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The Miles Vs Tore Dean Weekly Basketball Conversation Volume 3

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Toru Dean (183-PG, college: Langston) is a 183cm guard from Miami Florida playing his rookie season overseas with the TSV Bargteheide Bees (Germany-Regionalliga). He began his basketball career with South Miami High School and then played 3 seasons at Barry University (NCAA2) averaging 8.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 65.1% and in his second season averaged 12.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 46.2%; and in his third season averaged 9.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 39.9%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 62.9%. He then finished at Langston University, OK (NAIA) averaging 10.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.5apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 81.0% and 9.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.1apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 69.4%. He teams up every week with eurobasket.com to talk basketball.

Congrats on the big 103–80 win against Bergedorf. The winning just continues. Is it difficult not getting into that “this will continue” phase, or is the team 100% focused that every game can be difficult?

I appreciate it. Winning definitely feels good, but we’re trying not to get too comfortable. Every game in this league is couningt now that we added more teams, if you take anyone lightly, you’ll get punished. So we’re just staying locked in, preparing the same way, and making sure we bring the right energy every night.

Bargteheide won by 23 points. Talk about the 40 minutes. Was this a game that you controlled from the start, or did the opponent have some runs?

I think we set the tone early and played our style from the start. But Bergedorf’s a good team — they had a few stretches where they made shots and put some pressure on us. We did a good job staying composed, moving the ball, and tightening up on defense when we needed to. Once we picked up the pace again in the third quarter, we were able to create some separation and control it the rest of the way.

Defense continues to be vital for the team’s success, but how key was aggressiveness? The team got to the line 34 times.

That was huge for us. When we’re aggressive on both ends attacking the rim, playing physical, and forcing the issue it changes the whole game. Getting to the line like that means we’re putting pressure on their defense and not settling for jumpers. That’s a big part of our identity

What was it like battling veteran point guard Jordan Rose? He filled the stat sheet just like you.

Jordan’s a good player he’s been around for 7 years, he’s crafty, and he knows how to control the tempo. You’ve got to be locked in defensively the whole game because he can hurt you in a lot of ways. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and I enjoyed the matchup. It definitely brought out my competitive side.

Yngve Jentz had a huge game of 17/6/3/3/1. How valuable was his versatility in the win?

Yngve was awesome. He just does so many little things that help us win — defending multiple positions, rebounding, moving the ball, and hitting shots. When he plays with that energy, it lifts the whole team. He was definitely one of the keys for us tonight.

You had a very good game yourself — 18 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, shooting 7-of-12 from the field. How content were you with your game?

I felt good out there. I tried to stay aggressive but also make the right reads. My teammates were finding me in good spots, and I just focused on taking efficient shots and impacting the game in different ways. There’s always room to improve, but overall I’m happy with how I played within our system.

It was the fewest two-point shots you’ve taken and the most threes this season. Were you happy with how you chose your spots?

Yeah, I was. It’s all about reading the defense. They packed the paint a lot, so I just took what they gave me. I felt good from deep, and the spacing was great, so it made sense to let it fly when I was open. As long as the shots are within the flow of the offense, I’m comfortable with that mix.

You next play 4–2 Lichterfelde from Berlin. What will be key to getting the win?

Lichterfelde’s a solid team,they play fast and move the ball around really good. they’re well coached. For us, it’ll come down to defense and focus. We’ve got to control the tempo, limit their transition game, and stay aggressive offensively. If we bring our usual energy and play our style, we’ll put ourselves in a good position to win.

Thanks Toru for the chat.

Kenan Reinhart(Dragons Rhondorf) Loves Pressure But Needs It To Be Able To Reach His Full Potential

pic credit Maik Exner

A little more than 2 years ago German basketball fans in Germany witnessed an incredible JBBL (U-16) semi final between Alba Berlin and the RheinStars Cologne. It wasn´t Larry Bird vs Dominique Wilkins, but Matthieu Grujicic of Alba Berlin (35 points) and Davi Remagen of Cologne (41 points) that offered an incredible scoring battle that showed once again how much talent is in Germany. These two 16 youngsters played the game they love and showed absolute no fear playing as if they were all alone on a court. But there was one more player on the court who had just as much talent, but was a bit in the shadow with Kenan Reinhart (194-SG-2007) who supplied 16 points in the 84-79 loss to Alba Berlin. 2 years later both Grujicic and Remagen are playing in the NCAA and profiting from NIL while Reinhart is in Germany playing in the Pro B for the Dragons Rhondorf. All 3 guys have gone separate ways and are on a mission to continue to develop further. All 3 have some pressure, but for Kenan Reinhart it is a kind of pressure that he can live and deal with. Last season he averaged 3,0ppg in 10 minutes. I can imagine he will average 20 plus minutes this season and will have to step up as a teenager in the Pro B. “I make a lot of pressure for myself, because I have high expectations of myself. My season was unacceptable last season. I want to make the next step so I need to prove myself in the Pro B. I really like this pressure, because I need it to reach my full potential”, warned Kenan Reinhart.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Kenan Reinhart in the Dragon Dome 2025

Kenan Reinhart who is a mix of Andi Obst and Reed Shepherd on the court is very excited going into his second season with the Dragons Rhondorf. “I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I´m very excited and on the other hand very happy. I understand that I will have a bigger role while having a complete new team. We will see what the season brings us”, smiled Kenan Reinhart. One of the biggest changes was bringing in a head coach with Max Becker. At first glance he looks like a kid and could be Reinhart´s teammate, because he looks so young, but he is already 26 years old and had done a good job with the Telekom Baskets Bonn youth department. His smile is infectious, but can he ever get mad? “He may look like a kid, but he can get mad. Then he definitely doesn´t act like a kid. He is still young, but I´m confident that he will do a good job”, stressed Kenan Reinhart. Becker has already stressed early in pre season exactly what his basketball philosophy will be. “Max wants us to push the ball and play as fast as possible. If that doesn´t work, then we will do the set offense. We want to play good defense and function as a team”, stated Kenan Reinhart. The question will be can this team be successful with a new young coach and young team? Will there be enough consistent fire power besides from Jorge Mejias and Juhwan Harris Dyson? “This season we are playing in the North which is tougher than the south. I feel like the hunger was missing a bit last season. This season we have a good mix of old and young and have hunger. I think we have other possibilities to score with Daniel Mayr, Duje Dujmovic, Lagi Diallo and myself. Vuk Scepanovic can also hit the occasional three pointer. We will see from game to game which scorers will evolve”, warned Kenan Reinhart.”, warned Kenan Reinhart.

