NCAA

The AST Tournament Helped Raise AST German Champion Dusan Ilic’s IQ To Another Level

For 17 year old Dusan Ilic (188-G-2008) who is a mix out of Shai and Kyrie on the court, it has been an incredible stimulating 2025-2026 season as he has simply experienced so much for a 17 year old in terms of basketball. He is near completion of his first Pro B season with the Dragons Rhondorf where he was already getting meaningful minutes from the bench as a 16 year old in the first half of the season. There were 5 games where he averaged 20 minutes or more including a 30 minute game against Rostock and 6 games where he scored in double figures. He showed early maturity as a 16 year old coming from the bench and always giving great energy and being as efficient as possible. He continued to grow as a player in the next months and recently played Adidas Next gen and was having a solid showing averaging 9/3/6/1 stats, but then play abruptly being halted because of the war in Iran. He couldn´t get home right away and was stuck in Dubai for days not knowing when he could return home. Then only a few days he was crowned AST champion with Germany for only the third time in the history of the 31 year tournament. But his season didn´t end there, as he has a do or die game this Friday at home against top team Orange Academy where his season could end or continue. There he will face his AST teammate Felix Kielnekar again, but now as an opponent. No matter what happens against Orange Academy, it is fair to say that his AST experience was his biggest highlight this season. It was an experience he surely won´t forget. “Our goal was winning the Gold medal. We were prepared and got 100% from every player. I was so relived when the buzzer sounded in the final, but also overjoyed. It was a big achievement for us. This tournament is only every 2 years and it showcases the best youth players in the world. It was a big highlight having my family in attendance. They were very proud of me. I was really happy getting a lot of congratulatory messages from family and from Dragon players like Juhwan Harris-Dyson”, stressed Dusan Ilic.

pic credit: Laddler-photography

Germany played Bahrain first and used it as a warm up destroying the Asian team 116-59. Germany totally controlled the boards 55-31 and had 6 players score in double figures led by Lucai Anderson with 16 points. “We went into the first game not wanting to underestimate anyone. We began to dominate the game after a few minutes. That gave us the opportunity to work on other things and prepare for the next opponents. We also were able to work on our chemistry”, stated Dusan Ilic. Jamie Edoka had a solid first game scoring 11 points and filled the stat sheet and was on his way to becoming one of the best players in the tournament. “Jamie is a really good player. He attacks the rim really well and was a very good team captain. He has a lot of potential”, said Dusan Ilic. Germany next faced Slovenia and had their toughest challenge of the tournament. Germany started slow and had to play catch up basketball for most of the game. Germany picked up the intensity in the fourth quarter at both ends and won it with the masterful game winner by Jamie Edoka. “The close win taught us that we can never give up. We were able to turn the game around, but we also learned that we had to always start a game with 100%. We knew that a game is a long time and you can never give up”, warned Dusan Ilic. Germany controlled the boards again 41-33 with 16 offensive rebounds and had 4 guys score in double figures. Lucai Anderson was top scorer with 16 points and nailed big three´s when Germany needed it in their come back. Caspar Vossenberg added 13 points and was one of those silent hero´s during the tournament stepping up in so many ways. “His energy was great and he was able to attack the rim really well. He also always motivated us on and off the court. That helped us always support each other and harmonize well”, added Dusan Ilic. Germany next faced Turkey where many Turkish fans showed up adding to a beautiful atmosphere. Germany was in control in the first half, but had a horrible third quarter being outscored 24-4, but retreated in the fourth quarter demonstrating that they can flip the switch at any time exploding for 29 points and winning easily 95-80. “We had ups and downs in this game. But all in all, it was tough for anyone to beat us. We never gave up and always stuck together”, warned Dusan Ilic. Germany once again dominated the boards 44-26 and offensive rebounds 20-8 and shot a potent 46% from outside. Germany was led by Lucai Anderson with 26 points and had 4 players in double figures. Fin Borczanowski had a solid game of 13 points, but was in the shadow of Lucai Anderson´s brilliant scoring game. “Fin also did a good job in the tournament. He helped our game a lot with his size, shot and athleticism. He really knew how to read the game well”, commented Dusan Ilic.

pic credit: Ladler-photography

Germany then faced Sweden in the fourth game and won 91-56. After a tight first quarter, Germany then played consistent ball in the last 3 quarters averaging 22 points and allowing only 11 points on the way to a comfortable victory. Germany led by as much as 35 points and won the rebound duel 61-32. They also forced them to 6/37 shooting from outside. “We didn´t start well again and the game was tight at the beginning. But once we found our rhythm, it became easier for us. We played more free and together as a team”, expressed Dusan Ilic. Germany spread the love around with scoring once again totaling 5 players in double figures led by Edoka´s 15 points. Orange Academy big man Felix Kiehlneker had a great game of 12/13. “What I really appreciated about Felix´s game the most is his ability to be able to fight for every ball with his size. He was a very dominant rebounder”, remembered Dusan Ilic. The German domination continued against Japan winning 103-78. After a tight first quarter, Germany then exploded for 62 points in the second and third quarters paving the win. “Japan was a different team to all the others. They were guard dominated and played very fast. We had some problems with their aggressive defense at the start, but we were still able to play our game. We never stopped attacking and always played as a team”, added Dusan Ilic. Germany was led by Caspar Vossenberg with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again easily 61-32 with 20 offensive rebounds. Germany was 5-0 and now met Brazil in the semi-finals. Was any one going to stop them? Germany witnessed a tight scoring first half leading 51-50, but stepped it up in the third quarter exploding for 31 points and took it up another notch in the last frame with 39 points winning 121-98. Did Germany make any major adjustments in the second half? “We just got better into a flow in the second half. We then showed how strong our offense could be. We showed that every guy could score and our will to win grew even more. Scoring 70 points is crazy. We really wanted to play for gold and our motivation grew”, stressed Dusan ilic. Anderson and Edoka combined for 47 points as Anderson led all scorers with 26 points. “Lucai is a really good shooter and has a clean shot. He is also really good on on and off ball movement. He always knows when to shoot and when to pass”, said Dusan Ilic. Germany won the rebound battle again 40-24, shot 42% from outside and only coughed up the ball 9 times.

pic credit: Ladler-photography

The final was a close battle against Slovenia. Germany led 46-38 at the break, but in the second half Slovenia led briefly until Germany got the lead back and never looked back despite winning the second half only 41-37. “I think that the difference was that we controlled their guards better. We also played quicker and simply wanted it more than they did. We also knew that if all gave 100%, then we would win gold. Nobody wanted silver”, warned Dusan Ilic. Germany was led by Edoka with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again 49-36. ”Our biggest strength in the tournament was playing fast and taking many shots on offense Our ball movement was also good and we were able to punish our opponents so often in the game”, commented Dusan Ilic. After the win, coach Alan Ibrahimagic was greeted with a massive shower in the dressing room. But how did the celebration continue that night? “We had a team dinner. The dinner was relaxed. We were all laughing and having fun. There were no speeches. Most guys left after, but only Anderson and Dopfer stayed to Sunday when they flew back to USA”, stated Dusan Ilic. The German who lists Darius Karatasu and Vazquez Dos Santos of Brazil as players that impressed him most during the tournament had a solid tournament averaging 6/1/3 in 16 minutes per game. “I was content with my game. I feel like I did the most I could of the opportunity that I got. I understood also on what I need to work on which is my shot”, added Dusan Ilic. He played against 6 different nations and against the best youth players on earth which helped his game make another step. “I was able to come to terms with the aggressive defenses of all the countries. I really was able to show what kind of a point guard I can really be. I showed that I could be one of strongest at my position. I learned that every mistake could be punished”, stressed Dusan Ilic. It was the first time that he played for head coach Alan Ibrahimagic and was able to learn so much in such a short time. “It was a really cool experience to play for him. He taught me how to play fast and always be aggressive. If I have an open shot, take it with confidence”, warned Dusan Ilic. The young German will surely have many memories from this glorious week in Mannheim, but this week he is focused most on annoying Orange Academy in the playoffs and lifting his game to another level again.

