The BASKETBALL AID-All-STAR-Team meet The University Of Iowa

BASKETBALL AID International Tour 2017

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It was one of the sporting highlights of the last years and it was for a good cause. In the summer of 2016, the BASKETBALL AID International Tour toured through Germany and Luxemburg. They demonstrated attractive basketball at 6 places playing 9 exciting games against EasyCredit BBL, Pro A, Pro B teams as well as against the Luxemburg national team in front of thousands of fans gathering money for children stricken with cancer. 30,000 Euro and a huge wave of enthusiasm and support was the result of the project.

Peter Jok driving to the bucket who finished a stellar Iowa career playing 123 games and now is looking to start his professional basketball career

The BASKETBALL AID International Tour will continue at the start of August. During the University of Iowa´s European tour at the beginning of August, they will come to Germany on August eighth. The Hawkeyes who play in the highest American college league division one will meet a BASKETBALL AID All-STAR team at the Heidelberger arena at the Olympic base Rhein-Neckar(Im Neuenheimer Feld 710) at 20.00. The organizer of the game are German Pro A team MLP Academics Heidelberg with their CEO Matthias Lautenschläger.

This will be the University of Iowa´s only game in Germany as they will play other games in Switzerland against the Swiss national team and in Italy.

“We are very proud to have been able to win such a top university for the continuation of our project. The talks have been running since months”, stressed Hans Beth who is the chairman of the BASKETBALL AID International Tour. Beth and German basketball legend Pascal Roller who won a silver at the 2005 European championships with Germany will look after the opponent of the University of Iowa. “At the moment we are putting together an All-Star team from Germany and it will be an attractive game”, stressed Hans Beth. The game also has a very special meaning for the ex German national player Pascal Roller. I have been a member of BASKETBALL AID for many years and I am looking forward to being a part of this great event.

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Steven Bennett (Dresden Titans) I Don’t Feel Pressure But I’m Always Challenging Myself To Be Better Than I Was Before

Steven Bennett is a 29 year old 173cm point guard from Los Angeles that is playing his sixth professional basketball season and first with the Dresden Titans. As a rookie he played for the Spot Up Medium Baskets Braunschweig. With Braunschweig he played 10 games averaging 22.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 5.1apg, 2.4spg, 2FGP: 57.5%, 3FGP: 34.2%, FT: 76.6% He is one of the few special players that has a tenacity and will to win that is unmatched; it is impossible to judge him based upon height alone because he can compete with anyone in the world. He has proven this in the Maui Invitational division I tournament in 2010, and was recognized as one of the top players (All-Maui Award) from a field of other top US point guards such as Kemba Walker, Kailin Lucas and Brandon Knight. Bennett is known for his great court vision and passing ability, and is able to get in the lane at will and finish against anyone with either left or right hand. Every team bases their defensive strategy around Bennett and is forced to take create his own shot and take his three point shots off the dribble. He is an excellent shooter, but wants to continue to improve his already respectable 40% three point percentage. Steven is known for having excellent leadership skills, and is highly respected by all of his peers and coaches. He played at Citrus JC (JUCO) from 2007-2009 and then played at Chaminade (NCAA2). In the summer of 2013 he also found experience playing for the Rockingham Flames (Australia-SBL) He played three games with 2013 NBA draft pick Dennis Schroeder as a rookie in the Pro B. In the 2013-2014 season he played for the LTi Giessen 46ers (Germany-ProA) playing 37 games averaging 11.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 66.7%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 5 games: 5.2ppg, 1.2rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 31.3%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 87.5%; VTB United League: 1 game: 0pts, 1ast, left in Jan.’15, later that month moved to JBC MMCITE Brno (Czech Republic-NBL) playing 12 games averaging 14.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 74.1%. He last played in Germany for the Finke Baskets Paderborn (Germany-ProA) playing 13 games averaging 10.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 71.8%He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Steven Bennett in Giessen after a 2014 Playoff game against Science City Jena

Steven thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been going?

I’m currently in Toronto, Canada. My summer has been great, just training and getting ready for the upcoming season.

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Austin Hollins (Giessen46ers) I Inherited My Work Ethic From My Father

Austin Hollins is a 25 year old 195cm guard from Tennessee that is the son of ex NBA player Lionel Hollins and will be entering his fourth professional season and first with the Giessen 46ers. He started his basketball career at Minnesota (NCAA) in 2010 where he played until 2014 playing a total of 136 NCAA games. As a senior he played 38 games averaging 12.4ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.4apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 44.5%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 77.1%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with Denain ASC Voltaire (France-ProB) playing 35 games averaging 8.5ppg, 1.7rpg, FGP: 62.1%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 76.9%. In the summer of 2015 he played NBA Pro Summer League in Orlando (Brooklyn Nets): 3 games: 2.0ppg and Las Vegas (Brooklyn Nets): 6 games: 7.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 42.9%. In the 2015-2016 season he remained with Denain ASC Voltaire (France-ProB) playing 34 games averaging 12.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 76.6%. Last season he played with Karhu Kauhajoki (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 47 games averaging 17.2ppg), 4.7rpg, 2.6apg, Steals-3(1.8spg), FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 78.4%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.

