Interviews

A Conversation With Marcus Smallwood (MBC)

Marcus Smallwood is a 29 year 198cm forward playing his first season with the Mitteldeutscher BC. He is from Elgin, Illinois and played at Northern Illinois from 2000-2004. He came to Europe for his rookie season and played for Ostromecko Astoria Bydgoszcz (Poland-EBL): 4 games: 9.5ppg, 9.0rpg: was released in and later that month signed at Pyrbasket Tampere (Finland-Sparliiga): 6 games: 13.5ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 59%, and also played shortly at Solna Vikings (Sweden-Basketligan): 3 games: 8.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0bpg. The next season, he played in Finland for Forssan Koripojat (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 26 games: 19.7ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 1.3apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-1(1.4bpg), 2FGP-3(64.1%), 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 56.2%. 2006: Elgin Racers (IBL). He had a very strong season in Finland, but surprisingly in the next few years played only briefly in the IBL for the Elgin Racers. He played for the Saar-Pfalz Braves (Germany-ProA) from 2008-2010 and in 2009-2010,he played 30 games: 14.5ppg, Reb-2(9.5rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 62.8%, FT: 49.0%.Last season, he played for Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA, starting five): 9 games: 12.6ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 51.6%, FT: 52.8%; in Dec.’10 moved to VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA, starting five): 20 games: 15.7ppg, Reb-1(10.8rpg), Blocks-2(2.1bpg). He spoke to German Hoops over the summer about basketball.

So many players the last years have had difficulty finding jobs, because the market has been so tough. You got ajob with MBC in mid July this year. How did the off season search for a team go? Did you have many other offers besides MBC?

Well I was very fortunate to have interest from some other clubs including some outside of Germany, but to be honest when I learned I might have a chance to play for MBC that instantly became the offer I wanted the most.

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Uwe Sauer(USC Heidelberg): Dirk Nowitzki Is Much More Than Just A Basketball Superstar

Uwe Sauer played at Santa Clara university where NBA superstar Steve Nash also played and enjoyed a very successful basketball career in Germany from 1985-1997 winning titles with Cologne and Bayreuth and being the youngest German playing at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984. After his playing career, he became a coach. He was assistant coach for SSV Ulm from 1997.-1999. He then coached in Tuebingen from 1999-2003. He then coached for BG Karlsruhe from the 2003-2006 season. Since then he coached clubs like the Mitteldeutscher BC, The Teckpro Braves in Kaiserslautern and recently BG Illertal-Weissenhorn. Currently he is the head coach of USC Heidelberg and talked German Hoops about many different basketball topics.

Coach you are currently preparing USC Heidelberg for the upcoming PRO A season. How much were you able to follow the 2011 European championships and were Spain and France the 2 best teams in the tournament?

Yes we are trying to get ready for the upcoming season, nevertheless as a basketball- junkie i had to watch as much as I could, of course the games of the Gteam. I think the 2 best teams played the final, but is was still sad to see the home team Lithuania not being in the Finals.

Spain were the strongest team at the tournament. It is no secret that they have a great youth program as they have had young guys playing at a high level for years. Why does the youth program work so well in forming players in Spain and not as much in Germany?
I don’t exactly know the rules in Spain, but there always have to be 2-3 Spanish players on the floor , that means their Spanish players get playing time . In Germany you can play the whole game without a German player have to play a single second. From the better basketball countries in Europe, I think we are the only country without having to play. It gets even worse with the rule in the BBL, that you got to have at least 4(?) German players on the roster. That means, the better Germans instead of playing in the 2nd league or somewhere else, they have to sit on the bench to fulfill the requirements instead of playing and develop their game.

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A Conversation With Sean Brooks

Sean Brooks is a 28 year old 196cm power forward from Bladensburg, Maryland. He played at Drexel from 2001 to 2005. He was CAA Regular Season Runner-Up in 2004 and All-CAA 2nd Team in 2004. In his senior year, he played 20 games averaging 12.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 49.1%. He turned professional in 2005 and came to Europe to play to play in Holland for Polynom Giants Bergen Op Zoom (Holland-Eredivisie), left in Nov.’05: 1game, in Dec.’05 signed at Woon!Aris Leeuwarden (Holland-Eredivisie): 17 games: 9.2ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.5spg. In 2006-2007, he came to Germany and played for ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five, starting five): 29 games: 16.6ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 62.7%, 3FGP: 16.7%, FT: 60.0%. In 2007-2008, he played in Holland again for Omniworld Almere (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five); left in Oct.’07, in Nov.’07 moved to TV Werne (Germany-2.Regionalliga, starting five), in Dec.’07 signed at Proveo Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-ProB, starting five): 18 games: 15.6ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 65.2%, FT: 61.2%. He has played for The Proveo Merlins Crailsheim the last four seasons and in 2008-2009 played 29 games averaging 15.6ppg, 8.6rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 65.0%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he played 28 games averaging 9.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 53.8%, FT: 60.6%. Last season, he fought injuries and was limited to 18 games: 5.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 51.6%, FT: 51.9%. The American is currently in Germany and spoke to German Hoops and can be reached at scbrooks13@gmail.com

Sean, you are currently in Germany looking for a team. How is that going for you?

