Christopher Miller (192-G-93, college: Salem) is a 28 year old 193cm guard from Brooklyn, New York who is playing his seventh professional season and third with 9: VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga). He has had experience in countries like El Salvador and Bosnia. He recently played for the South Shore Monarchs (TBL) playing 8 games averaging 22.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 83.3%. he began his basketball career at Clinton Community College and also played two years at Salem University (NCAA2). He spoke to eurobasket before signing with Giessen about basketball.

Chris thanks for talking to eurobasket.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Thank You for having me on. I am in route to Giessen at the moment. Basketball has always been a blessing I’m just happy to be playing at a high level.

It has been more than two years where we last had an interview. Has time flown in that time?

Yes !!For sure, it doesn’t even feel like 2 years. For the most part I’ve been busy playing and coaching. All that plus the Corona pause . It felt like I blinked twice and its 2021.

Talk a bit about how you experienced COVID in the last year and a half? What were the biggest challenges for you on and off the court?

During the beginning of Covid I was in China Coaching a Basketball Academy. I came home for vacation and wasn’t allowed back in the country. It’s been tough to find work because every thing was shut down. It was also tough to stay active. The free time was great for a little while but it was just a difficult and confusing time overall.

With everything that you saw off the court how do you think did COVID make you stronger as a man?

Absolutely. This pandemic taught me what was most important in life. I had a lot of time to reflect on my life so far and really separate the negatives and the positives and setting my goals for the future. This year and a half really opened up another level of hunger for me.

It has been more than two years ago since we last spoke. You last played for the South Shore Monarchs (TBL) playing8 games averaging 22.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 83.3%. What kind of an experience was it playing in the TBL?

The TBL is a great League. The commissioners work very hard to keep the league entertaining and successful. I am happy to be a part of it. The competition is high level also . There are lots of Ex NBA G league overseas guys who were playing this year so every game you had to be ready . As I said I have another level of focus so my goal was to prove that I belong And I also won second team all conference. So it was a good season for me.

What was it like coming home and playing professional in the States after being overseas so long? Was it frightening seeing how the game is played with less team play than overseas?

It felt great to finally be in a league that’s professional state side . My life could be the same for once and I really enjoyed my family attending the games. None of them were able to see me play a professional game in person before this summer, so I was happy with that . The game play was more like a NBA setting and it was actually a lot of team play and sets being ran. I was able to show a lot of my point guard skills and I took a lot of the things I learned over the years in Europe and applied it here.

You dominated the TBL. How important was it playing well and gaining self confidence for your next challenge?

I was blessed to be a part of a club who believed that I can lead them. I see post pandemic basketball as a second chance and my goal was not take it for granted. I attacked every game and I am very happy with the results. I am ready for the next challenge and to prove I can do this at the higher levels also.

In the 20-21 season you played for the first time in Bosnia with KK Radnicki Gorazd (Bosnia-A1 Liga FBIH). What kind of an experience was it playing in the country Bosnia? How do you feel did your game grow there?

Playing a few years in Germany I have always had Bosnian born teammates who all had this tough High IQ Style of basketball. I always knew if we played against one of those guys it would be a long game. Playing out there I learned about the culture and how basketball is very important to them I began to understand my former coaches and teammates from the area. I am happy I got to play in another country in Europe and adapt well to their style while also staying true to my personal game.

Did you have some kind of neat experience there off the court that you will never forget that showed you how Bosnia is as a country?

I lived in a small mountain village which had a river running right down the middle of it. The views were amazing Going to the top of the mountain and just seeing the cities and experiencing the food was great for me.

How do you feel are you a better player now then you were when you dominated in El Salvador? It seems like you are an even more complete player now.

I feel like I have gotten older more mature and know my game as opposed to before trying to please everyone. Now I know what I can do and I know more of how to play. I always felt I had the talent and sometimes wasn’t taken seriously because of the levels I played in, but as a guy who started from the bottom leagues I guess it’s part of the game. I am happy this year I played and dominated in 2 different leagues against higher competition.

You continue to be a very potent defender. How do you feel have you grown in this area and do you feel like you can still make the next step as a lock down defender?

Defense was my first specialty. When I was younger that would be the only way I could score sometimes. I always feel there is more room for improvement. Also coming back to Germany I was number 3 in the Country in steals, I have to get that number 1 spot . I have a goal of being a lock down defender and I would love to get Defensive player of the year.

On what area’s of your game have you been concentrating on most in the lab as you always continue to get better as a player?

I have been focusing on showing I can be a scoring (Point guard ) not combo guard I have been working on tons of screen and rolls, getting more comfortable at the point guard and helping others get shots while staying aggressive looking for my own offensive game. After playing this long it’s more about IQ and being as efficient as possible for me.

You played two successful seasons with the Giessen Pointers that really helped give you a name in Germany. Do you still have contact to teammates and head coach Daniel Doer?

Well me and coach Doer were teammates my first year there. We have always been good friends and stayed in contact. I respect him as a coach and I am happy he transitioned well into life after a player. I just hope he doesn’t believe he can beat me in a midrange shooting competition.

What memories do you have of German guard Lucas Meyer? He has played in the Pro B in Germany and is a very talented player that should continue to get an opportunity at a higher level down the road.

I see a lot of myself when I was younger. Talented player dedicated trying to get it all together and being told to wait his turn. I am super happy for him he figured it out and will continue to get better. I always knew he was a top talent now it’s time for everyone else to see. I believe he can be a key player in the higher leagues.

I was always wondering why you didn’t continue to play in Germany? How big is your itch to play in Germany and play in the Pro B a league where you could surely shine?

You know I would love to play Pro B and higher. I had a few looks to play before the pandemic but after all those spots were full. I felt I did enough to get respect from the higher leagues in Germany with all I have done. But I will never know. You right now I am focused on Giessen Pointers and showing myself how much better of a player I have become. I will get to the higher levels one way or the other.

What is the next step for you? How was the transfer market and where do you want to play most?

My goal is and always will be to play the highest level I can play. I will continue to push for that and I honestly feel this is my time to show that. I am happy with what I did so far with winning the championship scoring titles etc. But I’m not at all satisfied.

You have without a doubt been the most successful player to come out of Ron Howards tour in the last years. Do you still have contact to him and do you ask him for advice even today?

I always appreciate Ron. We speak very often he still gives me advice and help. I am glad I made the decision to come to his tour. He has a great thing going with his program and I am happy to be a part of it.

Did you watch the 2021 NBA finals. Should one call Chris Paul a chocker? Four times his team led 2-0 in the playoffs in his career and he couldn’t get the series win.

I honestly thought he would take the championship. I learned a valuable lesson from Chris Paul and it’s to stay the course and not celebrate to early . Each series he starts off locked in but gets too comfortable and lets his foot off the gas. I wouldn’t call him a chocker but I was really disappointed to see that outcome.

Will the Lakers win the 2022 title with Westbrook and Anthony? How much does having had so many great players on his side hurt the legacy of Lebron James? Shouldn’t he have won more titles by now?

I think A healthy Brooklyn is the Champion. I personally do not think Lebron and Westbrook will work. It does not hurt his legacy He can retire today and still be a first ballot hall of famer.

Has there been a worse free agency for a player the way Dennis Schroeder went from getting a four year 80 million deal with the Lakers to only 6 million form the Celtics?

I believe he will do great this year in Boston. He brings what they lack. I know the money is a crazy difference but I feel that overall he will have a great season. Also these guys are MILLIONAIRES. So I’m sure he will be just fine.

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

I honestly didn’t because I heard too many bad reviews about it so I decided to leave my memory with the original movie.

Thanks Chris for the chat.

Tags : CHRISTOPHER MILLER, SOUTH SHORE MONARCHS, GERMAN BASKETBALL

Older German football fans will never forget the embarrassment of the 1978 German national team losing 3-2 against Austria in Cordoba, but for former Frankfurt Skyliner Tyrone Ellis, he will always have very fond memories of the Argentinean city. It was September third, 2017 as Ellis was hanging out in Cordoba as an assistant coach for Stan Van Gundy with team USA at the Fiba Ameri Cup and they were in the final against Argentina that had a very boisterous and rude fan base supporting them and not letting the Americans feel welcome. It was the second half, and it looked like Argentina would walk into the spring sunlight with the Gold Medal. Granted Argentina had a nice team with two NBA players Nicolas Brussino, and Nicolas Laprovittola and future NBA players Facundo Campazzo and Gabriel Deck not too mention legend Luis Scola, but he got a DNP in the game. Team USA was assembled with a roster of C type players, most with very minimal NBA experience like Darrun Hilliard, CJ Williams, Jameel Warney, or Marshall Plumlee. The only guy who had had real NBA experience was Reggie Williams who had played parts of seven seasons in the big show. It didn´t look good for Team USA in the waning moments in Argentina, but the Argentina squad hadn´t had a guy by the name of Reggie Hearn on their radar. The American actually wouldn´t make his NBA debut until February 5^th, 2018 against Portland where he would sink his only NBA points with a trey and only two more games would follow. Team USA was down by 20 points, but Reggie Hearn turned the game around leading them to the Gold Medal with a 81-76 victory. “He was absolutely our main guy in helping us get the win. He played absolutely phenominal. I´m one of his biggest fans”, warned Tyrone Ellis. He scored 14 points in the win and hit key three´s down the stretch. He went on to average 10,0ppg in the competition and shot a whopping 47% from the parking lot. I reach Tyrone Ellis on a Tuesday night only 6 hours after 2004 BBL champion Fraport Skyliners announced the signing of Reggie Hearn. He last coached Hearn with the Stockton Kings a few years ago. At the moment Ellis is taking a break from coaching and giving back in other very meaningful ways. He is an inspirational teacher at the moment helping individuals get through difficult moments. “I´m so much more than just a basketball coach”, stressed Tyrone Ellis. After some small talk and mentioning I had beat cancer, we begin to talk about Reggie Hearn. At that moment, I didn´t know yet just how much of a connection that Ellis and Hearn actually had. “Reggie is very similar to me, just more mature than when I was with Frankfurt. He is a real class act. He will represent that organization very well. They will have absolutely no issues with him”, warned Tyrone Ellis. The Fraport Skyliners are in very good hands with Reggie Hearns as he is similar to Tyrone Ellis.

                Reggie Hearn was born on August 14^th, 1991 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and got his first connection to basketball at Fort Wayne Snider high school. He then played at Northwestern(NCAA) from 2009-2013. His first two years there must have felt like a total calamity as he played only 32 games and a total of 72 minutes. It seemed like he had nobody covering his back except for teammate Michael “juice” Thompson who would play for the Fraport Skyliners only a few years later. Thompson was a massive supporter of Hearn who saw the diligent and hard work that he would put in. He was playing his butt off on the second team and showing time in and time out that he could play with the starters. He finally got his opportunity as a junior as Northwestern suffered key injuries. Hearn played 61 NCAA games in his last two seasons and averaged 7.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 63.4%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 78.7% as a junior and took another step as a senior averaging 13.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 73.5%. In his junior year he scored 20 points in a 74-70 win over Illinois and as a senior had some big wins against Purdue netting 26 points and 23 points against Miss Valley State. He helped the school reach the NIT Elite 8 and NIT Sweet 16. It wasn´t only hard work that helped him mature and let his game grow, but it was taking advantage of the opportunity when injuries kicked in. “Making the most of the opportunity also helped him reach the NBA. He has always been ready for everything. No matter if he was a starter, came off the bench or mentoring players. He is always ready for whatever God has in store for him”, commented Tyrone Ellis.

