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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Kevin Jolley: After Playing Against Rudy Gay, I Knew He Was Going To Be A Top NBA Pick

Kevin Jolley is a 29 year old 197cm forward from Cheverly, Maryland. He is a physical presence in the paint; has solid footwork and post moves; shoots for a high field goal percentage. Combination of strength and quickness allows him to compete against taller opponents. Good post defender; likes to battle for rebounds and interior points. Works hard on both ends of the floor. He played at Quinnipiac (NCAA) and in his senior year 2005-2006, he played 28 games: 8.0ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.3apg, FG: 56.5%, FT: 63.3%. In 2006-2007, He turned professional and played for SB DJK Rosenheim (Germany-Regionalliga, starting five): 11 games : 29.3ppg, 9rpg, 6.3apg, in Jan.’07 moved to CS Antonins (Lebanon-Div.1, starting five): 13 games : 27.3ppg, 14.8rpg, 2.7apg, FG: 47.5% 3FG: 23.5% FT: 73.3%, in March ’07 signed at Al Ittihad Aleppo (Syria-D1, starting five): WABA Clubs Championship: 22.5ppg, 11.5rpg; Arab Clubs Championships: 2 games: 30 mpg, 26.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 3.5apg, 3.0spg 3PT: 55%, FGP: 62.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Cv.Aliança Sangalhos (Portugal-Proliga, starting five): 10 games: 23.0ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 73.0%, Dec.07 moved to Champville (Lebanon-Div.A, starting five): 11 games: 15.2ppg, 10.4rpg, FG: 52.0%, 3pts: 10.0%, FT: 68.0%, released in March’08, the same month signed at Arena Amman (Jordan-Excellent League, starting five). In 2008-2009, he played for Sampaense/Tec.Coimbra (Portugal-Proliga, starting five): 15 games: 16.4ppg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 76.0%, left team in Jan.’09. In 2009-2010, he played for Hottur (Iceland-D1, starting five), in Jan.’10 moved to Tanta (Egypt-Superleague, starting five), in Feb.’10 signed at BBC US Hiefenech Heffingen (Luxembourg-N2). Last season, he played for Angrabasket/Palmeiraspark (Portugal-Proliga, starting five): 25 games: 14.8ppg, 7.1rpg, 3.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 67.5%. He has played in 8 countries and spoke to German Hoops about his future.

You are in States now waiting to get the call from a team. How frustrating is it waiting and working out not know what your basketball future has in store for you?

It’s always frustrating to have to wait and not be sure where you’re going to end up. All you can do is always be ready because you can get a call and have to leave in a week. I have faith in my friend Jordan Allodi of Solution Sports Management.

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Tristan Blackwood (Phoenix Hagen): I Bring Energy To The Floor

Tristan Blackwood is a 26 year old 183cm guard from Toronto, Ontario that will be starting his fourth professional basketball season and first in the beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. He played at Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) from 2004-2008.In his senior year, he played  : 30 games: 16.4ppg, 2.7rpg, 5.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 40.5%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 86.4%: Finished career at CCSU ranked sixth all-time in scoring (1,605), second in assists (506), and first in three-pointers made (328). In 2008-2009, he started his professional basketball career in Holland for Aris Friesland Leeuwarden (Holland-Eredivisie) where he played from 2008-2010. Last season, he played for JL Bourg Basket (France-ProB), in Dec.’10 moved to s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-ProA): 12 games: 3.3ppg, 1.5apg, in March’11 signed at GiroLive-Ballers Osnabrueck (Germany-ProA, starting five): 5 games: 11.6ppg, 1.2rpg, 5.8apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 80.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

How happy are you about signing with Phoenix Hagen and getting a good jump on your summer getting signed early instead of waiting around like many other players for that job?

It feels good to know a team is interested in you. When there is an opportunity to get on a good team in a good league, personally wouldn’t wait. I can’t speak for other players, but when something like this comes across I will take it.

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Adnan Hodzic (Walter Tigers Tuebingen): I Think That Tyrone Nash And I Can Do A Lot Of High Low Stuff Together

Adnan Hodzic is a 23 year old 203cm fprward from Sarajevo, Bosnia that will make his professional basketball debut in the Beko BBL for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen this season. He just finished a four year college basketball career at Lipscomb (NCAA). In his senior year, he played 30 games: 17.7ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 72.6%. His strongest statistical season was his junior year where he played 30 games: 22.7ppg, 9.1rpg, FGP: 60.4%, FT: 67.6%. Awards/Achievements in his career so far have been A-Sun All-Freshman Team -08, A-Sun Tournament Semifinals -09, All-A-Sun 1st Team -09, 10, 11, A-Sun Regular Season Champion -10, All-A-Sun Player of the Year -10, NABC Division I All-District 3 1st Team -10, 11, AP NCAA All-America Honorable Mention -10, and Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team -11. Hodzic spoke to German Hoops about basketball

Congrats on getting contract with The Walter Tigers Tuebingen. How did your first go with finding a team go? Did you have many more offers? The market has been tough in last years so getting a job so early must be very satisfying?