I have had interest from a couple teams but nothing has worked out yet.
It seems that in the last 2-3 years the market has been very difficult in Europe, but you always had a team. Has the NBA lockout been a huge reason for so many guys being without jobs?

I dont think the lockout has played a big part in a lot of guys not getting jobs so far. I think every year there are more and more quality players and the number of jobs are limited.

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Josh Slater(BG Goettingen) I Really Think That The Tough, Hard-Nosed Playing Style Of BG Goettingen Fits Me Very Well

Josh Slater is a 22 year old 190cm guard from Nashville,Tennessee. He is starting his professional basketball career with BG Goettingen. He played at Lipscomb NCAA) from 2007 to 2011 and in his senior year played 30 games: 16.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 4.6apg, 3.1spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 72.1%. His teammate was new Walter Tiger Tuebingen forward Adnan Hodzic. In his junior year, he played 30 games: 17.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 5.2apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 69.8%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been-Sun All-Freshman Team -08, A-Sun Tournament Semifinals -0, -Sun Regular Season Champion -10, All-A-Sun 1st Team -10, 11, and NABC Division I All-District 3 2nd Team -10, 11.He took some time to German Hoops this past summer about his future with BG Goettingen.

Welcome to Germany Josh. When you were looking at teams this summer what was the most important thing that came into consideration for choosing BG Goettingen?

When my agent told me that BG Goettingen had offered me a contract I was excited because I had heard that Goettingen has a great tradition in the BBL. The playing style and mentality of the team suits me very well and it just felt like a natural fit going into my rookie season. I only wanted an opportunity to compete and prove myself when looking for a team and I believe I will get a chance to do that for Goettingen.

What were the main reasons for coming to Goettingen?

Goettingen has established themselves as a solid team in the BBL and I believe that playing for them is an opportunity that many rookies would be very excited to have. I really think that the tough, hard-nosed playing style of BG Goettingen fits me very well and I will be able to contribute to the organization this season.

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A Conversation With Marcus Slaughter(Brose Baskets Bamberg)

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 about basketball.

How was your summer been? Have you been able to do some things this summer that you haven´t been able to do the last years?

My summer was great spending time with family and friends.

Congrats on your new job with the Brose Baskets Bamberg. You are back in Germany in the Beko BBL.

It was a no brainer to sign with Bamberg.

What do you think was the main reason why this club signed you?

The coach told me they were looking to go far in the Euroleague and it would be my first time so I was excited about coming to Bamberg.

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Face To Face With Jason Boone(s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg)

Jason Boone is a 25 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 this summer about his new team s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg.

How has your summer been? Has there been anything special you were able to do this summer that you haven´t been able to do the last years in your time off?

Summer is always nice. You get the chance to see family and friends, and I have the chance to get humbled back down. It’s nice being in NYC where no one knows who I am for a few months out of the year. I traveled a little more this summer than I had in the past but kept it pretty simple on a whole.

Congrats on your new job with s. Oliver baskets Wurzburg. How much did head coach John Patrick weigh into the equation for you to signing with the team?

Thank you. Obviously having the chance to play for someone I’ve been successful with for the past 3+ seasons was appealing, but it was also a combination of playing with John Little again as well as being reunited with Ben Jacobson.

There was some speculation that you might get offers from other top leagues in countries. Was taking the next step to say a country like France too soon for you?

I entertained a lot of offers this summer but at the end of the day I wanted to go somewhere where I could continue to prove myself as a starting center. I have a chance to do that in one of the best leagues in Europe and will be surrounded by players I know and enjoy playing with. Why go anywhere else?

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A Conversation With John Bynum(TBB Trier)

John Bynum is a 33 year old 191 cm guard from Visalia California that will commence his second season with TBB Trier. He is a good fighter, fast and good in offensive playing. He is great athlete who can shoot the ball with consistency from 3 and finish with authority on the break. He is 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.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 to talk basketball this summer.

It has been more than 4 months since you last played a Beko BBL game. How has your summer been? Were you able to do some things this summer that you haven´t been able to do the last years?

Well my summer was great it went by extremely fast but I got to get back to California and spend time with the family and although I didn’t travel that much it was good to be home and just relax a little bit.

How does an offseason training session look like for John Bynum?

Offseason training is mostly a lot of playing really. I am not big in working on certain individual things, for me it’s about keeping in somewhat shape and keeping a ball in your hands and not get too lazy.

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Phillip Schwethelm(German National Team): I Have Never Heard A Single Bad Word About Dirk And It´s All True.

