Larry Gordon (SC Rasta Vechta) Derrick Allen Gives Me Hope As A Basketball Player

Larry Gordon is a 29 year old 196cm forward that is back in Germany having signed with SC Rasta Vechta. He started the season with Sonic Boom KT (Korea-KBL) playing 19 games averaging  14.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 51.3%, 3FGP: 35.6%, FT: 82.1%. Last season he played with the  Eisbaeren Bremerhaven playing 33 games averaging 10.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 84.3%. The American played a total of 101 games for Phoenix Hagen from 2012-2015 leading them into the playoffs once  He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NCAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie) playing 36 games and averaging 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) from 2010-2012 before coming to Phoenix Hagen in 2012. Larry Gordon has been a regular for German Hoops as he gave his 40th interview for the website.

Larry thanks for talking to German Hoops Welcome back to Germany. When I say 36/22 do you have any idea what I am referring to?

I have no idea!

Well let me clear up the math lesson and tell you that 36 stands for the minutes you played in a 75-67 win in Vecta 3 years ago where you led the team with 22 points. What do you remember about the breathtaking atmosphere in the Rasta Dome?

It’s small and loud, with a great fan base.

How excited are you to be playing in Vechta? How big is this challenge for you coming and trying to get Vechta back to winning ways?

I’m very excited, I’m back in Germany which is like a second home for me. This will be a very big challenge for me given the situation but nothing I haven’t experienced before.

(more…)

Jevohn Shepherd (Proximus Spirou Charleroi) I Feel I Am Approaching My Prime Still Learning And Adding Things To My Game

Jevohn Shepherd is a 30 year old 196cm forward from Toronto, Canada playing his seventh professional season and first with Proximus Spirou Charleroi (Belgium-Euromillions League). He started his basketball career with Michigan in 2005 where he played until 2009 playing a total of 115 NCAA games. He started his professional basketball career in 2010 with the Halifax Rainmen (PBL): 11 games: 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, FGP-1(71.4%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 63.2%. In the 2010-2011 season he moved to Europe to Germany to play with the  GiroLive-Ballers Osnabrueck (Germany-ProA) 20 games: Score-2(20.2ppg), 6.1rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 70.9%, in March’11 moved to Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 15 games: 4.7ppg, 2.1rpg. In the 2011-2012 season he moved to Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (Holland-Eredivisie) playing  EuroChallenge: 11 games: 8.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 37.9%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 76.5%; Dutch League: 34 games: 13.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 74.1%. In the 2012-2013 season he went to CS Municipal Bucuresti (Romania-Division A): 33 games: Score-4(18.7ppg), 4.2rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 75.7%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Paffoni Omegna (Italy-Lega Due Silver) playing 33 games: 18.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 79.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Sigma Barcellona (Italy-A2 Gold) playing 27 games: 17.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 73.0%. Last season he started with Openjobmetis Varese (Italy-Serie A): 5 games: 5.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 33.3%, 3FGP: 22.2%, FT: 83.3%; FIBA Europe Cup: 2 games: 3.0ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.0spg, in Dec.’15 moved to Consultinvest VL Pesaro (Italy-Serie A) 19 games: 9.4ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 72.0%. German Hoops spoke to Shepherd before a Basketball champions League game in Ludwigsburg.

Jevohn Welcome back to Germany. You are in Ludwigsburg now playing here for the first time with  Proximus Spirou Charleroi (Belgium-Euromillions League. Did you make any new years basketball resolutions that could come into effect in Ludwigsburg?

Danke Schön., No real resolutions other than continuing to improve into the new year.

It seems like ages since you last played for the then Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Since then you have played three years in Italy, in Romania and Holland. Have you been back to Germany over the years besides when you played Eurochallenge against Oldenburg and BG Goettingen?

It does feel like years as I started my professional career in Germany. Unfortunately I have not been back to visit but have very fond memories of my time in Germany as well as some of the great people I met while there.

(more…)

Tony Meier (CEZ Basketball Nymburk) Poland Was The Turning Point In My Career Where I Realized I Could Make This A Long Term Profession

Tony Meier is a 26 year od 206cm forward from Wildwood, Missouri playing his third professional season and first with CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). He started his basketball career in 2008 with Wisc.-Milwaukee (NCAA) where he played until 2012 playing a total of 118 NCAA games and as a senior played  27 games averaging 11.0ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 68.1%. He started his professional basketball career in 2013 with Frankston Blues (Australia-SEABL): 3 games: 18.7ppg, 5.0rpg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 75.0%. He then came to Europe and played the 2013-2014 season with Vitoria, SC / M.Couto Alves Guimaraes (Portugal-LPB) playing 33 games averaging  14.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 82.0%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Polpharma Starogard Gdanski (Poland-TBL) playing 30 games averaging 14.1ppg, 6.2rpg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 82.0%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Tony thanks for talking to German Hoops. 2017 is here and have you made any basketball new years resolutions?