The Walter Tigers offer was very unexpected. My agent was more so looking to place me in Spain or Italy. However, the Walter Tigers gave me a great offer that was hard to turn down. Also, the coach I liked a lot, it was easy to communicate with him because we speak the same language.

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Kevin Hamilton: Frankfurt Would Be A Great Place To Play. Quantez Robertson is One Of The Most Athletic Human Beings I Have Ever Seen.

Kevin Hamilton is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Queens Village, New York that just completed his second season for The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. He played at Holy Cross from 2002-2006 and played together with ex Skyliner Keith Simmons. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 17.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.5apg, 3.3spg, FG: 38.1%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 77.7%. In his rookie season 2006-2007, he came to Europe and played in Poland for Polpak Swiecie playing 19 games and averaging 13.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-2(2.3spg), 2FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 64.2%. In 2007-2008, he played in France for Besancon Basket Comte Doubs (France-ProB) playing 2 games and averaging 6.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg. He also had a short tenure in Mexico with Pioneros de Quintana Roo-Cancun. In 2008-2009, he returned back to Poland to play for SKK Kotwica Kolobrzeg playing 32 games averaging 11.0ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-1(6.4apg), Steals-1(2.8spg), FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 66.5%. He was not lazy in the last three summers staying in game shape and playing in Puerto Rico playing 90 games. In the summer of 2009, he played for Indios de Mayaguez playing  35 games and averaging 10.5ppg, 4.7rpg, Assists-3(6.3apg), Steals-2(1.7spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 70.6%. His father was a draft pick of The Boston Celtics in 1980. In 2009-2010, he played his first season in Braunschweig playing 39 games: 10.1ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-3(5.4apg), Steals-2(1.9spg), FGP: 63.7%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 77.6%. Last season for Braunschweig, he played 39 games: 9.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.3apg, Steals-1(1.9spg), FGP: 53.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.0%. Currently he is with the Puerto Rican national team and looking for a team for next season. There is always a possibility that he will return to the Beko BBL. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig lost in 5 games to the Artland Dragons in May. What was key in this series for Artland advancing?

I think they were just too tough at home last game. It was a great series , both teams played real hard but at the end they just executed better than us.

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Nate Linhart (TBB Trier): With Dru Joyce I Always Knew What I Was Going To Get Each Game.

Nate Linhart is a 24 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 will be starting your third professional basketball season in October for TBB Trier in the Beko BBL. What were the main reasons that you chose the club on the Mosel river?

I had a chance to meet Coach Roedl last year in Vegas and he made an impression on me as someone I would enjoy playing for. When the opportunity presented itself to play for him this year, after reviewing my other options, I felt it would be the best fit for me in Trier.

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Teamcheck 2011/2012: Telekom Baskets Bonn

Last season the Telekom Baskets Bonn missed the Play-Offs for the first time in seven years. It has been just for the second time since 1996 that the post season started without the magenta colored jerseys.

It was clear that everything had to be questioned this summer and almost every player seemed to be replaceable.

The one big exception was Bundesliga veteran Chris Ensminger. The 37-year old center, who has spend almost his entire pro career in Germany was signed for two more years – and with good reason. Ensminger has always been one of these players you love to have on your team and you easily start to hate on the opponent’s team. Of course his style sometimes seems questionable and he did his best to be called Mr. Elbow or the league’s elbow among fans. But even in his late 30s Ensminger is simply one of the best big men in the BBL. He still knows all those old school center moves (that slowly disappear from the game), works hard under the baskets and is always a team-first player. What else could you wish for? And I think there could not be a better teacher for german youngster Jonas Wohlfahrt-Bottermann, who should finally get some more minutes in Germany’s elite league. The 21-year old prospect averaged 12.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for ProA club Rhöndorf Dragons last season and has to get more quality minutes to take the next step in his career.

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Vaughn Duggins (Walter Tigers Tuebingen): Dashaun Wood Beat Me 9 Out Of 10 Times On One On One

Vaughn Duggins is a 23 year old 190cm guard from Pendelton, Indiana that will be starting his professional basketball career in the Beko BBL with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He played at Wright State from 2006-2011 including his freshman year with 2011 Beko BBLMVP Dashaun Wood. In his senior season, the American played 33 games: 18.0ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 82.2%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have beenHorizon League Regular Season Runner-Up -07, 10, Horizon League Tournament Winner -07, Horizon League All-Newcomer Team -07, All-Horizon League 1st Team -08, 11, Horizon League Tournament Semifinals -09, Horizon League Tournament Finalist -10, All-Horizon League 2nd Team -10, Horizon League All-Defensive Team -10,and NABC Division I All-District 12 2nd Team -10, 11. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Congrats on getting your first professional contract with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. How was your first process of getting a job coming out of college?

My first process of getting a job coming out of college has been great. I really just sat back and took it all in. My agents at Pro One Sports Management really worked hard for me and made the process as easy on me as possible.

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