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Myles Owens Knows How Tough The Odds Are But His Obsession With The Game Doesn’t Allow Him To Stop Chasing The Dream Overseas

Myles Owens (183-PG) is a 183cm guard from Tinton Falls New Jersey that played at Monmouth Regional. He then played at Kean University (NCAA3). He is striving for a pro career overseas and is taking part at the Howard Hoops Europe Exposure Camp in Germany. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Myles for talking to germanhoops.com. Your taking part at the Howard Hoops Europe Exposure Camp. How did this this opportunity come about for you?

I first heard about Coach Ron through another player who had gotten an opportunity with him. I stayed in contact with Coach Ron for some time, and that relationship eventually led to the opportunity to come out here to Germany and take part in the Howard Hoops Europe Exposure Camp.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

I know Germany has a strong basketball market with a lot of different leagues and opportunities for players. I’ve also watched some basketball and really enjoy the style of play, the pace, ball movement, physicality, and team-oriented approach are things that fit the way I like to play.

Have you ever had any friends, former teammates or opponents go overseas and ball? If yes what reports did you get from them?

Yes, I’ve had friends and former players I’ve competed with go overseas. The biggest thing I’ve heard is that it’s extremely competitive and definitely not easy, but at the same time it’s an amazing experience and an opportunity that not many players get to have.

You last played college ball 5 years ago and played at a camp overseas in Nice, France. The odds aren´t high to make it, but what keeps you going to have that belief that you could make it?

I just love the game and everything that comes with it, the early mornings, the late nights, the work, and the competition regardless of the level. Basketball has taught me so much, and I want to keep learning, keep improving, and keep competing. I’m obsessed with this game, and I want to prove not only to myself, but also to the players coming after me, that if I can keep chasing something like this and create opportunities for myself, they can do the same, and hopefully even more

How tough has the grind been the lasty ears. Do you have a normal 9-5 job?

I actually have a job as a coach/trainer in Jersey. And I love it. I love coaching, love teaching the young generation this game.

What was your impression of founder Ron Howard. Are you aware that he has helped so many guys get jobs?

He’s honest, respectful, and seems like a great father and an even better person. I’m excited for the opportunity to learn from him and take in as much as I can during my time here in Germany.

Many guys say he is so genuine and tells it like it is to you. What did you appreciate most about his dedication to helping unknown guys get overseas?

The honesty. Some people guarantee things or make promises they cannot keep. He is going to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.

Let´s talk about your game. Your a183cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I’m not sure how accurate I am. I watch a lot of film on him. Younger Patty Mills. And I try to be

Talk about your offensive game. What are your biggest strengths? You seem to be a very good outside shooter.

My game has always been shooting the basketball. Coming off screens, off ball screening, off ball movement, running in transition, paint touches to create for others, getting others touches.

How would you describe your defense? What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I love playing 94 feet. I want to be a tone-setter on the defensive end, communication to me is very important in this game. I do believe I have more to improve on, but I want to be able to make my presence known on that end.

On what areas of your game are you working on most at the moment?

Getting to the rim creatively could improve, and I just want to keep improving on the IQ end. I want to see plays 2 or 3 steps ahead.

You played at a pro camp in Nice, France. How was that experience for you?

Amazing. It was a beautiful place, great competition, learned from the coaches, made good friends and good connections. One of those connections actually led me here. I learned a lot and it taught me to be more aggressive, and to be better at adapting my game.

You played at Kean University (NCAA3). How do you remember that experience? What was your fondest moment there on the court?

Kean taught me to keep going even when things don’t go your way. I went from no minutes year 1 to starter year 2. Staying true to your work, and buying into your role, whether it’s the role you want or not. My first start was my fondest moment. It just was all my work coming together.

How did head coach David Turco groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

So I started with Coach Adam Hutchinson who groomed me as a player before Coach Turco got there. Coach Hutchinson continued to stay on me, even my first year when I didn’t get playing time. He never let up on me, and it made me stronger.

Who won a 1-1 in practice, you or Jared Latane?

Jared was a hell of a 1 on 1 player, I’ll give him that, we always gave him the basketball when the clock went down.

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

I played pickup once against Ron Harper Jr. and he straight dominated. Goes to show there’s really levels to this game.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

1. Jailen Jamison (Kean)

2. Jared Latane (Kean)

3. Kendall Blount (Kean)

4. Ian Fitzgerald (High School)

5. Tyric Trapp (AAU high school)

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kyrie Irving

Michael Jordan

Lebron James

Kobe Bryant

Who is your GOAT?

Kyrie Irving.

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

I didn’t see it. Got to leave the classics alone. Hahah

Thanks Myles for the chat.

2 Way Player Chandler Pigge´s Incredible Experience at Phillips Exeter Academy And Harvard Has Prepared Him For The Next Chapter Overseas With Manchester Basket

When your driving around beautiful New England where one can see history of all kinds dating back to 1775 with Paul Revere´s famous ride from Boston To Lexington and further back, but also breathtaking scenery that will help you fall in love with new locations at the blink of an eye. Stuck in the middle of all these pretty areas are also many well known prep schools where each campus has it´s own charm. A few weeks ago, I was driving around with my family on vacation on the way to a bustling beach in Maine when I came upon Exeter, New Hampshire. I didn´t have to think more than a few seconds before deciding to turn off on the exit and head to the town that was founded in 1638. I had ties to the school as I actually been there a little more than 40 years ago watching future NHL hall of famer Brian Leetch play his last high school game against Thayer Academy. Plus my step sister went to school there. Leetch and our school Avon Old Farms lost 6-3 against future NHL hall of famer Jeremy Roenick and future top NHL player Tony Amonte. I remember that game as it was yesterday. I only remembered that game, but not the Exeter campus back in 1986, but I´m sure a lot had changed in 40 years. The Exeter campus looked beautiful in 2026 and it was great being back. A few weeks later a new basketball experience that I had showed again how small the world is. I had the opportunity to interview a Harvard graduate by the name of Chandler Pigge (196-G, college: Harvard) who is starting his rookie season overseas in England with Manchester Basket. The club was to play a test game in Frankfurt against the Skyliners and I wanted to have the scoop on this extraordinary young man. Prep school was an incredible experience for me at Avon Old Farms that I will never forget and It wasn´t any different for Pigge at Exeter. “I loved Phillips Exeter Academy. I always say that it prepared me on every level for Harvard. Academically, athletically and socially. It was a small scale of Harvard. I have an incredible community there that supports me so I always love to go back there and train. Exeter is one of my favorite places to be in the summers”, stressed Chandler Pigge.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber in Exeter, New Hampshire July 2026

Chandler Pigge who lists Xaivian Lee of Princeton, Kelel Ware of the Miami Heat, John Poulakidas (Dallas) and Bez Mbeng (Utah) of Yale as his toughest opponents in the NCAA was born in Houston on June 12, 2003. However he spent a lot of his youth in Germany and even played briefly for the FC Bayern Munich youth team “I lived in Germany for 5 years. I came in eighth grade and went all through high school. My best memories are of basketball. I played basketball for my dad and we won a lot of championships. I have fond memories off the court traveling to Berlin, Munich and Trier. We also will be playing in Trier soon”, stated Chandler Pigge. Unfortunately for him something very serious derailed his time in Munich in 2021 as Covid had erupted and totally changed the world. “I only played one game for them. Covid started and they stopped the games and then the next year I graduated from high school and went to Exeter and then Harvard”, remembered Chandler Pigge. After a great and enriching time at Philips Academy, he then took the gigantic step to Harvard, a new route that he never ever regretted taking. “I grew at Harvard in every sense from basketball, academically, socially and spiritually. It was amazing to play there, because you weren´t tied down as an athlete. Being a student athlete at Harvard was real. You had to go to class and you had to be present. I learned from some of the most prestigious professors in the world and spent time with future CEO´s and presidents. I really lived out being a student athlete and I grew academically not being afraid to ask questions and ask for what you want. My coach was a big encourager on not only being tied down to the court, but being able to branch out and explore other passions. I believe that I grew for my love of film and serving others”, stressed Chandler Pigge. On the court, he made massive big steps at Harvard in his last 2 years averaging 13.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 75.0% and 12.9ppg, 5.1rpg, 3.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 75.3%. What kind of a player did he become in the last 2 years? “I became more of a Swiss Army knife type of player especially on the defensive end and with rebounding. I became a player that would go for the 50/50 balls, rebound and defend while on offense being more and aggressive and efficient getting to my spots and shots, I was joking with the guys the other day saying that I don´t want to be a guy shooting 20-30 shots, but be someone taking somewhere between 9-13 shots a game. I think that I did that Harvard”, said Chandler Pigge. He had the great opportunity and luck to be teammates with Chris Ledlum, a guy that is climbing up the basketball ladder overseas and had a great season in Germany last season with ratiopharm Ulm. “Chris was my guy. We had 4 seniors my freshman year. He was one of those guys that was always in the gym. He was a real gym rat. He was very efficient in getting his work outs in as well as recovery time. When it was game time, you didn´t want anyone else on your team. He was a real dog. He brought that component of being hungry every day. He brought the fire each day and I fed off that. He was a mentor to me in that always telling me to keep working hard and being patient with playing time. I followed his lead after that until I finished at Harvard. We both did that and that is why we are both playing professionally”, added Chandler Pigge.

