Isaiah Sanders (196-G/F, college: Fairmont St.) is a 196cm forward from Erial, New Jersey that is playing his rookie season in Germany with the Nurnberg Falcons BC averaging 7,8ppg and 1,1rpg. He began his basketball career with Timber Creek Regional high school. He then played a season at Notre Dame College (NCAA2) averaging 12.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 83.7%. He then played 4 seasons at Fairmont State University (NCAA2) playing a total of 113 games averaging 14.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 44.3%, FT: 82.4%, in his second season 20.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 49.5%, FT: 89.4%, in his third season 21.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 89.2% and in his fourth season 18.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.7apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 87.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Isaiah for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season in Germany with Pro A team Nurnberg. What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about the country Germany?

So far I have had a good experience playing in Germany ProA. Being so far away from home definitely took time to adjust too, but once I became more accustomed to the culture and lifestyle things have been going well. As a rookie there are always ups and downs but I am learning and getting better each day. So far I’ve really enjoyed the food and the welcoming loving culture the people, and my teammates have shown.

Your playing your rookie season in Germany. What has been your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My biggest wake up call being a rookie when I realized I was far away from home was either when I learned there were no dryers for clothes, or when I went out to eat for the first time and couldn’t read the menu.

You haven´t put up the explosive stats that you did in the NCAA 2, but still solid. What has been the biggest adjustment for you coming from the NCAA 2 to the Pro A?

I haven’t been able to put up the explosive numbers I did in NCAA D2 yet in my rookie year, but I am still learning and getting better. Biggest thing for me is just trying to find the best shots for me within our offense and execute the way our coach wants us too. It’s a long season, I know I will have success. Some things take time and learning curves too have success.

What has it like been playing with German player Bastian Doreth? He is a former German national player. Could the team have a better captain than him?

Basti Doreth is a great guy and I’m glad I’m able to play with him and compete against him in practice each day. I try to pick his brain and learn little detailed things from him each day. I am glad that he is a captain on our team.

What have you appreciated most about your teammates Cortney Alexander and Anthony Gaines?

Courtney and Anthony have been great teammates for me this season. Both of them have some pro experience already and are a little older than me as well, so at times when I struggle or don’t understand something they help inform me on certain things or are just there to pick me back up when I need it.

What has it been like playing for head coach Virgil Matthews who is in his first year. He was a guard like you as a player. What do you feel has been the most vital basketball ingredient that you have soaked up from him?

Playing for Coach Virgil I’ve learned a lot since arriving with the team. He was a guard like me when he played and he has shown me how to make proper reads in pick n roll actions. I’m usually a player that plays off the ball so I don’t usually operate in those areas, but Virgil has helped me start to develop that part of my game a little more.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

It’s hard to compare my game to just one specific player. I would say my game is a culmination of many players: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Lebron, Zach LaVine, KD. I gravitate to athletic players that can shoot the ball well and explode to the basket.

Your a guy that can fill the stat sheet. Does your scoring overshadow your versatility?

I would hope my scoring doesn’t overshadow my versatility. I am a basketball player at the end of the day. I feel as though I can do many things on the court besides just score. I love to make winning plays whether that be making a pass or taking a charge. I am a high level scorer, yes, and on most teams I’ve been on that has been my role, but I can do many things at a high level as well.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. What is the biggest challenge overseas to be able to hit that shot with consistency?

My three pointer hasn’t been falling in some of our games recently but I still have full confidence in myself that I will make them. I wouldn’t say anything is different when it comes to Europe and making shots. For me it’s mostly understanding where my shots will come from and making them when my opportunity is there.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you want to become down the road?

I’m the type of defender that enjoys getting his hands on the ball whether that be a steal on the ball or a simple deflection in the passing lanes. At the point in my career I want to continue to get better when it comes to guarding good guards 94 feet and staying in front of my man on a consistent basis.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

I’ve heavily focused on improving my reads and decision making when having the ball in my hands, mostly in pick and roll situations. Creating opportunities for my teammates with the ball in my hand is some way shape or form.

You played a season at Notre Dame College (NCAA2) averaging 12.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 83.7%. You won the MEC title against West Liberty, the team you would beat again 2 years later with a different school. How crazy is that?

I had a successful freshman year at NDC where we won the 1st championship in school history and made a tournament berth for the first time as well. West Liberty was the team I played in both championships I won in college. They are a great program and it always felt good to play high level basketball and beat them.

You played at Fairmont State (NCAA2) from 2019-2023. Was this the best decision that you made in your life going there? You won the 2021 MEC title over West Liberty 102-99. How tired were you after that game. The team played 6 guys.

Going to Fairmont was a great decision for my basketball journey because it allowed me to grow on and off the court. Fairmont is a top D2 program with many eyes watching. Playing at Fairmont you have no choice but to elevate your game. I appreciate my Head Coach Tim Koenig for bringing me with him from Notre Dame to Fairmont. I was exhausted after the championship game. West Lib pressures you for 40 minutes, but it was all worth it in the end.

You really enjoyed playing against West Liberty. You beat them twice to win a title with 2 different schools and then exploded for 42 points in another game. What memories do you have of that game?

My memories from that game against West Liberty was really just being in a zone that I feel like I’ve never been in before. I wanted to win so bad and do whatever I had to do to help my team.

How much of a role model has Thad Mcfadden been? He played your school and proved he can reach the highest level with the Spanish ACB after paying his dues for many years?

I have never met Thad, but his name still lingers throughout Fairmont’s athletic program. I’m able to be one of the people that’s name can be said in the same room as him.

Have you ever met him? If you didn´t would you ask him something about when he was Dennis Schroeder´s back up in Germany before he had even been drafted by the NBA?

I have never met him, but maybe one day we can connect and speak about our experiences at Fairmont and the pro level.

How did head coach Tim Koenig groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Tim Koenig is a great man. Not just a great coach, but a better person. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without him. He believed in me before I did myself. He just prepared me for life, being a man, handling my business. Basketball he just always allowed me to be myself and allowed me to make mistakes and grow.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Briggs Parris?

1-on-1 me and Briggs I’d say I got the best of him a few times, but he’d give me buckets as well. In a shooting competition you could flip a coin and decide the winner between the two of us.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

At the D2 level I haven’t played anyone crazy that made the NBA, but scrimmaging against D1’s, Bowling Green’s Daequan Plowden plays in the NBA G League and has gotten some NBA opportunities. In High School I played against Cam Reddish and Mo Bamba who are currently big time names in the NBA.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

1.) Dale Bonner (Fairmont teammate/ currently at Ohio State

2.) Bruce Hodges (Notre Dame College

3.) Will Vorhees (currently with Pacers G-League)

4)Seth Younkin/ Zyon Dobbs/ Briggs Paris (Fairmont State teammates)

5.) My best friends from High School

*NO SPECIFIC ORDER*

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Steph Curry, Wilt Chamberlain

Who is your GOAT and why?

My GOAT is Lebron James. I feel like he has exemplified what a high level athlete should be. He has been at the top even before he became an NBA player. He exceeded the hype behind his name and continues to kill everything he does, on the court and as a businessman.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I saw half of Coming To America 2, never got to finish it. Maybe that should tell you something hahaha. But I love movies, I’m a big movie person and I feel like we are normalizing remaking famous movies 30+ years later. I feel like we should leave the classics alone and create something new and original.

Thanks Isaiah for the chat.

What does a Team do after one of their most bitter loses of the last 3 years? Well just wipe away the tears and frustration and get back on the court. Just how much pain a guy like the heart and soul of the EPG Baskets Koblenz Marvin heckle had to endure in the 2 crushing loses to the Fraport Skyliners this season is something that is very difficult to comprehend, but the team didn´t have any time to ponder, but get back on the saddle in their beautiful CGM living room for their next opponent Giessen who were sitting in 5th place. They like Frankfurt have also had a strong season taking a 13-8 record to Koblenz and had enjoyed a 3 game winning streak. The EPG Koblenz who took a totally different mentality to Frankfurt under new head coach Marco Van Den Berg and possibly played their best game of the season had to take that same focus again against a always pesky team with Giessen. On a untypical mild February night, the EPG Baskets Koblenz were unable to match the furious intensity that they displayed in Frankfurt and had to play catch up all night long after a disastrous first quarter losing 91-76 to the JobStairs Giessen 46ers. “We played at only 50% of the intensity that we showed in Frankfurt. I think that the quick turnaround also effected us. They just wanted it more than us. They did a good job taking away our inside game and we couldn´t adjust”, stressed EPG Baskets Koblenz guard Ryan Richmond. Giessen came out prepared and played a solid game for 40 minutes sharing the ball well and stuck to their defensive principles and never allowed Koblenz too get over the hump. “Our defense was the difference tonight. Our goal was to keep Koblenz under 80 points. We had problems limiting the offensive rebound in the first half, but did a lot better job in the second half”, stressed JobStairs Giessen 46er Stefan Fundic (200-F-1994).

