Boston Celtics

Playing JUCO Helped Ronald Jackson(Anwil Wloclawk) Build Character And Was Instilled With Discipline and Lessons That Has Helped Him Get This Far

Ronald Jackson Jr. (203-F-1997, college: NC A&T, agency: BIG) is a 27 year old 203cm forward from Florida playing his 5th professional season and first with Anwil Wloclawek (Poland-OBL). Last season he suited up with : Kometa Kaposvari KK (Hungary-A Division) averaging 11.2ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 77.4%. In the 2022-2023 season he played with Reale Mutua Basket Torino (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 9.9ppg, 6.2rpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 84.8%. In the 2021-2022 season he balled with Rogaska Crystal (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) averaging 13.2ppg, Reb-3 (9.3rpg), 1.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 73.2%; and in the Adriatic League 2) averaged 12.8ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.7spg, Blocks-1 (1.1bpg), FGP: 63.0%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 83.3%. He played his rookie season with BG Goettingen (Germany-BBL) and Instituto Atletico Central Cordoba (Argentina-La Liga) averaging 8.0ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 64.9%. He began his basketball career at Flemng Island high school and then played 2 seasons at Hillsborough Community College (JUCO) averaging 6.7ppg, 6.6rpg, FGP: 52.6%, FT: 64.7% and 13.0ppg, 10.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.1%. He then played 2 more seasons at North Carolina A&T State University (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 73.8% and.0ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 76.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Thanks Ronald for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your fifth pro season and have played for 7 organizations. Do you feel like a basketball globetrotter?

Yes I do actually. I’ve played basketball in about 3 different continents and experienced things I never imagined.

Your playing your first season with Anwil Wloclawek (Poland-OBL). What kind of an experience has it been playing for this club?

The experience has been a good one thus far. Business is taken care of well and we are a strong team with good depth.

You will be facing German team Ludwigsburg soon. You already played them in Germany and lost 86-81. What is your overall impression of German basketball and have you had friends ball there?

Though I had only a short stint in Germany, I have experienced the strength of the German league. A strong competitive and organized league with good talent. I made very good friends in Germany that I still communicate with to this day.

You have always been close to winning titles a pro but still seeking that first one. This season could be that golden opportunity as your in first place in the polish league. How big is your desire to win that first chip?

Winning a championship would be an amazing accomplishment. I’ve come close and I’ve got to see what it takes to be the last team standing. It is quite a desire of mine considering I’ve never won any type of team championship since I began playing basketball. Always very close.

As a pro you have averaged more than 19 minutes per season, but this season it´s at 10 minutes in the Polish league. Do you have a different kind of role than usual?

Considering my situation this year and joining the team late being a replacement for an injured player, I was aware of my role being historically different considering the depth this team has and the success prior to me coming. However I’m always ready to compete.

The team is really stacked with a lot of bigs like Funderburk and Petrasek. How vital are the daily battles with them and others for your game? The competitive nature must be huge.

I’m a competitor at heart and have always been an underdog since I got cut from making the high school team at 16. So battling against them week in and week out along with my other teammates is a nice challenge, as they are all good players. Iron sharpens Iron so it’s only making us better.

Let´s talk a little about your career. You have seen so much, lived in many cultures and seen many different brands of basketball. How do you explain your ability to really have been able to adjust anywhere and simply produce?

I think my game is applicable to any style and any league of basketball. A guy who can do a little bit of everything, play and guard multiple positions, play defense, rebound and can make the right plays.

You played last season with Kometa Kaposvari KK (Hungary-A Division) averaging 11.2ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 77.4%. What kind of an experience was that for you and what was your fondest moment there?

My experience last year was an interesting one. One where I really had to learn to just control what I can control and be ready no matter what adjustments or random changes may occur. My fondest memory would probably be the games we won when the odds were against us.

You played the 2022-2023 season with Reale Mutua Basket Torino (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 9.9ppg, 6.2rpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 84.8%. Many say this league belongs to the best second divisions overseas. Was it the best league that you have played in?

A2 was certainly a really good league to play in and it was competitive on both divisions. It’s definitely one of the better leagues I played in for sure.

How tough was it losing to Pistoia in the final? You had played 2 very exciting series against Milan and Treviglio. Was that some of the most exciting basketball that you have encountered in your life?

It was tough losing to Pistoia. Sometimes I wonder how things would’ve went if we won. But congrats to them they were a good team. The environment in the playoffs was very special.

You played the 2021-2022 season for Rogaska Crystal (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) averaging 13.2ppg, Reb-3 (9.3rpg), 1.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 73.2%; and in the Adriatic League 2) averaged 12.8ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.7spg, Blocks-1 (1.1bpg), FGP: 63.0%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 83.3%. Was that one of your best seasons as a pro?

This was one of my better seasons. I had a heavier role on this team and my coach Damjan Novakovic did well with helping me adjust to the European style of basketball.

What will you always remember from the semi-finals against top team Cedevita? They had some big time players and Yogi Ferrell.

Yes they had some big time players and a lot of depth. The city of Rogaska was proud of our efforts but Cedevita defeated us.

You split your rookie season with BG Goettingen (Germany-BBL) and Instituto Atletico Central Cordoba (Argentina-La Liga) averaging 8.0ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 64.9%; and in the BCL Americas averaged 9.0ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 58.8%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was being cut! That introduced me to another side of basketball. It made me realize how much a fit and situation really matters to a team. It was during Covid as well so to go to two different continents at that time was unique.

What was it like living and playing in Argentina? You lived in a nice city Cordoba. What did you enjoy most about their culture?

I didn’t get to experience much because we were in a bubble during covid. But the weather and scenery was refreshing. Sometimes it reminded me of home and the meals were nice.

You had some well known names as teammates and coach. You played for Sebastian Ginoboli who is the brother of legend Manu and with Juan Brussino, the brother of Nicholas who played in the NBA. Did Sebastian tell any inspirational Manu stories?

No Sebastian didn’t really talk to much. I was there for a couple weeks and then we had a new coach.

You played at Hillsborough Community College (JUCO) averaging 6.7ppg, 6.6rpg, FGP: 52.6%, FT: 64.7% and 13.0ppg, 10.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.1%. Every guy that I have interviewed that played JUCO have said it was a grind but one that was very worthwhile. How was it for you?

JUCO for sure is a grind. I did 3 years there (walk-on redshirt freshman) and made it do the division 1 level. It was very difficult for me mourning the loss of my mother, trying out for the team for a month, tough workouts, balancing school and being away from home. It builds character for sure.

You made a massive jump in your game in your second season. How vital was head coach Derrick Worrels for your development? How did he help you grow best?

Huge shoutout to Coach Worrels for giving me an opportunity. He was hard on me and he instilled disciplines and lessons in me that have gotten me to this point in my career.

You then played 2 seasons at North Carolina A&T State University (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 73.8% and 15.0ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 76.5%. Again you made a big jump in your game in your second season. How did your game grow there?

The grind grew my game. I knew I wanted to play pro ball and I knew there were a lot of people ahead of me so I just worked on my craft on and off the court. I had good coaches and good teammates and especially my point guard Kameron Langley who’s currently on the coaching staff at Clemson.

How did head coach Jay Joyner groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Joyner taught life lessons that can be used on and off the court.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Devin Haygood?

I don’t remember playing Dev too much in 1v1 but we definitely had great battles playing king of the hill.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Pg- Kameron Langley

Sg- Jordan Stevens

SF- Aubrey Dawkins

Center – Tai Odiase

Jorge Gutierrez

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Lebron Mj Kobe Shaq

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

I’ll take Lebron over Jordan. He can practically do everything and guard every position, and what he’s done, we’ve never seen anything like it before. But I like to think Lebron is the greatest basketball player of all time, but Jordan is the greatest to play the game if that makes sense.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Didn’t see it.

Thanks Ronald for the chat.

The Miles Vs Malik Riddle Weekly Basketball Chat Volume 9

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 RheinStars 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 withgermanhoops.com every week to talk basketball.

Congrats on the big 84-81 win over Ehingen. It was the third win in a row and third win in row where you won with a few points. How much longer are these consecutive crunch time wins go?

Big win for us for sure, and I don’t know just glad we are figuring out a way to win in these crunch time games. Shows that we can lock in as a team and finish strong.

You have won 5 close games and lost only once. How do you explain this incredible knack of being able to win at the end?

We try not to panic and just stay calm and try to focus on what we want to execute during those moments.

The RheinStars Cologne had the comfortable 45-37 lead at the break. What was key for having the solid lead?

I think in the first half we did a good job of getting stops on the other end which led to some good transition baskets.

Stephan Baeck took a time out at the 6,48 minute mark of the fourth quarter stopping Ehingen´s lightening start to the fourth quarter as they tied the game 70-70. What advice did he give the team?

