Justus Hollatz talks move to Efes, Schroder-Herbert conflict in World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

Anadolu Efes Istanbul's latest signing Justus Hollatz discussed his move to the Turkish team and the EuroLeague while recounting Germany's World Cup run and the conflict between head coach Gordon Herbert and Dennis Schroder.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Justus Hollatz, the up-and-coming point guard, was part of the German national squad that made the run for the World Cup gold this summer.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul / Schedule

FC Barcelona Anadolu Efes Istanbul91-74 Anadolu Efes Istanbul Real MadridThu17:30 Anadolu Efes Istanbul LDLC ASVEL VilleurbanneTue17:30

While he was playing with his fellow countrymen in Japan and the Philippines, the young guard made the unexpected jump to the EuroLeague level after his team KK Cedevita Olimpija loaned him to Anadolu Efes Istanbul after Dogus Ozdemiroglu got injured.

In an interview with S Sport, the German international talked about his move to Efes and Germany's World Cup championship.

"I watched a lot of EuroLeague games from Efes," Hollatz started. "I looked up to players like Shane Larkin, I know Tibor [Pleiss] because he is German. I used to watch [Will Clyburn] when he played in the BBL."

"It's a bit surreal, to be honest, but I am lucky to have this opportunity," said the German international on his move to the Istanbul team. "I am honored to have the coach trust me, and I am confident that I can show my game."

When asked about the Efes squad, Hollatz said he had some catching up to do.

"Everyone was pretty kind. Seems like a fun group, they were laughing. I don't know the inside jokes yet, but I'll try to keep up."

Talking about Germany's gold run in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Justus Hollatz was still starstruck.

"Being this young, already having success, being a world champion doesn't seem real," he said, noting that he was the second youngest player in the roster after Franz Wagner, missing the honors by just 4 months. "Everything clicked, we had a lot of fun, and luckily we won the World Cup."

He also touched upon Dennis Schroder and coach Gordon Herbert's disagreement in the second group game against Slovenia.

Points this season

46%74,0Points made:74,0Accuracy:46,3%Place in standings:14Record max:74Record min:74Best scorer:Shane LarkinTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"The coach said from the first day that, at some point, we would have conflict. But that we had to react [to that conflict] in a team way, so we can't put ourselves in front of the team. We had to put our egos [aside]," the young player stated.

He also expressed a belief that the media exaggerated the conflict.

"It was a small conflict during the game, we almost forgot it after the game. I think the media just made a little bit more out of it."

The young player additionally rained compliments on Dennis Schroder and paid respects to Svetislav Pesic.

"He [Schroder] is the guy. He is playing crazy right now, especially in FIBA competitions," Hollatz said. "He was also the guy who said that we wanted to win the gold medal," he concluded, noting that Schroder motivated the squad.

On Pesic, the new Efes guard discussed the specialist's long-lasting effect on German basketball.

"This generation wouldn't maybe play basketball if coach Pesic wouldn't have won the European championship with Germany."

"He is maybe one of the greatest coaches Europe or the world has seen."

Hollatz's new team, Anadolu Efes, will face off against Real Madrid on Thursday. The German international had his first impactful performance with his new team against Cagdas Bodrumspor in the Turkish Basketball Super League last weekend, logging 8 PIR in almost 30 minutes.

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