Having an unbelievable label thrusted upon you most usually is so tough to digest that it has had a difficult effect on players because having to live up to that assumption can be as difficult as it is for a Tim Tebow making the adjustment to baseball as there is simply so much media pressure on you. As for the labels, how many players have had that unfair comparison as being the next Dirk Nowitzki? It didn´t only fall upon a guy like Tim Ohlbrecht who still did make it to the NBA, but to other guys as well in Germany. The Dirk Nowitzki label also has swayed over to other countries like Serbia where a player like Nemanja Aleksandrow got that label, but too many others as well. Having these player labels aren´t always easy to get used to hearing over and over, but what does a player like Moses Ehambe of SC Rasta Vechta think when he hears a label like “considered by some as one of the best shooters in the world” and he turns around and expects Larry Bird or a Steph Curry to be standing there? Those two NBA legends would be worthy of that label, but would a Moses Ehambe? Well many might argue that label, but his consistent and accurate shooting from downtown over the years can´t be denied. Ehambe is a 30 year old 197cm swingman from Arlington Texas that is playing his ninth professional season and second in Germany after playing his first with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in 2014. Over the years, his accurate shooting from the parking lot has consistently been at the 40% mark or higher which is a rate that isn´t achieved by every player. Ehambe has played in many different leagues from the D-league to places like Spain, Venezuela and Japan. There was even a time from 2006-2012 where he shot 40% or better which for the most part was achieved with three different D-league teams that obviously garnered the interest of NBA GM´s. The label of being the best shooter in the world seemed to have developed during his D-league time between 2008-2012 and the sniper wasn´t unaware of this label. “I have heard that before, but it isn´t about what you hear, but what you believe. It means a lot to me when I hear something like that. It makes me feel good knowing people appreciate what I do after spending countless hours in the gym perfecting my craft”, stated Moses Ehambie. Many have wondered why a guy like Ehambie never made it to the NBA considering the NBA is the prime place where a player who does one thing very well can find a home. “My goal and passion is to get to the NBA. I´ll continue to dream and work of reaching the NBA. The D-league is one route of reaching the NBA and at times faster than going the European route. My family and I decided that going the European route would be good. I feel that I have grown as a player and became more complete and just elevated my game on offense and defense”, stressed Moses Ehambe. Back in 2011, he was with the New Orleans Hornets (NBA) during training camp and got that brief NBA air and got some words of wisdom that quickly broadened his basketball horizon which has not only helped him with dealing with his NBA dream, but also helping develop his game further. “When I was cut from the New Orleans Hornets training camp, head coach Monty Williams told me that I had a gift shooting and that many can´t do it. He told me that now I needed to show the world that I can play basketball. I felt that with Bremerhaven I showed that I can do more besides just shooting with rebounding, passing it in the post or penetrating and kicking. I am a complete player now instead of a stand still shooter. Who knows what will happen now. Maybe the NBA will take notice”, stressed Moses Ehambe. As for now SC Rasta Vechta has taken notice and signed him and he belongs to a very talented group of guys and is close to averaging double figures in scoring and as usual is shooting over 40% from outside. If The NBA ever does come calling, Ehambe will be more than ready, but for now the ex ORU (NCAA) standout is focused on performing his role to the best to his ability for SC Rasta Vechta and possibly help bring this team a lot farther than many would ever have thought this season.
Moses Ehambe
Moses Ehambe(Eisbaeren Bremerhaven) Deandre Liggins Has Made Me A Better Player On Defense And Put The NBA And Me In Perspective
Moses Ehambe is a 28 year old 198cm swing man from Arlington, Texas that now resides in Minnesota and is playing his seventh professional season and first in Germany with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He started his basketball career in 2004 with ORU(NCAA) and as a senior played 11.7ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 40.5%, 3Pts: 40.6%, FT: 86.0%. In 2008 he started his professional basketball career with the Tulsa 66ers (D-League) where he played until 2010. In 2010-2011 he played for Aquas De Sousas Club Ourense Balonceto (Spain-LEB Gold): 16 games: 9.6ppg, 2.4rpg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 91.3%; left in Dec.’10, in Feb.’11 moved to Austin Toros (D-League, starting five): 9 games: 10.8ppg, 2.1rpg, FGP: 23.3%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 84.6%; in Mar.’11 signed at Iowa Energy (D-League, starting five): 17 games: 14.5ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 46.3%, FT: 91.7%. IN the 2011-2012 season he had breathed NBA air with the New Orleans Hornets (NBA), then moved to Iowa Energy (D-League, starting five): 48 games: 12.9ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 84.1%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for FIATC Joventut Badalona (Spain-Liga Endesa, starting five): 34 games: 7.4ppg, 1.4rpg, FGP: 36.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 92.6%. Last season he played for the Iowa Energy (D-League) 52 games: 14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 41.8%, FT: 82.6%. Currently for Bremerhaven he is averaging 13,7ppg, 3,8rpg and 3,2apg while shooting 45% from outside. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners in Frankfurt.
