BG Göttingen’s days in the easyCredit BBL are officially numbered as the team was relegated after seeing their losing streak reach 18 games. This week saw one of the league’s legends - Karsten Tadda - announce he will retire after the season. And RASTA Vechta are looking for a new coach as Martin Schiller decided to become an assistant coach in US college basketball. On the court, FC Bayern Munich became the first team to lock up a spot in the playoffs while ratiopharm ulm are guaranteed at least a spot in the playins.
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:
Göttingen relegated after loss in Braunschweig after 11 years in Bundesliga
BG Göttingen are headed to the second division ProA after they lost 101-77 at Basketball Löwen Braunschweig to secure relegation after 11 seasons in the Bundesliga. Göttingen did mount a 20-5 run to rally from a 14-point second quarter deficit to lead. But the hosts punched right back and were leading by double figures early in the third quarter. Braunschweig have won two of three games for a 16-11 record while Göttingen’s losing streak extended to 18 games for a 1-25 mark. Their streak of 11 seasons in the easyCredit BBL will come to an end, having last played in the ProA in 2013-14. Sananda Fru paced five Braunschweig players in double figures with 18 points while Arnas Velicka collected 11 points and 10 assists. Chuba Ohams had 12 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
Hamburg run away from Göttingen in Round 3 makeup, hottest team in league
Don’t look now but Veolia Towers Hamburg are the hottest team in the league as they ran away from BG Göttingen 92-75 on the road in a Round 3 makeup game for their fourth straight win. Hamburg pulled away with a 19-3 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to move to 14-12 while Göttingen lost their 17th in a row for a 1-24 record. Johnathan Stove scored 15 points and Kur Kuath collected a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds for the winners.
Bundesliga legend Karsten Tadda announces retirement after season
Bundesliga legend Karsten Tadda is calling it a career: the 36-year-old veteran announced that he will retire after the season - his 17th campaign in the easyCredit BBL. “An incredible journey with many great moments, numerous championships and titles lies behind me,” Tadda said. “It was always my desire to end my career in Bamberg, and I think that now is the right time for that.” Tadda has played 634 games in the league - ranking second on the all-time list since the collection of data in 1998 - just four games behind leader Alex King’s 638. The Bamberg native won the Basketball Champions League with Telekom Baskets Bonn in 2023 as well as five German league crowns and three German Cup trophies. Tadda also appeared in 89 games for the German national team, playing at the FIBA EuroBasket in 2013, 2015 and 2017. He played from 2007 to 2015 at Bamberg and also played for Giessen 46ers, ratiopharm ulm, EWE Baskets Oldenburg and Bonn before returning to Bamberg in 2023.
Yebo sparks Chemnitz overtime win over Bamberg in return home
NINERS Chemnitz finally saw their home fans again and what a game they witnessed with Chemnitz fighting off Bamberg Baskets 99-98 in overtime for their first victory at the Messe Chemnitz since February 11. Chemnitz played their first game at home since March 2 - following four consecutive road games. Nine points was the biggest lead of the game - midway through the third quarter - but there were 7 lead changes and 16 ties. Kevin Yebo’s two free throws with 23 seconds left tied the game at 87-87 to force overtime. And the big man who returned to Chemnitz after leaving FC Bayern Munich converted a big alley-oop with 58 seconds remaining to make it 99-96. Chemnitz have won four of five games for a 15-10 record and Bamberg face a major test to reach the playins at 10-16 after a fourth straight loss. Yebo came off the bench to lead Chemnitz with 26 points and 9 rebounds while Noah Locke scored 26 points at the other end and Ronaldo Segu had 22 points and 8 assists.
Ulm snatch tiebreaker over Herbert-less Bayern in Round 31 game
ratiopharm ulm applied some pressure on the league leaders FC Bayern Munich with a 109-94 home victory in a Round 31 matchup to grab the tiebreaker over the reigning champs. Ulm drained 20 three-pointers against a Bayern team which two days later was facing a critical game in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Ulm temporarily wasted a 12-point lead from the first quarter but then pulled back ahead by double figures and remained in control the rest of the way, topping 100 points for the fifth straight home game and improving to 19-8. Bayern, who were coached by TJ Parker since head coach Gordon Herbert was back in Munich sick, dropped to 19-7. Alfonso Plummer buried 7 three-pointers and scored 29 points off the bench to lead Ulm and Justinian Jessup added 4 triples and 21 points.
