Around this time of year most BBL coaches are in their offices already scoping together new plays and contemplating which roles each player will perform except for Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert who is still looking for a few players to complete the new roster. Even tougher this season is that the Canadian isn´t even at the practices as he has taken a leave of absence recovering from back surgery and given the coaching reigns to assistant coach Klaus Perwass. In the last years the Fraport Skyliners haven´t been complete as their preseason schedule has started and it was no different this season as like last season the club faced German pro A team RheinStars Cologne in a neutral area Koblenz and this season in another unusual spot in Wiesbaden, Germany. Eight year BBL veteran and identity figure of the Fraport Skyliners Quantez Robertson has had his share of photo shoots and checking out runways with a basketball at Frankfurt international airport, but for a change he would also be stepping foot on another airbase in Wiesbaden only 26 kilometers away from Frankfurt international airport as the Fraport Skyliners met the RheinStars in an out of the ordinary place. As part of the Basketball Aid international tour, both teams were taking part in a very good cause to help kids stricken with the horrible disease cancer as all proceeds were going to this charity. The Basketball Aid international Tour had received a blow recently as previously invited touring team Northeastern(NCAA) cancelled their 10 day trip on account of the terrorism in Germany, but Basketball Aid organizer Hans Beth and his crew had done a fine job in a very short period of time finding replacement teams for the Huskies from Boston. It is typical that in the past American players tend to visit American airbases to get that extra special US feeling as well as cleaning out the food markets where they can buy and munch on Pop tarts, Oreo´s or Twizzlers candy and much more, things they would never get in a normal German supermarket. In the past ex Skyliners and two thirds of the then Bermuda triangle Tyrone Ellis and Chris Williams minus Pascal Roller would venture out to Wiesbaden to take in the flair of American culture or a Jimmy Mckinney would make the trip to Heidelberg to visit the army heliport. On a very hot day that had temperatures in the 90´s everyone was relieved to be in the gym at Clay Kaserne as it was air conditioned nicely and after 40 minutes of hard fought pre season basketball, it was no surprise that BBL club Fraport Skyliners had been victorious gliding by the Pro A RheinStars Cologne 77-59. Basketball Aid international tour chairman Hans Beth was pleased with how the first event of the tour went. “It was a good atmosphere and a good game. It was a good start for the tour. The fans saw many young players competing and both general managers of the teams were present. It was obvious that the fans enjoyed the game. I hope to see them at Fraport Skyliner games”, stressed Hans Beth.
ProA
Karl Moore (Crailsheim Merlins) Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn’t Work Hard
Karl Moore is a 203cm forward born in 1987 and is playing his third professional season with the Crailsheim Merlins 2 team. Last season he played for Telstar Hesperange (Luxembourg-N2). As a rookie, he played for TV 1872 Saarlouis (Germany-ProB) where he played 28 games averaging 16.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.7%, FT: 73.5%. He scored in double figures in 25 of 28 games including three double doubles. He scored 20 points or more eight times. His best scoring games was 28 points against Hanau and 27 points against BG Karlsruhe. He played college ball at Schoolcraft Community College (JUCO), Rio Grande(NAIA), and Culver Stockton (NAIA). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball and his next experience with the Crailsheim Merlins.
Karl thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You have been only a short time in Crailsheim, but what has been the biggest difference there to when you were a rookie in Saarlouis?
Hello Miles! Thanks for the opportunity. The biggest difference are the times that we practice. While in Saarlouis, I practiced once a day with the Pro B team during the night. Here In Crailsheim, I practice three times a day. Twice with the Pro A team and once with the Regionaliga team. Physically it is tough but mentally I cant say that it’s something that I can’t survive, because right now there is a person in Africa growing up in conditions that I can’t survive.
Alex Foster (RheinStars) Playing Against The Fraport Skyliners At The Wiesbaden Airbase And Supporting Basketball Aid Will Be A Special Game For Me
Alex Foster is a 23 year old 203cm forward that grew up in Portland, Oregon and also has the German citizenship and will be playing his second professional season with the RheinStars(Germany-ProA). Last season as a rookie with the RheinStars he played 29 games averaging 9.6ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 78.4%He played at Emory (NCAA3) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 108 NCAA3 games and as a senior played 20.1ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 79.8%. He was able to improve his scoring and rebounding average each season. He spoke to German Hoops before the exhibition game on August 25th against the Fraport Skyliners at Wiesbaden Airbase with all proceeds goingto the Basketball Aid foundation.
