The first thing that really stood out when I examined the career of overseas rookie Phillip Russell (178-PG-1999, college: VCU) was that he had balled at not 1 not 2 and not even 3 NCAA schools, but at 4. That is something that is extremely rare. But then after closer inspection, something else became rather interesting to me right away and that was that he had balled at Vashon High School in St louis. Since I have covered thousands and thousands of players in my life, remembering high schools isn´t actually simple, but with Vashon it was. Simply because I covered former Skyliner Jimmy Mckinney very closely for years when he balled in Germany and I just remember him being a stand out player there. The school´s most famous sports alumni has to be the boxing brother champs Michael and Leon Spinks and ex NBA player Elston Turner. Mckinney was never as famous as them, but he had a great career there and overseas as he began his overseas career almost 19.5 years ago. Russell not only won a high school title at Vashon like Mckinney did, but also played for him and will never forget him. “I have a close relationship with Jimmy McKinney. He was my high school coach he’s a wonderful role model for me. I was not aware that he began his career in Germany that’s sweet”, stressed Phillip Russell. Ex Jimmy Mckiney student Phillip Russell is playing his rookie season overseas in Germany with the Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim and loves sharing the ball and seeing everybody eat.

The guard who lists Muhammad Ali as his GOAT and current Phoenix Sun Jalen Green as his toughest cover in the NCAA was born on Feb 2, 1999 in St Louis, Missouri. As a senior at Vashon he averaged 15.7ppg, 4.5apg, 2.8rpg and won a HS MSHSAA Missouri Class 3 title in 2019. He began his NCAA career at Saint Louis University (NCAA) averaging 2.1ppg, 1.1apg during Covid. He only played 8 games. Even if he hardly played, the experience was a part of his journey that prepared him for his next steps. “The experience was wonderful I learned a lot just sitting down & watching. And it also brought a hunger to me that will never go away”, warned Phillip Russell. His journey then continued at Southeast Missouri State University (NCAA) where he played 2 seasons averaging 13.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 73.3% and 18.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 79.9%. He made a big jump in his game. He was so fortunate being able to play for Brad Corn. “He was the main key just trusting me allowing me to make mistakes my first year not giving up on me. And just trusting me in running the show. He saw the work that was put it in during offseason and we just had that sit down before the year & came to an agreement”, remembered Phillip Russell. He turned into a lethal NCAA scorer scoring in double figures in 53 of 63 games and had 37 point explosions against UALR, 35 points against SIUE and 30 points against Tennessee State. He also went to the bIg Dance for the first time beating Tennessee Tech to win the OVC title. He continued to be hungry for new challenges and then played a season at the University of Texas at Arlington (NCAA) averaging 14.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.4apg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 84.6%. This was another huge step in his basketball development. “It built my character & helped me look in the mirror”, remembered Phillip Russell. There he scored in double figures in 16 of 22 games and had 30 points against SF Austin and 28 points against the Air Force. He wasn´t done yet as he moved on one more time and played a season at Virginia Commonwealth University (NCAA) for Ryan Odom averaging 10.3ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 81.3%. He won the Atlantic 10 title beating GMC and then played at March Madness losing to BYU. “It was a great season. I had so much fun and it showed me what winning can do for you. Coach Odom told me he can trust me & bet on myself”, said Phillip Russell who remembers beating Joe Bamisile in daily 1-1 battles. He scored 26 points against St Bonaventure and 25 points against Loyola, Il.

