Pic credit: Fiba

The first time I realized that some famous athlete shared the same birthday as mine of September 20 was in grade school. He wasn´t a basketball player, but a NHL legend with Guy Lafleur. He was also my first favorite player as his grace on the ice was mesmerizing as was his free flowing blond hair as he raced to the goal with his scoring and playmaking skills. Later when I was covering basketball in 2006, I noticed that Braunschweig guard Ashanti Cook was also born on my birthday day. It hasn´t been many, but for the research of this piece, I also came upon other notable people from the basketball world like like Donatas Motiejunas, Nathan King and Kyle Anderson and the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics Red Auerbach as well as people like Sophia Loren, Gary Cole and Kristen Johnson all known in Hollywood. When I was researching for my next article for Musa Abra (179-PG-2006), I came across that blessed day of mine of September 20 with the young talented German player Musa Abra. “My best gift ever was a bracelet that I received for my 18th birthday. I would like to get a dog”, smiled Musa Abra. He is a player I have seen play the last years in the pro B as his minutes and skills have grown every season. His play was noticed by the German basketball federation as he was able to compete at the last U-19 World Cup where he earned an incredible Silver medal. He has always been a late bloomer, but his game is finally coming together. He has massive goals and one of many young German players to keep an eye on in the next years. USA is the long term goal of Musa Abra as College and The NBA are on his bucket list.

The 19 year old German who names Christian Anderson and Calvin Wishart as his toughest players he has battled in his career so far found his way to the orange basketball through his 2 sisters who inspired him to play. Another friend also began to play which began their love for the game at age 10. His first 2 basketball inspirations were Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose while his father was a mentor for him. He began with the Basket Lowen U-10 team and played for the Gotha Rockets in the U-16 and for the Basketball Lowen U-19 team. He found love right away for the Basketball Lowen Erfurt that he was never tempted to go anywhere else. “Everything around the court was special. The staff, medicals, volunteers and what I enjoyed the most, are the fans who never give up on u”, said Musa Abra. He began to play for the Lowen NBBL team in the 2022-2023 season averaging 5.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 3.4apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 90.0% and also played 12 Pro B games. His minutes kept rising in the Pro B from 13 to 21 and he averaged 3,0ppg in the pro B and in the NBBL 16.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 4.8apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 26.2%, FT: 72.1%. His minutes rose again last season to 30+as he had his real pro B break through last season averaging 10.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 73.3% and in the NBBL was a top player averaging 20.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.9apg, 3.3spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 79.6%. His game grew every season. “I think I got way more comfortable in playing my position, my confidence got higher over the time and I think I got much stronger body wise”, said Musa Abra. He also was very fortunate to have had 2 great guards with American Tyseem Lyles and German Jan Heber that helped with his game through the years. “Both of them are really great players. I was always able to learn a lot from both players. From Tyseem, I learned a lot about his approach to training, and from Jan, I learned how to lead a team”, stated Musa Abra.

The German who names Guy Landry Edi, Jan Heber, Tyseem Lyles, Noah Kamdem, Paul Albrecht, and Mike Mitchell Jr as his best teammates of all-time is now in his fourth pro B season and has seen the misfortune of the club in the last 3 years. The ambitions of the Lowen organization have always been massive as the Pro A is a big goal. However the results in the playoffs were never good. The club lost in the quarterfinals the last 3 years and have a 1-6 record in those games against Koblenz, Wolmirstedt and Paderborn. “I think it was down to us every time. We didn’t play with complete confidence at the decisive moments, which then cost us the game”, remembered Musa Abra. This season the club is currently moving in a direction where the club won´t make the playoffs. The club allows more points than what it makes which has cost them too many games. “I think we lack energy on both ends. We got beaten way too often in one on one situations and conceded a lot of points as a result. And even though we were the better team offensively, we still lost most of the time because of that. I still believe we will correct this problem in a short time”, commented Musa Abra. Lyles and Heber have departed the club, but he has great teammates with Paul Albrecht who is in his third season with the Lowen and rookie guard Mike Mitchell who are both players from which the young German can soak up much from. “ I think Paul is a very important piece in our offense. He can pass, he can shoot and he can finish under the basket. With a player like that in the offense, you can play very creatively. I really enjoy playing alongside Mike on the court. He is a very good shooter and is also very good at creating for himself. This draws defense to him and allows him to find his open teammates, or he takes the shot himself”, expressed Musa Abra.

