ProB

CJ Oldham (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) My Aim Is To Be An Extension Of The Coach

CJ Oldham is a 26 year old 203cm forward that was born in Berlin, but grew up in the States and also in Germany. He started his basketball career at Akron in 2010, but played only 17 NCAA games in two seasons. He then transferred to Gannon(NCAA) in 2012 playing a total of 57 games and as a senior played 30 games averaging 5.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, FT: 73.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2015 with BSG Bremerhaven (2.Regionalliga) playing 7 games averaging 14.6ppg. Lasts eason he played for the Kongsberg Miners (Norway-BLNO) playing 31 games averaging 9.9ppg, 9.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, Blocks-5(1.0bpg), FGP: 57.5%, FT: 75.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing CJ Oldham dad Calvin before a Alba Berlin game against the Fraport Skyliners in the old Max Schmeiling arena in Berlin in 2007

CJ thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer coming along?

I appreciate the opportunity to get a chance to talk with you. At the moment I am in Erie, Pa where I finished my college career. Summer has been great so far. I got a chance to spend time with my girlfriend, family, and friends after being away during my season.

Congrats on signing with the German pro B team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. You are coming from the first division in Norway from Konigsberg. After being a rookie with BSG Bremerhaven, how important was it for you to come back to Germany and play for a team?

Germany has always been like a second home to me. It’s a place where I grew up and learned a lot. To have the opportunity to come back to Germany to play is really exciting, especially Leverkusen where I spent many years.

Your dad Calvin has been affiliated with many teams in Germany like Bayreuth, Ulm, Alba Berlin or Bremerhaven. After being in the Bremerhaven organization you now are with Leverkusen where your dad once coached as well. What was the deciding factor that made you sign with this traditional team?

Leverkusen is a great club to play for and having a previous relationship with both the head and assistant coach made it an even better choice. I have known Achim Kuczmann and Hansi Gnad since I was young and I know having them as my coaches will help me improve as a basketball player.

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Chris Frazier (Rostock Seawolves) At Artland I Learned To Not Promise Anything That Isn´t Guaranteed

Chris Frazier is a 27 year old 182cm shooting guard that hails from Heidelberg, Germany, but also has the American citizenship and is going into his fourth professional season and first with the Rostock SeaWolves. He started his basketball career at TV Schwetzingen (Germany-2.Regionalliga) before moving to the States to play at Dubuque (NCAA3) from 2010-2014 playing a total of 107 games and as a senior played 26 games averaging 13.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 88.0%. He came back to Germany in 2014 and played with the Otto Baskets Magdeburg (Germany-ProB) playing 20 games averaging 16.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 80.6%. In the 2015-2016 season he made the jump to the BBL playing for the Crailsheim Merlins (Germany-BBL) playing 13 games averaging 2.3ppg. Last season he played for the Artland Dragons (Germany-ProB) playing 25 games averaging 13.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 79.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.

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

Hi Miles, thanks for having me. I am currently in Rüsselsheim enjoying my family and working on getting in the best shape that I have ever been.

Congrats on signing with the Rostock Seawolves. You stated you wanted to come already two seasons ago, but that didn´t work. Instead you got a BBL chance with the Crailsheim Merlins. Are you in a way happy that you hadn´t signed with Rostock 2 years ago?

Well Rostock is where I really wanted to go because I knew that they had something special going on there. I didn´t expect to make the jump from Pro B to the BBL so quickly. I wouldn´t say I was happy that I didn´t sign to Rostock, but it is hard passing up a chance in the BBL.

Rostock have the passion and support and know how to reach the Pro A. Was a combination of all this a big reason why you decided to sign on the dotted line?

Oh YEAH! As soon as I got there I felt the energy in the town itself. Coach Ralf and some of the players made me feel welcome right away. Spending some of the day with our manager Jens helped a lot also, because he brings a lot of energy to this project and I want to help build on that.

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Brian Butler (ScanPlus Baskets) I Never Practice My Dunks Because I´m An In Game Dunker

Brian Butler is a 25 year old 196cm German forward that completed his second season with the ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen (ProB) averaging 10,9ppg, 6,9rpg and 1,9apg and will return for a third season. He started his basketball career with the FC Bayern Muenchen junior team (NBBL) and then moved to BG Illertal/Weissenhorn (ProB) where he played from 2010-2013 playing a total of 74 Pro B games. He then played two seasons with Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (ProA) playing 65 Pro A games. He spoke to German Hoops about his summer and upcoming dunk contest in Cologne Germany July 22^nd.

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

Hi thanks for having another interview with me ! I am in Elchingen right now and my summer was pretty successful till now.

You have been busy this summer with basketball. You recently won the street ball tournament Shut Up and Play in Berlin. That was the biggest trophy I ever saw. How did it feel holding that in your Hand?

It was great ! We already won the tournament 2 years ago so it was a familiar feeling but it’s always a great feeling to get a check of 4K.

How much fun is it in general is it playing 3 on 3. How is this format different than the usual 5 on 5? What do you enjoy most about this Format?

