Interviews

Philipp Schwethelm(Eisbaeren Bremerhaven): I Play Very Controlled And Like To Set Up My Teammates

Philipp Schwethelm is a 21 year old 201cm forward that was born in Gummersbach and is playing his second season with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. 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. Last season for Bremerhaven, he played games 44 games avergaing 7.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 67.8%. 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 basketball.

How much have The Gloria Giants improved since the first meeting this season?

They play more together as a team. They are running their plays better and have more options. They are passing the ball better and more and looking for the extra pass more.

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Michael Jordan (Giessen46ers): I Learned A Long Time Ago To Never Get To High After A Win And Never To Low After A Loss

33 year old Michael Jordan (183-G-77, college: Pennsylvania) is a 183cm guard from Philadelphia. He played at the University of Pennsylvania graduating in 2000. His first two years found him jumping around leagues in France and Spain before he found a new home in Germany with TSV Quackenbruck. In the 2002-2003 season, he helped lead Quackenbruck into the BBL with exceptional stats in 30 games, 21.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.9 apg. He helped turn The Artland Dragons into a playoff team in the 2004-2005 season as they lost the BBL Quarterfinal playoff series to The Opel Skyliners in five games. That season he averaged in 34 games: 11.1ppg, 3.4rpg, Ast-1 (6.4apg), 1.3spg, 2.6bpg, 2FGP: 52.5%, 3FGP: 31.3%. The next season, he was released by The Artland Drgaons, but went to Rhein Energie Cologne and won the BBL championship in 2006 averaging in 33 games: 9.8ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-4 (4.1apg), 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 52.2%. The next season, he went to Italy and played at Cantu where he led the league in assists and averaged in 37 games: 13.8ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-1 (5.2apg), 2.0spg, 2FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 74.0%. The next season, he played in Belgium for Charleroi averaging in15 games: 9.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 90.0%;. He had injury problems and finished the season in Greece with PAOK. In 2008-2009 after a very short stay in Israel, he played a few months in Bamberg before going to the Cologne 99ers averaging 10,5ppg, 2,4rpg and leading the BBL in assists with 6,2apg. Last season, he played for Phoenix Hagen helping the team remain in the BEKO BBL. He played 16 games: 8.9ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-5 (5.3apg), FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 73.3%. This season he played for MBC averaging 9,3ppg, 1,9rpg and 4,3apg before moving on to the Giessen 46ers. He spoke to German Hoops after the 82-64 win against The Walter Tigers Tuebingen.

Congrats on the 82-64 win against The Walter Tigers Tuebingen who were one of the hotter teams. How focused was Giessen tonight and caging the Tiger seemed a lot easier than it was stopping Frankfurt last weekend?

We were well prepared and focused on getting this win. We played together for mostly the entire game. We had a lapse in the 2nd qtr but were able to get back to form. Getting Moe Jeffers back helped us a lot as well as the early performance of Jannik Freese.

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Michael Jordan (Giessen 46ers): We Have To Play Hard, Smart And Together For 40 Minutes Against Tuebingen

33 year old Michael Jordan is a 183cm guard from Philadelphia. He played at the University of Pennsylvania graduating in 2000. His first two years found him jumping around leagues in France and Spain before he found a new home in Germany with TSV Quackenbruck. In the 2002-2003 season, he helped lead Quackenbruck into the BBL with exceptional stats in 30 games, 21.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.9 apg.  He helped turn The Artland Dragons into  a playoff team in the 2004-2005 season as they lost the BBL Quarterfinal playoff series to The Opel Skyliners in five games. That season he averaged in 34 games: 11.1ppg, 3.4rpg, Ast-1(6.4apg), 1.3spg, 2.6bpg, 2FGP: 52.5%, 3FGP: 31.3%. The next season, he was released by The Artland Drgaons, but went to Rhein Energie Cologne and won the BBL championship in 2006 averaging in  33 games: 9.8ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-4(4.1apg), 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 52.2%. The next season, he went to Italy and played at Cantu where he led the league in assists and averaged in 37 games: 13.8ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-1(5.2apg), 2.0spg, 2FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 74.0%. The next season, he played in Belgium for Charleroi averaging in 15 games: 9.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 90.0%;. He had injury problems and finished the season in Greece with PAOK. In 2008-2009 after a very short stay in Israel, he played a few months in Bamberg before going to the Cologne 99ers averaging 10,5ppg, 2,4rpg and leading the BBL in assists with 6,2apg. Last season, he played for Phoenix Hagen helping the team remain in the BEKO BBL. He played 16 games: 8.9ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-5(5.3apg), FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 73.3%. This season he started with MBC before going to the Giessen 46ers recently. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against The Walter Tigers Tuebingen March 12th.

The Giessen 46ers are coming off a tough 81-62 loss against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. How well has the club digested the loss the last days?

Our last 2 losses have been very hard to digest, but I think we have focused in on what we need to do and are ready to prove ourselves in the next games. The intensity and focus in practice this week has been a lot better. Coach has us ready for the next opponent.