The ex RheinStars Cologne guard who beats Vuk Scepanovic everytime in a battle of 1-1 in practice has many new teammates this season. He has been joined by 2 young big men with Benjamin Sadikovic and Duje Dujmovic. Can they be stable scorers at the Pro B level? “I thought that Sadikovic was older when he signed. He is a stable center that is great on the pick and roll. I was teammates with Dujmovic once already in Cologne. He is also hungry and continues to develop nicely”, said Kenan Reinhart. One player that will produce not only in the scoring department, but fill the stat sheet like Kam Taylor and Curtis Hollis from back in the day will be Juhwan Harris Dyson. “I really adore his physicality. He is always playing hard. He gives his all in each movement. His effort is excellent. He is simply a high level player”, warned Kenan Reinhart. Another player that will be watched with enjoyment is young player Dusan Iiic who had a great youth career with BBA Hagen. Last season he averaged 20,0ppg and 10,0apg in the NBBL. It seems like despite his young age of 17 could also play an instrumental role. Could he have a break through season like Janne Muller 2 years ago? “I think he can. This will be his first Pro B season. It will be interesting to see how well he can produce. He will be a vital player that we will count on”, commented Kenan Reinhart. The leader of the team will be Spaniard Jorge Mejias who has a lot of experience like Daniel Mayr and was walking around the Real Madrid training facility 8 years ago and bumping into Luka Doncic. “I´m really happy to play with him and against him in practice every day. I´m working on my court vision and passing. There is nobody better than to learn those things from than him. I´m learning fast. He does it all”, warned Kenan Reinhart. The team has many talented young guys like Schmidt, Volkers, Scepanovic, Boning and Dobiecki. Is there a player form this bunch that could make the biggest splash in the Pro B this season? “I think that Carlo Schmid will be the guy. He has only played basketball for 2 years. He has a good body for basketball. I believe he can play well at the Pro B level”, added Kenan Reinhart.

The sniper who lists big man Andreas Seifert as the toughest player that he has ever faced on the court is more than eager to make the next step this season. His expectations and goals are high. “I want to help lead the team into the playoffs as a starter. I want to not only stand in the corner and shoot three´s, but be versatile. I want to be able to do it all and integrate, rebounding, passing, scoring and defense into my game”, said Kenan Reinhart. Last season he averaged 3,0ppg in 10 minutes of time. Can he average scoring in double figures this season? “I think I can. I won´t do it each game, but I feel like I will be consistent”, explained Kenan Reinhart. He only shot 23% from the parking lot in the pro B last season. It is only obvious that he wants to improve those percentages drastically. “My three pointer is one of my best qualities. I have high goals with my three pointer. My team is counting heavily on me. I have to have a good shooting season”, warned Kenan Reinahrt. But he doesn´t only want to make an impact on the offensive end, but also on the defensive end. His ex head coach 1993 Euro winner Stephan Baeck always told him that if he defends well than he will stay on the court. “I want to average at least 1 steal per game. My goal is not to let my guy score on me”, stressed Kenan Reinhart. He definately has the right mind set as he is getting up many shots every day and always trying to prefect his craft. “I think that if I add it all up, I get up about 300 shots on the machine and in total 500 shots a day. When I´m spot up shooting, I make around 80% with the first 100 shots, 70% with the second 100 shots and somewhere between 65%-70% with the last 100 shots”, added Kenan Reinhart. It will be interesting to see where the journey of the Dragons Rhondorf will go this season and how well Kenan Reinhart continues to develop. In the last few years, I was helping rebound for Janne Muller before games. I mostly heard only swish with his mid range shot. Maybe this season, I can rebound for Kenan Reinhart and then hear swish when he is firing away from down town before games.

Head Coach Max Becker(Dragons Rhondorf) Wants To Help Bring Excitement Back To The Dragon Dome

pic credit: Martin Jung

Only a couple of seasons ago, the Dragons Rhondorf were about to commence on their breathtaking Pro B title season that presented so many happy faces in the Dragon Dome that season. Germany had just become World Champion and Harry Kane was in the starting gate of his scoring mission and winning ways with FC Bayern Munich. Who can forget the players that season that featured guys like Kelvin Omojola, Avery Sullivan, Tyrese Blunt and Badu Buck. Those are memories that will last a lifetime. Only 1 player remains from that season with Lagui Diallo and from last season add on Kenan Reinhart. A lot has changed in this time, but if a Dragon fan becomes really sad and wants to relive those memories in another place, who knows it might happen only a short 49 minute 41 kilometer ride down the Rhine river to Koblenz. There you will see coaches Dohrn, Sherril and Schallenberg as well as Badu Buck. But that is in the past and the Dragons Rhondorf want to make new history this season. They made a house cleaning and inserted a new coach with 26 year old Max Becker . At first glance, he looks like a kid, but he definitely coaches like a man. ““He may look like a kid, but he can get mad. Then he definitely doesn´t act like a kid. He is still young, but I´m confident that he will do a good job”, stressed Kenan Reinhart. Becker did a good job coaching the Bonn/Rhondorf NBBL team and knows his new team well as he has guys from last season´s team this season. “I´m not nervous, but have positive joy. I have full confidence of all involved. I´m really motivated for the season”, stated Max Becker . Does he feel pressure taking over the pro B team? “Not really. I feel relaxed. I have incredible people around me from Bonn/Rhondorf and their full trust. The work ethic and communication of all is very positive. I mean there is always pressure, but that is why we do the job”, expressed Max Becker . His personal goal is straight forward. “I want to bring that fan excitement back to the Dragon Dome. We have had our ups and downs the last season. I was born into this organization. I know what kind of excitement has been here before. I want to help bring that excitement back”, warned Max Becker.