Alex thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are playing your second season now with the RheinStars. When you look back at your rookie season and progression of your German, what was your most used German sentence?
I always say “eben so,” after someone wishes me “ein schönen Tag” at the grocery or bakery. A lot of my German teammates tease me for using that phrase, because I guess it’s more formal than what they’re used to. Or maybe it’s because it’s a Southern-German thing. My mom’s family is Schwäbisch.
DJ Bennett (Mitteldeutscher BC) I Have To Take My Game To The Next Level And I Love That Challenge
DJ Bennett is a 203cm forward from Chicago, Illinois that will be playing his second professional season and first with the Mitteldeutscher BC. As a rookie he played with the BSW Sixers Sandersdorf (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 18 games averaging 15.3ppg, 8.7ppg, 2.3bpg, FGP: 66.9%, FT: 67.9%. He started his basketball career with Indian Hills CC (JUCO) and moved to Oklahoma (NCAA) in 2013 where he stayed two years playing a total of 61 NCAA games and reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2015. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
DJ thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
My summer has been very productive, I went to China for almost 2 months on a basketball tour representing America playing a lot of Chinese teams and now I’m currently in Thailand finishing off the second half of the season with a team here. So I’ve been just trying to keep my self going and in shape until an opportunity like this presented itself.
Preston Medlin (Kirchheim Knights)Every Time I Step On The Court I Have Something To Prove But This Year I Might Have A Little More To Prove
Preston Medlin is a 25 year old 193cm guard that will be starting his third professional season and first with the Kirchheim Knights in the German Pro A. He started his basketball career in 2009 with Utah St. (NCAA) where he played until 2014 playinga total of 102 NCAA games. As a senior he played 32 games averaging 12.4ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 41.1%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 78.0%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with BK Saldus (Latvia-LBL): 29 games: Score-4(14.7ppg), 3.1rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 75.8%. Last season he had limited duty with Enosi Kalathosfairisis Kavalas (Greece-A1): 3 games: 3.7ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.3apg. German Hoops talked to Preston about basketball.
. Congrats on signing with German Pro A team Kirchheim Knights. After a strong rookie season in Latvia, you had your second season cut short in Greece. How much do you feel as if your still coming out of your rookie season now and looking to make a new step in Germany.
Thanks for welcoming me to Germany, I am very excited to get to Kirchheim and experience German culture. Even though my season was cut short in Greece I still feel that I was able to work hard and still get better as a player so I feel that I have improved my game even though I didn’t get a whole season in.
Eric Thompson (ETB Wohnbau Baskets) Defense Is Number One In My Book At The End Of Every Game
Eric Thompson is a 23 year old 203cm forward from Detroit, Michigan that is starting his professional career in Germany with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets. He started his basketball career with Saddleback JC. He then moved to Pacific (NCAA) and as a junior played 31 games averaging 8.2ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 52.4%, FT: 60.8%. As a senior he played 12 games averaging 9.9ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 57.6%, FT: 62.3%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Eric thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
I’m currently still in California training and my summer has been going well I feel like I’ve been getting stronger every day.
Congrats on signing with German team ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. This was your first experience at the transfer market and you were signed well into the summer. With what expectations did you go into this process?
I had little knowledge but not a lot. Therefore my agent really helped me out throughout this process.
Jefferson Mason Retires(I Tried My Best To Make Every Fan Feel Special And Smile As Much As I Could)
Jefferson Mason is a 28 year old 198cm guard from Crystal Minnesota that has decided to hang up his sneakers and retire from professional basketball.He played his first three seasons of college ball at N.Colorado (NCAA) playing a total of 58 NCAA games. He then played at Minnesota State-Mankato (NCAA2) from 2009-2011 and in his senior year he played 33 games: 19.2ppg, 8.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FG%: 55.5, 3FG%: 30.6, FT%: 70.0. He started his professional basketball career in Germany for the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn (Germany-Pro A) playing 31 games: 17.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 65.8%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Frisco Texas Legends (D-League): 1 game: 2pts, 2rbs, in Dec.’12 moved to CSU Atlassib Sibiu (Romania-Division A), left in Dec.’12: 4 games: 8.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, in Jan.’13 signed at Al-Tadamoun (Iraq-D1). In the 2013-2014 season he played for AB Contern (Luxembourg-Total League) playing 29 games averaging 19.6ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 56.0%. His last professional season was with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-ProB) playing 4 games averaging 10.8ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.0apg, 1.3spg. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.
