Interviews

Richard Williams (Phoenix Hagen) I Don’t Compare Myself To Previous Phoenix Hagen Point Guards But Am Just Myself

Richard Williams is a 28 year old 178cm guard that is back in the BBL having signed with Phoenix Hagen. He recently completed his first season with the Kirchheim Knights averaging 15,5ppg, 4,2apg and 8,0rpg. In the 2014-2015 season, he played for the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL): EuroChallenge: 2 games: 9.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 6.5apg, 2.0spg; German BBL: 9 games: 8.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 40.6%, 3FGP: 48.0%, FT: 70.6%, in Jan.’15 moved to SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA): 12 games: 4.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played 36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.’10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. In 2011-2012, he played for UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB) 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4(5.7apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for SC Rasta Vechta playing 38 games: 15.6ppg, 5.2rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 79.9%. In the 2013-2014 season for Vechta he played 34 games: 14.6ppg, 4.7rpg, 4.4apg, Steals-3(1.9spg), FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 82.7%. He spoke to German Hoops after signing with Phoenix Hagen earlier this summer.

Thanks Richie for talking to German HoopsIn our last interview at the end of the season you had talked about going to Miami and some pics popped up of you in Austria. So where are you at the moment and how has your summer progressed since the last time we talked?

Everything has been going well. I’m in Austria right now preparing for this upcoming season.

After a very strong Pro A season last season with Kirchheim where you led the league for the second time in assists, how was the off season transfer period? Did you get more BBL offers than you might have expected or was it more minimal?

I didn’t have any expectations this summer is terms of offers. I went into this summer just wanting to weigh my options and capitalize on the best opportunity.

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Jordan Theodore (Banvit Basketbol Kulubu) I Cried After Winning The Fiba Europe Cup Title

Jordan Theodore is a 26 year old 182cm point guard from Englewood, New Jersey that will commence his fifth professional season with Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-BSL). Last season he had his most successful season as a professional winning the FIBA Europe Cup with the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL) playing 37 games: 14.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.1%; FIBA Europe Cup: 18 games: 14.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 90.2%. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Seton Hall (NCAA) where he played until 2012 playing a total of 127 NCAA games and as a senior played 32 games averaging 16.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 6.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 82.7%. In 2012, he started his professional career with Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye (Turkey-TBL) playing 29 games averaging 15.8ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-for Mersin Buyuksehir Belediyesi (Turkey-TBL) playing 27 games averaging 12.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 73.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for JL Bourg Basket (France-ProA, starting five): 17 games: 12.7ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-2(6.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 21.6%, FT: 87.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about his successful season with the Fraport Skyliners and future in Turkey.

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

I am in Englewood, New Jersey and just kicking back and enjoying my time with family and friends. I had a very long season in Europe and just want to take in as much time with everyone. I missed them so much. I didn´t take a vacation, because I wouldn´t be able to take them since they don´t like to fly.

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Eric Thompson (ETB Wohnbau Baskets) Defense Is Number One In My Book At The End Of Every Game

Eric Thompson is a 23 year old 203cm forward from Detroit, Michigan that is starting his professional career in Germany with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets. He started his basketball career with Saddleback JC. He then moved to Pacific (NCAA) and as a junior played 31 games averaging 8.2ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 52.4%, FT: 60.8%. As a senior he played 12 games averaging 9.9ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 57.6%, FT: 62.3%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

I’m currently still in California training and my summer has been going well I feel like I’ve been getting stronger every day.

Congrats on signing with German team ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. This was your first experience at the transfer market and you were signed well into the summer. With what expectations did you go into this process?

I had little knowledge but not a lot. Therefore my agent really helped me out throughout this process.

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One On One With Curtis Allen

Curtis Allen is a 29 year old 193cm guard from Long Beach that has been a professional basketball player for seven seasons. He played at three schools starting with Kansas State from 2004-2006 where he played 43 NCAA games, ORU (NCAA) and Lewis-Clark St. (NAIA) where as a senior he averaged 16.8ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 63.6%. In 2009 he started his professional basketball career with the Music City Stars (ABA). In the 2010-2011 season he played for Voru KK (Estonia-KML) playing 11 games: 19.1ppg, 10.5rpg, 2.8apg, 2.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 70.3%. In the 2011-2012 season he played for BK Inter Bratislava (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 13 games: 11.8ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 20.5%, FT: 70.6%; in Dec.’11 moved to U.M.F. Tindastoll (Iceland-Express League) playing 16 games: 16.9ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.8apg, Steals-2(2.8spg), FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 69.6%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for BK Iskra Svit (Slovakia-Extraliga): 15 games: 14.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.2apg, Steals-4(1.9spg), FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 27.1%, FT: 64.2%, left in Jan.’13, in Feb.’13 moved to Levharti Chomutov (Czech Republic-NBL, starting five): 15 games: 15.6ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.1apg, Steals-4(1.9spg), FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.0%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Al Morog (Libya-D1). In the 2014-2015 season he played for KB Trepca Mitrovice (Kosovo-SuperLeague), left shortly, then moved to Slavia TU Kosice (Slovakia-1.Liga): 11 games: 18.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.6apg, 2.1spg, 2FGP: 66.3%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 77.0%. Last season he played for Itzehoe Eagles (Germany-ProB): 11 games: 5.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 31.1%, 3PT: 15.0%, FT: 59.1%, left in Jan.’16, then moved to BBC Lausanne (Switzerland-LNB): 8 games: 16.4ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.3apg, 3.1spg, 2FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 58.1%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to interview me. At the moment I am in LA enjoying my summer, balancing spending time with my family and working out.

