Interviews

Andre Marhold (Gießen 46ers) My Guard Abilities Is my Hidden Strength

Andre Marhold is a 23 year old 198cm forward that will be playing his second professional season and first in Germany for the Giessen 46ers. Last season he played for Chin Min Dragons UBC St. Polten (Austria-A Bundesliga): 7 games: 13.3ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 66.7%, FT: 63.6%. He played at Duquesne (NCAA) and as a senior played 28 games: 6.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 52.9%, FT: 37.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Andre how are you? Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer?

I’m great, I am currently in Pittsburgh pa training with the “The Scoring Factory” everyday, preparing myself to have a great season next year is my main focus right now.

Last season as a rookie, you didn´t get a team until February 2014 and now in your second season, you have signed early with Giessen. Will it be easier to enjoy your summer now knowing you have a job?

It was a huge relief to sign early but, that’s just half the job. This opportunity made me want to work even harder this summer.

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Vincent Bailey (SC Rasta Vechta)Size Doesn’t Matter To Me, Its Whoever Wants It The Most And I Want Every Rebound I Can Get My Hands On

Vincent Bailey is a 22 year old 201cm forward that will begin his professional basketball career in Germany with Pro A club SC Rasta Vechta. H eplayed at Lincoln Memorial (NCAA2) from 2001-2014 and as a senior averaged 21,6ppg and 9,8rpg. He won the SAC Tournament in 2011 and 2014. He talked to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Right now I’m in Atlanta,Ga. Getting prepared for the upcoming season with Rasta. My summer has been great just been working out to stay on top of my game.

Any player coming from college especially from Div2 can be more than thrilled getting a professional basketball job so quickly. How blessed are you that you have landed a job with German Pro A team SC Rasta Vechta?

Being Div 2 I’m sure people have there doubt’s about me. But I’ve been doubted all my life and I am very blessed to have this opportunity to show what I am capable of. I am very motivated to be on top of my game and can’t wait to start with Rasta Vachta this upcoming season.

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The Key To Basketball Success On The Court With Greek Coach George Filkinis

George Filkinis is a Greek basketball coach with over 30 years of experience. He has won 11 titles as a head coach and 6 as an assistant coach. He has coached teams like Marousi, Asteras BC, AO Arion, Irakleion, AO Sporting, Achilles Cyprus, Panathinaikos Cyprus, and AO Lamias. He has coached 680 official games and his record is 477 ( 70,15%) wins and 203 (20,85%). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thank you coach for talking to German Hoops again . I’ld like to ask you were you’ll work this season .

It’s my pleasure dear Miles to talk again to my German basketball friends via your site . Up to now I haven’t agreed with some team . I had some contacts but finally no agreement was reached .

Can you give a possible explanation to this fact ?

Gladly. First of all I wanted to work in specific countries , which the teams and the leagues I know very well , as I watch them closely more than 10 years. Certainly I knew from the beginning , that some of my principles and rules as a man and as a coach and the way I play the game , will be extremely difficult to become accepted. But I got the decision to make a try as I think that I have too much to give to the team that will trust me. As I said many times , my results and my rates are my only weapon and my only credentials.Certainly at the five countries I addressed specifically there is a logic of “persons recycling” , as every year the same coaches are transferred” from one group to another , even if their results the last season were not good at all in accordance with the players they had in their hands and with the ambitions of their teams.Of course this phenomenon is inexplicable to me , but totally respected by my side , as you can not force anyone to work with you , if he doesn’t like you or if he doesn’t like to see his team better. Then , because I play the game a little differently , I claimed to choose the players that they are able to play like my way and not to accept those that the team managers of some teams wanted.Another reason was that I want to represent myself and to talk personally with the groups , contrary to the most coaches who supported by “strong” agents.

