ProB

Harley Fuller: When You Lead A Team In So Many Categories, You Never Expect To be Released

Harley Fuller is a 23 year old 188cm point guard from Gloversville, New York. He started his basketball career in 2006 at Cobleskill Junior College where he played until 2008. In 2008-2009, he played for Florida Intern. (NCAA): 23 games: 1.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 41.0%, 3Pts: 32.0%. In 2009-2010, he played for Molloy (NCAA2): 30 games: 8.9ppg, 6.6rpg, 6.0apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3Pts: 28.8%, FT: 74.6%. Last season, he started his professional basketball career in Germany for TuS Treis-Karden (Germany-Regionalliga): 16.3ppg, 6prg, Assists-1(6apg), FGP: 56.0%, 3Pts: 40.0%. This season, he played for BG Illertal/Weissenhorn (Germany-ProB) where he averaged 12,7ppg, 3,1rpg and 2,9apg before leaving the team recently. He spoke to German hoops about his experience with BG Illertal Weissenhorn.

What wishes do you have for 2012? I guess not reliving a half season like you had in Weissenhorn?

My wishes for 2012 are to sign with an organization that is invested in winning and nothing else. That is the type of player I have always been and always will be. I just want to win. If I have to score 25 then I’ll do that, If I have to have 9 assists and 12 points then that is what I’ll do and have always done. So my wish would be to sign with an organization that wants to win as bad as I do.

When you came to BG Illertal Weissenhorn last fall, did you ever imagine that the team would go 1-13 in the first half of the season during training camp?

No, there was no signs of us having an unsuccessful season in training camp. We had a great month of training camp with a great coach Rainer Bauer who I respect and everyone including me had a great deal of confidence in. Everyone was working hard, and it was obvious that talent wasn’t an issue for our team. We were picked preseason to move up! So i’d say no one saw an unsuccessful season coming, including me.

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Larry Wright (Fraport Skyliners Juniors): I Try To Help Young Players Keep The Right State Of Mind In Tough Situations

Larry Wright is a 24 year old 187cm guard from Saginaw, Michigan that is playing his first professional season in Germany fort he Fraport Skyliners juniors(PRO B). He started his NCAA career with St Johns in 2006 where he played until 2008. He played a total of 60 games for St Johns and then transferred to Oakland where he played from 2009-2011. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 9.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 80.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about the game he loves basketball.

Welcome to Frankfurt Larry. How do you like here?

I am adjusting and grocery shopping can be tough, but I enjoy here.

You came from the NCAA. How difficult was the team finding process?

It was a tough process. There was a time where I thought that I wouldn´t play this season, but my agent did a good job finding this opportunity in Frankfurt.

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A Conversation With Sean Brooks

Sean Brooks is a 28 year old 196cm power forward from Bladensburg, Maryland. He played at Drexel from 2001 to 2005. He was CAA Regular Season Runner-Up in 2004 and All-CAA 2nd Team in 2004. In his senior year, he played 20 games averaging 12.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 49.1%. He turned professional in 2005 and came to Europe to play to play in Holland for Polynom Giants Bergen Op Zoom (Holland-Eredivisie), left in Nov.’05: 1game, in Dec.’05 signed at Woon!Aris Leeuwarden (Holland-Eredivisie): 17 games: 9.2ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.5spg. In 2006-2007, he came to Germany and played for ASC Theresianum Mainz (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five, starting five): 29 games: 16.6ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 62.7%, 3FGP: 16.7%, FT: 60.0%. In 2007-2008, he played in Holland again for Omniworld Almere (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five); left in Oct.’07, in Nov.’07 moved to TV Werne (Germany-2.Regionalliga, starting five), in Dec.’07 signed at Proveo Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-ProB, starting five): 18 games: 15.6ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 65.2%, FT: 61.2%. He has played for The Proveo Merlins Crailsheim the last four seasons and in 2008-2009 played 29 games averaging 15.6ppg, 8.6rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 65.0%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he played 28 games averaging 9.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 53.8%, FT: 60.6%. Last season, he fought injuries and was limited to 18 games: 5.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 51.6%, FT: 51.9%. The American is currently in Germany and spoke to German Hoops and can be reached at scbrooks13@gmail.com

Sean, you are currently in Germany looking for a team. How is that going for you?

I have had interest from a couple teams but nothing has worked out yet.
It seems that in the last 2-3 years the market has been very difficult in Europe, but you always had a team. Has the NBA lockout been a huge reason for so many guys being without jobs?

I dont think the lockout has played a big part in a lot of guys not getting jobs so far. I think every year there are more and more quality players and the number of jobs are limited.

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Uwe Sauer: Basketball Is Just a Game, But The Greatest There Is

Uwe Sauer played at Santa Clara university where NBA superstar Steve Nash also played and enjoyed a very successful basketball career in Germany from 1985-1997 winning titles with Cologne and Bayreuth and being the youngest German playing at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984. After his playing career, he became a coach. He was assistant coach for SSV Ulm from 1997.-1999. He then coached in Tuebingen from 1999-2003. He then coached for BG Karlsruhe from the 2003-2006 season. Since then he coached clubs like the Mitteldeutscher BC, The Teckpro Braves in Kaiserslautern and recently BG Illertal-Weissenhorn. He spoke to German Hoops about the past, present and future about basketball.

