DJ Kennedy is a 24 year old 198cm forward from Pittsburgh that is playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. He started the season with Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd (Russia-VTB): VTB United League: 4 games: 19.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.3apg; Eurocup: 3 games: 16.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.7spg. He started his basketball career in 2007 with St.John’s (NCAA) where he played a total of 129 games until 2011 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 10.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.0apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 77.8%. In 2011, he started his professional basketball career with the Erie Bay Hawks (D-League) playing 47 games: 15.6ppg, 7.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 82.5%, in Apr.’12 signed at Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA): 2 games: 6.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Erie Bay Hawks (D-League, starting five): 35 games: 18.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 5.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 83.8%, in Mar.’13 signed at Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League, starting five): 20 games: 14.3ppg, 7.1rpg, 4.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 81.8%. Last season he came to Europe and played for three teams with BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral (France-ProA): Eurocup: 4 games: 11.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.3apg; French ProA: 4 games: 9.5ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.0spg, left in Dec.’13, in Jan.’14 moved to Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd (Russia-VTB), later that month agreed terms with Hapoel Holon (Israel-Winner League, starting five): 19 games: 12.1ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 72.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJ Thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are currently playing your fourth professional season and already playing for your 11th team. Do you sometimes feel like a basketball globetrotter because you are traveling the world?

 

 

 

Globetrotter? Not at all. It’s been nine teams and I appreciate all nine, because I learned from each one. 

 

You are playing your first season for the MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg (Germany-BBL) after starting the season with Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd (Russia-VTB) where you had very powerful stats. Did the weather get too cold in Russia or why did you leave the team?

 

The weather wasn’t a factor for me I’m from Pittsburgh so that wasn’t a big deal for me. I just think with the hiring of a new coach and the president wanting to go in another direction.  So it was best that we came two a mutual agreement for both sides to move on.

 

You have seemed to have had no problem adjusting to the Beko BBL as you are leading the league in scoring with 21,4ppg, 6,2rpg and 3,0apg. What has been your secret to adjusting so well to the high level of play?

 

Constantly just trying to get better every chance I can and being able to stay consistent & ready from Russia to Germany.

 

 

It has been an up and down ride so far as the team lost its first four games with three being very close and since then have won five of the last six. What have been the main reasons for the team winning more as of late?

 

I really feel our success lately has been because we have a better feel for one another now and we all are on the same page as a collective group and it shows.

 

 

There is seldom a team in Germany that has so much NBA air on a team as Ludwigsburg has yourself, John Brockman, Koby Carl and Mike Stockton. What has it been like having so much NBA around on a daily basis?

 
This is a Great group of guys very competitive, humble, unselfish and works hard every day!…we are all learning from each other and it’s great to be apart of this group.

 

You have played for so many coaches in your young career, but what have you been able to learn form John Patrick in your first few months?

 

Coach Patrick has been great for me, lot of my success so far has a lot to do with him. We have a great connection. He is very hands on as far as fundamentals & defense and stresses the little things that makes a big difference. I have a lot of respect for him.
 

You have scored 20 plus points seven times including a 31 point effort against Tuebingen. Which team in the BBL was the toughest team you played so far where you had to earn your points most?

 

I haven’t played against all of the teams in the BBL yet. But so far the teams that I’ve played all have been tough. This is a very physical league and competitive.

 

 

You are a swingman that can do it all on the floor, but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

 

My ability to be physical. I think people think that I am not a fan of physical play, but I welcome it. This is one of the reasons I came to Germany. This is a very physical league and I love it. The physical play takes my play to another level.  
 

 

As a rookie you played two games for the Clevland Cavaliars and in your second season you had very good stats in the D-League with Erie and Rio Grande. Were you very disappointed that you didn´t get a call up and what did you learn from your second season about the NBA?

 

Disappointed – of course it would have been nice to get a call up when I was having a good season but I can only focus on what I can control. I learned its all about timing & opportunity so I must be ready when your number is called.

 

 

What do you remember from your 28 point, 13 rebound, 10 assists game against Tulsa in the D-League where your teammate was current ratiopharm Ulm center Tim Ohlbrecht?

 

I remember how much talent was on our team. At that time with so many good players we won 18 straight games had fun playing with that team and staff.

 

You had very much experience in the D-League. Is there really anything positive that you can take from the D-League if one can´t dazzle the team scouts with individual play?
I really believe it’s about the right situation,timing, and making the best out of that opportunity. That is what I took from it.

 

 

 

What kind of experience was it playing with Dirk Nowitzki in training camp? What was something you learned that you didn´t know before you actually were able to play with him and get to know him in camp?

