Christopher Edward is a 201cm forward from Los Angeles, California that completed his second professional season and second with TV Langen averaging 22.2ppg, Reb-5 (10.9rpg), 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 66.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 53.7%. In his rookie season he averaged 22.2ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 56.7%. He began his basketball career at Claremont high school and then played 2 years at Chaffey College (JUCO). He played at Concordia University, Oregon (NCAA2) from 2016-2018 and as a senior played 28 games averaging 16.0ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 1.0%, FT: 56.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus crisis.

Hi Christopher where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus?

I am in Los Angeles, California. My mood is all over the place, for the most part I am doing well. It is sad to see all the damage that is going on due to the virus. To see all those big milestones for people get cancelled or postponed or done in a nontraditional manor. I am safe and healthy, at this point that is a great thing to be so I am grateful for that. 

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

No I did not, I thought it would be just like the flu that got people sick. Then the more and more it grew and infected people the more serious I saw this virus. It really has impacted the world in a way that I don’t think anyone could have for seen.

How did you experience the day to day life in Germany during the Corona Virus outbreak? Did you see that corona effect on the culture there or was it not so much different happening in your day to day dealings?


I had left the country right before the outbreak had reached pandemic levels. As the levels were rising I saw some concern from people but for the most part the day to day dealings were the same not much change was going on. 

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

Coming home, yes I became more cautious about shaking hands with people. I have always been cautious about germs in general. So my habits in regards to dealing with people in public were the same, just nice to see the rest of the world being just as cautious. I try to avoid people who are coughing or sneezing anytime of the year all my life, not just during this crisis. 

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season?

I was a little disappointed, I felt that there were some games to left to prove. We had two ‘revenge’ games with playing Mannheim and Karlsruhe. I was definitely disappointed that we didn’t get the chance to show that we are not that same team they played the first time around. It’s never fun to have a season cut short and definitely not on the embarrassing way we lost the last game of the year. However, as unfortunate as it is. It was only three weeks left so not too much was cut out and I was happy I was able to make it home safely. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

I think it is weird. Even if you have a smaller crowd, it is still exciting to play in front of those people. There is a different atmosphere of the game when you play without a crowd. It feels like a scrimmage that doesn’t matter too much, so I think the mentality of the players had to be different. 

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

The whole thing is scary in itself, I have learned to trust in the Lord much more. It’s a bunch of unknown but to put my confidence in him has made me much stronger than I could have ever thought. 

Wil it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this?

The biggest adjustment, for me, is not having as easy access to a gym to play basketball. I am home earlier than I expected to be and doing workouts earlier, but that is not a bad thing. I got a little bit more time to rest and recover from the season, that is a big advantage. Allows me to slowly work back into workouts and build that endurance again giving me more time to do more intense workouts as the new season gets closer. My skill development is what I am most concerned about. With the virus shutting down gyms, parks, pretty much any place that I can play basketball, I can just do dribbling drills at home and some phantom shooting. I am hoping that will change soon and I can get back to playing.

The whole world economy is going to be affected including Polish basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

I am worried about the smaller leagues that really depend on certain sponsors that won’t be able to pay due to lack of business. I am doing my best to not let it get to me, as I mentioned before this is a wild time of unknown. At this point I take it day by day, week by week, month by month. It’s the best way to handle something like this, for me personally.

How have you experienced the day to day life back home in the States? How has the Coronavirus affected your daily life? How have you been keeping in shape inside your home. Talk about the type of exercises and work out you have been able to perform inside your own 4 walls.

It’s a bit odd. I haven’t seen most of my family and friends since I left last August. I miss them so much and it sucks that I am home but still have to keep my distance. Daily life is relatively the same with the exception that I cannot go to a gym to shoot or lift. I am forced to do home workouts. I stay in shape by doing some sort of workouts, like bicep curls, tricep extensions, yoga, pushups, squats, wall sits. I go for walks everyday and I go for a run every other day. On my walks I bring a ball to dribble around just so I continue to have a feel for the ball. 

If you had to name another player besides guys from your team that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?

Not on any team I have played on would either be Maurice Jones or Igor Markiewicz

Let’s talk about the season of TV Langen. You guys finished in 3rd place with a record of 12-10. How do you summarize the season performance of the team?

The team played well this season. We had some really good wins and some really bad losses. It took us some time to find a rhythm but when we did we were a force to be reckoned with. I don’t think anyone besides the team thought we would place as high as we did and I am so proud of our team. We worked hard in practices and we proved a lot of people wrong.

How competitive was the Regionalliga South West. Between 3rd and 11th place there was only a difference of 2 wins. Did the competitive nature of the league and players motivate you and heighten your game more?

Very competitive. Any team could win their matchups for the week. Yes absolutely, nobody wanted to lose and I definitely was one of those. I would push myself to be ready for the matchup and ready to go home with a win. I wanted to be sure that I did everything I could to help the team be in the best position to win. 

TV Langen had their best stretch of the season from mid December to mid February attaining a 7 game winning streak. Why do you feel was the club most successful in this time?

We focused on our defense. As a team we had no problem scoring. The thing to work on was can we step up and stop our man and play great team defense. During that stretch we did that, and did it very well. 

The club had some very exciting wins like the two 3 point victories against Tuebingen and Idstein. Do you feel like one of these wins was the team highlight of the season?

I would say the Idstein win at Idstein was a big highlight for us. Such a hard fought battle from tip off to the final buzzer sound. An amazing team win!

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a pleasure was it playing together with German Rueben Spoden. He played many years in the German first division BBL. What could you soak up from his game that helped you most?

It was great. Ruben’s basketball IQ is crazy high, I was able to learn a lot. From him giving me advice, to watching him, guarding him, him guarding me. I felt like having him on my team the first couple years really helped me elevate my game. 

Sebastian Barth played only 2 games but is a TV Langen legend. Was he another one of those veterans where you could get something from his game and words of wisdom?


Yes, Basti was another one of those high IQ veterans he came in and in his game you could just tell he knows what he is doing. Reads the defense great, makes the right play. A pleasure to have him on the team. 

The club had a lot of German players. If you had to choose one that improved the most who would you pick?

Felix Feilen. From my first year to last season he improved in shooting and more importantly confidence. I am super excited to see where he goes with basketball. 

Let’s talk about your game. This season you averaged 22.2ppg, Reb-5 (10.9rpg), 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 66.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 53.7%. How content were you with your season?

I was very proud with my season this year. It’s hard not to be. Although I know there are a lot of things I need to work on and improve on, definitely my freethrows. However, I am proud of myself and I am excited to continue to get better. 

Your stats form your rookie season with TV Langen are almost identical. How difficult is it to improve yourself when you have such a productive rookie season?

It’s very hard especially when the second half of season rolls around and everyone knows you even better. Every year, there are some slight differences in how you play, adjusting to your team and the needs of the team. I think improvement was made but in small areas of my game, areas that are not always shown on the stats. 

You played 2 minutes less per game than in your rookie season. How do you feel did you develop further as a player in your second season?


I felt I was much more efficient this year. I took the better shots, I made better passes. Overall I felt as if my IQ went up. 

You shot a total of 10 three’s in the last 5 years including your 2 years with Concordia and 1 year at Caffrey College. Do you see yourself developing your three more to become more of a versatile player in the next years?

Yes of course, I always want to be more versatile. I do work on my threes every off season and during practice. But, I want to put my team in the best position to win so I take the shots that are the best for me and the team. 

You’re a very good rebounder and defender. How else do you want to improve in these area’s to continue to grow as a rebounder and defender?

Thank you, rebounding would be simply increasing my vertical. Getting better at boxing out is always a plus a basic fundamental that can always be improved. Defending, to work on my agility and quickness. To be able to guard from PG to Center just in case there is a switch and I will have to stand my ground and contain. Both these areas are what I am looking to improve big time this offseason. 

Who was the toughest guy that you faced in the Regionalliga this season?

Phew tough question, but I would probably say Ricky Easterling. His layup package is great, his midrange is one of the best I have seen. As a center, having a PG score, those layups is so frustrating. He can hoop.

What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Germany where you knew that you were very far away from home?

It was one of the first couple weeks there. I was just so lonely and bored, that it hit me. Like, I am so far away from anyone I usually talk to. This is insane. Sitting by myself in this apartment waiting for practice all day was just a lot of time to me, perhaps it was too much time. 

I’m sure you went some Fraport Skyliner games in the last 2 years who ball in the first division. When you watch a game like that what do you observe most closely to help you the next time in practice when your working on your game?

I watch the centers/power forwards. How they defend each other, how they run the floor, how they make their moves on offense, how they play help side defense. 

You played your first 2 seasons at Chaffey College (JUCO) and almost averaged double double stats in your second season with points and rebounds. How vital were these 2 years for your early basketball development?

Huge for my basketball improvement. To this day, a decision I will make again forever. Extra time to play with some real talent and gain muscles, get used to my body a bit more, learn to be more athletic, run the floor. The knowledge I got from those two years are incredible. 

When you start in JUCO does a chip start to grow on your shoulder? How have you come to terms with your early basketball journey? Is your chip at an all-time high now after 2 strong Regionalliga seasons?

I think the chip grew before you even step foot in the JUCO gym. But yeah, there’s always a chip on my shoulder. I want to be great, I want to go as high as I can. I come from a small high school where basketball is not big. I was overlooked besides from my coaches at Chaffey, they gave me a chance and that’s all I needed. My chip is still there for sure and it absolutely gets bigger and it gives me that competitive edge I have. I have it everyday I work and this offseason I still have it. 

You then played your last 2 years at Concordia University, Oregon (NCAA2) and had a solid junior season with 10/8 stats but really broke out as a senior with 16/10 stats. How did your game grow in your last 2 years?

Concordia really gave me the confidence in my game. My junior year, I felt like I had something to prove and my senior year I wanted to make a statement, saying this is my year. Those two years I really developed a lot but I would say my confidence was probably the biggest growth area in those two years, which trickled down into my offensive growth and defensive presence. 

A lot of your best games came in close loses, but you had solid games in a 65-64 win against CS San Bernardino and 16 points and 15 rebounds in a 60-58 win against Simon Fraser. Was one of these games your most memorable game as a senior?


As a Senior both games were memorable. CSUSB, was a big win for me because those are the guys I played in HS and Juco so it was playing against hometown rivals and to come out on top with such a dominant performance was great. Then Simon Fraser was big, it broke a rather long losing streak and the feeling of finally getting a win was unmatched. I would say my most memorable game though would be against Western Oregon at Western Oregon, the game where I broke my own career record in scoring and it was against a top ranked team. 

How did head coach Brad Barbarick groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

The entire staff at Concordia played a big part. Whether it was providing me a place to have a voice, to lead, to give me drills to use to improve on my skill. Extra workouts. Especially the athletic training staff of Liz Corbett and Kyle Nelson. They kept my body intact and helped me be able to play. Even though I was full of injuries, without the help of these two I would not be where I am today. 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Deanndre Stallings?

I did. Every time! 

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

In High-School the toughest player would probably be Lonzo Ball.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Brian Beard
Jarrett Gray
Latrell Wilson
Ruben Spuldon
Omar Mahmoud 

Please produce your own personal NBA Mount Rushmore with 4 heads past or present?

Wilt Chamberlain
Micheal Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James

What is your general opinion with the debate between who is greater Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

MJ is the goat. I think he did so much more for the game than Lebron. Don’t get me wrong LBJ is a monster but MJ has him beat. 

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw at the cinema was Joker, however the last movie I watched was When the Game Stands Tall on DVD. 

Thanks Christopher for the chat.

Montrael Scott is a 27 year old 190cm guard that finished his fifth professional season and first with the EN Baskets Schwelm (Germany-ProB) playing 22 games averaaging 17.5ppg, 6.0rpg, Assists-1 (7.1apg), 2.3spg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 81.5%. Last season he plyed with the VfL Sparkassenstars Bochum (Germany-ProB) averging 15.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.8apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.6%. In 2017-2018 he played with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProB) playing 27 games Score-3 (18.8ppg), 7.0rpg, Assists-5 (5.6apg), 2.1spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 72.2%. He played his first two professional seasons in Kosovo for Golden Eagle Ylli (Kosova-SuperLeague) playing 15 games: Score-2 (20.8ppg), 4.7rpg, Assists-2 (5.5apg), Steals-1 (3.6spg), FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 70.0% and for KB Trepca Mitrovice (Kosovo-SuperLeague) playing 27 games averaging 14.0ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 68.4%;and played 9 Balkan League games averaging 13.6ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 78.3%. He began his basketball career with Prairie View A&M (NCAA) in 2011 playing a total of 124 NCAA games and as a senior played 29 games averaging 15.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 74.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus crisis in 2020.

