ALBA Berlin prospect Mathieu Grujicic (07’) recently made some noise at the U16 finals in Frankfurt, winning the championship an being named MVP of the final four. Next stop for him : German national team to prepare for U16 European Championship in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Generalities :

Position – Variable guard who can play and create on-ball as primary ballhandler but also as smart off-ball cutter and spot-up shooter. Defensively he shows solid tendencies but not always engagement to give 100%.

Measures – 194cm / 6.4 ft and 85kg / 187 lb

Nationality – Germany (born in Berlin)

Strengths :

  • shows offensively versatile productivity (three-dimensional scorer)
  • very good size for guard of his age
  • gets to the charity line at will
  • enormously determined and confident
  • great feel for the game

Weaknesses :

  • body needs to be developed (despite already showing slight definition in muscles)
  • needs consistency on the defensive end
  • occasional tendency to hide
  • pick and roll effectiveness
  • still too infrequent in setting the scene for his teammates

Mathieu Grujičić – ALBA Berlin

answers to Eurospects

For those who don’t know your game, how would you describe it and what are your biggest strengths?

First, thank you for reaching out! My game? Adaptable, I suppose. Whatever goes, in order to get a win. Sometimes, the priority is to shut down the opponent, other times the accent is on cracking the defence in the paint etc… Understanding the circumstances in real time could be my biggest strenght but then, it is not up to me to say…

On which position do you see yourself long-term?

Combo guard and, naturally, any position in defense, switching and helping being of the essence.

What are your measurements right now?

194cm (6’4), 85kg.

How did you get into basketball in the first place?

My older brother and myself started first doing some soccer and aikido but we fell in love with the game of basketball in our elementary school here in Berlin. The transition to Alba program came smoothly after some time.

Do you have other former (professional) athletes in your family?

My mother used to run marathon in France, my father played basketball in Serbia…

Are there any idols you look up to?

No idols. Revered persons yes, by all means. Mahmud Abdul Rauf comes to mind, for his firm defense of his intimate beliefs, to stay within the realm of basketball…

What are you working on right now primarily in terms of individual skills?

Just taking a little break after the season right now. But this summer will be dedicated to vertical jump and explosiveness, mainly. Before and after the meetings with the national team, obviously…

What are your biggest weaknesses?

Again, not up to me to say…

Would you say that you can be a leader in your team?

Whatever goes, as I said. I do try to lead by example but the ideal is to play in a team which doesn’t need a leader or, rather, where anyone could be one, if required…

This summer you will play for the German national team. Are you excited about it and what are your goals?

Absolutely excited ! Ours could easily be the team mentionned above. The goals are high, very high. Extremely high.

What do you like to do besides Basketball? Any other hobbies?

Watching good TV shows and movies, enjoying good acting. I listen to a lot of Kendrick Lamar.

Would you say you are an introvert or extrovert?

If it makes sense : introvert letting my character speak for itself on the court.

Can you imagine going to college one day?

Yes, I can easily picture myself going to college in two years. But I can imagine myself taking others paths too…

What can you imagine to study if you decide to go to college?

Social studies, sport management, for now.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Now you are 16, so you will be 21. Any league or level you would like to be?

It seems really too far ahead. The road is supposed to be long and bumpy, so let us keep moving step by step, as steadily as possible.

Is there any team for which you want to play one day?

The one that brings to mind some dancing company, all members connected, in constant motion, the ball flying and changing hands super fast…

Last one. What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your career?

First I need to make some noise at the beginning of my career, then we’ll see what happens.