The versatile player and Swiss Army knife that lists Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq and Steph Curry on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore can do a lot more than just out as he is also a flat out scorer. In his last 2 years he played 56 games and scored in double figures in 40 games. He really had Columbia´s number hitting them twice for 26 points. He had so many memorable moments on the court, but there is nothing better than being able to come out on top in the Harvard rivalry with Yale. “Beating Yale my junior year at home and then winning at Yale my senior was great. Going to the Ivy league tournament was also a fond memory. But honestly just competing with my teammates each game was memorable”, commented Chandler Pigge. Being able to grow at Harvard on and off the court wasn´t self-perpetuating as head coach Tommy Amaker played a big role in him becoming the man and player that he is today as ex players and he all have the same feeling about their ex coach. “There are not enough nice things I could say about Coach Amaker. He not only helped me become a better player but also a better person”, stressed ex Harvard player Siyani Chambers. “Being able to watch him and how he communicated. I really grew as a leader. Everyday before practice, he would talk to everyone and check in how we were doing and how our families were doing. It taught me to really cherish the little moments with every person that you encounter. Being able to connect on an individual level and not only on a collective is important. I´m excited to bring my leadership to Manchester and then to the rest of my career”, warned Chandler Pigge. Another person that he won´t forget is teammate Robert Hinton who he can´t wait to see attack the pro ranks soon. “We didn´t play 1-1 much. Robert was very strategic about his work outs. He competed more 5-5 which I can respect. He is a phenomenal player and I don´t think that any one can guard him 1-1. We had many battles back then, but he is going to be an amazing talent. I know he will be on the pro level soon. He is my guy”, stressed Chandler Pigge.

So what kind of player will fans see in Chandler Pigge who lists Lebron James as his GOAT in the United Kingdom SLB? He is a 196cm guard that gets a lot of comparisons to Lugentz Dort, Marcus Smart and Jrue Holiday, but models his game after the king. “I personally model my game after Lebron James. I´m not 6,8 and 250 pounds, but I like how he is a playmaker and wants all his teammates to be in the right spots on offense and defense. But if I had to compare my game after a guy then it would be Jrue Holiday”, said Chandler Pigge. He can fill the stat sheet (Swiss army knife) like no other and is a very good defender. Is he already a 2 way player at this juncture of your career and does he hear the Swiss army comparison at times? “I would say that I´m a two way player. I became that in college since it was my calling card. In high school I had the ball more in my hands, but in college I became more of an on and off ball defender. I think that being a 2 way player will be my calling card here. In college I feel like I was a Swiss army knife. I had to run the 4-5 in college while here I will probably more be running the 1-3. Being a Swiss army knife and being versatile is so important in basketball, so that´s what I´m trying to be here”, stressed Chandler Pigge. He never shot higher than 31% in his last three years at Harvard (NCAA) from outside. Is his three pointer still a work in progress? “It is definitely a work in progress. For me it mostly has to do with the mental part. I always had great mechanics, but it more had to do with my confidence. Now having put in a whole summer of work, I know it has improved and looking forward to showing it. It is definitely progressing”, warned Chandler Pigge. He is a very physical defender that can defend many positions. His development is going in a fine direction and he knows exactly where he wants to go in the future. “I´m a bully/pest type of defender. I´m more of a methodical defender off the ball, but want to become a tactical defender. It´s a long season and you really have to know your opponents. I want to become more strategical and not have to use it 100% of the time, but rather to know when to use that exertion”, explained Chandler Pigge. He continues to grind in the lab on his game so he will continue to improve overseas. “I want to become a more consistent shooter especially off the catch and shoot. Important for me was also coming in healthy and strong and not having any aches or pains and being mobile and having that versatility”, added Chandler Pigge.

For the American who thought the classic Coming To America movie was really good, but the sequel didn´t necessarily hurt the movie series never regretted making the decision to play his rookie season with Manchester Basket. “I wanted to go to a club where I would be valued. The team really values defense and that is really my calling card. I could become a really good 2 way player and go up the ranks. Off the court, I wanted to go somewhere where there was culture. A place where I could get out of my apartment and explore. Me and a couple of the guys already went into the city and saw how beautiful it is. I love the British accent and talking to Brits. It´s an amazing feeling to be here”, stated Chandler Pigge. His rookie season will officially start in less than 3 weeks against German team Wurzburg in a Basketball Champions League game. He will already be in Germany weeks before playing some exhibition games. German basketball has really grown and they are current Euro and World champions. He is going to play an exhibition game in Frankfurt in the gym where ex NBA player Isaac Bonga practiced every day on his craft before being drafted in 2018. How has he followed German basketball over the years? “I followed it a little. I actually played with the FC Bayern youth team. It was a far drive for me then, but I have been able to keep up with their pro team when I was in college as well as keeping up with the German national team as well. So I followed it a bit”, said Chandler Pigge. For him it never gets old being in Germany. “It means everything to me to be back in Germany. Frankfurt was about 1,5 hours away from where I lived, so it´s right around home. A lot of family and friends will be at that game supporting me so I´m really excited”, added Chandler Pigge. It will be interesting to see how his game develops further in his rookie year with Manchester Basket. One thing is for sure his presence on and off the court will always be a great enrichment for anyone.

Dirk Maedrich Wins 2026 Fiba Masters Open And Will Never Forget The Special Mix Of Friendships, Camaraderie, Celebrating And Being A Team Together

Pic credit: Armin Cicic

Dirk Maedrich (212-C-1983) is a 43 year old 212cm German center who celebrated a 18 year career that allowed him to play in countries like Greece and France and let him enjoy 11 years in the easyCredit BBL for teams like Braunschweig, Bamberg, Artland, Giessen, Vechta, Bonn and Oldenburg playing 280 BBL games. He also won titles with Bamberg, and Rasta Vechta. He also played for the German national team and retired in 2018. He recently pulled on the jersey to play in the Fiba Masters Open and helped Germany win the Gold medal.

Thanks Dirk for talking to germanhoops.com You recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open. How did that come about?

Steffen Hamann called and asked if I wanted to play in the Ü40.

You retired 8 years ago. Do you still keep in shape? In what kind of shape did you go into the tournament?

8 years sounds so far away, but I still know how to hoop and the body feels good. With pickup games once a week, games on the weekend with the Rasta 4 team to stay fit for the Niedersachsen, Norddeutsche, and Deutsche championships, and hitting the gym 3 times a week, I try to stay fit for my kids. Plus, I still need the competition!

The tournament was in Greece. Did it feel like a little vacation at the time?

I’m happy that my wife let me go! I wanted them to come with me, but it didn’t work out, so it was like a men’s sports vacation with a happy ending!

With guys 40 or over, how did Germany prepare for this tournament? How much can one prepare when guys are 40 or over?

