By Matthias Marburg and Claudia von Duehren
In the super win against France at the start of the European Championships in Cologne, Albas Maodo Lo (29) contributed a strong 13 points to the 76:63 victory, delighted the 18,000 spectators and was voted player of the game.
Who is our first EM hero?
Lo was born in Berlin. His mother is even better known outside of sport! The star artist Elvira Bach (71)!
His father Alioune (69) comes from Senegal, watched the game indoors, his mother in Berlin.
Elvira Bach on BZ: “Then I meditate to send him strength. When I watch his games on TV, I need to be alone.”
Maodo to BZ: “I talk to her every two or three days. It’s not about basketball.” Some of his mother’s works hang in his apartment.
The basketball star with his mother Elvira Bach in her studio in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The painting (price up to 80,000 euros) shows Maodo with his mother and his late brother Lamine Photo: DAVIDS/Sven Darmer
2In 019 his brother (and role model) Lamine died. He writes his name on his shoes with a pen before every game: “He also gives me strength from above.”
Maodo holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the prestigious Columbia University.
Because his talent was not recognized in Germany, the point guard studied in the USA and played basketball on the side.
Bamberg brought him back to Germany, after which he moved to Bayern. After his brother’s death, he gave up money and signed with Alba Berlin to be with the family.
Maodo Lo (here in the final of the German championship against Bayern Munich) has been playing for Alba for two years Photo: picture alliance/dpa
And what about the NBA? National team colleague Dennis Schröder (28/last Houston): “He has everything you need to play there. He will be the next German in the NBA!” Lo decided to stay in Berlin for the time being. For the family.
At the moment he has another problem anyway: sleeping. Lo: “After our victory I couldn’t fall asleep with euphoria. I didn’t close my eyes until 4 a.m..”
He must be wide awake on Saturday. Second European Championship game against Bosnia (2.30 p.m., Magenta Sport). And Mama Elvira is feverishly back at home…