In general people in Germany may not know it, but Joe Asberry is a guy that has been extra instrumental in the paths of many young players find their way early when odds may have been against them. He is an ex pro player that really has seen it all from crime to drugs, but also played against legends like David Robinson (215-C-65, college: Navy), Gary Payton, Jason Kidd and Brian Shaw and was teammates with German legendary player Christian Welp. He had a 11 year professional career that saw him toil around in the minor leagues of Germany, but he belonged to the best in his day at that level. He has done so much since his playing days like being that vital spokesperson for young kids and drug prevention, being a guest speaker, a master of ceremonies at UBC Hannover, worked with Alba Berlin and currently in his second year with the Artland Dragons organization coaching girls U-14 and U-16 and boys U-18. And not to forget been a mentor for young Americans coming overseas trying to live the dream of being a professional basketball. There aren´t many Americans overseas that don´t know him. 2 players that he helped find their way were Kevin Yebo and Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri (193-SF-2002) simply known as Dami to his friends. Kevin Yebo has had a Cinderella story having began in the Regionalliga and really climbed the ranks in the Pro A and easyCredit BBL before finally reaching the Euroleague with FC Bayern Munich years later. “I discovered Kevin Yebo in Tannenbusch the roughest hood in Bonn. A big shout out to coach Danny Stallbohm in Limburg who gave him his first chance. I don´t need the credit. Kevin did all the work”, stated Joe Asberry. He met Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri and has guided him as well the last years. After moving up with Koblenz from the Pro B to Pro A, he mostly sat in the Pro A, but this season has found a new home in Speyer in the Pro B having taken a step back to recharge his career again. “I told Dami that coach Joe is going to let you play free and wild for 40 minutes. Your going to average 30,0ppg and 15,0rpg and we will win like I did back in the day. He listened and that´s exactly what he did at Tura Braunschweig”, stressed Joe Asberry. “My mentor definitely was and still is to this day Coach Joe Asberry. I’ve known him for years now and he was actually the one bringing me to Braunschweig. He really mentored me in good and bad days. It was an awesome feeling averaging 30,0ppg. Coach Joe really is great at making players play confident and comfortable. He made me play freely as long as I grab every board and dunk on people. Ade-Eri is a player that likes to do the dirty work on the court and credits Joe Asberry for being his mentor.
Joe Asberry with Kevin Yebo in Berlin
Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri who names German world champion Dennis Schroeder as being his toughest opponent ever on the court was born on August 18th, 2002 in Berlin Schoeneberg and grew up there. He played youth basketball with the Junior Loewen Braunschweig (NBBL) during Covid. This was such a tough time for players with missed seasons and less training opportunites, but he actually found positives out of it. “In my opinion, Covid was actually good for my career. Covid was a time of me grinding daily in the gym and working on weaknesses with Coach Liviu Calin and Nico Dilukila, stated Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. At the same time, he always got his feet wet playing with and against men with SG Braunschweig in the Regionalliga but only averaged 7,8 minutes. “It was actually a good experience. It was actually my first glimpse of more organized Basketball and made me hungry for more”, remembered Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. In this time, he also was able to practice with another young with Sananda Fru who reached the easyCredit BBL. I had some battles with Sananda Fru. We actually spend every summer together with some other friends and train together. I´m really happy for where he has gotten”, commented Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri.
pic credit: Angel King Media
The ex Braunschweig player who lists Raphael Ejimophor, Sananda Fru, Olivier Borgol, Dominique Johnson and Moses Pölking as his 5 best teammates of all-time then made the next step in his basketball career and went to the EPG Baskets Koblenz. In his first season he helped the club win the Pro B title and move up to the Pro A. He played a total of 53 games in 3 seasons and it may not seem like he played much, but his minutes rose every year. Did he get a fair chance there? “I played more every year. We really had a strong roster every year. I just used every chance I got and battled every minute. But I don’t think I could really put my abilities to prove, so that’s what I’m trying to do right now”, warned Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. His minutes rose from 3,9 to 5,8 to 12,4 each season. “I’d say my Basketball IQ grew the most in those three years. I’ve learned to understand Basketball at a high pace and make the right play at the right time”, stressed Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. He had some good scoring games last season against Munster and Crailsheim. “I remember those games, because they proved I was able to play on that level. My fondest moment was the pass from Moses Pölking in the post to me cutting through the middle and going up for the dunk. Beautiful feeling, the whole arena was hyped”, remembered Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. He was more than blessed having great teammates each season who all impacted him in his years of development there. “I’m really grateful for having many experienced teammates on the team. I’d say Dominique Johnson aka DJ really was the one impacting me the most. He really shared all of his knowledge with me, inspired me to play with confidence and believed in me. Don’t get it twisted, he really showed me tough love at times but was a great teammate for real”, said Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri.
pic credit: Angel King Media
This season the ex Koblenz German who lists Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson,Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, and Detlef Schrempf on his personal NBA and German Mount Rushmore has a new challenge in the Pro B with the Ahorn Camp Baskets Speyer. “I actually like it here. It’s a small city and a quite familiar club. Good Organization and friendly people all around”, smiled Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. Last weekend he played the most minutes in his pro career with 36 in Frankfurt. Was this the best basketball decision in his life going to Speyer? “Winning the Pro B title in Koblenz was definitely a wonderful experience. And playing pro A has definitely helped me gain a lot of insight and experience in high level professional Basketball. Coming to Speyer I was expecting it to be an opportunity for me to have an important role with more responsibility for a club. The aim is to achieve the best possible outcome. It’s very nice playing more minutes, I’m really enjoying playing ball free and finally being able to use what if learned and trained for the past years So far, I don’t regret the decision”, stressed Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. He is more than blessed to have a great coach like Carl Mbassa who has noticed his qualities and given him minutes. “My relationship with Coach Carl is close. He always expects me to be aggressive and always inspires me to play as physical as possible”, added Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. He also has been very fortunate having another type of mentor figure with Speyer legend DJ Woodmore and battling against top pro B defender Dennis Diala on a daily basis. “DJ and I grew quite close over the season, we have dinner every other evening or just chill. It’s more like a friendship in which he’s just the older experienced friend that just motivates you and shares his knowledge. Dennis and I are actually good friends, but on the floor its straight business. We go at it daily in practice and exchange buckets. It’s good to have some kind of 1 to 1 rivalry, it just keeps you challenged at all times. No bad blood beside the court at all though”, stressed Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri
picc redit: Angel King Media
So what kind of a player is Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri in 2026 who names Michael Jordan as his GOAT? If one inspects his game, you would see a little Jonathan Kuminga in his game. “He is a little taller than me but I’d say I got a similar playing style,I run the transition and know how to finish well around the rim with dunks or athletic finishes. He goes for boards and is a good defender”, said Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. With Speyer he has that special role that will definitely help his entire game. “My Role in Speyer is definitely to be an allrounder and bring energy. Going for every board, defending the best man, being aggressive to the rim and hyping up the team and fans with some dunks of course”, smiled Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. Especially those guys that battle in the trenches are the most respected. “My strength really is running in transition and doing all the dirty work, putting my body on the line and going for every board. I attack close outs and play good off ball, for example with backdoor cuts”, stated Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. But there is one area with his game where he knows if he can improve that, then some more doors may be opened in his future. “I constantly work on my shot, taking extra reps and staying consistent in the gym. Right now, I try to find ways to still create the best shot for the team but working on my shot is daily work at the moment. I’ve been hitting more shots the last games but I still have a lot to work on my shot”, added Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. What goals does the young German still have with his game? “I think the sky is the limit. I really think I can reach high levels, I just need to keep hustling and believing. I know Jesus got me”, commented Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. It will be interesting to see where the journey will go in the next years for Oluwadamilola Ade-Eri. One thing is for sure Joe Asberry will always give him advice and the words “sky is the limit” will always come from his mouth.
Miki Novovic (208-C-1992) is a 33 year old 202cm center from Monenegro that is playing his 13th professional season and thiird season with KFUM Kalmar (Sweden-Basketettan). He began his basketball career with the BC Buducnost Podgorica junior team. He then went on to gain massive experience in Europe in countries like Spain, Germany, Italy and Denmark. He spoke to eurobasket about his basketball career.
You have had a long career and played in 7 countries for 12 teams. What has been the biggest challenge for you being a basketball globetrotter?
I think the biggest challenge is that every day, every practice and game you need to prove something to yourself and to others. Just that you are professional and how good you are. That’s the other side of professional sport, it’s never guaranteed one bad year can put you down mentally and physically, but also one good season can move you up. So staying professional is the biggest challenge. Every country have some differences to other countries, so staying professional will help you adjust to every system, coach, country.
On your Instagram you have an interesting headline with “there is a hell, believe me I have seen it”. Of course all players overseas go through lows, but you have played professionally for more than a decade. Your life couldn´t have been that bad or?
Well that’s a quote that have a deep meaning for me. Me coming from a small country such as Montenegro and growing up there in really tough ‘90 and early 2000’s was not simple as it looks. I never thought that basketball will take me anywhere, and when you look now it’s been quite a journey. There you meet a lot of people good and bad, you go through lot of situations. Like I mentioned ups and down. So every time I have some “bad times” I just think about quote and keep pushing try to make best out of it. One year you play good and your in a good team and organization, next maybe not so. And you always try to stay professional and keep pushing. Basketball was always “safe place” and in every situation in life or profession career once you on court that’s where I enjoyed it. Even if I have issues with life, career, friends, relationships. There was always court. I think that’s what make me play in good and bad situation. I just have love for the game.
You began your career with BC Buducnost Podgorica playing in their youth. What memories do you have of that time? Did you have a mentor in those days?
Yes Buducnost was always big part of my career. I been with the youth-yes but that was first time I saw how professional basketball looks like. We were sometimes also joined with the A team, and that’s where we could learn. About professional approach, about how serious practices are, how to recover, eat, and sleep. It was again an experience that later helped me to carry myself. At that time Buducnost had one of best teams players like Marko Simonovic, Sead Sehovic, Nemanja Milosevic, Vladimir Dragicevic, Bojan Dubljevic, Vladimir Mihailovic. I don´t want to skip somebody, and just seeing how serious they were made you know and learn about professionalism which was amazing foundation for me. Also from youth there are few guys still playing and once we meet on or off the court we still talk about that and we really have true friendships untill today.
