Tibor Pleiss selected the top German playing abroad in last week's games

We bring you last week's top performances from Germans who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Tibor Pleiss

   #1. This week's number one is an experienced former international center Tibor Pleiss (221-1989, currently plays in Turkey). He contributed to an easy victory against the 11th-ranked Turk Telekom (10-12) 99-84 in the Turkish BSL in Sunday night's game. Pleiss scored 10 points, had 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 24 minutes on the court. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (10-2) is placed second in the BSL. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. Pleiss has relatively good stats this year: 13.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 56.6%(47-83), 3FGP: 45.5%(10-22) and FT: 88.0% in 11 games he played so far. He played for the German senior national team year ago.

Franz Wagner

   #2. Second place goes to former U18 international guard Franz Wagner (206-2001, college: Michigan, currently plays in NBA). Wagner could not help the Orlando Magic (16-50) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his very good performance the Orlando Magic (16-50) was defeated 122-114 on the road by the Indiana Pacers. Wagner was the top scorer with 28 points. He also added 6 rebounds. Wagner has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.5ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.0apg, 2FGP: 50.8%, 3FGP: 36.6% and FT: 85.2%. Wagner played for the German U18 national team in 19.

Moritz Wagner

   #3. The German player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward Moritz Wagner (211-1997, college: Michigan, currently plays in NBA) is a teammate of previously mentioned Franz Wagner. But that was another game of his team in NBA which we would like to mention. Wagner. He was not able to help the Orlando Magic (16-50) in their last game. Despite Wagner's very good performance the Orlando Magic (16-50) was crushed 124-96 in Memphis by the Grizzlies. He had a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 11 rebounds. Wagner also added 3 assists in 27 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. This year Wagner has relatively solid stats: 8.1ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 67.2%(84-125), 3FGP: 32.8% and FT: 80.7% in 46 games. He played for the German national team year ago.

Danilo Barthel

   #4. Power forward Danilo Barthel (208-1991, currently plays in Turkey) managed to help Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul to win against the 13th-ranked Yalova (6-16) crushing them 89-63 in the Turkish BSL in Sunday night's game. Barthel scored only 4 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul (17-2) is placed first in the BSL. Barthel's overall stats this season are: 5.5ppg and 7.5rpg. He used to play for the German national team back in 21.

Ismet Akpinar

   #5. Former international point guard Ismet Akpinar (193-1995, agency: BeoBasket, currently plays in Turkey) is a teammate of previously mentioned Danilo Barthel and both played together in the last Turkish BSL game. Akpinar contributed to an easy victory against the 13th-ranked Yalova (6-16) crushing them 89-63. He scored 9 points and added 3 passes in 18 minutes. This year Akpinar's overall stats are: 7.2ppg and 1.4apg in 17 games. He used to play for the German national team years ago.

Robin Benzing

   #6. Forward Robin Benzing (208-1989, also represented by BeoBasket, currently plays in Italy) led Fortitudo BO to a victory over the league leader Treviso (4-0) 99-93 in the Italian Serie A on Sunday night. Benzing was MVP of the game. He scored 21 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Lavoropiu Fortitudo Bolognais placed in the Serie A. Benzing has reliable stats this season: 13.0ppg, 2.4rpg and 1.6apg. He is a former international player as he played for the German senior team year ago.

Christian Standhardinger

   #7. Former U20 international forward Christian Standhardinger (206-1989, college: Hawaii, currently plays in Philippines) was the major contributor in a Ginebra Kings' victory against the tenth-ranked Rain or Shine (3-8) 104-93 in a derby game in the Filipino PBA in Sunday night's game. Standhardinger scored 20 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 29 minutes; not bad, considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (6-5) are placed fifth in the PBA. The Regular Season already ended. Standhardinger has very impressive stats this year: 15.9ppg, 6.8rpg and 2.9apg in 11 games. He used to play for the German U20 national team years ago.

