Interviews

Marcus Slaughter (Brose Baskets Bamberg): I Would Rate My Left Handed Dunk Over Nedzad Sinanovic As One Of My 5 All Time Best

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 79-78 loss against Malaga in Euroleague play.

A tough 79-78 loss to Malaga in Euroleague play. The Brose Baskets Bamberg poured on 27 points in the first quarter. Were you surprised about the run and gun faster pace instead of more a defense typ of style?

I wasn´t surprised about the style in the first quarter. That is how we like to play and we wanted to impose our style and get off to a good start quickly.

In the second quarter, Malaga came back and stifled Bamberg a bit with their zone. Why couldn´t Bamberg react?

We weren´t hitting our shots and they started to hit more which allowed them to come back. We weren´t paying attention to details with their zone and we also had defensive lapses.

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Marcus Slaughter (Brose Baskets Bamberg): The Old Players Want To Create History And The New Players Want To Become Part Of History

What was your impression of Adnan Hodzic of The Walter Tigers Tuebingen when you played him?

He is a strong player with a lot of energy. A guy that plays with the crowd. He has a lot of talent that can shoot inside and out. He will get better with age. It seems like playing comes easy to him.

Brose Baskets Bamberg coach Chris Fleming has the tough job of keeping the old players motivated for the triple, but I am sure that the new players with Jenkins, Tucker and yourself will be very motivated.

I don’t think that coach will have a hard time motivating anyone. We play to win. We have been practicing hard and the new players bring a lot of excitement and we know what is in front of us. The old players want to create history and the new players want to become part of history. Everyone is highly motivated to win.

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Steven Wright: Once I Figured Out What Murat Didin Wanted Me To Do My Game Got Better Individually

Steven Wright is a 28 year old 191cm guard from Dayton, Ohio. He was playing his first season in Finland for Namika Lahti, but left recently. He is an extremely athletic combo guard with great quickness, an explosive leaper and has great ball handling and passing skills. He hurts you with his penetration or a pull up for the mid ranged jumper, pick and roll, coming off picks for the shot, and when left open he’ll hit the three pointer also. At the same time he is an unselfish player who creates scoring opportunities for others and has a very good ability to finish around the basket. He is a great defensive player because of his quickness and athletic abilities and is a great and mature person with a good work ethic. He played at Bowling Green from 2002-2006. He finished his NCAA career at Northern Kentucky in 2006-2007 averaging 16,8 ppg., 5,3 rpg., 3,2 apg., 1,6 spg., FG: 46.1%, 3PT: 34,6%, FT 77,5%. In 2007, he came to Germany an dplayed for The New York Phantoms Braunschweig averaging 7.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 75.5% in 34 games. In 2008-2009, he helped lead The Paderborn Baskets into the BEKO BBL playoffs averaging 7.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 77.2% in 36 games. In 2009-2010, he played for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 26 games: 5.5ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 81.6%. Last season, he played for the Gloria Giants Duesseldorf 32 games: 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 71.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball in his future.

You had only a short time in Finland. Why didn´t it work out?

Yes a very short time. Things didn’t workout there because me and the club could not come to an agreement with residency for my family and the health care. I was playing well but that wasn’t the most important thing. Me and my family wanted to be comfortable.

You are back in States. How does your plan look now. You have mostly played in europe. Would you give a go at playing in the States?

Acutally I’m still in Finland right now my flight leaves here on Monday. I would rather stay here or come back to Europe once a job opportunity is available for me that fit’s the best situation for a player with a family.

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Corey Stokes (BBC Bayreuth): Dwayne Anderson Was Like A Big Brother To Me

Corey Stokes is a 23 year old 195cm guard from Bayonne, New Jersey that is playing his first season for BBC Bayreuth. He played at Villanova from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played 29 games: 14.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 89.4%. He reached the NCAA Final 4 in 2009. Recently, he took part at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 16.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg. Corey took some time to talk to German Hoops about his rookie season in Germany.

