The new Guard of the OPEL SKYLINERS has arrived. On Monday morning Team-Manager Wolfgang Buhr picked up Dallas borne Tyrone Ellis from the Frankfurt Airport. Afterwards it was time for a first interview.
Tyrone, you are in Frankfurt now for about an hour. Any quick impressions?
My friends told me that Frankfurt is similar to most American cities. I'm starting to see that. You know, the Highway, the Skyscrapers, the different variety of people and nationalities. I'm looking forward to see more of the city. Robert Maras promised to show me around.
You played in the Spanish league. Some experts say, that it is the toughest league in Europe. Do you agree?
I can't compare it to anything else, but for me it wasn't the toughest league. I averaged 12 points for Girona - and I didn't have a good year. The competition is just average. From the top to the 18th spot you can loose any given night.
What attracted you to the BBL and the OPEL SKYLINERS?
I already talked to Coach Gordie last year and I wanted to come, but my agent convinced me to go to Spain first. This year I was eager to play for the OPEL SKYLINERS, although I had offers from Italy and Greece as well. My goal is to play NBA soon. Coach Gordon Herbert and the OPEL SKYLINERS can help me reach that goal, because the Coach and the team are quite known in the NBA. Also Marcus Goree, against whom I played in High School, told me nothing but good things about the team, the fans and the organisation.
Some fans are sceptical about American playmakers. There were some American players in the team, that didn't match their expectations. What would you say to those sceptics?
You shouldn't stereotype. You shouldn't have an opinion based on other players. If I had a bad experience with a German person I wouldn't think that all German people are like that. I can say this to the fans: come to our games, meet me, see me and then form an opinion. I can't please everybody, although I try. You will find no one who's working harder than me. I'm known fort hat. I work hard on the floor, both offense and defense. I'm gonna make mistakes like everybody else. But I will make the pros definitely outweigh the cons.
You played in Europe and the States. How would you compare the basketball styles?
In Europa the game is a lot slower, but more team-oriented. In the USA it is more about athleticism, one on one and spectacular moves. European players are more versatile. They have to be able to shoot, dribble - all those things. But in the end, everything starts with your heart. When you have no heart, it doesn't matter how talented you are. You have to love the game. Whether it is playing with kids or signing autographs - everything that is for the fans I'm in.
Your wife Nancy and your 14 months old daughter Jada live in Oklahoma. How is that, to be separated by so many miles from your family?
Very hard. They come every two months or so, but it's very difficult anyway. On the other hand it wouldn't have been fair for me to say, quit your job. Because she went to college as as well, she does a good job as an investigator for the government and has the right to a career the same as I do.
What did you study on college?
My masters degree was in education, my bachelor degree was in sports-management and marketing. So I have something to come back to, when I finish my basketball career in ten years or so.
Being a father - does that make you a father figure for younger team mates as well?
Oh yes. Although I am just 25 years old and too young to be father figure, I consider myself as a role model for colleagues and fans too.
We thank Tyrone Ellis fort his interview and wish him all the best in Frankfurt.