Stephan told us to pick it up on the defensive end his biggest focus is for us to be aggressive on defense and get some stops.

Talk about the last seconds and Jannis Von Seckendorf´s dunk. You guys had the lead, but how thrilling was that dunk?

It was great to see him get that dunk. Felt like we solidified that win with that dunk.

You didn´t have a good shooting night and had only 2 points. How do you recover from a game like this?

No I didn’t some nights be like that even for the best players in the world. I just have to move on and lock in for the next game. And focus on my effort being better.

You next play Oberaching who you beat 90-86 a few weeks ago. What will the team have to be more aware of this time?

I think we just have to be better at boxing out as well as no easy baskets or paint touches.

Thanks Malik for the chat.

Juan Fernandez(Umana Reyer Venezia) Is A Leader And Learned Early That It´s Never About You But That Team Comes First

Juan Fernandez (193-G-1990, college: Temple) is a 34 year old 193cm guard from Argentina, but also has the Italian citizenship playing his 10th professional season and first with Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy-Serie A). He has played most of his pro career in Italy, but also played in Spain and Argentina. He played at Temple University (NCAA) from 2008-2012 reaching the NCAA tournament each season. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Hamburg Towers.

Thanks Juan for talking to germanhoops.com. Before we begin with your career, I have to tell you that we have a few connections however one wants to label it. I have been in Argentina 17 times in my life dating from 1983-2007. Unfortunately I haven´t been there in a while. Most of my visits were in 90´s. Have you ever met a person that has been there as much as I have?

That’s great. Argentina is a beautiful country; I hope you’re able to make it back there soon.

My first longer stay was 1986 when I witnessed Argentina beat Germany in the world cup in a living room in Argentina filled with about 30 enthuastic Argentines. I had to keep quiet and watch how much I cheered for Germany. Lol. Anyway 2 guys from that visit I´m still friends with today as well as some others that I met in the 90´s. I have got to know the Argentine people as very friendly and loyal no matter how bad the conditions may be. What do you think makes Argentine people in general this way?

Argentinians are super passionate and proud people. I think, as South Americans, we’ve had to become really resilient over time, dealing with a lot of challenges as a country. That resilience has taught us that we’re stronger when we come together. Socializing is just part of who we are; we don’t overthink it. You can organize an asado for 30 people in five minutes, no problem. Our tradition of drinking ‘mate’ is another great example. Mate isn’t just a drink; it’s a way to connect and share time with others. I think our history, with all its ups and downs, mixed with the influence of our European roots, especially Spain and Italy, has made us passionate, resilient, empathetic, and really good at sticking together when it counts. That combination is what makes Argentinians who we are.

I actually got to know normal people in a small town about 500 kilometers west of Buenos Aires in my first visit to the town in 86. But my family actually had connections to Argentina with a very well known family. I will never forget many incredible times with them especially their sons who were always so nice to me despite me being 10+ years older. The family I´m talking about are the Roemmers. The names Maradona and Messi are household names, but how well respected is this name in Argentina?

In Argentina, many respected names and people have done great things for the country, and there is no doubt about that. However, soccer is like our religion. If you can make Argentinians proud and represent them well inside a soccer field, you will win their hearts. That’s what Messi and Maradona have managed to do.

My other connection is TJ DiLeo. I covered him for many years in Germany. You were teammates with him at Temple. How was your relationship with him then and did a friendship remain in the last 15 years?

I have a great relationship with TJ and his family. They were among the few people who took me in during a difficult transition, my first time leaving the comfort of my home in Argentina to chase my college dream in the United States. Our paths with TJ also crossed in Europe. He was a great teammate and an even better friend. Our relationship continues to this day. These relationships are what I cherish the most about my career, even more than any trophy or individual accolade.

You were born in Argentina, but also have the Italian citizenship. How is it for you personally to have been born in Argentina and be teammates with so many Italians each season. Do they see you as an Italian or more as an Argentine?

Because Argentinian and Italian cultures share many similarities, it has been really easy for me to adapt and blend in with my Italian teammates. I believe they consider me more Italian than foreign, although they never forget I’m Argentinian; I wear that label proudly. It’s nice to feel so welcomed in this country; I’ve made many friends and met wonderful people. Both of my kids were born in this country. My wife and I also got married here. Italy definitely feels like home for my family and me.

You have been a professional player since 2012 and have played most of your career in Italy. Was the love for Italy so big that you never played anywhere else besides Spain and Argentina?

I’ve always made career decisions in line with what I thought was also best for my family. Because we love living in Italy, we always decided to stay when I had the option. What led me to pursue a year in Spain were some challenges experienced in Italy during the off-season, which made me feel like it was time for a change of direction and look for new stimuli. I honestly never saw myself playing anywhere else other than these two countries.



Your playing your first season with Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy-Serie A). You have played in some very pretty places in Italy, but now Venice is home. You couldn´t be living in a more beautiful place. What do you enjoy most about that city?

Venice is unique for obvious reasons. Having played in Italy for many years, we had visited this city in the past, although we never lived nearby. Getting to experience it as a local and exploring it more often is something we’re extremely grateful for. People spend a lot of energy, money, and time to travel here and visit Venice. We’re very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.

This is only the second time that you have played international club basketball in the Eurocup. You played once very early in your career. How has this competition helped your game grow? You see great competition in Serie A, but it must be a big plus to be able to play here.

The Eurocup is a great competition. Any chance you get to play at a European level is a great opportunity for a player to keep growing and challenge yourself against high-level competition. Although the schedule and the traveling sometimes make the season a little more demanding, I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know many beautiful places and play at some of the nicest arenas in Europe. It’s great for us to challenge ourselves as a team and keep growing as well.

How tough is it getting minutes this season. There are many ex NBA players at the guard position with Mcgruder, Munford and Ennis. Is every practice for you like a game 7 simply because your fighting to get minutes in the next game.

I knew my role very clearly coming into the team this season. After over two years away from professional sports, I also had clear goals and objectives for myself. I wanted to enjoy my experience playing basketball again, prove to myself that I could get back to playing at a high level, and help the team wherever my help would be needed, either on or off the court at any given time. My personal journey, at this time, goes way beyond how many minutes I play.

You only averaged in double figures once as a professional, but usually around 8-9 points per game. Was that “role” player a job that you grew into well as a professional or was it tougher?

I don’t consider scoring the most important part of the game or something that defines whether you’re a starter or a ‘role’ player. I’ve always tried to put the team first and help where I saw help was needed. There have been teams where I was asked to take more of an offensive role and teams where my job was to facilitate for others as a point guard. I regard intelligence, selflessness, and adaptability as some of the most important attributes any basketball player could have.

You played 5 seasons with :Pallacanestro Alma Trieste and helped the club move up to Serie A in your first season. What do you remember being extra special about that winning team?

Trieste holds a very special place in my heart. The bond my family and I created with this city, the club, and its people is truly something special. I always say that the team we won that championship with was one of the best teams I’ve ever played for, not for its talent on the court but for the relationships we managed to build outside of it. I still stay in touch with every player on that team and even the coaching staff. I believe that was the key to our success that year.

You were teammates with Javonte Green. 2 years later he reached the NBA and has been there since. Would you have thought back in 2017 that he could reach the NBA so quickly via Europe and stay there?

I wouldn’t say I knew he would reach the NBA so quickly because something like that depends on so many variables beyond what any player can control. I definitely knew he had the potential, however, to make it to the NBA. Javo was one of the best players and teammates I’ve ever shared a team with, and I’m so happy to see him shine in one of the best leagues in the world.

You were teammates with American Ricky Hickman. He had won the Euroleague. What memories do you have of him? How vital was it having a veteran like that on the team?

We didn’t share much time on the court with Ricky because he got there after our season had started, and then that year, the season stopped because of COVID-19. It was good to share the team with someone like him, and his experience helped us during a difficult time as a team.

You played 5 seasons with Italian veteran Daniele Cavaliero and then he retired. How vital was his leadership and overall having him as a teammate? Could a guy like you soak anything up from his words of wisdom?

Dani is one of my very good friends to this day and one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. I’m grateful to have shared a team with him for so many years, and our time together definitely helped me mature as a player and as a person. We also share similar interests outside of basketball, so our conversations would go beyond just sports. He was also the first teammate I ever opened up to about my struggles right before retiring from basketball in 2022. His support and guidance during that difficult personal time is something I will be forever thankful for.

You played a season with Cafes Candelas Breogan Lugo (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 9.0ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 87.8%. What kind of an experience was Spain? What did you enjoy most about the season?

