From the shooting stats last weekend in Gotha that Philip Scrubb produced one could have thought on paper that it could have been a Steph Curry or Klay Thompson or even Larry Bird transported back to the court that had somehow been secretly been flown to the former Eastern Germany city and had worn a special Scrubb mask, but in reality it was really Scrubb. For many in North America he has been classified as the best Canadian college player of all-time and is on the verge of becoming the best Canadian to ever play in the EasyCredit BBL. Ok it was only one game, but the Canadian has been a sniper/scorer his whole life and making points on an regular basis and making it look easy like those superstars from the NBA has been a regular occurrence this season as he is flirting with winning the scoring title in Germany´s highest league.
Philip Scrubb carries Frankfurt’s offense this season and currently averages 18,7 points per game.
Not only is this season fun again for players like Quantez Robertson, Mike Morrison and Scrubb who won a Fiba Europe Cup title in 2016 and reached the BBL semi-finals two seasons ago as last season was one to forget as the club missed the playoffs and all in all it was a very boring season except for seeing some AJ English shooting clinics and getting jealous whenever ex players like Jordan Theodore or Aaron Doornekamp were celebrating new titles. Not only is winning enjoyable, but since the 34 point Scrubb onslaught something else is exciting to watch each day with the Fraport Skyliners. Over the years, it was always fun to witness for how many points and assists a Dashaun Wood would go for the Fraport Skyliners in the 2010-2011 season as he won the MVP and also to see how many assists Jared “Mr pass” Jordan would hit you with with teams the Telekom Baskets Bonn and the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. Now in Frankfurt, there is the Philip Scrubb watch and just how many points he will score on the next night as he is on course to possibly follow Dashaun Wood as the next league MVP. After the Gotha romp, the Fraport Skyliners and Scrubb returned home and had to face the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven who haven´t invented defense this season as they have given up 82 points on average which is 12th in the league, but they had brought some momentum after a much needed win against Tuebingen, but they had no chance against the Fraport Skyliner´s offensive versatility getting destroyed 95-69. For most scoring 19 points would mean having a good night at the office, but for Philip Scrubb who was scoreless in the third quarter, it was a solid, but not spectacular night. After the win the Canadian had to escape a horde of photo hungry girls and one could see he would rather have been attacked by a shooting machine, but as always he shrugged off his success and was modest even if the Scrubb watch produced a smile. “We didn´t need my points, because other guys were playing well and hitting shots. For me it´s not a big deal how much I score. After that Gotha game people may expect me to do that every game and have a Scrubb watch, but that won´t always happen. I will take shots if I get them”, stressed Phiip Scrubb.
The Last time the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven were playing in mid May in the BBL playoffs, a Dennis Schroeder was only a household name on Braunschweig´s playgrounds, Jogi Low and Germany were getting ready for the World Cup in South Africa, BBL identity figures Quantez Robertson was a rookie and Rickey Paulding was only in his third season with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg and Barack Obama was in the midst of his first term as President. It was the summer of 2010, the basketball world in Bremerhaven was in full force and everything was rosy. For those Bremerhaven fans that didn´t have time or money to enjoy a feast at Natusch and rap about Bremerhaven basketball, then getting that quick fish trip at the local Nordsee restaurant was always an option to philosophy about how easy a Lou Campbell could set up Jeff Gibbs for an easy bucket was something that was the norm in those days. Bremerhaven and head coach Doug Spradley was a few plays and breaks away from reaching the final, but the Fraport Skyliners won game 5 and went on to lose to Bamberg in five games. After entering the BBL in 2005, the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven reached the playoffs in four of five seasons, but since 2010 have never reached the playoffs again. Every season not only Bremerhaven fans, but possibly a few more in the league are hoping and wishing that this might be the season where the club finally catches a few breaks with their player personal and run off a string of winning streaks and big wins to get back to the playoffs. However since 2010, the club has finished in ninth place once, and in 11th, 12th and 15th place twice. It didn´t really matter who was coach in the last eight years with Doug Spradley, Calvin Oldham, Muli Katzurin or now Sebastian Machowski, none could bring back the success that Sarunas Sakalaukas had. People really wondered from season to season how such talented and seemingly deep rosters couldn´t make the playoffs. A player is only as good as their character and for some reason, the club was unable to bring in exactly the right mix of players that could help the team make the promised land. Even with future BBL legend Derrick Allen on board for a season who knowingly has a top character and work ethic like no other, the club couldn´t make the best of it. Over the years the club has always brought in a lot of talent and players like Darius Adams and Kyle Fogg that would make the next step to better leagues, but the chemistry within the team just didn´t function properly. Even bringing in ex NBA players like Deandre Liggins and Tyrus Thomas were unable to bring any extra magic and infect their teammates as success remained invisible. Thomas retired after his Bremerhaven flop while Deandre Liggins returned back to the NBA and probably will never be reminded again about Bremerhaven. The club has maybe lacked the scouting expert like a Brendan Rooney who for years always brought the right players to Bamberg. A real true identity and chemistry has been missing from the playoff teams from 8 years ago. The team has lacked heart and have been clearly underachieving for years. With the dismissal of Jan Rathjen who was responsible for the success from 2005-2010, he lost his magic in the last years and now it´s Arne Woltmann turn who has the job. However nothing has changed as the team is in 17th place and under achieving again. When will it finally be fun again to go to Nordsee and talk about the exciting win from the night before?
