Paul Carter (Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket) The D-League Will Make A Man Out Of You Quick Because It’s Truly Sink Or Swim

Paul Carter is a 29 year old 205cm forward from Little Rock, Arkansas playing his sixth professional season and first with Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket. the New Zealand Breakers (Australia-NBL). This season he has already played with three teams starting with ALBA Berlin (Germany-BBL) playing 4 Eurocup: games averaging  4.5ppg, 1.3rpg and playing 8 German BBL  games averaging  2.5ppg, 1.6rpg and then moved to the New Zealand Breakers (Australia-NBL) playing 11 games averaging 9.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 2FGP: 39.5%, 3FGP: 50.0%, FT: 64.3%Last season he played with the Sharks Antibes (France-ProA) playing 33 games: 10.2ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 70.5%. He started his basketball career with Minnesota(NCAA) before moving to  Ill.-Chicago (NCAA) for his final year and played 31 games averaging 14.7ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 76.7%. He started his professional basketball career in 2011 with  Proteas Danoi AEL (Cyprus-Division A): 4 games: 14.8ppg, in Dec.’11 moved to Utah Jazz (NBA), later that month signed at Idaho Stampede (D-League): 34 games: 11.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 79.3%. In the 2012-2013 season he joined the Idaho Stampede (D-League): 9 games: 3.0ppg, 2.7rpg, in Jan.’13 signed at Springfield Armor (D-League): 23 games: 5.5ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 40.2%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 77.8%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Elizur Ashkelon (Israel-National League): 8 games: 15.1ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 79.5%. Two seaons ago, he got further experience with Lapuan Korikobrat (Finland-Korisliiga,playing 40 games: Score-2(19.7ppg), Reb-1(12.5rpg), 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 22.6%, FT: 79.8%. He spoke to German Hoopsafter leaving Alba Berlin and going to the New Zealand Breakers.

 

Paul thanks for talking to German Hoops Where are you at the moment and how was your Christmas?

Thank you! I’m Currently in Auckland New Zealand. My Christmas was unusual being that I spent it on a plane. My wife and I left The States Christmas Eve and landed the day after Christmas.

The new year 2017 is slowly coming upon us and you are headed to New Zealand to the Breakers. What personal goals in basketball and as a man do you want to achieve the next year?

I honestly want to help the Breakers get back to the finals and win! As a man I’m hoping to be able to start a family this year!

You had a short stay with Alba Berlin coming in getting a short term contract. Many people didn´t understand why the club got two forwards with you and Tony Gaffney. It was only obvious one player would suffer less minutes.

Yes, it was an interesting situation, one I wasn’t accustomed to for sure. Playing minimal to no minutes was very hard but I learned a lot about myself and the business as well.

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Jordan Theodore (Banvit) Each Season Has Been A Stepping Stone For Me And I Don´t Think That The NBA Is Far Away

Jordan Theodore is a 27 year old 182cm point guard from Englewood, New Jersey that is playing his fifth professional season and first with Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-BSL). Last season he had his most successful season as a professional winning the FIBA Europe Cup with the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-BBL) playing 37 games: 14.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.1%; FIBA Europe Cup: 18 games: 14.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 90.2%. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Seton Hall (NCAA) where he played until 2012 127 NCAA games and as a playing a total of senior played 32 games averaging 16.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 6.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 82.7%. In 2012, he started his professional career with Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye (Turkey-TBL) playing 29 games averaging 15.8ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-for Mersin Buyuksehir Belediyesi (Turkey-TBL) playing 27 games averaging 12.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 73.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for JL Bourg Basket (France-ProA, starting five): 17 games: 12.7ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-2(6.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 21.6%, FT: 87.2%. He spoke to German Hoops before the basketball Champions League game against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg in Oldenburg.

Jordan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. How does it feel to be back in Germany. I believe you were in Frankfurt recently on a break in play?

