John Bryant (ratiopharm Ulm) I Don´t Really Get The Chance To Showcase My 15-17 Footer

John Bryant is a 24 year old 208cm center from San Pablo, California that is playing his second season with ratiopharm Ulm. He played at Santa Clara from 2005-2009 and in his senior year averaged 18.1ppg, RebNCAA-2(14.2rpg), 1.1apg, 2.5bpg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 78.7% . In 2009-2010, he played for the Erie Bay Hawks (D-League): 48 games: 13.2ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.6apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 49.3%, FT: 77.6% . Last season, he moved to ratiopharm Ulm playing 34 games: 14.6ppg, Reb-1(10.9rpg), 1.1apg, Blocks-2(1.5bpg), FGP: 60.4%, FT: 74.2% . He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Ratiopharm Ulm is the Cinderella story this season. If someone had told you a week into preseason that ratiopharm Ulm would be so high in the standings what would you have said?

I would not have been shocked, but I would never have thought we would be so high, but I would have thought that we would be in the playoffs. We got the chemistry fast and brought in experience with Esterkamp and Swann that has made the team better

ratiopharm Ulm had a tough preseason. How much did you hate the coaching staff then, but how thankful are you now that you went through hell?

It was a tough preseason. Every day we were on the track or in the gym. We all were a bit angry at the start, but in the long run it did help this team become so good and we understand why coach did that and we are thankful.

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Smiles And More Basketball Commentary: Another Strong Season For The Artland Dragons, Close But No Cigar

The last time the Artland Dragons won a title, FC Bayern Munich basketball was like a tiny sip from a beer mug at October fest in status comparison to a huge pitcher of beer which is FC Bayern Munich soccer, Leona Lewis with Bleeding Love and Duffy with Mercy were the biggest hits of the year in Germany, the big 3 and the Boston Celtics were very near their mission of winning the 18^th NBA title for the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was still digesting his first Superbowl loss to the New York Giants and Eli Manning. The year was 2008 as Chris Fleming was shedding miniature tears in the O2 World arena in Hamburg after leading the team to their very first title a cup win over Ludwigsburg and Darius Hall reached the pinnacle of his career celebrating with a sea of red and white after the buzzer sounded and reaching the highest cult status ever with the fans and possibly his celebration will always be most remembered on that day. Since that win, the team missed two playoff appearances under Torsten Leibenath and peculiar that top rated German coach Stefan Koch and his Dragons had to bow out twice in a row to Chris Fleming and the Brose Baskets Bamberg the last two years.

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Three-peat completed: Bamberg wins another BBL championship

After losing game 1 of the quarterfinals-series against Bonn, Bamberg managed to win 9 play-off games in a row! 3-1 against Bonn in the quarterfinals, 3-0 against the Artland Dragons in the semis and 3-0 in the finals against ratiopharm Ulm.

So it’s time to put the broom back in its place and enjoy the sweet taste of success.

The German Hoops crew says: Congratulations to the Brose Baskets Bamberg for winning the 2012 Beko BBL championship!

After becoming the first team since Alba Berlin in 2003 to defend the title last season. The Brose Baskets made history this season as they became the first team ever in german basketball to secure three cup-wins and championship wins in a row. Looking back at the last 20 years in german basketball it is easy to say that there was a Bayer Leverkusen era in the early nineties (7 championships from 1990-1996) that was followed by Alba Berlin’s dominance (7 championships from 1997-2003). Chris Fleming’s Brose Baskets are not far from that status now with three consecutive championships.

You can watch all three game of the BBL Finals on YouTube! (Check out the Channel basket24grTV!)

Game 1: Brose Baskets – ratiopharm Ulm 98:72

Game 2: ratiopharm Ulm – Brose Baskets 70:86

Game 3: Brose Baskets – ratiopharm Ulm 97:95

Ilian Evtimov (Chalon) Jimmy McKinney Has Been A Role Model For 6 Years And I Hope That The Skyliners Make The Right Decision To Keep Him