            The American began his professional career in 2013 and in 8 professional seasons played 284 G-league games and three NBA games for the Detroit Pistons. He remained 4 years with Reno, but also got further experience with the Idaho Stampede, Grand Rapids Drive, Stockton Kings, South Bay Lakers and G-League Ignite. He shot 40% or better from down town four times including twice with Reno and once with Stockton and South Bay. In his eight year career in the G-League he averaged 11,0ppg and shot 40% from outside making 619 three´s in 1540 attempts. Tyrone Ellis got a front row seat seeing his game progress and mature more under his guidance. I would of expected Ellis to describe him to another type of player, but for him Hearn plays like a Harrison Barnes. “Reggie is a jack of all trades. I played him 1-4 when he was with me. I even had him at the 5. He is so strong and is a sacrifice player. He knows when to make the big plays whether it is getting a stop, hitting a big three or taking the charge. Reggie is just very solid”, warned Tyrone Ellis. Hearn´s biggest strength is his shooting, basketball IQ, defense and playing the pick and roll, but he has more. “He makes mistakes, but the big difference is that he learns from them. He has great leadership qualities on and off the court”, expressed Tyrone Ellis. He will definitely put up points this season, but also will help Frankfurt on the defensive end as he can be an impact defender. “He can guard all positions. But he defends best at the positions three/four. He is really strong which gives him an advantage on offense. He is shorter than most bigs, but they won´t bully him. They can´t guard him on offense”, stated Tyrone Ellis. It is no secret that a hidden strength in his game is his rebounding. He averaged 4,2rpg in his 8 year G-League career being only 196cm. “He gets in the paint and really bangs. He is really good at frustrating guys and getting them out of their comfort zone”, said Tyrone Ellis. It will be a lot of fun to watch Hearn as he is a real three point sniper. Frankfurt last had a real lethal sniper with Andrew Rautins in the 2013-2014 season. Frankfurt will see a lot of that swish sound this season. “He is most valuable when he plays at the four. He slips out of screens so quickly and shoots the ball so fast. He can catch the ball and shoot it right away. He won´t come down. He can stretch the floor and create so much space. He is so lethal shooting”, warned Tyrone Ellis.

            Tyrone Ellis doesn´t only marvel about his game, but also about his character as that is even greater than his game. His character allowed him to have such a strong G-League career as he was able to make the most of every situation. It is never easy trying to be consistent with a team and get in a healthy flow when you have teammates left and right playing only for their stats and that NBA contract. “Reggie started games, but also didn´t. When he came from the bench that was because I got directions from management. He never complained but was always a total professional at all times. It is really difficult to average a lot of points when your not an NBA or assignment guy. He found a way to be consistent and that had to do with his charachter”, warned Tyrone Ellis. People in basketball Frankfurt may be a little skeptical that Reggie Hearn can make an immediate impact because he has no prior overseas experience, but Ellis is very confident that his ex player will make the adjustment without difficulty. “The whole process will be easier for him now then it was for me. He is married. I pushed him already a long time ago to go overseas. I hated to see him take so long. But I understand that he wanted to keep trying for the NBA. It is everybody´s dream to get to the NBA. He had had a taste of the NBA and wanted more. He will adapt with no problems”, stressed Tyrone Ellis. One has to wonder why Hearn didn´t play more than 3 NBA games or had a longer NBA stay. In Hearn´s season he was teammates with Gabe Vincent who averaged only 8,0ppg and wasn´t better than Hearn, but he is in the NBA now with the Miami Heat. There are simply too many excellent players and too few NBA spots. “Yes that is how it is. Every player´s journey is different. It worked out for Gabe. He had the perfect coach in me to help guide him. When Hearn was there, Gabe averaged only 8 ppg, but the season after 23,0ppg coming off the bench. I attacked his mind. Gabe was the perfect player. Why didn´t Chris Williams or I make the NBA? We all had our own destiny. Reggie is good enough for the NBA. It´s all about timing. Look at Mike James. He destroyed the Euroleague for three years. Now he is looking for a NBA job. We cut him when he was in Phoenix. Every journey is different for each player. It is the same with coaches”, commented Tyrone Ellis.

            There are three experiences that Ellis will never forget having with Reggie Hearn. The first was his incredible showing in 2017 in the final of the Fiba Ameri Cup game win over Argentina. The second and third times had nothing to do with basketball. “I don´t remember if it was in Toronto or Chicago, but Matt Jones and Reggie invited me into their room for a Bible study. That was profound. We had incredible conversations about God and marriage and the third was when Reggie invited me to hear him preach a sermon. That meant a lot to me. He knows how much of a strong believer I am in God. I don´t remember my clutch three´s or dunks in my career, but winning the title with Frankfurt and these experiences with Reggie I do”, warned Tyrone Ellis. The Fraport Skyliners don´t only have a gem with Reggie Hearn´s game, but off the court, the guy is the real deal. He got the ultimate compliment from Tyrone Ellis, a compliment that many brothers of sisters will never dare to say. “He is the type of guy that if you have a sister, you would want her to marry. How great of a character he is shows that I speak even more highly of that then his game. He is very consistent of being a great teammate and being a student of the game. He is every coach´s dream. He is a phenomenal person”, warned Tyrone Ellis. What can go wrong for the Fraport Skyliners when you have a second Tyrone Ellis?

Julius Thomas is a German head coach who is running Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf in his second season. He began his coaching career with NBBL (U-19) team Team Bonn/Rhondorf and then was an assistant with the Dragons Rhondorf in 2019-2020. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

Thanks for having me! I am currently preparing my team in Bad Honnef and Bonn. I am very happy that the Dragons Rhoendorf are finally back on the court and I am excited going into the upcoming season.

Before we get to basketball, I have to ask you how you have experienced COVID-19 in the last year. What has been the most challenging thing about living life with it?

Definitely keeping a positive mindset both at work and at home. I was one of the lucky coaches able to continue with my job as I joined the BBL team of the Telekom Baskets Bonn shortly after our season got suspended. However, having family members and friends who could not work in their usual way and who could not experience the social interactions that they are used to really affected me.

With everything that you have seen with COVID-19 how do you feel has it made you stronger as a man?

I don’t think that the pandemic has a lot to do with my masculinity 😉

How excited are you finally begin the 2021-2022 Pro B season. How tough was the last year with no regionalliga or NBBL games in your life?

We are super excited heading into the Pro B season. As I said before, I had a huge opportunity diving into BBL basketball, but seeing my Dragons-guys not being able to play was a tough thing! I am very glad that now we can finally showcase in ProB.

The Dragons Rhondorf are constructing a new team. Talk a little how that has been coming about. How difficult is it in general to build a roster during COVID?

Recruiting this season was even tougher than in the last summer since we did not have any data on NBBL or JBBL games and players. We as a program that takes pride into developing young talent rely on those NBBL games to scout potential players that could fit our idea. Luckily we were still able to recruit very exciting German youngsters such as Nicolas Buchholz, while we managed to re-sign most of last year’s players.

The Dragons Rhondorf are going the youth route again. How much more risky is this in the Pro B. How will it be different this season than in the Regionalliga with the development of players? Will there be more pressure for the young Germans to produce?

The whole idea of our program is to have young talents in positions where they have to produce. We really feel like making a big contribution to not only local, but also German basketball by taking talents out of their comfort zones and kind of force them into bigger roles and team-leaders. Is this a risk? Definitely. But from our point of you this is what ProB-Basketball should be all about. Helping young players reach the next level through playing in big roles.

Can you talk a little about how the young Germans continued to work on their game in the last year?. There were no games. How important was the extra work in the gym for their development?

They all found ways to have individual workouts and worked hard on their skills. However, playing 5on5 and playing games is the thing that helps those guys the most. The lack of those games will take some time to make up for.

How was it for you being a coach in the last season with no games. You must of watched many many videos. What did you concentrate on most in terms of your further development as a coach?

Watching videos was definitely a huge part during the pandemic. I think I haven’t missed a single Bayern Munich game this season. My main focus was to change my way of teaching and understanding defense.

With a season with no games, you can’t put huge expectations on the players, but how vital will it be for Pal Ghotra to make another step as a player?

The most important step for Pal is to get healthy. We want to support him on that way and we are convinced that he can have a big contribution if he gets back to the shape he was in before his injuries.

Another key player will be Oshane Drews. What will you be expecting of him and how did you see his development in the last year?

Oshane is to me one of the most talented young guards in Germany. We are expecting a lot of him this season and we are pushing him more and more into a Point Guard role, where he can both finish himself and creating for others off his drives.

Two guys I’m really excited about are the big German talents Ralph Honnou and Nicolas Bucholz. Did you work with them this summer? What can we expect from them in the Pro B where they should get decent minutes?

Both Ralph and Nicolas joined at the start of the preseason and will be important factors for our team. Ralph’s defense gives us a much needed boost against experienced and physical Pro B guards, while Nicolas’ passing and scoring abilities will be crucial for us on the offensive end

How did you experience the off season of Ousmane Ndiaye? Did he get stronger and what are you expecting of him?

Ousmane is getting stronger and stronger week by week and will hopefully be ready to make a big impact very soon!

In the Pro B teams are always keen on getting good production of their imports. Will Will Christmas be the next Curtis Hollis?

If he is Will Christmas then we will be fine

Christmas seems to have an excellent character. He finished school before turning pro last season. Did you have any talks with him?

Will is a very intelligent and interesting character, which is why I am excited to have him on our team. He will provide creativity as well as toughness, which is an interesting combination.

Talk a little how the relationship will continue with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Will their be any new candidates to get minutes with the BBL team that didn’t get in in the last years?

I hope that all of our eligible players will try hard to get an opportunity in the BBL and I am convinced that they’ll get one once they are ready for it.

What is your biggest wish as a head coach this season? What would you like to see happen with the Dragons Rhondorf this season besides getting many wins?

I would like to help build a team which excites our fans and to create a Basketball team Bad Honnef can relate to.

How vital is your relationship with associate coach Yassin Idbihi (208-C-83, college: Buffalo)? How has it grown during the hard times in COVID?

Yassin is in my opinion the key factor to the Dragons’ culture. He incorporates the love of improving young talents. That is why it is so crucial that he is close to the team all the time, providing the team and me with great advice on a daily basis.

What was the last movie that we saw?

Probably an old Tarantino movie.

Thanks Julius for the chat.

It was Monday in late May 2018 24 hours after Alba Berlin had pulled off the impressive sweep in German youth basketball wining the NBBL(U-19) and JBBL(U-16) titles in Quackenbruck as Josef Dulibic the NBBL champion coach was back in Berlin in the training facility. Alba Berlin had just proved again that they belong to the best youth movements in German basketball while the pro club was busy trying to win their first league title since 2008. Dulibic was on the court and then observed the Spanish coaching legend Aito Garcia Reneses make his way across the court to the Croatian coach. They were both in their first season with Alba Berlin and both rapidly made eye contact. Aito gave him a typical calm but commanding nod and said congrats coach. Dulibic and his NBBL boys had just won the NBBL title the day before. It isn´t always usual that one may get that type of attention from a legend, but Aito isn´t any coach, but a legend with a massive basketball heart and who simply cares about everything in the Alba Berlin organization. “This nod and recognition of the NBBL success just shows that everything is important to Aito in the organization. I really liked this moment and won´t forget it. That is how he is as a person”, remembered Josef Dulibic. Dulibic isn´t the only person in the Alba Berlin organization that will be able to tell a long lasting story or moment that they had with the Spanish teacher, but surely 100´s could. After four years in the Alba Berlin organization, Aito has decided to take a sabbatical and has given the control center over to his assistant Israel Gonzalez.

