Melvin Jostmann (201-PF-2000) is a 23 year old 201cm forward that helped PS Karlsruhe win the Pro A title in the 2023-2024 season averaging 8.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 17.9%, FT: 59.6%. He played 67 Pro A games with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen from 2021-2023 averaging 7,7 and 5,0ppg each season. He played with Science City Jena from 2018.2021 playing 4 easyCredit BBL games and 28 Pro A games. He began his basketball career in Paderborn. He spoke to germanhoops.com after winning the 2024 Pro A title.

Thanks Melvin for talking to germanhoops.com Congrats on winning the Pro A title with PS Karlsruhe. How does it feel winning the pro A title?

It is an unbelievable feeling. I haven´t really realized it yet with all the celebrating the last days, but now slowly it´s sinking in.

Is it fair to say that this was the ultimate Cinderella story or just a Cinderella story for PS Karlsruhe?

I don´t really think that it was a Cinderella story. We wrote our story from the start to the end. We had so many highs and lows this season that we didn´t reach our full potential until the playoffs.

If someone had told you in September 2023 that PS Karlsruhe would win the 2024 Pro A title what would you have thought?

We had a different team at the start. I wouldn´t have believed it. I always thought that we could go far. Getting Bailey and Dibba really helped.

Jessi Ani told me on Saturday a day before the final game in Frankfurt that there would be no more fairytale talk after Sunday. Were you sick of hearing all the hate and fairytale talk?

I think that every title is won with a little luck. You can´t plan it. Everything has to fit. Of course we were sick of hearing all of that talk, but of course we also had luck during the season.

I think PS Karlsruhe was locked in as a team from the start of the season. How vital was consistency and team chemistry?

It was very important for us. Without these 2 things we wouldn´t have won. We showed how important chemistry was in the Giessen series. We won something like 6 of our last 10 games with 20 points or more. We showed how important our chemistry was.

PS Karlsruhe easily swept the Fraport Skyliners in the final. Is it fair to say that you wanted it more and Frankfurt already had their final against Trier?

Yes I think so. As soon as we knew we couldn´t move up, the most important thing was winning the title. Frankfurt had the main goal of moving up, the title wasn´t as important. Nobody thought that we would beat Frankfurt in the final so easily.

I joked with Garai after game 4 in Frankfurt vs Trier that PS Karlsruhe doesn´t even need him as his injury has limited him in the last weeks. What was the secret to performing so well you?

I said the same thing to him also. We stuck together all season long. Garai helped us so much during the season. He helped keep the team together during the Giessen series and was a big factor during the Hagen series in helping us win.

Michael Flowers was the league MVP, but couldn´t O Showen Williams have been the league MVP? How important was he truly for the team?

Williams was our key player during the season. He is a great guy. He was our leader on defense. His pressure on ball was so vital that it pushed the rest of us. I have to say that Flowers did deserve MVP. He decided so many games for Kichheim. Even when he was taken out of the game, he still stayed cool and made buzzer beaters.

How vital was Garai Zeeb as a teammate during the season and when he was injured the last month? Did his leadership push the team over the top?

He was also so important. He being an experienced German on the team helped everyone. He knew the Pro A so well and had a very good bond to the Americans.

Victor Bailey exploded for 48 points in the final and was MVP. He was the x-factor. How often did you tell him to be aggressive on the court?

I did tell him that a lot. He came late to us and it was tough for him at first being a rookie. He came off an injury and then to be able to attack isn´t easy. He needed some time to find his game and role. At the end he was our key player in the playoffs. He is a great player.

Dennis Tunstall JR was the real junkyard dog. What was it like for you to share the court with him?

He was one of the best shooting bigs in the league. You don´t find a quality like that often. He did a good job stretching the floor and could shoot out the lights. He was very hard to defend and his athleticism also was vital.

Lachlan Dent was the perfect point guard. What did you enjoy most about his game and passing? Did you have a favorite pass from him?

He was a great shooter and passer. I liked him most when they switched on us and he would attack and then make the lob pass.

How important has head coach Alexsandar Scepanovic been? How much credit does he get for the success of team?

He definitely gets most of the credit. Only 2 guys remained from last year and for us to win the title this season was just incredible. He had so much criticism, but that never bothered him. He had a plan and we worked hard. We just did our thing and he never worried about the doubters. At the end it paid off.

Let´s talk about your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player would best fit the description?

NBA player is tough. I watch a lot of Fabian Bleck videos. He is a hard worker that knows how to read the game well. He is an undersized 4 man that isn´t the greatest shooter but smart.

You averaged 8,4ppg, 4,6rpg and 1,7apg this season in 28 minutes of play. How content were you with your performance?

My three point shooting percentage could have been better. But I think I did everything that coach wanted me to do. I played many minutes and showed I was a hard worker under the basket.

It was the most minutes that you ever averaged in the Pro A. Did the PS Karlsruhe fit your play best?

I think so. Coach prepared me well. I was the first player that he got for this season. I think that I fit in well.

How do you feel did your game grow in the Pro A this season with this so special team?

I feel like I became a bit smarter. I think the extended minutes helped me a lot. I also learned to take better care of my body.

On what areas of your game will you be working on most this summer so you can continue to improve your game?

I will work a lot on my shot especially the pick and pop three. I want to get more respect.

Who was the toughest player that you faced this season in the Pro A at your position?

Robin Benzing. He hit some in your face three´s against me.

You began your career with Paderborn. How do you remember those early years playing for Uli Nachster?

I just have good memories with Paderborn. I played with 3 teams and attended school at the same time. It was a big chance for me to get pro A minutes at age 17. I´m really thankful for the opportunity.

You then played 3 years for Jena. How fortunate were you being a young player and playing with BBL legends like Jenkins, Mcelroy and Derrick Allen. What guy had the biggest impact on you then?

Immanuel Mcelroy had the biggest impact on me. He played the 3 and 4 positions and sometimes the 5. In practice he was my matchup. He taught me how to be smart and make easy points.

You played 4 BBL games and scored 2 points in 1 minute against FC Bayern Munich. What memories do you have of that game playing against guys like Barthel and Lucic?

I don´t remember much except that I made a fast break basket against Maodo Lo.

What do you remember from your intense battles in practice with Stephan Haukohl and Julius Wolf? What did you appreciate most about them?

I played 3 years with Julius and he treated me like his little brother. He was always willing to help me. It became really funny when Haukohl arrived. Both are great guys. Both guys taught me what a German player has to do to be successful.

You played 67 Pro A games for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen and Hansi Gnad. How beneficial was it learning from a big man like him?

Hansi is the best coach I have had from a character stand point. He knew how to talk with players. We weren´t as successful in my second year. We moved down and had many injuries. It wasn´t Hansi´s fault.

Who was the toughest player that you have played against in your life?

Franz Wagner. In my first BBL game I had just turned 18 and had the ball on the pick and roll for just 3 seconds and then he stole the ball and dunked.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Julius Wolf, Spencer Reaves, Julian Albus, JJ Mann, Luca Kahl

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Lebron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Derick Rose

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Thanks Melvin for the chat.