Bayern lock up playoffs spot, Oldenburg drop fourth straight game
FC Bayern Munich became the first team to lock up a spot in the playoffs as the league leaders bounced back from their loss at ratiopharm ulm for a 94-83 win at EWE Baskets Oldenburg, who have now lost four straight games as they fight for the post-season. Bayern took the second quarter 38-22 and never looked back in moving to 20-7 with their fifth win in the last six games. Oldenburg have suffered back-to-back home losses for the first time this season in falling to 12-15. Andi Obst scored 17 points to pace Bayern while Justin Jaworski poured in 26 points and Norris Agbakoko registered his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Würzburg grab big win in post-season battle, Ulm lock up playins spot
FIT/One Würzburg Baskets are alive and well in the fight for the playoffs as they registered a strong 89-72 home victory over ratiopharm ulm, who despite the loss secured a spot at least in the playins. Würzburg opened a significant gap in the second quarter and Ulm could not challenge the rest of the way. Würzburg have won three of their last four games to show new life with a 14-12 record. Ulm dropped their third straight road game but are still second in the standings at 19-9. Jhivvan Jackson was one of six Würzburg players in double figures with 17 points.
Heidelberg tame Wolves in big home win over fellow playoffs aspirants
MLP Academics Heidelberg collected a big win in their challenge for a direct spot in the playoffs by knocking off SYNTAINICS MBC 87-78 at home. Heidelberg led by 14 points early in the third quarter but found themselves down two points early in the final frame. The hosts finished the game on a 12-3 run to move to 15-10 with their fourth win in the last five games. Weißenfels saw their three-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 14-12. DJ Horne led the way with 20 points while Spencer Reaves had 20 points in the loss.
Frankfurt avoid relegation, Bonn suffer setback in fight for post-season
SKYLINERS have staved off relegation and will play in the easyCredit BBL next season as they defeated Telekom Baskets Bonn 76-70 at home. Frankfurt led by double digits most of the first 32 minutes and fended off Bonn down the stretch. Frankfurt moved to 8-18 with back-to-back wins in the league for just the second time this season - following end of January and beginning of February. Bonn fell to 12-14 after having won three of four games, moving two wins behind the playins spots with just six games to go. Jordan Theodore collected 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side.
Bench carries Frankfurt past Oldenburg at home
SKYLINERS neared retention of their spot in the Bundesliga for next season as they snapped a three-game losing streak by beating EWE Baskets 83-72 at home. Frankfurt won the second quarter 30-19 and improved to 7-18 while Oldenburg dropped their third straight game to fall to 12-14. Garai Zeeb scored 16 points as one of four players to come off the Frankfurt bench and tally double figures with the reserves outscoring the starters 54-29. Justin Jaworski was top scorer for Oldenburg with 21 points.
Frankfurt signing Deen leaves country before even playing a game
Chalk this one up to things you don’t see too often: SKYLINERS new signing Duke Deen left Germany before he even appeared in a game. The 23-year-old American drove to the airport with a one-way ticket without even telling the club - with a car provided by the team, which didn’t find the vehicle until a day later at the airport. Apparently the last-minute signing did not want to sit on the bench and interim head coach Klaus Perwas wanted to maintain the team chemistry and slowly work Deen into the team. Deen had originally signed a contract until the end of the season with an option for next year.
20-0 second quarter run carries Rostock past Vechta, also in the standings
ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES can continue to dream about the playoffs as they used a big second quarter to knock off free-falling RASTA Vechta 84-68 on the road for a third straight win. Rostock took control of the game with a 20-0 run in the second quarter for a 14-12 mark. Vechta have now lost five straight games and watched Rostock pass them in the standings with a 14-13 record. Bryce Hamilton was unstoppable with 27 points and Malik Osbourne had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Johann Grünloh tallied a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Vechta lose head coach Schiller to NCAA - as assistant coach
RASTA Vechta are unexpectedly looking for a new head coach starting next season as current playcaller Martin Schiller will leave the club after just one campaign and head to college basketball in the United States - where he will serve as an assistant coach. Schiller arrived in Vechta to replace Ty Harrelson, who moved to ratiopharm ulm. But the 43-year-old Austrian answered the call of his former coaching colleague Alex Jensen and will be assistant coach at the University of Utah. Jensen will take over at Utah for next season and twice crossed coaching paths with Schiller. The first time came in 2015 as assistants with the German national team under Chris Fleming at the FIBA EuroBasket. The second time was with the Utah Jazz organization - where Jensen was assistant with the Jazz and Schiller coached the G-League team Salt Lake City Stars from 2017 to 2020.
