Brandon Brown (183-PG-1989, college: UMW) is a 32 year old 183cm point guard from Des Moines, Washington playing his 10th professional season and first with U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca (Romania-Liga Nationala). He is what you can call a real basketball globe trotter as he has played in countries like Australia, Brazil, Cyprus, Poland, Bulgaria, Russia and France. He began his basketball career at Highline Community College and then had a stellar career at the University of Western Montana (NAIA) where he left as the school’s all-time leading scorer. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the do or die Basketball Champions League loss against German team MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Thanks Brandon for talking to germanhoops.com You suffered a tough 79-73 do or die loss in the Basketball Champions League quarters to the MHP Riesen. Do you feel like you would have won had you suffered 15 instead of 25 turnovers?

I definitely feel like that is one of their main strengths along with offensive rebounding. Ludwigsburg did a great job taking us out of our sets and forcing a ton of turnovers. It could have only helped us if we could have reduced those.

U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca played a great Basketball Champions League season. What won’t you ever forget from the season this special team gave?

I’m just proud of our group as a whole. I think people saw us as a team that maybe shouldn’t have got out of the qualifiers then shouldn’t have gotten out of the group stage or the top 16 and into the final 8. For us to have a chance to compete for the final 4 in the BCL our first time in European competition is special. I guarantee maybe 15 people believed we would be here in the final 8 back in the summer when the field was announced.

I will bet anything that you have always had a chip on your shoulder and that will never go way. Being an NAIA player and being in Australia and Brazil for your first three years, you finally came to Europe in 2015. Do you still feel like you have that NAIA label every season when you look for a new team?

I don’t know if the NAIA label is there as much anymore being in year 10, but I definitely am proud of coming from there and the journey

You have played in 8 countries since turning professional in 2011. Are you the ultimate basketball globetrotter?

I wouldn’t say ultimate. I’m sure there a ton of people who’ve played in more countries than me but I am on passport # 2 and for it to be mainly from basketball is pretty cool.

There must have been a very special reason for coming to U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca. After paying your dues in Brazil, Cyprus and Bulgaria you then finally made the next step to the VTB and France Pro A. Wasn’t it taking a step back going to play in Romania?

It’s easy to see it like that but I didn’t. After playing Eurocup last season and making top 8, then top 8 the year before in BCL with Nizhny, and a domestic title and top 16 fiba Europe cup the year before, I wanted to compete for a domestic championship again but play on a competitive European competition team. I really enjoyed BCL with Nizhny so when the opportunity came everything made sense basketball wise and I decided to go to Romania.

U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca is a very special club. Talk a little about the basketball culture and teammates. It must be some of the best that you have ever experienced?

It’s a great sports environment here. From the fans, to the organization, our team has a good group of older and young guys and it’s been able to help us have a special year.

Last season you played with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans (France-Jeep ELITE ProA) averaging 7.9ppg, 1.2rpg, 3.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 49.3%, FT: 77.5%; and averaged 7.5ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 93.3% in the Eurocup. You’re a very calm and controlled point guard. Do you feel like that is a big quality that all teams have respected most from you?

I think so. I think that along with outside shooting has been some of the main qualities teams have liked about me.

You were teammates with Archie Goodwin. He played many years in the NBA. What kind of thoughts do you get when you see his play and compare it to yours? Is it a fact that there are thousands of guards good enough for the NBA, but too little spots?

I think that’s exactly it. There’s only so many spots at the end of the day and there are more NBA players out there than there are spots.

In 2019-2020 you had your real break through with BC Nizhny Novgorod (Russia-VTB) averaging 13.5ppg, 2.1rpg, Assists-4 (5.9apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 48.6%, FT: 78.7%. You played against incredible teams and players. How did your game grow that season in the VTB and BCL?

That definitely was a special year. Coach Lukic gave me an opportunity to really be myself and push me to another level. I enjoyed that year and competing in both leagues. Unfortunately that was the first year of the pandemic, and we didn’t get to finish but that was definitely a break through year for me.

The first game against top Euroleague team CSKA Moscow was a wipe out, but the team played a lot better in the second match and you scored 11 points. What memories did you have playing against Mike James? How much of a challenge was it playing against him?

Mike is a very special player. I think everybody in the basketball world knows that. He is one of those guys that is an NBA player no question. We competed with everybody in Nizhny, Lukic does a great job of preparing us for anybody. Even though we lost it was always fun and competitive to play against those Euroleague and Eurocup teams in the VTB.

One guy I love to watch is your former teammate Darryl Willis. Is the best description for him ‘Sky is the limit’?

Absolutely, I love his game and his mindset, he’s another guy that Carrie’s a chip on his shoulder every time he steps on the court.

In 2018-2019 you won your first title with Balkan Botevgrad (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 14.3ppg, 2.3rpg, Assists-3 (5.3apg), Steals-4 (1.7spg), FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 46.8%, FT-2 (89.2%); and averaged 15.1ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-4 (5.9apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 49.3%, FT: 85.9% in the Fiba Europe Cup. You came back from 2-1 down to beat Beroe and beat Lukoil in the finals. You played incredibly well. Was this your best basketball in your career?

I definitely think that was some of my best basketball in those playoffs. I was in a great rhythm and my coach there who I’m still great friends with today, Nebosa Vidic helped my game and immensely. Winning there in that city was great.

Did a guy like ex Georgetown (NCAA)great Mikael Hopkins become like a brother to you?

Yes that is my brother! I’m so happy for him what he’s been able to show everybody this season in Italy l and Fiba Europe cup!

Was Losing the series to Holon in the Fiba Europe Cup one of your toughest ever? What memories do you have battling it out with Corey Walden?

This BCL loss was the toughest ever against MHP. I remember losing to Holon and that was definitely hard. We were big time underdogs and that Holon team was stacked, Corey was player of the year and defensive player of the year I think in Israel that year, so it speaks for itself. Tough tough guard!

In 2017-2018 you played with Trefl Sopot (Poland-PLK) playing 6 games averaging 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 93.3%. How tough was this season that ended in November? Did you gain anything positive from playing for this famous Polish team?

That year sucked from a basketball standpoint. Started so well and got hurt and had to sit the remainder of the season. Off the court I got a chance to just be home and Rehab and be with my family, it was really nice actually. It was humbling because I thought that was the end of my career after the injury.

In 2016-2017 you had your first full season in Poland with Siarka Tarnobrzeg (Poland-TBL) averaging 14.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 5.6apg, 1.9spg, 2FGP: 44.1%, 3FGP: 36.5%, FT: 77.4%, in Mar.’17 moved to PGE Turow Zgorzelec (Poland-PLK) averaging 6.9ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 46.7%. What did you really cherish from your years in Poland the most?

Siarka I wasn’t winning a ton but I had a chance to play free and find myself a little on the court, I also met one of my really good friends Alex Welsh. Then finishing in PGE was a great opportunity to finish and compete for playoffs, enjoy a new city and finish the year on a good note. I think I’ll cherish some of the friendships I made there the most.

In 2015-2016 was your first season in Europe with Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A) averaging 16.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 6.5apg, 1.8spg, in Dec.’15 signed at King Wilki Morskie Szczecin (Poland-TBL) averaging 6.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 82.8%. What do you remember being your wake up call to knowing that you were very far away from home?

Lol I was making very little money there, I went there with a big chip on my shoulder because that was my first job after my injury that I thought I would never play again, so I went there hyper focused on getting back on the map and showing I could play the game at a high level.

What memories do you have of your first two years in Brazil? You played for three organizations ACBD Rio Claro (Brazil-Paulista) SKY/Basquete Cearense (Brazil-NBB) and Rio Claro Basquete (Brazil-Paulista). How important was this early development in your game? How much of a role did the physicality play in that country?

Brazil was fun, it was really eye opening. I felt far from home there but my progression was really nice. I played for a club that had a ton of history and we won some trophies then we went to the first division where I played well again and met some friends again that I still talk to today. Then it came full circle when my first club made the first division and brought me back. It was really great to finish my South America career where it started before leaving.

You got your first professional experience with Mount Gambier Pioneers (Australia-ABA) averaging 16.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.4apg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 25.5%, FT: 77.4%. How vital was Aussie veteran Eric Burdon for you as a rookie? That guy just completed his 11th season with them and is still playing?

That team had a ton of vets like Kurt Russle and Eazy. I was jolted into that season but it was really fun and fast. They definitely helped me make it through the tough times. I would love to go back to Australia one day.

You began your basketball career at Highline Community College (NJCAA). Every guy I talk to say how important JUCO was and how they wouldn’t have missed it for anything. How was it for you?

One of the best basketball decisions I’ve ever made was playing for Coach Dawson at highline CC. We still keep in touch. He helped so many of us on and off the court, accountability and growing up and staying together was big there.

You played at the University of Montana Western (NAIA) from 2009-2012 and really stepped up your game in your last two seasons. You became an explosive scorer. What did you learn about yourself in those two years as a player?

I always knew I had that in me but the opportunity wasn’t there. My sophomore year we had 5 seniors and when they left I took the opportunity and ran with it and set some really high goals for myself and the team and coach Keller let me lead

What memories do you have of reaching the 2012 Sweet 16? Was this your fondest time at Western Montana?

Absolutely, we were underdogs and it felt great getting there every year on that stage and playing well against teams that thought a school from Montana couldn’t hang.

How did head coach Steve Keller groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

We still talk to this day, he loves winning and the game and gave me an opportunity to play, grow and be myself

Who won a one on one in practice you or Kyle Erickson?


You’d be surprised but we were spending more time having dunk contests back then haha, I don’t do those anymore lol

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that was in the NBA?

Playing guys back home Isaiah Thomas and Jamal Crawford no question

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-.time?

Community college, Montana, pro, way too many great ones to only name 5 haha

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Steph
Kobe
Jordan
Bron
Shaq

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

Kobe!

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

Patrick Richard (196-G/F-1990, college: McNeese St., agency: Inception Sports) is a 32 year old 196cm guard from Lafayette, Louisiana playing his ninth professional season and third with U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca (Romania-Liga Nationala). He has gained vast experience having played in countries like Australia, Holland, Germany, France, Israel and Spain. He began his basketball career at Carencro high school and played at Mcneese State (NCAA) form 2008-2012 playing a total of 122 NCAA games. As a professional he has won three titles and played 300 plus professional games. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the do or die 79-73 loss to the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg

Thanks Pat for talking to germanhoops.com. The Basketball Champions League season has ended for with U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca. How are your feelings after the loss? The team gave everything?

No problem miles. And at the moment hurt and disappointment of course. We fought until the end as we have all season

The MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg defended so tough in the first quarter. How would you describe their energy in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter? There must be a difference?

They are a constant team that is aggressive. We never handled that well

U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca suffered 8 turnovers in the first quarter. Was that the best defense that Ludwigsburg had played up to that point?

Even when you know they are going to be aggressive this way it’s not easy to overcome. And the first half was very bad for us

You made a great block in the second quarter that was missed by the scouting table. Is your defense underestimated since everyone knows you can score at ease?

I’m not sure but I try and give all I can on both ends when I play.

Ludwigsburg took control in the second half leading 37-23 at the break. How much did their many tough shots made hurt you mentally?

They did hit a bunch of tough ones over a hand but even being down we never gave up and still always believed we could come back

How rare is it too have the athleticism of Guzman and Stewart be totally shut down in a half?

