Interviews

Martinis Woody Wants Another Chance

Martinis Woody is a 33 year old 201cm forward from South Carolina that recently completed his sixth professional season and third with TV Langen. He played at Benedict(NCAA2) and turned professional in 2009 and played for NOMA Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 12 games: 20.8ppg, 11.8rpg, 2.2bpg, 1.6spg, 1.5apg, FGP: 60.9%, FT: 64.9%. In 2010-2011 he played for CRE Eagles Itzehoe (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 21 games: 18.5ppg. In 2011-2012 he played for SSV Lokomotive Bernau (Germany-ProB) playing 27 games: 16.3ppg, Reb-3(10.6rpg), 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.6. He moved to TV Langen in 2012-2013 and has been a top forward in the Pro B for the last three seasons. Last season with TV Langen he played 27 games averaging 13.0ppg, 9.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 68.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball

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

I’m currently home in Greenville SC.

It is fast approaching August and the new season is quickly approaching, but you still are unsigned. Are you getting nervous about still not being signed?

Not nervous God has a plan just waiting to see who need a great big man down low.

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Courtney Belger (Itzehoe Eagles) My Hungry Underdog Mentality Gives Me An Edge On The Court

Courtney Belger is a 25 year old 187cm guard from St Louis that recently finished his second professional season with TV Ibbenbuehren (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 21 games and averaging 23.7ppg, 7.5rpg, Assists-4(6.7apg), Steals-2(3.5spg), FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 75.2%. He started his basketball career at Quincy (NCAA2) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 113 NCAA 2 games. As a senior he played 27 games averaging 11.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 10.5%, FT: 72.0%. He improved his scoring and rebounding average each season. He will play in the German Pro B next season for Itzehoe. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Courtney thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer?

I am currently in Quincy, Illinois where I went to school living with my girlfriend. This has been one of the most ideal type of summers for me.

You recently signed with the Izehoe Eagles of the German Pro B after two successful seasons with Ibbenbueren. How difficult was it making this decision to leave a place that was your second home?

Whenever you return to a place and think about playing a third year, it’s always tough to leave. I had no problem with Ibbenbueren except I wanted to try to play in pro b. If I had stayed in the Regionalliga than Ibbenbueren would have been my first choice to come back.

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Diante Watkins (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I’m More Than Confident I Can Make The Jump To The Pro A

Diante Watkins is a 24 year old 174cm point guard that will be playing his fourth professional season with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He started his basketball career in 2009 with Daley CC (JUCO): 28 games: 26.5ppg, 5.8apg, 2.7rpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 44%, 3Pts: 38%, FT: 86%. He then played two seasons with Robert Morris (NAIA) and as a senior played 27 games: 24.4ppg, 7.4apg, 3.0rpg, 2.1spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3Pts: 38.9%, FT: 82.7%. In 2013-2014 he started his professional basketball career with SC Rist Wedel where he played 30 games averaging 16.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 86.9%. He improved his play this season with SC Rist Wedel playing 32 games: Score-2(21.3ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-1(6.8apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 87.4%. He cleaned up the Eurobasket awards winning Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Honorable Mention -14, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Player of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Guard of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Import Player of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -15, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -15. He spoke to German Hoops after getting signed by the Bayer Giants Leverkusen.

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

Right now I’m in Chicago training and enjoying my family and friends! My birthday just passed two days ago I had a nice time so my summer is going great!

What has been your coolist summer experience on and off the court?

The coolest part has to be when I went to Las Vegas for vacation, it was a great time of relaxing! On the court has to be playing in the summer tournaments in Chicago, nothing like Chicago basketball it’s so competitive! And of course signing ProA.

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Braydon Hobbs (Giessen 46ers) I Wanted To Play With Giessen Because Of How They Carried Themselves On The Court

Braydon Hobbs is a 24 year old 196cm point guard that just completed his third professional season and first in Germany with rent4office Nuernberg (Germany-ProA) where he averaged 11,9ppg, 4.1rpg, Assists-4(5.9apg), Steals-2(1.9spg), FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 82.4% . He started his basketball career in 2008 with Bellarmine (NCAA2) playing a total of 133 games. He turned professional in 2012 and played for Caceres Basket (Spain-LEB Gold, starting five): 35 games: 7.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 87.9%. In 2013-2014 he played for Alba Fehervar (Hungary-A Division, starting five): Eurocup: 10 games: 11.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 52.3%; Hungarian League: 32 games: 9.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-2(2.3spg), FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 72.7%. He also played three summers professionally in Australia. He spoke to German Hoops after signing with the Giessen 46ers for the 2015-2016 season.

