That Serbia would be an incredibly tough opponent to crack was no secret before the game started, but that Germany would lose a U-17 game at the Albert Schweitzer tournament by 63 points and only muster 35 points was an extremely tough pill to swallow. Germany came into the difficult game with a 0-3 record as they had only averaged 59 points per game and had coughed up the ball way too much while Serbia was 2-1 and were super strong on the boards getting 20 offensive rebounds on average. Germany would have to be extra physical on the boards, but simply couldn´t match Serbia´s intensity or physicality for 40 minutes and were crushed 98-35. The deficit grew every quarter from 15 to 30 to 40 and to 63 points as the horn sounded. If one observed head coach Dirk Bauermann on the sidelines, you could see a guy that was angry inside, but didn´t show it as much on the sidelines. These are 16 and 17 year old boys who are still young and are allowed to make mistakes. Serbia on the other hand were at another level and the ex Leverkusen super coach totally accepted that. “This was an extremely important learning lesson for my team. They witnessed a tough aggressive physical Serbian defensive team and very clever offensive team. It was a great experience where the boys had to get out of their comfort zone. It was an aha experience where they can get new motivation. They saw today that what they have been doing until now wasn´t enough. We have 6 guys missing that will probably play in the world cup and I think with them, this game would have looked a lot different”, stressed Germany head coach Dirk Bauermanm. Serbia played an incredible game from start to finish with little down phases and despite the big win head coach Branislav Ratkovica didn´t flash that massive winners smile, but was humble in the win. “We were older and had a lot more experience. Our focus going in was to play tough for 40 minutes and get on transition and get easy baskets. We knew that if we play good defense, our offense will follow. I was a little surprised by the end result. Germany is talented and have big bodies. The score didn´t show their real face”, warned Serbia head coach Bransilav Rathkovica.

Lukas Klein

Germany was without key players Declan Duro, Mathieu Grujicic, Fynn Lastring and Davi Remagen while Serbia was without captain Mitar Bosnjakovic who plays with Real Madrid and had won 3 Adidas Next Generation tournaments. Serbia didn´t waste any time jumping all over Germany. Serbia came out instantly with a high intensity as their best shooter Andrej Kostic connected twice once from the parking lot and high energy guard Savo Derzgic made free throws. Germany couldn´t come to terms with their aggressive pressure and didn´t score until the 6,29 minute mark as Ulm´s Jervis Scheffs made a lay in. Germany then saw some light at the end of the tunnel and got a 4 point play by Alba Berlin´s big man Nevio Bennefeld and a lay in by MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg guard Julis Baumer as suddenly Germany trailed only 10-8. But that didn´t faze the versatile and deep Serbian squad as they punched back with a 16-3 run to lead 26-11 after 10 minutes. In the run, Serbian was fortified by 5 different players in the points department as Aleksa Stanojevic, the son of ex Alba Berlin great Jovo Stanojevic showed his dunking qualities while defensive specialist Marko Tofoski showed he can attack scoring twice in the paint while Ognjen Srzentic made a steal and dunk and high energy guard Aleksandar Vojinovic (196-F-2006) dropped a trey for the damage. “We knew going in that we had to be focused. Sometimes a game can become difficult if you let the opponent play. We came in very concentrated and played like we were”, said Branislav Ratkovic. Serbia shot 52% from the field and 44% from outside and had 14 rebounds and 5 turnovers while Germany shot 33% from the field and 40% from outside and had 3 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

