Interviews

Jack Eggleston (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I Am Confident That We Can Step Up And Do The Things We Need To Do As A Team In Order To Stay In The Pro A.

Jack Eggleston is a 24 year old 203cm power forward from Noblesville, Indiana that is playing his third year as a professional for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen in the German Pro B. He played at Pennsylvania (NCAA) from 2007-2011. He played a total of 125 NCAA games. In his senior year he played 28 games: 13.2ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 73.5%. As a rookie for Leverkusen he played 23 games: 14.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 71.2%. Last season he played 33 games: 15.3ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 3.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 74.7%He spoke to German Hoops before the game against BG Karlsruhe.

Congrats on the important 72-62 win against Gotha snapping their three game winning streak. Leverkusen kept it close trailing only by three points at halftime, but had a big 23-6 run in the third quarter. Did Leverkusen make any adjustment and what was key for this massive turnaround?

Thanks Miles. I don’t think we make any big adjustments. We just did a better job of executing on both ends. The ball moved much more crisply on offense, and we eliminated some silly mistakes on defense.

Leverkusen did a very good job defending the three point line. How key was it limiting them in this area and keeping American Chase Griffin at bay?

Especially after they shot the ball so well against Cuxhaven, we knew we needed to slow them down from the perimeter. Marc Sonnen did an amazing job making things difficult on Griffin and taking away any easy looks.

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Dorenzo Hudson (Science City Jena) I Will Take A Lot From This Experience Playing For Bjoern Harmsen

Dorenzo Hudson is a 26 year old 195cm guard from Charlotte, North Carolina playing his second season as a professional for German Pro A team Science City Jena. He played at Virginia Tech (NCAA) from 2008-2012 and in his senior year played 33 games: 10.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 81.5%. Last season as a rookie he played for Zalakeramia-ZTE KK (Hungary-A Division): 24 games: 13.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 70.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thanks Dorenzo for talking to Eurobasket.com. Where are you at the moment in Germany and how was your day?

It’s great! How is yours?

You are playing your second professional season in Germany with Science City Jena. How do you like Germany? I am sure it is a lot different than Hungry.

From a personal perspective; Germany has a lot to offer culturally. I really enjoyed Hungary but the language barrier was a little tough on me. In Germany I run into more people that I can converse with which makes things easier. I met some great people in Hungary as well and will forever cherish that experience. I have been pleasantly surprised with how prepared the coaches have been in my European experience in both leagues, Germany and Hungray. Professionally- the pace and style of the game here is different. Ironically I thrive in an up tempo style and Most of the teams here play fast. It really allows me to get out in transition and make things happen.

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Brian Qvale (medi bayreuth) Phoenix Hagen Can Score A Lot Of Points In A Hurry So We Will Need To Slow Down Their Weapons On Offense

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 Phoenix Hagen

Congrats on the 82-70 win against SC RASTA Vechta. How thrilling was it getting a huge win in the fight to stay in the league and was this the best season effort of the club?

Thank you, beating Vechta was a huge win for us. It gives us confidence, puts us in a much better spot in the standings than if we would have lost, and it was great to win a game and give something back to the fans and community who support us.

Medi bayreuth had a nice lead going into the fourth quarter, but SC RASTA Vechta made a run which is always typical in basketball. Did medi bayreuth get a bit tired or just lose focus a bit in closing out the game?

We did not finish the game as strong as we could have. We held on for the win but coach made sure to tell us that we did an awful job of closing out the game and we need to finish the game stronger next time.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) I Just Feel Like Some Teams Have The Ability To Throw Them Off Their Game And Are Not Caught Up With The Fact That They Are FC Bayern Munich

Larry Gordon is a 26 year old 196cm forward that is playing his second season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. Last season for Phoenix Hagen he helped the team reach the playoffs playing 37 games: 12.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 83.2%He played at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of 116 NcAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) the last two seasons and in his last season played 38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against medi bayreuth.

Phoenix Hagen suffered a tough 82-76 loss at home against FC Bayern Munich last weekend. How much pain was it being able to stay with them for 30 minutes, but then not being able to close out the game?

It was a bad feeling, we had them beat. But with good teams like them you have to do something extra to Win

Phoenix Hagen was up by two points going into the fourth quarter, but allowed FC Bayern Munich to go on a run. What was key for FC Bayern Munich pulling out the road win?

They started to hit shots and calls starting going their way towards the end.

