Boston Celtics

Anthony Cowan Jr(BC Wolves Vilnius) Thought He Was Playing American Football In His First Practice In Greece

Anthony Cowan Jr. (183-PG-1997, college: Maryland) is a 27 year old 183cm point guard from Washington DC playing his 5th professional season and first for the BC Wolves Vilnius (Lithuania-LKL). He played the last 2 seasons with ASP Promitheas Patras (Greece-GBL) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-1 (5.7apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 75.6%; and in the Eurocup averaged 12.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 5.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 84.5% and averaged 14.3ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.9%;and in the BCL averaged 17.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.4apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 80.2%. In 2021-2022 he played with Aris Thessaloniki (Greece-GBL) averaging 14.5ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-3 (5.6apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 80.0%. He played his rookie season with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) averaging 6.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 66.7%. He began his basketball career with St John´s College Prep. He then played at the University of Maryland (NCAA) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 130 NCAA games and averaged 16/4/4 in his last 3 seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against ratiopharm Ulm.

Thanks Anthoiny for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

It´s really nice. This is a nice time of year. Pre season is winding down and you can lock down as the regular season is starting. I´m excited for that.

Your playing a Eurocup game in Germany soon. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you had teammates that have balled in Germany in the past?

I don´t know too much about Germany. My teammate from last season Bryce Hamilton is playing there. He told me it has been a nice experience so far. Her told me the league is very trusted.

Your playing your fifth professional season and first with Lithuanian club BC Wolves. You played the last 3 years in Greece. Was it difficult leaving Greece? You made big strides in your game every season.

I wouldn´t say that it was difficult, but I just saw it as making the next step in my career. Obviously I loved my 3 years there. I met a lot of great people. But in this job, you always have to be ready for the next step.

The BC Wolves is only in it´s third year of existence. How exciting is it playing with this so young Organization?

I´m super excited and I really love the underdog mentality. I think that I also bring that so it all came hand in hand.

Your playing your second season in competitive Eurocup. Do you feel like Coach Magro has given you the keys to the team? Are you ready to be an impact player in the Eurocup again?

I think he has given me the opportunity to have the ball and make decisions. I take a lot of pride in at try to get the results.

You got a tattoo on your 18th birthday called ambitious in reference to people doubting your size. You have done well for yourself despite your size. Despite success do you still have a chip on your shoulder?

Yes 100%. I feel like I haven´t done everything I need to do. I still have a lot of room for improvement. I plan on showing it this season.

You’re a player that can score, but also dish out assists. You led Greece in assists in your second season. Would you call yourself more a scoring or pass first point guard?

I would just call myself a playmaker. I do whatever the team needs me to do. I pride myself on being able to do that.

You have been a solid three point shooter since the NCAA, but what do you feel is still missing to becoming an elite shooter?

I think the biggest thing for me now is just choosing my spots better. In previous years, I often had the ball with 6 or 4 seconds and had to create my shot. I need to learn to take more efficient shots.

You are also a very ambitious defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I want to be even more of a dog. You need to be that when your my size. I want to always be on that player with the ball. I plan on coming out every game and showing my defensive abilities

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I need to improve my mid range game. As a point guard, I need to be more vocal. My teammates have to hear my voice more.

You played the last 2 seasons with ASP Promitheas Patras (Greece-GBL) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-1 (5.7apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 75.6%; and in the Eurocup averaged 12.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 5.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 84.5% and last season averaged 14.3ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.9%; and in the BCL averaged 17.8ppg), 2.9rpg, 5.4apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 80.2%. How important were 3 years Greece in your development? What kind of player did you become in Greece?

Those 3 years were huge especially last year. Coach Ellias teached me so much about how I should look at the game. I have to think the organization Promitheas for giving me a platform to show my game on the European stage. I will always be appreciative of that.

You played with so many great guards in these 2 seasons with like Tim Frazier, Joe Young or Bryce Hamilton to name just a few. What guard made the biggest impact on you?

Actually Olivier Hanlan who was my teammate my first year made the biggest impact on me. He was an older guy and really showed me how to put in the work and it really paid off. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.

You played your rookie season with Aris Thessaloniki (Greece-GBL) averaging 14.5ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-3 (5.6apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 80.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew you were far away from home?

It was the first practice. It was like playing American football. There was a lot of running and it was very tiring. There was a lot of screaming and nothing like I was used to. I knew that it would be a long year.

You beat top team Panathinaikos in your first ever game in Greece and after that never again as well as Olympiakos. What memories do you have of playing against these Euroleague teams besides them being tough and great players?

