Dajuan Graf is a 26 year old 185cm guard from Charlotte, North Carolina that just completed his second professional season and first with the Kirchheim Knights averaging 12,8ppg,4,5rpg and 5,3apg Last season he played with KK Alkar Sinj (Croatia-Premijer Liga) playing 24 games: Score-5 (15.5ppg), 4.5rpg, 4.7apg, Steals-2 (2.0spg), FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 25.6%, FT: 72.5%. He began his basketball career at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. He then played at Florida Gulf Coast (NCAA) from 2012-2014 playing a total of 71 NCAA games and then finished at North Carolina Central (NCAA) playing there from 2015-2017 playing a total of 63 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 14.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 5.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 77.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after his season in Germany. 

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

Basketball is great, I’m entering my prime right now, so I feel like I’m getting better every day. Basketball Is my life, so basketball usually dictates how my days go and how much time I have to do anything else.

You played your second professional season and first in Germany with the Kirchheim Knights. The playoff chase was a tough one that the club couldn’t reach. How tough was it not making the playoffs?

Yeah, we set a goal for our team to make the playoffs. Although we didn’t make the playoffs, I learned a lot from my teammates and my coaches. So, I wouldn’t say the season was a failure I took it as a learning experience.

What is your season summary of the Kirchheim Knights. You had a team with immense talent. Do you feel like the team underachieved a bit?

Throughout the season we faced adversity which set us back. We had to deal with a lot of injuries and we had to recruit new players, so our chemistry was off. We defiantly didn’t do what we set out to do but it I wouldn’t say we underachieved.

At the start of the season the Kirchheim Knights had a good stretch having a 5 game winning streak, but then lost 7 of 9 games. What were the main factors for the team making this sudden turn?

I think we were on a high horse after winning 5 games in a row. Our confidence was high and once we started losing we couldn’t find our groove again. It was tough for us and had injuries during that time, so it set us back a little.

The club played ok at the end and were in pretty good position of making the playoffs, but then lost two crucial games to Phoenix Hagen and Artland.

Yeah with all the mistakes we made throughout the season, the Hagen and Trier lost hurt our playoff chances the most.

The Kirchheim Knights had the third best defense in the Pro A, but it seemed to let the team down in those two loses. Did your strength defense cost you the playoffs at the end?

I think we let down on our defense towards the middle of the season. Our mindsets changed, and we stopped focusing on our principals. Without effort on defense its hard to beat good teams and we found that out the hard way.

Let’s talk a bit about your teammates. How important was a guy like American Keith Rendleman who played his fourth season with Kirchheim? Was he one of those guys that showed you the ropes to everything you needed to know?

He was an important veteran because he’s been in Germany before and he could help us out finically in helping us manage our money.

How much of a pleasure was it playing with Rhondell Goodwin? How much easier did this prolific scorer make your game as a point guard?

Rohndell and I became close while in Germany, we were roommates and we became like brothers. We fed off each other during the games, once he was scoring the defenses had to focus on him, which freed me up to create plays for my teammates.

Did you sense that Goodwin has a chip on his shoulder after having to make his way up the basketball ladder from the NCAA 2?

He knows how to play the game of basketball and he’s a smart player. He knew coming into the season that it’s a process because he did come from a D2 school, but it didn’t make a difference for him because he knows the game of basketball.

You played together with many young German players. If you had to pick one player that made the biggest jump this season in their development who would you pick?

Kevin Wohlrath, I’m extremely proud of him, he made so much progress throughout the year. Also he plays extremely hard every practice, he’s going to be a great player in the future.

Let’s talk about your game. You‘re a a 185cm point guard that can fill the stat sheet at ease. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Kemba Walker because he’s a smaller guard and no one in the NBA can guard him. His creation off the dribble is crazy but I would compare myself to kyrie Irving because of his knowledge of the game and his craftiness. 

You came from the first Croatian league and had no problems adjusting to the German Pro A. How would you compare the two leagues and which one was higher in talent and competition?

I enjoyed both leagues, I think the Croatian league was more physical and not as many fouls are called and in the German league its more schemes, and different defenses that your playing against every week. The Croatian league had more veteran type of guys that played in the NBA, and the German league its younger talent that are looking to make a name for themselves.

With the Kirchheim Knights you averaged 12,8ppg, 4,5rpg and 5,3apg. How content were you with your season?

I’m not really satisfied with the season I had just because I know I could have averaged more points and assists. But I also realize that we ran most plays to throw the ball in the post.

Your outside shooting continues to be up and down. Two seasons ago you were at 39% in the NCAA, last season 25% in Croatia and this season 33%. Is your shooting a constant work in progress?

Yeah, I’m working on my shooting every summer, but a lot of the time I’m shooting 3s off the dribble so that’s kind of the reason my shooting has been up and down.

You had very many good games with the Kirchheim Knights. What was your personal best games? Possibly the two wins over PS Karlsruhe?
Both Karlsruhe games, both artland games and Schalke were some of my best games that I can think of, but I know I had some other good games.

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

Devonte Lacy was one of the best players in the Pro A, I think he was probably my favorite player to go against.

On what area’s of your game will you be focusing on most this summer in the lab as you continue to improve in your game?

Shooting and getting stronger will be my focus. If I want to keep progressing, I know I must get better in both aspects of game.

What is the next step for you? You had a solid season in Germany. Could you imagine playing another season in Germany or would you prepared to give a new culture and league a chance?

Yes, I would love to play another season in Germany, I have family in Germany and I’m looking to get my German passport. But I don’t mind traveling the world and seeing other countries.

Last season as a rookie you played with KK Alkar Sinj (Croatia-Premijer Liga) playing 24 games: Score-5 (15.5ppg), 4.5rpg, 4.7apg, Steals-2 (2.0spg), FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 25.6%, FT: 72.5%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were very far away from home?

Just the different culture, not being able to speak English to anyone and just the way of living in Europe. Being away from home with no family or friends is tough but it makes you mentally stronger.

How important was it having American LJ Booth as your teammate as a rookie? Did his presence make the cold and long winter more bearable or were you able to make some long lasting relationships with your Croatian teammates?

LJ is my boy. But it was important for both of us, nobody else in the town spoke English so me and LJ went everywhere together. And my all my teammates were great. I still follow them on Instagram so I can see that they’re still doing good.

You held your own against some very good Croatian teams like Cedevita that had 3 ex NBA players with Murphy, Johnson and Ukic. When you saw veteran players like them play, how confident did it make you that you can also make your way up the basketball ladder in the next years with your talent and continued hard work?

At first I didn’t even think some of those guys were in the NBA and once I realized I could play with these guys I gained a lot of confidence and I know if I keep working I can play in some of the top leagues In Europe and make big money.

You began your NCAA career at Florida Gulf Coast (NCAA): in 2012 and played two seasons there playing 71 games. What kind of experience was that for you and why did you leave after two seasons?

It was a roller coaster experience. My first months of college I hated it and I wanted to leave but once I found myself as a person and on the basketball court things became easier for me and I’m glad I went through those experiences.

At Florida Gulf Coast (NCAA) you had many teammates that would playing Europe and Germany. What memories do you have of German Alex Blessig who is on the way of helping lead his team Leverkusen to the Pro A? Do you keep tabs on your ex teammates?


Yeah we were trying to get Alex to come play for the Knights this year and he is a great person , he deserves the success that he is receiving.

What memories do you have of the NCAA Sweet 16 run in 2013 and losing to Florida? You played 9 minutes and against current Euroleague player Scottie Wilbekin.

I just remember everyone showing us love once we started winning and because we were the underdogs. But Scottie was an elite player, we couldn’t stop him, and I see why he is in the euro league now.

You then transferred to North Carolina Central (NCAA) and made a big jump in your stats from your junior to senior year. How do you feel did your game develop in those two years?

My first two years I was coming off the bench, and I didn’t have a big role of the team, so once I transferred so that I could start at point guard for at least two years. Coach Levelle Moton just believed in me which had a lot to do with my success. He put me in situations to use my strengths, and it shows in the increase in my stats.

As a senior you played 33 games averaging 14.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 5.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 77.9%. You had some great memories there, but w was winning the MEAC tournament the best moment?

Going into my senior year I wanted the younger guys to experience the NCAA tournament, so being able to lead my team to the tournament was my best moment. I think everybody should have a chance to play in the NCAA tournament.

How did head coach Levelle Moton groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

I think he more so groomed me as a man, and just taught me things about life and taking those tips and advice it just translated to the basketball court.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Rashaun Madison?
Hahaha Rashaun couldn’t beat me. But that’s my guy, he grew up so much from the time he got to NCCU until the time he graduated.

Who is the toughest guy that you battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Mason Plummlee. He is a 6’10 big man that can jump out the gym lol, he by far was one of the most dominating players I played against.

If you had to pick your personal favorite starting five of teammates over the years which players would you chose?

Nimrod Hillard, Benard Thompson, Sherwood Brown, Jordan Parks, Chase Fieler 

If you had to construct your very own NBA mount Rushmore which 4 heads would you pick?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Pete Maravich

What is your personal opinion about the never ending debate of who is the greatest between Michael Jordan and Lebron James?

Its tough to say because they both played in two different eras, but I feel like Jordan dominated the game more and he has 6 championship rings.

What was the last movie that you saw?

‘US’ it’s a Jordan Peele movie

Thanks Dajuan for the chat. 

One of the great things about watching Euroleague teams is that even long after you have noticed players like Nando de Colo, Sergio Rodriguez, Corey Higgins or a Kyle Hines of CSKA Moscow, there are still amazing players on that roster all the way to the 12^th man. It isn´t quite the same with Eurocup teams, but when you take the top teams, you will find a lot of the same and it isn´t any different with 2017 Eurocup winner Unicaja Malaga. When you observe that roster, two names that stand out right away are ex NBA players Brian Roberts and Kyle Wiljer, but it doesn´t end there. The list goes on with 2017 NBA Draft Pick French man Mathias Lessort and Serbian sharp shooter Dragon Milosavljevic or even 217cm 120 kilo monster Georgian Giorgi Shermadini who´s name on paper might not raise eyebrows right away, but when you see him dominating in the paint, then one might come up with the nickname King Kong. But wait a minute, Unicaja Malaga already have their King Kong, but he isn´t from Georgia and isn´t anywhere near 217cm. But moreover the Unicaja Malaga King Kong is only 199cm and weighs only 95 kilo´s. Instead of fighting against double and triple teams the way a Shermadini has to and dunk with authority, Unicaja´s king kong is from Poland and named Adam Waczynski who has a knack for hitting three´s with ease, the way a Damien Lillard has that intense killer mentality to shoot a in your face three for the win. The Polish sniper didn´t get the nickname because of his physic, but was born at a Malaga home game after he thanked a diehard fan for his supportive input by hitting his chest which resembled a boisterous King Kong in the jungle. But if one looks back at the career of Adam Waczynski, this innovative nickname might never have been created had he not left his native Poland. The Polish national player first made a name for himself playing many years with Trefl Sopot where he racked in 4 titles until making the jump to the Spanish ACB in 2014 where he has been ever since. He got his big break from Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB in 2014 where he played two seasons before moving to Malaga in 2016. “I had an opportunity from Obradoiro to play in the best league in Europe. I could of stayed in Poland and lived my life there as a star of many teams. But I chose a harder way. To compete with the best teams and try to reach even higher goals. It worked. Those two years gave me confidence and belief that I can play on this level. I was working with the coaching staff from Obradoiro on my technique and working on my off the ball screen shooting. It was really productive years for me and I will never forget it”, warned Adam Waczynski.