Hi Montrael where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus? 

-Whats up, I’m currently back home in Dallas,Texas. My mood honestly is somewhat okay. Only thing I’m probably frustrated about is not being able to go hoop. This pandemic has stopped a lot of things worldwide. Hoping things will be back normal sooner than later. 

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world? –

To be honest, when I first heard about it, I thought it was a Hoax lol. Like me and my teammate at the time were like it isn’t as serious as people where making it. As time went on, I started to think to myself maybe I need to take this serious. Just made me realize that whether it affected me or those around me, it was a serious matter. 

How did you experience the day to day life in Schwelm when you were still in Germany? What things did you notice in the surroundings there that showed that life wasn’t normal? 

The day to day life was still the same for us in Germany besides waiting to see whether the season would proceed or cancel. We still were able to go to the gym, go workout, etc but as matters became serious, all of that came to a halt. So I didn’t really notice a difference maybe because I was in my apartment majority of the time haha. 

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing?

Not too be rude but, I give out more fist pumps than anything. I’m very cautious of my surroundings as well as my health. As far as people coughing, I really wasn’t around people besides my roommate, who never coughed and if so, we joked about it. In all seriousness, I had been aware of it before the virus even came to light. 

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe including the Pro B. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season? 

Disappointed and frustrated the most about the whole situation. Mainly, because we were peaking at the right time going into playoffs and I know my guys and I were hungry to fight our way through the playoffs, trying to achieve our goal as winning the Pro B season. It definitely sucked and still think about it as of today. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans? 

What’s crazy is one of my friends actually played for Bonn this season; Donald Solan. I looked at it as a good and bad thing. Good that came from it was being able to still play ball and enjoy what we love. Bad thing about it was not having that fan support that teams would be use too. Fans really make a difference in sports because besides ourselves, our family, we play for the fans as well. 

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person? 


As a person, it’s just basically understanding that tough times don’t last always. I been through tough times in previous years of playing ball. So I wouldn’t say I was prepared for this but yet in still, I knew how to adapt to things being tough for the time being. 

Will it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this? –

I wouldn’t say it will be a big adjustment because basketball is my life. it just feels different because I’m literally supposed to still be playing right now. Advantages for me would be that I get the chance to actually rest my body and get proper treatment as needed. and I don’t think for me personally there is any disadvantages because I’m still going about life as if I were still playing right now. 

The whole world economy is going to be affected including German basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect? –

I’m worried but I’m not worried because professional basketball is what the world needs honestly. The economy for sure will take a hit in every aspect possible but it’s always still hope you know. Mentally I’m handling it like everything else in my life, control what I can and leave the rest up to God. Plus, my agent and I talk on various occasions about the best scenario for next season and the future. 

If you had to name another player besides guys from the team that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be? 

Probably Kevin Rogers, Blayor Bears alum, who also plays professionally aboard or probably Jamaal Smith who played in Pro B this season. 

How has the day to day life been now in the States with the outbreak of the Coronavirus? Have you noticed any differences and are there any differences between the Americans and German people on how they are coping and handling themselves? 


Day to day life in the states is cool to me because I’m sort of like the guy who don’t really be in the mix. Things I notice is that people are buying up more stuff than they usually do. The gyms are closed, which sucks. Restaurants open for take out and plenty much more. Here in Dallas, its slowly becoming normal again but yet, no gyms are open right now. 

How has your approach to family changed since the outbreak of Corona? What things have you seen yourself do that you may not have done before? 

I’m still the same with my family. I promote this healthy lifestyle with them and also my family is staying safe always. I think the only thing I do now that I’ve never done is wearing a mask everywhere I go these days. It’s very uncomfortable for me honestly.

Let’s talk about the season of EN Baskets Schwelm. Congrats on winning the Pro B North. How tough is it never knowing what would have happened in the playoffs and who would really have won the title fair and square?


Man its tough, like I literally think about it or talk to a few teammates about what if we were still playing. In all honesty, I think the Pro B playoffs this year would have maybe been its best playoff rounds this year. I’m riding with me and my guys to be that team to have won the title fair and square. Just think, we finished tied for first, beat the number one team and were on the better end of improving the season. So I would have to say En Basket Schwelm vs Elchingen in the finals. We take home the trophy!!! 

The club has 3 parts to the season. It began explosive with a 12-2 record, then lost 4 of 5 games and then finished strong winning 3 of 4. How would you summarize the season best? 

Every season will not be undefeated, a winning or losing season. To summarize the season is simply we weathered the storm and didn’t fall apart. Every team has their runs, ours just happen to have been in the beginning. At the end of the day, we finished the season how we should have just by the way we prepared ourselves going into the New year. 

Talk about the secret of the success. It seemed like the club didn’t do one thing really very well, but were a versatile squad and team that were just solid all across the board? 

The secret to success for us was grinding everyday in practice and becoming better. Think about it, our team was balanced in a sense to where we could some days hit you from the guards spot or our front court as well. I think it just mainly was on me as one of the leaders to lead in a way that everybody would feel comfortable being themselves and contributing the best way individually as possible. 


How vital was the experienced Falk Moeller? How much credit does he receive for being able to help build a team chemistry that wasn’t self evident considering most of the top players were new? 

The experience of Coach Falk and knowledge of the game was very vital to our season. He deserves as so much credit for actually just bringing us together and enjoy playing with each other. Of course with new players, it can bring different egos and attitudes. Yet, Falk managed to keep everything in place and on course. Just like our main goal as players were to win Pro B; Falk main goal he instilled into us is to give our all every game lose win or draw. Falk in my opinion may be one of my favorite coaches to play for in my years of playing. 

What was the season highlight? Possibly beating the other top team Itzehoe in the last game. You didn’t know it then that that would be the last game, but now it must be a good way to close the season?


That was probably the season highlight and turn around for us this season. We knew we could match up with them and it would be a dog fight in the end. With that being the last game, it still feels great to know we beat the number 1 team.

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a pleasure was it playing with David Knudsen. What did you notice in his game and character that demonstrated that he was in fact an Au player and not a German player? 

It was a pleasure definitely having David on the team. I mean when we first met, I wasn’t too sold on him because I didn’t know much. Once the season came, that’s when all things started show for itself. David was by far one of the best shooters on our team. Even with him being a rookie, he’d lack the confidence from missing shots but as I used to tell him, keep shooting it bro. So he had a major part in the success of the season this year. 

How vital was having the massive experienced Nikita Khartchenkov on the team. He has seen just about every gym in Germany. He is known as a sniper, but please talk about his versatility on the floor that sometimes get’s overlooked? –

It was extremely vital having him and that experience around us all year. For a guy who played arguably everywhere and maybe have championships too; it was needed. -Sometimes his versatility got overlooked and it was tough. As point guard and knowing the type of player he is, I always wanted to make sure I got him shots where he was comfortable or even just letting him create for himself. 

Talk about the growth of Anell Alexis. He made another jump from his Pro B season with Schwenningen. Did he tell any stories about his famous dad Wendell? 

I mean with this being my first year playing with him, I knew not much about him. Prior to the season, I sat and watched a few of his highlights plus a game or two. In my opinion, his game took another great leap from his scoring, to his ability to create for himself, etc. He never mentioned stuff about his dad but I did look him up. I saw that his pops wasn’t too bad himself as well. 

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 17.5ppg, 6.0rpg, Assists-1 (7.1apg), 2.3spg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 81.5%. How content were you with your third Pro B season and how did you make another step in your game?? You picked up 3 Eurobasket awards. 

-This season was probably an all around great year for me. Never content with how it went because I could’ve played way better some games. My game did make another step and more so with my decision making when it comes to taking my shots or looking for my teammates. 

You have stated in a past interview that you’re a natural point guard. In the first two seasons in the Pro B you couldn’t play the position. You seem to have always been labelled more as a natural scorer in Germany. Did last season’s 7,1apg silence any critics you had?


It’s a gift and a curse because as good as I am scoring, I’m 10 times better as a point guard. My IQ for the game and getting my teammates the ball is what makes me a natural point guard. I think I may have silenced a lot of critics, not to mention, I did have multiple games with double digits in assists. Numbers don’t lie at all!! 

Your three continues to be a work in progress. Does your 29% from this season motivate you to work even harder this off season to continue to improve it?


My 3 point percentage is what it is due to just the lack of confidence with shooting in the game. I’m so comfortable with getting to my mid range, that I sometimes don’t care to shoot a three. Nevertheless, this summer will be focused mostly on my 3pointer amongst other things too.

Defense continues to be a big part of your game. How do you feel did you make strides on the defensive end? 

Defense has always been maybe the first priority of my game I focus on. Defense isn’t something you go to the gym for hours to work on. Instead, it’s a will and a want to stop somebody from scoring on you or even stealing the ball. I think I honestly have a nat for the ball and that’s what makes my defensive side even more impressive. 

I believe your 4,0 turnovers must really have annoyed you. What has unnerved you the most with taking care of the ball? Is this more mental than anything or is your ball handling a part that also needs more tweaking? 

It’s really nothing major besides the fact that passes I make are because I have seen an opening for a split second then it’s gone. Honestly, I don’t really turn it over like that but, sometimes it seems like that by my numbers. My ball handling can always use tweaking because I’m not where I would want to be as a player. Improve on it every summer. 

What was your personal game highlight of the season? Possibly your 28 points, 5 assists, 12 rebounds and 3 steals in the win over Duesseldorf? 

I mean that’s probably up there with a few from the season. I would have to say the one for me is against Isherlon at their gym. I ended up scoring like 44 points which is a career high. If you were there to watch, then you’d know we were down by as much as like 20+. Ended up winning the game within the final 2 or 3 minutes. Great Christmas present for our team as well as myself.

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the Pro B this season? 

Chris Hooper or Conner Washington 

Luka Doncic had an amazing sophomore campaign. Is he a top 3 NBA player now? 

Luka is nice, let me rephrase that, LUKA IS DIFFERENT. In my opinion, he can edge up to be in that 3 spot but I got him as top 5 in the league right now. His game is so skilled and him being in his second year, he will be the MVP of the league one day. 

Where were you when you heard about the death of Kobe Bryant. What kind of influence did he have on you during adolescence?


We were watching our second team play, when my roommate showed me on twitter that it was going around that Kobe died. no lie, my heart stopped and I was real life sitting there confused. I didn’t believe it but as days passed, sources confirmed, it sucked BADLY. The influence Kobe had on me and I’m sure every other athlete was just that Mentality to just go out and kick somebody’s butt. growing up, everybody wanted to be like Kobe and his impact touched everybody in every sport there is known to man. 

How bitter is it that the NCAA March Madness has been canceled? This tournament for some kids is the greatest time of their lives. What advice would you give that senior who worked hard for 4 years and would have had his one and only chance now?


It’s bitter for sure because those kids play all season to have a chance to fight and make the big dance every year. As for the seniors, if they had the chance to finish the season, advice I would give them would probably be LEAVE EVERYTHING ON THE COURT BECAUSE ONE GAME CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. 

What was the last movie that you saw? 

The Belko Experiment. Fabulous movie 9/10 stars from me.

Thanks Montrael for the chat.

