Niklas Pons (192-SG-1999) is a 26 year old 192cm guard that completed his 8th season playing 112 games in his career there there and this season averaged 12/3/5/1 and helping winning the South West Regionalliga title. He also played 3 seasons with the Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors and was a member of the U-16 youth national team. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the 2024-2025 TV Langen season.
Congrats Niklas on winning the South West Regionalliga title. What does this title mean to you? The title means a lot to me because, as a little kid, I used to attend the Pro B games in Langen. Back then, I looked up to the players, and after the team was relegated, a goal grew inside me — to help the city get promoted back to Pro B.
If someone had told you at Xmas 2024 that you would win the title, what would you have thought? I would have told him to be in the moment with us and that we still have a long road ahead of us.
What did you enjoy most about the celebration on the court in Langen when you won? What made me happiest was celebrating with the fans, especially with all the kids. Hopefully, it’s something they’ll always remember.
Was not having Leon Fertig in game 2 a blessing in disguise. He had to go to Korea for his 3×3 duty. Did the team want to prove it could win without him? It was really sad that Leon couldn’t be there. The team just wanted to show that no matter who’s on the court, we can win. If someone is missing, the team steps up to fill the gap.
The team saved it´s best for last allowing only 47 points in game 2. What was the secret of the success? How much was head coach Tobias Jahn a part of it? The secret is the strong unity and the willingness to always give one hundred percent. Tobi managed to bring that out in us throughout the entire year — but there are many more things Coach did, things nobody sees.
Did Tobias Jahn instill that special physicality in the team?
Since Tobi was a physical player himself, he radiates that. He brought it into the team in his own way.
You allowed only 12 points per quarter in game 2. What made it so fun to defend for TV Langen?
It’s fun because strong defense leads to easy offense. At the same time, you can impose your game on the opponent and force them to play at your pace.
The Seeburger College Wizards always went on runs. How tough was it always punching back? As a team, we always knew that we could stop their run together and start our own again.
Drago Crnjac told me after win that TV Langen had heart and will. How special was TV Langen this season? For me, the season was very special because from the very beginning, we all agreed on our goals and everyone was part of the project.
How key was Drago Crnjac´s three pointer at the end of the second quarter? Did that give him an extra spark to have success in the second half? I think the three-point shot gave Drago confidence and helped him get into his rhythm.
What will you always remember from this team? I will always remember the strong team unity. We’re like brothers — we have fun together on and off the court.
How special is having that extra Skyliners connection on the team? There are so many ex players on the roster? I can’t say much about the Skyliners connection since I didn’t play with Drago in Frankfurt. However, it’s always an advantage to have played with a teammate on another team before — especially when it’s a professional program like Frankfurt.
Would TV Langen have won the title without Drago Crnjac? How key was adding him in December 2024? We’ll never know if we would have won without Drago. It’s good the way it is.
How key was Risto Vasiljevic for the success? He was another vital leader. Risto, like all the guys on the team, was an important part of our success.
How key was Aminu Abibu? Was he the team´s best rebounder? Since we were a very small team this year, Aminu’s rebounds were extremely important. He and Mike helped us a lot in that area.
How special is Leon Fertig? Is sky the limit?
Leon is a very special basketball player and an even better person. His journey is hopefully far from over. He will achieve great things, whether it’s 3×3 or 5-on-5.
What did you learn from Tobias Jahn this season?
I was able to learn that when you do something with passion, you can be satisfied with the result in the end. I also had the chance to learn some of his post moves.
You averaged 12/5/3/1 stats. How content were you with your season?
I think I can be satisfied with my performance. But of course, the goal is to get even better next year.
You had 2 very good seasons statistically. Are you in your prime or still getting there? Statistically speaking, I’m still two years away from my prime. That’s why I believe I’m far from reaching my limit.
Who was the toughest player that you faced in the Regionalliga this season?
The toughest players I faced this season were my teammates in practice. We had so many sessions that were sometimes even tougher than the actual games.
What is the next step for you? I can imagine you will stay in Langen. Will you always be a Langern boy?
Time will tell what the next step for me is. I’m not ruling out staying in Langen, and I can even imagine playing for Langen for a very long time.
Who wins a 1-1 you or Risto Vasiljevic? I would win in a 1-on-1
Michael Agyemang is a forward that completed his second season with TV Langen (Regionalliga) averaging 7/6 and helping TV Langen win the South West regionaliga title and helping them move up to the Pro B. he began his basketball career with SG Tv Durkheim. He also played a season with VFL Bensheim before coming to Langen. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the magical 2024-2025 TV Langen season.
Congrats Michael on winning the South West Regionalliga title. What does this title mean to you? It means a lot. So much work and effort was put in at the gym, and to see it all pay off feels really good.
If someone had told you at Xmas 2024 that you would win the title, what would you have thought?
I would’ve believed them, because that was the mentality from the beginning. I mean, that should be everyone’s goal, right? We’re not just playing to play—we want to win.
What did you enjoy most about the celebration on the court in Langen when you won? All of it—it was a moment to finally breathe, let go, and soak everything in.
Leon Fertig had to go to Korea for his 3×3 duty and missed game 2. Did the team want to prove it could win without him? Having Fertig is always a blessing. But honestly, there wasn’t a doubt in us. I think both we and Leon knew we could win without him.
The team saved its best for last allowing only 47 points in game 2. What was the secret of the success? How much was head coach Tobias Jahn (204-C-1986, college: CPP) a part of it? Coach had a vision, and we executed it. I’d say that was the secret. All the praise goes to him.
Did Tobias Jahn instill that special physicality in the team? Most definitely. Almost every practice was a dogfight—just preparing us for the battles ahead.
You allowed only 12 points per quarter in game 2. What made it so fun to defend for TV Langen? Seeing all five guys on the floor in sync and ready for whatever came at us—that made it fun.
The Seeburger College Wizards always went on runs. How tough was it always punching back?
They’re obviously a great team, so we knew we had to bring our A-game. Punching back was something we came prepared to do. Was it tough? Yes. But we expected nothing less.
How tough was it containing Eisa of Karlsruhe? How big was the focus to do a team effort on him? He’s a great player. It was definitely tough, but the focus was on shutting the whole team down.
Drago Crnjac told me after the win that TV Langen had heart and will. How special was TV Langen this season? Very special. Everyone was on the same page: 40 minutes of dedication, passion, the will to win—just get it done.
How key was Drago Crnjac’s three-pointer at the end of the second quarter? Did that give him an extra spark to have success in the second half? Probably, but you’d have to ask him that. We believe in him.
What will you always remember from this team?
The mentality and the effort. We went through highs and lows but always stayed together. That kind of resilience is rare in a team with so many different individuals.
How special is having that extra Skyliners connection on the team? There are so many ex-players on the roster.
Very special.
Would TV Langen have won the title without Drago Crnjac? How key was adding him in December 2024? I guess we’ll never know.
How key was Niklas Pons for the title? Is he the ultimate teammate? Pons gave the team a lot—he’s definitely the ultimate teammate.
How key was Risto Vasiljevic for the success? He was another vital leader. Risto is amazing. A calm killer.
How key was Aminu Abibu? Was he the team’s best rebounder? He just shows up out of nowhere—always in the right place at the right time.
How special is Leon Fertig? Is sky the limit? No words for that guy—the sky and beyond.
What did you learn from Tobias Jahn this season? A lot, but my favorite was: win.
You averaged 7/6 and had 1 steal and 1 block per game. How content were you with your season? There’s always room to improve. At the end of the day, I’m happy with our results. Now it’s time to get back in the lab and work.
You had 3 blocks in game 2 against Lich and 3 blocks in game 2 against Karlsruhe. How did your game grow this season? Preparation made me grow. I remember we lost in Karlsruhe the season before, and I was nervous because it was for a top spot. I had a bad game and told myself: never again. If you want to play, be ready—and stay ready. I kept that in mind.
Who was the toughest player that you faced in the Regionalliga this season? There are a few I could name, but maybe Tarig Osama or Lischka.
What is the next step for you? Will you remain in Langen? I don’t know what the future holds yet. We’ll see.
Risto Vasiljevic (195-SG-2001) is a 24 year old 195cm shooting guard that helped TV Langen win the 2025 South West Regionalliga title averaging 14/471 stats. He began his basketball career with BC Darmstadt and then played with the Frankfurt Skyliners youth teams and played with the Frankfurt Pro B team. He then played a season with the MLP Academics playing 18 games averaging 1,4ppg. He then returned to Frankfurt and played with the Juniors averaging 5.8ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 64.3%. He then moved to TV Langen (Regionalliga) and played 2 seasons avergaing 15,oppg and 3,0rpg. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the glorious 2024-2025 TV Langen season
Congrats Risto on winning the South West Regionalliga title. What does this title mean to you? Thank you. I’m very happy that we managed to win the Regionalliga title this year. We’ve played good basketball over the past three seasons and were able to win many games. That it finally led to a championship this year is a great reward for our efforts.
If someone had told you at Xmas 2024 that you would win the title, what would you have thought?