Uwe thanks for talking to German Hoops. You coached BG Illertal-Weissenhorn recently. What was your summary of the 10-11 season?

We had a great season and did a lot better than most people expected. We finished in 6th place and made the play-offs, that was a big success for the young franchise of BG Illertal.

You have coached mainly division one and two teams in your coaching career. How much of a challenge is it coaching a PRO B team and younger players?

It was a very big challenge for all of us since we played with the youngest and most inexperienced  backcourt in the whole league. But they responded well and really  improved over the course of the season and made this a fun year. It was great to see the young players develop and be a part of them growing up as players.

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Virgil Matthews (Erdgas Ehingen): When We Are Unselfish, We’re Really Good

Virgil Matthews is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing in Germany in the PRO B for Erdgas Ehingen. He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played 31 games: 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 29 games: 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL, starting five): 21 games: 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL). Awards and Achievements in his career have been , Big Sky Conf. Regular Season Runner-Up -05, 06, Big Sky Conf. Tournament Winner -05, 06, Big Sky Tournament MVP -06, Big Sky All-Tournament Team -06, All-Big Sky Honorable Mention -06, and USBasket.com All-IBL Honorable Mention -10. Currently for Erdgas Ehingen he is averaging 11,2ppg, 5,5rpg and 3,6apg. He spoke to German Hoops after beating NBC and reaching the PRO A.


What was your feeling on the court in Ehingen when the final buzzer sounded propelling your team to the PRO A?

The feeling was great it was like joy and relief because to be in first place all season and have it come down to one game is tough but its great to win.

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Ethan Niedermeyer (Erdgas Ehingen): Mario Blessing And Kevin Bright Were Huge For The Team This Year

Ethan Niedermeyer is a 23 year old 198cm forward that plays in the German PRO B for Erdgas Ehingen. He was born in Portland, Oregon, but grew up in Lafayette, California. He played at Portland (NCAA) from 2006-2010.In his senior year, he played 32 games: 6.7ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 37.7%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 74.1%. He reached the WCC Tournament Semifinals -09, 10. This season in the PRO B he is averaging 4,9ppg and 1,9rpg while averaging 13 minutes per game. He spoke to German Hoops following the 59-47 win against NBC where Erdgas Ehingen clinched the ticket to the PRO A.

Congrats on the 59-47 win against NBC and moving up to the PRO A. Being a rookie, did you feel much nervousness or were you able to shut it down with the NCAA experience that you had had at Portland?

Everyone always has some nervousness before big time games. That being said, playing at the University of Portland gave me a lot of opportunities to know and embrace that feeling.

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Ahmad Smith(NBC) Pregame Thoughts To Erdgas Ehingen Game April 12th. It Will Come Down To Who Wants To Win More

Ahmad Smith is a 26 year old 194cm guard from Alexandria, Virginia that is currently playing for NBC(PRO B). He is very athletic, handles the ball well and is able to beat his man in one-on-one situations. Creative player offensively who has a strong drive to the basket. He is a left-handed player who plays terrific defense at/on each perimeter position. Has good body control and excellent lateral foot speed. Outstanding rebounder for his size and position at both ends of the floor. He played at St Bonaventure(NCAA) from 2002-2006. In his senior year, he averaged 15.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 26.5%, FT: 65.6%. In 2006-2007 he played for Mardyke UCC Demons Cork (Ireland-SuperLeague): 9 games: 18.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 60.8%. In 2007-2008, he came to Germany to play for SVD 49 Dortmund (Regionalliga): 6 games: 30.2ppg. In 2008-2009, he played for  BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga, starting five): 23.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 6.0apg, 3PT: 35.2%. Last season, he played for Hertener Loewen (Germany-ProB, starting five): 29 games: 18.2ppg, Reb-2(8.7rpg), Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 69.5%. This season, he started for s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-ProA): left before the season started, then moved to SVD 49 Dortmund (Germany-Regionalliga), waived in Nov.’10, in Jan.’11 signed at Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProB, starting five). Currently he is averaging 8,6ppg, 6,6rpg and 7,3apg. He spoke to German Hoops before the deciding game against Erdgas Ehingen April 12th to see who goes to the PRO A.

NBC is looking to beat Ehingen to be able to move up to the PRO A. How is the mood in the team? Is there calmness or more nervousness?

The mood of our team is really calm and relaxed right now.

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Virgil Matthews(Erdgas Ehingen) Pregame Thoughts To NBC Game April 12th. Key Will Be Stopping Cornelius Adler From Having A Big Impact On The Game

Virgil Matthews is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing in Germany in the PRO B for Erdgas Ehingen. He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played 31 games: 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 29 games: 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL, starting five): 21 games: 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL). Awards and Achievements in his career have been , Big Sky Conf. Regular Season Runner-Up -05, 06, Big Sky Conf. Tournament Winner -05, 06, Big Sky Tournament MVP -06, Big Sky All-Tournament Team -06, All-Big Sky Honorable Mention -06, and USBasket.com All-IBL Honorable Mention -10. Currently for Erdgas Ehingen he is averaging 11,2ppg, 5,5rpg and 3,6apg. He spoke to eurobasket before the deciding game against NBC April 12th to see who goes to the PRO A.

