Brian Dawson (188-G-1999, college: Regis Univ.) is a 26 year old 188cm guard that was born in Los Angeles, Calirfornia and grew up in El Segundo is playing his fourth pro season and third in Germany and first with BG Hessing Leitershofen currently averaging 12,5ppg, 2,5rpg, 4,2apg and 1,3spg. 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 the 2024-2025 season.
Thanks Brian for talking to germanhoops.com. You played your second pro season with the ETB Miners Essen (Germany-ProB). Congrats on a great team season. The season ended in the semi-finals against Wolmirstedt. Did the team exceed all expectations this season? I wouldn’t say we exceeded expectations. I think the expectations all year was to finish in the top 4-5 of the league and position ourselves to make a playoff run. Obviously that didn’t happen and we barely made it at the end but we knew we had the talent to be a good playoff team.
The team slipped into the playoffs and lost 7 of the last 9 games. One can´t say that the team went into the playoffs with momentum. How do you explain the sweep of top Pro B south team Leitershofen? I think once we found out we were in the playoffs, we mostly viewed it as a breath of fresh air and chance for us to prove everyone wrong after counting us out and not expecting us to do anything in the playoffs
The great playoff run continued against the Sixers. Essen lost game 1, but rebounded winning 2 tight games and advancing. Was this the highlight of the season? I would definitely say that was the brightest moment of the season for the team. Coming off the momentum of beating Leitershofen already, and then pulling off another upset in an elimination game where no one expected us to win. That was a lot of fun.
How amazing was that game 3 win? The club came together and won it without you?
The game 3 win was special because it was on the road and it was close match the whole way through but we came together at the right time when it mattered the most
Essen fought back and won gam2, but lost game 3 103-71. Was Wolmirstedt´s depth too much for Essen?
Wolmirstedt was a very tough team. They didn’t have many weaknesses. They were coached really well and offensively they had a lot of depth
It was a great season for Essen. What did you personally learn from the season? I learned that anything can happen in the playoffs and that it’s all about getting hot at the right time
What was your personal favorite game of the season?
My favorite game of the season would have to be the game 3 win against the Sixers. It was a really hard fought game and the guys did what they had to do to keep the season alive
You averaged 15/4/4/1 stats. How content were you with your season? I thought my stats were solid. I would’ve liked to get my FT% up higher. Gotta make free points
You had had a great Regionalliga season the season before. How do you feel did your game grow further in the Pro B this season? I felt like I become a more balanced point guard playing in ProB and learned when and how to utilize my ability to score and assist
What is the next step for you? Do you feel like you can make the next step to the Pro A or will you return to the pro B or go to another country? I think another season in ProB will be good for me to showcase what I can really do as a player and to also make it to the finals
Let´s talk about your teammates. How much of a thrill was it playing together with Isaiah Sanders? What did you enjoy most about his game Playing with Isaiah was fun. He’s a great competitor who always brings energy to the team. Of course his shooting ability is next level which always help make my job easier as a point guard
Where would the season have gone without big Dzemal Selimovic? How reliable of a big man was he in the season? Dermal was huge for us. It’s hard to find a big man in the league that can match his offensive skill along with his defensive instincts. He made had some really key moments for us throughout the season that helped our sucess
How important was role player Niclas Sperber for the team? What will you always remember about his game? He’s very dynamic at that size. He can shoot, he can play in the post. He’s a very underrated defender and is always there to keep the group positive which goes a long way on a team
Who do you feel was the most improved player on the team in 2024-2025? The most improved player on the team had to be Ben. He didn’t get the minutes he wanted throughout the season at some points but he stepped up big time for us in the playoffs and it was hard not having him out there on the floor
How did you see the development of head coach Lars Wendt. How vital was he for the success?
Lars was a great team lead for us. He allowed us to play freely and be ourselves out there on the court which gave a lot of guys confidence.
You have signed with BG Lessing Leitershofen for the 2025-2026 season. Why did you chose this organization? They offer a really good situation and they really want to win now and move up and I think I can help them reach that goal.
How did the talks go with Emanuel Richter? What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy? I like his style of aggression at both ends of the court. I think that he can help me become more of a lead guard
If one had to chose what has stood out most in the dog days of summer with the EPG Baskets, one could choose 2 things, but most likely stick with the unique Dragons Rhondorf connection for the 2025-2026. The other thing was how well the organization brought in new pieces for the club especially at the German spots. Bringing in veteran bigs Marko Bacak and Alexander Moeller was enriching as well as young talented Badu Buck. The signing of 23 year old Serbian Aleksa Kovacevic who has 5 years of easyCredit BBL experience was a masterpiece. One has to simply commend the off season work of head coach Stephan Dohrn and team manager Thomas Klein. But what really stood was the Dragons Rhondorf connection. Head coach Stephan Dohrn had a new challenge after helping the Dragons win the 2024 Pro B title and found enough room in his baggage for his assistant coaches KJ Sherril and Kai Schallenberg to join the ride. However the movement down the Rhein to Koblenz didn´t end there as coach also hauled in 2024 Pro B champion Badu Buck and Tim Smith Jr. (201-F-2000, college: N.Alabama) who played his rookie season last year with the Dragons Rhondorf. Smith Jr had a potent rookie season averaging 17.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 82.5% and was a Eurobasket.com All-German ProB Group South Second Team and has the perfect coach with Stephan Dohrn to help him make the next step in the Pro A.
It is no secret that players overseas are always seeking to move up leagues. It is the survival of the basketball fittest. Especially Americans in the Pro B have demonstrated that since years. A good example was Devon Goodman who broke out with the Dragons Rhondorf just a few years ago and made the next step to Crailsheim or William Christmas who actually made as far as the easyCredit BBL. It was no surprise that Ohio native Smith Jr would want to go this route and absolutely no surprise that he would get gobbled up by a Pro A team. “Making this move is incredibly exciting. Playing in the Pro A is a big step forward in my career and I´m grateful for the opportunity to compete in a higher league”, stressed Tim Smith Jr.. It is obvious that Stephan Dohrn played a massive role in his decision to join the EPG Baskets, but there were also other reasons. I mean it´s no secret that the organization wants to compete in the easyCredit BBL. “The club´s ambition really stood out to me. They have a clear vision to reach the BBL and I want to be part of a team that’s striving for something bigger”, warned Tim Smith Jr..