 

 
Dirk was great. There’s a reason why Drk has had so much success and will be a hall of famer he is one the hardest working players I’ve seen, just to see a guy who been in the league for so many years constantly working like its 1st year taught me a lot and motivated me even more.

 

 

 

In your third season you reached Europe and played in France, Russia and Israel. What was your wake up call to being a professional in Europe where you knew that you weren´t in the States anymore?

 

 

At first it was tough, just being so many miles away from home and having to adjust to a whole new culture and lifestyle. I have a lot of respect for every player that goes through it. Its something that you have to be willing to adapt to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You had some pretty good talent at ST Johns when you were there, but why do you feel was the team never able to make more noise in a NCAA tournament?

 

I really believe a lot of it was due to how young we were. We came in with 9 freshman not sure if anyone could of had immediate success in that era of the big east which was the toughest conference in the NCAA! We didn’t have immediate success but it made us better & it showed our senior year when we finally had success and showed the world. We really had a chance to go far that year – if I hadn’t the injury in the big east tournament. But still think we had one great run.

 

 

 

Who was your toughest battle on the floor in the NCAA who is playing in the NBA now?

 

 

It’s really hard to point out one person the big east had so many great players that’s still playing guys like Jimmy Butler, Wesley Matthews, Lance Stephenson ,Kemba Walker just to name a few

 

 

 

What have you been able to appreciate the most about Germany on and off the court?

 
The people in Germany are great. fans shows a lot of support and stick with you through the ups and downs.

 

 

Who wins a one on one on practice you or Shawn Huff?
 

Huff would let me win I’m sure lol

 

 

 

Thanks DJ for the chat.
 

 

It has been more than 10 years ago that the then Opel Skyliners won their first and only Beko BBL title against the always menacing Freak City team who were then called GHP Bamberg. Since then guys like Pascal Roller has become boss at the Hamburg Towers, Alex King has been made into a solid Euroleague player, Bernd kruel at age 39 is still playing helping build something sweet with the RheinStars Cologne, sharp shooter Tyrone Ellis is an assistant coach for D-League team Grand Rapids Drive while guys like Ibrahim Diarra and Mario Kasun have retired with the latter having basketball filled stories from his golden days with the Orlando Magic and FC Barcelona from 2004-2008. On the Bamberg side most guys have retired with only Steffen Hamann still playing in the German Pro A with Baunach. Even if I thought Chris Ensminger would play until he was 50 and have his snare and facial expressions in the paint forever be plastered somewhere as a memory, he has gone into coaching with Gotha while his ex teammate Gerd Kullame has done the same. Kullame is a 44 year old Estonian that has been coach with Tartu Rock since January 2012 and as a player played at the 1993 European championships where Germany surprised everyone winning the gold and won 5 Estonian and one Dutch and Belgium titles. However one title remained absent from his collection as he played two seasons in Germany with Bamberg and was on the floor on June 13^th 2004 where Frankfurt won game five 84-78. Even if he hit the most three pointers in the game with three that won´t even be a consolation as he had been so close to winning the illustrious BBL title. Kullame had never been back to the Fraport arena to play a game or coach since 2004 and he was back again as head coach of Tartu Rock and had a double motivation to get a win as his team was 1-2 in Eurochallenge play and desperately needed a win and also wanted to erase that last loss against head coach Gordon Herbert and do it better this time with him barking the commands from the sidelines. It seemed like there could be a chance for Kullamae to get revenge as the game was close for 30 minutes, but a massive 35 point Frankfurt fourth quarter ripped apart Tartu Rock as the head coach once again had to exit the arena as the loser. “I wasn´t thinking about the last time I was here as this game tonight was most important. Frankfurt came out in the fourth quarter and basically hit every shot. Congratulations to Frankfurt”, stressed Tartu Rock head coach Gerd Kullamae. If you would have asked a Skyliner after the third quarter if it would be more possible to see pigs fly or them score 35 points they probably would have elected the first. “I would have called you bluff. The game was even for about 25 minutes. We upped our defensive intensity in the fourth. We just moved the ball better and hit shots”, stressed Fraport Skyliner forward Jacob Burtschi.