At the beginning of September 2019 the pre season had just began for the Dragons Rhondorf as the Gezeiten Cup tournament rolled along where fourth division team Dragons Rhondorf could measure themselves against first league team and cooperation partner Telekom Baskets Bonn. On the court was guard Trey Mckinney-Jones who has played one NBA game with the Indiana Pacers and never given up trying to get back having played an astounding 7 NBA Summer Leagues. On the other side of the court was a young man by the name of Curtis Hollins age 21 with no NCAA experience and only a season of Community College and 7 games in Lavar Ball’s league JBA. But the buzz around the gym that day was that this young man from Texas has NBA range and is on the shopping list of NBA teams. Hollins is a very special player that is raw, has special unending potential and has the heart of a lion and this exceptional self confidence that one could only witness in a Hollywood movie. The young guard/forward had a sub par Community College season, but did severe damage in the JBA league destroying every opponent on the court with his overall game as if there was no tomorrow. But wait a minute, why was this special prospect balling in the German fourth division where most Americans play for a monthly wage of 700-1000$? Even if he lit the JBA league on fire, he still seemed unproven and not ready enough to get a chance from a higher level team. Despite all the NBA talk, he didn’t t feel any pressure. Despite his amazing talent, he had to start at the bottom of the totem pole. But that didn’t t bother him one bit as he knew exactly where he is going. ‘It makes me feel great hearing the talk. I always feel like I can play and contribute at the highest level. I love the Euroleague and it would be amazing if I had the opportunity to play there’, warned Curtis Hollis (198-G/F-98, college: Hutchinson). Having to play in the fourth division did put a chip on his shoulder, but it wasn’t a heavy one, because he was so focused on getting better each day. ‘I don’t really have a huge chip on my shoulder. For me it’s more about coming in and developing. I have a pretty good shot to play with not just the national team as well so I feel like everything will play itself out’, stressed Curtis Hollis. Hollis may be underrated, but has the heart of a champion. He played his rookie season with the Dragons Rhondorf, but departed in January to go back home citing personal opinions, but in his 5 months in the German Regionalliga, he definitely turned heads and left a lasting impression. ‘I just want to tell the fans that I love them to death I’m sorry about how it ended but man they really helped us out at the nightly home games and was like a 6th man for us! My goal every night was to win and to make sure I put on a show for the fans so they were entertained and enjoyed watching us play. So I just want say to them thank you thank you thank you! You guys are honestly amazing. They supported every weekend’, stressed Curtis Hollis

Curtis Hollis grew up in Arlington, Texas and began his basketball career with Mansfield Summit High School where he also excelled at football. He played against many high level players at the high school level that would play in the NCAA and now some have landed in the NBA, but instead of landing in the NCAA, he found himself playing at Hutchinson CC (JUCO). He had offers from schools like San Diego and Lamar, but looked at the whole spectrum of where he wanted to go in his basketball career and never saw the NCAA as a place that could truly help him. ‘I feel like there’s a lot of hidden agendas in the NCAA with high level players and coaches. A lot of coaches don’t care about you and your development so it’s tough for a guy like me that’s been underrated for a long time. Plus I’ve always wanted to be a pro and develop and play basketball all day. Not be in school and have study hall and all that so I felt like if I had the opportunity to play professionally why not jump on it? Life’s so short you have to take advantage of opportunities while you can’, stressed Curtis Hollis. Instead he gave Hutchinson CC (JUCO) an opportunity, because he knew it was an outstanding program, but he never found to his game as in 34 games he averaged 6.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 66.3%. Even now two years after his last game for them, he remembers the experience as if it was yesterday. ‘It was a crazy experience to say the least. Obviously they recruited me. Hutch has an amazing basketball program and facilities. I just feel like I didn’t really get the full opportunity I wish I did. They held me back a lot and like I said kind of pushed me to the side & told me to wait my turn. Luckly I had some great teammates that helped me along the way and I also got to really develop and work on my game in practice going against the starters killing them. So it was an up and down year but I always like looking at the positive of things so overall as a man and a player I got better and learned from that year at JUCO. I left because I just felt like I wasn’t treated fairly. I could have went to any JUCO in the country and chose Hutch and had to deal with hidden agendas so at the end of the day I had to do what was best for me & my career’, warned Curtis Hollis. 

In the summer of 2018, Curtis Hollis who lists Marques Bolden (Cleveland Cavaliers) , Trevon Duval (Houston Rockets) , Terrance Ferguson (OKC Thunder) , Mitchell Robinson (New York Knicks) , and Trae Young. (Atlanta Hawks) as his best five teammates of all-time made the next step in his career and decided to ball in the newly established JBA league founded by Lavar Ball the dad of NBA guard Lonzo Ball. The JBA league is one where young players can play professionally who don’t necessarily want to go to school. This decision proved to be the right one as he put up huge stats and was able to make a name for himself. He played with the Houston Ballers (JBA) and finished as the leagues fifth best scorer averaging 29.3ppg, 11.3rpg, 5.3apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 71.8%.The American also felt that taking a chance of playing in the JBA league was the correct one as it led to bigger and better things. ‘The league was just in its first year so it had its ups and downs especially with my team. But when we went to Europe it was amazing. We played high level talent and beat them as well’, stated Curtis Hollis. He had some huge games in the JBA league scorching Philadelphia for 37 points, Dallas for 34 points and Chicago for 31 points. His hardships at Hutchinson helped groom him for the JBA league. ‘With the JBA I had an opportunity. When I played at my JUCO the opportunity wasn’t really there for me. My coaches had 2 sophomore guards who had just won the national championship so his loyalty was really with them. They kind of pushed me to the side and told me to wait my turn. Which was really hard because obviously I felt I had the talent and game to play big minutes as a freshman. That year really helped me mature though’, added Curtis Hollis. Putting up big stats in the JBA was just another step in his long road up the basketball ladder as his game definitely profited from the experience. ‘I felt like it developed a lot because of the opportunity to play and make mistakes. It was tough night in & night out nothing was given or easy so that helped me a lot. Especially playing with NBA rules & a lot of traveling and NBA 3pt line’, warned Curtis Hollins. He also will never forget playing against other top JBA players Jordan Ray and Deon Lyle. ‘It was always competitive. We all love winning and we were all talented. We battled every day at practice every chance we could. There’s so many memories I can’t really point out a specific one’, stressed Curtis Hollis. 

With his stellar play in the JBA league, the Texas native was selected to a USA select team that went overseas to compete against professional teams. Once again he didn’t disappoint as he put up ridiculous stats averaging 29,7ppg, 6,5rpg and 3,9apg. He got on the basketball radar in Germany after an amazing 40 point performance against easyCredit BBL team Brose Bamberg’s farm team Baunach who compete in the second division called the Pro A. ‘Memories probably was it was a tough game. We started off slow but eventually got into our rhythm. They never gave up and really fought us down to the wire. I didn’t know they had an NBA prospect on that team. I felt I played really well and I think I’m a NBA prospect as well so it’s always good going against those type of guys’, stated Curtis Hollis. After the great opportunity of being able to compete against high level teams and players in Europe, he made his decision of remaining here so much easier. ‘The experience was amazing. We played so many good pro clubs and pro grown men players so it was great. Playing well did make turning pro easier for me. I realized I could play at a high level professionally too so it was a great feeling’, added Curtis Hollis. 

One guy who paid close attention to Hollis in that 40 point masterpiece was Bamberg youth coach Yassin Idbihi. When he returned to his old stomping ground Rhondorf to become CEO of Sport, he hadn’t forgotten Curtis Hollins as that memorable game in Bamberg paved the way to Rhondorf for the 198cm American. Having Yassin Idbihi behind the scenes in Rhondorf and knowing that he was more than wanted was a huge reason why he signed with the Dragons Rhondorf. ‘Yassin was a huge reason for me signing. He came to me with a plan and he really believed in me & my talent so it was only right that I trusted him as well & the double license for me felt like just the perfect situation. I really believe in what Yassin had planned for me. We had a plan set in place for me & my development so that was really big for me.’, added Curtis Hollins. He really didn’t know much about Germany and it’s basketball coming in except that Bamberg had been known for having great teams, fans and a certain ex Kentucky (NCAA) standout Darius Miller who made it back to the NBA from that program. He had a huge pre-season giving fans an early impression of what he would bring to the table filling up the stat sheet like a Russell Westbrook and helped the Dragons be one of the top teams in the Regionalliga West. He played 18 games for the ex Pro A team averaging 22,7ppg, 8,2rpg, 3,6apg and 3,0spg. He scored in double figures in 17 of 18 games, scored 20 or more points in 13 games and his two best games was a triple double against Leverkusen 2 with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals and also exploded against Deutzer with 38 points. He also registered 6 double doubles. When looking back at the last months, his time in the German Regionalliga was the perfect setting for his game to grow. ‘I developed crazy. And really fast! I didn’t expect it but like I said I was working so hard every day every week so it was only right for me to start becoming elite. The difference from September to January was my patience, my understanding of the European game, my reads in the PnR, off the ball movements, starting to attack more and more every time down! Really just everything I had really started to figure it out’, warned Curtis Hollis.

Hollis who has an interesting NBA Rushmore preference with Michael Jordan, Kawhi Leonard, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant has a very versatile game and could of almost uncovered a list of players that he compares his game to as it wasn’t short as he sees his game similar to NBA guys like Will Barton, Jeremy Lamb, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, and Paul George. He sees himself as a long athletic guy that is very versatile, can score it, shoot it, and defend at a high level. But besides also having that ruthless composure like a ballerina and of a 10 year veteran and being able to defend the positions 1-4, he can do so much more. ‘I can kind of do it all. I feel like other strengths I can show is my leadership and ability to help my teammates and run the team’, warned Curtis Hollis. His smooth moving on the court is very fun to watch not to mention his high flying when he sees that air and dunks the ball hard. But he also knows that he still has many area’s to improve. ‘I feel like I can shoot it a lot better than people think and have seen. It’s still a work in progress but I’m not really too worried about it. Shooting is all about reps and mechanics and I’m ALWAYS in the gym and working so I think it will all come together soon’, warned Curtis Hollis. He has skinny legs which help him get to the rim quickly, but he also wants to add 10-15 pounds to get to 200 pounds so he can fight against the physicality of the game. Another important and noteworthy strength that he possesses is his focus. He is a player that knows that he is a very good, but is never satisfied with his game. He wants to get better everyday and that is always a positive sign about the character of a player as well. His confidence is also a strength as he has always had it in good and bad times and that will continue to accompany him as he continues to move up the basketball ladder. 

He has a special connection to the Bamberg organization. Two years ago current Bamberg player Kameron Taylor played a breathtaking season at Rhondorf as he took a step back from the Pro A to get added self confidence and put up huge stats in the Pro B. Two years later via a season in Hungary, he played with top BBL team Brose Bamberg and played a key role in their success. Rhondorf is definitely a fine address for unproven and at times players that are off the radar to get on the radar while getting ample minutes and improving their game for the next level. Unfortunately his successful run with the Dragons Rhondorf ended too soon, but he was very thankful for the opportunity and being able to play for Yassin Idbihi. ‘I’m so thankful for him I can’t even put it into words. He was such a honest and trustworthy guy. He brought me here to develop to a high level and help him win and understand how the European game works on and off the court. Without him I’m not sure where I would be European basketball wise. My lasting memory will probably just be every memory I had with him. He was so hard and tough on me and really really wanted to see me be successful and use all my talent. But even thou he was tough he would be the first to tell me how much better I was doing or that I was doing a good job. So I’ll miss Yassin and like I said I can’t put into words how thankful I am for him. We will have a relationship forever’, warned Curtis Hollis. He is ready for the next step. ‘I’m going to enter the 2020 NBA Draft so we will see where it takes me but it’s just the beginning for me and my career. This year really helped me. I learned so much’, warned Curtis Hollis. Recently he declared for the 2020 NBA draft. He has been working really hard at his game in the last months leading up to the 2020 NBA draft One thing that won’t hinder him from reaching the NBA, will be a lack of having self-confidence. He may be underrated, but he has the self-confidence of a champion and that will get him far in the basketball business. 

Jordan Loyd is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Milton, Georgia that completed his fourth professional season and first with Valencia Basket averaging 12.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 84.3% in the ACB and 11.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 40.5%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 77.4% in the Euroleague. He will play his 5th professional season with KK Crvena Zvezda MTS Beograd In 2018-2019 he split time with the Toronto Raptors (NBA) playing 12 games averaging 2.4ppg, and played also with the Raptors 905 Missisauga (NBA G League) playing 42 games averaging 22.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 6.1apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 86.0%. In the 2017-2018 season he played with Hapoel Eilat (Israel-Winner League) playing 38 games: Score-4 (17.4ppg), 4.9rpg, 3.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 86.0%. He played his rookie season with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (D-League): playing 52 games averaging 14.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 86.8%. He began his basketball career at Milton High School and also played with the Georgia Netburners (AAU). He began his career at Furman in 2011 and played 2 seasons there. He then played at the University of Indianapolis (NCAA2) from 2013-2016 and as a senior played 29 games averaging 20.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 85.8%.He spoke to germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus as he was still in Valencia, Spain waiting to see what would happen with the season.

Thanks Jordan for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus?


I always try to be positive. I always look at the situation and think it could be worse. There are a lot of people who are struggling during this. I just always try to make the best of it. Some days are better than others. I just go day by day.

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

No. I had seen what had happened in China and people around the world didn’t take it seriously. It was tough to know what would happen. It was something new for everyone. I never imagined that this would put the world on pause.

How have you experienced the day to day life in Valencia? Spain was hit hard. What things did you notice in public where you knew right away that something wasn’t right?


As soon as we had some games without fans, I knew that it was serious. Then when the lock down came, I knew that it was very serious.

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

I have always been aware of my surroundings and how to handle myself being taught to cover my mouth when I cough. Nothing changed for me when the virus came because I was already doing it. People started to wear masks and gloves, but I didn’t overreact. I have always practiced good sanitation. People need to do this after the virus is over.

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe. Many countries are only postponed instead of cancelled including the ACB and Euroleague. How confident are you that you will be playing again?

