Interviews

Jimmie Hunt (Murat Didin Would Say Bubba At least Every 5 Minutes)

Jimmie Hunt is a 29 year old 187cm guard that is playing for the second time for Euroins Cherno More in Bulgaria. He started his basketball career at Franklin Pierce (NCAA2) in 2000 where he played until 2004. He started his basketball career for : Kemoplast Alpos Sentjur (Slovenia) in 2005. In the 2006-2007 season for : Kemoplast Alpos Sentjur (Slovenia ) he played : 35 games: Score-1(18.4ppg), 3.1rpg, Assists-1(4.6), 1.6spg, 2FGP: 55,9%, 3FGP: 38,9%, FT: 80,0%. In 2007-2008 season, he played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany)German League: 43 games: 2.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.1apg; ULEB Cup: 10 games: 4.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.4apg. He ha splayed in Bulgaria since 2008 and last season for the Florida Flight (CBL). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

It has been almost four years since you played your last game with the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Has the time moved quickly since then?

Yes and no. I really missed my time in Frankfurt, but at the same time I have had good times since so I can´t complain.

You are playing your second time for Cherno More in Bulgaria and since 2008 in Bulgaria. You seem to like Bulgaria to stay?

Bulgaria is a nice country which has treated me good. I have always goten nice contracts so why shouldn´t I stay?

You live in Varna which is on the Black sea. What do you like most about the city?

The Black sea is nice. It is a nice place to walk around and there are always people around you. It isn´t Frankfurt, but Varna is nice.

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Johannes Herber (Fraport Skyliners) Jacob Burtschi Would Be The Hunter And I Would Build The Hut In The Wilderness

Johannes Herber is a 29 year old 197cm shooting guard from Darmstadt, Germany that is playing his first season for the Fraport Skyliners. He started his basketball career in 1999 for TV Langen where he played until 2002. He then played for West Virginia from 2002-2006 playing a total of 128 NCAA games reaching the NCAA elite 8 in 2005 and NCAA Sweet 16 in 2006. H ethen played for Alba Berlin from 2006-2009 playing a total of 48 Beko BBL games and 10 ULEB Cup games and two Euroleague games. He battled ACL injuries in his time in the German capital. Last season, he played for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 34 games averaging 6.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against Alba Berlin.

What do you remember most from the amazing 76-68 win against the Brose Baskets Bamberg?

Just the good feeling after the game. It is also nice seeing how the team has developed since the first loss in Bamberg and how many steps it has taken.

Bamberg came back in the second quarter to lead 37-36. How big was the belief of winning still at halftime?

The belief was there. We had shown early that we felt we could win with our good start. We got a bit tired in the second quarter and it was obvious that there would be some runs in this game. We wanted to play the third quarter like we did in the first quarter and did. If someone had told us before the game that we would be down by one point at halftime, we would very gladly have accepted it.

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Demetrius Jemison (Fraport Skyliners Juniors): My Ability To Run The Floor Doesn´t Always Get Noticed

Demetrius Jemison is a 24 year old 203cm forward from Birmingham, Alabama. He is playing his first season with the Fraport Skyliners PRO B team. He played at Alabama from 2006-2010 playing a total of 93 NCAA games. He had a serious injury his senior year and transferred to Manhatten in 2010 playing 22 games: 10.4ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 76.1%. Currently for Frankfurt he is averaging 16,8ppg and 9,0 rpg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

You have played in quite a number of Hessen derbies against TV Langen, Hanau or the Licher Baeren. How were these games different than other PRO B games?

The atmosphere was always great. The fans are so crazy rooting for their team.

Could you compare it to games against Mississippi or Alabama State?

I think it is very close. The passion and love the fans have for Mississippi or Alabama State is amazing. The derbies here kind of reminded me of the rivalries in the NCAA.

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Jason Boone (s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg): Any Team With Robert Kulawick Is Extremely Dangerous

Jason Boone is a 26 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York. He will be playing his first season with the s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg and his fourth in the Beko BBL. He played three seasons for BG Goettingen. He played at New York University(NCAA 3) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 28 games averaging 14.1ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.4bpg, 2.9apg, FG: 63.0%, FT: 64.3%. Three seasons ago, he played at Bernau(Regionalliga) before making the jump up three leagues to MEG Goettingen. In 2008-2009, he averaged 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg, FG: 53.7. In 2009-2010, he won the Eurochallenge playing EuroChallenge: 16 games: 10.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 53.8%; German League: 35 games: 9.1ppg, 6.1rpg, FGP: 60.3%, FT: 55.9%. Last season with BG Goettingen he played 37 games: 8.5ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 59.8%, FT: 34.9%; EuroCup: 14 games: 9.1ppg, 6.2rpg, Blocks-4(1.1bpg), FGP: 59.8%, FT: 36.0%. Jason spoke to German Hoops before the game against The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig February 18^th.

