Interviews

Mikko Koivisto (Finnish National Team) 2017 Could Be The Year Where We Have Our Best Eurobasket Yet

Mikko Koivisto is a 29 year old 194cm shooting guard that currently is playing with the Finish national team. He started his basketball career with Rekolan Urheilijat Vantaa (1st Division) in 2003 before venturing to the States in 2004 where he played at Holy Cross Regional High School in Lynchburg, VA for two years and then played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2006-2010 playing a total of 118 NCAA games and as a senior played 29 games averaging 8.6ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 32.9%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 83.6%. He returned back to Europe in 2010 and played in his native Finland with Torpan Pojat Helsinki (Korisliiga) and Nilan Bisons Loimaa (Korisliiga) for the next four seasons. He also played briefly with Royal Hali Gaziantep (Turkey-TBL). Two seasons ago he played with the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL): 15 games: 5.5ppg, 1.4rpg, FGP: 22.2%, 3PT: 38.1%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 2.7ppg, 1.2apg. Last season he played with the Bisons Loimaa (Korisliiga): VTB League: 16 games: 7.5ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 21.4%, 3PT: 39.3%; VTB United League: 16 games: 7.5ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 21.4%, 3FGP: 39.3%; Finnish Korisliiga: 15 games: 6.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 42.9%, 3FGP: 36.1%, FT: 66.7%, in Feb.’16 moved to Karhu Kauhajoki (Korisliiga): 12 games: 7.4ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 80.0%, 3PT: 46.7%. He spoke to German Hoops during the Super Cup weekend in Ulm.

Mikko thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. This will be your second time to Ulm. What do you remember most about your last time in the Ulm arena? The atmosphere of the crowd or the Fraport Skyliners win and Danilo Barthel 15 point 10 rebound explosion?

Hello! For sure I remember the atmosphere in the arena. It was loud in there. We came up with a really good road win. Also it was one of the games I played with a broken thumb so pretty painful memory also.

What will be the first thing that you will ask ex teammate Johannes Voigtmann when you see him again on the court in Ulm? Possibly why he can´t grow a beard like German national teammate Danilo Barthel of FC Bayern Munich?

I saw Big Jo and Danilo in Finland couple weeks ago. It was great to see them again. On the court I just need to make sure they don’t score against me. In Finland I got switched into guarding Jo but luckily he missed his shot! I made sure to let him know that it was because of my defense.

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Mike Taylor (Polish National Coach) The Super Cup Will Be A Special Moment When My Past Of Ulm And My Present Of Poland Connect

Mike Taylor is in his 16th season as a professional coach and currently head coach of the Polish national team and preparing the team for the Euro 2017 qualifying round. He is the son of Dick Taylor who was an NCAA coach and assistant with the New York Knicks. Mike Taylor started his coaching career in 2001 with Chemnitz (Germany-2.Bundesliga). In 2002-2003, he got valuable experience in the UK with the Essex Leopards London (United Kingdom). In 2003, he started to coach for ratiopharm Ulm leading them into the Beko BBL in 2006 and Beko BBL playoffs in 2009 before leaving in 2011. He had a record of 101-15 in four years of second Bundesliga basketball. He also has coached Kansas Cagerz (USBL) in the summer time as well as being an assistant for the Czech national team. In 2011 he made the jump back to the states and was an assistant for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers(D-League). He then was head coach of the Boston Celtics D League team Maine Red Claws and they reached the playoffs for the first time in team history. He spoke to German Hoops before Poland played at the Super Cup in Ulm, Germany.

Thanks Mike for talking to German Hoops again. Before we get to our combined love basketball, I want to ask you what is more difficult changing a diaper for you or for opposing big men to deny a John Bryant the ball in the post?

Both are challenging in their own way. Fortunately John Bryant was always on my team so I have always drawn up plays for him. My wife Alice would tell you that I am much better at changing defenses than changing diapers but that is a time when there is no problem doing the dirty work.

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Preston Medlin (Kirchheim Knights)Every Time I Step On The Court I Have Something To Prove But This Year I Might Have A Little More To Prove

Preston Medlin is a 25 year old 193cm guard that will be starting 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 about basketball.

. Congrats on signing with German Pro A team Kirchheim Knights. After a strong rookie season in Latvia, you had your second season cut short in Greece. How much do you feel as if your still coming out of your rookie season now and looking to make a new step in Germany.