The transition was challenging for me. The club was great, and its people really welcomed me and my family with open arms. However, as I said before, I was coming off of a challenging post-season experience in Italy, and in some ways, it was difficult for me to leave that behind. I didn’t have the maturity and mental strength needed to fully overcome a moment like that back then, and I believe I paid for that during the season in Spain. The human and social side of the experience was amazing. We loved living in Lugo and experiencing their culture. On the basketball side, although I wouldn’t categorize it as a bad season for me, I definitely would have liked to play better and help the team more than I did.

You played 3 seasons with Centrale del Latte Brescia (Italy-Serie A2) helping win the Serie 2 title in 2016. What do you remember being so special about that team?

I always say that there are two places in Italy my family and I will never forget, and those are the two cities where my kids were born. My daughter was born in Brescia, and my son in Trieste. Brescia was also where my wife and I got married, so the place holds great significance for us. To add to that, it was my first championship as a professional, so that’s something I’ll never forget. I also still stay in touch with many of my former teammates from that team. Brescia was a great place to live in; I’m also very grateful for our experiences there.

You also played briefly with Banco di Sardegna Sassari (Italy-Serie A). They had some great veterans on that team like the Diener brothers, and Drew Gordon. What memories do you have of Drew Gordon who died a few years ago?

I actually didn’t get to play with Drew Gordon on that team. I left the team in January and he got there after that. People have told me great things about him, however, and we were all very sad to hear about his passing. May he rest in peace. I did build good relationships with many of my teammates that season, including Travis and Drake Diener. In fact, I’m now sharing the team with Amadeo Tessitori again, who was also part of that team in Sassari. It’s great to reconnect with former teammates after so long.

You played at temple University (NCAA) from 2008-2012 reaching the NCAA tournament each season. Not many guys can say they did it every season. Was your time at temple one of the best basketball years of your life?

Without a doubt, my time at Temple was one of the best and most transformative periods of my life. The college experience in the States is truly unique, and I’m very grateful that all of the teams I played for those years experienced such success on the court, something not easy to accomplish. Going to Temple was the true start to my journey of chasing the dream of becoming a professional basketball player, and it helped me create the foundations as a person that would guide the rest of my life. Although the college basketball world has drastically changed since then with the NIL, I still recommend any young player who has the opportunity to go to college in America to live the experience and get their degree while still growing and developing as an athlete in one of the best places in the world to do so.

In your freshman season you played Arizona (NCAA) at March madness playing 6 minutes. Do you remember being on the floor with James Harden? Would you ever have thought then that he could become one of the best NBA players in the last decade?

I didn’t play much of that game, so I got to watch most of it from the bench. You could tell Harden would be good, although I don’t think I imagined then that he would become the superstar he is. Although I’m not a huge fan of his game, there’s no denying he’s one of the most talented and skilled players in the NBA. I’m fortunate to have faced such level of competition in college.

Was you’re your winning shot over Penn State (NCAA) at March Madness your most fondest moment at Temple? How cool was getting to take the last shot? Your teammate Khalif Wyatt helped a bit persuading coach to draw it up.

That moment was definitely the highlight of my college basketball career. Of course, getting my degree was a huge milestone too, but that was off the court. What made this moment so special for me was knowing how much it meant to Coach Dunphy and the whole team, especially after being eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament two seasons in a row. The fact that my teammates trusted me to handle the ball and make the decision in such a big moment meant everything to me.Sure, it was amazing that the result went in our favor, but honestly, what mattered most was having their trust in such a critical situation. That feeling of being relied on by your team is way more meaningful to me as a player than making the shot.

How did Fran Dunphy groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

The main thing that Coach Dunphy did for me was to take me outside of my comfort zone. There were many tough moments together, and although I didn’t fully understand it then, I now see that he was helping me and my teammates build mental strength and develop our character. He taught me to be a leader and put the team first. “It’s never about you,” he would always say, and that’s a lesson I’ve always carried with me. We have a great relationship to this day, and I’m grateful to call him a mentor and a friend, not just a coach.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or TJ DiLeo?

TJ had the athleticism and defensive skills I never had. When it came to the offensive end, I’d say I could hold my ground. In some ways, we complemented each other on the court. It was fun sharing a team with him because we also got along very well off the court, which translated to the game during the times we played together. We understood each other.

Who was the greatest player that you battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Kawhi Leonard. After that buzzer-beater game against Penn State, we played San Diego State during the second round of the tournament. You could tell Kawhi was going to be a great player then.

Please name your 5 best teammates of alltime? Let me guess TJ DiLeo is on that list.

TJ DiLeo, Daniele Cavaliero, Andrea Coronica, Marcos Delia, Salva Arco.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili.

Who is your GOAT?

As a former pro player and as a person, my father.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I did not see the sequel, sorry.

Thanks Juan for the chat.

Finland Prepared Jeff Garrett For Life And Despite Walking In Snow Blizzards For 8 Months He Always Kept A Positive Mentality And Worked Like He Never Did Before

Jeff Garrett (201-F-1994, college: LSUS, agency: Players Group) is a 30 year old 201cm forward playing his 6th professional season and second with the Niners Chemnitz (BBL). He also has vast experience overseas having played in Lithuania, Ukraine, Finland and Luxemburg. He began his basketball career at Oldsmar Christian high school in Florida. He then played 2 NCAA seasons with Northern Kentucky University (NCAA) and in his last season played with : Louisiana State University at Shreveport (NAIA) averaging 18.8ppg, 14.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6bpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 75.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Jeff for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second season with the Niners Chemnitz. Before Chemnitz you played parts of 2 seasons with the same team in Lithuania. How much of a second home has Chemnitz become?

Chemnitz has been so great for my family. We get treated with so much love by the supporters. It was a huge adjustment at first, but overall it has been pleasing and thrilling.

The club is having a solid season in the easyCredit BBL, but not as good as last season. Has there been much pressure to live up to last season´s success?

No not for me. I come to play each day to get better. Last season was a different team. We still have some pieces from last season, but this is a new season with new things.

I believe the most key pick up last season was Deandre Lansdowne. How vital is his leadership skills for the success?

I learn so much from him on and off the court. We talk about anything. His journey is so unique. The way his leadership has developed just shows how special his journey is. He is well respected all over the world. His leadership and game is a reason why I want to keep climbing. I love Dre.

How connected do you feel to Deandre Lansdowne considering you both came from the bottom to the top. Who´s chip on their shoulder is greater?

I´m not one to compare. Both chips are great. I admire his whole life. His journey has been tough. He had a different kind of upbringing. He had no parents. A big shout out for his career in basketball. He continues to fight and no matter the circumstances continues to become greater.

What has been your impression of Victor Bailey? He made the step from Pro A and has needed no adjustment time.

He is a great dude. I saw right away that he was hungry. He is a great kid and he has a great family. There is a foundation there. He has a great will to get better. He is real easy to play with. I´m here to help guide him through process. He makes everything easier for all with his scoring ability.

How special was last season? You had reached finals in Lithuania and then won the Fiba Europe Cup. How much do you cherish that title and run?

We had a historic season in Lithuania reaching the cup final. When I Got to Chemnitz last season, I felt like we could do great things here. We got better day by day and almost had the longest winning streak in BBL history. We overcame that and still played great and won the Fiba Cup title. We truly showed how great we were.

The final series against Bahcesehir was an incredible series. What moment will you always remember most from that final series?

The last possession. Every possession mattered in this game. All our bigs had fouled out and we played with 5 guards on the court. We couldn´t storm the court at first at the end, because we didn´t know if the ref would call a foul. But once we had won, storming the court is a vivid moment that I will never forget.

Head coach Rodrigo Pastore continues to prove that he belongs to the top coaches in the easyCredit BBL. What is his biggest strength and how has he been able to build this overwhelming last season?

I honestly think that coach could be needed anywhere in the world and he would succeed. He could be in any system and be successful. He lives and breathes this basketball lifestyle. He has been one of favorite coaches. Even when we have vacation, you would hope he is also on vacation, but he probably isn´t. He does everything he can to make the organization better. He holds everyone at a high standard. I also have to give a big shout out to the whole organization and what it has achieved in the last 9 years.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think the best comparison would be Draymond Green minus the antics and fouls. I´m a better three point shooter. I hold everyone to a high standard. I´m not the most vocal, but try to lead in the best way possible. I think I understand what everyone else brings to the table.

You’re a great scorer and rebounder, but also a strong defender. Would you call a 2 way player?

I wouldn´t disagree with that. I pride myself as a 2-way player. I don´t only let one part effect my game.

You fill the stat sheet like no other. Have you always been a versatile player or was that developed in your NAIA season at Louisiana State University at Shreveport?

No, I always had versatility. It just grew bit by bit. I have always added things to it. I think my versatility just stuck out more at Louisiana. I got a clear shot there and was able to show my game.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I think that I´m becoming a smarter defender. Before I would gamble at any cost. I´m thinking the game more now. Now I go up and down the court and get stops no matter who there is. In the past I was more careless.

