Timajh Parker Rivera is a 23 year old 203cm forward from Milford, Conneticut playing his professional basketball career with SSV Lok Bernau. He played four years at Towson(NCAA) playing a total of 128 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 6.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.1%, FT: 50.4%. He spoke to German Hoops before game two of the playoffs against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors.
Thanks Timajh for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 75-64 win against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors. How did it feel playing your first professional playoff game?
Thank you and it was a great experience looking forward to many more .
The Pro B playoff game between the Fraport Skyliners Juniors and Lok Bernau was played in the giant Mercedes arena in Berlin. What did you enjoy most about playing in this state of the art arena?
I’ve been to many Alba games this year so go play on the court was extremely exciting I had a good time .
You played in many nice arenas in the NCAA with Towson, but where did the Berlin arena rank with your all-time nicest?
Ricky Easterling is a 33 year old 190cm guard from Baltimore that is playing his 11th professional season in Germany and first with BG Karlsruhe(Pro B). Over the years, he has been crowned Mr Regionaliga as he averaged over 30 points three times with TV Saarlouis belonged to the the top 3 players in the Pro B the last two seasons. Before moving to Saarlouis in 2007 he played at Bridgewater (NCAA3) and then as a rookie played with TSG Reutlingen (Germany-Oberliga and Bergheim Bandits (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season with TV Saarlouis, he played 28 games: Score-1(23.1ppg), 4.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 81.2%. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the 2017 Pro B playoffs.
Rickey thanks for talking to German Hoops 2017 has come and we are already into 2017. Did you set any new years resolutions and if you did have to stayed faithful to them in the first two months?
I didn’t really have a new years resolution. I have the same mindset I did at the beginning of the season. Play my roll, be the good teammate and make a good run in the playoffs. Playoffs are here now so it is GO TIME!
How excited are you to be playing your first Pro B playoffs after having played the Playdowns two years in a row. With what kind of feelings are you going into these playoffs?
I am very excited to be a part of the playoffs for the first time. I feel my team has a good chance to make it deep into the playoffs. So I am going into the playoffs hungry and focused.
It didn’t really matter what you called Chris Williams (199-F/G-80, college: Virginia) some called him big smooth or chris cross, but one could have come up with thousands of names for his amazing athletic game as he owned the paint area as he was nearly unstopable, but today the former Frankfurt Skyliner passed away due to blood clotting to the heart at the age of 36. It didn’t matter where he played in school or in the pros, he was a winner putting up great stats everywhere he went and won titles in Australia, Germany and Korea in a 11 year professional career. In Germany, fans will remember him as not only one of the top power forwards in the BBL, but one of the best players in the league from 2003-2005. He was instrumental in the Opel Skyliners winning the 2004 BBL league title and reaching the final in 2005 as he formed the dangerous and very feared Bermuda triangle with American Tyrone Ellis and German national player Pascal Roller.
One guy that remembers him still is current Colgate assistant coach Michael Jordan who had a standout career in Europe and battled Williams with the Artland Dragons from 2003-2005. “Chris was a good player but an even better person. We had some good battles and good times in Europe. He will be missed”, stressed Michael Jordan. Williams wasn’t only top on the court, but was a genuine great guy that always wanted to help the best way he could and had a heart of gold. Ex Licher Basket Baeren guard Jermale Jones was best friends with Chris William’s brother, but remembers Chris in only the best way. “Chris was such a great guy. He was always willing to help people no matter what it was. He was a giver in all aspects. Chris is a guy you would want to be friends with because of his personality and the way he carried himself. Chris tried to help me in every way to help me sign my first deal overseas but it was hard for him to get me a job cause I had no experience at the time and just last summer he was trying to get me signed in the China league. He always wanted to help”, stressed Jermale Jones.
Jason Boone is a 31 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York that is playing his tenth professional season and first with TBV Start Lublin (Poland-PLK). He started the season with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg where he had been with since 2015 and this season averaged 1,3ppg and 1,0rpg in the EasyCredit BBL and 2,0ppg and 2,0rpg in the Champions League. He played three seasons with the s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg and three seasons for BG Goettingen. He played at New York University(NCAA 3) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 28 games averaging 14.1ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.4bpg, 2.9apg, FG: 63.0%, FT: 64.3%. In 2007-2008, he turned professional and played played at Bernau(Regionalliga) before making the jump up three leagues to MEG Goettingen. In 2008-2009, he averaged 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg, FG: 53.7. In 2009-2010, he won the Eurochallenge for BG Goettingen playing EuroChallenge: 16 games: 10.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 53.8%; German League: 35 games: 9.1ppg, 6.1rpg, FGP: 60.3%, FT: 55.9%. He also played a season with Torku Konyaspor (Turkey-TBL): 14 games: 6.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 2FGP: 60.7%, FT: 46.2%, in Mar.’15 moved to SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProA) playing 12 games: 9.7ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 63.6%, FT: 51.4%. He spoke to German Hoops for the 75th time this time talking about his departure from the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg leaving head coach John Patrick with whom he played for in Goettingen, Wurzburg and Ludwigsburg and the future.