The funny thing is, we all compete in the German ü40 championship in Vechta, where Munich took first place, the SG Vechta/Quakenbrück/Oldenburg came in second, and Paderborn finished third. What is there to prepare anyway? Everybody knows how to play defense and how to run Horns or Diamond. Except for conditioning, there isn’t much to prepare

The conditions were state of the art. Talk a little about how nice everything was? There was featuring wooden flooring, and air conditioning, Did it compare to first league conditions?

Wooden flooring, a doctor in every gym, water, fruits… it was great. Experienced men competing at a high level against each other. In the end, it was always a fair fight. And the family could watch from home thanks to a well-working livestream! We played 5 on 5! A normal game, 4 times 10 minutes.

Talk a little about the competition. How good were the other countries in general and were there some notable players from back in the day?

The good thing is, everybody competing was over 40, so nobody could just outrun you. The guy from Georgia, Tskitishvili, impressed me a lot. I had to defend him for 30 minutes. Defense is my favorite strength and it felt perfect after the game, and my teammates said I did a good job, which felt amazing. He played for good teams and was drafted back in the day! He could still move really well from the top. We played perfect help defense

Talk a little about your teammates. There were some known guys like Steffen Hamann, Daniel Lieneke, Omari Knox and Daniel Dorr. What was it like playing with them? Did it feel like a good old German basketball reunion?

Like you said, grown men with families coming together from home, sacrificing their time, competing together, and still loving the game after centuries of combined basketball knowledge! The time together was amazing. The tough part is coming back down to your regular life that might take a week, just like the soreness in your body!

Who was in best basketball and physical shape between Hamann, Madrich, Doerr and Lieneke?

We all came prepared, handled the heat, and managed playing almost every day pretty well. With Schmiddy Mathias Schmidt, our physio, plus the out sponsor physios and doctors supporting us and the vegan protein POP Balls and massage guns, we had great support off the court.

What was it like being teammates with 2005 Euro Silver medalist Steffen Hamann? You won the BBL title 21 years ago. He still seems to be in good shape isn´t he?

He is still the leader just like back in the day. I love to play with him. He is in very good shape, I would step into any ring with him. He still has that fire, which motivates me to play with these guys. I don’t want to go on a boys’ trip, I want to play and I still have the hunger to win, and everybody on the team feels that way!

Did you keep in contact with that 2005 Bamberg team and Hamann over the years?

This group is something special and the group chat still exists!

How did you present your game? How content were you with your game?

I was feeling pretty good, making my threes and free throws. I missed a couple of easy ones around the basket, but overall, with an average of 15 points, it worked out pretty well!

What was the biggest challenge for a guy your age in this tournament besides the in shape aspect?

That’s a good question. I would say using the experience from last year to take care of your body: eat well, drink a lot of water, get enough sleep, and do yoga! Stretch and get a lift in every 2-3 days. I’m really happy that nobody got hurt, except for some bruises or pinched fingers. Everything worked out pretty well!

Germany won the final against Italy 69-66. How exciting was this game? Was there any doubt that Germany wouldn´t win this game?

There was a phase in the game where we were up by about 10–12 points and I thought, “Now we got them,” but they came back and tied the game! But we had Omari, and he pulled out the win for us. That was huge!

Talk a little about the last play. Omari Knox made the last shot. How exciting was that play?

First, he stole the ball and had a layup, but he kept an eye on the clock and the score, knocked down a huge three-pointer, and decided the game! That last play was just the tip of the iceberg of a great week and won the game for us.

What was your own personal favorite play on the court during the whole tournament?

I think there were a couple of good ones, but what impressed me the most was when Steffen drove to the basket, both his and my defender tried to stop him, and he threw the ball blindfolded over his head right into my hands. I was completely wide open and nailed the three in a clutch and important phase of the game!

What does the Fiba Masters Open Gold Medal mean to you? You won a BBL cup and Pro A titles in Germany. Where do you rank it in your whole career?

Losing in the final last year and losing the German championship this year gave me a little extra push to not finish second again. So, the gold was a must-have to bring home to the family. But actually, the friendships, the memories, the camaraderie, the resilience, and being a team and celebrating together are just as important to me, and the mix makes it perfect!

When you look back at this experience in 20 years, what will you remember most from it?

The camaraderie and having a good time together. Being a team and supporting each other is what brings you together, and I was always successful when the team truly acted as a team!

Do you think like you will take part in more of these kind of tournaments down the road?

If my body holds up and my wife keeps supporting me, I definitely will. Most likely my kids will play a role in this too, I want to stay in shape, and having 3-4 tournaments a year gives you a goal to practice for, and the kids still get to see you play!

Who wins a 1-1 on the court in 2026, you or Daniel Doerr?

It depends on how much money you put on the floor! Before that, we will never know, Miles!

Thanks Dirk for the chat.

Karl Buhner Believes Jack Kayil(New York Knicks) Reached The NBA On Account Of His Ability Character And Work Ethic

A big basketball highlight I remember for me personally in the 2023-2024 season were actually 2 things. Being able to cover the Dragons Rhondorf Pro B title season as a writer and play by play commentator was really magical and fulfilling, but also being able to do the same thing with NBBL (U-19) team Young Rasta Dragons that season during the NBBL Top 4 tournament in Berlin was incredible. They had lost the season before in the NBBL final in Frankfurt to Alba Berlin on a real nasty buzzer beater by Nils Machowski and really wanted to win the dam thing and did in Berlin the next year. There were so many special players on that team that season like ex Skyliner Joshua Bonga or big center talent Johan Grunloh, or talented guard Jack Kayil (191-PG-2006) who had won his second NBBL title in a row or even blond big man Karl Buhner who did a lot of the dirty work and was the team´s best offensive rebounder that season. 3 years later all those guys have gone their own special journeys including Karl Buhner who landed in Paderborn and continued to make steps in his career in the Pro A. He saw how his teammates also went the next steps in their careers. He would play 1 extra season with Gruhloh who was touted as a NBA Draft pick, but then couldn´t have the type of season he wanted in the NCAA last season, but will attack again this NCAA season to becoming drafted. However Kayil and Buhners paths stopped in 2024 as Kayil went to Serbia and last season was a big factor in Alba Berlin finally winning the easyCredit BBL title again. 2 Years ago, not many would have thought that Kayil would be drafted, but he kept developing and his Draft stock really rose last season and was drafted by the Houston Rockets and traded to the New York Knicks. Buhner never doubted that Kayil would get drafted. “I was really happy that Jack got drafted. He always took on challenges and mastered them. He deserves it so much. He was drafted on account of his ability, character and work ethic. I always knew what he could do. He is a very special player and a good catch for the Knicks”, stressed Karl Buhner.

When Jack Kayil came to Vechta in late summer 2023, the player was already on the radar of Karl Buhner. How could Buhner ever forget how Alba Berlín had won the 2023 NBBL title with that buzzer beater from Nils Machowski? Of course Kayil gave his 2 cents in that big win with a solid 9/5/1/3 game in 21 minutes. “I remember how strong Jack already was for his age then. However his role and IQ wasn´t as big yet. You could see that he already had game then. I remember him making a huge poster dunk on us”, stated Karl Buhner. The two would become teammates in 2023-2024 and of course he remembers that first meeting with him and what his impression was seeing him on the court again. “He was a funny guy that was able to hold his own. He had a good character and was able to connect with all. On the court he already understood much. He made few mistakes, but was very controlled on the court. He was a strong scorer that knew how to direct the team. If you needed him at the end of a game, he could take control of the game. He also knew what to do at the right time”, said Karl Buhner. Many didn´t understand the move from the famous Alba Berlin to the smaller Vechta, but many tend to forget that the Vechta club was already very established and known for their youth program. “Maybe he saw more potential with us. He could play BBL and Pro A with us. He probably didn´t think he would get as much playing time with Alba Berlin in the BBL than in the Pro A with us. He probably felt going with the Pro A was simply the better move for him than the BBL”, stated Karl Buhner. After winning the NBBL title in Berlin, his self confidence must have been sky high for Kayil. “Jack was always a guy that sprouted with a lot of self-confidence. He simply knew what he could do. And what I really liked was that his success with Alba Berlin and that title over us never went to his head. He never rubbed it in when he joined us”, stressed Karl Buhner.

