Interviews

Jordan Burris (BBC Coburg) Kobe Bryant Told Me Rest In The End And Not In The Middle

Jordan Burris is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Bakersfield, California that will start his professional career in Europe with the BBC Coburg (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career in 2010 with Nevada (NCAA) where he played until 2013 playing 92 NCAA games. As a senior he moved on to CS San Bernar. (NCAA 2) playing 25 games: 14.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 72.0%. He turned professional in 2014 and played for teams like the Santa Monica Jump (IBL),  Reno Bighorns (D-League) and  Indiana Diesels (PBL). He spoke to German Hoops eralier in the summer about basketball.

 

 

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

Summer has been good just lots of workouts and preparation.

Despite having played 3 D-league games and also having had experience with teams like the Santa Monica Jump (IBL) and the Indiana Diesels (PBL) plus playing in the Drew League, how would you summarize your professional career up to now?

Pro career has been a bit rocky to start but I’m hoping that BBC will be the start of a brilliant and bright future!

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Rasid Mahalbasic (Austrian National team) Germany Is A Great Team But Many Thought that Reaching The Euro 2017 Could Be Done Before It Is Actually Done

Rasid Mahalbasic is a 25 year old 211cm center that was born in Jesenice (Slovenia), but also has the Austrian citizenship and plays for the Austrian national team. Mahalbasic started his basketball career in 2006 for the Worthersee Piraten (A Bundesliga) where he played until 2009. In the 2009-2010 season he played for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (Bosnia-D1, starting five): DNP, in Oct.’09 moved back to kelag Worthersee Piraten (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 27 games: 18.4ppg, Reb-2(8.6rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 64.4%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for  Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL), in Dec.’10 loaned to Tofas Bursa (Turkey-TBL): 10 games: 3.7ppg, 3.0rpg; in Feb.’11 moved back to Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL), in Mar.’11 signed at KK Split (Croatia-A1): 13 games: 5.0ppg, 2.3rpg. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Zlatorog Lasko (Slovenia-Telemach League): Slovenian League: 2 games: 4.0ppg, 1.0spg, 1.5bpg; Adriatic League: 3 games: 4.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0bpg. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-TBL, starting five): 36 games: 11.0ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 58.0%, FT: 68.7%; Euroleague: 10 games: 9.1ppg, Reb-5(6.8rpg), 1.3apg, FGP: 58.2%, FT: 59.1%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) playing VTB United League: 18 games: 11.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 63.5%, FT: 72.2%; Czech Rep. NBL: 29 games: 10.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP-2(68.8%), 3PT-1(66.7%), FT: 62.2%; Eurocup: 18 games: 11.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 60.6%, FT: 69.0%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for BC Astana (Kazakhstan-D1) playing VTB United League: 33 games: 14.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 61.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.8%; EuroChallenge: 12 games: 13.1ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 62.8%, FT: 73.6%; Kazakhstani D1: 11 games: 8.2ppg, Reb-2(6.5rpg), 2.4apg, Steals-2(2.0spg), FGP: 53.7%, FT: 51.4%. Last season he played for BC Nizhny Novgorod (Russia-VTB): 27 games: 12.6ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 73.1%; Eurocup: 20 games: 11.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 8.3%, FT: 58.1%. He spoke to German Hoops from Vienna, Austria before the team left for Bamberg to face Germany in possibly the biggest game since years for both countries determining who will qualify for the 2017 European championships.

 

 

Rasid thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 75-61 loss against Holland After the first day where Austria beat Holland in a hard battle, would you still have thought that the Dutch could win 3 in a row and be the #1 team after four matches?

 

It was a tough loss for us. It was a big road win for them and I believe that we underestimated them a bit. They did a good job dominating the boards and their perimeter players played well. We struggled in this game and it was our worst game in the qualifying tournament this summer.

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Anton Maresch (Austrian National Team) I Think We Deserved To Win The First Game At Home But Now It Would Be Even Sweeter To Win In Bamberg

Anton Maresch is a 25 year old 191cm guard from Austria that is a member of the Austrian national team. He started his basketball career in 2007 with UBSC Graz (A Bundesliga) where he played until 2010. Then he played with Xion Dukes Klosterneuburg (A Bundesliga) in the 2010-2011 season. In 2011, he moved to Spain where he has played the last five years. He played his first two seasons with Andorra (Spain-LEB Gold) and the last three seasons with San Pablo Inmobiliaria Miraflores Burgos (Spain-LEB Gold) and last season played 39 games averaging 9.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 60.6%. In Spain he won the Leb Silver title in 2012 with Andora and the Leb Gold title in 2015 with Andorra. He spoke to German Hoops before the euro qualifying game against Germany in Bamberg.

 

 

 

Anton, thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 75-61 loss against Holland After the first day where Austria beat Holland in a hard battle, would you still have thought that the Dutch could win 3 in a row and be the #1 team after four matches?

