Cobie Barnes (201-F, college: St.Mary of the Woods) is a 201cm forward playing his second professional season and first with BC Mess (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) currently averaging 35,3ppg, 10,3rpg, 4,0apg and 2,0spg. 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.
After a long summer, the Skyliners Juniors were back home again for the start of the 2025-206 Pro B season. They had begun the season on the road in Leitershofen and suffered a tough 90-79 loss. Frankfurt was battling sicknesses and injuries and had to play with a 7 man rotation. Their next opponent were the Fellbach Flashers who won the Pro B title in 2023 and have played 2 solid seasons in the Pro B. Fellbach may have been without ex easyCredit BBL slam dunk contest winner Brian Butler who doesn´t play all games, but were with Kris Borisov´s biggest catch of his coaching career with Joanic Gruettner who had just been reeled in. He played 5 seasons in the BBL with BG Goettingen, Bayreuth and Bamberg and was a major attraction for the Pro B. He did score 13 points, but the big attraction was rising Pro B player Nik Schlipf (196-G-2002, college: Alliance) who led the Flashers to the 84-83 win scoring 23 points. It wasn´t a beautiful game, but games like these can always occur at the start of a season. “It was an ugly win. The important thing was that we always stayed together when it mattered most. We kept encouraging each other through every slump in the game. We didn´t shoot well, but kept attacking the paint. We were aggressive minded the whole game and moved the ball well”, stressed Fellbach Flasher Tysem Lyles. The Skyliners Juniors had a lot deeper roster than in Leitershofen, but believed in a 9 man rotation despite being without youngsters Ivan Crnjac, Max Peters and Dusan Nikolic. The Skyliners Juniors fought until the end and had a lot of misfortune at the end, but they should have won the game in other areas. “We made a lot of mistakes and allowed too many fast break points in the first half. It wasn´t our best defensive game. We did a good job on the offensive glass. You don´t see that all the time”, stressed Skyliner Junior Marvin Esser.
Florian Dietrich at the FT line
The Fellbach Flashers got off to a rapid start to lead 8-2 as ex Alliance (NCAA2) forward Nik Schlipf got the hot hand early dropping 2 three pointers for the 8-2 advantage. Ex Nurnberg center Nelson Okafor also got going being aggressive inside getting a lay in and dunk. Alvin Oniya got hot early with a trey and heads up play sneaking in for an offensive rebound and put back as Frankfurt trailed 12-8. Fellbach continued to keep the lead as Schlifp continued to wreck havoc with a 20 footer and alley op pass for the Okafor dunk as Frankfurt trailed 16-10. The game was of a high tempo and many turnovers as both teams remained aggressive on the defensive end. Frankfurt had to play pick up basketball, but always had an answer as German Jamie Edoka hit a trey as Frankfurt trailed 18-16. Fellbach kept the lead as they continued to get easy buckets inside from crafty Gruettner and flashy diminutive guard Travis Davis for the 22-17 advantage. Frankfurt continued to have answers as they also liked to attack the paint as Oniya and German Julius Messer scored for the 23-22 lead and first Frankfurt lead. However it didn´t remain long as Griettner scored at the buzzer for the 24-23 Fellbach lead. “We had good mental concentration. We were never to high or too low. We began well. I was happy for Nik Schlipf who was coming out of a shooting slump. He will have his break through season”, stressed New York native Tyseem Lyles. The Fellbach Flashers shot 55% from the field and 29% from outside and had 8 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the Skyliners Junioers shot 43% from the field and 50% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 6 turnovers.
Mateus Rodriguez from outside
The second quarter was the quarter of the runs that looked like this. 6-2 run for Fellbach, 7-0 Frankfurt run, 4-0 Fellbach run, 5-0 Frankfurt run and 8-0 Fellbach run. Both teams were up and down as day and night. Schlipf and Gruettner scored inside on the first run while Frankfurt countered with ex Kronberg big man Florian Dietrich and and a trey by Czech Republic guard Lukas Smazak to dead lock the game at 32-32. Frankfurt then had a lull again as Fellbach took advantage of it with a Mateus Rodriguez floater and Schlipf lay in for the 36-32 lead. Frankfurt struck back with a run as Leif Zentgraf made a trey as Smazak made a behind the back acrobatic pass and he then made a jumper as Frankfurt found themselves leading again 37-36. However Fellbach also always had an answer and struck back with a 8-0 run to lead 44-37 as Schlipf contributed 5 points and Rodriguez a three pointer. Frankfurt stopped the Flashers run with a Messer tip in to trail 44-39, but they were unable to get over the hump as Gruettner scored as did German Thomas Billinger. However Frankfurt got some key production from undersized German big man Marvin Esser who scored twice in the last minute as Frankfurt trailed 50-46 at the break. “That quarter was full of runs. We remained focused and together. Frankfurt responded always being able to find an answer and start a run. My shot wasn´t falling at all in the first half. I stayed part of the team and did other things to help the team”, stated Tysem Lyles. The Fellbach Flashers shot 56% from the field and 33% from the three point line and had 14 rebounds and 11 turnovers while the Skyliners Juniors shot 48% from the field and 43% from the three point line and had 18 rebounds and 14 turnovers.
Lukas Smazak jumper
In the third quarter the Skyliners Juniors continued to have bad phases, but never allowed the Fellbach Flashers to get away. Frankfurt continued to fight and stay with Fellbach trailing by 3 points after 30 minutes. The Skyliners Juniors got off to a slow start offensively getting stopped 6 times, but defended solidly allowing only 5 points as Lyles made free throws and Schlipf drilled home another trey for the 55-46 lead. The Flashers played high intensity defense getting blocks from Micky De Souza and Lyles. The Skyliners Juniors finally got on the board on their 7th possession as Dietrich had a clear route to the rim and made a thunderous left handed dunk to trail 55-48. Frankfurt went on a 8-2 run to trail 57-55 as Oniya made another big play making a tip in while Smazak hit a three pointer. But the Skyliners Juniors continued to have difficulty slowing down the drive as Mark Golder and Jonathan Gerlinger scored for the 63-57 advantage. The Skyliners Juniors kept fighting, but just couldn´t get over the hump. Leif Zentgraf made a lay in to trail 63-60, Messer a lay in to trail 65-62 and Esser and lay in on transition to trail 67-64. Fellbach continued to execute well offensively and led 69-66 after 3 quarters. “Frankfurt did a good job getting out on transition. We didn´t do a good job on transition defense. We allowed way too many offensive rebounds”, said Tysem Lyles. “We came out fighting and stayed close. We never gave up. We are young and hungry. Our offensive rebounds helped us stay in the game”, said Marvin Esser. The Fellbach Flashers shot 53% from the field and 28% from the parking lot and had 24 rebounds and 15 turnovers while the Skyliners Juniors shot 46% from the field and 33% from the parking lot and had 29 rebounds and 16 turnovers.