Gabril De Oliveira from outside

The EPG Baskets Koblenz threw the first offensive punch with a pretty Richmond jumper, but that didn´t rattle Giessen in the least as they responded with a lethal 9-0 run to lead 9-2. In the run the guests got a trey from ex German national player Robin Benzing, 2 free throws by ex Texas A&M guard Duane Wilson and 2 back to back back door scores by ex Braunschweig German Luis Figge. Giessen played beautiful team basketball and just made smart plays while Koblenz lacked communication on defense and lacked intensity on offense and were timid. Basketball will always be a game of runs as Koblenz roared back on a 8-3 run to trail 12-10. In the run the heart and soul of the EPG Baskets Marvin Heckel delivered 2 three´s and German Maurice Pluskota made a lay in. But Koblenz couldn´t take advantage of their run as they suffered their usual in game down phases as they allowed a 15-4 run to trail 27-14 after 10 minutes. In the run, Giessen received key input from Stefan Fundic who supplied 5 points including a three pointer. He isn´t really known for being a 3 point shooter, but he came into the game on a hot streak having shot 4/7 from downtown. Giessen let it rain three´s getting one from Wilson and one from German big man Jonathan Maier who took his first of the season. “Koblenz tried to paly hedge defense so we answered with the back door cuts. We were prepared and adjusted well whenever we had to”, stated Stefan Fundic. “We didn´t defend well and had no body language. We had nothing close to the intensity that we had in Frankfurt. That quarter was hard to digest”, said EPG Baskets Koblenz sport director Thomas Klein.

Jonathan Maier at the FT line

The EPG Baskets Koblenz picked up their game in the second quarter, but couldn´t stay consistent as they let up a bit in the last minutes and trailed 45-36. Koblenz began well going on a 5-0 run as German Leo Saffer took his momentum from the end of the first quarter where he scored into quarter 2 with an offensive rebound and put back and ex Bonn center Gabriel De Oliveira hit a three pointer to trail 27-19. Koblenz got good energy from their bench as Americans Trey Hall and Caleb Huffman scored, but they couldn´t make any ground as 9 year Pro A veteran Jonathan Maier continued to be a force on the glass scoring twice giving Giessen the 34-23 advantage. The EPG Baskets Koblenz had more intensity and attacked the lane more and crashed the boards better. Koblenz continued to fight and made a 9-0 run to trail Giessen only 34-32. Ex BBL player Leon Friederici was a spark plug from the bench nailing a catch and pop jumper and a floater while Hall made a lay in and free throw. “We were more dynamic and more aggressive. Giessen wasn´t able to get to the rim easily, but we were still 30% below the intensity of Frankfurt”, stressed Thomas Klein. Once again Koblenz was unable to remain consistent and suffered another lull in their play relinquishing a 11-4 run to trail 45-36 at half time. In the run, the guests got important lay in´s from Fundic and Wilson and Maier once again hurt Koblenz with his seemingly new born inside out game hitting a trey and making a tip in. “Our defense was better, but our offense had no flow and was static. We were unable to create good ball movement”, said Thomas Klein. “Maier was amazing tonight. Whenever he gets more minutes, he is able to heighten his game. I think he is one of the best German big men in the Pro A”, commented Stefan Fundic.

Leon Friederici with the floater

The JobStairs Giessen 46ers continued to play solid basketball and didn´t allow any big Koblenz run and hampered them from getting over the hump. Here and there, Koblenz would go on mini runs, but Giessen always had an answer. Giessen got on the board first as ex Stony Brook (NCAA) forward Roland Nyama connected on a jumper to lead 47-36. Koblenz had problems on the free throw line as German big man Moses Poelking missed 2 and later in the quarter would miss 2 again, but at least their 3 was falling as Hall and Friederici hit back to back three´s as Giessen led only 47-42. “When you play agile and dynamic, good things happen”, stressed Thomas Klein. But the up and down play of Koblenz resurfaced again and bit them in the butt as Giessen served up a 7-0 run to lead 54-42. Koblenz was just too harmless on defense allowing easy baskets right and left as Fundic made a step back jumper, Maier a jumper and Wilson a trey. It also didn´t help Koblenz as captain Marvin Heckel left the game because of injury. Friederici and Hall made consecutive three´s to trail Giessen 54-48, but Koblenz just couldn´t buy any stops on defense. Figge and Fundic scored again upping Giessen´s advantage to 62-52. Both teams continued to score as De Oliveria and Huffman scored, but Giessen had answers with Dejan Kovacevic and Simon Krajcovic free throws and a Robin Benzing trey to lead 69-56 after three quarters. Fundic continued to be a severe menace for Koblenz with his scoring game especially scoring in different ways. “I felt good coming in. My shots had been falling the last games. Everyone trusts each other to take shots. I have played in higher leagues and played against more skilled and athletic players which forced me to learn to find different ways of scoring”, explained Stefan Fundic. “Fundic is a very unique player. He is undersized and he forces the defense to play honestly. His teammates fed him well”, stated Ryan Richmond.

Luis Figge from outside

In the fourth quarter the JobStairs Giessen 46ers continued to execute well at both ends and just finished the game strong while the EPG Baskets Koblenz executed well on offense, but defensively just lacked that extra will to want to stop their opponent. In the first few minutes, Richmond who had been limited to 4 points in the first 30 minutes scored twice as did Stefan Fundic who was a one man wrecking crew who really scored from anywhere on the floor as Giessen led 75-62. The EPG Baskets Koblenz attempted one more comeback as they cut the Giessen lead down to 9 points. Friederici was aggressive getting to the free throw line twice and extra aggressive Trey Hall who won a JUCO title hit a trey to trail 78-69. But Giessen slammed the door shut on Koblenz with a 8-2 run to decide the game 86-71. Fundic and Krajcovic sealed the win with three´s as at the end of the day they had made a respectable 12 three´s. De Oliveira finished the game strong with 5 points while little used German Luca Kahl made a three pointer and Wilson made free throws to close out the game. “We knew that Koblenz would try to play fast in the last quarter. We slowed down the game and brought the points home”, said Stefan Fundic. “We couldn´t get stops. We had no communication and Giessen did a good job exposing our weaknesses. They made tough shots and played good pick and roll”, stated Ryan Richmond. The Giessen 46ers had 6 guys in double figures as Stefan Fundic had 21 points. Jonathan Maier and Duane Wilson added 14 points a piece while the EPG Baskets Koblenz were led by Leon Friederici with 17 points and Trey Hall added 14 points. The JobStairs Giessen 46ers shot 53% from the field and 55% from outside and had 27 rebounds and 10 turnovers while the EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 50% from the field and 40% from outside and had 34 rebounds and 18 turnovers.

It doesn’t happy often, but it is always refreshing when I not only read someone referring Larry Bird as their Goat, but a guy who is a few generations separated from people who actually call Mr versatile Bird the Goat. I started conducting the what is your opinion of the neverending debate of who is the GOAT between Jordan and Lebron many years ago and I should have conducted stats to see who actually was more popular. If I had to guess to who had more votes, I’m pretty sure Jordan would have won. It was usually the older players that took Jordan and the younger generation that picked Lebron. But one would be surprised how many younger players stuck with Jordan just showing major respect for the guy who had a 6-0 finals record. Recently I decided to change the question to ‘who’s your GOAT. I mean why should one only pick between these 2 players. There were so many great players before these 2 legends like A Chamberlain or Russell or Kareem or Magic Johnson. Since I began this question, the 2 guys in question with Jordan and Lebron continue to get the most votes, but guys like Steph Curry and Tim Duncan also have gotten the nod. As a Bostonian native, it’s really refreshing and awesome when you hear the name Larry Bird. I mean why not, he won 3 NBA titles, MVP awards and just could do so much on the court even if he had little athleticism. His shooting will always stick in the mind of many, but for me it was always his passing. So when it was time to do a question and answer with American big man Alex Gross (208-C/F-2000, college: Morehead St.), he wooed me with giving me the thumbs up for the hick from French Lick Larry Bird. ‘He was close to home and I just always thought he was the best because of the way he played. I just admire his work ethic and how he played the game. I loved how tough he was and made everyone around him better’, stressed Alex Gross. In a way, it doesn’t surprise me too much that a guy who is versatile and knows how to fill the stat sheet and had triple doubles in school would admire and like the game of a Larry Bird.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber in Nov 2023 front of Larry Bird´s old house from the 80´s in Boston

Alex Gross who remembers Trayce Jackson-Davis as being his toughest foe in the NCAA was born on June 4th, 2000 in Hope Indiana. He began his basketball career at Hauser high school and then had an illustrious 4 year career at Olivet Nazarene University. He helped win the CCAC regular season each season and won the CCAC title in 2022 and reached 2 finals. He was able to improve his scoring, rebounding and assists average each season. In his first 2 seasons he averaged 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 59.3%, FT: 70.8% and 15.4ppg, 10.5rpg, 2.4apg, 3.7bpg, FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 86.0%, but his game really skyrocketed in his last two seasons as he exploded averaging 21.6ppg, 11.7rpg, 4.6apg, 4.1bpg, FGP: 63.5%, FT: 86.4%, and 23.8ppg, 14.1rpg, 5.6apg, 3.2bpg, FGP: 61.7%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 82.5%. ‘I was blessed to be able to go to a great university to start my basketball career. I would say my game grew by gaining experience and learning what my strengths and weaknesses were. I became a lot stronger and faster over those four years as well which helped me be better on the court. The biggest area of growth was my ability to block shots as well as my low-post scoring and passing’, stressed Alex Gross. He showed his early Larry Bird like qualities with filling the stat sheet and doing everything possible for his team by registering 3 triple doubles against St Francis, Grace and Holy Cros and was 3 assists away from a quadruple double against Judson as he had swatted away 10 balls. ‘Statistically that near quadruple double was probably my best game in college. My favorite triple double was probably against Grace. It was just one of those games where everything was clicking for me’, added Alex Gross. It’s hard to believe with all his personal success, that he only won one CCAC title, but when that is the case, you need to cherish that moment as best as possible. ‘I remember just the battle that it was against Lourdes and when my teammate Tyler hit the game winner in the corner in front of our home crowd’, stated Alex Gross. He played 118 games and scored in double figures in 89 games, scored 20 points or more 44 times and had 59 double doubles. He had a 43 point explosion against GSU, 41 points against Lincoln and 40 points against Cardinal Stritch. It is no secret that head coach Nick Birkey was vital in his development as a player there. ‘Coach Birkey had a big impact on my career. He helped me build confidence in myself and gave me so many opportunities throughout the four years. He always adjusted schemes for me to play at my highest level. Coach always showed trust in me and that is all a player asks for’, said Alex Gross. He left the school being a 2 time CCAC first team selection, All-NAIA D2 Honorable Mention , All-CCAC Player of the Year -2021, 22, NAIA All-America Second Team -2021, CoSIDA NAIA Academic All-District 2 Team -2022, All-CCAC First Team -2022, and NAIA All-America First Team -2022. He decided to play a 5th year and played at Morehead State University (NCAA) averaging 12.0ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 57.2%, FT: 70.1%. He helped the team reach the NIT Sweet 16 and scored in double figures 25 times and had 12 double doubles and demonstrated that he could continue to develop further despite moving from the 4th to the first college league. ‘My game grew a lot playing in a tougher division. I would say my low post game became stronger against tough competition and the cerebral part of my game grew. I became a lot smarter and more mentally tough throughout that season. Coach Spradlin has had a huge impact on my career. He really showed me the kind of routine a professional needs to have and how to approach the game mentally as a professional. He really helped me grow as a player’, remembered Alex Gross who always beat teammate Reiss Jones in 1-1 battles in practice. His top scoring games were against KY Christian and Tennessee Tech were he had 23 points a piece. He left after 1 year picking up various achievements like CSC NCAA Division I Academic All-District Team -2023, All-OVC Defensive Player of the Year -2023, All-OVC First Team -2023, OVC All-Newcomer Team -2023, and NABC Division I All-District 18 Second Team -2023

