In four of the last five seasons, the Telekom Baskets were fortunate and proud to have one of the top point guards in Europe and possibly a player that had the talent to have made the NBA, but just had missed that spec of extra luck to compete with the best in the world. I am talking about Hartford native Jared Jordan that has that touch of conservative Yankee senator in his looks, but is all business on the court as when he has the basketball in his hands then he is as creative and dominating as is Lionel Messi when he is starting one of his famous sprints to the goal with FC Barcelona. Jordan who is called Mr pass and could just about make any play he wanted to register that stat the assist being a no look pass, touch down pass, back door pass, behind the back or ally-op pass which for him was as programmed, perfect and easy as it is for a pizza baker to produce the freshest and most tastiest pie every night. Just watching the blind understanding of the Jared Jordan to Tony Gaffney combination on the alley-op will never be forgotten in Bonn. Last season the ex Marist star who led the NCAA in assists twice at 8,7 and 8,5 in his last two years at school rudely left Bonn for Bamberg in the second half of the season for that title hope, but instead was kicked out in the first round of the playoffs. This season Jordan is playing in the best basketball league in Europe in Spain for Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian (Spain-Liga Endesa). The Telekom Baskets now are trying to forget the magical playmaking skills that Jordan gave them with the versatility point guard duo of Eugene Lawrence and Richard Mcconnell. One has to give German head coach Matthias Fischer a lot of credit and respect for first finding Lawrence at the end of last season for Jordan in a very critical phase and the American didn´t disappoint as he almost led the club past Oldenburg in a tough 5 game series and played 16 games averaging 9.9ppg, 3.2rpg, Assists-2(6.0apg), FGP: 39.4%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 75.6%. The club held the American and then seemed to make the next big steal hauling in Richard Mcconnell. Mcconnell is a point guard that averaged 6,1apg as a senior with St Marys and as a pro averaged 6,4apg in 50 games for the Frisco Texas Legends(D-League). Lawrence is more the playmaker with the more limited scoring ability, but has that physical body which Jordan didn´t have and can help him to easier buckets inside and drawing fouls, while Mcconnell can score and fill up the stat sheet with assists. This duo is by far the best point guard duo in the league and what Beko BBL manager can say my back up point guard Mcconnell almost made the Dallas Mavericks roster in 2013. In the first game, they combined for 12 points and 13 assists and in the second game for 21 points and 10 assists. Both guys have great court vision and can pass the ball while Mcconnell can also shoot at a high percentage from outside if needed as he demonstrated with Tezenis Verona (Italy-Lega2) 2 seasons ago shooting 42,2%. With Ryan Brooks and Benas Veikalas, Bonn is already stocked with the perfect two man punch at the shooting guard position. A third interesting dimension is added when Lawrence and Mcconnell are both on the court which will be like having two big creative heads on the court. It will be interesting to see how well these two Americans will fill the shoes of the departed Jared Jordan? Head coach Fischer made the best out of replacing the departed Jordan as the point guard position is even stronger now. Even the most faithful Bonn Jordan supporters might be thinking soon Jordan who when the Lawrence and Mcconnel show bring success and happiness on the court. “It is a lot of fun playing with both guys. We have two completely different point guards. Lawrence is the more physical player that likes the set play and will post up while Mcconnell likes the fast break play and likes to finish himself. Both are excellent pick and roll players and the opponents have a tough time adjusting because both are different type of players. Our pick and roll offense is stronger with two point guards like that and plays on offense are better identified”, stressed Telekom baskets Bonn guard Andrej Mangold.

 

 

 

The Beko BBL playoffs has been a usual occurrence for the Telekom Baskets like it is for Boston Red Sox David Ortiz racking in 30 home runs and 100 RBI´s each season as in the last 18 years the club missed the promised land in May only twice in 2005 and 2011. Since the unsatisfactory season in 2010-2011 where the team finished in 13^th place, the club has reached the Beko BBL playoffs the last three seasons. After two seventh place finishes, head coach Michael Koch left and the team hauled in Matthias Fischer who had won titles in Austria and in 2012-2013 experienced a bitter season in Giessen where there were financial woes and he had to play with an almost all German roster in the second half of the season. However that didn´t shy Bonn from getting the coach and Fischer did a magnificent job last season leading the team to a fifth place finish and a tough 5 game series loss to the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. The biggest victories was sweeping Oldenburg in the regular season and beating ratiopharm Ulm. The club showed a lot of moral and fighting spirit coming back twice to tie the playoff series with Oldenburg and had they won game three in Oldenburg which they lost in OT 72-71 then they would have been on to the next round the semi finals, but in basketball it isn´t over until the fat lady sings.

