romance

Kelvin Omojola Was Half Way To Koblenz But Instead Retires For A New No Brainer Opportunity In Las Vegas

Sometimes beautiful things just come to an end. For 2 seasons, Kelvin Omojola (183-G-1997, college: Northwest) was my Quantez Robertson. For 14 seasons, my favorite and most asked interview partner with the Frankfurt Skyliners was Quantez Robertson. I´m the kind of guy that seeks a guy with whom I feel comfortable with and where I know, I will get good answers from for my articles. Quantez Robertson was that guy during his Frankfurt career whom I would pester after almost every game as well as calling him during the season on different occasions to get good basketball answers for my work. In 2023 he retired after 14 seasons and he achieved 68 eurobasket/germanhoops titles from me not to mention countless quotes after games in my articles. Tez and my interview relationship ended, but that fall a new one was invented with Kelvin Omojola and me. We hit it off pretty quickly and I began to interview almost always after every home game. He not only was charismatic and always smiling, but he gave incredible answers that always helped let my articles shine. In his 2 seasons with the Dragons Rhondorf, he made 14 titles for Eurobasket and German Hoops. Unfortunately our interview sessions have come to an end. I was hoping that they would possibly continue in Koblenz, but he was half way to Koblenz when instead he decided to retire for a new no brainer opportunity in Las Vegas. “I 1000% would have went with Coach Stephan & Coach KJ to Koblenz but I was able to earn a Graduate Assistant position at UNLV! A full scholarship to get my Master’s Degree, with employment working with UNLV’s Sport Innovation Institute. It’s an amazing opportunity and even though I had more than a few years left in me, it’s a great transition for my next career after basketball”, stressed Kelvin Omojola. It would have been amazing to see the ex Rhondorf trio of Dohrn, Sherril and Omojola in Koblenz and who knows, they may also have been joined by Badu Buck. “That would have been Amazing Miles. Our championship season was special, we had a great group of guys who were not only high level players, but great characters on and off the court. And if I was going, Badu would have no choice but to come along as well. He knows that!! I love Badu haha, one of my favorite teammates ever”, stated Kelvin Omojola.

After 4 professional seasons, the pro career of Kelvin Omojola who lists Branden Maughmer (He was my matchup and that’s how I determine the toughest player. We played him first round in the playoffs in 2024, and he was cooking! He could shoot, great handle, get to his spots, play defense and get his teammates involved. He didn’t just jack up shots or hold the ball the whole game either, he was playing great basketball) as his toughest Pro B opponent has ended as he will pursue new interesting goals in his home town of Las Vegas. He received only 1 of 2 scholarships for his masters degree at the University Of Nevada Las Vegas. This was something that didn´t suddenly matriculate, but something he had been thinking about for a longer time. “I’m always trying to think ahead and plan my next steps. I’ve been that way for years, I wanted to give myself an opportunity to set my next career up after basketball. I didn’t want to finish playing and not have a plan, so I pursued the route of me going back to school and getting my Master’s. I would have started to get my Master’s Degree regardless this upcoming Fall. So if I was still playing, I would have started my Master’s Degree in Germany. But to get this opportunity, especially at a big school like UNLV, it was an easy decision Miles”, said Kelvin Omojola. He is more than blessed that he can go back to school and be at home. “It doesn’t get any better than that Miles. I haven’t lived in Vegas full time since 2018 so to be back now it’s a blessing. I’ll be doing a little bit of work already starting in June, but the work will officially start in August. I’ll be getting my Master’s in Intercollegiate & Professional Sport Management. I’ve always had a passion for sports and there are so many elements that go into having a successful sports program. I was first exposed to those elements when I was at UNLV for me – As for my role with UNLV’s Sports Innovation Institute, yes it’ll be a Marketing & Operations position”, commented Kelvin Omojola. He is also very fortunate that he will also be involved not only with the UNLV basketball program, but also other teams. “The UNLV’s Sport Innovation Institute works with all of the teams at UNLV & all of the Professional Sports teams here. The Raiders, the Aces, UFC, Golden Knights, you name it. The capacity of the work that it would consist of wouldn’t be coaching however”, added Kelvin Omojola.

