Elijah Jenkins (190-G, college: Embry Riddle) is a 190cm guard from Georgia playing his third professional season and third with DTV Basketball Koeln (Germany-Regionalliga). He began his basketball career with Riverwood high school and then played at Embry Riddle University (NCAA2) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 120 NCAA games. In his last 2 years he averaged 13.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 69.0% and 15.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 81.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after his monumental 42 point game.
Thanks Elijah for talking togermanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you? Everything is going well, I’m enjoying life in Köln and grateful to be playing at Deutz again this season
You recently hit Hagen Haspe for 42 points. How good did it feel getting your pro high? It was definitely a good feeling getting a win against a team that we’ve struggled against in the last couple of years. Playing well against a team like Haspe in an important away game for us is always a good experience.
How good is it seeing that Eurobasket title Elijah Jenkins was the second best scorer of the day in the world yesterday with the 42 points he had in DTV Basketball Koeln. How does that make you feel knowing you scored the most in the world? Pretty crazy to be honest, but honestly just happy to help our team get the win.
It actually wasn´t your career high as in school you hit UAB for 44 points. Is it fair to say that you have always seemed to have been a player that can get very hot. Yeah especially as someone who shoots a lot of threes, once you see a couple in a row go in, it gives you the confidence to keep shooting.
Talk a little about the 40 minutes of the game. How rapidly did you know that you might have a very good scoring day?
I don’t think I knew or realized until later in the game because I actually started somewhat slowly, and picked up more in the second half of the game.
The crazy thing is that you were only 1/7 from the 2 point range. How aware are you that you could have gone for 50 points with a little bit more accuracy.
Yeah I thought I missed some good midrange looks and some easy free throws as well, but 50 points would’ve definitely been a cool achievement.
You have had many high scoring games in your career. You hit 9 three´s. You once went for 11 three´s in the NCAA2. How vital is your three ball? I think shooting has always been a calling card of mine, going back to my time in high school. Normally that also opens up space for me and my teammates to attack into to get some easier looks at the basket too. So definitely something that I’ve tried to build my game around by using that gravity to attract the defense’s attention and exploit the space and closeouts that creates.
The week before you hit BG Hagen for 33 points. Do you feel like maybe next week you will get 52 as the curve could go on? I guess you never know, but I would say that when we have some guys back from injury, I likely won’t need to shoulder so much of the scoring burden again, or play 40 minutes for that matter.
What was your favorite bucket of the game? Probably the three I made at the third quarter buzzer, where there was kind of a broken play and I ended up getting the ball with only a couple seconds left and needing to get a good look.
Will you have to buy dinner or get donuts for your teammates or pay them back another way? Not that I know of, but maybe I should.
That Swedish players have reached the ACB in the past decade, the second best league in Europe after the Euroleague is no secret as guys like Ludvig Hakamson, Simon Birgander, Tobias Borg, Melwin Pantzar and Markus Eriksson have done it. Another talented Swedish player that has done it is also Nicholas Spires (210-C/F-1994). He was fortunate to have played in the ACB for 5 years and has many incredible basketball stories to share over that time and even if I was in a room with him, we could talk about certain guys and it wouldn´t get boring. With Sweden playing 2 Euro 25 qualifying games against Germany this week, I was on the grind getting some interviews with Swedish national players and one of those was Nicholas Spires. He had actually sent me the interview back last weekend, and I didn´t get the chance to look at it until now. Despite being in the States on a brief holiday, I´m always on the grind with my basketball work. When I opened up the interview, I had to smile and even giggle a few times when I read some of his answers. The day before I had been in Boston and as usual when I´m back home in Boston I´m on the search for NBA players as the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers had been in town. I was fortunate to see many of the players, get autographs including Donovan Mitchell and even met Omar Cook. That had been high on my agenda as I had interviewed him 5 years ago over the phone, but never met him in person. That chance finally happened. Later that night I watched some of the game and witnessed how Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics would end the Cavs 15 game winning streak to begin the season. I watched the game and listened to the commentary of ex NBA player Brian Scalabrine. So in reading his interview, I came upon a few things that just made me smile and had us having interesting topics to talk about if ever given the chance. Obviously Spires played against Omar Cook in the ACB years ago, but what made me giggle the most was that his Goat is Brian Scalabrine. That was definitely a first for me. I mean everybody has their own taste and reasons for picking their Goat. But then again maybe I shouldn´t believe everything I read. “That was more of a joke. My teammates dared me to write it. My real Goat is Dirk Nowitzki”, said Nicholas Spires. I had met Pao Gasol in Boston in 2019 and he had played against him in Spain. The Swedish big man definitely has incredible stories for the future grand children not only from the ACB, but in general about his illustrious basketball career.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Omar Cook in Boston in November 2024
The 30 year old 210cm center who lists Luka Doncic as the toughest player that he has ever faced was born on Feb, 25, 1994 in Tunbridge Wells, England, but began his basketball career in Sweden with Sodertalje and then had the incredible opportunity to play with the FC Barcelona youth team from 2010-2014. Getting an opportunity like that doesn´t happen often for a Swedish player. “I played very well in the youth national team which attracted attention especially in Spain. I travelled to various clubs that year and ended taking the decision to further my development with Fc Barcelona”, said Nicholas Spires. In his time there he witnessed so many incredible legends like Juan Carlos Navarro, Ricky Rubio, Bostjan Nachtbar or Sarunas Jasikevicius just to name a few. You would think that there was one player that really had a big influence on him. “ It wasn’t a specific player that impacted me but just being in that environment taught me what it meant to be a professional basketball player. I remember Sarunas always had some good story to tell”, remembered Nicholas Spires. He was fortunate in that time to have 2 fellow Swedes there with Ludvig Hakanson (It is never easy to move abroad, but having those 2 there made it all easier. We lived together and we tried to help each other. We are still very good friends today) and Markus Eriksson who made the adjustment period that much easier for him. “Having them there meant a lot. Moving at such a young age isn’t easy. Having some people you can lean on and depend on was very helpful. I think we went through a lot of similar things which helped us relate to each other. Like Ludde said, we became very close, we are very good friends even to this day”, added Nicholas Spires. He was teammates with so many talented young players in that time including Mario Hezonja. “He was very good back then also. You could sense he could become great”, said Nicholas Spires. After 4 years in Barcelona where he played 49 Leb Gold games for FC Barcelona 2, he then took a step back and played with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada Madrid (Spain-LEB Silver) averaging 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.1apg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 13.0%, FT: 68.9%. “It was a tough year for many reasons, but I learnt a lot. I look back at that year as a time where I grew up”, commented Nicholas Spires.
The big man who lists Steph, Durant, Lebron, Duncan,and Kareem on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore then went home and played 2 seasons with Sodertalje Kings (Sweden-Basketligan) winning a title in 2016 averaging 9.7ppg, 4.7rpg, Blocks-3 (1.3bpg), FGP-2 (67.1%), FT: 70.4% and 8.8ppg, 5.9rpg, Blocks-2 (1.6bpg), FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 66.7% while in the Fiba Europe Cup averaged 7.4ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 65.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 70.0% and 9.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 60.0%. He was fortunate to have a young Skyler Bowlin as a teammate who used that season as a stepping stone to become a top guard in the years to follow in the easyCredit BBL. “Sky was our leader. One of the best teammates I’ve had. He comes with so much positive energy which is contagious and spread throughout the team”, expressed Nicholas Spires. He then returned back to Spain and got his opportunity in the ACB playing 3 years with Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB. There he never averaged more than 3,6ppg and was teammates with future German World Champion Andi Obst. It is only fitting that he had special memories with him. “ Also many great memories. I have to admit, seeing him play the way he did in the WC final and then in the Olympics gave me so much joy. It’s always very special when you see someone close to you succeed, especially players who you know are good people off the court Andi is a great person, and he deserves all the success he has gotten”, stressed Nicholas Spires. He played against Luka Doncic and survived not being involved in an ankle breaker and didn´t think he would become one of the best in the world now. “I remember it was the year he kept breaking ankles on the big guys that switched out in him. He got them on that sticker over the floor line and made them slip. All I remember is thinking was not to let him do that to me when I switched out on him. Luckily it didn’t happen so I dodged a bullet there. He’s one of my favourite players to watch in NBA ”, remembered Nicholas Spires. He then played parts of 2 seasons with Real Betis Sevillia and briefly in Poland. He had 1 more amazing ACB moment. “One of my favourite memories was defending one of my idols Pau Gasol playing against Barcelona his last year. That was special. I wear nr 16 in the National team for a reason”, said Nicholas Spires. In his time in the ACB, he would play a total of 102 games. He then returned to Sweden and played with Norrkoping Dolphins (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 9.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.1apg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 67.4%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 8.2ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 75.0% winning the double. “A lot of things were special. The people in the Norrköping organization are amazing. Playing a long side my best friend Adam Ramstedt was also special. I also learned how Swedish club basketball can look like when it is done right. I think that Norrköping has set the bar for the rest of the teams in Sweden”, warned Nicholas Spires. This season he is back with SBBK Sodertalje (Sweden-Basketligan) and last season averaged 14.0ppg, Reb5 (8.5rpg), 1.7apg, Blocks-1 (2.1bpg), FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 23.4%, FT: 75.2%. He had one of his best seasons in Sweden. It seems like he is getting better with age. “I feel great in my body and mind. Experience really helps and I still love the game. All these things play in to my individual performance, but it’s also thanks to factors that are partly out of your control. I’m thankful to the people around me that continue to believe in me and my abilities”, added Nicholas Spires.
