Julian Albus (192-SG-1992) is a 32 year old 192cm guard that recently completed his second season with PS Karlsruhe helping them win the Pro A title averaging 6.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 80.0%. He began his basketball career with the Tigers Tuebingen and played parts of 9 years in the easyCredit BBL. He played 4 years with s:Oliver Wurzburg and a season with Hanau. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Julian 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 very unique. It didn´t always look like it could happen during the season. But everyone was fit in the playoffs. It was breathtaking.

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

I think that many believed that it was a Cinderella story, but we saw our potential from the start and we believed we could go far into the playoffs. We had a lot of injuries and that always threw us back. We were all fit at the end and we gave all we had. Winning the title wasn´t a surprise for me.

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

I would of said if all would be perfect then maybe. But realistically I didn´t think that we could, but one should never say never.

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 it is normal when you’re a team off the radar and is playing well that the word fairytale is said. But this talk never interested us. We knew that we were good and could beat anyone. This was a great title for the organization. I hope that people will take us more seriously now.

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?

I think so. I mean no guy from Frankfurt told me that they didn´t give their all. Usually when your in a final, you give all you have. No team wants to lose at home and they did start off making some three´s, but I think that we had more hunger.

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?

We showed in the Giessen series how good we were conditioned in comparison to them. They didn´t play aggressive defense which helped us. When we had guys out, we had that next man up mentality. We always had solutions when guys like Williams and Dent were on the bench. We were versatile and tried to replace Zeeb as best as we could.

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 really important at both ends of the court. He was also our motor at both ends of the court. He always set the tone. I think if we would have gone to 3-4 place then he would have had a case as MVP. Flowers deserved it. He decided so many games for Kirchheim.

Bakary Dibba has made huge strides the last seasons with Tuebingen and PS Karlsruhe. How good is this kid?

I think he doesn´t really know how good he is. He is so talented and so athletic. He also has a good feel with the ball in his hands. He is still raw. If he works on his skills and IQ, then I think that he could be a top player in Europe.

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?

I told him before every game. But I think that you didn´t really have to tell him that. He knew what to do. I have a lot of respect for him. He came late in the season and had an injury. We had a good team chemistry and could integrate him well. He always played for the team and was a great guy.

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

He was also a very important piece. He had a strong character and never complained. He always played for the team. We had no real big strong center, but still he was our defensive anchor being undersized.

Lachlan Dent was the perfect point guard. What did you enjoy most about his game and passing?

When Zeeb was out, he took advantage of getting more minutes. Not everyone can go out and score 42 points in a game the way he did. He never complained and always worked on his game. During the season he watched a lot of Euroleague games and picked up on things. He took big steps with his IQ: In the playoffs he was averaging like 6-7 assists per game. We as a team also lifted the team assists from 15 to 20.

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

He took a lot of criticism and we practiced very hard and sometimes I felt like we were near the end of our physical strength. He told us that if we can survive it, then it will help you at the end of the season. He was right. We still had good conditioning. It showed in the last 3 games against Giessen. They were tired and we were fit. He had a great game plan against Hagen which helped us advance to the final.

You had a solid season averaging 6,8ppg and 3,0rpg and 2,2apg. How would you summarize your play this season despite being injured?

My season was plagued with injuries. I played 3 months with a broken foot. Then I had a knee problem. I was never 100% this season. I had my moments. My role wasn´t to score a lot and win games, but help the guys function correctly on the court. I was like an extra coach on the court. I believe that I fulfilled my role.

Your stats and minutes didn´t really change except your three point percentage. How do you feel did your game grow in the Pro A this season with this so special team?

My game hasn´t changed much. I´m 32 and I won´t really get better. My biggest development was being a leader on and off the court.

Where do you see yourself now as a player? Your 32. I can imagine you will want to remain with PS Karlsruhe?

I have a contract for next season. It is a good situation for my family and I there. They accept me as a player and person something that wasn´t always the case before Karlsruhe. I have no reason to go.

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

I will rehab so I can be 100% again. As far as my skills work on my pick and pop and my mobility on side pick and roll.

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

Robin Benzing is so big and smart and Michael Flowers was shifty and a good shooter

You played 6 seasons with the Tigers Tuebingen and many years under Igor Perovic. What was your fondest moment there?

My nicest moment was starting my first game there against Artland. It came really from nothing. Perovic told me after a shoot around that I would start. It was a total surprise for me. We won by like 30 points. I felt then that I had arrived in the BBL.

Times were different then than now, but do you still feel like you got a fair chance there?

I was always last in line. I was always promised that my time would come, but then always new players were signed at my position and put in front of me. I always had a good relationship with Igor Perovic. I have a lot to be thankful for him. He helped me a lot as a very young player and supported me. After he left, I didn´t get a chance. I have no regrets. I´m grateful to the organization for the opportunity.

You played with so many great players like Daequan Cook, Jared Jordan, Branislav Ratkovica, Reggie Redding or Aleksandar Nadjfeji just to name a few. Who had the biggest impact on you?

Reggie Redding had the biggest impact on me. We understood each other really well on and off the court. I matched up with him and Vaughn Duggins every day in practice. They beat me up bad in practice, but it helped me a lot. Redding helped me be more patient on the pick and roll.

You also played 4 seasons with Wurzburg. Looking back why do you feel weren´t you able to get more of a role in the BBL?

Before I came to Wurzburg, I was a season in Hanau and that didn´t work out well at all. After that season, I was pretty much done with wanting to play in the BBL. I wanted to be in south Germany and study at university. I then went to Wurzburg to play Pro B. In the second season, I slipped into the BBL team by chance. Dennis Wucherer wanted to have a big BBL roster and wanted guys from the pro B team at all practices. I also played Fiba Europe cup. I ´m very thankful for getting this opportunity from Wucherer. He gave me a reason to play BBL again. I was that typical 3 and D player. I think that I could have had a better BBL situation, but I always wanted to stay in the south and there weren´t many opportunities there.

You played with so many great guards there? Did Skyler Bowlin have the biggest impact on you?

Yes he had a big impact on me. He wrote me congratulating me after the final win. He watched the game and was happy for me. He was a great player and character. He showed every day how he would work on his own game and always try to help his team. He was a big role model for me and inspired me to work hard.

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

Vladimir Lucic was tough and so was Alex Renfro. Renfro was so quick. Reggie Redding was also tough. He could do it all.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Felix Hoffman, Craig Moeller, Reggie Redding, Melvin Jostmann and Julius Boehmer.

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

Jordan, Kobe, Steph Curry, Dirk Nowitzki

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

Thanks Julian for the chat.