We’ve come close to winning the league in recent years. This season, we were determined to go all the way and had a good feeling from the start of pre-season. By Christmas, we had played a strong first half of the season, so I probably would have said that although there was still a long way to go, we were definitely on the right track.
What did you enjoy most about the celebration on the court in Langen when you won?
What I’m especially proud of is that we managed to fill the gym and create a great atmosphere. I clearly remember my first home game in Langen, when we played in front of just 30 people against Tübingen. The fact that, with our team and our style of basketball, we were able to sell out the gym and win the league was the most special part for me. After a whole season full of ups and downs, winning the league in the end and sharing that moment of relief with your teammates and coach was great.
Was not having Leon Fertig in game 2 a blessing in disguise. He had to go to Korea for his 3×3 duty. Did the team want to prove it could win without him?
We were all aware that Leon’s 3×3 season would begin during the playoffs, and that there was a chance he might be unavailable towards the end of our campaign. His absence didn’t come as a surprise, and we knew from the start that everyone would need to step up and take on more responsibility. We had already proven throughout the season that we could win both with and without Leon, so there was nothing to prove in that regard.
Leon was a huge part of our success and delivered outstanding performances in the three playoff games he played. Given his 3×3 commitments, we always had to be prepared to compete without him. Of course, we would have loved to celebrate the title with him in front of a packed home crowd.
The team saved it´s best for last allowing only 47 points in game 2. What was the secret of the success? How much was head coach Tobias Jahn a part of it? Tobi has been a key factor in our success. He’s still a young coach who continues to grow, and with his deep understanding of the game, he’s able to lead us effectively. He’s built a system and a team culture in which every player knows exactly what their role is. Both in practice and on the court. Every time we’ve followed his instructions, we’ve found success. What really stands out about Tobi’s coaching this season is how he managed the team under challenging circumstances. Several key players were unavailable at different points: Henk’s injury, Michael moving to Berlin, Maxim becoming a father, and Leon’s 3×3 commitments. These were four of our core players at the start of the season. The fact that we continued to win despite those setbacks speaks not only to the depth of our roster but also to the strength of Tobi’s system, in which every player knows their role and is ready to step up. As for the 47 points we allowed in the final game, we’ve always been a team with a defensive identity. We have players who genuinely enjoy playing tough, hard-nosed defense. Over time, we developed a real sense of pride and enjoyment in getting defensive stops together as a unit.
Did Tobias Jahn instill that special physicality in the team? Of course, the coach consistently demanded that level of physicality from us, but I think it also comes down to the character of certain players on our team. Michael Fuss, Niklas Pons, Leon Fertig, and Aminu are naturally tough and physically strong players. They brought that mindset into the team and set the tone for the rest of us.
You allowed only 12 points per quarter in game 2. What made it so fun to defend for TV Langen?
As I said, we have players who lead by example in that regard. Our practices were always intense and physical. Sometimes maybe even more than they should have been. But when you go to battle with your teammates during the week, it makes it all the more enjoyable to step onto the court together on the weekend and shut down your opponent. That shared fight throughout the week builds a kind of bond that makes defending together really fun.
The Seeburger College Wizards always went on runs. How tough was it always punching back?
We had respect for Karlsruhe and what they had accomplished over the past two seasons. At the same time, we were very confident in ourselves and firmly believed we could beat them. That belief gave us the strength to withstand their runs and keep pushing without letting up.
Drago Crnjac told me after win that TV Langen had heart and will. How special was TV Langen this season? I’m not sure if people from the outside would describe this as a special team but for us, it definitely was. We genuinely enjoyed coming to practice, and we always trained with great focus and intensity. On top of that, most of us have known each other for a long time and have strong personal connections. TV Langen as a club is filled with people who’ve been part of the organization and the basketball community for decades. That creates a sense of tradition and family that isn’t something you find everywhere and for us, that made this season special.
How key was Drago Crnjac´s three pointer at the end of the third quarter? Did that give him an extra spark to have success in the second half?
That’s very possible. Sometimes all it takes is one moment to really get into the game. He had some key plays in the fourth quarter that helped us secure the win.
What will you always remember from this team?
Before the season started, we agreed as a team that we would always be honest with one another and stay coachable. That led to some intense conversations within the group. Being honest with each other and accepting criticism isn’t always easy, but we grew through that process and it had a significant impact on the way we played. What will stay with me most are those open and honest discussions we had as a team.
How special is having that extra Skyliners connection on the team? There are so many ex players on the roster? That was definitely a big advantage and made everything a lot easier. Most of us have known each other for a long time. On top of that, we were able to carry over certain playing principles, which meant we were immediately on the same page.
Would TV Langen have won the title without Drago Crnjac? How key was adding him in December 2024? Drago was a big help to us. He had a difficult period, and I’m really glad he was able to regain his confidence and deliver strong performances. He had some really important moments throughout the season. It’s never easy to join a team mid-season and find your role, but the fact that we already knew him from Frankfurt definitely helped and the adjustment happened pretty quickly.
How key was Niklas Pons for the success? Is he the ultimate leader? Niklas has an incredible will to win and a remarkable work ethic. He pushes himself to the limit in every single practice. That mindset is contagious and has been extremely important for our team. In terms of leadership, he also took a big step forward this season. After Michi and Maxim were no longer available, he stepped up and embraced the role of team captain. I’m proud of the way he handled it.
How key was Aminu Abibu? Was he the team´s best rebounder? Aminu joined the team over the summer, and like many new players, he needed some time to find his place. It took a little while for him to open up, but as the season went on and we got to know him better, his impact grew steadily. His development throughout the season was remarkable, and he became a crucial part of our team. Especially in the second half of the season and during key games, his performances were outstanding. Aminu did a lot of the dirty work, the kind of things that don’t always show up in the box score He’s definitely one of the best rebounders I’ve ever played with. His feel for the game, especially when it comes to rebounding, is exceptional and gives me, as a shooter, a lot of extra confidence.
How special is Leon Fertig? Is sky the limit?
Leon and I have been playing together since we were 13, and he’s been one of my closest friends for over ten years. Sharing the court with him is always something special. We’ve built such strong chemistry over the years that we instinctively know what the other is going to do. The U23 3×3 Nations League tournaments we played together for the national team are among the highlights of my career. I’m genuinely proud of how much Leon has grown as a player. He’s now recognized as one of the top 3×3 players in the world and has earned a lot of respect on the international stage. What really defines Leon is his relentless drive and refusal to quit. He plays with a level of physicality and endurance that’s rare, and he’s constantly working to improve. I have no doubt that if he keeps going at this pace, he hasn’t reached his full potential yet. There’s still a lot more to come in his career!
What did you learn from Tobias Jahn this season? This season, Tobi taught us to truly trust in our system. In tough moments during games, we often tended to look for solutions outside of what we had practiced – plays that didn’t reflect our usual style. Tobi instilled what he called “championship habits,” and as long as we stuck to them, we were successful. What I’ll take away from this season is the importance of trusting the process and staying calm under pressure and continuing to play our game instead of looking for quick fixes.
You averaged 14/4/1 stats. How content were you with your season?
I think I can be very satisfied with my season. Of course, as a player, you’re always self-critical and wish you had performed even better, but I believe I was able to help the team in meaningful ways. This season, I had to play a lot of minutes due to injuries and absences, which meant I often found myself switching between three different positions during a single game. I received a great deal of trust from both my teammates and the coach, along with the freedom to make decisions on the court. I tried to repay that trust in the best way possible. I believe I showed up in the key moments and did my best to give the team whatever it needed at the time – whether that was a deep three, a crucial defensive stop, an offensive rebound, or the right words in a timeout. Winning means a lot to me, and I hope I was able to pass that mindset on to the team.
You have had 3 very good seasons in a row averaging 14,0ppg. Do you feel like you could up your scoring to 20,0ppg?
Thank you. Over the past few years, I’ve often experienced a bit of a dip in performance for a few weeks after the turn of the year. Because of my psychology studies and the exam period in February, my focus naturally shifts somewhat away from basketball during that time. For next season, I’m determined to prepare more intentionally for that phase so I can maintain my usual level of performance throughout the entire year. As I mentioned, I always try to give the team what it needs in the moment and that’s not always scoring. With better shot selection and a slightly higher shooting percentage, I probably could have put up more points this season.
You played at the Pro A and Pro B level. You are still young. Isn´t your goal to play higher? If you stay in Langen then you will play Pro B again.
It has always been very important to me to prepare well for my professional future alongside basketball and to pursue an academic path as well. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me to combine that with playing at a higher competitive level.That’s why it was crucial for me to be part of a team where I’m trusted, have strong relationships with my teammates, and get significant minutes on the court. Achieving promotion to ProB with this group is a great reward. I’ll be finishing my degree in a year, and maybe then there will be an opportunity to compete at a higher level or to pursue 3×3 more seriously.
