ProA

Tyson Hinz (Mitteldeutscher BC) The Scrubb Brothers And I Always Had Winning As A Team As Our End Goal And Not To Get Noticed Individually

Tyson Hinz is a 24 year old 20cm forward from Ottawa, Canada that is playing his third professional season and first in Germany with the Mitteldeutscher BC: He played the last two seasons with Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie) playing a total of 73 games and last season played 35 games averaging 13.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 76.6%. He started his basketball career at Carleton University (CIS) in 2009 and played there until 2014 playing a total of 123 CIS games and as a senior played 27 games averaging 15.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 76.1%. There he won four CIS titles and three OUA titles. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball earlier in the summer after signing with the Mitteldeutscher BC.

Tyson thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

At the moment I am in Ottawa, Canada. I grew up here and it’s also where I attended university. It’s the perfect place for me to be during the summer months because I get to train and spend time with family.

With the Scrubb brothers being away for some weeks with the national team were you able to get in some time in the lab at some point this summer or did you guys go your separate ways?

I did miss training with Phil and Tommy throughout the summer. Almost every day during the week there are scrimmages being held at Carleton University with the current players as well as many former and current pros. Having Phil and Tommy there for scrimmages adds an extra competitive edge which takes them to another level.

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Chase Adams(Uni Baskets) I Know This is Going To Be A Season To Remember And The Dresden Win Hopefully Shows We Can Never Be Counted Out

Chase Adams is a 27 year old 188cm point guard from Baltimore, Maryland that is playing his second season for the Uni Baskets Paderborn in the (Germany-ProA) this season. He started his basketball career at Centenary (NCAA) in 2006 where he played three seasons and a total of 89 NCAA games. As a senior he moved to Pittsburgh (NCAA). He turned professional in 2001 and played briefly in the ABA and in the UBL before making Germany his home as he played for teams like Dortmund, Bochum, and Science City Jena. He spoke to German Hoops after the wild 130-125 double OT win in Dresden.

Chase congrats on the wild 130-125 double OT win over the Dresden Titans. Was this one of the more enjoyable bus rides that you have had since becoming a professional?

Absolutely. I know this going to be a season to remember and this game hopefully showed the league we can never be counted out.

One could almost say welcome to the NBA when looking at the crazy 130-125 score. Where does this game rank up with your most crazy games ever?

This is #1 because every other multiple OT game I’ve been in, I’ve lost.

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Brian Sullivan(Hebeisen White Wings) I’ve Really Stopped Trying To Please Others Because Basketball Is Not Who I Am But It’s What I Do

Brian Sullivan is a 23 year old 180cm guard from Upper Arlington, Ohio that will be starting his professional career in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. He started his college basketball career in 2011 with Miami, OH (NCAA) playing 30 games averaging 10.3ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 35.7%, 3PT: 44.9%, FT: 70.0%. He then played at Davidson (NCAA) from 2013-2016 and as a senior played 30 games averaging 14.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 32.7%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 83.1%. He spoke to German Hoops during the summer before signing with the Hebeisen White Wings.

Brian thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

My pleasure. I am currently in Hanau, Germany preparing for the season with my teammates and coaching staff. My summer was excellent, it was the most productive and efficient summer I have had as a basketball player.

After a stellar college basketball career where you played the last three seasons with Davidson, with what expectations were you going into this summer´s transfer market? You signed very late with German team Hebeisen White Wings. Did you not have as many offers as one may have thought or was the right opportunity not there earlier in the summer?

The biggest thing I wanted was a good fit. I felt that Hanau was a great situation for me because of the coaching staff and player development they offer. I wanted to go to a good opportunity where I would be able to improve the most and I felt Hanau was the best place for me to do that.

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Julian Scott (I Have No Doubt In My Mind I Can Do Well In Pro A)

Julian Scott is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that completed his second professional season and first with the Uni Riesen Leipzig playing 23 games: Score-5(20.4ppg), Reb-2(10.5rpg), 1.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 17.9%, FT: 66.7%. He picked up Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Forward of the Year -16, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -16, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -16. As a rookie, he played for TSV Quakenbrueck (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 16 games averaging 29.7ppg. He started his basketball career at Yuba junior college and then played two years at S.Utah (NCAA). He finished at Adams St. (NCAA2) playing 27 games: 10.8ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 70.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about the departure From Pro A team Ehingen.

Julian thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and what are momentarily most in your thoughts now?

Hey Miles I’m currently in Ehingen looking for a new situation to come up. My thoughts are more reflecting on everything that’s happened up to now.

Recently this summer we talked about your future season Ehingen and you were very motivated about the new opportunity. You must of never thought in your wildest dreams that your stay would be so short?

Not at all but it was a mutual understanding with the manager as well as the coach.

