sports

Anthony Roberts(Dinamo Bucuresti) May Not Be A Lockdown Defender Yet But Takes All Assignments Personal

Anthony Roberts (192-G-2000, college: Stony Brook, agency: Players Group) is a 24 year old 192cm guard from Michigan playing his third pro season and first with Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania-Liga Nationala). Last season he split time with ESSM Le Portel Cote d’Opale (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 36.1%, 3FGP: 20.0%, FT: 94.7%, in Nov.’23 moved to Arconic-Alba Fehervar (Hungary-A Division) averaging 14.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 83.8%. He played his rookie season with Vitoria SC/Costa Guerreiro Lda. (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 21.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 85.5%. He began his basketball career at Western International and then played 2 seasons at Kent State University (NCAA) averaging 5.9ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.0% and 12.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 75.0%. He then played a season at St. Bonaventure University (NCAA) averaging 5.3ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg and then finished at Stony Brook University (NCAA) averaging 16.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 82.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against Bamberg.

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

No problem and I’m in a good space with basketball still learning the game as a student of it to get better

Your playing your third pro season and first with Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania-Liga Nationala). What kind of an experience has it been playing in Romania after having played in France and Hungary?

I will have to wait until mid season to fully give my experience because preseason is different from the real season but so far it’s competitive

Last season you played 2 Fiba Europe Cup games and this year playing in a very new competition ENBL league. What are your personal expectations from this league?

My personal expectation is to lead my team to a deep run in the enbl league and win a championship and to leave my mark with my play

The club last won the league title in 2003 and cup in 1980. Do you feel that urgency within the organization to win a title again?

Yes I feel an urgency for sure winning a championship is always on my mind no matter where I play at but it is not easy to do

Congrats on winning the first game in Romania. You scored 18 points. Has head coach Dragan Nikolic given you the keys to the team?

I would say so yes, but with the keys to the team comes great responsibility and high expectations which I feel like I can handle

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 192cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would compare my game to Paul George because we play at our own pace and we don’t let anyone speed us up

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard? What other strengths does your game have?

I wouldn’t say point guard I would call myself a combo guard that can play point at any time. Other strengths my game has is my IQ and physicality I play with and also my defense. I´m not saying I´m a lockdown defender but I take my assignments personal

You made a big jump with your outside shooting in Hungary at 41%. How well is your three pointer developed now and what is your biggest goal with your shooting besides staying consistent?

It developed a lot with me staying consistent in the gym focusing on getting better from 3, my biggest goal is to match that number from 3 or even shoot better

You averaged 3 assists the last few years. Do you feel like with the more team game overseas that you playmaking will grow?

It has been my goal to average more because I´m looked as a playmaker so this is something I definitely want to increase

What kind of a defender are you right now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

The defender I am right now I feel like I’m the best defender I have ever been in my life and I just need to stay engaged and focus and putting effort always on the defensive end

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

Defense for sure is something I have been working on I feel like all aspects of my offense game is complete even though I still work on my game but defense is definitely something I improve

Last season you began with ESSM Le Portel Cote d’Opale (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 36.1%, 3FGP: 20.0%, FT: 94.7%. You put up solid stats, but left. What positives could you get from the short France stay?

France is a great league to compete in every day and night everyone is playing hard and from every position there talented guys I wish I could have stayed to showcase more of my game but everything happens for a reason

You then played with Arconic-Alba Fehervar (Hungary-A Division) averaging 14.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 83.8%. You played your first playoff rounds there and lost a tough 3 game series to Szolnok and game 3 with 1 point. What will you always remember about the series?

I will always remember the atmosphere in Szolnok. The fans were crazy and very supportive and loud for their team

How beneficial was it having veteran Siyani Chambers there? Was he like a mentor for you?