A big 64-55 win in Bayreuth. It was another typical low scoring grind out win for the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg. What was key in the end for getting a big road win?

It was definitely a grind. The Bayreuth arena is one of the toughest places to play in the BBL. Fortunately we made the plays down the stretch to seal the victory.

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Marcus Slaughter (Brose Baskets Bamberg): Tibor Pleiss Is Playing With A Lot Of Confidence

Marcus Slaughter is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Riverside California. He played at San Diego State from 2003-2006. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 16.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 49%, FT: 76.2%. He started his professional basketball career in Turkey for Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir playing 29 games averaging 13.3ppg, Reb-3(10.2rpg), 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 67.2%. In 2007-2008, he was with the Miami Heat in preseason and then played in Israel and France for Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem, Israeli League: 8.0ppg, 6.4rpg, ULEB Cup: 5 games: 5.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, waived in Dec.’07, in Jan.’08 signed at BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral 15 games: 9.5ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP-3(63.2%), FT: 58.9%. in 2008-2009, he started with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven(8 games: 18.8ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.3apg, 2.6spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 60.0%) before moving to France to Le Havre playing 21 games: 16.0ppg, Reb-1(9.5rpg), 1.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 65.4%; Eurocup: 6 games: 12.2ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg, 1.8bpg. In 2009-2010, he played for Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProA): EuroCup: 6 games: 8.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.8spg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 76.7%; French League: 29 games: 12.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.5spg, Blocks-5(1.4bpg), FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.1%. Last season, he played for Blancos de Rueda Valladolid (Spain-ACB, starting five): 34 games: 9.9ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.4spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 65.0%, FT: 67.5%. He is back in the Beko BBL with the Brose Baskets Bamberg. He spoke to German Hoops after the win against ratiopharm Ulm.

Congrats on the 102-74 win in Ulm. This game had been talked about for weeks as being the big showdown, but Bamberg silenced all critics showing they are still the best team in Germany.

This was a big game. Ulm had not lost in their new arena and we wanted to stay in first place. There have been those doubters who didn´t think that Bamberg was as good as the last years. We wanted to make a statement and didn´t lay down and kept first place.

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Dennis Schroeder (New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig): My Dream Is To Play In The States Someday

Dennis Schroeder is an 18 year old 186cm guard that plays for the Spot Up Medien Baskets Braunschweig (ProB) and New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig (1.Bundesliga). Last season in the PRO B, he played 24 games: 8.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.2apg, FGP-2(68.7%), 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 80.4%. Last summer, he played at the European Championships U18 in Wroclaw (Poland) -11: 8 games: 13.5ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-3(4.9apg), 2.0spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 63.6%. German Hoops had a chat with him at the 2012 Beko BBL Allstar game.

This was your first time at the Beko BBL Allstar day. How did you like it?

I really have enjoyed the day a lot and it was a great experience.

You had six points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals in 25 minutes in the NBBL Allstar game. What grade would you give yourself?

I would give myself a German grade of 3.

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Jacob Burtschi (Fraport Skyliners): My Teammates Have Confidence In My Shot, But I Need To Find That Confidence Again

Jacob Burtschi is a 27 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who is playing his first season with the Fraport Skyliners. He completed his rookie season for Phoenix Hagen averaging 14.2ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-3(1.5spg), FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 82.2%. He played at the Air Force from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 35 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 39.0%, FT: 77.3%. He had offers to play in the NBA, but served in the Air Force the last three years and could only play club ball. Some achievements that he got in the NCAA were All-MWC Honorable Mention -05, MWC Regular Season Runner-Up -06, All-MWC 2nd Team -06, 07, NABC All-NCAA District 13 2nd Team -07, and NIT Final Four -07. He spoke to German Hoops after the 81-57 loss in Ludwigsburg.

A tough 81-57 loss in Ludwigsburg. Why was this game so tough after a long break and good week of practice?

We watched video today and you could see that our defense wasn´t there. We had no effort or communication. They simply outplayed us.

Frankfurt has given up an average of 80 points in the last two games. Does one have to worry about the Frankfurt defense?

No I don´t think so. There will always be bad phases on defense and mental lapses. Important is that they get corrected and we improve.