The 28 year old guard who played like a mix of Steph Curry and Kyle Lowery and lists the following just off the top of his head as his best teammates of all-time with DJ Woodmore, Ben Shungu, Avery Sullivan, Badu Buck, Lorenzo Cugini, Bazou Kone, Ferenc Gille, Dom Von Waaden, Marko Rosic, Tyreese Blunt, and Darian Cardenas was fortunate to have played all 4 pro seasons in Germany and it was obvious that Deutschland became like a second home for him. “As you know, my mom is from Munich. So being able to be here in Germany for the past 4 years, I felt at home. It was a great 4 years that really flew by. Who knows, maybe in the future I’ll be back here in Germany working as a GM for a club”, smiled Kelvin Omojola. He played his rookie season with the Ahorn Camp BIS Baskets Speyer (Germany-ProB) averaging 15.3ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 71.8%. He will never forget head coach Carl Mbassa who gave him his fist pro job. “I’m beyond thankful for Coach Carl. He’s such a great person and a great coach. He let me grow as a player and didn’t handcuff me at all. He allowed me to play through mistakes and always told me to be aggressive. Whenever I took a bad shot, he never said anything to me. He wanted me to remain confident, aggressive, and that helped me so much as a player from a skill aspect and a mental aspect”, warned Kelvin Omojola. He was also so fortunate to have a veteran like DJ Woodmore showing him the ropes and more. The advice that he got from him was priceless. “DJ Woodmore took me under his wing and I learned so much from him. I really do view him as a brother. He’s a TRUE professional, beyond skilled on the basketball court, and he taught me a lot off the court as well. I’m beyond grateful that he was my vet, he taught me so much and our relationship is still strong to this day. I love DJ and he knows that”, said Kelvin Omojola. He played his first playoff series against Wedel and his future head coach Stephan Dohrn and had to suffer a tough 1 point loss in game 3 to end his season. “We had that series! Coach Stephan knows that too! That series hurt because we knew we could beat Wedel and we should have. Marc Liyanage could only play home games at that point of the season so not having him on the road hurt us a lot. He gave us that veteran presence; With his skill set and basketball IQ, not having him in games 1 & 3 hurt us a lot”, commented Kelvin Omojola. He had his 2 best Pro B scoring games as a rookie against Frankfurt and always enjoyed battling against them. “Frankfurt would always be special. Ofcourse having my best 2 scoring games helps haha, but it was always fun playing Frankfurt. Literally every single game I’ve played against them in my career was a great game that came down to the wire. This season, being able to beat them at their house for the only time in my career was great. It’s tough to play there and they always play well at home”, explained Kelvin Omojola.

In his second pro season, the 3 level scorer moved up a level to the Pro A and laced them up for PS Karlsruhe. He only averaged 3,1ppg in 12 minutes of action. “It was tough Miles, because for the first half of the season, I was averaging over 8 points a game. Which is solid, especially for my first year in ProA. But we weren’t winning games, so when the team brought in Ben from Ludwigsburg, my minutes got cut substantially. Going from playing solid minutes to getting 30 seconds – 4 minutes a game is tough. It also destroys your averages. But, it’s a part of the game and I learned a lot that season. I had great teammates and learned how to compete at a high level, which helped when I went to the Dragons the next season”, stressed Kelvin Omojola. It didn´t help his minutes that he had 3 talented guards also striving for minutes with Ben Shungu, Lovell Cabbil and Bazou Kone as he was the odd man out, but that also had other advantages. “Yes, that was the case Miles. But that backcourt of Ben Shungu, Lovell Cabbil and Bazou Kone was elite. Every day in practice was a BATTLE. I got so much better competing against them, they’re all so skilled and they all had different play styles. Defending Baz would be different than guarding Ben. I had to be locked in every practice, every day. But it was a blessing”, remembered Kelvin Omojola. Despite not playing much that season, he has fond memories and has a favorite game and had a few tough opponents. “When we played Tübingen at home. It was my best game of the year, super efficient game with 12 points and we beat them which was most important. I always say this Miles, it would be Ben Shungu, Lovell Cabbil and Bazou Kone. Defending and competing against those guys challenged me and grew my game. It helped me become a stronger player and develop mental toughness”, explained Kelvin Omojola. That PS Karlsruhe won the pro A title the next season didn´t surprise him at all with head coach Alexsandar Scepanovic. “ He’s a great coach. We went to the semifinals when I was there. So the next year, him winning the championship wasn’t a surprise. His schemes, especially defensively are the best I’ve ever seen”, warned Kelvin Omojola.