Pic credit: Frederik Kreyenborg

Kayil had a superb season with Vechta in 2023-2024 in the Pro A averaging 10.5ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.5% and scored in double figures in 19 games including a 31 point explosion against Duesseldorf and in the NBBL averaged 18.7ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.6apg, 3.8spg, 2FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 83.8% and scored in double figures in 11 of 12 games including 31 point games against Oldenburg and the Berlin Braves. How much credit did Kayil deserve for the success of Vechta in the NBBL? “He deserves a lot of credit. We had a deep roster and other strong stars like Johan Grunloh and Joshua Bonga. He had a lot of big games against Oldenburg and Hamburg. You could call him our glue gluy”, added Karl Buhner. He had one big strength already in Berlin that he of course took with him to Vechta. “Jack was fearless. He never got scared of the older guys on the court. He just did his thing and could always bring his game when he had to”, warned Karl Buhner. Buhner was able to see at close hand how Kayil´s offense grew that season as well as how his scoring average skyrocketed in the NBBL from 10-18 from Alba Berlin to Vechta. “He was already a good scorer with us and with experience that grew especially in the BBL. His self-confidence got better as well as his touch. In terms of his rise in scoring that had to do with his roles. I think that his role wasn´t as defined with Alba Berlin. There he was surrounded by older players and more scorers. In Vechta Jack was surrounded by talent, but not everyone always played in all the games. He noticed that and just did his thing and took responsibility when he had to “, added Karl Buhner. Even if Kayil was a prolific scorer, he was also able to make an impact then with his playmaking which has really grown in the last few years. “He makes really good passes now. He reads the pick and roll well and is definitely a difference maker now with his passing”, commented Karl Buhner. He also was a guy that was never reluctant to taking big shots. “He hit big shots for us in the NBBL and Pro A. I remember this crazy shot that he took in the Pro A. It was a turnaround shot off the dribble in a vital situation”, expressed Jack Buhner. He also showed his 2-way player assets as a youth player and it has continued to carry over to today. “His offense was always the focus, but he was always ready to defend. He had the right athleticism and length to defend at a high level. He always knew how to use his strength. I never saw him as a liability on defense”; warned Karl Buhner.

Even If Jack Kayil is the property of the New York Knicks at the moment and his big goal is to play in the NBA, there has been speculation recently that he may return back to Europe this coming season to get some extra professional experience before going to the NBA. Despite that one can always speculate a bit about where Kayil´s journey will go in the NBA. Are the Knicks a good fit for the German kid? “It is never easy to come to a title team. He has proven in the past that he is able to adapt well to new systems. His character will help him fit in. He knows how to prove himself”, warned Karl Buhner. Would a star player like Jalen Brunson be the perfect mentor for him? “Of course Brunson could be that perfect mentor. I know that Jack will soak up as much information as possible. I think that Jack is a better passer and defender than him. He will take that opportunity and learn as much as possible”, said Karl Buhner. Will he be just a vital role player in the NBA or be that key impact player? “I honestly feel like Jack could be an impact player in the NBA, if he keeps developing”, warned Karl Buhner. It has been more than 2 years since Kayil and Buhner were teammates and roommates, but the latter will never forget any memories he has simply because he has so many to chose from. “I remember one time where Jack lost a bet. He had to eat a hot chip and got really sick. We thought it was very funny. But he accepted it and went along with the joke. I also remember he had the ability to fall asleep with the light on. He left the door open and his Ipad on. We had to turn everything off. We had great times playing backgammon or just wrestling with each other. Leon Okpara was also always present. It was just so many great memories with Jack”, stressed Karl Buhner.

Winning The Fiba Masters Open Gold Was Fantastic For Daniel Lieneke But Bonding Together And Having Fun Is What Team Sports Is All About

Picc redit: Armin Cicic

Daniel Lieneke (200-F-1981) is a former German professional player that enjoyed a 20 plus career in Germany. He played most of his career in Paderborn where he played 9 seasons mostly in the second Bundesliga, but also played a season in the BBL. He also played 11 seasons with TV 1864 Salzkotten. He recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open winning the Gold medal and talked about his experiences in Greece.

Thanks, Daniel, for talking to germanhoops.com. You recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open. How did that come about?

The idea actually came about a year and a half ago at the German Over-40 Championship, where we played against Munich in the final. That was the catalyst: we put together a really strong roster, combining players from Munich, Paderborn, Salzkotten, Vechta, and several other cities. We took that team to the FIMBA World Championship in Switzerland and managed to win the vice-world championship title there. Since it was so successful, we made a few targeted additions to the roster this year, and that’s how we ended up participating in the FIBA Masters Open.

You retired years ago, but some years ago played with TV Salzkotten Second Team (Oberliga). Do you still keep in shape? In what kind of shape did you go into the tournament?

I was actually still playing for TV Salzkotten last season, which meant practicing once a week and playing a game every weekend. On top of that, I did some running, so I would say I went into the tournament in really great physical shape.

The tournament was in Greece. Did it feel like a little vacation at the time?

First of all, we played five intense full-distance games, but we definitely had some time in between to recover. We used that time to do some sightseeing, enjoy a swim in the sea, or just have some great food. So, it certainly felt a bit like a mini-vacation as well.

With guys 40 or over, how did Germany prepare for this tournament? How much can one prepare when guys are 40 or over?

A huge advantage for us was that we were all in great shape. Everyone still plays basketball at least once a week and keeps themselves physically fit. On top of that, we met up for a long weekend to hold a training camp, where we focused primarily on our tactical preparation.

The conditions were state of the art. Talk a little about how nice everything was? There was featuring wooden flooring, and air conditioning, Did it compare to first league conditions?

The conditions certainly weren’t comparable to the top professional league, but to be
honest, everything in Greece was quite modern, with a great wooden floor and air conditioning in the arena-which was a huge step up compared to our previous experiences in Switzerland and Italy.

. Talk a little about the competition. How good were the other countries in general and were there some notable players from back in the day?

Since this was the first FIBA World Championship in this age group, we had 12 teams competing in our Over-40 bracket, and the games were all very intense and played at a high level. The most well-known player from back in the day was definitely Nikoloz Tskitishvili from Georgia, who even spent several years in the NBA and gave us a lot of trouble in the semifinals.

Talk a little about your teammates. There were some known guys like Steffan Hamann, Dirk Madrich Moritz Wohlers Omari Knox and Daniel Dorr. What was it like playing with them? Were you ever teammates with any of them?

We obviously knew each other from playing against one another back in the day, but it’s just a lot of fun to be on the court with such high-caliber former professionals. But it wasn’t just the well-known guys-every single member of the team was outstanding, both as a player and as a person. That really made us a cohesive unit.

Who was in best basketball and physical shape between Hamann, Madrich Doerr and Wohlers?

It would be unfair to the others if I singled one of them out. Everyone was truly in a good condition. We didn’t have any injury issues, so everyone was in great physical shape across the board. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to win this thing.

What was it like being teammates with 2005 Euro Silver medalist Steffen Hamann? He still seems to be in good shape isn’t he?

Steffen was an absolute leader not just on the court, but off it as well-he really took care of all the organizational aspects. It was an absolute pleasure to play alongside him and spend those ten days together on-site.

. You played against Stefen Hamann many times when you were with Paderborn. Do you remember some of those battles?

I have particularly fond memories of our last duel. It was back in 2010; Bayern Munich had already been promoted to the first division, and we were playing our last game of the season in Paderborn. We won the game at the final buzzer with a tip-in, which was obviously a huge highlight for us and a great way to end the season.

How did you present your game? How content were you with your game?

I was very satisfied with my performance. I went into the tournament in peak physical condition, had the full confidence of our coach, and I think I played the most minutes on average, which allowed me to make an impact on both ends of the floor. My shot was okay, although it could have been a bit more accurate at times.

What was the biggest challenge for a guy your age in this tournament besides the in shape aspect?

The biggest challenge, aside from the physical side, was undoubtedly the recovery time between games. And, of course, being away from my family for ten days-at our age, that definitely plays a big part mentally.