It’s a big difference because you just play on one basket and most of the time it’s just one on one so that’s the most part I like because you have to guard your opponent as good as possible on your own if you ain’t able to do that it is hard to helbecause if you do so it’s an easy kickout to the shooter so basically you got be a good one on one player

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Steven Bennett (Dresden Titans) I Don’t Feel Pressure But I’m Always Challenging Myself To Be Better Than I Was Before

Steven Bennett is a 29 year old 173cm point guard from Los Angeles that is playing his sixth professional basketball season and first with the Dresden Titans. As a rookie he played for the Spot Up Medium Baskets Braunschweig. With Braunschweig he played 10 games averaging 22.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 5.1apg, 2.4spg, 2FGP: 57.5%, 3FGP: 34.2%, FT: 76.6% He is one of the few special players that has a tenacity and will to win that is unmatched; it is impossible to judge him based upon height alone because he can compete with anyone in the world. He has proven this in the Maui Invitational division I tournament in 2010, and was recognized as one of the top players (All-Maui Award) from a field of other top US point guards such as Kemba Walker, Kailin Lucas and Brandon Knight. Bennett is known for his great court vision and passing ability, and is able to get in the lane at will and finish against anyone with either left or right hand. Every team bases their defensive strategy around Bennett and is forced to take create his own shot and take his three point shots off the dribble. He is an excellent shooter, but wants to continue to improve his already respectable 40% three point percentage. Steven is known for having excellent leadership skills, and is highly respected by all of his peers and coaches. He played at Citrus JC (JUCO) from 2007-2009 and then played at Chaminade (NCAA2). In the summer of 2013 he also found experience playing for the Rockingham Flames (Australia-SBL) He played three games with 2013 NBA draft pick Dennis Schroeder as a rookie in the Pro B. In the 2013-2014 season he played for the LTi Giessen 46ers (Germany-ProA) playing 37 games averaging 11.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 66.7%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 5 games: 5.2ppg, 1.2rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 31.3%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 87.5%; VTB United League: 1 game: 0pts, 1ast, left in Jan.’15, later that month moved to JBC MMCITE Brno (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 12 games averaging 14.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 74.1%. He last played in Germany for the Finke Baskets Paderborn (Germany-ProA) playing 13 games averaging 10.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 71.8%He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Steven Bennett in Giessen after a 2014 Playoff game against Science City Jena

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

I’m currently in Toronto, Canada. My summer has been great, just training and getting ready for the upcoming season.

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Dominic Early (Itzehoe Eagles) Staying Inside Of Your Game Is The Key To Being A Great Scorer

Dominic Early is a 198cm forward from Atlanta, Georgia that will be in his second professional season after being a rookie in Australia and now will play for the Itzehoe Eagles (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career at Furman(NCAA) where he played 41 games in two seasons. He then moved to USC Aiken (NCAA2) where he played 19 games averaging 15.6ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 82.4%. As a senior he played for Co.Georgia (NAIA) playing 32 games averaging 20.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 73.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Dominic thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer going?

I am still in Australia and won’t go home for another month.

In school you were a kind of nomad playing at 3 schools Furman (NCAA), USC Aiken (NCAA2) and Co.Georgia (NAIA). After your rookie season in Australia you are in Germany now. Do you have the feeling you might go the same route as a professional bouncing around from team to team and country to country?

I only transferred schools because of coaching changes. I will let my career take its course and I will make those decisions as I go.

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Andre Calvin (Artland Dragons) There Is No Need For Me To Go Out And Experiment New Things

Andre Calvin is a 32 year old 201cm forward from Michigan that is going into his ninth professional season and firs with the Artland Dragons. Last season he played for the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA) playing 28 games averaging 11.9ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 70.7%. In Germany he also played for teams like Erdgas Ehingen, BV Chemnitz and BG Karlsruhe. He made the jump to the BBL in 2015 with the Crailsheim Merlins (Germany-BBL) playing 27 games averaging 7.9ppg, 3.4rpg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 54.2%. In his first two professional seasons he played in Austria and Portugal. Prior to turning professional he played at Drake(NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 16.2ppg, 6.1rpg, FGP: 51.4%, 3Pts: 32.7%, FT: 67.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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

Thanks for the interview Miles. My summer has been great, got married and my son was born in late June.

Congrats on signing with the Artland Dragons. You have played in many nice gyms in Germany, but never in the Artland arena. How excited are you to be playing here and what have you heard about the atmosphere?

Thank you, I am excited to be able to play there after everything I have heard about Artland from former teammates. I heard that they’re professional, the arena is always full, and the facilities are amazing.

You have been a very consistent performer in the Pro A averaging 12,5ppg and 6,5rpg in your five seasons. However you are going to the Artland Dragons who are in the Pro B. Are you taking a step back?

I don’t think so, Artland has things to offer that some teams can’t.

