sports

Maxwell Dongo Commences On A 4 Month Journey To China And It Looks Like He Will Chose Computer Science Over Basketball In The Future

Maxwell Dongmo (196-PF-2003) is a 21 year old 196cm guard played his second season with TSV Oberhaching Tropics Deisenhofen (ProB) averaging 11,6ppg, 6.9rpg, 1,1apg, and 1,3bpg. Last season with TSV Oberhaching Tropics Deisenhofen (ProB), he averaged 10.9ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 52.6%. He began his basketball career with FC Bayern Munich where he played for their youth teams and farm team FC Bayern Munich 2 (Pro B). He spoke to germanhoops.com in Feb 2025 about basketball.

Thanks Maxwell for talking to germanhoops.com. A new adventure in Asia is approaching. What will you do there and will you be able to play basketball?

I could practice with a few teams, but to play games will be tough with getting a license in the short time of 4 months when I will be there. My first priority is my studies computer science. I will be in Peking. I might join the university team.

Your now in your second season with the TSV Oberhaching Tropics Deisenhofen (ProB). What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

The main reason I came to the Tropics was that I was able to combine my studies and play basketball. That was a big benefit especially since I can play at a high level still.

Your only 21, but played with the FC Bayern Munich youth. Are the Tropics just a stopover to get to higher leagues?

That is a good question. I think about that a lot. On one hand I can see myself giving gas for the pro career, but on the other hand I can see myself concentrating on my masters and focusing on my job career. At the moment I´m leaning towards concentrating on computer science.

The team have a very special team chemistry. How quickly did you notice upon arriving in 2023 that this is a very special team?

It is all so family like which I like. There is a big difference between the young and older guys. You learn a lot form the older guys. They are all so cool and have so much experience. They are very open and fun to be around off the court.

The last weeks haven´t been easy as there were many sicknesses, but still the team stayed together and won games. What is this team´s biggest strength?

I think that the biggest thing is the experience. We have learned to win tough games despite having adversary. Guys like Know, Koegler and Zeis have a lot of experience. We know how to be successful with short rotations, because we are used to it. We always prepare like that. We are never surprised if we may get down fast, but just stay competitive the whole time. We always believe that we will have a chance even with a 6-7 man rotation.

It is a tight fight for the playoffs as from 5-11, only one win is the difference. The goal is the playoffs, but does this team have title mentality?

We want to win each game. Even when teams underestimate us, we show that we can stick with anyone. We know that winning the title will be difficult, but even with a title moving up will be hard because of all the red tape. We want to reach the playoffs and then get as far as possible.

Let´s talk a little about your teammates. How special is Omari Knox? Is he like a mentor for you? He is 38 and still playing at a high level.

Yes he is, but moreover is an inspiration for me. The great thing about Omari is despite playing at a high level, he does it at both ends. He is a great offensive player, but will still play good defense and keep his guy in front of him. Age has nothing to do with how good he still is.

He has said for years each season is his last. Do you think he will retire after this season?

I´m not sure. Everybody already thought last season that he would retire. I would never say no.

What is it like playing with Janosch Kogler? Is he the ultimate teammate?

Whenever there are tough times on the court, he always brings us up. He is the first guy to motivate you. He always fights to the end. He is a great offensive player. He also has a knack of being able to get points in tough situations.

Fynn Fischer is a player that played in the BBL and Pro B, but has accepted having a Pro B career now. How special is he as a teammate for you?

It is so easy to play with him. Last season, he was at times our best shooter. He spreads the floor so well, but can also be a presence inside. It is a real pleasure to paly with him.

Another real experienced player is Peter Zeis. He is a school teacher. What has he taught you about life?

He taught me that you need to enjoy life and not always take everything so serious.

How important has head coach Mario Matic been for your career in Oberaching. How has your game grown since leaving Munich?

Mario helped me gain a lot of self-confidence when I arrived. I didn´t have that before. He let me play my game and believed in my game.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm player. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would bets fit the description?

Charles Barkley who was an undersized big man.

You’re a great defensive player but have showed your offensive game with the Tropics. What is your biggest strength on the court?

My aggressiveness on offense and defense. I´m a good offensive rebounder and a defensive presence.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. Talk a little about how you go about most to reaching the next level as a shooter?

I think that the more repetitions that you take the more self confidence that you get. I also think that you always have to put up shots at a consistent basis and never hesitate but just shoot.

I have heard the compliment that you’re the best defender in the Pro B. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I feel that at the moment I have let up a bit. I have to find my old shape and athleticism again. I want my fitness again.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

I want to become a better on ball defender and be more active.

You began your career with FC Bayern Munich. What kind of an experience was it? How challenging was it?

I arrived when I was 14. I had only played 1-2 years. I was nowhere near the level of the other kids. It was a big challenge competing with talented kids and reaching their level.

The youth teams always has the best young players. How difficult was it to work hard and develop as a player while fighting for the most minutes possible?

I just gave my all in practice. The coaches helped me a lot. I always had the opportunity to practice and took the chance to work a lot on my game. I was able to develop and improve and earn minutes.

Andreas Wagner, Moris Hadzija uad Paolo Prestes were massive in your development. Talk a little how each guy helped you most?

Andreas was the reason that I played Pro B. I wasn´t supposed to play Pro B, but then I got the word that I could. I also was lucky that Mo Silah got injured which helped me increase my minutes. I showed that I could play at that level. Andreas gave me a lot of self-confidence that I could play at that level. Moris always told me to stay hungry, win each game, give 100% and never give up. Paulo is responsible for me being the offensive player that I am today. He helped me gain certain moves.

Corona halted the development of young players everywhere. But you had an advantage playing Pro B. That opportunity was huge, but despite not playing as much NBBL as possible, could you have become a different player today?

That is a good question. I had more offensive responsibility in the NBBL. Playing Pro B helped my game a lot. I think that if I had also been able to play NBBL during Corona then my game may be at a higher level today.

You reached the 2022 NBBL top 4. How tough was the loss to Vechta? Did that take long to digest?

That was my last NBBL year. It was my last chance to win. I really felt like we had the team to win it all that year. Not reaching the final was very frustrating.

Would Munich have won with a healthy Ivan Kharchenkov?

That is hard to say. We had to have won the title with the roster that we had. Vechta simply played better than we did. They won fair and square.

What was the coolest moment you had off the court? Did you meat any famous basketball or soccer players over the years?

I remember seeing Miro Klose a lot. He would be at the training facility. I also had car pools with the youth soccer players. It was cool to hear about their experiences. I really enjoyed my time with the JBBL team. We won the title. I will always remember the great times with my teammates and going on trips to tournaments in Barcelona and Prague. We would all chill in 1 hotel room- It was great times. We all understood each other so well.

What dreams do you still have with basketball?

My dream is to be a pro player. However I have the dilemma of how far can I go and will it be worth it? Your pro career ends sometime and the question then is what do I do next?

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that reached the NBA?

Vladimir Lucic when I practiced with the BBL team. Just when you thought you defended well, he still was able to score. That was frustrating.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Michael Rataj, Tristan Da Silva, Omari Knox, Erol Ersek, Matej Rudan

Please name your NBA, Euro and German Mount Rushmore?

Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, Russell Westbrook

Jokic, Doncic, Wemby, Tony Parker

Dirk Nowitzki, Detlef Schrempf, Dennis Schroeder, Franz Wagner

Who is your GOAT

Michael Jordan.

Thanks Maxwell for the chat.

