The well known speech from John F Kennedy in Berlin where he uttered the famous and unforgetable words “ich bin ein Berliner” may be more than 53 years old, but that remains something that every kid learns about in the history books from Brooklyn, New York to Perth, Australia and yesterday Rickey Paulding (196-F/G-82, college: Missouri) let “Ich bin ein Oldenburger” slip his tongue and got standing ovations for minutes in the EWE arena in Oldenburg. Paulding’s 4 words won’t ever get the world wide press or rememberance as Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner”, but in Oldenburg Paulding will always be their Kennedy.The reason for the long standing ovations and fuss about Paulding was on account of the announcement that he will remain in Oldenburg until 2019 which would give him 12 years in the BBL with one team which is as seldom seen in the BBL as it is teammate Brian Qvale attempting more than one trey a game which he did against the Telekom Baskets Bonn this season and hit both and brings his total of three point attempts in 6 professional seasons to only 14. It is just not a given in todays age of where money rules and the game is a business that a player will remain with one team for that long a period. At the end of this contract extension he will have eclipsed the longevity of Fraport Skyliner legend Pascal Roller who was 11 years with Frankfurt.

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Flashing that big smile and showing those shiny whiteys after a very hard fought 40 minute battle with victory glistening all over their bright faces like John John from Sesame Street after remembering that 16 comes after 15 in his counting challenge with the lovable Herry back in the day is something that many American players have come to have practiced in the BBL over the years. No guys have displayed their pleasure of winning in the form of a excited smile over the years in the Beko BBL better then guys like former Fraport Skyliner Jimmy Mckinney ,ex Rhein Cologne point guard Michael Hakim Jordan who actually should of tried his go at Hollywood after his few masterful scenes in the German documentary Phoenix in Der Asche, but instead is an assistant at Colgate university which name is also the name of a well-known American tooth paste company. Rickey Paulding who is also known as Mr Oldenburg or if the city should ever be renamed then it would be fitting to call it in typical German manner Pauldingburg as he has made the comfortable city in north Germany his home since 2007 and never turned his back. The former NBA Draft Pick of hometown team Detroit Pistons is also a guy who can smile with the best of them. His enjoyment and smiling were at their all-time high in 2009 when the EWE Baskets Oldenburg won their first league title at the expense of the Telekom Baskets Bonn in a tough 5 game series. However between 2009-2015 a span of almost 6 years, the American went without a title, but reached a final against the Brose Baskets Bamberg in 2013.

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Flashing that big smile and showing those glistening whiteys as if one had always heeded the warning of mom to never skip a night of brushing your teeth or just come off the set of a Crest commercial is something that basketball players are projected to do after a hard 40 minute battle that resulted in a huge victory. No guys have displayed their pleasure of winning in the form of a excited smile over the years in the Beko BBL better then guys like former Fraport Skyliner Jimmy Mckinney who will now drop shots with the Telekom Baskets Bonn, ex Rhein Cologne point guard Michael Hakim Jordan who actually should of tried his go at Hollywood after his few masterful scenes in the German documentary Phoenix in Der Asche, but instead is an assistant at Colgate university which name is also the name of a well known American tooth paste company and Rickey Paulding who is also known as Mr Oldenburg or if the city should ever be renamed then it would be fitting to call it in typical German manner Pauldingburg as he has made the comfortable city in north Germany his home since 2007 and never turned his back. The former NBA Draft Pick of hometown team Detroit Pistons is also a guy who can smile with the best of them. His enjoyment and smiling were at their all-time high in 2009 when the EWE Baskets Oldenburg won their first league title at the expense of the Telekom Baskets Bonn in a tough 5 game series. However between 2009-2015 a span of almost 6 years, the American went without a title, but reached a final against the Brose Baskets Bamberg a few years ago. However last season, which was a season to forget in the regular season, but still came title number two as Oldenburg masterfully disposed of Bamberg at home in the cup final as Paulding was smiling again as if there was no tomorrow. At the age of 33, Paulding isn´t getting any younger and for those that have been caught in a cage for a few years will notice less hair on top, but he can still play with the best of them. If there is a time where he might be slowed down is when he is playing with his gang of kids, but on the floor especially in the shooting department he has risen as in his first four seasons he shot under 40% from the parking lot, but 40% or better in the last four seasons in the Beko BBL. Last season he played 36 BBL games averaging 11.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 80.0%; Eurocup: 10 games: 9.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 86.7%. There isn´t a more consistent player in the BBL as he has averaged 12,0ppg in his eight seasons in the Beko BBL. It really doesn´t matter if the basketball fan is in Bernau, Trier, Rosenheim or Schwenningen, Paulding is liked everywhere and is a winner. As is the case each season the club has put together another very potent roster that has to reach the playoffs, but does it have the goods to beat one of the big 3 of Munich, Bamberg or Berlin in a 5 game series? The club hopes that last season´s fireman Mladen Drijenic will carry over the euphoria from the cup win and that Scot Macado will be the point guard that can successfully lead the charge. Their best chance will be in the cup again where you have to qualify in the top 7 and then play two amazing great games to win that coveted cup. If Paulding can win another title is unknown, but one thing is for sure if Oldenburg would ever start their own version of a walk of fame in front of city hall then Mr Paulding would get one and sit between legendary producer Dieter Bohlen and comedian Wigald Boning.

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Rickey Paulding is a 28 year old 196cm guard from Detroit, Michigan. He is playing his fourth season for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. He is an exciting wing player. His natural position is small forward. He can play the 2 spot and he excels in the transition game. His suits include a nice mid-range game and getting to the basket. He played at Missouri(NCAA) from 2000-2004. He reached the NCAA Last 8 in 2002. In 2004, he  was drafted by Detroit Pistons (NBA,2rd(54)). In 2004-2005, he played for Hapoel Jerusalem (Israel-Premier L.): ULEB Cup: 10 games: 9,2ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 64.7%, 3Pts: 25.0%; Israeli Premier League: 22 games: 12.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 58.5%, 3FGP: 51.9%. In 2005-2006, he played for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne (France-ProA): ULEB Cup: 12 games: 10.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 58.5%, 3FGP: 32.7%, FT: 70.4%; French League: 24 games: 9.7ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 69.8%. In 206-2007, he played for BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral (France-ProA): FIBA EuroCup: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.5spg, 2FGP: 65.8%, 3FGP: 37.5%, FT: 53.8%; French League: 33 games: 13.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 69.7%. He has played for The EWE Baskets Oldenburg since 2007 winning the BEKO BBL title in 2009. Last season, he played 10 games: 11.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 42.0%, 3PT: 26.2%, FT: 71.4%; German League: 36 games: 13.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 72.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

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