<p>PORTLAND, Ore. - Former Warner Pacific student-athlete Webster Moreland is pursuing his dream of professional basketball in Germany with SpVgg Rattelsdorf of the Regionalliga.</p><p>Moreland is averaging close to 23 points, almost eight rebounds, 2.6 assists, 3.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per contest and is ranked fifth in the list of the most efficient players of the RLSO. Below is an article by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.eurobasket.com/Germany/basketball.asp?NewsID=258885">Moritz Korff from Eurobasket.com</a>, which talks about Moreland's first season as a professional in Germany. </p><p><br /></p><p>Playing in the 1. Regionalliga does not necessarily mean that you are not good enough to make an impact in the 2. Bundesliga or even in the BBL. Far from it! Oftentimes those players who shine at the regional level just go under the radar, while nationwide attention would be appropriate. On the other hand side, in some cases a year or two in the Regionalliga have marked the beginning of a stellar career, as a number of examples indicate, especially for players coming out off small colleges who took their first steps overseas on the way up at the regional level. So who's next? Maybe one of those current Regionalliga standouts that Eurobasket Germany will take a closer look at in the near future.</p><p> Getting a foot in the door in European basketball is often the most difficult step for player from the United States in pursuing a overseas career. Having attended a storied NCAA D1 program helps a lot at times, as many coaches tend to go for big names - even though they might have been benchwarmers in D1 - instead of considering small school standouts. Webster Moreland (Warner Pacific), currently playing at SpVgg Rattelsdorf in the 1. Regionalliga South-East, knows this story. Leaving Warner Pacific College as a NAIA D2 All-American he just needed to be given an opportunity to prove his skills in European basketball. Rattelsdorf coach Rainer Wolfschmitt took a chance on the athletic forward and did not regret to have made this choice. Moreland is averaging close to 23 points, almost eight rebounds, 2.6 assists, 3.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per contest and is ranked fifth in the list of the most efficient players of the RLSO. <br /></p><p> 'My role for the Rattelsdorf Independents is to simply get the job done and do what ever it takes to bring the team a win. There are games where I facilitate and get my teammates open shots to score and there are games where I have to take over and make the right decisions for the team. Coach Rainer (Wolfschmitt) gives me a lot of trust and freedom on the court, and that gives me confidence to make the right play. He always tells me to get to the rim or create shots, because that is two things I do pretty well for the team', Moreland says. Hailing from Fairfield, California he started his college career at Sacramento City College, followed by a two stint in the NAIA: 'My college career helped me tremendously for playing overseas basketball. I went to a very small private christian school in Portland, Oregon called Warner Pacific College. There I really learned how to become a real basketball player and that was all due to a great coach Bart Valentine and great teammates around me, way too many to list. I was always a player with potential, but at Warner that potential turned into something much more. That's when I started believing in what I could do as a player and I take that same work ethic and skills I learned in college and translate that on the court now in Europe. The game is a little different here, more contact, harder fouls and bigger bodies, but something I have adjusted to as well. In college I played in arguably the toughest NAIA conference in the nation and it was a battle every week to win, so that all so prepared me for the competition I face every week in the 1. Regionaliga South-East division now. I most definitely feel like I can play on a higher level in Germany and will continue to work hard to prove so to future coaches and managers.' <br /></p><p> But there was something else, that he had to get used to. The Rattelsdorf Independents are known for a much different approach to the game of basketball than most of there opponents, similiar to the uptempo style of play that NCAA D3 school Grinnell has set up. Moreland: 'It took me a while actually, because I'm a pretty fast player already but this was extremely fast and something I wasn't use to by any means. I think having great teammates and coaches who knows the system pretty well have helped me adjust big time, because then I started to play faster and also think faster all from the the help of them. Now I'm used to the tempo and the high scoring games every week. If you want to survive in this business you better learn how to adapt quickly and that's what I tried to do.' Standing 6'6'' (1,98m) tall, Moreland is among the bigs on the Rattelsdorf roster, as far as the height is concerned. But putting an F for forward behind his name is not the most appropriate describtion: 'I am one of those players that do a little of everything. I heard this position term a while back and I feel this is me, some might agree or disagree, but I like the term 'point forward'. Which is described as a forward (either a small forward or a power forward) who possesses the ball handling skills and court vision to bring the ball up the court and to initiate the team's offense', is Moreland's take on characterizing himself as a basketball player. <br /></p><p>Leaving the mild Oceanic climate in Portland, Oregon and heading to the Franconian village of Rattelsdorf entailed some major changes in Moreland's life. But while the cold winters might be one thing, the positive prevails, according to the Fairfield, California native: 'Words can't express how much I benefit from this opportunity. It took me a few months before it all really sunk in that I was actually playing professional ball in another country. I told myself I was going to gain the most out of this experience; I was going to travel around the country, meet new people, try to understand and speak the language a little etc. I have traveled to different cities, I have made long term friends, and I learn a little bit more of the language everyday. The benefits I have received from this opportunity just keep pouring in and I'm grateful for every single one. What is typical for Germany or Germans? This question honestly made me laugh, because I automatically thought of my teammates and if you spent one practice or one day with these guys you would know what I mean. This might not apply to all Germans, but the ones I have been around for the last 5 months I would like to say it is typical for Germans to be 'WILD' but 'Caring' people. I seriously love this culture out here and glad that I got the chance to be here and embrace it.' <br /></p><p>It is safe to say that Webster Moreland has settled well in Germany, both on and off the basketball court. His capability to adapt to new situations and challenges plus the stellar rookie season that he is enjoying at Rattelsdorf these days, bode well for his further career in Europe: 'My plans for the 2012-2013 season are to hopefully be on a team where I can perform on a high level, embrace the culture of the club in the town or city its in and contribute to the success of a that team. Hopefully those goals will allow me to continue my professional career in Germany.'- Moritz Korff, Eurobasket.com<br /></p>