Thanks so much for talking with me as well. The new year is definitely an exciting time and I was fortunate enough to have a pretty decent holiday break this season but our team had a great start to the year and finished strong right before the break as well so I just hope to keep that momentum going and do everything we can to make it a great full season.

You are playing your first season with CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). You are playing for the best basketball team in the Czech Republic. What is the best example that shows you that this is the countries most prestigious team?

I am definitely lucky and grateful to be a part of an organization of this caliber. From the first day I arrived here in Nymburk the management and staff has been nothing short of professional. Walking into the gym and seeing all the championship banners on the wall from the past 13 seasons made me feel proud to be here and it’s just exciting to be a part of. Our fans are great and each and every opponent in the Czech league shows up to play their best game of the season against us, which I take as a compliment and a welcome challenge.

(more…)

DJ Bennett (Mitteldeutscher BC) Our Commitment To Each Other And Our High Work Ethic Has Separated Us From Other Teams

DJ Bennett is a 203cm forward from Chicago, Illinois that is playing his second professional season and first with the Mitteldeutscher BC. As a rookie he played with the BSW Sixers Sandersdorf (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 18 games averaging 15.3ppg, 8.7ppg, 2.3bpg, FGP: 66.9%, FT: 67.9%. He started his basketball career with Indian Hills CC (JUCO) and moved to Oklahoma (NCAA) in 2013 where he stayed two years playing a total of 61 NCAA games and reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2015. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

This was your second time in Germany and you once again took in the pre Christmas time. You spent last season in the small Sandersdorf and this season in Weissenfels. What have you learned to appreciate about this time of year in Germany?

Being in this part of Germany much like Sandersdorf I’ve learned to appreciate the fans, they always go out of their way to keep showing is support and having small events for us for the holidays, the fans are definitely a big part of this teams success.

Basketball life is very good in Weissenfels as the Mitteldeutscher BC is dominating the league at 15-1. Is everything perfect in MBC country?

I am grateful to be part of such a great team but it’s a long way from perfect, we always have small things that we can do better and we compete every day in practice to make sure we are ready for whoever we face next, I think what separated us from others teams is our commitment to each other and our high work ethic.

(more…)

Brian Sullivan (Hebeisen White Wings) I Want To Continue To Show That My Decision Making With The Ball Is A Big Strength Of Mine

Brian Sullivan is a 23 year old 180cm guard from Upper Arlington, Ohio that is playing his rookie season in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. He started his college basketball career in 2011 with Miami, OH (NCAA) playing 30 games averaging 10.3ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 35.7%, 3PT: 44.9%, FT: 70.0%. He then played at Davidson (NCAA) from 2013-2016 and as a senior played 30 games averaging 14.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 32.7%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 83.1%. He spoke to German Hoops about his rookie season.

Brian, thank for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the huge 68-63 win against top Pro A team Kirchheim Knights. What makes a grind out win like this more difficult to accomplish than a shoot out win?

 It seems in low scoring games, your margin of error defensively is that much smaller. So the biggest challenge was just making sure we stayed locked in defensively for all 40 minutes.

The fourth quarter started with a huge run by the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau as Kruize Pinkins scored in bunches, but Kirchheim fought back. The game was technically over at the two minute mark as German Josef Eichler hit a three and there was no more scoring after that. How strange of a fourth quarter ending was this for you?

Yeah, it was a bit odd but that is how the flow of the game was going. It was very defensive minded and there seemed to be a couple different stretches without much scoring.

