ProB

Justin Dennis (Herten) We Can Play For The Title This Season

Justin Dennis is a 185cm guard from Canada that will start his second professional season in Germany and play for the Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-ProB). As a rookie he played for SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-2.Regionalliga). He played college ball at Panola JC (NJCAA), CSU Bakersfield (NCAA9 and Montana St.-Northern (NAIA). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Justin thanks for talking to German Hoops. It took you 4 years to sign a professional contract last season with SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-2.Regionalliga) and now you are playing your second professional season with Herten. How blessed do you feel?

God has definitely put me in this position but he has blessed me the most with a supporting family especially my mother. She has been the fuel to my fire every time I came across a roadblock on this journey. Now that its opening up I can really showcase my talent to my club and to the league before me.

Were you nearing the end of believing as you got the job with SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-2.Regionalliga) or would you have kept working and working in hopes of getting a professional contract sometime?

I’ve came toooo far for me to turn around and go back to my job and live day to day without knowing if I could have made my dream come true, this would have haunted me forever! The grind will always pay off, so I kept the faith, kept my mom in my memories and prayed.

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Ian Sheldon (TV Langen) The Thing That Football Taught Me That Translates Over To Basketball Is That I Needed To Fall In Love With The Weight Room

Ian Sheldon is a 196cm forward from Traverse City, Michigan that is starting his professional basketball career in Germany with Regionaliga team TV Langen. He played basketball and football at Hillsdale (NCAA2). He spoke to German Hoops recently before he made the trip to Germany to join his new team TV Langen.

Ian thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment an dhow is your summer going?

Currently I’m on my way home from Philadelphia. I was out there playing in The Basketball Tournament – a $1 million nationwide professional tournament. My summer is going great! Spending all of my time in the gym training and with family and friends.

Welcome to your future new second home Germany. You have signed a contract to play for TV Langen. How blessed do you feel at the moment for getting a chance like this?

I feel incredibly blessed to have received this opportunity. It was always my dream to play professional basketball. It’s hard to fully convey how grateful I am to be playing professionally for TV Langen.

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Karl Moore (It’s A Good Feeling When Seeing Your Teammates Get An Extra Push From My Energy From The Bench)

Karl Moore is a 203cm forward born in 1987 that recently finished his rookie season 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 bests coring 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.

Karl thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you enjoyed your summer?

Right now I am in my hometown Detroit, Michigan. So far this has been a great summer for me. I hired a personal weight trainer (Juan Mayes). For the last three months he has been putting me through some really good workouts each week (monday-friday). I upload just about every video of me working out unto my facebook page (karl sixfooteight moore). Getting stronger during off season was one of my goals for the summer. Becoming much stronger over the last three months has made my game so much easier for me when being on the court. Over the last two months, I had the pleasure of playing in one of Detroit toughest summer basketball leagues (provin ground basketball). I had the chance of playing against a few other professional players. Drew Maynard who recently finished his season overseas (vaerloese bbk), Derrick Nix who recently finished his season in France (orleans), Deshawn Sims who recently finish his season in lebanon (champvielle), Olaseni Lawal who recently won the super cup, Italian cup, and triple crown in Italy (dinamo basket sassari), Keith Appling who recently signed a two year deal with the Orlando Magics, etc. Playing in a summer league with this much talent made me bring my A game each game. Almost all these talented players came out of Detroit, my work ethic caused me to average higher stats then the majority of the players who participated in this league. I finished the summer league season averaging 23.5 points and 10 rebounds a game while shooting 70% percent from the field (http://www.michiganpremierball.com/stats/team_instance/1241133?subseason=219621&tab=team_instance_player_stats&tool=1389919)

August has rolled by and you are still searching for a team. How has that process been different this summer after a strong rookie season compared to last summer when you came out of college?

I think that process is sort of the same when looking at this year and last year. Here it is August again and I am still waiting for a good contract. The only difference is that l have an agent now (Sevag Keucheyan) to represent me. Last year coming out of college, I represented myself which was difficult. Another difference between this summer and last summer while searching for a team. Is that while waiting last summer, I could understood why it took so long for an opportunity to get my foot in the door because I came from a small division one college. This summer after having a strong rookie season in Germany and dominating one of Michigan toughest summer leagues, I feel as if I have shown those who didn’t quite believe in me that I could have a good professional basketball career.

