medi Bayreuth

The Miles Basketball Minute: BBL Playoff Preview: EWE Baskets Oldenburg-medi Bayreuth 3-2

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Rickey Paulding after a win in Frankfurt

German Bavarian town Bayreuth is known for it´s famous Festspiele which goes about a month from late July until late August and something the city gears up for early on as well as music lovers from all around the world get excited about already in May, but this season the basketball fanatics from the 72,000 populated city actually have something very special to get all psyched about and that’s playoff basketball. The basketball is very popular in that area so why not adopt the March Madness theme from the States and name it May madness in Bayreuth. The last time that the club was in the BBL playoffs, American president Bill Clinton was having a secret relationship with Monica Lewinsky that the world would first get wind of when the team was back in the second Bundesliga, Kevin Garnett played a solid rookie season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and wasn´t a household name yet and young medi Bayreuth German Moritz Trieb wasn´t even born yet. The year was 1996 when fans experienced playoff basketball the last time there and now they are back and hungry to make serious history again. This is the biggest basketball news story in Bayreuth since the rumored arrival of NBA superstar Kevin Durant in November 2011 that never happened.

For the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, it has been an underachieving season so far with the biggest news story of the season being the recent contract extension of Oldenburg son and legend Ricky Paulding. The well known speech from John F Kennedy in Berlin where he uttered the famous and unforgettable words “ich bin ein Berliner” may be more than 53 years old, but that remains something that every kid learns about in the history books from Englewood, New Jersey to Brisbane, Australia and Rickey Paulding recently let “Ich bin ein Oldenburger” slip his tongue and got standing ovations for minutes in the EWE arena in Oldenburg after the contract extension was announced. Paulding’s 4 words won’t ever get the world wide press or rememberance as Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner”, but in Oldenburg Paulding will always be their Kennedy. The reason for the long standing ovations and fuss about Paulding was on account of the announcement that he will remain in Oldenburg until 2019 which would give him 12 years in the BBL with one team which is as seldom seen in the BBL as it is teammate Brian Qvale attempting more than one trey a game which he did against the Telekom Baskets Bonn this season and hit both and brings his total of three point attempts in 6 professional seasons to only 14. It is just not a given in todays age of where money rules and the game is a business that a player will remain with one team for that long a period. At the end of this contract extension he will have eclipsed the longevity of Fraport Skyliner legend Pascal Roller who was 11 years with Frankfurt. With the EWE Baskets Oldenburg he has won two titles including the 2009 BBL league title and 2015 cup. He has been a 6 time BBL allstar and is in the top 5 all-time in scoring in the BBL. His middle name could be prolonged to Rickey Mr Oldenburg and consistency Paulding as he gives that name a special new meaning as he has averaged double digit scoring every season in the BBL and is having his best scoring season averaging 16,0ppg showing that he isn’t slowing down with age as he is 34 years old.

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De´mon Brooks (medi Bayreuth) I Try To Focus On Things That Don’t Show In The Stat Sheet

De´Mon Brooks is a 24 year old 202cm forward from Charlotte, North Carolina that is playing his third professional season and first in Germany with medi Bayreuth. He started his basketball career in 2010 with Davidson (NCAA) where he played until 2014playing a total of 123 NCAA games. As a senior he played 24 games averaging 17.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 56.4%, FT: 75.3%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with Givova Napoli Basket (Italy-A2 Gold): 17 games: 17.5ppg, 8.2rpg, 2FGP: 58.9%, 3FGP: 32.4%, FT: 77.6%, in Feb.’15 moved to Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League): 14 games: 9.3ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 69.6%. Last season he played with Orsi Derthona Basket Tortona (Italy-Serie A2, starting five): 39 games: 15.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 82.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners in Bayreuth.

Demon thanks for talking to German Hoops. A tough 83-65 loss against Brose Bamberg. How much did the big 28-18 first quarter kind of set the path for the visitors to victory?