Giorgos Vovoras Learned From Rick Pitino´s Emotional Kobe Speech That You Can Impact Players Not Only Tactically But Also Mentally And Emotionally

Giorgos Vovoras (agency: Octagon Europe ) is a Greek coach that currently is the coach of the Bahrain national team and a consultant for Bahrain at the 2026 Albert Schweitzer tournament. He has had experience coaching in Greece, Hungary, Lithuania and Cyprus. He gained his most success winning 10 titles with Panathinaikos as an assistant coach. He spoke to germanhoops.com before the game against Germany at the Albert Schweizer tournament in Mannheim.

Thanks Giorgos for talking to germanhoops.com. You hail from Greece and have coached many clubs in Europe as well as Euroleague team Panathinaikos. Now your coaching the Bahrain national team and are a consultant at the U-18 championships at the Albert Schweitzer tournament in Mannheim Germany. This was a different kind of challenge for you. Why did you take this on?

Since June 2025, I have been working in collaboration with the Bahrain national team as the head coach of the senior national team, as well as a consultant for the overall development program of Bahrain basketball. What really motivated me to take on this role was the vision of the federation. I saw a federation that is making a new and ambitious effort, with clear goals and big dreams for the future of basketball in the country. It is a different challenge for me compared to my previous experience in Europe, but at the same time, it is very motivating to be part of something that is being built in a proper and sustainable way. Already, we have seen positive signs. Last year, the U16 national team made important progress, finishing 7th in the Asian tournament, which shows that the program is moving in the right direction and the Bahrain national team also finished in third place at the William Jones Tournament, which is the best result ever achieved by a Gulf country. In addition, we had a very strong performance in the Arab Tournament.

Bahrain is in Asia and not known for it´s basketball. They have a league where ex NBA players play and where there is money. However how much interest is there in basketball in that country?

Basketball in Bahrain is actually considered the national sport, and there is a strong love and passion for the game across the country. From my personal experience, having attended the league finals last year, the arenas were full, and the atmosphere was intense, with great energy and passion for winning. As I mentioned before, there is a serious effort being made to take important steps forward, especially at the national team level, with the goal of establishing Bahrain as a more competitive and respected presence in Asian basketball.

How is the state of youth basketball there? This is Bahrain´s first time playing at AST. Is it a sport that is growing?

The Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim is one of the most prestigious and historic international U18 tournaments, with a long tradition, where many top talents from around the world have competed over the years. For us, participating in this tournament is a very important opportunity to compete at a high level and provide valuable experience to our young players. For us, participating in this tournament is even more important, especially given the current circumstances in the region and the postponement of the Gulf U18 Tournament. The federation recognized this as a valuable opportunity for our players to gain experience at a high-level and globally respected event. Regarding youth basketball in Bahrain, as I mentioned earlier, there is a structured effort to build the development model step by step, with a strong focus on the new generation. We have had the opportunity to include several talented players in the program, who are already showing great progress. At the same time, significant emphasis has been placed on developing competitive leagues at the U16, U18, and U20 levels within Bahrain, which clearly reflects the serious work being done across all age groups.

Please talk about some of the talented players. What players can we look for during the AST?

We have two players with exceptional talent and great potential, Hassan Abdulkhadir and Somto Patrick. At the moment, they are studying and playing in highly competitive high school programs in the United States. I had the opportunity to visit them in February and closely observe their development and the way they are working within these environments. They are part of very strong and demanding programs, and they have already received scholarship offers from top Division I colleges. They also had an excellent performance in last summer’s Asian tournament, which further highlighted their potential. This gives us great confidence and excitement for the future, as we believe they can play an important role in the next generation of Bahrain basketball

Germany has had massive success in men´s basketball the last years winning the World Cup and Euro. They also have had great results at the youth sector. How have you followed the development of the basketball there?

Germany’s recent success in men’s basketball is not something that happened overnight. It is the result of a long-term process that started many years ago, even after the generation led by Dirk Nowitzki, when Germany was already competing at the highest level. In the years that followed, the federation made a clear and strategic investment in youth development. They focused on building a strong development structure, improving coaching education, and creating competitive environments for young players. I believe this has been the key factor behind their current success. Today, Germany has players performing at the highest level, from the NBA to the EuroLeague and top domestic leagues across Europe. This clearly reflects the quality and consistency of the work that has been done over the years. For me, Germany is a great example for other federations. Their model shows how important it is to invest in youth development with a clear plan, patience, and continuity, in order to achieve long-term success.

What do you believe is the secret to Germany´s success in the last years? Is it more than just discipline?

It’s not just discipline. Talent is always present, but the key is the process and consistency. Germany trusted their system, stayed patient, and followed a clear long-term plan — and that’s what led to their success

How tough a game can you await? Is Bahrain the massive underdog or just underdog against Germany?

For Bahrain, this will be our first game against a European team, which makes it a very valuable experience. We expect a tough and physical game against one of the top teams in Europe. However, we believe in our identity and our style of play, and our goal is to compete and challenge ourselves at the highest.

Is there a German player that you feel could be the big attraction at AST?

Germany always brings a very talented group to this tournament, so it’s not about one specific player. Their strength is the overall level of the team — athleticism, discipline, and strong fundamentals. That’s what makes them so competitive year after year.

You have been a coach in Cyprus, Lithuania, Russia and Greece. Talk a little about what kind of a coach you are?

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with top coaches and players at the highest level. These experiences have helped me build my own coaching philosophy. I would describe myself as a coach who tries to adapt to modern basketball. I believe in building teams that are disciplined with defensive mentality, play with intensity at a high pace and understand the game. For me, it’s not only about tactics, but also about creating the right mindset, where players compete, improve every day, and play for each other

You were an assistant coach for many years with Euroleague powerhouse Panathinaikos and won 10 titles. Which title was your favorite?

During my years with Panathinaikos, we won many titles, but there are two that stand out for me, and it’s difficult to choose between them. The first one is the 2012–2013 season, with coach Argyris Pedoulakis. It was the first year after the end of a great era for the club, with a new team built around key Greek players like Dimitris Diamantidis and Kostas Tsartsaris. Despite the challenges and having home-court disadvantage, we managed to win the finals against the reigning EuroLeague champions Olympiacos with a 3–0 series, which made that season truly special. The second title I highlight is the 2016–2017 season, under coach Xavi Pascual. We won the championship against Olympiacos with a 3–2 series, with the decisive Game 5 played away from home. It was a very competitive series, with players like Nick Calathes and Mike James playing key roles. What I will never forget is our return home, where around 30,000 fans were waiting for us to celebrate this title together

What was it like working under legend Rick Pitino. What could you learn from him and what was your coolest story?

It was truly a unique experience to work with a coach like Rick Pitino, who has achieved everything in college basketball and also had a great career in the NBA. What impressed me the most was his passion and love for the game. Every single day, he found motivation not only for himself but also for his players, and he worked with incredible energy and passion in every practice, always driven by the desire to win. For me, every day working with him was an opportunity to learn. The most important thing I took from him is that basketball is not only about tactics. The mental aspect of the game — how you prepare players psychologically for every practice and every game — is equally important. He puts a huge emphasis on this area, and for me, working with him was a great learning experience There are many stories I could share, because he always found ways to inspire the team. But one moment I will never forget was when we learned about the passing of Kobe Bryant. The next day, we had an important league game. Coach Pitino came into the locker room and didn’t talk about the game at all. Instead, he gave an incredible speech about who Kobe was as a person, as a family man, and as an athlete. It was a very emotional moment — almost everyone was deeply moved. When we left the locker room, I asked him how the players would be able to focus after that. He told me, ‘Don’t worry, just watch the first minutes of the game.’ And he was right — we started the game with incredible intensity and focus. For me, this shows how important it is to impact players mentally and emotionally, not just tactically.

You coached so many great players at Panathinaikos. Please name your 3 favorite players?