       He was born on October 15^th, 1989 in Torun, Poland and had his first playing experience with Wax Torun (3Liga) in 2004 while also visiting the youth teams of Prokom Trefl Sopot in 2005. He made a very nice development with the Sopot youth teams and already gained his first Euroleague experience in the 2007-2008 season as a teenager. He then got further important basketball grooming with Victoria Gornik Walbrzych (DBE) playing 25 games and averaging 9.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 70.3% and a year later played with PBG Basket Poznan (PLK) where he became an important team leader in the Polish first division playing 23 games averaging 9.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 63.0%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 77.4%. He then made the jump to Trefl Sopot (PLK) in 2010 and would spend four years there winning four titles. He was able to improve his scoring average each season and really took off in his third season where his dangerous three pointer was observed in two competitions. He played 36 Polish league games averaging 13.9ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT-3(45.4%), FT: 79.7%; and played 6 EuroCup games averaging 10.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 84.6%. These four years including his previous time with the youth teams probably were the most important years in his career that helped shape his game and allow him to move on to the Spanish ACB. “Sopot is like home for me. I moved there when I was 16, I met my wife, played at the highest level. So obviously I wanted to play as good as I could to give all the love back to the club that gave me all these things in my life. Every year was individually better for me. And a moment came that the best for me was to move out of the country to continue the career in a better league. For sure those years showed that I can compete in Spain. I just needed to prove this on the court playing against the best”, warned Adam Waczynski. He didn´t play international club competition in his last season with Sopot, but still put up solid stats as he played 45 games averaging 14.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 45.3%, FT: 81.7%. In his last four years there he played 164 Polish league games and scored in double figures in 101 games. Of course for him to have been able to win so many titles there, he had to have been able to have great teammates and will never forget them. “I played with many great players. Of course John Turek was one of them. Undersized big man with an amazing touch to score back to the basket and even score threes. Playing hard and running really fast. Hard to find a big man like him. I learned a lot from Lorinza Harrington ex-NBA player. Competitor from head to toes. He was always telling me to defend like it’s my last defense. To take that challenge and stop people from scoring. I always have it in my mind. Of course Polish players like Lukasz Koszarek or Filip Dylewicz – Polish superstars that I could watch every day in practice and getting advice helped also”, stressed Adam Waczynski.

     He made the jump to Europe´s best league ACB in 2014 and joined Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB (Spain-Liga ACB). Back in October 2014 a young Mateusz Ponitka was climbing the basketball ladder and playing in Belgium and in the last years has shone in the ACB and this season is playing in the VTB with Lokomotove Kuban and remembered feeling happy for his Polish national team teammate for reaching Spain. “Adam made a great choice. I am happy for him and his progression in life and basketball. He already has shown that Polish players are capable of playing there. It is great for Polish basketball to play in Spain. For me well you never know. Life is unpredictable. It doesn´t matter if its Spain or Russia, each player is chasing the dream. Where my way will go only time will tell”, warned Mateusz Ponitka. In his first season he played 34 games averaging 12.5ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 84.0%. In his first season he scored in double figures in 19 games including a 27 point explosion against Bilbao and a 26 point effort against Laboral. He finished the season netting 20 points in a losing cause to FC Barcelona. In his second season he was able to up his scoring average from the previous season as he played 27 games with Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB (Spain-ACB) and was the leagues third top scorer averaging 14.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 90.2%. He scored in double figures 17 times including achieving 30 points against Zaragoza and Andorra and had 28 points against Murcia. He credits his 30 point explosion against Andorra as one of his best games in his five years in Spain. “One of them for sure. I have many great moments in my head but this one was something special for sure. One of my few game winners in my career, need to stay in the head for a long time”, added Adam Waczynski. He also will always have great memories of his last season with them, because his scoring results helped him make the next step to Malaga. “Many teams because of this year knew my name. It was a big step forward. And being on the list in front of many great players from Real and Barca, you need to feel good”, stressed Adam Waczynski.

       The Polish national player has proven two things in his basketball career and that is that he is a modern day forward and that he is extremely versatile and that he has been relatively consistent in his career and has made his three point shooting one of his main weapons. He was a bit hesitant to trying to compare his game to an NBA player, but after some thought came up with a name.” I try to do my best not doing only 1 thing. I don’t want to be scouted easy,but trying to surprise the defender as many times I can. I don’t like to compare myself to anyone. Everyone is different. Maybe I could compare myself little bit to Otto Porter that I know from Marcin Gortat’s camps in Poland. I like how he’s playing, good shooter, playing also with the ball, team player and a humble person privately”, stressed Adam Waczynski. Sometimes being able to improve and excel at something is a lot easier than one might think at least according to Adam Waczynski. The polish sniper has shot 40% or better the last six years whereas before that he was shooting in the mid 30´s. “I think it was my mentality and healthy food that I put into my life. I started to watch everything besides basketball to step up on a higher level. It worked and I tried to stay like this and watch out for all the distractions. Also when you know that you are doing everything correctly makes you believe in yourself even stronger. And self confidence is really important for every shooter around the world”, warned Adam Waczynski. A great thing about his shooting success is that he won´t heave up 15 -20 shots a game like guys in Houston or Oklahoma City, but really does a superb job picking his spots and knowing what a perfect shot is in comparison to just a good shot. He is still hungry at age 29 to get better and better. “I try to improve my game with the ball and of course defense. Offense is a matter of repetitions. Playing with the ball and being active is more like a mental thing so I try to stay aggressive with the ball and also be a creator in our system”, stressed Adam Waczynski.

       In 2016 he made the next big jump in his basketball career and signed with Unicaja Malaga (Spain-Liga-ACB) and is in his third season there. He joined a team that was a totally different caliber from Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB in that Malaga had a lot bigger budget and a lot more talented players where scoring options rose shaving down his stats a bit. But which player wouldn´t be willing to have that happen  to win titles? In his first season he played 30 ACB games averaging 8.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 43.9%, FT: 63.3%; and played 22 Eurocup games averaging 7.5ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT: 66.7%. To win any title is difficult, but to win a title at the Eurocup level is always extremely tough and he also remembered his team being very tough that season and very special. “We were just competing to the end against everyone, we never surrendered. In the finals we missed our main big guy Dejan Musli – best 5 of the season. Alen Omic was disqualified in the 4th quarter and we played the whole 4th quarter small ball against guys like Dubljevic, Kravtsov, and Will Thomas. Really big guys. And we made it, started to make shots, defended good, made shots again, played hard and defended and suddenly we came back from -14 to +5. We never gave up and many of us sacrificed a lot for the team to win. This is what I will remember the most from this team”, stressed Adam Waczynski. Valencia gave Malaga a hard fight and one player that he never forgot as did no team in the easyCredit BBL the last two years is Luke Sikma a guy that really impressed the Polish national player. “He´s got basketball in his blood. He played many years in the ACB and I’m a type of player that is following other leagues and watching how the players are doing after leaving Spain. He is one of the guys who was making a difference. He can make a three, offensive rebound, play back to the basket. Having him in a team is for sure a great experience for all the players”, added Adam Waczynski. Last season with Unicaja Malaga he continued to display his consistency and had a very strong Euroleague season as he played 35 ACB games averaging 8.2ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 72.5%; and 27 Euroleague  games averaging 10.1ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 49.5%, FT: 82.9%. His best Euroleague games were wins against Turkish teams where he netted 20 points against Efes and 18 points against Fenerbahce. Usually top teams change their rosters from season to season keeping a few pieces and adding new ones so having many teammates in your memories is something that not only a Adam Waczynski knows about, but many other players. He especially had fond memories of ex NBA player James Augustein who was one of those big men that he harmonized well with. “James is a great person and a great player. I learned a lot from him as a guard that needs great screens from the big guys. He was very good in switching the pace and the side of the ball finding the best solution and best angle of the screen to get us open. He is also a great passer and always looking to find somebody open. He should be the perfect example for younger players how a modern five man should play these days”, said Adam Waczynski.

       He lists NBA legends Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Lebron James And Wilt Chamberlain on his NBA Rushmore and completed his third season for Unicaja Malaga and fifth season in the ACB in Spain. Spain has easily become like a second home to him. ”It is almost like home. I really appreciate many things here in Spain. All my family speak Spanish so for sure it’s easier for us to live here. I like the culture, the weather. It’s only 4 hours by plane to go to Poland so our family comes to visit us many times during the season. It also makes us feel better. I’m happy to play in the ACB and in Euro competitions now with Unicaja. The level is really great and I feel like every year is a big experience for me as a basketball player. The fans are amazing and helping us to feel here like home”, stressed Adam Waczynski. As usual Unicaja Malaga made the playoffs, but were unable to follow up their 2017 Eurocup title and this season bowed out to German team Alba Berlin in the quarterfinals winning a thrilling 91-90 game to start the series, but then were unable to get the job done in crunch-time in game three allowing the German side into the semi-finals. A few months before the Alba Berlin series, he summed up why it´s always so difficult to compete against German teams. “German teams are always solid and ready to compete. They have amazing players – National team and the teams that I played against – always with a winning mentality that’s why it’s so difficult to win”, warned Adam Waczynski. He knew that for the club to make a surprise in the playoffs against a big fish, they will have needed contribution from everyone in many ways. “All our players are really on a high level and with great experience. The thing what will make us stronger is playing together and finding the best possible position. Because all of us can finish the plays with a basket. The most important is to share the ball and enjoy playing together to achieve great things as a team”, warned Adam Waczynski some months ago. Three players that will have to continue to shine on the court until the end are ex NBA players Brian Roberts, Kyle Wiltjer and top French big man Mathias Lessort. “Brian is a good creator, he will find players like a real PG. And he is not a type of player that you can leave alone on the 3 point line. He will shoot at a high percentage so it also makes us more open on the floor. I appreciate his basketball IQ, it’s already bringing us a lot of great things. Kyle is an amazing shooter who can score baskets in a row like a machine. You cannot leave him open and the defense is focused on him a lot. He can play back to the basket and make a fade away, plays hard on both ends. Mathias is like an energy bomb. He is always playing hard and with big effort. Gives us a lot of positive strength in the game and attracts a lot of attention under the basket because of his great dunking. All of them gives us a lot of great plays offensively”, warned Adam Waczynskia few months ago. Unfortunately for him and Unicaja, they bowed out against Valencia after having won the first game. They lost the deciding game three 79-76. In the ACB he averaged 6,3ppg, 1,9rpg and 1,1apg while shooting 35% from outside and in the Eurocup he averaged 8,3ppg,2,0rpg and 1,8apg and shot 44% from outside.

       He lists PG Kyle Fogg, SG Nemanja Nedovic, SF Jeff Brooks, PF Maxi Kleber and C Marcin Gortat as his best five teammates ever and also has had a stellar Polish national team career and experienced some great times. He got valuable early experience playing European championships with the Polish National U-18 and U-20 teams. In 2011, he played the first of four senior European championships with the first being in Lithuania where he played 4 games and saw limited time. However this being his first European championships wasn´t only memorable for being his first, but also for being able to battle against one exceptional player and later others. “I remember Eurobasket 2011 when I was playing against Luol Deng. I was 22 and it was my first big competition in my life. Luol was amazing the whole tournament and I was impressed. Lately the biggest impression on me was playing against Kyle Kuric and Will Clyburn. Kuric is a great shooter and a smart defender. Clyburn is a monster athlete and a great scorer. Also Bojan Bogdanovic is a great player, great athlete and can score in many different situations. It was hard to guard those guys”, stressed Adam Wacynski. He made his breakthrough at the 2014 European Championships qualifiers where he played 6 games averaging 14,0ppg, 3,5rpg and 3,2apg and shot an astronomical 53% from outside. He split against Germany, but will never forget the tight 68-67 win where he led all scorers with 19 points. “It was a very important win for us. First game of the qualifiers. Everybody knows how important is to win the first game to continue playing in the top of the group. We played amazing, with our home crowd – by the way in my hometown. It gave me a lot of energy. I think this is one of the best experiences in my national team career”, warned Adam Waczynski.

