This week in the easyCredit BBL saw a magical performance from Chris Clemons who scored 52 points for EWE Baskets Oldenburg - the most points in a game in the league since 1992. It was Oldenburg’s first win of the season, which was matched this week by Basketball Löwen Braunschweig and MLP Academics Heidelberg. ALBA BERLIN meanwhile came back to beat FC Bayern Munich in a low-scoring battle and SYNTAINICS MBC are the only undefeated team in the league at 5-0.
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:
Clemons drops 52 points in Oldenburg’s first win, Trier lose first game
EWE Baskets Oldenburg stormed to their first victory of the season thanks to an amazing showing by Chris Clemons, who had 9 three-pointers in scoring 52 points - the most in the league since 1992 - in a 108-85 win over previously unbeaten VET-CONCEPTS Gladiators Trier. The hosts broke the game open with a 37-15 run spanning the final two quarters for a 1-4 record while Trier fell to 4-1. In addition to his 52 points and 9 three-pointers, Clemons also had 3 assists and 2 steals. James Woodard added 15 points and Brian Fobbs had 13 points. Eli Brooks poured in 22 points in the loss.
Clemons becomes ninth player with 52 points, first since 1992
Chris Clemons added his name to the easyCredit BBL record books by scoring 52 points for EWE Baskets Oldenburg against VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier. Clemons became the ninth player to score 52 points in league history and the first since Mike Jackel in 1992 for Bamberg. The all-time record in a game belongs to Keith Gray with 65 points for Hagen against Braunschweig in 1988.
Big fourth quarter gives Berlin big home win over first-time losers Bayern
ALBA BERLIN used a big fourth quarter run to put away FC Bayern Munich 67-61 at home and hand the reigning champions their first loss in the league. The game was back and forth with 21 lead changes and 5 ties with nine points being the biggest lead for Bayern at 55-46. Berlin answered that scoreline with a 17-3 run to go ahead 63-58 with Jack Kayil hitting a long three-pointer and two game-deciding free throws in the final 51 seconds. Berlin improved to 2-2 while Bayern are now 3-1. Kayil, Martin Hermannsson and J’wan Roberts all scored 12 points for Berlin. Justinian Jessup paced Bayern with 16 points.
Bayern add former NBA vet Dinwiddie
FC Bayern Munich have addressed their injury concerns at the point guard position and signed former NBA veteran Spencer Dinwiddie until the end of the season. The 32-year-old Dinwiddie played in 621 NBA games, last playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Dinwiddie knows Bayern coach Gordon Herbert from when they were together with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019-20.
Berlin lose Boogie Ellis to EuroLeague club Dubai
ALBA Berlin will be looking for a new playmaker after allowing Boogie Ellis to leave after just six games and head to EuroLeague club BC Dubai.
High-five: Wolves still perfect after overtime in Frankfurt
SYNTAINICS MBC remained the only undefeated team left in the league after surviving a thrilling overtime battle with SKYLINERS 97-93 on the road. After getting bounced from the German Cup as reigning champions, Weißenfels built a 12-point lead in the second quarter but watched Frankfurt go ahead in the third quarter. Wolves then led by 12 points with 8 minutes to go but could not hold onto the lead with Frankfurt’s Williams Christmas making three free throws with 4 seconds left to tie the game and send it to overtime. Wolves made 6 of 8 free throws in the final 63 seconds of the extra session to get the win. The guests moved to 5-0 while Frankfurt are now 2-3. Khyri Thomas did some of everything in the win with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals while Marcus Foster had 17 points and 7 rebounds. Jaedon Le Dee collected 18 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort.
Heidelberg grab first win of season, hand Würzburg first loss
MLP Academics Heidelberg finally collected their first victory of the season with an 85-51 win over Fitness First Würzburg Baskets, who lost their first game. Heidelberg allowed only 17 points in the second half to improve to 1-4 and the guests fell to 4-1. Würzburg hit just 15 percent from long range and committed 25 turnovers. Michael Weathers and Dusan Neskovic both scored 14 points to lead Heidelberg while Davion Mintz had 12 points in the loss.
Braunschweig finally capture first win in the league
Basketball Löwen Braunschweig finally tasted victory in the easyCredit BBL this season by defeating ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES 92-71 at home. Braunschweig blew the game open with a 25-6 run to start the second half for a 1-4 record. Rostock for their part moved to 1-3. Braunschweig shot 52 percent from long range while forcing 18 turnovers. Joshua Obiesie paced five Braunschweig players with 20 points and fellow reserve Ferdinand Zylka hit 4 three-pointers to score 17 points. D’Schwartz was top scorer for Rostock with 16 points.