Milos Sojic at the FT line

In the second quarter Serbia was able to heighten their game at both ends especially on defense as Germany almost went 7 minutes without scoring as they held them to only 5 points. Serbia continued to play with incredible on ball pressure and produced stop after stop while on offense they continued to execute at an efficient rate. Serbia stopped Germany 6 times and in this period got buckets from Srzentic, free throws from Milos Sojic, a massive dunk by Kostic and a offensive rebound and pretty hook shot by Aleksa Vlajic for the 34-11 advantage. Germany couldn´t hit the ocean including the non contested shots which was very bitter especially on a day where little was falling. Serbia was making good decisions in the set play. There could have been more damage, but Serbia was in a phase now where they weren´t executing as well. After 10 Serbian stops, Germany finally got on the score board in the second quarter with a trey from Ludwigsburg guard Julis Baumer at the 3,25 minute mark. But that instant spark by Germany didn´t faze Serbia as they ended the second quarter with a swift 12-3 run to lead 46-16 at the break. Stanojevic continued to be an offensive force as he scored on transition and also made a big dunk while Aleksa Dimitrijevic nailed a three pointer as did Drezgic. “We played our best defense of the game in that 7 minute span. Our aggressiveness and long arms were key. When we raise our arms, there isn´t much space. They did miss open shots, but when your constantly being pressured and using energy, even those shots are tough to make”, said Branislav Ratkovica. Serbia shot 52% from the field and 40% from the three point line and had 26 rebounds and 10 turnovers while Germany shot 23% from the field and 25% from outside and had 12 rebounds and 13 turnovers.

In the third quarter the dominating play of Serbia continued as their offense remained consistent and there was little change on defense they continued to play with high intensity not giving Germany anything easy. Both teams had problems executing in the first few minutes as both teams were stopped 4 times a pierce. Stzentic finally put Serbia on the board which was followed by a Tofosci lay in as Serbia led 53-16. Germany then finally got on the board for the first time in the third quarter as Ivan the universal genius Crnjac made a lay in. Germany then had some positive possessions as Bennefeld made a crushing dunk and lay in as Germany trailed only 57-22. Germany now was definatley more relaxed and got better looks and made better decisions. Serbia continued to score when they wanted to as Duric and Stanojevic scored, but Germany was aggressive as Ivan Crnjac who had been cold in the first half got to the free throw line twice and Scheffs made a beautiful finger tip roll in ala Tiny Archibald as Germany trailed 65-27. However Serbia simply had too many weapons and showed how anyone can go off at any time as Vojinovic got going in the last minutes scoring and getting to the free throw line twice as Serbia led 69-29 after 30 minutes. “We never let up. We continued to be tough mentally. I always push them to be consistent with no let ups”, added Branislav Ratkovica. Serbia shot 50% from the field and 31% from the parking lot and had 38 rebounds and 13 turnovers while Germany shot 25% from the field and 14% from the parking lot and had 22 rebounds and 17 turnovers.

Andrej Kostic from outside

In the fourth quarter Serbia continued to march down the court as if they owned it as Germany seemed to be counting down the seconds until the fiasco was finally over. Serbia once again began with a lightening strike going on a 20-0 run to lead 89-29. In the run Serbia was led by the always aggressive Aleksandar Vojinovic as he had his most potent stretch of the game contributing 9 points. With most Germans already pooped, he just seemed to be like the Duracell energy bunny as he ran up and down the court as if it was only the third minute of the first quarter. As usual Serbia was aided by everyone as Sojic scored and Tofoski added a trey while the bench also came up big as Andrija Duric scored as did Stefan Pilsnic on transition. Germany was always a step slow or maybe 2 or 3 steps to slow and just were on 1-2 levels lower than Serbia with the intensity and physicality. It really looked like a game of men among boys. Young 15 year old raw talent Killian Duck of FC Bayern Munich finally got Germany´s first points of the fourth quarter with a lay in. Baumer added that with a dunk and Germany had had their first and only 4-0 run of the game to trail 89-33. But there would be no more German runs, but Serbia slammed the door shut on Germany for good with a 9-2 run to end the game. In the run Serbia was sparked by Stefan Pilsnic who looked anything like a boy with his shaved head producing 7 points as he scored from all areas from the near, mid and long distance. “We know that we have good players. We just want to be the best with what we have. We know that we are talented offensively, but if we also step it up on defense then we know that we can beat anyone”, warned Branislav Ratkovica. “Today everyone saw a game of men vs boys. My boys saw how intense the game is internationally. Now we have to get used to it. It was a great experience for them to see what they still have to do to get better”, warned Dirk Bauermann. Serbia was led by Aleksandar Vojinovic with 16 points. Savo Drezgic added 14 points while Aleksa Dimitrijevic had 12 points while Germany was led by Nevio Bennefeld with 8 points and Ivan Crnjac had 7 points. Serbia shot 53% from the field and 34% from outside and had 53 rebounds and 18 turnovers while Germany shot 23% from the field and 9% from outside and had 29 rebounds and 24 turnovers.