The Indiana native who lists Nic Reed, Andrew Thelwell, Mark Freeman, Dane Schlafley, and John Contant as some of his best teammates in his career began his rookie season overseas with Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden and didn’t waste anytime picking up his first chip with the Supercup. ‘The super cup was special for us because it was one of the first wins of the season. I think it helped all of us buy into what we were trying to do as a team’, warned Alex Gross. The club has won 5 titles in the last 3 seasons and don’t want to stop there. ‘I could tell from day 1 that winning was the number one goal for this team and I am glad that so far we have been able to have a successful season’, stressed Alex Gross. It is no wonder that the rookie experience so far has been one that he has liked not only on the court, but off. ‘I have really enjoyed getting to enjoy a different culture. This is my first time in Europe so I am learning so much about the history and way of life here and gaining perspective on life. I have also enjoyed getting to know my new teammates and build relationships with them’, commented Alex Gross. The club is near the top of the BNXT league which combines the Dutch and Belgium leagues and is a league that is on the rise. The club has showed they can have success with only 2 Americans on the squad. The other American is highly talented Tajion Jones who like Gross is a rookie, but both have adjusted well to the style and each other. ‘I have enjoyed playing with Tajion a lot. Obviously he is a great player but it is nice to go through everything with someone who is in the same stage with you. We have helped each other through different adversity all year’, explained Alex Gross. He is putting up 11/8 stats in the BNXT league and 8/5 stats in the Fiba Europe Cup and has profited from the mastermind head coach Doug Spradley. ‘I have benefited a lot from Coach. I think he has helped Tajion and I bridge that gap between the American and European style of play since there are some differences. He obviously has had a lot of experience playing and coaching in Europe so he has passed that knowledge to us’, expressed Alex Gross.

The ex Morehead State (NCAA) forward who lists Larry Bird, Lebron James, Michael Jordan, and Hakeem Olajuwon on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is a player that doesn’t compare his game to Larry Bird, but to another incredible big man that like Bird doesn’t refrain to showing his love of passing the game. ‘I don’t know if I play like one exact player but I try to take different things from other guys’ style of play and add it to my game. I would say I try to play like Pau or Marc Gasol’, said Alex Gross. Despite being such a versatile big man and filling the stats like a Westbrook back in the NAIA, he doesn’t shoot the three as much as a Bird, but he is seeking to become an even more versatile shooter. ‘I would say I fit the mold of a classic big guy but I am always trying to get better. I have started to shoot mid-range a lot more this year and hoping to keep increasing my range while also work on passing to help my teammates be better’, stressed Alex Gross. Even though he averaged almost 6,0 assists in his last NAIA, his passing game is one that doesn’t get noticed the way it really should. ‘I feel like my passing is off the radar somewhat. I feel like it is an area that I can really shine in as I keep gaining more experience throughout my career’, warned Alex Gross. When you watch Larry Bird videos from back in the day, it is very apparent that he enjoyed playing defense and it isn’t any different with Gross. ‘I feel like I am a smart defender in the sense of timing shots to block them or telling the guard where to go on ball screen coverages. I want to keep getting better with my ball screen coverage. I enjoy defense a lot so I want to try to become an all around defender on the court’, warned Alex Gross. It is obvious that even a guy like him who already has that versatility as a staple in his game isn’t refraining on working diligently on his game to continue to get better. ‘I’m working on my lateral quickness and ball screen coverage on defense. Offensively, I am trying to become a better outside shooter and passer to be able to become more effective’, stressed Alex Gross. It will be interested where Alex Gross‘s basketball journey will go in the next years. One thing is for sure, his versatile game will surely grow in the next years and he will be producing new wow moments on the court the same way Larry Bird used to do.

pic credit FC Porto

Max Landis (188-PG-1993, college: PFW, agency: Promo Sport ID) is a 31 year old 188cm guard from Indianapolis playing his 8th professional season and 5th with FC Porto (Portugal-Liga Betclic). Last season he averaged 16.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 42.5%, FT: 83.1%;and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 15.1ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 83.0%. He played his rookie season with Okapi Aalstar (Belgium-Euromillions League) averaging 7.4ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 89.1%. He then played 2 seasons with Giessen (Germany-BBL) averaging 11.2ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 46.9%, FT: 77.5% and averaging 11.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 89.2%. He began his basketball career at Perry Meridian High School and then played 2 seasons at Gardner-Webb University (NCAA) averaging 9.5ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 67.9% and his second season averaged 7.9ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 86.0%. He finished at Purdue University Fort Wayne (NCAA) averaging 9.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 62.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 86.4% and as a senior averaged 19.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 81.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against BG Goettingen.

Your playing your 5th season for FC Porto. Is it fair to say that Portugal has become a second home for you?

It has definitely become a second home for me and my family.

What does it mean to you to be playing for such a historic organization like FC Porto? What have you enjoyed most about the 5 years?

It means a lot to be playing for a club like FC Porto. It also comes with pressure and expectations that I am fully aware of. I have enjoyed everything about playing for Porto. The city is beautiful, the fans are passionate, and the club has really taken care of me since arriving.

This season the team is at the top of the standings, but winning titles hasn´t come easy the last years. How big is the chip on the shoulder to win?

It is very big. Whenever you play for a club like FC Porto you are expected to win titles.

What has it been like sharing the court with guard Anthony Barber? How do you guys compliment each other best?

Cat Barber is probably the most talented PG that I have played with in my career. I only got the opportunity to play with for a few games but I feel that we complimented each other well.

You were always a great shooter, but seemed to have gotten even better in the Portugal-Liga Betclic. How has your shooting grown over time?

I do feel that I have become a better shooter over the years. I have definitely grown shooting on the move and off-the dribble. I think that comes with a higher level of confidence and experience that I have gained over the years.

It seemed like injuries always played a role. What did you learn about yourself in your first 3 years with FC Porto?

Injuries have definitely played a role in my career. My first 2 years in Porto I unfortunately tore my ACL in both seasons. And now this year I am recovering from an achilles injury that I suffered in a FIBA Europe Cup match in Turkey. I think I have learned that with hard work and perseverance anything is possible.

In 2021-2022 you averaged 14.5ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 83.3%. What memories do you have of that tough playoff series against Benfica? That first game was very low scoring?

Benfica is always a tough opponent. That season they had a very good team with a lot of experience. We got down 2-0 heading back to Porto and it is always tough trying to come back after that type of deficit.

Last season you averaged 16.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 42.5%, FT: 83.1%;and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged15.1ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 83.0%. You had back to back 29 point games in the Fiba Europe Cup on 10/17 shooting from outside. Was that the 2 best back to back games you ever played in? You got the wins as well.

Last season was a very good year for me personally. Those two games definitely stand out in my career. They were very important games for us during the second group in the FIBA Europe Cup and helped us reach the quarterfinals for the first time in the competition.

In your first season at FC Porto you played 10 games averaging 20.8ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 47.3%, FT: 90.2%. You had great games. How tough was it not being able to display your talent for a whole season?

My first season in Porto was very disappointing. We were 10-0 and I felt we had the team to win all the cups and the championship if we could have stayed healthy. One of my other teammates Tanner Mcgrew was also injured for the entire season.

Your first 3 seasons you were teammates with another ex BBL guy with Brad Tinsley. Did you guys develop a special relationship in those 3 years?

Brad is one of my favorite teammates of all time, on and off the court. On the court we really connected and he seemed to always find me for open looks. Off-the-court he is one of my best friends and we talk weekly.

You were teammates with one of my favorite guys Larry Gordon. He played some years in the BBL and in Hagen belonged to the best forwards in the BBL more than a decade ago? I´m sure you will never forget him.

LG was also one of my favorite teammates of all time. I actually helped land him in Porto to finish his career. I really enjoyed playing with him as he was a great player but an even better teammate.

You played 2 seasons with Giessen playing 46 games and averaging 11.2ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 46.9%, FT: 77.5% and 11.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 89.2%. What memories do you have of Giessen. Is it fair to say that your game really developed in Giessen?

