medi Bayreuth

Kassius Robertson(medi Bayreuth) My Goal Is The NBA But My Real Goal Is Becoming The Best Player That I Can Be

Kassius Robertson is a 24 year old 191cm guard that was born in Toronto, Canada and is playing his rookie season overseas with medi Bayreuth. He began his basketballcareer at Thornlea Secondary School and then played at Canisius (NCAA) from 2014-2017 playing a total of 99 NCAA games. He played his senior season at Missouri (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 16.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 40.5%, 3PT: 43.2%,FT: 79.5%. Currently medi Bayreuth is celebrating a 8 game winning streak and belongs to the hottest teams in the easyCredit BBL. The Canadian is averaging 11,3ppg,1,7rpg and 2,6apg while shooting 43,3% from outside in the BBL. In the Basketball Champions League he is averaging 10,3ppg, 1,7rpg and 1,9apg and shooting a blistering 51,3% from outside. A few days ago he hit Turkish powerhouse Besiktas with 31 points in a huge 91-74 victory. He spoke to germanhoops.com two weeks ago about his basketball career.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Kassius Robertson in Frankfurt after a medi Bayreuth win

Kassius thanks for talking to germanhoops.com Welcome to Germany. You have been in Germany a few months now. What has impressed you most about the German culture?

I´m not really sure. Nothing has really impressed me. Everything is 100% different from home. The biggest difference here is that everything is strict. Everybody follows rules in Germany. You have to make appointments here and there are no walk ins. They go by book.

I have a extraordinary name with Miles and so do you with Kassius. Muhammed Ali´s first name was also Cassius, but was spelled with a C. How did you get this special name and how did you do in school with the other kids concerning it´s variety?

My mom named me after Ali, but changed the C to a K. I was never bullied in school by the other kids. Not many knew that Clay became Ali. Now everyone calls me Kass.

You are playing your rookie season with medi Bayreuth. What kind of experience has it been for you in the early going and what has been the most difficult transition for you coming from the NCAA?

It has been a transition for me playing with a new team. Playing the pro game is a lot different from the NCAA. It just takes time adjusting to a new team and system. The mindset of the players and coach is a lot different here. Obviously guys that have been here longer are more accustomed to everything. I had a slow start, but I never got down on myself. I knew it would be a process. Last season I was playing around 35 minutes a game and this season it´s around 20-25 minutes. I have a different role.

You had a big leadership role last season with Missouri(NCAA), but with medi Bayreuth are a rookie with many veterans. What kind of role do you have this season and do you see yourself being able to become an impact player already as a rookie?

My role with medi Bayreuth is to be a team player as much as possible and being able to contribute as much as possible. I´m a good outside shooter and a pretty good defender. I feel that I´m an improved passer. I understand that as a rookie I´m allowed to make mistakes. I need to be patient with my game and just take it game by game. I see myself being an impact player in the BBL. I just need to be patient. If it happens in the next three games or at the end of the season, I will be happy whenever it happens.

Medi Bayreuth have already had their ups and downs and have found themselves. There was talk that coach Kroner might release players, but he stuck with his gut feeling. What happened in the last weeks where the team finally started winning and being consistent?

We haven´t changed anything in the winning streak, but did what we have been doing from the start of the season. We just needed time to find ourselves and not continue to make the same mistakes and just improve. We started getting contributions from multiple guys.

A big strength of medi Bayreuth the last two seasons under head coach Raoul Korner has been their team chemistry and the players doing one role very good. What kind of team can medi Bayreuth become this season on the court?

We can stand up withanyone in the league. I think that we can become a very good team. The onlyteam that really beat us bad this season was Alba Berlin. We showed against therest that we were the better team or could of beat them. We had collapses insome games that cost us. I think that if we can continue to keep the defensiveidentity that we have now, we can be a very good team. I honestly think that wecan be up with the four best teams in the BBL.