Elias Harris

   #8. Center Elias Harris (203-1989, another player represented by BeoBasket, college: Gonzaga, currently plays in Japan) was the main contributor in a San-en NP's surprising victory against the third-ranked Nagoya DD (21-10) 85-82 in the Japanese B1 League last Wednesday. Harris was the best player in that game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 26 points and getting 10 rebounds. San-en NeoPhoenix (6-30) is placed 11th in West group. This season Harris has very high stats. He averages: 17.0ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.0apg and 1.3spg. Harris used to play for the German national team back in 15.

Maximilian Kleber

   #9. Former international forward Maximilian Kleber (208-1992, agency: LUMANI 10.7, currently plays in NBA) contributed to a Dallas Mavericks' victory against the Utah Jazz (40-24) 111-103 in the NBA on Monday night. Kleber scored 8 points, had 6 rebounds and made 2 blocks. The Dallas Mavericks have a solid 40-25 record this season. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. Kleber averaged so far 7.7ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.2apg and 1.1bpg. He used to play for the German national team years ago.

Dennis Schroeder

   #10. Point guard Dennis Schroeder (181-1993, currently plays in NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Houston Rockets (16-49) in their game against the Los Angeles Clippers (33-33) in the NBA. Schroeder scored 8 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 6 assists in 31 minutes. The Houston Rockets (16-49) lost 100-113 in Los Angeles to the Clippers. Schroeder's stats this year are: 10.8ppg, 4.5rpg and 7.5apg in six games. He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the German senior national team.

   #11. Former U20 international swingman Sam Griesel (198-2000, currently plays college basketball in the States) helped NDSU win their game against the Oral Roberts University crushing them 92-72 in the NCAA last Monday. Griesel recorded 26 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Griesel averaged so far 14.3ppg, 6.6rpg and 3.4apg. He used to play for the German U20 national team years ago.

   #12. Former international small forward Philipp Schwethelm (201-1989, currently plays in Norway) helped Baerum Basket win their game against the closely-ranked Fyllingen BBK 112-101 in the Norwegian BLNO on Sunday night. Schwethelm had a double-double by scoring 24 points and making 15 passes. He also added 4 rebounds in 35 minutes. Schwethelm averaged so far 12.9ppg, 5.9rpg, 4.6apg and 1.2spg in 15 games. He used to play for the German national team back in 13.

   #13. Former international forward Niels Giffey (200-1991, another player represented by BeoBasket, college: UConn, currently plays in Lithuania) helped Zalgiris win their game against the eighth-ranked Dzukija 74-63 in the Lithuanian LKL in Monday night's game. Giffey scored only 3 points. Giffey's total stats this season are: 6.7ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.3apg and 1.5spg. He used to play for the German national team years ago.

   #14. Former international center Daniel Theis (204-1992, currently plays in NBA) helped Boston Celtics win their game against the Memphis Grizzlies 120-107 in the NBA last Thursday. Theis scored 6 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in only 13 minutes. This year Theis' total stats are: 4.5ppg and 4.3rpg in six games. He used to play for the German national team back in 19.

   #15. Former U18 international center Ariel Hukporti (214-2002, currently plays in Australia) helped United win their game against the seventh-ranked Bullets 95-83 in the Australian NBL in Saturday night's game. He scored 14 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in a mere 16 minutes. Hukporti has averaged so far 7.6ppg, 4.8rpg and 1.1bpg in 16 games. He used to play for the German U18 national team years ago.


The list of other players, who all have German passport but never been selected to any of German national teams:

   #1. Experienced Isaiah Philmore (203-F-1989, college: Xavier, currently plays in France) could not help SPO Rouen (5-0) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the league leader SPO Rouen lost 84-90 on the road to the lower-ranked (#7) Saint-Quentin. Philmore was the top scorer with 21 points. He also added 4 assists and 4 steals (made all of his seven free throws) in 37 minutes. Philmore's stats this year are: 13.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.8apg and 1.3spg in 11 games he played so far. He is a naturalized American. Philmore used to play for Ratiopharm Ulm in German league.