Last season the club finished in 12th place mainly due to a lightening finish finishing 6-3. They played their best basketball of the season and were close to beating Bamberg losing 85-84 and Ludwigsburg losing 81-78.
Cory Higgins is a 27 year old 196cm forward from California that is playing his seventh professional season and third with CSKA Moscow (Russia-VTB). He played at Colorado (NCAA) from 2007-2011 playing a total of 132 NCAA games and as a senior he played 38 games averaging 16.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 86.6%. He played his first two professional seasons with the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA) playing a total of 45 games and also played with the Erie Bay Hawks(G-League. He came to Europe in 2013 playing with Triumph Lyubertsy (Russia-VTB) playing 22 games: Score-2(20.3ppg), 4.0rpg, 3.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 85.9%;In the EuroChallenge, he played 15 games: Score-2(17.9ppg), 2.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 46.5%, FT: 80.2%. In the 2014-2015 season he got further European experience with Royal Hali Gaziantep (Turkey-TBL) playing 29 games averaging 16.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 78.7%. With CSKA Moscow he won two VTB League titles and the 2016 Euroleague title. He spoke to German Hoops before the Euroleague game against Brose Bamberg in Bamberg.
Cory thanks for talking to German Hoops. Before we start I have to tell you a interesting story. In 1983 I was a kid. I was a big autograpth collector and along with Orlando Woolridge, Quintin Dailey and Reggie Theus I also got the signature of a Mr Rod Higgins. Is this the first time that someone has told you a story of them getting an autograph of your dad?
You aren´t the first that has told me that. When I was growing up in the Bay area, he was very popular there and had fans.
Welcome back to Germany. You have a lifetime 4-1 record against Brose Bamberg? With what kind of feeling are you heading back to Bamberg?
It is always exciting to play in Bamberg. The fans and atmosphere is amazing. As a player you always want to play in an atmosphere like that in Bamberg.
What stories have you heard over the years about the city Bamberg and organization from your teammate Kyle Hines?
He hasn´t told me too much. But the main one is just how passionate the fans are there. They are very knowledgeable fans and appreciate the game.
Kyle Hines is a 31 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his fifth season with CSKA Moscow and currently is averaging 9,5ppg, 4,7rpg and 1,1apg in the Euroleague and in the VTB is averaging in the VTB and 10,3ppg, 4,0rpg and 1,3apg. He is a powerful player who loves to attack the basket. Has a good 1-vs-1 game and likes to go inside. He is undersized to play the power forward, but his great wingspan (7-1) allows him to guard taller players and to intimidate. He’s also a great leaper and reads the opponent’s game well. He played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 31 games: 19.2ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 12.5%, FT: 62.8%. He was invited to play at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 3.3bpg, FGP: 78.6%, FT: 72.7%. He then had predraft workouts with Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). He then went to Europe to Italy and played with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 34 games: 16.9ppg, Reb-4(8.6rpg), 3.0spg, Blocks-2(1.8bpg), FGP-2(66.0%), FT: 58.5%. In 2009, he took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League (Oklahoma City Thunder). In 2009-2010, he stayed in Italy with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 40 games: 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, Steals-2(3.5spg), Blocks-4(1.6bpg), FGP-3(64.0%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 57.8%. He played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (New Orleans Hornets) in the summer of 2010.In 2010-2011 he played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga): Euroleague: 10 games: 12.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 64.3%, FT: 46.7%; German League: 46 games: 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP-3(61.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 52.4%. He won the double with Bamberg. He played for Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1) from 2011-2013 winning two Euroleague titles. German Hoops did its 14th interview with the 6 time Euroleague Final 4 player and three time Euroleague winner before the Euroleague game in Bamberg.