I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to work with many great players and, more importantly, great people. It’s always difficult to choose, but when you have had the opportunity to work with players like Dimitris Diamantidis, the greatest players in EuroLeague history, Mike James, the all-time leading scorer of the EuroLeague, and Nick Calathes, one of the best passers in the competition, I think the answer speaks for itself. What they have achieved, both individually and with their teams, reflects their quality and consistency at the highest level.

Please name your coaching Mount Rushmore (4 greatest coaches for you)?

If I had to choose my coaching Mount Rushmore, I would say Xavi Pascual, Rick Pitino, Željko Obradovic, and Saras Jasikevicius. Xavi Pascual is one of the best tactical coaches in EuroLeague, and working with him helped me organize my thinking and understand how to prepare a game at the highest level. Rick Pitino taught me that basketball is not only about tactics, but also about the mental aspect and how to motivate players every day. Željko Obradovic is, in my opinion, the greatest European coach, having created his own basketball culture and philosophy over many years. Sarunas Jasikevicius is a coach I have followed closely for many years. What stands out is his ability to adapt, to develop his teams in different environments, and to build a clear playing identity based on modern basketball principles.

Thanks Giorgos for the chat.

Desmond Watson Strokes Home 30 Points And Hits Game Winner Propelling The Skyliners Juniors to Revenge Win Over BG Hessing Leitershofen 79-77

The great basketball work that the Skyliners Juniors had done in 2026 had paid off as they had already qualified for the Pro B playoffs before the last game day began. Frankfurt began 2026 as far away from the Pro B playoffs as Isaac Bonga is to ever rejoining easyCredit BBL team Skyliners. Frankfurt had a superb 8-2 record in 2026 and wanted to have momentum going into the playoffs. But they didn’t have an easy foe with BG Leitershoefen who came into the game sitting in 4th place with a record of 13-10. Frankfurt had lost the first game of the season on the road 90-79 and lost the game in the paint where Leitershoefen shot an overwhelming 73%. The Skyliners Frankfurt who had a 8-2 record in 2026 wanted to go into the playoffs with momentum with a win in their living room and did upending BG Hessing Leitershofen 79-77 as explosive import scorer Desmond Watson (196-G-2003, college: Loyola, IL) hit the winning shot and Frankfurt then stuck together and made one last stop to secure the win. It was a tight game for the most part, but in crunch-time, it was the Skyliners Juniors that came up with the big shots and plays to win and will have a playoff date with Essen. ‘We played hard for 40 minutes. We were relentless. Every one played their role and gave their all. Our biggest strength on offense was our offensive rebounding and on defense we never gave up on any possession’, stressed Skyliner Junior Desmond Watson. Leitershofen kept home court for the Pro B playoffs because Orange Academy beat Ludwigsburg who finished the season in fifth place. ‘We gave a lot away in the first half. We allowed too many offensive rebounds and missed too many free throws. We couldn’t set the tone on the defensive end in the first half. We were in the game at the end, but couldn’t execute the way we wanted to’, stressed BG Hessing Leitershofen guard Brian Dawson.

Florian Dietrich at the FT line

The Skyliners Juniors came into the game without top German youngers Jamie Edoka and Ivan Crnjac who were being rested for a do or die NBBL game 3 playoff game against IBAM the next day. Frankfurt began quickly into the game taking the 6-2 lead as ex Kronberg center Florian Dietrich had excessive energy and brute scoring inside twice including a fierce dunk as the guests were unable to match the Skyliners Juniors intensity. However basketball is a game of runs and Leiterhofen showed rapidly how quickly they can explode as they went on a lethal 16-4 run to lead 18-10. Instrumental in the run was ex easyCredit BBL player Brendan Gregori who added an incredible 11 points including two three’s. ‘He is a player that really knows when to drive and when to shoot’, said ex Skyliner Junior Bennet Schubert. Leitershofen upped their defensive intensity forcing Frankfurt to a few turnovers and had great rim protection from Tom Alte and Clint Haman. However Frankfurt still had some energy in the last minutes going on a 6-0 run as young Czech Republic guard Lukas Smazak added 5 points including a trey as Frankfurt trailed 20-17 after 10 minutes. ‘Both teams were very aggressive on the offensive glass and were both very physical. Leitershofen had really good ball movement and looks’, stated Bennet Schubert. BG Hessing Leitershofen shot 41% from the field and 30% from outside and had 11 rebounds and 1 turnover while the Skyliners Juniors shot 37% from the field and 17% from outside and had 12 rebounds and 3 turnovers.

Brian Dawson for 3

In the second quarter BG Hessing Leitershofen had good control of the game, but the Skyliners Juniors fought back and had the contest dead locked at 39-39 at the break. The guests had the needed energy at the start of the second quarter going on a 9-3 run to extend their lead to 29-23. In the run, the guests had great ball movement and got inside scores from ex BBL player Ferenc Gille and ex JUCO player Emmanuel Ansah while German Jannik Westermeir had the prettiest basket in the run knocking down a jumper with a cool side step in Shai Gillgeous Alexander manner. ‘That was a nice shot. Jannik is a tough player and a real dog. He plays at both ends. He didn’t have a great game, but he will bounce back. We will need him for the playoffs’, stated Brian Dawson. But Frankfurt kept fighting and got potent energy from Dietreich and Alvin Onyia as they carried Frankfurt at both ends with big baskets as suddenly Leitershofen led only 31-27. Frankfurt couldn’t quite get over the hump as the guests got key scorers from Texas native Zion Richardson and ex Bernau center Clint Hamann to lead 35-29. However Frankfurt had Desmond Watson who can be a one man wrecking team if he wants to. The overall leader and player with fancy moves and great shooting propelled his team on a nasty 10-4 run scoring all points. The leading rebounder at the break was little talked about Joscha Zentgraf who had 7 rebounds and 5 offensive rebounds. The ultimate team player would finish with 10 rebounds including 8 offensive rebounds as his energy was truly incredible, but also something he always brings. ‘He plays so hard. He leaves it all on the court’, said Desmond Watson. ‘He does the dirty work and is the first guy that will volunteer to do it. He is the type of player that every guy wants as a teammate’, warned Bennet Schubert. The Skyliners Juniors shot 39% from the field and 29% from the three point line and had 24 rebounds and 7 turnovers while BG Hessing Leitershofen shot 47% from the field and 27% from the three point line and had 19 rebounds and 5 turnovers. ‘Frankfurt played better team basketball. They got stops and started to run. Their better defense helped stimulate their offense’, said Bennet Schubert.

Desmond Watson with the floater

In the third quarter it went back and forth as there were 7 lead changes, but no team could truly get away from the other as the Skyliners Juniors led 60-57 after 30 minutes. Both teams would punch back and forth as Frankfurt began well with a lay in by Watson who split the defense the way a Caris Levert would and Mr energizer Dusan Nikolic nailed a trey for the 44-40 Frankfurt lead. But Leitershofen punched back with a lethal Gille dunk and trey by Richardson as the guests led 45-44. But the game of runs continued as Frankfurt embarked on a 9-0 run which was highlighted by a Watson trey and mega two handed dunk by Nikolic on transition that was sparked by a steal by Joscha Zentgraf as Frankfurt now seemed in control 53-45. But the guests knew they could match Frankfurt’s output and did with a 9-0 run to steal the lead back at 54-53. Key in the run was LA native and ex Essen guard Brian Dawson who showed his 3 level scoring with a trey and 20 footer. But Frankfurt had the last laugh in the third quarter with a 7-3 run to lead by 3 points. Watson found German Moses Poelking for the lob and lay in and Smazak had the hot hand again with a trey. ‘We tried to slow the game down with the zone, but also tried to speed it up. We had many good looks. Both teams had a lot at stake and it was a real dog fight’, commented Brian Dawson. ”We continued to play hard and just be relentless’, said Desmond Watson. The Skyliners Juniors shot 37% from the field and 29% from the parking lot and had 32 rebounds and 9 turnovers while BG Hessing Leitershofen shot 44% from the field and 29% from the parking lot and had 34 rebounds and 10 turnovers.

