europe

Jaleen Smith Who Has The Keys To The Croatian National Team Wasn’t Rewarded With A Win During His Alba Berlin Reunion In Bonn

pic credit: Brian Laluna

Jaleen Smith is truly one of the real good character dudes playing overseas. Not only to mention his great ability on the court, but overall being a great family guy and humble and correct guy to media folk like me. I have seen all kinds of players over my 20 + basketball career having done 2000 + interviews from the real friendly playing in lower leagues begging me for an interview, to normal dudes playing at good levels, but not interested in promotion to the real studs at the NBA/Euroleague level who can’t be bothered. Jaleen Smith is in my top 5-10 of guys that I have done the most interviews in my career with 35 dating back to 2017 when he was a Pro A rookie in Germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg. When he was balling in Germany, I would interview him regularly and even in the 2020 Covid time, we had an almost daily interview session I called the Tournament diary when he was competing with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in the easyCredit BBL bubble in Munich. We hadn’t done an interview in more than 2 years since he had been playing in other countries, when I asked him for an interview during my ‘A little Love From Overseas For Lebron James’ when he beat Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s NBA scoring record, he didn’t hesitate. He even tried to hook me up with ex NBA player Mario Hezonja last summer and Dario Saric last weekend. Unfortunately both guys declined. He has always been there for me when I wanted an interview in the last 9 years and it wasn’t any different the past week. He was in action with Croatia during the Fiba window playing against Germany and I was able to interview him twice before the first game in Croatia and once again after the bitter loss in Bonn yesterday.

Oscar Da Silva and Jaleen Smith

pic credit: Brian Laluna

Smith and Croatia won the first battle in Zagreb 93-88 and it was the first time that he battled Germany with Croatia. ‘It was really nice to win in Croatia. We had a full gym and the atmosphere was great. The feeling was intense, but it didn’t hit me until we played in Germany. I got emotional’, stressed Jaleen Smith. It was a hard fought win for Croatia in their own living room where there were many many lead changes. Croatia just wasn’t able to slam the door shut earlier. ‘I mean Germany is a really good team even without the NBA and Euroleague guys. We knew that it would be a tough game. We stayed tough and showed we had character being able to pull out the win. I think that our fans gave us a real boost and helped us win that game’, said Jaleen Smith. Croatia finally broke away in crunch-time to secure the first win in the weekend series. ‘We made them very uncomfortable and I feel that our experience helped us as well. They were a bit inexperienced at the guard position. Our good rebounding and not allowing second chance points helped us’, added Jaleen Smith. The 2 ex NBA players Hezonja and Saric combined for 44 points. Without the massive production from those 2 stellar players, Germany probably would have danced home with the victory. ‘It was big getting that type of production from them. We always know what we will get from them. But we also had other guys step up for us. It wasn’t just those 2’, commented Jaleen Smith. One of those other great supporters in the scoring department was Roko Badzim who has Spanish ACB experience with Monbus Obradoiro CAB Santiago de Compostela who had 15 points and shot 4/4 from outside. Was he the unsung hero in the first game? ‘Oh yes he was our unsung hero. He hit big time three pointers whenever we needed it when others were struggling. He really stepped up for us’, stressed Jaleen Smith.

Jaleen Smith who played at the University of New Hampshire (NCAA) from 2013-2017 and improved his scoring average each season and was a 2 time All-AEC second team selection had a big battle with rising German youngster Jack Kayil. The ex Vechta guard had a superb game with 15 points and 5 dimes displaying his leadership skills. ‘It was good battle. He had the same type of stats that I had. We cancelled each other out. I told him after the game in Bonn that I really loved his game. He is really coming into his own. He is developing really well. I can’t wait to see how he continues to develop’, stressed Jaleen Smith. For Smith the 2 games was a real Alba Berlin reunion as he faced many of his ex teammates like Johannes Thiemann, Tim Schneider, Jonas Mattisseck, Louis Olinde and Malte Delow. After not having seen them for years, was there an ex teammate that had the biggest impact on you? ‘I think that Schneider and Mattissek impressed me the most. Mattisseck was super aggressive. Thiemann really killed us in the second game’, expressed Jaleen Smith. In the first game, the ex NBA Summer League player with the Phoenix Suns had a very respectable game with 15/5/6 stats. He took 7 shots and got to the free throw line for 9 attempts. Was he content with his game and aggressiveness? ‘It was good, but it could have been better. I was just super excited that we got the win. I will do anything to get that win. I wasn’t getting to the free throw line as much going into these windows, but I knew that my game had to set the tone. I was impressed with my aggressiveness from the start’, stated Jaleen Smith.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Jaleen Smith in Frankfurt in 2023

