Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Mathieu Grujicic after scoring 52 points in the 2023 JBBL final to pace Alba Berlin past Eintracht Frankfurt

Mathieu Grujicic (193-G-2007) is a 16 year old 193cm guard from Germany that has French roots. He played junior basketball for Alba Berlin the last years. Last season he played for Alba Berlin’s U-16 team leading team to the JBBL title. He recently helped lead Germany to a 5th place at the U-16 European championsships averaging 14,9ppg, 5,7rpg, 1,9apg, 2,4spg and shot 40% from outside. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Mathieu for talking to germanhoopscom. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Thank you, Miles, for showing interest. At this very moment, I am literally on the crossroad when it comes to my next steps as a basketball player. Unfortunately, I still cannot speak about it. On the other hand, basketball is treating me exactly how I treat basketball: the more you give, the more the Greatest Game (the GG) gives you back. I was in Skoplje, taking part in the European Championship U16 with my team, which is great, and where I can measure myself with the best players of the continent and see where I stand in comparison to them, which is necessary and priceless.

Before we start, I have to ask you about your positive way of meeting people. You put your arms around legends like Dirk Bauermann and Gordon Herbert at the JBBL top 4 in Frankfurt and did the same with me. Do you do that with all people?

I was taught the GG should connect people and I take it to the letter. It is simply my way of getting closer to the big GG family and to their founding fathers. From there to put my arms on all people – absolutely not!

How would you greet Luka Doncic if you met him? I’m sure you would let him feel comfortable in that first meeting?

I would probably greet him by ‘Kako si, brate?’ (in Serbian: ‘What’s up, bro?’) and ask him if there is something I can do for him. I wonder how he would react.

Germany reached place 5 at the 2023 U-16. Did the team underachieve? After winning games showing it could destroy teams, but also win close battles against Spain and Israel, it lost badly to Italy. I can imagine everyone was more than disappointed?

You imagined right, it was a hard blow. But then, Italy has a great team, excellent shooters and they are a joyful bunch, you feel no restrain in their game, which must help them a lot.

The team shot badly against Italy, had too many turnovers and lost the rebound battle. Was it just one of those days where nothing went right for team Germany?

This sounds like a rhetorical question:

It is just a little difficult to understand after winning 4 games and then losing by 20 points in a quarterfinal game. Was the team as best prepared for the game?

Why is it difficult to understand, if I may? Every game is a story for itself. At least in this U16 tournament, there are no clear favorites beforehand. At least, not to my mind.

You left the U-16 Eurochampionships with a satisfying 79-73 win over Greece. How big was the dominating effort on the offensive glass for getting the win?

I believe we played a quite good defense in general. Isn’t there a saying : ‘A good defense is already a good offense.

How special was Declan Duru. He has been hyped a lot. What do you enjoy most about his game?

To be honest, I only ‘enjoy’ the final score, and only when we take a win, particular effort goes without saying. But Declan is hundred percent special, no doubt about it.

Another very special player is Davi Remagen. In some ways you are similar. You guys both led your teams in the JBBL and are explosive. What do you appreciate most about his game?

I don’t feel comfortable complimenting a friend in public. If we have a game to play together, I will be there, anytime, anywhere.

Who was the toughest player that you faced at the U-16 tournament?

The toughest ‘player’ to play against were the high spirits of the Italian team.

You had a solid U-16 tournament. You averaged 15,9ppg, 5,9rpg, 1,9pg, 2,4spg and shot 40% from outside. How would you rate your play in the games?

I absolutely cannot rate my own playing. Nor anybody else’s playing, for that matter. It is not up to me, really.

Let’s talk a little about your game. You’re a guy that doesn’t like to compare your game to other players. But which comparisons have you heard people give you?

I honestly haven’t heard any comparison of the sort. At this age, we are all still trying to build up a sort of meaningful way or style of playing. If I do remind people of someone, I’ll take it as a compliment.

Your scoring really stands out, but your also a great playmaker and defender. What is your biggest strength on the court?

I have many weaknesses on the court. To acknowledge them is probably my biggest strength.

You shoot the ball with such ease and confidence at your age. What do you take pride in most when you shoot the three?

I take no pride in it at all. I just want a damn ball to go in!

You’re a great defender at your age. Defense isn’t always liked to do at a young age. Is it fair to say you’re a lock down defender already? How would you classify your defensive game and what kind of defender do you still want to become? A lock down defender?

I don’t think my coaches will agree but thank you. The plan remains always the same: reducing a guy’s high-scoring pace to one digit. But I would really like to see one day in my opponent’s eyes that well-known expression ‘oh no, not him’.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can become even better?

Learning how to move without the ball is my main concern at this moment.

How special was the 2022-2023 Alba Berlin JBBL team? What made the team so special?

For two years, we had the same coach, Josef Dulibic, who allowed us to reach our own conclusions about who should do what in order to win. And during all this time he had unlimited confidence in us. I am absolutely grateful to him.

The final win over Eintracht Frankfurt was so thrilling. Was that one of your greatest games so far in your young career?

As far as the stage goes, yes.

You scored 49 points. How early did you know that it could be a very good scoring game for you?

In fact, I scored 52 points. But during the game, I was unaware of the exact scoring.

You had a massive scoring duel against U-16 teammate Ivan Crnjac. Did you guys talk about that unforgettable duel the last weeks?

Not really, Ivan is now a great teammate and this summer, we had a bigger fish to fry.

What is the next step for you? There has been word you will leave Alba Berlin?

Alba is my club, Berlin is my city. This cannot change.

What is your biggest goal, the NBA or Euroleague?

My biggest goal is to have no regrets for trying to become a good basketball player.

Who is the toughest player that you have ever faced in your career so far?

The whole Real Madrid 2005/2006 team.

Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Zeljko Obradovic, Micheal Jordan, Nikola Jokic and thousands of anonymous players that help the GG rolling every day.

Who is your GOAT?

The GG!

Thanks Mathieu for the chat.

Tags : MATHIEU GRUJICIC, ALBA BERLIN 2ND TEAM, GERMAN BASKETBALL