Thanks for welcoming me to Germany, I am very excited to get to Kirchheim and experience German culture. Even though my season was cut short in Greece I still feel that I was able to work hard and still get better as a player so I feel that I have improved my game even though I didn’t get a whole season in.

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Jervon Pressley (Dresden Titans) It’s Not Always About Scoring To Be A Star But Contributing In Other Ways To Keep You A Factor And Have Winning Success

Jervon Pressley is a 20 year old 203cm forward from Charlotte, North Carolina that will be starting his professional career in Germany with the Dresden Titans. He started his basketball career in 2011 with Towson (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 3.6ppg, 3.0rpg. In 2013 he moved to Hampton (NCAA) playing 21 games averaging 6.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 43.8%, FT: 56.9%. In his junior year he played 32 games averaging 6.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 44.3%, FT: 54.5%. As a senior he played 27 games averaging 6.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 46.7%, FT: 53.2%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier this summer about basketball.

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

Hi, I’m currently in Hampton Virginia, taking this Spanish 2 class to complete my curriculum for my degree

Congrats on signing with German Pro A team Dresden Titans. The love that you have gotten via the social media has been immense. Did you even know that you had so many friends who really appreciated your play?

Yes I knew I had a big support system behind me, but not as many as I’m seeing like pictures and leaving comments lol.

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Brian Fisher (I Feel Like I Could Go Anywhere In The World Right Now And Produce Right Away)

Brian Fisher is a 28 year old 191cm guard from Atlanta. He gained his first basketball experience with Winston Salem (NCAA) where he played from 2006-2010 playing a total of 112 NCAA games. As a senior he played 28 games averaging 10.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 35.9%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 65.2%. As a professional he has gained experience with teams like Atlanta Blaze (WBA), CS Municipal Bucuresti (Romania-Division A),CS Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania-Liga Nationala), Georgia Spartans (UBA), Kouvot Kouvola) and Korikouvot Kouvola (Finland-1st Division). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Thank you, it’s a pleasure to speak with you! I am currently in Atlanta, Georgia working hard preparing for next season. My summer has been great so far. I have made some big improvements this summer!

Technically you have been a professional since 2010, but played only three full seasons. Has the job market just been very brutal to you over the last years or have other factors come into play?

Yes, the job market is very competitive. There were some other factors early in my career that affected it as well. I took some time to finish my college degree after my last year playing in college and the following year the NBA lockout took place so it made things very difficult early. Plus, there are a lot of players looking to play. A lot of guys who can really play and deserve a chance get overlooked.

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Ken Horton (The BBL Made Me Elevate My Game And Made Me 100 Times More Hungrier)

Ken Horton is a 26 year old 199cm forward from Ossining, New York that recently completed his fourth professional season with medi Bayreuth playing 34 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 89.5% In the 2014-2015 season he tore up the league in Finland playing for Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) winning the league title and playing 55 games averaging 16.2ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 86.8%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 17.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 76.3%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 87.5%. He started his basketball career with Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) in 2007 and as a senior played 28 games averaging 19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.7apg, 2.1spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2012 with SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProB): 16 games: 12.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 62.5%, 3FGP: 25.8%, FT: 75.9%, in Mar.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A): 2 games: 12.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg. IN the 2013-2014 season he played for teams Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP)playing 16 games: and averaging 17.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 59.1%, 3FGP: 24.1%, FT: 87.0% and Ballarat Miners (Australia-SEABL) playing18 games averaging 19.6ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, Blocks-2(9.7bpg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 39.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Thanks for having me. My summer has been great. I Just got married in July so now me and my wife are here in New York.

It´s very late into the summer transfer market and your still unsigned. In the last years you were signed on time. Is there anything different this summer that has held you back to signing with a team?

Yea it is late into the summer. In the past I have always been signed in around June maybe Mid July. I don’t think its been anything specific I just don’t think the right situation has come along.