Michael Bradley(EPG Guardians Koblenz) Wants To Experience That Bochum Feeling Again In Karlsruhe Next Weekend

Pic credit: Angel King Media

Michael Bradley (185-PG-2000, college: NKU) is a 185cm point guard that was born in San Antonio, Texas and is playing his rookie season with the EPG Guardians Koblenz. He began his basketball career at Cornerstone Christian Academy and then played at Naval Academy Prep School. He then played at Mercyhurst University (NCAA2) from 2019-2023 playing a total of 101 games and improved his scoring average each season and in his last season averaged 14.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 86.3%. He added a season at Northern Kentucky University (NCAA) averaging 10.2ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 82.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the massive 102-85 win in Bochum.

Congrats Michael on the huge 102-85 win in Bochum. Was this the biggest win of the season?

I wouldn´t say that it was necessarily our biggest, but we really needed the win. It felt really good to put together a whole game. We showed a lot of resilience and showed that we can compete with anyone.

How tough were the last months? The team was 1-15 in 2025. Did you ever feel like the team lost faith in being able to win again this season?

I don´t think that we lost faith totally, but we had rough phases where the mind went crazy. We just had to stay positive and stick together. We are a close team no matter what the results say.

The only bad news is that Artland also won. Is that win maybe a blessing in disguise to keep the Guardians on their toes going into the last game?

It is, but we just want to win the last game and close the season on a positive note. The focus is on us.

With what kind of a mind set did you to Bochum after the tough lost at home against Trier. Was it more than just that we have nothing to lose mentality?

We had nothing to lose. We just had to focus on what we needed to do and execute and not lose faith. Many guys stepped up and had big games.

How pumped were the Guardians going in wanting revenge for the loss against Bochum in the first game?

We were very pumped. We thought about that first loss. It was our season debut at home and it is never easy losing a game like that.

What kind of a feeling did you have after William Lee made his first basket? Did you think that he would explode for just a great game?

Of course I thought he would have a big game. We always tell him when he gets to his spots, he has to take them. You see what he can do on the floor when he plays with confidence. He is always bound to have a big game. He is amazing to watch.

He began well against Vechta and then had some so so games and now this. How do you explain his up and down play?

I think with Will it is all about putting him in the right position. When that happens, then he can get the kinds of looks he needs. We never lost faith in him. He can always impact the game not only with his scoring.

How much did the 2 three´s late in the first quarter by Matt Strange hurt? But defensively you couldn´t stop the drive so well?

He is one of their main shooters and we had to make it more difficult and slow him down more. We packed the paint better after that first quarter giving them more difficult looks as the game went on.

The Guardians had the solid 51-45 lead at the break as Cockfield and Lee carried the team. But Bochum´s Tamenang Choh was a menace. What was so difficult in stopping him?

We just weren´t aggressive. We had to buckle down and get stops so we could get out on transition.

How key was the early 11-2 run in the third quarter with 2 three´s by Lee. Was that the starting stepping stone of getting the comfortable lead?

That for sure was the case. In past games we hadn´t done a good job starting strong in the second half. We had to attack the way we started the game. I think that we did a great job staying poised and not giving up any more runs.

The Guardians had the comfortable 78-61 advantage after 3 quarters. Alexandre Bouzidi added 5 points. How huge was the overall contribution from so many guys on offense?

It was huge. It was so much fun moving the ball well and not forcing up shots. When guys got open looks, they took them. When we play like that then we are very hard to beat.

How proud are you of the team that you finished strong? So often in this season, the Guardians have let up in the second half to lose?

It brought a lot of happiness. We stayed together and kept going strong in the second half. That showed a lot of maturity and growth.

Leon Friderici scored the 100th points. Did he get donuts?

He did not. I will have to remind him.

What was the biggest strength of the team? Perhaps keeping Bochum to only 33% from outside as a team?

We wanted to run them off the three point line. Even if we did give up a lot of points in the paint, we were aggressive on the three point line and limited them and had our hands up. We capitalized on their misses and got out on transition with the long rebounds.

You have a do or die game against Ps Karlsruhe and Artland plays against the door mat Vechta. What will be key to beating PS Karlsruhe?

We will go in with the same approach as against Bochum. We will focus on us and go in and do all we can to win. We want to have that great feeling again that we had in Bochum. We will be ready and play our best.

You had 6 points and 10 assists. Your 10 assists was a career high. How good did the 10 assists feel plus no turnovers?

It´s always cool to have a game like that and 0 turnovers. I really take pride in getting assists. I like to get guys going with assists. I know that I can impact the game by getting my teammates involved. I just want my teammates to succeed by putting them in the right position.

You were more of a scorer in the first half of the season. Have you concentrated more on being a playmaker in the second half of the season?

Playmaking has been a key focus, but I just do what the game gives me. The season has been up and down and you need to adjust to the Euro game. I just try to find the perfect balance and that comes with growth and maturity.

Ty Cockfield said that he will have his best game against PS Karlsruhe. Will you follow him and do the best?

Of course I will have a big game. I will be locked in like the rest of my teammates.

What is your favorite childhood easter memory and how did you celebrate on Sunday in Germany?

Just spending time with my family having a big buffet full of food and then huningt for easter eggs. I spent Easter today watching the RheinStars lose to Bernau.

Who will reach the NBA final and who will win it?

I see Boston playing Oklahoma and Boston winning.

Thanks Michael for the chat.

It Was A Beautiful Day In Bochum For Ty Cockfield And The EPG Guardians Koblenz Where All The Pieces Came Together

pic credit: Angel King Media

Ty Cockfield Jr. (183-PG-1996, college: Arkansas St., agency: BIG) is a 183cm point guard that is playing his 4th professional season and first in Germany with Pro A team EPG Guardians Koblenz. Last season he played with Proton Cable Prizreni (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 18,2ppg, 4,5rpg, 4,8apg and 1,1spg. In 2021-2022 he played with KB Trepca Mitrovice (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 15.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 25.5%, FT: 81.7%. He played his rookie season with at BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers (Austria-2.Bundesliga) averaging 22.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.6apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 23.3%, FT: 87.0%. He began his basketball career at Johnson high school and then played at Stetson University (NCAA) averaging 7.1ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 83.3%. He then played at Georgia Highlands College (JUCO) averaging 16.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.2apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 78.1%. He then finished at Arkansas State University (NCAA) averaging 15.1ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 78.2% and in his senior year averaged 22.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 82.0%. He spoke togermanhoops.com after the massive 102-85 road win in Bochum.

Congrats Ty on the huge 102-85 win in Bochum. Was this the biggest win of the season?

Yes it was especially due to the circumstances and us fighting to stay in the league. We want to end the season with a positive feeling and want to show everyone that we got better.

How tough were the last months? The team was 1-15 in 2025. Did you ever feel like the team lost faith in being able to win again this season?

At some point yes, we also had spurts where we believed we could win games. We have been fighting to win and we knew that we would eventually win again.

The only bad news is that Artland also won. Is that win maybe a blessing in disguise to keep the Guardians on their toes going into the last game?

The Artland win makes this game very important for us again instead of it just being another game. We have that win or go home mentality.

With what kind of a mind set did you to Bochum after the tough lost at home against Trier. Was it more than just that we have nothing to lose mentality?

We had more than just nothing to lose mentality. We had everything to lose. We wanted to prove to the city of Koblenz and the league that we can win. We showed tonight that if we put the pieces together, we can compete with anyone.

How pumped were the Guardians going in wanting revenge for the loss against Bochum in the first game?

We were very pumped for this game. Guys were talking about how badly we needed to win before the game. We were so fired up and everybody had so much energy. We felt like we were going to win on the way to Bochum. It was a beautiful day where all the pieces came together in Bochum

Did you have any feeling that William Lee would have a big game after he scored his first bucket?

Yes I knew it right away. I thought that he would run off 20 straight shots. I told him at half time to keep going. Bochum was giving our guards so much attention so that he could take over.

