Deronn Scott is a 198cm guard from Etiwanda, California playing his second professional season. He started his basketball career at Xavier, LA (NAIA). He then moved to Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) playing a total of 81 NCAA games and improving his scoring, rebounding and assist average each season and as a senior played 29 games averaging 14.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 39.4%, 3PT: 26.2%, FT: 62.8%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with Providence Sky Chiefs (ABA) and also played for the Nelson Giants (New Zealand-NBL) playing 19 games: 16.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 81.8%. He spoke to eurobasket at the end of last week before the Fiba Europe Cup game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Deronn thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are a rookie playing your first season in Holland with Leiden. It might be cooler in Holland than in California, but is the fact that your near water a plus?

Yes its a plus that I am near the water but with the rainy weather in Holland, it doesn’t look like I will be enjoying the water any time soon!

In your first two games you are averaging 7,0ppg and 3,0rpg. What has been the biggest adjustment for you coming from the NCAA to the European style of play?

The biggest adjustment from NCAA to the European play is #1 the game speed, #2 the physicality, and #3 everyone is much smarter at all aspects.

A few years ago Leiden won 4 titles in a span of a few years. Is the urge to win hardware something that you are feeling this season?

Of course the urge to win is something I am feeling, I’m always a part of winning teams but yet have won a Championship and received hardware.

Leiden is 2-0 so far and have beaten Rotterdam and Leeuwarden. The team is averaging 85 points per game and is giving up 60 points. How quickly has the team chemistry developed so far?

The team chemistry has developed really quickly, of course we have room for improvement, but at the same time we have unselfish players and have won by double digits, without shooting the ball well, so that is a plus.

Do you feel that Leiden will be able to be a strong consistent defensive team this season?

Yes we will be a strong consistent defensive team this season, defense is something my coach preaches daily in practice and games, and is something I know he will continue to strive for greatness in.

You seem to still be searching for your role Your minutes were cut in half in the second game. What does coach expect from you?

My minutes we actually cut in half the first game, but yes I’m still trying to somewhat find my role. I mean all I can do is play as hard as I can when giving the opportunity, coach want me to put 110% on D and O he doesn’t really get worried about. But Defense is something he’s always on me about getting better at and playing hard at all times

You are a player that can fill up the stat sheet but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t always get noticed right away?

A hidden strength that doesn’t get noticed in my game has to be my passing and dribbling ability. Actually I take that back, it would have to be my ability to CREATE for others.

There are some very experienced Dutch players on the team, but you are one of two Americans. Do you see yourself being a main team leader this season?

I am one of two Americans, and yes I definitely see myself as a team leader of this season, definitely on the court but I need to be a better vocal leader also. I am one of the younger guys on the team, so I try to pick and choose when to speak up.

What kind of experience has it been playing for experienced Eddy Castells? How is his teaching different than Greg Kamansky??

Their teaching is different but the same, their both big on DEFENSE, and both have tempers hahah but the difference between the two is Coach K gets a lot of assistance from assistanct coaches, while Coach Eddie is more hands on himself and gets after it in practice. Its honestly hard to compare the two because they are both very similar.

Mohamed Kherrazi is one of the more flashy players on the team. What have you learned to appreciate most about his game and what is the most amazing thing that you have seen him do in practice?

Moh is a very good team mate, it amazes me how humble of a person and he is a very good team mate on and off the court. He’s on the national team, and well known in Holland, that doesn’t get to his head and mentality not one big. He comes to practice every day and works his ass off

What kind of experience has it been playing with American Eric Stutz? He was called one of the most interesting men in Kentucky college basketball. What besides his hair stands out on and off the court?

Eric’s a very smart player, he understands how to play and he’s very versatile. He helps us a lot because he can shoot the ball very well, so he helps spread out the court and his man cant help off as much which gives the guards more space to operate and create. His ability to shoot the ball to me is what stands out the most

How excited are you to playing international club basketball? What place would you really like to see in Europe most?

I am very excited for the season for the international club, I’ve been wanting to be in Europe for a while now and I’ve finally got the opportunity to do so. I would love to visit Spain, Italy, and France.

Your first game will be in Germany against the Fraport Skyliners. What do you know about Germany and its basketball? Ex Cal Poly Pomonia players Tobias Jahn and Larry Gordon play in Germany.

