Taje Kelly (203-F/C) is a 203cm forward from Georgia playing his rookie season in Germany with BBC Bayreuth. He began his basketball career at Grayson high school. He then played at Charleston Southern University (NCAA) from 2021-2025 playing a total of 120 NCAA games. He was able to improve his scoring average each season and as a senior averaged 20.3ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 61.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com last summer about basketball.
Thanks Taje for talking to germanhoops.com. Welcome to Germany. How excited are you to begin your basketball career overseas with BBC Bayreuth?
I am really excited and blessed to have the opportunity to start my career off in Germany, as it is one of my dream countries to live in and I feel I will have great success here.
What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?
I do not know much about Germany besides some old history and pretzels. I do know that Germany is very competitive in European basketball though.
One ex Charleston Southern University player Phlandrous Fleming balled in Germany last season. Did you ask him for any advice? No I did not but I definitely will.
What was the deciding factor that allowed you to make the decision to join BBC Bayreuth? They also are rich in basketball history. Florian Wedel stated that you were the clubs the absolute desired player that they wanted.
I feel that they would give me the best opportunity to show off my skills while winning games. Also I built a good relationship with the head coach and just felt like a proactive decision.
How did the first talks go with head coach Florian Wedel? What did you appreciate right away about his basketball philosophy? First talks felt really naturally, he expressed their interest in me and how they viewed me in their system. I appreciated the honesty he portrayed and the ways they said I could be used in the system to help bring home some wins.
You had a great career at Charleston Southern University and was player of the year in the All Big South Conference. How confident are you that your game will translate to the German Pro A? I am real confident that my game will transfer because I will not only bring my skills that I have already but I will add new skills to my game.
Are you a guy that will watch videos of BBC Bayreuth and the Pro A to be best prepared when you arrive in Germany? Yes
Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description? Probably and old school Paul Milsap with the ceiling of a modern day Julius Randle
You’re a modern day big man. Your also a very versatile player. Talk about how your versatility has developed in the NCAA? I feel like I was more of a small ball traditional big up until my senior year then I moved to more of a four man who could bring it in transition and make a play. I feel my biggest growth in versatility has been through playing slower and my decision making and passing.
Your three pointer is something you have used more in the last 2 years. It rose in shots taken from 38 to 59. How would you describe your 3 pointer now coming overseas. Is it still a work in progress? I would say my best 3 ball hasn´t been displayed yet so definitely a work in progress.
Talk a bit about your defensive game. You never averaged more than 0,5spg in a season in the NCAA. Stats don´t tell the whole story. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to be become? I feel that I am a smart defender, my defense may not load the stat sheet but I am able to make people miss shots, I have good fundamentals and I am able to switch onto any person onto the floor.
Your also have a big IQ. What other strength do you have that you believe is still a bit off the radar?
Passing
On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you will be able to continue to improve your game? Passing, ball handling, defense, shooting
You played at Charleston Southern University (NCAA) having a great career. You improved your scoring and rebounding average each season. How did your game develop there? What kind of player were you coming in and what kind of player when you left?
I feel my game developed as my confidence grew, coming in I didn´t know what to expect but coming out have the upmost confidence in my game.
You finished your freshman year strong having 24 points in a big 79-78 win over UNC Asheville. What memories do you have of this game? I remember taking over the final stretch of the game and hitting the game winner and rolling my ankle directly after.
In your next 3 seasons you lost to UNC Asheville all 3 times in the All Big South tournament games. Is that opponent one you will never forget? Definitely will not
You had many incredible games in the NCAA including 28 points in a thrilling 71-70 win over Presbyterian. What was your fondest moment on the court? I would say my freshman year buzzer beater against Asheville
What will you always remember from teammate Daylen Berry? He came from UNC at Charlotte averaging only 1,6ppg in 23-24 and broke out last season at Charleston. He also had a versatile game. His ability to play at his size and be that efficient also his knack for passing lanes.
How did head coaches Barclay Radebaugh and Saah Nimley groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career? He taught me how to be the guy and poured their confidence in me consistently. Also loads of defensive practices.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or RJ Duhart? Me 100%
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA? Jabari Smith
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Deivon Smith
Caleb Murphy
Rj Johnson
Ian Schiefflien
Claudell Harris Jr
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Lebron, MJ, Steph, Tim Duncan
Who is your Goat? Lebron
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? No I did not
Khadeen Carrington is a 30 year old 193 cm guard from Brooklyn, New York that has the American/Trinidad and Tobago citizenship and plays for the Israeli national team. He began his basketball career at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School and then played at Seton Hall(NCAA) from 2014-2018. He began his pro career in 2018 and has played in countries like Montenegro, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France and Israel. Currently he is in his fourth season with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (Israel-Winner League). He spoke to germanhoops.com before a World Cup qualifying game against Germany.
Thanks Khadeen for talking to germanhoops.com. Happy Thanksgiving. You have been overseas 8 years now. How relevant can you make this national holiday overseas?
It´s tough being away from family and friends at this time of the year. But I have a job to do and am very grateful that I´m allowed to paly the game that I love. I have had tough times in my career, but am blessed to be able to play the game.
You have been playing for the Israeli national team now for some time. What kind of an experience has it been as an American playing for Israel?
It has been fun. The whole 4 years. I definitely have some special relations with some guys. It has been a great experience playing Eurocup and playing against some of the best players overseas.
You battle against Germany. How excited are to be playing against the world and euro champions? Is there a German player that you admire?
I have to be honest that there isn´t anyone particular. I have watched Dennis Schroeder. It was great seeing how the German team has developed over the years especially when I was with Ludwigsburg. Germany has a good foundation and the coaches have done a great job with the talent.
At the last Euro you averaged 7.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 32.0%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 62.5%. What exactly is your role and what is your biggest personal goal with your game in the team besides winning games?
My role changes a bit. During the Fiba tournaments, there are more guys on the team and now during the Fiba windows, my role is bigger. During the windows, I just be aggressive and play my game. I show my scoring and give pressure on the defensive end. I feel like I could have been better at the last Euro, but I will be aggressive in these next 2 games.
After your first four professional seasons, you went to Israel in 2022 and are now in your fourth season with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (Israel-Winner League). Could you see yourself being a lifer here?
Yes definitely. I have found a great place with Hapoel and Israel. We will see how my journey continues here.
What is so special about this organization? Do you have the perfect combo of club and lifestyle in one?
Yes it is the perfect combination. It was tough not having the home games because of the war. It is the perfect combination between lifestyle, club and basketball.
In your first season in Israel you beat Maccabi Tel Aviv and scored 20 points. How big was that win for you then and what do you remember from it?
I think so. I understood how important an organization they were. It was huge competing against such a well known club and great players. That was start of something special with the Hapoel organization.
You reached the Basketball Champions League final in 2023. You had 19 points in an exciting 69-68 win over Tenerife, but lost the final to Bonn 77-70. Was that thrilling semi-final win like your final?
I think that semi-final was like our final. That game against Tenerife took a lot out of us. We had some guys sick in the final including myself. Bonn was in a good flow that game.
You won 2 cups in Israel in 2023 and 2024. Which one was sweetest?
I feel like the first win was a bit more sweeter. The cup is a huge deal in Israel. I was just so super excited getting the first title with Hapoel.
You lost the last 2 playoff series against Maccabi Tel Aviv. How big is the hunger to beat them in a playoff series? The team has added fine pieces this season with Harper, Lamb and others. Could this be the year to win the Winner League?
Yes definitely. I feel like we already had great pieces last year to win it all. We weren´t able to finish game 3. I feel like we had, we would of won. We have great pieces this season and all are focused to win. Winning the title is a goal for us.
You have been teammates now for years with Yovel Zoosman in Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem and the national team. Do you have a special relationship with him?
Zoos is a great guy. He is super quiet and laid back. He is a very hardworker. He is one of my favorite teammates.
You split the 2021-2022 season with Coosur Real Betis Sevilla (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 6.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 58.8%, 3FGP: 12.0%, FT: 64.5%, in Nov.’21 moved to JDA Dijon Bourgogne (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 13.6ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 42.1%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 86.8%. In France you were teammates with diminutive David Holston who is nearing 40 and in his 11th season with Dijon. How inspiring was it being his teammate for a short time?
It was great being his teammate even if it was for a short time. He is another super guy that I have played with. I had just had my tough injury and he took me under his wing. He was a great teammate and was always there for me. I have no idea when he will retire.
You played briefly with at AS Monaco Basket (France-Jeep ELITE ProA) in the 2020-2021 season. How tough was this season getting injured and with Covid? What did you learn from season?
It was tough sitting. I think the biggest part was the mental part. I thank God that I was able to overcome it. I always believe that everything happens for a reason.
You played the 2019-2020 season with MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg (Germany-BBL) averaging 17.2), 4.0rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 82.8%. How big was this season for your career. Granted you had finished your rookie season strong in Belgium, but was Germany your break out year?
Playing in Germany was definitely my break through in my pro career. The way John Patrick delt with me was great. He gave me the ball right when I got there. He had total trust in me and I had a great season.
You played for John Patrick. How did you experience his coaching philosophy? Was he a coach that helped your game early on?
He was super orientated and liked the full court press and always giving high energy. On offense he just gave me the reins and let me go. He definitely was a part of me having success that season.
Your dad was a professional soccer player and coach in Trindad and Tobago. You did start to play basketball at age eight, but was there never any desire to play soccer? What drove you to play basketball?
I actually started playing soccer. But coming from New York and it being the early 2000´s. there wasn´t much soccer around. It was easier to play basketball and it just gravitated me to play it.
You split your rookie season with KK Mornar Basket Bar (Montenegro-Erste Liga) and Hubo Limburg United (Belgium-Euromillions League) averaging 14.1ppg, 3.6rpg, APG-2(4.8), 1.1spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 85.1%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you very far away from home?
When I first got to Montenegro all was good. There were many tourists around, but then the weather changed in October/November and the home sickness started to kick in. But I overcame it. It got better when I got to Belgium. It was more americianized and easier to adapt for me.
You played NBA Summer League with the OKC Thunder and Detriot Pistons. What was your overall summary of your experience.
I could of played in the G-League, but I chose to come to Germany. The NBA Summer League is like basketball heaven. It was all basketball. You saw legends coming in and out.
You played at Seton Hall from 2014-2018 and once stated. ““It sounds weird, but I really enjoyed the ups and downs. The downs taught me a lot. It made me become a man. I learned a lot of things here in my four years, not only on the court but off the court probably more off the court”. What was the most important lesson you learned on and off the court?
I grew up at Seton Hall. You’re a person before basketball. We live life more than we do basketball.
You had so many amazing games like your 41 point explosion against Creighton, scored 29 points in a comeback win against Butler and scored 26 points in the NCAA tournament win over North Carolina State the first win in 14 years. Was your most memorable games one of these or was it another game?
The 41 point game was my most memorable moment. That was like a bubble game. It was a must win for us to get to the tournament. I felt really good that day. When I began and hit 2 shots, the basket then looked like the ocean to me. Putting up 41 points is tough to do anywhere.
