In a span of 5 years from 2015-2019, the mighty FC Bayern Munich won the NBBL title 3 times and one could say had amassed a pretty dynasty. Then Covid was unleashed on the world and the NBBL top 4 took a 2 season break until 2022. In the last 2 seasons FC Bayern Munich reached the NBBL top 4, but had to tip their caps to the Young Rasta Dragons in 2022 suffering a brutal 68-64 loss and last year were demolished by Alba Berlin by 17 points. Moments after the buzzer sounded, I witnessed a very down Ivan Khartchenkov of FC Bayern Munich. He had loads of family and friends there. He is a hard nosed competitor that has that constant no fear attitude and winning mentality, so losing must have been the most difficult thing ever. He may have been the missing piece in 2022 had he been able to play, but he was injured and couldn´t play. While last year, he did play, but wasn´t at 100%. Currently he is 100% healthy and roaring to go. He hopes that this season will be three´s a charm. Three is a charm simply means when you failed twice and the third time could be successful. “I was practicing twice a day at times with the BBL and pro B team. I am also doing extra shooting and individual training. I want to win so badly. I am doing all I can every day to get the title”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov (198-SG-2006).

FC Bayern Munich had a so so regular season with a record of 8-6. They were swept by IBAM including losing the first game of the season by 34 points and were swept by Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg even if both games were close as they only lost combined by 8 points in both games. A big problem for FC Bayern Munich and also the Young Dragons Vechta was that they just didn´t practice much as a team together. Both teams have many talented guys that played with Regio, Pro B and Pro A teams. “It isn´t easy playing games together when you never practiced together. I couldn´t really look in the eyes of some guys and say I knew every thing about their game. Now we are taking the last week and a half as a time to practice together every day in preparation of the top 4 and get to know each other´s games better”, stated Ivan Kharchenkov. FC Bayern Munich average 80 points per game, allow 75 points per game and grab 32 rebounds per game. They weren´t always at full strength during the season, but will be at the top 4. “We showed at the Pro B level what the NBBL guys are capable of. Plus we are very experienced and agile as a team. We play small ball and match up well against our opponents”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. He and Martin Kalu are the 2 main go to guys as in the NBBL, they averaged 36 of the team 80 points. Despite both of them being big German talents, they are 2 guys that harmonize well on the court. “His athleticism is unbelievable. Everything he does looks so easy. His jumping ability is amazing. The good thing is that whenever one of us is struggling, we pick each other up”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. It is obvious that the Young Rasta Dragons will do all they can to slow them down. But FC Bayern Munich have other weapons that will be capable to step up like Ivan Volf and Dominik Dolic. “ombined they average 27 points per game and could be the unsung hero´s in the game. “We will be doubled all day long, so Martin and I will look for them on kick outs. I don´t want to put pressure on them, but if we are closed down and they don´t step up, we will have difficulty winning. I´m positive that they can cope with pressure. If Martin and I are limited scoring, then we will have to create”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. Another player that will be asked to step up is Ukrainian Desmond Yiamu who is only 198cm and the team´s only true big man. He is a force on offense, but can also be that defensive stopper. “We expect a lot from him in the paint and getting rebounds. It will be a tough battle against Johan Gruenloh. But I have a lot of trust in Desmond. He has to be focused and work hard against him. He has to play smart basketball. Important will be making the first punch. He can´t go into the game thinking well let´s see what happens”, commented Ivan Kharchenkov.

FC Bayern Munich will battle the Young Rasta Dragons in the first semi-final game. In a way it is a pity that this has to be a semi-final as it could have that final magnitude. “This would have been a nice final, but at the same time, it will be good preparation for us”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. A big battle in the game will be the guard play between Kalu and him against 2023 NBBL champion Jack Kayil and 2019 U-14 German champion Joshua Bonga. He has seen the best in the world in the Euroleague so showing his best against these talented young players is nothing special. “I´m really not excited for the challenge. We all have good chances to meet in the Euroleague again one day. I´m mostly excited that I´m healthy again and have the opportunity to play for a title”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. The recipe for winning the game is quite simple. “The team that plays the best team defense will win. We will have good chances if we can bring them out of rhythm. Defense wins championships”, added Ivan Kharchenkov who believes that the Ludwigsburg will reach the NBBL final over Oldenburg.

Going into the NBBL Top 4 Ivan Kharchenkov has played a total of 41 games including 4 ANGT games. In the BBL he played 8 games averaging 4,3ppg, played 4 Euroleague games and 20 Pro B games averaging 22,6ppg, 5,2rpg, 4,3apg and 2,0spg. This season has been refreshing for the 17 year old as he has finally remained healthy. “It feels really good to be playing injury free. I don´t have to watch my teammates play like other seasons. When your injured, you lose rhythm and it´s tough to find it again when you return. This season I built a rhythm and was able to ride the momentum all through the season”, expressed Ivan Kharchenkov. He only played 5 NBBL games averaging 24,2ppg, 7,2rpg, 4,0apg and 2,4spg. Even if he played only 5 NBBL games, it isn´t that tough finding a rhythm mainly because half of the team was on the Pro B team. In the 96-87 win over IBAM that clinched FC Bayern Munich´s ticket to the NBBL top 4, he had a massive game netting 35 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 8 dimes. Did he do anything special for this game to be able to register such outstanding stats? “I did nothing extra special. It was a big game for us and I stepped up. I played all the situations like I always did. This was the biggest youth game of my career”, stressed Ivan Kharchenkov. The young scoring guard is extra motivated to top this game especially if it means winning the NBBL title, but as always will do the things needed to win. “I will do all I can to help us win. If it means I have to play better than that game, then I will, if not I won´t. We will see”, stated Ivan Kharchenkov. This will most likely be his last 2 German club youth games and will he be capable to showcase his best basketball? “No matter what happens, I don´t think that I will be able to showcase my best basketball there. The reason is I will showcase my individual game and not necessarily my team game. The NBBL team expects me to do so much for the team. I think next season is when I will showcase my best basketball in the easyCredit BBL”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov.