Guys play so many games that sometimes its hard to believe that 2 guys haven´t stood face to face on the court in 2 seasons. But it does happen at all kinds of levels. In the last 2 seasons German basketball has seen the steady rise of German Ivan Khartchenkov who scored 16 points at only 15 years of age and 5 days in his Pro B debut against Koblenz in Sept 2021 and 2 years later in pre season 2023 was scoring in double figures against Euroleague teams with FC Bayern Munich. But he isn´t the only young player making strides, but Dusan Nikolic (191-PG-2005) is doing the same thing with the organization Fraport Skyliners. It is difficult to believe that they didn´t meet in the last 2 seasons despite playing Pro B and in NBBL competitions. Ok so Khartchenkov had longer injuries in both seasons while Nikolic was out twice last season, so it isn´t so surprising that they didn´t meet until the first time this season on October 14th in Frankfurt. Frankfurt had the misfortune that Munich´s top 3 players Dino Radoncic who played 8 seasons in the ACB and was teammates at Real Madrid with Luka Doncic, Khartcehnkov and Martin Kalu combined for 51 points of their 80 points. Frankfurt gave it a tough fight, but couldn´t slow down that trio. Khartcehnkov had a normal Pro B day at the office with 17 points, hitting 3 three´s and showing his worth at the opposite end with 3 seals. Nikolic on the other hand had 3 points and 5 boards in 9 minutes. He is a player that is known as being a fighter and being very ambitious. Nikolic may be a year older than Khartchenkov, but you could notice in that game that he was watching his opponents every move. There was that look in his eyes. He is aware of his big time prospect rating and was very eager to hold his own against him and his teammates. Now a few months later, he looks back at that meeting and one can sense that he would love to play him again better yesterday than tomorrow. Being able to play against one of the best if not the best German player from the birth year 2006 motivates him to a new level. “Ivan is a very good player and I have a lot of respect for him. Obviously I really get up to play well against a guy who is playing Euroleague. I will never hide from him on the court, but always take on the challenge. I´m not scared of him. He has to show me that he is better than me on the court”, warned Dusan Nikolic. Dusan Nikolic has that I´m not afraid of anyone mindset and also isn´t shy of expressing Euroleague aspirations.

Dusan Nikolic who remembers Nemanja Nedovic, Russell Westbrook and Miro Teodosic as being his childhood idols was born of Feb 25, 2005 in Bad Nauheim, Germany and possesses Serbian roots. He began to play soccer at a young age as basketball wasn´t present yet. But that changed when he heeded the words of his dad who said that basketball was played more in Serbia. “My dad told me that basketball fit to me better than soccer, so I took his advice and began to play basketball”, remembered Dusan Nikolic. He was 8 years old when he picked up the basketball for the first time. He began his career in Giessen and enjoyed his stay there despite not seeing eye to eye with his coach who wanted him to play more the 4 position because he had reached 180cm at a very young age. But he knew that playing the guard position was his natural calling. He then moved to Lich which he also remembers dearly as a place where everyone accepted him with open arms and where he actually was allowed to play with and against men in the Regionalliga. There he got early basketball grooming from American Scottie Stone who balled at St Cloud State (NCAA) who would always train with him. He then made the jump to the Fraport Skyliners in 2021 as he played Pro B and NBBL. In the U-19 league NBBL he played 16 games averaging 8.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 26.8%, FT: 68.8%, and with Pro B team Juniors was thrown right into the shark tank playing 9 games averaging 1.4ppg, 1.2rpg. “It was a good first season for me. They believed in me right away in the NBBL as Miran Cumurija let me play and playing Pro B was a surprise for me. It wasn´t normal to play Pro B so quickly like I did. The competition helped me with the physicality that I saw. I got more responsibility right away which helped me game grow. I was able to learn from my mistakes by being able to play”, stressed Dusan Nikolic. He scored in double figures in 7 games in the NBBL including 18 points against Bamberg and 17 points against FC Bayern Munich. He was fortunate to be around Matthew Meredith (German Devin Booker) and tried to soak in as much as possible from his fine qualities. “Matthew was like a mentor to me as was Philipp Hadenfeldt. Matthew took me under his wing. He was a very good teammate and always gave me tips. The most im portant thing he told me was too always shoot the ball when I´m open and don´t hesitate”, warned Dusan Nikolic.

