Even When Coaches Tried To Discourage Michael Laeky From Taking Three´s He Kept Working On It Behind The Scenes

Michael Laeky (201-F, college: CCC) is a 201cm forward from Texas that is a professional basketball player. He played his rookie season overseas with US Titans Yerevan (Armenia-A-League) averaging 11.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 60.0%, in Feb.’25 moved to Lusavan (Armenia-A-League) averaging 18.6ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.3%. He began his basketball career with Creating Young Minds Academy and then played at Sterling (NAIA) and Central Christian College (NAIA). He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball

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

Thank you for the interview! I’m currently back in my hometown Dallas, Texas, basketball this summer has been great. I’ve really been pushing myself in the gym and weight room to have a great second year.

How blessed are you to be a pro baller? You never averaged more than 2,0ppg in a NAIA season, but still got 2 jobs overseas last year?

I’m truly blessed beyond measure. In college I never really got the opportunity to show what I was capable of as a player, and once I got that opportunity as a pro I never looked back.

How tough does the grind of having a stable overseas career continue? You had a solid rookie season in Armenia, but are still unsigned for the 2025-2026 season. Why do you believe is that?

In sports there’s a lot of politics and I just try to control the things that I can control, and whoever decides to take a chance on me this season won’t regret it.

Do you feel your history of being an NAIA player and not have overwhelming stats have hurt you this off season?

I think it might have hurt me when I was first coming out of college, but now that I’ve proven I can play at the professional level it’s starting to become more irrelevant.

How key has Bayi Handy been in helping you progress in your overseas journey?

He’s been absolutely amazing! He’s very confident that I have the tools to be a successful player and now I have to continue to show that. I’m truly grateful for Mr. Handy and can’t wait to see what opportunities will come from his event!

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the bill?

There’s a lot of players that come to mind, but I think my best comparison would be Cameron Johnson of the Denver Nuggets. Like him I’m a 3 point shooter with great size that can also play great defense and rebound.

You’re a player that fills the stat sheet very well. How big is versatility a part of your game?

Versatility is a big part of my game. Before being a versatile player was popular, I always tried to expand my game when I was a younger player. Because of that I’m able to play the 2-4 on the court and be a really nice asset for my team.

You are a very good three point shooter. How would you describe the development of your three pointer? You shot 40% in Armenia last season?

I’ve always worked on my 3 point shot since I was a kid. When I was younger coaches would try and keep me from shooting threes, this was before the game changed into players taking a lot of threes. But I would continue to work on my shot behind the scenes and would become a great 3 point shooter.

Talk a little about your defensive game. Does your versatility also play a role as a defensive player?

Oh absolutely! The same way I didn’t want to be limited as an offensive player also applied to the defensive end. I can play the 2-4 and I’m also able to guard the 2-4. I love hitting shots but getting stops on defense makes me just as happy.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so that you can continue to improve your game?

I’m definitely trying to become a better ball handler. Once people know I can shoot the ball I want to be able to have a counter when they press up by creating my own shot or creating opportunities for my teammates.

Last season you split time in Armenia with US Titans Yerevan (Armenia-A-League) averaging 11.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 60.0%, in Feb.’25 moved to Lusavan (Armenia-A-League) averaging 18.6ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.3%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I would definitely say physicality. The referees over there let players play for the most part and aren’t quick to blow that whistle

What kind of experience was Armenia on and off the court? How did your game grow overseas?

Armenia was great and I’m forever grateful that they gave me an opportunity to start my career. I would say I grew as a player when it came to taking over games. I’ve always believed I’m the best shooter on every court I step on and I was able to show it this past season.

How enriching was it experiencing a new culture in Armenia? What did you enjoy most off the court?

It was such a great experience connecting with some of the locals over there. It was my first time outside the USA so it was a cool experience learning and being around their culture. My favorite thing to do off the court was definitely walking around the city and doing some sight seeing.

You played 3 seasons at Sterling College (NAIA) and played only 21 games. How tough were these 2 seasons? Did you get a fair chance there?

Those were some really tough years, to sit there and watch loss after loss and not get a fair shot to prove myself was definitely hard. But I always trusted God’s plan and his timing with everything and that’s why I’m here today.

What positives could you gain from Sterling? You minutes really fluctuated in your last season.

I learned to just control what I can control and to always stay ready. And in those games I got a shot and I showed what I could do.

You then played 1 season at Central Christian College (NAIA). What positives could you get from this season despite playing only 2 games?

That was a difficult year for me too and probably not the best fit for me, I had intended to redshirt that year. I would say I definitely became a better teammate that year.

How did head coach Adam Hooker groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

I had coaches outside of college that really helped prepare me for a pro career, I always was around pro guys in college so training and playing against them definitely helped prepare me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jahmiah Haynes?

Jamiah is a great player and easily one of the best players I’ve ever played with. We never played one on one but we had some great battles in practice when we were matched up in five on five.

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

I played against a lot of great players in college, a lot of players that went overseas but not the NBA. However in high school I did play against Terrence Ferguson who ended up being a first round draft pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

This is such a tough question because I’ve played with so many great players. But if I had to narrow it to 5 these would be the players. In no order, Jaylon Scott, Jamiah Haynes, Moustapha Diene, Adam Hess, and Chris Whitten

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James is without a doubt the Goat.

Thanks Michael for the chat.

Kelvin Omojola Showed Pure Genuine Happiness For Tim Smith Jr´s Signing With The EPG Baskets Koblenz

It really didn´t matter which teammate I mentioned to Kelvin Omojola during the last 2 seasons in interviews, he always showed this pure genuine happiness for that player´s game and character. I have seriously never seen a player like Kelvin treat his teammates with such utmost respect and always being positive. It didn´t matter if I asked him about Marko Rosic or Janne Muller, or others, he was always sprouting with positive energy when describing his teammates. Sure I have asked many other Americans about teammates or opponents over the years, but I have never gotten the crazy zeal that the Las Vegas has done. It made every interview with him an extra pleasure. It wasn´t any different when I asked him about Tim Smith Jr. (201-F-2000, college: N.Alabama, agency: 011 Sports) signing with Pro A team EPG Baskets Koblenz. “That’s amazing that Tim signed with the Guardians. I was so happy to see that. Tim is such a great player and now gets to showcase his talents at the Pro A level. He will have a great Pro A season and I hope that he gets BBL offers after he shows how he can dominate”, stressed Kelvin Omojola.

Tim Smith Jr. who hails from Ohio had a sold senior season at North Alabama averaging 9.4ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 79.2%, but you never know how a player will play coming overseas with the adjustment to a new culture and the euro game, but he had no problems in the German Pro B. He averaged 17.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 82.5% and was a Eurobasket.com All-German ProB Group South Second Team selection. A big reason for his success was head coach Stephan Dohrn who gave him the trust from day 1. “Well trust is earned Miles. Tim isn´t a perfect player, no one is. But he earned Coach Stephan´s trust by playing hard, being skilled and wanting to get better and improve”, warned Kelvin Omojola. Often guys who had strong rookie seasons overseas, make the wrong choice in year 2 thus hurting their career. A player and agent have to work together to find the next great fit. It also helps when the same coach is coaching elsewhere. It must have been a no brainer for Tim Smith Jr. to follow Stephan Dohrn to Koblenz. “That was definitely a no brainer. When you find a coach that trusts and believes in you, you need to take advantage of it. That is very rare in professional basketball, so for Tim to get this opportunity so early in his career, he´s blessed”, stressed Kelvin Omojola. It wasn´t a great season for the Dragons Rhondorf in 24-25. They did reach their goal of the Pro B playoffs, but had little chance against top team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. It wasn´t easy for the Dragons to follow up their 2024 pro B title, but Tim Smith Jr. gave all he had and developed nicely as a rookie. However experiencing growing pains is something every player goes through and it wasn´t any different for Smith Jr. He withstood a coaching change and still finished the season strong scoring in double figures in 7 of 9 games. “Going through ups and downs are necessary. It only makes him a better player. Being able to handle adversary and bounce back, is not only part of basketball, but it´s a part of life. That is why Tim will always be successful both in basketball and outside of it”, commented Kelvin Omojola.