Zion Richardson at the FT line

In the fourth quarter it seemed like BG Hessing Leitershofen might run away with the game, but the Skyliners Juniors never gave up and fought for the lead back. Watson nailed free throws for the 62-57 Frankfurt advantage, but Leitershofen then exploded on a 12-0 run to lead 69-62. In the run it was Gregori again who stepped up after being very quiet in quarters 2 and 3 where he scored only 2 points now added 5 points while Emmanuel Anshah who hails from Canada added 5 points. Leitershofen showed their unselfishness on offense and their defensive intensity disallowed Frankfurt to get into their sets and forced them to many tough shots. Tom Alte also added a lay in in the run. There was still a lot of time left with 7,00 minutes and Frankfurt began to chip away at the guests lead led by Watson who was always in attack mode as he got to the rim and free throw line adding a lay in and free throws while Alvin Onyia grabbed a deep rebound and sprinted coast to coast with a transition bucket and Frankfurt was suddenly only down 70-68. Both teams punched back and forth and despite a clutch Leif Zentgraf three pointer, the Skyliners Juniors still trailed 73-72. Richardson and Onyia then traded free throws, but Leitershofen still led 75-74 with under 2 minutes to play. However then came the turning point of the game as Tom Alte missed 2 free throws airballing the last one. Free throws would haunt the guests all night long as they finished the game 15/27 at 56%. With under a minute to play, Frankfurt then got a big bucket from Moses Poelking who got a pretty behind the back pass under pressure from Leif Zentgraf for the 77-76 Frankfurt lead. ‘When your playing the game, you don’t think on the court. If you think too much then you won’t make that play. Leif was playing in the flow of the game’, expressed Desmond Watson. Frankfurt then stopped Gille and then it was Watson time as he sunk a beautiful trey for the 79-77 lead. ‘I always want the ball and every shot I take feels good’, smiled Desmond Watson. Frankfurt came up big stopping Leitershofen on the last possession. ‘They executed better and had good looks while we didn’t. They switched a lot which affected us. We need to be more decisive at the end. On the last play we got the ball inside. They helped and Alte made a good pass. We got a good look. It just didn’t fall’, added Brian Dawson. ‘They had a decent look at the end. We try as hard as we can to get the stop. You never know what will happen. But we trusted each other to get the stop’, explained Desmond Watson. The Skyliners Juniors were led by Desmond Watson with 30 points while BG Hessing Leitershofen were led by Brendan Gregori with 18 points while Brian Dawson added 15 points. The Skyliners Juniors shot 38% from the field and 31% from outside and had 41 rebounds and 11 turnovers while BG Hessing Leitershofen shot 45% from the field and 29% from outside and had 43 rebounds and 12 turnovers.

Carter Whitt(Nurnberg Falcons) Was Super Fortunate To Have Had Casey Alexander Allow Him To Display His Full Arsenal That Prepared Him For Overseas

pic credit: Foto Zink

Carter Whitt (190-G-2002, college: Belmont) is a 190cm guard from Raleigh, North Carolina playing his rookie season overseas with Pro A team Nurnberg Falcons currently averaging 10,1ppg, 3,5rpg, 4,3apg and 1,3spg. He began his basketball career at Leesville Road High School and then played 2 years at Wake Forest (NCAA) and 50 games. He then played 2 seasons at Furman University (NCAA) playing a total of 59 games and in his last season averaged 7.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 82.1%: he then finished his NCAA career at Belmont University (NCAA) averaging 12.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 6.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 73.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Carter for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season with German Pro A team Nuernberg Falcons BC (Germany-ProA). What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

It has been a great experience so far, I’ve really enjoyed bonding with teammates and coaches while taking in the city of Nurnberg.

What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I would say the biggest wake up call has been the physicality of the game but overall the transition has been smooth.

Nurnberg has had a roller coaster season so far winning the first 2, then losing 4 and now on a 4 game winning streak. How can you explain the early season play as of now?

I´m happy to have been a part of 4 wins and want to keep it rolling. Just have to keep getting better everyday.

The team has been playing good basketball as of late and won 2 nail bitters. What strides have you seen the team make in the last weeks?

I think we are continuing to learn how to play with each other and just gaining confidence as a unit.

So far your averaging 6/2/2/1 stats. What has been the toughest adjustment for you overseas on the court?

With my first two games being within 72 hours of arrival I think the biggest thing has just been getting my legs under me and getting comfortable with my teammates. Not worrying about stats but focused on the team continuing to win games.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 190cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description.

I think my best comparison is Andrew Nembhard/ Austin Reaves

You’re a guard that can fill the stat sheet well. What are your biggest strengths on the court?

I think my passing and ability to run a team while being able to touch the paint with ease.

Your three pointer has been up and down the last years. How would you describe the development of your three pointer?

My three pointer is much better now than it ever has been and I’m confident that through my professional career, I will show that I can be an elite shooter from 3.

How would you describe your defensive game now? What kind of a defender are you now and what Kind of defender do you still want to become?

Overall I think I am a solid defender but definitely want to become a great defender. Learning how to use the refs to my advantage and being physical as possible is my next step.

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

Decision making is definitely one of my main focuses along with showing that I can knock the three down off the catch or off the dribble.

You began your college career at Wake Forest in 2020 playing 2 seasons and 50 NCAA games. You never averaged more than 4,6ppg in a season. What was your summary of these 2 years? What positives could you gain from it?

I learned how to come off the bench and play a minimal role. I met some great teammates and enjoyed my time at wake.

One of your best games was your 16/6/2 game in a win over USC Upstate. Was that one of your fondest moments on the court at Wake Forest?

I had many fond memories but the biggest were some of the big wins we had, including beating North Carolina by 20 at home.

You then played 2 seasons with Furman University (NCAA) averaging 2.6ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.1apg[Textumbruch]and 7.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 82.1%. How did your game grow there under Bob Richey?

I made some life long friends at Furman and really enjoyed my teammates and what we were able to achieve together. I wasn’t really able to show my full game at Furman.

You had some big games against Coastal and VMI. What was your fondest moment on the court at Coastal?

Beating UVA in the NCAA tournament was my fondest memory, I also enjoyed blowing out ETSU at home and playing a major role in that win.

You then finished at Belmont University (NCAA) averaging 12.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 6.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 73.6%. You had a game winner in the 99-97 win over Illinois State having a 10/8/9 game. What memories do you have of this dramatic win?

That was an awesome game. I remember I gave up a costly three that sent the game to overtime so I knew I had to get it back!

How did head coach Casey Alexander groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Coach Alexander is an awesome coach and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to develop for my pro career. He let me display my full arsenal, something I hadn’t had the opportunity to do in prior years and I´m super thankful for that. The track record of coach Alexander developing great pro’s is clear, and I think people should really look at his track record when considering Belmont.,

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Isaiah Walker?

I’ve only had one teammate that could consistently beat me in 1v1 and that was Jake Laravia. I don’t think we ever played 1v1 but I would’ve taken him!

You played against many great players in the NCAA, but who was the toughest battle that is in the NBA now?

I would say Tyrese Maxey back in AAU was the toughest. Scottie Barnes was the best I played in the NCAA.

Please name your best teammates of all-time?

Marcus Foster, Alondes Williams, Jake Laravia, Alex Williams

If you had to construct your very own NBA mount Rushmore which 4 heads would you pi ck?

Lebron, MJ, Tim Duncan, John Wall

Who is your GOAT?

MJ

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

I have not seen it.

Thanks Carter for the chat.

Cobie Barnes(BC Mess) Was Taught To Be Able To Impact The Game In More Ways Than Just Scoring

Cobie Barnes (201-F, college: SMWC) is a 201cm forward playing his second professional season and first with BC Mess (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) currently averaging 34/11/2/2 stats. Last season he played his rookie season with Ferro Carril Salto (Uruguay-LUB) averaging 21.5ppg, 12.0rpg, 1.0apg. He began his basketball career at Floyd Central High School and then played 2 seasons and 54 NCAA games for Indiana State University averaging 2.1ppg, 1.9rpg and 3.4ppg, 2.3rpg. He then played the next 3 seasons at John A. Logan College (JUCO) averaging 14.4ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 74.5%, at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (NCAA) averaging 2.5ppg, 1.8rpg and at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (NAIA) averaging 23.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 72.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Cobie for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second pro season with BC Mess (Luxembourg-Nationale 2). What kind of an experience has it been and what have you enjoyed most from the experience?