You then left your homeland and played with Ferrol CB (Spain-EBA) averaging 4.5ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 61.5%. What memories do you have of that season? You were teammates with many Spanish guys. What was your wake up call to being in Spain for first time where you knew that you were far away from home?
Yes. At that time there were not many players from our country in Spain. And it was new to me. Everything. Language, basketball, culture, their look on basketball. That was my first year of being there and we had a great system where we practiced basically 3x a day. It was more of developing than actually trying to focus on winning championship. And it was great. We were a young team, at that time our oldest player was 23 years old so we were really young. We had players from all over the world, Brazil, Cameroon,Chad, USA. It was a mix and that made it perfect. We were all with same goal there. Try to improve and find our place in the basketball world.
You then went to Germany playing with the Westfalen Mustangs (Germany-Bezirksliga) who were in a very low league. I remember reporting about this organization a few years later. Was money a big reason for playing in a low league? I remember that club having lots of money then and being able to sign guys from other countries. Yeah next destination Germany. And your right about that. That team was in a lower league but as you know our economy was great. At that time my agent told me about situation and how they have economy and will to move up, so I thought it’s good opportunity for someone young like me at that time, where I can move around easy. Germany was a nice country really, money was on time, everything was by rules. And for some of time I enjoyed it. But also being that young and having some extra money sometimes it’s not really good. Because I didn’t have life outside of court. The city I live was pretty small, and there was not much to do of court. I was getting home sick, especially I came from Spain playing year before that and their culture is very social and they hung a lot on and off court, late night outs, parties and when your young you need that stuff. Unfortunately all my teammates were married family guys or they had their other friends and I felt alone there. That’s why I couldn’t stay there long, so I decide to move. At this age I think that situation will suit me perfectly but when I was young with this mindset, it was not good to me.
In the 2015-2016 season you returned to Spain and played with Club Basquet Cantaires Tortosa. I believe they played lower than EBA. What positives do you remember getting from that experience? Yes Tortosa were great memories till this day. I think maybe I’m wrong but that was the first year they moved to EBA actually. But anyways it was amazing. Again I was trying to find anything in Spain, I moved in middle of season from Germany. As young as I was, I thought that Spain was best for me with great basketball and off court balance. So I took it. I went there and really enjoyed playing. Later in years when I didn’t play for a team, I came back to city and visited and people still remembered me and how much they loved me there and I was really happy about it. The season was full of ups and downs, but again meet some great players like for example Jaime Sorolla who was member of NT Spain later for FIBA windows and Girona Basquet, and had some great memories from that period.
You then played your first season in Italy with Valentino Basket Castellaneta (Italy-Serie C Silver) averaging 17.0ppg. You were the only real big man on that team. What memories do you have of that league? Many guys start there in the Serie C to help move up to higher leagues. Was that a stepping stone league for you?
Yes Italy is amazing. I was in Italy before that, before Spain actually right after Buducnost been there with PMS Basket (now I think they go by name Fiat Torino Basket) and spent there most of my youth. Then coming back let’s say in Italy was great. I had a contact with GM and President who wanted to sign me for a few seasons before that actually, but again I was looking for something new and wanted to prove myself so our path didn’t cross until that season. Castellaneta was a small city but with great fans and great love and passion for basketball. Till this day I think. We also started rough and we had few losses at the start, but then we found chemistry and we played great. Coach was really great to me as only big, and he was actually one making me using other stuff. Running, passing, dribbling. He didn’t want me to be stuck only as big. And it was a great season at the end. Fans there were amazing until this day they follow my journey, sending messages of support and have some best friends that I met here. It was really a great experience with people and organization.
You then discovered another new country playing with Futebol Clube Barreirense (Portugal-LPB) playing 28 games averaging 10.4ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 66.3%. How important was this season for your career? You had solid games and against top teams FC Porto and Benefica. Was this your breakthrough season in Europe?
Yes. After good season in Italy I got call from Portugal. First division. It was really great basketball experience. We had a good coach but unfortunately the organization and us as a team were not ready for that extra step. And that’s why after that season the team stepped down from league. For me personally it was a great season, where I matured a lot and proved to myself that I could play well. The Team was looking bad because we didn’t have team chemistry. We had groups local players stick to them self, American players stick to them self and there was me in between haha. So that was tough, although I learned Portuguese finding the balance between team was super hard. Portugal at that time had 3-4 good teams, and Porto and Benfica led that group. I had a chance to play against some really good bigs like Sasa Borovnjak from FC Porto or Miguel Quieroz. And other sfrom Benfica such as Claudio Fonseca. The experience playing against guys such as them was really amazing. Also I lived in Lisboa, one of the nicest cities in Europe which was quite an experience. It was nice weather whole year and good food.
In the 2018-2019 season you returned back to Spain and played with Units Pel Basquet Gandia (Spain-EBA) averaging 8.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 2FGP: 64.5%, 3FGP: 66.7%, FT: 57.1%, in Jan.’19 moved to CB Miraflores Burgos (Spain-EBA). What memories do you have of that season. You bounced around. You went from the first Portugal division back to fourth division Spain. What did you learn from this season?
Yes. Spain at that time was always “safe place” for me. Since I spent a lot of years playing there, I always returned there. It was “home far from home” to me. After everything that happened with team in Portugal I was waiting for a new club but unfortunately I couldn’t find anything that I felt was good to me. I wanted to have bigger role and become leader and at that time I couldn’t find that which will suit me. I had contact with agent that mentioned me to Gandia. The club had a big tradition in basketball, great gym, great city, amazing organization and people that support basketball. I spoke to coach Rubio, who is till this day one of really good friends to me that I can call for advice or anything related to life and basketball and I decided to sign. They had a project of us moving to Plata league and I went there. The team was amazing, great mix of both older guys and young guys, older in need to mention is Shay Miller who was at that time having 44 years still playing, and playing good. That was a really pure example of a true professional. We played really good and quick we become favourites for winning it all. But at half of season, I got call from Burgos, offering me to be 2way basically. Be signed in EBA but be full time with Burgos ACB team at that time, and try to earn my minutes maybe there. It was huge for me trying to be on roster of ACB team and maybe be able to compete against some of best players in Europe. So I took it. Unfortunately the roster was full of bigs, coach Epi (Diego Epifanio) really loved me and trusted me on ACB team but we had 5-6 bigs and we all wanted to play, with me having less experience in that set. Some names I will mention is Augusto Lima, Javi Vega, Goran Huskic, Dominique Sutton. Then my secondary position as 4 was tough as well. Vlatko Cancar and German Paul Zipser came from the Chicago Bulls, so team was pretty tough. But again those 6 months with such a professionals and talents helped me later in career and even till today.
You then played 2 seasons with top Danish club Team FOG Naestved (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 4.2ppg, 2.8rpg and 5.0ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 50.8%, FT: 56.5%. In your second season you lost in the playoffs to Svendborg. In 3 of the 4 regular season games the games had been very close and in the playoffs as well. How much fun was it battling that team that season?
Denmark was place that I have in great memory. Not such results, since we didn’t win trophies. After a Burgos half season I had offer from them again. To be 2 way and get my minutes but now in little better position, starting there from beginning I didn’t like it because I knew I could play against all those guys and compete, also I was more mature to be in that position and I was looking somewhere where I will be one of main players and that’s how Denmark showed on map. I knew coach there who was an amazing coach and one of best friends I have Arnel Dedic. I knew his ideas and style and I decided to join. First year was more of getting things in order new coach for club, new players, and in the second season we played good. We reached playoff and lost close. It was a great series and we almost beat them in first game away, but unfortunately we lost in last few seconds. I think that “broke us” because we were so close and we knew if we get that one later with home court advantage we can go to semis and later maybe finals. I would continue there but unfortunately coach Arnel became head coach of Danish national team, and in Denmark there is rule that you can’t coach clubs if you are NT coach. So club brought new coach and players and we split ways.
You then returned back home in 2021-2022 and played with KK Lovcen Cetinje (Erste Liga). There you played with 2guys I have covered in Germany with Elijah Clarence and Isaiah Washington. The first could dunk with the best of them and the second is the master of trick shots. How do you remember these 2 dudes?
Yeah, after “corona season” and all bubble, lock downs, flight cancellations.. etc, I decided to say for a season until everything got back to normal, let’s say, because I was far from them never knowing when borders can close and maybe I couldn´t see them for long period of time, which happen to me while I was in Denmark. I signed with Lovcen, club playing in ABA 2 and Montenegrin league at that time. It was a great team and roster as you mentioned with Elijah that I’m still friends with and we see each other when he is back in Sweden now and famous Jelly, Isaiah. Another great experience and see how basketball work is small and connect people. Me and Elijah were really close because I had some Danish experience so I understand the mentality of Scandinavia and obviously he being Swedish make us hang a lot. Jelly was also a great friend till this day, kids and youth love him and he was really a fun guy. On court he was really mature- that was his first pro season but he carried himself like if it was his 10th season. Really good player and I knew he will do good. Elijah is one of best athletes I’ve ever seen. The explosiveness he got is unmeasured. I loved playing with him, he is hard working and 24/7 in basketball so I like that mindset. Unfortunately team was struggling with economy afterwards so we all basically left because of those problems.
You then played parts of 2 seasons with KFUM Fryshuset Basket (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 9.7ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 50.8%, FT: 54.9% and 16.7ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 67.4%. How did you like Sweden. You were able to be a real scoring and rebounding force.
