GER - Bauermann recalls Nikagbatse, waits for Kaman

BAMBERG (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) – Germany boss Dirk Bauermann has re-called guard Misan Nikagbatse into the mix for the buildup to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Men while nominating two players for the first time.

Nikagbatse, who did not play for Germany at either the 2006 FIBA World Championship or the 2007 EuroBasket, was invited back into German camp by Bauermann, who also gave first-time welcomes to Nikagbatse's team-mate at Köln 99ers Yassin Idbihi, a power forward, and forward Konrad Wysocki from Ulm.

"I am so excited to get the chance. It's an honor to perhaps play for Germany. This is the next step in my career," said the 25-year-old Wysocki, who shortly after getting his nomination collected 19 points and five rebounds in Ulm's loss against Brose Baskets Bamberg, coached by national team boss Bauermann.

Also making appearances on the 16-man roster were Udine forward Sven Schultze, who missed the 2007 EuroBasket due to an irregular heart beat; Spanish side L'hospitalet center Christopher McNaughton, who participated in training camp prior to Spain but did not make the team; and Alba Berlin guard Joe Herber, who is battling back from major knee surgery.

Two names missing on the current roster are Tim Ohlbrecht and Chris Kaman.

Germany's talented 20-year-old big man Ohlbrecht has been dealing with minor injuries all season and it is unclear where he will play this summer - if at all.

And German basketball authorities are working hard to find out if the Los Angeles Clippers big man Kaman is eligible for a German passport. But Kaman has already talked to German star Dirk Nowitzki about playing in the qualifiers this summer.

"Dirk put me in contact with a couple of people with the German federation, and they're trying to help me out," Kaman told the California-based Daily Breeze. "They're trying to dig into my history to find out where I'm from. ... I don't know what the percentages are, the rules and everything. You have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get there. And it kind of stinks, but you have to go through it."

Another German national team player made news as power forward Guido Gruenheid of Dutch club Hanzevast Capitals will miss about six weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

Germany have been drawn into Group B of the qualifying tournament and will face New Zealand and Cape Verde.

FIBA