Quentin Pryor(Phoenix Hagen): I Think We Will Surprise Some Teams This Season

Quentin Pryor is a 27 year old 193cm shooting guard/small forward from Eupora, Mississippi and is playing his second season with Phoenix Hagen. He started his college basketball career at Jackson State, before finishing at Morehead State from 2005-2007. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging11.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3Pts: 36.8%, FT: 71.7%. In 2007, he started his professional basketball career in Germany with FC Schalke 04 playing 29 games and averaging 15.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.2apg, Steals-1(2.5spg), FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 75.2%. In 2008-2009 for Phoenix Hagen, he played 30 games averaging 14.7ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 75.2. He spoke to eurobasket after the loss in Goettingen. Last season, he played 33 games: 8.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 72.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about the current season

Your back in Hagen for your third season. What makes Hagen so special that makes you want to keep playing there?

I actually signed a two year deal with Hagen the year we made to the BBL. I like the location being around 4 of the major cities in Germany. And basketball is the main sport here.

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Tate Decker: Basketball Means Everything To Me

Tate Decker is a 32 year old 210cm center from Webster Groves, Missouri. He plays at center, but possesses also the skills of the 4 and 3 forward positions. Shoots very well both from inside and from outside, even 3 pointers, and passes the ball well. His soft hands allow him to shoot extremely well the free throws, and this is rare for a big man. From 1996-2001, he played at the NCAA schools Missouri, Wake Forest and Oklahoma City Univ. (NAIA). In his first few years as a professional player he played in the States in the NBDL, NABL, and USBL. In 2002-2003, he came to Europe and played for Leon Caja Espana (Spain-LEB1): 8 games: 7.6ppg, 6.5rpg, 1ast, in Feb.’03 signed at Barons Riga (Latvia-LBL): LBL: 12games 15.9ppg 6.9rpg 1.5apg 1.3spg, in May replaced injured John Tomisch at Ovarense Aerosoles Ovar (Portugal-TMN). In 2003-2004, he played in Japan. In 2004-2005, he played in Poland, Argentina and China. In 2005-2006, he played in Australia and Poland. In 2006-2007, he played In Germany for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga), German League: 14 games: 5.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 53.5%, 3FGP: 37.5%, FT: 50.0%; in Jan.’07 moved to TBB Trier (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 7 games: 8.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 40.0%, FT: 81.8%. In 2008-2009, he played for Hoverla Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine-UBL): 43 games: 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 73.6%. In 2009-2010, he played a second season for Hoverla Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine-Superleague): 15 games: 7.7ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT-2(92.6%), in Dec.’09 moved to B.M.C. AEK Larnacas (Cyprus-Division A, starting five), in Feb.’10 joined back Hoverla Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine-Superleague). He started the season in Hungry for PVSK Pannonpower Pecs, but left. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Your stay in Hungry was a short one. Why didn´t it workout in Hungry?

Yes, my stay in Hungary was short. To be honest I quit trying to figure out what happens and why. I just go along with the flow. I dont think it helped that the team was extremely young and inexperienced along with a few preseason losses.

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Kyle Hines(Brose Baskets Bamberg): My Role Is Bring Energy Play, Strong Defense And Provide Rebounding

Kyle Hines is a 24 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that is playing his first season with the Brose Baskets Bamberg. 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. He took some time to talk to  German Hoops about the current season.

You are playing your first season in Germany for the Brose Baskets Bamberg. Was the main reason for coming because the team is playing Euroleague?
It was one of the main reason I wanted to play in Bamberg. To have the opportunity to play against the top competition in Europe is something that I’m definitely looking forward too.