Who was the toughest player that you faced in the Regionalliga this season? For our team, there weren’t really any players we considered particularly tough to face. If someone was defending me well, I’d just give the ball to Leon and he’d take care of it. And if someone was giving me problems on defense, I’d put Aminu or Henk on them.
Who wins a 1-1 you or Niklas Pons and you or Drago Crnjac?? Tough one… but I’ll go with myself.
Lennard Winter (195-SG-2000) is a 24 year old 195cm shooting guard that recently completed his third season with the SBB Wolmirstedt averaging 11.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 78.0%. He began his basketball career with the FC Bayern Munich U-18 team. He then played 4 seasons with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 2024-2025 season.
Thanks Lenni for talking to germanhoops.com and congrats on a great season with Wolmirstedt. I always thought Wolmirstedt was deep but was Leverkusen possibly the deeper team?
Thank you. No, I don’t think they were the deeper team besides our injury problems with Mo and Fabi being out, but they were the better team in the finals.
What kind of a feeling was it for you to play against your old team Leverkusen? Was your focus to win especially bigger than against other teams especially since it was your ex team? It´s always exciting to play a former team, especially in the finals but I tried to treat the game like the other playoff games before.
What was the game plan going into the second game in Leverkusen? What was key for not getting the win? Leverkusen rebounded very well again? The game plan was to focus on the second final and play our best game. They defended very well, like they did the whole season and they won the rebound battle which was key for them.
What is so special about the Wolmirstedt basketball culture? What have you learned to appreciate most about the organization?
The organization is very ambitious, which you can feel during practice and the games. Everybody is working together so the club is able to reach its goals.
The chemistry was great and the team scored a lot and belonged to the best defensive teams in the Pro B north. What was this season´s team´s biggest strength? Perhaps “TEAM” as there was no big star? 100%. We had many guys on our team who could score the ball and take over a game. Other teams had a hard time preparing for us because of our deep roster. That was our biggest strength this season.
Let´s talk a little about your teammates. Bill Borekambi has been there since 2021 and one of the leaders. He is a walking bucket and can score in so many ways. What do you appreciate most about his game and what is your favorite move from him? He´s a really good player and he had a great career. He´s also a great teammate who stepped up in the playoffs and was key for our success this year.
Talk a little about the other American import Derreck Brooks Jr. What did you appreciate most about their# games this season?
He was also very important for our team this season. He´s a great player on both ends of the floor who knows how to win games. I was glad we had him on our team.
You averaged 11/2/17! stats. How content were you with your game this season?
It was challenging in the beginning for me as I had to undergo surgery on my thumb after our second game. When I came back in December, it took me a few games to get back into rhythm but from then on, I was content with my game and very happy about our promotion.
How do you feel did your game grow in the Pro B? You had a lot of talent around you which obviously made you better the last 3 years. Yes, I was able to play with many talented players which made it easy for me on the court. I feel like I was able to improve my game in all kinds of areas making me a better player overall.
You had many great games in the German Pro B. What was your favorite game? It has to be game 3 against Essen. Coming off a 20 point loss two days before and then beating them by 30 to get the promotion to ProA was amazing, especially after work we put in the last 3 years.
You were teammates with one of my favorite guys Jordan Talbert. How much of an honor was it to be teammates with him as he was winding down his career? I´m sure you could soak up a lot of vital basketball from him. It was great having him as a teammate and captain. He was a true professional who has seen a lot in his career and was happy to share his knowledge. He really helped in my first year in Wolmirstedt.
You began your basketball career with FC Bayern Munich. What memories do you have of that time? How big was the competition level? Yes, Munich was the club where I played my whole youth basically. I had a lot of good coaches and teammates which helped my development. The level of competition was very high, which made me a better player.
You then came to Leverkusen in 2018 and remained 4 years. How vital was this change in your basketball career? You played with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen U19 team (NBBL) averaging 15.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.5apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 70.6%
It was a very important step in my career. During my last year in Munich I felt like I had developed into a player who´s ready for the next step. Because of the competition level I didn´t get the playing time I was hoping for. In Leverkusen I got that opportunity and was able to show my talent on the court.
Right in your first season you helped Leverkusen win the Pro B title and reach the Pro A. What memories do you have of that season and what was so special about that team?
It was my first season as a professional and also being away from home. I met a lot of great people who made it very easy for me. We were really successful as a team and to finish the season off with the championship was truly special. It´s a season I won´t forget.
You then played 3 years of Pro A basketball with Leverkusen playing 42 games, but never averaged more than 4,2ppg in a season. How competitive was it for you getting minutes? How did your game grow under Hansi Gnad?
It was very competitive because we had a lot of talented players on the guard positions during those three years. I was also struggling with a few injuries, but those factors helped me grow and made me a better basketball player. Hansi always gave me a chance to show what I can do on the court and I´m grateful for that.
When I´m at Frankfurt airport ready to commence a new journey home to Boston to visit family, I´m always on the lookout. I don´t travel every week, but usually once or twice a year and my fortune with seeing basketball players at the airport have been pretty good in the last years. I saw ex Giessen player Jestin Lewis some years ago as well as the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg team led then by John Patrick and just last year bumped into ex easyCredit BBL champion Ivan Pavic of Bamberg. Heck I even saw well known German dance floor group Masterboy at the airport. I don´t know what it is, but I just have luck bumping into people who are public figures. It wasn´t any different once again recently as I was on another trip home when I was waiting to board and saw a guy lounging around who looked like a player. My suspicions was heightened a bit more when I saw he was carrying a bag with the G-League logo. I approached him and asked him who he was. He told me Kahlil Dukes (182-G-1995, college: Niagara). The name rang a bell and he actually had balled in Germany for the Hamburg Towers some time ago and was on his way home to Hartford from Hungary back for the summer. I wasn´t sure if I had ever interviewed him before, but when I later checked my files, I actually had not. We rapped for some minutes and wished each other a good flight. We were actually on the same flight to Boston. We took a selfie and were on our way. He later contacted me about needing a change on his eurobasket.com profile and I was happy to help him. I then decided why not interview him. He definitely has a special story to tell. He is a guy that has played for 10 organizations in countries like Hungary, Russia, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Bulgaria, and France. He is a genuine basketball globetrotter that has seen it all including ice on the beard and eyebrows. “It’s been a journey and the journey has been an experience to say the least. But I have had ups and downs. I have played in some small cities and in some big cities. I can say some basic things in four different languages now. So I am grateful for the opportunity I have every year to travel the world for free and make money doing what I love to do”, said Kahlil Dukes.
The 30 year old 182cm guard who saw many great guys in the Pac 12 from the bench like Kyle Anderson, Joe Young, Zach Lavine, Norman Pow, TJ McConnell, Stanley Johnson, Jordan Adams, and Dillon Brooks and lists guys like Nate Mason, Matt Morgan, Eric Neal, Isaiah Washington, and Justin Robinson as the toughest players he ever faced in the NCAA began his basketball career at Capital Prep Magnet School averaging 23.9ppg, 3.9apg, 3.0spg; and finished his four-year career with 2,228 points to become the 17th player in Connecticut high school history to score more than 2,000 points. He then played at the University of Southern California from 2013-2015 amassing 37 games, but never averaged more than 2,7ppg in a season. “It was tough sitting on the bench and not getting an opportunity. I worked all my childhood to play high level college basketball and then I got there and didn’t get much of a chance to show what I could do. The coach that recruited me was fired before I got to campus. It was difficult trying to impress the new coach. But I tried my best and showed I belonged and I worked very hard. Looking back on it, it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me because I learned how mentally strong I was and how deep my love for the game was in those 2 years. And I knew that with an opportunity, I could be special”, stressed Kahlil Dukes.