       That summer, he also played twice against current NBA player Macxi Kleber who only a few weeks later would become his teammate in Spain. Waczynski remembers those first battles against him and was impressed right away and knew then that big things would follow in the future like the NBA.” He is a great person and a great athlete. Taking care of his body every day. I was talking with my friends and my wife about Maxi when we were teammates. I really wished him the best after all his injuries that he’s been through. We said that year, that when he will stay healthy he will be in the NBA. Amazing dunks, running fast breaks, shooting threes. It was just a matter of time when he will be there. I follow him all the time, we stay in contact every season and I always keep my fingers crossed for him. The way he acts off the court and the way he plays deserves the best so I think people in the NBA will appreciate it and he will stay there for a long long time”, warned Adam Waczynski. All his hard work over the years paid off at the European championships in 2015(15.8ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 46.4%, FT: 84.8%) and 2017(14.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 88.9%) as he demonstrated that he can play with the best in Europe. He continued his consistency at the last World Cup qualifying round helping Poland reach the world championships again ending their 52 year drought playing 8 games averaging 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 52.3%, FT: 63.6%. He is thankful for Polish national team head coach Mike Taylor that he has continued to believe in his talent and helped make him a main contributor for the team. “He gave me a lot of confidence and the role in the national team makes me play even better. A lot of things depends on me and what I will do on the court. Mike has an amazing knowledge from the German league but most of all from the NBA. He was the guy who showed many of us the style of an NBA coach and NBA game. This is a great experience that you cannot buy anywhere”, warned Adam Waczynski. Not only has he proved that he can be a consistent and solid ACB player in Spain, but this summer, he is hungry to help Poland make history at the World Cup and continue to show that choosing the harder way has paid off instead of taking the easier route and having stayed in his native country to be a star.

Dorian Pinson is a 22 year old 196cm forward from Greenville, South Carolina that completed his rookie professional season with Pro A team Ebbecke White Wings averaging 12,2ppg, 6,2rpg, 3,5apg and 2,5spg and shot 38% from outside. Before going to Lincoln Memorial (NCAA2) he got various high school experience with Southside High School averaging 13.5ppg, 8.0rpg, 4.0apg, 3.0spg, played with the SC Raptors Elite (AAU) and finished at Legacy Charter High School averaging14.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 2.3spg. He then played at Lincoln Memorial (NCAA2) from 2014-2018 playing a total of 103 games. He was able to score in double figures in his last three season there. In his senior year he played 34 games averaging 15.5ppg, 9.4rpg, 4.1apg, 2.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 63.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his rookie season in Germany.

Thanks Dorian for talking to germanhoops.comYou just finished your rookie season with the Ebbecke White Wings. How tough was it seeing the team finish in 15th place and just miss making the cut of staying in the Pro A? 

Very tough, I come from a history of winning, so it was very difficult to be a part of a losing season

If someone had told you in September 2018 that this club would land so low in the standings in March 2019 what would you have thought?

I wouldn’t have thought that from the roster and skill set we had that it would have played out that way 

A big problem for the team was it’s inconsistency. Obviously limiting points this season was a problem, but at the times the offense was just as bad. Near the end of the season where the team had to perform, it averaged only 57 points on offense. Was this more of a mental problem?

Yeah mentally it was struggle, especially when you’re trying hard to win games, but a lot of injuries and sickness, physical issues gave us the short hand all year long so the inconsistency was bound to come into play.

The Ebbecke White Wings had their moments like destroying playoff team Trier by 40 points, but then again had numerous games where it couldn’t reach 60 points. Did this team underachieve on offense?

Underachieved could be the word but it was more of a chemistry and trusting every player on the court to make the best play for the team 

The team allowed 82 points a game. Was one of the biggest problems getting everyone on the same page or why did the team have so many problems with giving up points?

Yeah everybody buying into our defensive plans and adjustments were a reason we allowed so many points, then again just guys trusting one another that another teammate will help them when they mess up 

Head coach Simon Cote got a lot of criticism, but overall the guy lives basketball and is a players coach. Do you feel like his work ethic and dedication get overlooked when the team is losing?

Definitely Simon Cote is a great guy and good coach, many people do not realize how shorthanded we were this year but he fought through and stayed by our side all year long. Have nothing but respect for Simon Cote

Let’s talk a little about your teammates. Luquon Choice was a player that continued to make steps in his second professional season. What did you learn to appreciate most about his game in the short time that you were there?

He comes in everyday with a positive mindset, gets extra work, encourages everybody to become better and is willing to do whatever it takes to win

You saw many talented German players this season on court and was teammates with Till Joscha-Joenke. He is a guy that has played in the BBL. What did you appreciate most about his game and is the BBL still on his agenda?

His energy and toughness during games and practices.

You battled against Jarekious Bradley every day. How important of a player was he for you with his experience and basketball skills?

Very important gave me a feel for higher level league play with physicality and just schemes overall

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 12,2ppg, 6,2rpg, 3,5apg and 2,5spg. How content were you with your season? Are stats worth less when a team isn’t winning?

I feel as if I could’ve done more but I adjusted to what coaches want and their style of play, and I feel as if its more important to win than the stat chase 

On what parts of your game do you feel profited most in your rookie season?

Steals, ability to guard multiple positions, my shooting, rebounding, energy, playmaking

You have been filling the stat sheet for years ever since playing at Lincoln-Memorial (NCAA2). What did you learn to appreciate about your game knowing that you could continue to perform the way you did in school?

My energy & focus level, if I am ready to play mentally and physically I feel as if I can compete against anybody

You put up pretty consistent stats, but had some low scoring games at the end of the season against Kirchheim and Hamburg. Did you experience some fatigue during the long season?

Just couldn’t find a rhythm in those games, not fatigue just didn’t show up to play at a high level

You have always been a very fierce defender and in our last interview you stated ‘Disrupting teams offensive schemes are what I take most pride in on defense’. How tough was it defending this season when the team wasn’t on the same page?

Kind of tough but nothing I couldn’t adjust to, just knowing mentally when to try to disrupt teams schemes

You shot 38% from outside after shooting 42% your senior year. How did you witness the transition shooting from school to the pro’s? What was the toughest aspect to being able to continue to be a good shooter at the next level?

Stay confident in your shot, I work on it every day just about building a high level of confidence about making shots

What was your personal season highlight? Possibly your 21/12 game in the win over Heidelberg?

Yeah that or my defensive effort against Hagen at Hagen 

What is the next step for you? I can imagine you getting some offers from the German BBL. Would staying in Germany and playing in the BBL a high priority for you?

Yes definitely the BBL is on my list of leagues I’d like to play in

You have a long summer ahead of you. On what things will you be working on most in the basketball lab as you get ready for that next opportunity?

Ball handling, becoming more athletic, shooting, more flexibility, and take some time to reflect on everything that I need to improve on in mental and physical aspects

Please name your five all-time best teammates in college and pro’s

Luquon Choice
Emanuel Terry
Gerel Simmons
Paul Woodson
Trevon Shaw

It’s still so early, but when all is said and done could Luka Doncic be one of the greatest Europeans that ever played in the NBA? 

He has the potential 

What was your reaction when you heard that Lebron James named himself the greatest of all-time? 

He has the right to say that, he has earned it

Charles Barkley recently proclaimed that Tom Brady Is more of a GOAT than Michael Jordan. Do you share his opinion?

That’s debatable many people will agree some won’t 

Tom Brady won sixth Super Bowl. Where will he be if he wins a seventh next season?

New England next 2 or 3 years 

What was the last movie that you saw? 

Captain Marvel

Thanks Dorian for the chat.

Courtney Belger is a 29 year old 187cm guard from St Louis that completed his sixth professional season and third with FC Schalke 04 (Germany-ProA) averaging 15,0ppg, 4,3rpg and 5,0apg Last season with FC Schalke he played 25 games averaging 16.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 5.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 22.4%, FT: 78.9%. In 2015-2016 he played with the Itzehoe Eagles (Germany-ProB) playing 24 games averaging 12.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 65.6% and Kalamunda Eastern Suns (Australia-SBL) playing 14 games averaging 21.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 4.1apg, Steals-4 (3.1spg), FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 22.4%, FT: 80.8%. He played his first two professional seasons with TV Ibbenbuehren (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career at Quincy (NCAA2) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 113 NCAA 2 games. As a senior he played 27 games averaging 11.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 10.5%, FT: 72.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com at the end of the season.

Courtney thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Has the NCAA madness distracted you a bit from not reaching the Pro A playoffs?


Hey miles. I haven’t watched any march madness games. I’m not really in the mood to watch post season play unless it’s my lil bro Leon Friederici’s team.

After having a 9-21 record and knowing the talent that the team had. Do you feel like the club underachieved this season or was the many players coming and going and inexperience factors that would justify the team not underachieving?


In my opinion it’s no way to think that a 9-21 record is acceptable. I think we definitely underachieved and won’t take any excuses. Reasons are still excuses to me. I think we as whole needed to get closer and focus on trying to see the next game as a new opportunity. Instead we would have too much negative energy about what just happened the week before.

The team was up and down in the first months of the 2018-2019 season, but at least was winning games, but in 2019 the club won only 3 games, but lost 11 games. Why was winning so difficult in the second half of the season?

In the second half of the season we had a lot of players in and out of our practices. Instead of focusing on teams we were about to play, we were focusing on trying to teach the new guys our concepts and doing preseason drills. That was a tough time for us. The other problem I saw was that I allowed my body to break down over the season and started to play bad. I tried to start facilitating more during that time but we were at our best when I was aggressive and scoring. I let us down in my opinion in the second half and I can accept that. I’ll just learn from it and be better next year.

In basketball and many other sports you are always confronted about what could have been. You lost four very close games to Baunach, Trier, Rostock and Hanau. Was crunch-time a time this season a type of disease for the team in being able to make the right offensive plays and get stops?

Crunch time was very tough for us because we didn’t really have a direction on how we wanted to finish the game. It was normally just us playing and continuing with the flow of the game. When the game gets tight it’s up to everybody on the team to understand which actions and players we will use to create now. With our season going in lot’s of different directions it was hard for us to find that rhythm.

Despite not making the playoffs, the team was one of the top rebounding teams in the Pro A and had the seventh best defense in the league. The offense seemed not to score enough points this season. What do you believe was missing from the team offense that disallowed the team to score more points on a consistent basis?

I think what hindered us from scoring this season other than not making our three pointers was the fact that we didn’t pay attention to detail. When you are a slow down team who runs systems you have to be smart and see every opportunity that you get. The entire team has to see that. Our coach prefers the system game and not run and gun, so we needed to find ways to create the situations we wanted. I also think if we ran more in transition and let it get a little wild, we would have scored more. In order to do that we would need everybody to be committed to hitting the break hard and move with a level of energy like Hagen or Ehingen. They attacked transition breaks very aggressively.

Despite not making the Pro A playoffs, what positives do you feel could FC Schalke take from this season?


I think the fact that we always fought hard almost every game result wise and didn’t fall out the league is a positive for us. A lot of times teams can accept all these excuses and not compete anymore. We saw improvements as the season went on even though we were losing. We also knew that a loss was still a loss and nobody would feel sorry for us.

Despite losing some tight games, you also had some big wins against Ehingen and Trier. What do you believe was the team highlight this season?

I think the road win verse Trier or Artland was probably one of our biggest highlights of the season. Both wins were on the road and we fought hard down the stretch to seal the victory. I remember my teammate Austin playing maybe 6 minutes in Artland and being the life of the bench. He was invested and wanted to see the team do well. That’s important. It’s not always just about the five players playing on the court during a certain time. The energy in the room after those games were special.

Let’s talk about your teammates. Your teammate Shavar Newkirk said this about you. ‘Because of his experience I’m getting a lot of wisdom which will help me at game time. He has taken me under his wing like I’m his little brother. I can’t wait to war with him. I haven’t experienced game time with him yet, but what I’ve seen in practice is amazing. With his experience and my youth and me being a blur, I think we will make a dynamic duo’. What kind of experience was it being his teammate and how did you see his development this season?

It was a wonderful experience having a teammate like Shavar. He’s a competitor and pushed me to really become younger and meaner again haha. He was killing me in practices with his speed and anticipation. I had to work hard to take that away with just being mean and more physical. Loved practicing with var. The thing I liked the most about watching his development was how he started to get comfortable with interacting with the coaches. He understood that he might be doing something good and they want to see him do something great. That can be frustrating at first when you first come to a new team. The on the court stuff we don’t have to talk about. He was a guaranteed bucket.

German center Adam Touray made the next step in his career making the jump from the Pro B to the Pro A. How did you witness his development and do see him becoming an very good consistent Pro A player?