The organization hauled in a core of 3 very experienced players that will be share the responsibility of leading the team. With giant Daniel Mayr, they have a player that has Euroleague experience with FC Bayern Munich and was the best shot blocker in the Pro B 3 times. With Juhwan Harris-Dyson, their new version of a Swiss army knife who by the way is a scoring bucket having showed it in Herford and Hagen and Jorge Mejias who played youth basketball at Real Madrid at the same time as Luka Doncic was there a few years before his departure to the NBA in 2018. Mejias is a solid scorer and great playmaker who averaged 6,0apg with Iserlohn last season. With Lagui Diallo the team has a great team player and energizer that can get hot at times from outside and shut down the other teams best player. Ex RheinStar Cologne guard Kenan Reinhart has high expectations this season and would like to average 10,0ppg in the Pro B. Will he make the next step? “Kenan is very ambitious. He knows what he gets from me and I from him. He has worked hard. I feel like he has already improved his game this summer. I see him taking on a bigger role”, warned Max Becker . The club also hauled in talented big men Duje Dujmovic and Benjamin Sadikovic. Dujmovic made the next step in Neustadt last season averaging 10/4 and Sadikovic averaged 5/4 in Oberaching last season. “They both have a lot of potential despite their age. Both are really focused and alert in the BBL Bonn practices”, stated Max Becker . Another interesting pick up was Dusan “Mr quick release” Ilic who averaged 20,0ppg and 10,oapg with BBA Hagen in the NBBL. He is only 16, but has the potential for the next step. The team also has many young guys with Carlo Schmid, Remi Voelkers, Vuk Scepanovic, David Boning, Leonard Franzen, Fynn Dobiecki, Malik Idbihi and Tom Viehofer prepared to get minutes. “We have 10 of the 16 man roster that are NBBL players. They all will have a chance to play, but need to earn it”, warned Max Becker .

So what kind of a play style will the Dragons Rhondorf showcase in games? “We will play at a high pace with quick decisions and play very aggressive defense. We want to take the advantages that are presented to us on the court with our height, shooting or on the pick and roll”, warned Max Becker . Two years ago, the Dragons Rhondorf had 3 very potent bigs with Avery Sullivan, Leon Bullic and Ferenc Gille, but despite that were more of a shooting team. Last season, they had even less of a big man presence with only center Danas Kazakevicious. This season there are 3 bigs. Will there be more focus on the bigs? “Yes definitely. We will focus on the pick and roll and have more opportunities as well to get our shooters involved. Our bigs will be very much involved”, commented Max Becker . Will the team have enough scoring power? Will there be more go to guys than only Mejias, Harris-Dyson or Mayr? “I feel like we have a very balanced team. It will always depend on the game, opportunity and situation. I have the highest confidence that everyone will have the confidence to take the big shot”, warned Max Becker . On defense the name of the game will be being aggressive. That is something that each player will have plastered in their mind. “We will be aggressive at all times in all defensive forms. We will always be active on defense and not be passive and react”, stated Max Becker . Becker is very confident in his time so early in the season and also has an ambitious season goal. “We want to get the best positive result in the standings and in the development of the players. We believe in ourselves and want to reach the playoffs”, warned Max Becker . It will be interesting to see where the journey of the Dragons Rhondorf will go. They will have to find a defensive identity quickly as the Pro B North is never a cake walk. We know what we will get from the experienced guys, but getting consistency from young players will be vital for the team having a shot at the playoffs. I see the team landing somewhere between 7-11 in the season

The Dragons Rhondorf Needed More of That Space Ship Flying Around Mode in the Season For Better Success

pic credit: Martin Jung

Nobody was giving the Dragons Rhondorf much of a Chance in game 2 against Leverkuseneven though it was in their own living room. It was shortly before game 2 and Dragons fans were predicting a 30-40 points loss against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. I mean one couldn´t blame them as they had been crushed in game 1 and were without key player Kelvin Omojola and rookie role player Kenan Reinhart. The first quarter was solid as they were down only by 3 points. But in the second quarter occurred an awakening something never seen during the season. The Dragons Rhondorf had their best defensive quarter of the season where they forced the 26-1 Bayer Giants Leverkusen to an unbelievable 16 turnovers. German legends behind the bench Michael Koch and Hansi Gnad must have been caught in a nasty dream in those 10 minutes. Everything that the Dragons were doing defensively was correct. So correct that it seemed like they often knew the Leverkusen plays as their anticipation level was at an all-time high. The help defense was spot on and flying into the passing lanes was incredible. Even when it didn´t happen often during the season, because the team didn´t defend at a high level, but when they did show spurts of it, Kelvin Omojola would tell me, “when we are flying around the court on defense, it is hard to play against us”. Well in that second quarter, they were definitely flying around, but on an even higher level than ever before that season. I coined the term flying around in space ships. It was just a total delight to observe the passion and success rate the team was having. Unfortunately, the Dragons couldn´t keep the space ship level going as they lost some intensity at both ends and got tired while Leverkusen found better to their game and outscored Rhondorf 45-26 in the second half sweeping the series and moving on. Even if the Dragons Rhondorf season ended, they finished on a good note scaring the best team in the Pro B for a half and bringing a little fun to their own fans. But overall they could have used bigger spurts of that space ship flying around mode in the season for better success.

