It takes something special to overshadow the German BBL Cup Quarter-Finals and that is exactly what Darius McGhee provided with a magical 44 points in Telekom Baskets Bonn’s shocking comeback victory in a Round 3 makeup game. Meanwhile, the German Cup TOP FOUR is set with SYNTAINICS MBC to face FC Bayern Munich in their first-ever appearance while SKYLINERS take on Bamberg Baskets.
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:
McGhee drops 44 in Bonn’s magical comeback to beat Oldenburg in Round 3 makeup
Telekom Baskets Bonn rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to shock EWE Baskets Oldenburg 96-91 on the road in a Round 3 makeup game thanks to an amazing 44 points from Darius McGhee. Oldenburg were ahead for most of the game and built a 14-point lead with under 6 minutes to go. And then Bonn raced back with a 28-9 run to close the game with McGhee hitting 5 three-pointers as he scored 18 points in the final 4:54 minutes. Bonn committed only 8 turnovers in the game and made 37 percent on three-pointers compared to 26 percent from long range for Oldenburg. McGhee drained 10 three-pointers for his 44 points to go with 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Bodie Hume was the only other Bonn player in double figures with 10 points and 8 rebounds. Eli Brooks scored 20 points, Len Schoormann had 14 points and Artur Konontsuk added 13 points and 13 rebounds.
McGhee produces one of the greatest performances in league history
Darius McGhee has put together an outstanding season in the first three months for Telekom Baskets Bonn, but the playmaker produced one of the greatest games in easyCredit BBL history. He torched EWE Baskets Oldenburg with 44 points including 10 of 16 three-pointers, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 0 turnovers in 30 minutes off the bench. His 10 triples are just two behind the league record of 12 by Hurl Beechum in 1998. There were only three games with 11 triples and McGhee is the sixth player with 10 three-pointers. McGhee became just the 14th player to score 44 points in a game.
2025 TOP FOUR set - Bayern vs Weißenfels; Frankfurt vs Bamberg
The German BBL Cup TOP FOUR has been set as the pairings have defending champs and five-time winners FC Bayern Munich facing first-timers SYNTAINICS MBC; and 2000 champions SKYLINERS taking on six-time winners Bamberg Baskets. The location of the TOP FOUR is still to be determined but the action will take place on February 15 and 16.
Reaves scores 21 of 36 points in 1st quarter, Wolves reach TOP FOUR for first time
SYNTAINICS MBC reached the German BBL Cup TOP FOUR for the first time in club history as they defeated MLP Academics Heidelberg 100-85 at home with Spencer Reaves pouring in 36 points. The hosts led 34-18 after 10 minutes - thanks to 21 points from Reaves - and were never challenged the rest of the way. Wolves shot a white-hot 60 percent on three-pointers with 15 triples. Reaves finished with 9 three-pointers for his 36 points while Michael Devoe picked up 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals and Charles Callison had 18 points and 5 assists. Ryan Mikesell was top scorer for Heidelberg with 21 points, Osun Osunniyi had 14 points and 7 rebounds and Michael Weathers added 13 points.
Segu shines again: Bamberg reach TOP FOUR, eliminate record champs Berlin
Six-time champions Bamberg Baskets booked their ticket to the TOP FOUR of German BBL Cup by beating record winners ALBA BERLIN 80-67 at home for their 15th Semi-Finals. Bamberg took control of the game with a 30-9 run spanning the final two quarters. Bamberg snatched 15 offensive rebounds, which led to 12 more field goal attempts and a 14-4 advantage in second chance points. Anton Gavel’s team also committed only 9 turnovers. Ronaldo Segu paced five Bamberg scorers in double figures with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, and Filip Stanic had a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Berlin’s nightmare season continued as their streak of 13 straight appearances among the final four teams was snapped. Matt Thomas scored 15 points in the loss.
Frankfurt reach first TOP FOUR since 2011, bounce Göttingen
SKYLINERS reached the TOP FOUR of the German BBL Cup for the first time since 2011 as the 2000 champions knocked off BG Göttingen 78-67 on the road in a battle of last two placed teams in the league. The game was tight for the first three quarters until Frankfurt opened an 11-point lead early in the final frame and the guests’ held on to advance to the last four teams for the ninth time. Frankfurt held Göttingen to 39 percent shooting including 18 percent three-pointers. Trey Calvin led Frankfurt with 23 points and 4 assists, Einaras Tubutis and Patrick Heckmann both scored 10 points and Booker Coplin added 8 points and 10 rebounds. Tra Holder had 18 points and Collin Welp picked up 17 points and 7 rebounds in a losing effort.