You have played six seasons in Europe and there were some years where you got signed very late into the season at times in the second half. Do you sense like this could be one of those seasons once again where you will be at home waiting for the phone to ring than getting on a plane soon to get back to Europe?

Every year I believe that I am going back to Europe in August. I train as if I am leaving in August every offseason. I always try to think positive even in the worst situation.

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Lorenzo Williams (I’m Very Confident That I Can Have A Major Impact On A BBL Team)

Lorenzo Williams is a 31 year old 187cm point guard that recently completed his second season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven playing 22 games and averaging 5.6ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 73.7%. He was born in Arkansas, but grew up in Texas. He played at Rice University from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 29 games averaging 9.1ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3Pts: 34.6%, FT: 71.4%. He was drafted by the Anaheim Arsenal in 2007, but decided to come to Europe and played in Germany for BC Groer Recycling Weissenhorn, but left during the season, in March 2008 and moved to Skanska Pezinok (Slovakia-Extraliga). In 2008-2009, he played in Slovakia for AB Cosmetics Pezinok playing 28 games: Score-2(20.8ppg), 3.2rpg, Assists-2(5.8apg), 1.8spg, 2FGP: 62.3%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 83.9%. In the 2009-2010 season, he came to Germany and played for the Giessen 46ers playing 25 games: 11.4ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 67.2%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Zalakeramia-ZTE KK (Hungary-A Division, starting five): 19 games: 15.6ppg, 3.3rpg, Assists-1(7.3apg), 2.5spg, FGP: 65.2%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%, in Feb.’11 moved to Khimik-OPZ Yuzny (Ukraine-Superleague, starting five): 15 games: 9.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 24.3%, FT: 87.5%. He then played two seasons for Atomeromu SE Paks (Hungary-A Division). In the 2013-2014 season he played for BK Ventspils (Latvia-LBL) winning the league championship playing 24 games: 11.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 82.4%; EuroChallenge: 11 games: 10.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.4apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 22.6%, FT: 73.0%; Baltic League: 16 games: 9.8ppg, 3.4rpg, Assists-4(4.4apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 72.7% In the 2014-2015 season he came to the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-BBL) palying 28 games averaging 10.7ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-3(5.9apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 88.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Im currently at home in Houston, Texas preparing for the upcoming season. My summer has been great. My wife and I recently bought a new home and we are enjoying time with our son and family.

Teams are filling up everywhere and your still unsigned. Are you getting a little nervous about finding a team for this season?

A little bit but I feel that over the course of my career I have shown that I can compete at a high level. So I just focus on the process which is Working out and preparing myself for the next opportunity.

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K.K Simmons (Licher Basket Baeren) Shooting Is What I Do But An Assist Is Just As Important For Me

K.K Simmons is a 23 year old 190cm combo guard from Marietta, Georgia that will start his professional career with German Pro B team Licher Basket Baeren. He played at three schools with NC-Wilmington (NCAA), Kent St. (NCAA) and Pikeville (NAIA). Last season he finished his college basketball career with Pikeville (NAIA) playing 31 games and averaging 16.4ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 78.5%. Simmons is an amazing shooter and shot 48% from outside in his junior season at Pikeville, but can also mix it up getting to the hole. In his first season with Pikeville, he played 25 games averaging 20.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 48.9%, FT: 78.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Currently I’m in Atlanta Georgia. Where it all started for me. I grew up here and played high school and AAU ball here. My summer has been going extremely well so far. I been traveling a lot of places seeing family along with getting some good workouts in along the way. I been to Los Angeles, California. Las Vegas, Nevada. Orlando, Florida and many more. Great way for me to visit family and friends along with handling business and getting my work in.

