Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Igor Pperovic in Koblenz in 2025

Igor Perovic (194-G-1974) is a former player that currently is in his seventh season as coach of German Pro A team Bozic Estriche Kirchheim Knights. He has previous coaching experience with the Tigers Tuebingen where he coached from 2009-2015. As a player he played in countries like Serbia, Montenegro, Israel and Germany where he played 5 seasons with Tuebingen and Wurzburg. He spoke to germanhoops.com before the game against the EPG Baskets Koblenz.

Thanks Igor for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the incredible 7-0 start of the Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim (Germany-ProA). How good is basketball life for you at the moment?

I´m very happy with my team and how they started. The results couldn´t be better. There are many reasons to be satisfied.

After the tough Pro A final loss last summer, did you come in more focused and hungry into the 2026 summer signing period and have kept that going into the season?

The 2026 playoffs were amazing that had a lot of success, fun and memories. We obviously would have liked to have won the title. But Hagen was clearly the best team during the regular season and playoffs. They deserved to be champion. If someone had told me before the season that we would reach the final, I would have called it a miracle. We were young last season and had 5 rookies. We had an incredible development. This summer we had little time to recover, but I already knew guys like Watson and Alston, because they had played with my ex player Braden Norris in the NCAA. I had gotten great feedback from Norris on them. I watched 30-40 of their games. I also knew they were good character guys. I had no doubts in signing them. I have no extra special motivation because of losing the final. As a competitor, one always wants to win each game. We realized very quickly at the start that we have good players and people and could have success.

You have an amazing ability to get the right point guards the last years as guys like Richard Williams, Michael Flowers, Braden Norris and last season Philipp Russell were guys that gave a big impact. Now you have CJ Hines. How do you consistently always know which point guard fits best?

I was a point guard and I guess I have a knack for knowing who fits best. The point guards that I had in the past were all different. For example Braden Norris was more an old school pass first guard while a Michael Flowers was more a scoring point guard. I just see what I have and then use it. I never try to make one of my point guards into something they are not. I try to always get the best out of each player.

CJ Hines has been scoring wise well. He only averages 2,6apg. How have you seen his development?

We have very high expectations of CJ. He has a good body, is strong, athletic and can score. It is all a process for him. He has to know to get 100% on every possession at both ends. That is his biggest challenge. I feel he can always shift up another gear.

The EPG Baskets need a new point guard as Frankie Collins wasn´t a fit. Do you have a tip?

Even if I did, I won´t tell them. Maybe after the game I would tell them.

The Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim (Germany-ProA) are 7-0. That isn´t easy in the competitive Pro A. Has the start surprised you just a little bit?

I saw our players in pre season. I realized right away that they aren´t only good players, but also good people. They are all very coachable. This helps a lot when building a new team. We have very physical players which also helps. I feel like we also have some of the best guards in the Pro A. They have proved that they can play at high levels. I´m not surprised of our great start, but maybe it is a bit too much.

You have 8 new players and are 7-0. That is amazing. How were you able to form such a good team chemistry so early on?

We have a good quality with our players and all have the right mind set. It makes it easier to have success when all are smart and there are no egos.

How difficult is it as a coach to lead an unbeaten team? What is the biggest challenge for you?

I think that the biggest challenge is getting better in each practice and staying on the ground with our feet. You also have to be smart and stay disciplined. We have good players and good people, but still each game is a big challenge in this league. You have to respect each opponent. I put a lot of pressure on my players when we prepare. We can´t take anyone lightly. If your not 100% ready, then you will lose.

Most wins were by larger margins. How well is the defense coming along? The teams allows 75 points per game and last weekend kept ex BBL team Heidelberg to only 64 points. How good is the defense now and what needs to get better?

Our offense is already very good. We need more time with defense. The first six games were all high scoring while the last game against Heidelberg was different. We didn´t have a good offensive game and it was low scoring. Heidelberg was well prepared against us. Our defense in the second half was amazing. We showed our physical potential. Lukas Zerner didn´t score any points, but his defensive game was crucial in our success. We have some players that don´t score much, but their defense is very important for us. Christoph Philips was very important for us as well.

I believe you asked me during the 2025-2026 playoffs about Desmond Watson, because I covered him in Frankfurt last season. Low and behold you signed him. How special of a player is he on the floor?

He is a very special player. He has all the tools to be great in Europe. He is so skilled, has excellent ball handling, can defend 1-3 and can really do it all. He is easy to coach. I can only compliment him.

We know what Tyrel Morgan can do, but how vital has Philipp Alston been? Is he like a glue guy?

He is an amazing athlete that has a great basketball body that can play at any level in Europe. Sometimes he plays to fast to recognize certain things on the court. He just needs to read the game a little better.

The next opponent are the EPG Baskets Koblenz? They had a good start, but now injuries have plagued them. What is your impression of them?

It is never easy when you lose the point guard. But they also lost an important German player with Jannis Sonnefeld. They still have a good roster. However I believe that we are the better team and can beat them. We have to be mentally and physically prepared.

How dangerous will they be? They are like a wounded animal with nothing to lose. What will be the key to winning?

We can´t underestimate them. I hope we will be healthy. Of course they could win, but if we can play the way we usually do then we will have a good chance to win.

We go back 20 years to 2006. Could you beat AJ Moye in a 1-1 game with your IQ?

I would win a shooting contest and him a 1-1.

Thanks Igor for the chat.