– David Hein
Increasing cases of Corona have forced the German government to institute new restrictions including banning any fans in the stands of professional sports action. That being said, the easyCredit BBL was given the green light to start its season on November 6. The one official game this past week saw Telekom Baskets Bonn knock off Basketball Löwen Braunschweig in the MagentaSport BBL German Cup group phase. And in other off-court news, s.Oliver Würzburg saw a shift at the top levels with new owners taking over.
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:
No fans allowed in November, ProA and ProB allowed to play
The German government has announced new restrictions to fight increasing cases of Covid-19 which include not allowing spectators for professional sports, meaning the start of the easyCredit BBL on November 6 will be without fans in the stands. But the league was permitted to play games as were the ProA and ProB second and third divisions. But the country’s amateur sports levels as well as the U19 NBBL and U16 JBBL will have to wait until at least December for their next games. The restrictions are set to run until the end of November.
Bonn best Braunschweig, move to 2-0 in Group A
Telekom Baskets Bonn took a big step to the Top Four of the MagentaSport BBL German Cup as they downed Basketball Löwen Braunschweig 91-79 for a 2-0 record in Group A. Braunschweig, who dropped to 1-1, were within five points early in the fourth quarter but Bonn had an answer each time the guests tried to get closer. Bonn shot 54.1 percent for the game including 50.0 percent on three-pointers while holding Braunschweig to 37.5 percent from the field. Deividas Gailius was the star for Bonn with 25 points - including 4 three-pointers - 3 rebounds and 4 assists while Josh Hagins had 20 points with 4 three-pointers, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and Chris Babb hit 3 triples for 14 points and 4 assists. Braunschweig could not use a strong showing from Bryan Allen, who collected 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals, while Gavin Schilling picked up 12 points and 6 rebounds in front of team owner Dennis Schröder in the stands.
Postponed cup games re-scheduled
Some of the German Cup games that were postponed due to positive tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been re-scheduled. In Group A, Telekom Baskets Bonn will face ALBA BERLIN on Tuesday, November 10. New dates for Berlin’s other two games against Basketball Löwen Braunscheig and EWE Baskets Oldenburg have not yet been announced. In Group D, medi bayreuth will take on SYNTAINICS MBC on Wednesday November 11 and then play HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim on Thursday November 12.
Blakes, Lasisi out at Bamberg, Devon Hall added to team
Brose Bamberg have played four official games this season - three in the German Cup and one in the Basketball Champions League - and the club has made a couple of changes to their roster. Gerry Blakes and Elias Lasisi have both departed while Bamberg added former NBA guard Devon Hall. The 25-year-old playmaking guard Hall went to college at the University of Virginia and played last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma City Blues of the G-League.
Radosavljevic leaves MBC, rumored on way to Crailsheim
Bogdan Radosavljevic will not open the easyCredit BBL season with SYNTAINICS MBC as the German big man left the club after his one-month contract was not extended. The club reported that Radosavljevic will move to another team within Germany without saying which club. Radosavljevic’s expected new home, according to reputable service Sportando, will be HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim.
Göttingen beat MBC in exhibition game
BG Göttingen continued their impressive run early on in the season as they knocked off SYNTAINICS MBC 92-70 in an exhibition preseason game at home. Göttingen, who won all three games in the MagentaSport BBL German Cup group phase to qualify for the Top Four, were playing the game without the trio of Jorge Gutierrez, Luke Nelson and Tai Odiase. Göttingen led 59-31 at halftime and were paced by Akeem Vargas with 18 points while Dennis Kramer had a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. David Brembly led MBC with 13 points.
Würzburg owner hands over power, s.Oliver to stay sponsor
There was a shake-up at the top level at s.Oliver Würzburg as owner Bernd Freier moved out of his position of power in the club with three partners taking over. The new bosses at the club are businessmen Dries Jennen and Jochen Freier as well as the SPRINTIS Basketball GbR, which was founded by Christian Schenk and Holger Heusinger - with all three parties owning a third of the club. Bernd Freier, the founder of the textile company s.Oliver who is not related to Jochen Freier, will remain connected with the team as honorary president. s.Oliver will remain the club’s main sponsor after recently signing a two-year extension.
John Bryant staying fit with ProA side Paderborn
Two-time former easyCredit BBL Most Valuable Player John Bryant is currently working out with second division ProA side Uni Baskets Paderborn to stay fit as he looks for a new contract. Paderborn is coached by Steven Esterkamp with whom Bryant played together at ratiopharm ulm from 2011 to 2013. The 33-year-old Bryant played with JobStairs GIESSEN 46ers last season and averaged 9.5 points and 6.6 rebounds.
Germans Abroad
German international Makai Mason played with ALBA BERLIN in his first season out of college in 2019-20 but has had a solid start to the 2020-21 season as outside shooter for BAXI Manresa in the Spanish ACB league. The 25-year-old is averaging 11.6 points while shooting 35.4 percent from long range through eight games. Mason hit 5-of-8 three-pointers in scoring 21 points against Real Betis in his top game so far. He also scored 15 points with three-pointers against Fuenlabrada.
