Interviews

DaShaun Wood (Alba Berlin) I Am At The Stage In My Career Where I don´t Want To Be Like Allen Iverson And Just Score, But Want To Win Titles

Dashaun Wood is a 27 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing 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 about basketball.

This is your second season away from the Fraport Skyliners.Do you still feel at home when you play there?

I guess I do since I hit most of my shots in the loss this season. 24 points was the most I made this season. I just felt real confident on that day and had much confidence. I felt very relaxed and that arena is my home away from home.

Does your teammate Deon Thompson have a chance at the MVP award?

I think he has a good chance to win it. If you look at what he has done in the Euroleague. He has been very important in that competition and in the Beko BBL, he has carried us. You have to give him credit in that he has dominated both competitions.

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Jermareo Davidson (I Will Continue Each Season To Try To Get Back To The NBA)

Jermareo Davidson is a 28 year old 208cm forward from Atlanta, Georgia that is was his first season for Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye (Turkey-TBL), but was recently relased. He started his basketball career for Alabama(NCAA) and played there from 2003-2007 reaching the NCAA Elite 8 in 2004. He got drafted by the Golden State Warriors (NBA,2rd(36) in 2007 and was traded to Charlotte Hornets. In the 2007-2008 season, he played for the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA): 38 games: 3.2ppg, 1.6rpg, FGP: 40.8%, FT: 64.3%, in Jan.’08 was assigned to Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League): 6 games: 18.0ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.3spg, 1.0bpg, FGP. In 2008-2009, he played for the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA): 38 games: 3.2ppg, 1.6rpg, FGP: 40.8%, FT: 64.3%, in Jan.’08 was assigned to Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League): 6 games: 18.0ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.3spg, 1.0bpg, FGP. In 2009-2010, he played for the Golden State Warriors (NBA), only pre-season, then moved to Darussafaka C.Tires Istanbul (Turkey-TBL): 27 games: 15.9ppg, Reb-1(10.7rpg), 1.0spg, Blocks-2(1.3bpg), FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 62.8%. In 2010-2011, he played for Krasnie Krilya Samara (Russia-PBL): Russian League: 7 games: 4.6ppg, 4.0rpg; EuroCup: 4 games: 9.8ppg, 4.3rpg, left in Dec.’10, same month moved to Idaho Stampede (D-League): 30 games: 15.3ppg, Reb-3(10.1rpg), 1.5bpg, FGP: 52.2%, FT: 75.9%.Last season he played for the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): EuroCup: 6 games: 12.5ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.6%, FT: 50.0%; German League: 26 games: 12.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3apg, Blocks-2(1.7bpg), FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 77.3% He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

You recently were back in Frankfurt. What made you come back for a short visit?

My team in Turkey had a week break so I decided to come back to Frankfurt to visit some old friends. Some of the young kids who were fans now have become friends. It was a short 2.5 hour flight from Turkey so I came.

Did you see any ex Skyliner teammates?

I saw Devin Gibson and Quantez Robertson in the mall. I didn´t see a Skyliners practice. I would have liked to have seen Marius Nolte and the other guys.

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John Patrick (Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg) We Need To Concentrate On Ourselves. We Need Every Win

John Patrick recently came as a fire man coach to the Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg. The former Pac-10 Point Guard and 1992 Stanford University graduate has been 5 times Coach of the Year and won 3 Championships in the last 7 seasons in 4 different leagues. (Japan Super League, 2^nd German Bundesliga, BBL, and FIBA Eurochallenge) His low-player-budget BBL teams qualified for European competition in each of the last four seasons. Last season, Würzburg’s inaugural season in the BBL after finishing 2^nd in the Pro A (German 2^nd league) the previous season, Coach Patrick’s team had the lowest scoring defense in the BBL, and knocked Alba Berlin out of the playoffs, before dropping 3 hardfought games to Thorsten Leibenath’s RatiofarmUlm in the Semis. He psoke to German Hoops after the 79-73 win at home against ratiopharm Ulm.

Congrats on the 79-73 win against ratiopharm Ulm. Have the derbies against Tuebingen and Ulm in general been more intense then what you experienced in Goettingen and Wurzburg?

