After two long years where youth basketball was really put to the test and suffered, the NBBL playoffs are finally back as COVID had cancelled the playoffs the last two seasons. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners are back in the playoffs, but didn’t have the greatest season and weren’t rewarded with an easy playoff opponent, but instead had to deal with the mighty FC Bayern Munich who came into the playoffs with a 10-3 record. Frankfurt did a great job in their first meeting at home holding the game open for along time, but then losing a 59-53 nail bitter. In the return game in Munich some weeks ago, the Bavarian squad wasn’t as generous tearing them apart 90-39 letting it rain three’s connecting on 12 and shooting 54% while Frankfurt shot a dismal 1/17 from the parking lot. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners had amends to pay and sought revenge in game one in basketball City Mainhatten but it was another long working day for Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners as turnovers punished them for the whole 40 minutes as at the end it was 30 as FC Bayern Munich cruised to the comfortable 84-56 victory. ‘I felt that we moved the ball better and had better team basketball than in the game in Munich recently. We had too many turnovers. It wasn’t so much their press that gave us difficulty, but more the 1-1 defense. I felt we showed in the first and second quarters that we could play with them’, stressed Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners guard Bennet Schubert.

FC Bayern Munich exploded in the first two minutes, but then cooled down as Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners retaliated and made the game even and exciting. Fc Bayern Munich came out aggressive and explosive going on a lightening 10-0 run. In the run, they received two three’s from JBBL champion Sebastian Hartmann (193-SG-2004) and a lay in fromNBBL champion Luis Wolf. The turnover party began for Frankfurt as that led to easy baskets from the guests. But Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners fought back upping their intensity, buckling down on defense and executing well on offense as they let it rain three’s. They got some quick baskets from Joscha Zentgraf and Alexander Lagemann and really big buckets from youngsters Leif Zentgraf and Barnabas Bode as both had two apiece carrying the team for a few minutes helping them only trail FC Bayern Munich 17-16 after 10 minutes. ‘Bode has made a fine development this season. His shot has improved as has him carrying the ball forward’, stated Bennet Schubert. Both teams had combined coughed up the ball 12 times. FC Bayern Munich shot 46% form the field and 60% form outside and had 6 rebounds and 5 turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners shot 60% from the field and 75% from outside and had 6 rebounds and 7 turnovers. ‘The 10-0 Munich run was the best motivation for our comeback. We wanted to start strong, but couldn’t. We got back into the game with fight’, warned Bennet Schubert.

In the second quarter it was back and forth for a few minutes as no team could escape the other, but sooner than later FC Bayern Munich would take control of the game and never lose it again. Schubert and Serbian point guard Aleska Vucetic traded baskets in the first minutes as there would be four lead changes. FC Bayern Munich then got a big energy bucket from 15 year old Dominik Dolic that began a FC Bayern Munich run of 11-0 as the guests led 31-20. FC Bayern Munich got further support from Temoka Dongmo who hit a 20 footer, Hartmann who made a two handed dunk and Amar Licina lay as his quickness stifled Frankfurt all afternoon. The aggressive Munich defense plus their press kept Frankfurt off balance as they couldn’t find a solid rhythm. Frankfurt would find tiny spurts throughout the game, but overall couldn’t find a consistent rate of execution. A Lagemann trey and Joscha Zentgraf lay in off a back door pass from twin Leif was one of those moments where Frankfurt was tough, but they couldn’t keep it for longer periods of time to compete with FC Bayern Munich. The 5-0 Frankfurt run cut Munich’s lead down to 31-25, but the guests prompt stopped their punch with a massive kick and 8-1 run to scoot into halftime with the nice 39-26 lead. In the run FC Bayern Munich executed their offense well and got many different types of buckets. Hartmann showed a guard can get an offensive rebound and make the put back, Georg Mast executed the pick and roll perfectly with a lay in and Munich’s best defender Robbie Groh scored inside on a nifty bullet pass from Vucetic., ‘We couldn’t stay consistent. Whenever we had good phases, they would punish us with easy baskets on our turnovers’, stressed Bennet Schubert. FC Bayern Munich continued to shoot very well at 54% from the field and 57% from the three point line and had 14 rebounds and 11 turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners shot 41% from the field and 44% from the three point line and had 12 rebounds and 16 turnovers.

FC Bayern Munich kept control in the third quarter and would extend their lead to as much as 19 points. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners began well forcing FC Bayern Munich to three straight turnovers and began with a 5-0 run to cut the guests lead down to 39-31 as Lagemann dropped a trey and Dusan Nikolic scored on transition. But it was the same story as whenever Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners had a strong phase of 1-2 minutes, they couldn’t build off the momentum and were plagued by mistakes. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners allowed FC Bayern Munich on a 12-2 run to extend their lead to 51-33. In the run FC Bayern Munich damaged Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners in the paint getting lay in after lay in as Frankfurt was unable to give proper resistance. FC Bayern Munich got two baskets from Vucetic, one from Licina and from Temoka Dongmo. Schubert scored a lay in and then made a trey as Frankfurt trailed only 51-36. Then came another good phase from Frankfurt as that Schubert trey began a 10-6 run to close out the third quarter and be back in striking distance trailing the heavy favorite only 57-43. In the run Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners got needed aid from Bode with a trey and a floater from Julian Haskins and a lay in from Allessio Santagati. The big bull Temoka Dongmo gave Frankfurt problems as he scored at ease. ‘He is a strong guy. He didn’t overpower us, but just got by our trap. Team defense wasn’t there to slow him down’, added Bennet Schubert. FC Bayern Munich shot 55% form the field and 36% from the parking lot and they had 22 rebounds and 16 turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners shot 46% form the field and 41% from the parking lot and had 17 rebounds and 21 turnovers.

FC Bayern Munich closed out the fourth quarter overpowering Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners with 27 points while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners added only 13 points. FC Bayern Munich didn’t waste anytime and kept their offensive execution going on a potent 17-7 run to decide the game early leading 74-50. In the run FC Bayern Munich did a good job sharing the ball. Georg Mast led the charge with 8 points and two three pointers, but guys like big man Tarik Idriz contributed with 3 points, Vucetic hit for three and Dolic made a lay in. One could see that Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners shifted down a gear. It wasn’t easy having to combat against so much experience and talent as FC Bayern Munich has. Many of the guys on the floor are guys that play Pro B. FC Bayern Munich did a good job overpowering Frankfurt as fatigue also kicked in and turnovers never stopped. FC Bayern Munich didn’t let up, but closed out the game well and in style with a 10-6 run. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners got a basket from Schubert and free throws from Joscha Zengraf while FC Bayern Munich got most of their damage from Licina who scored 8 points in the run. ‘We had a bad start into the fourth quarter, but still gave our all until the end. We continued to turnover the ball a lot and give them easy points. It is hard to come back when you keep doing that. Also our offense execution didn’t work’, explained Bennet Schubert. FC Bayern Munich had five players in double figures and were led by Sebastian Hartmann with 19 points and Amir Licina had 15 points and Maxwell Temoka Dongmo added 12 points while Luis Wulf added 11 points. Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners was led by Bennet Schubert with 10 points while Joscha Zentgraf had 9 points and 7 rebounds. FC Bayern Munich shot 57% from the field and 42% form outside and had 31 rebounds and 23 turnovers while Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners shot 42% form the field and 41% from outside and had 24 rebounds and 30 turnovers.