Tysem Lylles at the FT line
In the fourth quarter the game remained tight until the end as Fellbach always had the lead except for once early and the Skyliners Juniors had the opportunity to win it on the last possession. Gerlinger and Dietrich traded baskets in the first minute as Fellbach led 71-68. Fellbach remained aggressive as Swiss guard Rodriguez got to the free throw line twice and scored 4 points, but Frankfurt remained alert and let it rain three´s as Leif Zentgraf and Lukas Smazak hit three´s for the 75-74 Skyliners Juniors lead. However the Skyliners Juniors were never able to take that key run when they had the lead. Instead Fellbach fired with a 9-0 run to lead 83-75 as crunch time appeared. The Flashers were led by clutch Lyles and Schlipf three´s. It looked like this may have been the moment where the Skyliners Juniors would cave in for good, but they didn´t. Frankfurt buckled down on defense and got consecutive stops while Leif Zentgraf scored 5 points including a trey to trail Fellbach 83-80. Okafor then made 1 of 2 free throws for the 84-80 Flashers lead The Skyliners Juniors continued to get stops and 3 free throws by Messer to trail 84-83 with 50 seconds to play. “Frankfurt came back giving us different looks on defense. They got mulitiple defensive rotations which gave them open looks”, commented Tysem Lyles. The Juniors then stopped Schilpf and had the ball with 24 seconds to go. The Skyliners Juniors had fate in their own hands and didn´t get any support from the basketball God. Frankfurt got 3 offensive rebounds and Joscha Zentgraf got fouled with 3,2 seconds remaining. He had fate in his hands, but missed both free throws. He got the offensive rebound and then traveled. Gruettner did lose the ball to Dietrich at center court, but his last second shot only hit the back board ending the contest. “I was still calm when he missed first free throw. My heart sank when he missed the second and had the offensive rebound. But we grinded out the win and a win is a win”, stressed Tyseem Llyles. “We can´t be in a situation like we were at the end. We have to find a way to win the game earlier”, commented Marvin Esser. The Fellbach Flashers were led by Nik Schlipf with 23 points while Mateus Rodriguez added 19 points while the Skyliners Junioers were led by Leif Zengraf with 18 points while Lukas Smazak and Alvin Oniya added 14 points a piece. The Fellbach Flashers shot 49% from the field and 30% from outside and had 29 rebounds and 17 turnovers while the Skyliners Juniors shot 40% from the field and 30% from outside and had 48 rebounds and 23 turnovers.
The perfect Team Germany (4-0) continue to roll as they dismantled Team Serbia 93-82 to reach the quarterfinals where they will have a tough test against team Australia. Team Germany had another potent game from their 2 bigs Hannes Steinbach (206-F/C-2006) and Eric Reibe who combined for 48 points and 27 rebounds. There was no stopping their play inside while the team also controlled the boards easily. “Steinbach and Reibe are very talented. They form a very strong duo. They have a big future ahead of them”, warned Janne Muller. They also got a massive game from Alba Berlin guard Jack Kayil who supplied 20 points, 6 boards and 8 dimes while Texas Tech (NCAA) guard Christian Anderson had a horrible shooting day at 2/11, but instead took over the playmaking duties well dishing out 11 assists and leading the offensive attack. “We knew that Serbia was a very strong opponent. We knew them very well from the last years. We played an all around good game and were physical and aggressive on offense. We also did a good job controlling the rebounding”, stressed Telekom Baskets Bonn guard Janne Muller.
Team Germany got off rolling in the first quarter as they controlled the game and set the tone on defense being aggressive and not allowing Serbia to get into a offensive rhythm. They right away showed who owned the paint area as Hannes Steinbach and Eric Reibe scored 2 buckets a piece while Jack Kayil dropped a three pointer for good measure. However team Serbia didn´t wilt like a flower, but showed their fighting qualities which they would do until the end going on a 8-2 run to trail only 14-10. They got 2 key three´s from top Serbian guard Savo Drezgic and Andrej Kostic. Both teams showed why basketball is a game of runs as team Germany closed out the first quarter with a 9-3 run to lead 23-13 after 10 minutes. In the run, team Germany were led by Steinbach who was an absolute menace under the basket scoring 6 points while Christian Anderson connected on a trey. “It was vital that our bigs Steinbach and Reibe were dominant. We knew they could be that and we looked for that early. Both guys produced”, stressed Janne Muller.
In the second quarter it was time for team Serbia to set the tone as they exploded for 29 points and cut team Germanys lead down to 45-42 at half-time. Germany scored 22 points and probably could have had a 10 point lead at the break, but they weren´t able to control Drezgig who went on fire and was a one man wrecking crew in the second half of the second quarter scoring 7 consecutive points. “Drezgic is a very good creator for his team, but can also score himself. He played a very good game and kept his team in the game”, stated Janne Muller. In the last minute Nikola Dzepina also came through in the punch scoring 5 points and kept Serbia close with Germany. The best thing Germany did in the second quarter besides remaining consistent on the boards was get to the free throw line. They remained aggressive and 17 of their 22 points came from the free throw line. Their weakness was on the defensive end where they just couldn´t get on a roll. “We weren´t as focused anymore on the defensive end. Serbia hit tough shots and we made easy mistakes”, added Janne Muller.
In the third quarter, team Germany found back to their game and led 73-65 after 30 minutes. Their early 19-4 run gave them the 64-49 advantage and set the tone for team Germany as they would control the game until the end even if team Serbia continued to pick at the lead. In the run, Germany continued to spread the love around as Reibe continued to be a beast in the paint scoring 6 points while Steinbach remained consistent netting 5 points and Kayil continued to have his range dropping 2 three´s. However team Serbia stayed tough and kept executing well to stay around the 10 point margin as Drezgic and Tofoski nailed vital three´s. “We came out of half-time aggressive and remained focused on offense and defense. We simply played our game”, said Janne Muller.
In the fourth quarter team Germany did another really good job of managing the lead well and just executing consistently on offense. Whenever team Serbia tried to threaten, team Germany always had an answer with points. Twice Drezgic scored, but Christian Anderson answered with free throws to keep Germany ahead at 84-77 with 5,23 minutes to play. In crunch-time, Eric Reibe showed his killer instinct and nerves scoring 5 points while Declan Duru and Steinbach hit free throws to secure the win. “Our guards controlled the game and we had the great inside presence of Steinbach and Reibe. Serbia couldn´t stop it”, added Janne Muller. Hannes Steinbach led team Germany with a monster game of 23 points and 19 rebounds while Eric Reibe added 25 points and 8 boards. Jack Kayil added 20 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists while team Serbia was led by Savo Drezgic with 32 points and 11 rebounds while Stefan Plisnic added 16 points. Team Germany shot 45% from the field and 30% from outside and had 47 rebounds and 9 turnovers while team Serbia shot 40% from the field and 34% from outside and had 34 rebounds and 9 turnovers. The rest of the way doesn´t get any easier for team Germany as they now clash team Australia on Friday who crushed the Dominican Republic 106-96. Team Australia grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and displayed their pretty team basketball with 6 guys scoring in double figures. “We know Australia from the AST and 2 test games. They are a very aggressive team that play with a lot of energy. It will definitely be a fight”, warned Janne Muller.
Jayden Gardner (201-F-2000, college: Virginia, agency: MSG) is a 25 year old 201cm forward that played his second professional season and first in Germany with easyCredit BBL team Rasta Vechta averaging 10,3ppg and 7,2rpg and in the BCL averaged 13,8ppg and 7.3rpg. He palyed his rookie season with House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 15.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 64.4% in the BNXT league. He began his basketball career with Heritage high school and then played at East Carolina University (NCAA) from 2018-2021 averaging 19.7ppg, 9.2rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 73.4% and 18.3ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 73.7% in his last 2 seasons. He then played 2 more seasons with the The University of Virginia (NCAA) averaging 15.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 79.3% and 11.9ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 51.2%, FT: 68.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Jayden for talking to germanmhoops.com. Your played your first season with German team RastaVechta. What have you enjoyed most about the experience? I have really enjoyed the competition level of the league with chances to play euroleague, euro cup, champion league level teams all year.
It was a whirlwind of a season for Rasta Vechta. It began bad, then the team rebounded well for months, but then had a 6 game losing streak before the win in Frankfurt, but still with every chance to reach the playoffs. Why did the team have problems scoring points in this span?
Slumps is a part of basketball and unfortunately we happened to go through one during those six weeks all you can do is keep working and keep shooting.
One thing teams don´t do often in the easyCredit BBL is sweep top team FC Bayern Munich. Does that rate as your season highlight? Yes, beating a euroleague team twice will always take the cake for sure.
Which win did you enjoy most? The one point win or the easier win by 79-65. You impressed in both games scoring 18 and 19 points? I like the one @ Munich because nobody believed in us and it was a game winner.
What was it like being teammates with Isaiah Cozart? You guys battle each other every day in practice. What have you appreciated most about his game?
