Jordan Riewar(Gotha) We Are A Very Balanced Team But Aren´t Anywhere Where We Want To Be Yet
Jordan Riewar is a 24 year old 188cm guard from Staples, Minnesota that is playing his first professional season in Germany for Gotha. He played at MSU Moorhead (NCAA2) from 2010-2015 and as a senior played 25 games averaging 15.9ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.8apg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 49.6%, FT: 94.6%. Currently Gotha is 2-0 and the American spoke about the current success to German Hoops
Jordan congrats on the 85-65 win against the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. How much fun was it playing your first home game in your new home Gotha?
Thank you! I can't really describe it, it lived up to the hype of being the best place to play in Pro A. It was an unbelievable experience and I'm glad to call this place my home for this season.
The game was a tale of two halves if you want to call it that. Gotha scored 58 points in the second and third quarter and only 27 points in the first and last quarter. How key were the quarters two and three where you held Hanau to 29 points?
It all starts with getting stops, as we want to be a team that prides itself on the defense of end. Our defense in quarters 2 and 3 led to a lot of are open looks on offense. As you noticed, we seemed to let up in the 4th quarter and that's something we will shore up and correct so it doesn't happen again.
The club let up a bit in the fourth quarter giving up 25 points to Hanau.Was Gotha just tiired or too relaxed with their 30 plus point lead it had in the third quarter?
Like mentioned above, that's something we talked about after the game and something we will definitely take care of.
Gotha had four guys in double figures and has many talented guys, but is this a team with no true superstar where we could see the trend of many guys scoring in double figures this season, but less over 20 points?
We have a few guys who have some experience that we look at to lead and that's great to have. Overall, we are very balanced team who could have a new leading scorer every game and that just makes the game more fun.
The Gotha defense seems to be on the same page early. The club has averaged giving up 63 points in the first two games. How much potential does this defense have this season?
Like I said before, it's something we work on every day in practice and all of preseason and it's something we take pride in. To be honest, we aren't anywhere where we want to be yet, we have a lot of things still to work on and get better at and that will come with time.
Head coach Chris Ensminger played 12 guys and no one played more than 21 minutes. How important has the balance of minutes been and how vital will it be for the further development of the club?
Coach knows what he is doing and every one is very prepared to play when they enter the game. It's all about getting that experience and getting on the same page with your teammates. At the end of the day, we all have the same common goal and that is to win the game and everyone has bought into that so far, it's been a great group to play with.
You have been very efficient in the first two games and have scored in double figures twice. How comfortable do you feel playing at the Pro A level after only two games?
The preseason was great experience with the schedule that we played and there was definitely some wake up calls. It's all about getting experience and learning the European game, my coaches and teammates have been open and honest with me about everything and that makes things easy to adjust to.
Talk a little about the guard rotation of you, Carlton Guyton and Christopher Razis? Do you see this trio making big news this season especially in the playmaking department as all three have shown that early on?
Those two guys have been so helpful with me adjusting to the game over here as they are always honest with me and they always answer any question I have, just overall great teammates. I believe all 3 of us bring something different to the game and to our team and I'm excited to see what happens this season.
The next game is against new Pro A team Rhondorf. This should be a sure win for Gotha. How much has the confidence level risen within the team and what will be key for being 3-0 Sunday night?
Personally , I don't think any game is a sure win as upsets or whatever you want to call them happen all the time, winning is hard. As far as what will be the keys to winning, coaches will have us prepared the best we can and we will just stick to our rules and do what we do.
Your shooting really stands out as you averaged 46% from downtown in your last two seasons at MSU Moorhead (NCAA2), but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?
I love to pass, I'm all for getting the best shot possible and passing the basketball. Great ball movement is just a fun and beautiful style of play.
How has head coach Chris Ensminger helped you most in the first two months in your rookie season as a professional?
Coach Ensminger and Coach Esterkamp have so much experience and when they talk you're crazy not to listen. They are always straight forward like it or not and they are always honest. They want you to be the best possible player and they have helped me and taught me a ton about the game in my short two months here in Gotha so far.
What are your fondest memories of the 2015 NCAA2 Elite run with MSU Moorhead (NCAA2)?
Just doing something at the university that has never happened before and sharing that experience with my teammates. It was great way to go out as a senior.
Who won a one on one last season you or Tyler Vaughan?
Lol, Tyler can shoot it but I'm not letting him beat me one on one and he knows that. He should have big senior season.
Has the news slipped out that the father of Marco Voeller is a German soccer legend? Has he driven you most with his words or his play on the court?
Actually this is funny but I had no idea my first 2 weeks here in Gotha until a teammate told me. And a few days ago one of my friends back in the States who is from London, couldn't believe that Marco was his son and playing basketball. Overall, Marco is a super humble guy and you will never here him say anything about it. And both, Marco is a great leader and someone who I have been able to approach about anything.
What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Will he ever be mentioned in the same breath as a Michael Jordan?
I believe Lebron and the Cavs will be on a mission this year and hopefully the core guys can stay healthy. As far as the MJ comparison, I'm not sure I can say that quite yet but Lebron has a chance to go down as one of the best if not the best to play the game.
What was the last movie that you saw?
Just watched Good Will Hunting on Netflix, one of my all time favorites.
Thanks Jordan for the chat.
Posted in BBL on October 4, 2015 by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber. Leave a comment
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