How important was ex NBA player Isaiah Whitehead in your first seasons at Seton Hall for your early development? What do you feel was the most important thing you could soak up from his game?
It was great being his teammate. He already had great skill level as a young kid. He was highly recruited when he arrived and brought some lime light to Seton Hall. He was a super part of my journey during my college era.
Are you and Desi Rodriguez brothers for life. What was your favorite play in the four years you were there with him that would give justice to his nickname dunkin Dezi?
I know him since the 5th grade. He is playing in Israel now. We talk all the time and have dinner together. I remember him having a super big dunk in a come form behind win over Wichita State. That was a great game and one of the funniest games to play in.
How did head coach Kevin Willard who helped you make the switch to the point groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career at Seton Hall?
He was great and had a lot of knowledge about everything. He knew exactly what pro teams want in a player and had great work outs. It was fun to play for him.
Who won a one on one in practice you or Myles Powell?
It always went back and forth. We played a lot my freshman and sophomore years. We even played all hours of the night.
You played against many great players in the NCAA, but who was the toughest battle that is in the NBA now
I think that whole Villanova team with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges
Please name your best teammates of all-time?
My guys from Seton Hall Desi Rodriguez, Ismael Sonogo, Angel Delgado, Isaiah Whitehead
If you had to construct your very own NBA mount Rushmore which 4 heads would you pick?
Kobe, Jordan, Lebron, Steph
Who is your GOAT?
Jordan
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?
They should of left it alone. You need to leave classics alone.
Robert Brown (203-F-1998, college: TxWes) is a baller overseas who has been used to nice weather climates in his life. He grew up in Dallas, Texas where he wasn’t used to balmy summers, but toasty summers in the 90’s while in the winters it got cold, but also warm in the 60’s in February. Now in November with winter around the corner, the power forward is living the dream playing his rookie season overseas with German Regionalliga team Aschaffenburg Baskets living in a historic old German city which sits on the Main river and has a beautiful castle named Johannisburg. The winters are cold and damp. But thankfully for him he got an introduction to cold winters when he was at Iona (NCAA).
‘The weather has gotten very cold I’m adjusting a little bit to it but I’m already used to this type of weather because I’ve lived in New York for 2 and half years and it gets pretty cold there’, remembered Robert Brown.
Americans who come overseas can get a real culture shock really rapidly after arriving. Imagine being in a country like Mongolia or Romania or Kosovo. Sure the big cities all have clubs, but imagine being 1-2 hours away from the biggest city and playing for an organization that has 8,000 inhabitants and no Mcdonalds or Burger King. Playing your rookie season in brutal conditions like that often can have a toll on Americans. Not being able to adapt to a new culture can even lead guys returning back stateside and giving up on the dream. Brown was simply very fortunate to have landed in Germany which isn’t only one of the best places for Americans to play, but also one of the most positive places for Americans to begin a career. Money usually arrives on time and finding a Mcdonalds or Burger King isn’t difficult either. But for him actually refraining from visiting a Mcdonalds isn’t tough.
‘Germany has been nice so far it’s been treating me very well the culture here is different and I’m embracing every moment of the people around here welcoming with open arms out here my teammates are the best and helping me with a lot especially when it comes to the language here but I love it so far! I don’t do fast food normally. The only fast food spots I visit are the Doner spots and I cook from time to time as well’, stated Robert Brown.
Most American ballers have a wake up call overseas where they knew that they were far away from home. One of the most popular answers is simply getting used to the time difference. But for Brown, that wake up call never came simply because the whole experience in Germany has been so enriching.
It’s very shocking just being away from home I Remember telling myself when I didn’t have a call I couldn’t wait to get somewhere new start fresh and start life from there now that it happened it’s a reality check on just cherishing every moment because I’ve been here since September and it’s already November so I’m just enjoying the process learning how to adapt in different environments an remaining humble over lovely experiences so far it’s building my character’, warned Robert Brown.
One of the great aspects of the exciting overseas life isn’t just the playing, but also being able to explore new cultures and just visit new fascinating places. Brown hasn’t had too much time yet to explore new cities, but he already has some destinations in the next months. ‘
‘I would like to visit Berlin. My old teammate from Iona Dwayne Koroma that currently plays for UConn this season ! He told me it’s a great scenery I want to check that out after the season but I have been traveling to other cities as far as with the team as well it’s been cool to see other cities and knowing the difference between them. I also will be visiting Jabari Rice in the Czech Republic most likely sometime in January we talk almost every day’, said Robert Brown.
Americans playing in lower leagues overseas have lots of free time. There are usually only one game per week on the weekends and perhaps 2-3 practices per week. Guys playing in higher leagues will practice twice a day and have 1-2 games per week. The teammates of Brown all have jobs or go to school, so he has a lot of time to work on his game.
‘Normally we practice throughout the week so I do weights and conditioning on our off days and get shots up when the gym is available. I also get a little workout around the basket before I go straight into shots. I get to take care of my body which is the most important thing it’s basically teaching me discipline and making sure my craft is at its best’, warned Robert Brown.
How often have I seen other pro ballers watching the Frankfurt Skyliners during a easyCredit BBL game. Guys from lower leagues will take some of their free time to watch former opponents from college or teammates from other years. Brown also has found time seeing what his peers are doing at other levels.
‘I have checked out a few teams with the Skyliners in Frankfurt and a team that’s in a different region than ours’, said Robert Brown.
A great thing about guys balling in lower leagues is that there is no other way then up for them. They have a lot of time to perfect their craft so that one day they can refrain from watching German BBL and Pro A games and possibly compete at a level like that. But at the moment he is focused less on watching the games, but more on himself. His self-confidence is sky high to one day play in the Pro A or BBL. ‘
I am focusing on myself because that’s a big goal of mine to keep working to play in those type of leagues. I believe I can play on that level I just need to keep working and remain humbled I know my time will come I’m just enjoying my process of where I am at as of now’, warned Robert Brown.
It will be interesting to see how the Aschaffenburg Baskets continue to develop and if they can reach 500 this season. As for Robert Brown, he will continue to play his game, grind in the lab and develop further. Off the court, he will continue to experience new things in his life that one day he can tell his grand children about. He is simply living the dream overseas and couldn’t be more blessed for the opportunity.
Benjamin Sadikovic (208-PF-2003) is a 22 year old 208cm power forward that is playing his first season with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf. He played the last 2 seasons with the TSV Oberaching Tropics and last season averaged 5.8ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT-3 (50.0%), FT: 65.5%. He began his basketball career with TS Jahn Munich where he played NBBL. In his last season he averaged 11.7ppg, 10.0rpg, Blocks-3 (2.6bpg), FGP: 59.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 68.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com last summer about basketball.
Thanks Benjamin for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing with the Dragons Rhondorf. How thrilled are you for making this new step? I’m really excited to finally take this next step in my career. I’m looking forward to the next two years with the Dragons Rhöndorf and I’m very curious to see how much I can grow and develop as a player during this time.
What were the main reasons for joining the Dragons Rhondorf? How key was having the double license opportunity with easyCredit BBL team Telekom Baskets Bonn? Of course, the double license opportunity with Telekom Baskets Bonn played a role, but it was definitely not the main reason. Even without the BBL connection, Rhöndorf was already an attractive place for me because I can really put in the work and develop there. Also, from the very beginning, I felt very comfortable and truly welcomed by everyone I’ve met so far.
How have you followed the history of the Dragons Rhondorf the last years? You have a 0-2 lifetime record against them
I’ve always kept an eye on Rhöndorf, especially after they won the championship. I followed their games from time to time to see how they were performing. And yes, I definitely hope my record with the Dragons will be a lot better than my record against them!
How valuable is also the opportunity to be teammates with Daniel Mayr? What are you looking most forward to learning from him?
Daniel Mayr is a very experienced player who has made a name for himself in this league for years. I’m really looking forward to learning from him and picking up as much as I can. Especially, I want to see how he uses his length effectively on both ends of the court — that’s something I can definitely learn from and add to my own game.
How did the talks go with head coach Max Becker? What did you appreciate right away about his basketball philosophy? Even though Max is still a relatively young coach, I was really impressed by our conversations. He has a great understanding of the game and is also a very approachable and pleasant person. I can tell he’s a highly dedicated coach who really focuses on helping his players grow and develop. I’m really looking forward to playing for him over the next few years.
What is your goal in the first season? To possibily be a solid role player in the Pro B My main focus is to contribute to the team’s success and help us win games. At the same time, I also want to make a name for myself. I want to prove that I can compete at this level and that I’m capable of playing at even higher levels in the future.
Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 208cm center. If you had to describe your game to another pro player from Germany or anywhere who would it be?
I would describe my game as a mix of different bigs. I have some similarities to players like Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Vucevic in terms of feel for the game and good positioning, but I’m also working on becoming more mobile and versatile like Bam Adebayo or Daniel Theis – being able to defend, run the floor, and play face-up.
You’re a big man that can score and rebound. Describe your game a bit. What other strengths do you have on the court?
I’m a pretty versatile player for my size. I can score inside thanks to my length, but I also have a solid shooting touch and can be a threat outside the paint. I think one of my underrated strengths is my court vision and passing ability – sometimes people don’t expect that from a big man like me.
Talk a little about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you right now and what kind of defender do you still want to become? Right now, I’m mainly focused on zone and interior defense, where I can use my size and physicality to protect the paint and secure rebounds. But I definitely want to grow into a defender who can switch and guard all five positions. My goal is to become more mobile on the perimeter, improve my footwork, and be able to guard both bigs and guards effectively.
You played the last 2 seasons with the TSV Oberhaching Tropics Deisenhofen (ProB). You made good strides in your game. How did you game grow in the last 2 years? Playing with TSV Oberhaching over the last two seasons really helped me become a more physical player. I’ve also made big improvements in my basketball IQ — understanding the game better, reading situations, and making smarter decisions on the court. I’ve developed a lot, but I know there’s still plenty of untapped potential in me, and I’m working hard every day to take my game to the next level.
How vital was head coach Mario Matic for your development? What was the most important thing that he taught you that helped your game? Mario Matic played a big role in my development. He always pushed me in practice and took extra time to work with me individually. I’m really grateful that I had the chance to play under him and learn from him.
How vital was Fynn Fischer for your game? What were you able to soak up most like a sponge from his game?
I was able to learn a lot from Fynn. What really stood out to me was his post-up game – it’s amazing. He’s still a classic big man who loves to play with his back to the basket, takes advantage of every mismatch, and punishes every small mistake immediately. That’s definitely a skill I want to add to my game as well.
How cool was it being teammates with ultra teammate Omari Knox? What is your fondest moment with him on an doff the court?
Off the court, Omari is honestly one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He’s just a great person and a great father, and it was always fun to spend time with him. But on the court, he was a completely different guy – the dog came out. He played with so much intensity and fire, and it was amazing to be his teammate. One of my favorite moments was against Ulm when he threw me an incredible bounce pass that led to a big dunk. That’s definitely a play I’ll always remember.