(more…)

There Still Is No Slowing Down The Owned Definition Of Mr Pass In Jared Jordan

It never gets boring watching guys in the NBA like a Lebron James or Draymond Green fill up the stat sheet on a regular basis with ease the way Tom Brady does winning games with an offense that any other quarter back would struggle with and wish they could flee the responsibility. You always know what you will get from a Lebron or Green as they do so much well, but then again on the other hand, you have players that in many ways are able to also do everything these guys can do, but to a way lesser extent, but then again have one basketball ability that they especially shine in and use mostly to their advantage on the court. Even though a David Bell can do many things well on the court and is a lot better passer than people might realize, he shines mostly with his scoring and is simply a knock down shooter. Another guy that excels the most at one aspect of the game is ex ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant who plays for AS Monaco now and led the BBL in rebounds three years in a row as he owned the paint area from 2010-2013 averaging 10,0rpg as one could have named him Mr rebound for good measure. However one player that owns the assist in the easyCredit BBL the way Bill Russell owned the rebound back in the day is Jared Jordan who has inherited the nickname of Mr pass for a reason in Germany the past years. Jordan is a 32 year old 187cm point guard from Hartford Connecticut and is in his 10th professional season and sixth in Germany and second consecutive season with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He has dominated the assist stat in Europe the way Michael Jordan dominated the scoring race in the 80´s and 90´s in the NBA as well as How Lebron James has in his career. He is currently leading the German easyCredit BBL in assists at 8,6 and has won the crown the last six years and two years ago in Spain and currently on track to win his seventh straight assist race dating back to the 2010-2011 season. He was no slouch in his first three professional seasons as he was fourth in the Baltic league as a rookie, second in the D-league in 2008-2009 with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and fourth in the BBL in 2009-2010 which was his first season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn in a growing league. However he already put up mind boggling assists averages in college at Marist(NCAA) which already gave a premonition about what would happen when Jordan was a professional.

(more…)

Folarin Campbell (BK Ventspils) Darius Hall Was A Good Player But Also A Great Entertainer

Folarin Campbell is a 30 year old 193cm shooting guard/small forward playing his ninth professional season and second with  BK Ventspils (Latvia-LBL). He comes from Silver Springs and played at George Mason from 2004-2008 reaching the NCAA Final Four in 2006. He finished career at George Mason ranked fourth all-time in assists (392), fifth in three-point field goals attempted (489), sixth in three-point field goals made (163) and eighth in scoring (1,545 points). He is the only player in school history with 1,500 points, 450 rebounds, 350 assists, 150 3-pointers, 100 steals and 50 blocks. Before he turned professional, he played at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) playing 3 games averaging 12.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.0apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 37.8%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 83.3%. As a professional he has played in countries like Germany where he played for teams like Artland, Bonn and Ludwigsburg and in Italy, Greece and Poland. Last season he played for Energa Czarni Slupsk (Poland-TBL) playing 37 games averaging 11.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 67.4%, He spoke to German Hoops recently when he was in Oldenburg playing Champions League.

Folarin thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. When I think about your career, I remember you early in your career in Germany with Artland and Bonn in your second and third seasons, but I hardly remember your time in Ludwigsburg two seasons ago. What kind of experience was that for you playing for head coach John Patrick?

 It was a great experience. My time was cut short because of an injury. But the couple months I was able to play for coach Patrick were good. He is a players coach and he gives you a lot of freedom to be yourself on the court. It also helped that he was from the same state as me in the US so we were familiar with each other prior to Ludwigsburg.

Now you are back in Oldenburg. What memories do you have of playing against this team over the years? I remember you won a tight 74-72 contest with the Telekom Baskets Bonn where you scored 17 points.

 Well I don’t really remember that individual game to well. But I do remember the city and the atmosphere in that gym. The fans are great and passionate about their team. I’m excited to come back and play in this gym. I know it will be a hostile environment.

(more…)

Cardell McFarland (Uni-Riesen Leipzig) I’ve Never Disrespected The Game Just Sitting Out Because I’m Faking An Injury

Cardell McFarland is a 29 year old 182cm point guard from Evansville, Indiana that is playing his fifth professional season and recently signed with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig. He started the season with the DBL Sharks Sheffield (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 11 games and averaging 10.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 2FGP: 56.5%, 3FGP: 40.0%. Last season he played with the Bristol Academy Flyers (United Kingdom-BBL): 24 games: 17.6ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-5(4.8apg), FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 66.7%. He started his basketball career at Missouri State and then played his last two seasons for  Ky Wesleyan (NCAA2). As a rookie he played for CS Farul Constanta (Romania-Division A): 7 games: 12.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 88.5%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for the Giants Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB), playing 18 games: Score-2(23.8ppg), 3.1rpg, Assists-2(5.6apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 65.3%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 72.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he remained in Germany playing for the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany-Pro B) playing 20 games averaging 18.9ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-3(5.5apg), 1.5spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 71.2% He spoke to German Hoops about basketball and his new team Uni-Riesen Leipzig.

Cardell thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. How does it feel to be back in a country where you dominated with your game on the floor?

