History was made in the penultimate week of the regular season as Karsten Tadda appeared in his 638th game in the easyCredit BBL - tying the record for most games played with Alex King. The week also saw NINERS Chemnitz win two overtime thrillers in a span of three days while FIT/One Würzburg Baskets won their sixth straight game as they fight for home court advantage. Off the court, Marko Pesic announced he will step down as FC Bayern Munich general manager at the end of the 2025 calendar year.
In this section, we break out our English language skills and inform you about the latest news from the German easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga. If you’re short on time but still want your fill of Germany’s top basketball league then you are in the right place. Every week David Hein (Taking The Charge) brings you up-to-date in German basketball – the easyCredit BBL short and sweet:
Karsten Tadda ties Alex King for most games played in Bundesliga
Karsten Tadda made history in Bamberg Baskets’ game against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg as he appeared in his 638th game - moving into a tie for first place in games played in the easyCredit BBL since the start of data collection in 1998. He pulled even with Alex King, who was in Bamberg for the contest. Tadda will break the record on Thursday May 8 against ratiopharm ulm. Tadda made his debut on November 11, 2007 with Bamberg, where he was born and raised and developed in the Bamberg youth ranks. Tadda, whose first game was against Ludwigsburg, collected five German league crowns including the “triple double” of league and cup doubles from 2010 to 2012 with Bamberg. He also won the league title in 2013 and 2015 with Bamberg while also helping Telekom Baskets Bonn win the Basketball Champions League in 2023. He also played with Gießen, ratiopharm ulm, EWE Baskets Oldenburg and Bonn. Tadda also earned 89 appearances with the German national team, playing in three FIBA EuroBaskets (2013, 2015 and 2017). Next on the list of active players going into the game was John Bryant with 484 games
14 of 17 teams still in race for post-season entering final week
There will be plenty of drama in the final week of the season with the final two rounds of games. Only three teams have been eliminated from play-ins - Bamberg Baskets, SKYLINERS and relegated BG Göttingen - while 10 teams are fighting for the direct playoffs places of 3rd to 6th. In total, 14 of 17 teams are still fighting for the post-season. Below is a breakdown of how teams played in the two-round last week of action.
Kharchenkov leads Bayern to comfortable win over Göttingen
FC Bayern remain the standings leader going into the final week after a comfortable 94-86 home win over BG Göttingen. Ivan Kharchenkov led the team in scoring with 17 points for a 22-8 record - one win ahead of ratiopharm ulm. Bayern finish the season with games at Telekom Baskets Bonn and versus MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg.
Marko Pesic to leave Bayern at end of 2025
The end of an era is coming as FC Bayern Munich general manager Marko Pesic announced he is leaving the club at the end of the 2025 calendar year. The former German international has been with Bayern since 2011 - first as a sports director and then since 2013 as GM, turning the club into a powerhouse in Germany and a big name in European basketball. Bayern won four league titles (2014, 2018, 2019, 2024) and four cups (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024) under the guidance of Pesic. Sports director Dragan Tarlac will take over the sports part of Pesic’s duties while Adrian Sarmiento will handle the business matters.
Bayern coach Herbert named Canada head coach
FC Bayern Munich head coach Gordon Herbert has a new job - at least a second job - as he was named as the head coach of the Canada senior national team. The 66-year-old Canadian will take over the North American powers in the summer of 2026.
Ulm use late run to beat Heidelberg, snap road skid
ratiopharm ulm picked up a big road victory by knocking off MLP Academics Heidelberg 90-74 to snap a three-game road losing streak. Playing for the first time in 12 days, Ulm pulled away with a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter to improve to 21-9 and add the pressure on first place FC Bayern Munich. Ben Saraf paced five Ulm players in double figures with 17 points. Ulm’s final two games are versus Bamberg Baskets and at Veolia Towers Hamburg.
Ulm trio - Saraf, Essengue, Anigbata - register for NBA draft
Three players from ratiopharm ulm - Ben Saraf, Noa Essengue and Alec Anigbata - have entered their names in the 2025 NBA Draft. The draft will take place on June 25 and 26 in Brooklyn. The trio can withdraw their names before June 15.
Mintz’s 28 points helps Würzburg to sixth straight win
FIT/One Würzburg Baskets are the hottest team entering the final week after an 85-70 victory at SKYLINERS gave them their sixth straight win to defend third place. Davion Mintz went 7 of 7 from long range in scoring 28 points as Würzburg improved to 18-12. They have a tough final two games though: versus MLP Academics Heidelberg and at Basketball Löwen Braunschweig.
