If one was to give Ivan Kharchenkov (201-F-2006) a new middle name, the simplest would be winner. Winning is never easy as stress is always involved. What this 19 year old has achieved in only the last 2 years is simply incredible. But what is even more amazing is that he has done it at the Pro and youth level. In the summer of 2024 he led team Germany to the U-18 Eurochampionships in Finland averaging 17.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.8apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 66.7%. At the pro level he helped FC Bayern Munich win the easyCredit BBL title despite playing only 12 games and averaging 11 minutes per game and scoring 38 points, he gave his 2 cents to the success. His winning ways continued in 2024-205 as he added 2 new titles to his collection. He finally made 3 is a charm winning his first NBBL (U-19) title with FC Bayern Munich. Even if he only played 2 games the whole season, he did win in spectacular fashion taking a short break from the BBL playoffs against MBC and taking a train with his mother from Munich to Berlin on the day of the final and helping his friends Dominik Dolic, Ivan Volf and CO win the championship. He then returned back to the BBL playoffs and helped FC Bayern Munich nip ratiopharm Ulm in an exciting 5 game series. But when a competitor continues winning like he does, that hunger just continues and so does the stress. After the 2025 BBL title, Kharchenkov had a short vacation and then went on to the new challenge. He will play the 2025-2026 NCAA season with the University of Arizona. But instead of heading over at the end of August to start, he had to go already in mid July. “I have to do summer school. It is a requirement for international students”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. He wants to keep the winning streak alive with winning the 2026 NCAA title and crowning everything with being drafted by an NBA team.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Ivan Kharchenkov at the 2025 NBBL final in Berlin
The young 3 level scorer already has accomplished more than most German professional players winning 2 easyCredit BBL titles as a teenager. If one would ask Michael Jordan what his sweetest of 6 NBA titles would be, he may very well comment on his first, but how was it with Kharchenkov? “The sweetest was my second one. I contributed more to the second one while the first was a gift”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. He actually only played 1 minute more than in 2023-2024, but he was a much important player for Gordon Herbert. His games grew from 12 to 39 as did his points per game from 3 to 5. He scored in double figures in 5 games including 20 points in Frankfurt and 17 points against BG Goettingen. He also posted 15 points against Wurzburg and 14 points a piece against Alba Berlin and the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. He played a total of 8 playoff games and logged a total of 44 minutes. In the BBL finals, he played 4 games against ratiopharm Ulm and logged 30 minutes in the 4 games. He had a massive game 4 netting 7 points. “That was my biggest moment in the finals. I played a lot. We went to Ulm with our backs to the wall. It was a real nasty environment and we held them to 53 points. I had goosebumps”, remembered Ivan Kharchenkov. In the 2024-2025 season he played only 1 minute more in the BBL and 2 less minutes in the Euroleague. Was it a lost season for him? “No it wasn´t. I did play less minutes, but I played way more games. I feel despite playing less games last year, I still learned a lot despite one door being closed”, stressed Ivan Kharchenkov.
The 2023 U-18 Gold medalist who lists TJ Shorts, Facundo Campazzo, Justin Jaworski and Alfonso Plummer as his toughest opponents last season ahd to fight for minutes everyday. It is no secret that it has always been tough for young German players to get minutes with FC Bayern Munich. Kharchenkov expected to get more minutes. Usually a player will seek the talk with the head coach about playing time. Didn´t he have talks with 2023 World Cup champion head coach Gordon Herbert about his situation? “I didn´t talk to him in detail. He just told me to stay ready. I think it isn´t right for a player to talk with coach about his minutes. I have to accept it. I have to show in practice that I deserve the minutes. I showed in games against Ulm and Belgrade that I could help the team. His job is too give minutes”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. He is a year older and more basketball wise and learned valuable things not only on the court.” I learned a lot of things behind the scenes. It is important to stay calm and not get mad when something doesn´t go right. On the court, I feel like my defense developed further. I watched the game of Nick Weiler-Babb a lot. He taught me how to take the position correctly and when to gamble and when not to. I also improved off the ball. I think being in the weight room another year helped my athleticism as well ”, added Ivan Kharchenkov. He had the fortune also of being teammates with ex NBA player and NCAA champion Shabazz Napier who showed he could become 2025 BBL finals MVP. “He taught me to always believe in myself. I like his overview of the game and how calm he always is”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov.