He is a very fun competitive guy in his rookie year I love getting to work with him and I love his athleticism it makes him a problem on the offensive and defensive end.
What was it like being teammates with German big man Johan Grunloh? He will most likely be drafted by an NBA team once he finishes in the NCAA with Virginia. Will he be NBA ready? Yes I believe he will one day be there because he puts the work in everyday when no one is watching. He is special player.
Let´s talk about your game? If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description? I think I have more of an old player style like Paul Pierce who likes to operate on the block but can score in a lot of different ways as well.
You’re a player that scores very well and rebounds very well as well. What is your biggest strength on the court? My biggest strength is my motor that’s how I can rebound and score so well I like to call me relentless.
In 5 years in the NCAA, you took only 53 three´s and 191 three´s in your first 2 pro seasons. Did you concentrate on your three during the summer of 2023? Last season you shot 33% and this season 32% How content have you been with the development of your three pointer?
Just locking in on the work at end I know I can shoot the ball so it was all just about getting comfortable and I’ve done that I plan to keep improving every year.
How would you describe the development of your defense? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?
I think of myself as a very good one on one defender who can guard 1v5. The next step for me is to continue to help with talking to help team defense.
On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game? Playmaking, Ball handling, Shooting
What has been the biggest challenge playing in the easyCredit BBL in comparison to the BNXT league last season? Competition level but that’s what excites me.
You have been very consistent this season. You have been consistent your whole career. What is your secret to really always being an effective player?
Routine Routine Routine I live and preach this and stay with it.
Last season you played with the House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 15.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 64.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home? The wake up call was all the travels I got last year haha. Now I understand how to move so I haven’t gotten many this year.
You began your NCAA career in 2018 at East Carolina University (NCAA). You had 3 very strong seasons there under Joe Dooley. How vital was he for your early basketball development? How did he help shape your game? He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase what I could do from day one as a freshman. I will always thank him for that. Coach George Wright and Ken Potosnak were major parts in my development to take a major jump.
You had so many great games at East Carolina, but was your 35/20 game against UCF your greatest game? What memories do you have of that monumental game? Yea UCF vs Taco Fall takes the cake every time it’s one of my favorite rewatches because he is a whole foot taller than me.
You then played 2 seasons at Virginia. You reached the NIT Sweet 16 with exciting wins over MSU and North Texas by 3 and 2 points, but then lost a heart breaker 52-51 against St Bonaventure. How do you remember that run? Yea sucks we didn’t make the tournament but it was my first post season basketball in college so I tried to make the most of it.
How did head coach Tony Bennett groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach helped me see the game through different lengths. He challenged me constantly like he told me he would but I always responded. Learning the defense made me a complete player.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Ryan Dunn? I would cook RD just like practice haha.
Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
Paolo Banchero
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Kihei Clark, Reece Beekman, Kadin Shedrick, Dre Perry, Izaiah Cozart
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Kobe, Bron, Jordan, Steph
Who is your GOAT? Bron
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? I did and I will be watching it on my flight back home soon haha.
There are so many things I love to ask professional ballers and really there are so many interesting things to ask them. One aspect of a ballers career that I find fascinating is who they were teammates with. So often I find a guy that has had a great career, but it is amazing to see who they battled everyday in practice or who they were talking to about life time things on the road as roommates. One of those talented guys that is still seeking that overseas break out is Jaiveon Eaves (188-G-1998, college: Murray St.). He is a player that wasn´t only teammates with current Miami Heat guard Dru Smith, but shared the court on a daily basis with freak of nature athletic wizard Ja Morant who never met a rim he didn´t like. If someone had told him then that Dru Smith who only averaged 5,3ppg in the season that they were teammates that he would reach the NBA then, what would he have thought? “If someone would’ve told me then yes I would have believed it because his work showed it. We had a good relationship and we were roommates and yes we battled every day”, said Jaiveon Eaves. Even if his one year experience with Ja Morant was some years ago, his memories are as if they were yesterday. “It was great experience playing alongside Ja and I learned a lot. We have a great relationship we were roommates as well and he was sophomore my junior year. Yes we talk occasionally. The most incredible thing was him jumping over someone and dunking the ball mid game.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Dru Smith in Boston in 2023
Jaiveon Eaves is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Kentucky that lists explosive scorer Donovan Mitchell of the Cavs as his toughest opponent in the NCAA began his basketball career at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School. He then played a season at the University of Evansville (NCAA) averaging 3.1ppg, 1.7rpg in 10 minutes per game. “One positive thing that I gained there was playing the role coach needed me to being my first year in college and controlling what I could control”, remembered Jaiveon Eaves. He then had a change of scenery and took a step back and played at John A. Logan College (JUCO) averaging 16.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 43.9%, FT: 73.7%. “It was a great experience I earned player of the year in my conference and yes it’s definitely a grind”, remembered Jaiveon Eaves. He then finished at Murray State University (NCAA) averaging 3.6ppg and in his second season averaged 11.1ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 77.9%. He won the OVC title and reached the big dance in his first season. “I remember it all such a great experience something I could never forget”, warned Jaiveon Eaves. In his second season he broke out and averaged 21 minutes more. ”I changed my physique losing 30lbs in 30 days over summer break and came back a totally different player”, stressed Jaiveon Eaves. In his last season there he scored in double figures 18 times including 21 points a piece against Austin Peay and SIUE. He lost his last NCAA game to Belmont 76-75 having a 9/4/4/2 game. “It was good game the outcome wasn’t what we wanted but I think we all learned from it”, said Jaiveon Eaves. He didn´t become the player he is today without the positive guidance of head coach Matt Mcmahon. “Coach McMahon put the pressure on me and made me prove myself and work for every minute I played. He always taught me that I had to go get it and wasn’t nothing handed to me”, warned Jaiveon Eaves.
The 3 level scorer who lists Lebron James, Anthony Edwards, Damian Lillard, and Ja Morant on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore played his rookie season with the Owensboro Thoroughbreds (TBL) averaging 19.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 84.1%. He demonstrated there that he was a top player. He showed that he was able to make the adjustment from the NCAA to the pro level and was able to impact the game. He then got rewarded with his first overseas gig landing a job in Georgia with Olimpi Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) playing 3 games and averaging 5.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg. He was there only for a month and didn´t take that opportunity for granted. “It was a great opportunity for me I learned a lot and I’m very thankful for it”, said Jaiveon Eaves. He had absolutely no problems with the organization, but it simply wasn´t a good fit for him. If his short stay in Georgia had something to do with him not getting back overseas is difficult to say simply because 1 month just isn´t enough to show what one can really do with their game. After his Euro gig, he would play 2 more seasons in the TBL and a season in Canada in the BSL league. “It was a great experience and I learned a lot from it and it helped me develop even more as a pro. I can agree with that and it’s a lot of talented players in the TBL”, stated Jaiveon Eaves. Playing semi pro basketball and having a 9-5 job plus working daily on the game makes for a tough life, but it´s all worth it. “I´m currently working now and making ends meet. I don’t really think it’s tough when you want something bad enough. I’ve found ways to incorporate basketball in my everyday life”, said Jaiveon Eaves.