With the Beko BBL getting stronger and stronger each season, making predictions is difficult where a Beko BBL team will end up at the end of the season, but when looking at the current roster of the Telekom Baskets Bonn one has to utter the famous Arsenio Hall words “something that makes you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmm” as to if Bonn can make the jump to the top 4 teams this season. It is expected that FC Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin will finish 1-2, but will Bamberg belong to the top 3? They have a very new roster and question marks as they aren´t a given top three team this season. If not, then that gives many teams like Oldenburg, Artland Ulm and Bonn the chance to claim those two spots. Bonn did a great job keeping that team chemistry from last season very much intact by keeping seven players. The two most important players that they kept were sharp shooter and Bonn fan favorite Benas Veikalas who can smile with the best of them and has been in the Telekom city since 2011 and last season the 31 year old played Eurocup: 10 games: 15.6ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT-3(96.4%); German League: 39 games: 13.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 84.2% and scorer and Mr energy Ryan Brooks. Brooks who has played for Giessen, Frankfurt and in Finland and last season for Bonn played Eurocup: 10 games: 9.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 73.1%; German League: 39 games: 14.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 84.0%. The team also held American Eugene Lawrence who knows the team philosophy and will take his strong playoff play into this season. The team also held 31 year old role player Steve Wachalski who gives the team energy from the bench and can hit the big shot and play when needed in chaos situations played six straight years in the German Regionaliga and two in the Pro B before getting a chance in the Beko BBL in 2010 with Bayreuth. Last season the German played Eurocup: 10 games: 3.7ppg; German League: 38 games: 3.8ppg, 1.7rpg. The club also held young 22 year old German Floran Koch and experienced 27 year old veteran Andrej Mangold who has been with the club since 2011 and is a superb back up point guard and the teams best defender that will give the opponents fits even long after the game is over when he is trying to enjoy his meal at Mcdonalds and can´t because he is involved with his thoughts on the plays that the German broke up. Last season Mangold played Eurocup: 9 games: 1.2ppg, 1.3rpg; German League: 39 games: 4.1ppg, 1.9rpg.

The club brought in very sold new players with Angelo Caloiaro who was the most efficient player in the Beko BBL last season. After a strong senior year at USF and solid rookie season in the Bulgarian league, the 25 year old San Jose native tore up the Beko BBL with MBC playing 34 games: 14.3ppg, Reb-3(6.8rpg), 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 76.6%. The team also brought in point guard Richard Mcconnell who is just oozing with break out potential in the Beko BBl, 32 year old big man Tadas Klimavicius who has much experience with six seasons at B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas and 78 Euroleague games and big man Tony Wroblicky who is a project coming from the NCAA from American (NCAA), but showed right away in his first game that he can adjust to the Beko BBL scoring 12 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 13 minutes. The American is 22 years old and improved his scoring at American each season and as a senior played 32 games: 12.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, 1.9bpg, FGP: 58.6%, FT: 72.5%. The team also brought in basketball European traveler Dirk Madrich who with Bonn will be playing for his 11^th professional team having had international experience in France with Strasbourg IG (France-ProA) in 2006-2007 playing ULEB Cup: 13 games: 4.1ppg, 2.8rpg; French League: 31 games: 4.5ppg, 2.7rpg. He had his second spring with Vechta last season at age 30 belonging to the top German players in the Beko BBL and played 34 games averaging 11.6ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 70.4% Last but not least the team also hauled in Valentin Blass who made the jump from the Bonn Regionaliga team. With the scoring punch that Bonn has, they should be able to average 78-82 points per game, but will need to play consistent defense and not be drawn into shoot outs. The club could make the jump into the top 4 teams simply because they have the chemistry and players from last season and have added the club with very good players that also have the individual class to decide games at the end. The club will have to improve on the boards as rebounding was their sore spot last season.

The Fraport Skyliners host the Telekom Baskets Bonn October 12^th and are looking for their first win of the season after starting the season 0-3. In the last seven seasons, the Frankfurt Skyliners only have a 6-15 record. It doesn´t matter if Frankfurt played at the old gym or in the new arena in Bonn they have lost 12 games in a row there. The last time, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners won in Bonn, New England patriot Tom Brady had not sipped champagne yet as a third Super Bowl winner, Jurgen Klinsmann was still coach of the German national soccer team, Paul Potts was still selling cell phones and singing in front of the mirror and the terrifying Tsunami was only a few days old as Frankfurt won in Bonn on January 1^st 2005 with a 79-67 win as Chris Williams exploded with 27 points and 16 rebounds. In the 2010-2011 season the Skyliners lost a tight 92-89 game shortly before the new year as Nic Wise took control in crunch time. The 20 point, eight rebound and seven assist performance didn´t help in the losing cause from Dashaun Wood. Frankfurt got revenge in the return date in the Ballsporthalle as they took apart Bonn 78-60 as Dashaun Wood led all scorers with 20 points and no Bonn player scored in double figures. In their first meeting in 2011-2012, the Telekom Baskets Bonn won 79-64 as Bonn was leading 41-34 at halftime and had a strong 22-12 third quarter that iced the cake for the win. Simonas Serapinas Led Bonn with 20 points, while the two ex Skyliners Justin Gray contributed 21 points and Jon Leuer 16 points. Frankfurt shot under 40% and were out rebounded badly. In the return game in Bonn, Frankfurt lost 81-62 not reaching the Beko BBL playoffs. The Skyliners had no method of stopping Chris Ensminger that had 24 points. Jermareo Davidosn added 18 points and Jimmy Mckinney had 13 points in his last game as a Skyliner. The Fraport Skyliners won the first game in 2012-2013 in Frankfurt 78-53 displaying the typical Katzurian defense and containing top point guard Jared Jordan to nine points and only two assists. Frankfurt was led by ex Skyliner Dion Dowell who had 17 points and Zach Peacock chipped in with 14 points. In the return game in Bonn, despite a 25 point, 11 rebound, five assist effort by Zach Peacock, Bonn won 81-75 as Benas Viekalis was hitting from everywhere except the bank of the Rhine river as he netted 22 points. Jamel Mcclean added 18 points. Last season the Fraport Skyliners lost both games as ex Skyliner Ryan Brooks scored a combined 40 points in both games leading Bonn to a 89-67 win in Frankfurt where he led all scorers with 19 points and Bonn dominated the boards and netted 13 three pointers. Frankfurt was led by Danilo Bathel with 17 games. In the return game in Bonn, the Fraport Skyliners stunk up the arena losing 74-54 as Brooks led all scorers again this time with 24 points while Barthel led Frankfurt with 17 points. Frankfurt were ice cold from outside netting just three three pointers, but dominated the boards 36-23.

