pic credit: Jens Gebauer

Matej Jelovcic (185-SG-1998) is a 27 year old 185cm guard that completed his fourth season with the TSV Neustadt Temps Shooters averaging 21,8ppg, 8,3rpg, 3,9apg and 2,3spg. He began his basketball career with KK Zagreb. He came to Germany in 2016 and his first basketball job was with BSG Basket Ludwigsburg. He also has palyed with teams Baunach Young Pikes, SC Rist Wedel, TSG Bergedorf Hamburg and Eimsbuetteler TV Hamburg. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Matej for talking to germanhoops.com. You are now in your 10th season in Germany. How rapidly did Germany become a second home for you?

At the beginning, I honestly didn’t expect that Germany would become a long-term place for me. I wasn’t really thinking about it back then. But around my fourth or fifth year, it slowly became clear that this could be my future, both professionally and personally. That’s when I realized Germany was more than just a stop in my career.

Why did you leave your homeland of Croatia to come to Germany in 2016?

During my final year of high school, I got the chance to join the U19 team of Porsche Basketball Akademie in Ludwigsburg. At the same time, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do after school. So I decided to take the challenge, try something new, and see where it would take me. Looking back, it was a great decision and really shaped the path I’m on now.

You began your career with top Croatian team KK Zagreb. How were those early years for you, and did you have a mentor during that time?

Back then, KK Zagreb was one of the top clubs in the Balkan region and even played in the EuroLeague in 2011. I was lucky to be part of the club during a stable period, which gave us the chance to play in lots of tournaments against strong teams. It really helped me understand where my game was at, what was possible, and what I should aim for.

You were teammates with future NBA and EuroLeague player Mike James, who was a rookie at the time. How do you remember him back then as a player, and did you ever expect he would reach that level?

I actually never played with Mike directly because he joined the club after I left. But I heard a lot about him from people at the club who were there while he was playing. From what I heard, it was clear that he had something special and was determined to reach the highest level.

You came to Germany and joined the MHP Riesen organization, playing for their U19 and Regionalliga team. How do you remember that season, especially since you never recorded a BBL game?

That season was a great opportunity. Training and playing every day with a talented young group was really fun and challenging. Some of the guys from that team went on to play at very high levels, like Ariel Hukporti, Matteo Šeric, and Lukas Herzog. I don’t regret not playing a BBL game because practicing with the first team showed me how high the level really is. It was a reality check, but a positive one, and it motivated me to keep working hard.

You then moved to BG Karlsruhe. How did that experience shape you as a player?

They played in the 1. Regionalliga at the time. That period was really important for my development. I got a lot of playing time and was trusted to make plays and decisions on the court. It helped me grow a lot as a player. Living alone and taking care of everything outside basketball also pushed me to become more independent and mature faster.

You later joined the Bamberg organization and played Pro A with Baunach. How do you remember that season and how important was it for your development?

That year in Baunach was amazing. The team was stacked with talent and I was happy just to be there competing every day. It showed me I was good enough, but it also taught me that my biggest challenge would be finding my role and figuring out how to make the most impact. The practices were intense, the environment was professional, and the focus on basketball was serious. It was a huge year for my growth as a player.

You scored 17 points in a win over Chemnitz and were the best player on the court. Was that your fondest moment with Baunach?

Yes, I would say so. That was against one of the best teams in the league at the time. I got a lot of playing time and was able to contribute offensively, so it was definitely one of my most memorable games.

Since your time in Baunach, you have played in Pro B and Regionalliga. Why do you think you weren’t able to play consistently in higher leagues?

There were a few reasons. First, I wasn’t German at the time, and not having a German passport makes it. Luckily, I’m getting a German passport this year, so that won’t be an issue anymore. Second, while I had good moments in Pro A, I didn’t consistently show that I could make a big impact, especially as a foreign player. And third, I wanted to start school and work on things outside basketball. I have a lot of interests beyond the court, so I didn’t actively push to continue in Pro A at that time.

That Baunach team had many talented players. Was there a teammate who had a big impact on you?

The players who impacted me the most were the ones who made the game look easy. Kristian Kullamäe, who now plays for Estonia and in EuroCup, was one. William McDowell-White was another. Even though they were my age, they played with amazing basketball IQ and I looked up to them. I tried to learn from how naturally they played and make my game smarter.