Going into the 2024-2025 Dragons Rhondorf season, nobody really expected the club to duplicate what they did the season before. The roster simply wasn´t built as strong as the 2023-2024 roster which won the Pro B title. Key players like Tyrese Blunt, Badu Buck, Avery Sullivan and Leon Bulic had left and this season´s team was less experienced. When one saw the roster when it was built in the summer of 2024, it was apparent that small ball would be the focus. The club was a lot smaller than last season, and one could predict quickly that it would have difficulty banging inside with some of the other teams. Rebounding was a problem for the Dragons. The club had a solid roster, but wasn´t as stacked as the 2024 Pro B title team and it was apparent that one wouldn´t see the kind of dominant season it had the year before. The club actually began off well winning 3 of it´s first 4 games, but then suffered 5 loses in 7 games and were 5-6 and that was the begin of an up and down season that would carry on until the end. The team just couldn´t find consistency and get a real big winning streak as there were only three 2 game winning streaks and not more during the whole season. They had a potent offense averaging 84 points per game, but also allowed 89 points per game. They allowed over 100 points 5 times and had problems winning the shoot out games. Inexperience played a role on the defensive end and under the boards. The biggest problem was never finding a true consistent defensive identity and having a better grip on 1-1 defense was a big deficit. Teams would attack the paint area over and over all season long and the Dragons couldn´t recover from it. They also didn´t have any big wins against top teams as they only beat a few playoff teams all season long. They only had 3 guys average scoring in double figures and were missing a few guys that one could always count on on taking over responsibility in tough times during the game. There wasn´t a player that was able to be consistent and lead the team to victory when it needed it most.

pic credit: Martin Jung

The team´s MVP was clearly Tim Smith Jr. (201-F-2000, college: N.Alabama, agency: 011 Sports) who averaged 17/5/1/1/1 stats during the season and was the team´s most scorer scoring in double figures in 22 games and scored 20 points or more in 12 games. He showed that he was a 3 level scorer and the teams best defender. It will be interesting where his journey goes. Perhaps a Pro A team will give him a chance or he might seek a new challenge in another country. I could see him donning a Leverkusen jersey next season in the Pro A. Experienced German Marco Rahn averaged 8/6/1 stats in 25 minutes per game. He could have been more of a consistent scorer, but he was a stable defender and leader and helped the young kids. Keeping him would be a plus for the organization. Danas Kazkevicius averaged 11/7/1 stats and I would classify him as the most improved if one compares that to his season in Coburg last season where he averaged 7/2 in the Pro B. He was a consistent performer on offense and never had it easy against the more experienced centers in the league. He was solid on defense and had some big memorable blocks. Keeping him would also be beneficial. The question is is he ready for the Pro A or would another Pro B year help his game? Janne Mueller had a great season averaging 13/2/1 stats and showed that he weas one of the leaders at only age 18. He scored in double figures in 17 of 23 games and continued to perfect his mid range game, but also became a better three point shooter. He should be retained as perhaps next season he could get regular minutes in the BBL with Bonn. Alexander Lagermann averaged 9/3/3 stats and was the team´s best 3 point shooter. He had a 2 month down stretch in the winter where he didn´t score in double figures, but finished the season strong. He definitely upped his aggressiveness on offense and improved his defense. He didn´t score as much as in the Pro B last season in Schwenningen, but he wasn´t the main scoring option in Rhondorf as he had a different role. He is a talented player and should really look to get to the Pro A next season as another Pro B season would be a waste. Antonio Pilpovic averaged 8/2/2/1 stats in 25 minutes. His stats were down a bit as he averaged 2 minutes less. His 3 point shooting percentage went down, but defended better. His double duty as player and manager tainted his focus a bit. Kelvin Omojola averaged 9/3/3 stats and averaged 4 less minutes. His stats were down especially his assists, but he was injured a few times at different parts of the season. It was a tough season for him, but he will bounce back. It would great if he would return for a third season. He is the clubs identity figure. Marco Rosic averaged 7/2/3 and upped his stats, but he also played 7 minutes more. He had a solid season and did a great job giving the team the needed energy always with the second unit. Keeping him would also be a plus, but he should get a bigger role. Mamadou Diallo averaged 2ppg and played 3 minutes more and as usual gave the team good energy, played aggressive defense and hit big three´s. He should be kept. Kenan Reinhart averaged 3/1 in 10 minutes. He came late from the RheinStars and in the first months got less minutes. He seemed to flourish under Marko Zarkovic. It would great to see him stay, but he definitely needs to paly more minutes next season. Dyami Janeck averaged 3ppg in 10 minutes getting 6 minutes more than last season. He made a big jump in his game always bringing energy and being more aggressive on offense. He also should be kept.

In a way one could of expected more from the Dragons Rhondorf season as the expectations for the ambitious club is always high, but then again, reaching the playoffs had been the goal and beating Leverkusen was more than a reach. I personally thought the dismissal of head coach Stephan Dohrn was not appropriate. Surely he could have had more success, but having kept him on board wouldn´t of changed anything drastically in the success of the team. Who knows the team may have won a few more games with him and had a somewhat easier playoff opponent than Leverkusen. Marco Zarkovic did a solid job getting the team into the playoffs. He hadn´t coached at that high of a level before and should be commended for his effort. What will happen this off season? That is a good question? A new coach will be named. A complete house cleaning won´t occur, but there will be changes. The ambition will always high. They should keep going in the direction of wanting to win while also helping develop German talents. I hope they can bring some new young German talent on board. Finding those right players will be very challenging as more young Germans head to the States to go to college.

Tuukka Kotti Will Always Be Thankful For Gordon Herbert In Turning Around His Career And Getting Back To Working Hard And Focusing On The Right Things

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.