A big time player for medi Bayreuth is ex NBA player Adonis Thomas. Is he one of those guys where you have picked his brain about basketball and life? He seems like one of those players where when he speaks, you listen?

Adonis is a cool dude. I´m very close with him. We understand each other well. He has been overseas for a few years now. He has been through a lot and drops some gems every now and then and I listen when he talks about his experiences here. We really will need him to be at his best for us to be at our best.

One of the big energy guys in the turn around has been Hassan Martin who had an amazing 8 blocks in Frankfurt. Do you ever remember seeing such a great defensive performance in your career?

I have played with many very good players, but he is probably the best shot blocker that I have ever played with. He is young and super talented as has played really well for us. Hassan has been our rock. He has been our most consistent player because he is so athletically dominant. I haven´t seen anyone as athletic as him here. He times his blocks so well and even when he has to stay out of foul trouble, he can still impact a game at both ends of the court. As soon as he has a little space, he will dunk it. He has great intangibles down low. If your man gets a step on you, he will always be there to protect you. He will have a great career.

Let´s talk a bit about your game. You’re a 191cm shooting guard that is known as a very good shooter, but also have many other fine attributes to your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit that description?

There are a few. My favorite player now is Steph Curry. But when I was growing up surprisingly my favorite player was Austin Rivers. When I was in high school, the hype around him was crazy. I watched his mix tapes for hours and hours. I loved his hesitation crosses and tried to copy him. He didn´t turn out to be as good of an NBA player like I thought he would. I feel that I´m a better shooter than him. I would compare my catch and shooting to a Klay Thompson.

You’re a very good shooter, but what other strengths does your game encompass where nobody would ever get the idea that you’re a one dimensional player?

I think that I have a good package of finishing. I haven´t showed it too much yet, but it will come. I think that I have a good floater. I think my ball screen game is good with getting the shot off, making the pass and reading the defense

You’re a guy that can fill up the stat sheet with ease, but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away in your game?

My passing for sure. I think that they count assists more easy in the BBL than in the NCAA. I feel like I could get a double double with 10 assists. I think that when my shot isn´t dropping that my passing then is very underrated.

You eclipsed the 40% mark from outside your last two seasons in the NCAA. What are the basic things that you are working on daily so that you can continue to be a very good shooter at the professional level?

It is the same thing now as it was in collegeand high school. Just making sure that my shooting fundamentals are in check. Ithink that the best way for me to get my shots off is understanding the offenseand teammates. Knowing where and when I can shoot is key

You have a lot more scoring weapons now than you had at Missouri. Has shot selection and patience been tough getting used to at the professional level coupled with the different style compared to the NCAA?

I was the number one scoring option there and everybody found me. This season it is different. My teammates do a good job finding me for the open shot, but when we need a basket, then they don´t go to me. It has been an adjustment this season with being patient and not forcing anything. There have been some games this season where I only got 2-3 shots. Last season at Missouri I averaged something like 11 shots per game.

You started your NCAA career at Canisius (NCAA) playing 99 NCAA games form 2014-2017 and improved your scoring, rebounding and assists each season. How do you feel did your game develop best here from day one until the day you left after your junior season?

I became a better shooter each season because I worked on my shot very much. I became an overall better shooter at Canisius. My role as a freshman is similar to my role this season in terms of shooting. Having a new team and role. I think that I will be that impact player when I get the minutes and added experience.

In your junior season at Canisius(NCAA) you lost 93-69 to top NCAA powerhouse Kentucky(NCAA). What kind of experience was it playing against future NBA players Fox, Briscoe and Monk?

Playing against Kentucky and those guys was awesome. I loved it. That was the reason why I wanted to transfer to a school like Missouri. I wanted to play in that type of environment and against the best players every night. I never played against guys considered for the NBA in the MAC conference.

What kind of experience was it playing for legendary coach Jim Baron. Do you remember hearing stories about their sons who are professional players in Europe?

