Interviews

Jason Boone Looking To Make History At The Eurochallenge Final 4

Jason Boone is a 24 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York. He is playing his third season with 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%. Two seasons ago, he played at Bernau(Regionalliga) before making the jump up three leagues to MEG Goettingen. Last  season, he averaged 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg, FG: 53.7%.

This season, he is averaging 21 minutes per game and is averaging 11,0ppg, 5,6rpg and 1,1bs.

He took some time to talk to German Hoops about the current BG Goettingen season.

How does BG Goettingen continue to win games despite injuries and foul trouble in the last months?

It has to do with how hard we work. We come in well prepared and execute our game plan well. We win some games and lose some games.

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Mark Dorris Likes To Get Started On Defense Before Getting His Offense Going

Mark Dorris is a 188 cm guard playing his rookie season in Germany in the PRO A for Cuxhaven. 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%. Currently he is averaging 18,8ppg, 4,4rpg and 3,8apg for Cuxhaven.

He took some time to talk to German Hoops about his rookie season.

Mark you are playing your first season in Germany with Cuxhaven. How do you like Germany?

Germany has been a great Experience. I have enjoyed it thus far and winning games makes it easier.

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Josh Wilson Makes A Name For Himself In Ehingen

On paper the ProB is just the third league in Germany. But in recent years many great players were able to leave a mark and make themselves a name in this league. The best example is probably Spot Up Medien Baskets Zack Wright. The American playmaker made it from Braunschweig’s ProB team to an All-Star in the first division in France.

This season many great point guards entered the league and their stats could serve them as a stepping stone to a great career in Europe. One of these promising players is former Northern Arizona playmaker Josh Wilson. The 22-year old point guard had a nice college career (All-time Assist leader in NA history) and started his pro career with Erdgas Ehingen this season. On a young team full of german talents Wilson had to show his leadership skills and had an impressive rookie season in Europe.

He took some time to talk to German Hoops about his first experiences in Europe.

After 4 years of NCAA basketball with Northern Arizona you turned pro last summer. Was that something you always planned to do? And how did you end up in Germany?

Becoming a professional basketball player is something that every basketball player dreams about. It’s something I strived for every day in my high school and college career. To be able to see it happen here in Germany has been a very fulfilling experience. I ended up here in Germany through my website, joshwilsonbasketball.com that has video and information about me and I sent the information out to teams. Nico Drmota saw my website and asked my former teammate Kristian Kuhn on the team about me. It ended up working out well and I got the opportunity to come to Ehingen.
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Marcus Smallwood Was Out Of Basketball For Two Years But Still Wants To Play In The BEKO BBL

Marcus Smallwood is a 28 year 198cm forward playing his second season in Germany fort he PRO A team Kaiserslautern.

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.

Last season, he played for Kaiserslautern playing 30 games: 9.0ppg, 5.5rpg, FGP: 61.3%, FT: 40.7%. He took some time to talk to German Hoops.

Marcus, you are playing your second season with Kaiserslautern of the PRO A. How do you like the style of the PRO A ?

I think the style of Pro A is a lot more physical and tough than people would imagine. The main reason for this is because it’s a league full of players hungry to show people how good they are who might have overlooked them other places and want to prove themselves!

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TJ Thompson Trying To Lead EnBW Ludwigsburg Into The BEKO BBL Playoffs

TJ Thompson is a 27 year old 177cm point guard from Germantown, Maryland. He is a guard who gets few looks because of his size, but who is in great shape and stronger than you can think. He played at George Washington from 2001-2005. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 13.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42%, 3Pts: 39.2% and led his team to winning the Atlantic 10 championship.