The inconsistency of the Dragons Rhondorf continue as the last weeks have shown that winning just isn’t in their DNA. After winning three gameis n a row at the start of 2022 and where some dreamed playoffs, the team couldn’t hold the momentum and lost five of the last six games including a bitter 85-78 loss in Hamburg last weekend a game they had to win. The troops led by head coach Julius Thomas still had a very minimal chance for the playoffs, but Iserlohn had one win more, but two more games to play and had that last 8th place at the moment. Rhondorf met the talented Wedel team which is the farm team of BBL club Hamburg Towers who were resting in third place with a record of 12-8 and absolutely destroyed Rhondorf in the first game of the season 88-48. Rhondorf were battling injuries, got creamed on the boards and coughed up the ball 27 times in that game. The Dragons had amends to pay and had revenge on their minds as they welcomed Wedel into the Dragon Dome and played a lot better than in the first game, but had no response on how to control Hendrik Drescher (204-C-2000) and Martin Jelic who combined for 48 points and made defensive life difficult for them all night long. ‘We began well as usual, but then after a few minutes our energy goes down. It has been like that all season long. When things don’t go our way, we have problems winning. Little mistakes have broken our neck all season long. Coaches have told us all season how well we play, but we can’t win games when we have so many turnovers’, stated Dragons forward Paul Albrecht. SC Rist Wedel overall played a solid game. Here and there they had some down phases, but overall always had an answer when Rhondorf attempted a run. ‘Our defense was key for the win. We played good pick and roll defense. Our help was very good and our communication and we were able to stop their three point shooters’, stated SC Rist Wedel guard Jordan Walker.

The Dragons Rhonsodrf as usual began strong taking the quick 7-2 advantage. The Dragons defended aggressively from the tip of forcing the guests to three turnovers. On offense young German sniper Nicolas Buchholz found his rhythm right away with a trey and they got Paul Albrecht involved in the post as he scored two buckets. But Rhondorf couldn’t hold their rhythm and momentum allowing Wedel to claw their way back into the game. Before the Dragons knew what had happened, the guests cruised out on a 14-4 run to take the commanding 16-11 lead. In the run, they stepped up their defensive intensity getting in Rhondorf’s passing lanes. Jordan Walker was a menace who got three steals including an easy transition basket. They also let it rain three’s as 2018 NBBL champion Hendrik Drescher hit two three’s and Martin Jelic also hit a trey. The offensive rhythm of Rhondorf was gone as the turnover disease returned. SC Rist Wedel continued to keep their offensive rhythm and close out the first quarter in style. Drescher and Jelic scored again while Jordan Walker finished a beautiful two hand dunk. Marek Kotieno closed out the first quarter with a buzzer beater tap in, but Rhondorf trailed 24-19. ‘They defended our short rolls well and our passes didn’t reach their destination’, stressed Paul Albrecht. SC Rost Wedel shot incredibly well with 73% from the field and 60% from outside while the Dragons shot 44% from the field and 33% from outside. Rhondorf had the slim 8-7 rebound edge while both teams combined had 12 turnovers.

SC Rist Wedel kept up the pressure at both ends of the court in the second quarter and were able to briefly lead in double figures. Jelic and Albrecht started the second quarter trading three’s, but Rhondorf couldn’t keep up. Wedel continued to be carried by Drescher and Jelic who did a good job sinking their three’s. Birthday boy Ousmane Ndiaye who turned 18 made a smooth floater, but the Dragons still trailed 37-28. The Dragons demonstrated early on that Paul Albrecht would be the go to guy as he scored two buckets while Martin Jelic who at 22 years has a high IQ beyond his years also scored twice as the Dragons couldn’t make any ground trailing 42-32. Even if Rhondorf was doing a good job getting rebounds, they did have problems on the box out as they couldn’t come to terms with the guests physicality. In the last minutes, Rhondorf got some key baskets from German Oshane Drews and two from Kotieno, but Rist continued to score as well as Jelic scored as did Walker on the buzzer leading 47-38 at the break. ‘They did a good job taking away our three. They had Buchholz under control. They denied well and we couldn’t get our passes to the destination’, stated Paul Albrecht. SC Rist Wedel continued to shoot the ball at a very high clip shooting 67% form the field and 70% from downtown while the Dragons were at 44% from the field and 25% form downtown. Rhondorf continued to control the boards 17-14 and both teams had combined 23 turnovers 12/11.

SC Rist Wedel continued to control the game as the Dragons Rhondorf just couldn’t get over the hump. SC Rist Wedel began with a 4-0 run as German Linus Hoffman made a lay in and ex Long Island (NCAA) center Aurimas Adomatis scored in the paint and the Dragons Rhondof countered with a 5-0 run as Drews scored and Paul Albrecht but Wedel still led 51-43. Frankl-Maus free throws cut the Wedel lead to 53-45, but then as usual small mistakes gave the guests a quick 4-0 run to get the lead back to 12 points. An easy Sredojevic lay in where there was no 1-1 defense as that has been a massive problem this season and Jelic lay in put the Dragons come back on hold again. Rhondorf kept pressing getting a huge trey from Ndiaye and Drews free throws, but Hendrik Drescher always had that dagger ready and pierced it through the Dragons heart as he made a left handed hook shot and three pointer to put their lead at 64-52. 17 year old Lithuanian Simonas Paukste made a lay in to end the third quarter with the 66-52 Wedel advantage. Both teams kept scoring. They always had an answer to when we scored’, stated Paul Albrecht. ‘We did a good job sticking together. We stuck to our defensive game plan staying aggressive and on offense created for each other helping us keep the lead’, said Jordan Walker. SC Rist Wedel still shot well at 59% form the field and 47% form outside while Rhondorf shot 39% from the field and 22% from outside. Rhondorf continued to have the 26-22 rebound edge, but had 16 turnovers while Wedel had 13 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter SC Rist Wedel did a good job keeping the pressure on, but the Dragons Rhondorf had one last energy push and were close to getting over the hump, but a little mini run by Wedel helped seal the victory. The Dragons Rhondorf began very well going on a 16-7 run to cut Wedel’s lead down to 73-68. In the run, Nicolas Buchholz finally got going scoring 8 points and finding his range from outside again scoring two three’s. Rhondorf also got some easy baskets as Drews made a pretty two handed dunk, Sam Nellessen scored on transition following a Ndiaye block and Frankl-Maus also scored on transition getting the touch down pass from Drews. Ndiaje also added a tap in as he showed aggressiveness on the offensive board. But with crunch-time there, SC Rist Wedel shut the door on Rhondorf with a brutal 6-0 run to extend their lead to 79-68. Hoffman began with an old school hook shot which was followed with a transition basket from Walker and Jentz lay in. Two more Jelic baskets and Drescher free throws kept Rhondorf at bay as their would be no more comeback on this night. ‘Basketball is a game of runs. We knew that they would get their time, but we kept our composure. We knew that if we stuck to what we did best that we would come out on top’, warned Jordan Walker. ‘We did too many individual mistakes. Our defensive philosophy has to do with each guy having a role and needing to preform it correctly. If one guy doesn’t do their job, then our defense doesn’t work’, added Paul Albrecht. SC Rist Wedel were led by Hendrik Drescher and Martin Jelic with 24 points a piece. Jordan Walker chipped in with 15 points. While the Dragons Rhondorf were led by Paul Albrecht with 19 points while Oshane Drews added 17 points and Nicolas Buchholz 15 points. SC Rist Wedel shot 53% from the field and 41% from the parking lot and had 31 rebounds and 16 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 42% from the field and 23% from the parking lot and had 39 rebounds and 21 turnovers.

In the last month, Sean Evans (203-PF-1988, college: St.John’s) basketball life has turned a severe 180 degrees in which he had to be very mentally tough as he experienced so many things. I bet there are countless players who wonder what it would be like about writing a book about their whole career, but I could imagine when the 21-22 season is finally over 33 year old warrior Sean Evans might even contemplate writing a book. I remember talking to him shortly before Christmas 2021 and he was so excited and elated about his team and season with SC Prometey Kamianske (Ukraine-Superleague) as they were riding an undefeated season. But little did he know that things would change drastically. If I would have had some incredible fortune telling abilities and told him he would be in Germany playing for top team ratiopharm Ulm a few months later, he would of probably hung the phone up on me and yelled, ‘what you smoking man’. ‘I would not have believed it because my goals were set on winning a basketball champions leagues title and another Ukrainian league title so to hear I would be in Germany would be hard to believe. Life comes at you fast and the way everything got flipped upside down is crazy I don’t think anyone could of predicted this with the war’, stressed Sean Evans. He experienced how war was approaching to the Ukraine, then fled the country with his club to the Czech Republic to train exclusively for the Basketball Champions League until the league was cancelled. His big dream of possibly wining the double in the Ukraine was harshly squashed, but not for long as he followed other teammates and joined a new team with ratiopharm Ulm. He didn’t need long to come up with the perfect title for his book. ‘I would name it ‘I couldn’t imagine ‘ And it would be crazy it would be about all the things I could not imagine happening that happened to me and my teammates, my team and the people of the Ukraine this season’, stressed Sean Evans.