 Working More On His Shot Has Helped Nevio Bennefeld Achieve Higher Shooting Percentages This Season

Nevio Bennefeld (212-C-2007) is a 18 year old 212cm center that is playing for Alba Berlin´s NBBL (U-19 team) averaging 8,3ppg, 6,4rpg, 2,0apg and 1,8bpg and also with Pro B team lok Bernau averaging 3,7ppg and 3,0rpg. Last season he averaged 1.8ppg, 2.0rpg for Lok Bernau, 8.9ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 65.5%, for the Alba Berlin NBBL team and also played ANGT averaging 9.0ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 57.1 %. He recently played at the U-17 World Cup averaging 2,8ppg and 2,8rpg. He also played at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany (Unofficial World Championships U18) averaging 4.3pgp, 5.2rpg, 1.2spg. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

Thanks Nevio for talking to eurobasket.com. You finished the 2023-2024 season and it was a heavy load with ANGT, AST, NBBL, Pro B and the World Cup U-17. How was the season for you mentally and physically?

It was a long year. It was my first season with Alba Berlin. I came from Heidelberg and was without my family in Berlin. It was a big change. But Alba Berlin did a great job to help me get adjusted.

Last summer you played at the U-17 World Cup and Germany finished in 11th place. How did you summarize the tournament? I guess you can´t make excuses with some guys not being there?

It was a very strong level. It was a new experience and we needed time to get adjusted. 11th place may not seem great, but we raised our play from game to game. We went from game to game and gave our best.

Germany had some loses to Turkey and France. Did these games show that there was a big difference in talent and class?

The French team was very good. They had very good team chemistry and had played together a lot longer than we did. We had a very short preparation time and were at a disadvantage against other teams.

What could you learn from games like these?

You can only learn playing against top level teams like that. We could see where we stand at. I thought we did a good job not hanging our heads after tough loses. We just kept going and won games after loses. We always stayed positive after loses.

You averaged 2/2 in 13 minutes. What do you believe was the major obstacle for you not getting more minutes?

I would have liked to have played more. It was still a great experience having been a part of it. I gave it all I had.

You also played at the AST. I remember watching a tough loss to Serbia and then an almost win against China. What were you able to take from the AST?

AST was also a valuable learning experience for all. We once again had a short preparation time and just didn´t play as well as a team. We also didn´t hang our heads after the loss to Serbia and then almost beat China.

What is it like being coached from Dirk Bauermann. He is a legend and is lauded from his players for his work with the young players. What kind of a relationship do you have with him and how has he helped you most?

It is enriching to be able to be coached by such a successful coach like him. He has such a vast knowledge of the game. He would always help me after certain situations on the court. I learned a lot from him.

What has it been like being teammates with other big man Clemens Sokolov? How do you guys push each other best in practice?

I like him a lot. He is a nice guy. We spent a lot of time together off the court. On the court we were very competitive. We often had shot competitions after practice.

Let´s talk a little about your game. You’re a 212cm center. To what pro player have you heard comparisons from other people about how you play the game?

I play a lot of 5, but can also play the 4. Anthony Davis is a big role model for me. I watch a lot of videos of Kevin Durant. I like his game. We have a similar stature.

You can score and rebound, but what is your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength is my shot and fighting mentality.

You take three´s, but it doesn´t seem so developed yet in your game. Is this an area that you want to continue to raise your amount of shots?

Yes I want to. I´m working a lot on my shot. I definitely want to raise my shooting percentages.

Your also a talented defender, but is it fair to say a bit raw? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I want to be a better 1-1 defender. I also want to be able to switch on the guard and be able to hold my own. I also have to get faster foot work.

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

I´m working a lot on ball handling, coordination and foot work. I´m also more in the weight room.

You played your first season with Alba Berlin. What was it like being part of this great organization? What did you appreciate most from the experience?

Going from Heidelberg to Berlin was a big step. The practices were harder, there were better coaches and facilities. I have enjoyed the amount of coaches that I can work with the most.

Alba Berlin suffered a tough 3 game playoff series loss to the Young Rasta Dragons. Is it fair to say that nothing stood in their way of finally winning it all in their 3rd straight NBBL top 4 final?

Vechta was a very good team. We were a new and young team. They were simply better than we were the whole season. Losing the series hurt.

In the second playoff game you played against huge talent Johan Gruenloh. You held your own with 11 points and 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. Did a performance like that give you added self-confidence?

It was great to play against him. I had a good game against him. I took advantage of it. During the game I focus more on me, but after a game, I do watch other players on video and try to take things from their games.

How important was it having a guy like Linus Ruff on your side? What do you appreciate most about his game?

It was cool to play with him. He is a very good player and will play in vechta next season. He helped me a lot at the start of the season. He played ahead of me at the 5. He was a very strong 1-1 player in the post. Our daily battles in practice helped my game.

You averaged 8/4 stats in 23 minutes. You had some good games, but how tough is it having consistency on a team that has so many scoring options?

I need to get more consistent. I had some good and bad games. I think it is good in general when a team doesn´t have to rely only on one player. In some games I took responsibility and in others others.

You also played 4 pro B games with Bernau. What kind of an experience was it getting your first Pro B minutes? What could you get most from this experience?

It was a great experience to play with Lok Bernau. It was a new experience for me as in Heidelberg I had only played Regionalliga. I was able to gain my first pro experience in the pro B

Your last game was a real exciting game where you lost 116-115 to Rostock. What will you always remember from that game?

I learned in that game that a game is never over until the buzzer sounds. We were up by 5 points and then they forced overtime and won. That loss hurt a lot. You always need to play until the end.

What are your goals for this season? Perhaps to get a bigger role in the NBBL and make the next steps in the Pro B?

I want to have a bigger role in the NBBL and earn more minutes in the Pro B.

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced on the court?

