Deandre Landsdowne is a 26 year old 187cm guard from Albuquerque, Mexico playing his first season in Germany with Herten. He played college ball at Fort Lewis (NCAA2) and then played with Pioneros de Delicias (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive) before continuing career in Germany. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 99-87 win against the EN Baskets Schwelm where he poured in 46 points.

Deandre thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the 99-87 win against the EN Baskets Schwelm. How strange was it playing them back to back during the season? Did you ever have a back to back game series against a college team at Fort Lewis?

Honestly it wasn’t all that strange. We had a tough loss last weekend, and it was a great opportunity to get revenge. In college I can remember one time. For the league tournament we played the teams we beat in the quarterfinals and finals, we played them again in the first two rounds of the national tournament. I think those are the hardest games, because you have to really find wrinkles in your play to find what works and doesn’t, as well as adding new things to your system that they haven’t already seen.

After the 92-74 loss last weekend against the EN Baskets Schwelm was team defense a big focus last week in practice as they registered a strong 26 team assists?

Our team knows that our offense really ignites our defense, and our defense creates our fast, high pace offense. We really focus on the small things that we did bad last weekend to make sure we didn’t make small mistakes this week.

You had an amazing game high 46 points in the OT win. You scored 10 of the teams first 12 points. Did you know at that time that you would be on your way of having a very high scoring game?

I got off to a good start, just like last week, but I look at what the defense gives me. Some games you have to score, some games you have to play a defensive roll, it changes week to week. But my team is always looking for me to be aggressive and they never doubt my decision making, and that is what makes it great to play with these guys.

The EN Baskets Schwelm led through most of the first half until Herten got the lead back in the last few minutes and led 36-35 at half. What adjustments did Herten make in the last minutes to regain control?

We just focused on playing our game. Coach preaches to our team to have a certain amount of possessions per game, to win the rebounding count and to play offensively and defensively as a unit, and so we really focused on those things.

Herten led as much as 10 points in the third, but let Schwelm back into the game in the fourth. Did Herten let the game slip away in the second half letting the game progress into overtime?

No I don’t think we let it slip away. They are a good team, and well coached. That also is the game of basketball, “ the game of runs”. When you have two teams playing well, making plays, and giving it all, you will have great sections for each teams.

What did head coach Majdi Shaladi tell the team to do in the OT period which you won 16-4? You had 9 points and had two assists. It seems like he could of said “Ok Deandre go to work and get us the win”?

Hahahahaha no, he just pushed the team to continue fighting and to just stay positive. Coach is a coach who knows when he really needs to talk a lot and when to let his team play because he can see that certain things are working. Coach forced the fact that we should run, run, run. He also did a really great job on calling timeouts when needed, and made some minor/major adjustments defensively that helped us.

This was your second 40 point game this season. Do you believe that it could be possible in your game to get this type of confidence more often and not only if your scoring in bunches?

I would never score 40 without a great supporting cast. I have shooters in Curth, Martin, Dennis and Nolte who allow me to play one on one a lot without help, as well as great bigs in Griffen, Neumann and Meiser who set me great screens anywhere on the court and find me when I cut. I am confident in my offensive game and I think it will come every game if I stick to coaches system and not force anything. But winning is important to me, as well as to have positive team success. I need all my teammates to contribute every Saturday for that to be possible, no matter who has to do a majority of the scoring.

What did you enjoy most about your own game on the floor tonight? Where does this single performance rank in all-time best games in your young career?

What I enjoyed most is that I stayed aggressive, and I looked for my teammates late in the game. I think we pulled away when we really attacked the rim and found our big men. Like I said before, none of my baskets were performed without a teammate doing something that made my score easy. Also it’s always great to play in front of a great crowd.

Do you believe that your leadership skills took another step with your all around play and taking command in overtime?

I believe I have always been a leader throughout my career in some ways. This game I saw that I needed to take a certain role for the team to be successful. But we all look at Brandon Griffen as our team leader. I am a leader, but I also am still learning from our veteran and coach to become a better leader, point guard, and all around player.

You are shooting over 50% from outside 7/13 in the last four games after starting shooting 4/17 from outside in the first 8 games. Hast it been better shot selection or extra hours that has helped you improve outside shooting percentage?

As I said before, I have confidence in my all around offensive game. I can drive to the basket, play off the ball, and shoot outside. I play what the defense gives me. I started the year penetrating more, and now teams take that away more, so my outside shot has a better look. I get great screens from my teammates to penetrate or get open shots, and the best of all, my teammates believe that any shot i take is a good shot.

Herten is up and down and has a 6-6 record now and defense is still the biggest building block. What does the team need to improve most on to finally consistently cut down the points?

We really look at being aggressive and active defensively. With our team when were active and defensively rebounding we can really be a hard team to play against.

How important has the game of German Jeffery Martin been in the first half? He has been the most consistent German performer for Herten.

I love playing with a guy like Jeffery. Every week he’s wanting to learn how to better his game. He’s giving 100% in practice, asking questions, and never missing a chance to get in the gym and weight room. He has been a huge asset to the team, especially being a youth player playing 30+ min, with the numbers he brings to the team is phenomenal. It’s a true honor to watch him grow as a player this season!

Golden State Warrior Steph Curry had only one better scoring game than you had this season with 53 points against New Orleans. Do you see him scoring 70 plus points this season the way he is going now?

He is one great player, with one great team! I believe that some players, in the right system, with the right teammates can flourish! But you can’t take away anything Curry has done this season and will do the rest of his career.

What is your most cherished Christmas memory from back home?

Man,that is a tough one. Me being adopted, I would say every Christmas. Knowing how blessed I am to have the great family that I do, and how much they have done for me is a true blessing. I would’ve never been the person, or athlete I am today without my mom and dad, Betty and John, taking me in and always believing in the person I could be.

What was the last movie that you saw?

One of my favorites, and a classic: The Count of Monte Cristo.

Thanks Deandre for the chat.