He played his last 2 seasons with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf. I would of guessed that these last 2 seasons there were his 2 favorite, but they weren´t. “ I would say the championship season and my first season with Speyer were my favorite 2 seasons as a professional Miles! The championship year is a no brainer, and my first year with Speyer I was surrounded by GREAT vets and great guys. They made my transition into playing pro basketball effortless and every day was a joy to be there”. Said Kelvin Omojola. In his first season he helped the Dragons Rhondorf win the Pro B title averaging 12.7ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-2 (6.1apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 79.5%. “ We were so talented and our chemistry was unmatched. As talented as we were, we were in multiple situations throughout the playoffs where we easily could have folded and lost. But we stuck together, no matter if we won or lost. And if we lost, we took it personal to make sure we didn’t lose again. We were fixated on winning a championship and knew we wouldn’t be denied. We played so many great teams in the playoffs, we easily could have lost. But we always made the adjustments and brought the correct energy/focus to the next game to make sure we didn’t lose again”, commented Kelvin Omojola. He was more than fortunate to share the back court with Tyrese Blunt and Badu Buck. “We were the best backcourt in the league! Yeah they were great Miles, we all complimented each other’s game perfectly and brought the most out of each other. We all competed at a high level and never took it easy on each other”, said Kelvin Omojola. He had a great relationship with Marko Rosic and and won´t forget the deadly mid range game of 2024 U-18 Euro winner Janne Muller. “I love Marko, he’s such a great guy and a great player. I tried to let him know that anytime I could. My favorite moment with him haha, Marko is a funny guy! Most people don’t know that. I’d say the Mario Kart moments we had. It was Marko, myself, Badu, KJ, and Avery. Those moments were priceless and we still have a group chat going to this day. Janne is another great player. Seriously, he’s so good and the sky is the limit for him. He’ll continue to get better every year and I told him don’t forget about me when he’s at the top haha. But yes his mid range game is elite as well as his finishing around the basket. Such a crafty player and beyond skilled for his age”, added Kelvin Omojola.

It is a no brainer what Kelvin Omojola´s favorite game as a Dragon Rhondorf player was. “My personal favorite would have to be the championship game vs. Köln. It has to be Miles! If we win this game, we win the championship. So with the game being the highest pressure game I’ve ever been a part of, to go out there and have 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and to get the win? It’s a no brainer”, said Kelvin Omojola. He also knows that the team success and his stellar play wouldn´t have been as good without the diehard support of the Dragon faithful. “That they showed up and supported us every single game was so important! Not only at home, but on the road as well! It gives you an appreciation when the fans are traveling 3+ hours to road games to support you. It REALLY puts it in perspective when you get blown out on the road, the fans traveled to the game, and it feels like you let them down. I love the Dragons fans and they’ll always be special to me”, warned Kelvin Omojola. 4 years wasn´t a long career, but he will be filled with memories for the rest of his life as will his fans. He hopes that the fans will have him in the best of memories as well. “I would say as someone who played hard and never cheated them. I always tried to show the fans the same love and appreciation that they showed me. I always put in the work, I practiced hard every single practice, I never took days off, I was always invested in the team and wanted to win no matter what. I hope they could see that and remember that”, stressed Kelvin Omojola. I will always remember Kelvin Omojola as a player who always gave his best on the court and was a top 3 point guard in the Pro B. He was always professional and a great character and was just a joy to be around. “Thank you Miles for not everything you’ve done for me, but for the all coverage you provide to Germany basketball! I appreciate you, and I’m glad we could speak at least once more”, stressed Kelvin Omojola. Of course Kelvin we will do another interview about your new career. I wouldn´t want it any other way.

Developing Emotional Intelligence At Carleton Will Continue To Help Carry Aiden Warnholtz(Giessen 46ers) Through Difficult Times

There were 9,7 seconds remaining in a real tight dogfight between the Fraport Skyliners and EPG Baskets Koblenz with the score dead locked at 71-71 in double overtime. Almost most everybody was standing in the living room for the Skyliners except for me. When I look back to the moment, I´m not really sure why I was sitting down, because in the past, it wouldn´t have been like that, but maybe I have mellowed a bit through the last 20 years of doing play by play. Back in 2007, it was Eric Chatfield who beat ratiopharm Ulm on a last second shot a few feet to the left to where Aiden Warnholtz (188-G-2000, college: Carleton) would show his magic and in 2014, it was ex Vanderbilt (NCAA) guard Kevin Bright that helped Frankfurt beat Rasta Vechta on the road. I was fortunate to have called both games and was at it again in 2024. But this time, I just knew Aiden Warnholtz would drill it home. How did I know, well when his ex coach Taffe Charles told me the summer before that the Canadian was a better shooter than Philipp Scrubb, well then I just knew he was going to sink that last shot. I remember how well Scrubb shot out the lights with the Skyliners in the 2015-2016 season and I was right. This time I let my colleague Jan Kolod do the screaming. Warnholtz was all alone at the top of the key and drilled home the three pointer with nothing but net. This was Warnholtz´s first game winner at the pro level, but he had had some at Carleton. ““This was one of the more exciting games that I have been a part of. I only have played in 2 double OT games. Our defense got us the win. It was a challenge playing against their bigs. Our biggest strength was just being on the same page defensively. We also did a good job winning other battles like the loose balls. The original play wasn´t for me. I got open and it was an in rhythm shot. It was an easy shot I usually make”, smiled Aiden Warnholtz.