                Aito Garcia Reneses arrived in Berlin in 2017 and had already built an incredible basketball resume. He had coached in five decades and spent his whole career in Spain. He had spent 13 seasons with FC Barcelona, seven years with Badalona and also got further experience with Malaga, Sevilla and Gran Canaria. His title case is impressive as he won 9 ACB titles and 5 cups, 2 Korac Cups, Europe Cup, Fiba Eurocup and also won a Silver with Spain at the 2008 Olympics. Just from his resume, Alba Berlin had staged a coup being able to get this legend to Germany. The pick up of Aito would prove to be one of their best decisions in the last decade. Josef Dulibic also came to Alba Berlin in 2017. Dulibic was very impressed how Alba Berlin was able to lure him to the easyCredit BBL. He remembered first hearing about Aito when he was a coach with Badalona. “He let Ricky Rubio play Euroleague when he was 14. At that time that was very unusual. I was a young coach in Croatia and observed him. He had that special personality and was able to successfully develop young players something that he has been known for for the longest time. He would show where ever he went that he had the ability to help make players make that difficult step from a youth player to the pro´s. He has always shown that it may take a little time at the start even after four or five loses, but after a while everything goes click and teams begin to win. This would be the same story where ever he went to. He let´s young players play and controls little on the court. He allows players to see what is right in a certain situation on the court. His read and react became very successful in his system. Important also was his scouting and finding the right characters to fit his system. Luke Sikma was the best example”, stressed Josef Dulibic. Obviously winning three titles with Alba Berlin was so vital, but in reality his biggest strength and achievement was being able to give the Alba Berlin youth development another push. Dulibic noticed rapidly that his reputation of letting young players get minutes was true. Dulibic trained the NBBL kids in the same gym as where the pro´s played and there were always 3-4 NBBL guys practicing with the big boys. He liked watching Alba Berlin practice and being able to intensively watch every move of Aito. “The most interesting thing I liked to watch was his body language. He was always calm. He corrected a lot also. I would say that I was at 80% of the practices and he never yelled at anyone. I had never seen anything like that before. He was like a grandfather telling a story. You would have never have thought that this could go well. But his experience and charisma were so important and just hypnotized everyone. Everybody listened to his words and wanted to do it right. Everyone believed in him and wanted to make the next step”, stated Josef Dulibic. Aito was key in a number of guys making the next step something that had been unheard of in the past under coaches like Luka Pavicevic and Sasa Obradovic. The first two guys that were able to get minutes was Jonas Mattisseck and Hendrik Drescher. Mattisseck is on a good way. Even if it has been slow, but he still has a lot of upside. Drescher had a lot of mis fortune with injuries. The next trio that came were Franz Wagner, Malte Delow and Lorenz Brennecke. Wagner was a lottery pick and is in the NBA, Delow is in the Alba Berlin rotation and should make the next step this season while Lorenz Brennecke left and joined the Fraport Skyliners. A sly move as there is no room at his position with the emergence of Tim Schneider in Berlin. “He liked all of them and watched their NBBL practices. They all profited from Aito”, warned Josef Dulibic who last watched the Net Flick series Black List. Another big strength of Aito was how he treated his players. Often coaches don´t have the balls to criticize the star or cocky American and then take out their frustration on the young German player and make an example of him. This isn´t beneficial mentally for a young player. “He always told his players to give 100%. If they didn´t he wouldn´t get mad. That just wasn´t his style. But luckily for Aito his players always gave 100”, remembered Josef Dulibic.

                Alba Berlin had had a beautiful dynastic from 1997-2003 winning 7 league titles in a row, but from 2003-2017 really lost a lot of momentum as Bamberg started a dynasty under Chris Fleming and Andrea Trinchieri and FC Bayern Munich also won titles. Alba Berlin was able to win 5 BBL cups in that span which is a nice achievement, but nothing compared to winning a league title which they had last done in 2008. Alba Berlin was used to winning and this long drought wasn´t beneficial to the ambitious organization in any way. Aito finally brought another league title to the German capital in 2020 and followed with a second in 2021. Aito was like a four leave clover for the club and the main reason for bringing it back up and being the number one team in Germany again after being in the rear view mirror of Bamberg and Munich the last years. You have to wonder where Alba Berlin would be today had Aito not arrived in 2017? Aito didn´t have more money than pervious years. He was able to have success doing it his way. “His game philosophy and doing and being able to execute how the organization wanted it to be run was the reason for his success. He was the perfect coach and the perfect fit for the youth movement. He let the players grow and doors opened so they could make the jump to the next level. The players understood that they could get to the next level under his guidance”, explained Josef Dulibic. Not only did the organization Alba Berlin profit from the success of Aito, but so did the easyCredit BBL a league that continues to strive to want to become the best league in Europe. “The BBL continues to grow and it is a process. I sometimes feel like the BBL doesn´t even know how good the league is. You often hear from players lauding how good the BBL level is. Aito is very original and just very unique. I don´t think that people were able to estimate his worth as much in Spain. He really influenced many in Germany. People were able to really see him as a coach and how he worked in his time in Germany”, added Josef Dulibic.

                Aito seems to have paved the road for more Spanish coaches to get an opportunity in Germany. The best example is Pedro Calles who made a name for himself in Vechta helping the club reach the playoffs with a limited budget and did it again with the Hamburg Towers. Now clubs like the Fraport Skyliners want to go the Spanish route with Diego Ocampo and the Baksetball Lowen Braunschweig are seeking success with Jesus Ramirez. Are Spanish coaches the new sexy in the easyCredit BBL? “I think that it is similar to fashion. After Dirk Nowitzki came on the scene, it was Andrea Bargnani. People were saying Andrea who? There is and only will be one Aito. Just because a coach is coming from Spain, it doesn´t mean you will get a guy like Aito. Aito is unique and nobody is like him. It is very difficult to be like him. I am in no way saying the other Spanish coaches aren´t good, but you just can´t compare Aito to anyone else”, warned Josef Dulibic. New Alba Berlin head coach Israel Gonzalez now has the difficult task of filling the shoes of Aito. But it isn´t like a new coach has arrived in town. He was an assistant under Aito for four years in Berlin and also in Gran Canaria. Alba Berlin will be fine. “Israel was influenced heavily by Aito. One can´t await to get a second Aito. That just won´t happen. He will keep a lot of that Aito game philosophy but give his personality and character. He won´t change much. Then we will see if all can be like Aito or if there is only one Aito. Israel is calm like Aito. I hope the success continues”, expressed Josef Dulibic. Not only will all eyes be on Israel Gonzalez and Alba Berlin this season, but also on Orlando Magic Franz Wagner, Aito´s ex player. That one pro season under Aito in 2018-2019 was so vital for Franz Wager. “Important in that season was that Franz wasn´t injured. He had finished school at age 17 and was able to concentrate only on basketball. At the same time he also was able to get the needed recovery for his body which is so important for a young player to get. Being healthy and practicing twice a day was huge in his development. He made a big development under Aito”, said Josef Dulibic. You have to wonder where Franz Wagner would be today had he not gone to Michigan(NCAA) for two years and played two more years under Aito? “It doesn´t matter what route Franz would have taken, he would of achieved his goal of the NBA. If he stayed in Berlin he would be a starter today and averaging 10,0ppg”, warned Josef Dulibic. It will be interesting to see if Aito will come back one day to continue coaching, but anything is possible as he is just a basketball fanatic at age 74 and can´t get enough of the sport. Whenever I saw Aito after games in Frankfurt, he was always calm and such a gentleman. “With Aito around it felt like a calm Oasis and you always felt comfortable”, added Josef Dulibic. The basketball world needs more great coaches like Aito who refrain from that aggressiveness and bring tranquility on and off the court. But unfortunately that won´t ever happen, because there is only one Aito.

Sometimes those wonderful inspiration stories are slightly hidden, but if one listens closely, all it takes is to have heard one line and then that next fascinating piece can be produced. I have taken a lot of pleasure of listening to the No Plan B Podcast created by the comical but Knowledgeable ex professional player Joe Asberry. Asberry is a guy that has seen everything on and off the court and brings that special basketball street edge. His Podcast focuses on the journies of professional players that have come to Germany seeking their dream, but haven’t always had an easy ladder to climb. One of those players that was featured was Matt Reid who had carved out a respectable 11 year career and now has made the next step in business with company professional Sports Recovery. In the Podcast, he talked about his rookie season in Schwelm and mentioned his rookie teammate Keith Harris (196-G/F-85, college: Oklah.Christian) who he had to teach to drive the stick shift. He then mentioned one line which immediately raised my eye brows. ‘He played one year in Germany and then became a Hollywood actor’. Ok so there have been guys from the NBA that have become actors like the eccentric Dennis Rodman who shared the screen with Jean Claude Van Damme, or the lovable Shaq who wooed everyone in Kazaam or my favorite Kareem Abdul Jabbar who got rather annoyed as Co Pilot Roger Murdock in Airplane as a kid reminded him he didn’t play defense for the Lakers or who could forget his run as a teacher on Different Strokes with Gary Coleman. But these guys were all great NBA players who had an easy route into Hollywood, but for a guy like Keith Harris coming from a German Regionalliga team Schwelm, Hollywood wasn’t handed to him on a platter, but rather his path hasn’t been an easy one, but one that he has enjoyed taking and has become a steady working actor through hard work. Even if he isn’t a professional basketball player anymore, he tries to take concepts from basketball for acting. He also has kept that same kind of mind step in acting that a lot of the guys that have guested on the No Plan B Podcast in that they always have a chip on their shoulder and have to continue to keep grinding to keep moving up the basketball ladder. It isn’t any different with Keith Harris and the Hollywood ladder. ‘Well, I still don’t feel as though I’ve fully gotten into Hollywood yet lol. Definitely tougher than basketball to make a name for yourself. It’s a lot of luck but a lot of hard work as well. It’s also about who you know. Up until about 3 years ago I was doing a lot of auditioning and small projects. I feel like I have such a long way to go but excited for the journey. I often use principles I learned in basketball and apply it to my acting career. It’s very different. I feel like in acting I have no control but in basketball you get what you put into it. If you work really hard you improve. In acting, I can be the very best but may not fit the role. Sometimes, I wish it was more like basketball. If you work harder you get the job. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. I am currently making more contacts with each project. I am also working on my own stage plays and film projects. If anyone wants to invest in my script that I wrote regarding my father (it’s a great story) let me know ‘, stressed Keith Harris. Harris didn’t have the easy Hollywood route the way guys like Kareem, Shaq and Rodman had, but rather went more of a out of the ordinary route going from Schwelm, Germany to Hollywood.

