Leon Bulic (211-C-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) is a 22 year old 209cm power forward/center that is playing his first season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn/Dragons Rhondorf. Last season he returned back with Brose Bamberg after playing for the organizations youth team from 2017-2020 and played 3 BBL games and 2 Fiba Europe Cup games while also playing with BBC Coburg (Germany-ProB) averaging 14.2ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 62.2%. He began his career with BC Hallmann Vienna and played the last 2 seasons with BBC Coburg playing 43 Pro B games averaging 10.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 69.4% and in his second season averaged 11.1ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 62.1%, 3PT: 24.6%, FT: 71.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Leon for talking to germanhoops.com. The Telekom Baskets Bonn lost the Intercontinentel Cup. Despite not being a main player, how tough was it to digest the loss?

It always hurts when you lose a game in the last seconds, especially when it’s a Championship Game and you already started celebrating. We are going to learn from that and keep on going.

This was an incredible opportunity for the Telekom Baskets Bonn to win their second international title and for an added title for German basketball. The Competition wasn ´t strong. Can an experience like this stay in the heads longer than wanted?

Of course it’s not a nice feeling, but we have a whole season in front of us, so our focus is definitely on the next game in Vechta right now. One obviously can ´t rate the competition very high.

How did you experience the basketball against the first 2 teams from the middle east? Was that more like German pro A or possibly Pro B level?

It’s hard for me to compare those teams, mostly because we were playing great basketball in those games and obviously are on a different level then they are. Both teams have a different style of basketball than what we are used to, so it was good seeing what Basketball looks like in other parts of the world

The Telekom Baskets Bonn won by 55 and 61 points heading into the final. With what kind of a mentality did Bonn go into the final against the Brazilian squad? Was it maybe to confident?

We knew that Sesi Franca is a better team than the other two, because they are playing together for a long time already and knew how to put each other in good positions. We had 20 more shots than them in the end, but weren’t able to use that as our shooting percentage was pretty low.

The fans there witnessed a very exciting final with a buzzer beater. How tough was it losing on a buzzer beater after it seemed like the game had successfully ended for Bonn, but the refs gave the opponent another possession?

A really questionable call at the end, but you can’t go back in time and change things unfortunately… it is what it is.

How did you see the last play on the buzzer beater? Did you know the ball was going in and could one have defended the play better?

Those Fade-Aways are Luis Dias go-to shots, so it’s not a big surprise that shot went in He shouldn’t have come in a position to where he can take a shot like that in the first place, but it’s always easier to talk after the game.

Despite the bitter loss, what positives do you feel could the Telekom Baskets Bonn get from this experience??

It was a great test for our upcoming season, as it will help building our character and developing a winner mentality in a long term.

What positives could you get off the court? How was Singapore and what new impression could you get from there?

I’ve never been to Asia before, but I was really surprised how modern and clean everything was. The skyline is beautiful and the people there are just too kind. Everybody speaks English there as it’s their native language, so it was very easy feeling comfortable for the time being there.

How vital was the last weeks practicing every day with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. From the look of the roster, it will surely be difficult for young Germans like you and Tyrese Blunt to get minutes. How do you see your chances?

We are having a really competitive environment in practice, so that obviously helps us as a team but also the players to build that mentality we need for the long season with BBL and Champions League. Personally, I want to help the team the best I can as well as turning into the best player I can be, and so far I’m very confident about the positives this journey will have for me.

How have you experienced new head coach Roel Moers? Is he a coach where you feel your game will be able to profit from?

Definitely, Coach Moors is a good coach, who told me from the beginning that he wants me to develop into the best possible version of me, and I’m all in for that!

I really like the game of Sam Griesel. What has impressed you most about his game so far?

He’s a great player and moreover a great guy to be around. He can do a little bit of everything, so his versatility will definitely help us achieve our goals for this season

You will also be playing with the Dragons Rhondorf. What has been your impression of this years team?

We have a really good team this year and if we could reach our potential, we can definitely achieve a lot! A lot of great guys are here and I feel like our team has really bonded this pre season, which is an important part to be successful

What has been your impression of Stephan Blode? He is a guy that has a direct focus and very motivated to bring success to the Dragons Rhondorf.

Coach Blode is a great guy, who has a clear view on the way how we should play our game. He’s really helpful and trusts me, which is very important for me!

The Dragons seem like they will be playing lots of small guard dominated game. Will your game be able to flourish??

We have a great mix of team-oriented players, so we’re all trying to make each other better players! And if that makes me a better player, I’m doing the same!

What is your biggest focus this season as a player? You have been a very solid pro B player. Can you make the next step in the Dragons system and with the Telekom Baskets Bonn?

I’m very sure that we will all make our steps in the right direction this season, the whole organization is just great and it’s great to be here. Personally, I want to become even more dominant on both ends of the floor, push the ball, score, be a defensive anchor, just get better in all parts of the game.

What part of your game do you feel will make the biggest noise this season in the Pro B?

I hope to make a big step in my defensive game, as well as the switch of defense into offense, by pushing the ball after rebounds and putting my teammates in good positions.

If somebody had told you in August that Germany would win the World Cup would you have believed it?

To win probably not, but I knew that they were going to at least reach the semi finals The win is great for German basketball and will hopefully help gain popularity in Germany and internationally.

Thanks Leon for the chat.