I don´t think that the derbies here are more intense as the Wurzburg fans were very motivated against Munich and I still here Goettingen fans talking about games with Paderborn and Braunschweig. I think the only difference is that we have three derbies here with Wurzburg, Tuebingen and Ulm. The game against Ulm as against Tuebingen were sold out. It was amazing how loud the Ulm fans were in the arena. Already an hour and 15 minutes before the game started they were singing. This was a big win, but I don´t want to get too euphoric about it. This was a special game for Lucca Staiger who grew up in the Ulm area. I am happy that we were able to beat the 2012 BBL finalist and 2013 Eurocup quarterfinalist Ulm. Our team and fans were very motivated tonight.

Ludwigsburg had a strong start with the 24-9 lead after one quarter. What was key for keeping the Ulm offense in check?

I have to admit that we were lucky that Ulm missed some open shots and we were fortunate to hit shots. We gave 100% effort and I have to give a lot of credit to John Turek and Eric Coleman for their job defending John Bryant and their defending the pick and role and pick and pop play. When you play against Ulm, you can´t only worry about John Bryant, but they have a great offense and you have to help on the point guard, but still get back on Bryant. We were also a bit lucky that Bryant wasn´t hitting all his shots. When he gets going then you can go home.

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John Bynum Retires: An Exclusive Interview

John Bynum is a 35 year old 191 cm guard from Visalia California that recently announced his retirement from professional basketball. He played last season for TBB Trier averaging 6.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 39.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 63.6%. He played this season in the German Pro A for BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA) playing 21 games avergaing 11,8ppg, 5,2rpg and 3,6apg. He was a good fighter, fast and good in offensive playing. He was a great athlete who could shoot the ball with consistency from 3 and finish with authority on the break. He was a tremendous defender on the ball. He played college basketball at College of the Sequoias Junior College:from 1996-1998 and then transferred to Metropolitan St. (NCAA2): and played there from 1998-2000. He started his professional basketball career in 2001 in the Uk for the Solent Stars (United Kingdom-NBLConf): 31 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assist. In 2002-2003, came his first tour of duty in Germany for BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga): 24.7ppg, 9.2rpg, 6.7apg, 3.5spg. In 2003-2004, he played for the Ulriken Eagles (Norway-BNLO): Regular Season: 14 games: 20,1ppg, 8,1rpg, 2,5apg, 2,9spg, 0,4bpg.In 2004-2005, he was back in Germany playing for BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-2. can Bundesliga): 30 games: Score-5(26.0ppg), 7.7rpg, Ast-4(5.4apg), 1.7spg, 2FGP: 55.5%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 63.6%. In 2005-2006, he played for InterCollege Etha Engomis (Cyprus-A1): only pre-season, then joined COOCOON Baskets Weiden (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five): 8 games: 15.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 51%, left in Jan.’06 and later that month signed at Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 21 games: 7.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 56.5%. In 2006-2007, he played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 31 games: 5.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 43.1%, 3FGP: 25.0%, FT: 55.9%. In 2007-2008, he played for USC Heidelberg (Germany-ProA, starting five): 14 games: 14.4ppg, 4.4rpg, Assists-5(4.6apg), 2.3spg, 2FGP: 54%, 3FGP: 27.3%, FT: 58.5%, left in Jan.’08 due to shoulder injury, in Feb.’08 moved to Digibu Baskets Paderborn (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 13 games: 6.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 70.0%. In 2009-2010, he played in the PRO A for Proveo Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-ProA, starting five): 27 games: 16.9ppg, 7.1rpg, Assists-3(5.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 62.8%. Last season with TBB Trier, he played 35 games: 6.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 64.3%. He sat down with German Hoops talking about his basketball career.

The season isn´t even over and you and Chemnitz are going separate ways. A very uncharachteristic thing for you since you always finish the season. Why did the 2012-2013 season come to an abrupt end now?

Yea this is the first time that anything like this had happened in my career and it feels weird but when you don’t see eye to eye with certain people about certain things then someone has to go and with 8 weeks left in a season in a playoff race they did what they had to do and someone had to be blamed.

Your 35 now. Is Chemnitz the end of a long basketball career or will you hang on another year?

Yes this year was mentally draining to be honest and I don’t want to experience anything like this so I can honestly say that this was it. I had a great run and a long career and met many great people and developed a lot of friendships as well.

