BBL 2025/26: German Basketball’s Golden Era Continues

Halftime. Around half of all games in the anniversary Basketball-Bundesliga season (60 years) have now been completed. German men’s basketball is currently the reigning world and European champion – the league likes to refer to the BBL roots of the gold medal winners from 2023 and 2025. The league of winners – champions made in Germany is the current motto for the easyCredit BBL. A fitting opportunity to take a casual look at the first half of the BBL 2025/26 season.

The Return of National Talent

This season has been marked by a significant influx of German national players returning to the Bundesliga. A total of eight players, boasting a combined 284 DBB international games, have rejoined the league. Notable returnees include European champions Leon Scratch (Munich, 31 international matches), Christian Sengfelder (Ulm, 37, European Championship bronze 2022), Maik Zirbes (Trier, 75), Joshua Obiesie (Braunschweig, 9), Bennet Hundt (Berlin, 11), Robin Christen (Jena, 3), and Gavin Schilling (Chemnitz, now Ludwigsburg, 9 international matches). The trend continued in December with the return of Tibor Pleiß (109 international games, Vechta).

The influx isn’t limited to German players. Several familiar foreign faces have also made their way back to the BBL, including Tommy Kuhse, Kaza Kajami-Keane, Stefan Jovic, and Ryan Mikesell, all returning to their former teams.

Standout Performances and Rising Stars

World and European champion Andreas Obst (94 international matches) is currently enjoying the best season of his career. The 29-year-old shooting guard for FC Bayern Basketball is averaging 14.8 points in his first 14 BBL games, shooting 49.6% from the field, and leading Munich in scoring in both the national league and the Euroleague. He is a strong contender for the BBL MVP award in his final year of contract.

Jack Kayil from Alba Berlin is emerging as a frontrunner for the award as the best German young player (U22). The 20-year-old combo guard is averaging 13.1 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game, demonstrating clutch performances, such as his three-pointer and assist in a home win against Munich.

Trier’s Sensational Rise

The Vet-Concept Gladiators Trier are proving to be the surprise package of the season, currently holding a top position in the table. They lead the league in scoring with an average of 90.4 points per game, and their fast-paced style has secured victories against strong opponents like Berlin and Ulm. Head coach Jacques Schneider, at 33 the youngest in the BBL, is a leading candidate for the Coach of the Year award.

The enthusiasm surrounding the team is reflected in their attendance figures, with an average of 5,307 spectators attending their first nine home games at the Trier SWT Arena (5,400 seats).

A Season of Close Contests

The arenas of the 18 Bundesliga clubs are witnessing more excitement than ever before. This season has seen a record number of games decided in overtime, and a high percentage of games ending with a point differential of five points or less.

Playoff Outlook

The 2025 BBL Playoffs concluded on June 26, 2025. The playoffs began on May 17, 2025. Bayern Munich and Ratiopharm Ulm secured top seeds, whereas teams ranked 7 through 10 participated in a play-in tournament to determine the final playoff spots.

Alba Berlin secured the seventh seed, and Mitteldeutscher BC claimed the eighth seed through the play-in tournament.

The easyCredit BBL is proving to be a league brimming with talent, excitement, and compelling storylines. With the return of key national players and the emergence of new stars, the league is solidifying its reputation as a breeding ground for champions.