Kelvin Omojola and Tim Smith Jr. are different in one aspect. Omojola is a talkative guy while Tim Smith Jr. is more reserved and leads more by basketball actions. However his more quiet demeanor is deceiving. “Tim is for sure a big action guy, but he would speak up as well. For him it is just a matter of feeling comfortable and feeling like guys are on the same page as him. He wants to win and give 100% every time. It´s mandatory. And he needs his teammates to be on the same type of time”, stated Kelvin Omojola. In the Pro B, Tim Smith Jr. was the main scoring option and in a way the big fish, while in the Pro A, he will be a normal fish among other fish. He will be practicing with guys as good as him or possibly better. He most likely won´t have the big role that he had in the Pro B. Kelvin Omojola experienced going from a big Pro B season in Speyer to having growing pains in the Pro A with PS Karlsruhe averaging only 3,1ppg. “Tim will be able to handle it for sure. He has the skill level and coach that will support him. That’s the 2 biggest things. I wish I would have been able to play for coach Stephan in the Pro A. My impact would have been very much different compared to my year with PS Karlsruhe. But it´s a part of the story. If Tim ever needs any advice, he knows he can hit me up. That’s a no brainer. He will always be my brother”, warned Kelvin Omojola. Smith Jr showed in the Pro B that he was a 3 level scorer and he became somewhat of a Swiss army knife as a rookie. Will he be able to adjust to less minutes in the Pro A? “Yes he will. He is an extremely efficient scorer that can score at every single level on the court. He is also a great defensive player that plays above the rim. He will make a strong impact at the Pro A level and people will know his name and game”, stressed Kelvin Omojola. I´m very sure that Kelvin Omojola will keep tabs on his Koblenz season and always have the sweet memories of their Rhondorf season in the back of his mind. “All the moments we spent outside of basketball just talking about life were very memorable. He is really my brother for life and he knows that. I wish him nothing but success and happiness, because he deserves that. And he knows how I feel about him”, said Kelvin Omojola. Both Omojola who now has a new chapter in his life working at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Smith Jr who has made the jump to the Pro A have made new big steps in their lives. It simply couldn´t have happened to 2 better guys.

Keyshaun Langley(Hakro Merlins Crailsheim) Never Hunts For Three´s But Just Takes What The Defense Gives Him

Keyshaun Langley (185-G, college: UNCG, agency: Players Group) is a 185cm guard playing his second professional season and first with the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. Last season he played with the Nitra Blue Wings (Slovakia-Tipos SBL) averaging 16.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.5apg, Steals-5 (2.0spg), FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 88.1%. He began his basketball career at / Southwest Guilford High School and also played at Wesleyan Christian Academy. He then played at the University Of Noreth Carolina at Greensboro (NCAA) from 2019-2024 playing a total of 146 games and in his last 2 seasons there averaged 14.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 78.3% and 15.4ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 84.5%. he spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Keyshaun for talking to germanhoops.com. Welcome to Germany. After playing your rookie season in Slovakia, how excited are you for a new challenge in Germany?

I am extremely excited about the new challenges in Germany’s Pro A league.

Your playing your first season in Germany. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

I just began to research and watch game highlights of the German leagues. When I committed to playing with the Merlins, my cousin Keith Gatlin (Played several years in the German BBL many years ago) began to give me insight of the style of play and he spoke about his time playing in Germany. I also inquired about German basketball from a few of my former UNCG teammates that spent time in the leagues.

You stated in the Merlins press release that you joined The club because you are able to accomplish something special. Would that be winning the Pro A title?

Absolutely! I believe this team will have what it takes to compete for a title.

How were the first talks with head coach David Mccray? He is an up and coming coach that knows how to work with young players well and also has a good character. What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

Our conversations were easy. We got to know each other. He informed me what he expected from me on the court. He also gave an overview of the culture and history of the organization. I feel this is an opportunity for me to develop and excel. I believe this is a terrific fit for me.

Your coming from Slovakia and want to make the next step in Germany. How confident are you that you could become an impact player?

I believe and trust in the work and the process that I have been fortunate enough to experience through my collegiate years. So many people have poured into my development as a basketball player. My faith in what God has in store for me keeps me uplifted and confident.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 185cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

There are not many two-way small guards in the league, but my style of play is a mix of Damian Lillard, Jamal Murray and Trae Young.

You’re a player that has a strong offensive game that can score in many ways. Would you classify yourself already as a 3 level scorer?

Yes. I just take what the defense gives me.

In the NCAA you never averaged more than 3,4apg, but in Slovakia was at 4,5apg. How would you classify yourself as a playmaker going into your second pro season?

In college, I played in the backcourt with my twin brother Kobe Langley. Although, we shared point guard responsibilities my team needed me to score more. Kobe is a wizard with the ball and he has a way of creating for others, so he often led the team in assists. The game is faster than what I experienced in college, therefore my opportunities to create more for my teammates has been amazing. I will always do what is needed to put my team in position to be successful.

You made an incredible jump with your 3 pointer in your last 2 seasons at UNCG shooting 41% and last season in Slovakia was at 39%. Your confidence must be sky high now. How have you seen the development of your 3 and what is your goal this season?

My confidence comes from repetition. Repetition removes doubt. My goal is to continue to improve my 3 point percentage. I really don’t hunt for 3 pointers. I just take what the defense gives me and play within myself.

Your also a very ambitious defender that can disrupt any kind of offense. How would you describe your defensive game right now and where do you still want to get to as a defender?

I try create chaos and disrupt the offensive flow of the other team. I rely heavily on the coaching staff ‘s defensive scheme for the game, but I also have really good instincts within the team’s system. I am still a work in progress defensively. I will need to adapt to the style of play in Germany.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can be best prepared for the German Pro A?

Right now, I am working hard on a bit of everything. I am maintaining my skills while getting stronger and being in game shape.

You played your rookie season with the Nitra Blue Wings (Slovakia-Tipos SBL) averaging 16.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.5apg, Steals-5 (2.0spg), FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 88.1%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

During pre-season when my team struggled and I realized this is a business and nobody cares, “Work Harder.” I knew I needed to stay focused and limit distractions. It’s not how you start, but how you finish.

You have been very fortunate to have played with your twin brother at UNCG and in Slovakia. How special is that relationship with him?

Playing with him was a blessing. The chemistry we have is undeniable. He has my back and I have his back. He is a warrior and he does not have any quit in him. We created so many memories together on the basketball court.

What memories do you have of the tough 4 game series loss to Levice? You gave all you had averaging 25,0ppg in the first 3 games.

The game-winner in the 4th game. My teammates and I showed so much resilience throughout the playoffs. Levice was a worthy opponent, but we believed and gave a good showing.

You played at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (NCAA) from 2019-2024. How quickly were you aware of Kyle Hines who also played at your school? He is the winningest American having won 4 Euroleagues? How big of a role model is he for you?

I was aware of Kyle Hines before I committed to UNCG. I attended several of his college games as a kid. I also watched how he carried himself on and off the court from afar. He is definitely someone I look up to when it comes to playing professionally overseas. His resume speaks volumes.

You won the SoCon title in 2021. What memories do you have beating Mercer (NCAA) and then playing at March Madness losing to FSU?

-Winning the SOCON title with my teammates during COVID was a great accomplishment. Our team’s goal was to win both regular and conference titles. Playing well against FSU in the NCAA Tourney was a highlight of my career. Nothing like March Madness!

You had many great games in the NCAA including 20 points in a thrilling 89-87 win over Furman or beating Arkansas on the road. What was your favorite personal game at UNCG?

