Radenko Pilcevic is a 27 year old 18 cm point guard from Serbia playing his first season for  Radnicki Kragujevac (KLS).  He started his professional basketball career in 2004-2005 with KK Zeleznicar Cacak (1B). In 2005-2006, he played for Ribnica. In 2006-2007, he played for KK Crnokosa Kosjeric. In 2007-2008, he played for Proleter Naftagas Zrenjanin (B League, starting five), in April ’08 moved to KK Borac Cacak (A League): Superleague: 13 games: 8.3ppg, 1rpg, 1.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 52%, 3PT: 35%, FT: 93%, He moved from Masinac to Borac in April, no stats for A league. In 2008-2009, he played for KK Borac Cacak (A League): 31 games: 10.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 85.1%. He played for the Mitteldeutscher BC from 2009-2011. In the 2011-2012 season, he played for the Giessen 46ers. Last season he played for  Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (FYR Macedonia-Prva Liga): 8 games: 6.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 94.7%. He spoke to German Hoops after the Eurocup loss in Berlin.

 

 

 

You were back in Berlin for a Eurocup game against Alba Berlin. What memories did you have from games with MBC and Giessen in the O2 arena?

 

I have great memories from playing in the O2 arena even if I never won  a game there. It was always a lot of fun to play in that big arena. I have better memories from beating Berlin in Weissenfels where I made the game winning free throws.

 

 

A tough 92-83 loss to 8 time Beko BBL champion in Eurocup play. Alba Berlin had control of game, but Radnicki cut lead to 67-65, but Alba Berlin then went on a 19-6 run to seal the win. What were the reasons for Alba Berlin getting the win?

 

I think that Alba Berlin had the deeper rotation which helped them as well as their physical play. They had early points in the fast break which opened up the game for them. When that happens you then have a small chance to win in Berlin.

 

 

What was the difference in the game giving Alba Berlin the win? Was the rebounding one of the key differences?

 

I don´t think that rebounding was the difference, but that we started off very slowly. They had a nice lead at halftime and we never really were able to recover even if he got back to two points in the fourth quarter.

 

You started the season for KK Crnokosa Kosjeric (KLS): 13 games: 18.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 4.9apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 56.3%, 3FGP: 43.0%, FT: 75.3%, in Dec.’13 moved to Radnicki Kragujevac (KLS). What were the main reasons for this?

 

Going to Radnicki was a very good opportunity for me. With Radnicki I have the chance to play in the Adriatic league as well which is a step above the Serbian league and Eurocup.

 

 

Do you see yourself as lucky or just good work of your agent for landing with Euroleague team Radnicki? How did this transaction come about?

 

I believe I got this job with Radnicki because of my good play with Crnokosa Kosjeric . I was one of the top players in the Serbian league, had good stats and had good result in the cup play

 

 

How difficult has been the adjustment of going from 30 minutes to 11 minutes with Radnicki?

 

Of course it is a very tough adjustment not playing as much anymore and I am still trying to get used to it,  but I believe if I continue to work hard that I will get more minutes for Radnicki in the future.

 

How beneficial has it been watching the master Marko Marinovic who is averaging 6,3apg. What has been the most important thing that you have learned from him?

 

Marko has taught me to play calm. He is calm in every situation and I try to take that into my game.

 

 

You were playing for the Mitteldeutscher BC when he was playing for Alba Berlin. What do you remember rom the two games were you faced off against him? I believe you beat Alba Berlin at home.

 

I never played against him with MBC because I was injured

 

 

 

 

How strange is it playing on a team with no Americans? How often do you hear English on a normal training day at Radnicki? Do you miss it?

I very rarely hear English. We had an American DJ Seeley, but he left to play in Germany. We all have Serbian guys so we talk Serbian. That is good and easier for us all. The only English we hear is normal basketball talk like point guard or baseline.

 

 

 

You were for a short time the teammate of DJ Seeley who now plays in Germany with medi bayreuth. What was your impression of him and will he help the German team stay in the league?

 

I feel that he will be able to help Bayreuth. He is a good player that is smart and can play. He reminds me a lot of Reggie Redding from Alba Berlin. Redding isn´t a point guard, but both can play the positions 1-3. Seeley is smaller, but has the style of play of Redding.

 

 

Head coach Miroslav Nikolic is  a known coaching face in the Balkins. How have you and him gelled and what have you learned from him in the short time?

He is very experienced and has won so much in his career. He was an assistant under Zeljko Obradovic winning the European championships with Yugoslavia in 1997 and even won medals as a youth coach. He always gives freedom to his players. He always tells me show me what you can do which gives me more self confidence. I don´t feel any pressure playing for him.

 

 

Recently Radnicki beat Khimik 86-68 and you played against two ex BBL players Jamal Shuler and Romeo Travis. Did they remember you from the BBL days or did you guys not say hello before the game?

 

Yes I talked to Jamal Shuler and he remembered me. It is always nice to see guys that I played against in Germany having success in other countries. It is always a nice memory to see guys I played against in Germany.

 

 

You recently played twice against Strassburg and Lou Campbell. What do you remember most from his game from the BBL. Did his game get better with age?

 

I think that his game has matured and gotten better with age. He had a very good game against us in Strassburg scoring 11 points in the third quarter.

 

 

Have you stayed in touch with ex teammate Giorgi Gamqrelidze? He has been tearing up the Georgia league the last two seasons averaging 8,0apg currently.

 

I haven´t talked much with him, but we had a very good relationship playing for MBC. I have more contact with Wayne Bernard and Anatoly Kashirov. My best basketball time in my career was with MBC. Each player was great

 

 

What was your nicest memory with Michael hakim Jordan.

Jordan was a funny dude all the time. I learned to be a leader from him. Many guys think bad of him or think that he has something against them, but he doesn´t. He has nothing personal against anyone, but just wants to be a leader and acts like a leader.

 

 

 

Ron Ross is moonlighting as a singer that had much success in Croatia. Did you already witness his musical talent in Weissenfels?

 

Yes I already saw that with MBC. He was always making music on his labtop on the bus

 

 

 

Could you ever imagine playing in Germany again?

 

I would love to come back to Germany and play. I like that style of basketball. I loved it with MBC. The fans were great and they love their basketball.

 

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Wolf of Wallstreet.

 

Thanks Radenko for the chat.