It is also no secret that Tim Smith Jr. who compares his game to Boston Celtic Jayson Tatum had a lot of success under Stephan Dohrn even if they only worked together for about 5 months before coaches dismissal. Who wouldn´t want to work with a coach again after having a big role in his rookie development. It must have been a no brainer for him to be reunited again with Dohrn. “It played a huge role. I trust in coach Stephan and I know he believes in my development. That trust and Familarity made the decision easy”, commented Tim Smith Jr.. Working with coach Dohrn wasn´t only fruitful for his development, but he made learning fun. “Working with coach was very enjoyable. He brings great energy and creates an environment where players can grow and be challenged”, stated Tim Smith Jr.. It isn´t always easy for Americans come overseas and be an impact right away, but he had no problems adjusting to everything on and off the court and having a great coach like Dohrn made it easier to develop as well. “Coach Dohrn was extremely important in my rookie development. The most important thing that I learned from him was how to stay mentally locked in and approach the game with a professional mindset”, remembered Tim Smith Jr.. Smith Jr has the game and perfect coach, but the question still is can he make the adjustment to the Pro A and can he be an impact player? Smith Jr is a hard worker and is prepared diligently at home for his second pro season. “I´m confident that I can make the adjustment. Last summer I worked on my body, refining my skills and studying film so I´m fully prepared for the next level”, added Tim Smith Jr.. One big adjustment he will have to make, is that his role probably won´t be as big as with the Dragons Rhondorf. His minutes will most likely be down a bit and he will be surrounded by more guys that can explode on any given night in the scoring role. So exactly what type of player will we see in the Pro A? “You´ll see a player who´s locked in, focused and ready to impact the game however I can whether it´s through defense, energy or making smart plays in limited minutes”, warned Tim Smith Jr.. So far he hasn´t disappointed as through 8 games, he is averaging 13,5ppg, 4,4rpg and 1,0apg while shooting a potent 41,0% from outside. After putting up the big goose egg against BG Goettingen in game 1, he has scored in double figures in the last 7 games. He definitely has arrived in the Pro A. It will be interesting to see not only where the journey will go with the always ambitious EPG Baskets, but how well Tim Smith Jr. continues to develop. The formula of Dohrn and Smith Jr is a special one that wants to continue to grow and prosper in the Pro A.
Andrew Funk (196-G-1999, college: Penn State) is a 26 year old 196cm guard from Warminster, Pennsylvania playing his third professional season and first overseas with the Antwerpen Giants(Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He played his first 2 pro seasons in the States in the G-League with Grand Rapids and Windy City and also played 5 NBA games with the Chicago Bulls. He began his basketball career at Archbishop Wood High School and then played at Bucknell University (NCAA) from 2018-2022 playing a total of 109 games. He then added an extra year at the The Pennsylvania State University (NCAA) averaging 12.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 86.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Rostock SeaWolves.
Thanks Andrew for talking to germanhoops.com. After playing your first 2 pro seasons in the States, you are now playing overseas for the first time with the Antwerpen Giants(Belgium-Pro Basketball League). Some guys will stay 1-2 years longer battling for the NBA dream. Did something occur at the last NBA Summer League where you were convinced it was time to go overseas?
I felt like after my second year was a good time to start looking for opportunities overseas, and really appreciated the journey I had to that point. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was anything that stemmed from my experience at NBA Summer League this past year, but more so the next step for me to make in my career if I could find a good situation abroad. My agent and I had conversations since the conclusion of my season in the G League last year, and agreed that this year would be a good time to make that jump to Europe.
What kind of an experience has it been living and playing for a Belgium pro basketball team? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?
It has been great to be in Antwerp so far and I have really enjoyed my first couple of months here. The club and all its supporters have been very welcoming and very fun to be around, and I really appreciate the way they made the transition for me coming from the United States much easier. It was a bit difficult when I first got here just adjusting to life in Europe after having been in the United States my whole life and being away from family and friends, but I feel very settled in now. It’s been cool to live in a new city and get to learn and participate in a new culture, and explore some parts of the world I would have never thought I would get the chance to.
What was your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home? I would say just the time difference and sometimes the challenges it presents when keeping in touch with my people back home. I have had a couple times where I go to call my parents or other family members after dinner here and didn’t realize that they were still at work or busy with their days, and it’s just been an adjustment in that aspect.
The Antwerp Giants(Belgium-Pro Basketball League) have 3 other really talented American guards. What exactly is your role on the team?
Our team has a lot of talented players, and specifically our guards all have unique skillsets that allow us to play off of each other and flourish using our individual strengths. Personally, I’ve had the opportunity to play more off the ball and serve as someone who spaces the floor with my shooting ability, while also being a threat using off-ball screens, staggers, etc. At our best, our offense presents a lot of chances to play off of closeouts or advantages created by others, and I think I fit into that type of style very well. My shooting is my biggest strength, so just being able to use that to make life easier on other guys and make shots when the opportunity is there has been my biggest focus.
You have had a solid start in the BNXT and BCL. Coming from stateside what was the toughest adjustment for you on the court? The game is very physical and also tactical. It’s an adjustment getting used to the way the game flows, what fouls are called, what physicality can and cannot be used, while also keeping focus on our gameplan and how we want to attack the opposing team. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of learning new concepts and strategies on both offense and defense and hope to keep getting better as the year goes on.
The Euro game overtime should really fit your style. You demonstrated in the NCAA and G-League to be a versatile player. How big of a staple has versatility been in your game?
I definitely try to hang my hat on being able to produce in multiple ways when I’m on the floor. To this point in my career, I think most people would see that my shooting is likely my biggest asset, but that strength also opens up a lot of other areas of my game. I feel comfortable being able to put the ball on the floor and make plays, whether that is scoring or finding a teammate, and having that ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game can really help the team.
You played your rookie season with the Grand Rapids Gold (NBA G League) averaging 14.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 76.0%, and with the Windy City Bulls (NBA G League) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 66.7% and 5 NBA games. What do you remember being your wake up call to being in the NBA? I think the biggest difference I noticed right away was just the overall speed of the game. NBA players are so quick and athletic, and you really have to sharpen your decision-making and process things at a very high level. A lot of things that you do in the G League were made very difficult in the NBA, whether that be being able to get off certain shots that would usually be wide open or having to be in the right position defensively at all times. You have to both think the game and react to it at an extremely high level in order to be effective in the NBA.
How tough is it in general being a versatile player in the G-League where it seems like everyone else is playing for stats to try to get to the NBA? How did you deal with this as a rookie?