He began well against Vechta and then had some bad games and now this. How do you explain his up and down play?

I think that with William it is more about who is on the floor with him and who he can feed off. I think in his down games, he was trying to figure out his place in the lineup. We had so many different lineups and that is hard on anybody. We had a great lineup and that put him in great positions for his game. That was the real William tonight. That is what he gets paid for.

How much did the 2 three´s late by Matt Strange hurt? But defensively you couldn´t stop the drive so well?

That hurt us. We tried to take away his three pointer. It is tough guarding him. Sometimes he doesn´t even look at the rim when he shoots the ball. He kept them in the game.

The Guardians had the solid 51-45 lead at the break as you and Lee carried the team. But Bochum´s Tamenang Choh was a menace. What was so difficult in stopping him?

I think that he did a good job getting to his spots. He found out how to play against our defense and got to his spots. He was able to utilize his game off our defense. He has a great IQ as well. He took what the defense gave him.

How key was the early 11-2 run in the third quarter with 2 three´s by Lee. Was that the starting stepping stone of getting the comfortable lead?

That run changed the game. I was already celebrating before he took the shots. We know that once he makes shots like that, the game is history.

The Guardians had the comfortable 78-61 advantage after 3 quarters. Alexandre Bouzidi added 5 points. How huge was the overall contribution from so many guys on offense?

That was huge. It is so much having many contribute than having all eyes only on one. It was great having 5-6 guys be able to control the pace. Michael Bradley set a career high in assists. Everything came together tonight

How proud are you of the team that you finished strong? So often in this season, the Guardians have let up in the second half to lose?

I´m so proud how well we played for 40 minutes. We had so many problems this season being able to put 2 halves together. The way we played in Bochum tonight is how we should of played all season long. But you can´t control the ups and downs during a season.

Leon Friderici scored the 100th points. Is he getting donuts?

Leon needs those donuts. He hit a lot of big shots. He showed up big in the first half.

What was the biggest strength of the team? Perhaps keeping Bochum to only 33% from outside as a team?

It was our defense. We were flying around all night long and switching up our defense on almost every play. We had a jump defense.

You have a do or die game against Ps Karlsruhe and Artland plays against the door mat Vechta. What will be key to beating PS Karlsruhe?

We just have to be ourselves just like against Bochum. We as players and our coach can´t panic. We just have together as a unit and paly ball.

You had 27 points against Trier and 24 against Bochum. Are you saving your absolute best for PS Karlsruhe?

Oh yes. I´m all locked in for the final game. It will be my best.

What is your favorite childhood easter memory and how will you celebrate on Sunday in Germany?

My favorite Easter memory was searching for Easter eggs at church with all the children. They were golden eggs with 5$ bills. As a kid, we felt rich when we found them. I think tomorrow I will get together with some of the guys and get food. I might also go to church with Adi Eri.

Who will reach the NBA final and who will win it?

I have Boston-Golden State and Golden State winning.

Thanks Ty for the chat,

Chrysostom Chukwuma Wants To Spread His Wings And See The World And Go To Higher Leagues

Chrysostom Chukwuma (190-G-1996, agency: Bell Basketball) is a 28 year old 190cm guard playing his first season in Germany with the Skyliners Juniors (Pro B) after starting the season with the Helsinki Seagulls. He began his basketball career with Vantaan Pussihukat. He then played 5 seasons with Jyvaskyla Basketball Academy. He then played 2 seasons with Lapuan Kobrat (Korisliiga) and a season with Pyrinto Tampere (Korisliiga).He spoke to germanhoops about basketball.

Chuku for talking to germanhoops. Before we talk basketball, I have to ask you about your name Chrysostom. That doesn´t seem like a common Finish name. How did you get that name?

It is a Greek name that my dad gave me.

Most people call you Chuko, but does anyone call you by your name Chrysostom?

A couple of people with my mom and dad.

You came in mid season from the Helsinki Seagulls to Frankfurt. Why did you make that move?

I already wanted to go out of Finland last summer, but had no offers. I didn´t want to go to the fourth divisions in Italy or Spain. Helsinki gave me an option during the season to go any time which I really appreciate. I´m so happy to be with the Skyliners. This is a great place to get better.

The Skyliners are a very young team. What is your role besides being a leader and mentor?

Being the guy that handles the offense and makes sure the plays are run right.

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard even though you can pass the ball very well?

Yes it is.

You are also an allrounder. How big is versatility in your game?

I think that my versatility is really big in my game. I can be a 3 and D player, guard the other teams best player, rebound, drive and shoot. The next part of my game that I´m working on is being able to bring the ball. I can do everything, but my role now is as point guard.

With Bruno Albrecht and Felix Hecker are 2 lethal scoring guards. Does that give you more of a chance to be a playmaker?

Yes of course. I love those guys. They have so much confidence shooting the ball. Especially Bruno Albrecht is always trigger happy.

How is your relationship with Jamie Edoka? How talented is he? Is he taking on tips from you?

It hasn´t been so much so far, but we have one connection in that we are both half Nigerian. He is a good guy. He is so talented. If he needs advice from me, I will always give it to him. He made some tough three´s against the Tropics. If he can get his jump shot right, then he can be a great player.

Are you able to practice with the easyCredit BBL team? When you see young guys like Trey Calvin and Malik Parsons, do you feel like you can stand your ground against them?

I do practice with the BBL team. It isn´t like I get run over by them. I can compete with them.

You were teammates with Curtis Hollis. He played in Germany in 2019-2020 and then 4 years away from Europe. Shouldn´t a guy like him be playing at even higher levels?

Curtis is super talented. I knew that he had played in Canada. I have no idea why he wasn´t overseas longer. He gives good energy and is a locker room guy. He still keeps in touch with me.

You played 4 seasons in the Korisliiga, the highest league in Finland. Is that league your goal in the future or would you like to explore higher leagues in Europe?

I want to go to higher leagues in Europe. I got a little bored in Finland. I want to spread my wings and see the world.

When you played at Lapuan Kobrat (Finland-Korisliiga) you were teammates with Denzel Livingston who was with the Houston Rockets. What memories do you have of him?

Denzel was our veteran. He always made sure I got my extra work in. We pushed each other each day in practice.I loved to play with him.

You played 5 seasons with Jyvaskyla Basketball Academy). How vital was Mikko Tupamaki for your early basketball development?

When I was young I couldn´t handle mistakes. I would get down so fast when I missed a shot. He helped me grow mentally. I will always appreciate him for that.

You began your basketball career with Vantaan Pussihukat Juniorit. What memories do you have of these days. How did your game develop there?

I had the green light there and could do what I wanted to. I had my own team. Coach always told me that we can go as far as we want with me. It is always good for a very young player to have that opportunity to be able to carry a team.

How respected is Gordon Herbert in Finland? Have you ever met him?

I never met him. He is very respected in Finland.

Your 28 years old. What dreams do you still have as a player?

I want to reach the highest level and use my full potential. This year with Frankfurt is very important for me to be able to make the next step.

The toughest player that you faced that reached the Euroleague was Petti Koponen. What do you remember from that battle?

He was already older and had problems with his hip. He couldn´t do much anymore. He is the most known player that I have played against.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Rene Rousseau, Christian Lutete, KJ Jackson, Andre Wesson, PJ Raymond

What is your NBA, Euro and Finish Mount Rushmores?

Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, Derrick Rose

Nowitzki, Jokic, Giannis, Tony Parker

Lauri Markkanen, Petteri Koponen, Shawn Huff, Hanno Mottola

Who is your Goat?

Michael Jordan

Thanks Chuku for the chat.