Specifically they weren’t shut down. The defense they applied just got us completely out of any offenses we wanted to run so all of us were affected

What did head coach Mikai Silvason tell you guys at the break to focus more on in the second half?

He just told us we never give up. Fight until the end as we have been all season long

When a guy like Justin Simon is 0/5 and still 7-8 other guys are scoring tell you just how deep this Ludwigsburg team is?

They are very deep and the way they rotate players they can always constantly bring the pressure.

How key has Stefan Bircevic been this season? He nailed two back to back three’s at the start of the third quarter and made a block?

Stef is a very experienced player and he has been key for us all season long with him spacing the floor.

How tough was it in general playing catch up all night against Ludwigsburg? Especially when they seem to always have open shooters ready?

Being down to them by 10-15 is like being down 20 BUT we really just kept on fighting and had a few chances at the end to get the win still despite all the other factors in the game

What was tougher to avoid on this night? The Ludwigsburg deflections or getting into passing lanes and disrupting your rhythm?

All of the above. Very very hard to win games turning the ball over that many times

The team shot 14/26 from the free throw line? At times it felt like a jinx for you.

A lot of those misses were big in a sense of the timing of them. To break their momentum or runs they were on. But this is just a make or miss situation whoever steps up at the line has to deal with

The team never gave up, but always was trying to get over the hump. How was the fatigue level at the start of the fourth quarter?

In a game of this magnitude fatigue isn’t even a thought while being out there.

You cut it down to 4 points with very little time remaining. What was missing for the team to have been able to get over the hump?

A few balls bouncing their way and some calls made by the refs. I’m not an excuse person at all so a lot of things we could have controlled ourselves as well

What will you always remember from the 2021-2022 Basketball Champions League run?

I’ll always remember how far we have come. How much we showed throughout the season in making it through the qualification rounds. Winning both groups we were in and being very close to making it to a final four.

What is your prediction for Holon-Tenerife and Manresa-Ludwigsburg? Who will reach the final and take it all?

‘m not sure about who will make it or win I’ll just say Goodluck to all 4 of the teams and may the best one win!

Thanks Pat for the chat.

Reggie Lynch is a 27 year old 207cm center from Edina, Minnesota playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. This season has been a whirlwind as he has seen many countries and teams with GS Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece-A1) and  Gevi Napoli Basket (Italy-Serie A) before coming to Oldenburg. He began his professional career in 2018 with BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (Estonia-Alexela KML) playing 29 VTB United League games averaging 7.0ppg, 4.0rpg, Blocks-1(1.9bpg), FGP: 45.7%, FT: 68.8%. In 2019-2020 he played with Urania Basket Milano (Italy-Serie A2) playing 26 games averaging 11.3ppg, 6.5rpg, Blocks-1(2.6bpg), FGP: 54.2%, FT: 59.1%. Last season he balled with Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia-VTB) averaging 7.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.0apg, Blocks-1(1.9bpg), FGP: 61.1%, FT: 72.5%; and averaged  5.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 58.8%, FT: 72.2% in the Eurocup. He began his career at Edina high school and then played a total of 114 NCAA games with Illinois State and the University of Minnesota. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 88-69 loss against the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Reggie for talking to germanhoops.com. What was it like seeing the last head to head battle of two legends Paulding and Robertson. For a guy who has only been in Germany a few weeks, could you feel a special aura on the court with them?

It felt like two legends going at each other. I remember when I came to Oldenburg that there had been a lot of talk about Rickey. It really is amazing how long he has played for one organization. It was really nice being a part of this today.

The EWE Baskets Oldenburg suffered a tough 88-69 loss. It was a game that had no meaning for either team. Oldenburg was saved and Frankfurt most likely will move down. Frankfurt had lost so much in the last months. Did you sense like they really wanted it today?

I always try to avoid feeling for a team like Frankfurt that is at the bottom of the standings. You always take a breath and don´t think that a team like that can play well. You have to put those kind of feelings out of your mind. They can always come out with that dog mentality. We didn´t underestimate them. We just weren´t able to match their intensity. We played their game when we should of played our game.

Do you take some blame that Frankfurt really were in control in the paint area as the Frankfurt bigs really produced?

I wish I could of got them more out of rebound position. They got too many rebounds. I made up with shot blocking, but you can´t block everything. We were unable to bring that extra level of speed.

Your in only your fourth professional season, but already playing in your fifth country overseas. Do you sometimes feel like a basketball globetrotter?

I feel like a globetrotter but not in a bad way. There are many NBA players that will never play overseas and experience cultures. They miss out on many countries. I want to see as many cultures as possible. I wouldn´t mind coming back to Oldenburg. I really like it here.

You came very late to Oldenburg on March 30th after playing in Greece and Italy. What was your biggest motivation to finish the season in Germany. With COVID and the war in the Ukraine you could of easily packed up and gone home to spend extra time with family.

I was in Russia last season. This season I wanted to experience other places and went to Greece and Italy that were warmer. There I ran into issues with management and not getting sufficient playing time. It tuned into a hectic season. I always stayed positive and didn´t take any days off. I was always ready. I remembered Will Cummings telling me about Oldenburg and how much he loved it. That was the reason I came.

There are only a few games left. You haven´t seen many minutes. What is your personal goal of how you want to finish the season?

I want to win games and make an impact on the court. I want to protect the paint, block shots and be an offensive presence and be a threat.

What has it been like being teammates with Rickey Paulding. Have you been able to have a real meaningful conversation with him yet?

The first time I met him was when I arrived in Oldenburg. Right away I felt like a reporter talking to a legend. I had so many questions to ask him. I had to ask him why he had played so long there. He just said that the fans and city totally embraced him. He loves Germany. His kids were born here. It all makes sense for him to stay so long there.

You’re a 207cm center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I have shades of Serge Ibaka and Hassan Whiteside. You know guys that play the pick and roll, have a good mid range shot and have a good touch around the rim. But most importantly the number one thing is shot blocking.

You can score and rebound and are an incredible shot blocker. Whatever strengths does your game possess?

My athleticism plays an important role. I can drive, have spin moves, use the hook shot and have the mid range shot.

You averaged more than 3 blocks in the NCAA. What kind of shot blocker are you now and what kind do you want to become?

I feel like I´m the exact same shot blocker that I was in college. The difference is that I´m more skilled now. In college there were many guys that would drive to the basket for the lay up and didn´t care that I was there to block it. Now it is harder to get blocks because the players are smarter. I want to be able to block dunks, three´s and step backs. I just hope that I can keep my athleticism for second jumps for a long time.

After playing your first three seasons with one team per season, your playing with three teams this season. What did you learn from your experiences in Greece and Italy this season?

In Greece I learned a lot about how management works, the physicality, smartness and the players. In Italy the players are smarter and in Greece more physical. Germany is a mix of both. Alba Berlin is a very smart team and Frankfurt also play smart, but are also physical. It was a great opportunity for me to gain so much experience in three countries this season. I gained a lot in knowledge and became a smarter player.

In Greece you played very well against Euroleague team Olympiakos with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. What do you feel is still missing from your game to be able to make it to that level?

I have to become a little more aggressive on offense. Sometimes I rush to much. I need to slow down  a bit and take my time. I also need to cut down on offensive fouls. If I do that then I can expand my offensive game. Defensively I´m already a very good shot blocker. I can become a better rebounder. I have to learn when to go for blocks and when not to. Sometimes I will miss offensive rebounds when I try for a block.

You averaged 5 blocks in your last three games in Greek first division. Do you ever dream about a triple double with points, rebounds and blocks?

I was close to a triple double in college a few times against St Johns and Niagara. It is hard to do at the pro level. It is the easiest to get blocks near the end of games when were up 10 points and guys are just driving to the basket for quick baskets.

Last season you had a solid season with Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia-VTB) in the VTB and Eurocup. How do you feel did you develop further as a player playing in two top leagues in Europe?

I played very well against Kuban in my rookie year in the VTB: I think they liked my play and that is the reason they took me. I played with many very good players like Drew Gordon and Will Cummings. I set screens better, improved my mid range and stayed with 2-3 fouls per game. I also feel like I became better at getting assists.

In 2019-2020 you played with Urania Basket Milano (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 11.3ppg, 6.5rpg, Blocks-1(2.6bpg), FGP: 54.2%, FT: 59.1%. What kind of an experience was it playing for Milan´s second team? Were you able to watch some Euroleague games of Milan and get a better taste of that organization?

We played Armani Milan in an exhibition game and got beat badly. It was a great experience to see how they played. I played a lot of minutes in the second division Italy which was very good for me. Plus living in Milan one of the best cities in the world was amazing.

As a rookie you played with BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (Estonia-Alexela KML) averaging 7.0ppg, 4.0rpg, Blocks-1(1.9bpg), FGP: 45.7%, FT: 68.8% in the VTB League, 10.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5apg, 2.5bpg, FGP: 53.6%, FT: 66.7% in the Estonian League and 13.4ppg, 5.8rpg, Blocks-1(2.2bpg), FGP: 59.1%, FT: 79.3% in the LatEstBL league. What was your wake up call where you knew that you were very far away from home?

My wake up call was getting to Estonia. Before that I had been only in the United States for 22 years. Then all of a sudden I was in Estonia. I had never heard of it. It was hard to realize that I was in a new land. I was overwhelmed the first few months. I realized years later how amazing Tallin had been. I didn´t appreciate my time enough there. If I ever get a good situation to return back to Tallin, I won´t hesitate. I really enjoyed my time there. It was nice to start my career there and play in a high league like the VTB. I got a different feel of the competitive levels as I also played in the lower league in Estonia where we would beat teams by 30 points.

How important was it having American Landon Lucas as a teammate your rookie season? Was he like a mentor in the early going?

I wouldn´t say that he was a mentor, but I got valuable perspective from him and he helped me understand what it took to become a professional player. It was good to be there with a guy like him who had already had one pro season under his belt.

In your third VTB League game you had 11/5/3 stats against Euroleague powerhouse CSKA Moscow losing by 27 points. What memories do you have of facing against the greatest American Euroleague player Kyle Hines? Do you remember any battles against him inside?

Everybody talked about him leading up to the game. I anticipated him to be a Lebron James. I didn´t think that he was that great. In hind sight I know why. They were playing against an Estonian team, so they probably weren´t trying so hard. We still lost by 27 points. They were on another level. I don´t remember him scoring against me. He didn´t have to do much.

You played two solid seasons at Illinois State(NCAA). What memories do you have and do you ever wonder how your career may have gone had you remained there?

Yes I have wondered what could have been, but no matter what, I had no regrets going to Minnesota. I wanted to be closer to home and play in front of family. I played with great players at both schools. Guys that have continued to play professionally overseas and in the NBA.

What memories do you have of your NCAA run as a sophomore? Was the win against Green Bay one of your most memorable there and will you ever forget the 50-49 loss to ODU?

That wasn´t my most memorable game. At that point in my NCAA career, I really had no idea where I was in my career yet. I didn´t understand yet what type of player I was. I was still dreaming and didn´t know I would be a pro one day. I was living in the moment and trying to play each game as best as I could. Every game was very exciting for me. The loss to ODU stung, but we didn´t feel like we missed out on winning the championship. You can´t dwell on loses to much. You have to get ready for the next one.

You then played at Minnesota from 2016-2018.What memories do you have of the 81-71 victory over Penn State where you had 11 blocks? Were you in the defensive zone that day?