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Louis Darby (Coach Krunic Told Me You Can Play Until Your 39 Don’t Stop Playing Ever So I Am Ready To Help Any Team

Louis Darby is a 32 year old 196cm guard from Pacoima, California that recently completed his ninth professional season and first with German Beko BBL team Mitteldeutscher BC where he played 14 games averaging 7.7ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 64.0%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 87.9%. He played most of his professional career in Romania with CS Energia Rovinari Targu Jiu winning the Romanian cup in 2015 and played a total of 181 league games and last season helped the team march to the Eurochallenge final four playing 14 games averaging 10.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 86.1%. In the Romanian division A last season he played 28 games: 13.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 86.2%. He also had experience early in his professional career playing for Al Wahda Damascus (Syria-D1)and the Carlsbad Beach Dawgs (WCBL). He started his basketball career in 2003 with Long Beach St. (NCAA) until 2007 playing a total of 99 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 5.3ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 46.4%, 3Pts: 34.8%, FT: 69.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Right now I am in California. Working /working out staying in shape.

We are deep in the dog days of summer and your still unsigned. Do you feel like it gets harder now finding that right new situation as you get older?

I still have not found a team yet. My agent is in talks with teams but still nothing concrete right now.

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Jordan Richard (The Shot Blocking Wizard Looking To Return Back To Europe)

Jordan Richard is a 27 year old 206cm forward from San Bernadino, California that has been a professional basketball player since 2013. Currently he is playing with Soles de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic-LNB) where he has played 14 games averaging 15,0ppg, 9,2rpg, 1,2apg and 3,9 blocks per game. He also has gained professional basketball experience with teams like Hopsi Polzela (Slovenia-Telemach League), Elitzur Ramla (Israel-National League), Bawer Matera (Italy-A2 Silver), Reno Bighorns (D-League), and Darkhan Garid (Mongolia-Superliga). He played college ball with teams like Cal.St.-San Bernar. (NCAA2) and CS Los Angeles (NCAA2). He spoke to German Hoops while playing in the Dominican Republic.

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

German Hoops, thank you for having me and for the opportunity to interview with you. The summer has been excellent so far – I went from working out, playing in the Drew League to playing for Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

You have been playing in the Dominican Republic this summer for Soles de Santo Domingo. In only three and a half professional seasons you have been in Europe to places like Slovenia, Israel, Italy and Mongolia. Do you already feel a little like a basketball globetrotter?

I don’t feel like a basketball globetrotter at all. I was introduced to the overseas lifestyle early on by my mom and my father, Larry Richard, who played overseas professionally when I was younger. He was fortunate to play in Turkey his whole career for Fenerbache and Efes Pilson, two historic teams, in the EuroLeague. He told me that being away from home is part of the grind of overseas basketball and to embrace seeing all parts of the world because it is something that most people don’t get the opportunity to do.

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Julian Gamble (Telekom Baskets Bonn) My Goal Production Wise Will Not Change But Ultimately I Want To Win

Julian Gamble is a 26 year old 207cm power forward/center from Durham, North Carolina that will be starting his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He started his basketball career at Miami(NCAA) in 2008 and played there until 2013 playing a total of 127 games. In 2013 he started his professional career with Saint Vallier Basket Drome (France-ProB): 44 games: 16.3ppg, Reb-3(9.0rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, Blocks-1(1.5bpg), FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 10.0%, FT: 62.9%. In 2014 he moved to the Basic-Fit Brussels (Belgium-Scooore League) playing 25 games: 17.0ppg, Reb-3(7.6rpg), 1.4apg, 1.1spg, Blocks-1(1.6bpg), FGP: 57.0%, FT: 69.2%. Last season he remained with the Basic-Fit Brussels (Belgium-Scooore League) playing 36 games: Score-5(16.6ppg), Reb-2(8.3rpg), 1.3apg, 1.5spg, Blocks-1(1.9bpg), FGP: 60.8%, FT: 68.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after signing with the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

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

I am currently in Knightdale, North Carolina and my summer has been nothing short of amazing. I recently got married shortly after the birth of my first son, so it has been a summer full of great life moments. Other than that just working out and enjoying family, because I know how fast the summer goes before its time to go back to work.

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Dwight Anderson (EN Baskets Schwelm) My Game Consists Of Getting My Teammates Shots And Then Things Will Start Opening Up For Me To Score The Ball

Dwight Anderson is a 185cm guard from Minneapolis, Minnesota that will be starting his professional career in Germany with the EN Baskets Schwelm. He began with his basketball career in 2012 with Gillette CC (JUCO). He moved to Georgia Coll(NCAA2) in 2014 and as a senior played 29 games averaging14.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 50.7%, FT: 75.9%.He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Good morning eurobasket, at the moment I am in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My summer has consisted of basketball and working a part time job with youths who are out past their curfews and would get sent to our program “180 degress”.

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