Ilian Evtimov is a 28 year old 201 cm forward playing his second season in France for Chalon already having won 3 French titles. He has the French-Bulgarian citzenship and played at North Carolina State from 2001-2006. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 10.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FG: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT. After a short stint with Estudiantes Madrid in 2006, he played at VidiVici Bologna in the 2006-2007 season. He played FIBA EuroCup playing 15 games averaging 6.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 2FGP: 65.4%, 3FGP: 47.1%, FT: 72.2%; and playing15 games in the Italian league averaging 3.1ppg, 2.1rpg. In 2007-2008, he moved to The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing 10 ULEB Cup games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 85%; and in the German League playing 44 games averaging 13.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 86.2%. In 2008-2009, he continued playing in Frankfurt playing 10 EuroChallenge: games averaging 8.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 70.0%; and in the German League playing 34 games averaging 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 74.6%. In 2009-2010, he played for BC Levski Sophia (Bulgaria-NBL): 1 game: 6pts, 5reb, 2ast, 3steals; Balkan League: 1 game: 3pts, 1reb, 1ast, 2steals; in Oct.’09 moved to Proteas EKA AEL Limassol (Cyprus-Division EuroChallenge: 13 games: 10.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 83.3%: FT-2(90.9%). Last season, he played for Chalon playing 33 games: 11.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 84.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about the Chalon 2012 cup win.

Congrats on winning the 2012 French cup. You have won three titles with Chalon in your second season. Does this all feel like a sweet dream sometimes?

Yes it does. It feels great that we could keep the cup in Chalon for a second year. Now we are in the playoffs looking for our third title this season.

When you arrived in Chalon in 2010, did you ever think that you would win so many titles in such a short time?

No not at all. I was very ambitious, because I want to win so much. The titles we didn´t win, we went to the final.

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Kyle Hines (Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus) My Ex Teammates And The City Of Bamberg Showed Me Love After Winning The Euroleague

Kyle Hines is a 25 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his first season with Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece). He is a powerful player who loves to attack the basket. Has a good 1-vs-1 game and likes to go inside. He is undersized to play the power forward, but his great wingspan (7-1) allows him to guard taller players and to intimidate. He’s also a great leaper and reads the opponent’s game well He played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 31 games: 19.2ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 12.5%, FT: 62.8%. He was invited to play at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 3.3bpg, FGP: 78.6%, FT: 72.7%. He then had predraft workouts with Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). He then went to Europe to Italy and played with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 34 games: 16.9ppg, Reb-4(8.6rpg), 3.0spg, Blocks-2(1.8bpg), FGP-2(66.0%), FT: 58.5%. In 2009, he took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League (Oklahoma City Thunder). In 2009-2010, he stayed in Italy with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 40 games: 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, Steals-2(3.5spg), Blocks-4(1.6bpg), FGP-3(64.0%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 57.8%. He played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (New Orleans Hornets) in the summer of 2010. Last season he played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga): Euroleague: 10 games: 12.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 64.3%, FT: 46.7%; German League: 46 games: 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, Blocks-3(1.2bpg), FGP-3(61.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 52.4%. He won the double with Bamberg last season. He spoke to German Hoops afterthe 2012 Euroleague win against CSKA Moscow.

Congrats on the 2012 Euroleague win against CSKA Moscow. What kind of feeling is it?

It is a great feeling winning with a great group of guys. We worked hard all season long and took the chance. Nothing was handed to us on this weekend. We earned the win.

What were your first thoughts as the siren sounded?

My first feeling was unreal. It was so hard to believe what we had just done coming back from 18 points in the second half.

With 18 points down, how big was the belief that Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus could come back?

We showed our character in this comeback. So often this season, we have fought against adverse conditions, but we never gave up and always continued to fight.

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Rich Melzer (You Have To Appreciate How Far FC Bayern Munich Went This Season)

Rich Melzer is a 32 year old 203cm forward/center from Minneapolis, Minnesota that is playing his first season for the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. He played at : Wisconsim-River Falls (NCAA3) from 2000-2004. In his 8 year professional basketball career, he has played in countries like New Zealand, France, Israel and Australia. He had his first tour of duty in Germany in the 2007-2008 season with Artland Dragons Quakenbrueck (Germany-1.Bundesliga): ULEB Cup: 2 games: 5.5ppg, 2.0rpg; German League: 1 game: 11pts, 2reb, 1steal. In his rookie season, he took part at the Washington Wizards training camp. Last season he played for Hapoel Holon (Israel-Premier League, starting five): 30 games: 16.8ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 75.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the 2012 Beko BBL playoff series.

How surprised were you that the s:Oliver Baskets Wurzburg got past Alba Berlin 3-1? What was key in this series for Alba Berlin getting an early summer vacation?