This was one of those games where Penn State felt the need to take desperate shots coming into the paint and attempting lay ups. Every time a guy came down and I was getting ready for the block, I was thinking why are you doing this? One after the other were coming at me and I was making blocks. I was in the zone. But I also had a lot of support from my teammates. They were screaming more than I did. Richard Pitino loved my blocks.

How tough was your senior season that ended half way through with injury? What positives could you take from the season?

Before the season started we were nationally ranked for the first time in a long time. We had huge expectations. But we suffered many injuries. Amir Coffey, Nate Maso, I and other guys got injuries. It got out of hand and we weren´t able to live up to expectations. The great thing is that we are all still playing professionally today.

How did head coach Richard Pitino groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Richard Pitino is my favorite coach of all-time. But I have to say that if I had the chance to play longer for Ingo Freyer then he could become my favorite. I really like his attitude. He doesn´t yell to much or is too quiet. He is very visible. He has done a good job helping me become more of a versatile player. Richard Pitino was very down to earth. He understood that we had lives. He made sure we had fun, but when it was time to work, everything off the court remained there. He gave me the freedom to block shots, dunk and just make plays. It was also cool when his dad Rick Pitino spoke to us.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Bakary Konate?

For sure me. But there were days when he had just come from the weight room, it was tough to play against him. But I could block him and use my athleticism for the dunks.

Who is the toughest guy that you faced in the NCAA at your position that reached the NBA?

Fred Van Vleet was definitely the toughest.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Nate Mason, Paris Lee, Drew Gordon, Will Cummings, Chavaughn Lewis

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

Kobe, Jordan, Lebron, Steph Curry

There are so many great centers that have played the game like Russell, Chamberlain, Duncan, Kareem

 or Shaq. Who is the greatest for you?

Shaq

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

I didn´t see it. From what I heard, they should of left it alone.

Thanks Reggie for the chat.

Harald Frey is a 24 year old 185cm guard from Norway playing his first professional season in Germany with BG Goetingen. Last season as a rookie he played with Liberbank Oviedo Baloncesto (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 6.6ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 75.7%. He began his basketball career with  Baerum Basket (BLNO) and then played at Montana(NCAA) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 125 NCAA games and as a senior averaged 16.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 87.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a tough 92-86 loss to Alba Berlin.

Thanks Harald for talking togermanhoops.com BG Goettingen suffered a tough 92-86 loss to the hands of Alba Berlin. What kind of an experience was it for you playing against such a great team?

This was the first time that I played against a Euroleague team. You don´t really know what to expect until you face them. They are a deep team and have good size at every position., I thought that we played well the whole game. But you need to play well for 40 minutes. We played well in good stretches and need to take that into the next games.

BG Goettingen led 53-42 at the break. Did you feel like you played up to the game plan 100%?

Yes I think so. The most important thing for us is focusing on ourselves. You have to make small changes each game. I feel that if we stay true to our identity then we will have good chances to win each game. When an opponent makes adjustments then we also must. Time response is important.

In the second half Alba Berlin took over and scored 48 points. What adjustments did they make on defense?

Alba Berlin got more physical. We had some good looks, but they didn´t fall for us. We weren´t able to capitalize on our chances. They switched more and were better on their ball screen coverages. They are a good team and I have a lot of respect for them.

BG Goettingen had difficulty slowing up Jaleen Smith, Maodo Lo and Tamar Blatt who combined for 48 points. Which player gave you personally the biggest challenge?

They are all really good teams. They don´t play isolation, but they move the ball really well and work well together. All present problems. Smith is very big for a guard, Lo is really quick and Blatt is a good shooter. I was very impressed how well they play together.

New player Jeremiah Brown had another great game with 23 points.  Can a guy like him replace a guy like Kamar Baldwin?

Jeremiah has been amazing. He has been awesome and great on and off the court. We are still trying to build chemistry with him. It is unfair to him that he has to fill the shoes of Kamar. This is a new situation for him and it isn´t easy. We all as a team have to step up and be aggressive. I think that that will make it easier for all.

Your playing your first season in Germany in the easyCredit BBL. You had played against Germany with Norway at the University games. Now that you have been in Germany for some months, what have you appreciated most about the culture here?

It has been a pretty cool experience. The people in Goettingen really care about the team. I have had a good experience meeting many people. They have all been nice and supportive of the team during ups and downs. I like their positive energy around the team.

BG Goettingen has a realistic chance of making the BBL playoffs. What in Roel Moors coaching philosophy has been key in giving BG Goettingen this chance for the playoffs?

Our goal are the playoffs. It was obvious when I got here that coach commands a lot of respect. He is very good at instilling confidence in us. He talks to us all individually. It isn´t always about the x´s and o´s, but having the belief that we can play with anyone.

You came from the Leb Gold in Spain. You really haven´t needed any adjustment. Your playing very effective in your minutes. How much of a role does your basketball IQ play in your personal success on the court?

It definitely has been a little of a change. The BBL is more physical and the guards are bigger and faster. When I face taller and stronger players, I need to find other ways to beat them. That is where my IQ comes into play. My IQ will always be my biggest weapon.  

You have never shot 40% from outside but often been close. Your shooting an incredible 47% at the moment. You shooting 1/5 less than with Oviedo in half as many games. Has shot selection been the secret?

I think that there have been multiple reasons. My role is different and shot selection has also been good. We have the luxury of having many creators and shooters at the end of the shot clock. The looks I have gotten this season have been a lot better and cleaner. The better the looks the better the presenters will be.

With Kamar Baldwin out now, do you see yourself possibly gaining a different and bigger role?

I don´t focus too much on it. I just focus on how I can help the team best. If the team needs more scoring, then I will do it. But if it needs more playmaking, off ball or defense then I will do that. The role isn´t as important, but more being part of a winning team. Whatever the team needs in that game, I will do.

You’re a guard that is able to show your versatility. On what area´s are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game in the next years?

I have to work on my strength most. The BBL is a physical league and I need to attack the weight room. My game is in constant development. I need to improve my ball handling, shooting and reads on the pick and roll.

Last season you played with Liberbank Oviedo Baloncesto (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging  6.6ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 75.7%. How tough was this season coming from the NCAA where you played 30 plus minutes to a situation where you didn´t and didn´t have the same offensive role? Did you have some real professional growing pains?

I wasn´t focused so much on my minutes, but the physical style. It was also the Covid year. I saw many changes with a new culture and language and COVID. I came overseas with many new challenges and all I had to focus on was basketball. Coming over when Covid was there made me stronger and more experienced as a player and person.

You played at Montana State from 2016-2020. Do you ever wonder where you might be today had you remained in Norway and gone a different route?

I have thought about that sometimes in the past, but not much now. When I did go to college, I did have the appeal to go the European route, but at the end, I´m very happy with the choice I made. I got a degree and enjoyed the time at Montana State to get better as a player and person.

What kind of player were you in 2016 and what kind of player in 2020 when you returned back home?

The biggest jump going from Norway to the NCAA was getting used to the physicality. It was the same kind of transition then as it is now in Germany. I became more confident in my 4 years in the States. I feel that the mental part is overlooked. I learned how to deal with  adversary especially in a shooting slump. My mental strength got better over time as well as me becoming a better overall player.

You hit an incredible half court buzzer beater for the 67-66 win over UNC Greensboro. What memories do you have of that game and how often have you watched the shot?

That was a crazy play. I remember it vividly. It was a lot of fun making that shot. We won against one of the better mid major teams. At that time, it was a huge win for us. I watched it a couple of times. I definitely have been asked many times about it.

One of your best scoring games was against Montana in a tough loss where you scored 37 points. Was there any other memorable game you had that you will never forget?

I had a lot of memorable games in the four years. I remember there was a stretch late in my junior year where we had a chance to make a push to make a bid for the NCAA tournament. I had a couple of good games against S Utah and Northern Arizona. I also remember beating Montana as a freshman.

How did head coaches Brian Fish and Danny Sprinkle groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

I learned a lot from both of them. I think that the most important thing that I got from them was that there is more to basketball then just on the court. Sleeping and diet were also important factors. They did a good job helping us grow as men.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tyler Hall?

He is a little bit taller, but I´m quicker. It was a fun matchup. I would say I won.

One of your role models is the legendary NFL kicker Jan Stenerud. You played soccer as a kid. If you had an hour of place kicking practice with him how far do you feel could you then kick a field goal in yards?

I have never tried a field goal. It is crazy since I was at a school that had football. I played soccer growing up. I think that I could be a good field goal kicker with his tutoring.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in NCAA that went to NBA?

We played in a small conference so I didn´t play against many future NBA players. One guy I battled all four years and who impressed me a lot was Jerrick Harding. He became the all-time leading scorer at Weber State. He is a lefty like me. We had so many battles in my four years. He was one of the most gifted scorers I ever played against. He has talent for the NBA. Every player has their own path. I think COVID played a big role why he didn´t get to the NBA. He is dominating in the Czech league now.

Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Will Luca Doncic one day be the greatest in the NBA?

I think so. If he stays healthy. He is amazing.

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

I didn´t. But they probably should of left it alone.

Thanks Harald for the chat.

I remember it was in September 2007 when I saw Ilian Evtimov (201-F-1983, college: NC State) play for the first time in Basketball City Mainhatten in Frankfurt when he was only in his second professional season and first in Germany with the then Deutsche Bank Skyliners where he would spend two seasons. I saw him sink some three’s on that day in an exhibition game against French team Strasburg and right away fell in love with his three point shot. It is funny that a few years later, I would visit Strasburg regularly to watch Evti play. He shot it with grace and I loved his release and jump. I tried to copy it on the playground basket and probably got his jump right, but the accuracy was simply miserable. It didn’t take me long to think of a nickname for my radio play by play calls and had a lot of joy screaming Ilian swishhhhhhh Evtimov whenever he dropped three’s. I really enjoyed following and covering Ilian in Frankfurt and it wouldn’t change after he departed Frankfurt and would continue as his career continued in other countries. It became a habit of mine to see him play with Chalon in Strassburg which was only a two hour drive from Frankfurt. I would of seen him play every season in his incredible six year stay in Chalon, but having games almost every weekend to cover in Germany, it was real lottery to catch a free weekend in my schedule and see him play. But before my Strasburg visits, I was lucky to be able to see him play a Eurochallenge game in Germany in January 2012 against the Telekom Baskets Bonn. I picked the perfect game to watch, because despite losing on an incredible last second shot by Simonas Serapinas, it was one of his best games with Chalon. In the game in Bonn, he was perfect with 21 points on 7/7 shooting. Another great game he had was nailing Hyres-Toulon for 30 points and 9 three’s. But there was one other game that also will forever be stacked in his top three personal best games. ‘The finals of the French cup, I made 8 threes, and one mid distance where my foot was on the line. I won the MVP, and as Greg Beugnot has said, I was the only player that was able to take an MVP with Blake Shilb on the team. Those 3 games remain my best shooting performances as a pro. Bonn was a great game, as I felt I couldn’t miss a shot. And I didn’t. Should of shot more. They beat us at the buzzer with a fade away corner shot after a very difficult pass’, remembered Ilian Evtimov. He played with Elan Chalon from 2010-2016 winning four titles and it was only normal, that the club would remember the 2011-2012 season where Evtimov and co won the triple. But there was also one more incredible ceremony on April 9, 2022 and that was the retirement of Ilian Evtimov‘s number 12. Chalon will always be a second home for him as his number 12 will forever be hanging high above in the Le Colisee.