I played a season with his son Billy Baron. He is playing in Croatia this season and has had a good career overseas. I have worked out with Billy the last summers in Buffalo. I have to thank coach Baron for everything, because he was the first guy that gave me a chance at the division one level. I will always appreciate him for that. He was a very tough coach. He gave me the right impression about how hard I have to work. He taught me that I need to be tough to get to the next level. He just let me play my game as long as I played defense.

You held your own against those future NBA players netting 16 points against Kentucky. When you look back at that game and where your play was and compare it to where it is now after your season with Missouri(NCAA) would you say that there is so much difference between those guys and you in terms of skill level?

At first yes. I might have scored 16 points, but I also took 16 shots. I missed a lot that night. You really get hyped up in your mind when playing against a top team like Kentucky. But when I was at Missouri and played against Kentucky again, I didn´t feel that there was any difference in skill level between me and those guys. Athletically they were at a different level than me, but skill wise I was either at their level or superior.

After making the jump from Canisius to Missouri you need no adjustment period. How tough was the situation having to jump in for Michael Porter Jr right away and have to be a leader?

It was very tough at first. He was a cool dude.We bonded very well in the early going. I was so excited to play with him. Wehad been playing together a few months that summer. He was an amazing playerlike a baby Kevin Durant. He beat me at 1-1 every time. He was our number oneoffensive option and every play would go through him. But then he was injured.What now? I was the oldest on the team and I naturally stepped up. I think thatmy teammates really respected my work ethic. When I spoke, they listened. Myskill spoke for it´s self and I tried to be the guy in crunch-time. After awhile we had success and our team chemistry was good. Everybody felt thateverybody wanted to win and all went along.

Did you feel a bit disappointed that despite taking over the leadership role from Porter JR and having very good stats as a senior that there wasn´t more interest from NBA teams?

I was disappointed at first. I felt like even if there had been more interest from the NBA, I still didn´t feel ready. I feel like I need 1-2 more years at playing at the professional level. I need to get my body right and learn the pro game. I feel like I need to become a combo guard, better passer and become a better shooter off the dribble. My goal is the NBA, but my real goal is becoming the best player I can be

How great was it beating Kentucky once with Missouri where you steered home 16 times. You scored 26 points in the second game despite the loss. Was the win your most memorable in the NCAA?

No it wasn´t. I had other games that were more memorable. Winning at Alabama was one of my most memorable wins in the NCAA: Another memorable win was in my junior year at Canisius where we won at St Bonaventure in OT. That win was huge. Another big game was my freshman year where we beat Quinnipiac. I hit a game winner. I hadn´t been playing well that season, but I came up big in that game.

How did head coach Cuonzo Martin give you that last touch in helping groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

Coach Martin goes down as my favorite coach of all-time. He was a good person off the court. He is wise and very knowledgeable and has been through a lot. He was a very tough coach. He was defensive minded and instilled me in being a defensive leader on the court. I already had a good work ethic coming to Missouri, but he helped it become even better. He taught to be a good player on the court and person off the court.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Jordan Geist?

Me. Jordan was a tough player, but I´m winning that battle.

You played against so many incredible players in the NCAA, but who was the toughest player you battled that is in the NBA now?

There are a few. Deaaron Fox was incredibly quick and when he was going full court was almost impossible to stop. The second would be fellow Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who plays for the Clippers. He isn´t the best shooter, but an amazing passer and can always get to the rim with his hesitation. He is really hard to guard

If you had to pick your all-time best starting five of teammates who would you pick?

Billy Baron at the 1. Me at the 2. Michael Porter Jr at the 3. Jontay Porter at the 4 and Hassan Martin at the 5.

When you were at Vaughn secondary school you played together with freak athlete Andrew Wiggins. What do you remember from his game and how good was he already as a kid?

I remember a lot about him. He was so athleticand just super gifted. His moves and spins around the rim was crazy for a tenthgrader. He dominated at that level to the point where it was too easy for him.I remember him dunking over 3 guys. His shot then wasn´t nearly as good as itis now. I played only a year with him, but we went something like 41-1 and won30 in a row. He was a special talent.