I loved playing in Giessen. Gaining experience in the BBL was very important for my career. Giessen is a basketball town and I gained a ton of friends during my time there. We had some good teams that always fought for the playoffs but just came up short at the end. I give Ingo Freyer credit for saving my career. I was coming off a tough rookie year in Belgium and he took a chance on me and gave me the confidence I needed to produce.

You had a huge 32 points against Oldenburg and 30 points against Bonn on 8/9 shooting from outside. Which game was most memorable?

Both of those games are memorable. The Oldenburg game was an awesome environment at Oosthalle. I was also coming off a game where I had zero points in Ulm so I am sure I shocked Oldenburg that night. The Bonn game was memorable because that week one of my twin sons was in the hospital and I remember it being a rough week for us as a family and running on low hours of sleep, so that game was a light spot during that time.

You had great teammates in Giessen with John Bryant and David Bell. Talk a little about how both were as entertaining off the court as on Both are BBL legends on the court.

I played with John for two seasons and I don’t think I have ever shot more open shots in my life. He demanded double teams and was an elite passer out of the post. David Bell was huge for my development as a young player. He was nearing the end of his career and I was just starting mine. We played the same position and often battled in practice, he made me better and to this day gives me advice on hoops and life.

You played your rookie season at Crelan Okapi Aalstar (Belgium-Euromillions League) averaging 7.4ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 89.1%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew you were far away from home?

My rookie season at Okapi was very tough. I didn’t play well but was around some great teammates that I am still friends with today. My wake up call was probably the first regular season game at home where we lost a game we shouldn’t have and I heard the whistles.

You began your NCAA career at Gardner-Webb University (NCAA) averaging 9.5ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 67.9% and 7.9ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 86.0%. How important were these first 2 years in the NCAA playing for Chris Holtmann for your basketball development?

Coach Holtmann was very important in my development. He is one of the few coaches at the Division 1 level that thought I could be a player at that level. I am forever grateful for what he did for me and I would have never had the career I have had without his help. It’s been fun to watch him rise in the coaching ranks and become one of the best coaches in the country.

You then finished at Purdue University Fort Wayne (NCAA9 averaging 9.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 62.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 86.4% as a junior and exploded as a senior averaging 19.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 81.2%. How did your game grow in your senior year?

Those two years at Purdue Fort Wayne I lived in the gym. Also the play style under Coach Coffman really fit my game and I had the confidence that I lacked early in my college career.

In your senior year you beat South Dakota with 44 points on 11/15 shooting from outside. What memories do you have of that game?

My parents were there to catch that game as they made the 12 hour car ride to watch me play. Sharing that moment with them was awesome.

How did head coach Jon Coffman groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Coffman is the main reason I am a pro today. He prepared me not only for basketball but also life. He is someone I can always count on for advice and direction.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan Lebron James Steph Curry Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron/Jordan

Thanks Max for chat.

One thing the Fraport Skyliners haven´t seen much this season has been back to back blow out wins as they did at the start of the season against Paderborn and Munster and now did it again beating Vechta at home and Bochum on the road. Were Rosier days back for the Fraport Skyliners? Apparently so as their offense was back scoring many points and they were tightening up their defense as they allowed on average only 64 points. But they had to be ready and sharp for their next opponent the EPG Baskets Koblenz who had won a massive game on the road in Paderborn and came to Frankfurt with very high self-confidence. Plus they had super much revenge on their hands. Only a little more than a month ago, they had lost a bitter game against Frankfurt where they had controlled the game for 3 quarters only to fall apart in the fourth quarter. Head coach Pat Elzie was fired the next day as the club drama this season continued. But the EPG Baskets Koblenz came to Frankfurt with a new head coach with experienced Marco Van Den Berg and were a completely new team and fought from start to end, but after 50 tough minutes, they had to tip their caps to birthday boy Aiden Warnholtz (188-G-2000, college: Carleton) that nailed the game winner with only a few seconds to play as Frfankfurt won 74-71 in2OT. For American Ryan Richmond the game was definitely one to remember even if the outcome wasn´t appetizing for him and his teammates. “This was a great game. This is what we live for. It was definitley my game of the year. The last week was challenging as we had to juggle a lot with a new head coach coming in. I felt like we played good defense for most parts of the game. I´m really proud of how my teammates stuck together through out the game even in tough phases”, stressed EPG Baskets Koblenz guard Ryan Richmond. For Aiden Warnholtz, the win and his game winner was a treat as it happened on his birthday and in front of the eyes of his 2 parents Cathy and Craig. He won 6 titles at Carleton and has seen many incredible games, but this one ranks also high on his list of best games. “This was one of the more exciting games that I have been a part of. I only have played in 2 double OT games. Our defense got us the win. It was a challenge playing against their bigs. Our biggest strength was just being on the same page defensively. We also did a good job winning other battles like the loose balls”, stressed Fraport Skyliner guard Aiden Warnholtz.

Justin Onyejiaka at the FT line

3,370 fans came to witness the double OT game and were entertained by a hard fought grind out game in the first quarter as both teams showed up to play defense. Physical Dominique Johnson got the guests on the board first with a trey, but Frankfurt grabbed their first lead of the game 4-3 with an acrobatic Justin Onyejiaka basket on transition and free throws. The game was tight as no team gave away any gifts. Both teams executed with difficulty, but here and there got big plays as Warnholtz got an offensive rebound and put back with a reverse lay up, while the guests got a Richmond three pointer and Maurice Pluskota 20 footer as Frankfurt trailed 8-6. Koblenz controlled the boards while Frankfurt sought out the drive instead of playing too much long ball. Koblenz continued to use their bigs very well playing the high low as ex Rhondorf center Gabriel De Olveira made the extra pass to Moses Poelking for the 2 points. Cameron Henry added a three pointer while ex Central Michigan guard Caleb Huffman a trey at the buzzer as Koblenz led 13-11 after 10 minutes. “We knew that it would be a physical game, but didn´t expect it to be so low scoring. They had a coaching change so you never know what to expect. They came out aggressive from the start”, said Aiden Warnholtz. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 36% from the field and 50% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 5 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 36% from the field and 25% from outside and had 7 rebounds and 4 turnovers.

Marvin Heckel at the FT line

The second quarter continued to be a grind out fest as defense ruled and no team could get away on a run. Leon Friederici who has 29 easyCredit BBL games on his resume began with a trey as Koblenz led 16-11. Frankfurt returned to the long ball and found their range as ex Oldenburg guard Kevin Mcclain hit as did ex Duesseldorf guard Booker Coplin, but the guests still led 19-17. Frankfurt continued to stay with the 3 ball as Coplin made a trey, but Pluskota added a running hook shot and Frankfurt still trailed 23-20. Then came a crazy faze where 4 in your face three pointers were made by Warnholtz, Johnson and 2 by Ryan Richmond as Koblenz kept the 32-27 advantage. Koblenz is a team that often has breakdowns in games, but not so much on this day as their self confidence was staggering at both ends. “I´m a player that will make shots off the bounce. That is nothing new for me. When shots begin to fall for me, all opens up. I got hot”, said Ryan Richmond. Ex Indiana State guard and defensive specialist Cameron Henry hit a three pointer late which was matched by Richmond free throws as Koblenz had the slim 34-31 lead at the break. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 39% from the field and 50% from the three point line and had 16 rebounds and 5 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 38% from the field and 43% from outside and had 18 rebounds and 8 turnovers. “There were many in your face shots, but it´s something that you have to live with. You can´t worry about it. Richmond is a guy that can score. We later did a good job controlling him better. We did a better job handling the physicality of Koblenz as we got more bodies on people”, stated Aiden Warnholtz.

Cameron Henry from outside

In the third quarter, both teams celebrated runs, but the EPG Baskets Koblenz made the last punch and had their biggest lead of the game after 30 minutes. Koblenz began the second half strong going on a 6-0 run as they forced Frankfurt to 2 turnovers and shared the ball nicely as Poelking scored inside, Friederici hit the long ball and reliable captain Marvin Heckel made a lay in to lead 40-31. Frankfurt was unable to match Koblenz´s intensity and were in a rut offensively not making good shot selections. Frankfurt continued to have problems executing on second chance points something the guests did better. But basketball is a game of run as Justin Onyejiaka displayed scoring 5 unanswered points with a floater from the baseline and a trey as Frankfurt trailed 40-36. But the guests continued to execute well as Leon Friederici hit a trey and Gabriel de Oliveira made a lay in for the 46-40 lead. Friederici was a real spark plug off the bench something he had shown last season as well. “I love Leon. I had been teammates with his brother Vincent and played against Leon in the past. I have a lot of respect for him. He is a great pro with an incredible work ethic. It was great to see him get into the groove. His shots kept us in the game”, warned Ryan Richmond. After a thunderous Jacob Knauf dunk, the guests closed out the third quarter with a 6-1 run to lead 53-43. In the run, Marvin Heckel made a off balance shot, Richmond free throws and Poelking an offensive rebound and put back. “We were down 10 points mainly due to unnecessary errors. This is something that we have to clean up. Runs always occur and you need to cut down on unforced errors”, warned Aiden Warnholtz. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 44% from the field and 53% from the parking lot and had 24 rebounds and 11 turnovers while the Fraport Skyliners shot 36% from the field and 32% from the parking lot and had 28 rebounds and 14 turnovers.