   #2. Dylan Osetkowski (206-F-1996, agency: BeoBasket, college: Texas, currently plays in France) was not able to help ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket in their game against Metropolitans (16-6) in the French Betclic ELITE ProA. He scored 9 points. But the league leader ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket was edged 83-81 in Levallois by the leading Metropolitans. Osetkowski's total stats this season are: 8.5ppg, 3.5rpg and 1.2apg. He is a naturalized American. Osetkowski used to play for BG Goettingen in German league.

   #3. Kiril Wachsmann (203-C-1984, college: Iona, currently plays in Uruguay) was the major contributor in Malvin's victory against one of league's weakest teams Urunday (5-16) 89-73 in a derby game in the Uruguayan LUB last Monday. He had a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 10 rebounds. Wachsmann also added 3 assists in 28 minutes. Malvin Montevideo (9-3) is placed third in the LUB. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Wachsmann's stats this year are: 10.5ppg, 9.6rpg and 3.0apg in 21 games. He has a dual citizenship: German and Uruguayan.

   #4. Ryan Kriener (208-C-1998, college: Iowa, currently plays in Japan) led Ehime OV to a victory over the seventh-ranked Aomori Watts (2-36) 85-69 in the Japanese B2 League on Saturday night. Kriener was the top player that evening. He scored 23 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Ehime Orange Vikings (19-21) are placed fifth in West group. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Kriener averaged so far 14.0ppg, 6.9rpg and 1.7apg. He is a naturalized American. Strangely Kriener has never played in Germany.

   #5. Adam Ariel (195-SG-1994, agency: Avi Zilberman, currently plays in Israel) managed to help Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to win against the closely-ranked Bnei Hasharon (10-7) 89-88 in the Israeli Winner League last Monday. Ariel recorded only 4 points. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (12-5) is placed first in the Winner League. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Ariel has averaged so far 6.5ppg and 1.7rpg. He is another player who holds two passports: German and Israeli.

   #6. Bar Timor (190-G-1992, also represented by Avi Zilberman, currently plays in Israel) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Ironi Nes-Ziona 99-83 in the Israeli Winner League on Monday night. Timor recorded 7 points and added 3 assists in 23 minutes. Timor has averaged so far 8.6ppg, 2.9rpg and 3.7apg in 16 games. He has both German and Israeli nationalities.

   #7. Nigel Pruitt (201-F-1994, college: KSU, currently plays in BNXT-League) was not able to secure a victory for Leeuwarden (0-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Leeuwarden lost 80-89 on the opponent's court to the higher-ranked (#8) Liege. Pruitt was the top scorer with 20 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 30 minutes. Pruitt averaged so far 13.1ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.3apg and 1.4spg in seven games. He is a naturalized American. Worth to mention Pruitt played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball. Pruitt used to play for TSG Westerstede in German league.

   #8. Noam Avivi (205-PF-1999, another player represented by Avi Zilberman, currently plays in Israel) couldn't help Hapoel Eilat in their game against Galil Elion in the Israeli Winner League. He cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones. Avivi recorded only 3 points in 13 minutes. His team was edged 74-72. Avivi has averaged so far 8.5ppg and 2.8rpg in four games. He also holds two passports: German and Israeli.

   #9. Julian Steinfeld (211-C-2001, currently plays in NCAA2) contributed to an University of Indianapolis' victory against the Truman State University 94-90 in the NCAA2 in Friday night's game. Steinfeld scored 12 points, had 7 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Steinfeld has averaged so far 4.8ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.5bpg.

   #10. Mateo Zovko (193-F-1998, college: Laramie CC, currently plays in Bosnia) contributed to a Zrinjski HT's surprising victory against the sixth-ranked Posusje 88-75 in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I on Sunday night. He recorded 10 points. Zovko has averaged so far 8.0ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.6apg. He has German and Bosnia and Herzegovina nationalities. Despite Zovko's German passport, he previously played for the Bosnia and Herzegovina U18 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the German team.