Ivan Kharchenkov 2025 NBBL(U-19) German champion with FC Bayern Munich
The 2025 NBBL (U-19) champion who believes that in a game of 1-1 and 10 attempts against Nick Weiler-Babb, he would make 5-6 baskets and 4 baskets against ex NBA player Carson Edwards now has a new challenge in the NCAA with the University of Arizona. There will be so many young Germans playing in the NCAA this season like never before. It wasn´t only money that attracted players. “I´m really excited to be able to play in USA. Basketball is such a culture there. The arenas aren´t as crazy as in Belgrade. It will be different. I had to make this move, because I wanted more playing time. I had more offers and Arizona wasn´t even the best financial offer. I liked the coach and that he has had success with international kids. I feel like we could do some damage at March Madness”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. His new coach is Tommy Lloyd who definitely is used to success. He was an assistant coach at Gonzaga for 18 seasons and won 13 WCC titles and reached the NCAA final twice. He is in his 5th season with Arizona and reached 3 NCAA Sweet 16´s in his first 4 years there and recently coached Team USA to the U-18 World Cup Gold. “We clicked pretty well in our talks. We talked about my role and about my strengths. Coach told me I could be the best playe there, but I have to prove it every day in practice”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. It is a no brainer that one of his goals is to get drafted by an NBA team in 2026? “That is the plan. If that doesn´t work, I will stay a second year. I also hope that I won´t get injured”, stressed Ivan Kharchenkov. He will be in great company with Bryce James the son of the GOAT for many Lebron James. What was his reaction when he heard that he would be playing with Lebron James´s son? “The second time, I spoke with the assistant coach, he mentioned it. My reaction was oh cool”, smiled Ivan Kharchenkov. How well could these 2 guys harmonize on the court despite both being shooting guards? “That is hard to say. I feel like I can play well with anyone. I´m versatile. We will see”, stated Ivan Kharchenkov. He surely will meet Lebron James one day when he comes to watch Bryce play. What would be the first question he would ask him? “I would say one word How? How can you still play so well at a high level at age 40? I would also ask him what he learned at age 18 that made click when he got to the NBA”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. This will be an exciting year for Ivan Kharchenkov. Just another chapter for him in a booming career.
Eric Washington (183-PG-1993, college: Miami, OH) is a 32 year old 182cm guard from Columbia, South Carolina playing his 10th professional season and third in Germany with the Science City Jena. In Germany he played with the NINERS Chemnitz (Germany-BBL) averaging 7.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 78.0% and with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-BBL) averaging 19.2, 3.8rpg, APG-2 (7.3), SPG-4 (1.8), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 87.1%. He really jumped around the last 2 seasons playing with Monbus Obradoiro CAB Santiago de Compostela (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 11.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 43.2%, 3FGP: 26.1%, FT: 75.0%, Reeder Samsunspor (Turkey-BSL) averaging 19.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 6.5apg, 1.3spg, in Feb.’24 signed at Happy Casa Brindisi (Italy-Serie A) averaging 12.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.2%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 88.2% and last season played with the Valley Suns (NBA G League) averaging 3.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.8apg, in Mar.’25 moved to Ferraroni Juvi Cremona (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 16.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 86.9%. He began his basketball career with W.J. Keenan High School. He then played in the NCAA playing 115 games for two schools with Presbyterian College (NCAA) and then finished at Miami University (NCAA). Before coming to Germany he played in countries like Cyprus and Bosnia and three seasons in Hungary. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big cup win in Rostock.
Congrats Eric on the big 80-79 cup win in Rostock. Does every win feel like a greater win than the one before simply because Jena is a BBL team again? Anytime you can win a game is an accomplishment. At this level it´s difficult to win games. It´s a lot preparation that goes into it so to execute it and see if come to life is always a cool experience.
Jena had a strong 25-17 lead after 1 quarter. The game was back and forth in the first minutes, but after that Jena took control. Was that the kind of team basketball every team wished they had? That is just something we are trying to emphasize as a team. It is still early and we are not where we want to be but we are enjoying the process of getting better.
The third quarter was a real dog fight as there were numerous lead changes and Rostock had the slim 58-57 lead after 3 quarters. What adjustments did Rostock make especially on the defensive end that allowed them to get the lead?
They did what any good team would do. They saw what we were doing and made adjustments at half. They started making shots and they made it a game.
The fourth quarter remained very tight and exciting. TJ Crockett was a severe menace showing his 3 level scoring. He already showed last season how valuable he was for Braunschweig. What made it so tough to slow him down?
He is a good player. He has the freedom to be that player so it makes it more challenging. He has good speed and the ability to shoot the basketball.