Sweden, after turbulent season with Lovcen, and economic part, I decide to move to Sweden. Knowing how it was in Denmark and also talking with Elijah about Sweden during our time in Lovcen I decided to move there. First stop Fryshuset. Good league imports that are really good or experienced and Swedens best players it’s really mix of both. Fryshuset was struggling at that time which was stuck between going fully professional and just get all professional guys, or also give a chance to young guys that are coming up. Then losing some games started and imports left, some important guys left and I was only one. I played good, kept being professional as I can and had solid numbers there.
You finished the 2023-2024 season with KFUM Kalmar (Sweden-Superettan) and now are in your third season. This is the longest that you have been with one club. Has KFUM Kalmar become like a second home to you?
Yes after a Fryshuset I got signed with Kalmar. And as you mentioned this is my third season with them. Good play in Fryshuset recommended me to Kalmar and they offered me great contract. They make me feel like home. People around club are amazing people in city as well. They all appreciate me and what I do for club and that’s why every season I’m more and more motivated to play better and be better. Kalmar also slowly talking about my plans for future and they want to help me follow my dream and study to become coach after career so I hope I can achieve that and after finish playing and still be part of the game. I had interviews here and say that me staying here is some kind of me paying back for people who pushed me and help me to be and become better player and person. And people here really do that.
Last season with KFUM Kalmar (Sweden-Superettan) you exploded averaging (23.0), RPG-2 (12.5), 2.6apg, FGP: 65.2%, FT: 57.2%. You were a big time player. Did you always know that you could be a player like this? Last season I did good. Again I felt like people believed in me and they showed it. They kept pushing me and that makes everything easier. Then I shifted my focus on game and stats get better. I always believed in my work ethic and everything I just needed that trust and push which today unfortunately is hard to be found, but Kalmar as club really makes me feel that way now and I try to return it as best I can.
You had unbelievable games last season netting 41 points once, getting 21 rebounds in another game and then having a crazy 38/24 game. How has your game grown in Sweden since your arrival in Jan 24?
Yes, since I arrived I needed time. Although I´m professional and all but I needed time to adjust. Players and stuff in Kalmar help me that all be quick and accepting me like I’m there from day one. Then I focus on basketball and team and points like those games you mentioned just come. I always try to put hard work and see how far it will get me.
You picked up your game this season averaging 26/14 stats. Unfortunately the team is 0-7. What goals do you still have at age 33? How tough is it winning that first pro title when you lose like that?
After last season I spoke to team manager and as I mentioned, they wanted to “reset and start with young prospects. They were all aware that there will be loses at the start and it will be tough, physically and mentally, because it’s not nice losing but I believe in project. Yes, I am 33 but I still feel good. I still enjoy every minute on court. I had offers from other team from Sweden and other countries but I decided to stay here. I believe in them like they believe in me, but you never know. I’m open for everything but now I really enjoy playing here. It’s tough knowing the tittle seems so far but I will still work hard. Try to motivate others to work and believe. And most of all enjoy and love basketball. Right now those plans are here in Kalmar but you never know what future can bring. I will play basketball as long as I have that “spark” and desire for every practice and every game. Maybe till I’m 50 hahah and if my body keeps me going.
Who was the best player that you ever played against in your career that reached the NBA or Euroleague?
One of best players I got chance to meet, and one of players that I really admire was Stefano Mancinelli. One of best players that I shared the court with was Bogdan Bogdanovic. Captain of Serbia NT and Clippers guard. We played against each other as youthes in a lot tournaments and every time I got late on pick as I big men I got that 3 over me or 1×1 iso 3.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Good one. Let’s say position 5, probably I go with Bojan Dubljevic ex Valencia Basket, position 4- Vlatko Cancar ex Denver Nuggets and Olimpia Milano, 3 I will put Elijah although he not 3 but in my set up he will be, 2 I would go for Victor Benite shooter from Burgos and at 1 I would put, I need to put two guys Isaiah Jelly Washington and Jahmal Jones, spent with him 2 years in Denmark and 1 in Sweden.
Please list your NBA and Montenegro Mount Rushmore of 5 best players for you?
PG: Goran Jeretin SG: Suad Sehovic SF: Vladimir Dasic PF: Nikola Vucevic C: Nikola Pekovic
Who is your GOAT?
My goat uh that’s tough one. I belong to that generation when I started Jordan was best, but then LeBron showed up. But of course Kobe was there. So it’s pretty tough, but if I need to pick one then I would say Michael Jordan.
That 3 times is a charm is a known saying that can be implied in many aspects of life. For current overseas baller Greg Brown III (201-F-2001, college: Texas), it was something he witnessed in his rookie season when he balled against the Los Angeles Lakers and Lebron James in the 2021-2022 season with the Portland Trailblazers. He played 3 times against the Lakers and twice against Lebron James that season and that third meeting turned out be an experience that he will never forget. In the first meeting, he scored 2 points in 5 minutes and lost 105-90 while Lebron didn’t suit up. But he did witness high class players like Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo in that game. In the second game, his team lost again getting crushed 139-106, but in this game, he witnessed Lebron with a 43 point explosion while he had limited action again with 7 minutes and 0 points. But the third meeting was truly a charm as he delivered quality minutes from the bench with 11 points in 16 minutes in an exciting 107-105 Portland win. Lebron had another fine performance with 30 points, but it wasn’t enough for the win. Brown had special moments against Lebron on the floor that he will never forget. ‘That was a special game for me and our team. We weren’t expected to win that game. We had injuries and main guys out. It just showed what can be done despite having injuries. It gave us a lot of confidence. I had a dunk and a three pointer in Lebron’s face. I still have a photo with Lebron during the game. That was a crazy experience’, remembered Greg Brown III. He also showed his dunking qualities in the NBA producing a brutal poster on Javale Mcghee and dunking through the legs. But at the moment times like those with Lebron James are only a memory as he is overseas for the first time with AEK BC Athens.
The American who lists NBA player Davion Mitchell as the toughest player that he ever faced in the NCAA was born on September 1, 2001 in Dallas Texas. He comes from a very sporty family as his parents were both sports stars at Texas (NCAA) in track and field and football. He began his basketball career at Vandergrift high school where he had an illustrious career. In his 3 years he averaged 27,0ppg, 30,0ppg and 26,0ppg. He won numerous awards in his high school career like HS Gatorade Texas Player of the Year and was selected to play in the Mcdonalds All-American game. He recorded a triple double once where he recorded a ridiculous 18 blocks. ‘I remember that game well. Everyone that game was trying their luck at getting to the rim against me. That was just a really good day for me. I was always in the rights spots and always knew when to go for the block’, said Greg Brown III. It was then no surprise that he would go and play at the University of Texas where his parents also played. He played only one season averaging 9.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 70.8%. He helped win the Big 12 title, but then lost to ACU at March Madness. He only played 12 minutes in his last 2 games scoring 3 points. ‘It was tough as a freshman to experience that. But I understood that I had to support my team. You can always control your attitude but not your minutes. I trusted my coach and teammates’, remembered Greg Brown III. He had some great games in the NCAA against OK State, Davidson, Kansas and North Carolina. Were one of these games his favorite moment in the NCAA? ‘My fondest moment was winning the Big 12 title. We hadn’t won in a long time. Now we were part of a winning culture again. It felt amazing’, said Greg Brown III. He scored in double figures in 13 games including 24 points against OK State. That season was tough since Covid was in full swing which hampered the proper preparation for players by their coaches. However he will never forget how head coach Shaka Smart prepared him best for a professional career. ‘He helped my defensive game a lot and how to be a better communicator’, added Greg Brown III who remembers beating and losing to Kai Jones in 1-1 battles in practice.
The Texas native who lists Dexter Dennis, Jameer Nelson Jr, CJ Elleby, Donovan Williams and Derreck Jones Jr as his 5 best teammates of all-time was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round at #43 and was traded to the Portland Trailblazers. He played 47 games averaging 4.8ppg, 2.9rpg. His wake call being a rookie in the NBA already occurred at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. ‘I was 19 and when I had teammates like Michael Beasley, Kenneth Faried and Antonio Blakeney, I was very star struck. I remember watching them when I was growing up. I realized I was in big business and I had to play my game’, stated Greg Brown III. He also will never forget his NBA debut in a 29 point blow out win over the Phoenix Suns where he had a 4/3/1 game in 6 minutes. ‘I remember Dennis Smith Jr who was also another guy I grew up watching throw me a lob pass for the dunk. The crowd erupted’, said Greg Brown III. He couldn’t have asked for a better teammate then with top NBA player Damian Lillard who wouldn’t hesitate to give him advice. ‘He was great. He had a family and wasn’t all the way invested all the time with us, but he gave me pointers when I asked. He didn’t have to say anything, but he would take time for me’, remembered Greg Brown III. After playing a full season in the NBA as a rookie, things changed in his second season. He split time with the Ontario Clippers (NBA G League) averaging 10.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 66.0% and played 16 NBA games. He really could observe how the NBA is always a business first. ‘I remember the day of the trading deadline. It was quiet. There was a creepy feeling in the air as anybody could lose their job. I got a call as I was informed that I was waived. I learned that I can only control what I can control. It was what it was’, commented Greg Brown III.
The forward who lists Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Larry Bird on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore split time in his third pro season with the Texas Legends (NBA G League) averaging 17.6ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.1apg, BPG-2 (3.0), FGP: 63.8%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 67.5% and also played 6 NBA games with the Dallas Mavericks. He got called up in mid December and then finished the season in the G-League having great stats, but wasn’t rewarded with a second call up. ‘That was a tough time. I was on the phone daily with my agent asking what was up. I was playing well as was my team. However Dallas was also playing well. It’s hard calling up guys when the team has success. It was situational. They had the ball rolling and didn’t want to mess it up’, remembered Greg Brown III. He was fortunate to be teammates with 2 future NBA legends Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Doncic is known as being a gregarious guy, but does a Kyrie allow call into his world? ‘Oh Kyrie did let you into his world. I had a good relationship with him. You just went up to him and asked questions. He had great answers for me. Luka was very down to earth. When we went on our Europe trip to Madrid, I spent time with him’, expressed Greg Brown III. He spent the entire fourth season with the Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico (NBA G League) averaging 14.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.8bpg, 2FGP: 61.1%, 3FGP: 32.3%, FT: 62.0% and didn’t get a NBA call up. Did he lose faith in the NBA? ‘To be honest I kind of did. I had good numbers again and demonstrated I can do it at both ends of the court and be used as any type of player. But all things happen for a reason. That is why I decided to come overseas and explore other options’, added Greg Brown III.