Janosch Koegler is a player every team needs. What will you miss most from his game and leadership skills? Just like Omari, Janosch was an incredibly kind person that everyone could get along with. On the court, he was the glue guy who always kept the team together and constantly gave encouragement and confidence to everyone. He also had the ability to hit big shots in important moments, which was huge for the team. I’ll definitely miss both his leadership and his calm, positive energy.
Many of your best personal games last season were in loses, but you also had a 13/9 game in a win over Wurzburg. What was your fondest moment on the court in the Pro B?
Personally, I think one of my best games was actually our first game against Fellbach. Even though I didn’t score a lot, I had some really important rebounds and played great defense throughout the game. It was a tough battle, but we managed to win in the end, and that performance really meant a lot to me.
You didn´t play against Hannes Steinbach in that game, but against another young talented player with Clemons Sokolov.What memories do you have battling him on the court? I think Clemons Sokolov has all the tools to become a really good player. He’s still young, and it will be interesting to see what kind of role he takes on in Würzburg now that Steinbach is heading to college. I definitely enjoyed competing against him on the court.
You began your basketball career with TS Jahn Muenchen U19 team (NBBL) averaging 11.7ppg, 10.0rpg, Blocks-3 (2.6bpg), FGP: 59.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 68.2% in your last season. What memories do you have of this time? Did you have a mentor? It was an amazing and fun time where I made lifelong friends and really enjoyed playing basketball with them. Unfortunately, we didn’t make the playoffs that year, even though we had a strong roster. Urspring and Ulm were both very tough teams that season.
I didn’t have one specific mentor in the NBBL, but I was really lucky to have two people who helped me a lot. My coach, Timo Heinrichs, worked closely with me and really helped prepare me for the ProB level. On the other side, Philipp Bode supported me throughout my journey – from my time at Jahn all the way to Oberhaching – and taught me so much along the way.
Who is the toughest player that you ever battled that reached NBA or Euroleague?
I would say Noa Essengue was probably the best player I’ve had the chance to play against so far. Competing with him was definitely a great challenge and experience for me.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Philipp Bode, Omari Knox, Richard Freudenberg, Peter Zeis, Fynn Fischer
Please name your NBA, Euro and German Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time? NBA: LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan Euro: Miloš Teodosic, Theo Papaloukas, Vassilis Spanoulis, Walter Tavares
German: Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schröder, Detlef Schrempf, Franz Wagner
Naz Bohannon (198-F-1999, college: Clemson) is a 26 year old 198cm forward playing his fourth professional season in Germany and first with Science City Jena. He played the last 2 seasons with Phoenix Hagen (Germany-ProA) averaging 12.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 60.8% and 13.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 60.9%. He palyed his rookie season overseas with at Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA) averaging 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP-1 (73.4%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 55.2%. He began his basketball career with Lorain, OH / Lorrain High School and left as the all-time leading scorer with 1,385 career points with 872 career rebounds and guided the team to a three-year mark of 69-8. He then played at Youngstown State University (NCAA) from 2017-2021 and in his last year averaged : 16.5ppg, 8.2rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 59.8%. He played an extra season at Clemson University (NCAA) averaging 5.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 68.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com last summer bout basketball.
Thanks Naz for talking to germanhoops.com. Before we start, I keep reading the nickname “A One Man Buffalo Herd”. Where did you get that name?
The name One Man Buffalo Herd is something that has come since I’ve been in Germany. My playing style and motor have to be the reason the fans have given me the name, either way I like it. At home my basketball peers call me “Bully” for the same reasons these fans call me Buffalo.
When I say the #26 what does that mean?
I don´t know.
Well it means you have played 26 Pro A playoff games in 3 seasons. What was your favorite playoff game?
My favorite playoff game out of my time in Pro A outside of the game I won a championship is either game 5 versus Kircheim or game 4 versus Crailsheim. Both games were win or go home situations and the atmosphere in the Ischeland was second to none. Those are games you look forward to when dreaming about being a pro.
Your playing your fourth professional season and first with Jena. Is it fair to say that Germany has become like a second home for you? It is definitely fair to say that Germany has become a second home to me. If I can learn the language fluently maybe I can get a passport lol.
What do you enjoy so much about Germany? You played in Vechta and Hagen not real big places, but great basketball addresses These two places in particular are a big reason why I love Germany. I’ve been blessed to be able to be in two amazing basketball cultures and this has made my career worthwhile. Outside of basketball I enjoy traveling through Germany and just enjoying everything the country has to offer. I love to learn so being immersed in a completely different culture than what I come from has been amazing.
After playing 2 seasons in Hagen, your now in the easyCredit BBL. Was the fact that you could play in the BBL the biggest draw that you had for playing for this organization?
Since winning a championship and not moving up with the team, playing in the BBL has been a pursuit of mine. Playing in Hagen not only gave me a chance to be able to do that, but a chance to do it in a place that it would mean a whole lot. I’m a huge legacy guy and I love places that embody grit and grind. Those were my draws for playing for Hagen.
You had a 1-3 lifetime record against Jena. What was so appealing to battle them each time? The battles with Jena were wars. Every game had a great atmosphere and felt like a prize fight that went into the dog rounds.
How did the talks go with mastermind head coach Bjoern Harmsen. He first coached Jena when you were 9 years old. He has had a impressive coaching track record in Germany. What did you appreciate most about his coaching Philosophy?
The talks went pretty quick, but they were effective and efficient. We knew each other well from the battles we had and once we understood the feelings were mutual about working together it was an easy choice. I loved to play them because as a basketball junkie I could appreciate their offensive schemes and attention to detail to the game.
Your 198cm forward that isn´t afraid to bang with anyone inside. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?
I personally don’t do NBA comparisons but a lot of people say Draymond Green. However, I love watching guys that came before this huge analytical era. I believe anybody who can get to 6’6 or above, be physical, have a great IQ, and sharpen all aspects of their game can become mismatch nightmares.
Your physicality and leadership really stand out, but for me it´s clearly your versatility. You always had it already at Youngstown. Can you become even more versatile then what you already are?
As the 3 ball starts to fall for me I definitely can become more versatile. If I make the opponent respect me as a three point shooter it will only open up the rest of my game.
Your three pointer still is a work in progress. You only shot 12,5% last season with Hagen? What is your agenda on becoming a better shooter? Can it be more than just repetition? Do you ever work on changing mechanics? I’ve spent the entire summer working on shooting and it’s definitely gotten improved. Away from repetition my shot is and has been about consistency and that means me shooting the ball the same way every time. That coupled with the mindset shift of actually shooting it. I grew up playing basketball at the park and our mentality always was if you can’t stop me from getting to the rim why would I shoot it. However, in this new age of basketball I have to adjust to shooting if I want a long career.
How would you classify yourself as a defender? What kind of a defender do you still want to become? As a defender I believe I am versatile as well and that helps not only myself, but any team I’m on. As I go to higher levels I can become a better defender of shooting wings and the on ball defender of ball screens.
On what areas of your game besides your three pointer are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?
I’ve been working on handling the ball better, my overall touch and becoming a better athlete. These things will always translate to higher levels of basketball.
You played the last 2 seasons with Phoenix Hagen. How enjoyable were these 2 years? How did you grow further under Chris Harris? These 2 years were fun as hell. My 2 years at Hagen made that place home and it will forever be in my heart. Chris is my guy, outside of growing as a leader and learning how to manipulate the european game as a go to guy, Chris provided a space for me to grow as a man.
You played 2 incredible 5 game series against Kirchheim and Crailsheim. Was that Kirchheim series the most exciting time ever in basketball?
My most exciting time ever in basketball happened when I was 15 years old and playing in front of my hometown. My high school team was undefeated and it felt like we were living in a movie. Every game was sold out, we even sold out a college.
You had some incredible teammates in Hagen. Which player had the biggest impact on you. Perhaps Siler Schneider who you were teammates twice with?
Siler is my brother. That is definitely one of my all time favorite teammates. We were two hard nosed hungry kids from the mid west that gelled perfectly.
You played your rookie season with Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProA) averaging 9.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP-1 (73.4%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 55.2%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
My wakeup call from home had little to do with basketball actually. My wake up call was being in the grocery store for the first time and not being able to read the names of any of the groceries and being uneasy about asking for help because I wasn’t sure if someone spoke English.
What was so special with the Vechta team that won the Pro A title to reach the BBL? The Vechta team was special because of how competitive we were. With no disrespect our practices were sometimes harder than the games. “Iron sharpens Iron” and we epitomized that.
You tried to play in the NFL. You worked out with Jacksonville. How was that whole process. What were the main reasons in the end that it didn´t work out?
That process was great and taught me a lot. It’s something I’ll forever be grateful for. In the end I was a product of the business and I’m not mad at that. I was in a situation where I needed longer to develop than what the team had to produce a winning situation.
You played at Youngstown State University (NCAA) from 2017-2021. You made a massive jump in your last season averaging 16.5ppg, 8.2rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 59.8%. How did your game grow in the last season there?
My game grew in my last season because I became more assertive and focused. I already have a great work ethic but that year my son was born and it kicked me into an entirely different gear.
You had many great games there like scoring 32 points against Green Bay or having a monster 14/20 game against Central Michigan. What was your fondest moment there? My fondest moment there is when I played on ESPN and made the game winning pass to beat the conference giant Wright St. I had 28 points 8 rebounds and 2 assists on a big stage and my entire community got to watch from home.
You played 1 more NCAA season with Clemson University (NCAA) averaging5.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 68.6%. You averaged 12 minutes less than the season before. What positives could you get from this season?
The season at Clemson prepared me to be a pro, specifically for the year at Vechta. Being on a team loaded with talent you have to be able to adjust and play a role even if it may be undesirable at first. While frustrated in the beginning of the year there, I grew to figure out a way to be successful in whatever time was awarded to me.
How did head coach Brad Brownell give you that last push and help prepare you for a pro career? Coach Brownell’s grit philosophy not only helps be a pro, but helps in every aspect of life. Passion and perseverance towards a long term goal while paying attention to details,being tough and being team oriented can help you in just about any setting in your adult life.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Hunter Tyson? In the few times we did play 1s we had great battles
Please list your personal NBA, German and Serbian Mount Rushmore of 4 best players of all-time?
My GOAT is Lebron. Simple and clear answer for me. As a basketball lover I am open to anybody else’s opinion.
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 do think they should have left it alone.
