medi Bayreuth

Brandon Bowman (AEK Larnaca) I Still Wonder If My Career Would Have Gone Differently If I Had Won The Title With Bonn Over Oldenburg

Brandon Bowman is a 31 year old forward that was born in Beverly Hills, California and is playing his tenth professional season and his first with AEK Larnaca (Cyprus-Division A,) He played at Georgetown(NCAA) from 2002-2006 playing a total of 125 games reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2006 and played with future NBA players like Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert. In 2006 he turned professional and played in the D-League and in countries like Italy, Serbia, Israel, Bulgaria, Korea and New Zealand. He reached the 2009 beko BBL final with the Telekom Baskets Bonn and was New Zealand NBL Champion with the Pacific Jewellers Saints (New Zealand-NBL) in 2014. Last season he played with medi Bayreuth (Germany-BBL) playing 33 games: averaging 13.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 55.1%, 3FGP: 31.4%, FT: 72.8% and also played with Atenienses de Manati (Puerto Rico-BSN, starting five): 5 games: 13.6ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 62.2%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 58.8%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game against the Fraport Skyliners

Brandon thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. After stops in Bonn, Vechta and Bayreuth, you moved to Cyprus this season. Would you have liked to have returned last season to Germany. Did you have offers?

No problem Miles. To be honest I had some offers, but nothing serious. I had switched my agent and teams weren´t really looking at me. I would have liked to have come back to Germany, but I would have taken a pay cut.

You have moved to AEK Larnaca (Cyprus-Division A) What kind of experience has it been balling for this team this season?

It has been solid. I am living in a small country and it has good basketball. I know most imports that are playing in Cyprus. It is good to be in Germany playing Frankfurt again.

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Quantez Robertson Lets The Complete Freak Athlete Explode Leading The Fraport Skyliners Over medi Bayreuth 75-71 For 10th Win In Row

With the exception of always new injuries popping up in Fraport Skyliners land that tries to put a dent in the flow and rhythm of the team which is as unnerving as being sat on by Shaq after he had a meal at Mcdonalds, basketball life is pretty awesome for the 2004 Beko BBL champion at the moment. After the team had a big winning streak of 13 games in the first half, it then suffered losing some focus losing to ratiopharm Ulm and medi Bayreuth, but since that fateful December 23^rd in Bayreuth, the club hasn´t lost since, having strung a long new winning streak of 9 games. In the last week, they were super impressive reaching the 2016 Beko BBL cup top 4 beating top Eurocup team EWE Baskets Oldenburg despite being without German national players Danilo Barthel and Konstantin Klein and then 4 days later in Europe Cup action were missing them again plus Canadian national player Aaron Doornekamp and whipped strong Turkish team Royal Hali Gaziantep 91-79 displaying that team feeling once again and just having other players step up for the injured players. With the win against Royal Hali Gaziantep, the Fraport Skyliners moved to 11-0 in Europe Cup play and clinched a berth to the next round. With all this basketball hoopla having happened in the last week, now it was time for the Fraport Skyliners to continue to work on that supreme basketball chemistry and continue to carve steady focus into their minds for each game. With medi Bayreuth entering into the cozy living room of Frankfurt, the club still had that last bitter 82-69 loss on their minds where they were out dueled by a hot shooting Jeff Xavier nailing timely three pointers, but this time around there would be no Xavier around to annoy Frankfurt with his precision shooting as he had been released recently. The Fraport Skyliners had revenge on their mind and there was no way they would allow getting swept this season and despite playing a less than satisfactory first half, the 2000 Beko BBL cup winner heightened their defense in the second half, never gave up and witnessed as Cincinnati native Quantez Robertson unleashed the complete freak athlete in crunch time leading the team to a come from behind 75-71 victory, which was their 10^th in a row. After the game and a win, it is standard procedure to chat with American Jordan Theodore and get the full game analysis in a basketball Shakesperean manner and even before he has finished some Skyliners were already heading back into the locker room after the obligatory autographes with fans. The American was relived after getting the huge come from behind win against medi Bayreuth and as so often this season credited the win to the club´s never die attitude. “Coming in we knew that this would be a very tough game. We owed them for the first bitter loss in Bayreuth. They may only have 7 wins, but you can´t underestimate anyone in this league. The last three minutes were back and forth, but the way we played, you could see how much we wanted to win. When we were down 18 points, we continued to fight back and when we were down 12 points the same. We made the right plays at the end, got stops and never gave up. What we played was Skyliners basketball”, stressed ex Seton Hall guard Jordan Theodore. For medi Bayreuth having misfortune in two of the loses in the last three games was nothing new as they had combined lost to Bremerhaven and Phoenix Hagen by 7 points and against Frankfurt they let another nail bitter slip by. “I thought that we did a good job doing our game plan sticking to it for 38 minutes. The second half was our downfall as we continued to give up leads. We made costly mistakes at the end and when you do that to a good defensive team, then it is hard to win”, stressed ex Joensuun Kataja Basket forward Ken Horton.