The Arkansas game for sure. They were a top 10 team. We made history. I was locked in the entire game. Beating Furman on their home court has to be up there too.

You played for Wes Miller and Mike Jones at UNCG. How did each coach help groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Coach Miller helped me understand how important it is to stay in the gym perfecting my craft. Create good habits that will prepare me like a pro. Coach Jones helped me with leadership and utilizing antalytics to grow my game efficiently.Both prepared me mentally and physically.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or your brother Kobe?

Me for sure

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

-Andrew Nembhard

-Cole Anthony

-Anthony Edwards

-Aaron Wiggins

-Tyrese Maxey (Probably the Toughest)

-Scotty Barnes

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

-Kobe Langley

-Kameron Langley

-Wendell Moore

-Isaiah Miller

-James Dickey

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

-Lebron James

-Michael Jordan

-Kobe Bryant

-Shaq O’Neal

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

Yes; Should have left it alone. Classics are Classics.

Thanks Keyshaun for the chat.

Collin Welp(Syntanics MBC Weissenfels) Learned From Dad Chris That Dedication And Discipline Is Above Everything Else

Collin Welp battling Hannes Steinbach

pic credit: Sabine Klar

Collin Welp (206-SF-1998, college: UC Irvine) is a 26 year old 206cm forward from Seattle, Washington playing his fourth professional season and first with the SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL). Last season he balled with BG Goettingen (Germany-BBL) averaging 9,8ppg and 3,9rpg. He played his first 2 pro seasons with the Wurzburg Baskets averaging 5.3ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 72.0%; and 6.1ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 65.1%; BBL Cup: 2 games: 4.5ppg, 1.5rpg. He began his basketball career at Seattle Prep and then played at the University Of Califonia-Irvine playing a total of 119 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Collin for talking to germanhoops.com. After a tough last season with BG Goettingen, how excited are you for this new challenge with MBC?

I definitely am excited. After a difficult season last year I’m looking forward to starting fresh with a new club in the BBL

MBC won the 2025 cup and are in a way the new darlings of the BBL. What were the main reasons for you joining this organization?

They showed a lot of interest in me early and the vision the new coach has for me and my role on the team was intriguing for me. I think it’s a good opportunity to further my career. I have heard a lot of good things about the organization as well

How did the talks go with head coach Marco Ramondino? What did you appreciate right away about his basketball philosophy most?

Coach Marco seems like a very knowledgeable coach that I’m looking forward to playing for. I appreciated that he was straightforward with me about what he saw in me and how I could contribute in the system he wants to run

You have been a valuable role player the last years in the BBL. How prepared are you to make the next step in your game? You never averaged more than 21 minutes in a season in the BBL. Is this the season for you to make a jump in minutes?

I think the most important thing I’ve gained over my career so get is just the experiences. I’ve been on both a playoff team and a relegation team so I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum. I think with that I’ve gotten better as a player and hopefully I can take another step forward this upcoming year

You have BBL experience and continue to develop well. How important will this season be in your career? What are your biggest personal goals this season besides winning?

Personally I know I need to continue to improve in all aspects of my game but I know in my career this far I need to take steps to improve my defense and rebounding. So this season I want to show I am committed to focusing on and improving that

Let´s talk about your game you’re a 206cm player. If you had to compare your game to a current NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think it’s tough to compare my game to any one player. Any big man who can stretch the floor and has a high IQ. You can take your pick

You’re a player that can do many things on the offensive end. How big is versatility in your game?

I think versatility is the most important part of my game. I can play the 4 and sometimes the 5 if the game needs it. I have some game inside, can put the ball on the floor a little, and I can stretch the floor from the 3 point line. Just being a player that can do multiple things and can be used in different situations is something I take pride in

You almost shot 40% from downtown last season. Your three pointer continues to be more than stable. What steps do you want to continue to make with your shooting game?

I think the most important thing to being a good shooter is just getting the reps up. The only way you become a good shooter is by doing it at a high rate in the offseason so that it can translate to the season as best as you can. So just staying diligent with that so I can be a reliable shooter for my team is important to me

On the defensive end, you don´t make many steals or blocks, but playing defense isn´t just about that. How would you describe your defensive game now and what steps do you want to make as a defender in the next years?

I would say I rely on my IQ on defense the most. Trying to predict what a team or player is going to do before they do it. For what I might lack in athleticism I know I can make up in being smart which can lead to steals or sliding over to take a charge, whatever it may be.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?

Right now I would definitely say I’m working most on my defense and rebounding. I think if I can become more solid in that area of the game I know I’ll be more valuable to any team

Last season you played with BG Goettingen averaging 9,8ppg and 3,9rpg. How tough was this season? What did you learn about yourself most?

It definitely was a tough season. Going into the season I wasn’t anticipating the season going the way it did but I definitely still learned a lot. Even when things aren’t going well or your way you still have to stay committed and have the discipline to stick to your routines. Whether that’s rehab or getting in extra work outside of practice times, those things are even more important when things aren’t going well

In your last 4 games you shot 13/18 from outside and in your 15 games before those games shot 14/49. Was finishing the season like that a highlight for you? Your confidence must be sky high at moment?

Yeah definitely. I think I just realized I had nothing to lose with the way the season was going. And my teammates gave me the confidence to keep shooting and once you hit a couple things start to open up for you. It definitely felt good to finish the season that way and we ended on a win

You played your first 2 seasons with Wurzburg averaging 5.3ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 72.0%; and 6.1ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 65.1%. How valuable was Saso Fillipovski in your development in your first 2 pro seasons?

Having Sasa as my coach my first 2 years was really important to me and I really have to thank him a lot for the things he taught me. Being a rookie and being unsure of how things work overseas after coming from college he definitely had a big hand in my development both on and off the court. Developing my habits to be a complete professional is an ongoing process but he definitely put me on the right path

How much fun was it playing with the Wurzburg Baskets. They made such big strides in the last 3 seasons and you were part of it?

Playing in Würzburg was really fun and I don’t think there could’ve been a better place for me to start my career. I learned a lot, won a lot of games, met a lot of great people and just overall had a great experience. I’m glad to see the strides the organization has made they’re all really good people and the fans and city deserve it

Did you have any kind of wake up call playing your rookie season in Germany where you knew that you were far away from Seattle?

It definitely is a little bit of a wake up call being overseas your first season but I had a lot of good people around me to help me adjust so my transition was pretty smooth

What was your fondest moments with Wurzburg? Possibly beating ratiopharm Ulm in the playoffs in 2024?

I would definitely say my fondest memory was the playoff run my second season in Würzburg. The really had such a good team and the way the city and fans rallied around us made it a lot of fun

You grew up in Seattle and have stated in interviews that Your dad Chris taught you all you know about basketball? What is the most important thing that he taught you?

My dad definitely taught me a lot of things. The importance of your dedication and discipline to your craft above everything else. No matter what is going on, both good and bad, you will always fall back on your habits so you have to make sure they are solid. My dad had a successful professional career so I was always trying to soak up whatever information from him that I could and so far it’s served me well

A massive supporter in your career is Joe Asberry who was high school teammates with your dad. How special is your relationship with him? Is he like a mentor for you?

For sure. Joe has definitely been a great guy to have in my corner. He’s always checking on me and I really appreciate that. My dad had told me stories about him from high school. They called him “Jumpin Joe.” But I had never met him until my first week in Würzburg, myself and a few of my teammates went to a local youth basketball camp and I walked in the gym and saw the guy coaching and I thought he looked really familiar. And turns out it was Joe so it was a crazy coincidence. But it’s been great getting to know him

You played at the University of California – Irvine (NCAA) from 2018-2022 and averaged 15.6ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 81.9% and 13.8ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 22.4%, FT: 86.5% in your last 2 seasons. What memories do you have of winning the Big West title in 2019 over Cal State Fullerton where you scored 23 points?