U of Kentucky pic credit

Sacha Killeya-Jones (212-C/F-1998, college: NC State) is a 25 year old 212cm center that was born in Highland park, New Jersey and is playing his first season with ACB team Surne Bilbao Basket. He began his basketball career at Virginia Episcopal school and then played 2 seasons at the University Of Kentucky (NCAA) playing 48 NCAA games. He began his professional career in 2018 with GBA Sparta Praha (Czech Republic-1Liga) averaging 18.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 66.7%. In the 2019-2020 season he balled with BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (Estonia-EstLatBL) averaging 10.6ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 61.1%, FT: 64.7%. In the 2020-2021 season he played with MKS Dabrowa Gornicza (Poland-EBL) averaging 19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.0apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 64.4%. In the 2021-2022 season he played with Hapoel Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 18.4ppg, Reb-5 (7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.2%. Last season he played with Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League) averaging 7.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 62.1%, 3PT: 22.6%, FT: 58.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Niners Chemnitz.

Thanks Sacha for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playingyour first season for : Surne Bilbao Basket (ACB). Whatkind of an experience has it been playing for thisorganization. What have you appreciated most aboutthis club?

It has been really fun being able to play here in Spain. The cities’ location and the Clubs facilities have made it my favorite experience so far overseas.

2 years ago you led the Israeli Winners league in scoring and then played in the G-League. It took you 6 years to get to the best league in Europe. What was your biggestchallenge in the last years in being able to get to the ACB?

Honestly I feel it’s been injuries, I had a small knee injury in my rookie year of 2019 that led to me missing 3 months before going to Kalev, and this injury also led to me tearing my patella tendon in late 2020 and missing a full year. After that I came back and had a great year in Israel, and a good summer league with the Lakers. I decided to take a risk go to take an Exhibit-10 deal with the Thunder. After a great training camp I broke my toe the 2nd game of the year, and missed 90% of the G-League season because of it. I was lucky enough to get this opportunity in the ACB after that and I think I’m now proving that I belong.

You had very strong games in a loss to FC Barcelona and a 3 point loss to Real Madrid. What do you feel does your game still need to have to someday be able to suit up for a Euroleague team?

I think I just need to continue to develop my reading of the game, I can be turnover prone sometimes when I’m trying to do too much. But I’ve learned a lot this year and I’m getting better every game.

You fill the stat sheet like no other and are an excellent defender. What do you still need to do to become an elite 2-way player?

Consistency, I think I’m doing well blocking shots and scoring the ball this year. But if I can limit turnovers and continue to be a consistent threat from 3, with the addition of continuing to develop my PnR defense, I can take the next step.

You played the last 2 summers in the G-League with the Los Angeles Lakers. What kind of a feeling was it wearing the Lakers jersey? Did you ever meet Magic Johnson or other legends?

I’m really grateful to the Lakers for giving me that opportunity the last 2 years. There’s a lot of great people in that organization that taught me about the game and were fun to be around. It was an awesome experience that I won’t forget.

You were teammates with Scottie Pippen and Shaq´s son. What were these guys like. What will youremmeber most about them?

Shareef and Scottie are great guys, both down to earth and making their own paths.

You played a season with the Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League) averaging 7.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 62.1%, 3PT: 22.6%, FT: 58.3%. How tough is it in general to make your mark when you arent averaging 30 minutes a game and everyone is else is palying for their stats. What positives could you take from your G-League season?

It’s always tough in the G-league with everybody competing for shots and trying to showcase their skills, especially in a guard dominated league. Coming off of my injury and missing most of the season, I was just trying to get my footing and show how I can affect the game. Which I think I did the last 3 games of the year. I think if I had stayed healthy I would’ve had a very different year.