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Jimmy McKinney(Deutsche Bank Skyliners): Every Player Has Been A Hero This Season

Jimmy McKinney is a 26 year old 192cm guard from St Louis. He is a is a solid knock-down shooter, but also can score from penetration and with rim-rattling dunks. He played at Vashon High School winning the State tournament three times. He played at Missouri from 2002-2006 with well known players like Ricky Paulding, Travon Bryant and Jason Conley. In his senior year he played 28 games averaging 12.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.3apg, FG: 40.6%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 78.2%.  He turned professional in 2006 and joined the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. In his rookie season, he played 30 games averaging 12.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 44.9%, 3FGP: 38.5%, FT: 77.2%. He is playing his fifth season in Frankfurt and spoke to German Hoops before the game against The Giessen 46ers March 5th.

Congrats on the superb 83-72 win against The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. Where does the team find this energy despite not having Pascal Roller and Dominik Bahiense de Mello?

We are showing a lot of character and very much mental toughness.

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Kamil Novak(Deutsche Bank Skyliners) Dashaun Wood Has The Right Players Around Him Which Makes Him Better

Kamil Novak has been sport director of The Deutsche Bank Skyliners since 2005. He also was coach for one game in 2006 after Ivan Sunara was fired. In the 90s, he played in the BBL for Rhondorf. He also played in his native Czech Republic for NH Ostrava with his best statistical season being 1997-1998 where he averaged 18,7ppg and 8,2rpg. He also played in Austria and Luxemberg before ending his basketball career with MTV Kronberg from 2002-2005. He took some time to talk with German Hoops after the 71-56 win against The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven.

You were very content after the 71-56 win in Bremerhaven. Are The Deutsche bank Skyliners now finally playing the right way that they should?

It was very obvious in this game that we controlled the game and I was very impressed by the guys. I was impressed how well the team played again without Powell and Moye. The team was very concentrated and it was just a very good game by us.

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John Fowler(BC Energie Zwickau) I’m A Defense First Guy, But I Can Score.

John Fowler is a 24 year old 193cm forward that was born in Osceloa, Arkansas. He played at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In his senior year, he played 31games averaging 10.5ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3Pts: 35.6%, FT: 71.3%. Some awards and achievements in his young career so far have been , Sun Belt Tournament Semifinals -08, 09, Sun Belt West Division Regular Season Champion -08, 09, and Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year -09. He is a rookie playing in Germany in the Regionaliga for BC Energie Zwickau. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about basketball.

1. John thanks for taking some time to talk to German Hoops. You are playing your first season in Germany for Regionaliga team BC Energie Zwickau. How do you like living in Germany?

I like living in Germany it is a good country the people are nice and friendly.

2. Was it a difficult transition coming to Germany and then especially to the former East Germany?

It really wasn’t a difficult transition for me. I was just excited about the opportunity to come play professional basketball in Germany, I didn’t care what part of Germany it was!

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Will Chavis(NBC): I Study The Game Of Basketball A Lot

Will Chavis is a 29 year old 181 cm guard who comes from Philadelphia and started his basketball learning at New Hampshire in 1998-1999 averaging 9.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.9apg before going to Texas to play at Panola Junior College averaging 25 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals per game . This gained the interest of legendary coach Bobby Knight at Texas Tech. Knight had only the best to say about the guy he coached two years at Texas Tech. ‘Will takes pride in taking good shots, and is a great shooter. He also takes very good care of the ball. He is aggressive and quick on defense, and can anticipate or put under pressure the opposite point guard’, stressed Bobby Knight. At Texas Tech, Chavis played together with Artland Dragon Ronald Ross and in his senior year, played 33 games averaging 7.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.2apg. He started his professional basketball career in 2003 going to Iceland to play for UMFN Njardvikur playing 6 games and averaging 18.3ppg; 3.1rpg; 7.8apg ( 41 assists to 11 turnovers); 2.0spg; 3pts 45.6%; FT 85.6%. The next season, he was tested by Olimpia GE Larisa (Greece-A1), but was not signed and finished the season practicing with Climamio Fortitudo Bologna (Italy-SErieA). In 2005-2006, he started to make a name playing for Mlekarna Kunin Novi Jicin (Czech Republic-NBL, starting five) playing 5 EuroCup Challenge games averaging 15.2ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.4apg, 2FGP: 50%, 3FGP: 50% and playing 44 games in the Czech Rep. League averaging 14.6ppg, 3.4rpg, Assists-4 (5.2apg), 2FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 85.0%. The next season, he went to top Dutch team Demon Astronauts Amsterdam continuing to show who well he could perform in FIBA EuroCup playing 6 games and avergaing 11.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 55.2%, 3FGP: 15%, FT: 78.3% and playing 39 games in the Dutch League and averaging 14.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 40.3%, FT: 87.8%, 3Pts: 40.9%. In 2007-2008, he split time with Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, but left after 7 games, where he averaged 10.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 36.6%, 3FGP: 27.8%, FT: 87.5%, and then moved to MBC in Jan 2008 playing 12 games and averaging 13.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 39.3%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT-1 ( 91.7%). In 2008-2009, he led MBC into the BBL averaging 10.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 37.0%, 3PT: 43.8%, FT: 86.5% in 29 games. Last season in his first season with NBC, he played 29 games: 19.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 88.3%. He spoke to german hoops about basketball.