The center who not only battles national team college Adam Ramstedt on the floor but also at chess is playing against Germany this week in 2 Euro 2025 games. He is looking forward to playing against World Champion Germany again. “We’ve been fortunate enough to have played Germany a few times in recent years. There’s no secret that Germany has an extremely high level of quality players. With that said, I feel like we are constantly progressing as a national team, we have a group of players able to play on a very high level and the fact that we have grown up playing together over many years gives us something extra. I look at these games as a great challenge where we will try to play at the level where we aspire to be”, warned Nicholas Spires. He played against Germany 2 years ago before they won the bronze and it was clear to see that greatness was on the horizon. I remember thinking it was a very fun game to play. I find it extra fun to match up against the absolute best players in my position. I have a distinct memory of denying Voigtmann going for a dunk. That was a good moment personally, as a team I think we were struggling with boxing them out on the rebounds. You could definitely see the potential considering the depth of the roster they had”, remembered Nicholas Spires. This time Germany will be weaker with no NBA or Euroleague players. Will the risk of underestimating them be there?” I think it’s foolish to underestimate your opponent. With or without NBA players, Germany is a very good team. But I also think we can be very good when we are at our best and focus on the right things. If we prepare well for the game anything is possible”, stressed Nicholas Spires. The future looks rosy for Swedish basketball with many talented young guys on board like Melwin Pantzar. “The team chemistry is something special in Sweden. Many of us have grown up playing with each other and I consider many to be my closest friends. There is more and more talent coming from Sweden, I see our future to be very bright. Melwin is one of the hardest working guys I know. Seeing him grow up to the player he is today has been very special. He isn´t only a very skilled player with amazing physical abilities, he is also a great person. I have no doubt he will reach whatever level he himself decides to reach”, commented Nicholas Spires. So what exactly is his role on the team? I like to think I can contribute to this team in whatever way is needed in the moment. I can play the 4 and the 5, I like bringing energy and contribute in any way I can. I can do a bit of everything”, stressed Nicholas Spires. Johannes Voigtmann won´t be on board this time, but ex NBA player and Euroleague player Tibor Pleiss will be. You know he will be more than extra motivated to battle Tibor Pleiss and produce new great memories and stories for the grandchildren.
James Batemon (185-G-1997, college: LMU) is a 27 year old 185cm guard that is playing his sixth professional season and first season with the Brisbane Bullets (Australia-NBL). Last season he palyed with with Elitzur Kiryat Ata (Israel-Winner League) averaging 17.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.9%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 77.8%. In 2022-2023 he split time with :AS Karditsas (Greece-GBL) averaging 17.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.3apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 52.3%, 3FGP: 25.0%, FT: 73.3%, in Jan.’23 moved to HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-BBL) averaging 15.2ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 62.0%, 3PT: 46.8%, FT: 86.4%. He played the last 2 years in France with Jean D’Arc Vichy Clermont Metropole (France-ProB) averaging 17.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 53.7%, FT: 83.7% and with Union Tours Metropole Basket (France-ProB) averaging 15.1ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 83.4%. he played his rookie season with BK Ogre (Latvia-LBL, starting five): LatEstBL) averaging 17.6ppg), 3.9rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 77.4%. Before University he played AAU ball with the Milwaukee Bulldogs and at Riverside University high school. He then played 2 years with North Dakota State College of Science (JUCO) averaging 20.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 79.1% and in his second season averaged 20.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 5.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 81.4%. He then played at Loyola Marymount University (NCAA) from 2017-2019 averaging 17.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 79.7% and as a senior averaged 16.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 82.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after scoring an unforgettable 51 points in an Australian NBL game.
Thanks James for talking to germanhoops.com. Do you feel like in another world down under so far away from Europe and the States? No not really. I´m far away from the states, but it´s all kind of easy, because everyone speaks English.
The last time we spoke was after your perfect shooting game in Germany against Braunschweig with 9/9 from the field and 10/10 at the FT line. Do go back from time to time and watch that game for motivation and inspiration.
To be completely honest, I haven´t watched that game again, but did watch the highlights again when it happened. It really was an impressive feat for scoring 30 points with no misses. I will watch only highlights when I´m in a slump, but nothing that I would just watch on a regular basis.
You have done it again doing something amazing coring an incredible 51 points in a game in Australia. That was the most points in the world the last week. How overwhelming is that?
It was pretty crazy, but not that overwhelming, because it just didn´t set in yet then. But it was crazy to know that I scored an insane amount. Even watching it now again, I´m in shock and awe. It didn´t feel real, because I had never scored 50 points in a little league game or rec game so it was pretty amazing.
You must of gotten many congratulatory messages from players around the world. Was there a message that stood out most? I got many congratulatory messages. The one that stood out most was one from former NBA player Carlos Arroyo from Puerto Rico. I just thought like man that´s a legend. I had watched him growing up.
Your playing your first season in Australia for Brisbane. You had had sort of up and down scoring season and then bang you nail 51 points. Did that surprise you a bit? Yes it did surprise me a bit, because my previous high in Australia was 21 points. Beating that by 30 was crazy, but it was definitely something I knew that I was capable of. I have always been an efficient scorer so it was all about finding that rhythm, being locked in and constantly being found by my teammates and them pushing me to keep going. It was just one of those days.
Let´s talk a little about the game. How rapidly did you know going in that you might have a very good game? It didn´t feel too different. I was extra motivated because I was in the starting line up. I just prepared like I do for every game and was just ready for the moment. My number was called and I´m just happy I showed up.
Was it one of those games where you felt everything you released was going in?
Yes it did. I just felt like I was in one of those zone where it felt like I was throwing a rock into the ocean. I really noticed it when I came across a screen and I took a side ways turn and wasn´t completely set and it was a fade away three and when that went in, I knew it would be my night.
You have always been known as being a very good 3 point shooter. You nailed 9 in this game. Does a game like this give you aa special added confidence with shooting that could propel you to another level?
It was my career high in three pointers made, so I guess it does give me that added confidence. I always thought I was a good shooter through my pro career so I hope I can keep it up and hopefully one day get the double digit 10.
You played 34 minutes. Did your teammates tell you down the stretch that you were getting near to 50 points? There were some guys telling me I was getting close to 50 points. We have a scoreboard so you can keep track. When I saw 40 points, I was satisfied, because I had never had 40 before. Then guys were telling me that the record was 50 points. I then went for it and just locked in and made a few more shots. The good thing was that I broke the record. So I was pretty excited about that.
What does an accomplishment like this mean to you personally? Is it the ultimate story for the grandchildren? Yes it is. My son was there to witness it though he won´t remember it. It was great for me that he was there and it means a lot for me personally because it shows all the work I put in and all the nights that go unnoticed. The work don´t always show, but for it to happen in a big game like that was amazing.
You were the best player on the court with some former NBA players. Do you feel like a performance like this can help you be noticed more for even higher levels? I mean whatever happens happens. If your really talented then the highest level will find you. I just keep doing what I´m capable of and keep performing. And when it is my time, I will be ready for the moment.
What was your coolest bucket in the game? I would say probably the last one. It was pretty tough, because there were 4 seconds to play and I had to make it to beat the record. They called a foul so even if I would have missed it, I could have tied the record at 50. But those were some pressure free throws.
After scoring 51 points, what can be next? How do you top something like that? Possibly a title? Winning the championship is my ultimate goal. It is cool to have a record breaking performance, but winning a title and being able to celebrate it is my ultimate goal.
You saw leagues in Latvia, Greece, France, Germany and Israel. Now your playing in the up and coming NBL. How do you compare it to the other leagues that you have played in? It is at the top. I would compare it more to the German league because it is high paced and competitive. In the NBL the top 10 teams are very competitive and you can get beat any night. The teams are very much more balanced because there is a salary cap and it´s just more balanced here.
What has been your coolest experience in Australia off the court? It has been going to the Koala bear museum and feeding the Kangaroos with my son and taking pictures.
Martinas Geben (208-C-1994, college: Notre Dame, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) is a 30 year old 208cm center playing his 7th pro season and first with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM). He played the last 2 seasons with Baxi Manresa (ACB). He also played for 2 clubs in Germanyxwith Brose Bamberg and the Fraport Skyliners. He played 2 seasons with B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (LKL) seeing action in 51 Euroleague games and also played a season with Juventus-LKSK Utenos (LKL). He played 4 seasons at Notre Dame (NCAA) from 2014-2018 and as a senior averaged 11.1ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 85.0%. He played at St. Maria Goretti High School and also played at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) averaging 10.7ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 48.1%, FT: 54.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Hamburg Towers.
