Coaching the Fraport Skyliners is never an easy task for Canadian Gordon Herbert as injuries and just not having a full supply of personal is about as usual for him over the years as Michael Koch must ask himself will this be the year I finally win my first coaching title. In the game against German pro A team RheinStars Cologne there were times where Herbert must have thought why me why me in terms of not being able to run a full functional team, but he was saved by a potent and in beast mode Johannes Richter who scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half pacing the Fraport Skyliners to a commending 72-59 victory, but when the 1984 Olympian thought that basketball life would get easier on Sunday against medi Bayreuth then he was mistaking. The RheinStars Cologne may have had three solid Americans, but two of them were rookies, but with Beko BBL team medi Bayreuth, the Fraport Skyliners were the clear underdog as the team led by head coach Michael Koch had the total experience factor as well as high quality players like a Travis Leslie who played 10 NBA games with the Los Angeles Clippers, Jeff Xavier who played six season sin the Spanish Leb Gold, Canadian national player and high flyer Daniel Mullungs who is a young buck compared to the older Quantez Robertson who has been around the block for years, American Jake Odum who played in Greece or a Ken Horton that tore up the Korsliga in Finnland and not to forget Bastian Doreth who continues to grow that long beard and now stands alone in the BBL as Anton Gavel cut his long ago. This was a great test for the young Skyliner kids like Zeeb, Okeke and Hoffmann to see how they match up against these experienced players. The Fraport Skyliners stayed tough and matched up well for the first 15-16 minutes, but medi Bayreuth then showed that there was a talent and experience difference as they started to take control of the game and never looked back winning easily 101-75. Medi Bayreuth came into the game licking their wounds after being embarrassed by Phoenix Hagen the day before and came out a lot stronger against Frankfurt and especially shot very high from the field and from downtown. “We came out very flat against Phoenix Hagen being stagnant on offense and defense. We changed up some things for the game against Frankfurt installing three new plays and playing better defense. We helped each other more on defense and that was a big difference”, stated ex Providence Friar Jeff Xavier. It was like day and night comparing the teams on paper and the talent difference was very noticeable. “We had a 8 man rotation and had only two plays. We got into foul problems as well. We played well in some phases and the young guys played well. Our best phase was in the second quarter, but we had only three players from last season while the rest were Pro B players and that makes a difference”, stated Fraport Skyliners guard Konstantin Klein.
medi Bayreuth
Jeff Xavier (medi bayreuth) I Must Take It to The Next Level And Now I Have That Perfect Opportunity In Bayreuth
Jeff Xavier is a 29 year old 189cm point guard from Pawtucket, Rhode Island that will be playing his seventh professional season and first in Germany 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 64NCAA 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 about basketball.
Jeff thanks for talking to German Hoops.Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?
Hello, it is a pleasure doing this interview with you. I am currently in Rhode Island where I was born and raised. The summer has been good, just enjoying my time as best as I can with my family and just trying to a better person and basketball every single day to get ready for the upcoming season in Bayreuth!
After six years of professional ball in Spain you have left there and will play your first season away from there and in Germany for medi Bayreuth. Did you get sick of eating Paella? Lol
Six years in Spain feels like a long time but the time went by really fast and the time there has been amazing! Burgos,Spain is the birthplace of my first born daughter and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Lol I never really ate a lot of paella while in Spain but when I did, it was always amazing! There are some great restaurants and a lot of options for food so I tried to switch it up a lot.
Ken Horton (medi bayreuth) Everybody Loses A Game But Its How You Come Out And Play The Next Game That Tells What You Are Really Made Of
Ken Horton is a 25 year old 199cm forward from Ossining, New York that will be 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 about basketball.
Ken thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer so far?
At the moment I’m just enjoying my time home. Seeing family and friends and working out making sure my body stays right.
Congrats on signing with German Beko BBL team medi Bayreuth. What was the deciding aspect that made you decide to come to Germany for your fourth professional season?
It is an honor to be thought of to even play in the German BBL. Germany has always been a country that I’ve wanted to play in. I’m thankful that Medi Bayreuth is giving me the opportunity to be a part of this club.
