Interviews

A Preseason Conversation With Jared Mr. Pass Jordan From The Phoenix Cup In Hagen

Jared Jordan is a 24 year old 188 cm pure point guard who understands how to run a team and has great court vision and leadership and hails from Hartford Connecticut. He played at Kingswood-Oxford prep school before going to Marist from 2003-2007.

He really made a name for himself as he gave the word assist a new meaning as he was leading the nation in assists in his junior and senior years. In his last year, he played 33 games and averaged 17.2ppg, 5.9rpg and led the NCAA in assists with 8.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 69.0%. He finished as Marist’s all-time leader in assists with 813 and ranks sixth all-time in points with 1,538. It was no surprise that he was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round at #45. He was traded to the New York Knicks, but didn´t make the roster so he ventured to Europe and played at Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius and played in the Lithuanian league averaging 5.9ppg, 1.8rpg, 4.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.2%, FT: 75.0%, 3PT: 45.0%; and in 18 games in the Baltic League averaging 6.0ppg, 1.8rpg, Assists-4(4.4apg), 1.9spg, 2FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 53.8% in 10 games.

In the 2008-2009 season, he tried his luck again in the NBA landing with the New Orleans Hornets, but not making the team and playing in the D-league for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers playing 36 games and averaging 10.9ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-2(9.0apg), 2.0spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 70.3%. This season, he will make his debut in the BBL for The Telekom Baskets Bonn and spoke to German Hoops shortly after the Bonn 91-90 win against The Paderborn Baskets in the Phoenix Cup in Hagen after finishing with 24 points and five assists:

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Eric Osmundson Might Take On The Waves One Day, But Now Looks For A New Team

Eric Osmundson is a 26 year old 196cm combo guard that can also play the small forward position. He grew up in Carlsbad, California and BBL presently resides in San Diego. He played his freshman year at Utah, and then transferring to Pennsylvania and playing there from 2003-2006. In his senior year, he played 29 games averaging 9.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.5apg, FG: 37.5%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 60.7%. He was Ivy League champion in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, he was drafted by the Colorodo 14ers of the D-League. In 2007-2008, he played 50 games for Colorodo averaging 8.7ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 37%, FT: 70.5%.

Last season, he came to Germany in February to play for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven averaging 5.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 34.9%, 3PT: 24.4%, FT: 76.4%. Eric is currently looking for a team. For interest please contact him at eric.n.osmundson@gmail.com.

Eric thanks for talking to German Hoops. Its been a tough summer for many players on the transfer market. Did you expect that it would be so difficult for you in finding a club?

I knew it would be a little difficult given our result from last year in Bremerhaven but I am staying positive and working on my game in hopes of signing with a club sometime soon. It is a very tough market and there are a lot of really solid players with good experience still in my position looking to find a club.

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Brandon Brooks looking To Lead The Point Guard Duties In Bremerhaven

Brandon Brooks is a 22 year old 188 cm guard that is about to start his first season in the BBL with The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He is fresh from the NCAA having played at Alabama State. In his senior year, he played 32 games averaging 13.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3Pts: 36.9%, FT: 77.1%.

It will be interesting to see how the young American fits into the deep Bremerhaven roster and how he does at the point guard position. He has developed nicely in pre season camp and even won a game with a last second shot.

Brandon spoke to German Hoops early in pre season camp.

You are a BBL rookie. How do you feel coming to Germany?

I feel great and thankful for the chance to play here. Playing with vets all summer in atlanta helped out a ton so I’m coming in with confidence.

How was the plane ride? Were you able to gell really well with a particular player in those first hours together?

That was the longest that I had to sit still ever in life lol. I got used to an elderly lady besides me and I didn’t sit next to any teammates, because I needed leg room, watched about four movies though.

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Markus Hallgrimson Is A German Playing The Game He Loves In Morocco, Africa

Markus Hallgrimson (video) is a 34 year old 190 cm German-American guard that has a shocking resemblance to American actor Kirk Cameron that became famous for the hit TV show Growing Pains. Since starting his basketball career in 1995, he has been somewhat of a nomad having found 13 different teams in this time. He went to the States in 1995 to have the total high school experience playing for Mercer Island. In 1996, he returned back to Germany playing for USC Heidelberg. He then decided to return back to the States and play NCAA2 ball for Montana State-Billings from 1997-2000.

