here now that I’ve already played here for a full season last year. I also enjoyed my experience in Germany last year, and would like to further indulge myself in this country. I chose Münster for a couple of reasons. As many might know Münster competed in the same league as us last year in Regionaliga 1 West. They were one of two only teams that beat us last year. And the only team to deny us single victory all season. Despite the agony of defeat, I also saw a lot to love about the Münster Club. Some of these regarded to how the team was run, their playing style, and their commitment to success.

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Nik Raivio (medi Bayreuth) I´m Confident That I Can Shoot Well Anywhere

Nikolas Raivio is a 32 year old 192cm shooting guard that was born in Antwerpen, Belgium and has the Germanand American citzenships. He is the brother of former BBL player Derek Raivio and will play his first season in Germany with medi Bayreuth. He played the last three seasons with Legnano Basket Knights (Italy-Serie A2) and last season played 33 games averaging 18.2ppg, 6.8rpg, 3.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 81.1%. He also played two seasons in Hungry as well as in countries like Greece, Sweden and Belgium. He also had a stint in the D-league with the New Mexico Thunderbirds. He played college ball at Portland (NCAA) and in his senior year played 17 games averaging 14.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 63.2%. He spoke to Germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

Nik thanks for talking to Germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer?

I’m well, thanks. At the moment I’m still in Italy and will spend most of the summer here

Congrats on signing with German team medi Bayreuth. You’re going into your ninth professional season and played in countries like Italy, Hungary, Belgium, Greece. Brother Derek played for some years in Germany. With your connections and game can you explain why it took you so long to finally play for a German team?

Thanks and I really don’t know. I’ve had interest in the past from the BBL but I never saw an offer. I also liked my situation the previous seasons and decided early on to stay instead of waiting to explore other options

Your father played a game in Bayreuth 32 years ago. What does it truly mean playing for medi Bayreuth and being there where your dad once played as a professional player?

Pretty crazy to think about that. I imagine my brother played in the same gym too.
Joining Bayreuth is a completely new experience for me. I heard great things about the team, coach and club and can see they have a lot of home court support from fans. To keep the winning ways going in the BBL and European competition is something I’m really excited about!

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