Having a vet like Siyani helped me grow a lot just to see how focal he was and how he led the team and also helped me improve my defense because I have never had to defend someone with his speed

You played your rookie season with Vitoria SC/Costa Guerreiro Lda. (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging (21.9ppg), 3.4rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 85.5%. 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 have always been far from home due to me being in school. I went to school in Ohio and New York so being overseas felt like I was back in school without doing any homework

You had huge games in Portugal. What was your favorite moment there?

My favorite moment in Portugal was beating sporting at home in Vitoria that game for sure was one of my favorite for sure

You played at 3 NCAA schools. How vital was this for your player development? What kind of player did you become in 2022 and what kind of player were you in 2018 when you began at Kent State?

A lot has to due with maturity on and off the court understanding that studying and being a student of the game is important

You played your first 2 NCAA seasons with Kent State and made a huge jump in your game in your second season. How vital was the start of the season having big games against Hiram and Towson?

It meant a lot to make that jump as a sophomore. I worked hard that summer and during the season so I just wanted to showcase my game and work

You then moved to St Bonaventure and still played good minutes, but averaged only 5.3ppg. How tough was this season and playing only 3 games?

During my time at st Bonaventure I wasn’t mentally all the way there. I was dealing with a lot of family issues and on top of that it was Covid going around I couldn’t focus there so I decided to step away for my mental health and family

You capped off a fine NCAA career at Stony Brook University (NCAA) averaging 16.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 82.3%. You had amazing games including a 40 point explosion against Maine. How did your game grow that season?

It grew because once I left from Bonaventure. I immediately started working out. My trainer ed turner helped me from winter all the way up until it was time for me leave. He helped me look at the game different like how I look at film and on court things as well.

How did head coach Geno Ford groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He always held me to a golden standard no matter what and held me accountable for my actions on and off the court

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tykei Greene?

To be honest we never played 1-1 but if we did would for sure but Tykei is my guy and got game

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

The greatest players I played against that reached the NBA were Cassius Winston and Darius Garland

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Antonio Booman Williams, James Dickey, Phlandrous Fleming, Siyani Chambers, Tykei Greene

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryan,t Lebron James, Joel Embid

Who is your GOAT?

Michael black Jesus Jordan all day

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

Yes I felt like they should have left it a lone the first one was an instant classic and the sequel wasn’t as funny as the first one

Thanks Anthony for the chat.

Brandon Thomas(Artland Dragons) Wants To Remain Consistent And Feels No Pressure To Still Have To Bring It At Age 40

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Brandon Thomas in Frankfurt in 2024

Brandon Thomas (198-SF-1984, college: UMass, agency: Interperformances) is a 40 year old 198cm forward playing his 18th professional season and fourth season with the Artland Dragons. He has played most of his pro career in Germany having played with teams like Jena, Giessen, FC Bayern Munich and Braunschweig. He also played in countries like Argentina, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Spain, Denmark and Austria. He began his basketball career at Judson high school and then played at Long Island University (NCAA) and UMass (NCAA). He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 106-96 win over Bayreuth.

Congrats on the huge 106-96 win against Bayreuth. Artland is 2-0. How good does it feel starting this well after last season?

It feels unbelievable. It is a lot different this season. Last season was one of the worst start for many of us. With this start we feel very hopeful. We feel very strong. This season is so different.

After a good defensive game against Nurnberg, Artland opted for a shoot out win. Is this years team unpredictable?

At the moment we are trying to figure out our identity. We are very versatile and have many options. That is dangerous. We rely on different guys on different nights. WE are hard to scout. That will be a real advantage for us.

You led 57-53 at the break which could have easily been the score after 3 quarters. Was this just one of those days where defense wasn´t on the menu? Was it that tough guarding the 3 line? They hit 16 three´s

It is still early in the season and we are focusing on defense. We obviously didn´t want to give up so many three´s, but they had capable shooters. We did a better job in the second half. It is all a matter of concentration. It was nice to score, but our deefnse needs to be better.

In the third quarter Callum Baker-Magnaye got hot. What made it so difficult to contain him?

He is a good player that can drive and shoot the ball well. He was one of their main guys. We had trouble locating him in transition. He had a great game.