I continue to have real fond memories of a G-League game I went to almost 4 years ago between the Maine Celtics and Capital City Go Go´s. I witnessed a pretty low scoring game under 100 and as usual after the game was hounding the players for selfie´s. I got some nice pics with some NBA players like Greg Monroe and Luke Kornet, but also was lucky to pose with some other fine players. With a few of them, I have had a special kind of connection after meeting them briefly on that very mild late November day as it had pushed 60 degrees. The years following that game, I would write articles on 2 Maine Celtics with Eric Demers and Deng Adel, both who are flourishing overseas. I actually still have contact with Demers to this day who has had success in Spain and who I have tried to help come to Germany. My journey with meeting players in the G-League and writing an article after they have moved on to overseas continued here with another player, I remember stopping and posing with a pic with Chris Clemons (175-PG-1997, college: Campbell). Clemons is an incredible player who is an undersized walking bucket and has seen it all. He played 40 games that season for Maine and surprisingly the game I saw, he played the least amount of minutes that season with only 17 and scored 5 points. He had 8 other games that season of 40 or more minutes. When I noticed that he was over seas in France, I got in contact with his agent and before I knew it, I had an interview with him. I always love saying the phrase, “it´s a small world when I inform guys that we had met before and now I´m interviewing them. It wasn´t any different with Clemons. He also had no problem naming Germany´s Euroleague teams Munich and Berlin when I asked him if he ever had any ambition of lacing up his sneakers in Germany. “Who knows, It might happen. You never know where basketball might take you. I never thought that I would ever play in France. The BBL is a good league to play in. I played with Tyren Johnson last season and this season he is in Germany. I want to get to the Euroleague”, warned Chris Clemons in April 2025. Clemons learned from the best from Harden and Westbrook and his goal is the Euroleague.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Chris Clemons in Portland, Maine 2021
The 175cm guard who lists Ja Morant as the toughest player that he ever battled in the NCAA was born on July 23, 1997 in Raleigh, North Carolina and idolized Allen Iverson growing up and tried to incorporate his lethal cross over into his own game. He played at / Millbrook High School and in his senior year averaged 24.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.2apg, 2.2spg. In his career there, he scored 1230 points which was the second highest in school history and had the single game record of 41 points. His explosive scoring continued at Campbell University (NCAA) where he played from 2015-2019 amassing a total of 129 games. He had a sensational freshman year averaging 18.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 84.4%. But his game really took off in his last 3 years as he averaged 25.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.6apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 82.5%, 25.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 85.6% and as a senior had the ultimate individual season averaging 30.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 86.9%. Were these 4 years some of the best times in his life? “I have had a lot of great years in my career, but my years in Campbell were great as well. I found a way in those 4 years to continue to keep getting better and what I needed to do to get to the NBA. I put in the work and always got better after taking part in some NBA pre draft work outs and never got complacent. I improved and in my last year went up 5,0ppg. My coaches believed in me and put me in a good position to be successful. I never took anything for granted”, stressed Chris Clemons. He scored in double figures in 128 of 129 games and owns the longest double-figure scoring streak (82) games among all active NCAA Division I players (8th-longest all-time). It is no secret that he owes a lot of his success to head coach Kevin McGeehan. “I´m so glad that he saw something in me, because I had on other offers. I believe he saw something very special in me. He gave me a lot of confidence in myself. I showed just how much I improved my game. He gave a lot of attention to my game and I can thank him 1 million times”, said Chris Clemons. His scoring consistency was incredible as he scored 20 points or more 92 times, 30 points or more 30 times, 40 points or more 6 times and had a 51 point game against UNC Ashville. One of his fondest memories was scoring 42 points against Liberty where he and teammate Marcus Burk hit 10 three´s a piece. “I still don´t know how that happened. It felt like we just took turns taking shots and nobody missed. We were on the road and it was a great team performance”, remembered Chris Clemons. 2 of his best accolades at Campbell was becoming the school´s all-time leading scorer and leading the nation as a senior in scoring, but which was greater for him? “I think that my biggest accolade was being the top scorer in the nation. I was already the school´s highest scorer before I was the nation´s top scorer. It is tougher to be the top scorer in the nation. To lead the nation in any category was tough. I will always be proud of that”, remembered Chris Clemons who recalls beating Marcus Burk is 1-1 battles in practice. Other achievements at Campbell included All-Big South Conf. Freshman of the Year -2016, All-Big South Conf. Second Team -2016, Big South Conf. All-Freshman Team -2016, All-Big South Conf. First Team -2017, 18, 19, Big South Conf. All-Tournament Team -2017, 19, Big South Conf. All-Academic Team -2017 NABC All-District 3 Second Team -2017 CIT All-Tournament Team -2017, USBWA All-District III Team -2018, 19, NABC Division I All-District 3 First Team -2018, 19, Mid-Major Madness All-Americans Honorable Mention -2018, Lou Henson All-Americans Team -2018, All-Big South Conf. Player of the Year -2019, USBWA All-America Third Team -2019, and Reese’s NCAA D1 All-Star Game -2019
The explosive guard who lists James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Andrew Eudy, Tyren Johnson, and John Wall as his 5 best teammates of all-time played at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) averaging Score-1 (18.3ppg), 3.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.7spg and then played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas) averaging Score-4 (20.2ppg), 4.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 30.4%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 78.9%. He had to pay his dues as a rookie first earning an exhibit 10 contract, then a 2 way contract and on December 27th finally was handed a standard NBA contract. In his rookie season he played 35 NBA games for Houston averaging 4.8ppg, and also played also with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G League) averaging Score-4 (23.9ppg), 3.9rpg, 6.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 85.5%. He like every player had that instant NBA wake up call where he had to always be wide awake. “The NBA is so fast paced and we had a lot of veterans. You can get lost in so many things outside of basketball. If you aren´t always focused something could go wrong in an instant”, warned Chris Clemons. He made his NBA debut against the Miami Heat and was an instant bang scoring 16 points. “I remember my family being there. I remember not being surprised, but I was very excited because I knew that I would play. Generally you never know when you play so when you do play, you have to leave a lasting memory. I remember bringing a lot of energy and always telling myself you have to make every shot, so they will remember me in the next game and put me in again”, commented Chris Clemons. Not many guys can say that they were teammates with James Harden and Russell Westbrook. He couldn´t have had better guard veterans than these 2 to soak up as much as possible on a daily basis. “Those 2 are some of the best passers in the game. Learning how to read the game and where help is coming from was huge. Harden is an offensive guru and I learned how to execute the pick and roll and when to do isolation. I also learned how key preparation is every day. Even after partying, these guys were always so locked in. I don´t know how they did that”, expressed Chris Clemons. He also was teammates then with a lesser known German big man named Isaiah Hartenstein. He shares the same opinion as I in why it took him so long to get respected by NBA teams. “It really is crazy how long it took him to get to the place where he is now. He was a very intriguing guy. His biggest attribute is his energy. He is one of the best motors I have ever seen. He gets very rebound. I don´t know how he does it. I´m super happy for his success. He deserves everything because he has worked so hard”, warned Chris Clemons. In his NBA season he scored in double figures in 7 games including 19 points against Minnesota and 17 points against Atlanta.
The North Carolina native who lists Jordan, Kobe, Lebron, Shaq, and AI on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore missed the 2020-2021 season due to a Achilles injury. He rebounded in the 2021-2022 season playing with the Maine Celtics (NBA G League) averaging 21.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 5.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 82.8%. He scored in double figures in 36 games and scored 20 points or more 19 times and 30 points or more 9 times and scored 41 points 3 times. He also set an NBA G League record for most points in a quarter on perfect shooting from the field with 27 points on 9–9 field goal shooting. He should have had an NBA call up, but didn´t. “Sometimes it has to do with timing. I don´t ever remember any other player putting up the kind of stats that I was putting up. After the season, I mis-picked some opportunities, but that is how it sometimes goes. I think at that time, I needed to score so we would win”, remembered Chris Clemons. He also had a 10 day contract from Atlanta, but didn´t play a game. He played the last 2 seasons in the G-League with Windy City averaging 15.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 33.3%, 3FGP: 44.7%, FT: 77.8% in his first season and in China and France. He continued to return back to the States for the NBA dream. Is that NBA dream still there now or is overseas his main priority? “I have been to the NBA and know what it takes to play there. I know that I could play there now. The NBA is so political and it is very difficult to get back there. Even if I did play G-League again, I would be passing up a lot of money of not playing overseas. I mean if I were to get a legitimate opportunity then I would take it. I´m very happy overseas being able to see new countries and cultures. The Euroleague is the second best league in the world and a place I want to reach”, warned Chris Clemons. He was fortunate to play under ex Euroleague player guard Henry Domercant and got an early introduction to how overseas basketball is played. “Henry talked about the overseas game a lot. I listened and learned from him. Things that he talked about was true. Everything he talked about involving practices, the language and fans was true. He was a really good influence on me without really being one. His coaching style was similar to what you see overseas. He really prepared me well”, said Chris Clemons. In his second season at Windy City he averaged 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 48.8%, 3FGP: 33.2%, FT: 78.3%30 minutes. Did he feel like he was close to an NBA call up or did he score too little in the minutes he got? “I don´t think that I scored to little. I think that I was always close to the NBA. It was just about waiting for that opportunity. What I really appreciate about the Maine Celtics was that when I got there, they told me exactly what I had to do to reach the NBA. I don´t think it is about scoring 30-40 points a game, but more like if you score 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game. I don´t think that The NBA looks at how much you score. Many don´t understand that and believe that if they score 30-40 points, that that will be their ticket to the NBA. They are confused with that, because they look for the role player and not the star. The most important thing for me was that we were winning when I was there”, stressed Chris Clemons. He also gathered further experience playing with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers (China-CBA) averaging 17.9ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 84.7%. “The experience was a lot different than Europe. You can´t drive there and you don´t have as much freedom. You can learn the language a lot easier in Europe. I have picked up enough French to be able to communicate, but you can´t just pick up Chinese. The fans are great. The atmosphere is great. It is similar to the NBA and how everything is set up. The Chinese want the Americans to dominate. That is why you often see crazy numbers by Americans”, added Chris Clemons. He scored in double figures in 18 of 26 games including a 55 point explosion against Shanxi L where he connected for 13 three´s. He also had the fortune of being teammates with a real character Taco Fall that many Celtics fans will never forget. “Traveling with him was really interesting. Everyone is small in China. It was a real spectacle when he was traveling. It was tough getting on buses and planes for him. He drew a lot of attention. He was a nice dude”, said Chris Clemons.
