Interviews

Kyle Wiggins (Division Two Players Can Compete Against Anyone In The World But We Just Need The Opportunity)

Kyle Wiggins is a 190cm guard from Leavenworth, Kansas that recently completed his college career at Washburn(NCAA2).As a senior he played 17 games averaging  13.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 72.6%. In 2012 he won the MIAA tournament with Washburn. He recently spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

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

Thank you for the opportunity. My early summer has been great. I’ve been constantly working out preparing myself for any opportunity that comes my way. At the moment I am trying to find a good agent to represent me to start my professional career and staying ready and hungry is what I’ve been focused on.

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Tre Bennett (KTP Basket Kotka) I’m A Bit Underrated As An Athlete But I’m A High Flyer And Can Catch Alleys With Ease

Tre Bennett is a 23 year old 178cm guard from Houston, Texas that will start his professional career in Finland with KTP. He played at three colleges at Lamar St.CC (JUCO), Indiana St. (NCAA) and Angelo St. (NCAA2). He finished his college career at Angelo St. (NCAA2) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 17.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 5.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 87.8%. He was a LSC Tournament Finalist and NCAA 2 Sweet 16 competitor in 2016. There was a mishap recently where German club Bayer Giants Leverkusen announced he had signed with them, but in reality he will play in Finland. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thanks Tre for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying the time since the end of your college career?

I’m currently in Houston Texas, my hometown. I’m enjoying my time since season has been over. Just been working out and hanging with friends and family while I’m in town

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Cardell Mcfarland (I´m Doing The Steps Necessary To Get In The Right Position To Play At The Ultimate Level In Europe

Cardell Mcfarland is a 28 year old 182cm point guard from Evansville, Indiana that just finished his fourth professional season and first for the Bristol Academy Flyers (United Kingdom-BBL): 24 games: 17.6ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.8apg), FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 66.7%. He started his basketball career at Missouri State and then played his last two seasons for  Ky Wesleyan (NCAA2). As a rookie he played for CS Farul Constanta (Romania-Division A): 7 games: 12.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 88.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for the Giants Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB), playing 18 games: Score-2(23.8ppg), 3.1rpg, Assists-2(5.6apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 65.3%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 72.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he remained in Germany playing for the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-Pro B) playing 20 games averaging 18.9ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-3(5.5apg), 1.5spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 71.2% He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

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

I’m currently back home in Evansville, Indiana working out and spending time with family. Been home for 3 weeks now andI’m really enjoying it.

This past season you played your first season in the UK for Bristol Academy Flyers (United Kingdom-BBL). What overall experience was it for you playing in a new country?

Playing in the UK was an easy adjustment from the culture side of things it’s very similar to America and speaking the same language is always a plus. The BBL is a league on the rise I see a very bright future for the league. The league is very athletic & physical.

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One On One With George Filkinis

George P. Filkinis is a FIBA certified Basketball Coach from Athens, Greece and well known as a master of the “Running Basketball” , as his teams are always distinguished particularly by the extreme speed of development and execution of their offense. His way of offensive basketball was influenced by the presence at Loyola Marymount University of his mentor coach Paul Westhead.
He is also considered as a defensive “genius” , as he eminently uses complex and pressing defenses with “traps”,  multiple and consecutive rotations that confuse and overwhelm the opponent.
Besides , it is no coincidence the fact that his personal record in 686 official games , is 483 (70,4 %) wins and 203 (29,6%) defeats , while having conquered 11 (eleven) championships at all levels as a head coach and 6 (six) as assistant coach and defensive coordinator. With coach Filkinis we had a really interesting conversation for the friends of  eurobasket.com.

I want first of all your opinion on the recent controversy between FIBA and Euroleague and the World Federation’s decision to punish the National Teams of the countries which will participate in competitions of the Euroleague.

Thanks a lot for the hospitality Miles and for the opportunity to contact with many friends and basketball fans both in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. In response to your question I think that it is legally unfounded the threat of FIBA against the federations of the countries whose teams chose to play in the Eurocup than in the Champions League. Teams should have the freedom to choose in which organization they will participate and I do not think that this kind of extortion eventually will benefit the sport. I believe that this rivalry comes from personal ambitions and will create bigger problems in European basketball, as well as degrading it rather than to enhance it. As a fan of the basketball initially and then as a professional I wish to prevail logic, to lower the controversies and to find a solution to ensure the sport’s progress and not its dwindling.

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Dashaun Wood (If I Were To Return To Frankfurt I Probably Would Have To Play For Less)

Dashaun Wood is a 30 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that just completed his eighth professional season with Cholet(France Pro A) playing 18 games averaging 12,7ppg, 2,1rpg and 4,8apg. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA) playing 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. In 2010-2011, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. He played for Alba Berlin from 2011-2013. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-ProA) 26 games: 14.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 81.2%; Eurocup: 8 games: 16.4ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 46.6%, FT: 93.3%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Tofas Bursa (Turkey-TBL) averaging 14,4ppg, 2,6rpg and 4,1apg.  He spoke to German Hoops about basketball from his hometown Detroit.

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

I have been home in Detroit for about three weeks now. I have been spending a lot of time with my family and friends. I also have begun to work out a lot sooner than I usually do during the summer.