The high flyer who lists Lebron James as his GOAT had a superb stint with the Calgary Surge (Canada-CEBL) last summer averaging 18.8ppg, Reb-5 (8.3rpg), 1.1apg, Blocks-2 (2.0bpg), FGP: 62.9%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 66.4%. He just came up short with a title. He got injured and recently got healthy again and signed with AEK BC Athens. He has only been with the team about 6 weeks, but feels very comfortable. ‘I really enjoy playing with a great group of teammates and great coaches. It could have been hard to adapt, but they made it very easy for me. They correct my mistakes and give me praise at the same time. I really appreciate them being here on my journey’, stressed Greg Brown III. He grew in the Dallas area and even if Dallas (1.3 million) is large, he had to get used to seeing even more people in Athens (over 3,0million) as well as the different architecture. On the court, he joined a successful team that is in third place in the Greek first division standings. Soon he will battle against the 2 Euroleague teams Panathinaikos and Olympiakos. ‘I’m really excited to be able to play against such high level players. I will be ready to test my skills and see if I can fit in with them on the court’, warned Greg Brown III. Last season the club reached the Basketball Champions League Final 4 and this season continue to roll in the Basketball Champions League. Could this be the season where the team wins it all? ‘This could be the season. We have a lot of power and have many guys bringing different parts of their games. We have a lot of chemistry on and off the court’, stressed Greg Brown III. He has been fortunate having other Americans on the squad like Keyshawn Feazell, RaiQuan Gray, Frank Bartley and James Nunnally who have made the adjustment period so much easier. ‘Those guys have all been great. All have been like mentors especially Nunnally. He has helped me be able to take from his 2 worlds as a guard and forward’, stated Greg Brown III.
He started well in the Greek First division and is averaging 11,3ppg, 8,0rpg, 1,3apg, 1,7spg and 1,3bpg, but there are still things that he needs to get used to. ‘I have to get used to the limited spacing and find my role. I just came off an injury and have come to a team that have been together. Offense has been a challenge, but I’m progressing and it’s been going pretty well’, said Greg Brown III. He fills the stat sheet well, but he understands that defense will be a big part of his role. ‘I will be a primary defender. I can switch 1-5. We have scorers. I will cause havoc on defense and be more off ball and be a slasher type. I also can shoot, drive and go downhill when needed’, stated Greg Brown III. He definitely wants to continue to develop his defensive game overseas. ‘I feel like at the moment I’m like a long Jaden McDaniel that can alter the game and be physical and in the future be a Kawhi Leonard that is active, plays in the gaps and is always solid’, warned Greg Brown III. Blocking shots has always been a big strength of his. At 201cm, he is no where near the length of a Wemby, but has a special knack of swatting away balls at ease. ‘My sister played volleyball and she gave me lessons. I always asked her how she was able to read the ball so well. She taught me to get the right position, then time it and then attack it’, remembered Greg Brown III. At the moment he is overseas attempting to help AEK BC Athens win another title again after their 2020 cup win. His teammate RaiQuan Gray still sees a return back to the NBA. Does he share the zeal of his teammate to return? ‘The door isn’t shut for me either. But I’m at the point now where I will try to make the biggest impact possible overseas. I would like to go back though if the opportunity presents itself, but I won’t be hyper about it’, warned Greg Brown III.
Lance Jeter (191-PG-1988, college: Nebraska) is a former professional player that enjoyed a prosperous 8 year career overseas playing in countries like Holland, Poland, Germany, France, Lithuania and China. He began his basketball career at Beaver Falls high school and then played 2 years at Polk and then finished at the University of Nebraska (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 68.9% and 11.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 72.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.
Thanks Lance for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is life treating you?
Back Home In Pittsburgh Pa Coaching HS Basketball With Brother Ramone In Our Hometown Beaver Falls PA & Also Running Our AAU Basketball Organization 4th Through HS
You retired back in 2019. Has time flown by quickly in the last 6 years? Times Sometimes Feel Like It’s Moving Fast But I Enjoy Being Home Coaching My Kids Watching Them Grow Up & Giving Back To My Community!
I always saw you as a player that everyone wanted as a teammate and everyone hated to play against. Is that a fair assessment of how you were as a player?
Yes Always The Type Of Player To Pass First & Get My Teammates Involved & Focus On Winning That’s Always Been My Main Goal! Play Physical & Tough & Always Be A Leader Out There! Even If It’s Sacrifices My Personal Stats I All I Wanted To Do Was Win!
You won 7 titles as a pro and that is probably more than 85% of all pro´s in the world. Did you achieve most that you wanted as a pro player or was their something you didn´t achieve that you would have liked? Like I Said The Main Goal Was To Win always Has Been Since I Was a Kid Playing This sport! I wanted to Be very successful As A Player & When It Was All Set & Done They Would Say No Matter Where He Went He Won!
You had a nice 8 year career. But I´m sure you could of played longer. How was your body feeling like in 2019?
My body Was feeling great. I Just Came Off averaging 24 Points A Game In Europe Cup Play With Donar & Was feeling Good! It wasn’t My Idea To Stop Playing Covid Came & Things Was Unclear And Uncertain In The World So That Kind of was The Reason I Stoped Playing & The Market Changed Oversea With Pay And That Nature!
Often guys retire because the body is hutting down or some great opportunity off the court came about. Why did you retire at age 30? Yea Wasn’t My Idea To Be Done I Felt Great Was Training To Get Ready For The Next Season & Now Since I Train 4 Times A Week It’s Just Old Habits Athletes Can’t Break Just Wanted To Be in Shape & Live A Healthy Lifestyle But Then Covid Happened & That Just Change Everything In 2019 & Was The Waiting Game After That Then Two Years Go Bye. You Have To Provide For Your Family Can’t Keep Waiting!
Was the first year tough after retiring? What did you miss most from the game?
It was Very Tough Especially because It Wasn’t On My Terms Like I Said I Wasn’t Ready To Be Done & Felt Like I Had A lot To Prove Still So It Was Tough Mentality For Sure! Darks Days You Go From Doing Something You Love and Then Suddenly It Stops So I Had To Really Get Out That Head Space & Find Something That Makes Me Happy Again To Avoid That Empty Space In My Heart!
What have you been doing since retirement? Do you have a normal 9-5 job?
Coaching Basketball & Football & Running My AAU Basketball Organization With My Brother! It’s Giving Me Focus & Happiness To Help The Next Generation & My Community To Take This Thing Further Than I Ever Did & Just Give Them The Opportunity & Things I’ve Learned Over The Years & Push Them Further Than I Did!
Do you still have a connection to basketball? I Still Have The Connection To Basketball State Side & International! Like I Said I’ve Find Ways To Filled That Gap That’s Been In My Heart From Not Being Able To Play Professionally Anymore & Help The Next Generation Coming Up & I Love It!
You began at Polk College. Every guy that I have interviewed that played JUCO have said it was a tough grind but one that they wouldn´t have missed for the world. How was it for you?
The Toughest Times For Sure Because You Feel Like Your Being Left Behind! Your Watching All These Guys You Compete Against In HS On TV & They are On The Big Stage On TV & You Took The Juco Right Knowing You Belong On The Same Stage as Them So It’s Tough But It Builds Character and Makes You So Much More Hungry and Humble With A Chip On Your Shoulder To Get To That Next Level & You Build Life Long Friendships/Brothers From Juco Some Of Best Friends Came From Polk County With Me & We Been Locked In 10 Plus Years Now!
You then played 2 seasons at the University of Nebraska (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 41.2%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 68.9% and 11.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.5apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 72.8%. What kind of a player did you become there?
Nebraska Really Showed Me What Type Of Player I Could Be! My Junior Year & Senior Year Was Night & Day! Had To Get Used To How Fast & Strong The Big 12 Was At That Time & It Was Tough My Junior Year But Once I Got Used To It My Senior Year Was Great! I did A lot Of Great Things In Those Two Years & Was Coached By A Really Great Coach In Doc Sadler! I Really Left My Mark On Nebraska In A Short Period Of Time!
How tough was that first season. The team started off hot winning 9 of 11 games, but then finished the season losing 14 of 16 games? What did you learn from that season? Getting Used To The Big 12! Every Night Your Playing Against A NBA Player Pretty Much So I Had To Get Used To The Pace Of The Big 12 & Like I Said It Showed Me What Type Of Player I Wanted To Be & Leader & I Was Very Hungry My Senior Year To Leave My Mark On My School & The Big 12.
You had many great games like a 27/10/5 game in a tough 83-82 loss to Iowa State. What was your fondest moment on the court in the NCAA?
Best Moments Was My Senior Year We Beat Some Great Teams That Year! We beat a Good USC Team When We we were down By 20 At The Half! Beat The #21 Team In The Country Missouri Beat The #10 Team In The Country Texas A&M & Beat The #2 Team In The Country Texas So A lot Of Great Wins For Our Program That Year!
What memories do you have of German Christian Standhardinger. Was he a joker off the court?
Christian Standhardinger Was A Funny Guy Someone Who Could Score Everywhere On The Court and Knew How To Get To His Spots & Had A lot Of Energy. I Loved Playing With Him!
How did head coach Doc Sadler groom and prepare best for a professional career?
Coach Doc Helped Me Become A Better Leader On The Court! He Tested Me A lot and Pushed me to The Limit With Me To See If I Can Handle It and see If I’ll Break & I Owe Him A lot Since I Got There He Put The Basketball In My Hands and Let Me Run The Show I’m Very Thankful For That He Showed Me How Important Defense Was!