On what area´s of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

I want to advance to be more of a ball screen player. I feel like I´m a good playmaker. I have the mentality to do something different each night on the court.

Last season you played with Jonavos CBet (Lithuania-LKL) averaging 13.9ppg, Reb-5 (7.3rpg), 1.8apg, Steals-3 (2.1spg), Blocks-3 (1.0bpg), FGP: 63.1%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 74.8%. What will you always remember from the tough playoff loss against Lietkabelis?

That was a very tough final. I have much love for Lithuania. We unfortunately didn´t have enough depth to win the title. I felt a lot of fatigue after loss to Rytas.

In the 2021-2022 season you played with BC Kyiv Basket (Ukraine-Superleague) averaging 8.9ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, 1.1bpg, 2FGP: 50.9%, 3FGP: 20.6%, FT: 76.0%; in the Fiba Europe Cup and in the Ukrainian Superleague averaged 10.3ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 55.2%, 3FGP: 36.3%, FT: 73.8%. How tough was being there for months and seeing how the war broke out. How did all the drama effect you and how did you handle it?

That was a bitter sweet situation. That was my first season overseas where my family was with me. We had 6 Americans all from the south. We had a special culture on and off the court. We had so many good times, but on the flip side there were money issues. We got our money late. We had a good team, but you could see that there was a separation on the team. We weren´t used to war. When it got treacherous, we left.

Did these tough experiences strengthen the bond between teammates like Mike Caffey and Avery Woodson?

We had very strong bonds. Avery is my lifetime guy. We have been to each others weddings. There was this family feeling from the beginning in the Ukraine.

In your second pro season you split time between BC Nokia (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 13.8ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 53.8%, 3FGP: 38.6%, FT: 60.0%, released in Jan.’21, later that month moved to Karhu Kauhajoki (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 12.9ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.6apg, Steals-5 (1.7spg), Blocks-5 (1.3bpg), FGP: 60.1%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 82.2%. How important was it for your game to experience 2 clubs instead of only one?

When I got home from Finland, I had not understood who I had become. It was COVID and I had no fun there. I spent a lot of time alone. It was cold. I had no idea that Finland prepared me for life. It was a test for me. Even if I was walking through snow blizzards for 8 months. I always kept a positive mentality worked like I never did before. I had success on both teams.

With Karhu Kauhajoki you defeated your ex team BC Nokia in the playoffs and then lost a tough playoff series against Vilpas. What will you always remember from that 6 game battle?

It was upsetting. They were a good team, but I didn´t feel like they were better than us. We were missing a key piece with big man TJ Holyfield. I had to play the 5. We didn´t have great experience and had to go up against Jeremiah Wood. We had no answer for him. We couldn´t win on the road.

You played your rookie season with the BC Musel Pikes (Luxembourg-Total League) averaging 22.4ppg, Reb-2 (13.9rpg), 2.0apg, Steals-5 (2.0spg), Blocks-5 (1.2bpg), FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was from day 1. Everything was different. I got picked up and got brought to my apartment at 5.00 pm. Across the street was a gas station. I got some food.Then I went to my first practice. I flew a whole day to get to play in a league that wasn´t too respected. It was all different.

How much does a guy´s story like Alfonso Mckinnie move you knowing that he went from second division Luxemburg to the NBA? Does your drive and hope continue to live for moving to higher leagues?

I don´t see any reality of the NBA happening, but I still aspire to at least get to the Euroleague. I know what I can do. The thrill to continue to climb the basketball ladder is molded in me. I will never settle, because I know I won´t play forever. My goal is to get the maximum.

You played at Northern Kentucky University (NCAA): from 2016-2018 averaging 3.5ppg, 4.2rpg and 4.3ppg, 3.3rpg. How tough was it averaging little minutes. What positives did you get from these 2 years? You actually had better stats in your second season where you averaged 4 minutes less.

I think the most positive thing gained here were the relationships that I built. There are some guys that I´m closer with than members of my family. We still speak to this day. The adversary there has prepared me for all experiences I have had from then to this day. I took a back seat to guys there that weren´t better than me. I sacrificed for the team. It was some of the best and some of the worst days of my life.

You had some good games at NKU including in a win over Oakland. What was your most memorable game there?

Oakland had some great players and Kendrick Nunn was one of them. The place was electric in Oakland. I remember at the start of the game, the fans threw white powder on the court. It felt like a Euroleague game.

You took a very unusual step back to play at Louisiana State University at Shreveport (NAIA) averaging 18.8ppg, 14.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6bpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 75.3%. How vital was this season for your basketball development? Was it one of your best decisions in your life?

It was the second best decision of my life. The first was leaving my home town. I had to bet on myself. I felt underrated at NKU. I played the 5 and was a pick and roll player. I need to be needed there and not be an experiment. If I would have been post grad I could have gone to another NCAA school, but instead I chose an NAIA school. I had no idea what the NAIA was like. I got the green light there. I remember coach telling me that I had the chance to player of the year. I said to coach. No I can´t be good enough, but I will win player of the year. I won almost every award that could be won.

You had 2 20 rebound games and one crazy 29/28 game in a loss to Tougaloo. How crazy was that game? Did you feel like Kevin Love?

I know it isn´t the NBA or Euroleague, but I had numbers like that in 3 or 4 other games. I showed that I had durability and pride to do that.

How did head coach Kyle Blankenship groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He wanted us to play like we were the best. He always wanted us to go out and beat the best. We had some tough road trips like New Orleans. He would take us out at night despite that. I met my extended family there. They are great people there that guide the kids down the right path.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Rakim Luben?

This question hit so hard. R.I.P to my brother. He died like 5 months ago. If he was still alive, he would argue my me. I would win for sure. He would use his physicality. I would take it and stay sharp and win.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Kendirck Nunn. Oakland helped him get to the NBA. I remember him getting elite buckets.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ousman Krubally, Dre Lansdowne, Brandon Gilles, Avery Woodson, Glyn Waters

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Scottie Pippen, Dwayne Wade, Shaq, Lebron, MJ and KD

Who is your GOAT and why?

You could put 50 heads in a room and get different answers. It is an unwinnable argument. You can really only say 1 of the best in this debate. It will always be between the big 3 of Jordan, Lebron and Kobe.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

This should have been untouched. If you want to touch this up, you need comedy greats. The first one was epic. If you watch it today, you would laugh like the first time.

Thanks Jeff for the chat.

I´m Blessed To Have Witnessed The Masterpieces Of Crnjac And Coplin Achieving Back To Back Historical Skyliner Moments Within 24 Hours

Pic credit:Dmitrij Zibart

When I left Sunday afternoon at 1.40 in the afternoon to Frankfurt to call a NBBL (U-19) game between Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners and The NIners Chemnitz academy, I had absolutely no idea that I would witness 2 incredible historical moments in Skyliners history within 24 hours. I mean if you look back in history of the Frankfurt Skyliners dating back to the 1999 season where it all began, there had been some amazing feats no matter if from the BBL, Pro B or youth teams. When looking back at buzzer beaters, there were quite a few in the history. Without digging deep into the Skyliners archives, there were came to mind right away. The first one that comes to mind was Eric Chadfield in 2006 who also did it against ratiopharm Ulm on the same side of the court as Booker Coplin (191-G-1997, college: Augsburg, agency: BIG) did, but not from the corner area, but from the parking lot going to the vicinity towards center court. Kevin Bright had a great one in Vechta in 2014nwhere the incredible ball movement and extra pass from Danilo Barthel sparkled. Quantez Robterson drilled home an incredible one at home against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg and Rickey Paulding a some years ago last season Pro B player Trevian Bell launced a last second jumper from the corner after retrieving a perfect touch down pass from teammate Nils Leonhardt which Tom Brady couldn’t have done better. Who could forget the AJ English buzzer beater in Tuebingen or Aiden Warnholtz’s game winner over the EPG Guardians last season at home that gave him that extra fancy birthday gift. There also have been incredible games and single game player performances over the years like the 10 three’s from Jacob Burtschi in 2015, the masterful series against FC Bayern Munich in 2018 that had an annoying ending for the Skyliners, but showcased their great fighting skills, or the triple double by ex NBA player Isaac Bonga in a Pro B game against Nordlingen in 2017 or the many incredible Dashaun Wood games in his one season in Frankfurt in 2010-2011. I’m sure I forgot some, but these were just some off the top of my head. But the combination of not only buzzer beater, but spectacular buzzer beater from Booker Coplin that could of easily been a Luca Doncic production and the perfect game from Ivan Crnjac back to back were 2 feats that had never happened before in Skyliners history.