Lorenz Bank made a huge basket with 9 seconds and Naz Bohanon the clutch block at the end. How big was it to end the game like that on the road? Is Naz getting donuts or is he getting a dinner from his teammates? Two big time plays for my guys. We work on that everyday so for those two plays to be the deciding factor was huge. I have something planned for them for sure!
Jena is 2-2 while Trier is 4-0. What is so special with the new teams that moved up? What has been the secret to Jena´s solid start and 2-0 cup start? We have a good group of guys. We understand the opportunity that we have. We work extremely hard through the good and the bad. A lot of credit to Coach Bjorn as well cause his game planning has been good. Being able to adjust to teams and scout has been good for our team.
The team was put together very well from head coach Bjoern Harmsen. The guy is well respected and has helped teams move up leagues. What have you enjoyed most about his coaching philosophy? He wants to win as much as I do. Super motivated and super passionate about the game of basketball. So for me that´s all that I need.
What has it been like being teammates with American Tavian Dunn-Martin? He is a special point guard that can do it all. What has it been sharing the floor with him? What do you appreciate most about his game? T is ball player. Size doesn’t matter and he showed that early. His ability to shoot the ball is everything. I think he will be fine as he continues to learn the league.
You have big leadership qualities, but what kind of a dimension does a guy like Keith Braxton give the team with his play and leadership? You have to respect what he brings to the game. He brings another threat that you have to account for. His ability to shoot the ball and put it on the floor forces teams to adjust.
3 seasons ago with Heidelberg you averaged (19.2), 3.8rpg, APG-2 (7.3), SPG-4 (1.8), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 87.1%. You tore up the easyCredit BBL. In the last 2 years you got experience in the ACB, Turkey, G-League and Italy. How are you a better player now than in May 2023?
Patience
Currently your averaging 17/3/3/1 in the BBL. Has anything changed with the BBL since you left? Your game surely is still strong this season? Ask me that in May lol
You have many talented guys around. Is your biggest personal goal to keep Jena in the BBL like you did Heidelberg in 2022? Win a championship
The good news for the Skyliners Juniors is that the season is still young. The season is still young and so is this seasons team as it has a average age of 19. It is lacking more experience than in past seasons and started at 0-3. The last time that the team began 0-3 was in the 2022-2023 season, but they then turned it around winning 6 of their next 7 games. It was even worse in the Covid season where they started 0-6. The team was back home for their second home game and had a real tough opponent with the TSV Tropics Oberhaching that came into the contest sporting a 2-1 record. Tropics head coach Mario Matic had done a great job leading the team to the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 seasons. This season he is without legend Omari Knox, and part-time player Janosch Koegler, while Jorg Dippold and Fynn Fischer were out, but still had managed so much success. 2 key figures were newcomers Jonathan Zeisberger and veteran 29 year old Nedzad Muratovic who combined averaged 48 of the team 90 points. It would not be a cake walk for Frankfurt who were still without key players Ivan Crnjac, Dusan Nikolic and Maxi Peters. Plus Alvin Oniya was also out after injuring himself during practice during the week. Despite all this misfortune, the Skyliners Juniors still sported a 10 man roster and the team came out in high spirits and gave a total team effort as they finally erased their losing streak with a grind out 86-80 win over the TSV Oberhaching Tropics. Frankfurt had 4 guys score in double figure and 2 guys had double doubles to supply full force. “We simply played together as a team. There were no egos tonight. We had problems with their pressure in the second half, but we stayed together and pulled out the win. Everyone played their part and we played as a team. We all worked hard for the goal to win. Our will was bigger than theirs”, stressed Skyliner Junior Jamie Edoka. The TSV Oberaching Tropics had to play catch up basketball from the first minute and weren´t rewarded with their come back attempt in the fourth quarter. “We weren´t ready to play from the first minute. We had too many mistakes, gave up too many offensive rebounds and second chances. We did a good job fighting back and should of won the game. We have to defend better and keep our opponent at 70 points”, stressed TSV Oberaching Tropics guard Jonathan Zeisberger.