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Henry Sek? Sek Is Offensively One Of The Best Players I’ve Every Had The Chance To Play With He was a Real LIfe Master On Offense He is One Of Those Players Who Has Multiple Counters To Your Defense! Really A Student Of The Game I Learn A lot From Sek who is One Of My Good Friends! I´m Proud Of Everything He Does On The Court!
You played your rookie season for Lasaulec Aris Leeuwarden (Holland-Eredivisie) averaging 16.ppg, 3.8rpg, APG-5 (3.4), 1.3spg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 73.0%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
Holland is a Special Place. The People Are Great Very Welcome! Of Course My 1st Year Was Tough Just Learning The Culture Of Holland But Very Quickly I Felt At Home & Was Comfortable because Of The People Of Holland Made Me Feel That Way & I’m Forever Grateful To Them For Making It Easy!
How vital was Tjoe De Paula in your rookie season? Was he like a mentor for you?
Tjoe Was Very Important To My Rookie Year Someone Who Helped Me Soon As I Got There & Showed Me Around & Made Sure I Was Good! We Had A lot Vets On That Team Also Mark Sanchez Was Also Big Part Of My Rookie Year & Him & Tjoe Became Family To Me Years Later we Were Able To Win Championships Together So They are My Brothers & I Love Them Guys Very Much!
You played your second pro season with Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany-BBL) averaging 7.5ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 70.1%. You had so many incredible teammates like Daniel Theis, John Bryant, Per Guenter, Allan Ray, Phillip Schwethelm or Steve Esterkamp. What guy had the biggest impact on you?
Great Team In Ulm! With A lot Of Great Players A Special Season! Allan Ray & John Bryant Had The Biggest Impact On Me & Helped Me Get Through My 2nd Year I Had To Get Used To A New Country & New Language They Helped Me A lot Especially Allan Ray I Was With Him A lot He Showed Me How Take Care Of Business On & Off The Court! They Showed Me The Ways Of Being A Professional Appreciate Them Two So Much!
You played 1 Euroleague game and battled Mire Chatman who was one of the greatest American guards in his generation overseas. Does knowing that mean more to you now than back in the moment? You really played against incredible players.
Yes Got A Chance To Play Mire Few Times One Time In Euroleague & Couple More Times in Euro Cup He was Someone Who Made The Game Look So Easy He never Seemed Like He Was Speeding Up Game. He Was Very Smooth! I’m went Into The Game Not Knowing Who These Guys were But Found Out Quickly They Got A lot Of Game With Them!
What memories do you have of the tough 5 game series loss to Oldenburg? Games 3-5 were so tight. You battled against BBL legend Rickey Paulding. I Remember That Series Very Much. Per Guenter Was Injured In The Beginning Of The Series So I Started & Was Ready For My Moment & Had Some Good Games. I Remember Per Not Fully 100% But Coach Wanted Him To Start & Just Didn’t Feel Right To Me because I Felt I Was Playing Great That Series Knowing Per Wasn’t His Self So That Game 5 I Felt Like I Could of Played More Minutes! Ricky Paulding Is One Of Those Players I For Sure Looked Up To The Way he kept Himself Ready Each Year As He Got Older and The Way He Adapted To The Game. His Shot Got Better Later In His Career & Still Would Surprise You with A Dunk On You If You Weren´t Ready! He was a True Legend & Professional. He is a Great Person and it Was A Honor To Watch Him Through The Years.
You then played with Trefl Sopot (Poland-TBL) averaging 8.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 74.8%. You won the Super Cup which was your first pro chip. What memories do you have of that season? We Beat Rosa For The 3rd Place In The League. We Took Stelmet To 5 Games Where They Beat Us To Go On The Championship They Had A Really Great Team It Was A Tough Battle! That Season Was A lot Of Up & Down Moments For Myself & The First Time In My Career Where I Got Tested Mentally!
Then came your Jordan like run playing for Donar Groningen (Holland-Eredivisie) and winning 6 titles from 2014-2017. Were these some of your best times in your life?
Being In Groningen Was The Best Times For Me, I was Used To The Country By Now & Knew My Way Around & Knew My Teammates From My Rookie Year In Leeuwarden & Had Tjoe With Me & Mark & Jason Made Everything So Much Better & Comfortable For Me It was Truly The Best Time With The Best Fans In Holland that Supported Us!
This was also your best years. You averaged 14,0ppg twice and led the Dutch league in assists and was second once. Was it playing with great teammates that helped you to success? My Success For Sure Came From Having Veterans Teammates Who Only Cared About Winning & Letting Me Be Myself & Play My Game With A Coach Who Let Me Be Myself & Just Having Fun On The Court & Off The Court Being A Real Family. It Showed On The Court When We Were Playing! For Sure I Owe My Teammates A lot Of Credit For Letting Me Be Myself!
Jason Dourisseau came in your second season and remained after you left and would win more titles there. Was he one of your best teammates ever?
Jason Dourissea is Probably My Best Teammate, Someone Who Was Always Finding The Positivity In Every Situation. Someone Who Was A True Professional and Came Ready To Work Every Day, A True Leader Someone I Looked Up To and Who Helped Me Become A Better Leader On The Court! He showed Me How To Be A Leader Of Men! He Is Someone I´ll Put him Up There With Ricky Paulding A Real Leader & Professiona. l Love Jason Like A Big Brother Little Brother Relationship! And I´m Rooting For Him As He Is The Head Coach For Groningen Now!
You beat Zwolle twice for the Dutch title. Which title was tougher to win?
When We Played Zwolle Those Two Years, I’m Going Be Honest It Wasn’t Tough At. It Was Very Easy To The Point All We Were Worried About was Nobody Get Injured & We Will Be Just Fine! Our Team Was Really That Good & Most Of Those Games We Barely Played In The 4th Q Because The Games Wasn’t Close Or Felt Close At All!
You also played a season with ultimate player Marcus Hatten. What memories do you have of him` Was he like a role model for you?
When I Went Back To Germany Marcus Hatten Came To The Team 2nd Half Of The Season & You Can Tell He Was a Smart Veteran Someone Who Didn’t Get Sped Up While He Was Playing & For Sure Someone Who Helped Me See The Game In Different Ways & Tried To Be Few Steps Ahead Of Your Opponent So He For Sure Help Me A lot During My Time There!
You played a season with JL Bourg Basket (France-ProA) averaging 6.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 63.6%. What memories do you have of France? How did the France Pro A compare to the best leagues you played in then? Was it more elite than BBL in Germany at that time?
My Time In France Was Challenging Because It Was A New League & It’s Where I Wanted To Be Challenged Coming From Holland I Felt Like I Did Everything I Could Possibly Do In That League And Was Looking For a New Challenge To Test Myself & The French League For Sure Did That. It was Very Fast Uptempo, Very Athletic Players Also Felt Being My 1st Year Of College Again Had To Adjust To The Game & I Think I Did That the 2nd Part Of The Season! It’s Two Styles Of Play. The BBL Is More Physical & France Pro A Is More Faster A lot Of Skillful Players Both Great Leagues!
You were in Lithuania, China and Holland for your final season. That was like a roller coaster ride. How crazy was this last season? You seemed to see it all that last season. It Was A Roller Coaster But I Just Wanted To Be Comfortable And Feel Like I Was At A Place That felt Like Home & Of Course Holland Was That Place But Not Just For Me But For My Family As Well So That Was My Main Reason To Head Back To Holland!
How would you like fans to remember Lance Jeter the player?
I would Like The Fans To Remember Me As The “General” Someone Who Cared About Nothing But Winning. A Leader Of Men Someone Who Had Fun & Love Playing The Game He Loved. A Player Who Made Sure To Involve The Fans With The Game! A True Winner!
Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA? There were So Many Players It’s Hard To Pin Point One! Kansas Had A lot Of Great Players Of Course Who Was Very Tough! The Morris Twins Had A Few Great Teams. A Few Of Those Texas Teams Was Very Tough With A Few NBA Players. Baylor Had A Few Great Players & Oklahoma State Had James Anderson. He Was A Elite Scorer There Texas AM Had Few Good NBA Players So Many Players!
Who were your 3 toughest players that you faced overseas?
Igor Rakocevic Is A Legend Was who was Very Good For The Red Stars! Mire Chatman Was Very Good Very Tough To Guard & Bobby Brown In The German League Made It Look Very Easy When I Was Playing Him & Jenkins For Oldenburg Was Very Tough To Guard So Quick and could Shoot The Ball!
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? 1. Allan Ray 2. John Bryant 3. Chase Fieler 4. Zach Peacock 5. Jason Dourisseau Honorable Mention Tjoe Mark Sanchez Chase Simon Sean Cunningham Ross Bekkerking
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore (5 best players ever)?
Steph Curry MJ Kobe Bryant LeBron James Shaq
Who is your GOAT? My Goat (Kobe Bryant)
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? They Should Have Left It Alone Some Movies Don’t Need Sequel And That’s One Of Them!
Marley Jean-Louis (188-SG-1994) is a 32 year old 188cm guard that is playing his 14th professional season and first with DBV Charlottenburg (Regionalliga). He began his career in the Alba Berlin organization and then played for clubs like Munster, EN Baskets Schwelm, FC Schalke 04, EPG Baskets Koblenz, ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen, Rhein Stars, BG 2000 Berlin, and BSW Sixers Sandersdorf. He spoke to germanhoops.com after exploding for 52 points in a Regionalliga game.
Congrats Marley on scoring 52 points in a crazy 148-21 win over Buchorn Bau. You won by 177 points. How crazy is that?
Thank you Miles, I appreciate the Interview. That was definitely a crazy experience that I was not expecting starting the day. I think that was the biggest win I ever had.
You scored an incredible 52 points. They only dressed 6 players. Do you feel like that helped your quest for 52 points?
To be Honest it definitely helped with more guys or all their better players they would’ve had a bigger rotation and could’ve guarded more physical and better.
Not many pro players no matter what league score 50 or more points in a game. You did it in 27 minutes. That is super efficient. What does this feat mean to you?