You were averaging 31 minutes for Chemnitz and had solid stats with 11,8ppg, 5,2rpg, 3,6apg and 1,5spg. You were one of the important contributers on the team, but was there no way how one could of soothed over any differences between you and others?

I honestly always felt I could do more and that’s not a jab at anyone but it was a tough situation to come into. I wasnt able to showcase my strengths on a consistent basis throughout the season. I was trying to fit in most the season instead of doing things that I did well throughout my career.

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Ryan DeMichael (I Was Always Honest, Played For My Teammates, And Always had a passion for The Game)

Ryan DeMichael is a 35 year old 205cm power forward/center that recently announced his retirement. He played at Tenn.-Martin(NCAA). He turned professional in 1999 and played for Pussihukat Vantaa (Finland). He then came to Germany for his first stint playing with SG Sechtem until 2002. He then played for AB Contern (Luxembourg-N1) until 2004. He then returned to Germany in 2004 and played the next eights easons here. He played in the Beko BBL from 2005-2008 for Nurnberg and Tuebingen. He laso played for teams like Jena, Kirchheim and Lich. He played the last two seasons for NBC. Last season he played 28 games: 11.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.4apg, Blocks-2(1.4bpg), FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 69.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball and retiring.

Recently you announced your retirement from professional basketball. You did this in the middle of the season with NBC. What were the main reasons for doing this?

It was time for me to get out. I am 35 and I looked in the mirror and knew it was time to get serious with my life. To start working a normal 9 to 5 job, and to be home with my family. Working during the day, practicing at night, spending my weekends on the road and/or practicing are not something that I could afford to do anymore. I have a new daughter, building a new home, and will be getting married in the summer. My life was heading away from sport. Plus, I was heading for a burn out and because of this my health was starting to suffer.

How difficult was it making this decision hanging up the sneakers?

The decision was very easy after my consultation with my doctor. I want to be healthy and enjoy my life after sport!

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Tony Gaffney (FIATC Joventut) It Is Impossible To Replace Jared Jordan

Tony Gaffney is a 28 year old 204cm forward from Berkely, Massachusetts that is playing for FIATC Joventut Badalona this season. 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%. Last season 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%He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

How well have you digested the New England Patriots loss against the Baltimore Ravens?

I have not digested it well. I am a diehard Patriots fan, but I have to admit that the Ravens were simply better than the Patriots were on this night. I am happy though that Ray Lewis has another chance to win a Superbowl.

Was this the last chance for the New England Patriots and Tom Brady or will they come back? Tom Brady is turning 36 this year.

I think that Tom Brady has 2-3 more good years left of playoff football. I think that the Patriots will do what they do each year and come back strong and be in the hunt again. I think that Brady is still the smartest quarterback and best arm in the NFL.

If you had to rank the top four Boston sports teams how would you rank them?

Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins. I was under contract with the Boston Celtics for 6-7 months and I still have a warm spot for them.

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Josh Parker (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I Have To Keep Working Hard To Live Up To That Name Mini Rose

Josh Parker is a 23 year old 183cm point guard from Harvey, Illinois that is playing his rookie season in Germany for PRO B team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He played at Drake from 2007-2009 and then played for Dayton(NCAA) from 2010-1012. He played a total of 130 NCAA games. Currently he is tearing up the German PRO B. He spoke to eurobasket after the 107-67 loss against the Fraport Skyliners.

A tough 107-67 loss against the Fraport Skyliners. What was the main reason for the loss?

I have to give them a lot of credit. They played very well. They executed their game plan and hit shots. It was a bad loss for us, but it was simply their day. We have to keep battling and playing hard, because we want to reach the playoffs.

You hurt yourself in the third quarter. What happened and are you all right?

I rolled my ankle, but I am ok. I wanted to keep playing, but coach thought it was better I didn´t and not to risk anything. I have a week now to get ready for the next game.