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Ken Horton (medi Bayreuth)I Can Always Do More On The Boards And That Is Something That I Have To Work Out Within Myself

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 before the game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Ken thanks for talking to German Hoops. How did you experience your first holiday season in Germany? Most players marvel about the Christmas markets. Is that something that you also enjoyed?

The holiday was good. I got to spend it with my fianceè and the guys on the team.

What new years resolutions have you made for Ken Horton the professional basketball player and person?

As far as basketball player, just try to improve on all aspects of my game as well as helping the team win in whatever I can. and as a person, I usually don’t make resolutions as I try to better myself year round, without the cliché of the new year.

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Jeff Xavier (I Will Learn From All Of This And Become A Better Basketball Player And Person)

Jeff Xavier is a 30 year old 189cm point guard from Pawtucket, Rhode Island that is playing his seventh professional season and first in Germany, but was released from medi Bayreuth last week. He started his basketball career at Manhattan (NCAA) in 2004 where he played until 2006 playing a total of 60 NCAA games. He then moved to Providence (NCAA) in 2007 where he played his last two seasons of college ball playing a total of 64 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 9.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 35.6%, 3Pts: 29.1%, FT: 80.0%. In 2009 he started his professional basketball career with Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 38 games and averaging 12.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 76.8%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Caceres 2016 C.B. (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 38 games averaging 9.7ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.4apg, Steals-5(1.6spg), FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 69.6%. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Faymasa Palencia Baloncesto (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 32 games averaging 13.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.3apg, Steals-3(2.0spg), FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 76.7%. He played the last three seasons for Autocid Ford Burgos where he was twice LEB Gold champion. He spoke to German Hoops last week after ending his time with medi Bayreuth where he played 13 games averaging 10,2ppg, 2,2rpg and 2,0apg.

Jeff congrats on the 85-73 win against top Beko BBL team EWE Baskets Oldenburg. How different would you classify win enjoyment when you weren´t able to contribute the way you normally are used to?

Thank you. It was a big win. Yes, it’s very different but either way I have to be a professional and cheer for my team either I sit on the bench or play 30 minutes.

Was key the rebounding and hot three point shooting coupled with a strong defensive game that got the team the victory?

I think our defense has been great the last few games. That combined with great shooting can win us a lot of games.

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Jeff Xavier (medi Bayreuth) We Can Play With The Best Teams In The League When We Play Hard On Defense For 40 Minutes

Jeff Xavier is a 29 year old 189cm point guard from Pawtucket, Rhode Island that is playing his seventh professional season and first in Germany with medi Bayreuth after playing his first six years as a professional in Spain. He started his basketball career at Manhattan (NCAA) in 2004 where he played until 2006 playing a total of 60 NCAA games. He then moved to Providence (NCAA) in 2007 where he played his last two seasons of college ball playing a total of 64 NCAA games and as a senior played 33 games averaging 9.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 35.6%, 3Pts: 29.1%, FT: 80.0%. In 2009 he started his professional basketball career with Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 38 games and averaging 12.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 76.8%. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Caceres 2016 C.B. (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 38 games averaging 9.7ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.4apg, Steals-5(1.6spg), FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 69.6%. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Faymasa Palencia Baloncesto (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 32 games averaging 13.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.3apg, Steals-3(2.0spg), FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 76.7%. He played the last three seasons for Autocid Ford Burgos where he was twice LEB Gold champion. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 82-69 home win against the Fraport Skyliners.

