Interviews

Dan Oppland (Rent4Office) I Don’t Feel Like We Ever Reached Our Peak

Dan Oppland is a 32 year old 203cm forward that completed his second season for Rent4Office. He started his basketball career for Valparaiso (NCAA) in 2002 where he played until 2006. He started his professional basketball career in 2006 for Hanzevast Capitals Groningen (Holland). He then played in countries like Poland and Sweden before coming to Bayreuth in 2008. He then played for seasons four Allianz Swans Gmunden (Austria-A Bundesliga) where he won three titles. Two seasons ago, he played for Namika Lahti (Finland-Korisliiga) 47 games: 15.7ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.0%. Last season for Rent4Office he played 30 games averaging 8.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 52.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the season ended

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

Hello Miles. Great hearing from you. I am doing great. I have been traveling a lot lately. I was in Rome last week for four days and then the week before I was in America visiting my family for about 2 weeks. I am preparing a trip to Barcelona this weekend as well.

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 has gone by pretty fast for me since the season ended. I feel like it always goes this way in the offseason. I usually keep myself busy, so time seems to fly by.

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Tre Bowman (The Biggest Challenge Last Season Was Figuring Out How To Remain Aggressive At The Right Time

Tre Bowman is a 24 year old 196cm guard from York, Pennsylvania that completed his second professional season and first in Germany with the ETB Wohnbau baskets Essen. Last season as a rookie he played for Zornotza Saskibaloi Taldea (Spain-LEB Silver): 26 games: Score-3(16.0ppg), 3.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 82.4%. He started his basketball career in 2010 with Penn St. (NCAA) where he played 16 NCAA games. He then transferred to Iona(NCAA) and played there from 2012-2014 playing a total of 64 NCAA games and as a senior played Iona (NCAA) played 32 games averaging 13.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 40%, FT: 79.0%. Currently he is averaging 14,5ppg, 3,7rpg and 2,3apg for Essen. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

Another season is in the books as you completed your second professional season in Germany with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. After a long season how did you feel physically and mentally compared to your rookie season?

I felt really good. I trained my body hard in the offseason to prepare for a long season so mentally and physically I felt good

It was a tough season for the ETB Wohnbau Baskets as they finished in 14th place, but remained in the league. How tough was the season in general for you compared to your rookie season where you reached the semi-finals of the playoffs with Zornotza Saskibaloi Taldea (Spain-LEB Silver)?

It was very tough. Nobody likes losing. Being that we had a good enough team to make the playoffs I believed it was very disappointing.

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Lakeem Jackson (I Became More Of A Vocal Leader With The RheinStars)

Lakeem Jackson is a 24 year old 196cm forward from Charlotte, North Carolina that completed his third professional season and first in Germany with German Pro A team RheinStars. He played his first two professional seasons with BK Iskra Svit (Slovakia-SBL). He started his basketball career in 2009 with South Carolina(NCAA) where he played a total of 120 NCAA games and as a senior played 32 games averaging 7.5ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 33.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the end of the season.

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

I’m currently in Orlando, Florida. My time back home in America has been great so far.

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

It’s actually passed by faster than I would like mainly because I’ve been keeping busy since I got off the plane from Germany.

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Brandon Spearman (Gladiators Trier) We Were Able To Play At Our Full Potential In The Second Half Of The Season

Brandon Spearman is a 23 year old 190cm guard that completed his second professional season with the Gladiators Trier. He started his basketball career in 2010 for Dayton(NCAA) where he played 36 NCAA games. He then moved to Indian Hills CC (JUCO) and finished his last two seasons at Hawaii (NCAA) and as a senior played 26 games averaging 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 52.8%. Last season as a rookie he played in the German Pro B with SC Rist Wedel. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

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

Hey Miles thanks for having me. My summer has been great enjoying the offseason with my family here in Chicago.