A big highlight in his second season was scoring 18 points in 29 minutes against Arizona State? It was a tough loss, but he proved that he could produce when given minutes. “This was my opportunity. Two guys were suspended and one of our starting guards was injured so it gave me an opportunity to show I could play well in big minutes. I was playing so well that the coach was drawing up out of time out plays for me to score – and I was executing them. We were leading the whole game also, on the road against an ASU team that beat Arizona that year. They started making some big shots down the stretch and we went cold and ended up losing. But I’ll never forget that night. It showed me I belonged and it taught me a lot about hard work and trusting a journey”, remembered Kahlil Dukes. He then finished at Niagara and finally got a chance. In his first season averaged 15.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 92.1% and in his second season exploded averaging 20.8ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 91.0% “Transferring to Niagara was the best decision I ever made. My redshirt season actually made the adjustment a lot easier for me. Ended up being MAAC Player of the Year and an Associate Press All-American Honorable Mention in the end so all I can say is I’m grateful for all the ups and downs throughout my collegiate career. You asked earlier about going from one team to the other and performing better, showing resilience. I think a lot of that stems from my college career and the experiences I had during that 5-year journey going from USC to Niagara. Like I said before, usage and responsibility per possession makes all the difference – for me at least”, stated Kahlil Dukes. In his 2 seasons he played 65 games and scored in double figures in 59 games. He scored 20 points or more 30 times. He will never forget his incredible 37 point explosion against Monmouth where he went 11/17 from the field and 10/10 from the free throw line. “It was a college career-high night for me. I always tried to be at my best against Monmouth especially because I respected them as powerhouses in the MAAC conference. They had just had a back to back conference player of the year (Justin Robinson) and their coach (Coach Rice) played at UNC for Roy Williams. So they were highly respected in the league so I wanted their respect more than anyone else’s – and I got it”, smiled Kahlil Dukes. He didn´t get a chance at USC, but head coach Chris Casey gave him an opportunity to shine for 2 years at Niagara. “Casey was vital in my development as a collegiate player. He gave me the opportunity to be me. Him and Marc Rybczyk believed in me, gave me a lot of confidence and put a lot of trust into me and my abilities as a player. This belief in me meant a lot to me and it gave me another reason to be at my best night in and night out. Having this responsibility prepared me as a pro. The work ethic also. I always had it but at Niagara, Rybczyk was the one who trained me and pushed me to train like a pro, how to be efficient throughout a season and how to break down and manage a season into a successful season. Without both Casey and Rybczyk, I would not be the pro I am today”, warned Kahlil Dukes. At Niagara he picked up achievements like All-MAAC Co-Player of the Year -2018, All-MAAC First Team -2018, NABC Division I All-District 1 First Team -2018, and All-ECAC Division I Second Team -2018. He will never forget teammate Matt Scott with whom he had his 1-1 battles with in practice. “Matt is one of my best friends. We beat each other many times when competing in practice. We understood each other’s greatness and we knew that together we could be special. And we were. You can fact check this, but I believe we were the highest scoring backcourt duo in the nation during our senior year preseason. We easily were the highest scoring duo in the MAAC. If he did not suffer an injury right before the MAAC tournament, Casey and I still believe we would have won the MAAC that year and went dancing. Still proud of him though and all he was able to accomplish as a 4 year college player at Niagara and as a pro. He’s actually an assistant coach now under Casey at Fairfield University. I’m really proud of him and happy for him. I love him to death”, warned Kahlil Dukes.
The Hartford native who lists JULIAN JACOBS, JAY JAY CHANDLER, MATT SCOTT, ERIC LOCKETT and TIMOTHY SOARES as his 5 best teammates of all-time began his professional career in Russia with You played your rookie season with BC Irkut Irkutsk (Russia-Superleague 1) averaging 22.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.1apg, 2FGP: 44.6%, 3FGP: 37.2%, FT: 84.9%, in Jan.’19 moved to Universitet-Yugra Surgut (Russia-Superleague 1) playing 22 games averaging 25.8ppg, 4.1rpg, Assists-1 (6.4apg), FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT-1 (90.9%).He demonstrated that he could excel with 2 different organizations and somehow overcome the tough winter. “Russia was fun. One of my favorite seasons for sure. I remember being there and feeling like Russia was nothing like I expected. The people were really funny and had a great sense of humor. They were all very kind to me and open. My diet was terrible but I was still young then so it didn’t affect my play much. The winter cold in Russia is definitely on another level than Connecticut but it was a dope experience nonetheless. Ice on the beard and eyebrows is something most Americans only see in movies. So it was crazy to actually see in person. But I enjoyed myself and I played at a high level. I was trying to prove myself in Europe and I think I was able to do that”, added Kahlil Dukes. In his second pro season, he had to suffer growing pains as his stay in Germany with the Hamburg Towers was short. He enjoyed players coach Mike Taylor, but didn´t see eye to eye with GM Marvin Willoughby. “Hamburg was my least favorite season. I dealt with a lot of things on and off the court in my 3 months there and it really scared me mentally. It’s a long story but it was also my first time being cut from a team in my life. So it was tough. And I honestly try not to think about that season too much. But I kept working. Once I got to Poland I was ready to bounce back. I played well before Covid ended the Polish season. Kobe Bryant also died that season. It was just overall a really dark time for me. But I got through it”, stated Kahlil Dukes. He battled long time NBA player Greg Monroé who had a 18/10/5 game as he got a real taste of what a Eurolegaue team like FC Bayern Munich is all about. “I honestly don’t remember much from that game other than I got ripped in the back court, I had a cut on my nose that they made me come out of the game for, I did not make a field goal, and we lost by 50 or something crazy like that. But playing against a Euroleague team for the first time was cool”, remembered Kahlil Dukes. He finished strong in Poland with Legia Warszawa (Poland-EBL) averaging 17.1ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 80.0%. One strength of his overseas trek has been being able to perform well again after a tough start elsewhere. “I think I have always been resilient but I think I’m also a very strong minded, tenacious and determined person. Even if the teams I left kept me, I would have ended the season better than I started. I’m a marathon runner, not a sprinter. I’m also my biggest critic. It’s my job to play well. If I don’t play well, then I’m criticizing myself and locking myself in the gym day in and day out until I start to play better consistently – simple as that”, stressed Kahlil Dukes.
The scoring guard who lists MICHAEL JORDAN, KOBE BRYANT, LEBRON JAMES, MAGIC JOHNSON and WILT CHAMBERLAIN on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore then played the next 3 seasons in the Turkish second division TBL and belonged to the top players in the league. In 2020-2021 he played with Samsun BSB Anakent (Turkey-TBL) averaging 18.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT-6 (90.3%). He played an incredible playoffs, but lost a tough series to Yalova. “Samsunspor was my best year as a pro. That team was special. We lost 3 key guys (2 starters) to season-ending injuries during the playoffs. Going into the finals against Yalova, we were confident but were not as strong as we were all season. We won Game 1 but we dropped Game 2 and after that Yalova took the momentum and closed the series at home. I played Game 1 and 4 very well but not Game 2 and 3. Yalova guarded me well as a team and I had a difficult time adjusting. I had to watch a lot of film to be better in Game 4 because it was win or go home. I played well, just wasn’t enough. I was guaranteed a lot of money if we won that series too, money that I still haven’t signed for as a 7 year pro in 2025. So I would be making a lot more today as well. So all of that is tough and in a way, that series hurt my career not just financially but competitively because I would have also played super league Turkey (BSL) the following year. But I guess it wasn’t in the cards for me at the time”, remembered Kahlil Dukes. In the 2021-2022 season he split time with Balkan Botevgrad (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 11.2ppg, 1.7rpg, 4.8apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 73.3% and in in Feb.’22 moved to Balikesir Buyuksehir Belediyespor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 19.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 8.4apg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 78.1%. “Bulgaria was challenging. I learned a lot from a Serbian coach there about tactics and just being gutsy enough to take control of a game. I was playing with multiple foreigners so they did not need me to score 20 points a game. This was a new role for me but it allowed me to develop other parts of my game. I struggled adjusting for a bit but I had some good games. I eventually got Covid and had to be quarantined. While I was out sick, they signed a replacement for me, and so I ended up back in Turkey”, commented Kahlil Dukes. In the 2022-2023 season he had his second tour of duty with Balikesir Buyuksehir Belediyespor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 17.0ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-5 (5.6apg), FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 88.1%. Once again he showed that he deserved to get an opportunity in the first division in Turkey, but didn´t get one. “I have not felt the same motivation to win a title in Turkey since the Samsunspor title run. I’m always motivated to play at a high level and show I’m one of the best players in the league. But winning a title takes a team willing to do whatever it takes from a day to day and week to week basis. I did not feel that again in Turkey after Samsunspor. But I played well and still made the playoffs with Balikesir. It’s not tough to get great stats in Turkey if you put the work in, can score and can play well out of pick and roll. Those are my greatest attributes so Turkey is very comfortable for me. Whether or not my team has a chance at a title is something I worry about during the course of the season. My main focus is usually just playing well, being efficient and staying healthy. When I am able to do that, I usually put my team in a great situation to win”, expressed Kahlil Dukes.