 

Yes they have a very athletic and tough team and after their win against Germany they got a strong confidence boost.

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Enis Murati (Austrian National team) If We Stay Concentrated For All 40 Minutes We Have Enough Quality To Beat Anybody In Our Group

Enis Murati is a 28 year old 194cm guard that plays fort eh Austrian national team and will play his 10th season with Allianz Swans Gmunden (Austria-A Bundesliga). Last season he took a short break from this team and gained new experience with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Scooore League) playing 30 games averaging 15.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 86.5%. He has won 4 titles in total with Allianz Swans Gmunden. He spoke to German Hoopsbefore the 2017 European qualifying game against Germany in Bamberg.

 

Enis thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 75-61 loss against Holland After the first day where Austria beat Holland in a hard battle, would you still have thought that the Dutch could win 3 in a row and be the #1 team after four matches?

We knew from beginning on that the Dutch team is a very good and dangerous team, with a lot of quality so it doesn’t surprise me so much.

Just like the first game, the second encounter with the Dutch was a tight battle in the first half with Holland having the slight advantage 39-38. The turning point came in the third quarter where the Dutch held Austria to 7 points. What was vital for Holland keeping your point total down and what adjustments did the Dutch make on defense?

 I think, we couldn’t just catch the rhythm in the offense and they translated every one of our offensive mistakes into the fast break which gave them a lot of easy points.

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Arlon Harper (My Whole Life I’ve Been An Underdog But I Don’t Feel Pressure Basketball Is What I Do Every Day)

Arlon Harper is a 23 year old 188cm guard from Charleston, South Carolina that signed this summer with the ScanPlus Baskets in Germany. Recently he parted ways with the team, but German Hoops had the chance to interview the American earlier in the summer before he signed with the German team. He played at Charleston So. (NCAA) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 121 NCAA games. He was able to average double figures in scoring each season. His best season was his second where he played 32 games averagin
g 15.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 74.6%. As a senior he played 30 games averaging 13.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 67.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

 

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

Thank you. My summer has been well, all the sacrifice and time is definitely worth it, this is my dream to play pro and it’s finally come and I’m excited.

Congrats on signing your first professional contract with German pro B team ScanPlus Baskets. Was all the time and effort that you put in in the last year in staying in shape and working on your game worth finally having signed?

After finishing my season at Charleston, I was a few classes short of graduating and would be the first in my family to finish college so it was important to me to go back and do so.

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Aaron Nelson (Dragons Rhondorf) We Have A Great Team And We’re Building Together

Aaron Nelson is a 203cm power forward from Bloom Township, Illinois that is playing his third professional season and first in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf. He started his basketball career with SW Illinois JC (JUCO)and then moved to S.Indiana (NCAA2) and as a senior played 29 games averaging 19.3ppg, Reb-1(12.7rpg), 2.3apg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 60.4%, FT: 63.3%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with Los Leones de Quilpue (Chile-Liga Nacional, starting five): Liga Americas: 3 games: 24.0ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 54.5%, FT: 80.0%; Chilean Liga Nacional: 28 games: 21.1ppg, Reb-4(11.6rpg), 2.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 63.7%. Last season he split time with Atletico Tabare (Uruguay-LUB): 4 games: 15.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, in Dec.’15 moved to Salta Basket (Argentina-TNA). He spoke to German Hoops after the Gezeiten Cup In Rhondorf last weekend.

 

 

Aaron thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are playing your first season in Germany and have been here one month now. What have you grown to like most about the country?

I am still getting a feel for things but like where I live in Bad Honnef. It’s a small town but it’s very peaceful and relaxed. The town is also right next to the river which is always a nice place to go chill and hang out at. Bad Honnef is also short distance from Bonn and Cologne which are two great cities.

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James Washington (Boras Basket) Dru Joyce Had The Most Impact On Me When I Was With Trier

James Washington is a 28 year old 182cm guard from St Louis Missouri that is entering his sixth professional season and first with Boras Basket (Sweden-Basketligan). He played at W.Illinois (NCAA) from 2006-2008 and then transferred to Middle Tenn.St. (NCAA). In his senior year he played 32 games: 14.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 86.4%. He started his professional basketball career for TBB Trier (Germany-BBL) in 2011 and played 23 games averaging  5.7ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 38.8%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 80.0%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-Pro B) playing 15 games averaging 20.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 83.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he moved to KFUM Nassjo Basket (Sweden-Basketligan) playing 36 games averaging 17.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.9apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 48.5%, 3FGP: 38.7%, FT: 83.6%, in Mar.’14 moved to VOO Wolves Verviers-Pepinster (Belgium-Ethias League) playing  9 games averaging 13.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 36.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 86.1%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Solna Vikings (Sweden-Basketligan) playing 36 games averaging 15.3ppg, 2.2rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 82.4%. Last season he played for Jolly Jadranska Banka Sibenik (Croatia-A1) playing 18 games averaging 16.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.7apg, 2FGP: 53.2%, 3FGP: 41.2%, FT: 86.2%, in Mar.’16 moved to Chorale de Roanne Basket (France-ProB, starting five): 13 games: 8.8ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.6apg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 70.4%. He spoke to German Hoopsabout basketball.