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Lorenzo Williams (Eisbaeren Bremerhaven) Bremerhaven Has A History Of Top Point Guards So I Know I Have Big Shoes To Fill But I’m Ready For The Challenge

Lorenzo Williams is a 29 year old 191cm point guard that will be playing his second season in the BEKO BBL with Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. 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). Last 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% He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Lorenzo thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. After four years away you are back in the Beko BBL. You played three seasons in Hungary and one in Latvia. From a basketball stand point has time flown by?

Time has flown by pretty quickly. I still feel like a young guy but,A lot has changed with my game since I was in Giessen.

You were a young buck coming to Giessen in 2009 at age 24. Since then you have gathered further basketball experience won a title, assist crown and played Eurochallenge. How has your game developed since you played in Giessen. What kind of a Lorenzo Williams will we see on the court in 2014 with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven?

My game has evolved a lot. My experience with different coaches and styles of play have made me a well-rounded player. You will see a player who has matured and honed his game. Whatever the staff needs me to do, I can do. I’ve added more things to my game.

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Face To Face With Markus Hallgrimson (Rhein Stars Koeln)

Markus Hallgrimson is a 38 year old 190 cm German-American guard that has a shocking resemblance to American actor Kirk Cameron that became famous for the hit TV show Growing Pains. Since starting his basketball career in 1995, he has been somewhat of a nomad having found 16 different teams in this time. He went to the States in 1995 to have the total high school experience playing for Mercer Island. In 1996, he returned back to Germany playing for USC Heidelberg. He then decided to return back to the States and play NCAA2 ball for Montana State-Billings from 1997-2000. He led the NCAA in 1999-2000 with an all-time NCAA record 6.2 three pointers per game. He also set a new NCAA record with 16 three pointers in one game. He scored 51, 50 and 45 points and averaged 24 points per game, 4th best in the US for Div. II. He was voted to the 1st team NCAA Div. II All-American team. He then returned to Germany and from 2000-2004, he played for Avitos Giessen, BCJ Hamburg NVV Monchengladbach, TSK Wurzburg and BG Chemnitz. In 2004-2005, he left Germany and headed Spain for a short stay playing for Los Barrios Cadix (Spain-LEB1) but was released in October playing 4 games and averaging 3.7ppg 0.2apg. In April 2005, he signed at Geneve Devils (Switzerland-LNA) playing 13 games and averaging 12.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 60.0%, 3FGP: 35.7%; In the playoffs, he played 12 games averaging 9.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 83.3%, 3FGP: 35.7%. In 2005, he played briefly at TV Langen, before returning back to the Geneve Devils (Switzerland-LNA) playing 15 games and averaging 10.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 34.4%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 93.8%. In 2006-2007, he left the Geneve Devils and then went back to Germany to play for ASC Theresianum Mainz and for the Mitteldeutscher BC playing 21 games and averaging 11.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 54.3%, 3FGP: 40.9%, FT: 63.6%. In 2007-2008, he went to England to play for the Worcester Wolves (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 6 games averaging 7.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 25.0%, 3PT: 19.7%, and in Nov.’07 moved to SCH Wuerzburg Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 20 games and averaging 17.5ppg. In 2008-2009, he continued with SCH Wuerzburg Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 24 games and averaging 11.1ppg. In 2009-2010, he played for Ithry Nador (Morocco-D2), in Dec.’09 moved to SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProB, starting five): 17 games: 12.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 87.5%. In 2010-2011, he played for BV Villingen-Schwenningen (Germany-ProB, starting five): 16 games: 18.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 36.5%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 86.2%. He then palyed for the Duesseldorf Giants from 2011-2013 playing Regionaliga. Last season he played for the Rhein Stars Koeln (Germany-2.Regionalliga). He spoke to German Hoops at the 069 basketball open in Frankfurt.

Markus thanks for talking to German Hoops. Why did you decide to take part at the street ball tournament 069 basketball open in Frankfurt this weekend?

Some friends of mine from the Cologne/Aachen area asked me that I should come out and play. I wanted to play even more after I found out that the school where it was taking place is where I played two years of high school ball from 1990-1992. The place hasn´t changed. I played Varsity basketball as a freshman. It was great to come back after 22 years and play here again. It was a lot of fun as a 38 year old to play against kids have my age.