The car ride from Lich to Frankfurt may be 57km and when driven at a comfortable pace can be reached in 45 minutes, but after your team loses 80-37, that so called short route could feel like an eternity as if your lost somewhere in the countryside and have no navigation system to get saved. For Fraport Skyliners Juniors head coach Eric Detlev seeing his club get whipped as fiercely as when hard rain comes down on your wind shield probably wasn´t an easy sight, but he had a totally crippled line up as most of his veteran players were in a training camp with the beko BBL team or out and he had an average roster age of 17 years where the most experienced were ex Wurzburg guard shooting specialist Lukas Beuschlein and ex TV Langen guard Jona Hoffman and an array of kids that are still teenagers and also from the JBBL program like Isaah Negron. Kids were playing against full grown men like Daniel Dorr or Viktor Klassen. All in all it was a huge learning experience and it was the first game of the season and everyone was thrown into cold water so you couldn´t really expect any wonders. The lone bright spot was 17 year old 195cm forward Konstantin Schubert who had his break out game with 12 points and 10 rebounds. With 10 weeks gone by, both teams had time to develop and get better and the Fraport Skyliners had no last second training camp, but most players were on board to help get revenge against the Licher Basket Baeren. Except for five minutes in the third quarter where Frankfurt had to figure out the 1-3-1 zone of Lich, they had total control of the game which was sparked by the 36 points of Travis Thompson who nailed 10 three pointers seeing something way bigger than the ocean space and powering the Fraport Skyliners Juniors to a crushing 95-57 win. ”I had many open looks and that had to do with moving without the ball and finding me off the pick and roll. I try not to think too much during a game, because I tend to overthink. I didn´t try to force shots, but just play with the flow. This was a unique game, but I don´t remember ever taking 20 shots in a game. I got my rhythm which got my self confidence going which was helpful”, stated Alaska native Travis Thompson. Thompson teammate Gara Zeeb had some humor after the win stating that contested shots were hardly on his menu during the game. “We figured out quickly how to play against their zone/man defense, Thompson hit shots and everyone played their role. Every team tries to take Thompson out of the game and we had very good ball movement and we know he can shit shots even if it felt like most of his shots were open looks”, smiled Fraport Skyliner Gara Zeeb. The Licher Baskets Baeren knew that this would be a totally different contest then their easy 80-37 victory in Lich and that is exactly what they got as they got off the wrong side of the bed and had to play catch up basketball all night long and failed. “We went into the game with no energy and effort and Frankfurt got control of the rebound and we were no challenge for them. When we played man to man they hit shots, and when we went to zone they hit shots and when they missed they got the rebounds. After Thompson hit his first couple of shots, he got confidence and then you think you can hit anything and he played a good game”, stressed Lich forward Elijah Allen.

The Licher Basket Baeren couldn´t connect on their first three possessions as they coughed up the ball twice while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors took an early 5-0 lead as 2014 NBBL rookie of the year Niklas Kiel scored inside and ex Bremerhaven guard Garai Zeeb nailed a three pointer. Lich finally got on the board on their fourth possession as 29 year old 204cm work horse Marian Schick scored inside and made a free throw to cut the Frankfurt lead to 5-3. Frankfurt then rolled out on a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 15-3. In the run the Travis Thompson fireworks commenced as he hit twice, ex Bamberg center Johannes Richter made a two handed dunk and Kiel made free throws. Frankfurt was playing a sound inside out game, were establishing a high shooting percentage and inside game while Lich had no rhythm yet. After Spaniard Nil Angelats who played 6 Endesa games for Manresa made a step back shot, Frankfurt started another gigantic run of 17-3 to extend their lead to 32-9 after one quarter. In the next big run, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were sparked by three more trey´s by Travis Thompson, a lay in by Richter and two buckets by German Tim Oldenburg. “Frankfurt´s good play had to be credited to the coaching as the team was well prepared. Frankfurt defended well and took everything away from them, had more weapons and their offense was working well”, expressed Fraport Skyliner guard Jordan Theodore. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 63% from the field and 67% from outside while the Licher Basket Baeren were shooting 12% from the field and 17% from outside. Frankfurt had the 17-6 rebound edge and both teams had three turnovers a piece.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors weren´t as explosive as in the first quarter, but on account of their big lead were still scoring on a consistent rate and could go into halftime with the very comfortable 52-23 lead as they were still defending with passion instead of just going through the motions. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors had another potent start going on a 8-3 run to extend their lead to 40-12. In the run, they stayed clear of the parking lot, but did heavy damage inside as ex Ludwigsburg wing player Stefan Ilzhoefer found some room flying in from the corner and finishing with a hard two handed dunk which had Fraport Skyliner players Mike Morrison and Jordan Theodore flying up form their seats in joy, Thompson scored his only field goal away from the down town area making a lay up, Ilzhoefer hit a jumper and Richter scored over Angelats taking advantage of the mis match while Lich got a lay in and free throw from Ohio native Lamar Mallory. Despite hitting almost everything, Lich continued to play zone while they had a little more luck on offense making some shots, but not on a consistent rate. Lich then went on a rare run which resulted in 6 unanswered points as Angelats made a pull up jumper and Mallory scored in bunches inside and with a mid distance as Frankfurt still led 40-18. Frankfurt closed out the second quarter with a 12-5 run as Kiel and Oldenburg made free throws, Konstantin Schubert caught an Oldenburg air ball and made the lay in and Thompson added on to three point shooting festival nailing two more shots while Lich got needed production from Angelats from outside and Schick from inside. “One could see that Thompson can stroke the ball and Ilzhoefer gave the team energy at the start with the dunk. Lich had to play zone, because they can´t defend Frankfurt man to man”, added New York native Jordan Theodore. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 53% from the field and 57% from the three point line while the Licher Basket Baeren were shooting 24% from the field and 25% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 28-15 rebound advantage and both teams had seven turnovers a piece.