Yes I was a couple days in Frankfurt to clear my head. It feels good to be back in Germany and always fun to come back, but my trip to Oldenburg is all business.

You are in Oldenburg getting ready to battle the EWE Baskets in the Champions League Playoffs. You had a 2-1 record last season against them, but lost the second regular season game in Oldenburg. What memories do you have of that game?

I remember that game. It was a tough loss that we lost by 4-5 points. But it was the start of the season where everyone was still coming together. We had got John Little a week earlier and no one really knew their role yet. I was the point guard and was still picking my spots. We came together and later in the season had no problem beating them twice.

The EWE Baskets Oldenburg aren´t really to much of a different team from last season returning 9 players. They are having an average BBL season, but playing a great Champions League season. How is Banvit going into this series?

We are going onto the series with Oldenburg looking to play hard and do what it takes to win. We are coming off the cup win and a win last season in the BSL league and are ready. We will like always play our brand of basketball of playing tough defense.

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Quantez Robertson Pokes And Steals The Fraport Skyliners Past s.Oliver Wurzburg 79-76

The one guy is a legend and as present in the German basketball world with his black attire as is legendary actor Jack Nicholson when he is in the front row in the Staples Center at Lakers games while the other guy is one of 1000´s of Americans playing out his dream of being a professional basketball player and one of the fewer making the slow steps up the professional basketball ladder from league to league and from level to level. The legend is none other than Dirk Bauermann who has to be considered as the German Phil Jackson in terms of what he did in the 90´s winning 9 titles with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen as well as being coach of the German national team and winning the 2005 Silver at the European championships with Dirk Nowitzki in Belgrad. After leading FC Bayern Munich into the BBL in 2011, his attempt at winning a title failed and he disappeared from Germany for four years coaching  Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius,  Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd (Russia-VTB) where he was forced to insert the eccentric club CEO into games and had a short stint with the Iranian national team. He returned back to the Fraport arena a place where he won many games, but lost the 2004 BBL title with Bamberg and now was leading the charge with another Bavarian team s.Oliver Wurzburg and came in as the savior, but so far has experienced something he has rarely seen as a coach in Germany losing as he is still looking for his first win as he was 0-5. The other guy coming with Bauermann was American Vincent Sanford that came to Germany late joining s.Oliver Wurzburg farm team  in November and right away was a spark averaging 17,7ppg, 4,6rpg and 2,9apg while shooting 40% from downtown helping the team to a 5-4 record. The American is one of those guys that has had to prove himself his whole career as he played 54 games for the well known Georgetown(NCAA), but averaged only 1,8ppg,and transferred to Dayton(NCAA) where he had more of a role and solidified himself as a solid NCAA player averaging 12,3ppg and 9,6ppg in his last two seasons. However despite reaching the NCAA Elite 8 in 2014 and having good stats didn´t grant him a free pass to a top league as he had to claw himself up the professional ladder playing with Thor Thorl (Iceland-Dominos League): 13 games: 22.1ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 73.0% and last season played with Barrancabermeja Ciudad Futuro (Colombia-Liga DirecTV, starting five): Liga DirecTV-1: 20 games: 14.8ppg, 5.5rpg, 3.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT-2(42.9%), FT: 76.8%. Now in his third professional season and after 9 Pro B games, he suddenly saw himself suit up in an easyCredit BBL game against Tuebingen scoring 9 points in 14 minutes and a week later had 13 points in 17 minutes against the Telekom Baskets Bonn, There are basketball worlds between Bauermann and Sanford, but both had the same goal and wanting to win that first game with s.Oliver Wurzburg. However both didn´t leave the Fraport arena with smiles, but moreover with sullen expressions as they lost a tough 79-76 battle to the hands of the Fraport Skyliners. Bauermann was not only disgusted with his 6th loss in a row, the most that he had lost in a row in Germany and also for being called for a technical foul late in the fourth which turned the game in  favor of Frankfurt. Sanford was unable to match the personal success of his last games as he credits a lot to Bauermann as he had one point on 0/3 shooting in 9.12 minutes and was far form 100%. “I have no excuses, but I couldn´t really dribble as I have been playing with a broken hand. You have to take the good ones with the bad ones. Bauermann has helped me see the game differently in the BBL. He has helped me a lot mentally”, stressed Kentucky native Vincent Sanford.

