GER – German squad begins to take shape ahead of EuroBasket

HAGEN (EuroBasket 2011) - While all eyes in Germany are on favorite son Dirk Nowitzki and his attempt to lead the Dallas Mavericks into the NBA Finals, national team coach Dirk Bauermann and the basketball federation are laying the foundations for what they hope is an excellent summer.

Germany will play at the 24-team EuroBasket in Lithuania from August 31 to September 18 and 15 players - the bulk of who played at last year's FIBA World Championship in Turkey - have been named for a three-day gathering in Heidelberg to have a performance analysis.

A 16th player, Niels Giffey of the NCAA Tournament-winning University of Connecticut Huskies, will have his performance analyzed separately since he has commitments with the country's under-20 side.

Four players in past German sides that didn't compete in Turkey are among those invited to Heidelberg.

They are Johannes Herber (pictured), Sven Schultze, Konrad Wysocki and Philip Zwiener.

Herber was a key man in the Germany squad that finished fifth at EuroBasket 2007 but then suffered a serious knee injury and hasn't been in the national team since.

The former Alba Berlin player has had a solid season with Walter Tigers Tübingen.

Deutsche Bank Skyliners' Dominik Bahiense de Mello, who is currently in the Beko BBL play-offs taking on Alba Berlin, is also in the group.

Lucca Staiger, Robin Benzing, Per Günther, Steffen Hamann, Elias Harris, Jan-Hendrik Jagla, Chris McNaughton, Tim Ohlbrecht, Tibor Pleiß, Heiko Schaffartzik and Philipp Schwethelm all played in Turkey and will be in Heidelberg.

Bauermann does not have 32-year-old shooting guard Demond Greene, who was hindered by injuries all season.

It is hoped that Dallas Mavericks star Nowitzki and Chris Kaman, the other German national team player who competes in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, will join the national team during their preparations for the EuroBasket.

Germany will be in Group B with Serbia, Israel, Italy, Latvia and France.

The two teams that reach the Final will qualify for the London Olympics while those that end up third, fourth, fifth and sixth will be invited to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

FIBA