The easyCredit BBL Finals are set and it will be a showdown of regular season winners - and reigning champs - FC Bayern Munich against ratiopharm ulm. The second placed finishers Ulm survived a thrilling five-game Semi-Finals over FIT/One Würzburg Baskets while Bayern won three straight games after MLP Academics Heidelberg had stole Game 1. Off the court, ALBA BERLIN will be losing an institution as Tim Schneider will be leaving after 14 years in the club. And ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES' all-time games played leader and team captain Sid-Marlon Theis is staying with the club.
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 (Taking The Charge) brings you up-to-date in German basketball – the easyCredit BBL short and sweet:
Bayern vs Ulm in Finals - Game 1 on Sunday
The easyCredit BBL Finals are set with reigning champions FC Bayern Munich going up ratiopharm ulm. The matchup pits regular season winner Bayern against second-placed finisher Ulm. Both teams won their home games against each other this season - Bayern in Round 14 by the score of 70-62 on March 17 and Ulm in Round 31 on April 8 with a score of 109-94.
Bayern have won the last four non-regular season games - beating Ulm 81-65 in the 2024 German Cup Final after having swept Ulm 3-0 in the 2023 playoff Semi-Finals. Bayern will be shooting for their seventh league title following 1954, 1955, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2024. Ulm for their part are hoping for their second championship following 2023.
The Finals will start on Sunday June 15 in Munich with Game 2 in Ulm planned for Wednesday June 18 and Game 3 back in Munich scheduled for Saturday June 21. Game 4 if necessary will take place in Ulm on Tuesday June 24 and the 2024-25 champion will be crowned the latest on Thursday June 26.
Ulm finish off Würzburg at home in Game 5, reach Finals vs Bayern
ratiopharm ulm set up a date with FC Bayern Munich in the easyCredit BBL Finals after they finished off FIT/One Würzburg Baskets with a 91-84 victory in the decisive Game 5. All five of the games were won by the home team. Ulm took the first quarter 26-17 and never gave up the lead the rest of the game, finishing the game off with a 14-5 start to the fourth quarter for a 15-point advantage. Ulm had struggled from long range in the series but drained 12 three-pointers at a 46 percent clip to help decide the game. Karim Jallow led the way with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Jhivvan Jackson, Hannes Steinbach and Nelson Phillips all had 16 points while Zac Seljaas was limited to 6 points with foul trouble.
Decimated Würzburg keep series alive, set up deciding Game 5
FIT/One Würzburg Baskets remained alive in the Semi-Finals series against ratiopharm ulm by fending off ratiopharm ulm 78-77 at home to force a deciding Game 5 in Ulm. Würzburg temporarily opened a 10 point lead early in the third quarter of an otherwise tight game. Despite losing season MVP to fouls with more than 8 minutes left and Mike Lewis to a knee injury, the hosts did a great job down the stretch on defense. Würzburg held Ulm scoreless for the final 2:45 minutes, and Davion Mintz provided the game-winner with 8 seconds to go. Zac Seljaas and Hannes Steinbach both had 16 points in the win while Ulm wasted Karim Jallow’s 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Jallow shows the way, Ulm just one win from Finals
ratiopharm ulm continued their dominance at home and moved just one victory from the easyCredit BBL Finals after beating FIT/One Würzburg Baskets 99-86 at home. Ulm decided the game with a 14-0 run in the second quarter as well as a 53-26 rebounding advantage including 20 offensive rebounds. Karim Jallow led the way with a season high 26 points and Noa Essengue had 17 points and 9 rebounds for Ulm, who are 19-1 this season at home including the playoffs. Würzburg could not take advantage of 25 points from season MVP Jhivvan Jackson.