Let’s back track a bit back to before war had broken out in the Ukraine on Feb 24th. The American from Philadelphia was struck with a tough injury and was out almost two months. In that time, he had a lot of time to really feel the tension growing in the Ukraine. ‘We heard rumblings about there being a possibly of war early but didn’t really pay any real mind to it’, remembered Sean Evans. His last game he played before war broke out was one that he will never forget. It wasn’t just a blow out against Chersaky, but a mega blow out of 60 points. ‘That game against Cherkasy was actually my first real game back. It was a fun game: Everybody was clicking and making shots ,guarding and flying up and down the court and it was a great game to be a part of but you’re right I don’t think I’ve ever been part of a professional team where we won a game by 60 points’, stressed Sean Evans. He played 21 minutes and contributed 12 points, 4 boards and 3 steals. But on the next day Valentines day, his basketball life would take a severe turn. The club was feeling that war was drawing nearer and that the Ukrainian Super League would be in danger of being completed. But they were still in the Basketball Champions League competition and at least there could still be alive of winning a title. They could play their games on neutral ground. They departed the Ukraine on Feb 14 to go to the Czech Republic. From then on his temporary home would be the Czech Republic. They even played a game against Romanian team Cluj Napoca losing 92-81 where he steered 10 points in 19 minutes. But that would be his last game with the organization. With the war in full swing, the club decided it was best to withdraw of the Basketball Champions League and give their full attention and resources to their home land. ‘We got the news about the situation with the team closing down. It was kind of crazy and shocking to us all. We didn’t see it coming and now our special season is officially over as far as us being a team together’, said Sean Evans. It is difficult to imagine how tough it must be for a competitor to have to throw away such a special season. ‘It’s very disappointing very disappointing that we had to withdraw from basketball champions league. We had a very special group, a very close knit team and very experienced. We were having an amazing season and we had high expectations. I believe we’re going to go far in basketball champions league. We were two wins away from advancing to the top eight so it was tough to see it all get taken away from us’, stressed Sean Evans.

The forward who sees NBA player and NCAA champion Kemba Walker as his toughest foe in school wasn’t even in the Ukraine when war broke out, but actually back home. ‘We had a break in the season so all of the foreign players went home so I’ll actually was back in the states when the war officially started. What was going through my mind was sadness for my teammates sadness for my team and their families. You know the Ukrainian people in general I feel for the whole country that was so good to me the past 2 seasons. It was a very crazy day when the news broke’, remembered Sean Evans. He was never in the war zone when it broke ship, but still any guy could have been freaked out. He was able to keep a level and calm head. ‘The thing about it is I never feared for my safety when I was in the Ukraine or when we moved to the Czech Republic. I always felt safe and they did a very good job of taking care of us when it came to that situation and as far as how I think about war now it’s kind of crazy to think about it because you never expect to be so close and almost hands on with the war and to be so close to it just put things in perspective of how fast things can change’, warned Sean Evans. Most Americans got out of the Ukraine before the war started, but there were also other guys like Mike Caffey and Maurice Creek who stayed, but thankfully got out, but had interesting and challenging ways to get out. ‘Our team took very good care of us and got us out of there a lot faster than most teams but I did reach out to Maurice Creek who was stuck in the Ukraine for a long time. I just let him know that he had my assistance in anyway he needed it and told him he can reach out to me if he needed anything’, commented Sean Evans.
When times get tough like having an injury or when you’re a rookie getting over homesickness or not having a local Mcdonalds, you can always need teammates who can sooth you and get you past the rough stretches. But how must it be feel like when a country is close to war and you’re an American? But with the team Promety, the closeness of the teammates was already there early on which helped them be so successful. ‘I’m very close with my American teammates. I don’t think the war brought us closer or further apart, but I think we always had a close team. We all enjoyed each other’s company so I think everything stayed solid throughout the whole process’, remembered Sean Evans. It sometimes seems like a cliche that Americans only mingle among themselves, but over the years I have heard from many Americans that they can form long lasting relationships with players from other countries. Maybe 10-15 years ago, Americans stayed with each other more, but now in 2022, clubs are united and have so many different nationalities that guys have found together better. ‘It’s typical that Americans stay with the Americans and locals stay with the locals but that wasn’t the case with this team. This is one of the best teams I’ve been on as far as the team itself and the people. We had a great locker room where everyone got along with everyone. Every one hung out with everyone. It was a very very special team that’s why It’s so sad to see it go out like this’, expressed Sean Evans. In the weeks leading up to war, the American could sense the fear and worry among his Ukrainian teammates. He has only admiration for how they were able to deal with the tough situation. ‘I think naturally it brought us a little bit closer because I felt for them and it was impressive to see how strong they were through the process being able to continue to come to practice continue to play games when some of their families ,wife’s ,kids were stuck in a country that was in war and at the moment they didn’t know when they will see them again so my respect for them grew even more because being able to continue to do this shows a different type of toughness which I’m not sure everyone has’, warned Sean Evans.

The American who balled at St Johns (NCAA) and was 2-3 inches away from the NBA saw so much hardship in the last weeks and it could have been more than understandable that the whole turmoil would have affected him mentally, but just like on the court, he has been a rock. ‘I am fine with it mentally. I’m more concerned with my teammates that are from Ukraine that are missing their families their homes and don’t know when they will return that’s what’s on my mind it’s not about my mental health, but it is more about their’s. I think about them a lot’, warned Sean Evans. He has been able to stay cool, but how must it have been for his loved one’s back home who must have been glued to CNN 24/7. ‘I think sometimes it is worse on them than it is me being in a situation because they don’t really know how I’m being treated and if things are OK. They can only go off what they see on the news and things like this and sometimes the news isn’t the actual picture of what’s going on so I can understand how it’s hard for them’, replied Sean Evans. It is only understandable with all the turbulence that he has seen recently in the Ukraine, that he doesn’t wake up every morning with the same views on life. ‘The last couple of years have been definitely tough and different times it definitely makes you look at life different and like I said before you have to realize how fast things can change and never take things for granted that’s what I’ve learned this past couple years’, stressed Sean Evans.

The American who has played over 300 professional games in countries like Korea, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Argentina, and Macedonia season isn’t over. It will continue in Germany with ratiopharm Ulm. Even with war effecting the world now, he can’t just hang his head in the sand like an ostrich. Life goes on and he is still playing basketball at a high level and has to feed his family. Something like this horrible war in the Ukraine won’t make him shun Europe from continuing to play the game he loves. ‘ I don’t think something like this with war normally happens. I always do my homework on whatever team I join but you cannot predict something like this’, said Sean Evans. Many guys who played in the Ukraine have found new teams to close out the season. He had the opportunity to do special things with Promety and with new team ratiopharm Ulm could do the same. They could be a team that could make a run in the playoffs as teams might not have them on the radar as much. ‘To be able to go from one great team to another is for-sure a blessing and it gives me the opportunity to continue somewhat towards my goals of winning another title I’m excited to join the team excited to meet the fans and do what it takes to help reach the top of the mountain’, warned Sean Evans. He was parts of two fruitful seasons in the Ukraine and he will never forget his time there. The connection with everyone that he had contact with will always be with him. ‘I’ve definitely made bonds with a lot of different people from teammates to drivers to coaches chefs, fans , Front office. You name it. I’ve made a connection with these people the past 2 seasons so to see the team go like it did is definitely sad because we built something really good here and to see it go away like that and to not know when you might see some of these people again if ever is definitely a difficult situation to deal with’, stated Sean Evans. Everyday when he wakes up in Germany, Sean Evans will have the Ukraine in his thoughts. ‘To all the people of Ukraine I will keep you in my prayers I continue to think about you all the time. Continue to stay strong you will get through this and be stronger for it. And to the fans of the team I hope we will meet again we will miss you filling up the arena cheering us on. I hope to return the team to the top spot one day where it rightfully belongs thank you for everything. Until we meet again’, warned Sean Evans. The people of the Ukraine will always be in the heart of Sean Evans.