I dont know much about Germany, but I know Tobi and Larry and my Agent Gerrit all work there, so I’m excited to maybe catch up with those guys and make a name for myself in Germany as well. You never know where you will end up next!

It has been a few years but what remains until this day your most vivid memory of winning the CCAA tournament in 2013?

I enjoyed 2013 so much because we all played as a team, we didn’t have any real super stars, ever one just followed their role and played their asses off, and it was just a fun year to experience with those group of guys.

How did Greg Kamansky Prepare and groom you best for a professional basketball career?

Coach K prepared/groomed me best with professional basketball with my mental approach to the game, believing in myself and always just going for it! He always told me “Don’t hold back, just go” and I still use that till his day.

As a rookie you played for Providence Sky Chiefs (ABA) last year. How thankful are you to Gerrit at Scorers for getting your foot into the door in Europe?

Yes I started in Providence which was a great experience for me, and I enjoyed that very much. I am very thankful that Gerrit and scorers first got my foot into the door in Europe because it’s where you want to be if playing overseas, also with Euro cup in the picture, I mean I couldn’t really ask for a better situation to showcase my skill set.

You played last summer for the Nelson Giants (New Zealand-NBL) 19 games: 16.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 81.8%. What experience off the court will you forever remember from down under?

Nelson was also a great experience on and off the court, what I will remember off the court most will probably be the family that took me in and helped me get through my first time being out the country. My ex team mate Tommy and his family really opened my eyes, and just made the time and situation so much easier for me and I will forever remember and love them for that.

Who was the best player that you played at the college level that is in the NBA or Europe now?

The best player I played at the college level would probably be no1 that I can remember off the top of my head, I have played a lot of good players in the Drew league that are in the NBA or Europe making pretty good $.

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

Yes Lebron will be in same breath as Michael Jordan and most dominant player, but I am not sure if he will win 6 rings though.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie that i saw was Fast N the Furious 7.

Thanks Deronn for the chat.

Brandon Shingles is a 28 year old 190cm guard from Albany, Georgia playing his third season in Germany and first with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career at Morehead St. (NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games: 4.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.8apg, 1.5spg. In 2010 he started his professional basketball career at Aschersleben Tigers BC (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 15 games: 14.5ppg. He led the team to the Regionaliga 2 title. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Guildford Heat (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 6 games: 7.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 31.3%; left in Nov.’11, then moved to BBC Febro Eagles Magdeburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 7 games: 16.1ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 63.0%. He then played for KB Drita Gjilan (Kosovo-SuperLeague) and two years ago for GBP Badajoz (Spain-EBA) playing 15 games: 15.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.6apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 6.3%, FT: 57.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after the huge 84-83 win against the Giants Nordlingen.

Brandon thanks for talking to German Hoops Since the 79-66 loss in Frankfurt the Uni Riesen Leipzig are on a 3 game winning streak. What did the team finally notice after the Frankfurt loss that they needed to correct?

I think our whole attitude towards games have changed. We are finally getting comfortable playing with each other and are accepting the roles we have to play in order to win games.

Was the party feeling greater after the big 84-83 win against Nordlingen then the 13 point win against Speyer?

Nordlingen because we were down like 20 plus points and came back and got the win. That win showed tremendous heart form our team.

Nordlingen came out firing in the first quarter scoring 32 points. Did that scare Leipzig a bit?

Nordlingen came out firing on all cylinders. They are a good well coached team. We knew it would take a special effort to make it a game and we did .

The club cut it down in half in the second quarter limiting Nordlingen to 16 points. What adjustments did you make on defense?

Our defense was the key to this win especially when Magnus Heinrich came in the game. This game he was the captain of our defensive ship. His energy on defense was contagious to the whole team and that’s when everyone was locked in.

Nordlingen was up by 15 after three quarters. What was the most important thing that head coach that Tunar Isler gave the team for the last 10 minutes?

Coach Tuna kept us motivated the whole game. He never gave up on us and we really needed that.

You and Julian Scott figured in 23 of the last 26 points. That is almost total dominance. Could one say it was the American show in the fourth quarter?

I think the 4th quarter we played was Uni -Reisen Basketball. Selfless basketball. Julian came out the last quarter like a beast. I know how much he hates losing so I knew what I would expect out of him down the stretch.

You have praised Sasha Leutloff all season long. He came up big in the first three quarters. Are you expecting these big games from him more now that your more used to it?