In the third quarter the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had a little lull, but they regrouped, made adjustments and were able to regain their big lead in the last five minutes. The Licher Basket Baeren had their best moment of the contest going on a 10-2 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 54-33. In the run Lich was led by ex Leipzig forward Marian Schick that got some damage going inside making free throws and two buckets. Allen and Jan Moritz Overdick from Hofheim also contributed in the scoring department. Basketball is routinely known as a game of runs and what Lich could do so could Frankfurt as they found their rhythm again closing out the third quarter with a tough 14-5 run to extend their lead to 68-38. The run was started by a Konstantin Schubert trey, Richter offensive rebound and hook shot put back and Thompson free throw after Lich head coach Joan Rallo Fernandez had got hit with a technical foul. Lich got some points from Angelats and Mallory, but Frankfurt just continued to hit Lich with their so many offensive weapons as Thompson nailed three pointers eight and nine and Zeeb and Oldenburg also chipped in with baskets inside as Frankfurt led 70-39 after 30 minutes. “Coach wanted us to come out competiting and playing with energy. They just started to miss shots and we hit some at the start. It was nothing special really but we did change our zone stopping the middle penetration, but we couldn´t help on wing or backside. Frankfurt did a good job attacking the zone after our adjustment”, stressed Elijah Allen. “We came out flat in the third taking a break and not controlling the tempo. We came back and there was a time when after giving up points, we were unable to get stops. However we were able to stop their run and make our own showing our progression”, added Fraport Skyliner Junior guard Travis Thompson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 47% from the field and 48% from the parking lot while the Licher Basket Baeren were shooting 30% from the field and 18% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the overwhelming 40-23 rebound lead and both teams had 11 turnovers a piece.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors withheld their potent offense and extended their lead to as much as 38 points as seeing what Travis Thompson would do and how many points he would end the game with seemed most interesting. Nil Angelats got some scoring early making a big defensive play getting in the passing lane and stealing a pass intended for Thompson and going coast to coast for the easy bucket and then nailing a trey. Frankfurt kept getting easy buckets and that immaculate ball movement was like a Swiss clock as Tim Oldenburg scored in bunches getting fed perfectly from Richter and Zeeb for easy baskets as Frankfurt led 83-48. With time winding down, Thompson was still in single digits with his three pointers made, but after a Schick offensive rebound and put back, Thompson finally made that tenth three pointer extending the Frankfurt lead to 88-52. In the last minute Richter got two more easy baskets inside as that was a sore spot for Lich all day as they just couldn´t match up or contain the Frankfurt inside game. 17 year old German Maximilian Mayer got the last Lich points of the game with a fade away shot. “Defense was our biggest strength today. When we play defense, it gives us an outlet to push the ball and our defense creates our offense”, warned Travis Thompson. “The lesson we learned is that when we are down we have to stay positive. We will regroup in practice and be ready for our next opponent”, stressed Ohio native Elijath Allen. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Travis Thompson with 36 points. Johannes Richter added 18 points and eight rebounds and Tim Oldenburg chipped in with 17 points. The Licher Basket Baeren were led by Nil Angelats and Marian Schick with 18 points a piece and Lamar Mallory had 13 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors shot 49% from the field and 40% from outside while the Licher Basket Baeren shot 31% from the field and 15% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebound battle 51-34 and each team had 14 turnovers a piece.

Lamar Mallory is a 198cm forward from Dayton, Ohio playing his first season in Germany with the Licher Basket Baeren (Germany-ProB). Last season he started his professional career with the Albury Wodonga Bandits (Australia-SEABL, starting five): 5 games: 17.8ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 56.5%, FT: 57.9%. He played at Glenville St. (NCAA2) and as a senior played 25 games: 18.6ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: NCAA2-2(68.1%). He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors.

Lamar thanks for talking to German Hoops. You sat out last game. Are you ok? Will you play this weekend against Frankfurt?

Yes I am ok. I had a small leg injury but I am back 100 percent now and will play this Sunday.

Lich is a better team than their record shows isn´t it? It has four wins only, but were close with Wurzburg, Leipzig and Weissenhorn.

I believe we can play much better than we are playing. We have been competitive in almost every game but just haven’t finished like we should.

Besides rebounding is defense the biggest building block as the team gives up 78 points per game. What needs to improve in this area?

We play a different style of basketball than anyone else in the league. We just have to trust our coach and bring energy and effort every night we play.

The team has been up and down as of late. Do you see it being able to win a few more games before the Christmas break to get higher in the standings?

I think we have a good chance of winning our next two games.

The next game is against Frankfurt that have inside presence. What will be key in getting the win?

Just focusing on intensity and effort. If we focus on that we will come away with the win

How much of a joy has it been playing with Elijah Allen? What is the biggest asset that he gives the team on the court?

It has been great playing with Elijah. I think the biggest asset is he can do a little bit of everything on the court.

How important has Nil Angelats been for the success of the team? The Spaniard is still young and has played 2 Endesa games, but mostly in the fifth league EBA in Spain. He has never had as high an assist rate as with Lich.

Nil has been great. He has a high basketball IQ and it’s a lot of fun having him as our point guard.

A guy I saw play last season a bit was German Jan Moritz Overdick. How much potential does he have in your eyes?

Moritz is a great kid. He has gotten better every single week. I see him turning into a really solid player if he keeps working hard.

You are playing you’re your first season in Germany with the Licher Basket Baehren. Stat wise you are the leading scorer and doing a very good job. Your first real professional experience was with Albury Wodonga Bandits (Australia-SEABL) playing 5 games: 17.8ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 56.5%, FT: 57.9%. How was the adjustment coming from Australian to German basketball?

I think the speed of the game is a lot faster. Players also are not as big and a lot younger it seems. I am thankful for another opportunity to show what I can do on the court.

You are an undersized big man. Has the surprise effect been big in your career? Teams seeing you for the first time and not believing what you can actually do with your height at that position?

I’m not really sure. I dont consider myself a big man. I just go out their and play. Doesn’t matter the position I play to me really. I just want to play hard on defense and offense to win games!

You are a very strong rebounder. Is it just about the normal blabla that its timing and anticipation or have you studied a lot of film of great rebounders to help your game?

I use my athletic ability for rebounds most of the time. Each game I set a goal and work my hardest to achieve it.

How important has Joan Rallo Fernandez been for your game. How has his Spanish influence helped your game develop further?

Joan has helped me a lot. He is a good coach and a good person. His play style is different than what I´m used to. Every day I try to learn as much as I can and try to adapt to the things he wants. He has taught me a lot of things tactically that I did not know and I am thankful for it.

