The German top stars mostly play in the NBA or for top clubs in other European countries – and the question arises as to which local players, like Per Günther, Alex King and Pascal Roller, can become the figureheads of the easyCredit BBL?
Which players could become the faces of the easyCredit BBL and become identification figures? This question forms the bracket for the last reference and the current one. While I looked at Germans returning to the BBL last week, today I’m talking about local players who didn’t return to the league, but who, thanks to their development in recent years, have achieved a status that could put them behind the NBA and Euroleague stars.
The Berliners
In addition to moving to college in the summer Jack Kyle There were three other Berliners with the national team in the FIBA window. The presence in the DBB team is certainly a helpful aspect on the way to becoming a figurehead, even if taking part in the major FIBA tournaments is much more important than playing in the qualifying games. The importance of the club in the league also plays a role. The Albatrosses are currently the most successful team in the league with five wins in a row (even eleven across all competitions) and are preparing to take the place again behind the mighty Bayern.
That is of course good, but on the other hand, the top clubs are often judged controversially, they polarize the fans of the other clubs – they are liked or at least respected or even hated, there is often little in between. But that doesn’t necessarily have to apply to their players, as evidenced by examples such as Andreas Obst and Johannes Voigtmann, who enjoy great respect beyond the Bavarian borders due to their achievements in the national team’s title wins. I can’t imagine that this perception would change if Bayern joined the European NBA project, which is controversial among fans. The Berliners are strongly considering this move, and it could reduce their players’ chances of becoming the faces of the league because they do not have untouchable status.
But which players are we actually talking about? I’ll start with Jonas Mattisseckwho also arouses the interest of the tabloid press through his relationship with figure skater Minerva Hase. In addition, the connection to his hometown and his club is an asset. This also applies to Malte Delowwho, however, provides more sporting arguments than Mattisseck, who defines himself primarily through defense with little public appeal. The third member of the league is Center Norris Agbakokowho moved from Oldenburg to the capital before the start of the season. He can only make the step to becoming an identification figure if he continues his good development over the last few years.
The national players
The Ulm Nelson Weideman was the last cut before the European Championships this year. The 26-year-old is older than the three Berliners, but still seems to be suitable as a leading figure, especially for young people. Weidemann is not afraid of anyone and plays with a lot of energy. The Berlin native has a “swagger”, the aura of the bold and cheeky city boy who appears cheeky and self-confident on and off the field. His deep threes are a good example of this.
Frankfurt Till Pape However, it serves a completely different clientele. In terms of sport, he is committed to solidity and efficiency. Spectacular dunks are not his thing. Instead, he relies on excellent footwork, a good three-pointer and game intelligence. On the one hand, he represents the down-to-earth guy that mothers want for their daughters, and on the other hand, he also represents the intellectual standard that has been associated with basketball in Germany since his childhood. Pape became a doctor and was a high achiever at school and in his studies, which he never neglected alongside his professional career.
Collin Welp would be the perfect identification figure for nostalgics. His late father Christian was the winning basket scorer and tournament MVP in Germany’s first major success, the European Championship title in 1993 in Munich. Like Pape, the Würzburg big man also made his international debut in Cyprus last week. The 26-year-old is an important pillar of the surprisingly strong SYNTAINICS MBC and takes more threes than twos with an impressive rate of 50 percent beyond the 6.75 meter line.
The dual citizens
The threesomes are also the core competence of Spencer Reaveswho, like his teammate from Weißenfels, has an interesting family background. His brother Austin plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and has delivered fantastic numbers so far this season (28.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists). This also draws attention to Spencer, who has been one of the best three-point shooters in the BBL in recent years. The German-American is now playing his fifth season in Germany, but in order to become an identification figure, he would have to learn German in order to be able to get closer to the fans.
Kevin Yes In addition to German, he also has Ivorian citizenship. The Bonn native was the discovery of the 2023/24 season and shines in Chemnitz. He has long since put the unfortunate interlude last season with Bayern behind him. No center attacks as aggressively as the 29-year-old, who is awarded the most free throws in the league. He is also the best scorer and most effective player among the German players. In addition to his achievements, he can also serve as an identification figure due to his open and honest demeanor.
The player I am finally writing about has only made limited development in recent years. But Moman Pool Barloo is an absolute model professional and, at 40, the oldest player in the league. The German-Cuban doesn’t spare himself or his opponents and is a face of the league. However, due to the approaching end of his career, he cannot be considered as a figure of identification.
Koch’s second helping
Do faces and potential identification figures in the league necessarily have to be players? Certainly for young basketball players who dream of a professional career. But basically? No! Anton Gavelwho was loved as a player and won the German championship with Ulm as a coach in his first season, could slip into such a role. Marko Pesic will stop in Munich at the turn of the year, but in Marco Baldiwho has been pulling the strings in Berlin for 35 years, and Thorsten Leibenathwho led Ulm into new spheres first as a coach and then as a sports director, there are also great personalities available at the official level.
Stefan Koch was a head coach in the premier league for two decades and was named Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2005. He regularly reached the playoffs with his teams and appeared seven times in the European Cup. He took part in the TOP FOUR six times and won the cup with Frankfurt in 2000. The Hessian was also head coach of the All-Star Game three times.
Koch currently works as a commentator at Dyn and previously worked as an expert and commentator for SPORT1, Premiere, Sportdigital, DAZN and MagentaSport, as well as a scout for the NBA. In the podcast “Talkin‘ Basketball“, which is available on all common platforms, he and Oliver Dütschke regularly speak to protagonists from the German basketball scene. His column on BBL events can be found regularly here in the News Center on the right under the heading “Koch’s Nachschlag”.