The ex Niagara scoring guard who lists Michael Jordan as his GOAT split the2023-2024 season with Entente Orleans 45 (France-ProB) averaging 11.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.6apg, 2FGP: 55.9%, 3FGP: 37.1%, FT: 61.9%, in Feb.’24 moved to Esenler Erokspor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 20.1ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 88.9%. It was the fifth time in his career that he played for more than 1 team in a season. He showed again that he had no difficulty adjusting to new places. “I think adjustability is the toughest part about playing for multiple teams in one season. You have to adjust to a new culture, new teammates, new playbook, new coaches, new city, new apartment, new expectations, new everything. And you are going into a situation that’s much different, whereas a bad team may have signed you to help them stay in the league or a good team may have signed you to help them stay at the top. Depending on where you’re coming from, the situation could be the complete opposite where you’re going. You have to deal with that and also to deal with the emotions of your break up with the team you started the season with. Depending on what happened or why you were released, you may experience depression, joy, lack of confidence or vengeance, or maybe all of those at once. And then you have to go out and play at a high level. So it’s definitely tough. But like you said, I have done it five times now so I have some experience with it now and my ways of dealing with my emotions and adjusting myself accordingly not only to feel well mentally and spiritually, but to play well also”, warned Kahlil Dukes. He began well in France but in 2024 had a rough phase and then had to go, but in Turkey exploded. Is his game suited better for Turkey? “I don’t think it’s about my game, I think it’s more about how I’m used. I think people on the outside looking in see stats and think I’m better in 2nd division Turkey or in “lower divisions”. But the truth is, I can be special wherever I am if I’m used at a high rate. Turkey 2nd division has a two-foreigner rule, so I am a lot more responsible possession by possession, meaning whether we win or lose is based solely on my performance. So in a situation like that, I’m going to have greater stats of course. In France, Bulgaria, and Hungary I played in top divisions and/or had more foreigners. The style of play was more systematic so I’m less responsible per possession. Playing with 4-7 guys who can get double-figures a game is a lot different than playing with 4-7 guys who need me to get 18-25 points a game to win. The minutes and usage is different, type of shots taken are different, shots per game different, etc. You may rotate in and out of a game when you play with a great team in a top league, and you may not come out of the game when you play in a lower league because the team is minus when you are out of the game. It’s a lot of different variables. I think personnel and the way a player is used is not talked about enough when comparing stats in Europe and I wish people looked at seasons as a whole with all the important factors that go into it instead of just looking at the numbers – but it is what it is. I feel like I am more impactful individually in situations where I have to be more responsible per possession than I am in situations where the ball is moving side to side more and I may or may not get it back. Can I play in that system? Yes. I have proven it. And I can adjust and be efficient anywhere you put me in Europe”, stated Kahlil Dukes.
The ex USC guard who feels that If Eddie Murphy Likes one of his own movies, then Dukes loves it played the 2024-2025 season with Atomeromu SE Paks (Hungary-A Division) averaging 10.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 81.5%. He played 9 playoff games and played an exciting series against Sopron KC winning game 5 87-85. “The Sopron series was fun. They were a tough opponent because they play so well at home and in Hungary you travel back and forth throughout the series. They matched up pretty well with us to in moments throughout the series but ultimately we took care of business. They fought hard though and it was not easy”, said Kahlil Dukes. He then lost a tough semi-final series against Szolnok. I´m sure he will never forget game 2 where he had 21 points and 6 turnovers. “I think I won’t forget this entire series in general. It was tough. I missed the first 13 games of the season with an injury so I fought my way back to be at my best during this playoff run. And in this semi-final series I was at my best. Game 2 was cool but I averaged 15.7ppg, 6.7apg, 1.0rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 64% (18/28) 3FGP: 60%, (?) FT 67% (?) in the first 3 games of this series. I started Game 4 with back-to-back 3’s and then I injured my groin a few possessions later. If I don’t get hurt, I feel like we would have won that series because we planned to win that night and close at home. So that was a tough way to end the season but sometimes it’s just not your time. And judging by the way Szolnok later swept Falco in the finals, it was in fact their time. I congratulate them. They are well coached, they played very well together, they executed and made adjustments well throughout the series and their depth played a major role for them”, remembered Kahlil Dukes. Where he will embark for his 8th season is still unknown, but one thing is for sure, his hunger for that first pro chip gets bigger each season. “I reached my first finals in Turkey with Samsunspor and came up short. Some season-ending injuries to very key players were too difficult to overcome. This season, I planned to be back in a finals situation in Hungary but this time I was the only one who suffered a season-ending injury in Game 4 of the semi-finals. So it’s been more of a luck thing than actually being beaten in my opinion, but I respect all champions because it’s not easy to win and I hope to be back in a situation where I can accomplish gold. I have three bronze medals (a league bronze in Turkey, a cup bronze in Hungary and a league bronze in Hungary) now in my 7-year career. So I guess something is better than nothing. Small wins mean something, for sure. I just have to keep going and hopefully I can stay healthy”, stressed Kahlil Dukes.
Zharon Richmond (201-F, college: MSUB) is a 201cm rookie that played the 2024-2025 for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-ProA). He began his basketball career with Skyview High School. He then played at Montana State University Billings (NCAA2) from 2017-2024 playing a total of 79 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a win against the EPG Guardians Koblenz and about his basketball career.
Thanks Zharon for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the big win over the EPG Guardians Koblenz. Do you feel like the team is on a good way going towards the playoffs? The team has won 5 of it´s last 7 games. We have definitely put ourselves in a good position for the playoffs. In a great spot but have four tough games coming up. Since I’ve been here we have dropped a couple games that we should not have and that definitely hurt our playoff position.
I saw that game in Koblenz and was really impressed with the extra pass. The team is totally unselfish. Was that unselfishness there from day 1 or did it grow with time? For coming as a midseason signing I wanted to make sure my teammates knew the way that I play. That is being a team player and making the extra passes and helping the team with or without score. I would say that is how everyone on this team plays.
The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven are having a good season. What has been the secret to the success? Similarly to the last question, we play our best basketball when we are selfless and everyone is involved. I wouldn’t say there’s a secret I think any team can find success when they play together and defend.
The team has no real stars, but 10 guys that average 7,0ppg or more. Have you ever seen this before in your career? Does everyone play for each other? We have a lot of guys that can score and in many different ways. As far as the teams I’ve played on I have never seen this amount of depth when it comes to scoring. Everyone know their roles and what everyone else is capable of so we know that if one person may have an off night that someone else will pick up the slack.
The team allows the second least points in the Pro A with 75 per game. What is the biggest strength on the defensive end that has allowed the team to have this special identity? I think the biggest strength that has helped this team is the level of IQ we have. From our ability to recognize opponents plays we have gone over to changing of coverages. We are a good team when we communicate and defend and we all know how important that is.
What has it been like being teammates with young German Peter Hemschmeier? How talented is he? He hit big three´s against Koblenz?
Peter is a really talented young player with a lot of potential. From the short time I have been here I have seen improvement in his game. Peter has made some big shots this year and helped us win games. Another thing about Peter is off the court he is hilarious, sometimes on the court as well.
The team has so many great players. Who would you call the team´s Swiss army knife? Possibly Carlos Carter? I think it is safe to say Carlos is our Swiss army knife. I say this because he is very versatile offensively and defensively. With his size he is able to score and defend in the post, and his speed and ability to handle the allow him to play and defend the guard positions.
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? NBA player comparisons are tough, someone once told me I play like a smaller Karl Anthony Towns.I found that agreeable with the ability to stretch the floor score in the post as well as rebound and defend.
You have always been a scorer your whole career while being consistent. What do other strengths does your game have?
Other than scoring I feel my strengths are being unselfish and making the extra pass, defending with some room for improvement, and I try to do other little things that can help our team win.
Versatility is huge in your game. How has that helped you the most this season as a rookie?
Being versatile has helped me get on the floor. With some injuries we had we were lacking depth at the center position, although undersized I was able to step in and play minutes at that position. This gave our team some different options offensively which I think opened up our game.
Your shooting 51% from outside and have made a big jump this season. Did coach Steve help you or has it been mostly with your preparation and mechanics? Nothing has changed as far as mechanics for me but what I think changed the most is the kinds of shots I’m taking. In college I was depended on more to score and I didn’t always take the most high quality shots. With this team this year I have been able to take and make high quality shots open shots, most of which are created by my teammates. Getting here midseason there hasn’t been much time to work with Coach Steve, the help he has given me is telling me to shoot the ball when I’m open.
How has your defense grown this season? Bremerhaven gives up only 75 points per game and is one of the best defensive teams in the Pro A? Personally I’ve learned and adjusted to defensive strategies I’ve never or rarely done before. As for our team, when we limit our opponents to jut one shot we are very good. Some of the games that we have lost or were close we were not able to do that.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder? I believe I can take a big step up defensively. I also want to improve my ball handling, this will just expand my versatility even more. Strength is another thing I need to improve, especially with the physicality in this league.
This season your averaging 9/3/1 in only 20 minutes which is 16 minutes less than last season. Has it been a tough adjustment playing less? You still are very efficient. It is definitely different playing for a team when you aren’t needed or expected to play over 30 minutes. With more limited minutes you have to give the effort and try and give the most you can because sometimes you don’t know how much time you will get.
You played at Montana State University Billings (NCAA2) from 2017-2024 and had your ups and downs including being injured. What kind of a player were you coming in and what kind of player did you become when you left? Coming into college I was skilled but also still pretty raw, many times I just relied on my athleticism. As the years went on I was able to learn more about the game and fine tune my skills. After my time away I came back with a much better perspective and was in a real leadership role for my first time in college. This helped me learn a lot about myself and about team dynamics.
You had many great games in the NCAA 2 especially against Alaska and Alaska Anchorage. What was your fondest moment on the court? There lots of memorable games for me in college, first game, games against D1 opponents but the end of my senior year had to be my best one. It started with a senior night win against one of our recent rivals in Saint Martins. Then we had the Alaska trip where I had a career weekend. Something like 61 points in 2 games and only 3 missed field goals was pretty special. That weekend also helped clinch our teams first regular season GNAC title.
