If you want to win an NCAA title then you usually need a good coach, a great resume…and a McDonald’s All-American. Only 2 championship teams from 1979-2020 did not have such a player (2002 Maryland/2014 UConn), and while UConn won a title in 2023 without 1 they added McDonald’s All-American Stephon Castle before winning a 2nd title in 2024. The rosters for this year’s McDonald’s All-American Game were announced last month after selecting the 24 best players in the nation from a list of several hundred nominees. If you do not think these guys can make an immediate impact in the fall, just ask Coach Jon Scheyer how he likes having 2024 honoree Cooper Flagg at Duke! Unlike most years when 1 school stands out as the big winner with the most All-Americans, there are 2 different programs tied for the lead with 3 each (Duke/UConn) and 3 players who have not yet committed to a college. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Eric Reibe about being named a McDonald’s All-American and whether he is “a Dan Hurley guy”.
You were born/raised in Germany: how big is basketball in your native land? Basketball is the 2nd biggest sport behind soccer, and has definitely grown bigger over the years.
How well do you know any of the other German players who are having good college basketball careers in America (Michael Rataj at Oregon State/Christoph Tilly at Santa Clara/etc.)? I know Michael pretty well because we were teammates in Germany for 1 year. Christian Anderson (who is at Texas Tech) and I have played together on the German national team for several years. Additionally, the father of Christoph Tilly’s college teammate Jake Ensminger was my coach in Germany for a couple of years.
You received offers from several great schools including Indiana/Kansas/Oregon but signed with UConn last October: what was the biggest factor in your decision? There were several factors but a big part was the UConn culture. I built a great relationship with the entire coaching staff and Coach Hurley does a great job of preparing his guys. When I went up there for my visit and met the players, I decided that I wanted to be part of that group.
Your high school coach Bruce Kelley said that you think of yourself as “a Dan Hurley guy”: do you agree, and what does that mean? I do agree with that. I am relentless and spend a lot of time in the gym working out hard every day. I am a perfectionist so even if I have a really good game I am very critical of myself.
Coach Hurley’s team is currently 18-9: how far do you think they will go in March? I think they will have a great run in March. They have had some adversity this season but I think that will only end up helping them next month.
Samson Johnson will graduate in a few months, but Tarris Reed Jr. is expected to return: have you ever played alongside a teammate who is 6’10”/260 pounds? I have played with a big guy like that before in Germany.
Last month you were named a McDonald’s All-American: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It means a lot to me. I have only been in America for 2 years so to go from “unranked European kid” to All-American shows that all my hard work has paid off. It is a great feeling…but I just have to keep getting better.
You are part of a great recruiting class that includes Jacob Furphy as well as 2 of your fellow McDonald’s All-Americans (Darius Adams/Braylon Mullins): how well do you know your future teammates? Braylon and I have a good relationship and have played at camps together. I know Darius from several different camps, and last April I was at a tournament in Germany where I played against Jacob.
You are left-handed: how much of an advantage is that on the court (if any)? I think it gives me some more versatility. I write with my right hand so I am ambidextrous and can use both hands on the court.
You are listed at 7’: what position do you play now, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? It depends on the matchup I have. I will play more on the perimeter if I am being defended by a big guy, but if I am facing a smaller guy then I will try to play down in the post.