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Ilian Evtimov (Pascal Roller Reminds Me Of The Character In The Movie Taken With A Bruce Wills Look)

Ilian Evtimov is a 28 year old 201 cm forward playing his second season in France for Chalon. He has the French-Bulgarian citzenships and played at North Carolina State from 2001-2006. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 10.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FG: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT. After a short stint with Estudiantes Madrid in 2006, he played at VidiVici Bologna in the 2006-2007 season. He played FIBA EuroCup playing 15 games averaging 6.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 65.4%, 3FGP: 47.1%, FT: 72.2%; and playing15 games in the Italian league averaging 3.1ppg, 2.1rpg. In 2007-2008, he moved to The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing 10 ULEB Cup games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 85%; and in the German League playing 44 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 86.2%. In 2008-2009, he continued playing in Frankfurt playing 10 EuroChallenge: games averaging 8.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 70.0%; and in the German League playing 34 games averaging 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 74.6%. In 2009-2010, he played for BC Levski Sophia (Bulgaria-NBL): 1 game: 6pts, 5reb, 2ast, 3steals; Balkan League: 1 game: 3pts, 1reb, 1ast, 2steals; in Oct.’09 moved to Proteas EKA AEL Limassol (Cyprus-Division EuroChallenge: 13 games: 10.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 83.3%: FT-2(90.9%). Last season, he played for Chalon playing 33 games: 11.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 84.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about his ex teammate Pascal Roller who recently had his farewell game and with whom he was teammates with from 2007-2009.

How much of a pleasure was it playing with Pascal and having him as teammate?

Pascal was a great leader in all aspects, on and off the court, he led by example. He is the wise man, never getting upset. Always being calm helped everyone around him be calm. It was a great pleasure to play with someone like him. I learned a lot.

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Jukka Matinen (KTP Basket Kotka): The Way Pascal Roller Treates Everyone Well is Unique

Jukka Matinen is a 33 year old 203cm forward that was born in Kerava, Finland. He started his basketball career in 1995 for New Wave. He then played for NMKY Helsinki, ToPo Helsinki, Tapiolan Honka and Honka Espoo from 1997-2002. He then played for the Skyliners from 2002-2006 playing 104 Beko BBL games, 19 ULEB cup games and 9 Euroleague games. He won the German championship in 2004 and reached the final in 2005. He then played for Honka Espoo Playboys from 2006-2011 playing 195 games winning the Finish title in 2007 and 2008. He spoke to German Hoops about the Pascal Roller farewell game and basketball in general.

How happy were you to be part of the Pascal Roller farewell game?

It was great to come back and an honor to be asked. I always enjoy coming back to Frankfurt. They have great fans there.

What was your impression of Pascal Roller. Was there much difference to 2006 when you last played with him?

He is still quick. He is still in very good shape despite being retired. He isn´t in as good shape as in 2006, but I think that he could still play in the Beko BBL now.

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Isaiah Swann (ratiopharm Ulm): David Holston Always Surprises You

Isaiah Swann is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Germantown, Maryland that is playing his first season in Germany for ratiopharm Ulm. He is an athletic, left-handed point guard who is capable of putting up big numbers. He played at Florida State from 2004-2008 and in his senior year played 24 games: 11.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3Pts: 38.8%, FT: 84.0%. In his rookie season in 2008, he played for three teams including Aget Imola (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 15 games: 13.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.1apg, 3.1spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 71.9%; left in Jan.’09, in Feb.’09 moved to Harem Scafati (Italy-Lega2): 1 game: 4pts, 1reb, 2steals, 1block; in March ’09 signed at Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 13 games: 7.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT-3(46.3%), FT: 87.5%. In 2009-2010, he played for Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa (Israel-Premier League): 27 games: 8.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 81.5%. Last season, he played for Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League): 3 games: 7.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, in Dec.’10 moved to Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion (Israel-Premier League, starting five): 24 games: 12.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 84.1%. He was Israeli Premier League Champion in 2010. He spoke with German Hoops about basketball.

How much of a luxury is it to have three strong point guards with Per Guenther, Tommy Mason-Griffin and yourself?

It is a very unique situation. We can all play the position one and two. We can create for ourselves and for each other as well as for our teammate. Most teams that I have seen have one or two point guards so having our situation is a big help.

What was it like playing against ex NBA player Jamison Brewer?

It was nice playing against Jamie that is what I called him back in the day. I played at the same high school along with other players like James White and Demarcus Johnson. I watched him play back then and he was always a great point guard. He can find other players like no other. He doesn´t score much. But he is always finding his teammates. It was good seeing him and it was the first time that I played against him.

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