What was the best example in the G-League where you saw at close hand that the NBA will always be a business first?

On any G-League team you will always see guys who are assigned down from the NBA team be given a ton of minutes and shots. I think it can be difficult some times for guys who are starting in the G to have to change their role week to week.

You played the 21-22 season with Hapoel Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League) averaging (18.4ppg), Reb-5 (7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.2%. Was your 18/14 game in the 87-83 win over Euroleague team Maccabi Tel Aviv one of your best wins as a pro? What memories do you have of that game?

That Maccabi game was super fun, it was by far the best crowd we had in Galil and we fought super hard for that win. Definitely a win I’m really proud of.

You played the 20-21 season with MKS DabrowaGornicza (Poland-EBL) averaging19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.0apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 64.4%,. What memories do you have of thisCovid season? You played well despite all the restrictions of COVID.

My biggest memory of this year was unfortunately my injury. It was really disappointing considering how well I was playing, I felt I was on pace to have a breakout year.

You played the 2019-2020 season with BC Kalev/CramoTallinn (Estonia-EstLatBL) averaging 10.6ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 61.1%, FT: 64.7%. You played your first VTB game against top Euroleague team CSKA Moscow and played against guys like Mike James, Mr Euroleague Kyle Hines and other ex NBA players. What do you remmeber being eye opening playing against a club like that?

I think on the scouting report they had 8 or 9 guys shooting over 40% from 3 and we lost by like 30 points. It really showed me that there’s a lot of levels to competition in Europe.

You played your rookie season with at GBA Sparta Praha (Czech Republic-1Liga) averaging18.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 66.7%. What do you remmeber being yourwake up call where you knew that you were far awayfrom home?

The food is always the biggest wake up call. Anytime I can’t order Korean wings on Uber Eats I know I’m not home.

You played 2 seasons at Kentucky (NCAA) winning the SEC title in 2017 and 2018. Which title was sweeter?

2018, that was a fun SEC run and the championship game against Tennessee was one of my favorite games of my college career.

You averaged 6 minutes as a freshman and 13 minutes in yoursecond season. You had 7 future NBA players each season on the roster. What positives do you feel did your game get from the Wildcats experience?

I learned a lot. How to become a more physical player, mental toughness, what real conditioning feels like, how to deal with fan expectations and the media, how to play in front of huge crowds. There are countless things I’m grateful for from my time at UK.

You played with top NBA players like DeAaron Fox or Shai Gilgeous Alexander and many more. Which teammate had the biggest impact on you in those 2 years?

I probably learned the most from playing against Bam everyday. Just having to figure out how to fight against a guy that is strong and athletic when I was a skinny 17/18 year old, it was great for my development.

How did head coach John Calipari groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He did a great job of teaching us how to deal with media and fans. How to be professional about taking care of our bodies in practice and staying on top of our skill work.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Bam Adebayo?

-I’ve never lost a 1-1 ever ever.

Who was the toughest player that you have ever faced in yourcareer that reached the NBA?

Taco Fall when I was 16 and 185 pounds.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

-It’s impossible to only name 5. It’s honestly a tie between Unai Barandalla, Adam Smith, Kristian Kullamae, Alex Reyes, My sons Alex Renfroe and Melwin Pantzar… Deeeeenzel11, Gio Tsalmpouris, Thijs De Ridder, Tomeo Rigo, Tryggvi Hlinason, Keith Hornsby and Xavi Rabaseda.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

-2016 Lebron, 2013 Lebron, 2018 Lebron and 2009 Lebron

Who is your basketball Goat and why?

-Bron, no explanation needed,

Did you see the sequel to the classic coming to america? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

-Nope. But as a bonus question. The best movie of all time is Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai. “There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. By doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to all things.”

Thanks Sacha for the chat.