Leon Friederici from the FT line

The Fraport Skyliners left it all on the floor in the fourth quarter as they buckled down on defense and allowed only 4 points in making a comeback and forcing OT. Frankfurt had a prosperous start going on a 5-0 run to trail only 53-48 as ex Alba Berlin center Lorenz Brenneke made an offensive rebound and left handed put back and Coplin connected on a catch and pop trey. Heckel then made a lay in with an extra pass from Poelking as Frankfurt trailed 55-48. The Fraport Skyliners continued to grind and battle and just chip away as Mcclain made a runner to trail 55-50. Pluskota followed with 2 free throws as Koblenz led 57-50. All the missed free throws by Koblenz throughout the game would bite them in the butt now, because with 4-5 more shots made, they would never have lost this game. Frankfurt continued their comeback with a Brenneke tip in who was extra aggressive in the stretch run and a Pluskota technical foul led to a Warnholtz free throw and Frankfurt trailing 57-53. Frankfurt would score no more field goals, but take the game to OT with Muenkat free throws and a Brenneke field goal. Incredible team defense led by Cameron Henry who was the X-factor paved the way as Richmond missed the last shot for the win. “We got juiced up with stops and some shots made. The crowd was behind us which really helped”, commented Aiden Warnholtz. “Mentally we were there, but we just didn´t execute. Frankfurt did a great job taking our inside game away. They made it hard on the entry balls and for us to execute”, expressed Ryan Richmond. The Fraport Skyliners shot 33% from the field and 29% from outside and had 37 rebounds and 17 turnovers while the EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 40% from the field and 47& from outside and had 31 rebounds and 20 turnovers.

Ryan Richmond from downtown

The first overtime was a continued grind out as only 12 points were scored. Friederici made the first basket of OT with an off balance shot for the 59-57 advantage. Brenneke missed a free throw while Friederici answered with 2 free trhows and Frankfurt trailed 61-58. Henry who can be a streaky shooter saved his best for last making a shot from the left corner for 2 points as Koblenz led 61-60. Koblenz could of iced the game in OT, but Heckel and De Oliveira missed one free throw a piece to lead only 63-60. That set the stage for the first Skyliner heroics as Cameron Henry sent Frankfurt to the second OT with a three pointer and game dead locked 63-63. “I knew it was going in as he released it. He plays at 100% at both sides. He is a great defender and gets to his spots on offense. He was our MVP this game”, stated Fraport Skyliner Kevin Mcclain. “We had a mental lapse on Henry´s shot. They set a perfect screen for him. He is a good player and made the wide open shot”, said Ryan Richmond. “Henry´s shot looked good when he released it. We as a team are always confident when he shoots the ball”, warned Aiden Warnholtz. In the second OT, the Fraport Skyliners jumped all over the guests leading by 6 points only to see them fight back and dead lock the game once again. Frankfurt began strong going on a 8-2 run to lead 71-65. In the run, they received an acrobatic circus shot by Booker Coplin, 4 clutch points by Jordan Samare and free throws by Henry. But Koblenz never gave up punching Frankfurt back with a lethal 6-0 run to tie the game at 71-71. In the run, Ryan Richmond contributed 4 points and Poelking made free throws. With 9,7 seconds to play, Frankfurt had possession and Warnholtz made the game winner with a clutch trey from the top of the key to win the game. “The original play wasn´t for me. I got open and it was an in rhythm shot. It was an easy shot I usually make”, smiled Aiden Warnholtz. “We were outnumbered on the last play. DJ was hit and got a bloody nose which left Warnholtz open. Hats off to Frankfurt. They made tough shots. What I liked about how we played today was our consistent dog mentality. That is something that new coach Marco has instilled in us in the short time. We never took off plays and locked in today”, stated Ryan Richmond. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Cameron henry with 18 points while Booker Coplin contributed 13 points while the EPG Baskets Koblenz were led by Ryan Richmond with 17 points while Leon Friederici and Marvin Heckel added 12 points apiece. The Fraport Skyliners shot 36% from the field and 29% from outside and had 43 rebounds and 21 turnovers while the EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 35% from the field and 38% from outside and had 43 rebounds and 26 turnovers.

The up and down weeks of the Fraport Skyliners Juniors continue as last weekend they were routed in Fellbach after having won convincingly at home against Ehingen. Frankfurt just has problems putting it all together for 40 minutes as this time, they got hammered on the boards and shot a horrible 43% from the free throw line. Things didn´t get any easier in their living room as they welcomed 12-5 Basketball Lowen Erfurt who are led by their Mr everything Paul Albrecht who in the last 2 games was averaging 26,0ppg and 16,0rpg. Frankfurt had to be wide awake as they love to let the ball fly taking the third most three´s in the Pro B south and shoot the best percentage at 39%. The Basketball Lowen Erfurt came to Frankfurt motivated to keep their winning streak alive, but came across a Frankfurt team that was hungry for revenge and crushed them 87-57. It was one of those days where nothing went right for Erfurt, but Frankfurt also played their best game of the season at both ends of the court. “We were nothing short of terrible. We didn´t stick to our assignments on defense. Frankfurt was prepared not letting us play our fast paced game and forced us too to many turnovers. We weren´t allowed to play our style”, stressed CATL Basketball Lowen Erfurt guard Tyseem Lyles. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were potent on offense sharing the ball with ease and defensively controlled an offense that scored 84 points on average. “Today we showed a flash of our potential. We have had some rough games this season, but one thing we never do is get too high or too low. I feel like we had the winning mentality from the warmups until the end. We have had many games with different rosters, but tonight we showed that we can have a rhythm with each other. Our energy and communication was best on the defensive end”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Junior Trevian Bell (201-G/F, college: Lewis).

Jordan Samare at the FT line

The CATL Basketball Lowen had 60 fans make the trip to Frankfurt and they gave the biggest cheer in the introductions to Noah Kamdem who was back in action after being sidelined for a year with injury. The first minutes were high paced as both teams got up and down the floor. Erfurt caught Frankfurt napping in their first 2 scores as they got easy lay in´s from Lyles and German Lorenz Schiller under the Frankfurt basket off in bound passes. Frankfurt attacked the lane right off the bat getting easy scores from Germans Jordan Samare who has 17 BBL games on his resume and ex Vechta German Justin Onyejiaka as the game was tied 6-6. Lyles scored again with a finger tip role as Erfurt led 8-6, but that would be the last lead for them in the game. Frankfurt then displayed what they are capable of on offense as they went on a 11-1 run to lead 17-9. In the run they let the 3 ball fly as 2018 NBBL MVP Felix Hecker connected twice while Samare hit one and also made a lay in. Frankfurt had a groove on offense while Erfurt had problems with Frankfurt´s physicality and had problems on the boards with rebounds. Frankfurt continued to take advantage of their length getting 2 more buckets in the last minute from ex Trier forward Nils Leonhardt and ex Kronberg big man Florian Dietrich. Frankfurt led 22-12 after 10 minutes. “A big key going into this game was to be more physical. In some of our loses this season, we weren´t physical. We showed that when we turn up our physicality a notch, then we are a totally different team”, stated Illinois native Trevian Bell. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 42% form the field and 38% from outside and had 12 rebounds and 2 turnovers while the CATL Basketball Lowen Erfurt shot 36% from the field and 0% from outside and had 7 rebounds and 3 turnovers.

Tyseem Lyles from outside

In the second quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors continued to control the game, but the CATL Basketball Lowen Erfurt began to hit better from outside, but just couldn´t go on a string of stops to get back into the game. Justin Onyejiaka got Frankfurt going with an offensive rebound and left handed lay in. Erfurt didn´t have luck with the 3 ball in the first quarter, so they tried to go inside and had fortune with the extra pass. Young German Friedrich Radefeld scored after getting an acrobatic pass from ex Itzehoe forward Alieu Ceesay as Frankfurt still led 25-16. Then came the mini explosion from team captain Alvin Onyia. He has been with the Pro B organization since 2018 and never averaged more than 4,0ppg in a season. This season he is having his best scoring season averaging 7,0ppg and in a span of 50 seconds scored 7 points with a runner, three pointer and lay in as Frankfurt led 32-19. “I always tell him in games to be confident. When he is confident, he will knock down shots. I think a reason for his production this season in comparison to the seasons before is that more guys are looking for him. We are better when he is making shots. He is always playing with high energy and when you do that good things happen”, stated Trevian Bell. Frankfurt was playing with high intensity at both ends and just showed their arsenal of offensive weapons that they can produce at anytime. Erfurt was playing sloppy at times not calming down in their sets. Erfurt then got into a three point groove as Ceesay and Schiller made three pointers as Frankfurt led 34-25. Frankfurt then got a 10 footer from Bell and Lyles answered with a lay in as Paul Albrecht made the pretty extra pass as Frankfurt led 38-27. Erfurt just couldn´t get over the hump and just had no answer for the depth of Frankfurt. 2017 JBBL (U-16) finalist Calvin Schaum nailed 2 three´s off the bench and Bell connected also from the parking lot as Frankfurt led comfortably 47-32 at the break. “They are a good team and at #2 for a reason. We were on the high end and let our foot a bit off the gas pedal. We did a good job not allowing them on a big run to get closer”, expressed Trevian Bell. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 45% from the field and 37% from the three point line and had 22 rebounds and 5 turnovers while the CATL Basketball Lowen Erfurt shot 41% from the field and 36% from the three point line and had 15 rebounds and 9 turnovers.

