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Zac Seljaas Wants To See Exactly Where He Can Go With His Game And At the Same Time Enjoy The Ride

pic credit: Viktor Meshko

Zachary Seljaas (202-SF-1997, college: BYU) is a 27 year old 202cm forward from Utah playing his 5th professional season and second with FIT/One Wuerzburg Baskets (Germany-BBL). In the 2022-2023 season he balled for the Tigers Tuebingen (Germany-ProA) averaging (16.9ppg), 6.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 57.0%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 84.8%. He played his first 2 pro seasons with BC Prievidza (Slovakia-SBL) averaging 13.4ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 9.5%, FT: 75.0%, and with BC Vera (Georgia-Superleague averaging22.1ppg), Reb-2 (12.0rpg), 2.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 83.5%. He began his basketball career at Bountiful and then played at Brgham Young (NCAA) from 2015-2019. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a massive 89-70 win over Frankfurt.

Congrats on the big 89-70 win over Frankfurt. How huge was this win after the last loses?

It was a really good and big win for us. It was important to get our rhythm back and to have finished the game strong. I think like we got the feel back to heading back in a positive direction as a team.

Frankfurt entered the game with a huge cup win and Wurzburg a tough 2 point BCL loss. I guess sometimes all one needs is one huge quarter to secure a win?

Yes it sure can. We saw it last week in the BCL and last night against Frankfurt. Frankfurt began the fourth quarter with a run. We knew that we had to regroup. We didn´t want the game to end like the last few games. We did a good job regrouping and figuring it out.

A lot of punching back and forth in the first 5 minutes between both teams. How crucial were your 2 consecutive three´s? Did that give the team some early momentum?

Yes I definitely think so. I think that it wasn´t just me, but how the team was able to create our offense as a team. We did what we always do in practice. That helped build our rhythm.

In the second quarter the game remained tight. Big man Hannes Steinbach had back to back assists. Is he the perfect definition of a modern big man?

Yes he has. He has so much potential. He surprises me every day again. He is so natural with his game. It is really crazy what he can already do with his game at his age. He is only going to get better. It is fun to see his development on a daily basis. Sky is the limit for him.

Last week Wurzburg pro B player Calvin Wishart said that it wouldn´t surprise him if he laned in the NBA. What about for you?

For sure. I can see him flourish in an American system. The way he plays and his style would fit well in the states. I could also see him playing college basketball there.

Jordan Theodore hit a big three is his third come back with the team. He led Frankfurt to the Fiba Cup title when you were a freshman at Brigham Young. Does he still have what it takes to lead this team to success?

Yes for sure. He is a great player. He has a lot of experience. That doesn´t only help him on a personal level, but also the team. He was a huge pick up for them.

Wurzburg broke free in the third quarter and led by as much as 13 points in the third quarter and led 60-51. What was key in the third quarter for having a bigger lead?

Our defense opens up so much for us. Our energy starts with our defense. That is how coach runs it. We get stops and then run on transition. I think in that phase we also limited our turnovers. We had had too many earlier in the game. We tried to make big plays, but in the third slowed it down which helped us limit them.

David Muenkat began the fourth quarter with his own 8-0 run as Frankfurt trailed only 60-59. What did head coach Savo Filipovski tell the team in the time out?

He told us for most just to lock down on defense. We needed better rotations and had given up too many open shots. They have good players and they made tough shots. We have to be locked in 40 minutes on defense.

David Muenkat had a big night with 23 points. What made it so difficult to control him?

He is a good player. I feel like we underestimated his shot making qualities. He made tough shots which we didn´t expect from him. We relied too much on his drive. We have to know the tendencies better of everyone. We gave Parsons and Theodore too much focus.

Wurzburg than exploded going on a 21-2 run. Mike Lewis added 9 points and Jhivvan Jackson 3 three pointers in a row. Was this just one of those classic massive runs or was there more behind it?

That is just how our team is. We can get hot quickly. It helps when your at home playing in front of our great fans. After a few shots go in, our confidence continues to grow. When your making shots, defense becomes more exciting which makes it easier. An offensive explosion can happen at anytime.

Did that run totally break Frankfurt´s confidence?

I think so. That helped us get a good distance between them and us. WE showed that we didn´t want to stop, but play well until the end. We kept our rhythm until the end.

How proud were you that the team finished the game in good form after the run? There was no let up which sometimes can happen after a run like that?

I was very proud. There can always be a letdown. I feel like in being able to close out the game strong, we were able to make a big step. I feel like that gave us a lot of confidence that will help us the next time.

A game has more than just 1 quarter. The team shot 16 three´s and easily won the rebound fight. What was the biggest strength of the team in the game?

I think it was our team work especially on the defensive end. We helped each other. I think we shared the ball great. We had our season high in assists. We also did a good job getting guys into rhythm.

Wurzburg now has some big games coming up in few days. Alba Berlin isn´t what it once was. What will be key to getting win?

It really is about us and how we approach each game and how much confidence we have.

What will be the biggest key for the team to be a playoff team again and not have last season be a fluke?

I think our success has to do with our culture and how hard we work as a team. I don´t think last season was a fluke. We are on a good way of being a good team again.

Your in your second season in the easyCredit BBL. Your scoring average is down a bit. Is that because of more offensive weapons this season?

Yes I think so. My role is a bit different this season. I´m captain and a leader and have more of a focus on defense. I have a lot more to do this season than just score. Not scoring as much doesn´t bother me. The most important thing is that we win and fight.

What is your big goal this season as a player after your break through season last year in terms of your game?

My goal from day 1 was always to get better. I want to be able to see how far I can go as a player. I want to have the opportunity to see what can happen with my game. At the same time I want to enjoy my time here as a young man with a family. Not everyone gets an opportunity like this.

Your having a huge BCL season averaging 21,0ppg. Is your role a bit different than in the BBL?

I think it had to do how game went. I go out and approach each game the same way. I think many underestimate how physical the easyCredit BBL is and how good teams are. It is really hard to score in the BBL with the physicality and scouting. The BCL has been a fun experience and I´m fortunate to have played well.

What do you enjoy most about Christmas and the German Christmas market´s?

When it comes to Christmas, I´m like a child. I love the feeling of Christmas. I feel like I enjoy buying presents for kids more than they do opening them. I love the markets and hanging out with the family there. I enjoy the culture and the community. Christmas is one of the nicest times of the year.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Maxi Ugrai?

Me. Max is great, but I think I got him.

Thanks Zac for the chat.

Prolific Scorer Ty Nichols(EWE Baskets) Chip Isn´t Going Anywhere As He Is Excited For His New Challenge In The EasyCredit BBL

Ty Nichols (190-G-1996, college: Keene St.) is a 28 year old 190cm guard that was born in Springfield, Mass that is playing his 6th professional season and first with German team EWE Baskets Oldenburg. He began the season with Patrioti Levice (Slovakia-Tipos SBL). He has experience having played in Kosovo, Albania and the Czech Republic. He began his basketball career with Putnam Vo-Tech high school and then played at Keene State College (NCAA3) from 2015-2019 and as a senior averaged : 27.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 4.9apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 82.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before his easyCredit BBL debut against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Thanks Ty for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing with German easyCredit BBL team EWE Baskets. After 5 seasons of paying your dues, you have reached a top league in Europe. Will the chip on your shoulder remain now?

100%. This what every guy wants. Being able to perform on a high stage. I put myself in good position with my play in the Fiba Europe Cup. I had a few offers, but felt that the EWE Baskets was the best situation.

You dominated as usual in Slovakia, BCL and Fiba Europe Cup, but left your team to join the EWE Baskets. Did you have a clause in your contract?

My agent negotiated a buy out in my contract. We missed out on advancing to the next round of the Fiba Europe Cup by 1 point. That allowed me to go.

You must be so excited to join the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. What do you believe was most vital in the last 6 years in you being able to get this far in your career?

I feel like it has been a combination of how I have played the last 2 seasons. I won MVP of the Czech league and helped my team win their first ever chip. Also my good play in the Fiba Europe Cup helping beat big budget teams like Zaragoza helped

You have never averaged less than 15,0ppg in a season since 2016. That is brutal consistency. What do you attribute this consistency to?

I got a trainer in the summer of 2016 and we have worked together until this day. He has helped me take my game to the next level. I´m still not content with my game and will continue to work hard. Every team that I have played with allowed me to play my game and just let me be myself. That has helped me be consistent.

You now have reached a top team with many other guys that can really score the ball. Will that be a tough adjustment for you not necessarily always having the ball in your hands or being that go to guy?

I´m not going to lie. It will be an adjustment. That is what happens when you reach a high league and top team, there will be very talented players. I have to see what my role will be and just realize that I don´t need to score 25 points to win. I just have to realize that I may have to score 10 points on some nights to win.

What do you feel will be the biggest challenge for you competing in the BBL?

I think mainly just the load of talent from team to team.

Your scoring may stand out, but you can really fill the stat sheet like no other. You have been close to achieving triple doubles. How big is versatility in your game?

It is huge. I have been a scorer my whole career, but also been asked to do other things like get my teammates involved. I was just fortunate that I was always able to pick and chose and do a bit of everything where ever I have played.

You never shot 40% or better from outside until this season. In Slovakia you shot a crazy 51% and 48% in the Fiba Europe Cup. Did you get secret tips from Steph Curry?

No, no I don´t speak to Steph. I wish. I think it has been confidence and just putting in the work all those summers. Now the work is paying off.

You have always been a feisty defender. What kind of defender will people see in the easyCredit BBL?

I´m a pesky defender. I try to make it as uncomfortable as possible for opponents with my long reach. I always try to find the weaknesses and just pick at it. I´m aggressive on ball and like to get into passing lanes. I gamble a lot. That is something that I have to live with.

Last season you played with SLUNETA Usti nad Labem (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging (20.8ppg), 3.9rpg, Assists-5 (5.5apg), Steals-1 (2.3spg), FGP: 57.3%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 73.0%. You led the league in scoring after being second the season before. How did your game grow in these years in the NBL?

My game definitely grew a lot. I came from a weaker league in Kosovo and played in a fast paced league in the Czech Republic. I had to make quicker decisions and reads. I was the number #1 option and was able to take my game to the next level.

Two seasons ago you played with BK Armex Decin (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging 18.7ppg), 3.7rpg, 4.5apg, Steals-2 (2.5spg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 67.2%. In this season and the season after you were involved in 6 exciting and long playoff series. How much did your killer mentality grow in these last 2 seasons?

I love to play in the big games. I was on teams that hadn´t won, so I tried all I could to win. I was fortunate to play high level basketball in the playoffs.

