USC Heidelberg

Bryan Smithson (I Always Hang My Hat On My Ability To Lead On And Off The Court)

Bryan Smithson is a 31 year old 185cm point guard from Kennesaw,Georgia that completed his third season in Germany and first with the MPL Academics Heidelberg playing 28 games averaging  12.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.7apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.1%. He started his basketball career at Middle Tennessee St. (NCAA) in 2003 where he played two seasons. He then moved to NC-Asheville (NCAA) where he finished his college career and as a senior played  29 games: 16.4ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.1apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3Pts: 41.1%, FT: 83.5%. He played two seasons for the Kirchheim Knights in the German Pro A where he was top 5 in assists in the league the last two seasons. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball future.

 

 

Bryan thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Hey Miles, it is always a pleasure talking with you. I am currently at my home just outside of Atlanta, Ga. I have been enjoying the summer and spending time with my family.

It is September and most teams are filled and your still without a team. How surprised are you that you are still unsigned?

I am a bit surprised that I am still available on the market as most players would be. Obviously, I am excited to get started with my future team.

(more…)

Uwe Sauer(USC Heidelberg): Dirk Nowitzki Is Much More Than Just A Basketball Superstar

Uwe Sauer played at Santa Clara university where NBA superstar Steve Nash also played and enjoyed a very successful basketball career in Germany from 1985-1997 winning titles with Cologne and Bayreuth and being the youngest German playing at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984. After his playing career, he became a coach. He was assistant coach for SSV Ulm from 1997.-1999. He then coached in Tuebingen from 1999-2003. He then coached for BG Karlsruhe from the 2003-2006 season. Since then he coached clubs like the Mitteldeutscher BC, The Teckpro Braves in Kaiserslautern and recently BG Illertal-Weissenhorn. Currently he is the head coach of USC Heidelberg and talked German Hoops about many different basketball topics.

Coach you are currently preparing USC Heidelberg for the upcoming PRO A season. How much were you able to follow the 2011 European championships and were Spain and France the 2 best teams in the tournament?

Yes we are trying to get ready for the upcoming season, nevertheless as a basketball- junkie i had to watch as much as I could, of course the games of the Gteam. I think the 2 best teams played the final, but is was still sad to see the home team Lithuania not being in the Finals.

Spain were the strongest team at the tournament. It is no secret that they have a great youth program as they have had young guys playing at a high level for years. Why does the youth program work so well in forming players in Spain and not as much in Germany?
I don’t exactly know the rules in Spain, but there always have to be 2-3 Spanish players on the floor , that means their Spanish players get playing time . In Germany you can play the whole game without a German player have to play a single second. From the better basketball countries in Europe, I think we are the only country without having to play. It gets even worse with the rule in the BBL, that you got to have at least 4(?) German players on the roster. That means, the better Germans instead of playing in the 2nd league or somewhere else, they have to sit on the bench to fulfill the requirements instead of playing and develop their game.

(more…)

Japhet McNeil Wants To Return Back To Germany To Play

Japhet McNeil is a 25 year old 183 cm guard from Brooklyn, New York. He played at East Carolina from 2003 -2006. He then transferred to Bridgeport(NCAA2) for his senior year in 2006-2007. At Bridgeport, he played 31 games averaging 16.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.9apg, 4.0spg, FT: 67.3%, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 34.6%. In 2008-2009, he played his rookie season in Germany in the PRO A for USC Heidelberg playing 30 games and averaging 14.8ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1(7.9apg), Steals-1(3.5spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 63.3%. Last season, he played in Finland for Kori-Konkarit Loimaa (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 5 games: 9.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, 3.4spg, FGP: 35.0%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 50.0%He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball and life.

Japhet, it is almost September, the leagues around the world are starting up, but you are still looking for a team. Are you surprised that you are still jobless?

Im not suprised, more so patient. Teams are still looking, they have signed some players early but some players dont pan out and they look else where, thats where my services come in play.

(more…)

Japhet McNeil Looking To Go In A D-League Direction

Japhet McNeil is a 24 year old 183 cm guard from Brooklyn, New York. He played at east Carolina from 2003 -2006. He then transferred die_junge_Ligato Bridgeport(NCAA2) for his senior year in 2006-2007. At Bridgeport, he played 31 games averaging 16.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.9apg, 4.0spg, FT: 67.3%, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 34.6%. Last season, he played his rookie season in Germany in the Pro A for USC Heidelberg (highlight video)playing 30 games and averaging 14.8ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1(7.9apg), Steals-1(3.5spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 63.3%.

He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball and life.

(more…)