Justin Onyejiaka to the hoop

In the third quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors stepped up their defensive intensity again and allowed only 12 points. Frankfurt pretty much decided the game in the first few minutes going on a 11-2 run to extend their lead to 58-34. In the run it was Trevian Bell who contributed 8 points including 2 three´s while Calvin Schaum made his third three of the game. Frankfurt did a great job not allowing Lyles or Albrecht any good looks. After 40 minutes, Albrecht only had taken 1 shot which is an incredible defensive performance. Albrecht would get to the free throw line and make some points, but he was no threat. Frankfurt continued to attack the paint getting easy baskets from Onyejiaka and Dietrich with a turn around shot for the 62-38 advantage. Kamdem who played in Frankfurt for 2 years answered with 2 buckets only to get punched back by Frankfurt´s lethal offense as Felix Hecker made a 25 footer and trey to close out the third quarter as Frankfurt led 66-44 after 30 minutes. “We knew that we had to contain Lyles and Albrecht well. Lyles is an elite scorer and when he has a clear view to the rim he´ll make it. You have to have full attention on him and I feel like all 5 guys on the floor did it at all times. We were more physical than Albrecht. You can´t let him get any looks and just made everything hard for him”, added Trevian Bell. “Frankfurt did a good job switching and packing the paint. When you don´t make shots then the defense looks good. We weren´t able to move the ball better”, commented Tyseem Lyles. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 42% from the field and 39% from the parking lot and had 34 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the CATL Basketball Lowen Erfurt shot 36% from the field and 24% from the parking lot and had 27 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

Paul Albrecht at the FT line

In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors continued to control the game and half way through the frame allowed some of their youth players get extra minutes. The CATL Basketball Lowen Erfurt got off strong going on a 7-1 run to begin the fourth quarter as Noah Kamdem who has a body like an offensive line man scored twice and German Jan Heber dropped a trey to cut Frankfurt´s lead down to 70-48. “Kamdem coming back from in jury was very important for us. I was so excited for him. He had 9 points in 12 minutes. That was a good comeback. Once he finds his rhythm, he will give the league problems”, stressed Tyseem Lyles. Frankfurt then slammed the door shut on the CATL Basketball Lowen Erfurt going on a 12-2 run to lead 80-50. In the run, it was mr reliable Trevian Bell who produced back to back three´s, Schaum made free throws, Ivan Crnjac and Florian Dietrich lay in´s. In the last minutes, Lyles finally made his first trey of the game and Leo Doering made a lay in. Ivan Crnjac followed with a three pointer and Lorenz Schiller closed out the Frankfurt massacre with a lay in. “We have been down 20 before and come back. I´m really proud how the team didn´t give up”, said Tyseem Lyles. “We didn´t finish strong against Ehingen. We were aware of it and didn´t want it to happen again. We remained aggressive until the end”, commented Trevian Bell. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Trevian Bell with 19 points. Felix Hecker added 12 points and Jordan samara 12 points and 10 rebounds while Erfurt was led by Alieu Ceesay with 12 points and Tyseem Lyles added 11 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 41% from the field and 41% from outside and had 44 rebounds and 8 turnovers while the CATL Basketball Lowen Erfurt shot 37% from the field and 24% from outside and had 37 rebounds and 19 turnovers.

You have to wonder if people in general ever wonder about what it would have been like having had your birthday at another time during the year. I remember having a classmate who had his birthday right around Christmas. I always thought as a kid how inappropriate simply because you can´t get so many extra presents if both are at the same time can you? It´s just so much cooler to have those 2 big present days more spread apart. My birthday is in September, and I just remember blowing out the candles, opening presents and eating a piece of my mom´s favorite plumb cake before being whisked off to school. In September I felt was a cool time to have a birthday. For American ballers grinding overseas, I can imagine the best time to feel in birthday heaven has to be in June and July. These are 2 months where the majority of players are always at home and the only time where you can properly celebrate your born day with everyone close to you. From August to May, players overseas have to celebrate the best they can. For American Shawn Scott (185-G-1996, college: SW Christian) who has been balling overseas for sometime now celebrates his birthday on January 30th and at a time where his season in Germany is in full swing. He has bene overseas now 3 years and is getting used to having to celebrate his birthday overseas. “ It´s still a little bit hard but mostly just not being able to see my family on this day is toughest. But friends, family and loved ones always send birthday wishes which is always amazing to receive”, stressed Shawn Scott. The BG Hagen forward is 4,833 miles away from Jenks, Oklahoma. Thank God for the internet. Players nowadays can at least face time with their loved ones. Imagine how it must have been for ballers 20 years ago without internet?

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber celebrating his 3rd birthday in Hamburg, Germany

The flashy and versatile forward who believes the San Francisco 49ers will win the Super Bowel and is mad Lamar Jackson and the Ravens didn´t make it recently turned 28 years old and typically as you get older a person isn´t as worked up about their birthday or in anticipation of how his birthday will be days before, or be up longer than usual the night before like a kid, but now just takes his birthday like any other day even if it is a very special day in anyone´s life. “It’s truly a blessing to just be able to wake up a year older and playing the game that I love overseas. I never imagined that I would be here but I feel I have much much more left to do and achieve. I’m excited for this year of my life”, stated Shawn Scott. In the last years, his birthday was always during a certain time of the week so he has followed a certain pattern on his birthday. “Usually my birthday is on a weekday so I have practice most times but we really celebrate it on the weekend after a game”, said Shawn Scott. So how did he celebrate his 28th birthday this year? The worst thing is when people forget or don´t notice it, but for him he has got the utmost respect from his teammates. How could one not when your teammate is one of the top players in the Regionalliga. “I just went for dinner with a few of my teammates but on the weekend I plan to do something with my girlfriend. My teammates just wished me happy birthday but that’s more than enough for me”, commented Shawn Scott.

He celebrated his birthday in 2024 at a very fond time of the season mainly because everything is really coming along smoothly for BG Hagen. The club began hot winning their first 6 games, then had a severe lull losing 4 of 5 games, but now are riding an exciting 8 game win streak. They are on a serious run now and want to keep it going. “I just think we’ve bought into what made us a dangerous team in the start of the season and we’re being more disciplined and focused on scouting and what it takes to beat teams. We just need to continue on the path we’re on and get better every practice and translate it into the game”, said Shawn Scott. The team is battling the ETB Miners for the top position as both teams have 15 wins a piece. Does BG Hagen have the resources to win the Regionalliga title? “We know what our end goal for the season is and we want to win it all but we aren’t putting pressure on ourselves at all. We will continue to be at our very best come playoffs and we will see what happens then”, stressed Shawn Scott. Currently the American is putting up insane stats of 30/6/9/3 stats. Alone in the last 3 games is averaging 32/10/5/3 stats. Is he playing his best basketball of the season now? “I think yes. I told you during Christmas break I wanted to be unpredictable come the second half of the season and I think it’s working so far and we’re winning and that’s all that matters to me. Still have more to improve and I’m still not satisfied”, warned Shawn Scott. In the last 3 games, he is also shooting a crazy 42/63. Can he top this in the next games? “I believe I can. If I Improve my 3pt percentage then I feel I can be that more dangerous in the next games”, warned Shawn Scott.

The ex Southwestern Christian University (NAIA) player who believes Luka Doncic could be only the third player ever after Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant to reach 80 points in a NBA game is a guy that has very fond memories of their birthday as a kid. “I always remember waking up for school and running to my parents room and them having my gift for me and then always going to red lobster for dinner. Then on the weekend having a birthday party inviting all my friends over”, added Shawn Scott. His favorite present wasn´t that first GI Joe or bicycle, but he actually thought very big and many more years ahead to his teenage years to what he cherished most getting. I mean not every kid wakes up at 16 and thinks something big will be parked in the garage. “My favorite present as a kid? Hmm that’s tough. I think getting my first car at 16”, smiled Shawn Scott. One of the great added incentives to having your birthday is having that party where you can invite all your friends. I can remember going to a Red Sox game getting a foul ball and getting it torn out of my hands by an adult or going miniature golfing. Everyone has those childhood birthday memories. “I remember going to Incredible Pizza with a lot of my friends. It was so much fun”, expressed Shawn Scott. He never had a dream birthday as a kid, but now craves a moment that would kind of mesh both countries together. “I would say now it’s getting my closest friends from Germany together with all my closest friends and family in the states and throwing a big party”, stressed Shawn Scott. But for him, it doesn´t really matter if he had no party this year or no messages from anyone, because all in all, he just looks up and knows that God has blessed him once again. “I’m just happy to be alive and be able to see another birthday. There’s not more I can ask for honestly”, warned Shawn Scott

pic credit: BYU Sports

Even if the well respected Basketball institution Brigham Young has been around for more than 100 years and never won a NCAA title, it has produced some fine players with the 2 most notable being Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette, but there have been other fine players come overseas and show what their made of. Guys like Lee Cummard, Yoeli Childs, Jake Toolson, and Eric Mika have made a name in Germany while players like Brandon Davis and Elijah Bryant a name in the Euroleague. But there have been other guys that have been off the radar like Zac Seljaas (202-SF-1997, college: BYU), a player that wasn´t the star on his team at Brigham Young, but the valuable role player that came to work every day doing his job. Nothing was ever given to him, but he simply worked his butt of to get new opportunities. He had to pay his dues in Slovakia and Georgia, before showing everyone in German basketball that he can be more than just a role player, but be an MVP player as he helped lead the Tigers Tuebingen back to the first division BBL. He has been an extremely special player his whole life and continues to show it this season in the BBL with Wurzburg. In 4 years at Brigham Young, he never averaged in double figures in a season, but when asked to could lite up the scoreboard with his scoring. He scored in double figures at Brigham Young in only 32 games in 4 years, while at Tuebingen, he did it 39 times in one season. There is a good reason why he is such an all-around great player and that is because of his time at Brigham Young. “Every year of my college career I was given a very different role. From being a spot up shooter, to be just the defensive guy and many other roles. But because of that I became a Swiss Army knife of basketball. I am now capable of doing a lot of different things at a high level. So maybe I wasn’t a big time scorer or anything like that in college, but it prepared me most for overseas basketball”, warned Zac Seljaas. His versatile game was definitely noticed in Germany. “Zac worked very hard all year long and stayed in the gym after every practice so I’m not surprised by his development and that his shooting seemingly became better and better. In my opinion he became well deserved the MVP of Pro A”, stressed Tigers Tuebingen assistant coach Tom Walther.