Kyle thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is our 14th interview since you played in Moscow. In our first interview you were a non Euroleague winner. Now you have three Euroleague titles. Has time flown by since Bamberg?
When I first became a professional, I was aiming to play at least 10 years, and now when I look up it has been 10 years. It feels like yesterday when I was playing with Bamberg. I am a 8 year Euroleague veteran and the game is still so fun for me. I don´t feel like 31 and hope I can still play the game for a long time.
Since our last interview in June, almost six months have passed. You’re 31 years old. What was your main focus last summer on the court so that you would be best prepared for this upcoming season?
It mainly was small things. Just making sure my conditioning and stamina is correct. I only took one to two weeks off last summer, before getting back into the gym. I also looked for ways to work on being more dynamic around the basket and working on my free throws. Last season I had a hand injury and didn´t feel like I was in peak shape. I made sure that I came into this season being in peak shape.
Your playing now your fifth season with CSKA Moscow after playing two seasons in Greece, one in Germany and two in Italy. Some call Quantez Robertson a Skyliner lifer. Do you feel like your going in the direction of a CSKA Moscow lifer?
I hope so. I love the city, organization and fans. I have spent half my career in Moscow. It feels crazy. I hope that I will be here as long as possible and finish my career here.
Miles Jackson-Cartwright is a 25 year old 190cm guard from Van Nuys, California that is playing in his third professional season and second in Germany and first with the TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB) averaging 14,7ppg, 5,0rpg and 4,8 apg. His last club was the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games averaging 11.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 71.4%. In his rookie season he played with Aris Leeuwarden (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five) playing 18 games: Score-3(16.1ppg), 3.3rpg, Assists-1(5.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 80.2%. He started his basketball career at Pennsylvania (NCAA) in 2010 and played there until 2014 playing a total of 115 NCAA games and in his four year career averaged 11,6ppg, 2,6rpg, 2,8apg and 1,0spg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Miles thanks for talking to German Hoops. We both have a very uncommon same name. How many other Miles´s have you met in your life? My count is less than 5.
Ha! I have actually met quite a few, to be honest. Definitely more than I can count.
You sat out a whole season. Talk a little about your time off. Was it a planned thing to pursue other interests or were offers scarce and just not the right opportunity to play professionally last season?
I actually signed with a Bulgarian team last season before the new year. It did not work out for the best, but I was appreciative of the team for giving me the opportunity obviously, I wanted things to work out differently but I probably would not be in the position that I am now if not for what happened last season.
Congrats on signing with TG s.Oliver Wuerzburg (Germany-ProB). Two seasons ago you played in the German Pro A with the Hebeisen White Wings. Do you feel like your taking a step back this season or what benefits do you see by playing in the Pro B this season?
Thank you! I truly believe that this is the best situation that I’ve been in so far. It’s the best of both worlds for me. I get the chance to lead a young group with the Pro-B team, all while being able to play and learn from Coach Dirk Bauermann and the talented group of guys on the BBL team. Being here with Coach Liam Flynn has always been something that I’ve looked forward to, and the opportunity to also play in BBL games is truly a blessing. This organization is first-class in all facets and I have never been more excited to be playing for a team like I am here.