This season I’m always especially looking forward to observing and calling Skyliner NBBL youth games. After a few years of not performing so well, this season they have an excellent team led by the trio of Crnjac, Edoka and Omog and 2 incredible players with Max Peters and Julius Messer and a bench where everyone gives 180%. At the moment they are 7-0 and striving for an undefeated season. This could be that season. They are that good. Over the years, I had seen some really good players for the Frankfurt team like Isaac Bonga, Cosmo Gruehn and tin Schubert just to name a few and in the last few seasons a guy by the name of Ivan Crnjac has made waves with his play and rapid development. He reached the JBBL final 4 in 2023 and last season made the jump to a top NBBL performer averaging 17,0ppg and this season once again has made another step in the Pro B becoming an important contributor averaging 11,9ppg and in the NBBL a top player in the league averaging 21,8ppg. That he could achieve something special was no surprise to anyone. He began on fire in the first quarter making 7 of 7 shots while the team scored a mouth watering 41 points. In the second quarter, he made his next 3 shots and was 10/10 at the break. In the third quarter, he hit 2 more three’s and on the last one let out a massive cry as if he was the new lion in Basketball City Mainhatten. I had the fortune of being able to call the game and of course had a field day as my emotions and tone got greater and greater with every hit shot. It was simply pure enjoyment being able to witness this exhibition of incredible shooting. In the fourth quarter he played 4 plus minutes, but didn’t take another shot. I personally didn’t want him to take a shot, because I wanted him to keep that perfect game for his collection of achievements. I mean to be able to go 12/12 is very difficult. I mean if he had been 6/6 0r 7/7, he could of kept shooting, but how disappointing would a shooting stat line of 12/13 looked? ‘I did think about it. I had the perfect game in my head. In between, I did look at the stats. I wanted to keep my perfect record. If I would have had easy ones, I would of shot it, but not any difficult ones’, stressed Ivan Crnjac. He had some open shots, but also some real contested shots. He nailed 6 three’s and made pretty mid distance shots , including a running hook shot and 2 magnificent back door lay in’s. One of those 2 back door lay in’s was a terrific reverse lay up after 2 extra passes. ‘That was a cool play. We actually wanted to run it earlier, but they got a steal. We ran it later and I saw the defender up high, so I went back door. It was a great pass by Max Peters. I also loved my 6th three pointer. That one felt the best. It didn’t feel real’, remembered Ivan Crnjac. Every now and then, you will see perfect games as recently Otis Livingston had one in the easyCredit BBL, but they aren’t often. The whole feat is even more incredible in that his index finger had been taped and he had to shoot differently using more pressure off his 3 fingers. ‘This perfect game means a lot to me. The NBBL is my main team. I’m one of the main guys and am captain. I still want to prove that I belong to the best in my age group. For me this game was a statement to the NBBL that I can play’, stressed Ivan Crnjac. Thanks Ivan for this unforgettable shooting clinic.

A day later, I was excited to go to the easyCredit BBL game between the Frankfurt Skyliners and ratiopharm Ulm. My main focus was to get a photo signed that I had taken with ex NBA player Isaiah Roby during Covid in 2021 when he was playing a game in Boston with the Oklahoma Thunder as well as get autographs and pics of 2025 NBA draft prospects Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue. My goal was achieved after the game, but that I would see such a climatic end to the game wasn’t something that I expected. On paper, Ulm was the favorite, but how can you go wrong when you have the ultimate leader with Jordan Theodore. He had only been with the team a few weeks and in the first games wasn’t totally in game shape, but between the Braunschweig and Ulm game had been 10 days, and in this time the ex Seton Hall player had made amends and was 100% ready on this night and so were his teammates. Frankfurt had come to play while ratiopharm Ulm didn’t have their usual intensity. It was a typical hard fought game that you can witness on any night in the BBL. Both teams were punching back and forth and no team was able to go on a massive run and manage a big lead. In the third quarter Jordan Theodore steered 13 points and without his great input, ratiopharm Ulm may had been able to run away with the game. Ulm relied a lot on their bigs and getting offensive rebounds and easy baskets throughout the game. In the fourth quarter, the game remained tight, but in crunch-time were able to lead by 4 points. The way Jordan Theodore had played in the game, one may have thought that he could be a hero again the same way he had been in the 2015-2016 season for Frankfurt. But instead the stage was set for Booker Coplin. Ratiopharm was up by 4 points with 1,39 to play and had to put the game away, but no. Enter Booker Coplin who would come to the rescue. After a Saraf miss, Einaras Tubutis nailed 2 free throws as Frankfurt trailed 85-83 with 1,02 to play. David Muenkat then made a clutch steal with 51 seconds to play that led to Muenkat free throws to dead lock the game at 85-85 with 48 seconds to play. American Justinian Jessup then missed a mid distance shot with 33 seconds to play. Malik Parsons then missed a shot with 8 seconds, but Alfonso Plummer lost the ball and it went to Jordan Theodore who quickly kicked the ball to Coplin on the left wing. His trey bounced out, but Tubutis rose higher than everyone else and batted the ball back to Coplin. Coplin must have had a notion that he had no time left to control the ball, so he just tapped the ball on contact to the basket and it went in. Luka Doncic couldn’t of done it better. ”That was a hell of a rebound by Tubutis. That was big balls. He had the awareness to kick it back to Coplin. I never saw a shot like that before. I knew it was going in’, smiled Jordan Theodore. After that it was pure pandemonium in the arena. Booker Coplin is one of few that has gone from the Pro B via Duesseldorf to the easyCredit with Frankfurt. He always plays with so much energy and is a great offensive player that can score, but also fill the stat sheet at ease and on the defensive end make an impact. It was his sixth game of the season where he scored in double figures. The Frankfurt Skyliners have had many incredible finishes in their history, but this could easily be the greatest buzzer beater. Thanks Booker Coplin for this lasting memory. I won’t forget it.

The Miles vs Malik Riddle Weekly Basketball Chat Volume 8

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 RheinStars 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.

Congrats on the big 90-86 win over TSV Oberaching. How good does it feel going into the break with a win?

It always feels great going to win and before the break is even better.

In the first quarter Cologne was able to establish a 2 point lead, but really broke open the game in the second quarter outscoring them 26-11. What was key for the big lead?

I think in the second quarter we were a lot better at getting stops and running the floor on offense

Oberaching never gave up kept fight and trailed only 68-58. Omari Knox and Peter Zeis hit many three´s. How pesky of a team was Oberaching? They are another team with super chemistry.

They had more older and experienced guys in there team so we figured that they wouldn’t just go away and it was be a fight until the end. They have great chemistry.

In the fourth quarter Oberaching kept chipping away at your lead. But they never got over the hump. Whenever they punched you punched back. What was key in crunch-time for getting the win?

Trying to get good shots and not rush too much. We tried staying in control of the game.

The RheinStars had 5 guys score in double figures. How vital was Luca Michels with his 16 points?

Luca was big time he brought a lot of energy for that game. I feel it helped us so much and gave us as a team a boost.

You led the RheinStars with 22 points. How quickly did you know that you could have a good shooting day?

After the first 3 shots went in felt like I would have a good shooting day. Every shot felt good.

What is your summary of your play in the first half?

Just felt like I was in a good rhythm that’s first half. And had great looks to get my shot off.

The RheinStars are 10-2 together with Leitershoifen. Will these 2 teams compete for North title or do you see another team compete with you?

As of now it looks that way but still have another half of the season so we will see.

Thanks Malik for the chat.

Erol Ersek(MLP Academics) Will Probably Never Get Over The Feeling Of Always Having To Prove Himself In The easyCredit BBL

pic credit: Niko.Neithardt

Erol Ersek (194-SF-1999) is a 25 year old 194cm guard from Austria nplaying his first season with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (BBL). He played the last 3 seasons for the Tigers Tuebingen. He began his basketball career in Austria with the Vienna DC Timberwolves and also spent a year in USA at Pacific Grove High School, Pacific Grove, California. He played in the FC Bayern Munich organization from 2016-2021. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Erol for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for the MLP Academics Heidelberg. It is December 15th and the club is in first place. How good is basketball life at the moment?

Basketball life is really good now. When you win everyone is calmer. After the tough season in Tuebingen, it feels good to win again. We understand each other well and are having fun.

You played the last 3 seasons in Tuebingen. How much of a no brainer was it for you to follow Danny Jansson to Heidelberg?

It wasn´t that clear at the start. Danny called me before his move was official to Heidelberg and told me that he wanted to take me. I had other offers, but in the end I chose Heidelberg. I know his system and we know each other well. It wasn´t a tough decision.

Your from Austria and lived in nice places like Munich, and Tuebingen. You are used to pretty places. Is Heidelberg with the castle and river maybe the most beautiful place you have witnessed in your life?

