By Jonathan Götting
From May 15 to 17, Berlin will once again host the German TOP4 to crown the national champions in both the U16 (JBBL) and U19 (NBBL) categories. Our collaborator, Jonathan Götting, introduces the participating teams and highlights some of the key prospects to keep an eye on throughout the weekend.
NBBL
Ratiopharm Ulm
Attentive observers of the European youth basketball scene will already be quite familiar with this iteration of ratiopharm Ulm, as many of its players have already appeared in various marquee international events. At full strength, this roster should be regarded as the favorites to come out on top. The participation of several key contributors remains unclear, as the OrangeAcademy’s Pro B team is playing in the finals simultaneously. However, it is reasonable to expect the majority of the key contributors suiting up for the NBBL team, as the Orange Academy has already earned their promotion to the German Pro A by reaching the finals. After spending the majority of the season with the Pro B team, French wing Meissa Faye (‘07) has brought another spark during the playoffs to an already loaded roster. Against NBBL competition, the game has noticeably slowed down for Faye, enabling the Frenchman to get to the soft spots of the defense at a high clip while utilizing his start-and-stop ability to create tangible space. Ulm supporters can also expect to see Endurance Aiyamenkhue (‘07) playing at the U19 level one last time. Fresh off his commitment to the Arizona Wildcats, “Endi” will once again provide Ulm with his towering presence on the interior thanks to his weakside rim protection instincts and gravity as a roll man. Another intriguing big man on the roster is Felix Kiehlneker (‘08), who has received increased attention after noteworthy performances at the ANGE Ulm and the Albert-Schweitzer Tournament. With his growing ball skills, efficient play making and defensive rim deterrence, Kiehlneker is a dependable contributor whose impact goes beyond the box score. The lead guard responsibilities will primarily be handled by Teo Miličić (‘08). The son of Aris head coach Igor Miličić has benefitted from increased rotation minutes in the BBL this season and keeps the defense honest with his pull-up gravity and his poise and composure as a pick and roll ball handler. Yanu Slingerland (‘08) will also fill an important role for Ulm, providing the team with crucial secondary creation, efficient off-ball movement and high-level defensive versatility with his excellent hand-eye coordination.
ALBA Berlin
The hosts are one of the staples of the TOP4 and are looking to add another trophy to their illustrious collection of silverware. Thanks to a deep roster with a lot of length and functional athleticism, ALBA has a clear track to get back to the top. While the team has a rather balanced usage split, it has been Anton Kemmer (‘08) who has led the team in scoring this season (14.5 PPG). The 6’8’’ wing offers an appealing blend of on and off ball skills with his vertical explosiveness and evolving floor spacing ability. With his length and agility, Kemmer can also effectively shrink the floor defensively and provides upside as a secondary rim protector. Two of ALBA’s most pesky defenders are Mathéo Hermann (‘07) and Noah Isichei (‘08). Hermann does not just set the tone at the point of attack, but has also made notable strides with his pull-up game and effectively leads ALBA’s transition attack. Isichei possesses one of the most appealing physical profiles in the entire tournament with his strong build and natural athleticism across the board. He is decisive off the bounce and creates quality paint touches at will, while also being disruptive and engaged navigating screens. One of the fastest risers in the German 2008 generation is Fin Borczanowski. After a huge growth spurt, Borczanowski is still growing into his body, but stands out with his fluid movement patterns, shooting versatility and sound .5 decision making. Underneath the baskets, ALBA can count on a complementary big men duo. Nevio Bennefeld (‘07) is a veritable floor spacer and capable of providing defensive versatility with his ground coverage and straight line speed. Meanwhile, Lukas Klein (‘08) has an imposing presence on the interior. Standing at 7’0’’, Klein is well-coordinated and can succeed inside in various ways, either with his back to the basket or as a pick and roll finisher.
