The 2022/23 regular season in American college basketball started on November 7th and there are also some German players in the NCAA this season. Thanks to a scholarship, many of them have the opportunity to develop their sport under the best conditions – most colleges offer training and playing halls, which are well above the standard of the teams from the easyCredit BBL. At the same time, each player can earn an academic degree. This article only lists German players competing for universities represented in NCAA Division 1. The German basketball players take on very different roles in their teams, from substitute players to starting five players. There are also very large qualitative differences between the colleges. While in some teams, such as Duke University, almost all players will be active as professionals after their college careers in the NBA or other high-class European leagues, there are also teams in which most players will apply for an academic degree after their studies decide career.
Freshmen
This year some young German players decided to go overseas and pursue their dream of playing for an American college. As a freshman — meaning a player in their freshman year of college — many players find it difficult to maintain significant gameplay, as most teams prefer to use experienced players. Therefore, the goal in the first season at the university is to get used to the new living situation in the USA and to find a role within the team. From the list of freshmen below, German basketball fans should pay particular attention to Benjamin Schröder (reading tip: Talents born in 2003 in Germany – solid or more?) follow closely. The 19-year-old was named MVP in the U-19 junior basketball league (NBBL) last season and is considered one of the greatest German talents of his year. With his college, the University of Oklahoma, Schröder competes in the strong BIG 12 Conference. It will be exciting to see to what extent the native of Munich can develop in the first year of playing time.
- Jacob Ensminger, Santa Clara University, 18 years old, point guard
- Niklas Krause, University of Incarnate Word, 20 years old, shooting guard
- Benjamin Schröder, University of Oklahoma, age 19, shooting guard
- Dan Mukuna, University of Denver, age 19, shooting guard
- Michael Rataj, Oregon State University, 19 years old, small forward
- Precious C. Idiaru, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 20 Jahre alt, Power Forward
- Promise C. Idiaru, University of Missouri-Kansas City, age 20, Power Forward
- Leon Nahar, Stony Brook University, 19 years old, power forward
- Aleks Szymczyk, University of Florida, 20 Years alt, Power Forward
- Christoph Tilly, Santa Clara University, age 19, center
Sophomores
As sophomores (name given to players in their second year of college), the talents listed have already had their settling-in period. This season, the five German sophomores want to increase their share of the game and take on more responsibility. Simonas Lukosius, who played a few games in the easyCredit BBL for Telekom Baskets Bonn before moving to Butler University, is considered a great hope after a solid first year. In the opening game, the 20-year-old was convincing with 11 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. In addition, Lukosius wants to reach the March Madness again this year with Butler University, the final tournament consisting of the 64 best teams in NCAA Division 1. Most German basketball fans are familiar with the name Sabally, even if only a few know Lamin Sabally. The brother of the currently best German basketball player Satou Sabally, who plays for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA, is active for the University of Texas at San Antonio.
- Simonas Lukosius, Butler University, 20 years old, shooting guard
- Lamin Sabally, University of Texas at San Antonio, 20 years old, small forward
- Bent Leuchten, University of California, age 20, center
- Wilhelm Breidenbach, University of Nebraska, 20 years old, Power Forward
- Max Brackmann, Southeastern Louisiana University, age 22, center
Juniors
Only two German players are entering their third year of college. Tristan da Silva, whose brother Oscar plays for FC Barcelona in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, wants to celebrate his final breakthrough. In the last season, the 21-year-old was able to gain a lot of experience and was an important part of his team. Tristan is particularly impressive because of his versatility. In addition to scoring, the small forward can also draw attention to his teammates, as the 2.0 assists per game last season prove. The major role Tristan da Silva will play this year can be deduced from his playing time. In the University of Colorado’s opening game, the small forward was on the field the longest of any player on his team, a total of 30 minutes.
- Tristan da Silva, University of Colorado, 21 years old, small forward
- Sebastian Gahse, Weber State University, 21 years old, power forward
Seniors
As seniors, Sam Griesel and Lars Thiemann are entering the final year of their college careers. In the case of Sam Griesel, some easyCredit BBL teams will already be watching his games closely. Because the 22-year-old has been able to improve his college career from year to year and offers an exciting package that could be of interest to many Bundesliga clubs. In particular, the train to the basket is one of his great strengths. Before his senior year, the small forward transferred from North Dakota State University to the University of Nebraska, which is a few levels up. Nevertheless, Griesel will also take on a lot of responsibility at his new college. In the opening game, the 22-year-old showed an outstanding performance and led his team to success with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Griesel was also able to make a big impression on the German U-20 youth national team in 2019 when he won the bronze medal at the European Championship alongside Jonas Mattisseck and Joshua Obiesie.
- Sam Griesel, University of Nebraska, 22 years old, small forward
- Lars Thiemann, University of California (Berkeley), 22 years old, center
Redshirt
Isaiah Mir is listed as a red shirt as the 22-year-old is likely to miss the entire season through injury, as was the case last season. You won’t be able to intervene again until next year.
- Isaiah Sien, University of Minnesota, age 22, Power Forward