Thanks Martinas Geben for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) and will be playing in Germany again. What memories do you have of your time in Germany and how do you think about it since they became world champions in 2023? My time in Germany was one filled with change. It was my first time being away from my home country in Lithuania as a Pro. That season in Bamberg was filled with many injuries, a coaching change, and several roster changes. Alongside that, Covid was still a huge factor affecting basketball. There were several fun moments on the court, but the thing I will forever remember the most was my daughter’s birth. Germany has great players, the talent level is growing as well as basketball development. I was not surprised by them winning the title.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) have been used to winning recently having won the double the last 3 years. How big is the desire to win within the organization?
Every organization I have had the chance to represent and be a part of had a desire to win and Cedevita Olimpija is no different. The club has a difficult season in EuroCup last season, so our focus this year was to do better in this competition. We still have a lot to improve as a team and a lot of games left to play.
After winning numerous titles in Lithuania, you recently won the Slovenian Super Cup. How did that title feel so early in this season?
It was weird to be playing our “first official” game and have it be for a title. Always nice to earn a trophy this early, but it was not something we a whole lot of time thinking about.
This season your balling in the Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM. How would you compare this league to other leagues you have played in like the ACB and BBL in Germany?
We play in EuroCup & ABA league competitions. We only join the Slovenian league in the playoffs as the automatic 1st seed. My only experience against a Slovenian league team has been in the Slovenian Cup game when we played KRKA.
What exactly is your role this season? Are you that big man coming from the bench to give instant support under the boards? I’m a Center. Some games I start, some games I come off the bench – I truly do not care about the status of “starting center”. I care about having playing time, playing well and helping the team win.
What has it been like being teammates with Devin Robinson? Especially Robinson who was your teammate in Spain. On what part of Robinson´s game can your game rely most on? We have developed a great relationship through our time together. We met together in Manresa when the club was really struggling so being in that environment together, grinding each day to help our team to remain in the top league and next season achieve new heights has definitely brought us close. He is extremely athletic and makes amazing instinctual plays. A great scorer with a deadly midrange game.
What has it been sharing the court with French big man Joan Beringer? Are you like a mentor for him? He is an incredible talent with a wonderful attitude. Very raw in his skills, but you cannot teach anybody to be that size or athleticism. I am always trying to teach him and offer any advice I have, and he always willingly listens.
If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would fit the best? I hate making these comparisons about myself. That’s a better question to my teammates throughout my career I think.
You can score and rebound and use the three pointer. How much of a modern day big man are you?
Again, difficult to rate myself in such an abstract term as “modern day big man”. I have always had the ability to shoot, but it took my confidence a while to let myself shoot the ball and expand my game. There have always been big men who could shoot the ball from far, now it has just become a vital part of the game.
You shot 39% from outside last season in the ACB. How would you rate your current development of your outside shot? Is this on a good way of becoming more of a weapon in your game in the future? I work on my shooting skill every day, so the development is in line with how much time and effort I put in. It is a weapon now and I trust my shooting ability will continue to be a valuable weapon that I bring on the court.
Your also a very solid defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become? I try to give my best effort and be in the best possible positioning for defense.
In what areas of your game do you want to make the biggest jump this season with your game?
I want to be a consistent contributor on offense and defense. A reliable finisher around the rim, stretching the defense with my shooting ability and a solid defender under our own basket.
Last season you played BAXI Manresa (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 8.3ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 84.4%. How key was Pedro Martinez in your 2 seasons there? He seemed to give you instant trust in your game and just let you play.
Pedro Martinez is an incredible tactician and always pushes his players to get their maximum on the court. He helped me understand basketball from a higher level, but there is no secret that it is really hard and physically demanding to play for him. He gave me the freedom and confidence to shoot the three pointer and help our team that way.
In your last season in Spain you had 10 points in a win over Euroleague powerhouse Real Madrid. What memories do you playing against top center Edy Tavares? What part of his game was most difficult to defend? He became one of the top centers in Europe. I matched up with Edy Tavares for a total of 10 possessions in my career. The hardest part of his game to defend is his size.
In 2022-2023 you played a few months with the Frankfurt Skyliners. You were a few months teammates with Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson. You didn´t see him in his prime, but how will you always remember him? Was he more of a silent leader or do you remember him becoming vocal at times?
He was friendly and welcoming, and always wanted to help a young team be successful by leading both through being vocal and by example on the court.
In 2021-2022 you played with Bamberg. How will you remember this season? You played great in the playoffs against Alba Berlin in the loss. How did your game grow there under the Bamberg coaching staff?
The most I will remember from that season was my daughter being born. I loved working on my mindset and my skills with Stefan Weissenboeck who was on the staff at Bamberg. I also greatly enjoyed working with our Strength coach Dom Theodorou and our physio Stefan Dall.
After 4 years at Notre dame, you returned home to play with B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (LKL). How vital was this time in your basketball development? You won many titles as well? I played 1.5 seasons with Zalgiris as the first year I was loaned, and my second year Covid canceled half of the season. First years after playing college ball are always very eye opening to the real world of Professional basketball, especially in Europe.
You were teammates with Jock Landale. Soon after he would reach the NBA. What memories do you have of his game and the battles in practice. What were you able to soak up from his game? He was a great guy in the locker room and a good competitor.
You spent many years in the United States as a very young man. How did these years help you not only as a player, but help you grow as a man? Being able to live in the United States and see a different culture and way of playing basketball?
I was introduced to a much more athletic style of play which forced me to grow my athleticism on the court to match it. I was fortunate to spend my formative years in the US surrounded by wise and loving people who shaped me into the person I am today.
You played 4 years at Notre Dame and reached the NCAA Elite 8 in 2016. What memories will you always having of playing at this incredible school? The friendships and bonds I have created with my teammates.
You had many great games at Notre Dame including holding your own with 14 points in a tough loss against NCAA powerhouse North Carolina 69-68. What memories do you have of almost beating the Tar Heels? That we missed on a last second shot that rolled out of the rim. Other than that, I don’t have any significant memories of that game.
How did head coach Mike Brey groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
He taught me and us all the importance of not mentally carrying onto negative emotions and move on and play in a more positive mindset. In addition, I learned a lot about All-5-out offense and movements, screens, cutting, etc.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Zach Augustine?
He was 2 years older than me, so it is likely that he won more direct matchups, but seeing how basketball is a 5 against 5 game, nobody kept record of our matchups so hard to say.
Who is the toughest player you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
Jahlil Okafor my freshman year was dominating college basketball and I was really impressed with his game at that time. From my later years I don’t quite remember, sorry.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Thomas Walkup, Devin Robinson, Dovis Bickauskis, Paulius Jankunas, Adam Waczynski.
Your NBA Mount Rushmore?
Shaq, Kobe, Steph Curry, MJ.
Your Who is your GOAT? I first fell in love with basketball by playing NBA Live 2001 game and playing by accident with Kobe Bryant. I always watched and followed him growing up – he is my GOAT and I admire the legend of him for his work ethic and dedication to his craft.
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? I did not see Coming to America nor did I see the sequel.
DeVante Jones (182-PG-1998, college: Michigan) is a 26 year old 182cm guard from New Orleans playing his third pro season and first with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM). Last season he played with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 15.9ppg), 2.5rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 86.1%;and in the BCL averaged 12.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 16.0%, FT: 89.7%. He palyed his rookie season with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 7.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 77.1%. He began his basketball career at St Augustine High School and then played 3 seasons at Coastal Carolina College averaging 18.0ppg, 5.9rpg, 5.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 87.6% and 19.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.9apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 86.2%. He played one season at the University Of Michigan averaging 10.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Hamburg Towers.
Thanks Devante for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) and will be playing your first time in Germany. What do you know in general about the country and it´s basketball? Have you had friends or guys you know play in Germany in the past? In general i don’t really know much about Germany. I currently have a close friend name Dshawn who currently plays there and he is doing great but other than that I don’t know much but iIam excited for my first experience.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) have been used to winning recently having won the double the last 3 years. How big is the desire to win within the organization? To be honest, winning was my main reason for coming to this organization. I understand in previous seasons they weren’t as good as they were years ago but I wanted to come and change the narrative along with the rest of my brothers. We have won more euro cup games this season than last year but that’s not enough for us. we want to win it all.
After reaching the Pro A final last season with Le Mans, you recently won the Slovenian Super Cup. How big does that title rank in your career? The Slovenia Super Cup is a great achievement to have on my resume, it’s a blessing that I don’t take lightly.
The France Pro A league belongs to the best leagues in Europe. This season your balling in the Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM. How would you compare this league to the Pro A in France?
This season in Slovenia is definitely different than the French Pro A league. Obviously, i’m also playing in the euro cup so it’s way more games and more traveling which is fun but the comparison of euro league teams are similar. In French Pro A is played against Asvel and Monaco and now I have faced red star and will play Partizan soon so I love the competition.
You had your break out season last season in France. This season your offensively not as dominant as last. Do you feel pressure after your incredible season from 2023-2024? I don’t feel any pressure at all. Basketball is all about adjusting especially when you are moving up in competition. It’s a long season so you never know I might can turn it around and do something real special you will just have to wait and find out haha.
Last season you scored a lot and dished out many assists and had the ball in your hands a lot. What is your role this season with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana My role this season isn’t much different from my previous season. Making life easier for my teammates and also looking for my shot whenever the opportunity presents itself.