RASTA Academy
Through the last several years, the RASTA Academy from Vechta has established itself as one of the most prolific youth programs in all of Germany. Thanks to a cooperation with the Artland Dragons, the prospects are benefitting from the chance to get exposed to various playing contexts and can potentially receive playing time in the first, second, third and fourth division. One of those players is Fynn Lastring (‘07), who is trying to follow the footsteps of Johann Grünloh by winning an NBBL title for Vechta before making the move to the NCAA. However, his participation in the event is still to be determined, as the big man has been a key rotational piece for the Dragons this year and is set to remain on the roster throughout their playoff run. The New Mexico commit is a polished play finisher, provides versatility as a passing hub and has turned into a valuable floor spacer. Moreover, he utilizes his strong frame well to get deep seals and control the boards. Even if Lastring would not suit up in Berlin, Vechta’s roster still possesses enough talent to be competitive. Moritz Grüss (‘08) has been one of the go-to-guys for the NBBL squad all season long. He has made notable strides with his frame, enabling him to absorb contact on both ends and succeed on the interior. The lefty wing is also able to create his own shot off the dribble and is able to square up well coming off screens or on relocations. Additionally, the team has a reliable duo in the backcourt. Epke Kruthaup (‘08) is a shifty ball handler with tight handles and leverages his burst to get in the lane. Next to him is Peja Strobl (‘07), a dynamic shooter off the bounce who plays well at different speeds and makes creative use of his passing windows. Be sure to also keep an eye on Etinosasere Ehioghae (‘09). The Irish big boasts an intriguing frame with a large wingspan and brings gravity as a roller and as a play finisher in the dunker spot. His mobility and agility also shines defensively in aggressive pick and roll coverages.
Eintracht Frankfurt/ SKYLINERS
While a renowned youth program with remarkable success stories such as Isaac Bonga, this season marks the first time since eleven years that the SKYLINERS have booked their trip to the NBBL TOP4. This team is characterized by a balanced scoring output. Fresh off his MVP campaign at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, Jamie Edoka (‘08) is aiming for another title in Berlin. As the primary creator, he usually has a clear athletic edge and has become very adept at exploiting advantageous driving angles to get in the lane where his touch provides him with an increased margin of error. With his upper body strength and vertical pop, Edoka can also make his presence felt as a multi-dimensional team defender. Ivan Crnjac (‘07) is next in line in terms of offensive usage for the SKYLINERS, but he is much more than just Edoka’s “sidekick”. Crnjac has reached another level as an efficient and versatile floor spacer who can also reliably create deep paint touches in faceup situations or from the high post. His energetic style of play is also of utmost importance for Frankfurt’s defensive identity. Following an impressive showing at last year's U18 EuroBasket Division B, Lukas Smazak (‘07) has settled in nicely as an efficient off-guard while adding an additional layer with his second side playmaking and shot versatility. Maximilian Peters (‘07) has also taken the next step in his development and could be an X factor with his combination of interior presence and mobility on the perimeter.
JBBL
Ratiopharm Academy Ulm
As the only club participating in this year’s TOP4, Ulm has managed to qualify in both categories, further solidifying its status as the gold standard for player development in Germany. For the U16 team, the spotlight will be on Marko Volf (‘10). Given his extensive experience against older age groups (for instance at the ANGE), it should not be a big surprise that Volf has been flat-out dominant in the JBBL playoffs with 31.2 PPG. After starting to raise his release point, Volf shooting off the dribble has become even more undeniable. His sudden acceleration and deceptive variation of stride length makes it a tough task to contain him whenever he is on his way to the basket. An important pillar of Ulm’s success has also been the play of Justus Reintjes (‘10). Whenever he is on the floor, Reintjes displays an awareness for the bigger picture on both ends and possesses a strong understanding for advantageous angles. The Belgian Lion Gabriel De Coninck (‘10) is an additional scoring option with his rangy ball handling and shooting prowess off the dribble while also raising the floor of Ulm’s defense with timely rotations. One player who is always capable of a highlight play is the explosive wing Samuel Williams (‘11), who has impressive bounce off one and two feet and can score in various ways with his versatile pull-up.
Hamburg Towers
After defeating last year’s champion ALBA Berlin in the quarterfinals, the Hamburg Towers are surely capable of going all the way in 2026. The main objective for their opponents will be to somehow limit the dynamic duo of Danny Egbe (‘10) and Fiete Meinberg (‘10), two core members of the German U16 national team. Egbe is an electrifying athlete with effortless bounce off one foot who makes great use of his plus wingspan on both ends. As a passer, his accurate ball placement out of the pick and roll leads to favorable finishing angles for his teammates. One of the main beneficiaries is Fiete Meinberg, but the big man has a whole lot more in his arsenal than just play finishing. The reigning JBBL MVP is a highly skilled ball handler in transition and always needs to be accounted for when executing dribble handoffs. With his combination of long strides and vertical pop, Meinberg has excelled at attacking from the perimeter off a standstill. A crucial glue guy on the roster is combo guard Maxwell Osorio Queiros dos Santos (‘10), who has a high success rate manipulating tight passing windows and can be a lockdown force as a point of attack defender with his knack for deflections. One of the key players to watch for next year is Vincent Henzel (‘11), a dribble/pass/shoot wing with intriguing low-hanging fruits for continuous development.