Timo Lanmueller (Frankfurt Skyliners) Continues To Grind Searching For That BBL Breakthrough

pic credit: Austria Basketball Federation:

While the Americans Malik Parsons and Trey Calvin were doing serious damage in an early pre season test game against Scottish team Caledonia Gladiators, there were enough other German players on the Fraport Skyliners trying to shine and get seriously recognized by Denis Wucherer. Ok so veteran German players like Christoph Philipps, Garai Zeeb and Lorenz Brenneke will get their share of minutes, but what about other Germans like Timo Lanmueller (193-SG-2001) and Bruno Albrecht? Ok so Bruno Albrecht has no BBL experience and his journey for minutes will be very difficult, but what about Timo Lanmueller? He already played first BBL minutes as a teenager with ratiopharm Ulm and last season played his first full BBL season with the Tuebingen Tigers. He didn’t play too many minutes against the Gladiators, but hit a trey and played aggressive defense. Those 2 components are his game, but will he slip into Wucherer’s rotation this season? He is 23 years old and could 3 be a charm this season with the Frankfurt Skyliners after not breaking through in Ulm and Tuerbingen? ‘I feel like I still have a lot of potential that I still haven’t yet showed. I have a season of BBL play under my belt. I was able to learn many things and see what works and what doesn’t. It is all a learning process. I’m sure that I can play better than last season. My desire is big for this season. I want to do all I can to help the Skyliners achieve their season goals’, stressed Timo Lanmueller. Unfortunately 3 wasn’t a charm this season as he has played only 14 games averaging 2,4ppg in 10,4 minutes per game. He played most of his games in the first 3 months of the seasons and only 3 games in the last 2 months, but was efficient against FC Bayern Munich and ratiopharm Ulm scoring 6 points a piece. All he can do is to just continue to grind searching for the BBL breakthrough.

Timo Lanmueller who lists Munich sniper Andi Obst as his toughest cover ever as he is hard to defend and you can never leave him alone was born on March 17th, 2001 and has the Austrian-German citizenship. He began his basketball career in Austria with the Vienna Flames and joined the ratiopharm Ulm system at age 15. He was there for parts of 6 seasons and saw everything on the floor from the youth teams right up to the pro teams Orange academy and making his debut with easyCredit BBL team ratiopharm Ulm. Of course it didn’t hurt that he was challenged every season by top young players like Jason George, Zach Ensminger and Nicolas Bretzel to just name a few. I remember David Kramer telling me 8 years ago that he would reach the NBA. Ok so it wasn’t quite enough to get there, but he still was crowned world champion with Germany in 2023. Kramer was never shy of self-confidence. ‘Ulm was very important in my early development. The fact that they have great coaches and players was a plus. I’m so thankful that they took a chance on a kid from Vienna. Danny Jansson and Anton Gavel were key in my development. I think that David Kramer had the biggest impact on me. When I was 15 or 16, I looked up the most to him. He was from Austria like men. We had a very good connection right from the start’, remembered Timo Lanmueller. During his early years, he was invited to play with Germany at the highly respected Albert Schweitzer tournament in Mannheim (11.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 78.6%) and help win it together with rising NBA player Franz Wagner. He will always have those stories for his grand parents one day. ‘Franz had always been an unbelievable talent. He grew very late. I remember in the U-16 he was like 195cm and then in the U-18 was 205cm. He just continued to develop really well with Alba Berlin and at Michigan. I’m really happy he has done so well winning the world championships and playing well in the NBA’, stated Timo Lanmueller. Just like for many other players, Covid did derail his development a bit as he played less games, but that gave him the chance to work harder and longer in the gym. In the 20-21 season, he was rewarded by playing 2 easyCredit BBL games. He also had the pleasure of being teammates with Ulm’s identity figure Per Guenther and will never forget him. ‘What I will always remember from him most is that he always wanted to have fun and not be that serious captain. It was always important for him to have fun and enjoy the game. He was an unbelievable leader. It was a cool experience being able to play with him’, commented Timo Lanmueller.

The sniper who lists Per Guenther, Andi Obst, Franz Wagner, Rasid Mahalbasic, and Jakob Poelti as his 5 best teammates of all-time then made a change in mid season joining the Tigers Tuebingen in December 2020. As Covid was in full swing, he was able to take advantage of tough times and rapidly find a role with the Tigers as he played 21 games averaging 8.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 85.2%. He scored in double figures 11 times including 19 points against Kirchheim and 17 points against Rostock. In his 4 years there, he gained about as much experience as a young player can seeing 2 different leagues as he played 100 Pro A games and 30 easyCredit BBL games. A man who was very vital for him being able to get the valuable minutes needed to develop further was rising coach Danny Jansson. He had already had him as coach with Orange Academy. ‘He coached me the last 6 years and was a very important coach in my career. The most important thing that I learned from him was to defend. I remember that in the JBBL (U-16), I wasn’t known as a defender. He told me if you want to play, you need to defend. I wanted a spot so I defended. I improved week by week. I’m thankful for all his defensive drills that helped my game’, expressed Timo Lanmueller. In his last 2 Pro A years, he continued to be a key role player with his shooting and defense averaging 6.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 84.9% and 7.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 72.0%. In those 2 years he scored in double figures 17 times including 19 points against Kirchheim and 18 points against PS Karlsruhe. He not only benefited from the great Jansson, but also from teammates like Zac Seljaas and the ultra veteran Till Joscha-Joenke. ‘Zac was a role model for me. He is a very competitive player that always gave 100% and wanted to win. He is a strong rebounder and hits his shots. I learned how to move better off ball and how to prepare my shot better from him. I spent a lot of time off the court with Till. He taught me how to be professional. He also taught me how to be more competitive and win games. He helped me develop the right kind of mind set. He was a very good mentor for me. He is a very good friend of mine’, added Timo Lanmueller. In his last season, he played in the BBL and did what he could in 14 minutes per game averaging 2.7ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.4apg. He didn’t get many shots, but added experience to help him make the next step with Frankfurt this season. ‘In the BBL, I learned to take my shots quicker. You don’t have as much time as in the Pro A. The looks are also different in the BBL. I also leaned that you have to hit shots more consistently. You don’t have as much time around screens. You have to have patience to get good looks. I learned also to become more intelligent and know when to attack and how to create advantages for me’, warned Timo Lanmueller.

The guard who names Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore understood it was time for a change and joined the Frankfurt Skyliners. There were many attractions for him. One was how coach Wucherer coached, but being able to be teammates with guys from the past also helped. ‘Wucherer is a coach that likes to have competitive players that like to defend and play intelligent. My role will be to bring positive energy, play physical defense and hit my three’s consistently’, said Timo Lanmueller. He followed the very exciting Trier series last season and was really impressed with Wucherer’s defensive philosophy. ‘I noticed that Wucherer likes his team to defend. You can’t hit 50% from outside every game. Some days you don’t hit everything and you have to win games with that fighting mentality on the defensive end. I can identify easily with his philosophy and believe I will fit in well’, stressed Timo Lanmueller. It may be 6 years ago since he won the AST, but he still has sweet memories playing with Bruno Vrcic and Lorenz Brenneke and like I believe that nothing can rattle Brenneke on the court. ‘Yes he is fearless. He already showed his potential back in 2018 at the AST and developed well the last years in Frankfurt. He also still has much potential. I’m happy to be his teammate again’, added Timo Lanmueller. After getting early experience with German youth national teams, he decided to put on the jersey for Austria and has been part of the national team since 2022. ‘I think that Austrian basketball developed further in the last years. Our U-18 reached 4th place in the B division. We have young guys playing in Germany, Spain and Italy. We aren’t still yet where we want to be, but we are working hard and want to make a push forward. Our ultimate goal is to reach a European championship or World championship’, stated Timo Lanmueller. At the 2023 FIBA Eurobasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, he played 11 games averaging 21 minutes and 7.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 59.3%. He is on his way of possible becoming an impact player there. ‘I think that I have a good chance. I showed in the last windows that I can get between 15-20 minutes. I want to build on that. I want to help the team win games as best as possible’, commented Timo Lanmueller.

