Malik Riddle (193-G-1999, college: HSU) is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Tennessee playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro B team RheinStars Cologne. Last season he played with Gzira Athleta Birkirkara (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 28.8ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.5%. He began his basketball career at Rossville Christian Academy. He then played 2 seasons at Morehead State University (NCAA) and then played 3 seasons at Henderson State University (NCAA2). He teams up with germanhoops.com every week to talk basketball.
The RheinStars Cologne suffered a tough 94-91 loss at Orange Academy. Was tis another good example of how tough the pro B South is? Yeah I feel every team is capable of beating anyone. So really have to be disciplined and focus all 4 quarters.
The Rhein Stars had everything going well leading by 17 points at the break after scoring 28 points in the first quarter. Did they already make defensive adjustments in the second quarter to cut your team to only 15 points? I think we missed a lot of easy baskets. Those really hurt us and we have to finish the easy ones.
Frederik Erichsen then hit a spectacular 3 to bring game into overtime. What made it so tough finding some consistency on the defensive end? Rotations on defense wasn’t what it needed to be. It’s the second efforts that we have to get better at.
The RheinStars then began well in overtime, but then suddenly Orange Academy punched back going on a run as Jordan Mueller led the charge. What was key in overtime for Orange Academy getting the win? They executed and made shots. While we missed some and took tough ones.
You played 27 minutes averaging 13/4/2/3. How did you feel coming off your injury? It felt okay. I wasn’t in rhythm like I’m usually is but it was okay game for me.
The Rhein Stars now have to be careful not to slip to position 4 in the next weeks. The team will get home court advantage for the first round, but want to go on a run now to end regular season strong. The next game is against FC Bayern Munich where a must win is needed. What will be key to getting win?
We have to play strong on both ends of the court. We have to be the aggressor the whole 40 mins because they also are a young team but have talent.
Moritz Schneider (191-PG-1999) is a 25 year old 191cm point guard that us playing his third season with the BSW Sixers Sandersdorf (Pro B). He began his basketball career with VFB Giessen and then played with Science City Jena playing JBBL, NBBL and for the Regionalliga team. He played 2 BBL and 2 Pro A games with Jena. He then played with Iserlohn (Pro B) from 2019-2022. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Moritz for talking to germanhoops.com Your playing your third season with the BSW Sixers Sandersdorf. What kind of an experience has it been playing for this organization? It is very special especially the special relationship to the fans is very rare. You seldom see that kind of fan support in the Pro B. Our fans go to all away games no matter how far away. Sandersdorf is very small, but the fascination for basketball is unique.
The team is having another great season after missing the playoffs last season. What is the secret to the success?
We have a collection of players that fit together well. We are also difficult to scout with our offense. Our players are all unique and our coach is always best prepared for every opponent.
How is the mind set going towards the playoffs? Can this team win a title? We are going game by game. Our goal is to get past the first round of the playoffs.
On what areas of the game does the team have to tweak now to get the absolute best results in the post season? We need to continue to win games. We have done a great job developing step by step the whole season. We are a totally different team now from the first Fiba break. The young players also have developed well. We have to keep moving forward.
What has it been like being teammates with Nike Salenieks. What have you been able to soak up most from his game? He came from the Regionalliga. At first I didn´t know what to expect when he arrived. I remember playing against him last season and he didn´t stand out. But this season he has made a 180 degrees turn and totally exploded. He is one of the quickest and most athletic in the league. He has all the tools to be a great player in the Pro B. He is so hard to guard and always best prepared. I love playing with him.
Your leading the team in assists as your assists average has grown each season. How has your game especially your playmaking grown with the Sixers? I have a bigger role this season than the last 2 seasons. I was always a pass first point guard my whole career. Head coach Lukas Vargas has done a great job to put me in the right position to be successful. I know what the strengths of my teammates are.
You have averaged 21-22 minutes a season which is considerably more than what you averaged in Iserlohn. What is your role on the team? Are you the classic back up point guard?
No, I´m captain of the team. I am a leader coming from the bench. I´m the second hand of the coach. He gives me a lot of freedom with play calling.
You were teammates for 2 seasons with Donte Nicholas. He is Mr triple double. What memories will you always have of him as a teammate? Donte and I are close friends. He is still so difficult to guard even at age 38. He has such a high IQ and has great abilities. He is a complete player. I learned a lot from him and we harmonized well on the court. I learned so much about him about nutrition and stretching. I remember seeing him score 30 points. He is ice cold. He can fit with any team.
You played under Darren Stackhouse who was an assistant coach. Did he tell any Jerry Stackhouse stories?
No unfortunately not. He doesn´t coach us much since he is preoccupied more with the youth teams. I will have to ask him when I see him again.
What will you always remember from the 2023 Pro B playoffs? You beat Oberaching and Frankfurt and then lost to Koblenz?
I will never forget that first playoff game against Oberaching. We won by 40. The atmosphere was incredible. I remember winning in Frankfurt and dominating despite missing some key players. We played nice basketball. We then lost to Koblenz. That was like David vs Goliath. The difference in budgets was like night and day. That was the best season in our club history. Basketball was most fun that season.
After playing some years in Jena, you moved to Iserlohn in 2019 and played 3 seasons. After playing 2 BBL games, did you realize that having a BBL career would be tough? I had torn my ACL in my last season in Jena. I knew that I would have no role in the Pro A as they were trying to move back up to the BBL. I was done with school and wanted to play Pro B. Iserlohn was the best fit.
You never averaged more than 2,5ppg with Iserlohn. How do you remember those years? Did you get a fair chance there? I feel like I did get a fair chance. I had injury problems. I had just found my rhythm in my first season and Covid ended the season. Then a new coach came as well as Toni Prostran and I got less minutes.
You played 2 seasons with now Iserlohn head coach Toni Prostran. How do you remember those early years? What could you soak up from his game? I learned 100% from Toni. I remember when I first saw him play, that he was small and not athletic. I didn´t think that he was better than me. The first few weeks, I dominated him, but he wasn´t in shape yet. But then he began to play and dominated me. I was his back up and learned how to read the game better and the pick and roll. He helped bring me to a new level.
You were teammates with Elias Marei for 3 years. How did you see his game grow?
Elias made big steps in Iserlohn. I remember that in the first season he was only a practice player. In the second season, he began to play games and in his third season got good minutes. I´m proud of his development. He is one of the hardest workers that I ever saw. He gives his all on the court and you can always rely on him. He is the ultimate team player. Even if he misses 2 three´s, he will still give is best. I´m happy how well his season is going with Leitershofen.
You played with Science City Jena from 2014-2018 from the youth to the BBL. What do you remember from this time. Was this some of the best times of your life? Yes it was. Those years were amazing. I won the Pro A there in my first year. I couldn´t believe my luck when I heard that Immanuel Mcelroy would be my teammate. I also played with other great players like Wayne Bernard, and Guido Grunheid. I was coached by Bjoern Harmsen. He was such a clever coach. Later in my BBL year, I had more great players like Derrick Allen, Julius Jenkins and Dru Joyce.
In the 2015-2016 season you played 2 Pro A games and was teammates with Immanuel Mcelroy. How did you experience him as a 16 year old? It was crazy to be teammates with him. I remember when I was a kid that my dad was a huge basketball fan. I remember seeing Giessen play Cologne in the playoffs in 2005. I saw Giessen win a game against Cologne. 10 years later I would become his teammate. His daughter was older than me. I also learned so much from him.
The 2017-2018 season must have been like a kid in a candy store. You were teammates with BBL legends Derrick Allen, Julius Jenkins, Dru Joyce, and Kyle Weaver. Which player had the biggest impact on you?