Team Baskets Bonn/Köln RAG
Just at the beginning of this season, Bonn started a strategic cooperation with the Rise and Grind Academy from Cologne to further strengthen its developmental footprint in the Rhineland. After already reaching the final phase of the JBBL in 2026, it is reasonable to expect that the club will reap the benefits of this joint-venture for years to come. The roster consists of a particularly deep perimeter group with several prospects who are capable of creating their own shot. Oliver Papez (‘10), who has received invitations to national team camps from both Germany and Czechia, has been especially productive in the postseason. In transition, he immediately puts pressure on the rim with his burst and general aggressiveness. In the halfcourt, his best moments come whenever he can utilize his gravity coming off screens thanks to his sound footwork and spatial awareness. One of the most interesting long-term talents in the entire JBBL is Khalil Idbihi (‘11). The designated Rookie of the Year is a well-versed ball handler and is remarkably patient and instinctual sizing up his opponents to create tangible advantages. Additionally, Finn Wohlert (‘10) has been dependable at providing scoring prowess to the Baskets offense. The combo guard is a gifted shooter with advanced shot versatility and has become an ambitious and flashy playmaker. Serge Ossai (‘10) adds defensive versatility on and off the ball and utilizes his long wingspan well filling the gaps as a secondary rim protector.
Baskets Juniors Oldenburg
Oldenburg have become regulars at the TOP4 in the JBBL category, making their third consecutive trip to Berlin following a dominant 22-1 campaign. The main leader for the Baskets has been Samuel Shchepotkin (‘10), who hails from Canada and also received the opportunity to play valuable minutes in the Youth Basketball Champions League. Shchepotkin likes to initiate contact on his way to the interior and regularly succeeds in tight spaces thanks to his strength advantage and ambidextrous touch. Paul Brake (‘10) has raised his level in the playoffs. He has a dynamic first step to get in the lane, makes quick and sound decisions off the catch and has brought valuable stationary floor spacing. On the defensive end, Ricards Nkojs-Eale (‘10) provides Oldenburg with valuable versatility. With his strong and physical style of play and agility, the Latvian can effortlessly switch his assignments and control the boards. An additional threat from the perimeter are the wings Moritz Schmidt (‘10) and Aaron La Grange (‘10), who are both skilled handlers in transition and repeatedly are successful attacking closeouts.
From May 15 to 17, Berlin will once again host the German TOP4 to crown the national champions in both the U16 (JBBL) and U19 (NBBL) categories. Our collaborator, Jonathan Götting, introduces the participating teams and highlights some of the key prospects to keep an eye on throughout the weekend.
NBBL
Ratiopharm Ulm
Attentive observers of the European youth basketball scene will already be quite familiar with this iteration of ratiopharm Ulm, as many of its players have already appeared in various marquee international events. At full strength, this roster should be regarded as the favorites to come out on top. The participation of several key contributors remains unclear, as the OrangeAcademy’s Pro B team is playing in the finals simultaneously. However, it is reasonable to expect the majority of the key contributors suiting up for the NBBL team, as the Orange Academy has already earned their promotion to the German Pro A by reaching the finals. After spending the majority of the season with the Pro B team, French wing Meissa Faye (‘07) has brought another spark during the playoffs to an already loaded roster. Against NBBL competition, the game has noticeably slowed down for Faye, enabling the Frenchman to get to the soft spots of the defense at a high clip while utilizing his start-and-stop ability to create tangible space. Ulm supporters can also expect to see Endurance Aiyamenkhue (‘07) playing at the U19 level one last time. Fresh off his commitment to the Arizona Wildcats, “Endi” will once again provide Ulm with his towering presence on the interior thanks to his weakside rim protection instincts and gravity as a roll man. Another intriguing big man on the roster is Felix Kiehlneker (‘08), who has received increased attention after noteworthy performances at the ANGE Ulm and the Albert-Schweitzer Tournament. With his growing ball skills, efficient play making and defensive rim deterrence, Kiehlneker is a dependable contributor whose impact goes beyond the box score. The lead guard responsibilities will primarily be handled by Teo Miličić (‘08). The son of Aris head coach Igor Miličić has benefitted from increased rotation minutes in the BBL this season and keeps the defense honest with his pull-up gravity and his poise and composure as a pick and roll ball handler. Yanu Slingerland (‘08) will also fill an important role for Ulm, providing the team with crucial secondary creation, efficient off-ball movement and high-level defensive versatility with his excellent hand-eye coordination.