Zeon Gray Ready To Take The Elevater Not Stairs To The Beko BBL With medi bayreuth
Not many make the giant leap over many leagues to the top, but once in a while a player does like Devon Uskowski did starting his professional basketball career in the German Regionaliga and going league by league via the Pro B and Pro A to the Beko BBL to the Mitteldeutscher BC or a Steve Wachalski that went direct from Pro B team Osnabrueck to BBL team Bayreuth in 2010, but who can say they went from the Regionaliga to the Beko BBL via the elevater instead of taking the long haul up the stairs? Well Los Angeles native Zeon Gray (178-PG) might have the distinction of moving from the German Regionaliga to the Beko BBL this upcoming season. Gray is your typical cinderella story as he played college ball at little known University of the Fraser Vally (CIS) in Canada where he put up very solid stats and as a senior averaged 14.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.0apg, 1.9spg. However the transition into the pro ranks wasn’t easy for the American as he had some gigs for the Nationwide Allstars (WCBL) and Santa Monica Jump (WCBL) before trying his luck overseas. He came to Germany in 2012 and played the last three seasons in the German fourth, fifth and sixth leagues. As a rookie he played for EOSC Offenbach (Germany-Oberliga) 9 games: 23.4ppg. In the 2013-2014 season he played for DJK Nieder-Olm (Germany-2.Regionalliga): 4 games: 14.0ppg. Last season he got a contract with BBC Bayreuth 2 (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 14 games averaging 14.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.7apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 82.6%. The best games of the American were against FC Bayern Munich 2 where he poured in 24 points, notched 23 points against Ansbach and 21 points against Dachau. Gray can thank his good friend from Los Angeles Brandon Bowman as he put in a good word for the diminutive point guard getting him the job for the medi bayreuth 2 team and he also practiced with the BBL team all season long, so he is not unknown to head coach Michael Koch. Gray spent the season living with the ex Georgetwon standout Bowman and the intense work out grind also rubbed off on Gray as medi bayreuth head coach Michael Koch must have noticed this and now seems to have Gray in his thoughts and in his game plan for next season. According to German Hoops sources, Gray will be the seventh import player on the team and play then when an injury occurs or if there is some crisis on the team. In the meantime when he isn’t playing a BBL game, he can be a pest for American point guard Jake Odum in practice. Currently Zeon Gray (178-PG) is presenting his basketball talent at the famous Drew League in Los Angeles which showcases many NBA players. The American has the right focus and when he is on the court the club will see this kind of attitude. “In a few short words,I would simply say it would be tough to find a guard willing to sacrifice so much of himself for the team to grow and win. Anything my coach would ask of me,without any hesitation,I WILL do it”, stressed Zeon Gray (178-PG).
The Fraport Skyliners Eke Out Trash Ripe Ugly Victory Against medi Bayreuth 90-89
The one guy comes from Texas and the other from California, but Beko BBL players Justin Cobbs and Jason Brickman have some things in common as they both come from big states, are rookies, are point guards and since they came to their new teams Frankfurt and Bayreuth have infected their teams to winning games as combined they have led their teams to a 15-4 record. Granted Cobbs has done the most damage leading the Fraport Skyliners to a 7-3 Beko BBL record and is 6-0 in Eurochallenge play while Brickman has helped Bayreuth beat Bonn and Ulm while getting clobbered in Berlin 91-60 a place where Cobbs also lost shortly before Christmas 2014. The similarities don´t end as both have lost to Berlin and both have had a taste of bitter winter blues as both had short stints in Russia and Latvia with Dynamo Moscow and VEF Riga , but had to pack their bags. The biggest difference that they have is in height as Cobbs is 10cm bigger and style as Brickman is the classic pass first point guard in the mold of a Jared Jordan while Justin Cobbs is the versatile point guard in the mold of a Derrick Rose who can change the pace and score or find his teammates whatever the defense gives him. At California(NCAA) he played for head coach Mike Montgomery and learned in young years to obey in that if he was asked to take the next 30 shots in a row he would or asked not to shoot once he would. Brickman dazzled the NCAA his last two seasons averaging 9,1apg while averaging 9,8 as a senior, but didn´t have real NBA interest and despite winning three Nec tournaments with LIU Brooklyn, because the conference isn´t as skilled as say the Pac 10 where Cobbs played. Cobbs had his first taste of the NBA being the last cut of the Charlotte Hornets as the club went with experience instead of youth. Brickman played against schools like Lehigh, Lamar, Wagner or Sacred Heart while Cobbs dueled against heavy weights like Oregon, Washington State, UCLA or Arizona. Both definitely are good enough to showcase their talent in the NBA, but for now they have to continue to craft their game and continue to get better to get that NBA shot one day. Brickman came to Frankfurt ready to play his fourth Beko BBL game while Cobbs was prepared to battle in his 11th Beko BBL game as it was baby Mr pass against the general Justin Cobbs and the California native came out victorious as the Fraport Skyliners eked out a trash ripe ugly victory against medi Bayreuth as Cobbs had 15 points and seven assists while Brickman finished with 12 points and three assists. “Sean Armand had told me about Jason Brickmann that he led the NCAA in assists. He is a great passer and had two back to back games with 10 assists and he played well tonight. It was fun playing against him”, stressed California native Justin Cobbs. “I had heard of Cobbs in college. He is a good point guard and decision maker. I knew it would be a tough battle and it was fun playing against another rookie”, added San Antonio native Jason Brickman. “Brickman is a good floor general, great shooter and found his teammates while Justin Cobb is a bit more athletic. It was definitely a good battle”, stressed Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi.