He led the NCAA in 1999-2000 with an all-time NCAA record 6.2 three pointers per game. He also set a new NCAA record with 16 three pointers in one game. He scored 51, 50 and 45 points and averaged 24 points per game, 4th best in the US for Div. II. He was voted to the 1st team NCAA Div. II All-American team. Hallgrimson then returned to Germany and from 2000-2004, he played for Avitos Giessen, BCJ Hamburg NVV Monchengladbach, TSK Wurzburg and BG Chemnitz. In 2004-2005, he left Germany and headed Spain for a short stay playing for Los Barrios Cadix (Spain-LEB1) but was released in October playing 4 games and averaging 3.7ppg 0.2apg. In April 2005, he signed at Geneve Devils (Switzerland-LNA) playing 13 games and averaging 12.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 60.0%, 3FGP: 35.7%; In the playoffs, he played 12 games averaging 9.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 83.3%, 3FGP: 35.7%. In 2005, he played briefly at TV Langen, before returning back to the Geneve Devils (Switzerland-LNA) playing 15 games and averaging 10.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 34.4%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 93.8%.

In 2006-2007, he left the Geneve Devils and then went back to Germany to play for ASC Theresianum Mainz and for the Mitteldeutscher BC playing 21 games and averaging 11.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 54.3%, 3FGP: 40.9%, FT: 63.6%. In 2007-2008, he went to England to play for the Worcester Wolves (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 6 games averaging 7.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 25.0%, 3PT: 19.7%, and in Nov.’07 moved to SCH Wuerzburg Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 20 games and averaging 17.5ppg. In 2008-2009, he continued with SCH Wuerzburg Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 24 games and averaging 11.1ppg.

This season, he is playing in Africa in Morocco for the Ithri Nador Baskets. He had a talk with German Hoops about all kinds of topics.

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A Basketball Moment From Los Angeles With Ex Skyliner Travon Bryant

Travon Bryant (206-F-83, agency: Octagon, college: Missouri) is a 26 year old 206 cm forward that is a skilled combination lefty forward that has a nice shooting touch from 10-15 feet, and is strong enough to maneuver in the paint in traffic and with his back to the basket. He comes from Long Beach, California and played at The Univeristy of Missouri from 2000-2004 with skilled players like Linas Kleiza, Rickey Paulding, Jason Conley and Jimmy McKinney.

In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 10.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.7apg. In his five year career, he has taken a liking to the warm climate of Greece playing there for four years. In 2004-2005, he played for Iraklis Thessaloniki playing FIBA Europe League averaging 11.6ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.0apg, 0.9spg, FGP: 52.7%, 3Pts: 25%; and playing 26 games in the Greek league averaging 10.2ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.0apg, 2FGP: 48.0%, 3FGP: 31.0%.

In 2005-2006, he played for AO Kolossos Rodo playing 24 games and averaging 14.5ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, 1.1bpg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 66.0%. After the season ended in Greece, he hopped over to Italy and helped Benetton Treviso win the Italian league title averaging 16 games: 4.6ppg, 2.6rpg.

In 2006-2007, he played in the BBL for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing 28 games and averaging 14.7ppg, Reb-5 (7.8rpg), 1.8apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 54.7%, 3FGP: 28.6%, FT: 61.7%. In 2007-2008, he jumped back to Greece and played for Costa Cafe Marousi playing FIBA EuroCup averaging 15.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg, 1.0bpg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 53.8%; and playing 22 games in the Greek league averaging 10.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.0apg, 2FGP: 62.0%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 52.0%. He also reached the Greek final in the playoffs playing 13 games and averaging 7.2ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 62.0%, FT: 62.0%. Last season, he played for AEK Athens playing 24 games and averaging 11.9ppg, Reb-5 (7.1rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 75.4%.

German Hoops caught up with Travon Bryant (206-F-83, agency: Octagon, college: Missouri) who is currently working out in Los Angeles and still looking for a team for the upcoming season.

