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Microwave Isaiah Swope Knows Many Hands Have Helped In His Journey To Have Been Able To Produce The New Skyliners 41 Point Scoring Game Record

I truly never ever thought about Isaiah Swope (178-PG-2003, college: St.Louis) ever getting the Skyliners scoring record maybe because there are millions of other things I’m always thinking about that are basketball related. However the way this walking bucket rookie has played overseas in the easyCredit BBL this season, it was something that was bound to happen. And since I missed his buzzer beater recently with my luck, it also was inevitable that I would miss this incredible club scoring record. Once again I had that problem again of not being able to be in 2 places at the same time. I had chosen to call a Pro A ‘game in Koblenz where I was 0,6 seconds off from witnessing a Calvin Wishart buzzer beater. I have seen many incredible feats in the Frankfurt arena in the last 20 years. I could probably right a book on it, but the first that come to mind are the Jacob Burtschi 10 three pointers, Quantez Robertson, Eric Chadfield and Justin Gray buzzer beaters and many more. Isaiah Swope‘s feat is simply amazing because he did it as a rookie and seeing 41 points in any BBL game is extremely rare. He broke the record of Derrick Allen who netted 37 points against the MHP Riesen in 2008. So what does his club record mean to him? I have interviewed him a few times this season and know that he doesn’t think to highly about personal accolades, but this wasn’t just any old feat, but a major feat. ‘I’m just super super super appreciative what basketball has allowed me to do. I’m super blessed that my team just let me be myself to give me the chance to score 41 points. I have to give a lot of credit to my family, but also myself for having put in the work all these years. I know and won’t forget that there have been a lot of hands that have helped me along my journey’, stressed Isaiah Swope.

But like with the buzzer beater some weeks ago, I also wanted to be able to report on this club milestone even if I hadn’t seen it in person. I reached Isaiah Swope in the early afternoon the day after his scoring masterpiece in Frankfurt. It is no surprise that he felt different the morning after a loss despite scoring 41 points. Once again it’s not all about what he does on the court. ‘If I had scored 6 points and we won, I would have been happier. I never try to put too much focus on individual accolades. As long as we win I’m happiest’, warned Isaiah Swope. The Skyliners had lost a tough first game in Trier and coming in focused to win was massive. ‘The first loss in Trier was close and came down to the wire. We knew that they were a good team. Every game for us is important. We want to make a run for the playoffs’, stressed Isaiah Swope. Frankfurt suffered a bad start allowing a 9-0 Trier run in the first minutes trailing 9-3. Was the team shocked by their lack luster begin? ‘ No we weren’t shocked. We have had enough games this season where we started like this. We were able to find our rhythm then and keep it in the game’, stated Isaiah Swope. The Skyliners desperately needed some scoring punch and that is exactly what they got when he was inserted and reeled off 8 points in a row. Did he inspect any extra film on Trier or was his heavy scoring output simply what the defense gave him? ‘I had a good feeling coming into the game and just did what I always do which is play off my instincts’, said Isaiah Swope. Swope has been coming off the bench as a rookie and as a walking bucket, has it been difficult to adjust to? ‘I just try to do my role to the best of my abilities. Basketball is basketball. As long as I have good communication with my teammates and coaches then all is good’, said Isaiah Swope. The way he gets going in games, he reminds me a lot of Vinnie Johnson the microwave from Detroit Pistons fame . ‘It has been like that my whole career. I know I can score. I mean there are other guys that can do that. Jordan Roland for example is one of those guys, I just do what I do best’, stressed Isaiah Swope. After 10 minutes, he had scored 10 points, but Frankfurt was trailing 26-23. Frankfurt had had problems stringing along stops and watch as new Trier player Steven Ashworth hit big shots. ‘I give credit to Trier. They played really well together and hit big shots, They play fast paced and put a lot of pressure on us. They aren’t easy to play against. You just have to be disruptive and sit down and guard’, commented Isaiah Swope.

