Dane Watts (203-F-86, agency: Pro One Sports) is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Warrensburg, Missouri. He will be playing his second season for ratiopharm Ulm. Last season for ratiopharm Ulm, he played 38 games averaging 9.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 24.6%, FT: 58.1%He played at Creighton (NCAA) from 2004-2008 with NBA player Anthony Tolliver. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 11.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3Pts: 42.5%, FT: 71.8%. In 2008, he came to Germany and started his professional basketball career with EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 32 games: 8.9ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP-1 (68.4%), 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 68.7%. In 2009-2010, he came to The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 34 games: 10.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 71.0%. In 2010-2011 for Tuebingen, he played 33 games: 13.7ppg, Reb-4 (7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 54.5%; in May'11 moved to Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (France-ProA): 3 games: 7.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg. At Creighton, he won awards such as MVC Tournament Winner -05, 07, MVC All-Freshman Team -05, MVC Regular Season Runner-Up -07, and MVC Tournament Semifinals -08. He spoke to eurobasket before the game against FC Bayern Munich January 5th.
ratiopharm Ulm celebrated a big win in Tuebingen 80-67. Except for the Tigers leading 19-18 after one quarter, Ulm was in control of game after that. What was key for having the game in control in the last three quarters and getting the win?
It was a very intense game from start to finish. We were able to hit some outside shots to get the lead and then made solid plays to finish the game. Different players stepping up was big this game, Esterkamp hitting big shots, Betz and Jeter giving us big minutes off the bench.
Would you have thought before the game that John Bryant and Kenny Frease wouldnt be as big a factor in the game as one might have thought?
JB got his eye busted and had to get stitches at halftime, that forced us to play small and that forced Tuebingen to match up.
Sebastian Betz showed his worth again scoring nine points in 15 minutes. Is there a more effective role player in short minutes than him in the Beko BBL?
We are fortunate to have a guy like Bastie on our team. He is a fighter and can knock down big shots. He has been taking my roommate "pep" talks to heart before these games.
The next game is against FC Bayern Munich. Often teams have or dont have the luxury of having their schedule filled with playing the same team twice in a short amount of time. ratiopharm Ulm play Munich twice in a span of 22 days. Is this more of an advantage or disadvantage this season?
I guess it is an advantage when it comes to preparing the X's and O's of their playbook. The second time meeting up will be about making adjustments and who can execute their game plan. Both teams will be familiar with each other so it will be an intense battle.
FC Bayern Munich may have the best front court in the Beko BBL. How much of a challenge is it playing against Jan Jagla? It seems like a physical Dane Watts will be key to winning this duel?
He is tall and can shoot the 3. Limiting his shots and keeping the other bigs off the glass will be key. They have a big rotation with Troutman, Homan and Roberts.
Are you surprised how well the Los Angeles Clippers have played this season. Where could the journey of this franchise end this season? Chris Paul has brought the needed toughness and leadership to that team. If Chauncey and Grant Hill can return healthy they could get out of the first round of the playoffs, after that anything can happen.
Why do you think are Germans so keen and good at celebrating New yeaas with fire works? I dont know, I'm just glad that my son was able to sleep through the 1 1/2 hours of explosions outside of our window.
Richard Williams(178-PG-87, college: San Diego St.) is a 25 year old 178cm guard that played for SC Rasta Vechta this season and is sitting in the Pro A finals against the Duesseldorf Baskets. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense [read more]
Richard Williams (178-PG-87, college: San Diego St.) is a 25 year old 178cm guard that played for SC Rasta Vechta this season and is sitting in the Pro A finals against the Duesseldorf Baskets. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played 36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.'10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. Last season he played for UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB, starting five): 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4 (5.7apg), Steals-2 (3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to eurobasket after beating Duesseldorf and winning the Pro A title.
Congrats on winning the 2013 Pro A title. How proud are you of the team that they pulled it out despite not having you in the lineup?
Very proud and I expected it. They've done it before against Gottingen at home and in Karlsruhe in the second half of the season. It was never a one man show this season
How tough was it not playing. When did you find out that you wouldnt play and why didnt you play?
It's the worst feeling ever. We put our blood, sweat and tears into what we do to play for moments like this and to not be apart it sucks.
Remembering winning this Pro A title will not be difficult, but what about the scores of the two final games were 84-78. Do you think anyone will ever remember these identical scores in 10 years or will that Pro A title always stick in the minds?
No way, being crowned champion means a lot more than the exact score of the game.
