We are back to easyCredit BBL action after the FIBA national team break and Round 10 saw a major upset with RASTA Vechta beating FC Bayern Munich. The week also saw BG Göttingen finally win their first game in the league while Ulm reclaimed the top spot in the standings.
In this section, we break out our English language skills and inform you about the latest news from the German easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga. If you’re short on time but still want your fill of Germany’s top basketball league then you are in the right place. Every week David Hein (www.heinnews.com) brings you up-to-date in German basketball – the easyCredit BBL short and sweet:
Martin, Jay and the miracle play - Gardner beats buzzer for Vechta, Bayern suffer first home loss
RASTA Vechta grabbed an unlikely victory as they took advantage of travel issues for FC Bayern Munich to pull out a 78-77 road victory thanks to Jayden Gardner’s layup at the buzzer. Bayern arrived late back home from a Euro-League trip in Belgrade and Vechta were in control of the game for most of the first half, leading by as many as 15 points. Bayern eventually took the lead in the third quarter and were up 75-70 with 89 seconds left. But Brandon Ran-dolph and Joel Aminu hit back-to-back three-pointers for Vechta. Carsen Edwards made a layup with 2.5 seconds to put Bayern back ahead only to watch as Jay Gardner drove to the lane for a layup of his own at the buzzer - just how Vechta head coach Martin Schiller had predicted. Vechta have now won four straight for a 5-4 record and a spot in the playoff ranks while Bayern fell from first to third with a 6-3 mark. Vechta committed only 8 turnovers and held Bay-ern to just 24 percent on three-pointers. Gardner was the top scorer for Vechta with 18 points, Randolph and Johann Grünloh both had 13 points and Tyger Campbell contributed 7 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals. Ed-wards scored 22 points, Andi Obst had 14 points and Johannes Voigtmann chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds in the loss.
Göttingen finally break through, beat Bamberg for first win
BG Göttingen finally tasted victory in the easyCredit BBL this season as they defeated Bamberg Baskets 97-88 for their first win. Göttingen had a run late in the first half to take an 11 point halftime lead and the hosts remained in control the rest of the way. Göttingen improved to 1-7 to move just one victory behind 2-6 Bamberg, who have lost three in a row now. Bamberg shot just 29 percent on three-pointers and the hosts made 38 percent from deep. Göttingen coach Olivier Foucart went with an eight-man rotation and six players scored in double figures. Jimmy Boeheim and Collin Welp both scored 18 points and combined for 11 rebounds and Kostja Mushidi tallied 17 points, 6 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Filip Stanic and Brandon Horvath both had 13 points and 8 rebounds and MaCio Teague added 13 points and 4 assists in the loss.
Ulm reclaim first place, Jallow, Weidemann combine for 35 in win over Bonn
ratiopharm ulm reclaimed first place in the easyCredit BBL as they rolled past Telekom Baskets Bonn 95-75 on the road. Bonn led by 12 points after 10 minutes but Ulm led at halftime and the lead was 10 points after three quarters and the guests never were challenged in the final frame. Ulm have won two in a row and four of five for a 7-2 record while Bonn have dropped three of their last four games for a 4-4 mark. Ulm shot a blistering 62 percent from the field including 59 percent on three-pointers while Bonn made just 39 percent of their shots and only 24 percent from long range. Karim Jallow led the way for Ulm with 18 points and 6 rebounds, Nelson Weidemann had 17 points and Ben Saraf tallied 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Thomas Kennedy collected a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds for Bonn and Phlandrous Fleming added 16 points in the loss.
Heidelberg down Rostock at home, jump to second place in league
MLP Academics Heidelberg fans are in seventh heaven as the club jumped to second place in the league after beating ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES 86-81 at home. The game was close throughout with seven points being the biggest lead. Rostock led with a minute to play but watched as Heidelberg scored the final six points. It was Heidelberg’s third straight win and puts them at 7-3 while Rostock have dropped three of four for a 4-5 record. Heidelberg made 24 of 31 free throws compared to 9 of 18 for Rostock. DJ Horne poured in 22 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the winners, who also got double-figure scoring from all five starters including Mateo Seric’s 14 points. Robin Amaize top-scored for Rostock with 20 points and Bryce Hamilton added 18 points.
Braunschweig end another streak, hand Wolves first loss in two months
Basketball Löwen Braunschweig have proven to be real streak killers of late as they beat SYNTAINICS MBC 76-70 at home to end the guests’ record six-game winning streak. Braunschweig snapped NINERS Chemnitz’s five-game winning streak in the last game before the national team break. The guests built a 13-point third quarter lead but the game was tied early in the final frame. Braunschweig scored the final five points of the game in the last 52 seconds for a 4-4 record and second win after a four-game losing skid. Wolves fell to 5-4 after a club record six-game winning streak, which included the German BBL Cup win. Braunschweig shot 59 percent on two-pointers compared to just 47 percent for the guests. Tre Mitchel led Braunschweig with 19 points, Arnas Velicka had 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Barra Njie added 12 points and 6 assists. Spencer Reaves scored 16 points and Martin Breunig had 13 points and 8 rebounds in a losing effort.
Hamburg snap four-game skid, beat Frankfurt for first win since October 6
Veolia Towers Hamburg breathed a collective sigh of relief after they defeated SKYLINERS 91-78 at home to snap a four-game losing streak and secure their first win since October 6. Hamburg led by 17 points midway through the second quarter and Frankfurt made things interesting early in the second half but the hosts went on a 19-5 run for the win. That gives them a 3-5 record while Frankfurt have lost four in a row and are now 2-6. Hamburg shot 55 percent from the field and Frankfurt made only 45 percent of their shots. Hamburg’s new signing Johnathan Stove led the way with 18 points, Kur Kuath had 17 points and 7 rebounds and Brae Ivey totaled 12 points and 10 assists. David Muenkat came off the bench to lead Frankfurt with 18 points and 9 rebounds as the starting five combined for 37 points.