Aiden Warnholtz who lists current Oklahoma Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as his toughest opponent so far in his career and a top 3 NBA guard right now was born on February 4th, 2000 in Ottawa, Canada. He played at the well known Carleton University from 2018-2023 playing a total of 97 games and is the third player from that school to strap on a Fraport Skyliners uniform after Aaron Doornekamp and Philipp Scrubb. Scrubb won 8 titles at Carleton, but Warnholtz didn´t too shabby himself winning 6 titles. “In my four seasons with Carleton I was a part of some pretty special teams, winning 2 provincial championships and 4 National Championships. Each one is very special in its own way, it’s hard to really rank them, but the most recent one, the 2023 National Championship feels especially unique to me. It was my last year at Carleton, playing with some great friends that I had been with for the last 5 years, and we had some ups and downs that year as a team that all culminated in a crazy double overtime National Championship game”, remembered Aiden Warnholtz. He had many incredible games at Carleton including 2 triple doubles, but he saved his best for a game that counted most. “I was fortunate enough to have some pretty cool moments and contribute to some pretty great games in my time at Carleton. In terms of my performances, there are some games where I scored more, but just because of the importance of the game and the moments that came with it, I think my best game at Carleton was that 2023 National Championship game”, stated Aiden Warnholtz. He paid his dues in his first 2 seasons averaging only 3.9ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.6 and in his second season averaged 5.6ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.6apg while his minutes rose from 9 to 14. He really broke out in his last 2 seasons as his minutes fluctuated from 28 to 34 as did his stats as he averaged 13.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 79.2% and 17.9ppg, 5.5rpg, Assists-2 (6.8apg), FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 87.5%. His step by step development is commendable as head coach Taffe Charles showed him the correct way. “He pushed me everyday. He made sure that I was always going hard in practice and challenged me to be better. We would have conversations and watch video of ways he thought I needed to improve or how I could be better for the team and myself. We both had a strong feeling of working towards the goal of winning National championships, and he knew what I was capable of individually in terms of helping the team and after University. He helped me to get better for the team, and by doing so helped me get to a place where I could pursue professional basketball. Something that was also important for my development as I played for him is that he also cared about me as a person, and took an interest in how I was doing during some tough times for me outside of basketball”, commented Aiden Warnholtz. But he didn´t only grow on the court, but off of it as well as he was a solid citizenship and boosted his character further on Sunday´s teaching 8th graders at 8 Am after coming home in the wee hours of the morning after long road trips. “ At Carleton, part of playing on the team involved coaching some youth basketball throughout the year, which I think was as much a benefit for us as I hope it was for the guys we coached. It was amazing to create more of an attachment to the local basketball community and feel like you were contributing to the development of up and coming players. I also think it helped my own understanding of the game. When you have to break things down and teach it to others, it requires that you have a thorough understanding of the what you are talking about, which helped my own knowledge of the game”, expressed Aiden Warnholtz who remembers Alan Louis getting the better of him in 1-1 battles in practice. He was a U Sports All-Canadian First Team and U Sports Tournament MVP in 2023.

The scoring guard who lists Connor Vreeken, Elliot Bailey, Yasiin Joseph, Biniam Ghebrekidan, Lloyd Pandi, Alain Louis, and Munis Tutu as his best teammates of all-time started his professional career in the summer of 2023 in Canada with the Niagara River Lions (CEBL) playing 12 games averaging 3.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.8apg. He got his feet wet and then came overseas and signed with German Pro A team Fraport Skyliners. He couldn´t have asked for a better organization to begin his professional career as it has been around for almost 25 years and was s fighting to get back to the easyCredit BBL where it was a staple for 24 years. “It has been great to be able to play for the Skyliners organization. They are a well established club, with high aspirations for the season, so it’s an environment where everyone wants to improve both as individuals and as a team. It’s also great to be a part of a club that is such a factor in the community, with youth teams and camps, as well as the Pro B and Pro A teams, it makes you feel part of something bigger than just the team itself. The club also has a great facility with lots of availability to get in and work on our bodies or our games, which is especially important for a guy like me playing in my first year as a professional”, said Aiden Warnholtz. The club began with a 9 game winning streak and then lost 5 of 8 games. It is only normal that team´s will go through ups and downs during a season. “We had a great start to the season like you said, but in a league like this you are not going to go through a season without some adversity. Teams had seen us more by that time in the season, and had more of a plan of how to beat us, and I think it maybe took us a few games to grow and adjust ourselves to play the way we wanted to. As you say, we may have relied a lot on three point shooting, but I think it was more about taking the right shots, the ones that we want and not the ones that the defense wants us to take”, stressed Aiden Warnholtz. The team found it´s groove again in January 2024 and were fighting to reach the best position before the playoffs started in May. “Our defense and the effort we put in on that side of the floor has helped us win more again. They are going to be games where maybe we don’t shoot as well, but if we can stop the other team we know we have a good chance. Other than that it´s just been about playing with the right energy, putting people in the right spots and guys playing to their strengths on the offensive end”, added Aiden Warnholtz. A big key to the consistent defensive game of the Skyliners was head coach Dennis Wucherer who had a strict defensive vision from day 1. “Coach has emphasized our defense all season long, so it´s a theme that he has given us from the start. We have some solid defenders and, coach has been on guys to use those defensive abilities and make people uncomfortable. He also recognizes where there may be weaknesses at times, depending on situations on the floor, so he gives us the tools to deal with those as a team”, warned Aiden Warnholtz.