Je’Kel Foster (medi bayreuth) Jerry Green Taught Me How To SurviveAs A Rookie In Ludwigsburg
Je Kel Foster is a 31 year old 193cm guard that is playing his ninth professional season and sixth in Germany and first with medi Bayreuth. He played at Ohio State from 2004-2006. He started his professional basketball career 2006 in Germany for EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 42 games: 13.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.5apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 45.3%, 3FGP: 34.0%, FT: 75.3%. In the 2007-2008 season he played for Paris-Levallois (France-ProA) 30 games: 14.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.9apg, Steals-2(2.4spg), 2FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 65.6%. He then returned back to Germany and played for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg from 2008-2010 helping the club win the 2009 Beko BBL title. In the 2010-2011 season he played for Vanoli-Braga Cremona (Italy-SerieA) 29 games: 12.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.1apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 71.8%. In the 2011-2012 season he returned back to Germany and played for : FC Bayern Muenchen (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): EuroCup: 3 games: 7.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg; German League: 32 games: 13.9ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 71.4%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Belgacom Spirou (Belgian Ethias League) 8 games: 11.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.8apg; Eurocup: 6 games: 7.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, in Dec.’12 moved to ALBA Berlin (Germany-BBL) 24 games: 7.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 34.7%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 72.1%; Euroleague: 14 games: 7.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 35.8%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 84.6%. Last season he played for JSF Nanterre (France-ProA) Euroleague: 10 games: 4.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.6apg; French ProA: 12 games: 6.8ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.2apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 54.2%, 3FGP: 36.6%, FT: 61.1%, in Feb.’14 moved to Sidigas Avellino (Italy-SerieA) 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.2spg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
Welcome back to Frankfurt. You played many times against Frankfurt with Ludwigsburg, Oldenburg, FC Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin. When you look back at those games is there one game against that you will never forget besides the loss to Frankfurt with medi bayreuth?
I have played many times against Frankfurt, but most with Oldenburg. I remember our title run 2009 where we met Frankfurt in the playoffs. It was a hard fought series, but I remember that season most against Frankfurt.
I have one game in my memory where you helped FC Bayern Munich beat Frankfurt 58-57 in Munich where you hit huge three pointers in crunch time. What memories do you have of this game where you hit two three pointers and it isn´t every day that a Jimmy Mckinney doesn´t hit a three pointer.
I also remember that game. That was a good game that came down to the last minute. Frankfurt has been a good defensive team the last years as they also kept that game low. We grinded that game out. I have played against Jimmy Mckinney so many times that it is a battle each time we play.
Jason Brickman Brings A Taste Of Jared Jordan Flavor To Bayreuth
Finding that very classic pass first point guard in the Beko BBL has never been a common thing as a point guard knows how to pass the ball, but the majority of them still can score better on a game to game basis. In the last years in the BBL, if one hand to choose some of these classic pass first point guards that would rather pass than shoot, one could probably pick them off one hand. One guy who has always been at the top of the assist leaders in Germany has been Bane Ratkovica of Tuebingen who twice led the league in assists from 2009-2011 and currently is doing it again. One sometimes had to wonder how the Serb was able to go through a clogged lane with a few big men in traffic breathing him down and still be able to lay the perfect shovel pass to his teammate. Other classic point guards in the past were guys like John Goldsberry who shone more with his defense once having 10 steals as a rookie with Leverkusen, but with Bamberg he helped win 5 titles while being the perfect playmaker that rarely shot, but always found his teammates in the set offense. Another guy that thought first about getting his own teammates in a good position to score before himself was New York native Kevin Hamilton who never averaged less than four assists a game per season in five in Germany and saved his best for last season where he was third in the league with 5,8apg with bayreuth. Hamilton was one of those guys that had this flair of elegance on the court that no other player had and one often watched his movements more than his passing simply because it looked so graceful. The most classic pass first point guard that the Beko BBL ever saw was Jared Jordan who led the German league in assists in three of four years and in between also was the best assist man in the Greek league. From 2011-2013, he led the league in assists with 8,8apg and 7,6apg. Jordan has left Germany and is practicing his talent in Span now with Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian where he is leading the league with 6,6apg. Jordan who is called Mr pass is like an ice cream man having as many different ways of passing the ball as there are ice cream flavors. With Trevon Hughes not making the cut in Bayreuth for Michael Koch who was seeking that classic point guard again like he had in Bonn with Jordan, he wheeled and dealed and presented a rookie