Tonight a do or die game against NBC. How confident and ready is the team to take care of business on your home court?

We are pretty confident and ready, we feel this is what we played the whole season for to get this game on our home floor, and we haven’t lost there so we feel good about taking care of business.

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Niels Giffey(UCONN): If You Say In Germany That Your Goal Is The NBA, You Only Get A Funny Look

Niels Giffey is a 19 year old 200CM shooting guard/small forward that was born in Berlin and is currently a freshman playing for the UCONN Huskies. He started his basketball career for Marzahn Basket Baeren (2.Regionalliga) in 2005-2006. In 2007-2008, he played for TUS Lichterfelde Berlin (Pro B): 17 games: 2.4ppg, 1.2rpg. He played for Alba Berlin II (Regionalliga) from 2008-2010 and last season played  14 games: 9.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg. Some awards/achievements in his young career so far have been U16 National Team -06-07, European Championships U16 in Jaen (Spain) -06: 8 games: 6.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 46.8%, 3FGP: 50%, FT: 41.2%, European Championships U16 Division B in Skopje (FYR Macedonia) -07, German U18 National Team -08-09, Albert Schweitzer International Tournament in Mannheim (Unofficial World Championships U18) -08, Adidas World Junior Tournament in Douai (France) -08, European Championships U18 in Amaliada Pyrgos (Greece) -08: 6 games: 6.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 70.0%, Nike Euroleague Junior Tournament (Unofficial European Clubs Junior Championships) -09, German NBBL All-Star Game -10, German Regionalliga (North Group) Champion -10, German U20 National Team -10, Eurobasket.com German All-Regionalliga North Second Team -10, and Eurobasket.com German All-Regionalliga North Domestic Players Team -10. German Hoops spoke to the young German prior to March Madness about his life in the NCAA.

How do you like American football? UCONN has a successful football team.

I have been to one game. They have a very good team won the Big East. At first it was hard to understand the game, but with time I have began to enjoy the sport.

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Will Chavis(NBC): I Study The Game Of Basketball A Lot

Will Chavis is a 29 year old 181 cm guard who comes from Philadelphia and started his basketball learning at New Hampshire in 1998-1999 averaging 9.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.9apg before going to Texas to play at Panola Junior College averaging 25 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals per game . This gained the interest of legendary coach Bobby Knight at Texas Tech. Knight had only the best to say about the guy he coached two years at Texas Tech. ‘Will takes pride in taking good shots, and is a great shooter. He also takes very good care of the ball. He is aggressive and quick on defense, and can anticipate or put under pressure the opposite point guard’, stressed Bobby Knight. At Texas Tech, Chavis played together with Artland Dragon Ronald Ross and in his senior year, played 33 games averaging 7.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.2apg. He started his professional basketball career in 2003 going to Iceland to play for UMFN Njardvikur playing 6 games and averaging 18.3ppg; 3.1rpg; 7.8apg ( 41 assists to 11 turnovers); 2.0spg; 3pts 45.6%; FT 85.6%. The next season, he was tested by Olimpia GE Larisa (Greece-A1), but was not signed and finished the season practicing with Climamio Fortitudo Bologna (Italy-SErieA). In 2005-2006, he started to make a name playing for Mlekarna Kunin Novi Jicin (Czech Republic-NBL, starting five) playing 5 EuroCup Challenge games averaging 15.2ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.4apg, 2FGP: 50%, 3FGP: 50% and playing 44 games in the Czech Rep. League averaging 14.6ppg, 3.4rpg, Assists-4 (5.2apg), 2FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 85.0%. The next season, he went to top Dutch team Demon Astronauts Amsterdam continuing to show who well he could perform in FIBA EuroCup playing 6 games and avergaing 11.3ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 55.2%, 3FGP: 15%, FT: 78.3% and playing 39 games in the Dutch League and averaging 14.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 40.3%, FT: 87.8%, 3Pts: 40.9%. In 2007-2008, he split time with Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, but left after 7 games, where he averaged 10.6ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 36.6%, 3FGP: 27.8%, FT: 87.5%, and then moved to MBC in Jan 2008 playing 12 games and averaging 13.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 39.3%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT-1 ( 91.7%). In 2008-2009, he led MBC into the BBL averaging 10.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 37.0%, 3PT: 43.8%, FT: 86.5% in 29 games. Last season in his first season with NBC, he played 29 games: 19.6ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 88.3%. He spoke to german hoops about basketball.

What was your impression of Fabian Franke of the Frankfurt Sklyiners PRO B team this season? Does he have the ability to play an important role in the BEKO BBL?

He is a good player with good size for the guard position. I think that he can play at that level.

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