Leit Zentgraf at the FT line
The Skyliners Juniors had an explosive first quarter scoring 26 points to set the tone for the game. Both teams found their offensive rhythm right away as the guests received 2 back to back offensive rebounds and put backs from 29 year old Bosnian center Nedzad Muratovic while Frankfurt got lay in´s from Germans ex Kronberg center Florian Dietrich and ex Neustadt forward Leif Zentgraf (198-SF-2005). However Frankfurt took the 11-6 lead getting some buckets from Jamie Edoka, but the game was back and forth at this moment as the Bavarian team struck back trailing only 13-11 getting an off balance shot by Zeisberger and a three pointer by Philip “white chocolate” Bode. But the Skyliners Juniors then went on a shooting rage letting it rain three´s as young German reserve Fabrice Heberer hit a clutch three off the bench while athletic forward Julius Messer also connected as did Leif Zentgraf from outside. Czech Republic guard Lukas Smazak who displays a fancy pass or 2 in each game also made a pretty the over the shoulder pass a la Larry Bird to German Marvin Esser for the dunk. “He has a big eye for his teammates. His court vision is very special”, stated Jamie Edoka. Oberhaching got a vital three pointer from Janne Muller brother Frederick Muller a few seconds before the buzzer sounded as Frankfurt led 26-18. Both teams hauled down 9 rebounds a piece, but Oberhaching had the 6-1 offensive rebound edge. The Skyliners Juniors shot an overwhelming 71% from the field and 50% from outside while the guests shot only 38% from the field and 29% from outside, Both teams did a good job taking care of the ball as the Skyliners Juniors had 2 and Oberhaching 3. “We moved the ball well and found the open shooters well. We also defended solidly to have the good lead”, added Jamie Edoka.
Frederick Mueller with the lay in
The TSV Oberaching Tropics struck back in the second quarter to only trail by 4 points at the break. The guests stomped all over the Skyliners Juniors in the first minutes going on a 7-2 run to trail only 28-25. Frankfurt came out half hearted and Oberhaching took full advantage of their mistakes. They stepped up the aggressiveness on defense and remained aggressive on offense attacking the rim and drawing fouls. Mueller and young German Levi Weng added lay in´s. The contest remained a real close dog fight as Frankfurt kept their noses ahead 36-34 getting lay in´s off the penetration from Dietrich, Edoka and Messer while Oberhaching got great support from Mueller who scored twice and carried the team. He was super effective off the bench finding his spots and getting to the rim easily with his high intensity. He continued to be a one man wrecking crew for the Tropics scoring 2 more times keeping his team very close, but they couldn´t get the lead. Julius Messer´s athleticism helped him get an easy basket while Smazak hit a clutch three pointer for the 43-38 advantage. Muratovic closed out the second quarter with free throws, but the Skyliners Juniors still had the upper-hand 44-40. The TSV Oberhaching Tropics upped their rebounding to lead 21-15 at the break and had the 8-2 offensive rebound edge. Frankfurt´s shooting percentages dipped to 52% from the field and 31% from the three point line while the guests shot 44% from the field and 29% from the three point line. The Skyliners Juniors had 5 turnovers and Oberhaching had 7. “We were to hectic and not organized enough. They took advantage of it and got back into the game. We weren´t calm and took hectic shots”, stated Jamie Edoka.
Julius Messer with the lay in
In the third quarter the Skyliners Juniors took better control of the game and led by as much as 14 points, but led 68-56 after 30 minutes. The Skyliners Juniors came out on a mission in the third quarter racing out on a 8-0 run to lead 52-40. They produced 5 stops forcing the guests to bad shots and on their run got a trey from elegant player Leif Zentgraf and a lay in by Edoka. The Skyliners Juniors did a good job managing their lead while still executing soundly on offense and holding their double figure lead. Their biggest strength besides offensive scoring execution was their aggressive work on the offense glass as they scooped up 7 offensive rebounds that kept a lot of their possessions alive and led to easy points. Messer was in constant attack mode getting 2 buckets while Joscha Zentgraf also scored in the paint for the 61-47 lead. Both teams executed well down the stretch as Oberhaching continued to be carried by Mueller who added 6 points. Fabrice Heberer came up big again with a clutch trey off the bench as the Skyliners Juniors led by 12 points after 3 quarters. The Skyliners Juniors stole the rebounding battle back on their side 29-25 as both teams had 9 offensive rebounds a piece as well as 10 turnovers a piece. The Skyliners Juniors shot 50% from the field and 29% from the parking lot and Oberhaching shot 45% from the field and 40% from the parking lot. “We played our game again as a team. Everybody did their job. We were balanced and played the extra pass. We also played fast something which we always want to do”, added Jamie Edoka. “We allowed them to get out on a run again. We weren´t aggressive enough and gave up way too many offensive rebounds”, added Jonathan Zeisberger.
