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Introducing Floridian American/German DJ Hines Who’s Dream Is To Play For Germany One Day

German basketball continues to grow in international competition and has really taken off in the last 4 years. Germany under the guidance of Gordon Herbert won the World Cup and a Bronze at the 2022 European Championships and in 2025 won the Gold at the Euro championships and notched a fourth place at the Olympics in 2024. The current count of Germans in the NBA is at an all-time high at 7. That count should rise this summer when Christian Anderson, Hannes Steinbach and Jack Kayil get drafted. The youth movement in Germany also continues to grow as not only winning medals has become normal, but Gold and Silver medals as the U-18 team won the 2024 Euro championships and in 2025 won the Silver at the World Cup. But that incredible talent pool isn’t only in Germany, but also outside. In the last years guys with German roots that grew up in USA have played for the youth national teams in Germany with Sam Griesel who won a Bronze at the 2020 Euro championships, the Anderson brothers led by Christian has won 5 medals for Germany including a Gold at the 2024 Euro and a silver at the 2025 World cup, brother Lucai Anderson and Georgia native Will Dopfer won the Gold at the 2026 AST tournament together. Now there might be that next great prospect with DJ Hines who might be able to play for Germany one day. He is a young man who has a big dream and role model in Christian Anderson in which he would like to follow in his foot steps. ‘It is a dream playing the game I love in a place I want to be in is something I think about every day. I truly want to play over there so bad. I want to go play whenever I can. It doesn’t matter about the money or anything, but the environment and the love of the game. I would love to play in Germany. Christian Anderson is a dog hands down. I think he is more of something I want to be like. He shows me it’s possible and you got to just hoop and want it. I mean I wish I could ask him questions, but I watch his games when I can and see how he does’, stressed DJ Hines.

DJ Hines who lists Anthony Black , Bones Hyland and Cason Wallace as his current favorite NBA guards was born on September 8th, 2008. His dad is American while his mother is German/American. His mom has German relatives near the cities of Hanau and Kassel. He fell in love with basketball at age 8 and was always supported by his family who loved the game as much as he did. ‘Basketball was always there for me. It didn’t matter what happened, that’s really why I love the game. It was an escape from my reality’, stressed DJ Hines. He grew up watching the Orlando Magic and is a fan of the team. ‘I loved watching Victor Oladipo back when he was with us. I also enjoyed Aaron Gordon. I got to meet both of these players and they only gave me great advice and good motivation’, said DJ Hines. He got some of his earliest basketball experience at Oviedo and it was a time that he will never forget. ‘My freshman year I had some of my best moments in my life. I made friends I will never forget. I had a good group of young guys around me. However one senior took me under his wing named Alex Harper. He played Juco and now holds d1 offers and is waiting to commit. He taught me the ropes of varsity basketball’, remembered DJ Hines. He then moved to the Masters Academy where he is now on the Varsity team and continues to grow as a player. ‘My sophomore year, I had a job to take open 3s and play their best player 94 feet. I wasn’t used to it, but I learned a lot and it humbled me. We went all the way to the regional championship losing, but we did only lose 9 games and now hold the best record in school history. This past year I played as a junior I had the role I was used to being the main option scoring and playing defense. We weren’t as successful but I did get all first team in my conference and I was player of the year runner up’, remembered DJ Hines. He also continued to stay faithful to Oviedo where he gets extra experience playing AAU ball as it is different than high school ball. ‘AAU is one of the best basketball moments I have had. I think the competition I play is great. Games are always close chippy and fun I think it helps me mentally getting tougher understanding playing so much your bond to play bad and I learned it’s not about your past but it’s how you approach the next play next game you have to keep pushing to get where you want to be’, commented DJ Hines. Next season will be his senior year and currently he is playing summer league for Hagerty high school.

The Florida native who lists Lebron, Jordan, Shaq and Kobe on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is 185cm and plays like a more athletic Tyrese Haliburton or Bones Hyland and models his defensive game after Anthony Black. He is a combo guard and doesn’t have a preference to playing the point or the position 2. ‘I can do both I have been told I am a better point guard. However I truly don’t care what I play as long as I am playing and winning. If I got to pick I would want to be more of a shooting guard’, stated DJ Hines. At first glance at game footage from him, it is his shooting that really stands out, but he has more assets than just that. ‘Offensively I do have a good percentage but I enjoy shooting so I shoot. However I learned from the past few months to get to the rim easier and more efficient, I also have been able to get my teammates involved’, added DJ Hines. As a teenager, his shot is still in the development phase, but he knows that staying extra in the lab will continue to help his shooting grow. ‘I think I am learning how to shoot properly. I think I was just throwing the ball at the rim and praying, but I work on my shot very often and my coach at school helps me on it as well shooting has taught me the smallest things have the biggest impact’, warned DJ Hines. It is often that kids love offense and defense takes a back seat, but he has learned already how valuable it is playing defense now. ‘I love defense as of right now I am a great on ball defender and play the passing lanes even better. I do want to improve my paint defense, but that comes with strength and time which I am working on in my off season. I want to be a great all around defender’, said DJ Hines. He also understands that in order to get better as he prepares to play college soon he will have to gain weight and get stronger. ‘If I can do that than I will keep getting to the rim and my spots effortlessly. If I do this, I think it will take my game to the next level’, stressed DJ Hines.