It has been great. I really enjoy my teammates, people and just the basketball here.

Do you kind of feel like a rookie this season since you only played 2 games in Uruguay last season?

I do still consider myself a rookie. I actually played more than 2 games in Uruguay but I don’t know if the stats were uploaded.

What was your wake up call to being in Europe this season where you knew that you were far away from home?

Honestly my biggest wake up call that I wasn’t home were the reusable grocery bags. I think that’s something I’ll bring back to the USA.

BC Mess is 3-0. What are the ambitions of the team? Are the goals to move up?

The goal is to win a championship and move up.

Your playing with fellow American Denathony McCallum who like you is a great scorer. Is there enough room for the both of you to score much on a normal game basis?

I think that DeAnthony and I play really well off of each other, and find each other within the offensive scheme great. We both like to run and play off of each others strengths.

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

I think I compare to a Paolo Banchero and Luka type of player.

You’re an explosive scorer, but also fill the stat sheet very well. Is versatility a bigger strength than your scoring?

I was always taught to impact the game in more ways than just scoring. So I think rebounds, assists, steals etc. are just as important as putting points up.

You had very many assists in 2 of the 3 games this season. Is getting a triple double something you could imagine yourself doing?

A triple double is definitely something I want to try to get before the end of the season. That’s always something that is a great show of impact on the game I think.

Let´s talk about your defensive game. How would you rate yourself as a defender in your second pro season and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I would say that I am a really hard worker on defense. I feel like I over communicate and try to give as much effort on the defensive end as possible. I want to become a lockdown defender for the whole game as I mature in my career.

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

I would say I’m looking to improve my off the ball scoring. Whether it’s catch and shoot, cutting, screening or anything else.

You had a short stay with Ferro Carril Salto (Uruguay-LUB) averaging 21.5ppg, 12.0rpg, 1.0apg. You played 2 games. What kind of an experience was it basketball wise?

We actually played a good amount of games before we played in the LUB. I went down there January 1st of 2025 and was there for 3 months. We won the LSB and the OBL. And I averaged 22, 8 and 4 assists throughout the whole season, but I don’t think they reported the stats to Eurobasket. I loved Uruguay though. I think they have some of the best fans I’ve ever seen, and the basketball is growing there. I had a lot of good vets on my team that helped me adapt to my first 3 months over seas.

You played 2 seasons at Indiana State University (NCAA) averaging 2.1ppg, 1.9rpg
and 3.4ppg, 2.3rpg. This is the school Larry Bird went to. Is his legacy present there?

Yeah his legacy is felt there. His picture and statues are everywhere around campus.

You averaged 11 minutes in your 2 seasons at Indiana State playing for Greg Lansing. How would you have described your role and what positives could you get from these 2 years?

Those years at ISU taught me how to be a team player. I had to learn how to be a star in my specific role and I thank Coach for that.

You had some great games against Evansville and Loyola Il. What was your fondest moment at Indiana State?

Honestly my fondest memories come with my teammates. I still keep in touch with the guys and we were always smiling when we were around.

You then took a few steps back at played at John A. Logan College (JUCO) averaging 14.4ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 74.5%. That must have been very humbling. Usually guys start in JUCO and then move up but it´s very rare for guys to go from the NCAA to JUCO: How vital was this decision for your development and mentality?

I think it was a necessary part of my journey. I needed to get comfortable being uncomfortable and Juco helped me with that.

Every guy that I have interviewed that played JUCO have told me it was a very tough grind, but an experience that they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you playing for Kyle Smithpeters?

I feel the same way. Coach Kyle was tough on me but we had a great relationship. Coach always knew how to get the guys to play their best and knew how to keep us together.

You then reached the NCAA again playing with Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (NCAA) playing 14 games averaging 2.5ppg, 1.8rpg. You averaged only 8 minutes. How tough was it coming from many JUCO minutes to little minutes in the NCAA? Despite that what positives could you get from that year?

It was different for sure. I got really sick at the start of the season and ended up having to get my gallbladder removed in December of that year. And the recovery process took a couple different turns. Some positives I took from that year were to never take anything for granted. It was a tough year, but prepared me for overseas I believe. I just wanted to thank my support system for helping when I had to get surgery to remove my gallbladder. Especially my fiancé who was really my rock through it all.

You then took a step back again and played with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (NAIA) averaging 23.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 72.8%. Here you were reborn. How did your game grow that season?

That was the season I knew I had to have. I went into the summer and gave everything I had to become a professional basketball player. No excuses just results. I learned how to be the #1 option in intense games at SMWC.

You had so many great games and wins but also loses. How tough was that 67-75 loss to Point Park where you scored 31 points? Is that one of those games you won´t ever forget?

The losses hurt more than the wins feel good. I still think about that one and wish I could’ve done more to help us win.

How did head coach Jessie Mcclung groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Coach McClung saved my career. He helped me with my mentality, work ethic, and becoming a great man. I look up to him so much and I owe him for life for saving my career.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jessie Burdick?

Let’s just say he played hard in those games haha.

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I would say that the best player I played in the NCAA that made the NBA was Obi Toppin. We played him my first game of my freshman year of college and that was eye opening for sure.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My 5 best teammates in no order are: Sean East, Jake Laravia, Tyreke Key, Christian Williams, and Miles McBride.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My personal Mount Rushmore is: LeBron, MJ, Magic and Kareem.

Who is your GOAT?

My goat is LeBron!

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

Yeah they should have left it alone haha.

Thanks Cobie for the chat.

Austin Crowley´s(Bamberg Baskets) Versatility Has Come From His Dad Teaching Him To Be A Swiss Army Knife His Whole Life

Austin Crowley (196-G-2000, college: Southern Miss) is a 25 year old 196cm guard from Mississippi playing his second professional season and first with the Bamberg Baskets currently averaging 8,7ppg, 3,5rpg, 1,6apg and 1,0spg. Last season he played with SCM CSU Craiova (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 17.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 79.3%. He began his basketball career at West Point high school and also played 2 years at Sunrise Christian academy. He then played 3 years at the University of Mississippi (NCAA) playing 90 games and then broke out at the University of Southern Mississippi (NCAA) averaging 16.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 74.5% and 16.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 75.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com last summer about basketball.

Thanks Austin for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing the Baskets Bamberg. In the press release you stated so many reasons why you chose this team. I enjoyed the saying that in Bamberg there is a unique culture and competition level. How challenging will this season be for you?

Just based on the research I have looked at with the history of the team and how dynamic they were, I knew that this was the perfect place for me to grow as a basketball player. I don’t think the challenge will be too much because of the amount of work I put in, as well as the great coaching staff and players that we have

Did former teammate Giordan Watson give you some pointers about the easyCredit BBL?

Giordan is someone I look up to and when I was thinking about this he was all in and told me that this would be a great next step in my career. I value his opinion so I took the advice he gave me and went with my decision

Did you know how much history this organization has had? Guys like Casey Jacobsen, Darius Miller and Daniel Theis all won titles here. What does that history mean to you?

With the history of this team being winners, I hope to bring that same atmosphere to the city and team in hopes of being not only wins but trophies to the org
Your new head coach Anton Gavel belongs to the rich Bamberg history. The guy has won countless titles. How did the talks go with him? What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

Talks with Coach Gavel were everything plus some. I know that he was a well established guard who has not only won in a team aspect but has many accomplishments as a player. I can’t wait to get to know him better and learn as much as I can from here

You had a productive rookie season in Romania, but the easyCredit BBL league is another step up. How confident are you that your game won’t only translate to this league, but that you will be able to make an impact?

I know the work that I put in, and the determination to be a great basketball player. Basketball is what I do and I plan to not only be productive as a player but show that I am one of the best young guards in Europe. With the great team that we are putting together I think that we can be a force in this league !