Both Germany and Croatia only had 48 hours to recuperate from the first game as Germany had the rematch on German soil in Bonn. Croatia led in double digits in the fourth quarter, but sill lost 91-89 in overtime. ‘We had a stretch at the end of the fourth quarter where we just played chaotic. We played out of our system. These things happen. We have to learn from this loss. I think that a loss like this will help build our character’, warned Jaleen Smith. Croatia had the slim 24-22 lead after 10 minutes. Croatia has 16 points from Hezonja and Saric. Was the defense suspect allowing 22 points? ‘I don’t think that it was our defense. Their offensive rebounds hurt us and Johannes Thiemann was getting easy baskets’, said Jaleen Smith. Croatia led 50-41 at the break. Germany had the overwhelming rebound edge, but Croatia still found a way to take semi-control of the contest. ‘We did a good job limiting them to one shot and we got out running. They sent 3 to crash the glass and we benefited getting out on transition. They also got some turnovers’, said Jaleen Smith. Germany kept fighting hard and trailed only 67-62 at the end of 30 minutes. Germany had a 5-0 run in the last minute with a trey from Louis Olinde. Germany’s brutal 15-1 offensive rebound advantage over Croatia was giving them nightmares. ‘It was huge throughout the game. We actually did a pretty good job limiting offensive rebounds in the third quarter. They just did a better job hitting shots. We couldn’t finish them off. You can’t give a talented team like them the opportunity to get back into the game’, commented Jaleen Smith. Germany showed that one can never rule them out as they staged an annoying 10-0 run in crunch-time to dead lock the game at 77-77 and force overtime. Did Croatia already have the game won in their minds? ‘Yes we thought that we had the game won. We played too chaotic. We let the game get away. We should of slowed the game down more. But we continued to miss shots and that bit us in the butt’, added Jaleen Smith. Did Germany want it more in overtime? ‘I don’t think that they wanted it more. They made timely shots and got the key position for offensive rebounds. The way they were playing, it would have been tough for anyone to come back’, stressed Jaleen Smith. He had an incredible game and was so close to a triple double with 12/9/9. Was that his best game for Croatia? ‘I think that this might have been my best game in a Croatian jersey. I have been able to see the game better this past year. I’m just trying to continue to learn everyday . I’m so blessed that head coach Tomislav Mijatovi has given me the keys to the team. I feel like I’m getting better as I get older’, warned Jaleen Smith. It was no surprise that his fondest moment in the loss was seeing old friends. ‘My fondest moment in Bonn was taking a pic with all my ex Alba Berlin teammates. I might get it blown up or framed’, laughed Jaleen Smith. He supplied me with great pics for my article. I thanked him for the great player/journalist working relationship and said until the next time. I wonder what basketball circumstances will present itself for interview #36?

Jermale Jones Could Never Get Enough Of The Christmas Markets In Germany

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Jermale Jones at Quantez Robertson´s jersey retirement in Frankfurt 2024

One player I really enjoyed covering in Germany over the years was Jermale Jones (185-G-1986, college: Tuskegee). It is hard to believe that in his 14 year professional career, he only played in Germany for 6 seasons. Between 2011-2020, he played 6 seasons in Germany and 2 in Romania and 1 in Luxemburg. Since 2019, he hasn´t played in Germany anymore, but for me personally in a way it felt like he never left. I so him so often in Frankfurt watching his buddy Quantez Robertson play, that it never really felt like he was playing in another country, but he did. Last season he was playing in Switzerland, but somehow found some time in his busy schedule to come to Frankfurt and support Tez during his jersey retirement. He was never a baller who wanted to get to know one country better, but a guy who wanted to explore other cultures. It is no secret that the pay in lower leagues in Germany is not great. So since the 2019 season after paying his dues in Germany, he had had the great experience and balled in countries like Iraq and Thailand and this season is playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Khewaildia (Saudi Arabia-SBL). The pay is definitely better. They don´t celebrate Christmans in Saudi Arabia, but he has celebrated that time of year in other places like Germany, Switzerland, Romania and Luxemburg.