It is hard to comment on this because I don’t know. All I can say is that us players all want to play again. I was out 2 months before the virus came am I’m really itching to play. But at the same time we know that health comes first and want everyone to be safe as well. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

It’s tough. As a player you want to play for the fans. Fans get you going and drive you to play your best. Not playing in front of fans isn’t ideal, but at the same time we have to deal with it. We just have to stay as positive as we can with the situation.

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

Just stay mentally positive and have a daily routine. I work out every day and find other things I can do to occupy my time. I have never been much of a reader, but in these times have found my time reading more. Also I have seen myself check up on people more. Usually I’m so busy with life. I am more of a perspective person now and just try to be a better person and grow as a man.

How have been coping with being so far away from home from family. Do you have a daily routine where you stay in contact with everyone?

I talk to my mom, dad, grandparents, sister and girlfriend each day. I work out in my apartment and on the terrace and watching TV and playing video games. I also have had a lot more time being able to work on my flexibility and stretching more. 

The whole world economy is going to be effected. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

I know that with this profession you never know what to expect. I’m used to this because my professional route has helped me cope with the unknown and I can only control what I can.

If you had to name another player besides guys from Valencia that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?

Mostly ex teammates and guys from school, but not on a regular basis. 

How has your approach to family changed since the outbreak of Corona? What things have you seen yourself do that you may not have done before?

I’m a big family man. Family is the most important in my life. I have taken more time through all of this of having longer conversations with family members than in the past. I have already planning trips to visit everyone.

You were teammates with Greg Monroe last season in Toronto. You won the first meeting at home against FC Bayern Munich 82-56. What kind of a feeling was it like playing against him in Europe?

It was cool playing against Greg again. We built up a pretty good friendship in Toronto last season. He showed a lot of love and support for me last season. It wasn’t too cool though how he blocked my shot. But all in all he has had a career that we all strive to have. I tried to learn as much as I could from him with Toronto. He is a good dude.

Your playing your first season with Valencia Basket (ACB). After having a great G-League season last season and playing in the NBA and winning the title with the Toronto Raptors, your back in Europe again. After having so much success last season why did you chose against trying for the NBA again and returning to Europe?

I was in my second year and had a 2 way deal. I felt that I had nothing more to prove at the G-League level. I always wanted to play in the Euroleague. I feel being able to play in the Euroleague has made me more diverse and marketable. I wanted to show everyone that I can play at that level and believe I have proved it this year. Being able to play Euroleague has given me another box to check.

Two years ago you were the third best scorer in the Israeli Winner League with Hapoel Eilat and last season played in the States. How has your game developed in the last year and how is Jordan Loyd a different player now then when he played in Israel?

Last year playing in the G-League and NBA was my first real chance of getting professional individual work on a consistent level. I was able to work on my skills better and it really opened my eyes to a new world of basketball. Having the work outs, drills and playing in the NBA on a day to day basis really helped me better my game and transform it into this season. I was raw going into Israel a few years ago, but coming into this season, I had more experience at a high level and just saw a lot. I didn’t come to Valencia overwhelmed, but prepared.

Valencia is currently in 7th place in the ACB and in 11th place in the Euroleague and with chances of reaching the post season. How can one judge now where the journey will go after such a long break should the leagues start up again?

It’s tough not knowing what would have happened had the season not stopped. We are definitely in a good position to make the playoffs in both competitions. That has been our goal all a long. We have shown a lot of fight and promise and have showed that we can play with anyone. We will see what happens. I’m glad that we were playing well leading up to the break.

How refreshing has it been having only two Americans on the team and playing with so many different nationalities. How do you feel has your team play improved just with being around so many different kind of players and characters?

It’s great having so many different guys on the team from different countries and to see how they all play different. A lot of those guys have played Euroleague before and I just tried to fit in and learn as much as possible.. All of us have different ways of playing and it did take some time to mesh together, but when we did it was special. 

How beneficial has it been for you being able to play with highly talented and big time veterans Joaquin Colom and Sam Van Rossom? How have their games shone a positive light on your game?

They have been great. I had long talks with them at the beginning and they have me useful insight to how game is played in Spain. I followed their lead. I definitely want to have a career like they have. They helped me quickly make a smooth transition and it has been a lot of fun playing with them. They are great guys.

You have been a very dominant scorer which you showed in the NCAA2 at Indianapolis, in Israel and the G-League. You haven’t been able to do that this season because Valencia is stacked with so many scoring options. Do you feel like patience and decision making has really benefited your play with this team?

Having so many scoring options has given me a new outlook of how each player is different. That has helped me able to adapt to any style of play. 

Your also shooting your best from downtown since your senior year at Indianapolis shooting over 40% in the ACB and Euroleague. Has your stellar shooting this season been a combination of reps, shot selection and having good teammates or have you changed something up on mechanics?

I didn’t change any of my mechanics. I just put up a lot of reps last summer. That helped me transition into this season. I think what also helped me a lot was that I was able to extend my range. I was forced to shoot from very far away in the NBA. But I also have to credit my teammates for doing a really good job getting me the ball in good positions. I also have been able to make quick decisions. I am shooting the ball with a lot of confidence now.

Last season you played with the Raptors 905 Missisauga (NBA G League) averaging 22.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 6.1apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 86.0%.Was it weird playing your first NBA game before even playing in the G-League? What memories do have from the loss against the Milwaukee Bucks?

It was more of a surreal moment. When I checked in, I remembered that the NBA was always a dream of mine. It was like a flash and then it happened. I was very nervous, but at the same time so excited to finally do something that I had always dreamed of. Having this type of milestone is really cool. 

You went back and forth playing in the G-League and NBA last season. How challenging was it always being prepared and what did you learn about yourself last season that helped you play a successful season?

This goes back to the unknown. I was in the G-league and you never know when you might get called up. You have to always be prepared for the call up. I didn’t know when it would happened so all I could do was stay calm. When your in the NBA, you have to be able to do what the teams needs you to do. If it means getting in a game or just being a good practice player, you always have to remain mentally strong, because you will have your ups and downs. 

You had two triple doubles last season in the G-League against Windy City and FT Wayne .How much meaning did these performances mean to you? Were these two games a good example that you are truly a versatile player?

Yes I think so. I want to be show everyone my skills and that I’m able to run a team and get all involved. I also have been able to show that I can be a scorer and rebounder. I just want to be able to do a bit of everything. My knock has always been that I couldn’t play the point guard position. It was questionable the last years, but last year I proved I can be a point guard and that was very special. 

You played 12 games and won a NBA title despite not playing in the playoffs. Is it tough mentally justifying the fact that you didn’t play minutes during the playoffs?


I was very lucky that I was in the right place at the right time. It is hard not playing in the playoffs especially when you get so much praise and congrats of winning the NBA title. I just continue to reassure myself knowing that I was part of the team and contributed in practice was part of the team and that was a feat. I credit the whole team because they are the reason I have a ring. 

What kind of experience was it soaking up basketball from veteran Kawhi Leonard and rising star Fred Van Vleet? How did these guys influence your game best?

I played against Freddy when in the D-League when I was a rookie. It was cool playing against him then and then being teammates. It is amazing to see how he grew and developed in only a few years. He played amazing in the finals. He has an awesome own unique game. His journey has been similar to mine. That gives me hope that anything is possible. He is a real bull dog and has that ‘I don’t care mentality. It was fun being his teammate. I have never seen a player like Kawhi. His work ethic is crazy. He is so poised and is never too high or too low. The way he works hard each day shows what it takes to get to his level. I really cherished being teammates with him. 

What did you learn about the NBA that shows that it will always be a business before anything else?


The main thing is probably guys coming and going all the time. You constantly see great coaches having to go or good players leave in mid season. The owners treat it as a business. Players also need to see and understand that it is a business first. The fluctuations and changes are crazy. You need to have the mentality that nothing is promised. 

You played your first season overseas with Hapoel Eilat (Israel-Winner League) playing 38 games: Score-4 (17.4ppg), 4.9rpg, 3.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 86.0%. What was your wake up call to being in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home?


My time in Israel was amazing. A wake up call was the 8 hour time difference. I liked that a good amount of the people spoke English. The food was different from what I was used to, but it was good. It was amazing traveling around Israel and seeing cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. I always tell my family that I would vacation in Israel in a heart beat.

How cool was it being teammates with ex NBA player and ex Wisconsin (NCAA) stand out player Alando Tucker who retired 6 games after the season started. Was he a guy that you were able to easily bond with?


Alando was a good dude. He was at the end of his career. He gave me a lot of important knowledge and awareness of the things I needed to focus on. He was such a polished player as were all the other Americans. I bonded very well with him

As a rookie you played with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (D-League) playing 52 games averaging 14.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 86.8%. You put up extremely consistent stats there. Did you ever feel like you were close to a NBA call up?

I never thought as a rookie that I was close to a NBA call up like I was last year with Toronto. I had come from division 2 and still had a lot of work on improving my game. But I felt I did a good job as a rookie leading the team to the playoffs.

You began your NCAA career at Furman where you played a total of 28 games between 2011-2013. What do you remember from these two years and could you gain anything positive from it?


I feel the best thing out of my experience at Furman was the people that I met. Also coach Jackson was great as well.

You then moved to the University of Indianapolis (NCAA2) where you made a huge impact improving your stats each season. What kind of transformation did your game take there and how did your game develop as a senior where you averaged 20.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 85.8%

I think that me becoming that player as a senior just happened. I was a late bloomer. I had a great coach and teammates around me. I was comfortable and was able to get going. Of course I had to prove myself at the start, but after that everything fell into place. I was lucky to have competitive practices and teammates that always pushed me. That helped me better myself. I also knew early on that I could become a professional player one day which helped me push myself as well. 

You lost your last NCAA 2 game to Ferris State 89-87 despite dropping 35 points. Is this a game that you can still watch today or is that a game you can’t watch?

I don’t think that I ever watched that game. Despite losing that game, I don’t believe that I went out on a sad note, but on a high note. My family was at the game which was important. I wouldn’t have a problem watching that game today again. 

How did head coach Stan Gouard groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

I don’t even know where to start with coach Gouard. He was a true players coach. He was tough on you, but also positively encouraged you to become better. He gave me the feeling that I was the guy. He was a huge mentor in my life.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Joe Retic?

Joe was a crazy isolation player then. He was big time. I actually won’t take myself, but give it to my boy. Back in the day he had more isolation skills then I. I would of beat everyone else on the team.

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

Finding a player you might know is tough. I will say Bellarmine was always tough to play as a team.

Please name your personal NBA Rushmore of past and present players?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant.

Where were you when you heard about the death of Kobe Bryant. What kind of influence did he have on you during adolescence? 

It was crazy. I was hurt and in a restaurant watching Valencia play. I was there with teammate Mike Tobey and he asked me if I had heard about Kobe. First I figured he had done something great, but when I heard about his death a tear rolled down my cheek instantly. I never met him, but he was my favorite player. I wore #8 as a kid and wore #8 last year. I idolized him. If I could meet one person it would have been him and Barack Obama. Kobe impacted so many lives without people even knowing it. Seeing his Mamba Mentality is really all you needed to be strong

The debate seems to favor Jordan James of who is the best of all-time, but where does Kobe Bryant fit into the equation?

For me the best will always be Kobe. I think when all is said and done Lebron will have the Jordan type numbers. 

What was the last movie that you saw?

Primal Fear.

Thanks Jordan for the chat.

Brandon Mclean is a 25 year old 201cm center from Cartersville, Georgia that last played for TSV Neustadt temps Shooters (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 20 games averaging 14.0ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 76.8%. He played his rookie season with Krypteia Capital Huelva (Spain-EBA) playing 4 games averaging 7.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.0bpg, in Dec.’18 moved to BC Athletic Constanta (Romania-Liga Nationala) playing 19 games averaging 4.8ppg, 4.7rpg. He began his basketball career at Woodland High School and then played at Huntingdon College (NCAA3) from 2015-2018 playing 74 NCAA3) games. He was able to improve his scoring average each season and as a senior played 25 games averaging 14.2ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 57.0%, FT: 61.7%. germanhoops.com spoke to Brandon in late Spring 2020 about basketball. 

Hi Brandon where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus?

Right now I am currently in Atlanta Ga. My mood is currently hopefully during this pandemic. I am staying positive hoping for better times and the world picks back up soon.

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

When the Corona Virus first surfaced, I thought it would go away as fast as it can in China. I had no clue it was such a big problem that would affect the world as it is doing now.

How did you experience the day to day life in Germany during the Corona Virus outbreak? Did you see that corona effect on the culture there or was it not so much different happening in your day to day dealings?


While in Germany, my day to day life definitely changed when Corona became more of a risk. I didn’t go out as much as before because I knew I would be less vulnerable to be in contact. Corona definitely affected the culture by closing businesses, less people out and about enjoying their lives. 

