Tibor Pleiß will continue his professional basketball career with Rasta Vechta, signing a contract extension for the 2026-27 season according to the club. The 36-year-old center, who stands 2.18 meters tall, enters his second year with the easyCredit Basketball-Bundesliga club after joining them in December 2025.
Pleiß brings an extensive resume to Vechta, having won two Euroleague championships and earned 109 caps for the German national team. His career in the top tier of German basketball began during the 2006-07 season, long before Vechta reached the BBL. Reflecting on his decision to stay, Pleiß noted the welcoming atmosphere at the club.
“The club and the fans have welcomed me with open arms and have always stood by us as a team,” Pleiß told the club’s official media. “Rasta is a club that promotes youth development and lives a family-oriented togetherness. I think I can make a good contribution here with my experience and my character.”
On-Court Impact and Statistics in Vechta
During his initial 23 appearances for head coach Christian Held, Pleiß averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He made an impression from beyond the arc, converting 30 of his 71 three-point attempts for an accuracy rate of 42.3 percent. That shooting clip surpassed his 38.4 percent career average across 344 Euroleague games.
The veteran center delivered standout performances during high-stakes matchups. In a rivalry win against Oldenburg, he recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. Later in the postseason, during Game 3 of the playoff quarterfinals against Alba Berlin, he posted 22 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals.
Head coach Christian Held expressed satisfaction with retaining the veteran big man, emphasizing the benefit of having him participate in the upcoming training camp. “Tibor has proven that he is still able to play at this level and provide input,” Held stated. “And this year he will also do the preparation with us, which will help him. Therefore, his contract extension is something very positive.”
Roster Continuity and Youth Integration
Sporting director Gerrit Kersten-Thiele highlighted the value of maintaining roster stability alongside the addition of young German talent. Alongside Pleiß, returning core players include Philipp Herkenhoff, Tommy Kuhse, and Lars Thiemann. New additions to the domestic player group feature Lamin Sabally, Peter Hemschemeier, and Timo Lanmüller.
“We are glad that we were able to maintain a degree of continuity,” Kersten-Thiele said. “Tibor has helped us directly, both athletically and personally, since his arrival. He is an asset to us.”
Pleiß’s career path includes titles in Germany with Bamberg and Cologne, alongside seven trophies with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, including Euroleague titles in 2021 and 2022. With his return secured, Vechta aims to build upon last season’s foundation when the 2026-27 campaign tips off.
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