The 178cm point guard who lists Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kyrie Irving on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is playing his rookie season with the Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim. Even if he is a rookie, he has brought so much experience having played at 4 different schools in the NCAA. “I do not feel like a rookie. I’ve been playing this game my entire life I know that I’m ready to make an impact right away & lead to the best of my ability”, stated Phillip Russell last summer. He found eye to eye last summer with players coach Igor Perovic when he first had contact. “The talks went wonderful with coach Igor Perovic. He told me what it was straight forward and what he needed from me in the offseason I appreciate most of him taking a chance on me as I start my rookie career”, said Phillip Russell. Currently Kirchheim is battling for a playoff spot as it is resting in 7th place with a record of 9-7. Despite being a rookie, he has displayed his leadership skills early on. He also has needed no adjustment period as he is averaging 17,1ppg, 2,6rpg, 3,6apf and 1,1spg while shooting a very respectable 40% from the parking lot. He is a player that loves to create and compares his game to defensive minded NBA player Jose Alvarado and can just do so much at both ends. “Versatility is huge in my game. I’m big on winning & I feel sharing the ball seeing everybody eat brings a team closer”, expressed Phillip Russell. This season he has scored in double figures in 14 of 16 games and struck 20 points or more 5 times including 29 points in a win against Artland and 23 points a piece against Cologne and Turbingen. Another big part of his game is his three point shooting. He averaged 36% in his last 3 NCAA seasons and wants to continue to develop overseas. “I will continue to put my trust in God & also getting up a lot of reps on my downtime”, said Phillip Russell. He also sees a lot of potential in his defense and knows exactly what needs to be worked on most in the lab. “I feel I’m a good defender I take pride in my defense. I can always improve & I will. I have to become dead eye from 3 & take care of the ball better”, warned Phillip Russell. It will be interesting to see how Kirchheim´s quest for the playoffs and how Russell´s game will continue to develop. One thing is for sure Jimmy Mckinney will continue to be proud of him.

When one looks back on the last 8 easyCredit seasons of the Skyliners, success hasn´t been etched in their name. The last time they reached the playoffs without help of the 19-20 Covid season was 2018 where a certain formula of success in the name of Gordon Herbert was coaching the team. In the last 8 years the club has brought in many talented players young and old including some very special players that could produce those unique highlight films in terms of scoring. If I had to chose 3 guys that were the most dominant 1-1 guys the 2004 BBL champion had in the last 8 years then it would have to be Matt Mobley, Malik Parsons and current explosive rookie Isaiah Swope (178-PG-2003, college: St.Louis). Both Parsons and Swope scored in double figures in 12 of their first 14 games including cup games for Frankfurt. The only real distinct difference is that Frankfurt is winning more with Swope then they were with Parsons and Swope is also only a rookie. The current Skyliners has been refreshing as winning is happening again. Both Parsons and Swope have that exceptional quality of creating their own shots and making difficult shots. Swope has done it over and over this season hitting massive shots. He pulled his biggest trick so far this season scoring 11 points in a row in Jordan esc manner and propelling the team to the victory over Jena and 2 days ago in Heidelberg nailing a crunch-time trey with under 2,00 minutes securing the win and registering a season high 29 points. His recipe of success is simple and it simply works and he sticks to it. “I just try to do what I practice. That is where I´m most comfortable. I play off momentum, instincts and what I practice”, stressed Isaiah Swope.

After having lost 3 of their last 4 games, the Skyliners wanted to leave 2025 with a win in Heidelberg. Heidelberg were also reeling to win again after a disastrous 100-67 game against Bonn in their own living room. As the doormat of the BBL, Heidelberg had to react and did with a strong performance against Frankfurt. Frankfurt came into the game prepared and never underestimated them. “It was urgent as always to win as every game is tough. Every team in the BBL is good. It doesn´t matter where a team is in the standings. You have to win every game. We also had a tough loss. It was a game with 2 teams coming off tough loses. I think the main focus of both teams was to perform better than the last game. That was why the game was so tight”, stated Isaiah Swope. It was one of those rare and unique games where it went back and forth for 38 minutes until mr Clutch Isaiah Swope did his thing. Basketball is a game of runs and for a team to go on a 8-0 or 10-2 run in a game is as usual as Wemby of the Spurs registering 2-3 blocks a game. But in Heidelberg, big rusn weren´t on the menu that night. Was a back and forth punching like in Heidelberg the first of it´s kind for him? “I have had multiple games like that in my career. Games where no team can really break away and where there are runs of 2-4 points. You need to figure out how to execute at the end and force them to as tough shots as possible”, said Isaiah Swope.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Isaiah Swope in Frankfurt 2025