You also played a season with SC Rist Wedel. What was that experience like?

When I joined SC Rist Wedel, it felt like a big step down from Pro A and the level of play seemed easier for me. The transition was smooth, and I enjoyed my time there. Unfortunately, I was sidelined for a while because of injuries, which limited how much I could contribute.

You were teammates with a young Justus Hollatz. Did you see his potential back then?

Yes, I did. Even back then, I could see he had the potential to play for the German national team. He’s sneaky athletic and it would sometimes catch me off guard. For example, he would randomly do a between-the-legs dunk in practice and you’d think wow. SC Rist Wedel and Hamburg Towers really helped him. They pushed him to step up, take shots, and become a leader. For someone introverted like him, that push was exactly what he needed. He embraced it and it worked out perfectly for him.

You were briefly with Eimsbütteler TV. What kind of experience was that and what do you remember about Mubarak Salami?

That wasn’t the best experience for me. It was very brief and not a good fit overall. I didn’t really get to build a relationship with Mubarak because I was only there for two games. It was just too short to create any meaningful connection.

You also played a season with TSG Bergedorf. You had many great games including a triple-double. Was that one of the best games of your career?

Honestly, I don’t even remember that triple-double, so I wouldn’t say it was my best game. What made that season special was that I could play without pressure, enjoy basketball again, and be with great teammates and coaches. That season brought back my hunger and love for the game, and as a result, I had many good performances.

You have been with TSV Neustadt since 2022. What have you appreciated most about this organization?

I really love the atmosphere at Neustadt. It feels like a family and the energy at home games is amazing. Not many clubs can match that. It’s really top-notch in that sense.

The team earned promotion to Pro B in 2024. What made that team so special?

We had a really smart group of players who understood their roles and accepted them. From the start, our goal was to get promoted, and we did. That season gave me a lot of great memories and was very special for everyone involved.

How special of a teammate was Dyon Doekhi? What did you appreciate most about his game?

Dyon is an amazing teammate. He’s easygoing and easy to play with. Our games matched really well and we made a strong guard combination. One thing I really liked about his game was his inside-hand layup. No matter how many times I watched it, I always wondered how it went in so consistently. He perfected it and it made him really special on the court.

The team started the season strong but now has six loses. Why hasn’t the team maintained early momentum?

At the start, we had a lot of injuries and some guys were out, so others had to step up. Roles were clear and we played with a lot of energy. Later, when more players returned, everyone was figuring out their roles again, which disrupted our rhythm. But I think we have the talent and basketball IQ to find our flow and play our best basketball when it matters most at the end of the season.

If you had to compare your style of play to a EuroLeague player, who would it be?

That’s a tough one, but I would say I would like to believe that there are some similarities between me and Carlik Jones from Partizan Belgrade.

You fill the stat sheet like no other. Would “Swiss Army knife” describe your game?

Yes, I think so. I don’t have one exceptional skill, but I can do a lot of different things on the court well.

How would you describe yourself as a defensive player and what steps are you still working on?

I rely on instincts, especially for steals and taking charges. One thing I need to improve is my overall conditioning. I want to be in top shape so I can maintain pressuring guys full-court the whole game while also carrying a bigger offensive load. Last year my offensive responsibilities were smaller so I could focus more on defense and I was able to apply pressure more consistently and be great on that side of the floor, but now I need to be able to do both at a high level.

What areas of your game are you currently focusing on?

I’m working on becoming a better decision maker offensively. That means taking better shots, attacking the basket more, and finishing strong instead of settling for an okay three. I’m also trying to read the game better, make the right play for myself and my teammates, and execute at a high level.

Who is the toughest player you ever faced who reached the NBA or EuroLeague?

At a young age, I played against Luka Doncic. Considering what he has accomplished, he’s the most accomplished player I’ve ever faced, even though it was early in his career.

Please name your five best teammates of all time.

Christenvie Kwilu Matteo Šeric Mehrdad Lotfian Leon Bulic Jannik Lodders

Your personal NBA, German, and Croatian Mount Rushmore of players?

NBA: Nikola Jokic, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Germany: Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, Andy Obst, Detlef Schrempf Croatia: Dražen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Dino Rada, Krešimir Cosic, Bojan Bogdanovic

Who is your GOAT?

Nikola Jokic

Thanks Matej for the chat.