ALBA Berlin
The hosts are one of the staples of the TOP4 and are looking to add another trophy to their illustrious collection of silverware. Thanks to a deep roster with a lot of length and functional athleticism, ALBA has a clear track to get back to the top. While the team has a rather balanced usage split, it has been Anton Kemmer (‘08) who has led the team in scoring this season (14.5 PPG). The 6’8’’ wing offers an appealing blend of on and off ball skills with his vertical explosiveness and evolving floor spacing ability. With his length and agility, Kemmer can also effectively shrink the floor defensively and provides upside as a secondary rim protector. Two of ALBA’s most pesky defenders are Mathéo Hermann (‘07) and Noah Isichei (‘08). Hermann does not just set the tone at the point of attack, but has also made notable strides with his pull-up game and effectively leads ALBA’s transition attack. Isichei possesses one of the most appealing physical profiles in the entire tournament with his strong build and natural athleticism across the board. He is decisive off the bounce and creates quality paint touches at will, while also being disruptive and engaged navigating screens. One of the fastest risers in the German 2008 generation is Fin Borczanowski. After a huge growth spurt, Borczanowski is still growing into his body, but stands out with his fluid movement patterns, shooting versatility and sound .5 decision making. Underneath the baskets, ALBA can count on a complementary big men duo. Nevio Bennefeld (‘07) is a veritable floor spacer and capable of providing defensive versatility with his ground coverage and straight line speed. Meanwhile, Lukas Klein (‘08) has an imposing presence on the interior. Standing at 7’0’’, Klein is well-coordinated and can succeed inside in various ways, either with his back to the basket or as a pick and roll finisher.
RASTA Academy
Through the last several years, the RASTA Academy from Vechta has established itself as one of the most prolific youth programs in all of Germany. Thanks to a cooperation with the Artland Dragons, the prospects are benefitting from the chance to get exposed to various playing contexts and can potentially receive playing time in the first, second, third and fourth division. One of those players is Fynn Lastring (‘07), who is trying to follow the footsteps of Johann Grünloh by winning an NBBL title for Vechta before making the move to the NCAA. However, his participation in the event is still to be determined, as the big man has been a key rotational piece for the Dragons this year and is set to remain on the roster throughout their playoff run. The New Mexico commit is a polished play finisher, provides versatility as a passing hub and has turned into a valuable floor spacer. Moreover, he utilizes his strong frame well to get deep seals and control the boards. Even if Lastring would not suit up in Berlin, Vechta’s roster still possesses enough talent to be competitive. Moritz Grüss (‘08) has been one of the go-to-guys for the NBBL squad all season long. He has made notable strides with his frame, enabling him to absorb contact on both ends and succeed on the interior. The lefty wing is also able to create his own shot off the dribble and is able to square up well coming off screens or on relocations. Additionally, the team has a reliable duo in the backcourt. Epke Kruthaup (‘08) is a shifty ball handler with tight handles and leverages his burst to get in the lane. Next to him is Peja Strobl (‘07), a dynamic shooter off the bounce who plays well at different speeds and makes creative use of his passing windows. Be sure to also keep an eye on Etinosasere Ehioghae (‘09). The Irish big boasts an intriguing frame with a large wingspan and brings gravity as a roller and as a play finisher in the dunker spot. His mobility and agility also shines defensively in aggressive pick and roll coverages.
Eintracht Frankfurt/ SKYLINERS
While a renowned youth program with remarkable success stories such as Isaac Bonga, this season marks the first time since eleven years that the SKYLINERS have booked their trip to the NBBL TOP4. This team is characterized by a balanced scoring output. Fresh off his MVP campaign at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, Jamie Edoka (‘08) is aiming for another title in Berlin. As the primary creator, he usually has a clear athletic edge and has become very adept at exploiting advantageous driving angles to get in the lane where his touch provides him with an increased margin of error. With his upper body strength and vertical pop, Edoka can also make his presence felt as a multi-dimensional team defender. Ivan Crnjac (‘07) is next in line in terms of offensive usage for the SKYLINERS, but he is much more than just Edoka’s “sidekick”. Crnjac has reached another level as an efficient and versatile floor spacer who can also reliably create deep paint touches in faceup situations or from the high post. His energetic style of play is also of utmost importance for Frankfurt’s defensive identity. Following an impressive showing at last year's U18 EuroBasket Division B, Lukas Smazak (‘07) has settled in nicely as an efficient off-guard while adding an additional layer with his second side playmaking and shot versatility. Maximilian Peters (‘07) has also taken the next step in his development and could be an X factor with his combination of interior presence and mobility on the perimeter.