Bamberg is a great team. They did a good job controlling the speed of the game and making us work hard for every shot on offense. We knew coming in that we needed to start strong. We just a trouble getting into a rhythm.

How disappointing was this loss? Medi Bayreuth played Bamberg tough in the first game losing only by 4 points and had chances to win. Bamberg won the rebounding battle, but you had 5 extra possessions with only 8 turnovers against a very tough defense. Where do you feel was this game lost?

It is always tough to lose no matter who the opponent is. Bamberg did a good job moving the ball getting great shots. Their efficiency on offense is what stood out this game.

If everything goes to plan then you should finish 4-1 or at least 3-2. Will that be enough to secure home court advantage in the playoffs?

Our goal right now is to take one game at a time and finish the season as strong as possible to obtain home court advantage. We have some tough opponents coming up, and in the BBL nothing is certain.

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De´Mon Brooks(medi Bayreuth) My Bread And Butter Is Just Playing Inside And Taking What The Defense Gives Me

De´mon thanks for talking to German Hoops Welcome to Germany. You are playing your third professional season and first in Germany with medi Bayreuth. What were the main reasons for joining this club?

Bayreuth is a beautiful city in one of the most prestigious leagues in Europe. With the

coaching staff and the people here creating such a positive environment it was an easy

choice for me.

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The Joseph Lewis Point Guard Mentality Surges medi Bayreuth To 7th Win In Row Creaming The Fraport Skyliners 72-56

The first few weeks in Germany haven´t been easy for Fraport Skyliner Kwame Vaughn as he came into a difficult situation to a team that was suffering growing pains and needed the instant savior as the Oakland, California native didn´t lead the team to new heights, but rather to low heights on a 5 game losing streak. It isn´t always fair to blame the point guard for the team woes, but that is how the basketball reality usually works and the American had to hear criticism, but his play wasn´t all that bad as he showed flashes of his scoring ability and knack of fine playmaking, but just didn´t do it consistently and he also didn´t have a team on the same page which didn´t make his conducting skills any easier. It was obvious that sooner or later the ex Cal State Fullerton(NCAA) guard would slip out of his funk and be good for a break out game and that is exactly what happened 5 days ago where he helped snap the team´s five game losing streak and register their first win in the Champions League. Vaughn entered into the game in Slovenia with a chip on his shoulder and was brilliant scoring 27 points, grabbing five boards, dishing out five assists and getting three steals. He didn´t let a pointless third quarter discourage him as he netted vital buckets in crunch-time to preserve the victory on the road. Vaughn now had some new refreshing self-confidence and had the golden opportunity to add on to his stellar game in Slovenia and help defeat one of the hottest teams in the BBL with medi Bayreuth. Vaughn entered into the Bayreuth game focused and looking to extend the Fraport Skyliners winning streak to two games, but despite a solid effort on his part, he was unable to get the needed support on offense as the Fraport Skyliners lost their fourth game in a row in the BBL and sixth of their last seven games. After the third loss in a row at home in the BBL, Vaughn had the same helplessness look that he had against the SC Rasta Vechta loss, but he didn´t point any fingers at his teammates. “We lost as a team and my teammates always help me on the court. Our problem at the moment is that we can´t execute. I always try to get the team involved, score on my own and just pick my spots. We need to bring more energy and fight to the court. Our biggest downfall today was that we didn´t bring enough intensity at both ends”, stressed Kwame Vaughn who finished with 12 points, four assists and shot 44% from the field.