Harris was born on July 11, 1985 in Houston, Texas. It is funny but basketball and acting were two things that he enjoyed as a kid, but things he didn’t envision at that time that would help him pay the bills and put food on the table. ‘Well basketball has always been an outlet for me to just escape. When I played basketball nothing else mattered and the things that I felt and were going through they were not thought of while on the court. I played basketball in Texas up until University. I went to Oklahoma Christian University and played there four years. Basketball was something that I was a late bloomer in. It was always ‘I’m going to prove that I can do this.’ I think I have always felt like the underdog and that I always had to work a little bit harder for everything. I get this from my mother and grandmother. Two women who had to work so very hard for what they have and what they accomplished. So, when I received a scholarship for college it was a moment that meant the world and I intended be the best I could in those four years. I actually never thought about playing professional basketball. It was a door that God opened up for me and with my hard work, the two met and there was an opportunity to play in Schwelm’, remembered Keith Harris. He wasn’t only able to show how creative he could be with the ball on the floor, but also showed talent as a kid with the arts. He enjoyed doing small talent shows and making weird videos. He had always been great with words and one could say that writing was like a first love for him. Even if he hated English class growing up, he really did enjoy styling his writing to how people spoke. ‘In college I met this girl (it always starts with a girl lol) and we wrote this musical together. I was just doing it because I liked her but then it turned into a passion. In Schwelm we had so much down time because it’s just games and practice I was able to watch a ton of DVD’s. I just remember being so moved by all of these different performances and was so intrigued at how someone can make me feel a certain way by what they wrote or said’, said Keith Harris. He played college ball at Oklahoma Christian University (NAIA) putting up good stats in his last two seasons averaging 15.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2 apg, 1.5 spg and 17.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg. He even had a brush with the NCAA and NBA, but overall playing in the NAIA was a great experience and he noticed that the league is a lot better than what it is given credit for. ‘Oklahoma Christian was a blessing for me. I actually had a division 1 offer from Texas State University. However, a coach I had at the time was hiding college letters from me from other division 1 schools and because of that Texas State no longer became an option. I remember being quite stressed about where I would go to school, even breaking out into hives. I was playing in an all-star game in Texas for seniors and my college coaches Dan Hays (the winningest coach in Oklahoma history) and Curtis Janz, a mentor and a man I look up to, drove to Texas to see me play. I had never spoken to them but after their visit they flew me in to Oklahoma Christian and after my visit I made it my home. It was a life changer in more ways than basketball. But the NAIA was competitive and we even played against a few D-1 schools. My experience there was my first time away from home and it really helped me grow into the man I am today. As a senior in college I did receive contact with a few pro scouts. My claim to NBA fame was when a scout for the Toronto Raptors spoke to me after a game in Texas. They were there to watch our power forward who spent some time playing professionally but it was really a moment where I thought ‘Maybe I can play at the next level.’ I think Oklahoma Christian University as a whole was an experience. It was a school that really forced me outside of my comfort zone. It challenged me in so many different ways especially my faith. I didn’t grow up with my father in my life and the men that I met there at Oklahoma Christian gave me a lot of foundation’, stressed Keith Harris. He didn’t leave Oklahoma Christian University empty handed, but also scooped up some awards with NAIA D1 All-America Honorable Mention -06, All-Sooner Athletic Conf. 3rd Team -07, and All-Sooner Athletic Conf. Sportsmanship Award -07.

After school, the American decided to attempt a professional basketball career. Not all players coming from lower divisions have the luxury of having an agent, but he had one which made the whole 2007 summer transfer period a little bit easier to handle. Even if the NAIA is only the fourth school division in the states, it is a lot more competitive than what it is given credit for. The NAIA is considered the division one for private schools. What really gives the NAIA an unjustified bad rap is that it is considered small college basketball. He and his agent then put together a highlight reel and Schwelm liked the result and the rest is history. He signed with Schwelm, a team that played then in the third division for the 2007-2008 season and moved to Germany. Rafi Wilder would become his first and only head coach as a professional. When I mention his time in Schwelm, the eyes of Keith Harris light up the way kids do on Christmas morning when they can open their presents. Often you will have those guys that will fall in love with a place and play many years there like Rickey Paulding in Oldenburg and Quantez Robertson who have exceeded 10 plus years, but seldom do you find a guy like Harris who was so in love with a place having been only one season there. It was one of those places where absolutely everything clicked for him on and off the court. The season was a huge success. The club only lost one game. The club had a great foundation of German players, two Americans and one Canadian and a team chemistry that grew from day one until the end. Plus the club had a lot of selfless players and a coaching staff that was able to help develop the players further. There were some special moments that he will never forget from that season were hearing those classic banging drums from the support of the fans, learning to drive stick shift from Matt Reid, winning an in season tournament, coaching the U-13 team and the last party after the final game. In the NBA, everything is taken care of for the Lebron’s, Harden’s and Westbrooks and if they don’t ever want to see a fan then that wish will be granted, but in Europe it is a lot different. The lower you go in levels, it seems like that bond gets so much more intense with the fans. He could probably write a book about his amazing journey from basketball to acting and there would surely be one chapter dedicated to the Schwelm fans. ‘Now what really mattered was the fans! I remember getting off that plane and into this red car with Nico one of the team assistants. I remember eating at Haenchen Schmitz almost every day and mostly eating spaghetti Bolognese. Spending time with Marvin Eberle and playing video games at his flat and him looking out for us. Having to wait so long for internet connection lol, going to a call shop to call America, and just walking around Schwelm and feeling appreciated and loved. To go even deeper, the family that I still keep in contact with today. The Falkenraths and Wiethoffs. My German mom and dad Ralf and Judith Falkenrath are just amazing individuals and when I was in Germany, they treated me like their son. They still do and I talk to them often. My brothers David and Lucas Falkenrath have come to America twice to visit. Justus, Juliana, and Johana, Sabine and Marcus Wiethoff for being a family that was there for me and made my time in Germany extra special. There are so many others that I can thank but I just want to say this to say that the people there is what I appreciated the most. My departure from Schwelm was a decision that I felt that I needed to make but the people there should know that they were an amazing part in my life and my German experience. I do want to say, that I have waited for an opportunity to just apologize if I hurt people from Schwelm when I decided to leave. I’m sure that many probably don’t remember but It’s something that I have held on to for a while. Thank you Miles for this chance. There were hard feelings when I decided to leave but that will never change how I feel about Schwelm. I always hope to be a Schwelmer basket forever’, warned Keith Harris.

He had many unforgettable moments off the court and ones he will cherish forever, but he also had fond memories from on the court when he showed Germany that he was a very good Regionalliga player. He will never forget his 40 point explosion. ‘That was as a feeling I had never felt before. Felt like I could throw up a shot with my eyes closed and it would go in. Or when Matthew would throw a nice assist to me or another player. loved seeing him succeed, it’s like he’s the other American, I want him to do well too. So I enjoyed when we did well together’, stressed Keith Harris. Not only were the fans a very important aspect to him being able to adjust in a new culture and have success on the court, but teammate Matt Reid was a massive reason why his only professional season could be so successful and so pleasurable. Like Harris, Reid has shined off the court as he has become very successful in the business world. ‘I expected all of this to happen for Matthew. His success is no accident. To be honest if it wasn’t for Matthew being there with me in Germany my experience would have been totally different. First off, he is hilarious and basically had his own place in Germany. Now how in the world does he talk them into giving him his own place? That’s when I knew he would be a great business man. He was also a great teacher on and off the court. It comes with the territory, being a point guard. But think about this, Matthew could have been the type of teammate that looked at the situation like a competition between he and I. However, it was always about us and improving together. Loved that about him. And who takes the time to teach a grown man how to drive a stick? I still laugh at some of his antics there in Germany, but if I have to go back and do it again, I wouldn’t do it without him. I’m so proud of him and followed his career as he played, on social media and you tube. He worked hard, he succeeded, and I don’t doubt he will explode in his business. We will be forever teammates’, stressed Keith Harris. For Matt Reid the feeling is mutual about his teammate. They had a special bond from the first day they met in Schwelm until today. ‘Keith was by far the greatest teammate I’ve ever played with. He could do it all on the court! He was able to play positions 1-4 and was a great shooter and crazy work ethic. My fondest memory off the court of him was his joy for life and always was in a good mood and great person to talk to about anything in life. I was one of the first persons Keith told when he decided to become an actor. We always talked about what we will do when basketball is over. and what I respected most about his dreams is that he was determined that the timing was perfect to start his acting career. He put the same work ethic he had from basketball and put it into his acting career and I’m proud of him and his success with acting. Also it’s a great connection for me to have for free movie premieres tickets for his future roles’, smiled Matt Reid. So after a very successful rookie season in Germany, he had to make a decision about basketball. It is no secret that it’s very difficult to make a living off a Regionalliga pay check. Some guys put up with it for a few more years, but many then who don’t move up the basketball ladder retire and return home. He had averaged 23,0ppg as a rookie and surely could of played at a higher level, but a basketball just wasn’t in his future plans. ‘I never thought about the money. It was always about doing what I love. That’s how I live my life. If I don’t absolutely love or have some passion for what I am doing, then it’s time for me to change. That’s what it was for me. I had never dreamed of playing professional basketball. I always thought after college that would be it and it would be time to move on. I just came to a point where I was burnt out and wanted to do something that I felt had longevity. You can only play basketball for a short time, and then what? So I decided to start my ‘and then what’ at age 23. No connection with my point average’, remembered Keith Harris.

So there he was in the summer of 2008 back at home in Texas and his brief professional basketball memories from Germany still dancing in his head. He knew that he wanted to do something that would just give him more security and that better sense of longevity and basketball just wasn’t that. Retiring from basketball was very difficult to do for the American. As difficult for many as who to pick as the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James. Ok for me it’s a no brainer with Bill Russell, but who’s asking me. ‘ It’s like a kid that had his favorite toy in one hand and his favorite snack in the other and you had to get rid of one. Which do you choose? I sought out many mentors and ultimately looked towards my faith for answers. I still love basketball and did at the time of my decision. Honestly if I had to make the decision again, I don’t know what I would do. The same head space that I found myself in that summer. Leaving anything that you love and that’s been a part of your life, is tough’, added Keith Harris. So he had made his decision to step away from basketball a game that he loved and now would attempt to begin a new adventure. You can ask hundreds of guys that have balled in Germany and are still chasing their ultimate basketball dream and they will tell you how difficult it is to secure a job, but what those starving actors. Getting into Hollywood wouldn’t be a cake walk for him, but he had to start somewhere. He was focused from the start and received his first role in 2010 called Frigid under a blazing sun. If you check IMDB, the bible for movie information has 32 official acting credits and like as a basketball player, the more versatile you are the easier it is getting jobs and it isn’t any different in showbiz. He also has 6 producer credits, 3 writing credits and 1 director credit. Being in showbiz and being a professional basketball player have one similarity and that you always have to trust the process. ‘You learn to appreciate the projects that you do get the opportunity to do. There are a lot of actors and not everyone gets the chance to audition or get roles in projects. So, you learn to live in the moment and not rush out of any project because the next can take a while to receive. I have also learned that my career is mine, and I can choose to do a project and I can also choose to not. I have turned down things that I felt were not consistent with my morals. I hope that pays off in the end. I also love that every role is different and even though it’s hard to get the role, once you get it, the fun begins. I love the process, working through nerves, trying to figure out your role, be present, and trust the work. I know basketball players can relate to that. I have experienced all of those feelings and emotions playing basketball. The process is what keeps me coming back and the HOPE that one day that big role can change everything is fun to chase. I am in another moment of ‘ I am going to prove that I can do this.’, warned Keith Harris. He has been involved with many special films, but one that is very close to his heart is Balboa Blvd, a flick that goes back to his roots. It is a story of a young man that has problems dealing with his past, but finds happiness playing basketball by himself. Then a homeless man enters his life showing a love for basketball and totally changes his summer. They form an unlikely duo and team up to play street games for money. Their friendship grows on and off the court and the young man finds answers to his past as suddenly basketball becomes more than just a game. ‘This was an easier role to play because of Kiley and Rody Claude, my friends and the creators of the film. They created the working environment and the trust in me to play the role. But acting is tough and with it being my first big film there was a lot of pressure that I mostly put on myself to do well. Acting takes work, studying, thinking everything through. To only NOT think when you are working. To hope that all the work you did before shows up as you try to stay in the moment. But definitely having that experience of basketball and playing in another country made it easier. It also helped with casting and just the believability of playing. Often times you watch basketball movies and the main characters really can’t play. Any real basketball player will notice’, stressed Keith Harris.

