Skyliners sports manager Marco Völler sits between the Frankfurt basketball trainer Diego Ocampo and Quantez Robertson with his stately height of 1.98 meters.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard Ocampo (1.78 meters) and his 1.88 meters tall captain verbally play one-two at the table.

When asked, Robertson briefly describes which drill he doesn't like at all in training.

Ocampo replies with a grinning face: "Then we'll do that right away in training."

Jörg Daniels

Editor in the sports department

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The new head coach shouldn't mess with Robertson, because the 36-year-old American is a highly valued institution in Frankfurt basketball. The professional from Cincinnati, Ohio, has been wearing the Skyliners jersey since September 30, 2009 - Robertson was 24 years old at the time. Since then, the family man has played an impressive 13,452 minutes for his employer in the Bundesliga.

Only Rickey Paulding (38 years old) from Oldenburg and 41-year-old Immanuel McElroy (now playing second division in Jena) have more playing time. Robertson is more than just the face of Frankfurt basketball. As a guy - one of his nicknames is "Defense Minister" - he has also become a figurehead of the league. Skyliners managing director Gunnar Wöbke counts him as one of the “really great personalities”. In the 2015/2016 season, Robertson was voted best first division defender.

“I didn't think I'd be staying in Frankfurt for so long,” he said before the season opener on Sunday (3pm live on MagentaSport) at home against Braunschweig. Robertson, who has so far achieved 3960 points, 2000 rebounds and 513 three-point throws, almost did not come to the Main. The then coach Murat Didin proudly said that the American had already been on his way to another club before he could persuade him to return.

The versatile development and winger was initially only planned by the head coach as an emergency solution and was given a short-term contract until the end of December 2009. For many Americans, the Bundesliga is just a transit point on the way to even better paid contracts in Europe.

Robertson, who knows about his status with the Skyliners, was never really about to take off, also because the club is aware of the value of its model player and his remuneration is accordingly.

Far from being a discontinued model

“I feel at home in Frankfurt,” says Robertson. His contract runs until the end of the season in 2023, he would then be 38. And maybe ready for a new job in the Skyliners administration, provided he ends his active career? "Let's see how the responsible people in the club think about it." Robertson grins when he says that.

The Methuselah in continuous operation is now entering its 13th season.

The all-rounder is by no means a discontinued model.

In the preseason he got an average of 33 minutes of playing time per game from former coach Sebastian Gleim, more than any other player.

Robertson played all 34 round games.

It is true that after the break from competitions in summer, at the beginning of the season, it often takes a bit to get going.

But then the tireless all-purpose weapon runs at full speed as always.

Knower of tricks

"It is unbelievable what basic physical requirements Tez has," said his former teammate Johannes Richter.

Even in college, the robust small forward Robertson described himself as "tough and energetic".

Nothing has changed in his attitude.

The American only lost a bit in terms of consistency at the highest level, which is due to his age.

On the other hand, he was able to keep his cleverness and ripped off.

“Above all, Tez knows what little tricks he uses on the field and makes life difficult for the opposing team.

If he defends the pick and roll, that's hell for any attacking big man, ”Richter reported.

With 419 appearances in the Bundesliga so far, Robertson has more games than any other Skyliners professional.

Only five top league professionals who are still active are looking forward to more appearances.

The undisputed leader in the statistics is Robertson in the steals with 663 stolen balls.

The Duracell dinosaur wants to continue his record hunt in the new game year.

“I'm a little bit like a father to the team this season.

It's definitely the youngest and fastest team I've played in so far.

Our boys are full of energy, ”says Robertson.

In that sense, the bundle of energy is the perfect leader for the Skyliners.