“Rickey Paulding is crucial for the identity of the club. He stands for our values: passion, diligence, down-to-earthness and modesty,” says Oldenburg’s managing director Hermann Schüller about the American, who came to Oldenburg from France in 2007.
Family traveled from the USA for the last home game
At the time, however, he would not have thought that he would stay in the university town on the Hunte for 15 years. “No, of course not,” said Paulding, who will be upset against Würzburg. His mother and mother-in-law came all the way from the US to be part of this special moment. “It means a lot to me. My mother made sure that I was able to go my own way and always stayed out of precarious situations when I was young,” says Paulding, who grew up without a father in Detroit’s difficult environment.
Champion 2009 and cup winner 2015
The crowd’s favorite scored almost 8,000 points (7,933) for the baskets, with which he won the championship (2009) and cup (2015) in his own hall. The captain, who is also extremely popular outside the club, is also the best foreign scorer in Bundesliga history. He was firmly part of the BBL inventory and was also celebrated in the opposing halls after his announced departure.
Back to the USA – “Just relax”
After the end of his career, Paulding is nevertheless drawn back to his American homeland, to Kansas City. He wants to be closer to his family again. “I’ll just relax for the first few months,” announced the father of three, but he wants to keep his sport and the basketballs alive, because: “Basketball is my life and always will be.” Discussions are currently ongoing with those responsible at the club about his exact role in the future.
Paulding: “Definitely see you soon”
Paulding will never be completely gone in “Pauldingburg”. A huge graffiti, on which the club icon stretches out his arms, is emblazoned on a wall next to the Baskets Arena. “Pauldingburg – since 2007” can be read in large letters. “That makes me proud,” says Paulding, who definitely wants to visit Oldenburg and the Baskets fans even after he has retired. “So it’s not goodbye, but definitely see you soon.”
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sports club | 05/01/2022 | 10:50 p.m
Source: NDR