Interviews

Lorenzo Gordon (Ramat Hasharon Israel-National League) Basketball Wives Has Been A Great Experience As I Am A Celebrity When I Go Home And Get Recognized In Miami Or New York

Lorenzo Gordon is a 31 year old 201cm forward from St Louis that is playing his ninth professional season and first with Ramat Hasharon (Israel-National League). He started his basketball career at Mineral Area community college. He then played a season at Illinois State(NCAA) before finishing his college career at Oklahoma City (NAIA) where he played 27 games averaging 23.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.3spg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 18.6%, FT: 61.5%. In 2006 he started his professional basketball career with Gotha Basket (Sweden-Basketligan)22 games: 21.0ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 60.0%, in March ’07 signed at Entente Orleans 45 (France-ProA)3 games: 7.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.3apg. IN the 2007-2008 season he played for Kepez Bld Antalya (Turkey-TBL) playing 30 games: Score-3(21.3ppg), 8.6rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 58.2%, FT: 69.6%. IN the 2008-2009 season he played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga) playing EuroChallenge: 4 games: 14.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.0apg; German League: 24 games: 12.8ppg, 7.0rpg, FGP: 60.9%, FT: 52.5%. In the 2009-2010 season he played for Aliaga Petkim (Turkey-TBL) playing 29 games: 14.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP-2(66.9%), FT: 44.6%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for MarcoPoloShop.it Forli (Italy-Lega2) playing 21 games: Score-4(19.5ppg), 7.8rpg, 1.7spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 15.0%, FT: 77.9%, in Mar.’11 moved to Maccabi Ashdod (Israel-Premier League) playing 7 games: 11.0ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 64.0%. IN the 2011-2012 season he played for Ural Ekaterinburg (Russia-Superleague) playing 34 games: Score-2(15.6ppg), 6.2rpg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 62.7%. In the 2012-2013 season he played briefly for Royal Hali Gaziantep Buyuksehir Belediye (Turkey-TBL). Last season he played for Obras Sanitarias Buenos Aires (Argentina-LigaA): 10 games: 10.3ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 52.8%, FT: 60.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Lorenzo thanks for talking to German Hoops. You recently signed in Israel with Ramat Hasharon. You are turning 32 years in May. I thought that you had retired with all the stuff going on in the States with Basketball Wives?

Yes that is true I had much going on in the States and took a year off to support my wife on her show Basketball Wives L.A. I really noticed in the last year that I had missed the game of basketball and wanted to come back again.

How did you come about getting this job in Israel? I heard you had offers from BBL teams like the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven?

Yes I had some offers from German BBL teams, but they were a bit hesitant about what I could do after being away from the game so long. Many teams didn´t want to take a chance on me but Ramat Hasharon did and I am thankful they did. I have to prove myself all over again, but don´t be surprised if you see me in Germany again next season.

You are playing in the second division in Israel. A few years ago you played in their first division with Maccabi Ashdod. What is the biggest difference between both leagues?

There are fewer imports allowed in the second league. The game is more up and down in this league while the first league is more like the BBL. There are also less big men in the second league.

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Anish Sharda (TV Langen) I Can Defend Better Than What Coaches Give Me Credit For

Anish Sharda is a 32 year old 188cm American point guard that also has the Indian citzenship and is playing his ninth professional season and first with TV Langen. He started his basketball career in 2001 with Moorpark JC. H ethen finished school at University of Mary (NAIA) in 2005 and as a senior averaged 15.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.8spg, 45.9% FGs, 38.7% 3-pts, 83.2% FTs. He came to Germany in 2007 and played two seasons for ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-Regionalliga) helping them move up to the German Pro B in 2008. He then played a season for USC Freiburg and for Hanau from 2010-2014 helping them move from the Regionaliga to the Pro B in 2011. Last season for TG 1837 White Wings Hanau (Germany-ProB) he played 24 games averaging 12.4ppg, 2.9rpg, Assists-5(4.9apg), 1.7spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 85.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball

Anish thanks for talking to German Hoops. You came to Europe in 2007 and have always played in Germany. Why has Germany become your second basketball home?

Yes it is my second home. I am very thankful that I got another opportunity to play in Germany. My wife is from Mainz and another reason why I love Germany. I have felt comfortable wherever I have played in Germany and have always been treated well. I am so thankful that I can continue to do what I love which is play basketball.