So what kind of a player is Musa Abra exactly who lists Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar on his NBA Mount Rushmore and Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Detlef Schrempf on his German Mount Rushmore? Some players develop quicker as others as a Ivan Kharchenkov who is a freshman at Arizona (NCAA) was already a top Pro B player at age 16 while Abra developed differently. “You could say that I’m a late bloomer, as I’ve only developed physically and as a basketball player in recent years, while others were already much further ahead much earlier on”, said Musa Abra, He is a 187cm point guard that compares his game as a mix between Sylvain Francisco and Maodo Lo. He is a scoring point guard who can also find his teammates with ease, but also understands that he wants to continue to improve his playmaking skills. “I think scoring and being aggressive is a really big strength I have. But for me it is also important to get my assist rate higher”, added Musa Abra. But if one thinks he is all about making an impact on the offensive end, he is just as capable as making an impact on the defensive end. “ Defending is also a big part of my game, full court or one on one. I think situations like closeouts and staying in front of my man are one of my strengths”, warned Musa Abra. Scoring is something that he has continued to improve the last years and knows what other areas of his game are most important to improve now. “I want to improve my passing abilities but also in taking care of the ball in every situation”, said Musa Abra.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Musa Abra in Frankfurt in 2025

The scoring point guard who lists Michael Jordan as His GOAT in the past and Lebron James as his present GOAT celebrated his biggest success so far in his young career with winning a silver at the 2025 U-19 World Cup with Germany. “It was a great thing, especially with this team. And it gave me the motivation to work on myself even harder”, said Musa Abra. He had incredible teammates like Christian Anderson and Hannes Steinbach who are currently playing in the NCAA and possible NBA draft picks in 2026 and others like Jack Kayil, Declan Duru and Eric Reibe who also are massive promising prospects. Unfortunately for him, he didn´t get big minutes. He actually only accumulated a total of 20 minutes in 5 games, but wouldn´t have traded the experience for anything. “I leaned to stay ready in every second of the game. Your chance will come even if it´s frustrating”, stressed Musa Abra. Even if Germany stayed with USA well for the first half, they completely collapsed in the second half as their athleticism totally overpowered Germany. He played 2 minutes against Team USA and saw future NBA draft picks play. Does he feel like his game is so far away from future NBA guys like Dybantsa and Peat? “I think my game isn´t so much far away from them. They are quality wise, body wise and mental wise better than me. But If work hard enough over the next years, then I can get even closer to their level”, warned Musa Abra. His teammate Jack Kayil who is having his BBL break through season with Alba Berlin is another guy where there is possible NBA buzz brewing. He knows how valuable the weeks were with him last summer and knows how good his chances would be in a 1-1 duel in practice. “Jack is great player but also a really good team leader. I think leading a team is a quality from him I can learn from. If I make all my shots and if we play make it take it, it could be a close game“, expressed Musa Abra. Is the NCAA a goal for him in the future and is he more of a NBA or Euroleague guy? “College Is the goal for me for the next years and my biggest goal is to play in the NBA”, warned Musa Abra. It seems like the German march to the NBA will continue in the next years with so many great German talents. Why not another one with Musa Abra? The German wave of young prospects has never been as strong and as exciting as now.

Zac Watson (201-F-2000, college: Longwood)s a 26 year old 201cm forward playing his third pro season and first in Germany with the RheinStars Cologne currently averaging 5,1ppg and 3,4rpg. Last season he played with BK Ventspils (Lat-Est BL) averaging 11.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 80.2%. He split his rookie season with Frederick Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 15.2ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 49.2%, 3FGP: 24.6%, FT: 73.0%, in Mar.’24 moved to Kordall Steelers Rodange (Luxembourg-LBBL) averaging 20.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 75.0%. He began his basketball career at Liberty high school and then played 2 seasons at the University of California Riverside (NCAA) averaging 6.1ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 50.8% and 2.8ppg, 3.0rpg. He then moved to Longwood College (NCAA) playing 3 seasons and 94 NCAA games averaging 5.7ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 57.1%, 7.7ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 56.1%, FT: 80.7% and 7.5ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 78.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Zac for talking to germanhoops.com. After stops in Cyprus, Luxemburg and Latvia, your now playing in Germany. Would you call yourself a young basketball globetrotter?

Nice to talk with you Miles! And yeah I guess you could say that. I’ll be playing in my 4th country in 3 years, and being a globetrotter hasn’t necessarily been my goal but I’ve enjoyed it.

It seems like you are having to pay your dues overseas. What has personally been your biggest challenge with mastering everything overseas on a daily basis?

I would say the biggest thing has been playing with consistency. I’m showing that I can play with anyone, but the great players always play consistently. There is less room to be able to just write games off as ‘eh, just a bad game.’