If you had to pick your very own NBA Rushmore which 4 heads would you pick?

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry and Lebron James.

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate about who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

That debate is terrible. You can´t exclude Kobe Bryant. If I had to choose then Michael Jordan 100%.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was Operation Finale on Netflix.

Thanks Kass for the chat.

Could De´mon Brooks Be Medi Bayreuth´s Version Of A Lifer Like A Quantez Robertson Or Rickey Paulding

One thing that hardcore easyCredit BBL fans can forever be grateful about is that there have been certain league identity figures that have played longer than most and for some stayed faithful to the same organization for their whole career in Germany. If one was really bored on a rainy afternoon in Jena and wouldn´t have a nice view on top of the 160 meter Jentower to observe the beautiful hills around the city and one wasn´t in the mood to visit one of the many city museums, one could continue to wonder how much longer the three Jena amigo´s of Derrick Allen, Julius Jenkins and Immanuel Mcelroy will still continue to play as they are in their late thirties and combined have the magical age of 113 years. Some fans place a special mark on the calendar to especially see them and others will dread the day when the first of them hangs up his sneakers. Then again there are two other BBL identity figures and legends in the making with Mr Skyliner lifer Quantez Robertson of Frankfurt and Mr Oldenburg Rickey Paulding who combined are in their 22^nd season in Germany and combined have racked up three titles and also have been combined on the floor in Europe in 961 games prior to this season. One also can´t forget German Per Guenther who could have left ratiopharm Ulm years ago for more lucrative offers, but remained where the heart wanted to be. But who will be the future players in the easyCredit players that will have that amazing role model work ethic and discipline of a Derrick Allen and just keep playing seemingly forever and share that passion and loyalty to remain with just one team and not change teams as often as a Tom Brady has thrown to different targets which stands at 71 receivers. Ok so being with one team for so far only three seasons is nothing special as one could count more than a handful of guys who have been there that long and heck there was even Mike Morrison who played four years in Frankfurt and surely would have loved to have remained longer, but that B word always gets in the way called business. But for medi Bayreuth forward De´mon Brooks his first three years have been very special there and with the continued success of the club he might just stick around for a longer period of time. Could De´mon Brooks be Medi Bayreuth´s version of a Tez or Paulding?

Post game interview with Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Demon Brroks after the 72-56 medi Bayreuth win in Frankfurt in 2016

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Nik Raivio (medi Bayreuth) I´m Confident That I Can Shoot Well Anywhere

Nikolas Raivio is a 32 year old 192cm shooting guard that was born in Antwerpen, Belgium and has the Germanand American citzenships. He is the brother of former BBL player Derek Raivio and will play his first season in Germany with medi Bayreuth. He played the last three seasons with Legnano Basket Knights (Italy-Serie A2) and last season played 33 games averaging 18.2ppg, 6.8rpg, 3.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 81.1%. He also played two seasons in Hungry as well as in countries like Greece, Sweden and Belgium. He also had a stint in the D-league with the New Mexico Thunderbirds. He played college ball at Portland (NCAA) and in his senior year played 17 games averaging 14.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 63.2%. He spoke to Germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

Nik thanks for talking to Germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer?

I’m well, thanks. At the moment I’m still in Italy and will spend most of the summer here

Congrats on signing with German team medi Bayreuth. You’re going into your ninth professional season and played in countries like Italy, Hungary, Belgium, Greece. Brother Derek played for some years in Germany. With your connections and game can you explain why it took you so long to finally play for a German team?

Thanks and I really don’t know. I’ve had interest in the past from the BBL but I never saw an offer. I also liked my situation the previous seasons and decided early on to stay instead of waiting to explore other options

Your father played a game in Bayreuth 32 years ago. What does it truly mean playing for medi Bayreuth and being there where your dad once played as a professional player?