Ilian Evtimov was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, but also has the French citizenship. He went to school in Sofia and went to high school in Winston-Salem in North Carolina thus getting a grip early on the English language. He then had the privilege to play at North Carolina State from 2001-2006 reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2005 and played a total of 128 games and learned how to shoot the three shooting over 40% in his last two seasons which would become his bread and butter as a professional. He turned professional in 2006 and returned back to Europe and played briefly in Spain with Estudiantes and then played a full season with VidiVici Bologna (Italy-Serie A). He then made the next step and played in Germany for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners from 2007-2009. His first season was incredible as he played 10 ULEB Cup games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 85%; and 44 BBL games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 86.2%. His second season wasn’t quite as good anymore as his coach had issues with his play. He left Frankfurt and continued with Proteas EKA AEL Limassol (Cyprus-Division A) playing 13 EuroChallenge games averaging 10.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 83.3%: FT-2 (90.9%). After a solid but not great season in Cyprus, he had to find a new challenge. But that wasn’t so difficult for him. It is usually coaches that have players on their radar, but usually not players that have teams on their radar. He knew in 2009 before landing in Cyprus that his long term goal would be Chalon. ‘I actually had a very good year in Cyprus, to the point that I had stayed in touch with numerous coaches there. The league was much better than I expected to be frank. But I knew my future was not in Cyprus. The reason I took that job was actually calculated. I saw they we played Eurochallenge, and I saw they played against Chalon. My goal was exactly to do well against Chalon and go there the following season. This is exactly what happened. I had a very good game against them when we played them home, with an over 20 points game’, remembered Ilian Evtimov. He arrived in Chalon in 2010 and one can say the rest is history. If there is one guy that he will forever be thankful for will be head coach Gregor Beugnot. ‘Coach Beugnot offered me the opportunity to come and play in France. I was little known in France despite having a French passport because I had spent most of my time in the USA in college, but also outside of France during my first professional seasons. Chalon is where I found a coach who believed in me, used my skills, explored them, and hid my weaknesses. In addition to this, we had a very complimentary team, where everyone respected and knew their role’, said Ilian Evtimov.

The movie buff who last saw the Money Heist which is the best TV series he has ever watched didn’t waste any time in his first season with Chalon winning the French Cup. He played 33 games averaging 11.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 84.2%. One could see during this season that this was a team with special characters that exactly knew their roles and everyone had each others back. But most important no player was satisfied, but extremely hungry. ‘Everyone on the team had something to prove. The team was assembled with guys that had a chip on their shoulder and wanted to prove they could play at that level. Bryant Smith was Blake Shilb’s back up, knowing that Bryan was the all time leading scorer of the Ulep Cup. I will never forget what he told me. If I am going to be a back up and not even play some games, I will make sure that the person in front of me is going to be the MVP. That’s exactly what happened’, stressed Ilian Evtimov. After that incredible season, one could of expected more incredible feats, but three titles? One could of expected winning another title, but winning three in a season is extremely rare. It is fair to say that the 2011-2012 Elan Chalon team was one in a century team. ‘The chemistry and the ingredients were perfect. We dominated everyone. It was an energy that I had never seen or felt before. You walk in the gym, and the opposing team comes and says hello to you. But with a fear in their eyes. We had totally instilled fear in the opposing teams. Orleans was the team that was the toughest, hard-core, made of men, a little like the Pistons bad boys, and we had to overcome our mental toughness to beat them’, expressed Ilian Evtimov. In the French Pro A league he averaged 9.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT-1 (94.7) and in the EuroChallenge averaged 10.0ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 35.7%, 3PT: 46.0%, FT-1 (95.2%). One of the toughest games that season was overcoming the feisty Orleans squad 85-83 in a do or die semi-final clash. ‘That team was rough, tough, mean, tricky, and athletic. They had all the ingredients to make our life miserable. It was a true chess match between the coaches, each game you saw different strategies, set up, plays, adjustments. The players as well. The fans went nuts. Down 12 with 3 minutes to go, few believed we would make it happen. Coach took a time out, he didn’t yell, he didn’t need the drawing board, he just smiled, laughed and asked us. Alright, it all comes down to this. All year long. All the running, the conditioning, the wins, the losses. You know you can come back and beat this team. So I am just going to ask you. Do you want to do it? There was no extra motivation, extra excitement after these words. Simply, we looked around, looked each other in the face. Said ok, let’s do it and end it so we go to the finals. Stops, tough shots, threes, and the buzzer beater from Blake to top it. It was like in a movie’, expressed Ilian Evtimov. In the final they had less problems against Le Mans that featured top players like Alex Acker and Taylor Rochestie and ex Skyliner Travon Bryant. ‘We were up 20 or 25 by halftime. The media had gone to say Le Mans was going to beat us, they literally screwed them up. We were not to be challenged. After all, we were a bunch of guys with a chip on their shoulders that wanted to prove they belonged. This was playing into what made us great all year. When we started the playoffs, we wrote on the board, 33 days left. From the last regular season game to the last championship game. I asked Brayan if he was ok for us to write that down, so people’s head would be mentality prepared they were not going home for another 33 days. Each day that went by, we scratched a day. Then came the final and the -1, and we knew we didn’t just sacrifice a full month away from home and our families to lose in the finals’, remembered Ilian Evtimov. Two guys that will always be like brothers to him will be Malcom Delaney and Blake Schilb that were so instrumental for the team success that season. ‘Malcom was an extra ordinary player. It was his first year out of college. Obviously he wanted to be the go to guy, but understood there was a hierarchy. Understood Blake was our Michael Jordan. So he plugged himself in perfectly to that, and he excelled and became an even better player. It was obvious Malcom was not going to stay long in France or Europe. To me, he was cheated not being drafted and starting his NBA career immediately after college. The kid knew basketball like a veteran. As for Blake, he is the most complete and smartest player I had ever played with. You would try to overpower him with physique and hacks, he would find a solution. You would try to outsmart him, he would find a solution and be 3 steps ahead of you. You would put a big guy to guard him, he would start knocking down threes. Let’s not forget the 2012 2013 season where he literally killed the Euroleague during the return games. He showed what he was really about’, stated Ilian Evtimov.

The shooting sniper who didn’t think Will Smith’s retaliation by slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars was correct would play four more seasons with Elan Chalon and reach two more finals. He gave the word consistency a new meaning averaging 9,0ppg in the French Pro A and shot better than 40% from outside in three of the four seasons. ‘It is always difficult to lose a final or a final four. Especially when we hosted the Europe Cup. But some teams are meant to overcome challenges, others are built to fold when it gets tough. I had never played again on a team that had the mental toughest we had in 2012’, stressed Ilian Evtimov. He also got the opportunity to play at the highest stage in Europe playing Euroleague. He battled Alba Berlin and remembers the two games. In one game he scored 13 points and in the other put up the goose egg going 0/6. ‘ Frankly I don’t remember the stats. But I do remember being up 15 against Alba in Berlin at halftime. Would we have won that game. We would of advanced to the top 16 which had not been done for a long time by a French team. If I shot 0/6 against Berlin, that means they knew to guard me well meaning I posed a serious threat to them’, laughed Ilian Evtimov. He had so many great teammates over the years. Two other guys that he will never forget were Sheldon Williams and Brandon Davies. Williams played in the State of North Carolina at Duke while he was at North Carolina State then played 6 years in the NBA and then played only one season in Europe before closing out his career in China. While Brandon Davies had his first stop in Chalon after playing briefly in the NBA. He had to pay his dues at first in Europe but since has become an impressive Euroleague player and landed with FC Barcelona. ‘Sheldon and I have tremendous amount of respect for each other. You can find on Google many pictures of us guarding each other in college. He is an amazing person, and an amazing player. In Chalon we spent a lot of time playing together as he played the 5 and I played the 4. We stay in touch to this day. Brandon went through a difficult time when he played with us. He was very very talented but then was sidelined for I don’t remember which reason. I spent a good amount of time letting him know that he was gifted, talented, and that he would bounce back and prove everyone wrong. I am not sure he has great memories from playing in Chalon, but it certainly helped him become who he is today. An amazing player with an unbelievable career’, warned Ilian Evtimov. One weekend that I will never forget was the 2016 Fiba Europe Cup final 4 in Chalon which hosted the event with teams Enisey, Openjobmetis, Fraport Skyliners and Elan Chalon. Everybody in Frankfurt wanted to see Ilian Evtimov battle his former club for the title. But on this weekend the basketball God had other ideas. Frankfurt won the title, but beat Openjobmetis in the final while Evtimov had to watch. ‘I was actually looking forward to playing Frankfurt in the finals. The way I had played against Estudiantes (my professional experience) in 2007 with Virtus Bologna for 3rd place of the Eurochallenge. We had lost to Valencia in the semi finals, they had one of the best teams in Europe with Marc Gasol, Fuscka, Shammond Williams and other superstars. I imagined playing Frankfurt and dropping a 20 point game and a title. But the story turned out different’, remembered Ilian Evtimov.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber having Ilian Evtimov as a guest in his weekly basketball radio show in 2009

So now fast forward to April 2022. The forward who lists his five best Chalon teammates of all-time with Blake Schilb Malcom Delaney Steed Tchicambou Devin Booker and AJ Slaughter had a date back in Chalon. He last played professional three years ago. After his successful time in Chalon, he would get a last nice tour of the beauty of France playing in Cholet, Lille and Roanne. He didn’t totally throw away the basketball in the last years as he would practice with his brother Vassil’s team when they were undermanned. But he defiantly doesn’t miss the game. ‘Basketball travel, the 2 practices a day, and the constant pains 365 days a year. If there is one thing true about bring a professional is that you are never really 100%’, stressed Ilian Evtimov. But he had one more basketball road trip, but this time not to play. Today he lives in Sofia and finally has more time for his family and kids being able to do school pick up duty. He also travels a lot so heading back to Chalon was a normal occurrence even if it would be a very special time. ‘I was very honored and excited. Every kid’s dream is to play professionally, win games and titles in front of thousands of people, being MVP, and hitting buzzer beaters. All of which I accomplished during my career. But having your jersey honored, goes beyond that. It is written in the books forever. My number will no longer be played with. There is no higher honor. Forever Chalon will be my basketball home. Generations down the road, hopefully my son will walk in the Coliseum, for a game to play, and he will look up and feel something special when he sees the name he carries is hanging in the arena. It was truly special to go back.. There was a museum to celebrate the 10 years since the triple title we won. The photos, the videos, the titles, cups brought nostalgia, but more importantly the people welcomed me back as if I had never left’, said Ilian Evtimov.

