Kameron Taylor Can´t Always Play Hero as The Dragons Rhondorf Might Have To Produce New Ones Against MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel

This season Dragons Rhondorf guard Kameron Taylor has flashed that winning smile on most occasions simply because the regular season was a smashing success and loses weren´t as prevalent as last season where the team was denied the playoffs. On account of his MVP like season where he in most cases than not must have felt like a man playing against boys as scoring at times felt as easy as it was for Russell Westbrook to register triple doubles last season and nailing two back to back triple doubles against BBC Coburg and Dresden kept his smile in constant rotation as basketball life at the moment is in perfect harmony for him and the Dragons Rhondorf. With the regular season history, the playoffs are approaching rapidly and suddenly the Dragons Rhondorf will have to be extra sharp in every game, if they want to continue their quest of reaching the Pro B final and going for another Pro B championship. The club had a two week break until the playoffs begin this Saturday and of course some more valuable time for Taylor to get his warm and childlike smile a workout. He might have been daydreaming here and there while sitting at the annoying red light at the intersection Menzenberger street and Linzer street or waiting for the annoying long German commercials on television to be over imagining just how competitive the head to head duel will be in the next weeks with American Demetrius Ward. His smile may have been extra supercharged recently when he observed the ridiculous James Harden ankle breaker on Los Angeles Clipper Wesley Johnson as he starred him down for a split second and then shot an in your face three to supply you tube world with unending clicks, but was there anything that may have actually postponed that smile or even turned that smile into a sceptical one? Well if the knowledge that the MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel were the Dragons Rhondorf first opponent in the playoffs didn´t then it most likely may have got head coach Thomas Adelt a bit uneasy and hardcore knowledgeable Dragons fans as this opponent is no cake walk. But then again this opponent may actually be a blessing in disguise for the Pro B title contender Dragons Rhondorf. Even if many opposing team´s management think the world of him as this Saturday the representatives of one of the top German pro A teams will be in the Dragon Dome to watch him wheel and deal, Taylor can´t always play hero and in this series the Dragons Rhondorf might have to produce new heroes.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kameron Taylor after dropping his second triple double in a row at home with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in the 91-74 win against the Dresden Titans

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Josh Adams (Besiktas Sompo Japan Istanbul) I Have Had A Chip On My Shoulder Since Third Grade And It Continues To Motivate Me

Josh Adams is a 24 year old 188cm point guard from Colorado that is playing his second professional season and first with Besiktas Sompo Japan Istanbul (Turkey-BSL). He started the season with Anadolu Efes Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) playing 6 Turkish BSL games averaging 11.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 68.4%, 3FGP: 26.3%, FT: 86.2%. In the Euroleague. He played 16 games averaging 7.0ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 56.8%, 3FGP: 38.5%, FT: 83.3%. He played his rookie season with Avtodor Saratov (Russia-VTB) playing 13 games averaging 12.1ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 61.7%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 73.9%; and also played 4 BCL games averaging 7.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.3apg, 2.0spg. He played at Wyoming from 2012-2016 playing a total of 130 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 24.2ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 82.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Basketball Champions League game against medi Bayreuth in Bayreuth.

Josh thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You have a 1-1 record against German teams Oldenburg and Bamberg. What do you remember from the loss in Oldenburg? Possibly the 34 point game of Brian Qvale?

That was a terrible game for me. That wasn´t long after the accident I had had. That was a time where I was trying to get the bearings back in my game. I tripped on the last play and we lost the ball and game. I remember that the most and less the 34 point game of Brian Qvale.

Do you count your blessings every day that you can still play the game you love after your scary car accident in the summer of 2016 that almost left you paralyzed?

Yes, I absolutely do. I have been counting my blessings since I got a scholarship to a division one school and signing my first professional contract. There are people that can´t see or walk down the street so that really puts it into perspective just how quickly you can have nothing.