The most beautiful city for me will always be Vienna where I´m from. I have a personal connection to the city. But on the other hand, everyone knows how beautiful Heidelberg is. It is extremely pretty now in the Xmas time with the Xmas markets. I´m very happy living here.

The MLP Academics are in in first place. What is the secret of the success?

The secret is our team. We play together, are versatile and play with a lot of energy.

I truly believe one of the most important guys if not the most important guy is Ryan Mikesell. Where would the team be without his leadership and versatility?

That is tough to say. He shows each game just how important he is. He can be nowhere for 35 minutes and then out of nowhere score 8 points in a row. That is an incredible quality. He is our leader and has a lot of experience. He is very appreciated.

What is it like being teammates with ex NBA player Paul Zipser. He doesn´t play a huge role on the court, but I´m sure his presence is priceless. Is he a guy where you go for advice?

He has seen the most out of anyone on the team. He has played at a high level for years in the NBA and Euroleague. He is a very funny guy and always willing to give advice. He is definitely an enrichment for us.

2 important pieces are Americans Michael Weathers and DJ Horne. The team relies on them to bring their A game daily. How valuable are both to the success?

They are both extremely important for us. I´m really happy for Horne and his success especially since this is his first season overseas. He is a great 1-1 player and can always create something when we have nothing. Weathers is so athletic and always brings great energy. He is a great defender and driver.

This is your fourth season together with Mateo Seric. Are you guys like brothers now?

Yes we are very close. In Tuebingen and now in Heidelberg, these are 2 small cities so we are never far away. We do a lot together. The other day we visited a hand ball game. It is just normal that he is in Heidelberg for me.

You have paid your dues for years. You didn´t get a real BBL chance in Munich and then made your break through in Tuebingen. Is your biggest goal this season as a player to become a consistent BBL player?

Yes exactly. I always want to prove that I belong in the easyCredit BBL. I want to be an impact player.

How difficult is it being efficient in the minutes you get? What is always your biggest focus on the court? There are enough guys that can score.

I want to be a scorer, but at the same time, I really know the system of Danny well. I feel like I can help the team in other ways than just scoring. I feel like I can call plays and have an idea of who gets the ball. I feel like I can help the team like that.

You really developed well as a player in Tuebingen under Danny Jansson. Into what kind of a player did he make you in Tuebingen?

Danny really was very important for my development in Tuebingen. He is a defensive coach. You see that with our game. He really helped me make a step forward with my defensive game as well as understanding the game better.

Last season was tough as Tuebingen went down to the Pro A. What did you learn about that season?

It was definitely a very tough season. It was a real shame that we moved down. I was very frustrated. I feel like I learned that you just have to keep pushing and make the best out of the situation. You just have to keep working hard and make sure that it doesn´t happen again.

You had so many great teammates in Tuebingen in that one season. Is there a player that had a big influence on you? Possibly a Till Joscha-Joenke?

He is the first person that came to mind. He has a great character and always plays with energy on the court. I remember when I made a shot, he right away would yell at me “pressure”, meaning to keep going strong on the next play. He has a great mentality and is very ambitious.

You played with FC Bayern Munich from 2016-2021. Was this the best basketball decision in your life?

Yes it probably was. To be able to go from Vienna to Munich at such a young age was good for me.

You helped win the 2017 NBBL title for FC Bayern Munich. What do you remember from beating IBAM and Oscar da Silva?

I remember having very tough games against IBAM and Oscar that season. Oscar had a very dominant NBBL season. He carried IBAM to the final. However we played really well in the final and were able to win.

What was it like being among so many talented youth players. Did you recognize early that some players get better treatment than others?

Of course there were some guys that practiced more with the BBL team than others did, but I believe that everyone had a fair chance. It was always an intense battle against so many talented young players.

You were teammates with great guys like Vrcic, Weidemann,Jallow, and Grant just to name a few. Which player do you remember having the biggest influence on you?

I think that Weidemann had the biggest influence on me. We were roommates for 3 years. We spent a lot of time together. We were always together.

Do you have a special moment with a Munich BBL players during those years that you won´t forget?

Yes I did. I have one situation that I never will forgot. I remember going over a screen and giving a nice pocket pass to Jalen Reynolds. He got the basket, but then came over to me and told me I have to make a high pass in a situation like that. That was that moment where I was like “Ok got it. I had never played with such high level players before and was learning on the fly.

In 2020-2021 you witnessed the emergence of Ivan Kharchenkov as a 16 year old tearing up the Pro B. Why isn´t he on any NBA Mock drafts yet?

I really don´t know. Ivan is a big talent. He has shown he can play in the BBL and with the youth national teams. He has no fear and just does his thing. I´m very excited how well he is playing this season. It is nice to observe his development.

In 20-21 was your last season with FC Bayern Munich, but had to mostly play Pro B. How tough was that season for you? You did play 3 BBL games though?

It was tough with Covid. I had a strong season in the Pro B. It was nice though to play in the BBL at the end of the season.

Was scoring 17 points in a huge 102-90 win over team BG Goettingen one of your top 3 greatest basketball moments? That was a crazy game as many of the young guys played because the veterans were being rested.

Munich had a Euroleague game against Milan 2 days later, so I was called up to play BBL. I hit all my shots. It was a great feeling.

You had so many great teammates like Lucic, Gist, Baldwin or Seeley. Was there a player that had a big influence on you?

I spoke mostly with Nick Weiler-Babb. He was a great guy. He was very calm and well spoken.

You also are a part of the Austrian national team. How is the state of Austrian basketball at the moment?

I feel like we have a good future. At the moment we have many young players playing in other countries like Spain and Italy and developing well. It is a new generation and the young guys have to take over. I´m one of the older guys on the team.

Your teammates with talented Sylven Landesberg. Is he still athletic like back in the day? I always thought he should have been in the NBA

He is a great player. He is older now, but he can still dunk from nothing. He was more athletic and explosive some years ago, but can still get you on a poster now. His dad is Austrian and he grew up in new York.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that reached the NBA?

Jacob Poelti

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Wade Baldwin, Thomas Klepeisz, Ryan Mikesell, Vladimir Lucic, Jakob Poelti

What is your NBA and Euro Mount Rushmore?

Jordan, Lebron, Steph Curry and Kobe and Dimitris Diamantidis, Juan Carlos Navarro, Kyle Hines and Paul Zipser

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James. I grew up with his game. I didn´t grow up with Jordan.

Thanks Erol for the chat.

Harrison Cleary´s(VEF Riga) Biggest Goal This Season Is To Prove He Can Lead A Team To A Championship

Harrison Cleary (185-PG-1997, college: UMC) is a 26 year old 185cm point guard from Oak Creek, Wisconsin playing his 5th professional season and first with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL). Last season he played with Lahti Basketball (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging (22.9ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-2 (6.5apg), 1.0spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 92.5%. He played the 2022-2023 season with the Veolia Towers Hamburg (Germany-BBL) averaging 6.3ppg, 1.5apg an din the Eurocup averaged 6.3ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 26.3%, and he also played with SC Rist Wedel (Germany-ProB) averaging 23.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT-1 (45.3%), FT: 78.4%. In the 2021-2022 season he played with Aquimisa Carbajosa (Spain-LEB Silver) averaging 15.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 45.7%. He split his rookie season with TAU Castello (Spain-LEB Gold) and Afanion CB Almansa (Spain-LEB Gold). He began his basketball career at Oak Creek high school and then played 4 years. He then played 4 seasons at the University Of Minnersota Crookston (NCAA2) and as a senior averaged 26.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 90.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Thanks Harrison for talking to germanhops.com. Your playing your first season with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL). What kind of an experience has this been for you? What have you enjoyed most about the country and organization?

It’s been a great experience so far. VEF is a very storied and successful club so it is great to be part of an organization like that. Riga is a beautiful city and I have enjoyed exploring and finding some cool spots within the city.

The organization is used to winning as it has won the double in the last 3 years. How much do you feel that ambition to win within the organization? How special is that?

It is the number one goal for us to win as many trophies as possible. They have won the LBL title for the last 3 years in a row so of course it is something we want to do again this season. In addition, we want to win the cup and take home the Est-Lat league title as well. I haven’t been part of an organization with title aspirations like this one in my career so far, so it is an exciting challenge and something I am taking very seriously because I want to uphold those standards and also cement myself as a winner.

After taking a step back last season to play in Finland, you took a step forward this season. Was this one of the best pro decisions you have made in your career?

It has been a good decision so far. Of course the opportunity to play Champions League is something that is very hard to pass up. I’m enjoying things in the moment, and I think I will know a few years from now when I am later in my career how beneficial this move and season was for me.

You are in great position to win that first pro title. How hungry are you for that first pro dub?

That is my primary goal for this year. I’ve accomplished a lot of things individually in my career, so I am really focused on winning as many games as possible and trying to bring home that first championship.

