pic credit:Dragons Rhondorf

Alexander Lagerman (202-SG-2004) is a 20 year old 202cm shooting guard playing his first season with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf. Last season he played with the wiha Panthers Schwenningen (ProB) playing16 games averaging 15.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 27.1%, FT: 72.7%. He began his basketball career with the Fraport Skyliners in the JBBL (U-16) and also played 4 Pro B games and in 2022-2023 season in the NBBL averaged :21.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 78.3%. He spoke to eurobasket.com after the big 93-92 win over Wurzburg.

Congrats Alex on the big 93-92 win in Wurzburg. How big was this win after the tough loss against Ludwigsburg?

This was a very important win. We had good phases during the game. We weren´t focused at the end as we allowed them to go on a run. We almost gave them the game. We weren´t consistent for 40 minutes and were lucky that we could turn the game around at the end.

How proud are you that the team stuck together and won the game despite being down in crunch-time after having a big lead in the fourth quarter?

I´m really proud of how the team stuck together, but we know that we have to get better. I believe that we have shown a few times this season that we can come back and win. It is a skill that we have. We always play to the end.

The team is 3-0 on the road. How do explain this top play on the road?

We are playing well on the road this season. I don´t know what it is, but maybe the match ups that we have had so far. We also have shot the ball well on the road which has helped.

Was the team extra motivated after the tough loss to Ludwigsburg? Was it tough not to underestimate them at 0-5?

We were very motivated to win and I feel like we didn´t underestimate them. They have nothing to lose and have good players. Despite some guys were missing, they still had a very good group on the court. Even if they are in last place, they aren´t a bad team. They have a lot of potential.

You got off to a rapid start with 2 back to back three´s. It seems like you are becoming more aggressive with every new game.

I just try to play solid and make the right decisions and don´t want to force anything. I feel like I become more aggressive when I know I have that advantage,

Rhondorf had a good lead, but basketball is a game of runs and Wurzburg came back. How tough was it containing Calvin Wishart?

He was hard to defend. He was also my man at times. He was very quick and could drive, shoot and find his teammates. He was my toughest match up so far this season.

In the second quarter the Dragons had a good lead, but once again allowed Wurzburg to come back as the game was deadlocked at 47-47 at the break. Why was it so difficult to keep the lead?

We just weren´t consistent enough. We had some good minutes and some bad minutes.

In the third quarter the Dragons exploded for 31 points. The offense was clicking. What was working better on defense?

We had the right mind set coming out of half-time. We controlled the game better then. We rebounded the ball well and gave no more open or easy looks to them.

In the fourth quarter Wurzburg scored 31 points and crept back. German Christian Skladanowski took pressure off Wishart and scored basket after basket. What was so tough in slowing him down?

I know him since the U-14 so I know what he can do on the court. He is very long, athletic and physical. He uses his body well and is dangerous around the rim. He is also strong defensively.

Wishart made one free throw for the 98-97 win with 3 seconds to go. Was that last touch down pass part of the plan? What was going through your head?

During the free throws, we actually planed the last play. We would have 2 guys sprint down the wings and a football touch down pass would be I had a slight lead on my defender going down the floor. Rahn made the perfect pass. I had separation with my defender as my thigh bumped him. I caught the ball around the free throw line and shot it. thrown.

The pass from Marco Rahn reminded me off the pass last season from Nils Leonhart to Trevian Bell for the buzzer beater win over Rhondorf. Did you know the ball would go in?

It was a pressure situation and this shot was easier to take obviously than one farther away. I always have those instincts when I release if it will go in or not. I knew my shot would go in.

Was that your first buzzer beater in your career?

I had one in the U-14, but as a pro this was my first.

Janne Muller was so calm after you hit the shot just sticking his finger in the air. How was the atmosphere after the shot later in the locker room? Do you have to get donuts?

No not yet, but I think that I will have to get donuts. Everyone was hyped and jumped on me. In the locker room we talked rational and knew we come out and play like that again.

Was this win a perfect preparation for the top game next weekend against Leitershofen?

This win was huge moving forward to next game in Leitershofen. We still have to correct some things so we can play better in Leitershofen. It is always a great atmosphere there with the fans. It won´t be an easy game.

Thanks Alex for the chat.