Winning the Big West championship in 2019 was really the first major championship I had ever won in my career so I’ll always remember it. It was a special season, still one of the best in school history, so it felt good to be part of history

You also played March madness beating Kansas State and losing to Oregon. Was March madness one of the highlights in your career?

Playing in March madness was definitely the highlight of my college career. Playing in March madness was always something I dreamed of playing in after watching it my entire life on tv so to be out there on the court was really cool. And to be able to have my family in the stands watching me was special

You had so many great games in the NCAA like posting 31 points against E Michigan or 30 points against UC Riverside. What was your personal favorite game?

For me my favorite game was that 2019 Championship against Cal State Fullerton. It’s not my career high scoring game but the feeling of winning a championship like that is unmatched

How did head coach Russ Turner groom and prepare you best for a professional career=

Coach Turner had a big role in my development as well. Especially coming from high school being 18 I had a lot of growing and improving I needed to do and he put me on the right path. He set me up for a lot of success in my college career and it was just up for me to do the work and perform

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Austin Johnson?

I had a lot of good battles with AJ. You’d have to ask him but I think I got him more times

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

That’s a tough question. Coming from Seattle there are a lot of good answers for this question but I’d have to say either Dejounte Murray or Paolo Banchero

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

That’s really tough. I don’t know if l can narrow it down to just 5 but Felix Hoffman was the team captain in Würzburg when I was there and he helped me out a lot as a rookie getting adjusted and just been an overall great guy so I’ll just say him

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ, Kobe, LeBron James, shaq

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

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

I haven’t seen the sequel but I’ve seen the original and that movie is a classic. You never really know with these newer sequels but I’ll have to check it out

Thanks Collin for the chat.

Garrett Hicks Leads the Charge Propelling The EPG Baskets Koblenz To 83-63 Pre Season Win Over The RheinStars

It´s the dog days of summer and basketball is slowly getting back into the swing of things. With a little more than a month to go before the start of the 2025-2026 Pro A season, the EPG Baskets Koblenz met new pro A team RheinStars Cologne for a friendly game in Koblenz. Only 48 hours after destroying the Regionalliga team Mainz 103-51, they were back at it for their second pre season game against Cologne. The EPG Baskets have a new coach with ex Dragons Rhondorf coach Stephan Dohrn and produced an off season house cleaning. After suffering 2 no playoff appearances in their first 2 Pro A seasons, the club is very ambitious to achieve their best season ever in the Pro A. Only 2 seasons ago, Dohrn led the Dragons Rhondorf to the Pro B title and has constructed an interesting new team with a lot of experience at the point guard and big man positions. With the RheinStars, the EPG Baskets had an interesting opponent who want to leave a mark in the Pro A season after many years of paying their dues in the Pro B. The EPG Baskets were without any injuries while the guests were without Justin Onyejiaka, Hall Elisias and Haris Hujic. The first half was a tight affair until the last 2 minutes where Koblenz guard Garrett Hicks (183-PG-2001, college: Samford) ran off 6 points which helped shift the momentum which they took into the second half and from then on the EPG Baskets controlled the game until the end winning easily 83-63. “It took us a little while in the first half to get adjusted to the pick and roll coverage and we had to many turnovers, but in the second half we cleaned up our turnovers and shared the ball better. We also had better spacing and adjusted better to their hedging. We defended aggressive for the most part and that began with the guards. We were always pressuring and had active hands”, stressed EPG Baskets guard Garrett Hicks. It was the real first test for the RheinStars Cologne who had problems taking care of the ball with 25 turnovers and shot poorly which led to the loss. “I feel like despite having 3 guys out, we showed real poise. I think like our young guys stepped up. We had too many turnovers and it was just one of those nights where nothing fell”, stressed RheinStars Cologne guard Asa Williams.

Calvin Wishart at the FT line

The RheinStars took the rapid 4-0 lead as their guards Pro B MVP Ruppert Hennen and ex Skyliner Maxi Begue scored while their trap defense totally tied up Koblenz in the first 40 seconds. However then came some serious fireworks in the name of Calvin Wishart. July 4th was long gone and so were the fireworks, but the ex Wurzburg player gave a new meaning to scoring in bunches as he reeled off 9 points in less than a minute giving Koblenz the 11-4 advantage. 2 quick steals from himself helped as he nailed 2 three´s and also made 2 lay in´s. “Calvin plays with fire each day. I think like everyone is going to have to get used to seeing spurts like that from him”, smiled Garrett Hicks. One even heard a MVP chant from a spectator in the direction of Wishart. Koblenz kept the lead, but couldn´t run away from Cologne as they stayed in the game getting big baskets as always from shifty Ruppert Hennen and ex Longwood College (NCAA) forward Zac Watson also scored keeping Koblenz up only by the score of 17-15. Ex Dragons Rhondorf forward Tim Smith Jr was a force getting a few offensive rebound and putbacks as his energy was real refreshing to watch. Hicks and Williams traded three pointers and the EPG Baskets Koblenz had the tight 23-20 advantage after 10 minutes. “That first quarter was very tight. We had problems with turnovers and were still getting adjusted to the game, but we were hitting shots pretty well”, stressed Garrett Hicks.

Zac Watson from downtown

The second quarter was very close until the last minute where Garrett Hicks rattled off 6 points to give the EPG Baskets the more comfortable 7 point lead at the break. The RheinStars Cologne had a good phase in the first few minutes going on a 9-4 run to get the lead back at 29-27. In the run, they got a trey from Williams, a 20 footer from Canadian Adam Paige and an offensive rebound and put back and dunk from Bjoern Rohwer. The RheinStars were doing a good job taking the mis matches and getting some easy lay ups. However the EPG Baskets had no lull at all on offense continuing to execute well as Tim Smith Jr continued to be a force hitting shots and getting key rebounds. He had 11 rebounds in the game while the other 4 bigs of Moeller, Bacak, Sonnenfeld and Niedermanner had 12 in all. “Tim has a quick second jump. He is a great shooter and his game creates opening for our driving game”, warned Garrett Hicks. Wishart added a dunk and Smith Jr a trey while the guests got a tip in and lay in from Watson as Koblenz led 37-36. Hicks then closed out the second quarter in fine fashion with a trey, lay in and free throw for the 43-36 advantage. “That run at the end gave us breathing room and confidence and built our momentum going into the third quarter. I was just trying to pick my spots”, said Garrett Hicks.

Garrett Hicks from outside

In the third quarter the EPG Baskets Koblenz took control of the game going on a 10-0 run to lead 53-39. Asa Williams actually began the third quarter with a clutch trey as Cologne trailed 43-39, but then came the brutal 10-0 run as the EPG Baskets showed what team is all about allowing 5 different guys to contribute in the scoring. Ex BBL player Aleksa Kovacevic hit free throws, ex Trier big man Janis Sonnenfeld made a lay in, Smith was very active as usual on the offensive glass with a offensive rebound and put back, Wishart scored on transition and Niédermanner made a step back jumper. The EPG Baskets defensive pressure was overwhelming as steals were produced and the RheinStars had no way of finding an offensive rhythm. German Jasper Gunther then took some pressure off Hennen who was on the bench as he scored 7 unanswered points, but they couldn´t make any ground as the EPG Baskets Koblenz continued to execute well on offense. Hicks made a lay in and the Koblenz bench also stepped up as Jacob Hanzalek hit a three pointer. The RheinStars only scored 10 points in the third quarter and Jonas Niedermanner closed out the scoring with a lay in after getting the bullet pass from Alex Moeller for the Koblenz 60-46 advantage after 30 minutes. Moeller only scored 1 point on ¼ shooting from the free throw line, but was third best with assists in the game with 3. “I think that our offense helped our defense. Whenever we scored, it helped us set our defense. We continued to press really well and got many stops”, stated Garrett Hicks. “We came out flat. We had 1 basket in the first 6 minutes. Our turnovers really hurt us and we couldn´t match their physicality”, stated Asa Williams.