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I love to watch guys like Devin Booker, someone who can play off the ball as well as be a point guard. I like to get my guys going as well as establish myself as someone who is very aggressive getting down hill. I shoot the 3 pointer really well so teams have to respect me there as well

You play the position 2/3 and are a very versatile player. Were you always so versatile or did that come at the University of Southern Mississippi (NCAA)?

My dad always taught me to be a Swiss army knife all my life so I think that I have always been versatile in a sense. As I got to Southern Miss, I was able to showcase my ability more and from there on I have gotten better each and every year and I’m thankful for my coaches staff at USM that pushed me to be who I am today as a basketball player

Your three pointer continues to grow the last 3 seasons. Is this the season that you reach the 40% plateau? What do you still need to do with your shooting to get there?

Yes I believe so! Last year I think I was around 39.5 and I continue to to keep working each and everyday. I don’t just strive for 40%, I’m hoping to shoot closer to 50%!

Your also a very aggressive defender. What kind of a defender are you right now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I’m someone who takes pride in defending, not only because it leads to easy buckets for my teammates, but also I just love competing! I think that’s why I love the game of basketball!

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

I’m always working to improve my shooting because you can never be to great at shooting. This year I want to be more conditioned, and I want to improve on my passing. I think I get my guys involved a lot but I always think I can get better at it

Last season you played with SCM CSU Craiova (Romania-Liga National) averaging 17.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 58.7%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 79.3%. What do you remember being your wake up call overseas where you knew that you were far way from home?

When I tried to call my parents and the time difference played a factor. It was something to get used to for sure

You were teammates with ultra veteran Giordan Watson who was a rookie in the BBL in 2008 and is going into his 18th season at age 40. Was he like a mentor for you even if he doesn’t play the same position?

G was one of the best vets I could have asked for. Just by him allowing me to grow on the court as well as teach me things that I needed to know. He played a perfect balance and I think he helped pave my first year path to be much easier than I expected

You lost a tough playoff series against Oradea. What were the main reasons for not being able to win this series?

They were able to make shots in certain situations down the stretch when we needed too. Also we let them speed up our tempo and that caused them to get easy fast break points which hurt us.

How cool was it being reunited with Sammy Hunter again overseas after being his teammate at The University of Mississippi ? Are you guys like brothers?

I haven’t seen Sammy but that is my brother, we were in college together and I have a lot of love for each other.

After a great career at Sunrise Christian high school, you then played at the The University of Mississippi (NCAA) from 2019-2022. You had a different role than the last 2 years and got a lot less minutes. What memories will you always have of these 3 years and what positives did you get?

I had some up and downs with The University of Mississippi, but I learned a lot and it helped me become who I am today as a basketball player, I have no regrets

You played against NCAA powerhouse Kentucky 3 times and scored 18 points in a big win against Georgia. What was your fondest moment at The University of Mississippi

Some of my best moments were winning games like that with your brothers on side of you. To will the team to a win in and setting like that is great

You then played 2 seasons at the University of Southern Mississippi (NCAA) averaging 16.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 74.5% and 16.0ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 75.5%. Was this the best basketball decision of your life?

I think that was the best decision for myself to grow as a man and as a player, I’m just thankful for the opportunity and that I took advantage of it.

You had many great games there like scoring 30 points against ODU and 30 points against App State. What was your fondest moment there?

My best moment at Southern Miss would have to be winning the conference championship!

How did head coach Jay Ladner groom and prepare you best for a basketball career?

He taught me a lot, not only his teaching was great but he has an excellent staff along side him that put the confidence in me to be great

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Donovan Ivory?

I don’t lose in 1-1 haha

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

I don’t know I’ve played some great players and we competed at a high level each time we played

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Mo Arnold, Donovan Ivory, Bree Tyree, Devante Shuler, Felipe Hasse

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Lebron, Joker, KD, Shai

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

No

Thanks Austin for the chat.

Till Gloger Leads The Giessen 46ers To Easy 92-69 Victory Over The Tigers Tuebingen

There have been many memorable games in the Giessen Ost Halle, but the last buzzer beater loss against Munster is one that even the diehard Giessen fans won´t forget. That McMullen winner surely gave many of the diehard fans indigestion for days. So what does a team do that got a dagger ripped through their heart? Wipe off their mouths and get back on the court and get back to work. The Giessen 46ers definitely needed a positive answer as they came into a must win game against 8-13 team Tigers Tuebingen who broke their 7 game losing streak with a must needed win at home over PS Karlsruhe. On the same day of the famous Super Bowl, both teams came to work on an early Sunday afternoon and it was the Giessen 46ers who demonstrated from the get go taking control of the game right away and never gave any doubt that they would have any chance of losing winning 92-69. Even when Tuebingen had their moments on offense, Giessen mostly led by double digits executing well on offense and controlling the boards and playing aggressive defense. “We came in with a different energy than the last game. We played really good defense from the start and that helped us to put the momentum on our side. We also showed consistency executing our offense”, stressed Giessen 46er Till Gloger (204-C-1993, college: Maine). The Tigers Tuebingen had to play catch up from the first minute and had difficulty coming to terms with Giessen aggressive on ball defense and didn´t have a second or third major scoring option besides new American Jordan Johnson. “We had a very slow start. Turnovers really hurt us today. Whenever they got defensive stops, they did a good job getting out on transition. They executed their offense very well and outrebounded jus badly”, stressed Tiger Tuebingen forward Bernard Pelote.

Bernard Pelote at the FT line

The first quarter belonged to the Giessen 46ers as they played incredible defense allowing only 6 points and banged home 21 points. Before the Tigers Tubingen even knew what had hit them, Giessen led 7-0. Giessen stepped up their aggressive defense from the bell and made life really difficult for scoring point guard Jordan Johnson who couldn´t get the Tigers into their sets. Giessen executed their offense well attacking the rim getting lay in´s from ex Bremerhaven guard Daniel Norl and ex Rostock forward Till Gloger. Ex Phoenix Hagen guard Kyle Castlin also added free throws. Tuebingen got on the board when ex Western Carolina forward Bernard Pelote made free throws to trail 7-2. Giessen continued to execute well and Tuebingen didn´t get their first field goal until the 5,12 minute mark as Pelote made a tip in dunk. Giessen continued to attack the rim and simply played smart using mis matches and inserting their bigs well. Gloger was a walking bucket scoring 3 times including a pretty hook shot against the Tigers zone while ex German national player and fan favorite Robin Benzing showed that he still can get to the hole at age 37 with a nifty finger tip role. At the end of 10 minutes, Jordan Johnson had the big goose egg on the stat sheet. “We did a good job on Johnson as a team and Devon Goodman really made life difficult for him. We also did a good job getting the big involved and receiving easy baskets”, stated Till Gloger. The Giessen 46ers shot 39% from the field and =5 from outside and had 15 rebounds and 2 turnovers while the Tigers Tuebingen shot 13% from the field and 0% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

Aiden Warnholtz from outside

The Tigers Tuebingen finally found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter and had their best scoring input of 24 points, but couldn´t impact much on the defensive end as Giessen still led 39-30 at the break. The Tigers began with a positive 10-4 run to trail only 25-16. Jordan Johnson was able to find his spots better adding 5 points while ex Vechta guard Kaya Bayram made a trey and ex Boise State (NCAA) American Lukas Milner made a tip in. The Tigers Tuebingen had figured out how to execute consistently against the Giessen defense, but couldn´t make any ground because Giessen also began to execute with ease and keep a comfortable +10 point cushion. Giessen continued to feed their bigs as there was always a new one in line as now it was Serbian Viktor Kovacevic who scored twice giving Giessen the 32-20 advantage while the Tigers got buckets from Johnson and a Pelote dunk. Tuebingen continued to execute well moving the ball well and were rewarded with 2 three´s from ex Nurnberg forward Isaiah Sanders and another one from Bayram. Despite Tuebingen executing well, Giessen was still defending very well as Slovakian point guard Simon Krajcovic led the charge with 2 steals. Tuebingen ended the first half well with a fade away jumper by Johnson and a lay in from ex Mercyhurst University (NCAA2) forward Melkisedek Moreau. “Our offense remained solid and on defense we remained aggressive and we tried to take away their strengths”, stated Till Gloger. The Giessen 46ers shot 34% from the field and 13% from the three point line and had 21 rebounds and 5 turnovers while the Tigers Tuebingen shot 36% from the field and 27% from the three point line and had 21 rebounds and 12 turnovers.

