pic credit Fiba World Cup

Luka Liklikadze (193-G-2003) is a 20 year old 193cm guard from Georgia that recently played at the 2023 World Cup. He began his basketball career with the Kirolbet Baskonia Vitoria U16 team. This year he will be playing his third season with Olimpi Tbilisi (Superleague). He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Thanks Luka for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on reaching the top 32 at the 2023 World Cup with Georgia. A month ago you were playing at the U-20 euro. Did the whole experience seem like a dream for you?

Of course it was like a dream. I wasn’t even expecting to play in the national team this year as I had to participate in the U20 euro while the national team was already practicing, but fortunately, I received the call that I had to join the National team straight after the U20 euro. That was the moment I will never forget in my life.

Your 20 years old and played in Georgia and the next moment your guarding NBA players Dennis Schroder and Patty Mills. Did you have in awe moments every day at the World Cup?

All my life I have been practicing and preparing for moments like this, to make a huge career step. Of course, seeing and playing against Dennis, Patty, Luka and other superstars is amazing, but I tried not to be starstruck and stay cool and look at them as my opponents first of all. However, seeing these guys every day while being in Japan was really a dream come true.

How high can one rate the achievement of the country Georgia at this World Cup? Where does this rate in the sports history of Georgia?

I have to underline that Georgia has never been in the World Cup final stage before, so playing there was already an achievement for our country. However, flying there, we set ourselves a goal, to write some more history and reach the top 16, what we did. It really means a lot to our country as we set the standards very high and the whole nation will be demanding even better results from now on.

You didn´t play in the historic win over Venezuela. How did you experience the win from the bench?

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to play in that game, but anyway, being a part of that history is something special. Being a part of the team which is writing the country’s history game by game is the most proud moment I have had in my life.

Even if Georgia only won one game, how do you rate the overall play of the team? What made this squad so special?

This squad is very special. Each of us has said it many times that we are one huge family. The team has both veterans and youngsters what makes our bond even more unbreakable. We know from the start that no matter the result, this team will stick together in good times and bad times and finally reach the results we desire so much.

In the loss to Germany, the team gave up 100 points. Maodo Lo went 6/6 from outside. Did the deep roster hurt Georgia in this game?

Speaking now, Germany is already a World Champion, so everyone really understands now who we had to face in that game. Playing a very solid first half and losing by just 2 points against them is not an easy task to do, but as you have mentioned, their deep roster really hurt us in the second half and we just couldn’t keep up with their tempo.

Does the deep bench and Dennis Schroder give Germany an upper hand for the Gold?

Again, as I have said, Germany are already World Champs, but I would say, Dennis and deep bench are exactly the main advantages for them. However, Franz Wagner returning was also a very important key for them in all the games.

More than a decade ago Thad McFadden and Dennis Schroder were teammates. Did you feel like Thad was really hyped up for the game?

Thad is a great guy. He is always hyped for every game. I didn’t really hear from him being hyped especially because he was playing Dennis, but he was really motivated against that German team for sure.

You did what you could scoring 4 points in 6 minutes. What do you remember most from the court? Which player do you remember going head to head against?

As I have said, whenever I am on the court, I don’t really pay attention to the names I am up against, I just try to compete, but I remember Maodo Lo hitting most of his threes when I was on the court, even some crazy shots.

In the last game Georgia lost to Australia 100-84. You did win the rebounds, but allowed 14 three´s. Was the energy absent on the defensive side?

I would say that there were many problems during that game. We had 4 injured players including our captain, Tornike Shengelia and we had to play a bit different. Additionally, we knew that no matter the outcome, we couldn’t pass the second stage. I don’t say that we weren’t competing to win, but these factors mostly decided the fate of the game.

You played 9 minutes and went face to face against Patty Mills. What was it like playing against him?

Patty was amazing. He was one of those guys I had been watching from childhood, so playing against him was an honor. At the same time, I understood what caliber of a player he is while going up against him. Him being so fast, experienced and good in decision-making made me realize how much more I have to work to reach that level.

What was it like being teammates with Thad McFadden? What do you feel were you able to learn most from him?

As I have said, Thad is an amazing guy. He was one of those who really helped me the most getting comfortable in the national team. As a person, it’s difficult to find anyone as kind and funny as he is. And as a player, we all know what an amazing player he is. He is also very experienced and he was never lazy to share that experience with me to help me more.

How is the future of Georgia basketball? Your 20 and are the future, but are there new talents coming up?

Georgian basketball future is bright. Us, youngsters having the opportunity to practice with the players who have been representing our country for so many years, is the sign that soon we will be able to play with them at the same level for our country. Additionally, our U16 team made it to the Division A this year, which also underlines that out future is bright and we are going to do everything to write some more history.

You will be playing your third season with Olimpi Tbilisi (Superleague). You have improved your stats each season. Does a tournament like this give you the most self-confidence ever for the upcoming season?

Yes it does. Some years ago, people were too sceptic about our league, but now, when tha national team mostly includes our league players, everyone understands that this level is not low and it is increasing year by year. As you have said my stats and confidence rise year by year as well and I hope to continue that momentum this year as well. Making it to the national team this year doesn’t reserve a spot for me next year, so I will have to work even harder now to earn my place there again and become a better player myself.

Which 2 countries will reach the final and win?

It’s a bit late now, but having two European teams in the final wasn’t unexpectable to me. The way both Germany and Serbia were playing, they really deserve where they are. It’s never clever to count USA out, or even Canada, but these European teams showed them that international basketball is growing and if they want to win again, they have to adapt more.

Thanks Luka for the chat.