The Fraport Skyliners entered the game with a 2-1 Eurochallenge record while Tartu Rock came in with a 1-2 record and had a type of must win situation. The Fraport Skyliners took control early quickly as it was one half of the twin towers Johannes Voigtmann who supplied all points in the 9-2 start. He scored inside twice, hit free throws and even hit a three pointer for good measure something he had done 48 hours earlier against 8 time Beko BBL champion Alba Berlin. However Tartu Rock stormed back going on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 9-9. Joosep Toome who has won three Estonian league titles nailed a three pointer and two time Beko BBL cup winner with Cologne Janar Talts scored inside and connected on free throws. Frankfurt presented Tartu Rock with their versatile bench as they kept up the pressure despite having given up a big run by going out on a 8-3 run to take the 17-12 lead. Quantez Robertson connected on a lay up and Berlin native Konstantin Klein dropped back to back three pointers as he improved his astronomical 80% three point percentage in Eurochallenge play. “Since I came back from injury it seems like my three pointer is the only thing that works. My feet were dead, but my shot still works, but I did get some open looks”, smiled Konstantin Klein. Gerd Dorbek who won four Estonian league titles reacted with a three pointer and Frankfurt then closed out the first quarter with brilliant fast break basketball as Quantez Robertson forced a turnover and Florida native Mike Morrison led the fast break charge dishing the ball to Klein for the easy lay in. “Frankfurt did a great job getting Johannes Voigtmann involved early. Frankfurt moved the ball well, but then did some costly errors letting Tartu Rock back into the game. Klein hit some timely shots at the end. You could see that he was playing with confidence”, added Fraport Skyliner Junior Jules Akodo. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 47% from the field and 75% from outside while Tartu Rock was shooting 38% from the field and 17% from outside. Tartu Rock at the 9-6 rebound edge, but five turnovers while Frankfurt had two turnovers.

In the second quarter the game remained tight as the Fraport Skyliners could never break away as Tartu Rock remained on their door step until half time. Tartu Rock started off the second quarter with a 6-2 run to tie the game at 21-21. Morrison got an offensive rebound and made the put back. Tanel Sokk then led Tartu Rock back with his aggressive play hitting a jumper and also finding Timo Eichfuss who won five Estonian league titles with a no look pass. Lithuanian Augustas Peciukevicius connected on jumper from the corner just as the shot clock went off. Frankfurt took the lead twice with a Sean Armand lay in and Justin Cobbs jumper, but Tartu Rock tied the game twice with a Marek Doronin lay in who is playing his 15^th season with Tartu Rock having won 12 titles in Estonia and Peciukevicius scored on a lay in. Frankfurt then showed some new flash of offense going on a 6-0 run to lead 31-25. Frankfurt kept making the paint area their home as Voigtman and Cobbs scored and Canadian Aaron Doornekamp made a left handed lay in. Each time where it seemed like Frankfurt might break away, the Estonian team had an answer as big man Joosep Toome who likes to step outside nailed a three pointer to cut the Frankfurt lead to 31-28. Doornekmap kept up his offensive flow hitting a fade away jumper, but Janar Talts matched him with a fade away from the corner ala Kevin Mchale style as Frankfurt still led 33-30. Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi and Janar Talts then exchanged three pointers as Frankfurt led 36-33. After the Talts three pointer, Tartu Rock got the ball back and finished a pretty mini ally op as one point guard Augustas Peciukevicius found the other point guard 30 year old Tanel Sokk who was the 2012 Estonian final MVP at the buzzer. The Fraport Skyliners led 36-35 after twenty minutes. “Frankfurt could have had a better lead, but they let Tartu Rock come back with second chance points and offensive rebounds. Doornekamp made some big shots that helped”, stressed Jules Akodo. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 58% from the field and 80% from the three point line while Tartu Rock was shooting 50% from the field and 27% from the three point line. Tartu Rock had the narrow 13-12 rebound edge and both teams had coughed up the ball seven times each.