Frankfurt bring back Jordan Theodore - again; release big man Croswell
SKYLINERS made some big headlines as they have brought back Jordan Theodore - again. The 34-year-old is joining Frankfurt for a third time. In his first stint with the club, Theodore helped Frankfurt win the FIBA Europe Cup in 2016. He returned to the team in 2023 and now will have a third go-around with the club. Frankfurt had freed up a roster spot as they agreed to release big man Ed Croswell. The American has already agreed to a contract with Lithuanian side Nevezis Kedainiai.
Edwards, Obst, Yebo give Bayern revenge on Vechta, reach TOP FOUR
FC Bayern Munich will have a chance to defend their German BBL Cup title as they exacted some revenge on RASTA Vechta with a 103-67 home victory to reach the TOP FOUR. The five-time winners - 1968, 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024 - lost to Vechta 78-77 in the league just eight days ago. But Gordie Herbert’s men made sure Vechta did not reach their first German Cup final four. Bayern led the game by 15 points after 10 minutes and never looked back. Bayern connected on 16 three-pointers at a 42 percent clip while holding Vechta to just 14 percent from long range and 36 percent for the game. Carsen Edwards drained 7 three-pointers in scoring 29 points while Andi Obst hit 4 triples for 20 points and Kevin Yebo had 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 20 minutes off the bench. The trio totaled 68 points - one more than the entire Vechta team. Brandon Randolph paced Vechta with 30 points and 11 rebounds and Tyger Campbell added 12 points in the loss.
Würzburg part ways with second-best scorer Davis
FIT/One Würzburg Baskets have parted ways with their second-best scorer Mike Davis. The 28-year-old American came to Würzburg in the off-season after playing in the second Turkish division. Davis had averaged 14.3 points per game for Sasa Filipowski’s team.
Oldenburg add reinforcements at guard with signing of Nichols
EWE Baskets Oldenburg made another set of moves to their roster as they look to turn their season around by signing point guard Ty Nichols until the end of the season. The 28-year-old playmaker joins the team after playing previously with Patrioti Levice of Slovakia. Oldenburg also released small forward Kyle Rode.
Player of the Week
The Player of the Week for the German BBL Cup Quarter-Finals goes to Spencer Reaves of SYNTAINICS MBC for his amazing showing against MLP Academics Heidelberg. Reaves scored 36 points - 21 of them in the first quarter - on 10 of 14 shots (including 9 of 12 threes) and 7 of 7 free throws to go with 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 0 turnovers for an efficiency of 39.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Mortiz Krimmer, Bamberg Baskets
It was tough not including Andi Obst in the Top Five with his 20 points but FC Bayern Munich blew out RASTA Vechta so Krimmer grabs a spot for his strong all-around game in Bamberg’s win over ALBA BERLIN. Krimmer picked up 5 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.
F: Patrick Heckmann, SKYLINER
The Top Five is a big team as Heckmann collected 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in Frankfurt’s win over BG Göttingen.
F: Collin Welp, BG Göttingen
Welp had a strong showing in Göttingen’s loss to SKYLINERS with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist.
C: Kevin Yebo, FC Bayern Munich
Yebo tallied 19 points including 2 three-pointers, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block against RASTA Vechta.
C: Filip Stanic, Bamberg Baskets
Stanic played a major role in Bamberg knocking off ALBA BERLIN with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 1 assist
Germany bid for FIBA EuroBasket 2029
Germany hope to take another step in their basketball development as they announced a bit to host the FIBA EuroBasket 2029. Germany are one of eight countries hoping to host the 43rd edition of the continental competition along with Estonia, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain. Germany successfully hosted the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 and will be co-hosting the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 before welcoming the globe as hosts of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026.
Germans Abroad
Isaiah Ihnen is already 24 years old but he is still playing college basketball as he missed two seasons - 2021-22 and 2022-23. The former Tübingen talent, who also played at IBAM Kickz, was with University of Minnesota from 2019 to 2024 and moved this summer to Liberty University. The forward is averaging 11.1 points on 44 percent three-point shooting, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 18 minutes. He poured in a career-high 25 points to go with 8 rebounds and 2 steals in just 15 minutes against Central Penn.
