Pic Credit: Marina Schwarz

Cooper Creek (203-F-2001, college: Assumption, agency: Dominion Sports Group) is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Australia playing his second season in Europe and first with German Pro B team TV Langen. He also played a season with the Reading Rockets (United Kingdom-BCB) averaging 11.1ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.6apg, Blocks-4 (1.1bpg), FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 85.2%. He also has experience down under playing for teams Keilor Thunder (NBL One), Goldfields Giants (NBL One), Warwick Senators (NBL One) averaging 11.7ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 84.0% and for the Geraldton Buccaneers (NBL One) averaging 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 62.9%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 82.1%. He spent time in USA playing basketball for Bishop Connolly High School and The Williston Northampton School. He then played 4 seasons at l Assumption College (NCAA2). He spoke to germanhoops.com after the game in Leitershofen that was stopped on account of a medical emergency.

Thanks Cooper for talking to germanhoops.com. Last night a 75-72 result with no winner or loser. How crazy was that? Did you ever play in a game in your life because it was called because of a medical emergency?

I was actually in another game where it was stopped. It was last season in Australia. The game was stopped at half-time, because the court was too slippery. It had been really warm and humid and the humidity was at 95% in the gym. Everyone was slipping around so they had to stop the game. We never finished the game. The opponent had like a 10 hour bus ride. It was a shame that the game was never finished or that we got the win. We had been up by 18 points at the break.

How was the trip home? Did you have a total different feeling that after a win or loss?

The ride was very subdued and quite. The medical emergency really took away the perspective of basketball. I was thinking and reflecting about life and how we look at things and thankful for what we have. You should never take anything for granted. I also was hoping that the person was ok.

Both teams came hot into the game with TV Langen having a 5 game winning streak and BG Leitershofen having won 4 of 5 games. What was the game plan coming in?

We prepared for them playing a zone. We focused on things we can control and limit what we can´t control. The season is still young, so we concentrated on becoming sharper and cleaner in our actions.

The game began with 6 lead changes. Did the first 5 minutes feel like 2 good teams not wanting to let the other get away?

The game was very fast in the first minutes which favored their style more. We weren´t as organized as we wanted to be. Mika Kroner made some big shots. It was a typical back and forth like quarter.

TV Langen then went on a 8-0 run only to see Leitershofen claw back and get the lead again, but after 10 minutes TV Langen led 24-23. What problems were TV Langen having on the defensive end? 23 points was a little too much points allowed.

We allowed a few too many offensive rebounds and I overhelped a bit that led to a few three´s.

In the second quarter TV Langen took control of the game and led 56-38 at the break. The offense was flowing and the defense also was better. What adjustments did TV Langen make to get the lead?

Our defense stepped up and they had less control on the glass. We hit three´s well and ran the lanes well. We simply did a good job getting through our actions.

The team also got vital support from young Germans Kventin Kostan and Mika Kroner. What have you enjoyed most about their games?

They are both really young guys, have great energy and are great people. When you have guys like that, it makes it a lot easier to play with. They also do a good helping each other. Mika is really aggressive and has a solid build for a guard. He is competing all the time. Kventon is more a wing player and can really shoot the ball. When he is aggressive, he can really elevate his game. He is also a great competitor. I enjoy playing with both of them.

In the third quarter TV Langen had good control, but then let up a 10-0 run to lead only 68-62. TV Langen lost some focus. What was key for BG Leitershofen getting back into the game?

They picked up their defense and raised their physicality. They did a good job pushing us out of our actions. They hit a few three´s and we were careless with the ball.

In the fourth quarter BG Leitershofen continued to fight back and even held TV Langen scoreless for many minutes and had the momentum going into crunch-time. Why couldn´t TV Langen find back to their second quarter offensive glory?

We weren´t able to let the ball flow well and let their physicality impact us.

Then at the 2,36 minute mark, you took a contested shot from the wing and Gael Barman got the rebound and then the game was stopped. How do you remember this moment?

I wasn´t looking into the stands, but just focused on the game. They had possession and then suddenly I saw a trainer run into the stands. At first I thought that a player was hurt. But then after about 10 seconds, I saw a fan getting CPR done. We went to the bench right away. That is when I realized that moment was more severe than the game and it was time to get out of the way.

What was going through your mind? At that moment did basketball feel very unimportant as you saw that there was a medical emergency?

It was so surreal. I knew that there was a life on the line as CPR is only done in stress moments. We made sure to be out of the way. This moment put me in a different space. It transitioned me from a player to man. As a team we tried to stay locked in at the same time as we didn´t know what came next.

The game was at an exciting moment. The momentum was with BG Leitershofen. Did you let the last minutes play out in your mind since the game was called?

I didn´t think about it much yesterday, but more today. I tried to process the game. We had a few minutes left in crunch time with only a handful of plays. We have to learn from this situation on how we played in the second half. We have to handle the situation better.

The game may be completed at another date. How difficult will that be to play a few minutes and let that decide between a win or loss?

If the Barmer Bundesliga doesn´t do anything then it may be counted as a win. However we can´t control that. We have to focus now and be prepared for the next game against Fellbach.

You had a 17/13/3 game. How content were you with your game?

I gave a good individual performance. Teams scout me more now and know that I can shoot the ball well. Teams switch more on me now. We have to learn to punish it. I felt more free flowing with my game. I never think or worry too much about my game, because I trust the work that I put in.

You’re a very good shooter. Do you feel like your on a good way to keep increasing your shooting percentages?

Yes I am. I take a lot of pride in the work I put in during practices and after. I always have full confidence that I will make every shot, but nobody does. So when I miss, I have to keep the confidence to make the next ones.

On what other areas of your game do you want to improve on as the season progresses?

I want to feel more comfortable handling the ball, punish mismatches and continue to get up reps.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Noah Kamdem?

I give him the edge. It is good to play against him in the post. I can learn a lot form him. We haven´t played from the perimeter. That could be a different result.

Thanks Cooper for the chat.

Allen Smith began his coaching career in 2013 with the Linden Dudes woman´s team in the 2 Regionalliga. He then coached TSV Neustadt and then went to his former playing team Hannover Korbjager. He then went back to TSV Neustadt and led them to the 2 Regionalliga title in 2017. He then was assistant coach with Pro A team Eisbaeren Bremerhaven from 2019-2022. He took over as head coach in the stretch run of the 2021-2022 season where he had a 6-2 record and led the team into the playoffs. He then was a season with the Artland Dragons organization where he coached the women. Since 2024 he is head coach of TSV Neustadt. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his coaching career.

After your playing career you moved into coaching, beginning with the Linden Dudes women’s team. How did that happen?

Coaching was probably inside me long before I stopped playing.

I was fortunate to be around coaches like Zack Jones, Kwabene Robinson and James Stewart very early in my life, and they made me want eventually to give back to players the way they had given to me.

The transition accelerated after my injuries.

I wanted to remain around basketball and stay in Germany, and the Linden opportunity was in Hannover, so it made sense.

What began as the next basketball opportunity quickly became confirmation that teaching and developing people was something I wanted to push as far as I could.
Was coaching women a big adjustment?

The biggest adjustment wasn’t really coaching women.

It was learning that coaching is not simply establishing a standard and telling players to reach it.

That team had players with serious lives outside basketball. I think around half were studying medicine. Basketball represented competition, but also community, fitness, learning and enjoyment.

I learned that you can maintain a high standard while still meeting people where they are.

We struggled early, but we kept building belief and eventually became a very competitive team at a level where many people doubted we belonged.

That season taught me one of my most important lessons: sometimes the coach has to be the steady captain while everybody else is experiencing the storm.

You were Team Manager with MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. Did John Patrick give you the final push toward coaching?

My official title was Team Manager, but my daily involvement was much broader than people might assume from that title.

I worked between the players, coaching staff, management, medical staff and physiotherapists. I was involved in practice preparation, organization, player logistics and many of the things required to keep a professional team functioning.

I also spent a lot of time doing extra individual work with players who wanted it.

Something John Patrick told me has always stayed with me. He appreciated my ability to recognize something that wasn’t operating at a high level and, instead of complaining about it, simply find a way to bring it to the required level.