Pretty crazy to think about that. I imagine my brother played in the same gym too.
Joining Bayreuth is a completely new experience for me. I heard great things about the team, coach and club and can see they have a lot of home court support from fans. To keep the winning ways going in the BBL and European competition is something I’m really excited about!

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EasyCredit BBL Playoff Preview 2018: MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg-medi Bayreuth 2-3

It was supposed to be the big weekend for the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Athens with the perfect story book ending with the club returning home with the 2018 Basketball Champions League title bringing some added special prestige to the 87,000 populated city of Ludwigsburg, giving the club only the 5^th international German club title, bringing the versatile Thomas Walkup some added elevation in his stock as he is on the verge of the NBA and Euroleague and bringing head coach John Patrick another step up into the elite coaching corner in Germany as his development of the club in the last years has not only deserved unending praise, but the utmost respect as his work is exemplary, but instead the team returned home without a title and only a disappointing fourth place finish as they lost both games. The most satisfying aspect the club most likely could bring back to German soil was having had a free 48 hour vacation in the breathtaking city of Athens as a visit off the court to the famous Akropolis which is as much of a must see as it is visiting the Residenzschloss in Ludwigsburg and on the court having the pleasure and opportunity of witnessing the amazing Oaka Olympic Indoor Hall that seats 18,989 crazy and loud fans that make an arena visit so unforgettable that just being there for a game can supply exciting stories for a lifetime that could easily overshadow any incredible play, amazing shot, no look pass or crushing dunk seem like an absolute side note. Perhaps the unbelievable energy level and noise level of the OAKA arena could of doused the intense thoughts of head coach John Patrick at times after the loss in the arena, but then again his competitive nature most likely didn´t let him. The MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg lost their semi-final game to the French squad Monaco on Friday night 87-65 that boasted ex Alba Berlin center Elmedin Kikanovic and played a solid first half, but lost their rhythm in the second half getting outscored 51-27 and had problems taking care of the ball. One of the worst things about a final 4 tournament is losing in the semi-final and having to play that unwanted game for third place. Instead of hiding your head in the sand and then flying home quickly, one has to remain and battle the unending thoughts about what went wrong in the semi-final and what could have been done better to win as well as try to focus on winning the game for third place. The German club were unable to salvage at least one positive thing on the court and went home 0-2 losing to Spanish side Murcia 85-74 as they got killed on the boards as the injured Justin Sears really was missed. Instead of leaving Athens on a massive high, the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg have to shift gears now and get ready fast for the easyCredit BBL playoffs as they meet tough opponent medi Bayreuth. Can the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg forget their disappointing Athens weekend on the court and be ready for medi Bayreuth, or will they suffer a second heartbreak in a row? Anyone that knows John Patrick, knows that he is a fighter and will have his torn and battered club ready for medi Bayreuth and not fall over and wilt like a flower.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing medi Bayreuth PG James Robinson after scoring 9 points in a 72-68 loss against the Fraport Skyliners in Frankfurt

It was an incredible season for the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in the easyCredit BBl as they finished in third place with a record of 26-8 which was their best record dating back to the surprise second place finish in the 2006-2007 season. It was also the most successful season for John Patrick with the MHP Riesen as coach as he had two eighth place finishes and one fifth place in 2015-2016. They started well winning 8 of their first 9 games, but then had a little drought losing 2 of three games getting beat by Munich and Wurzburg. Then they were back to their old consistent ways winning 11 of 13 games, but did get swept by FC Bayern Munich. They finished the season with a 5-3 record losing to teams like Bamberg and Alba Berlin. John Patrick did a great job being able to build a strong team that quickly found their chemistry and their roles as he almost completely added new players as the only guy from last season was veteran David Mccray.