What is the difference between street ball and organized basketball?

I don´t really call this streetball, but more open gym-ratball. We were playing indoors and not outdoors which makes a difference. There is no structure in the games and whoever has game wins and who doesn´t doesn´t. The games are being played at a high intensity and defense was played. I played three games and played against many German Pro A players like ex Science City Jena guard Al Elliot.

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Richard Williams (Every Player Wants To Play For A Coach That Can Get The Best Out Of Them, So I Wouldn’t Mind Playing For Gordon Herbert)

After a hard, long and at times stressful season in Europe, it seems like the most common statement that a player gives about what he will do first when getting back on American soil is to see family and friends. That may be true, but another thing that players are thinking about is how to satisfy their growling stomach that is giving them hunger pains, but after rotating mostly eight months between Mcdonalds, Burger King and the best native restaurant in that country, a player does have that special craving for that yummy dish that he hadn´t been able to sink his teeth into for the longest time seemingly feeling like an eternity. For San Diego native Richard Williams, playing in the tiny village of Vechta where one can drive from one end of town to the other faster than teammate Isaac Butts can take a lap around the Rasta dome blindfolded, the American didn´t have more than a hand full of places to eat so after a while finding a more variety of selection became as old as always having to hear the same bla bla of people not expecting much from SC Rasta Vechta in the Beko BBL. It was a season to forget for Williams, but when he did return home to California, he was able to momentarily forget about the hardship of finishing last and get his taste buds back on American food time. “This was the toughest season I’ve ever had. A learning and humbling experience at that. Through it all, it has made me even more hungry. I’m back in my hometown San Diego, California and if you know anything about Southern California you’ll know that we love our Mexican food. I had my brother pick me up from the airport with a Carne Asada Burrito”, smiled Richard Williams.

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Dominik Spohr (BG Goettingen) I Would Fight Every Single Second On The Court To Help My Team To Stay And Get Established In The BBL

Dominik Spohr is a 25 year old 198cm forward that is playing his first season with BG Goettingen. He started his basketball career in 2004 for BBV Hagen (Regionalliga). He then helped Phoenix Hagen move up to the Beko BBL in 2009 playing 24 games: 2.0ppg. In three years in Hagen he played 64 Beko BBL games. Last season he played for the Giessen 46ers playing 29 games: 5.6ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 75.6%. He spoke to German Hoops after helping BG Goettingen win the German Pro A title.

Dominik congrats on winning the 2014 Pro A title with BG Goettingen. After a big title in the States, the famous players say afterwards “Im going To Disneyland. Where would you want to go after this big title win against Crailsheim?

We had 1 or 2 little partys to go to and celebrate the chip.

BG Goettingen had the slim 35-33 lead at halftime. In the second half, BG Goettingen was able to pull away and get the win. What was key for getting the win at home in Goettingen?

The key was our defense and our unselfish style on offense.

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Dominik Spohr (BG Goettingen) This Might Be The Biggest Game In My Career So Far And I Think The Chance To Remain Unbeaten At Home Is Pretty Much Unique

Dominik Spohr is a 25 year old 198cm forward that is playing his first season with BG Goettingen. He started his basketball career in 2004 for BBV Hagen (Regionalliga). He then helped Phoenix Hagen move up to the Beko BBL in 2009 playing 24 games: 2.0ppg. In three years in Hagen he played 64 Beko BBL games. Last season he played for te Giessen 46ers playing 29 games: 5.6ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 75.6%. He spoke to German Hoops before the final game in Goettingen for the Pro A title.

Dominik thanks for talking to German Hoops. Recently you helped BG Goettingen move up to the Beko BBL. How was this time different than with Phoenix Hagen in 2009. Was one more sweeter than the other?

It was equally sweet but my role this year was different. Back in 2009 I was a lot younger and not that experienced. I think I helped my team much more this year than I had been able to do in Hagen.