No worries, Miles its always a pleasure speaking with you. It really feels great to be back in Germany. I’m familiar with the leagues here and I love the culture and country. It will be an easy adjustment. I’m not to worried about the past success I’ve had here. I’m looking forward to the challenge of making an even bigger impact. 

Your first stay was in a village in Nordlingen, your second stay was a big town Hanau and now your in a real city of Leipzig. Does it feel more like home in Evansville where you can find a Mcdonalds?

I’ve learned you can find a McDonald’s anywhere no matter where you go. I plan on trying my best to stay away from the fast food. McDonald’s in Europe is great other Americans will understand what I’m saying. Evansville is actually pretty small city compared to here. Leipzig is a beautiful city especially in the summer time. Really nice parks and lakes. Has a good football team which is currently tied for 1st in the league so it also has a good sports vibe here. East Germany is different from the last two areas I previously played in Germany but I like new experiences. I’ll adventure out more and get to know the city in my time here. 

(more…)

Wayne Bernard (Science City Jena) Sometimes A Simple One Second Look With A Head-Nod And Jenkins And Mcelroy Immediately Know What I’m Trying To Say

Wayne Bernard is a 35 year old 190cm guard from Poway, California playing his 14th professional season and ninth in Germany and third with Science City Jena. He started his basketball career at Davidson(NCAA) in 1999 where he played until 2003 playing a total of 99 NCAA games and as a senior played  27 games averaging 15.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 5.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 83.3%. He turned professional in 2003 and in his first five seasons played in Israel, Greece, Sweden, France and Finland. In 2008 he moved to Germany and has continued to play here playing three seasons with the Mitteldeutscher BC helping them move to the BBL in 2009, and then also gained further experience with Giessen, Ludwigsburg and Nurnberg. He spoke to German Hoops during the Christmas holidays before playing his 150th BBL game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Wayne thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is your ninth season in Germany. Could one say that Germany has become your second home?

Yes it definitely is. I have really grown to love the country. Definitely a lot different from the States, and “home” will always be “home”, but Germany has treated me so well these past nine seasons and I’ve appreciated my time being here.

This is also your ninth Christmas in Germany. What have you come to appreciate most about the holiday season in Germany and if you had to choose between Weissenfels, Giessen, Ludwigsburg, Nurnberg and Jena which city have you enjoyed most in this time?

CHRISTMAS MARKETS! By far. We don’t have many of these in the US, and the ones that are there, do not compare to the how big they are in Germany. I know everybody loves the Glühwein at the Christmas markets, but my favorite thing to buy when I’m there are the “Gebackene Mandeln” (baked  almonds), especially when they are warm. The city I’ve enjoyed the most during this time? Very difficult to say. But if I had to pick one, I would say Weissenfels in the year 2010. I say this because that was the first year my mother had ever been to Europe and she came to visit me. Watching her having a new experience in a new culture was like watching a child open their favorite Christmas present. It was great to see someone her age “become a happy child” again.

(more…)

Keane Thomann (Bakken Bears) My Wakeup Call In Denmark Was Not Having My Truck Which Was A Big Change

Keane Thoman is a 27 year old 211cm enter from Olney, Illinous playing his fifth professional season and second with the Bakken Bears (Denmark-Ligaen). He started his basketball career with Missouri So. (NCAA2) in 2008 where he played until 2012 playing a total of 117 games and as a senior played  30 games: 21.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 63.3%, FT: 72.9%. He started his professional career in 2012 with Horsens IC (Denmark-Ligaen) playing 36 games: 18.0ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 53.7%, FT: 72.7%. In his second season with Horsens IC (Denmark-Ligaen) he played  34 games: 10.1ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 69.1%. In the 2014-2015 season he played with BMI Bloodhounds (Denmark-1st Division) Last season was his first with the Bakken Bears (Denmark-Ligaen): 26 games: 5.0ppg, 2.2rpg; FIBA Europe Cup: 6 games: 2.0ppg, 1.7rpg. He spoke to German Hoops recently before the Champions League game with the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Keane for talking to German Hoops. You are playing your fifth season as a professional in Denmark. Could one say that Denmark is your second home now?

 I’ve spent 10 months a year for the last 5 years in Denmark. I wish I could see my family more often but DK feels like home.

What have you learned to appreciate most about Denmark? Do people act surprised sometimes when they learn that you American since you have that Northern European look?

I like the simplicity of everything here. Riding bikes to get around and soaking in the atmosphere is a good way to get around. I often get confused for a Dane when I first meet people.

(more…)