Moses thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are playing your first season in Germany with Bremerhaven. What kind of experience has it been for you?
It has been an amazing experience for me and my family. I didn´t expect the BBL to be so professional and competitive. I like how there are so many teams with different styles of play. It is never easy getting the right guys on a team, but my Bremerhaven teammates have been phenomenal which makes the experience as a player even better. My family loves Bremerhaven and my kids are learning German.
The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven Have Their Own Basketball Holiness With Moses Ehambe
When one comes across the rare name Moses, one notices simply because the first thought that comes into mind is the famous religious leader and lawgiver to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed to. The Moses is the most important prophet in Judaism as well as in christianity and Islam. Of course there have been other well known gentlemen that have been graced with the Moses name like NBA legend Moses Malone who was one of the first players to make the step from high school to the professional ranks where he lasted 21 years, won an NBA title in 1983 with the Philadelphia 76ers, won three MVP trophies and sometimes scribbled his name to autograph seekers in such an unreadable way that gave this young gun fits for years to fully accept if it had really been Malone that had written his name or not. Then there are Moses legends like Edwin Moses who has the name second and won Gold Medals at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics and won 107 finals in a row. Then there are also other famous Moses´s like the composer Moses Hogan, the entrepreneur Moses Brown or stage actor Moses Gunn. How common it is to find a Moses in Germany is statistically difficult to know, but one thing is for sure, there is a Moses this season living in Bremerhaven and trying to make a name in the Beko BBL. Moses Ehambe is a 28 year old 198cm swing man that has American/Congolese roots and is playing his seventh professional season. He played at Oral Roberts from 2004-2008 and then turned professional. In the last six seasons, he has played in countries like Spain and Venezuela, but spent much time in the States in the D-League looking to make the jump to the NBA. When looking at his game, the first thing that stands out is his shot. Many have described him as being the best shooter in the world in the last years and has been the most successful in the D-league. His stats don´t hide the fact that if he had to moonlight as a cowboy, his quick hand and release would come in handy with quickly pulling the gun and trigger. In a span from 2005-2012, Ehambe shot over 40% in every place that he played including his last three years at Oral Roberts and his next six destinations as a professional. In his last three stops, his shooting has slowed down a little as he shot only 35% from the parking lot with FIATC Joventut Badalona (Spain-Liga Endesa) where ex Bonn forward Tony Gaffney was his teammate and with Guaiqueries de Margarita (Venezuela-LPB) where he shot 28% his second worst since his freshman year in college. However it isn´t just his shooting that excels, but he can do many other things like His quick release and footwork are at a very high level. At 6’6″ 215 pounds he possesses great size, strength, and athleticism. He is very aggressive 1on1 and will help any team with his passion. His shooting touch is back again as through three games, he is averaging 16,3ppg, 3,0rpg and 1,0apg and is shooting 52,6% from the distance. It would be fun to see how many teammates of Ehambe have stated that he is the best shooter ever, but so far he has made a lasting impression on his teammates as his leadership is here as well which he shares with ex Alba Berlin forward Sven Schulze. “He is a great shooter and a great team-mate. He creates a lot of problems from the perimeter for other teams which allows our bigs more room to work inside when he is on the court. He is one of the best shooters that I have ever played with or seen. Sven is more outspoken and animated, whereas Moses is more subtle with his approach. Both lead by example and are great role models to learn from”, warned ex Giessen 46er Myles Hesson. The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven have only made the playoffs twice in 2006 and 2010 and three could be a charm as they may just have their savior to return back to the promised land with their own Moses Ehambe.
German Hoops 