The easyCredit BBL had a double round week with Rounds 27 and 28 giving fans plenty to talk about. SYNTAINICS MBC surprised FC Bayern Basketball for their third straight loss. VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier had big news on and off the court: winning two games while also locking up the league’s leading scorer Jordan Roland until 2028. And there was a sign of life from last-placed Basketball Löwen Braunschweig, who upset ratiopharm ulm to keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation.
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:
Bayern drop only game at Weißenfels for third straight loss
FC Bayern Basketball suffered their third straight loss of the season as they were beaten 91-79 at SYNTAINICS MBC in their sole game this week. Bayern watched Wolves take the third quarter 28-15 and could never really challenge the rest of the way. The defeat drops Bayern’s record to 20-5 - just one win ahead of ALBA BERLIN with two games in hand. Andreas Obst scored 19 points in the loss while Wenyen Gabriel added 12 points as the only other player in double figures.
Wolves beat Bayern after falling in Ulm
SYNTAINICS MBC had a mixed bag of results as they lost at ratiopharm ulm 104-81 before then surprising FC Bayern Basketball 91-79 at home. Wolves came into the week having won three straight games but saw that run stopped in Ulm, where they lost the second quarter 31-16 despite 18 points from Spencer Reaves. Weißenfels bounced back and upset Bayern thanks to a 28-15 third quarter in improving to 11-17 - four wins more than 17th placed MLP Academics Heidelberg. Charles Callison drained 5 three-pointers in scoring 29 points in the win.
Murphy three-pointer gives Bonn sweep of Heidelberg, Chemnitz
Telekom Baskets Bonn took care of business with a double round sweep to stay in fourth place in the standings. Bonn came into the week having lost two straight but downed MLP Academics Heidelberg 94-82 at home and then rallied to beat NINERS Chemnitz 76-75 on the road for an 18-11 record. Bonn lost an 11-point second quarter lead but then used a 15-0 run in the third quarter to put the game away for sure. Joel Aminu had 20 points and Jalen Finch had 16 points. Bonn made it 2-0 for the weekend as they rallied from 14 points down in the third quarter and ended up winning it on Grayson Murphy’s three-pointer with 3.9 seconds to play. Murphy and Finch both had 16 points in the win.
Braunschweig provide fans with sign of life with win over Ulm
Basketball Löwen Braunschweig showed a faint sign of life in their fight against relegation as they at least split the double round games. Braunschweig dropped their sixth straight game with a 98-78 loss at ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES, losing the first quarter 35-12. Kaza Kajami-Keane scored 20 points in the loss. But Ramon Diaz’s team responded by surprising ratiopharm ulm 77-67 to improve to 6-21 - four wins behind Science City Jena in the 16th spot. Braunschweig pulled away in the fourth quarter for the win with David NGuessan picking up 19 points and Simi Shittu adding 18 points and 9 rebounds in the win.
Ulm control Wolves, but fall at Braunschweig
ratiopharm ulm had a majorly mixed bag of results in the week as they bounced back from a disappointing loss at MLP Academics Heidelberg to beat SYNTAINICS MBC but then lost at last placed Basketball Löwen Braunschweig. Ulm started the double rounder with a 104-81 win over Wolves at home, taking over the game with a 31-16 second quarter. Nelson Weidemann and Christian Sengfelder both scored 19 points in the win. Ulm could not keep up the momentum and suffered another poor loss, 77-67 at Braunschweig, who snapped their six-game losing streak. Ulm watched the hosts pull away in the fourth quarter as Ulm fell to 16-11. Christopher Ludlum paced Ulm with 16 points in the loss.
Trier sweep two home games in two battles among playoff contenders
VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier shrugged off two straight losses to pick up two important victories at home over teams they are battling with for a spot in the playoffs. Trier started the double round week by taking down Fitness First Würzburg Baskets 102-90 and then knocked off MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 92-76. That gave Trier a 16-12 record in sixth place while Würzburg and Ludwigsburg sit just behind them in the Play-Ins spots. Trier led nearly the entire game against Würzburg, taking control with a 37-25 third quarter. Jordan Roland had 20 points and Urald King had 18 points off the bench. Trier did not wait as long against Ludwigsburg with a 32-14 first quarter in crusing to the win. Maik Zirbes scored 18 points and Marten Linßen added 15 points.