Hamburg add physicality and scoring with signing of Stove
Veolia Towers Hamburg added some strength and scoring to their lineup as they signed Johnathan Stove until the end of the season. The 28-year-old joins Hamburg from Greek top flight side Maroussi and returns to Germany, where he was the top scorer for SYNTAINICS MBC last season with 16.4 points.
Frankfurt add Heckmann on short-term deal with option
SKYLINERS added some depth and veteran leadership as they signed former German international Patrick Heckmann. The 32-year-old forward penned a deal until February 18 with an option until the end of the season. Heckmann worked out with Frankfurt in the pre-season but signed a short-term contract with Veolia Towers Hamburg which had expired. Frankfurt jumped at the chance to add Heckmann, who played 34 times for Germany.
Despite 35 points from Jhivvan Jackson, Chemnitz rally to beat Würzburg
NINERS Chemnitz got back to their winning ways as they rallied to beat FIT/One Würzburg Baskets 81-77 at home despite a great showing from Jhivvan Jackson. Würzburg led the whole first three quarters, including by 15 points in the second quarter, and the guests were still up by 8 points with under 6 minutes to play. Chemnitz reeled off a 17-3 run to move to 6-3 after having their five-game winning streak snapped before the break. Würzburg saw their three-game winning streak end and are now 5-3. Chemnitz survived 24 turnovers because they won the rebound battle 42-29 and Würzburg shot only 41 percent for the game including 23 percent from long range. Victor Bailey came off Chemnitz’s bench for 20 points while Aher Uguak collected 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, Will Christmas and Jeff Garrett both scored 10 points and combined for 17 rebounds and DeAndre Lansdowne added 10 points and 9 assists. That balance was too much for Würzburg, who had Jackson score 35 points - 22 of them in the second half - but Zac Seljaas was the only other player in double figures with 13 points.
Delayed start, no Coach Patrick, no problem for Ludwigsburg in Berlin
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg overcame a delayed start to the game and missing head coach John Patrick to roll to a 74-60 victory at ALBA BERLIN. A problem with the lights at Uber Arena meant the game started nearly 25 minutes late and Ludwigsburg’s assistant coach Lars Masell took over for the ill Coach Patrick. None of that mattered as Ludwigsburg ran away from Berlin with a 23-4 second quarter and never looked back, moving to 5-4 after having lost the last two games. Berlin fell to 3-6 with their second straight loss - the first time this season they either won or lost back-to-back games. Berlin committed 20 turnovers and shot only 34 percent from the field. Ezra Manjon and Joel Scott both scored 14 points for Ludwigsburg and Justin Simon picked up 13 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Matteo Spagnolo scored 14 points and Tim Schneider added 10 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.
Player of the Week
The Player of the Week honor for Round 10 goes to Jhivvan Jackson for his strong showing in FIT/One Würzburg Baskets’ narrow loss to NINERS Chemnitz. Jackson scored 35 points on 12 of 24 shots (4/11 threes) and 7 of 10 free throws to go with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals for an efficiency of 28.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Nelson Weidemann, ratiopharm ulm
Weidemann collected 17 points with 3 three-pointers, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in the win over Telekom Baskets Bonn.
G: Kostja Mushidi, BG Göttingen
Mushidi had a great all-around game in Göttingen’s first win as he picked up 17 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks against Bamberg Baskets.
G: Andi Obst, FC Bayern Munich
Obst came off the bench and hit 3 three-pointers in scoring 14 points to go with 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in the loss against RASTA Vechta.
F: Mateo Seric, MLP Academics Heidelberg
Seric had 14 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in the win over ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES.
C: Johann Grünloh, RASTA Vechta
Grünloh tallied 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in the upset of FC Bayern Munich.
Young Guns
Sananda Fru, 21, PF, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig
Fru started and played 24:18 minutes against SYNTAINICS MBC and scored 12 points on 6 of 7 shots to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks.
Elias Rapieque, 20, SF, ALBA BERLIN
Rapieque collected 4 points on 1 of 3 shots (0/1 threes) and 2 of 2 free throws, 1 rebound and 1 block in 11:28 minutes against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg.
Julis Baumer, 17, PG, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg
Baumer was productive in his 7:42 minutes against ALBA BERLIN with 4 points on 2 of 3 shots (0/1 threes) and 1 rebound.
Germany shocked by Sweden on road, bounce back for first Mumbru win
World champions Germany had a shocking upset in their first game of the latest national team window for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers as they lost 73-72 at Sweden despite David Krämer dropping 43 points on the northern Europeans. After losing their first game with new head coach Alex Mumbru at the helm, Germany rebounded in Heidelberg with an 80-61 victory over Sweden for a 2-2 record in the qualifying group. The final spots for next summer’s EuroBasket will be handed out in the next FIBA window in February 2025.
Germans Abroad
Sebastian Hartmann has taken a big step up this season in his second campaign with Eastern Washington University. After playing for Germany at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2024, the former Bayern and Ludwigsburg talent has gone from 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 2023-24 to 10.9 points, a team-leading 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.9 steals thus far. The 20-year-old guard, who is shooting 46 percent on three-pointers this season, scored 16 points and had 4 rebounds and 2 assists in the team’s most-recent loss to University of Utah.