That first game is one of my fondest memories there. At that time I didn´t understand the importance of beating a Euroleague team as I was a rookie. But it was a great experience especially the atmosphere was always great at Aris.

You played your rookie season with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) averaging 6.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 66.7%. You averaged only 15 minutes. Do you feel like you may have had a NBA call up chance with 30 plus minutes?

Yes I feel I may have gotten a call up had I had the opportunity to really show my game. But it´s just tough showing what you can do in limited minutes. The NBA dream is still on the back burner for me.

How tough is the G-League grind? On one hand you want to help the team win and on the other hand play as well as possible in the minutes you get to get noticed. How difficult is it to keep a balance and still have success?

My experience was a little different than for others. It was during the Covid season so I was playing in the bubble. I just didn´t get the full experience to show what I can do. That´s just how the cards were dealt.

Your playing now your fourth season overseas. Is the NBA totally over for you or would you play in the G-League again or NBA Summer League?

The NBA is definitely not over for me. I still feel relatively young. I´m nowhere near my peak yet so I´m taking it day by day. I will be prepared for whatever the future holds for me.

You played at the University of Maryland (NCAA) from 2016-2020 reaching 2 March Madness tournaments. In the second run you beat Belmont by 2 points and then lost by 2 points to LSU. How do you remember those 2 exciting games?

Playing in March Madness is every kid´s dream. We didn´t go as far as we wanted to, but just being a part of it is memorable and definitely something I will enjoy telling my children.

You had so many memorable games against schools like Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and Temple. What was your most memorable game?

It was against Michigan State that was on ESPN. I hit 3 three´s in a row to seal the win for us.

How did head coach Mark Turgeon groom and prepare yourself for a professional career?

He really gave me the opportunity to show my game at the college level. He gave me the ability to have the ball in my hands and make decisions. I will always be appreciative of coach Turgeon.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Melo Trimble?

From what I remember he got me more times than I did. We had some real battles especially in 5-5. It was always fun going against Melo.

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

I can´t think of any off the top of my head.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Kevin Huerter, Melo Trimble, Bruno Fernando, Darryl Morsell,Hunter Hale

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Shaq

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

I didn´t see it.

Thanks Anthony for the chat.

Rupert Hennen Leads The RheinStars Cologne Past A Depleted Dragons Rhondorf 103-79

It was finally time for the first home game of the 2024-2025 season for the Dragons Rhondorf and they couldn´t have gotten a better and more exciting opponent than the RheinStars Cologne. Who could forget the exciting 2024 Pro B finals which the Dragons Rhondorf secured for themselves. Both teams had a 1-0 record as the Dragons Rhondorf didn´t play a great game in Fellbach, but wanted it more in crunch-time while the RheinStars disposed of the young Orange Academy without difficulty winning by 14 points. On paper the RheinStars weren´t as strong as last season, but importantly had 2 fierce veterans with Rupert Hennen (184-PG-1997) and Bjoern Rohwer to keep the young team together while the Dragons Rhondorf also lost a lot of guard power from last season, but received a pure scorer with Tim Smith Jr. The Dragons Rhondorf had an uphill battle to climb as they were missing 3 key players with captain Kelvin Omojola, veteran Marco Rahn and Marko Rosic. The Dragons Rhondorf were able to compete for a quarter, but from the second quarter until the end couldn´t match the physicality or athleticism of the guests and had a horrible 1-1 defense that plagued their play all night long. “We didn´t play our game or play as a team. They simply got the best of us. It is tough to lose our 2 point guards, but that isn´t the reason why we lost. We can´t make excuses, but just have to come together as a team”, warned Dragons Rhondorf forward Tim Smith. The Dragons Rhondorf coughed up the ball 28 times and couldn´t find their touch from downtown either. When those 2 things aren´t working, then it will be tough for them to win.