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De´mon Brooks Has Stellar Play And That Davidson Curry Character Rubbing Off On Him

In most other towns in the United States a guy like De´mon Brooks might be a household name or atleast featured in the Wikipedia list of notable people, but when you come from a city like Charlotte, North Carolina that is the second biggest banking city in the states as well as having a list of the who´s who of the basketball world like a Michael Jordan and Steph Curry and other well known players like Bobby Jones, Jeff Mcinnis or an Antwan Jamison, you may become not more than just a side note, but rather just another name, but in reality the American is more than just a marginal note, but a very special guy that learned good values at Davidson(NCAA) and also had a stellar four year career there. You don´t always have to go to the top basketball schools in North Carolina like North Carolina or Duke, but recently Davidson has also made a name for itself as being a school that has continuously grown as a program and having NBA superstar Steph Curry play there didn´t actually hurt either. Brooks is a 24 year old 202cm forward that was born in Georgia, but grew up in Charlotte and after playing at Davidson has broadened his basketball horizon in his first two professional seasons in Italy and Israel where he didn´t win any titles, but was a consistent performer and thus starting his early growth as a professional player. This season he is playing his first season in Germany for medi Bayreuth and has helped them be the big surprise of the season having a 6-1 record which the least expected and is one of many new players that head coach Raoul Korner reeled in feeling that one of a kind character in him. Currently Brooks is first in scoring and is very consistent having scored in double figures in each game and having that very humble approach that he inherited living in North Carolina. It has been a while since Brooks won a title dating back to back to back wins with the Southern Conf. Tournament in 2012-2013, but this season, medi Bayreuth may not win a title but finally reach the playoffs with the right coach and players that the club currently has. “What I like about Coach Korner is that he really cares for everyone in his program and his attention to detail. There is no stone left unturned, but at the same time he knows how to communicate with his players to get the best out of us. To me he is a players coach and those are the type to create a winning environment”, warned Demon Brooks. So far the American who compares his game to Golden State Warrior Draymond Greene has had no problem adjusting to the BBL with his versatile game. “I think my biggest strength is the ability to play inside and outside. I am very mobile at the 4 position and I can do a variety of things. But I think my bread and butter is just playing inside and just taking what the defense gives me. If that is scoring the ball or kicking it out to a teammate. I think my passing has come a long way since college. From my past two years I seen a lot of double teams has made me widen my vision”, stressed Demon Brooks. But not only his role model like play has stood out, but his character which grew at Davidson where he played for Bob Mckillop who has been responsible for grooming his players to not only being the best possible players, but the best possible human beings. Brooks knows that the Davidson experience was priceless as well as his dealings with head coach Bob Mckillop. “There is no better coach in the world. He is the reason why I am here today. From the time I stepped foot on Davidson he prepared me for this journey on and off the court. One of the many lesson that stays with me is with freedom comes from responsibility. This is one lesson, especially playing professional basketball in Europe, that is very important for a player to abide if you want to have a long promising career”, warned Demon Brooks. Brooks remembers hearing the great stories from coach Mckillop about Steph Curry that also helped shape him. “My personal favorite story about Steph is during the NBA lockout and he came back to Davidson to finish his classes. He is the best player I have ever seen personally, but with that he is not cocky or arrogant. He is a genuine person and the way he carries himself is like no other. That what stands out most about him to me. Not what he does on court”, warned Demon Brooks. Brooks may not always think about it, but he profited a lot from his Davidson experience and has some of that Davidson Curry character rubbing off on him on and off the court.

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The Fraport Skyliners Get Spanked by medi Bayreuth And The Kyan Anderson Show 75-61