 

Jamel Mclean is a 25 year old 203cm forward from New York that grew up in Hampton, Virginia and is playing his first season for Alba Berlin. He started his basketball career in 2006 for Tulsa(NCAA) and then moved to Xavier (NCAA) where he played from 2007-2011. As a senior he played 31 games: 10.6ppg, 8.4rpg, FGP: 53.9%, FT: 61.2%. In 2011, he started his professional basketball career for : Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-D1): 36 games: 9.3ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 62.8%. In 2012-2013, he played for Givova Scafati Basket (Italy-Lega2, starting five); EuroChallenge: 5 games: 10.0ppg, in Oct.’12 moved to Telenet Oostende (Belgium-Ethias League), left in Dec.’12: Eurocup: 6 games: 4.7ppg, 4.8rpg; Belgian Ethias League: 5 games: 7.0ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 52.0%, FT: 42.9%, in Jan.’13 signed at Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-BBL, starting five): 21 games: 13.7ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 59.3%, FT: 65.9%, 6.6rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.6%, FT: 69.6%. Last season he played for the Telekom Baskets Bonn (Germany-BBL): Eurocup: 10 games: 15.5ppg, 6.7rpg, FGP: 53.6%, FT: 77.3%; German League: 38 games: 13.2ppg, Reb-1(7.7rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 21.1%, FT: 69.8%. He spoke to German Hoops a day after his buzzer beater against the San Antonio Spurs.

 

 

Jamel thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the historical win against the 2014 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs! What was going through your head as you were dribbling over center court with two seconds remaining in the game and you had the chance to win the game?

 

I was just thinking that I had to get a shot off and give my team a chance to win the game.

 

As you released the ball did you know that the ball was going in?

 

When I released the ball I didn´t even get a chance to see the ball go until I saw the red light go on ending the game and then I saw as the ball was in the hoop and then I knew that we had won the game and the O2 arena went crazy.

 

How much weight does this historical win by Alba Berlin have on the further development of the Beko BBL?

 

I think that this is very good for the BBL. It shows really how strong the BBL is and not only in Germany but also other countries. It shows that there is very good talent all over in Europe.

 

You came off the bench contributing 18 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes and won the game with a buzzer beater. Where do you rate this game in your career?

 

Beating The San Antonio Spurs was the best game that I have ever played in my career. This is my #1 best game just because of the significance and the amazing atmosphere that was on the court.

 

Does your performance give you incentive to dream of the NBA even more and hope for a 2015 NBA Summer league invitation?

 

Yes it does make me think about the NBA Summer League. It would be nice if a team would invite me next season. I believe that I have shown people that I can play at a high level and the NBA is where everybody wants to play at

 

What could you learn in the 40 minutes from NBA star Tim Duncan just by watching him on the court?

 

 

 

 

He is just such a smart player on offense. He doesn´t do any extra things, but just the things to be successful and is calm in all moments of the game.

 

Was there any San Antonio Spur that you enjoyed playing against the most?

 

I definitely had no fun playing against them, but I just have so much respect for every player on that team. I respect the ability of how guys like Tim Duncan and Tony Parker share the ball and communicate on the court.

 

How do you get down form that historical win against the San Antonio Spurs and focus on your ex team Telekom Baskets Friday night?

 

Bonn will be a tough game. We have to get back to business. We have to play our basketball and not celebrate anymore, but focus and concentrate on the Beko BBL again.

 

How excited are you play in Bonn again where you played one and half seasons?

 

I don´t want to be to excited and put pressure on myself. I have to see it as just another game. The Bonn fans won´t be cheering for me.

 

What kind of game can Alba Berlin expect against the Telekom Baskets Bonn?

 

It will be a tough game. It is their home opener and they will be ready for us. Every game will be difficult this season, because every team is aiming to beat us. I honestly think that the Bonn game will be tougher than the Spurs game.

 

How important was your stay in Bonn for the further development of your game?

 

My Bonn time was great for my development. My first coach Michael Koch just let me play my game which really built my confidence. Last year I had to be an undersized five man and this really gave me strength to expand my game. Playing center at the Eurocup level also helped develop my game, because it showed that I could play against centers in the Eurocup.

 

Where will the journey of the Washington Wizzards end this season in the NBA?

 

I have no idea.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

I just watched the Transformers.

 

Thanks Jamel for the chat.