Sascha to me is one of the best players in this league and he proves it night in a night out . He plays the game the right way.

How much better and fun does it get playing with Julian Scott each game?

I feel that our chemistry is getting stronger every day. Right now for us winning is fun.

Brandon Lockhart had 19 points. How much do you appreciate each new guard that you battle each week and what did you learn playing against him?

Brandon is a really good PG . Very quick and clever point guard. He does a good job of making his teammates better. Him and Jordan Talbert are a dangerous duo in this league .

You won the last two games by only a combined score of three points. Is this team becoming a better crunch time team?

I think you can say that. To be a good team even when things aren’t going your way you still find a way to win. I think that shows good character.

What is your favorite activity on a free Sunday after a big win?

I was a little sick this weekend but normally after a win I go to KFC bring it home and catch up on my American TV shows … Lol

What was the last movie that you saw?

City of God.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

Back in the 2009-2010 season, it was a tough first season for Beko BBL team Phoenix Hagen as they were barely able to stay in the league as they were treading water near the end and were almost smothered by a big ship. Near the end of the season in Frankfurt, it was ex Brose Baskets Bamberg guard and current Colgate(NCAA) assistant coach Michael Hakim Jordan who was injured and was watching the horror show against the Skyliners from the bench and tried to talk some sense into his team during halftime in the locker room as Ingo Freyer and Steven Wriedt were studying the stat sheet outside. Jordan gave an accurate description of his team as the door mat of the league which became a famous scene in the documentary Phoenix in der Asche. If there was a Jordan type speech at half time in any of the last Hanau games was unknown, but one thing was sure two of the door mats of the German Pro A Hanau and Rhondorf met as both teams were 0-5 and were desperately searching for that first win. The biggest problem that both teams shared had been the inability to put up a decent number of points each game while giving up an average of 80 plus points. The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau have had massive injury problems that hampered their pre-season and had put a healthy team chemistry on hold while Rhondorf have talented players, but that experience factor with the imports is missing. Both teams entered the game on a mission with a lot to prove and many questions marks and only one team stood at the top of the mountain after 40 minutes as the Hebeisen White Wings finally won their first game of the season 87-62 putting up an annoying and unstoppable 36 point fourth quarter that totally smothered the Dragons Rhondorf who had led mostly for three quarters, but just caved in the fourth quarter. It was a total team effort, but it was especially the two Americans Miles Jackson-Cartwright and Kruize Pinkens that combined for 45 points to lead the charge while Rhondorf´s two Americans Sterling Carter and Antoine Davis combined for 38 points, but got little support from the rest of the team on a consistent level. After the win Hanau head coach Simon Cote came out of the dressing room relived after finally winning the first game of the season as if a big 1000 pound elephant had been removed from his back. “I am really happy about this win. The team has been working hard all season long in practice. We hadn´t been playing good enough long enough until today. We didn´t start well, but we showed fortitude and stayed together. We haven´t been shooting well from outside all season long, but we have good shooters. We were 0/12 from outside, but I kept saying keep shooting if your open and then shots started to fall”, stressed head coach Simon Cote. Washington native Sterling Carter who sat out last season to support his daughter and worked three jobs finally is able to play the game he loves for a living and one could sense on his sad face that every added loss is hurting him more and more, because he simply cherishes every game he plays and losing just hurts extra much for him. “Both teams played hard in the first three quarters. We were in the same position and we were confident that we would win. However they found confidence in the fourth, got loose balls, worked harder and just wanted it more!, added ex Purdue guard Sterling Carter. “This win just feels very good. We had a very good week of practice and prepared well. We felt that we hadn´t played our best yet and the focus and hunger was just there tonight”, stressed California native Miles Jackson-Cartwright.

In the first two minutes of the first quarter Simon Cote might have been thinking “oh no here we go again” as the Hebeisen White Wings got off to a dismal start falling behind quickly 8-2 as diminutive point guard Sterling Carter demonstrated shooting poise nailing two three pointers, but that big advantage didn´t last long as Hanau went inside early as if they knew that outside shooting would be as difficult as hitting the ocean and ex Giessen 46er Robin Christen scored inside as did rookie Kruize Pinkens cutting the early Rhondorf lead to 8-7. The first quarter remained a game of small runs as Rhondorf was able to stop the Hanau run going on a 8-4 run to lead 16-11 as they did heavy damage inside as Hanau had problems closing down the lane as German big man Floran Wendeler scored inside three consecutive times. Rhondorf got easy baskets inside while Hanau had massive problems connecting from the parking lot. Jackson-Cartwright closed out the first quarter with a mini 4-0 run with a lay in and free throws as the Dragons Rhondorf led 16-15. “I don´t think that we were really playing good defense. They got too many offensive rebounds and easy baskets inside while our offense wasn´t crisp. We relied too much on the three, but that wasn´t falling”, stated ex Aris Leeuwarden guard Miles Jackson-Cartwright. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 39% from the field and 29% from outside while the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau were shooting 31% from the field and 0% from outside. Hanau had the 12-11 rebound edge and three turnovers and Rhondorf four turnovers.