How did head coach Luke Fennelly groom and prepare you best for a professional career? From the start coach told me I was a leader on this team and that I have an impact on how good this team could be. This motivated me to lead by example and trying show what or team needs and the effort needed for success.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Daniel Moody? We never actually played a game of 1-1 but we did have our fair shares of battles in practice. The game would be very competitive, so much in fact that it might have to turn into a series because one game might not be able to decide it.
Who is the best player that you ever faced on a court that reached the NBA? I think the best player I player against was Corey Kispert who played at Gonzaga and got drafted by the Washington Wizards. Played him once in a team camp and once in an AAU tournament, he was pretty impressive.
Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time? My dorm roommate Tyler Green. Another former roommate Jordan Lehrer. Kobe Terashima, Jalrn and Jajuan Tot
What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?
MJ, Bron, Kobe, KD
Who is your GOAT and why?
Kevin Durant, growing being a Thunder fan being able to go to games and even go to his camps in the summer he has always been my favorite player. Except for about two months after he left OKC and signed with the Warriors. At his size with his ability to handle the ball and score the way he does, it’s a work of art.
Did you see the sequel to the classic coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? I didn’t see the sequel. Most movies should be left alone, especially when so much time has passed.
Derreck Brooks Jr. (198-G-1994, college: Cent Arkansas) is a 31 year old 198cm guard that has played overseas for 8 seasons and recently played with the SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt (Germany-ProB) averaging 11.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.3apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 55.1%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 80.4% and helped them reach the Pro B final. Overseas he has played in countries like Portugal, Sweden and Austria. He began his basketball career with Desert Ridge high school and then played a year at Phoenix College (JUCO). He then played 2 seasons at Central Arkansas University (NCAA) averaging 12.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 78.3% and as a senior averaged13.8ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 82.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the 2024-2025 Pro B season with Wolmirstedt.
Thanks Derreck for talking to germanhoops.com and congrats on a great season with Wolmirstedt. I always thought Wolmirstedt was deep but was Leverkusen possibly the deeper team?
No, I don’t think so honestly. I don’t think they beat us because they were deeper than us. Not to mention we had two injuries to guys that play major minutes.
How tough was the 76-53 loss at home? You split the season series 1-1, but hadn´t played against them since 4 months. How were they better than in January 2025 when you last played them?
I mean we knew it would be an uphill battle after that loss; not impossible but the odds weren’t in our favor. I think compared to January they were more solidified in their principles and roles, along with their game plan.
Leverkusen defended very well and with Dennis Heinzman in the middle a real rim protector. How key was the rebounding and lack of three point shooting for the loss? I mean obviously if you have a 7 footer in pro b you’re playing with an extreme advantage and we were missing a big in Fabi and our best rebounder in Mo. So, yeah we got our ass kicked on the boards. As for the shooting, I knew the percentages would taper off because up until playing them, we were making everything.
Wolmirstedt has always been very ambitious and has wanted to move up since years. If someone had told you in September 2024 that the team would move up in 2025 what would you have thought? I would’ve said that’s the only reason I’m here.
What is so special about the Wolmirstedt basketball culture? What have you learned to appreciate most about the organization? I think we had one of, if not the best home court advantage in the league. Our crowd is relentless and I loved it.
The chemistry was great and the teams cored a lot and belonged to the best defensive teams in the Pro B north. What was this season´s team´s biggest strength? Perhaps “TEAM” as there was no big star? Our biggest strength was strength in numbers. I think there’s guys with so many different skills on our team we can give teams a different look with every lineup we choose. That makes us harder to scout and predict.
How key was head coach Eiko Potthast in the success? What do you believe was his biggest strength as a coach`? He put this team together so without that we wouldn’t be here having this interview.
Let´s talk a little about your teammates. Bill Borekambi has been there since 2021 and one of the leaders. He is a walking bucket and can score in so many ways. What do you appreciate most about his game and what is your favorite move from him?
I mean I think everybody’s favorite move from B is the fadeaway. More legendary than Dirks if you ask me. Bill is as solid as they come and I’m glad we could send him off that way.
Talk a little about the other American import Eamonn Joyce. What did you appreciate most about their# games this season? E plays at his own pace and there’s nothing you can do to speed him up. He can shoot, get to the rim and his pump/pass fake worked every damn time. All that in limited minutes- elite.
Martin Bogdanov is also one of the leaders. How vital has his game and leadership been for the success?
Boggy was probably the most consistent this season with his leadership and overall play. He also plays with his own pace that a lot of teams couldn’t figure out. I respect his game a lot
Fabien Kondo made a huge jump in his game from last season. Was he one of the most improved players on the squad? Fabi is going to have a great career. We asked so much of him and it was a lot of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. I have a lot of respect for that young man’s work ethic and game. Looking forward to watching his journey.
You averaged 11/4/1 stats. How content were you with your game?
Very.
You had many great games in the German Pro A. What was your favorite game? Probably that game against berlin at home or the last game against Essen to get promoted.
Will you remain with Wolmirstedt and is your game ready for the Pro A again? How are you a better player now than with Phoenix Hagen? Ha, of course my game is ready for Pro A. in Hagen I was playing like I was happy to be there and trying to figure how to fit in. now, I know I am and how I can help a team and impact the game. My game is more mature in every way.
Hamish Warden (202-F-1999, college: NDC, agency: BIG) is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Australia that has the Swiss/Australian citizenship that recently played with Mandurah Magic (NBL One) averaging 5/4 stats. He has played most of his career down under for teams like the Perry Lakes Hawks (SBL), East Perth Eagles (SBL),Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (WCC), and Albury Wodonga Bandits (NBL). He played a season at Notre Dame College (NCAA2) playing 29 games averaging 2.2ppg, 2.1rpg. He also played parts of 5 seasons for BBC Nyon (SBL) averaging 7.1ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 38.0%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT-10 (93.8%) and 5.0ppg, 2.5rpg and with the Lugano Tigers (SBL) averaging 10.4ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 81.3% and 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 65.5% and with SAM Basket Massagno (Switzerland-SBL). He also played with Basket School Messina (Italy-Serie C) and with Basket 7 Laghi Gazzada (Italy-Serie B Interregionale). He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Hamish for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you? Currently in Perth, been here for a week and getting ready for the upcoming NBL1 season in April. Been 3 years since I’ve been back in Australia. Really looking forward to playing at home and being around friends and family again.
Your 25 years old and have played for 10 clubs so far. Do you feel like a basketball globetrotter? Haha yes a little bit. I’m always chasing a good adventure.
How have you experienced the grind in the last 8 years? You have moved around a lot but stuck to playing in your home countries of Australia and Switzerland. Last year was the first time I didn’t play year round, because the birth of my son in June, but for the other 7 years been playing year round going from the Europe season to the NBL1. Sometimes in definitely becomes a grind, but you just give some perspective and remind myself how lucky I am to be playing basketball, I could be digging holes in the Aussie summer or working a real job.
You began your basketball career at Perry Lakes Hawks (SBL). What kind of a player were you going in? What memories do you have of those times? I was a young 17 year old kid who wasn’t very good at basketball. But it was a great first year, got to train under a really great coach and learn off great players like Ben Purser and Matthew Adekponya who were great players, but also great leaders and people. I really learned a lot off them by the way they carried themselves and they showed me the daily habits you need to be successful. Had lots of great memories, but the best was winning the D-league championship that year (u23/bench sbl guys). Was a great night celebrating as well.
After playing with the East Perth Eagles (SBL), you went for a year to USA and was with Notre Dame College (NCAA2) averaging 2.2ppg, 2.1rpg. What kind of an experience was that? What steps was your game able to take there?
I was lucky that I got to Play for East Perth, my childhood team and where I played all my juniors, which was great. As a kid I went to all the games at Morley rec centre, watching guys like Tom Jervis and Drew Williamson play for East Perth, and it was always a dream to play for the eagles. After the season finished, I headed to the USA. It was a big wake up call. First time being away from home, very cold winters, school and trainings, everything was so new but it really developed me into the player and person I am today. It was a big learning year for me, learning off great players and coaches.
You were teammates with 2 very talented players with Will Vorhees and Isaiah Sanders who both have played in Germany. What do you remember from your daily battles with Vorhees on the court? He used to kick my butt every day in training. But it was great to go against him every day, one of the best players I’ve seen. Isaiah and me were both freshman together, and he is a beast. Super athletic and can shoot it, Zay will have a long career overseas.
You didn´t play many minutes that season but had a solid game against Fairmont State with 10 points and 4 rebounds in a win. You helped win the MEC title. What memories do you have of that run?
I had a really solid pre season, and the first couple of games I was playing solid minutes, but after a few bad games lost my confidence and let it affect my play. But looking back it was a great learning experience. I taught me a lot about handling adversity and just developing some toughness. The MEC title was an amazing experience, we were underdogs but just kept winning and beat two big time schools in Fairmont State and West Liberty to win the title.
