Interviews

The Rapid 10 Miles Questions Basketball Exchange With Jibril Hodges(Duesseldorf Giants)

Jibril Hodges is a 26 year old 188cm guard that was born in San Diego, California but grew up in Chicago as his dad was a member of the Chicago Bulls in the early 90s. He is a athletic player with great shooting prowess from behind the arc. He played at Long Beach, university from 2002-2006. In his senior year he played 30 games: 14.1ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FG: 40.6%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 84.9%. At Long Beach, he made the Big West All-Freshman Team 2003, was All-Big West Honorable Mention 2005, was a Big West Tournament Finalist 2006 and made All-Big West 1st Team 2006. In 2006, he was drafted by the Fort Worth Flyers (D-League,8rd (93)). In 2007-2008, he played in the CBA for Butte Daredevils and left during the season, came back in Feb.2008: 34 games: 14.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 76.8%. In 2008-2009, he came to Germany and played for USC Heidelberg in the PRO A playing 29 games: Score-3(18.8ppg), 2.6rpg, 2.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 85.7%. Last season at USC Heidelberg, he played 30 games: Score-4(19.4ppg), 3.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 62.3%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 84.7%. He recently made the jump to the BEKO BBL signing with the Duesseldorf Giants. Jibril took the rapid 10 miles questions basketball exchange for German Hoops talking basketball.

Congrats on getting signed by the BEKO BBL team Duesseldorf glory. After two years in the PRO A with Heidelberg, now your first shot in the first league. How have you been able to pick up your game in the last two seasons.

I think in the last two seasons I improved my leadership abilities. That I think was the most important improvement.

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Brandon Chappell Wants His Passing Ability To Be Noticed

Brandon Chappell is a 26 year old 183cm guard from Beaumont, Texas. 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%. Last season for TV Langen, he played 29 games: 11.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 81.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

It is almost September and you are still unsigned. How difficult is it not having a team?

It is difficult because I am used to being on a team by now. The way I see it I have extra time to improve my game and conditioning for the upcoming season. I am sure the right opportunity will come.

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Japhet McNeil Wants To Return Back To Germany To Play

Japhet McNeil is a 25 year old 183 cm guard from Brooklyn, New York. He played at East Carolina from 2003 -2006. He then transferred to Bridgeport(NCAA2) for his senior year in 2006-2007. At Bridgeport, he played 31 games averaging 16.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.9apg, 4.0spg, FT: 67.3%, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 34.6%. In 2008-2009, he played his rookie season in Germany in the PRO A for USC Heidelberg playing 30 games and averaging 14.8ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1(7.9apg), Steals-1(3.5spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 63.3%. Last season, he played in Finland for Kori-Konkarit Loimaa (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 5 games: 9.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, 3.4spg, FGP: 35.0%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 50.0%He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball and life.

Japhet, it is almost September, the leagues around the world are starting up, but you are still looking for a team. Are you surprised that you are still jobless?

Im not suprised, more so patient. Teams are still looking, they have signed some players early but some players dont pan out and they look else where, thats where my services come in play.

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Will Chavis(NBC) Post Game Thoughts To 82-81 Germany Win Over Serbia

Will Chavis is a 28 year old 181 cm guard who comes from Philidelphia 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, he played for NBC playing 29 games: 19.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 88.3%. He will be playing with NBC in the 2010-2011 season and spoke to German Hoops about his views of the 82-81 2OT Germany win against Serbia.

What an exciting thriller double ot win against Serbia. Germany has had many exciting games in last 5 years.Where would you rank this game in terms of excitement to games you have seen in last years?

This Game was very exciting. Of all the games I have seen the German Mannschaft play this has been the most exciting.

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Ruben Spoden Looking To Make Strides With The Walter Tigers Tuebingen

Ruben Spoden is a 21 year old 202cm forward that will split his time in 2010-2011 with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen and Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule. He started his basketball career for Eintracht Frankfurt (Regionalliga) and played there from 2005-2008. In the 2008-2009 season he played for TV Langen (ProA), German League: 17 games: 2.4ppg, 1.8rpg; also played at Eintracht Frankfurt (2.Regionalliga): 11 games: 18.6ppg. Last season, he played for Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (ProB, starting five): 29 games: 14.8ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 74.7%. Ruben spoke to German Hoops about the upcoming season.

Ruben thanks for taking some time to talk to eurobasket. How has your summer been going? What have been your highlights?

Shortly after the season has ended I left for a one week trip to Mauritius, which definitely has been my highlight this summer.

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Mark Dorris(Phoenix Hagen) Looking To Quickly Take A Leadership Role

Mark Dorris is a 188 cm guard playing in Germany in the BEKO BBL for Phoenix Hagen. He was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and visited Princeton high school. He then attended St. Catharine College for a year before transfering to Marshall where he played from 2005-2008. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 13.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 39.1%, 3Pts: 34.3%, FT: 75.9%.For Cuxhaven, he played 29 games: 18.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.7apg, Steals-3(2.3spg), FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 77.3%. he recently signed with BEKO BBL team Phoenix Hagen. He took some time to talk to German Hoops about basketball.