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Ricky Kreklow (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I Only Worry About What Is Within Your Control And To Always Seek To Make A Positive Influence On The Lives And Situations Around You

Ricky Kreklow is a 23 year old 201cm forward from Columbia, Missouri that will be starting his professional basketball career in Germany with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He comes from a sports family as his Father is head coach of the Missouri women’s volleyball team and also played 25 games for the 1980-81 NBA World Champion Boston Celtics, while mother is former head women’s volleyball coach at Missouri and current Director of Volleyball Operations. He played at three colleges in four years with Missouri as a freshman, California in his second and third seasons and with Creighton as a senior. He played a total og 98 NCAA games at the three schools and despite much movement was able to improve his scoring and rebounding average each season in the NCAA. As a senior at Creighton he played 31 games averaging 7.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 72.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Currently I am in my hometown of Columbia, Missouri training at the University of Missouri. My parents coach volleyball here and I played my freshman year here before transferring to the University of California-Berkeley following the departure of my head coach.

You have signed your first professional contract with German team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. How thrilled are you to be starting your professional career in Germany?

I am very excited for this opportunity to play for a club with such rich history. In a country that a large part of my ancestry originated from.

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Martinis Woody Wants Another Chance

Martinis Woody is a 33 year old 201cm forward from South Carolina that recently completed his sixth professional season and third with TV Langen. He played at Benedict(NCAA2) and turned professional in 2009 and played for  NOMA Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 12 games: 20.8ppg, 11.8rpg, 2.2bpg, 1.6spg, 1.5apg, FGP: 60.9%, FT: 64.9%. In 2010-2011 he played for CRE Eagles Itzehoe (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 21 games: 18.5ppg. In 2011-2012 he played for SSV Lokomotive Bernau (Germany-ProB) playing 27 games: 16.3ppg, Reb-3(10.6rpg), 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.6. He moved to TV Langen in 2012-2013 and has been a top forward in the Pro B for the last three seasons. Last season with TV Langen he played 27 games averaging 13.0ppg, 9.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 68.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball

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

I’m currently home in Greenville SC. 

It is fast approaching August and the new season is quickly approaching, but you still are unsigned. Are you getting nervous about still not being signed?

Not nervous God has a plan just waiting to see who need a great big man down low.

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Courtney Belger (Itzehoe Eagles) My Hungry Underdog Mentality Gives Me An Edge On The Court

Courtney Belger is a 25 year old 187cm guard from St Louis that recently finished his second professional season with TV Ibbenbuehren (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 21 games and averaging 23.7ppg, 7.5rpg, Assists-4(6.7apg), Steals-2(3.5spg), FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 75.2%. He started his basketball career at Quincy (NCAA2) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 113 NCAA 2 games. As a senior he played 27 games averaging 11.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 10.5%, FT: 72.0%. He improved his scoring and rebounding average each season. He will play in the German Pro B next season for Itzehoe. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Courtney thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer?

I am currently in Quincy, Illinois where I went to school living with my girlfriend. This has been one of the most ideal type of summers for me.

You recently signed with the Izehoe Eagles of the German Pro B after two successful seasons with Ibbenbueren. How difficult was it making this decision to leave a place that was your second home?

Whenever you return to a place and think about playing a third year, it’s always tough to leave. I had no problem with Ibbenbueren except I wanted to try to play in pro b. If I had stayed in the Regionalliga than Ibbenbueren would have been my first choice to come back.

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Diante Watkins (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I’m More Than Confident I Can Make The Jump To The Pro A

Diante Watkins is a 24 year old 174cm point guard that will be playing his fourth professional season with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He started his basketball career in 2009 with Daley CC (JUCO): 28 games: 26.5ppg, 5.8apg, 2.7rpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 44%, 3Pts: 38%, FT: 86%. He then played two seasons with Robert Morris (NAIA) and as a senior played 27 games: 24.4ppg, 7.4apg, 3.0rpg, 2.1spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3Pts: 38.9%, FT: 82.7%. In 2013-2014 he started his professional basketball career with SC Rist Wedel where he played 30 games averaging 16.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 86.9%. He improved his play this season with SC Rist Wedel playing 32 games: Score-2(21.3ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-1(6.8apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 87.4%. He cleaned up the Eurobasket awards winning Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Honorable Mention -14, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Player of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Guard of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Import Player of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -15, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -15. He spoke to German Hoops after getting signed by the Bayer Giants Leverkusen.

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

Right now I’m in Chicago training and enjoying my family and friends! My birthday just passed two days ago I had a nice time so my summer is going great!

What has been your coolist summer experience on and off the court?

The coolest part has to be when I went to Las Vegas for vacation, it was a great time of relaxing! On the court has to be playing in the summer tournaments in Chicago, nothing like Chicago basketball it’s so competitive! And of course signing ProA.