The ex Saint Louis University (NCAA) guard whom would always take himself over current teammate Nahiem Alleyne in a 1-1 battle in practice made baskets early, but Heidelberg had the early 19-18 advantage after 10 minutes. Did Swope already feel like he was getting into the zone for a remarkable scoring game early? “It always depends how the game is going. I just try to go in and find a flow like I did in the last games and just build off it. I just do what I know”, said Isaiah Swope. Heidelberg had allowed an excess of 100 points in the last 2 games, but defended with more passion and authority against Frankfurt and only trailed 36-33 at the break. “We both had tough loses before and hadn´t been playing to our standard. The goal was to play as hard as possible. Sometimes a game won´t be pretty”, stated Isaiah Swope. Till Pape was back after missing the Munich game as his presence not being there was felt by the Skyliners. “When he is on the floor, his presence is really felt. He is a huge mismatch issue. He makes everything easier for us. I´m grateful that he could play against Heidelberg”, added Isaiah Swope. The third quarter remained a back and forth punch affair as no team could get away, but Heidelberg stole the lead back at 59-57. “The main focus for us as a group going into the fourth quarter was defense. We have had plenty of games where our offense eventually played well. If we play good defense then the rest will take care of it´s self. We did a good job taking away their second chance points”, commented Isaiah Swope. With less than 2 minutes to play ex MHP Riesen guard Radii Caisin made a big three as did Swope did for the 74-.70 lead and that was that as the Skyliners would never trail again. “Radii´s shot was off energy. This was the first point of the game that we were able to break away. The momentum swung in our direction and we built on it to get the win”, stressed Isaiah Swope. The Skyliners are back on the mat on January 3rd in Rostock. Rostock like Heidelberg will also be hungry for redemption as they suffered a tough 85-67 loss to FC Bayern Munich on December 31st. “We have to figure out what Rostock do well and then take it away or make it as tough as possible for them. We just have to believe in ourselves and we will be fine”, warned Isaiah Swope.

This season the ex University of Southern Indiana (NCAA2) guard is averaging 15/3/2/1 stats in 25 minutes per game. As a rookie he has held his own well and continuing to get adjusted while being able to shine playing his game. But most important of all, he is grateful for being able to play the game he loves. “I´m just really appreciative that I can play professional basketball overseas. I feel like I could be playing a lot better, but at the same time, I understand that it´s my first year and I´m still learning. My main goal is to win and if I can do that, then I´m happy”, expressed Isaiah Swope. As a rookie overseas he is averaging 11 minutes less than at St Louis, but only averaged 2 points more last season. What is interesting is that his game has gotten a big push not necessarily from on the court. “I feel like I have grown more these first few months off the court. It has been a big change going from all that I have been used to the last years. Going through that change on a daily basis has helped me the most with basketball”, stated Isaiah Swope. He had a consistent career in the NCAA and shot around 38% from outside the last 3 years. How difficult is it being consistent while taking many shots per game? “I just do what I do in practice. I´m ok with the results. I feel like my numbers will always average out to what they are supposed to be. I think that I have missed a few shots in each game so far where it had nothing to do with the defense, but it was on me. I think that I´m learning every game and the more we play together as a team and keep figuring it out, the more consistent we will get as a team”, warned Isaiah Swope. He surely could show some more aspects of his game then just clutch scoring, but for him it is all about having success as a team. “My main focus is winning. As long as we win, then I´m not concerned with personal accomplishments. That comes with winning. If we win, then I can automatically show who I am as a player”, stressed Isaiah Swope. 2026 is here and there is always that question. Did he have any new years resolution? “I do not. I live my life no matter what year it is. Every day is like a new years resolution for me”, said Isaiah Swope. It will be interesting to see how Isaiah Swope´s rookie season continues to progress and can he be that next rookie since Justin Cobbs to help the Skyliners reach the playoffs again?