The contest remained tight in the second quarter, but Trier led 44-41 at the break. Swope wasn’t the only guard that night that had a great game, but so did American Jordan Roland of Trier. He came alive in the second quarter scoring 10 points. He has contributed 12 points in Trier and would finish with 31 points in Frankfurt and was in the shadow of Swope. Is veteran Roland a player he watches more closely and try to soak up certain parts of his game? ‘No. He is a good player though. I just focus on myself’, stressed Isaiah Swope. The third quarter was back and forth but Frankfurt had the slim 65-63 lead. He had a bucket and 17 points at that juncture. Did he feel like he had to be more aggressive or was he content at that point how the game was going? ‘The game requires me to score, pass, rebound, play defense and do other things as well. As long as we win at the end, I’m most happiest’, stated Isaiah Swope. The fourth quarter was a real dog fight. There were 7 lead changes in the first 2,32 minutes of the fourth quarter. What was going through his mind? Was he enjoying the game a bit or was he totally focused on work? ‘I always enjoy the game, but at the same time am a Competitor. I was just focused on the rhythm’, said Isaiah Swope. Trier was up 9 points with 2,47 to go in the game. It looked like they were in command. He then scored 13 unanswered points. He had scored 11 unanswered points against Jena and won. Did he feel it was time to step up and do his teammates understand then that it’s totally his time? ‘I think that we all look for each other. It is always whoever is hot. In the last game Ryan Hawkins was hot and he got the ball. We also get others the ball. That is only natural. Our first focus as team is to get the win’, stressed Isaiah Swope. Swope made 2 big free throws for the 95-93 lead with 2 seconds to go. Ashworth then made 2 bigger free throws to force overtime. Did he feel like they had the game won before Trier made the free throws? ‘That is part of the game. We were down 9 points and came back. There were 2 seconds to play and they found a way to force overtime. The game is never over until the clock says 0’, warned Isaiah Swope. Trier took no prisoners in overtime and jumped all over Frankfurt with a 12-0 run to slam the door on them. Did the Skyliners run out of gas? ‘We didn’t run out of gas. We just didn’t find our rhythm. We have to find a way to get stops. They made tough shots the whole game, but also easy ones. If we could have had more stops, then we would have been better position to win’, stated Isaiah Swope.

The easyCredit BBL standings are tight and 2 of the next 3 games for the Skyliners are must wins. The next opponent tomorrow is Braunschweig that are the doormat of the league. Frankfurt has fond memories of their first meeting as the Skyliners creamed them by 22 points. ‘We have to focus only on ourselves. What happened yesterday is behind us. Every game is a must win now. We have to come in with the right mentality. We need a winning streak to establish ourselves’, warned Isaiah Swope. His 41 point masterpiece from 2 days ago will be long gone from his memory on Saturday, but for the time being, it is still there. Did he get any cool messages from players that he maybe didn’t expect to? ‘I have to be honest that I have only a small circle of friends that I talk to every day. I try to stay out of the light. I just do my job and go home’, stressed Isaiah Swope. He didn’t have a favorite own bucket of his 41 points, but probably would have if they had won the game. The loss against Trier 48 hours ago surely will be forgotten soon, but his 41 point explosion will forever be in present in Skyliner history. I’m sure next week, people will still be talking about it, but he also will be able to talk about something else when he meets young German prospect Jamie Edoka when he arrives back in Frankfurt. At the moment Edoka is in Los Angeles, California taking part at the Basketball without boarders camp during the NBA allstar weekend. ‘Jamie and I talked a little about it before he left. It is great that he got invited. People are seeing his potential. He is a young smart kid that is really athletic. There wasn’t really too much I could tell him. This is a great experience that will really help his career. He will be great there’, warned Isaiah Swope. Perhaps Edoka will have a story for Swope if he is able to have met Lebron James. That is definitely a story where Swope will be able to focus on.

The Isaiah Swope Buzzer Beater And 60 Centimeter Difference Between Wemby And I Was Almost The Perfect Basketball Day For Me

You can´t be in 2 places at the same time so sometimes one has to make sacrifices. I don´t like to miss games in general, but with my mother having a big birthday in January, it was a no brainer to go back home to Boston to celebrate. I also was lucky to have a nice 4 game Celtics homestand within 6 days so I also was able to meet players and get autographs and selfies something that has stayed with me since my childhood. But at the same time, my stay in the States would hinder my basketball coverage in Germany and unfortunately I missed seeing a monumental game with the Skyliners-Niners which was decided on a ridiculous buzzer beater by walking bucket Isaiah Swope (178-PG-2003, college: St.Louis). As I was on my way to see the San Antonio Spurs depart their hotel for their game against the Celtics, I was following the game online. It was crunch-time and was as exciting as ever and I just knew it would be an amazing finish. I for some reason had this feeling that Isaiah Swope would do it again. In the pervious 2 wins, he had been the hero scoring 11 points in a row in crunch-time beating Jena in Jordan esc manner and had the game winner in Heidelberg and yes he would do it again. I was so happy that he won the game for the Skyliners again, but at the same time sad that I hadn´t witnessed it live. I took a few moments to really enjoy the win from across the pond and soon after wrote him a message congratulating and asking him for an interview the day after while already having some questions popping in my mind. Then it was time to go on my Victor Wembanyama mission. As usual only a few Spurs signed which is the norm these days as it´s out of the hotel in a direct line to the bus. I got a few selfies and enjoyed the outrageous outfits as Keldon Johnson sported a slick cow boy hat and Jeremy Sochan´s hair color of the month was pink/red. But that was all a sidenote as everyone there were tehre for the generational talent Victor Wembanyama or Wemby as all call him. Even a guy from France was there with a jersey. Wemby finally came out almost last and came over and just stood in front of the circa 15 fans just posing for pics. He gave a few selfie´s and then it was my turn. I tried and tried and the dam 60 centimeters difference gave me a selfie with the side of my head and eye, but at least one can recognize Wemby´s smile. I may not have a 100% selfie, but at least it´s original and a different kind of selfie. “Man that´s crazy that you got a selfie. He is so tall. I can imagine it was tough taking that selfie”, laughed Isaiah Swope. The Isaiah Swope buzzer beater and 60 centimeter difference between Wemby and I was almost the perfect basketball day for me.