Bayreuth went on a run in the fourth and made the game very exciting. Robert Oehle made a shot and you made a trey. Did that shift the momentum in your favor?

Yes I think it did. That was a dagger. Who knows how the game may have gone had it gone 5 minutes longer. We are very fortunate to have many veterans and a talented point guard that can make plays in crunch-time. That sealed the win for us.

What was key in the last few minutes for holding the lead. Was this the best defense that Artland played down the stretch?

That is hard to say. I felt like we had good stretches in the game where we defended well. We have to learn to put it all together for 40 minutes

How key were the 23 free throws and 12 offensive rebounds? Was that the team´s back bone in the game?

It is always great to score more free throws than the other team. Plus getting more extra opportunities off offensive rebounds is always key.

How key is Buzz Anthony in general? Could he become the leagues best all-around point guard?

I believe so. He is everywhere on the floor. He does so much for us. He is a key player for us.

Is the word beast correct for Tajh Green. When you see his game what NBA player comes to mind?

I don´t like making comparisons. He is his own player. He can jump, and shoot and makes very exciting plays. He is willing to learn. He makes big plays on the defensive end. He is very versatile and just tough to stop. I´m really excited to be able to play with him.

How valuable is it having another physical big man coming from the bench with Robert Ohle? He just seems to keep chugging along year by year?

Robert is so strong and is just the ultimate professional. He is always in the weight room and still willing to work on his game even at his age. I think he sets the best screens in the league. He is an important part of our team.

How vital was Joanic Gruettner in the win. He recovered from a goose egg against Nurnberg to 10 points against Bayreuth.

He does the little things and is like a glue guy. He makes plays and is our best on ball defender. He may not score one game, but will be that offensive threat the next game.

Just how much of a true leader is Yasin Kolo. I think this may have been the team´s best pick up this season?

He is another veteran presence for us. He has so much experience having played in Japan and the BBL. He really understands the game. He is so big and strong and hard to stop under the basket. He was a great pick up for us.

Taylor Johnson was a late addition. What has been your impression of him thus far?

Taylor is relentless. He will do anything to win. He is a great shooter and on transition. Plus he is a great scorer.

You had a great game with 18 points. How is your 40 year old body holding up with 29 minutes?

I feel great now. I work hard during the summers so I´m best prepared for another season. I´m fit and feel good mentally. I´m trying to be the best leader possible and at the end of the day just trying to help win games.

With this start you must feel even more motivated. Does your inner-self ever pressure you to have to consistency even at age 40?

I want to always be as consistent as possible and yes that pressure to be a leader is there. I want to perform well and be reliable in some way. I enjoy pressure and am so fortunate to still be playing. The pressure is nothing for me.

What has been the secret of the early success? Some guys went and there seemed a bit of turmoil weeks ago. But now it seems like all are on one page?

It is hard to say since it´s still so early. We are just trying to keep improving each week. Our first win wasn´t pretty so we looked at the game and tried to improve. We won again last weekend and are trying to improve this week. We have great guys who want to get better. I hope the winning continues.

How dangerous is it not to get too euphoric with the start? Is head coach Vincent Macaulay keeping all down on earth?

He is keeping all down to earth and he has the veterans helping him. It is very dangerous if you get to complacent and comfortable. Adversary can always set you back, so just try to do your best to avoid it.

What has been his biggest coaching strength so far to get through adversary early and begin 2-0?

Vincent is very vocal and lets everyone know how he envisions the game. He doesn´t have that typical coaching style that you see in Germany. He loves excitement and just understands his players and how to get them on the same page.

My buddy Joe Asberry was very truthful and told me he wouldn´t be able to beat you in a 1-1 game. How vital is his presence for the young and old in the organization?

Joe is doing a great job. He has so much positive energy. It is really refreshing. He just makes everyone feel so good. He is a consistent presence. He is always there. It is a joy to have him here and I´m glad that he is here.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.