Your playing your first pro season in Germany with the RheinStars Cologne. Have you had any former teammates or opponents play in Germany over the years?

I have a former teammate that will also be playing in German ProA this year actually, Miles Tention. I’m sure there will be other guys playing in Germany I have crossed paths with before that I just don’t know about yet.

What was most appealing to you with this organization? They have a very rich history.

It was really a combination of things that drew me to the RheinStars. The team is on an upswing in the last couple years, obviously with the promotion back up to Pro A for this season. Talking with coach Stephan also gave me great confidence in the decision but overall it’s a historic team in a historic city and I’m excited to take advantage of the opportunity.

How did the talks go with Stephan Baack? Did you know that he is a German basketball legend?

Yeah like I mentioned, speaking with Coach Stephan was a big factor in helping me choose to play for RheinStars. He’s very easy to talk to, honest, and knowledgeable. I didn’t know he’s a legend though. I’ll have to ask him about that.

What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

He’s very in tune with how the game is going, in the sense of playing with pace, attacking early, and putting players in multiple positions. I will obviously know more when I get involved with the team, but I can tell that coach has a great basketball mind.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

Aaron Gordon, Rui Hachimura are guys I see myself playing like. Originally guys that were athletic forwards but have continued to improve their shots and playmaking.

You’re a physical and athletic player that gives his team many things. Talk about your biggest strengths on offense?

I’d say my biggest strength offensively is my versatility, being able to fit quickly into different schemes and make the right reads. Shooting and attacking in transition are coming as well.

Your three pointer still seems to be a work in progress. How have you seen the development of your three pointer overseas? What is your biggest goal in Germany with your three pointer?

Yeah it’s encouraging to see the improvements happening from year to year. First it was being comfortable taking them, then hitting open ones consistently, and now hitting more difficult shots or over a contest if necessary. I want to shoot 40% from 3 again this year and be a real threat.

You also have a very good defensive game and can block shots well for your size. What kind of a defender would you call yourself now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I feel like I anticipate the game very well. That helps me stay in position and be a solid defender. I also take on the challenge in defending guards on switches in the half court. Being able to guard multiple positions is huge.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so that you can continue to improve your game?

I’m focused on my ball handling much more now. Making multiple moves and playing against pressure specifically. That and shooting on the move.

Last season you played with BK Ventspils (Latvia-LBL) averaging 6.7ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 75.9%; and in the Lat-Est BL averaged 11.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 80.2%. What was it like playing for one of Latvian’s best known basketball organizations? What was your fondest moment there?

I really loved my time in Ventspils. I learned and grew a lot as a player with coach Fogels, and they’re a great organization to play for. My proudest moment has to be sweeping Zelli to get to the LBL finals. But even day to day I loved working with the guys on the team and I enjoyed the little things like the road trips and just hanging out.

During the season you played an incredible 9 times against VEF Riga. How crazy was that? I’m sure at the end you knew every move by Cleary and Lawrence.

Yeah that was my first time experiencing something like that. I always wondered what it was like for NBA guys to get to Game 7’s in a playoff situation. But yeah you get to know the other team really well and like I spoke about before that’s where being consistent is the most important because you’re not catching anyone by surprise.

You split your rookie season with Frederick Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 15.2ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.3apg, 2FGP: 49.2%, 3FGP: 24.6%, FT: 73.0%, in Mar.’24 moved to Kordall Steelers Rodange (Luxembourg-LBBL) averaging 20.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 75.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

I don’t know if there was a specific time where I had that realization, but a handful of little moments. Just kind of a small feeling of being alone. The days of grinding overseas can add up just like any job, but being away from friends and family has an added weight.

How vital was this season in your career? You had come from the NCAA as a guy that never averaged more than 7,0ppg and then bang in 2 countries was a main scoring guy. What did you learn from this season?

My rookie season was huge for me. It was a struggle but it was very necessary. I had to put in long hours to make that transition to a wing more so than an undersized big. Having the ball in my hands was crucial for that to happen.

You played at the University Of Riverside (NCAA) from 2018-2020 averaging 6.1ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 50.8% and 2.8ppg, 3.0rpg. Your minutes dipped from 18 to 12 in your last season. What positives could you get from this experience and how did your game develop there?

It was a wake up call that basically just showed me I needed to work harder. That’s really it. I needed to find another opportunity, but also work harder and get better.

In your freshman season you scored 25 points in a blow out win against Bethesda. What memories do you have of that game?

I don’t remember that much about that game to be honest. I do remember hitting a few 3’s which back then was out of character lol. But it kind of felt good to see it’s at least possible to score like that with time.