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Dirk Mädrich (SC Rasta Vechta) Pat Elzie Never Stopped Believing In Me And I Grew Up As A Player

Dirk Mädrich is a 30 year old 212cm center that is playing his third season for SC Rasta Vechta after moving down two classes form the Beko BBL to the Pro B in 2011. He started his basketball career in 2001 with BG Dorsten (Regionalliga). He then played three seasons for Braunschweig. In 2004-2005 he moved to Bamberg where he helped Bamberg win their first Beko BBL title. He then moved back to Braunschweig for a season and in 2006-2007 left Germany and played for Strasbourg IG (France-ProA): ULEB Cup: 13 games: 4.1ppg, 2.8rpg; French League: 31 games: 4.5ppg, 2.7rpg. He then played for the Artland Dragons form 2007-2009 helping them win the Beko BBL cup in 2008. In 2009 he played for AEP Olimpiada Patron (Greece-A2, starting five): 5 games: 8.8ppg, 3.6rpg, FGP: 75.0%, FT: 87.5%, then moved to Konstantin Elephants Grevenbroich (Regionalliga, starting five): 4 games: 12.5ppg. In 2010-2011 he played for LTi Giessen 46ers (1.Bundesliga): 30 games: 3.4ppg, 1.9rpg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball recently.

The most asked question to you this season has to be, was moving to SC Rasta Vechta the best decision in your basketball career?

That has been asked often and it was my best decision and the turning point in my basketball career. I had the choice of having a small role for a big team or be a small fish in big water or go back a step and take on some responsibility at Vechta. The concept of Pat Elzie worked and we have a great team now. I made a big step in the last three years. I am more robust, conditioned and grew up as a player with Vechta.

Why has Pat Elzie been so successful with SC Rasta Vechta?

Pat Elzie is a players coach that gives you confidence and stands behind you when you make a mistake. Before I came to Vechta, I never got a real chance anywhere or was injured. Elzie never stopped believing in me.

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Ahmad Smith (NBC) We Have To Play Better Defense Each Possession And Not Take Plays Off

Ahmad Smith is a 29 year old 194cm guard from Virginia that is playing his second season for the NBC 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 before the game against 2010 Eurochallenge winner BG Goettingen.

Congrats on the 97-82 win against Chemnitz. How pleased were you with the victory. Was this a typical Nurnberg win where you guys played that usual Nurnberg style of basketball that is successful?

Thanks it was a good win for us we played solid. We had some turnovers that we don’t usually make but overall we played well.

Nurnberg has been playing very good basketball as of late having won five of the last six games. NBC has a record of 6-3 in 2014. What has been the secret of the play of NBC in the new year?

We had lots of injuries the first half of the season and many new players. We’re healthy now and our team chemistry is better now that we have everyone in practice.

The league is so competitive this season and NBC is only in sixth place with a record of 14-10. What can the club still do better as a team in the stretch run to be totally ready for a run in the Pro A playoffs as moving up is a known goal of the organization.

We have to play better defense each possession and not take plays off.

How happy are you with your stats Ahmad? Your scoring and assists are up, but rebounds down? But 8,5rpg for a guard doesn´t always have to be self evident. Is your three point shooting something you can always improve?

My stats are ok I just try to focus on staying aggressive and putting my team in position to win games. I’m always trying to improve my shooting as well as every aspect of my game.

Do you take extra shots in practice and is their one teammate that you like working with most on the court?

Yes I always get extra shots up every practice. Playing with Cornelius Adler the last couple of years has made our chemistry on the court great.

What has been your impression of 2011 NCAA champion Enosch Wolf? How quickly do you see him back in the Beko BBL?

He’s a 7 footer with lots of potential. I think he will back in the BBL soon.

The next game is against top German Pro A team and 2010 Eurochallenge winner BG Goettingen. What are your memories of the 96-79 loss earlier in the season? NBC played with a short rotation and they had a very full rotation.

I didn’t play in that game earlier in the season so I don’t remember much about their team.

NBC wants to keep moving up in the standings and an upset might just be prefect. What kind of game can we await and what will be key in getting the win?

It will be a tough game on the road. We have to play good defense and keep their crowd out of the game.

Lamar Odom is back and playing for a Spanish team. He wants to restart his basketball career. Do you see him making the jump to European basketball?

If he’s in shape and focus he will have no problem adjusting he’s a great player.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Wolf of Wall Street.

Thanks Ahmad fort he chat.

Tony Gaffney (Telekom Baskets Bonn) I Dont Know If There Is Another Player I’ve Played With That I Have Connected With On The Court Like Jared Jordan