 

Marcus Smallwood is a 32 year 198cm forward that played with VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA,) playing 29 games: 11.1ppg, 7.9rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 57.4%, FT: 67.7%He is from Elgin, Illinois and played at Northern Illinois from 2000-2004. He came to Europe for his rookie season and played for Ostromecko Astoria Bydgoszcz (Poland-EBL): 4 games: 9.5ppg, 9.0rpg: was released in and later that month signed at Pyrbasket Tampere (Finland-Sparliiga): 6 games: 13.5ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 59%, and also played shortly at Solna Vikings (Sweden-Basketligan): 3 games: 8.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0bpg. The next season, he played in Finland for Forssan Koripojat (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 26 games: 19.7ppg, Reb-2(11.1rpg), 1.3apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-1(1.4bpg), 2FGP-3(64.1%), 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 56.2%. 2006: Elgin Racers (IBL). He had a very strong season in Finland, but surprisingly in the next few years played only briefly in the IBL for the Elgin Racers. He played for Kaiserslautern from 2008-2010. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA, starting five): 9 games: 12.6ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 51.6%, FT: 52.8%; in Dec.’10 moved to VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA, starting five): 20 games: 15.7ppg, Reb-1(10.8rpg), Blocks-2(2.1bpg), FGP: 60.3%, FT: 47.8%. In 2011-2012 he played for  Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels (Germany-ProA, starting five): 10 games: 6.5ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 60.4%, FT: 31.8%; left in Nov.’11, in Dec.’11 moved to Sigal Prishtina (Kosova-SuperLeague, starting five), later that month signed at SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProB, starting five): 19 games: 12.1ppg, Reb-4(10.5rpg), FGP: 53.7%, FT: 51.4%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for the VfL Kirchheim Knights (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games: 11.1ppg, 7.9rpg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 57.4%, FT: 67.7%. Last season he played for BIS Baskets Speyer (Germany-ProB) playing 20 games: 16.2ppg, Reb-2(12.1rpg), 1.3apg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 56.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

Marcus, how are you? Thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you and how has your summer been?

Right now I’m in Stuttgart Germany where I have been doing my individual workouts as well as being able to practice with one of the teams in the area in order to stay around basketball which has really been fun for me.

 

I saw you play at a street ball tournament in May in Frankfurt. Were you able to go back to Chicago and spend some time at home?

I was able to spend a little time in the states but it definitely went by too quickly for sure

You are 32 and the German leagues are starting up now. How has the player market been this summer? Does it keep getting tougher each season to find a team? How has the experience been for you?

It definitely becomes tougher but past experience has taught me it’s better to be patient for the situation that is best for you instead of taking a job out of desperation or fear of having no team. It’s really taught me to have patience and faith that things work out as they should

Last season you played for the BIS Baskets Speyer. Was there any interest to resigning you? You had super stats of 16.2ppg, Reb-2(12.1rpg) You have played German Pro A almost every season in Germany, but still never have breathed Beko BBL air. I guess that you have come to terms now with age, but if I asked you today why you think you never reached the top German league, could you give an answer? Don´t Gm´s tell you why they might not have chosen you?

 

I just think I don’t fit the typical profile of a four man that teams look for in the BBL. I’m just an old school power forward that will shoot a 3 if he has to but rather crash the boards and do whatever it takes to get the job done. To be honest I really don’t take it personal because the BBL, Pro A and Pro B are full of great players so all of us are looking for a chance to be as successful as possible on the highest possible stage.

Last year you played for BIS Baskets Speyer (Germany-ProB) playing 20 games: 16.2ppg, Reb-2(12.1rpg). How much did you enjoy this season? Does your outlook on goals change a bit as you get older? Do you enjoy basketball more today then maybe 5 years ago?

Playing in Speyer was a great opportunity to become better as a player which I took full advantage of. The people in the management there are some of the nicest I have ever met so they really made it enjoyable. Of course I will always have the ambition of playing as high as possible but my main focus is to stay healthy and be on a team where I can be a leader and positive influence through my work ethic and commitment to the team.

 

You played a season with Speyer head coach Carl Mbassa. Where do you see his coaching career going in the future?

Honestly he is a really talented, hardworking and goodhearted person that does things the right way. If he chooses his career will continue to go upward.

With age what do you do to keep in shape best? Do you have to train twice as hard or do you actually protect your body more by not overstressing it with double training? You don´t seem to slow down with age.

No and I honestly hope not to for a few more years. I think as you get older you just find a training routine that fits best for you and I was really lucky to find one for myself that keeps me in really great shape

What has been your secret to not dipping in stats, but still having very solid stats and keeping those double double stats intact year in and year out?

I always just look at the season as a whole and continue my same training regimen and routine throughout the year. I always have the goal to play my best basketball as the season progresses

If you could sell yourself in a few sentences as too why you could help any team now how would you describe your abilities now at age 32?

I think my biggest ability is to be a leader and influence others through my hard work and bring a positive energy to a team. Teams know of my talent already so if it was based on just that I probably have a job already. So I just want an opportunity to be a good teammate and have a fun and successful season

In your first season in Germany, your teammate was ODarrien Bassett. He then played in Romania and the last four years in the France Pro B and last season helped JL Bourg Basket move up to the Pro A last season and will play at the top France league at 28. When you see a story likes that, do you still dream at 32 to maybe reach the top level in Germany or has that ended?

It would be nice but I rather just focus the rest of my career on playing for a team that is the best fit for me, pays me financially what I want to be making, and puts me around good character teammates where I can just enjoy the experience of being a professional basketball player!

 

 

Where will the NFL journey of the Chicago Bears end this season?