Braunschweig bounce back from Bonn loss, beat Frankfurt to lock in play-ins
Basketball Löwen Braunschweig have locked in at least a play-ins spot as they bounced back from an 85-81 loss at Telekom Baskets Bonn by defeating SKYLINERS 79-72 at home. Braunschweig head into the final week of the season with an 18-12 record and a one-win advantage over two teams. Braunschweig play at ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES before finishing the season at home against FIT/One Würzburg Baskets.
Chemnitz win two OT thrillers to say in race for home court advantage
NINERS Chemnitz are still alive in the race for the home court advantage after a great week with two thrilling overtime wins in three days for a 17-13 record in fifth place. Victor Bailey poured in 32 points in a 104-100 OT victory over MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. Chemnitz followed that by wasting a 16-point fourth quarter lead before winning 108-102 over ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES. Nicholas Tischler converted an alley-oop layup in the waning second to force the extra session and Jeff Garrett scored 22 points in the win. Chemnitz’s final two games are at Veolia Towers Hamburg and at EWE Baskets Oldenburg.
Berlin just keep moving up the standings after win over Wolves
ALBA BERLIN are finishing the regular season on a roll as they cruised past SYNTAINICS MBC 90-62 at home for a 17-14 record. Berlin’s sixth win in the last seven games leaves them in sixth place and guaranteed at least a play-ins spot. Berlin only have one game left as they host relegated BG Göttingen.
Rostock suffer setback in hopes of direct playoff spot
One of the top victims of the week was ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES, who rallied from 16 points down in the fourth quarter only to lose 108-102 in overtime at NINERS Chemnitz in their only game of the week. Rostock wasted a monster 26-point, 15-rebound double-double by Malik Osborne in falling to 16-14 for seventh place. Many consider Rostock one of the biggest surprises of the season, but they could still miss the play-ins as they host Basketball Löwen Braunschweig and play at BG Göttingen in the final week.
Freefall continues for Heidelberg
One of the other biggest surprises this season has been MLP Academics Heidelberg, who are slumping at the worst time with two losses last week. Heidelberg lost 78-60 at RASTA Vechta and then fell 90-74 at home versus ratiopharm ulm. Heidelberg have lost four in a row for a 16-14 record for 8th place and a fall to 13th is still possible. Heidelberg end the season at FIT/One Würzburg Baskets and at home against SKYLINERS.
Split keeps Weißenfels alive for direct playoffs spot
SYNTAINICS MBC split the two games last week and still have chances of both the direct playoffs or missing the post-season all together. Weißenfels were walloped 90-62 at ALBA BERLIN before bouncing back and beating Veolia Towers Hamburg 102-81 at home with four players scoring 17+ points. That left Wolves at 16-14 with the final two games being at MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg and at home versus Telekom Baskets Bonn.
Vechta can’t keep up momentum despite massive week from Randolph
RASTA Vechta missed a chance to keep up the momentum in the final stretch as they lost 91-75 at EWE Baskets Oldenburg after beating MLP Academics Heidelberg 78-60 at home for back-to-back wins. Brandon Randolph scored 30 points in the victory over Heidelberg and then wasted a monster 42-point performance against Oldenburg. Vechta only have one game left as they play at Bamberg Baskets.
Ludwigsburg hanging in there after third win in four games
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg remained alive in the race for the playoffs - both a direct spot and the play-ins - after a split during the week. They wasted a combined 52 points from Ezra Manjon and Joel Scott in a 104-100 overtime loss at NINERS Chemnitz and then spoilt the party for Karsten Tadda by beating Bamberg Baskets 75-73 on the road. Ludwigsburg enter the final week with a 15-15 record - and three wins in the last four games - as they host SYNTAINICS MBC and play at FC Bayern Munich.
Third straight loss leaves Hamburg in 12th place
Veolia Towers Hamburg are slumping to the finish line and it could cost them a spot in the post-season. Hamburg lost 114-93 at home versus Bamberg Baskets and then 102-81 at SYNTAINICS MBC for a 15-15 record with three straight losses. That leaves Hamburg in 12th place - but still with chances for fifth place. The final week will be not an easy won as they host NINERS Chemnitz and ratiopharm ulm.
Oldenburg keep dreams alive with third straight win
EWE Baskets Oldenburg can still dream of the post-season as they swept the week with a 96-93 win at BG Göttingen and a 91-75 victory at home over RASTA Vechta. Oldenburg have now won three straight games for a 15-16 record, finishing the regular season with a 3-13 mark on the road. Oldenburg’s final game of the season is at home against NINERS Chemnitz.