John is extremely demanding and methodical. Working successfully in that environment gave me confidence that my standards and basketball understanding belonged in a high-level professional organization.

Ludwigsburg was where a lot of my previous experiencescorporate operations, playing, injuries, player development and leadershipfinally came together.

Do you have any good stories about the Ludwigsburg players?

One that always stays with me involves Kerron Johnson.

He arrived very late before the season, and I was tasked with helping get everything around him readymedical requirements, licensing, apartment, transportation, understanding the organization and additional basketball work.

We had very little time before the opening game against Bonn.

Then he went out and scored 38 points.

I’m definitely not taking credit for Kerron scoring 38he was the one on the floor doing it.

What the experience showed me was that I could help remove enough noise around a high-level player that he could focus completely on performing.

That became another important lesson for me: high performance isn’t only the two-hour practice. It’s an ecosystem.

You then became head coach of Hannover near the end of the 2015–16 season. What do you remember about that first men’s head-coaching experience?

That was Hannover Korbjäger in the 1. Regionalliga Nord.

At the time I was already working as an assistant coach with Neustadt one level below, and the Hannover opportunity came up late in the season.

The situation was somewhat chaotic. There were good individual pieces, but the team wasn’t functioning consistently as a group.

For me it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I was being given the chance to become a head coach one league above where I was assisting.

We finished the season competitively, and the club later withdrew for reasons outside the basketball side.

What that experience gave me was my first real understanding of what it feels like when the final decisions and results have your name attached to them.

You became head coach of TSV Neustadt in 2016 and won the 2. Regionalliga title immediately. What was special about that team?

We didn’t accidentally discover halfway through the year that we could win it.

We built that team with the championship as the goal from the beginning.

We had experience, talent and guys who genuinely liked being around each other. There was a family feeling to the group.

And our culture was very much “whatever it takes.”

I was living in Hannover, about 30–40 minutes from Neustadt, and there were days when I’d literally fill my car with four players, drive everybody to practice and then take everybody home afterward because having the right people in the gym mattered more than whose responsibility transportation technically was.

That mentality became part of who we were.

You were reunited with Tobias Welzel and had Solomon Sheard. How important were they?

Solomon was invaluable.

At around 6’8″, 240 pounds, left-handed, physical and athletic enough to move, he gave us a matchup problem that was extremely difficult to solve at that level. He had already been important in Neustadt for years and also a close friend of mine.

Tobias was different because we already had history.

When I played for Hannover, I was the veteran and Tobias was the younger German coming through. I had watched him develop and tried to help him during that period.

Years later, coaching him felt like the next chapter of that relationship.

Those two gave us talent, trust and continuity that couldn’t simply be replaced by signing another player with similar statistics.

You coached Neustadt legend Dyon Doekhi and saw him become a Neustadt lifer. What was so special about his game and character? Do you sometimes wonder how far he could have gone had he left earlier in his career?

Dyon came to us at exactly the right moment, both for the team and probably for himself.

He had already played in different countries and situations, and I think what he needed at that point was somewhere he could stabilize, be trusted and play within a group that had enough quality around him to allow his game to really come out.

Basketball-wise, he gave us experience, scoring, leadership and confidence. But what became just as important was everything that developed away from the court.

We had a lot of conversations about basketball philosophy, coaching, the business and what life after playing might eventually look like. I think seeing how I approached coaching sparked something in him as well, and over time our relationship became as much mentor-player as coach-player.

Could he have played higher? Absolutely. I thought he could play Pro B and potentially Pro A basketball if the right opportunity and timing had come together.

But careers aren’t only about chasing the highest league possible. Sometimes finding stability, community and a place where you can fully become yourself is equally important. Neustadt became that for Dyon.

What I’m probably most proud of is that he didn’t only become an important player there. He became part of the community and started investing his own knowledge back into other players. That’s a different kind of success.

You also coached Mubarak Salami, who tragically died in a car accident. What memory of him will always stay with you?

Mubarak was very special to me.

It’s difficult for me to reduce Mubarak to one memory.

What I remember most is the contrast between who he was on and off the court.

On the floor, he was fearless. He had natural instincts that you don’t really teach and a willingness to compete that immediately connected with me. A lot of people had already formed opinions about him by the time he came to us. Some coaches even told me I shouldn’t take him.

But I didn’t see a problem player. I saw somebody who badly wanted to become something and hadn’t yet found the environment or language that helped him understand how to get there.

We worked a lot on his body, coordination and understanding of the game, but I also wanted to protect the part of him that played instinctively. I talk a lot about playing from your heart spacedeveloping skills and understanding deeply enough that eventually you can stop thinking about basketball and simply play. Mubarak really embraced that.

Off the floor he was completely different from the competitor people saw during games. He was incredibly kind. He cared deeply about kids and about his younger brothers and sisters. He carried a lot of responsibility in his family.

I think one of the things our relationship gave him was a place where he didn’t always have to be the caretaker. Around me he could still be a young player who needed guidance, could ask questions, make mistakes and trust that somebody genuinely wanted the best for him.

Our relationship became much closer to family than simply coach and player. I always looked at him almost like a nephew.

Basketball-wise, he was also one of the first players I invested that deeply into and then watched become a high-level professional player. Years later he became one of the leading scorers in the ProB, and seeing that development meant a lot to me.

So when I think about Mubarak, I don’t think first about one game or one statistic. I think about the conversationsserious ones, funny ones, basketball onesand about a young man who trusted me enough to let me help him become more of who he already had inside him.

That’s what I will always remember.

I miss him.

You also coached Hannover United wheelchair basketball. What was that experience like?

One of the first things I learned was actually pretty funny.

I didn’t know non-disabled players could participate in German wheelchair basketball. After one game an opposing player stood up from his wheelchair and walked away, and I started telling everybody the other team was cheating.

The Hannover United players were dying laughing because they knew the rules and I didn’t.

Once I understood the game, I became fascinated by how much basketball transferred.

Pick-and-roll, spacing, screening and transition were still basketball. But wheelchair basketball also exposed me to concepts that standing basketball wasn’t really using much yet, such as immediately making contact after a shot to slow the opponent’s transitionsimilar to what people now call tagging up.

Most importantly, I coached those athletes to professional standards.

I never wanted “I can’t” to become the answer. Usually it’s either, “I don’t know how yet,” which we can teach, or, “I’m not willing to do what it requires yet,” which we can address.

One preseason we even participated in a Guinness World Record challenge pulling more than 50,000 kilograms of vehicles over 100 meters as a group.

The point wasn’t really the record.

It was showing people that the limits they believed existed were sometimes much further away than they thought.

You spent three years with Eisbären Bremerhaven, first as an assistant under Michael Mai and later taking over. How valuable were those years?

Extremely valuable.

Moving from being a head coach in Regionalliga into a full-time ProA environment gave me another level of daily basketball education.

My responsibilities included opponent preparation and a lot of individual development work with the professional players.

Being immersed in that environment every day forces you to sharpen everythingscouting, communication, preparation, player management and the details of winning.

Michael and I had already known each other from my playing days in Hannover, so there was history there as well.

Those three years helped me articulate much more clearly what I believed as a coach and gave me an understanding of what ProA-level players need on a daily basis.

You coached Kevin Yebo in Bremerhaven. What do you think those two ProA years gave him before he returned to the BBL and eventually reached EuroLeague level?

Kevin’s physical tools were always obvious.

What a player sometimes needs isn’t simply a higher league. He needs responsibility, repetitions and enough space to experience situations repeatedly until the game slows down.

I think those ProA years gave Kevin exactly that.

He could play meaningful minutes, make mistakes, learn how teams adjusted to him and understand how his physical advantages translated against professional competition every night.

Sometimes taking one step back in level is actually taking two steps forward in development.

His career afterward speaks for itself.

You took over Bremerhaven in early 2022 and went 6–2 to reach the playoffs. What do you remember about that run?

The urgency.

When I took over, there wasn’t time to reinvent everything.