Victor Wembanyama leaving for Celtics game

It´s shortly after 10:00 am on Sunday in USA when I reach Isaiah Swope in Germany. It is the day after his amazing feat and he doesn´t feel any different after making that incredible shot and giving the Skyliners their first victory in 2026. “I honestly don´t try to praise myself too much. I always try to balance it. I wake up the same and go to sleep the same. I try to be as consistent as possible”, stressed Isaiah Swope. The Skyliners had been up and down the last weeks and had lost in Rostock last weekend and wanted to start a new winning streak, but had to deal with feisty team Niners Chemnitz who had come into the game having won 5 of 6 games. “We came into the game wanting to build off the last 2 quarters and put that into 4 quarters against Chemnitz. We knew that it wouldn´t be an easy game. They were a good team with good veteran players”, stated Isaiah Swope. The good news going in was that Jaedon LeDee was back on board after having been out 2 months. Did his presence give the team much added confidence “!Of course it did. He is so important, but it isn´t just his numbers, but he does so much more and that gives the whole team added confidence”, added Isaiah Swope. The first quarter began as a back and forth battle as no team could get away. Jaedon Ledee got on track quickly with a basket and big dunk. “This start after being out so long wasn´t a surprise. We see him do this in each practice and game. It was normal to see. I was so happy to see him on the floor again since I know how hard he works”, commented Isaiah Swope. Ex Regionalliga player Kevin Yebo was instrumental in the last minutes helping Chemnitz have the 28-22 advantage after 10 minutes. He was tough for the whole 40 minutes finishing with 25 points. “Him being a veteran and knowing the league helped them a lot. His size made it a real tough cover for us”, said Isaiah Swope. The game continued to be a real back and forth grind in the second quarter, but the Skyliners came out on top leading 49-45 at the break. Will Christmas´s energy was infectious in that quarter. “His energy was infectious the whole game. His ability to finish was huge and he just impacted the game at both ends the whole game. His presence is important for me, but as a rookie, I look up to everyone if it´s a guy in his second, third or 11th year. It´s all still so new to me. I still have a lot to learn”, warned Isaiah Swope. The game remained even in the third quarter as Frankfurt led 71-68 after 30 minutes, but continued to have difficulty stopping the drive. “The difference was communication. Where we had better communication the more stops we had while when we had failed communication the more baskets we gave up. They simply had skilled guys that capitalized off our mistakes”, expressed Isaiah Swope.