You then finished and played 3 years at Longwood College (NCAA) averaging 5.7ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 57.1%, 7.7ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 56.1%, FT: 80.7% and 7.5ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 78.7%. How important were these 3 years for you? Was it one of your best basketball decisions?

I would make the decision to play at Longwood 10/10 times again. Statistically they were all very similar years but I progressed a lot mentally at Longwood.

You won the Big South title in 2022. What memories do you have of beating Winthrop and then playing at March Madness against Tennessee?

I remember getting to the championship game and being so confident in us winning I had no worries going into the game. We put so much work in that year it was only right. Then playing Tennessee, okay, we lost by a lot but only so many people can say they played in a March Madness game. The experience was worth it.

How did Griff Aldrich prepare you best for a pro career?

The most valuable teaching I got from coach Griff was how to approach practices. You need to practice in October thinking about March, or in a pro season, April or May when playoffs start. He was always adamant about noticing complacency and addressing it. He taught me how to really be aware of my habits and my daily mindset.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Michael Christmas?

We actually never played 1 on 1 games like that. For a lot of the time we were at Longwood together he was hurt. But today, it could go either way.

Who is the toughest player that you ever battled that reached the NBA?

A few guys from Dallas I played against growing up are in the NBA now. Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Maxey. Good guys. Another guy is Mason Jones who is with Sacramento right now.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

It’s impossible to pick just 5. But I’ll say Leslie Nkereuwem, Jordan Perkins, Nate Lliteras, Dragan Elkaz, and Isaiah Wilkins

Please list your personal NBA, German and Serbian Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?

Personal: LeBron, MJ, Curry, and Shaq

German: Dirk, Schroder, Hartenstein has been good lately, and the Wagner brothers I guess. I don’t know too many German players off the top of my head.

Serbia: Jokic, Peja Stojakovic, Bogdanovic, and Vlade Divac

Who is your Goat?

LeBron easily

Did you see the sequel to the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I’ve never seen the sequel so I can’t really speak on it honestly lol

Thanks Zac for the chat.

Pic Credit: Jan Pawliczek

2025 Was a very exciting time for young German players with the influx to the NCAA. So many took the trek across the Atlantic with heavy prospects like Ivan Kharchenkov, Hannes Steinbach, Declan Duru and Johan Grunloh to just name a few. The last months remained very exciting as many have taken the NCAA by storm winning and putting up great numbers. However not every talented German took this step as some have stayed in Germany to use other options and advantages. One of those guys is talented guard Jonathan Zeisberger who took the jump from IBAM to Pro B team TSV Oberaching Tropics. The Pro B is a different route than the NCAA, but still a respectable one where guys can get good minutes and prepare themselves for higher leagues playing against men. The young German has exploded this season putting up astronomical scoring numbers. He is displaying that he had no problems taking that next step form the youth league NBBL to the Pro B. Whereas other German guys are taking the NCAA by storm, he is doing very well in the Pro B and knows that there will be fruitful opportunities down the road. I want to keep improving, and for the future, I‘m keeping all options open. The NCAA and college basketball are definitely an option, but playing in Pro A or BBL would also be really exciting”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger (185-PG-2006) He recently got a double license to play with Pro A team Bayreuth as he continues to climb the basketball ladder.

The scoring guard who lists Ivan Kharchenkov as his toughest opponent so far in his career was born on September 30th, 2006 in Germany. As is so often the case when your young, soccer was his first option as a kid and not basketball. He played on a soccer team with his friends, but soon basketball did follow when he was 8 years old. His mother played professionally and introduced him to the sport. His older brothers also played and basketball soon became a sport that he adored. His earliest basketball inspiration was his family, but he also had one special player that really motivated him. “The player who inspired me the most was James Harden. I loved his creativity, his scoring ability, and the way he controlled the game”, said Jonathan Zeisberger He began his basketball career at TSV Olching where his mom was also a coach. He then joined IBAM where he would develop his game a lot the last years. The most famous players to ball at Ibam where the Da Silva brothers Oscar and Tristan who reached the Euroleague and NBA. “Playing at IBAM was really awesome, definitely a great experience. I had really great coaches like Darryl Siegel, Georg Eichler and Danilo Barthel who guided me and helped me develop my game. Tristan and Oscar Da Silva weren‘t really role models for me because they played different positions than I do. Of course, I have followed their path and they made great moves in their careers, but I mainly looked up to Joshua Obiesie”, stated Jonathan Zeisberger