Terrell Harris (191-G-1993, college: Georgia Coll., agency: Players Group) is a 28 year old 190cm guard from Indiantown, Florida that finished his fifth professional season and second with the NINERS Chemnitz (Germany-ProA) averaging 11,4ppg, 3,3rpg and 3,9apg. He will play his sixth professional season with the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. In 2019-2020 in the Pro A with the Ninners he averaged 14,1ppg, 2,6rpg and 5,0apg. In 2018-2019 he played with the Rostock Seawolves (Germany-ProA) averaging 13.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 66.3%. Three seasons ago he played with the Svendborg Rabbits (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 24 games averaging 17.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 71.6%. In his rookie season he played with the Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-ProB) averaging 18,1ppg, 4,3rpg and 1,8apg. He started his basketball career at Mars Hill (NCAA2) in 2011 and then moved to Georgia College in 2012. As a senior he played 29 games averaging 24.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 4.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 76.8%. He concluded his college basketball career winning the All-PeachBelt Player of the Year 2016. Harris spoke to germanhoops.com after bowing out in the Fiba Europe Cup to Leiden.

The Hakro Merlins Crailsheim suffered a tough 85-77 loss to Leiden and are out of the Fiba Europe Cup. With what kind of an approach did the team go into the game having won only by 3 points?

We go into every game trying to win by executing the game plan no matter who we play.

What is your personal opinion of this format? A game three would of kept you alive.

I can’t argue with the format they came to us and we beat them, we had a chance to beat them there but didn’t. Give them credit they played a good game and won on the point differential.

The first quarter was tight. Did you see Leiden make any new adjustments on TJ Shorts who still couldn’t be stopped?

They pretty much had the same game plan from the first game. Tj made the correct plays and passes myself and others were able to take advantage of open shots.

The second quarter continued to be a real dog fight. Leiden hit a late 3 to lead 53-49. Why couldn’t any team get away from the other?

It was a dog fight all the way to the end. No lead was safe from neither team. Basketball is a game of runs.

TJ Shorts went out injured in the third quarter. One saw after that just how valuable he is. How difficult is it to play good team basketball without him?

Anytime your best player goes out it’s hard to adjust right away but we had no choice.

What is the status on him? Will he be ok?

He has to be evaluated that’s all I know. He should be ok though.

You then took over at the point. How much of a challenge was it getting thrown into cold water? You know how to run the point, but with a Shorts around don’t need to worry about it usually.

Nobody was expecting that to happen but it did. So I had to take over the one. I could’ve still brought us home with a win, but we had some crucial turnover that allowed them to open the game. I will watch film and move on. Have to do whatever the team need of me.

Leiden made a run in the last three minutes as Maarten Bouwknecht gave a huge spark. Did Leiden find a better defensive routine without Shorts in?

They didn’t do anything different. They took advantage of the turnovers we gave to them including myself.

Leiden did a super job keeping the double figures lead for the most part. Crailsheim came back a little in the last minutes, but it wasn’t enough. Leiden gave up 28 points in the second half. Was that success more on them or because Shorts was out?

They played good the entire game. We did struggle when TJ went out on top of missing open shots we usually hit.

Were the 14 Leiden offensive rebounds the biggest thorn in the side of Crailsheim on the night?

Rebounding did hurt us along with open shots from cutting and etc.

Leiden got huge support from Maarten Bouwknecht. What was toughest to slow him down?

He played very solid for them. He hit all the open shots he needed to hit.

The Hakro Merlins played a strong Fiba Europe Cup. What is your summary of how the team played and what positives did it gain that will help them in the last months of the season?

Yes we won some good games and had a lot of ups and downs. We built chemistry and trust on the road. We played in a lot of countries throughout this time. For sure thought we had the team to win but unfortunately it didn’t work out that way. What if TJ didn’t get hurt will always be there but we have to move on. We have a competitive German league waiting on us.

You played a very solid Fiba Europe Cup competition averaging 12,2ppg, 3,3rpg and 3,0apg. What did you enjoy most about the competition and does the whole experience get you excited to do it again next season?

I had some solid games, it was very fun to play against teams from other countries and the experience of playing in two leagues. You have to be ready at all times. Every team is good or can be beaten. If given the opportunity I would love to play in another European competition next season.

The Fiba Cup Final 4 is set with Baaken, Leiden, Reggio Emilia and Turkish team Bahcesehir. Will Emilia and Bahcesehir make it to the final or could there be an upset?

All teams are good and can be beaten. Best of luck t everyone.

The Hakro Merlins Crailsheim now have 2 games in 4 days with Chemnitz and Bamberg. You don’t have much time to regroup. How is the team moral? Currently you have a 3 game BBL losing streak. What will be key for getting back on track?

This team moves on. We don’t dwell as players on games. We are aware that we have a tough schedule ahead in the BBL so no need to dwell on the past. We will get back to the drawing boards and figure things out.

What is your opinion of Tom Brady returning? Was the whole retirement thing a PR gag?

Best of luck to Tom Brady and his family he can do whatever he wants, he earned it.

Thanks Terrell for the chat.

Tag

John Murry (192-G-1995, college: Austin Peay) is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Indianapolis, Indiana that is playing his third professional season in Germany with BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga). Before that he had experience with the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans. He played two years at Owens Community College playing 63 games and two years at Austin Peay State University (NCAA) playing 56 NCAA games and as a senior averaged 16.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 81.1%. He and Miles Schmidt-Scheuber talk weekly about basketball.

Congrats John on the huge 83-72 win over Deutzer. How does it feel sweeping a club in this tough season?

It feels great, another top 5 team that we have defeated. It was important for us going into this week to take care of business on the road and maintain the momentum finishing up the season.

The team has it’s first two game winning streak of the season. Are things finally beginning to click for the team?

It is finally clicking with players being able to play and also having a 8 man rotation which is something we have struggled with during the season due to injuries and corona. I feel like guys are back enjoying the game of basketball now and playing up to their full capacity.

You have three games left. Is there still a mathematical chance that the team can remain in the Regionalliga.

Yes as long as we take care of business these last 3 games at home and on the road we should be okay for the standings.

Talk a little about the game. What were the keys in crunch-time for Grevenbroich getting the victory?

Just taking care of the ball and making shots, when we are NOT turning the ball over and making our shots we are a very tough team to beat.

It seems like Grevenbroich is learning how to win with a short rotation. You had 7 guys and the opponent 12.

Yes since it’s something we have struggled with since October so I tell guys before the game we are all we got, so let’s look out for each other and take care of business.

Was winning the battle on the boards the biggest key with the defense? Both teams shot poorly from outside.

Yes the battle of the boards but also it’s the taking care of the ball on offense, we are a team that can score a lot of points and with us limiting TO’s we can use extra possessions on offense to capitalize late in games.

You had another great game with 33/9/5 stats. Was this just a ok game or a good game? You have very high standards of yourself.

I wasn’t very happy with my free throws and 3 pt% as you know I’m very strict on myself when it comes to my performance so that’s something that I will look to correct next game for sure.

The next game is against Leverkusen 2 who you lost to 87-72 this season. What will be the key to win?

Taking care of the ball and making shots down the stretch, if we can limit our turnovers and take smart shots on offense, this will be a very good win for us moving forward this weekend.

Thanks John for the chat.

Cameron Hunt (192-G-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) is a 24 year old 192cm guard from Duncanville, Texas playing his third professional season and second with s.Oliver Wurzburg. Last season he averaged 11.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT-8 (96.6%). He played his rookie season with TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB) playing 19 games: Score-1 (21.7ppg), 4.9rpg, 4.4apg, 1.7spg, Blocks-3 (1.2bpg), FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 88.2%. He began his basketball career at Duncanville High School and then played 4 years and 137 NAIA games for Southwestern College KS and averaged an overwhelming 31.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.8apg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 88.6% as a senior. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the massive 69-61 win over the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Cameron for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the big 69-61 win against the Fraport Skyliners. Is it sometimes easier to go into the second game in a season after having lost a tight first game?