The explosive guard who never saw the classic Coming To America movie or it´s sequel is extremely motivated to finally get another opportunity overseas. He is so talented and one could call his story a basketball tragedy, but he just keeps remaining positive. “I’m very eager for the right opportunity to fall in place to show what I can do and what I can bring to any organization”, added Jaiveon Eaves. His luck may finally be there as he has signed with up and coming agent Bayi Handy who has placed many guys overseas, but especially has that talent to get guys off the radar and guys with big chips on their shoulders jobs. He may have had bad representation in the past, but now he hopes it will be different. “Perhaps bad representation has been the issue my whole pro career, but I’m very excited to work with Bayi. He understands me and know what I can do. I´m very confident and I know what Bayi can do I’ve seen it first hand. All I have to do is take care of my part on the court”, stressed Jaiveon Eaves. So what kind of game will people see overseas from him the second time around? Would a comparison to Donovan Mitchell fit? “I´m more of a combo guard and yes that’s a fair comparison with my abilities to score the ball”, warned Jaiveon Eaves. He is that classic 3 level scorer, but how developed is his three pointer at the moment? “At the moment, it´s very developed I’ve spent a lot of time working to become more consistent with my 3 point shot”, stressed Jaiveon Eaves. To achieve success overseas, a player has to have more than just being a great offensive player, but also play defense. He has very quick feet and good size for a guard and loves to play the passing lanes. “I want to be well rounded at preventing scoring on ball while also maintaining good rebounding and help side defense”, said Jaiveon Eaves. At the moment he is grinding very hard in the gym so when he gets the call from overseas, he will be more than ready. “I´m focused on improving all areas of my game to be able to compete at a high level”, warned Jaiveon Eaves. He may still have to wait a few months as the current season is winding down, but the search for a roster spot for next season is already underway. He is feeling very well at the moment and just doing what he can control which is continuing to get better every day. “At the moment I’m in a great place mentally and physically, and basketball is still treating me great. I’m very confident in my game and what I can. My work will show and won’t go unnoticed. I have so much to bring to the table and I feel my opportunity is coming”, warned Jaiveon Eaves. He is a player that could excel in the German Pro B to start. The basketball ladder is long overseas and guys have to pay their dues. It would be great to see Jaiveon Eaves play in Germany next season. He definitely would have great Ja Morant stories for his young German teammates.
When I´m at Frankfurt airport ready to commence a new journey home to Boston to visit family, I´m always on the lookout. I don´t travel every week, but usually once or twice a year and my fortune with seeing basketball players at the airport have been pretty good in the last years. I saw ex Giessen player Jestin Lewis some years ago as well as the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg team led then by John Patrick and just last year bumped into ex easyCredit BBL champion Ivan Pavic of Bamberg. Heck I even saw well known German dance floor group Masterboy at the airport. I don´t know what it is, but I just have luck bumping into people who are public figures. It wasn´t any different once again recently as I was on another trip home when I was waiting to board and saw a guy lounging around who looked like a player. My suspicions was heightened a bit more when I saw he was carrying a bag with the G-League logo. I approached him and asked him who he was. He told me Kahlil Dukes (182-G-1995, college: Niagara). The name rang a bell and he actually had balled in Germany for the Hamburg Towers some time ago and was on his way home to Hartford from Hungary back for the summer. I wasn´t sure if I had ever interviewed him before, but when I later checked my files, I actually had not. We rapped for some minutes and wished each other a good flight. We were actually on the same flight to Boston. We took a selfie and were on our way. He later contacted me about needing a change on his eurobasket.com profile and I was happy to help him. I then decided why not interview him. He definitely has a special story to tell. He is a guy that has played for 10 organizations in countries like Hungary, Russia, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Bulgaria, and France. He is a genuine basketball globetrotter that has seen it all including ice on the beard and eyebrows. “It’s been a journey and the journey has been an experience to say the least. But I have had ups and downs. I have played in some small cities and in some big cities. I can say some basic things in four different languages now. So I am grateful for the opportunity I have every year to travel the world for free and make money doing what I love to do”, said Kahlil Dukes.
The 30 year old 182cm guard who saw many great guys in the Pac 12 from the bench like Kyle Anderson, Joe Young, Zach Lavine, Norman Pow, TJ McConnell, Stanley Johnson, Jordan Adams, and Dillon Brooks and lists guys like Nate Mason, Matt Morgan, Eric Neal, Isaiah Washington, and Justin Robinson as the toughest players he ever faced in the NCAA began his basketball career at Capital Prep Magnet School averaging 23.9ppg, 3.9apg, 3.0spg; and finished his four-year career with 2,228 points to become the 17th player in Connecticut high school history to score more than 2,000 points. He then played at the University of Southern California from 2013-2015 amassing 37 games, but never averaged more than 2,7ppg in a season. “It was tough sitting on the bench and not getting an opportunity. I worked all my childhood to play high level college basketball and then I got there and didn’t get much of a chance to show what I could do. The coach that recruited me was fired before I got to campus. It was difficult trying to impress the new coach. But I tried my best and showed I belonged and I worked very hard. Looking back on it, it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me because I learned how mentally strong I was and how deep my love for the game was in those 2 years. And I knew that with an opportunity, I could be special”, stressed Kahlil Dukes.
A big highlight in his second season was scoring 18 points in 29 minutes against Arizona State? It was a tough loss, but he proved that he could produce when given minutes. “This was my opportunity. Two guys were suspended and one of our starting guards was injured so it gave me an opportunity to show I could play well in big minutes. I was playing so well that the coach was drawing up out of time out plays for me to score – and I was executing them. We were leading the whole game also, on the road against an ASU team that beat Arizona that year. They started making some big shots down the stretch and we went cold and ended up losing. But I’ll never forget that night. It showed me I belonged and it taught me a lot about hard work and trusting a journey”, remembered Kahlil Dukes. He then finished at Niagara and finally got a chance. In his first season averaged 15.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 92.1% and in his second season exploded averaging 20.8ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 91.0% “Transferring to Niagara was the best decision I ever made. My redshirt season actually made the adjustment a lot easier for me. Ended up being MAAC Player of the Year and an Associate Press All-American Honorable Mention in the end so all I can say is I’m grateful for all the ups and downs throughout my collegiate career. You asked earlier about going from one team to the other and performing better, showing resilience. I think a lot of that stems from my college career and the experiences I had during that 5-year journey going from USC to Niagara. Like I said before, usage and responsibility per possession makes all the difference – for me at least”, stated Kahlil Dukes. In his 2 seasons he played 65 games and scored in double figures in 59 games. He scored 20 points or more 30 times. He will never forget his incredible 37 point explosion against Monmouth where he went 11/17 from the field and 10/10 from the free throw line. “It was a college career-high night for me. I always tried to be at my best against Monmouth especially because I respected them as powerhouses in the MAAC conference. They had just had a back to back conference player of the year (Justin Robinson) and their coach (Coach Rice) played at UNC for Roy Williams. So they were highly respected in the league so I wanted their respect more than anyone else’s – and I got it”, smiled Kahlil Dukes. He didn´t get a chance at USC, but head coach Chris Casey gave him an opportunity to shine for 2 years at Niagara. “Casey was vital in my development as a collegiate player. He gave me the opportunity to be me. Him and Marc Rybczyk believed in me, gave me a lot of confidence and put a lot of trust into me and my abilities as a player. This belief in me meant a lot to me and it gave me another reason to be at my best night in and night out. Having this responsibility prepared me as a pro. The work ethic also. I always had it but at Niagara, Rybczyk was the one who trained me and pushed me to train like a pro, how to be efficient throughout a season and how to break down and manage a season into a successful season. Without both Casey and Rybczyk, I would not be the pro I am today”, warned Kahlil Dukes. At Niagara he picked up achievements like All-MAAC Co-Player of the Year -2018, All-MAAC First Team -2018, NABC Division I All-District 1 First Team -2018, and All-ECAC Division I Second Team -2018. He will never forget teammate Matt Scott with whom he had his 1-1 battles with in practice. “Matt is one of my best friends. We beat each other many times when competing in practice. We understood each other’s greatness and we knew that together we could be special. And we were. You can fact check this, but I believe we were the highest scoring backcourt duo in the nation during our senior year preseason. We easily were the highest scoring duo in the MAAC. If he did not suffer an injury right before the MAAC tournament, Casey and I still believe we would have won the MAAC that year and went dancing. Still proud of him though and all he was able to accomplish as a 4 year college player at Niagara and as a pro. He’s actually an assistant coach now under Casey at Fairfield University. I’m really proud of him and happy for him. I love him to death”, warned Kahlil Dukes.
