At the end of February, the first exchange period ended in the easyCredit BBL. Which is the only club that hasn’t signed a player yet? Which four are no longer allowed in March? Which club should? What were the best and most prominent signings? And what are the rules?
When coaches put together their squad for the season, they usually plan on finishing the round with that squad. But there are also exceptions that speculate that during the course of the season (e.g. after the NBA cuts) you can specifically strengthen the playing staff. This is legitimate, but only possible to a limited extent in the easyCredit BBL due to the rules in order to prevent distortions of competition. The number of subsequent commitments is just as limited as the periods in which they can be made. Before I explain these regulations, I would like to ask you two exciting questions, the answers to which I will provide in the reference: Which team has not yet signed as the only one? And who is the most prominent signing.
The rules
A maximum of 18 players may be listed on the team registration form, at least twelve names must appear there at the beginning of the season. However, the change period does not begin in the new season, but three days before the start! And after that point, each team is allowed to add a maximum of four players. Anyone who has exhausted this quota by the end of February is left blank. All clubs that have signed a maximum of three players by then can get one more in March. These rules require wise action.
So it makes sense, if you have a personnel decision in the quiver at the end of February, to weigh up when to make the late registration. A team that has used less than three additional licenses will logically do so in February in order to preserve the last option. So did the MLP Academics Heidelberg at Kyan Anderson traded. Clubs that have already made three signings should wait until just before the player’s first appearance. Because if he gets injured before his debut, but was already on the registration form, all possibilities are gone.
The state of affairs
Four teams have so far exhausted their quota and no longer have any options for action. With SYNTAINICS MBC, s.Oliver Würzburg and the JobStairs GIESSEN 46ers, these are unsurprisingly three teams from the bottom of the table. The quartet is completed by the MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg, in which John Patrick has almost traditionally been reorganized during the season.
The FRAPORT SKYLINERS have put together the most important follow-up signing package. Without their top scorer trio Will Cherry, Jamel McLean and Brancou Badio In my opinion, the Hessians would not be competitive and would be the number one relegation candidate.
Best German season transfer is for me Oscar da Silvawho came to ALBA BERLIN from Ludwigsburg at the end of September, best foreigner Sindarius Thornwell, which gives ratiopharm ulm extra stability at both ends of the field. The biggest steal is Harald Frey from the BG Goettingen. Only experts knew the Norwegian, who played well in the first two games and continued to fuel the Violets’ playoff dreams. The most logical signing was Jon Gudmundsson at the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim, since there was no backup for the MVP candidate before T.J. Shorts and the Hohenlohers are also represented in the FIBA Europe Cup.
Where is it most likely to happen? I think in Brunswick. Robin Amaize unfortunately we won’t see them again this season, and with the last in form Tookie Brown another top performer is now out for several weeks. The only signing so far Arturs Zagars didn’t even play ten minutes due to injury. With only five foreigners in the squad, it makes sense to get active again. Although the lions are a bit behind the relegation places, it is also important not to endanger the positive mood and tendency with a series of defeats.
Koch’s second helping
First answer: medi bayreuth was the only one of the 18 clubs who didn’t add a player! Although the Upper Franconians struggle with Corona and injuries throughout the season and the top performers Basti Doreth, Cameron Wells, Janari Joesaar and Andi Seiferth added 39 missed games Raoul Korner not post-obligated. Since the club had signaled that only one player could be added due to the financial situation, the Austrian kept his feet still. In view of the large number of construction sites, this was an understandable decision, because in the event of a subsequent commitment, nothing would have been possible in a meltdown. So the Bayreuth clenched their teeth and are currently in ninth place with a positive balance. Respect!
Second answer: Paul Zipser! It was a very nice moment when the national player stood on the floor for 15 seconds against Hamburg on Wednesday for the first time after his brain surgery in June last year. Welcome back Paul! And the 28-year-old counts as a late signing because he was initially registered by Bayern for the ProB.
To person
Stefan Koch was head coach in the first division for two decades and was awarded coach of the year in 2000 and 2005. He regularly reached the playoffs with his teams and appeared in the European Cup seven times. He took part in the TOP FOUR six times and won the 2000 cup with Frankfurt. In addition, the Hessian was head coach of the All-Star-Games three times.
Koch currently works as a commentator at MagentaSport, previously also worked as an expert and commentator for SPORT1, Premiere and Sportdigital, and as a scout for the NBA. His column “Kochs Nachschlag” can be found regularly here in the News Center on the right under the heading “Kochs Nachschlag”. In addition, together with Oliver Dütschke, he produces the podcast every two weeksTalkin‘ Basketball‘, which is available on all major platforms.