Tartu Rock had the edge in the third quarter as they took the lead and the Fraport Skyliners had to play pick up basketball. Both teams traded runs at the start of the third quarter as Tartu Rock took the lead with a 4-0 run, but Frankfurt ripped it back with a 6-0 run. Tartu Rock got points inside from Sokk with a floater and a hard penetration drive from Talts. Frankfurt countered with three buckets in a row from Voigtmann who got going again as he displayed his versatility of his inside and mid range game as Frankfurt led 42-39. Tartu Rock was always on the prowl to try to break open the game and achieved it a little bit going on a 11-2 run to lead 50-44. In the run Tartu Rock gave Frankfurt their version of three point buckets as Dorbek, Talts and Sokk hammered home bombs. Frankfurt kept fighting and chipping away at the Tartu Rock lead as Armand and Cobbs made free throws. Morrison then showed enormous anticipation and instincts catching an Armand air ball and making the put back cutting the Tartu Rock lead to 52-49. After Toome free throws, it was Burtschi nailing a three pointer as Frankfurt trailed 54-52. Kurbas then made free throws, Cobbs made a lay in and Morrison ended the thrid quarter with a lay in as Quantez Robertson was the recipient of the quick pass as Frankfurt gained the lead again 57-56. “Tartu Rock was hitting shots and we weren´t executing as well as we had to come back the whole quarter”, stressed Jacob Burtschi. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 52% from the field and 56% from the parking lot while Tartu Rock was shooting 49% from the field and 37% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 21-20 rebound edge and eight turnovers while Tartu Rock had nine turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners started from scratch forgot the first three quarters and just exploded scoring 35 points and making a close game at the end into a rout. Frankfurt started off the fourth quarter with a 19-4 run to lead 76-61 which pretty much sealed the win for the 2004 BBL champion. Frankfurt had had high shooting percentages throughout the game, but now they just began seeing the court as an ocean where missing wasn´t an option. Frankfurt got going scoring from close range as after Cobbs made free throws, Frankfurt might have showed their best executed play of the evening as two good shots were past up for the best shot as Klein found Morrison for the two handed dunk. Cobbs and Voigtmann followed with pull up jumpers as Frankfurt led 65-57. Even if Tartu Rock continued to battle back getting buckets inside from Toome and Peciukevicius, Frankfurt just rolled over that with three consecutive three pointers from Klein, Burtschi and Robertson to lead 74-61. Frankfurt also did a good job getting to the free throw line as Cobbs and Voigtmann connected for the 78-66 advantage. Robertson then found his range again from outside nailing a three pointer, Voigtmann followed with a pretty hook shot and Cobbs then decided the game for good with a bomb form downtown as Frankfurt led 87-69. Voigtmann then found some serious daylight as no one was in the lane and he made a thunderous dunk and Cobbs followed with a pull up jumper as Frankfurt led 91-69. Tartu Rock closed out the game with a mini 4-0 run as Sokk and Eichbaum scored inside. “We executed very well, hit our open shots and made our free throws. We did a better job rebounding and played good defense while they missed some open shots”, stressed Quantez Robertson. “We risked some things trying to change on defense to change the rhythm, but they made their shots which was the difference. Frankfurt was more aggressive on defense and we didn´t make good options and had crucial turnovers”, stated Janar Talts. “We rebounded better, played faster, hit shots early which helped our confidence”, stressed Konstantin Klein.

The Fraport Skyliners were led by Johannes Voigtmann with 26 points and four rebounds. He hit 10/12 shots, but despite his highest point total in his career it wasn´t his finest performance from the eyes of his teammates. “Joe made his shots and free throws. Offensively it might have been his best, but I think he has had better games, but it was one of his better games”, stressed Konstantin Klein. “Joe has had many good games. He was outstanding. It wasn´t his greatest, but it was up there”, warned Jacob Burtschi. “This was one of many good games that he has had. He played big in the paint and knew how to knock down the mid distance jumper. He got it going early and kept it up”, added Johannes Voigtmann. Justin Cobbs added 20 points and four assists while Konstantin Klein chipped in with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists. Tartu Rock was led by Janar Talts with 19 points. Tanel Sokk and Gert Dorbek added 13 points a piece. The Fraport Skyliners shot 58% from the field and 64% from outside while Tartu Rock shot 46% from the field and 31% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebounding duel 27-25 and had nine turnovers while Tartu Rock had 14 turnovers. Frankfurt is in the driver´s seat with a 3-1 record with two games to go while Tartu Rock have a 1-3 record and uphill climb. “We have two more games and need a miracle”, warned Janar Talts. “We are sitting nice now, but still have two more tough road games. We need to win on the road”, warned Jacob Burtschi.

Janar Talts is a 31 year old 205 cm forward from Estonia that is playing his sixth season for Tartu Ulikool/Rock (Estonia-KML). He played in Germany at a young age for RheinEnergie Koln (Germany-1.Bundesliga) from 2004-2007 winning two Beko BBL cups. He also gained experience playing in Italy for Cimberio Varese (Italy-SerieA) from 2011-2013. Last season he played for Tartu Ulikool/Rock (Estonia-KML) EuroChallenge: 15 games: 9.8ppg, Reb-5(7.0rpg), 1.7apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 70.4%; Baltic League: 18 games: 9.9ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 72.7%; Estonian League: 31 games: 10.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP-1(66.9%), 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 63.5%. He spoke to German Hoops before todays Eurochallenge game against the Fraport Skyliners.

 

 

 

 

Janar thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. How often have you been back to Germany since leaving Cologne in 2007?

 

I haven´t been back so often. I think just one time. We played Eurochallenge against Artland some years ago.

 

You played three seasons in Germany for Rhein Energie Cologne. What did you learn to appreciate the most about the country of Germany?

 

Everything is very nice in Germany. The people are precise and the living quality is very good. The people were very kind to me and I liked living in Germany.