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That Was No George Foreman Sighting In Paderborn, But Really Nate Gerwig

Nate Gerwig (206-F/C-83, college: Kent St.) is a 26 year old 206cm center that grew up in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He played at Kent State from 2001-2006. He was unable to play the 2003-2004 season on account of being a medical redshirt. In his senior year, he played 32 games averaging 6.4ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 58.0%, FT: 58.1%.

In the 2006-2007 season he turned professional playing for Porvoon Tarmo (Korisliiga) in 22 games and averaging 2.9ppg, 2.6rpg. In the 2007-2008 season, he returned back to the States and played in the D League for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants playing 40 games and averaging 3.6ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 49.6%, FT: 49.1%. Last season, he played his first season in Germany in the PRO A for BV Chemnitz 99 playing 30 games and averaging 15.6ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 65.0%, FT: 61.8%. He spoke to German Hoops during training camp.

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A Dialogue With Ronald Ross(Artland Dragons)

Ronald Ross is a 26 year old 188 cm point guard from North Hobbs, New Mexico. He played at Texas Tech from 2001-2005 under BBLLogo legendary coach Bobby Knight.

In 2004-2005 in his senior year, he played 33 games and exploding averaging 17.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 3.0apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3Pts: 43%. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2005.

He then turned professional and played in 2005-2006 in Italy in the Lega 2 for Univer Castelletto Ticino playing 12 games and averaging 9.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.6apg, 2.2spg, 2FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 76.5%.

In 2006-2007, he played in the CBA for the Butte Daredevils playing 48 games and averaging 15.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-2(2.4spg), FGP: 49%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 74.2%.

In 2007-2008, he came to Germany to play for ENBW Ludwigsburg playing 34 games and averaging 14.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.3apg, Steals-2(1.7spg), 2FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 77.9%. He also played 10 ULEB Cup games averaging 11.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50%, 3PT: 44%, FT: 66.7%. He reached the 2008 BBL cup final losing to the Artland Dragons.

In 2008-2009, he started in Isarel for Maccabi Givat Shmuel playing 8 games and averaging 14.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 11.8%, FT: 66.7% before moving to Maccabi Haifa Heat playing 6 games and averaging 7.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.7apg, 2.0spg.

That was a short stay as he then continued back to Germany to play for the Artland Dragons playing 12 games and becoming a central figure in their offense averaging 15.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.0apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 57.1%, FT: 70.0%.

Ronald spoke to German Hoops some weeks ago before heading to Germany.

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In Between Ballerina Steps With Derrick Allen

Derrick Allen is a 203cm forward that grew up in Gadsen Alabama. He is a rugged inside player who attacks the glass, will provide help on BBLLogo the boards, is a solid defender in the post, a competitor and hard worker that can score facing the basket and has shooting range to the foul line. He started his career at Southern Union State from 1998-2000.

He then transferred to Mississippi and played there from 2000-2003.

He then started his professional basketball career in Iceland playing for Keflavikur ripping up the FIBA Europe Cup playing 8 games and averaging 26.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 2.5apg, 1.8spg and playing 22 games in the Iceland league averaging 23,4ppg, 10.5rpg. He won the Icelandic league and cup title in his rookie season.

In 2004, he ventured to Germany and has played there ever since with two years in Karlsruhe, one year in Leverkusen and he is now starting his third season for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners.

In 2006-2007, he led Leverksuen into the playoffs and led the BBL in scoring playing 38 games and averaging 16.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 50.6%, 3FGP: 32.3%, FT: 72.2%. In 2007-2008, he was second best scorer in the BBL for Frankfurt playing 43 games and averaging 18.1ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.6%; and playing 10 ULEB Cup games finishing as the third best scorer averaging 19.9ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.9%. He has reached three BBL playoffs in five seasons and played in the 2008 BBL Allstar game. He had a chat with us about his summer, Skyliners and Usain Bolt.

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A Welcome To Germany Interview With Mr. Assist Jared Jordan

Jared Jordan is a 24 year old 188 cm pure point guard who understands how to run a team and has great court vision and leadership and BBLLogo hails from Hartford Connecticut. He played at Kingswood-Oxford prep school before going to Marist from 2003-2007.

It was no surprise that he was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round at #45.

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