Pic credit: Jan Pawliczek

The big German talent who lists Philipp Bode, Matija Milosevic, Nedzad MuratovicPeter Zeis, and Frederik Müller as his 5 best teammates of all-time is a player who saw the big name FC Bayern Munich as surely tempting to play for, but it simply never happened. “FC Bayern was the big rival, of course, but I never thought about playing for them. There was a contact, and at times it wasn’t easy with IBAM and the coaches, but I‘m really happy I stayed with my team and stayed loyal to IBAM”, smiled Jonathan Zeisberger He made big strides in the last 2 years averaging 29 minutes and averaging 13ppg and 18ppg as his game developed very nicely. “I would say my game improved a lot. Getting a lot of minutes in the NBBL at IBAM helped me build confidence, and I always had my own team around to support me. I also spent many hours in the gym over the past two years to get better”, said Jonathan Zeisberger Of course he will never forget his special and challenging battles against Munich in the NBBL and even beat them 89-85 in his first try. “Beating Bayern was an amazing feeling. After long preparation time for the new season you want to know where you are as an individual and the team. That was a great start”, added Jonathan Zeisberger He then did the trick beating them again as they had Marco Volf and Dominik Dolic and had a stronger roster. He had more of a role in the win. “Our team was also stronger, the plays worked better and for me as the playmaker the systems were better to handle. I celebrate my own points, but there is nothing better than well studied and executed plays with the team. Winning against them again, with Marco Volf and Dominik Dolic on a stronger roster, was amazing. I played a bigger role in the team this time, so it felt really good to help make that win happen”, smiled Jonathan Zeisberger In the playoffs Ibam was swept by FC Bayern Munich and this was the first time in the NBBL that he battled Ivan Kharchenkov. He had 24 and 35 points and Zeisberger had 18 and 22 points. They were the 2 best players on the court. “Playing against Ivan Kharchenkov is really cool because he‘s such a great player. I‘ve actually known him for a long time – we played against each other back in U12, when he was at Landsberg and I was at Olching, and we also often faced each other in the school team games. But I don‘t try to copy his game or measure myself against him; I just focus on playing my own game”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger Last season in the NBBL he lost to Ulm in the playoffs. Ibam always had good teams the last 2 years but couldn´t get to the Top 4. What was missing from making that next step? “We faced a few injuries during the end of the season, and Bayern and Ulm were some of the best teams, so they were really tough to beat. That made it challenging for us to reach the top four”, remembered Jonathan Zeisberger He also played for Regionalliga 1 team MTV Schwabing. This was also something that was vital in his development being able to play with men instead of only boys. “Playing for MTSV Schwabing in Regionalliga 1 was a really valuable experience because I got to play against older and more experienced teams. It helped me develop my game, face tougher competition, and learn a lot from my teammates and coaches”, expressed Jonathan Zeisberger Even if he never reached the NBBL Top 4, his time there was one that he ´ll never forget. “ My fondest moment with IBAM was definitely the NBA showcase tournament in Senegal. That experience was amazing – the competition, the atmosphere and being there with my teammates made it truly unforgettable”, said Jonathan Zeisberger

The German who lists Stephen Curry, James Harden, Lebron James and Nikola Jokic on his NBA Mount Rushmore and Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, Dirk Nowitzki and Isaac Bonga on his German Mount Rushmore found a new challenge this season as he is playing for Pro B team TSV Tropics Oberaching. Was it a tough decision coming to Oberaching? “This decision wasn’t as easy as it looks like now. I was talking to a couple of other great teams about minutes and being their supportive point guard. It also involved the decision to leave home for a uncertain game plan. In the end I choose Oberhaching because playing time is the most important thing for me. I didn‘t want to sit on the bench – I want to play. I had a really good conversations with Mario Matic and everything just felt right”, said Jonathan Zeisberger The club is grinding hard battling for a playoff place despite having lost key veterans Omari Knox and Janosch Koegler. “Of course, it‘s unfortunate that Omari Knox isn‘t playing with us anymore, but Koegler is back in the roster. The strong team chemistry is definitely one big reason why we‘re doing so well. We focus on playing easy basketball, and we mostly play with the same group of players with very little rotation”, commented Jonathan Zeisberger He needed no adjustment period to the Pro B as he is currently has 24/2/5/1 stats. His impressive play sure makes his decision to join the Tropics brilliant. “Joining Oberhaching was the best decision. I‘ve never had so much fun playing basketball, and everyone there is really, really cool. I have the best teammates around me. Even so it’s not a big team, I can develop and strengthen my game with them. I have taken my confidence over to the new season in Pro B, because I was used to the same role at IBAM. At Oberhaching, I immediately got the trust of Mario Matic, and I‘m very grateful for that. I basically have the same role as I had before, and I love to guide the team and take responsibility in tight situations”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger I also don´t remember seeing a German guard dominate the Pro B as much as he has as he has had 8 games with 30 or more point games including 34 points against Coburg and Speyer. It seems like I checking the box scores every weekend to see if he scored 30 + points again. He is also averaging the most assists in his career. Did he always know that he had that playmaker in him? “I‘ve always known that I have good court vision and can play good passes. Now at Oberhaching, I just have the teammates who can really score with these assists, which makes a big difference”, stated Jonathan Zeisberger He also has been blessed to have the ultimate freedom from head coach Mario Matic to allow him to perform the way he has. “Mario Matic is definitely one big factor in why I‘m playing so well right now. He gives me a lot of trust, and that really helps me perform on the court”, said Jonathan Zeisberger

