For 17 year old Dusan Ilic (188-G-2008) who is a mix out of Shai and Kyrie on the court, it has been an incredible stimulating 2025-2026 season as he has simply experienced so much for a 17 year old in terms of basketball. He is near completion of his first Pro B season with the Dragons Rhondorf where he was already getting meaningful minutes from the bench as a 16 year old in the first half of the season. There were 5 games where he averaged 20 minutes or more including a 30 minute game against Rostock and 6 games where he scored in double figures. He showed early maturity as a 16 year old coming from the bench and always giving great energy and being as efficient as possible. He continued to grow as a player in the next months and recently played Adidas Next gen and was having a solid showing averaging 9/3/6/1 stats, but then play abruptly being halted because of the war in Iran. He couldn´t get home right away and was stuck in Dubai for days not knowing when he could return home. Then only a few days he was crowned AST champion with Germany for only the third time in the history of the 31 year tournament. But his season didn´t end there, as he has a do or die game this Friday at home against top team Orange Academy where his season could end or continue. There he will face his AST teammate Felix Kielnekar again, but now as an opponent. No matter what happens against Orange Academy, it is fair to say that his AST experience was his biggest highlight this season. It was an experience he surely won´t forget. “Our goal was winning the Gold medal. We were prepared and got 100% from every player. I was so relived when the buzzer sounded in the final, but also overjoyed. It was a big achievement for us. This tournament is only every 2 years and it showcases the best youth players in the world. It was a big highlight having my family in attendance. They were very proud of me. I was really happy getting a lot of congratulatory messages from family and from Dragon players like Juhwan Harris-Dyson”, stressed Dusan Ilic.

pic credit: Laddler-photography

Germany played Bahrain first and used it as a warm up destroying the Asian team 116-59. Germany totally controlled the boards 55-31 and had 6 players score in double figures led by Lucai Anderson with 16 points. “We went into the first game not wanting to underestimate anyone. We began to dominate the game after a few minutes. That gave us the opportunity to work on other things and prepare for the next opponents. We also were able to work on our chemistry”, stated Dusan Ilic. Jamie Edoka had a solid first game scoring 11 points and filled the stat sheet and was on his way to becoming one of the best players in the tournament. “Jamie is a really good player. He attacks the rim really well and was a very good team captain. He has a lot of potential”, said Dusan Ilic. Germany next faced Slovenia and had their toughest challenge of the tournament. Germany started slow and had to play catch up basketball for most of the game. Germany picked up the intensity in the fourth quarter at both ends and won it with the masterful game winner by Jamie Edoka. “The close win taught us that we can never give up. We were able to turn the game around, but we also learned that we had to always start a game with 100%. We knew that a game is a long time and you can never give up”, warned Dusan Ilic. Germany controlled the boards again 41-33 with 16 offensive rebounds and had 4 guys score in double figures. Lucai Anderson was top scorer with 16 points and nailed big three´s when Germany needed it in their come back. Caspar Vossenberg added 13 points and was one of those silent hero´s during the tournament stepping up in so many ways. “His energy was great and he was able to attack the rim really well. He also always motivated us on and off the court. That helped us always support each other and harmonize well”, added Dusan Ilic. Germany next faced Turkey where many Turkish fans showed up adding to a beautiful atmosphere. Germany was in control in the first half, but had a horrible third quarter being outscored 24-4, but retreated in the fourth quarter demonstrating that they can flip the switch at any time exploding for 29 points and winning easily 95-80. “We had ups and downs in this game. But all in all, it was tough for anyone to beat us. We never gave up and always stuck together”, warned Dusan Ilic. Germany once again dominated the boards 44-26 and offensive rebounds 20-8 and shot a potent 46% from outside. Germany was led by Lucai Anderson with 26 points and had 4 players in double figures. Fin Borczanowski had a solid game of 13 points, but was in the shadow of Lucai Anderson´s brilliant scoring game. “Fin also did a good job in the tournament. He helped our game a lot with his size, shot and athleticism. He really knew how to read the game well”, commented Dusan Ilic.