In the 2021-2022 season you spent time in Albania and Kosovo and then finished in the Czech Republic. How tough was this season living out of a suitcase? What did you learn about yourself?

That season was weird. I began in Albania and lasted 5-6 days. I left because the conditions just weren´t good there. Then I went to Kosovo and was there for 2 weeks. I had been familiar with Kosovo because I had played there before. Decin from the Czech Republic bought me out. I thank them for taking a chance on me.

You played your first 2 pro seasons with KB Ponte Prizren (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 19.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 5.3apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 71.3% and 15.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 7.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 66.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I will never forget getting there on November 16th and playing my first game on November 18th. We were beating a team in their gym and at the end they started throwing things at us. That was my wake up call.

You played at Keene State College (NCAA3) from 2015-2019 winning 2 LEC titles. Which one was sweeter?

The last one was. We weren´t predicted to win. We won on our own home court that was sold out. We beat our rival Eastern Conn.

You improved your scoring and rebound average each season and really exploded as a senior averaging 27.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 4.9apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 82.3%, How did your game grow there?

I couldn´t shoot the ball in my freshman year. I made something like 4-5 three´s. Then in the summer of 2016 I got a trainer. My shot got better. We played a more fast paced tempo in my senior year where I got many more shots. I was supposed to score 20 points a game. I did better scoring 27 points a game.

You left as the school´s all-time leading scorer and had so many incredible games. What was your best personal game?

In my senior year I scored 42 points against Albertus Magnus, but my best all around game was against Ramapo where I had 32 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.

How did head coach Ryan Cain groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

We had similar ideas about the game. He had also been the all-time leading scorer at his school when he played. He taught me how to play a smoother game.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Dizel Wright?

He couldn´t beat me ever. But he was one of the most athletic players that I ever played against.

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

I played against Jordan Crawford in a summer league game.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jonathan Garcia, Tyronne Malone, David Abraham, Marcus Azor, Sam Sessoms

Your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Derrick Rose, Tracey McGrady, Kevin Garnet

Your Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

Yes for sure. I don´t know why they did that.

Thanks Ty for the chat.

Vincent Macaulay Enjoyed the Terrific Fan Support But Surely Should Have Had More Time To Develop And Achieve Success

Vincent Macaulay is a UK coach who made a name for himself being head coach and general manager of the London Lions for more than a decade and was responsible for them becoming a top team in the BBL in the UK. He also had experience coaching the Hemel Hempstead Royals, Milton Keynes Lions and Manchester Giants. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball before the season began. Unfortunately I didn´t bring the interview earlier and then Vincent Macaulay was released. This interview is a combination of his thoughts before the season began and questions after he was let go.

Thanks Vincent for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Thanks Miles, I am currently on the road as we travel to Belgium for a pre season game vs Charleroi, this will be our 4th game of 8. Life is treating me well as I get to know my new team and surroundings and prepare for what looks like a very exciting Pro A season.

Welcome to Germany. After coaching your whole life in England, you have taken on a new challenge in Germany. What do you know in general about the country Germany?

Thanks for the welcome, and I have been made so welcome by the people in Quakenbrück in particular and Germany as a whole, I know Germany reasonably well, I have an uncle who is German and he told me many stories about the country, I am always always awed by the organizations in the country, how diligent they are with everything they do. Also secretly two of my favourite footballers are Sepp Maier and Gerd Muller. At this point I would say that my sports intro to Germany was Kevin Keegan leaving my beloved Liverpool for Hamburg.

How have you followed German basketball over the years? The country has made giant leaps in the last years in their youth department as well as winning the World Cup title?

Just awesome! I have often watched the League, especially so when players from England would come to Germany and excel, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Geno Crandall etc. obviously we all fell in love with Dirk Nowitski, but the development of Dennis Schroeder who was just a very quick kid, into a phenomenal player and latterly a great leader cannot escape any coach.

After coaching in England, what was it that gave you that spark to want to go away from England? Was it more than just a new challenge?

Basically I had achieved everything possible in our League really, having been in every position, player, coach, GM, owner etc as well as winning games against European opposition. The League was going through a bad time with poor management etc and I was going to try and rebuild a powerhouse in Manchester like I had done in London but the League owners prevented that so I looked for a new challenge. I initially thought Japan, or a National Team, maybe Nigeria, when this opportunity came along with the Dragons who have been a very very top team and have the resources to be so again, so it excited me and with the legend that is Pat Elzie as Sporting Director and Marius Kröger as GM I believe we have a real shot.

You will coach German Pro A team Artland Dragons. What did you know about the club? It produced NBA player Isaiah Hartenstein.

Yes they talk a lot locally about Hartenstein and his development and are very proud of him and the work his father did. In fact they are very proud of their past achievements as a club and the coaches that have gone on to bigger and better things. I always try to stay in the present, it’s time to have more current things for the fans to talk about so hopefully we can do that here.

Patrick Elzie interviewed many guys, but chose you. What was the main reason for joining this historic organization?

Well as to his reasons, I think you would have to ask him. I do know he wanted a change and maybe a different way of doing things and that’s certainly what I do. I enjoy learning the game, trying different things and inspiring players to be the best they can be whilst enjoying the game. As I said my reason is that the club has excellent resources to be at the top, it’s different sometimes you are at a good club with a good team but the resources are limited for you to go further, that isn’t the case here.

Talk a little about your basketball philosophy. What kind of a coach are you and what is your brand of basketball?`

I am a very competitive person and I love to play a fast and exciting brand of basketball. Score quick and score fast, but my entire upbringing in basketball was under the legendary British coach, Jimmy Rogers from Brixton in London, Jimmy was defence first and last so we will always be a very gritty team. The modern game is more uptempo especially at the three point line. It is exciting to see so many different styles of play in the Pro A and I think this makes it a very exciting League.

What is like working with Pat Elzie. Like you he has so much coaching experience. How vital is his basketball knowledge for your development as a coach in Germany?

Invaluable. I don’t think I’ve met anyone in Germany who didn’t play for Pat!! But seriously he is a bank of information and that is really going to help accelerate my understanding of German basketball, also with my assistant, Marcus Jackson who played and coached in the League.

What kind of character is Joe Asberry. He is a man that has seen it all. What do you believe is his biggest strength in the youth sector?

Joe is a great guy, firstly it is great having him around our Dragons Training Centre, he chats to the senior players acts as a buffer for them just in settling down and developing as pro’s. As for his influence on the youth it’s plain to see, they follow him all around the town, they love his energy, he shares his knowledge and I think most importantly helps to ground them as they try to make their way into the pro world, a huge asset.

How much influence did you have on making the the 2024-2025 roster? Was it all you or did Pat Elzie assist you? I can imagine that Elzie had some influence in getting veteran Yasin Kolo?

Ha ha! Yes I know they go way back. Pat assisted certainly especially with the vets, but also in helping me understand how the game is played here. Obviously I’ve also brought players who played for me and that I know to help blend in my style. I have had much more athletic teams than the teams in Germany but it’s about getting the blend right, to compete in bully ball if necessary, whilst also playing uptempo, high flying and exciting.

What is the goal of the Artland Dragons. The team struggled to stay in last season. Is staying in the league again the main goal

Clearly staying in the League will be a success, but the team already did that last season, I think getting to the Playoff’s and competing effectively is also a goal. There is no reason for us not to be one of the better teams however with still some weeks to the start of the season I haven’t seen too many teams from our league, after a couple of weeks or so, I’ll know exactly what we need to do to have a successful season.

I love how Brandon Thomas is still playing at 40. He told me last season that if Artland stayed in the pro A, he would add on another year. Seriously how good is this guy still? His body and the way he plays looks like he was still 30?

Incredible!, Brandon was one of the first people I spoke to when I was given the honor of this job. His experience on the floor and his years in Germany are a real goldmine for me. We talked long and hard about what was needed to do well. His game is electric he is a finisher of the highest order and I’m trying to put him in the freezer from time to time so we can extend his career, he is a true pro who looks after his body and looking at him in training, it’s no surprise he has carried on for so long.

You brought in 2 Greens. Talk a little about their games. Do you feel like they could be impact players in the Pro A?

I do, Kierell will take a little time to settle as he literally finished playing in Indonesia, he is a glue guy who can plug many holes. He has good size and I think will hold us together in games. Tajh, well Tajh will be explosive, his athleticism is off the charts and he can run forever, the two of them will help our engine to keep ticking over.

I was very shocked when I learned that the Artland Dragons had let you go.Did it surprise you also?

Yes I was surprised, don’t get me wrong, 90% of coaching positions end in a sacking but I felt it was really soon especially as I had been told we were in a long term project. I was asked to work with 7 players provided for me and I was very happy to do so and was enjoying this.

I think it was too early after 5 loses, but it seemed like they don´t want a scenario happening from last season? Can you understand their reasoning?

I think it’s really not for me to worry about the managements reasoning, it is their right, however I feel I should have been told the plan had changed and I had to have such and such a League positioning by a certain time if indeed that was the case.

Are you able to explain why the team went from top to bottom with 4 wins and then sufering 5 loses?

This was always a transitional situation, a significant group of guys who had taken a lot of losses last season, a new coach a new system so things would be up and down, I think teams start to come together after 15 games, chemistry, trust etc. We had a bad loss in Karlsruhe and I sensed the fear in the club and in my opinion they over reacted but as I said that is the management´s decision.

I´m sure you will rebound from this experience. Did you learn anything from this experience?

I learnt a lot from the experience, seeing German basketball for 2 months seeing the depth of talent in the teams and also the support that clubs have to be successful. I totally enjoyed my time with the team especially Brandon Thomas and Robert Ohle. Also that change takes time and not everyone can come with you.

Do you have any parting words for the Artland Dragons organization and fans?

The fans were terrific and supported me throughout, I think the organization is trying to do the right things but process and communication is an area that still need further development and I think they know that too.

You made a massive name for the London Lions and coaching them for 11 years. Is it fair to say that they are like your baby? I would of thought that you would always have remained with that organization. Was leaving in 2022 a tough ordeal?

Not at all. I grew up in Africa and there was a saying always on the buses, “no condition is permanent” I live by this and it gives me a positive outlook. The ownership group that I had sold out to allowed me to remain and coach, but after awhile their idea of driving British basketball was not mine so I moved on amicably and with no hard feelings either side. Driving British basketball was and is important to me, making a home for British players, having Justin Robinson as a British player be Two Time MVP was important. Now with my new challenge, if a British Coach can be successful in Germany, it will assist a lot of other British coaches to belief in themselves and go forward more positively.

I remember hearing about the club 4-5 years ago. The club made an incredible development. They played Fiba Europe Cup for some years. How vital was this organization for the British basketball league?

