Interviews

Brandon Gay (TBB Trier Helped Me Become A Professional)

Brandon Gay is a 30 year old 203cm forward that recently finished his his second season for Szolnoki Olajbanyasz (Hungary-A Division). In hiss econd season he played 18 games: 7.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 78.6%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 11.5ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 91.7%; Adriatic League: 21 games: 8.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 65.7%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT-1(91.3%)He started his basketball career with San Diego (NCAA). In 2005-2006 he turned professional and played his first two seasons for TBB Trier. He then played three seasons for the Antwerp Giants (Belgium-D1). His best season was his first season where he played ULEB Cup: 10 games: 13.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.9apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 53.4%, 3FGP: 41.2%; Belgian League: 35 games: 14.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.9apg, 2.1spg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 84.0%. In 2010-2011, he played for VOO Verviers-Pepinster (Belgium-D1, starting five): 31 games: 10.9ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT-2(44.3%), FT: 80.4%. Last season he played for Sokhumi Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague, starting five): Georgian League: 2 games: 18.5ppg, 10.5rpg, 4.5apg, 2.5spg; Eurochallenge Qualifying Round: 2 games: 14.0ppg, 4.5rpg, in Oct.’11 moved to Szolnoki Olajbanyasz (Hungary-A Division): Hungarian League: 30 games: 9.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 87.9%; EuroChallenge: 14 games: 8.9ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 91.7%. He caught up with German Hoops some months ago and talked about his season in Hungary and basketball career.

Brandon where are you currently and how is your winter going?

What’s up Miles, I’m in Szolnok, Hungary playing for the second season in a row. The winter hasn’t been how I expected it to be but we are working hard to get our season turned back around.

You are playing your second season for Szolnoki Olajbanyasz in Hungry. How do you like this country and league?

The country is good, I’m in a smaller city than other teams I played for and that I live in but that just means there is a larger focus on the basketball team. This season we are in the Adriatic League and Euro Challenge, we will join the Hungarian league after the Adriatic season is over. Every game its really good competition and as a player you cant ask for more than that.

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Monta McGhee (I Was Surprised How Good The Israel Players Were In The League)

Monta Mcghee is a 33 year old 198cm forward from Chicago that completed his first season for Elitzur Yavne (Israel-National League) where he played 27 games: 15.2ppg, 9.7rpg, 3.1apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 71.7%. He started his basketball career in 2000 for Kishwaukee College (NJCAA). He then played for Lewis (NCAA2) until 2004. He started his professional basketball career in 2005 for e p Horsens IC (Denmark-Basketliga) where he played until 2007. In 2007-2008, he came to Germany to play for la Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five): 30 games: Score-4(18.8ppg), Reb-4(9.2rpg), 2.3apg, 1.8spg, 0.6 bpg, FGP: 45.8%, FT: 73.7%, 3PT: 28.3%. In 2008-2009, he played for the Giants Noerdlingen (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 34 games: 14.1ppg, Reb-3(8.3rpg), 2.1apg, Steals-2(1.7spg), FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 69.7%. He then played for n : Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (Holland-DBL) from 2009-2011 winning the cup in 2010 and league title in 2011. In 2011-2012 he played for Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-D1, starting five): 36 games: 8.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 39.6%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 62.2%. He gave German Hoops an interview during the last season.

You played your first season in Israel. How did you like the country and basketball?

The basketball was great and I love it here. I didn´t really know what to expect as I came, but the people have been nice and I am having fun here.

How did you experienced the political problems in Israel?

I didn´t see too much. The city that I was in was in a safe part of the country, but I have been concerned about the happenings here.

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Stanley Burrell (We Never Established A True Identity)

Stanley Burrell is a 28 year old 190cm point guard from Indianapolis that just completed his first season in the Beko BBL for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He played at Xavier from 2004-2008 and in hiss enior year played 37 games: 9.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 39.1%, 3Pts: 39.3%, FT: 82.3%. He played a total of 132 NCAA games. In 2008-2009, he turned professional and played for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (Bosnia-D1): Adriatic League: 17 games: 9.7ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 10.5%, FT: 72.2%, left team in Jan.’09, in Feb.’09 moved to Austin Toros (D-League): 23 games: 6.1ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 76.9%. In 2009-2010, he played for VOO Verviers-Pepinster (Belgium-D1, starting five): 31 games: 10.8ppg, 2.1rpg, Assists-1(4.6apg), FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 67.4%. In 2010-2011, he played for Generali Okapi Aalstar (Belgium-D1): EuroChallenge Qualifying Round: 2 games: 15.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg, 2.0spg; Belgian League: 36 games: 8.6ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 66.0%. In 2011-2012, he played for Energa Czarni Slupsk (Poland-PLK, starting five): 39 games: 15.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.8apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 81.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the end of the 2012-2013 Beko BBL season.