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Seth Hinrichs(Kirchheim Knights) I Think The Pro A Style Fits My Game And I Think Coach Mai’s Overall Scheme Fits My Game

Seth Hinrichs is a 23 year old 203cm guard from Clara City, Minnesota that is playing his second professional season in the German Pro A with the Kirchheim Knights. Last season as a rookie he played for FC Porto (Portugal-LPB): 20 games: 8.7ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 20.7%, FT: 79.1%; FIBA Europe Cup: 6 games: 6.7ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 64.7%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 83.3%. He played at Lafayette (NCAA) from 2011-2015 graduating from Lafayette as the all-time leader in 3PG % in Patriot League history. As a senior he played 32 games averaging 12.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 83.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 92-90 road victory in Dresden.

Seth thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome to Germany. You had a try-out with BBL team MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, but landed with Kirchheim. What has been most appealing to you about the club since you joined?

I really like the coaches and my teammates. We have a good, talented group of guys and have the potential to do really well this year.

Was it difficult for you to accept the fact that the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg didn´t need you? Your now in a league lower. How do you as a professional player handle this kind of rejection?

I was definitely disappointed but I realize it is a part of playing basketball professionally. I am very appreciative for the opportunity that Coach Patrick gave me and for the people I was able to meet at Ludwigsburg. I think playing in the Pro A is a great opportunity and now my focus is to improve as a player so that one day I can reach the BBL level or higher.

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Virgil Matthews (BV Chemnitz) I Was Playing Awful In The Preseason So It Just Felt Good To See The Ball Go In

Virgil Matthews is a 33 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing his tenth professional season and third with BV Chemnitz. Last season for BV Chemnitz he played 33 games averaging 12.6ppg, 6.1rpg, Assists-2(7.6apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 75.2%. He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played 31 games averaging 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga) playing 29 games averaging 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). In 2009-2010, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL) playing 28 games averaging 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL).In 2010-2011, he played his first season for Erdgas Ehingen playing 32 games: 11.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 71.3%. He would play until 2014 with Ehingen playing 126 games with three seasons in the Pro A and one in the Pro B. He spoke to German Hoops after the season opening win in Erfurt against Gotha.

Virgil thanks for talking to German Hoops. The new season kicked off tonight with a road win against Gotha. What do you believe is most fascinating about this derby?

Gotha fans have their own way of supporting their team and they are very loud and do a good job. Combining that with the great fans of Chemnitz makes a great derby.

Congrats on the exciting 74-72 victory. What a great start to the new season with such a close finish. Is this a further token how competitive the German pro A will continue to be this season?

I think the Pro A is always pretty competitive it doesn’t get the credit it deserves I think, but yes I think this season will be very competitive.

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Bryan Smithson (I Always Hang My Hat On My Ability To Lead On And Off The Court)

Bryan Smithson is a 31 year old 185cm point guard from Kennesaw,Georgia that completed his third season in Germany and first with the MPL Academics Heidelberg playing 28 games averaging 12.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.7apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.1%. He started his basketball career at Middle Tennessee St. (NCAA) in 2003 where he played two seasons. He then moved to NC-Asheville (NCAA) where he finished his college career and as a senior played 29 games: 16.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.1apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3Pts: 41.1%, FT: 83.5%. He played two seasons for the Kirchheim Knights in the German Pro A where he was top 5 in assists in the league the last two seasons. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball future.

Bryan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Hey Miles, it is always a pleasure talking with you. I am currently at my home just outside of Atlanta, Ga. I have been enjoying the summer and spending time with my family.

It is September and most teams are filled and your still without a team. How surprised are you that you are still unsigned?

I am a bit surprised that I am still available on the market as most players would be. Obviously, I am excited to get started with my future team.

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Chase Adams (Uni Baskets Paderborn) Glad I Can Participate In Basketball Aid And It´s Only Right I Give Back In Anyway

Chase Adams is a 27 year old 188cm point guard from Baltimore, Maryland is playing his second season for the Uni Baskets Paderborn in the (Germany-ProA) this season. He started his basketball career at Centenary (NCAA) in 2006 where he played three seasons and a total of 89 NCAA games. As a senior he moved to Pittsburgh (NCAA). He turned professional in 2001 and played briefly in the ABA and in the UBL before making Germany his home as he played for teams like Dortmund, Bochum, and Science City Jena. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig which is part of the 2016 Basketball Aid international tour that stopped in Paderborn.

Chase thanks for talking to German Hoops. You had a long summer in Baltimore. How was your summer and what did you reflect most about concerning your professional career?

This was most certainly a challenging summer for me training wise pushing my limits. I spent a lot of time thinking about my shortcomings and how I can push through when times get rough.

You will be playing your second season with the Uni Baskets Paderborn. A professional basketball players career might not always be a long affair so one has to appreciate it as much as possible. How much have you appreciated the city of Paderborn and has it become like a second home for you?