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Assem Marei (medi Bayreuth) There Are A Couple Of Aspects Of My Game That I Need To Develop To Have A Legitimate NBA Chance

Assem Marei is a 25 year old 206cm forward from Cairo, Egypt playing his third professional season and second with medi Bayreuth. Currently he is averaging 12,6ppg, 6,7rpg and 1,5apg in the easyCredit BBL and 11,6ppg and 5,6rpg in the Basketball Champions League. Last season for medi Bayreuth he played 36 games averaging 11.9ppg, Reb-2(7.2rpg), 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 62.8%. In 2015-2016 he played his rookie season for BC Siauliai (Lithuania-LKL) playing 37 games averaging 12.1ppg, Reb-2(7.5rpg), 1.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.4%, FT: 53.6%; In the FIBA Europe Cup he played 6 games averaging 12.5ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 62.7%, FT: 64.7%; and in the Baltic League, he played 8 games averaging 12.3ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 58.3%, FT: 68.3%. He started his career with Al Zamalek (Superleague) and then played at Minn.St.-Mankato (NCAA2) from 2012-2015 olaying 85 games and as a senior played 20 games averaging 19.3ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.3apg, 1.8bpg, FGP: 62.6%, FT: 59.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after the Basketball Champions League loss to the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and before the BBL clash against the Fraport Skyliners.

Assem, thanks for talking to German Hoops. medi Bayreuth were denied a trip to the Basketball Champions League Final 4. How tough was this loss? You started out well in the first quarter, but from the second quarter until the end, you had to play catch up basketball. What was key for Ludwigsburg getting to the Final 4?

Their physicality and their aggressiveness played a huge part in their win. They are a good team with a deep roster, and they were in the same position last year with a one point deficit. It was a really tough loss but we are very proud of what we have done this year in the champions league.

Despite this loss, do you feel like this will motivate the team not to sink their heads and finish the season strong?

Yes of course, we need to come out with energy and concentrate on BBL games.

How does it feel being the first Egyptian player in the EasyCredit BBL? What have been your best experiences in Germany having this unique title?

I don’t really thing about it that way, but I’m grateful for this experience and I hope it will open doors for other Egyptians and portray my country in a good way. It was nice to see how much support I actually did receive from the fans, some of them would also show up to our games with an Egyptian flag and that meant a lot.

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James Robinson (medi Bayreuth) If We Take Care Of The Ball And Make Simple Plays Then We Feel Like We Can Break Down The Ludwigsburg Press

James Robinson is a 24 year old 190cm guard from Mitchellville, Maryland that is playing his second professional season and first with medi Bayreuth (Germany-BBL) averaging 8,6ppg, 2,2rpg and 3,8apg. Last season as a rookie he played with BC Igokea Aleksandrovac (Bosnia-Division I) helping them win the cup playing 16 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT-2(48.8%), FT: 75.8%; He also played in the Adriatic League playing 24 games averaging 12.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 86.3%. Before turning professional he played at Pittsburgh (NCAA) form 2012-2016 playing a total of 137 games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 10.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Basketball Champions League game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing medi Bayreuth PG James Robinson after scoring 9 points in a 72-68 loss against the Fraport Skyliners in Frankfurt

James congrats on a fine season with medi Bayreuth. We are coming up to the stretch run of the season. Medi Bayreuth is in the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals and in fourth place in the EasyCredit BBL standings. How good is basketball life for you at the moment?

I’m loving playing basketball here in Bayreuth. The fan support has been great and our team is continuing to get better and better each day as we approach the end of the regular season.

A big basketball battle starts in the Basketball Champions League tonight with medi Bayreuth against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. How excited are you for this and how confident are you that you can advance past this very tough team?

I’m really excited to be competing with my teammates as one of the 8 teams remaining in the BCL. I think it shows how strong the basketball is in the BBL to have two of its teams represented this late in such a big time international event. The games will be hard fought and filled with a lot of excitement, but if we play how well we know we can, we will advance.

Medi Bayreuth has to have a lot of revenge after the embarrassing 78-47 loss. What memories do you have from that nasty loss?

It was a bad game from us on that night, we have learned from it and gotten better since.