The explosive scorer played 1 season in Bernau and 5 seasons in Lich. One could say that Lich became like a second home for him. Last season he was in Switzerland in Luzern and took in all he could in this so festive time. He like so many other ballers that play overseas has really fallen in love with this time of year. “Christmas times in Germany are so amazing especially all the Christmas markets. It is so amazing for me”, stressed Jermale Jones. The Xmas markets are truly a unique experience in Germany. You have great food that can substitute for a meal as you just can´t stop going back for more. In addition the incredible hand made objects that are made by people can be great Christmas presents. He isn´t a fan of the Xmas markets, but a lover. “When I was in Germany I found myself in the Christmas market every other day. Frankfurt Christmas market was the best of them all to me. I couldn’t get enough of all the people being in the spirit of Christmas and all the food that was there”, remembered Jermale Jones. One can never go wrong visiting a Xmas market in Germany as you will always find something new. The Frankfurt Xmas market belongs to the best in Germany. It is one that has to be on everyone´s bucket list.

As an American, Christmas is a very important time of year for him as well. “It has been very special to me ever since I was a little kid. is very special time of the year because it feels like the spirit comes out of everyone. The giving, the loving and more happy times”, stated Jermale Jones. There is one tradition that he definitely kept overseas. Was it never tempting to undo the tradition and open presents on Christmas Eve the way they do in Germany? “I have never witnessed that”, said Jermale Jones. I can remember 20 years ago that the decorations on houses in Germany was minimal. In 2024, you can see towns in general being a lot brighter than then. But can you outdo the States in the house lights and overall advertisement that is generated each Xmas? “In USA they do it way bigger. People go all out for Christmas in USA. Lights all over there house and yards. I mean the decorations are so amazing and creative”, commented Jermale Jones. Xmas is also a time where the family gets together and share stories of how it was back in the day. He definitely has fond memories of Xmas when he was a kid. “Christmas as a kid was very very special because I knew I had so many gifts coming my way. As a family we got together to open gifts in the morning and then had breakfast and lunch”, added Jermale Jones. He also remembers exactly what his favorite present was as a kid. I´m very sure there weren´t many kids that had the opportunity like he did getting that special kind of toy every year. “My most cherished gift as a kid was every year I got a new bike to ride around the neighborhood”, said Jermale Jones. He definitely had me beat in that category. I definitely had to outgrow my bike and that didn´t happen every year the way I was growing as a kid. Jermale Jones just keeps coming back each year. At the ripe age of 38, he is still playing professionally. I hope he plays many more years. Who knows he might return to ball in Germany as a kind of farewell. If that does happen, he will definitely remember how to get to the Frankfurt Christmas market.

Not Getting His Ankle´s Broken By Luka Doncic And Playing Against Pao Gasol Were Huge Moments For Nicholas Spires In Spain