pic credit: Jan Pawliczek

The 19 year old 185cm guard who lists Lebron James as his GOAT is a player that has garnered quite a lot of comparisons to Euroleague players like Shane Larkin who has left the tongue of Mario Matic on occasion. “It‘s actually true, because Shane Larkin is also one of my favorite players, and I think our games are quite similar. I also really like Mike James and Matthew Strazel and the way the play. In the end I want to develop my own style and my own game to take speed and execution to the next level”, said Jonathan Zeisberger He loves basketball and received a special nickname with the Tropics with the refrigerator. “It‘s really funny. I got the nickname refrigerator at Oberhaching because the only thing I do is basketball. I train in the morning and the evening and between the sessions they see me in the refrigerator to wait for the next session. Philipp Bode called me that because all I do is train and wait for the next session”, laughed Jonathan Zeisberger When looking at his explosive stats, one sees him first as that great offensive player. His biggest strengths are attacking the basket, his mid-range shot, and finding passes to his teammates, but he also has demonstrated zeal and skills as a defensive player. “ I think my defense is actually good. I can stay in front of my man and make it hard for him to score, but in the future, I want to become an even better defender”, warned Jonathan Zeisberger He knows that in order to make that next step as a player, he will have to continue to grind in the gym. “Right now, I‘m focusing a lot on my shooting to make it even more consistent. I want to become quicker in the decision making process with the ball, take shots more easily, fake plays and make it harder to defend me”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger It will be interesting to see where his journey will go next season. I personally would like to see him remain in Germany. Germany simply needs some really good German players stay at home. Enough German prospects have developed great here and continued to go their ways. Jonathan Zeisberger will definitely go down the right path no matter what he picks.

pic credit: Jakob Berger

Declan Duru (203-F-2007) is a 19 year old 0cm forward that is playing his first season at the University of Texas (NCAA). He played the last years in the Real Madrid organization. He won the Gold medals at the U-16 and U-18 European championships and a silver at the U-19 World Cup. He spoke last summer to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Declan for talking with germanhoops.com. You played with the Real Madrid organization the last years. How enriching of an experience was this? What will you never forget about this experience?

Playing with the Real Madrid organization over the last few years has been an incredible experience. One of the things I’ll never forget is getting the opportunity to train with the first team. Being around such high-level players every day challenged me to raise my game and learn from the best. The professionalism, intensity, and attention to detail in those sessions were on another level. It taught me what it takes to compete at the highest stage and helped me grow both on and off the court. That experience really shaped my work ethic and my mindset moving forward.

Last season you played 1 ACB game and 1 Euroleague game. The competition must be incredibly difficult. You played for Jesus Mateo and other coaches in the youth sector and EBA. Was there a coach that had a big impact on you?

Coach Javier Juarez in the youth sector really helped me develop confidence and versatility. He believed in my potential early.

You practiced a lot with great players like Hezonja, Garuba and Guerschon at your position. Which player had the biggest impact on you last season?

Training with players like Mario Hezonja and Usman Garuba last season was a fantastic experience. Mario, in particular, had the biggest impact on me. He helped me a lot on the court, teaching me valuable skills and how to stay confident under pressure. In return, I helped him improve his German, which was already pretty good but got even better over time. Beyond that, we became very good friends, and that mutual support made the whole experience even more meaningful.

How has your game grown in the last 3 years playing in the Real Madrid organization?

It’s grown a lot. I learned to think the game on a higher level. The pace, physicality, and professionalism at Madrid changed the way I approach every training.

You won ANGT in 2024 and was teammates with Hugo Gonzalez. How special of a player was he? I think he could be big steal for Boston Celtics in 2025 NBA Draft.