Last season Maxi Begue already had his chance to breathe some NBBL air as he was placed into nine games, but saw the brunt of the action in the JBBL(U-19 league) where he led the team into the JBBL final 4 in Frankfurt. The NBBL last season was filled with many guards so he could learn from many including the highly talented Isaac Bonga, but with the 18 focused on his career and making the next step in the BBL, the 16 year old who will be turning 17 next year has been shoved into a big role, one he probably wouldn´t have had had Bonga not developed so nicely and was still playing in the NBBL this season. In the last two weeks, Begue has progressed immensely accepting that role of having to take much more responsibility and also coming through with success on the court. Three weeks ago, he had his big breakthrough scoring 30 points in Hagen, but wasn´t rewarded with a win as Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners lost 75-72, but two weeks ago had a big success moment after he showed what he was made of not having a good first half as the club was struggling, but breaking through in the second half and leading his team to a massive comeback and getting the 64-58 win against TSV Bayer o3 Leverkusen as he found his scoring stroke especially at the end as he nailed a big shot from the baseline helping secure the win. It will be interesting and exciting to see where his journey will go this season as his development process continues with every new game. Begue took his 4-2 team and met another 4-2 team with the Metropol Baskets Ruhr on a typical early Sunday afternoon game and did it again being masterful in crunch-time like against Leverkusen two weeks ago helping power his team to the 78-70 victory as he took in the last minutes supplying seven points as he finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. After the contest he seemed a little bashful in having to talk about his game once again. “My first six points today came quickly, but then for along time I didn´t score. In crunch-time I just did my thing which is to score. I did a good job hitting my mid distance shot out of the pick and roll while it was harder during the zone”, stressed Maxi Begue. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners remained unbeaten at home and continued to develop as a team for 40 minutes as well as keeping their nerves intact in crunch-time. “Our strengths today was our defense, team basketball and ball movement. WE rebounded well, but also gave up a lot if offensive rebounds”, reflected Maxi Begue. After the loss a disappointed Till Hornscheidt who was the Metropol Baskets Ruhr top scorer on the loss, but was still content with how his team played. “I think that this was one of our best games this season. Frankfurt was the clear favorite, but we were at eye level with them. It hurt us that Fin Fleute was missing especially under the basket and I feel that he would of given us another option on offense”, stressed 16 year old Metropol Baskets Ruhr point guard.
There was only one win where the smile was at it´s greatest for American Kameron Taylor and that was following his unforgettable buzzer beater pull up jumper against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors which saw nothing but net, but other than that one could really debate in which of the other games his smile was bigger, because the Dragons Rhondorf have easily disposed of every other opponent with Leverkusen, Munich, Schwelm and Karlsruhe that have attempted to make some noise in the loud Dragon Dome and were easily put in their place and sent home trying to figure out what went wrong. Two weeks ago, the Dragons Rhondorf easily took apart HIT GEQOUS Karlsruhe and saw the struggle of Kameron Taylor getting in early foul trouble and regrouping and having a strong second half to produce 18 points in 18 minutes while his teammate German Patrick Reusch was reborn after battling injuries and stepping up big in the absence of Taylor and racking up 18 points in 18 minutes and giving the team that much needed push form the guard position while the American was fighting with his thoughts on the bench. The Dragons Rhondorf came into the game with a potent 9-2 record and resting comfortably in second place in the Pro B south standings sporting a four game winning streak and were looking for their six win a row at home a place that has turned into that special dominating living room as they welcomed the 11th placed TG s Oliver Wurzburg as they had a miserable 1-10 record and were one place away from being the leagues doormat. The Dragons Rhondorf entered the contest as the huge favorite and showed no real signs of having difficulty in losing as they played a solid defensive game and as always when they needed instant points, they looked to Kameron Taylor who came up big in the fourth quarter scoring 12 points and leading his team to their sixth win in a row at home. After the game, the Maryland native was focused and trying to save his smile for another day even if he had flirted with a quadruple double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and eight steals, he never noticed. “I can´t even imagine getting a quadruple double. I just play my game and my stats come on their own. Statistically this may have been my best defensive game, but I try to compare my best defense to how well we contain the opponents best player”, stressed Kameron Taylor. The focused attitude of the American had more to do with how well he really felt his team played. “It was an ugly game and we weren´t satisfied as a team. We were disappointed and feel that we could of played a lot better, but were happy we got the win. It shows what kind of team we really are when we aren´t happy with a 16 point win”, added Kameron Taylor. TG s.Oliver Wurzburg were without many key players and that showed in the play of the team. “We had a lot of guys that had to step up and play out of position. We lost so much inside and this game was a real challenge. We knew that we had to stop them on transition. I felt we defended and rebounded well for three quarters, but in the end they edged us out. Rhondorf was the better team”, stressed ex USC(NCAA) forward Garrett Jackson.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kameron Taylor after his masterful 22 point, 10 rebound, seven assist and 8 steal game in 72-58 win against TG s.Oliver Wurzburg with his agent Jens Wellar looking on