The biggest thing I tried to focus on in the G League was playing to my strengths and showcasing what I could bring to an NBA team. A lot of that revolved around playing the game the right away and understanding how I fit into the offensive and defensive concepts we ran. At times it can be difficult to stick with this due to the roster changing frequently with guys coming down from the NBA team or the two-way contract players, and it could be easy for myself and others to sometimes try and be too aggressive when our opportunities did come around. It was an interesting dynamic to navigate, but I think I did a good job of finding that balance, and I was also with a great organization in Grand Rapids with a great coach in Andre Miller where I felt we were all given opportunities to succeed.
In Windy City you were only there for a short time and was teammates with NBA veteran Ryan Arcidicono. What was it like being teammates with him and seeing what he did on a daily basis? Being with Ryan in Windy City was awesome, he is one of the best teammates I’ve had, especially in my professional career. Ryan and I are from the same area back home, and I actually grew up playing against his younger brother Chris, so I was very excited to be on a team and play with him. I learned a lot from the way he carried himself on and off the court, as well as how smart he was when it came to the game. He has been at the highest level of the sport for a long time, so being able to pick his brain and learn from him was a privilege.
What do you remember from your NBA debut against the Clippers. You only played 2 minutes, but saw close up how guys like Paul George and Kawhi Leonard operate?
That game versus the Clippers was my first real glimpse into how good the guys at the top level were. I remember watching those two guys in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard seemingly never missing a shot, how good they were getting to their spots, and just how skilled they were. I only played a couple minutes in garbage time, but it was one of the coolest moments of my career to get on the floor in an NBA game.
You had some real vets on the team with Andre Drummond, Nikola Vucevic and DeMar Derozan. Is it tough being able to interact with guys in general when your only there on a 10 day contract? Was there a player that you could bond with in your short time with the Bulls?
It was definitely tough coming in, especially due to the timing of when I signed with the team. It was late in February and they were focused on locking up a spot in the playoffs, so I just tried to do my best to come into work every day and put my best foot forward. The vets on the team were great teammates and it was very interesting to get that insight into their habits on a daily basis, especially that late into the season and how they would go about preparing for games and taking care of their bodies. I was able to bond with a few guys, but specifically the other two-way contract players Henri Drell and Adama Sanogo really helped me with the transition.
You played at Bucknell (NCAA) from 2018-2022. How valuable where these years for your basketball development playing for Nathan Davis. You made big steps in your game in your last 3 years. How did he help most with your game?
My years at Bucknell were very crucial to the development of my game as a whole. Coach Davis and the staff really helped me improve year over year and see progression in my game. I felt like every year I was coming back as a better player than the last, and I was able to affect a lot of areas of the game by the time I was a senior.
You had many great games at Bucknell including a 34 point explosion against Loyola MD. What was your fondest moment on the court? I have a lot of fond memories from my time at Bucknell. My favorite moments on the court are probably when I got the chance to match up against my brother, who played point guard at Army West Point. We got to play each other four times because they were in our conference, and looking back and seeing the pictures of us playing against each other and all of our family members coming to the games to support us brings back a lot of good memories from that time.
You played one more season with The Pennsylvania State University (NCAA) averaging 12.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 86.7%. You helped the team reach the NCAA tournament and scored 27 points in the win over Texas A&M. How special was this win for you? What will you always remember from this game? My year at Penn State was really special, and I can’t say enough great things about my time there and the season we had. For it all to kind of culminate for me in that game was awesome. Penn State hadn’t been to the NCAA tournament in a decade, and to be able to get there and win our first round game meant a lot to the program. I’ll always remember getting back to the hotel with the team after the game and meeting my family in the lobby. I was so happy they experienced it with me and I was able to share a moment like that with them.
How did head coach Micah Shrewsberry help give you that last push towards a professional career? How did he help you most?
Coach Shrewsberry was one of the best coaches I’ve ever gotten to play for. He was so smart in putting us into the right positions to succeed and get the most out of everyone on the team. The biggest area he helped me in was just building my confidence to a level where I always felt comfortable out on the court knowing that he had my back. I felt like he never told me I took a bad shot, and would encourage me to keep shooting and keep going even when things weren’t going great. That really helped push me in the start of my professional career to keep that mentality and confidence moving forward.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Seth Lundy?
That’s a tough one, Seth and I have had a lot of battles over the years, going all the way back to high school where we would play each other every year with us both being from the Philadelphia area. Seth makes a lot of tough shots, I’d probably say he won the majority of our 1-on-1 games, but I’d like to think I got a few wins here and there. He’s a great player and one of my favorite teammates I’ve gotten to play alongside as well.
Who the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA? I would probably say Zach Edey, who was at Purdue when I was at Penn State. We played them three times that season, and he was just too big and very good at getting to his spots around the basket that it made it so difficult to slow him down. He had really good touch for his size as well and really punished any mistakes you made if you let him get the ball anywhere near the paint.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Collin Gillespie, Jalen Pickett, Walter Ellis, Cam Wynter, Alexander Rice
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry
Who is your GOAT?
Michael Jordan
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?
I have never seen it but maybe I will give it a shot. Or maybe not if you’re saying they should have left it alone!
Rasheed Bello (183-PG, college: PFW) is a 183cm guard from Chicago playing his rookie season overseas with the Antwerp Giants(Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He began his basketball career at DePaul College Prep and then played 2 seasons at the University of Wisconsin Parkside (NCAA2) averaging 9.1ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.1apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 70.0% and 17.9ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.5apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 75.9%. He then finished at Purdue University Fort Wayne (NCAA) averaging 14.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.3apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 77.3% and as a senior averaged16.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 87.1%. He spoke to eurobasket before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Rostock Seawolves.
Thanks Rasheed for talking to eurobasket.com. Your playing your rookie season overseas with the Windrose Giants Antwerp (Belgium-Pro Basketball League)? You were involved in school with something went viral as yu blocked a shot with your shoe. Did people hear about overseas or has it been somewhat off the radar? Not really only heard once from our team manager Andre he brought it up to me. So somewhat off the radar
What kind of an experience has it been playing with the Windrose Giants Antwerp (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). What have you enjoyed most about the experience? The experience has been great all the way from the staff to the players it’s been great feels like home.