Where are you currently and what was the first thing you did when you arrived in the States?

Im currently back in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. The first thing I did when I arrived home was surprise my mother at her job. She was in tears and had no idea I was back in the country already. It was a great moment!

You played your first season in the Beko BBL with the Eisaberen Bremerhaven after playing in countries like Bosnia, Belgium and Poland. How challenging was it for you playing in the Beko BBL?

Surprisingly, it wasnt as challenging as I thought it was going to be. The summer/offseason before coming to Germany, I trained harder than I had ever trained in my career…. (As you can see in the highlight video I had posted on Eurobasket.com and my facebook fan page) I knew the BBL was one of the top leagues in all of Europe, so I wanted to be prepared. I didnt know what to expect, so I just prepared myself for EVERYTHING. That hard work in the offseason put my confidence in my game at a high level. I was ready to show what I was capable of in Germany. To come in my first season in the league, be an All Star, and almost lead the league in scoring, I proved what I was capable of.

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Bryan Bailey (I Am Thankful For The Opportunity To Play For Roma)

Bryan Bailey is a 32 year old 185cm combo guard that is playing his 11th professional basketball season and recently finished the season in Germany with BBC Bayreuth and now is playing for Acea Virtus Roma (Italy-SerieA) in the playoffs against Trenkwalder. He is a true team leader both on and off the court. He possesses a diverse game, with an ability to stroke the long-range jumper, penetrate to the rim or distribute the ball. He is solid on the defensive end of the floor as well. His fierce competitive drive rubs off on his teammates. He started his professional basketball career at Bucknell and player there from 1998-2002 and in his senior year played 17 games averaging 18.1ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.4apg. He made All-Patriot League 1st Team in 2001 and 2002. In 2002-2003, he started his professional basketball season in Germany with DJK S. Oliver Wurzburg (Germany-1Bundesliga, starting five): 26 games, 15.4ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.4spg. In 2003-2004, he played in Holland for Landstede Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 35 games: 17.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.1apg, 2.4spg, 0.2bpg. He then played with The Artland Dragons from 2004-2007 reaching the league and cup final in 2007. His best statistical season was 2005-2006 playing 33 games and averaging 11.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.7apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 25.3%. In 2007-2008, he played with Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (Bosnia-D1, starting five): ULEB Cup: 12 games: 10.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 84.3%. In 2008-2009, he played in Poland for PGE Turow Zgorzelec (Poland-DBE): Eurocup: 6 games: 7.3ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.7spg; Polish League: 32 games: 8.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 77.0%. In 2009-2010, he played with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg playing Euroleague: 4 games: 8.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.8apg; German League: 6 games: 9.3ppg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 89.7%. n the 2011-2012 with the rtland Dragons, he played EuroChallenge Qualifying Round: 1 game: 7pts, 5reb, 3ast, 3steals; German League: 41 games: 11.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 77.2%. He spoke to German Hoops before game seven against Trenkwalder.

Most of your teammates are home in the States enjoying their vacation and free time while you are battling in the Italian league playoffs. How amazing was it getting this job opportunity so late in your basketball career?

It’s great to be a part of a club with great tradition and history and I’m thankful for the opportunity to play for Roma.

Did even a second have to go by for you to take the offer?
No. Not at all.

I can imagine the main reason for Acea Virtus Rome hauling you in was for your experience and leadership. What other reasons did the club mention was there for getting you?

It was definitely for my experience and my overall basketball knowledge and also my ability to play both guard positions.

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Dashaun Wood (Alba Berlin) Playing For Frankfurt Wouldn´t Be A Step Back For Me

Dashaun Wood is a 27 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that just completed his third season in Germany and second for Alba Berlin. He is a young point guard with natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for : Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. In 2010-2011, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. Last season for Alba Berlin, he played German League: 37 games: Score-5(15.0ppg), 3.7rpg, Assists-4(4.8apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 79.2%; Euroleague Qualifying Round: 2 games: 9.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 4.0apg, 2.0spg; EuroCup: 12 games: 14.2ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-1(5.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 82.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after losing the series against FC Bayern Munich.

If someone had told you before the FC Bayern Munich series that Alba Berlin would get swept what would you have thought?

I would have said that it was a lie. We played them very well this season winning in pre season, cup and in the regular season. If someone would of said that it would have been very hard to believe.

FC Bayern Munich won game one easily, but lost game two and game three with six points apiece. What was missing in the last two games to get over the hump?