What was it like being on the same court with ex NBA player Bobby Brown and 2004 NBA Draft pick Rickey Paulding?

They are great team players and it was exciting playing against them. They both kept telling me during the game on the court to keep my head up and keep shooting.

BBC Bayreuth have started the season slowly. On what things does the team still need to work on?

We need to work on our team chemistry, but we are very motivated and work hard in practice each day.

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Michael Thompson(Fraport Skyliners): The Most Important Thing Is To Win Games

Michael Thompson is a 22 year old 177cm point guard from Chicago, Illinois that is playing his first season with the Fraport Skyliners. He played at Northwestern from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played : 34 games: 16.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 82.5%. Awards/Achievements in his career have been HS: Chicago Public League All-Academic Team -07, All-Big Ten Honorable Mention -10, All-Big Ten 3rd Team -11, Big Ten All-Tournament Team -11, and NIT Elite Eight -11. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about his rookie season with the Fraport Skyliners.

Does Muli Katzurin pull a lever when he wants Justin Gray to take control?

No coach doesn´t pull a lever when he wants Gray to take control. Gray has a lot of experience and a great understanding of the game and always knows when its time to step up.

You played four years at Northwestern and now had a three week try out phase with the Fraport Skyliners. What kind of experience was that for you?

It was a great experience, because I had the chance to play for a great team that has great players. I gave 100% each day and am very happy that my contract was extended.

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Mario Kasun(KK Zagreb): Gordon Herbert Is My Favorite Coach Of All

Mario Kasun is a 31 year old 213cm Croatian that is playing his second season with KK Zagreb. He has a phenomenal body for the position, and knows how to use it inside. Also, has fighting spirit, isn’ t afraid of contact and likes to dunk. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers (NBA,2rd(41) in 2002. He then played for the Frankfurt Opel Skyliners from 2002-2004 winning the Beko BBL title in2004. He played in the NBA from 2004-2006 playing for the Orlando Magic playing a total of 73 games. He then played two seasons for FC Barcelona and two years for Efes Pilsen before going home to Croatia to play for KK Zagreb. Last season he played Croatian League: 9 games: 8.4ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 64.4%, FT: 78.3%; Croatian League: EuroChallenge: 2 games: 17.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0bpg; injured in Nov.’10 and was off for 1 month: EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 11.5ppg, 5.5rpg; Adriatic League: 21 games: 13.3ppg, Reb-5(6.4rpg), FGP: 63.3%, FT: 67.5%. He has played for the Croatian national team playing at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 European championships. He also has won the Spanish and Turkish cups. He is returning back to Germany to play Euroleague against The Brose Baskets Bamberg and spoke to German Hoops.

You are playing your second season for KK Zagreb. How does it feel playing in your country so late in your career?

Playing at home is good feeling and good for my wife to see where im from. Happy to be where I started my career, but it but I would still like to play out of Croatia, now reason is to stay home because my wife if pregnant.

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A Conversation with Josh Young (Walter Tigers Tuebingen)

Josh Young is a 23 year old 185cm guard from Saginaw, Michigan. He played at Drake from 2006-2010. In his senior year, he played 32 games: 14.4ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 73.0%. Last season he came to Germany and played for Bayer Giants Leverkusen (Germany-ProB, starting five): 11 games: 26.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.0apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 45.3%, FT: 79.0%. He spoke to German Hoops recently about his new team The Walter Tigers Tuebingen.

How was your summer Josh? Was there anything you could do this summer which you were unable to do the last summers?

The summer was great. I got to spend a lot of time with my family while being able to work out. I also took a mission trip to Africa this summer. It was awesome

How does a typical Josh Young off season workout day look like?

offTypical season workout involves a morning run. I like to lift weights and then do some cardio. After that, I do shooting, skill workouts, and hopefully play some 5 on 5.