I don´t know where to start. Marcos Knight had a big impact on me as did Derrick Allen. Derrick was always the first to practice and last to leave. To see how hard he worked to age 40 was unbelievable. His will to win and work hard helped me grow as a competitor. He and all the rest of them always wanted to win every practice game.
You played 2 BBL games against Gotha and Giessen playing 4 minutes. What memories do you have of being on the court? I was really excited to play in Gotha. It was derby game and 4000 fans were there. I remember when I came into the game in the first quarter, the fans chanted my name. We turned a 20 point deficit around and won the game. I remember playing against Daniel Schmidt. The game in Giessen was a big moment for me. It was the best feeling for me to play in the gym where I fell in love with basketball. I played against John Bryant. It is something that I will be able to tell my grand-children.
Who is the best player that you ever faced on a court that reached the NBA? Deandre Ayton. I remember playing against him in Munich when I was with the Jena youth team. He was with an AAU team. It was crazy to see how athletic he already was for his age. Other tough players were John Bryant, Derrick Allen, Immanuel Mcelroy and Julius Jenkins.
Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time? Donte Nicholas, Marco Rahn, Derrick Allen, Julius Jenkins, Immanuel Mcelroy.
What is your personal NBA, Euro and German mount rushmore of past or present point guards? Rajon Rondo, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Steph Curry
Milos Teodosic, Vassilis Spanoulis, Nick Calathes, Tony Parker
Dennis Schroeder, Heiko Schaffarzik, Per Guenther, Anton Gavel
One thing is for sure, I always knew that Gordon Herbert was an excellent coach. I mean I covered his Frankfurt Skyliners teams for more than a decade so I must know. I didn´t know in 2004 when he helped the Opel Skyliners win their first BBL title, but years later when he came back and continued to form winning Skyliner teams and help young Germans develop further, I knew that he was something special. That he became World champion coach in 2023 with Germany was no surprise to me. Herbert is a very special coach who simply knows how to develop team chemistry, let each player have a real special role and use it and most important helps players with the mental side. His players have come to appreciate his coaching ways the last 20 years. It is no surprise, that his name has often been mentioned in my interviews with his former players. Some of his former players remarks about him were so powerful that I used their words in my titles. I looked back in my article archive and found 6 players where I had Gordon Herbert in the title with guys like Mario Kasun, Justin Cobbs, Garai Zeeb, Jason Clark, Tyrone Ellis and Richard Williams. It wasn´t any different with his ex player Finish dinosaur Tuukka Kotti (205-PF-1981, college: Providence) who is 43 and still playing professionally in 2025. He played briefly for Herbert in 2009 before he returned to Frankfurt to take over for Murat Didin and lead the team to the 2010 final “I have always admired Gordie as a coach. He turned my career around in that half a season I was with him. He got me back to working hard and being focused on the right things. I will always be thankful for that. No surprise, that he has reached that level as coach”, stressed Tuukka Kotti. He has had such an amazing career that has spanned 20 years that if someone had told him in 2006, that he would still be playing, it would have been difficult to believe it. “Even in 2014 after the World Cup I thought I only had a couple more seasons left. 2006 it would have been hard to believe for sure. There is really no other job I would rather do so I have decided to play as long as I am able to compete at this level. I am really humbled and grateful that God has blessed me with such a long career. I have stayed healthy throughout most of my career. Hard work, enough sleep/rest, and balanced diet. It is a simple recipe”, said Tuukka Kotti.
Tuuka Kotti who names Troy Bell, Caron Butler, Chris Paul, Ben Gordon, and David Lee as his toughest opponents in the NCAA and in Europe Milos Teodosic and Keith Langford currently plays for Tapiolan Honka. He began his career with FoKopo and then played with the Salon Vilpas (Korisliiga) averaging 15.7ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.7apg in 2000. He is content that basketball has changed so much in the last 24 years. “The game was slower and tactically not as advanced as it is today. Coaching in Finland has developed a lot and it shows also in Korisliiga. In all areas I think. Biggest thing that stands out to me is the spacing of the game. Outside shooting has improved and teams are shooting more threes so it opens up the game more”, commented Tuukka Kotti. He went to the States in 2001 and played 4 years and 116 NCAA games for Providence College. He never averaged more than 10,0ppg in a season and as a senior played 31 games and averaged 9.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3Pts: 30.3%. Back in those days, it was rare to see a Finish player play in the NCAA. “There were some players from Finland who had taken that route, for example Hanno Möttölä. Also playing in the US had for years been a dream of mine so it was an easy decision I did struggle my freshman year getting adjusted to the culture and the different style of play”, remembered Tuukka Kotti. There was a legend that he came to USA as a point guard and returned to Finland 4 years later as a center. Did he have extra Mcdonalds visits in those 4 years? Partly true, but the story has been exaggerated quite a bit over the years. I did play the different guard positions before college. Some PG as well. In college I was playing mostly in the wing and I developed in to a really good defensive player through those years. Defensively I was used in all positions but on offense I played more off ball than I was used to. I really moved closer to the basket when I turned pro and I had started to struggle with my outside shooting. That’s why teams wanted to play me first more at the 4 spot and eventually at the 5”, expressed Tuukka Kotti. He reached a NCAA tournament in 2004 and won´t forget it. “It was really fun! I had an opportunity to play against some really high level competition in the Big East. Also we practiced really hard which I enjoyed. And I got meet and build relationships with some people I cherish to this day. Were there things that I wish I would have worked on more or received more coaching with, absolutely. But overall, my college years were great. March madness was great, but it’s bitter sweet for me because we had an amazing season that year but got knocked out of the tournament in the first round”, added Tuukka Kotti.
The big man who lists Petri Virtanen, Shawn Huff, Chris Anrin, Maris Laksa, and David Gonzalvez as his best teammates of all-time had many incredible games in the NCAA including a 16/7/6 game in a win against Georgetown that had incredible guys like Rudy Gay, Charlie Villenueva, or Marcus Williams and in other games played against Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon. “That one was a big one. All the games against UConn were memorable. They had some amazing teams and we were usually able to get the best out of our team against them. One game that I always look back on was our game at Notre Dame at the end of my freshman year. I had not played a lot during that year, and having a big game there really gave me confidence going into my second season”, remembered Tuukka Kotti. He had amazing teammates who later came overseas with Marcus Douhit, John Linehan and Ryan Gomes, all guys he won´t ever forget. “Marcus was amazing. Great player and great personality. He was really a big key to our success covering the middle of our 2-3 zone. Had quite a few of my shots blocked by Marcus too in practice. John set the tone for sure. He was a senior when I came in and I was really influenced by his leadership and how hard he worked. I have never played with a better defender in my career. Ryan was the same class and it was such a privilege to see him develop and become a star. He was an amazing player and just like John, he put the work in. All the greats do”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He then returned to Europe and played his first 3 seasons in Italy with Ignis Castelletto Ticino (Italy-Lega 2) averaging 10/6 and 11/6 and Noi Sport Monte Terminillo Rieti (Italy-Serie A). “I fell in love with Italy right away. I have some great memories from there and would love to go back and visit soon. Basketball was really good. There were tons of talent in Serie A and LegaDue. Also, always loved the passion of the Italian basketball fans.”, said Tuukka Kotti, He reached the Serie A in his third season but only averaged 2,1ppg. It was tough breaking into the rotation with guys like Pape Sow and Wade Helliwell. “That was a difficult year for me. Playing behind those guys and Leroy Hurd, who had a monster season that year. I broke in the rotation and got big minutes after Pape Sow got sold to Poland. Unfortunately I broke my hand, pretty soon after and missed almost the rest of the season”, remembered Tuukka Kotti. The Serie A at that time was already showcasing amazing players and you could always have a wow effect with a player each weekend. “My team mate Morris Finley was amazing throughout the season. And also Gianmarco Pozzecco. I remember them beating us at our place and him coming to our locker room after the game shaking everyone’s hands. That took a lot of courage”, stressed Tuukka Kotti.