Well as you may know the club has now fallen on hard times due to mismanagement. The club was very important to Britain because at the time I started the club post the 2012 Olympics, there was no Pro team in London, and really no success since the London Towers under Kevin Cadle and Nick Nurse so it was important to create a big city club that could challenge. We slowly grew the club to that level and I think it helped let people know there was good basketball in the Uk. Playing the Playoff Finals in front of 20,000 people, live in TV etc, these are the things that get people excited.

In the early years say 10 years ago, you brought in guys like Nick Freer or Orlan Jackman from the German lower leagues. But the team always seemed competitive. What kind of a coach were you then and what kind of a coach now?

Great memory! These were good players, Nick was very athletic and strong and Orlan is one of my favourite players ever. His pedigree you can see as he went on to win 3 x 3 Commonwealth Gold. I was a little over thinking then as a coach, my influences like Dean Smith and other college coaches, but then watching the success of Nick Nurse and Chris Finch in the NBA showed me that our League was actually a great training ground for Coaches, so I began to experiment and be more free flowing, that’s the kind of coach I am today.

The funny thing is I began interviewing guys some years ago as the rosters got more and more well known players and ex NBA guys. I interviewed guys like Orlando Parker, Josh Ward-Hibert, Jordan Spencer, Andre Lockhart, and Tarik Phillips just to name a few. Did the budget rise in the last years? How difficult was that?

You know the environment we are in for basketball in the UK is basically very clear. If you want something, you have to find the money and make it. We get very little to no Government support. For many years I was GM and Coach. That wasn’t easy but my vision stayed clear, Jon Spoelstra, father of Erik at Miami helped me a lot in understanding how to raise money in the sporting world and I did this, then very slowly we grew the budgets to the point we were able to compete in Europe.

How did you see the development of Jules Akodo. I followed him for many years in Germany with Frankfurt. He was a very special talent then.

Jukes was with us when we won the BBL Trophy, a young guy I always kept my eye on, I wanted him for many years before he finally came along. He is a true gentleman, very talented at both point and 2 guard.

Please name your 5 best players that you have coached in your career?

This is where I say it’s like saying who is your favourite child. A tough one, From a pure talent level it was probably DeAndre Liggins, he never stopped working and was blessed with real skills. Marquis Teague was a walking bucket but then I have to add Justin Robinson, Dru Spinks and Joe Ikhinmwin as players who understood what British basketball needed. If every British basketball player was like any one of them – the UK would have one of the best Leagues in Europe. But of course, I love all my players.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ, Kareem, Olajuwon, Kobe, Magic

Who is your personal Goat?

Michael Jordan – no question

Thanks Vincent for the chat

Elite Shooter Elijah Jenkins Continues To Grow As A Player As He Has Found A Second Home In Cologne

Elijah Jenkins (190-G, college: Embry Riddle) is a 190cm guard from Georgia playing his third professional season and third with DTV Basketball Koeln (Germany-Regionalliga). He began his basketball career with Riverwood high school and then played at Embry Riddle University (NCAA2) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 120 NCAA games. In his last 2 years he averaged 13.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 69.0% and 15.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 81.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Your playing your third season for DTV Basketball Koeln (Germany-Regionalliga). How much of a second home has it become? What have you enjoyed most about the opportunity?

Yeah it’s been great, I really feel at home here with the guys on our team, our coaches, and our fans. I’ve really enjoyed experiencing the basketball culture in Germany, as I’ve had a completely different perspective coming from the US. Winning the Pokal the last two years is definitely a huge highlight.

Some guys remain in the Regionaliga while others move up to higher leagues. How has your game grown since coming to the DTV Basketball Koeln (Germany-Regionalliga)?

I think there was an adjustment period at the start of my time here, getting used to the league, its physicality, and things like that. But since then it’s been just about continuing to be confident and find ways to help the team get a win.

What has it been like for you playing with a team full of Germans. Even though many are older than you, do you see yourself being a sort of mentor for some of the players?

It’s been great, I consider myself really lucky to play for Deutz and be around a group of guys that really enjoy both playing together and spending time off the court together. I don’t think I would consider myself a mentor because we have a lot of guys with experience at high levels of basketball, so I think we all just try to feed off our collective basketball experience instead of relying on just one or two guys.

What has it been like being teammates with German Joachim Koschade? Was he like a mentor for you when you were a rookie?

Yeah Joe’s great, he’s another one of those guys with a ton of high-level basketball experience. I really enjoy playing with him, our games definitely complement one another and we’ve been on the court together in some crucial moments the last years.

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

I don’t think I have one specific moment in mind, but obviously getting used to the language my first season was a big adjustment.

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

Steph is too cliché, so I’ll go with Jared Mccain.

You have never averaged more than 2,0apg in a season since school. Do you see yourself developing more into a playmaking guard in the future?

I think I try to always make the right pass on the court, even if that doesn’t always lead to having a ton of assists, but I think that I will create more the more aggressive I am and defensive attention I attract.

You eclipsed 40% from outside twice at Embry Riddle and this season shooting 48% from outside. What do you credit your great shooting most to this season?

I would say that my teammates and coaches consistently encourage me to shoot which allows me to shoot with confidence regardless of the situation. But I spent a lot of time in the gym growing up, so just having the trust in the things that I’ve done my whole life allows me to have that confidence during games.

How do you see the development of your three point shooting? Do you see yourself becoming an elite shooter in the future?

I would say I’ve been an elite shooter for most of my career.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I think now I’m playing well on defense when I’m active and aggressive in passing lanes, getting deflections, etc. I think I can still improve guarding bigger, more physical guys that we come up against.

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

I would say I just try to focus on making plays necessary for our team to win games.

You played 4 seasons at Embry Riddle (NCAA2) making a big jump in your last 2 seasons. How did your game grow there?

I saw myself become more aggressive hunting my shot as well as being really aggressive in the midrange area. Growing up I think I was more of a catch and shoot and movement guy but in my last two seasons I really developed the confidence in my off the dribble game, both from 3 and in the midrange.

You had so many great games in the NCAA 2 once making 11 three´s and twice 9 plus many 30 plus points. What was your fondest moment on the court?

I don’t think I can name just one moment, but just the experience of being and growing with a special group of guys on and off the court is something that was absolutely priceless.

How did head coach Steve Ridder groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Ridder had a tremendous impact on me as a player, but even more so as a person. He always believed in me and my ability and challenged me to keep improving as a player, while giving me space to grow myself both on and off the court.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Romeo Crouch?

I don’t think we actually played that much 1 on 1, but I’d have to give him the edge in those.

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

In college, definitely Jacob Evans at Cincinnati. Before that, I played pretty often against Colin Sexton growing up in Atlanta.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Romeo Crouch, Nashad Mackey, Malcolm Whitlow, Luka Majstorovic, Chris Murray

Your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Steph, Kareem, Lebron, Jordan

Your Who is your GOAT?

Lebron

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

Probably, but that’s Hollywood

Thanks Elijah for the chat.

Devante Jones(Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana) Is Striving To Become One Of The Best Defenders In Europe

DeVante Jones (182-PG-1998, college: Michigan) is a 26 year old 182cm guard from New Orleans playing his third pro season and first with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM). Last season he played with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 15.9ppg), 2.5rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 86.1%;and in the BCL averaged 12.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 16.0%, FT: 89.7%. He palyed his rookie season with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 7.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 77.1%. He began his basketball career at St Augustine High School and then played 3 seasons at Coastal Carolina College averaging 18.0ppg, 5.9rpg, 5.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 87.6% and 19.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.9apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 86.2%. He played one season at the University Of Michigan averaging 10.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Hamburg Towers.

Thanks Devante for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) and will be playing your first time in Germany. What do you know in general about the country and it´s basketball? Have you had friends or guys you know play in Germany in the past?

In general i don’t really know much about Germany. I currently have a close friend name Dshawn who currently plays there and he is doing great but other than that I don’t know much but iIam excited for my first experience.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) have been used to winning recently having won the double the last 3 years. How big is the desire to win within the organization?

To be honest, winning was my main reason for coming to this organization. I understand in previous seasons they weren’t as good as they were years ago but I wanted to come and change the narrative along with the rest of my brothers. We have won more euro cup games this season than last year but that’s not enough for us. we want to win it all.

After reaching the Pro A final last season with Le Mans, you recently won the Slovenian Super Cup. How big does that title rank in your career?

The Slovenia Super Cup is a great achievement to have on my resume, it’s a blessing that I don’t take lightly.

The France Pro A league belongs to the best leagues in Europe. This season your balling in the Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM. How would you compare this league to the Pro A in France?

This season in Slovenia is definitely different than the French Pro A league. Obviously, i’m also playing in the euro cup so it’s way more games and more traveling which is fun but the comparison of euro league teams are similar. In French Pro A is played against Asvel and Monaco and now I have faced red star and will play Partizan soon so I love the competition.

You had your break out season last season in France. This season your offensively not as dominant as last. Do you feel pressure after your incredible season from 2023-2024?

I don’t feel any pressure at all. Basketball is all about adjusting especially when you are moving up in competition. It’s a long season so you never know I might can turn it around and do something real special you will just have to wait and find out haha.

Last season you scored a lot and dished out many assists and had the ball in your hands a lot. What is your role this season with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

My role this season isn’t much different from my previous season. Making life easier for my teammates and also looking for my shot whenever the opportunity presents itself.

What has it been like being teammates with Devin Robinson and DJ Stewart? What have you appreciated most about their games`?

Being with Dj and Devin has been nothing short of amazing. two very talented guys on both offense and defense. I appreciate their openness to want to get better. We are always on the same page whenever we on the court together, I love it.

If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would fit the best?

I think somebody from the NBA I compare my game to is Fred vanvleet. we are kind of built the same and have the same play style.

You really fill the stat sheet well. How big is versatility in your game?

Being my size at my position I believe filling up the stat sheet will get you looked at more. everyone can shoot and get assists at my position, that difference maker is steals, rebounds and even some stuff that don’t even show up on the stat sheet.

You have shot the ball really well from outside in certain competitions in the last 2 pro years. Where do you see yourself as a shooter at the moment and where do you still want to get to with your shooting?

At the moment I believe my shooting is decent. Obviously I am shooting well now because all of the hard work I have put in but I want to get even better. there is no limit where I can be when my time is done.

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

I pride myself of not getting scored on. I watch highlights of different defenders and just try to take those different skills and add it to my own game. But, the stronger I get and with more experience I believe I can become one of the best defenders in all of Europe

In what areas of your game do you want to make the biggest jump this season with your game?