The Canadian native who names Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Steph Curry and Steve Nash on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore played his rookie season in Frankfurt and was one of many young players on a team that was very experienced. So many players could decide a game on any night, but there are times when that player is simply missing. A player that can really dominate at any time. One of those guys that can be that dominate player was Kevin McClaine. He is seeing it again this season as he is his teammate again in Giessen. “I think we have a team full of guys that can score and there are a few guys that have shown the ability to dominate at times. Kevin is definitely one of those guys that can make things happen, and I think he has been getting into more of an offensive rhythm lately, and he is a guy we are going to need down the stretch”, warned Aiden Warnholtz. Maybe the most important player on the team was Minnesota native Booker Coplin who plays with so much energy and was perhaps the team´s best all around player. “Booker is a lot of fun to play with, he plays with a toughness and a grit that you love to have on your side. He can score in multiple ways, on the catch, on the dribble, from 3, at the rim, and in the post, but he has also really shown that he can make plays with the pass. He is a guy that we can have in multiple spots on the floor, whether with or without the ball, and he is a threat to score or make a play. He is huge for our team on the offensive end, but I also think he does a great job defensively too”, said Aiden Warnholtz. One young player that made a great progression was German Justin Onyejiaka who is with Vechta this season shows his crazy athleticism every day and was key in many games last season. “Justin is super talented and athletic, as you say. He often finds ways to make very athletic plays seem easy, or make something happen where you didn’t really think it could. It’s fun to watch the way he uses his strength and athleticism mixed with his change of pace to keep people off balance”, commented Aiden Warnholtz. The club wouldn´t be the defensive team that they were without the 2 anchors with then rookies Cam Henry and David Muenkat. “Both of those guys are solid on the defensive end, I think one thing that Cam has is great hands to deflect and steal passes, whereas where David really helps us is on the rebounds. He tracks the ball really well and isn’t gets right into the crowd to grab some big rebounds”. Stressed Aiden Warnholtz.

The 188cm guard who lists Lebron James as his personal GOAT is a player that has a similar game to ex Giessen guard Skyler Bowlin who had many potent seasons in the easyCredit BBL, but also to NBA legend Steve Nash, a guy he has tried to emulate. “He was not the biggest or most athletic player, but used his abilities to shoot and pass to be great NBA player”, stressed Aiden Warnholtz. He is a pass first point guard, but it is his shooting and scoring that really stands out. “A big strength is my shooting ability, playing off of it to open up other things. Something else that I try to bring to the game is being vocal on the floor and making sure guys are on the same page”, said Aiden Warnholtz. Using his IQ is something that he does on the offensive end, but he also needs a massive portion of that on the defensive end as he isn´t the biggest guard on the floor. “I am not the quickest player but try to use knowledge of how the opponents play to defend the ball well, and feel like I do a good job of fighting physically when I am undersized in a matchup. I try to contribute with my off ball defense by being in the right places and being willing to put my body on the line by taking charges”, stated Aiden Warnholtz. He may only be in his second season, but he knows exactly what he has to do in order to keep making strides with his game. “I am working on improving my strength and understanding of the game, as well as my finishing around the rim. I am of course continually working on my shooting and ball handling as well”, added Aiden Warnholtz. But one of his most special and unique strengths is one that you don´t hear often, but Taffe Charles mentioned that he had this rare ability of having emotional intelligence. “That’s a nice compliment from my coach. Intangible skills like that came from lots of tough practices and games throughout my career. In my first few years at Carleton university practices were very tough for me, we had a lot of great players older than me and it caused me to have to fight through some tough times on the court. My coaches Taffe Charles and Dave Smart both worked with me and other teammates to help build a level of what you could call emotional intelligence to help myself and teammates. It’s important to have an understanding of how you work individually and how you can try to get the best out of yourself and those around you even in tough times”, stressed Aiden Warnholtz. Time really flies as Philipp Scrubb last played in Frankfurt in 2018 and since has continued to carve out a fine career overseas, but how did coach Taffe Charles see their games at Carleton? “Phil and Aiden have similar paths in a way and in some ways don’t. Phil was a big part of the team right in his freshman year and in the 5 titles. Phil is a better finisher, but Aiden is as good of a shooter and maybe an even better shooter. Aiden may be a better spot up shooter and Phil better off the dribble. Both of those guys lived in their own ways being very quiet and no raw raw’, stressed Taffe Charles. Warnholtz has trained with Scrubb in Canada and has the utmost respect for him. “Phil Scrubb was a great player for Carleton University and still is overseas. For Taffe to compare me to Phil in any way is a great compliment. I got to watch him play at Carleton before I went there, so to see the way he led those teams, and then scrimmage with him and try to learn from the way he plays, trains, and conducts himself was really beneficial to my time at Carleton and my development”, stated Aiden Warnholtz. Scrubb helped the Fraport Skyliners win the Fiba Europe Cup in his rookie season and guys coming from Carleton simply know how to win. Aiden Warnholtz came up a little short losing the Pro A title with Frankfurt, but still it was enough to move back to the easyCredit BBL which was the clubs biggest goal. This season Warnholtz is balling with the Giessen 46ers currently averaging 8,6ppg, 2,2rpg and 1,9apg. He was injured after 2 games to start the season and was out for more than 4 months, but is back now. He had a incredible 22 point game in the 89-60 victory in Koblenz and 19 points in the 105-84 trouncing of Kirchheim. He also gave stability in the Bremerhaven playoff series scoring 12 and 10 points. Now he and Giessen face favorite Jena. Giessen will need everyone to make the upset. After the 22 point game, I was interviewing Wartnholtz on the court and ex EPG Guardians Koblenz head coach Marco Van Den Berg came over and said “Aiden you were the reason why the Skyliners moved back to the easyCredit BBL”. It is a pity that the Skyliners didn´t retain him, but who knows, he may help move up the Giessen 46ers to the easyCredit BBL. And just maybe do what he couldn´t do last season and win the Pro A title