Braydon thanks for talking to German Hoops again. You are playing your third summer in the last four in Australia. What makes you keep coming back down under?

I keep coming back here to Australia because the country is awesome. I can stay in shape by doing this as well. It’s a fun get away and I enjoy playing year around.

How do you feel has your time in Australia helped your game most in the last summers which you might not necessarily have had in the States doing the normal work out grind?

I think playing here during the summers has kept me in good shape and it is more of a laid back league but I can get into the gym any time I want to work on my game. It keeps me playing competitive competition as well which I think helps.

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Eric Palm (Giessen 46ers) When We All Were Clicking In Our Own Ways, We Couldn´t Be Stopped

Eric Palm is a 27 year old 185cm guard form Illinois that is playing his second season in Germany and first with the Giessen 46ers. He started his basketball career at McKendree (NAIA) in 2005 where he played until 2009 and as a senior played 35 games: 20.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 41.6%, 3Pts: 38.3%, FT: 85.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2010 with Thor AK (Iceland-D1) where he played until 2012 and in the 2011-2012 season played 11 games: 26.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.7apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 84.5%. In 2012-2013 he played for IR Reykjavik (Iceland-Dominos League) playing 22 games: Score-3(26.5ppg), 4.3rpg, 3.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT-1(93.9%).Last season he played for BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA) playing 30 games: 15.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 84.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after winning the 2015 German Pro A title against the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg.

Eric thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on winning the 2015 German Pro A title. The Giessen 46ers couldn´t have won this series against Wurzburg in more exciting fashion. What does this victory mean to you in terms of titles that you have won in your career? You reached some Sweet 16 and Elite 8´s in your NAIA career, but I believe this is your first title.

Well winning the AMC Conference Championship my Junior year was pretty sweet because I hit a buzzer beater “and 1” jumper to win it all on the road. However, this title is by far the sweetest of them all. Just knowing we had to grind out the whole season and to sweep the playoffs, could not get much better than that!

The Giessen46ers won both games by only a combined point total of three. What was really the main factor for Giessen being able to pull out this series like that?

For us it was about sticking to the game plan of solid defense and getting out in transition. As for the defensive side of things, you cannot stop Wurzburg completely so our mindset was to limit their runs in short spurts, don´t let them get an 8-10 point run and we are good.

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Myles Hesson (Eisbaeren Bremerhaven) My Overall Understanding Of The Game Improved This Season Knowing What To Do And Where To Be At The Right Times

Myles Hesson is a 24 year old 195 cm forward from Birmingham, England and was one of the 12 best players in Great Britain in 2013 and was selected for the 2013 national team playing in Slovenia at the Eurochampionships. He currently is playing in the Beko BBL for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. Last season he played for the Giessen 46ers (ProA) playing 33 games: 16.1ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 78.8%. Two seasons ago he played for Weissenhorn Youngstars (Germany-ProB, starting five): 20 games: 19.7ppg, 10.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 54.4%, 3FGP: 27.4%, FT: 65.6%, in Mar.’13 moved to Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany-BBL): 9 games: 4.2ppg, 2.8rpg. He started his professional career in 2009-2010 for Birmingham Aces (EBL2) averaging 13.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 33.3%. In 2010-2011, he played for the Essex Pirates Basketball Club (BBL): 11 games: 9.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 68.4%. In 2011-2012 he played for Liverpool Mersey Tigers (BBL): 27 games: 15.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 61.5%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 2014-2015 season.

Thanks Myles for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on winning the The Syd Lipski International Award for top British performer on the global stage. What kind of value does this award exactly have to you?

Thank you, it means a lot to me to know that my hard work hasn´t gone unnoticed.

Another season has come and gone for you in Germany. Despite the less that team season did this season feel to progress slower than the successful playoff run last season with the Giessen 46ers?

It was a very different season to last, it was another learning experience for me.

Did the four game losing streak to end the season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven put a bad taste on how the team ended the season?

Yes for me it did because I thought we had come a long way as a team and we didn´t do ourselves justice loosing those games.

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Darius Miller(Brose Baskets Bamberg)My NBA Wakeup Call Was Going In And Having To Guard Lebron James Who Woke Me Up

Darius Miller is a 25 year old 203cm forward playing his third professional season and first with the Brose Baskets Bamberg. He started his basketball career at Kentucky(NCAA) in 2008 and played there until 2012 reaching the final 4 in 2011 and winning the NCAA title in 2012. In 20012 he was drafted by the New Orleanes Hornets in the second round at #46. He played 97 games New Orleans from 2012-2014. He started this season with New Orleans playing 5 NBA games before moving to Bamberg a few months ago. Currently he is averaging 9,6ppg, 1,9rpg and 2,1apg while shooting 50% from outside. He spoke to German Hoops before game two in Ulm.