Another project that he is very proud of is Peace Officers. He not only stars in the movie with Jake Ebright and Aurelia Michael, but he wrote it and directed it. It is about police brutality and how two detectives try to bring about change. Being able to have so much responsibility was something that wasn’t simple for him, but a task that will continue to help him grow in so many different area’s of film. ‘Peace Officers was an impromptu film that I wanted to do during quarantine. I wanted to do a project from start to finish and learn from each part. I have so much respect for the different roles it takes to complete a film. I also got a chance to see what the casting directors sees when they see my pictures and videos. It helped me elevate my own game. I also learned that trying to act and direct in the same film is not easy to say the least. The next film I will direct only. Like I said before writing and telling my own stories is probably what I love the most. I currently have two full screenplays that I am shopping to get filmed. One is a horror story with a hidden positive message and the other is the story about my dad. The story about my dad has some basketball in it. I will never escape basketball’, warned Keith Harris. His next film project will be filmed in 2021 called the Legend of Johnny Jones. The flick is set in the housing projects of New Jersey. A young man who has been through abuse and poverty his whole life, undergoes a severe mental break down and starts a massive killing spree that has never been seen before. That is then how the legend of Johnny Jones is born. This movie features the first African American killer brought into a new light similar to guys like Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger. It will have a big name Hollywood name with Steven Seagal who came on the scene in the early 90’s with movies like Hard To Kill and Under Siege. But for Harris having scenes with the Martial Arts actor and seeing him on a daily basis won’t have him in awe. ‘It will probably be another movie for me. I mean, I love working with experienced actors especially those who I can learn from. With every movie I take a little bit from the professionals around me and always learn something new. I also am an observer. I watch everything that happens on set. So, I am looking forward to whatever lesson is next. Now ask me that again when I am working alongside Denzel Washington, Viola Davis or Tom Hanks then yeah it will definitely be an AWE moment’, said Keith Harris. If he had continued to be a professional basketball player he may still be playing at 35, but the chances are rather slim, but as an actor age 35 is like your playing your second or third professional season as a basketball player. He has been an actor 10 years now, but his career can still go many many more years. He knows that making movies is hard work, but at the end of the day he just wants to make a difference for the spectators. He still has some goals that he wants to achieve before it’s all over. ‘I want acting to do for my life what basketball did. Showed me the world, introduced me to so many great people and made me a better person. I want to play (act) at the highest level but more importantly I want to continue to tell stories and help move people and touch hearts just as those DVD’s did in Germany. That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. Changing lives, altering lives positively through my art. Wow, so many actors and actresses that I would love to work with. The list is too long. But I think if I ever work with Denzel Washington, Idris Alba, Tom Hanks, or Viola Davis then that will be a moment where I feel I have really done well for myself.’, warned Keith Harris.

Now let’s fast forward to 2021 as COVID-19 is still affecting the world like crazy. The last film that he watched was Tenet and he surely could write a very entertaining book about his life, but considering everything he experienced in 2020 with COVID-19 and his acting work, he easily could of written just a book for 2020. It is a year that he will never forget nor will the rest of the world. ‘California has been hit hard with the pandemic. I have experienced two mandated shut downs and have basically been stuck in my apartment. Thankfully, I work with students and have been busy with creating lessons to help them through this as well. I have also been auditioning a lot during quarantine. All of which are through zoom or taping myself and sending it in. One thing I miss though is being able to work out consistently and play basketball. I used to play in a lot of recreation leagues and all of that came to a stop in March. 2020 also brought some tragic things in my life as I know it has done to a lot to people. In June my cousin passed away and then I lost my grandmother in November. So, I have flown home several times to be with family. This year has been interesting with acting. At the start of the year there were a lot of things that looked promising. I was on schedule to shoot a film here in LA and was supposed to shoot a few smaller parts in some shows. A few of them were pushed back to later in the year but the movie was pushed to 2021. Covid definitely brought a lot to a standing halt. I even flew out for jobs and had to fly back because someone on set tested positive. I have taken about 8 Covid test so far and have experienced up the nostril test, down the throat and my personal favorite the self-test (easiest). The nose is just awful and the throat is even worse lol. But I am thankful that I have been awarded the opportunities to continue to work even if it’s under extreme protocols’, stressed Keith Harris in December 2020. Seeing two loved ones lose their lives in 2020 as well as witnessing how many people have died world wide has definitely made him put life into a whole different perspective something that surely wouldn’t have happened had COVID-19 not entered everyone’s lives. ‘I don’t know if it’s Covid or just the other things that have happened this year but I am certainly in this mindset that life is so precious. It can be taken away from you in an instant!! So, while you are here, alive, LIVE!!! Do everything that you want, and really keep the people that you love close. Also, don’t take for granted the little things that we so often do. Being able to see people, talk to people, eat out. All these things were paused and I think we all felt the absence of it’, warned Keith Harris in December 2020

He lists his personal NBA Mount Rushmore with legends Jordan, Magic, Lebron, Kobe, Steph, and Bird – Honorable Mention Wilt and Kareem and may have last played a professional game more than 12 years ago, but even if basketball is still very close in his heart, he is more than 100% sure that leaving the game for acting was the right step. ‘I have had no regrets, but definitely thought where it could have gone. Maybe I would have reached the NBA and played with LEBRON and KOBE!! But no regrets. I reached a dream that I didn’t dream and for me that was enough’, expressed Keith Harris. Even though he is super busy as a film maker/actor, he still has connections to basketball. He doesn’t have contact to any of his former teammates except for one Matt Reid. There isn’t much surprise that that connection will forever be alive. ‘I keep up with Matthew but not any of the other teammates. That was a long time ago. I am a diehard NBA fan and look forward to basketball every year. I watch high school basketball in California and keep up with the newest talent. I also play NBA 2k lol, does that count? I love track now, and it’s because my little brother is a track star. So, I’ve been getting into that. I also coach basketball for 10-13-year-olds here in California. I have not stopped coaching. It’s great to give back to basketball what it gave to me. I’m also hoping that I can coach a future NBA player one day so I can get free tickets. It’s an investment’, laughed Keith Harris. He still has so many goals ahead of him in film and basketball, but one thing is for sure he will never forget his one professional basketball season in Schwelm that helped him grow as a man in many ways as well helping him choose acting for his next challenge which is something that has proved to have been the right decision.

In some countries like Luxemburg or Iceland, basketball road trips are a piece of cake and can be as short a trip as it is taking a taxi from a certain five star hotel on the park in Boston to the TD Garden, but then again in other countries like Germany, road trips can be a longer affair as Chris Frazier has found out. In two of the last three seasons, the German/American who was born in Heidelberg and played 107 games for University of Dubuque (NCAA3) played for two clubs Rostock Seawolves and wiha Panthers Schwenningen where long tedious road trips are as usual as it is seeing these absurb high scoring games in the NBA. Especially when a team is situated in the north like Rostock or Schwenningen in the deep south, you have to travel some serious distances and you spend a lot of time on the bus. In Rostock, he had to endure a trip to Kirchheim that was 871 kilometers and on average with a car is 7 hours and 36 minutes and from Schwenningen to Bremerhaven, it was a distance of 798 kilometers and would take 7 hours and 26 minutes. The longest of last season was going from Schwenningen back to Rostock which is a 937 kilometer trek and takes 8 hours and 45 minutes, but that wasn´t the cause of the end of their season, but the trip to Bremerhaven. During the playoffs, the wiha Panthers played in Bremerhaven losing 83-79 where he had one of his best games of the season netting 18 points. It was a long bus ride home and something and the time spent together for a long time in a small amount of space didn´t help as when they arrived home, they soon after heard that 8 persons had been tested positive for COVID. An already tough season was crowned with a season ending COVID case. You never remember long road trips, but the last one to Bremerhaven is one that will always stick in the heads of the wiha Panthers players. That feeling that COVID could end a season was always in his mind. “ I knew it could happen because there are plenty of teams that had to go into quarantine before us, but I am surprised that covid almost hit our whole team and staff. It´s crazy how fast it can spread.  I was pretty disappointed. Me and the guys wanted to end the season off with a win, but health comes first. I was just surprised on how quickly the virus spread between us”, stressed Chris Frazier.

            It was a crazy season in the Pro A as there was so much drama and things happening with quarantine and injuries that seriously hampered clubs, some more than others, but still everyone was affected. It just really hurt the wiha Panthers that they were affected drastically at the end of the season where it counted most. “We haven’t been able to live normal for some time now so it wasn’t that big of an adjustment. We had very strict rules during the season to help prevent getting sick. It worked all the way until the end of the playoffs so it sort of worked”, stated Chris Frazier. They had lost 3 of 4 playoff games and the long and unpredictable season took a toll on them as well. “I think it was a physical and mental thing. Some of us were just drained of the season which is normal. With fans comes the extra energy so I would say it was a little bit of both”, stressed Chris Frazier. Despite COVID not going away and hanging around, the league and club wiha Panthers were able to get through the season as well as they could despite all the problems. “I think the league did a good Job. All the teams later realized that we had to be extra careful this season. We played a solid season, but there were many games that we gave away due to the lack of concentration, but I am proud of the guys, we had to play with no fans, no extra motivation. All in all we did a solid job”, commented Chris Frazier. A comment that many players have said during the last year is “I was so blessed to have been able to play the game I love and it wasn´t any different with Chris Frazier. “We got to play the game we love while a lot of people can´t even open their businesses. It hurts to see so many people struggle without knowing exactly when it will end! So that is my takeaway from this season”, added Chris Frazier who´s number one point guard of all-time is Chris Paul.

            Frazier who sees current Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum becoming a great NBA player and doesn´t see current Golden State Warrior Draymond Green being the best defender of all-time, but definitely a guy who impacted the game at a different level had great teammates this season. He also had the chance to play with two prolific scorers that were genuine impact and go to players with Shaun Willet and Courtney Stockard. Willet left during the season and helped Heidelberg win the Pro A title while Stockard came in and was a big support in the team being successful. The move definitely benefited both teams Heidelberg and Schwenningen. “I wouldn’t say the move it was wrong or correct. It was a move that coach thought was right and he brought in Courtney. Both players were our best players, Courtney just lead us better. Coach has a crazy way of knowing how players could fit together so at the end of the day it was the right move to make. Playing with Courtney was a good experience. He can score in many ways and also defend of the other side of the floor. So if he were to make this next step into the BBL I would definitely root for him”, warned Chris Frazier. This upcoming season the ex Artland Dragons who resigned with the wiha Panthers will have a new point guard with ex Buffalo(NCAA) great Lamonte Bearden, but his memories of ex North Carolina guard Nate Britt will never wane. “Nate is probably the best point guard I’ve played with. He can do a little bit of everything, wherever you need him he can fill that void. I didn’t ask for too many North Carolina stories because I’m sure he is tired of telling them over and over again”, said Chris Frazier. He also saw German Jonas Nidermanner make new steps in his basketball development and was very smitten by his potential. “Jonas is a crazy talent. He still has so much potential to get better and grow and a basketball player. It´s crazy”, warned Chris Frazier.

            The ex Otto Baskets Magdeburg guard who has his doubts that a Russell Westbrook could lead a European team to success, but still believe he would be able to get his points played a very solid and if not best statistical Pro A season in his career averaging 8,4ppg, 1,3rpg, 1,1apg and shot 45% from outside. But as usual, he wasn´t as content with his season. It is those players that are never fully content that are the ones that continue to get better. “I’m okay with this season. I can definitely do more because I had a good rhythm in the playoffs and I proved that I can play and contribute at this level. I am my biggest critic so next season will have to be better”, warned Chris Frazier. In the past he has played in the BBL with Crailsheim, but never got a real chance to show his talent and it wasn´t any different in Rostock. So in 2019-2020 he decided to take a step back and play in the Pro B with Iserlohn and it paid off as he averaged 14.7ppg, 1.9rpg, 3.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 92.1%. It would have been interesting to see how his basketball journey had gone the last two seasons had he not landed in Iserlohn. “To be honest I still believe that I didn’t have to take that step back if only I got my chance while I was in Rostock, but it is what it is, I do not regret going back down to Iserlohn because then I probably wouldn’t have gotten another Pro A chance”, stressed Chris Frazier who isn´t that typical spot up shooter and has a good mid range shooter and plays defense aggressively. He scored in double figures in 10 games including two 18 point games against Bremerhaven and PS Karlsruhe.   

