Face To Face With Jason Boone(s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg)

Jason Boone is a 25 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York. He will be playing his first season with the s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg and his fourth in the Beko BBL. He played three seasons for BG Goettingen. He played at New York University(NCAA 3) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 28 games averaging 14.1ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.4bpg, 2.9apg, FG: 63.0%, FT: 64.3%. Three seasons ago, he played at Bernau(Regionalliga) before making the jump up three leagues to MEG Goettingen. In 2008-2009, he averaged 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg, FG: 53.7. In 2009-2010, he won the Eurochallenge playing EuroChallenge: 16 games: 10.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 53.8%; German League: 35 games: 9.1ppg, 6.1rpg, FGP: 60.3%, FT: 55.9%. Last season with BG Goettingen he played 37 games: 8.5ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 59.8%, FT: 34.9%; EuroCup: 14 games: 9.1ppg, 6.2rpg, Blocks-4(1.1bpg), FGP: 59.8%, FT: 36.0%. Jason spoke to German Hoops this summer about his new team s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg.

How has your summer been? Has there been anything special you were able to do this summer that you haven´t been able to do the last years in your time off?

Summer is always nice. You get the chance to see family and friends, and I have the chance to get humbled back down. It’s nice being in NYC where no one knows who I am for a few months out of the year. I traveled a little more this summer than I had in the past but kept it pretty simple on a whole.

Congrats on your new job with s. Oliver baskets Wurzburg. How much did head coach John Patrick weigh into the equation for you to signing with the team?

Thank you. Obviously having the chance to play for someone I’ve been successful with for the past 3+ seasons was appealing, but it was also a combination of playing with John Little again as well as being reunited with Ben Jacobson.

There was some speculation that you might get offers from other top leagues in countries. Was taking the next step to say a country like France too soon for you?

I entertained a lot of offers this summer but at the end of the day I wanted to go somewhere where I could continue to prove myself as a starting center. I have a chance to do that in one of the best leagues in Europe and will be surrounded by players I know and enjoy playing with. Why go anywhere else?

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Joe Herber(Fraport Skyliners)Is Like Grizzly Adams Surviving In The Basketball Wilderness

Seeing big, bushy, hairy, well trimmed and sometimes unproportional beards that sometimes look as if a mischievous bird has set up its living quarters on the basketball court is about as unlikely as Paris Hilton buying lipstick in a second hand shop, Christina Aguliera sitting down at the dinner table to get diet tips from rocker Ozzy Osbournes daughter Kelly Osbourne or Dirk Nowitzki going home to his mothers birthday party in NBA bling bling jewelry, but seeing basketball players with extreme facial hair does happen from time to time. Beards on the court mostly come to mind in the post season, but sporting a beard in the regular season hasn´t been an uncommon occurrence as in the 70s you had ex Gloria Giants Duesseldorf Brendan Winters dad Brian Winters parading around with his ominous black beard, Portland Trail Blazier Bill Walton dunking with his orange colored beard as if he had just entered the court with the Hells Angels, in the late 80s, you had Vlade Divac who played 9 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers who probably could have gone unnoticed on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and most recent beards that stay in our heads is the unique Muttonchops from Cavalier Baron Davis who could pose as a dead ringer for rapper Rick Ross or the Gasol brothers Pau and Marc who seem to worry as much about their appearance as Will Smith and Jada Pinket aren´t worrying about their marriage having any riffs. Currently with the German national basketball team, new Fraport Skyliner Joe Herber is sporting a full fuzz which he had already demonstrated last season with The Walter Tigers Tuebingen.

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A Conversation With John Bynum(TBB Trier)