Trier lock up leading scorer Roland until 2028
VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier took a big step towards continuing their success as they locked up Jordan Roland until 2028. The 29-year-old joined Trier midway through the 2024-25 season in the ProA and helped the club earn promotion. Roland is leading the easyCredit BBL in scoring this season. And Trier did a good job keeping him on board for the long term.
Vechta double up on wins, keep rolling
RASTA Vechta had the best week possible with a sweep of southern teams to keep rolling. Vechta first beat BMA365 Bamberg Baskets 96-93 at home - to end their six-game winning streak - and then downed Fitness First Würzburg Baskets 103-86 on the road for their sixth win in the last seven games and a 13-15 record. Vechta built a 23-point first quarter lead but were behind in the third quarter. The visitors appeared to take control with a 19-4 lead in the fourth quarter to lead by 13 but Bamberg fought back to within one point before Tommy Kuhse’s game deciding free throws with 9 seconds left. Tevin Brown scored 22 points and Kuhse ended with 19 points. Vechta built a double digit lead in the second quarter against Würzburg and watched the hosts get close at the end of the first half. Vechta regained control and never gave it up to win going away. Alonzo Verge poured in 25 points and TJ Bamba collected 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Hamburg sweep double rounder, edging towards the Play-Ins
Don’t look now but Veolia Towers Hamburg are right on the edge of the Play-Ins after sweeping the double round week for a third straight win. Hamburg raced ahead by 17 points in the first quarter and never let Oldenburg back into the game, winning 96-77. LJ Thorpe scored 27 points and fellow reserve Devon Daniels added 20 points as the bench out-scored the starters 60-36. Hamburg waited until the third quarter to pull away from Frankfurt with a 29-13 frame to win 97-75 and improve to 12-15. Ross Williams led the way with 21 points and Thorpe added 16 points and 5 assists.
Berlin lose to Oldenburg, miss opportunity to close gap to Bayern
ALBA BERLIN lost their only game of the double rounder with an 81-79 defeat at home to EWE Baskets Oldenburg to miss a chance to close to the gap to league leagues FC Bayern Basketball. Berlin fell to 19-8 while Bayern sit atop the standings at 20-5. Berlin were leading by 11 points with under 4 minutes to play but did not score the rest of the game and gave up a 13-0 run to close the game. Jack Kayil scored 15 points to lead four bench players in double figures as the reserves out-scored the starters 55-24.
Bamberg see win streak end in Vechta, down Jena at home
BMA365 Bamberg Baskets finished the double round with a split, seeing their six-game winning streak come to an end but then bouncing back to salvage a win. Bamberg fell behind RASTA Vechta by 23 points only to take the lead in the third quarter. Bamberg conceded a 19-4 run to fall behind by 13 points, but were able to pull within one point before losing 96-93. Cobe Williams scored 22 points in the loss. Bamberg were able to make up ground on the leading two teams by grabbing an 81-75 win over Science City Jena for an 18-10 record - one win fewer than ALBA BERLIN in second place. Bamberg lost a 14-point first quarter lead but never lost control in the second half. Zach Ensminger, Demarcus Demonia and Williams all had 14 points in the win.
Rostock playoffs dreams back on track after sweep
ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES got their playoffs fight back on track by taking care of business and beating the two bottom teams in the standings in a double round sweep. Rostock had lost their previous three games but rolled past Basketball Löwen Braunschweig 98-78 at home and then won 101-70 at MLP Academics Heidelberg to improve to 14-12. Rostock came out firing against Braunschweig with a 35-12 first quarter. TJ Crockett paced five Rostock players in double figures with 18 points. Rostock allowed only 8 points in the second quarter against Heidelberg and it was never close the rest of the game. Five Rostock players again scored in double figures with Crockett pouring in 25 points.
