His likeness adorns posters all over the city ahead of the most important phase of the season. And this morning in the training hall at the Orange Campus, the captain is also in demand. At Ratiopharm Ulm’s media training before the playoffs, which begin for the reigning champions on Saturday with a home game against the Würzburg Baskets (6:30 p.m.), by far the most journalists are around Tommy Klepeisz.
So the likeable German-Austrian, who has long since become a crowd favorite in Ulm, answers their questions – about his routines, his goals for the season, his future.
Of course, if they went to the NBA, it would be difficult to replace them.
Tommy Klepeisz on possible departures
“The rhythm is tight, every non-game day is now followed by a game, which is why we really have to subordinate everything else and devote the day in between completely to regeneration,” Tommy Klepeisz gives the press an idea of his daily routine during the playoffs.
Read more: This is how Ratiopharm Ulm is preparing for the playoffs
“The first game is the most important, we have to defend our home advantage,” the 32-year-old briefly and succinctly answers questions about his team’s goal for the season. He adds that “everything is possible” if the team can “improve dramatically” in the same way as the championship season.
Tommy Klepeisz about his future in Ulm
Also the title defense? After all, it could be Tommy Klepeisz’s last chance at a championship with Ratiopharm Ulm. As with a large part of the Ulm team, the captain’s contract expires after this season.
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The 32-year-old can imagine a future at Ratiopharm Ulm, as he has now announced, but the development player has omitted a commitment to his club. “I have always said that Ulm is a top address in Germany and every player would love to play here. The city and the conditions are great, also for me.”
However, the Ulm popular figure cannot or does not want to reveal what will happen next for him after this season. “There are discussions going on right now and I’m trying to concentrate more on playing.”
In the summer I will decide whether I go or stay
Juan Nunez
Klepeisz warns that comments about his own future are out of place at the moment, including towards his teammates, most of whom do not have a contract for the coming season. “These are things that should happen behind the scenes, including for me. And I think that’s a good thing.”
Co-captain Robin Christen’s contract also expires
Tommy Klepeisz is by no means the only key player who could leave Ulm this summer. The reigning champions are once again facing upheaval. Among other things, co-captain Robin Christen does not have a contract beyond the current season. However, there is no unrest in the team, emphasizes Christen before the playoffs.
“We have put our full focus on this season and want to get the most out of it.” What happens next year will be decided in the summer. “Ulm is a great location, I can of course very well imagine staying there.” But you have to “see what happens,” explains the winger.
Núñez and Dadiet declare for the NBA draft
A reunion with Juan Núñez and Pacome Dadiet is questionable. The exceptional players from Ulm have registered for the upcoming NBA draft and are hoping to get involved with an American professional club. Captain Klepeisz believes that a departure of the talent would change the team. “If they went to the NBA, it would of course be difficult to replace them.” At the same time, it is common practice in basketball for players to take the next step.
Núñez himself avoids the question of a possible future in Ulm in view of the playoffs now beginning. “I’m very excited about the game against Würzburg this week. The draft is something I’m not thinking about right now. In the summer I’ll decide whether I go or stay.”
Trevin Williams before saying goodbye
It is almost impossible for Trevion Williams to stay in Ulm. The best rebounder and second most effective player in the Bundesliga, whose contract with the champions is also expiring, is linked to some Euroleague clubs.
One person whose time on the Danube will definitely come to an end after this season is Anton Gavel. The master coach will leave Ulm after two extremely successful years as head coach for Bamberg, where he once enjoyed great success as a player.
Anton Gavel: The season is just starting now
“We don’t have to talk about what our highlight was, everyone knows that,” says Gavel, looking back on the first championship title in the Ulm club’s history. However, the 39-year-old emphasizes before the playoffs that it is still too early to draw conclusions about his coaching work at Ratiopharm Ulm. “The most important phase is still ahead of us. You can look back when the season is over. But I think it’s only really beginning now.”
After a good half hour, the Ulm basketball players’ media training before the playoffs is over. The journalists leave the hall, and the crowd of questioners around Tommy Klepeisz gradually moves away. The captain waves goodbye. Forever?
2024-05-17 16:00:00
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