John Bynum is a 33 year old 191 cm guard from Visalia California that will commence his second season with TBB Trier. He is a good fighter, fast and good in offensive playing. He is great athlete who can shoot the ball with consistency from 3 and finish with authority on the break. He is a tremendous defender on the ball. He played college basketball at College of the Sequoias Junior College:from 1996-1998 and then transferred to Metropolitan St. (NCAA2): and played there from 1998-2000. He started his professional basketball career in 2001 in the Uk for the Solent Stars (United Kingdom-NBLConf): 31 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assist. In 2002-2003, came his first tour of duty in Germany for BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga): 24.7ppg, 9.2rpg, 6.7apg, 3.5spg. In 2003-2004, he played for the Ulriken Eagles (Norway-BNLO): Regular Season: 14 games: 20,1ppg, 8,1rpg, 2,5apg, 2,9spg, 0,4bpg.In 2004-2005, he was back in Germany playing for BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 30 games: Score-5(26.0ppg), 7.7rpg, Ast-4(5.4apg), 1.7spg, 2FGP: 55.5%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 63.6%. In 2005-2006, he played for InterCollege Etha Engomis (Cyprus-A1): only pre-season, then joined COOCOON Baskets Weiden (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five): 8 games: 15.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 51%, left in Jan.’06 and later that month signed at Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 21 games: 7.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 56.5%. In 2006-2007, he played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 31 games: 5.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 43.1%, 3FGP: 25.0%, FT: 55.9%. In 2007-2008, he played for USC Heidelberg (Germany-ProA, starting five): 14 games: 14.4ppg, 4.4rpg, Assists-5(4.6apg), 2.3spg, 2FGP: 54%, 3FGP: 27.3%, FT: 58.5%, left in Jan.’08 due to shoulder injury, in Feb.’08 moved to Digibu Baskets Paderborn (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 13 games: 6.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 70.0%. In 2009-2010, he played in the PRO A for Proveo Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-ProA, starting five): 27 games: 16.9ppg, 7.1rpg, Assists-3(5.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 62.8%. Last season with TBB Trier, he played 35 games: 6.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 64.3%. He sat down with German Hoops to talk basketball this summer.

It has been more than 4 months since you last played a Beko BBL game. How has your summer been? Were you able to do some things this summer that you haven´t been able to do the last years?

Well my summer was great it went by extremely fast but I got to get back to California and spend time with the family and although I didn’t travel that much it was good to be home and just relax a little bit.

How does an offseason training session look like for John Bynum?

Offseason training is mostly a lot of playing really. I am not big in working on certain individual things, for me it’s about keeping in somewhat shape and keeping a ball in your hands and not get too lazy.

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Justin Gray Makes One Forget The Departure Of Dashaun Wood Just A Bit Leading The Fraport Skyliners Past Japan 89-73

It was 90 days ago where the Deutsche Bank Skyliners were as rudely kicked out of the semi finals of the 2011 Beko BBL playoffs by 8 time champion Alba Berlin in their own living room three times as if society lady Paris Hilton were to be declined a room in a Hilton hotel in Paris and banned to a kitchen closet. With ex Skyliners Dashaun Wood climbing the Great wall of China, Roger Powell getting ready for his first tour of duty as an assistant coach with Valparaiso, Dominik Bahiense De mello looking for a rain coat and playing one on one with ex NBA player Bobby Brown in Oldenburg, Jevohn Shepherd getting ready to take flight in Holland with Leiden and Pascal Roller going about his dad role more thoroughly and giving reliable basketball information on Sport 1, basketball life in Frankfurt was starting all over again now with Fraport on board. Frankfurt played their first official exhibition game in preparation for the upcoming season beating the Japanese national team 89-73, but memories of last season were still around with players. “It is always important to look forward, but we had a great season last year. We had great team chemistry and 90% of it had to do with Gordie Herbert. I am very happy for Dashaun Wood and my big brother Derrick Allen for winning the tournament in China. They are great guys and we will always have long term friendships. I think that Muli Katzurin will be able to bring team chemistry to this team. He is laid back, but can be tough to, but he just wants the best out of us. The biggest difference to last years team is that we are bigger inside this year”, stressed Skyliner guard Jimmy Mckinney. “We had good outside shooters last season, but this season with Justin Gray we have a real knock down three point shooter”, stressed Quantez Robertson. It is always nice not to forget the past, but fans that witnessed the win saw a new team that has a lot of potential. The Fraport Skyliners were never seriously in danger of losing against Japan. “We were unselfish and ran the floor well. We got easy buckets on transition which helped”, stated 2011 Milwauke Bucks NBA draft pick Jon Leuer. If it hadn´t been for the sharp shooting of Keijuro Matusi´s 26 points, Japan could of gone back to their hotel rooms at half time to watch the start of Germany-Israel as they would have been blown away early. “We gave up too many wide open shots. We played zone, but they moved the ball well. Our defense broke down. We like to play a fast paced game which we did more in the second half. We were more aggressive and got more stops”, stated ex Columbia guard Keijuro Matusi. “We played together as a team, were aggressive and executed our offense”, added Fraport Skyliner guard Quantez Robertson.