Jason thanks for talking to German Hoops. Did you make any new years resolutions coming into 2017 or are you not the type of guy that does that?
I’m a big believer that if you want to make a change you shouldn’t wait until January 1st to make it. I spend a lot of my free time in the fitness center and it was full the first two weeks of January, but around the middle of the month it was back down to the regulars. That sums up my relationship to the New Years Resolution.
I just finished reading your blog entry “My real life can wait” and realized that you went through a lot in only half a season. Were the last 6-7 months the most difficult in your basketball career?
Everything seems difficult as you go through it but in hindsight is never as bad as it seems in the moment. This season definitely wasn’t the easiest but at the end of the day I was able to be a part of a successful team and a great group of guys.
Your basketball life in Ludwigsburg came to an end recently. Was this a good example that like in so many other facets of life, business is always king while everything else is far behind?
Didn’t you watch the BBL Dunk Contest this year? Kelvin Martin is King. Point Blank. Period.
Orlando Parker is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Orlando, Florida playing his third professional season and second in Germany and first with PS Karlsruhe. He started his basketball career with Wagner (NCAA) in 2010 playing a total of 118 NCAA games. As a senior he played 26 games averaging 6.7ppg, 6.7rpg, FGP: 44.7%, FT: 62.0%. In 2014 he turned professional with UL Eagles Limerick (Ireland-Premier League) playing 17 games averaging 19.9ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.1spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 78.5%. Last season he played with Baskets Vilsbiburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: 22.6ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after the huge double OT win against Rostock in the playoffs.
Orlando thanks for talking to German Hoops. 2017 is now in it´s third month. Did you make any news year resolutions or are you more the guy that doesn´t believe in that?
I sometimes just go with the flow and see where life takes me but I always set goals to accomplish.
How long did it take to digest the bitter 76-49 loss against the kids of FC Bayern Munich? How can a loss like that occur shortly before the playoffs?
I don’t consider anyone over 18 kids, and I definitely wouldn’t say they play like kids either. Really talented group. Not taking anything away from them but we were working on tactics for the Playoffs.
It was a tale of two seasons for PS Karlsruhe. After losing the first game to Frankfurt, you were unstoppable with a 10 game winning streak, but then up and down with a 6-6 record. What happened with this team from December until now?
We let some games slip away and lost our identity as a defensive team.
Rilwan Bakare is a 26 year 201cm forward from Chicago,Illinois playing his third professional season and first with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors after starting the season with Pernion Urheilijat Basket (Finland-1st Division) and then moving to Union de Santa Fe (Argentina-TNA). Last season he played for BK Iskra Svit (Slovakia-SBL) playing 18 games averaging 11.2ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 57.8%, FT: 58.5%. As a rookie he played for TuS Breckerfeld (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 18 games averaging 19.9ppg, 10.5rpg. He played his college ball at four schools including Columbus State Community College (NJCAA), Danville Area Community College (NJCAA), Campbellsville (NAIA) and Texas Wesleyan (NAIA): He spoke to German Hoops about his season with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors.
Rilwan, thanks for talking to German Hoops! You played at many schools in the states and in many places in the world, but please explain what kind of feeling it was setting foot in the beautiful huge Mercedes and what kind of atmosphere it was?
It was a great feeling I never played in gym like that a lot of lights and the atmosphere was amazing and a different feeling.
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors arrived in Berlin earlier in the day. What was your impression of the city in the few hours that you were there?
Very beautiful I had never been to Berlin so the city was really nice and the skyline buildings were beautiful. I told myself I would love to live here it’s just like America.
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors suffered a tough 75-64 loss in game one against Lok Bernau. Lok Bernau defended very well, but how key were the 22 team turnovers for losing this game?
We started off strong and the second half we tried to force a couple of passes that hurt us. We should of stayed calm and played like we did in the first half. We have to get better so those turnovers won’t happen again.
One never wants to make excuses, but how would the result of the game looked like if Mahir Agva, Niklas Kiel and Stefan Ilzhoefer had been on board who could of drastically changed the dimension of the game?
I believe we would have been stronger because those are great players that add strength to our team, but it wouldn’t have been a difference we still have to play hard and win has a Team.
Adrien Coleman is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Stone Mountain, Georgia playing his third professional season and first with the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career in 2009 with Nebraska (NCAA) playing only six NCAA games. He then played at Beth.-Cookman (NCAA) and as a senior played 34 games averaging 17.8ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 22.9%, FT: 50.4%. He started his professional career in 2014 with UU-Korihait Uusikaupunki (Finland-1st Division) playing 37 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 17.4%, FT: 47.3%. Last season he played with Bolmar La Paz (Bolivia-Libobasquet) and South Adelaide Panthers (Australia-Premier League) playing 15 games averaging 21.9ppg, 9.4rpg, 4.5apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 16.3%, FT 54%. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.
Adrien thanks for talking to German Hoops! You’re playing your first season in Germany. You joined Nordlingen and have been a spark plug. Were you abit surprised how late you signed considering you had had good seasons in Finland and Australia?