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John Bowler Retires (I Wish Everyone To Remember Me As A Player Who Gave Everything And Left His Heart On The Floor)

John Bowler is a 28 year old 206cm center from Chicago that has announced his retirement. He played at Eastern Michigan from 2002-2006. His best season was his senior year where he played 28 games averaging 20.1ppg, 10.8rpg, 2.5apg, FG: 54.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.3%. He came to The Telekom Baskets Bonn in 2006 where he played until 2010. His best season was 2007-2008 where he played 39 games averaging 12.1ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 70.5%. He reached two BBL finals and one BBL Cup final. He played for EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga) from 2010-2012 playing 18 games: 11.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT-3(50.0%), FT: 79.2%. He was voted most liekable player in the Beko BBL in 2008. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.

John you have retired from professional basketball. How tough was it making this decision?

It was extremely tough and the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my entire life. I love basketball and I will be involved in basketball for the rest of my life but I had to make the decision that was best for my family and I.

You only played six professional seasons. In mind you must feel too young to be retiring or not?

I prefer to look at the positives and not on things I haven’t had. Yes I would have loved to have played more but I had a great career. I was given a great opportunity to play professional basketball and I played 6 phenomenal seasons at some of the highest levels of basketball with the best teammates, coaches, and fans. Some don’t even get the chance to play. So I feel that I am blessed and had an awesome career.

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Derrick Allen (Belgacom Spirou) Frankfurt Has A Special Place In My Heart

Derrick Allen is a 32 year old 203cm forward that grew up in Gadsen Alabama that is playing his first season in Belgium for Belgacom Spirou. He is a rugged inside player who attacks the glass, will provide help on the boards, is a solid defender in the post, a competitor and hard worker that can score facing the basket and has shooting range to the foul line. He started his career at Southern Union State from 1998-2000. He then transferred to Mississippi and played there from 2000-2003. He then started his professional basketball career in Iceland playing for Keflavikur ripping up the FIBA Europe Cup playing 8 games and averaging 26.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.5apg, 1.8spg and playing 22 games in the Iceland league averaging 23,4ppg, 10.5rpg. He won the Icelandic league and cup title in his rookie season. In 2004, he ventured to Germany and has played there ever since with two years in Karlsruhe, one year in Leverkusen and played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners from 2007-2010. In 2006-2007, he led Leverksuen into the playoffs and led the BBL in scoring playing 38 games and averaging 16.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 50.6%, 3FGP: 32.3%, FT: 72.2%. In 2007-2008, he was second best scorer in the BBL for Frankfurt playing 43 games and averaging 18.1ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.6%; and playing 10 ULEB Cup games finishing as the third best scorer averaging 19.9ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.9%. In 2010-2011 for Alba Berlin, he played EuroCup: 11 games: 13.0ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 57.6%, FT: 80.6%; Euroleague Qualifying Round: 5 games: 15.0ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP: 64.7%, FT: 56.3%; German Bundesliga: 49 games: 13.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP-3(61.0%), FT: 78.7%. Last season for Alba Berlin, he played Euroleague Qualifying Round: 2 games: 15.5ppg, 6.0rpg; EuroCup: 12 games: 10.0ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 47.3%, FT: 70.8%; German League: 37 games: 9.1ppg, 4.6rpg, FGP: 54.2%, FT: 73.6% He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

You are playing your first season in Belgium for Belgacom Spirou. Was it strange leaving the Beko BBL after 8 years?

Yes it was tough leaving the Beko BBL. I thought it was ok to go. I had a good opportunity in Belgium. Spirou has wanted me the last years and now it finally worked out. I will miss Germany.

You had a double double in your first game with 15 points and 10 rebounds. This league seems to be compatible with your game.

Yes I think it is. The league is competitive, but it the level suits my game. Many guys that have played in the Beko BBL like Demond Mallet, Chris Copeland or Caleb Green have played here and been successful.

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Josh Parker (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) My Teamamates And Coach Have Given Me A Great Opportunity For Me To Play The Game I Know How

Josh welcome to Germany. On the court you have had no adjusting to do, but how have you adjusted to the German way of life?

Thank you I am so glad to be here! I have been adjusting to the German way of life pretty good. Germany is really Americanized and easy to adjust most of the people here speak English so it has been a smooth transition for me.

The team currently has a record of 3-4. What has been the main reasons for the 3-4 start?

It’s been some ups and downs through the season like every team and with our team we lost some very close games that could have easily went our way that was unfortunate. With a team it always take some time to get familiar with everyone and now I feel like we are getting a pretty good feel for one another and starting to play well together.

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