Pic Credit: Angel Media

Aleksa Kovacevic (187-PG-2002) is a 24 year old 187cm point guard from Serbia playing his 9th season in Germany and playing his first with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Last season he played with Pro A team EPG Baskets Koblenz averaging 9.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 24.6%, FT: 71.2%. In Germany he played parts of 5 seasons in the easyCredit BBL for the Hakro Merlins and the Syntanics MBC Weissenfles totaling 66 games. In between in 2023-2024 he returned back to Serbia for a season with KK Sloga Societe Generale Kraljevo (Serbia-KLS) averaging 6.6ppg, 1.7rpg, 3.8apg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 66.3%. He began his career in Germany with the Hakro Merlins organization playing with their Regionalliga and youth teams. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the big Basketball Champions League win over Bnei Hertzeliya.

Thanks Aleksa for talking to Germanhoops.com. Congrats on the big 101-89 win over Bnei Hertzeliya. How big was this win. Could this be the start of a big winning streak?

I hope so. We have the same kind of focus in both the BBL and BCL. We try to be the best team that we can in each game.

The Israeli team stayed with Bonn for 3 quarters. What was giving the team the biggest problems defensively that allowed them to score so much?

They are a good team. They played a different style to what we had seen previously from BCL teams. They played quite unorthodox and more 1-1 play. That gave us problems. It is tough to play against them. They fought really hard against us.

In the fourth quarter the Telekom Baskets Bonn punched first and they couldn´t punch back. Did you as team want it more?

I believe we wanted it more. Wé all gave 100% in that last quarter.

The team gave up too many points, but had great shooting percentages, won the rebound duel and had only 10 turnovers. What was the team´s biggest strength on this day?

Important was that we had more possessions. Controlling the rebounds and having less turnovers was our biggest strength.

Joel Sadu-Aminu carried the team and had his best scoring game of the season. How vital is his play? Is he one of the main leaders despite so many veterans?

We have a lot of leaders on the team. Every guy on the team is capable of leading the team in scoring on any night. You never know who will step up on any given night.

The team has been up and down in the easyCredit BBL. What is the main focus in the next weeks? What does the team have to do better consistently on the court?

We have been up and down in the early going. We have to consistently play with more energy and more fluency. We usually play with a 11 man rotation and all have to step up every night.

How have you seen the development of young German Kenan Reinhart? It is never easy to get minutes in a rotation that has many guards like yourself. I felt like he should have gotten a few minutes last night?

He plays very hard and well in practice. I think that all the double license players have done well in our practices. It is isn´t easy to get minutes. I went through the same thing with MBC. I think that because the points difference is so important in the BCL, that is why he maybe didn´t play last night. He is developing very well.

He used to be just a 3 and D player. Is he more than that?

Yes he is more than just a 3 and D player.

How valuable is a player like Grayson Murphy for you? How much does your playmaking profit from him?

I play vs him daily. His reads are always spot on and he makes great passes. He plays with flow. I can learn a lot from him.

You had a great game from the bench with 13 points in 13 minutes. Was that your true break out game this season?

I don´t really like to look at numbers. My focus is too do the vital little things. My first priority is defense and then see what happens on offense. I always play with confidence and give 100%. I´m very thankful that my teammates are all very positive and support me.

You had a similar situation with MBC needing to fight for minutes. How tough is this challenge always fighting for minutes and then being as efficient as possible?

It is never easy. I was younger when I was with MBC and I didn´t understand my role so well as I do now. I feel more comfortable now. When I was younger I played with more risk. Now I´m more experienced and more calm. Last season in Koblenz helped me understand what I can dow ell on the court and what not.

What exactly is your role with the Telekom Baskets Bonn this season. Is it bigger than with MBC?

My role is bigger now than what I had with MBC. The Bonn system is different than the MBC system. In Bonn I play the 1-2 and concentrate on defense first and find the best opportunities on offense.

What is your personal goal with your game this season? What do you want to achieve?

My personal goal is to be as best as possible in my role. When I do have the ball more in my hands, I want to make sure to make as little mistakes as possible. I want to become a stable BBL player. I want to play at high as a level as possible when on the court.

What kind of an experience has it been with the Telekom Baskets Bonn? What have you enjoyed most about it?

I really enjoy the fans and family feeling. It is amazing what they have built up over the last years. The fans support us so much and we love it. The fans support you always win or lose.

Do you still keep up with your ex team EPG Baskets Koblenz? They had a super start, but now are struggling with injuries.

Yes I do. I´m in touch with many of my ex teammates. They had a good start, bu now have had injury problems. I spoke to Jannis Sonnefeld recently. I hope he comes back soon. I hope the team can stay together and still have a good season.

Who would win a 1-1 in practice you or Grayson Murphy?

We don´t like to play 1-1. We are more team players.

Thanks Aleksa for the chat.