What has it been like being teammates with Devin Robinson and DJ Stewart? What have you appreciated most about their games`? Being with Dj and Devin has been nothing short of amazing. two very talented guys on both offense and defense. I appreciate their openness to want to get better. We are always on the same page whenever we on the court together, I love it.
If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would fit the best? I think somebody from the NBA I compare my game to is Fred vanvleet. we are kind of built the same and have the same play style.
You really fill the stat sheet well. How big is versatility in your game? Being my size at my position I believe filling up the stat sheet will get you looked at more. everyone can shoot and get assists at my position, that difference maker is steals, rebounds and even some stuff that don’t even show up on the stat sheet.
You have shot the ball really well from outside in certain competitions in the last 2 pro years. Where do you see yourself as a shooter at the moment and where do you still want to get to with your shooting? At the moment I believe my shooting is decent. Obviously I am shooting well now because all of the hard work I have put in but I want to get even better. there is no limit where I can be when my time is done.
Your also a very solid defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become? I pride myself of not getting scored on. I watch highlights of different defenders and just try to take those different skills and add it to my own game. But, the stronger I get and with more experience I believe I can become one of the best defenders in all of Europe
In what areas of your game do you want to make the biggest jump this season with your game?
I think the biggest jump I want to make is just continuing to become a better leader. Just being a fan of Chris Paul and how he leads is just inspiring
Last season you played with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging (15.9ppg), 2.5rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 86.1%; and in the BCL averaged 12.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 16.0%, FT: 89.7%. How important was this season for your basketball development? How did your game grow this season? Playing with Le Mans was a very important year for me. I completed a lot of individual accolades and it showed how good I can be when I am given the opportunity. Making the all star team with a lot of different big name guards was exciting for me. just motivated me to continue to push. My game grew in different ways, just taking care of my body, learning different techniques on the court.
You played your rookie season with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 7.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 77.1%. You reached the Pro A final. What memories do you have of the final against Monaco? What was it like battling top Euroleague player Mike James as a rookie?
Battling Monaco was a very humbling experience. Just being a competitor trying to beat a team that’s just talented from the top guy to the bottom guy is frustrating. Battling against Mike James was great. we built a relationship throughout the season and also during the all star games so that was a battle iIwill never forget.
Big NBA talent Victor Wembanyama was your teammate. What memories do you have of him. It was his last season in France before heading to the NBA. Did you have that feeling then that he could be such a good player in the NBA? Playing with Victor was amazing. he was a great guy and very unselfish. you don’t see that often coming from a young generational talent. I knew he would always be a great NBA player just because of his work ethic and mindset.
What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
man, getting off that flight in France was my wake up call. not understanding the language and having to adjust to the food was very hard at the beginning.
In the summer of 2022 you played NBA Summer League with Denver. What kind of an experience was that for you? What memories do you have of Vegas? Did you meet any NBA legends in that time?
In 2022 playing with Denver Nuggets was an amazing experience. I met all the guys played against Jamal Murray and Bones Hyland was great. Building a relationship with the coaches was amazing, being in vegas that environment seeing all the NBA guys from different organizations was amazing.
You played at Coastal Carolina College (NCAA) from 2018-2021. You put up great stats. How did your game grow there under head coach Cliff Ellis? Cliff Ellis is a legend and I miss playing under him. He was helpful in so many ways and was a hands on coach. always was respectful and just open with inviting me to his house to build that relationship off the court. He was honest with me and made sure I got better every year.
What was your fondest,moment at Coastal Carolina (NCAA)?
The CBI tournament was amazing. West Virginia was obviously my best game just being in that atmosphere as a freshman and winning was great.
You then played a season with the University of Michigan averaging 10.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.2%. You reached the NCAA Sweet 16. How important was that extra season?
That Michigan season taught me alot about basketball. It showed me how when your not playing well a lot of people won’t support you and that was a viable lesson I needed.
How did head coach Juwan Howard groom and prepare you best for a professional career? Coach Howard prepared me for the professional level. He taught me all the ins and outs of being a professional. He taught me how hard days don’t last forever but strong men overcomes any obstacle.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Eli Brooks? I love Eli, but he knows who won those battles haha.
Who is the toughest player you ever face din the NCAA that reached the NBA?
Jaden Ivy
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Tremont Waters, Nate Mason, Aaron Henry, Devin Robinson, and Victor
Sweden have never been that big basketball name internationally as it has never qualified for the World Cup and only participated once in the Olympics in 1980 and played at the Euro championships 10 times with the last being in 2013 where they upset Russia. But that doesn´t mean that they don´t produce great players. The biggest names over the years have been guys like Marcus Eriksson, Jonas Jerebko and Jeffery Taylor who all reached the NBA and currently have Pelle Larson and Bobi Klintman in the NBA, but there are also others currently playing for the national team. Guys overseas would die to play in the top league ACB, but it´s very difficult to get there. Currently there have been quite a few guys that have played there or are still playing there like Melwin Pantzar, Tobias Borg, Denzel Andersson, and Nicholas Spires just to name a few. Some guys have been like a mainstay in the ACB with Tobias Borg with 9 seasons and his teammate Ludvig Hakanson who is the currently the leader with 10 seasons and Nicholas Spires was there for 8 seasons. Currently there is another Swedish player with Simon Birgander (209-C-1997) in his 8th season and holding very strong. He is one of those candidates at age 27 that could pass a Borg in the next years and probably have a battle with Hakanson as to who will survive the longest in the ACB. If you ask Birgander today, he will inform you that he has come a long way from 2017 until today being able to survive so long and remain. “I think just my basketball IQ and learning from such great players have helped me develop in to the player I am today. In 2017 I was just a skinny Swedish guy who tried his best to stay as long as possible in the ACB and do as good as he could. Right now I´m a different player. I always try to play the right way and find the best option for the team. Back then I didn’t know that was more to the game then just scoring points and taking rebounds. Now I focus more on being in the right spots, making the right read, helping my teammates and just being an overall better player. I also have a lot more confidence in myself now then I did back then”, stressed Simon Birgander. He understands very well that it was never self-evident that he would stay so strong, so he is enjoying every minute of it. “Well I´m super blessed to be able to play in this league and that I have done it for such a long time makes it even greater. I never thought as a young Swedish player I would arrive to this level and stay here as long as I have. What I enjoy the most about ACB is that it´s such a great league that every team can beat each other, doesn’t matter if you are last in the league or the first. There is always teams giving a fight and stealing games every year. For Example this year when newcomers Leyma Coruna beat last years winners Madrid in their first game of the season”, said Simon Birgander.
The Swedish big man who lists Luka Doncic as the toughest player that he ever battled in his career so far was born on October 23, 1997 in Kvistofta Sweden. He began his basketball career with (Basketettan) an din his last season at the age of 18 was dominating his home land league and averaged 11.8ppg, 13.1rpg, 3.8apg, 1.5spg, 5.7bpg, 2FGP: 49.6%, FT: 48.5%. “Those early years were very important for me. I played a lot of minutes and took a lot of responsibility on the court. Also I learned that you had to work hard to go somewhere and always believe in yourself. Isak was important for my development because he was the coach who gave me the “keys“ to our team. He made me take a lot of responsibility on the court and really got the best out of me. Giving me that confidence and believing in me as he did really helped me believe that I could reach somewhere in the basketball world”, commented Simon Birgander. It was only fitting then that he take the next step and did going to Spain. In that same season he moved to Natural Rioja Vintage Clavijo Logrono (Spain-EBA) averaging 7.6ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.2apg, Blocks-1 (3.8bpg), FGP: 54.1%, FT: 79.2% and in the 2016-2017 season made the next step and balled with 16-2017: Cocinas.com CB Clavijo Logrono (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 4.0ppg, 4.1rpg. “Those years helped me a lot. I was just a young Swedish guy who only played semi professional basketball before that. I learned all the ins and outs of being a professional, how the practice the right way and how to they play basketball in Spain”, expressed Simon Birgander.
The center who lists Nicolas Laprovittola, Kyle Guy, Rodi Kurucs, Luke Harangody, Ante and Tomic as his 5 best teammates of all-time then made the massive jump to the ACB in 2017 and played with Club Joventut Badalona until 2023. He is a player that never averaged more than 19 minutes in a ACB season there, but the competition was fierce with so many first class players, but he was that lethal role player that just came on the court and did his job. It is only fitting that he had many great memories there “The greatest moment with Penya was when we saved the club from going down and celebrated it with all our fans. We were having a terrible season but in the end of it somehow we won like 8 of the last 10 games and it was such a great feeling to stay in ACB. Another great feeling was when we played Copa Del Rey at home, a full arena with all the fans. Yes its more or less a second home for me, made some great friends and people there, made some great memories and grew a lot as a person and in the end as a father also (my son was born in Cataluña)”, smiled Simon Birgander. He also battled against top Euroleague teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona and beat them twice in the playoffs. “My fondest memories playing against them were when we beat Madrid the first game away in the ACB semifinals after a masterclass from Kyle Guy. Against Barca my fondest memory was playing against Pau Gasol one of the best big guys in history”, remembered Simon Birgander. He played with so many incredible players in that time listing Ante Tomic and American Luke Harangody as some of the best. “My greatest memories with Ante is just what a great person and teammate he is. Always there if you needed anything and giving u tips and tricks when you need it. I helped me with my game about how to pass the ball, how to move to be in the best positions possible and also the deadly floater he has (which I stole a little). I have played with a lot of great Americans and all of them thought me something different. The American who had the biggest influence on me was Luke Harangody, we were very good friends and he really showed me how to be a great professional on and off the court”, stated Simon Birgander. In his first season, he lost twice to Real Madrid and Luca Doncic and he almost had a triple double in the second game. A story for the grand children one day. “I don´t remember a lot from that game against Luka Doncic. All I remember he made a crazy and one layup against me and that he was a crazy talent. Yes I thought back then he would be a great NBA player, I didn’t think he would kill it as he is right now but you could see the talent he had”, stressed Simon Birgander.