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The Deutsche Bank Skyliners And Their Two New Bucks(Buckman/Bucknor) Can´t Stomp On The EWE baskets Oldenburg Thunderbirds Losing A Heartbreaker 70-67

A few days ago, the Deutsche Bank Skyliners roster had some holes in the roster and appeared weaker, but then all of a sudden as if the charming tooth fairy had come to make basketball house calls, left two bucks under the Skyliner pillow with Brad Buckman and Jermaine Bucknor making the Skyliner world look a lot more enticing again similar to the world of FSV Mainz 05 and their current seven game winning streak, the last 14 years of Seal´s love life sharing champagne non stop with the likes of models Tatjana Patitz, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum and the average German person feeling elated about the 20th anniversary of the German unification, but unfortunately the two new very hungry bucks were unable to slow down the EWE Baskets thunders birds loosing a nail bitter in the last minute 70-67. “We were unable to stop the flight of the thunderbirds at the end. We played well enough to win”, stressed San Diego native Grayson Moyer. Ricky Paulding had a huge grin on his face after the win and no one knew if it was because he had recently become a dad for the second time or because he had beaten friend Jimmy Mckinney for the sixth time as a pro, but actually it had to do with one of the new Skyliner bucks. “I don’t know why the bucks couldn´stomp on the thunderbirds, but I do know I got revenge on Brad Buckman. I can remember that he beat me all the time with Texas when I was playing at Missouri”, stressed 2004 Detroit Pistons draft pick Ricky Paulding. The Skyliner played well for 39 minutes and then lost the game in the last minute. “We had problems executing in the last minute. There was a problem getting the new guys integrated so fast, but we showed that we could stick with one of the top teams”, warned Skyliner captain Pascal Roller. Oldenburg showed in crunch time that they have nerves of steal coming back to win. “We dug ourselves a hole, but we never gave up. We came back got stops and made plays on offense. The ball bounced our way at the end”, added Rickey Paulding.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had been without the two bucks 96 hours ago and considering how long the two players had been with the Skyliners and how little time that they could practice with the team, the Frankfurt club played a very strong game against a tough Oldenburg team. “It was tough integrating the new players, but they gave everything just like the rest of the team. What many teams did in six weeks in preseason, we have to do within hours concerning getting the team to find a rhythm”, added Skyliner sports director Kamil Novak. Buckman and Bucknor combined for 19 points in 34 minutes. “The two new guys had one practice together. I think that the guys did a pretty good job in their first game”, said Skyliner coach Gordon Herbert. Buckman left the dressing room with a positive outlook on the future of the team once everyone is on the same page. “You couldn´t really expect too much in this game from us. It was the first time that we played together. Once we learn each other then we will be more successful.We were thrown into the fire today and we didn´t really know what we should do. Once when we have the plays down then we will be very good”, warned Texas native Brad Buckman.

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Murat Didin(Gloria Giants Duesseldorf) Duesseldorf Will Be A Top BEKO BBL Team In The Future

Murat Didin is in his first full season as head coach of TheGloria Giants Duesseldorf. He coached the Deutsche Bank Skyliners for four and reached the playoffs each season. In 2005, his team lost a hard fought five game series battle to Bamberg in the BBL finals and in 2008, he lost in the semi finals to The Telekom baskets Bonn and in 2009 in the Quarterfinals to eventual BBL champion EWE baskets Oldenburg. He had a 12 year playing career from 1970-1982 in Turkey. He played 12 times for the junior national team and four times for the senior national team of Turkey. He started his coaching career in 1982. He has coached 14 teams in his career including VIP Rimini in Italy and top Turkish teams Galatasaray, Fenerbache, Ulker Istanbul and Besiktas Istanbul. He took some time to talk with German Hoops after the 97-70 loss in Bremerhaven.

48 hours ago, You signed five new players and three players had to pack their bags. Was this not a risky decision to do on the day of the first game in Bremerhaven?

No I don´t think it was risky. We were looking for the right players since the start of preseason. The season is long and there are still 33 games more to play. Jamaal Tatum didn´t play in the first game. We will be ok.

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Can The Undermanned Deutsche Bank Skyliners Out Smart Predrag Krunic And Cage The EWE Baskets Oldenburg Thunderbirds?