Germany won the final against Italy 69-66. How exciting was this game? Was there any doubt that Germany wouldn’t win this game?

Honestly, there were definitely some doubts around the start or middle of the fourth quarter, and they were well-founded. We started playing a bit headlessly, turned the ball over a few times, and unfortunately took some bad shots. At one point, you really had to wonder if we were going to lose this game.

Talk a little about the last play. Omari Knox made the last shot. How exciting was that play?

You have to look at the bigger picture here: Omari really wanted to win the game for us starting early in the fourth quarter, but he didn’t have much luck with his shot and probably missed five or six in a row. However, with 30 seconds left, he got a steal and actually had an easy one-on-zero layup. Instead of taking it, he pulled back, stopped at the three-point line, and hit the shot to tie the game. Italy couldn’t score on their ensuing possession, so Omari grabbed the ball for the final play. With three seconds left on the clock, he hit a really difficult three-pointer over his Italian defender, and it went clean through the net. In the remaining 3 seconds, Italy still had a chance to tie the game, but the shot narrowly missed the target. That was certainly one of the most exciting final stretches I’ve ever experienced in my entire career.

What was your own personal favorite play on the court during the whole tournament?

Honestly, all of our plays were very well-tailored to everyone’s individual strengths. But naturally, one of my favorite plays was a set where I’d come off a screen from one of our big guys to get open and take the shot.

What does the Fiba Masters Open Gold Medal mean to you? Where do you rank it in your whole career?

I obviously rank this gold medal very highly. However, the 2005 and 2006 seasons were also incredibly successful when we won all 30 games in the second division and earned our promotion to the first division-that was an absolute career highlight, of course. I’ve also been able to win some hardware at the German Over-40 championships as well as picking up one or two Oberliga championships. Those were all wonderful achievements, though I would rank the FIBA Masters Open gold medal slightly above them, given its international significance.

When you look back at this experience in 20 years, what will you remember most from it?

That’s a good question. I’ll probably remember the fact that we were such a fantastic group. We didn’t just achieve maximum success; we also had a lot of fun together and bonded even more as a team during that time. That is exactly what team sports are all about.

Do you think like you will take part in more of these kind of tournaments down the road?

That’s certainly not out of the question. I still love the game of basketball, and as long as my bones and my body stay fit, I can absolutely see myself doing this again.

Who wins a 1-1 on the court in 2026, you or Daniel Doerr?

In the post, ‘Locke’ might win, but one-on-one out on the perimeter, he has no chance. He might see it differently, of course.

Thanks Daniel For The chat.

2026 Fiba Masters Open Champion Moritz Wohlers Knew That There Was A Risk Of Losing But That Was Never An Option For Germany

Pic credit: Armin Cicic

Moritz Wohlers (203-PF-1984, college: MSUB) is an ex German professional player that enjoyed a stellar 17 year career that took him to Scotland for 2 seasons with the Scottish Rocks (United Kingdom-BBL) and the rest was in Germany. He played his rookie season in the easyCredit BBL with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven and also played with teams like Wolfenbuettel, FC Bayern Munich, Munchen Basket and MTSV Friendsfactory Schwabing. He played the longest with TSV Oberaching for 8 years. He also spent some in the USA with Benton Cons High School,Lewis & Clark Community College (NJCAA), McKendree College (NAIA) and Montana State – Billings (NCAA2). He spoke to germanhoops.com after winning the Gold medal in the Fiba Masters Open.

Thanks Moritz for talking to germanhoops.com. You recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open. How did that come about?

We play regularly together at FC Bayern Munich, where we’ve now won three German championships in a row. When we heard about the inaugural FIBA Masters Open, it sounded like an excellent competition, so we decided to organize a team. Since this was the first time FIBA had officially hosted the event, we were motivated to become the tournament’s first-ever winners.

You retired 4 years ago. Do you still keep in shape? In what kind of shape did you go into the tournament?

We normally play here at Bayern once a week in a open gym format. It was started as an over 35 team and as we got older we moved once up to the above 40s. Besides playing trying to stay active with other sport activities. This could be regular fitness training, hiking, tennis, paddle or anything that comes around. Having played a similar event last year for the first time, we all knew that we needed to be in good shape. So there was a bit more training and intensity in order to prepare for that many full games in a short period of time.

The tournament was in Greece. Did it feel like a little vacation at the time?

It was a great tournament and we all needed to take vacation from our regular jobs, so there was a mix of competitive basketball and a vacation character as well. On the off day we visited highlights of Athens and of course had some fun together as well. But we also tried to be as professional as possible doing regenration practice, had a physio with us and even did some Yoga 😉

With guys 40 or over, how did Germany prepare for this tournament? How much can one prepare when guys are 40 or over?

The main core of the team plays together at FC Bayern but we also had some joining from other locations so we had really never played all together and needed to find together as a team quickly. I guess it helps that we are over 40 and all have a lot of experience in order to make it work. The other piece is of course to be in good shape to be ready for such a tournament.

The conditions were state of the art. Talk a little about how nice everything was? There was featuring wooden flooring, and air conditioning, Did it compare to first league conditions?

The courts were really nice and almost all locations had video streaming so that the families, friends and fans could follow our games. This was really nice for all that could not travel onsite. In general the gyms were really nice but I think now a days the first league conditions here in Germany have an even higher standard. With the high temperatures the air conditioning was of course helpful.

Talk a little about the competition. How good were the other countries in general and were there some notable players from back in the day?

The group phase started with a tough team from Greece and we managed to win by 4 points. As we needed to come together we knew that the first game will be a difficult one for us. In general the Group stage was a good start for us and for the semi final and final the competition level really peaked! Probably the most famous player was former NBA Player Nikoloz Tskitishvili who played for Georgia which we faced in the semi final. He was still a tough match up, but we managed to overcome them in a tough game.

Talk a little about your teammates. There were some known guys like Steffen Hamann, Dirk Madrich Daniel Lieneke Omari Knox and Daniel Dorr. What was it like playing with them? Were you ever teammates with any of them?

Some of them I know already for a long time. With Dirk I already played back in the day with the A2 National Team and for a long time I played for example against Omari and later together with him at Oberhaching. Overall the basketball World is very well connected and that is what it makes fun to play with these guys and there are connections in every direction that have grown over the years.

Who was in best basketball and physical shape between Hamann, Madrich Doerr and Lieneke?

It is not for me to single one out, If I would ask them they all would say themselves. But I think this also shows the competitiveness of this team: Everybody came prepared in good shape and that is of course a big factor for the team success. It also helped to prevent any injuires, whihc we did not have.

What was it like being teammates with 2005 Euro Silver medalist Steffen Hamann? He still seems to be in good shape isn´t he?

As our captain he was leading by example by not only being in good shape! We play together once a week and of course it is a lot of fun to play with a player like him where you can also benefit of his style and level of play.

How did you present your game? How content were you with your game?

We won gold, so I am happy! Of course I wanted to bring and deliver all I got to help the team win, and I was happy with my contribution. But since we all had one common goal it was not really important to look at one individual. We knew we have many options as a team and all only wanted to win and this spirit I was the most happy about.

What was the biggest challenge for a guy your age in this tournament besides the in shape aspect?

Having full games, also back to back, the recovery is probably even more important than ever. In order to balance this with the aspect that we are not professionals anymore is a tough task to manage, but we managed quiet well.

Germany won the final against Italy 69-66. How exciting was this game? Was there any doubt that Germany wouldn´t win this game?

It was a very close game and very physical one as well. We were leading a long time, had a little draw down in the 4th quarter, but kept fighting as a team. Making the important stops, getting the right options and making good decisions. The risk of losing was there, but was not an option for us.

Talk a little about the last play. Omari Knox made the last shot. How exciting was that play?

I think for everyone that has not seen the match, they should watch the last 1:30min. We were down by 3 when Omari got the steal and went for a fastbreak 3 and made it. Afterwards we played a good defense, secured the ball and then I knew Omari had the confidence to close this game. The way he scored the last 3 was crazy!

What was it like being teammates with Omari Knox? What have you always appreciated most about his game?