The North Carolina native who names Allen Iverson as his GOAT and felt that the original Coming To America was better than the sequel played his second season in Europe with Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 28 games: 15.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-5 (1.3spg), FGP: 39.0%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 86.3%. “Playing for Nancy was a real good experience. I have been very fortunate to have teammates that really enjoy each other. That has made the process a lot easier. It can sometimes be hit or miss overseas. My wife is here with me, so that has made the experience a lot easier as well. Each game in the Pro A is of high importance. The league is tight and the games are intense. The atmosphere is also great”, commented Chris Clemons. He also was fortunate having a veteran like Caleb Walker on his side and helping get adjusted and another big time scorer with Isaiah Washington on his side as well. “Caleb and I have a really good relationship. We hang out here and also have done it in the States. We are able to carry on a relationship past basketball. I think that he is a great veteran for anyone. He is also here with his wife and they have really been very helpful to my wife getting adjusted. We are very thankful for that. I love Isaiah and the person that he is. He is a really talented player. I like how he can create for himself and others. He is a really good dude to meet. He told me about Germany and how different of a role he had there. I think that we have a lot of similarities in our games. Unfortunately we haven´t played as much together on the court as I would have liked”, said Chris Clemons. Last season with Nancy he played 12 games averaging 16.0ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 82.1%. In the 2024-2025 season he showed that he needed no adjustment time. That consistency from Campbell seems to have rubbed over everywhere he has been as a professional player. “ I´m not the tallest guy so I have to be consistent in order to be successful at a high level. I have been very fortunate in my career to have been in great places and have had good people help me be effective in some way with my game”, stressed Chris Clemons. Often guys that come from the NBA have problems adjusting to the game, but he hasn´t had any problems. He fills the stat sheet like no other and has already proved to be a very good playmaker overseas as he has that good court vision already overseas that he also displayed in the NBA. “To be honest, it isn´t that much different. I just think that the court is more congested overseas and the spaces are tighter. I have always been a main focal point of the offense where ever I have played so nothing surprises me anymore. I have seen every kind of defense”, warned Chris Clemons. One dude who has paid his dues for years and now has finally reached the big time is TJ Shorts. He is 175cm just like Clemons. Wouldn´t it be something to see them go head to head in the Euroleague in the future? For now the Euroleague will have to wait as this season he is playing for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. His 52 points against Trier definitely will have turned heads from Euroleague clubs and even if the EWE Baskets started 1-6 in the BBL, he led his team into the BBL Cup top 4 with a game high 20 points. The season is still young and there surely will be more to come from Chris Clemons in a EWE Baskets jersey.
Will Yoakum (196-G/F-1998, college: Nova SE) is a 27 year old 196cm swing man from Ohio playing his third professional season overseas and first with the Bristol Flyers (United Kingdom-SLB). He played his rookie season in Germany with Pro A team SC Rasta Vechta (second team) averaging 5.5ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 70.0%. He also gained further experience in Mexico with Abejas de Leon (Mexico-LNBP) averaging 12.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 64.9%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 73.1% and played twice with Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico-CIBACOPA) averaging 13.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 77.9% and 18.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 62.8%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 75.4%. He began his basketball career at Max Hayes High School and then played 4 seasons at West Liberty State College (NCAA2) playing a total of 86 games. He then finished at Nova Southeastern University (NCAA2) averaging 20.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 52.3%, FT: 83.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against the Mitteldeutscher BC.
Thanks Will for talking to germanhoops.com Your playing your third professional season and first with the Bristol Flyers (United Kingdom-SLB). What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about it?
It has been a great experience, I feel like it’s been something I have been working towards my past few seasons. I’ve enjoyed my teammates the most, I feel like I have 10 brothers.
The club has had a very good start in the SLB. It is an organization hungry to win. It hasn´t won a title since 2010. How hungry is this club for success?
This club is very hungry and it starts with our day to day approach, in practice we are very detail oriented. We know our ceiling and we feel we haven’t reached it yet.
The team has many Americans on the team. Does it at times feel like your back in the States and have that college atmosphere?
Yes at times, it feels like a college team with the amount of people that speak English. I’m used to a little bit of a language barrier with some players.
You have showed in the early going to be an integral part of the offense and success. What is your role? Are you the go to guy?
One of them for sure but we have a team with multiple guys that can score points in our system, our team does a good job of finding guys within our offense.
You have always been an incredible three point shooter, but in the SLB are shooting an amazing 61% and your picking your spots really well. What is your secret to being a great shooter?
Just being ready to shoot at all times and also finding open spots on the floor weather that be from three our inside. our bigs and guards are very good passers.
How much of a battle is it battling fellow American Cameron Holden? How do you make each other better? He’s a great player and a winner. We live with each other off the court so we always are talking about what we can both do to be better for each other and the team, he knows where I am at all times on the court I feel like.
Last season you played with Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico-CIBACOPA) averaging 18.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 62.8%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 75.4%. How did your game grow in Mexico after getting Mexico experience as a rookie? This time you had 4-5 months vacation in comparison to the rookie season where you played a whole year without pause. My game grew a lot, my rookie year I was on a very talented team and having the success I had was huge for my confidence. This past year I was on another great team and we won a lot of games, the style of play was great for me as we played very fast, I was able to assert myself as one of the key players from the beginning of the season. I played the 2/3/ and a little of the 4 in our offense at the beginning. although we fell short of our goal of winning the championship, it was a fun year full of great memories. I was able to play my game and my teammates were doing the same, it was a great mix of guys who all were very very talented but very selfless and cared about winning. Those are my brothers.
You played a great playoff series against Tijuana, but lost. It went back and forth for 7 games. What will you always remember from that series? I will remember our grit. We were down 0-2 and fought all the way back to force a game 7. It felt like a movie. Each game was war, that is why you train in the offseason and why you put up extra shots or do extra conditioning.
You played your rookie season in Germany and Mexico and played 90 games. That is like an NBA player. Was that a tough experience playing from August 2023-October 2024?
It was a tough for sure playing that many games and being in a few different countries in one year. It also helped a ton, I learned how to play different styles, different concepts that are commonly used at the pro level.
What was your wake up call to being a rookie Overseas in Germany where you knew that you were far away from home? I don’t know if I have one particular moment but reading street signs and driving with different speed limits in Germany was different.
You were teammates with Jack Kayil and Johann Grunloh. What memories do you have of them and could you see them being Germans in the NBA in the next years? They both were great teammates of mine, very special players as well. I look forward to seeing them have success at the D1 level. I think they both can play in the NBA or Euroleague level someday with their IQ, talent, and creativity.
You then played with Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico-CIBACOPA) averaging 13.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 77.9% and with Abejas de Leon (Mexico-LNBP) averaging 12.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 64.9%, 3PT: 41.6%, FT: 73.1%. What was it like playing in Mexico? It is a league popular with Americans and continues to grow. How competitive is the league?
It’s a great league, there are a lot of ex- NBA or G league players in that league. There are many pros that are experienced. So it’s a good league to test your skill level against guys that have been at the top of the top for many years. There are a lot of very talented basketball players in CIBACOPA/ LNBP
You were teammates with ex NBA player Vander Blue. How enriching was it for you as a rookie seeing his play and soaking up as much as possible? What could you gain from his play? Vander Blue was my Vet, He was a great voice to have around the team. He’s a winner and a leader. He knows how to play good basketball, I just would try and soak up as much from him my rookie year. I gained how much he liked good basketball and how much he looked for the right play or the best shot for the team. He has a winning impact on any team he plays for.
You had many great games in Mexico, but how special was your 28/11 game where you shot 7/7 from outside in the win over the Astros? If I remember we were down 0-3 in that series so I just wanted to go out and play to win. But yeah it was a fun game for sure
You played at West Liberty State College from 2018-2022 and won the MEC title in 2022 and reached the NCAA 2 Elite 8 in 2021. How valuable was it playing for Ben Howlett? How did your game grow in those 4 years?
My game grew a lot while play at West Liberty. I got the freedom to play off the ball and become a better cutter as well and shot the ball a lot from the outside. Also I became a good offensive rebounder while playing at West Liberty. I played alongside some great players so it made my job easier. There were some ups and downs but Coach Howlett let me play my game from the time I was a freshman all the way until I was a 5th year.
You then played a graduate season with Nova Southeastern University (NCAA2) averaging 20.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 52.3%, FT: 83.2%. Your winning ways continued with the SSC title and D-2 title. Was this season some of the best if not best time in your life? It was a great time for me, winning a ton of games and being in Florida. A year I will never forget and a team I will never forget.
You beat your ex school West Liberty and ex teammates and friends. How emotional was that title? What will you always remember from it? It was a physical game, both teams knew what they wanted to do and it came down to who was going to play that style the best. Definitely a full circle moment for me and my family, I wasn’t very emotional leading up to to but after I was pretty happy celebrating with my teammates.
How did head coach Jim Crutchfield give you that last push to help you become a professional? Your game made another jump?
The system that Coach Crutch put into play lets players read and react. Not thinking too much on offense, just playing towards your strengths. He recruited me out of high school so he knew my game so it was just a match from Day 1. He recruits players that can shoot the ball at a high level and play with a different type of edge. Playing at Nova gave me another opportunity to play with great players and perfect my craft of cutting, shooting threes, and getting out in transition. I would say my game has made a jump on the defensive side. At West Liberty and Nova we pressed the whole game and I didn’t get to show my on ball defensive impact but since I’ve been a pro I can show that and I think it’s gotten better since college. I also see myself playing with more patience on offense, making reads etc.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Lukas Speidel? Good question, we would always stay after practice and get extra Jumpers up. Not a whole lot of 1v1, we were the old guys on the team so we didn’t want to beat each other up too much. But I think I beat him once maybe
Who the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA 2 or anywhere that reached the NBA?
I played against Gary Trent Jr. in High School
Dalton Bolon, my Teammate from West Liberty
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
No Order
Rj Sunihara Lukas Speidel Shane Hunter Jacob Calloway Terrell Brown
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore
Lebron
Kobe
MJ
Steph
Larry Bird
Who is your GOAT? Lebron James
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? I have not seen it
Jalen Riley (184-PG-1993, college: ETSU) is a 32 year old 185cm guard from Wisconsin playing his 11th pro season and second with FC Porto (Portugal-Liga Betclic,). He began his basketball career with Sauk Valley Community College (JUCO) and then played 2 seasons with East Tennessee State University (NCAA) an din his senior year averaged 20.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.7apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 82.7%. He turned professional in 2015 and played in Slovakia. He also played in countries like Spain, Iceland, Lithuania, France,Latvia, Greece, China and Poland. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Rostock Seawolves.
Thanks Jalen for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your 11th pro season, playing in
your 10th country and have played 260 + games. How much of a ultimate basketball
globetrotter do you feel like?
It feels cool to think about in hindsight but as you’re in it you don’t realize how many places,
countries and cultures you’ve experienced playing the game you love. So yea I definitely feel
like I’ve been able to see a lot of the world at this point and I’m truly grateful for the
experiences. Where I’m from its uncommon to say the least.
You are in your second tour of duty with FC Porto. What is it like being back? Has much
changed with the organization?
It´s been great so far, Porto is a great organization with a super rich history so just like my first experience it feels cool to be a part of something bigger than yourself again and try to etch your place in that history. There’s some new faces from before but mainly familiar ones that had warm welcomes for my return. Hopefully we can make a great run this season!
The team last won the league title in 2016 and the last 2 cups. Are the expectations higher
now then in 2020 when you were there?
Probably so, I believe the hunger for the championship is greater because more time has
passed since the last one. Overall I believe the standard for winning is always there and from
my last time to now I think it´s the same.
Does FC Porto have the best American point guard trio with you, Wespaun and Dunn? Not to
mention having Veteran Miguel Cardoso also? What do you appreciate most about their
games?