Adam made a huge step in his career this year. I have played against him since I was a rookie I think. I always knew he had great feet and was a work horse. After the first month I was amazed to find out that you can play through Adam in post up game too. His confidence grew as the season went on and he became more and more dominant. A lot of people don’t know that he played with a bad finger on his left hand and it didn’t really heal up until this last month. I think Adam’s next season with two healthy hands will be crazy. This season definitely was not a fluke.

You were also teammates with American Brandon Parrish. What did you appreciate most about his game and how did he improve his game?

Brandon was somebody we could put anywhere. He was very versatile in the fact that he could play the 2,3, or 4 for us. In Trier we played small ball with him on the 4 and in Hamburg when we almost beat them at their place. I think Brandon was more of a space the floor type of player before he got here. Towards the end of the season he was starting to put the ball on the floor more and look to attack that way. He also started to become a better transition finisher on the fast breaks.

German Bjoern Rowher who had been playing for years in the Ulm organization came to Schalke and made the most of his opportunity. Is he still a raw talent or has he reached his potential?

I think Bjoern still has a lot of upside left in his development. He got a lot stronger over the course of the year and more explosive. The most important thing is that he doesn’t think that he has everything figured out. He still wants to learn. For Bjoern he needs to see and understand things physically. Once he begins to learn something and see that it works he picks it up quickly and applies it.

Let’s talk about your game. After playing in the Regionalliga and three years in the Pro B, you made your debut in the Pro A. You waited a long time for this opportunity. What did you learn to appreciate the most about the Pro A?

What I appreciated the most about pro a is that there weren’t any asterisks in the league. What I mean by that is, if you play good in Pro a and you only have one move it’s okay. Everybody will say he’s a good player that’s Pro A. If you play the same in the other leagues, it doesn’t count or there is always a doubt factor in someone’s mind. In Pro A it was competitive and very respected competition. If I kill my opponent this game, he will come back stronger and kill me next game. That’s the type of competition I like. I enjoyed my first year a lot.

What was the biggest adjustment for you in the Pro A coming from the Pro B?

The biggest adjustment in Pro A for me was that the games are harder and seem longer. It’s 40 minutes but if I play 40 minutes, it feels like 50. You have to take care of your body and your diet. I don’t eat bad but I wasn’t eating enough. You also need to have a clear mind when you play in Pro A. My body broke down and then I left some doubt creep into my mind about how I wanted to play my own game. Once that happens it takes a lot of effort to overcome.

You averaged 15,0ppg, 4,4rpg and 4,9apg. How content were you with your season?

To finish the season the way I finished I’m disappointed honestly. If I look at the overall picture though I look at it a little differently. I’m happy to be an impact player in Pro A, because everybody in Germany said I couldn’t go to Pro A from second Regionalliga. They said especially with not shooting this and that. Raffi took a chance with and I’m glad he did because I know what I can do when I’m healthy. With not making the playoffs and letting some teams get the better of me, it sets the mood for a wonderful summer this offseason. I am very grateful for the added fire.

In our last interview you stated ‘I am really like the big brother on the team and try to communicate more. We have a lot of go to guys on the court which helps me to get in the lane and create advantages. I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m the guy that keeps the offense together though. We just see who’s going for us down the stretch and try to exploit that matchup’. Did anything change with your role in the Pro A?

I wouldn’t say much changed. I always had the role of trying to make something happen for us no matter what it would be. Towards the end of the season things just didn’t go my way all the time like the first three fourths of the season. We got help when Shavar came and we were able to allow him to try and bring us home down the stretch.

In our last interview you stated this about how your game developed last season in the Pro B. ‘I think I have a better feel for reads and rotations this year. I also think that I’m stronger mentally to step up when the team really needs someone to on offense or defense’. How did your game develop further in the Pro A this season?


I think my game developed further this season through trying to extend plays more and trusting in my own abilities. I learned that there are a lot more executions off of a pick and roll and that you need to play at your own pace. Pace is everything. You have to be able to change it and control other’s pace when you want to.

Last season you focused on on taking open shots, as finding gaps in the defense to be aggressive, and understanding when you have to just flat out step up and win the game in crunch time. I also tried to find players in spots that they are most successful. I believe I have done those things so far. What did you focus on most this season in the Pro A?

This season was different for me. I was at my best for the team when I was confident and aggressive. I had put in a lot of work and was having fun trusting the result of it. For majority of the year I just focused on being aggressive and putting pressure on the defense every time. I feel like I was comfortable enough to find out good solutions based off what actions I wanted to create.

In our last interview you stated. ‘ I think I will be hitting my prime soon for sure. My body seems to be aging backwards at the moment. My legs are feeling younger and I am constantly learning more about the game of basketball’. Did you hit it this season?

I was in my prime basketball wise. The game felt very easy. I was never really healthy yet the whole year. Now the year is ending and the problems I had with my legs are gone. I guess they didn’t want to cooperate for me to get an in game dunk this year. I’m excited to take what I learned this year through playing against a lot of different basketball minds into my next year. I’m confident that my arm and legs will feel about 24 next year to go along with the mental experience I have gained from this year in the pro a.

What was your highlight of the season? Possibly your 32/12 game in the win against the Hamburg Towers?

I think the 32/12 game has to be a highlight for me because of the mental exhaustion of that game and because I had so many assists. If you add the next game to that where in my opinion I didn’t play well enough but reached 12 assists again, I have to be happy with that weekend. Everybody was happy about the 32 points but my close friends were laughing about how I finally had back to back 12 assists games.

What is the next step for you? Will you remain in Schalke and continue to play for Raffi Wilder or possibly try something new in another country?

I’m not sure what the next step looks like. I’m getting older and feel confident to take the next step. I’m just hoping somebody will take a chance on me if I decide to finally leave Schalke. I would like a tryout in the BBL or another country in a good situation to help take care of my lady who I will finally see in a week.

You have a long summer ahead of you. On what things will you be working on most in the basketball lab as you get ready for that next opportunity?

This summer I will work on making sure my body is healthy and fresh for the preseason. Everybody thinks I have a problem shooting now and would expect me to say that because my numbers went down. I’ll do the same workouts as I did last summer when I was shooting and creating easily. I chose to keep playing and not worry about what my season would look like if I’m not at 100%. I think the team should always be above your own personal situations, and in order to put a team first I will be 100 percent at the start of the year.

Please name your five all-time best teammates in college and pro’s

I have more than 5 but these are the teammates I talk to probably every day

Quez Brown-Quincy University

Lester Ferguson, Charles Bronson-Itzehoe 2015-2016

Leon Friederici, Nic Sperber, Rj Slawson, Coheen kalondji, Shawn Gulley-schalke 2017-2018

It’s still so early, but when all is said and done could Luka Doncic be one of the greatest Europeans that ever played in the NBA?

I think he could easily be one of the greatest. He has been built for this from a young age. He seems to be hungry and has that performance factor in him. When the lights come on he likes rise to the occasion.

What was your reaction when you heard that Lebron James named himself the greatest of all-time?

I’m not a big LeBron fam. I’m a kobe guy so for me I was unimpressed by his remark. I like the confidence and that he tried to own that title. I am a fan of confident players. I do not like the fact that he looks for help or blames others. In this interview above I stated that we didn’t play good the second half of the year because I played bad. You have to accept responsibility sometimes.

Charles Barkley recently proclaimed that Tom Brady Is more of a GOAT than Michael Jordan. Do you share his opinion?

Michael Jordan can do no wrong in my book. I didn’t even know he had ever missed a shot until I got older so Charles Barkley is wasting his time saying that.

Tom Brady won sixth Super Bowl. Where will he be if he wins a seventh next season?

I don’t think he needs to win a seventh. He is already on top of the football world.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Bird box.

Thanks Courtney for the chat.

 Terrell Harris is a 25 year old 190cm guard from Indiantown,Florida that completed his third professional season and first with the Rostock Seawolves averaging 13,6ppg, 3,7rpg and 3,4apg. Last season he played with the Svendborg Rabbits (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 24 games averaging 17.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 71.6%. In his rookie season he played with the Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-ProB) averaging 18,1ppg, 4,3rpg and 1,8apg. He started his basketball career at Mars Hill (NCAA2) in 2011 and then moved to Georgia College in 2012. As a senior he played 29 games averaging 24.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 4.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 76.8%. He concluded his college basketball career winning the All-PeachBelt Player of the Year 2016. Harris spoke to germanhoops.com at the end of his season with Rostock. 

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

Miles, nice talking to you again. It’s been a while but I’m currently in Rostock at the moment. Just relaxing and reflecting on this past season. Basketball has been great for me. I’m blessed to have fun chasing my passion and getting paid to do so.

After being away for so long from the States what will be your first meal when you set foot back on American soil?

It’s been a while since I had a homeroom meal from my family. Some good seafood and soul food would be amazing for the first 2 weeks or so then I will get back to healthy habits that I have here for the most part.

Congrats on a very successful season with the Rostock Seawolves. If you could describe the most special quality there is in the Rostock Seawolves culture what would it be?

Thanks I really appreciate it. It’s been an up and down season for us especially for me mentally and physically but to make the playoffs and compete to the end with Hamburg. We also won a lot of games and I couldn’t ask for more, even though I thought we had the team to win it all. I’m proud to be a part of this organization. We fought to the end and that’s been the story of the season. We fought with what we had through all the injuries and etc.

The Rostock Seawolves played the Hamburg Towers tough, but lost 3-1 in the quarterfinals. How disappointing was this playoff series loss and do you feel like there was much more for the taking to have been successful than what the reality showed?

I wouldn’t say this series was disappointing at all. Do I think we could’ve went far and beat them Yes. But Hamburg was better than us this series and they proved it. Top to bottom they have the deepest team and most talent on their roster. We went there and lost game 1. Game 2 we made the necessary adjustmenst and tied the series back up. Game 3 and game 4 could have went either way. Tie game 58-58 going into the 4th Quater of game 3. We made some vital mistakes that they capatilized off. Same I’m game 4. We were up 3 or 4 points with 2 minutes to go. Another close game that we didn’t finish. They capitalized off every mistake with the veterans they had. It could have been a 3-1 series for us well but it didn’t end that way. Congrats to Hamburg, but I would say that was a tough series even though they beat us 1-3. It should’ve been a semifinal matchup but the points and for breakers made it a first round match up.

In all three loses to the Hamburg Towers, Rostock was outrebounded and shot poorly from outside. What other factors contributed to not allowing you to get by this team?

This series was very tough for both teams as a team we didn’t shoot the ball well but they also had games where they struggled. We shoot 46% from the field and they shot 45% from the field. This series was very physical and more of a defensive game from both teams a lot of free throws were shot. Kind of hard to get a rhythm from both sides at times. Hamburg has a very big team and they capitalized on our bigs due to a short rotation of our 4 man being out. Hamburg’s depth and height eventually wore us down at the end. They also had the experience and vets to capitalized when it counted the most.

The club started up and down, but then had it’s best stretch from mid December to March winning 10 of 11 games. What was the team doing best there that allowed them to be so strong?

Yes we started up and down in the beginning of the season. We knew we had the talent to be good and we just had to get out chemistry together. A lot of teams had their core players from last year. Our starting 5 and main role players never played with each other. So the chemistry in the beginning sucked. Once we figured it out a couple games before the Chemnitz Christmas game we were at our best.

You have seen a lot of arenas in your life, but there is only one Stadthalle Rostock. Describe a little why the atmosphere there made it so special to play there this season?

I have seen a lot of nice arenas your right but playing in the stadthalle was amazing. The fans here in Rostock are very demanding and passionate about their Seawolves basketball. I thank them every time we played because it was some games they helped us pulled through.

What do you feel was the club season highlight? Possibly sweeping Heidelberg or beating top team Chemnitz by 20 points?

I can’t really say what was this season highlight because we had many great moments. I like the transformation of this team from August to April to be honest. I guess you can say there was some high moments such as beating Chemnitz before the break by 20. We had them figured out I feel. We just matched up well against them. They are well coachedand have a great team as well. I wish them the best moving forward. As far as in beating Heidelberg twice I wouldn’t say that was a highlight of the season. We were supposed to beat them twice we were better all around. They have a good team as well good luck to them in the semifinals as well.