Except for a season in Freiburg you have mostly played in the Rhein Main area. Has the international flair in general here been something that has kept you comfortable and have had the need to explore other basketball areas in Germany. You signed late into the season with TV Langen. Were you almost retired at age 32. How close was the end of your professional basketball career had you not signed for Jogi Barth in Langen?

I have always felt very comfortable in this region. Even now playing for Langen I live in Mainz. Mainz isn´t big but has that city flair. I signed late as I had a hard time trying to find a team and I don´t know why. The later it got the less I thought of retiring. I stayed in shape with the Mainz team and am thankful that Jogi Barth took a chance on me as I will do my best to help the team win games.

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Tom Alte (TV Langen) I Am A Better Shooter Than What I Get Credit For

Tom Alte is a 20 year old 205cm German center playing his second season for TV Langen. He started his basketball career with KIT SC Karlsruhe (Regionalliga) in 2012. Last season for TV Langen he played 12 games: 0.5ppg, 1.2rpg, played also for Schoder Junior-Giraffen Langen (NBBL). He spoke to German Hoops after the 88-67 loss against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors.

Tom thanks for talking to German Hoops. What were the main reasons for the 88-67 loss against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors?

We had problems with our pick and role defense. Frankfurt stayed aggressive hitting shots against our zone. We also had some unneeded technical fouls that hurt us

Niklas Kiel is two years younger than you. What has been your impression of his game and how much potential does he have?

Kiel has a lot of potential and can really go far. He is big, can move and shoot. He has all the tools to go far.

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Jason Brickman (medi bayreuth) Playing At LIU Brooklyn Really Helped Me To Be An Even Better Passer

Jason Brickman is a 23 year old 181 cm point guard from San Antonio, Texas that is a rookie in Germany playing for medi Bayreuth. He started his basketball career at LIU Brooklyn (NCAA) in 2010 and played a total of 129 NCAA games. AS a senior he played 28 games averaging 11.5ppg, 3.3rpg, Assists-1(9.8apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 86.4%. He won the NEC tournament three times. Like Jared Jordan, he was the top assist man in the NCAA his last two years. He started his rookie season in Europe with : Dynamo Moscow (Russia-Superleague): Baltic League: 3 games: 2.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 6.7apg, 1.0spg; Russian Superleague: 8 games: 2.0ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.8apg. He was released in December 2014 and recently signed with German team medi Bayreuth and in his debut against the Telekom Baskets Bonn scored 10 points and dished out 11 assists helping the Bavarian team to victory. He spoke to German Hoops before his debut performance against Bonn.

 

Welcome to Germany Jason. You are coming from the freezing Russia to cold Germany. Is this kind of weather more appealing to you even if its still freezing compared to San Antonio?

Yes it is great to come to Germany where it is not as cold as Russia. I’m not a fan of really cold weather so I’m much happier being in Germany.

You are now a member of German Beko BBL medi Bayreuth. What do you know about the country Germany and the basketball here?

I don’t know too much about Germany, I have only been one other time a few years ago for a basketball trip that was a week long. I have heard the basketball here is great and there are some very good teams here.

How did the contact come about with German team media Bayreuth? There are always guards on the market.

My agent was working on getting me back on a team to finish this season and he thought it was a great opportunity to play for Bayreuth.

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Adam Waleskowski (MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg) Johannes Voigtmann Can Be Considered One Of The Top Passing Big Men In The BBL

Adam Waleskowski is a 32 year old 203cm power forward that was born in Cape Girardeau in the United States that also has the German citizenship that is playing his second season for Ludwigsburg. He played at Florida St. (NCAA) from 2001-2005. He played at Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (Germany-2.Bundesliga) from 2005-2007, but in the second half of the 2006-2007 season moved to Etendard de Brest (France-ProB, starting five): 18 games: 14.2ppg, Reb-3(8.3), 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 75.0%. In 2007, he recieved the German Citizenship and played for Besancon Basket Comte Doubs (France-ProB, starting five): 26 games: 14.0ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 70.6%. In 2008-2009, he played for JSF Nanterre (France-ProB), French League: 7 games: 7.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.5%, FT: 37.5%; left in Nov.’08, in Jan.’09 moved to Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-Division A, starting five): 11pts, 17reb, 1ast, 1steal, in April ’09 signed at Besancon Basket Comte Doubs (France-ProA): 4 games: 4.8ppg. In 2009-2010 he played for Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-Division A). In 2010-2011, he played for  BG Goettingen (Germany-1.Bundesliga): EuroCup: 8 games: 3.6ppg, 2.1rpg, left in Feb. ’11; German League: 20 games: 8.1ppg, 3.4rpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 76.7% In 2011-2012, he played for Pizza Express Apollon (Cyprus-Division A): 7 games: 6.4ppg, left in Dec.’11, in Mar.’12 moved to Astrum Levice (Czech Rep.-NBL): 9 games: 10.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.6%, FT: 76.5%; played also at Onyx Levice (Slovakia-Extraliga): 4 games: 4.3ppg.In 2012-2013 he played for  Sigal Prishtina (Kosovo-SuperLeague, starting five), in Jan.’13 signed at Duesseldorf Baskets (Germany-ProA): 24 games: 13.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 68.8%. Last season for lUdwigsburg he played 26 games: 7.8ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 73.5%He spoke to German Hoops after the 88-75 win against the Fraport Skyliners.