 

 

Tartu Rock 1-2 has a very important game in Eurochallenge play against the Fraport Skyliners who are 2-1. What does the team want to do better this time than in the first loss?

 

We have to play well to win, because Frankfurt play very well at home. We will change some things, but we have to play better than the first game in our place.

 

 

 

What can we expect from this game? Will this be a hard fought game that might not be pretty to watch as defense could be the main focus?

 

I hope that it will be low scoring again. It will surely be a hard fought game and I hope that we can enjoy a win.

 

 

Your head coach Gert Kullamae lost in Frankfurt more than 10 years in the Beko BBL final with Bamberg. Do you think he will have a lot of revenge to win today?

 

 

I know that was a very tough loss for Gert and Bamberg and they were sad, but we don´t talk about that. I don´t think that he will have that on his mind. He wants to win the Eurochallenge game the most.

 

 

Currently Tartu Rock is first in the KML standings with a record of 20-5. Could this be the year that Tartu brings the title back home again after last winning it in 2010?

 

I hope we will win again, but at the moment we aren´t as concentrated on the Estonian league, but are focused on the Eurochallenge.

 

 

 

You belong to the top scorers on the team and are the leading rebounder on the club. How important is your role of being a mentor for the younger players?

 

We have quite a few older players on the team. We all know each other from playing together here and on the national team. I don´t have to be a big role model. Every player knows what they have to do.

 

 

 

You won three Estonian league titles in 2003, 2008 and 2010. Which title was the sweetest for you?

 

 

The first one is always the sweetest.

 

 

You played two seasons for Cimberio Varese (Italy-SerieA). What were the most important basketball experience that you got in your two years there?

 

I had a nice time in Italy. It was a different style of basketball to what I was used to. The game in Italy is more fast and technical. At the start it was difficult getting used to the style, but after some time I got used to it.

 

 

 

You won three titles with Cologne with two cups and the league in 2006. How well do you still have the Alexander Nadjfeji shot in your mind?

 

I remember that shot well. It was in Bamberg, but we also had one against Alba Berlin which Immanuel Mcelroy hit. The Nadjfeji shot was very special. He wasn´t out best shooter than, but he just stepped up and made the shot. That win was fantastic in Bamberg

 

 

 

Which title in Cologne was the sweetest for you?

 

The 2006 league title was the sweetest. The cups are special, but winning that league title was the best. We won the last game at home and it was a big party.

 

You played with Sasa Obradovic and had him as a head coach. Has it surprised you how well he has developed as a head coach? He continues to win titles after winning early in his career with Cologne and now has won two cups with Alba Berlin and this season could win the league as well?

 

It doesn´t surprise me at all. Already as a player he was very precise in what he did and knew exactly what it took to get the job done. As a coach he was tough, but knew what it took to win games. He gets better as a coach as he keeps winning titles.

 

 

 

What was your fondest memory with Sasa Obradovic? He didn´t smile much on the court, but how did you get him to smile?

 

Sasa had his moments. When he is chilled he smiles. Before practice and games, he was very concentrated. When it was time to work he was very focused. He smiled after wins and is a good guy off the court.

 

 

 

You played with so many great players in your three years like Marcin Gortat, a young Tibor Pleiss, the energetic Michael Jordan or ex NBA player Devin Green. With what player did you have the most intensified relationship that helped you on and off the court?

 

I had the best relationship with Marcin Gortat off the court. We lived in same house for three years and were roommates on the road. He was a big prospect in Europe and it was no surprise that he went to the NBA. I saw him develop so much in those years. He worked so hard and deserved to be where he is. He is a role model for all young players as with hard work anything is possible.

 

 

Alexander Nadjfeji is 39 and your Tartu Rock teammate Valmo Kriisa is 40. How much longer are these two player still going to play?

 

I am not sure about Sasa since I haven´t seen him in a while, but it depends how he feels. I remember that he was the smartest four man that I ever played with. I think that Valmo can play a couple more years. He hasn´t had much injury problems so its possible that he may play some more years.

 

 

 

 

Who wins a one on one in practice you or Joosep Toome?

 

 

It depends. Probably me. I hope me.

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Wild Card.