Let’s talk about your teammates. Yannick Anzuluni was back in Rostock for his second tour of duty and is one of those players that has had to climb the basketball ladder from the bottom. What made his game so special and was it easy to recognize that he lives and dies for the Seawolves?

Yannick is a very talented guy. He can score, pass, and rebound at 6 ft 8 which is crazy. It was a pleasure to play with him. We complimented each other very well. He shot a lot of 3s as you know, I shoot a lot of pull ups and we both could pass so having two wings who complimented each other as well as we did led to a lot of success for us on top of being unselfish because we could have easily averaged 16 or 17 points a game on another team but we wouldn’t had have the same success. We had to sacrifice points and shots for each other and we did it well.

How much of a pleasure was it being teammates with Tony Hicks? What was your fondest memory with him and how much did you appreciate his playmaking?

Same as for Tony. Now that I think about it we had the best guard combination in the entire league. Tony, Yannick, and myself led us in scoring around 14 points a game. Our scoring was balanced through the season which made us successful. Like I said before all of us had to sacrifice shots for each other in order for us to be successful. We struggled with it in the beginning but ultimately we figured it out and it showed. Tony is an amazing playmaker his speed and pace is unreal. Probably the best point guard in Pro A to be honest. He’s going to be special. I had to adjust to his game because he’s very aggressive at the point guard position but it brought the best output. He can also defend which made our combination work as well. All 3 guards games were completely different. Tony was more driver playmaker and defender, I pull up a lot more midrange along with playmaking and defending, and Yannick was more of a 3pt threat.

How did you experience the development of German Tom Alte. He had played BBL, but had his Pro A break through with Rostock. What did you appreciate most about his game and can one define him as saying that he lives on the rim?

Tom Alte is very fun to play with. He runs the lane, finish lobs and drop offs with dunks, blocks shots and he got me open a lot to pull up off pick and roll. He has so much potential. He will get back to the BBL soon for sure.

Excluding Tom Alte, which other German player do you feel developed best from the German players?


We had some good Germans as well. Martin, Mitch and Darien played very good for us. All of those guys could shoot which helped because Tony and I did a lot of planning and to kick it out knowing these guys could hit shots was great.

Let’s talk about your game. Last season you played with the Svendborg Rabbits (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 24 games averaging 17.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 71.6%. How would you compare the two leagues? Is the Denmark Ligaen between German Pro A and Pro B or more like Pro B?

In Denmark I played with less talent and I was able to take more shoots. My team wasn’t as good though. This was the first team I played with other good players and talent from top to bottom. I Would take my role here avg almost 14ppg with talented players and a winning season with a playoff birth over average 17 points on an average team and getting swept first round easy on average 15 -17 points losing margin like we did in Denmark. As far as completion top to bottom Pro A is better. Bakken will win Pro A, Horsens will possibly win Pro A, Svendborg, Naevsted, Randers will compete for playoffs spot. But the other teams don’t stand a chance.

You had a very solid first Pro A season averaging 13,6ppg, 3,7rpg and 3,4apg. How content were you with your first pro A season in Germany?

There is always room for improvement but I gave it my all and I can live with that. We had a talented team. We were deep and we won a lot like I said before I would take my stats from this year over last year because I proved I can help lead a team to the playoffs and win a lot of games. Nobody likes to lose a lot. I could have easily did what some of the top scorers in the league did but I had other guys around me who needed the ball as well. Most of those guys were talented and they did score 16 17 a game but they didn’t even make the playoffs. I dont want to go out like that ever again.

Was it a big adjustment having more imports on the team then what you had in Iserlohn and Denmark? Did it make it easier playing the game you love, because you had more talent on the team than in previous years?

Actually playing with imports such as Tony and Yannick talent level made the game easier for me. All I had to do was defend the opposing team best player and score from the wing. We all had multiple 20 point games some of those games we all had 20 a piece in the same night. We complimented each other very well. It was a huge adjustment but we made it work.’m very efficient so I knew I could play with anyone.

You stated in our last interview that your game grew in Denmark. How do you feel did your game grow in the German Pro A?


I feel my game grew as in more playmaking defensively and offensively. I guarded the other team’s best perimeter player every game. I knew I can defend but this year I think I really showed that I can defend at a high level. Whenever I was the primary defender on a guard they usually didn’t get their average. Most of the top perimeters struggled against me from Andrew (Hamburg) avg 16 a game in the regular season, but in the playoffs only 9.5. Goodwin, Choice, Ziegenhagen, and etc had some of their worst scoring games against me. Offensively I showed again that I was very efficient. This was the most assists I ever average this season as well . I can always shoot the three and pull up at a good percentage. I should’ve got to the free throw line more and attempted more 3s for sure though.

Did you feel like general shot selection played a much bigger role this season than the previous two seasons? The interesting note is that in your first three professional season you attempted 56 three’s in a season twice and 54 three’s once.

This year shot selection had to be smarter for sure because of playing with other talented players as well. We tried to get the ball to the hot hand the best we could. So some games I didn’t shoot as much as I wanted but I was ok with that because we won alot. But coming into next year I will be more aggressive from the three. I always shot a good percentage just not as much because of settling for midrange shots

How tough is it watching your buddy Chris Carter get limited minutes in the German BBL. He has stayed very professional and accepted his role. Have you been a guy that has helped keep him positive when you talked to him?

I talk to Chris every week. So it’s tough to see him not playing much. But Vechta has something special going on at the moment so winning has to be put above pride and he’s done that. Every athlete wants to play so it’s tough but he’s been the best professional he can in his position. We will workout together this summer so we both have something to prove for next season.

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


This question is tough because a lot of players are talented. Most of the top scorers in my position didn’t defend as well so I wouldn’t say they were the toughest but my matchup against Tevonn Walker was a fun and a tough one. He defends, he can shoot, and play hard at all times. It was very fun competing agaisnt him.

What is the next step for you? Could you imagine remaining in Germany or would you like to give a new country and culture and basketball style a chance?

As of now I’m just reflecting on the season I had and enjoying family. I will talk to my agent Luca at Players Group and go from there when I get home. I did receive 2 offers including Rostock for next year already. We both know how this business work so we see where I end up. I wouldn’t mind playing in Gemany again also open to other countries as well. I am keeping all options open.

On what things will you be working on this summer to continue to keep improving as a player and keep moving up the basketball ladder?

I will work on a lot of things this summer my body being number 1. I want to get stronger and bigger for next season. Shooting from deep off the dribble will be vital for me next year just to have in my arsenal. I’m going to keep my midrange sharp and focus on dribbling so I can have the ball a string. Along with breaking down film.

If you had to pick your personal favorite starting five of teammates over the years which players would you chose?

I would pick Tony at the Of, myself at the 2, Yannick at the three, Michael Moore at the 4, and Moussa None at the 5. We would’ve won Pro A easy but you have to follow the rules with the imports.

It’s still so early, but when all is said and done could Luka Doncic be one of the greatest Europeans that ever played in the NBA?


Yes it’s still early let him be great without any high expectations. I don’t like to putting expectations on players. Let him be himself and have fun playing the game.

What was your reaction when you heard that Lebron James named himself the greatest of all-time?

He has a right to have an opinion. He’s one of the best to do it so I don’t care if he feels that way.

Charles Barkley recently proclaimed that Tom Brady Is more of a GOAT than Michael Jordan. Do you share his opinion?

Tom Brady And MJ are Great in their own way. I don’t think you can label one person the GOAT. All of them had to deal with different things at different times so they are all the GOAT to me.

If Tom Brady does win a seventh Super Bowl where will he stand with the greatest athletes of all-time?

He already stands with the greates. He has nothing else to prove.

What was the last movie that you saw?

I have been so locked in with the playoffs I can’t even remember the last movie I saw.

Thanks Terrell for the chat.

Pete Strobl has been around the European basketball scene for 20 years having had a stellar professional basketball career and was an assistant coach for German easyCredit BBL team ratiopharm Ulm this season. He played at Niagara (NCAA) from 1997-2000 and then had a 9 year professional playing career that took him to countries like Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, Iceland and Switzerland. He founded The Scoring Factory in Pittsburgh and wrote a must read book called Backspin. He is a very interesting basketball mind that doesn´t shy away from speaking his mind especially on Twitter. German Hoops and Pete Strobl will team up every so often talking basketball with the title “Current basketball affairs with Pete Strobl. You can follow Pete Strobl on twitter @petestrobl

We recently learned that you won’t be coaching in ulm next season. Why are you leaving and where are you headed next?

My family and I love the city of ulm, the organization and the people. It’s not easy to leave a place that checks all those boxes and it’s been a wonderful experience for all of us. We have had an amazing 3 years here. But now it’s time for a new challenge. I’ve reached the level at which I know I’m ready to be the head coach. That doesn’t mean that I’ll never be an assistant coach ever again, but it means that I trust myself to lead a team and make the important decisions that bring a team success. I’m sure that many assistant coaches eventually find themselves at this point and I’m happy to see that friends like Pedro Calles and Chris O’Shea received the chance to lead playoff caliber teams. That gives me hope that a GM will give me the chance to show what I can do. I’m not yet sure what the future holds and where I’ll be next season. All I can say is: stay tuned.

You’ve developed a great reputation in player development, is that directly related to your time with The Scoring Factory?

I love every aspect of the game including defensive tactics and game strategy, but most people have only had a chance to see my work on the court. I appreciate the compliment and people that know me understand how passionate I am about my craft. I’m not shy and don’t try to hide my desire to be one of the best player development coaches in the world. But just so we’re on the same page, it’s important to know that I also want to be the best at everything I do! There’s a lot of good work being done in player development behind the scenes in Germany. I think Carlos Frade does a fantastic job in Berlin for example. However, I would hope that in the next couple years I’m given an opportunity to showcase some of my other abilities and I can develop a reputation and showcase my other strengths as well.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?

My primary goal is to simply be proud of the person looking back at me in the mirror. I take pride in knowing that I do everything in my power to be a great husband, father and friend. I’ve been called a “positive disciplinarian” in the past and I think that somewhat summarizes who I am and my overall approach to life, leadership and relationships.

On the basketball coaching side, I would like to be in a position to help people reach their potential and achieve their goals. Only time can tell if that will happen in Europe or in America. Our season just finished and my agent is already updating me with options and possibilities. I’m willing to be patient to make sure my next stop is a great situation with a chance to chase greatness. I love Germany and will always have an affinity for the league here. At the same time, I’m always open to trying something new if it’s with a club that has big dreams that align with my own.

I envision The Scoring Factory having multiple locations around the states run by former players that share in our passion to teach and give back. Ryan Thompson and Jason Thompson are opening our first franchise outside of Pittsburgh this summer serving the greater Tri-State area of New Jersey. Over the years we’ve created a fairly sophisticated curriculum and teaching approach and I know that we’ll be able to have a huge impact on the next wave of talent. It’s become a natural progression for former pros that want to stay involved in the game and I’m proud to be able to provide that platform.

My kids also play basketball and my wife and I are obviously both very supportive of their paths. It’s exciting to think about all of the possibilities on the horizon in all of the areas mentioned above that consume our lives. I’m naturally a planner, but it’s also important to really stay in the moment. As long as I keep doing what I love and attack each day with passion, I’m pretty confident that great things will continue to happen!