I already knew the roster because I had been the assistant, so my responsibility was to create clarity, restore belief and put guys in positions where they could play with confidence.

We won six of the remaining eight games, including the final five, and reached the playoffs against Tübingen.

That run was personally very important because it gave me confirmation at another level.

I had already believed I could lead professional players. Now there was tangible evidence that I could take responsibility for a ProA team under pressure and get results.

We didn’t want simply to make the playoffs, but getting there from that position is something I’ll always be proud of.

You then spent time with Artland in the youth program and women. What did you take from that experience?

It broadened me again.

Working across different ages and with different groups reinforces something I strongly believe: the patterns of personal development are remarkably similar, but everybody is at a different stage.

The coach has to recognize where the person actually is.

With younger players especially, you can’t hide behind complicated basketball language. If you can’t teach something clearly, you probably don’t understand it as well as you think you do.

Artland reinforced the importance of fundamentals, communication and adapting the method without lowering the standard.

You returned to TSV Neustadt in 2024. How difficult was that first ProB season, and what did you learn?

Very difficult, but extremely valuable.

I initially returned in an assistant role and took over as head coach after the team had started the season with nine straight losses in its first ProB year.

When you inherit a situation like that, the table can’t be your only measurement.

The first job is rebuilding belief, creating professional habits and getting players to compete with clarity again.

We became much more competitive, but the start had put us in a very difficult position and we couldn’t completely overcome it in the standings.

What I learned is that meaningful change sometimes happens before the table is capable of showing it.

You have to keep coaching the process even when the external reward hasn’t arrived yet.

Last season you started 7–0, then lost eight in a row, recovered to make the playoffs and lost two close games to Coburg. How do you summarize that season?

It almost felt like three different seasons.

Starting 7–0 showed us our ceiling.

Losing eight straight showed us every place where our foundation still wasn’t strong enough.

That stretch exposed thingsturnovers, defensive rebounding, emotional discipline, late-game execution and how we responded when confidence was challenged.

The thing I’m proudest of is that we didn’t break.

We won three of our final four games to qualify for the first ProB playoffs in club history.

Then against Coburg, the second-place team from the South, we showed we belonged. Both games were competitive and the second ended 75–77.

I’m proud of the season, but not satisfied.

The lesson was that talent can give you a great start. Character, clarity and trust are what allow you to survive the middle and still be standing when the important games arrive.

What are the team’s goals and your personal goals this season? Are the playoffs the goal again?

The playoffs absolutely matter, but I don’t want them to become the ceiling.

Our goal is to become one of the most prepared teams in the league.

By the important part of the season I want us to have clear roles, be physically prepared, mentally and emotionally strong, hungry to execute and completely trusting one another.

If we build those things properly, the standings will take care of themselves.

Personally, I want to continue demonstrating that I can build, develop and lead professional teams at increasingly higher levels.

I’m ambitious about where my coaching career can go, but ambition only matters if I’m doing the job in front of me at a very high level.

So right now my focus is helping Neustadt take another meaningful step forward.

Please list your personal NBA and European coaching Mount Rushmore.

Zelko Obradovic

Pablo Lasso

Gregg Popovich

Erik Spoelstra

Thanks Allen for the chat.

One thing that the basketball places Crailsheim and Wurzburg have shown really well for some seasons had been having that special talent of bringing in point guards who wouldn´t just make an impact on the court, but an immense impact. Back in the years 2019-2021 when Crailsheim was still in the easyCredit BBL, they had two incredible years reaching the playoffs with guards Dewayne Russell, Trae Bell-Haynes and TJ Shorts. The maker of the findings and success was current NBA coach Tuomas Iisalo. All players had chips on their shoulders and helped lead the club to the playoffs and then all reached higher leagues. It wasn´t any different in Wurzburg from the years 2023-2025 as head coach Saso Filipovski preferred having guards who were the main forces on the court having Stanley Whittaker, Otis Livingston and Jhivvan Jackson who like the Crailsheim guards all had incredible seasons with the latter two Americans helping their teams reach the playoffs. In the Pro A, there is also a trend like this happening in Kirchheim. Ex BBL player Igor Perovic has done incredible work there for the last 6 seasons and is entering his seventh season coming off his best season ever there having reached the Pro A final last season. All in all he has reached the playoffs 3 times and did it each season with incredible guards where he had that unique feeling that these guys would be the leaders to help the team gain success. Veteran Richard Williams, Michael Flowers and last season Philipp Russell were the point guards who waved the magic wanes and led the teams to the playoffs. Perovic comes back every season with one of the lower budgets in Pro A and somehow finds a competitive roster. This season he is hungry and has built another interesting roster and this season his point guard is CJ Hines (193-PG-2002, college: Temple) who is in his second pro season and like many players overseas has a huge chip on his shoulder after playing in the NAIA and in Serbia last season. Obviously he is seeking to make the next step in Germany. Does he feel any extra pressure having to live up to the point guard magic in Kirchheim? “I wouldn’t say I feel pressure. I see it more as motivation. Obviously, Coach Perovic has had a lot of success with guards, and there have been some very talented players who have developed and had success in Kirchheim. At the same time, I don’t want to come in trying to be the next version of somebody else. I want to be myself, play my game, and bring my own strengths to the team. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m confident in my ability to contribute. For me, the goal is to learn from Coach Perovic, earn the trust of my teammates and coaches, and help the Knights win. If I can do that while continuing the tradition of successful guards here, then I’ll be very happy”, stressed CJ Hines.

CJ Hines who lists ex Auburn and current Los Angeles Clipper Jihni Broome as his toughest opponent in the NCAA because of his size, strength and skill and basketball IQ made him so difficult to stop was born on March 18th, 2002 in Atlanta Georgia. He began his basketball career at Archer High school and then played 3 years at Faulkner University (NAIA). He made massive strides in his game there averaging 9.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 46.0%, FT: 73.5%, 17.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 77.5% and really exploded in his third year averaging 21.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 80.9%. Playing at Faulkner under Scott Sanderson helped his overall game so much. “I became a much more complete player at Faulkner under Coach Scott Sanderson. When I first got there, I was still figuring out what kind of player I could become at the college level. Each season, I took on more responsibility and became more confident in my ability to score, make plays, defend, and impact the game in different ways. Coach Sanderson really helped me understand how to play the game the right way and poured endless confidence in me. He trusted me with more as I developed, but he also held me accountable and pushed me to improve the areas of my game that needed work. By my last season, I had become a much more confident scorer and playmaker, but I also understood that I needed to do more than just put points on the board. I think the biggest thing I took from Faulkner was learning how to be a complete guard and how to handle a bigger role. That experience gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to take the next step, eventually play at Alabama State, and then begin my professional career overseas”, warned CJ Hines. In his last season, he scored in double figures in all 38 games he played, scored 20 points or more 19 times including a 38 point explosion against LSUS and helped his team win the SSAC title. He also reached 2 NAIA Sweet 16´s. “My fondest moment on the court at Faulkner would definitely be winning the SSAC championship. The 38 point game against LSUS was a great individual memory, and I’ll always be proud of performances like that, but winning the championship with my teammates meant more to me. There’s something different about accomplishing a goal together after putting in so much work throughout the season. Everyone had a role, and when we were able to come together and win the conference, it was a really special feeling. It showed me that all the individual work is important, but ultimately, basketball is about winning and doing whatever you can to help your team succeed. That championship is probably the memory I look back on the most from my time at Faulkner because of what it meant to our team and the people I shared it with”, remembered CJ Hines who remembers beating TJ Madlock in 1-1 games.. He picked up many awards at Faulkner including SSAC All-Freshman Team -2021, All-SSAC First Team -2022, 23, NAIA All-Americans Third Team -2022, All-SSAC Player of the Year -2023, SSAC All-Tournament Team -2023, NABC NAIA All-American Team -2023, and NAIA All-America First Team -2023