You hail from Chicago and how live in a historic city Antwerpen. What have you began to like most about the culture in Belgium? The culture so far here has been welcoming getting recognized through the city (Also driving around with a big giants logo on my car)
You’re a rookie and are playing in 2 competitions with the Belgium Pro Basketball League and ENBL. Do you feel any kind of pressure leading the team to success? No pressure we will be prepared and succeed
It isn´t always easy being a rookie overseas. What has it been like sharing the back court with fellow rookie Enoch Cheeks? How do you guys support each other best on and off the court since your both in the same boat? We keep it real with each other and hang out off the court to bring the chemistry to the court works out great.
What was your wake up call overseas to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home? The different foods and seasonings and just certain products that your used to in the states won’t see that often out here.
Let´s talk about your game? You’re a point guard that fills the stat sheet well. Your 10cm smaller than Russell Westbrook, but to what NBA player would you compare your game to? DeAaron Fox and Davion Mitchell
You fill the stat sheet with ease. How big is versatility a staple in your game? Versatility is a big staple in my game being able to be effective on both sides of the court I take pride in.
You were a good playmaker in the NCAA 2 and NCAA, but now are playing a different style overseas. What steps do you want to make as a playmaker overseas? Just being able to make.5 decisions smaller window due to the shot clock change and just reading the game and making it more simple.
You shot over 40% from outside in the NCAA 2 and NCAA, What are your major goals with your 3 point shot as a rookie? Goal is to stay in that range
You were an excellent defender in the NCAA 2 and NCAA. What kind of a defender are you at the moment and into what kind of a defender do you want to grow into in the next years? There is always room for growth defensively especially on and off the ball. Just being able to disturb the opposing teams point guard as much as possible and just read when to steal the ball and blow up ball screens and off ball screens
On what areas of your game are you working on now so you can keep improving as a player? Finishing at the rim/ passing and decision making and off the dribble jumpers
You played 2 seasons at the the University of Wisconsin Parkside (NCAA2) averaging 9.1ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.1apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 70.0% and 17.9ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.5apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 75.9%. You made huge strides in your game in your second season. How did your game grow there under Luke Reigel? Coach Reigel just believed in me to make the right play at the right time and also gave me freedom to lead the team
You had so many great games there including an explosive 36/4/8/6 game in a win over GVSU and also reached the NCAA 2 tournament. What was your fondest moment there? My fondest moment would be winning the regular season title defeating Saginaw Valley at home to secure it
You then made the jump to Purdue University Fort Wayne (NCAA) averaging 14.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.3apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 77.3% and 16.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 87.1%. You needed no adjustment period in the NCAA. What was your secret to playing so well and how did your game grow in those 2 years? The coaching staff and teammates just believing me and giving me freedom and a lot off season work and in season work goes into that.
In your first season was the famous shoe block game in the win against Southern Indiana. What memories do you have of that game. Why did you hold the shoe in your hand? Was that just instincts?
As a team we started that game off pretty rough so we were fighting to get back in the game. My shoe came off and I went to grab it even though Coach specifically says if your shoe falls off stop and put them on for injury reasons, but instincts just took over late shot clock and I just blocked it with my shoes
Over time what do you remember being the coolest or funniest remark you got about this incredible show block? Seeing how viral it went didn’t think it was that big of a deal at the moment
You had so many memorable games at Purdue like scoring 31 points against BCU or 26 points against Detroit. You also had an incredible 27 points in a 120-113 win over Wright State where you played 48 minutes. What was your most memorable game there? Probably that Wright State, because game it was intense and it was fun everyone was getting buckets.
How did head coach Jon Coffman groom and prepare you best for a professional career? He always wanted us to operate like pros off the court and on the court and here I am.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Quinton Morton-Robertson? Quinton is up on the score in our 1 on 1 battles I won’t troll
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA? No one that reached there
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Tray Croft, Ty Johnson, Quinton Morton, Josiah Palmer, Raheem Anthony
Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore? Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Nikola Jokic
Who is your Goat? Lebron James
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? I didn´t watch the sequel.
It was the hour of truth for the EPG Baskets Koblenz as they returned back to their living room to battle Pro A team Munster. Both clubs actually came into the contest boasting a poor 2-5 record. Both teams have been a firing range as opponents for both clubs have scored, scored and scored at ease. Both teams arrived into the game with 3 game losing streaks while the EPG Baskets allowed 101 points in the last 3 games and Munster 90 points. It was a phase now where the EPG Baskets Koblenz would meet some teams in the middle of the standings and these were golden opportunities for them to get some wins. It was a must win for the EPG Baskets Koblenz. On a drowsy cool Monday evening, fans didn´t see a pretty game, but at least it wasn´t a blow out as both teams battled back and forth for 37 minutes until the EPG Baskets totally put the lid on the team´s first home win of the season with a brutal 14-2 run to end the game 81-67. “We gave a great defensive effort. We held them to 69 points. We didn´t have a great scoring night, but important was that our defense was good. Important was that we did a good job limiting their guards”, stressed Ohio native and EPG Baskets forward Tim Smith Jr. The Uni Baskets Munster had their ups and downs and unfortunately for them, the last punch of the game came from Koblenz. “We showed spurts of great defense and ball movement. We have to learn to put it together for 40 minutes. We are still learning each other and need better maturity”, stressed Uni Baskets Munster guard Bo Dukes. It was a tough game to follow for EPG Baskets Koblenz sport director Thomas Klein as he had a massive sigh of relief when the buzzer sounded. “It wasn´t pretty, but the most important thing was that we won. We had good phases at the end of offense and defense. 2 minutes was enough to win the game”, stressed Thomas Klein.
Alex Moeller at the FT line
The EPG Baskets Koblenz wanted to make a statement in this game, but instead stunk up their own living room early as the Uni Baskets Munster escaped out on a 12-2 lead. Ex Georgia State (NCAA) forward Nicholas McMullen got going early scoring 3 buckets as his 1-1 skills were unmatched as he wheeled and dealed on his first shot with a few spins. Munster also got a trey from ex Paderborn guard Neil Masnic and a lay in from ex Butler (NCAA) guard Bo Dukes. The guests were aggressive and executing well while on at the other end playing good 1-1 defense as the EPG Baskets Koblenz weren´t being aggressive or physical, but just hurling up bricks from the parking lot. The EPG Baskets Koblenz finally found to their game when German Alex Moeller and American DJ Jeffries were inserted. Both were aggressive driving to the hoop and were rewarded with baskets. Moeller scored twice and Jeffries was a real work horse scoring three times including a big dunk to trail 17-15 after 10 minutes. The UNI Baskets Munster played solid team ball in the first 5 minutes with a little of isolation added in, but in the latter half were more passive and playing too much hero ball. “We weren´t aggressive or physical in the first half of the first quarter. We then played better 1-1 defense and just found to our game while attacking the rim more”, said Thomas Klein.