The guard who names Caleb Penny Feather and Andrew Thelwell as his toughest foes so far on the court biggest dream is to one day play for Germany. He has obviously taken a special interest to German basketball on account of his roots. ‘ I have seen German basketball in person and I played against some great players. What I learned is the pace is very different. It’s very slow and controlled over there while over here we run and gun a lot, but I think the game is more physical over there because of that, but I love watching and playing good basketball and I think Germany has this’, expressed DJ Hines. He already has had a first close connection to German basketball as he was able to practice with the Alba Berlin NBBL (U-19) team in Florida. ‘I learned a lot in just an hour and a half. The biggest thing I noticed was how serious everyone was. They loved basketball, but they treated it like a job. There was time to joke around, but once practice started, it was all business. I thought I did okay, but I know I could have shown more of my game. I’m at my best when I’m playing fast, scoring, and making efficient decisions. The experience also showed me some areas where I can improve, especially getting stronger physically and playing more under control. Competing against high-level players helped me see what I need to work on, and it motivated me to keep getting better every day’, warned DJ Hines. Was he able to adapt his game to the Euro style in that short period of time? ‘Definitely my change in pace and keeping it simple, but effective I think they taught me just go no need for anything extra and just use your body and GO’, said DJ Hines. A few months after his practice session some guys won the well known Albert Schweitzer tournament and a month later the team won the 2026 NBBL title. Did some guys stick out to him? ‘I remember a lot of them but 2 stood out to me with Matheo Hermann and Finn Borczanowski. Mateo was a good leader very confident and talented. Finn was just a bucket. He could go I don’t say that about a lot of people but he could hoop. I don’t remember most of their names but those 2, I can’t forget’, added DJ Hines. The respect is mutual. ‘I remember DJ as having a lot of ambition and character and he was a really nice guy’, stressed 2026 NBBL champion Matheo Hermann. But it wasn’t only the Alba Berlin players that stood out, but also head coach Marius Huth. ‘I liked him. I thought he was a good person which is always a good start and he was honest and wanted his team to be a team. He was fundamental and respected which is rare to fine but I really like him as a coach’, stated DJ Hines. Once again the respect is mutual. ‘DJ was a very smart player that has a great basketball foundation and a good shot. He was able to get integrated to our training group quickly’, remembered 2026 NBBL champion Marius Huth. It will be interesting to see how the next years continue for DJ Hines. Unfortunately there wasn’t anymore contact between family Hines and Alba Berlin since the practice session in Florida in January 2026. DJ Hines is a young prospect that could enrich the German youth national teams if given a chance.

Aaron Ekwere(Pantterit Helsinki) Didn’t Feel Like He Could Miss And His Teammates Kept Feeding Him For 50 Points

Aaron Ekwere (190-G-2006) is a 19 year old 190cm guard from Finland playing this season with Pantterit Helsinki (1st Division), played and with Drive Academy Espoo U20 team (EYBL U20). He began his basketball career with Pyrinto Akatemia B Tampere (1st Division). He recently scored 50 points in a pro game in Finland and spoke about his experiences doing that.

Thanks Aaron for talking to germanhoops.com. You recently scored 50 points in a game and was the highest scorer in the world. You did it in Finland. What does this feat mean to you?

It means a lot to me because it was an important playoff game and we were struggling at the start so I´m happy that I could help my team get the win

Did you really score 50 points in 21 minutes? That is crazy? How do you do that?

I just felt like i couldn´t miss and my teammates kept feeding me and I got good looks the whole game

You have always been a good scorer, but did that point explosion with 50 points surprise you a bit?

Yes a little bit but I know I´m capable to do that any night if I feel hot so I´m ready for it

Did you have a special breakfast or do something different on this day to help you achieve so many points?

No I just had a normal day

How did you feel going into the game? Do you sometimes know how your game may go after warm ups and how your shot is feeling?

I felt good going in to the game but I always feel good before a game so I don´t really know if I´m going to play well

How did you get into the game flow? How rapidly did you know that you might have a real good scoring day?

I actually missed my first two shots so I was a bit scared that I was going to have an off night but half way through the first quarter I started to get a feeling that I was hot

The team had 36 assists in the game and you 3. 9 teammates had assists and Leo Guday had 9 assists. Could a teammate ask for more unselfishness within a team than that?

