Club icon Rickey Paulding said goodbye to his own fans with a strong performance at his last home game for the basketball Bundesliga club EWE Baskets Oldenburg. The American, who is leaving Lower Saxony at the end of the season after 15 years, contributed 18 points in the 113:87 (63:38) against s.Oliver Würzburg.
“It was more emotional than I expected. When I started my career, I never thought that something like this could happen,” said the 39-year-old, who brought his family onto the floor after the game and joined the 6,000 spectators “Rickey Paulding” chants celebrated at MagentaSport.
The Baskets fans honored their idol with a big choreography. A huge banner reading “15 years of loyalty – three-pointers, dunks and heart and soul. Thank you Rickey” adorned the opposite grandstand before the game. In terms of sport, the encounter was of less importance. The 2009 champions have already secured relegation, the Würzburg team will miss the play-offs.
Telekom Baskets Bonn remain at the top of the table after their eleventh win in a row. The Rhinelanders prevailed 85:74 (48:37) at ratiopharm Ulm. With 52:14 points, Bonn are ahead of pursuers Alba Berlin (48:12). However, the champion and cup winner has played three games less.
In addition to the Fraport Skyliners from Frankfurt, the Giessen 46ers are the second relegated team. The Mittelhessen lost to the Niners Chemnitz 70:91 (31:52) and with only three games left they are eight points behind a non-relegation place that cannot be caught.