In the second quarter, the game remained tight, but whenever Hanau got close, Rhondorf was able to keep the lead and make the next big shot to keep the lead. The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau got their first lead of the game starting the second quarter with a mini 4-0 run as ex Florida State guard Luke Loucks scored himself and then did what a playmaker is supposed to do finding Pinkins for the easy bucket. However Rhondorf also was firing away from downtown and now capitalized on a 11-0 run to retake the lead 27-19 as ex Sechtem forward Antione Davis who averaged 26ppg in the Regionaliga dropped a trey, German Robin Lodders scored and German Viktor Frankl-Maus who has improved his scoring, rebounding and assist average each season since coming to Rhondorf in 2012 nailed a three pointer as did Davis again. Hanau had a faze where they were shooting from outside like crazy as if they had been ordered to do so as any shot if good would wipe out hurricane Patrica and Jonathan Mesghina really was hit hard as he couldn´t connect on any shots. However Hanau continued to understand how vital a win was and kept pushing and grinding down and fighting as they went on a 7-2 run to cut the Rhondorf lead to 29-26. Hanau continued to miss from outside, but did a super job getting to the free throw line as Jackson-Cartwright and Pinkins connected from there and Till-Joscha Johnke scored inside as did Cartwright. However whenever Hanau got too close it Rhondorf than got a big bucket as Davis nailed another three pointer extending the Rhondorf lead to 32-26. Hanau made one more run in the last minute ending the second quarter with a timely 6-0 run to tie the game at 34-34. Hanau went into half time like a flash of lightening capped off by the quickness of Jackson-Cartwright who twice scored inside as no one could handle his speed and Pinkins finished with a dunk after being served a dime from ex Speyer swing man Sebastian Heck. “a nke really carried us with his energy and defensive pressure. We got to the free throw line and got into the lanes”, added Miles Jackson-Cartwright. The Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 35% from the field and 35% from the three point line while the Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 39% from the field and 0% from the three point line. Hanau had the 22-20 rebound advantage and seven turnovers while Rhondorf had eight turnovers.

The third quarter remained tight until the Hebeisen White Wings finally hit a three pointer which was the spark that ignited their sputtering offense up to that juncture. Sterling Carter kicked off the third quarter with a crazy three pointer in the face of Jonke which was an early warning about what was still going to happen, but the Rhondorf lead was short lived as Hanau stole the lead back with Cartwright free throws and a Josef Eichler reverse lay up as Rhondorf led 38-37. If it wasn´t Carter shooting out the lights then it was Davis as he netted another trey for the 40-38 lead. Cartwright dead locked the game at 40-40 with a jumper from the corner. Rhondorf then ran away with a quick 6-0 run as Frankl-Maus scored and Carter hit again from way down town Hanau as Rhondorf led 46-40. Cartwright continued to score, rebound and dish out assists as he continued to be in the zone, but Carter continued to nail three pointers from anywhere on the court as Rhondorf led 49-45. “Carter is a great player. We knew that he would get his fair share of shots. He is a small guy from Seattle, but he is a tough shot and just has very good hands”, stressed Miles Jackson Cartwright. Then came the turning point of the game. Two things happened with one that took 28 minutes to occur and the other a few months. German veteran Joleik Schaffrath who is playing for his eighth team with Hanau was playing his first game of the season as he had been laboring a bad injury scored inside getting a nice pass from Jonke and got the club going and then finally the first three pointer of the game after 28 minutes was made by Christian Von Fintel. Jonke free throws and another bucket by Schaffrath courtesy of a step back jumper had rewarded Hanau with an 8-0 run and 51-49 lead after three quarters and they would never look back. “The game was tight and Carter was making many tough shots. However we knew that if we would continue to close him out then he would miss and that happened in the fourth”, added Miles Jackson-Cartwright. The Hebeisen White Wings were shooting 41% from the field and 7% from the parking lot while the Dragons Rhondorf were shooting 35% from the field and 36% from the parking lot. Hanau led the rebound battle 33-28 and both teams had 10 turnovers a piece.