                               Sometimes things happen on the basketball court that one wouldn´t necessarily have thought they could have happened. Who would have thought that the Boston Celtics wouldn´t be able to give the Milwaukee Bucks a better run for the money in the playoffs with a Kyrie and Gordon Hayward? Kyrie was there some of time while Hayward was down some Mormon trail in Utah instead of going down the Celtics trail. Ok so the huge rise of EWE Baskets Rashid Mahalbasic has been a refreshing trend in the last two seasons, but who really would have expected him to achieve four triple doubles in one season? Not many, because it has been something as rare in the BBL as it is expecting Rickey Paulding to retire anytime soon. With Cinderella team Rasta Vechta, their feat of beating Freak City and putting them shamelessly into summer vacation was simply incredible, but also at the same time surprising concerning the circumstances. Had everybody been on board going into the Bamberg series, then Rasta Vechta would have been the clear favorite, but instead they arrived in the show down without glue guy Seth Hinrichs, vastly improving big man Clint Chapman and the durable and versatile Tyrone Nash. Instead of being on the next Delta airlines flight to Milwaukee to get back home to Waukesha to tell nonending stories about his incredible season, TJ Bray is still in Germany with one basketball slipper on and ready to try for the next upset against the mighty FC Bayern Munich. Rasta Vechta never lost their style against Bamberg, but played their game until the buzzer and showed amazing fighting qualities for 40 minutes game in and game out that in a way was unhuman. No disrespect to Will Cummings, because he is a great player and was MVP worthy, but the two real MVP´s are TJ Bray and Austin Hollins. Without these two incredible players, Rasta Vechta would just have been an average team and not in the playoffs. A Pedro Calles would still have been able to perform his brilliant basketball knowledge without them and reached many, but the success just wouldn´t have been there. The incredible role model effort of Bray and Hollins sparked their team to extra ordinary abilities. The season of Rasta Vechta has to be classified as one of the BBL´s most incredible team feats in the last 20-30 seasons. There has never ever been anything like it and probably won´t happen again unless Calles coaches a another organization like a Vechta. In 2002-2005 you had the big development of the Artland Dragons and Chris Fleming with the eccentric, but valuable Michael Jordan and the incredible 2006-2007 season of Ludwigsburg, but nothing has matched what Rasta Vechta does. But can they do it again this time against the best team FC Bayern Munich? Most likely not, but if Bray arrives in game one wearing a super man cape, then anything is possible and I´m sure even Marko Pesic will show a smile. Rasta Vechta will moreover need Steph Curry and a superman cape for any miracles to happen.

            FC Bayern Munich come into this very interesting semi final series having swept the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig 3-0. Some may have been expecting serious Munich routes over Braunschweig, but the underdogs played them hard in the three game series losing on average by 10 points per game. In game one, FC Bayern Munich won 70-59 and only one player reached double figures in scoring with ex NBA player Derrick Williams with 12 points. But 11 of the 12 players scored. Braunschweig had three guys in double figures with a potent game from Shaquille Hines with 20 points and 15 points from Deandre Lansdowne. FC Bayern Munich won the rebound duel 37-29. Neither team shot that great, but Munich just made more key plays down the stretch and allowed the Braunschweig bench to only 10 points. In game two, FC Bayern Munich prevailed 84-74. This time Munich had five guys in double figures and were led by Derrick Williams with 17 points. Braunschweig got a huge game from German Christian Sengfelder with 28 points, but once again their bench stunk giving only 4 points. FC Bayern Munich won the rebound battle again 35-31. Braunschweig did a great job coughing up the ball only 5 times, but couldn´t take advantage of their six extra opportunities. In game three FC Bayern Munich closed out the series at home in unspectacular fashion winning 87-77. FC Bayern Munich had five guys in double figures led by German national player Danilo Barthel with 16 points. Braunschweig had three guys in double figures with Christian Sengfelder with 18 points and Shaquille Hines added 17 points. The bench contributed only 11 points. Both teams were firing away combining for 29 three´s while FC Bayern Munich easily controlled the boards again 36-29. The key for the FC Bayern Munich series win was the boards and just doing the needed to win. It seemed like FC Bayern Munich was conserving their energy for the rest of the playoffs.

            Rasta Vechta and Brose Bamberg had the much more exciting series as each game was like a game seven type atmosphere. Rasta Vechta had their biggest achievement in their history beating Brose Bamberg 3-1 and proving that sometimes the seemingly impossible is possible. Rasta Vechta won game one in the Rasta Dome 96-85 and demonstrated early that they had their A game despite having severe injury woes. Rasta Vechta hit a massive 18 three´s led by Austin Hollin´s 8 trey´s and 31 points. Bamberg wasn´t too shabby themselves with 13 three´s. Rasta Vechta knuckled down and were brilliant on the glass outrebounding Bamberg 35-24 with 13 offensive boards. Rasta Vechta had three Germans in the starting lineup that combined for 43 points. The Rasta Vechta bench only had 25 minutes from two players combined. Brose Bamberg had 21 points from ex NBA player Elias Harris and 18 from ex Boston College guard Tyrese Rice. Bamberg played an inexcusable defense. Fans saw the best game in game two as Bamberg survived at home winning 102-98 in OT. Brose Bmaberg got big games form Augustine Rubit with 31 points while Tyrese Rice added 26 points. Rasta Vechta got a huge game from TJ Bray with 29 points and 12 dimes while Josh Young had his best game in the BBL with 28 points off the bench in 27 minutes. Brose Bamberg did a better job controlling the boards 39-27. Rasta Vechta defended with heart and forced Bamberg to 19 turnovers which they couldn´t take advantage of. This is a game that Rasta Vechta could have won. In game three Rasta Vechta returned home and took the 2-1 series lead disposing of Brose Bamberg 87-78. Once again Brose Bamberg was unable to take advantage of the slim seven man rotation as Austin Hollins poured in 21 points and TJ Bray added 13 points and 13 assists. Brose Bamberg spread the scoring around well with four guys in double figures led by Elias Harris with 16 points. Bamberg had the slim 30-29 rebound edge, but all in all Rasta Vechta was the better crunch-time team. In game four Rasta Vechta closed out the series with a 90-86 victor. This was a game that Bamberg led for a long time, but could never shake the Cinderella team allowing them back into the game. Bray and Hollins had their typical strong games combining for 37 points, but it was the German big man duo of Kessens and Herkenhoff who were brilliant combining for 33 points. Rasta Vechta got the best of Brose Bamberg on the boards 34-31 and secured 12 offensive rebounds. Austin Hollins was the hero at the end with the series winning steal. Rasta Vechta´s annoying press defense gave Brose Bamberg fits all series long as they couldn´t make the proper adjustments. This Vechta series win was a great example of what heart and will can do to the confidence of a team that is undermanned. Brose Bamberg was never able to take advantage of Vechta injuries and make the right adjustments. In game 4, it didn´t seem lie Bamberg really wanted to win as much as Rasta Vechta.

This series is about as Davey and Goliath as it will ever get. The Big mighty FC Bayern Munich with 20 plus million budget against the tiny Rasta Vechta which has a small budget that probably would pay for four FC Bayern Munich players at the most. FC Bayern Munich won the first game 79-66 at home. Danilo Barthel led all scorers with 23 points and FC Bayern Munich dominated the boards 33-22. Interesting to note Rasta Vechta´s bench outscored Munich´s 17-15. In the return game, Rasta Vechta easily won 93-75 at home. Rasta Vechta played an impressive offensive game hitting for 14 three´s winning the rebounding battle and forcing the guests to 20 turnovers. But Chapman, Hinrichs and Nash combined for 34 points that will be missing this time. Even with Hinrichs and Chapman back, the FC Bayern Munich depth will be too much This is a series where only FC Bayern Munich can lose almost no matter what they do If they win a tight series, the bashing will be about how they were unable to really destroy a depleted team. Rasta Vechta can go into the series with no pressure as they have nothing to lose. FC Bayern Munich will only be really seen as the winner if they can more or less easily dispose of Rasta Vechta. Of course Rasta Vechta have been doing amazing things all season long and beat FC Bayern Munich once, but can they do it again with a short rotation. They may manage one win, but can they seriously beat FC Bayern Munich in a five game series where they don´t have home court advantage? FC Bayern Munich have to wear down Rasta Vechta from the start and dominate inside. Rasta Vechta will continue to play their game of pressuring the guards early and hoping for steals and as many easy points as possible. Bray and Hollins should continue to play their amazing games, but how much longer can the team energy of Rasta Vechta survive? FC Bayern Munich have to take advantage of this and will if they want to win this series without problems.

It was an extremely warm day in Frankfurt on June 2nd and there was a loud buzz coming from the BCM gym of the Fraport Skyliners, but the BBL team wasn´t there nor the Pro B team as their seasons had ended weeks ago, but instead a young boy by the name of Bonga doing basketball destruction. It wasn´t Los Angeles Laker Isaac Bonga who had made a quick flight back to his old living room for a dunk clinic, but moreover his 14 year old brother Joshua who was helping lead his team to the title. The BCM was the setting of the German U-14 championship as the Fraport Skyliners took on TS Jahn Munich and except for some problems in the third quarter overcame adversary and won the title 95-75. It wasn´t only Joshua Bonga that wooed the fans with spectacular plays and athletic drives, but also his 14 year old teammate Jamaal Phatty who was in early foul trouble, but when the club needed him most stepped up more times than once getting into the lane and finishing with ease as his body was much more developed than all kids around him and he was able to dominate whenever he wanted. After the big win Fraport Skyliners head coach Thomas Koch was pleased, but kept his emotions under control as he described why his boys could win the title. “I am overjoyed that we could win this title. We invested very much into this season and being successful. We practiced a lot as a team and played at many tournaments. Key for the win was that everyone played together in the important phases. We didn´t play so well in the third quarter, but the team then took better care of the ball. That 7-0 run at the end of the third quarter was key which sparked us to get the win”, stressed Thomas Koch.

                TS Jahn had had a tough semi-final beating Art Giants Duesseldorf 72-66 in the semi´s while the Fraport Skyliners destroyed TK Hannover Basketball 75-42. The first quarter was tight for the first 5 minutes as the Fraport Skyliners received the Bonga and Phatty show as they combined for the  first 10 Frankfurt points. Bonga didn´t waste much time getting aggressive and finished with ease in the paint. His body reminded one of his brother Isaac as his athleticism was his big strength. Phatty´s athleticism also stood out as he always searched for that one on one opportunity or mis match chance, but never losing eye of his teammates and potential kick out pass. TS Jahn Munich was led by their Croatian shooting star Tin Udovicit who showed some early cross over´s and scored the majority of his team´s points. Jamaal Phatty was hit early with two offensive fouls and had to hit the bench. But that didn´t faze the Fraport Skyliners as they went on a 8-1 run to extend their lead to 18-10. They got key buckets from captain Josha Zentgraf and Marvin Esser. But TS Jahn Munich found some momentum in the last minutes and cut the Frankfurt lead to 22-19 as their super allrounder Moritz Herbst scored.

                In the second quarter the Fraport Skyliners took control and finally broke free going on a 18-6 run to extend their lead to 40-25. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Jamaal Phatty who was back after getting two early fouls and took matters into his own hands scoring 10 points. He scored three baskets taking advantage of his huge strength going 1-1 and using his long steps and arms to score baskets easily in the paint. His play and dominance reminded one of how Bonga flourished at the NBBL level in 2016-2017 and Len Schoorman at the NBBL level in 2018-2019. Frankfurt also got another lay in from talented point guard Joshua Bonga and two baskets from the team´s best defender against small players Finley Pruver. The Fraport Skyliners continued to control the game and execute well on offense while on defense they were able to get consistent stops. Bonga remained aggressive and scored two more times in the paint and Phatty also scored. TS Jahn Munich just didn´t have those players that had the individual class of a Bonga or Phatty except for Udovicit who scored a few baskets, but he had little support from his teammates as the Fraport Skyliners led 51-37 at the break. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 51% from the field and 13% from outside and had 28 rebounds(13 offensive rebounds) and 12 turnovers while TS Jahn Munich shot 38% from the field and 25% from outside and had 14 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

                In the third quarter TS Jahn started to chip away at the Fraport Skyliners lead and got closer to make it a very tight game, but the Phatty and Bonga show in the waning minutes helped Frankfurt get back on track again and within a very short time lead by double digits again before the buzzer sounded. The Fraport Skyliners came out of the break and got a huge three from Roman Holloway and two points from Pruver, but TS Jahn Munich answered with a three from energetic defender Daniel Fackler to cut the Frankfurt lead down to 56-42. Then came the best basketball of TS Jahn Munich in the game as they cruised on a 13-5 run to cut Frankfurt´s lead to 61-55. In the run, TS Jahn Munich got valuable production from Udovicit hitting two baskets, diminutive guard Nico Hirtl made a pretty lay up as he often had big mismatches staring in his face, but found a way to get the hoop through his hard work and will. Big man Janis Grussendorf closed out the run with two massive three´s. In the run TS Jahn Munich was doing everything better than Frankfurt. They stepped up their defense and forced the Fraport Skyliners to countless turnovers and read the plays well and snuck into the passing lanes well. On offense the Bavarian team did a super job staying more calm and executing better. TS Jahn Munich also did a better job rebounding, getting loose balls and just hustling as they had robbed Frankfurt of the momentum. But the Fraport Skyliners stayed tough and didn´t allow the guests to do any more damage, but silenced them to close out the third quarter with a lethal 9-0 run to erase the six point lead and to lead comfortably again 70-55. Sergio Grothe made a basket in the run, but the most damage was done by Phatty and Bonga. Phatty who made huge strides this season hit a huge three while Bonga who has an amazing talent already for keeping his eyes ahead and not looking down so much with his ball handling was key at both ends of the court making a steal and coast to coast drive and basket and then did it again as his defense  was brilliant. He is listed as 173cm, but Sebastian Gleim feels he could become taller than his brother Isaac who is known as a very good defender.