Its approximately 3.20 pm in the afternoon on a cool Saturday afternoon and the Fraport Skyliners Juniors have just completed the first quarter and are behind 25-14 against the ScanPlus Baskets and hadn´t found a remedy on how to stop Hayden Lescault until that moment as he had scored 10 points and later would win the game with a buzzer beater and the crowd is sparse for a Pro B game which is the third German basketball league. However there is one spectator sitting up in the stands by himself enjoying some take out chicken and looking very sporty in his attire. The young man explains to me that The ScanPlus Baskets are a very tough and physical team and have a lot of experience. You could see that Frankfurt was missing a big man and it was tough to match up. This wasn´t some dad of a player, coach or basketball writer sprouting his expertise knowledge of the game, but Philip Scrubb professional basketball player of the Fraport Skyliners. When he left his mark at Carleton(CIS) winning 8 titles, for some he became known as the greatest Canadian college player of all-time. On a free afternoon before the highly anticipated Sunday battle in Bamberg against top team Brose Bamberg most of Scrubb´s teammates are elsewhere and trying to free their mind before getting mentally focused for the Bamberg duel. A guy like Quantez Robertson was probably spending time with his cute kids, a Mike Morrison was possibly doing a play afternoon with his son and Tai Webster might have been skyping with his family back home in New Zealand. Having the label of being the greatest Canadian college player of all-time may not have the same clout as being the greatest Canadian basketball player of all-time which Steve Nash pretty much has racked up, but definitely an honor that he appreciates. If a Steve Nash, Andrew Bennett or Andrew Wiggins were sitting in Scrubb´s place in the stands fans surely would recognize them, but with Scrubb he looks like that normal Joe Schmo in appearance, but when he is on the court it´s a totally different story as he becomes that amazing player with phenomenal shooting abilites, but also overall excellent offensive skills and a basketball IQ that any player would die for. So what is the greatest Canadian college player of all-time doing at a minor league basketball setting? Most professional basketball players wouldn´t waste their time taking in a game like that even though his teammates Quantez Robertson and Mike Morrison are often there as well, but for Scrubb being a faithful spectator watching his team´s farm team is as normal as practicing free throws every day. “ I just like watching basketball and I think that it is important to support the guys. I´m living on my own so usually I don´t have anything else to do”, stressed Philip Scrubb. In his rookie season when asked about that greatest Canadian college player of all-time he responded very truthfully “There have been many great players from Canada. I played at the best program and for the best coach. There was much handed to me. Winning improves the way people look at you. I was lucky to be on winning teams. The media helps people remember this”, stressed Phiip Scrubb. His character really stands out and get´s lauded everywhere he goes. “He is quiet and humble and never talks about his self. He works hard, listens and always wants to help the team first”, stressed Valencia forward Aaron Doornekamp. Even if he missed his entire second season with a knee injury, the Canadian from Vancouver is back fresher than ever and on route with winning another greatest label if he continues his stellar play in Germany in the EasyCredit BBL.
Even if the EasyCredit BBL season has been one to forget for the Oettinger Rockets, there most likely have been times when Ekene Ibekwe made the trouble times just a tad easier being able to sprout some of his worldly basketball experiences with his teammates in the quaint city of 46,000 persons. Ebekwe is a 32 year old 207 center that is playing his 11th season and his basketball resume looks like a fine delicate mess simply with all the places he has discovered and played at in his stellar career. In his 11 year career he has played in 11 countries and laced up his sneakers for 19 different clubs. In Germany he has worn the jersey of five clubs with Artland, Bayreuth, Giessen, Frankfurt and currently with the Oettinger Rockets and last season for the first time played with four teams experiencing highs and lows like no other which has been transported into this season. With so many stations and teams, one can debate if he was even around enough to win titles, but he has racked up his titles over the years starting before he was a professional with Maryland(NCAA) winning the tough ACC tournament in 2004 and collected a Bronze medal at the 2005 African championships. As a professional he has done most damage in France winning the Pro B title in 2008 as a rookie with Besancon Basket Comte Doubs and was Pro A champion last season with Chalon. He also won the 2015 NBL title in Australia with the New Zealand Breakers and has had no problems living the nomadic basketball life. “I just will go there where a team wants me and where I fit in best”, warned Ekene Ibekwe. The Nigerian/American who has played with the Nigerian national team for ages also had very fond memories balling for the African Nation playing at the 2006 World championships and losing to Germany on a Dirk Nowitzki buzzer beater and priceless memories of taking part at the 2012 Olympics in London and 2016 Olympics in Rio where he led the tournament in blocks. His exciting basketball career just continues as he keeps chugging along past the ripe age of 30 as last season he encountered a period of ups and downs that has carried over into this season. Last season he played a total of 55 games in 6 competitions in four countries Czech Republic, Germany, Turkey and France. Even if he moved around as much a Russell Westbrook seemingly does on the court in each game his season ended with a happy experience e. He began in the Czech Republic playing seven games, but the club had a stacked roster and he quickly found himself with the Fraport Skyliners where he played very well averaging .9,3ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 65.6%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 90.0% in the Basketball Champions League and in the German BBL 7.