recently with Jason Brickman who is supposed to bring some calmness and organization into the offense. Brickman is a 23 year old 181cm rookie from San Antonio, Texas that played at LIU Brooklyn (NCAA) from 2010-2014. He started the season with Dynamo Moscow (Russia-Superleague) never finding his groove there. “It was very difficult in Russia being the only American and having most of the team not speak English. I did not fit into their system there so it was tough”, stressed Jason Brickman. At LIU Brooklyn, he improved his assist rate each season including from 7,3 to 8,5 to 9,8 as a senior. That was better than what Jordan did his last two seasons at Marist(NCAA) where he averaged 8,6apg while Brickman averaged 9,1apg. Brickman who names Jason Kidd and Steve Nash as his favorite point guards is happy for the experience in college and playing for Jack Peri. “I have had a good sense of passing and pretty good court vision since I was younger. But playing at LIU really helped me to be an even better passer. I played for a great coach and the perfect system so it was a fun experience. Coach Perri was the guy who recruited me to go to LIU. He pushed me to get better every day and he had so much confidence in me so it was easy to play for a coach that really trusts in me. He let me grow as a player each year and gave me more responsibility every year. He challenged me to try and strengthen my weaknesses”, stressed Jason Brickman
Jason Brickman (medi bayreuth) Playing At LIU Brooklyn Really Helped Me To Be An Even Better Passer
Jason Brickman is a 23 year old 181 cm point guard from San Antonio, Texas that is a rookie in Germany playing for medi Bayreuth. He started his basketball career at LIU Brooklyn (NCAA) in 2010 and played a total of 129 NCAA games. AS a senior he played 28 games averaging 11.5ppg, 3.3rpg, Assists-1(9.8apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 86.4%. He won the NEC tournament three times. Like Jared Jordan, he was the top assist man in the NCAA his last two years. He started his rookie season in Europe with : Dynamo Moscow (Russia-Superleague): Baltic League: 3 games: 2.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 6.7apg, 1.0spg; Russian Superleague: 8 games: 2.0ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.8apg. He was released in December 2014 and recently signed with German team medi Bayreuth and in his debut against the Telekom Baskets Bonn scored 10 points and dished out 11 assists helping the Bavarian team to victory. He spoke to German Hoops before his debut performance against Bonn.
Welcome to Germany Jason. You are coming from the freezing Russia to cold Germany. Is this kind of weather more appealing to you even if its still freezing compared to San Antonio?
Yes it is great to come to Germany where it is not as cold as Russia. I’m not a fan of really cold weather so I’m much happier being in Germany.
You are now a member of German Beko BBL medi Bayreuth. What do you know about the country Germany and the basketball here?
I don’t know too much about Germany, I have only been one other time a few years ago for a basketball trip that was a week long. I have heard the basketball here is great and there are some very good teams here.
How did the contact come about with German team media Bayreuth? There are always guards on the market.
My agent was working on getting me back on a team to finish this season and he thought it was a great opportunity to play for Bayreuth.
Bryan Bailey (medi bayreuth) We Need To Continue To Defend Over The Course Of The Game And Execute On Offense In Crunch Time Against The Fraport Skyliners
Bryan Bailey is a 34 year old 185cm combo guard that is playing his 13th professional basketball season and third for medi bayreuth. He is a true team leader both on and off the court. He possesses a diverse game, with an ability to stroke the long-range jumper, penetrate to the rim or distribute the ball. He is solid on the defensive end of the floor as well. His fierce competitive drive rubs off on his teammates. He started his professional basketball career at Bucknell and player there from 1998-2002 and in his senior year played 17 games averaging 18.1ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.4apg. He made All-Patriot League 1st Team in 2001 and 2002. In 2002-2003, he started his professional basketball season in Germany with DJK S. Oliver Wurzburg (Germany-1Bundesliga, starting five): 26 games, 15.4ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.4spg. In 2003-2004, he played in Holland for Landstede Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 35 games: 17.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.1apg, 2.4spg, 0.2bpg. He then played with The Artland Dragons from 2004-2007 reaching the league and cup final in 2007. His best statistical season was 2005-2006 playing 33 games and averaging 11.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.7apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 25.3%. In 2007-2008, he played with Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo (Bosnia-D1, starting five): ULEB Cup: 12 games: 10.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 20.8%, FT: 84.3%. In 2008-2009, he played in Poland for PGE Turow Zgorzelec (Poland-DBE): Eurocup: 6 games: 7.3ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.7spg; Polish League: 32 games: 8.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 77.0%. In 2009-2010, he played with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg playing Euroleague: 4 games: 8.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.8apg; German League: 6 games: 9.3ppg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 89.7. In 2010, he returned back to the Artland Dragons where he played until 2012. He came to Bayreuth in 2012 and last season played 4 games: 8.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.3apg, 1.5spg. He spoke to German Hoops after the 64-56 win against Bremerhaven.