Timo Lanmueller who names Jordan as his GOAT watches a lot of Euroleague and would compare his game to guys like Sergio Lull or Kyle Guy. One could classify him as that typical 3 and D player, but he has so many more strong attributes that allows him to sparkle on the court. ‘I have a good IQ. I also think that I’m a good pick and roll player. I wasn’t able to show it as much last season, but did as a youth’, said Timo Lanmueller. If the Fraport Skyliners want to be able to be competitive again this season in the easyCredit BBL, then they will have to play good and hard defense something they did consistently last season in the Pro A. The young German is prepared to give his best and will also continue to grind in the lab so he can become exactly the kind of defender that he wants to become. ‘I like to play aggressive and take away other players strength. I want to develop my athleticism even more in the next years and also be more explosive physically so I can become a good BBL defender’, warned Timo Lanmueller. But it isn’t only on defense where he will continue to grind in the gym, but also on becoming an even more lethal offensive player. ‘ I’m working a lot on my catch and shoot as well as off the dribble and off the pick and roll’, stressed Timo Lanmueller. It will be interesting to see if Timo Lanmueller gets another chance next season with the Skyliners or not? It looks more like he will continue to grind and most likely find a new challenge elsewhere.

Steve Esterkamp Prepared Oshane Drews(Rostock Seawolves) For The BBL

Pic credit: Darius Baumgart

Oshane Drews (198-SG-2001) is a 24 year old 198cm shooting guard playing his second professional season with the Rostock SeaWolves. He began his basketball career at RSV Stahnsdorf and then played 2 years with the Junior Loewen Braunschweig (NBBL) and SG Braunschweig (2.Regionalliga). He then played 2 seasosn with the Dragons Rhondorf and then made the next step to the Uni Baskets Paderborn (PRO A). He came to the Rostock Seawolves in 2023. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a game against the Frankfurt Skyliners.

You began your basketball career at TUS Lichterfelde and then played with RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf (ProB) averaging 6.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 51.1%. You were 16 years old that season. How do you remember that season? Did you mature quicker with more minutes?

I think that game reps are very important for one´s development. I made a big jump in my game. The funny thing was that then I had no idea what the Pro B was. The trust and minutes I got really helped me as a young player.

How valuable was head coach Denis Toroman in your early basketball development? Did it surprise you then that he gave you so much trust?

Yes a little. I remember at the middle of the season when I began to play more, he came to me and said, “I wish I could of given you even more minutes up to now. That opened my eyes and I concentrated more, worked harder and got more minutes.

What memories do you have of Daniel Kirchner? That same season he got a chance and then went to Dresden and has become a solid Pro A player. Did you see that coming then?

He had always had had a good shot, was fast, could jump and dunk. But at that time, he hadn´t had such a big role with us.

You then played 2 seasons with the Junior Loewen Braunschweig (NBBL) averaging 16.1ppg, 8.8rpg, 3.9apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 57.1%. You were injured your first season and bounched back in your second season. How vital were these 2 years in your basketball development?

That was the first time that I had practiced with a BBL team. I saw how difficult it was to play in the BBL. The BBL was worlds apart from what I had experienced as a player. It really opened up my eyes, how much more work I ha din front of me to improve my game.

Who won a 1-1 in practice, you or Simon Roosch?

I did.

You played 2 ANGT games with FC Bayern Munich. What memories do you have playing with them and great talents like Bruno Vrcic and Sascha Grant?

I just remember being really flashed. We traveled in style and stayed at a 5 star hotel in Belgrad and had a police escort. It was a cool experience. FC Bayern Munich welcomed me with open arms. I didn´t play much though.

You then played 2 seasons with the Dragons Rhoendorf (ProB).How tough was that first season. You began great playing 2 games and then Covid cancelled the Regionalliga season. How tough was starting great and then having the season end?

I still had knee problems the first season. The season ended abruptly. But we still moved up to the Pro B. That next summer, I had an operation and was fit for my second season. In the end, I didn´t miss anything my first season.

You then had your break out season in the Pro B averaging 11.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 58.3%. How did your game grow that season under Julius Thomas?

I improved so much with the Dragons. My game grew much. I became more flexible and versatile. I became stronger and more athletic and became a better defender. I also got used to that level.

What memories do you have of the Bernau win? You had 25 points a season high and teammate Paul Albrecht a triple double?

That is still a blur for me. I will never forget my fast break dunk. That was a good win. Everyone was happy.

You then joined the Uni Baskets Paderborn (ProA) averaging 7.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 64.0%. You made another jump in your game under Steve Esterkamp? Did he just let you play your game?

Yes he did. He gave me a good role. He prepared me for the BBL. He is a good coach. I really like his style.

Last season with Rostock you played 15 BBl games and 7 Fiba Europe Cup games with Rostock. Which player had the biggest impact on you in your first BBL season? Possibly Chris Carter?

I think that Eric Lockett had the biggest impact on me. We have same build and define ourselves with our defense.

How did you experience the Fiba Europe Cup season? You scored 4 points in 5 minutes against Jonava?

I like playing in the competition and enjoyed the trips. It was interesting to se how other countries played. I would have liked to have played more though.

What was it like coming back to Rhondorf scoring 31 points in the 2-0 playoff sweet?

I actually had the Dragon Dome bigger in my memory. I had a lot of fun and the fans gave me a nice welcome.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA or anywhere on a court that reached the NBA?

I have trained in USA and once trained with Bam Adebayo.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Derrick Alston Jr, Bryce Hamilton, Robin Amaize, Mike Smith, Jequan Lewis

Please name your personal NBA, Euro and German Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, Michael Jordan

Drazan Petrovic, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Giannis

Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schroeder, Franz Wagner, Daniel Theis

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Thanks Oshane for the chat.

Oshane Drews Credits The Rostock Seawolves Underdog Mentality As The Reason They Have Gotten So Far This Season

Pic credit: Darius Baumgart

Congrats on the big 84-68 win in Vechta. Is every game now like a do or die game?

We want to win every game. Every game counts now. We don´t go easy into games. We still see ourselves as the underdog. That is the reason why we have come so far this season.

Rostock had the slim 18-15 lead after one quarter. In the second quarter, Rostock exploded for 31 points. What was the focus going into the second quarter?

We changed our defensive sets a lot. It took us a while to get it going in the first quarter. We defended better in the second quarter and they didn´t adjust well.

Everything was clicking with many guys getting involved. Was that one of the best offensive quarters this season?

I think it was one of the best this season. We are a defensive orientated team, but I feel like we have have improved a lot on offense.

Malik Osborne and Pedro Bradshaw were huge. How vital have they been for the success?

It is never easy for a player to come in the middle of the season. You have to understand your role quickly. With Bradshaw we got a player who is great off ball and Osborne is a very strong offensive player that has helped us a lot on offense now.

Rostock managed the lead well in the second half. Did the defensive intensity lose some steam in the second half with such a comfortable lead?

We lost a little concentration with our different defensive sets and switches. They also adjusted well.

Johan Grunloh had a strong game with 14/10. Will he go to the NBA or possibly go to the NCAA?

I think college is out. He will get drafted and then play in the NBA

Frankfurt has a 2 game winning streak. Rostock easily won in Rostock 83-66. What will be key to getting the win on the road?

