Hamburg Towers had a great week as they surprised the EuroLeague duo of ALBA BERLIN and FC Bayern Munich in a span of four days as the top highlight of the week. The week also saw league leaders MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg pick up two victories as well while also bringing young German talent Oscar Da Silva back to Germany. In addition, Brose Bamberg have now won five straight and Franz Wagner is one victory from reaching the NCAA Final Four in the United States.
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:
Hamburg shut down Berlin in second half in Round 8 make-up game
Hamburg Towers shut down ALBA BERLIN in the second half as they beat the reigning champions 90-75 at home in a Round 8 make-up game. Hamburg allowed only 25 points in the final 20 minutes for their fourth straight win and a 14-9 record while Berlin dropped to 21-3. Hamburg shot 56.9 percent and held Berlin to just 43.8 percent from the field. Kam Taylor and Terry Allen both scored 21 points for Hamburg with Maik Kotsar picking up 20 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Niels Giffey scored 16 points, Jayson Granger had 14 and Marcus Eriksson finished with 12 points in the loss.
Hamburg take down next EuroLeague team, beat Bayern in OT
Hamburg Towers captured their second victory over a EuroLeague team within four days as they defeated FC Bayern Munich 91-86 at home in overtime. After having defeated ALBA BERLIN in a Round 8 make-up game, Hamburg watched Wade Baldwin hit a three-pointer with 26 seconds left to force overtime and then TJ Shorts buried the dagger triple with 47 seconds remaining in the extra session. Terry Allen and Maxi DiLeo both hit two free throws in the final 14 seconds for Hamburg’s fifth straight win for a 15-9 record and snap Bayern’s seven game winning streak for a 21-5 mark. Hamburg hit 58.8 percent from long range while converting 21-of-26 free throws to 9-of-12 for Bayern while also grabbing 15 offensive rebounds. Jordan Swing paced Hamburg with 21 points and 6 rebounds off the bench, Maik Kotsar had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists, Shorts collected 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals and Kam Taylor scored 18 points. Bayern was led by JaJuan Johnson with 16 points while Paul Zipser tallied 14 points and 7 rebounds.
Bayern pull away from MBC in Round 31 game
FC Bayern Munich proved too strong late as they pulled away from SYNTAINICS MBC in the fourth quarter for an 85-66 home victory in a Round 31 game. Bayern took the final frame 26-11 for a seventh straight win and a 21-4 record while MBC have lost four straight to fall to 7-18. Bayern forced 18 MBC turnovers and held the guests to just 33.9 percent shooting. DJ Seeley paced the winners with 19 points, Nick Weiler-Babb had 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, Jalen Reynolds picked up 14 points and 7 rebounds and JaJuan Johnson tallied 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks. Quinton Hooker scored 20 points in the loss and Michal Michalak chipped in 13 points.
Berlin bounce back, beat MBC at home
ALBA BERLIN bounced back from their loss to Hamburg Towers in a comfortable 93-82 home victory over SYNTAINICS MBC. Berlin led 32-18 after 10 minutes and were never really threatened the rest of the way for a 21-4 record while MBC dropped their fifth straight for a 7-19 mark. Berlin held MBC to just 40.6 percent from the field and nailed 50.0 percent from long range and also had 31-of-37 free throws (83.3 percent). Niels Giffey and Simone Fontecchio both scored 17 points for Berlin and Johannes Thiemann collected 16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists 2 steals. Michal Michalak paced MBC with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, Roko Rogic collected 17 points, 5 assists and 4 steals, Sergio Kerusch had 16 points and 6 rebounds and Quinton Hooker picked up 16 points and 8 assists.
Ludwigsburg win battle with Bayreuth for third straight victory
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg extended their winning streak to three games as they prevailed in a hard-fought battle with medi bayreuth, winning 97-92 at home. Jaleen Smith hit a big jumper with 27 seconds left and Jordan Hulls and Tremmell Darden hit all four of their free throws in the final 6 seconds to move Ludwigsburg to 23-2 and Bayreuth fell to 10-15. Ludwigsburg grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and made 13 three-pointers. Yorman Polas Bartolo led the way with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, Hulls added 21 points and 5 assists, Smith picked up 17 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals and Jamel McLean contributed 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Frank Bartley did all he could with 31 points for Bayreuth while Osvaldas Olisevicius scored 19 points and Andreas Seiferth added 11 points and 9 rebounds.
Ludwigsburg add NBA prospect Oscar Da Silva on deal until 2023
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg made another move in the hopes of winning their first easyCredit BBL title as they signed NBA prospect Oscar Da Silva until the end of the 2022-23 season. The 23-year-old Da Silva finished his collegiate career at Stanford and will start his professional career in Ludwigsburg The Munich native hopes to be selected in the 2021 NBA Draft later this year.