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Gabe York (medi Bayreuth) I Was A Test Subject And Learned That Not Everything Is Like Green Grass And Beautiful But That I Need To Get Better

Gabe York is a 24 year old 190cm guard from Orange, California playing his second professional season and first with medi Bayreuth. Last season as a rookie he played for Vanoli Cremona (Italy-Serie A) playing 6 games averaging 4.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.5apg, left in Nov.’16, later that month moved to Erie Bay Hawks (D-League) playing 44 games avergaging15.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 83.7%. He played at Arizona from 2012-2016 playing a total of 124 games and as a senior played 34 games averaging 15.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 75.6%. With Arizona he won the Pac 10 tournament in 2015 and reached the NCAA Elite 8 twice and NCAA Sweet 16 once. He spoke to German Hoops before the 2018 easyCredit BBL cup semi-final game against Alba Berlin in Ulm.

Gabe thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the great season. Fourth place in the BBL, playoffs in the Basketball Champions League and top 4 cup appearance. How good is basketball life right now?

It´s been really good. After coming off a bad experience in Italy last season and playing in the NBA Summer League where I had a chance at the NBA, I had to take a step back this season, but the season has been great and I want to finish strong and do some damage in the playoffs.

Bayreuth is 150 kilometers away from Wurzburg. Who visited who more until his release you or Ryan Anderson who was your teammate at Arizona?

He was released 3 or 4 months ago. We had planned to hang out, but we never did because of our schedules

How excited is the club for the cup weekend in Ulm? You have to beat Alba Berlin to get to the final. You beat Alba Berlin already once this season. Is this team feeling title in their veins?

We never want to look past our opponent which is Alba Berlin. If we stick to our game plan, then we feel that we can beat anyone in the league. Alba Berlin is a really fast paced team and we will have to be ready for them. We will have to be ready for any punches they throw and be ready throw them back.

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The Fraport Skyliners Cup Meeting With medi Bayreuth Has A Twist Of The Pope And Tom Brady Banter

It was a packed arena on enemy ground and throughout the game it almost seemed like a boxing match as punches were being traded back and forth in forms of buckets, but it really heated up in the fourth quarter as both guys stepped it up playing for their teams and fans like no other and random Jordan chants being blurted out from the supporters. There wasn´t one Jordan, but two Jordan´s setting the loud arena on fire and it wasn´t Michael Jordan and the United Center that was involved, but Jordan Theodore of the Fraport Skyliners and Jordan Taylor of the Alba Berlin while the Audi Dome was the show place in Munich. It wasn´t the NBA, but the German BBL as both Jordan´s were putting on a show as the arena was electrifying as the German fans were witnessing a real battle that had the perfect cup atmosphere as it couldn´t have been more exciting in crunch-time. Even if Fraport Skyliner guard Jordan Theodore won the point duel of the Jordan´s with 22 points, it wasn´t enough as his opponent Jordan Taylor who dropped only 12 points saved his best for last making the big shot that counted most sealing the 79-76 win as he nailed a tough pull up jumper from the top of the key with 1,1 seconds to play. Theodore would have one more chance, but fell short. The current Euroleague player with Milan rememberd the final seconds. “ “All I needed was one more second on the clock and I believe I would have made it”, stressed Jordan Theodore.

Alba Berlin would capture their eighth title in their storied history and third under legendary coach Sasa Obradovic beating home team FC Bayern Munich the next day while the Fraport Skyliners had a long bus ride home thinking about the loss as they had had extra time to vent with no game for third place. After the Berlin loss a disappointed Philip Scrubb remembered how vital that last shot can be. ““We trusted our defense to get stops. We wanted to buckle down at the end and not foul. They hit the big shot that counted”, said Philip Scrubb. It has almost been two years since that mid February day in Munich and the Fraport Skyliners are back and have a chance to get back to the cup top 4, only one road block stands in their way with shooting star medi Bayreuth. Two years later Scrubb is excited about getting back to the Cup Top 4. “The last cup semi final I played in was a great game, obviously we came up short but it was a good atmosphere so we’re excited at the opportunity to get back there”, added Philip Scrubb.