The ex North Carolina State great got the news some months ago about the 10 year anniversary and jersey retirement of number 12, so there was a lot of anticipation and joy leading up to April 9th. ‘ I was nervous to be honest. Even though it is so honor full, it was still exciting and I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect. They certainly exceeded my expectations with the whole evening. I couldn’t help but get emotional when the jersey was being pulled up. It really hit me at that moment what was being done. The ceremony was very emotional’, explained Ilian Evtimov. He played with so many players and had dealings with so many people over the six years in Chalon that it was only normal that his phone was exploding with love. He received in person congratulations but also via videos from certain people that couldn’t be at the ceremony and also messages on social platforms.’ I haven’t kept count but it was a great amount indeed. I guess what I didn’t realize is how much that year, the team, and myself had impacted the town and the league’, said Ilian Evtimov. The whole night was very memorable and I can’t imagine what it is like to be a player and stand in a dark arena with massive cheering going on and then seeing that number get raised. The goose bumps must be unending. I remember seeing clips of Larry Bird and Kobe being honored on TV and saw Fraport Skyliner legend Pascal Roller seeing his number get raised in the Fraport arena a decade ago. It was only obvious that Evtimov had no remorse to show some feelings and have to wipe tears from his cheeks. ‘The more time goes by, the more valuable the titles and the career accomplishments become. Because it has never been done for a team to do what we did that year. And it had not been done before either. I was seeing in my head the memories, the ups and downs of the season, and even though we remember only the titles speaking of that year, there was a lot that happened that wasn’t la vie en rose. Champions are not made on the ring, they are only recognized on the ring’, stressed Ilian Evtimov. I always wondered why he didn’t finish out his career with Elan Chalon. But sometimes that inner voice knows best. ‘ Sometimes, leaving can be the better move than dragging and holding on. Yes I spent the best years of my professional career in Chalon, even off the court. But a new cycle had started and they went into a different direction. It is hard to criticize that choice as they won another title right after. But the love and warmness of the people and management has not changed. We are people before business, and there is a mutual respect for who we are and what we all accomplished together. The secretary’s job in the office selling tickets was just as important as the players on the court. We were one big family’, said Ilian Evtimov. In six years with Elan Chalon, Ilian Evtimov played 201 France Pro A games and 274 games in total and scored in double figures in 123 games (courtesy eurobasket.com). He scored 2,504 points and nailed 384 three’s. I have seen 1000’s of guys play in my almost 20 year career of covering European basketball and have to say that Ilian Evtimov belongs to my 10 favorite players of all-time that I have covered. I saw him play in every easyCredit BBL city and in Strasburg and Chalon and will never forget his game especially his three point shot. I know that he will never forget his incredible time with Elan Chalon. I’m very happy to been able to see him play with Elan Chalon during that time. He will never be forgotten in Chalon. Thanks for great memories on the court in France and Germany.

With two Playdown game days already history, the fate of the Dragons Rhondorf continues to get more cloudy as remaining in the Pro B next season continues to get more difficult. The loss against the RheinStars Cologne last weekend was extremely bitter as they now had one less win with four games remaining. The next game against the Eimsbuetteler TV Hamburg was a must win for the Dragons Rhondorf as a loss would more have likely sealed their ticket back to the Regionalliga. The Dragons Rhondorf had split the season series with the Hamburg club that only won two games this season and had to find a better way to control Pro B top scorer Mubarak Salami who averages 28,0pg. The incredible scorer who is a one man wrecking crew in the zone had scored 75 points in the first two games and wanted to have another explosive game against the Dragons and did, but he didn’t get much scoring aid from his teammates and witnessed an offensive explosion by the Dragons Rhondorf that featured six players in double figures winning easily 116-74. The Dragons Rhondorf dominated from the tip off and played a well rounded and consistent game for 40 minutes and were rewarded and now are 2-1 in playdown play. ‘We were concentrated for 40 minutes tonight. We didn’t have those phases of not playing well like we showed in so many other games this season. We also cut down on the individual mistakes. We also got a lot of support from our young players and shot at a high percentage’, stressed Dragons Rhondorf captain Paul Albrecht. ETV Hamburg had nothing to play for except pride, but had a tough road as they were faced with mis matches all night long. ‘It was a very tough game, but I’m still proud of my teammates how they played. We were physically undermanned and had no centers today. We always had to help and they got a lot of open three’s. They also rebounded well and used their strengths to their advantage’, stated top pro B scorer Mubarak Salami.

The Dragons Rhondorf were without the Senegal sensation Ousmane Ndiaje for the second straight game, but they really didn’t need him. The Dragons Rhondorf didn’t waste anytime getting into attack mode sprinting out to a 9-2 lead. They attacked inside right away getting easy lay in’s from ex Sandersdorf guard Oshane Drews, a lay in by ex Artland Dragons Paul Albrect and a three pointer by Marek Kotieno. Mubarak Salami then scored his first field goal, but he wouldn’t see much daylight in the first half as he would only score twice from the field. The early plan of the Dragons was to really control Salami and let others produce. That worked well as the Dragons had no problems getting easy baskets inside which were also helped with offensive rebounds. A Paul Albrecht trey and Drews lay in with his left hand extended the Dragons lead to 20-9. ETV Hamburg couldn’t execute so well, but got a key trey by Marcel Hoppe and lay in from 19 year old German Ibrahim Jabby. But they couldn’t dig into the Dragons lead as Rhondorf continued to execute well as ex ANGT player Ralph Hounnou added a trey and Drews added three points on free throws giving the Dragons the comfortable 26-14 advantage after 10 minutes. ‘I felt we moved the ball very well and played good inside out basketball. We also had the edge on the rebounds’, stated Dragons Rhondorf manager Yassin Idbihi. The Dragons Rhondorf shot very well at 42% from the field and 57% from outside while ETV Hamburg shot under 40%. The Dragons had the solid 15-7 rebound edge.

In the second quarter the Dragons Rhondorf continued to execute at a high rate on offense and were able to lead by 20 plus points. They didn’t focus so much on Mubarak Salami anymore and were punished allowing 12 points on free throws to him as they suffered their fifth team foul half way through the second quarter. ETV Hamburg came out pretty strong getting some clutch baskets from young German Ibrahim Jabby as he showed his quickness with a lay in and showed his outside shooting qualities with a trey while ex NAIA player Javk Fritsche made a 20 footer and Rhondorf only led 30-21. But it didn’t take the Dragons Rhondorf long to find their groove again on offense as their lightening execution took off leading them on a lethal 14-1 run to extend their lead to 44-22. In the run, they took advantage of their physicality and inside attack by finding the open three’s and they let it rain three’s. The heart and soul of the Dragons Rhondorf Viktor Frankl-Maus dropped two three’s and Kotieno also connected from outside. The Brasilian beast Marcelo Ruediger also made a runner on transition. The Dragons Rhondorf then suffered their fifth team foul, but didn’t fret but continued to execute on offense. ETV Hamburg gave the ball to Mubarak Salami and he just drove and drove and drove and reached the free throw line 18 times and connected 12 times while also making a lay in. The Dragons Rhondorf also got their share of buckets as they continued to share the ball very well. The team continued to look for big man Ruediger who scored as well as Drews who continued to be unstoppable on the drive scoring twice, Frankel-Maus scored twice including once on transition and young German Eslie Edigin also scored with a reverse lay up to lead 57-40 at the break. ‘We continued to execute very well. We did a good job on defense on everyone except Salami’, stated Yassin Idbihi. Both teams shot 40% or higher from the field and the Dragons Rhondorf continued to dominate the boards 27-14 with the 9-2 offensive rebound advantage while both teams had 8 turnovers a piece.

The Dragons Rhondorf decided the game with a commanding 32-16 in the third quarter. The Dragons offense went up two more notches while the Hamburg defense got weaker and weaker as the physicality of Rhondorf was draining. The Dragons Rhondorf operated right away coming from the dressing room going on a 13-4 run to extend their lead to 70-44. Ex Rostock guard Nicolas Buchholz began the run with a lay in. Drews was in nonstop attack mode scoring inside, Paul Albrecht also scored on a lay in and then began the awakening of young German Esli Edigin (190-SG-2005) who added 12 points in the second quarter and made back to back lay in’s in the run using his extreme quickness and athleticism. He finished with 18 points and played his best game in a Dragon uniform. ‘He was supposed to play at the Addidas Next Generation, but didn’t. To come out and have a game like this is incredible. I’m really happy he played so well’, stated Paul Albrecht. Rhondorf did a super job not suffering let downs or a lack of concentration despite having such a big lead and just keeping focus and consistency. Rhondorf did a good job containing Salami as he scored only one bucket after the run. The Dragons continued to execute easily on offense as if it was a Sunday walk in the park. They continued to drop three’s with consistency as Kotieno and Frankel-Maus scored and Edigin continued to shoot with confidence nailing two three’s. Drews and Kotieno added two lay in’s and Rhondorf had the super commanding 89-56 lead after 30 minutes. ‘Salami scored more when we went to zone. He is a very good individual player. We concentrated more on Hoppe and Fritsche and gave them contested shots’, stressed Paul Albrecht. ‘We were physically tired already in the third quarter. We had to work so much harder. I was fasting and hadn’t drank anything today. We had two shooters up top so I had more room to work, but they played very smart’, said Mubarak Salami. The Dragons Rhondorf continued to shoot at a high clip at 57% from the field and 46% from the three point line while ETV Hamburg shot 37% from the field and 24% from outside. Rhondorf continued to control the boards 39-22 and both teams had 10 turnovers a piece.

The Dragons Rhondorf didn’t let down in the fourth quarter, but continued to add pressure on offense and seriously wore down the guests scoring 27 points. Salami continued to be a one man wrecking crew scoring the first three Hamburg baskets and made a free throw, but they couldn’t make any ground on Rhondorf. The Dragons received 5 points from Paul Albrecht and lay in’s from Drews and Ruediger to lead 98-63. After a Hoppe trey, Ruediger continued to execute getting two more baskets for the 102-66 advantage. With the game more than decided, Dragons Rhondorf head coach Julius Thomas gave more minutes to the young German kids Sam Nellessen and Lars Brodisch and they delivered with two baskets for the 111-72 lead. Edigin played 24 minutes, but probably could have played two more overtimes as his zeal never ended as he netted two more three’s ending the game. But the scene of the game came prior to the last Edigin three pointer as Kai Mueller stood at the free throw line. The young German who had come from the ratiopharm Ulm youth program stood with a big smile at the free throw line. Who would of thought that something so untypical would happen. He sunk the first free throw with the help of the back board and did the same trick again with the second shot. ‘The first free throw wasn’t intended. But the second one was intentional. I remember my teammate Alexander Witte do it in Oldenburg’, smiled Paul Albrecht. ‘We were down by so much in the fourth quarter and our biggest task was to motivate ourselves. I’m so proud of our young guys Jabby, Ceesay and Jardel Fritsche who played so much more than usual and did a good job against the physicality’, stated Mubarak Salami. ‘We had a different spirit tonight. Everybody stepped up and we kept fighting. That was the difference tonight’, added Paul Albrecht. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Oshane Drews with 23 points. Paul Albrecht added 19 points and 14 rebounds while Esli Edigin had 18 points. Viktor Frankl-Maus and Marek Kotieno added 16 points apiece. ETV Hamburg were led by Mubarak Salami with 33 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists while Marcel Hoppe added 21 points. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 57% from the field and 47% from the parking lot and had 53 rebounds and 13 turnovers while ETV Hamburg shot 37% from the field and 20% from the parking lot and had 30 rebounds and 12 turnovers.

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Jaleen Smith (193-PG-1994, college: UNH) is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Freeport, Texas that is playing his fifth professional season and first with Alba Berlin. He played the last two seasons with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg averaging 15.2ppg, 5.0rpg, Assists-3 (5.3apg), Steals-2 (1.8spg), FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 87.5%; and 10.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 82,8% the season before. In 2018-2019 he played with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA) averaging 12,7ppg, 3,9rpg and 2,7apg. In his rookie season with New Hampshire (NCAA) from 2013-2017 where he played a total of 120 NCAA games. He improved his scoring, rebounding and assists average each season and as a senior he played 32 games averaging 15.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 78.1%. He spoke to eurobasket after the 78-73 win over ratiopharm Ulm.