Julian Larry at the FT line
In the second quarter both teams were at eye level, but the EPG Baskets Koblenz had the slim 37-33 advantage at the break. Both teams executed well on offense as Koblenz had their own version of a microwave Vinnie Johnson as Garrett Hicks (183-PG-2001, college: Samford) stepped up netting 7 points, but they couldn´t get away from the guests as they received input from McMullen with a lay in and dime from ex Heidelberg guard Andrew O´Brien and the latter then connected on a trey to dead lock the game at 25-25. The game stayed a game of little runs as Koblenz got 5 unanswered points from Marco Bacak who stepped out to drill home a trey and free throws to lead 30-25, but Munster struck back with a 6-0 run as ex Indiana State (NCAA) guard Julian Larry made back to back jumpers and ex Campbell (NCAA) guard Caleb Zurliene made a floater to steal back the lead at 31-30. But the runs didn´t stop there as the EPG Baskets punched back with a lethal 7-2 run to lead by 4 points going into half-time. Key in the run again was ex G-League player DJ Jeffries who connected on a turn around shot and went coast to coast for a lay in. Ex Leipzig forward Jonas Niedermanner closed out the second quarter with a lay in. “I was very happy to be up by 4 points. Both teams demonstrated 1-1 play. We were better on the close outs and rebounded better”, stated Thomas Klein. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 45% from the field and 25% from outside and had 17 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the Uni Baskets Munster shot 50% from the field and 30% from outside and had 14 rebounds and 10 turnovers.
Marko Bacak from downtown
Despite a slow start into the third quarter by the EPG Baskets Koblenz who lost the lead again, they were able to claw back and get the lead back and lead 54-53 after 30 minutes. Once again the Uni Baskets Munster caught Koblenz napping like in the first quarter as they went out on a 12-2 run to regain the lead again at 45-39. In the run, the Uni Baskets Munster were led by Julian Larry who once again had the hot hand as he added 7 points showing his 3 level scoring while McMullen also added a steal and transition bucket while German Paul Viefhues added a clutch three pointer. Munster came out playing a type of run and gun which Koblenz couldn´t adjust to. Koblenz also was tame and not aggressive getting to the rim like they did better in the second quarter. Koblenz didn´t start the second half with Americans Jeffries and Hicks, but when they were inserted after the guests big run, things changed. They led their team on a 9-3 run as the team followed Jeffries game and got more aggressive again. Jeffries was aggressive on the glass getting a tip in on the third try while Bacak attacked the basket scoring twice. Hicks added a trey which gave Koblenz the 48-47 lead again. Then the game went back and forth as there were 4 lead changes. The EPG Baskets Koblenz remained aggressive as bigs Bacak and Moeller scored while the guests got free throws from Mcmullen and a lay in by Zurliene. However DJ Jeffries had the last laugh closing out the third quarter with an off balance jumper to lead by 1 point. “We had a lack of focus to start, but we didn´t give up and stayed with it and got the lead back”, commented Tim Smith Jr. “We showed flashes of many things in the run. But we weren´t able to show it for the whole quarter”, stated Bo Hodges. “We saw wild west basketball. There was absolute no control from both teams. It was 1-1 basketball from both teams”, said Thomas Klein.
Paul Viefhues from outside
The Uni Baskets punched first leading by as much as 5 points, but the EPG Baskets Koblenz wanted that first home win and punched last to win the game. Ex Trier forward Jannis Sonnefeld began the fourth quarter with free throws and the 56-53 lead, but Koblenz then had 2 minutes of a real lack of concentration as Munster went on a 8-0 run to lead 61-56. In the run they got back to back three´s from Germans Thore Dilschman and Masnic while Mcmullen added an old school hook shot. Koblenz didn´t defend smartly and had some bad turnovers as Badu Buck made the wrong decision of throwing up an alley op pass when he should of just finished the transition play himself. After a Smith Jr lay in, Mcmullen added another lay in for the 63-58 lead. The game remained a game of runs as Koblenz added 5 unanswered points as Niedermanner hit a trey and Hicks made a lay in on transition to tie the game at 63-63 as the arena was cooking. Both teams punched back a few times as no team could get away as the game was dead locked at 67-67. But then came the turning point of the game and the last punch by the EPG Baskets Koblenz as they offered a 14-2 run to end the game. In the run, Tim Smith Jr was instrumentel adding 7 points showing his 3 level scoring and Marco Bacak added a three pointer bank shot that had some cringing while others shedding a smile as everything came together for Koblenz in crunch-time. “I didn´t shoot much in the first half, but I knew that my time would come. I just let the game come to me”, expressed Tim Smith Jr. NIedermanner and Hicks also added baskets. “We drove to the basket, found the teammates, rebounded well and had good 1-1 defense”, smiled Thomas Klein. “We had too many communication problems. They also had too many offensive rebounds. We have to be better down the stretch”, warned Bo Hodges. “We played really good defense. We knew that we had to invest 10% more. We were flying around and getting into the passing lanes well”, added Tim Smith Jr. The EPG Baskets Koblenz were led by DJ Jeffries and Garrett Hicks with 15 points a piece while Tim Smith Jr had 12 points and Marko Bacak 10 points while the Uni Baskets Munster were led by Nicholas McMullen with 22 points and Julian Larry added 18 points. The EPG Baskets Koblenz shot 44% from the field and 31% from the three point line and had 38 rebound and 9 turnovers while the Uni Baskets Munster shot 44% from the field and 28% from the three point line and had 35 rebounds and 20 turnovers.
Alexander Lagerman (202-SG-2004) is a 21 year old 202cm shooting guard playing his first season with TV Lagne. Last season he played with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf averaging 9.4ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 72.1%. In the 2023-2024 season he played with the wiha Panthers Schwenningen (ProB) playing16 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 27.1%, FT: 72.7%. He began his basketball career with the Fraport Skyliners in the JBBL (U-16) and also played 4 Pro B games and in 2022-2023 season in the NBBL averaged :21.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 78.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after TV Langen´s first win of the season over Wurzburg.
Congrats Alex on the first win for TV Langen over 89-69. How good does it feel? You had a buzzer beater last season in Wurzburg. The win feels good. It was a big relief winning our first game. The funny thing is this win was around the same time as my buzzer beater with Rhondorf in Wurzburg last season. I seem to have Wurzburg and Ludwigsburg number. I always paly well against them.