The Georgia native who lists TJ Madlock, ASU, Derrian Ford, Temple, Aiden Tobiason, Temple, Gavin Griffiths, Temple, and Kario Oquendo, Serbia as his five best teammates of all-time then was rewarded and made the jump to the NCAA and played 2 more years at  Alabama State University  (NCAA) averaging  9.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 34.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 79.1% and 14.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 73.8%. There he demonstrated his leadership qualities again and won another chip with the SWAC title in 2025. What was so special about that squad? “What made that squad so special was how relentless we were. We had a group of guys who refused to quit, no matter what the situation was. Whether we were up big, down, or in a close game late, we always believed we were going to find a way to win. That mentality became a big part of who we were as a team. We also genuinely cared about each other and understood that everyone had a role. We pushed each other every day in practice, held each other accountable, and competed at a high level. There was a lot of confidence in that group, but we never felt like we had accomplished anything until we actually won. Winning the SWAC championship in 2025 was special because it was the result of all that work we put in year round. We went through adversity together, stayed together, and kept fighting. That’s what I’ll remember most about that team”, stated CJ Hines. He showed that he could play in the NCAA and scored in double figures in 44 of 65 games. He had so many memorable games, but one he will never forget was his amazing buzzer beater against UAPB winning 93-91 and having a 23/6/4/2 game. “That shot was an incredible feeling. Everything happened so fast, but when the ball went in and I saw the clock hit zero, it was one of those moments where you almost don’t realize what just happened. To hit a game winner like that, especially in a close game, and have my teammates and coaches celebrating with me was something I’ll never forget. I’ve definitely watched it a lot of times. I couldn’t even give you an exact number at this point, but it’s probably somewhere in the dozens. I’ve watched it by myself, with my teammates, with friends and family, and ended up seeing it on social media more times than I can count. Every time I watch it, I still get that same feeling from the moment. It’s definitely one of those basketball memories that I’ll always have and every player dreams of”, commented CJ Hines. One person that was very instrumental in his basketball development in the NCAA was head coach Tony Madlock who helped groom and prepare him for overseas. “Coach Madlock played a big role in helping me take that final step toward becoming a professional. When I got to Alabama State, I already had confidence in my ability, but he helped me understand what it really takes to play at the next level. He challenged me to be more consistent, more disciplined, and to understand that every possession matters. One of the biggest things he gave me was confidence. He trusted me with a bigger role and put me in situations where I had to make plays and take responsibility. That helped me grow not only as a player, but also mentally. He pushed me to believe that I belonged at the D1 level since my first day on ASU campus. Looking back, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to play for him. He gave me a huge push to take my game to another level”, added CJ Hines. Last season he played his rookie season with SPD Radnicki Kragujevac  (Serbia-KLS) averaging 15.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 70.6%. It didn´t take him long to have his wake up call to being overseas and knowing that he was far way from home. “I think the biggest wake up call was probably when I first got to Serbia and realized how different everything was from what I was used to back home. I was in a completely new country, away from my family and the people I had been around my whole life, and I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. Even simple things like getting around, communicating, and adjusting to a different culture made me realize, “Okay, I’m really overseas now.” Basketball also made it real for me pretty quickly. The game was much different than college and there was a lot of responsibility on me as a rookie to adjust and prove myself. There were definitely moments when I missed home, but I think that experience helped me grow up a lot. It taught me to be more independent, stay focused, and handle situations without always having someone familiar around. Looking back, I think going through that first season in Serbia prepared me really well for coming to Germany”, said CJ Hines. He didn´t reach the playoffs, but had a solid first season overseas and also got to know Serbia better off the court. “One of my coolest moments on the court was experiencing the atmosphere at our home games. It was my first season playing professionally overseas, so being able to step onto the court in front of passionate Serbian basketball fans and feel that energy was something I’ll always remember. There’s a different level of emotion and intensity around basketball there and being part of that as a rookie was a great experience. Off the court, I really enjoyed getting to know the people and the culture. I had teammates who helped me adjust, and being able to experience everyday life in Serbia was something I appreciated a lot. It made the experience about much more than just basketball. As far as how fanatic the fans are, they are very fanatic. Basketball is a huge part of the culture in Serbia. People really understand the game, they follow it closely, and they’re not afraid to show their emotions during games. You can feel how much they care, and playing in that environment definitely made my first professional season special”, remembered CJ Hines.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and James Graham in Koblenz in 2024

The explosive scorer who lists LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Victor Wembanyama on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is in Germany now playing for Pro A team Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim. His first impression of Germany has been very positive and is happy how welcoming everyone has been and noticed that Germany isn´t Serbia. “There are some differences compared to Serbia, especially with the lifestyle and basketball environment, but I’m enjoying getting to know Germany and adapting to everything. I’m sure the longer I’m here, the more differences I’ll notice, but so far I’m really enjoying it”, said CJ Hines. He came to Germany knowing about Dirk Nowitzki and that there is a very strong basketball culture in Germany that is has been growing since years, but he didn´t know that Germany is the current World and Euro champions. “That’s impressive! Coming from Serbia, where basketball is also a huge part of the culture, I’m really interested to experience the German basketball culture for myself. I think there are a lot of similarities, but also some differences in the way the game is approached. I’m excited to learn from that and be part of it”, smiled CJ Hines. He also got positive reports from former guys that played in Germany like Mardracus Wade and TJ Madlock and even had a friend that recently played for the Knights. “ It’s crazy my guy James Graham played for the Knights recently and he told me he loved it. He said from the coaching to the training at 2020 and then being in Germany was great for him and it was nothing but positive feedback. Also, he is a great player that can do pretty much everything on the court. I met him when I was at my NAIA, Faulkner, and he was at AUM and we’ve built a relationship from playing against each other back then”, added CJ Hines. So all in all, it wasn´t difficult for him to make Kirchheim his second basketball home overseas. “ There were a lot of reasons that made Kirchheim the right choice for me. First, the success the team had last season really caught my attention. Reaching the Pro A Finals showed me that this is an organization with high ambitions and a winning mentality. I also really liked the opportunity to work with Coach Igor Perovic and the way the organization sees me as a player. I felt like this was a place where I could continue to develop, take on a bigger role, and help the team compete at a high level. Another important factor was the opportunity to continue my career in Germany after my first experience playing professionally in Serbia. I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment, and when I spoke with the organization, I felt that Kirchheim was a great fit for me both on and off the court. Ultimately, I wanted to join a team that wants to win, has a great fan base, and believes in me. I think Kirchheim gives me a great opportunity to grow and hopefully help the team take that next step”, warned CJ Hines. He also knew very rapidly that he and Igor Perovic would be a fit as freedom and accountability go hand in hand with his new coach. “The talks with Coach Igor went very well. From the beginning, I felt like he understood my game and what I can bring to the team. We talked about my role, what he expects from me, and how I can help the team be successful. What I appreciate most about his basketball philosophy is that he gives his players confidence and freedom while still holding everyone accountable. He has a very calm approach to the game, and I think that translates to his players as well. I also really appreciate that he values my calmness and scoring ability. For me, being calm doesn’t mean being passive. I like to stay under control, read the game, and then be aggressive when the opportunity is there. Knowing that Igor trusts me to play that way gives me a lot of confidence, and I’m looking forward to building that relationship throughout the season”, warned CJ Hines.

So what kind of player will Germany see from CJ Hines who names Lebron James as his GOAT because of his combination of his longevity, consistency and versatility? When looking at his overall game, he would compare himself to rising NBA player Tyrese Maxey. “ I still have a lot to prove and I’m not comparing myself to him in terms of level, but I really like certain aspects of his game. He’s a guard who is always a scoring threat, but he can also create for his teammates and make plays with the ball in his hands. I like his aggressiveness and the way he can put pressure on the defense while still staying under control. I would say my game has some similarities in terms of being a guard who likes to score, create opportunities, and make the right play when the defense reacts”, expressed CJ Hines. He fills the stat sheet like no other and stresses versatility as an important asset in his game. “ I don’t want to be a player who only contributes in one area. I want to be able to impact the game in different ways and do whatever the team needs from me. Obviously, I’m confident in my ability to score, but I also want to create for my teammates, rebound, defend, make the right decisions, and play with a lot of energy. I think being able to fill the stat sheet shows that you’re involved in the game even when your shot isn’t falling. For me, it’s really about being a complete player. Some nights I might need to score more, other nights I might need to focus on getting my teammates involved or defending the other team’s best guard. I think that versatility makes me more valuable to my team and gives the coach more ways to use me”, warned CJ Hines. In his last 3 seasons NCAA and Serbia, he averaged 2 assists per game. This is an area that he wants to thrive in more in Germany. “It’s definitely something I want to improve. I’m confident in my ability to score, but I also understand that as a guard, one of my biggest responsibilities is making the game easier for my teammates. I want to become more of a facilitator and create more opportunities for the guys around me. Sometimes that means making the extra pass, sometimes it means creating an advantage off the pick and roll, and sometimes it’s simply recognizing when the defense is giving me an opportunity to get someone else involved. I don’t want to chase assists just to improve my numbers. For me, it’s about making the right play and becoming a better decision maker. If I can continue to score efficiently while also creating more for my teammates, I think that will make me a much more complete guard and ultimately help the team win more games”, stressed CJ Hines.