What was it like playing for Tim Koenig? What could he help add to your game that you didn´t already have had in Australia? Tim was not only a great coach, but a great person. He pushed me everyday to get better and showed me what I could be capable of. He got the best out of our team, and welcomed me into his family and I’ll be forever grateful. No surprise to see him doing great things after taking over Joe Mazzulla at Fairmont State.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Will Vorhees? Will, every time. Dude is a beast.
You then came back and had your break out season with Basket School Messina (Italy-Serie C) averaging 20.4ppg, 10.5rpg, 3.4apg. How valuable was this season and what did you learn about yourself as a player that season?
The previous year I had to choose between signing in Switzerland and going to college and I chose to go to college, but my dream was always to play in Europe. The previous year I didn’t play much and lost a bit of confidence so it was great to sign in Messina, play lots of minutes and have a big role in the team. I had a great coach Pipo Sidoti who is a legend in Sicily Basketball. He really got the best out of me and developed me as a player and taught me how to be a successful European basketball player. Unfortunately, this season got cut short by Covid but it was a great year and really taught me a lot.
In the 2020-2021 season you played with BBC Nyon (SBL) averaging 7.1ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 38.0%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT-10 (93.8%). It was your first season playing in Switzerland. What kind of an experience was it and how did your game grow that season? It was a great experience my first time playing in Switzerland where my mum is from. The level was much higher with most teams having four Americans. The level was great. Our team wasn’t very good but I got to play important minutes and develop great friendships with my teammates.
You returned the next season and reached the cup final in Switzerland. You also lost a tough playoff series against Neuchattel. What was so challenging in that series that didn´t allow you to advance as a team? We kept all the Swiss locals from the previous year added Jeremy Jaunin a Swiss national team player and added four very good foreigners. Stefan Ivanovic took over as Coach and we had a great chemistry and worked hard every day. We made it to the Swiss cup final which for a small budget Team doesn’t happen very often and we were very close in the Neuchatel series. We lost but every game was decided by three or four points. Play-off basketball in Europe has a different level of intensity and it was great to experience that.
How beneficial was it having a teammate like Maleye NDoye? He had a great career and played 12 seasons in the France Pro A. Was he like a mentor for you? It was amazing. I lived with him for two years and was training against him every day. He had an amazing 25 year career playing against LeBron, playing in NCAA division one, top division France. What was great about him is every day he was teaching me how to be a great player and all the little nuances of being a power forward.
During the summers you played 3 times with the Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (WCC). What did you appreciate most about playing for this club and just living in Australia? The year before after Italy,when Covid finished, basketball stopped around the world but in July they started the West Coast classic. I played the first three games and really enjoyed it but then I had to leave to go to Europe. The next year, I came back but it was very tough. Coming halfway through a season in a team that was struggling a bit and having to do two weeks hotel quarantine wasn’t ideal but I always love coming home and playing in Australia. it’s a great country with great people.
You also played a season with the Albury Wodonga Bandits (NBL One)n averaging 14.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 84.8%. That was your break out season in Australia. How good did it feel being a main guy on the team?
It was definitely my breakout season in Australia. We had a great group of guys, I had a coach that believed in me and it was an awesome country town. I’ll always be grateful for Albury.
You then played 2 seasons with the Lugano Tigers (SBL) averaging 10.4ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 81.3% and 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 65.5%. You averaged over 30 minutes in both seasons. How did your game grow in these 2 years? The two seasons in the Lugano were special. It was my first time having a big role in Europe and I was loving it. I also met my beautiful wife. Lugano will always hold a special heart place in my heart.
This season you moved around a lot starting with Basket 7 Laghi Gazzada (Italy-Serie B Interregionale) and then played 3 games with SAM Basket Massagno (Switzerland-SBL). Now you will play in Australia again? Have you ever thought about trimming down all the moving around?
It was an interesting off-season. We wanted to stay in Lugano after the birth of my son. It didn’t quite work out signing with one of the two Swiss teams in Ticino. Signed with Gazzada, a team in Italy close to the Swiss/italian border. I had a great six months and then got an offer to go to Australia so I decided to leave. I was training with Massagno to stay in shape before I left for Australia and the Coach asked if I could help out for a couple months. I got to learn off great players and get in shape for the upcoming Australia season. In the future I hope to find a home with one of the teams in Lugano and stay with my team here in Australia for a long time. I’ve had enough of moving around especially with a young family.
You played 1 cap against Kosovo for Switzerland. What kind of an experience was that? What is the state of Swiss basketball? Is there young talent coming up?
It was a surreal experience. I never thought I’d play for a national team so to get that opportunity was great. The game didn’t go how I’d like but I’ll be forever grateful the experience. Swiss basketball has some very good teams. There is lots of young up-and-coming talent, I think it’s going to grow in the next couple years and I’m really excited to see where it goes.
What dreams do you have as a player? Have you ever thought about playing in other countries in Europe besides Italy and Switzerland? Honestly, my dream was to play for East Perth, so to play in Europe and all over the world is a dream come true. My current “dream” would be to play in the NBL, the top league in Australia. It’s one of the best leagues in the world and it’s great basketball. I’m always open to going to new countries and having new experiences. But for now with my family I’m very happy in Australia and Switzerland. I know these are my markets, as I’m a local player in these countries that’s where I provide the most value.
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA? Will Voorhees by far, he didn’t quite make the NBA but has had a great career in the G league and overseas.
Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time? It’s so hard to narrow down to 5, i’ve played in many teams with many great teammates so it doesn’t seem fair to narrow down to 5
Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Wilt, Russell, Jordan, LeBron
Who is your Goat and why? Andrew Gaze, Australian legend.
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone`? No haven’t seen it sorry.
Garrett Hicks (183-PG-2001, college: Samford) is a 24 year old 183cm guard playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro A club EPG Guardians Koblenz. He played his rookie season with RASHI Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 18.9ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-5 (1.6spg), FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.8%. He began his basketball career at James Clemens high school. He then played 4 seasons at : Alabama A&M University (NCAA) playing a total of 102 games. He added a 5th year at Samford University (NCAA) averaging 6.6ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 80.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Garrett for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing with the EPG Guardians Koblenz. How excited are you to prolong your pro career in Germany?
I’m very grateful and excited for the opportunity that Sascha and Coach Dohrn gave me to continue my career in Koblenz. When I got the chance to join this club, I knew I had to take it.
What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball`?
I don’t know a lot about Germany as a country, but I’ve watched the national team during the World Championship & Olympics & they played very well, showing the talent they have in the country.
Have you had any former teammates, opponents or friends ball in Germany?
No.
What were the main reasons for coming to the EPG Guardians? What did you appreciate most about the organization?
The opportunity to play in one of the biggest basketball markets in the world, in Germany, was something that intrigued me initially. Then I had a great conversation with Coach Dohrn over the phone & researched the city of Koblenz soon after. I was sold on the Guardians pretty quickly.
How did the talks go with new head coach Stephan Dohrn? What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?
I enjoyed talking to Coach Dohrn about my college career and my previous pro season. He seemed to know a lot about my background. I got to learn about his coaching career as well, and learned what he wanted to see from me and the team this year. Coach wants to play fast and tough, hard-nosed defense, which was great to hear.
Coach Dohrn described you in the press release as a very ambitious character and a guy that has a lot of energy. How big is your winning mentality?
I’ve gained my competitive nature as a young kid playing basketball outside during recess. I never wanted to lose at anything, no matter what sport or game we played. I’ve learned throughout my career what it takes to be a championship-winning team and the habits to build each day throughout the season. I’ve also experienced tough seasons where wins were hard to come by. These experiences helped shape my mentality.
The Guardians are a team that will head into their third season in the Pro A. The last 2 seasons weren´t great and they missed the playoffs. You won a college title and led your rookie team in Georgia into the playoffs. How big is the challenge for you to give success to this organization? Success comes from the work we put in each day to get better individually and as a team. I trust that the coaching staff will put us in the right positions each day and come up with a game plan that will lead us to victories.
Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description? I would compare my game to a young Damian Lillard. My offensive skill set can help free up space for everyone on the court.
From your stats in College it looks like you’re a scoring point guard but in Georgia you almost averaged 4,0apg. You demonstrated that you can be a playmaker. Would you still classify yourself as a scoring point guard right now?
I’m a point guard who does whatever is needed for the team, depending on the game. I might need to distribute more for one game or score more for another & read the defense.
You really made a massive jump in assists average in Georgia. How do you see did your game grow as a playmaker overseas?
The ball was put in my hands more in Georgia, so I was able to display more playmaking. I was put in a more scoring/shooting role in college.
You have a very solid three point shot. Three point shooting was a problem last season for the Guardians. How far away do you see yourself becoming a 40% shooter? I want to continue to gain consistency on my shot and aim to be a 50/40/90 shooter this year.
Your also a very aggressive defender. How would you classify your defensive game right now and what kind of a defender do you want to become down the road? I use my anticipation to read passing lanes & quickness to make deflections all around the court. I hope to improve my activity on defense, full court, and continue to make strides in my screen navigation.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now as you continue to improve your game?
I am working on getting better at different shots coming off a pick and roll, as well as continuing to work on my change-of-direction ball handling.