Winning the ANGT in 2024 was an unforgettable experience, and playing alongside Hugo Gonzalez made it even more special. Hugo is an incredibly talented player — he has great skill, basketball IQ, and the kind of competitiveness that lifts the whole team. I agree, he definitely has the potential to be a big steal for the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA Draft. His work ethic and ability to perform in big moments really set him apart, and I’m excited to see where his career goes.

You will play at the University of Texas. You are going the route of so many young players. Why did you choose Texas?

Choosing the University of Texas was a decision that felt right for me both on and off the court. Texas has a great basketball program with a strong tradition and an exciting coaching staff that really believes in developing players. Beyond that, the culture and environment felt like a place where I could grow not just as a player but also as a person. I’m excited to be part of a team that competes at a high level and to take my game to the next stage while getting a good education. Following the path of other young players who have thrived there was definitely inspiring.

Texas is the same school as Kevin Durant went to? Do you see yourself playing more years there or taking this more as a chance to help your NBA draft chances?

Yeah, Texas is the same school Kevin Durant played at, which definitely adds something special. Knowing that someone like him came through that program and went on to have such an incredible career is really inspiring. For me, going to Texas is about both I want to help the team win and grow as a player, but I also see it as an important step toward reaching the NBA.

Right now, my focus is just on getting better every day, adapting to the college game, and contributing in any way I can. Whether I stay for one year or more depends on my development and what makes the most sense when the time comes. I’m just taking it step by step, but I know Texas is the right place to prepare me for that next level.

Who is the toughest player that you have battled so far in your career that reached the NBA?

I’ve faced some really talented players who’ve made it to the NBA, but three that stand out are Egor Demin, Tristan da Silva, and Hugo Gonzalez. Each one challenged me in a different way. Hugo Gonzalez was probably the most intense to go up against. We were teammates at Real Madrid, so we battled a lot in practice. He’s super athletic, physical, and plays with a lot of energy. Every possession felt like a real game he pushed me every day to bring my best. Demin is incredibly skilled for his size. He’s so smooth with the ball, sees the floor really well, and can hurt you in a lot of ways scoring, passing, defending. You always had to be locked in when playing against him because he can shift the game so quickly. Tristan da Silva is a bit older, but I’ve had chances to learn from watching and working around him. He’s super versatile, he plays smart, doesn’t force things, and just knows how to take advantage of mismatches. You see how mature and efficient his game is, and it really shows what it takes to succeed at the next level. Competing with and learning from players like them has helped me a lot in my own development mentally and physically.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

That’s a tough question because I’ve had the chance to play with a lot of great teammates, but if I had to pick my top five, I’d go with:

Hugo Gonzalez – We were teammates at Real Madrid and won the ANGT together. He’s a fierce competitor, super athletic, and brings intensity every time he steps on the court. We had a strong connection both in games and in practice.

Ivan Kharchenkov – We’ve been playing together since I was about 10 or 11. He’s one of my closest friends and someone who’s pushed me since day one. Playing alongside him in the German youth system really shaped who I am as a player.

Egor Demin – Egor is such a high-IQ player. His size and skill make him so unique, and he has that calmness on the court that lifts the whole team. Being his teammate at Real Madrid helped me see the game in a different way.

Mario Hezonja – Training with Mario was a big moment in my development. He taught me a lot, especially about staying confident and sharp under pressure. We became good friends too, which made learning from him even more meaningful.

Facundo Campazzo – Even though we didn’t play the same position, being around Campazzo and seeing how he controls the game, leads a team, and competes with so much heart — that left a real impression on me. He’s a true leader and a great teammate.

Each of them brought something special, and I learned so much from being around players of that level. It definitely helped shape my mentality and game.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My personal NBA Mount Rushmore would be:

LeBron James – His all-around game, longevity, and ability to impact every aspect of the game is unmatched. He’s one of the greatest leaders and competitors we’ve seen.

Michael Jordan – The ultimate competitor. Six rings, never lost in the Finals, and he changed the mindset of what it means to be great. Every player today still feels his influence.

Kobe Bryant – His mentality had a huge impact on me. The ‘Mamba Mentality’ isn’t just about basketball it’s about how you approach everything in life. His work ethic and mindset are something I try to carry with me.

Dirk Nowitzki – As a German player, I have to include Dirk. He opened the door for so many of us. What he did for German basketball and the NBA as a big man who could shoot and lead a team to a title is legendary. He’s a true role model.

That mix of mentality, leadership, and impact on the game both globally and personally is why they’re on my Mount Rushmore.

Who is your Goat?

For me, the GOAT is LeBron James. What sets him apart isn’t just the stats or the titles it’s his consistency over two decades, his ability to adapt and stay at the top, and the way he impacts every part of the game. He can score, pass, defend, lead whatever the team needs.