The rebounding ace who lists MJ, Lebron, Kobe and Shaq on his current NBA Mount Rushmore is currently playing with Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB. Last season he had his strongest ACB season averaging 10.7ppg, Reb-2 (6.9rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 62.9%, FT: 75.7%; BCL: 5 games: 7.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 61.5%, FT: 66.7%. “It´s been a great experience playing for UCAM. It´s like a big family with all the people working at the club and helping each other out. There is always people to help you with whatever you need and I really appreciate that. Yes the organization is taking big steps and every year we are getting better and better, just the one and a half years I have been here I really noticed how much growth we have made”, said Simon Birgander. The team is playing solid in both competitions and who knows maybe a title could be achieved this season? “I think our biggest strength is our chemistry both on the court but also outside. This year we have been a little up and down in some games but I think every game we are getting better and the dream of course would be to win a title with UCAM”, warned Simon Birgander. Despite having an overall great season last season, it wasn´t without adversary. He had a lightening 3 months and then was injured for 4 months and returned and couldn´t find back to his form. “It was a very tough year both physically and mentally. Of course it was tough when I got injured in my best moments but honestly the hardest part was to come back after 3 months and still having pain, which led to me having to take a break in the end of the season and heal 100 precent. It was a super tough decision to decide to stop right before the last regular season game but what I learned from it was that I need to listen to my body to be 100 precent and it´s just worse for me psychically but mostly mentally to play at 30 precent of my capacity”, remembered Simon Birgander.
The ex Badalona player who is not sure who his Goat is at the moment as he is swinging back and forth between Michael Jordan and Lebron James also has been a main stay with the Swedish national team first as a U-18 and U-20 player and the moved to the men´s team in 2017. He is looking forward to facing Germany again in 2 qualifying games for the Euro 2025. He last played against Germany in 2022 before Germany began their run of winning a Bronze and Gold medal and showed his true class scoring 8 points and grabbing 10 boards.” I don´t remember much about the game and I just remember that they kicked us out of the court physically and you noticed that they were a great team and that they would achieve great things”, stated Simon Birgander. Even if he Germany are the current world champions, it won´t be extra special, but just another day at the office. “It´s great to play against a team like Germany and who are World Champions and one of the strongest NTs in the world. it doesn’t feel overwhelming because it´s always fun to play against the best teams and try to matchup against them. So I think the best thing to do is just see it as 2 normal games and play as hard as possible”, warned Simon Birgander. Even if the NBA and Euroleague players will be absent, one can still expect a high quality game. “I think we will be very motivated but not just because we play against Germany more so because we play games to qualify for the EuroBasket which Sweden haven’t done in many years. I think we have some chances to win especially at our homecourt where we always fight to the max. it also helps they don´t have their Euroleague or NBA players. but there is still a lot of great players who is going to play”, added Simon Birgander. One player to watch for Sweden will be Melwin Pantzar who is on his way of having a break out season in the ACB. “I think Melwin is having a breakout season yes and I´m so happy for him. A great guy who really worked his way up to getting minutes in the ACB and right now is killing it. I think for sure in the future he could be a Euroleague player and play good there”, stated Simon Birgander. The team has experienced big men and his role isn´t only to make room in the zone and get rebounds, but also has another vital duty. “We have had the same big guys for a while now with different roles all of us and I think my role as a 5 is to be a type of leader on the court. Talk as much as possible trying to help with little things and be a positive guy just all around. outside the court I´m more of a jokster who jokes around a lot with jokes and stuff. I think that is also important to have a good relationship with everyone”, smiled Simon Birgander. Germany will have to be more than ready for these 2 qualifying games as Swedish basketball continues to grow, “I think the state of Swedish basketball is one the rise and we have great chemistry. All of us are friends and we love playing together. We have a lot of young guys on the rise like our two NBA boys Pelle Larsson and Bobi Klintman, but also players like Eliot Cadeu who is playing in North Carolina at a great level”, warned Simon Birgander. At the age of 27, he is in his prime now and so are many other players. This is a very exciting time for Swedish basketball and Simon Birgander as he just continues to play the game the right way and keeps his ACB market value hot.
Adam Ramstedt (210-C-1995) is a 29 year old 2010cm center from Sweden playing his first season with Hermine Nantes Atlantique (France-ProB). He began his basketball career with the Talje Knights (Basketettan). With the exception of playing briefly with Debreceni Egyetem (Hungary-A Division) and GTK Gliwice (Poland-EBL), he has palyed the rest of his career in Sweden playing 4 seasons with the Sodertalje Kings (Basketligan) and 5 seasons with the Norrkoping Dolphins (Basketligan). He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Euro 2025 qualifying game against Germany.
Thanks Adam for talking to germanhoops.com. You have been a member of the Swedish national team for many years. What is it like playing against Germany now since they are World Champions? Does that feel a little overwhelming or is it just 2 normal games again?
Playing against Germany is never easy and we know it. We’ve faced them multiple times in both friendly games and within competition games and it has never been easy for us. We know that they are not bringing their full roster who won the World Cup to Stockholm on the 22 of November, but that does not mean that we can relax and think that its going make it much easier. Germany will always put up with good players who represent their country and I can bet that they are coming with a really strong team to face us for these two games. I wouldn’t say that these two games are just “normal”, it´s always special to play in front of your fans in your home country in front of big crowds. It´s nothing that is new for the Swedish national team so we are definitely ready for the challenge to try to perform our best and hopefully do well in these important games.
This time Germany will be weaker with no NBA or Euroleague players. Will you guys be extra motivated? How good do you see your chances of winning? Motivation would have been high for whatever roster they would have brought to play these games in November, we are going to focus on ourselves first and then adept to whatever team that we have to face. Like I said earlier, we know that it is not the winners of the World Cup who we are going to face, but it is still a big challange for us. I believe that with this group of players, and staff, that we have we can really compete with a lot of great national teams. I would not count us out from advancing to the european championship next summer.
How is the state of Swedish basketball now with the national team? The team has good chemistry and some guys that have been a mainstay in the ACB for years. What young guys are coming up? The state of swedish basket ball in general is great, we can see that the numbers are saying that basket ball is one of the sports thats grows a lot right now in our country. We have a lot of good players playing internationally and the womens national team who just advanced to the european championship after performing really well in the qualifier’s are doing great! The mens national team is also on a good path were we have a great group of guys with amazing chemistry and the raw talent to actually win games. We are starting to see a group that has come together during multiple national team windows to build something that hopefully will last a couple years through continuity. We got young guys like Bara Njie and Melwin Pantzar who hopefully will be a part of the national team for many years to come.
Is Melvin Pantzar on his way this season in the ACB for his break out? Is this a guy that could reach the Euroleague down the road?
Yes I believe so! Melwin is a player that really has proven himsef in the national team and foremost with Bilbao both in ACB but also in FIBA europé cup. I think that the sky is the limit for him, you can put him in whatever team and he would do well becasue of the high IQ basketball he plays and how he puts his pride on playing great defense as well. I can definitely se him on a euroleague team in a couple years.
The team has experienced big men in the national team. What exactly is your role on the team? My role throughout the years has differed depending on what team we’ve had for that specific game. My role is usually bringing energy from the bench with high quality defense, spreading the floor and being a supporting overall player who can fit with multiple different line ups. This time with Simon Birgander on the team, my role is usually backing him up and bringing another dimension as a position five who spaces the floor and be flexible in playing different pick and roll coverages.
What is it like playing on the national team with Nicholas Spires. He told me you are one of his best friends. Your nicest moment with him?
Yes me and Nick go way back to even the youth national team, we have played together in two different club teams in Sweden and throughout the years in the mens national team. It´s always been amazing playing with him, we play very well together since we know each other very well both on and off the court. He is indeed one of my closest friends so its always been fun having him as my teammate. The best moments we have shared as players is probably when we won the swedish basketball league finals together in 2023, that was a amazing feeling. As his friend off the court, the beat moment was probably attending his beautiful marriage this last summer.
How do you believe have you guys profited from each other in the last decade? How influential a player has he been for your game over the years? I think we really have pushed each other in practices by being good competitors against one another. Both of us really like to win so playing a lot against each other has really helped both of us develop in a great way. We do have a similar type of playing style so there has always competition beetwen us of course, but both of us has developed through that competition.