No I´m really lucky to play with such an unselfish group of guys and especially Guday does a good job at assisting teammates.

Did you know in the fourth quarter that you were close to 50 points?

Not really I didn´t look at the stats mid game but I knew I had a lot of points

You were an incredible 22/27 from the 2 point area. Did you have many lay up´s or also mid range shots etc?

Mostly lay ups I don´t really take mid ranges

What was your favorite own basket of the 50 point game?

Definitely when my teammate Jelani Towa threw me an alley op.

You hit the same team TuNMKY for 45 points recently. Did that 50 point game give you extra energy to go for 50 points again?

Yeah that definitely gave me the confidence that I could do it again

Did you get any special messages from people that you might not have expected from?

No not really iI just got some messages from old teammates

Did you have to get your teammates donuts after game?

No I forgot but I might have to get them something in the locker room so they don´t get mad

Thanks Aaron for the chat.

Isaac Johnson(KB Istogu) Didn´t Necessarily Feel Like Steph After Exploding For 41 Points and 10 three´s But It Definitely Felt Good

Isaac Johnson (196-F, college: Rogers St.) is a 196cm forward form Minnesota playing his rookie season overseas with KB Istogu (Kosovo-Liga e pare). He began his basketball career at Minneapolis North high school and then played at 3 NCAA schools. He played at Western Illinois University (NCAA) form 2017-2019 averaging 8.8ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 75.8% and 11.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 79.7%. He then played a season at Nicholls State University (NCAA) playing 6 games averaging 4.0ppg, 2.0rpg. He then finished at Rogers State University (NCAA2) averaging 7.3ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 82.0%a and 14.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 68.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his 41 point game.

Congrats on the massive 106-81 win over Kosovari. How more could you enjoy your 41 point feta with a win?

Thank you! I´m not really sure that there is anything that could have made that win feel any better. It was a great team win that we really needed.

You once had 29 points in a NCAA game. Was this the most points scored for you in your career?

I had games where I scored more than 29 in highschool. But yes thats the highest I scored in college.

What does this feat mean to you being able to score 41 points?

It always feels great to have a great game and get the win. Just trying to help my club win every game and if that means I need to have a big night then I’ll get it done.

How quickly did you that you may have a great scoring day? How rapidly were you in the flow?

It was actually pretty quick. We noticed right away they were playing zone so I knew I would get a lot of opportunities for open threes and they were falling that night.

Did you feel like you were in the zone?

After about the first 2 or 3 threes I definitely felt a good flow and had a great feeling about the game.

You took 19 shots and 5 free throws. Were you happy with your overall aggressiveness or do you feel like you could have been more aggressive?

I was very happy with my aggressiveness I feel like I didn’t force up any bad shots just because I was feeling hot.

You hit for 10 three´s a career high. Did you feel like Steph Curry just a little?

Haha I wouldn’t say I felt like Steph but I definitely felt good out there.

The team had 30 assists. How blessed do you feel that your teammates were able to find you so well?

Feels great knowing they trust me to take and make shots for them consistently every night.

Does a game like this raise your confidence to be able to break 41 points in the future?

A game like that definitely boosts your confidence a little bit but I try not let the highs get to high or lows get to low. Every game is different.

Did you get any special messages from family and friends that you won´t forget?

My family and close friends I will always be grateful for them and their words of encouragement.

Will you take your team out to eat or perhaps get donuts for all?

Now that you mentioned it I might have to find a way to show them my appreciation this upcoming week.

What was your favorite basket of the game?

My favorite basket of the game didn’t even come from me. It was one of our young guys came in the game late and made a tough basket.

Thanks Isaac for the chat.

Jaylen Alston(Team Ehingen) Explodes Twice Continuing To Dominate The Pro B Scoring 92 points In 2 Games

Jaylen Alston (193-G, college: WSSU) is a 193cm guard from North Carolina playing his rookie season overseas in Germany with Pro B team Team Ehingen. He began his basketball career at Eastern Guilford high school. He then played a season at Gardner-Webb University (NCAA) and then played at Winston Salem State University and in his last 2 seasons averaged 11.6ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 74.5% and 18.1ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 74.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the tough 97-81 loss to the Dragons Rhondorf.

Thanks Jaylen for talking to germanhoops.com. How did you spend the Fiba break?

I spent most of my Fiba break and just recovering watching some film and getting better. I was a little bit under the weather so I didn’t do much.

Ehingen suffered a tough 97-81 loss on the road to the Dragons Rhondorf. With what kind of a game plan did you go into that game?

We went into the game plan with the same energy from last game just try to scout and know the players we were going to be guarding and then also figured out a way to just give us a edge like we did the last time we played, but we just did not come out with the same results.