The Finish native who names Luka, MJ, Kobe, Lebron, and Jokic on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore then played a season with Etendard de Brest (France-ProB) averaging 10.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 57.4%. “Pro B was very different from Lega Due. More up and down and athletic. Personally I had a difficult season there and didn’t play as well as I was capable of”, said Tuukka Kotti. He then played 2 seasons with the Honka Espoo Playboys (Korisliiga) averaging 12/9 and 16/10 winning 2 cups. “That second year our team was really good! One of the best that I have played in. We had size, great outside shooting and defensively we were really tough. After winning the cup we lost Coach Herbert for health reasons and Corey Belser left for Ukraine. After that the team wasn’t the same”, added Tuukka Kotti. He was teammates with so many interesting guys like Jamar Wilson, Carl Lindbom, Sasu Salin, Juka Matinean, and Tuomas Iisalo. Did he already notice that winning coach in Iisalo as something that could happen? “We had some great players for sure. Tuomas has always had a very curious and analytical personality. Also a real passion for the game. But yes, absolutely it has been surprising how far he has reached in such a short period of time. Amazing story. I am really proud of him”, stressed Tuukka Kotti. He then returned back to Italy for 3 seasons and played with Naturhouse Ferrara (Italy-Lega 2) averaging 10.9ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.7spg, FGP: 54.1%, FT: 43.5% and with Aget Service Imola (Italy-Lega 2) averaging 9.6ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.4spg, FGP: 57.5%, FT: 46.4% and with Vanoli Cremona (Italy-Serie A) averaging 6.0ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 48.9%. He finally got more of a chance in the Serie A and was teammates with special player Shawn Huff who also played under Gordon Herbert. “It was great to be back in Italy those years and in Cremona had an opportunity to play against some amazing competition. Shawn and I are really close and the Cremona year is only a small part of everything we have experienced together. He is an amazing player and a person”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He then returned back to Finland in 2012 and never left again except for a season in Germany. He played 3 seasons with the Nilan Bisons Loimaa (Finland-Korisliiga) putting up consistent stats as always and having a stellar Eurocup season. Did you become home sick? “Not really. There was a great opportunity to play Eurocup in Loimaa, which is right next to my hometown Forssa, and I felt like that was great situation for me. It’s really hard to describe these three years. I have so many great memories and I loved my time at Loimaa. At the same time we played the last two years in the VTB-league on top of Korisliiga, which totaled to about 70 regular season games plus playoffs. Needless to say those years were very demanding mentally and physically. The tough competition in Eurocup, VTB and also Korisliiga did help me to develop and I feel those years matured me as a player quite a bit”, commented Tuukka Kotti. It was never boring in the season that Jacob Burtschi was his teammate. “I love Jake! He made our taxing season so much lighter with his personality. We were constantly competing with him. Half court shots, playing cards on the road. It was real good times”, remembered Tuukka Kotti.
For the ex Finish national player who lists Jesus Christ and Michael Jordan as his GOAT then played a season with the Crailsheim Merlins (Germany-ProA) averaging 9.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 62.3%, FT: 70.8% and played for Tuomas Iisalo. One would have thought it was a no brainer to play there. “It wasn’t a no brainer at that point. I was actually on my way to Joensuun Kataja, but ended up eventually in Crailsheim. I would say Tuomas was still developing his identity as a coach at that point. While he was already a good coach, I could not have predicted him succeeding that fast. One thing I noticed and appreciate in Tuomas is that he really insists on the things he believes in. And he will always give you a reason why”, said Tuukka Kotti. He then played 5 seasons with the Helsinki Seagulls (Korisliiga) winning 3 cups. He had his best stat season in his first season and another good season followed. Had he reached his prime at age 36? “There is for sure some truth to that. I think I played some of my best basketball those years and also in Eurobasket 2017. I hope it can serve as an encouragement to other players, that one can still develop at a later stage of their career”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He played for the talented is Jussi Laakso as a coach. He didn´t follow in the foot steps of Iisalo in Crailsheim, but like him has a knack for finding guards off the radar like Trae Bell-Haynes and Kendale McCullum and helping them make the next step. “Jussi is a great coach and great leader. He did an amazing job recruiting and putting together some of those teams. Jussi is very humble and eager to learn more, and it’s been great to see how he builds winning cultures everywhere he goes”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He then played the last 2 years with Tapiolan Honka and won the league title last season and will play there a third season. It seemed like he continued to be reunited with Carl Lindbom. Will he end his career there? “It’s hard to make any promises at this point. It’s totally in God’s hands, but I would love to finish my career here. This is a great organization with some amazing people, and I’m grateful to be a part of it”, stated Tuukka Kotti. Not too forget, he has been a member of the Finish national team over the years. He has seen Finish basketball take on a massive development in this period. “It has been like night and day. When I started with the NT we had no clear direction and we were lacking confidence. In the last 20 years there has been a big culture change in our programs and also what’s changed is that we believe in ourselves. The coaching in Finland has developed a ton and both players and coaches are more valued now around the world. We have a bright future”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He played against USA at the 2014 World Cup and suffered a brutal 114-55 loss against USA where he had 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and a block. The Finish team was pretty talented then with guys like Murphy, Koivisto,Koponen, Salo, Huff and himself while Team USA had superstars like had Curry, Irving, Rose, Davis and Harden just to name a few. There was not one USA player that stood out for him most. “That was the most memorable game of my career! 10K Finnish fans in the arena and going against some NBA greats. It was a dream come true. Only a few years before that we were dreaming to play in the Eurobasket and all of a sudden we are here. I told the guys after the game in our locker room, that I have never before enjoyed getting my butt kicked. Not one player, but in general how fast they played, and the talent combined with speed and athleticism. It was really impressive”, remembered Tuukka Kotti who didn´t see the sequel to the classic Coming To America as the original can´t be topped. He has seen it all in the last 20 years and will always have enough stories to tell all.
Phillip Flowers (196-SF-1990, college: UWG) is a 34 year old 196cm small forward from Lauderdale, Florida and playing with the Bona Baskets Limburg (“ Regionalliga) this season. He has pro experience in Qatar, Brazil and in semi pro leagues in the States with teams Georgia Spartans (UBA) and the South Florida Gold (ABA). He played at : Eastern Florida State College (NJCAA) and the University of West Georgia (NCAA2). He spoke to germanhoops.com after a 65-57 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Thanks Philip for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the big win over Eintracht Frankfurt. The guests are filled with 80% youth players. Did it feel like men playing with boys? Yes it did feel like that. Sometimes I have to get myself mad just to motivate myself to play. I´m bigger and stronger than those guys. You have to keep it simple when you play against young guys.
What was the key for getting the win at home? We didn´t find an offensive rhythm. Only one guy was at practice yesterday. But we did give an overall consistent defensive effort.
You last played 5 years ago in the ABA. How did you land in Limburg?
I met a former Limburg player through my job in Wiesbaden. I´m a contractor in Wiesbaden and work for the government. I got a try out and the rest is history.
You live and work in Wiesbaden. Is the Limburg gig more a hobby or do you still have aspirations of chasing the pro dream?
Of course I still want to get to the next level. I won´t be able to get to the top, because of my job though. But I feel capable of playing in the Pro B or Pro A.
Did you have a 9-5 job the last 5 years? Did you continue to work on your craft or was the professional route on the back burner? I worked as a contractor for the US government in different countries the last years. I played in Qatar, Brazil and in China tournaments.