I don´t know how many guys I have interviewed in my life that have answered yes that they have a chip on their shoulder, but I know it´s been many. You know those special players who can do it all, but for whatever reasons have been doubted their whole career or even been a bit off the main stream radar. These guys are all over the place overseas. Personally they are my favorite guys to interview, because they always have a special story to tell and just have the biggest hearts. If you were to ask Dustin Sleva (203-F-1995, college: Shippensburg, agency: Octagon Europe), a guy who played NCAA 2 and had to pay his dues in the France Pro B for 3 years if he has a chip on his shoulder, then it would only be self-evident that the answer would be yes. He had to grind for so many years and now it has all paid off. He currently is showing his extra ordinary basketball talent in Europe´s top league after the Euroleague called ACB in Spain with team Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB. He has been having a solid season in the ACB and Basketball Champions League and I´m sure even with his current success, the chip on his shoulder will never go away. “I’m fortunate that I was able to get this opportunity to play in Murcia. Everywhere I go I love to play with a chip on my shoulder and show people what I’m capable of”, stressed Dustin Sleva. This season he did something very unique in that he helped defeat FC Barcelona and Real Madrid where he scored 14 points against the latter and battled against so many former NBA players like Jabari Parker and Sergio Rodriguez just to name a few. “Playing against Jabari Parker was very surreal for me. I used to watch him play at Duke when I was playing division 2 and always dreamed to play against the blue blood university’s but I never got that chance. That’s why playing in Europe at a high level is amazing. I get to play against all the guys that starred at the big schools that I didn’t get to chance to play for or against”, stated Dustin Sleva.

But before Dustin Sleva who mentions ex Crailsheim and current Miami Heat guard Haywood Highsmith being his toughest cover in the NCAA 2 could play against FC Barcelona, he had to pay his dues as a player. He was born on September 23, 1995 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began his basketball career at Montour high school and then had a stellar career at Shippensburg University (NCAA2) playing a total of 103 games winning a PSAC title and reaching the D-2 Sweet 16. He was able to improve his scoring average each season. In his freshman season he averaged 9.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 64.1%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 72.7% and in his second season averaged 15.8ppg, 11.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 77.5%. His game really took off in his last 2 seasons as he averaged 21.7ppg, 10.7rpg, 3.5apg, FGP: 59.9%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 80.1% and in his senior year averaged 21.4ppg, 10.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 82.4%. He was able just to be himself and had a lot of freedom. He had some massive games against Slippery Rock, Indiana PA and Kutztown and remembers exactly what his favorite game was there. “I would say the PSAC Semi final at Indian University was the most memorable game in my career. We beat them at home and then went on to win the championship”, said Dustin Sleva. In his last 2 seasons he played 61 games and scored in double figures in each game. He scored 30 points or more 5 times and 20 points or more 36 times. He also registered 36 double doubles. He wouldn´t have become the player he did when he left without the stellar guidance from head coach Chris Fite. “Coach Fite was a similar player to me so he really understood my game and put me in positions to excel. I am forever indebted to him after he took a chance on me and jump started my career.”, added Dustin Sleva. During his years there, he battled 2 future easyCredit players with Kameron Taylor now in the ACB and Rasheed Moore in Germany. “Kameron and I still talk when we play against each other. Rasheed and I battled a lot in our years playing together. There’s a different type of respect you have for those guys that came from the PSAC. It’s not easy at all to be able to grind through d2 then through those lower leagues in Europe to be able to make it to the top”, stressed Dustin Sleva who remembers having no chance in the post as a freshman against teammate Dylan Edgar in 1-1 battles in practice. He picked awards there like ll-PSAC Eastern Division First Team -2016, 17, NABC NCAA D2 All-Atlantic District Second Team -2016, All-PSAC East Division Player of the Year -2017, 18, NABC NCAA D2 All-Atlantic District First Team -2017, 18, NABC NCAA D2 All-Americans Team -2017, 18, and All-PSAC East Division First Team -2018.