Basketball BL, FRAPORT SKYLINERS - s.OLIVER WÜRZBURG

25.02.2017 / Basketball BBL / -23- Quantez Tez Robertson / FRAPORT SKYLINERS / -9- Maurice Stuckey / s.OLIVER WÜRZBURG 

 

The Fraport Skyliners came into the contest against s.Oliver Wurzburg riding a three game losing streak having lost badly to Bamberg and Munich and then being embarrassed in Turkey against Pinar Karsiyaka ending their Champions League season. Frankfurt came into the game with a lot to prove, but were having problems with being able to play consistent for long spurts, but were able to overcome a nine point deficit in the fourth quarter as s.Oliver Wurzburg were putting up prayers left and right as if Larry Bird had haunted the Fraport arena and stayed calm and showed their big strength having those fighting mentality qualities, buckled down on defense and won with heart and pride. “Key today for pulling out the win was staying together during the ups and downs in the game. They hit tough shot after tough shot and we had our backs to the wall, but we always stuck together. We played Skyliner basketball until the end and executed down the stretch”, stressed Iona(NCAA) guard AJ English. s.Oliver Wurzburg hoped their basketball woes would come to an end with legendary German head coach Dirk Bauermann, but instead the team still has the big goose egg looking for that first win. After the loss a dejected Jake Odum(Indiana State) exited the locker room and one could feel his disappointment as his soft voice described the game loss. “It went down to the wire. It was very disappointing that we couldn´t come away with the win. It has been very tough not being able to win a game in two months. Most of us aren´t used to losing like this. We have been getting better in practice, but haven´t learned how to finish games. I put a lot of blame on myself for not doing my job. I credit the Skyliners for making plays when it counted”, added Jake Odum.

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Kerry Carter (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I’ve Connected With My Teammates In A Variety Of Ways And I’ve Learned Where Guys Prefer The Ball And When

Kerry Carter is a 26 year old 188cm guard from West Covina, California that is playing his second professional season and first with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen (Germany-ProB). Last season as a rookie he played for Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 5 games: 3.2ppg. He started his basketball career with Citrus College and then moved to St.Mary’s, CA (NCAA) where he played 63 NCAA games and as senior played 31 games averaging 12.1ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg. He currently is tearing up the German Pro B league averaging 29,0ppg and spoke to German Hoops after the 95-79 win against the ScanPlus Baskets.

Kerry thanks for talking to German Hoops 2017 is here and already in full swing. Did you make any new years resolutions this year or are you more a guy that doesn´t get involved with that?

I didn’t make any resolutions but shortly before the new year I gave up meat & poultry and adopted a pescatarian diet. It’s took a lot of discipline not to cave in at first but I’ve gotten acquainted with it.

Congrats on the big 95-79 win against the Giants Nordlingen. The Bayer Giants Leverkusen were already down by 10 after one quarter, but stepped up the defense in the second quarter while scoring 28 points. What adjustments did the team make to get back into the game?

We made a few adjustments to our line up and defensive approach but mostly we just kept playing. It’s a 40 minute game, so down 10 early never gave us any doubt. We never thought we weren’t going to win.

The Bayer Giants Leverkusen did a good job averaging 27 points in the last three quarters and winning the game with their offensive arsenal. Was the consistent offense in the last three quarters key for the win?

Offense was key. We had more guys in double figures tonight than the average night. Anytime we score that way, with several guys contributing, we’re a tough team to beat.