He is a very humble person, but can really take over games. Back in the day he was at times a one man show doing everything, so I was really happy that we got him onboard. With his level of play and basketball intelligence it is always a lot of fun to share the court with him.

What was your own personal favorite play on the court during the whole tournament?

I don´t think there was one play in particular. It was more the overall experience and how good we as a team worked together. It looks like we trained together for a long time and that was really the best feeling.

What does the Fiba Masters Open Gold Medal mean to you? Where do you rank it in your whole career?

I mean you have to put it into perspective: It is above the age of 40 competition, but who can call themselves World Champions? Of course it is different to playing when I was younger, but I am really happy that we achieved this success!

When you look back at this experience in 20 years, what will you remember most from it?

We created memories that will last: on the court and off the court even more! I think that is the beauty of a team sport of basketball and why we all love to play. Being together as a team, competing in a good competition, having fun, what can be better?

Do you think like you will take part in more of these kind of tournaments down the road?

I think this was not the last tournament we played in. I mean we saw other teams play in other ages categories and it was really fun to watch. It had a unique Basketball character where Basketball generations around the world came together, which was very enjoyable.

Who wins a 1-1 on the court in 2026, you or Daniel Doerr?

100% me – but Daniel probably has a different opinion.

Thanks Moritz for the chat.

French Baby Jokic Jakob Milling´s(Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration) 4 Year USA Stay Made Him More Aggressive And A Better Communicator

Jakob Milling (203-G-2003, college: MSUB) is a French 203cm forward playing his first season with Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration (NM1). He got early experience in his homeland with Limoges CSP U21 (ProA U21): 8 and Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (NM2). He then went to USA and played 2 seasons with San Diego Miramar College (JUCO) averaging 8.4ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 73.5% and 15.7ppg, 12.2rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 74.5%. He then played a season at Sonoma State University (NCAA2) averaging 10.8ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 73.0% and finished at Montana State University Billings (NCAA2) averaging 8.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 61.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a test game in Germany against the EPG Baskets Koblenz.

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

I am in Mulhouse right now going through preseason training and as of right now I couldn’t be happier with my basketball life. I am living the dream I have been chasing all my life and I couldn’t have any complaints about it.

You are a French player playing for Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration (NM1). After 4 years in the States, how are you a different and better players then before that?

Before going to the States, I was developed to play basketball the true European way which is with a lot of passes and always looking for the extra pass and trying to play the right way. When I got to JUCO, I quickly learned that if I’m not more selfish, I’m not going to be able to get on the floor as much. So I am more aggressive offensively than before and I also think my communication on both sides of the floor is better because that was a big emphasis from my coaches.

Your playing a test game in Germany against the EPG Baskets Koblenz. How have you followed German basketball the last years? Are you aware that they are defending World and Euro winners?

I haven’t followed German basketball at all before and I honestly didn’t know anything about Koblenz but I am excited to play a team with such a good reputation and history. For my first game back in Europe, this is a perfect matchup in my opinion.

What were the main reasons for joining for Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration (NM1). What was so special about this organization?

I joined Mulhouse because of the reputation they have in NM1 as a winning club and also I used to play for Frank Kuhn when I was in high school and I know that he is a great coach and will get the best out of me. I love the feeling of family that this club has within the team and the organization as well.

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

The talks with Frank Kuhn went great, like I said I have known him for years and it felt good to reconnect with him. We have very similar basketball philosophies when it comes to proving yourself no matter your past seasons. With Frank, it doesn’t matter who you are, you have to perform to be able to get on the court and that means everyone has a chance to prove themselves.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would bets fit the description?

With my teammates in the USA, they have told me baby Jokic because I play at my own pace and I am good at finding passing angles. I am also capable of hitting the tough shots Jokic sometimes shoots because I shoot with the ball over my head so you can’t really block my shot either.

You’re a good offensive player that can do many things. Talk about your offensive game and it´s strengths?

I think the best thing I provide offensively is my versatility. I am able to play multiple positions and also I’m very adaptable depending on what role is needed at the time. I can become the guy who scores or the glue guy at any time during the game.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. How do you see the development there and what are your main goals with your shot this season?

I am confident in my three point shot, I just have to be more consistent. The more game like reps I get in the better it will be. My biggest problem with my shot in my opinion is my balance and I am currently working on it.

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

I would say my defensive game is similar to my offensive game in the versatility aspect. I can guard almost anywhere on the court and I want to become better at guarding guards. I am pretty good defending on the inside because I use my speed as an advantage but with guards I still sometimes have trouble keeping up with their speed.

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

Consistency and physicality are the two main things I work on, Getting more consistent at making my shots is something I been working on for a while now and playing against bigger and stronger guys now means that my physicality has to get better as well.

You played 2 seasons with San Diego Miramar College (JUCO) averaging 8.4ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 73.5% and 15.7ppg, 12.2rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 74.5%. Every player that I have interviewed that have played JUCO have reported that JUCO was a grind but an experience that they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it with you?

I am extremely grateful to have gone through the JUCO route. It taught me a sense of grind and work ethic like nothing I could’ve imagined. If you can make it though the JUCO grind, you can make it through anywhere.

How valuable was head coach Nick Gehler in your development in JUCO? You made big strides in your game those 2 years?

Coach Gehler was big in finding my confidence in my game from the start of my experience. He was always there to push me to be the best version of me every day and I still talk to him regularly and still has a big impact on me to this day

You then played a season at Sonoma State University (NCAA2) averaging 10.8ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 73.0%. How vital was head coach Rich Shayewitz for your development? What strides did you make under him?

Playing under coach Shayewitz was unique. Our sports program went through something unique so it had an effect on all of us. At Sonoma State, I would say I learned to truly trust in my instincts and do anything possible to win.

You then finished with Montana State University Billings (NCAA2) averaging 8.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 61.1%. What could you take from this season?

This was a great season. For me personally, it wasn’t the best stat wise, but I filled my role as a glue guy on that team to the best ability as I can. I had so much fun playing at MSUB and wouldn’t trade that year for anything.

How did head coach Luke Fennelly groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Fennelly has sent a lot of players in his program to a professional career so he taught me how to be more physical than before and also improve my decision making speed as well.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jonas la Tour?

I don’t think I lost once against Jonas lol. He is a very good player and an even better person off the court but in 1-1 he couldn’t do anything against me.

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

I didn’t play against him in an official game but I played against Jaylen Wells who is an incredible defender and his shot making that day was something I have never seen before. I knew from that day that he would make an impact in the NBA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Damien Miller, Cam Barry, Alex Mirhosseini, James Nobles, and Mason Landdeck

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem and Dirk Nowitzki

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant had such an impact on me growing up and it was also easy to pick him because my older brother was a Celtics fan.

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

No I haven’t seen it and that probably means they should’ve left it alone lol

Thanks Jakob for the chat

Joe Asberry(Pro Pathway Tour) Best Advice For Ballers Chasing The Overseas Dream Is To Be Humble And Realistic

Joe Asberry (196-F-1965, college: SF State) is an American ex professional basketball player that really has seen it all from crime to drugs, but also played against legends like David Robinson (215-C-65, college: Navy), Gary Payton, Jason Kidd and Brian Shaw and was teammates with German legendary player Christian Welp. He had a 11 year professional career that saw him toil around in the minor leagues of Germany, but he belonged to the best in his day at that level. Since retiring from the game, he has been a spokesperson for young kids and drug prevention, guest speaker, worked in the Alba Berlin organization, been a master of ceremonies for UBC Hannover and been a mentor for young Americans coming overseas trying to live the dream of being a professional basketball player. He worked recently with the Artland Dragons organization. He helped organize the Pro Pathway Tour with Elijah Allen and spoke to germanhoops.com about the experience.

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

What´s up my Man Miles? Always good to catch up with you. I´m in Munich right now enjoying the sun and getting ready for Omari´s Knox´s Elite Camp. I´m his MC so I´m looking forward to go crazy on the Mic, when his young skilled athlete´s get buckets!

You recently took part at the Pro Pathway Tour in Germany. How did that gig come about for you?