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Kyle Wiltjer (Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus) I Really See Myself Being Able To Score At The Position Four

Kyle Wiltjer is a 25 year old 208cm forward from Canada that is playing his first season in Europe with Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1). Last season as a rookie he played with the Houston Rockets (NBA) playing 15 games averaging 1.1ppg, He played also at Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League) playing 31 games averaging 20.7ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 85.1%. He started his career at Kentucky(NCAA) in 2011 and played two seasons playing 73 games and winning the 2012 NCAA tournament. He then finished his NCAA career at Gonzaga (NCAA) in 2016 playing 36 games averaging 20.4ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 85.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Kyle thanks for talking to German Hoops. You next play Brose Bamberg in the Euroleague. In the first game in Bamberg, you suffered a tough 67-65 loss and could have won the game with a Brian Roberts shot. You played three good quarters, but Bamberg kept you to 7 points in the fourth points. Why did the game end up so close at the end?

It was a tough game for us as Bamberg played really well. We just came up short which was too bad as we want to win every game.

You had 11 points in 10 minutes. How happy were you with your break out game in Europe?

I was very happy I could break out in this game. Seeing shots go in is a good feeling. I just have to shoot my open shots and be confident.

Was this your first time to Germany? What dealings have you had with the country Germany and have you had friends playing here in the past?

It was my first time in Germany. Bamberg is a great city. I have a close friend playing in Bamberg with Augustine Rubit. He has shared his experiences that he has had playing in Germany.

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Philip Scrubb Outduells Benzing Leading The Fraport Skyliners Past s.Oliver Wurzburg 78-72

Even if the Fraport Skyliner players forgot the 83-59 massacre in Giessen a little more than two months ago, head coach Gordon Herbert probably thought of that loss daily wondering what it was that negatively turned their season around? The Fraport Skyliners had had a 9-4 record going into that Giessen game on the road and anything but a win seemed realistic, but the surprising loss had turned into a negative trend in that Frankfurt had had a 3-6 record since then and suddenly the playoffs seemed to be a question mark. However their last win in Ulm 18 days ago had lifted the team´s spirits and one can´t forget that they had had suffered many unwanted injuries in that 9 game span and players had been slowly been coming back. The Fraport Skyliners had had a long break of 18 days as they had to wait out the World Cup qualifying games schedule and had a lot of time to work on their weaknesses as well as producing a potent game plan against the s.Oliver Wurzburg squad who had creamed them in their own living 81-64 shortly before the new year. On that night the Bavarian squad came alive in the second half and in total dropped 15 three´s which put out the lights for the Fraport Skyliners. Both teams were fighting for a playoff spot and the perfect playoff atmosphere was set in the Fraport arena as 5000 fans came out for a mild Sunday afternoon matinee and saw a hard fought game that wasn´t pretty and despite Frankfurt having control of the game, they never could totally shake Wurzburg from their backs as they grinded out a brutal 78-72 victory which held them on playoff course.

Basketball BL, FRAPORT SKYLINERS - s.OLIVER WÜRZBURG

Philip Scrubb led Frankfurt in scoring (31) and rebounding (9)

After the game Frankfurt top scorer Philip Scrubb reflected on the big win and the battle to close down a Robin Benzing. “It was a hard fought game and Wurzburg came at us in the second quarter. But we played them tough and rebounded well. We also hit some shots when it counted most. I missed some games this season while Benzing stayed very consistent. He is really difficult to stop. I felt we did a good job making it hard for him to score in the fourth. That was one of the keys to getting the win”, warned Canadian national player Philip Scrubb. For s.Oliver Wurzburg, it was a bitter loss as they need every win they can get for reaching the playoffs. They did a good job fighting until the end, but had problems getting stops and getting Benzing involved in crunch-time. “We didn´t rebound well and let Scrubb loose. We need to tune up our defense more in the next games to be successful”, stressed s.Oliver Wurzburg guard Abdul Gaddy.