That Swedish players have reached the ACB in the past decade, the second best league in Europe after the Euroleague is no secret as guys like Ludvig Hakamson, Simon Birgander, Tobias Borg, Melwin Pantzar and Markus Eriksson have done it. Another talented Swedish player that has done it is also Nicholas Spires (210-C/F-1994). He was fortunate to have played in the ACB for 5 years and has many incredible basketball stories to share over that time and even if I was in a room with him, we could talk about certain guys and it wouldn´t get boring. With Sweden playing 2 Euro 25 qualifying games against Germany this week, I was on the grind getting some interviews with Swedish national players and one of those was Nicholas Spires. He had actually sent me the interview back last weekend, and I didn´t get the chance to look at it until now. Despite being in the States on a brief holiday, I´m always on the grind with my basketball work. When I opened up the interview, I had to smile and even giggle a few times when I read some of his answers. The day before I had been in Boston and as usual when I´m back home in Boston I´m on the search for NBA players as the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers had been in town. I was fortunate to see many of the players, get autographs including Donovan Mitchell and even met Omar Cook. That had been high on my agenda as I had interviewed him 5 years ago over the phone, but never met him in person. That chance finally happened. Later that night I watched some of the game and witnessed how Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics would end the Cavs 15 game winning streak to begin the season. I watched the game and listened to the commentary of ex NBA player Brian Scalabrine. So in reading his interview, I came upon a few things that just made me smile and had us having interesting topics to talk about if ever given the chance. Obviously Spires played against Omar Cook in the ACB years ago, but what made me giggle the most was that his Goat is Brian Scalabrine. That was definitely a first for me. I mean everybody has their own taste and reasons for picking their Goat. But then again maybe I shouldn´t believe everything I read. “That was more of a joke. My teammates dared me to write it. My real Goat is Dirk Nowitzki”, said Nicholas Spires. I had met Pao Gasol in Boston in 2019 and he had played against him in Spain. The Swedish big man definitely has incredible stories for the future grand children not only from the ACB, but in general about his illustrious basketball career.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Omar Cook in Boston in November 2024

The 30 year old 210cm center who lists Luka Doncic as the toughest player that he has ever faced was born on Feb, 25, 1994 in Tunbridge Wells, England, but began his basketball career in Sweden with Sodertalje and then had the incredible opportunity to play with the FC Barcelona youth team from 2010-2014. Getting an opportunity like that doesn´t happen often for a Swedish player. “I played very well in the youth national team which attracted attention especially in Spain. I travelled to various clubs that year and ended taking the decision to further my development with Fc Barcelona”, said Nicholas Spires. In his time there he witnessed so many incredible legends like Juan Carlos Navarro, Ricky Rubio, Bostjan Nachtbar or Sarunas Jasikevicius just to name a few. You would think that there was one player that really had a big influence on him. “ It wasn’t a specific player that impacted me but just being in that environment taught me what it meant to be a professional basketball player. I remember Sarunas always had some good story to tell”, remembered Nicholas Spires. He was fortunate in that time to have 2 fellow Swedes there with Ludvig Hakanson (It is never easy to move abroad, but having those 2 there made it all easier. We lived together and we tried to help each other. We are still very good friends today) and Markus Eriksson who made the adjustment period that much easier for him. “Having them there meant a lot. Moving at such a young age isn’t easy. Having some people you can lean on and depend on was very helpful. I think we went through a lot of similar things which helped us relate to each other. Like Ludde said, we became very close, we are very good friends even to this day”, added Nicholas Spires. He was teammates with so many talented young players in that time including Mario Hezonja. “He was very good back then also. You could sense he could become great”, said Nicholas Spires. After 4 years in Barcelona where he played 49 Leb Gold games for FC Barcelona 2, he then took a step back and played with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada Madrid (Spain-LEB Silver) averaging 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.1apg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 13.0%, FT: 68.9%. “It was a tough year for many reasons, but I learnt a lot. I look back at that year as a time where I grew up”, commented Nicholas Spires.

