Phillip Schwethelm is a 22 year old 201cm forward that was born in Gummersbach and is currently in Lithuvania participating in the 2011 European Championship and will embark with FC Bayern Munich in the 2011-2012 Beko BBL season. He started his basketball career in 2004 with the Koeln cadet team. He played for Rhein Energy Cologne from 2004-2009. He already played Eurocup at age 16. In total, he played 61 BEKO BBL games in his 5 years. He also played 2 Euroleague games, 8ULEB Cup games and 3 Eurocup games. In 2010-2011 for Bremerhaven, he played games 44 games averaging 7.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 38.0%, FT: 67.8%. He played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven fro 2009-2011 and last season played 36 games: 10.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 44.9%, FT: 72.9%. He has achieved numerous awards in his career including U16 National Team -05-06,FIBA EuroCup Quarterfinals -06, International Tournament in Mannheim (Unofficial World Championships U18) -06: 6 games: 5.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 55.6%, German U18 National Team -06-07, German Bundesliga U-19 All-Star Game -07, European Championships U18 in Madrid (Spain) -07: 8 games: 8.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 56.5%, 3FGP: 47.6%, German Bundesliga U-20 All-Star Game -08, Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Newcomer of the Year -08, Eurobasket.com German Bundesliga All-Newcomers Team -08, German U20 National Team -08-09, European Championships U20 Division B in Targu Mures (Romania) -08:(Champion): 8 games: 10.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 77.8%, European Championships U20 in Rhodos (Greece) -09: 6 games: 11.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 78.6%, German Bundesliga Semifinals -10, German National Team -10,World Championships in Turkey -10: 5 games: 4.4ppg, 1.0apg, and German Bundesliga All-Star Game -11. Phil took some time to talk to German Hoops about the 2011 European Championships.

Last summer there was no Dirk and Chris Kaman. Now both are on board. How intense has the whole Last atmosphere on and off the court been for you?

Like last year everbody gives a 100% and tries to do everything possible to win. What changed now is the fact that we got higher aims. We are trying to get under the top 6 teams at least. Off the court everything stays the same. We got a great team chemistry which is definitely one of our biggest strength. Ofcourse more people in Germany are interested in basketball now which makes everything become more fun.

Dirk Nowitzki belongs to the best players on earth now. What things have surprised you most about the player and person Dirk Nowitzki?

People told me a lot about Dirk, before I met him the first time. I have never heard a single bad word about Dirk and it´s all true. I was wondering before, if people might exaggerate a little bit,  but they don´t. He is a great teammate.

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