It has been sometime since the end of the season for you and the Gladiators Trier. When you look back at the team season what school grade would you give the team for the season?

Well if this was school I would give us the highest grade possible. The season was great had a lot ups and downs but we always stuck close to each other when our backs were against the wall.

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Kruize Pinkins (I Was Allowed To Have A Leadership Type Role On The Team That Made Me Better As A Person

Kruize Pinkins is a 23 year old 201cm forward from Marianna, Florida that recently completed his rookie season with the Hebeisen White Wings. He started his basketball career at Chipola (JUCO). He then played at USF (NCAA) from 2013-2015 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 65.0% He spoke to German Hoops after the end of the season.

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

It’s been good. Just been enjoying time with family and friends. That’s always fun.

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?

Yes it has definitely flown by.

The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau finished the season in 11th place with a record of 13-17 and good enough to make the playoffs. Was this the most interesting season as a professional where the club started poorly, made a run and at the end didn´t get a rematch with Kirchheim because of an issue with the clock?

It was my first season so all of it seemed different to me. I feel like that game didn’t make a difference if we would’ve have won some of the games that we let slip away that wouldn’t have been a factor. It would’ve been nice to replay that game though for a shot at the playoffs.

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Greg Logins (BV Chemnitz) When Our Backs Were Against The Wall We All Held It Together Collectively And Took On The Challenge

Greg Logins is a 28 year old 203cm forward from Sodus, New York that recently completed his fifth professional season and first in Germany with BV Chemnitz. He started his basketball career with Canisius (NCAA) in 2007 where he played until 2011 and as a senior played 30 games: 11.8ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 78.3%. In 2011 he turned professional and played for Barreteros de Zacatecas (Mexico-LNBP): 10 games: 7.5ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 9.1%, FT: 68.4%, left in Dec.’11, then joined RST Tanger (Morocco-D1) playing 15 games: 25.3ppg, 11.6rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, 0.9bpg, 2FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 69.5%. He then played for Lappeenranta NMKY (Korisliiga) in Finland from 2012-2014. Last season he played for Fukuoka Rizing (Japan-BJ League): 30 games: 9.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 47.5%, 3FGP: 35.3%, FT: 70.6%, in Feb.’15 moved to Tapiolan Honka (Finland-Korisliiga): 10 games: 12.0ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 31.8%. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

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

Hello, no problem. It is always a pleasure to do these interview. Thanks for reaching out to me. After leaving Chemnitz, I am actually in Europe still, enjoying some time and already started some summer weight training and ball.

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?

Believe it or not, It feels like an eternity. I sit everyday searching other leagues and results and wishing that I was still playing just a little bit longer. But although it did not turn out that way, it gives me time to reflect on the season that just past, and prepare for what me an individual, need to improve.

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Bryan Smithson (I Was Able To Be A Little More Creative In My Approach To Scoring Which Made Me A Better Player)

Bryan Smithson is a 30 year old 185cm point guard from Kennesaw,Georgia that just completed his thrid season in Germany and first with the MPL Academics Heidelberg. 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. Last season for Kichheim he played 28 games: 12.0ppg, 3.4rpg, Assists-5(5.0apg), FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 88.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after the season ended.

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

Hi Miles, great to hear from you again. I am currently at home in Atlanta, Georgia enjoying the sunny weather. My summer is going very well.

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 early end to the season has been difficult for me. I enjoy being home with family and friends, but I would much rather be competing for a championship somewhere in the world. I feel like it has been an eternity since our last game.

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Drew Brandon (I Have A Lot Of Work To Do This Offseason To Become The Player I Want To Be)

Drew Brandon is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Corona, California that completed his rookie season in Germany for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He started his basketball career at Sierra College Calif. and then moved to E.Washington (NCAA) in 2013 finishing his career in 2015 and as a senior played 34 games averaging 9.7ppg, 6.9rpg, 4.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 24.7%, FT: 81.0%. He spoke to German Hoops after the season ended.