I made the decision to come back because I do have that home feeling and I’m blessed they welcomed me back with open arms. The city shows a lot of Love and that propels me to go harder.

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The Giessen 46ers Tame The Oettinger Rockets Gotha 86-70 In Basketball Aid Game In Mainz

On the court Chris Ensminger won just about every battle in the paint as there was a reason why he was the BBL´s best rebounder for five consecutive years as his knack of always having the right position as the ball was released and correct instinct to where the ball would fall off the rim seemed to be as easy for him to successfully achieve as it was for once the best control pitcher in the majors Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees to seemingly get the ball where he wanted to to get through the full count to his team´s benefit. However one thing that Ensminger couldn´t control after life on the basketball court was keeping his now coaching foe Denis Wucherer of the Giessen 46ers in check while they were battling on the sidelines during their rookie coaching season in 2013-2014 and second season. Both guys are basketball legends in Germany as Ensminger not only made a name as one of the BBL´s finest centers for years, but also belonged to numerous Bamberg championship teams while Wucherer won two BBL titles with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen for Dirk Bauermann and won the silver at the 2005 European championships in Belgrade under Dirk Bauermann once again and alongside NBA legend in the making Dirk Nowitzki. Both Ensminger and Wucherer were head coaching rookies in the 2013-2014 season and in four games Wucherer led the head to head battle confrontation´s 3-1. Three of the four games were decided by 6 points and both games in the 2014-2015 season were intense nail bitters with 61-59 and 67-65 in favor of the Giessen 46ers and Wucherer. In that same season, Wucherer got the last laugh once again as he led his team into the BBL and almost made the playoffs last season. Ensminger is still trying to bring the BBL to Gotha and the only time, these two charachters can meet now on the sidelines is in the preseason. “Gotha is a team that should reach the BBL in the future. They have a good infrastructure now, new arena and Wolfgang Heyder on board. One sees that the club is getting more and more professional. They are very ambitious to get to the BBL and have a good coaching staff with Ensminger and Esterkamp. Ensminger´s team now plays the way he played as a player. He played hard and so does his team. He should have a good season”, stressed Giessen 46ers head coach Denis Wucherer. After the 86-70 loss, Ensminger was very calm on the bench replaying the lost game in his mind one more time as his players were stretching and he had time to reflect on this coaching duel with Wucherer. “Wucherer has a good background and played for Dirk Bauermann. He played tough and so do his teams. I enjoy coaching against him. We always had good games against Giessen and one season lost two games by two points. I respect him and like how he helps players develop further as he got my ex player Marco Voeller”, stressed Chris Ensminger.

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The Hebeisen White Wings With Mr Sulliiiiiiiiiiiii Spank Luxemburg National Team 109-66 In Basketball Aid Charity Game

Even if the opening game of the 2016 Basketball Aid international tour is 72 hours old, memories of that game for players and fans will be on their mind radar for a while as fans will relive the alley-oop put backs by Mike Morrison and amazing unending talent of 16 year old Isaac Bonga where not the sky, but space seems to be the limit and especially for Americans Mike Morrison and Quantez Robertson being on American solid and trying to find their home state flags of Florida and Ohio in the beautiful cozy state of the art Clay Kaserne gym for everyone to swoon at. However even if the tour has moved on rapidly in the last days having gone to Luxemburg where their national team battled German Pro A team Dresden Titans and on Sunday still with the Luxemburg national team on board moved to German city Hanau which is 25 kilometers east of Frankfurt, the term that still had a tiny effect was the Frankfurt Skyliners. If Luxemburg national team head coach Ken Diederich who as a player was a nine time Luxemburg all-star and four time league champion with AB Contern, had done his homework the last days, he would have found out that both head coaches that he faced with Steven Clauss of Dresden and Simon Cote of Hanau had been coaches with the Fraport Skyliners within the last 10 years. However on Sunday in game three of the 2016 Basketball Aid international tour, the name Frankfurt Skyliners wasn´t on the menu, but instead good European basketball with an always international flair and not too forgot the Basketball Aid cause always as the main focus as that was what the players were really playing for. As always Basketball Aid international tour chairman Hans Beth who was head coach of the Hanau organization four years ago was present and running around shaking hands and making sure that everything was running along smoothly and as always was pleased with another well-made production that benefited the basketball aid charity as well as bringing fans the best possible preseason basketball action as high scoring was on the menu as the Hebeisen White Wings delighted their fans with a nasty 109-66 spanking of the Luxemburg national team. “I am very happy how everything went in Hanau. It was well organized and the fans saw a good game. Hanau had a very good shooting game. For Luxemburg it was a good test for their upcoming Euro qualifying games. They played against a very physical team with Hanau and that will help them for their upcoming Euro qualifying schedule”. explained 2016 Basketball Aid international tour chairman Hans Beth.

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