Congrats on the big 82-69 win against the Fraport Skyliners. Do you think that you could be getting an even better Christmas present on the 25th than getting this win against Frankfurt?

Thank you very much. It was a huge game for us and for our fans and I am glad we could give our fans a great game to watch and a present from to them.

After having lost the last three games in a row and giving respect to the wins against Giessen and Bonn, is this win against Frankfurt which was recently the hottest team in the league the biggest win of the season?

I think it for sure was the biggest win for us so far this year. We showed that we can play with the best teams in the league when we play hard on defense for 40 minutes. We need to be consistently hardnosed on defense.

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Ken Horton (medi Bayreuth) We Have To Go To Bamberg And Play Our Hearts Out And If We Don’t Then They’ll Roll Over Us

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 will be 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 before the Bavarian derby against the Brose Baskets Bamberg

Congrats on the big 82-69 win against the Fraport Skyliners. Do you think that you could be getting an even better Christmas present on the 25th than getting this win against Frankfurt?

As a team, it is definitely a good way to go in to the holiday. It was a big win and much needed for the medi organization.

Every win is a big in for us. Now we just have to work on being consistent as a team and getting win after win.

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The Ken Horton Career Scoring Double Figures Consistency Is A Way Of Life For Him As He Gives Support For Future medi Bayreuth Success

When checking out who has been named to the illustrious who´s who crowd of the for American standards small 37,000 populated Ossining which lies on the beautiful Hudson river a tad south of Croton Bay is about 35 kilometers from Manhatten in New York one stumbles across people like author John Cheever, guitarist Sonny Sharrock or more known names at least in the sports and entertainment world like American marathon record holder Khalid Khannouchi or the wonderful talented late actor Peter Falk who will always be remembered as the nosy, but hard working detective Columbo who never met a case he couldn´t solve. However when all is said and done one day, the name Ken Horton could be added to that list as he is a professional basketball player that has had a very successful basketball career until now having played in countries like France, Cyprus, Mexico, Australia and Finland in only his first three years and now in his fourth season is playing in the German Beko BBL for medi Bayreuth. He won his first title last season with the Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) and has the amazing and most respected distinction of having had career scoring double figures consistency since starting at Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) in 2007. That is a phenomenal achievement in that he did it 4 years in college, at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 10.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.0apg, FGP-1(100%: 5-5), 1.0spg and the list goes on and on. As a rookie in 2012 he started 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, Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP): 16 games: 17.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 59.1%, 3FGP: 24.1%, FT: 87.0%, Ballarat Miners (Australia-SEABL, starting five): 18 games: 19.6ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, Blocks-2(9.7bpg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 39.9%, and Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga, starting five): 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%. Just reading these stats makes one get goose bumps as the American has really proven that wherever he has been he has been able to adapt to any obstacles and been able to get a hang of the team´s system, style and level in that country as if it had always been second nature to him. His unbelievable streak of double figure scoring average is continuing this season in Germany with medi Bayreuth where he is currently averaging 12,7ppg and 5,1rpg and is second in scoring and first in rebounds on a team stocked with much talent like ex NBA player Travis Leslie, experienced American veteran Jeff Xavier who made a name in Spain and talented American point guard Jake Odum. It takes a lot of work to be so consistent, but he gets help form his teammates. “It’s really simple. Putting yourself in the right position at the right times. I’m a quick thinker and I think I see things very well on the court. I. Can’t take ally the credit though every year I play I have guards that are able to find me and get me the looks. It’s a real mixture of both just having a great feel of where you are and getting the easiest basket possible, and also having guards to help put you in those situations to score. It’s worked for me since before I went to central all the way until now”, expressed Ken Horton. So far the American has been a very important piece for the team as it still is trying to find themselves after a lackluster4-8 start that has them resting in no mans land at position 13. Horton can play the positions 3-5 and is a player that can do a bit of everything. “I see myself as a very versatile player. I’d say my biggest strength on the court is shooting and running the floor, but I’m willing to do whatever the team needs to win games. So far this season the New York native has scored in double figures eight times and most valuable with his 20/14 masterpiece in the 82-77 win against MBC or his 25 point game in the big 77-64 win against the Telekom Baskets Bonn where his 4 steals were also instrumental in the win. Even if being able to score on a consistent rate is as normal for him as it is for Jared Jordan to average double figure assists, there is nothing better or more soothing than winning that first title. “Winning the championship in Finland this past season is the best feeling that I’ve had on the basketball court. I’ve been playing all my life and I have won many individual awards but never had the opportunity to win a championship which is the ultimate goal every season. I know how hard it is to win one especially at the pro level so I am extremely blessed to have won one in just my third season”, stressed Ken Horton. Even if the chances are very slim for medi Bayreuth to win a title this season, just reaching the playoffs would be like winning a title in the Bavarian city, but for that to happen the club will need to get even more from all players and perhaps even an increase in stats from the American from Ossining, NewYork who could start a new consistency trend with simply getting more of a green light and reaching the 20,0ppg something he has never achieved yet in his basketball career.