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RJ Price (Dresden Titans) My Biggest Strength Is Just My Feel For The Flow Of The Game

RJ Price is a 23 year old 180cm guard from Richmond, Virginia that will be starting his professional career in Germany with Pro A team Dresden Titans. He played at Radford from 2011-2015 playing a total of 129 NCAA games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 12.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 68.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

RJ congrats on signing with German Pro B team Dresden Titans. You finished at Radford after an illustrious four year career and aren´t starting your professional career until now. Was there ever a doubt that you might never find a team?

Of course there was some doubt. But I just stayed positive and once I got a change in agents things opened up very quick for me

Wasn´t there a chance to have played some semi-pro ball last season? How involved were you able to stay involved with basketball in the last year?
Yes, I played about half the season with Richmond Elite in the ABA. They knew my situation and allowed me to play with them.

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Jefferson Mason Retires(I Tried My Best To Make Every Fan Feel Special And Smile As Much As I Could)

Jefferson Mason is a 28 year old 198cm guard from Crystal Minnesota that has decided to hang up his sneakers and retire from professional basketball.He played his first three seasons of college ball at N.Colorado (NCAA) playing a total of 58 NCAA games. He then played at Minnesota State-Mankato (NCAA2) from 2009-2011 and in his senior year he played 33 games: 19.2ppg, 8.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FG%: 55.5, 3FG%: 30.6, FT%: 70.0. He started his professional basketball career in Germany for the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn (Germany-Pro A) playing 31 games: 17.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 65.8%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Frisco Texas Legends (D-League): 1 game: 2pts, 2rbs, in Dec.’12 moved to CSU Atlassib Sibiu (Romania-Division A), left in Dec.’12: 4 games: 8.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, in Jan.’13 signed at Al-Tadamoun (Iraq-D1). In the 2013-2014 season he played for AB Contern (Luxembourg-Total League) playing 29 games averaging 19.6ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 56.0%. His last professional season was with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-ProB) playing 4 games averaging 10.8ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.0apg, 1.3spg. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.

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

I am currently living in Minneapolis, MN and my summer has been great. I have been able to stay active playing basketball in the Pro Am League here in Minneapolis this summer. I have also been busy training and also working for Dr. Dish!

My first thought was when you contacted me saying you had officially retired from professional basketball was “boy your still so young”. Then I looked closer and saw your last professional game was in October 2014. Did you still have thoughts the last two years to continue to play the game that you love?

Yes you are correct, I am young and I did decide to retire young. I think that it was something that came out of nowhere for me, especially since I am young and in my prime. For me basketball was always a gateway to moving forward and opening up opportunities. I was fortunate enough to receive several opportunities here in Minneapolis the past 2 years. One being the opportunity to work at Dr. Dish and really stand behind something I believe in!

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Timajh Parker Rivera (SSV Lok Bernau) I Want To Develop My Game So I Can Be Effective At Multiple Positions

Timajh Parker Rivera is a 22 year old 203cm forward from Milford, Conneticut that will be starting his professional basketball career with SSV Lok Bernau. He played four years at Towson(NCAA) playing a total of 128 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 6.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.1%, FT: 50.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

I have been in Washington DC all summer working out with Jerelle Benimon who played in China last season and is on the radar of multiple NBA teams . We have been working out every day along with enjoying concerts and other events on weekends.

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Yannick Anzuluni (Phoenix Hagen) I Have Never Been So Excited To Start A Season In My Life

Yannick Anzuluni is a 28 year old 205cm forward from Ottawa, Canada that also has the Congo citizenship. He signed back in Germany with BBL team Phoenix Hagen and recently finished his sixth professional season with Umea BSKT (Sweden-Basketligan) playing 32 games: Score-5(17.5ppg), Reb-4(8.6rpg), 2.3apg, Steals-1(2.4spg), 1.0bpg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 84.5%. He played at Houghton(NAIA) from 2006-2010. He played his first two seasons as a professional with Quebec Kebs (Canada-PBL). In the 2012-2013 season he played for the Solarto Eagles Magdeburg (Germany-Regionalliga)21 games: 17.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 4.2apg, 3.0spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 50.2%, 3Pts: 27.4%, FT: 80.2%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Pyrinto Tampere (Finland-Korisliiga): 1 game: 15pts, 5reb, 1ast, 5steals; Baltic League: 20 games: 8.0ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 63.2%, played mostly at Pyrinto Tampere II (Finland-1st Division): 28 games: Score-1(24.4ppg), Reb-3(13.9rpg), Assists-5(3.4apg), Steals-1(2.6spg), FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 80.9%. Two seasons ago he played with the Rostock Seawolves playing 32 games: Score-3(21.0ppg), 8.1rpg, 4.2apg, Steals-1(3.2spg), FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 80.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Hey Miles I´m doing well thank you, I am currently in Toronto,Canada and my summer has been great catching up with family and just training every day and enjoying the Euros.

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