The modern day forward who lists Gautier Dennis, Nick Kellogg, David Kramer, Braydon Hobbs, Ryan Boatright, Evans Ganapamo and all his Murcia teammates as his best teammates of all-time came overseas in 2018 and did something extremely rare playing 4 seasons with one club Paris Basketball. Something like that just doesn´t happen often with money being thrown around and players moving on to the next best contract. Did he ever think of becoming a team lifer? “Of course, I thought I was going to finish my career with Paris. Looking back it is a little naive to think about that but I believe that everything happens for a reason. I was in a tough place that last year and it was hard for me to leave. I grew as a person and player when I did leave. I love the club and I’m still in contact with a lot of the staff there. I’m hoping they win Eurocup and finish in euroleague next season. It’s incredible to see the progress from my first year to what the club is doing now. Paris is like my second home and I grew up a lot in the 5 years that I was there. I learned French, met my fiancé there and still have a lot of close friends from my time in France”, remembered Dustin Sleva. Like every other American, he had a wake up call and it was a monumental one. “I have too many memories to put here. I would need to write a book. I think I matured 10 years in 1 in my first year in Paris. I was in a big city alone without knowing the language, not really knowing how to cook and also learning how to be a professional. My wake up moment was probably getting crushed my Nantes in my first professional game. But not my only one”, stressed Dustin Sleva. In his third season with Paris he helped the team move up to the Pro A averaging 14.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 87.4%. He was able to develop under head coach Jean-Christophe Pratt and helped understand Euro ball. “Coach Pratt took me from an American basketball player to a European basketball player. He basically taught me all the basics of spacing and positioning on the floor. It’s not easy to be able to have patience with a rookie American but he gave me a lot of patience and tough love”, commented Dustin Sleva. He was surrounded by incredible teammates including Daniel Dillion and Jevohn Shepherd who steered him in the most positive direction on and off the court. “Those guys were like my dad that year. I still talk to both of them today. They both gave me a lot of confidence and also taught me how to be a pro. They were great teammates and are great friends to me”, expressed Dustin Sleva. In his fourth season, he proved that he could be a solid player in the Pro A averaging 11.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 71.2%. He scored in double figures in 19 games including 23 points against Roanne and 22 points against ChalonsReims, but it was another game where he scored 9 points that was his most memorable. “My favorite game was my last game against Levallois away to secure our spot in the league and also playing at Bercy arena in front of my family who were visiting and having a great game against Monaco”, said Dustin Sleva.

The Pennsylvania native who lists Lebron, Jordan, Bird and Magic on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore played NBA Summer League in the summer of 2022 with the Golden State Warriors playing 4 games and averaging 2.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.0spg. He was really fortunate to have played against historic teams like the Celtics and Lakers, but it was actually meeting a basketball legend that made his experience in Las Vegas the greatest. “Summer League was an incredible experience. I actually had to play my way into a spot in the Vegas summer league team. I was only supposed to play in the Classic in San Francisco, but after playing a couple good games the organization invited me to Vegas. I was thrilled. I learned a lot. My greatest memory was being able to talk about European basketball with Dejan Milojevic. In the short time I was with him I was able to pick his brain about rebounding and different concepts on defense and offense. That time was even more precious now after he sadly passed away. For him to spend extra time with me to work on my game when he didn’t have to was really special to me. I was so fortunate to be able to learn from one of the best”, stressed Dustin Sleva. Even if he got worthwhile advice form the Warriors coaching staff, it is Milojevic that will forever stay most in his mind. “I learned a lot from everyone there. Like I said before, “Deke” taught me a lot. I understand more about the NBA concepts and life. I never had an opportunity like that before and I believe I made the most of it”, warned Dustin Sleva. After beginning last season with Paris Basketball (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 3.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.3apg in the pro A and 6.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.0apg, 2FGP: 61.5%, 3FGP: 36.4%, in the Eurocup, his run ended there after after 19 games and he finished the season in Germany with the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. He needed no time to adjust and joined a special program that was on the rise under head coach Jesus Ramirez. It was a short time, but crucial in his development after leaving Paris. “Playing is Braunschweig truly helped me grow as a basketball player. Jesus played a huge role in developing my game further and he and Kostas Papazoglou also gave me loads of confidence after I left Paris. I really needed that at that time. He’s a great coach and Braunschweig is a great city and a great place to play. They are progressing with a young team and it is fun to watch them battle for playoff position this year. We battled with every team. We were tough and young. It’s the clubs DNA and I am proud that I played a role to help the team stay in the BBL. He averaged 13.4ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 47.2%, FT: 70.7%. He showed his consistency scoring in double figures in 16 of 20 games including a 31 point outburst in a win over Wurzburg.