How do you like the German Pro A policy of the soccer like rules of two final games that are decided on the point total difference in both games?

I don’t like it at all. It should be either another series like in the BBL or a real final. One game one winner!

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Ahmad Smith (Rent4 Office) All Of The Teams Left Are Talented And Well Coached And Its Going To Come Down To Who Executes The Best And Makes Big Plays

Ahmad Smith is a 29 year old 194cm guard from Virginia that is playing his second season for the Rent4Office of the German PRO A. He started the season BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProA)12 games: 7.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.7apg, 2FGP: 48.9%, 3FGP: 14.3%, FT: 72.2%, in Jan.’13 moved to Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProA, starting five): 19 games: 9.6ppg, Reb-4(8.5rpg), Assists-2(6.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 35.5%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 77.6% He played at St.Bonaventure(NCAA) from 2002-2006 and in his senior year played 28 games: ScoreA10-8(14.2ppg), RebA10-10(6.2rpg), AssistsA10-9(3.5apg), FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 59.8%. In 2006-2007, he played for Mardyke UCC Demons Cork (Ireland-SuperLeague): 9 games: 18.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 60.8%. In 2007-2008, he played for SVD 49 Dortmund (Regionalliga): 6 games: 30.2ppg. In 2008-2009, he played for : BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga) 23.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 6.0apg, 3PT: 35.2%. In 2009-2010, he played for Hertener Loewen (Germany-ProB)29 games: 18.2ppg, Reb-2(8.7rpg), Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 69.5%. In 2010-2011, he played for s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-ProA): left before the season started, then moved to SVD 49 Dortmund (Germany-Regionalliga): 6 games: 12.8ppg, waived in Nov.’10, in Jan.’11 signed at Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProB, starting five): 15 games: 8.3ppg, 6.8rpg, Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 39.1%, 3PT: 28.2%, FT: 69.1%. Last season for the Kichheim Knights he played 35 games: 9.9ppg, 6.1rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 62.0% He spoke to German Hoops after getting by Erdgas Ehingen in the playoffs.

Ahmad congrats on the 85-78 game 5 win against Erdgas Ehingen. What kind of a feeling was it playing in this game 5 compared to other big games in your professional basketball career?

Losing last year in Duessdolf prepared me for a hostile environment and how to approach a game 5 on the road. So I felt confident going into this game.

Was the defending of the Ehingen shooters one of the main keys for coming out of Ehingen with a win?

Yeah playing good defense has been the key to all of our wins all season. We feel if we play good defense we can beat anyone.

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Brian Qvale (medi bayreuth) We Have More Confidence And Work Better Together With Our New Defensive Concepts

Brian Qvale is a 24 year old 210cm center from Williston, North Dakota that is playing his first season in the Beko BBL with Medi bayreuth. He played at Montana (NCAA) from 2007-2011 playing a total of 116 NCAA games and in his senior year played 32 games: 14.9ppg, 8.8rpg, 3.0bpg, FGP: 62.6%, FT: 64.5%. In 2011-2012, he started his professional basketball career with Aliaga Petkim (Turkey-TBL): 32 games: 8.9ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 56.5%, FT: 58.3%. Last season he played for : Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Belgium-Ethias League, starting five): 31 games: 9.8ppg, Reb-4(6.1rpg), Blocks-2(1.1bpg), FGP-2(65.3%), FT: 66.7%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 13.3ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 71.1%, FT: 57.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Brian congrats on the 87-82 win in Braunschweig. Bayreuth had a strong fourth quarter to seal the win. What were the main reasons for the victory?

Thank you, we really stepped up our defense in the second half after they scored way too many points in the first half. I think that was the main reason we were able to get a lead and finish the game strong.

What has been the main strength as of recent under Michael Koch that Bayreuth has been able to win close games? It seems like the team is more calm and you guys are allowed to make a mistake?

We are really enjoying playing together as a team and we are full of confidence as we approach each game. Yes relaxing and being able to play free and have fun is a huge key to us winning games.

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