Austin thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer coming along?

I am in Memphis, Tennessee right now which is my hometown. My summer is coming along well. I have been enjoying my time off as well as working out and trying to get better.

Congrats on signing with the German team Giessen 46ers. After a stellar season in Finland, were you swamped with offers or did you pretty much take one of the first offers that came with Giessen?

There was some interest from some teams and some offers and I could’ve waited a little longer to see if more teams would come along. But, I felt this was the best fit for me. It felt right so I ran with it.

What do you know in general about German basketball and the country? Some of your former teammates at Minnesota like Trevor Mbakwe, Rodney Williams and Andre Hollins have played in Germany. Did you get some feedback from them?

I don’t know a ton about German basketball but I know that it is a very good league and a high level of competition. 2 of the 3 guys mentioned had short stints in Germany but I’ve gotten positive feedback from all of them about their experiences and I’m excited for the upcoming season.

You will be joining a very ambitious club with Giessen that are rich in tradition, but haven’t won a league title since the 70´s. they also have a new head coach with Ingo Freyer who likes to play run and gun and where giving up 100 points isn´t a rarity. Do you see yourself being the defensive enforcer this season?

I’m excited for what Gießen is building and I’m glad to be a part of it. I love to play defense so I will try my best to help the team in that area.

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Jesse Morgan(RheinStars) I Had A Chip On My Shoulder As A Rookie And Still Do Now

Jesse Morgan is a 26 year old 196cm forward from Philadelphia that will be playing his second professional season in Germany with the RheinStars. Last season as a rookie he played for AB Contern (Luxembourg-Total League) playing 26 games: Score-2(27.2ppg), 5.6rpg, 2.7apg, Steals-5(2.1spg), FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 83.9%. He started his basketball career in 2010 with Massachusetts (NCAA) where he played for three seasons amassing 59 NCAA games. He transferred to Temple (NCAA) and as a senior played 27 games averaging 11.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 33.9%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 81.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.

Congrats Jeese on signing with German Pro A team RheinStars Cologne. Have you invited Tony, TJ and Max DiLeo for dinner yet in thanks for giving CEO Stephan Baeck the headsup on your game?

Lol nah I haven’t got chance to do that yet.

You have made the next step coming from the lower league in Luxemburg to the very strong and competitive German pro A. Was it just the advice that family DiLeo gave you that made you take this offer or were there other factors that helped you make this decision?

I feel like the DiLeo family had a huge influence on my decision, but always being in Luxemburg last year I got a chance to visit Germany regularly and I fell in love. I wouldn’t want to be any other place in the world.

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Dylan Travis (My Numbers Aren’t Crazy But I Do The Things A Good Teammate Does That Are Crucial For Winning Games)

Dylan Travis is a 24 year old 190cm guard from Omaha, Nebraska that recently completed his rookie season with Rot-Weiss Cuxhaven (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 17 games averaging 14.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.9apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 70.5%. He began his basketball career in 2012 with Midland (NAIA) playing 25 games averaging 7.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.5%. After a season at Iowa Central CC (JUCO) he moved to Florida Southern (NCAA2) in 2014 playing 25 games averaging 11.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 78.7%. In his senior year at Florida Southern (NCAA2) he played 24 games averaging 21.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 4.9apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 84.0%.He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Dylan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer going?

Danke Miles, right now I am in Florida working part time and of course staying in shape and working on my basketball game every day.

Congrats on being a big figure in helping Rot-Weiss Cuxhaven (Germany-Regionalliga) to the Pro B. If somebody had told you at the start of the season that the club would move up this season what would you have thought?

Yes, that was a big reason why I went to Cuxhaven. I love the ambition the club had, once we finally had our roster in place we talked every day about winning the league and we achieved that goal. The club deserves and so do the loyal fans.

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Dominic Early (Itzehoe Eagles) Staying Inside Of Your Game Is The Key To Being A Great Scorer

Dominic Early is a 198cm forward from Atlanta, Georgia that will be in his second professional season after being a rookie in Australia and now will play for the Itzehoe Eagles (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career at Furman(NCAA) where he played 41 games in two seasons. He then moved to USC Aiken (NCAA2) where he played 19 games averaging 15.6ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 82.4%. As a senior he played for Co.Georgia (NAIA) playing 32 games averaging 20.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 73.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Dominic thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer going?

I am still in Australia and won’t go home for another month.

In school you were a kind of nomad playing at 3 schools Furman (NCAA), USC Aiken (NCAA2) and Co.Georgia (NAIA). After your rookie season in Australia you are in Germany now. Do you have the feeling you might go the same route as a professional bouncing around from team to team and country to country?

I only transferred schools because of coaching changes. I will let my career take its course and I will make those decisions as I go.