Yeah we have a really talented group, were working still now to gel & keep growing more
comfortable together so that we can bring out the best in one another on the floor. They’re all
great guys, great competitors. Wes is great getting downhill and making plays, elite defender.
Dunn is great for us on both ends shooting and rebounding and defending. Miguel is a really
high IQ guy & great playmaker for us.
You have been a walking bucket almost your whole life overseas. This seasons team have
many scorers. Could this be a season where you might focus on other areas of your game to
help the team be successful?
Yea I just try to do whatever is necessary to help the team. I know I have the ability to both
score & be a playmaker so whatever is needed is always what I’ll focus on delivering. That
can change week to week, game to game so I just have to be ready to contribute in whatever
way.
Last season you split time with at Peristeri BWin Athens (Greece-GBL) and Tasomix Rosiek Stal OstrowWielkopolski (Poland-OBL) averaging 17.0ppg, 1.7rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 86.1%. How tough was this season? After a tough time in Greece, you closed out the season well in Poland. What positives could you gain from this season?
Yea last season was a bit difficult, we welcomed my son here in Jan so with that happening I
decided to stay home until after his delivery date. The situation I took on in Greece wasn’t
ideal, I was brought in to replace some injuries but guys came back sooner than expected
and unfortunately I never received an opportunity to play. On a positive note I’m glad I was
able to shake the rust off in Poland and stack a couple months of playing good ball to finish
off the season. I want to carry that momentum best I can into this full season back in Europe.
You played the 2023-204 season with Jiangsu Nangang Dragons Nanjing (China-CBA) averaging 14.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 81.4%. What kind of an experience was the CBA league. How was this experience different than any other thing that you have seen overseas?
CBA was a very unique experience, even with having to play through an injury majority of the season I had a very productive year. It was cool to experience how different the culture is there. I didn’t know what to expect but the league was very well run, from the quality of the arenas, the quality of travel, the amount of gear the league provides the players. The style of play was a lot different than Europe, they try to emulate the NBA style of play more than European clubs. Quick shots, lots of transition play, and they have very high usage rates to their foreigners/best players. If not for changes in my personal life that didn’t align as well as Europe does I would’ve targeted a return.
In the 2022-2023 season, you played with PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece-GBL) averaging
10.6ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 34.7%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 77.8%; and in the BCL averaged
(17.9ppg), 3.0rpg, 1.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 45.8%, FT: 82.4%. Was this possibly your best season stat wise as a pro? How do you think did your game grow best here?
Yeah I believe I played some of my best basketball in Greece, especially in European competition. It was my first experience playing solely at PG. I feel like I grew my game a lot as a playmaker there and being able to get guys involved around me while also finding balance to stay aggressive individually. Greece has a very competitive domestic league as well so it was fun season with a lot of good high level matchups to be motivated for. The fans in Greece are amazing as well so it was a fun experience for sure
You scored 27 points in a loss to Euroleague team Olympiakos. Do you have special memories of this game? Even if you lost, You were the best player on the court full of ex NBA guys?
Yea that was a fun game, I missed our home regular season game against them earlier in the season due to injury so was excited to be able to play them in front of our fans. we were able to get a win vs Panathinaikos that yr at home so I really wanted to be able to get one against them as well. That was a very good team though so as I said before it was easy to be motivated to play. I always want to show I’m one of the best players on the floor if not the best every time I suit up, so that series was no different and I’m glad I was able to put forth some good performances against them in the playoffs.
You played the 2021-2022 season with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL) averaging 13.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 70.0%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 86.7%;in the BCL and in the EstLatBL averaged PPG-5 (15.4), 2.3rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 44.5%, FT: 80.0%. You won 2 titles here. What was so special about this team?
We had a great group haha super simple! To win at a high level you have to be talented & connected. We won all 3 available trophies that season and everyone from our roster has went on to do great things since. Vef was a high quality organization and will always be a cherished chapter in my career I learned how to be a champion there and have been able to carry that experience throughout my career since.
You had your first tour of duty with FC Porto (Portugal-LPB) in 2020-2021 averaging 16.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 89.7%. You won the cup that season. How tough was losing that playoff series to Sporting? The last 2 games were only lost by a combined point total of 5 points. What do you think did you learn from this series?
Super tough, thankfully I don’t have too many but that is one of the biggest sore spots/what ifs in my career. It was my first experience playing true finals playoff (series) basketball and one I believe if I had been a bit more experienced we would have claimed the trophy. Until then I had only competed in final fours and 1 and done scenarios so the grind of playing series after series was new to me. We had some unfortunate calls that decided games in that finals series but we built a 2-1 series lead and that was on us we didn’t find a way to close it out. The cup win was great but the championship would’ve been a lot sweeter to bring back to Porto.
You were teammates with the great Larry Gordon. How special of a player was he and what will you always remember about him most? Larry G was my guy, I was grateful to have shared the court with him in his last go around. Super talented, hard worker, played both ends of the floor & definitely a great teammate. I’ll always remember that he couldn’t guard me though but haha not too many people can so it´s all good LG. Hope retirement is treating you well brother.
You played the 2019-2020 season with Cholet Basket (France-Jeep ELITE ProA) averaging 11.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 35.6%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 85.2%. How tough was this season? Covid stopped the season, but you had a solid season in a top league in Europe. Yea this was my first taste of high level competition in Europe, this was my jump in the water and sink or swim moment as a pro and I truly wish covid wasn’t a thing because I would’ve loved to seen that group finish the season. We had a great team, I think we were around 4th or so in the standings when it got cancelled. Of all my experiences except for maybe CBA china in Cholet I produced the most per minute I was being played. I was already confident going into my time at Cholet but that confidence took even more steps forward with that experience. Playing great games against teams like Asvel, Monaco, Tel Aviv, I knew or felt then I was able to compete with anybody in the world.
You played the 2018-2019 season with Palanga (Lithuania-NKL) averaging (26.0), 4.6rpg, 3.8apg, SPG-2 (1.9), FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 39.9%, FT: 96.8%. How vital was this season in your career? You had to pay your dues in your first 3 pro seasons and then broke out in Lithuania. Did this season possibly save your career? You scored 30 points or more 18 times including 50 points against KTU winning 100-97. How special was this game in your career?
For sure my breakthrough season as a pro. I dealt with a lot of uncontrollable turbulence my first couple seasons, not uncommon to most rookies coming from the states with minimal connections, but the opportunity I had in Palanga completely changed the trajectory of my career. I was finally given an opportunity to be myself and truly showed myself as a player in Europe. I landed opportunities to move up to LKL early in that season and one of my best early career decisions was staying put & betting on myself to finish that season in a place I found comfort rather than throw myself into another unknown situation. I grew a lot of confidence and stability finally & played extremely well having an MVP season. I was able to put up respectively the best numbers in a single season in my career and opened up a lot of doors for myself the following summer which led to my jump to ProA France. The 50pt game was just a testament to how that season went for me. I had a lot of big scoring nights that year because I put in so many hours of hard work to build my craft in the 2 rough seasons prior to it. I knew I was capable of more and that season/game was just a culmination of that work really. Still my highest scoring mark in my career.
You played the 2017-2018 season with CB Cazorla Jaen Paraiso Interior (Spain-EBA) averaging (21.9), 4.7rpg, 4.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 83.4%. You played in the fourth league in Spain continuing to pay your dues. What memories do you have of this season. Were you extra in the gym this season ncontinuing to work on your craft?
Yeah very humble beginnings in Europe. I feel like I paid my dues early on and then some haha. I really just remember spending a lot of late nights in the gym we were in the countryside so it wasn’t much else to do besides play basketball or hang with the guys. Except for an unfortunate coaching change Cazorla treated me well & I’ve always viewed it as my 1st real playing experience as a pro. Every experience counts for something but whenever I’m asked where my career started its in Cazorla & Palanga. Made some great friends and memories there for sure.
You played briefly in the 2016-2017 season for Thor Akureyri (Iceland-Dominos League) averaging 18.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 58.3%. What memories do you have of Iceland. You were there only a few months. What was your coolest moment there off the court?
Not very many haha. It was a short-lived experience like majority of my 1st two seasons. I do remember the country landscape being very beautiful, lots of mountains and greenery for sure. Off the court I was lucky enough to experience seeing the northern lights while I was there as well, that was bucket list material.
You played your rookie season with BK Levicki Patrioti (Slovakia-SBL) averaging 5.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 15.4%, 3PT: 27.8%. You came very late into the season in March 2016. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
Everything. My first experience was very uncomfortable to be honest just as a young guy dealing with a lot of culture shock & instability. A lot of people don’t know my first contract was actually in LEB Gold Spain on a trail contract with Ourense. In hindsight the only decision I may have made differently would be staying in Ourense even if it meant playing for free because it would’ve saved me a lot of troubles. I played well during my time there and to my knowledge if they weren’t experiencing such financial troubles at the time I would’ve continued with the club. I had some questionable advisement to take the contract in Levice super late in the year direct from Spain and it proved to be one of the learning experiences that helped to shape the player I am today.
You began your college career at Sauk Valley Community College (JUCO) and in your last season averaging 19.3ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 71.2%. Every guy that I have interviewed that played JUCO have said that it was a very tough grind, but one that they wouldn´t have traded the world with. How was it for you?
Super tough, but honestly some of my most valued experiences both on and off the court throughout my basketball career. The bonds you make sharing the JUCO grind are special and the basketball we played was all or nothing! You play good and make a way or you don’t and kiss playing basketball for a living goodbye. Very few people make it out from there, my story as a basketball player for sure stacks up with the best of them & I’m just grateful to look back at where I came from and appreciate where I’m standing now. S/o to 1307, that run at Sauk was legendary.
How valuable was it having AJ Sharp as your JUCO coach? How did he help your early basketball development
most? I had the pleasure of being coached by Russ Damhoff during my time there. He pushed me and was the 1st coach I had since adolescence to really believe in me & see me as someone who could be a great player. He demanded a lot of me as a teenage kid just hungry to make it and I’m grateful for him pushing me. I was an All-American as a result and went from having 0 NCAA division 1 offers out of high school to taking multiple recruitment visits and earning full ride scholarships to continue my basketball dreams at the next level.
You then played 2 seasons at East Tennessee State University (NCAA) averaging 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 84.0% and 20.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.7apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 82.7%. How did your game grow in those 2 seasons? My game grew so much! The 1st season was an adjustment period of just adapting to the increase in talent on the floor and more size/athleticism of the payers. I was trying to star in my new role as a 6th man and make the most of each and every opportunity. I didn’t go home after my junior year & stayed on campus all summer leading up to my senior year and I worked myself into such a comfort and confidence going into that year that everything just clicked. I still split time between starts and coming from the bench that season but it felt like every time we suited up for a game I was going to be unstoppable. I believe once conference play hit I was one of the top 5 scorers in the nation Avg. about 24/23ppg in SoCon. I was a huge jump for me but it was rewarding because I definitely put the work in and earned it.