We didn’t try to think about the first game coming into this game. We are a different team than the first game. We are more confident now.

It’s always great beating FC Bayern Munich, but seriously was the win last weekend against Crailsheim the biggest of the season considering where you are in the standings?

I think so. We are a team that is fighting to remain in the league. So to be able to get a win against a playoff team like Crailsheim was huge.

The first quarter against Frankfurt was tight in the early going, but Wurzburg got away in the last minutes. How valuable is it to be able to get vital support from Germans like Felix Hoffman and Julius Boehmer?

It’s big time getting that kind of production from them. They know their roles very well. Felix does a great job defending, rebounding and getting the 50/50 balls. Julius is still a young player, but he is playing with a lot of poise.

In the second quarter Wurzburg was able to get away. Was sharing the ball and just be unselfish a good recipe to success?

Yes for sure. We have some guys that can really score the ball. If we share the ball well, then we will have a good result.

Wurzburg did a good job on Will Cherry in the first half. Are the Fraport Skyliners too dependent on the ex NBA player?

Yes. He was our main focus. They look for him. We made sure to key in on him. We protected the paint more, because they don’t have shooters.

In the third quarter the Fraport Skyliners were able to step up their game closing out the quarter with a 11-5 run to trail only 54-45. What was key for them to get back into the game. The new guy Marcel Ponitka gave them some needed energy.

He made some key plays. Their energy got them back into the game, but we did a good job weathering the storm.

Guard Charles Callison gave the team big spark in the first minutes to preserve the lead. What has it been like playing with him? You guys harmonize well together on the court.

I love to play with him. He is a guard that likes to attack and takes a lot of pressure off me. He is still new in the league and learning but he’s been great.

Wurzburg was up by 13 and seemed to have win in the bag, but Frankfurt made one last 7-0 run. Were you guys too sure about the win?

We were too relaxed at the end. Frankfurt is fighting for their lives and just made the game closer than what it needed to be.

The Fraport Skyliners and Giessen now are the two main teams to move down. What was your impression of Frankfurt? Have they stagnated since they beat you the first time?

I think that Frankfurt was better the first time around. Jamel Mclean is a big part of their offense now. Their lack of shooting is really hurting them. Everybody key’s in on their drives. The mentality is also playing a big part as it has for us. I can only imagine what they are going through.

How good was it beating MVP candidate TJ Shorts? Were you extra motivated to play against him and win?

We were really ready to go against them. We felt like we could of beta them in the cup game. Shorts is the heart of the team.

It’s been a very tough season for s.Oliver Wurzburg. You suffered a brutal 12 game losing streak that put you in the cellar. Had you ever suffered a long losing streak like that in your career?

No I have never experienced a losing streak like that ever. Once you get 6 or 7 loses in a row, you get the feeling that it is impossible to win again. Now we are starting to taste winning again. We feel like we have quality now. We want more.

The team is a lot better than it’s record. You lost six games by 5 or less points. How can one explain crunch-time blues on a team that has so much experience?

I think our biggest weakness this season has been crunch-time. You saw it again tonight against Frankfurt. We were up 12-14 points and let them cut it down to 5 points in 2 minutes. We need to lock in more during crunch-time.

What kind of an experience has it been playing with Alex King? You were 7 years old when he already won a BBL title?

We actually talked about that today him winning the BBL title. That puts in perspective just how long he has been around. He has been very helpful for the young players. He helps us through tough situations from how he experienced it.

What has it been like playing with a guy like Aussie Craig Moeller. What advantages does he give your game most on the court?

He spreads the floor. He is also very smart and has a great basketball mind. He is always positive and never negative. He really helps us.

Your having another very solid season showing that NAIA players can be very good players in a top 5 league in Germany. What has been the biggest challenge for you in your second BBL season? I guess teams know you better now?

Yes that has been the biggest challenge for me this season. Teams have a better scouting report on me. I watch more film this season so I can trick the opponent or to see how I can get to my spots better or how I can run the offense better.

What steps do you need to make so that you can make the next step as a player? I have noticed in many of the games this season where you didn’t score in double figures, you didn’t take as many shots as usual. Is aggressiveness an up and down in your game?

I think the biggest thing I need to do is just be more consistent. I have had big scoring games and then other games where I was less aggressive. I also have had games where I got into foul trouble because of ticky tack fouls. I need to be consistently aggressive.

Is becoming more of a facilitator and upping your assists a goal for you? How much of a challenge is it at the moment for you improving as a playmaker in a top league?

My coach has been challenging more to work on my facilitating. He says that if I can facilitate better then I can be unguardable . I have been focusing on that more lately.

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

Yes for sure. They should of just kept it a classic.

Thanks Cameron for the chat.

Asbjoern Midtgaard (213-C-1997, college: GCU) is a 24 year old 213cm center from Helsingor, Denmark playing his rookie season with Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (Holland-BNXT League). He began his basketball career with the Horsholm 79ers (Ligaen). He then played three seasons with Wichita State University (NCAA) playing 65 NCAA games. He played his senior year with Grand Canyon State University (NCAA) playing 24 games averaging 14.2ppg, 9.6rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 73.1%, FT: 71.8%. In the summer of 2021 he played NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic playing 4 games averaging 4.0ppg, 3.0rpg. He spoke to egermanhoops.com before the FIba Europe Cup quarterfinal game against the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim in Leiden.

Thanks Asbjoern for talking to germanhoops.com. After playing 66 NCAA games with Wichita State and 24 games with Grand Canyon State, you are back in Europe now playing with Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (Holland-BNXT League). Your having a great season averaging 15/8 in the BNXT league and 15/7 stats in the Fiba Europe Cup. How are you a better player today than before you played at Wichita State?

After my time in college, I’m definitely a better player then I was when I first got there. I learnt a lot and improved a lot over those 4 years. I can’t say what specifically has changed, but I’ve put in a lot of hours in the gym and it is starting to pay off.

You recently won the Dutch Cup. What kind of a feeling was that for you and what is special about the Leiden team this season?

It was awesome to win the cup, a great way to set the tone for the season!

You have a Fiba Europe Cup quarterfinal battle against Crailsheim. How aware are you of the tiny TJ Shorts? Your game under the hoop could play a big role between win and loss.

TJ is a really talented player, does it all for his team definitely one of our emphasis for the game. I’ll just do what I can, and what the team needs!

You began to play very late at age 14. Who were your early basketball role models and to what current player would you compare your game today?

Yes I started when I was 14 and just played for fun at first. Early on I looked at Jonas Valanciunas, and I still do. I really like his game.

Before basketball you played sports like Handball, weightlifting and judo. Were you able to incorporate any aspects of those sports that you feel has helped your basketball game over the years?

I did a lot of things before basketball yes, and I think I’m some way they all helped me to become more athletic at least. They probably didn’t do much for my basketball skills.

You are a big man that can score and rebound. What other offensive strengths do you have?

I have worked on my shot quite a bit, and I do shoot from time to time as well. But my inside game is my bread and butter.

You have size and can block shots. Do you se yourself becoming as efficient on the defensive end as you are on the offensive end in the future?

I always want to be as effective as I possible, so yes that is something I want to be as well.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most now as you continue to develop your game and move up the basketball ladder?

I work on everything, it is hard to say a specific area. But as a more modern big, it important to be able to attack the floor and be a threat outside too.

You began your career at Horsholm 79ers (Ligaen) already getting good minutes at age 17 and in three years played 91 Danish first division games. What memories do you have of that time? You seemed to make a big jump in your last season there.

In Denmark and anywhere else I e always tried to improve every year. And that hasn’t changed. But yes I got some more responsibility in that last year and I think I responded well.

You only got limited minutes at Wichita State. Despite not playing as much, what positives could you take from the experience?

I learned a lot about work ethic and determination. That nothing is given to you and that you have to go out there and take it yourself. And I met a lot of great people who I still talk to today

What memories do you have of reaching the NIT Final 4 in 2019 with Wichita State? How tough was it digesting the loss to Lipscomb?

The NIT run was so much fun! We had a rough start that year, so to finish with such a great run in the NIT was just amazing.