It may be still very early in the new season, but so far the Fraport Skyliners have been impressive in the pre-season winning their first four games despite having no head coach Gordon Herbert, no American starting point guard, no Philip Scrubb who will be out for some months due to a knee injury, but one thing they do have as usual is an abundance of very many young talented German players who have benefited from the abundance in minutes and the growing team chemistry over the years with guys like Max Merz, Stefan Ilzhoefer, Niklas Kiel and Garai Zeeb. They also have had the monster games of rookie Shavon Shields who quietly has dominated three games and played as if he had been taking apart the league for years. The Fraport Skyliners dismantled the RheinStars Cologne during the Basketball Aid international tour in a neutral spot on the Wiesbaden US Airbase where if a Mike Morrison or Quantez Robertson had gotten bored during their breathers on the bench, they could of tested each other about who knew their respective state flag better than the other as all 50 state flags were on display in the cozy, bright gym. The 2004 BBL champion then man handled the Walter Tigers Tiuebingen who were without Mr pass Jared Jordan and then nonchalantly strolled into France and showed an early harmonized defense as they stayed loyal to their defense roots getting by Lyon 74:69 and Bourg-en-Bress 71:63. The first fans were getting on the bandwagon and already predicting another playoff visit this season. However more often than not, the surprising good play and results due come to a crashing end as the Fraport Skyliners once again defended the way they knew how giving up 63 points to 2016 Fiba Europe Cup semi-finalist Chalon a few days ago , but couldn´t muster a consistent showing on offense producing only 51 points. Rookie Shavon Shields was brought back down to earth being held in check with seven points and six boards. The only real bright spot was Florida native Mike Morrison who tallied 14 points and five rebounds. The Fraport Skyliners now had four days to recuperate from the tournament in France where they played on three consecutive days and next had a real tough opponent with EaysCredit BBL team medi Bayreuth, but were at home again playing in their practice facility BCM. The Home crowd also saw the debut of rookie Shavon Shields and 10 year veteran Antonio Graves who many still had his buzzer beater in their heads from two seasons ago where he spanked the Fraport Skyliners as an Artland Dragon in the Fraport arena. However the Fraport Skyliners couldn´t withstand the Kyan Anderson Show has he poured in 11 points in the third quarter which blew the game wide open as medi Bayreuth was able to extend their lead into double digits and from there on it was cool sailing home as they defeated Frankfurt 75-61.

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Ken Horton (Telekom Baskets Bonn) I Support Basketball Aid As Cancer Is A Serious Things And Has Effected The Lives Of So Many

Ken Horton is a 26 year old 199cm forward from Ossining, New York that is playing his second season in Germany and first with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Recently completed his fourth professional season with medi Bayreuth playing 34 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 89.5% In the 2014-2015 season he tore up the league in Finland playing for Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) winning the league title and playing 55 games averaging 16.2ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 86.8%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 17.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 76.3%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 87.5%. He started his basketball career with Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) in 2007 and as a senior played 28 games averaging 19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.7apg, 2.1spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2012 with SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProB): 16 games: 12.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 62.5%, 3FGP: 25.8%, FT: 75.9%, in Mar.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A): 2 games: 12.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg. IN the 2013-2014 season he played for teams Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP)playing 16 games: and averaging 17.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 59.1%, 3FGP: 24.1%, FT: 87.0% and Ballarat Miners (Australia-SEABL) playing18 games averaging 19.6ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, Blocks-2(9.7bpg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 39.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against ratiopharm Ulm at the Gezeiten Haus Cup in support oft he Basketball Aid charity.

Ken thanks for talking to German Hoops Welcome back to Germany. You were signed late into the transfer period by the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Was it worth waiting longer and more selective thinking about what your next move would be?

It was definitely different waiting late into the summer to sign but I am happy. I’m with a really good organization and I’m excited to get the season started.

What has been your first impression of Bonn. What is the biggest difference to Bayreuth where you balled last season?

Bonn has been good so far, a bigger city than Bayreuth and it’s much more difficult to get used to driving in the city but I’m definitely loving it so far.

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Ken Horton (The BBL Made Me Elevate My Game And Made Me 100 Times More Hungrier)

Ken Horton is a 26 year old 199cm forward from Ossining, New York that recently completed his fourth professional season with medi Bayreuth playing 34 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 89.5% In the 2014-2015 season he tore up the league in Finland playing for Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) winning the league title and playing 55 games averaging 16.2ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 86.8%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 17.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 76.3%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 87.5%. He started his basketball career with Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) in 2007 and as a senior played 28 games averaging 19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.7apg, 2.1spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2012 with SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProB): 16 games: 12.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 62.5%, 3FGP: 25.8%, FT: 75.9%, in Mar.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A): 2 games: 12.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg. IN the 2013-2014 season he played for teams Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP)playing 16 games: and averaging 17.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 59.1%, 3FGP: 24.1%, FT: 87.0% and Ballarat Miners (Australia-SEABL) playing18 games averaging 19.6ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, Blocks-2(9.7bpg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 39.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Ken thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Thanks for having me. My summer has been great. I Just got married in July so now me and my wife are here in New York.