Jordan Johnson with the mid distance shot

Both teams continued to execute well as the Giessen 46ers managed their lead well and continued not to allow the Tigers Tuebingen to get over the hump and get under 10 points. Giessen began well again like in the first quarter going on a quick 6-0 run to lead 45-30 and stopped Tuebingen on their first 4 possession. As usual, Giessen looked for their bigs getting 4 points from Kovacevic and a bucket from Gloger as Tuebingen had absolutely no remedy how to contain their bigs. Moreaux stopped the run with a steal at center court and a thunderous dunk. Shortly after Milner would add an offensive rebound and put back and those were some brief positive moments as they couldn´t string along consecutive stops. Giessen always had the rim on their minds and got added lay in´s from Gloger twice and once from Luis Konig Figge and led 53-41. Jordan Johnson was a 1 man wrecking crew who found his touch from Friday night where he dropped 30 in his Pro A debut against PS Karlsruhe as he made 2 three´s and a lay in to trail 53-43. Giessen continued to execute well in the down stretch of the third quarter getting a trey form Konig Figge and a lay in from Benzing. Pelote added a clutch trey in the last seconds as Giessen led 61-50 after 30 minutes. “We came out strong again with great energy. We continued to execute well on offense. We stayed consistent to keep our good lead”, commented Till Gloger. ”Whenever we came close, they always had an answer. They continued to use their bigs well and crashed the boards well”, expressed Bernard Pelote. The Giessen 46ers shot 42% from the field and 14% from the parking lot and had 31 rebounds and 9 turnovers and the Tigers Tuebingen shot 39% from the field and 32% from the parking lot and had 28 rebounds and 16 turnovers.

Jonathan Maier at the FT line

In the fourth quarter the Giessen 46ers had absolutely no let ups and put and exclamation point on the victory with an explosive 31 points to seal the win. Giessen began rapidly with a 16-6 run to decide the game early as they led 77-56. They displayed their long distance shooting abilities hitting 4 three´s as Kyle Castlin scored twice while Krajcovic and Canadian Aiden Warnholtz also added three´s. That run didn´t seem to faze the Tigers as they responded with a swift 8-0 run with a last gasp of energy to trail 79-64. In the run the Tigers received back to back three´s from ex American (NCAA) American Connor Nelson. However that basketball is a game of runs is no secret as that run didn´t disturb Giessen either as they closed out the game with authority going on a 12-5 run to seal the win. In the run, Giessen went back to attacking the rim as Kovacevic scored twice and Gloger also contributed a lay in “My teammates did a good job today putting me in good position to score. When I´m able to use my strengths, then I´m successful”, warned Till Gloger. Giessen also got rewarded time in and time out with offensive rebounds that gave them extra possessions. “We continued to work well on the boards. Our continued good offensive execution allowed us to keep the big lead”, said Till Gloger. “We kept fighting and stuck together. Even when we missed shots, we kept our composure”, said Bernard Pelote. The Giessen 46ers had 4 guys to score in double figures and were led by Till Gloger with 20 points. Viktor Kovacevic added 14 points and Kyle Castlin had 13 points and 13 rebounds while the Tigers Tuebingen were led by Jordan Johnson with 21 points. The Giessen 46ers shot 45% from the field and 32% from outside and had 46 rebounds and 14 turnovers while the Tigers Tuebingen shot 40% from the field and 35% and had 33 rebounds and 20 turnovers.

Bernard Pelote Believes The Tigers Tuebingen Are The Hunting Team Now And Going In The Right Direction After The Big 99-79 Win Over PS Karlsruhe

pic credit: Dennis Duddeck

Bernard Pelote (203-F-2002, college: WCU, agency: JCK Sports Group) is a 23 year old 203cm forward from Georgia playing his rookie season overseas with German Pro A team Tigers Tuebingen averaging 15,8ppg and 4,6rpg. He began his basketball career with Woodville-Tompkins High School. He then played 2 seasons at Catawba College (NCAA2) averaging 7.4ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 40.8%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 76.2% and 13.7ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 78.9%. He then palyed 3 seasons with Western Carolina University (NCAA) averaging 5.5ppg, 3.2rpg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 61.5%, 6.9ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 80.0% and in his last season averaged 13.8ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 70.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big 99-79 win over PS Karlsruhe.

Congrats on the big 99-79 win over PS Karlsruhe. How big was this win for the organization?

This was a must win for us. We had been in a slump for the last 1,5 months. I feel like we are heading in the right direction now. The hard work we have done really paid off.

Was it the biggest win of the season?

I wouldn´t say that it was the biggest win of the season, because every win is meaningful. I´m just glad that we got it going.

How big was the urgency to win? The team was riding a 7 game losing streak and had lost 10 of 11 games?

The urgency to win was really big. We were low in the standings. We knew that we had to steal this one even if they had beat us in their place. We had the dog mentality and were hunting and weren´t the hunted.

Did it seem like every new game was a bigger game then the last one? Was the pressure immense?

I feel like despite having our backs to the wall, we didn´t have any pressure. It was more on them. We focused on playing our game and just fighting.

The game began with 4 three´s and it was back and forth, but Tuebingen found it´s rhythm quickly. New Tiger Jordan Johnson got going rapidly. You also hit shots. Did you sense that you 2 might be carrying the team that night?

I didn´t necessarily think that at that moment. This was a team win. It was big for Johnson to come in the way he did and play so well, but we all played a part in the win.

Ps Karlsruhe began the second quarter with a 13-4 run to get back into the game. What break downs did the Tiger defense suffer?

They wanted to run in transition. Basketball is a game of runs and they will always happen. We weren´t able to slow down the game and limit turnovers.

Jordan Johnson stopped the run with back to back three´s. What do you appreciate most about his game?

I really appreciate everything form his game. He has made an instant impact. I like how he has come in and doesn´t even know me, but talks to me and gives me wisdom. He is a very fast player and has a great IQ

Could he be that special player that will help the Tigers turn the season around?

I think that he will be a big piece to what we want to do. Basketball is a team sport and it can´t be about just one guy to be successful. We need to match it.

The Tigers Tuebingen led 72-61 after 30 minutes. The Tigers had a little run in the last minutes and Connor Nelson hit big shots. What was the difference in the third quarter for getting the double digit lead?

We just kept going and kept our foot on the gas pedal. We never let up. When we saw they were getting tired, we knew that we had them.

The Tigers Tuebingen managed the lead well in the fourth quarter and then closed the door on PS Karlsruhe. How big was that alley-op dunk from Lukas Milner? Was that the exclamation point on the victory?

That alley-op dunk was the finishing touch on the win. That was a very nice dunk.

The Tigers Tuebingen hit 16 three´s, won the rebound battle and had 11 turnovers. What was the biggest strength of the team on the night?

I think we were strong when we got stops and got out on transition. That is when we are at our best. We also got needed stops in the third quarter to pull away.

You had a 18/7/3/1 game in 29 minutes. How content were you with your game?

I just saw what the defense gave me. I tried to make the right plays and crashed the boards. I brought energy and intensity on the defensive end. I feel like I let my defense spark my offense.

Your having a solid rookie season averaging 15/3/1. You had a slow start, but since have been very consistent. How has your game grown?

The start was tough. I wasn´t used to the physicality and I needed to adjust. But then I settled down. At the end of the day, it´s just basketball. My coach believes in me and lets me play through mistakes.

What do you still need to tweak with your game so you can have an even better home stretch of the season?

I need to be more consistent and efficient in my minutes. I also want to be more of a defensive stopper.

You next battle Giessen on the road. You won the first game in dramatic fashion 84-82. Giessen will be hungry for revenge. What will be key for getting the win?