It’s nice, I’m happy that I was able to keep my focus high during that game and had the trust from my teammates and my coaches. It’s good that I was finally able to give our commentator Arne his birthday present. He was asking for a 40 piece and I was able to give him even more.
Did you have a special breakfast in the morning or do something out of the ordinary that may have helped your game go off for 52 points?
It was actually a kind of busy day for me we had shootaround after that I worked out a kid because I’m also an individual Skills Coach. So I didn’t really spend that much time at home and was kind of stressed about it.
How did you feel going into the game? You had been averaging over 20,0ppg in the last 5 games? Did it feel different than other games once you started hitting shots?
I was surprised that they just showed up with 6 people and our coach was mad because of it. Rightfully so of course. He kept our head straights for the game and motivated to go out and make a statement so I was just trying to stay locked in and don’t let the appearance from the other team affect me.
How quickly did you know that you may have a great scoring game in the first half?
After I was hitting a couple of 3s in a short time. That was the moment where I thought to myself let’s see what’s type of day it’s going be for me today.
The team had an incredible 43 team assists. How thankful are you for your teammates always finding you again time in and time out?
Without my teammates it would not been possible. I did disappoint some of them in the last games when I missed some open looks. So it was my way to apologize.
You hit 12 three´s. How does that make you feel that the greatest three point shooter of all-time Steph Curry only hit 1 three more in a game in his life?
To be honest I was not really thinking about it. Now that I know I’m kind of mad because I definitely would’ve tried to hit 2 more to break his record.
Did you know in the fourth quarter that you were close to 50 points?
No not really. But after I made the 3 for 50 points everybody was cheering and in the timeout Dilim told me from The stands that I had 50.
What was your favorite own basket of the game? That´s a good questions probably during that game always the next one.
Did you get any unique congrats via phone or social media after the game? No not unique. But I appreciate Adam our Marketing for uploading the video of every bucket of mine. It got a lot of love on Instagram.
Did you have to get donuts for the team? Hahaha no luckily not. I already got the team 3 or 4 donuts this season.
Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye (193-G-1996, college: Bradley) is a 29 year old 196cm guard that has the British/French citizenship and currently is playing his third season with UMFN Njardvik (Iceland-Subway League). He also has experience having played in countries like Italy, France, Holland and Austria. He began his basketball career at the Bristol Flyers and then played at Bradley University (NCAA) and played a total of 129 NCAA games. He spoke togermanhoops.com after scoring 50 points in a first division game in Austria.
Congrats on scoring 50 points in a win over Armann. What does it personally mean to you to score 50 points?
The most important thing for me was getting the win but afterwards looking back at it, it felt really good. Not many people can say they’ve reached 50 points in a professional match and my assistant coach informed me afterwards I am only 1 of 5 people in club history to reach the milestone so it’s nice to join the club
You were never that explosive scorer before you came to Iceland. Did 50 points surprise you a bit that you could be capable of a feat like that? I feel like I’ve always been capable of being an explosive scorer but throughout my journey as a professional I’ve had to take on different roles at different times for the betterment of the team. I knew if there was a game this season in which I was feeling it early I would have a chance to have a big night. It was just my night that night and ended up going for 50.
There is a side story to your milestone. On the stats there was 48 points but you really scored 50 points. What happened exactly?
So on the paper I had 50 but on the online stats it was 48. But after, the game was reviewed and we learnt that human error on the table gave a dunk of mine in the 3rd Q to my big man Dominykas Milka. It’s crazy because we don’t look the same but the federation amended the issue and confirmed that yes it was in fact 50.
How strange is it knowing you had 50 points despite ending the game thinking you had 48 points?
It was weird because I just wanted to know the truth and know for sure which it was, but we got the 2 points on the league table for the win so that was all I really cared about.
Did you have anything different for breakfast or change something on your routine to amass so many points? The crazy thing is I was sick the last few days in practice and wasn’t able to do too much in the sessions. I maybe slept only 3 hours the night before the game with headaches and a runny nose. But with a playoff push needed for the end of the season I knew how much we needed to win and just tried to power through. And I was able to do it much better than I could have imagined. I guess there’s some magic in a flu game.
How were you feeling going into the game with your game? You had had 31 points in the previous game and scored 30 points or more 6 times in the season going in?
My coach and teammates do a great job giving me confidence and telling me to be aggressive in games. Coming off the international break you’re sometimes not sure if they’ll be rusty or not. But we had a game plan to attack some weaknesses Arman had and I knew if we executed it would be a good game.
How quickly did you know in the game that you might have a great scoring game? I think I knew at halftime, when my team mate came up and joked that he’d buy me lunch if I scored 50. ‘I was like what do you mean 50?’ Then he let me know that I had 24 points, which surprised me. But maybe the added motivation helped me get it. Safe to say I will be getting that lunch from him.
The team had 22 team assists and you had 6 assists. How much of your scoring would you say was done on isolation?
I wouldn’t say too much scoring is done in isolation, we have certain actions to try and punish the defense or put them in uncomfortable situations so we just try to focus on that.
How blessed are you to have such a talented big man in Dominykas Milka who had 8 assists in your feat? It’s a privilege to play with a big man like Milka. He’s selfless and willing to do whatever it is for the team. He sets great screens, does all the little things and is a beast on the rebounds. You add the playmaking too, he’s easily one of the most underappreciated players in the league. Playing now multiple seasons with him we’ve built a good chemistry and it shows in how many easy baskets he gave me.
Did you know in the fourth quarter that you were close to 50 points?
When I got to 45 I knew, we had a timeout and some of the young guys on the bench let me know and just kept saying ‘you’re almost at 50’
What was your favorite own basket of the game?
I would say my last free throw gave me 50. We’d pretty much sealed the game now, I subbed out and my coach and team mates gave me a big hug and I could relax and really take in what had just taken place. It was my first 50 point game in my career so it felt nice to know it’s something I’ve accomplished.
Did you get any unique congrats via phone or social media after the game? Nothing crazy, just a bunch of messages from friends and family that were happy about the moment.
Did you have to get donuts for the team?
No donuts but I’ll have to bring in something for sure for everyone.
Julian Larry (190-G, college: Texas) is a 190cm guard from Texas playing his rookie season overseas in Germany with the EPG Baskets Koblenz. He began the season with Munster averaging 12,3ppg, 1,9rpg, 3,6aqpg and 1,4spg. He began his basketball career at Lone Star High School and then played at Indiana State (NCAA) from 2020-2024 amassing a total of 128 games. He then added an extra season with the University Of Texas. He spoke to germanhoops.com after beating top team Hakro Merlins with the 78-76 game winner.
Congrats birthday boy Julian on helping the EPG Baskets Koblenz gain a massive come from behind win over the Hakro Merlins. Could this be the turning point of the season? This could be the turning point of the season for sure. It just shows how together we were as a team and what can happen. This win is something that we can build off.
Was this today one of your best birthdays ever?
This was one of my best birthdays that I had recently. I don´t think that I have ever played on my birthday before.
Did you have specifically a special Birthday breakfast that sparked your play? It was nothing out of the ordinary. It was a normal routine just preparing for the game.
You told me a few weeks ago that your biggest wish was to help the EPG Baskets Koblenz make the playoffs. You weren´t kidding after your performance tonight. You left it all out on the court.
For sure we grinded this win out. It was a great ending to a game where we grinded all night long.
Was this your biggest win in your professional career so far? Of course. I haven´t had so many yet as a rookie.
The loss to the RheinStars was tough. Did you guys have a type of team meeting after that loss? We understood that we could of played better against them, but they did play a really good game. We just wanted to learn from our mistakes and give a better effort in Crailsheim.
With what kind of a mindset did the team come to Crailsheim. After the brutal loss to Cologne, I think the fewest believed a win could be possible? How were the spirits of the players?
Our spirits were like any other game. We knew of the task at hand. When you play against a really good team like Crailsheim, you always have to be prepared and we were.
There was no quick start by Crailsheim, but Koblenz was right there in the first quarter trailing only 23-21. Did you a different kind of body language in comparison to the RheinStars game?
I would say so. We struck through it and never gave in.
The Hakro Merlins led 43-36 at half-time. Koblenz mostly had an answer when they punched, but lost some steam in the last minutes. What did head coach Stephan Dohrn tell the team to do better in the second half?
He told us that we had a really good first half. We had to be better prepared against their ball coverage as they made minor adjustments in the second quarter. He also wanted us to get our offense flowing again.
Tyrese Blunt made big baskets the whole night. What was like battling him in the trenches?
It was a good battle. I had already played against him with Munster. I knew that he was a really good player and moves really well. He just made plays.
In the third quarter the Hakro Merlins led by as much as 12 points, but Koblenz never gave up and hurled a 11-0 run at Crailsheim. How big was that will to keep fighting? Was it the best that you have seen since you arrived? I would say so. We never stopped fighting against adversary and we never gave in. We knew that we had to be really alert, because they feed off opponents mistakes. We just took it possession by possession. We never lost that next play mentality.
In the fourth quarter Koblenz began with a 5-0 run to dead lock the contest at 60-60, but Crailsheim punched back with a 9-0 run to lead 69-60 with 4,49 to play. What was going through your mind at that moment? We just kept making plays. Our mindset wasn´t too crazy at that time.
The runs kept coming with 7 points from Koblenz and then a 7-0 run by Crailsheim to lead 76-67 with 1,51 to play. Were you feeling confident? I mean you had come back the whole game? We knew we had to keep putting pressure on them. That led to turnovers which resulted in easy baskets for us.
Koblenz then strung along stops and scored 11 unanswered points to win. Badu Buck hit a big three pointer to tie the game at 76-76. How key was the momentum at this moment? Do you feel like Crailsheim was feeling some uncertainty?
I don´t know if they felt uncertain, but you could feel the momentum shift when Badu made that basket. We made them pay. It was like looking down and then up again and the game was tied at 76-76.
You then won the game with a bucket. Take me through that last play?
I mean there wasn´t much time left with 7 seconds. I just ran downhill and planted my feet and let it rip as it landed off the back board and went in.