Adam thanks for talking to German Hoops. Before the current 2 game winning streak, Ludwigsburg were riding a 6 game losing streak. What were the main reasons for the club having such a long dry spell?

This was a tough time for our team. We were not actually playing bad basketball, rather than losing close games. I think there were just a few small problems that were causing us to come up short, and we were really struggling to finish games out in the fourth quarter.

American DJ Kennedy is really tearing up the BBL now. In the last 4 games he is averaging 25 points per game. The club could be 4-0 in this span had they won tight games against Oldenburg and Braunschweig. How important has he been for the team and what extra dimension besides scoring does he give the team?

For sure DJ has been a great addition to our team. He really has a winning mentality, and besides being a great scorer and 1 on 1 player, he is a great rebounder and has picked up our defensives schemes very quickly.

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Casper Ware (EWE Baskets Oldenburg) You Always Have To Be Ready For Anything In The NBA

Casper Ware is a 24 year old 178cm point guard that is playing his third professional season and first with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. He started his basketball career at Long Beach St. in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 131 NCAA games and as a senior played (NCAA) 34 games averaging 17.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 79.3%. In 2012-2013 he started his professional basketball career with Novipiu Casale Monferrato (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 36 games: Score-2(20.4ppg), 3.9rpg, 4.2apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 87.3%. Last season he played for Granarolo Bologna (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 22 games: 11.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 43.2%, 3FGP: 26.4%, FT: 65.4%, left in Mar.’14, later that month moved to Philadelphia 76ers (NBA): 9 games: 5.3ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.3%. This past summer he played NBA Pro Summer League in Orlando (Philadelphia 76ers) Champion: 5 games: 19.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 88.2% and NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas (Philadelphia 76ers): 2 games: 7.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 29.4%, 3PT: 20%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Casper thanks for talking to German Hoops. When seeing the skyline in Frankfurt, does it remind you of home around Los Angeles? How do you like Germany?

My first impression of Germany is good. The people are very nice here. Frankfurt reminds me of the big cities in California. Seeing Frankfurt is like having a taste of home.

After playing your first two professional seasons in Europe in Italy you are playing your first season in Germany. What has been your impression of the Beko BBL so far?

My first impression of the BBL is good. It is a very good league. You cant take a day off here as anybody can beat you. The level is about the same as what I experienced in Italy.

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Will Barnes (Hamburg Towers) I Love The Character And Will Of My Teammates.

Will Barnes is a 26 year old 185cm point guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama that is playing his second professional season and first with the Hamburg Towers. He started his basketball career in 2006 for Tennessee Tech (NCAA) where he played a total of 98 NCAA games. In 2012-2013 he played at  Lee (NAIA) playing 34 games: 20.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 77.7%. Last season as a rookie he played for the Finke Baskets playing 29 games: Score-3(18.8ppg), 3.5rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 37.2%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against Science City Jena

The Hamburg Towers have a three game winning streak at home. It seems like the club is really getting used to their own living room. How special is it playing in the Hamburg arena?

Playing in Hamburg is really special. The new arena looks is very nice. We are getting a great turnout at our games and the overall support for the club is great! As a team, we play hard and very uptempo. The fans have really seemed to enjoy it so far.

 

After mustering only 61 points in Wurzburg, the Hamburg Towers have found a groove on offense again having averaged 84 points in the last two games. What adjustments has the team made offensively in the last two games?