Phillip Schwethelm is a 22 year old 201cm forward that was born in Gummersbach and is currently in Lithuvania participating in the 2011 European Championship and will embark with FC Bayern Munich in the 2011-2012 Beko BBL season. He started his basketball career in 2004 with the Koeln cadet team. He played for Rhein Energy Cologne from 2004-2009. He already played Eurocup at age 16. In total, he played 61 BEKO BBL games in his 5 years. He also played 2 Euroleague games, 8ULEB Cup games and 3 Eurocup games. In 2010-2011 for Bremerhaven, he played games 44 games averaging 7.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 67.8%. He played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven fro 2009-2011 and last season played 36 games: 10.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 44.9%, FT: 72.9%. He has achieved numerous awards in his career including U16 National Team -05-06,FIBA EuroCup Quarterfinals -06, International Tournament in Mannheim (Unofficial World Championships U18) -06: 6 games: 5.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 55.6%, German U18 National Team -06-07, German Bundesliga U-19 All-Star Game -07, European Championships U18 in Madrid (Spain) -07: 8 games: 8.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 56.5%, 3FGP: 47.6%, German Bundesliga U-20 All-Star Game -08, Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Newcomer of the Year -08, Eurobasket.com German Bundesliga All-Newcomers Team -08, German U20 National Team -08-09, European Championships U20 Division B in Targu Mures (Romania) -08:(Champion): 8 games: 10.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 77.8%, European Championships U20 in Rhodos (Greece) -09: 6 games: 11.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 78.6%, German Bundesliga Semifinals -10, German National Team -10,World Championships in Turkey -10: 5 games: 4.4ppg, 1.0apg, and German Bundesliga All-Star Game -11. Phil took some time to talk to German Hoops about the 2011 European Championships.

Last summer there was no Dirk and Chris Kaman. Now both are on board. How intense has the whole Last atmosphere on and off the court been for you?

Like last year everbody gives a 100% and tries to do everything possible to win. What changed now is the fact that we got higher aims. We are trying to get under the top 6 teams at least. Off the court everything stays the same. We got a great team chemistry which is definitely one of our biggest strength. Ofcourse more people in Germany are interested in basketball now which makes everything become more fun.

Dirk Nowitzki belongs to the best players on earth now. What things have surprised you most about the player and person Dirk Nowitzki?

People told me a lot about Dirk, before I met him the first time. I have never heard a single bad word about Dirk and it´s all true. I was wondering before, if people might exaggerate a little bit, but they don´t. He is a great teammate.

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Brandon Brooks(Phoenix Hagen): I Want To Earn The Starting Point Guard Spot Nothing Is Given

Brandon Brooks is a 24 year old 188cm guard from Dallas, texas. He is starting his third professional basketball season with Phoenix hagen in the beko BBL. Last season, he got experience in the D-League playing for Tulsa 66ers playing 36 games: 4.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.3apg. He started his professional basketball career in Germany with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven averaging 7.4ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 72.8% He played at Alabama State and as a senior he played 32 games: 13.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3Pts: 36.9%, FT: 77.1%. He was the SWAC Regular Season Champion in 2008 and 2009. He spoke to German Hoops before he came to Germany to play for Phoenix Hagen

Congrats on the contract with Phoenix hagen. How happy are you about being back in Germany?

Im very happy to be in familiar territory again.

What did you miss most about Germany and the beko BBL?

I miss the fans. Even when Iwas in the D-league the people still wished me luck.

What convinced you most about taking the job with Phoenix Hagen?

The playing style they have is very much up and down run and gun type of offense.

You played last season in the D-league for the Tulsa 66ers. How much was your game able to develop in the States?

I learned a lot in the D-league. My basketball IQ is much better now. I hope to transfer it to Hagen.

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Nick Freer (Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn): I Dont Get A Lot Of Steals Or Blocks, But I try To Harass My Opponent As Much As I Can

Nick Freer is a 26 year old 198 cm shooting guard/small forward from Stevensville, Michigan that will be playing for the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn this season. He played atE.Michigan (NCAA) from 2004-2007 and then transfered to Grand Valley St. (NCAA2). In his senior yearthere, he played 37 games: 7.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 77.9%.He started his professional basketball career in 2009 for the Holland Blast (IBL) and then In March 2010 signed at Newcastle Hunters (Australia-ABA) playing 21 games averaging 22.7ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 80.5%. Last season, he played for the TV 1864 Salzkotten (Germany-Regionalliga) and the Southwest Slammers (Australia-SBL).He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Congrats on getting the job with the Webmoebel Baskets. How happy are you about getting this job considering you played in the Regionaliga last season for TV 1864 Salzkotten?

I’m really happy. I’m just excited to be able to play at a higher level and keep improving my game. Plus the fact that I get to go back to Paderborn is really great, I made a lot of good friends while I was there last year so I was really hoping to be able to go back.

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