pic credit: Angel King media

Jakob Hanzalek (188-PG-2003) is a 21 year old 188cm point guard that just completed the season with the EPG Guardians Koblenz. Last season he played with BG Hessing Leitershofen (ProB) averaging 7.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 78.4%. In the 2022-2023 season he split time with SC Rist Wedel (ProB) and Arvato College Wizards Karlsruhe (ProB) averaging 7.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 80.0%. He played the 2021-2022 season with Team Ehingen Urspring (ProA) averaging 5.1ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 74.5%, played also at Team Urspring U19 team (NBBL) averaging 19.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 4.1apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 64.9%. He began his career with the Ratiopharm youth program and also played Pro B with Orange Academy. He spoke to germanhoops about basketball.

Thanks Jakob for talking to germanhoops.com.You played in the ratiopharm Ulm program for a few years. How challenging was that? How did your game grow in those young years?

My time in the Ulm organization was very important in my early development. I really learned my drive, shot and pg skills there. Anton Gavel let me play Pro B. The experience from the older players really helped me.

You were teammates with Zach Ensminger. What do you remember from your battles in practice? Could you hold your own against him?

Yes I believe I could. I wasn´t yet integrated into the Pro B yet. I practiced against him in the NBBL. I held my own against him.

You were also teammates with Jeremy Sochan. If someone had told you in 2020 that he would be in the NBA a few years later what would you have thought?

I would of thought it. He was super talented. He was very athletic and a great defender. Only his shot needed work. It is cool that he made the NBA. I´m really happy for him.

You played ANGT against Real Madrid. What memories do you have of playing that great team? You played against Usman Garuba.

I only played a few minutes against real Madrid. I remember seeing Garuba making athletic 360 type dunks. It was a great experience.

You then moved to Team Ehingen Urspring (ProA) averaging 5.1ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 74.5%, played also at Team Urspring U19 team (NBBL) averaging 19.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 4.1apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 64.9%. How important was this move for your career? You seemed to make another jump in your career.

Going to Ehingen was really important. It was the season after corona. I could paly NBBL again. The Pro A team had a bad season. It took us a while to win our first game. I grew under Johannes Hubner. I played together with Maxi Langenfeld. I could play free in the NBBL. My minutes there helped me for the pro A. I got my first atste of the Pro A in Ehingen. The roster was small so I could get minutes.

The next season you split time with SC Rist Wedel (ProB) averaging 6.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.5apg, played also at Arvato College Wizards Karlsruhe (ProB) averaging 7.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 80.0%. How tough was this season having to move around?

It was a very tough season for me. It was a wrong decision to leave Ehingen. I was young and Wedel didn´t fit for both sides. I was 19 and wanted to play and show all that I could play. Karlsruhe wasn´t the best situation for a young player. But I feel like I made the best out of the situation.

Last season you played with BG Hessing Leitershofen (ProB) averaging 7.3ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 78.4%. How did your game grow under Emanuel Richter?

He helped me so much at the point guard position. He helped me become a real point guard. I wasn´t a scorer there, but a point guard.

Are you surprised that BG Leitershofen was swept and is the North really better than the South? 6 South teams were swept. How crazy is that?

I´m very surprised. I always thought that the south wasn´t as bad as everyone says, but now I´m slowly starting to feel it too. Leitershofen played a great season. I´m surprised they lost. Losing Ferenc Gille hurt them.

Who will reach the Pro A and Pro B finals and win it?

In the Pro B I have Wolmirstedt beating Leverkusen and in the Pro B have Crailsheim beating Jena.

What goals do you have as a player? Is the pro A the way next season or could the Pro B be an option again?

I have another year in Koblenz. I want to establish myself as a player and continue to grow. I feel very comfortable in Koblenz and my vision was always to stay longer with a team.

Who the toughest player you battled that reached the NBA?

Juan Nunez

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Timo Neunzling, David Fuchs, Kevin Strangmeyer, David Bohm, Kasey Draper

Please list your personal NBA, Euro and German Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Lebron james, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain

Tomas Satoransky, Milos Teodosic, Mario Hezonja, Kostas Sloukas

Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schroeder, Franz Wagner, Andi Obst

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Who will reach the 2025 NBA final and win i?

Lakers against Boston. The Lakers will win.

Thanks Jakob for the chat.