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Terrell Harris (Iserlohn) Matthias Grothe Is A Warrior And I Am So Thankful To Have Him As Coach

Terrell Harris is a 23 year old 190cm guard from Indiantown,Florida that is playing his rookie season in Germany with the : Iserlohn Kangaroos (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career at Mars Hill (NCAA2) in 2011 and then moved to Georgia College in 2012. As a senior he played 29 games averaging 24.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 4.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 76.8%. He concluded his college basketball career winning the All-PeachBelt Player of the Year 2016. Harris spoke to German Hoops after the 79-78 victory against Stahnsdorf.

Terrell thanks for talking to German Hoops! 2017 has come and did you make any new years resolutions or are you more the guy that doesn´t bother with that?

No I did not make any new year resolution. I have yearly goals to work on bettering myself on and off the basketball court. Just trying to be a better all around individual.

Congrats on the exciting 79-78 win against Itzehoe. Iserloh won the first game 85-65. Was the opponent a much improved team or was Iserlohn not as strong as in that first game?

The first time we played them, Itzehoe was bothered by our pressure and early trapping which caused a lot of early turnovers. We were able to get an early comfortable lead. The second game it was like the roles reversed. They started out strong making some tough shots and capitalized on our turnovers. Which gave them an early 17 point lead.

 

What did Iserlohn learn from their one point loss last weekend against Wolfenbuettel that it didn´t make against Itzehoe?

We learned that no lead is safe in this lead. You have to execute on both ends of the floor to win in this challenging league. You have to bring it every night and play. The moment you let up and give your opponent hope, anything can happen such as the last play in Wolfenbuettel.

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Brendan Lane (s.Oliver Wurzburg) Dirk Bauermann Has Been Transitioning Me More At Position Four Which Will Help Me Develop More

Brendan Lane is a 26 year old 206cm center from Rocklin, California playing his third professional season and second in Germany in the EasyCredit BBL with the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg. As a rookie he played with Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins (Japan-NBL): 52 games: 12.8ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 73.4%. He started his basketball career in 2009 with UCLA(NCAA) where he played until 2012 playing a total of 79 NCAA games. He finished his college basketball career at : Pepperdine (NCAA, starting five) playing 29 games averaging 13.2ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.2apg, 2.4bpg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 62.4%. Last season with Wurzburg he played 37 games averaging 13.7ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 14.8%, FT: 73.6%. He belonged to the top centers in the Beko BBL He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Brendan thanks for talking to German Hoops! 2017 is here and were almost into March, but did you make any new years resolutions this year or are you more a guy that concern himself with that?

No I’m not really one to make specific new years resolutions like that.

A tough 101-84 loss on the road to the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Bonn pretty much already had the game sealed at halftime leading 54-32. I wouldn´t have wanted to be a fly in the locker room since head coach Dirk Bauermann prides defense. What went wrong on the defensive side in the first 20 minutes?

We started the game off letting them get some easy lay ups in the half court and in transition. That gave them their confidence early and that led to them knocking down open 3’s and we dug ourselves into a deep hole.

Wurzburg found better consistency on offense in the second half, but couldn´t get consistent stops. Was this just one of those nights where no matter what adjustments were made nothing really worked?

We just started to try being more aggressive too late and our defensive effort wasn’t there the whole time. By the second half they already had so much confidence it was difficult to get stops.

The Telekom Baskets Bonn are having a solid season and are a favorite to win the Fiba Europe Cup title despite having a change at the coaching position due to sickness have kept the team chemistry. What do you believe is the team´s biggest strength?

They have a lot of offensive firepower and play an up tempo pace that puts a lot of pressure on the opposing teams defense. They seem to play at another level at home too. They’ve had some really good games there this year.

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Rocky Trice (MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg) I Have Always Been That Guy That Does Just About Everything Even The Little Things.