 

 

 

 

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

Thanks for having me. I’m currently in Sweden right now. Just signed to Boras Basket. My summer was good, as I got to spend time with my family, travel some, and play some summer ball.

Did you see Jimmy Mckinney this summer? He hasn’t signed yet and I fear he may retire. Do you have any latest scoop on what he is up to`?

I’ve seen Jimmy a lot this summer, he’s like a big brother to me. But unfortunately for Europe and specifically German BBL fans, J Roc has chosen to retire. He is now coaching at our old high school and helping in the community with working out younger kids. Played pick up ball with him this summer and he still has it.

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Bryan Smithson (I Always Hang My Hat On My Ability To Lead On And Off The Court)

Bryan Smithson is a 31 year old 185cm point guard from Kennesaw,Georgia that completed his third season in Germany and first with the MPL Academics Heidelberg playing 28 games averaging  12.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.7apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.1%. He started his basketball career at Middle Tennessee St. (NCAA) in 2003 where he played two seasons. He then moved to NC-Asheville (NCAA) where he finished his college career and as a senior played  29 games: 16.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.1apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3Pts: 41.1%, FT: 83.5%. He played two seasons for the Kirchheim Knights in the German Pro A where he was top 5 in assists in the league the last two seasons. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball future.

 

 

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

Hey Miles, it is always a pleasure talking with you. I am currently at my home just outside of Atlanta, Ga. I have been enjoying the summer and spending time with my family.

It is September and most teams are filled and your still without a team. How surprised are you that you are still unsigned?

I am a bit surprised that I am still available on the market as most players would be. Obviously, I am excited to get started with my future team.

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Worthy De Jong (Dutch National Team) We Have To Work Our Butts Off And Believe In Our Defending Strategy Against Germany

Worthy De Jong is a 28 year old Dutch 194cm shooting guard that is currently playing with the Dutch national team in the European qualifying round. He completed his sixth season for Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (Eredivisie) playing 34 games: Score-2(16.9ppg), 6.6rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-1(2.9spg), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 69.0%; FIBA Europe Cup: 6 games: 17.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 79.2%. He will play this season for SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProB) He started his basketball career with the Rotterdam Challengers (Eredivisie). He had his best season last season playing 34 games averaging 15.0ppg, 5.9rpg, Assists-4(4.5apg), Steals-2(2.6spg), FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 74.1%. He also had a solid performance at the 2015 European Championships playing  5 games: 9.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT-2(66.7%), FT: 81.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the European qualifying game against Germany.

 

Worthy thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. The last time you played in Germany, you scored 22 points with Leiden in a 63-58 loss in Fiba Europe Cup action in Frankfurt. What memories do you have form that game?

It was a very intense game probably the best one during the FIBA Euro Cup and seeing how we played definitely one we could’ve won.

Now you are back in Germany with the Dutch national team playing Germany who are 2-0 in a Euro qualifying match. The Dutch national team have a 1-1 record having lost a close game to Austria and spanked Denmark. How happy are you with the current 1-1 record of Holland?

Well if we take a look at the first game stats we were definitely in the postion to win that game, seeing that we took about 24 more shots then them and out rebounded them too . I guess we didn’t have our day, but none the less they played a very good game.

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Chris Hass (Phoenix Hagen) ) I Absolutely Need To Mature Into A 40% Plus Shooter From Outside In The Pros

Chris Hass is a 22 year old 196cm guard from Pellston, Michigan that is starting his professional basketball career in Germany with Phoenix Hagen. He played the last four years with Bucknell(NCAA) playing a total of 102 NCAA games. As a senior he played 30 games: 17.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 82.9%. He was able to improve his scoring average each season at Bucknell(NCAA). He won the Patriot League Tournament in 2013 and was a All-Patriot League 1st Team selection in 2015 and 2016. He spoke to German Hoops after signing with Phoenix Hagen earlier this summer.

 

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

Summer has been great! I have been working on my game and just getting in shape for the upcoming season! I am currently in Troy, New York running a basketball camp for high school kids and getting ready for a big basketball tournament in Philadelphia this weekend!

Congrats on signing with Beko BBL team Phoenix Hagen. You were signed well into the summer. How was your first signing experience as a rookie. Did you have your share of offers and what did you expect coming from Bucknell and your success in terms of finding a team?

The experience was very similar to how college recruiting works but harder because you aren’t able to meet the coaches and coaching staff. And I expect to learn a lot about the way the game is played in Europe and I’m excited to help Hagen win games this season!

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