The Hebeisen White Wings carried over their stellar play form the last minutes of the third quarter getting out on a 10-2 run in the fourth to take the 61-51 lead. In the run, Cartwright played his amazing versatile play hitting a three pointer, scoring inside and finding Pinkins for the lay in. Robin Christin also added a trey. The Hanau offense was finally in a place that Simon Cote would like to see it more often just flowing as beautifully as the long blond hair of Gisele Bundchen and the club was also doing all the little things that also count like falling for loose balls, playing defense and just outhustling Rhondorf on both ends of the court. Carter then hit two brilliant back to back wild shots that found nothing but net as Rhondorf was clawing back, but didn´t seem to have a total secure grip as they trailed 63-57. What wasn´t working in the first 28 minutes with the outside shooting now looked as easy to Hanau like a comfortable Sunday stroll in the park as Cartwright connected as did Von Fintel twice as Hanau led 71-61. The last four minutes was all Hanau as they kept shooting and hitting almost everything closing out the game with a 17-1 run. In the run it was Pinkins that really did some nice improvement to his stats as he poured home eight points. It wasn´t only the imports, but also the German role players that contributed as Heck, Jonke and Schaffrath also added buckets. In the end the Hebeisen White Wings had scored 36 points in the fourth quarter two points more than in the whole first half. “Scoring 36 points in the fourth quarter was crazy. I don´t remember having an outburst like that before with another team. We finally got into a nice offensive flow. The ball was moving and popping. Each player was more active on offense and that came from making stops on defense. We also got out on transition that helped and it was a total team effort. Pinkins was a beast and we got great minutes from Heck”, added Miles Jackson-Cartwright. “I told Savo in the first half that they won´t miss like this all game. They then hit a few and then everyone hit. We fell apart in the fourth and got outrebounded. We worked on rebounding all week long, but Hanau wanted it more”, stressed Sterling Carter.

The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau were led by Miles Jackson-Cartwright with 23 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Kruize Pinkins added 22 points and eight rebounds. Till Joscha-Jonke added 11 points. The Dragosn Rhondorf were led by Sterling Carter with 24 points. Antoine Davis added 16 points. The match winner of the evening was Jackson-Cartwright who was humble after the win, but one could sense that a big load had been cleared from his back as he finally produced the way he should, but he took it like a regular day at the office putting up those Russell Westbrook stats. “I love how Westbrook does everything possible to help his team. I just go out and play and try to help my team the best way that I can. I just hate losing and want it to end. I was on some losing teams at Penn and in Holland. I had better focus this week and was just locked in”, added Miles Jackson-Cartwright. The way Sterling Carter looked after the game one would of never expected he had scored 24 points and dropped seven three pointers, but more as if he had been 0/7. “My shot really hasn´t been so consistent this season, but I always try to play with confidence. I am always the smallest on the court and when you are small you either have to have a quick shot or be crafty. I have developed a quick shot, but also know I won´t get calls when I get bumped going to the rim so I work more on my shot”, warned Sterling Carter. The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau shot 51% from the field and 24% from outside while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 34% from the field and 36% from outside. Hanau won the rebound battle easily 45-31 thanks to a 12-3 balance in the fourth and both teams finished with 11 turnovers a piece.

Sterling Carter is a 24 year old 183cm point guard from Seattle, Washington and is rookie in Germany playing for Pro A team Rhondorf. He started his basketball career at Pacific, then played three years at Seattle(NCAA) and finished at Purdue in 2014. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau

Sterling thanks for talking to German Hoops You have been in Germany now two and half months. What have you learned to appreciate the most about Germany?

What I most appreciate about Germany is how relaxing it is. In Bad Honnef it is very quiet at night and peaceful. I also appreciate all the great views this country has to offer. Every road game I see something beautiful in each city.

After working three jobs last season, now you are a professional basketball player. How thankful are you of having this opportunity and what don´t you miss from working 12 hours a day last year?