Could Zac Owens(BC Vienna) Be The Next Explosive Guard Tearing Up Austria To Follow Zach Cooks To Germany?

So there I was checking Austria again on Eurobasket.com. I primarily cover German basketball, but I also do delve into other leagues and cover players, because every player has their own unique story and I will help cover it with their help. In the last years I discovered some interesting players in the Austrian first division like Stanley Whittaker and last season Zac Cooks. What I mean by discover was that I personally became aware of them. Both were guys that were tearing up the league, but weren´t household names, but talented guys that both had paid their dues in their careers. Whittaker actually having played at a NAIA school while Cooks had actually had a very respectable career in the NCAA, but for whatever reason had to perform 2 seasons of explosive basketball as he averaged 22/4/4 stats for UBSC Raiffeisen Graz until Germany finally came calling last summer. Both made the jump to higher leagues especially Whittaker who balled in first divisions in Germany and Italy. This time I found another player who by coincidence has the same first name as Cooks just spelled differently and is named Zac Owens (180-PG-1998, college: Bethel, IN). He also is tearing up the Austrian BSL and has paid his dues the last 3 years now already playing for his 5th team and 5th country. He like every other player doesn´t only have a great story, but a unique one. I mean I´m not a psychic, but I´m just going to predict again that a unique talent with Zac Owens isn´t only going to move up the ladder next season, but will land in Germany again in the Pro A or possibly in the easyCredit BBL. Owens wouldn´t mind giving the German leagues a go. “Any opportunity to keep playing the game I love is great! I’ve heard a lot of great things about Germany and its love for basketball out there. I would love to play there and have that experience weather it’s with Pro A that you predict, or with a top league BBL team. I’m definitely open to playing in Germany. They play a beautiful style of basketball. outside looking in I like what I see and I think that it would help grow my game in many aspects because a lot of the guards you see come out of Germany have high IQ and that’s something that can always grow as a basketball player so I think it would be a lot of benefits to me coming to Germany and playing there one day”, stressed Zac Owens.