                The 9-0 Frankfurt run at the end of the third quarter somewhat deflated TS Jahn Munich as they were unable to get under 10 points in the fourth quarter. The Fraport Skyliners received early production in the fourth quarter with a Phatty lay in and Esser trey while TS Jahn Munich got key support from Grussendorf who scored two buckets cutting Frankfurt´s lead to 76-61. The Fraport Skyliners now conserved their energy and got support from guys like Pruver, but also got the usual contribution form Bonga who scored in the lane again and Phatty scored in bunches making a sweet turn around shot and then making a steal and going coast to coast for the one handed dunk. In the last year two young Frankfurt talents Elijah Clarance and Len Schoormann showcased their dunking abilities so often and with Phatty a new dunking talent has arrived as his athleticism will continue to turn heads in the next years. With the minutes winding down, bot teams inserted some players for garbage time and TS Jahn Munich got two three´s from Ben Hofbauer while Frankfurt got a trey from Holloway and another lay in from Phatty. As the buzzer sounded there was happiness and enjoyment coming form the Fraport Skyliners fans, family and friends of the young boys as their long season of hard work had paid off. New Fraport Skyliner head coach Sebastian Gleim who helped shape the Skyliners youth program in the last years was very happy for the success of the young kids. “I am really happy for the organization. Frankfurt defended well and moved the ball well. They made a push at the right time at the end of the third quarter. I came here five years to help improve this section of the youth program. I am really happy for Thomas Koch who came with me from Hamburg five years ago. His success is deserved and it is nice seeing him and the boys reach the peak of their work. Winning this title had no priority. Even if we hadn´t won today, we would still have these talents for the next years and continue to help them develop”, stressed Sebastian Gleim. Jamaal Phatty led the Fraport Skyliners with 32 points. Joshua Bonga added 24 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. Sergio Grothe added 10 points. TS Jahn Munich was led by Tin Udovicit with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and Alan Devries added 16 points. The Fraport Skyliners shot 50% from the field and 40% from outside and had 57 rebounds(23 offensive rebounds) and 26 turnovers. TS Jahn Munich shot 36% from the field and 31% from outside and had 35 rebounds and 19 turnovers.

In this years easyCredit BBL playoffs point guards have played a major role and that is no surprise as a teams game revolves around the quick decisions of this so valuable position as well as that players leadership qualities as well as having the ability to know when to separate scoring and playmaking best. In the quarterfinals fans saw the always so motivated Deandre Lansdowne who has been living the ultimate Cinderella story since he arrived in Germany in 2015 in Herten and balled sometimes in front of less than 1000 people in the Pro B as he gave a solid performance against FC Bayern Munich that was rewarded on account of the deep roster and more talented Bavarian team. Fans also saw the fierce duel between ex Euroleague champion Tyrese Rice and up and coming possible future Euroleague player TJ Bray who took the BBL by storm and played an amazing season that probably only he or Pedro Calles could have envision before the season. And not to forget MHP Riesen head coach John Patrick actually had Bray on his radar before anyone in Germany some years ago, but couldn´t help him shine then because he got an injury before the season started. So many great guards and the list just continues to grow in these playoffs and now really take the lime light and focus in the semi-final series between Alba Berlin and the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. With Will Cummings and Peyton Siva both teams have top BBL point guards if not two of the three best in the league that will clash for the ticket to the BBL final and to the Euroleague next season a league none has ever played in. Both have had stellar basketball careers, but both haven´t won too much. Siva has an NBA resume having played briefly with the Detroit Pistons and one of basketballs big titles the NCAA with Louisville which he won under legendary head coach Rick Pitino. In Europe Siva has reached 4 finals and lost all of them with Alba Berlin which bears comparison to a Jim Kelly even if his 4 loses were Super Bowls. Cummings has one title and that was the 2018 Eurocup championship with   Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) and this season was instrumental in Oldenburg ending the season in second place helping him be named 2019 BBL MVP. Now both are ready to duel head to head. Both teams swept their respective teams as Alba Berlin got by ratiopharm Ulm and the EWE Baskets Oldenburg by the Telekom Baskets Bonn Cummings was spectacular an din top form averaging 27,0ppg in the series and shot 50% from outside. Siva has had his difficulties with injuries in his three year tenure with Alba Berlin and missed the first two games against ratiopharm Ulm, but returned in the third game and was his potent self scoring 18 points, dishing out 6 dimes, getting 3 rebounds, getting 4 steals and nailing 5 three´s. Even if Cummings is the more explosive scorer, Siva brings that valuable calmness and all-around solid point guard play that always comes in handy on a team that is unselfish. This should be a great battle among the point guards, but slowing down a Cummings more than a Siva will be most vital, because Oldenburg rely more on him than does Alba Berlin Siva.

            Alba Berlin crushed ratiopharm Ulm 3-0 and showed them an offensive lesson where the opponent at times must have felt like they were still in school and trying to comprehend what the teacher was trying to explain, but were unable to let any of their defensive knowledge translate to success on the court. Alba Berlin averaged a massive 96 points in the three game series. The whole series had a pattern in which Alba Berlin won most statistical categories. In game one the Alba Berlin offensive machine won 107-78 and had 6 guys in double figures and dished out 30 assists. The team shot over 50% from outside and Ex NBA player Derrick Walton was superb with 11 points and 12 assists playing for the injured Peyton Siva. He is a true floor general that knew how to lead his team for 40 minutes the way a point guard should. Alba Berlin won the rebound battle easily 34-24. The only solid stat of ratiopharm Ulm was their 12 turnovers, but a big weakness in the game was that that reliable go to guy who could take responsibility and take over was invisible. In game two Alba Berlin won 98-83 and had 4 guys in double figures scorng. Martin Hermannsson led all scorers with 23 points. The club shot in the high 40´% from outside and had 26 assists. Alba Berlin secured the rebound duel again 26-21 and had only 9 turnovers. Ratiopharm Ulm coughed up the ball 16 times which was a big factor for the loss on account of not being able to take care of the ball. In game three Alba Berlin won easily 100-83 as 6 guys cored in double figures and they threw 28 assists. Derrick Walton was solid and had 11 points and 7 assists off the bench. Alba Berlin easily won the rebound contest again 34-25 and nailed 14 trey´s. Alba Berlin were more careless with the ball with 18 turnovers, but Ulm was even worse with 21. Ratiopharm Ulm did a good job in the series having different guys share the offensive load, but all in all too little support came from the bench. A good offensive team will never beat a great offensive team if it can´t defend properly.

            The EWE Baskets Oldenburg didn´t play there best basketball, but if your going to play shoot out then you have to have you’re a-game offense which they did. The Telekom Baskets Bonn showed spurts of good offensive basketball, but as usual like all season long their defense let them down. In game one the EWE Baskets won a 105-94 shoot out contest. They had four players in double figures in the rout. They didn´t need more than a 8 man rotation as their big three of Cummings, Mahalbasic and Paulding combined for 64 points. They shot well from outside and won the boards 33-24. The Telekom Baskets Bonn showcased 5 players in double figures in scoring. Cenetr Charles Jackson had a strong game with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams did a very good job combining for 13 turnovers. The Telekom Baskets Bonn just couldn´t supply the dangerous fire power that Oldenburg did. In game 2 the EWE Baskets Oldenburg continued their offensive assault on Bonn winning 97-87. Again the big three of Cummings, Mahalbasic and Paulding were brilliant combining for 55 points. Mahalbasic layed up his incredible fourth triple double of the season proving he is the most versatile center the league might have ever seen. Oldenburg wasn´t quite as consistent as in game one as they didn´t shoot as well and allowed Bonn many more extra chances on the glass allowing 16 offensive rebounds. But it was enough for the win as the Bonn just couldn´t make any proper adjustments to slow down the big 3. In game three, the EWE Baskets Oldenburg closed out the series winning 97-84. They didn´t shoot as well from outside again, but shot very well in the two point area. They learned from their sloppy play in game two and was more disciplined on the glass winning the rebounds 33-23 and gave up only 5 offensive rebounds. The big three didn´t dominate like usual as Mahalbasic had only 6 points, but they got added support from Nathan Boothe who had 25 points in 27 minutes. Bonn had a superb game from Charles Jackson again with 28 points. He is a center that Bonn should think about holding. He is the team´s best center in many years. Oldenburg did another good job staying under 10 turnovers. Bonn´s inability to defend cost them this series as well as not keeping Cummings under control. A very disappointing resume since they have top defensive guard stoppers in DiLeo and Polas, but sometimes even the best defenders can´t control a MVP like Cummings.

            In the easyCredit BBL regular season the clubs split the two games with each team winning on the road. Alba Berlin won the first game in Oldenburg 93-84. Alba Berlin played a very usual strong offensive game spreading the ball around and involving everyone as six guys scored in double figures. This was early in the season where Peyton Siva was injured and Derrick Walton hadn´t arrived yet, but the club got exceptional playmaking from Stefano Peno with 10 points and 7 dimes. As usual Alba Berlin controlled the boards 36-31 and forced Oldenburg to 11 turnovers while they took good care of the ball with only 6 turnovers.Cummings and Paulding combined for 42 points while Mahalbasic was kept under control with 9 points. In game two the EWE Baskets went to Berlin and walked away with a convincing 94-78 victory. Oldenburg defended very well limiting Alba Berlin´s outside game and offensively were on fire shooting near 50% form the parking lot. The big three combined for 60 points and Cummings exploded with 34 points. Oldenburg kept Alba Berlin off the glass securing 37 rebounds and giving up only 27 rebounds. The only negative point was their 16 turnovers.

            This will be a very exciting series even if history isn´t on the EWE Baskets Oldenburg side and it won´t be again this time. In the last 10 years these two clubs have met three times with Alba Berlin winning each time. In the 2010-2011 season, Alba Berlin rallied from down 2-1 in games to win, in 2014-2015, Alba Berlin swept Oldenburg and last season, Alba Berlin was able to win again in a exciting 5 game series. The way both teams can explode on offense at any time, this could be a series where each team finds a way to win on the road. The only way to beat Alba Berlin is to play defense. They tend to cough up the ball at a high rate and Oldenburg will have to be sneaky and smart and find good defensive game plans to keep Alba Berlin off balance. But that is easier said then done. Alba Berlin has the needed experience and depth to win this series if they can play Alba Berlin basketball which is playing their beautiful team basketball, dominating the boards and playing solid defense. The EWE Baskets Oldenburg are well rested from their non international club schedule, but just don´t have enough consistent fire power from the bench. Granted the big three of Cummings, Paulding and Mahalbasic probably will continue to do damage, but just won´t have enough to get by Alba Berlin. The only way that happens is if they clone Mahalbasic and he averages a triple double in the series.