 

Hopefully the playoffs but I guess we’ll have to wait and see

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

The last movie I saw was Contraband with Mark Wahlberg.

 

Thanks Marcus for the chat.

 

One of the great things to observe and get excited about in the German Pro B week in and week out is seeing how well the American imports will do and if there will be a man among boys comparison depending on how much they actually take off on the court. Once called Take Off Wurzburg, their guard Donovan Morris was the oldest player on the court in the BCM training facility of the Fraport Skyliners as he squared off against the Juniors. Donovan who hails from beautiful San Bernadino, California that one can never miss on highway 10 as you drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs and has the first Mcdonalds restaurant has had a whirlwind career. After setting many school records at Fresno State, he moved to Long Beach state(NCAA) and started his professional basketball career in 2009 with Falco KC-Szombathely (Hungary-A Division) where he put up solid EuroChallenge stats averaging 11.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.5spg, FGP: 62.7%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 78.4. In the same season he moved to the Giants Noerdlingen (Germany-ProA) playing 6 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 79.2%. His career then stalled for three seasons as he played in the lower league WCBL for the Santa Baraba Breakers and Liepajas Lauvas (Latvia-LBL). It wasn´t until last season that he had a rebirth in his career where he played for TV 1864 Salzkotten (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 19 games: 26.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 4.4apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 64.4%, 3Pts: 49.1%, FT: 92.6%. This season he made the jump to the German Pro B with Take Off Wurzburg that recently changed their name to TG Wurzburg Baskets Academy and stayed true to the old team name taking off against BG Karlsruhe in a 89-83 victory as he exploded for 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He wanted to continue to be on take off cruise in the second game in Frankfurt, but wasn´t as hot as in the first game as his points against Frankfurt got shaved down to 16, but in the end all that mattered was the win as TG Wurzburg squeaked past Frankfurt 71-64. Morris had some mixed feelings about his game, but was still happy about the win. I could go 0/10, and I would still be happy if we won the game. I have to give Frankfurt credit because they played great defense. Im not happy that I missed two easy lay ups and mid distance shots. I know I have the offense, but I have to work on my defense as I missed some assignments”, stressed California native Donovan Morris. It was a hard fought game, but in the end it was the little things that decided the fate of Frankfurt. “In the last four minutes, we finally started hitting shots we usually would have missed. We played better defense and fought harder than they did”, warned Donovan Morris. The Fraport Skyliners move to 1-1 and understand that every game is a learning process. “This was a game with high intensity. I thought that we defended well and that we would win, but Wurzburg had good answers. Nico Brauner hurt us with his shot form the corner. We had our chances, but missed open shots. All in all it was a one possession game”, stressed Paderborn native Marius Nolte.

The game took place on a untypical Tuesday night, but both teams were focused as a defensive battle loomed in the first quarter as no team gave up easy shots. The Fraport Skyliners started off with a bang going on a 8-2 run as their offense clicked right way. Max Merz who played 25 Beko BBL games last season started off the run with a three pointer. Ex Bamberg forward Johannes Richter followed up with another shot from the parking lot and Merz scored on the penetration as his shielding from the kick out or finish is breathtaking. However the defense of Wurzburg started to clamp down better as they got back into the game as they were killing Frankfurt on the offensive board. Christian Wolf scored inside after the third try, but young German Jamin Knothe who was inserted into the starting line up dropped the third three pointer of Frankfurt in the first five minutes as Frankfurt led 11-4. However Wurzburg closed out the first quarter with an annoying 8-4 run to trail only 15-12 after 10 minutes. Wurzburg went on a 6-0 run as Max Ugrai scored inside twice as did Nico Brauner as Frankfurt led only 11-10. Frankfurt did a good job keeping American Donovan Morris off the scoring sheet and keeping Wurzburg off the defensive boards, but had no cure to keep Wurzburg off the offensive boards. Frankfurt then got a offensive rebound and put back from Tim Oldenburg and Max Merz free throws while Würzburg countered with a Corneilius Hoepfner jumper. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 31% from the field and 43% from outside while TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was shooting 33% from the field and 0% from outside. Frankfurt had 14 rebounds while Wurzburg had 11. Frankfurt had five turnovers and Wurzburg had two.

The second quarter was tight as it went back and forth for the first few minutes, but TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie then got the lead back and kept it until halftime. 28 year old Dominik Schneider gave TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie the lead 16-15 with two free throws and a lay up. Max Merz got Frankfurt the lead back 19-16 with two free throws and a step back jumper. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie then went on a 6-0 run to lead 22-16. Florida native John Florveus hit a fade away, free throws and Donovan Morris finally got on the board with a pull up jumper. After Richter connected on a pretty finger tip roll, it was the Wurzburg Americans again that did damage on offense as Morris hit a jumper and Florveus made an offensive rebound and put back as Wurzburg led 26-21. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was playing smart basketball as Frankfurt was losing concentration too much which led to unneeded turnovers. At this stage of the game Wurzburg was out working Frankfurt as well. Wurzburg was unable to break away as Johannes Richter unleashed his dangerous outside shooting nailing consecutive three pointers as Frankfurt trailed only 28-27. However Wurzburg didn´t allow Frankfurt to take the three point momentum into halftime as Wurzburg closed out the second quarter with a 5-2 run. Ugrai made a catch and pop jumper while Wolf dropped a three pointer. Marius Nolte finished the second quarter scoring with an offensive rebound and put back. “Frankfurt wasn´t finishing their plays and taking bad shots. Morris also hit some tough shots. Frankfurt wasn´t defending as hard as before”, stressed Fraport Skyliners point guard Konstantin Klein. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was shooting 45% from the field and 33% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 31% from the field and 38% from the three point line. Frankfurt had 19 rebounds and Wurzburg 21 rebounds. Both teams had nine turnovers a piece.

TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie kept the lead in the third quarter as they were clearly the better team while the Fraport Skyliner Juniors continued to chip away, but couldn´t find a healthy rhythm to regain the lead. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was playing clever using their size and drawing fouls. Ugrai, Morris and Florveus all sunk free throws as Wurzburg held the 41-33 lead. Merz than retaliated with a lay in and free throw to cut the Wurzburg lead to 41-37. However whenever Frankfurt got close to Wurzburg the opponent had an answer being able to make their lead bigger again. Brauner made free throws and Wolf another three pointer as Wurzburg led 46-37 again. However despite Nolte missing two free throws, Frankfurt closed out the third quarter in fine fashion going on a 8-2 run to trail only 48-45 after three quarters. Merz made a floater, Oldenburg two free throws and Fossmann got his own miss off a floater and shot it in. “Frankfurt continued to defend well, but just weren´t hitting shots. It was important that Frankfurt held their composure”, added Fraport Skyliner American Sean Armand. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was shooting41% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while the Fraport Sklyiners were shooting 29% from the field and 28% from the parking lot. Both teams had 30 rebounds a piece, but Wurzburg 16 turnovers and Frankfurt only 12.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners fiercely retook the lead on the help of a 7-0 run to lead 52-48. Young German Lennart Okeke nailed a three pointer which was followed by a Kyle Fossman three pointer. Despite Wurzburg big man John Florveus getting to the free throw line twice, Frankfurt could keep the lead with a Fossman lay in and Merz free throws as Frankfurt led 56-51. However Wurzburg went on a 7-0 run to retake the lead 58-56. It was the Americans Florveus who got to the free throw line and Morris that was clutch nailing a shot from the wing and then somehow sneaking inside and coming up with the ball in traffic and scoring on the fourth Wurzburg attempt. Frankfurt then tied the game at 58-58 with possibly their finest set play of the fourth quarter as Fossman found the hole in the zone and scored with his left hand. The lead now would trade back and forth as Okeke hit free throws for the 60-59 lead. Florveus then made a tip in for the Wurzburg 61-60 advantage. Then it was time for 18 year old Okeke to hit another big three pointer for the 63-61 Frankfurt lead. “He played a good game. He hit big shots. He needs playing time and will only get better like that”, warned Marius Nolte. However the hero of the game wasn´t going to be John Florveus or Donovan Morris, but 19 year old Nico Brauner who played at ASC Theresianum Mainz (Regionalliga) last season showing his scoring qualities averaging 19,5ppg. He nailed a huge three pointer from the corner and then followed with a lay in as TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie led 68-63 with under a minute to go. Frankfurt did get some free throws from Fossmann, but Florveus closed the door on Frankfurt with two free throws. The unlikely hero was Nico Brauner who knew how to step up. “We have a system that is designed for many players to score. The point guard saw me, found me and I didn´t hesitate and just shot it. This game gives me more self confidence and I am finding my form better from game to game”, added Nico Brauner.

TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie was led by John Florveus with 20 points and five rebounds. Donovan Morris tallied 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Maxi Ugrai had 12 points and nine rebounds. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Max Merz with 19 points and five assists. Kyle Fossman had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists and Johannes Richter added 11 points and seven boards. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie shot 39% from the field and 33% from downtown while the Fraport Skyliners shot 29% from the field and 27% form downtown. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie had 44 rebounds while Frankfurt had 39 rebounds. Wurzburg had 18 turnovers and Frankfurt had 16 turnovers. TG Wurzburg Baskets Akademie is 2-0 now and Donovan Morris´s face lit up when asked about the chances of his team. “If we keep fighting the way we did today then the sky is the limit. We will get more confidence with time as the team gets better”, warned Donovan Morris. Marius Nolte was also positive after the loss and the future of the club. “We are a young team and need to grow. It is all a process. We are a very ambitious team that wants to work hard. Pro´s know how to react in low phases while we might hang our heads. We have to learn how to get strong in weak phases. However we always have intensity and heart and that is something you can´t learn by practicing”, warned Marius Nolte.

 

Matt Kavanaugh is a 23 year old 206cm center from Ohio that is a rookie playing for the Noma Iserlohn Kangaroos. He played at Dayton from 2009-2014 playing a total of 111 NCAA games. AS a senior he played 33 games: 5.7ppg, 3.5rpg. He helped Dayton reach the Elite 8 in 2014. He spoke to German Hoops after giving his professional debut in a 77-70 win in Langen.

 

 

Matt congrats on the 77-70 Iserlohn win in Langen. It was a very interesting win, but also very hard fought game. What was key for the win?

 

The game had many ups and downs. Down the stretch we did a very good job forcing enough turovers and we got big three pointers from Orlan Jackman and Yannick Opitz.

 

How challenging was it playing against TV Langen go to man Martinis Woody who was held only to six points?