Tony Gaffney is a 29 year old 206cm forward from Berkely, Massachusetts that is playing his second season for the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He is a forward who brings a high level of energy and athleticism to any teams he joins. He is a tenacious rebounder and great defender. He was the Atlantic 10 Conference defensive player of the year in 2008-09, and one of the nation’s leading shot-blockers. He played at Boston University from 2004-2006 and then went to Massachusetts (NCAA) where he played from 2006-2009. In his senior year, he played 30 games: 11.5ppg, RebA10-2(10.2rpg), 1.7apg, StealsA10-2(2.0spg), BlocksNCAA-3(3.8bpg), FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 64.6%: Finished career at UMass ranked seventh all-time in blocks (174). In 2009-2010, he played for Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 1 game: 2pts, 2reb, 1steal, 1block, but left next month, in Apr.’10 moved to Boston Celtics (NBA). In 2010-2011, he played for the Boston Celtics (NBA), in Oct.’10 moved to Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey-TBL): Turkish League: 8 games: 6.0ppg, 2.4rpg, FGP: 63.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 80.0%; EuroChallenge: 3 games: 8.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.0spg; left in Jan.’11, same month acquired by Utah Flash (D-League): 38 games: 10.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.3apg, 1.4spg, Blocks-4(2.3bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 66.7%. In 2011-2012 he played for the Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): German League: 37 games: 12.9ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1(1.8bpg), FGP: 63.1%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 68.8%; EuroChallenge: 12 games: 11.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1(2.1bpg), FGP: 63.0%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 58.8%. Last season he played for FIATC Joventut Badalona (Spain-Liga Endesa): 23 games: 11.5ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.8apg, Steals-5(1.6spg), Blocks-5(1.3bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 64.5%.He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

A big 82-80 win in Vechta. The Telekom Baskets Bonn have had some huge wins this season like against Alba Berlin, ratiopharm Ulm or Tuebingen where you guys pulled it out at the end. Where would you rate the win against SC Rasta Vechta in comparison to other tight wins this season?

We have had many come from behind wins and close game wins, I think that the biggest factor in that is having a veteran team with a group of guys that never get rattled, and that is also part of the reason for having a 9-2 record on the road in the BBL, which as every player in this league knows, its not easy to win on the road. This Vechta game, being down 8 with 4:30 to go, in a game that we knew we had to win going forward late in the season and pushing towards the playoffs. From here on out, every single game is the most important game of the season, starting with Bremerhaven on Saturday at the Telekom Dome.

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Brian Qvale (medi bayreuth) None Of Us Have Lost This Many Games Before In Our Career So Mentally It Is Definitely A New Challenge For Us To Overcome

Brian thanks for talking to German Hoops again. medi bayreuth suffered a tough 73-61 loss in Ludwigsburg. Ludwigsburg had a one point lead in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, but then broke away. What were the main reasons for the loss on the road?

We had way too many turnovers. Their press took us away from getting into our offense and we didn’t execute as well as we should have.

It seemed like even when medi had an answer in the fourth quarter, Ludwigsburg had a better answer. Were the home team just a bit more clever in certain situations at the end?

They made some tough shots and we had defensive breakdowns in crucial times and it led to us losing the game unfortunately.

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Jack Eggleston (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) Goettingen Stayed Home On Me Most Of The Game, Which Made It Tough To Get Going Offensively

Jack Eggleston is a 25 year old 203cm power forward from Noblesville, Indiana that is playing his third year as a professional for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen in the German Pro B. He played at Pennsylvania (NCAA) from 2007-2011. He played a total of 125 NCAA games. In his senior year he played 28 games: 13.2ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 73.5%. As a rookie for Leverkusen he played 23 games: 14.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 71.2%. Last season he played 33 games: 15.3ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 3.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 74.7%He spoke to German Hoops Before the next game against Ehingen.

A tough 89-64 loss to number one team BG Goettingen at home. When you look at the half scoring one could say that Leverkusen played well for 20 minutes, but in between lost some focus in the second and third quarter. Why weren´t you able to play better for 40 minutes?

I thought we played a decent first quarter, but Goettingen tightened up defensively after that. They are a very talented team with a lot of depth and it was tough for us to keep up.

BG Goettingen had a comfortable 12 point lead at half time thanks to a strong second quarter outscoring Leverkusen 23-9. What adjustments did BG Goettingen seem to make in the second quarter and why wasn´t Leverkusen able to stay with the 2010 Eurochallenge winner?

The biggest adjustment they made was to take us out of our ball screen game. They pretty effectively shut down that part of our offense and made it difficult for us to operate.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) Alba Berlin Is Bigger Than Us And We Have To Fight Hard To Keep Them Out Of The Paint And Rebound The Basketball Well

Larry thanks for talking to German Hoops again. A tough 76-70 loss in Weissenfels. It is never easy to win at MBC. What led the Mitteldeutscher BC to having a huge 16 point lead after three quarters?

I wouldn’t say that, we won there last season. They played really good from the start last game and we dug ourselves in a hole that we couldn’t climb out at the end.

Phoenix Hagen still had energy in the fourth quarter and made the game exciting, but couldn´t get the win. Would Phoenix Hagen have got the win with better three point shooting?

No I don’t think so, we have never been defined by our 3pt shooting so that was not a factor, the problem was we got destroyed on the boards and shot 38% for the game, not going to win too many games like that.

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