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

I most definitely instantly started distancing myself from people. On the trains I made sure I sat in my own section, I didn’t go with large groups of people because like the news said you never knew who had it. They could have the Corona Virus or a regular cold but the symptoms are so close to distinguish .

Basketball leagues shut down all over Europe. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season?

The leagues shutting down hit hard because players know they have to value every game of the season. You are fighting to show other teams and fans the fight that the players and coaches have put in.

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

Of course fans play a huge part of a basketball game but I think sports can always still perform with the knowledge and support from spectators at home. Viewing ratings for these games would increase and teams would still receive revenue from the games. 

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?


I think these tough times made me more stronger by teaching me discipline, self motivation, and taking care of yourself by not putting yourself in unnecessary risk.

Was it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this?

I think starting back earlier is not a big adjustment, as a player you always want to be in shape to go whenever you are called upon. There are many advantages of this such as more court work, working on your body and mental, learning the game a step more. Disadvantages would only be not being able to get back to the season at a normal period. 

The whole world economy is going to be affected. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

I am not as worried about my future for my career, I am staying ready at all times to be able to go back and produce. Mentally, I am staying hopeful that it will all fix itself in the mix of the world opening back up.

How did you experience the day to day life back home in the States? How has the Coronavirus affected your daily life? How have you been keeping in shape inside your home. Talk about the type of exercises and work out you have been able to perform inside your own 4 walls.

Day to Day experience for me as has been on half since I touched down from Germany. Coronavirus definitely affected my life majorly but has not halted my training. I have been keeping up with training but on a different level. I been really running around my neighborhood or I would switch it up and go biking. Then I would come back and get some shooting up on my basketball hoop in my backyard. Later in the day, I would get some weights in with the little bit of weights I have in my house. 

If you had to name another player besides guys from your team that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?

I would say I have been in most contact with Deondre Ray, we played together in Romania and we kept in contact. True brother and friend that helped me stay positive in Romania.

Let’s talk about your second season in Europe in Germany with TSV Neustadt. The club finished with a 11-9 record and were in 6th place. What is your summary of the team effort for the season?

I feel as the team effort was there at a high level, as always basketball has it times when you can be on and you can be off.

It was a tale of 2 season as you started off well 6-2 and finished 5-7. What were the main reasons for the club not finishing strong?

Tale of 2 season for sure, I think the main reason we were so stagnant at the end was due to the long Christmas break without basketball. We came back weak before our first game back and wasn’t at our top performance level. This definitely had an effect on our success level. Also we still knew for sure we will stay in the league and didn’t have that sense of urgency to get after it every game.

The club averaged 83 points per game, but allowed 81 points. Why do you feel couldn’t the club play more consistent on the defensive end?

The club was a good defensive team overall but we excelled on the offensive end by having 6 players avg over double digits. We started to figure that if we play harder defense and team defense that would lead to more offensive possessions for us.

Let’s talk about your teammates. How challenging was it battling Mamadou Diop in practice each day? How do you feel did you both profit from each other on a daily basis?

Practice against Mamadou was a battle everyday, a guy coming from Euroleague level with that kind of experience definitely helped me with this season. It was a battle where we would be fighting in our 1v1 games and trying to come out on top. We both profited from playing with and against each other majorly.

What did you appreciate most from starting point guard Abdulai Abaker? He showed that he could fill the stat sheet and make an impact at both ends of the game.

I really appreciated Abu, for a guy to pick up on defense full court, play the passing lanes and get steals, push the ball on fast break, get so many assist sand steal score the ball on a high level. All you can say is he is a player you need on every time even though he is a short fellow. 

How much potential does young German Marc Klesper have? How did you see his game develop from day 1 until the end?

Marc has a lot of potential and will put that on showcase on the next opportunity, he has been committed to the grind from day 1, always in the gym working and getting extra shots in. He became more confident and started getting the killer mentality towards the middle of the season and he was showing it. 

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged double double stats with 14,0ppg and 10,0rpg. How happy were to get minutes again after playing little as a rookie in 2 countries?

Wow, it was a big spin and a step into the role of a key player on a team. The minutes I was receiving was a blessing, and from day 1 Neustadt put trust into me. That is all a player could ask for and I couldn’t let the club, fans or myself down.

How would you summarize your season with TSV Neustadt? How content were you with your game?

My season with Neustadt will go down as my breakout year, I saw what it felt like to be a leader of a professional team. Of course I always feel as I could of done more during my games but I always try to channel that into the name game.

You also were a force on the defensive end averaging 1,7spg and 1,0bpg. Stats don’t always tell the whole story, but how would you describe how your defensive game was able to grow in Germany?

My defensive force helped the team a lot. As being an undersized big, I was more versatile and able to help on the defensive side. Being able to switch on guards and play defense, then to rebounding with my athleticism helped the club a lot. I think I was able to do numerous off the chart such as alter shots or talking in the heart of the zone or press.

You had many memorable games with TSV Neustadt but where does the 94-92 win over Weser Baskets rate where you scored 12 points, 13 rebounds and 6 steals?

That game ranks up there with top 3 games of the season, to have stats in that manner, almost a triple double and help get that close game win can’t beat that.

How much of a joy was it playing for German coach Lars Buss? How did he help you best with your game considering he had a very long career as a big man?

I can t tell you how great of a coach Lars Buss is, It was nothing but fun and handwork. His coaching style helped the team achieve what we did. He helped in many ways, from talking on a personal level to a business level, he kept it real. His game as a big man helped during this season with me by giving me some tips and moves that he found were efficient and that he helped me add to my game.

Who was the toughest guy that you faced in the Regionalliga this season?

The toughest guy I had to face in the center position in the Regionalliga was Malte Giljan from SC Rasta Vechta

Last season you split time with Krypteia Capital Huelva (Spain-EBA) averaging 7.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.0bpg, in Dec.’18 moved to BC Athletic Constanta (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 4.8ppg, 4.7rpg. What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home?

When I saw how they had games set up and the atmosphere is different made me wake up to the European world. My wake up call when I was in Europe was when the major holidays swung around and I was only with my American teammates and saw my foreign teammates with family. 

In Romania you played together with my guy Brandon Lockhart. How much easier did he make your game on a daily basis?

Lockhart is a great guy, He was a great leader and was an unselfish guy. He can get to any spot on the floor and create out of it for himself or others. He set me up whenever I was open and in the right position.

You played at Huntingdon College (NCAA3) from 2015-2018 being able to improve your points and rebounds each season. What was key for your development? How much did your chip on your shoulder help you keep grinding more each season to continue to get better?


Wow, 2015-2018 was a crazy time period, from sitting out a year of basketball to picking it back up was a rough start. I was always working, everyday had workouts in the morning, then had to go to class and the workouts before lunch, then back to class to team practice at night. The way my team was grinding I knew I had to make sure this paid off. The key development was sticking to it and staying in the gym. The thing that was holding me back the most was my weight. Once I started shedding the weight I started being able to move more comfortably and shape my game. When senior year came I was in the best shape of my college career. Working in the offseason, into the preseason in great shape made me ready for all battles senior year.

How important has your older brother Jamel been in your career? How has he helped you most in being the player that you are today?

Older brother Jamel played a huge role in my career. He opened my eyes to playing in college and then into professional leagues. I didn’t have a clue that this was even possible to do. He has helped me greatly by being able to workout with him and learn the things he has learned on top tier teams and battle against him. 

How important was head coach Mike Pugh in your first two seasons with your early development?

Mike Pugh was a tough coach but a great coach at the same time. He kept it real with me. As I stated before, I was little fat and he pushed me for sure. He was always making sure I was getting extra work in and losing that weight. He also taught me more coordination and trained me on the agility ladder.

How did head coach Caleb Kimborough help groom and prepare you best for a professional career in your senior season?

Coach K right here, was a fearless leader and branded this trait into me, My senior year he showed me how to lead, be a driving force and bring all my teammates with me. He was one of the most inspirational coach I have ever had along with Ben Strong who now works with the Phoenix Suns. They both fine tuned my game and showed me the keys to winning with what you have, it all starts in the heart.

Who won a one on one in practice back in the day you or Charlie Johnson?

Back in the day I would win a 1v1 against Charlie but he had height on him so it was difficult but I would come out victorious.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Deondre Ray, Bj Gladden, Abduali Abaker, Jerrod Pettus, Rishi Kakad

Please produce your own personal NBA Mount Rushmore with 4 heads past or present?

Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant

What is your general opinion with the debate between who is greater Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

I think Lebron James is a phenomenal player but Michael Jordan paved the way

What was the last movie that you saw?

Last movie I watched was the Extraction

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

Tyrell Sturdivant s a 25 year old 201cm forward from Chester, Pennsylvania that recently completed his second professional season with the VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 22 games averaging 20.5ppg, Reb-1 (13.7rpg), 1.6apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 71.8%. He will play the 2020-2021 season with BBC Arantia Larochette (Luxembourg-Total League). The season before as a rookie he played with AS Soleuvre (Luxembourg-N2) avergaing: 22.3ppg, 14.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 67.6%. he began his basketball career at Chester high school and then played at Stony Brook form 2014-2018 playing 129 NCAA games. His best statistical season was his junior season where he played 32 games averaging 10.6ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 44.5%, FT: 64.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus crisis.

Hi Tyrell where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil at the moment because of the outbreak of the Corona Virus?

Hey man, really appreciate you reaching out. I’m currently back in the states and I’m being positive despite everything that’s going on in the world.

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world?

I was actually very nervous when I first heard about the virus. I remember when the first case reached Giessen I started to do a lot of research on ways to prevent the virus

How did you experience the day to day life in Germany during the Corona Virus outbreak? Did you see that corona effect on the culture there or was it not so much different happening in your day to day dealings?

Its the same as my day to day life now, just trying to take as much precaution as I can while also enjoying the time home with family.

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing

Yea of course, It’ll be interesting to see how the world adapts after all of this is over. It’s really been eye opening for me.

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season?

So disappointed, I think our team was in a good place to win our last 3 games so it’s frustrating but at the same time we want to practice safety so I understand the decision.

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth without spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans?

Seeing the world without basketball makes me realize I would do anything to have it back so if it meant we could play I would 100 percent play without fans.

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

I’ve really learned to try to stay positive and keep my faith in God during these times, it s been rough but being around family makes things go way easier.

Wil it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this?

I think it will only help, more time to perfect my craft and work on things that needs it. I also have much more time to watch film now so there are plenty of advantages. The disadvantage for me is obviously playing meaningful games will be missed but it just means I will be even more prepared for next season.

The whole world economy is going to be affected including Polish basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

It’s going to be tough but I always remember to control what I can control, so I’m just going to keep working and whatever happens next season no matter what I’ll be ready. ‘You never have to get ready if you stay ready’

How have you experienced the day to day life back home in the States? How has the Coronavirus affected your daily life? How have you been keeping in shape inside your home. Talk about the type of exercises and work out you have been able to perform inside your own 4 walls.

Yeah its tough not having a gym but I’ve been getting some great work in. I’ve been working out with my former teammate Junior Saintel who played in Spain last season. We do zoom calls with trainer Rob Fishbein. He puts us through a 45 min HIIT workout with many exercise and strength training. Along with that I keep my cardio on my workout bike and also have been doing a lot of yoga.

If you had to name another player besides guys from your team that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?


I would say either Junior Sainter or Jameel Warney.

Let’s talk about the season of the Giessen Pointers. The club finished in 13th place with a record of 10-13. How would you summarize the team season?


I think we were just missing a little bit of consistency, we were great some weeks and average others. I feel like we were hitting our stride at the end of the season its rough that we didn’t get to finish it out. But personally I think I grew as a player during the season and made a huge jump from my rookie season and that’s all I can ask of myself is steady improvement.

Just how competitive was the Regionalliga south west? There were 6 teams with a 10-13 record and from 3-11 in the standings there was only a difference of 2 wins? Do you feel like the team could have achieved more had they had a few more bounces here and there?


It was very competitive, every game was winnable which made it a fun league to play in. We had trouble with our 3rd quarter performances, we would always be winning at the break and then come out flat in the 3rd quarter. With better 3rd performances I think our record would be 13-10 easily. 

The Giessen Pointers had an ok start, stumbled a bit in the middle and finished ok. What do you feel could the team have done better to be more successful?

I’ve mentioned it a little in the last question but our 3rd quarters really hurt us this year. We were in a position to win nearly every game this season but our 3rd quarters would mess us up and we would have to fight from behind in the 4th,

Let’s talk about your teammates. Anthony Watkins came in January and you were only teammates with him for a short period. He recently declared for the 2020 NBA draft. What did you appreciate most about his game and just how much potential does he have?