After a disastrous start into the season where TV Langen lost 7 of their first 8 games, the club led by head coach Tobias Jahn have finally found on track. The team had serious injury woes to start the season and had guys come in and out and just couldn´t find a rhythm early on. Despite having guys out now, the club has been able to adjust and build chemistry which had led to a 4 game winning streak. The team has especially come together as a unit on the defensive end allowing only 68 points on average in the win streak. They welcomed BBC Coburg who came into the game ranked first in the Pro B south with a 9-3 record. They began the season hot winning 9 of their first 10 games, but came to Langen sporting a 2 game losing streak. TV Langen had to be fully prepared and awake and wanted to continue their winning streak, but a few days before Xmas BBC Coburg stopped TV Langen´s winning streak and began a new winning streak winning 83-76. It was a game at eye level for 36 minutes, but in crunch-time it was Dylan Fasoyiro who took control of the game finding his teammates while getting to the free throw line to secure the win. “We showed tremendous grit tonight. We had a 2 game losing streak and lost our point guard Nico Wenzl who came into the game not totally fit and then hurt his wrist during the game. I had to play point guard. Team defense was our biggest strength. We aren´t the best 1-1 defensive team, but came together as a team. We helped each other out. This was a great team win”, stressed BBC Coburg guard Dylan Fasoyiro. TV Langen stayed with BBC Coburg for the most part of the game, but it was the little things in crunch-time that cost them the game. “We started off slow, but came together and fought our way back into the game. I think that our defense was solid. It was more missed shots and turnovers. We have to be better in the decision making”, stressed TV Langen forward Jacob Washington.

Nico Wenzl at the FT line

The first quarter was a tale of 2 parts as BBC Coburg came out strong, but TV Langen found to their game and had Alexander Lagerman who carried the team and trailed only by 3 points after 10 minutes. BBC Coburg rushed out on a rapid 7-2 lead and soon extended it to 11-4. American 2 way player Darius Dawson was aggressive and scored twice on the drive while ex Erfurt forward Tim Herzog dropped a trey while Canadian Dylan Fasoyiro also connected from the parking lot. TV Langen came out sluggish and seemed to have gotten off the wrong side of the bed. Their 1-1 defense wasn´t on par as they couldn´t match BBC Coburg´s intensity yet. TV Lagen has a special microwave in Alexander Lagerman and he gives the word scoring in bunches a new meaning. He scored 5 unanswered points as TV Langen trailed only 11-9. However BBC Coburg continued to execute easily as Fasoyiro added 3 points and Herzog another trey to lead 17-9. However basketball is always a game of runs and TV Langen punched back with an 8-0 run led by Lagerman with 4 more points while team captain Mr triple double Niklas Pons scored on a lay in and California native Jacob Washington also scored on the drive to dead lock the game at 17-17. Lagerman had contributed 9 points, but TV Langen couldn´t hold the momentum as BBC Coburg led 20-17 after 1 quarter thanks to a runner by German Eric Neuenhoeffer. “I feel like we came out solid as a team. We knew that TV Langen would switch a lot. We took advantage of the mismatches and played team defense”, said Dylan Fasoyiro.

Jacob Washington from outside

In the second quarter BBC Coburg tried to get away from TV Langen early, but the home team stayed strong and battled back leading 41-39 at the break. Lagerman started the second quarter firing away and scored with a trey to tie the game at 20-20. It seemed like BBC Coburg kept big man Finn Doentgens out of game in the first quarter to get TV Langen tired and then in the second quarter inserted the 208cm center and prompt he scored back to back baskets while 3×3 world champion Leon Fertig showed his potent 1-1 skills scored twice to tie the game at 24-24. BBC Coburg then attempted to get away from TV Langen with a 5-0 run as ex Bayreuth guard Nico Wenzl dropped a three pointer while Doentgens scored again always taking advantage of the mismatch as BBC Coburg led 29-24. However TV Langen had no real lulls on their offensive execution as they fired back with a 10-4 run to take their first lead of the game at 34-33. Instrumental in the run was work horse Jacob Washington who once battled Franz Wagner scored 8 points including 2 three´s. German Leon Fertig also added a turn around shot. From now until the break, the game remained at eye level as no team could secure another run. BBC Coburg retrieved the lead again as Fasoyiro took a runner for the 39-36 advantage. Wenzl had left the game, because of a hurt wrist and Fasoyiro suddenly was the point guard. With less than a minute to go, TV Langen still had some extra energy and got a lay in by Lagerman who tied the game at 39-39. Doentgens then coughed up the ball and Washington made a tip in at the buzzer securing the TV Langen 2 point lead at the break. Both teams were shooting over 50% from the 2 point range while TV Langen had the slim 16-15 rebound edge while BBC Coburg had 12 turnovers and TV Langen only 9. “We let them come back. They killed us on the offensive glass. We had a good flow on offense switching a lot and played through Doentgens and got movement on the weak side”, stressed Dylan Fasoyiro.