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Abdul Gaddy (s.Oliver Wurzburg) I´m Not A Big Stat Guy But More Worried About Making The Right Play

Abdul Gaddy is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Tacoma, Washington that is playing his fifth professional season and first in Germany with s.Oliver Wurzburg. Last season he played with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL) playing 26 VTB United League games averaging 5.5ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 27.5%, FT: 52.4%; In the Latvian LBL, he played 25 game averaging 9.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 5.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 50.0%. He played two seasons in Italy with Granarolo Bologna (Italy-Serie A) and as a rookie played with the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA), then moved to Maine Red Claws (D-League) playing 46 games averaging 9.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.0apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 57.6%. He played at Washington(NCAA) from 2009-2013 and as a senior played 34 games averaging 10.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 65.9%. He spoke to eurobasket before the game against the Fraport Skyliners in Frankfurt.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing s.Oliver Wurzburg guard Abdul Gaddy after he steered home 17 points in helping secure 2017 Gezeiten Cup over the Telekom Baskets Bonn

Thanks Abdul, for talking to German Hoops. Last weekend was the World Cup qualifying round and teams had a break. How did you use this time?

I went home for four days and was able to celebrate my mom´s birthday.

Your playing your first season with s.Oliver Wurzburg. After two seasons in Italy and a season in Latvia, what kind of experience has it been playing in the BBL?

It´s been good. The BBL is a defensive orientated league where you have to respect every team from top to bottom. It has been an enjoyable experience.

I had Wurzburg as one of my dark horse favorites before the season. Despite injuries and numerous guys coming and going, what do you believe has been key for still having a solid record.

We have a pretty good team. You have to credit coach Bauermann for picking a good team. We have a good mix of Americans and Germans. Our team chemistry has been good. We have had ups and downs, but we are headed in the direction of the playoffs.

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Japhet McNeil (1. FC Kaiserslautern) I Believe That I Will Be Back At The Level I Should Be

Japhet McNeil is a 32 year old 183 cm guard from Brooklyn, New York playing his 10^th professional season and second with 1. FC Kaiserslautern (Germany-Regionalliga) and last season he played 24 games averaging 12.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.9apg, Steals-2(3.6spg), FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 10.5%, FT: 61.2%. He played at East Carolina from 2003 -2006. He then transferred to Bridgeport(NCAA2) for his senior year in 2006-2007. At Bridgeport, he played 31 games averaging 16.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.9apg, 4.0spg, FT: 67.3%, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 34.6%. In 2008-2009, he played his rookie season in Germany in the PRO A for USC Heidelberg playing 30 games and averaging 14.8ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1(7.9apg), Steals-1(3.5spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 63.3%. In 2009-2010, he played in Finland for Kori-Konkarit Loimaa (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 5 games: 9.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, 3.4spg, FGP: 35.0%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 50.0%. In 2010-2011 he played for BG Karlsruhe (Germany-ProA) playing 3 games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.7apg. In 2011-2012 he got experience playing for the Connecticut TopBallerz (ABA). In 2012-2013, he played for the BSW Sixers (Germany-ProB) playing 14 games averaging 4.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 4.1apg, 1.5spg. He then played two seasons with the Schieren Black Frogs (Luxembourg-N2) and a season with DJK Nieder-Olm (Germany-Oberliga). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball at the start of 2018. Since then 1. FC Kaiserslautern has a 3-4 record.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with Japhet Mcneil in the Fraport arena 2016

Japhet thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how was your holiday season this year?

Thanks for having me miles, always a pleasure! Currently I’m back in Germany. My holiday break was refreshing. Got a chance to visit my home town with my wife and my 10 month old daughter. Well needed trip.

2018 has come. Are you the kind of guy that believes in setting new years resolutions or are you the type of guy that doesn´t bother and just lives from day to day?

I’m more of a new year, same motto type of guy. Keep striving on growth. If I need to adjust something in life then so be it, but new year resolutions are pretty much for the folks who sign up for gym memberships on Jan 2!!

The last interview we did was in the summer of 2014. Has time flown by in the last three years. How has the man Japhet Mcneil matured as a player and person since this time?

Yeah a lot has changed since then. I became a husband and a father, business owner and established my life in Germany off the court. Where I can have comfortable living. That balance is key, it allows me to play with a different poise.

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Guy Aud Retires Trading Basketball For Music

Guy Aud is a 28 year old 186cm point guard that has the Israeli/German citizenship that began playing basketball in Israel in the late 90´s. He played five years with the Hapoel Jerusalem youth team and also for teams like Hapoel Hevel Eylot (Israel-Artzit), Maccabi Hod Hasharon (National League), and Hapoel Afula (Israel-National League). He came to Germany in 2011 and played for teams like Lich, Paderborn, Chemnitz, Dresden and last season with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig (ProB) playing 12 games averaging 11.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 5.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 34.1%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 82.9%. He sat out this season to concentrate on his other love music. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball and music.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Guy Aud who produced 13 points after the 73-67 win of USC Leipzig in Frankfurt.