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Phillip Schwethelm(German National Team): I Have Never Heard A Single Bad Word About Dirk And It´s All True.

Phillip Schwethelm is a 22 year old 201cm forward that was born in Gummersbach and is currently in Lithuvania participating in the 2011 European Championship and will embark with FC Bayern Munich in the 2011-2012 Beko BBL season. He started his basketball career in 2004 with the Koeln cadet team. He played for Rhein Energy Cologne from 2004-2009. He already played Eurocup at age 16. In total, he played 61 BEKO BBL games in his 5 years. He also played 2 Euroleague games, 8ULEB Cup games and 3 Eurocup games. In 2010-2011 for Bremerhaven, he played games 44 games averaging 7.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 67.8%. He played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven fro 2009-2011 and last season played 36 games: 10.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 44.9%, FT: 72.9%. He has achieved numerous awards in his career including U16 National Team -05-06,FIBA EuroCup Quarterfinals -06, International Tournament in Mannheim (Unofficial World Championships U18) -06: 6 games: 5.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 55.6%, German U18 National Team -06-07, German Bundesliga U-19 All-Star Game -07, European Championships U18 in Madrid (Spain) -07: 8 games: 8.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 56.5%, 3FGP: 47.6%, German Bundesliga U-20 All-Star Game -08, Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Newcomer of the Year -08, Eurobasket.com German Bundesliga All-Newcomers Team -08, German U20 National Team -08-09, European Championships U20 Division B in Targu Mures (Romania) -08:(Champion): 8 games: 10.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 77.8%, European Championships U20 in Rhodos (Greece) -09: 6 games: 11.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 78.6%, German Bundesliga Semifinals -10, German National Team -10,World Championships in Turkey -10: 5 games: 4.4ppg, 1.0apg, and German Bundesliga All-Star Game -11. Phil took some time to talk to German Hoops about the 2011 European Championships.

Last summer there was no Dirk and Chris Kaman. Now both are on board. How intense has the whole Last atmosphere on and off the court been for you?

Like last year everbody gives a 100% and tries to do everything possible to win. What changed now is the fact that we got higher aims. We are trying to get under the top 6 teams at least. Off the court everything stays the same. We got a great team chemistry which is definitely one of our biggest strength. Ofcourse more people in Germany are interested in basketball now which makes everything become more fun.

Dirk Nowitzki belongs to the best players on earth now. What things have surprised you most about the player and person Dirk Nowitzki?

People told me a lot about Dirk, before I met him the first time. I have never heard a single bad word about Dirk and it´s all true. I was wondering before, if people might exaggerate a little bit, but they don´t. He is a great teammate.

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Brandon Brooks(Phoenix Hagen): I Want To Earn The Starting Point Guard Spot Nothing Is Given

Brandon Brooks is a 24 year old 188cm guard from Dallas, texas. He is starting his third professional basketball season with Phoenix hagen in the beko BBL. Last season, he got experience in the D-League playing for Tulsa 66ers playing 36 games: 4.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.3apg. He started his professional basketball career in Germany with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven averaging 7.4ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 72.8% He played at Alabama State and as a senior he played 32 games: 13.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3Pts: 36.9%, FT: 77.1%. He was the SWAC Regular Season Champion in 2008 and 2009. He spoke to German Hoops before he came to Germany to play for Phoenix Hagen

Congrats on the contract with Phoenix hagen. How happy are you about being back in Germany?

Im very happy to be in familiar territory again.

What did you miss most about Germany and the beko BBL?

I miss the fans. Even when Iwas in the D-league the people still wished me luck.

What convinced you most about taking the job with Phoenix Hagen?

The playing style they have is very much up and down run and gun type of offense.

You played last season in the D-league for the Tulsa 66ers. How much was your game able to develop in the States?

I learned a lot in the D-league. My basketball IQ is much better now. I hope to transfer it to Hagen.

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Michael Umeh(Nigerian National Team): I Would Not Mind Considering BBC Bayreuth

Michael Umeh is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Houston, Texas. Currently he is in Madagascar playing in the 2011 African championships. He started jis basketball career in 2003 with UNLV (NCAA) where he played until 2007 reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in his senior year. He turned professional in 2007 and played for the Giessen 46ers until 2009. In his second season with Giessen,he played 33 games: 13.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 42.8%, FT: 81.8%. In 2009, he made the jump to Spain and played for Vive Menorca (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 48 games: 10.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 79.7%. Last season, he made the jump to the best league in Europe playing in the ACB for C.B. Murcia playing 32 games: 11.2ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT: 88.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Thanks for taking some time to talk with eurobasket.com. You are in Madagascar taking part in the 2011 African championships with Nigeria and trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. What has been your coolest experience off the court there so far?