Zac Owens who lists current Memphis Grizzlies Player Desmond Bane as his toughest opponent so far in his career was born on December 22, 1998 in Anderson, Indiana and attended Crispus Attucks High School. But before he could even pick up a basketball, he faced major adversary when he was only a small boy at age 2. He was experiencing serious nose bleeds and soon it was made known that he had literally no skull. It was possibly at 1% in his head. He had to have surgery and with time he developed a skull. But he knew at a young age that life would have obstacles. He quickly became a fighter and has had to face adversary in school and already at the pro level, but he is playing the game that he loves and wakes up every morning with a massive smile. “God saved my life! I am more than blessed to wake up each an everyday and being able to practice and compete with my teammates and then play games to end the week is major in my life right now. I’ve faced a lot of obstacles in my life but I’m still here so the story continues”, warned Zac Owens. He began his college career at at Huntington University (NAIA) averaging 6.3ppg, 1.7rpg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 72.7% and in his second season averaged 15.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 42.7%, FT: 83.1%. He made a massive jump in his game in his second year thanks in part to his mentor Mike Bush. “My game grew a lot that season because of the opportunity was there with Mike Bush leaving and the coaches trusting me to fill that role. Mike Bush pushed me every single day when I was a freshman. We would stay after practice and play 1 on 1 for hours along with Junior Scott (Skylar Diggans younger brother). After my freshman season he told me “ it’s your time now, what you going to do with your moment?”, stressed Zac Owens. He scored in double figures in his second season in 20 of 31 games including 30 points against Taylor and 28 points against Goshen. He then made the move to Emporia State University (NCAA2) averaging 7.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 37.4%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 75.9%. He played a lot less minutes than the season before, but there was a good reason for that.” I had a completely different role I was actually moved to the SG position due to my scoring ability. But the positives I got from that season were the bonds I created from that team and the Emporia community it’s all love for them”, said Zac Owens. That season he scored in double figures in 7 games including 24 points against St.Mary’s, KS. He then decided to head back to the NAIA and played 2 seasons with Bethel University, Indiana (NAIA) averaging 18.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 77.9% and 15.6ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 79.6%. He helped lead his team to the NAIA Elite 8. “The elite 8 was amazing to me to see because everyday as a leader you want to push your guys and bring the best out of them. So with me not being on the court I was just so happy to see them be successful without me and I knew all the times I encouraged my teammates to be better paid off it was beautiful”, stated Zac Owens. In his first season he was teammates with walking bucket Trevion Crews who averaged 24,0ppg and has experience in the German Pro A with PS Karlsruhe and Giessen. He was able to soak up so much from him. “ I would say he is by far one of the easiest players I have ever played with. For the record we should have a ring together. But he was just so unselfish and accepting of me coming to play with him and we quickly became the best backcourt in the country. The biggest thing I got from him is you can’t win without other good players making plays”, remembered Zac Owens. In his 2 years there he played 47 games and scored in double figures in 40 games including 35 points against Grace College and 29 points against Judson. He took important advice from head coach Steve Drabyn and uses it today. “His message to me was that “you can always do more than you think” he would never let me get comfortable and constantly made me be a better player each and everyday and for that thank him. Because coaches overseas are the same way and they expect a lot out of you so I’m already used to that”, stressed Zac Owens who remembers beating Trevion Crews in 1-1 duels in practice. He is more than blessed to have had the opportunity to learn and grow as a player at all 3 schools. “I was able to learn the game from so many different coaches and learn from my teammates as well. The biggest thing for me was adapting to each situation as they were all different but I just made the most of them and had as much fun as I could with each opportunity”, added Zac Owens.

The Indiana native who lists TreVion Crews, Mike Bush, Justin Willams, Saiquan Jamison, and Paul Scruggs as his 5 best teammates of all-time came overseas in 2022 and split time with Akademija FMP Skopje (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 13.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 46.5%, 3FGP: 21.7%, FT: 66.7%, in Nov.’22 moved to Palangos Kursiai (Lithuania-NKL) averaging 15.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 84.5%. He proved in Lithuania that he had no problems adjusting and being a vital contributor. “Lithuania was very eye opening for me I’m Very thankful I had a great coaching staff there and they showed me the ropes of European basketball and how it should be played! The growth I made my rookie year there was amazing and it just showed me that I can play in Europe and that the future was going to be okay if I can handle this then I’m ready for everything that’s coming my way”, said Zac Owens. In Lithuania he scored in double figures in 20 of 30 games including 28 points against Neptunas-Akv and 26 points against Telsiai. He split last season with KK Zabok (Croatia-Premijer Liga) averaging 13.0ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 55.1%, 3FGP: 42.9%, FT: 72.0%, in Nov.’23 moved to Portimonense (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 12.0ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 92.9%. In Croatia he lost the first 5 games, but then it went better where he won 3 of 4 games, but they still made a change getting 36 year old veteran Nickolas Neal. He had to sustain some real growing pains and witnessed that basketball is always a business first. “I learned a lot of being in Croatia especially about the business side of things but I was able to learn from a Vet and that was great for me”, remembered Zac Owens. In Portugal he had misfortune again losing 8 games, but also here he got positives from his time. “I was able to play against Benfica and Porto who have much respect in Europe in the basketball realm of things. And to play against that competition and perform well showed me that I belong at that level”, warned Zac Owens. In Portugal he was teammates for a very short time with Micah Downs. Downs was most likely one of the most experienced and best travelled teammate that he had ever played with that also gave him the needed advice whenever needed. “Micah Downs was a great vet for me he really challenged me everyday and made sure I was on my A game. If I wasn’t he would call me out with no hesitation and it was up to me to respond with my game and player better. He gave me a lot of knowledge and showed me how to stay professional no matter what’s going on around you. We both shared the same love for the game. I think he could tell that I really loved the game and I could tell the same about him”, expressed Zac Owens.