We have to play together and smart. We have to be us. We have to be the hunting team.

Who will win the Super Bowl? Pats or SeaHawks?

I want the Patriots to win. I love Drake Maye. He is a really good quarterback.

Thanks Bernard for the chat.

Devonte McCall Believes The 96-79 Win In Munster Was A Big Wake Up Call For The EPG Baskets And One They Can Grow From

Pic credit: Angel Media

Devonte McCall (198-F-1998, college: Post) is a 27 year old 198 cm forward that was born in Amherst Mass and is playing his fourth professional season and fourth in Germany and first with the EPG Baskets Koblenz. He played his rookie season with the wiha Panthers Schwenningen (Germany-ProA) averaging 12.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-3 (1.2bpg), FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 68.5%. He played the last 2 seasons with Phoenix Hagen (Germany-ProA) averaging 10.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 68.5% and 7.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 24.7%, FT: 70.3%. He began his basketball career at Westminster and then played a season at Franklin Pierce University (NCAA2) averaging 5.0ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 41.2%. He then moved to Post University (NCAA2) averaging 12.6ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.6apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 50.0% and in his last season averaged 19.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, 2.1bpg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 66.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big 96-79 win in Munster to sweep the season series.

Thanks Devonte for talking to germanhoops.com. How good does it feel to sweep Munster 96-79?

It feels good to sweep even if I wasn´t around for the first win. It was a great bounce back win after 3 loses.

How big was the urgency to win this game after the disastrous loss in Nurnberg?

It was very high. We had good practices the last days. We all had the same focus and intensity in practice as well as the same mentality. The result showed.

What kind of soul searching did the team do the last days?

We just looked at each other and held each other accountable. We told each other what we had to improve on. This win was a big wake up call and one we can only grow from

The first 5 baskets were bang bang bang with three´s. Did it feel like the Hagen game?

Yes it did. They began hot not missing. We did a really good job weathering the storm.

In the second quarter the high tempo continued and Munster continued to hit three´s. What made it so difficult to slow them down better?

They got easy looks off transition and offensive rebounds. They are a really good shooting team and were at home. We made it too easy early on and that gave them confidence.

Calvin Wishart kept the pressure on and hit big shots and got Koblenz in a position where they lost the lead. How big was his leadership in that phase?

He is one of the best players in the Pro A. He has been great and stepped up whenever we needed it.

The EPG Baskets led 51-47 at the break. What was the team still lacking a bit at the defensive end?

We gave them too easy looks on transition. We were scoring well, but our half court defense wasn´t good enough. That changed in the second half.

Koblenz led 75-65 after 3 quarters. How vital was the defensive aggression in the third quarter? You forced 6 turnovers and slowed down Nicholas McMullen then.

I think that Jannis Sonnefeld did a really good job. We switched 1-5 and were a lot more dynamic. We were flying around and even when there was a mismatch against us, we communicated well.

What did head coach Stephan Dohrn tell the team to do for the last 10 minutes?

He told us not to let up. We have given up leads in the fourth quarter this season. We did a good job stomping out the fire and didn´t give them any hope. We were able to get a 12 point lead to 20.

The team allowed only 32 points in the second half. How proud are you of how the team stepped up and finished the game strong?

The way we played the second quarter was huge. I think the last 8-12 quarters, we allowed way too many points per possession. We stepped up our defense and that did a lot for our mentality.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz lost the rebound battle 45-36 and allowed 18 offensive rebounds. Why is rebounding a problem?

We go through phases. I think when I arrived here we were one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league. Luck is involved in rebounding. Our effort is there, but sometimes it´s just the way the ball bounces.

What new positives did you see in the team play after 40 minutes?

I think big was how we moved the ball well. We got all involved early in scoring. Our good defense also led to transition baskets.

You next face Bochum at home. You won the first game 107-87. What will be key to getting the sweep?

We can´t let them get early looks early. We have to make them work for everything. We have to fyl around defensively and make then do things out of character.

Thanks Devonte for the chat.

Julian Larry´s Biggest Basketball Wish Is To Help The EPG Baskets Koblenz Make The Playoffs

Julian Larry (190-G, college: Texas) is a 190cm guard from Texas playing his rookie season overseas in Germany with the EPG Baskets Koblenz. He began the season with Munster averaging 12,3ppg, 1,9rpg, 3,6aqpg and 1,4spg. He began his basketball career at Lone Star High School and then played at Indiana State (NCAA) from 2020-2024 amassing a total of 128 games. He then added an extra season with the University Of Texas. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the tough 115-67 loss in Nurnberg.

Thanks Julian for talking to germanhoops.com You suffered a tough 115-67 loss in Nurnberg. That was definitely not the way you wanted to begin your new career in Koblenz. How much did this loss hurt?

That loss hurt for sure. That first game for me was more about learning everything and just observing. I watched first and played more in the fourth quarter. It was more about learning the team for me.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz allowed an unacceptable 33 points in the first quarter. After allowing 100 points to Phoenix Hagen the week before, how can one explain a start like this?

We have to be tighter together on defense. I feel like we have a really good team. It is just a few things that we have to string together and just push through it.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz scored better in the second quarter and were only down by 13 points at the break. However a 17-2 run early in the third quarter decided the game and the team allowed 57 points in the second quarter. What was the biggest deficiency on the defensive end for the 40 minutes?

Our transition defense really hurt us. Nurnberg are known for liking to throw the TD passes.

A big problem this season has been the mentality of the team when things don´t go well. There has to be more input vocally form the leaders. Do you see the team having some real soul searching in the next days?

I feel like we have to get back to the drawing board. We have to watch film and learn from our mistakes. Important is that we are better prepared for adversary when it comes again. Adversary is one of those things that comes a lot.

This is the kind of a loss where answers have to come in the next game. It won´t get any easier on the road again against Munster who are coming off a big win in Giessen. I can imagine you will be really focused to win. What will be key to beating your new team?

It all starts with defense. We have to tighten up our transition defense and have better on ball pressure. We also need to dictate the pace. We weren´t able to do that against Nurnberg.

How excited are you for your new challenge with the EPG Baskets? What is your general impression of the team? You saw them allow only 69 points against you and Munster this season. You have seen a good side of them?

My first impression after they beat us when I was with Munster was that they were big and long. That leaves a lot of room for what you can and can´t do on defense. I liked how they pushed the ball. It was hard guarding guys when they constantly came down hill at you. My impression now is that I have really talented teammates. I´m really excited to paly with these guys.

You scored 5 points in 16 minutes in Nurnberg. How did it feel in general playing for them?

It felt great being out there for the first time. I had some wind to catch up with, but overal it was Ok. I only had had one practice. I have some catching up to do.

The EPG Baskets Koblenz have good guards. What kind of a role do you envision having with them? Do you feel like you could have a different role than in Munster?

100%. My role here is just to come out and be solid. I´m here to make easy plays and help the team win any way possible.

You couldn´t have asked for a better teammate then Calvin Wishart. What have you learned to appreciate most about his game?

That dude is always in attack mode. I guarded him a lot in the first game. He is really difficult to guard. He is super underrated with his hands on defense.

You began the season with Pro A team Munster averaging 12/1/3/1 stats. What did you like most about the organization?

I liked my time there and learned a lot. My role was different there. My role was to be one of the main players. My role was to be the point guard and be aggressive.

What kind of an experience was it on the floor coming from the NCAA to overseas? What was the biggest adjustment for you?

The way the Euro game is played is a lot different. Winning overseas is also different to what I saw in the NCAA. Also the rules are different.

What was your wake up call to being overseas as a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

Everyone riding bikes in Munster. We had to ride bikes like 10 minutes to get to the team cars. I took cabs when it got colder, but overall it was ok because the gym was only a 10 minute walk.

You scored in double figures in 11/17 games. Why did you have to leave the club?

They told me that they needed a change.

What is your biggest basketball wish in the last months of this season?

My biggest wish is to help the EPG Baskets Koblenz make the playoffs.

Thanks Julian for the chat.

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