Asa Williams from the parking lot

The EPG Baskets Koblenz sealed the lid on the win early getting 5 stops in a row and later let it rain three´s as they showed some of their offensive potential in the last minutes. The EPG Baskets Koblenz began with a quick 4-0 run as Kovacevic made free throws and ex easyCredit BBL player Marco Bacak made a lay in for the commanding 63-46 lead. Defensively the pressure defense of Koblenz stifled the RheinStars as they couldn´t make any kind of a comeback. Williams finally got the RheinStars on the board with a jumper at the 7,09 mark and then hit a trey as Koblenz led 64-52. However the RheinStars couldn´t get over the hump anymore simply because the EPG Baskets Koblenz decided to let it rain three´s in the last minutes. The EPG Baskets would connect on 5 three´s as Nidermanner hit 2 while Sonnenfeld, Hicks and Hanzalek also connected. The RheinStars also hit a few three´s from Konstantin Lehmann and Rohwer also scored, but it was too little too late as the EPG Baskets Koblenz went to 2-0 in the pre season. “We had our rhythm at the end. We got used to playing with each other and shots began to fall more”, said Garrett Hicks. “Their good start decided the game. We had no chance to comeback when they began hitting their three´s”, said Asa Williams. The EPG Baskets had 5 guys score in double figures led by Garrett Hicks with 16 points. Calvin Wishart added 15 points while Tim Smith Jr and Jonas Nidermanner added 14 points a piece while the RheinStars Cologne were led by Asa Williams with 15 points whiel Bjoern Rohwer had 13 points. The EPG Baskets shot 46% from the field and 34% from outside and had 43 rebounds and 19 turnovers while the RheinStars Cologne shot 36% from the field and 27% from outside and had 41 rebounds and 25 turnovers.

William Christmas(Skyliners) Has Seen Adversary In His Career But In the End His Mental Toughness Has Always Stuck Out And Helped Him Grow

Bringing in talented guards had always been a strength of the Dragons Rhondorf so when William Christmas (196-G-1996, college: CPP) arrived in late summer 2021, I was quite confident that he would do his thing on the court like past guards like Sterling Carter, Kamron Taylor and Curtis Hollis. In the first 3 games, he didn´t disappoint filling the stat sheet like no other averaging 19.3ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.7apg, 2.7spg, 1.0bpg. The only problem with the scenario was that the Dragons were 0-3 on October 16th. But it wasn´t his fault. The Dragons were going the youth route that season and before he would know it, his season in Rhondorf would be history. Well at least his playing in games was over. Since the Pro B team could only use 1 import player, they chose 17 year old Ousmane Ndiaye who I remember being hyped like crazy by Yassin Idbihi, but he was right in his assessment. Ndiaye would go his way and reach Europe´s highest league ACB and currently is playing for Vanoli Basket Cremona (Italy-Serie A). So here was a decorated American player who had averaged 16/6/3 in his last 2 seasons at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (NCAA2) and reached 3 CCAA finals and now was sitting and sitting and sitting during games. I remember seeing him before games and he was always 100% professional and somehow stuck it through even though he must have been steaming inside the way Charles Jefferson aka Forrest Whitaker was after he found his beat up car next to the school steps in the classic Fast Times at Ridgemont high. “I was steaming inside. I´m such a competitor that I just wanted to play so badly. I loved Ousmane. He is such a talented player and playing at a high level. It was the right decision at the time. It is always tough coping with things that you don´t expect especially when you’re a rookie. You want that opportunity to show you can play. It was important that I got exposed to the business side early to expect the unexpected. I made basketball my refuge and just worked hard in the gym. I had that mindset that everything would work out in the end”, stressed William Christmas. Even 4 years later, he still believes he got a fair chance with the Dragons and is still very professional about what happened with the Dragons and that first pro experience helped him with a big strength that he has continued to cultivate whenever adversary was in his basketball life. “I felt like I got a fair chance in Rhondorf. I understood fully where they were going. They wanted to feature Ousmane. I felt like everyone was professional and I was treated in a professional manner. Everybody was supportive of me. It just wasn´t in God´s plan at that moment and I was Ok with it. I could live with it. I had no ill will against the Dragons. I think that I learned that I was mentally tough. I was capable of getting things done and grinding against the grain and swimming upstream. This is an important part of the journey that sometimes you have to fight against adversary against things that aren´t ideal. I proved to myself that I could do that. My dad was really important in this time in that he spoke life into my, kept me positive and always encouraged me. My dad never let me give up”, warned William Christmas. William Christmas has seen adversary in his career, but in the end his mental toughness has always stuck out and helped him Grow.

The California native who remembers ex MHP Riesen guard Justin Simon being his toughest opponent in the NCAA 2 was finally let go in January 2022 and resumed his career in Luxemburg with the BC Musel Pikes (Luxembourg-LBBL) averaging 29.7ppg, 10.8rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-5 (2.1spg), FGP-3 (64.5%), 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 75.8%. This new experience felt like being reborn and was a big step in his career as he proved he could bounce back after adversary. “It was important being able to get on the court and help build my confidence up again. That helped me believe that I have the capability to play. I really appreciated my time in Lessenberg and I did have a super productive period in a short time”, remembered William Christmas. He really exploded in Luxemburg. He scored in double figures in every game. He scored 30 points or more 7 times including a 44 point explosion, had 12 double doubles and a triple double against Arnatia.” My fondest moment was the 44 point game. I feel like I could have had 50 points. You dream about these kind of games as a kid. I came out for a while in the fourth quarter, because we were up by a lot. But to still score so much was amazing”, said William Christmas. Being a rookie is never easy especially after having a rough start like he had in Rhondorf, but he was more than blessed to have had great veterans like ex easyCredit BBL veteran Henry Pwono who was by his side guiding him in the right direction. “Henry is a high quality dude with a great character. It is always good having dudes like him that can speak life into you and tell you what you need to do to be successful. I had a third American with Terry Winn also had had experience overseas and like Henry spoke life into me. Both these guys were really important for my development as a rookie”, commented William Christmas.

The scorer who sees the Lakers, OKC, Houston, and Denver as NBA champion candidates in 2026 ended his rookie season with a bang and then continued the momentum in the next season with the Artland Dragons averaging 15.6ppg, 7.3rpg, 4.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 78.5%. Once again he had to prove himself and had a solid Pro A season another step up for him. “My Artland experience was very important as it was another step in my journey that also gave me lots of confidence moving forward. I felt like I was everything coming out of college. So all these experiences were vital for my journey. No matter if it was Pro B, Luxemburg or the Pro A. Each step helped build my confidence. With Artland, I had to be a leader and had to show up every day and be professional. Artland was my last choice at the end of the summer. I had no idea who Artland was. They weren´t supposed to be good. But coach Flo believed in me from the start”, expressed William Christmas. With Flo he meant coach Patrick Flomo who in a way saved his career. “I can´t thank Flo enough for the opportunity. Just hearing his name, I think that I should call him right now. He really aided my career. He trusted me to just play my game. He trusted me to the take the helm and just showcase my game. He was a big reason that I was able to take that next step to the BBL with Hamburg. I was just blessed to have great guys there. Assistant coaches Chase Griffin and Allen Ray helped me so much with my game. They still check in with me today”, said William Christmas. The Artland season ended with a bad taste in the loss to PS Karlsruhe in the playoffs. “I will always remember getting hurt in game 3 and losing the game. I then missed a few months. I still believe we would of won game 4 had I been able to play. It was hard for me that summer not being able to play. I wanted to work on my game. I had this fire to go out with a splash with my next team Hamburg”, added William Christmas. He had so many great teammates and with Demetrius Ward one that is now starting his coaching career. “I see him being a really good coach, because he can relate to guys. He was just really encouraging. It is so important to have guys like that on the team”, warned William Christmas. He twice scored 28 points in the Pro A against PS Karlsruhe and Nurnberg.