What I appreciate the most about his game has nothing to do with in-between the lines. Anthony has a great basketball mind, we would talk basketball for hours after practices and after games. We would dissect film and break it down and that’s what I appreciate the most about his game, its his love for it.

You and young German Lucas Mayer were aa 2 man wrecking crew. He is another one of those very talented players. What do you feel stood out most in his game that will bring him to high level in the future?


Lucas is such a fun player to play with and either his aggressiveness or his ability to move without the ball. He will for sure play at a high level because he’s a player that can go get his or play in a team system. He’s the best cutter I’ve played with. 

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 20.5ppg, Reb-1 (13.7rpg), 1.6apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 71.8%. How content were you with your second season?

I think I improved from my rookie season so I was happy to see improvement. Something I really am proud of is my free throw percentage, I shot about 65% in my rookie season so to see that jump is something that I’m proud of. I wish I could have led us to a few more wins but it’s a season I will continue to watch film and learn from this summer and be ready for next season and continue my improvement.

Your stats were similar to your rookie season in Luxemburg. How would you rate the second division of Luxemburg to the German Regionlliga and in terms of how you could develop further?

I think both leagues are really competitive and I’ve learned a lot in these two years. The professional game is really physical and both leagues prove that. The main difference between the leagues are that in Luxembourg two Americans are allowed as opposed to just one in the Regionalliga but both leagues are very competitive and I’m thankful for my experience in both leagues.

Your 201cm beast that can score and rebound with the best of them, but really can do it ll. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would you pick?

I would say Lamarcus Aldridge, he’s someone who I’ve always tried to model my game after. I love his versatility on offense and his ability to play team defense. I think he’s the perfect mix of back the the basket and face-up forward.

You began to shoot more three’s in your senior year at Stony Brook (NCAA) and have continued to do so in your first two professional seasons. How much of a work in progress is your three and what do you need to work on most with it to make the next step with it?

I think the most important thing for me is knowing when to step out and shoot and when to try to dominate in the paint. I think that will help me take it to the next step, as a rebounder I usually always want to be close to the paint for offensive rebounds but obviously shooting 3’s limits your ability to rebound offensively. 

You have produced 3 20/20 games in your professional career so far. How much do games like that motivate you to get even more rebounds in every new game?


It’s a great feeling getting a 20/20, its mostly just a mindset that you want to grab every rebound. It’s like when a shooter is in a hot streak, it’s the same with rebounding. Sometimes you get in a zone and feel like you can grab every rebound and it’s a great feeling. I for sure want to add more 20/20 games to my resume. 

Your such a versatile player, but what are you working on most now to continue to be an even better all-round player?

I’m really working on my foot speed and my flexibility, I want to consistently be able to guard multiple positions so this is what I’m going to focus on. I’m doing a lot of foot ladder and a lot of yoga.

Who was the toughest guy that you faced in the Regionalliga this season?

The toughest guy I’ve faced this year was Chris Edwards from Langen. He’s a tough player to play against because of how efficient he is. If he gets 10 shots he’ll make 7 so with him you can’t take any plays off.

Last season you played with AS Soleuvre (Luxembourg-N2) playing 11 games averaging 22.3ppg, 14.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 67.6%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were very far away from home?

It’s really when you have to make dinner for yourself after a practice at 8pm when it hits you. Those are the times you miss moms cooking the most.

You had two 20/20 games last season against Contern but lost both games. How tough was it being a dominating beast and losing both games?

Those games are tough because you always replay the mistakes you made and wondering if you could have did more to change the outcome. 

You played at Stony Brook (NCAA) from 2014-2018. You reached 3 NCAA tournaments in a row which was an amazing feat for the school. Which one was the most memorable? Possibly playing against top powerhouse Kentucky?


Playing Kentucky was a crazy experience, they had maybe 5 or 6 NBA guys on that team. Playing in front of 20 thousand people felt unreal, but when the game started it was just like any other game but it’s an experience I’ll remember forever.

What kind of a challenge was it battling Jameel Warney in your first two seasons at Stony Brook?


He’s such a tough player to guard because of how physical and athletic he is. Match those two things with his skillset he’s almost unstoppable to guard which is why he dominated everywhere he’s been.

He dominated the G-League for 2 seasons and was rewarded with 3 NBA games with the Dallas Mavericks. He played last season in Seoul making big bucks. What do you feel is missing for him to be a consistent NB player?

I think he’s NBA ready, he does a little bit of everything. I think he would be the perfect NBA glue guy if given that chance.

Have you been keeping tabs on your ex teammate Roland Nyama who you were teammates with for 3 years. Were you bale to visit him or did he see one of your games this season?

Yes, we actually saw each other in tubingen and we also talk pretty often on Instagram.

In the 85-59 loss against top basketball school Kentucky you had 2 points and 3 boards in 11 minutes. What kind of an experience was it playing against guys like Murray, Briscoe and Ulis. When you look at how you have developed from then to now, do you feel like there is so much missing in your game compared to theirs?

It was a great experience just seeing how I match up to legit NBA talent. I consider myself a late bloomer and I still feel like my best basketball is ahead of me. When we played Kentucky I was still a role player but getting that experience is something i’ll never forget. 

How did head coach Jeff Boals groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?
He really encouraged me to start shooting 3s and gave me the confidence to take them in games. Without that development I’m not sure if I would be shooting 3s today.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Jameel Warney?

I can’t lie I don’t think I’ve beaten him 1 on 1 before but we haven’t played in a few summers so stay tuned for the matchup this summer

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

I think Jamal Murray, he plays the game so smoothly.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Anthony Watkins
Jameel Warney
Mahir Johnson
Jerome Kaefer
JoJo Cooper

Please produce your own personal NBA Mount Rushmore with 4 heads past or present?

MJ, Kobe, Lebron, Kareem (No order)

What is your general opinion with the debate between who is greater Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

I go back and forth all the time on this one, I think Lebron is a better player but I think MJ is the GOAT if that makes sense.

What was the last movie that you saw?


StepBrothers, my favorite movie I watch it once a week.

Thanks Tyrell for the chat.

Shaun Willett is a 193cm forward from Palm Bay, Florida that will be playing his second professional season and first in Germany with the wiha Panthers Schwenningen. Last season as a rookie he played with BBC Arantia Larochette (Luxembourg-Total League) playing 12 games: Score-1 (29.8ppg), Reb-4 (13.6rpg), 2.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP-3 (62.8%), 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 71.1%. He began his basketball career with Heritage High School and then played with Indian River State College (JUCO) playing 25 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 65.1%. In 2017-2018 he moved to Queens University (NCAA2) playing 36 games averaging 9.3ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 59.3%, 3PT: 43.8%, FT: 63.0%. In his senior year at Queens University (NCAA2) he played 36 games averaging 19.9ppg, 11.6rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 71.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career. 

Shaun thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how are you coping in these difficult time with COVID-19?


Hey man how’s it going? I’m currently home and in Palm Bay Florida and I’m coping with this pandemic as well as I can by trying to be as safe as possible 

You played your last game on March 7 as COVID-19 then halted play. How did you experience that early time in Luxemburg with the Corona Virus?

When I was in Luxembourg during the virus I was a bit worried because I wasn’t aware about the virus at the time so it was kind of worry sum.

When did you come back to the states? How did you deal with the daily COVID-19. What did you experience on a daily basis and how did you stay in shape best?

Well I got back to the states around March 18th and first it was hard dealing with the daily covid methods trying to stay healthy and stay safe. Once I understood more about the situation it got easier I started working out at home and running around my block

What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans? –

I feel like I played in games where there were barely any people so yeah it would feel kind of weird in a sense wouldn’t that with not having people cheering you on by the same time it wouldn’t affect my game in my opinion.

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person? –

I learned to appreciate the opportunities we have on a daily basis. being able to go to the gym when we want, and being able to workout when we want, and being able to just go places we want to go to. Having those things taken away from me really made me learn to appreciate the small things in life in a sense. 

The whole world economy is going to be affected including German basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes.? You are one of the early fortunate players that has found a new team. How blessed are you now that you have that worry behind you?

I feel like I’m extremely blessed. I say it every day. The fact that I have my job already signed, and I know where I’m playing is huge. Not just for me, for my family as well because now they don’t have to worry about me or what I’m going to do next it’s just a lot of weight off my shoulders.

Congrats on signing with the wiha Panthers Schwenningen. How vital was the positive talks with head coach Alen Velcic to help you make the decision of coming to Germany? 


The talk with coach Alen was very vital because I like knowing who I’m going to play for and knowing what to expect and he just kept it real with me from the jump and the eagerness in his voice just told me from the jump that he was a man ready to win at all costs and demanded you to play hard.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball?. There have been a few guys like Reggie Hopkins, Tre Mcclean, Antonio Stabler and Daniel Camps that played at Queens (NCAA2) and then played in Germany. Did you get in contact with any guys to get tips and information about the country?

Well I’ve only been to Germany a few times so I don’t really know much about it but I did get to get in contact with Daniel Camps and he told me some good things about it And I also have a brother that is stationed in Frankfurt Germany so I always have someone who knows the area quite well around me.

You had a huge rookie season in Luxemburg and you won’t put up those kind of stats at the Pro A level. Do you feel some pressure and what will be your biggest focus you will have in Germany concerning your game?

It’s actually quite the opposite. I feel less pressure than I did when I was in Luxembourg, because now I wouldn’t have to have such a big role on the team, demanding me to play 40 minutes a night. So now I can play as hard as I need to knowing that I’m going get a break coming soon. My biggest focus is just going to be on and whatever I need to do to make us win rebound score play defense whatever it takes to win.

You have gone from Juco to the Pro A in only 4 years. How big is the chip on your shoulder and has that been a huge motivation that has allowed you to have so much success in the last years?

Oh man I’ve been playing with this chip in my shoulders since I was a junior in high school. And it’s only gotten bigger from then. Coming from a D2 school and being told that you weren’t going to go anywhere or play where you think you want to play at, the chip got pretty big it’s there to remind me of what everyone said and how far I’ve come. So yeah I can’t wait to unleash it this upcoming season.

Let’s talk about your game. You an undersized forward, but can score and rebound very well. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Well my game is pretty unique, but if I had to choose one I would say it would have to be LeBron James. Just because I feel like I’m very dominant at what I do. I can guard bigs, I can guard guards. bigs are too slow And guards are too small in the paint. So it’s just like a mixture that I feel closely resembles LeBron James.

You made a huge jump in rebounds between your two seasons at Queens (NCAA2) and averaged 11,6rpg as a rookie in Luxemburg. How do you explain your rapid rise in being able to rebound the ball that well. 

Rebounding has always been natural for me. So just being at a different level meant for me to play harder, which in result made me grab more rebounds, just because I wanted to win more at a higher level. So I had to demand myself to play at a higher level so that I can perform at a high level.

You have been shooting the ball from outside well in the last 3 seasons. Where do you see your current development concerning your three and what besides consistency do you want to keep being able to tweak with your shot?

I want to develop my shot on to just be as reliable as it can be. I’m drive first play so I don’t rely on my shooting that much. The goal however is certainly be able to be a dependable shooter for my team when my number is called. My work ethic is going to help with that I’m certain of it.

Your points, rebounds and field goal percentage really stood out in your rookie season, but how much pride do you take on the defensive end? Do you see yourself being able to become an impact player on the defensive end at a higher level like Pro A?

I pride myself on defense that always comes first! I played both ends in Luxembourg averaging I think about 2 steals per game. I’ve always been great at defense because of my athletic body. I’m definitely faster than I look. I know I will be a major factor on defense this year. 

On what area’s will you be tweaking the most this summer in the basketball lab as you get ready for playing in Germany?

I will look to work on playing on the wing more. Yea I used to play it before I transferred to Queens. I had to play the 4 because we were small. My true position is 3/2. so I’m working on ball handling and shooting constantly.

You began your rookie season with the IOWA Wolves (G-League). What was your introduction to the G-League?

The G league is great organization I got the chance to practice with the team and play in a few scrimmages. It was a great experience, because those guys can really go. It opened my eyes to a new world of basketball that I can see myself at soon. Even high honestly. 

What kind of experience was it challenging top NCAA and borderline NBA players? What did you feel was the best thing that your game got out of this time?

Playing against those guys you really see that it’s all about competing and out working one another. It was fun playing against players from all levels but at the end of the day it’s all about who’s playing the hardest. I feel that my game grew just being there and seeing what I have to work on and where to get better at. So it really opened up my IQ for the game.

Did you have any dealings with assistant coach and ex Maccabi tel Aviv legend Devin Smith? Did he give you any tips on playing overseas?

No I didn’t sorry.

