Aleksandar Scepanovic is Croatian and an ex professional player that has coached PS Karlsruhe since 2021. He led the club to the 2024 Pro A title.Previously he had coaching experienced with easyCredit BBL team SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

Winning the Pro A title was an extraordinary feeling. I´m so proud of the players that they were able to achieve this despite being underestimated. We used it as a motivation the whole season. I would just have been happy if we had reached the playoffs. We only had a full roster once this season. We had guys that all had great characters. That was a big help on our way to the title.

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

I don´t like fairytales. This season was a story of dedicated work where we got results. We played our best basketball in the playoffs when you need to do it most. We always knew what we could do on the court and practiced very hard each day to achieve success. I have coached more talented players in the past, but never a group of guys like these. I enjoyed working with them from day 1. They were simply very special.

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

I would never have believed it. It is a long way from day 1 to win a title. This had been the most attractive Pro A season ever. You had ex Euroleague guys playing and world cup players.

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?

You need to ask Frankfurt this question. I have been in a final 3 times and lost every time. I know how bad the feeling is when you lose. I told my team that reaching the final is all great, but the ultimate goal is to become a champion. I told them why not make that extra step forward and make history. In 2 months nobody will remember why one team wasn´t motivated to win a title, but remember the team that won.

I joked with Garai Zeeb 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?

We always needed Garai. We always found a way to find our rhythm when we had injuries. We were in top basketball shape going into the playoffs. He helped us so much in the Hagen series. He didn´t play many minutes, but his energy was big and important. I will never forget game 3 against Hagen where he gave us so much energy in the second quarter. We needed him and he delivered. He did an excellent job.

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 could of also easily been MVP. He had big problems at the start of the season. He was injured twice. I wonder how strong his game would have been if he had been fit from day 1. The season was so demanding for him physically and mentally. He had big challenges and met and overcame them. He had a great season for us. Flowers did deserve to be league MVP though.

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 aggressive on the court?

His parents did a great job raising him. He was so well behaved and educated. I loved coaching him. He had such a serious work ethic. Having something like that always gives you a chance to be successful. His final sprint in the playoffs and finals was impressive. It looked so easy how he played, but it was all due to his hard work in practice. As his confidence grew and grew, I didn´t have to tell him to be aggressive anymore. Then I told him to be more patient. He deserved to be finals MVP.

Dennis Tunstall JR was the real junkyard dog. How vital was his game for the success?

He was like a silent assassin. One may not always have seen stat wise exactly what he did, but his effort was incredible. That is why I liked working with him so much. I remember when he twisted his ankle, he couldn´t walk. He just said if you need me tell me. I asked him, I need you for 2 minutes and he said Ok. He played despite barely being able to walk. He gave his best. Not many in today´s age would do that to sacrifice health for the team. He is a great guy that never complains. He really was like a junk yard dog. He never complained.

Bakary Dibba was so important. What did you appreciate most about game?

No matter where he goes everyone will love him. He was always super positive. He always brought everyone together. His work ethic is huge. He has a lot of energy that is compressed. If he can learn to control that, then he has a real bright future in front of him. He always has the right approach and with some time and luck, he will land in a serious organization with a serious role.

Lachlan Dent was the perfect point guard. He totally annoyed Frankfurt with his lob passes. What was his biggest attribute?

I remember him having that first name that I have never heard before. He told me that a coach once named him lucky. From then on we called him lucky and he was our lucky charm. He was extremely important for our success. He had an incredible understanding of the game and how to get his teammates involved. Everybody loved to play with him and be on the court with him. He made everyone´s job easier. He had some adjustment time coming from Australia, but he found his rhythm and was always motivated and hungry to be the best version of himself. He can still become an even better version of himself. I would like to keep him.

This was your third full season as head coach for PS Karlsruhe. You successfully led the team to the title. How draining was this for you?

To be honest it wasn´t draining when you can work with dedicated and great guys like we had. When you have to force players to give the energy, then it is draining. But for me it wasn´t like that. For me it was extreme joy being able to work with them from day 1. Of course the season was long which was draining, but the work and effort was mutual. It is always easier when all are at the same level. It was more joy than a sacrifice.

How tough was having to hear all the criticism? You always stayed true to your philosophy.

What others say is their story. We wrote our own story. They talked while we tried to be the best version of ourselves. When we began winning games in the playoffs, the media started calling. They do their job and we ours. The only important thing for us is what the coaches, players and families thought. Bad comments shouldn´t effect life. We never cared what other said or thought.

What was the most challenging thing for you as a coach this season?

I think the most difficult thing for me was at the start where I had to find a way to connect all the characters together and find roles. We always looked at the same direction and saw the same goal only at different angles. I had to find the best possible versions. As time went deeper and deeper, I felt more comfortable. Challenging was also having to start over after new injuries occurred.

How important was it having Alexsandar Nadjfeji on your side. What did you appreciate most about him?

What is bigger than great? I really enjoyed working with him. He is a great guy and friends. He has seen everything in basketball life. His experience was so vital. He was a hard worker as well. It was a perfect fit. We were a tandem of good cop bad cop. It was the right recipe that worked well.

You only had 2 guys from last season. Will this off season be more pressuring for you to be able to find the right mix of players again?

It´s always the same pressure and a new fight for a coach. The off season is the most draining for me. It is always difficult to find the right players, because I´m very picky and demanding. I would like to keep as many players as possible from last season, but I have no influence with the budget and agents.

Who will the NBA final Boston or Dallas?

Porzingas back is a huge asset for Boston. Boston dominated the season and game 1. But in the playoffs so far Dallas always found an answer. I think it won´t be easy for Boston, but they will win in 6.

Thanks Alexsandar for the chat.