2023 World champion Klaus Perwas had the perfect words for his squad going into the fourth quarter. “Coach Klaus told us that he wanted us to go inside more, communicate better on defense and just stay together, because nothing would be easy”, stressed Isaiah Swope. In crunch time the game was still a dog fight and with 2,37 left, the momentum, instincts and practice was back with Isaiah Swope as he just continued to do his thing hitting a mid distance. Did he feel any different than usual? Of course not. “I felt like I always did. I just did what I have always practiced and it worked for me”, said Isaiah Swope. The game was dead locked at 86-86 with 3 seconds to go. Frankfurt called time out. I mean everyone in that 5000 arena knew Swope would get the ball. Was there a possible different option or was he the 100% option? “The plan was for me to get the ball. I was 100% the main option”, said Isaiah Swope. Frankfurt had possession on the left side and the Niners coverage was super tough on the inbounds play. Swope was tightly covered by Corey Davis and German Kostja Mushidi came over to help. Somehow he got free got the ball, dribbled went left and then did a side step in best Shai manner and let it fly. How did the release feel? “I was trying to get open and find a way to shoot it. Honestly I don´t really remember too much how I felt. All I remember is that the shot looked on target. It wasn´t my most comfortable shot in the game, but I thought it had a chance to go in. But I wasn´t looking to bank it in. The basketball God wanted it to go in that way”, said Isaiah Swope. After he dropped the massive buzzer beater, he just jogged slowly into the back court as if it had been another regular day at the office. “I never ever get flaired in high stress moments. I was just calm and laughed when it went in. My team came over and were screaming and yelling”, stated Isaiah Swope. Was it as usual a combination of momentum, Instincts and practice or more of one than the others? “I think that it is always a combination of all. It stays the same for me. That is how big shots are made. Obviously the back board added a little luck for me”, laughed Isaiah Swope. The team had 2 big strengths going to the free throw line and having the 12-3 transition baskets advantage or was there another strength as well? “I would just say the way we stuck together was most important yesterday. We were coming off a loss and they were a tough team to beat. We were still trying to find our rhythm and LeDee was back again. We just found a way to win”, stressed Isaiah Swope. The Skyliners next battle Trier on the road who are back in the easyCredit BBL after 10 years in the Pro A. Will fans see another wild clash there as they did against Chemnitz? “I´m not sure. Our goal is always to win. How we win, we will see when the buzzer sounds”, stressed Isaiah Swope. It is shortly before 6.00 Pm in Germany as his day is winding down. His buzzer beater will be talked about for years. His ambitious and effective play in crunch-time will make every new Skyliner game a delight to follow. Swope´s ability to hit magical shots is becoming scary, but hey for Skyliner fans, they just hope the winning continues and any added Swope masterpiece shots is something that will simply add spice to the great game that everyone loves.

Isaiah Hartenstein Was Like A Big Brother For Thorben Doeding As Family Was Always A Big Topic For The Hartensteins

Thorben Doeding (189-PG-1999) is a 26 year old 189cm guard that has played his whole career with the Artland Dragons. He won the 2014 JBBL (U-16) title with NBA player Isaiah Hartenstein. He has played 194 Pro A games in 7 Pro A seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his ex teammate NBA champion Isaiah Hartenstein

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

Hey Miles! I just moved to Münster to start my Master’s studies and will be living here with my girlfriend. Basketball-wise, I’ll probably step back from playing at the ProA Level, but I am also interested in looking into new perspectives like coaching.

Your ex teammate Isaiah Hartenstein became NBA chmapion with OKC. Did you stay up the whole night to watch history?

Yes, of course! Set my alarm for 2am, right on time for tip-off.

How proud are you of Isaiah Hartenstein. What does this success mean for the Artland Dragons?

I am very proud and happy for him and his family. The Hartensteins had a great impact on the Dragons, especially the youth! “Family” was and is a big topic for the Hartensteins and they always made the whole organization feel like a big family.

Do you still have contact with him to this day? Did you congratulate him?

First thing after the game was congratulating his dad and him. I am still in touch with the Hartenstein family. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to Isaiah’s wedding 2 years ago but I will definitely visit them soon!

What memories do you have of the 2014 JBBL final against Breitengussbach which you won 68-60?

That was a great day. We had a real good group and shared that goal from the start of the season. Being able to play in the Artland Arena in front of such a big crowd and players of the Dragons BBL team, like Brandon Thomas and then achieving what we set out to do was amazing.

What was the key to that success? The team had 2 giants with Hartenstein and Herkenhoff and great aggressive guards.

As I just mentioned, we were confident that we can win it all that year. Everybody played their role well and we had so much fun. Isaiah Hartenstein, Philipp Herkenhoff and Noah Westerhaus were very skilled bigs, Jan Mügge was a great shooter and the Potratz brothers were relentless defenders and knew how to put the ball in the basket.

Isaiah Hartenstein had a 22/14 game. How do you remember his game then?

He did it all! He was strong under the basket but also handled the ball and shot from outside. And of course, his defense presence was already big back then.

If someone had told you that he would be NBA champion 11 years later what would you have thought?

I would have thought “Yeah, he made it!” That was his dream, his goal. Already at that age he told his Dad that he wanted to win a NBA championship one day and that is what they worked for ever since.

In JBBL the guys are very young, but what kind of a relationship did you have with him? Were you close?

Isaiah was like a big brother. His family took in a few of us players who came from outside Quakenbrück, giving us the opportunity to balance school with four hours of basketball training each day. I ended up, living with the Hartensteins for three years. Spending the time with three or four other basketball-crazy teens like Isaiah and me, having fun at the dinner table and playing video games together was great!

He often says in interviews that so many doubted him in his young days. But how can that be? It seems like he dominated youth basketball and then went his way.