The big man who lists Steph, Durant, Lebron, Duncan,and Kareem on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore then went home and played 2 seasons with Sodertalje Kings (Sweden-Basketligan) winning a title in 2016 averaging 9.7ppg, 4.7rpg, Blocks-3 (1.3bpg), FGP-2 (67.1%), FT: 70.4% and 8.8ppg, 5.9rpg, Blocks-2 (1.6bpg), FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 66.7% while in the Fiba Europe Cup averaged 7.4ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 65.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 70.0% and 9.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 60.0%. He was fortunate to have a young Skyler Bowlin as a teammate who used that season as a stepping stone to become a top guard in the years to follow in the easyCredit BBL. “Sky was our leader. One of the best teammates I’ve had. He comes with so much positive energy which is contagious and spread throughout the team”, expressed Nicholas Spires. He then returned back to Spain and got his opportunity in the ACB playing 3 years with Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro CAB. There he never averaged more than 3,6ppg and was teammates with future German World Champion Andi Obst. It is only fitting that he had special memories with him. “ Also many great memories. I have to admit, seeing him play the way he did in the WC final and then in the Olympics gave me so much joy. It’s always very special when you see someone close to you succeed, especially players who you know are good people off the court Andi is a great person, and he deserves all the success he has gotten”, stressed Nicholas Spires. He played against Luka Doncic and survived not being involved in an ankle breaker and didn´t think he would become one of the best in the world now. “I remember it was the year he kept breaking ankles on the big guys that switched out in him. He got them on that sticker over the floor line and made them slip. All I remember is thinking was not to let him do that to me when I switched out on him. Luckily it didn’t happen so I dodged a bullet there. He’s one of my favourite players to watch in NBA ”, remembered Nicholas Spires. He then played parts of 2 seasons with Real Betis Sevillia and briefly in Poland. He had 1 more amazing ACB moment. “One of my favourite memories was defending one of my idols Pau Gasol playing against Barcelona his last year. That was special. I wear nr 16 in the National team for a reason”, said Nicholas Spires. In his time in the ACB, he would play a total of 102 games. He then returned to Sweden and played with Norrkoping Dolphins (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 9.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.1apg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 67.4%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 8.2ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 75.0% winning the double. “A lot of things were special. The people in the Norrköping organization are amazing. Playing a long side my best friend Adam Ramstedt was also special. I also learned how Swedish club basketball can look like when it is done right. I think that Norrköping has set the bar for the rest of the teams in Sweden”, warned Nicholas Spires. This season he is back with SBBK Sodertalje (Sweden-Basketligan) and last season averaged 14.0ppg, Reb5 (8.5rpg), 1.7apg, Blocks-1 (2.1bpg), FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 23.4%, FT: 75.2%. He had one of his best seasons in Sweden. It seems like he is getting better with age. “I feel great in my body and mind. Experience really helps and I still love the game. All these things play in to my individual performance, but it’s also thanks to factors that are partly out of your control. I’m thankful to the people around me that continue to believe in me and my abilities”, added Nicholas Spires.

The center who not only battles national team college Adam Ramstedt on the floor but also at chess is playing against Germany this week in 2 Euro 2025 games. He is looking forward to playing against World Champion Germany again. “We’ve been fortunate enough to have played Germany a few times in recent years. There’s no secret that Germany has an extremely high level of quality players. With that said, I feel like we are constantly progressing as a national team, we have a group of players able to play on a very high level and the fact that we have grown up playing together over many years gives us something extra. I look at these games as a great challenge where we will try to play at the level where we aspire to be”, warned Nicholas Spires. He played against Germany 2 years ago before they won the bronze and it was clear to see that greatness was on the horizon. I remember thinking it was a very fun game to play. I find it extra fun to match up against the absolute best players in my position. I have a distinct memory of denying Voigtmann going for a dunk. That was a good moment personally, as a team I think we were struggling with boxing them out on the rebounds. You could definitely see the potential considering the depth of the roster they had”, remembered Nicholas Spires. This time Germany will be weaker with no NBA or Euroleague players. Will the risk of underestimating them be there?” I think it’s foolish to underestimate your opponent. With or without NBA players, Germany is a very good team. But I also think we can be very good when we are at our best and focus on the right things. If we prepare well for the game anything is possible”, stressed Nicholas Spires. The future looks rosy for Swedish basketball with many talented young guys on board like Melwin Pantzar. “The team chemistry is something special in Sweden. Many of us have grown up playing with each other and I consider many to be my closest friends. There is more and more talent coming from Sweden, I see our future to be very bright. Melwin is one of the hardest working guys I know. Seeing him grow up to the player he is today has been very special. He isn´t only a very skilled player with amazing physical abilities, he is also a great person. I have no doubt he will reach whatever level he himself decides to reach”, commented Nicholas Spires. So what exactly is his role on the team? I like to think I can contribute to this team in whatever way is needed in the moment. I can play the 4 and the 5, I like bringing energy and contribute in any way I can. I can do a bit of everything”, stressed Nicholas Spires. Johannes Voigtmann won´t be on board this time, but ex NBA player and Euroleague player Tibor Pleiss will be. You know he will be more than extra motivated to battle Tibor Pleiss and produce new great memories and stories for the grandchildren.