Kemy Legab at the FT line

In the first few minutes, the game´s trademark was fast paced as it seemed like the RheinStars Cologne came better to terms with that. Rupert Hennen and young German Janne Muller carried their teams as they were the most aggressive. Even if it was a close game, the Dragons Rhondorf had problems on the boards as they had no legitimate big man that could pound under the rim with German beast Bjoern Rohwer who literally owned the paint areas and they had to many turnovers that always led to easy baskets by the guests. Down the stretch Rupert Hennen drilled back to back three´s to give Cologne the 18-12 advantage and it seemed like that may be the turning point, but it wasn´t. Rhondorf stayed tough and punched Cologne right back with a 8-0 run to grab the 20-18 lead. In the run, the Dragons got a clutch three pointer from ex Schwenningen guard Alexander Lagerman and 2 free throws while Mueller and Tim Smith Jr also got to the free throw line. But that basketball is a game of runs is nothing new as Cologne closed out the first quarter with a 6-0 run. A Tim Lang lay in and three point buzzer beater by ex Dragon Robin Straub led the charge. “The start was wild and there was a high pace. But it is the start of the season and there are a lot of young players playing which is normal. The pace may have been to fast for the Dragons. We always try to be the faster team”, stressed RheinStars Cologne guard Rupert Hennen. The RheinStars Cologne shot 53% from the field and 38% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 7 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 38% from the field and 33% from outside and had 8 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

Antonio Pilipovic from down town

In the second quarter the RheinStars Cologne could heighten their lead and led by 11 points at the break. Cologne came out strong and heightened their pressure and began with a 8-0 run to extend their lead to 32-20 as they produced 9 stops. Their defense anchor was German Jannis Von Seckendorff who made a giant block in the first quarter and another one in this run. His stat line after 40 minutes where he played 23 minutes read 12 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals and 3 blocks. The guy truly was all over the floor. At times it looked so easy when he was making big plays. “Believe me, it wasn´t easy. We have a different kind of defensive pressure that teams have problems with. We have our hands up and just try to be in the right places”, stressed Jannis Von Seckendorff. In the run, the RheinStars were led by Rupert Hennen who continued to totally dominate as he scored 6 points. He also made it look so easy as he wheeled and dealed and danced to the rim as if he was on a Sunday stroll. “He is so important for this team. There is a reason why he was the 2024 Pro B MVP. He is our main go to guy on offense”, warned Jannis Von Seckendorff. Rhondorf got good looks but just couldn´t hit shots, but had extreme difficulty with the massive physicality of the guests. But like in the first quarter, this run didn´t shake them, but they stayed calm and struck back again with a 8-2 run to trail only 34-28. Lagerman finally put the Dragons on the scoreboard in that quarter for the first time at the 6,02 minute mark. Ex Cologne German Antonio Pilipovic also added much needed energy with 2 buckets. The Dragons were lucky that at that point French player Kemy Lagab was 0/6 from the free throw line or they would have trailed by even more. Rhondorf was simply too much up and down and gave up another run of 8-0 to trail 42-28. In the run Hennen scored twice again and Legab also scored on the drive as the Dragons 1-1 defense was nonexistent. The quarter was really a game of runs as Rhondorf went into the break with a 8-5 run to trail 47-36. Janne Mueller continued to show his drive and mid range game with 2 baskets while Tim Smith hit a jumper. “It helped us that the 2 main point guards of Rhondorf were out. We did a good job pressuring the younger guys to many mistakes”, added Janne Mueller. The RheinStars Cologne shot 59% from the field and 33% from the three point line and had 22 rebounds and 13 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 38% from the field and 25% from the three point line and had 12 rebounds and 10 turnovers.

Bjoern Rohwer

In the third quarter the RheinStars decided the game with a lethal 31-17 quarter to lead 78-53. The RheinStars Cologne wasted no time coming out of the locker room and went on a 19-6 run to lead 66-42. Cologne just continued to attack Rhondorf´s weak spot and that was the paint area. Rohwer scored twice as nobody could contain him and Legab´s great athleticism helped him 2 baskets. Rhondorf finally got on the board from ex Coburg big man Danas Kazakevicius, but the Dragons just couldn´t generate stops. Von Seckendorff and Hennen scored and then Rohwer scored 3 times in a row including a trey and massive dunk. Rhondorf weren´t defending with passion and nobody on the offensive end took over responsibility in the scoring department. The self-confidence of the guests continued to rise while the energy of the Dragons sank. Down the stretch Antonio Pilipovic got going scoring 7 points, but the Dragons couldn´t get over the hump as Cologne continued to execute with ease even with their bench. Germans Lars Danzinger got to the free throw line twice while 2022 JBBL finalist Davi Remagen also got to the free throw line. Young German Josh Luis Behrendt made his first Pro B points in the last seconds while German Veteran Tim Lang who has 100 + Pro B games on his resume drilled home a three pointer to end the third quarter as the RheinStars led 78-53. “We have an interesting team. Our athleticism is enormous. They continued to have problems with our pressure and physicality. We showed some real highlights”, commented Rupert Hennen. “I don´t think that their athleticism was too much for us, but their pressure was tough. They iced ball screens. The young guys haven´t really seen that. We couldn´t execute our game plan”, stated Tim Smith Jr. The RheinStars Cologne shot 57% from the field and 36% from the parking lot and had 31 rebounds and 16 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 42% from the field and 19% from the parking lot and had 19 rebounds and 17 turnovers.