He is an incredible three point shooter. He shot out the lights in the NAIA and averaged 37% the last 3 years. What is missing to becoming a 40% shooter again? Is it more reps or the shot selection? “I feel really good about my three point shooting right now, and it’s definitely one of the strengths I want to bring to Kirchheim. I have a lot of confidence in my shot, but I also know there’s always room to improve. I would say it’s a combination of both reps and shot selection, but more importantly reps. The reps are important because I want my shot to become as consistent as possible, especially when I’m tired or under pressure. But at the same time, I think shot selection is a big part of becoming a 40% shooter. Getting comfortable with which shots I should take, understanding the flow of the game, and taking shots within the offense can make a big difference. I just need to continue building consistency and making better decisions about when to shoot. If I can do that while continuing to get my reps every day, I believe getting back to 40% is definitely realistic”, stressed CJ Hines. He doesn´t only want to make an impact on the offensive end, but also on the defensive end. “I would describe myself as a competitive and versatile defender. I take pride in being able to guard different types of players and using my size and athleticism to make things difficult for the guy I’m matched up with. I try to stay disciplined, communicate, and not give up easy opportunities. I also understand that defense isn’t always about getting a steal or a block; it’s about making the right rotations, being in the right position, and helping the team. I still want to become a more consistent and complete defender. I want to be the type of guard who can take on the other team’s best perimeter player and make their job difficult for the entire game. I’m working on being even better with my positioning, navigating screens, and staying disciplined without fouling. I know defense is something I can continue to improve every day, and I think becoming a stronger defender will make me a much more complete player”, said CJ Hines. He continues to strive to show his total game and will continue to grind in the gym whenever he can. “Right now, I’m really focused on becoming a more complete guard. I’ve been putting a lot of work into my playmaking and decision making, especially creating more opportunities for my teammates while still being aggressive as a scorer. I want to continue improving my ability to read the defense, make the right play, and control the pace of the game. Watching a ton of film and learning that way is the best way to improve my game. I’m also continuing to work on my three point consistency. I have a lot of confidence in my shot, but I want to become more consistent with the shots I take and make sure I’m getting quality looks within the offense. Defensively, I’m working on being more consistent, especially fighting through screens. Overall, I’m just trying to keep developing every part of my game. I don’t want to be known as a player who can only score. I want to be a guard who can score, create for others, defend, and make winning plays in whatever way the team needs”, warned CJ Hines. It will be very exciting to observe the Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim this season if they can reach the Pro A final again and perhaps even go a step further and win it all. No matter what CJ Hines will be an enrichment on the court and off the court for everyone.

Frankie Collins (185-G-2002, college: Vanderbilt) is a 24 year old 183cm point guard that is seeking an opportunity overseas. He had a brief stint in Germany with the EPG Baskets Koblenz where he played 2 games averaging 16,5ppg and 4,5rpg. Unfortunately he and the EPG Baskets had to part ways with each other. He had a lot of early experience playing at Coronado high school, Ed W. Clark high school, Arizona Compass Prep school and played AAU with Dream Vision. He began his NCAA career with the University of Michigan (NCAA) averaging 2.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.4apg. He then played 2 years at Arizona State University (NCAA) averaging 9.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 62.2% and 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.2apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 57.6%. He then played a season at Texas Christian University (NCAA) averaing 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 59.4%. He then finished at Vanderbilt University (NCAA) averaging 7.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.7apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.combefore making his overseas pro debut against the Giessen 46ers.

Thanks Frankie for talking to germanhoops.com. After a stellar NCAA career where you played at 4 schools, your now playing your rookie season in Germany with Pro A team EPG Baskets Koblenz. How massive is the excitement for you?

I think I’m overly excited to start my professional career and I can’t wait to get things going Monday and put on a show for Koblenz and show them what they should be expecting for this entire season.

How tough was the summer transfer period? You had had 2 tough injuries the previous 2 seasons. Did teams overseas see that as a liability?

It was really tough considering it was the second time it happened to me, and a lot of teams passed on me because of the two previous back to back injuries but I didn’t let that stop me from working and waiting my turn.

You have a rookie challenge with the EPG Baskets Koblenz coming in to replace the injured Tyren Moore. Do you feel any pressure to fullfill the expectations?

I’m sure there is a lot that Tyren did for this team but I don’t feel any pressure considering I know what I bring to a team and that’s winning basketball and making those around me better so no pressure at all, can’t have pressure doing something you love to do

What were the main reasons for joining the EPG Baskets Koblenz? What was the deciding moment where you just had to sign on the contract?

It was an opportunity and they reached out to me and mentioned they need me and I just wanted to play, a few weeks ago I was at home on the couch so I wouldn’t pass out the opportunity.

How did the talks go with head coach Stephan Dohrn? What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

Coach is great and he’s competitive and he wants to win everything and I think that’s where we click the most, he always so serious but with me and how my personality is I try to get him to laugh a little bit you know. But he’s a Great coach and an even better person.

Let´s talk about your game. You fill the stat sheet really well. Would you classify yourself as a pass first point guard?

Yes a pass first pg that can do it all and also create for his self.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. How would you classify your shooting at this point of your career? What steps do you want to make this season concerning your outside shooting?

I would say for the shooting for the first time in my career I can see the change finally coming along and the work is coming together and My uncle back at home Sacramento, CA – AD Smoots, Truu Handles, took over for me and help me the entire spring and summer since march.

Talk about your defensive game. The idea of you and Chase Johnson as the dynamic defensive duo very enticing. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to be become?

I am one of the best defenders and I will continue to show that in every league I play and at every level and I take pride in that.

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

Decision making being better and also shooting consistency

You played your freshman season with the University of Michigan (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 2.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.4apg. You didn´t play a big role, but helped reached the NCAA Sweet 16. What memories do you have of your season at Michigan. What positives could you get out of it?

Winning basketball and just learning how to always be ready whenever your number is called and I did that so that was something that was huge for my careers

You had a career high at Michigan with 14 points in 30 minutes in the March Madness win over Colorado. How special was that game in your career?

I think that was the game where I knew I could play at the college level and compete that a high level, it shaped me into the PG I am today and I was ready

You then played 2 seasons at Arizona State University (NCAA) averaging 9.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 62.2% and 13.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.2apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 57.6%. How valuable was it playing for Bobby Hurley? How did he help you most with the development of your game=

Bobby Hurley was my favorite coach and still is and he’s helped me and taught me what it takes to be a really good pg and he taught me how to control the game of basketball as a guard and he shaped me into the player I am today, he has a huge impact on my life and I am forever grateful for him.

You had many great games against California, USF and game winners against Umass Lowell and Stanford. What memories do you have of the game winners and which meant more to you?

The Stanford and California game stuck out the most for me because my entire family was there and getting all them in the same building is already hard as it is lol so that was the biggest blessing of my life. I have a pretty good track record with game winner and go ahead baskets lol

You then played at Texas Christian University (NCAA) averaging 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 59.4%. How tough was getting injured in December at Texas Christian? What memories do you have of that short season on the court?