You had so many great games in the NCAA like scoring 30 and 28 points against Lipscomb in your junior season. What was your fondest moment on the court? I would say my fondest moment was when the fans/students rushed the court during our playoff game my junior season inside the old dome. I believe it was against either Lipscomb or UT Chattanooga. I had a huge dbl dbl that game and I had never experienced the crowd rushing the court before that night. Definitely one of my coolest moments in college!
How did head coach Murry Bartow groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach Bartow was great for me, he challenged me all the time and was never the type to give you your flowers or satisfaction in the moment. He was a very fierce competitor just as myself and he put a lot of trust in me to come into that program and have the responsibility to deliver as primary option right away.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Rashawn Rembert? Man we definitely had some battles. The group we had played king of the court almost everyday! Me, AJ Merriweather, Ike Banks, Desonta Bradford, Devin Harris, Petey McClain & more. 1v1 was a part of our culture & Shawn at the time was one of the greatest scorers to me, super smooth jumper I watched him set the record our junior year for made 3s in a season. He could play off screens, in the post, isolation, and was sneakily really athletic and would dunk on you. He pushed me to meet his level that offseason going into our senior year and I took the challenge to try and be the best player on the floor every open gym, practice, game because the season prior it was him.
Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
I only had a few that actually stuck some time in the league but off the top of my head I would say Josh Richardson from UT or Torrey Craig from USC Upstate
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
This is super tough and I don´t know if I can boil it down to 5 really because there’s no standout teammate like a Lebron or Steph that would be like automatic. I’ve shared the floor with some great players throughout the years each of them that come to mind brought something special to the table.
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? My personal Mount Rushmore would be, Allen Iverson, T-Mac, Steph Curry, Kobe/KD
Who is your GOAT?
MJ, Lebron has become a very close 2nd but I’m Team Jordan
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?
Yeah lol its cool they brought it back but I’m going classics all the way. Give me any of the
Kevin Tumba (206-C/F-1991) is a 34 year old 206cm forward that has the Congo/Belgium citizenship an dis playing his second season with Antwerp Giants (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He began his basketball career with Dexia Mons-Hainaut. He played most of his pro career in Belgium, but also played in Greece and France and parts of 4 seasons in the Spanish ACB with Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against Rostock.
Thanks Kevin for talking to germanhoops.com Your playing in Belgium now since 2022. 6 years prior you were in Spain, Greece and France. How did these 6 years help your game on the court?
Those six years abroad were crucial for my growth, both as a player and as a person. Competing in Spain, Greece, and France exposed me to different basketball philosophies more tactical in Spain, more physical in Greece, more athletic in France. I learned how to adapt to any style, read the game faster, and take pride in doing the little things that help a team win. It also taught me professionalism how to stay ready every day, no matter the situation.
Your playing your second season with Windrose Giants Antwerp (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). What kind of an experience has it been and what you like most about this organization?
It’s been a really positive experience. Antwerp has a strong basketball culture, and the organization gives players everything they need to perform. What I appreciate most is the professionalism combined with a family atmosphere. Everyone here from management to the youngest players wants to win and grow. That energy is contagious.
The team hasn´t won a league title since 1973, but did win the cup in 2023. How big is your hunger to finally win that first pro chip?
Huge. Every player dreams of winning a title, but for a club like Antwerp, with so much history and loyal fans, it would mean even more. The cup is something, but we want more. I came here to help build something lasting, and winning the championship would be a statement that Antwerp is back where it belongs.
The team is very young, but there are some veterans with you, Schoepen and Kesteloot. What exactly is your role besides being a leader? Leadership isn’t only about talking; it’s about setting a tone by giving the example every day: defending, working hard, staying locked in. I want to make sure the younger players understand what it means to be a pro consistency, focus, and respect for the game.
You have been a very special player your whole career. You were never an explosive scorer, but had other qualities. What do you feel allowed you to play 4 seasons in the ACB?
I always understood my role. I didn’t need to take 15 shots a game to impact it. Defense, screens, communication, rebounds, rim protection those are things every coach values. The ACB is a league of details, and I think my discipline and ability to do the dirty work kept me there. Being reliable is a skill too.
Two seasons ago you played with RSW Liege Basket (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 7.9ppg, RPG-4 (10.0), 1.3apg, 1.2spg, BPG-3 (1.5), FGP: 66.9%, FT: 44.3%; and in the ENBL averaged 6.9ppg, RPG-2 (8.7), 1.3apg, 1.2spg, BPG-3 (1.5), FGP: 68.8%, FT: 38.5%. How special was that season? Statistically it was your best.
It was very special, I was truly happy there. Liège gave me a chance to play freely again after a few challenging years abroad. The chemistry was great, and I felt trusted. Stats are nice, but what I really remember is how much I enjoyed competing every night and helping the team fight above expectations.
In the 2022-2023 season you split time with Circus Brussels Basketball (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 8.3ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.2bpg, 2FGP: 65.4%, FT: 53.6%, in Dec.’22 moved to RSW Liege Basket (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 5.0ppg, 5.2rpg, BPG-2 (1.5), FGP: 67.1%, FT: 38.0%. You had been away from Belgium for 6 seasons. What differences did you see in the basketball and competition level since you had left in 2016? The BNXT league was in place and had helped Belgium basketball.
Honestly, there’s still a lot of work to do. Consistency remains a challenge. Some teams are very professional, others still need to grow in terms of organization and competitiveness. Belgium has talent, that’s clear, but we need to keep pushing better infrastructure, improving the visibility, stronger clubs, and a culture that truly values development and winning
How tough was the 2021-2022 season? You split time with FOS Provence Basket (France-Betclic ELITE Pro A) averaging 2.0ppg, 1.5rpg, in Apr.’22 moved to Hellenic Coin Ionikos Basketball (Greece-A1) averaging 4.8ppg, 5.5rpg. What did you learn from that season? It was a lesson in resilience. Things didn’t always go my way that season limited minutes, new environments but it reminded me why I love the game. I m a believer of Christ and I always say « control what you can control, for the rest trust the Lord », so you can always control your attitude and effort. Those moments test your character, and I came out mentally stronger
You played the 2020-2021 seaosn with Kolossos H Hotels Rodou (Greece-A1) averaging 4.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.1bpg. You were teammates with 207cm power forward Kerem Kanter the brother of Enes. What memories do you have battling him in practice? Kerem is a tough guy strong, skilled, and very competitive (and very funny too). Our practices were intense, but always respectful. We pushed each other. I enjoyed that season because Greece is passionate about basketball, and you feel that every day.
You played with Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (ACB) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 91 ACB games. How memorable were these 4 years playing in 1 of the world´s best leagues? Was this some of your most fun years as a pro?
Those were some of the best years of my career. Playing in Spain, especially in the ACB, is like a dream for any European player. The level is elite, every night you face world-class players. Murcia was like family to me; I grew so much there on and off the court. Murcia is a second home to me
In Feb 2017 you played your first time against Real Madrid and Luka Doncic who had 3 points and 4 assists in 19 minutes. He was a big prospect at that time, but would you ever have thought that he would become a top 3 player in the NBA? Honestly, yes maybe not this fast, but you could see something special. His maturity at that age, his vision, and his control of the game were unreal. He made everything look easy. You knew he wasn’t just another young talent; he was different.
You never beat Real Madrid, but twice beat FC Barcelona once by 1 point and once by 3 points. What was your most memorable game against FC Barcelona? The first win by one point was unforgettable. The atmosphere, the tension those are games you dream about as a kid. Beating Barcelona with a smaller budget team like Murcia showed what collective spirit can do. It was pure emotion.
You reached the Basketball Champions League Final 4 in 2018 losing a tough last game to AEK Athens 77-75. Was that one of your toughest loses ever in your career? Definitely. We were so close. That team had HEART and we believed we could win it all. Losing by two points hurt a lot, but it also reminded me how small the margins are at the highest level. It still motivates me today.
You had so many great teammates in Spain including American veteran Delroy James. What player on those teams had the biggest impact on you? Brad Oleson probably had the biggest impact on me during my time in Spain. He had an incredible amount of experience, and the way he approached the game being calm, professional, always in control really impressed me. Brad wasn’t the loudest guy in the room, but when he spoke, everyone listened. He taught me a lot about preparation, mentality, and how to take care of your body to last in this profession. Playing alongside someone like him helped me mature and see the game differently
You began your basketball career with Dexia Mons-Hainaut (D1). What do you remember from those early years. Did you have a type of mentor in those years? Perhaps a coach or a veteran like Ben McCauley? Those were formative years. Everything was new, and I was just trying to learn. I was blessed to have veterans around who took the time to guide me guys like, Justin Cage, Josh Bostic who pushed me every day. They taught me how to act like a pro long before I was one.
You then played with the Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Ethias League). There you were first and second best shot blocker in the league. How valuable were these 2 seasons for your basketball development under Jurgen Van Meerbeeck?
Very valuable. Jurgen trusted me and gave me real minutes. I could make mistakes, learn, and grow. That’s where I really found my defensive identity shot blocking, timing, positioning. Those two years prepared me for everything that came after. I will always be grateful to Jurgen
There you were teammates with Elias Lasisi and after 11 years again in Antwerpen. Plus you are teammates since years in the Belgium national team. Do you share a special relationship with him? Are you guys like brothers? For sure. Elias is like a brother. We’ve shared so many moments from young prospects to national team teammates. We’ve seen each other grow as men, not just as players. There’s a lot of mutual respect and understanding between us.
You then played a full season with Proximus Spirou Charleroi (Belgium-Scooore League averaging 5.8ppg, 6.1rpg, BPG-2 (1.4), FGP: 56.2%, FT: 47.5%; and in the Eurocup averaged 8.6ppg, RPG-1 (9.9), 1.0spg, BPG-1 (2.6), FGP: 65.5%, FT: 56.0%. Once again you were a defensive stopper. What do you feel has been your career secret of being a top defender? Effort and anticipation. Defense is about pride and focus and being ready before the action happens. I study tendencies, I communicate a lot, and I take every matchup personally. You might miss shots, but defense is 100% effort, and that’s something I can always control. But mostly my teammates and the coaching staff allowed to be that person and be a real captain in defense.
You then played NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat in Orlando and Las Vegas. What memories do you have of that time? It was a lot different time than it is now. Is there one moment from then that you still remember? Like possibly a meaningful conversation with someone? One moment that stayed with me was a short conversation I had with one of the assistant coaches Juwan Howard. He told me, “Defense travels, if you can defend, you can play anywhere in the world.” It sounds simple, but it stuck with me. It reminded me that effort, discipline, and consistency are universal. That mindset has stayed with me ever since.
You played at 4 European Championships in 2015, 2017, 2022 and 2025. What memories do you have of these tournaments? Do you have a favorite one? In 2022 you lost to Slovenia despite 35 points from Luka Doncic.