What kind of an experience has it been playing for the Bona Baskets Limburg? What have you enjoyed most about the experience? It has been cool. I have gotten to know some of the guys. I´m proud to have been a mentor for some of the young kids and try to give them knowledge and help them get better. I really love how we always have access to the gym.
You aren´t the only veteran, but Elijah Allen is also here. What is it like sharing the court with him? Is one more the leader and the other have a different function? I can be a vocal leader, but also leader with actions. Elijah is the same.
How enjoyable has it been being teammates with Justin Stallbohm? Isn´t his smile infectious? His smile is very infectious especially when his shot is going in. I get a lot of assists from him. He is a good shooter and leader as our captain.
You played in countries like Brazil and Qatar, but was never in Europe before this season. What do you believe kept you away from Europe? Was it failed representation?
It wasn´t really failed representation, but he just didn´t have a network in Europe, but more in South America. I would have liked to have played here earlier in my career.
You played for the South Florida Gold (ABA) reaching the final. What memories do you have of this season? What was missing from getting that chip? We just didn´t play very well as a team. It was a big moment and they just had more experience than us.
You played 2 seasons with Botafogo F.R. (Brazil-Liga Ouro) winning a chip. What was so special about this team that season? We had a bunch of really good players. We had strong imports and a really good team. It wasn´t only great to win the title, but to contribute
You played your rookie season with the Georgia Spartans (UBA). What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie? My wake up call was realizing I had to get stronger. I always had the skills. I focused more on my body.
You began your college career at Eastern Florida State College (NJCAA). Every guy I have interviewed that played JUCO have said it was a grind, but an experience they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you? I agree. What many don´t realize is that JUCO has a lot of good players. Guys usually land here because of bad grades. I learned that if I want to get somewhere, I have to work hard.
You then played a season with the University of West Georgia (NCAA2). You only played a season there. Why didn´t you finish there? I stayed only one season, because I was ineligible for a second season.
What was your fondest moment on the court? Possibly your 23/13 game against Carver? I don´t even think that that was my best game. Maybe on paper it was. My fondest moment was winning the dunk contest at midnight madness.
How did head coach Michael Cooney groom and prepare you best for a pro career? He taught me discipline. I understood that if I didn´t do something a certain way, I would sit.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Zac Taulien? I won. Not too many beat me.
Who the toughest player you battled that reached the NBA? I played against Bam Adebayo. I played against James Harden in a Miami tournament and did really well. He didn´t play defense. I put up 37 points against Jeremy Pargo also in Miami. I also played against Derrick Jones Jr.
Who are your 4 best teammates of all-time? Kenny Boynton, Brandon Knight, Eloy Vargas, Keith Clanton
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Shaq
Who is your Goat? Michael Jordan
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? Yes they should of left it alone.
Malik Riddle is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Tennessee playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro B team RheinStars Cologne. Last season he played with Gzira Athleta Birkirkara (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 28.8ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.5%. He began his basketball career at Rossville Christian Academy. He then played 2 seasons at Morehead State University (NCAA) and then played 3 seasons at Henderson State University (NCAA2). He teams up with eurobasket.com every week to talk basketball.
A tough 114-110 double overtime loss. It was the second OT type game loss in a row. Is the basketball God annoying you guys a bit at the moment? No I just felt like we just didn’t make the right plays that we needed during the whole game.
Do you feel like teams are scouting the RheinStars better in the second half?
I think so but also we need to make adjustments during the game. We also did not get stops like we need to.
It was one of those games where one team would punch and in the next quarter the other would punch back. In the second quarter the RheinStars punched back. What was key for having the lead at the break? We were getting stops and getting out and getting easy baskets.
In the second half they punched the RheinStars, but you fought back in the fourth quarter. Ruppert Hennen tied the game at 89 and you stopped them to force OT. How fortunate were you to reach the OT?
Very fortunate I feel we were locked in during that moment and showed how focused we can be as a team when we need to at times.
That first OT was very fortunate again for Cologne as Alston missed a second free throw with one second to play. What was missing from you guys just to finish them off? We just didn’t finish on offense as well as not getting consecutive stops and rebounding.
In the second OT the RheinStars went on a 4-0 run, but allowed Ehingen to come back. Is it fair to say that the RheinStars would have won the game without having to battle Jaylen Alston? Yeah he was having a great game probably one of the best I’ve been a part of and we let him go off this game.
You had 9 points and not your best shooting day, but had 3 steals. Was your injury still hindering your play a bit? It has been difficult for me with the injury hopefully I can use the break to heal properly.
The Pro B now has a 2 week break. What do the RheinStars Cologne have to do better in the next games?
We have to lock in more on defense like we did the beginning of the season. We have to come out the gate with intensity.
It won´t get any easier as you paly Wurzburg who beat you in the first game. What will be key to getting win? Defense is the key. We have to play better collectively and finish with rebounding. Our intensity and urgency need to be better as a whole.
The name Fort Lewis doesn´t come up a lot for me, bit every once in a while it does. There have been a few guys from there that made it overseas like Alex Herrera and Kofi Josephs, 2 ballers that I have interviewed in the past. However the first guy that I think of first when I read the name Fort Lewis is Deandre Lansdowne. He is a guy that I have covered since he came overseas in 2015. He is the ultimate Cinderella story going from lower leagues to the top. Lansdowne began in the German Pro B in 2015 with Herten. He not only made it to the top leagues in Germany, Italy and France. But also has played in international club tournaments like the Basketball Champions League and Fiba Europe Cup. These are the type of players I love to cover most and enjoy showing a lot of love to. In terms of Lansdowne, I have interviewed him 11 times and written one portrait on him. A week ago I came upon the name Fort Lewis again when I prepared an interview for rookie Malik Whitaker (198-G-2000, college: Fort Lewis, agency: Starting 5) who is playing his rookie season in Germany for Pro B team Fellbach Flashers. Whitaker also played at Fort Lewis and like Lansdowne has to grind in lower leagues to begin his pro career. Whitaker played only 1 season at Fort Lewis, but had an incredible season. He had no idea who Lansdowne is, but after hearing of his story has another focus to shoot for in the next years. “I didn´t know of him when I was there and we never talked or met before. His story is very inspirational knowing he came from Fort Lewis and also started in the Pro B like me. His story shows me that it´s possible to move up and depends on the work you put in”, stressed Malik Whitaker. He doesn´t have to go far as he can watch BBL basketball in Ludwigsburg about 30 minutes away or in Ulm or Heidelberg which is an hour away. He can dissect the games closely of guys playing his position. How far is he away from the BBL?. “I’ve checked out one BBL game so far. It was very entertaining and it had everything you would want to see from a fan and competitors view. I don’t think I am that far away, but I also know there are parts of my game that need improvement in order for me not only to get there but to succeed at that level”, warned Malik Whitaker.
