BERLIN (Bundesliga) - German international swingman Johannes Herber has returned to German basketball with play-off finalists Alba Berlin after finishing his collegiate career with the University of West Virginia.

The German Cup winners and regular season champions Berlin have signed the 23-year-old Darmstadt native on a two-year deal.

"It's going to be a great challenge for me to play with Alba," Herber told the Berlin club's website. "I'm going to give everything I can to make it as good as possible."

"I'm very happy that Johannes Herber decided on Alba Berlin," added Berlin coach Henrik Roedl. "He's a versatile player for positions one, two and three, where he can shine with his overall view of the game."

Herber began his career with TV Langen of the German second division, averaging 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in his final season in 2002 before leaving for the United States and West Virginia.

In 2005, Herber helped the UVW Mountaineers to the AElite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

This season he averaged 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists as West Virginia reached the tournament`s Sweet 16.

Herber was nominated to the German Under-20 team in 2001 and is currently with the senior team at a training camp in Mallorca ahead of the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

PA Sport