Jeff Garrett (201-F-1994, college: LSUS, agency: Players Group) is a 30 year old 201cm forward playing his 6th professional season and second with the Niners Chemnitz (BBL). He also has vast experience overseas having played in Lithuania, Ukraine, Finland and Luxemburg. He began his basketball career at Oldsmar Christian high school in Florida. He then played 2 NCAA seasons with Northern Kentucky University (NCAA) and in his last season played with : Louisiana State University at Shreveport (NAIA) averaging 18.8ppg, 14.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6bpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 75.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big 85-66 win over the Frankfurt Skyliners.

Congrats on the big 85-66 win. With what kind of focus was the Niners coming into the game? It must have been big? To keep the winning streak alive and have self-confidence going into the tough Basketball Champions league game.

The focus was huge going in. We had been struggling as of late with highs and lows. But in the last few games, I feel like we put that aside and come together and played well. Coach Pastore also has been important doing all he can to help us get better. It has been less talking and more walking. We have been more aggressive and have put it all together.

What kind of an impression did the team have of the Frankfurt Skyliners before the game? They beat Ulm recently and played FC Bayern Munich tough.

They are a pretty good team. We had a big awareness of their guard play of Theodore, Parsons and Calvin. They are an overall good shooting team.

The team now has a 2 game BBL winning streak. Before that you had suffered a 5 losing streak. Was the losing streak as bad as it seemed? Besides the bad loss against Bonn, you took Ludwigsburg and Bamberg to the wire.

Yes no doubt. We know that we are a good team. We had had a winning streak already this season. We just had a time where we weren´t figuring it out as a team.

What did the Niners learn from the gruesome loss against the Telekom Baskets Bonn where you allowed 123 points?

That on any given night, this can happen in this league. It was a terrible performance and really hurt our pride. That loss really hit this organization. That can never happen again.

With what kind of game plan did the team go into the game? You had the comfortable 22-13 lead after 10 minutes?

We have to keep our foot on the gas pedal and not get lax. We can´t fall on our heels. We did a good job applying the pressure. They didn´t like our physicality.

The Niners went on a little run at the end of the first quarter hitting three´s, getting drives and going to the free throw line. What adjustments did the Niners make half way through the first quarter?

Keep our foot on the gas pedal and realize what got us there. We moved the ball well, got in the paint and limit their second chances.

How key were the 2 three´s by Uguak and yourself in the first 85 seconds of the second quarter. Did that Paralize the Skyliners?

Yes no doubt. Our atmosphere is great in the arena. We were ready and made the punch. It was the deal breaker and we capitalized on it.

Jordan Theodore had 9 points in the second quarter. Without his production, the Niners would have been up 25-30 points How much of a focus was he for the team?

We are all competitors at the end of the day, we all knew how good he was. He has a lot of experience and we didn´t take him lightly.

What was your impression of Jordan Theodore? 10 years ago he led Frankfurt to the Fiba Europe Cup. He still looks really good for 35.

He is a good player. He tough at 35. He looked good. I didn´t know he was that old. He is a bit older than me.

The Niners did a great job keeping Malik Parsons to 4 points in the first half. How difficult is it to keep him in front of you? What is his toughest attribute? His athleticism, quickness or shiftiness?

His shiftiness and quickness is toughest to contain. I hate guarding those types of players. He is a complete player. You can´t sag off him. He can do it all.

You led Frankfurt 48-27 at the break. In the third quarter the Niners kept up the pressure. What did Rodrigo Pastore tell the team to do in the third quarter?

He told us to keep execute and finish the play. We allowed as good as no second chance points after the first quarter except for the end where we put in some of the young guys. We did a good job not letting them creep back and just play our game.

The Niners led as much as by 26 points. So many guys stepped up. How good is the team chemistry at his juncture of the season?

Our team chemistry has grown to be beautiful. No matter what happens and through all adversary that we have seen, we have continued to stay on the same page. When it gets rocky, you see our true character.

Frankfurt began with a 8-0 run in the fourth quarter. Was that big lead in your heads a bit too much in the first minutes?

It´s basketball. It´s a game of run. We still did a good job countering and finishing the game well.

How proud are you of the team that you finished strong after the Skyliners run?

As one of the leaders on the team, I´m really proud of the team. We held our heads up high.

The Niners had 5 guys score in double figures. It shot 48% from outside and had 21 assists. What was the team´s biggest strength on this night?

We moved the ball very well. We have good guard play. When we understand what coach wants, we can add the sauce. We as a team can do special things.

The defense hasn´t always been solid, but against Frankfurt was sharp again. You were only the third team to keep Malik Parsons under 10 points. What was the team´s biggest strength on defense?

I think that when we stay solid and not gamble and finish the play and secure the rebound, then we are very tough. That is a big difference maker.

You next play an exciting series against Turkish team Manisa in the Basketball Champions League. What will be key to get series win?

It´s very simple. We see it as a new season. We haven´t done so well in the BCL and this just another opportunity for us to advance and show everyone that we are a better team than in the past.

Do you have any News Years resolutions for 2025?

I don´t. For me every day is a new opportunity to get better. I don´t need to take another year.

Thanks Jeff for the chat.