This season the American who calls Lebron James his Goat has made the jump to Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (Spain-ACB) as they are the big surprise of the ACB season currently in fourth place. As usual the secret of the success is having a good understanding between an ambitious coach and having many guys with chips on their shoulders, “I think coach Sito gives us our identity as a tough team that fights and our gm Alejandro, did a great job to put our team together with a bunch of guys that are unselfish and play to the limit of each play. We take pride in our defense and enjoy playing with each other”, stressed Dustin Sleva. 3 special teammates are Howard Sant-Roos a guy that played with his ex team Braunschweig more than a decade ago on their farm team and was teammates with Dennis Schroeder before he was in the NBA and guards Dylan Ennis and Troy Caupain who are 2 players that could be playing in the Euroleague. “ Howard and I actually talk about Braunschweig a lot. We both enjoyed our time there. I love playing with Howard. He gives me a ton of advice especially defensively and he is one of our anchors on defense. He’s helped me improve a lot defensively just by watching him and also from his advice that he gives me. Dylan and Troy are excellent at what they do. Dylan gives us unlimited amount of energy and he seems to always be the guy that hits those important shots throughout the game. Troy is a true floor general. He has all the intangibles of a true point guard. He knows the ins and outs of each player and how to keep everyone involved throughout the game. They are both extremely important for us”, warned Dustin Sleva. The big surprise team now have a quarterfinal date with German team MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and he has some revenge on his mind. Last season, he suffered a gruesome 93-92 loss to them scoring 11 points, but fouling out. “That was a game that we had and needed at the time and it was a devastating loss. I remember that they are a tough team that likes to play physical and fast. It’ll be fun to match up with them again. I think the tougher team will win. They are a tough team like us with talented players”, added Dustin Sleva.

The modern day forward who feels that sequels usually should be left alone is a player that compares his game to a Kevin Love. At first glance, one would always mention shooting as the biggest strength in his game, but it is actually something else something that Fraport Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson was also known for in his game. “I would say the strength that would get me the farthest is my shooting ability but I would have to say that my high motor is my biggest strength. It not only allows me to give it all in every game but also allows me to put in quality individual work each day”, said Dustin Sleva. This season in the ACB, he is averaging 8,0ppg and 4,0rpg in 21 minutes of action while shooting 37,5% from outside while in the Basketball Champions League he is averaging 10,3ppg, 4,7rpg and 1,4apg in 23 minutes of work while shooting 34% from the parking lot. He has reached 40% or better from outside 4 times in a season in the pro´s and twice in the NCAA2. He knows that he still has to grind to reach that elite status. “I always like to think of myself as the best shooter on the court no matter who is on the court. I love to play with this level of confidence because of the work that I put in to be a great shooter. But I can definitely improve in many areas. I wouldn’t say elite yet. I’m improving on becoming a better shooter off of screens and on the move. I always been a great pick and pop and spot up shooter. To take that next step to be truly elite, I want to work to be able to be able to knock down shots off pin downs and go screens at full speed and contested. Those are truly elite shooters in my eyes”, warned Dustin Sleva. In the ACB, you meet the best players overseas and you can´t take a play off. He has always been a solid defender and came into the ACB with the right mind set defensively and it has paid off for him. “I think this year has been the best defensive year of my career. My motor and intensity each play plays a huge role in that but also being able to learn from coach Sito, Rodions Kurucs and Howard have helped me tremendously. I would say I’m a good defender. I take pride in my defense. I want to help the team in any way I can. I never want to be a liability”, stressed Dustin Sleva. It will be interesting to see where his basketball journey will go as he is high up on the ladder at the moment. Is he satisfied now? I doubt it. He isn´t finished yet with his climb as that chip is always on his shoulder which has helped him through out his career be the best player he can be.