Malik Whitaker who lists Trevelin Queen as his toughest foe so far on the court in his career was born on November 19th, 2000 in Humble, Texas. He began his basketball career at Atascocita High School. He then spent 2 years at Garret College (JUCO). It is always refreshing seeing guys do well at the JUCO level and then move up to higher college leagues and then make it overseas. Getting to the peak isn´t always easy at the JUCO level where guys are playing for their stats and trying to move forward with their careers. I don´t believe I have ever come across a player who didn´t regret playing JUCO. It was a grind, but worth it for every player. “That statement is true! It tests you everyday. It can bring out the worst or the best depending on what you make of it. I faced every challenge that came my way head on and it paid off. If I had a redo I wouldn’t change anything”, warned malik Whitaker. He made a massive jump in his game in his second season. In his first season he averaged 12.7ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 72.2% and in his second season 19.1ppg, 8.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 71.0%. Instrumental in his growth was head coach Dennis Gibson. “He let me know going into year 2 that I would be the leader, and he was expecting a big year from me. He trusted me to lead the team, allowed me to make mistakes, learn from them and continue to move forward with confidence. He is a huge part of why I am the player I am today”, stressed Malik Whitaker. In his second season in JUCO, he reached the Final 4. “ The chemistry with that team was great. We finished as the #4 ranked JUCO and only lost 2 games all season. The best thing about us was how we moved as one unit at all times on the court. There wasn’t any selfishness on the team which is rare at the JUCO level”, stated Malik Whitaker. After JUCO, he was rewarded by moving up and playing a season for West Virginia State University (NCAA2) averaging 13.8ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 89.4%. He scored in double figures in 17 games that season including having some big games against Wheeling and Frostburg State scoring 26 points apiece. But what memory is better than winning a chip? “The best memory from State is when we went to the Virgin Islands and won the Yes U.S. Virgin Island classic”, said Malik Whitaker. He then made one more move going to Fort Lewis College (NCAA2) averaging 11.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 50.7%, FT: 80.0%. Here he won another chip with the RMAC title. “We were a hungry team. Even when we were ranked #2 in the nation in NCAA D2 we felt like underdogs. We felt like we had more to prove and improve on at all times. It pushed us to become a special team and go down forever in the history books”, remembered Malik Whitaker. He had some really incredible games in his last college season including beating Regis 81-80 with a massive 26/10 game, but there were also other great games. “It was one of my better games of the year, but my favorite game of the season was against South Dakota Mines. It was senior night and I had 26pts 9rbs in our last home game of the year. We were undefeated at home for the season which was something we set out to do at the beginning of the season. So it was cool to have my last home collegiate game go like that”, commented malik Whitaker. He scored in double figures 19 times in that season and made the next step as a player under head coach Bob Pietrack. He pushed me everyday to be the best version of myself. The whole staff had faith in me and they wouldn’t allow me to take days off or cheat myself which I really appreciated. He told me once “when life’s challenges come your way you have 2 choices; get determined or discouraged”. And now I live by that sentence”, expressed Malik Whitaker who remembers winning his fair share of 1-1 battles with Amondo Miller.
The Texas native who lists Samier Kinsler, Dwaine Jones, Junior Garbrah, Obi Agbim, and Dmonte Brown as his 5 best teammates of all-time came to Germany for the 2024-2025 season and is lacing up his sneakers for the Fellbach Flashers in the Pro B. He has been there 5 months and simply loves everything on and off the court. “This has been a great experience Coach Kris had a vision for me from our first phone call ever. I’ve continued to trust him and his vision since then. It has put not only myself, but the whole team in a better place. The guys on the team are great people and teammates. I look forward to going out and fighting for 40 minutes with them every Gameday. There is a great fan base who comes and gives crazy energy during the home games. It’s been a great first international experience for me so far. I have enjoyed being in Fellbach. I like that everyone in the area is very active; you’ll always catch people walking around, riding bikes, etc. that’s not really the culture in the states for most cities”, added Malik Whitaker. Last season the Flashers just missed the playoffs. This season they are currently in 4th place with a lot of upside and the possibly to reach the playoffs. “That is a huge focus for us. It would be a step forward from the first season of the club playing Pro B. It’s also something that has never been accomplished in this club before. We as a unit are working to make sure we can accomplish this goal this season”, said Malik Whitaker. There was a span in the season where they won 8 of 10 games and currently have won 5 of their last 6 games. “ Our defense starts everything. It sets the tone for the game and sparks our offense. When we are disciplined defenders we feel as though we’re as good as any team in this league”, warned malik Whitaker. This weekend he will play his first time against the 2024 Pro B champion Dragons Rhondorf who snuck out a 78-75 win in the first weeks of the season. “It’s another game for me. I am looking forward to the challenge knowing we lost the first game at home, and will have to walk into a hostile environment to win an away game. I look forward to moments like those”, expressed Malik Whitaker. He has some great teammates including German giant Daniel Mayr and top pro B undersized center Brian Butler.” Brian is a great vet. He has been very helpful to me making this jump to European basketball. It still surprises me how he dominates most low post battles being “undersized”. He brings a great attitude to the team and is the veteran presence most clubs would love to have”, stressed Malik Whitaker. Currently he is having a very solid rookie season averaging 17/6/2/2 stats. Is that a stat line with what he can be content with? “I would say it’s been decent. It’s a different style of play from college basketball obviously, so of course there’s a bit of a learning curve. But I’m nowhere near being content with how I’ve performed until this point. There’s another level or 2 to my game now that I have not showcased yet, but I’m trusting the process”, warned Malik Whitaker.
The 198cm guard who lists Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and T-Mac on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is a player that doesn´t compare himself to one player, but enjoys watching the games of certain players like Devin Booker, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, and Kobe Bryant mainly for his footwork. He is a player that has always been a guy that loved to fill the stat sheet at ease. Is versatility his biggest strength? “It’s the biggest emphasis on my game. Being able to handle, pass, shoot, rebound, and defend the ball are the basics. But being able to execute everything in live action makes you more than basic, and that’s what I strive to be”, warned Malik Whitaker. His three point shooting has been up and down in his career so far. He shot 42% in JUCO and a crazy 50% at Fort Lewis, but currently in the Pro B only at 33%. There is a reason for him having these fluctuations. “While the percentage was high in college the volume wasn’t. It was also a lot of catch and shoot open 3s. Now, I’m shooting more 3’s with “higher difficulty” which is something I am adjusting to and working relentlessly on. I enjoy the challenge though and I approach it everyday with the right mindset so I know it’ll turn around. That’s what’s going to help me be a next level shooter”, stressed Malik Whitaker. He definitely doesn´t want to be a one dimensional player as he sees his defensive game as a positive part of his game. “I’m far from a liability on defense but I want to become more of a guy to guard the other team’s best player. I’ve asked coach for the challenge a couple times, but I want that to be the normal for me so I’m working on it”, stated malik Whitaker. Reaching the playoffs is his biggest goal as well as staying consistent and improving strength. It will be interesting to see where the career of Malik Whitaker will go. If he keeps playing well as he does and Fellbach make history, I´m sure that Deandre Lansdowne will hear about it. In the meantime, he can wait until April 6th and see Lansdowne and his team Chemnitz play in Ulm. A meeting of ex Fort Lewis players would probably be a highlight for both.
Malik Riddle (193-G-1999, college: HSU) is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Tennessee playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro B team RheinStars Cologne. Last season he played with Gzira Athleta Birkirkara (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 28.8ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.5%. He began his basketball career at Rossville Christian Academy. He then played 2 seasons at Morehead State University (NCAA) and then played 3 seasons at Henderson State University (NCAA2). He teams up with germanhoops.com every week to talk basketball.
Congrats on the big 95-80 win over the Frankfurt Skyliners. How big was this win after the poor loss last weekend in Oberaching? It was a great bounce back game after the loss. We got to playing the way we want to play.
The RheinStars exploded in the first quarter with 35 points and allowed only 14 points. Was that some of the best offense the team has played this season in one quarter? A lot of the offense was generated from our defense. We got stops and were able to get out and run to get easy transition baskets.
The RheinStars had the comfortable 54-32 lead at the break. How key was the work on the offensive glass for being able to have the comfortable lead? The rebounds were key. As a team we haven’t been doing a great job of that lately but we picked it up this game.
You had a solid 11/5/3/3 game. The stat line looks good, but you shot only 5/19. What is your summary of your shooting performance in that game? Did you not get as well to your spots?