            The German/American who´s toughest player  to defend last season was Kyle Lefroy and who feels that classic movies like Coming To America should be left alone is seeking to take on a bigger role in 2021 with the wiha Panthers. In Iserlohn he handled the ball more, while in Schwenningen his role was different, but getting less shots wasn´t an adjustment for him as his efficiency grew under head coach Alen Velcic. “I am a team first type of player and I always try to fit in where I´m needed the most. Of course I got less shots in the Pro A which lead me to have to be more efficient with my shots. It all worked out in the end though. I had less of a ball handling roll this season so I kind of had to go back into that 3 and D guy. I knew I would get a limited amount of shots so I had to make them count”, stressed Chris Frazier. It will be interesting to see how the 2021-2022 Panthers roster will look like and exactly what kind of a role Chris Frazier will take on. He is known as having a lethal three pointer, but this season he will unveil an old strength of his. “I will be working on my ball handling and my floater. I don’t get easy layups in the Pro A so I have to bring my floater back to life”, warned Chris Frazier. The road trips won´t be any different this upcoming season and the one to Bremerhaven will always give him that memory to the one last season. If he does catch some sleep on the bus, then at least his floater being successful could give him sweet dreams and distract him from any unwanted thoughts from his past COVID experience to Bremerhaven.

Jackson Trapp (193-G-92, college: FAU) is a 28 year old 193cm guard that was born in Tallahassee, Florida and completed his second season with Pro A team uni Baskets playing 9 games averaging 15.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 80.0%. In his rookie season he played 26 games averaging 14.5ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 88.2%. He brought professional experience to Germany having played in Canada with the Island Storm and with the Yakima Sun Kings (TB). He played at Florida Atlantic (NCAA) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 118 NCAA games. His best season was his junior year where he averaged 10.1ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 53.9%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 83.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 20-21 season.

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

Good to talk again! I am actually in New Smyrna Beach, Florida right now, on a small vacation with the family. But will be in Orlando the rest of the summer and offseason.

When you touched down back to the States what was the first eatery that you searched and found?

There is a famous grocery store chain here in the southeast U.S. called Publix. They have the best subs you can get anywhere in the world. I find my way there every time I get back home.

Another season has come and gone. This was a season like no other. Talk a little about how you experienced COVID-19 in Germany. What was the most difficult thing that affected you on and off the court?

It was definitely different this season than my previous season in Germany thanks to Covid, especially coming from Florida (where there are practically no restrictions). My first few weeks in Germany, everything was closed. It caused the whole social aspect of living abroad and doing activities with teammates outside of basketball much more difficult, which I think could easily play a part in the mental state of the players that leave their families and friends to travel across the world to come play.

How can one honestly rate a season like this with COVID-19? With all the obstacles that were there on a daily basis. No team was 100% this season.

I think in the future there will always be an asterisk next to this season. Almost every team in Pro A had to miss several games at one point, just to try to stuff the games in a at a later point in the season. The playoff layout was different than normal years. I believe we were the only team in the league that did not have to miss a game because one of our players tested positive. Unfortunately for us, our bigger problem this year was with injuries, which you can’t help but think that most players not having the normal training availability throughout the offseason played a significant factor in those injuries.

The Uni Baskets Paderborn failed to reach the playoffs. How much of an effect did the two early season close loses to Schwenningen and Tuebingen have? You weren’t here yet, but I’m sure you heard about it?

Losing close games are always tough. Especially at the beginning of the season when you are still trying to evaluate how you sit compared to the rest of the league.

Is it fair to say one of the biggest problems that the team had this season was the inability to find a consistent rhythm? You only had 2 winning streaks and usually when you won a few loses would follow.

I think the biggest issue and reason we couldn’t bring in multiple wins at a time was the high amount of injuries we had. Due to this, our rhythm and chemistry was always affected to a certain extent.

Why was the team not able to find a defensive rhythm?

I believe the team did defend better in the last few months. In the short time I was there, we tried changing certain things with the defense to try and adjust to the roster that we had. In the first few weeks I was there, we had a surplus of guards and only two true 4/5 men available. About six weeks later, four of our guards had suffered season ending injuries, and we had just as many healthy big men as guards, with a 7 or 8 man roster. This makes finding any type of rhythm on offense or defense very difficult.

Let’s talk about your teammates. Point guard Daniel Mixich has been a solid Pro A player for years. He has made the next step in Paderborn the last three years. How is he a better point guard now then when you first arrived?

Daniel is an awesome teammate both on and off the court. Despite still being relatively young (I thought he was 30 years old when I met him haha), he has a lot of experience at the professional level, and is a calming presence on the court, and is a great shooter that hit some big time shots for us the past two years.

How important was it for guard Robert Drijencic to come from his comfort zone in Oldenburg and take a step back and come to Paderborn? How did his game grow during the season?

I never got to see Rob before I got to Paderborn in February, but he is a guy that has good size and is a great shooter. He has the potential to play at a high level here in Germany.

Drew Cushingberry was the teams Kendale Mccullum. How did his game grow during the season and how was he a different player than Muccullum?

I give a lot of credit to coach Esterkamp. Going in two years in a row finding ‘under the radar’ guys that played at the D2 NCAA level, to come in and put up crazy numbers the way they did, is very impressive. Drew is a similar player to Kendale. They both are really good in the Pick n Roll, being able to both read the defense and find the open player, or getting all the way to the basket with some very tough finishes. I think they differ in two ways: Drew is aggressive in transition, but KD was the next level in terms of pushing in transition. Drew on the other hand has a lot of size and strength, which he was very good at using to his advantage against smaller point guards.

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 15,0ppg, 2,6rpg, 4,2apg and 1,0spg. How content were you with your season?

It is hard to be content with your individual goals when you don’t meet your team goals. With that being said, I did average more assists than I have in years past, which I think is due to getting more comfortable and more under control in pick n roll situations.

How tough was playing a shortend season and winning only two games? Despite that you were very consistent.

It was tough at times for sure. It helps coming into a team that where you already know half the guys, along with the coach and the system that he plays, but there were definitely times at the beginning of my time back where I had to refresh up on some things after not playing in a real game for 10 months.

You shot over 40% from outside. How did your shot grow again and how vital was shot selection this time for the less games that you played?

As always, during the offseason the biggest thing I want to do is improve my strengths, my biggest being shooting the 3. I shoot a lot of 3’s in games, and I sat down with coach to go over the best times of when I should and shouldn’t take some of the 3’s I take.

Last season you stated your decision making between to shoot the three and penetrate was something you could improve. Did you make better decisions this season?

I think I did. A majority of the 3’s I did take the previous season were good shots, but there are always situations where I could have penetrated to score or find a teammate. I think I improved on that this season.

Last summer you worked on reading pick and roll better, getting a quicker release on your shot and foot work. What will you be focusing most on this summer to continue to become the best player that you can?

The same thing. I have found my ‘niche’, and I want to be the very best at it. Any team or league I play in, I want to be the best shooter. That means I have to continue to work on my strengths in order to advance my game.

Who was the toughest player that you battled on the court this season?

This is a tough one. There were a lot of good players I played against in my ten games, and choosing one is tough to do.

Where will your journey go? I think that you can be an impact player in the German Pro A or are your goals higher?

Pro A is a good league with a lot of good players. I think because of my playing style, I could play at a higher level and still perform at a similar level. I think the same would go if I for some reason had to play at a lower level too.

Chris Paul recently passed Magic Johnson for fifth all-time in assists. Where do you rank him with the best point guards all-time despite never having won a ring?

I think he is top 5 all time. Looking at how much he improves whatever team he goes to is speaks a lot for how much value he brings to a team.

How have you seen the development of Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum? He has scored 50 plus points and 60 this season. Where will his journey go as a player in the next years?

He is a great player. With the size, skill and ability to shoot, he can be a superstar in the next coming years.

Dino Radja recently said he couldn’t see Russell Westbrook leading a team in Europe to success. Do you agree?

I definitely disagree. Although his playing style does not match Europe’s, he is the most explosive PG in the history of basketball, and there is not a chance anyone in the world, let alone Europe, could stop him from getting wherever he wants on the floor at any time. I’m not saying he would win any type of championship, but with the insane numbers he would put up, I think there is a very small percentage that he would not lead a team to ‘success’ in Europe.

Draymond Green recently said he is the best defender of all-time. Do you agree?

I think he is a great defender, but definitely not the best all time.

Have you seen the Coming to America sequel? It has had mixed reviews. Shouldn’t they just have left it alone?

I have not seen it! There are plenty of old classics that have been brought back when they shouldn’t have, let’s hope this is not one of them haha.

Thanks Jackson for the chat.

DJ Woodmore (190-SG-92, college: VWU) is a 29 year old 190cm point guard that finished his first season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz averaging 13,3ppg, 6,0rpg, 4,3apf and 1,3spg. Last season with Morgenstern BIS Basket Speyer (Germany-ProB) he played 21 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 87.3%. In 2018-2019 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.2%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.6% in the Regionalliga. In his first two seasons with Speyer he averaged 14.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 72.1% and 17.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 76.4%. he played at Virginia Wesleyan College (NCAA3): from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 20.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.3% (219/435), 3Pts: 46.0% (91/198), FT: 76.9% (93/121). He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 2020-2021 season.

DJ thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Your season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz has ended. Is this one of those seasons that will be more difficult to adjust then other seasons in your professional basketball career?

Absolutely one of the more difficult seasons for sure. Not just the basketball portion, but the other things we had to deal with from the pandemic. It was a long season, wish it hadn’t ended as soon as it did but I think I learned a lot from it for sure.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz had massive goals from day one as the Pro A was the goal. Do you feel like the high expectations were simply too much for some players?

No not really. I think if your goals aren’t too big, then they’re too small. We had a legitimate chance to reach it, but we had too many things not go in our favor. Really hard to keep fighting against things that we’re out of our control.

The season had two faces. In 2020 the team was 8-2 and in 2021 4-8. Breaks usually help teams especially with injuries, but with kind of an effect did it have on you guys?

I thought it hurt us. We were cruising and feeling like the best team in the south, but then we got hit by the injury truck, and never really seemed to bounce back and regain our rhythm.

What do you feel really hurt you guys most in 2021? Four of the eight wins in 2020 were close games. In 2021, you lost the close games and didn’t defend well. What changed in the mind set and game of the club?

Injuries was a big key but I thought we stopped doing the things that made us successful in the first half of the year. We stopped being a high paced and versatile team and became more halfcourt team. I thought if we would have kept playing to our strengths, maybe the result would have been different.

A big problem this season was the defense. The team had many good athletes, but just couldn’t find consistency. What do you feel really held this team back from being able to form a defensive identity that would help them carry to more success?

Just not disciplined enough in crucial moments of the game, Myself included. We had the athletes and talent to be a great defensive team, but in the second half of the year we struggled. Teams ran plays to exploit our weaknesses and it worked when it needed to.

What positives do you feel can the EPG Baskets Koblenz take out of this season?

I think being a first year professional club they learned what NOT to do moving forward. I don’t think it was as bad as everyone makes it out to seem but I do think we underachieved. From the top down, I believe everyone will get a little better in the years to come.

What was your biggest season highlight? Possibly sweeping top team Giessen and both times winning crunch-time games?

That was definitely a big highlight. I thought the second time we played them was one of the most intense games I’ve played in, in my career. But I thought the home game against Hanau was one of the best games we played as a team. There was a lot of distractions and outside noise leading up to that game, internally and externally, and we found a way to rally together to get the much need win to stop the losing streak.

In our weekly basketball talks we pretty much covered every teammate of yours. If you had to pick one player who improved the most who would it be?