Finn Doentgens with the lay in

Coburg played their best defensive quarter in the third allowing only 13 points, but couldn´t get away as TV Langen was solid on defense allowing 20 points, but trailed 59-54 after 30 minutes. TV Langen began with a bang as Washington got going scoring 5 unanswered points for the 46-39 lead. However BBC Bayreuth had grit and clenched their teeth together and strung along 3 stops and scored 8 unanswered points to lead 48-46. TV Langen were sloppy on 1-1 defense allowing 2 Fasoyiro buckets and two from South Carolina native Darius Dawson. TV Langen stopped the run with 4 consecutive points with Lagerman free throws and a Washington lay in for the 50-48 lead. However BBC Coburg remained strong and buckled down on defense and their offense strung along a 11-4 run to lead by 5 points after 3 quarters. In the BBC Coburg run, it was Fasoyiro who was a total beast scoring 7 points. There was no stopping him. Dawson also added a pretty hook shot and Doentgens a turn around shot. Leon Fertig will always dazzle you with great shots every game and practice and in this run added a 360 shot. “That shot was normal. We see that from him all the time. We know what he can do”, said Jacob Washington. BBC Coburg shot 63% from the 2 point area and 40% from the parking lot and had 24 rebounds and 13 turnovers while TV Langen shot 64% from the 2 point area and 22% from outside and had 24 rebounds and 11 turnovers. “We knew that we had to step up our team defense. Our help team defense was good. We got stops and limited their second chances”, stated Dylan Fasoyiro. “We missed shots and they made shots. We have to find a way to finish the easy stuff”, added Jacob Washington.

Leon Fertig at the FT line

TV Langen fought back in the fourth quarter to tie the game, but Dylan Fasoyiro gave BBC Coburg the lead again and the team then managed the lead well and then got key free throws down the stretch from Fasoyiro to gain the win. Finn Doentgens began the fourth quarter with a lay in to give BBC Coburg the comfortable 61-54 advantage. However TV Langen stayed mentally strong and had answers on offense as Lagerman remained aggressive and found ways to score on 2 tough drives while Fertig added 4 free throws to tie the game at 62-62. After a thunderous Dawson dunk, Leon Fertig hit another one of his patent off balance shots and made a free throw for the 65-64 TV Langen lead. However that would be TV Langen´s last lead as now it was time for Dylan Fasoyiro to take control as he added 5 points for BBC Bayreuth to lead 69-65. ““I told my team that I didn´t want the ball but the win. We were the number 1 team and all that mattered was the win. The ball found me. I have to credit my team”, commented Dylan Fasoyiro. Austrian guard Nico Hollerl added a trey for insurance as TV Langen trailed 73-66. TV Langen didn´t drop dead as they battled and got a wild bank shot from Lagerman and trey from Washington to trail 77-74. However a technical foul from Washington led to a Fasoyiro free throw and 2 free throws by Dawson for the 80-74 advantage with less than a minute to play. Fertig did add a lay in traffic, but Fasoyiro added 3 free throws to seal the victory. “It was the little things that got us the win. Whether it was cutting or being active on the weak side. We did a good job on the boards. We wanted it more than they did”, warned Dylan Washington. “There is a reason why they´re the number 1 team. They made the plays and right decisions down the stretch”, said Jacob Washington. BBC Coburg was led by Dylan Fasoyiro with 33 points. Darius Dawson and Finn Doentgens added 15 points a piece while TV Langen was led by Alex Lagerman with 26 points while Jacob Washington had 24 points. BBC Coburg shot 57% from the field and 40% from outside and had 35 rebounds and 17 turnovers while TV Langen shot 43% from the field and 21%from outside and had 30 rebounds and 13 turnovers.