Did you know that your shot was going in? Of course. It felt good.
Did you want to bank it in? At first no, but when I released it and from the angle I had, that was the only choice to happen.
What do you believe did the team learn from this win tonight? We learned that when you stick through adversary then you can be really good.
RaiQuan Gray (203-F-1999, college: FSU) is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Ft Lauderdale playing his 5th professional season and second overseas and second with AEK BC Athens. He played his first 3 professional seasons in the G-League with Long Island and Austin and also played 3 NBA games with the Spurs and 1 with the Nets. He began his basketball career at Dillard High School and then played at Florida State (NCAA) from 2018-2021 and in 2021 was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets at #59 in the second round. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against Alba Berlin.
Thanks Raiquan for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second season with AEK BC Athens. What have you enjoyed most about the experience? It has overall been very enjoyable. I have a new journey and it´s been a lot different to what I was used to from the States. I´m really happy playing for AEK BC Athens.
Has Athens become like a second home for you?
For sure. It took some time to get familiar with all, but it has been great. It is great competition and crazy fans. Greece is a very beautiful country.
Was there some culture shock at first coming from the smaller Ft Lauderdale?
Not as much. As soon as I got to understand everything, it was good. The people are all nice. The biggest adjustment was being ahead 7 hours to home.
The team is playing well and is in third place in the Greek first division standings. How enjoyable is the challenge of competing against the 2 Euroleague teams Panathinaikos and Olympiakos?
It´s been great. I´m a competitor and always want to play the top teams and measure up to them to see where I´m at. It is great competition. I have shown that I belong on that stage.
The team next battles the 3-0 Alba Berlin in the Basketball Champions League. Does AEK have what it takes this season to win a international title? I think so. My primary purpose why I came back was too win the BCL. We as a team went so far last season and know what it takes to get so far. Now we want to win it. We feel like we have good chances to win. We want to build off our momentum and keep getting wins.
How valuable has a guy like ex NBA player James Nunally been for you? Is he like a mentor for you?
Yes for sure. He has been playing for a very long and has a great IQ. All ears are on him when he is speaking. He is a really good teammate and guy.
Your having solid seasons in both competitions. You’re a guy that fills the stat sheet really well. What exactly is your role on the team this season? I do it all. I feel like that has always been my role. I´m a versatile player and can affect the game in many ways. If it means rebounding, scoring or defending the other team´s best player, I will do it.
Your almost averaging 4,0apg in the BCL. Have you been asked to be more of a facilitator in the BCL?
I think that I have always been a natural passer. Roles are always changing. Last season we had more of a passing center with Grant Golden and this season, I have been called upon to be more of a passing forward.
You never took many three´s in the G-League. Is incorporating a three pointer more into your game a goal of yours? Yes I do. I want to have better three point shooting percentages. I think that I just need to take more reps and I´ll be fine.
You were overseas last season for the first time. What was your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
I think it happened during a domestic game last season. I didn´t play in the second half. I didn´t have a good first half. I understood after that I needed to have a better focus and understanding of the game so I would play more. I needed to learn more about the game, but still be myself on the court.
You reached the BCL Final 4 beating French team Nanterre in an exciting 3 game series and then lost Malaga. What memories do you have of that run? It was so electric. We hosted the Final 4 in Greece. The atmosphere was amazing and so were the fans. It was real high level hoops. One won´t really know what that feels like unless you were there. It was one of the best experiences in my life.
You played your first 3 pro seasons in the G-League and NBA. You played 4 NBA games and scored in double figures in 3 of them. Those are pretty unusual stats. Do you feel like you got a fair chance to show your game? Not really. No one really ever asked me that question before. I never felt sorry for myself. I mean I feel like I did the most I could with the opportunity that was given to me. I feel like these times helped me grow. I couldn´t have asked for a better opportunity then.
You played your rookie season with the Long Island Nets averaging 7.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 20.3%, FT: 82.5%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie?
That first year showed me that I had to fix my habits and create good habits and be confident. I needed the right mind set and it made me hungrier.
In your second season you averaged 15.0ppg, 7.8rpg, 3.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 64.9%, but only played 4 minutes more than the season before. Did head coach Ronnie Burrell discover your scoring abilities?
I don´t know if he discovered it. I will always appreciate that he believed in me and let me be myself. I was aggressive and played with that chip on my shoulder. He saw something in me and pulled it out.
You were really consistent that season and didn´t get a call up until the end of the season. Was this another good example that politics rules the NBA business? Possibly. A lot goes on behind the scenes that one can´t control. I just go out and take what´s given to me and do the best possible.
You made your NBA debut against the 76ers and had a fine game with 16/9/7 in 36 minutes. How much fun was that game? You were a bit in the shadow of Cam Thomas´s 46 points though.
It was a really cool moment. My family was there to witness it. I was actually home 2 days before my debut and then flew back to play. I knew before the game that I would play well. I knew since I was a little kid that I would be a NBA player one day. I had put in so much work. I was confident and ready to have a good game.
The next season you played with the at Austin Spurs (NBA G League) averaging 15.4ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 76.1% and played 3 NBA games with the Spurs. Once again you got called up at the end of the season. You won the last game against Detroit. What was your personal highlight from those 3 games?
I got extended minutes at Oklahoma City. I let it all out on the court. I hit shots early and felt good. I also had a solid game in Detroit. I was able to fit into a system and be myself around good players.
You were teammates with Victor Wembanyama and saw what he did then an dhow he has continued to develop. Where do you see his game being in 5 years?
He will be the best player in the NBA in 5 years. I saw what he could do behind closed doors. He had an incredible mentality and work ethic. He was different.
How big is your personal NBA goal? Guys have gone back after coming overseas. My goal is still the NBA. I will never shut the door on the NBA dream. I´m 26 at the moment and not 30. I feel like I still have a small window open. If the opportunity ever presents it´s self then I´ll take it. Meanwhile I will keep building my resume overseas.
You played at Florida State from 2018-2021 and reached 2 NCAA Sweet 16´s. What loss was tougher? To Gonzaga or Michigan?
I think that Gonzaga was the tougher loss. I wasn´t ready for the moment. It was my first year in the NCAA- The game was super fast. We had the team to do it that year.
You had many great games at FSU including beating North Carolina twice as a senior. What was your fondest moment on the court?
It wasn´t my moment, but when Trent Forest dunked on Jordan Nwora against Louisville. We were #5 at that moment. It was the loudest that I ever heard the crowd.
How did head coach Leonard Hamilton groom and prepare you best for a professional career? He taught discipline early and gave me freedom. He taught me to be professional, take care of business and how to communicate. He held me accountable, but also allowed me to make mistakes and be able to learn from them and grow.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Malik Osborne?
I will take myself.
Who was the toughest player that you ever faced on the court in your life that reached NBA? Marvin Bagley and Zion Williamson.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Trent Forest, Terrence Mann, Justin Linder, DayRon Sharpe and Mfiondu Kabengele
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant
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 didn´t see it.
Brendan Temple (206-C-2000, college: Purdue NW) is a 206cm center from Colorado playing his second professional season and second with Racing Luxembourg (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) averaging 15,8ppg, 9,9rpg and 2,6apg. Last season he averaged 21.2ppg, RPG-5 (12.0), 3.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP-2 (60.4%), 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 66.7%. He began his basketball career at Douglas County high school and then played 4 seasons and 112 games for Carroll College (NAIA). In his last season there he averaged : 13.3ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 75.8%. He then played one more season with Purdue University Northwest (NCAA2) averaging 14.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 64.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Brendan for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second pro season overseas and second with Racing Luxemburg. Was it a no brainer to stay after helping the team move up to the first division?
Thanks for reaching out and yeah it was definitely an easy decision. I really liked my teammates and coaches, and I wanted to see what we could do together in the first league. On top of that, living in Luxembourg City has been a really nice experience, so it just made sense to come back.
You hail from beautiful Castle Rock that has a scenery many Americans would die for. What have you found beautiful in Luxemburg since arriving in late summer 2024? I actually grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago in La Grange, Illinois. Moved to Castle Rock in high school and have been living there ever since. Since coming to Luxembourg, I’ve noticed how beautiful and clean the city is but the rolling green hills outside of the city are definitely underrated and remind me a little bit of Colorado.
You lost a tough test game in Germany to the Dragons Rhondorf. Germany is the place for basketball since years ever since Germany won world cup and now they are Euro champs. Is Germany on your bucket list to play in one day?
Yes, I’d definitely like to play in Germany one day. I liked the style of basketball there; it was physical and methodical, which I feel fits well with my own game.
Racing Luxemburg is a team that wants to make waves in the first division Luxemburg. Is the goal really only to stay in the league? The goal is definitely bigger than just staying in the league. We want to turn some heads and make people change their opinion of the club. The focus is on making Racing prominent in the first league and showing that we belong at that level.
The team has many great veterans like home grown players Max Hilger and Steve Lanners. Does the team have the depth to remain in the league?
Yeah, I think the team definitely has the depth to stay in the league. We’ve got a group full of super competitive guys, and everyone knows their role and contributes to making winning plays for the benefit of the team. That kind of mindset is rare, but it’s also something you see in really good teams, and I feel like we have that here.
What has it been like being teammates with ultra veteran Antonnio Bivins? Was he like a mentor for you last season?
Tone has absolutely been a mentor for me. I’ve gone to him with all my questions, which is ironic because we have completely different play styles and energies. But when your teammate has had such a long and successful career, like he has, you tend to listen to what the man has to say. Having Tone help me with the start of my career has been a huge help.
Let´s talk a little about your game. You’re a 206cm center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description? Drew Timme
Is it fair to say you have some old school in you? You had nifty hook shots with both hands as well as a running hook shot and nice fade away jumper. It looks like you have watched quite a few players in your life.
I really developed that scoring touch in college. The hook shot became a go-to for me because it’s such an efficient way to score in the post while only needing a few dribbles. I’ve always watched college basketball more closely than the NBA, and since post play is such a big part of the college game, it stuck with me.