TJ Bray is a 26 year old 196cm guard from New Berlin, Wisconsin that is in his fifth professional season and first with Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA). He has put up massive stats this season averaging 15,1ppg, 3,4rpg and 8,2apg and a big reason for the club being in the semi-finals. He began his career in 2010 with Ivy league school Princeton (NCAA) and played a total of 115 NCAA games and as senior played 25 games averaging 18.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 64.9%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 80.1%. He turned professional in 2014 and played with Lighthouse Trapani (Italy-A2) playing 29 games averaging 9.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: In his second professional season he played with Novipiu Casale Monferrato (Italy-Serie A2) playing 35 games averaging 14.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 80.8%. Two seasons ago he got experience with Fit Brussels (Belgium-Euromillions League) playing 33 games averaging 8.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 62.5%. Last season he played with Kolossos H Hotels (Greece-A1) playing 27 games averaging 12.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 76.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the amazing 3-1 series win against Brose Bamberg.

TJ congrats on the amazing 3-1 series win over Brose Bamberg. The Rasta Vechta Cinderella season continues. How special has the playoff ride been in comparison to the regular season?

It’s been a very crazy ride so far. We had a ton of fun in the regular season but knew we would ultimately be judged on our playoff performance. We were short-handed in round 1 but the guys that were left went out and fought and battled as much as we could. To beat a team with the history of Bamberg and to clinch the series on their court made it even more special.

You have played many games and have played in various countries. Were these last 10 days of playoff basketball the most exciting time in your professional career?

The last 10 days have been a blur. All of us were just trying to keep our bodies in the best shape possible with all the minutes we were playing. Once the season is finished, I’ll be able to sit back and digest things a bit more.

Rasta Vechta had so many great wins this season beating Bamberg 4 times, FC Bayern Munich once and Alba Berlin once. After beating so many great teams so many times, could one enjoy this win as much as winning that first unbelievable game against Alba Berlin earlier in the season?

Absolutely. The win against Alba was our first big win but we haven’t taken any of them for granted since then. We know beating great teams is very difficult, so when we’re able to do it, we enjoy it. Winning these games doesn’t necessarily surprise us anymore, but we still enjoy them the same.

You guys went into the series with your backs somewhat to the wall without glue guy Seth Hinrichs, versatile big man Clint Chapman and the energetic Tyrone Nash. How vital mentally was this whole process getting by Bamberg? How important was the team mentality for being able to get by Bamberg?

The injuries we’ve sustained have been almost unbelievable. Losing not only those guys but not having Michael Kessens and Robin Christen in games made things even more difficult. All of our big men have been fantastic for us all season. Each one of them brings special things to the table. We knew going into the series against Bamberg we would be outsized. However, we knew if we played team defense the way we have all season, we could make things difficult for any team. Philipp Herkenhoff, Mike, and Rob, all really stepped up for us in Round 1 and gave us everything they had.

There were so many highs and lows in game 4 in Bamberg. Never to take anything away from the incredible team play, at times it seemed like Bamberg didn’t want to win the game just with certain turnovers. Do you feel like mentally Bamberg had problems they couldn’t win in their own home?

Not at all. Bamberg was a Champions League Final 4 team and have players who have accomplished a lot at the highest levels of European basketball. They know what it takes to win and gave 100% all series. We’ve had three games against them come down to the wire. In two of them, Tyrese Rice was able to make a play to send it into overtime. In Game 4 we were able to get a stop and close them out.

How much fun has it become playing in Freak City now? Do you feel having these brutal playoff experiences in a tough environment helped the club in positive ways that could continue to help the overall toughness and survival rate as you now return to the Audi Dome in a series where you won’t have home court advantage?

Playing a club with the history of Bamberg is always special. I had heard plenty about Freak City before I got to Germany so seeing it up close was a great experience. Their fans were hostile but treated our team with nothing but respect. It was really a fun series to be a part of as a player. We know going to Munich won’t be easy. However, we have been able to have success on the road this year. We have to start this series with great energy and a defensive mindset. We’ll see how the ball bounces from there.

A big reason for the success of Rasta Vechta this season has been the style and press. It is something you have done all season long and no team has really found a cure for. When you look back at the first days of the season as the team was practicing their weapon did you ever think it would be so consistently valuable?

I can’t say I knew it would be as successful as it has been, but I knew we would be a problem for teams defensively. What Pedro has asked from us on the defensive end has been consistent all year. Everyone knows where they’re supposed to be because it has been the same concepts since day one. On top of that, when you have a great defender like Max DiLeo pressuring ball handlers, everything gets easier for everyone around him. In one of our first scrimmages of the season Max forced turnovers on three straight possessions just from hounding the ball handler. When you play with a guy like him, you don’t want to be the weak link. His passion and consistency brings the level of our entire team up.

Austin Hollins had another MVP game, was hitting crazy shots from left and right all night long. He also made the biggest play of the game stripping Tyrese Rice in the last seconds to secure the ball. How often have you had MVP in your thoughts this season when he made a play?

He is definitely one of the best players I’ve ever played with. His incredible shot-making makes things much easier for all of us. Teams have to pay such close attention to him when he’s coming off screens that he consistently opens up easy layups for his teammates. He’s a very smart cutter as well and is always finding ways to get open at exactly the right time. I’m even more impressed with him defensively though. Coach asked him to guard Tyrese Rice full-court for four games and he didn’t hesitate on taking that assignment. Off the ball, he has an incredible ability to jump into passing lanes and get steals. There aren’t many basketball players that can affect a game on both ends of the court like he can.

How tough was losing game two in Bamberg 102-98 in OT. That game looked like it took most of the teams energy. Did this tough loss spark something special in the club that helped them add extra strength to the game three and four wins?

It was a brutal loss. We fought so hard with our limited rotation only to go to overtime and come up short. However, we knew that it was only one loss in a best-of-five series so we had to regroup quickly. Our fans in the Rasta Dome gave us the boost we needed in Game 3 to help us get the upper hand back in the series.

What was the secret for Rasta Vechta being able to play with a 6-7 man roster against a deep athletic team like Brose Bamberg? I could have expected one game like that or maybe two, but never four. Do you feel sometimes that the will and heart of a player can block out serious body pain and help reach new unexpected heights?

It wasn’t really anything special other than our will to fight. We’ve been working hard since August and we weren’t about to stop because of some injuries. We had a depleted front-court but Philipp Herkenhoff, Robin Christen, and Chris Carter all stepped up huge and played a ton of great minutes for us. Philipp had huge double-doubles for us in Games 1 and 2. He was exhausted but still kept pushing hard and hit that huge 3 late in the fourth quarter of Game 4. Rob did a fantastic job on the boards until he got hurt making a difficult defensive rotation and put his body on the line. Chris Carter played completely out of position but battled and gave us 24 huge minutes in Game 3. He hadn’t played the 4 until the playoffs and learned the position completely on the fly. The 5 points he gave us at the end of the second quarter in Game 3 really set the tone for the rest of the series.

Rasta Vechta was without two vital big men Clint Chapman and Tyrone Nash, but Germans Philipp Herkenhoff and Michael Kessens were the x-factors. Please describe the worth to the team and what big step they made only in this series?

Philipp is young but he didn’t back down at all in the series. Those double-doubles were monster performances. He made big shots and battled defensively against guys who weigh many more kilos than he does. He’s going to be a very special player as he continues to grow into his body and develop. Nobody is in the gym more than Philipp. As far as Mike goes, we wouldn’t be here without him. Defensively, he’s incredible hedging against opposing guards. He’s great at seeing things develop and is the anchor at the back of our defensive system. Offensively, I’ve never played with a big man who has better footwork and patience than him. I know when I come off a pick and roll with Mike, I can give him a pass just about anywhere. He is always able to catch it, balance himself, and make the right play for our team.

After many years away from the BBL, Josh Young returned and had a great season. He was also a vital spark in the Bamberg series. How vital was he for you becoming comfortable to a new league early and what one thing did he help you most that made your life a lot easier?

20 minutes after the club announced I signed, JY reached out to me welcoming me to the team. He’s been a great leader for us the entire season. He has an ability to get guys to buy-in and create a family-like atmosphere. On court, he really helped lead this team by buying into his role coming off the bench and making shots. He’s carried us through some difficult stretches in games by knocking down tough, contested shots. His ability to take a 1,2 gather step before catching the ball to create space is amazing. He can get his shot off against anyone.

One of the biggest stories of the season has been head coach Pedro Calles. How do you feel did he grow in the Bamberg series? He took on a new challenge with a deflated line up and succeeded.

Nobody is more prepared than Pedro. After our last regular season game, we had a team meeting and Pedro laid out what we were going to have to do to beat Bamberg. And he was exactly right with the things he said. He’s great with the X’s and O’s but he’s an even better motivator. He’s very consistent with everything he asks from us and as long as we do those things, he let’s us be ourselves out there. It’s been a ton of fun playing for him with this group of guys.

Let’s talk about your game. The guy that first saw your worth was Ludwigsburg head coach John Patrick who already had you on his list in 2016, but an injury cost you your first experience there. Have you had contact to him this season and did you get a congrats message from him after beating Bamberg?

We said hello and shook hands at our games this season but haven’t had any contact outside of that. We’re both competitors so we’ve been focused on our own seasons.

You had some solid seasons as a professional, but never as you have this season. After your first few practices this season would you have thought that you could put up such massive stats like you have?

I knew right away Pedro’s system would be great for me. I’m a read and react player and that’s what Pedro allows us to do. We’ve been constantly finding new wrinkles in our offense that makes life easier for everyone.

You had a huge game two, but didn’t have to be such a scorer in the other games and concentrated more on playmaking. Has your decision making and separating when to score and pass been one of your biggest strengths this season?

I don’t really think about scoring vs. playmaking when I’m out there. I just try to read what the defense is giving me and make the best play for my team. Some nights that’s scoring, other nights it’s distributing the ball.

You more than doubled your assist average this season to all the other professional seasons. You once averaged 5,2apg at Princeton. It is amazing that your averaging 8,2apg while also scoring very much. It isn’t like your averaging 7 or 8 points per game but your scoring a lot and making a lot of assists. Was there something specific that has made you an elite assist man in the BBL or is this something you feel you could of always achieved with the right teammates and coaches?

Again, it comes back to Pedro’s system. We have some basic sets that we run but other than that we’re just reading and reacting. We’ve got a lot of smart players on this team so we’ve been able to get a lot of easy points. We’ve found different ways to score off back cuts and running hard in transition. I know that if I get guys the ball in the right spots, they’ll make a good play.

You play with so much confidence and calmness. Is this something that you always had or has this been something that grew this season with your leadership duties?

I’ve always tried to be an emotional rock for my teams. I never want to get too high or too low on the court. In every game, there are good runs and bad runs but you have to be focused on the entire 40-minute picture.

You led the team to an amazing playoff series win over Bamberg. How do you feel did you grow in this series as a player? How did your leadership and self-confidence profit most?

I knew this would be an important series for me as a player. Going up against guys like Tyrese Rice, Nikos Zisis, Bryce Taylor, and Ricky Hickman, is always special. They’ve collectively accomplished just about everything possible throughout their careers. Being able to win a series against them helped me recognize that this team can accomplish anything. People could write off our regular season win against them as a fluke but now we did it over an entire series.

You next play powerhouse FC Bayern Munich. How excited are you about the semi-finals series and does it feel like a David & Goliath

Series like this are why you play basketball. It’s going to be an awesome test for us and we’re going to continue to chase history. We’ve been the underdog all season so nothing changes now. We’ve got five games to continue to prove ourselves.

Rasta Vechta split the season series in the BBL 1-1. They are well rested and you had a tough taxing series against Bamberg. What kind of series can we await and will Rasta Vechta be able to keep up the intensity again?
Nothing will change from our side. We’re going to continue to battle, fight, and scrap, on every possession. We’ve got nothing to lose and we’re going to play like it.

What is your prediction of the 2019 NBA finals Golden State-Toronto Raptors? Can a Kawhi Leonard do some magic?

I’ll take the Warriors. 4-1.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Avengers: Endgame but I’m currently catching up on the TV show, Barry. That’s my go-to at the moment.

Thanks TJ for the chat.