Johan Gruenloh

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I can´t name just 5. There are too many great ones.

Please name your personal NBA, and German Mount Rushmore?

Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, Bill Russell and Nowitzki, Schroeder, Patrick Femerling and Detlef Schrempf.

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James.

Thanks Nevio for the chat.

Even If Philipp Bode(TSV Oberaching Tropics) Lost On His Birthday In Frankfurt There Is Nothing Better Than Celebrating His Birthday With His Best Friends(Teammates)

Philipp Bode (179-PG-2001) is a 24 year old guard playing his 7th season for the TSV Oberaching Tropics (Pro B). He got early basketball experience playing with TS Jahn Munich (NBBL). He spoke to germanhoops.com after the loss to the Skyliners Juniors.

Thanks Philipp for talking to germanhoops.com. Did you watch the Superbowl or are you not a fan of football?

I did watch it. I was born in USA and got to know it there. We began watching the game in the car. We got home to Munich at 1.30. I then continued to watch at home.

Did some of your teammates watch or watch in groups?

Some guys watched more than others.

You turned 24 on Sunday. What does a guy like you still wish for for their birthday?

That is a tough question. I just generally wish to have a great life with the situation I´m in. That is most worthwhile for me.

How tough is it having a birthday on an away game? Did your teammates do anything for you?

Of course they sang happy birthday to me. I actually don´t mind having a game on my birthday. It would have been nicer having a home game instead of driving 10 hours and losing on the road. But no matter what it is simply the best sharing my birthday with my friends (teammates).

You suffered a tough 75-63 loss in Frankfurt. Do you sometimes wonder how many more wins you would have if all were fit?

Not really, but we had small injuries in the last weeks that effected our rotation. It hurts our overall rhythm and we have to keep making adjustments.

The first quarter was won 19-17 by the guests. How vital was the defensive presence of you and Mateo Jukic there?

My main duty is playing defense. That is what people expect from me. It is important for me and the team that we bring energy, because there are some older guys that are slower.

Do you sometimes try to get going in a game first with your defense to get your offense going?

It is different from game to game. Every team in the Pro B have 1-2 great players. It is my job to slow them down. Being able to do that helps us find a rhythm.

In the second quarter the Skyliners Juniors did a better job on the pick and roll after not getting the side pick and roll going in the first quarter. How tough was it keeping Malik Kordel under wraps?

Kordel is a huge presence on the court and changes the game so much. He makes the pick and roll 10 times harder to defend. He is also a great rim protector.

In the third quarter the Skyliners Juniors were able to lead by 12 points after 30 minutes. What adjustments did the they make? Their help defense was strong.

Their set defense was prepared for us and they were very present on the court. Their defense got better mid way through the second quarter already.

In the fourth quarter the Tropics punched back with a 9-2 run to trail 56-52. What was key for the guests coming back?

Our defense was good. We got consecutive stops which helped us get easy baskets. Unfortunately easy baskets didn´t happen often in the game.

The Skyliners Juniors came back with a run to get their lead back to double figurers. Were the Tropics feeling it in the legs?

Yes, but we are used to it. We know how to play with fatigue. We had bad execution in that phase and missed open shots.

Malik Kordel made a massive poster dunk on Maxwell Dongmo Temoka. Maxwell seemed to take it with humor?

Now Maxwell is seen everywhere being on that poster. But he is a player that tries to contest every shot. If he is on a poster on every fifth shot, then he is contesting the other 4 very well. He gets there. His quota is very good. He just keeps jumping.

When you look back at the 40 minutes of the game, what cost you the game most?

Bad execution and not playing enough execution. We wanted to play more transition.

You had a 4/3/3 game in 33 minutes. You were a little unlucky with your 2 point shooting.

My job isn´t to take many shots. I should of made 2 of my 5 misses. It just wasn´t my day. It was one of my worst games of the season.

You next play the tough Leitershofen who you lost by 27 points in the first game, but this time your at home. What will be key to getting the win?

They are a tough team. We have a difficult program in the next weeks. But in this league everyone can beat everyone. We showed that we could beat the RheinStars. We go into each game giving 100%

Thanks Philipp for the chat.

Dreams Do Come True as Jeremy Ingram Almost Shed A Tear When He was Signed By Luxemburg First Division Team Avanti Monsdorf

After learning of the Luka Doncic deal on Sunday, I really thought there wouldn´t be much more that could shock me in the basketball world. I mean you could go on an on discussing the Doncic trade and still not get any clarity why the Dallas Mavericks could ever do a deal like this. That was just pure negative shock for me. A few days later I got that shock feeling again, but it was rather positive and pure enjoyment shock if one can name it that. I was checking social media early Tuesday afternoon and there was a post, I had been waiting years for, but had never gotten. The post read FORWARD: JJ Ingram goes off for 30 points in First League Luxembourg against the #1 Team in the Country. I sawthat and at first couldn´t believe it. I went to my message box and there was a message from Jeremy Ingram (183-G-1991, college: AAMU) with the highlight video. It had finally happened. Jeremy Ingram was on a first division team. I mean for years he had been grinding to at least reach the Pro B in Germany as he was dropping 30 points in the Regionalliga almost blindfolded. I mean he would have been ecstatic reaching the pro B, but it was even greater. He was in the first division in Luxemburg. “It felt amazing to be honest, at one point I almost shed a tear because I should have been on this level years ago. But I was just grateful for the opportunity”, stressed Jeremy Ingram. He will enjoy every minute as his contract is for 10 days and 3 games. He lost the first game to T71 scoring 12 points, but found to his game in the second contest exploding for 30 points.