I think the toughest thing was it being my first ever injury and having to sit out for an entire season while seeing your team needs you!!! But I had great memories at TCU and that team could’ve been special

You then played at Vanderbilt University (NCAA) averaging 7.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.7apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 66.7%. Once again this season ended after 9 games. I expect this happening a second time must have been worse than the first time. How did you deal with it again mentally? What did you learn about yourself that season?

Yeah this one was the hardest for me, I had so many moments where I almost quit playing because I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with my knee, I was doing every treatment and doing everything with different doctors to try and get healthy and luckily when I went home I got with my home doctors and they helped me tremendously, PPP in Las Vegas, NV Charles Sams and Sofia Cruz. But my support system helped me out so much. My injury took 5 months for me to get cleared by the doctor and it had me heart broken.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or DJ Horne?

We played so much we both won a lot of times but it made both of us the players we are today

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Benedict Maturin and Caleb Love

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Trazerien White

Luther Muhammad

Mike James

Isaiah Barnes

Kobe Bufkin

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, Jordan, Bron, Steph

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant

Thanks Frankie for the chat

Sometimes the basketball world can be so small. For months and months I had seen this name Faiz Mirela Hodovic daily on Instagram showing me love concerning my posts, but had no real idea who he was. I obviously wasn´t paying attention to much, because he was the dad of a very talented young Bosnian player who actually was playing in Germany´s Pro B and his name was Dzenis Hodovic (190-PG -2008). I mean over the years I have had examples of how dad´s have told me how talented their sons are. I mean I´m always open for getting interesting information about young talent all over the world. Covering and seeing young talents is a big love of mine of covering basketball now for 24 seasons. Recently he told me the first time about his son Dzenis and how proud he was of him. That was the first time where I had heard of him? There are so many great talents, some fall off the radar while others don´t. Faiz had written me making me aware of his son´s incredible 40 point game in a 96-87 victory over Jahn Munich. One day later he was amazing again scoring 22 points in a Pro B game against his ex team FC Bayern Munich in a 93-84 win. I was very impressed and that was the first time he had ever told me about his son. His words about his son were very beautiful. “I was very happy that he was able to play so well against his former team and played so mature and at a high level without getting disrupted by his nerves. He showed character, concentration, and quality and showed he can overcome big challenges and play very well against strong opponents at a high level. It wasn´t the first time that he showed to what he is capable of. I am a very proud father”, said Faiz Mirela Hodovic. Shortly after this, I would get to see him play in Frankfurt in a Pro B game and he didn´t disappoint. He finished with 24 points in a tough 102-72 loss against the Skyliners Juniors. He showed amazing scoring qualities and maturity for an 18 year old kid and I was most impressed with his crazy slick handles. I have followed many youth players over the years and after this game, I have to put him in a top 3 of best I have seen in the last 5-6 years and put him in a class with a Ivan Kharchenkoc of Arizona (NCAA) in that list. One can see a very special bond between father and son. “My dad gave me absolute everything. He pushes me every day and supports me so much. I understand very much that not many kids have the kind of opportunity that I have with basketball”, said Dzenis Hodovic.

Pic Credit: Jan Pawliczek

Dzenis Hodovic was born on May 19th, 2008 in Bosnia and came to Germany in 2023. The parents thought it would be best for their son´s basketball future and development. His parents wanted him to have the absolute best chance to develop as a player and use his potential to the fullest. The family business was closed after 24 years. What one does for the love of the child. “Germany wasn´t a foreign country for me. I had lived 5 years during the war in Sindelfingen. I knew the country and system. I knew what kind of opportunities young people have in Germany. That was important for us coming to Germany as a family in 2023. We didn´t see any perspective for him in Bosnia”, warned Faiz Mirela Hodovic. When one observes his amazing ball handling skills and shooting qualities, it is no surprise that he lists his basketball role models with Donovan Mitchell and Damien Lillard. He was also very lucky that he was able to play with the famous FC Bayern Munich for 2 years right away when he came to Germany. “It was a very nice experience playing in that organization. I had many great coaches and teammates. I played NBBL and second Regionalliga. I learned so much there. The most important advice they gave me was too always give 100% and to never give up”, stressed Dzenis Hodovic. It is no secret that the competition for a top German youth program is overwhelming. Some kids stay while others leave for new opportunities. Dzenis decided to go not necessarily because he wasn´t up for a challenge continuing with FC Bayern Munich, but had a great coach that was at Munich Ost. “A big reason for going there was head coach Hasib Büljubasic who has been Dzenis´s individual trainer since 5 years. He gave me a chance and let me be the leader of the team something I may not have become with FC Bayern Munich”, stated Dzenis Hodovic.

Pic Credit: Andi Mayr

The guard who lists Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, Nikola Jokic and Steph Curry on his NBA Mount Rushmore and Luka Doncic, Carlik Jones, Kendrick Nunn and Bogdan Bogdanovic on his Euroleague Mount Rushmore continues to play with NBBL (U-19) team Munich Ost and Pro B team TSV Oberaching Tropics. “The Tropics are a nice organization. It is like one big family. I´m very grateful to play for this organization. I´m sure that we will be successful this season”, said Dzenis Hodovic. The club has had a marvelous start with 4-2 and want to keep the winning moving along. “Our ball movement is very good. We want to defend well and all give their all. Everyone understands their role and plays it to the fullest, We simply play as a team”, added Dzenis Hodovic. He also has been very fortunate to have a great coach in Mario Matic who is a legend with the Tropics and continues to form good rosters and give young players a chance. “My role is pretty simple. I have to shoot and score a lot and play defense like a dog. I very thankful for coach Mario that he gives me plays as a young player. He is a very good coach and believes 100% in my abilities. He has taught me a lot and always stresses to give all I got on the court”, commented Dzenis Hodovic. Currently he is tearing up the NBBL averaging 30/2/2/1 and shooting 45% from outside while in the Pro B is a top youth player in that competition averaging 14/1/1 stats and shooting 42% from outside.

With Oberaching head coach Mario Matic

The great shooter who has similarities to Bogdan Bogdanovic is an offensive force and it is not by accident that his ball handling is so advanced and incredible for his age. “My biggest offensive strengths are my shooting and drive. I´m also good at changing speeds. I learned to work a lot on my ball handing from my coach Hasib Büljubasic. I practice ball handling every day 30-40 minutes”, expressed Dzenis Hodovic. He has that dog mentality on the defensive end and he definitely has the right mindset to become a very good defender down the road. “I am an aggressive defender. I believe that you can´t be a good defender, if you don´t love to defend. I love to play defense. I believe that if I defend well, it also will help my offense”, warned Dzenis Hodovic. As a young player one is always diligent in the lab and working on one´s craft. What is the young Bosnian concentrating most on with his game? “I´m working most on the pick and roll at the moment. I am improving every day”, stressed Dzenis Hodovic. He is also showing his basketball skills with the Bosnian youth teams. “Basketball is big in Bosnia, but football is #1. We have a good future. My role on the team is to play aggressive defense and guard the other team´s best player and take open shots”, stated Dzenis Hodovic. He has had many memorable moments in his basketball life especially in Germany in the last years, but his most memorable one happened in Bosnia. “I met Dzanan Musa in Sarajevo once. He is one of my favorite players. We were both in a gym. At that time I was playing basketball and football. He told me not to give up playing basketball and he wanted to see me play for the Bosnian national team one day”, remembered Dzenis Hodovic. If Dzenis Hodovic continues to develop as rapidly as he is, then that dream of playing for the Bosnian national team could happen very quickly.

Isaac Johnson (213-C-2000, college: Hawaii, agency: Slash Sports) is a 26 year old 213cm center playing his rookie season overseas with Rigas Zelli (Latvia-LBL). He began his basketball career at American Fork High school. He then played a season at the University of Oregon (NCAA) averaging 2.5ppg, 1.2rpg. He then played 2 seasons at Utah State University (NCAA) averaging 6.6ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 84.6% and 3.9ppg, 1.9rpg. He then finished at the University of Hawaii (NCAA) averaging 14.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 88.5%. He played NBA Summer League with the Philadelphia 76ers averaging 7.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 80.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against Rostock.

