Khalil Kelley(MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel) I Am Farther Along Mentally And My Feel For The Game Is Better Than It Was In Leipzig

Khalil Kelley is a 203cm forward from Rancho Cucamonga, California that is playing his second professional season and first with MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel (Germany-ProB). As a rookie he played with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig (Germany-ProB) playing 28 games: 15.0ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 49.6%, FT: 63.8%. He racked up Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Center of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -15, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -15. He started his basketball career in 2010 with  Pacific (NCAA) where he played until 2014 playing a total of 117 NCAA games. As a senior he played 29 games averaging6.1ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 48.8%, FT: 59.8%. German Hoops spoke to the American after signing with Wolfenbuettel last summer.

 

 

Khalil thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on signing with MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel (Germany-ProB). How blessed are you start a new chapter in your professional basketball career?

I’m very blessed and grateful to Wolfenbuettel for the opportunity to play basketball professionally again after missing a season which was tough for me. I hope to make the most of this chance and by working hard this season I will.

(more…)

Ricky Easterling(BG Karlsruhe) This Season I Don’t Have To Score As Much So I Take Less Shots And Give Teammates More Of An Opportunity To Score

Ricky Easterling is a 32 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 Hoopsafter the 75-68 win against s.Oliver Wurzburg.

 

 

 

 

Congrats Ricky on the 75-68 victory against TG s.Oliver Wurzburg. At first look at the box score, I thought maybe you got injured since you scored only four points which was only the second time in three seasons that you didn´t score in double figures. But you are still 100% healthy?

 I have been sick this past week but that is no excuse for the game against Würzburg. I guess it was just not my day. Happens to the best of us sometimes.

(more…)

Will Trawick (Dragons Rhondorf) I Love Imagining Making Those Big Shots With The Clock Ticking Down.

Will Trawick is a 22 year old 196cm guard from Bedford, New York that is playing his first  professional season in Germany with the Dragons Rhondorf. He played at Emory (NCAA3) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 120 NCAA games. As a senior he played 27 games averaging 15.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 78.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 92-87 OT win against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen.

 

Will congrats on the big 92-87 win at home against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. How good does it feel to remain unbeaten at home?

It feels great to remain unbeaten at home. To remain unbeaten at home is one of our top priorities this season.

(more…)

Deandre Lansdowne(Hamburg Towers) I Still Think I Can Do Much Better And That’s The Great Thing That The Season Is Long

Deandre Lansdowne is a 26 year old 187cm guard from Albuquerque, Mexico that is playing his third professional season this season and first with the Hamburg Towers. Last season he played with Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-Pro B) playing 27 games: Score-2(22.9ppg), 8.1rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-5(2.6spg), FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 66.5% He played college ball at Fort Lewis (NCAA2) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 50.7%. He then gained his first professional experience with Pioneros de Delicias (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive) before continuing career in Germany. He spoke to German Hoops after the 99-86 win against the ETB Wohnbau Baskets.

 

 

Deandre congrats on the big 99-86 win against the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. How good does it feel being on a two game winning streak?

 It is feeling pretty good, but we still have a long way to go to get to where we want to be as a team.

(more…)

Kruize Pinkins (Hebeisen White Wings) I’m Just Playing Basketball And Scoring Is Coming Along With The Flow Of The Game

Kruize Pinkins is a 23 year old 201cm forward from Marianna, Florida that is playing his second professional season with the Hebeisen White Wings. He started his basketball career at Chipola (JUCO). He then played at USF (NCAA) from 2013-2015 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 65.0%. As a rookie last season with the Hebeisen White Wings he played : 29 games averaging 13.1ppg, Reb-3(9.1rpg), 1.1apg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 68.9%He spoke to German Hoops after the satisfying 74-68 win at home

 

 

 

Kruize congrats on the big 74-68 win at home. After the embarrassing 71-63 loss last weekend in Essen was the team especially focused to get back into the win column?

Yes we knew we let one slip away on the road and Essen. That was a learning point for us that we can’t take any game for granted. So we came in more focused from the start.

(more…)

Moses Ehambe(SC Rasta Vechta) Has The Gift Of A Deadly Shooter But Finally Has Shown The World That He Can Play Basketball