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 2FGP: 56.3%, 3FGP: 35.3%, FT: 69.2%. However in Frankfurt he also got lost in the shuffle and then had a very short stay in Turkey with Muratbey Usak Sportlif Basketbol where he didn´t get the desired minutes averaging 5.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 50.9%, FT: 52.8% in the Turkish BSL. With spring time having arrived, he was ready to pack up and go home to Los Angeles for the summer, but instead the big man that can hurt you from outside on any given night landed in France with Chalon as they needed an experienced player in their stretch run and playoff hopes. With Chalon he played 15 games averaging 5.2ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 70.6%. He averaged 15 minutes per game, but was an important player from the bench giving energy on both ends of the floor. He witnessed two very exciting playoffs series beating Paris in four games and overcoming Strasburg in five games to win the Pro A title as he powered 7 points in game five. Even if he could entertain a crowded Lantica Trattoria restaurant in Gotha with his basketball experience and wisdom for an evening, just reliving what had happened last season would have lasted a whole night into the wee hours of the morning. He finished off last season with a high and this season is currently encountering a low as he and the Oettinger Rockets are near the end of the EasyCredit BBL standings in 16th place as their biggest misfortune has been seemingly unending injuries. Despite the hardships, he is holding his own averaging 13,6ppg, 7,1rpg, 1,0spg and 2,4bpg while shooting 44,4% from outside and leading the league in blocks. He hasn´t lost his touch and is just as good as a player as when he was 25 or 26 years old. He has done the best he could and continues to prove that he can fit in anyway and takes losing like a professional. He may not win a title this year, but just being able to produce a wonder and somehow keep the Oettinger Rockets in the EasyCredit BBL for another season will be like winning a title.
The goals and expectations with the Oettinger Rockets have been huge for years as their rise from Regionalliga also has been huge. In 2009, they were still playing in the Regionalliga until they moved up to the Pro B in 2010 and in only two short seasons won the Pro B crown in 2012 and moved to the Pro A. They reached the Pro A playoffs in their second season and in their sixth season got to the EasyCredit BBL. A lot of the success and growth of the club had to do with the successful management of Wolgang Heyder who had been successful in Bamberg and had a new vision with Gotha. Also the coaching duo of Chris Ensminger and Steve Esterkamp was key, but they were unable to fullend their goal of the BBL as they were dismissed last season in a down period last where they weren´t winning and in a way were unjustly left out in the cold to freeze losing their jobs. Gotha finished the season with Ivan Pavic. They gave their fans an unforgettable playoff run beating Crailsheim in four and then doing the unexpected somehow overcoming Chemnitz winning three do or die games in a row as they had been down 2-0 early and won the last three games by a combined total of not more than 11 points.
The Oettinger Rockets came into their inaugural BBL season going with a very risky plan by Wolfgang Heyder where he put a big focus on developing Germans, but as the summer wore on less and less imports were signed which got many to think how this club would survive a BBL season and not return back to the Pro A. A big problem is that the club brought in unproven Germans like Johannes Richter(7,0ppg, 4,0rpg) and Andreas Obst(11,3ppg, 2,4rpg, 1,3apg 49% from outside), but were very hungry to develop further and prove to their ex clubs that they have the talent to become very good BBL players. Both have had a good start and their confidence will carry them to good seasons. Robert Oehle(4,3ppg, 2,4rpg) is an experienced BBL player, but a player that would need to take a lot more responsibility here then he would anywhere else and putting up consistent solid stats with Gotha is rather unrealistic. The ex Bamberg players Daniel Schmidt(6,3ppg, 1,1rpg, 3,5apg) and Dino Dizdarevic(4,4ppg, 1,4rpg) are talented guys yearning for a chance and getting it, but also unproven that also need to take responsibility. All have shown flashes this season, but being consistent is a goal that is seemingly impossible for these players to be able to accomplish. On top of needing production from their Germans, Gotha has been hit with a massive injury bug as planned key players Dane Watts and Sava Lesic were lost to injuries putting a dent into their team chemistry. It also didn´t help the club that main club sponsor decided to turn off the clash flow fountain. The club has some talented Imports. Ekene Ibekwe is the leader and keeping Darrell Mitchell(6,0ppg, 3,5rpg) was a plus as his experience having played in the top leagues like France and Turkey has shown in the BBL as he has needed no time to adjust. Belgium national player Retin Obasohin also has done a fine job taking responsibility in his second season after coming from Scandone Avellino (Italy-Serie A) is taking the scoring load for Gotha averaging 14,5ppg, 4,6rpg and 3,4apg. Another bright spot has been Serban Nemanja Jaramaz(12,3ppg, 3,3rpg, 2,8apg, 42,9% from outside) who also adds Euroleague/VTB experience. But the club didn´t extend his short term contract as he moved to the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig.