Thanks Isaac for talking to germanhoops.com Your playing your rookie season overseas with Rigas Zelli (Latvia-LBL). Before we talk about basketball, I have to ask you about a phrase in Latvian “”liela zivs” This is Big Fish. You got that nickname in 7thgrade when you were already 6,4. Do you see this nickname following you around overseas?

Hopefully the nickname follows me around in the sense that people will want to be excited about who I am as a player because of how I play. The energy I like to bring, especially when I play well, is spurred on by the fans and a fun part of that in the past has been my Nickname.

As a guy who hails from Utah, your used to cold winters and it won´t be any different in Latvia. How have you adjusted to life there? What has stood out so far in their culture?

So far, my wife and I have been adjusting very well. We have our regular amenities that help make us comfortable, and we have enjoyed learning some of the history of Latvia, seeing some amazing sights, and of course meeting some amazing people.

What kind of an experience has it been playing for RigasZelli (Latvia-LBL). What have you learned to appreciate most about the organization?

So far my experience playing for this club has been so positive. The people of this club really care about making our lives as easy as possible so that we can give all of our attention to playing basketball. They are great people, who are personable and so nice. One thing I appreciate most about this club is how professional everything is done. We are professional basketball players, and should be held to that standard, but the coaching staff as well as all other staff also hold themselves to the same standard of being professionals in their own right.

What has it been like playing for head coach RokasKondratavicius? What have you appreciated most about his basketball philosophy?

It has been an honor for me to play for coach, even in such a short time. He is a great communicator and really wants to make sure his coaching is received well. He gives corrections as any coach does, but also backs up his corrections and coaching with positive reinforcement which I have seen through my experience as a very successful trait. I appreciate his willingness to work with the players and other coaches, he isn’t afraid to be a part of workouts or drills.

What has been the biggest adjustment on the court for you coming from the NCAA? Has big man Klavs Cavars been a mentor for you during the early going?

I think the biggest adjustment this far is just the pace of play. Not just in how fast people can get up and down the court, but in the small movements and pauses in order to create deception with their attack or set up for others to attack. It is fun for me to learn from other players that have been pro for so long, both from talking and especially observing. (Klavs has not been at practice yet because he is still with the National team.)

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 213cm center. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think I would best compare my game to Dirk or Porzingis. I’m able to stretch the floor, have a good feel on offense and am an underrated passer.

You fill the stat sheet well for a big man. Would you describe yourself as a modern day big man?

I would say yes, I like to think my game is not just being a stretch big, but also being able to play inside and make plays with the ball in my hand.

You can score and rebound well. What other strength does your offensive game incorporate?

I think, as I stated before, that my passing ability is underrated. I am able to make passes and decisions that show my IQ and allow me to be more than just a big man who can score.

How would you describe the development of your defensive game as a rookie? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I think my defense is ok, but definitely has some improvements to make. I was able to average 1 block per game during my senior year, and I would like to build on that, as well as increasing my effectiveness in ball screen coverages.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?

The biggest part of my game that I am working on now is my confidence. I am a really good player, but at times, in the short term, I doubt myself instead of having the confidence that I will make the right decision regardless of the outcome. I am also working on being in better shape. The better shape I am in, the easier offense, defense and rebounding become.

Last summer you played with the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA Summer League in Las Vegas) averaging 7.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 80.0%. What kind of an experience was that? What was the most meaningful advice you got besides keep working hard?

The experience I had there was amazing! The staff and organization that the 76’ers have built and continue to build is modeled around great people who have immense basketball experience and knowledge. It taught me a lot about what it means to be a professional basketball player, and the type of player I am/need to still become.

You played against many big prospects in Las Vegas. Was there one guy you remember that stuck out most?

I would say the prospect who stuck out the most to me was actually my teammate, Lebaron Philon. He was a super skilled player who worked really hard on both sides of the ball. It was awesome to see and great to play alongside him.

You were at the University of Oregon for a season and played only 13 NCAA games. There were 4 centers on the squad including future NBA player Nfaly Dante. How tough were these two years. What could you gain and learn from this experience?

I was able to learn a lot about myself as a person as well as what it took to become a really good player. That year was difficult in the sense that I realized how I needed to make my expectations realistic. Of course you want to set high goals and work to achieve them, but also understand your role on the team and how it can change throughout a year.

You played your last NCAA game at Oregon against Utah State and then ended up going there. You played 2 seasons averaging 6.6ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 84.6%and 3.9ppg, 1.9rpg. It seemed like it was a coaching roller coaster as there were 3 coaches in 3 years. How do you remember these years. Was there one coach that helped you the most?

I am very fond of my time at Utah State even though I had a new coach each year there. I would say the coach who helped me the most was Danny Sprinkle, who is now head coach of the Washington Huskies. He helped me to gain confidence, understand my role on that team well, and learn to take criticism and coaching and interpret them into what I really needed to hear.

You reached the NCAA tournament 4 times. Was your 19 points in the win over TCU one of your fondest moments there?

One of the years, I was a red-shirt, and both of my other years at Utah State, along with my one year at Hawaii. I think that’s win will always hold a special place in my heart, but I would say my overall fondest moment was making it to the tournament with Hawaii. Even though we lost, it was the whole experience of being the leader to help carry our team to the tournament for the first time in 10 years.

You then finished at the University of Hawaii (NCAA) averaging 14.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 88.5%. It was your break out season. What kind of a player did you become there?

I would say I really was able to realize the type of dominant, and hard working player I can be while there. I became much more confident in my shooting, decision making, and overall trust of my coaches, team and self. I really caught a glimpse of the type of player I can continue to be in the future.

You had 2 massive games in 2 buzzer beater games against Call State Irvine and Fullerton scoring 22 and 15 points. What game was most exciting for you?

I would say whenever we had the chance to play them was exciting, and always a battle. But every time we beat them was my favorite. They are well coached, and a good team, and proving we were better coached and a better team was always such a good feeling.

How did head coach Eran Ganot give you that last vital push to prepare you for a professional career?

He helped me to fall in love with the game of basketball again. He helped make the game fun. Because I was able to realize the type of player I am led by his coaching, he allowed me to realize the possibilities I have playing professional.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Yacine Toumi?

Me. Every time. No questions asked.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I think I would say Benedict Mathurin

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

In sense of in a basketball game, or in sense of overall teammate are two different answers. But my favorite overall teammates, including both are:

Hunter Erickson

Landon Brenchley

Taylor Funk

Harry Rouhliadeff

Gytis Nemeiksa

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron, Steph, Dirk, Larry Bird

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron

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

I am unaware of these movies.

Thanks Isaac for the chat.

Pic Credit; FC Basketball

Niko Jerkic (202-F-2007) is a 19 year old 202cm forward from Croatia that is playing with FC Bayern Munich. He began his career in Germany in the ratiopharm Ulm organization. He played NBBL reaching the final in 2025 and also played for their Pro B team Orange Academy and their Regionalliga team. Last season he played with FC Bayern Muenchen Second Team (Germany-ProB, starting five) averaging 13.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 70.0%, played also with their NBBL team averaging 17.8ppg, 5.0rpg, 4.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 73.2% and also played 1 easyCredit BBL game. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the summer of 2026 about basketball.

Thanks Niko for talking to germanhoops.com. I know your Dad since a long time. I remember meeting you and Roko in Berlin in 2025 at NBBL top 4. I remember him telling you I was a writer. What other things do you remember him saying about me?

He told me that you are in the Basketball scene a long time and a very good writer. Also that you are a commentator.

How did you get a love to basketball and when did you start to play the game?

First I started to play football and my dad was watching the games, I never touched the ball. Then after we had a conversation and I switched to basketball. I think I started playing at 7 years old. My dad always shot with me outside, that´s when I really fell in love with basketball.

Please name your career stops from when you began to play until you came to orange academy jbbl?

Scanplus Baskets U10

Ulm U12, U14 and the JBBL two years with Orange Academy

Who were your early basketball inspirations? Was it a mix of German and Croatian players?