Heidelberg still three games from drop zone after two more losses
MLP Academics Heidelberg lost an opportunity to gain ground on Science City Jena in the fight against relegation by losing both games of the double round - just like Jena. Heidelberg lost at home 94-82 to Telekom Baskets Bonn and then were beaten 101-70 at home against ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES. That leaves Heidelberg 7-21 - three wins behind Jena. Heidelberg rallied from 11 points down to go ahead against Bonn but then gave up 15 straight points to drop the game. DJ Horne had 17 points and Michael Weathers added 15 points. Heidelberg managed only 8 points in the second quarter against Rostock and never were close in the second half despite Ryan Mikesell’s 19 points.
Jena suffer two losses, but still have three-win gap to relegation
Science City Jena dropped both games of the double round week but still hold a three-win advantage over the relegation zone. Jena were rolled by SKYLINERS 90-58 at home and then lost 81-75 at BMA365 Bamberg Baskets to fall to 10-17. Jena still have a comfortable cushion over 17th placed MLP Academics Heidelberg, who are 7-21. Jena could not keep up with Frankfurt, who pulled away in the second quarter. Uchenna Iroegbu was the only Jena player in double figures with 12 points. In Bamberg, Jena were able to pull even after a first quarter 14-point deficit but never could give Bamberg a fight. Lorenz Bank scored 18 points and Joe Wieskamp had 16 points in the loss.
Frankfurt collect one win, stay close to Play-Ins
SKYLINERS refuse to go away in the battle for the Play-Ins as they split two road games of the double rounder. Frankfurt knocked off Science City Jena 90-58 on the road before losing 97-75 at Veolia Towers Hamburg for a 12-16 record. Frankfurt started pulling away in the second quarter against Jena and finished off the game for good a frame later. Till Pape collected 19 points and 9 rebounds and Tyger Campbell added 16 points and 8 assists. Frankfurt held an 11 point lead in the second quarter against Hamburg but lost the third quarter 29-13 and could not recover. Isaiah Swope led the way with 18 points and 7 assists.
Chemnitz waste 14-point lead in losing second of two games, fall from Play-Ins spots
NINERS Chemnitz picked the wrong week to struggle as they lost both games of the double rounder to fall out of the Play-Ins spots. Chemnitz watched MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg take over the game in the third quarter in an 87-79 road loss. Kevin Yebo poured in 29 points in the loss and Kostja Mushidi added 14 points. Chemnitz actually looked like they had their home games against Telekom Baskets Bonn in their hands with a 14-point early third quarter lead. But Bonn fought back into the game and got a three-pointer from Grayson Murphy with 3.9 seconds left as Chemnitz lost 76-75 at home. That gave Chemnitz a 12-15 record in 11th place. Corey Davis had 21 points and Yebo added 19 points in the loss.
Ludwigsburg grab one win to stay in Playoffs fight
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg remained in the fight for the Playoffs by at least splitting their two games of the double round week. Ludwigsburg notched their third straight win by beating NINERS Chemnitz 87-79 at home but then lost on the road 92-76 against VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier for a 15-12 record. Ludwigsburg pulled away at the end of the third quarter to lead by 16 points and carried that to the win over Ludwigsburg. Babacar Sane paced Ludwigsburg with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Ludwigsburg had no chance in Trier, falling behind by 18 points after 10 minutes and trailed 53-30 at halftime. Toms Skuja was the team’s top scorer with 17 points.
Oldenburg split keeps them close to Play-Ins
EWE Baskets Oldenburg kept within striking distance of the Play-Ins after splitting two games this week. Oldenburg dropped a home game against Veolia Towers Hamburg 96-77 but bounced back to beat ALBA BERLIN in the German capital 81-79 for a 12-16 record. Oldenburg fell behind by 17 points in the first quarter and could never challenge Hamburg despite all five starters scoring in double figures while Chris Clemons gave off the bench to score 14 of the reserves’ combined 17 points. That was Oldenburg’s fourth straight loss but they ended that streak days later by beating Berlin thanks to a 13-0 run to close the game. Brian Fobbs collected 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Clemons finished with 20 points and 7 assists.