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Tim Oldenburg Retires From Basketball Moving To The Police Force

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Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Tim Oldenburg after he produced 18 points and 15 rebounds in a 79-66 victory against Leipzig in 2015

It really didn´t matter if the Fraport Skyliners Juniors won or lost, Tim Oldenburg was always prepared to give his five cents after a game about what happened on the floor no matter if he had just survived a double OT loss, hit the floor 25 times all battered and still gotten up or been a spectator at the end of the bench trying to get through an injury. Oldenburg is a 25 year old 202cm forward/center that has decided to hang up his jersey and concentrate on his 9-5 job at the police force. The German came to the club in 2009 and first played with Eintracht Frankfurt (Regionalliga), but witnessed his first Pro B minutes in the 2010-2011 where he played 12 games. In total he would play 7 Pro B seasons, but also a BBL game, one Eurochallenge game and two Fiba Europe Cup games. Oldenburg was so much more than just a good basketball player, but a guy that had a great charachter and was a role model for everyone.

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Andre Calvin (Artland Dragons) There Is No Need For Me To Go Out And Experiment New Things

Andre Calvin is a 32 year old 201cm forward from Michigan that is going into his ninth professional season and firs with the Artland Dragons. Last season he played for the Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA) playing 28 games averaging 11.9ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 70.7%. In Germany he also played for teams like Erdgas Ehingen, BV Chemnitz and BG Karlsruhe. He made the jump to the BBL in 2015 with the Crailsheim Merlins (Germany-BBL) playing 27 games averaging 7.9ppg, 3.4rpg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 54.2%. In his first two professional seasons he played in Austria and Portugal. Prior to turning professional he played at Drake(NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 16.2ppg, 6.1rpg, FGP: 51.4%, 3Pts: 32.7%, FT: 67.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Andre thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Thanks for the interview Miles. My summer has been great, got married and my son was born in late June.

Congrats on signing with the Artland Dragons. You have played in many nice gyms in Germany, but never in the Artland arena. How excited are you to be playing here and what have you heard about the atmosphere?

Thank you, I am excited to be able to play there after everything I have heard about Artland from former teammates. I heard that they’re professional, the arena is always full, and the facilities are amazing.

You have been a very consistent performer in the Pro A averaging 12,5ppg and 6,5rpg in your five seasons. However you are going to the Artland Dragons who are in the Pro B. Are you taking a step back?

I don’t think so, Artland has things to offer that some teams can’t.

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David Taylor (Gotha) I Know I Will Have To Prove Myself

David Taylor is a 22 year old 190cm guard that was born in Bayreuth and grew up in Eckersdorf, Germany. He started his basketball career with the BBC Bayreuth 2 (2.Regionalliga) team in 2009. He then played two seasons with the Nuernberger Basketball Club from 2010-2012 getting his first taste of pro B ball at age 15 and pro A ball at age 16. He then moved to TSV Troester Breitenguessbach (ProB) in 2013 where he played 16 games averaging 6.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 29.0%, FT: 73.7%, played also at Troester Cybex Breitenguessbach U19 team (NBBL). He moved to the United States in 2013 to Pacific(NCAA) where he played until 2017 playing a total of 104 NCAA games. His most productive season was his second where he played 31 games averaging 7.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 80.6%. he spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

David thanks for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

I am still in Stockton California right now working on my individual skill work and body. It’s been a productive summer so far getting my body ready for this up coming season.

Your last NCAA game was on Feb 25^th and you got signed on June 13^th by BBL team Gotha. You had a lot of time from then until now. How was the whole transfer period for you? Was going to a BBL team one of your big goals?

After the NCAA season I talked to a lot of people who wanted to help me in the process of finding the right opportunity for me. It took a while because I wanted to make sure it was the right option for me and I found a good fit with Gotha. Yes playing in the BBL was always a goal of mine. Now that I am part of a first league team I will work even harder to help my team succeed.

How important was it that a Wolfgang Heyder is with Gotha and the team is going in a very youth direction wanting to develop German talent?

I think it is great that Wolfgang is a part of the team. I have known him for a long time now and he is one of the people I respect a lot.

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Buay Tuach (Phoenix Hagen) Life In General And The Struggles I’ve Been Through Helped Me Mature As A Player

Buay Tuach is a 22 year old 198cm forward from Ethiopia that will be starting his professional basketball career in Germany with Phoenix Hagen. He started his career with Northeast CC (JUCO) and then moved to Loyola Mary (NCAA) in 2015 and as a junior played 26 games averaging 3.7ppg, 1.6rpg. As a senior he played 28 games averaging 11.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 57.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thanks Buay for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how is your summer going?

At the moment I am in Los Angeles California and my summer is going well

Your last NCAA game was March 4th and you haven´t played a competitive game in many months. What have you missed most in this time?

In the time of the competitiveness I just miss the games, road trips and team.

Congrats on signing with German Pro A team Phoenix Hagen. After 2 strong seasons at Northeast CC and then a first NCAA season where you hardly played, did you think you could one day become a professional player?

I’ve always had a dream of becoming a professional athlete and I always knew that I would become one someday and the day has come.

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