I am very thankful for the opportunity I have gotten to live out my dreams of being a professional basketball player it is a blessing and I thank God everyday for it. I’m also grateful to have a great agent to help make all this possible. I don’t miss anything about working those long hour days. I finally get to do what I love as a full time job.

You are playing your first season with Rhondorf and are still looking for the first win. When you started the season and knowing the talent you have are you surprised that the team is 0-5?

Yes it is very surprising but I have faith that we are going to turn things around and surprise a lot people.

The club has an experienced guy with Savo Milovic that was teammates with NBA player Marcin Gortat 10 years ago, but is an experienced American missing?

I feel that the guys we have are more than good enough for the job having more experience would be great but I think this team is fine with the guys we have now.

What have been the biggest problems in games? The club averages only 66 points per game, but is allowing 86 points per game. What do you believe have been the biggest problems on defense and how do they have to be corrected?

The problem that we were having problems keeping people in front of us and making our defense help to much but we have since fixed that problem and we are improving each and every game.

After two blow outs against Kirchheim and Vechta, the team has been giving up only 81 points per game in the last two outings. Is the team making strides on the defensive end even if only slowly?

Yes we have made big strides the last 3 games we played we were in them all till the end of the 4th quarter. We have fixed our bigger issues as a team now we are finding our way we still have some fixing to do but just little minor things but I have faith we will surprise a lot of people by the end of march when the regular season is over.

How have you been viewing the development of forward Antoine Davis. He had a huge year in Regionaliga and jumped up two leagues.

He is a great player and his game speaks for itself he shoots the ball very well and its always great for a PG like me to have a guy like him to go to.

How important has Savo Milovic been for you on and off the court? He is watching you more during games, but I am sure that you watch him closely during practice as he has much experience.

Having Savo around is great for me and he has been playing a very long time and watching him in practice and talking with him I gain a lot of knowledge and wisdom. He is a great guy and he is always there to answer questions of mine when I have them he has be a great vet for me.

Currently after five games you are averaging 12,6ppg, 2,6rg and 3,2apg. How have you been adjusting to the German Pro A?

Now I feel really good after the 5th game. I know it hasn’t gone the way I would like so far but I know that I can only get better from here. Its not always how you start the season but how you finish it.

I know your 5.8 turn overs per game aren´t acceptable to you. What has been giving you the most problems on the court and how are you correcting it?

Well 5.8 T.O aren’t good at all and I would just say my first few games I was called for a lot of traveling calls so now I’m adjusted to the officiating here in Germany so that 5.8 will be down really soon.

You are currently averaging 2,0spg which is very strong. Do you feel you can heighten your defense to another level?

Yes I am a defender at heart and as I get used to the way the games are officiated my defensive stats should continue to be better.

How important were the 26 points against Gotha? Of course you couldn´t enjoy it because you lost the game, but did that game go click in your head that you can play at this level?

That game was a heart breaker for me because I felt I could have done a lot more for my team. I feel like I belong on this level and will continue to get better and better as the season goes on.

The next game is against the Hebeisen White Wings who are also 0-5 One team will be victorious come Saturday night. No disrespect to Rhondorf, but on paper this team is favored, but how much are you looking forward to this game and being an angry and very determined underdog?

Well on paper we are most likely the underdog in every game in this league, however I will go into this game giving my 110percent that I give every game. Being a underdog is something I am used to and I have been very blessed to overcome a lot of adversity and me my teammates will do the same this season. We have 25 games left to change people´s views about us.

Derrick Rose is injured again. Is there a curse on him? Do you feel like he will ever play a full NBA season again?

I think Derrick Rose will be fine and yes I think he will play a full season this year. Its always motivation for an athlete like D Rose to come back stronger when people count you out. I had to deal with the same type of things on my journey.

What was the last move that you saw?

The last movie I watched was Blue Streak.

Thanks Sterling for the chat.

Antoine Davis is a 195cm forward from Rustburg, Virginia that will play his second professional season. Last season as a rookie he played for SG Sechtem 1971 where he tore up the Regionaliga west averaging 26,4ppg, 7,2rpg and 2,3apg in 25 games while shooting 42,0% from outside. His stats from last season were amazing as he scored in double figures in all 25 games including a 42 point game against Grevenbroich and he scored 30 points or more in eight games including 36 point efforts against Munster and Duesseldorf. He started his basketball career at Louisburg JC (JUCO) and then played three seasons at Carson-Newman (NCAA2) and as a senior played 28 games: 19.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 84.1%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Hebeisen white Wings Hanau.