You played at Glenville State(NCAA2). How did head coach Stephen Dye help prepare and groom you best for a professional basketball career?

I dont know where my career would be without Stephen Dye. He helped develop me into the player and person I am today.

Did you ever hear about the Marian Schick airplane story? He made it into Germany´s most read newspaper Bild citing a crack in the window during the flight. Would you feel safe on a plane with him? Check the link http://www.bild.de/news/leserreporter/boeing-787/fensterscheibe-bekommt-risse-im-boeing-dreamliner-28090158.bild.html

Haha no I have not heard about this but I will make sure to ask him.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Jordan Mccloud in your senior year?

I would win for sure

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Do you ever see him being mentioned in the same breath as a Michael Jordan?

Lebron is the best player on the planet but Michael will be the best player to ever touch a basketball.

What is your fondest childhood memory during Thanksgiving? Is their a specific food or football game in past years that stands out?

I dont have a specific memory really. I just enjoy spending time with my family whenever I get a chance to.

What was the last movie that you saw?

007 Spectre.

Thanks Lamar for the chat.

Even if the two players are long gone and with the fast paced basketball seasons coming and going with so many games a season it may seem as long ago as the last time American singer Mariah Carey hit the number one spot on the Billboard charts as one can remember Jimmy Mckinney firing home three pointers over his buddy Rickey Paulding or Alex King having his break out game in Giessen and always bringing that energy on both sides of the court when these two fine players were playing for the Frankfurt Skyliners as they won´t be forgotten in Frankfurt. It probably also warrants a proud smile from Fraport Skyliner coach Gordon Herbert each time he can read something positive about an ex player. A little more than three years ago, it was Alex King who set an amazing Eurocup record with the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg hitting seven three pointers in a row against Azovmash Mariupol powering them to the win breaking the previous record of 6/6 that was held by an array of skilled players with Henry Domercant, Tutku Acik, Martin Colussi and Jobey Thomas. King left Frankfurt in 2008 and despite not always having an easy time in his 6 years there having to come to terms with the moods of head coach Murat Didin and his uncomfortable dog house, he did help the team win their only Beko BBL league title in 2004 and helped reach a final in 2005. He left in 2008 and moved on to the Telekom Baskets Bonn where he had more of a role under Michael Koch kept developing before moving on to Wurzburg where he became a full-fledged German national player playing at the Euro 2013 in Slovenia and then made the next jump in his career and development at age 28 going to top Euroleague team Alba Berlin winning two more cups, becoming team captain and being able to mingle with the in society of Berlin on the red carpet at movie premiers. Especially the three pointer has been a part of King´s game that has improved immensely in the last 3-4 years and who knows his high rainbow shot that he delivers may have even inspired current Fraport Skyliner Johannes Voigtmann as it has been his bread and butter for some time now and as of recently has been as accurate as a clock can be and every time he releases that work of art, it looks like a controlled kite floating in the air before calmly falling into the bucket. However King isn´t the only ex Frankfurt Skyliner leaving his mark on German basketball, but also another guy that was known as JRoc by his friends.

It is sometimes easier to understand why an older player has more difficulty with fining a new team during the summer due to age, but with the transfer market seemingly getting more and more competitive each season even young bucks have had more problems getting a team prolonging their summer vacation staying at home and working out religiously to stay in shape and not have to set their alarm clocks in Europe to watch NBA games online, but actually visit games live. Former Skyliner Jimmy Mckinney is one of those players that had to stay longer in the States the last two seasons grinding it out in the gyms giving it that little extra push when the muscles are yelping no more no more and getting to catch some extra more games of his beloved St Louis Cardinals as he wasn´t signed during the summer, but late into the season. Even at the age of 32, Jimmy Mckinney still has that slick and suave swagger when he struts down the corridor as if it was 2008 and on the court he isn´t slowing down either. After playing his last season with the s.Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-BBL) in 2013-2014 where he had his lowest scoring average in three years at 7,8ppg, it seemed like at almost 31, he may be coming to the end of the line. However Mckinney knew he still had game within his 192cm and worked hard in the summer of 2014 and was happy to get a job late in December 2014 as likeable player´s coach Igor Perovic of the Walter Tigers Tuebingen came calling. Mckinney arrived to a team near the end of the standings and played totally rejuevanated playing 20 games averaging 12.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 87.5%. After having shot only 40% from outside twice before in the Beko BBL, he now had had his highest average from downtown as a professional. Had the season ended on March 28 against Phoenix Hagen he would have scored in double figures in 15 of 16 games and been the most consistent scoring wise ever in his career in a short span like that. He probably wanted to forget the last 4 games as he put a dent into his already strong three point percentage by going 2/13 from the three point line. However his 29 points in 31 minutes against BG Goettingen where he knocked down 8 three pointers showed that the St Louis native may be getting older in age, but could still have big shooting games. So last summer he was hard at work again working on his game skills and keeping fit not to be left behind on the court by the young bucks should a team come calling. It wasn´t as late as last year, but this time it was Germany calling again as the name Mckinney does have a good reputation there as the Telekom Baskets Bonn wanted his services even if it was only a short term contract. With Bonn in the Beko BBL he hasn´t been as consistent as with Tuebingen in scoring in double figures, but has had great shot selection and is shooting 41,4% from the parking lot while averaging 9,6ppg, 2,1rpg and 1,0apg. However where the American has really taken control of is in Eurocup play where he shot a ridiculous 52,9% from outside and averaged 11,0ppg and 1,7rpg.

