Markus Hallgrimson is a 38 year old 190 cm German-American guard that has a shocking resemblance to American actor Kirk Cameron that became famous for the hit TV show Growing Pains. Since starting his basketball career in 1995, he has been somewhat of a nomad having found 16 different teams in this time. He went to the States in 1995 to have the total high school experience playing for Mercer Island. In 1996, he returned back to Germany playing for USC Heidelberg. He then decided to return back to the States and play NCAA2 ball for Montana State-Billings from 1997-2000. He led the NCAA in 1999-2000 with an all-time NCAA record 6.2 three pointers per game. He also set a new NCAA record with 16 three pointers in one game. He scored 51, 50 and 45 points and averaged 24 points per game, 4th best in the US for Div. II. He was voted to the 1st team NCAA Div. II All-American team. He then returned to Germany and from 2000-2004, he played for Avitos Giessen, BCJ Hamburg NVV Monchengladbach, TSK Wurzburg and BG Chemnitz. In 2004-2005, he left Germany and headed Spain for a short stay playing for Los Barrios Cadix (Spain-LEB1) but was released in October playing  4 games and averaging  3.7ppg 0.2apg. In April 2005, he signed at Geneve Devils (Switzerland-LNA) playing  13 games and averaging 12.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 60.0%, 3FGP: 35.7%; In the playoffs, he played  12 games averaging 9.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 83.3%, 3FGP: 35.7%. In 2005, he played briefly at TV Langen, before returning back to the Geneve Devils (Switzerland-LNA) playing 15 games and averaging 10.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 34.4%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 93.8%. In 2006-2007, he left the Geneve Devils and then went back to Germany to play for ASC Theresianum Mainz and for the Mitteldeutscher BC playing  21 games and averaging 11.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 54.3%, 3FGP: 40.9%, FT: 63.6%. In 2007-2008, he went to England to play for the Worcester Wolves (United Kingdom-BBL) playing  6 games averaging 7.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 25.0%, 3PT: 19.7%,  and in Nov.’07 moved to SCH Wuerzburg Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga) playing  20 games and averaging 17.5ppg. In 2008-2009, he continued with SCH Wuerzburg Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga) playing  24 games and averaging 11.1ppg. In 2009-2010, he played for  Ithry Nador (Morocco-D2), in Dec.’09 moved to SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProB, starting five): 17 games: 12.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 87.5%. In 2010-2011, he played for  BV Villingen-Schwenningen (Germany-ProB, starting five): 16 games: 18.8ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 36.5%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 86.2%. He then palyed for the Duesseldorf Giants from 2011-2013 playing Regionaliga. Last season he played for the Rhein Stars Koeln (Germany-2.Regionalliga). He spoke to German Hoops at the 069 basketball open in Frankfurt.

 

Markus thanks for talking to German Hoops. Why did you decide to take part at the street ball tournament 069 basketball open in Frankfurt this weekend?

Some friends of mine from the Cologne/Aachen area asked me that I should come out and play. I wanted to play even more after I found out that the school where it was taking place is where I played two years of high school ball from 1990-1992. The place hasn´t changed. I played Varsity basketball as a freshman.  It was great to come back after 22 years and play here again. It was a lot of fun as a 38 year old to play against kids have my age.

What is the difference between street ball and organized basketball?

I don´t really call this streetball, but more open gym-ratball. We were playing indoors and not outdoors which makes a difference. There is no structure in the games and whoever has game wins and who doesn´t doesn´t. The games are being played at a high intensity and defense was played. I played three games and played against many German Pro A players like ex Science City Jena guard Al Elliot.

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