Mark thanks for talking to eurobasket.com again. How has your summer been in the States?

1st off thanks for the interview all ways My pleasure to speak to you all.My summer has been Fantastic back home in the States spending as much of my time with my Family and my Royal Team (My Home Friends).

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A Conversation With The Future Piano Man Jason Boone(BG Goettingen)

Jason Boone is a 24 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York. He is playing his third season with MEG 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%. Two 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. Last season, 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%. Jason spoke to German Hoops about the upcoming season in Goettingen where the American center wants to learn to play the piano..

How has your summer been? What was the coolist non basketball thing that you did this summer?

My summer has been pretty good, I’ve had a chance to get healthy as well as be around family and friends. This summer I was able to do a lot of “firsts.” I went to Las Vegas for the first time, attended my first bachelor party as well as wedding. Guess I’m officially growing up.

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Victor Morris Looking On Returning Back To Germany

Victor Morris is a 25 year old 185cm guard from Inkster Michigan. He played at Cleveland St. From 2003-2007. In his senior season, he played 22 games: 7.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 84.0%. He came overseas in 2007 and played for TS Goeppingen (Germany-Regionalliga, starting five): 18 games: 20.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 6.0apg. In 2008-2009, he played in Germany and Finland for TS Goeppingen (Germany-Regionalliga): 8 games: 15.5ppg, in Dec.’08 moved to Porvoon Tarmo (Finland-Korisliiga, starting five): 27 games: 14.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 64.2%. He Help lead TS Goeppingen to Final Four of the Regionalliga Cup in 2008, led the Regionalliga (South-West) in free-throw percentage 2008,ranked top 5 in scoring in Regionalliga (South-West) 2008, scored a career high 44 points in German BBW Cup Championship 2008, set a career high in assists with 13 against Rastatt 2008, was German BBW Cup Champion 2008, German BBW Cup Final Four MVP 2008 and a Regionalliga All-Star in 2008. He recently played for Team Amsterdam (Eurobasket Summer League in Chicago). He spoke to German Hoops about his future.

How has your summer been? How does a normal summer workout day look like for Victor Morris?

My summer has been great! I’ve been busy working out and attending international exposure camps. I was invited to Chicago, IL for the Diamond Midwest Exposure Camp. Where I played very well and made the camps all-star team. http://www.basketballexposurecamp.com/galleryimage.asp?ID=143 – Video I was also invited to Atlanta, GA for the Pro One Sports Exposure Camp, where I also played good and made the camps all-star team. Then I received an invite from Eurobasket to come to back to Chicago, IL but this time for the Eurobasket Summer League. I was able to showcase my skills for Eurobasket and again was selected by Darryl Reshaw to the camps all-star team. http://www.usbasket.com/Eurobasket-Summer-League/basketball.asp?NewsID=194844
So as you can see, my summer has been very busy but beneficial. A normal workout for me varies depending on the day of the week, but I normally hit the gym around 9am with my trainer to work on individual skill work, that usually last about 2 hrs. I rest and have lunch for about an hour then it’s on to weights and cardio, (track or pool). After working out with my trainer, I hit the gym again. I play in a few competitive summer leagues at least 4 days out of the week with other pros that are here in Michigan. Playing with some of the former NBA and current international professionals really helps fine tune my game.

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Robin Benzing Reflects On The 2009-2010 Season

Robin Benzing is a 21 year old 208cm forward from Seeheim-Jugenheim playing his first season with Ratiopharm Ulm. He played with TV Langen from 2004-2009. In the 2008-2009 PRO A season, he played 25 games: Score-4(18.7ppg), 4.4rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 80.1%. Robin belongs to the German class of Basketball players (the Nowitzki style). He is a big forward who can play in both positions as he has the size and the shooting skills too. His game looks like his country-mate Jan Jagla, he is a bit lighter than the German international, and is playing mostly within the wing. He is amazingly a good ball handler for his size and he can attack the basket going both ways. Even though is nearly a 7footer he doesn’t have the strength to post up his opponents while he does prefer to play mostly on the parameter. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

NBA Scouts from the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers watched you play in Oldenburg. Were you able to block this out?

It was not difficult for me to play in front of the NBA scouts. There have been scouts at practice this season in Ulm and I am able to block this all out. I just concentrate on the game.

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German Andy Buechert Looking To Make An Impact In The BEKO BBL In 2010-2011

Andy Buechert is a 208cm German center from Trier that just graduated from Winthrop in South Carolina. He played at tallahasse CC in the JUCO league form 2005-2007. he then transferred to Winthrop. In his senior year, he played at Winthrop playing 33 games and averaging 5.7ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 44.6%, FT: 44.6%. He won the Big South Conference in 2008 and 2010. Now he is testing the market in Europe and has garnered interest from various BEKO BBL teams. German Hoops spoke with the young German about basketball and his future.

Andy, thanks for taking some time to talk to German Hoops. You just finished your college career at Winthrop. How excited are you about turning professional?

I’m very excited about taking the next step in my life and go play professionally in Europe. Since my early childhood I dreamed about being a professional athlete.

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