It´s very late into the summer transfer market and your still unsigned. In the last years you were signed on time. Is there anything different this summer that has held you back to signing with a team?

Yea it is late into the summer. In the past I have always been signed in around June maybe Mid July. I don’t think its been anything specific I just don’t think the right situation has come along.

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Cameron Vines (medi Bayreuth) I Can Definitely See Myself Contributing On The BBL Level

Cameron Vines is a 22 year old 193cm guard from Columbus, Ohio playing his first professional season in Germany with Regionaliga team BBCBayreuth. He recently was promoted getting a 5 game contract with Beko BBL team medi Bayreuth. He started his basketball career in 2011 with Florida Southern (NCAA2) where he played until 2013. He then moved to St.Joseph, IN (NCAA2) and as a senior played 16 games averaging 19.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 74.0%. He spoke to German Hoops after making his Beko BBL debut against Euroleague team Brose Baskets Bamberg.

Cameron thanks for talking to German Hoops. It is no secret that every basketball player is mostly confident, but if someone had told a few days after you had signed with BBC Bayreuth last season that you would play in the Beko BBL at the end of the season what would you have thought?

I would have believed it. Coming into my situation I knew that I would have the opportunity to show my skills to the BBL team. I constantly reminded myself to stay confident and believe in myself, and with patience and persistence I knew that my hard work would pay off which it finally did.

You played your first Beko BBL minutes in a big 85-53 massacre at home against top team Brose Baskets Bamberg. What kind of a difference was the atmosphere in the Beko BBL and Regionaliga? Like night and day?

It was definitely like night and day at the Regionaliga games we barely can get 20 people in the audience and then to turn around and play with a stadium full of cheering fans was amazing and something I would like to do more often.

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Ken Horton (medi Bayreuth) We Just Need To Play Like How We Know We Can And Have Fun Out There

Ken Horton is a 25 year old 199cm forward from Ossining, New York that is playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with medi Bayreuth which is his sixth team. Last season he tore up the league in Finland playing for Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) winning the league title and playing 55 games: 16.2ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 86.8%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 17.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 76.3%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 87.5%. He started his basketball career with Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) in 2007 and as a senior played 28 games averaging 19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.7apg, 2.1spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2012 with SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProB): 16 games: 12.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 62.5%, 3FGP: 25.8%, FT: 75.9%, in Mar.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A): 2 games: 12.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg. IN the 2013-2014 season he played for teams Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP)playing 16 games: and averaging 17.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 59.1%, 3FGP: 24.1%, FT: 87.0% and Ballarat Miners (Australia-SEABL) playingb 18 games averaging 19.6ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, Blocks-2(9.7bpg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 39.9%. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 80-77 win in Ulm.

Ken thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 80-77 win in Ulm. Medi Bayreuth obviously didn´t want to lose in crunch time again. What lessons did the team learn after the bitter loss against the Giessen 46ers?

It was definitely a huge win for us. After that last second loss last week against Giessen we had to come out and work even harder. Also we remember how the game against Ulm was last time we were in the game the whole time then folded at the end we didn’t want to let that happen again.

This was a very tight game throughout where one would never have noticed that there was any difference in skill or standings position between both clubs. Does this continue to be one of the allurements to be playing in this league for you where generally most clubs can play with everyone?

Yeah and that’s one of the things that I like the most about this league, all the teams can play with everyone and in some cases even beat everyone, that makes it more fun knowing on any given night anybody can and no game is a for sure win.

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