Thanks Darius for talking to German Hoops. Bamberg is still undefeated in the playoffs. What has been the secret to the playoff dominance?

We just have a very good team. We are playing with very high intensity and good defense which has made us successful.

Bamberg crushed Ulm in game one. The club did a good job against their inside presence. Is this something the team will continue to do to be successful?

Yes this is definitely something that we have to keep doing to be successful against Ulm as well as getting our big men involved.

You have been playing some time now in Germany. What has been your early impression of the European style of play?

It is a totally different game in Europe. There is more physical play overseas as well as the game is more team orientated. I like the play very much here and it helps when your playing for a good team.

Did you get any tips from ex teammate Brian Roberts who played some years in Bamberg about your new organization?

Yes Brian talked to me before I made my decision to come to Bamberg. He helped me suave my decision towards Bamberg.

There are some very talented players with Bamberg. Did you know any players coming in that have made the transition period easier for you?

I knew Trevor Mbakwe coming in. It was tough at first, but the team helped me get adjusted very quickly. They helped me get into rhythm quickly and it is always easier to get adjusted when your playing for a good team.

You are a very good spot-up shooter that moves well without the basketball. But what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

That is a tough question and I don´t really know.

After two full seasons with New Orleans in the NBA, you played five games this season and then was shortly with the Los Angeles Clippers. Did you fully learn this season that the NBA is a business where the interests of a club comes before an individual?

Basketball is always a business. There is so much money in the NBA and the only objective is to win.

You played your first two seasons with New Orleans playing a total of 97 NBA games. What kind of experience was this for you? How difficult was for you as a rookie finding a place on an NBA team?

It was tough as a rookie as we had a very young team. There were no veterans that helped the young guys the ropes. However I liked my time in the NBA and it was a great experience that I will never forget. I learned a lot about the league in my short time.

What was your wakeup call to the NBA as a rookie where you knew ok I have really arrived in the NBA?

My wakeup call was having to go into the game and guard Lebron James. He woke me up.

You also played 11 games in the D-league for the Iowa Energy. How important was this experience as you worked your way back to the NBA?

Playing in the D-league was a big experience for me and just being able to see how the other side works. It was definitely a different experience form the NBA, but part of the game.

You played together with Austin Rivers for two seasons. He only played one season at Duke? Do you feel he came out to early? Can he still become a top notch NBA point guard?

Austin just had a strong playoffs. He will be fine.

You also played three seasons with Anthony Davis. Do you see him being the best center in the NBA soon and do you see him winning titles down the road?

Yes I see him doing all those things. It is amazing what kind of leap that he has done in the NBA in only a short time. He works very hard on the court and will get even better.

You played at Kentucky from 2008-2012 winning the NCAA title in 2012 against Kansas. What memories do you have from that game?

Winning that NCAA title was probably my best moment in basketball. The whole team was close and we won as a team. Plus I was a senior and it was my last game.

You had many great teammates at Kentucky(NCAA) but where would you rank him in your all-time best teammates there?

That is very tough. I had so many great teammates and I got a long with all of them. Everyone was a good guy that I couldn´t pick just one.

How did John Calipari get you best prepared for a professional basketball career?

He coached like an NBA team. The style that he brought on the court was similar to an NBA team. The way he handled practices also was similar to how an NBA team works.

You also played together with John Wall. Do you see him one day surpassing guys like Irving, Westbrook, Curry and Lillard at the point guard position or will he just be a top five best point guard in the future?

It is hard to tell, but he definitely has the ability to surpassing them, but you never know. I think he could. He is very talented and works very hard.

What memories do you have of the World Championships U19 in New Zealand in 2009? Is there any player form that tournament that still stands out?

That was a long time ago. I don´t recall any guy standing out from them.

Your exteammate Denadre Liggins said that he is ready to make a NBA comeback next season. Do you share his idea? Will you play NBA Summer League this summer?

I am not sure yet. I will go there where I get the best opportunity.

It looks like the Cavs will meet the Warriors in the 2015 NBA final. Who will win it all?

The Warriors are definitely good enough to win it all, but I would never bet against Lebron,

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The Avengers.

Thanks Darius for the chat.