Congrats Jaleen on the big 78-73 win over ratiopharm Ulm. How big is a win like this against a tough Ulm team where you were unable to play consistent for 40 minutes?

They are really good team and they are missing one of their better players at the moment. I’m sure we’ll see them in the playoffs soon.

You swept ratiopharm Ulm this season. You hadn’t seen them in a very long ago. Is this a team that could be a kind of dark horse candidate in the playoffs?

Yeah I think they can be a dark horse in the playoffs. They have a really good team and I believe they are still in the top 4 right now for playoff seeding. Plus they definitely want to send Per on a high note to end his career.

You most likely played your last time against German legend Per Guentehr. What stands out most in your mind in the three years where you battled against him that you won’t forget?

He’s a smart basketball player. I remember a year before I played him, when I was still in Heidelberg, he was shooting these long range three like it was nothing. I’ve always heard good stuff from his former teammates I’ve played with. The league will definitely miss him for sure.

Alba Berlin scored a solid 25 points in the first quarter but allowed 18 points. To how much percent from 100% away was the team away from playing the kind of Alba Berlin offense that coach wants to see?

I mean we come into every game playing our style of basketball whether it be ULM, Munich, or Bamberg. We just try and play our best basketball when the games starts.

Basketball works in funny ways. You led 40-20 in the second quarter and then allowed a 22-3 run to lead only 43-42 at the break. What was most key on the defensive game plan against ratiopharm Ulm that you couldn’t do during this run?

They started being more aggressive offensively and defensively and we couldn’t match their physicality during their run. We had trouble running offense but we picked it up in the second half to win the game.

In the run ex NBA player Sindarius Thornwell scored the first 7 points and 12 points in total in the run. What is most difficult to slow down in his game?

He was drawing fouls really well and he was getting into the paint. Him and Christon was really hard to slow down during their run in the second quarter.

What did coach tell you guys in the half time, that allowed you come out focused and regroup and win the third quarter 27-16?

Just play our game and match there physicality is all. We came out and fulfilled the task really good.

Sindarius Thornwell made it real exciting at the end hitting two three pointers to cut the Berlin lead down to 77-73 with 4 seconds to go. Can one say that the clock was your best friend on this day?


We knew it would come down to free throws in the end but those were some big 3s by him so the clock was our ally in the end.

Alba Berlin was up by 8 points after 30 minutes, but couldn’t muster anything offensively in the fourth scoring only 8 points. A total let down on defense would have cost you the game. What do you feel did the team learn from the last quarter?

We may need to run a little more I think we kind of slowed down in the 4th quarter but it’s basketball it happens that you have those games and that’s why we pride ourselves in our defense for games like today.

Describe matching up against ex NBA player Semaje Christon. How much film do you watch on a guy like that leading up to the game?

I’ll watch the same amount on everyone. Just whenever we watch film as a team to breakdown their team.

Malte Delow had another solid game scoring 11 points. How have you seen his development? Would it be fair to say that he belongs to the young Alba guys that really made a huge step this season?

He’s improved through the year having a lot more confidence in his offensive ability these last couple of weeks scoring really well for us. It’s always nice to see young players developing right in front of you. It’s just a credit to ALBA to what they are doing here with the youth.

With the Euroleague season over, how confident are you that the club will be able to make another step going into the post season with more time for recovery and preparation for BBL teams?

Now the full focus is BBL. I think the whole Euroleague season has just prepared us for the rest of the season to face whatever is going to happen. We’ve seen some of the best in the world and we’ll be ready for whatever any BBL team throws at us.

I guess you won’t catch the Telekom Baskets Bonn, but if things go well could still reach number two. The schedule looks very beneficial for you going into the playoffs with a wining streak.

Yeah were just worried about taking it one game at a time right now and if the games line up for us to take 1 then so be it but we’re still here to improve every way we can to reach the ultimate goal.

You had a solid first Euroleague season averaging 8/2/2. How do you summarize your own play this season? What were the highs and lows?

I’ve constantly improved through out the year. From not having any impact on the team to being one of the key guys to end the season it’s been a crazy 8 months of games but I wouldn’t have done it any other way.

You stepped up your game in the last weeks in the easyCredit BBL. What do you need to do with your game in the last games so you will be ready for the playoffs?

I just need to keep doing whatever the team needs to win these games if that’s scoring, rebounding, running the point, or guarding the best player then I’m ready for the challenge.

What was your personal take on Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock? How would you have handled the situation?

I think it was just a joke he gets paid to do stand up comedy so I’m sure it was nothing offensive about it. Will Smith took it out of context but he was standing up for his wife with a serious condition. So as a man I definitely respect it to defend his wife from the joke but he didn’t have to slap him haha.

Thanks Jaleen for the chat.

Mubarak Salami (198-SG-1996) is a 26 year old 198cm shooting guard playing for the Eimsbuettler TV Hamburg. He also has gained experience playing with clubs like VfL Stade, Itzehoe Eagles (ProB), Basketball Club Rendsburg (Regionalliga), TSV Neustadt temps Shooters (Regionalliga) and the TKS 49ers RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf (ProB). He has belonged to the top Pro B players the last two seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Mubarak for the chat. Where are you and how is basketball life treating you?

I’m in Hamburg at the moment, enjoying the time I still have here and continuing to work on my game.

It’s been a tough season for Eimsbuettler TV Hamburg. The team moved up from the Regionalliga into the Pro B and will move right back. When you began the season would you have believed if somebody had said the team would only win 2 games?

It’s really been a very tough season for us. Of course our goals were to win more games, and personally I was definitely hoping for more, but we just didn’t have the conditions, especially financially, to really do much, the league is too strong for that.

Is there some consolation that Hamburg isn’t as bad as pro A team Ehingen? They won only 1 game until now. When you lose so much do does one ever get used to winning?

It’s no consolation that we didn’t do as badly as Ehingen. I always want to win and if I don’t win I don’t take the right to look at other people and say how bad they are. I look to the best because I want to be the best

The team averaged 72 points per game and allowed 95 points. Why couldn’t the team ever find an identity on the defensive end?

We have a very small rotation so there is a big load on a few shoulders and we get tired quickly. Defense is mostly a gamble and you can’t play defense when you’re tired. In addition, we have difficulties, especially on the positions 4-5 against the teams, which means that we constantly have mismatches

You got easyCredit BBL offers before this season. You remained in Hamburg to help out your family. How beneficial was it playing another season in the Pro B where you upped your game again?

Because I played another season in the Pro B, I was able to work and learn a lot on my game through the many playing experiences. However I’m very hungry to learn more at a higher level as I don’t think I’ve shown everything I can do yet. I didn’t know much about basketball until I was about 15/16, I just gambled without thinking and threw the ball in the basket

Let’s talk a little about your game. You were a street baller growing up. Who were your German basketball role models growing up?

I really only knew Dirk Nowitzki, Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant at the time and wanted to be like them because the three of them just wanted to win like me.

You’re a 198cm shooting guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

If I had to compare myself to an NBA player, it would be something between James Harden and Luka Doncic because they are also relatively tall, strong guards, but they also pass very well and can rebound although of course they do it on a different level.

You have been a scorer for many years. What is your secret to having unstoppable moves on the drive?

Back then, I mainly developed my scoring moves through instincts while gambling. And when I realized how good I can actually be, I worked a lot on these moves and developed them further. This resulted in some unconventional moves that are not easy to defend.

In the last two years you have really upped your assists. Talk a little about the development of your playmaking skills?

Lately I’ve been trying to learn a lot from Luka Doncic, James Harden and LeBron James and how they can steer the game and their passing qualities so I’ve found passing more and more fun.

Your three pointer continues to be a work in progress. Your averaging almost 8 turnovers a game. How do you see yourself being able to control that in the easyCredit BBL?What is your biggest problem with taking care of the ball?

I take a lot of heavy threes in the game and also a lot late in the shot clock because I have a lot of responsibility. As a result, my rate suffers extremely. It’s similar with the turnovers, because I have the ball in my hands for almost the entire game and am doubled at every opportunity. It’s often good and correct passes that I play that can’t be used because we don’t have a very broad base. Still, I need to get a better handle on these things and I’m confident that I’ll improve that a lot at higher level.

Hamburg head coach Sukran Gencay discovered you. In all the years that you have worked with her, what do you feel has been the most vital thing she has helped you with your game?

Above all, Suekran helped me to take basketball seriously, to see it from a different perspective and to show me what potential I have. I grew up in a rather bad environment, didn’t trust anyone, used to be very wild and messed up a lot. Suekran had a hard time with me, but over the years I’ve learned to express my emotions with basketball and to put my strength into it. That was the lesson I needed the most besides what she taught me on the basketball court of course.

You have moved around a lot already in your young career playing in Stade, Itzhoe, Rendsburg, Neustadt and Stahnsdorf. How have all these places shaped you as a player and person?

I gained a lot of experience by getting around a lot, which I also needed! I was still at the very beginning of my basketball and human development. Because I got to know many different people and characters, I was able to learn a lot

What memories do you have of your time in Itzehoe? How influential was a Pat Elzie for you as a young player?

When I was at Itzehoe we had very strong players there and Pat Elzie is an incredible coach. It was my first time getting to know organized basketball and Pat taught me an incredible amount in a short time. I am very grateful to him for that

You were teammates with experienced guards Kosta Karamatskos and Flavio Stuckemann. Did one of these guys turn into a mentor in the time that you were there?

With Kosta and Flavio I also met real leaders on the field for the first time. They dealt with all situations very differently, much more professionally. I also took a lot from them for my future path.

You played two seasons in Neustadt and made a huge jump in scoring in your second season. How do you feel did your game grow in that last Regionalliga year for you?

In my second year in Neustadt, I mainly improved physically and also learned a lot from Allen Ray Smith, who is now training the Pro A team in Bremerhaven. He definitely helped me in my leap as a scorer to the next level!

Who is the toughest player that you have played against in your career so far on the court?

Probably Niklas Geske and Justus Hollatz. Not because they score a lot, but because both are incredibly smart guards who control the game and give the team what they need with a winning instinct. And I like players who always want to win.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

The best players I played with were Abdulai Abaker, Jack Fritsche, Flavio Stueckemann, Kosta Karamatskos and Sevastian Abundance.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My Mount Rushmore: Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Allen Iverson. These are also the ones who serve as role models and inspire me the most

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

I don’t like this debate because we should just appreciate the basketball they’re playing, and I don’t think you can compare the two either. Both are goats and I am grateful to them for what they have given to basketball. But if I HAVE to choose, I will always choose MJ. Simply because I can personally identify more with his I don’t care who is in my way or what you thinking/saying I will win attitude.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I saw part of it and I find it very difficult to take up classics again and do them justice anyway because it’s too difficult and never works anyway. That’s why I think they should have let it go and stayed the classic-classic.

Thanks Mubarak for the chat.