Congrats on the 64-56 win against the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. I guess each player on Bayreuth was worth their pay check after 40 minutes? Have you ever been in a more crazy game than that?
It was a pretty crazy start for us. The only other game that I’ve been that was this crazy, was the 5 overtime game I played in when I played for KK Bosna against Alba Berlin in ULEB Cup.
22-0 after one quarter. That is a feat that will probably stand forever not only in the BBL but any league because it is something so rare. What was going through your mind after one quarter just seeing the 22-0 score on the score board?
I was thinking that we need to keep up the pressure and not let down on defense. A game is never decided after one quarter.
Can Michael Koch And Brandon Bowman Build New Glory Days In Bayreuth?
Five years ago, medi bayreuth head coach Michael Koch and new medi Bayreuth forward Brandon Bowman began a very fruitful working cooperation with the Telekom Baskets Bonn that would take them to the Beko BBL final against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, but their season came to an end in game 5 as it was Rickey Paulding and Jason Gardner sipping champagne and smoking cigars while Koch probably had nightmares after and Bowmann was already thinking about his summer in Los Angeles and how much harder he would work to get even better on the long bus ride home to the former German capital Bonn. Since that frightful June evening in Oldenburg that ended their season, Bowmann had had more team changes than Koch. Koch remained in Bonn until 2013, but would never get back to a final except for the Cup in 2012 and even missed the playoffs in 2011 for only the second time since 1996 for Bonn. Bowmann on the other hand got to know the basketball world as he was on the training camp roster of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2009 and also played in countries like Bulgaria, Turkey, France, Serbia, Israel, Korea and New Zealand. It took him a while to win his first title as a professional as he did this past summer for the Pacific Jewellers Saints (New Zealand-NBL) where he played 10 games averaging 18.5ppg, 7.4rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.1%. Bowman is one of those guys that eats, sleeps and thinks basketball. Last season he played for SC Rasta Vechta which has 32,000 people and about the only thing to do besides count cows on the pastures and take a stroll down the miniature main-street is to live in the gym which he did. Its no different in Bayreuth, even if the city is a little more than twice as big as Vechta, it is in the nature of the Los Angeles native to always get better even at the age of 30. Koch is still looking for his first coaching title in Germany and continues to be very hungry while Bowman is still hungry to get another professional title which would be only his second. Just how well medi Bayreuth functions this season is still difficult to predict since the season is still young, but the club has a good mix of veterans and youth and with the leadership of Bowman and unending preparation mentality of Koch, the only thing that might be missing for the team to get the extra push for success is if Bowman puts on the famous song Glory Days of American singer legend Bruce Springsteen to get his team ready each day. Often a player is in his prime at 31 according to 2 time Euroleague champion Kyle Hines, so Bowmann should be close at age 30? “I personally think that Brandon is in a great point in his career. The word prime is just a word. When you prepare and workout like Brandon does, you control how good you can be. We live together and I see first hand how hard he works to be a top talent in this league. The biggest strength I would say is his ability to let the game slow down. This allows him to pick his moments when he can be productive. Just like most players, the longer you play the better you read the game. His good decision making will play a big role in every win for THE TEAM. Brandon has always been a motivated player. That doesn’t change. I can’t give away all his eating habits/secrets but I will say, he is by far the cleanest eater I’ve ever met. His dedication to his eating and training habits is why he will play the game as long as he wants at a productive level.”, warned friend Zeon Gray who plays for Bayreuth Regionaliga team. Teammate American Bryan Bailey is also very content with the work ethic of Brandon Bowman. “Brandon can play different positions for us and brings and inside and outside presence for us. He can take slower defenders off the dribble and can post up guys that are smaller. He is a guy that always works hard and wants to continue to improve every day and leads by example. I’ve never seen a player put in so much extra work in the weight room than him”, stressed ex Artland Dragon Bryan Bailey.
German Hoops 