Guy thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is life going for you?

Thank you for having me, I’m doing well and I stayed to live in Leipzig at the moment.

It has been 3 years since our last interview and time really flies. Instead of being on the court, you have taken a break and pursuing music. How did this come about?

Beside the basketball I always used to play instruments, since I was a kid I played the drums, guitar and harmonica as main instruments, in the past few years I started to write more and more songs, and I felt this stronger feeling in me like it was something I got to do, and I decided to quit basketball and concentrate only on music.

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Kevin Pangos (B.C.Zalgiris Kaunas) Winning Is The Most Important Aspect Of Being A Great Point Guard

Kevin Pangos is a 25 year old 188cm points guard that has the Canadian/Slovenian citizenship and is playing his third professional season and second with B.C.Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL) having collected three titles with the Lithuanian team. Last season with B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania-LKL) he played 47 games averaging 7.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 78.6%. In the Euroleague played 30 games: averaging 8.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 28.4%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 86.2%. As a rookie he played with Herbalife Gran Canaria (Spain-Liga ACB) playing 33 games averaging 10.8ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 87.5%; and in the Eurocup played 19 games averaging 11.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 4.8apg, FGP: 36.7%, 3PT: 51.2%, FT: 75.6%. He played at Gonzaga(NCAA) from 2011-2015 playing a total of 143 games and as a senior he played 38 games averaging 11.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 43.1%, FT: 82.4%. He spoke to German Hoops. about basketball.

Kevin thanks for talking to German Hoops. You have been to Germany the last years playing in Ludwigsburg, Alba Berlin and Bamberg. What has been your overall impression of the country and it´s basketball?

Overall it seems like a great country for basketball. Each of the games I have played there, the fans have been very supportive of the team and created great atmospheres.

At Gonzaga you were teammates with Germans Elias Harris and Matis Monnighof. What memories do you have of these guys as teammates?

I really enjoyed playing with both of them at Gonzaga. They were really talented players and good guys to hang out with off the court as well. I had a chance to catch up with Elias when we went to Bamberg earlier this season.

What memories do you have of the tough 92-89 OT loss against Ludwigsburg where you scored 31 points? Do you feel like this was your real professional breakout game?

I remember it being really intense and difficult game. It was an up and down game where both teams were shooting the ball really well and they just happened to pull out the win at the end. (more…)

Eric Kibi (C.B. Torrons Vicens L’Hospitalet) You Got To Give Everything You Have But In A Controlled And Smart Effort

Eric Kibi is a 27 year old 198cm forward from Ontario, Canada that is playing his sixth professional season and first with C.B. Torrons Vicens L’Hospitalet (Spain-LEB Silver). Last season he played with Randers Cimbria Basketball (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 31 games averaging 10.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 70.2%. Two seasons ago h eplayed in Germany with the Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-ProB) playing 3 games averaging 4.7ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, left in Oct.’15, in Jan.’16 moved to KK Strsljen Gusinje (Montenegro-Erste Liga) playing 4 games averaging 3.8ppg, 5.5rpg, in Mar.’16 signed at London Lightning (Canada-NBL Canada) playing 23 games averaging 1.7ppg, 2.5rpg. He also played with Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga), Ottawa SkyHawks (NBL Canada) and BG Halstenbek/Pinneberg (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career in 2008 with Jacksonville College (NJCAA) where he played until 2010. He then played a season with UALR (NCAA) playing 29 games: 4.4ppg, 4.2rpg. He finished his college career in 2012 with Abil.Christian (NCAA2) playing 20 games: 8.2ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 60.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about his season in Spain.

Eric thanks for talking to German Hoops. Since the last time we spoke eight months ago you have had an exciting time playing with the Congolese national team and now are in Spain. How good is basketball life for you at the moment?

It’s definitely been a blessing these last few months, opportunities like this to represent a whole nation don’t come too often.

