The German-American Basketball Star: The Journey of Tommy Kuhse from Rasta Vechta to Germany

145 years ago, Henry Carl Ludwig Kuhse († 63) left Mecklenburg to seek his fortune in America.

Like around 4.34 million Germans between 1840 and 1890, he also moved to the USA. Kuhse settled in the US state of Iowa and founded a family on a farm with his wife Ansine († 75), who came from East Frisia. The Kuhse line continued and now ended up back in Germany.

Descendant Tommy Kuhse (26) is shaking up the Easycredit Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) at Rasta Vechta. The playmaker averages 19.2 points and provides 6.8 assists and led the promoted team to a play-off place. “We are a dangerous team,” says Kuhse.

Look who’s talking! Mini-Coach delights the internet

Source: BILD / Dyn / Instagram@coachchristopherbess02/27/2024

SPORT BILD reveals: Kuhse has a US passport, but his roots are completely German. His ancestors came from Mecklenburg, East Frisia, Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Münsterland and the Vechta district.

“I only had a vague idea about it,” says Kuhse. “I was aware that Kuhse is a German name. I’ve heard of Mecklenburg as the home of my ancestors. But I had no idea that my mother’s ancestors came from the Vechta region. It’s incredible to find out.”

Kuhse’s mother Pamela’s ancestors were called Froehle, Fangman, Büscherhoff or Willenborg. They were all born in places like Steinfeld, Lohne and Dinklage, which are within a 25-kilometer radius around Vechta. It was a great coincidence that Kuhse ended up there of all places.

also read

“I feel at home in a strange way since I’ve been in Germany,” says Kuhse. “I like the culture, the way of life and the people.”

Due to his German ancestry, naturalization would be easier for Kuhse. In 2008, American NBA professional Chris Kaman (41) became German because he had German great-grandparents. “If I could get a German passport, that would be great,” says Kuhse. “That would also help me tremendously in my basketball career.”

Since in the BBL and other top European leagues there is a distinction between places for foreigners for Americans and EU citizens, Kuhse would have better cards in contract negotiations: “A German passport would significantly increase his market value,” says Vechta sports director Gerrit Kersten-Thiele (43) . “In the BBL he would not block any quota places for foreign players, and in countries like Spain he would no longer be a non-EU foreigner.” Kuhse’s contract expires. There is already interest from Spain and Italy.

Tommy Kuhse from Rasta Vechta: “I would of course be willing to play for Germany”

According to the rules of the world association, only a so-called “naturalized” German who only received a German passport after the age of 16 is allowed to play in the national team. This position is currently mostly held by American-born Nick Weiler-Babb (28), whose grandparents come from Germany. “If I had a German passport, I would of course be willing to play for Germany,” says Kuhse.

According to Vice President Armin Andres (64), the German Basketball Association (DBB), unlike before, relies less on active naturalization and instead focuses on talents trained in Germany such as Justus Hollatz (22). “But if Vechta actively promotes this and Tommy Kuhse one day has a German passport, then we will deal with him. He is a very interesting player,” says Andres.

Kuhse didn’t know any German before he came to the BBL: “Now I know enough to order in a restaurant and have a conversation.” In the spring, his parents visit him – following in the footsteps of his ancestors!

2024-02-29 20:55:50
#Basketball #Tommy #Kuhse #Rasta #Vechta #play #Germany #Sports #mix