Yeah I did struggle this game with shooting. Mostly probably because I had a minor injury and was trying to get my rhythm back. But not going to hold my head down about it. I had some good looks just didn’t fall.
You next play against Leitershofen who you beat 85-80 at home. The game on the road will be tougher. What will be key to getting win?
Yes this will be a tough game. I think the key thing is who wants it more. Who is willing to play the hardest and execute the best. Trying not to get out played will be the key.
There were times in the history of the Frankfurt-Alba Berlin games over the past 20 years where both were playoff teams whenever they battled each other. They even had exciting playoff series where Frankfurt always gave Germanys capital city team a good run for the money. Then there were times also were Alba Berlin was still a top team and Frankfurt wasn´t a playoff team anymore where the games weren´t always exciting. But now there is a scenario where both are struggling teams, a concept that has never been seen before. The Frankfurt Skyliners are a team that has arrived in 2025 as a team that is fighting to stay in the league. Luckily for them, there is an even worse team then them with BG Goettingen who only have 1 win. In other years Frankfurt would currently be the door mat of the league. Alba Berlin hasn´t had a great year coming in in 13th place with only 2 wins more than Frankfurt. Their abundance in losing is something difficult to digest. They are 3/16 in Euroleague play and the only positive thing for them going into this game was that they had upset FC Bayern Munich last weekend. Alba Berlin was still a scoring club, but defensively were in another galaxy. If Frankfurt had some of their walking wounded back, then this could be a game where they could compete. Frankfurt had their chances in an overall poor offensive performance and when a Trey Calvin is missing and other walking bucket Malik Parsons gets held to 2 points and 1/8 shooting and 5 turnovers, you will have problems winning. Plus coughing up the ball 26 times didn´t help their cause either. “We missed many shots. You can´t have 26 turnovers against a team like Alba Berlin. They did a good job converting on our turnovers and Matt Thomas (195-SG-1994, college: Iowa St.) shot lights out”, stressed New Jersey native Jordan Theodore. Alba Berlin didn´t have a great offensive game, but really sparkled on defense for 40 minutes. “We defended very well. Frankfurt was annoyed with our good 1-1 defense. Being able to hold Parsons to 2 points was a big step for us. We didn´t have a good offensive game. If we would have had a better offensive game, then we would of won a lot easier”, stressed Alba Berlin assistant coach Thomas Paech.
Yanni Wezell with the lay in
5000 basketball fans came out on a cold Sunday evening and rapidly saw a lightening start of Alba Berlin as they slapped around Frankfurt taking the quick 15-2 advantage. Alba Berlin had the correct body language and intensity while Frankfurt seemed passive and like they just got out of bed. Alba Berlin did a great job in the paint area dominating Frankfurt. Ex NBA player Matt Thomas scored with a lay in and connected with 3 free throws while NBA draft pick Gabriel Procida of Italy was aggressive and scored twice while German Tim Schneider had 2 dunks. Frankfurt couldn´t match Alba Berlin´s physicality and on offense had problems getting into their sets. Frankfurt finally escaped their funk going on a 12-6 run to trail 21-14. Einaras Tubutis hit 2 three pointers while ex Boston College forward Patrick Heckman and Alaska native Kamaka Hepa scored inside. Frankfurt was more aggressive and played good inside out ball. However Frankfurt couldn´t keep that intensity to the end as Alba Berlin finished with a 5-0 run to lead 26-14 after 10 minutes. Alba Berlin got production from ex LIU Brooklyn (NCAA) player Martin Hermannsson with free throws and a lay in and free throws by Australian center Yanni Wetzell. “We showed our presence on defense right away and had little mistakes”, stated Thoams Paech. “We had a bad start. I was trying to find my feel for the game. I picked up my game then and the team fed off me”, stressed Jordan Theodre. Alba Berlin shot 56% from the field and 0% from outside and had 12 rebounds and 3 turnovers while the Frankfurt Skyliners shot 36% from the field and 29% from outside and had 12 rebounds and 3 turnovers.
Kamaka Hepa at the FT line
In the second quarter the Frankfurt Skyliners rebounded from their poor first quarter and began with a 11-3 run to trail 29-25. In the run Frankfurt began to defend more aggressively while Jordan Theodore and Booker Coplin carried the team. They did all the scoring while the team was getting no production from walking bucket Malik Parsons. “He is young. He had some really great games for us. Other teams defenses are starting to key in on him. He has to find ways around that”, warned Jordan Theodore. But even if Alba Berlin isn´t having a great BBL season, they still have enough offensive talent to get away fast. They went on a lightening 7-0 run as Matt Thomas had 5 points and Procida a pretty reverse alley-oop dunk with the nifty dime from Thomas. “I´m starting to find my rhythm again after my surgery. My team did a great job finding me in the right spots”, stated Matt Thomas. Frankfurt punched back with a swift 5-0 run as Theodore made a lay in and Tubutis another trey to trail 36-30. Thomas nailed another trey and 2022 NBBL champion Elias Rapique made a lay in while Frankfurt countered with another Theodore lay in and massive dunk from 2018 NBBL champion Lorenz Brenneke, but Frankfurt was unable to get over the hump trailing 41-36. “We let them get too much in the zone and allowed them to create and make plays”, said Thomas Paech. “I played more pick and roll and kept the ball in my hands and found guys. We rebounded a lot better”, added Jordan Theodore. Alba Berlin shot 48% from the field and 25% from the three point line and had 19 rebounds and 10 turnovers while the Frankfurt Skyliners shot 45% from the field and 25% from the three point line and had 14 rebounds and 10 turnovers.
Jordan Theodore with the floater
In the third quarter both teams struggled offensively and Frankfurt cut it down to 3 points, but once again couldn´t get over the hump and missed golden opportunities. Canadian David Muenkat got Frankfurt on the board first with a lay in as Frankfurt trailed 41-38, but couldn´t get stops as Alba Berlin reacted with a 5-0 run to lead 46-38. Matt Thomas stroked home another three pointer and Hermannsson hit a 20 footer. Frankfurt didn´t give up and just continued fighting and chipping away at the guests lead as Tubutis made a lay in and Hepa a clutch trey to get close again trailing 46-43. Tubutis not only had his shooting stroke on, but he was on fire on defense as he kept making big blocks and steals and had 5 blocks and 3 steals after 40 minutes. “My defense stood out, but that’s how I play. I don´t think they expected that from me. I just did my job”, said Einaras Tubutis. Frankfurt just couldn´t get over the hump as Alba Berlin always found a way to hurt Frankfurt with 1-1 play. Procida made a lay and Wetzell a tip in dunk for the 56-48 advantage. Parsons continued to have the goose egg and was 0/5 and Alba Berlin led 57-48 after 30 minutes. “Our 1-1 defense stopped them. We kept Parsons and Theodore under control”, said Thomas Paech. “We had so many opportunities and missed open shots”, added Jordan Theodore. Alba Berlin shot 41% from the field and 19% from the parking lot and had 30 rebounds and 15 turnovers while the Frankfurt Skyliners shot 40% from the field and 25% from the parking lot and had 26 rebounds and 19 turnovers.