The club has a good mix of young and old. What exactly has been your role on the team?

As a point guard your role is always to be a type of leader. Of course we have veterans and experienced guys that have been at the top, so they lead us for sure. I try to lead by example as best I can and always be the hardest worker. On the court, I try to do whatever is necessary to win us games. If I need to score more that day, or play make more, or just feed the hot hand then that is what I try to do.

What has it been like being teammates with legend Dairis Bertans. The guy has seen it all from NBA to Euroleague. What do you believe has been the most important thing that you have been able to soak up from him?

It’s been great playing with Dairis. Unfortunately he has been injured lately, but we all saw what he was capable of against Bonn. Playing with a shooter like that is a huge privilege and I just try to watch him work and pick his brain whenever I can because learning from a player that has played at the levels he has is priceless.

Your having a very good BCL season. How vital was it having had that Eurocup experience a few years ago to help your game as you have moved forward in the last years?

I value my experience in the Eurocup very much. This season is a much different role than I had with Hamburg that season, but my time that I got in the Eurocup was definitely meaningful and allowed me to see the speed and physicality and type of players I would be up against this season.

What is your biggest goal with your game this season? You have been a sniper your whole career, but have also made steps in other parts of your games in the last years?

My biggest goal individually is to show that I can lead a team to a championship. I feel like I’ve showcased my shooting and scoring ability in the past at all different levels, so I really wanted to display my ability to run a team and do whatever is necessary to win the game that particular night.

Your playmaking is one of those. You averaged the most assists per game in Finland. How have you grown as a playmaker in the last 2 years?

I think that is the area I’ve probably grown the most the last 2 years. I was put in situations in Germany and Finland where I had the ball in my hand so much that I was learning little things every game. I came off so many ball screens and saw so many different coverages that I was able to really learn from my own film after every game and get to a point where I felt really comfortable against all types of defenses.

You continue to be an incredible shooter. Are you an elite shooter now or almost there?

I can say it is one of my greatest strengths and something I still put a lot of work into daily. I feel like I’ve played with some elite shooters like Dairis, Ryan Taylor, Bobby Planutis, but I don’t know if somebody can label themselves an elite shooter haha

Last season you played with Lahti Basketball (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 22.9ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-2 (6.5apg), 1.0spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 92.5%. You had great stats, but the team lost a lot. What did you learn about yourself as a player?

I feel like I was just constantly learning and growing that season. I think that was probably the first time in my career where I really understood that every possession can make or break a game. We lost our fair share of games by only a few points and it made me learn I have to really limit mistakes and find those plays in a game that can really change the momentum

Two seasons ago you played with the Veolia Towers Hamburg (Germany-BBL) playing 4 games averaging 6.3ppg, 1.5apg; and played 8 Eurocup games averaging 6.3ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 26.3%, played also at SC Rist Wedel (Germany-ProB) averaging 23.9ppg), 2.8rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT-1 (45.3%), FT: 78.4%. How vital was this season for your basketball development? Practicing with the BBL team each day and playing games and playing Pro B?

That was the year I kind of got my career back on track after two tough seasons. I really appreciate Coach Blode in ProB giving me such a big role on that team and allowed me to show who I was as a player, but also allowed me to make mistakes and learn on the fly which I think played a big role in my development. Practicing with the Towers everyday was also a big help because of the coaching staff there and the talented players on the roster. Playing against really athletic and talented players each day made it easier to head back to ProB and play against competition that maybe wasn’t at the level of BBL yet.

How vital was a guy like Seth Hinrichs for your game? He is as versatile as you can get and is a great teammate. What could you learn from him best?

Seth is a really great teammate and although we don’t play the same position, he has such a high basketball IQ that it was great to hear any advice he had.

You had many explosive games in the pro B, but also 13 points in 14 minutes against Paris in a Eurocup win. Was that one of your most special games?

That was a big game for me. That was the game where I think I gained a lot of trust from the Hamburg organization and also showed what I was capable of on a larger stage.

You played your second pro season with Aquimisa Carbajosa (Spain-LEB Silver) averaging 15.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 45.7%. After a tough rookie season, you had good stats, but an injury kept you on the sidelines long. What positives could you get from this season?

That was a really tough situation and injury to deal with at that point in my career. I think the biggest positive from that season was the people I met and also it showed me how badly I wanted to be successful with this career. I hardly had any games on my resume after this injury, and it would have been easy to just “retire” at that point, but I was going to do whatever it took to get healthy and back on track.

You split your rookie season with TAU Castello (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 5 games averaging 2.6ppg, in Jan.’21 moved to Afanion CB Almansa (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 0.5ppg. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

To be honest my wake up call started before I even left the states. I was in Miami getting on my flight to Valencia and they started speaking Spanish on the intercom at the gate and that’s when it started to hit me that I was about to be in a foreign country for the first time.

This was a tough season. What did you learn about yourself that season?

I think I learned I had to change my style of play a little bit from how I was in college if I wanted to be successful.

You played at the University of Minnesota Crookston (NCAA2) from 2016-2020 and left as having scored the most points. You averaged 23,0ppg in 4 years. Were these 4 years some of the best times in your life?

They were definitely a good 4 years. That was some of the most fun I had playing basketball.

You scored in double figures in 109 of 114 games. Your consistency as a scorer was amazing. What kind of a player were you in 2016 and what kind of a player were you when you departed in 2020?

I think my scoring ability was the biggest change in those 4 years. I was a good scorer in 2016, but I wasn’t as good in the ball screen or isolation at that time. By the time I left in 2020, those were my biggest strengths as a player. Every summer I went back home and worked on my game with my trainers and came back to school better the next year, and I feel like we still do the same thing to this day.

You had a 52 point game and numerous 40 plus point games and numerous 30 plus point games. What was your fondest moment on the court?

I’d say winning the first conference tournament game in school history. Nobody expected us to win that night and we went into the opposing teams’ home gym and upset them and that was a great feeling.

How did head coach Bryan Beamish groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Beam is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. We put a crazy amount of hours in the gym together and dissected a lot of film together as well. He played a huge role in my development and growth as a player.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Ben Juhl?

I’m not sure if we ever played

Who is the best player that you ever battled on the court that reached the NBA?

Probably Jayson Tatum

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Junior Searcy, Chase Johnson, Kendale McCullum, Thorben Meissner, James Padgett

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, Lebron, MJ, Steph

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe. There’s players in today’s game with more talent than we’ve ever seen, but nobody will ever have the mentality and killer instinct like Kobe

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I did not see that movie Thanks for the interview!

No problem Harrison.

Devon Dotson´s(Club Joventut Badalona) Time Was Limited In The NBA And Now Wants To Prove Himself Overseas

Devon Dotson (188-PG-1999, college: Kansas) is a 25 year old 188cm guard from North Carolina playing his fifth professional season and first with Club Joventut Badalona (ACB). He turned pro in 2020 and played in the NBA until 2023 with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. He also played in the G-League with Windy City and Capital City Go Go.Last season he played with Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League) averaging 16.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.1apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 55.5%, 3FGP: 31.0%, FT: 87.7%, in Mar.’24 moved to Monbus Obradoiro CAB Santiago de Compostela (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 13.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 85.7%. He began his basketball career at Providence Day high school and then played 2 seasons at the University of Kansas (NCAA) average 12.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.5apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 78.2% and 18.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.0apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 83.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against ratiopharm Ulm.

Thanks Devon for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first full season overseas with Club Joventut Badalona (Spain-Liga-ACB). Last season you played 9 games in the ACB and showed that you needed no adjustment time. How would you compare the ACB style with the NBA?

It is a little different. The ACB is very tactical and I try to exploit what the defense is running. The ACB is also more physical, but I have adjusted well.

What kind of an experience has it been playing for Club Joventut Badalona (Spain-Liga-ACB)? What have you enjoyed most about being part of this organization?

It has been great. My teammates have made it easy for me. The coaches have also been very helpful and just making everything easy.

Has coach Miret given you the keys to the team?. How exciting is for you being the main point guard for a Euroleague team?

It has been great. I´m just trying to learn everyday. He prepares us well for every match and we just try to bring the intensity and just do what I can to help the team win.

You never got a real chance in the NBA, but will now in the Euroleague. Do you believe we will see a different player than when you were in the NBA?

Yes for sure. I was limited in the NBA, but ready to take the next step now and perform at the highest level.

Last season you played with the Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League) averaging 16.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.1apg, 1.6spg, You had a better season than the season before, but got no NBA call up. Did you lose faith in the NBA process?

I never lost faith. You just got to keep going. You have to have that faith to put in the work every day. You have to stay true to your skills and everything will work out.

Your second ACB game was against FC Barcelona which you lost by 5 points. What memories do you have of that game? Did you realize then that the game was very far away from the NBA?