Did you ever have doubts about winning? How tough was the season up to now losing 5 in a row?
The last loses were tough on us as a team. We moved up from the Regionalliga and it was known that the club didn´t have much money. When that is the case, then you have to win other ways bringing more effort. We had doubts up to game, but during the game everything worked. Plus Wurzburg didn´t have their best game.
Wurzburg had the quick 5-0 lead, but you then scored the first TV Langen points. How did you feel? Did you think like you could have a great scoring day? Yes it felt good. I noticed that getting to the rim was so easy. That was the moment where I believed that I could have a good scoring night.
Wurzburg got a lot of easy buckets inside. The team allows 87 points. Is 1-1 defense something you feel the team will be able to clean up in next weeks? Our 1-1 defense is our biggest weakness as well as rim protection. We don´t have the length and no big center so we have to defend harder and simply have more discipline. Paint protection and 1-1 defense are big focuses for us as a team.
How much energy did your dunk give the team at the end of the first quarter? TV Langen then got lead back at 18-16. The dunk was big, but also we had a phase before and after the dunk where we got steals and transition baskets which helped us a lot. Bring defense to offense was key.
TV Langen led 46-35 at the break and took control of the game thanks to Niklas Pons who produced 12 points. He was a one man wrecking crew. How special of a player is he? His play is vital for our success. He is a playmaker/glue guy. He always gives the team unbelievable energy especially on defense. He also does a great job getting to the basket. He is our internal engine.
He already achieved a triple double this season. Does his play motivate you in general as a player to work on your total game? Yes he does. I see his complete game and some of the things that he does well are my weaknesses. I try to soak up as much as possible from his game. He is an expert on 1-1 defense and knows how to punish defenders.
TV Langen really broke open the game in the third quarter and led 70-48 after 30 minutes. You had 10 points. Did you feel like you were in the zone at one point? Yes it felt like I was in the zone. I finally hit a three pointer after many attempts. My confidence rose after that and I hit a few more three´s after that. We really controlled the flow as a whole in that phase.
Wurzburg had a little run in the last quarter, but TV Langen still won by a large margin. How thrilled are you to have finished strong as a team? I´m happy that we finished so well. I think key was that everyone was prepared to play that night. Every player brought much energy. It was a complete team effort. It was a lot of fun.
TV Langen won the rebounds, had 24 assists, 21 steals and 12 turnovers. What stat was the best for you?
I feel like steals was the most important stat. The steals helped us get out on runs. Our defense helped us capitalize on scoring which turned the game around.
On what areas does the team have to improve on to keep the winning streak alive against 5-2 Speyer? Playing in Speyer is always difficult. I remember last season with Rhondorf having no chance there. We have to work on our 1-1 defense, rebounding and paint protection. On offense we have to work on spacing and getting better into our sets. Hitting more shots would also help.
You shot 13/29 having 33 points and 11 rebounds. This was a career high. Was this your best offensive game? It wasn´t my best shooting day as I have had better games where I scored a lot and took less shots. But overall with scoring, rebounding, passing and steals was it up with my best in my career.
You had good games this season with the exception of your 2 points against Orange Academy. Is your aggressiveness at a point now where your content? I like the aggressiveness that I have now. I will always take shots and not shy away from doing it. But for me the most important thing is that the team work well together to have success.
What is your goal as a player this season with TV Langen? Can you make the next step? My goal is to keep working on my game and get better and more consistent. I also want to be more of a leader on defense. I think that being good defensively will always help your team most.
Is being the number one scoring option important for you or are you content on sharing the important shots with guys like Washington, Crnjac or Pons?
I always want to share it. I never go into the game wanting to score the most points. I always want to share the scoring. Plus it takes the scoring load of your shoulder when many can do it.
What were the main reasons for joining TV Langen? Your from Frankfurt. How vital was being closer to home? I wanted to focus more on my studies. I will do a bank apprenticeship starting on 1.1.2026 in Frankfurt at UBS
Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Drago Crnjac? He wins some and I win some. Drago has a knack for making tough shots.
Elijah Miller (183-PG-1997, college: UPEI) is a 28 year old 183cm point guard from Ontario, Canada playing his third professional season and second in Germany with Pro A team Eisbaeren. Last season with the Eisbaeren he averaged 13.4ppg, 3.9rpg, APG-2 (6.7), 1.0spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 88.0%. In his rookie season he played for KK Kozuv AD Gevgelija (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 10.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 81.3%. He also played 2 seasons with the Edmonton Stingers (CEBL) averaging 8.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 25.8%, FT: 75.0% and 8.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 80.0%. He began his basketball career with the University of Prince Edward Island (U Sports) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 82.1%, 20.7ppg, 5.4rpg, Assists-2 (5.9apg), Steals-4 (2.7spg), FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 86.6% and in his last year averaged 19.7ppg, 5.3rpg, 5.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 89.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after scoring a career high 33 points in the 88-84 win over the Artland Dragons.
Thanks Elijah on the big 88-84 win over the Artland Dragons. The Eisbaeren are now 6-1. How good does another one feel?
It feels good, but I have to give credit to the Artland Dragons who played a great game. We have to be ready again for the next game at Paderborn on Sunday.
Does a win feel better every new week?
They feel great every new time. We show that a new guy can step up every game. Every win feels good, because it isn´t easy to win in the Pro A.
The Eisbaeren had the 22-21 lead after 10 minutes. You got your first points with the last basket of the quarter. Did you have any idea then that you could have a good scoring night? I not really focused too much on my scoring but just take what the defense gives me.
The Artland Dragons had the 42-41 lead at the break. You only had 5 points at the break. How did you go into the second half mentally with your own game? I felt like I had to be more aggressive and put more pressure on their defense. I didn´t want to force too much, but play team basketball. I knew if I did that, that shots would come.
The Artland Dragons went on a quick 11-2 run to lead 53-43. What defensive principles did the Eisbaeren get away from? We weren´t being aggressive enough. We didn´t show our best pick and roll defense. They were getting way too many easy baskets inside from their 5 man. They also found their shooters. That was the recipe for their scoring.
You got going in the last minutes scoring 8 points and Artland led only 61-60. Did you have to risk more or did you let the game come to you? I let the game come to me. In the first half, they wanted me to take three´s. I was more patient in the second half and didn´t force anything. I shot with confidence and my teammates trusted me.
You scored the first 7 points for your team in the fourth quarter to regain the lead. Did you take the momentum of the end of the third quarter?