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Luke Loucks (I Want To Improve My Ability To Look For Myself Occasionally In A Scoring Mentality Rather Than Always Looking For The Next Best Pass

Luke Loucks is a 25 year old 196cm guard from Clearwater, Florida that completed his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-ProA). He started his basketball career with Florida St. (NCAA) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 136 NCAA games. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2011 and as a senior played 35 games averaging 7.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 70.8%. In 2012 he started his professional season with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL): VTB League: 6 games: 1.5ppg; VTB United League: 6 games: 1.5ppg; Latvian LBL: 4 games: 1.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 5.3apg, in Jan.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A) playing 11 games: 10.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 6.4apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 76.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he played with the Kangoeroes Basket Willebroek (Belgium-Ethias League): 26 games: 10.3ppg, 3.3rpg, Assists-2(4.7apg), FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 77.9%. Last season he played with the t Erie Bay Hawks (D-League): 10 games: 4.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.4apg, in Feb.’15 moved back to Maine Red Claws (D-League): 9 games: 2.4ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.2apg. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

 

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

Miles, as always, thanks for taking the time to interview me. I am currently living in Tallahassee, FL and spending some time back at Florida State University working out where I played in college. My summer has been going great so far.

Your season ended at the end of March. Has the time from then until now felt like an eternity or has the time away from games flown by?

The offseason always seems to go quick so time has flown by up to this point. I am trying to work my tail off this summer to be prepared for my next season in Europe.

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Alex Foster (RheinStars) When I Got To Germany All I Could Do Was Shoot But Coach Woltmann Helped Me Develop More Abilities Which Make Me A Better All-Around Player

Alex Foster is a 23 year old 203cm forward that grew up in Portland, Oregon and also has the German citizenship and completed his professional rookie season in Germany with the RheinStars(Germany-ProA). He played at Emory (NCAA3) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 108 NCAA3 games and as a senior played 20.1ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 79.8%. He was able to improve his scoring and rebounding average each season. He spoke to German Hoops after the season ended before getting a contract extension.

Thanks Alex for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your early summer vacation?

I’m back in my hometown, Portland, Oregon. After my season finished, my girlfriend and I did some traveling. We went to Greece and then saw some friends and family in the US South, both of which were really nice. I already miss my team in Cologne though!

The German Pro A season has been over for you since many weeks. Has this time seemed like an eternity or has it passed by quicker than say 6 weeks during your rookie season?

The offseason definitely goes by slower than the season. I stay busy with my own workouts and training, but time flies when you’re preparing for new opponents and competing on the weekends.

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Ricky Kreklow (There Was Much More Us Americans Could Have Done To Help Our Team Besides Scoring)

Ricky Kreklow is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Columbia, Missouri that completed his professional rookie season in Germany with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He comes from a sports family as his Father is head coach of the Missouri women’s volleyball team and also played 25 games for the 1980-81 NBA World Champion Boston Celtics, while mother is former head women’s volleyball coach at Missouri and current Director of Volleyball Operations. He played at three colleges in four years with Missouri as a freshman, California in his second and third seasons and with Creighton as a senior. He played a total og 98 NCAA games at the three schools and despite much movement was able to improve his scoring and rebounding average each season in the NCAA. As a senior at Creighton he played 31 games averaging 7.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 72.9%. He spoke to German Hoops at the conclusion of the season

 

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

I am currently at home in Columbia, MO. Summer has been great so far. Been training and spending time with friends and family.

Your season ended at the end of March. Has the time from then until now felt like an eternity or has the time away from games flown by?

But the time away from the game always goes by slow. You are always just waiting for your next opportunity to play again.

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Richard Williams (I Want To Win A Championship This Season)

Richard Williams is a 28 year old 178cm guard that completed his first season with the Kirchheim Knights averaging 15,5ppg, 4,2apg and 8,0rpg. He recently 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 at the end of the season.

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

My summer has been going well so far. I’m back home in San Diego enjoying the company of friends and family before I get back to work.

Your season ended in April. Has the time from then until now felt like an eternity or has the time away from games flown by?

The time away has flown by. I’ve been constantly moving since I’ve been home trying to catch up with people I haven’t seen in the past year.

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Virgil Mathews (BV Chemnitz) My Numbers May Have Been Pretty Good But I Always Feel I Can Do Better

Virgil Matthews is a 32 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that completed his second season with BV Chemnitz. Last season for BV Chemnitz he played 30 games averaging 14.3ppg, 5.7rpg, Assists-2(6.1apg), Steals-4(1.8spg), FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 71.4%He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played  31 games: 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 29 games: 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). In 2009-2010, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL, starting five): 21 games: 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL).In 2010-2011, he played his first season for Erdgas Ehingen playing 32 games: 11.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 71.3%. He would play until 2014 with Ehingen playing 126 games with three seasons in the Pro A an done in the Pro B. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

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

I’m still in Chemnitz at the moment leaving next week. Summer has been good weather has started to get better so its nice.

Your season ended in April. Has the time from then until now felt like an eternity or has the time away from games flown by?

Its really both days are long not having practice and things like that, but I’ve been keeping busy so time has also gone fast.

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