You were teammates with current LA Laker Austin Reaves who is a starter and playing along side Lebron James. Did you ever think that he could reach the NBA in 2017?

I have only good things to say about Austin! I knew he was special, and that the sky was the limit for him, so I’m not surprised at all at what he is doing for the Lakers now, well deserved.

You played your senior year at Grand Canyon State (NCAA) averaging 14.2ppg, 9.6rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 73.1%, FT: 71.8%. What steps did your game make in that season?

My time at GCU was some of the most fun I’ve had with basketball, the people involved made the difference. Teammates, managers, coaches and staff were all amazing. I knew it was my last year, so I had to give it all I had.

How did head coach Bryce Drew groom and prepare you for a professional basketball career?

He played professionally himself so he helped me a lot with the process necessary to succeed in life as a pro, not only on the court but also off the court. But not just him it was all of the coaches.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Alessandro Lever?

Ale is a great player! But I gotta go with me on this one

In 2021 you played NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic. What kind of an experience was that? What do you remember being the best advice that you got from the coaching staff?

Summer league was so much fun, to be able to get my name out there was huge and hopefully it not the last time I’m involved with NBA activities

Did you meet or see any NBA legends hanging around the facilities? How did you soak up the whole atmosphere?

I got to meet a lot of cool people, who all helped me. With great advice and coaching.

Do you have any advice for young big men playing in the NBA Summer League? How disappointing is it that the Summer League is more a display of guards trying to score as much as possible?

Well you have to take it as it comes, and when the opportunity shows itself take advantage of it.

Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I have played with a lot of good players who are on the NBA now. But I got to play against Trae Young my first year in college.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I can’t point out only 5, that is not possible.

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

My Mount Rushmore in no particular order is Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kareem and Magic

Will Luka Doncic be in the same class with a Jordan, Lebron and Kobe in 15-20 years?

I think Luka is an incredible player who will without a doubt be among the greats one day. But only time will tell how great.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was a Netflix movie called Eurovision with Will Pharrell, it’s pretty funny.

Thanks Asbjoern for the chat.

T

Jonathan Braeger is a 26 year old 178cm guard from Wisconsin that is playing his rookie season overseas in Germany with Regionalliga team Baskets Vilsbiburg. He played at Wrightstown high school and then at the University Wisconsin-Fox Valley. He then gathered first professional experience in the States with ABA teams Chicago Fury and Illinois Panthers and also played with the Wisconsin Blaze (WBL). He accomplished the unthinkable quadruple double scoring 100 points. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the crazy game.

Thanks Jonathan for talking to germanmhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

I play for Baskets Vilsbiburg in Vilsbiburg, Germany. The basketball life has treated me with many great successful opportunities. As this being my first year as a professional overseas which always been my goal/dream since being a kid, I can’t be thankful enough for God allowing me to achieve such things.

You scored an incredible 100 points last weekend in the German Regionalliga. How long did it take you to think about Wilt Chamberlain after you achieved that feat?

Going into the game this past weekend I was not expecting to score 100 points. I was going into the game to compete and perform because that’s what I get paid to do. But when it came to thinking about Wilt Chamberlain I couldn’t tell you I was thinking about him at all because I shouldn’t even be brought up in the same sentence as him Wilt did this in a NBA game which is the best basketball league in the entire world and that’s incredible and he’s a G.O.A.T. but on my argument I still was able to put the ball in the hoop that many times which is difficult in itself shooting a very high percentage (22/34 three pointers 64% and 15/17 2P% 88%).

Could it be that you’re the most famous person in Wrightstown, Wisconsin that has less than 3,000 people. How does that feel scoring 100 points?

It may be true that I’m the talk of my small town but coming from a small town you learn to be humble. Everyone there knows how much I love the game of basketball and I don’t play the game to disrespect it in any means. Basketball is my life and to score 100 points feels absolutely amazing but it’s not one of the things I ever thought I would’ve achieved.

Was your cell phone buzzing the day after you scored 100 points? Talk a little about the reception you got from people after your amazing feat?

I would say my phone was going a little crazy but it was mostly from people that always supported me. They couldn’t believe it at first which neither could I but there’s a lot more to this game then known.

How long did it take you to realize that you scored 100 points? Has it sunk in?

I just watched the entire film today and it’s finally sunk in. I made sure that I actually made the 100 points which I did.

One can’t forget that you also accomplished a very rare quadruple double with 100 points, 12 rebounds, 16 assists and 12 steals. Had you ever had a double double or triple double in your career?

My first game of the season this year vs. Rosenheim, Germany I was fairly close to recording my first ever quadruple double with 41points, 10rebounds, 8steals, 7assits but came away just a bit short and recorded a double double. The second game of the season this year I recorded a triple double in a loss to a very tough Leitershofen team from Augsburg, Germany with 23points, 12assists, 10rebounds. This wasn’t my only triple double of my career but to achieve a quadruple double is pretty insane and unheard of. This shows that I’m not just a scorer but I’m also an all around player. I like playing defense just as I do playing offense.

But there was some controversary to the whole feat. Vilsbiburg played against Wurzburg that was plagued and had only 5 guys. In the second half it was only 3 players. Have you had some annoying hate from people?

You’re always going to have hate from people when you have success and achieve something frankly unheard of in professional basketball games. Yes it was unfortunate that the opposing team ended up having 2 of their 5 guys foul out halfway through the 3rd quarter which made them have to play and finish the game with 3 players. Not only were they banged up and had some guys sick, our team as well had 4 out of our top 7 players out due to either injury or illness. But as they say the game goes on.

People have been criticizing Vilsbiburg for demanding to play when Wurzburg asked to postpone the game. With what kind of a feeling did you go into the game knowing it was an unfair situation?

I was going into the game getting ready to compete and perform. I wasn’t aware of Wurzburg and their injured or sick players (non-Covid related) until 5 minutes before tip off. During our whole warm up I was wondering where this team was and why they weren’t warming up for the game. This was the first round of the Regionalliga playdowns and it was sad for all our fans that came to the game ready to watch us play how Wurzburg went with the game. Instead of forfeiting they came with 5 guys and barely played or even tried. I’m still not completely aware of everything between the lines with postponing of the game and things but I do know that we had fans there that paid to come and sponsors there for our club and as a professional foreign athlete I am not only paid to compete and perform but also to entertain the fans and sponsors.

Please talk about the game? How can one imagine playing against 3 players. They weren’t even defending 100% in order to conserve energy.

I didn’t understand their mentally coming into the game. They could’ve forfeited from the start if it wasn’t worked out to reschedule and they still had 5 talented players that they brought. They were young players compared to our team but they are in this league just like our team is. I wish they would of just tried with what they had. I know many other teams would just be happy to play a game with 5 guys or 4 guys with how many games have already been postponed this season due to Covid-19. I just didn’t understand why come all that way just to stand on the court. I feel like it was sort of disrespectful to our fans/sponsors and our team to do that. We tried to play with 4 guys once they started getting down but the referees wouldn’t allow it and that we needed 5 on the court if we had enough players. The game was never called and I’m over here to play basketball. Games are the main thing I work for all week at training and look forward to every weekend we have a game. I’m always going to try my best no matter what the circumstances are because I love the game of basketball and what’s it done for me and many other people’s lives.

How strange was it seeing guys with masks on the court. Did you ever think that you could see masks on a basketball court?

It was the first time I’ve seen it since being here in Germany. Back home in America during the first two years of the pandemic most all local high school teams and colleges had to wear mask during the game so I’ve seen it before but first time here seeing it and playing against it.

Of course hitting for 100 points is an amazing thing and you did it in an official 40 minute game. But still how do you feel can one justify this feat with the circumstances that there was?

I always want the other team to try and compete no matter what. It is still fairly tough to make 100 points and a quadruple double in a game like atmosphere and in just 37 minutes of play. My percentage of shooting either way was still really good as I shot 64% from 3PTs 22/34 and 88% from 2PTs 15/17.

Could you have scored more than 100 points? Did you want to end with 100 points to be able to have 100 points like Wilt Chamberlian?