 

It was fun playing against him. I especially like to play against a player like him who has a similar play style to me with having the back to the basket. I felt very comfortable playing against him.

 

You are a rookie this season in Germany. What has been the biggest change for you coming from the NCAA?

 

The biggest change has been getting adjusted to the 24 shot clock. We had the 35 second clock in college and there you have more time whereas now the play is a lot faster.

 

You are a professional rookie, but have played 5 years in the NCAA and got experience from him. Do some of the young Germans ever ask you for advice?

 

We have a good mix of young Germans and older guys. Some of the Germans have had professional experience and I am still feeling it out. The young Germans go to the other older players for advice. However the young Germans have asked me what it was like playing in the NCAA.

 

What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 

I would like to say my three point shooting, but I don´t get that chance in the Iserlohn system.

 

You reached the Elite 8 with Dayton last season. What was the secret to the success of a team that had no real superstar?

 

I think that our depth was the secret to our success. We had a 11-12 man rotation and when you play 35 games, you have an advantage over other teams because you can always put in fresh bodies. We always had a positive attitude and never gave up.

 

How did Dayton head coach Archie Miller get you prepared for a professional basketball career?

 

He is a coach that doesn´t focus on one thing, but on all aspects of the game and that got me prepared best.

 

What was the most amazing thing that you saw ex teammate Chris Wright do in a game or practice?

 

Well I saw many amazing things in a game or practice, but actually the most amazing thing I saw was on TV when he dunked over a Marquette player jumping over him from 10 feet away.

 

What do you remember about ex teammate Devin Searcy at Dayton?

 

He was physical and athletic.

 

Who was the best player that you ever played against in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

 

Andrew Nicholson of the Orlando Magic.

 

Why do so many good players like yourself come from Ohio?

 

We have so many good players because the competition is very good within the many leagues.

 

Who wins a one on on ein practice you or Marcel Kesson?

 

Its about 50/50.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Lets be cops.

 

Thanks Matt for the chat.

 

 

Tobias Jahn isn´t even 30 yet, but he can look back at a very interesting basketball career where half of it has been spent in the States in California at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) where he was teammates with top Beko BBL player Larry Gordon for three seasons and he spent a year at Forth Worth Christian high school. In Germany he started his basketball career at TGS Ober-Ramstadt (Regionalliga) and also played at TV Langen, Ehingen and now is playing his second season in Hanau. After playing two times in Langen first in the 2005-2006 season where he played with guys like Alex King or Dominik Bahiense De Mello and a second time in the 2012-2103 season where he had teammates like Martinis Woody and Sebastian Barth. It is always nice for the German to come home to Langen to duel against his ex team. Two seasons ago his coach was American Ty Shaw in Langen and now in Hanau he is his coach once again now for the third year in a row. Last season Jahn helped his team win 66-61 in Langen, but lost a nail bitter in Hanau with 62-61 against his ex team. Jahn was back in Langen his second home in the Rhine-main area and despite being very motivated to win the game, big man played his heart out giving offensive rebound a new meaning and forming the blockade the Eichjahm wall in the defense with Josef Eichler, but in the end the club run by ex Nordlingen American Ty Shaw lost in OT 70-67. It was a game that was dominated by runs and turned into a defensive battle in the second half. In some ways, one can say that TV Langen was lucky to win while Hanau kind of let the game slip out of their hands. “We knew that Hanau would be very tough, but we kept our poise at the end and stayed together. The loose ball I got was key. I saw the ball free and just tried to sprint as quickly as I could and am happy I got it in OT”, smiled South Carolina native Martinis Woody. After the game American Jefferson Mason who played in Iraq recently stayed positive despite the 0-2 start. “Coach Shaw told us to stay together. We have a good team , but we hurt ourselves with missed free throws and missed lay ups. The season is still over and it’s a learning process. The season isn´t over now after two games”, warned Jefferson Mason.

Both teams had lost their season openers and both were motivated to get that first victory while TV Langen got on the board first as point guard Maxim Schneider scored inside and Martins Woody scored on a reverse lay up as he was trying to make amends after his poor six point effort in the loss against Iserlohn last Friday. However the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau weren´t perplexed by the quick TV Langen run and quickly went on a 7-2 run to take their first lead 7-6. Glue guy Jonathan Mesghna who played at four different schools in the States in four years and really does a bit of every thing on the court hit a beautiful step back jumper and then connected from the parking lot. TV Langen point guard Maxim Schneider was very effective getting to the free throw line. Both teams traded leads as 31 year old Hanau guard Sebastian Koehnert nailed a three pointer for the 10-9 Hanau advantage. In the last two minutes, both clubs traded 4-0 mini runs as TV Langen started the run with a Nick Freer steal and lay in and Woody making a lay up getting the perfect feed in transition from Schneider as TV Langen led 15-10. Hanau then got needed production from German Tobias Jahn making a mid distance jumper and a put back as he was a beast on the offensive boards getting the rebound. “It took Hanau a bit to find their rhythm without their point guard Cardall Mcfarland who is injured. I thought that Aaron Donkor did a very good job organizing the Hanau game. TV Langen was missing that scorer”, stressed Fraport Skyliners U-14 head coach Igor Starcevic.

The Hebeisen White Wings Hanau stormed into the second quarter with a 6-0 run to retake the lead 20-15. Hanau was doing a great job with their bigs as Tobias Jahn and Joleik Schaffrath scored at the rim and ex BG Goettingen 19 year aaron Donkor scored on a runner. Hanau had more intensity than TV Langen and also had more fortune getting looseballs. Hanau kept the lead in the second quarter, bu TV Langen never gave up staying in the game sometimes taking advantage of Hanau defensive possessions where they lost some intensity giving TV Langen easy buckets. After Donker gave Hanau the 25-19 lead with a three pointer, it was Maxim Schneider that connected on a beautiful finger tip roll that looked so much sweeter because of the non resistance from Hanau. TV Langen got needed production from little used players as well as Gianluca Raebel who gave the team some energy with a coast to coast run cutting the Hanau lead to 25-23. Christian Von Fintel and Nick Freer then traded baskets, but Hanau still led 28-25. Hanau really turned it up in the last two minutes as they swarmed above the offensive rim like Bees protecting their nest as they grabbed four offensive rebounds. Schaffrath and Tom Alte traded buckets at the end as Hanau went into half time with the 33-27 advantage. “TV Langen did a pretty good job holding TV Langen to 33 points. However their offense did too little. Tobias Jahn hurt them on the offensive boards. TV Langen shot only two three pointers which is much too little”, warned Igor Starcevic.

The game got very interesting in the third quarter as there were nine lead changes and the game turned into a defensive battle. TV Langen got out on a 4-0 mini run to cut the Hanau lead to 33-31 as Freer made free throws and Woody made a put back. Mesghna nailed a three pointer for the 36-31 Hanau lead. Beck then nailed a runner and Eichler grabbed another offensive rebound for the easy put back. Despite the narrow 38-37 advantage for Hanau, TV Langen was fortunate that their inability to secure defensive rebounds had put them more into a rut. Then came the big moment of ex Frankfurt Skyliner Filmore Beck as he took command and scored on the hard penetration twice as TV Langen regained the lead again 41-40. The lead would change as rapidly in the next minutes as Jefferson Mason missed free throws on this night. TV Langen was lucky to have the support from their bench as little used players Jan Moritz Overdick and Yannick Schicktanz scored. With Hanau leading 50-49, Benedikt Nikolay hit a three pointer shortly before the buzzer went as TV Langen led 52-50 after 30 minutes. After not being that scorer in the first half, Filmore Beck showed how valuable he can be when he sets his mind to it. “Coach told Beck not to talk to the refs, but just to play his game and he came through. Not many know that he is a very good penetrator. He doesn´t always have to shoot the three”, added Martinis Woody.

If the third quarter was already a defensive battle, then the fourth quarter was a brutal combat where scoring was put on the back burner as the intensity of both teams on the defensive end was mindboggling. Hanau came out in the fourth quarter with a strike going on a 4-0 mini run to retake the lead 54-52 as it was the bigs again Eichler and Schaffrath that got easy buckets inside. Once again it was offensive boards that led to easy buckets as Hanau finished the 45 minutes with the 45-29 advantage. “We had problems rebounding today. Many came over my head and Hanau automatically had the advantage to get the rebound”, stressed Martinis Woody. The game continued to go back and forth as Tom Alte tied the score at 54-54 with a lay in. Von Fintel then dropped free throws and Nick Freer hit a jumper as the game was deadlocked at 56-56. Then it was time for the Filmore Beck show again as he became that crunch time player nailing consecutive buckets on the penetration using his speed to the fullest and TV Langen led 60-56. However Hanau wasn´t put out to the cleaners yet as Mason tried to redeem himself after so many missed free throws nailing an open three from the corner. TV Langen made some bad decisions down the stretch. Schaffarth made one of two free throws to tie the game at 60-60 TV Langen had one last possession with 15 seconds to play and gave Beck the ball who missed a fade away jumper and the game went into overtime. “We didn´t keep our poise here. We got some turnovers and made bad decisions. I thought that I was fouled at the end”, added Martinis Woody.

TV Langen took the lead in the overtime period and gave Hanau the lead back once before regaining it and never looking back. Beck continued to penetrate and hurt Hanau inside with a basket. Schicktanz followed with a lay in and Hanau led 64-60. Hanau continued to fight back as work horse Jahn scored inside and Mesghna made a free throw. Mason then snuck inside for the reverse lay up giving Hanau the 65-64 lead on a 5-0 run. Cedric Quarshie then made a free throw and Nick Freer hit a huge three pointer as TV Langen led 68-65. Mesghna then made free throws cutting the TV Langen lead to 68-67. With under a minute to play Quarshie was fouled and stayed calm nailing both free throws as TV Langen led 70-67. Hanau had one last chance, but Von Fintel missed the three pointer to send it into a second overtime. “We stayed together in OT. Our young players played well with confidence and we have to keep building on that”, stressed Martinis Woody. “We didn´t hit free throws and turnovers hurt us. We helped a bit too much leaving their shooters open and they hit them. They made shots when they needed to and our missed free throws bit us in our butts. However I thought that we rebounded very well and hit big shots to get to OT”, added Jefferson Mason. TV Langen was led by Filmore Beck with 15 points. Maxim Schneider contributed 13 points and Nick Freer 11 points. Hanau was led by Jonathan Mesghna with 18 points and Jefferson Mason chipped in with 10 points.