Lucas Meyer! We knew what he was capable of from the first day. His ability to defend and score was always there. It was just feeding him that confidence to get it out. Later on in the season he turned into our defensive stopper and make huge plays for us in big games. He has a bright future ahead of him.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz had a very deep and talented roster, but which guy had the biggest impact on you on and off the court?

Definitely CJ Oldham. Turned into someone I could turn to and chat with for just about anything. Basketball related or not. Our chemistry was great on the court and his attitude stayed professional the entire season even when things weren’t going his way. Always put the work in and went the extra mile. Didn’t mind pulling the younger guys aside and giving advice and is just a person everyone wants to be around.

You averaged 13,3ppg, 6,0rpg and 4,3apg. How content were you with your season?

Ehh. Not the best but not the worst. Career best assists and rebounds so it wasn’t terrible. I thought I expanded my game a bit. But my role changed as the season progressed. We made some roster changes that affected everyone so I can’t complain too much. I’ll get better and keep expanding.

I believe this was the most deep team that you have been on in Europe. I think you had a good season and did the best you could despite the many scoring options. Were you as effective as you wanted to be?

No I don’t think I was. I have higher expectations for myself. But when I wasn’t scoring as much, I still found other ways to impact the game. So I’ll take it.

On what area’s of your game will you be focusing on most this summer to continue to be able to produce at a high level?

Just consistency at the PG position. Getting others easy opportunities and dominating the game in other ways than just putting the ball in the hole. I think that’s where the next step of my development is.

The EPG Baskets surely will shake up a lot this off season. Despite that would this be an address that you would like to return to?

No, I think my run there is over. Without saying too much, I think it was best that both parties moved in a different direction.

Who was the toughest player that you faced on the court this season?

Dontae Nichols from Giessen. I thought his size and strength gave me problems. I could play great defense on him but if he decided to post up , there wasn’t much I could do.

With COVID-19 still active how strange will this off season be?

Last year no one knew what to expect, but now it’s a second year in a row with having certain restrictions. Here in the states, everything is much more free and relaxed. I’m sure Germany will get to that point before the end of the summer. I think this will be a regular offseason for me. Gyms will be open, leagues will run as usual. And this should make preseason next year a little smoother.

What was your nicest COVID-19 experience off the court? Obviously one had less to do so one had to be creative.

I couldn’t say that I had one honestly. I spent a lot of time in my room all season long. I got a chance to visit some friends in Speyer but that was about it.

In April there were some 50 point games in the NBA. Do you feel like 60 points could be possible with the usual lax defense that is played?

Absolutely. I’m surprised there hasn’t been more 60 point games this season.

Where will the journey go for the Denver Nuggets without Jamaal Murray?

I think they’ll still make a nice run. Jokic is played at a extremely high level and I think he’ll get his team to rally behind him.

Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum continues to improve each year. He hit for 50 points. Is he a finished product now or could he make the next step and be a top 10 NBA player in next two years?

I think he’s just starting. He’s an extreme talent in this league. He’s just got to keep going. Boston needs to lock him down for his entire career or they’ll regret it.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Just rewatched The Avengers: Infinity Wars.

Thanks DJ for the chat.

T

Patrik Auda (204-PF-89, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) is a 31 year old 204cm forward that recently played at the 2021 Summer Olympics with the Czech Republic averaging 12,0ppg and 3,7rpg. He has played 7 professional season and will play his second season with the Yokohama B-Corsairs (Japan-B1 League) where last season he played 52 games averaging 15.7ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 63.5%. He also has played in countries like Poland, Spain, Italy and France. He also played 4 years at Seton Hall (NCAA) where he played 88 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Patrik thanks for talking to germanhoops.com You have experienced a lot in your career, but do the back to back wins over Canada and Greece rank in your all-time biggest wins?

Definitely yes. Both games were amazing and both victories made a historical moment for the Czech team. With the two victories we made it to the Olympic Games in Tokyo and last time the Czech Men’s basketball team was at the Olympics was about 40 years ago. So this was a great achievement for us.

What kind of an experience has the 2021 Summer Olympics been for you. What kind of an experience were the opening ceremonies? How did you witness this moment without fans?

It was an unbelievable experience. You know all the events before were basketball events. And now you have all these kind of sports at one place and a thousand of athletes at one place. It was an amazing feeling and experience. Also we spent time with other Czech athletes, and you can learn new things from athletes that do individual sports. Of course it was bad that there were no fans, it would have been totally different atmosphere at the games but it was still great. Truthfully an experience of a life-time for me.

I am sure that you have seen amazing things every day in the Olympic village. What was the most special moment for you off the court?

There were a lot of awesome moments. I think some of the best were when a Czech athlete won a medal and we were all waiting for him/her at the village to congratulate and celebrate. Big energy moments. It felt like we were one big team.

Were you able to meet or talk to any athletes from other countries? Was there an athlete that you really wanted to meet?

I was happy that I got to see my dear friend Aaron Geramipoor who plays for the team Iran. So we also had a chance to play against each other. We went to college together, Seton Hall University and are good friends since that. Besides him, there was probably none I wanted to meet. But I saw on IG that Tony Hawk, the skateboarding legend was at the Olympics too. I don’t think he was in the village, he was only at the skate boarding parks so I didn’t get a chance to meet him. But if I did, it would have been great, I’m a big fan of his.

The Czech Republic finished in their group with a 1-2 record. You beat Iran and lost by 20 points against France and 35 points against USA. What is your team summary after these three games?

Our mission this summer was to qualify for the Olympics. Everything after was just a bonus. I think we had the toughest group to be honest. I believe the finals will be France against USA. And against both teams we played good games, no matter what the end score was. I think overall we played great basketball and even if we didn’t advance, we are still grateful for the experience from all the games and we know what we can do in the future.

After playing such a fantastic Olympic Qualifying, do you feel like it was difficult for the team to be able to heighten their game another step against France and USA?

The qualification games were great for us. Ne2 experience, showed us what we can do, what we can work on. But we are just not on that level like the USA team with full squad of NBA All Star players. We are a small country where basketball is not even the top 3 sport. And for that fact, I think we did a great job this Summer.

You played against Team USA at the 2019 World Cup losing. What are the biggest differences between the two teams? Would you say that the talent level of USA is greater now?

In 2019, it was first time we played against USA and it was like a dream come true. I believe that is what every basketball player in the world dreams of. They had a great team then but even better at the Olympic games now. I would not be surprised at all if they bring home the Gold Medal.

You have played against top teams in Europe and top nations. What was it like for you playing against Team USA and a guy like Kevin Durant? Is a guy like him and his game overwhelming at first glance?

You know during the game you try not to think about who they are and just try to play your best and compete as much as you can. Those are guys with great talents and it doesn’t get better than this to compete against them. After the game when I think about it’s like wow, those are the guys that the whole world is watching and we had a chance to battle with them. Its a big honor and experience.

The Czech Republic played a very strong first half against Team USA but fell apart in the second half being outscored 72-41. What was key in the second half for letting USA walk away with the win?

We played a great first half but once the USA team got on fire, it was impossible to stop them. They played tough all game and the shots they hit were crazy. There was nothing we could have done at that moment.

You played against American rising star Jayson Tatum at the 2019 World Cup. This time he scored 27 points. How has his game improved in the last two years and could he become a top 5 player in the NBA?

I think he was outstanding in both tournaments. Definitely a key player for the USA team.

What is special about the Czech republic team in 2021 that they didn’t have in 2019? Is the chemistry and team friendship even stronger now then then?

The core of the team is still the same. Of course we have Tomas Satoransky and Jan Vesely but overall we are not a team full of superstars. But we know each other for a long time and we played together too so we know what to expect and that we can rely on each other. Everybody that is on the floor plays 100% and wants to give everything to help the team win.

What kind of an experience has it been being teammates with NBA player Tomas Satoransky? Can a big man feel any more comfortable in the paint knowing that he has the ball?

It makes everything easier to be on the court with Tomas. He is a true point guard that leads the team. His feel for the passing is amazing so for me it is always fun to play with him.

What have you learned to appreciate most about veteran Blake Schilb over the years most? Is there more of a team player than him?

Throughout all the years I have been with the National Team, I have been always trying to learn as much as I can from all the guys that have a lot of experience. Blake shows us that one can still play at this level even at his age. He takes care of himself well so he is ready for the games.

You are a guy that has always been a solid offensive producer where ever you have played. What exactly was your role on the team this summer?

I think mostly I am an energy player. I usually come from the bench and I’m trying to bring a new energy for the team during the game. I try to change the rhythm of the game and show that the level of playing does not decrease when bench players come in the game. I do everything the team needs at the moment. I try to play good defense, help others. On offense set good screens for my teammates to get open. Attack the rim hard when it’s needed. We have a lot of good outside shooters on the team, my game is different, I want to take it all to the way to the hoop. I think it’s important to have both on the team.

You’re a player that has been consistent where ever you have played as a professional player. What has been your secret to always being able to adjust and be so consistent?

There are no secrets. The keys are always the same. You have to be focused in what you do. I think discipline is the most important. You have to put a lot of work in what you do and be confident to show it.

In the 2017-2018 season you played twice against Luka Doncic with Manresa. What was your impression of him then and if somebody had told you that he would be a star in the NBA so fast then what would you have thought?

I don’t remember much from those games. He was still really young at that time and didn’t play much. They had other good players we were focusing on more. But to see him play today, it is incredible what he does on the basketball court.

You worked together with coach Mike Taylor early in your national team career. How do you remember him being able to help your game at that moment in time?

Actually I wasn’t on the team when Mike was there. When I joined the Czech team he was a head coach of the Polish national team. I have met him a lot of times though, he is a great guy and I think he has been doing a great job with the Polish NT.

You played two seasons at Seton Hall (NCAA) with one of my favorites Jordan Theodore. What memories do you have of him on and off the court?

It was great to play with Jordan. He was a true floor general. He is showing that everywhere he played in Europe. This year we will have a chance to play each in Japan. Im excited to see him after many years.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Space Jam 2

Thanks Patrik for the chat.

Some guys come and go and just don’t leave a lasting impression on you while then again there are other incredible players that leave a deep rooted feeling in you that you just won’t ever shake. One of those players is Larry Gordon (196-F-87, college: CPP). He is that player that has the ability to catch your eye the very first time that you ever watch him. Even if his rebounding was eye popping, he had that complete offensive game that was also enforced with a vicious three pointer that could always change the impact of the game in many ways. His three seasons with Phoenix Hagen from 2012-2015 were very defining for his career as he was able to make the next step there after proving he could ball in lower leagues in Holland and Austria. In those three years in Germany he become an elite small forward and BBL allstar. He had a 500 record against the Fraport Skyliners with Phoenix Hagen who I have covered since 2004 averaging 16ppg and 9,0rpg in those six games. I remember the first interview that I did with him as it was in his first season in the easyCredit BBL with Phoenix Hagen on October 25, 2012. He spoke about how he molded his rebounding after beast Kevin Love saying his secret to grabbing the ball away from a Quantez Robertson, John Bryant or Johannes Voigtmann had to do with heart and relentless effort and he also sensed a difference in dialect between people in Hagen and in Austria where he had last played. 9 years after their first meeting Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson remembers his battles with him as if it was yesterday. ‘I remember Larry as being strong, quick and a very good good shooter. We always battled hard against each other. There might have been a few times where he sneaked by me and got an offensive rebound. He was just a cool dude to play against’, remembered ex Auburn (NCAA) guard Quantez Robertson. He also knew early on that he and Davin White would gel on the court quickly. ‘ Davin is really quick and agile. He can pretty much get anywhere he wants on the court with no problem and has excellent court vision’, stressed Larry Gordon in 2012. That wasn’t the last time that I would talk with Larry Gordon as 40 more interviews would follow. He always gave very interesting and very well thought out answers and I just bombarded the guy with interviews for years and it didn’t dawn to me until now how he could of put up with me for so long with all the pesky interviews. I just believed it would go on and on with our interviews and it did. He was always willing to cooperate and answer my questions after a win or loss. ‘Man that’s crazy, I didn’t even know you kept count. It has always been a pleasure to do your interviews’, stressed Larry Gordon. I will always remember him as a very versatile player and probably the best rebounder at 196cm that the easyCredit BBL ever saw. Recently I heard that he had retired after 13 professional seasons and 393 games and 183 games in the German easyCredit BBL. After doing so many interviews with me, it was obvious that he wouldn’t forget me. ‘I’ll remember you as the best sports interviewer in my career’, expressed Larry Gordon. Nine years later after Larry Gordon and Davin White were teammates, the flashy point guard who garnered ACB experience never lost love for his former teammate. ‘Larry Gordon was not only a basketball player, but he was a brother to me. I watched him grow as a man/husband/father. We always kept in contact I followed his career and watched how he turned from the young guy to the vet. Lol! Going to miss seeing you lace them up my brother! Good luck in whatever god holds for you after you hoop’, stated Davin White.