 

Thanks Janar for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experiencing a buzzer beater isn´t always a normal occurrence for a team, but for the Fraport Skyliners Juniors and the Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos witnessing that special feeling of combining excitement, hope and success in a matter of seconds has happened to both clubs this season. It was a little more than three months ago, where Canadian Kyle Fossman who was born in Canada only because there was no hospital in his part of Alaska so his family had to drive four hours to see their offspring born hit his biggest shot of his young professional career nailing a buzzer beater in a triple OT victory against the Rhondorf Dragons 77-75. Winning in dramatic fashion has happened twice in the last month for Iserlohn players as young 20 year old 188cm point guard Niklas Geske who is a double license player with Phoenix Hagen dropped a pretty buzzer beater from center court in BBL play in Bayreuth for the win and last week it was a German duo who did it twice in a matter of minutes as 23 year old 198cm small forward Thomas Reuter who has played six Beko BBL games for Phoenix Hagen hit a three pointer in Schwelm to send the game to overtime and then the hero was 24 year old 186cm German guard Yannik Opitz dropping a in your face three point bomb after getting the perfect feed from Brit Orlan Jackman for the spectacular road win. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were looking for revenge after losing the third game of the season in Iserlohn 76-59 where they had a brick marathon shooting 1/13 from outside and this game against Iserlohn had implications of a buzzer beater as it was tight until the end and the hero of the Kangaroos could have been German Thomas Reuter again as last week he nailed a buzzer beater in Schwelm to bring the game into overtime, but in Frankfurt his shot fell short as the Fraport Skyliners hung on to a huge 67-64 victory against the best Pro B team of the south division. Frankfurt was playing catch up for the most part of the game and at the end made the little things better getting to the free throw line, getting steals and getting the game winning bucket from German Johannes Richter. “We played together today and there wasn´t a player that tried to stand out more than the other. We moved the ball well and played well against the zone and press staying composed. I think that we could of even handled a buzzer beater well today”, smiled guard Jules Akodo. The Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos came into the game having won 12 of their last 13 games having limited the opponent to 70 points or less in 12 games and did it again in Frankfurt, but couldn´t muster more points as they were held way under their 93 point average of the last three games. Iserlohn head coach Mattias Grothe had a long talk with his team as Frankfurt had already excited to the dressing room as this was a bitter loss and a game they controlled for a majority of the time, but let slip away. “Frankfurt outplayed us, outhustled us and outrebounded us. We had so many turnovers. We didn´t play Iserlohn basketball”, stressed Orlan Jackmon.

The Beko BBL team Fraport Skyliners had their practice prior to the start of the Pro B game in preparation against Alba Berlin and many were on hand to support the kids with Mikko Koivisto, Mike Morrison, Kevin Bright, Aaron Doornekamp and Jacob Burtschi who is back in a Skyliners jersey for a third time. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors started off in a fury as if they had on ant eater costume scaring away the Kangaroos as they stormed out on a 7-0 run as 18 year old Armin Musovic nailed a floater and step back three pointer with one second on the shot clock and Canadian Kyle Fossman found 17 year old Niklas Kiel cutting inside for the easy bucket. However the Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos didn´t fall asleep anymore as they got aggressive and were led by Jackman who connected on a finger tip role lay in and made a steal and went coast to coast. Ohio native Matt Kavanaugh and Ruben Dahmen score inside cutting the Frankfurt lead to 9-8. Iserlohn kept pouring it on on offense adding on to their 15-2 run with another bucket from Dahmen from outside, 18 year Jonas Grof who played one BBL game this season with Phoenix Hagen scored as did Kavanaugh as Iserlohn had broken away leading 15-9. Frankfurt came back going on a 6-0 run to deadlock the game at 15-15 as 34 year old Marius Nolte made an offensive rebound and put back, Kiel connected on free throws and Stefan Ilzhoefer made a lay in. Iserlohn got production from Jackman down the stretch with an off balance jumper and Yannick Opitz dropped a three pointer. Frankfurt stayed on their heels as Jules Akodo made a pull up jumper and Nolte scored inside, but Iserlohn led 21-20 after one quarter. “Frankfurt started out very well, but Iserlohn came back and hit their opens shots and were very physical”, stressed Fraport Skyliner forward Jacob Burtschi. The Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos were shooting 56% from the field and 33% from outside while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 67% from the field and 33% from outside. Frankfurt had the 7-3 rebound edge, but four turnovers while Iserlohn had two turnovers.