Bonn beat Braunschweig, keep play-ins chances alive
Telekom Baskets Bonn gave themselves a chance to make the post-season in the final week as they beat Basketball Löwen Braunschweig 85-81 at home in their only game. Sam Griesel scored a career high 21 points to help Bonn improve to 14-16. Bonn finish the season as they host FC Bayern Munich and play at SYNTAINICS MBC.
Savo Milovic stays on as Bonn sports director
Telekom Baskets Bonn have committed to Savo Milovic as they announced the extension of the sports director’s contract until 2027. The Slovenian Milovic started working in the Bonn organization in 2016 as a youth coach and took over as sports director in 2022 - guiding the club to the Basketball Champions League crown in 2023. Bonn have already extended their head coach Marko Stankovic until 2027.
Bamberg split week, can’t give Tadda a win on historic night
Bamberg Baskets missed a chance to give Karsten Tadda a night to remember as they lost 75-73 at home against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg as the veteran tied the record for games played at 638. Bamberg won their first game of the week 114-93 at Veolia Towers Hamburg before falling to Ludwigsburg for an 11-19 record. Tadda will pass Alex King for the games played record at ratiopharm ulm and Bamberg finish the season at home versus RASTA Vechta.
Skyliners drop fifth straight, will have role in playoffs
SKYLINERS have long been saved from relegation but they could play a role in the playoffs picture down the stretch. The Frankfurt side lost 85-70 at home against FIT/One Würzburg and then fell 79-72 at Basketball Löwen Braunschweig to drop their fifth straight game for an 8-23 record. Frankfurt’s final week of the season has them playing at play-ins contenders MLP Academics Heidelberg.
Göttingen drop two more games
BG Göttingen could not build on their second win of the season as they dropped both games last week - despite scoring 93 and 86 points. Göttingen lost 96-93 at home against EWE Baskets Oldenburg and then 94-86 at FC Bayern Munich. Göttingen have a 2-28 record going into their final two games - at ALBA BERLIN and at home versus ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES.
Player(s) of the Week(s)
The week had two rounds of games so there are two Player of the Week awards. Victor Bailey took the honors for Round 31 in NINERS Chemnitz’s overtime win over MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. The guard came off the bench for 32 points on 10 of 15 shots (4/7 threes) and 8 of 8 free throws, 5 rebounds and 1 assist for an efficiency of 33. The Round 32 winner is Malik Osborne in ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES’ OT loss to Chemnitz. The forward scored 26 points on 10 of 18 shots (2/8 threes) and 4 of 6 free throws to go with 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 steal for an efficiency of 37.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Ivan Kharchenkov, FC Bayern Munich
Kharchenkov totaled 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals against BG Göttingen.
G: Len Schoormann, EWE Baskets Oldenburg
Schoormann had a great week with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals versus BG Göttingen and then had 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal against RASTA Vechta.
F: Karim Jallow, ratiopharm ulm
Jallow collected 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in a big win over MLP Academics Heidelberg.
F: Sananda Fru, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig
Fru shined twice this week with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 blocks in a loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn and then had 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in a win over SKYLINERS.
C: Kevin Yebo, NINERS Chemnitz
Yebo had two strong games in two overtime wins with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg and had 20 points with 4 three-pointers, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in the win over ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES.
Young Guns
Janis Jünemann, 19, C, BG Göttingen
Jünemann played 18:07 minutes against EWE Baskets Oldenburg and scored 8 points on 1 of 4 shots and 6 of 7 free throws with 2 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block. He then played 24:52 minutes against FC Bayern Munich and totaled 10 points on 4 of 6 shots (0/1 threes) and 2 of 3 free throws and 8 rebounds
Hannes Steinbach, 18, PF, FIT/One Würzburg Baskets
Steinbach only had one game and he tallied 6 points on 3 of 9 shots, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks in 22:27 minutes versus SKYLINERS.
Julis Baumer, 18, PG, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg
Baumer played 13:44 minutes against NINERS Chemnitz and had 5 points on 1 of 4 shots (1/3 threes) 2 of 2 free throws and 1 rebound. The 18-year-old then scored a career high 9 points on 3 of 5 shots (2/4 threes) to go with 1 rebound, 1 steal and 1 block in 19:12 minutes against Bamberg Baskets.
Germans Abroad
And then there was one - there is only one German left in the NBA playoffs as Isaiah Hartenstein and the Oklahoma City Thunder swept Memphis 4-0 and will next take on the Denver Nuggets. Dennis Schröder and the Detroit Pistons were defeated 4-2 against the New York Knicks while the Boston Celtics eliminated Franz Wagner and Tristan da Silva and the Orlando Magic 4-1 in the playoffs.