You began your basketball career with the Talje Knights (Basketettan). What memories do you have of these years? How do you remember yourself developing further there?
At that point in my life I think I did not really have a plan with my basket ball career. Basketettan was at that point the second league of Sweden and Talje Knights was the second team to Sodertalje Kings who played in the first league. At this point, when I’m still in high school, I’m still just playing becasue I enjoyed the game a lot and I had talent. To be honest I would not have thought that I was going to make it to where I am now thinking back to my mentality during those years when I was 18 years old. I do remember that I never had any problems with working hard, so I was always disciplined and ambitious during these years. I was also a late bloomer and was still grooing at this time so that helped with developing my outside game before I have finished growing to 209 cm.
In the 2015-2016 season you played your first season with the Sodertalje Kings (Basketligan) and played 7 Fiba Europe Cup games. You played against Frankfurt that later won the Fiba Europe Cup with head coach Gordon Herbert. Do you remember how dominating that Frankfurt team was? Yes we had a pretty good run that year if I remember right, we managed to make it to the second round at least. Yes I remember Frankfurt being a reall powerhouse with Herbert as coach and Johannes Voigtmann leading them. At this point I barely saw the court because of how strong of a team that we had but I was also very inexperienced at 20 years old.
In 2016 you won the league title with the Sodertalje Kings. That was a special team winning the title. How vital was leader Skyler Bowlin for the team winning the title? Yes that years of Sodertalje Kings was truly special, we had such a great roster. Skyler Bowling was one of the players who fitted really well with the type of playing style that coach Vedran Bosnic played. He was a great leader on and of the court who provided with lethal outside scoring. Other than Skyler we had Toni Bizaca who led our team in scoring on the position 4, Chris Czerapowitz who has had a great european career and currently plays for GTK Gliwice (my old team) and of coruse with us in the national team. I can name all of the players individually that we had that year but that would take to long time.
Twice you left Sweden to go to Debreceni Egyetem (Hungary-A Division) and to GTK Gliwice (Poland-EBL) but returned back in the same season to Sweden. Did you get home sick?
I wasn’t really about me being home sick when I was returning to my old clubs during these two seasons. It was more about the situation and that both of my old Swedish clubs, Sodertljje BBK and Norrkoping Dolphins, had just gotten an opening in their roster on my position where I would fit great. Both of my experiences in Hungary and Poland was the clubs wanting to part ways with me when the teams did not perform well in their leagues. In DEAC we had a rough start to the season, I was a young 23 year old import, with back problems at that time, who did not perform any good numbers. In GTK Gliwice they were desperate to try anything in terms of switching out players because of how poorly we performed as a team, so we decided to part ways in January 2022 after the club already had parted ways with 6 other players before me. To make two long stories short you can say that I did not meet up to the expectations in both of these organisations, but I’m very greatful for these two opportunities because rhey taught me so much about being a professional basketball player outside of your domestic country.
Talk a little about your time in Hungary and Poland. What did you cherish most about your time there?
I will always cherish the bonds I’ve created with some of the teammates I had in both Hungary and Poland. And like I said before both of the situation taught me about living far away from my family, being more independent as a human being and learnning how it is to play as a import.
You then played 5 seasons with Norrkoping Dolphins (Basketligan) and won 5 titles. You played your best basketball in these years. Was this the best time of your life in basketball? Yes, those years in Norrkoping has definitely been the best basketball years I’ve experienced as a player. I’ve had great success individually in Norrkoping but also with the team who managed to bring home 4 league championships and 2 cup titals during my time there.
You had many playoff series in Sweden, but was the 2024 final against Boras the most exciting? What memories do you have of that exciting series? The 2024 SBL finals against Boras was definitely exciting, but I wouldn’t put it up there as the most exciting out of all my playoffs experiences. If I would have to choose the most exciting playoffs series that I have ever experienced it would probably be the 2022 SBL finals against Jamtland and 2023 Semi-finals also against Jamtland. The finals in 2022 ended up 4-2 for us where we won the last game away on their home court. If we would have lost that one it would have tured in to a game 7 in Norrkoping wich could have gone either way because Jamtland had a really good team that year. The 2023 semi-finals actually went to a game 7 were we won it away in Jamtland. We were the 3rd seed before playoffs that year so going to the finals as underdogs that season is something that I never will forget.
Now your playing abroad again this time with Hermine Nantes Atlantique (France-ProB). What kind of an experience has it been? Where would you rate the France Pro B in skill level compared with Sweden, Hungary and Poland?
We’ve had a very bad start to the season here in the French pro B, we are now at 19th place with a 2-10 win/loss record. This is definitely under our expectation before coming to this season and it is something we are trying to change for the upcoming part of the season. Other than that we as a team haven’t met up to the expectations yet I’ve enjoyed my stay in Nantes. The club is professional, nice city, good housing and a good group of guys. The league in itself is very competitive filled with great teams and talent. It´s a fast and very athletic league who plays very physical so it´s taking its time to adept to the pace of the league.
What is it like battling French big man Darel Poirior on a daily basis? 2 vets going head to head. Who gets the best of each other most?
Its been great, he is a great competiter who always plays hard. Hard to say who gets the better of one another the most, we don´t always play againt each other since he only plays the 4 and I’m both 4 and 5 in our team. Sometimes we play with each other and sometimes we play against eacher without even guarding one another.
Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Nicholas Spires? Haha great question. Since no one of us is truly a “one on one player” I would say we go pretty even if we play each other. It would depend on who has the best day to day shape and flow of the game.
Who is the best player that you ever battled on the court that reached the NBA? With my years in the national team I’ve played a bunch of guys who later on made it to the NBA. If I don´t include when we played the whole team of Germany in a pre season game during the summer of 2023 (right before they won the World Cup). I’ve played Alperen Sengun, among other stars in the Turkish national team. I’ve also had the chance to play Spains u20 national team in 2014 who had both Hernangomez brothers. Willy Hernangomez dunked on me in the fast break if I remember it right haha
Please name your 5 best Swedish teammates of all-time and your 5 best non Swedish teammates of all-time?
If I’m going do teammates outside of the national team I would make the list like this :
Best 5 Swedish players: Chris Czerapowicz, Tobias Borg, Martin Pahlmblad, Nick Spires and Johan Lofberg
Best 5 non-Swedish players: Skyler Bowlin, Jackson Rowe, Toni Bizaca, Daniel Amigo and Devonte Green.
Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore? My NBA Mount Rushmore would be: Steph Curry, Micheal Jordan, Koby Bryant, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal
Who is your GOAT? Thats a tough one. I would phrase it like this: I think that Micheal Jordan is the greatest basketball player to ever play this game, meanwhile LeBron has had the greatest basketball career we have ever seen. Depending on what you prefere and reference to in the GOAT debate there are different answers. But in my opinion I value LeBrons greatness of a career and therefore hold him as the GOAT. But like I said, I won’t argue against that Jordan was more of a complete player and therefore totally understand that people hold him as the GOAT.
Malik Riddle (193-G-1999, college: HSU) is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Tennessee playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro B team RheineStars Cologne. Last season he played with Gzira Athleta Birkirkara (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 28.8ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.5%. He began his basketball career at Rossville Christian Academy. He then played 2 seasons at Morehead State University (NCAA) and then played 3 seasons at Henderson State University (NCAA2). He teams up with germanhoops.com every week to talk basketball.
After tough loss to Erfurt and an exciting win over the Ahorn Baskets, how vital was it for the team to get a more comfortable win again beating Coburg 89-63? It felt good getting a comfortable win again. The team still felt we started off slow but glad we picked it up in the second half.
The RheinStars had a slow start but came back in the first quarter, but still trailed 23-20 after 10 minutes. Especially Ben Diederichs gave the team problems.
Yeah we started off too slow and weren´t locked in as we should’ve been, especially me. We have to all be collectively invested if we want to stop the slow starts.
The RheinStars then outscored Coburg 48-25 in the second and third quarters. What adjustments did the team make to defend better? We applied more ball pressure than we did the first half. We picked up the intensity and started getting easy buckets in transition.
The RheinStars broke the game wide open in the third quarter. How vital was your aggressiveness on the offensive end that helped ignite the RheinStars offense?
I felt I wasn’t aggressive enough on both ends of the floor so felt I needed to pick it up. Too relaxed first half and needed to play harder so the team could go on a run.
How proud were of the team that there were no let ups in the fourth quarter? The team played hard and executed until the end.
That was a good sign for sure, seeing how everyone was still focused in the end. We want to be a great team and in order to do that we need to finish games strong no matter what.
How satisfied were you overall of the defensive effort and pressure? You forced 26 turnovers as a team.
I thought we did a great job, have guys that play very hard on the defensive end and bring a lot of energy. Our defense is the key for us so as a team forcing 26 turnovers is good.
You had a very good shooting performance and scored 25 points. You were very efficient in 19 minutes. Are you getting more and more comfortable with your teammates every new game?
I’m getting more comfortable and I was just being aggressive and getting easy baskets. I know my teammates trust me so I just try to keep the aggression going.