Jonathan Zeisberger at the FT line
In the fourth quarter it looked like the Skyliners Juniors had the win wrapped up early as they led by 17 points, but the TSV Oberhaching Tropics saved up enough energy for a massive run to trail only by 5 points with a few minutes to play, but couldn´t get over the hump. Frederick Mueller kept being aggressive and made big shots to keep Oberhaching in the game with 2 baskets early, but the Skyliners Juniors continued to execute very well getting clutch three´s from Smazak and Leif Zentgraf for 79-62 Juniors lead. However then came the big Tropics run of 14-2 to trail only 81-76 with a few minutes to play. In the run, the Tropics upped their defensive pressure and played more full court press to annoy the Skyliners Juniors which led to turnovers. Oberhaching executed well off Skyliner Juniors turnovers getting a trey from Muratovic while Jonathan The fridge Zeisberger was a 1 man wrecking crew scoring 7 points while Mueller also scored a lay in. “We played harder in the run, pressed well and stopped them with our zone”, said Jonathan Zeisberger. “They pressed really well and we became too hectic. We had way too many turnovers including myself”, said Jamie Edoka. However the Tropics couldn´t get over the hump. It was offensive rebounds that did them in in crunch time. Leif Zentgraf and Florian Dietrich both got offensive rebounds and put backs that sealed the win. A Mario Matic technical foul led to a Edoka free throw. Muratovic closed out the game with 2 free throws, but it was too late too little for the TSV Oberhaching Tropics. “We wanted it more than they did. We had the right mind set and guys with the Zentgraf brothers who always want to win”, stressed Jamie Edoka. “We had too many mistakes at the end and the 2 put backs cost us the game”, stressed Jonathan Zeisberger. The Skyliners Juniors were led by Leif Zentgraf with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Julius Messer added 17 points and 10 rebounds while the TSV Oberhaching Tropics were led by Frederick Mueller with 27 points while Jonathan Zeisberger had 22 points and 7 dimes. The Skyliners Juniors shot 47% from the field and 29% from outside and had 44 rebounds and 18 turnovers while the TSV Oberhaching Tropics shot 46% from the field and 38% from outside and had 31 rebounds and 12 turnovers,
So what do Robert Brown (203-F-1998, college: TxWes) and Stanley Whittaker have in common? Not much other then that both are basketball players overseas. Brown hails from Texas while Whittaker from Pennsylvania. Brown is just at the start of his overseas career while Whittaker has carved out an incredible career having started in low leagues and reached the top leagues in Germany, Italy and Turkey. Brown on the other hand is also in a very low league called the Regionalliga in Germany which is the fourth division. However both have one similarity. Both played for legendary coaches. Whittaker played for Rollie Massimino at Keyser (NAIA) while Brown played for Rick Pitino at Iona (NCAA). Brown didn´t play a big role at Iona, but he took full advantage being able to learn from the ex Kentucky head coach every day during his 2 seasons there. According to http://www.ionagaels.com, Rick Pitino had said this about him. “Robert is a good shot blocker and rebounder with excellent potential. I look forward to developing his skills both on the perimeter and on the inside.” “Rick Pitino helped me with my confidence and making sure I would believe in myself even if I didn’t play. He still made sure I worked out and put in the work to keep my confidence up”, stressed Robert Brown. Both Whittaker and Brown played for legendary NCAA coaches and the question is will a Brown be able to also follow the same kind of a path as Stanley Whittaker and move up the ranks overseas? Robert Brown just keeps grinding with heart as he is starting at the bottom in Germany with Regionalliga team Aschaffenburg Baskets. “The grind was very difficult. There were some days where I wanted to get give up, but I knew one day my time will come so I just kept working. It’s been days where I didn’t get any call and felt like I was doing this all for nothing but I kept my head high and kept working towards my game to get noticed”, warned Robert Brown.