Balanced Bamberg celebrate victory in home opener
BMA365 Bamberg Baskets made it worth the wait as they celebrated their home opener of the season by beating NINERS Chemnitz 96-82. In their first home game in 168 days, Bamberg wasted a 16 point lead but reclaimed control of the game with a 16-0 run spanning the final two quarters. Richard Balint and Ibi Watson each scored 18 points among six players in double figures for Bamberg, who improved to 2-2 this season in the league. Chemnitz wasted double-doubles from Amadou Sow (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Corey Davis (19 points, 12 assists) as their three-game wining streak was snapped for a 3-2 record.
Ludwigsburg down Ulm, spoil return of Klepeisz
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg stopped a mini losing streak by beating ratiopharm ulm 90-81 at home in battle of struggling teams. Ludwigsburg built a 14-point lead early in the second quarter and remained in control the rest of the game. Ludwigsburg improved to 2-2 and snapped a three-game losing streak in domestic games, including their loss in the German Cup. Ulm fell to 3-2 and have lost three of their last four games in all competitions. Elijah Hughes came off the bench to score 24 points while all five starters scored in double figures. Christopher Ledlum was outstanding in the loss with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Tommy Klepeisz played his first game since January 4, 2025 for Ulm.
Klepeisz re-signs with Ulm, returns for injury
Tommy Klepeisz is back at ratiopharm ulm. The 34-year-old Austrian has returned to the club and signed a contract until the end of the season. Klepeisz played only 18 games last season due to calf and Achilles tendon injuries, last appearing in a game on January 4, 2025. Klepeisz, whose contract ran out after last season, has been with the club since 2020 and helped the club to their only German league crown in 2023 as captain.
Late run gives Bonn third straight win
Telekom Baskets Bonn used a late run to grab their third straight victory in beating RASTA Vechta 76-70 and giving up only 27 points in the second half. Neither team could really take control of the game as eight points was the biggest lead. There were 10 lead changes and 9 ties. Bonn decided the game with a 12-2 run inside the final 3 minutes. Bonn jumped to 3-2 and Vechta are 2-2. Bonn forced 19 Vechta turnovers and made 23 of 36 free throws compared to 10 of 13 for the hosts. Grayson Murphy did some of everything with 24 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists and Kur Jongkuch had 13 points. Alonzo Verge had 17 points and 5 assists in the loss.
Player of the Week
The Player of the Week for Round 5 dominated in impressive fashion as Chris Clemons poured in 52 points for EWE Baskets Oldenburg against VET-CONCEPTS Gladiators Trier. Clemons made 18 of 25 shots including 9 of 11 three-pointers and was 7 of 7 from the foul line. He added 1 rebound, 3 assists and 2 steals for an efficiency of 48.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Jack Kayil, ALBA BERLIN
Kayil had a strong all-around game and came through down the stretch with big plays in the win over FC Bayern Munich with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal off the bench.
G: Joshua Obiesie, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig
Obiesie poured 20 points with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in Braunschweig’s first win of the season over ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES.
F: Brandon Tischler, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg
Tischler collected 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in the win over ratiopharm ulm.
F: Collin Welp, SYNTAINICS MBC
Welp played a big role in the win over SKYLINERS with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
C: Michael Kessens, Telekom Baskets Bonn
Kessens helped Bonn beat RASTA Vechta with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steal and 2 blocks.
Young Guns
Nevio Bennefeld, 18, C, ALBA BERLIN
Bennefeld played 15:15 minutes against FC Bayern Munich with 9 points on 4 of 9 shots (1/3 threes) and 0 of 4 free throws, 4 rebounds and 1 steal. He set career highs in minutes, points, rebounds and had his first steal in just his third Bundesliga game.
Marko Petric, 17 SF, Fitness First Würzburg Baskets
Petric made his Bundesliga debut against MLP Academics Heidelberg and played 7:34 minutes during which he had 1 point on 0 of 1 shooting and 1 of 2 free throws and 1 rebound.
Noah Koch, 18, PG, MLP Academics Heidelberg
Koch made his Bundesliga debut in the same game for Heidelberg against Fitness First Würzburg Baskets. The son of Stefan Koch played 5:18 minutes and had 0 points as he missed his only shot but recorded 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
Germans Abroad
Isaiah Hartenstein received his NBA championship ring and watched the Oklahoma City Thunder title banner raised to the rafters in their first home game of the season. The German big man finished the game with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in a 125-124 double-overtime win over Houston.