At first glance on paper the Oettinger Rockets might seem like a team not deep enough for generating sufficient scoring power, but they are averaging a surprising 82 points per game and can light up teams on any night as they have scored 80 points four times, but there biggest problem is defense as they give up 89 points on average. They have allowed 90 points or more four times and even if they did win their last game against Tuebingen 90-83, there seems to be no cure for their defensive woes. They are also the worst rebounding team in the league getting only 25 rebounds per game. Granted the loss of Sava Lesic and Dane Watts has put a void into their rebounding core, but still they have big bodies with Richter, Ibekwe and Ohle that just need to be more physical and show more presence in the paint as well as the guards who need to help out more. Gotha isn´t a bad team as they have talent and can score on any night, but they simply need more effort and heart on the defensive end. If they could find some kind of chemistry on the defensive end then there might be some hope in saving their season, but at the moment they have some fortune and breathing room as seemingly way better stocked teams like Tuebingen and Bremerhaven are underachieving and worse than the Oettinger Rocekts. However the Oettinger Rockets are still one of the main favorites to move down. It is only a matter of time before Bremerhaven finds a groove and Tuebingen has the talent, but need the right coach now to save them. This coming weekend surprise team Fraport Skyliners come to Gotha with the sixth best defense in the league. Frankfurt have prided themselves on always defending well for 40 minutes as their defense hasn´t peaked yet and maybe Gotha should take some notes how well Frankfurt communicate, switch and clog the paint area to make life very uncomfortable for their opponents. The Fraport Skyliners have a slim rotation, but Niklas is back, but still needs time to adjust after his concussion that kept him out for six weeks. Both teams will be rested after the World Cup qualifying period and have the needed energy for a 40 minute battle. But the Fraport Skyliners will grind it out on the road without problems as Philip Scrubb will be very motivated to get back on the winning track as he and Canada were upset by the Dominican Republic earlier in the week and with their combination of aggressive defense and well molded offense that continues to get better over time.
Mardracus Wade is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Chatham, Virginia that is playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA). He played his rookie season with the Central Texas Swarm (ABA) and played in the D-league the last two seasons with the Iowa Energy (D-League) playing 35 games averaging 5.9ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT-1(50.0%), FT: 68.1% and last season split time with the Iowa Energy (D-League) playing 8 games averaging 4.9ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.8apg and the Greensboro Swarm (D-League) playing 6 games averaging 5.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 62.5%. He started his basketball career at Arkansas (NCAA) in 2010 and played 125 NCAA games in a four year career with his best season being his sophomore one where he played 31 games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.2rpg. Currently in the Pro A with Nurnberg he is averaging 10,0ppg, 2,5rpg and 3,4apg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Mardracus thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on signing with German team Nurnberg Falcons. Did the fact that you were a try-out player motivate you even more to play at a high level?
Yes sir, I knew what I brought to the table and I felt really confident in my skill and abilities coming into it. I just had to play hard and do my part.
After playing in the States for your first three professional seasons you now have made the jump to Europe. How blessed are you to be in a place where everybody knows German and not in the back woods of Bosnia where you might not see a Mcdonalds for months?
I’m very blessed to be in the position I’m in today. I feel like this a great start to my career overseas and that the sky’s limit for me if I continue to put in the time and effort. Nuremberg is a really cool place and have great people and food here. So I’m happy about that.
German Hoops 