Yes I did. As soon as I saw one go in, my confidence was really high. I made sure that we ran the right play for myself or my teammates. They made me go under screens and we made them pay with open three´s.
Hendrik Warner hit some big baskets in crunch-time. How huge has his game been this season?
Hendrik is a great player in the Pro A. He is a real work horse. Coach always tells us that we have to reward our bigs by getting them the ball inside for easy baskets. Coach always says that our bigs have the hardest jobs on the team.
You continued to execute and scored 10 more points to help seal the win. What was key in crunch-time for the win? I think key in crunch-time was just trusting the process. It was a long game and we did a good job disrupting them a bit. We found ways to get crucial stops and made big shots. We made sure that we scored and they didn´t.
You scored 33 points a career high. How good does that feel? It feels good. I´m really not too focused on scoring, but it does feels good. It feels even better when you win.
Does a game like that spawn you to want to go for 35 the next game?
Yes it does. I know that I can score at a high level. I think that a game like this puts pressure on other teams defense because they know I can score the ball and be dangerous while also be able to create anytime for my teammates. They know that you can´t fall asleep on me on defense
Your averaging 9,0apg going into the Artland game. How strange does it feel not getting a dime in the game? The last game where you didn´t have an assist was on July 11th in the CEBL. I feel like that was a mistake. I had at least 2 assists. I had an obvious assist to Jannis Von Seckendorf on the alley op.
The team continues to build chemistry and get better. How is this team better now than last season? I think key in our success has been keeping many guys from last season and the new core of guys this season have all learned the system and adapted to it very well.
The team also defends very well. What has Steve Esterkamp drilled into your heads about the importance of defense in the Pro A? We always practice defense first and offense second. Putting a lot of pressure on teams each game is key.
On Sunday you travel to 2-5 team Paderborn. What will be key to getting the win?
We have to stick to the basics. We have to follow our game plan and be disciplined. We have to play fast and make quick decisions and be locked into defense.
Jon’il Fugett (183-PG-1999, college: UCCS) is a 25 year old 183cm guard from Denver, Colorado playing his third professional season and second with TSG Westerstede (Pro B) while also playing for easyCredit BBL team EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Last season he helped TSG Westerstede (Germany-Regionalliga) move up to the Por B averaging (23.3), 4.9rpg, 4.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 69.0%. He played his rookie season for 3 clubs with BC Spartak Pleven (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 12.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 41.7%, 3FGP: 58.3%, FT: 93.8%, in Jan.’24 moved to KK Pelister Sport Bitola (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 4.5ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, in Feb.’24 signed at KK Vardar Skopje (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 13.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 65.5%. He began his basketball career at George Washington high school and then played a season at Butler Community College (JUCO) averaging 7.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 62.7%. He then played 2 years at West Texas A&M University (NCAA2) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 71.4% and 12.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 77.3%. He then finished at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (NCAA2) averaging 13.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 44.1%, FT: 75.0% and 15.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 74.6%. He spoke to eurobasket after his monumental 48 point game in the Pro B.
Congrats on scoring 48 points against Neustadt. Could you in anyway realize this amazing feat despite getting the loss? Thank you and yes I’m starting to realize just how big it is with all of the attention that it is getting throughout this past week. Although I do really wish that the stats came with a win.
Last season you had a 41 point performance in the Regionalliga. Was 48 points your career high?
48 is my new career high. To be honest I knew that I had a lot of points but I did not know that it was 48. I was more focused on the win in the moment.
You began the game with a block and then had 5 points in less than 2 minutes. Was that just a normal start for you as you’re a walking bucket? I feel like I kind of do what the team needs in terms of the way that games start. A lot of it depends on the way the defense is playing me. I came into this game knowing that I needed to be a little more aggressive though and that’s what I was trying to get my team to mimic.
You then scored 11 more points and had 16 points after a quarter. You made a three pointer at the buzzer. Was that the moment where you thought this could be a special game of 40+ points? The shot at the buzzer wasn’t necessarily my thought that I could go and get 40 but more so was just a feel good morale boost for the team. I feel like that was a shift in momentum and definitely helped me with my confidence the rest of the game.
You only scored 6 points in the second quarter. Your shots weren´t falling. How important was it that you remained aggressive and got to the free throw line and just kept shooting the ball? After the second quarter I kind of saw their lead grow and I knew that I had to make sure I could give us a little more on the offensive end if we were going to be able to keep competing.
In the third quarter you scored 9 points, but Neustadt still had the 69-63 advantage after 30 minutes. At that point you had 33 points. What was your mindset going into the fourth quarter? At the end of the 3rd quarter I was really happy with our teams fight and perseverance and I kind of used that as motivation for myself offensively and defensively. As a competitor and someone who loves the game you live for these close games with a packed crowd. Whether it’s home or away you just want to get the win however you can.
You guys kept fighting back and you scored 5 points in the last minute. But in the end it was the free throws from Neustadt that cost Westerstede the game. What do you believe could the young guys learn from the loss? I think the biggest thing the young guys can learn is just how important the details get when you’re in those pressure situations. The smallest details that nobody is willing to do can determine a win or a loss.
What does this personal feat of 48 points mean to you. You took many three´s and would have easily reached 50 points or close to 60 had you hit more shots? This accomplishment means a lot to the work dedication and patience I’ve had so far throughout my career. A lot of my shots rattled in and out of the rim and I’m just happy that I had coaches and teammates who were confident in me and my ability. That night it was a good night for me but we will need a good night from everybody throughout the season so when someone else is feeling it I will show the same support.
As a competitor like you does a game like this lift your expectations for eclipsing the 50 points? I feel like I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think I could go get 50 or even 60 at some point, but again that’s just me being confident in what I am able to do. My first goal is bringing whatever the team needs to win.
Did you get special messages from friends and family from USA?
Yeah I got some love from friends and family back in the US so that was cool to see. I got a good support system back there so I’m blessed for that.
What was your favorite bucket of the game?
My favorite bucket of the game had to be the last 3 I hit that I personally thought was an and 1 but the refs didn’t see it that way.
Toru Dean (183-PG, college: Langston) is a 183cm guard from Miami Florida playing his rookie season overseas with the TSV Bargteheide Bees (Germany-Regionalliga). He began his basketball career with South Miami High School and then played 3 seasons at Barry University (NCAA2) averaging 8.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 65.1% and in his second season averaged 12.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 46.2%; and in his third season averaged 9.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 39.9%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 62.9%. He then finished at Langston University, OK (NAIA) averaging 10.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.5apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 81.0% and 9.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.1apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 69.4%. He teams up every week with germanhoops.com to talk basketball.