Both have new teams and both have had runs. We can´t underestimate them only because they are lower in the standings. We will come in motivated. We need the win. The team that wants it more will win.

Your playing your second season for the Rostock Seawolves. Has Rostock become like a second home?

What I really like about Rostock is that is near to my home Berlin. If we hadn´t come back so late from Vechta and I hadn´t slept so late, I would have returned home on my off day.

How exciting is the easyCredit BBL this season? Between position 3 and 14 is only a 2 win difference. Will Rostock make the playoffs this season?

Our goal are the playoffs. I feel like that if we keep playing the way we are now, we will reach it.

The team began 4-8 and then after Christmas won 6 of 7 games. What were the reasons for the team picking up their game?

We had a crisis meeting after the bad start. We changed the team a bit as well as our tactics. We understood what we needed to do to execute the game plan the right way and be successful. The new players and underdog mentality has been key in our success.

How vital has head coach Przemyslaw Frasunkiewicz been for the success of the team? What have you enjoyed most about his teaching philosophy?

We had many injuries and our game plan changed a lot. Coach knew how to make the right adjustments and kept the offense and defense flexible.

What has it been like being teammates with American Bryce Hamilton? How valuable has he been to the success?

Bryce is a great player and our offensive leader. You can give him the ball and he will do his thing.

Is Robin Amaize like a role model for you? What is the most important thing that you have soaked up from his game?

He is also a super player. He plays different than Americans do. What I try to do is take things I like from players and try to incorporate it into my game. I like his mentality and IQ. I try to soak that up from his game.

Your averaging 5 minutes per game, 1 minute more than last season. How tough is it in general finding minutes with this stocked BBL roster?

It is difficult to get minutes. I wasn´t even planned to be on the team. But I stayed and have gotten my chances. I just will keep working hard and earn minutes.

How tough is it being as efficient as possible? Do you sometimes let your defense make noise letting it spark your offense?

Yes I do. I always want to get into the game with my defense. It is tough to do something on offense with little touches. I think that I could do more on offense. The problem is when I come in, I try not to make mistakes. That mentality leads me too think twice during decision time. The BBL is so quick that you need to decide quicker. That second thought often leads to my option being gone.

Thanks Oshane for the chat.

Former Pro Player Clay Wilson Knew At Age 3 That He Would Coach And Has Worked With Canadian Legend Dave Smart At Pacific(NCAA)

Clay Wilson (191-G-1992, college: Princeton) is a former professional player that is an assistant under legend Dave Smart at the University of the Pacific. He began his coaching career at Green Country Defenders in Oklahoma. He then was an assistant at Cornell as well as at North Texas and also was director of player development at Texas Tech. He also was the co-founder, co-owner, and trainer for Elev8hoops in Oklahoma. He helped create one of the largest skill development programs in the region with more than 600 clients. He also co-founded the Clay Wilson and David Mason Skill Academy. As a player, he began his basketball career at Lincoln Christian high school and then played at Princeton (NCAA) from 2011-2015. He had a brief pro career playing 2 seasons in Germany with the VfL AstroStars Bochum and also played in Latvia and New Zealand. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Clay for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Miles! Thank you so much for reaching out. I am a huge fan of yours and have followed you and your stories for many years. You do a phenomenal job, and I still log into Eurobasket daily to keep track of recruits, friends, former teammates and coaches. I currently live in California and just finished up our season with the University of the Pacific in the West Coast Conference. The WCC is a tremendous league with many international players.

You retired in 2019 as a player and now are coaching. Has time flown by since your last season in Latvia?

Time has definitely flown by. As a player, there is a lot of down time during the season and time to rest and train, but as a coach, there is so much to do that you stay busy and the seasons fly by.

You began your career at Lincoln Christian High School where you were named the Oklahoma Class 3A player of the year after averaging 27.8 points, six assists and six rebounds per game as a senior. You finished your career as one of the top 100 scorers in the history of Oklahoma high school basketball. What does that mean to you being one of the top 100 best scorers in the state? A lot of great players have come from Oklahoma.

It’s very humbling. I never take my high school experience for granted. Lincoln Christian School is an unbelievable place filled with unbelievable people, and I loved every minute. I was blessed to have some great coaches and play with great teammates over my four years there. Individual accolades are great, but I wouldn’t have achieved anything without my team. To have my name mentioned in the same conversation as some of the greatest players in the state’s history is really a blessing.

You played at Princeton University (NCAA) from 2011-2015 being a Ivy league runner up in 2013. What do you remember from these early years in your basketball life?

My college experience took me through the full spectrum of emotions and helped me become the man I am today. From the first day of practice, where I separated my AC joint diving on a loose ball, my college experience was riddled with injuries. The list of injuries is pretty extensive, so honestly, for me, college basketball taught me more about being a great teammate, persevering, and leading than how to be a great player. I remember the frustration from not playing and the joy from playing well, I remember the sadness in defeat and the triumph in wins. I remember learning how to persevere through tough times, and how to love on my teammates. I played every role for my team during my college career, and I think my college experience truly set me up to be a great coach. Some coaches were the star player in their playing days, and I think they are good at teaching other star players. Some coaches were role players and I think they are good at teaching role players. When I look back at my college experience, I am grateful for the way things turned out. Although I didn’t meet my own expectations as a player, I learned valuable lessons along the way that I use as a coach to this day. During my four years at Princeton I experienced the full spectrum of being a collegiate athlete: I was an overlooked recruit. I became a highly touted recruit. I was the young player far away from home. I was the senior captain. I was the worst player on our team. I was the best player on our team. I was the sixth man. I was a rotational player. I was frustrated. I was hurt. I was healthy. I was fulfilled. I think going through this range of roles over my time in college has given me deep insight in how to relate to my players now as a coach. I have been in their shoes and I believe everything happens for a reason.

You played 3 seasons with TJ Bray. What memories will you always have of him? It´s a shame his playing career was so short.

TJ Bray is one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever had. I tell my current players stories about TJ and how good of a leader he was. I remember we had a freshman late for the team bus and TJ, as a sophomore captain, told our team nobody was allowed to get on the bus until everyone was there. He risked himself getting in trouble to save our freshman getting in trouble. That’s the type of person TJ is. He cares about the team more than anything and that’s how he played. He was an incredible passer and was extremely selfless. I think TJ could have played in the NBA if he kept playing. He played at his own pace and breathed life into our team. Our team was confident because TJ had the ball.

How did Mitch Henderson groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Henderson was all about precision. We used to do 5 on 0 offense for hours and hours. If one dribble or pass was off by even a few inches, we started over. For me, this level of detail and precision was exactly what I needed to make it to the next level. Other players were bigger and more naturally athletic than I was, so accuracy and exactness was key in me being able to succeed overseas. Another thing Coach Henderson did to prepare me for life was to allow me to see the fight it takes to be good. We are both super competitive people and I am grateful for the opportunity he gave me to fight for everything. I am very grateful for Coach Henderson and love to see Princeton continuing to succeed.

Did you already have a feeling during your Princeton days that you might go into coaching one day or did that come later?

Definitely. I actually chose to go to Princeton because at the time, Princeton had the largest coaching tree in Division 1 basketball. I have known since I was 3 years old that God has called me to coach. I thank God everyday for allowing Sydney Johnson, Mitch Henderson, and Brian Earl to recruit me to Princeton.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or TJ Bray?

Haha TJ is a far better player than I am. I will say I am a better shooter though.

You played your rookie season in Germany with the VfL AstroStars Bochum (Germany-ProB) averaging 13.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 78.9%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I think my first wakeup call was actually getting my car from the AstroStars and realizing it was manual. I didn’t know how to drive stick at the time and learning how to drive stick shift, while reading street signs in a different language while on the Autobahn isn’t the best idea.