The Hartford native who lists JULIAN JACOBS, JAY JAY CHANDLER, MATT SCOTT, ERIC LOCKETT and TIMOTHY SOARES as his 5 best teammates of all-time began his professional career in Russia with You played your rookie season with BC Irkut Irkutsk (Russia-Superleague 1) averaging 22.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.1apg, 2FGP: 44.6%, 3FGP: 37.2%, FT: 84.9%, in Jan.’19 moved to Universitet-Yugra Surgut (Russia-Superleague 1) playing 22 games averaging 25.8ppg, 4.1rpg, Assists-1 (6.4apg), FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT-1 (90.9%).He demonstrated that he could excel with 2 different organizations and somehow overcome the tough winter. “Russia was fun. One of my favorite seasons for sure. I remember being there and feeling like Russia was nothing like I expected. The people were really funny and had a great sense of humor. They were all very kind to me and open. My diet was terrible but I was still young then so it didn’t affect my play much. The winter cold in Russia is definitely on another level than Connecticut but it was a dope experience nonetheless. Ice on the beard and eyebrows is something most Americans only see in movies. So it was crazy to actually see in person. But I enjoyed myself and I played at a high level. I was trying to prove myself in Europe and I think I was able to do that”, added Kahlil Dukes. In his second pro season, he had to suffer growing pains as his stay in Germany with the Hamburg Towers was short. He enjoyed players coach Mike Taylor, but didn´t see eye to eye with GM Marvin Willoughby. “Hamburg was my least favorite season. I dealt with a lot of things on and off the court in my 3 months there and it really scared me mentally. It’s a long story but it was also my first time being cut from a team in my life. So it was tough. And I honestly try not to think about that season too much. But I kept working. Once I got to Poland I was ready to bounce back. I played well before Covid ended the Polish season. Kobe Bryant also died that season. It was just overall a really dark time for me. But I got through it”, stated Kahlil Dukes. He battled long time NBA player Greg Monroé who had a 18/10/5 game as he got a real taste of what a Eurolegaue team like FC Bayern Munich is all about. “I honestly don’t remember much from that game other than I got ripped in the back court, I had a cut on my nose that they made me come out of the game for, I did not make a field goal, and we lost by 50 or something crazy like that. But playing against a Euroleague team for the first time was cool”, remembered Kahlil Dukes. He finished strong in Poland with Legia Warszawa (Poland-EBL) averaging 17.1ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 80.0%. One strength of his overseas trek has been being able to perform well again after a tough start elsewhere. “I think I have always been resilient but I think I’m also a very strong minded, tenacious and determined person. Even if the teams I left kept me, I would have ended the season better than I started. I’m a marathon runner, not a sprinter. I’m also my biggest critic. It’s my job to play well. If I don’t play well, then I’m criticizing myself and locking myself in the gym day in and day out until I start to play better consistently – simple as that”, stressed Kahlil Dukes.
The scoring guard who lists MICHAEL JORDAN, KOBE BRYANT, LEBRON JAMES, MAGIC JOHNSON and WILT CHAMBERLAIN on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore then played the next 3 seasons in the Turkish second division TBL and belonged to the top players in the league. In 2020-2021 he played with Samsun BSB Anakent (Turkey-TBL) averaging 18.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT-6 (90.3%). He played an incredible playoffs, but lost a tough series to Yalova. “Samsunspor was my best year as a pro. That team was special. We lost 3 key guys (2 starters) to season-ending injuries during the playoffs. Going into the finals against Yalova, we were confident but were not as strong as we were all season. We won Game 1 but we dropped Game 2 and after that Yalova took the momentum and closed the series at home. I played Game 1 and 4 very well but not Game 2 and 3. Yalova guarded me well as a team and I had a difficult time adjusting. I had to watch a lot of film to be better in Game 4 because it was win or go home. I played well, just wasn’t enough. I was guaranteed a lot of money if we won that series too, money that I still haven’t signed for as a 7 year pro in 2025. So I would be making a lot more today as well. So all of that is tough and in a way, that series hurt my career not just financially but competitively because I would have also played super league Turkey (BSL) the following year. But I guess it wasn’t in the cards for me at the time”, remembered Kahlil Dukes. In the 2021-2022 season he split time with Balkan Botevgrad (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 11.2ppg, 1.7rpg, 4.8apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 73.3% and in in Feb.’22 moved to Balikesir Buyuksehir Belediyespor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 19.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 8.4apg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 78.1%. “Bulgaria was challenging. I learned a lot from a Serbian coach there about tactics and just being gutsy enough to take control of a game. I was playing with multiple foreigners so they did not need me to score 20 points a game. This was a new role for me but it allowed me to develop other parts of my game. I struggled adjusting for a bit but I had some good games. I eventually got Covid and had to be quarantined. While I was out sick, they signed a replacement for me, and so I ended up back in Turkey”, commented Kahlil Dukes. In the 2022-2023 season he had his second tour of duty with Balikesir Buyuksehir Belediyespor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 17.0ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-5 (5.6apg), FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 88.1%. Once again he showed that he deserved to get an opportunity in the first division in Turkey, but didn´t get one. “I have not felt the same motivation to win a title in Turkey since the Samsunspor title run. I’m always motivated to play at a high level and show I’m one of the best players in the league. But winning a title takes a team willing to do whatever it takes from a day to day and week to week basis. I did not feel that again in Turkey after Samsunspor. But I played well and still made the playoffs with Balikesir. It’s not tough to get great stats in Turkey if you put the work in, can score and can play well out of pick and roll. Those are my greatest attributes so Turkey is very comfortable for me. Whether or not my team has a chance at a title is something I worry about during the course of the season. My main focus is usually just playing well, being efficient and staying healthy. When I am able to do that, I usually put my team in a great situation to win”, expressed Kahlil Dukes.
The ex Niagara scoring guard who lists Michael Jordan as his GOAT split the2023-2024 season with Entente Orleans 45 (France-ProB) averaging 11.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 3.6apg, 2FGP: 55.9%, 3FGP: 37.1%, FT: 61.9%, in Feb.’24 moved to Esenler Erokspor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 20.1ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 88.9%. It was the fifth time in his career that he played for more than 1 team in a season. He showed again that he had no difficulty adjusting to new places. “I think adjustability is the toughest part about playing for multiple teams in one season. You have to adjust to a new culture, new teammates, new playbook, new coaches, new city, new apartment, new expectations, new everything. And you are going into a situation that’s much different, whereas a bad team may have signed you to help them stay in the league or a good team may have signed you to help them stay at the top. Depending on where you’re coming from, the situation could be the complete opposite where you’re going. You have to deal with that and also to deal with the emotions of your break up with the team you started the season with. Depending on what happened or why you were released, you may experience depression, joy, lack of confidence or vengeance, or maybe all of those at once. And then you have to go out and play at a high level. So it’s definitely tough. But like you said, I have done it five times now so I have some experience with it now and my ways of dealing with my emotions and adjusting myself accordingly not only to feel well mentally and spiritually, but to play well also”, warned Kahlil Dukes. He began well in France but in 2024 had a rough phase and then had to go, but in Turkey exploded. Is his game suited better for Turkey? “I don’t think it’s about my game, I think it’s more about how I’m used. I think people on the outside looking in see stats and think I’m better in 2nd division Turkey or in “lower divisions”. But the truth is, I can be special wherever I am if I’m used at a high rate. Turkey 2nd division has a two-foreigner rule, so I am a lot more responsible possession by possession, meaning whether we win or lose is based solely on my performance. So in a situation like that, I’m going to have greater stats of course. In France, Bulgaria, and Hungary I played in top divisions and/or had more foreigners. The style of play was more systematic so I’m less responsible per possession. Playing with 4-7 guys who can get double-figures a game is a lot different than playing with 4-7 guys who need me to get 18-25 points a game to win. The minutes and usage is different, type of shots taken are different, shots per game different, etc. You may rotate in and out of a game when you play with a great team in a top league, and you may not come out of the game when you play in a lower league because the team is minus when you are out of the game. It’s a lot of different variables. I think personnel and the way a player is used is not talked about enough when comparing stats in Europe and I wish people looked at seasons as a whole with all the important factors that go into it instead of just looking at the numbers – but it is what it is. I feel like I am more impactful individually in situations where I have to be more responsible per possession than I am in situations where the ball is moving side to side more and I may or may not get it back. Can I play in that system? Yes. I have proven it. And I can adjust and be efficient anywhere you put me in Europe”, stated Kahlil Dukes.