Coolest experience so far is just being with my teammates enjoying playing.

The team is 5-0 and plays Angola Saturday in semi finals. How pleased have you been with the play of the team so far? opponents like Chad or Mali dont really seem to be so intimidating?

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Nick Freer (Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn): I Dont Get A Lot Of Steals Or Blocks, But I try To Harass My Opponent As Much As I Can

Nick Freer is a 26 year old 198 cm shooting guard/small forward from Stevensville, Michigan that will be playing for the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn this season. He played atE.Michigan (NCAA) from 2004-2007 and then transfered to Grand Valley St. (NCAA2). In his senior yearthere, he played 37 games: 7.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 77.9%.He started his professional basketball career in 2009 for the Holland Blast (IBL) and then In March 2010 signed at Newcastle Hunters (Australia-ABA) playing 21 games averaging 22.7ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 80.5%. Last season, he played for the TV 1864 Salzkotten (Germany-Regionalliga) and the Southwest Slammers (Australia-SBL).He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Congrats on getting the job with the Webmoebel Baskets. How happy are you about getting this job considering you played in the Regionaliga last season for TV 1864 Salzkotten?

I’m really happy. I’m just excited to be able to play at a higher level and keep improving my game. Plus the fact that I get to go back to Paderborn is really great, I made a lot of good friends while I was there last year so I was really hoping to be able to go back.

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Aaron Cook (MBC): I Am In Love With The Full Court Bounce Pass!

Aaron Cook is a 27 year old 183cm guard from Randallstown, Maryland. He will be starting his first season in the German PRO A for the Mitteldeutscher BC. He played at Hartford (NCAA) from 2002-2006. He played a total of 114 NCAA games and in his senior year played 28 games: 16.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.5apg, 1.6spg, FG: 41.9%, 3PT: 39%, FT: 76.6%. In 2006-2007, he started his professional basketball career in the States for the Butte Daredevils (CBA) 35 games: 13.7ppg, 3.5rpg, Assists-2(6.4apg), 1.8spg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 71.6%. In 2007-2008, he moved to Europe to play for Atlas Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski (Poland-DBE, starting five): 10 games: 5.5ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP-3(64.7%), 3PT: 44.0%, in Dec.’08 moved to Gothia Basket (Sweden-Basketligan) 18 games: 12.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.9apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 59.1%. In 2008-2009, he played for the Vermont Frost Heaves (PBL, starting five): 17 games: 10.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 73.5%. Last season, he played for the Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA, starting five): 15 games: 17.2ppg, 4.9rpg, Assists-1(6.6apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 73.0%.He spoke German Hoops about basketball and MBC.
You will be starting your 6th professional basketball season. How was the signing process this season? The market has gotten alot tougher in last years. Did you have many more offers than just MBC?

The signing process i thought went well for me. I am happy with the outcome. I had drew some BBL attention but didnt receive any offers.

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Jacob Burtschi (CAI Zaragoza): Whether Its 25 Minutes A Game Or 5 Minutes A Game. I Just Want To Contribute

Jacob Burtschi is a 27 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who will be playing his second professional basketball season in the best basketball league in Europe the ACB in Spain this season for CAI Zaragoza . He completed his rookie season for Phoenix Hagen averaging 14.2ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, Steals-3(1.5spg), FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 82.2%. He played at the Air Force from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 35 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 39.0%, FT: 77.3%. He had offers to play in the NBA, but served in the Air Force the last three years and could only play club ball. Some achievements that he got in the NCAA were All-MWC Honorable Mention -05, MWC Regular Season Runner-Up -06, All-MWC 2nd Team -06, 07, NABC All-NCAA District 13 2nd Team -07, and NIT Final Four -07. He spoke to German Hoops about his season in Germany and his future in Spain.

Congrats on the getting a job in the best European league ACB with CAI Zaragoza. For a guy who didn´t play for 3 years and then played in Germany and made the jump to the ACB, you can be extremly happy. Were you surprised to land in the ACB despite your history and so many good players in the world?

Thank you. I am very pleased with how things have progressed and excited for the next opportunity in Spain. I was a bit surprised, but its all about finding the right situation at the right time and I felt that is what I did.

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