When Gordon Herbert turned on his computer yesterday morning, he must of had another opportunity to get his cheek dimples to get a early morning workout as he read about the newest eye opening feat by an ex Frankfurt Skyliner. Mckinney´s amazing three point shooting average was helped by his Steph Curry like shooting on Wednesday as he tied a Eurocup record making 9 three pointers tying Ruben Douglas who set the record with a 9-for-12 effort for Pamesa Valencia against Khimki Moscow Region in December 2007 and Marko Popovic attempted 14 shots in making 9 for Unics Kazan in November 2009. Ex Skyliners teammate Jimmie Hunt heard of the stellar performance in the Czech Republic where he is playing for BK Geosan Kolin, but it was something that he knew Mckinney was capable of. “I am very proud of Jimmy, but also I’m not surprised. He is a very good shooter. Very focused, and he works really hard. He is the type of shooter that you can assume spent plenty of time in the gym”, stressed ex Franklin Pierce (NCAA2) guard Jimmie Hunt. Another ex teammate Ilian Evtimov who has called Chalon(France Pro A) home since 2010 also has joined the professional basketball 30 plus group and knows what are the perfect comparisons are when one isn´t a young buck anymore and remembers what hardships Mckinney went through when he was playing in Frankfurt. “I think Jimmy is a bottle of wine, the older he gets the better he gets. I am not surprised by his performance. He may make 10 next year! The reason why Jimmy is a great player is because, he has work ethic. Even when the odds went against him, and he’s was hurt, torn pectoral muscle, broken wrist, he fought back to get back in the game. Today his perseverance is winning! Score on the board speaks for itself”, stressed ex Frankfurt Skyliner Ilian Evtimov. Mckinney helped bring the game into OT, but unfortunately the team lost to Dolomiti Energia Trento 98-96 and didn´t advance to the next group despite his potent 29 points. Even if the scouting report will always show Mckinney to be a dangerous shooter who can beat you on any night from downtown, his ex teammates clear up the notion one more time that he isn´t one dimensional. “Jimmy is way more than a one dimensional player. His ball handing is pretty strong and over looked. He is athletic and has a great pull up mid range jump shot if you take away the three. He is an all- around player”, added Jimmie Hunt. “In my eyes Jimmy is definitely not one dimensional, he can drive and has a pull up! Also, he is also a very smart player”, warned Ilian Evtimov. Recently Mckinney was rewarded with a contract until the end of the season as he will continue to be a very important offensive weapon for Bonn and their chances to reach the playoffs this season. Even if Mckinney is 32 years old, he is still boss on the parking lot´s in Europe as his hot shooting is remaining as slick and suave as his swagger down the street.

Diante Watkins is a 25 year old 174cm point guard that was going to be playing his fourth professional season and first with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen, but an injury in pre season derailed his path. He started his basketball career in 2009 with Daley CC (JUCO): 28 games: 26.5ppg, 5.8apg, 2.7rpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 44%, 3Pts: 38%, FT: 86%. He then played two seasons with Robert Morris (NAIA) and as a senior played 27 games: 24.4ppg, 7.4apg, 3.0rpg, 2.1spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3Pts: 38.9%, FT: 82.7%. In 2013-2014 he started his professional basketball career with SC Rist Wedel where he played 30 games averaging 16.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 86.9%. He improved his play last season with SC Rist Wedel playing 32 games: Score-2(21.3ppg), 3.8rpg, Assists-1(6.8apg), Steals-2(3.2spg), FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 87.4%. He cleaned up the Eurobasket awards winning Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Honorable Mention -14, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Player of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Guard of the Year -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Import Player 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 spoke to German Hoops and talked about the last few months about surgery and what is next.

Diante thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and have you got all your X-mas presents yet?
I’m home in Chicago at the moment, and no I haven’t got all the gifts, my little sister has a lot on the list some are hard to find haha.

You suffered a bad injury in pre-season and had to leave the Bayer Giants Leverkusen and go home and get surgery. Are you 100% fit again?
Yes I’m 100% again it’s been 4 months since surgery I’ve just been working out getting ready for the next opportunity!

How tough was this time mentally for you? You were gearing up to play at a higher level in the German Pro A and then an injury ended all of that.
It was tough mentally for me, seeing guys play and I was rehabbing at home knowing I was supposed to be there competing with some good competition! It was my first injury where I ever had to have surgery so it challenged me a lot.

Did you ever have a phase in the last three months where you thought that you might not be able to come back or were you always positive that you would be able to come back 100%
I never had doubts about me coming back and being the player I know I can be, it wasn’t a major injury. I was more worried about the teams second guessing my ability! I knew what I had to do now it’s time to show it again!

Was there a special person besides someone in your family that really helped you get through this period?
No one specifically, just my closest friends helped me through knowing how much I wanted to play! One guy stood out one of my best friends Robert came over and checked on me every day! And of course my trainer haha he helped me get through rehab!

Does it feel any different now when you step on the court after having had surgery and rehab or do you feel like you did when you last played before the injury?
When I first stepped on the court I wasn’t attacking as much because of the injury but now I’m comfortable and feeling exactly how I did before the injury when I was in Wedel. I’m attacking and using my speed again!

In your come back now what have you been focusing most on? Was it difficult getting your condition back?
That’s been my main focus is my conditioning! I’ve been running and getting in the pool, just doing a lot of cardio! Of course I’ve been working on my ball handling, quickness and my shot has gotten better!

Do you fear that skill wise something may change once you play professional again? How tough is your self confidence right now?
No I don’t fear it, I’ve only been out of playing pro for a few months haha. my self confidence is pretty high right now I’m feeling good. Confidence to me always come from the hard work you put in, and I have been working pretty hard.

How does a normal work out day look like now in December after your rehab and surgery?
Eat breakfast. Then I usually go running 2-3 miles in the morning, than get in the pool for about an hour, do some laps and other exercises! Eat lunch, take a few hours off and than go to my old school for weight lifting and than basketball drills.

You want to get back with a team, but that is always more difficult in mid-season. Is Germany your main focus at the moment?
I’m open to all countries but yes Germany is my main focus because I played my last two years there I believe they know me there!

Would you be willing to take a step back after working so hard for two seasons to finally reach the Pro A and help a Pro B team who may be in need?
At the moment I’m not that interested in Pro B because I want to play at a higher level. If something in Pro A doesn’t show up than I’ll consider it!

It has been a tough season for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. Do you ever think about what could have been if you hadn´t been injured and you had been with the team and if it would have been successful with you?
I think about it all the time, I look up the scores because I have friends playing in pro A that I check on! I do believe if I was there we could’ve won some more games, not taking nothing away from the guys that are there I am sure there a good group of guys but I think we would’ve had more success if I was in Leverkusen, I think every player feels they could help a team win, if not you shouldn’t play the game.

