life

Steve Esterkamp Prepared Oshane Drews(Rostock Seawolves) For The BBL

Pic credit: Darius Baumgart

Oshane Drews (198-SG-2001) is a 24 year old 198cm shooting guard playing his second professional season with the Rostock SeaWolves. He began his basketball career at RSV Stahnsdorf and then played 2 years with the Junior Loewen Braunschweig (NBBL) and SG Braunschweig (2.Regionalliga). He then played 2 seasosn with the Dragons Rhondorf and then made the next step to the Uni Baskets Paderborn (PRO A). He came to the Rostock Seawolves in 2023. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a game against the Frankfurt Skyliners.

You began your basketball career at TUS Lichterfelde and then played with RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf (ProB) averaging 6.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 51.1%. You were 16 years old that season. How do you remember that season? Did you mature quicker with more minutes?

I think that game reps are very important for one´s development. I made a big jump in my game. The funny thing was that then I had no idea what the Pro B was. The trust and minutes I got really helped me as a young player.

How valuable was head coach Denis Toroman in your early basketball development? Did it surprise you then that he gave you so much trust?

Yes a little. I remember at the middle of the season when I began to play more, he came to me and said, “I wish I could of given you even more minutes up to now. That opened my eyes and I concentrated more, worked harder and got more minutes.

What memories do you have of Daniel Kirchner? That same season he got a chance and then went to Dresden and has become a solid Pro A player. Did you see that coming then?

He had always had had a good shot, was fast, could jump and dunk. But at that time, he hadn´t had such a big role with us.

You then played 2 seasons with the Junior Loewen Braunschweig (NBBL) averaging 16.1ppg, 8.8rpg, 3.9apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 57.1%. You were injured your first season and bounched back in your second season. How vital were these 2 years in your basketball development?

That was the first time that I had practiced with a BBL team. I saw how difficult it was to play in the BBL. The BBL was worlds apart from what I had experienced as a player. It really opened up my eyes, how much more work I ha din front of me to improve my game.

Who won a 1-1 in practice, you or Simon Roosch?

I did.

You played 2 ANGT games with FC Bayern Munich. What memories do you have playing with them and great talents like Bruno Vrcic and Sascha Grant?

I just remember being really flashed. We traveled in style and stayed at a 5 star hotel in Belgrad and had a police escort. It was a cool experience. FC Bayern Munich welcomed me with open arms. I didn´t play much though.

You then played 2 seasons with the Dragons Rhoendorf (ProB).How tough was that first season. You began great playing 2 games and then Covid cancelled the Regionalliga season. How tough was starting great and then having the season end?

I still had knee problems the first season. The season ended abruptly. But we still moved up to the Pro B. That next summer, I had an operation and was fit for my second season. In the end, I didn´t miss anything my first season.

You then had your break out season in the Pro B averaging 11.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 58.3%. How did your game grow that season under Julius Thomas?

I improved so much with the Dragons. My game grew much. I became more flexible and versatile. I became stronger and more athletic and became a better defender. I also got used to that level.

What memories do you have of the Bernau win? You had 25 points a season high and teammate Paul Albrecht a triple double?

That is still a blur for me. I will never forget my fast break dunk. That was a good win. Everyone was happy.

You then joined the Uni Baskets Paderborn (ProA) averaging 7.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 64.0%. You made another jump in your game under Steve Esterkamp? Did he just let you play your game?

Yes he did. He gave me a good role. He prepared me for the BBL. He is a good coach. I really like his style.

Last season with Rostock you played 15 BBl games and 7 Fiba Europe Cup games with Rostock. Which player had the biggest impact on you in your first BBL season? Possibly Chris Carter?

I think that Eric Lockett had the biggest impact on me. We have same build and define ourselves with our defense.

How did you experience the Fiba Europe Cup season? You scored 4 points in 5 minutes against Jonava?

I like playing in the competition and enjoyed the trips. It was interesting to se how other countries played. I would have liked to have played more though.

What was it like coming back to Rhondorf scoring 31 points in the 2-0 playoff sweet?

I actually had the Dragon Dome bigger in my memory. I had a lot of fun and the fans gave me a nice welcome.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA or anywhere on a court that reached the NBA?

I have trained in USA and once trained with Bam Adebayo.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Derrick Alston Jr, Bryce Hamilton, Robin Amaize, Mike Smith, Jequan Lewis

Please name your personal NBA, Euro and German Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, Michael Jordan

Drazan Petrovic, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Giannis

Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schroeder, Franz Wagner, Daniel Theis

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Thanks Oshane for the chat.

