Pic credit: Flotograf

Matheo Hermann (196-F-2007) is a 18 year old 196cm guard that will play for the Hakro Merlins in 2026-2027. Last season he played for Pro B team Lok Bernau averaging 2,1ppg and Alba Berlin NBBL (U-19) team averaging 11,2ppg, 2,6rpg, 2,5apg and 1,2spg. He also played ANGT twice and the last time averaged 11.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 90.0%. He helped Alba Berlin capture the NBBL title in 2026. He spoke to germanhoops.com after winning the 2026 NBBL title.

Thanks Matheo for talking to germanhoops.com. Talk a little about your basketball roots and how you got interested in basketball?

I used to play soccer, but lost interest in it and started playing basketball after my old head coach in Friedenau discovered me on an outside court.

Where did you play before playing with Alba Berlin?

I played at Friedenauer TSC

When did you come to Alba Berlin?

I came to ALBA BERLIN in my second year of JBBL

You won the JBBL title. What was so special with that team?

I think we were very competitive and everybody had a good understanding of what their role was.

Who were your early basketball inspirations on the court?

I used to watch a lot of Kevin Durant, but also in Europe, Lorenzo Brown

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would probably see Derrick White because of his elite defensive and the ability to shoot the ball on a high level

Talk a little about your offensive game. Your not the massive scorer, but are very athletic, defends at a high level and loves the open court. How would you describe your offensive game best?

I would say I have the ability to make the game a lot faster when I’m on the court and knock down shots from outside at a good level, but also be aggressive in attacking closeouts and finding my teammates out of the pick and roll.

You shot 36% from outside in the NBBL in 2 of the last 3 years and once 23%. How would you rate the current development of your outside shot? What do you need to establish to make it even more consistent?

I work on my shot a lot. I think consistency on paper will come naturally as I keep working on shooting out of the dribble and challenging myself in practice in order to make shots even when the ones before did not fall.

You’re a very aggressive defender. Talk about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I think right now I am able to guard from 1 to 4 because I have the ability to use my length, but also athleticism to stay in front of people and not be physically in a disadvantage. I think in the future I will become even more physical, which is the number one priority defensively for me.

On what areas of your game will you work on most this summer in order to continue to improve your game?

I will work a lot on shooting off the dribble in the mid range, but of course also behind the three-point line, reading defenders even better in order to attack closeouts or find my teammates and get a lot more physical.

In the 2023-2024 season you lost a tough 3 game NBBL playoffs series against Vechta. What will you always remember from that brutal 3 game series?

I think those games will always be tough, but it’s a learning experience and moments like these will always help to be a better player.

You also played ANGT that season and lost a brutal 118-46 game to FC Barcelona that featured many great players like Dame Saar and Mathieu Grujicic. What did you personally learn from that tough loss?

I think I saw the difference in physicality and athleticism that you don’t really face in Germany, which motivated me a lot because it showed me where I need and want to be.

In the 24-25 season you had your first experience with Lok Bernau and also averaged 7.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 55.2%, in the NBBL and played also at ALBA Berlin U18 team (ANGT) averaging 11.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 90.0%. You reached the NBBL Top4 but lost to Ulm. Was the Ulm depth better that season? What was key for not being able to reach the final?

I think Ulm showed a lot of effort and will to win that game and eventually the difference maker was how much do you want it. I think me and all of my teammates know that we could have given that extra 1% more, which would have probably changed the outcome of the game, but like I said, I think these games are a learning experience, and every player on that team is glad to have went through that situation.

You played ANGT again and scored in double figures well in all games. You lost badly again to FC Barcelona and Olympiakos, but what could you personally take with you from this experience?

It was a great experience for me because I felt like I could showcase the work that I had put in and overall it’s always good to play against that good of a competition to understand where you might need to improve or what you might need to specifically work on.

This season you finally won the NBBL title over ratiopharmUlm. How special was it winning it this time?

It was very special, I think we earned that win and every single person on this team did everything they could to make that dream come true and this year it was us, who showed more effort, which is great to see after losing to Ulm last year.

Was depth and team chemistry something that was very key for Alba Berlin winning the title?

For sure, I think it was one of the best chemistries I have ever experienced in a team, which obviously plays into how much trust we have for each other. Also, the fact that every single one of the players on this team was able to stand on the floor and make an impact is eventually what gave us a huge advantage in both games in the top four.

You gave your team big impulses in the wins over Frankfurt and Ulm and filled the stat sheet really well. Was your combined 2/11 shooting something that will give you big incentive to work more on your shooting this summer?

I think that’s part of the game and the main focus for that weekend was to help my team secure the championship. Obviously there’s always something that could’ve went better, but as somebody who is very competitive and probably my biggest judge, I also need to realize when it’s important to put the ego and pride aside and focus on what’s actually important.

The team was so special from players 1-12, but talk about Anton Kemmer and Finn Borczanowski? How special were these 2 guys for the success?

I think they’re both very talented players. It was very fun to be able to work with them this year and the years before that, I think they have developed very well and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them.

You have now played 2 seasons with Lok Bernau. You haven´t averaged more than 2,0ppg. How did you see your development in the Pro B?

I think this year and last year were a huge learning experience. being able to get on the floor for a short amount of time, and trying to make an impact somehow helped me grow as a player, but also mentally.

You played 1 BCL game and practice with the Alba Berlin team. What 1-2 players had the biggest impact on you form the easyCredit BBL team?

I think the way Justin Bean approaches the game is very inspiring and it really helped me to stay positive and be in the right mindspace even when things are not going my way.

What is the next step for you? Will you remain in Berlin, or possibly go to the NCAA?

I think, whatever the best situation for me is, will be the situation I will choose to be in.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that reached the NBA or Euroleague?

Probably Nolan Traore

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Dorian Grosber, Tidiane Ly, Jonathan Conrad, Noah Isichei, Eric Nkoué

Please name your NBA and German Mount Rushmores of 4 best players of all-time?

1. LeBron James

2. MJ

3. Kobe

4. Steph Curry

1. Dirk Nowitzki

2. Dennis schröder

3. Franz Wagner

4. Isaiah Hartenstein

Who is your GOAT?

Kevin Durant

Thanks Matheo for the chat.