Berlin inch up the standings after easing past Ludwigsburg
ALBA BERLIN inched up the league standings as they eased past MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 79-63 and now can focus solely on the easyCredit BBL. With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season now complete, Berlin allowed only 7 points in the second quarter and rolled to a 13-13 record to move to 11th place and passed Ludwigsburg. Berlin are lurking in the final non-playins spot but only one game behind four teams tied at 14-12 in places sixth to 9th. Ludwigsburg dropped to 12-14 after a fifth loss in the last six games. Martin Hermannsson collected 12 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists to lead Berlin.
Polas Bartolo extends deal with Ludwigsburg
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg’s playoffs chances are starting to fade but they did have good news for their fans as captain Yorman Polas Bartolo extended his contract with the club. The Cuban-German agreed to another season plus an option for the 2026-27 season. He has been with Ludwigsburg since 2020.
Player of the Week
The top honors for Round 28 go to Kevin Yebo of NINERS Chemnitz, who came off the bench to snatch up Player of the Week accolades. Yebo scored 26 points on 9 of 12 shots and 8 of 9 free throws to go with 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block for an efficiency of 35 in a win over Bamberg Baskets.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Andreas Obst, FC Bayern Munich
Obst had two strong games for Bayern, starting with 19 points on 5 three-pointers, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal in a Round 31 loss at ratiopharm ulm. Obst collected 17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in a win over EWE Baskets Oldenburg.
F: Karim Jallow, ratiopharm ulm
Jallow remains one of the top German players this season with two more solid performances. In the Round 31 win over FC Bayern Munich, the forward collected 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. And he had 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in a loss to FIT/One Würzburg Baskets.
F: Sananda Fru, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig
Fru returns to the German Top Five with an outstanding showing against BG Göttingen with 18 points on perfect 7 of 7 shooting and 4 of 4 free throws, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. That production came in the 21 year old’s 100th game in the easyCredit BBL.
C: Kevin Yebo, NINERS Chemnitz
Yebo of course takes a spot in the German Top Five as well as he had 26 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block in a thrilling win over Bamberg Baskets.
C: Norris Agbakoko, EWE Baskets Oldenburg
Agbakoko has been a force for months now and he had another two big games. He picked up 12 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block versus SKYLINERS and then against FC Bayern Munich he totalled 13 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block.
Young Guns
Ivan Kharchenkov, 18, SG, FC Bayern Munich
Kharchenkov took advantage of his playing time with two strong performances. He played 11:41 minutes in the Round 31 game against ratiopharm ulm and had 6 points on 3 of 3 shooting, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. The 18-year-old guard started against EWE Baskets Oldenburg and collected 14 points on 6 of 13 shots (1/4 threes) and 1 of 2 free throws, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals and 1 block in 32:13 minutes.
Johann Grünloh, 19, C, RASTA Vechta
Grünloh scored 14 points on 4 of 10 shooting (2/5 threes) and 4 of 6 free throws to go with 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 22:42 minutes against ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES.
Nelson Martin, 18, PG, Veolia Towers Hamburg/Gaston Nguyen, 17, PG, BG Göttingen
The game between Veolia Towers Hamburg and BG Göttingen saw the debuts of two teenage point guards. Martin had been given a pro contract the previous week and played 5:24 minutes and scored 6 points on 2 of 2 shots (1/1 threes) and 1 of 2 free throws and also picked up 1 steal. Göttingen’s young playmaker Nguyen played 1:14 minutes and scored his first 2 points, hitting his only shot.
Germans Abroad
Four Germans have reached the NBA playoffs and can still dream of hoisting the trophy. Isaiah Hartenstein and his Oklahoma City Thunder are the number one seed in the Western Conference and have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Dennis Schröder and the Detroit Pistons finished as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and will take on the New York Knicks. Franz Wagner and Tristan Da Silva both went through the playins with the Orlando Magic and will take on the Boston Celtics. Ariel Hukporti of the Knicks and Maxi Kleber of the Los Angeles Lakers are both injured and unlikely to play in the playoffs.
