Djordje Klaric (2009) is a 15 year old 190cm point guard that just completed his JBBL season with the Baskets Juniors Oldenburg. He scored over 50 points twice and registered an incredible 41 points and a triple double over Wuppertal. He won the 2024 JBBL Top 4 MVP and helped his team to the 2024 JBBL title. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the title win.

Congrats Djordje on winning the 2024 JBBL (U-16) title. How do you feel?

I feel great. It is 100% happiness.

If someone had told you in September 2023 that the Baskets junior Oldenburg would win the 2024 JBBL title what would you have thought?

I would of said that your crazy. We had a tough season at the start, but we continued to develop and believe in ourselves.

Despite being the underdog did you believe like you could win the title?

We came to Berlin to win. We didn´t think as a team that we could win, but I never gave up thinking that we had a chance. After the first quarter against Alba Berlin, I was 100% sure that we would win.

It looked like the team had no fear to lose.

Perhaps some of us had fear, but I never did and tried to take the fear from those that had it. We had nothing to lose.

In the first half Oldenburg were the more energetic and awake team. Did Alba Berlin play scared?

I think that we showed more fight at the start. We were diving for loose balls and forcing them to contested shots. They also missed easy lay ups while we didn´t

Oldenburg had control of the game in the second half, but Alba Berlin came back. Did you get tired as a team?

We should of closed the door on them, but let them come back. When I was on the bench, they came back. I was sure we would win when the game was tied at 70-70.

Did Oldenburg want it more at the end?

Yes I think that we did. We went through so much this season. We were always the underdog, but never gave up.

Alba Berlin player Jona Drucker took the last shot. What was your feeling when he released it?

I thought that it would go in. Even though I contested it, it looked so good. When he released it I was thinking please don´t go. I had that Kawhi Leonard feeling

Congrats on winning MVP, but wouldn´t have Yanu Slingerland also have been a good candidate?

I think so. His stats of 23/18 and 8 steals were crazy. He has developed very well this season and always helps at both ends. He always plays well when opponents try to limit me. He makes the right reads. I´m very happy with how well he played.

What you do appreciate most about your teammate Yanu Slingerland?

I appreciate his defense and hustling the most. He is quicker than his brother and God gave him great hands. It seems like he can deflect every pass.

10 minutes after the title win, I observed you in a silent moment with the trophy. What were you thinking in that moment?

I don´t really know. I think I just looked back at our season. We lost the first game to Vechta. I had something like 37 points and the next top scorer had something like 8 points. There was too much isolation in that first game. I thought oh no, this could be a difficult season. But we all developed well with time.

What does this MVP title mean to you?

I´m happy I won the MVP, but winning the title was way cooler.

What is the next step for you?

I could play NBBL, but I can imagine playing JBBL. We will have many back and be strong. It would be cool to defend our title.

How will 14-16 year olds celebrate on the bus trip home?

We will listen to music and sing. We are all friends. I think I slept over Yanu´s house around 10 times this season.

Thanks Djordje for the chat.