The ex USC guard who feels that If Eddie Murphy Likes one of his own movies, then Dukes loves it played the 2024-2025 season with Atomeromu SE Paks (Hungary-A Division) averaging 10.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 81.5%. He played 9 playoff games and played an exciting series against Sopron KC winning game 5 87-85. “The Sopron series was fun. They were a tough opponent because they play so well at home and in Hungary you travel back and forth throughout the series. They matched up pretty well with us to in moments throughout the series but ultimately we took care of business. They fought hard though and it was not easy”, said Kahlil Dukes. He then lost a tough semi-final series against Szolnok. I´m sure he will never forget game 2 where he had 21 points and 6 turnovers. “I think I won’t forget this entire series in general. It was tough. I missed the first 13 games of the season with an injury so I fought my way back to be at my best during this playoff run. And in this semi-final series I was at my best. Game 2 was cool but I averaged 15.7ppg, 6.7apg, 1.0rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 64% (18/28) 3FGP: 60%, (?) FT 67% (?) in the first 3 games of this series. I started Game 4 with back-to-back 3’s and then I injured my groin a few possessions later. If I don’t get hurt, I feel like we would have won that series because we planned to win that night and close at home. So that was a tough way to end the season but sometimes it’s just not your time. And judging by the way Szolnok later swept Falco in the finals, it was in fact their time. I congratulate them. They are well coached, they played very well together, they executed and made adjustments well throughout the series and their depth played a major role for them”, remembered Kahlil Dukes. Where he will embark for his 8th season is still unknown, but one thing is for sure, his hunger for that first pro chip gets bigger each season. “I reached my first finals in Turkey with Samsunspor and came up short. Some season-ending injuries to very key players were too difficult to overcome. This season, I planned to be back in a finals situation in Hungary but this time I was the only one who suffered a season-ending injury in Game 4 of the semi-finals. So it’s been more of a luck thing than actually being beaten in my opinion, but I respect all champions because it’s not easy to win and I hope to be back in a situation where I can accomplish gold. I have three bronze medals (a league bronze in Turkey, a cup bronze in Hungary and a league bronze in Hungary) now in my 7-year career. So I guess something is better than nothing. Small wins mean something, for sure. I just have to keep going and hopefully I can stay healthy”, stressed Kahlil Dukes.
Tim Dalger (201-F, college: St.Louis) is a 201cm forward from Florida that played his second professional season and first with Thor Akureyri (Iceland-Division I) averaging 27.9ppg), 9.1rpg, 2.4apg, Steals-4 (2.4spg), FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 76.6%. He tehn played for Mayrouba (Lebanon-LBL) averaging 24,9ppg, 7,4rpg, 4,1apg and 2,4spg. He played his rookie season with Cair 2030 Skopje (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 12.6ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 11.5%, FT: 60.0%. He began his basketball career at Calvary Christian Academy. He then played 2 seasons with Independence Community College (JUCO) averaging 11.6ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 67.2% and 18.4ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 71.8%. He then played 2 seasons with The University of Tulsa (NCAA) averaging 4.7ppg, 2.9rpg and 10,2ppg, 5.3rpg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 67.7%. He finished his NCAA career with Saint Louis University (NCAA) averaging 9.7ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 64.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com a few months ago about basketball.
Thanks Tim for talking to germanhoops.com. Your played your first season with Thor Akureyri (Iceland-Division I). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you appreciated most about the organization? It has been a great experience I have appreciated the opportunities for growth the most.
Not every player can say that they have played and lived in Iceland. What was the coolest moment you had in the country off the court with nature? The scenery, mountains and snow have been very different than from back home. It has been very eye opening.
You had a solid NCAA career, but have to pay your dues now in lower leagues. How big is the chip on your shoulder?
I am humble and continue to work for what I deserve. I know what I put in its what I will receive on the back end. I’m all for the ups and downs and everything in between.
Did you go into the season knowing having a great season could help you move on to a bigger league? Of course that’s the nature of playing basketball in Europe. You just have to continue to prove yourself.
Your having a great season in Iceland averaging 27/9/2/2 stats. At the end of the day basketball is basketball, but does it sometimes feel like you’re a man playing among boys? No, I always respect my opponents. It’s a very top heavy league. The fellow players are more than capable.
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?
Jaylen Brown or Kawhi Leonard maybe Jimmy Butler a more versatile player.
You fill the stat sheet very well. How defined is versatility in your game? Versatility has always been a high level of importance in my position since a young age.
You have been a solid three point shooter, but up and down in your career. How do you see the development of your three at the moment? Do you see yourself as becoming a 40% shooter in time? If I take smarter shots I will be more effective.
How would you describe your game at the defensive end? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become? I believe I can guard 1-5 with my strength and size. I hope to be a defensive player of the year candidate.
On what areas of your game are you working on the most now so you can continue to grow as a player? Developing my handles and my shot. Making tough shots and improving my floater.
You played your rookie season with Cair 2030 Skopje (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 12.6ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 11.5%, FT: 60.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home? The wake up call was that game 1. I struggled the first 3 quarters.
You played 2 seasons at Independence Community College (JUCO). Every player that I have interviewed that played JUCO have told me that JUCO was a grind, but an incredible experience that they wouldn’t have traded in for the world. How was it for you? Juco was the best thing that ever happened to me. I appreciate all of the moments.
You averaged 11.6ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 67.2% and 18.4ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 71.8%. How did your game grow in these 2 years under Bill Morosco? I had to learn how to effect the game without scoring and how to be a part of a team.
You played 2 seasons with the University of Tulsa (NCAA) and averaged 4.7ppg, 2.9rpg and 10.2ppg, 5.3rpg. Your minutes went up to 9 minutes more in your second season. How did your game grow in your last season under Eric Koncol? I gained a lot of confidence in my shot and learned how to be an effective shooter.
You had 2 really good games in losing causes against Wichita State. What was your fondest moment at Tulsa? Getting my degree and making my family proud.
You finished at Saint Louis University (NCAA) averaging 9.7ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 64.6%. How did head coach Travis Ford give you that last push towards a pro career? He challenged me to be a quality defender. His player development is 2nd to none. He loved basketball and was a student of the game
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Sterling Gaston-Chapman, Sam Griffin, Gissenson Bonhomme, Travis Phillepeaux, Curtis Haywood
Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Jimmy Butler, Lebron, D Wade, Chris Bosh
Garrett Hicks (183-PG-2001, college: Samford) is a 24 year old 183cm guard playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro A club EPG Guardians Koblenz. He played his rookie season with RASHI Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 18.9ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-5 (1.6spg), FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.8%. He began his basketball career at James Clemens high school. He then played 4 seasons at : Alabama A&M University (NCAA) playing a total of 102 games. He added a 5th year at Samford University (NCAA) averaging 6.6ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 80.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Garrett for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing with the EPG Guardians Koblenz. How excited are you to prolong your pro career in Germany?
I’m very grateful and excited for the opportunity that Sascha and Coach Dohrn gave me to continue my career in Koblenz. When I got the chance to join this club, I knew I had to take it.
What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball`?
I don’t know a lot about Germany as a country, but I’ve watched the national team during the World Championship & Olympics & they played very well, showing the talent they have in the country.
Have you had any former teammates, opponents or friends ball in Germany?
No.
What were the main reasons for coming to the EPG Guardians? What did you appreciate most about the organization?