When I was 12 years old, it was always Lamelo Ball. I always watched his mixtapes and game highlights. Now I really like to watch players I get compared to like Dzanan Musa or Mario Hezonja. Those are my main inspirations right now. But I also have more players I really enjoy watching like Mike James or Dwayne Bacon.

Was your dad like a mentor for you? How has he helped your game most?

Yes he is my mentor my whole life. He trained me since I was little and supported me the most with my mom, watching every and giving me tips during and after the game. He even watched team practices when I was young.

You played JBBL with Orange Academy. How do you remember those early years in Ulm. Did you have another type of mentor besides your dad?

My first year no, my second year yes, it was my former coach Jochen Lotz. I enjoyed playing for him, because he saw my talent and gave me freedom to play. He pushed me every practice to go harder especially on defense.

In the 2023-2024 season you made the jump to the NBBL team and won ANGT over Zalgiris. What memories do you have of winning that title?

We were a really talented team and had a deep roster. Our Chemistry was awesome and it was a lot of fun to play in Dubai. What I remember the most is having fun at the pool with my guys.

You also got your first real experience playing with men playing for BBU 01 Ulm (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 8.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 23.7%, FT: 73.7%. How vital was this time? How did your game then profit most from Regionalliga ball?

It helped me make the jump to senior basketball. That was my first year playing against grown men and also helped me to jump to the next league Pro b. I had freedom from our Coach Tim Roleder, that helped me trying stuff against better players and taking the next step.

How valuable was having a guy like Noa Essengue as a teammate and a guy you could battle in practice? What are your memories with him?

He is obviously a great player, he plays for the bulls now. I only practiced with him shortly before the ANGT, I would describe him as a quiet guy, but very nice to talk to. He carried our team that tournament.

In the 2024-2025 season you got your first Pro B experience and played NBBL with Ulm. How did your game profit most under Florian Flabb?

In the NBBL I was given freedom and had the ball in my hands. In the Pro B I had a different kind of role more off ball because we had other guys. He pushed me every practice to get better and I had some great conversations with him during my time playing for him.

You reached the NBBL final in 2025 in Berlin and averaged with ratiopharm Ulm U19 team (Germany-NBBL)16.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 75.0%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 75.4%. How tough was it losing to Munich in the final? What do you feel was the difference?

I thought that we deserved to win, because we worked so hard towards this final game. At the end they just brought more energy to the game and we didn´t step up like we should have.

You played on many teams with Ulm with Swiss army knife Joel Cwik. How special of a player was he? Was he like a teammate mentor for you?

He wasn´t a mentor for me because we are almost the same age. He is a player that always brings energy with his dunks and defense. He is a all rounder who can do a bit of everything on the court and is also a great funny guy to be around.

When you look back at your years in Ulm, what kind of a player did you become there?

I think I developed good at Ulm. I became a player that can create for himself but also for others. I didn´t only develop on the court, but of the court I think I also became a better person, becauseIi was around mature and nice people.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 202cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a pro player who would best fit the description?

Just recently I was compared to Dzanan Musa. I like Mario Hezonja a lot and feel like I play like him, I´m just not as athletic.

You’re a player that fills the stat sheet really well. How big is versatility in your game?

I would describe myself as a Big Guard and Point Forward. I can shoot and score but I think my passing is a bit underrated. My defense improved a lot the last years.

You shot 39% in the Pro B with Munich. How do you see the development of your 3 pointer last season and what goals do you have with it this season?

I had a good shooting season, even though I was injured for a long time. My goal is definetly to go over 40 percent this season, which is possible.

Talk about your defensive game. Are you still raw? What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

As I said my defense improved a lot, because I guard smaller guards at practice to get better. Also through the first team here in Munich my defense improved because I´m guarding Euroleauge players. I want to be able to guard multiple positions when I am done developing.

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

This summer my focus is definitely on the athletic part, getting faster, more explosive and stronger. That is really what I need to become a pro. Of course I´m also working on my creating with the ball.

You played with FC Bayern Munich last season in the Pro B averaging 13.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 70.0%, played NBBL and 1 BBL game. What is the best thing about playing for this great organization?

It is a really great organization. All the coaches and the staff cares about the player. The professionalism of all coaches and staff is at a really high level. I´m grateful to play for this amazing club and get a chance to develop as a person and a player. I have everything that I need here in Munich.

What is it like being teammates with brother Roko? What do you like most about him as a player and person?

It´s so fun playing with my little brother and I´m so grateful to share the court with him. I hope we stay healthy this season so we can even play more together. He has so much potential, the way he scans the court as a point guard with his size is incredible. Of course he can also score and likes to get everybody involved. But when it gets time to takeover, he knows how to do it. His ceiling is set very high. He pushes me every workout and we spend a lot of time to getter of the court also.

How competitve are you guys? How many 1-1 games do you win in 10 tries?

We are both really competitive and like to win. Of course I win 10 times you don´t even have to ask. Maybe in the future it will change, but for now I got myself every time. He will say otherwise, because he is a liar.

Your game really picked up in Feb 2026 after a long injury. How tough were those first months fighting the injury and getting fit again?

It was definitely a hard time mentally, because I had the injury multiple times. I was in the weight room everyday and couldn´t touch a basketball, that´s what annoyed me the most. Thanks to the great coaches here in Bayern I got fit fast.

How tough was it losing NBBL playoffs to your ex team Ulm? You gave all you had with 55 points in 2 games. What was the difference in this series? Was Teo Milicic to much to handle?

Yeah Teo definitely gave us problems, with his abilities to score but also to pass. We couldn´t stop him. Also Endurance really gave us problems with his size and grabbing rebounds and dunking on people. But also players like Milo Murray or Kayan Yeboah who are very versatile helped Ulm win. If we would have had a complete roster I think we would have won the series. We had guys like Roko Jerkic, Nikolas Sermpezis and Andrija Susic missing the whole series. They´re also some main guys.

You made new strides last season. How did your season grow further with FC Bayern Munich?

Because of my Injury I missed half of the season, but still I think I did a solid job. Bayern is really letting me develop by giving me freedom and trying out new things in games. I also trained a lot with the first team, which really helped me to get better. When you practice with them and then go to Pro B, it seems so much easier. Every Coach wants the best for you and wants you to succeed, I really like this whole philosophy and the ideas of the club.

You made your BBL debut against Braunschweig scoring 1 point in 3 minutes. What will you always remember from that first BBL game?

I will always remember Coach Pesic calling my name to get subbed in. Especially debuting for such a legendary coach is awesome. My first free throw I was a bit nervous, but then I calmed down and made the second one. Also all the fans and players cheering for me was a very special moment.

What was it like playing for legend Svetislav Pesic? Do you remember having a meaningful conversation with him about basketball or life?

We had multiple conversations about basketball, he always tried to get me better at everything I did. He pushed me and always said I need to go harder and really compete.

If you had to pick 1 Munich BBL player who had the biggest impact on you what would it be?

Isaiah Mike

What are your personal goals for the 2026-2027 season?

I would like to end up in first place in the Pro B and have a great Season as a team and individually.

You also play for the Croatian youth national team. How is the stat of Croatian basketball? What young talents are coming up for the future?

Croatia has some very talented players, especially in the generation of 2010.

You played at the FIBA U16 European Championship Division B in Pitesti (Romania) winning Gold averaging 8.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 21.1%, FT: 44.4%. What memories will you always have of winning that title?

We won because our team chemistry was great and we trained so much. I will always remember chilling with the guys at the hotels and having fun.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA or Euroleague?

I think the hardest person I ever had to guard is Xavier Rathan-Mayes. His skillset is so unique.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I will give you a Top 10 because I can’t decide. Not in order.

Milo Murray, Jervis Scheffs, Oliver Kullamae, Endurance Aiyamenkhue, Kayaan Yeboah, Caspar Vossenberg, Namik Muratovic, Andrija Susic, Teo and Zoran Milicic.

Please list your personal Croatian and German Mount Rushmore of all-time best 4 players?

Croatia: Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Ivica Zubac, Mario Hezonja

Germany: Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner, Isaac Bonga

Who is your GOAT?

Paul George

Thanks Niko for the chat.