Rocky Trice Is a 32 year old 185cm shooting guard playing his 10th professional season and his seventh in Germany. He played as a rookie with the  Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA) in 2007 an dthen made the jump to the BBL playing a season for BG Goettingen and then played three seasons for ratiopharm Ulm. He then played two seasons for Energa Czarni Slupsk (Poland-TBL) and a season with  WKS Slask Wroclaw (Poland-TBL). Last season he played for MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg (Germany-BBL) playing 29 games averaging 11.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-5(1.6spg), FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 79.3%; Eurocup: 15 games: 8.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.7apg, Steals-2(2.2spg), FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 84.0%. This season he started with MKS Dabrowa Gornicza (Poland-TBL) playing 3 games averaging 7.7ppg, 1.0rpg, 2.7apg, 2.3spg, 1.0bpg. He spoke to German Hoops before the EasyCredit BBL cup weekend in Berlin.

Rocky thanks for talking to German Hoops You started the season with  MKS Dabrowa Gornicza (Poland-TBL) playing only 3 games averaging 7.7ppg, 1.0rpg, 2.7apg, 2.3spg, 1.0bpg. The team is playing a solid season and fighting for the playoffs. Why was your stay so short in Poland this time around?

I had to deal with some health issues. I wanted to go back home and get a second opinion from a doctor back home. we cancelled  the contract from here.

Was the short stay at least a bit worthwhile since you were teammates once again with Kerron Johnson who had been in Ludwigsburg the last two seasons. He had two very solid statistical seasons in Germany and now is doing the same in Poland. Do you see him being able to make that next step again and move to an even higher level in the future?

Yes, it was good seeing KJ and playing with him again even though it was short lived. and yes  if he keeps putting in work,  like I know he will he  will make it to an even higher level.

How thankful are you that you are back in a known environment like Ludwigsburg? I guess you didn´t need much time to say yes to the offer from head coach John Patrick?

It’s always good to go back to an environment where you are comfortable and know the system already.

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Travis Thompson Unravels The Acrobatic Lay In Leading The Fraport Skyliners Juniors Past BG Karlsruhe 66-63

It really doesn´t matter in what gym Ricky Easterling has played in Germany the last 11 years, you can be as sure as Donald Trump thinks he is always correct that the Baltimore native of BG Karlsruhe has lit it up no matter what circumstances there were. In his six seasons in the Regionalliga with Saarlouis, the American had Michael Jordan consistent season scoring averages including averaging 32,3ppg and 34,5ppg in two seasons and averaged 29,0ppg each season. He needed absolute no kind of transition period when he moved up to the Pro B in 2014 with Saarlouis as he prompt led the league in scoring two years in a row and had a spectacular streak of scoring in double figures in 55 of 56 games as he dominated the Pro B like he did in the Regionalliga. This season the guy who´s middle name could be Mr mid distance as he is as lethal from anywhere form the mid distance the way Anthony Davis is in the paint doesn´t roam around on offense as freely as his days with Saarlouis mainly because BG Karlsruhe have many more viable scoring options. Currently his Pro B scoring in double figures streak is 70 out of 74 times and not only was he and BG Karlsruhe coming off a huge win against city rival PS Karlsruhe, but the American was returning back to a special stomping ground as in the last two seasons he shot out the lights connecting for 36 and 31 points and also had a massive game years before in the Regionalliga against Eintracht Frankfurt. This time however the Fraport Skyliners Juniors not only had Easterling under control limiting him to a hard to believe 6 points, but were fortunate to come out alive with a grind out 66-63 victory.

After the game the usual soft voice of Easterling sounded more like that of an elderly gentleman as the Baltimore native seemed a bit broken and was trying to reflect on his return back to an old stomping ground. “Frankfurt really had me under control tonight. I give a lot of credit to them as they really knew how to come off the screen and roll and slow me down. I am now 1-2 in the Pro B in this gym. It is not as good as I would like, but I am just thankful to get that opportunity to play here again. Stats are fine and dandy, but I am just happy to be able to play and get a win here and there”, smiled ex Saarlouis guard Ricky Easterling.

