A new team is being built around Alba’s world champion Johannes Thiemann (l.). Photo: City Press
From BZ/dpa
Alba Berlin starts the Basketball Bundesliga season on Thursday at the MLP Academics Heidelberg (8 p.m./Dyn) with a completely newly formed team.
“We have a lot of talent in the squad, but we also have to develop that,” said sports director Himar Ojeda. That’s why it will primarily depend on the few experienced players in the squad at the beginning.
One of them is Matt Thomas. The 29-year-old American shooting guard came from Panathinaikos Athens and brings a lot of Euroleague experience with him – the only one of the newcomers. “He should balance out the inexperience a little,” said Ojeda.
Huge talent: Alba’s new Italian point guard Matteo Spagnolo Photo: picture alliance/action plus/Teyssot
He should not only act as a shooter, but also support the two young playmakers Ziga Samar (22) and Matteo Spagnolo (20). “They have talent and are ambitious. They will certainly become Euroleague players for a long time. But they will need some time to adapt,” said the sports director. Also new captain Johannes Thiemann will be required soon. Even if the center is only back in team training for a short time after winning the world championship title.
Joker Sterling Brown
Another important factor could be Sterling Brown. The 28-year-old winger was able to gain plenty of experience in the NBA between 2017 and 2023 – including with the Dallas Mavericks and the Milwaukee Bucks. “We’ve been following him for years,” Ojeda revealed. Brown should therefore immediately take on a leadership role. “He can play four positions. A polyvalent player like him is our joker. He can become one of the leaders of the team,” said coach Israel Gonzalez.
But there was hardly any time to practice during the preparation. The entire squad was not available in any of the six test matches. “We had no continuity. So it is difficult to develop team chemistry. But we now have to do this as quickly as possible. Now a new project begins,” said Gonzalez.