I never thought going into the game that I was going to score that much. It’s crazy to believe I achieved the hundred point mark but I want to thank my teammates and coaches that just kept feeding me the ball and my hot hand all game. They all wanted me to score 100points more than I did and that says a lot about my teammates and coach and the club itself (Baskets Vilsbiburg).

Were the points the most difficult or possibly the 12 steals to get for the quadruple double?

I would have to say points. I shot a high percentage from both 2P% & 3P% which is difficult to do in game like circumstances. (22/34 3PTs 15/17 2PTs)

If Wilt Chamberlian was still alive and could call you to congratulate you what would be the first thing that you would say to him?

I would tell him what happened in the game and how I did it and why I did it. But like I’ve said before I shouldn’t even be in the same sentence as Wilt he’s a G.O.A.T

You got recognition in Germany as Welt.de and Sport1.de reported your feat. Do you feel like the 100 points could help you climb the basketball ladder?

It could benefit or hurt me I feel. But as a professional not coming from a college back ground I need to get my name out there so maybe I can get a chance at playing ProA/BBL or any top league here in Europe. It could hurt me because it may seem like it was selfish as a player to do that. I believe that sometimes you just need to do what you need to do to get your name out there to get that opportunity. And if anyone knows me for who I am, I love basketball and my work ethic and heart for the game is unique. I’m not a selfish player and I know that because that’s how I was brought up as an athlete. I’ve always believed that my success it just as important as my teammates and coaches success.

You scored 100 points and had a quadruple double? I mean seriously besides winning titles, what else can a player do on the court for personal stats better than that?

It’s a once in a lifetime type of day but like I’ve said before the game circumstances were different than most. I wish they would of competed with the 5 players they brought but decided to just not try and to me sort of disrespect the game of basketball and the league for not forfeiting it right away and continuing to just not try and foul out. I know many teams that if circumstances is you only have five to still try and compete no matter what. I know each one of the five players that did come could actually play good but they were told to just not try. Just a weird way to go about it.

Thanks Jonathan fort the chat.

A.J. English (192-G-1992, college: Iona, agency: Slash Sports) is a 29 year old 192cm guard playing his fifth professional season and third in Germany with the Syntainics MBC Weissenfels. He began his basketball career at ST Thomas More Prep school and then played 122 NCAA games with Iona where he averaged an overwhelming 21,0ppg in his last two seasons. He turned professional in 2016 and had two tour of duties with the Fraport Skyliners and also played in countries like Italy, France, Greece and Poland. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 81-75 MBC win over the Fraport Skyliners.

AJ thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the big 81-75 win over your ex team Fraport Skyliners. They are in great danger of moving down. How much do you feel for your ex team?

I definitely feel for them. It was good seeing guys like coach Klaus Perwas, Tez, Dennis the athletic coach and Marco Voeller who I played with. I wasn’t even a full year there and built such special relationships with them and they helped me so much in my second stop after Italy. Tez is a real leader. I’m not counting them out. They are still figuring it out.

It was a very tight game in the first quarter as you had the slim 21-19 lead. It seemed like absolute everything revolved around Will Cherry. Do you even remember his brief time in the NBA when you were shooting out the lights at Iona (NCAA)?

Not really. Now I have started hearing about him. He had a game with 21/10/5 stats You have to tip his hat to how he played. He made tough shots. I can see why he made the NBA.

The Fraport Skyliners got away in the second quarter leading 46-35 at the break. Their bigs Haarms and Brenneke did a lot of damage in the paint. Were you guys a bit overwhelmed by their play?

No not really. We had scouted all the players. Those bigs are talented and play their roles well. They roll hard and get offensive rebounds. Haarms was a big time player in his conference in school. I felt we came into the game well prepared. We took the punch then and were able to come back.

In the third quarter MBC kept fighting and cut the Frankfurt lead down to 61-55. Especially Goran Huskic and Jamel Morris were huge. Talk a little about how important they are for the team?

Goran is a big physical versatile player that fights every possession at both ends. I really love to play with him. Jamel is top 5 in scoring, is a lefty and can do so much with the ball. He has a great IQ as well. He watches a lot of basketball. He knows everything about players. He pushes me so hard in practice and puts in so muchwork in practice.

In the fourth quarter you served up the perfect pass to German Kostja Mushidi for the dunk. This guy was on the NBA radar when he was younger. How do you rate his athleticism? You see it every day in practice?

I think he belongs in the NBA. He is 23 and I’m really shocked how physical he is. He can play the positions 1-4. He has long arms and told me he is close to a wing span of 7,3. He dunks when you don’t think that he could. I feel that if he can strive to be mentally focused that he could play in the Euroleague or NBA. He scored 18 points in the first half in a game. He does so many of the important little things. He has been a huge surprise factor this season. I love playing with him. He has a great attitude.

The Fraport Skyliners caved in as usual in the fourth quarter which has been a real problem this season. Could you sense with their body language that they were totally insecure with their situation?

I don’t know. You could see with the veteran guys like Tez and Cherry that they don’t show it. Cherry hit big shots and Tez made steals. They fought until the end. At the end the ball just bounced our way. They really missed Jamel Mclean. There are still 12 games left. I don’t think that they are too worried about their situation. I remember my first time in Frankfurt, we were in 14th or 15th place and came back being something like one possession away from making the playoffs. I saw it every day with Tez. He was so consistent. Every game was big for him. You don’t know what can happen. They still have a lot of games to play.

Frankfurt came back exerting one last bit of energy as Matt Haarms and Will Cherry to tie the score and then Jamel Morris iced the game with 6 points. What was key in crunch-time for the win? Did MBC want it more?

I wouldn’t say that we wanted it more, but we just had the right people making plays and the ball bounced our way. They had their chances and we had our chances. I’m just glad that we fought until the end and won the game.

Did you talk to your ex teammate Quantez Robertson at the end? Did you have any soothing words for him?

He was all smiles and laughing when we talked. I was in high school when he was already a pro. He is still playing at a high level and is still if not the best defender in the league. He watched me grow up and took me under his wing when I came from Italy. His kids were babies and are practically grown up now. I love Tez to death. I always wish him the best. I want to spend some time with him in Frankfurt.

What will you always remember most about his Tez’s incredible game and character when his name pops up?

I will always remember his intensity. He pushed me 110% every drill each day. I also learned so much from coach Klaus. I got so much positive vibes watching Tez each day. Even when I had my tough injury, he was talking to me telling me to stay locked in. He always put a good word in for me with Frankfurt when they were looking for a guard. No matter the situation how good or bad, he always puts on a hard hat and comes to work. I appreciate him so much.

Welcome back to Germany. You had two tour of duties with the Fraport Skyliners. Do you rank your time with Frankfurt some of your best time as a professional?

Yes for sure. It was my first time in Germany and I was in a big city. There were so many talented guys like Shavon Shields and Isaac Bonga. We were all so young. I always tell people that Frankfurt and the Fraport Skyliners will always be a second home to me. Whenever I have a lay over in Frankfurt, I am always excited. It is always a relief. Because I know exactly where I’m at.

Does your buzzer beater against Tuebingen rank as one of your finest moments as a professional?

All my great games were great moments. That game in Tuebingen was my first buzzer beater. That was for sure a great moment. Playing for Gordon Herbert was great. I can’t pinpoint one moment. The whole year was special.

You were teammates with Isaac Bonga who is in his 4th NBA year but having problems sticking there. Have you followed his career and do you see him celebrating his real breakthrough there?

I still talk to him. He works very hard. I think his whole situation in the NBA doesn’t have to do with his game, but more being caught up in trades or older guys coming in. It is crazy to think that he is still so young. He had some 30 point games in the G-League. Him being able to score like that says a lot for him being a versatile facilitator. It is important that he keeps having a positive attitude. I think that once he gets comfortable with his shot, then he will be a big surprise. Whenever I talk or work out with NBA guys, I always say give Bonga a chance. I really feel that he can have a big role in the NBA with his IQ and athleticism.

You left Frankfurt in Feb 2018 and in the last 4 years played only 17 games until joining MBC. How tough was this time? What was key for helping you get through this?