Each EuroBasket was a different chapter in my career and in my life. 2015 was my first one and I was young, just discovering what it meant to compete at that level. Everything felt huge: the arenas, the players, the pressure. I was mostly learning, observing, taking it all in. By 2017, I felt more ready to contribute. We had a strong group, a real sense of brotherhood. Playing against the best in Europe guys like Gasol, Porzingis, it forces you to grow fast. 2022 was special because I think we had the group to do something very special. We had a lot talent and are group was also mature, we all knew each other everyone knew his role, but we came sort against Slovenian in Berlin. And 2025… this one feels like a turning point. Because I was the second oldest of the team, became a leader of the team, with a mix of young talent and experience. The competition is harder every year, but that’s what makes it exciting. You realize how far Belgian basketball has come, but also how much higher we can still go. My favorite moment is for sure the putback for the win of Matt Lojesky at Eurobasket 2015 against Lituania we won by 1 and we were able to go to the next round.
I remember guys like Herville, De-Zeeuw, Tabu or Von Rossom in the national team. Do you have one guy where you can say her was my favorite teammate in the Belgium national team? Wow this impossible to answer for me haha
Who was the best player that you ever battled in Europe that reached the NBA? Probably Luka Doncic
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
This one is very though
I would say
1 Facundo Campazzo
2 Brad Oleson
3 Loïc Schwartz
4 Dusan Sakota
5 Christophe Beghin
Please name your NBA, Euro and Belgium Mount Rushmore (best 4 player all-time in each one) NBA, Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Olajuwon
Euro, Nowitski Pau Gasol, Dragic, Parker
Belgium, Eric Struelens, Christophe Beghin, Sam Van Rossom, Jonathan Tabu
Who is your GOAT? Kyle Hines, because I spend so many hours studying his game, learning from his game. Maybe not for everyone but he’s my GOAT
Andrew Funk (196-G-1999, college: Penn State) is a 26 year old 196cm guard from Warminster, Pennsylvania playing his third professional season and first overseas with the Antwerpen Giants(Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He played his first 2 pro seasons in the States in the G-League with Grand Rapids and Windy City and also played 5 NBA games with the Chicago Bulls. He began his basketball career at Archbishop Wood High School and then played at Bucknell University (NCAA) from 2018-2022 playing a total of 109 games. He then added an extra year at the The Pennsylvania State University (NCAA) averaging 12.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 86.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Rostock SeaWolves.
Thanks Andrew for talking to germanhoops.com. After playing your first 2 pro seasons in the States, you are now playing overseas for the first time with the Antwerpen Giants(Belgium-Pro Basketball League). Some guys will stay 1-2 years longer battling for the NBA dream. Did something occur at the last NBA Summer League where you were convinced it was time to go overseas?
I felt like after my second year was a good time to start looking for opportunities overseas, and really appreciated the journey I had to that point. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was anything that stemmed from my experience at NBA Summer League this past year, but more so the next step for me to make in my career if I could find a good situation abroad. My agent and I had conversations since the conclusion of my season in the G League last year, and agreed that this year would be a good time to make that jump to Europe.
What kind of an experience has it been living and playing for a Belgium pro basketball team? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?
It has been great to be in Antwerp so far and I have really enjoyed my first couple of months here. The club and all its supporters have been very welcoming and very fun to be around, and I really appreciate the way they made the transition for me coming from the United States much easier. It was a bit difficult when I first got here just adjusting to life in Europe after having been in the United States my whole life and being away from family and friends, but I feel very settled in now. It’s been cool to live in a new city and get to learn and participate in a new culture, and explore some parts of the world I would have never thought I would get the chance to.
What was your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home? I would say just the time difference and sometimes the challenges it presents when keeping in touch with my people back home. I have had a couple times where I go to call my parents or other family members after dinner here and didn’t realize that they were still at work or busy with their days, and it’s just been an adjustment in that aspect.
The Antwerp Giants(Belgium-Pro Basketball League) have 3 other really talented American guards. What exactly is your role on the team?
Our team has a lot of talented players, and specifically our guards all have unique skillsets that allow us to play off of each other and flourish using our individual strengths. Personally, I’ve had the opportunity to play more off the ball and serve as someone who spaces the floor with my shooting ability, while also being a threat using off-ball screens, staggers, etc. At our best, our offense presents a lot of chances to play off of closeouts or advantages created by others, and I think I fit into that type of style very well. My shooting is my biggest strength, so just being able to use that to make life easier on other guys and make shots when the opportunity is there has been my biggest focus.
You have had a solid start in the BNXT and BCL. Coming from stateside what was the toughest adjustment for you on the court? The game is very physical and also tactical. It’s an adjustment getting used to the way the game flows, what fouls are called, what physicality can and cannot be used, while also keeping focus on our gameplan and how we want to attack the opposing team. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of learning new concepts and strategies on both offense and defense and hope to keep getting better as the year goes on.
The Euro game overtime should really fit your style. You demonstrated in the NCAA and G-League to be a versatile player. How big of a staple has versatility been in your game?
I definitely try to hang my hat on being able to produce in multiple ways when I’m on the floor. To this point in my career, I think most people would see that my shooting is likely my biggest asset, but that strength also opens up a lot of other areas of my game. I feel comfortable being able to put the ball on the floor and make plays, whether that is scoring or finding a teammate, and having that ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game can really help the team.
You played your rookie season with the Grand Rapids Gold (NBA G League) averaging 14.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 76.0%, and with the Windy City Bulls (NBA G League) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 66.7% and 5 NBA games. What do you remember being your wake up call to being in the NBA? I think the biggest difference I noticed right away was just the overall speed of the game. NBA players are so quick and athletic, and you really have to sharpen your decision-making and process things at a very high level. A lot of things that you do in the G League were made very difficult in the NBA, whether that be being able to get off certain shots that would usually be wide open or having to be in the right position defensively at all times. You have to both think the game and react to it at an extremely high level in order to be effective in the NBA.
How tough is it in general being a versatile player in the G-League where it seems like everyone else is playing for stats to try to get to the NBA? How did you deal with this as a rookie?
The biggest thing I tried to focus on in the G League was playing to my strengths and showcasing what I could bring to an NBA team. A lot of that revolved around playing the game the right away and understanding how I fit into the offensive and defensive concepts we ran. At times it can be difficult to stick with this due to the roster changing frequently with guys coming down from the NBA team or the two-way contract players, and it could be easy for myself and others to sometimes try and be too aggressive when our opportunities did come around. It was an interesting dynamic to navigate, but I think I did a good job of finding that balance, and I was also with a great organization in Grand Rapids with a great coach in Andre Miller where I felt we were all given opportunities to succeed.
In Windy City you were only there for a short time and was teammates with NBA veteran Ryan Arcidicono. What was it like being teammates with him and seeing what he did on a daily basis? Being with Ryan in Windy City was awesome, he is one of the best teammates I’ve had, especially in my professional career. Ryan and I are from the same area back home, and I actually grew up playing against his younger brother Chris, so I was very excited to be on a team and play with him. I learned a lot from the way he carried himself on and off the court, as well as how smart he was when it came to the game. He has been at the highest level of the sport for a long time, so being able to pick his brain and learn from him was a privilege.
What do you remember from your NBA debut against the Clippers. You only played 2 minutes, but saw close up how guys like Paul George and Kawhi Leonard operate?
That game versus the Clippers was my first real glimpse into how good the guys at the top level were. I remember watching those two guys in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard seemingly never missing a shot, how good they were getting to their spots, and just how skilled they were. I only played a couple minutes in garbage time, but it was one of the coolest moments of my career to get on the floor in an NBA game.
You had some real vets on the team with Andre Drummond, Nikola Vucevic and DeMar Derozan. Is it tough being able to interact with guys in general when your only there on a 10 day contract? Was there a player that you could bond with in your short time with the Bulls?
It was definitely tough coming in, especially due to the timing of when I signed with the team. It was late in February and they were focused on locking up a spot in the playoffs, so I just tried to do my best to come into work every day and put my best foot forward. The vets on the team were great teammates and it was very interesting to get that insight into their habits on a daily basis, especially that late into the season and how they would go about preparing for games and taking care of their bodies. I was able to bond with a few guys, but specifically the other two-way contract players Henri Drell and Adama Sanogo really helped me with the transition.
You played at Bucknell (NCAA) from 2018-2022. How valuable where these years for your basketball development playing for Nathan Davis. You made big steps in your game in your last 3 years. How did he help most with your game?
My years at Bucknell were very crucial to the development of my game as a whole. Coach Davis and the staff really helped me improve year over year and see progression in my game. I felt like every year I was coming back as a better player than the last, and I was able to affect a lot of areas of the game by the time I was a senior.
You had many great games at Bucknell including a 34 point explosion against Loyola MD. What was your fondest moment on the court? I have a lot of fond memories from my time at Bucknell. My favorite moments on the court are probably when I got the chance to match up against my brother, who played point guard at Army West Point. We got to play each other four times because they were in our conference, and looking back and seeing the pictures of us playing against each other and all of our family members coming to the games to support us brings back a lot of good memories from that time.
You played one more season with The Pennsylvania State University (NCAA) averaging 12.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 86.7%. You helped the team reach the NCAA tournament and scored 27 points in the win over Texas A&M. How special was this win for you? What will you always remember from this game? My year at Penn State was really special, and I can’t say enough great things about my time there and the season we had. For it all to kind of culminate for me in that game was awesome. Penn State hadn’t been to the NCAA tournament in a decade, and to be able to get there and win our first round game meant a lot to the program. I’ll always remember getting back to the hotel with the team after the game and meeting my family in the lobby. I was so happy they experienced it with me and I was able to share a moment like that with them.
How did head coach Micah Shrewsberry help give you that last push towards a professional career? How did he help you most?
Coach Shrewsberry was one of the best coaches I’ve ever gotten to play for. He was so smart in putting us into the right positions to succeed and get the most out of everyone on the team. The biggest area he helped me in was just building my confidence to a level where I always felt comfortable out on the court knowing that he had my back. I felt like he never told me I took a bad shot, and would encourage me to keep shooting and keep going even when things weren’t going great. That really helped push me in the start of my professional career to keep that mentality and confidence moving forward.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Seth Lundy?
That’s a tough one, Seth and I have had a lot of battles over the years, going all the way back to high school where we would play each other every year with us both being from the Philadelphia area. Seth makes a lot of tough shots, I’d probably say he won the majority of our 1-on-1 games, but I’d like to think I got a few wins here and there. He’s a great player and one of my favorite teammates I’ve gotten to play alongside as well.
Who the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA? I would probably say Zach Edey, who was at Purdue when I was at Penn State. We played them three times that season, and he was just too big and very good at getting to his spots around the basket that it made it so difficult to slow him down. He had really good touch for his size as well and really punished any mistakes you made if you let him get the ball anywhere near the paint.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Collin Gillespie, Jalen Pickett, Walter Ellis, Cam Wynter, Alexander Rice
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry
Who is your GOAT?
Michael Jordan
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?
I have never seen it but maybe I will give it a shot. Or maybe not if you’re saying they should have left it alone!
German Hoops 