Robert Brown who lists Deandre Ayton as his toughest opponent in the NCAA and who witnessed Brown giving him a double double in high school was born on December 18th, 1998 in Dallas Texas. He got a lot of early basketball experience at different schools like Prime Prep Academy, Advanced Preparatory International and Cathedral High School in Los Angeles. He then departed for New Mexico State University (NCAA) in 2017 was red shirted and then played only 14 NCAA games from 2018-2020. “It was a shock coming out of high school. I’ve played at the highest level in high school with top players in the country such as, Terrence Ferguson, Billy Preston, and Trevon Duval coming into college humbled me but I kept working throughout the times I barely played and showed good spirits even though my time was yet to come”, stressed Robert Brown. His best moment there was scoring 10 points against CS Northridge. “That game showed me that I can play at any level despite my situation on playing time I made the best of it and it made me even play harder in practice because I know if I keep working it will pay off”, said Robert Brown. Somehow injuries were always an issue as was his shoulder in New Mexico and then at Iona, it was his ACL. “It was very hard after tearing my ACL. I lost confidence for a little bit but as I stated before I kept working knowing my story would somehow turn out great in the end but I also learned a lot throughout my years at Iona”, commented Robert Brown. He only played 8 games at Iona, but his fortune finally changed at his last stop at Texas Wesleyan University (NAIA) where he averaged 8.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 54.0%, FT: 62.5%. Was this the best basketball decision in his life? “It was the best decision I’ve made after all the years I been through with the previous college my coach took a chance on me with half a season and I’ve played some great games we had a lot of great players on that team”, remembered Robert Brown. He had some good games there scoring 19 points against WAU and 18 points against Langston. “The WAU game was my first game back since playing real minutes I didn’t take those games for granted at all those were some of the best times of my life”, expressed Robert Brown. There he had a trustworthy coach in Brennen Shingleton who always believed in his abilities. “He helped me a lot with my confidence and said it’s going to work out for me. He made sure I was in the gym 24/7 to reach my goal I couldn’t thank him more enough he believed in me when no other coach did ! I thank him so much for welcoming me home and let me express myself when it comes to game time”, remembered Robert Brown who remembered having dog fights in 1-1 in practice with Lamine Komara.
The Texas native who lists Jabari Rice, Berrick Jeanlouis, Terrell Brown, AJ Harris, and Josh Duach as his 5 best teammates of all-time has finally made it overseas playing with the Aschaffenburg Baskets in the fourth division. He has previous pro experience with the the West Virginia Grind (TBL) and played at the ESL Camp (Eurobasket Summer League in Las Vegas). Aschaffenburg is a pretty old city along the Main river and surely a lot different than the high paced life in Dallas. “My experience here has been great! New place to call home ! Met a lot of great people here very different from back home in Dallas as far as the culture and how everybody is really nice here and the time zone is a big difference for me but overall I was welcomed here with open arms”, smiled Robert Brown. Has it been a tough adjustment coming from the play in USA to the Euro game? “It’s been quite an adjustment way different than playing in the U.S. The pace of the game is way faster than I thought ! More physical for sure but other than that I am adjusting really well”, said Robert Brown. Even if he is a rookie overseas, he is one of the oldest on the team. “Most of the team is young I feel like I can help these guys get better everyday in practice and in games in certain situations they don’t understand and I feel like they can help me as well I can be the leader of the team by playing hard every game just setting the example every time I step on the court”, added Robert Brown.
The forward who lists Lebron James as his GOAT and Kevin Durant, LeBron James, James Harden, Paul George, and Magic Johnson on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is a 203cm forward that likes to compare his game to a Tim Duncan. “My touch around the rim is very unique I think that’s what separates me from most bigs”, said Robert Brown. Scoring the ball and hauling down rebounds aren´t his only strengths. I can also block shots and defend talking on defense making sure my teammates and myself are in the right spots ! But I feel like my strength is defending the low post”, stated Robert Brown. In Europe it is beneficial for bigs to be versatile and that includes having an outside game. Rick Pitino noticed early that Brown had potential with a three pointer. “I’ve been working on my outside game ever since I graduated at Iona, Coach Pitino put a lot of confidence in me to play more outside because he said my game can transfer in Europe I’ve been working on my midranges and three pointers for the time being”, stated Robert Brown. He doesn´t just want to be a solid defender, but a shot blocker that teams won´t want to face. “I can defend the low post and cover ball screens. I’m starting to time my blocks in the game I want to become an elite shot blocker”, warned Robert Brown. He continues to work on his three pointer and building more confidence in his face up game. Some Americans will play-2-3 years in low leagues while others will play a decade before heading home. Has he set a time table about how long he will play overseas and stay if things don´t work out? “I have no set time table on how long I want to play but I also want to have a great career overseas and enjoy it as much as I can my support from my family and friends will always be here for me no matter what”, warned Robert Brown who believes that they should have left the classic Coming to America alone. It will be interesting to see where Robert Brown´s journey will go in the next years. He definitely will need really good stats with Aschaffenburg and winning won´t hurt either. Brown´s grind continues in Germany, but he will keep going as his heart navigates how far he will go.
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.
German Hoops 