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

Welcome anytime thanks for the interview, I am back in Southern California at the moment. My summer is going good so far thanks for asking

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?

When season first ended in March time was moving so slow because your still thinking about all the things you could have done better to help extend that season but as the weeks go by you get into a workout routine to get yourself ready for the next season days are starting to fly by.

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Donald Lawson (The SC Rasta Vechta Team Was A Band Of Brothers Whom I Will Forever Remember)

Donald Lawson is a 27 year old 208cm center from Chicago that completed his sixth professional season in Germany and second with SC Rasta Vechta. He played with BV Chemnitz from 2010-2014 playing a total of 118 Pro A games and two seasons ago played 30 games: 9.7ppg, Reb-2(9.4rpg), 1.4apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-5(1.3bpg), FGP: 47.0%, FT: 56.5%. Last season for SC Rasta Vechta he played 35 games averaging 2.6ppg, 4.4rpgHe started his basketball career at W.Michigan (NCAA) from 2006-2010 playing a total of 115 NCAA games. He spoke to German Hoops after the season ended.

Thanks Donald for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on moving up to the Beko BBL. Does the fact that the team move up lessen the hurt a bit of not winning the title?

Our goal was to win the title. We had a great season, but we want to finish on top. I’m sure it will be a dog fight between us and Jena.

SC Rasta Vechta and Science City Jena split the regular season series 1-1 and no game was decided by more than five points. However in game one SC Rasta Vechta was creamed 80-54. How could a devastating loss like that happen in a playoff final game?

Jena executed their game plan perfectly. They moved the ball well and buried us early. It was hard to slow them down once they got going.

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Kyle Hines(CSKA Moscow) My Third Euroleague Title Was Definitely One Of The Toughest I Have Won In My Career

Kyle Hines is a 29 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his third season with CSKA Moscow. He is a powerful player who loves to attack the basket. Has a good 1-vs-1 game and likes to go inside. He is undersized to play the power forward, but his great wingspan (7-1) allows him to guard taller players and to intimidate. He’s also a great leaper and reads the opponent’s game well. He played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 31 games: 19.2ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 12.5%, FT: 62.8%. He was invited to play at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 3.3bpg, FGP: 78.6%, FT: 72.7%. He then had predraft workouts with Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). He then went to Europe to Italy and played with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 34 games: 16.9ppg, Reb-4(8.6rpg), 3.0spg, Blocks-2(1.8bpg), FGP-2(66.0%), FT: 58.5%. In 2009, he took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League (Oklahoma City Thunder). In 2009-2010, he stayed in Italy with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 40 games: 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, Steals-2(3.5spg), Blocks-4(1.6bpg), FGP-3(64.0%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 57.8%. He played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (New Orleans Hornets) in the summer of 2010.In 2010-2011 he played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga): Euroleague: 10 games: 12.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 64.3%, FT: 46.7%; German League: 46 games: 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP-3(61.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 52.4%. He won the double with Bamberg. He played for Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1) from 2011-2013 winning two Euroleague titles. He spoke to German Hoops for the fifth time this season a few days after winning the 2016 Euroleague title against Fenerbahce 101-96.

Congrats Kyle on winning the 2016 Euroleague final 101-96 in OT against Fenerbahce Istanbul!!!Was winning this title one of the most difficult in your career?

My third Euroleague Title was definitely one of the toughest titles I have won in my career. Especially after all the disappointment CSKA Moscow went through the last two seasons with losing in the Final 4. To bounce back after that and finally win again and rewrite the history books was a great feeling.

What were you personally going through in your mind in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter where a seemingly sure win was dwindling away?

There was a lot of anxiety going through my mind. We were thinking and focusing on what we could do to just win the game. We were discouraged having lost the big lead and just wanted to do enough to get the win. We made some big plays that got us to the OT. That gave us a second life and at that point we were very confident that we could pull out the win.

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