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20 November, 2017
26 February, 2019
10/04/2018
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Kleber excited about Germany's bright future and being a part of it

DALLAS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Maxi Kleber is hoping to one day soon have a role in a German national team that has shown, with four wins in as many World Cup Qualifiers, that it has a very bright future.

Kleber's talent and potential were never questioned early in his career but a variety of injuries over several years have meant that he has played just once for Germany, at the FIBA EuroBasket 2015 Qualifiers in August 2014 when he averaged 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals across six games.

Even though he didn't play in the first two qualifiers windows on the Road to China 2019 while navigating his way through his NBA rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, the 6ft 11in (2.11m) forward has kept a close eye on the European Qualifiers.

"BEING TOP OF GROUP  G AND NOT HAVING LOST ANY GAME SO FAR SOUNDS PERFECT - EVEN MORE SO AGAINST SOME OPPONENTS SUCH AS SERBIA. I THINK THE GAME AGAINST THEM THAT WE WON AT HOME  (FEBRUARY 23) WAS VERY IMPORTANT AND SHOWS WE CAN BEAT A LOT OF TEAMS IN THESE QUALIFIERS." KleberKleber

"Playing for the national team is about pride and to play at your best level for your country," Kleber said. "I think they have been doing this very well. The group of players on the roster is talented so it can only go well and keep improving."

Germany are in first place in Group G ahead of Serbia, Georgia and Austria.

"Being top of the group and not having lost any game so far sounds perfect - even more so against some opponents such as Serbia," the 26-year-old said. "I think the game against them that we won at home (79-74) was very important and shows we can beat a lot of teams in these qualifiers.

"The group of players is hungry and improves each game. I am happy for them. There are two more games to win before going to the Second Round and the goal is to go to the Second Round without any losses in order to be in the best position to qualify for China 2019."

Kleber wishes he could have been part of the development of the national team but concedes that injuries relegated him to the sidelines.

"I couldn't play in the last two years because I was injured and it was a bit frustrating as I wanted to help the guys and play for my country," he recalled. "Obviously I am looking forward to working with my teammates and wearing the national team jersey again soon."

"WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG KIDS DOING WELL IN COLLEGE AND IN THE DOMESTIC LEAGUE SO GERMAN BASKETBALL'S FUTURE IS BRIGHT." KleberKleber

He is unsure if he will be able to play in the third window, when Germany take on Austria on June 29 in Braunschweig and then travel to Serbia on July 2, but if and when the opportunity presents itself, he will jump at it.

"If I can play for the national team this summer, I would be looking forward to do so for sure, no doubt about it," he said.


Kleber (in background) hopes to use his defense to help Germany

Basketball in Germany is growing fast and Kleber is happy to be part an ever-growing contingent of Germans in the NBA - along with Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Schroder, Paul Zipser and Daniel Theis.

Some of the country's other standout players also include Isaiah Hartenstein in the G-League and Johannes Voigtmann, currently playing in Spain, while more are up and coming.

"We have a lot of young kids doing well in college and in the domestic league so German basketball's future is bright," he said.

 

"ONE OF MY CAREER'S GOALS IS TO WIN A TITLE OR A MEDAL WITH GERMANY. LIFTING A CUP OR WINNING A MEDAL IS PROBABLY A UNIQUE FEELING FOR AN ATHLETE, AND I DREAM OF DOING THAT WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM." KleberKleber

Germany reached the Quarter-Finals of FIBA EuroBasket 2017 and the next step for the country is to return to the podium - like they did when finishing third at the World Cup in 2002, and runners-up to Greece at the EuroBasket in 2005.

"Winning a medal in an international competition like the World Cup has to be an amazing feeling," he said. "When you represent your country and achieve this kind of performance, I'm sure that you feel like you helped your country shine at the highest level." 

And standing on the podium is definitely on Kleber's to-do list. 

"One of my career's goals is to win a title or a medal with Germany," he said. "I am working hard every day in order to reach that goal. Lifting a cup or winning a medal is probably a unique feeling for an athlete, and I dream of doing that with the national team."

FIBA