The Pro Pathway Tour is an opportunity for underdogs chasing the Overseas Pro Basketball Dream to have a door open for a Entry Level Job. (Pro B and 1st Reg) It came about as a nice Gesture from Big Slim,and Elijah Allen. We appreciate the cool life Pro Basketball Overseas has given us so that´s are way to pay it forward.

Your partner Elijath Allen is a hooper who is a individual trainer and also runs camps. Talk a little about your relationship to him? How special is it?

Elijah Allen is my guy. We met 14 years ago and we have been tight homeys ever since. It´s bigger then basketball with us. We have been helping American Import and young ballaz for years behind the scenes so now we´re doing our thing together with our Showcase. I recruited him to sign with the Agent I was working with Mike Baron. We signed him and the rest is history. He hit the biggest 3 ball in the History of Bochum. That 3 ball led Bochum from Pro B to Pro A. He´s humble so he just laughs when I tell all of the young bucks that story, LOL!

Both you guys are so passionate for the game and just want to see guys grinding to make it overseas be successful. Do you feel like each other´s strength trickles off on the other and makes each other even more powerful to help these guys succeed?

We both want to see guys WIN! Elijah played with and us guys like OJ Mayo, Bill Walker and King James himself so he understands high level Pro Basketball just like I do. We both love the game and we feel like we both had a Legit shot at making it to the NBA, but a few coaches who had “Hidden Agendas” got in the way. We never make excuses. Overseas Pro Basketball was the cards we were dealt so we played those cards We work well together because we feel like our strength is we tell basketball players the TRUTH! There is NO HIDDEN AGENDA. Either you´re built for pro hoops or your not and if you´re missing things in your game we´re going to tell you and teach you what you need to get where your trying to go.

The tour was in many places in Germany. What was your summary how the whole tour went? What were the biggest challenges for you and Elijah?

The tour was an overall success. The guys played vs guys who had BBL, PRO A,PRO B,1st Reg and NBBL experience. The biggest challenge was to make guys understand how difficult it is to get a Job overseas. There are thousands of guys who want to be the “Import” so if you don´t have something elite in your game it´s not going to happen.

Talk a little about how a day went? Was everyone always together?


The Day was easy. Show up one hour before the game and play. It was like an Allstar Game. We had one beautiful day where we all got together ate lunch and took the time to bond as a Unit. That was the best day.

What was your impression of the games: How did the guys do and who were some of the teams?

The Games went very well. We won two games and we lost one. The game we lost was to Elijah Allen´s Allstars led by Terry Winn. That was an eye opening experience for our “Imports”. They could play vs a “Import” who destroyed 1st Reg when he was in Giessen. I had seen him play on film, but that was the first time I saw it with my own eyes. He´s the truth. He plays with the team, he led his young guys and he could get to his spots and get a bucket easily

I checked the roster and it was guard infested. As a big what was it like working strictly with guards? Did you have to reshape your teachings a bit to what your used to when working with bigs who love to dunk?

Our team was guard heavy, but that wasn´t a problem. It was Run and Gun basketball. It´s easy to play for me and Elijah, We give you a few Horns sets and let you Hoop. The mission is to show the GM´s,Coach´s and Agents what you can do and not run around like a Robot waiting to get CUT!

What personally gives you the biggest pleasure working with American ballers. Your used to working with German boys and girls. Do some of these guys have ego´s that are out of control?

I was working with Germans and Girls during the day. That´s the behind the scenes work I spoke on. When I´m in a weight room pumping up my muscles or at night when I´m on the phone, I´m dealing with American and Canadian Pro´s Guys 24/7 ” Imports” are hitting me up from all over the world especially when they´re pissed off at their Coach I just give them solid advice and let them know it doesn´t matter what the Coach does, it matters that you´re the “Import” so you have to perform and help your team win thats what you signed up for. That´s my biggest pleasure helping them to stay calm under the overseas pro basketball pressure. And yes some Americans have inflated ego´s as they should, they´re a Low Percentage of people worldwide getting paid to play Basketball. When the ego goes overboard, I start asking them the tough questions! LOL!

You’re a guy that saw it all in a time when these guys weren´t born yet. You had to grind in the Regionalliga. What is the best Joe Asberry advice that you give an American baller trying to get a job overseas?

The best advice I can give guys about playing Pro Basketball overseas is to be humble and be realistic. I told myself I have to change my mindset and work harder to be a better basketball player! Me vs Me! I had a game with 10 Dunks in 1st Reg back in the day and it led to 2nd Division Finland, Switzerland, Luxembourg and I was a BBL Practice Dummy! I loved every minute of it, because I got PAID for my DUNKS! I´m not bitter about my journey. I blame myself for my NBA Failure. Other “Imports” should do the same. Check the Man in the Mirror if you think you´re good enough to play for Alba Berlin great, then stop talking, stop posting and prove it!

I knew about guys like Terry Wynn and Phil Flowers. Was there any other player that made an impression on you?

Austin Parker impressed me the most. His Dunks, rebounding and blocks were magnificent. I can see him easily playing on the Pro A and Pro B Level I´ll also say this all of the players gave it 100% so I respect EVERYONE chasing the Pro Hoop Dream.

What was your personal highlight of the tour?

My highlight of the tour was to coach my Young Gun Giulio Sederino. I was his U18 Coach in Quackenbruck. I let him play free and wild and he was cooking for Coach Joe. It felt great to see him chasing his dream and also, to yell, scream and cuss at him and not have to bite my tongue like I did when I coached the Girls! LOL!

Will there be tours in the future and will you be a part of them?

The Agents and Coaches think our tour is a great idea so yeah me and “E” are full speed ahead

What is the future with you? You were in the Artland Dragons organization helping the boys and girls teams. Do you have s gig lined up already for 2026-2027?

My future is always bright, I´ll continue to help “Imports” chase the Pro Basketball Dream.I´ll continue to Scout for the Agents I work with and I´ll continue to LOVE Basketball. I always say it, I´m not a Good Coach, I´m a damn good hype man and a cheerleader, but if you want me to teach your kids how to get buckets, play free, play wild and have fun with basketball, I´m your type of COACH! If my ballaz don´t play defense, get ready for a Profanity laced rant. So no more Coaching Girls, thanks Ladies, I can´t do it, I´ll have to wear a muzzle to coach girls, it was FUN! LOL!

Thanks Joe for the chat.

Chris Widmer(Skyliners) Doesn’t Know Yet If A Professional Career Will Be In His Cards But He Will Do All Possible To Become The Best Player He Can

Pic credit: JHoffmann

Chris Widmer (198-F-2007) is a 19 year old 198cm forward playing for the Skyliners organization with their Pro B team Skyliners and NBBL team Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners. He has played most of his career with the Skyliners, but also played with TV Langen. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his career.

Thanks Chris for talking to germanhoops.com. You live in Germany, but play for the youth Dutch team. Talk about your childhood. You grew up in Germany, but have Dutch roots?

Yes for my whole life I have lived in Frankfurt. My mother is D utch and my father Swiss. I always went there when I was on vacation to visit family and friends. So I always had a connection to my home countries and I always enjoy being there. As for basketball I came across some coaches from Amsterdam last season at a pre season tournament. I connected myself and got integrated into Netherlands Basketball.

You played JBBL with Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners, but also played a season with TV Langen. What positives could you get from your Langen season?

I made first experiences outside of youth basketball having played a few games in 1. Regionalliga. I had good coaches like Niklas Pons and Tobias Jahn who were able to give me some Input and support me on my basketball journey. They also encouraged me to take the next steps in my career. Overall it was a good learning experience.

How valuable was a player like experienced Henk Droste? What could you learn from him?

Henk Droste was a great teammate and a fun guy to be around. He himself is a good all round player and also very physical. He showed me how important it is to be consistent in what you do. As a 16 year old back then he also taught me fundamental things about basketball that helped me become a better player.

Last season you played Regionalliga in Frankfurt and this season in the Pro B. How valuable was the pro B experience? How did your game grow there?

I earned my first minutes and also scored my first points at some point for which I am very grateful. I didn’t have a big role but I helped out the team when it was needed. I didn’t improve my game that much just by playing Pro b but still learned a few useful things under the coaching of Markus Klusemann.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA or Euroleague player who would best fit the description?