Last season the guard who never makes a mistake a second time and lists Nikola Topic as his toughest opponent so far in his career made another jump in his game despite being injured twice. He broke his hand twice, but still was able to make a massive jump in the NBBL playing 6 games averaging 16.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 23.8%, FT: 88.2%. “My role got bigger in the NBBL. I feel like my decision making got better and I got even better adjusted to the physicality in the Pro B as I knew what to expect”, remembered Dusan Nikolic. In the NBBL he hit Ludwigsburg for 23 points and Urspring and Jena for 22 points apiece. In the pro B he played 8 games averaging 3,4ppg. He had his best games against the EPG Baskets Koblenz scoring 10 and 9 points. “Those 2 games were my break out games in the Pro B. They had an incredible team with guys like Marvin Heckel and Leon Friderici. They had an unusual season. Playing so well against a top team meant so much more than playing well against a last placed team”, said Dusan Nikolic.. In the last years he benefited greatly from coaches Miran Cumurija and Sepher Tarrah. “Miran helped me most with the mental side while Sepher gave me a vital tactical understanding. He also helped me with scouting and how to read the game better out of the pin down”, warned Dusan Nikolic. Being able to play alongside so many talented and more experienced players in the Pro B also has been instrumental in his basketball development. Last season he often witnessed the athleticism of Nolan Adekunle and how he drove to the hole. Nikolic´s drive seems to have become more and more lethal. “Nolan is a great shooter, but also has an excellent drive. I´m always trying to pick up things from other players. What I have taken most from Nolan´s game is how well he understands how to put himself in position to be successful”, stated Dusan Nikolic.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Dusan Nikolic in the BCM in Frankfurt

The driven guard who lists Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Luka Doncic and Damian Lillard on his NBA mount Rushmore and Dirk Nowitzki, Franz Wagner, Detlef Schrempf and Dennis Schroder on his all German Mount Rushmore is a player that would compare his game most to Luka Doncic. His 2 biggest strengths on the court are his drive and IQ. He is also a player that enjoys taking the three pointer, but that is still a work in progress as he has never shot higher than 26% with the Frankfurt. He understands exactly what he needs to do to get a stable shot. “I need more repetitions and better shot selection. When I´m wide open I shoot it and if I get some room, I shoot it. I think key will be just to keep shooting and consistency will evolve”, warned Dusan Nikolic. He is a very skilled offensive player, but also wants to be known as a consistent defender. Being teammates with classic 3 and D player Bennet Schubert has done wonders for his game. “Bennet has such a high IQ on defense. He is always standing in the right position. I´m an ok defender now, but want to be more aggressive and use my body and long arms better”, commented Dusan Nikolic. In the NBBL he has improved his stats once again currently at 21/4/2/2 stats despite having to help out at the 3 more since the team is small, but knows on what area´s he has to focus on most now. “My shot still has to become better and I have to make decisions even quicker”, warned Dusan Nikolic. He is playing 3 minutes less in the Pro B in comparison to last season, but knows he can´t control the minutes he gets, but one thing he can control is his ambition and that will never be low. “My pre season preparation with the Pro A team was important. I want to continue to get better and not end in the Pro B. The Euroleague is my goal. The Pro B is just a stepping stone. I want to be a professional player”, warned Dusan Nikolic. Maybe one day he can battle an Ivan Kharchenkov in the Euroleague. Two players that will be able to measure themselves against each other at the highest level overseas. The motivation for that to become reality will definitely never be lacking in the eyes of Dusan Nikolic.