The current playoff run by the EPG Baskets Koblenz hasn’t been anything near a cake walk, but moreover a real struggle against the Iserlohn Kangaroos. Koblenz were lucky to have escaped game one with a 73-70 win and not already home for an early summer vacation, because their disappoint loss in game two in Iserlohn where they mustered only 61 points set up a do or die game in Koblenz. Despite having a very deep and talented roster, scoring has been a problem all season long and especially in the last four games where they lost three times, they averaged only 65 points, but at least they were still defending well. A day before Good Friday, the EPG Baskets wanted to close out the playoff series against Iserlohn and advance to the next round, but also knew that Iserlohn would give a good fight. The do or die game was a real defensive struggle as no team led in double figures, but in the end the atmosphere of the Koblenz fans coupled with ruthless aggressive defense for 40 minutes was too much for the Iserlohn Kangaroos as the EPG Baskets prevailed 68-63 and will next play Duesseldorf or Oberaching. ‘We had a lot of ups and downs. But we showed good character. They are a good team, but we defended well. The difference to game two was that tonight we defended consistently. We had this mentality not to let this be our last game’, stressed EPG Baskets Koblenz center Brian Butler. Iserlohn that had 50 plus fans behind them gave a spirited effort and didn’t quit until the siren. ‘The difference tonight were too many turnovers. You can’t have that many in an important playoff game like this. We began well, but we struggled in the third quarter and they came back and got confidence. They then were able to play their game and play fast. We made their job easier with turnovers’, warned Iserlohn guard Toni Prostran.

The Iserlohn Kangaroos got off to a rapid start leading 5-2 as Prostran hit a trey and ex Dragon Rhondorf center Alexander Moeller made a lay in. Ex Giessen guard Lucas Mayer gave Koblenz a lot of energy in the first minutes getting a loose ball, offensive rebound and lay in. But the EPG Baskets Koblenz then got some real spark from ex easyCredit BBL player Dominique Johnson (194-SF-1992) who hit back to back three’s for the 8-5 Koblenz advantage. But it didn’t take Iserlohn long to grab the lead back as Moeller connected on an old school hook shot and ex G-League player Tidjan Keita made a massive tip in dunk for the 13-10 lead. Koblenz couldn’t take advantage of Iserlohn’s second string and Prostran on the bench. Koblenz were too inconsistent showcasing their strength transition and when they did they couldn’t connect. Both teams suffered their ups and downs as Koblenz finally took advantage of Iserlohn losing some intensity and getting a huge trey from German forward Niclas Sperber and steal and lay in from Johnson for the 16-13 advantage. But as usual the EPG Baskets Koblenz were unable to close out the first quarter strong as they allowed young German Moritz Schneider to sink a deep three to tie the score at 16-16. ‘This was a real defensive battle. Our three’s weren’t falling and we were a little unlucky with lay ins. But as usual our defense was strong with good rotations’, stated EPG Baskets Koblenz manager Thomas Klein.

The second quarter continued to be a real tight rope battle as despite the EPG Baskets Koblenz having a 5 point lead, they couldn’t keep it and even allowed Iserlohn to escape into the break with the four point lead. Iserlohn got the first bucket of the second quarter as German Moritz Huebner made a hard one hand dunk on penetration for the 18-16 advantage. Koblenz then had one of their best offensive phases of the game as they escaped out on a 9-2 run to lead 25-18. Ex Georgia Tech guard Shembari Philipps connected on a 20 footer and then like usual came the basketball feeding time of Brian Butler as he was hungry for baskets and made three in a row and a free throw. It is no lie that when the ex Ehingen center comes on the floor, good things happen. Unfortunately he soon had to depart again as he suffered three fouls. But Koblenz wasn’t able to hold their lead long as Toni Prostran took over leading Iserlohn on a brutal 7-0 run. He hit a trey and set up Keita twice with world class passes making a perfect long lob pass and then a no look pass for the 27-25 lead. Koblenz was able to dead lock the contest at 27-27 with a Sperber left handed lay in, but they couldn’t shift the momentum. Iserlohn got an open three from shooter Joshua Dahmen and another trey from Moritz Huebner. Despite the two three’s, Koblenz did make life extremely difficult for Iserlohn for most of the game really not allowing easy looks. Moeller made one free throw at the end as Iserlohn led 33-29 at half-time. ‘Our offense was weak. We weren’t able to do two key things in our game with attacking and transition. We defended 1-1 well, but our off ball wasn’t good’, stated Thomas Klein.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz found back to their game in the third quarter stealing the lead back and holding it and leading by five points after 30 minutes. Koblenz upped their defensive intensity giving Iserlohn nightmares making them turnover the ball in their first four possessions. On offense this led to a 7-0 run as they executed with a quick trey by Dominque Johnson and lay ups from guards Marvin Heckel and Lucas Mayer for the 36-33 advantage. Koblenz was focused and attacked the rim and played transition and made Iserlohn struggle in the half court offense. Despite Johnson making another three for the 39-35 lead, Iserlohn continued to chip away and had real good efficiency making tough shots as German Emil Loch scored inside and Ruben Dahmen made a trey to tie the game at 40-40. The EPG Baskets Koblenz had an overall better execution rate on offense and were able to get away again going on a 8-2 run to lead 48-42. In the run, they received huge support from German athletic freak Jacob Mampuya as he steered home 7 points. He only played 12 minutes, but showed his versatility with 4 assists and 3 steals. Toni Prostran made a vital lay in to cut the Koblenz lead to 50-45 after 30 minutes. ‘We did a good job to get a good cushion when Prostran was out. We were able to play quick and had a way better offensive rhythm. Mampuya also gave us important impulses’, stated Thomas Klein. ‘We have struggled a lot in third quarters this season. They defended very well. They switched well and Butler and Johnson are very good 1-1 defenders. We couldn’t find a way to get easy shots’, stressed Toni Prostran.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz were able to control the game better in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t totally shake Iserlohn. Koblenz led only by 3 points with less than minute to go, but somehow survived. Koblenz got off to a good start getting some big baskets from Heckel, and Sperber for the 55-48 advantage, but Iserlohn never collapsed. Despite losing energy, they somehow were able to stay on their trail despite always having to work so hard for their points. The EPG Baskets Koblenz on the other hand got a lot more easy baskets and could conserve their energy better. After a Huebner lay in, Heckel used his speed and athleticism for an easy transition basket and 57-50 Koblenz lead. But Iserlohn always had an answer. Joshua Dahmen free throws and a Keita 20 footer to cut the Koblenz lead to 57-54. After a Mayer lay in and Huebner trey, Butler stormed back thrusting home a big two handed dunk and 61-57 Koblenz advantage with 1,50 to play. Heckel then added a lay in for the 63-57 lead and the CGM arena was in pandemonium. The last minute was a free throw clash between Prostran and Johnson. Prostran made a surprising steal and lay in with little time remaining, but that was it. Johnson poured home two clutch free throws to end the game. ‘We held our nerves. It was a great game. I think the support of the fans gave us the extra spark at the end to win the game. Our strong defense was the difference today’, said Brian Butler. ‘We got a little tired in the fourth quarter. They made big shots and played great defense at the end’, stated Toni Prostran. The EPG Baskets Koblenz were led by Dominique Johnson with 24 points and Brian Butler added 11 points and Marvin Heckel 10 points while the Iserlohn Kangaroos were led by Toni Prostran with 18 points while Tidjan Keita added 14 points and Moritz Huebner 11 points. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 38% form the field and 27% from outside and had 32 rebounds and 10 turnovers while the Iserlohn Kangaroos shot 39% from the field and 25% from outside and had 43 rebounds and 22 turnovers.

Toni Prostran (183-PG-1991) is a 31 year old 183 cm guard playing his second season in Germany with the Iserlohn Kangaroos. He began his basketball career in his home land for KK Zadar and also played with KK Zagreb. He left Croatia in 2014 to gather new experiences in other countries like Sweden, Portugal and France. He also played in the Greek first division and first division in Lithuania. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a do or die game in Koblenz.

Toni thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball treating you?

Hello to all germanhoop.com readers I am very thankful that you decide to make an interview with me. I am right now in Germany (Iserlohn), basketball is treating me very well and at the moment I feel the best.

On Thursday is a do or die game in Koblenz. Are you a bit angry the team didn’t win game one in Koblenz losing 73-70? With a win there, you could of already been a round further?

Yes , we had big chance to beat Koblenz in the first game, but that is basketball, we made little bit more mistakes and I have really big respect for them, so they deserved that victory,

The EPG Baskets Koblenz are very talented and can score. What was key in game 2 to holding tis explosive offensive team to only 61 points? How confident are you that Iserlohn will have a good stacked deck of cards on Thursday? Will Iserlohn have an enjoyable pre Easter trip back home Thursday night?

Before the second game we watched video from the first game and we saw that Koblenz scored 20 fastbreak points and that was the key. We stopped that in the second game, and then our defense was much better, and I think that is the way how we need to start the game, and hopefully our shooting will be little bit better so I think we have a big chance to beat them again but for sure it will be a great game to watch it and also to play

You played Eurocup at age 17, played in first division in Croatia, Greece and Lithuania. Your 30 years old and in your prime and last season almost averaged a double double. Why are you playing in Germany Pro B? Do you feel like you haven’t had the respect of higher league teams the last few years.

That was my decision to move to the Iserlohn Kangaroos. Before I sign here I had 2 options from LKL and also two offers from Sweden and one from the second Spanish league. Also last summer after my first season with the Kangaroos and during this season I had a few offers, so I think it is not that I don’t have respect, but it was time to think about family. I did a lot in my career and my pro career was always first, but my daughter started to get older, and it was time to think about her. I didn’t want that I am in Lithuania and my wife and daughter in Croatia because of daughter’s school and every year changing school. It is not fair for her so that summer I was looking to find an option where I will be happy because I still want to play basketball while on the other hand that my wife and daughter stay with me. If you put on the side KK Zadar, Cibona , Split who didn’t offer me , other teams in Croatia have problems with the budget, so my friend and ex teammate Jozo Brkic told me about the Iserlohn Kangaroos who was there for 2 years and told me great things about it.

How blessed are you to be playing in Iserlohn and getting the trust of Michael Dahmen? What have you enjoyed most about the organization in Iserlohn?

I talked with Michael Dahmen and he was super nice and when I explained to him what my reason was to come there he and his wife ( Zlata) who is also working in the club helped me a lot , to me and my family, and I can say that this is for sure my 2 best seasons ,not because of basketball, but because we feel here like at home and that is for sure because people from the club help us. I really enjoy to be here and also I am coach of the U16 team so I think with my experience I can also help a lot the young guys, and that is what I will like more in the future.

You’re a scoring point guard that can dish out many assists. To what NBA player would you compare your game and are guys like Spannoulis and Teodosic role models for you?

If I need to compare with myself with those type of guys, I think I am more a type of PG like Teodosic in Europe and Chris Paul in the NBA. I like that the ball is in my hand and that I control the game, play a lot Pick and roll and what is most important for me is to make my teammates happy and try to help them to put them in the best situation on the court.

You can fill the stat sheet like no other. The last two seasons you were close to a triple double. What is missing from achieving that? Maybe you have to ask some of your bigs to let you get a few more rebounds? Lol

Hahah yes , during my career I was so many times close to make triple doubles but big guys definitely made me problems. I should talk with them, that is for sure on my list to do it.

In 2019-2020 you played with Saint Vallier Basket Drome (France-NM1) playing 26 games averaging 7.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 4.4apg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.3%. When you look back what do you feel were the reasons for you not dominating more in the French third division? Did the athletic game not fit your game as much?