JBBL
Ratiopharm Academy Ulm
As the only club participating in this year’s TOP4, Ulm has managed to qualify in both categories, further solidifying its status as the gold standard for player development in Germany. For the U16 team, the spotlight will be on Marko Volf (‘10). Given his extensive experience against older age groups (for instance at the ANGE), it should not be a big surprise that Volf has been flat-out dominant in the JBBL playoffs with 31.2 PPG. After starting to raise his release point, Volf shooting off the dribble has become even more undeniable. His sudden acceleration and deceptive variation of stride length makes it a tough task to contain him whenever he is on his way to the basket. An important pillar of Ulm’s success has also been the play of Justus Reintjes (‘10). Whenever he is on the floor, Reintjes displays an awareness for the bigger picture on both ends and possesses a strong understanding for advantageous angles. The Belgian Lion Gabriel De Coninck (‘10) is an additional scoring option with his rangy ball handling and shooting prowess off the dribble while also raising the floor of Ulm’s defense with timely rotations. One player who is always capable of a highlight play is the explosive wing Samuel Williams (‘11), who has impressive bounce off one and two feet and can score in various ways with his versatile pull-up.
Hamburg Towers
After defeating last year’s champion ALBA Berlin in the quarterfinals, the Hamburg Towers are surely capable of going all the way in 2026. The main objective for their opponents will be to somehow limit the dynamic duo of Danny Egbe (‘10) and Fiete Meinberg (‘10), two core members of the German U16 national team. Egbe is an electrifying athlete with effortless bounce off one foot who makes great use of his plus wingspan on both ends. As a passer, his accurate ball placement out of the pick and roll leads to favorable finishing angles for his teammates. One of the main beneficiaries is Fiete Meinberg, but the big man has a whole lot more in his arsenal than just play finishing. The reigning JBBL MVP is a highly skilled ball handler in transition and always needs to be accounted for when executing dribble handoffs. With his combination of long strides and vertical pop, Meinberg has excelled at attacking from the perimeter off a standstill. A crucial glue guy on the roster is combo guard Maxwell Osorio Queiros dos Santos (‘10), who has a high success rate manipulating tight passing windows and can be a lockdown force as a point of attack defender with his knack for deflections. One of the key players to watch for next year is Vincent Henzel (‘11), a dribble/pass/shoot wing with intriguing low-hanging fruits for continuous development.
Team Baskets Bonn/Köln RAG
Just at the beginning of this season, Bonn started a strategic cooperation with the Rise and Grind Academy from Cologne to further strengthen its developmental footprint in the Rhineland. After already reaching the final phase of the JBBL in 2026, it is reasonable to expect that the club will reap the benefits of this joint-venture for years to come. The roster consists of a particularly deep perimeter group with several prospects who are capable of creating their own shot. Oliver Papez (‘10), who has received invitations to national team camps from both Germany and Czechia, has been especially productive in the postseason. In transition, he immediately puts pressure on the rim with his burst and general aggressiveness. In the halfcourt, his best moments come whenever he can utilize his gravity coming off screens thanks to his sound footwork and spatial awareness. One of the most interesting long-term talents in the entire JBBL is Khalil Idbihi (‘11). The designated Rookie of the Year is a well-versed ball handler and is remarkably patient and instinctual sizing up his opponents to create tangible advantages. Additionally, Finn Wohlert (‘10) has been dependable at providing scoring prowess to the Baskets offense. The combo guard is a gifted shooter with advanced shot versatility and has become an ambitious and flashy playmaker. Serge Ossai (‘10) adds defensive versatility on and off the ball and utilizes his long wingspan well filling the gaps as a secondary rim protector.
Baskets Juniors Oldenburg
Oldenburg have become regulars at the TOP4 in the JBBL category, making their third consecutive trip to Berlin following a dominant 22-1 campaign. The main leader for the Baskets has been Samuel Shchepotkin (‘10), who hails from Canada and also received the opportunity to play valuable minutes in the Youth Basketball Champions League. Shchepotkin likes to initiate contact on his way to the interior and regularly succeeds in tight spaces thanks to his strength advantage and ambidextrous touch. Paul Brake (‘10) has raised his level in the playoffs. He has a dynamic first step to get in the lane, makes quick and sound decisions off the catch and has brought valuable stationary floor spacing. On the defensive end, Ricards Nkojs-Eale (‘10) provides Oldenburg with valuable versatility. With his strong and physical style of play and agility, the Latvian can effortlessly switch his assignments and control the boards. An additional threat from the perimeter are the wings Moritz Schmidt (‘10) and Aaron La Grange (‘10), who are both skilled handlers in transition and repeatedly are successful attacking closeouts.
ADVERTISING