I think the biggest jump I want to make is just continuing to become a better leader. Just being a fan of Chris Paul and how he leads is just inspiring

Last season you played with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging (15.9ppg), 2.5rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 86.1%; and in the BCL averaged 12.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 16.0%, FT: 89.7%. How important was this season for your basketball development? How did your game grow this season?

Playing with Le Mans was a very important year for me. I completed a lot of individual accolades and it showed how good I can be when I am given the opportunity. Making the all star team with a lot of different big name guards was exciting for me. just motivated me to continue to push. My game grew in different ways, just taking care of my body, learning different techniques on the court.

You played your rookie season with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 7.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 77.1%. You reached the Pro A final. What memories do you have of the final against Monaco? What was it like battling top Euroleague player Mike James as a rookie?

Battling Monaco was a very humbling experience. Just being a competitor trying to beat a team that’s just talented from the top guy to the bottom guy is frustrating. Battling against Mike James was great. we built a relationship throughout the season and also during the all star games so that was a battle iIwill never forget.

Big NBA talent Victor Wembanyama was your teammate. What memories do you have of him. It was his last season in France before heading to the NBA. Did you have that feeling then that he could be such a good player in the NBA?

Playing with Victor was amazing. he was a great guy and very unselfish. you don’t see that often coming from a young generational talent. I knew he would always be a great NBA player just because of his work ethic and mindset.

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

man, getting off that flight in France was my wake up call. not understanding the language and having to adjust to the food was very hard at the beginning.

In the summer of 2022 you played NBA Summer League with Denver. What kind of an experience was that for you? What memories do you have of Vegas? Did you meet any NBA legends in that time?

In 2022 playing with Denver Nuggets was an amazing experience. I met all the guys played against Jamal Murray and Bones Hyland was great. Building a relationship with the coaches was amazing, being in vegas that environment seeing all the NBA guys from different organizations was amazing.

You played at Coastal Carolina College (NCAA) from 2018-2021. You put up great stats. How did your game grow there under head coach Cliff Ellis?

Cliff Ellis is a legend and I miss playing under him. He was helpful in so many ways and was a hands on coach. always was respectful and just open with inviting me to his house to build that relationship off the court. He was honest with me and made sure I got better every year.

What was your fondest,moment at Coastal Carolina (NCAA)?

The CBI tournament was amazing. West Virginia was obviously my best game just being in that atmosphere as a freshman and winning was great.

You then played a season with the University of Michigan averaging 10.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.2%. You reached the NCAA Sweet 16. How important was that extra season?

That Michigan season taught me alot about basketball. It showed me how when your not playing well a lot of people won’t support you and that was a viable lesson I needed.

How did head coach Juwan Howard groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Howard prepared me for the professional level. He taught me all the ins and outs of being a professional. He taught me how hard days don’t last forever but strong men overcomes any obstacle.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Eli Brooks?

I love Eli, but he knows who won those battles haha.

Who is the toughest player you ever face din the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Jaden Ivy

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Tremont Waters, Nate Mason, Aaron Henry, Devin Robinson, and Victor

Your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron, Kobe, Michael, Shaq and Westbrook

Thanks Devante for the chat.

Simon Birgander(Murcia) Has Stayed In The ACB On Account Of Playing The Right Way And Finding The Best Options For His Team

Sweden have never been that big basketball name internationally as it has never qualified for the World Cup and only participated once in the Olympics in 1980 and played at the Euro championships 10 times with the last being in 2013 where they upset Russia. But that doesn´t mean that they don´t produce great players. The biggest names over the years have been guys like Marcus Eriksson, Jonas Jerebko and Jeffery Taylor who all reached the NBA and currently have Pelle Larson and Bobi Klintman in the NBA, but there are also others currently playing for the national team. Guys overseas would die to play in the top league ACB, but it´s very difficult to get there. Currently there have been quite a few guys that have played there or are still playing there like Melwin Pantzar, Tobias Borg, Denzel Andersson, and Nicholas Spires just to name a few. Some guys have been like a mainstay in the ACB with Tobias Borg with 9 seasons and his teammate Ludvig Hakanson who is the currently the leader with 10 seasons and Nicholas Spires was there for 8 seasons. Currently there is another Swedish player with Simon Birgander (209-C-1997) in his 8th season and holding very strong. He is one of those candidates at age 27 that could pass a Borg in the next years and probably have a battle with Hakanson as to who will survive the longest in the ACB. If you ask Birgander today, he will inform you that he has come a long way from 2017 until today being able to survive so long and remain. “I think just my basketball IQ and learning from such great players have helped me develop in to the player I am today. In 2017 I was just a skinny Swedish guy who tried his best to stay as long as possible in the ACB and do as good as he could. Right now I´m a different player. I always try to play the right way and find the best option for the team. Back then I didn’t know that was more to the game then just scoring points and taking rebounds. Now I focus more on being in the right spots, making the right read, helping my teammates and just being an overall better player. I also have a lot more confidence in myself now then I did back then”, stressed Simon Birgander. He understands very well that it was never self-evident that he would stay so strong, so he is enjoying every minute of it. “Well I´m super blessed to be able to play in this league and that I have done it for such a long time makes it even greater. I never thought as a young Swedish player I would arrive to this level and stay here as long as I have. What I enjoy the most about ACB is that it´s such a great league that every team can beat each other, doesn’t matter if you are last in the league or the first. There is always teams giving a fight and stealing games every year. For Example this year when newcomers Leyma Coruna beat last years winners Madrid in their first game of the season”, said Simon Birgander.

The Swedish big man who lists Luka Doncic as the toughest player that he ever battled in his career so far was born on October 23, 1997 in Kvistofta Sweden. He began his basketball career with (Basketettan) an din his last season at the age of 18 was dominating his home land league and averaged 11.8ppg, 13.1rpg, 3.8apg, 1.5spg, 5.7bpg, 2FGP: 49.6%, FT: 48.5%. “Those early years were very important for me. I played a lot of minutes and took a lot of responsibility on the court. Also I learned that you had to work hard to go somewhere and always believe in yourself. Isak was important for my development because he was the coach who gave me the “keys“ to our team. He made me take a lot of responsibility on the court and really got the best out of me. Giving me that confidence and believing in me as he did really helped me believe that I could reach somewhere in the basketball world”, commented Simon Birgander. It was only fitting then that he take the next step and did going to Spain. In that same season he moved to Natural Rioja Vintage Clavijo Logrono (Spain-EBA) averaging 7.6ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.2apg, Blocks-1 (3.8bpg), FGP: 54.1%, FT: 79.2% and in the 2016-2017 season made the next step and balled with 16-2017: Cocinas.com CB Clavijo Logrono (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 4.0ppg, 4.1rpg. “Those years helped me a lot. I was just a young Swedish guy who only played semi professional basketball before that. I learned all the ins and outs of being a professional, how the practice the right way and how to they play basketball in Spain”, expressed Simon Birgander.

The center who lists Nicolas Laprovittola, Kyle Guy, Rodi Kurucs, Luke Harangody, Ante and Tomic as his 5 best teammates of all-time then made the massive jump to the ACB in 2017 and played with Club Joventut Badalona until 2023. He is a player that never averaged more than 19 minutes in a ACB season there, but the competition was fierce with so many first class players, but he was that lethal role player that just came on the court and did his job. It is only fitting that he had many great memories there “The greatest moment with Penya was when we saved the club from going down and celebrated it with all our fans. We were having a terrible season but in the end of it somehow we won like 8 of the last 10 games and it was such a great feeling to stay in ACB. Another great feeling was when we played Copa Del Rey at home, a full arena with all the fans. Yes its more or less a second home for me, made some great friends and people there, made some great memories and grew a lot as a person and in the end as a father also (my son was born in Cataluña)”, smiled Simon Birgander. He also battled against top Euroleague teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona and beat them twice in the playoffs. “My fondest memories playing against them were when we beat Madrid the first game away in the ACB semifinals after a masterclass from Kyle Guy. Against Barca my fondest memory was playing against Pau Gasol one of the best big guys in history”, remembered Simon Birgander. He played with so many incredible players in that time listing Ante Tomic and American Luke Harangody as some of the best. “My greatest memories with Ante is just what a great person and teammate he is. Always there if you needed anything and giving u tips and tricks when you need it. I helped me with my game about how to pass the ball, how to move to be in the best positions possible and also the deadly floater he has (which I stole a little). I have played with a lot of great Americans and all of them thought me something different. The American who had the biggest influence on me was Luke Harangody, we were very good friends and he really showed me how to be a great professional on and off the court”, stated Simon Birgander. In his first season, he lost twice to Real Madrid and Luca Doncic and he almost had a triple double in the second game. A story for the grand children one day. “I don´t remember a lot from that game against Luka Doncic. All I remember he made a crazy and one layup against me and that he was a crazy talent. Yes I thought back then he would be a great NBA player, I didn’t think he would kill it as he is right now but you could see the talent he had”, stressed Simon Birgander.

The rebounding ace who lists MJ, Lebron, Kobe and Shaq on his current NBA Mount Rushmore is currently playing with Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB. Last season he had his strongest ACB season averaging 10.7ppg, Reb-2 (6.9rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 62.9%, FT: 75.7%; BCL: 5 games: 7.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 61.5%, FT: 66.7%. “It´s been a great experience playing for UCAM. It´s like a big family with all the people working at the club and helping each other out. There is always people to help you with whatever you need and I really appreciate that. Yes the organization is taking big steps and every year we are getting better and better, just the one and a half years I have been here I really noticed how much growth we have made”, said Simon Birgander. The team is playing solid in both competitions and who knows maybe a title could be achieved this season? “I think our biggest strength is our chemistry both on the court but also outside. This year we have been a little up and down in some games but I think every game we are getting better and the dream of course would be to win a title with UCAM”, warned Simon Birgander. Despite having an overall great season last season, it wasn´t without adversary. He had a lightening 3 months and then was injured for 4 months and returned and couldn´t find back to his form. “It was a very tough year both physically and mentally. Of course it was tough when I got injured in my best moments but honestly the hardest part was to come back after 3 months and still having pain, which led to me having to take a break in the end of the season and heal 100 precent. It was a super tough decision to decide to stop right before the last regular season game but what I learned from it was that I need to listen to my body to be 100 precent and it´s just worse for me psychically but mostly mentally to play at 30 precent of my capacity”, remembered Simon Birgander.