Danny Ainge flanked By Larry Bird enterting the court in Boston Garden in 1984

Zac Seljaas who remembers Domantas Sabonis, Colin Sexton and Jakob Poelti as being his toughest opponents in the NCAA was born on July 11, 1997 in Bountiful, Utah. He began his career at Bountiful high school where he had a stellar career and was able to improve his scoring, rebound and assist average each season and as a senior averaged 25.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 4.3apg, 1.7spg. He finished with 1,704 points, 494 rebounds, 325 assists, 140 steals and 217 3-point field goals. He helped win the 4A state title twice and was MVP in 2015. He was ranked 58th among small forwards in the class of 2015 by ESPN.com and played AAU basketball for the Utah Prospects and was coached by his father, Gary Seljaas. He then followed his sister to Brigham Young where she played from 2002-2005. He was at Brigham Young from 2015-2020 playing a total of 133 years. He took a year off to serve a mission in Iowa. He made 1 NCAA March Madness appearance and 2 NIT appearances. Both loses in the NIT were tough as they were only combined 5 points against Valpo and Stanford. “The Valparaiso game was definitely the toughest because it was at Madison Square Garden in the semifinals. And we had a very good team and we didn’t play very well and we know if we played our game we definitely could have won the NIT that year”, said Zac Seljaas. One of the top teams for years in the WCC is Gonzaga. He had numerous battles, but after 4 years could only post a 2-8 record against them and legendary head coach Mark Few. “ I always loved playing Gonzaga! Especially my senior night at home against them and beating them while they’re ranked in the top 5 in the nation. But they always had an incredible team, incredible fan base, and always so fun to play against. Some of the hardest guys I had to guard was definitely Domantas Sabonis and even Kyle Wiltjer. Those guys were so good and dominant”, remembered Zac Seljaas. He showed already in his freshman year that he can score and supply sniper qualities as he hit Central Michigan with 25 points and 7 three´s. He also had some other super scoring efforts with 21 points against Portland and 20 points against USF. He was blessed to have 2 incredible teachers with David Rose and Mark Pope who helped him become the versatile player that he is today. “Mark Pope had a lot of experience playing professionally, so him teaching me the ways of life and what needs to be done to get to that level. Coach Rose helped me by giving me a lot of on court experience, playing different positions and allowing me to really form my game to what it is today”, warned Zac Seljaas who remembers beating childhood friend Daulton Nixon at 1-1.

The versatile player that lists Yoeli Childs, Nick Emery, Kyle Collinsworth, Darrell Brown and Kriss Helmanis as his 5 best teammates of all-time embarked on a professional career overseas in Slovakia with BC Prievidza (Slovakia-SBL) averaging 13.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 9.5%, FT: 75.0%. Coming overseas for the first time isn´t always a cake walk for Americans, but he adjusted pretty well. “A big wake up call to me was how different the culture of basketball was and how more physical the game was. But I felt pretty comfortable, I think my game adapted pretty well to European basketball and also having a wife that supports me and is the greatest partner to have with me helps make living overseas so easy and fun”, stated Zac Seljaas. His season was cut short due to injury as he only mustered to play 5 games registering a 2-3 record and scored in double figures in every game. “ I learned what I need to do to be better, and change my game from just physical abilities to mental as well. And I worked a lot on my mindset of the game”, remembered Zach Seljaas. Sometimes a tough rookie season can lay the foundation of a player either being able to go in a good direction with their career or be at the start of not being able to sustain a good path. He bounced back with a bang in Georgia with BC Vera (Georgia-Superleague) and left no doubt that he truly has game. He was second in the league in scoring and rebounding averaging 22.1ppg,12.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 83.5%.”Georgia was a huge opportunity for me. Not having an eye popping career in college, I didn’t get much looks or offers from teams. And Vera gave me an opportunity to play and show that I am a completely different player than I was in college. And now it shows two years later”, expressed Zac Seljaas. In Georgia he scored in double figures in 18 of 20 games. He scored 20 points of more 15 times and had 31 points against Olimpi and 30 points against TSU. He showed how dominant he can be on the boards. “During that season there wasn’t a ton of big guys that we were playing against, and having a lot of injuries on my team I had to guard the 5 man at times and so it left me in situations where I could rebound a lot but then also able to bring the ball up out of defensive rebounds”, said Zac Zeljaas.

The Rise of the Utah native who lists Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, and Shaquille O´Neal on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore continued last season in Germany with the Tigers Tuebingen of the second division Pro A. The team had been in the second league for some years after having been a BBL team for more than a decade. In 2021-2022, the club had already moved up, but declined, but in 2023 they finally will play in the BBL again. Even if it will be without Zac Zeljaas, they will meet again only on opposite sides of the court. They came into the playoffs with a 26-8 record second best behind Rasta Vechta. It was only obvious that they would play each other in the final. They had to go the distance against Bremerhaven winning in 5 games and then swept PS Karlsruhe. In the final it was 2 games with the winner having the better result in the 2 games. The first game was an untypical 78-78 draw in Tuebingen, but the last game in Vechta was lost 73-66. “I think it was tough for us because it’s a long season, and we may not have played our very best at the end of season. But we fought and tried to what we could, but Vechta also played very well and you can’t take that away from them”, remembered Zac Seljaas. The team was very special as it didn´t rely only on Americans, but a mix from other countries and talented Germans like Mateo Seric and Timo Lanmueller. “ We had a lot of great players on our team. Timo is a big time defender and competitor. And Mateo is an offensive machine. So having those two great players honestly helped me and open the court up for me to be successful, and when focus shifts to me, it gives them a big opportunity to be very good! So they were great teammates to have”, commented Zac Seljaas. He showed his versatile game in each of the 43 games averaging 16.9ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 84.8%. He couldn´t have made another step in his career without the guidance of head coach Danny Jansson. “ He was very vital. Danny is a great coach, knows how to make the game fun but also competitive. He helped me be better just by giving me a big role and a leadership opportunity, and gave me the confidence to play my game and do what I do”, warned Zac Seljaas. He had some massive games against Giessen with 39 points, 28 points twice against Bremerhaven and 27 points a piece against Leverkusen and Trier.

Now the ex Brigham Young player who lists Michael Jordan as his GOAT is balling in beautiful Bavaria with the Wurzburg Baskets that sits on the beautiful Main river. One has to wonder why he didn´t remain with Tuebingen and continue the success there, but sometimes there is the business side that takes a player to a different place. “We definitely loved Tubingen and it will always feel like a home for us, but the coaching staff and organization of Würzburg fit my goals and my future goals that I have in my career. And as much as I love and appreciate Tubingen, Würzburg Is a big step up for me, and am very excited to be here. I am grateful for the Tigers for giving me the opportunity to be where I am today and given me a shot”, stressed Zach Seljaas. Zac Seljaas is a player who tries to take bits and pieces from Luka Doncic, Paul George, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum´s games. His versatility has continued to grow in the last years and now being able to play in the BBL, he is taking the chance to make the next huge jump against top competition. “My versatility is huge. I think that’s what separates me from others and helps make me successful. I know I can defend, shoot, pass, rebound, and play around the basket. So it helps me take advantage depending on what the defense is doing. There is never a spot where I feel uncomfortable”, warned Zac Seljaas. Currently in the easyCredit BBL he is averaging 12,6ppg and 6,7rpg and shooting 36% from outside. Last season he shot 44% from the parking lot. “I focused a lot before and after practice making sure my shot felt right. My assistant coach Hanot Zabaleta helped me watch film and we got in the gym and worked on things to make sure everything felt good for games. So I owe a lot to him. But because of all that it built my confidence to be able to be a better shooter and defender”, stressed Zac Seljaas. The grind in the lab never stops and he made sure to get the most out of his offseason in Utah. “The biggest area of my game I focused on is being more consistent in everything I do. Shooting, ball handling, conditioning, everything I do just tuned up to a higher level and more consistent”, warned Zac Seljaas. He may not be having the stats from last season, but still very consistent and a valuable part of the Wurzburg team. Zac Seljaas has been proving season after season that he can play anywhere. “My confidence in my game just keeps getting better and better. I love basketball and love the process of getting better every day and every year, so I just keep trusting the process and staying patient with myself and the game, and that’s what drives me to be better every year and to keep performing well. But I definitely am not satisfied, I definitely have that hunger to be better and better”, warned Zac Seljaas. I´m definitely excited to see where the development of Zac Seljaas will head in the easyCredit BBL. Somebody please send Danny Ainge a highlight reel of this great player. I would love to hear his impression of him.

Malik Bullock (183-PG, college: JWU, NC) is a German/American 183cm guard that is playing his first season in Germany with BG Hagen (Regionalliga). He grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and played at / Southeast Raleigh High School. He ten played at Johnson And Wales University in North Carolina from 2016-2020. He has pro experfeince in Italy with Basket Cassino (Italy-Serie C), Yes Basketball Gussago (Italy-Serie C) and B-Chem Virtus Basket Porto San Giorgio (Italy-Serie C). He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Malik for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you and how is basketball life treating you?

Appreciate the opportunity, I’m here in Hagen & thankful to be back on the court. Especially on a team as talented as this one.

Your playing your third pro season. You were born in Heidelberg, Germany, went to school and played 2 pro seasons in Italy. That isn´t your normal basketball journey is it?