You played your rookie season with RASHI Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 18.9ppg), 5.0rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-5 (1.6spg), FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.8%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home? Injuring my hamstring in the first game of the season was very hard mentally to get over. This happened during my second week in Georgia, so playing no basketball for nearly a month was extremely challenging and made me miss home.
How tough was the playoff loss to TSU? You exploded for 36 points in the game 3 win, but you couldn´t win the 3 other games. What was key for losing the series? I felt we lost the series due to our overall inexperience. We were not poised to close out game 2, which was a very key game considering it was a 2-possession game down the stretch. TSU executed down the stretch of that game & we didn’t, resulting in our loss. Injuries mounted up in the final game, and it was too much to overcome.
You played at Alabama A&M University (NCAA) from 2019-2023 and played 3 seasons for head coach Dylan Howard. How key was he for your early basketball development in the NCAA?
Coach Howard introduced me to playing at the college level so I was always be thankful for that. The summer of my freshman year was some of the hardest training I’ve ever been a part of and really helped in the long run. The coaching staff pushed me and the team to our limits.
You had many great games at Alabama A&M and had Southern´s number. What was your fondest memory there on the court? Beating our arch rival Alabama State my junior and senior years were some of the most satisfying wins in college for me. The crowds for these games is always electric and sending our fans back home with the win was always a great feeling.
You added a grad year at Samford in Birmingham. How vital was this season not only off the court but on the court for getting an added season of NCAA experience? This season helped me learn how to live away from home and stay by myself off campus for the first time. I did a lot of maturing going through this process. The team at Samford was the best team I’ve ever been a part of. Coach Bucky McMillan implemented a culture where competition was high in practice and that brought the best out of us. I’m grateful I got to be apart of a team like that.
At Samford (NCAA) you averaged 6.6ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 80.0%. Statwise it wasn´t as good at the seasons before, but you did win the SoCon title. What did your game gain from this season?
I gained much needed exposure to a winning environment & great coaching along the way. I learned a new role as well coming off the bench.
You had your moments on the court against ETSU and Valpo and played in the NCAA tournament against Kansas. What was your favorite moment on the court there?
Running out for warmups to a packed March Madness crowd in the Utah Jazz arena was a feeling like no other! I wish we pulled out the win but I’ll never forget that.
Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA? Zach Edey
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Cam Tucker Giorgi Vakhania Rylan Jones Dailin Smith
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Kobe Bryant
Who is your GOAT? LeBron James
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? I didn’t see it but I know it got bad reviews so I stayed away from it!
The iconic and groundbreaking 80´s teenage movie Fast Times At Ridgemont High has so many incredible and funny scenes that one has a real difficult time choosing a favorite one. If It´s Mr Hand played by Ray Walston, or Jeff Spicoli played by Sean Penn or Brad Hamilton played by Judge Reinhold, there is a hilarious scene for everybody. Ivan Kharchenko has about as much to do with this movie as Shaq does with winning a weight loss contest, but his situation recently reminded me of a funny scene in the movie involving Oscar winner Forest Whittaker. In the scene, Charles Jefferson played by Forest Whittaker who is the school´s top football player wants to buy some concert tickets to see Earth Wind And Fire. After he does, there is a little boy who was standing next to him that proclaims “Wow does he really live here, I thought he just flew in for games”. That line reminded me of Ivan Kharchenkov (198-SG-2006)´s Sunday May 19th day as he flew from Munich to Berlin just to play in the NBBL final. “This was very special to be able to do. It really did feel like a dream”, stressed Ivan Kharchenkov. Forest Whittaker didn´t really just fly in to play games, but Ivan Kharchenkov did.
The big speculation on Saturday at the NBBL top 4 was, would Ivan Khrachenkov play or not. Game 1 of the easyCredit BBL playoffs between FC Bayern Munich and MBC was also being played on that day and every wondered would Ivan get the nod from Gordon Herbert to help his NBBL (U-19) team. Herbert chose to keep him in Munich. Munich didn´t play their best basketball against Rasta Academy as they had to go into overtime to win to reach the NBBL final. Ivan had logged only 3 minutes in the game 1 win which was played a little bit earlier than the NBBL semi final. “I was able to watch the last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter and saw the overtime. I was pretty confident they would win. I mean I knew that my teammates knew that if they didn´t give 100%, then there would be no tomorrow. I was happy when Ivan Volf hit the big three pointer to take the lead. I have been playing with him since the U-14 team. He works so hard on his shot and it paid off”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. With FC Bayern Munich now in the final, the question was could he play this time.? The whole procedure of could he play or not was something that the famous club thought very carefully about. “The club told me when they changed the BBL game to Saturday that I could not play the semi-final in Berlin. They also told me that Sunday would be a no go since we had game 2 on Tuesday in Weissenfels. So I went into game 1 against MBC knowing I wouldn´t play in Berlin. However after the game 1 win, I was on my way out of the arena and the sport director approached me and told me they were thinking of allowing me to go to Berlin for the final. They asked me if I still wanted to go. I was like of course I want to go. I have been wanting to go since yesterday. So I was up at 6:00am Sunday and took a flight to Berlin at 9am”, remembered Ivan Kharchenkov. The question was would he be accepted by his teammates flying in to only play the final. German basketball legend Steffen Hamann was 100% sure it would be no problem. “I believe my teammates had no problem with me flying in. They knew that I wanted to play the final. They knew that It wasn´t my decision that I couldn´t play the semi-final, but that it was political. They were happy that I could play”, expressed Ivan Kharchenkov.
pic credit: Helloitsjana
The final was at 4:30 and I already knew at 3.00 pm that he would play, because his mother had told me that he would play. The FC Bayern Munich players came on the court for warmups and there was Ivan Kharchenko ready for battle against ratiopharm Ulm. Was ratiopharm Ulm possibly intimidated that he was suddenly there for the final? “I mean could be, but I´m not sure. If a guy comes back, then that could be an extra factor. I think they kind of had an idea that I would come back”, stated Ivan Kharchenkov. FC Bayern Munich didn´t play their best game against Rasta Academy, but there was no doubt in his mind that his team would come to take care of business in the final. “When I knew that I was cleared to play the final, there was never a doubt in my mind that we would lose. I just knew that we had to work hard. Plus coach Perego had prepared us well to be mentally tough. He was always telling us that we would dominate coming into the Top 4 and just kept saying it over and over. That domination became our mindset. The final was our time to dominate”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. Just like against Rasta Academy, FC Bayern Munich came out slow against ratiopharm Ulm and Kharchenkov was 0/4 in the first quarter. “For me it was tough coming into a totally different role than what I have with the BBL team. But I did remain aggressive and when shots didn´t fall, I tried to bring defensive energy and got some stops. I just tried to lead by example”, explained Ivan Kharchenkov. FC Bayern fought back and it would remain a tight affair going into the fourth quarter. However FC Bayern Munich took care of business to begin the last frame with a 14-2 run which decided the game. “I don´t know if that phase was some of our best defense this season, because we had so many different guys playing at different times this season. But I felt like we defended at a high level and had little mistakes. We also secured the defensive rebound. All in all, it was a solid effort”, stressed Ivan Kharchenkov. The team didn´t only get a stellar scoring game from Dominik Dolic, but got exceptional scoring help from Sermpezis and Kodjo who combined for 24 points. “They are both good defenders and were aggressive on the ball. They were the perfect filler spot. Every team needs guys like that. I really liked Killian Duck who played a great game, but really it was the whole team that contributed to the title”, said Ivan Kharchenkov.
pic credit: helloitsjana
Then when the buzzer finally sounded, a big weight was released off the shoulders of the FC Bayern Munich players. Ivan Kharchenkov who believes that the Oklahoma Thunder will meet the Indiana Pacers in the NBA final and win it had finally won the NBBL title something he had been striving to do for years. Was that feeling like having a birthday and Christmas all in one? “A birthday and Christmas happen once a year and winning the NBBL title doesn´t. It was really very very special for me. Even if it wasn´t deserved so much on my part, because I only played 2 games, I´m just very thankful that I could be a part of this. I´m just really thrilled for my teammates. They supported me a lot during the season and I just tried to help them in the final”, added Ivan Kharchenkov. Playing in the final and winning it will surely be a moment he will tell his grand children one day. “My favorite play of the game for myself was probably the mid range shots that I made or making free throws. Free throws are always good. I will never forget being able to celebrate with my teammates, mom and fans”, commented Ivan Kharchenkov. The question now is was this NBBL final game the last time that Ivan Kharchenkov, Ivan Volf and Dominik Dolic were on the court as teammates? “ I fear it was. They will probably go their own ways. But I would love to play with them again”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. But if not as teammates then as opponents. “It was always nice to see them at Euro events the last years. Even there we would chill together. It is always nice to have that home level with them as teammates or opponents”, stressed Ivan Kharchenkov. Who knows, but they might meet this summer again at youth tournaments. But before that moment comes, Ivan Kharchenkov is focusing on winning a second title within a month as he strives for his second BBL title.
German Hoops 