The versatile guard who lists ex NBA and current Euroleague player PJ Dozier as one of his best teammates of all-time continued to climb the basketball ladder reaching the easyCredit BBL in the 2023-2024 season balling for the Veolia Towers Hamburg. Once again he left his mark there averaging 12.9ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.5%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 75.9%;in the BBL and in the Eurocup averaged 9.9ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 76.7%.”Hamburg was a tough season. I still think we did better than many thought. We were 1 game away from making the playoffs. I think that my hard work paid off. I was aggressive, got downhill and used my speed best to my ability. I was also fortunate to have a great coach with Beno who gave me so much confidence to play my game”, said William Christmas. He was fortunate to battle so many ex NBA players in the Eurocup and faced Serge Ibaka and FC Bayern Munich losing a real tough 81-80 nail bitter where he scored 18 points in the loss. “My fondest moment was the Munich game even if we lost it. We played in the big arena in front of 12,000-14,000 people. I loved the aura and gravity of the game. It was a game littered with clutch shots and buzzer beaters. All in all, I had a great time with the Towers. We had great guys and I thought that we had good team chemistry”, remembered William Christmas. He scored in double figures in 26 of 36 BBL games including 28 points against Ludwigsburg and in the Eurocup scored 22 points twice against Besiktas and Venice. Last season he had another season where his mental toughness played an important role for him being able to overcome adversary once again. He split time with the NINERS Chemnitz (Germany-BBL)N averaging 8.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 55.1%, 3FGP: 27.5%, FT: 69.8%,and in the Basketball Champions League) averaged 10.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 3.6apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 61.2%, 3FGP: 44.4%, FT: 55.6%; and in Feb.’25 moved to Limoges CSP Elite (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 7.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 7.1%, FT: 88.9%. “I had a slow start and then found my game, but we had a mutual agreement that it would be better if I left. This experience again was important for my mental toughness. I grinded against adversary and felt like I was able to get out of the pit”, stressed William Christmas. He then took on a new challenge in France and came in mid season which is never easy, but in the end was able to take positives out of a tough situation. “We weren´t great, but this experience was a great example again of how my career has gone. The story always comes out the same. There is always some kind of adversary, some kind of mental road block. Last season I learned to be at peace with your situation. I learned once again to take the positives and just enjoy with what you have been blessed at learning. My teammates and fans were great. The coaches really cared. No matter if I played or didn´t, or we won or lost, I could always find refuge with my work. I would love to play in the Pro A in France gain and redeem myself. I just want to go where God leads me to”, warned William Christmas.

The flashy player who compares his game to NBA champion Shai Gillgeous-Alexander has started a new challenge in his fifth professional season with the Frankfurt Skyliners in the easyCredit BBL. “I´m really excited for a new challenge and to make this my best year yet. I believe that I can elevate my game beyond ´what people saw last year. I feel like that I´m a lot better than what I showed last season”, stressed William Christmas. Head coach Klaus Perwas believes that he can be a glue guy. Will his role be different than in places like Hamburg or Chemnitz? “I think that I will have a different kind of role here. I´m a veteran playing more with younger guys which wasn´t really the case with my last teams. I´m really eager to face the new challenge and grow with it. I feel like my experience will be vital. I think that I will be able to bring out the best in me and help give the young guys a nugget or 2 and help them elevate their game. I will have to show the young guys how things are run and I´m ready for it”, warned William Christmas. Teams usually want to bring in character type guys and Frankfurt definitely hauled in the jack pot with him as winning over stats is on his menu. “ I´m not going to say to much about that. I´m going to keep my personal goals to myself. But I do have big goals and that starts with winning as a team. I´m going to work my but of and let my game do the talking. Winning is the most important thing. The rest will fall into place”, stressed William Christmas. How crucial will his three pointer be this season? Last season he had trouble in the BBL and Pro A but shot very well at 44% in the Basketball Champions League. ”My shooting will be huge. I haven´t shot the ball particularly well the last few seasons. I will continue to work at it. You can aske any coach. It is a confidence thing. I will hit a lot this season. And if I don´t, so what. I don´t think that that makes a basketball player. I still do a lot of other things really well. That is why I have stuck around. But my shooting will be crucial this season”, warned William Christmas. Time has really flown by since his rookie experience in Rhondorf 4 years ago. He has achieved a lot in his career and he is far from over as he wants to make the Skyliners proud of him. “I ended up finding a lot of success playing in the ACB, Germany BBL and France. It´s a beautiful thing. Sometimes it´s hard to see God´s plan, but in the end everything happens for a reason. Both Ousmane and I had success. It´s just beautiful to see that we both had success. I just continue to pray that we both continue to grow and prosper”, warned William Christmas. It would be interesting to see Christmas and Ndiaye sitting at a table and shooting the breeze. Both would surely be smiling and laughing a lot about life. Christmas was right in 2021. He knew that in the end that everything would turn out right for him.

Artland Dragons Lifer Thorben Doeding Always Tried To Have Some Kind Of Impact On The Court Through Defense Or Giving Teammates Good Looks

Thorben Doeding (189-PG-1999) is a 26 year old 189cm guard that has played his whole career with the Artland Dragons. He won the 2014 JBBL (U-16) title with NBA player Isaiah Hartenstein. He has played 194 Pro A games in 7 Pro A seasons. He spoke togermanhoops.com about his basketball career before retirng recently.

It is 2025 and you are still with the Artland Dragons. Your only 26 years old. Could this remain home for you always?

I have spent the last 13 years in Quakenbrück and with the Dragons family, so of course this will always be part of me and a place I call home!

It isn´t usual that a player will remain so long with a team despite not making the real break through. Why have you continued to stay faithful to this organization?

Coming out of the youth, it was great to play for the Dragons and I felt valued and supported by the organization. Having friends and family near was always a plus.

The last 2 seasons were tough for Artland. The club was close to moving down. What did you learn from these 2 seasons?

I think the biggest learnings were resilience, staying focused under pressure and to always keep believing.

How vital was having a guy like Brandon Thomas as a teammate. What is the most important thing that you learned from him?

Brandon is a great role model! He is disciplined, experienced and one of the best teammates I ever had. I really appreciate how he always reminded one to be grateful for the opportunity to play the game we love and to have fun doing it.

How beneficial was it having to battle Buzz Anthony every day. What could you soak up from him?

Buzz is always “buzzing around” the court, constantly finding ways to solutions to score or set up his teammates. That is really amazing. Plus, battling him in practice helped my one-on-one defense and always staying alert.

You have played with so many great guards with the Dragons and Demetrius Ward was another. What was the most important thing that you learned from him?

Dimi Ward was a fun teammate and always in a good mood. He had a great way of encouraging teammates and boosting everyone’s confidence. “Dribble, dribble, shoot!”

One season you were teammates with Zac Ensminger. How intense were the daily battles with him? He seems to keep climbing the basketball ladder.

We had good battles at practice, I always tried to get on his nerves a bit to push him and make him better. Seeing how he developed while we played together, I had no doubt he’ll find his path, just like he is now.

Another great guard that you played with was Chase Griffin. Did you learn anything about precision shooting from him?

Chase was probably the sharpest sharpshooter I played with! He showed me his “vitamins”, his warm-up shooting routine which definitely helps to get in rhythm and find a good touch.

You had many great games in the Pro A. What was your best Pro A game ever?

One of my best game was when we beat Rostock at home in 2022. They went on to win the Pro A that season but we managed to steal that game. Still, my favorite game has to be my last home game for the Dragons. It was a must-win and I was able to bring my team a lot of energy and finish as top scorer. That meant a lot.

You try to be as efficient as possible in the minutes that you get. How has your game grown in the Pro A in the last years?

I think my game has grown through experience, especially at decision making, and on the defensive end. I always tried to have a little impact, even in limited minutes, whether it was through a defensive play or creating good looks for my teammates.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Buzz Anthony?

