He is considered one of the greatest talents in German basketball. Joshua Obiesie is finally making his breakthrough in the Bundesliga with the Skyliners Frankfurt.
Joshua Obiesie is a perfectionist. At least when it comes to basketball. In an interview in the Skyliners training hall in Frankfurt, hr-sport asks what he could still improve about his game – and Obiesie tries to answer: “Sometimes make better decisions, simple things have to work, defense, rebounding, every now and then take the extra step…” It sounds as if the 22-year-old could go on with his list for a few more minutes. And he is playing the best season of his young career.
There was never any question that Obiesie has the talent to succeed in the Bundesliga. The only thing that was unclear was whether he could take another step forward in Frankfurt.
Born in Munich, he will be one of four Europeans invited to the “NBPA Top 100 Camp” in the USA in 2018. In 2019, the junior basketball league (NBBL) named him the most valuable player of the season. His first professional season in Würzburg is also impressive: twelve games averaging 15 minutes each with a point average of 5.5. After just five Bundesliga games, he was called up to the German national team for the first time. Then Obiesie signed up for the NBA draft.
Small hole after draft
“I was a bit disappointed,” says the combo guard today about the fact that no team from the USA chose him. “It settled down a bit the following year. I might not have noticed it myself at the time, but it was already there.” Obiesie’s operating time in Würzburg decreases. Likewise his point cut. Only in the following season does he again achieve similar figures to those of his debut season.
Obiese will return to his home country in 2021. But he hardly gets any playing time at the big FC Bayern. The demands of the five-time German champion are high. The focus is on success. “It’s possible to play as a young player in Munich, but it’s not easy,” admits Obiesie. He still doesn’t want to miss his time at Bayern. He learned a lot at FCB. “But I wanted to play.”
“So I can show what I can do”
The move to Frankfurt will follow in the summer. After just eight games of the season, it can be said: It was a good decision. Obiesie is the positive surprise at the bottom of the table in the Bundesliga. The youngster plays around 23 minutes on average and scores 10.9 points: career best.
Obiesie can provide moments of surprise. He is an athletic player. He doesn’t shy away from going to the basket against two opponents. That he sometimes makes wrong decisions? Is priced in. Only those who make mistakes can learn from them. “The coach gives me a lot of chances and freedom to do things. That way I can show what I can do,” says the newcomer, thanking coach Geert Hammink.
The goal remains the NBA
Even with the national team, Obiesie is now part of the extended circle again. DBB coach Gordon Herbert nominated the man from New Frankfurt for the World Cup qualifiers against Finland and in Slovenia. It was in Koper that Obiesie scored his number four, five and six national team points.
“I’m actually satisfied, but there’s still a very long way to go,” says the ambitious 22-year-old, looking at his recent achievements. The goal of this path is still the NBA. His previous appearances with the Skyliners have brought him at least a little bit closer to this goal. The perfectionist Obiesie knows that there is still a lot to improve.