The ex Badalona player who is not sure who his Goat is at the moment as he is swinging back and forth between Michael Jordan and Lebron James also has been a main stay with the Swedish national team first as a U-18 and U-20 player and the moved to the men´s team in 2017. He is looking forward to facing Germany again in 2 qualifying games for the Euro 2025. He last played against Germany in 2022 before Germany began their run of winning a Bronze and Gold medal and showed his true class scoring 8 points and grabbing 10 boards.” I don´t remember much about the game and I just remember that they kicked us out of the court physically and you noticed that they were a great team and that they would achieve great things”, stated Simon Birgander. Even if he Germany are the current world champions, it won´t be extra special, but just another day at the office. “It´s great to play against a team like Germany and who are World Champions and one of the strongest NTs in the world. it doesn’t feel overwhelming because it´s always fun to play against the best teams and try to matchup against them. So I think the best thing to do is just see it as 2 normal games and play as hard as possible”, warned Simon Birgander. Even if the NBA and Euroleague players will be absent, one can still expect a high quality game. “I think we will be very motivated but not just because we play against Germany more so because we play games to qualify for the EuroBasket which Sweden haven’t done in many years. I think we have some chances to win especially at our homecourt where we always fight to the max. it also helps they don´t have their Euroleague or NBA players. but there is still a lot of great players who is going to play”, added Simon Birgander. One player to watch for Sweden will be Melwin Pantzar who is on his way of having a break out season in the ACB. “I think Melwin is having a breakout season yes and I´m so happy for him. A great guy who really worked his way up to getting minutes in the ACB and right now is killing it. I think for sure in the future he could be a Euroleague player and play good there”, stated Simon Birgander. The team has experienced big men and his role isn´t only to make room in the zone and get rebounds, but also has another vital duty. “We have had the same big guys for a while now with different roles all of us and I think my role as a 5 is to be a type of leader on the court. Talk as much as possible trying to help with little things and be a positive guy just all around. outside the court I´m more of a jokster who jokes around a lot with jokes and stuff. I think that is also important to have a good relationship with everyone”, smiled Simon Birgander. Germany will have to be more than ready for these 2 qualifying games as Swedish basketball continues to grow, “I think the state of Swedish basketball is one the rise and we have great chemistry. All of us are friends and we love playing together. We have a lot of young guys on the rise like our two NBA boys Pelle Larsson and Bobi Klintman, but also players like Eliot Cadeu who is playing in North Carolina at a great level”, warned Simon Birgander. At the age of 27, he is in his prime now and so are many other players. This is a very exciting time for Swedish basketball and Simon Birgander as he just continues to play the game the right way and keeps his ACB market value hot.

Adam Ramstedt Is A Veteran That Brings Energy And High Quality Defense For The Swedish National Team

Adam Ramstedt (210-C-1995) is a 29 year old 2010cm center from Sweden playing his first season with Hermine Nantes Atlantique (France-ProB). He began his basketball career with the Talje Knights (Basketettan). With the exception of playing briefly with Debreceni Egyetem (Hungary-A Division) and GTK Gliwice (Poland-EBL), he has palyed the rest of his career in Sweden playing 4 seasons with the Sodertalje Kings (Basketligan) and 5 seasons with the Norrkoping Dolphins (Basketligan). He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Euro 2025 qualifying game against Germany.

Thanks Adam for talking to germanhoops.com. You have been a member of the Swedish national team for many years. What is it like playing against Germany now since they are World Champions? Does that feel a little overwhelming or is it just 2 normal games again?

Playing against Germany is never easy and we know it. We’ve faced them multiple times in both friendly games and within competition games and it has never been easy for us. We know that they are not bringing their full roster who won the World Cup to Stockholm on the 22 of November, but that does not mean that we can relax and think that its going make it much easier. Germany will always put up with good players who represent their country and I can bet that they are coming with a really strong team to face us for these two games. I wouldn’t say that these two games are just “normal”, it´s always special to play in front of your fans in your home country in front of big crowds. It´s nothing that is new for the Swedish national team so we are definitely ready for the challenge to try to perform our best and hopefully do well in these important games.

This time Germany will be weaker with no NBA or Euroleague players. Will you guys be extra motivated? How good do you see your chances of winning?

Motivation would have been high for whatever roster they would have brought to play these games in November, we are going to focus on ourselves first and then adept to whatever team that we have to face. Like I said earlier, we know that it is not the winners of the World Cup who we are going to face, but it is still a big challange for us. I believe that with this group of players, and staff, that we have we can really compete with a lot of great national teams. I would not count us out from advancing to the european championship next summer.

How is the state of Swedish basketball now with the national team? The team has good chemistry and some guys that have been a mainstay in the ACB for years. What young guys are coming up?

The state of swedish basket ball in general is great, we can see that the numbers are saying that basket ball is one of the sports thats grows a lot right now in our country. We have a lot of good players playing internationally and the womens national team who just advanced to the european championship after performing really well in the qualifier’s are doing great! The mens national team is also on a good path were we have a great group of guys with amazing chemistry and the raw talent to actually win games. We are starting to see a group that has come together during multiple national team windows to build something that hopefully will last a couple years through continuity. We got young guys like Bara Njie and Melwin Pantzar who hopefully will be a part of the national team for many years to come.

Is Melvin Pantzar on his way this season in the ACB for his break out? Is this a guy that could reach the Euroleague down the road?

Yes I believe so! Melwin is a player that really has proven himsef in the national team and foremost with Bilbao both in ACB but also in FIBA europé cup. I think that the sky is the limit for him, you can put him in whatever team and he would do well becasue of the high IQ basketball he plays and how he puts his pride on playing great defense as well. I can definitely se him on a euroleague team in a couple years.

The team has experienced big men in the national team. What exactly is your role on the team?

My role throughout the years has differed depending on what team we’ve had for that specific game. My role is usually bringing energy from the bench with high quality defense, spreading the floor and being a supporting overall player who can fit with multiple different line ups. This time with Simon Birgander on the team, my role is usually backing him up and bringing another dimension as a position five who spaces the floor and be flexible in playing different pick and roll coverages.

What is it like playing on the national team with Nicholas Spires. He told me you are one of his best friends. Your nicest moment with him?

Yes me and Nick go way back to even the youth national team, we have played together in two different club teams in Sweden and throughout the years in the mens national team. It´s always been amazing playing with him, we play very well together since we know each other very well both on and off the court. He is indeed one of my closest friends so its always been fun having him as my teammate. The best moments we have shared as players is probably when we won the swedish basketball league finals together in 2023, that was a amazing feeling. As his friend off the court, the beat moment was probably attending his beautiful marriage this last summer.

How do you believe have you guys profited from each other in the last decade? How influential a player has he been for your game over the years?

I think we really have pushed each other in practices by being good competitors against one another. Both of us really like to win so playing a lot against each other has really helped both of us develop in a great way. We do have a similar type of playing style so there has always competition beetwen us of course, but both of us has developed through that competition.

You began your basketball career with the Talje Knights (Basketettan). What memories do you have of these years? How do you remember yourself developing further there?

At that point in my life I think I did not really have a plan with my basket ball career. Basketettan was at that point the second league of Sweden and Talje Knights was the second team to Sodertalje Kings who played in the first league. At this point, when I’m still in high school, I’m still just playing becasue I enjoyed the game a lot and I had talent. To be honest I would not have thought that I was going to make it to where I am now thinking back to my mentality during those years when I was 18 years old. I do remember that I never had any problems with working hard, so I was always disciplined and ambitious during these years. I was also a late bloomer and was still grooing at this time so that helped with developing my outside game before I have finished growing to 209 cm.

In the 2015-2016 season you played your first season with the Sodertalje Kings (Basketligan) and played 7 Fiba Europe Cup games. You played against Frankfurt that later won the Fiba Europe Cup with head coach Gordon Herbert. Do you remember how dominating that Frankfurt team was?

Yes we had a pretty good run that year if I remember right, we managed to make it to the second round at least. Yes I remember Frankfurt being a reall powerhouse with Herbert as coach and Johannes Voigtmann leading them. At this point I barely saw the court because of how strong of a team that we had but I was also very inexperienced at 20 years old.

In 2016 you won the league title with the Sodertalje Kings. That was a special team winning the title. How vital was leader Skyler Bowlin for the team winning the title?

Yes that years of Sodertalje Kings was truly special, we had such a great roster. Skyler Bowling was one of the players who fitted really well with the type of playing style that coach Vedran Bosnic played. He was a great leader on and of the court who provided with lethal outside scoring. Other than Skyler we had Toni Bizaca who led our team in scoring on the position 4, Chris Czerapowitz who has had a great european career and currently plays for GTK Gliwice (my old team) and of coruse with us in the national team. I can name all of the players individually that we had that year but that would take to long time.

Twice you left Sweden to go to Debreceni Egyetem (Hungary-A Division) and to GTK Gliwice (Poland-EBL) but returned back in the same season to Sweden. Did you get home sick?

I wasn’t really about me being home sick when I was returning to my old clubs during these two seasons. It was more about the situation and that both of my old Swedish clubs, Sodertljje BBK and Norrkoping Dolphins, had just gotten an opening in their roster on my position where I would fit great. Both of my experiences in Hungary and Poland was the clubs wanting to part ways with me when the teams did not perform well in their leagues. In DEAC we had a rough start to the season, I was a young 23 year old import, with back problems at that time, who did not perform any good numbers. In GTK Gliwice they were desperate to try anything in terms of switching out players because of how poorly we performed as a team, so we decided to part ways in January 2022 after the club already had parted ways with 6 other players before me. To make two long stories short you can say that I did not meet up to the expectations in both of these organisations, but I’m very greatful for these two opportunities because rhey taught me so much about being a professional basketball player outside of your domestic country.

Talk a little about your time in Hungary and Poland. What did you cherish most about your time there?

I will always cherish the bonds I’ve created with some of the teammates I had in both Hungary and Poland. And like I said before both of the situation taught me about living far away from my family, being more independent as a human being and learnning how it is to play as a import.

You then played 5 seasons with Norrkoping Dolphins (Basketligan) and won 5 titles. You played your best basketball in these years. Was this the best time of your life in basketball?

Yes, those years in Norrkoping has definitely been the best basketball years I’ve experienced as a player. I’ve had great success individually in Norrkoping but also with the team who managed to bring home 4 league championships and 2 cup titals during my time there.

You had many playoff series in Sweden, but was the 2024 final against Boras the most exciting? What memories do you have of that exciting series?

The 2024 SBL finals against Boras was definitely exciting, but I wouldn’t put it up there as the most exciting out of all my playoffs experiences. If I would have to choose the most exciting playoffs series that I have ever experienced it would probably be the 2022 SBL finals against Jamtland and 2023 Semi-finals also against Jamtland. The finals in 2022 ended up 4-2 for us where we won the last game away on their home court. If we would have lost that one it would have tured in to a game 7 in Norrkoping wich could have gone either way because Jamtland had a really good team that year. The 2023 semi-finals actually went to a game 7 were we won it away in Jamtland. We were the 3rd seed before playoffs that year so going to the finals as underdogs that season is something that I never will forget.