Ludwigsburg hand Würzburg next home loss in Round 19 game
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg handed s.Oliver Würzburg another home loss as the league leaders won 82-72 in a Round 19 make-up game. Ludwigsburg built a 23-point lead and fended off a Würzburg comeback attempt to move to 22-2 while Würzburg fell to 8-15 and 1-9 at home. Ludwigsburg committed only 7 turnovers and held the hosts to 40.7 percent from the field. Yorman Polas Bartolo led the way with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals, Barry Brown scored 14 points and Jaleen Smith finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Cameron Hunt was Würzburg’s top scorer with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, Murphy Holloway had 12 points and 6 rebounds and Joshua Obiesie chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists.
Würzburg home struggles continue, lose versus Bonn
s.Oliver Würzburg’s home struggles continued as they lost to Telekom Baskets Bonn 83-73 in their own arena. Würzburg led by 16 points early in the third quarter but Bonn took the quarter 25-8 to snap a three-game losing skid for a 9-15 record. Würzburg feel to 8-16 on the season and 1-10 at home as they shot only 42.4 percent from the field while Bonn hit 64.9 percent on 2-pointers. Jalen Hudson paced Bonn with 14 points, Chris Babb collected 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists and Alex Hamilton finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Felix Koch was Würzburg’s top scorer with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists and Murphy Holloway added 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Bonn allow Gailius to terminate contract, return to Lithuania
Telekom Baskets Bonn’s fight for the playoffs received a knock as Deividas Gailius was allowed to terminate his contract so he could return to his native Lithuania. Bonn are 9-15 in 12th place with four wins fewer than eighth-placed Brose Bamberg.
Bamberg roll on with fifth straight win, defeating Ulm at home
Brose Bamberg continued their roll in the league as they beat ratiopharm ulm at home 88-74 for their fifth straight victory. Ulm led by 11 points in the second quarter but Bamberg pulled away with a 28-17 fourth quarter to move to 13-11 while Ulm lost their fourth straight for a 14-11 mark. Bamberg held Ulm to just 41.8 percent from the field while shooting 53.1 percent themselves. Devon Hall collected 25 points, including 19 points in the second half, while Chase Fieler scored 19 points and David Kravish added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Cameron Clark was Ulm’s top scorer with 12 points and 5 rebounds and John Petrucelli finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Oldenburg need overtime to knock off Chemnitz on road
EWE Baskets Oldenburg needed overtime but managed to knock off NINERS Chemnitz 98-92 to remain in the lead for the final spot for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Oldenburg lost a 15-point second quarter lead and Marcus Thornton scored with 1.2 seconds left for Chemnitz to force overtime. In the extra session, Braydon Hobbs hit the dagger three-pointer to help Oldenburg move to 19-6 in fourth place while Chemnitz fell to 8-15. Oldenburg committed only eight turnovers and made 50.0 percent of their three-pointers. Rasid Mahalbasic collected 24 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to pace Oldenburg while Rickey Paulding scored 20 points and Paul Pressey had 15 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. George King finished with 23 points and 7 rebounds, Thornton had 20 points and 6 rebounds, Isiaha Mike picked up 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Jan Niklas Wimberg chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds.
Chemnitz come back to beat Braunschweig on road in Round 11 make-up
NINERS Chemnitz came back from 12 points down in the fourth quarter to knock off Basketball Löwen Braunschweig 87-83 in a Round 11 make-up game to snap a three-game losing streak. Braunschweig led by 17 points in the first quarter and was up 75-63 in the final quarter before Chemnitz went on a 17-2 run and eventually won the game on George King’s three-pointer with 34 seconds remaining. Chemnitz improved to 8-14 while Braunschweig fell to 8-15. Chemnitz held Braunschweig to just 41.0 percent from the field. King poured in 25 points, Marcus Thornton had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and Terrell Harris chipped in 14 points and 5 assists. Martin Peterka led Braunschweig in scoring with 18 points, Karim Jallow had 16 points and Luc van Slooten picked up a career-high points 15 points.
Near record first half carries Göttingen past Vechta on road
BG Göttingen put up a massive first half and carried it to a 103-79 victory on the road against RASTA Vechta. Göttingen made 14-of-18 three-pointers in scoring 69 points in the first 20 minutes - two points off the league record - to move to 9-15 while Vechta dropped to 4-21. Göttingen shot 54.5 percent from the field and committed only 10 turnovers. Six players scored in double figures led by Deishaun Booker with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals while Luke Nelson had 17 points and 4 assists, Rihards Lomazs picked up 15 points and 7 assists and Harper Kamp added 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Josh Young was Vechta’s top scorer with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists and Tim Hasbargen tallied 16 points and 9 rebounds.