Having an unbelievable label thrusted upon you most usually is so tough to digest that it has had a difficult effect on players because having to live up to that assumption can be as difficult as it is for a Tim Tebow making the adjustment to baseball as there is simply so much media pressure on you. As for the labels, how many players have had that unfair comparison as being the next Dirk Nowitzki? It didn´t only fall upon  a guy like Tim Ohlbrecht who still did make it to the NBA, but to other guys as well in Germany. The Dirk Nowitzki label also has swayed over to other countries like Serbia where a player like Nemanja Aleksandrow got that label, but too many others as well. Having these player labels aren´t always easy to get used to hearing over and over, but what does a player like Moses Ehambe of SC Rasta Vechta think when he hears a label like “considered by some as one of the best shooters in the world” and he turns around and expects Larry Bird or a Steph Curry to be standing there? Those two NBA legends would be worthy of that label, but would a Moses Ehambe? Well many might argue that label, but his consistent and accurate shooting from downtown over the years can´t be denied. Ehambe is a 30 year old 197cm swingman from Arlington Texas that is playing his ninth professional season and second in Germany after playing his first with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in 2014. Over the years, his accurate shooting from the parking lot has consistently been at the 40% mark or higher which is a rate that isn´t achieved by every player. Ehambe has played in many different leagues from the D-league to places like Spain, Venezuela and Japan. There was even a time from 2006-2012 where he shot 40% or better which for the most part was achieved with three different D-league teams that obviously garnered the interest of NBA GM´s. The label of being the best shooter in the world seemed to have developed during his D-league time between 2008-2012 and the sniper wasn´t unaware of this label. “I have heard that before, but it isn´t about what you hear, but what you believe. It means a lot to me when I hear something like that. It makes me feel good knowing people appreciate what I do after spending countless hours in the gym perfecting my craft”, stated Moses Ehambie. Many have wondered why a guy like Ehambie never made it to the NBA considering the NBA is the prime place where a player who does one thing very well can find a home. “My goal and passion is to get to the NBA. I´ll continue to dream and work of reaching the NBA. The D-league is one route of reaching the NBA and at times faster than going the European route. My family and I decided that going the European route would be good. I feel that I have grown as a player and became more complete and just elevated my game on offense and defense”, stressed Moses Ehambe. Back in 2011, he was with the New Orleans Hornets (NBA) during training camp and got that brief NBA air and got some words of wisdom that quickly broadened his basketball horizon which has not only helped him with dealing with his NBA dream, but also helping develop his game further. “When I was cut from the New Orleans Hornets training camp, head coach Monty Williams told me that I had a gift shooting and that many can´t do it. He told me that now I needed to show the world that I can play basketball. I felt that with Bremerhaven I showed that I can do more besides just shooting with rebounding, passing it in the post or penetrating and kicking. I am a complete player now instead of a stand still shooter. Who knows what will happen now. Maybe the NBA will take notice”, stressed Moses Ehambe.  As for now SC Rasta Vechta has taken notice and signed him and he belongs to a very talented group of guys and is close to averaging double figures in scoring and as usual is shooting over 40% from outside. If The NBA ever does come calling, Ehambe will be more than ready, but for now the ex ORU (NCAA) standout is focused on performing his role to the best to his ability for SC Rasta Vechta and possibly help bring this team a lot farther than many would ever have thought this season.

(more…)

Matt Reid (Artland Dragons) The Key To My Long Career is I Am Never Satisfied And Always Working On My Game To Be A Better Player And Teammate

Matt Reid is a 32 year old 185cm guard that hast he German/American citzenship and is playing his tenth professional season and first with the Artland Dragons. He started his career with Cerritos JC (NJCAA) and then played two seasons with Cameron (NCAA2) and as a senior played 26 games averaging  20.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.3apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3TP: 36.0%, FT: 81.0%. He turned professional in 2007 and played for the Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga).He then played two seasons with Saarlouis before moving to SC Rasta Vechta where he played from 2010-2012. He then gained further experience with RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf (Germany-ProB) and Herten(Pro B). He returned back to SC Rasta Vechta in 2014 where he played two more seasons before moving to Artland this season. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 95-69 win against SC Rist Wedel.

Matt thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the huge 95-69 victory against SC Rist Wedel. This was the highest scoring game of the Artland Dragons this season with 17 three´s and 30 assists. How perfect was this offensive demonstration?

Yes it was a great game for us behind the arc and lots of team-play with dishing out 30 assists. SC Rist Wedel played 2-3 zone defense the whole game and we did a great job noticing it early and our shooters had a great night behind the arc. Coach Dragan did a great job with video and practice to prepare us for SC Rist Wedel and their zone defense they frequently play.

(more…)

It´s Totally Automatic For Jordan Theodore Putting On Banvit Show Beating The Fraport Skyliners 86-70 In Champions League Play