Far from normal honestly. I don’t know anyone personally who’s had a journey like mine. I take pride in how far I’ve came & the challenges I defeated to get here.

Talk a little about your childhood? I presume you grew up in the States to a German mom and American dad? What do you know in general about Germany and what their connections do you have to it?

Correct, my dad was in the army and stationed in Germany when he met my mom. They got married and moved back and forth from Germany to USA before I was born. After I was born in Heidelberg and we moved to North Carolina before I was 2 and I lived there ever since. Growing up we did take summer trips to Germany to visit my Oma & Opa. I always enjoyed and looked forward to my trips. It made me feel special anytime I had the chance to visit.

You came late to BG Hagen. What kind of an experience has it been playing for a winning team?

Anytime you’re on a winning team it’s a good feeling. Everyone has been helping me learn the plays / systems and off the court if I need anything they have been helpful. I’m grateful for this.

You haven´t played much so far averaging only 7 minutes. Are you being groomed a bit longer before getting more minutes?

Yeah definitely just getting back in the rhythm of playing. I wasn’t able to play in the first half of the season so for me it’s about confidence and being in the best possible shape I can be in.

You played the last 2 seasons in Italy in Serie C. How would you compare the Serie C to German Regionalliga in terms of style and player talent?

It’s definitely two different leagues I would say. In Italy I feel it’s more technical. It’s more structure & tactics. Maybe a little slower pace game as well. Here in Germany the imports make the talent level higher compared to Serie C. More imports for each team while also still having good local players

What do you hope will be your role with BG Hagen in the stretch run?

Number 1 for me is winning it all. I would love to come here and bring my experience of winning Serie C championship along with my energy on both ends of the floor. I feel I can be the missing piece for this team.

What has it been like being teammates with multi talented and versatile Shawn Scott? How has he helped you in the early going?

I played with Shawn for a couple months in Biggese during the Covid year. We’ve been friends ever since and we always support each other. For me to be able to play with him again is a blessing. He has helped me from day 1 since I’ve been here on & off the court. I couldn’t ask for a better teammate.

Shouldn´t Shawn Scott be playing in a higher league? What has amazed you most about his game so far?

Yes, no doubt about that. Shawn is special player and to be able to see him 4 years ago to today it’s crazy. I think my favorite part about Shawn’s game is he holds himself accountable. I’ve seen skilled players who take nights off or don’t practice or blame others for their mistakes. I’ve never seen him do any of those things. He could be 7-7 FG in a game but if he missed one you can tell he wanted to make it. I think that’s a quality you can’t teach.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I consider myself a true Combo Guard. I can play with / without the ball in my hands & be equally as dangerous. I watch a lot of CJ McCollum. The way he can get any shot off is something I try to emulate. My favorite player in euro leaugue is Mike James. I’ve had some coaches / teammates say I resemble him. I think players who are crafty & can create their own shots while also can make their teammates better fit my game.

Talk a little about your strengths on the court: What kind of player are you and what kind of player do you still want to become?

I feel my IQ is the most important strength. I love playing, watching, & talking about basketball. I am a true “ basketball head “. I love playing P&R, I can shoot if you go under, attack the open area if you go over & find the open man if you hedge. Same with if I am the wing on a P&R, I can find the open space for myself to get open shot as well as space for my big.

What kind of a defender are you? Are you more than just a disruptive fast guard that likes to get into passing lanes?

I thought I was a great defender until I got to college and learned it’s more to defense than just getting steals. On / Off ball I feel is just important as a player. You have to know where to be at all times & as a guard I have to be communicating loud and clear to my teammates.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to move up the basketball ladder?

Definitely becoming a lockdown defender. I want to be a guy a coach can trust me put me on the opposing team’s best guard. I think this along with elevating my knockdown shooting ability will be the key to me climbing the basketball ladder.

You played the last 2 seasons for 3 teams in Italy with Basket Cassino (Italy-Serie C), Yes Basketball Gussago (Italy-Serie C) and B-Chem Virtus Basket Porto San Giorgio (Italy-Serie C). What kind of an experience was it for you? How is the basketball life in a lower league in Italy like?

I didn’t know much about Italy when I arrived but I’m extremely thankful for the time I spent in Italy. I met so many amazing people & I found a love for Italy as a country. I was able to play near Rome & also Milan both have top notch food / history.

You played mostly with Italian players. How did you experience the time meshing with Italian guys? Was there one player that you had a special bond with?

I’d have to say Aziz Yabre. He really helped me so much off the court when I first got to Italy I know for a fact I wouldn’t have made it without him. Me & him lead Cassino to win Serie C Championship in 2022. It was really special. We grew such a brotherhood and created so many memories I’m forever thankful I met him.

How do you feel did your game grow in Italy in the last 2 years? After coming from the States was it like a culture shock what you had to get used to on the court?

Being in situations I never experienced in America really helped my mental toughness & being able to play in any situation. It’s different when you’re 5,000 miles away from home & a coach is yelling at you in a different language. Your teammates don’t even want to translate the crazy things he’s yelling at you. But it’s all a part of the grind and it only makes you stronger!

What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from USA?

My second day in Italy I ate something my stomach did not agree with I believe it was mushrooms. I couldn’t finish a practice the first week without running to the bathroom. I lost over 10 pounds & it was my first pro season. Again shoutout Aziz for helping me get over it and also translating to the society on my situation. I never ate mushrooms after that day.

You played at Johnson and Wales University, NC from 2016-2020. You had a lot of success reaching a Final 4. How did your game grow in this time?

Yeah my junior season we lost in the national championship and my senior year we were the #1 seed for majority of the year and we lost in final four. I loved my time at JWU, it was a small school and didn’t have much success before I got there but had a lot of potential. Me & Majerle Poole came in 2016 together and graduated together with the most wins in school history. The biggest part of my game that grew was definitely my catch & shoot3 ability. I didn’t shoot many in college and now I consider shooting the 3 one of my best attributes.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Kajuan Madden-McAfee?

Me. That’s my little brother, if you ask him he would probably say himself as well ! But definitely some of the toughest 1v1 matchups I ever had. Me, him, Chris Greer & Brandon Kostyk all lived together and we would literally play 2v2 full court everyday.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life on the court that reached the NBA?

Chris Clemons. He’s 4th all time in D1 Points Scored. He’s from Raleigh as well & I’ve had the chance to play him twice in college and during the summers at Lifetime fitness. I have the most upmost respect for him. I’ve also had the chance to play in open gym against Colby White & Patrick Williams.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time.

That’s hard honestly, I’ve played with so many great teammates. I’ll just name 5 of my hometown teammates Malik Ford, Charles Jackson, John Baker, Caleb Hill & Keyon Grant. Those guys pushed me growing up. I’m still friends with all them and they support me everyday on my journey.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Kobe, Lebron, Curry, Shaq I can’t speak on players before 1998

Who is your GOAT and why?

My favorite player of all time is Kobe. I grew up idolizing Kobe. Nobody could tell me Kobe wasn’t the best ever. But as I got older and really started studying basketball. I’d have to say Lebron. I mean he’s in year 20 averaging 25, 7 & 8. He’s done things we may never see again from a player. The 3-1 2016 comeback I think is what solidified him being the best ever in my eyes. I don’t think any other player could have did that besides Lebron.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I didn’t get a chance to watch it, but from the reviews I’ve heard I’m glad I didn’t.

Thanks Malik for the chat

Shawn Scott (185-G-1996, college: SW Christian) is a 27 year old 185cm guard playing his third professional season and first with BG Hagen. Last season he split time with TVO Biggesee / TV Jahn Lindhorst (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 31.2ppg, 10.4rpg, 6.1apg, 3.6spg, 2FGP: 56.2%, 3FGP: 30.4%, FT: 77.6%, in Jan.’23 moved to BG 2000 Berlin (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 14.2ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.6apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 64.4%. he began his career at Jenks High School and then played 3 seasons at Southwestern Christian University. He teams up with germanhoops.com every week to talk basketball

Congrats Shawn on the huge 86-64 win against Hamm. The winning streak continues. Is the team getting better each week?

Thank you. Yes for sure, but we’re still not exactly where we want to be but definitely on the right track and the wins prove that.

The defense continues to be solid. What steps has it taken in the last 3 games?

The coaches have just been stressing to us that we have got to be better on defense and we’re really locking into that right now because we know at the end of the season defense wins championships.

Talk a little about the 40 minutes. Was the team in control from start to end?

Yeah we were in control the whole game I would say. Hamm went on runs here and there but we made sure that they wouldn’t come back and change the game like they did the last game against us.

Is it fair to say that defense won this game? Hamm had awful shooting percentages.

Yes for sure. We put much pressure on their key guys and made every shot difficult and gave them nothing easy. Plus, we got much help from our shooters who knocked down 3’s time and time again.

Finn-Luca Philipp had a huge game with 18 points. What does his game bring to the team?

Finn is an absolute sniper shooter and when he gets hot, there’s nothing he can’t make. We just tried to keep him confident and make sure he knows we want him taking these shots and we trust his decisions.

You had another great game with 30/7/9/3. How good does filling the stat sheet feel like?

It feels good just to get the win but I enjoy what I do on the court and I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

You had 1 turnover. What did you do better with the ball this game?

I believe I controlled the game better and took advantage of every possession and made the right choices with the ball.

You next play against the 9-8 Lowen. You lost the first game 77-67. I can imagine this game will be different. What will you have to do to keep the winning streak going?

Just continue to do what we’ve been doing that got us 8 wins in a row. This is another big test for us and we get to play in front of our home crowd again so we’ll be ready for sure.

Thanks Shawn for the chat.