Tahlik Chavez (188-G-2001, college: La Tech) is a 25 year old 188cm guard playing his first season with Dziki Warszawa. He played his rookie season with the Koping Stars (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 21.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.9apg, SPG-3 (1.6), FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT-5 (88.1%). He began his basketball career with Lake Ridge High School and then played a season at Garden City Community College (JUCO) averaging 20.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 82.9%. He then played a season at Iona College (NCAA) averaging 3.2ppg, 1.2rpg and then played 2 seasons at Charleston Southern University (NCAA) averaging 11.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 75.0and 11,.1ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 77.9%. He then added a season at Louisiana Tech University (NCAA) averaging 13.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 76.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after reaching the ENBL final beating CSO Voluntari.

Congrats on the big 87-80 win over CSO Voluntari to reach the 2026 ENBL final. How big is this win for you personally? Your one win away from your first pro chip.

It felt really amazing to be in the position to be able to win my first pro chip as well as first international chip for the organization.

How strange is it having a top 4 in the middle of the week? Was this a tough adjustment?

It actually didn´t feel that strange. We already had had some back to back games this season like against Greece team Iraklis. I know it will be tough playing the final tomorrow, but we will be ready.

Voluntari went into the game as the favorite. Do you feel like the underdog role suited the team best? How big was the desire to win?

We saw ourselves as the underdog. We wanted to stamp ourselves as the dog against the defending champion. Our desire was so big to win. We won for each other.

Dziki Warszawa led by as much as 6 points in the first quarter, but led only 21-20 after 10 minutes. How key was it for your team making that first punch?

We have had problems this season not being able to punch first. We just try to stick together. Tonight we didn´t want to start the wrong way.

You scored 8 points in a row in the first quarter including 2 three´s. How motivated were you to improve your 0/7 night against Iraklis in the last ENBL game?

I actually had forgotten that last shooting game against Iraklis. Good shooters have a short term memory. I actually remembered my last shooting game of 7/8 in the polish league.

CSO Voluntari went on a little run late in the second quarter and led 48-41 at the break. What was key for the opponent getting the lead and keeping it?

We got down on each other. We let down a bit. We didn´t fight back the way we should of.

In the third quarter Dziki Warszawa fought back and led 66-60 after 30 minutes. What did head coach Marco Legovic tell the team to do better?

He told us to keep our heads up. We didn´t play our best defense in the first half. He told us to play better defense and we did that. We were more aggressive and were hands down.

American Landrius Horton got going and made key baskets in the come back. How vital has his play been all season long for the team success?

He has been great all season long. He is a great player and even greater person. Some of the things that he does in practice shocks me. He is an amazing player that has helped us win many games.

In the fourth quarter, Dziki Warszawa led it rain three´s to conserve the lead well. What was the biggest strength on defense for your team?

Our ball pressure and heart were key at the end. Every guy put their body on the line for the team. We also did a good job getting the rebounds.

Darren Edge finished with 17 points and made key baskets in the fourth quarter. How vital has his paly been since he arrived from German team Ludwigsburg?

He also has been great. Often you have guys that come from other teams and it takes some time to fit in. But he fit in right from the start. He wants to win as badly as the other guys. He fit in offensively and with us as who we are as players.

Both teams shot well and they rebounded a bit better than your team. Was this game won on the possessions? Dziki only coughed up the ball 7 times?

Our ball pressure helped cause turnovers for the opponent. We kept the pace up and we had more depth.

You were very efficient with 21 points in 20 minutes. You have been very efficient this season. Have you always had that in your game?

This is the least that I have played in my life. I have to come in and make shots when they count. I feel like I have been able to grow in my role doing that this season

You next battle Manchester. What will be ´key to getting title?

We just have to be ourselves and be who we are. I feel like we have the heart to take it.

How big is the team belief that Dziki Warszawa will win the title?

It is huge. We were able to beat Iraklis in a very tough environment. We believe that we can beat anyone.

Thanks Tahlik for the chat.