BURGOS (Spain) - Paul Zipser is back in Europe, a long way from the bright lights of the NBA, where the German had a spell before a broken foot cut short his time in the league.

The 25-year-old, who spent the better part of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons with the Chicago Bulls and their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, injured his left foot and had surgery last May. He spent 10 months out of action before agreeing terms with San Pablo Burgos in Spain's Liga Endesa last month.

"Right now, I feel pretty good," Zipser said to FIBA.basketball. "Every week of practice and games, I feel better and more comfortable on the court. I’m happy. My foot’s happy right now."

"I'VE BEEN SO HAPPY FOR THE (GERMANY) TEAM. EVERYONE WAS WORKING FOR THAT ONE TARGET AND THAT’S NOT NORMAL. A LOT OF PLAYERS KNOW THEY WON’T PLAY AT THE WORLD CUP BUT IT WAS A ONE-TEAM THING AND TO BE A PART OF IT IS GREAT."- Zipser

Germany coach Henrik Rödl is also happy to see Zipser in the national team jersey this week. He's named him in the squad that will play at Israel on Thursday and then host Greece (9-1) on Sunday in a battle for Group L supremacy in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers.

"I missed playing for the national team a lot," Zipser said. "I just wanted to get back with the team, with the coaches, and enjoy my time on the court, get as many minutes as possible."

Germany, who've won nine of their 10 games and already clinched a place in this summer's 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, suffered their only defeat on November 30 in Patras to Greece, 92-84.

Zipser wasn't quite ready to play in that window.

"I had talked with Rödl before and if I could have made it time wise, due to my injury, I would have played the last time because the two games would have been important," said the 2.04m (6ft 8in) forward. "Since the (latest) invitation, I've spoken with Rödl and told him I want to play as much as I can and he said, 'Okay, no problem.'"

Zipser, a native of Heidelberg, last played for Germany in the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 qualifiers, when he and Johannes Voigtmann were the team's joint leading scorers at 13.0 points per game.

 Before that, Zipser played for Germany in Group Phase games at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 in Berlin.

The coach of the national team at the time was Chris Fleming. This will be the first time he has played for Rödl.

"I never played for him as a head coach," Zipser said. "I always liked him a lot and had a connection with him, because we played a same role (on the court), had the same playing style. I like him as a person, too."

Zipser is ecstatic that Germany have excelled in the European Qualifiers.

"I've been so happy for the team," he said. "Everyone was working for that one target and that's not always the case. A lot of players know they won't play at the World Cup but it was a one-team thing and to be a part of it is a great thing."

"I MISSED PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM A LOT. I JUST WANTED TO GET BACK WITH THE TEAM, WITH THE COACHES, AND ENJOY MY TIME ON THE COURT, GET AS MANY MINUTES AS POSSIBLE."- Zipser

While Germany are not viewed as an elite team in Europe, they have made strides in the right direction.

"Definitely, when you see how we played in the last EuroBasket and how many players are coming up, the young players, it's like every year, 1995- (born), 96- (born), some new guys come in with different qualities. It's exciting to see how this will work out and what our team will look like in a few years.

"The changes that the German federation and national team made in the last 10 years was crucial for how many good players we have now.  With new leagues for young players, with new clubs, Bayern Munich, for example, to be an elite club in Europe, all those things help young players."

Zipser attended what can only be described as the crazy home game against Israel on September 16 in Leipzig, one that looked like a sure defeat for Germany.

Dennis Schröder delivered a successful alley-oop pass to Maxi Kleber at the death to force overtime and then Germany prevailed.

"I was one meter from Dennis when he threw that alley-oop pass to Maxi," Zipser recalled. "That was not a good game for us, but we fought back from it and in the end, we kept our nerve. I think we were really lucky to get it to overtime and win.  You don’t want to play bad but as a team but if you have a bad game and still find a way to win, that’s what it is about."

As for the NBA, Zipser wants to play in the league again.

"With everything, positive or negative, I learn and get experience and it helps me in my career," he said. "This step to go to the NBA was really important for me."

FIBA