Now your playing abroad again this time with Hermine Nantes Atlantique (France-ProB). What kind of an experience has it been? Where would you rate the France Pro B in skill level compared with Sweden, Hungary and Poland?

We’ve had a very bad start to the season here in the French pro B, we are now at 19th place with a 2-10 win/loss record. This is definitely under our expectation before coming to this season and it is something we are trying to change for the upcoming part of the season. Other than that we as a team haven’t met up to the expectations yet I’ve enjoyed my stay in Nantes. The club is professional, nice city, good housing and a good group of guys. The league in itself is very competitive filled with great teams and talent. It´s a fast and very athletic league who plays very physical so it´s taking its time to adept to the pace of the league.

What is it like battling French big man Darel Poirior on a daily basis? 2 vets going head to head. Who gets the best of each other most?

Its been great, he is a great competiter who always plays hard. Hard to say who gets the better of one another the most, we don´t always play againt each other since he only plays the 4 and I’m both 4 and 5 in our team. Sometimes we play with each other and sometimes we play against eacher without even guarding one another.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Nicholas Spires?

Haha great question. Since no one of us is truly a “one on one player” I would say we go pretty even if we play each other. It would depend on who has the best day to day shape and flow of the game.

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

With my years in the national team I’ve played a bunch of guys who later on made it to the NBA. If I don´t include when we played the whole team of Germany in a pre season game during the summer of 2023 (right before they won the World Cup). I’ve played Alperen Sengun, among other stars in the Turkish national team. I’ve also had the chance to play Spains u20 national team in 2014 who had both Hernangomez brothers. Willy Hernangomez dunked on me in the fast break if I remember it right haha

Please name your 5 best Swedish teammates of all-time and your 5 best non Swedish teammates of all-time?

If I’m going do teammates outside of the national team I would make the list like this :

Best 5 Swedish players: Chris Czerapowicz, Tobias Borg, Martin Pahlmblad, Nick Spires and Johan Lofberg

Best 5 non-Swedish players: Skyler Bowlin, Jackson Rowe, Toni Bizaca, Daniel Amigo and Devonte Green.

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

My NBA Mount Rushmore would be: Steph Curry, Micheal Jordan, Koby Bryant, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal

Who is your GOAT?

Thats a tough one. I would phrase it like this: I think that Micheal Jordan is the greatest basketball player to ever play this game, meanwhile LeBron has had the greatest basketball career we have ever seen. Depending on what you prefere and reference to in the GOAT debate there are different answers. But in my opinion I value LeBrons greatness of a career and therefore hold him as the GOAT. But like I said, I won’t argue against that Jordan was more of a complete player and therefore totally understand that people hold him as the GOAT.

Thanks Adam for the chat.

Aamondae Coleman´s Chip On His Shoulder Is So Massive That He Will Never Get Complacent Even After Recently Being The Second Top Scorer In the World

How often have I said that basketball is a small world? It has been so many times. Every once in a while event´s happen where I can only utter these words. I have been around the basketball block for more than 20 years overseas and it is always interesting to see when a son of a former player is overseas and playing the game I love. I may or may never have interviewed Aamondae Coleman (200-F/C-1998, college: Fresno Pacific, agency: Bell Basketball) had I not read the spectacular Eurobasket headline recently where his 42 points against German Regionalliga team Herford had been the second most points scored in the world that week. For me that was news. Another player who is toiling around in the fourth league in Germany and paying his dues and grinding day by day with the hopes of climbing the basketball ladder in the next years. I checked his social media pages and came across the name of Marcus Fizer. I remember the name, a guy that played in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and overseas with teams like Maccabi Tel Aviv. It wasn´t until I read his finished version of the interview where I learned that he was Fizer´s son. Then positive alarm bells were set off in my head and I thought wow, basketball is a small world. I had actually interviewed Marcus Fizer 16 years ago. Back then Turkish coach Murat Didin had been in charge of the then Deutsche Bank Skyliners and he was at it again using his great contacts. He was friends with Pini Gershon and he brought Euroleague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv to Frankfurt for a rare exhibition game during the 2008-2009 season. I was so excited, because that team´s roster was filled with some of the best players at that time. I was able to interview 3 players with Carlos Arroyo, Marcus Brown and Marcus Fizer. I really don´t remember much about the interview except that I conducted it in the hotel lobby and I asked him some questions about the Bulls. Having been able to interview his son 16 years later is a cool experience. “Words can’t describe how crazy that is sir, who would’ve ever thought that we’d both get interviewed by you 16 years apart? It’s crazy how God works, it truly is a small world”, stressed Aamondae Coleman. “This is such an honor and disbelief to be having my son interviewed by the same gentleman who once interviewed me as a pro. It’s surreal and also makes me old haha. Nevertheless an honor. I appreciate the growth and proud of the man Aamondae has become and know more is to come regarding his professional future. I’ve always wanted my sons to carve their own path to success and he’s shown me that’s what God is granting. It’s such a humbling feeling to see and I’m grateful to the heavens. One day we pray the Euro League and/or the NBA is on the horizon. Guys like PJ Tucker has proven it can happen, Pat Beverly to name a few. As the season progresses we hope for good health, wins and advancement”, stressed ex NBA player Marcus Fizer. Being able to have had a father like that who saw it all in the NBA and overseas was incredibly important for his basketball development. “He honestly taught me what it meant to be a professional on and off the court, and he helped showed me the work ethic that it would take at a young age. He did a great job of finding the balance of pushing me to my limits, but not pushing me too hard to where I potentially lost love for the sport. But he was extremely important on my development forsure. Growing up he was my role model and still is to this day on and off the court. His career was LEGENDARY, professional and collegiate; just praying that my career can be half of his good as his when I’m all said and done! He was truly a legend though! The older I get the more I realize it honestly, I’m just truly blessed to have him as a role model and most importantly a father”, stated Aamondae Coleman.

The 200cm forward who lists Marcus Fizer, Zach Collins, Troy Brown, and Pierre Jackson as the toughest players he has battled against on the court was born on March 7th, 1998 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He began his basketball career with Desert Oasis high school and then played at Fresno Pacific University (NCAA2) from 2017-2021 playing a total of 97 games. He was able to develop his game well there averaging 9.2ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 60.0% and 14.7ppg, 6.6rpg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 60.2% in his first 2 seasons and then really broke open his game averaging 17.9ppg, 5.8rpg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 71.5% and 20.4ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.2%. It was a challenge especially during Covid when his game took off. “My game grew SIGNIFICANTLY at Fresno Pacific (FPU). The skill development was truly amazing and it helped mold me into the player I am today! Coaches Haydock, McClurg, Shearon, Ronlake, and Razo really played a vital role in helping me improve daily. Basketball during Covid was different to say the least; it was a blessing to be able to play looking back at it because a lot of schools across the country didn’t unfortunately. But it showed you who really loved the game. A lot of outdoor hoop sessions because gyms were closed due to restrictions, it was a hectic time but I’m blessed to have been a part of it”, remembered Aamondae Coleman. He had many massive games at Fresno Pacific like when he scored 40 points against the Academy Of Art, but he also had other great memories of his time there. “The 40 point game is up there but my #1 memory would have to be when we heard our schools name called for the NCAA tournament my senior year. To make the NCAA tourney was a blessing and it just made all the hard work we put in truly worth it! And also, that selection Sunday happened to be on my birthday. Probably one of the best birthday presents I’ve ever gotten”, smiled Aamondae Coleman. He scored in double figures in 64 games and had 20 points or more 26 times. He knows that a big part of his progression there had to do with the guidance of head coach CJ Haydock. “He just always taught me to be prepared and to be the hardest worker. He always stressed things like being respectful, serving others/your teammates, and being early for everything, especially practice. He used to have a rule that all players had to be on the court ready to practice 30 minutes before practice started, or there’d be repercussions. And I thank him for that because those habits were installed into me, and I still follow them to this day”, added Aamondae Coleman who lists ex teammate Toby Christensen as one of the most gifted guys he ever played with, but would take himself in a 1-1 battle.

The prolific scorer who names Adrian Antunez, Elijah Hill, Kaelin Crane, Paul Lunguana, and Matthew Weir as his 5 best teammates of all-time played his rookie season overseas with APOP Paphou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League): averaging 15.0ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 57.9%, 3FGP: 15.8%, FT: 59.0%, in Dec.’22 moved to Kutaisi 2010 (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 10.3ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 41.7%. Every American has that wake up call when coming overseas and for him all was ok in Cyprus, but Georgia was something totally diffferent. “Cyprus was such a beautiful country and the weather was very similar to weather in California, so it wasn’t much of an adjustment. But Georgia was completely different; it was so cold and rained so often lol. Playing in Georgia was a blessing though, I learned a lot from my older American teammates. But yeah, touching down in Georgia was definitely the wake up call”, remembered Aamondae Coleman. He scored in double figures in Cyprus in 6 of 8 games including 22 points against Apoel and was invited to participate in the allstar game. “That experience So amazing/surreal, it was truly a blessing! Seeing all those fans there was honestly crazy. Also, the amount of autographs I signed that night was mind-blowing! Those are the moments you live for”, expressed Aamondae Coleman. In Georgia he was fortunate to play with 2 veterans Chris Ware and Jarvis Ray who had seen so much overseas that he was able to easily to adapt to all on and off the court. “They were HUGE mentors for me; I was also teammates with Chad Frazier too temporarily, but yeah they all taught me so much. I looked up to them because of how much older they were and they’re experience they had overseas. That was my worst output in my career statistically, but I honestly feel like I learned the most in Georgia. Chris, Jarvis, and Chad taught me how to be a pro and the work it takes day in and day out. I was sponge trying to absorb as much knowledge as I could from them daily! But those are all my big bros and we still keep in contact to this day! They’ll always be family and I’ll always appreciate them for taking me under their wing”, commented Aamondae Coleman. In Georgia he scored in double figures in 4 of 6 games including 16 points against TSU. Last season he played with Akranes IA (Iceland-Division I) averaging 22.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 65.5%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 63.1%. It was a season to remember as he exploded on the court and had moments of the court that he will forever be able to share with everyone forever. “On the court just playing with my teammates the whole season; made some great friends/brothers out there that will always be considered family to me. One moment that did stick out to me was our home playoff game last year when I hit a clutch 3 in the final minutes of the game to tie it. We ended up losing, but I’ll never forget the roar from the crowd when the shot went in. As a hooper, you live for moments like that. Off the court- the northern lights no question! I didn’t even know northern lights were a thing until I got to Iceland, but the lights were so beautiful. It was so surreal and they honestly seem fake, I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. Also, traveling/exploring the country with my girlfriend was truly a blessing! Iceland is such a beautiful country, I recommend everyone to go at least once in their lifetime if they can”, warned Aamondae Coleman. He scored in double figures in all 21 games and had 20 points or more 14 times including 37 points against Hrunamenn and 34 points against Selfoss and Throttur V.