Explain in a few sentences as to why you could help any professional team right now?
I think I bring leadership to a team, especially by example! I am a winner, I play hard, I’m considered small but I play big and my stats show that, I don’t back down! I’m just one of those guys that gets it DONE!

Is Steph Curry the real deal? Do you see him making 60 or 70 points in a game soon?
He is the REAL DEAL! I’m a huge Lebron James and Chris Paul fan but Steph Curry is the best player on the planet right now! It’s possible he can score 60 or 70 but a lot this season he doesn’t play in the 4th quarter! Haha

What is your fondest Christmas childhood memory?
One Christmas me and my big brother was so excited I think the Sega Dreamcast was coming out but we didn’t think we were going to get it and my mom always let us open one gift at midnight, we ripped 2 boxes open, the Dreamcast was there and we played the game until the morning! Haha

What was the last movie that you saw?
I watched Creed it was a really great movie!

Thanks Diante for the chat.

Travis Smith is a 24 year old 190cm guard from Johns Island, South Carolina that is playing his second professional season in Germany. As a rookie he played for RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf (Germany-ProB) playing 27 games: 17.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 87.9%He played his last two years of college at Mercer and as a senior played  36 games: 13.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 89.8%. As a senior he reached the NCAA 2 Sweet 16 and was a A-Sun Regular Season Champion and
A-Sun Tournament Finalist in 2013. This season he started with MTV Herzoege Wolfenbuettel (Germany-ProB) where he played six games averaging 9,0ppg, 2,0rpg and 2,8apg and now has moved to the Take-Off Wuerzburg Blue Baskets (ProB) and spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Travis congrats on the 65-42 win against Eintracht Stahnsdorf. Did you have a special motivation playing against your ex team?

Thank you Miles. I really did not have any extra motivation. It’s was good to see my old teammates from Stahnsdorf but I was more focused on making sure we won and did not lose two games in a row. Stahnsdorf is a good team and we knew would have to put forth a lot of energy and effort in order to beat them.

The game was pretty much decided in the second and third quarter where Wolfenbuetel gave up a combined 15 points. What adjustments did the team make?

We wanted to maintain out aggressiveness on offense and defense. In previous games we have let teams come back and our goal last game was to make sure that played hard and aggressive for the entire game.

It was the best defensive effort of the season and after giving 90 points up last week in a loss and 75 points the week before, do you believe that there can be more consistency found on the defensive end in the next games?

I do believe so, our coach stresses defense and the depth that our team has can allow us to be a very sound defensive team.

Is consistent scoring something the team can improve more as it averages only 73 points while giving up an average of 70 points?

Yes, there is always room for improvement. The team has yet to reach its full potential. I think more important than anything is defense, making teams uncomfortable and getting stop. The team has a lot of guys that score so the offensive side will take care of itself.

The club is led in scoring one and two from Beko BBL license player Robin Amaize and Sid Marlon Theis. Can it be negative if the club becomes too dependent on them for scoring production especially then when they aren´t available for service?

Robin and Sid are great players and when they aren’t playing they are definitely missed, but a lot of other guys on the team are capable of producing consistently on offense as well.

You were injured for a while. Has it been a tough adjustment coming off the injury and getting back into rhythm?

Yes, coming off an injury is always a little difficult, but Coach Ralph and the physical therapist did a great job of pacing my recovery which made it easier for me to find my rhythm quicker.

Can we expect more scoring production from American Demetruis Ward down the stretch? It isn´t usual that an American or Americans aren´t leading their teams in scoring.

Demetrius is a good player and very capable scorer so I am sure that his production will increase as the season goes on, but I think the best thing about the Wolfenbüttel team is that they don’t really worry about who is scoring. The only concern is getting the best possible shot.

Last season you led Stahnsdof in scoring and was the go to guy. Did you have a different role this season with Wolfenbuetel?

Yes my role for Wolfenbüttel was different. They needed me to be more of point guard, control the tempo of the offensive and get easy shots for guys. In Stahnsdorf the team needed me to be more of a shooting guard and be an aggressive scorer and so that’s what I did. I am comfortable in either role.

Your shooting only 22% from outside. You have been picking your spots and only have attempted nine shots. Are you working more on your shot after practice or has it got more to do with getting better shot selection?

I always work on shooting after and before practice. I haven’t really taking many threes in the games because the team needed me to be more of a penetrator and to put pressure on the defense.

Besides your three pointer is there some other part of your game that your concentrating on on improving to help your team be better?

I have been concentrating a lot on ball handling and my strength. Also I have been watching a lot of film to see how I can be a better all around player and make my teammates better.

When you see Germans like Robin Amaize or Sid Marlon Theis getting their Beko BBL minutes, do you ever think about what is missing from your game to get to a level like that?

I often do. Luckily I have had two great coaches since I have been in Germany who both have experience coaching at the BBL level. They both have given me advice about things I need to add and areas I need to improve upon to get to that level.

What was your impression of young German Niklas Bilski? You worked with him in practice each day. Did you give the 17 year old tips when you guys are battling in practice?

Niklas is a talented young prospect and a good guy. He has very good instincts as a basketball player and he has a lot of potential to be an elite team leader at the point guard position. I do give him some tips but for the most part all he needs is more game experience his instincts are good enough to where he will figure out ways to be effective.

Who wins a one on one in practice you or Demetrius Ward?

We have actually never played one on one but that would be a good game.

Travis you are moving from Wolfenbuetel to Wurzburg. What were the main reasons for moving in mid season from a successful team?

It is tough to leave Wolfenbuetel. I enjoyed my time there and it is a great city, team, coach and organization. I started developing chemistry and friendships on the team but I only signed to play there until December.

How excited are to be going to an all German team? It is rare these days to find a team that has no import. Will it feel strange being the only import?

I am very excited about the opportunity to play with Würzburg. They are a very talented team and a great club to be a part of. I believe that my skills will help add a positive boost to the team, and I don’t think being the only American will be strange. Last season in Stanhsdorf I was the only American for a couple of months so I have experienced that before and it was not a problem.