Matt Thomas at the FT line
In the fourth quarter Alba Berlin did a super job managing the lead and never let Frankfurt get closer than 8 points. Rapique and Muenkat traded baskets to begin, but Alba Berlin still led 59-51. After Schneider made a catch and pop shot, Malik Parsons finally made his first field goal at the 6,13 minute mark, but Frankfurt still trailed 61-53. This could have been a golden moment for Parsons to keep producing, but it just wasn´t to be. It was a just one of those days where nothing worked for him. Thomas then hit another clutch trey as did Schneider as Alba Berlin extended their lead to 68-56. Time was winding down as Frankfurt realized that they weren´t going to win this game. Wetzell made a floater down the stretch and Schneider a lay in while Coplin made a 15 footer and Muenkat a lay in, but Frankfurt trailed 72-60. Hermannsson then put an exclamation point on the victory with Alba Berlin´s 7th three pointer of the game and the win. “We stuck to our game plan tonight. We played great 1-1 defense, but also great team defense forcing them to 26 turnovers. Matt Thomas was the only good offensive player for us. He made the difference. He isn´t only important as a shooter, but also as a leader”, warned Thomas Paech. “It was my fault. I have to play better. I have to score more and get more assists”, warned Jordan Theodore. Alba Berlin was led by Matt Thomas with 28 points while the Frankfurt Skyliners were led by Einaras Tubutis with 14 points while Jordan Theodore had 13 points and 8 assists. Alba Berlin shot 39% from the field and 23% from outside and had 39 rebounds and 18 turnovers while the Frankfurt Skyliners shot 39% from the field and 20% from outside and had 37 rebounds and 26 turnovers.
Jeff Garrett (201-F-1994, college: LSUS, agency: Players Group) is a 30 year old 201cm forward playing his 6th professional season and second with the Niners Chemnitz (BBL). He also has vast experience overseas having played in Lithuania, Ukraine, Finland and Luxemburg. He began his basketball career at Oldsmar Christian high school in Florida. He then played 2 NCAA seasons with Northern Kentucky University (NCAA) and in his last season played with : Louisiana State University at Shreveport (NAIA) averaging 18.8ppg, 14.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6bpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 75.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big 85-66 win over the Frankfurt Skyliners.
Congrats on the big 85-66 win. With what kind of focus was the Niners coming into the game? It must have been big? To keep the winning streak alive and have self-confidence going into the tough Basketball Champions league game. The focus was huge going in. We had been struggling as of late with highs and lows. But in the last few games, I feel like we put that aside and come together and played well. Coach Pastore also has been important doing all he can to help us get better. It has been less talking and more walking. We have been more aggressive and have put it all together.
What kind of an impression did the team have of the Frankfurt Skyliners before the game? They beat Ulm recently and played FC Bayern Munich tough.
They are a pretty good team. We had a big awareness of their guard play of Theodore, Parsons and Calvin. They are an overall good shooting team.
The team now has a 2 game BBL winning streak. Before that you had suffered a 5 losing streak. Was the losing streak as bad as it seemed? Besides the bad loss against Bonn, you took Ludwigsburg and Bamberg to the wire.
Yes no doubt. We know that we are a good team. We had had a winning streak already this season. We just had a time where we weren´t figuring it out as a team.
What did the Niners learn from the gruesome loss against the Telekom Baskets Bonn where you allowed 123 points? That on any given night, this can happen in this league. It was a terrible performance and really hurt our pride. That loss really hit this organization. That can never happen again.
With what kind of game plan did the team go into the game? You had the comfortable 22-13 lead after 10 minutes?
We have to keep our foot on the gas pedal and not get lax. We can´t fall on our heels. We did a good job applying the pressure. They didn´t like our physicality.
The Niners went on a little run at the end of the first quarter hitting three´s, getting drives and going to the free throw line. What adjustments did the Niners make half way through the first quarter? Keep our foot on the gas pedal and realize what got us there. We moved the ball well, got in the paint and limit their second chances.
How key were the 2 three´s by Uguak and yourself in the first 85 seconds of the second quarter. Did that Paralize the Skyliners? Yes no doubt. Our atmosphere is great in the arena. We were ready and made the punch. It was the deal breaker and we capitalized on it.
Jordan Theodore had 9 points in the second quarter. Without his production, the Niners would have been up 25-30 points How much of a focus was he for the team? We are all competitors at the end of the day, we all knew how good he was. He has a lot of experience and we didn´t take him lightly.
What was your impression of Jordan Theodore? 10 years ago he led Frankfurt to the Fiba Europe Cup. He still looks really good for 35. He is a good player. He tough at 35. He looked good. I didn´t know he was that old. He is a bit older than me.
The Niners did a great job keeping Malik Parsons to 4 points in the first half. How difficult is it to keep him in front of you? What is his toughest attribute? His athleticism, quickness or shiftiness?
His shiftiness and quickness is toughest to contain. I hate guarding those types of players. He is a complete player. You can´t sag off him. He can do it all.
You led Frankfurt 48-27 at the break. In the third quarter the Niners kept up the pressure. What did Rodrigo Pastore tell the team to do in the third quarter? He told us to keep execute and finish the play. We allowed as good as no second chance points after the first quarter except for the end where we put in some of the young guys. We did a good job not letting them creep back and just play our game.
The Niners led as much as by 26 points. So many guys stepped up. How good is the team chemistry at his juncture of the season? Our team chemistry has grown to be beautiful. No matter what happens and through all adversary that we have seen, we have continued to stay on the same page. When it gets rocky, you see our true character.
Frankfurt began with a 8-0 run in the fourth quarter. Was that big lead in your heads a bit too much in the first minutes? It´s basketball. It´s a game of run. We still did a good job countering and finishing the game well.
How proud are you of the team that you finished strong after the Skyliners run?
As one of the leaders on the team, I´m really proud of the team. We held our heads up high.
The Niners had 5 guys score in double figures. It shot 48% from outside and had 21 assists. What was the team´s biggest strength on this night?
We moved the ball very well. We have good guard play. When we understand what coach wants, we can add the sauce. We as a team can do special things.
The defense hasn´t always been solid, but against Frankfurt was sharp again. You were only the third team to keep Malik Parsons under 10 points. What was the team´s biggest strength on defense? I think that when we stay solid and not gamble and finish the play and secure the rebound, then we are very tough. That is a big difference maker.
You next play an exciting series against Turkish team Manisa in the Basketball Champions League. What will be key to get series win? It´s very simple. We see it as a new season. We haven´t done so well in the BCL and this just another opportunity for us to advance and show everyone that we are a better team than in the past.
Do you have any News Years resolutions for 2025?
I don´t. For me every day is a new opportunity to get better. I don´t need to take another year.
Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners continue to be on a mission as their winning ways continue as they were sprouting an excellent 6-0 record. They have been successful with good team basketball led by their trio of Crnjac, Omog and Edoka. But they knew that if they wanted to take their unbeaten streak into Christmas, they would have to get by the Niners Chemnitz again. Last weekend, the 2 clubs had met in Chemnitz where Frankfurt escaped with a thrilling 95-93 victory where Ivan Crnjac (203-F-2007) led the charge with 21 points. Despite the Niners Chemnitz having a 3-4 record, Frankfurt couldn´t underestimate them and had to be on their A game to continue their winning streak. Frankfurt was without Namori Omog while Chemnitz was without 3 key players. On a mild Sunday afternoon in Frankfurt, history was made as German shooting star Ivan Crnjac had a perfect game going 12/12 from the field and 3/3 from the free throw powering Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners past the Niners Chemnitz Academy 114-90. “Ivan was in a little shooting slump, but it was only a phase. He is an outstanding shooter. He has that quick high release and just knows how to shoot”, stressed Skyliners Juniors head coach Sepher Tarrah. But it wasn´t only Crnjac who sparkled, but the whole team came together and had an amazing offensive game shooting out the lights. Frankfurt let up on the defensive end in the second half, but a win is all that matters in the end. “In the first half, we hit everything. It was crazy. It is only normal that a team won´t have as much focus and energy after a first half like that. I still think that we played well. I´m really proud of the team”, stressed Frankfurt forward Ivan Crnjac. Then Niners Chemnitz Academy stepped up their game in the second half outscoring Frankfurt 49-43 and showed real heart never giving up and playing hard until the end. “We let Frankfurt catch their rhythm to quickly at the start. Their quick start decided the game early. That hurt us mentally. We have to come out with more pride and play together more. We played with more pride in the second half. We gave up too many open three´s. We have to do a better job closing out and helping on rotations”, added Niners Chemnitz Academy Academy player Daniel Duhajsky.