Würzburg pull series even 1-1 with strong defense
FIT/One Würzburg Baskets evened the Semi-Finals series with ratiopharm ulm with an 87-77 home victory in Game 2. After a tight first 15 minutes, Würzburg took control of the game and were never threatened the rest of the way. Ulm managed just 23 percent three-point shooting and committed 23 turnovers. Davion Mintz poured in 21 points to lead the winners and Hannes Steinbach collected a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Essengue shines in Ulm’s OT win over Würzburg in Game 1
ratiopharm ulm held home court to start their Semi-Finals with FIT/One Würzburg Baskets with a thrilling 91-87 win in overtime. Ulm wasted a 12 point lead early in the third quarter and three points was the biggest lead in the final 8 minutes of regulation, which ended with the teams tied 73-73. Ulm’s star talent Noa Essengue converted a three-pointer and three-point play in the final 45 seconds to give the hosts the win. Essengue finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds to lead the victory
Bayern rally from 17 points down, beat Heidelberg in OT, reach Finals
FC Bayern Munich booked their spot in the Finals after rallying from 17 points down to beat MLP Academics Heidelberg 94-82 in overtime on the road for a 3-1 series victory. Bayern trailed 37-20 early in the second quarter but came back and tied the game in the third quarter. The guests took the lead in the final frame and led by three points with 8 seconds left only to see Heidelberg’s Erol Ersek drain a three-pointer with 5 seconds to go to force overtime. Bayern started the extra session with an 12-1 run and it was game over. Shabazz Napier and Andi Obst both scored 19 points and Vladimir Lucic collected 10 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
23-2 second half run gives Bayern home win, 2-1 series lead
FC Bayern Munich used a big 23-2 run spanning the third and fourth quarter to register a comfortable 98-68 win at home over MLP Academics Heidelberg for a 2-1 lead in the Semi-Finals series. Bayern drained 14 three-pointers to just 5 for Heidelberg with Shabazz Napier scoring 18 points and Andi Obst chipping in 15 points in the victory.
Bayern defense too strong, win in Heidelberg to even series 1-1
FC Bayern Munich reclaimed home court advantage in their Semi-Finals series with MLP Academics Heidelberg with a strong defense in a 90-61 road victory to even the series 1-1. Bayern took control of the game with a 28-12 third quarter. Shabazz Napier scored 16 points off the bench to lead five Bayern players in double figures.
Heidelberg steal Game 1 in Munich, snatch home court advantage
MLP Academics Heidelberg grabbed home court advantage of the Semi-Finals against reigning champions FC Bayern Munich with a 95-90 victory on the road in Game 1. Heidelberg scored 31 points in the fourth quarter in front of a sold-out crowd in the SAP Garden as they surprised the regular season winners. DJ Horne poured in 26 points and Michale Weathers had 23 points in the win.
Schneider leaves Berlin after 14 years, 477 games
An institution will be leaving ALBA BERLIN as Tim Schneider departs the club after 14 years and 477 games. The 27-year-old Schneider joined ALBA from RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf in 2011 and played with the pro team since 2016. His 477 games ranks third all-time for ALBA players behind Henrik Rödl (512) and Teoman Ötztürk (489). The Berlin native Schneider celebrated three German league titles as well as two German Cup trophies. His next club has not yet been announced.
Kayil returns to ALBA on loan from Mega
ALBA BERLIN were able to attract the services of one of Germany’s biggest talents as Jack Kayil will return to his home city on loan for next season from Mega Belgrade. The 19-year-old elected to stay in Europe and not choose a lucrative offer from colleges in the United States. Kayil, who helped Germany win the historic FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024, played last season with Mega and was with RASTA Vechta in 2022-23 after leaving Berlin.
Next top talent to leave for US college: Kharchenkov heads to Arizona
FC Bayern Munich guard Ivan Kharchenkov joined a growing list of youngsters to leave Germany for US colleges as he agreed to attend the University of Arizona. The 18-year-old guard joins the team coached by Tommy Lloyd and will be playing with LeBron James’ son Bryce as well as Koa Peat and fellow internationals Dwayne Aristode (Netherlands), Sidi Gueye (Senegal) and Mabilmawut Kon Mabil (South Sudan).