The Nevada native who lists Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is playing this season with German Regionalliga team BG Dorsten. The Regionalliga is so far away from higher leagues, but hey guys that love the game and grind know exactly that they are so blessed for any kind of an opportunity. “It’s been great! BG Dorsten is such an amazing club and I truly love it out here; my teammates are amazing and my coach is such a great coach and allows me to play free and trust in my ability. It truly is a blessing having a coach that believes in you, allows you to be confident on the court! Also, we have the best fans in Germany! Definitely looking forward to playing in front of them the rest of this season”, said Aamondae Coleman. When you come from Dallas, you definitely know about German basketball. It´s amazing how some young Americans balling overseas aren´t even aware that Germany are currently world champions. But when you grew up watching Dirk Nowitzki, then you know the facts. “ I am aware, they did beat us last year in the FIBA championships. Personally, I know that Germany is a powerhouse in the basketball world. Also, I grew up in Dallas so my favorite player all time is Dirk Nowitzki, he’s my personal GOAT! If you would have told 8 year old Aamondae that you’ll be playing basketball later in life where Dirk was born, I would have been so excited and probably wouldn’t have believed it. But Germany is a powerhouse in basketball, I have to give the country their credit”, warned Aamondae Coleman. He has seen so much beauty in the last few years in Cyprus, Georgia and Iceland and it isn´t any different in Germany for him. “I really enjoy the outdoor life/nature scenery of the country. Germany is truly such a beautiful country and I honestly didn’t know it was this nice here. Everywhere I go I try to take pictures and just soak it all in/enjoy the moment”, commented Aamondae Coleman.

The versatile player who lists Lebron James as his GOAT and believes that the classic Coming To America film should have been left alone played in Iceland last season and like this season dominated. This season he is averaging 27/10/2 stats in Germany. Did it sometimes feel like he was a man playing among boys? “Both leagues are very similar but I’d say that this league has a little more talent from what I’ve seen. We have played some very talented players in some of our first few games that’s for sure. I’ll leave that up to the fans/media to decide lol, but there are some great players in this league for sure. I’ve come out the gate hot, so I just have to keep working and stay humble/ready b/c I know defenses will probably start to key in on me more as the season progresses”, stated Aamondae Coleman. So what kind of player is he exactly who believes he is a mixture of players like Paolo Banchero, Julius Randle, and Draymond Green? “Most of my life I’ve been told I was a “tweaner” which I used to view with a negative mindset, but as I’ve gotten older it’s actually helped my game out a lot b/c I’m a “big” but not a traditional big man. I can handle the ball when needed, shoot, or play under the rim. Basketball today is positionless, so I’m trying to have as few weaknesses as possible”, expressed Aamondae Coleman. He can score the ball with ease and grab rebounds endlessly, but he can do so much as versatility could be his middle name. “I feel like that I’m an underrated passer and defender. Offensively I usually attract a lot of attention from the defense, so I always try to make the defense pay and find my teammates when they’re open! Defensively, I feel that I am very versatile/well-rounded. I can guard most positions 1-4 and sometimes even the 5”, stressed Aamondae Coleman. One has to wonder how far he could fly up the basketball ladder, if he used the three pointer on a consistent rate. This season there were 3 games where you took no three´s. Two seasons ago you took no three´s in Georgia but more in Cyprus. “ Honestly, I feel that my 3 pointer is very developed and I think my collegiate stats will show that. I’m not saying I’m the best shooter in the world, but I can definitely make a shot when open. It honestly just depends on my role with the club and the situation. It’s a little different overseas and a little harder to get some looks for many different reasons, but I’m a very confident shooter and I feel time will show that. I work on my 3 pointer daily so when those opportunities do come, I’m ready”, warned Aamondae Coleman. He is also a great defender, but doesn´t fill the stat sheet like crazy. In Iceland he averaged 1 steal and 1 block for first time in career. Is he a guy that does many little things not seen on the stat sheet? “Honestly, yes. I love to take charges. I took over 50 in college and I’ve taken 5 or more this year. I’m a well-rounded/versatile/solid defender who can guard multiple poisons, which is good in our defensive schemes b/c we like to switch a lot”, added Aamondae Coleman. It will be interesting to see how his career will continue to progress. He is the son of a well known ex NBA player Marcus Fizer and saw how the NBA life was, but nothing was ever given to him as he continues to grind in small gym´s in Germany. He will never be satisfied even if he gets to higher leagues. It is only fitting that he has a chip on his shoulder. How big is it? “ It’s huge honestly. I feel like it has to be, it’s what motivates me to stay disciplined and keep improving daily. I also feel that it helps me avoid complacency too; complacency is very dangerous and as an athlete I know that I have to avoid it”, warned Aamondae. I will continue to follow his career and am sure he will go his way. Who know maybe one day, I will interview a third generation baller in the family.

Namori Omog Leads Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners Past Team Urspring 87-68

There is nothing better than watching real good youth u-19 basketball on a Sunday afternoon when 2 undeefated teams like Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners and Team Urspring square off. Both have had real success in the last years in the youth department as Team Urspring has won 5 NBBL titles and groomed young players then like Nicolai Simon, Lucca Staiger, Maurice Stuckey and Akeem Vargas just to name a few into solid Bundesliga players while Frankfurt won the JBBL (U-16)title once, but have reached the JBBL Final 4 and NBBL final 4´s the last years. Frankfurt has formed another fine team surrounded around top player Ivan Crnjac (203-F-2007) while Team Urspring have the luxury that a majority of the team are on the Pro B roster and combined have already played 40 Pro B games this season. One couldn´t ask for more experience. On a cold typical November afternoon Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners came on the floor with massive energy and never allowed Team Urspring to recover from their lightening start that allowed them to get a good lead which they were able to keep adding to in the next quarters. “The most important thing today was that we brought a lot of energy from the first second and were ready to play at both ends of the court. We disrupted their mentality right away which hurt their confidence. We gave a good team effort on defense helping each other and not allowing too many easy penetration baskets. We stopped their transition and rebounded very well in the second half”, stressed Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners guard Namori Omog (188-G-2006). Frankfurt jumped all over Team Urspring and they were never able to get out of the hole despite making a comeback effort in the fourth quarter. “We came out too weak and didn´t have the needed intensity. We couldn´t stop their transition and we just didn´t play well enough as a team and didn´t penetrate enough”, stressed Team Urspring German Jeno Pildner.

Ivan Crnjac hook shot

In the first quarter Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners jumped all over Team Urspring taking a early big lead, but the guests recuperated well and slid back into the game. Frankfurt began with an incredible amount of intensity at both ends taking the rapid 11-2 lead. Frankfurt had great ball movement and had lethal on ball pressure that Team Urspring had no answer for. This aggressive Frankfurt defense led to 8 big stops while on offense they displayed extreme ball movement and crisp execution. Namori Omog and Jamie Edoka scored transition baskets while athletic wing Maximilian Peters made a big trey and Mousa Tiago made a lay in and Ivan Crnjac a fade away jumper from the wing. Team Urspring got their first field goal at the 5,55 minute mark from Jeno Pildner. Frankfurt then dropped some of their defensive intensity which allowed the guests to get a trey from Guillaume Schoentgen and 2 easy lay in´s from big man Leon Geissler. It wasn´t easy for Frankfurt to contain the big man as he did a good job getting very good position and was even effective when double teamed. Frankfurt kept the lead leading 18-10 after 10 minutes as Crnjac and Edoka scored inside and Omog nailed a three pointer. “Frankfurt´s pressure was really strong. Urspring wasn´t ready for the pressure. They played better against the hedge. Frankfurt played good team ball. This was the first time that I saw Omog, Peters and Edoka play this season and they have made big steps from last season”, stated ex Frankfurt Skyliner Junior Drago Crnjac. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners shot 47% from the field and 25% from outside and had 13 rebounds and 7 turnovers while Team Urspring shot 31% from the field and 25% from outside and had 6 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

Travis Davis jumper

In the second quarter Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners were able to up their offense, but also allowed 17 more points than in the first quarter to the guests, but still led by 10 points at the break. Team Urspring took that momentum they found from the last minutes of the first quarter into the second as they began with a 12-6 run to trail Frankfurt only 26-22. Suddenly it was a game again. In the run Team Urspring moved the ball well and got many involved. Diminutive point guard Travis Davis who came from Ludwigsburg scored twice using his quickness while versatile Schoentgen added 5 points and Pildner added a lay in. Frankfurt had lost energy on defense and the guests upped their defensive intensity getting easy transition baskets and forcing turnovers. Ivan Crnjac hit 2 clutch three pointers to keep Frankfurt ahead. His high release continues to help him this season. “Ivan has shown also in the Pro B his good outside shooting. He worked a lot on his shot this year. He also understands that a high release can be a strength. It makes so much harder to block and he is using that to his advantage”, explained brother Drago Crnjac. In the next minutes, Namori Omog was a one man wrecking crew adding 7 points, but Frankfurt led only 33-26. “He uses his athleticism to his advantage. He is so quick and uses his athleticism to create for others”, commented Drago Crnjac. Team Urspring executed a lot better and attacked the rim better getting easy lay in´s from Callum Macaulay and Felix Stoll, but still trailed 33-30. The guests just couldn´t get over the hump. Frankfurt then calmed down and closed out the second quarter with a lethal 12-5 run to lead 45-35. In the run Frankfurt got a lay in from Peters and trey from Crnjac while also getting to the free throw line as Omog scored 4 points. “Frankfurt defended well giving only 35 points. Frankfurt rebounded a lot better showing more concentration and hustle”, stated Drago Crnjac. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners shot 47% from the field and 38% from the three point line and had 18 rebounds and 12 turnovers while Team Urspring shot 50% from the field and 40% from the three point line and had 11 rebounds and 14 turnovers.

