When you look back at the last 15 years in the German BBL and try to name the real dinosaurs of the league, guys that stuck around longest and provided fans with numerous memorable experiences, you couldn´t put up more than two hands. Guys that come to mind at once are great players like Chris Ensminger and Bernd Kruel who have retired as well as the Science City Jena legendary trio of Derrick Allen, Julius Jenkins and Immanuel Mcelroy all outstanding players that are still battling with the best in their late 30´s. Another guy that you have to add to this list is Demond Mallet. He didn´t have the BBL longevity of an Ensminger, Kruel or the Jena Musketeers as he played only 7 years in Germany, but overall he belongs to a rare breed of player that played until he was 40 and can look back at a spectacular 17 year career. Demond Mallet is a player that will always be remembered for never losing that competitive edge as he had that obnoxious game face mask that he never took off on the court, but when you met him off the court, you always felt like he was your best buddy. He had that never ending winning mentality and gave the word leader a new meaning. He truly was the man in European basketball. It wasn´t only winning many titles in Germany, Spain, Belgium and Israel that will keep in the hearts of many, but the way he approached the game and how he handled himself off the court where he was the ultimate role model for all. Mallet played for 17 seasons in Europe and finally has decided to hang up his sneakers at age 40. He always wanted to retire at age 40. Thursday Februry 22 was his 4oth birthday and on Friday Februry 23^rd he will be honored with a special retiurement ceremony in Bamberg before a Euroleague game against Euroleague team Crvena Zvezda.

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Demond Mallet started his illustrious career with McNeese St. (NCAA) in 1997 and had a great 4 year career and as a senior played 31 games leading the Southland conference in scoring at 21.3ppg), 3.3rpg, 2.1apg, StealsSouthland-2(2.1spg), FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 79.6%. He finished his collegiate career at McNeese State as the all-time leader in career three-pointers made (331), and steals (206) and third in points scored (1,941). He started his professional basketball career in 2001 and would spend his first 6 years in Germany. He quickly became a lethal scorer in the BBL with Basket Braunschweig averaging a staggering 21,1ppg in his three years. His amazing offensive talent got the attention of Bamberg who swiped him up and Mallet would play 2 seasons there from 2004-2006 winning his first professional title. In that time, he belonged to the top point guards in the German BBL and in the title season he played 30 games averaging 15.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 41.5%. He also played 20 Euroleague averaging 13.6ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 57%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 64.8%. The next season he moved to RheinEnergie Koeln (Germany-1.Bundesliga) where his winning ways continued with the German cup and played 13 Euroleague games averaging 12.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 46.3%, 3FGP: 37.1%, FT: 81.8%. In the BBL, he played 43 games averaging 12.7ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 55.1%, 3FGP: 40.4%, FT: 75.7%.In 2007 his path took him to DKV Joventut Badalona (Spain-ACB) where he proved he belonged to the top American players in the best league in Europe helping the team win the ULEB Cup. In both seasons, he had solid stats scoring in double figures in every competition. In his last 8 seasons as a professional, he would play three seasons with Belgacom Spirou Charleroi (Belgium-Ethias League) winning the league title in 2011 as well as being named league MVP. He also played one more season in Germany with the Artland Dragons, had a brief stay in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv and returned back to Spain and played two seasons with his former team FIATC Joventut Badalona who retired his jersey last season and his last basketball station last season was with Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProA) ). Some other achievements as he leaves the game was being a 5 time BBL allstar, German Cup MVP in 2007, 2007 BBL Allstar MVP, Spanish cup winner and Israel cup winner. He spoke to German Hoops a few days before his retirement ceremony in Bamberg about his basketball career.

Demond thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You are in Bamberg as your former club has prepared a special ceremony before the Euroleague game against Crvena Zvezda. What does it mean for you to be recognized for your two great years with Bamberg?

It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of history and to be recognized with this ceremony is just great. I won my first title and then the dynasties started. So to be recognized for my career is very humbling. I´m very grateful to be recognized for my longevity in my career.

Does it feel like time has flown by. It was 12 years ago that you last played here?

For me Bamberg is a basketball haven. When you go to Bamberg, you feel the basketball, love and culture. It is one of the best programs in Europe. I will always be grateful of Freak City.

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Demond Mallett has had a storied 17 year career and had a lot of his success in Germany. He always wanted to retire at age 40. His birthday is Thursday February 22 and the American from Leesville, Louisiana will officially retire from the game he cherished at age 40. He will officially be retired in a ceremony in Bamberg Friday night before a Euroleague game against Crvena Zvezda. Exactly how the retirement ceremony will be is a surprise to him, but Bamberg fans will be in for a real special treat having the chance to recount those wonderful memories of the 2005 BBL title win where he was so instrumental as well as see him in person.

Mallet started his illustrious career with McNeese St. (NCAA) in 1997 and had a great 4 year career and as a senior played 31 games leading the Southland conference in scoring at 21.3ppg), 3.3rpg, 2.1apg, StealsSouthland-2(2.1spg), FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 79.6%. He finished his collegiate career at McNeese State as the all-time leader in career three-pointers made (331), and steals (206) and third in points scored (1,941). He started his professional basketball career in 2001 and would spend his first 6 years in Germany.

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