Aeneas Jung (203-PF-2002, agency: Octagon Europe) is a 21 year old 203 cm power forward that has the German/Cyprus citizenship and is playing his second season with Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg and has a double license with easyCredit BBL team MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. Last season in the Pro B he averaged 10.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 77.8%. He made his easyCredit BBL debut in the 2020-2021 season. He also is a member of the national team of Cyprus. He spoke to eurobasket before a pro B game against the Dragons Rhondorf.

Thanks Aeneas for talking to eurobasket.com. You have been in the Ludwigsburg organization for some time. What makes this organization so special?

I believe that the Ludwigsburg organization is really good for my basketball future. It is run very professionally. The resources are great here. You can combine school and basketball well. Everything is run very smoothly.

This season the Ludwigsburg pro B team is 5-1. Is this simple recipe for success correct? The team is experienced, many have played together for years and it has a talented and ambitious young coach with Kee Ree?

Yes that is correct. We are very young. Some guys have been together for years and know each other very well. It really is like a family here. We do things together on and off the court.

You and Nico Mojica are the leaders. How special is it having Nico as a teammate?

It´s very special. He helps me a lot to keep control. I was captain alone last season. Now we are both captain. We have a very good relationship as well as with the coach. That makes everything easier.

How talented is Luca Stuebel? Could he be the next Patrick in the Ludwigsburg stable of point guards coming up?

I hope that happens. He is very talented and has developed well here. He has good phases. I continue to keep telling him to be aggressive. I keep telling him that not many can keep up with him at the Pro B level. He is a very hard worker. If that continues then he will have a very bright future.

How athletic is Esli Edigin? Have you experienced a wow moment with him on the court?

I see wow moments form him often. What he can already do at his age is wow. He is very fast and controls the ball well. He also has a good shot. He is always the last one out of the gym. I hope that he will go far in his career.

How valuable has Kee Ree been in your second season? How has he helped you with your game best?

He gave me so much trust from the start. If I told him that my knee was hurting then he told me to rest. Not all coaches are like. He wanted me too feel good first and not keep playing to get hurt again. It isn´t easy to cope with pain, but he really helped me come back from my long injury in getting the feel on the court again that I needed.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm forward/center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I´m a power forward. I´m a little slow now but that was because of my injury. I´m working hard to regain my quickness again. I hope to be where I want to be with my quickness in 2 years. I have heard comparisons to Euroleague player Kostas Papanikolaou. He moves well off the ball, can shoot and pass. My goal is to play like him.

You’re a very versatile player. Would you call yourself a modern forward? How big is versatility in your game?

It is big. Now all bigs can shoot. You don´t have an influx of heavy players in the post. The game has become fast. I like to push the ball.

How defined is your three pointer? How vital is it getting a consistent shot to being able to make the next level as a player?

A big goal is to get a consistent shot. I´m working very hard on that. I have my ups and downs, but I continue to work on it.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I´m still slow. I have no problems against big men, but I want to be able to guard guards on the switch

On what area´s of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

I´m working mostly on my shot.

What are your goals as a player? Ludwigsburg have many talented youth players and cracking the BBL team roster is tough. Do you see yourself getting more minutes this season?

I want to have a good season and help my team as much as possible. I want to be consistent and not force anything. I simply want to play as best as possible.

You are a member of the Cyprus national team. How is the state of basketball in that country. How positive do you the future for the country in basketball?

Basketball is getting better and better in Cyprus. The problem is that the young talented players aren´t getting tough competition. The country doesn´t have the proper resources for the guys to work on their game. We have talented young players but it is waisted potential.

You missed the whole 2021-2022 season because of injury. How tough was this season? Plus Covid was still around. What did you learn about yourself in that time?

It was a very tough time. I tore my second ACL: I knew how it went, but having to do it a second time was tough all over again. I had to start at 0 again. I am thankful for my physical trainer who helped me a lot and got me back to where I am now. I was alone many days and it was tough mentally I never knew if I could get back to my old level. I learned to be tougher. I feel like my mind set got stronger as well. I began to work even harder, because I valued be able to paly again. I´m very grateful that I can still play.

You played NBBL many years ago with Jacob Patrick and have seen him develop. How big is your desire to go the same route as him as he has worked himself well into the BBL rotation?

Each guy has their own path. Some get there earlier and others later. My goal is to work hard each day and If I continue to do that then I know that I will get my chance.

You played your first BBL game in 2021 against Braunschweig. What memories do you have of that game?

I will never forget my offensive charge and Andrew Warren hitting many three´s. I´m really grateful that I got a chance.

You played for John Patrick. He is a tough coach. What do you believe was the most worthwhile thing you could take with you from his presence in Ludwigsburg?

He taught me to stay humble and focused no matter if you win or lose.

Who was the toughest player that you have ever faced in game in your life?

In the Pro B it was Jeremy Sochan and Ariel Huckporti who was my teammate.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore.

Lebron, Jordan, Kobe, Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

If I had been born in Jordan´s era then it would be him. But since I´m not it is Lebron.

Thanks Aeneas for the chat.