The experience was very good basketball. It was a very intense game and good fan atmosphere. Coming over here playing in front of the fans is a great experience.

You played your first 2 NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls playing only 22 games and many G-League games. When you look back now, is there anything you would have done differently to have secured you a better chance of opportunities and minutes?

You have to always be ready when your named is called. You have to prepare everyday. Unfortunately for me there were many point guards ahead of me. I am over here now to prove that I can play at the highest level.

You played your most minutes and had 11 points in the last rookie game against Milwaukee. What memories do you have of that game? Was that the first time then that you felt you belonged?

It was a cool moment. My coaches trusted me and put me out there and we got the win. I made a few baskets as well.

Do you feel like you got a fair chance in those 2 seasons? They had talented point guards, but not really top guards. Lonzo Ball was injured for a good part as well?

We had many great guards. Alex Caruso was a great defensive guard. They had Coby White. I was young. The NBA is all about opportunity and I learned and got better.

In your third pro season you joined the Washington Wizards (NBA) playing 6 games and played with the Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League) averaging 14.6ppg, 4.4rpg, 6.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 85.2%. After December 22, you didn´t play a NBA game anymore, but played in the G-League playing consistently. Do you think you had warranted a NBA call?

My job was to get better each day and pushing the envelope to be the best player I could be. My goal was just to keep getting better.

What was the best example in the NBA that proved to you that the NBA will always be a business first?

It´s always a business. The first time that I got cut. They said they had to make room for the roster.

You played 2 seasons at the University of Kansas (NCAA) averaging 12.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.5apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 78.2% and made a big jump in your second season averaging 18.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.0apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 83.0%. How did your game grow your last year?

I stayed in the gym and put in extra reps after practice and watched a lot of film. The summer after my freshman year I stayed in the gym and film room and we also had a great team. My teammates pushed me to be the best player I could be and we had a great season.

You reached March Madness in 2019 losing to Auburn. What memories do you have of that run?

It was a great memory. It was my first March Madness. I had always watched it as a kid so being in that type of environment was special. We came up short against Auburn, but I used that as fuel to get back in the gym and get better.

You had so many great games in the NCAA including against Dayton and Iowa State. What was your fondest moment on the court?

My best moment was just being out there winning with my teammates and enjoying the fans.

How did head coach Bill Self groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He is a great coach. He is tough but pushes you to become the best. There were no off days. You had to keep pushing each day.

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Obi Toppin

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

There are too many to name. I will just say everybody.

Who is your GOAT?

Derrick Rose

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America film? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I haven´t seen it. I actually just watched the original last week. Now I have to watch the sequel.

Thanks Devon for the chat.

Trey Calvin(Frankfurt Skyliners) Wants That The Momentum Of The Goettingen Cup Win Carry Over To The BBL

Foto: ZIBART.DE

Trey Calvin (183-PG-2001, college: Wright St.) is a 23 year old 183cm point guard playing his rookie season with easyCredit BBL team Frankfurt Skyliners. He began his basketball career at Saint Viator high school and then played at Wright State from 2019-2024 playing a total of 122 games and in his last 2 seasons averaged 20.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 88.2% and 19.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 89.6% in his last 2 seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the massive cup win in Goettingen propelling Frankfurt to the Cup top 4.

Congrats Tre on the massive 78-67 cup win on the road in Goettingen. How vital was this win for stopping the 4 game losing streak?

It was a huge confidence booster to get this win and reach the final 4. I had no idea until a few days ago how big of a deal the cup is. I hope that we can keep building off this win.

This is one of the biggest wins in club history in the last 7 years. Did you sense after the buzzer sounded just how important this win was?

Even before the game started just seeing how many of our fans had come to see us play meant a lot. I realized then how big of a game it was then. After the buzzer sounded, our fans were so loud. It was a great atmosphere.

This was the first return back to the Cup top 4 in 13 years. Do you realize all you need is 2 more wins for that first chip?

Yes it is very surreal. I´m just very blessed to be in a position to win my first pro chip. We will try our best and be as locked in as possible and win the title.

With what kind of a mentality did the Frankfurt Skyliners enter the game? Was it that we have nothing to lose or was Denis Wucherer able to create self-confidence with the guys?

Our motivation was to end our 4 game losing streak. We needed this win so badly in order to get back on track.

Collin Welp was aggressive getting 2 buckets. Here a little history test. His dad Chris was one of the first 3 Germans in the NBA in the 80´s and he made the winning free throw in 1993 to give Germany a surprising gold medal at the Euro. Did you know that?

I did not know that. He is a good player. He is a veteran player that can shoot the ball very well and knows how to be in the right position to make the right play.

You scored Frankfurt´s first 8 points. Did you have a different mind set going in to be more aggressive than usual?

Yes I definitely did. In the last 2 games, I took a lot of shots and didn´t make many. Other guys in my position may have taken less, but I came into the game wanting to be more aggressive and took what the defense gave me.

New Skyliner Patrick Heckman gave big energy with a dunk and assist in the first quarter. How valuable is he for the team?

He is a big piece that we were missing. He is a veteran with BBL experience. He has the leadership and experience to know what it takes to win. We really appreciate him.

The game remained a real dog fight in the second quarter as Frankfurt had the slim 37-36 advantage at the break. How did you take in the atmosphere in Goettingen? They have very diehard fans there.

It was our second game there so we knew what to expect. It was a cool feeling, but it felt different this time, because it was an important cup game. I enjoy playing in that type of game.

What was it like battling ex Arizona State guard Tra Holder. He played with the Skyliners back in the 2018-2019 season.

He had a good game. He is a guard that is quick and tough and has that knack of shooting the ball well and getting to the basket. It was fun playing against him. He hit some tough shots.

Frankfurt led 56-49 after 3 quarters. What did coach Denis Wucherer tell the squad to do going into the fourth quarter?

Our main focus going into the fourth quarter was to get stops. We weren´t clicking that well on offense despite getting open shots.

2 three´s early by Heckman and Zeeb seemed to slow down BG Goettingen. Frankfurt then shut down BG Goettingen for minutes without allowing points. What was key in this phase defensively for being in the drivers seat heading into crunch-time?

It was huge to have a little lead heading into crunch-time. When your down with 5 minutes to play, it is hard to scratch back. Garai Zeeb was a big spark on defense. When we are getting stops, we then know that we can score.

You scored 2 insurance baskets for the 66-54 lead with 3,52 to play. How vital was a phase like this for your personal growth as a rookie?

It was a real confidence booster for me. I hadn´t played with much confidence in the last 2 games. I was more aggressive and seeing the ball go in was a big confidence booster that I can build on.

Another three by you and Heckman free throws sealed the win. What do you believe was the biggest strength on this day for the team?

Just being able to play together. Threr were stretches in the game where we were down and didn´t look good, but we always stuck through it and fought together. We played together for 40 minutes.

How big was the game of Booker Coplin? He had 10 rebounds. How vital is his energy for the team every day even in practice?

Booker is one of our leaders. He is a real good defender when he wants to be. When he isn´t scoring, he does so many other important things. Last night it was rebounding. It isn´t all about scoring for him.

After allowing 95 points in the last 2 BBL games against Oldenburg and Hamburg, what steps did the team make on the defensive end in Goettingen?

Our main focus in practice the last week was defense. We played a good defensive game for 40 minutes holding them to 67 points. We haven´t played that kind of defense much this season. Our help defense was better. Holder scored 16 points, but I feel like we did a good job on him collapsing the paint. We made it hard for him for 40 minutes.

You scored 23 points and led the team to the win. You seem to play your best basketball in the cup. How special is this competition for you?

With me it´s definitely something about the cup games. I´m averaging something like 24 points per game. But I treat the cup games just like any other game. I was aggressive and seeing the ball go meant for me that I would have a good game.

You shot 10/15 from outside in your last 2 cup games and 35% in the BBL. How vital could your shooting be especially in the next 2 big games in the next 5 games?

I think we need that kind of shooting from me. I just continue to shoot the ball when I´m open. I continue to work on my shot every day and just feel confident when I shoot.

Frankfurt now has to rebound after a big game and do it again in Wurzburg against a very tough 5-3 team. What will be key in getting the victory?

We have to limit our turnovers. They are strong with the ball and play physical. We have to get shots on every possession and lock in on defense.

Darius Mcghee scored 46 points in Oldenburg and nailed 10 three pointers the third most in the last 10 years after Jacob Burtschi and TJ Bray. Does a performance like that motivate you?

Yes for sure. I saw his clips. He was hitting shots that I never saw before. He was making Steph Curry type shots. I hope one day to have that kind of freedom and be at his level to take those kind of shots. I´m not taking those kind of shots at the moment.

Thanks Trey for the chat.