You next play against the weak FC Bayern Munich. This is another team with very young players. How will you prepare for this next task best? We have to focus on our details no matter the team or age. We have to come out with focus and be aggressive from start to finish. Personally I have to do a better job out the gate and be better defensively for the team.
Vincent Friederici (190-PG-2001, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) is a 23 year old 190cm guard that began the season with pro B team Berlin Braves and now has joined the Nurnberg Falcons. He began his basketball career with the Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg NBBL team. In the last years he sampled vast experience playing in the Regionalliga with WSG Koenigs Wusterhausen, but also played 11 easyyyCredit BBL games with the Synatnics Weiissenfels. He also played with Pro A team Eisbaeren Bremerhaven and BSG Bremerhaven. The last 2 seasons he played with the ART Giants Duesseldorf (ProA) averaging 9.3ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 90.5% and with the VfL SparkassenStars Bochum (Germany-ProA) averaging 11.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 73.8%. He spoke to eurobasket recently when he was still a member of the Berlin Braves.
Thanks Vincent for talking to eurobasket. You are only 23 years old, but are already playing for your 10 team since 2017. Do you like the basketball germanytrotter life? Lol “globetrotter? I mean of course it would be nice to stay somewhere for a longer period of time but I think I‘m not in a situation where that is super necessary. I‘m looking for the best situation possible to develop my game and bring it to the next level.
Your playing for Pro B team Berlin Braves. You had experience in the BBL and had 2 solid Pro A seasons. Why take a step back to the Pro B? It’s also what I just said, I‘m looking for the best possible situation to bring my game to the next level. Many people would say going back to the Pro B is wasted time or stuff like that. But we all know the saying that sometimes we need to make a step back to make multiple steps forward and reach a new level. It‘s a great situation for me to put everything I worked on the last couple of years and summers on the court and into competition. I‘m preparing myself. And it‘s definitely working out right now!
What kind of an experience has it been playing for the Braves? What do you appreciate most about the Berlin Braves as an organization?
It‘s a great organization! Some of the people I already know just from the Berlin Community and especially just from the Braves Community. I already had to do with the Braves in the past with going to Greece and playing a 3×3 Torunament in 2019. The vision they have and what they trying to achieve especially on the professional level now is really great to see. And just as a player growing up and playing basketball in Berlin most of my career so far is really a humbling experience and I‘m grateful for the opportunity to help them with their goals and Theorie vision for the Braves Family!
The club has a new coach and many Germans and no import. Is it a bit risky to play like that? Cologne has 2 Americans and one French player.
It‘s special!! That‘s for sure. I love the idea, I love the project. The team is great and the team did show and is showing that we are good enough to compete with every team in the league. So yeah it might be unusual how the roster is set up but we are showing that you don‘t need import players to compete with everybody else. Also we are a very young team which is trying to develop in every aspect of the game. We know we can be great but we don‘t put pressure and ourselves and that‘s why I think that team is very special and will get better with every game played.
After 3 games could one say that you are the leader and go to guy? You have scored 87 points in 3 games averaging 29,0 ppg and shooting an insane 73% from outside. Are these 3 games the best 3 games in a row? Is this the best basketball that you have ever played?
Absolutely! That’s what I think, that’s what my coach sees in me and that’s what the team sees in me as well. Being one of the leaders on that team is my role! I‘m 23 but I‘m blessed that I already saw a lot of different basketball on different levels in Germany. So I bring a lot of experience to the Braves which helps me being a leader and developing my game and which helps everybody else developing their game with my leadership.
Is it the best basketball I played so far? I don‘t know but I know that I never played more freely and that definitely plays a big role in being that efficient.
You scored 41 points against Rostock. Did you eat a special breakfast that day? Not many can say at the Pro B level that they scored 41 points. Routine! Routine! Routine! I‘m doing what I always do. Working hard and giving 100% on the court from the moment the ball goes up. Right now I see my work paying of. And that‘s very motivating to keep doing that and gives me a kind of a feedback that the stuff I do with the people I do it with is special and the right stuff for me to do.
How quickly in that game did you know that you would have an incredible game?
A friend of mine who wants to go pro when the time is right himself as well asked me the same question a couple days ago. I told him that I don‘t really know when that click happened. I only know that I kind of got back to myself when I got subbed out shortly before halftime. I was kind of coming back out of a zone. I bet that sounds weird but that’s how it went and in the 2nd half I really just told myself ‘hey man, let‘s just get out there and see where we end up, just play your game’ and that’s what I did and that’s how that game happened
You never averaged more than 11,0ppg in a season in the Pro A and 17,0ppg in the Pro B. What do you credit this early success to? Did you work even harder last summer on your skills? It‘s the work!! And the patience as well. That‘s it. Hard work pays off is a real thing.
You are still young, but are you in a way a mentor for guys like Adrian Worthy and Jermaine Fleck? What do you appreciate most about their games? I would say yes. They ask me questions trying to find out how I see stuff and also I just go to them and tell them stuff but also the other way around I can learn things from every single one of my teammates too. And I‘m trying to do exactly that LEARNING. Because I think nobody will ever be in situation where they can‘t learn anything. And what I think is great about their games is that they just really trying to do play their style. They don‘t try to do anything else but playing their game. That’s great to see.
Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 190cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player or Euroleague player who would best fit the description? I‘m a big Steph Curry fan so I definitely try to take things from him but also from other guys I like watching playing basketball. I don‘t really know if there is a player where I would say we playing similar basketball. There are different players I really like to watch and take things from them and add it to my guy. Steph Curry is one of them but also Mike James and TJ Shorts.
Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard. What do you believe are your biggest strengths on the court? Absolutely!! I see myself as exactly that. A scoring Point Guard. That‘s what I did when I started playing Basketball, that’s what I did in the NBBL, that’s what I did in Sandersdorf in the ProB with the Sixers and that’s what I did in Bochum for example in the ProA especially at the beginning of the season before we had a couple of roster changes and that‘s what I do now. It‘s just what I can do best!
How would you describe the development of your 3 pointer. You never reached the 40% mark in your career. Could this be the year? Yes, I mean why not. I‘m on a good start right now. But I don‘t go into the season or any game with the mindset that I need to reach that percentage. My work will do that. I‘m just going out there and play the way I play. And then during and after the season it will unfold and show what I need to work on next.
How would you describe the development of your defensive game? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become? I think my defensive game is very good. Obviously I can still improve but I think I’m an annoying defender for a lot of players with a pretty good feeling for the game.
On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?
Right now it‘s just playing my game and putting everything out there without holding anything back. And then just doing everything quicker but not in a sense of faster and rushing things. It‘s more in a sense of processing stuff quicker and finding the right solution for every situation.
Last season you played with Pro A team Bochum averaging 11.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 73.8%. What kind of an experience was that for you? The team had a lot of scoring power, but you held your own averaging 11,0ppg. What was key for you being so efficient? You found your spots well.
I already said it. I was a scorer in that team as well. From the first day on. everybody wanted me to be aggressive and play my game. But I played a big role on the defensive side as well and had often the job of taking care of the opponents best players and doing that from game to game was giving me a great feedback on that part of the game and that’s what the team and the season with Bochum gave me overall. I had the opportunity to play alongside great players, Vets who are experienced, a coach who is experienced and everybody helped me develop my game in every aspect and trusting me. That’s how you are being efficient. Getting the trust and confidence not just from yourself but also from your coaches and teammates.
What was it like playing with great point guard David Cohn? Is he one of the best American point guards that you ever played against?
First of all David is a great human being. Definitely a great basketball player as well. And I would say a vision on the court which you don‘t see often, especially in the ProA.
In 2022-2023 you played with Duesseldorf. That was a very special season as the team moved up. What do you remember being the secret to the success? Team chemistry! From the first to the last guy and for the whole season we had a team chemistry which I didn‘t see often.
What was it like playing with Booker Coplin. He went from the Pro B via the Pro A to the BBL. How special of a player is he? How infectious is his energy? Booker is a allround player. He is good at everything and his energy on both ends is great. I‘m sure with his energy he is helping every team he is playing on. And I‘m more than happy for him that he made it to the BBL and can show what he is capable of on the next level.
You played 2 seasons with the Syntanics MBC in the BBL. You only played 11 BBL games. Did you get a fair chance there or didn´t you make the most of your chance? Kind of yes. I think I couldn‘t show everything. And I really think I would have been able to fil out a small role in that team.
You also played 2 seasons with MBC. How did your game grow there and how vital was a guy like Yasin Turan for your game? Did you already see that coaching in him then? Yasin definitely. He was and is a coaching guy even as a player. We also worked out together a couple times when we had the time slots to do so. He has a great view for the game and is a great coach in a sense that he knows what it takes to develop skills with different things.
They had many special players there. What 1 player had the biggest impact on you? I would say the biggest impact on me had Jamel Morris. Amazing amazing player and he was always there when I needed anything no matter if it was in practice or not. Definitely a guy I won‘t forget even though we only played one year together.