What memories will you always have of Ryon Howard? Was he like a mentor for you as a rookie?

Ryon Howard is a consummate professional. He never missed a day, played hard every practice, and always did what was best for the team. I feel very fortunate to have played with him. He’s a winner through and through. I learned so much from him over the years.

You had many great games in Germany like scoring 30 points against Recklingshausen. What was your fondest moment on the court in Germany?

I think my fondest memory on the court in Germany was when we were down by more than 20 points at halftime to the #1 team (Iserlohn) and came back in the second half to win on the road. That was incredible and our GM and our President were so proud. Jerry Brown was on the team for Iserlohn. He now coaches in the WCC with me and we talked about this game recently.

You also played a season with 2 Cheap Cars Super City Rangers (New Zealand-NBL) averaging 19.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 43.8%, FT: 80.0%. Being able to live in New Zealand is everyone´s dream. What was your coolest experience there?

I love New Zealand and I try to go back as often as I can. The coolest experience by far was meeting Tania, Joe, and Bailey Sampson. These three people have become extended family. They were the first people I met when I got off the plane and they are some of the best people I know. They traveled to Cornell, Texas Tech, and recently just traveled to California to watch me coach. We went on several road trips together and I really immersed myself into New Zealand Culture. I am a big ‘Lord of the Rings’ fan as well so going to Hobbiton was an unreal experience.

I´m sure you will never forget your 48 points explosion and 11 three´s against Manawatu J. Unfortunately you lost the game. What memories do you have of that experience?

I actually was coming off ankle surgery, so my contract stated that the team had the option to keep me or waive me after that game. I was essentially playing for my contract and everything went in. That was one of the best shooting performances I have ever had and it’s fun to go back and watch some of the crazy shots that went in.

You played your last pro season at BC Valga-Valka/Maks&Moorits (Latvia-LatEstBL) averaging 9.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 66.7%. What memories do you have of Latvia?

My time in Latvia was interesting. My shoulder was so messed up that I needed surgery and I never really could get comfortable. I came to the country after the start of the season, played for two different coaches, had some contract issues and realized that God was calling me back to America to coach. I sometimes wish that the Latvian chapter in my story could be deleted, but I do believe it happened for a reason, and without it, I might still be playing and not coaching like I was called to do.

You retired at age 27. Did you realize that you had other opportunities like coaching? Why did you retire so young?

I loved playing basketball, and I always said I wanted to play for as long as I could. I think my body ended up giving out on me. I put it through the wringer and I worked so hard to try and make it, that I think I put too many miles on my body too early. I definitely knew from a young age that I wanted to play professionally and then coach so I am thankful to be living my dream.

How would you like fans to remember Clay Wilson as the player?

Hard working, tough, tenacious, grateful and a phenomenal teammate.

You are the co-founder, co-owner, and trainer for Elev8hoops in Oklahoma with more than 600 clients. You also co-founded the Clay Wilson and David Mason Skill Academy, instructing more than 400 campers. What was the biggest challenge of being able to have success?

The hardest part for me was the energy and the hours. I am passionate about helping others and sometimes I give so much that I forget I need to be replenished. I love seeing others succeed and grow. I wish there were more hours in the day and that I had unlimited energy to be able to help out each athlete.

You have trained many guys that went on to become pro´s. Is there a player that was really close to your heart that you helped train and become a pro?

I loved working with Tylor Perry. He currently plays for the 905 Raptors, but he was super consistent. Always counted out because of his height, but his heart and his belief makes him great. We worked on his game for hundreds and hundreds of hours and he has put in the work to be great. We still talk frequently.

You were an assistant coach at Cornell from 2018-2021. What was your fondest moment in those 3 years?

I was fortunate to work with some great people and coach some great players. Brian Earl gave me my start in coaching and I am forever grateful for him. He is a great coach and a great person. I think my fondest memories are just seeing people grow. I loved recruiting Chris Manon and Nazir Williams who have both gone on to become ‘All Ivy’ players. Neither one of them had many offers out of high school and were both underrecruited. Believing in people, stirring up that same belief in others and watching them succeed will never get old.

You helped develop Jim Boeheim who is a professional player in Germany. What memories do you have of your coaching relationship to him and how did you help him grow?

Jim is the best! Great person, high character, hard worker, super talented, and extremely respectful. I loved working with him. He actually taught me a lot and I am proud to call him a friend. I remember working with him every single day on his shot. Out of conference he shot a poor percentage, and we just put the time in and he trusted it. His numbers in conference were way better. I would send him texts just encouraging him, but we all just need someone to encourage us every now and again. Shooting well is all about hard work and trusting that hard work. Jimmy will have a long career and make a lot of money playing basketball before he retires.

You were a coach for 2 years at North Texas and helped develop guys like Tylor Perry, Thomas Bell, Rubin Jones, Aaron Scott, and JJ Murray. What steps do you feel did you make as a coach in these 2 years?

Grant McCasland helped me in so many ways during my time at North Texas & Texas Tech. He helped me see what it was like to Win at an elite level. The way he holds people accountable and teaches is second to none. I honestly believe he will win a national championship very soon. Under Coach McCasland and current North Texas Head Coach, Ross Hodge, I feel like I learned how to truly win. I have always been super competitive, but they both made me realize that achieving the ultimate goal takes everyone and it takes zooming out and looking at the big picture while keeping the small details in focus. North Texas was vital to my growth as a coach. They are two of the best coaches on this planet and I will keep learning from them for the rest of my career.

You were Director of Player Development in 2023-24 at Texas Tech and now are an assistant at Pacific under Canadian legend Dave Smart. What have you learned from him? He is one of those guys where I´m sure you able to soak something up every day?

Coach Dave Smart is a legend. I like to call him a ‘mad scientist’ because he knows the game at such an elite level and has made a major impact on the game of basketball. He is relentless in his work ethic and his pursuit of greatness. He’s the first to the office and the last to leave even after all he has accomplished. I have tried to soak up as much as I could from him these past two years. He has seen every style of basketball and has worked with so many players and coaches over the years. I am extremely fortunate to know him, work with him these past two years, and to call him a friend. Dave will be someone I try to learn from the rest of my life.

What goals do you still have as a coach? Could you ever imagine coming overseas to work?

My ultimate goal is to impact people, help them grow, and to love people well. I believe that winning on the court translates to winning in life. I believe that I am impacting athletes positively in my role as an assistant coach, but I aspire, one day, to become a head coach. I LOVED living overseas and I could definitely picture myself going back overseas to coach. There are so many great coaches all over the world. I love learning different aspects of the game and different styles of coaching.

Who is the best player that you ever battled on the court that reached the NBA?

I played against Bradley Beal several times in the EYBL. He is a great player.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ian hummer – Overseas pro TJ Bray – Overseas Pro Josh Richardson – NBA Dillon Boucher – New Zealand Olympian Lindsay Tait – New Zealand Olympian

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ, Lebron, Kobe, Steph

Who is your GOAT?

MJ is the goat, but my personal two favorite players ever are 1.) Pistol Pete Maravich and 2.) Steve Nash

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I haven’t seen it, but I’ll check it out.

Thanks Clay for the chat.

Marcus Graves(VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier) Tries To Play Basketball The Right Way And Make The Right Play Every Single Time

Marcus Graves (185-G-1996, college: Sacramento St.) is a 28 year old 185cm point guard that was born in San Diego that is playing his 6th professional season and second overseas with the VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier (Germany-ProA). He began his basketball career with Independence High School and also played at Westview High School. He then played 3 seasons with Sacramento State University and as a senior averaged 17.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.4apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 79.2%. He played his first 4 pro seasons in the G-League with the Stockton Kings, Salt Lakke City Stars, Wisconsin Herd and G-League Ignite. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Marcus for talking to germanhoops.com. Let´s talk about your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would call it a mix of a lot of people. Growing up I loved watching guys like Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Russell Westbrook.