Wurzburg has some very talented Germans. What kind of role do you see yourself having? Will you be a scorer or a type of energizer from the bench?

One of my goals is to always bring energy to my team on both sides of the ball. I believe I will have to be more of scorer here. I will play more shooting guard instead of point guard here. There will be a small adjustment as I find my niche in the offense and figure out exactly where I can be effective and help the team.

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Will he ever be mentioned in the same breath as a Michael Jordan?

Lebron with out a doubt deserves to be mentioned among the greats of the game he has done a lot in his career and still has more years ahead to add to his list of achievements.

What is your most nicest Christmas memory from home in South Carolina?

My mom usually hosts Christmas breakfast at our house on Christmas Day for all of my aunts uncles and their kids. We all just come together eat and enjoy each other’s company. Those breakfasts are by far my best memories.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was “Gone Girl” crazy movie.

Thanks Travis for the chat.

For nature lovers the African Blackwood is a is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to seasonally dry regions of Africa from Senegal east to Eritrea and south to the Transvaal in South Africa. The tree is an important timber species in its native areas; it is used in the manufacture of musical instruments^[1] and fine furniture. Even in Germany one can find the magical Blackwood, but not in a forest or in a Botanical garden, but moreover in a wide range of basketball gym´s and smaller arena´s in Germany. The blackwood is a combination of two fine experienced player with 30 year old 203cm center form Tampa, Florida Jeremy Black and 33 year old 200cm power forward Marcus Smallwood from Illinois. Combined both have played 18 seasons and don’t seem to be slowing down with age. They may not be the tallest players, but what they can´t make up with height they make up with anticipation, quick moves, and experience to grab almost 20 rebounds combined per game. Smallwood has played most of his career in Germany for teams like Kaiserslautern, Cuxhaven, Kirchheim, MBC; Vechta or Speyer as well as gaining further basketball knowledge in countries like Finland, Sweden, Poland or Kosovo. He has averaged double double stats five times in his career and grabbing rebounds is as normal and easy to him as it is for Saarlouis guard Ricky Easterling nailing mid distance shots. Black has mostly played in Germany with teams like Jena and is playing his fifth season for BG Karlsruhe. He has been in the top 5 in rebounding in the Pro A each season and in his career in Germany has averaged 13,5ppg and 8,2rpg. They are without a doubt the top 4-5 duo in the Pro B and for each team a real challenge and battle to try to contain game in and game out. They met the German duo of Johannes Richter and Niklas Kiel who average 20 years of age while the BG Karlsruhe American du average 31,5 years of age. It was the raw youth that met the annoying experience and the Fraport Skyliners came together as team and fought of BG Karlsruhe and Blackwood 77-70. For Frankfurt it was a huge turnaround after their dismal showing in Wurzburg last weekend. “We made a 100 degree turn today. Our intensity was unstoppable today. We played the way Wurzburg did last weekend against us only we didn´t score as well. We controlled their big men somewhat. Our intensity was very important and we also made it uncomfortable for Rouven Roessler as he doesn´t like to be defended hard. Smallwood and Black are good players and when you don´t box out, they are very dangerous. We knew that if we wanted to somewhat control them that we had to play together as a team and did”, explained Fraport Skyliner Junior Tim Oldenburg. BG Karlsruhe came into the game as the favorite, but never could dominate the game the way they wanted to as the Fraport Skyliners kept them under their 82 points scored per game average. “Frankfurt came in with the height advantage, but we weren´t aggressive enough. We were looking more for the calls and I had some bad turnovers early that hurt us. We fought hard at the end, but just couldn´t make shots. The secret to Blackwood is that despite being undersized, we run the floor well, are physical and rebound well. We have good chemistry and read the ball well”, warned Tampa, Florida native Jeremy Black. “I am really proud of the team. We didn´t bring the needed energy in Wurzburg, but today we wanted to give it our all and we did”, stressed Alaska Native Travis Thompson.

BG Karlsruhe came out on fire taking a quick 6-0 lead as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors still seemed as if they were doing their Christmas shopping in the mall as they were hit inside with three consecutive buckets. Blackwood struck right away as 33 year old Illinois native Marcus Smallwood made an offensive rebound and put back and later scored again and 20 year old German Marcel Davis made a lay in. However sometimes something hits a basketball club so suddenly like a lightening bolt does as they got out of their funk going on an unexpected 9-0 run to get the lead 11-8. Frankfurt finally got their offense going as they scored in many different ways as Paderborn native Niklas Kiel dropped a trey from the corner, ex Bamberg center Johannes Richter converted on a lay in and ex Bremerhaven guard Garai Zeeb played his usual calm game sneaking inside for a bucket and then found Richter for a lay in. After a Black lay in, it was Zeeb finding Richter with a lob pass for the easy lay in as Frankfurt led 14-10. Zeeb closed out the first quarter being unstoppable as he scored three consecutive baskets as the lane was his living room as he always made the right decision. American Hayden Lescault from Folsam, California came in the game and got the BG Karlsruhe offense going again with two assists finding Smallwood and German Adrian Lind for buckets, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors led 20-14 after one quarter. “We got our defense going after the early Karlsruhe run and attacked the rim and hit our shots. Richter and Kiel did a good job on their big men”, stressed Fraport Skyliners Juniors forward Konstantin Schubert. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 53% from the field and 17% from outside while BG Karlsruhe was shooting 47% from the field and 0% from outside. Frankfurt had the 10-8 rebound edge and three turnovers while BG Karlsruhe had five turnovers.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were able to increase their lead to 11 points, but basketball is a game of runs and BG Karlsruhe made a furious comeback in the last five minutes to dead lock the game at 36-36 at halftime. Both teams traded 5-0 runs to start the second quarter as Johannes Richter hit a mid-distance shot getting fed from Thompson and the American then nailed a shot and made the free throw giving Frankfurt the 24-14 advantage. BG Karlsruhe then got production from Smallwood who scored inside after getting the perfect pass from Lescault and ex Giessen 46er Rouven Roessler nailed a high rainbow three pointer cutting the Frankfurt lead to 25-19. Frankfurt kept up the offensive pressure getting a big trey from Lenny Okeke and Zeeb once again found Richter inside with the hook shot as Frankfurt led 30-20. However BG Karlsruhe now made their second quarter push going on a nasty 14-4 run to tie the score at 34-34. After having little success in the first quarter from the Parking lot, BG Karlsruhe turned it on from downtown nailing four three pointers as Simon Schmitz brother Aaron scored as did ex Gotha German Dmitrij Kreis, Adrian Lind and Hayden Lescault. Frankfurt got a bit sloppy on offense not having good shot selection, coughing up the ball more and giving up too many offensive rebounds. After Black and Kreis made one free throw, Richter made a massive dunk at the buzzer as both teams went into the dressing room with the game tied at 36-36. “We had problems on the boards as they got many more chances and made their open shots. They also hit better from outside. Garai Zeeb had a very good first half taking on the role of Max Merz well and leading the team”, added Konstantin Schubert. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 20% from the three point line while BG Karlsruhe was shooting 50% from the field and 45% from the three point line. BG Karlsruhe had the 19-14 rebound edge, but eight turnovers while Frankfurt had only five turnovers.