The opportunity to play in one of the biggest basketball markets in the world, in Germany, was something that intrigued me initially. Then I had a great conversation with Coach Dohrn over the phone & researched the city of Koblenz soon after. I was sold on the Guardians pretty quickly.
How did the talks go with new head coach Stephan Dohrn? What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?
I enjoyed talking to Coach Dohrn about my college career and my previous pro season. He seemed to know a lot about my background. I got to learn about his coaching career as well, and learned what he wanted to see from me and the team this year. Coach wants to play fast and tough, hard-nosed defense, which was great to hear.
Coach Dohrn described you in the press release as a very ambitious character and a guy that has a lot of energy. How big is your winning mentality?
I’ve gained my competitive nature as a young kid playing basketball outside during recess. I never wanted to lose at anything, no matter what sport or game we played. I’ve learned throughout my career what it takes to be a championship-winning team and the habits to build each day throughout the season. I’ve also experienced tough seasons where wins were hard to come by. These experiences helped shape my mentality.
The Guardians are a team that will head into their third season in the Pro A. The last 2 seasons weren´t great and they missed the playoffs. You won a college title and led your rookie team in Georgia into the playoffs. How big is the challenge for you to give success to this organization? Success comes from the work we put in each day to get better individually and as a team. I trust that the coaching staff will put us in the right positions each day and come up with a game plan that will lead us to victories.
Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description? I would compare my game to a young Damian Lillard. My offensive skill set can help free up space for everyone on the court.
From your stats in College it looks like you’re a scoring point guard but in Georgia you almost averaged 4,0apg. You demonstrated that you can be a playmaker. Would you still classify yourself as a scoring point guard right now?
I’m a point guard who does whatever is needed for the team, depending on the game. I might need to distribute more for one game or score more for another & read the defense.
You really made a massive jump in assists average in Georgia. How do you see did your game grow as a playmaker overseas?
The ball was put in my hands more in Georgia, so I was able to display more playmaking. I was put in a more scoring/shooting role in college.
You have a very solid three point shot. Three point shooting was a problem last season for the Guardians. How far away do you see yourself becoming a 40% shooter? I want to continue to gain consistency on my shot and aim to be a 50/40/90 shooter this year.
Your also a very aggressive defender. How would you classify your defensive game right now and what kind of a defender do you want to become down the road? I use my anticipation to read passing lanes & quickness to make deflections all around the court. I hope to improve my activity on defense, full court, and continue to make strides in my screen navigation.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now as you continue to improve your game?
I am working on getting better at different shots coming off a pick and roll, as well as continuing to work on my change-of-direction ball handling.
You played your rookie season with RASHI Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 18.9ppg), 5.0rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-5 (1.6spg), FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.8%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home? Injuring my hamstring in the first game of the season was very hard mentally to get over. This happened during my second week in Georgia, so playing no basketball for nearly a month was extremely challenging and made me miss home.
How tough was the playoff loss to TSU? You exploded for 36 points in the game 3 win, but you couldn´t win the 3 other games. What was key for losing the series? I felt we lost the series due to our overall inexperience. We were not poised to close out game 2, which was a very key game considering it was a 2-possession game down the stretch. TSU executed down the stretch of that game & we didn’t, resulting in our loss. Injuries mounted up in the final game, and it was too much to overcome.
You played at Alabama A&M University (NCAA) from 2019-2023 and played 3 seasons for head coach Dylan Howard. How key was he for your early basketball development in the NCAA?
Coach Howard introduced me to playing at the college level so I was always be thankful for that. The summer of my freshman year was some of the hardest training I’ve ever been a part of and really helped in the long run. The coaching staff pushed me and the team to our limits.
You had many great games at Alabama A&M and had Southern´s number. What was your fondest memory there on the court? Beating our arch rival Alabama State my junior and senior years were some of the most satisfying wins in college for me. The crowds for these games is always electric and sending our fans back home with the win was always a great feeling.
You added a grad year at Samford in Birmingham. How vital was this season not only off the court but on the court for getting an added season of NCAA experience? This season helped me learn how to live away from home and stay by myself off campus for the first time. I did a lot of maturing going through this process. The team at Samford was the best team I’ve ever been a part of. Coach Bucky McMillan implemented a culture where competition was high in practice and that brought the best out of us. I’m grateful I got to be apart of a team like that.
At Samford (NCAA) you averaged 6.6ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 80.0%. Statwise it wasn´t as good at the seasons before, but you did win the SoCon title. What did your game gain from this season?
I gained much needed exposure to a winning environment & great coaching along the way. I learned a new role as well coming off the bench.
You had your moments on the court against ETSU and Valpo and played in the NCAA tournament against Kansas. What was your favorite moment on the court there?
Running out for warmups to a packed March Madness crowd in the Utah Jazz arena was a feeling like no other! I wish we pulled out the win but I’ll never forget that.
Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA? Zach Edey
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Cam Tucker Giorgi Vakhania Rylan Jones Dailin Smith
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Kobe Bryant
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 see it but I know it got bad reviews so I stayed away from it!
Ben Stevens (207-F-1999, college: Laurier) is a 26 year old 207cm forward from Canada that is currently playing with CEBL team Montreal Alliance and recently finished his season with the EPG Guardians Koblenz (PRO A) averaging 5,0ppg and 5,5rpg after starting the season with KK Vardar Skopje (FYR Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 11.2ppg, 11.7rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 54.4%, FT: 33.3%,. In the 23-24 season he split time with 3 teams with Serhedci PIK Baku (Azerbaijan-ABL): 13 games: 12.5ppg, Reb-2 (11.7rpg), 1.5apg, FGP: 53.0%, FT: 37.9%, in Mar.’24 moved to BK Nova Hut Ostrava (Czech Republic-NBL): 20 games: 5.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 2FGP: 54.8%, FT: 34.2% and palyed with the Central Coast Crusaders (Australia-NBL One) averaging 16.8ppg, 12.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 40.9%. He began his basketball career with the South West Slammers (NBL One) averaging 18.0ppg, 12.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.4spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 8.3%, FT: 41.3%. He began his basketball career with Halifax, NS / Grammar High School and then played at Laurier University (CIS) from 2017-2023 playing a total of 113 games and as a senior averaged 9.9ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 52.3%, FT: 44.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.
Thanks Ben for talking to germanhoops.com. You began the 24-25 season and played briefly with KK Vardar Skopje (FYR Macedonia-Prva Liga) playing only 6 games averaging 11.2ppg, 11.7rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 54.4%, FT: 33.3%. Why was your stay so short and what positives could you get from those few months?
My contract got bought out to move to Koblenz. But in Skopje, I had a leading role, which really helped me grow my post game.
You got experience playing down under with Central Coast Crusaders (Australia-NBL One, starting five): 11 games: 16.8ppg, 12.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 40.9%. What of an experience was that. What was your coolest experience there? I loved playing for the Central Coast! Great club and group of guys. My favourite experience was off the court! I really enjoyed our end of season celebration. I also learned how to surf over there which was pretty cool.
Last season you split time with Serhedci PIK Baku (Azerbaijan-ABL) averaging 12.5ppg, Reb-2 (11.7rpg), 1.5apg, FGP: 53.0%, FT: 37.9%, in Mar.’24 moved to BK Nova Hut Ostrava (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging 5.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 2FGP: 54.8%, FT: 34.2%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being in Europe where you knew that you were far away from home?
My wake up call was the first home game at Serhdci when the arena was jam packed and the Azerbaijan Army came to support us! It was such a cool experience.
You finished the season in the Czech Repulic and played playoffs against top team Nymburk. What will you always remember from that series?
That series was tough for us as we were battling a lot of injuries. Nymburk is a great team and we just didn’t have the manpower to compete. It´s always fun to play against the top teams.
How exciting was that incredible 5 games series against Opava where you won game 5 86-85? What will you always remember from that last game?
That series was unreal! playing in front of those huge crowds was great, drums pounding the entire game and just constant cheering. The home gym in Ostrava is always great to play in as the fans are always there to support. The game winning shot from mike was a surreal moment, we couldn’t have asked for a better ending.