The third quarter really hurt us in the last two games. Munich had some guys step up that made tough shots that usually they would not have made. We played the percentages, but you have to give them credit for having determination and effort to make those difficult shots. Those big shots gave them momentum just to slightly get the lead and hang on. I also think that we had 25 more Euroleague games in our bones and they just had more juice than we did.

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Kyle Hines (Olympiakos Pireus) Bamberg Will Always Have A Place In My Heart

Kyle Hines is a 26 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his second season with Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece) winning the Euroleague final last season. 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. Lasts eason in Greece he played Euroleague: 22 games: 9.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 51.9%, FT: 57.6%; Greek League: 34 games: 8.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-4(1.1bpg), FGP: 57.4%, FT: 64.4% He spoke to German Hoops after winning his second Euroleague title.

Congrats Kyle for your second Euroleague win. Nothing against athletes Dennis Davis and Shonn Greene, but are you now the most famous person in your hometown Sicklerville, New Jersey?

I don’t really know. You would have to ask the town. There have been some well known people from my town. A kid won an Olympic gold medal at the last Olympics. I am happy though to be listed with them.

Are comebacks in your blood?

I think that our team has had experience in making comebacks the entire Euroleague season. It just shows the character of the team to be able to comeback and not be afraid or panic in uneasy situations. We never plan comebacks. We would rather be in games where we had a comfortable lead, but it seems that things always work out for us.

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Kyle Hines (Olympiakos Pireus) It Is Amazing That Two Players Reached The Euroleague Final One Year After Leaving Bamberg

Congrats on the amazing 69-52 win against CSKA Moscow to reach your second Euroleague final in a row. How blessed are you at the moment?

This was a great win for our team. I feel so blessed not only to have been in two back to back final four´s, but now in my second final. It is amazing that only one team in the history has won it back to back and now we have the chance.

Many had CSKA Moscow to win it all. Did Olympiakos Pireus go into the game with less pressure?

We feel very comfortable as underdogs. Our coaches had us ready with a good game plan and we just executed the way we had to. This was probably our best defensive showing of the season. Holding a team to under 60 points that has so much offensive fire power is amazing.

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Jack Eggleston (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I Can´t Even Imagine Where We Would Be Without Josh Parker

Jack Eggleston is a 24 year old 203cm power forward from Noblesville, Indiana that is playing his second 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%. Last season for Leverkusen he played 23 games: 14.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 71.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after beating Oldenburg in the playoffs.

Congrats on getting past Oldenburg in the first round of the playoffs? The three games had a total of 551 total points. How much energy did this series cost the team?

We’ve played all of our games this year at a pretty fast pace so I don’t think that the series took any more energy than usual out of us. We have plenty of time to get rested and ready for our first game Sunday.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen won game three 95-90. The Giants had a nice lead at halftime, but Oldenburg stormed back in the third quarter to get back into the game. What was key at the end for Leverkusen winning the game?

I thought we did a great job of finding their shooters down the stretch and making sure they didn’t get any easy looks. Also we made sure to secure defensive boards and limit them to one shot.

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Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) We have not reached our goal yet and every team poses a threat to us not achieving our goal

Larry Gordon is a 25 year old 196cm forward that is playing his first season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. 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 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 the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig.

Congrats on the 73-67 win at home against Oldenburg. Oldenburg was up by 5 points after three quarters. In the fourth quarter Phoenix Hagen played Hagen basketball erupting for 26 points. Was this not a better example of how the team ALWAYS believes in itself?

It was a great example, and teams are going to start to respect the fact that we don’t ever give up no matter what the game is looking like.

It used to be that nobody talked about the Phoenix Hagen defense, but giving up 67 points and forcing 23 turnovers was excellent. How has Phoenix Hagen improved defensively in the last two months?

We have been more focused and concentrated on defense more than our offense, we know our offense will come and we know that defense is what is going to win games for us.

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Ahmad Smith (NBC) Rebounding Is Something That I Focus On Going Into Each Game

Ahmad Smith is a 28 year old 194cm guard from Virginia that is playing his first season for the NBC of the German PRO A. He started the season with Gotha, but left the team and came to NBC in January 2013. 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 the 91-82 win against his ex team Gotha.

Congrats on the 91-82 win against your ex team Gotha. How motivated were you to play against your old team again?

Thanks, I was motivated its always special playing against your former team.

When you left Gotha, it was stated in the press release that both sides had no comment to the reasons for the termination of your contract. In the game, you had a tangle with Christop Nicol on the court. What exactly happened from your point of view?

I just told him it was a good game and thanks for some of the negative comments he had about me while I was in Gotha.

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