I don´t really know who I would compare to my game, a lot of the times the players are unique in their playing style.

Talk about your strenghs as a player. What kind of an offensive player are you? Are you a guy that also does things that aren´t always seen on the stat sheet?

Offenisvely I try to use my first step to attack the rim and use my body, when I get a good shot I also take 3s. If its needed I can also be used for screens and use my strength for pick and rolls and other situations. Other than that I am good on fast breaks and defense to offense runs.

How would you rate the development of your 3 point shooting this season? You shot 27% in the NBBL. Is it tough developing it when there are others taking the bulk of the shots?

It was better at the beginning of the season but overall I’d say I improved my shooting over the last years. When you have players like Jamie and Ivan but also the other guys like Lukas Smazak for example you have a limited amounts of shots per game. But that´s also how it should be and I have of course adapted to this.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

In my opinion I can defend almost anybody, from guard to wing to big. I want to become even quicker on my feet and maybe be more solid when boxing out. I can anticipate steels of ball pretty well and want to use this when defending on ball.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can keep improving your game?

Definitely fundamental shooting, being able to knock down open 3s is very important for me. Over the summer I want to improve my handles and overall finishing.

You also have been a member of the Dutch U-18 team. How is the state of Dutch basketball? How good is Tayshawn Gipson? His dad played in the BBL around the time you were born?

Tayshawn Gipson is a very talanted player with crazy athleticism and ball handling. It was fun playing with him as it also was with my other teammates from nationals. I also met his family briefly, they all are very nice people, it is obvious that he got his talents from his dad and learned a lot from him. Dutch basketball is definitely evolving and starting to get more recognition. Especially with the new generation of players it will only get better from here.

You know players like Endurance Ayiamenkhue and Yanu Slingerland. How good are these 2 players and what do you like most about their games?

Both Endurance and Yanu proved that they are one of the best players in European competition. Yanu is a go to shooter with tough athleticism and Endurance a physicall center who can dominate around the rim. I believe in these boys and I’m sure they are going achieve great things.

You played at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division B in Romania -2025 playing 5 games. What kind of an experience was that? What was your fondest moment there?

To be honest it was more a lesson for me to deal with pressure and having to accept your coach not having trust in you anymore. I lost my rhythm starting the tournament and didn’t play much after that so I had chance to let it sink in and better myself mentally. But all in all I also had a lot of fun with my teammates and made some great connections.

What is your goal as a professional player? Is being a pro a goal? What would be your plan B?

I want to see how I evolve in the next years. If I see myself playing on professional level I will give everything to achieve that. My number 1 goal is to become the best player that I can be.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that made NBA or Euroleague?

Untill now I’m not sure that I have actually played against Players that already made NBA or Euroleague but there are a number of guys where I’m sure that they will reach one of those two. Take Endurance as an example. Furthermore as I already mentioned I’m confident a few of my teammates will also reach that level.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jamie Edoka, Ivan Crjnac, Konstantinos Kapetanakis, Julius Messer und Noah Koch.

Please list your personal NBA, Dutch and Euroleague Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Lebron James, Anthony Edwards, Worthy de Jong, Kendrick Nunn

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Thanks Chris for the chat?

Ben Uzoma Knows That Being On The Same Page Was Instrumental For The ETB Miners Essen Winning The 2026 Pro B Title

Pic credit: shot by frogg

Ben Uzoma (210-C-1998) is a 27 year old 210cm center that recently completed his second season with the ETB Miners Essen (Pro B) averaging 7.8ppg, Reb-5 (8.6rpg), 1.4bpg, FGP: 55.8%, FT: 63.1%. He began his basketball career with Deutzer TV (Regionalliga). He then played 2 seasons and 37 games with the ART Giants Duesseldorf (ProB) averaging 2.8ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.4ppg, 2.4rpg. He then played 2 seasons with the Iserlohn Kangaroos (ProB) averaging 3.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1bpg and 4.3ppg, 3.9rpg. He spoke to germanhoops.com after winning the 2026 Pro B title.

Thanks Ben for talking to germanhoops.com. Your 2026 Pro B champion. How good does it feel? Is this your personal biggest achievement as a player?

It feels very good. We worked very hard for it, so it makes it even more enjoyable knowing how much work we put in.

Essen lost game 1 by 36 points and won game 2 by 41 points. Many are saying this is the greatest comeback in German basketball. How special do you rate this massive comeback?

I don’t know about that, but for me personally it was special. You can’t write a better story than this.

You reached the Pro B final in 2022. Did you sometime have just a little doubt about when you would finally win that first chip?

Even back in 2022, I was enjoying the moment because it’s not something that happens every day to reach the finals. Of course I wanted to win at least once, but yes, there were definitely moments of doubt.

What was the team feeling after the horrible 107-71 loss at Orange Academy? How much soul searching did the team do the days following?

I think everyone dealt with it in their own way. But at the next practice everybody was locked in and I didn’t see anyone who had given up. Personally, I just focused on the next game. Not for a single second did I think there was no chance for us to win.

How key was head coach Lars Wendt? How did he help the team most in the days leading up to game 2?

Our coaches tried to keep us motivated, but I think we were all on the same page. We had our emotional high in the series against Coburg, so maybe we weren’t fully ready for Ulm. The coaches helped wake us up again.

How quickly did the team know that game 2 would see only half of Orange Academy as all the talented youth players wouldn´t play because they were attending the NBBL Top 4 in Berlin?

Personally, I didn’t care. It’s tough for them because they had some very talented guys missing who played really well in the first game. But it wasn’t in our hands. It’s unfortunate for Ulm because they deserved it as well. Still, I’m sure they’ll be fine and win trophies in the future, even on a higher level.

Any other team could have underestimated Orange Academy. Why didn´t Essen?

As I said before, they had a lot of talent, probably some of the best young players in Germany. Nobody should have underestimated them.

What was the focus of Essen going in? I mean did you have a plan how you would come back through out a 40 minute game so you would have more than 36 points?

Yes, the focus was to apply pressure and be as aggressive as possible. In the first game we played too slow and unfocused, so we wanted to do the complete opposite. It worked.

The team began well and led 53-32 at the break. Essen was playing well offensively, but still had to do more on the defensive end. What wasn´t functioning as well so far on the defensive end through the first 20 minutes?

When you pressure that much, you also risk giving up some easy baskets and that’s what happened. But that’s part of it. In the end, it was the right decision and it worked out.

What did head coach Lars Wendt give the team for advice at half-time?

Just keep going and don’t stop. We were either going to win with this game plan or lose with it.

In the third quarter Orange Academy actually played well for the first few minutes outscoring Essen, but then came a 14-0 run by Essen which changed the game.

Basketball is a game of runs. We had momentum and used it for as long as possible.

Essen was up with 32 points with 10 minutes to play. Essen was in the drivers seat. Which player at this moment was a big motivator with words?

To be honest, there wasn’t one specific player. From the players to the coaches to the staff, everybody was hyping each other up. As I said, we were all on the same page.

Essen began with a 10-2 run to lead 86-46. Now all Essen had to do was manage the lead to the buzzer. Essen then held Orange Academy minutes without scoring. Did you want it more than Orange Academy?

I wouldn’t say that because they gave everything they had and got good looks. In the end, they just couldn’t make them.

Essen outscored Orange Academy 41-21 in the last half. Was this the best defense the team played in the season?

Yes, I would say it was definitely up there.

Essen held their 2 best scorers Joel Cwik and Namouri Omog to 8/28 shooting and 25 points. How much of a focus was the defense on slowing them down?

I think they weren’t used to us pressuring them that much. Compared to Game 1, they had a much harder time bringing the ball up the court. That also takes a lot of energy when you’re playing more than 30 minutes.

Quarshawn Lane had an incredible 28/11/10 game. Did you sense going into the game that he could have a type of game of his life?

Q was great all season. He was the MVP for a reason. Even after Game 1, I knew he was going to be ready. He performed and led us to this incredible comeback.

What was your fondest moment in the final in Essen against Orange Academy?

Probably when we got the game sealing steal and layup at the end.

Thanks Ben for the chat.