The Würzburg Baskets were THE surprise of the Easycredit Basketball Bundesliga. The team of successful coach Sasa Filipovski (49) fought its way to the semi-finals despite injury concerns and will even compete in the Champions League next season.
The only problem is that two pillars are leaving! MVP Otis Livingston II (27) and the league’s best defender Javon Bess (28) are following the money and moving to Turkey…
It has now been decided who will replace Livingston. Mike Davis Jr. (28) is stepping into the huge shoes. The American comes from the second team of Fenerbahce Istanbul and, at 1.93 meters, is 13 centimeters taller than the crowd favorite, at least in terms of height.
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“Mike is a scoring guard who scores a lot of points,” says sports manager Kresimir Loncar (41). “But he also has a lot of understanding of the game and can put his teammates in the spotlight. We’ve been interested in him for a few years now and are happy that we’ve managed to sign him.”
Because Davis is a real wanderer.
After the end of his college days and an interlude in the NBA’s lower leagues, the G-League, he has already played basketball in seven countries: Ireland, Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, Greece, Russia and Turkey. The highlight so far: In 2021, Davis became Georgian champion with Rustavi – and was voted MVP of the league! Can he repeat that at BBL level?
Defence Minister Bess’ successor will be American Nelson Phillips (25), who was most recently under contract with Serbian first division club KK Vrsac.
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Ulm gets next super talent
Ratiopharm Ulm has made a name for itself throughout Europe as a training ground for top talents. Juan Nunez (20/Spain) and Pacome Dadiet (18), who were trained at the “Orange Campus”, are currently on their way to the NBA!
And the next promising candidate is already here: Ben Saraf (18/Israel). The 1.97 meter tall point guard signed a two-year contract with the 2023 champions. “Ben has impressive skills both as an executor and as a playmaker,” says sports director Thorsten Leibenath (49).
At just 16 years old, Saraf was already causing a stir in the second Israeli league. Last season he played for first division team Kiryat Ata (average 10.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists). NBA scouts will therefore continue to be a regular guest in the Ulm stands.
Would you have recognized him?Here is an NBA star skating
Source: Instagram/ BILD20.06.2024
Chemnitz focuses on perspective
When it comes to signing players, semi-finalist Niners Chemnitz is initially focusing on the market for German players, bucking the trend and opting for multi-year contracts.
It has now also been confirmed that Roman Bedime (22) will be joining the newly crowned Champions League participant. The winger (2.03 meters) comes from the second division of Rasta Vechta II and signed until 2026. Niners coach Rodrigo Pastore (51) wants to make the Berliner into a first division player: “Roman has enormous development potential, brings a promising combination of athleticism and shooting instinct and can make the jump to the BBL with hard work.”
In return, the Europe Cup winner loses playmaker Kaza Kajami-Kean (30). Now it is clear where he is headed: The American signed with KK Spartak Subotica after his best season so far in Serbia.
Baggette to Rostock
Now the Rostock Seawolves have their first new signing: development talent Elias Baggette (22) is coming from relegated Hakro Merlins Crailsheim for at least two years. It is also certain that defensive specialist Dominic Lockhart (29) will move from Chemnitz to the Baltic Sea.
2024-06-20 14:42:45
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