In the third quarter, the game became more defensive as both teams scored less and the beginning was back and forth until BG Karlsruhe could maintain a lead and keep it until the end of the third quarter. In the third quarter Rouven Roessler started to get going making three baskets early including a step back, but Richter got an offensive rebound and put back to tie the game at 38-38. Zeeb then used his agility and quickness scoring inside for the Frankfurt 42-40 lead. However then led by Roessler, BG Karlsruhe jumped out on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 48-42. The run was commenced by the hot shooting of Roessler who can score in so many ways and especially make contested shots made two off balance shots that probably made Frankfurt Juniors head coach Eric Detlev wonder how a guy at 35 can still make those shots. Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert got to the game at halftime and probably remembered the young Roessler back in the 2003-2005 seasons when he battled the then Opel Skyliners. Also in the run, Davis nailed a three pointer and Smallwood a free throw. Despite BG Karlsruhe having the lead, Frankfurt stayed at their heels notching two three pointers from Thompson and Okeke and trailed only 49-48 after 30 minutes. “We have struggled in the past in the third and fourth quarter not having the needed energy and wanted to make a stand. We knew that if we could keep it close we would be in it at the end and we were able to achieve that in the third”, added Fraport Skyliners Juniors guard Travis Thompson. “Frankfurt did a good job limiting our play inside so we had to rely on our outside shooting and moving the ball”, added ex Science City Jena center Jeremy Black. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 45% from the field and 24% from the parking lot while BG Karlsruhe was shooting 44% from the field and 43% from the parking lot. BG Karlsruhe had the 33-20 rebound lead, but 12 turnovers while Frankfurt had seven turnovers.

In the fourth quarter the Fraport Skyliners broke away attaining a nine point lead, but as is so often the case in basketball, BG Karlsruhe made a comeback, but fell short. The Fraport Skyliners got going fast going on a 9-2 run as Kiel nailed a jumper and Thompson scored inside getting by Lind easily as Kreis was too late on the help and Marius Nolte stayed tough inside battling for the offensive rebound and getting a put back while Okeke snuck inside for a lay in and Frankfurt led 57-51. After a Lind bucket, Richter grabbed an offensive rebound and swung a quick pass to Nolte beside him who made the hard lay in as Frankfurt extended their lead to 59-43. After a Roessler step back jumper, it was Okeke Burying another three pointer as he was playing with a lot of self confidence as Frankfurt led 62-56. Then came a peculiar situation as German Adrian Lind was handed a technical foul as BG Karlsruhe head coach Nenad Josipovic was so furious that he sent the youngster to the locker room for an early shower. This seemed to power Frankfurt as they continued to keep up the offensive consistency going on a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 69-58 as it seemed like the game was decided. In the run, Frankfurt was aided by a bucket from Nolte who worked hard to find space get the ball and put it home and Thompson nailed a timely trey. BG Karlsruhe knew it was now or never and made an important 7-1run with three minutes remaining to suddenly be back in the game trailing only 70-65. BG Karlsruhe scored off two Frankfurt turnovers as Smallwood once again did his bread and butter getting an offensive rebound and making a put back and Roessler hit a big three pointer. With a 1.30 to play teams exchanged free throws as Kiel and Richter scored and for BG Karlsruhe it was Kreis and Lescault that made free throws cutting the Frankfurt lead to 74-70. With 50 seconds remaining, BG Karlsruhe had three chances, but their offensive rebounds weren´t rewarded with points. Zeeb closed out the game with three free throws. “We got people the ball who we wanted to have take the shots, but at the end of the day, they didn´t fall for us. The ball just didn´t bounce our way. This happens in this sport. We will be back at practice Monday looking to get better”, stressed Jeremy Black. “Our inexperience showed a bit at the guard spots during their comeback at the end. BG Karlsruhe did a press and we didn´t come to terms with it. Garai Zeeb played a great game though. He was given a lot of responsibility early this season and still needs time to get used to it. They got offensive rebounds at the end and we were a bit tired, but we were a bit lucky at the end, played with good intensity and made our free throws”, added Fraport Skyliner forward Tim Oldenburg.

The Fraport Skyliners were led by Johannes Richter with 16 points. Garai Zeeb had 14 points and nine assists. Travis Thompson contributed 12 points and Lenny Okeke and Niklas Kiel chipped in with 11 points a piece. BG Karlsruhe was led by Rouven Roessler with 15 points and eight rebounds. Marcus Smallwood added 14 points and 13 rebounds and Hayden Lescault had 12 points. The Fraport Skyliners shot 48% from the field and 25% from outside while BG Karlsruhe shot 38% from the field and 29% from outside. BG Karlsruhe won the rebound duel 47-31, but had 17 turnovers while Frankfurt had 12 turnovers. “The biggest strength tonight was our energy and defense. If we can play with this intensity in every game then we will be in every game, because our good defense leads to our good offense”, warned Travis Thompson.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalbergia_melanoxylon