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Jermale Jones Cans Free Throw´s Driving The Licher Basket Baeren Past TV Langen 61-60

The one guy Martinis Woody hails from South Carolina and the other guy Jermale Jones from Alabama and in the States the south is as big as many countries in Europe put together and diverse as accents are in Germany, but in Germany the area called Hessen is about as big as the State of South Carlolina and here it is a lot easier to meet both guys at some sporting event especially in Frankfurt. For the experienced 201cm power forward Martinis Woody, it takes him 20 minutes to drive 23 kilometers to the Fraport arena while it takes Jermale Jones the 28 year old 186cm guard from Lich about an hour to travel 60 kilometers. These two Americans who have played in Germany the last years have made it an obligation to get to Frankfurt whenever they can within their schedule to watch Beko BBL team the Fraport Skyliners and have seen each other more than any other opponents in the German pro B this season off the court as one can find them sitting in the first row often alongside Fraport Skyliners juniors like Kyle Fossman and Andrew Bock catching the action. Missing this battle was also not an option for close friend Quantez Robertson and teammates of the Fraport Skyliners Sean Armand and Justin Cobbs who got off the plane from Siberia to come to Langen to watch them duel. However this weekend they met again, but on the floor in do or die Pro B play downs as both had split the season series as both teams had won their home games. Both guys had huge games in the first Langen contest as Woody had 20 points and 16 rebounds while Jones had 26 points and they battled again for the third time and after three games Jones has the 2-1 season lead against Woody as the Licher Basket Baeren Squeezed out a 61-60 nail bitter. “We needed the win tonight. We knew that we had to come out with a lot of energy to match theirs as they were better team in the first half. However we came out in the third quarter had less turnovers and got buckets inside. At the end we kept fighting which gave us the win. When Woody and I play against each other it goes deeper than basketball. We may not be friends on the court, but when the game is over it is like family between us. We found that connection in Bernau when we were teammates some years ago”, stressed Lich guard Jermale Jones. “We have to keep our heads up now. We played well for 40 minutes. We have five games left and still have to go to Lich. Jones and I do some trash talk on the court and aren´t friends on the court, but at the end we always shake hands. It is always a pleasure to play against him”, added TV Langen forward Martinis Woody.

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Maxim Schneider (TV Langen) I Think That I Have Gotten More Responsibility This Season Than I Have Ever Had Here

Maxim Schneider is a 23 year old 184cm point guard playing his fourth season with TV Langen. He started his basketball career in 2008 with DJK MJC Trier (Regionalliga). He spoke to German Hoops after the 61-60 loss to the Licher Basket Baeren.

Maxim thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 61-60 loss to the Licher Basket Bahren. What were the main reasons for the win loss against Lich?

It was almost like last week where we played good for 35 minutes and couldn´t hold the lead at the end. The Lich zone killed us. We had a miscommunication on the last play. Sharda called a different play than what the others expected. The Tom Alte shot wasn´t planned.

TV Langen play against Lich, Speyer and Saarlouis in the play downs. How do you see the chances overall for TV Langen?

I think that we will have a good chance against Speyer. They play a structured basketball like we do. Saarlouis will be tough because they play more college style. Rickey Easterling is tough and we need to control him. Despite the Lich loss we still have good cards in the play downs.

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Kevin Luyeye (TV Langen) I Don´t Need To Score, But If I Do Then It´s Nice

Kevin Luyeye is a 23 year old 196cm forward that is playing his first season with TV Langen. He started his basketball career with ASC Theresianum Mainz (ProB) in 2008 where he played until 2010. He then moved to the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt II (ProB): 18 games: 1.8ppg, 1.6rpg, also played at Eintracht Frankfurt (2.Regionalliga). He then moved back to ASC Theresianum Mainz (Regionalliga) for two seasons. Last season he played for SG TVD-BIS Speyer (ProB) playing 28 games and averaging 7.6ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 22.5%, FT: 44.8%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 76-66 loss to TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademy.

Kevin thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough loss against Wurzburg tonight. What were the main reasons for the loss?

We gave the game away in the fourth quarter with many turnovers. We weren´t playing aggressive and lost our self confidence.

TV Langen was in the playoff hunt until last weekend. It lost five of the last six games. Why was the team unable to win games in these important stretch?

I think that the loss to Hanau was the deciding point. We still had a chance for the playoffs, but that loss robbed us of our self confidence. We had many tight loses and our motivation left us. We didn´t have much luck the last weeks.

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