Second Basketball Bundesliga
The alpha animal remains in the “Charles Pack”: Captain Julian Albus has extended his contract with the second division basketball team PSK Lions for two more years. But when will he be back on the floor?
Captain Julian Albus (on the ball) will also be on the floor for the PS Karlsruhe Lions next season. Photo: Andreas Arndt
Of course, the PS Karlsruhe Lions supporters will also go looking for eggs and bunnies, preferably made of chocolate, on Easter Sunday.
But those responsible for the second division basketball team gave their fans a present under the basketball hoop on Maundy Thursday: the contract extension with captain Julian Albus.
You can say that I have become at home here.
Julian Albus
PSK Lions captain
The shooting guard will wear the Karlsruhe jersey for another two years and will be the alpha animal of the “Karlspack”. The Lions announced this on Thursday morning.
“It’s an open secret that I feel very comfortable here and in the city. “I’m very happy,” says Albus. In discussions with those responsible for the Lions, it “emerged quite quickly” that things should continue in Karlsruhe.
Albus has been playing for the PSK Lions since summer 2022
“You can say that I have become at home here. The office, the team, the trainers, everyone welcomed me here with open arms and made it easy for me from day one,” says Albus, who became a dad a few months ago.
The 31-year-old has been playing for the Lions in Pro A since summer 2022 and, as captain on the court, is the extended arm of head coach Aleksandar Scepanovic. He previously played in over 150 Bundesliga games for Tübingen and Würzburg.
He also enriches the team with his personality.
Danjel Ljubic
Lions sporting director on Julian Albus
“Julian is characterized by experience, overview and an extremely intelligent game. He is very valuable for us,” says the Lions’ sporting director, Danjel Ljubic. “In addition, Julian has a fine character and enriches the team with his personality.”
With the Albus signing, Ljubic is pushing ahead with squad planning for the coming season. Even before the extension with the alpha animal of the “Charles Pack”, the sporting director had managed to tie leading player O’Showen Williams to the Lions for the 2024/25 season a few weeks ago.
Knee problems are currently keeping Julian Albus out of action
The Tübingen native is convinced of the Lions’ development – on and off the floor. “The visions of those responsible for where we want to go are totally consistent,” says Albus.
With the move to the Europahalle we are taking “the next step structurally. This makes us a very attractive location,” says the Lions captain.
Maybe it’s enough for Paderborn. I’m taking steps forward.
Julian Albus
about a possible comeback
Of course it would be “a great thing to get a taste of the Bundesliga again”. Albus now has two more years to do this with the Lions.
In the current season, Albus is struggling with a number of injuries. Last November, an old injury from the summer break flared up again and a hairline crack in the metatarsal bone was even diagnosed.
The 31-year-old was missing from the Lions until January. Like the last two games. Knee problems forced him to watch. So far this season, Albus has made 13 appearances, 23 minutes per game and 7.7 points.
In the fight for the play-off places, the Lions will be visiting sixth-placed Phoenix Hagen on Saturday (7 p.m.) – still without their leader. “It’s definitely too soon,” says Albus. Like the home game against Trier next Wednesday.
When exactly Albus will return to the dance floor is still unclear. “Maybe it’s enough for Paderborn. “I’m taking steps forward,” Albus says. The Lions welcome East Westphalia on April 7th (5:30 p.m.) in the Lina Radke Hall.
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2024-03-28 09:00:00
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