Jefferson thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
I am currently living in Minneapolis, MN and my summer has been great. I have been able to stay active playing basketball in the Pro Am League here in Minneapolis this summer. I have also been busy training and also working for Dr. Dish!
My first thought was when you contacted me saying you had officially retired from professional basketball was “boy your still so young”. Then I looked closer and saw your last professional game was in October 2014. Did you still have thoughts the last two years to continue to play the game that you love?
Yes you are correct, I am young and I did decide to retire young. I think that it was something that came out of nowhere for me, especially since I am young and in my prime. For me basketball was always a gateway to moving forward and opening up opportunities. I was fortunate enough to receive several opportunities here in Minneapolis the past 2 years. One being the opportunity to work at Dr. Dish and really stand behind something I believe in!
Deandre Lansdowne (Hamburg Towers) I Still Will Look At Myself As A Do Everything Guy
Deandre Landsdowne is a 26 year old 187cm guard from Albuquerque, Mexico that will be playing his third professional season this season with the Hamburg Towers. Last season he played with Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-Pro B) playing 27 games: Score-2(22.9ppg), 8.1rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-5(2.6spg), FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 66.5% He played college ball at Fort Lewis (NCAA2) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 50.7%. He then gained his first professional experience with Pioneros de Delicias (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive) before continuing career in Germany. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Deandre thanks for talking to German Hoops.Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Right now I am in Albuquerque ,New Mexico. Summer has been good so far, just working on my game, and running a kids camp.
Your season ended on April 30 with Herten as you lost against Schwelm. How disappointing was not being able to keep the club in the Pro B?
It was a big disappoint. Nobody wants to move down a league, especially when we were in the playoff race around the Christmas break.
Julian Scott (Ehingen) I Want To Develop My Three Pointer Further So I Can Be More Of An Asset To My Team
Julian Scott is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that recently 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 after being signed by German Pro A team Ehingen.
Julian thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Hey Miles hows it going thanks for the interview. I’m currently back in my hometown Sacramento CA. It’s been amazing so far.
It has only been a few days since the Golden State warriors let a 3-1 final series lead slip away to Lebron and the Cavs, but seriously will your neighbors over in Oakland survive the summer with this pathetic loss?
They will be fine Bron Bron is just too great . I respect greatness simple and plain.
Elijah Allen (Gotha) I Feel I Am Ready For The Pro A
Elijah Allen is a 26 year old 195cm swing man from Columbus, Ohio that recently completed his fourth professional season in Germany and second with Lich playing 27 games averaging 13.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 69.3%. He started his basketball career at NW Missouri St. (NCAA2) in 2007 where he played until 2011 playing a total of 103 NCAA games and as a senior played 26 games: 14.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.1apg, FG: 44.8%, 3Pts: 23.1%, FT: 74.8%. He came to Germany in 2012 and played his first two seasons for the VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga) and in the 2013-2014 season played 26 games averaging 20.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 68.4%. In the 2014-2015 season for the Licher Basket Baeren he played 28 games: 10.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.2% He spoke to German Hoops after signing with Pro A team Gotha.
Elijah thanks for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Thanks for the interview Miles, I am currently in Lollar,Germany. The summer has been great for me. I have been staying fairly busy. I have been training and spending time with my family and I also just took part in the Scorers1st Showcase in Dusseldorf this past weekend.
There is nothing wrong with staying in Germany and enjoying the lifestyle, but isn´t your extended family in Ohio as well as friends sad that you are still in Germany when you could be at home?
Yes, I miss my family and friends very much. It has been about 3 years since I have been back in the United States. I just haven´t had much time to make it back due to other priorities.
German Hoops 