Both teams began to defend more aggressive in the second quarter as the Fraport Skyliners held Iserlohn to 13 points. Great Britain guard Jules Akodo took over in the first few minutes scoring three consecutive buckets to give Frankfurt the 29-25 advantage. The biggest strength of Akodo is most likely his penetrating, but all in all, the kid has a very versatile game and can score in a variety of ways which he did in the first few minutes. He started the Akodo show with a three pointer then nailed a pull up jumper and then let good defense translate into easy points with a steal and coast to coast run. Even if the baby twin towers Richter and Kiel didn´t score in this phase their presence inside led to good spacing and Frankfurt getting open shots which Akodo took advantage of. However Iserlohn continued to make shots on offense and kept up with Frankfurt as Kavanaugh was almost unstoppable inside as he scored cutting the Frankfurt lead to 29-28. Musovic then did what he does best nailing a pull up jumper, but 23 year Olaf Rostek who has been with Iserlohn since 2007 and looks like a cross between Seth Rogan and ogre from Revenge of the Nerds nailed his second shot of the second quarter tying the game at 31-31. Frankfurt kept on the pressure in the last minute getting a timely three pointer from Ilzhoefer and Kiel hit free throws as Frankfurt led 36-34 at halftime. “It took Frankfurt some time to get adjusted to the Iserlohn zone. They were very physical inside. Akodo hit big buckets and on defense they let Iserlohn work hard for baskets as anything they got was hard earned”, added ex Phoenix Hagen forward Jacob Burtschi. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 54% from the field and 50% from the three point line while Iserlohn was shooting 46% from the field and 21% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 17-8 rebound advantage, but 11 turnovers while Iserlohn had seven turnovers.

In the third quarter it was the Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos that had the upper hand again coming back regaining the advantage and leading by 11 points after 30 minutes. They upped their defensive intensity with switching up of their defense keeping Frankfurt totally off guard which led to numerous turnovers and extra possessions for the guests. Iserlohn came out on a 8-2 run to retake the lead 42-38. In the run it was ex Dayton(NCAA) center Matt Kavanaugh who played together with ex NBA player Chris Wright that did the most damage scoring three buckets. He scored twice inside as his quick foot work was too much to handle for the Frankfurt baby twin towers Richter and Kiel. He also connected on a mid distance jumper while Jackman scored on an off balance running hook shot. Frankfurt then went on a mini 4-0 run as the two 17 and 18 years olds Kiel and Akodo scored inside to tie the game at 42-42. However that small burst of offensive power was suddenly turned off as Iserlohn struck back annoying Frankfurt ending the third quarter with a 13-2 run to lead comfortable 55-44 after three quarters. In the run Iserlohn played great team basketball spreading out the scoring and playing even more aggressive defense which led to more Frankfurt turnovers as they couldn´t take care of the basketball the way head coach Eric Detlev wanted his team to. 18 year old German 205cm Marcel Kessen started the run with a dunk after getting a nifty over the shoulder pass from Jackman. Jackman then hit a three pointer. Iserlohn got additional production from Opitz and Kesson from the free throw line and lay in´s from Reuter and Grof. “We played great team defense and amazing things happen when that happens”, stressed Orlan Jackman. “We came out sloppy and just were too relaxed. They played with more intensity and forced us to many turnovers”, added Jules Akodo. The Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos were shooting 48% from the field and 21% from the parking lot while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 50% from the field and 38% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 26-15 rebound edge, but 20 turnovers while Iserlohn had 10 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, it was the Fraport Skyliners Juniors that buckled down on defense holding Iserlohn to only eight points, while the guests didn´t have that same intensity anymore letting up 20 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors didn´t waste anytime getting to work on their comeback going on a 10-0 run to cut the Iserlohn lead to only 55-54. Fossman didn´t have much fortune shooting on the night going 3/10 from the field, but he hit some big shots in the run making a runner and three pointer. The baby twin towers also got to work as Richter made a mid distance shot and Kiel scored inside after getting a quick feed from Richter. Richter and Kiel combined for 30 of the 67 Frankfurt points and even if they have harmony on the court, they don´t have much time being able to practice it. “It is great playing with Johannes, but it could be better. We never train together and only get better together from game to game. I love playing together with him. We would probably be even better together if we practiced more together”, added Paderborn native Niklas Kiel. “Those two big guys had good games. They did a good job rebounding and on second chance opportunites”, stressed Orlan Jackman. “They did a great job attacking boards and getting rebounds. Kiel is so athletic and hard to guard the perimeter while Richter gets guys in great position to score with his passing”, added Jules Akodo. Iserlohn put a small dent into the Frankfurt run with a 4-0 mini run as Rosteck and Jackmon hit free throws to extend the Iserlohn lead to 59-54. However the Fraport Skyliners Juniors never gave up, but continued to chip away and fight as Fossman hit a shot which was matched by a Kristopf Schwatz floater as Iserlohn led 61-56. Kiel then made big free throws and American Andrew Bock from Rialto, California finished a beautiful spin move with a lay in as Frankfurt trailed 63-60 in crunch time. After one free throw from Bock, it was Kiel that nailed two big free throws as Frankfurt trailed 64-63. Dahmen then missed an easy lay up and Richter came back making a hook shot which gave Frankfurt the 65-64 lead. After a Kavanaugh miss, it was Kiel who made a free throw for the 66-64 lead. “I was excited having so many free throw chances at the end. I like having that feeling in that important moment”, added Niklas Kiel. Schwarz then missed a shot and Richter made one free throw for the 67-64 lead. Iserlohn had one more chance for Thomas Reuter to be the hero and send the game into overtime, but he missed. “We played poor defense at the start in that 10-0 Frankfurt run. Iserlohn basketball is great defense, but when we play bad defense all goes wrong”, warned Orlan Jackman. “We have been down before as a team and know what it takes to get back into a game. We kept our head up and took it one step at a time. We stuck together, played as a team and got stops”, warned Jules Akodo.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Niklas Kiel with 18 points. Johannes Richter had 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Jules Akodo had 11 points. The Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos were led by Matt Kavanaugh with 18 points while Orlan Jackman added 14 points. Frankfurt shot 46% from the field and 36% from outside while Iserlohn shot 42% from the field and 17% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebounding duel 36-23, but had 22 turnovers while Iserlohn had 19 turnovers. If the Fraport Skyliner Juniors baby twin towers Johannes Richter and Niklas Kiel will one day mature into twin towers like their predecessors Danilo Barthel and Johannes Voigtman is unknown but the German duo is definitely on a good way. “It is an honor to be called that and Barthel and Voigtman show us how its don