Antoine thanks for talking to German Hoops. You have been in Germany now two and half months. What have you learned to appreciate the most about playing in the German Pro A?

I’ve learned a lot the speed of the game and talent level is a lot higher than when I played with Secthem last year.

You are playing your first season with Rhondorf and are still looking for the first win. When you started the season and knowing the talent you have are you surprised that the team is 0-5?

I didn’t think we would be 0-5 but we are making strides as a team to get better.

The club has an experienced guy with Savo Milovic that was teammates with NBA player Marcin Gortat 10 years ago, but is an experienced American missing?

Savo is a really smart guy and he is a leader on this team and I don’t think we need a experienced American we just have to play the right way.

What have been the biggest problems in games? The club averages only 66 points per game, but is allowing 86 points per game. What do you believe have been the biggest problems on defense and how do they have to be corrected?

Our defense has to get better and it will get better. That’s what we have been working on the offense will get better once we get more stops on defense.

After two blow outs against Kirchheim and Vechta, the team has been giving up only 81 points per game in the last two outings. Is the team making strides on the defensive end even if only slowly?

I think we are but we still have a long way to go to be where we want to be as a team.

How important has the arrival been of American Daquan Holiday who played the last two games. Will his play give the inside that needed presence that was missing in the first three games?

He’s a big presence on the court and we missed him the first 3 games and I’m glad he’s back.

How have you been viewing the development of point guard Sterling Carter? He has had solid stats, but do you see him heightening his game in the next months?

I think he will perform better as he gets used to playing in the pro A.

Sterling Carter is averaging 5,8 turnovers per game. How is the team trying to help him on the court get those down?

As a team we have to give him better passing lanes to get us the ball.

Currently after five games you are averaging 10,4ppg, 3,0rg and 1,4apg. How have you been adjusting to the German Pro A coming from the German Regionaliga?

I think I can play way better than I am right now and I will play better the more I get adjusted to my team and this league.

How is the game and your role different this season? With Sechtem you were the main go to guy and averaged 7,2rpg. This season as expected your stats are way down.

My role is different I play a lot more off the ball than I played I Sechtem so I’m just trying to adjust more to that.

What kind of things are you doing more on the court this season that you didn´t have to do last season in the Regionaliga?

Just playing more off the ball that’s the only real difference.

Your shooting only 22,0% from outside. Is your three pointer something that you are working extra on after practice?

I have confidence in my jumper and it will not stay that percentage. I work on that all the time.

The next game is against the Hebeisen White Wings who are also 0-5 One team will be victorious come Saturday night. No disrespect to Rhondorf, but on paper this team is favored, but how much are you looking forward to this game and being an angry and very determined underdog?

I really looking forward to this game and me and the team will practice hard this week to get ready for it.

Derrick Rose is injured again. Is there a curse on him? Do you feel like he will ever play a full NBA season again?

I think he will be fine but he won’t get back to being the old Derrick Rose.

What was the last move that you saw?

The other guys.

Thanks Antoine for the chat.

Deandre Lansdowne 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 recently as Herten was stuck in their losing streak.

Deandre thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 83-65 loss against Bochum last weekend. Was the only positive thing from this game the 10 turnovers that the team suffered. The score was bad enough, but if you had had 20 turnovers the team would probably have lost by 30 points.

Yes the game was a tough loss! Turnovers a very key part of the game, and can change a game in either direction! But we continue to find the good out of losses and continue working forward.

Herten came into the season with high expectations, but started at 0-3. How is the current mood in the team? 0-3 isn´t great, but it isn´t 0-7. Knowing the fact that its still early give the team hope?

Every team has high expectations, and I still believe it’s too early to decide, and It’s all about your team peaking at the right time in the season. I like that the team isn’t satisfied with our losses and we believe that we still can be a contender, just takes time. being said, it can take time because there is a lot of new pieces on this team.

Fans are getting a little uneasy even if it is still early, but from your stand point, what have been the main problems that the team has been performing the way it has?

Haha what do you expect from fans, that’s just how fans are. They’re happy when you’re winning, dissatisfied when your loosing. But we’re all still slightly working on getting the feel for each other and getting a feel for coaches system. Some teams already have a unique identity, and we’re still trying to find ours, and once we do, I think that will be the team they believed us to be.