Name some players that you have watched over the years where you have soaked up things from? NBA bigs that I have stolen things from are Kevin Love, Pau Gasol, Al Jefferson, and Jokic, just to name a few.
You take the three, but not that many. Are you working to incorporate more of a three pointer into your game? Oh absolutely, becoming consistent from the three will open up my game and make me harder to guard.
What kind of a defender are you now as a pro player? Do you still classify yourself a bit raw? What kind of a defender would you like to still become? Yeah, I know I can definitely improve on the defensive end. I have a good understanding of positioning off the ball and how to help my teammates, but I know I can still grow as a one-on-one defender. I want to be able to guard multiple positions well.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game? I’m trying to improve my three point and free throw. Getting more consistent in these areas will make me more well rounded.
Last season with Racing Luxembourg (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) you averaged 21.2ppg, RPG-5 (12.0), 3.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP-2 (60.4%), 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 66.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home? In the basketball sense, it was the first game against Mess. I realized the game was much different than college and how the refs call the game. In the world sense, it was going to the grocery store and adjusting to the layout, different language, and food brands.
You had so many great games last season. You had 40 points against Bascharage and a massive 20/21 game against Soleuvre. Which of these 2 games was your favorite. Bivins once had a crazy 52/24 game against the latter. The 40 point game against Bascharge. It was on my birthday.
You played 4 years at Carroll College (NAIA). How formidable were these years for your early basketball development under Kurt Paulsen? How did he help your game most?
My development at Carroll was not what I expected it to be. Believe it or not, I was a wing in high school, shooting the three and having very little post game. Then I got to Carroll and there were more talented guys playing on the wing. The opportunity for me to play was on the block. Coach Paulson developed my post game by teaching me how to finish through contact, having+ great footwork, and developing touch.
You reached the NAIA Elite 8 in 2021. What do you remember from that run? The team bowed out against SAGU: It was one of my favorite college memories. My favorite game during that run was the round of 16 game against #2 William Penn. I think we were the #15 seed and the team really came together and played our best game of the year.
You had some great games against Providence MT with 27/17 and a 27/13 game against UMW. What was your fondest moment there?
The game against UMW was the first conference home game as a senior. So it was special to start the senior year with a good game and a win. After 3 years of being a role player it was nice to step up for the team.
You then finished at Purdue University Northwest (NCAA2) averaging 14.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 64.6%. You had no adjustment needed going from the NAIA to NCAA 2. How did your game grow that year? I really credit it to Coach Boom. When I was looking for a new school he was clearly the coach that believed in me the most. He unlocked my game. At PNW, I was able to play make and impact the game from different areas of the court, not just in the paint. *
You had many great games in the NCAA 2. What memories do you have of your 15/5/7/1/1 game against GVSU where you had the game winning basket? My favorite memory from that game wasn’t the game winner, but the possession prior when I threw a lob to Kalil Whitehead, who is probably the most athletic guy I have ever played with, who just threw it down to secure the lead.
How did head coach Boomer Roberts give you the last needed preparation in being able to turn professional? Like I said earlier, the biggest thing Coach Boom did for me was give me confidence. He does this with all his players. He builds great relationships.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Dalton Gayman? If it was on the block I would win in a 1v1 scenario but if it was taken anywhere outside the paint DG had my number.
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA? I played Scottie Pippen Jr quite a bit growing up and he has turned out to be an outstanding player.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time? Shamrock Campbell, Andrew Cook, Antonio Bivins, Jovan Sljivancanin, CJ Jackson
Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore? Michael Jordan, Jokic, Tim Duncan, 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?
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with Khyri Thomas in Frankfurt
Khyri Thomas (190-F/G-1996, college: Creighton) is a 29 year old 190cm guard playing his 8th professional season and first in Germany with the Syntainics MBC Weissenfels (BBL). He began his basketball career at Benson high school and alsomplayed at Fork Union Military academy. He then played 3 years at Creighton (NCAA). He then was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 38th draft pick. He then played 3 seasons in the NBA and G-League playing with the Pistons and Rockets in the NBA and with Grand Rapids and Austin in the G-League. He came overseas in 2021 and played in countries like Spain, Israel, and Turkey. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Khyri for talking to germanhoops.com. After stops in Israel, Spain and Turkey, your now in Germany with the SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you enjoyed most about the experience? It’s been a decent journey so far, We have a great group of guys and staff has been very professional.
Your far away from big places like Detroit and Houston. Is it still a tough adjustment to off court things or is the quaintness of Weissenfels perfect to focus more on basketball? I am not a very needy guy so adjusting isn’t a big problem at all. Learning new things each week about Germany is fun.
The SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL) are an incredible organization. They won the Fiba Europe Cup in 2004 and then had many not so successful years in the BBL and even moved down to division 2 and last season surprisingly won the German Cup. What is so special about this organization? What’s special is the group of guys are very unselfish and all about winning. Which makes things a lot more fun and enjoyable.
The team have so many interesting guys like John Bryant a BBL legend in his 15th BBL season, a Spencer Reaves, the brother of NBA player Austin or Collin Welp the son of Chris who helped Germany win the 1993 Euro. There many more guys and then there is you the ex NBA player. How does your character add to the uniqueness of this years team? I think just learning from each of those guys has made my style of play be great for the entire team.
From those guys I mentioned above or others, is there a player that has had the biggest impact on you this season? I’d say Akeem Vargas or John Bryant have been most helpful and their IQ for the game is very amazing.
The team has great scoring balance as 6 guys are scoring in double figures in the BBL this season. In Frankfurt you had big shots in crunch time as did Marcus Foster. What exactly is your role on the team and can any guy be the go to guy on any night? My role is to be best version of myself on the court and lead as well.
Last summer you played with the Calgary Surge (Canada-CEBL) averaging 8.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-3 (1.8spg), FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 77.8%. What kind of experience was it. The CEBL is a rising league. How did this experience help your game more than just being at home and working out? Simply just getting back in shape from a hamstring injury and knowing how tough this league can be.
Last season you played with Socar Petkimspor (Turkey-BSL) averaging 14.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 70.4%. That was your second tour of duty in Turkey. You lost a tough playoff series against Fenerbahce being swept. What was so tough getting over the hump in that series? We overcame a lot that season but a team like with that much talent and experience is always challenging.
How tough was the 2022-2023 season? You began in Turkey with Tofas Bursa but then stopped palying for personal reasons, but returned later in the season to Hereda San Pablo Burgos (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 10.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 86.5%. You had to play in division 2. What did you learn about yourself in this season? That season was extremely fun and going to championship was a huge confidence boost for me personally.
In Burgos you were teammates with Rasid Mahalbasic, a very unique player that had amazing seasons in the German BBL and had a string of triple doubles. Was that one of the most versatile bigs that you played with so far overseas? Too many to name honestly.
In your first season overseas you split time with RETAbet Bilbao Basket (Spain-Liga ACB) and with Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv (Israel-Winner League) averaging 7.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 36.8%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 80.0%; and 3.5ppg, 2.2rpg in the Euroleague. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
Just score and try to get back into the NBA.
How big of a learning lesson was the stay in Tel Aviv? You played in the Euroleague, but overall witnessed that you can´t just jump in and expect 30 minutes. How did that stay help you adjust to the ballers life overseas? To simply stay ready and control what you can control.
You had some amazing teammates in Tel Aviv with Derrick Williams, Scottie Wilbekin and James Nunnally. Was a guy like Williams a mentor for you for your first season overseas? Absolutely, those guys were very professional, extremely talented, and very welcoming.
You played your rookie season with the Detroit Pistons (NBA) playing 29 games averaging 2.6ppg. What do you remember being your wake up call being a rookie in the NBA? Control what I can control is all I could do.
You had some real veterans on the team at the guard position like Ishmael Smith and Wayne Ellington. Was one of these guys or someone else like a mentor for you in your rookie season? Ish Smith was always in my ear and teaching me things.
In your second pro season you played 6 NBA games and 2 G-League games. How tough was this season for you? How tough is it in general to continuing to make a name in the NBA when you can´t show your abilities? Does one lose the footing that one had established in your rookie season? Each season new young guys are coming into the league? I understood it was a business and nothing personal. Just hooped like always.
In your third pro season and last in the NBA you played 5 games for Houston and 7 in the G-League. How tough was this season during Covid? Was Covid another experience that derailed your attempt to continue to try to establish yourself in the NBA? Just keep trying to prove I deserve a chance to showcase my talent.
What was the best example that you saw in your 3 years in the NBA where you saw first hand that the NBA will always be a business first? Just being able to watch veterans be so professional was truly amazing and unforgettable.
You played against so many great players like Dirk Nowitzki, Shai Gillgeous-Alexander Devin Booker or Chris Paul in the NBA, Was there one meeting on the court with a player that you will never forget? I barely played so I just walked back to the locker rooms honestly.
You played 3 seasons at Creighton (NCAA) and 102 games. You made big jumps in your game each season. How did your game grow in those 3 years? Locking in mentally and going at the other top guys we played against.
What do you remember from the great NIT Elite 8 run where you beat Alabama and Wagner but lost to BYU? That was a huge jump in my role for the team going into the next season.
You then reached 2 NCAA tournaments losing to Kansas State and Rhode Island. What memories do you have of the big dance? S What was missing from going further? Playing with with guys whose last year ended in that type of game and environment.
You had so many great games like against Depaul and St Johns in your senior year. What was your fondest moment on the court in the NCAA?
Simply winning the games and enjoying them with family friends and teammates.
How did head coach Greg Mcdermott groom and prepare you best for a professional career? Treated me like a son of his own. Couldn’t ask for more of him.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Marcus Foster? ME!!
Who is the toughest player that you have faced in your career?
Marcus Foster!!
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Not fair to the rest of guys I’ve got to play with.
Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore? MJ, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant.
Who is your Goat? Kawhi Leonard
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone? I have not seen it. Couldn’t tell sorry but most people I know didn’t like the sequel.