The main change we’ve made is to just slow down and really execute our offense. We’ve been sharing the ball a lot better and getting out in transition.

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Coach George P. Filkinis (I Am Always Ready To Play The Game The Way I Like And To Face All The Surprises That Only Basketball Can Give And My Hard Work And My Results Are My Only Credentials)

Coach George Filkinis is known as a master of the “Running Basketball” as his teams always are distinguished particularly by the extremely speed of development and execution of their offense. His way of offensive basketball is influenced by the presence at Loyola Marymount University next to 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 680 official games , is 477 (70,15%) wins and 203 (20,85%) defeats , while having conquered 11 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  German Hoops.

Welcome coach to the site of German Hoops. I would like to ask you to comment on the last draw of the upcoming Eurobasket 2015 which will take place first time in history in four different countries
Thanks a lot for the hospitality dear Miles and for the opportunity to contact with many friends and basketball fans both in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. Watching the draw from a purely technical side , clearly the Group B is very difficult and irresolute , as five National teams like Spain , Serbia , Italy ,Turkey and Germany will possibly “fight” for four places that lead to the next round and the “well-trained” team of Iceland to try to succeed the “miracle”. It’s too early of course for everyone to make predictions, but I believe that according to the level of the basketball in these countries we will enjoy excellent games. The other Groups I think apparently are more “passable” , without naturally someone to be able to exclude some loud surprises. Besides , most of the time in such top events , teams that no one expected or estimated , make an excellent course. I remind you that in the last Eurobasket of 2013 in Slovenia , traditional basketball European”powers” , like Greece , Italy , Russia , Germany , Turkey sunk , while teams like Ukraine , Finland , Belgium , Latvia , made a great , for the until then their capabilities , course . In conclusion I believe that everything is probable and a lot of current “facts” will be overthrown in about 10 months , that the championship will be held .

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Louis Campbell (Strasbourg IG) I Don’t Have Many Fond Memories Playing In Bamberg Except Against My Ex teammate Anton Gavel

Louis Campbell is a 35 year old 190cm point guard from Rahway, New Jersey that is playing his 13th professional season and third with Strasbourg IG. He played at Buffalo(NCAA) from 1998-2002. IN 2002 he started his professional basketball career with Paderborn where he played until 2004. He then played two seasons with Giessen. He then played for Toyota Alvark (Japan-Superleague) from 2006-2009. IN 2009-2010 he came back to Germany and played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga) playing 43 games: 13.0ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-2(5.7apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 81.6%. In 2010-2011 he played for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): EuroCup: 6 games: 9.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 78.6%; German League: 40 games: 9.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 82.1%. IN 2011-2012 he played for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen (Germany-1.Bundesliga) playing 34 games: 9.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 81.0%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game in Bamberg

Welcome back to Germany Lou. When you were playing in Germany, you played many seasons in the Stechert arena in Bamberg with Giessen, Bremerhaven, Oldenburg and Tuebingen. What is your fondest memory from this beautiful arena?

Not much. Bamberg was always a very tough place to play at. My nicest memories was always playing against my ex teammate Anton Gavel who was my teammate at Giessen. We always had fun battles.

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Patrick Richard (Mitteldeutscher BC) Frankfurt Beat Us Up Inside A lot But It Was Because We Didn’t Have Good Rotations Defensively All Night.

Patrick Richard is a 24 year old 196cm swingman from Carencro, Louisania that will play his first season in the Beko BBL fort he Mitteldeutscher BC. He played four years at  Mc Neese St. (NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games: 18.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 76.9%. In 2012-2013, he started his professional basketball career being drafted by the  Iowa Energy (D-League) and played at Sandringham Sabres (Australia-SEABL-East, starting five): 24 games: 18.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 80.7%. Last season he played in Holland for  Matrixx Magixx Wijchen (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 38 games: Score-4(15.3ppg), 4.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 78.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 73-62 loss against the Fraport Skyliners in Leipzig.

Patrick thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 73-62 loss to the Fraport Skyliners. You played in Leipzig. What kind of an atmosphere was it there and how much did it feel like a home game?

The atmosphere was a bit different but it was a nice arena to play in and it was a home game so it felt like a home game.

Was that Wolf den atmosphere missing a bit from the Leipzig arena? Teams come into Weissenfels knowing it will be an uncomfortable place?

In Weissenfels it is a different atmosphere but there are no excuses because basketball is basketball wherever you play.

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