Dejan Stojanovski is a coach from Macedonia that currently is head coach of the Juniors Baskets Oldenburg U-16 team. He had playing experience playing with clubs like Bremerhaven, SC Rasta Vechta, TSV Lesum-Burgdamm and BSG Bremerhaven. Before coming to Oldenburg, he coached Weser Baskets Bremen/BTS Neustadt. He currently helped the Junior Baskets Oldenburg win the 2024 JBB title and spoke to germanhoops.com bout it

Congrats Dejan on winning the 2024 JBBL (U-16) title. Was that the best basketball experience in your life so far?

Yes I can say so as a coach. I also had nice memories as a player. As a player you have no worries and just play but as a coach it´s different. I have had other nice memories as coach like being an assistant with Vechta when they moved up and also being an assistant coach with Phoenix Hagen where we reached the final in the NBBL- Fabian Bleck was my player. 50% of my players never played at a level like JBBL before this season. But I´m sure the Alba Berlin players will go their ways

How big can one rate the JBBL title? I mean you were the underdog since day 1?

You have to rate this very high. We were always the underdog. We lost many close games and had to enter the regulation round. We had to go step by step. When we beat Vechta by 30 points, I realized that this might be a special team. Then we just kept winning and took it one game at a time. When we beat Chemnitz, I knew that they were ready for more.

How was the bus ride home. Some of your players said that they would listen to music and sing. Was it really like that?

Despite the NBBL team losing, the guys still celebrated. The first hour there was a lot of music and it was loud. The NBBL guys were happy for our guys.

I rode the bus to the game with the team both games and you won. Was I the good luck charm?

Hey good, yes you brought us luck. It was all so positive. We had a lot of support from everyone.

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 never thought that and declared that person for crazy. We had 2-3 talented kids and 5-6 guys that could play at the level. We thought we would play to stay in the group and we never had playoffs on our minds.

I had the sense on the second bus ride to the gym that your boys had that no fear mentality. Did you also feel that despite playing against the big name Alba Berlin?

Yes I did. I never felt like we had fear. I always told the guys that no matter who we play, just play our game for 40 minutes. Our goal was to play as hard as possible and see if they would be ready for our game.

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

Alba Berlin definitely weren´t there. We were ready. We didn´t prepare anything special for them. We played the same way that we did against Ludwigsburg. It was really nothing special. We also defended the same way.

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

I told the guys not to be afraid to win. I told them to continue to play our game. Of course basketball is always a game of runs. They came back and hit three´s. But we made the last punch and stopped them.

Did Oldenburg want it more at the end?

I think we really did. We were very lucky to have an incredible duo with Klaric and Slingerland. Slingerland is a great motor that kept Klaric´s back free all season long.

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

We lost him for a second on switch. The ball flew and the world stopped for me. I just thought please don´t go in now. But the game wouldn´t have been over. My players told me after that the shot would of only counted as 2 points.

Djordje Klaric was Top 4 MVP, but couldn´t there have been co MVP´s with Yanu Slingerland?

I think Yanu would have deserved as well. But that isn´t my job to decide. The MVP is only an individual title. For me the whole team was MVP. All his teammates helped him achieve this.

The worth of Djordje Klaric and Yanu Slingerland is indescribable. What do you appreciate most about their games?

Their worth is so big. They are together a big motor. But the others are also so important. We have so many guys doing dirty work. I appreciate their winning mentality the most. They show it in each practice and game. Klaric never wants to lose.

How valuable is Matti Oldiges? Does he sometimes get lost in the shadow of Klaric and Slingerland?

Yes he does. He has made an unbelievable development this season. He is 3 days away from being born in 2010. He is playing already at a high level in the JBBL at his age. The stability he gave us was so valuable. If he hadn´t been able to bring the ball as much as he did then we would have had problems. Klaric can´t do it the whole time. He was one of our most important puzzle pieces in our success.

Talk a little about how valuable Bruno Walz was. How important was his game around the rim against Alba Berlin?

Bruno is very underrated. He has only played since 1,5 years. I remember when he came, he had no idea what he had to do and his shot was horrible. He also has made an unbelievable development this season. He worked hard for minutes and we gave him trust. He is also a great guy. He is like a bear to hug. It is also great to see how happy he is for his play. I remember during the Berlin game he came to me and said, did you see my block on Kemmer. He is so satisfied and happy with everything.

How do you feel did you grow as a coach this season?

There was so much turbulence this season. I knew many of the kids coming into the season. I set many impulses and grew as a coach. It is great that you get rewarded for your work. But it is so incredible how this season came together. When everything works, you really can reach the peak. I also learned a lot form Pedro Calles. I learned how a team culture should be. I´m from the Balkan and follow Serbian basketball. I took a lot form the Serbian U-18 Gold medal team into this season. They also had a Cinderella season like we did.

Djordje Klaric wants to return as JBBL player and thinks they can defend title. What is the next step for you? Will you remain as JBBL coach? It would be fitting wouldn´t it?

Yes of course. After winning the title, next season would be another big challenge. Just because you have the MVP, doesn´t mean the next season will be like the last one. We all have to improve and develop further. I don´t think that another JBBL season would be right for Djordje. The club will make that decision. I don´t know about my situation. Mladen Drjiencic is coming back to head the youth department. We will see what happens with my situation. I enjoy coaching at this level. I will enjoy a few days now and then get ready for the off season work.

Thanks Dejan for the chat.