I was a bit surprised but only based on the budgets of both teams. I know the Berlin supporters and management is less than pleased right now. But you can’t underestimate a team who plays as gritty and as tough and as scrappy as Wurzburg. They’re no fun to play against, especially at their place. I know Berlin has a higher caliber of all around players, but sometimes when you know you should win it makes it even more difficult to do so and can be a disadvantage as it was for Berlin this season. Kudos to Wurzburg as well for pulling together for the upset in the series.

Were you surprised by the easy time that ratiopharm Ulm had in getting past the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig? What was key for Ulm advancing?

They’re a team that has obviously had great chemistry and synergy with one another and its only grown exponentially throughout the season. They trust in each other and they all play well together and it seems everyone knows their roles on that team. Aside from what I observed from the players while competing against them, they’re also well coached and to have a unit that close and willing to sacrifice for one another obviously has to be encouraged and facilitated from the coaches as well. Its no surprise in hindsight that they were able to for lack of a better word “cruise,” by us in the first-round. I give credit to all my teammates as talent-wise, we have what I believe to be one of the best group of players and veterans in the league and under most circumstances, would have shown a better effort to advance had we had the support system and ability to make adjustments faster like they did. The key for Ulms advancement is simple, they were better prepared than us and it continued to snowball for them through the season.

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Smiles And More Basketball Commentary: Will The Departure Of One Pitbull Disrupt The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg?

Not only was it a hot and muggy 27c in Dirk Nowitzki country in Wurzburg yesterday, but 2012 Beko BBL semi finalist s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg felt the annoying steam heat in another aspect as it was learned that their American Chester Frazier was headed back to the States before game 2 against ratiopharm Ulm Thursday thus ending his shortened season in the Bavarian city. Ratiopharm Ulm has been the big surprise team this season in the beko BBL and took away some of the basketball glare and spotlight from the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg this season despite finishing the regular season in sixth place and kicking out 8 time Alba Berlin from the playoffs and making them scamper back to the German capital like scared sick poodles who had been picked at and bitten for 200 minutes by the aggravating Wurzburg defense led by the pit bull duo of John Little and Chester Frazier. It was announced yesterday that Frazier had opted to get out of his contract early and head back to the States to take an offer as an assistant at Kansas State, a job that he had done before last season assisting at Illinois. According to the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg, Frazier had a contract until the end of the Ulm series. Why the American from Baltimore, Maryland opted to return home early is unknown.

Frazier entered the Beko BBL in 2009 after a stellar four year career at Illinois (NCAA) where he led the Big Ten in assists in his senior career and went to MEG Goettingen where he helped the team win the Eurochallenge in 2010 playing 14 Eurochallenge games averaging 3.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg. In the German League, he played 31 games: 5.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 53.3%. After sitting out last season and being an assistant coach at Illinois, he returned late this season going to Wurzburg in November 2011 being reunited again with his Goettingen mates John Patrick, Jason Boone, Ben Jacobson and John Little. Frazier was an important piece of the Wurzburg success this season as he scored in double figures 8 times including a 17 point game against the Walter Tigers Tuebingen, 16 points against his ex team BG Goettingen and a huge 15 point, 12 rebound outburst against Phoenix Hagen. Despite some impressive offensive games, his strength remained on defense where he formed a nasty duo with John Little driving guard opponents wild as Alba Berlin guard Dashaun Wood found out twice never finding his rhythm in game two and four in Wurzburg and saying after the game two loss that they are so tough to go against.

There are two sides to the Chester Frazier story. Some will say that he is abandoning his team in a very crucial time of the season and looking out more for his best interests. Others will say that basketball is a cruel business where a player has to take care of his best interests and how often does one see an NBA player go to a horrible team for the extra bucks. His leaving seems to leave a sour mark of him letting his team down, but according to a tweet by Frazier yesterday, his team supports his decision. “I won’t respond to criticism of leaving! My teammates gave me their blessing and everyone doesn’t know what and how my decision to leave occurred”, stated Chester Frazier. The departure will hurt the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg team on the defensive side, but the team has shown all season long that they are a fighting team and will continue to play like that. A John Little averaged 18 points in the last three games against Alba Berlin and played like he was related to Dashaun Wood and he wont stop now. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg have more than a capable basketball team to overcome this loss and with Chris Kraemer an ace up John Patrick´s sleeve as he plays like a pit bull also even though sometimes his offense strength overshadows his defense cusine. John Patrick will have to make adjustments, but just as ratiopharm Ulm is on a mission and the slight favorite in this series, one should never count out the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg. John Patrick made a BG Goettingen into winning teams with the least amount of basketball means and has done the same in Wurzbug. As long as John Patrick is on the sidelines, its not over until the fat lady sings.