The scoring guard who lists Lebron, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Steph Curry as his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is playing his third pro season and this season for BC Vienna (Austria BSL). This is his fifth team and fifth country, but does that warrant him as being a basketball globetrotter? “I’ve had quite the journey so far, but no I don’t feel like a globetrotter haha. I know that my journey is for me and no matter how any situation has turned out, I have Learned something from each one and it has made me a better player each and every year”, warned Zac Owens. He moved around a lot in his first 2 pro seasons, but this season it looks he will have no other home besides BC Vienna. “That was the main thing this off season I really wanted to get to a team and stay there all year. I will finish up the year with BC Vienna in hopes for a great playoff run coming up in the next weeks”, stressed Zac Owens. It hasn´t been a great season for BC Vienna as they began solid, but then suffered a 7 game losing streak, then snapped it, but then began another losing streak. But the Playoffs are still a possibility. Despite the tough season, he adores Vienna. “Vienna is beautiful I heard so much about it after I had signed this summer and everyone was right about it. It’s been so much to explore and see and do, Vienna is definitely in my top 5 places in the world! It has been a lot to experience here and has made my time off the court that much easier. This season so far has been a tough one but mentally for me as the point guard I hate losing but, it has allowed me to grow and understand how to navigate a team through these times. Of course we want to win every game and that’s my job to make sure the team keeps that approach no matter what’s going on”, said Zac Owens. He has had the luck to have so many different nationalities as there are 7 different nationalities on the squad which has helped his game. Despite the team not winning as much as they would like, he has been brutally consistent currently averaging 2312ppg, 2,7rpg, 5,6apg and 1,8spg despite having some Americans come and go, but now has a new scoring bucket on his side with Ivan Gavrilovic. “It’s been a pretty cool dynamic to have this season, it’s never a dull moment in the Locker room with so many different personalities combing at once. It has definitely helped my game because we all have knowledge in different areas so the more we learn from each other the better. I wouldn’t say it has been tough because I just go out there to play and do what I can to help the team win each and every night. I knew coming into this season that I would have a big role here and be expected of a lot. The loss of Saiquan Jamison hurt us as a team tremendously he’s the best rebounder I’ve ever played with. But he’s back and healthy now so I’m excited for him to get back out there and help us win games. Frank Gaines only played a few games but he has played basketball at a high level and during his time here I just tried to learn from him as much as I could and thankfully he gave me some of his knowledge. Having Ivan Gavrilovic control the paint night in and night out has helped us in a lot of ways. No team has been able to stop him”, warned Zac Owens.

The small guard who lists Lebron James as his Goat is a mix between Dejounte Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and wouldn´t mind hearing the Nate Robinson comparisons one day. “I have never heard the Nate Robinson comparisons but hopefully after this summer I will be able to be explosive how he was I think that would take my game to another level”, stressed Zac Owens. He is a lethal scorer, but can also dish out assists with the best of them. Is he a scoring or pass first guard? “I would classify myself as a player maker. I know I can score at a very high level and in ways that many point guards can’t. And I also dish out assists to keep my teammates involved. When you combine the two you get a play making point guard. I can do both at a high level”, stated Zac Owens. Is the versatile player already a 3 level scorer at this state of his career? “I am a 3 level scorer. I spend a lot of hours working on my game and watching film to be a very good scorer at all levels. Being versatile is very important to me, it allows me to have so many options and fit any role on any team”, commented Zac Owens. His three pointer is still a work in progress. Last season he shot 42% and currently is stable at 35%. “As a point guard growing up in Indiana you really have choice but to know how to shoot. And right now in my career with my 3 point shooting I am focused on being consistent I think the next step for me to get back to shooting in the 40% range is just shot selection”, added Zac Owens. He knows that there is still a lot of refining to do with his game if he wants to reach the next level. “I need to work on IQ, reading the defense and really understanding how to pick it apart each and every play. Understanding where to make the correct pass and why and taking the correct shot and why. And this comes from watching a lot of film of the times I do it correct and also learning from the times I don’t. So really just improving my IQ has been my main focus”, said Zac Owens. After his playing days, he wants to get into coaching, motivational speaking and helping less fortunate kids. “ You know as a athlete at times we wrap our identity up in the sport we play. And with me being a man of God he has preached to me that our identity should be in him and nothing else. The message I try to convey to others is “Just Be You” which simply means just be yourself at all times no matter where you are or who you are around. God has created you in his image and just with knowing that you should love who you are”, warned Zac Owens. It will be interesting to see where his journey goes in the next years. Will he land in Germany? For now he is 100% focused on helping BC Vienna reach the playoffs. Reaching the playoffs or winning that first pro chip would definitely aid his chances of reaching the next level.