I interviewed Jeremy Ingram who has toiled in the German Regionalliga for 8 seasons with clubs like like Speyer, Idstein, Bensheim, SG Mannheim, TSV Bargteheide and SG Braunschweig more than a month ago where he had told me that after sitting out this season to concentrate on his skills training business, he would resume his playing career next season. And then he surprises the world by landing in Luxemburg. Did he plan this or was this out of the blue? “This offer was completely out the blue. I was actually in Milan, Italy celebrating my birthday when I got the call. I moved there literally 2 days before the 1st game”, said Jeremy Ingram. One big supporter of Jeremy Ingram is Chris Cumings who was his coach in Mannheim and has kept contact for many years. Did Cummings who has good contacts have anything to do with the deal. “No Chris had nothing to do with this. I actually came to workout with this team years ago but I believe I ended up signing to a different team in Germany that year so me and the manager kept contact for all these years. I guess their American got hurt and he thought about me and wanted to give me a chance to step in for a few games”, stated Jeremy Ingram. His new team Avanti are in last place and need as much help as possible. He has 2 main goals in his 10 day stay. “ The main goal is to help these guys get a win because they desperately need it. The other goal is to pretty much show people that I´m here and I should have been here. Maybe more higher league doors will open up for me after this”, warned Jeremy Ingram. It isn´t to difficult to guess what the role of this walking bucket is. “At 1st I was told like every other team I played for to come in and be a point guard. But teams always see how well I score the ball so I always end up with a scorer role on the team. But my main role is to just help win, whatever it takes”, commented Jeremy Ingram. He quickly found good company as there was another American on board with Jake Ross. “Jake is a very nice guy and a very good shooter. Met part of his family and they were also super sweet. He is definitely the 1 person I talked to the most while in Luxembourg. Shoutout to him”, expressed Jeremy Ingram.

Jeremy Ingram who thinks that the Dallas Mavericks made a huge mistake trading Luka Doncic had a massive challenge in his second game battling number one team Etzella that featured some very talented Americans with Jimmie Taylor and Quatarrius Wilson and put up 30 points. It wasn´t difficult for him to find the best comparison to where the first division Luxemburg would rank up to leagues in Germany. “Playing in Etzella’s gym was amazing because it actually felt like a first league gym and their team was very good. Even though we lost I played pretty decent so I was happy about that. I mean dropping 30 on the #1 team in the country is definitely an accomplishment. I would say the league is in between Pro B and Pro A for sure. It is very fast and very competitive though”, said Jeremy Ingram. It seemed like he nailed 30 points without any effort at all especially after viewing the highlight reel. “I can always get to my spots. And if I get to my spots I feel like no one can stop that, it’s just up to me to make my shots. I put up 30 points after really not playing competitive basketball or training for like a whole year so my thoughts are what if I actually started the season with the team or actually practiced more than once before playing maybe I could have been a little more efficient and had a lot more than 30 points”, warned Jeremy Ingram. Even if he has that lethal scoring and incredible knack of showcasing his game 1-1, will he be able to showcase other parts of his game? “ This game specifically called for a lot of scoring because the other team was scoring a lot so we were trying to keep the game as close as possible. I was really the only 1 with a great rhythm this game so I was shooting to score but like I said if I was more in game shape maybe I could have been a little more efficient. But I only had 1 team practice before the game. My team will need me to step up on the defensive end but the whole team will need to step up on the defense side if we expect to get the W. You proved that you can score a lot at a high level”, stressed Jeremy Ingram. So does his chip get a bit easier on the shoulders after having a masterful 30 point game, or does it remain heavy? “I mean I know I can score at any level, it’s the rest of the world that doesn’t seem to know that. The chip will always be there until I hang my jersey up, I think that´s what keeps my drive so strong”, warned Jeremy Ingram. If you watch his Luxemburg highlight reel, you are getting Jeremy Ingram at his best. His ball handling and getting to the hole is incredible. There aren´t many guys in the easyCredit BBL that have those skills in the 1-1. “People always tell me how much they enjoy watching me play basketball. I know guys in the BBL right now who wouldn’t be able to guard my shadow but unfortunately for me it´s all about politics so it don’t matter what I feel I deserve, unless someone wants to give me an opportunity it won’t happen”, added Jeremy Ingram. What more does he have to do to stick out? I believe now that he showed what he can do at the first division in Luxemburg, he may not even have to hope for a job in Germany. He has game to play anywhere. The first division can continue to be his calling now in other countries.

Give Vladyslav Mustiata(ABC Leii Bucuresti) Grilled Chicken, Some Rice And A Lot Of Veggies And He´ll Explode For 42 Points 

Vladyslav Mustiatsa (196-F-2002) is a 22 year old 196cm guard playing with with ABC Leii Bucuresti (Romania-Liga I). He began hjs basketball career with BIPA Odessa. He then got experience playing with Vis Reggio Calabria (Italy-Serie Cthen moved to Leonardo Servizi Dany Quarrata (Italy-Serie C) and with 4: Consorzio Leonardo Quarrata (Italy-Serie B Interregionale). He spoke to germanhoops.com after another explosive game scoring 42 points in the win over Targoviste.

Congrats Vladyslav on the 89-79 win over Targoviste. Talk a little about the 40 minutes. What was key for getting the win and having a 2 game winning streak?

Thank you! It was a hard-fought game. The key was our defense—staying disciplined and making it tough for them to get easy looks. Offensively, we moved the ball well and trusted each other. Everyone contributed, and that chemistry is what helped us secure the win and extend the streak.

You had another big game with 42 points. You must have had extra self-confidence after your 54 point game?

Yeah, the 54-point game definitely gave me confidence, but I tried to come into this game with the same focus and mindset. It’s about staying in the moment, taking good shots, and trusting the work I’ve put in

Did you do anything different in the week of practice with your game?

Not really, to be honest. I focused on the fundamentals—footwork, shooting, conditioning, and gym workouts. Being productive during the week gives me confidence on the court

Are you superstitious? Do you have a special pre-game meal that you go with?