Maximillian Peters with the lay in
In the first quarter Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners exploded for an incredible 41 points while Niners Chemnitz Academy Academy mustered only 22 points which would have looked normal in almost any other kind of circumstance. Frankfurt got off to a rapid start leading 7-2 as Ivan Crnjac added 5 points. The Niners Chemnitz Academy stayed tough and tied the game at 7-7 with a bucket from Duhajsky and a trey from Chris Wahren. But Frankfurt were just getting started as they exploded on a 21-6 run to lead very comfortably 28-13. In the run Frankfurt continued to play great team basketball as the duo of Crnjac and Julius Messer added 8 points apiece and 2 three´s a piece. Frankfurt was defending aggressively getting stops which heighted their self confidence for their offensive sets. Frankfurt didn´t let up and continued to execute excellent at both ends of the court. Frankfurt continued to share the ball nicely as Maximillian Peters scored as did Julius Messer and Crnjac added 4 more points. The Frankfurt bench also stepped up as German Finley Pruever made a steal and transition basket. It would have looked a lot worse for Chemnitz, but talented Luca Kellig added 6 points late to give them a bit of energy. “Frankfurt gave a real offensive firework. After a while you had the feeling of not knowing who scored as so many scored. We had great ball movement and the bench stepped up. Many guys on the bench would start for other teams”, stated Fraport Skyliners Juniors head coach Sepehr Tarrah. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners shot an overwhelming 85% from the field and 75% from outside and had 5 rebounds and 2 turnovers while The Niners Chemnitz Academy shot 62% from the field and 40% from outside and had 3 rebounds and 5 turnovers.
Luca Kellig at the FT line
In the second quarter Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners didn´t score as dominantly as in the first quarter, but tightened up their defense allowing only 17 points and led 71-41 at half-time. Ivan Crnjac was 7/7 in the first quarter and in the second quarter began quickly hitting his shots making 3 more shots to be 10/10 at the break. He made a left handed hook and 2 reverse layups where the team displayed incredible unselfishness as the extra pass was the sixth man. Lennard Glowka added 2 baskets, but Frankfurt still had the immense 51-29. It seemed like almost anything Frankfurt attempted to do on offense worked. Everybody got minutes and gave their 2 cents in the win. Role player Chris Widmer who usually doesn´t get many minutes made a runner and finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 14 minutes. “I respect Chris´s game a lot. He brings great energy from the bench and has good basketball qualities. He is a very good teammate”, stressed Ivan Crnjac. Greek player Konstantinos Kapetanakis gave Frankfurt additional energy from the bench with a trey to give Frankfurt the 56-30 advantage. He finished with 7 points and 2 dimes in 11 minutes. “He is a real hustler. He defends the way how Greek players do in Greece. He is a very aggressive defender. He needs to find more calmness though as a point guard. But he just came back from an injury”, stated Ivan Crnjac. Frankfurt continued to execute well, but so did The Niners Chemnitz Academy Academy, but they couldn´t get over the hump. Frankfurt got 2 more baskets from Julius Messer, but also additional support from the bench as Pruever nailed a trey, Widmer a lay in and Fabrice Heberer made free throws. “We got many easy baskets. I would estimate somewhere around 40 of the 71 were easy baskets. I feel like the 41 points were ok in a game that had a high tempo and many possessions”, stated Sephehr Tarrah. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners shot 77% from the field and 69% from the three point line and had 18 rebounds and 4 turnovers while The Niners Chemnitz Academy shot 45% from the field and 36% from the three point line and had 11 rebounds and 8 turnovers.
Fabrice Heberer from downtown
In the third quarter The Niners Chemnitz Academy had their strongest quarter outscoring Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners 26-20, but still trailed 91-67 after 3 quarters. Frankfurt got real hot going on a massive 14-2 run to have the overwhelming 85-43 lead. In the run, Jamie Edoka hit a trey while Messer made a lay in on transition while Ivan Crnjac added 9 points with 2 three´s and three free throws. It would be the last points and shots that Ivan Crnjac would take on this night. His incredible stat line was 33 points in 19 minutes at that point. “I feel great with this perfect game. It was my first in my career. It gives me added self-confidence that I really need now. I had been in a shooting slump during the last few Pro B games. I´m really relived to shoot so well. A perfect game is best for the self-confidence. I actually had a bad feeling going in as my index finger was tapped as some skin had rubbed off before the game. I was taking all my shots using my last 3 fingers and not my index finger pushing off. But it worked in my favor”, smiled Ivan Crnjac. That was about all the offense that Frankfurt would display in the third quarter as The Niners Chemnitz Academy took a page from Frankfurt´s excellent execution closing out the third quarter with a lethal 24-6 run to trail only by 24 points after 3 quarters. In the run, the guests got solid production from many sides as their team basketball sparkled. Chris Wahren added 6 points with 2 three´s while Glowka added 5 points while the Alfons brother chipped in with 7 points. “Our intensity went down. We began well with a big run, but then just lost our intensity. The whole team let up on defense. We were unconcentrated. We had the win wrapped up in our minds. I wish we could of finished the game better, but that is part of the game”, warned Ivan Crnjac. “We did a good job sticking together and trusting each other. We just stuck to the game plan and hit more shots. With more points, our confidence rose”, added Daniel Duhajsky. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners shot 71% from the field and 63% from the parking lot and had 24 rebounds and 9 turnovers while The Niners Chemnitz Academy Shot 50% from the field and 36% from the parking lot and had 18 rebounds and 10 turnovers.
Alfons Milatz with the drive
In the fourth quarter both teams executed well on offense, but The Niners Chemnitz Academy couldn´t make any ground as both teams swapped 23 points apiece. The guests began quickly getting 2 baskets from Duhajsky and 1 from Glowka, but Julius Messer slowed down some of that energy nailing back to back three´s giving Frankfurt some extra leverage leading 97-73. Messer has been back a few weeks after a long injury, but he has needed no adjustment time as he finished with 26 points in 25 minutes. “He is a very interesting player. He is a real athlete. He has a good combination between strength and quickness. He is a 3 level scorer”, stated Sepher Tarrah. After German Noah Spindler hit a trey, it was Jamie Edoka who hit the 101 points and has donuts duty for the team. He continued to be aggressive adding a three pointer and dunk for the 106-84 lead. Down the stretch, Spindler added another trey as did Fabrice Heberer. It was a game where offense ruled as a total of 204 points were produced. Ivan Crnjac played 4 plus minutes in the fourth quarter but attempted no shots to remain perfect. “I didn´t want to force anything at the end. I let other guys take over”, stated Ivan Crnjac. “We wanted to finish with pride. We defended a lot better and just finished strong”, stated Daniel Duhajsky. “We weren´t in the game anymore. We made many turnovers not from their defense, but our offense. We played for ourselves”, added Ivan Crnjac. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners were led by Ivan Crnjac with 33 points. Julius Messer added 26 points while Jamie Edoka had 23 points, 12 boards and 5 assists while The Niners Chemnitz Academy were led by Lennard Glowka with 21 points. Daniel Duhajsky added 20 points and Luca Kellig 16 points. Eintracht Frankfurt Skyliners shot 69% from the field and 62% from outside and had 33 rebounds and 14 turnovers while The Niners Chemnitz Academy shot 52% from the field and 37% from outside and had 22 rebounds and 13 turnovers.
German Hoops 