Not only does the course of a basketball game change dramatically with a sudden and unexpected massive run similar in astonishment as to when New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriquez steps up to the plate with his broad shoulders and bulging pecs and squares to bunt with the bases loaded instead of hitting the baseball out of the park, but the start of a new season can change also within days due to certain events. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners recently had a 8-0 preseason winning streak and any doubts of a possible sour start were stopped with injuries and an unexpected released player have turned sweet expectations  to a positive beginning somewhat to raised eyebrows to the uncertainty of success just like if pop singer Rihanna started a concert with a Metallica cover, Tom Brady played a whole game without releasing bullets to wide receiver Wes Welker or The Los Angeles Lakers allowing Lamar Odom to run the show for a quarter instead of Derrick Fischer. Frankfurt enters the 2010-2011 season with some question marks as energy spark plug Quantez Robertson who is as active on the court as comedian Jim Carey can be with his facial expressions and basketball hulk Joe Dabbert are injured and roaming the sidelines. Forward Carlos Powell had a brief stay in Frankfurt and had to depart on account of not passing the medical check. With the season just around the corner, the current situation isn´t an easy one for the club, but captain Pascal Roller is confident that the club can be successful this season.. “This is a difficult situation for us. We have big games this week, but it is what it is. The injuries have been bad timing. I have a good impression of team so far. We had a good preseason and it has taken some time to get the new players integrated. We have a strong coaching staff that will find the strength of each player and how to use it best. The team has good character and I am sure that we will learn how to use the strength successfully”, warned guard Pascal Roller.

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Vlade Divac Look Alike Cevher Ozer Helps Besiktas Istanbul Rally With Win In Eurocup Qualifying Game Against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners 68-61

After having to play against a strong and well rehearsed Bamberg team last weekend, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners didn´t have a breather long having to face Turkish power house Besiktas Istanbul and without reinforcements, the chances of winning were slim and about as unlikely as if funny man Will Smith were to shut his mouth for a day, Bayern Munich and Louis Van Gaal not winning anymore games or tennis ace Roger Federer never winning Wimbeldon again as Frankfurt gave a superb effort, but missed too many open shots down the stretch as the Turks snuck out of the Ballsporthalle with a 68-61 win. Frankfurt knew that it would be tough going into the game without a starting center and power forward, but didn´t try to think about it. “Once you are on the court there are no excuses. Every player had to step up. We just focused on what we had on the court and we played well”, stressed Skyliner point guard Dashaun Wood. There was some pressure on Marius Nolte to fill the void and finished with six points and three rebounds in 14 minutes. “I thought a lot about this game this afternoon and how we have to go into it. I wanted to be aggressive and bring energy, but not get quick fouls. I got fast fouls and need to be more clever in the future”, warned Paderborn native Marius Nolte. Frankfurt now needs to return to Istanbul next week and win by 8 points or more to advance to the next round.

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Mire Chatman(Besiktas Istanbul) Pregame Thoughts To Eurocup Qualifying Game Against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners

Mire Chatman is a 31 year old 187cm guard. He is playing his third season for Besiktas Istanbul.He is an explosive guard who can fill it up in a hurry. Mire has the ability to break his defender down off the dribble as well as pull up from beyond the 3-point line. He shoots at a very high percentage and it thus a threat from anywhere on the floor. Mire uses his explosive quickness and athleticism to get open shots for himself and his teammates. In addition to Mire’s outstanding offensive ability, Mire is also an outstanding defensive player as evidenced by his 3.5 steals per game during his senior season. He was voted as an NCAA Division One Defensive All-American along with 14 of the other top defensive players in the NCAA Division One. Mire is a tremendous all around guard who can dominate the game with his offensive and defensive abilities. Mire also has a great work ethic and will continue to work hard to continually improve his game. He played at UTPA and in his senior year 2001-2002, he averaged (26.2ppg), 5.4rpg, 3.9apg, 3.6spg, 48.4%FG, 35%3pts, 70%FT; Led team to a 20 win season (20-10); 3rd in nation NCAA I in scoring and steals. He played at BK Ventspils (Latvia-LBL) from 2002-2004. In the 2004-2005 season, he played at Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez (France-ProA), got injured in March ’05 and was off for one month: Euroleague: 14 games: 16.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 6.2apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 48.5%; French ProA League: 31 games: 15.6ppg, 3.9rpg, Ast-5(5.9apg), 2.1spg, FGP: 47.1%, 3FGP: 34.8%. He played for Dynamo Moscow from 2005-2007. In the 2007-2008 season, he played for Triumph Lyubertsy (Russia-A Superleague,starting five): ULEB Cup: 11 games: 12.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.2apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 72.7%; Russian League: 22 games: 12.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-3(2.0spg), 2FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 63.6%. He spoke to German Hoops prior to the Eurocup qualifying game against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners.