pic credit: Ladler-photography

Germany then faced Sweden in the fourth game and won 91-56. After a tight first quarter, Germany then played consistent ball in the last 3 quarters averaging 22 points and allowing only 11 points on the way to a comfortable victory. Germany led by as much as 35 points and won the rebound duel 61-32. They also forced them to 6/37 shooting from outside. “We didn´t start well again and the game was tight at the beginning. But once we found our rhythm, it became easier for us. We played more free and together as a team”, expressed Dusan Ilic. Germany spread the love around with scoring once again totaling 5 players in double figures led by Edoka´s 15 points. Orange Academy big man Felix Kiehlneker had a great game of 12/13. “What I really appreciated about Felix´s game the most is his ability to be able to fight for every ball with his size. He was a very dominant rebounder”, remembered Dusan Ilic. The German domination continued against Japan winning 103-78. After a tight first quarter, Germany then exploded for 62 points in the second and third quarters paving the win. “Japan was a different team to all the others. They were guard dominated and played very fast. We had some problems with their aggressive defense at the start, but we were still able to play our game. We never stopped attacking and always played as a team”, added Dusan Ilic. Germany was led by Caspar Vossenberg with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again easily 61-32 with 20 offensive rebounds. Germany was 5-0 and now met Brazil in the semi-finals. Was any one going to stop them? Germany witnessed a tight scoring first half leading 51-50, but stepped it up in the third quarter exploding for 31 points and took it up another notch in the last frame with 39 points winning 121-98. Did Germany make any major adjustments in the second half? “We just got better into a flow in the second half. We then showed how strong our offense could be. We showed that every guy could score and our will to win grew even more. Scoring 70 points is crazy. We really wanted to play for gold and our motivation grew”, stressed Dusan ilic. Anderson and Edoka combined for 47 points as Anderson led all scorers with 26 points. “Lucai is a really good shooter and has a clean shot. He is also really good on on and off ball movement. He always knows when to shoot and when to pass”, said Dusan Ilic. Germany won the rebound battle again 40-24, shot 42% from outside and only coughed up the ball 9 times.

pic credit: Ladler-photography

The final was a close battle against Slovenia. Germany led 46-38 at the break, but in the second half Slovenia led briefly until Germany got the lead back and never looked back despite winning the second half only 41-37. “I think that the difference was that we controlled their guards better. We also played quicker and simply wanted it more than they did. We also knew that if all gave 100%, then we would win gold. Nobody wanted silver”, warned Dusan Ilic. Germany was led by Edoka with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again 49-36. ”Our biggest strength in the tournament was playing fast and taking many shots on offense Our ball movement was also good and we were able to punish our opponents so often in the game”, commented Dusan Ilic. After the win, coach Alan Ibrahimagic was greeted with a massive shower in the dressing room. But how did the celebration continue that night? “We had a team dinner. The dinner was relaxed. We were all laughing and having fun. There were no speeches. Most guys left after, but only Anderson and Dopfer stayed to Sunday when they flew back to USA”, stated Dusan Ilic. The German who lists Darius Karatasu and Vazquez Dos Santos of Brazil as players that impressed him most during the tournament had a solid tournament averaging 6/1/3 in 16 minutes per game. “I was content with my game. I feel like I did the most I could of the opportunity that I got. I understood also on what I need to work on which is my shot”, added Dusan Ilic. He played against 6 different nations and against the best youth players on earth which helped his game make another step. “I was able to come to terms with the aggressive defenses of all the countries. I really was able to show what kind of a point guard I can really be. I showed that I could be one of strongest at my position. I learned that every mistake could be punished”, stressed Dusan Ilic. It was the first time that he played for head coach Alan Ibrahimagic and was able to learn so much in such a short time. “It was a really cool experience to play for him. He taught me how to play fast and always be aggressive. If I have an open shot, take it with confidence”, warned Dusan Ilic. The young German will surely have many memories from this glorious week in Mannheim, but this week he is focused most on annoying Orange Academy in the playoffs and lifting his game to another level again.