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Ken Horton (medi Bayreuth) We Will Leave Our Heart Out On The Court Against FC Bayern Munich

Ken thanks for talking to German Hoops One last splash of nice autumn weather in Germany this weekend. Has the Bayreuth weather the last two months been similar to what you have in New York this time of year or has it already been colder for your taste?

Yea the weather here has been very similar to what I’ve had back in New York. I can deal with any kind of weather after going through a winter in Finland. So it’s not to bad for me now.

At the start of the week medi Bayreuth basketball team made the national sports news filling almost every online and print outlet with two players facing disciplinary action after an altercation in a club. How hast the state of the team been this week?

The state of the team has been great. We are professionals and whatever happens outside the gym happens outside the gym and we don’t bring that stuff on the court. Whatever happened has been dealt with and now we’re getting ready for this next game.

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Ken Horton (medi Bayreuth) I’m Definitely Not Satisfied And I Want To Win More

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 will be 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 teams first season win against the Mitteldeutscher BC

Ken congrats on the 82-77 victory against MBC. This was a game of the two door mats of the league. Did you know before the game started that it would be such an ugly game?

Thank you. I wouldn’t say “Door Mats” of the league. We both got off to rough starts yes, but its still early in the season. Yesterday I think we did exactly what we wanted to do in the game and that is win. Ugly or not as long as we won I’m happy.

You said in the pre-game interview that medi Bayreuth would be ready and you were. How relieved are you that the team finally got their first win of the season?

I’m very happy that we got our first win but I’m definitely not satisfied. I want to win more.

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Ken Horton (medi Bayreuth) We All Lead In Some Way Or Another That’s Why I Know This Team Is Special

Ken thanks for talking to German Hoops. You have been in Germany now two months after having played in countries like France, Cyprus, Mexico, Australia and Finland. How have you liked living and playing basketball in Germany?

I’m liking Germany a lot. Its getting a bit cold but after being in Finland last season I’m no stranger to the cold. Basketball wise its good and its coming along slowly but surely.

After having a long pre season the season started and medi Bayreuth is surprisingly 0-3. With the talent that the team has and good coach Michael Koch, would you ever have thought before the season started that the team could start like this?

It was a long preseason but, I don’t think anybody on any team would think about starting the season off 0-3. The goal is to win every game you play, unfortunately it doesn’t happen like that. As you said earlier we have a lot of talent and a great Coach who believes in every one of us, so we will work hard to get back on the right track.

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