Crailsheim use third quarter for home win over Giessen
HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim used a strong third quarter to run away with a 102-77 home victory over JobStairs GIESSEN 46ers. Crailsheim went on a 19-0 run in a 29-9 third quarter to improve to 18-7 while Giessen have lost five straight for a 4-21 record in last place. Crailsheim committed only six turnovers and drained 15 three-pointers while Giessen shot just 43.3 percent from the field. Elias Lasisi was Crailsheim’s top weapon with 20 points including 6 three-pointers while Trae Bell-Haynes scored 14 points, Dejan Kovacevic had 13 points and 2 rebounds, Jeremy Jones collected 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals and Fabien Bleck chipped in 10 points and 7 rebounds. Giessen were led by John Bryant with 16 points and 7 rebounds and Diante Garrett had 15 points and 8 assists.
Braunschweig snap losing skid with home win over Frankfurt
Basketball Löwen Braunschweig snapped a four-game losing streak by grabbing an 80-68 home win over FRAPORT SKYLINERS. Braunschweig did not let Frankfurt closer than 11 points in the final 5 minutes to move to 9-15 while Frankfurt fell to 10-15. Braunschweig shot 55.1 percent and survived 20 turnovers by winning battle of the glass 41-24, including 13 offensive rebounds. Arnas Velicka ran the show with 16 points and 4 assists and Gavin Schilling added 15 points and 9 rebounds. Matt Mobley poured in 24 points and Rasheed Moore had 14 points and 6 rebounds in the defeat.
Player of the Week
The Player of the Week honor for Round 25 goes to Frank Bartley of medi bayreuth for his outstanding showing in the team’s loss to MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. Bartley had an efficiency of 32 as he scored 31 points on 10-of-14 shots including 3-of-5 three-pointers and 8-of-8 free throws to go with 1 rebound, 2 assists and 2 steals.
German Top Five of the Week
F: Niels Giffey, ALBA BERLIN
We have a big lineup this week and Giffey had two strong games. He scored 16 points in the Round 8 make-up game loss to Hamburg Towers. Giffey followed that up with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal against SYNTAINICS MBC.
F: Jan Niklas Wimberg, NINERS Chemnitz
Wimberg continues to excel in his first season with a bigger role in a Bundesliga team. Even though he went scoreless with one missed shot against Basketball Löwen Braunschweig in a Round 11 make-up, he had 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. Wimberg then collected 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal against EWE Baskets Oldenburg.
F: Gavin Schilling, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig
Schilling is back on the team after he had 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block against NINERS Chemnitz and picked up 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal against FRAPORT SKYLINERS.
C: Andrea Seiferth, medi bayreuth
Seiferth was not enough against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg though he had 11 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
C: Dejan Kovacevic, HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim
Kovacevic had a very productive 15:32 minutes against JobStairs GIESSEN 46ers with 13 points and 2 rebounds.
Young Guns
Luc van Slooten, 18, SF, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig
Van Slooten started the week with a career-high 15 points on 3-of-7 shots (1-of-4 three-pointers) and 8-of-9 free throws to go with 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 22:52 minutes as a starter against NINERS Chemnitz in Round 11. Against FRAPORT SKYLINERS, the 18-year-old once again started and played 23:33 minutes and picked up 9 points on 3-of-4 shooting (1-of-2 three-pointers) and 2-of-5 free throws along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Julius Böhmer, 19, PG, s.Oliver Würzburg
Böhmer had two solid performances - though both were losses. Against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg in Round 19, the point guard had 7 points on 3-of-4 shooting (1-of-2 three-pointers), 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 12:32 minutes. He then scored 6 points on 2-of-3 shooting (2-of-2 three-pointers) with 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 11:34 minutes against Telekom Baskets Bonn.
Bjarne Kraushaar, 21, PG, JobStairs GIESSEN 46ers
Kraushaar could not help Giessen from losing to HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim but the point guard did have 7 points on 1-of-4 shots (1-of-3 three-pointers) and 5-of-5 free throws, 1 rebound and 1 assist in 12:10 minutes.
Hollatz Check
Justus Hollatz helped Hamburg Towers beat two EuroLeague teams this week - starting both games. Against ALBA BERLIN in a Round 8 make-up game, the 19-year-old played 25:51 minutes and scored 4 points on 2-of-5 shots to go with 2 rebounds and 1 assist. The point guard then had 2 points on 1-of-6 shooting (0-of-2 three-pointers), 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 15:15 minutes against FC Bayern Munich.
Way to go, Capitano! Niels Giffey bereits mit 2/2 Dreiern ????. Live bei #MagentaSport pic.twitter.com/QSbknaAHrL
— ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) March 28, 2021
Germans Abroad
Franz Wagner is the only German player left in the 2021 NCAA Tournament as he and Michigan have reached the Elite Eight and will face off against UCLA on March 30. The winner of that game will reach the Final Four. In the Second Round, Michigan beat LSU 86-78 as Wagner collected 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Wagner then had a double-double of 13 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in Michigan’s 76-58 win over Florida State in the Sweet 16.
