Basketball in Germany

Basketball is one of the few American sports that enjoy a huge and increasing popularity in Germany. With its wide appeal more and more of the younger generations are looking forward to a career in basketball in Germany.

This game was invented by American teacher Dr. James Naismith in 1891 to fend off the winter boredom. The game was born in a gymnasium with 2 peach baskets, 1 soccer ball and 13 rules. Enjoying an immense popularity in America the sport caught on the European's fancy. In 1932 The International Basketball Federation (FIBA in French) was formed by 8 European nations to tap into the amateur talent pool. Still nowhere we could see advent of basketball in Germany.

The history of basketball in Germany starts from the 1950s. Germany first appeared in the European basketball scenario in the 1951 Eurobasket (European basketball championships) held in Paris, where they finished 12th among 18 teams. Until 1990 reunion of Germany, basketball in West Germany never met with any spectacular success. The East Germans never had any interest for the game.

In a stunning turn of events Germany won the 1993 European Championship on home ground and was also elected 'Team of the Year' by the national press. This sparked new enthusiasm for the sports in the country which gradually waned due to lack of infrastructure and professionalism. Interests were renewed when a lanky Dirk Nowitzki went on to become a superstar with the Dallas Mavericks. He raised basketball in Germany to new standards by facilitating a bronze medal in the 2002World Championships. To this day the major successes of Germany in basketball remain victory in the European Championship of 1993 at home in Germany, the silver medal in the 2005 European Championships and the bronze medal in the 2002 World Championship.

The Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) is the highest level club competition whose outcome determines the national champion. Starting in 1939, it today comprises of 18 teams battling for supremacy. The Bayer Giants Leverkusen remains championship record holder with 14 titles; although since 1997 ALBA Berlin is dominating, having celebrated their 7th win in 2003.

With luck you might even be witness to something like Bonn-Bamberg basketball brawl which stands unique in the professional basketball history. Spectators came across a fight between players of the German Bundesliga clubs Telekom Baskets Bonn and GHP Bamberg in the 2006 BBL playoff series on May 4, 2006. With the ejection of 14 players and1 being fouled out, it stands the only playoff game in basketball history ending as a 3-on-4 match.