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A Conversation With Mike Smith (Eisbaeren Bremerhaven)

Mike Smith is a 24 year old 198cm forward from Vandalia, Missouri that is playing his first season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He played at E. Tennessee from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played 35 games: 17.9ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 78.9%. This past summer, he took part at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 10.0ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, 1.0bpg. He was a A-Sun Tournament Winner -09, 10, and All-A-Sun Player of the Year -11. He spoke to eurobasket this summer about his basketball career.

You were in Bremen this summer and watched Dirk Nowitzki and Germany play Bosnia. What kind of experience was it watching Dirk in Bremen? What amazed you most about Dirk being in Germany?

Just the fan support that he has over here, the fans really love the guy and is a proven super star. Has proven himself in the best league in the world and he is well deserving of everything he has accomplished

You are starting your professional basketball career in the German beko BBL. What were the main reasons for choosing the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven?

Eisbaeren have made the playoffs the last two years and that made an impression on me, hoping that the returning guys and me could take this team to the next level.

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Brandon Chappell (Licher Basket Baeren): If Robin Benzing Wasnt Playing In Germany He Would Be On The And1 Tour Doing Tricks For Fun

Brandon Chappell is a 28 year old 183cm guard from Beaumont, Texas that is playing his first season in the PRO B for the Licher Basket Baeren. He is a up tempo floor general that makes smart decissions on the floor. Can really shoot the three but great at getting to the basket. Played with NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins of the Boston Celtics in High School where they won the Class 4A state championship. He played at Lamar from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 32 games averaging 8.4ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 38.6%, 3Pts: 39.5%, FT: 59.1%. In his first three seasons as a professional he has played in Germany. In 2007-2008, he played for BBC Bayreuth (Germany-ProA): 30 games: 7.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 47.3%, 3FGP: 31.1%, FT: 75.0%. In 2008-2009, he moved to TV Langen playing 23 games: 14.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 78.3%. In 2009-2010 for TV Langen, he played 29 games: 11.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 81.8%. Last season, he played for the Southeast Texas Mavericks (ABA) He spoke to German Hoops recently about basketball.

Brandon, congrats on your new job with the Licher Baskets Baren. How good a feeling is it coming back to Germany?

I feel good about coming back to Germany. This is where i started my career so its a comfortable feeling

You will be playing in the lower division PRO B. You had experience playing in the PRO A with TV Langen. Will you be setting big goals since you performed very well years ago in the German PRO A.

Of course goals will be set for this upcoming season. I am confident that our management, coaches/players, and myself will work together to accomplish what we set.

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Face To Face With EJ Gallup (TBB Trier)

EJ Gallup is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Gloverville, New York. He is playing his first season as a member of TBB Trier. He is a very positive player on the court, who plays with talent and personality. Has great offensive skills and knows how to do at the defensive side. He started his basketball career at Albany (NCAA2) in 2000 and played there until 2002. He then transferred to Co.Carolina (NCAA) where he played until 2004. In his senior year, he played 29 games: 17.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 89.6%. He started his professional basketball career in 2006 with Albany Patrons (CBA). He then moved to Germany in the same season playing for ratiopharm Ulm (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 10 games: 4.7ppg, 2FGP: 35.3%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 2-3. In 2007-2008, he returned to Ulm playing 34 games: 12.2ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 87.3%. He stepped away from the court from 2008-2011 before returning last summer to play for the Albany Legends (IBL, starting five): 17ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.6apg, 3PT: 56%(1). He spoke to German Hoops this summer about basketball.

Congrats on your new job with TBB Trier. After 3 years absence from the Beko BBL, how does it feel to be returning back to Germany?

It feels great, Im happy to be back in Germany, and excited to be playing for TBB Trier.

In the 2007-2008 season you played with Ratiopharm Ulm having a solid season averaging 12.2ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 87.3%. Why did you leave the basketball world then?

I had a great experience in Ulm, but for me at that time I decided to go in a different direction than basketball and opened a bar and grille.

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