GER - German U17 Players with impressive games in the NBBL

HAMBURG (2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Men) - It is quite a busy year for the German U17 Players: The Albert Schweitzer Tournament (April 3rd - April 10th, 2010) in Mannheim is coming up as well as the Basketball event of the year, the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship that will take place from July 2nd - July 11th in Hamburg. But besides that, there is a lot of game action and excitement going on in their league, the German Development League (Nachwuchs Basketball Bundesliga (NBBL)). The final phase of the competition started last weekend with the playoffs and playdowns. And so far, the German U17 defied the age deficit of one to two years and put on tremendous games. The competition against older players is a great preparation for the AST as Frank Menz' squad will be facing older teams in Mannheim as well.

Five U17 players battled in the eighth final of Team ALBA Urspring vs. TuS Jena im Einsatz. The first of the best of three competitions was won by Urspring 88:67, mainly due to Julius Wolf who had an excellent game and finished with 23 points and eight rebounds. "I am very pleased with Julius' strong performance. It is great to see him playing a crucial role in his team. Just like the other players, he is getting tougher with the playoff experience", U17 Head Coach Frank Menz said.

In this game, Jakob Krumbeck had 16 points and Paul Albrecht collected 14 points and four rebounds for Jena but could not hold off the loss. Stephan Haukohl (two points) and Nikolaj Vukovic (three points) had short appearances for Jena as well. Point guard Anselm Hartmann did not play due to an injury. The two teams meet again this Sunday in Jena for the second game in the best of three series.

Jonathan Malu, U17 player for Team Bonn/Rhöndorf, was the go-to guy in the playdown match against MTV Itzehoe Eagles. Jonni Malu's 22 points and nine boards let the way for the 89:76 win for Bonn / Rhöndorf. "Jonni improved his play over the last camps. I am very happy for him that he has had such a great game in the NBBL", Frank Menz said. Malu and his team meet the Eagles again this Sunday, this time in Itzehoe.

The U17 players from ALBA Berlin, Josip Peric, David Herwig and Leon Tolksdorf, contributed to the 72:54 victory over LTi Gießen 46ers Juniors. Tolksdorf scored two points while Peric and Herwig had short appearances.