Kenan Reinhart at the FT line

In the fourth quarter the Dragons Rhondorf played their best offensive quarter outscoring Cologne with 26 points, but couldn´t set a comeback as the guests produced 25 points. Tim Smith Jr came into the fourth quarter having netted 8 points, but really stepped up in the last quarter with 15 points. Ohio native Tim Smith Jr scored 6 quick points in the first few minutes showing his 3 level scoring qualities with a lay in, 10 footer and offensive rebound and put back, but the Dragons still trailed 84-61. One could notice that the energy level of Rhondorf was declining as Cologne stole 3 balls in a row in the back court that led to 3 simple transition buckets and the 91-61 lead. Rohwer, Von Seckendorff and Lang did the damage at both ends of the court. “Jannis is so important on the defensive end. His length really helps us on the defensive end”, added Rupert Hennen. Down the stretch, the Dragons Rhondorf outscored the RheinStars 13-12 and were led by Tim Smith Jr who led the charge with 9 points including another offensive rebound and put back and thunderous dunk. Cologne´s biggest highlight was a beautiful alley oop dunk from Legab. Legab made the steal and made the outlet pass to Hennen who waited a bit until Legab raced up the right side to retrieve the perfect pass from the German for the throw down. Pilipovic scored 6 points in crunch-time while Luca Michels who hit Itzehoe for 40 points last season made the 100 point and surely had donut duty for the team. “We didn´t plan that alley-oop dunk. I just wanted Kemy Lagab to get that dunk”, stated Rupert Hennen. Tim Smith Jr tried all he could upping his game in the last quarter. “We tried to play hard in the last quarter. I hate losing. I wasn´t about to give up. I wasn´t going to go out like that”, stressed Tim Smith Jr. The RheinStars Cologne were led by Rupert Hennen with 28 points while Bjoern Rohwer added 22 points and 10 rebounds while the Dragons Rhondorf were led by Tim Smith Jr with 24 points and Antonio Pilipovic added 19 points while Janne Muller contributed 12 points. The RheinStars Cologne shot 56% from the field and 30% from outside and had 36 rebounds and 19 turnovers while the Dragons Rhondorf shot 48% from the field and 25% from outside and had 31 rebounds and 28 turnovers.

Justin Bibbs (Boston Celtics) Lives From His Artistic Precision

After a hard day of work outs at the Red Auerbach center in Boston, Boston Celtic rookie and Ohio native Justin Bibbs slouches back to his hotel like a tattered famished dog looking to shut off the basketball radar for a little time, but doesn´t do the typical free time activities that many guys might perform like breaking out the play station or walking the one block down the street to the sports bar to get the daily dose of sports, but sits down at a table with a piece pf paper and drawing utensils. The rookie looks like and plays like a very good basketball player, but he doesn´t only have precision artistic shooting on his resume, but also has artistic precision as he is a very talented drawer and has been doing it since he was a kid. When you ask the ex Virginia Tech guard about his zeal for drawing, his big eyes light up like the John Hancock building does when the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots win a world championship. “When I was growing up, I was always watching cartoons and after watching the matrix movie, I started to draw trial and error. It was self-taught and I still do it today. I did a Dwayne Wade drawing when I was in high school. It is weird when I was a kid, I drew a Lebron James, but now that I am of age and have the possibility to play against him, I would never draw him now. Now I like to draw entertainers and musicians. I like to take random pictures and draw away”, stressed Justin Bibbs. Every day the American could have serious aches and pains just from turning his head back and forth seeing the amazing basketball excellence of guys like Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown or a Jaysun Tatum and just get total inspiration for new drawings, but instead would rather draw Celtic legends instead of his current teammates. “I wouldn´t want to draw a current teammate, but rather Paul Pierce. I always looked up to him growing up. He wasn´t just a shooter, but an all-around great scorer”, smiled Justin Bibbs. His favorite own drawing is a Kobe Bryant when he had the afro. He gave it to his grad assistant at Virginia Tech who was a big Kobe Bryant fan. Not only did his artistic precision begin at a young age, but so did his basketball precision.

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Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Justin Bibbs in Boston after a Boston Celtiics practice

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