Nate Linhart(TBB Trier) If You Look At Me, You Might Not Think that I Could Handle The Ball

Nate Linhart is a 25 year old 201cm forward from Gahanna, Ohio that will play his third professional basketball season and first in the German Beko BBL with TBB Trier. The American played for Akron (NCAA) from 2005-2009. In his senior year, he played 36 games: 10.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 44.3%, 3Pts: 32.8%, FTBSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 44 games: 11.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 76.1%.last season, he played for Erie Bay Hawks (D-League): 50 games: 10.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 73.8%. Awards/Achievements in his career have been MAC East Division Regular Season Runner-Up -06, 08, MAC Tournament Semifinals -06, MAC East Division Regular Season Champion -07, 09, MAC Tournament Finalist -07, 08, All-MAC Honorable Mention -09, MAC Defensive Player of the Year -09
MAC Tournament Winner -09, MAC All-Tournament MVP -09, MAC All-Tournament Team -09, Eurobasket Summer League in Las Vegas Finalist -09, Austrian Supercup Winner -09, Eurobasket.com All-Austrian Bundesliga Honorable Mention -10, Eurobasket.com Austrian Bundesliga All-Defensive Team -10, Austrian Bundesliga A Finalist -10, Austrian Bundesliga A Regular Season Champion -10
and D-League East Conference Runner-Up -11. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

You played in the O2 World arena for the first time. Where does it stack up to the other places that you have played in in your career?

I would place it at the top. It is a state of the art arena and its very nice inside. I have played in some nice NCAA arenas and NBA arenas.

You just completedyour first season for TBB Trier. Was it colder two seasons ago in Furstenfeld, Austria?

I can´t really remember, but I know that there was more snow. I think it is colder in germany than it was in Austria.

TBB Trier lost many close games this season. Why has it been so rough going?

It has been very frustrating. We have been all games except for three games that could of gone either. We just have to stay positive and remember that we were in so many games and just continue to work hard in practice.

What exactly was your role in the team?

I do what the team needs me to do at any moment. I am a versatile guy that can play many positions.

You were six years old when your coach Henrik Rodl won the NCAA title in 1993 with North Carolina. Did you know about it when you came to Trier last summer?

I had met him two years ago and through talks knew about his history as a player. I am very happy to be able to play for him.

A strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away is your penetration. Why doesn´t that get noticed more?

I think if you look at me, you might not think that I could handle the ball. People just don´t expect me to do that.

Have you been able to give Maik Zirbes passing tips from the low post?

No I haven´t because we need him to score when he is down low.

How was your childhood in Ohio and why do so many good players come from Ohio?

There was much basketball in my childhood. I always visited the league games of my dad. In Ohio, basketball is the dominant sport and that is why there are so many good players. You want to always strive to get better when you go home and see everybody working on their game to improve.

Who were your NBA idols as a kid?

I liked Shaq and how he dunked on people and his antics on the court. In high school, I tried to model my game around Manu Ginoboli. He is a left hander so I could relate to his game.

You played with Dru Joyce at Akron(NCAA), How has his game improved since the NCAA?

He has continued to develop his penetration and point guard skills the last years. He is a lot more physical and sees the court better. He has improved his pick and roll play the most.

Your ex teammate Romeo Travis is really blossoming in Israel. Is he ready to make the jump to a Euroleague team?

I think he is. Every summer when I see him, it seems like he has added something to his game. I am really happy for him and his success in Israel.

What do you remember from the game against Eric Maynor in the NCAA?

They aren´t to good. He was exceptional getting 30 points and just picked us apart.

You played a season in Austria with Furstenfeld. What are your fondest memories on and off the court?

We made it to the final losing in the fifth game and I made many long lasting friendships there.

What were the most number of free throws that you made in a row in practice?

45.

What was your most craziest shot in your career?

A full court shot in high school.

What is your favorite spot in Trier?

I like to go to this place on top of a hill where you can see all of Trier. I often take a book because I like to read.

Why do you like the movie Superbad so much?

It cracks me up every time when I see it.

Is there a curse on Tom Brady by the Manning brothers?

Maybe, but Eli Manning played very well and got more help than did Tom Brady. Loosing 2 Super Bowls like that is the worst. Kind of how TBB Trier has been losing this season.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The girl with the dragon tattoo with Daniel Craig.