Rhondorf had the 24-20 advantage after 10 minutes. You scored your teams first 10 points. Is that the most points you have ever scored to start a game?

No, that’s not the most that I ever scored in the first quarter or beginning of a game.

In the second quarter the Dragons Rhondorf stepped it up on the offensive end scoring 36 points, but were still shaky on defense allowing 26 points. What was giving Ehingen the most problems on the defensive end?

I would say that our problem was understanding where we needed to help on the pick roll and just being on the close out too shooters because that surely gave them the edge when they were consistently making three-pointers

In the third quarter the Dragons Rhondorf only allowed 15 points and overall allowed only 35 points in the second quarter. What adjustments did the Dragons make?

I think they made the adjustment of trying to close off some of our plays that we run and just understanding our strengths of getting to the basket.

The Dragons Rhondorf finished the game strong. Was this one of those game where their experience really hurt Ehingen as a team?

I would not say that experience hurt us in this game. I would say honestly turnovers and rebounding was the reason behind us losing in my opinion.

The Dragons Rhondorf had an overall very strong game. It led the rebound battle and had 17 offensive rebounds, had 21 assists and only 10 turnovers. Are they a playoff team when they are playing that well?

I feel like any team is a playoff team when you’re playing with those kind of numbers so whether we do it or our opponent, does it that pretty much sums up who will win the game

Could Team Ehingen take anything positive from the loss? It did stick well with the Dragons under the boards losing only 39-37 and had 10 offensive rebounds?

We can definitely take a positive aspect from that loss and just knowing that we have to be better in certain areas. The rebound battle definitely was something out of our nature that we’ve been pretty good about the last couple games so I feel like we need to get back into knowing what works for us and getting rebounds. The second chance points is something that we need to take advantage of.

Team Ehingen only played 8 guys. How tough is it competing in general with so little experience? Does that give you added pressure to perform?

We actually ended up playing with nine guys, but it is tough to compete sometimes with guys who haven’t been in certain situations but that’s what it’s about getting them experience and learning from it so I don’t feel like there is any pressure it’s just guys that are older like me should be able to help them in the moment that way when we succeed, they can understand how to help themselves when I might not be around.

The team next plays Oberaching a tough and feisty team. Ehingen lost in November to them. What will be key to getting the win this time?

I think the key to winning this game will be getting back to what we do best and that is getting inside the lane, getting easy layups also rebounding the ball and limiting our turnovers to under 12 and if we do all of that, I feel like nobody can beat us

You scored 92 points back to back against the RheinStars and Dragons. How crazy, but amazing does that feel?

it doesn’t really feel too crazy just because I’ve been in situations where I have scored a large number of points in a long stretch, but I take it as something amazing because I know players don’t get to do this too often, but I also want to just move on to the next game because if we don’t win then none of my points matter.

Did you have a special feeling going into the game or did it just feel like another game?

Honestly, it just felt like another game. I really didn’t treat their team too much differently than anybody else. I simply try to just kill whoever is in my way.

Do you feel like that dunk to start the game gave you extra motivation?

I feel like the dunk set the tone to let them know that we were coming to play and that this was not going to be a game where they felt like they could push us over.

After you scored the team´s first 10 points, did that 50 point mark ever come into your mind?

I really did not know that I scored the first 10 points and 50 points never crossed my mind. I was just trying to make sure that we have more points than they have points, but the outcome did not turn out the way I wanted.

How much more self-confidence does this game give you? Does a back to back performance like this drive you forward to explode again in the next game?

This game doesn’t necessarily give me any more confidence. I already had high confidence in myself, I just play my role, no matter what it is or any given night so know what I’m capable of every time I step on the court but a performance like this especially in back-to-back games certainly gets the attention of others and they try harder to stop me and when they do it simply makes me want to just show who I really am and where I’m from because then they may understand that they ain’t just a regular game to me.

You shot better than in the game against the RheinStars. The only difference was that you didn´t get to the free throw line this time. Are you aware that 50 points could have been in your cards again?

Yes, I’m aware that I was close to 50 points, but I’m not too strung out on trying to accomplish individual goals. I’m more focused on team goals.

What was your favorite own basket of the game?

My favorite basket was the dunk I had in the first quarter just because like you said, it set the tone for the game

After scoring big points again, what does the situation look like with treating your teammates for something or will they treat you to something?

The situation just stays the same. My teammates always treat me well and are happy for me anytime I’m doing good and I always treat them the same and I’m happy for them anytime they’re doing good so nothing has changed. They just tried to encourage me to keep going and pushing further if it means getting the win

Where do you rate the 2025 NBA slam dunk contest dunk by Mac McClung?

I rate the dunk contest an eight out of 10 I just feel like Zach Levine and Aaron Gordon set the bar so high that it’s going be pretty hard to top either one of their performances.

Thanks Jaylen for the chat