Justin Anderson (FC Barcelona) Will Never Forget The Talks With Dirk Nowitzki On Plane Rides Or His Teammates Shouting Stay Down And Don’t Jump Against Kobe Bryant

Pic credit: FC Barcelona

Justin Anderson (198-G/F-1993, college: Virginia, agency: Octagon Europe) is a 31 year old 198cm forward from Maryland playing his 10th professional season and first with FC Barcelona Lassa (ACB) currently averaging 8,5ppg and 2,8rpg in the ACB and 6,8ppg and 2,8rpg in the Euroleague. He played parts of 6 seasons in the NBA with teams playing a total of 257 games for teams like Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Cleveland and Indiana. Last season was his first overseas playing with Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (Spain-ACB) averaging 11.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 89.3%; and in the Euroleague averaged 6.1ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.8apg, 2.3spg, 1.0bpg, in Dec.’23 moved to Valencia Basket (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 8.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT-1 (91.9%), 2.2rpg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.2%. He began his basketball career at Montrose Christian school and then played with the University of Virginia from 2012-2015.He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Euroleague game against Alba Berlin.

Thanks Justin for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season with FC Barcelona. What kind of an experience has it been? What has been the coolest experience you have had off the court?

I have to be honest that I don’t do much off the court. I’m very generic. I live close to the beach at home so I would have to say going to the beach.

In the NBA you saw all the cities and now in your second Euroleague season many historic cities. Currently your in Berlin. Has there been a city in Europe that has impacted you most?

This question makes me realize just how much of a basketball head I am. I’m used to the bus to the hotel to the gym routine. I enjoyed being in Greece, but also our trip to Bologna . I got some authentic food for my wife. It was enjoyable

It hasn’t been a great season for FC Barcelona. In the ACB and Euroleague fighting for the playoffs. What does the team have to do better in next weeks to get more wins?

We just have to continue to take the next step.

How talented is Italian player Dame Sarr? Are you like a mentor to him?

He is very talented, but already been a pro for 1-2 years. We all just try to be a good teammate for him. He has a very bright future. He has a great work ethic. He has to wait his turn.

You are playing at the highest level overseas in the ACB and Euroleague. Is the NBA still an option for you in the future?

You will have to ask some of the scouts. I’m really enjoying my opportunity overseas with FC Barcelona. My talent and experience got me here. I’m continuing my journey overseas and continue to be presented with good opportunities I’m a kind of focus on now guy.

Last season you played with 2 ACB teams. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I didn’t have a wake up call. I was already 30 years old. I think that I did a good job coming in and preparing for overseas basketball. I asked a lot of questions to legends who had played overseas. When I go overseas, I hit the ground running and was ready.

You played 3 years at the University of Virginia winning the ACC title and reaching the big dance. How did head coach Tony Bennet groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Bennett made me have to earn everything as a freshman. I came to Virginia as a very high recruited player. He told me already in high school that I would have to work hard for everything. I always had to prove myself. He also helped me go into the direction of coaching one day. He motivated so much to go that direction one. My dad was a coach. So in a way, I have 2 dads with my dad and Tony Bennett as a father figure.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Malcolm Brogdon?

Malcolm used to destroy me in school. He was more the fundamental player and I was very athletic. I liked showing the highlight plays. He got the best of then, but in the pro’s it was a different story. I’m really happy how he has grown as a player over the years especially with his leadership going form team to team and being a great leader.

You played your first 2 seasons in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks playing 106 games. What do you remember from your first NBA game against the Phoenix Suns scoring a basket in 3 minutes of action?

I remember sitting at the end of the bench and just waiting for the most part of the game. I remember making a lay up in transition. It was then that I realized wow this just happened.

You were teammates with German Dirk Nowitzki. Everyone who played with him have their special story. What is yours?

There isn’t just 1 story. He is a legend and the whole globe knows it. I just call him 6 as the sixth all-time leading scorer. He had a strong appeal on me especially with his work ethic. He had so much humility and was always available to me. I remember sitting next to him on the plane and I would try to soak up so much from him. I learned so much from him and also his trainer Holger especially about the art of shooting.

In your 8th pro game, you lost to the Lakers 90-82 and witnessed Kobe Bryant score 19 points. It was the only time you would play against him. Is that one of those games that will always stick with you?

He gave a lot of points to Wes Matthews. I was only responsible for 2 points. I just tried to prepare as much as I could seeing how he moved and worked on the floor before I came in. That way I would be prepared. I remember my teammates telling me stay down and don’t jump. He was so calm. In the first possession he didn’t do much except pass the ball. I was like Ok that wasn’t hard. In the second possession, it was something different that wasn’t major, but then on the third possession he showed his game by picking and choosing his spots so well. He drew the foul on me and went to the free throw line so focused never looking at me. I remember the whole bench yelling at me, ‘Rook don’t jump. His aura is so great. I’m a Lebron guy, but you have to respect everything that Kobe did especially at the end of his career. He retired, then won an Oscar and did so much in the finance world. It was so sad to lose him.

You played against so many great NBA players, but who was the toughest player that you battled at your position?

Jamal Crawford would dance with the ball. He was so unorthodox with his game. JJ Reddick was also tough.

Where do you rate the over the car dunk from Mac McClung at the 2025 NBA slam dunk contest?

Mac Is from Virginia like me. I have known him since his high school days. I think that dunk a few weeks ago cemented him as a top 3 dunker of all-time. He is undeniable in the top 3 if you were to put all his dunks together.

Thanks Justin for the chat.