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Patrick Richard (Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion)It’s Never Over And We Will Fight Until The End Against Ludwigsburg

Patrick Richard is a 27 year old 196cm swingman from Carencro, Louisania that is playing his fifth professional season and first with Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion (Israel-Winner League). He played four years at  Mc Neese St. (NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games: 18.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 76.9%. In 2012-2013, he started his professional basketball career being drafted by the Iowa Energy (D-League) and played at Sandringham Sabres (Australia-SEABL-East, starting five): 24 games: 18.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 80.7%. In the 2013-2014 season he played in Holland for  Matrixx Magixx Wijchen (Holland-Eredivisie) playing 38 games: Score-4(15.3ppg), 4.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 78.9%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for the Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL) playing 32 games: 13.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 76.1%. Last season he played for Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket (France-ProA) playing 34 game averaging  9.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 79.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Patrick thanks for talking to German Hoops.2017 is here and did you make any new years resolutions or are you the kind of guy that doesn´t waste his time?

I’m not one for New Years resolutions I just try to be the best player, husband, and father daily!

Your playing your first season for Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion (Israel-Winner League) and your first experience in international club play in the basketball Champions League. What kind of an experience has it been for you being able to play against the best as well as see Europe and it´s many fine countries?

This is my first year playing in Europe so it’s been a great experience! Playing against high level competition and being able to prove myself on this level can help me for the future!

Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion (Israel-Winner League) advanced to the playoffs and are facing the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. They beat you badly in the first game at home 83-66. Do you feel the win for the guests had more to do with their strong scouting or how you presented itself as a team?

That loss was a very very tough one! They did a great job of making us pay for mistakes made on defense and we turned the ball over 20 times. Against them that hurts Big time.

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Nick Minnerath (Avtodor Saratov) I Am Playing My Best Basketball At The Moment And Focus Is To Play Hard Every Game

Nick Minnerath is a 28 year old 207cm forward playing his fourth professional season and first with Avtodor Saratov (Russia-VTB). He started his basketball career with Jackson CC (JUCO) in 2009 and then moved to Detroit Mercy( where he played from 2010-2013 playing a total of 71 games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 14.6ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 78.8%. He started his professional basketball career in 2013 with Blusens Monbus Obradoiro CAB (Spain-Liga Endesa) playing 15 games averaging 6.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 2FGP: 43.1%, 3FGP: 43.8%, FT: 81.3%, in Jan.’14 moved to STB Le Havre (France-ProA) playing 15 games averaging 11.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 41.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he played with Cholet Basket (France-Pro A) playing 34 games averaging 13.6ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 85.9%. Last season he played with the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), released in Oct.’15, then moved to Canton Charge (D-League) playing 53 games averaging 18.4ppg, 6.9rpg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 89.3%. He currently is leading the VTB and Champions League in scoring and spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League playoff game against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg.

Nick thanks for talking to German Hoops Before we start talking basketball, as a fellow New Englander had you lost hope after the new England Patriots were down 28-3 at halftime?

I didn´t watch the Super Bowl because of the time difference, but I am a Pats fan. I obviously saw the highlights. That was a pretty good comeback.

Your playing for first season with Avtodor Saratov (Russia-VTB) and you won a tight 87-84 game against German team EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Was this one of those fourth quarters where you could say you were happy to have been able to pull out the win?

Yes we were happy to be able to have won that game. We didn´t play well in the second half and came out with the three point win.

A book could have been written about the fourth quarter as excitement and drama were given a new meaning with 8 lead changes. So much happened as Brenden Fraizer had 11 points, Nick Minnerath gave a lot of enery and the team just stuck together. What do you feel was key in crunch-time for being able to pull out the victory?

We were able to limit our turnovers at the end and didn´t give up offensive rebounds.

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