Honestly, I could never understand why people were doubting him. He dominated in the JBBL and NBBL and became Adidas Next Generation Tournament MVP in Kaunas 2016. He stayed down-to-earth and kept working but somehow people thought it wouldn’t be enough.

Have you followed Isaiah Hartenstein´s career in the last decade? How have you observed his development?

His path resembles a good example of how dedication, hard work and also patience will lead you to success in the end. There were some ups and downs but at the end Isaiah took his opportunity and made the best out of it.

Can you explain why he had to pay his dues so long? He switched a lot of teams but for some reason he was never used the right way.

I think he needed some time to acclimate to the NBA, to find his rhythm and figure out what works best for him in the league. Once he did that and was utilized the right way, like he was in New York, he was able to show teams that he can be a real asset, just as he is now in OKC.

Now he made his break through with OKC. Do you feel like he is still on his way of becoming an even better player?

Isaiah is constantly working, learning and improving. He averaged his first double double in the last regular season. He will continue to grow and make an even bigger impact.

He played in the Artland Dragons organization but now seems to support ratiopharm Ulm. Does he still have some kind of ties to Artland?

I think history and memories tie him and his family to Quakenbrück but there is no contact to the Dragons at the moment.

Thanks Thorben for the chat.

Noah Westerhaus Will Never Forget Youth Teammate Isaiah Hartenstein Being Taller One Week And Himself Being Taller The Next Week

Noah Westerhaus (200-PF-1998) is a 27 year old 200cm forward that has played the last 3 seasons with the ETB Miners Essen. He began his basketball career with the Artland Dragons and was a teammate with 2025 NBA champion Isaiah Hartenstein. Noah also has sampled experience playing with BSG Bremerhaven, Wolfenbuettel, Neustadt, Langenhagen, Koblenz and Limburg. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his memories being Isaiah Hartenstein´s teammate.

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

I´m living in Essen playing Pro B.

You completed your third season with Essen. Has Essen become like a second home to you and will you remain?

Definitely. I met a lot of people here and want to stay for a while.

Your ex teammate Isaiah Hartenstein became NBA champion with OKC. Did you stay up the whole night to watch history?

Yes I watched a couple of game during the season and of course the last one.

How proud are you of Isaiah Hartenstein. What does this success mean for the Artland Dragons?

It does shows how good their youth teams were and are. Every one of his clubs is probably proud of him as am I. He really deserves it.

Do you still have contact with him to this day? Did you congratulate him?

Unfortunately no, but yes I texted him.

What memories do you have of the 2014 JBBL final against Breitengussbach which you won 68-60?

It was an unbelievable experience in front of our home crowd. Winning the chip is front of family and friends is something special.

What was the key to that success? The team had 2 giants with Hartenstein and Herkenhoff and great aggressive guards.

The key was the whole team and our defense. We had 2 good coaches, great defenders and big guy sunder the basket and Isaiah who did everything.

Isaiah Hartenstein had a 22/14 game. How do you remember his game then?

We was our biggest weapon and nobody was able to stop him.

How do you remember practices in 2014? He was already a giant. How tall were you then and did you battle in the paint in practice?

At that time we were both growing so quickly. One week he was taller and the next week I was taller. Practices were always very competitive and if they weren´t competitive enough, then his dad Flo joined and it became competitive.

If someone had told you that he would be NBA champion 11 years later what would you have thought?

I would of called him crazy, but not because he wasn´t talented enough, but because it´s such a long way from where he started. But he made it. That’s unbelievable.

In JBBL the guys are very young, but what kind of a relationship did you have with him? Were you close?

Yes we were more than teammates. 3 of us were living with his family including me.

He often says in interviews that so many doubted him in his young days. But how can that be? It seems like he dominated youth basketball and then went his way.

Yes he did and he proved everyone wrong and that is something that he deserves because of all of his hard work.

Have you followed Isaiah Hartenstein´s career in the last decade? How have you observed his development? Can you explain why he had to pay his dues so long?

Yes I have. I watched his highlights and he always got better.

He switched a lot of teams but for some reason he was never used the right way. Now he made his break through with OKC. Do you feel like he is still on his way of becoming an even better player?

Sometimes it has to do with how a coach wants to use him. I feel like he fits into the OKC team well.

He made the next step with OKC. Do you feel like he can get even better?

I think that he will take another step and get better and more consistent.

He played in the Artland Dragons organization but now seems to support ratiopharm Ulm. Does he still have some kind of ties to Artland?

I have no idea.

If you played 1-1 in 2025, how many baskets could you make in 10 tries?

I´ll give myself a solid 1. There will be a lucky one going in.

Thanks Noah for the chat.

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