Risto Vasiljevic (195-SG-2001) is a 24 year old 195cm shooting guard that helped TV Langen win the 2025 South West Regionalliga title averaging 14/471 stats. He began his basketball career with BC Darmstadt and then played with the Frankfurt Skyliners youth teams and played with the Frankfurt Pro B team. He then played a season with the MLP Academics playing 18 games averaging 1,4ppg. He then returned to Frankfurt and played with the Juniors averaging 5.8ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 64.3%. He then moved to TV Langen (Regionalliga) and played 2 seasons avergaing 15,oppg and 3,0rpg. He spoke to eurobasket about his basketball career.

You began your basketball career at BC Darmstadt. What memories do you have of the young years in your career?

BC Darmstadt is where it all started for many of us. It’s the place where we first discovered our passion for the game. Back in our U14 days, we had an exceptional team with players like Maxi Begue, Len Schormann, Leon Fertig, Niklas Kessler, Leon Kakarigji, Eren Küpeli, Tim-David Schrädt, Isaac Obanor, and several others whose names I may have forgotten.

With that group, we experienced a great deal of success throughout our entire youth basketball journey. In test games, we beat the Hessenkader by 30 points. Even later, when we transitioned to Frankfurt, many of us from the Darmstadt team were still together, reaching the JBBL finals. We also won the tournament in Vienna as a team and shared countless great moments that we all still remember fondly. Our coaches, Tobias Willmesmeier and Carsten Schönhagel, played a key role in shaping us and making that time so memorable.

That’s why my brother and I now coach the U12 and U14 teams at BC Darmstadt, We want to pass on that same joy and passion for basketball to the next generation. Doing so in the very gym where I first started playing makes it all the more meaningful to me.

You then played in the Skyliners organization from 2016-2020. How do you feel did your game grow further there?

Moving to Frankfurt was a big step for me. The first year was a very instructive period. I played with the older age group, which had just won the U14 national championship, and that experience really helped me grow as a player. Olaf and Dubi are well-established figures in the JBBL. They know exactly how to guide and develop a team during this crucial stage.

The opportunity to play on multiple teams while also being connected to the professional squad was extremely valuable for me. Sebastian Gleim had developed a very strong and well-structured program. Over the years, I had to take on different roles in various teams. I always embraced those roles and used them as a chance to grow. At some point during that period, I gained confidence in my shot and began to develop it into a real strength. Over time, it became the foundation of my playing style.

Looking back, I have very positive memories of my time in Frankfurt. It was a formative period in my life. We trained hard, constantly pushed each other, and supported one another. The team spirit remained strong throughout the years, and I had the chance to develop both on and off the court.

You played in the 2017 JBBL final. What memories do you have of that run?

The team that year was particularly interesting because we had a deep roster with a wide range of players, each with different playing styles and personalities. That gave us a lot of versatility. Olaf and Dubi appointed me as team captain that season, and I took that responsibility seriously. Looking back, I think I served the role well as a glue guy who held things together. We had a strong team and ended up winning tournaments in both Lund and Vienna.

Over the course of two JBBL seasons, we didn’t lose a single home game! Something I’m still very proud of. Unfortunately, we fell short in the final against Alba. They were more prepared that day, and we simply didn’t have our best performance. That loss still stings. We had won the JBBL championship the year before and were determined to defend the title, which made it even harder to accept.

You were a solid player in the JBBL. Was having guys like Len Schoormann and Maxim Begue a blessing in disguise as there seemed to be more focus on their games?

I was able to learn a lot from Maxi, especially in the early stages. At the time, he was a step ahead of everyone else and one of the best players in Germany. Playing alongside him gave me confidence, knowing that we had someone like him on our team. He was always encouraging and genuinely happy to see the rest of us improve. What came naturally to him eventually became second nature for the whole team, and that helped all of us grow.

Len’s physicality in the JBBL was clearly above average and a huge asset for our team. Seeing what he’s accomplishing now in the BBL makes me really happy for him.

I don’t think any team particularly enjoyed playing against us back then. Being the team captain of that group is something I’m truly proud of.

What memories do you have of Isaac Bonga? He was on the NBBL team. Did you ever practice with him?

At that time, Bonga was already mainly involved with the BBL team, so unfortunately I didn’t have much direct contact with him. I did train with him once, but beyond that, I can’t say much. He’s had a great season with Partizan, and I really hope he continues like that.

You scored 6 points in 10 minutes against Maccabi Tel Aviv as future NBA player Deni Avdija exploded for 30 points. What memories do you have of that game?

