Even if Ivan Kharchenkov (198-SG-2006) and Nicholas Kodjoe´s basketball paths now will most likely not cross again as teammates, they will always be linked in that their dads are well known public figures. Papa Kharchenkov Alexander was a well known professional basketball player that won the World Cup in 1974 over USA while papa Kodjoe Boris is a well known actor in Hollywood whom played in tv series Seattle Firefighters and Code Black. Even if Ivan and Nicolas won the U-16 and U-18 Euro titles in 2022 and 2024, they only played this season together with FC Bayern Munich. Ivan mostly was with the easyCredit BBL team showcasing his incredible skills in the BBL and Euroleague, but at times helped out playing 3 Pro B games and 2 NBBL games together with Kodjoe. They played their last game together winning the 2025 NBBL (U-19) title in Berlin. Ivan will begin a new challenge in USA playing for the University of Arizona (NCAA) with the hopes of being a first round NBA Draft pick in 2026. In all they won 3 titles together. “My fondest moments with Nicholas were winning the U-18 Euro in 2023 and the 2025 NBBL title in Berlin”, stressed Ivan Kharchenkov. Kodjoe recently added a new medal to his collection helping Germany win the silver medal at the U-19 World Cup. Teammate Kharchenkov has maintained an eye on his development this past season. “I´m proud of his achievement. He was a good role player for Germany. He brought important energy to the team. He accepted his role to the fullest. Not every player can have the go to guy role or that of their NBBL team. I didn´t play so much with him with FC Bayern Munich. I played more with him with the youth national teams. He has made a big development. Now he needs to focus on details”, stated Ivan Kharchenkov.

The 2022 U-16 Eurochampion Kharchenkov was very busy the last few months especially in the winning department as he finally won his first NBBL title on his last try and also won his second easyCredit BBL crown in a row. Of course, he wanted to cap of the 2024-2025 season with a medal at the U-19 World Cup, but didn´t play on account of insurance reasons. “ It was tough not being there, but I quickly got it out of my mind. I didn´t want to be mad. I would have liked to have played against USA”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. In the first 6 games, team Germany played very consistently and clearly showed that they didn´t even need an Ivan Khrachenkov. “Yes they didn´t need me. I´m very proud of the team. They compensated my loss well. They played very concentrated. They had a tough opponent with USA. Team USA was strong and you have to accept the loss. They won the silver and were the second best team in world. They showed it. They stepped up as a team. ”, added Ivan Kharchenkov. You have to wonder how well team Germany would have faired against Team USA had Kharchenkov been in the lineup? “ That is hard to say. I definitely could of helped them”, said Ivan Kharchenkov.

The 3 level scorer Kharchenkov who hasn´t really played teammate Christian Anderson in 1-1 and would always take himself in a game over anyone else saw some of his teammates ball in the easyCredit BBL and seen their development especially Hannes Steinbach who has made massive steps in his game in the last 2 years. The giant will play at Washington (NCAA) in 2025-2026 and was the best center at the U-19 World Cup averaging 17.4ppg, Reb-2 (13.0rpg), 2.0apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 72.1%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 77.8%. “He has made big strides. I can remember before the U-18 Euro in 2023, he was the third center behind Johan Grunloh and Ben Defty. If you look where he is now and where he was 2 years ago, it is amazing”, expressed Ivan Kharchenkov. Another player that also had a super U-19 tournament was Christian Anderson averaging 17.3ppg, 4.9rpg, Assists-2 (6.6apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 71.4% and was named to the first team just Like Steinbach. Does he have the skill set for a possible NBA career down the road? “Yes he could. He needs to work on his defense and physicality. He still gets bullied on the court”, commented Ivan Kharchenkov. Kharchenkov would really have liked to have played in the Gold Medal game against USA, but in a few months he will see some of the best players in the NCAA. Then he will be able to keep assessing better how far USA and Germany are apart in the U-19 skill level. “I think if you look at the 2 rosters at the U-19 World Cup, there aren´t many differences, but if you take the 2 birth years of 2006 then there is a big difference. Basketball is a big tradition in USA. It is like soccer in Germany”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. The birth year 2006 had so much success in the last 3 years, but what does the future hold for German basketball? There is a lot of new talent coming up in the next years, but can a unique basketball year like 2006 come again in the next years and have as much success? “We have made strides the last years having success. The expectations are very high for the age groups after. Disappointment could happen in the next years”, warned Ivan Kharchenkov. Kharchenkov made his mark in the youth ranks and now it´s time for new faces to keep the winning torch going.