In 2005, he turned professional and was drafted at #1 in the CBA by the Albany Patrons. In 47 games for Albany, he averaged 25.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.8spg, FG: 41.1%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 85.9%. In 2006-2007, he played in France for Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (France-ProA) playing 13 games averaging 12.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.8apg, 0.9spg, FGP: 36.4%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 82.6%. In 2007-2008, he continued playing in France for STB Le Havre (France-ProA, starting five): playing 30 games averaging 15.1ppg, 2.4rpg, Assists-4(6.8apg), 1.7spg, 2FGP: 38.6%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 79.7%. In 2008-2009, for STB Le Havre (France-ProA, starting five): Eurocup: 8 games: 17.4ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.5apg, 1.9spg; French League: 30 games: Score-3(18.1ppg), 1.9rpg, 5.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 28.2%, FT: 82.5%.

This season, he started in Greece for Ilysiakos Athens (Greece-A1): only pre-season, then joined Washington Madness (EBA), and in December 2009 moved to PGE Turow Zgorzelec (Poland-PLK) playing four games averaging 5,8ppg, 5,5apg and 2,5rpg.

He joined EnBW Ludwigsburg in February 2010 and spoke with German Hoops.

Since you have been in Ludwigsburg, the team has been winning a lot. How much of this success can be credited to your game?

Oh I don´t know. You would have to ask coach. I just try to do what the coach asks me too do. I was asked to score in the first two games and since then was asked to set my teammates up. It has been a lot of fun.

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Branislav Ratkovica Aiming For The ACB One Day

Branislav Ratkovica is a 24 year old 193 cm guard from Serbia. He is playing his second season for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He started his basketball career in 2002 with Beopetrol Beograd. He played for Atlas Banka Novi Beograd from 2003-2006. In the 2006-2007, he played for BC Mega Ishrana Beograd. In 2007, he came to Germany and landed with The EWE Baskets Oldenburg, but found little playing time averaging only 2.3ppg, 1.0apg. Last season, he joined The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 29 games averaging 9.4ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 63.4%. This season, he has belonged to the best assist players in the BEKO BBL as well as leading his team. He recently spoke to German Hoops.

You are playing your second season in Tuebingen. What are the biggest differences to playing in Oldenburg?

I arrived in Oldenburg and Germany as a rookie and I didn’t have a lot of opportunity to play. I played as Gardner’s substitution, who is one of the best point guards in the whole league. However, Tuebingen is a completely different story, as here I have the full support and trust from the coach and the board, which makes it an easier environment to play in.

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Velimir Radinovic Looking To Leave A Mark In The BEKO BBL

Velimir Radinovic is a 29 year old 212cm center that was born in Canada, but also has the Serbian citizenship as he has Serbian parents. He played at Ohio State from 2000-2004. He turned professional in 2004 and played for Reflex Beograd (SCG-1A): ULEB Cup: 10 games: 4.4ppg, 2.4rpg, FGP: 51.7%; Adriatic League: 30 games: 6.0ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 56.0%; 1A League: 14 games: 5.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 0.3apg. In 2005-2006, he played for FMP Zeleznik Beograd (SCG-1A): ULEB Cup: 4 games: 1.0ppg; Adriatic League: 10 games: 2.1ppg, 1.4rpg, in Dec.’05 signed at KK Hemofarm Vrsac (SCG-1A): ULEB Cup: 6 games: 7.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 2FGP: 88.9%; Adriatic League: 14 games: 3.1ppg, 1.8rpg; SCG Superleague: 5 games: 5.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 0.8apg. In 2006-2007, he played for KK Hemofarm Vrsac (SCG-A): Adriatic League: 26 games: 4.9ppg, 2.6rpg; ULEB Cup: 12 games: 9.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 2FGP: 64.1%, 3FGP: 0%, FT: 66.7%. In 2007-2008, he played in France for Stade Clermontois Basket Auvergne (France-ProA, starting five): 28 games: 5.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 2FGP: 57.3%, FT: 79.6%. Last season, he played in Greece for Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece-A2): 29 games: 7.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 2FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 87.0%.

He joined MBC in March 2010 and had a chat with German Hoops.

You are now playing in Germany for MBC. You have played three games. How do you like the BEKO BBL:

I like the style of play, it’s very tough and physical. The competition has been really good, in my first game we defeated ALBA Berlin at home which was amazing, the atmosphere was great.