I was able to lock him up from time to time during team practice, just to have him make a difficult step-back midrange jumper in my face.

You played at the 2018 NBBL final in Quackenbruck losing to Alba Berlin. What memories do you have of that game?

We played against a real good Alba team and we knew that we had to bring our A game. We battled and held our ground up until late in the fourth quarter but at the end Alba just had to many weapons.

Do you remember facing up to Franz Wagner? Did you see him then as a possible NBA player?

I wasn’t really aware of how skilled and talented Franz really was but he definitely showed up and after the game I was sure that he would go his way. Unforgettable was his poster dunk in the first half of the game!

Who were the 3 best players that you faced in the Pro A in your career?

That’s a tough one. Behnam Yakhchali comes to my mind and Maik Zirbes definitely had the best career out of all Pro

A players I played against. And I remember that Stanley Whittaker who played for Karlsruhe a couple years ago was a great scorer with a deadly midrange game.

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

That’s easy. I met five of my best friends through playing for the Dragons, so that’s my starting five: PG Jannes Hundt, SG David Röll, SF Adrian Breitlauch, PF Marius Lau, C Jonas Weitzel.

Please name your NBA, Euro and German Mount Rushmore (5 best players of all-time for each category?

NBA: MJ, Kobe, LeBron, Kareem and Shaq
Euro: Spanoulis, Llull, Navarro, Bodiroga, Sabonis
German: Dirk, Detlef, Dennis; Isaiah and Franz will join

Who is your Goat?

When I was around 11, I became obsessed with MJ. I watched every documentary I could find about him, completely captivated by his story, his game and his legacy. In NBA 2K11 and NBA 2K12 you could play as Michael Jordan and relive his greatest moments on the court, I must have played those games for hours and hours. Unfortunately, I am too young to have seen him play live, but to me he was and will always be the greatest.

Thanks Thorben for the chat.

Isaiah Hartenstein Was Like A Big Brother For Thorben Doeding As Family Was Always A Big Topic For The Hartensteins

Thorben Doeding (189-PG-1999) is a 26 year old 189cm guard that has played his whole career with the Artland Dragons. He won the 2014 JBBL (U-16) title with NBA player Isaiah Hartenstein. He has played 194 Pro A games in 7 Pro A seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his ex teammate NBA champion Isaiah Hartenstein

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

Hey Miles! I just moved to Münster to start my Master’s studies and will be living here with my girlfriend. Basketball-wise, I’ll probably step back from playing at the ProA Level, but I am also interested in looking into new perspectives like coaching.

Your ex teammate Isaiah Hartenstein became NBA chmapion with OKC. Did you stay up the whole night to watch history?

Yes, of course! Set my alarm for 2am, right on time for tip-off.

How proud are you of Isaiah Hartenstein. What does this success mean for the Artland Dragons?

I am very proud and happy for him and his family. The Hartensteins had a great impact on the Dragons, especially the youth! “Family” was and is a big topic for the Hartensteins and they always made the whole organization feel like a big family.

Do you still have contact with him to this day? Did you congratulate him?

First thing after the game was congratulating his dad and him. I am still in touch with the Hartenstein family. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to Isaiah’s wedding 2 years ago but I will definitely visit them soon!

What memories do you have of the 2014 JBBL final against Breitengussbach which you won 68-60?

That was a great day. We had a real good group and shared that goal from the start of the season. Being able to play in the Artland Arena in front of such a big crowd and players of the Dragons BBL team, like Brandon Thomas and then achieving what we set out to do was amazing.

What was the key to that success? The team had 2 giants with Hartenstein and Herkenhoff and great aggressive guards.

As I just mentioned, we were confident that we can win it all that year. Everybody played their role well and we had so much fun. Isaiah Hartenstein, Philipp Herkenhoff and Noah Westerhaus were very skilled bigs, Jan Mügge was a great shooter and the Potratz brothers were relentless defenders and knew how to put the ball in the basket.

Isaiah Hartenstein had a 22/14 game. How do you remember his game then?

He did it all! He was strong under the basket but also handled the ball and shot from outside. And of course, his defense presence was already big back then.

If someone had told you that he would be NBA champion 11 years later what would you have thought?

I would have thought “Yeah, he made it!” That was his dream, his goal. Already at that age he told his Dad that he wanted to win a NBA championship one day and that is what they worked for ever since.

In JBBL the guys are very young, but what kind of a relationship did you have with him? Were you close?

Isaiah was like a big brother. His family took in a few of us players who came from outside Quakenbrück, giving us the opportunity to balance school with four hours of basketball training each day. I ended up, living with the Hartensteins for three years. Spending the time with three or four other basketball-crazy teens like Isaiah and me, having fun at the dinner table and playing video games together was great!

He often says in interviews that so many doubted him in his young days. But how can that be? It seems like he dominated youth basketball and then went his way.

Honestly, I could never understand why people were doubting him. He dominated in the JBBL and NBBL and became Adidas Next Generation Tournament MVP in Kaunas 2016. He stayed down-to-earth and kept working but somehow people thought it wouldn’t be enough.

Have you followed Isaiah Hartenstein´s career in the last decade? How have you observed his development?

His path resembles a good example of how dedication, hard work and also patience will lead you to success in the end. There were some ups and downs but at the end Isaiah took his opportunity and made the best out of it.

Can you explain why he had to pay his dues so long? He switched a lot of teams but for some reason he was never used the right way.

I think he needed some time to acclimate to the NBA, to find his rhythm and figure out what works best for him in the league. Once he did that and was utilized the right way, like he was in New York, he was able to show teams that he can be a real asset, just as he is now in OKC.

Now he made his break through with OKC. Do you feel like he is still on his way of becoming an even better player?

Isaiah is constantly working, learning and improving. He averaged his first double double in the last regular season. He will continue to grow and make an even bigger impact.

He played in the Artland Dragons organization but now seems to support ratiopharm Ulm. Does he still have some kind of ties to Artland?

I think history and memories tie him and his family to Quakenbrück but there is no contact to the Dragons at the moment.

Thanks Thorben for the chat.

Knowing About Guys Like Sochan, Dadiet And Essengue Was A No Brainer For Namori Omog To Join The ratiopharm Ulm Organization

pic credit: Skyliners EV

If Namori Omog (188-G-2006) who lists current EPG Baskets guard Calvin Wishart as his toughest opponent last season saved his best for last in last season´s NBBL playoff series against ratiopharm Ulm is unknown, but stats don´t lie. In the first 6 NBBL games, he scored a total of only 51 points while always seeming to be in the shadow of Ivan Crnjac and Jamie Edoka, but against Ulm, he literally exploded. He scored 71 points in total and averaged 23,0ppg. The only thing that was missing in the end was getting to the next round. His NBBL stats were 12.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.6apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 72.9% It is often that when you see a player move on, it is often instrumental how well he did during the last season against his new team that helped them make the decision to reel him in. Recently Namori Omog left his comfort zone of Frankfurt and signed with the ratiopharm Ulm organization as a double license player to play Pro B with Orange Academy and the perspective for BBL minutes with Ulm. Was there a feeling that Omog was on Ulm´s radar after that series? “I think that I was on their radar after my performance in the playoff series. I didn´t plan that though. But my goal going into the Ulm series was to definitely step up my game”, stressed Namori Omog. He had had a very strong NBBL season with Eintracht Frankfurt, but where was his feeling after the season in terms of remaining or seeking a new challenge? “I did have that feeling of possibly taking on a new challenge, but to remain in Frankfurt was still an option. But in the end, I decided it was best for my further development that I take on a new challenge”, said Namori Omog.