Before we talk about your newest and current challenge in Spain let´s talk about last summer and you playing with the Congolese national team at the Afrobasket Championships. What kind of experience was this for you and what did you appreciate most about having this opportunity?

It really was one of the most unique experiences I have ever been a part of. Being a kid born in Canada with parents from Congo I had never imagined that basketball would be the thing that allows me to return home to see my roots and origin. Also just like I said representing a nation of 80 million people with all the support was just amazing, I still get chills thinking about it.

The club went 2-2 and didn´t have the NBA players. Do you believe that this played a big role in how the team did?

Honestly we are proud of those Congolese guys who represent us In The NBA But We went through most of training camp without Bismack Biyombo(Orlando Magic) and Emmanuel Mudiay (New York Knicks). They still came into practice a few times to support us and encourage us but I think their NBA insurance was an issue. So all of training camp we knew we were going to the AfroBasket as underdogs, we were picked to finish 15th out of the 16 teams and the fact that we reached the quarter finals and defeated the defending champions Nigeria was a huge step in the right direction for basketball in our country I’m proud of what we achieved NBA guys or not.

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Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners Experience Schoormann´s World Escaping The RheinStars 68-64 In NBBL Play

The NBBL regular season is slowly winding down as Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners with a record of 8-4 are going down a straight path to the playoffs while the RheinStars Cologne were caught in quick sand early on losing three of their first four games and couldn´t react properly and are going down a different path without the playoffs. In their first meeting in Cologne in November, Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners gave a solid performance over 40 minutes winning 84-65 despite coughing up the ball an unacceptable 22 times. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners relied on their consistent defense, depth as German Denis Machlab who isn´t known as a scorer contributed 16 points and six boards in 24 minutes and on their rebounding as they outrebounded the RheinStars 42-30. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners was unable to keep Colognes top prospect Tillmann Woerner who showed his versatile and unselfish play netting 20 points and dishing out seven assists. Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners relied on their deep roster in the first win in Cologne as they had four guys scoring in double figures with Machlab, Maxi Begue, Niklas Pons and Leon Puellen. Both teams met in Frankfurt in the pretty BCM gym in the return game which has welcomed NBA players like Dirk Nowitzki, Carlos Arroyo and Alan Anderson over the years for an early 1.00pm Sunday matinee. Fans witnessed an exciting ending as Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners squeaked out a nail bitter 68-64 as they cruise into the playoffs. Even if the game seemed decided at half time, the RheinStars never gave up and stepped up their game in the second half and could even have won the game on their last possession, but in the end Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners had the better nerves. The Fraport Skyliners have been known for years to not only developing young talent, but also finding those young 13-14 year old kids and reeling them in. The next big talent Len Schoormann has been tearing up the JBBL(U-16 league) where he once scored 42 points in a game, but he also has adjusted to the NBBL(U-19 league) and had his real breakout game netting the RheinStars for 26 points showing everyone his world on the court and doing absolute everything on the court and filling the stat sheet like a Russell Westbrook. After the win, the 15 year German reflected on the win and his break out game and was very eloquent and seemed very at ease talking basketball. “We lost our rhythm a bit in the third quarter. We had the needed energy and we knew we had to win to get the home court advantage in the playoffs. Overall we moved the ball well and our good offense gave us more energy to play good defense. I have gotten better into the team the last weeks. There is a difference to the JBBL as here the guys are bigger, understand the game better, have more experience and the skill level is higher. It was important for me that I started off well hitting my first shots which brought me self confidence”, stressed Eintracht Frankfurt/Fraport Skyliners guard Len Schoormann. The RheinStars Cologne played their hearts out and gave everything despite not having their two top scorers on board. After the loss, one could see the disappointment on the faces of the young players and 16 year old 200cm German Thomas Fankhauser was sad, but also proud of his teammates who never gave up. “We slept at the start, but heightened our game in the second half. We gave a great team effort. We fought hard and it was too bad we couldn´t pull it out at the end. We did a good job compensating the loses of two top players. I felt we moved the ball well and did what the game gave us well”, added RheinStars forward Thomas Fankhauser.

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