You are playing your third season for Besiktas Istanbul. Is there any reason besides money why you continue to play for this traditional Turkish team?

There is no real reason. I just want to help the team win. I do like the coach. He lets me play my game. I also want to continue to help the team finish what we couldn´t finish the last two years.

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The Rapid 7 Miles Questions Basketball Exchange With Dwight Thorne(BG Karlsruhe)

Dwight Thorne is a 22 year old 190cm guard from Arlington, Texas. He is a rookie playing his first season for BG Karlsruhe. At Arlington, Texas (Martin HS): he averaged 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists a game; and became the first player in the school’s 22 year history to play on the varsity all four years . His biggest moment of high school career was making two free throws with no time remaining on the clock to clinch the school’s district championship during his sophomore year.. He played at Colorado(NCAA) from 2006-2010. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 7.5ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 89.6%. He scored 9 points and hauled down five rebounds in a 78-56 win against Science City Jena. He took the rapid 7 Miles Questions Basketball exchange for German Hoops.

You are a rookie and playing your first season overseas. What has been the biggest adjustment in Germany on and off the court?

Yeah being a rookie is interesting on and off the court. On the court has been the traveling violation when I go right. In the US you get a extra step in FIBA you have to put the ball down first, so that has been a adjustment. Also the amount of help off the ball that teams provide. as soon as you go buy your man there are usually one or two guys waiting on you so the side step has become a nice move for me.

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Reyshawn Terry Does Everything Except Break Out His Old North Carolina Jersey As The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Lose Their 3rd Final In 6 Years in Bamberg losing The Champions Cup 85-58

Despite the successful preseason with two cup wins and a 8 game winning streak, the realistic chances of the Deutsche Bank Skyliners winning their third cup within weeks against a harmonious group like 3 time BEKO BBL champion Bamberg was about as likely as the Rolling Stones doing a duet with Paris Hilton, FC Bayern Munich basketball team losing a single game in the PRO A this season or Sascha Baron Cohen playing 007 in the next James Bond movie and there was to be no miracle for Frankfurt as the task of dismantling the Bavarian club was too difficult as they were routed 85-58. Frankfurt stuck with Bamberg for the first five minutes, but then had no real chance as they had to battle without a legitimate four man as Carlos Powell had been released earlier in the day and Joe Dabbert was missing due to injury. “This is a game that we need to forget as quickly as possible. We were without some key players and at the end this quality was missing. We just didn´t play well tonight and couldn´t do what we wanted to do against Bamberg to be successful. Bamberg played very well and at times made us look very old”, stressed Skyliner assistant coach Klaus Perwas who had to step in for head coach Gordon Herbert who was in Finland getting further tests on his back. One didn´t have to think twice when looking into the eyes of Bamberg guard Casey Jacobsen before realizing that the American is as hungry as last season to be successful and he knew exactly how to hurt Frankfurt on the court. “Frankfurt didn´t have two players, but our goal was defense. I told the guys before the game not to worry about if shots were falling or not for us. Defense is our first priority and then offense. The first five minutes were close, but from then on until the end, we didn´t let Frankfurt get easy points”, added ex NBA player Casey Jacobsen. For Pascal Roller it was the third lost final in Bambegr in the last six years, but that was something that was not on his mind. “I never thought about that. We won all our games in the 2004 title season in Bamberg in the finals. We were weakened inside and never found our groove in this game”, commented Skyliner guard Pascal Roller.

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