You averaged 5apg in the NCAA and once 7,0apg in the G-League. Are you a pass first point guard?

100%, I just try and play basketball the right way, make the right play every single time.

You’re a player that can fill the stat sheet very well. What other strengths does your game incorporate?

Getting other guys involved and managing the game, that’s been something I’ve tried to focus a lot on.

You have always been kind of a streaky three point shooter. What do you have to do to reach the magical 40% plateau?

Just keep being confident and keep putting in the work.

How have you seen the development of your defense in the last years? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I’ve been trying to improve every day, it’s all just a mentality. I have the defensive tools and it’s been something I’ve been trying to focus on.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

Being a more consistent shooter, I think that will open up a whole new world for me.

You played 4 years in the G-League for 4 teams. What positives did you get from these years? What was the biggest challenge?

Just learning how to be a professional and stay true to myself. The G is very up and down and as an individual you have to hold yourself accountable.

You had a really good stint with Wisconsin. Do you feel like you could have had a NBA call up with more time?

Potentially, I only played half a season there and felt like it was a really great spot for me.

You played your rookie season with the Stockton Kings (NBA G League) averaging 7.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 71.7%. What do you remember being your wake upcall to being a pro player?

Just adjusting to a role. Most guys come from college and were the best player on their team so adjusting to fitting into a role was challenging for me at first.

How big of a role model was a guy like Gabe Vincent. He began in the G-League and had to pay his dues and later reached the NBA in your rookie season and never left?

Gabe and I have a great relationship, we share the same mentor/trainer and agent so we usually are together all summer. The bond and brotherhood we’ve created runs deeper than basketball. Seeing where he is today is no surprise because I’ve seen the work he’s put in.

In your second season you played with the Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G League) averaging 8.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 75.0%. What memories do you have of head coach Nathan Peavy and assistant Bryan Bailey? Both played in Germany in the BBL. Will one get a NBA head coaching job one day?

Both were great guys, it was a short season because it was the bubble but I had a great experience with both of them.

In the 2020-2021 season you split time with the Stockton Kings (NBA G League) averaging 8.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 73.0%, in Feb.’22 signed at Wisconsin Herd (NBA G League) averaging 11.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 7.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 34.4%. What was it like splitting the season with 2 teams. How difficult is it in the G-League to find a groove when you have to move around? You showed you could with the Herd?

It was tough getting traded mid season but for me when I switched teams I just went in with the mindset to be myself, and Wisconsin was a great fit for me.

What was it like playing with Frank Mason? Was it a challenge battling him in practices?

Frank was a good dude, great player. Obviously has had great accomplishments in his career and playing against him and learning things from him is something i don’t forget for sure.

You Played your last season in the G-League with the G League Ignite (NBA G League) averaging 6.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 39.5%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 73.5%. Did you lose faith in the NBA process?

I didn’t lose faith, Ignite came to me and I thought it would be a unique experience in my basketball life. I loved that year, on and off the court it’s something i wouldn’t trade for anything.

What was it like being teammates with ultra veteran Pooh Jeter? What could you soak up most from his game?

Pooh is definitely one of my top teammates ever. Great basketball career and player but the thing I learned most from Pooh was just being present, his energy and love for basketball and life every day is something you don’t see a lot.

You played 3 years at Sacramento State University (NCAA) and made a big jump as a senior averaging 17.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.4apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 43.7%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 79.2%. How did your game grow in your senior year?

I had back surgery the year before so sitting out a whole year I had a lot of time to develop my game and my body and the work all showed my senior year.

You were teammates with Nick Hornsby and was reunited last season playing against him in the Pro A. Is he one the most versatile players that you ever played with?

Nick is like a baby Draymond Green, he just plays basketball the right way and does a little bit of everything.

You had many huge games in the NCAA. What was your biggest personal game in the NCAA?

Probably having the first triple double in Sacramento State history

How did head coach Brian Katz groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Creating a routine and embracing the underdog role. Understanding I’ll never be given anything has always stuck with me

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Cody Demps?

We are probably even

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced on the court?

Victor Wembanyama

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

That’s tough, so many great ones to just narrow down to 5, definitely a lot on this Trier team now.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron, Kobe, MJ and Steph Curry

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron James

Thanks Marcus for the chat.

Marcus Graves Wants To Help Lead The Vet-Concept Gladiators Trier To The BBL This Season After A Touch Finish Last Season

Thanks marcus for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

I’m currently playing in Trier, Germany and hoop life is great, just enjoying the vibes.

Your playing your sixth professional season and second overseas with the VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier (Germany-ProA). Could one say that Trier has become your second home?

Trier has been great to me and my family and we have enjoyed our 2 years here

What have you enjoyed most about the city Trier and the Gladiators organization?

It’s a beautiful city and just seeing my daughter grow up every day and enjoy life has been most enjoyable for me.

How big is the desire to move back to the BBL after so many years in the Pro A?

That’s the goal, been our goal since last June and that’s all we have been focused on

How tough was losing that series to Frankfurt last season? Trier had that series in their own hands. Could one say that the team choked?

It was tough for sure especially me not being able to play at all in the playoffs because I was hurt. I wouldn’t say we choked I think you just got to give credit to Frankfurt. They were the better team for five games. But we definitely haven’t forgot that feeling.

The team was packed last season with talent as well as this season. Is this years version stronger than last season´s?

I think we are a lot deeper of a team this year. We have a lot of the same guys and adding the guys we did is only going to benefit us in the playoffs.

A big strength is the offensive power that the team has. How big of a goal is it to improve as a team every day on the defensive end?

That is really our main focus. We know we are going to score points. We have so many threats on that end and we understand that to get what we want out of this season that defense has to be the focus.

Your now playing your second season with Behnam Yakhchali. Is he the most versatile shooting guard in the Pro A?

B is unbelievable, the work ethic, the mindset, he is probably one of the best players and people I’ve been around.

How enjoyable has it been playing with Jordan Roland? How do you guys compliment each other best?

Jordan has been great, super genuine guy. When he came to our team we were kind of in a weird spot with losses, injuries and stuff and he kind of brought a spark to our team that’s rejuvenated us. We play really well off each other.

What has it been like being teammates with beast Maik Zirbes? Is he the ultimate leader on the club?

I love playing with guys who have so much experience like Maik, it’s just a great opportunity to hear their journeys and learn and get better in so many ways. He’s been a great leader for us.

How tough was it losing JJ Mann. Is he the difference between first and second place this season?

It was super tough losing JJ, not only as a basketball player but just his personality and competitiveness daily. It’s tough to say what could’ve been but this is our journey and I think it’s been a successful season so far.

Everybody gives 180% on the team, but which player is the unsung hero this season?

I think of guys like Nolan Adekunle, Marco Hollersbacher and Evans Rapieque. Guys who have just given their all to the role they are in and and been so selfless to our team.

Your playing 1 less minute than last season and your scoring and assists are down a bit. Has your role changed or just too much guard power?

Like I said i think we are just a deeper team and have so many guys that can score and make things happen. One thing that makes our team so difficult to guard is that you can’t really take away 1 or 2 players because we have 8-9 more guys waiting for their opportunity.

You had a bit of a lull in 4 games in March. How confident are you that your total A game will come before and in the playoffs?

I’m always confident in myself. Stats may call it a lull but also sometimes on our team it’s just not your night and you have to do other things that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice, you or Jordan Roland?

Great great great question. You will have to ask Jordan that!