What was your impression of Fabian Franke of the Frankfurt Sklyiners PRO B team this season? Does he have the ability to play an important role in the BEKO BBL?

He is a good player with good size for the guard position. I think that he can play at that level.

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Anthony Tolliver(Minnesota Timberwolves): In Germany I Was Successful Against Older And More Experienced Players Which Helped Me In Reaching The NBA.

Anthony Tolliver is a 25 year old 206cm center from Springfield, Missouri. He played at Creighton from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games averaging 13.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.9apg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 21.1%, FT: 65.8%. In the 2007-2008 season which was his rookie year, he made opening day roster of the Cleveland Cavaliers  but was released in first week by Cavaliers to make room for Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao. He then played for  the Iowa Energy (D-League): 24 games: 11.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 66.2%, in Feb.’08 moved to Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 20 games: 14.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2bpg, 2FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 64.7%. The last two years have been long and seemingly unending as he played for 10 teams. In the 2008-2009 season, he played for San Antonio Spurs (NBA), in Dec.’08 assigned to Austin Toros (D-League): 6 games: 17.8ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, later that month recalled to San Antonio Spurs (NBA): 19 games: 2.7ppg, 2.2rpg, in Jan.’09 was sent to Iowa Energy (D-League): 10 games: 12.4ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 78.6%; later that month called by New Orleans Hornets (NBA) for a 10-day contract before sending back to Iowa Energy (D-League), in Feb.’09 moved to Galatasaray Cafecrown Istanbul (Turkey-TBL): Turkish League: 15 games: 12.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 79.6%; EuroChallenge: 2 games: 18.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, 1.0bpg. Last season, he played for the Miami Heat (NBA), only pre-season, in Nov.’09 joined Idaho Stampede (D-League, starting five): 14 games: 21.4ppg, 11.4rpg, 2.5apg, 1.3spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 78.5%, in Dec.’09 signed at Portland Trail Blazers (NBA): 2 games: 0pts; later that month signed at Golden State Warriors (NBA, starting five): 44 games: 12.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 76.9%. This season, he is playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves and spoke with German Hoops.

Your first NBA game was almost two years ago with the San Antonio Spurs. Recently you played against Kobe Bryant. Are you still as excited to play an NBA as you were your first game?

Yes I am. The NBA is still new for me and I still have much fun playing against guys like Lebron James and Kobe Bryant.

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Chris Moss (Deutsche Bank Skyliners): I Am Good At Taking Charges And Its Not Pretty But Helps the Team

Chris Moss is a 30 year old 204cm forward that grew up in Georgia and now lives in Chesterfield, Virginia and is playing for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. He started his basketball career at west Virginia where he played from 1998-2002. In his senior year, he played 28 games averaging 17,5ppg and 8,0rpg. In 2002-2003, he came to Europe to start his professional basketball career as he played for Ironi Nahariya (Israel-Premier League): 5 games: 11.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 2ast – Golbey-Epinal (France-ProB): 26 games: 17.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 18ast. From 2003-2010, he played in Spain including 2 seasons in the LEB Gold and 5 years in the ACB. He played for Menorca from 2003-2008. His best season in the ACB was 2005-2006 for Menorca as he played games 26 games averaging 14.1ppg, 7.3rpg, 2FGP: 50.0%, FT: 67.0%. He played for CB Murcia from 2008-2010. Last season, he played 31 games averaging 5.8ppg, 6.7rpg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 73.3%. He took some time to talk to german hoops.

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Brice Brooks (Schwenningen ProB): I Think My Leadership Doesn´t Always get Noticed

Brice Brooks is a 24 year old 203cm forward from Seattle, Washington. He played at sacred Heart from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 32 games averaging 12.8ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3Pts: 42.9%, FT: 75.8%. He was a Tournament Finalist in 2007 and 2008. He started his professional basketball career in 2008 for Kaiserslautern Braves (Germany-ProA), waived in Feb.’09: 17 games: 7.9ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 52.2%. Last season, he played for 1862 Langen (Germany-ProA): 6 games: 6.3ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 58.3%, waived in Dec.’09, in Jan.’10 moved to UBC Muenster (Germany-Regionalliga): 8 games: 17.5ppg: He signed at Schweinningen(PRO B) a few weeks ago and is averaging 9,5ppg, 4,0rpg, 1,0apg and 1,0spg. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about the game he loves a short time before he was signed by Schweninngen.

You are from Seattle, Washington. Is it as cold here as there?

The weather is similar, but it doesn´t snow as much back home. As soon as we get around one inch of snow everything shuts down. Schools close and people dont go to work. Since I have been in Germany it has always snowed. At Sacred Heart, it snowed all the time and it was not my favorite.

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