That season I played only 17 minutes per game so I think 7.4 pts and 4.5 ass is ok for the role I had. There were a few games where I had 10 assists for only 16 minutes played, but that season Saint Vallier had 10 really good players, and we all shared the minutes, and when I signed there I knew which role would be mine. In that moment after a bad injury and bad luck in Porto that was best for me honestly. I am really sorry that because of corona we finished the season earlier. Also I think if I played around 25-30 minutes I would have had verry good stats similar to here, because I like to play with athletic guys because it is easier to make assists. It was a really good experience for me, so many good players and guys. Saint Vallier will stay in good memory for me also because of the fans and people from the club. I am still in contact with so many people from the St. Vallier and I was really happy when they made it to Pro B.

In 2018-2019 you played with FC Porto (Portugal-LPB) averaging 8.7ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 66.0%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 79.3%; and played 6 FIBA Europe Cup games averaging 9.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 28.0%. What kind of an experience was it playing for such a famous organization? What memory from this season will you never forget?

The season with FC Porto was a season which I felt most sorry for. I played with so many teams in the Euroleague and Eurocup, but FC Porto has for sure the best facilities and a super organization. I will give you one example. I had a muscle injury , so next door from our locker room, the doctor checked me with an ultrasound. After that he sent me to the MRI which is in the FC Porto clinic which is part of the gym and soccer stadium. When I got the result my physio Fabio start with the therapy, so that was everything in one hour. Then in the gym you have jacuzzi, sauna, cold pool, for the therapy. Everything what you can imagine, and after practice you can choose which protein bars you want. Then you go on the trip and you have special food. It was so super super professional. I came to Porto i think in the best shape ever. All summer I practiced with my brother and I felt perfect. I remember in a pre season test in Porto I was very good and one of the best, but after 10 days of practice I got hit in practice and had a big rupture, so the doctor said that I need to be out for 5 weeks. Every professional player knows how bad it is to miss preseason practice ,and especially for the PG like me, so I was back one day before our firs official game. I played some games really good, but because we played Fiba Cup and Portugusee league i didn’t have time for the practice so I was out of the shape, and then in March after one practice, I had a bad ankle injury that I had to stop for the rest of the season. In general I have very nice memories but i am sure if I had stayed healthy that season would have been my best season for sure, but that is life so I am thankful that I am healthy right now.

You began the 2017-2018 season with Kolossos H Hotels (Greece-A1) playing 6 games averaging 5.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 57.1%, 3FGP: 22.7%, FT: 66.7%. What kind of an experience was it being teammates with talented point guard TJ Bray who retired very young. Was he able to benefit a little from your court vision?

The season in Greece was a great opportunity for me, but I think I made mistakes that I didn’t stay one more season in the LKL, but everything happens for a reason. T.J Bray is a very nice guy, great player and I am really sorry that he is not still playing, but also that season we had a very good team and it was a good great experience for me.

You played 16 minutes against Euroleague powerhouse Olympiakos scoring 2 points in 16 minutes. Was this team from the talent one of the best you ever played with with numerous ex NBA players and great Greek players? What memories do you have of this team Olympiakos?

I remember that game. I scored my first points against Printzeis and I was very proud , but like you say great team with great players, and for sure one of the best teams I played against that season. I also remember the game against Panathinaikos and the matchup with Nick Calathes and my best game against Aek. That season they won the Fiba champions league and we beat them in Rhodos and in that game I scored 13 points and had 6 assists in 22 minutes.

In 2016-2017 you played with Nevezis Kedainiai (Lithuania-LKL) averaging 11.0ppg, 2.5rpg, Assists-1 (7.0apg), FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 76.1%; and played 15 Baltic League games averaging 9.2ppg, 2.4rpg, Assists-1 (9.3apg), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 64.7%. Was this one of your or your best season as a professional stat wise? You led 2 leagues with a high assist rate in high leagues?

I’m very proud of my season in Lithuania. It was definitely my best season. I’m sorry that I didn’t stay longer in the league. It perfectly fit my style of game.

How much did your game profit from the Lithuanian league? It seems like playing with high IQ players helped your IQ?

It is very hard to play there because every team makes great scouting for other teams and players so that season for sure made me better. That season I showed that I can play at a high level. I will always remember my first game against Zalgiris , and other games against Rytas, Lietkebelis ( that season played Eurocup) and games against Juventus and
Pieno where I had 15 assists. Also I am proud of the fact that I made a Baltic league record with 17 assists in one game against Barcy. I have really great memories and the LKL league is for sure one of the top leagues in Europe.

You played in Sweden from 2014-2016 with teams 2015: Norrkoping Dolphins (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 16.2ppg, 2.9rpg, Assists-2 (6.3apg), FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 83.7% and with BC Lulea (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 15.1ppg, 3.3rpg, Assists-1 (7.2apg), FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 74.7%. This was your first time away from your home land Croatia. How important were these two seasons for your further basketball development?

That was a great decision from my side, because I was looking for a place to play where I will have lot of minutes, key players, and the move to Sweden was so good for me. I think lot of people underestimate the league, but if you watch that league first you can see very nice gyms with great atmosphere , very good players and so many good players come from the first league. When I am watching the Swedish national team I am very happy to see so many players who played with me or against me and now they are in top leagues in Europe. So in those two seasons I was in top 5 of the league by eurobasket.com and that season help me a lot for the LKL.

Is the 74-73 loss to Uppsala in the playoffs were you were stopped well after having three good games against them prior to game four one of those loses you will never forget?

Yes that game was my worst in Sweden. We were down 2-1 and went to Upssala. That game I scored 26 points, but a few days after I played terrible and we didn’t make it to the semifinals. We had that season a very good team with the best big guy Jocke Kjelboom, great experienced schooter Mike Linquest and American 4 man Dominique Morrison. If you look at the Uppsala roster were also great. That series was so fun to play, but I am a little disappointed about my last game but Norrkoping will always stay in my heart because 2-3 days after my last game against Uppsala my daughter born there.

You began your career with KK Zadar. What memories do you have of your early basketball schooling? What memories do you have being teammates with 16 year old American Corey Brewer who was an incredible player at Oklahoma (NCAA) but never made the NBA. Was he one of your first contacts with an American in Croatia?

Corey Brewer is the best American player I played with. For me being a 16 years old guy it was so important to have that type of guy. He taught me a lot of tricks which I used during my career. He is a great person. Last year we talked little bit by facebook. I will always remeber him.

Another player that you were teammates with in young years was the great Croatian point guard Rok Stipcevic. What memories do you have of him and the battles? He was 5 years older than you and just starting his career. He is still active today.

Rok is a hard worker, so for me it is not surprising that he is still playing at a high level. A lot of young players need to follow him and look to take care of your body. Everything he was able to make in his career was because of his work attitude. I have a lot of respect for him.

In those first years you had many coaches with Sagadin, Pleslic and Petrovic. How beneficial was it in young years to have had so many coaching philosophies help shape your game?

During my career i had a lot of great coaches and about everybody I can say a lot, but definitely Zmago Sagadin was the best. When you are young you sometimes don’t understand why it is important to take care about some details, but he opened my eyes for sure. Before him basketball for me was just to take of the ball and try to score. After that I started to read the game and then I saw the other side of basketball, and right now as I am older I understand everything what he did. The way he prepared for the game, drills what we did helped me a lot in my career. After that I always was best in assists of my team and also in leagues. That is for sure is his credit. I didn’t leave Zadar because of him, but for another reason.

You already played ULEB Cup at age 16 with KK Zadar. What are your early memories of your 7 games. Do you remember playing against some really famous players at that time? Were you in awe or could you keep your emotions intact?

Yes Uleb Cup will be always be a good memory because I scored my first points in senior basketball against Turow and my game against Strasbourg when I scored 12 pts in 16 minutes. At that time Uleb was so good, and unfortunately we lost against great team Pamesa Valencia.

You then played two seasons with KK Zagreb from 2009-2012. What memories do you have of this time? You were teammates with Mario Kasun and a young Mario Hezonja. Was it apparent in 2009 that this guy could get to the NBA?

KK Zagreb was the season after I was the best PG at Fiba WC U19 and Fiba EU U18. I decided to sign for KK Zagreb which was great for the young players, so that season they brought in the best young players from Croatia, but then they changed their minds. They signed so many good players with big contracts and won the Croatian league and after that played Euroleague so there was not much space for us young players to have playing time. Also I had surgery and I played for the second team and I practiced with so many good players. In Zagreb we had a lot of great players. Damir Mulaomerovic in his prime time was one of the best PG in Europe. Some others were Krunoslav Simon , Damir Rancic, Saso Ozbolt, Luka Zoric, Sean May , Damir Markota and others , also Mario Kasun, nba player. When you watched him on the TV you can can get a little bit scared because of his tattoo and the way he played , but he is very nice guy, and he always joked with us young players. I have a lot of nice stories from from KK Zagreb but it is better to keep some for myself. But it was really fun to practice and the share locker room with so many great players. – in Zagreb. I played with two great talents Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja, super guys great players. I am so proud and happy when I see how good they made their career they make. They still have a lot of seasons ahead. I hope Dario will come back soon from his injury and continue in Phoenix, and about Hezonja I think for me he is the best player in the Euroleague at his position. Both are great guys and they didn’t change during these years.

You then returned back to KK Zadar from 2012-2014. Getting minutes in your homeland wasn’t easy. Was this a reason why you then headed to Sweden and since had a great career away from Croatia?

After Zagreb I went back again to Zadar. Honestly it was hard for me, because I lost 2 years and to play in the Adriatic league without confidence is hard, but my first year after I was back I will remember because of great chemistry we had during the season. We beat Eurocup team Cedevita in the semi-finals in a great atmosphere. But yes, like I said before, the reason I left Zadar and moved to Sweden was because I wanted to be a key player.

You played against so many great players in these two seasons like Leo Westermann, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Igor Rakecevic, Bracey Wright, Michael Gelabale, DJ Strawberry, Justin Hamilton, Jusuf Nurkic, Dario Saric, Tarence Kinsey and Joffrey Lauvergne. These are some of the incredible guys you played against from 2012-2014 not too mention all the others the seasons before. Is there one guy you will be telling your grand children about?

I really played against a lot of great players and it’s crazy when I look back and think about that but definately when I will have grand children I will talk a long time. My TOP ones are Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas, Even Fournier, Tyshon Taylor, Dean Musli , Nico Pappas , Nicolo Melli , and Can Mutaf

You were teammates with Romeo Travis. He was a great player and funny guy. Do you remember him telling Lebron James stories?

Rome is great guy. We talked a lot about LeBron because I am a big LeBron fan, so I was so happy when I heard that Rome would sign for Zadar. There were so many good stories about their days oi high school and also LeBron put on his Twitter our game against Partizan when Rome made the last points for the win.

Who was the greatest player that you ever played against?

Like I said before, I played against so many great players, but the best is Klay Thompson. I played against him at the U19 Fiba WC in Auckland.

Please mention your five best teammates of all-time?

I will put players with which I like and played with the most in practice and games. 1- Corey Brewer (KK Zadar) 2- Damir Rancic ( KK Zadar, KK Zagreb ), 3- Ivan Batur ( KK Zadar, Cro U16, U18, 19) 4-Mario Delas ( Cro U18, U19) 5- Jaruan Burrows ( BC Lulea)

Will Luka Doncic one day be the greatest player in the NBA?

I think Luka Doncic is already one of the greatest player ever in the NBA. He is an amazing player, great court vision, and i enjoy to watch him.

What was the last movie that you saw?

I just watched the Godfather for the 100th time.

Thanks Toni for the chat.