A career like that of Quantez Robertson in Frankfurt is rare in the basketball Bundesliga. The American rushes from record to record, but now there is a risk of relegation
What: pa/nordphoto GmbH/Hafner
Quantez Robertson has played for the Frankfurt Skyliners since 2009. This makes the American the most loyal player in the Bundesliga. The 38-year-old is now facing what is probably the most difficult mission of his career.
Dhe Fraport Skyliners are facing a Mission Impossible. Frankfurt has to win its three remaining games to stay up in the basketball Bundesliga. It starts on May Day (3 p.m.) against the Würzburg Baskets. The Skyliners are led by the currently most loyal player in the league: Quantez Robertson (38).
“The situation is tough. I try to focus on training and the final games. One training session after the other, one game after the other,” Robertson told WELT. It is his 14th season for Frankfurt. In 2009 the American came to the Main metropolis from the Auburn Tigers. Robertson is a rarity in the league, with players from overseas often only signing contracts for eight weeks.
At the end of January, Robertson replaced Frankfurt legend Pascal Roller as the club’s most successful point collector. “It’s great to be here for so long,” he said at the time. Only Rickey Paulding (15 years in Oldenburg) was longer with a BBL club. Robertson has played 479 Bundesliga games for Frankfurt so far, 741 steals are a league record. He played his most successful season in 2016: Victory in the Fiba Europe Cup, most valuable player in the final, appointment to the all-star team and best defender in the BBL.
Evergreen: Quantez Robertson has been playing for the Frankfurt Skyliners for 14 years
What: pa/nordphoto GmbH/Hafner
Even at 38, Robertson proves why he’s considered “basketball’s version of a Swiss Army knife.” When his team had staffing problems in January, the 1.88 meter tall guard played as a center. In doing so, he sometimes had to assert himself against opponents who were 30 centimeters taller and 40 kilograms heavier. A point of honor for team player Robertson. “When I have to fight with the big boys and sacrifice my body. Then I will.”
Robertson’s future uncertain
It was of little use. After relegation in the previous season, Frankfurt started with an expensive wild card (700,000 euros). Now the next fiasco is imminent. The last home game of the season is against Würzburg, who are fighting for the play-offs. After the bankruptcies against bottom Bayreuth (107:113) and 16th Braunschweig (71:86), the Skyliners have to win. Because: If Crailsheim wins against Bamberg and Weißenfels against Heidelberg, Frankfurt will be the second relegated team if they lose against Würzburg.
Another wildcard is almost impossible because seven out of eight play-off teams from the 2nd division have applied for a BBL license. “We don’t look at the other teams, we can’t influence that anyway. The focus is 100% on us. We have to win games! That’s all that matters!” demands Robertson.
For him it could be his last mission in the Frankfurt jersey. His two-year contract is up. According to the club, how the playing legend will continue will probably only be decided after the last game. One thing is certain: the Robertson jersey with the number 23 will be hanging under the Frankfurt hall ceiling at some point.