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James Robinson (medi Bayreuth) I Understand My Path Is A Bit Different But I Will Continue To Work To Reach My Dream

James Robinson is a 23 year old 190cm guard from Mitchellville, Maryland that is playing his second professional season and first with medi Bayreuth (Germany-BBL) averaging 8,6ppg, 2,2rpg and 3,8apg. Last season as a rookie he played with BC Igokea Aleksandrovac (Bosnia-Division I) helping them win the cup playing 16 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT-2(48.8%), FT: 75.8%; He also played in the Adriatic League playing 24 games averaging 12.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 86.3%. Before turning professional he played at Pittsburgh (NCAA) form 2012-2016 playing a total of 137 games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 10.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 40.4%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to German Hoops late in the summer about basketball.

James thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on signing with German BBL team medi Bayreuth. After winning the double with BC Igokea Aleksandrovac (Bosnia-Division I) and having a very strong rookie season, what was your main goal to achieve in the off season in terms of finding a new team?

My main goal this off season was to continue to improve my game in every way possible while looking for an opportunity to play for a club that would help me to continue to grow as a player and as a person.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball.Has Dennis Schroeder been a guy that has impressed you with his game the last years?

I know Germany has a rich tradition when it comes to basketball. Recently, Schroeder has been one of the stars to come from Germany and yes I watched him play since he joined the Hawks. He’s an impressive player that feeds off of confidence and is now the leader of the Atlanta organization.

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Kyan Anderson (medi Bayreuth) Is Way More Than Just A Scorer And Wants To Pass John Wall Further On The Playoff Run

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Kyan Anderson (left), Miles Schmidt-Scheuber, Demon Brooks (right). Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Anderson and Brooks after a pre season game in Frankfurt in September 2016

At first glance when you look at top point guard John Wall of the Washington Wizards and up and coming point guard Kyan Anderson of German easyCredit BBL team medi Bayreuth from top to bottom, the NBA superstar is 13 centimeters taller, 10 kilo´s heavier and this season a little more than 15 million dollars richer, but at the end of the day they are both point guards and both going through a Cinderella season story with one having ended last night and the other continuing tonight. Last night basketball Boston was back to where it once was in the 80´s where the legendary Larry Bird teams were involved as much in typical game 7 affairs against their two most hated rivals Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers almost as much as Russell Westbrook served up a triple double this season as it seemed facing the surprising Washington Wizards as both were going through their own special Cinderella season. Many were asking could this game become one of those epic games that will be remembered almost 20 years later like that epic Celtics-Hawks playoff game in the late 80 where Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins owned the fourth quarter and played like two basketball starved kids on a basketball court trying to get the attention of a Red Auerbach and could easily have had a Robert Parish mumbling “Ok let Larry go to work and get us this win”. Bird and Wilkins combined for 81 points while Bird scored 20 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics got the win then and again last night 115-105 as fans didn´t see as many points from their two star players Isaiah Thomas and John Wall like Bird and Wilkins served up, but both top point guards played their hearts out as the Celtic dropped 29 points and dished out 12 assists while his opponent Wall scored 18 points, gave 11 dimes and hauled down 7 rebounds. Of course there were two other guys who left it all on the court with Bradley Beal scoring 38 points and Canadian national player and ex Gonzaga forward Kelly Olynyk exploded for 26 points. A few hours before tip off, Kyan Anderson was shacked up in a tiny hotel room in Oldenburg preparing for another do or die playoff game and had this do or die game in Boston on his mind. “I hope that it will be one of these games that will always be remembered. I want to say that Boston will win at home, but John Wall has been playing very well. I think that Wall and Beal will have major games. It will be a good game and close”, warned Kyan Anderson. The diminutive 180cm point guard was right in his prediction and only laughed when warned to get a good night sleep and refrain from watching the game. If he watched the game was unknown, but the Texas native surely was a good boy and crashed and checked out the highlights in the morning.

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