Captain Theis stays another season with Rostock
ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES will keep their captain for another season as Sid-Marlon Theis signed on to stay with the team for his sixth campaign. The 32-year-old is Rostock’s games played record holder, joining the club in 2020 after playing from 2014 to 2020 with Braunschweig, Tübingen, Jena and Bremerhaven. Theis was part of the Rostock team in 2022 that earned promotion to the Bundesliga. He has played 173 games for the Seawolves, 92 of them in the Bundesliga.
Bamberg bring in Zach Ensminger, 17 years after father Chris starred there
Bamberg Baskets made an important signing for next season as they brought in German point guard Zach Ensminger on a one-year deal. The 24-year-old played last season with BG Göttingen before moving to Finnish club Kauhajoki. Ensminger is the son of Chris Ensminger, who starred with Bamberg from 2001 to 2008.
Bamberg sign ProA star Demarcus Demonia
Bamberg Baskets continued their busy early off-season as they brought in a proven scorer in Demarcus Demonia. The 25-year-old arrives in Bamberg after playing in the German second division ProA for nearby BBC Bayreuth. The power forward poured in 18.9 points per game while also averaging 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists for Bayreuth. That came after he collected 19.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in the Austrian league for Arkadia Traiskirchen.
Bonn lock up Jena’s promotion hero Zach Cooks
Telekom Baskets Bonn added a scoring playmaker with a winning mentality with the signing of Zach Cooks, who helped Science City Jena earn promotion to the Bundesliga this season. Bonn penned a two-year contract with the 26-year-old, who joined Jena last season after two years in Graz, Austria. Cooks scored 30 points including the game-winner in the final seconds in Jena’s Game 4 win over Gießen in the Semi-Finals to reach the Finals and earn promotion.
Hamburg bring in guard Thorpe from Lithuania for two years
Veolia Towers Hamburg gave their team some shape for next season - and possibly beyond - as they brought in American guard LJ Thorpe. The club penned the 26-year-old to a two year contract. Thorpe spent last season playing in Lithuania for Juventus Utena.
Weißenfels signs Marcus Foster as second addition
SYNTAINICS MBC made their second signing for next season as they added American wing Marcus Foster as a professional rookie. Foster played last season at Xavier University. The 23-year-old is the second addition to the Wolves club for the up-coming season after they brought in German forward Collin Welp. The German Cup winners from last season will be coached next season by Marco Ramondino.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Andi Obst, FC Bayern Munich
Obst struggled in the first game of the Semi-Finals against MLP Academics Heidelberg with just 8 points but he scored in double figures the remaining three games - 13, 14 and 19 points. He finished also averaging 1.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals.
F: Karim Jallow - ratiopharm ulm
Jallow was a rock for ulm all series against FIT/One Würzburg Baskets, averaging 16.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He scored a season-high 26 points in Game 3 while his 20 points and 12 rebounds in Game 4 were not enough in the loss. But he finished the series with 18 points and 9 rebounds in Game 5.
F: Paul Zipser, MLP Academics
Zipser had a very strong finish to the season, including the Semi-Finals against FC Bayern Munich. The veteran averaged 6.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in the four games.
F: Hannes Steinbach, FIT/One Würzburg Baskets
The 19-year-old Steinbach played like a seasoned veteran throughout the Semi-Finals versus ratiopharm ulm. He picked up two double-doubles and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds in Game 1. All told, Steinbach averaged 13.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks over the five games.
C: Johannes Voigtmann, FC Bayern Munich
Voigtmann was a solid contributor in the Semi-Finals win over MLP Academicy Heidelberg as he averaged 8.8 points. 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 teals in four games.
Germans Abroad
Isaac Bonga finished off the season by winning the Adriatic ABA League title with Partizan Belgrade, knocking off Buducnost Podgorica 3-1 in the Finals. Bonga collected 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals in the 90-75 victory in Game 4. For the Finals, Bonga averaged 9.3 points 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