Würzburg slump continues, dropping two games and giving up 205 points
Fitness First Würzburg Baskets continued a poor stretch of results as they lost both games of the week - both times giving up 100+ points. Sasa Filipowski’s team was beaten 102-90 at VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier and then fell at home to RASTA Vechta 103-86 for a 15-12 record after four losses in the last five games. Würzburg could not keep up with Trier in the third quarter, which went to the hosts 37-25. Marcus Carr scored 25 points and Davion Mintz added 20 points in the defeat. The third quarter was Würzburg’s problem again against Vechta, who took the third frame 26-14 in the win. Mintz led the way with 20 points and 6 assists.
Player(s) of the Week(s)
Two rounds of action this week mean two Player of the Week honors to hand out. The top player for Round 27 was LJ Thorpe of Veolia Towers Hamburg. The guard came off the bench against EWE Baskets Oldenburg to score 27 points on 9 of 13 shots (3/7 threes) and 6 of 9 free throws to go along with 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals for an efficiency of 32. Brian Fobbs was the top player from Round 28 for his 28 efficiency in Oldenburg’s win over ALBA BERLIN. Fobbs scored 25 points on 8 of 12 shooting (1/3 threes) and 8 of 9 free throws while also collecting 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Zach Ensminger, BMA365 Bamberg Baskets
Ensminger put together 12 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists and 1 steal in Bamberg’s loss to RASTA Vechta and then picked up 14 points, 2 rebounds 1 assist and 2 steals against Science City Jena.
F: Kenneth Ogbe, Veolia Towers Hamburg
Ogbe played a big role in Hamburg’s two wins with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal against EWE Baskets Oldenburg and 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal versus SKYLINERS.
F: Philipp Herkenhoff, RASTA Vechta
Herkenhoff tallied 15 points and 6 rebounds in Vechta’s win over BMA365 Bamberg Baskets and had 11 points and 7 rebounds versus Fitness First Würzburg Baskets.
F: Kevin Yebo, NINERS Chemnitz
Chemnitz ended up losing two games but Yebo was outstanding in both. He had 29 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg and tallied 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal in a loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn.
C: Marten Linßen, VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier
Linßen helped Trier to two wins as he picked up 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals against Fitness First Würzburg Baskets and then had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block against MLP RIESEN Ludwigsburg.
Young Guns
Jack Kayil, 20, PG, ALBA BERLIN
Kayil could not keep Berlin from losing to EWE Baskets Oldenburg despite putting together 15 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Alec Anigbata, 21, SF, ratiopharm ulm
Anigbata started both games for Ulm, picking up 6 points on 1 of 7 shots (0/4 threes) 4 of 5 free throws, 1 rebound and 1 steal in 19:36 minutes against SYNTAINICS MBC and then 2 points on 1 of 2 shots, 1 rebound and 1 assist in 11:15 minutes versus Basketball Löwen Braunschweig.
Julis Baumer, 19, PG, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg
Baumer tallied 4 points on 2 of 3 shooting (0/1 threes) and 0 of 1 free throws and 2 steals in 20:17 minutes against NINERS Chemnitz. The point guard then scored a career high 10 points on 4 of 6 shots (1/2 threes) and 1 of 2 free throws, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block in 21:06 minutes versus VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier.
Germans Abroad
Malick Kordel entered the record books as the first German to win an NCAA men’s basketball championship in the United States since Niels Giffey and Leon Tolksdorf in 2014. The 22-year-old Kordel did not play in the University of Michigan’s 69-63 victory over the University of Connecticut. But he appeared in 11 games during the season and contributed 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. There was going to be a German celebrating regardless as Eric Reibe and Dwayne Koroma were with UConn. Reibe played 6 minutes and did not collect any stats while Koroma did not get on the court in the National Championship Game.
