Ivan Crnjac (201-F-2007) is a 16 year old 201cm forward currently averaging 19,3ppg, 7,0rpg and 1,3apg in the NBBL (U-19) and has played 7 Pro B games averaging 3,3ppg and 1,3rpg. He helped the Fraport Skyliners win the B League title at the U-18 International Cup in Tokyo, Japan. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the title experience.

Congrats on winning the U-18 International Cup in Japan. Was this the biggest title in your young career so far?

I wouldn´t say that this was my biggest title. I think reaching the Top 4 in Frankfurt last season and quakifying for the World championships was bigger for me.

How high can one value this title?

I think you can value this higher that some other in season tournaments we have had in the past in Sweden and Austria.

You played only against Japanese teams. What did you value most from their playing style?

They were all smaller and quicker and very skilled. They all liked to shoot three´s. It was pretty easy to guard them because we switched a lot. It was difficult for them to finish over us. They did a good job staying with us in games.

You stayed some days in Tokyo. What impressed you most about the country?

The city was so clean. There were so many buildings and bill boards everywhere. The whole city was illuminated. It looked really cool. We also visited Shibuya crossing where something like 10,000 people cross at the same time. It was very impressive.

The traffic was crazy. I guess Frankfurt is like a town compared to Tokyo?

We mostly were on the bus or subway. I didn´t think the traffic was that bad.

How do you feel did you fit best into the offense? Were you a bit in the shadow of Leif Zentgraf?

I don´t feel like I was in the shadow of Leif. We both had different duties. He drove a lot and it was easy for him to get easy baskets against the smaller guards. I took more three pointers. It was tough to drive against the smaller players. The height advantage was huge and made the ball handling difficult so I shot more three´s.

What do you feel could your game take from this tournament? Leif Zentgraf said on offense your game grew because you had to adjust to the quick Japanese players.

I think that I did a good job adjusting to their quickness. We also had to adjust better on transition defense. I think this experience will help us play well against annoying teams in the future as well as defending smaller teams.

How do you feel did your game grow on the defensive end?

We switched a lot so I didn´t have to defend so much against smaller players, but I had to be quick on my feet on 1-1 defense.

Did this title win give extra motivation for the NBBL season and the series against ratiopharm Ulm?

We will be very motivated against Ulm. That won´t be an easy series. I think that we got better as a team and stayed in the flow. We were able to work on our advantages and weaknesses in the games.

Which player made steps in his play during games?

Joshua did a good job at the 4 sharing the ball and led us well as captain. He gave us good tips and was able to solve problems on the court well.

What was your coolest own play during the 4 games?

In the final I got a ball in corner mad made a fake then I took a step forward and then took a step back with a dribble through my legs and hit the step back three pointer.

During your time in Japan, a tragedy occurred in Germany with the senseless murder of NBBL player of Volodymyr Yermakov of the Art Giants. This was so sad news. How did you take in the news?

I found out from a friend from the youth national team. I was very shocked and scared. It is so sad how something like this can happen to a young player. This shouldn´t happen in our country. I send my prayers out to his family and friends.

Thanks Ivan for the chat.