Larry Gordon who currently is in Las Vegas, Nevada was born on April 18th, 1987 in Pomona, California and began his basketball career at Montclair high school in California and then played at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005-2009 playing a total of 116 games. He put up massive stats in his last two years there averaging 16,0ppg and 9,0rpg and reached the NCAA 2 final in 2009. He played under the legendary head coach Greg Kamansky who was instrumental in his early development there and grooming him for the pro ranks. ‘Just being mentally prepared for a whole other different perspective on professional basketball. He told me that this is now a job, a business and you have to produce if you want to keep your job. So that was always something I kept in my mind and carried with me during my career. Pro basketball is fun, but at the same time it is a business and if your not taking care of business then it won’t be fun and there will be no job’, stressed Larry Gordon. There he also played for the first time with a German player named Tobias Jahn not knowing that many more would come in the years to follow. ‘His personality was definitely not what I expected being the first foreign player I played with, but he was a great guy, lots of enthusiasm and he can always brighten up a day with just the way he was. My best memory of Tobi is when we played against BYU-Hawaii for the Regional Championship back in 09 and there was a player being hyped of that Tobi had to face. And in that first half, he had Tobi’s number but in that second half, Tobi turned it up a notch and helped us secure the win’, remembered Larry Gordon.

The American who lists Davin White, David Bell, Kyle Fogg, John Bryant, Mark Dorris and Jerry Smith as his best teammates ever in Germany . then turned professional in 2009 and played a very strong rookie season in Holland with Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie) playing 36 games averaging 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He then took up a new challenge in Austria with the ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing two seasons totaling 73 games and upping his game averaging 10.4ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 66.7% and in his second year averaged 14.7ppg, Reb-3 (8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3 (65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. Going to new countries and higher leagues was something Larry Gordon flourished at and he then made the jump to Germany to Phoenix Hagen. There he played for a club that at that moment in time had been known as constructing shoot out games in the run and style of head coach Ingo Freyer. He had many great scoring teammates like Davin White, David Bell, and Mark Dorris and he fit in nicely. The American knew that his play would have been as successful in another system distant from the run and gun play. ‘Of course, at the end of the day I’m a ball player. I can play any style of basketball, I just so happened to super excel in the run and gun style. But I had success as you saw in Portugal which was far from run and gun’, stressed Larry Gordon. He put up fantastic stats in his three seasons with Phoenix Hagen averaging 12.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 83.2% in his first season, 15.5ppg, Reb-2 (7.6rpg), 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 89.5% in his second season that earned him a BBL Allstar appearance and 14.0ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 72.1% in his last season. In 101 games with Phoenix Hagen he showed his consistent colors scoring in double figures in 78 games. He beat Alba Berlin twice and will always cherish those times. ‘Yea that’s what I loved about Germany. Even when I played the big teams, all that mattered was who came ready to play. And that’s how we beat Berlin and Bamberg. The only team I never beat in the BBL was the power FC Bayern Munich’, remembered Larry Gordon. He remained in Germany and took on a new challenge in 2015-2016 balling with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven averaging 10.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 84.3%. There he didn’t score as lethally as with Phoenix Hagen, but was still versatile and had his three pointer on the mark being able to shoot out the lights. He had a lot of scoring talent there including Kyle Fogg one of many great guards who should have been in the NBA, but is a perfect example of so many talented guards that never made the NBA because of too little roster spots. ‘He is a perfect example but it is what it is. But guys like him are really starting to realize how they can have very good careers overseas as well as get paid while doing it’, commented Larry Gordon.

He then split the 2016-2017 season with Sonic Boom KT (Korea-KBL) averaging 14.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 51.3%, 3FGP: 35.6%, FT: 82.1%, and then moved to SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-BBL) where he could quite find that Gordon magic of Phoenix Hagen averaging 6.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 69.2%. There he played with Mr ballerina Derrick Allen who is one of the best role models a young player can ever have. ‘His best quality I feel is his work ethic. He had a great work ethic and I’m sure he will translate that to his coaching’, added Larry Gordon. After two tough seasons with Bremerhaven and going a combined 2-34 in Korea and Rasta Vechta where he literally couldn’t buy a win one only had to wonder where his future would go. Well his agent Gerrit Kerstin-Thiele from Scorers First did absolutely everything correct finding him an amazing opportunity with BK Astana (Kazakhstan-National League) where he not only won his first professional title, but added a second as he won the league and cup championship averaging 14.6ppg, 8.0rpg, 4.4apg, 2.1spg, 2FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.2% and played in one of Europe’s top leagues VTB averaging 8.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 74.3%. Even though he didn’t beat top Euroleague team CSKA, he battled against some of the worlds best players with Sergio Rodriguez, Nando de Colo and Kyle Hines and ex NBA players Othelo Hunter and Corey Higgins. He then came back to the easyCredit BBL one more time for the 2018-2019 season and played with the Giessen 46ers averaging 11.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 81.4%. There he came together with two BBL legends with Jared Jordan and John Bryant. It is no secret that he most likely never played with a better point guard or center then them. ‘I got to meet up with John here in Vegas a few weeks ago. He is definitely one of the best bigs I played with. And Jared’s court vision is unbelievable’, said Larry Gordon.

So let’s fast forward to 2021. He played the last two seasons in Israel, Romania and Portugal. In 2019-2020 he split time with Hapoel Eilat (Israel-Winner League) playing 13 games averaging 5.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 41.0%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 50.0%, and then moved to BC CSU Sibiu (Romania-Liga Nationala) playing 2 games averaging 9,0ppg, 8,5rpg, 1,5apg, 1,0spg, 1,obpg. I have spoken too many Americans over the years and 9 out of 10 guys, no actually 10 out of 10 times, they say that the weather and the food was the best, but for Larry Gordon he had a third that was the greatest. ‘The birth of my son was the best thing in Israel’. Back in his VTB year in Kazakhstan, he played against CSKA Moscow one of the best Euroleague teams, but did his battle against Maccabi Tel Aviv stack up talent wise with the Russian squad? He held his own scoring 9 points in a 102-86 loss to top Euroleague team Maccabi Tel Aviv that was stacked with guys like Scottie Wilbekin, Othello Hunter, Deni Avdija, Quincy Acy, Nate Wolters, Elijah Bryant and Omri Casspi. ‘Maccabi for sure is up there, but CSKA Moscow will be the most talented team I played against. Deni & Elijah were my matchups and they both were very good young players’, added Larry Gordon. He played his last professional season in 2020-2021 with FC Porto finishing in style putting up fine stats averaging 12,9ppg, 6,6rpg, 2,1apg, 1,0spg while shooting a respectable 38% from the parking lot. Being able to close out his professional career with a traditional organization like FC Porto was perfect except for one thing. ‘It was a very good experience. I think it would have been much better if it wasn’t for COVID-19. Not having the fans sucked. The club was professional, didn’t have too many issues’, stated Larry Gordon. Reaching two finals wasn’t an easy way to go out. ‘It’s tough but I feel like I went out on top. I had a great individual season, a great team season, won a championship. All great things. Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to go back and have a revenge season and compete for the National Championship’, stressed Larry Gordon. He scored in double figures in 22 games including a 30 point explosion against Sporting that was crowned with a 81-78 victory. With so many great games in his career ranking that as one of his top 5 best of all-time was difficult. ‘I’m not even sure. I know I had a few 30pt double doubles in my career. I was a beast’, warned Larry Gordon. He went out losing a brutal 5 game series loss to Sporting Lisabon where the team lost three of five games by only a combined score of 7 points. ‘I only remember the last game and how we lost. It was the worst ending to any game I’ve ever played in my life. It was worse than losing by buzzer’, remembered Larry Gordon.

Who knows where Larry Gordon who feels like they should have left the classic movie Coming To America alone would have been right now had COVID not come? He may have been back to Germany for another season or somewhere else. The pandemic had an effect on him choosing to hang them up. ‘It was a difficult decision but I made the best decision for me and my family. Without Covid I probably would have played 2 more seasons’, warned Larry Gordon. Having to put up with COVID was tough for him just like everyone else. It is very respectable that he could still flourish as a player in Portugal despite all the COVID drama. ‘We were in some pretty strict restrictions out there for most of the season. I had to do a covid test almost every week. It’s was challenging but I persevered and just kept grinding’, stressed Larry Gordon. Despite all the troubles with COVID, he was able to grow further as a man and contemplate the future. COVID wasn’t the only reason he decided to retire. He wanted to go out in style and not be remembered as a guy who played in some lower league. It would have been cool if his ex teammate Derrick Allen would have called and offered him a roster spot with Rasta Vechta, but no call ever came. ‘I would have said yes without blinking. Germany holds a special place in my heart. The deciding reason was mainly the markets. I was not receiving the offers I thought I deserved, and I wasn’t going to play more seasons with out being paid my worth, it’s just that simple’, expressed Larry Gordon.

So what will be the next step for Larry Gordon? Could he remain in basketball or will his path lead down a totally different road? ‘I’ve dedicated 20+ years to the game and it’s time for me to do something different and impact the world a different way’, warned Larry Gordon. It is no secret that he will always be remembered in Germany and his time there definitely shaped his game. ‘I can’t express enough of how much I loved Germany and playing in the BBL. I wish I could have ended my career there. But Germany was the main anchor in how I developed as a player. Played against top notch players every season. I loved it’, said Larry Gordon. His ex coach Steven Wriedt also will never forget him and surely will always have many memories of him torturing players in the paint. ‘Larry was the ultimate professional on and off the court. Which is proven by such a long and successful career. He is a great family guy and teammate. It was a pleasure to work with him. He was also one of the best Rebounding small fowards to ever play in the BBL. He had a great feeling for Rebounding’, stressed Steven Wriedt. ‘ It was between him and Immanuel Mcelroy as being the best rebounders at that height’, stated Immanuel Mcelroy. One person that was so important in his career was his agent Gerrit Kersten-Thiele and CEO of the well known German agency Scorers 1st. ‘He was big time, he helped me get to where I wanted to be in my career. And honestly couldn’t have done it with out him and Scorers1st’, remembered Larry Gordon. ‘Larry was a class act on and off the court. He was a super player that was always convincing in his game with his versatility athleticism and dependance. Even though he was a great player, his personality was even more impressive. He was an absolute family man that was 100% loyal and honest at every moment in his career. He always wanted that place that was best for his family and career. Money was also important, but it was never a reason why he made decisions’, stressed Gerrit Kersten-Thiele. Now after 13 seasons, fans around the globe and especially in Hagen can reflect on the fantastic moments they had with him. ‘I want them to remember me as a player who gave his all to his team and teammates and always came to compete no matter what’, stated Larry Gordon. I know that there won’t be any doubts in Hagen about his closing words.