It was surprising I was home for a bit after Australia and boom right back into another season and playing well over the world I feel like I’ve been prepared for this and my parents helped me always to stay focused.
Your playing an excellent season, but the Giants Nordlingen have struggled all season long. How much of a factor was the players coming and going and injuries not letting the team chemistry develop?
Thank You! I’m so blessed Well we had a lot of ups and downs and coach has brought us through a lot and helping keeping us focused. Chemistry was tough at first but we are coming along together because we all want to win.
The Giants Nordlingen are playing the playdowns in hopes of staying in the league. The club has ended the season playing their best basketball. How confident are you that you will stay in the league?
I feel that we will keep the team in the league. We are coming together and we are just healing and coming together in the season playing for each other the keys to staying in the league is staying with each other and believing in each other and knowing each other strengths in what we can do.
Timajh Parker Rivera is a 23 year old 203cm forward from Milford, Conneticut playing his professional basketball career with SSV Lok Bernau. He played four years at Towson(NCAA) playing a total of 128 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 6.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.1%, FT: 50.4%. He spoke to German Hoops before game one of the playoffs against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors.
Timajh congrats on the 94-77 win against Wolfenbuettel and finishing the regular season in first place in the Pro B north. You finished the season in style, but what did the team learn from last weeks close 85-83 win against low ranked team Stahnsdorf?
Thank you! Basically we learned that we can never take our foot off the pedal every night each team we play is capable to hand us a loss. Nearing the playoffs we have to play every game as if it were our last.
Lok Bernau had it´s best scoring quarter in the third. What adjustments did you make to be able to push up a notch in the third quarter? How key were you two beast mode dunks at the start of the fourth quarter? Did this fuel the team to close out the game in fine fashion?
I don’t think we made to many adjustments. We buckled down on defense and that lead to more shots which started to drop in the third.
How key were you two beast mode dunks at the start of the fourth quarter? Did this fuel the team to close out the game in fine fashion?
They definitely gave the team and fans some energy. My teammates found me in great positions and made it easy for me.
Terence Smith is a 25 year old 191cm guard from Russellville, Alabama playing his rookie season in Germany with the Giants Nordlingen. He started his basketball career with Tenn-Martin (NCAA) in 2010 playing 84 NCAA games in three seasons averaging double figures in scoring each season with his junior year being his most productive where he averaged 14.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 82.1%. He played his last year of school with Mississippi (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.7apg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Terence thanks for talking to German Hoops You’re playing your rookie season in Germany. Your from Alabama and playing in a small town Nordlingen for the Giants. What was your wake up call as a rookie in Germany where you knew that you were far away from home?
I knew I was far away from home when I was waking up and my family and friends back home was getting ready to go to sleep.
You are playing an excellent season, but the Giants Nordlingen have struggled all season long. How much of a factor was the players coming and going and injuries not letting the team chemistry develop?
This team has faced a lot of adversity throughout the season with injuries and players coming and going. That made it difficult with the development of our team chemistry, but it’s part of basketball and we have no control over those things. I like the energy and effort my teammates constantly bring each and every game despite all that we have gone through.
The Giants Nordlingen are playing the playdowns in hopes of staying in the league. The club has ended the season playing their best basketball. How confident are you that you will stay in the league?
We will leave it all on the court and try our best to end the season on a good note.
Chamberlain Oguchi is a 30 year old 186cm Nigerian shooting guard from Houston, Texas that is playing his sixth professional season and this season played with Soles de Mexicali (Mexico-LNBP) playing 30 games averaging 13.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 46.4%, 3FGP: 40.4%, FT: 81.8%, in Feb.’17 moved to Boulazac Basket Dordogne (France-ProB). He started his basketball career in 2004 with Oregon (NCAA) playing 86 games over three seasons and then moved to Illinois St. and as a senior played 34 games averaging 15.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.2%, 3Pts: 39.5%, FT: 81.9%. He started his professional basketball career in 2009 with STB Le Havre (France-ProA) and in the last years also gained experience in the D-league with the Maine Red Claws, Philippians, Lebanon, Iraq, Russia, Spain and Poland. He spoke to German Hoops last month before signing with Boulazac Basket Dordogne (France-ProB).
Champ thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and are you a guy that makes new years resolutions or moreover a guy that doesn´t bother with that?
My pleasure. I recently returned to Houston, Texas and am undergoing a strict basketball training program in preparation for what opportunities lie ahead.
Last season after not being able to play for two seasons due to injury, you played in Poland for Anwil Wloclawek (Poland-TBL): 11 games: 13.7ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 36.2%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 81.8%. What did you learn from that experience?
For starters, I learned that ice-cold weather and myself don’t get along lol. I also learned the importance of patience. After sidelined for 2 seasons I was eager to pick up where I left off, but sometimes the first opportunity is not always the best opportunity. I learned it’s better to wait for the right opportunity than to sell yourself short. I also learned the importance remaining positive and rational in the midst of adversity.
German Hoops 