German forward Kilian Brockhoff has had an outstanding season with his team Rasta Vechta. On the one hand he was out for four months due to a hand injury and on the other hand he lost the German U19 final against ALBA Berlin in a dramatic way last week. Nevertheless, he convinced individually, used his time of the hand injury ideally to train his weak hand and to improve coordination in the legs. Finally, he was able to gain some experience in the 1st team and was promoted to the second league with the farm team, even though they were only promoted from the fourth to the third league the year before. Now he is facing an important career decision.
How did you get into basketball in the first place?
I haven’t been playing basketball for too long, because I only started when I was 12 years old. It’s been a long time now, but clearly not as early as some others started. It was like this: I was always very tall, everyone said I should come to practice. Before that, I played soccer and tried out all kinds of other things, like tennis, for example. At some point I went to a tryout because my neighbors and classmates also played basketball. I had a lot of fun and realized that I had advantages because of my size. At first, like I said I played soccer and basketball at the same time. At a certain point, when games are on the same day, I had to set priorities. After only three months I was invited to the national squad of Lower Saxony (northern Germany state) there it went quite well, and I stayed primarily with basketball. It was simply more fun for me. After less than a year I was already in the older age group in the national youth camp and was nominated. The following year, I played in the the under 16 European championship in Undine/Italy with the older players and since then I have always been part of the national youth teams. When I turned 16, I moved to Vechta and and I live here for three years now.
Do you have other former (professional) athletes in your family?
No, my parents did sports, but not basketball.
For those who don’t know your game, how would you describe it and what are your biggest strengths?
Offensively, I have a good three point-shot. But I also have the ability after switches to post up against smaller, but also bigger, defenders and create my shot. But also, to find the shooters on the outside, when someone comes to double, that I find the open players. I also very much like to attack against big, presumably slower players, and create my shot off the dribble and drives.
Defensively that I can keep bigger opponents in the post, again also small guards with switches. I would argue that I am very mobile for my size.
Are there any idols you look up to?
Definitely, Kobe Bryant is already such an idol for me and also Lebron. He is simply the best at my position, the 3 and 4 position. That’s what you can measure yourself against because he’s the best player. I would obviously never compare myself to him but measure up.
What are your measurements right now?
205cm / 6.7 ft
105 kg / 231 lb
When you look back to last summer. Can you think of anything you’ve improved in?
During summer 2022, I was a part of the under 18 German national team and I had a great time, playing the European Championship in Izmir/Turkey. Then, in the fall, I was injured for a few months. I had a hand injury and then I had mono. During the time when I didn’t have the fever, I worked a lot on my coordination. In the end, though, I gained a lot of experience, by playing ProB (third highest German league) against adult professionals. And, still in the playoffs now that I played a lot of good minutes and also got 30+ minutes in the semifinal series. That’s already a lot of experience and playing practice that I can take with me into the summer when it goes to the under 20 national team. I also learned how to bring calm into the game as a leader when things get tricky.
I would say that I have improved my shooting, despite my injury to my shooting hand. Also because high school is finished now and can go to the shooting gun in the morning and do more individual training. Defensively, I have also improved in lateral speeds and have simply become more agile.
Do you still have any pain with your hand?
The whole thing ended 3 months ago. In the beginning I had some problems and had to warm up well before the training. But now it has healed very well, and I don’t feel any pain anymore.
Would you say that you are a leader right now or that you have improved in this respect as well?
Yes, I would say so. It’s always important to bring speed into the game. If you concede a basket at the defensive end, that you directly surprise the opponent and hit back before the defense of the others have even set up. At the end in the final last weekend, for example, you just must stay calm when it’s tight. So basically, you just have to read when to play fast and maybe sometimes “slow” with set plays. I would say I can read that well, even though I’m not a point guard. I like to bring the ball forward to relieve the point guard. In certain moments, I notice the experience I’ve gained, for example, with the national team, which some others don’t have.
You already mentioned the national team. Will you be part of the U20 European Championship this summer?
I am invited to the extended roster. The European Championship this year will be in Greece on Crete. The preparation tournaments will take place in Serbia. After several players have also been canceled from the last roster, because of college, etc. I hope for my chance again, although I am one of the youngest to play in U20.
What are your goals beyond the summer?
First, our goal was to become under 19 German national league (NBBL) champions. Unfortunately, that did not work out, but we are still proud. Of course, with the ProB we managed the promotion, which was a huge success, because we were only promoted from the 4th league last year and as a newcomer we went straight up again. And then I definitely want to play a really good European Championship with the national team.
I’m in exchange with 2-3 colleges right now, probably next week I’ll fly there and have a look at them. I just have to see if it works out with the people in charge there. So, in short, I will either go to college or stay in Vechta. There I could also play ProA (2nd league), which is very good as a young player, because I would get a lot of minutes and could develop further. It’s a question of whether I’ll get those minutes in college, because you often don’t get too many minutes in your first year. But surely you can develop and be ready and have the chance to play against great other players.
What do you like to do besides Basketball? Any other hobbies?
Right at the top is family, I like to do a lot with them. When they are here or when I am at home. Otherwise, I also like to do things with friends and my girlfriend to get away from basketball, because as you know, you’re in the gym enough and you need that sometimes. Otherwise, I also like to play video games, which makes every teenager time and also like just other sporty things outside of basketball. I used to play tennis and soccer, so anything with sports is a lot of fun.
Finally, where do you see yourself in five years?
If I went to college now, it would be for four years. You have to see how it develops. I’m sure you need some luck and being in the right place at the right time and you don’t get hurt, etc. The goals or even dreams are the highest level where you can be in America or Europe. So, NBA or also EuroLeague. If it is finally not the four years of college and then already creates the jump, I let that come to me. I’m definitely chasing that and working on it every day.