Congrats on the tight 84-82 win over Bramsche. How did it feel winning a very tight game? It was a really good game, I feel like sometimes we need to be in games like that to prepare us for the playoffs and when things get hard we would know how to execute and focus on the little details.
Talk about the 40 minutes and crunch-time period. How did you see the 40 minutes and what was key at the end for winning the game? The key to this game was just defensively just being able to stop the ball in transition and not giving them any threes.
The team really let it rain three´s with 18. What was it like seeing the hot shooting. 6 guys hit three´s in the game. How special was that?
The last few games we had been struggling to make shots I feel like this is a good momentum starter for us again to carry on to the next game
How key was German Fabian Paetsch with 9 points and 3 three´s. What is so special about his game? He can really shoot the lights out of the ball. Just have to know when he’s ready to get the ball to him so he can let it fly.
What was it like battling Boston Stanton. He led Bramsche with 21 points. What made it so hard to contain him? I didn’t really get to guard him because I was sick. But he is a creative scorer.
You only had 6 points but 11 assists. How important was it for your game to experience a game like that? You only took 5 shots but impacted the game with your playmaking. Yes I had a running fever and I didn’t have the energy to really create open shots for myself so I was just able to find my teammates for open shots.
You next play 2-6 team Bremerhaven. What will be key to getting win`? Defensively just getting stops and moving the ball on offense.
Ok so the NCAA basketball title drought that Ohio State has at the moment isn´t as bad as what Boston Red Sox fans had to endure for 85 years with the Curse of the Bambino, but at the moment it stands at 65 years. It really is slowly time for them to win again. They could have won a few more as they were finalists in 1961 and 1962, but since then have been battling to get that chip again as their best showing was reaching the final in 2007 and losing in the semi-final in 2012. Ohio State is always aiming to achieve the best and for the 2025-2026 have added 2 new interesting players. The one has a well known last name with Myles Herro who is the brother of NBA sharp shooter Tyler while the other one is a bit more unknown in the States, but a house hold name in Europe with the basketball nerds with the name of Mathieu Grujicic (198-G-2007). He belongs to the absolute best players in Europe from the birth year of 2006. He recently averaged 24,9ppg at the U-18 Eurochampionships and should be a 2025 NBA Draft pick. Both Herro and Grujicic could be the next great guard duo in the NCAA. “Time will tell, but we are really excited about them”, said Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler. Mathieu Grujicic is 18 year old who was born in France on July 2nd, 2006. His father is from Serbia and mother is from Germany. His parents met in France. They came to Berlin when he was 4 years old. He speaks German and Serbian and a little bit of French and has a German passport. He began his career with Alba Berlin and played the last 2 seasons with top Spanish organization FC Barcelona. One very interesting basketball trait that he has is that he knows how to win. In the last few years he helped Alba Berlin win the U-16 title in 2023, won the Adidas Next generation tournament in 2024 and 2025 where he is thrown together with talented guys that need to win a title on the fly and won the Spanish U-19 title with FC Barcelona in 2025. Winning the 2026 NCAA title with Ohio State would be the next milestone in his career, but he has many other great attributes on and off the court. “I’m excited to be able to work with a player who has such high basketball IQ and eagerness to learn. I believe this will create a pathway for major development in a short time period”, stressed Jake Diebler.
Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler will have the pleasure of coaching Mathieu Grujicic this season. It must always be very interesting for coaches seeing a potential candidate for their squad when they observe that first video of that player. For Diebler, he saw many fine things in his game. “ I saw that high basketball IQ and understanding of the game. I liked his ability to score the ball, whether as the primary creator or playing off other good players. I believe he also has an ability to make others better”, stressed Jake Diebler. He is a player that can do so much and he is so much more than just an incredible shooter. “He is a versatile, high IQ player with good positional size. He is capable of being a primary playmaker and playing off of other playmakers”, added Jake Diebler. He was already a top defender for his age in the U-16 competition in Germany and has continued to mature in Spain the last 2 years. It will be interesting to see how his defense will develop further at the NCAA level. “He is a versatile and smart defender. A high level communicator and connector”, warned Jake Diebler. 2 other major attributes are his leadership and killer instinct something which he already had when he was making waves with Alba Berlin at age 15. “I think his experience will provide great value in our locker room and throughout the season as we play high level games because he has played in more high level games than most players his age. The killer instinct is a special quality that most young players don’t have because they haven’t had a chance to fully develop it. It comes natural to Mattheiu though”, warned Jake Diebler. How well could the German player mesh with other high quality guards Bruce Thornton and John Mobley? “I think he will mesh really well because he is different than the perimeter players we have. His basketball IQ also allows him to play with other really good players well”, added Jake Diebler.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Mathieu Grujicic after he led Alba Berlin to 2023 JBBL(U-16) title in Frankfurt, Germany
Grujicic has so many incredible basketball skills on the court, but he also has other amazing attributes that often aren´t seen so well developed at a young age. One is his character. He may only be 18, but his maturity level is already that of a professional player. Coach Diebler was impressed with his character right away. “Mattheiu was mature and direct with his communication. He and I formed a connection quickly and that gave me confidence in understanding who he is and why he wanted to be a Buckeye. He spoke consistently about winning”, commented Jake Diebler. Another big strength off the court is how easy he makes you feel even if you had never met him before. I remember meeting him after he just won the German U.16 title in 2023. He put his arm around me as well as German and Canadian basketball legends Dirk Bauermann and Gordon Herbert. You would have thought that he had known everyone for years and were great friends. “Mattheiu has an ability to connect with people quickly. He is perceptive and kind, but also knowledgeable which allows him to carry conversation with people of all ages and backgrounds”, expressed Jake Diebler. But one of the greatest lines he ever gave me was when I asked him at age 15 if his biggest goal was the NBA or Euroleague. “ „My biggest goal is to have no regrets for trying to become a good basketball player”. Most guys would have said the NBA, but he chose one that no other player would of ever thought of. “That answer speaks to his maturity and desire to become great”, warned Jake Diebler. It is usually the great players that win titles. The 2025-206 Ohio State season should be a very interesting one. I won´t make any predictions if Ohio State will finally win that much desired next NCAA title, but I could imagine him becoming a press favorite with the scribes in Columbus.