In 2019-2020 you were with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven where you played 11 games and also played NBBL averaging (34.6ppg), 5.9rpg, 2.0apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 84.8% How do you remember getting that early Pro A experience? You were teammates with some older guys like Oliver Clay, Anthony Canty, Adrian Breitlauch and Sid-Marlon Theis? Was one of them like a mentor for you? Oliver Clay was definitely my ride or die. I mean literally. He always took me to practice at that time because I didn‘t have my drivers licence yet, but also on the court he always helped me out and tried to get me to the next level. Tony Canty did the same thing and it was very helpful especially because it was a guard to guard relationship and he told me how he sees the game and stuff like that. But also Addi and SMT did help me improving. So was one of them like a mentor to me? I would say all of them did something close to that.
You scored 40 points or more 5 times in 8 games including 47 points against Oldenburg and Hagen. Did that NBBL season feel like you were a man among boys? I definitely like how that sounds. I think I was mainly with the ProA for a reason that year and what I showed in the NBBL only confirmed that.
In 2018-2019 you played with WSG Koenigs Wusterhausen (Regionalliga) averaging 1.3ppg, 1.0rpg,and played also at AB Baskets (NBBL) averaging 9.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 73.0%. I remember seeing you play during the NBBL playoffs against Frankfurt for the first time. That was a huge success sweeping Frankfurt against guys like Len Schoorman, Maxi Begue and Jordan Samare. What memories do you have of those games? Oh it’s great memories. We lost to Frankfurt in the prior year and getting to meet them 1 year later and sweeping them on the way to the first final four in AB Baskets history is iconic. Even today I love it when this topic comes up and you can kind of get back to that time and think about it. It was a really great time with everybody involved. Intense games and everybody on both teams knew how good of a team we were and that we were way better than the year before. So everybody was aware that this is going to be a revenge series for us.
In that NBBL season you were teammates with brother Marc. You also have brother Leon. Talk a little about the relationship you have with your brothers on and off the court?
The relationship with both of my brothers is one of the most important relationships I have. They are my ride or die. We sharing the same passion. We all have the same drive. We all working our asses of to get the most out of us. And I think that‘s what‘s connecting us even more than just being siblings which are very close to each other. And that definitely gives us a understanding for each other which is not replaceable in any way. Both on and of the court. We just share the same interests and sometimes we also think and talk about our future together and all that. It‘s just really close together no matter what we do. Especially with my twin. We just grew up together, went to school together, played always on the same team together (til we went pro) That‘s a bond which nobody will ever understand as long as they don‘t share it with a twin as well. Brothers For Life ??
Who is the best player that you ever played against in your life that reached the NBA, Euroleague or other top league? I mean from the basketball stand point and the level that they actually played when I had the chance to play against him. Then I would say TJ Shorts. If we talking about a player I played against in the past and who now reached a high level than I‘d say Franz Wagner.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Jamel Morris
My brother Leon (because we had the chance to share the court together as teammates on a pro level. That’s why I don‘t count Marc because we didn‘t play together on a pro team otherwise he definitely would be on that list too)
Franz Wagner
Sergio Kerusch
Goran Huskic
Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore. Your 4 best players of all-time?
Steph Curry
MJ
Kobe
Shaq
Who is your GOAT?
Steph Curry
Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Marc and you or Leon?
Maaaan. Everybody who knows me, knows that answer. It’s ME!
DJ Woodmore (190-SG-1992, college: VWU) is a 32 year old 190cm point guard that is playing his 10th professional season and 8th with the Ahorn Camp Bis Baskets Speyer. Last season with Speyer he averaged 17.9ppg, 5.9rpg, 4.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 82.9% and 2 seasons ago averaged 16.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 86.6%. Three seasons ago he averaged 15.5ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 81.0%. In the 2020-2021 season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz he averaged 13,3ppg, 6,0rpg, 4,3apf and 1,3spg. In 2019-2020 with the Morgenstern BIS Basket Speyer (Germany-ProB) he played 21 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 87.3%. In 2018-2019 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.2%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.6%. In his first two seasons with Speyer he averaged 14.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 72.1% and 17.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 76.4%. he played at Virginia Wesleyan College (NCAA3): from 2010-2014 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 20.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.3% (219/435), 3Pts: 46.0% (91/198), FT: 76.9% (93/121). He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big 76-71 win over Ludwigsburg.
Congrats DJ on the big 76-71 win in Ludwigsburg. How big was it winning again after the tough 86-84 loss last weekend to the RheinStars?
Thanks, I thought it was an important win for us, but not because of the loss to Köln but it’s always better to go into the bye week with a good feeling. We’ll enjoy the break a little more this way.
Sometimes a team can be down after a tough loss like against the RheinStars, but the Ahorn Camp Baskets rebounded with a win. Did you sense there was some urgency within the team to win right away again?
I think we approached it the same way as we always have. I think everybody feels like we let a few games slip through our hands. But we’ve been right there every weekend. We’re very familiar with Ludwigsburg and know how dangerous they can be. So it was already a sense of urgency.
Ludwigsburg had the tight 20-17 lead after 10 minutes. The team allowed many three´s early on, but then cleaned that up. Did their influx of three´s surprise you early on?
Yes, a few guys who we weren’t expecting to hit shots stepped up and made some tough ones. But well we didn’t panic. I thought we stuck to the game plan early and just played percentages.
In the second quarter Speyer buckled down on defense allowing only 9 points to lead 32-29. What adjustments did the team make on the defensive end? Just staying consistent and trusting the game plan. David Aichele was really good protecting the basket. And Dennis Diala was doing a good job at making it tough for their guards.
In the third quarter Ludwigsburg found their offensive groove again and scored 25 points. They had the 54-53 advantage after 30 minutes. Speyer had problems containing the drive and what else gave you headaches on defense in the third quarter? I thought they did a good job of attacking and not settling. And we had the opposite approach. We settled a little bit too much and allowedthem to make their runs. Turnovers also killed us in the third.
It was a tight battle in the fourth quarter. What did head coach Carl Mbassa tell the team to do better in the fourth quarter?
Slow the game down and let the offense create opportunities for us. We took better care of the ball and had more possessions. We found Carlos and he was stepping up big time.
Carlos Hidalgo scored 8 unanswered points to get Speyer in great position to cruise to victory. Is Hidalgo Speyer´s version of Ruppert Hennen of the RheinStars? He’s definitely our floor general and sets the tone for us in late game situations. When he has it going we’re a much better team. He was everywhere offensively and defensively with four steals.
But Ludwigsburg kept fighting and cut the lead down to 1 point with a few minutes remaining. What was key in crunch-time for preserving the win?
We’ve been in similar situations and couldn’t pull it out. I think the experience helped us in this game. I want to say we’re learning from our mistakes.
Where was this game won? From the stats pretty even and despite Speyer hitting only 3 three´s, you won the game. Was it the little things here and there that sealed the win?
Stepping up and hitting free throws was big for us. We weren’t perfect from the line but we made the ones we needed to. And got the stops when we needed to!
Ludwigsburg always have really talented young players. Some that come to mind are Lenny Anigbata and Julis Baumer. Was there one player that stood out for you?
Anigbata Baumer and Pleta are all really good young players. Definitely think they all have bright futures ahead of them.
Speyer is 4-4. How content have you been with the start? Without 3 road wins in a row, the team would be struggling now. After starting 0-3 in definitely content with where we are. But I think we all believe we could easily be 6-2 or 7-1. A couple fourth quarter collapses have changed the outcome of a lot of these games. I think we’ve led in the 4th quarter in every game this season.
How realistic are the playoffs this season with the team you have and the Pro B competition? Very realistic but we won’t look that far ahead. Just need to get through the rest of this tough schedule we have ahead of us.
The team has a good core back with Hidalgo, Diala and Aichele and Rupp. How would you describe the team chemistry at this juncture of the season?
Great chemistry. Everybody has a good feel for each other on and off the court and I think that helps. And the new players fit is perfectly with the core.
Your averaging 20,0ppg this season and since returning to Speyer from Koblenz in 2021, you have improved your season scoring each season. You continue to show no signs of slowing down. Does the fact that knowing this is your team continue to motivate you to be the best version of yourself?
Absolutely. I feel like I’m improving each year. But knowing my team needs me to lead and be ready each week, makes the motivation easy to keep going.
I thought I had seen it all with 40 points last season against Ludwigsburg and this season bang you do it again against Wurzburg. How about scoring another 40 points this season?
I really needed to be on my game against Würzburg. At that point we were 0-3 and I know we shouldn’t afford to drop another one. I was locked in from the jump. I’m a little upset I missed a wide open layup that could of gave me a career high. But I’ll take the 40 and the win.
Coming into this season you had averaged 40% or better from outside in 2 of the last 3 seasons and now your averaging a crazy 57% from outside. Do you have that feeling now that everything you tough will fall in? Yes. I shoot it with extreme confidence. And I only look to take the good shots. I try not to force anything so every shot feels comfortable
You also continue to be a aggressive defender and continue to defend very well. What´s the most challenging thing with defending well and being consistent at this stage of your career where you aren´t getting any younger? Just trying to limit my mistakes defensively. But if I’m being honest, it’s hard to bring that level of focus and intensity in practice each day but it’s always going to be there on the weekend. Hope it stays that way for the next few years.
Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Carlos Hidalgo? Me and it’s not even close lol
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