You had a monster rookie season with BBC Arantia Larochette (Luxembourg-Total League) playing 12 games: Score-1 (29.8ppg), Reb-4 (13.6rpg), 2.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP-3 (62.8%), 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 71.1%. Did it sometimes feel like you were a man playing with kids?

Haha I mean it was great competition, it had guys there that were high Division 1 athletes and guys that played in the G league and so on. I just played every game as hard as I could
And the results just spoke for themselves.

How did your game profit most from being able to dominate the Luxemburg league? Obviously your self confidence must of rose, but what else was able to help your game develop at the professional ranks?

I grew as a whole player I would say. From having a role like that in my first year was really a blessing. It gave me a taste of having to be the star player and trying to lead my team to victory early in my Pro career. It expanded my game for the fact I had to play many positions.

How much of a pleasure was it being able to play with Adarius Avery who also put up massive stats like you with 23/11? Did you guys click having both come from JUCO and knew what the other has been through?

Oh man playing with Adarius was great. We had similar games so on nights when we were clicking we were pretty tough to beat. We actually mad a great playoff run late in the regular season, but came up short. Great player though and teammate.

How much does your triple double 43/20/10 game in the win over Amicale mean to you? Was that your first triple double in your career and what will you always remember most about this massive game?


That triple double game is definitely on my top five list of games I’ve played. It was my first triple double though and it was pretty tough to get as well. What I would remember most though is that my guy Armond Davis had 45 that night to go with my 43 and he went I think 11-14 from 3. That was a great game to be apart of.

You began your college career at Indian River State College (JUCO) playing 25 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 65.1%. How vital was this season in your basketball development that helped you make the step to the NCAA 2?

That season was vital because it really showed me that I had to work harder than I had to grow more as a player. That season showed me that I could play at a high level because, it was like my first real season. I didn’t play my freshman year of college, so that was my first time having a big role and actually be a part of the team and playing. so it showed me that I I can play at a high level.

You had an amazing 2 year career at Queens (NCAA 2) reaching the SAC final and reached the D-2 Final 4 and Final 8. What was your fondest memory at Queens?

My fondest memory at Queens. I would have to choose my senior year regional championship game. That game was the most packed out game with the fans just going crazy the whole game back and forth yeah that game was one to remember. I remember when I was at the free throw line and the fans started chanting, ‘MVP!! MVP!!’ That was something that I would remember forever.I ended that game with 33 and 13 rebounds. That definitely would have to be my favorite game ever on my list.

Is the 77-75 loss to Lincoln Memorial one that you will remember for a long time? What happened in the last seconds that you won’t forget?

The loss to Lincoln Memorial isn’t really something I think about a lot because, we won when it mattered the most and that was for the Regional Championships. That game was a tough game though none the less, and Lincoln Memorial is a great team!

You had many memorable wins, but where will the 87-86 victory over Catawba stick where you scored 22 points had 10 rebounds and 4 assists?

The 87-86 win against Catawba would probably be number 6 on my top 10 games that I’ve played. It was so rememberable because I had 2 points going into the 2nd half, and we were down by I think 14 also. Then we made our way back and it was a battle the whole game, I scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the second half alone. Then Kenny hit the 3 to put us ahead by one with like 3 secs on the clock! Yea that game was great. 

How did head coach Bart Lundy groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?


Coach Lundy made me have to become an everyday hard worker. When I first got to Queens I didn’t understand how valuable it was to practice hard every single day, and coach Lundy opened my eyes to that from the jump. He instilled hard work in me not just for games, but for everything I do so that I can play at a high level at all times.

What are your fondest memories of Daniel Carr and where do you see the professional journey of him going and did you guys ever challenge each in a one on one or game of horse?

My fondest memories of Daniel Carr are just too much too put on paper. My senior year we really grew close and became like brothers. We went through a tough year losing 7 seniors and other players that were a part of our final four team and it was hard to get guys to buy in to what our culture was. DC though was right by my side every game playing his heart out and we won a lot of games together and had lots of fun memories in games and practice. I see him playing at a high level overseas in these next years to come. He’s a hard worker and a big time player in my books. We actually played one on one a lot, but I am winning in the series for sure haha.

Who was the toughest player you ever battled on the court that landed in the NBA?

The toughest player that l battle on the court and is in the NBA now would have to be Bryce Brown. He’s in the G League but he should definitely be in the NBA. But Bryce was one of the toughest dudes I had to guard weather it’s just pick up or one on one he’s a problem. He can shoot the ball at an elite level and he is quick of the dribble and can finish at the rim. He is all an amazing defender. One to the hardest working dudes I know for sure. 

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?


My 5 best teammates of all time would have to be, Mike Davis Jr, Todd Withers, Ike Agusi, Elijah Farrakhan, and Armond Davis.

Please name your personal NBA Rushmore of 4 past or present players

My top 4 NBA Mount Rushmore would be, in no order. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and James Harden. 

Will the Last Dance documentary finally give Michael Jordan the respect he deserves about being the GOAT or can Lebron James still make a claim for that title?

In my opinion Michael Jordan as been the goat and will be the goat for time to come. LeBron is an amazing player and in some people’s eyes he is the goat, but I just been stuck with Jordan as being the goat and the last dance confirmed my opinion for me. He is my goat forever.

What was the last movie that you saw??

The last movie I saw was menace to society. Great movie if you have never watched it I recommend it.

Thanks Shaun for the chat.

Javontae Hawkins is a 26 year old 196cm forward from Huntigton, West Virginia that will play his fourth professional season with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. He played his third professional season with the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim averaging15.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 79.4%. In 2018-2019 he played with Holargos B.C. (Greece-A1) playing 29 games averaging 11.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 77.5%. As a rookie he played with the Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 54 games averaging 14.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 79.9%. He played NCAA basketball at three schools with S Florida from 2012-2014 playing 54 NCAA games, then had his break out season with Eastern Kentucky (NCAA) playing 30 games averaging 17.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 76.5% and finished at Fordham (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 84.3%. He gave an exclusive interview concerning his old team HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim

Javontae thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. You wrote a message and posted on Twitter blasting your ex team about not getting your last payments. The COVID-19 time has been tough enough for everyone, but how surprising was this act by the Crailsheim Merlins?

At this point, I wouldn’t call my response bashing my team. I am appreciative of many things about Crailsheim but at the same time I am disappointed.

You acted like a true professional the whole season having a great personal season and was one of the main contributors to the success before and after COIVID-19 hit. You played injured throughout the Munich tournament. Do you have this feeling of having been stabbed in the back by your own organization?

I think I felt like any player would that truly gave their best. All in all, we had a great year together. I just don’t think we should conclude it this way.

You described on many accounts how much focus and passion you had for success in my diaries plus playing injured. You not only described often that the team was everything for you, but displayed that passion on the court. How much worse do you feel this ordeal is than what you suffered in Greece?

In Greece, I went into a situation expecting it to be very difficult. I don’t think it should be normal for players to have to expect the worse in some instances in European basketball. There should be more to protect us, but to be honest, from the Merlins as I have said their last gesture was very disappointing.

What do you hope learning from this calamity with the Crailsheim Merlins?

As I have said, we all get disappointments in life. You got to learn how to deal with these things. It’s life. I come from one of the poorest areas in the United States. We didn’t grow up with much. I really can’t afford one penny taken from me for no or little reason.

You had stated that you had been paid on time the whole season but then missed the last 2 payments stating that the club had said there had been considerable damage to the car something that a club employee denounced saying that it wasn’t bad and all would be ok. GM Martin Romig has stated that this has not been an act of jealousy, but moreover are facts. They are happy that you will play with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.The club announced a fair statement today including these words my Martin Romig. ‘Javontae Hawkins, we were fortunate enough to get to know you as a fantastic sportsman and impressive and inspirational person. Thank you for the awesome time we had both on the court and on the sidelines. Nothing will change about this perception in Crailsheim – we stand by it and you will always have a place on our ‘Field of Glory’. Neither your reaction in this case nor the actions of your agent will change anything about this’. Is there not a way that this issue can be resolved?


Well, I hope so that nothing will change about me or my agent’s perception with them. The facts are we have been nothing but professional with them.

Will you seek legal assistance and fight this issue? You seem to be a man that won’t allow something like this to conquer you?


After this interview, I am leaving it to my agents and lawyer to handle. I have to move on and get ready to help my next team. I’m excited about the future.

There has been a lot of support on Twitter concerning your tweet and situation. How thankful are you and how comforting has that support been for you?


I am thankful. I believe both players and clubs should support one another.

Sometimes something like this can really hit a player mentally. The new season preparation will begin soon. You have signed with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. How confident are you that you will return back to Germany ready to do work for your new team in Ludwigsburg?


I am from Flint, Michigan. I am a Man of God, now Husband and basketball player. You can count on the fact that I am strong and will be ready.

What message do you hope your tweet will give players who might have been confronted with a money situation like this but didn’t step up and do anything about it?


We have to stand up. Everybody has to use their voice. It’s just that time right now in sports and in the world.

Thanks Javontae for the chat.

It was an unbelievable hot humid Sunday in early August when I was on my way to Frankfurt airport to catch up with some of the 2020 Howard Hoops players who were hanging out at an airport hotel and were in mid season to the tour. They had played a few games against German professional teams the days before and now were eagerly awaiting taking part at team try-outs for that possible overseas contract and fulfilling their dream of a professional career. As I approached the hotel, it felt more like I was in Miami or Los Angeles exiting the airport building then being in Frankfurt, but once I entered the fully air conditioned hotel lobby, I quickly forgot about my minor sweat marks around my arms and focused on basketball as I would be talking with some of the members of the tour. I waited about 10 minutes and then approached 4 players. One was a short point guard with Jayson Edwards who will always remain in my memories for being a guy that was really focused on me for the whole 1 hour 30 minutes chat as I gave my best to give advice and pointers about what may await them in Germany if they get that contract. Another player that exited the elevator was a tall lanky forward named Pindo Drammeh who was sporting a Lebron jersey and reassuring me that he can conquer any winter since he is from Alaska. “Weather has never fazed me. I have always been able to adapt to it”, stated Pindo Drammeh. A third player that shock my hands and sat down to talk hoops was rookie Oliver Amajoyi who was easily the best player in the tour who had that healthy self confidence that all good players have and wasn´t short of having any Drew League stories where he had been a part of before. The last player that joined the group was 193cm guard Jaylon Pullen who also had a positive character and had that similarity of a world star that just couldn´t leave my mind. Finally to the end of our group session, I had to tell Pullen this. “You know that you have a little Will Smith going on”. The whole group laughed and I felt good that I had made the same assumption as others. “My teacher said it and overall I got mistaken a lot for Will Smith. People will tell me do you ever watch the Fresh Prince of Bel Air”? But not only Pullen looks like a world star, but so does Howard Hoops founder Ron Howard. For years, I couldn´t get that James Harden similarity out of my head. Ron Howard knows about that similarity and isn´t surprised about the Pullen Smith comparison. “That’s funny I can see that in Jaylon face a bit. As for me I’ve heard that before to bad I don´t have James Harden height”, smiled Ron Howard. “If Ron had more of a beard, I would call him little James”, laughed Jaylon Pullen.

            In the past Howard Hoops Tour´s have had the needed amount of players, but this time around, bodies was a huge problem. In the end there were only 6 players as player J Quan Brown, Cameron Gause, Keith Phillips and Rene Melendez all couldn´t attend for various reasons including getting their passport. But sometimes you have to do the best you can with the given circumstances. It also didn´t help that COVID-19 like in so many other areas played an effect on the tour. “By far this summer´s tour was challenging, the fact that covid is affecting how the world has to play basketball is truly different. I think the most challenging thing about having only 6 players was that they weren’t in playing shape”, stressed Ron Howard. After arriving on Tuesday and getting acquainted, the Howard Hoops tour had their first game on Wednesday against second Regionalliga team Olpe, a team that the Howard Hoops tour have played before in the past. Despite jet lag and a 6 man roster, the Howard Hoops gang won easily by 20 points. “The game in Olpe was decent. The player that caught my eye the most was Oliver Amajoyi. He plays big he’s a physical big who finishes strong around the basket”, stressed Ron Howard. The next night they scrimmaged against Regionalliga team Ibbenburen that had 15 guys suit up and had some very talented international bodies. The 4 players in the lobby with me didn´t want to elaborate on the game at all, but Ron Howard gave his 2 cents on the game. “The loss in Ibbenburen was embarrassing, I told the guys the game before against Olpe. Ibbenburen isn’t a soft club. They play hard grind fast pace structure hoops. The pressure that Ibbenburen was giving. to my players was something they weren’t ready for”, stressed Ron Howard. I never found out the final score of the game, but it must have been ugly.