It was really tough. I tore my ACL and my knee cap was messed up. Staying in contact with guys and keeping relationships was really important. I already had problems with injuries in Frankfurt and didn’t know it and played through it. Being home more with my family and 4 year old daughter was also important. They kept me having positive thoughts. Now I’m healthy and was the leading scorer in Poland before coming back to Germany. I guess I’m doing something right.

I always saw you more as a shooting guard. Your playing the point with MBC. You have played two solid games. How comfortable are you with your role in Weissenfels?

People don’t realize me being able to be a point guard, because I shoot the ball so well. But actually I’m more of a point guard. I began as a point guard in school. When you see my clips from Frankfurt, you see Gordie had me play off ball and had me on ball screens. The MBC coach understands that I can play point guard. He told me you can be a big point guard for us. Playing point guard allows me to be more versatile. I love to play point guard. Unless there is a better player to play the point, I’d rather play point guard.

How do you feel has your game grown in general since your second tour of duty with the Fraport Skyliners?

I think that it is like day and night. I’m a way better player now. I’m a lot stronger. Dennis told me today at the game that I did a great job with my body. Key for my physical progression was during my injury. I looked at myself in the mirror and asked myself exactly what I needed to work on to better myself. I locked in on things that I needed to work on. It helped. Now I feel great. I feel so much stronger and can finish games. During my injury, I was looked over, but now I’m showing everybody what I’m capable of on the court.

How vital was Gordon Herbert for your early development?

I always tell my teammates how important he was. He taught me so much in a short amount of time. I also can’t forget to mention coach Klaus Perwas who doesn’t get the credit that he should. It was only fitting that I gave coach Klaus a high five and hug after the game today. It was so many little things that I still use to this day. Look at all the guys that Gordie coached through the years. So many left Frankfurt and are having great careers now. It isn’t a coincidence that he is the German national coach now. He pays attention to so much detail. Every drill I had taught me to go about it like it was your last game. I learned that you always have to go hard and never take any short cuts.

In 2018-2019 you spent time in Greece and played against top Euroleague team Panathinaikos losing by 25 points. What memories do you have playing against top guard Nick Calathes?

He is a great point guard that is big. He saw the floor so well. He has a great understanding and showed that he can control the game without scoring. But it was nothing new for me. I had seen what he could do when he played with Florida (NCAA).

Who wins a one on one today you or Sean Armand?

I will always take me. We had great battles in school. Sean will always be my brother, but I will always put my money on myself.

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

Yes for sure they should of left it alone. The original is historic.

Thanks AJ for the chat.

Kamar Baldwin (185-G-1997, college: Butler) is a 24 year old 185 cm guard from Winder, Georgia playing his second professional season and first with BG Goetingen. Last season he played his rookie campaign with Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey-BSL) playing 17 games averaging 6.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT-2 (94.7%); and played 8 BCL games averaging 6.1ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 60.0%: He began his basketball career with Apalachee High School. He then played at Butler University (NCAA) from 2016-2020 reaching the NCAA Sweet 16. In his last three seasons he averaged 16,0ppg, 4,0rpg and 3,0apg. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the huge 92-91 win over medi Bayreuth.

Congrats Kamar to the crazy 92-91 win. Some 100 kilometers away a dude had a quadruple double scoring 100 points in a Regionalliga (4 division) game. But the opponent had only 5 players and soon after only three guys as two fouled out early. How crazy is this news flash for you?

That is crazy to score 100 points. That guy’s competitiveness was at an all-time high. He had a real will to win. It was obviously tough for the other team. All you can do in a situation like that is play the best defense possible and hope they miss and get the rebound and try to score.

BG Goettingen had a 12 man rotation and 10 guys played while medi Bayreuth had only 6 players. You could have lost the game in the fourth quarter with a buzzer beater by Anim. You knew going in that they would have 6 guys. Was it difficult going into the game not to underestimate them?

Yes it was. It is always hard going into a game like that where they don’t have a full team. You tend to think they will get tired. We did a good job coming out of the gate leading by 20 points. You have to give Bayreuth a lot of credit playing to their strengths and coming back and competing very hard.

Can you ever remember in your career playing against a decimated rotation in your career or even being on a team that had to step up with an undermanned rotation?

I remember in my senior year when we played against IUPUI, we came in with 8 guys. I injured myself and then another guy got injured and we finished with 6 players. We did a great job sticking together to get the win.

BG Goettingen led 11-0 and soon 40-22. Did it feel like a practice game at the beginning?

No it didn’t. We just did a good job getting it going quickly and getting to the hole and getting stops. We also took advantage of getting out on transition and getting easy baskets.

Medi Bayreuth fought back in the second quarter and were only down by 6 points at the break. What were the main reasons for allowing them to come back like that?

We had three turnovers in the first quarter and six turnovers in the second quarter. They did a good job getting in rhythm and getting comfortable. We made it difficult for them, but they made tough shots and fought their way back into the game.

Medi Bayreuth head coach Raoul Korner said that ‘nothing will stop us from competing’. And that is what exactly happened. Bayreuth even took the lead. Did the game effect your mentality?

No I don’t think it effected us mentally. We knew that we had a job to finish the game strong and found a way to win.

BG Goettingen definitely must have been effected mentally as Philipp Hartwich missed key free throws. As a leader how do you feel did the team heed your advice best?

Phil missed four free throws, but later made two very important free throws. I told the guys it is a mind set and not about X’s and O’s. I told them to keep competing and needing to have the will to win the game.

Medi Bayreuth never gave up and were playing totally on adrenaline. Have you ever been in a position where you played totally on adrenaline not really knowing what was happening?

I guess so. Once I get in the zone and get going, I feel like nothing can stop me. I feel good with each shot that I put up.

BG Goettingen could have lost the game, but Sacar Anim’s buzzer beater was only rated as a two to send game in OT. When he let it fly were you thinking it was a three?

I thought it was a three. But then as the buzzer sounded and I saw the referee signal it was a two, I was relieved. At that point, I knew that we had the right mind set to be able to win it in overtime.

Cam Wells made it exciting giving Bayreuth the lead with 21 seconds to play. What was your impression of him? He is a guy who put up very good stats at Citadel at the same time Steph Curry played, but never made the NBA, but has had a great career overseas. From all positions overseas, is it fair to say that most likely the guard position that has the most talent?

There are a lot of great guards overseas. Many just don’t make the NBA or get an opportunity. When your playing overseas, you need to be prepared day in and out. You are always facing good guards every night.

With 21 seconds to play, BG Goettingen had the chance to win the game. Were you the first option? And were there a surprise option?

We had no timeout. We went right into it. I had the ball and dribbled the clock down. With about six seconds to go, I called for a screen, but they didn’t switch and they did a push and under. I took a step to my left and took a pull up jumper that fell with 0,6 seconds to go.

You made your bread and butter shot from the mid distance. Did you know it would go in?

It felt good going out of my hands. I thought that it could be a little short, but it then ended hitting the back of the front of the rim and falling in.

You have made incredible buzzer beaters in the NCAA like against Villanova which is my favorite and this season against ratiopharm Ulm, but where do you rank the one against medi Bayreuth?

This ranks also at the top. Just being able to compete at a high level and get the win is why we play. Our big goal is to reach the playoffs. This win wasn’t pretty but we will take it any day.

Cartwright-Jackson and Shorts are the two heavy MVP favorites, but if BG Goettingen make a big run with a winning streak, you could really be mentioned with him. Do you feel yourself like a MVP candidate?

I’m not worried about personal accolades. My biggest goal now is to make the playoffs and make a run and see where we go from there. The accolades always come at the end of the season. If I am MVP great if not ok.

Jeff Roberson had a great game with 15/12 stats. How refreshing has his game and him been as a teammate for you?

Jeff has been great. He had a great game in Frankfurt and was really good against Bayreuth also. He is an inside presence and gives us extra possessions. He made a huge pass near the end for the three pointer by Jake Toolson. He is a great teammate that is always helping others and is always smiling. He is a real competitor that brings it every day in practice.

Medi Bayreuth gave an incredible showing. Please give some parting words to their great effort.

I think Bayreuth played great. They came to us and really competed. They made no excuses and competed at a high level. I have a lot of respect for their performance.

Thanks Kamar for the chat.