Over the last years, the Fraport Skyliners have celebrated homecomings from ex players rather more laid back when guys like Robert Garett, Dashaun Wood, Anthony King or Jimmy Mckinney returned back to their old stomping grounds. Granted Garett did help win the 2004 BBL league title and was an important member for Frankfurt, but somewhat in the shadow of the Bermuda triangle with Pascal Roeller, Chris Williams and Tyrone Ellis and the rest didn´t win a title, but left somewhat of an imprint to their stays in Frankfurt. However no homecoming in the last years was as anticipated, talked about and emotional as the return of Jordan “I believe” Theodore who returned back to the Fraport arena on October 26th almost five months to the day where he played his last home game in a Skyliners jersey. In his one season in Frankfurt, if Theodore was smart, he could of snatched himself a good ghost writer to help him write a book, because his season was simply brilliant and almost cinderella like as the always hard luck player who had never won anything in Turkey or France before Frankfurt, but with the Fraport Skyliners he did like the Romans doing his best Englewood, New Jersey impersonation of Veni, Vidi, Vici of coming, seeing and conquering leading the organization to it´s third ever title with the Fiba Europe Cup, to the top 4 of the cup and semi-finals of the playoffs. His stellar play, stats and accomplishments easily rank him in the top three best point guards of all-time with Pascal Roeller and Dashaun Wood. Theodore took his stellar game to Turkey and so far has a perfect record of 4-0 and a surprising 3-0 record in the Turkish league considering nobody expected the team to start off so rapidly beating top clubs Darussafaka and Galatasaray, but Theodore like in Frankfurt has been the center of attention bringing his ace playmaking capabilities to every game and not disappointing. Now he was pumped to return back to an old stomping ground where he stated, “The Fraport Skyliners helped me get to where I am today” and rack in his his fifth consecutive win of the season. He entered the Fraport arena averaging an amazing 27,0ppg and 9,0apg through the first three Turkish league games where he was the mastermind and was back in a special lab that helped him achieve greatness last season and he wanted to relive some of that magic again against his ex team Fraport Skyliners. Theodore has been unstoppable all season long and he wasn´t about to give his ex team any presents, but showed his A game which is simply automatic done unconsciously or from force of habit as he dropped 25 points and dished out six assists as he put on the Banvit show defeating his ex team 86-70. With a few minutes left in the game, Theodore was on the bench and his night was over, the first Banit fans rushed over to the bench to congratulate him and he coolly just signaled to wait until the end of the game and then it would be their time. About 30 minutes after the game and still drenched in sweat he finally had time for me. “It was very exciting to be back in Frankfurt. I wish there would have been more fans, but I understand it was a Wed game with people having to work the next day. It was just great seeing my ex teammates, organization, you, the fans and simply everybody”, stated Englewood native Jordan Theodore. Theodore and good friend and ex teammate Quantez Robertson were having some friendly ribbing concerning their Uno games and the Skyliner was happy to see his ex teammate even if he took them to school. “It was fun to play against Jordan. We had been talking about this game all season long. He had a very good game. He was able to get to the rim very much and got them going in the second half”, added Quantez Robertson. Frankfurt´s point guards Max Merz and Kwame Vaughn had their hands full with the ex Skyliner. “It is always nice playing against an ex teammate. He played a good game. We did a better job on him in the first half. You can´t ever totally stop a guy like him, but we should of still done a better job on him in the second half”, added Fraport Skyliner Max Merz.

(more…)

Jeremy Chappell(Banvit) Banvit Wouldn´t Be Where We Are Now Without Jordan Theodore

Jeremy Chappell is a 191cm guard from Cincinnati, Ohio playing his eighth professional season and first with Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-BSL). He started his basketball career with Robert Morris (NCAA) in 2005 and played there until 2009 playing a total of 124 NCAA games and as a senior played 35 games averaging.16.7ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.2apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3Pts: 39.6%, FT: 84.3%. he started his professional career in 2009 with Znicz Jaroslaw (Poland-PLK) playing 28 games: Score-4(18.3ppg), Reb-2(8.2rpg), 3.5apg, Steals-1(2.9spg), FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 86.3%. In the 2010-2011 season he moved to Hoverla Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine-Superleague) and then played two seasons with Ferro-ZNTU Zaporozhye (Ukraine-Superleague). In the 2013-2014 season he played with Triumph Lyubertsy (Russia-VTB). He then played two seasons with Avtodor Saratov (Russia-Superleague) and last season played 32 games: 13.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 75.9%; Eurocup: 16 games: 15.5ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 46.3%, FT: 83.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the huge 86-70 Champions League win against the Fraport Skyliners.

 

 

Jeremy thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. This is your second time back to Frankfurt. Two seasons ago you played Eurochallenge with Avtodor Saratov (Russia-Superleague). What memories do you have of the 71-68 win in Frankfurt?

 

 

I remember that game well. We were down by three points late and Courtney Fortson made a clutch three to send the game into OT. It was a very hard fought game where everyone battled until the end. If Fortson hadn´t made that shot, we surely wouldn´t have won the game

(more…)

Jordan Theodore(Banvit) The Fraport Skyliners Helped Me Get To Where I Am Today

Jordan Theodore is a 26 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 his comeback back to Frankfurt in Champions League action.

 

 

 

Jordan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Your 3-0 with Banvit in the Turkish BSL league and 1-0 in the Champions League. How good is basketball life for you at the moment?

 

My basketball life at the moment is very good. We had a very long pre-season with coach working us very hard. Everyone is buying into his system and we are all getting along. Basketball is very fun at the moment.

(more…)