Was the quick start where SC Rasta Vechta led 30-16 the stepping stone of getting the 84-78 win? Definitely. Dusseldorf rallied back in the second half but in the whole they created was too much for them to rebound from.
What was key in getting the two wins in the Duesseldorf Baskets series?
I would say "I believe you". Being champions is a goal that every team strives to achieve. The actual belief, confidence, hard work and togetherness is what separates teams from others in making that dream happen.
How vital was the work of head coach Pat Elze? What was his strongest suit in leading the team to the Beko BBL? He's a players coach. He never lost confidence in us even when we started the season 0-3. Trust and confidence in your players goes a long way when coaching a team and he exemplified that all season long
SC Rasta Vechta will play in the Beko BBL. Hpw good are the odds that you will be playing against the Artland Dragons this coming season with SC Rasta Vechta?
I believe that we have a good chance. By no means am I saying we're better than the Artland Dragons but we can definitely compete and give them a run for their money.
How did your game develop in your second season as a professional? Do you think you can make the next step to the Beko BBL and be a force in the best basketball league in Germany?
I pride myself in working the hardest and winning. I've never been the strongest, best shooter, highest jumper but I feel I have great leadership skills, a fighting spirit and I will my teams to win. The BBL is for sure a different level of competition but I know I will be ready to make noise in the league next year. Being ready is never an issue.
Who was the unsung hero of SC Rasta Vechta this season?
The Unsung hero for me is Jacob Doerkson. Dude is a work horse and by far the craftiest player I've played. He posts hard, always aware of where he is on the court and he just makes things happen. The things he does you wont see on the stat sheet.
What will be the first thing that you will do when you touchdown in the States? I will land in San Diego and head straight to the Taco shop to get a Carne Asada Burrito!
Which two NBA teams will reach the final and will the Miami Heat win again?
I think the Spurs will meet Miami in the finals but Miami will win it again
After you watch any given sunday, were you positive that SC Rasta Vechta would win the Pro A title? Any Given Sunday gets me super hyped! Al Pacino gives one of the greatest pre-game speeches ever. After that I truly believed great things would happen
German A-2 head coach Mathias Fischer announced his 15 man roster that will have a training session from June 3rd until the 10th at Kienbaum in preparation for the universal games in Kasan, Russia. The German elected the following players:
Anthony Canty (Eisbren Bremerhaven), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier), Till-Joscha Jonke (BG Illertal-Weienhorn/ratiopharrm Ulm), Konstantin Klein (187-PG-91, agency: LUMANI 10 [read more]
German A-2 head coach Mathias Fischer announced his 15 man roster that will have a training session from June 3rd until the 10th at Kienbaum in preparation for the universal games in Kasan, Russia. The German elected the following players:
Anthony Canty (Eisbren Bremerhaven), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier), Till-Joscha Jonke (BG Illertal-Weienhorn/ratiopharrm Ulm), Konstantin Klein (187-PG-91, agency: LUMANI 10.7) (FRAPORT SKYLINERS), Florian Koch (Telekom Baskets Bonn), Dennis Kramer (Univeristy of San Diego/USA), Mathis Mnninghoff (TBB Trier), Stefan Schmidt (BBC Bayreuth), Simon Schmitz (BBC Bayreuth), Andreas Seiferth (TBB Trier), Christian Standhardinger (University of Hawai at Manoa), Johannes Voigtmann (FRAPORT SKYLINERS), Ole Wendt (Phoenix Hagen), Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann (Telekom Baskets Bonn) and Malte Ziegenhagen (Hawai Pacific University/USA).
Pro A club NBC didnt hesistate long to extend the contract of head coach Martin Ides making it public today. Ides was a rookie head coach that led NBC into the playoffs where they lost a hard fought five game series to the Duesseldorf Baskets. "I am happy about the contract extension. I am happy that the club has kept the trust in me and that we can continue to work together", stated Martin Ides . "We believe in the concept of Martin Ides [read more]
Pro A club NBC didnt hesistate long to extend the contract of head coach Martin Ides making it public today. Ides was a rookie head coach that led NBC into the playoffs where they lost a hard fought five game series to the Duesseldorf Baskets. "I am happy about the contract extension. I am happy that the club has kept the trust in me and that we can continue to work together", stated Martin Ides . "We believe in the concept of Martin Ides . He showed last season despite in difficult situations that he could lead the team. He totally identifies with his task in Nurnberg and he wants to build something on the long term", stressed NBC CEO Alexander Lolis.
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