Jesse Sanders(Walter Tigers Tuebingen) Igor Perovic Understands My Game Well And Correctly Assesses How I Can Help The Team

Jesse Sanders is a 25 year old 190cm point guard from Sugar Land, Texas that will play his fourth professional season with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Liberty where he played until 2012. In the 201-2013 season he started his professional career in Europe with Fileni BPA Jesi (Italy-Lega2): 25 games: 9.7ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 75.7%. In the 2013-2014 season he played down under with the Sydney Kings (Australia-NBL, starting five): 13 games: 10.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.5apg, Steals-2(1.8spg), FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 17.2%, FT: 89.5%. Last season he led the Belgium league in assists and played withLimburg United averaging 11,5ppg, 5,1rpg and 5,0apg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Jesse thanks for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying the early part of the summer?

I’m in Sugar Land visiting my parents. It has been great to be back and to introduce my daughter (Ava Michelle Sanders) to all of my family. Having some of our favorite Mexican food has been great as well.

You have signed with German beko BBL team Walter Tigers Tuebingen. How excited are you be playing in the fastest growing league in Europe?

This is an awesome opportunity and I’m really looking forward to getting over there and beginning work with the team!

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Simon Cote (I Have a Defined Basketball Philosophy And Am Better Prepared For Success Now)

Simon Cote is a professional basketball coach that started his coaching career at Southern Methodist University (NCAA). He came to Germany in 2002 and coached for Basketball Academy Rhein-Main (Germany) and Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany-2.Bundesliga). He then was an assistant coach for the Frankfurt Skyliners from 2003-2006. He then was a scout for the Denver Nuggets, had a head coaching stint with the Giessen 46ers and was an assistant for three seasons with the Shanghai Dongfang Sharks (China-CBA). He has been spending time in Germany recently and is looking to coach in Germany again. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Simon, thanks for talking to German Hoops. You were at some Frankfurt Skyliner games recently. What was it like being back in Frankfurt where you were an assistant coach for four years?

It was different being back again after such a long time. I miss being back here in Frankfurt and also working with the Skyliners. I had great memories with Gordie (Herbert), Murat (Didin) and Charles (Barton.) It was great to see old friends, colleagues and fans again.

You were an assistant under Gordon Herbert back in 2004 helping the Skyliners win the Beko BBL title. When you see Frankfurt play now has anything changed and developed with the style of Gordon Herbert?

I saw two games recently against Enisey Krasnoyarsk and Bremerhaven. It reinforced my belief that Gordie is a great coach. He has coached at the highest levels of European basketball, and you can see that he is very experienced. He has done a great job coaching this young team and developing the young German players.

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Alex Tyus (Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv) Experience And Wanting It A Bit More Than Alba Berlin Was Key For The Win

Alex Tyus is a 27 year old 203cm center from St Louis, Missouri playing his fourth professional season and second with Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv. He started his basketball career in 2007 with Florida(NCAA) and played there until 2011 playing a total of 142 NCAA games and as a senior played 36 games: 9.1ppg, 6.2rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 63.0%. In 2011 he turned professional and played for Maccabi Ashdod (Israel-Premier League): 30 games: 12.6ppg, Reb-3(8.5rpg), Blocks-5(1.4bpg), FGP-3(67.5%), FT: 47.2%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for FoxTown Cantu (Italy-SerieA): 43 games: 9.4ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP-3(65.8%), FT: 49.6%; Euroleague: 10 games: 8.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 58.6%, FT: 48.1%. Last season he moved to Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv (Israel-Winner League): 31 games: 9.3ppg, 6.6rpg, Blocks-2(1.6bpg), FGP-2(68.5%), FT: 52.5%; Euroleague: 27 games: 7.7ppg, 5.0rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP-1(72.3%), FT: 52.6%. He spoke to German Hoops following the 73-64 win in Berlin against Alba Berlin

Alex thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the huge 73-64 win to advance to the Euroleague quarterfinals. It was a tight game throughout. Did Maccabi Tel Aviv just want it a bit more at the end?

Yes I felt we wanted it a bit more than Alba Berlin at the end. I felt that our experience carried us over at the end. We have a lot of guys that have been in big games and know what it takes to win tough games.

With four minutes to play Maccabi Tel Aviv led 66-63 and closed out the game with a big 7-1 run sparked by a Devin Smith three pointer. What was key for getting the win at the end?

Our defense got us the win. We played very well and rebounded well and limited their offensive rebounds. Devin Smith was also big. He hit many big shots and kept us in the game all night long.

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