Baskets Bonn can look back on the most successful season in the club’s history. In the coming season, however, a completely different team should be on the field, which is also due to the main sponsor.
The coronation didn’t happen. They lost 1:3 Baskets Bonn the final series of the Basketball Bundesliga against Ulm and had to be satisfied with the title of runner-up for the sixth time.
Nevertheless, the season of the Baskets was a historically good one. The Bonners only lost two games in the main round, none of them in their own hall. This is surpassed by winning the Champions League – the first title win in the club’s history. It is unclear whether the Baskets will be able to build on such successes in the coming season. Because the Baskets team will have a different face in the coming season.
Coach Tuomas Iisalo is already gone
The father of success is already gone. Coach Tuomas Iisalo announced his departure on Wednesday. For two years, the Finn led the fortunes in Bonn and won 85 of his 105 competitive games with the Baskets. He was voted BBL coach of the year twice in a row, and he also won this title in the past Champions League season. “We made this decision to offer stability to our family, but also for sporting reasons,” Iisalo said in a Baskets press release.
The 40-year-old then explained to the Bonn “General-Anzeiger” in more detail why he and probably many players will no longer be part of the baskets in the coming season: “We had no planning security with which we could have offered the team contracts “, he said. “Of course, that also applies to my situation. And after winning the Champions League it became almost impossible. We had achieved so much that the market value of all players skyrocketed.”
Back and forth with main sponsor Telekom
In plain language, this probably means: The back and forth with the main sponsor Telekom prevented the Baskets from being able to extend contracts with top performers early in the season. In November 2021, the company announced that it would gradually reduce its financial commitment and ultimately exit completely after the end of the contract in 2024.
However, the turnaround came in mid-June: Telekom will increase its sponsorship by one million euros for the coming season. Discussions about a cooperation beyond 2024 are said to be ongoing. “Together with those responsible for the club, we want to broaden the sponsorship and try to give the club a perspective in professional basketball and to secure Bonn as a basketball location in the long term,” said Telekom CEO Timotheus Höttges.
Iisalo “would have liked to have stayed here”
For Iisalo and most players, however, this turnaround comes too late. According to Telekom’s “General-Anzeiger”, Iisalo even wanted to present a long-term concept together with Baskets President Wolfgang Wiedlich. However, an appointment for an interview was never made. Much to Iisalos’ regret: “I would have liked to have stayed here. We would have liked to have stayed here. It was the perfect situation for me and my family. But at some point it was clear whoever continues at this location, whether it’s me or another coach, he’s going to have one have to restart.”
Iisalo has now decided not to be part of this reboot. It is not yet known where his path will lead to. A persistent rumor persists about a move to Paris Basketball, a club that was only founded in 2017 and is intended to become the flagship of French basketball.
Captain Tadda returns to Bamberg
Captain Karsten Tadda has also already disembarked. He returns to Bamberg, where he played from 2007 to 2015 and won the championship five times and the BBL Cup twice. “We would have liked to have signed him on again and therefore made him an offer,” said Baskets sporting director Savo Milovic. “But of course I can understand that it is a great opportunity for him to return home and live with his family in his new house.”
The top scorer and MVP of the past BBL and Champions League season will also probably leave the baskets. TJ Shorts II’s contract is expiring. He is also associated with Paris. The future of top performers Leon Kratz, Jeremy Morgan, Sebastian Herrera, Michael Kessens and Finn Delaney is also unclear. Only youngsters Zach Ensminger and Tyson Ward currently have valid contracts in Bonn.
Roel Moors possible successor to Iisalo
There are also rumors about a possible successor for coach Iisalo. According to media reports, Roel Moors is the hottest candidate for the post of coach in Bonn. The 44-year-old led BG Göttingen to sixth place last season and thus to their first playoff entry since 2011. Göttingen has now confirmed Moors’ departure.
It is quite possible that Moors will take Till Pape to Bonn. The 25-year-old center was one of the surprises of the past BBL season, scored 11.6 points per game and was called up for the national team for the first time in February. He too has already said goodbye to Göttingen. “I’ve been given an opportunity that you have to take as a basketball player if you want to progress,” he said. Insiders already reported the change as perfect. An official confirmation is still pending.