Jamie Edoka lay in

In the third quarter Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners totally broke open the game scoring 28 points allowing 10 points less than in the second quarter and led by as much as 30 points and led by 22 points after 30 minutes. Frankfurt began with a harsh 13-4 run to lead 58-39. In the run, Frankfurt received massive production from sharp shooter Maximilian Peters (206-F-2007) who sunk 3 three pointers and Omog was as aggressive as always making 2 lay in´s on account of his quickness and athleticism. After a Davis off balance jumper, Frankfurt was at it again launching their next lethal run scoring 13 unanswered points to lead 71-41. In the run, Frankfurt got added support from Peters who supplied 5 points and his fourth three pointer of the quarter, while Edoka also got into the action scoring twice using his mid range game and made a reverse lay up while Mousa also scored. That basketball is a game of runs is so secret as Team Urspring weren´t fazed by that Frankfurt run and closed out the third quarter with a swift 10-2 run to trail 73-51 after 30 minutes. In the guests run, they were aided by 2 three´s from Schoentgen and Pildner. “We didn´t come in with the mind set. We just weren´t there mentally”, stated jeno Pildner. “We did a good job finding the right guy with Peters who got hot and just continued to give him the ball. We have no ego´s. We just give the guy who has the hot hand the ball. And Peters is a good shooter. We played at a high intensity at both ends and got to the free throw line”, said Namori Omog. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners shot 56% from the field and 50% from the parking lot and had 26 rebounds and 18 turnovers while Team Urspring shot 42% from the field and 35% from the parking lot and had 21 rebounds and 22 turnovers.

Jeno Pildner from outside

Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners let up in the fourth quarter and Team Urspring won the quarter 17-14, but just didn´t have time to keep coming back. Team Urspring executed well in the first minutes getting big Man Leon Geissler the ball as he executed four times, but they couldn´t make ground as Peters made a floater and Crnjac a lay in on transition as Frankfurt led 79-59. After Ivan Crnjac reached the free throw line twice, Team Urspring had a strong phase going on a 9-0 run to trail 82-68. Frankfurt just didn´t have the high intensity anymore at both ends as the game was already won in their minds even if time still remained. In the run, the guests got three´s from Pildner and Julijo Kendes and a runner from Pablo Estelle. However it just wasn´t enough as time was running out. Frankfurt closed out the game strong with Omog free throws and a trey from German Fabrice Heberer. “It is harder to play well when your up 20 points than if it´s 0-0. We lost intensity. We need to work on keeping it up and continue to do those things that we did well through out the game. We finished strong with getting 3 offensive rebounds at the end”, said Namori Omog. “We made mistakes, but fought until the end. We never gave up. This was our first loss. We have to learn from it”, warned Jeno Pildner. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners were led by Namori Omog and Maximilian Peters with 23 points a piece. Ivan Crnjac added 18 points while Team Urspring was led by Jeno Pildner with 18 points while Leon Geissler added 17 points. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners shot 48% from the field and 36% from outside and had 39 rebounds and 23 turnovers while team Urspring shot 41% from the field and 33% from outside and had 32 rebounds and 24 turnovers.

Bruno Albrecht Powers The Skyliners Juniors With The Hot Hand Over FC Bayern Basketball 2 with 86-69 Victory

After a massive 82-80 win on the road in Ludwigsburg, the Skyliners Juniors returned back home to square off against FC Bayern Basketball 2. Frankfurt was lucky to escape Ludwigsburg with a win after producing 24 turnovers. Frankfurt came back into their living room sporting a 3-3 record and added self-confidence after a nail bitter win. Their opponent FC Bayern Munich was playing anything like the way a big time club should as they had a poor 1-5 record. The team had lost their big 3 of Kharchekov, Kalu and Randonic and had many new young players that were led by Dominic Dolic, Ivan Volf and Marco Frank. However on this night, Frankfurt had enough offensive power especially from Bruno Albrecht (189-SG-2001) who nailed 8 three´s for the third consecutive time at home plus guys like Ivan Crnjac and Dusan Nikolic who supplied points whenever the Munich was threatening. But it wasn´t just these 3 players that were key, but the whole team who contributed from start to end. “This was an absolute team effort. We moved the ball really well. We still had many turnovers, but that happens with a young team like ours. We have a great dynamic of drivers and shooters. We have big guards who supplied great pressure and we rebounded well”, stressed Bruno Albrecht. FC Bayern Basketball 2were unable to keep up with Frankfurt, but fought until the end despite being so young. “We have a super young team and guys have problems to adjust to the Pro B level. We missed a lot of shots tonight. We weren´t ready to compete in the third quarter and our moral went down. I´m proud how we kept fighting back in the fourth quarter”, stressed FC Bayern Basketball 2 assistant coach Federico Perego.

Ivan Crnjac at the FT line

The first quarter was a dog fight as no team was able to get away until the end when Dusan Nikolic nailed a trey for the 5 point advantage. The Skyliners Juniors got their three pointer going early as Bruno Albrecht hit twice while ex Wurzburg guard Philip Hadenfeld scored once while FC Bayern Basketball 2 elected to go inside and got 2 buckets from Montenengro guard Amar Licina and Italian Allesio Calamita scored twice off the pick and roll exchange with ex ANGT player Ivan Volf, but Frankfurt led 13-10. Frankfurt may have found a groove with their outside shooting, but they also tried to get 20 year old German big man Malik Kordel involved as he made a lay in and block while NBBL player Maximillian Peters made a floater. Ukraine big man Desmond Yiamu was aggressive and got to the free throw line, but also had problems making his free shots. Nikolic made a last second trey for the 21-16 lead after 10 minutes. The Skyliners Juniors shot 64% from the field and 80% from outside and had 7 rebounds and 5 turnovers while FC Bayern Basketball 2 shot 39% from the field and 0% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 3 turnovers. “We have had problems with our starts this season. We play sloppy and then become surprised how a young team like Bayern can play against us. We gave up too many turnovers”, stated Bruno Albrecht.

Amar Licina from outside

In the second quarter the Skyliners Juniors were able to keep the lead and control the game despite FC Bayern Basketball 2 not wilting, but fighting and staying in range. Frankfurt got some key buckets with a trey from Hadenfeldt and a powerful 2 handed dunk from Dusan Nikolic who came flying in from the wing and finished with authority to lead 26-18. With Kharchenkov and Kalu gone, Munich needs new guys to step up and one of those guys is Marco Frank who continues to develop his game in the last years. He stepped up with 5 unanswered points as Frankfurt led only 26-23. But Frankfurt always had an answer when Munich threatened as Ivan Crnjac nailed a trey for the 29-23 advantage. He would hit key shots many more times in the game then when the opponent was trying to get closer. “Ivan is so important for us. He is so solid in all areas. The way he takes those corner three´s where he takes the shot high is great. That is an incredible quality that not many have”, warned Bruno Albrecht. Munich continued to execute well under pressure getting a lay in from Croatian guard Dominik Dolic and 2 lay in´s from Desmond Yiamu as Frankfurt led only 34-29. But then it was time for the Felix Hecker show as he made a great spin move. He must of took some inspiration from Ja Morant´s amazing 360 basket a few days ago. “That is actually Felix´s signature move. We need more of that from him. I actually didn´t think of Ja Morants spin from a few days ago”, smiled Bruno Albrecht. Licina scored again using his quickness with a lay in as Frankfurt led 36-31. Then it was time for Ivan Crnjac to nail another trey for the 39-31 lead. In the last minutes, Dusan Nikolic made another 2 handed dunk and trey to keep Munich at bay trailing 45-33 at the break. “Dusan played really great. He is really efficient when he doesn´t turnover the ball”, said Bruno Albrecht. The Skyliners Juniors shot 52% from the field and 54% from the three point line and had 18 rebounds and 7 turnovers and the FC Bayern basketball 2 shot 42% from the field and 8% from the three point line and had 18 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

Dusan Nikolic for the dunk

In the third quarter the Skyliners Juniors continued to execute well on offense despite having a slow start where the guests couldn´t take advantage of. FC Bayern Basketball 2 stopped Frankfurt´s first 4 possessions, but couldn´t get more than a runner from Marco Frank to trail 45-35. Then Frankfurt just totally turned up their game going on a lethal 11-4 run to extend their lead to 56-39. In the run, they let it rain three´s as Crnjac, Hadenfeldt and Albrecht dropped three pointers and Malik Kordel made a thunderous dunk. After a Licina trey, Frankfurt scored 7 unanswered points to extend their lead once more to 63-42. In the run, they continued to display fine inside out basketball getting 2 lay in´s from Kordel and Nikolic and an off balance deep trey from Bruno Albrecht. Down the stretch, Marco Frank continued to take responsibility and scored twice, but Frankfurt also was able to punch back with baskets from Fabian Baumgarten and Hadenfeldt as Frankfurt led 67-46 after 30 minutes. “Our role problems did a super job taking over whenever we needed their support”, added Bruno Albrecht. “We kept missing shots and our moral continued to sink. It wasn´t easy for some of our young guys to battle against more experienced players”, stressed Federico Perego. The Skyliners Juniors shot 51% from the field and 55% from the parking lot and had 26 rebounds and 9 turnovers while FC Bayern Basketball 2 shot 40% from the field and 11% from the three point line and had 31 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

Alessio Calamita with the lay in

In the fourth quarter FC Bayern Basketball 2 began well coming back momentarily, but Frankfurt escaped their slow start and escaped their funk and found to their game again and executed well again and sailed home to the win. FC Bayern Basketball 2 began defending very aggressive and got 5 stops which led to 7 unanswered points as Munich cut Frankfurt´s lead to 67-53 as Calamita scored twice and Dominik Dolic nailed a three pointer. Jamie Edoka stopped the run with a lay in and Albrecht hit a trey for the 72-55 advantage. The guests stayed strong as Calamita remained unstoppable in the paint area with a lay in while Ivan Volf scored on transition as Frankfurt led only 72-60. However Frankfurt stayed calm under pressure and just relied on their team play and hot shooting and closed out the game strong with a 14-9 run getting timely shots whenever they needed to. Ivan Crnjac came through in the clutch again as he had so many times in the game making a runner and halting the momentary Munich momentum to lead 74-60. Frankfurt buckled down on defense which led to back to back three´s from Bruno Albrecht extending Frankfurt´s lead to 81-63. Munich got to the free throw line, but couldn´t make any ground and Frankfurt slammed the door shut on FC Bayern Basketball 2 with a nifty Edoka left handed lay in and Hecker three pointer for the win. “I was very proud how we finished the game. We played sloppy and then to be able to turn it around the way we did isn´t self evident with a young team like ours. I give a lot of credit to Hadenfeldt and Hecker for their leadership qualities”, stressed Bruno Albrecht. “We started aggressive and hit more shots, but couldn´t hold it very long”, said Federico Perego. The Skyliners Juniors were led by Bruno Albrecht with 27 points while Ivan Crnjac added 14 points and Philipp Hadenfeldt 12 points while FC Bayern basketball were led by Marco Frank with 18 points and Amar Licina had 10 points. The Skyliners Juniors shot 56% from the field and 60% from outside and had 32 rebounds and 18 turnovers while FC Bayern basketball shot 41% from the field and 13% from outside and had 38 rebounds and 14 turnovers.

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