Nevio Bennefeld (212-C-2007) is a 18 year old 212cm center that is playing for Alba Berlin´s NBBL (U-19 team) averaging 8,3ppg, 6,4rpg, 2,0apg and 1,8bpg and also with Pro B team lok Bernau averaging 3,7ppg and 3,0rpg. Last season he averaged 1.8ppg, 2.0rpg for Lok Bernau, 8.9ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 65.5%, for the Alba Berlin NBBL team and also played ANGT averaging 9.0ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 57.1 %. He recently played at the U-17 World Cup averaging 2,8ppg and 2,8rpg. He also played at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany (Unofficial World Championships U18) averaging 4.3pgp, 5.2rpg, 1.2spg. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

Thanks Nevio for talking to eurobasket.com. You finished the 2023-2024 season and it was a heavy load with ANGT, AST, NBBL, Pro B and the World Cup U-17. How was the season for you mentally and physically?

It was a long year. It was my first season with Alba Berlin. I came from Heidelberg and was without my family in Berlin. It was a big change. But Alba Berlin did a great job to help me get adjusted.

Last summer you played at the U-17 World Cup and Germany finished in 11th place. How did you summarize the tournament? I guess you can´t make excuses with some guys not being there?

It was a very strong level. It was a new experience and we needed time to get adjusted. 11th place may not seem great, but we raised our play from game to game. We went from game to game and gave our best.

Germany had some loses to Turkey and France. Did these games show that there was a big difference in talent and class?

The French team was very good. They had very good team chemistry and had played together a lot longer than we did. We had a very short preparation time and were at a disadvantage against other teams.

What could you learn from games like these?

You can only learn playing against top level teams like that. We could see where we stand at. I thought we did a good job not hanging our heads after tough loses. We just kept going and won games after loses. We always stayed positive after loses.

You averaged 2/2 in 13 minutes. What do you believe was the major obstacle for you not getting more minutes?

I would have liked to have played more. It was still a great experience having been a part of it. I gave it all I had.

You also played at the AST. I remember watching a tough loss to Serbia and then an almost win against China. What were you able to take from the AST?

AST was also a valuable learning experience for all. We once again had a short preparation time and just didn´t play as well as a team. We also didn´t hang our heads after the loss to Serbia and then almost beat China.

What is it like being coached from Dirk Bauermann. He is a legend and is lauded from his players for his work with the young players. What kind of a relationship do you have with him and how has he helped you most?

It is enriching to be able to be coached by such a successful coach like him. He has such a vast knowledge of the game. He would always help me after certain situations on the court. I learned a lot from him.

What has it been like being teammates with other big man Clemens Sokolov? How do you guys push each other best in practice?

I like him a lot. He is a nice guy. We spent a lot of time together off the court. On the court we were very competitive. We often had shot competitions after practice.

Let´s talk a little about your game. You’re a 212cm center. To what pro player have you heard comparisons from other people about how you play the game?

I play a lot of 5, but can also play the 4. Anthony Davis is a big role model for me. I watch a lot of videos of Kevin Durant. I like his game. We have a similar stature.

You can score and rebound, but what is your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength is my shot and fighting mentality.

You take three´s, but it doesn´t seem so developed yet in your game. Is this an area that you want to continue to raise your amount of shots?

Yes I want to. I´m working a lot on my shot. I definitely want to raise my shooting percentages.

Your also a talented defender, but is it fair to say a bit raw? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I want to be a better 1-1 defender. I also want to be able to switch on the guard and be able to hold my own. I also have to get faster foot work.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game best?

I´m working a lot on ball handling, coordination and foot work. I´m also more in the weight room.

You played your first season with Alba Berlin. What was it like being part of this great organization? What did you appreciate most from the experience?

Going from Heidelberg to Berlin was a big step. The practices were harder, there were better coaches and facilities. I have enjoyed the amount of coaches that I can work with the most.

Alba Berlin suffered a tough 3 game playoff series loss to the Young Rasta Dragons. Is it fair to say that nothing stood in their way of finally winning it all in their 3rd straight NBBL top 4 final?

Vechta was a very good team. We were a new and young team. They were simply better than we were the whole season. Losing the series hurt.

In the second playoff game you played against huge talent Johan Gruenloh. You held your own with 11 points and 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. Did a performance like that give you added self-confidence?

It was great to play against him. I had a good game against him. I took advantage of it. During the game I focus more on me, but after a game, I do watch other players on video and try to take things from their games.

How important was it having a guy like Linus Ruff on your side? What do you appreciate most about his game?

It was cool to play with him. He is a very good player and will play in vechta next season. He helped me a lot at the start of the season. He played ahead of me at the 5. He was a very strong 1-1 player in the post. Our daily battles in practice helped my game.

You averaged 8/4 stats in 23 minutes. You had some good games, but how tough is it having consistency on a team that has so many scoring options?

I need to get more consistent. I had some good and bad games. I think it is good in general when a team doesn´t have to rely only on one player. In some games I took responsibility and in others others.

You also played 4 pro B games with Bernau. What kind of an experience was it getting your first Pro B minutes? What could you get most from this experience?

It was a great experience to play with Lok Bernau. It was a new experience for me as in Heidelberg I had only played Regionalliga. I was able to gain my first pro experience in the pro B

Your last game was a real exciting game where you lost 116-115 to Rostock. What will you always remember from that game?

I learned in that game that a game is never over until the buzzer sounds. We were up by 5 points and then they forced overtime and won. That loss hurt a lot. You always need to play until the end.

What are your goals for this season? Perhaps to get a bigger role in the NBBL and make the next steps in the Pro B?

I want to have a bigger role in the NBBL and earn more minutes in the Pro B.

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced on the court?

Johan Gruenloh

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I can´t name just 5. There are too many great ones.

Please name your personal NBA, and German Mount Rushmore?

Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, Bill Russell and Nowitzki, Schroeder, Patrick Femerling and Detlef Schrempf.

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James.

Thanks Nevio for the chat.