After the surprising success last season, the Academics Heidelberg start the new season with humility and respect and look forward to the upcoming challenges.
“Höhen und Leez” – this is how Danny Jansson, the head coach of the Academics Heidelberg, describes the performance of his team in preparation. Preparation in which it is difficult due to injury -related failures to focus on the upcoming season.
With an away game at Rasta Vechta, the Academics will start the new Bundesliga season on Saturday evening. The Heidelbergs have had the most successful season since the climb: As fifth in the table, they surprisingly reached the semi -finals, where they finally lost to the later master Bayern Munich after a victory in the first game. Success has sparked euphoria-but also brought the realization that the new season with additional burdens from the basketball champions League becomes even more demanding.
The expectations
In Heidelberg you realistically approach the new season. Those responsible know that the Playoffs 2025 were also possible by the fact that some established BBL teams remained below their possibilities.
There are therefore no concrete playoff goals at the Academics Heidelberg for the BBL season 2025/26. The short -term goal is: to run ten wins as soon as possible to secure the relegation early.
“I see it this way: We are still in the phase to establish ourselves in the league. First of all, it is important to me to convince people that Heidelberg belongs to the BBL,” says coach Jansson with regard to expectations for the coming season. At the same time, participation in the basketball champions League means one step forward-sporty and organizational. Six group games against well -known opponents (Rytas Vilnius, Promithea’s Patras and Legia Warsaw) bring a significantly higher burden, especially due to the associated travel effort.
The team
The largest construction site in summer was Ryan Mikesell’s departure, which is now playing for the London Lions. Bakary Dibba also left the club. But the Academics were largely able to hold the team’s scaffolding together: Service carriers such as DJ Horne, Michael Weathers, Osun Osunniyi, Mateo Seric or Paul Zipser have extended their contracts at the Academics. A real coup for Heidelberg. New in the squad include Marcus Weathers, who will play with his twin brother Michael in the future, as well as Samuell Williamson, Michael Flowers and Dusan Neskovic. There is also Kevin McClain, who already knows the Bundesliga from his time in Oldenburg, Frankfurt and Gießen.
The king’s transfer
There may not be a clear “royal transfer” in Heidelberg – rather a targeted widening of the squad. With over seven international players, the contingent is broader than before – an important factor in view of the double burden. In addition to the risk of throwing, Michael Flowers also brings experience to the very young team of Academics. Marcus Weathers and Samuell Williamson complement the team with new physical and tactical qualities. Dusan Neskovic brings “competition and a generally high game IQ”, says coach Jansson.
The trainer
With Danny Jansson, Heidelberg goes into his second season under the Finnish head coach. The 46-year-old came from Tübingen to the Academics and at that time was the desired candidate for the team’s coaching position. It relies on a consistent defensive as a basis, while the offensive of the Academics is completely based on the motto “controlled chaos”, according to Jansson, for ball movement and dynamics.
The strong premiere season at the Academics showed that Jansson quickly gained a foothold. Due to his time as an Ulm assistant coach in a Eurocup season, he has already had experience with the double burden that his team awaits this season.