You got your first experience down under with the South West Slammers (NBL One) averaging 18.0ppg, 12.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.4spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 8.3%, FT: 41.3%. You had great stats and totally different than at Laurier. How valuable was this first pro team for your development as a pro?
That was big for me. At Laurier, I wasn’t the go-to guy, but in Australia, I had to be. That role helped shape my identity as an import and prepped me for the pro grind.
You had a 24/21 game down under. Did you feel like Kevin Love? Absolutely! That was my first-ever 20/20 game and it felt great.
You played at Laurier University (U Sports) from 2017-2023. How do you remember these years? You reached 2 OUA semi finals. Were these years some of the best in your life? My time at Laurier is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I made friends that I will keep for a lifetime and some of the most fun I’ve had in my life. I honestly learned how to play basketball there, it’s where I became a man.
You played 5 seasons with the great guard Ali Sow who has played in Germany before. What memories will you always have of him? I´m sure he helped you win a few games on his own? Ali is an amazing player, he was the reason we won most of our games at Laurier!
You had many great games at Laurier. What was your greatest game and experience on the court? At Laurier my greatest game was in my second year against Ryerson in the OUA semi final. That one will be one of my top basketball experiences, even though we lost the whole school was out for that game and I had a huge dunk!
How did head coach Justin Serresse groom and prepare you best for a professional career? Coach Justin taught me how to carry myself like a pro, how to prepare, how to work, how to lead. Looking back, I probably should’ve listened even more, because he definitely knew what he was talking about.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Majok Deng? Me all the time haha
Who the toughest player you battled that reached the NBA? I played against Jamal Murray in a scrimmage a few times, he is at a different level.
Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time? Chuder Tenny, Kemel Archer, Kareem Elliot, Ali Sow, Adnan Begovic
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Jordan, Giannis, Curry, Lebron, Kobe
AJ Sumbry (203-F-1994, college: Wagner, agency: BIG) is a 30 year old 203cm from New Jersey playing his 6th pro season and first with the BSW Sixers. He has been a basketball globetrotter having played for 9 clubs in countries like Denmark, Georgia, North Maceadonia, Kosovo, Romania, France, Sweden and Slovakia.He began his basketball career at St Benedict´s Preparatory school and then played a season at Quinnipiac University (NCAA). He then played 3 years at Wagner (NCAA) and as a senior averaged 8.1ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 46.3%, FT: 57.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career overseas.
Thanks AJ for talking to germanhoops.com. Last season you began with BC Lulea (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 5.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 75.0%. Why was that stay so short? Were you the odd man out with Isaiah Mucius? I wouldn’t say the odd man out Isaiah is my guy. I just think they were looking for more of a small ball 4/3 type of player.
You then moved t o B K Iskra Svit (Slovakia-Nike SBL) averaging 12.2ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 80.0%. How tough was losing that playoff series to Spisski Rytieri after the exciting game 3 76-75 win? It was tough but even more tough on how we lost. 4 ejections in a deciding game is almost unheard of.
In the 2022-2023 season you played with Rueil Athletic Club Basket (France-NM1) averaging 7.4ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 72.9%. Your stats weren´t as big as other years. Did you have a different kind of role than usual? I think that year was one of the bigger adjustments I had to get used to being the only import for the first time was a little different as well as adjusting to the style of play with nm1 having a lot of heavier 5 men and me being more of a 4 took some adjusting as well.
In the 2021-2022 season you played for 3 teams with KK Angeli Skopje (North Macedonia-Vtora Liga) averaging 11.3ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 52.7%, FT: 55.6%, in Jan.’22 moved to Golden Eagle Ylli (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 9.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.8apg, 1.5spg; Liga Unike: 2 games: 6.5ppg, 5.5rpg, in Mar.’22 signed at CSM VSKC Miercurea Ciuc (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 8.1ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 42.9%, FT: 70.4%. Did it feel like you were living out of a suitcase? Your stay was very short in Kosovo. How tough is it to build relationships in situations like that and what did you learn from this season?
Yea I was definitely living out of a suitcase that year for sure. I think building relationships is one of the easier things after all you spend so much time in the gym together that it happens so naturally. I would say I learned how to be able to adjust to different coaches and team dynamics. In Macedonia it was a really young team which was completely different to Kosovo where it was a team full of vets who ended up winning the league that year, to Romania a team in-between but at the bottom of the league.
In the 2020-2021 season you played with BC Cactus Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 12.7ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.6apg, Blocks-4 (1.2bpg), FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 69.9%. It was Covid but you had a solid season. You won an exciting playoff series against Vera, but then lost to Rustavi. What memories do you have from this season? Covid definitely made it an interesting year having no fans and curfew for most of the year. For sure built pretty strong relationships with my teammates that year I would say are my memories from that year.
You played your rookie pro season with BMS Herlev Wolfpack (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 13.4ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.1apg, Blocks-3 (1.6bpg), FGP: 48.7%, FT: 69.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?
Hahah it think just getting to Denmark and seeing the bicycle culture was a big shock for me. That was new to me but was fun to try and be a part of that cultural aspect.
You began your NCAA career at Quinnipiac University (NCAA) playing 27 games averaging 1.5ppg, 1.3rpg. What memories do you have of this freshman season? You began well netting 10 points against Hartford, but after that had huge fluctuations in your minutes. What did you learn from this season? I remember that first game was big and we got a w over Hartford I believe. I think the biggest lesson that year was just the up and downs that come with a season as well as the little things like learning about scouting and just how to show up everyday.
You then sat out 2 years before finishing at Wagner (NCAA). Were these 2 years some of the toughest in your life? How do you feel did you grow as a man?
Yea they really were some of the toughest in my life. That was my first time dealing with a serious injury that required surgery and for me to be out around 6-7 months. So that was really hard not being able to do anything. It definitely forced me to grow up in how I looked at everything.
You then played at Wagner from 2016-2019. Your minutes rose every season as did your scoring. How vital were these 3 years for your basketball development being moved along step by step? I think that having to sit out my first year at Wagner allowed me to adjust to the defense first and toughen principles that we had there paved the way for my time there along with the chip on my shoulder from transferring. Early on when we had more older guys I knew that defense was how I was going to get my minutes so that was my focus. As the years went on with guys graduating I had to fill the role more and more offensively while still being an anchor defensively. I think that helped my game a lot being able to play both sides of the ball.
You had so many great games against Fairfield, Mass-Lowell or LIU Brooklyn just to name a few, but what was your most fondest moment on the court at Wagner? My most fond moment was beating a ranked UConn at their house for the first game of the season.
What memories do you have of Blake Francis? He has been in Germany playing the last years. Did his development as a player overseas surprise you or did you know he would go far? Lol Blake is my guy he’s was actually my roommate too. His development definitely didn´t surprise me. We could see as soon as he got there he could score with the best of them and with coach Bash’s defensive principles we knew he’d go far.
What memories do you have Donald Copeland. He was an undersized guard that had a great career overseas. Even if he didn’t play your position, what could you soak up from his wisdom on a daily basis? Cope would talk to me a lot about preparation and always doing the extra things that you need to do to make sure your ready to produce. And the reality of overseas that you have to produce or you can be replaced.
How did head coach Bashir Mason groom and prepare you best for a professional career? I think Bash put me in a position to be prepared for anything. I had some of the hardest practice under Bash but I got through them that taught me a lot of resilience that is still keeping me going to this day.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Greg Senat? Hahah I got to say me there but he’s for sure got me beat on the football field.
Who is the greatest player that you battled in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
In college I would say between Amida Brimah the Porter brother when they were at Missouri even though Michael Porter didn’t play that game.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? That tough I don’t think I can answer that one haha
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads? Lebron, Shaq, Ben Wallace, JR Smith, Kobe
Who is your GOAT?
Lebron
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? Haha yea I have. The sequel wasn’t the worse sequel I’ve seen though.
German Hoops 