I wouldn’t say I’m superstitious, but I do like routines. My go-to pre-game meal is grilled chicken, some rice, and a lot of veggies. It keeps me fueled without feeling too heavy

How did you feel going into the game? Did you have a good feeling after the game warm ups?

I felt good. During warm-ups, I could tell my shot was smooth, and my body felt great. The energy from the team and the fans just added to that.

How quickly into the game did you know that you could have another big scoring game?

Probably after the first quarter. I hit a couple of tough shots early, and that gave me the rhythm I needed. From there, I just let the game come to me

You shot 5/15. Are you aware with 2 more three´s made and another 2 point basket, you would have had 50 again?

Yeah, I’m aware, but honestly, I’m more focused on the win. The main objective was to win by a certain margin

In the last 2 games you have made 96 of the team 207 points. How crazy does that feel?

It’s pretty wild when you think about it, but basketball is a team game. My teammates trust me to take those shots, and I trust them to create opportunities for me. That’s what makes it work.

You had a great game, but what about Daniel Makasa? He had a monster game with 14 points and 21 rebounds. How vital was he for the win?

Daniel was incredible. His rebounding was game-changing, especially on the offensive boards. He gave us so many second-chance opportunities, and his defensive presence in the paint was huge. We don’t win without him, no doubt. Considering he’s only 15 years old, I think he’s going to have an exciting career.

How has the team received you with these 2 great games back to back?

The guys have been super supportive. They’re hyping me up, but at the same time, they keep me grounded. It’s all about the team, and we’re all locked in on getting better every game.

What was your favorite basket of the game?

It has to be the fast-break dunk in the second quarter. The energy in the gym was electric after that, and it gave us a big momentum boost.

Thanks Vladyslav for the chat

Ivan Crnjac´s Perfect 12/12 Game Was A Statement To The NBBL That He Belongs To The Best In His Age Group

Ivan Crnjac (203-F-2007) is a 17 year old 201cm forward currently averaging 21,8ppg, 7,8rpg, 2,2spg, and 2,4spg in the NBBL (U-19) and in the Pro B currently is averaging 11,9ppg, 4,5rpg, 1,8apg and 1,1spg. He helped the Fraport Skyliners win the B League title at the U-18 International Cup in Tokyo, Japan. In 2023 he reached the JBBL (U-16) top 4. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his perfect 12/12 game against Chemnitz in the NBBL.

Congrats on the massive 114-90 win over Chemnitz. The team is now 7-0. How content have you been with the team performance?

I´m very happy how we have played as a team. We have played very well in many types of games. We won close games and even won games where we lost the lead and came back. I hope it continues in the second half of the season. I want to remain unbeaten.

One should always think game to game and opponent to opponent, but as a young man doesn´t one think about having an undefeated season?

Yes I do. It is our goal. We spoke as a team before the season that we want to reach the top 4 and win it.

On what areas does the club need to work on most to continue to grow as a team?

We have to get better with transition defense, 1-1 defense and our communication.

Jamie Edoka had a great game with 23/12/5 stats. His super game was lost a bit with your perfect game. How valuable is he overall for the team?

He is very important for us. He is one of our young guys and he plays such a huge role in our success. He has developed very well. We need him every game with hiss coring, rebounding, assists and defense.

Julius Messer also had a great game with 26 points. He has needed no adjustment time after his long injury. How much do you value his game? He and Peters could form their own duo as you are in the trio with Edoka and Omog.

Julius is also very important. He came back strong and has performed very well in the NBBL and Pro B. He and Max can always be crucial in scoring for us. There could be games where teams will try to limit me and Jamie. Then guys like Julius and Max can take over and take on responsibility.

Congrats on the perfect game. 33 points on 12/12 shooting and 3/3 from the free throw line. What does this performance mean to you?

It means a lot to me. The NBBL is my main team. I´m one of the main guys and am captain. I still want to prove that I belong to the best in my age group. For me this game was a statement to the NBBL that I can play.

You didn´t come into the game too positive. How much did the tape on your index finger bother you?

I didn´t think about it really during the game. I was very focused and just continued shooting. The more I made baskets the less I thought about it.

Did your confidence grow with every bucket and did the basket feel like throwing it into the ocean?

My confidence grew with every three pointer. I always wanted to take the next one. I tried to take the open ones and not force anything.

You came into the game shooting 43%. How do explain the great accuracy despite the unorthodox high release?

I haven´t perfected my shot yet with the high release. But I think that I can shoot it well. The high release helps me when guys are guarding me. It gives me that advantage. I´m not afraid to shoot when an opponent is close to me.

Did you think about keeping the perfect record by not taking a shot in the 4 plus minutes in the fourth quarter?

I did think about it. I had the perfect game in my head. In between, I did look at the stats. I wanted to keep my perfect record. If I would have had easy ones, I would of shot it, but not any difficult ones.

What was your favorite bucket? I liked a reverse lay up after 2 extra passes.

That was a cool play. We actually wanted to run it earlier, but they got a steal. We ran it later and I saw the defender up high, so I went back door. It was a great pass by Max Peters. I also loved my 6th three pointer. That one felt the best. It didn´t feel real.

Did you get any cool messages from players or friends after the game?

It has been pretty much chilled until now. I got messages from my teammates and family. Friends also wrote me telling me they liked my performance. There was nothing extraordinary.

What is your goal as a player in the Pro B and NBBL in the second half of the season?

My goal in the NBBL in the second half is to keep winning and support my team as best as possible. I have the stats in my head. I want to belong to the best scorers in the NBBL. And keep my shooting percentages high. In the Pro B I want to develop my game further with my scoring. Perhaps I can belong to the top scorers on the team. I will continue to work on my game and help the team as much as possible.

How are you celebrating Xmas?

I´m with family and friends. I will eat a lot and sleep a lot.

Thanks Ivan for the chat.