German star big man talent Philipp Neumann has reportedly dropped out of school to focus on playing professionally for freshly crowned German BBL league and cup double winners Brose Baskets Bamberg. And the BBL once again has reiterated it would love to have Dirk Nowitzki finish his career in Germany.
The Nürnberg daily Abendzeitung reported that Neumann no longer wants to worry about school and grades and will be leaving school one year before completing his German high school diploma (Abitur) to focus on his professional basketball career. Neumann, who turned 18 in February and starred at the FIBA Europe U18 European Championship in 2009, signed with Brose Baskets Bamberg before last season on a double license contract, spending the season with third division side TSV Troester Breitenguessbach.
Near the end of the season, Bamberg coach Chris Fleming brought Neumann in to train with the team. Bamberg management had originally said they would resist Neumann playing with the professional side until he finished his schooling. But the temptation of helping Bamberg in the Euroleague and defend their BBL league title and German Cup next season was too much for Neumann.
BBL boss Pommer still thinking about Nowitzki in Germany
Meanwhile, German BBL league commissioner Jan Pommer has once again reiterated his desire to have Germany’s best player ever Dirk Nowitzki once again play in Germany.
“Naturally we would all live for his to finish his career in the Bundesliga, where it all started. That would be historic,” said Pommer in on-live.de