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Achmadschah Zazai Runs Runs Runs And Runs In An Unforgettable 163-44 Loss

Achmadschah Zazai is a 22 year old German/Afghani 177 cm guard that started his basketball career for TUS Lichterfelde Berlin (2.Bundesliga) in 2003 and played there until 2005. In the 2005-2006 season, he played for SG FT/MTV Braunschweig (2.Bundesliga) playing 28 games and averaging 6.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 48.3%, 3FGP: 26.9%, FT: 75.0%. In 2006-2007, he played for BSG Ludwigsburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 15 games averaging 19.3ppg, and also had a license for EnBW Ludwigsburg (1. Bundesliga) playing 12 games and averaging 1.1ppg. In 2007-2008, he played for the Bremen Roosters (Germany-ProA) playing 14 games averaging 3.4ppg, 1.1apg, and then went to Denmark to play for Horsens IC playing 8 games and averaging 9.8ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-3(4.5apg), 2.4spg, 2FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 29.0%, FT: 92.0%. Last season, he played for Telemotive Muenchen (Germany-ProB) playing 25 games averaging 13.6ppg, 2.4rpg, Assists-4(5.5apg), Steals-5(2.2spg), FGP: 53.9%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 82.4%. This season, he signed a three month contract with the Artland Dragons to help fill the void for injured Flavio Stückemann. He only played sparingly for The Artland Dragons. Then he played shortly with TV Langen and now plays for USC Freiburg. He spoke to German Hoops following the crazy 163-44 game against BG Karlsruhe.

As I saw the 163 – 44 result between BG Karlsruhe and USC Freiburg, I thought I was dreaming but it was reality, as USC Freiburg played with 3 players for 38 minutes. How could a game like this be played?

We had 10 players who were sick last week and we wanted to move the game to another day but Karlsruhe needed to play the game because of financial reasons. We started with 5 players, 2 were sick and could not play after 1:30 minutes and we ended the game with me and 2 junior players.

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Ronald Dupree Bringing A Breath Of NBA Air To The Telekom Baskets Bonn

Ronald Dupree is a 29 year old 199cm shooting guard/small forward from Biloxi, Mississippi. He played at LSU from 1999-2003 and was SEC champion in 2000. He wasn´t drafted by an NBA team, but played in the worlds best league from 2003-2008 with teams like the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. And played 154 NBA games. He was NBA central division champion in 2005 and 2007. Last season, he played in the D-League for the Tulsa 66ers playing 18 games averaging 19.8ppg, 6.6rpg, 3.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 69.2%, and in Jan.2009 agreed to terms with the Utah Flash playing 33 games averaging 17.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 79.2%. Ron spoke to German Hoops about the current Telekom Baskets Bonn season.

From 1999 to 2009, you played in the NCAA, NBA and D-League. Now you are playing your first season overseas in Europe. Has it been a culture shock for you?

Not really, because basketball is a universal game. There are small, detailed differences like with the footwork and the 3 second violations.

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Adam Baumann Career Ending Interview

Adam Baumann is a 28 year old 203cm power forward/center that recently announced his retirement from professional basketball to return home to Arizona to pursue a career as a fire fighter. He is from Scottsdale, Arizona and played at Yavapai and Youngstown in the NCAA.

He started his professional basketball career in 2004 in Germany and played overseas for five and half years. He played with Phoenix Hagen from 2004-2008 in the second Bundesliga. In three of four years, he had double double stats in points and rebounds. His best season with Phoenix Hagen was 2006-2007 as he played 29 games averaging 19.2ppg, Reb-2(11.2rpg), 1.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 62%, 3FGP: 28.9%, FT: 83.5%. Last season, he played for VFL Kirchheim in the PRO A playing 30 games averaging 16.5ppg, Reb-3(10.1rpg), 1.2spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 78.6%. This season, he played 13 games with BBC Bayreuth averaging 14,2ppg, 4,7rpg, 1,6apg in 22 minutes per game.

He gave German Hoops a exclusive career ending interview.

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