Yes, that was at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament in Munich. Unfortunately, we lost that game, so I don’t have the most positive memory of it. Deni Avdija played incredibly well that day. He scored 30 points with a level of ease that I’ve rarely seen before.

In the 19-20 season Covid came. Do you feel like had Covid not came you would have remained in Frankfurt or was Heidelberg then the best option?

No, I don’t think I would have stayed in Frankfurt. After five years in the youth program, it felt like the right time to look for a new challenge, learn something new, and get to know a different place. I also don’t think I would have had the chance to really play and grow in Frankfurt’s ProB team back then.

That’s why Heidelberg was the best choice for me at the time. Especially during the COVID period, when many things were uncertain, it was good to be with Frenki Ignjatovic in Heidelberg. I already knew him, and that gave me a sense of security.

You scored 20 points against Ludwigsburg in an NBBL game and future NBA player Ariel Huckporti had a 24/12 game. What memories do you have of that game and how does it feel knowing you and him were the best players on the court?

Yes, I remember that game very well. We were dealing with injuries, and I knew I had to step up and take on more responsibility in offense. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to win the game.

Ariel and Ludwigsburg had a strong team and played really well.

It’s unfortunate that the season was cut short because of COVID. We had a solid group, and I would have really liked to see how far we could have gone that year.

You then made a big jump to the MLP Academics. You only played 18 Pro A games. You only averaged 3,5 minutes. Was this move to early?

I do think it was a bit too early for me at that time to get minutes in the Pro A. However, that year as a professional still helped me a lot. Training twice a day with the pros gave me valuable experience. I was by far the youngest player on the roster, and I was able to learn a great deal from that environment.

What positives did you get from the experience. Was there a teammate that had the biggest impact on you? Maybe a Shy Ely?

That was my first full season training with a professional senior team and not just any team, but a ProA team with clear ambitions for promotion.

As the youngest player on the roster, I had the chance to learn something from everyone. I’m really grateful for how Coach Frenki integrated me into the practices and for the way my teammates welcomed me. Over time, I gained more and more confidence. I also built a strong relationship with Albin, our assistant coach, and Serena, our athletic trainer. They constantly encouraged me, which meant a lot.

It was also my first time living away from home, which was a completely new experience for me.

The team was built with the goal of moving up a league, and for a young player like me, there was something to learn from each teammate. I tried to observe and absorb as much as I could.

Of course, I have to mention Shy Ely. He’s without a doubt the best player I’ve ever played with. His work ethic and the way he executed every drill perfectly really left a lasting impression on me.

I’m really grateful to have had that experience in Heidelberg.

You then returned to Frankfurt in the 21-22. Season and averaged only 5.8ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 64.3%. Looking back now were you disappointed that you didn´t have a bigger role? You were also injured.

After we were promoted to the BBL with Heidelberg, it became even less likely that I would get any playing time. However, since there were plans to start a new professional 3x3 team in Heidelberg, the idea was that I would train with the BBL team over the winter and then transition to the 3x3 team.

At some point, though, it became clear that the 3x3 project wouldn’t happen after all. That left me with the question of whether I wanted to go through another season without any game experience.

I decided to reach out to Sepehr in Frankfurt, and I’m grateful that he welcomed me into the team. That was the first time I realized how challenging it is to join a team mid-season and find your place. Still, I’m satisfied with how the year turned out.

You then returned to Langen. Has Langen became like a second home for you?

I started training in Langen back in my U14 days. At the time, I was part of the Basketball Part-Time Academy (BTI), where we trained twice a week. Frank Müller was the head coach of the BTI back then. He came from the old school of coaching and ran incredibly tough practices, something I’m very grateful for today. That experience created a strong bond between me and the Georg-Sehring gym.

On top of that, I’ve known my teammates for many years now, so I can honestly say that Langen feels like a second home to me.

You have had some big games in the Regionalliga against Stuttgart and Lich. What has been your best game at the Regionalliga level?

If I had to choose one game, it would be the semifinal against Lich. That was one of those days where everything just seemed to click. I had never played a first half like that before. It was a lot of fun.

Who is the best player you ever played against that reached the NBA?

I think it’s pretty clear that Franz Wagner has gone the furthest by far from our age group. What he’s doing is truly exceptional. He’s already accomplished a lot, yet still has so much ahead of him.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Alvin Onyia, Maxi Begue, Leon Fertig, Calvin Schaum, Jordan Samare

Name your NBA Mount Rushmore. Your 5 best players of all-time?

Steph Curry

Nikola Jokic

Dejan Bodiroga

Michael Jordan

Lebron James

Who is your GOAT?

Milos Teodosic

Thanks Risto for the chat.