pic credit: Skyliners EV

It has to be 100% a no brainer for any young player to want to join the ratiopharm Ulm organization. How this organization has developed further in the last 6 years has been amazing. From Killian Hayes to guys like Jeremy Sochan, Juan Nunez, Pacome Dadiet, Noa Essengue to Ben Saraf have all been drafted by the NBA. And this season the club has hauled in the next big prospect from Italy with Diego Garavaglia. “Ulm was at the top of my list. I have a double license. My main role will be to play in the Pro B, but at the same time, I want to record my first BBL minutes”, warned Namori Omog. There were many reasons what made Ulm attractive for him not to mention the great facilities, reputation and all the young guys that made their way to the NBA in the last few years. “Jeremy Sochan´s development has been very impressive. He is surely a role model, but all in all, Ulm was very attractive for me with their great record of developing young players. I think Ulm is simply the best place for my development. Being able to practice with the BBL team and possibly play Eurocup was very attractive for me. I think that that will help me grow and become more known as a player”, stressed Namori Omog. The super speedy guard who doesn´t remember playing Jamie Edoka in practice 1-1 games last season, but feels the games would be 50/50 if played will concentrate 100% on basketball this season, but may take on an internship or help coach youth teams. He will be working intensively with Orange Academy head coach Florian Flabb who helped lead Ulm´s U-19 NBBL team into the Top 4 in Berlin last May. “I like how coach gives his players freedom. He knows the strengths of each player and how to help them implement it best into a system”, stated Namori Omog. There has been also a little house cleaning this season as new talents have arrived like Dutch player Yanu Slingerland. He knows that mentally he will have to be more than ready to compete daily against such tough competition a step above what he saw in Frankfurt. “I know Yanu. He is super athletic and physical for his age. He is a very good shooter which he recently demonstrated at the youth European Championships. I´m thankful that Ulm give young players a chance. I will have to use that chance to make an impact. I will have to continue to work hard and improve my game”, warned Namori Omog. He also understands what part of his game is most vital to improve this season. “My biggest personal goal with my game is to improve my shot. I have to get a more stable three pointer. That will make me more dangerous. I also want to grow as a leader in the Pro B”, commented Namori Omog.

The athletic guard who feels Germany will achieve a medal at the upcoming European Championships and reach the final had some good years in Frankfurt even if they weren´t always rosy. “I had my ups and downs in Frankfurt. I think that I really improved my mentality in Frankfurt. Before Frankfurt, I wasn´t as dedicated. I had to be more dedicated in Frankfurt and was forced not to see it as fun. I did a good job working on my strengths and using my speed better”, remembered Namori Omog. Last season he was part of the magnificent trio with Ivan Crnjac and Jamie Edoka. From the outside it seemed like he was a bit in their shadows. Did it feel like he had less support for his development than them and did he see easyCredit BBL perspective? “I do believe that there was BBL perspective there for me in Frankfurt, but to be honest I did have that feeling that my development wasn´t pushed as much as theirs. I wasn´t able to practice with the BBL team. I believe being able to do that would of really helped my game more. I also think that I deserved more Pro B minutes”, expressed Namori Omog. He was very blessed to have had a coach like Sepehr Tarrah who was able to get the best out of him. “He taught me exactly how much I can control an opponent by the amount of preparation I put in for each game and what advantages I can use”, added Namori Omog. He will most likely battle against former teammate Ivan Crnjac this year in the Pro B. Of course he followed his former teammate closely this summer at the U-18 European Championships where Germany only reached 7th place. It seemed like Crnjac wasn´t allowed to show his full game during the competition. “I think that the seventh place wasn´t so surprising. One saw after the first game that they weren´t going to be as strong as the U-19 team. I think that team play was lacking and their mentality didn´t work so well. I think that Ivan will learn from this low. I think an experience like this will make him stronger”, stressed Namori Omog. Who knows he may even bump into Isaiah Hartenstein before he heads back to the States who has found a love for the ratiopharm Ulm organization. What would he ask the newly crowned NBA champion first? “I would ask him what are the 2-3 vital things that I need to have in order to become a champion”, stressed Namori Omog. It will be interesting to see how well Namori Omog develops his game further this season under Florian Flabb. One thing is for sure, he has definitely picked a place where he can work on what it takes to become a champion.

Malik Riddle Became More Aggressive And Physical With The RheinStars And Improved His Defense

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with Malik Riddle in Rhondorf

Malik Riddle (193-G-1999, college: HSU) is a 25 year old 193cm guard from Tennessee that completed his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro B team RheinStars Cologne averaging 13.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 63.4%. Last season he played with Gzira Athleta Birkirkara (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 28.8ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.5%. He began his basketball career at Rossville Christian Academy. He then played 2 seasons at Morehead State University (NCAA) and then played 3 seasons at Henderson State University (NCAA2). He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball-

Thanks Malik for chatting with germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and now is basketball life treating you?

Hey im doing good. Been recovering from surgery back shooting and working out now. Glad to be back at it.

You played the 2024-2025 season for the RheinStars Koeln (Germany-ProB) averaging 13.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 63.4%. What kind of an experience was it for you?

This past season was a good experience for me to see a different level of basketball. Thought the competition was good. I enjoyed it.

Your season ended abruptly on March 8. How tough was not being able to play until the end of the season?

It was very tough not being able to play the whole season. I was very sad because I wanted to be out there and help the team on the court. I wanted us to be able to make it to the championship. So the whole thing was very difficult for me.

The RheinStars season ended suddenly in the first round of the playoffs against Bernau. Did the RheinStars underestimate them?

Idk if they underestimated them I think we just didn’t play our best basketball and Bernau played great they were aggressive the whole game on both ends of the court floor.

The 88-56 loss to Bernau in game 1 was a shock for all. Was that just one of those days where nothing went right? Do you feel like you could have been the difference in the playoffs?

Yes I feel like I could’ve been a difference for us in the playoffs. I know we would’ve won if I was out there on the floor.

How content were you with your season averaging 13.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 63.4%. What school grade would you give your season?

Not content at all with how I played. I give myself a B- or a C+. I could’ve been a lot better than that. I feel injury was lingering throughout the season & I was trying to play through that but mentally scared of hurting myself and I don’t think I played my 100% full game. I know I’m capable of a lot more than those numbers.

You shot the best 3 point percentage in career. Could that be the stepping stone to making 40% the next season?

Yes I think I can get to 40% my next season really working on my details when shooting now, so I’m looking to make a jump in that area.

How did your game grow in the Pro B? What part of your game benefited most?

I think my game grew more in being more physical and aggressive. Was more focus on defense this season. I got better on defense, I’m still not at the point I want to be but I want to continue to grow in that area of my game.

How special was teammate Jannis Von Seckendorf? Is sky still the limit for him?

Jannis is a freak athlete, I think he is very capable of developing his game more and moving in to a top league. He plays hard, especially on defense. He wants to win & the way he works it shows. Any team would want a player like him.

How special of a player is Davi Remagen? He will play in the NCAA this season. Do you see him being an impact player there?

Man when I first met Davi I didn’t know he was that young. He definitely is an impact player. He is so great for his age I can see him only getter better. He has the right mindset and approach to the game. I know he will do well in NCAA. I´m really happy for him

What was your personal favorite game in the Pro B last season? You had great games against Fellbach, Coburg and Oberaching.

my personally favorite was the first game against Fellbach. That was my first game playing. I had to sit the first few games because of work Visa so I was excited being out there playing and I felt great that game.

Who was your toughest player opponent in the Pro B?

The toughest player was Jaylen Alston. He played very aggressive and was relentless going to the basket.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Ruppert Hennen?

Haha i don’t know we never really played but I bet it would be a fun game. We are both good so who knows. ( But I would win lol )

Is there a dynasty brewing in OKC?

They have the right team over at OKC to build a dynasty so I say it is possible.

Is Shai Gillgeous-Alexander the best point guard in the NBA now?

As of now he is, for sure best player in the league leading his team to a championship can’t wait to see what he does next season.

Thanks Malik for the chat.