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Julian Scott (Iserlohn) I’m A Smarter Player Regarding Decisions And Can Definitely Be A Difference Maker

Julian Scott is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that will play his fourth professional season with the Iserlohn Kangaroos. He completed his third professional season playing in four countries with Germany, France, Luexemburg and in Iraq. His last team was Residence Walferdange (Luxembourg-Total League) where he averaged 17,0ppg and 8,2rpg. Last season he played for 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 his fourth professional season and the future.

Julian thanks for talking to German Hoops! We spoke about a month ago as your summer was just getting started. We are slowly approaching July. How has your summer been so far and what has been your nicest experience so far this summer?

Hey miles great speaking with you. My summer has been great family time has been awesome and so far it’s been crabbing.

You said in our last interview that “Next step for me is to get back to my family and reflect on this past year and make changes for the better. So the next club I play for gets the best of me at all times”. On what did you reflect most on from your whirlwind last season?

I reflected on a lot of things, but one of the main things being my focus of why I play the game that it’s more than just about money. I mean it definitely helps but I was so driven on just that I lost track of what was important and that was just the love of the game and competing.

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Chris Iles (With The Right Pieces Around Me I Can Help Any Team Be Successful)

Chris Iles is a 27 year old 180 cm guard that completed his second professional season and first with Citybasket Recklinghausen (Germany-Pro) averaging 17,1ppg, 3,6rpg and 5,5apg: As a rookie he played with BBC White Devils Cottbus (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 24 games: 23.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 4.6apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 78.3%He played two years at Nicholls St. (NCAA) playing a total of 61 NCAA games and in his second season played 30 games averaging 8.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 3.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 37.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 77.8%. He finished his college career at Xavier (LA) (NAIA). He spoke to German Hoops after the season and looked ahead to this season.

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

Hey Miles, thanks for speaking with me. I am currently in Chicago, Illinois. Summer has been productive. Spending time with family and working out.

Your season ended on April 2 as that was your last game which was more than 2 months ago. How much have you missed the competitive game and what have you missed the most?

I have missed it a lot. I love the game and appreciate every opportunity I get to step on the court and perform, no matter the circumstances.

It was a tough season for the club Citybasket Recklinghausen (Germany-ProB) as it moved down to the Regionaliga. What is your team season summary? Is the loss of important import players at the start of the season a fair excuse?

I would not call it a “fair excuse” as adversity is a part of basketball. Any successful team has endured some type of adversity. HOWEVER, I would say that the frequent changes of roster and imports made it very tough to develop team chemistry. Overall, the season made me stronger mentally as a player.

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Jordan Talbert (PS Karlsruhe) I Proved How Effective I Can Be Within A Truly Professional System

Jordan Talbert is a 26 year old 198cm forward from Little Rock, Arkansas that completed his third professional season and first with the PS Karlsruhe Lions averaging 13,3ppg, 7,2rpg and 2,1apg helping lead the team to the Pro A. He came to Germany as a rookie in 2014 and played with the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: 21.6ppg, 9.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2.0spg, Blocks-4(1.5bpg), FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 78.4%. He played his college career at Missouri SO(NCAA2) from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 11.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 70.1%. Last season with Nordlingen he tore up the Pro B averaging 17.5ppg, Reb-1(11.0rpg), 2.4apg, 1.7spg, Blocks-5(1.5bpg), FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 27.5%, FT: 73.4%. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Jordan Talbert in 2015 after a 73-71 loss in Frankfurt against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors where he contributed 14 points and 7 rebounds

Jordan congrats on an amazing season, but the goal ended during the last game of the season. Did you ever suffer a more bitter loss in your career?

Yes, I have suffered much more devastating losses in my career. This one cuts but not nearly as deep as some of the others.

Weissenhorn had to win by more than four points to be crowned 2017 Pro B champion and really grinded it out winning by six points. What were your first thoughts after the buzzer. Did you feel like you were in a bad dream?

I was just really disappointed in myself and my team. The way we played that game wasn’t the way we played all season. We didn’t deserve to win.

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Orlando Parker (PS Karlsruhe) We Still Ate The Cake Just Without The Icing

Orlando Parker is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Orlando, Florida that completed his third professional season and second in Germany and first with PS Karlsruhe helping them move up to the Pro A averaging 13,2ppg and 5,7rpg. He started his basketball career with Wagner (NCAA) in 2010 playing a total of 118 NCAA games. As a senior he played 26 games averaging 6.7ppg, 6.7rpg, FGP: 44.7%, FT: 62.0%. In 2014 he turned professional with UL Eagles Limerick (Ireland-Premier League) playing 17 games averaging 19.9ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.1spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 78.5%. Last season he played with Baskets Vilsbiburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: 22.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after end of the 2016-2017 pro B season.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Orlando Parker after he steered 13 points in the 77-72 PS Karlsruhe win against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors

Orlando congrats on an amazing season, but the goal ended during the last game of the season against Weissenhorn. Did you ever suffer a more bitter loss in your career?

It’s a tough thing to swallow especially knowing that we worked hard all season for this moment, I’ve had some devastating losses in my career but this one is definitely at the top.

Honestly to see another team celebrate on your home court hurts mentally, but that doesn’t erase the fact that we had a really good season considering we were a new team in the league.

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