Thanks Nate for the chat.

Demetrius Jemison(I Really Want To Take My Game To Another Level This Summer)

Demetrius Jemison is a 24 year old 203cm forward from Birmingham, Alabama that just completed his first season with the Fraport Skyliners PRO B team. He played at Alabama from 2006-2010 playing a total of 93 NCAA games. He had a serious injury his senior year and transferred to Manhatten in 2010 playing 22 games: 10.4ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 76.1%. Currently for Frankfurt he is averaging 16,8ppg and 9,0 rpg. He spoke to German Hoops about his season in Frankfurt.

Congrats on the 95-75 win against Alba Berlin 2 to keep the Fraport Skyliners juniors in the PRO B. How good of a feeling was that?

It feels great to be able to stay in the Pro B league and to get such a big win over ALBA .

You have played in many big NCAA games in your career. Did you feel a lot of pressure before the game being that you are one of the go too guys?

I didn’t feel any pressure before the game but I knew it was very important for us to get the win.

This was the biggest game of your professional career. Even though the 235 people in attendance wasn´t the same kind of atmosphere like 12,000 at an NCAA game, how were you effected by the positive atmosphere in game 3?

The fans provided us with alot of energy. The way they cheered us on made us want to win even more.

At halftime the game was tied at 40-40. What did Klaus Mewes tell the team to do better in the second half?

Coach Klaus told us to to play better defense and to move the ball mre on offense.

Something he said must of worked since the team came out flying having a 29-9 third quarter. What was key in the third quarter for getting the big lead?

We got such a big lead because we really focused on getting stops on defense and taking great shots on offense.

Was a big reason for the win that the Skyliners were able to contain the Berlin role players while allowing only Joey Ney and Lucca Staiger to have big games while the Skyliners had 5 players in double figures?

Yes, in game 2 of the series we allowed too many guys to make big plays throughout the game. In game 3 we really wanted to keep ALBA from shooting so many threes and not allow their role players to score and effect the game the way they did in game 2.

What was your play of the game that you will remember for a long time from this game?

The play I will remember is when I jumped over one of ALBA’s players for a dunk. After the dunk the crowed was cheering and my teammates seemed very motivated to win.

How has American Larry Wright improved the most this season and what will you always remember from him on the floor and in general?

Larry’s shooting improved throughout the year. he could already shoot t he ball well but towards the end of the season he started shooting lights out from the three point line he went 6/8 from the three point line against ALBA. He just taught me to always believe the ball is going in every time I shoot the ball. I’m happy I was able to play along side Larry this season.

In the short time where you could practice with German national player Tim Ohlbrecht, what things were you able to pick up from his game for your game?

Tim Ohlberechtn taught me to always play big and to finish high on my shots in the paint. Tim is a great player and I’m happy I had the chance to play with him.

You averaged 15,4ppg, and 8,1rpg and 1,4apg in 24 games this season. How happy were you with your season?

I had a really solid season I didn’t realize I shot 60% percent from the floor. I’m happy with the season I had but this summer I’m looking to get better and have an even better season next year.

Where do you see your future? Will you return to Frankfurt or try to land on a team at a higher level?

I’m very thankful for the Skyliners allowing me to start my career in Frankfurt. However, I see myself playing in first league next season. I feel I have skills and the abilty to play at the first league level. So this summer I’m really trying to get an opportunity on a first division team.

What are your summer plans? On what things will you be working on this summer to improve your game?

My plans for the summer is to get bigger, stronger, and more comfortable shooting three pointers so that I can stretch defenses. I really want to take my game to another level this summer so I’m going to work very hard to improve my game.

What was the last DVD that you saw?

The last DVD I saw was The Sitter

Thanks Demetrius for the chat.

Kyle Hines (Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus) It Was A Great Expereince Being Able To Play In Bamberg And Win 2 Titles

You are playing your first season for top European team Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus. Has this season been everything thing that you have dreamed of?

Yes it has. We have achieved many goals and have reached the Euroleague Final 4. If we continue to improve then I think that we can still achieve many things this season.

Is ist like a dream playing with top players like Joey Dorsey, Acie Law, Vassilis Spannoulis, Pero Antic and Lazarzs Papadopoulos?

For me its like a dream being able to play with them each day. For me it is a learning experience each day. They also have been a big reason why the team has improved so much this season. Half of the team is 23 or younger and they have benefited a lot from them?

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