Jermale Jones is a 28 year old 186cm guard from Birmingham, Alabama that is playing his third season for German pro B club TV Lich. He started his basketball career in 2005 for  Lawson State CC (JUCO) where he played until 2007. He then played two more years at Tuskegee (NCAA2). In 2011-2012 he came to Germany and played for SSV Lokomotive Bernau (Germany-ProB) playing 18 games: 17.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 79.2%. Last season for Lich he played 24 games averaging 18.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 76.2%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against TV Langen.

 

 

Jermale thanks for talking to German Hoops. Lich has been very up and down as of late having lost 6 of the last 8 games, but are still in range of making the playoffs. On what things does the team have to work on most to get wins again?

 

Yes this season has been a rocky road for us but as a team if we continue believing in each other sticking to our game plan and playing with a lot of intensity like we have been playing in the last 3 games we will find ourselves winning some more games.

 

 

The next game is against TV Langen which has huge playoff implications. What memories do you have of the narrow 72-69 win at home?

 

We started the game with a lot of energy and played solid defense. We capitalized when Langen turned the ball over.

 

 

Do you remember how Lich defended in that game? Lich forced TV Langen to 24 turnovers. How vital will it being aggressive for 40 minutes?

Yes we defended Langen very well. It worked out for us playing pressure defense the whole game to disrupt Langens offense and that lead to turnovers.

 

TV Langen is a different team having lost sniper Filmore Beck, but added experienced point guard Anish Sharda and Kevin Luyeye. Is TV Langen a stronger team now?

 

Without Filmore they are a totally different team. With them adding Sharda to their roster should help them because that guy has a lot of experience and has what it takes to help his team win games. He’s a leader. And all I know about Luyeye is his aggressiveness and he is an energy guy from what I seen when he was playing for Speyer.

 

Lich did a good job containing Martinis Woody in the win letting him get 12 points and six assists. Overall German Pro B teams have been doing a good job on the American this season. He has been very hot in the last five games. Is it half the rent to the win if Lich does another good job against him?

If we contain Woody and do as our game plan says we should come out victorious.

 

TV Lich recently got New Zealand guard Jarrod Kenny. How important has his addition been to the guard rotation and what do you like most about his game?

His addition to our team has been what we needed all season a True Point guard. The thing I like most about his game is he gets everyone involved and looks for his self last.

You recently nailed seven three pointers against Speyer. When was the last time that you made so may three´s in a game?

If I can remember correctly my first season in Lich I hit seven 3 pointers against Leverkusen in 2012-2013 season.

 

How strange was it making 21 points against Wurzburg and then in the next game 1 point on 0/10 shooting. Did this bring back memories to games in college where you played the same team back to back or did that never occur?

It’s difficult playing against a team two times in a row because after the first game the scouting is different and their game plan completely changes so you won’t have the same success you had the first game.

 

You and Martinis Woody watch many games of the Fraport Skyliners. If you and him were to play some Fraport Skyliner trivia who would know more about the players?

I think I would know more about the players.

What is your current take on the backlash against the New England Patriots about being cheaters a few days after winning their fourth Super Bowl?

I really didn’t get a chance to listen at all the talks about them cheating. I really wanted the Seahawks to win so Marshawn Lynch could win the MVP.

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Taken 3.

 

Thanks Jermale for the chat.