Herten is scoring 64 points per game while giving up 84 points. If these two were reversed Herten would probably be 3-0. The team should be able to score more than it has so far. How confident are you that scoring will improve?

Yes, I think that it will increase, like I said we’re still getting used to our offense and finding it’ strengths per player and where everybody. is most comfortable and effective. But we also need to defensively get better and stop teams from averaging 84 points per game. If we get more comfortable and better on offense as well as defensively, we should be just fine!

You are a rookie and have been one of the few bright spots in the first three games averaging 19,0ppg, 4.7rpg and 2,0apg. How tough is it enjoying your own good play when the team is losing?

I’ve never been a player to think individual play is more important then team success. I am here to do whatever the team needs me to do game to game depending on our individual match-ups. And for individual success you can only say thank you tongue teammates because they got you the ball in spots you can succeed or set you great screens.

After playing in the NCAA and in Mexico you are in Germany in the Pro B. You have had no need to get adjusted. Why do you feel have you been able to adjust so well to the style of the Pro B so quickly?

I feel I have always been a player who can play in any type of system or style of play and be fine! I can play in a more slow, controlled, smart league as we have here in Germany. Or I can play in a very fast, high scoring league like in Mexico! I have always liked to challenge my game and knowledge of the game to better myself as a player.

You scored 40 points in your first game against the Artland Dragons in a 89-63 loss. Despite hitting just about everything from the two point area, you were 0/3 from outside and had five turnovers. You then had three points in the next game. Was that your wake up call to be a professional in Germany how your play can go up and down from one game to the other?

Yes the 5 TOs really bugged me, being a PG that is way too many in a game. 0/3 was just how some games go, shot didn’t fall. My coach, team and myself know my outside shooting is fine, and teams will believe they can should go under screens, but I think I proved them wrong in Bochum. I believe that is just basketball, some games go your way and some don’t go your way. Maybe because of foul trouble, or shots don’t go in, whatever it maybe, you move on to the next game and week to get better as a team and player.

It has been a while, but do you remember your 35 point game against New Mexico Highlands in college? Do you ever look back at this game for inspiration?

You know I really don’t look back to my college games much anymore. I think my game is much more rounded, and I’m playing a different position as well. Also as my competition is a bit better and bigger now. Haha

You are only a rookie, but also 26. Do you see yourself taking on even more of a leadership role now in tough times?

I have always looked at myself as a leader. I’m one of the older guys on this team so I really feel my leadership is much more needed! As a PG also you need to have that leadership mentality since you control so much in the game, you need your team to look for you in adversity.

Your teammate Eric KIbi has been going a tough stretch shooting only 17,6 from the field. How have you been helping him get his confidence up?

The #1 always is to tell him he is a great player and never sell him short of that! I just always keep him moving forward, next shot/play. He works so hard outside of team practice that it is only a short time till we see the player he can be. He’s a great teammate and is always a positive person, so seeing him in a slump has been slightly hard on me.

How confident are you that as soon as Eric Kibi gets going that the team will start to have success?

I think Kibi is the biggest part missing right now, and we’re just trying to get him in the offense in spots he’s most confident. We see him starting to get a groove, we all feed off of that! But championship teams are teams that when one of your best players struggle, someone else should be able to step into that spot or another player steps their game up a bit more.

How confident are you that the team will respond this weekend against Izehoe? A reaction has to come. What will be key to getting the first team win of the season?

I think we have responded well this week, we grabbed the positives from Bochum, recognized some weaknesses and we’re fixing them. Most important we need to just come out hungry and with a chip on our shoulder, leave it all on the floor! A few keys for us in playing inside -> outside, rebounding, being aggressive on the defensive end without fouling and lastly controlling the game.

Derrick Rose is injured again. Is there a curse on him? Will he ever be able to play through a whole season healthy? It’s a sad story.

I really wish he could stay healthy and show us what he is capable of doing! But we’ve seen it before in some stars, just can’t escape injury, it’s just part of the game!

What has you started to appreciate most in Germany after two months living here?

I’m a big fan of eating, so I would say I love all the food and meals that I have had here. As well as some of the people I am surrounded by, very respectful, down to earth people! next month I am visiting Berlin, Netherlands and Belgium so I am very excited to see more of the area and bordering countries.

What was the last movie that you saw?

I’m a big movie guy, especially in my downtime. Most recent was Mission impossible 5 I think it was!

Thanks Deandre for the chat.