            A big part of the potential success of each player getting a professional contract is how well Ron Howard can sell his players. Howard has been placing players since years in German leagues and continues now with Revizion Sports International which is a consultation, promotion, management & placement company based in Minneapolis Minnesota. RSI’s job is to properly advise/manage, train & place players on the best path to success. They are placing basketball players men & women all over World. So during the week of the games, Howard had to have a keen eye on each player and then be able to get the correct try outs for each guy. The California native who now is based in Minneapolis gave a quick summary of each of his players. “Jaylon Pullen is a tough hard nose PG combo guard who has a nice fee for the game , great shooter strong defender and great person. Ethan Lorenzo was a player who needed to get into shape and understand his role overseas would be a PG and to learn the position quick. Pindo Drammeh is a tall lengthy 6’10 who is a great shot blocker and has a nice tough around the rim. Also can step out and hit the open three. Bryan Johnson is a strong wingman with a nice jump shot plays hard on both ends of the floor and is also an amazing teammate. He was the leading scorer with 18 points against Ibbenburen. Oliver Amajoyi is a 6’8 player who can step outside and hit the 3pt shot. Great pick & pop pick & roll guy. Someone who will be able to give a double double each night. Jayson Edwards is a very quick and athletic point guard. He can penetrate gaps and hard nose defender with a good mid range game”, warned Ron Howard. Unfortunately Ron Howard couldn´t sit down and join our conference in the airport hotel lobby as he was on the go somewhere in the region having a chat with a coach about a tryout for one of his players. As always this 7^th Howard Hoops was another success and it won´t be the last one as a 8^th tour is just around the corner. “The thing I liked about this tour was that my guys who came really got a long they worked hard and were receptive to the feedback they were given. In January we will bring again guys out to Germany to showcase their talents to teams in tryouts and exhibitions before the second half of the season begins”, stressed Ron Howard.

            Back in the hotel lobby I was getting bombarded left, right and center from the 4 players about what could await them in Germany, and I was honest and told them that if they want to be successful, they have to be 100% serious about the job. This may be their only chance ever, so they shouldn´t blow it. They have to be totally focused, eat right, have good sleeping patterns, get in the gym every day, because they have so much time to get better and most important be a good role model for others. After I had given them the facts about how to survive in Germany, they reflected on their time in Germany and about the future. Dallas native Jaylon Pullen left a lasting impression getting a few try-outs including from team Babenhausen. “The tour was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. It was cool being able to experience a different level of competition and style. I was ok with how I played. I could have been in better shape. When I´m in better shape, I´m more productive. What I really enjoyed about the tour was that nobody fought and we were all cool with each other form the first day. Nobody was holding each other back, but everybody was focused for the best outcome for the whole team”, stressed Jaylon Pullen. Rancho Cucamonga, California native Oliver Amajoyi who just finished his college career at William Jessup(NAIA) was the MVP of the tour putting up 28/15/3/2 stats against Olpe and 14/12 against Ibbenburen. His stellar play earned him a try-out with Regionalliga team TV Langen. “I enjoyed the tour. I learned during this tour that I need to be a leader and use my IQ more. I believe that I can excel at this level. My main goal was to win and everybody gets a contract. My friend Christopher Edward told me good things about TV Langen. He played there the last 2 seasons. I have to keep getting better and I can have no set backs”, warned Oliver Amajoyi. Anchorage, Alaska native Pindo Drammeh who also balled at William Jessup(NAIA) and spent his early childhood living in Sweden had a good camp and earned a few tryouts as well. “I give a lot of credit to Ron Howard who kept me at a high standard and gave me high motivation to play and how to understand the game. It was awesome being able to meet up with other guys that had the same dream to play overseas. This opportunity was a real blessing and I´m trusting the process”, warned Pindo Drammeh. 175cm point guard Jayson Edwards from Plymouth, Minnesota had a lot of fun and showed he had game, but had a huge disadvantage over the other players in that he has a family back home. In the lower leagues, it is usually impossible for players to have their families over right away, because the lifestyle is to expensive. He also was awarded a try-out with Babenhausen. “It was great being a part of Howard Hoops and it was a great test. I truly believe that I can fit in and adjust to the game overseas. The style of game is new to me, but I know that I have to play at a certain level and show out in order to be successful overseas. I have no resume and came here from nothing. It was a blessing to be here, but I know what I have to do to be successful”, warned Jayson Edwards. It will be interesting to learn where and if some of these guys land a professional basketball contract in the next weeks. Most don´t have a return plane ticket to the States. So there is a great chance that these hungry, less known players will do all they can not to have to book a flight home, because they are so close to their dream of playing professional basketball.

Elijah Allen is a 30 year old 195cm swing man from Columbus, Ohio that completed his eighth professional season and first season with the Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-ProB) playing 22 games averaging 16.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 80.2% In 2018-2019 he played with the Tigers Tuebingen averaging 8.8ppg, 3,5rpg and 1,2apg. In 2017-2018 he played with the Kirchheim Knights in the Pro A averaging 9,8ppg, 5,0rpg and 1,6apg. In the 2016-2017 season he helped Gotha move up to the easyCredit BBL averaging 5,7ppg, 2,0rpg and shot 42,3% from outside. He is one of the few guys that has gone from the German Regionaliga to the BBL He played two seasons for Lich and in his last season there played 27 games averaging 13.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 69.3%. He started his basketball career at NW Missouri St. (NCAA2) in 2007 where he played until 2011 playing a total of 103 NCAA games and as a senior played 26 games: 14.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.1apg, FG: 44.8%, 3Pts: 23.1%, FT: 74.8%. He came to Germany in 2012 and played his first two seasons for the VfB 1900 Giessen Pointers (Germany-Regionalliga) and in the 2013-2014 season played 26 games averaging 20.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 68.4%. In the 2014-2015 season for the Licher Basket Baeren he played 28 games: 10.4ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.5apg. He spoke to Germanhoops.com during the Coronavirus crisis.

Hi Elijah where are you at the moment and how is your current mood despite the world turmoil a tthe moment because of the out break of the Corona Virus? 

Hello Miles, I am currently in Iserlohn. It’s unfortunate the events we are living in at the moment but I am trying to make the most of it. 

When you first heard about the Corona Virus did you ever think that it could have such an effect on the world? 

I did not think the whole country would stop because of the virus.

How did you experience the day to day life in Iserlohn in Germany? What things did you notice in the surroundings there that showed that life wasn t normal? 

Being on lockdown is a bit difficult. Usually I spend most of my day in a gym but now I’m forced to stay home. Everything is closed. Just the grocery stores are open. 

Did you become more aware about how you handle yourself in public in terms of shaking hands and not being in the line of fire with somebody coughing.

I try my best to follow the guidelines.

Basketball leagues have shut down all over Europe including the Pro A. How disappointed were you about this and not being able to finish the season?

I was pretty disappointed but I think it was the right thing to close everything. I really wanted to finish the rest of the games. 

Before leagues were shut down there was a BCL game in Bonn against AEK Athens and a Fiba Europe Cup game in Bayreuth with out spectators. What is your overall opinion of playing a game without fans? 

I think no fans is a good idea but when the whole world Is shutdown then I understand why the games just can’t be played 

What have you learned about these tough times that has made you stronger as a person?

For me it gave me a time to step back and evaluate my life. 

Will it be a big adjustment having to start 3 months earlier with workouts and basketball skill development? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of this? 


For me I think it’s an advantage because it gives me much time to focus on my body. I want to get as fit as possible for the next season. A negative would be that I can’t workout inside of a gym right now

The whole world economy is going to be affected including German basketball. How worried are you about the future of professional basketball. The next season will have many changes. How are you handling this mentally now not knowing what to expect?

I try not to worry to much. Instead I just control what I can control. Mentally being negative about the situation won’t help.

If you had to name another player besides guys from the Kangaroos that you have been in most contact via Social Media who would it be?

Victor Zyring 

How has your approach to family changed since the outbreak of Corona? What things have you seen yourself do that you may not have done before? 

As a father in this epidemic it has made me a bit defensive. I don’t take them around many people and try my best to lower the risk of them catching the virus

Let s talk about the season of Iserlohn. The club finished with a disappointing 7 -15 season landing in 10th place. How disappointing was this season for you? 

Very disappointing. It felt like we were in a funk the whole season. Just couldn’t crawl out of it. 

The club had had battled to a 2 -2 record in the last 4 games after suffering losing 6 of 7 games, but you had recently beat Duesseldorf by 25 points. How confident were you that the club would of prevailed in the playdowns beating Duesseldorf possibly for the last Pro B spot?

Playdowns was going to be a real fight! Early on the club really was better than it s end record. 

You started at 2-2, but then suffered a 5 game losing streak in which you played top team Itzehoe tough, but lost and then lost to Duesseldorf by 1 point and by 2 points to Bochum. Did these close loses have an effect on the team mentally?

It was very frustrating. We were in most games and then let up at the wrong times. 

Iserlohn gave up more points than it made and weren t the best rebounding team having only one experienced big man with Jozo Brkic . How much did consistency weigh into the problems with the team? 


We were a small team so it was difficult at times

Let s talk about your teammates. How much of a pleasure was it playing with Chris Frazier? He belonged to the top players with you having had BBL and Pro A experience. Is he a player that really is a lot better player that he sometimes gets credit for from coaches? 

Chris is a very good Player and a great teammate. It’s unfortunate that he hasn’t got the chance he deserves. He is much better than a lot of the Germans that I have played with throughout my career. He can shoot the Ball and wants to always get better. It was a true pleasure to play with Chris. I found a good teammate and also a good friend. 

Have you ever played with sets of brothers on the same team before before this season? What was it like playing with Rueben and Joshua Dahmen? What did you appreciate most about their games . 


This was my first time playing with brothers. They are smart guys and are doing a lot of things to excel in life. They both are experienced and competed on the court and did their best. I don’t think I have a special Story to tell. 

You also played briefly with another set of brothers with Malte and Kristof Schwarz with the latter retiring after 4 games and moving to America. Both had enormous experience in Germany and even played in the BBL with Phoenix Hagen. How special are these two brothers and what will you never forget about them?


Both were very nice guys. I wish them both success and a great retirement. Both of them I found to be funny and easy to talk to. 

Let s talk about your game. Was it tough taking a step back to Pro B after 3 seasons in the Pro A? 

For me it was a very tough decision. I felt like I was one of the better Germans in Pro A the past few years. I just got hit with some unlucky situations.

You competed in 22 game averaging 16.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.7apg , FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 80.2%. In our last interview you stated that in the summer of 2019 you would focus on this. ‘ I will focus on watching film and trying to learn the game more. It is a never ending process’. Do you feel that helped you achieve your best season in the Pro B?


I think it helped a lot. Offensively I felt I could do whatever I wanted on the court. Training hard and watching film put me in that position. At times it felt very easy because I had worked so hard to put myself in that Position. 

Whats the next step for you? Your turning 31 in September. Do you still have that push for another Pro A season or are you content with staying in the Pro B or could you leave your comfort zone in Germany and explore a new country?

I am not sure what the future holds. I will just keep working hard and see what’s best for me. 

You had your best season in the pro B after two solid seasons in Lich from 2014-2016. How is Elijah a better player today after 3 years in the Pro A? 


I feel I can do bit of everything no matter the level. I have worked hard over the years and I know what I can bring to the table. I feel that I’m much better than years ago. My body feels great and I feel I have a ton left in the tank

It seems like you really grew as a facilitator. How do you credit your high assist average from this season? Did you pick up valuable things from the point guards that you played with in the Pro A? 

I think over the years the game slows down and becomes easier. You understand where to be and when to make plays. A lot of it also has to do with what roll you have. 

You had two of your bests scoring games with 28 and 26 in loses, but had a real good game filling the stats against the BSW Sixers. What was your most memorable game with Iserlohn?


I’m not sure really. 

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the Pro B this season?

Chis Hooper. He always went left and shot a hook and there wasn’t much you could do about it. Made it always with good defense. I think he was one of the best players in Pro B because he was consistent 

Luka Doncic had an amazing sophomore campaign. Is he a top 3 NBA player now? 

No way! Lebron, Leonard and Durant. I think in a few years he could be possibly

Where were you when you heard about the death of Kobe Bryant. What kind of influence did he have on you during adolescence?

I was at home when I heard the news. He had a big impact on why I liked the game of basketball. He was very competitive and to me top 3 that has ever played the game.

How bitter is it that the NCAA March Madness has been canceled? This tournament for some kids is the greatest time of their lives. What advice would you give that senior who worked hard for 4 years and would have had his one and only chance now?

Its unfortunate that there is no March Madness this year. The only advice I can give is just to stay positive and keep pushing on. 

What was the last movie that you saw?

Cars 3 with my kids

Thanks Elijah for the chat.