And beyond the court, he’s built a legacy with how he carries himself, supports his teammates, and gives back to the community. That combination of greatness, longevity, and leadership is what makes him the greatest in my eyes.

Thanks Declan for the chat

Brian Dawson (188-G-1999, college: Regis Univ., agency: Origins Sports Group) is a 26 year old 188cm guard that was born in Los Angeles, Calirfornia and grew up in El Segundo and is playing his fourth pro season and third in Germany and first with BG Hessing Leitershofen averaging 15/3/5/1. Last season he played with the ETB Miners Essen (Germany-ProB) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.6apg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 77.4%. In the 2023-2024 season he played with the NEW Elephants Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 21.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 59.9%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 77.9%. He split his rookie season with Tbilisi State University (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 5.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 29.4%, in Jan.’23 moved to BC Titebi (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 10.4ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 72.4%. He began his basketball career at Vistamar high school where he became the all-time leading scorer. He then played 5 seasons with Regis University (NCAA 2). He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Brian for talking to germanhoops.com. In the 2023-2024 season you balled with the NEW Elephants Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 21.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.2apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 59.9%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 77.9%. How important was this season for your basketball development after a tough rookie season in Georgia?

It was a good opportunity for me to be able to showcase my skills more and show people just how dynamic I can be at the guard spot

You had many great games in the German Regionalliga that season. What was your fondest moment on the court with Grevenbroich?

The best moment of that season I would say was when I scored my season high 37points against Bonn. I remember feeling really good that night that was a really big revenge game for us since we loss at their place

You split your rookie season with Tbilisi State University (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 5.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3FGP: 29.4%, in Jan.’23 moved to BC Titebi (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 10.4ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 72.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

As soon as I got off the plane and drove straight to practice lol. That was my first experience outside of the US and I knew right away that I was in a very different place and long way from home

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 188cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would bets fit the description?

I would say I try to model my game after CJ McCollum. I like how he moves smoothly and effortlessly and also his 3 level scoring ability.

You’re a guy that can fill the stat sheet without problems. What other strengths besides being able to score belong to your strengths?

I would say I’m very crafty, can pass the ball well and make pick-roll reads and also my quick change of pace as a ball handler.

The highest that you ever shot from outside since the NCAA 2 was 36% as a freshman. Do you feel like you will ever reach the 40% plateau from outside?

Of course

How would you describe yourself as a defender now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I would say I’ve a very good on-ball defender, I think I could be a little bit better off the ball and defending inside the paint.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to keep improving your game?

I’m working my 3pt shooting both off the dribble and catch-n-shoot as well as my footwork inside the paint, being more patient and creative in there.

You played at Regis University (NCAA2) from 2017-2022. You made big strides in your game in your last 2 seasons. How did your game grow in those years?

I really just focused on my craft and stayed in the gym. I also began making changes to my diet and keeping my body strong. I had the ball in my hands a lot more too so that naturally made me more confident scorer and allowed me to get reps in different situations

You won the RMAC title as a freshman. What memories do you have of that title game?

That season was so much fun, we had so much talent on that team and had an incredible bond both on and off the court. The title game was special because it was on the road in the opponent’s home gym in front of their fans and I made a couple big plays in the second half that helped us secure the win so it felt really good to contribute in the championship game like that especially as a freshman.

You had many great games at Regis but what was your fondest moment on the court?

My fondest memory would have to be that championship game my freshman year. That’s the biggest championship I’ve won in my career up until this point and that was such a great team to be a part of.

You lost your last NCAA 2 game against BHSU despite scoring 32 points. How tough was going out like that? Did you ever rewatch the end again?

That was a really tough game. We were so close and I really felt like we played well enough to beat them that day and felt like we just got unlucky at the end. I’ve actually rewatched the game plenty of times just thinking about what would’ve been an incredible end to a special season as well.

How did head coach Brady Bergeson groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

He just instilled a lot of good morals and principles about being a good human being off the court that were very valuable and also can be applied to the basketball court, those were the things I remember the most that I carried with me as I became a pro.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Christian Little?

It would be a good battle but me for sure

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

I’ve actually never played against anyone that has made it to the NBA

Please name your 5 best teammates of all time?

Robert Vercellino – Regis Johnathon Coles – NEW Elephants Grevenbroich Nick Snyder – Vistamar Eddy Egun – Regis Christian Little – Regis

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of present or current heads?

Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Lebron James Steph Curry Jokic

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I have never seen the movie but I hear it is a classic and I also really like Eddy Murphy as an actor.

Thanks Brian for the chat.