By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The last couple of years have been special for German basketball, especially for Franz Wagner. Orlando Magic‘s young star established himself as one of the national team leaders and found his place under the NBA sun.
It all started with the 2022 EuroBasket, where Franz and the rest of the German national team won a bronze medal in Berlin.
“We knew that from the year before. We let one slip against Spain in the semifinal; they ended up winning the championship, and that gave us some motivation. It was good for us to see we have a chance to win those games, and we learned a lot from that game,” Franz Wagner said to Eurohoops.
Germany showed they were the real deal, but the very next year, they stunned the basketball world by winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila.
“It always helps to play one more year together and have more experience together. We didn’t need a lot of time, which is a huge advantage because the summer is really short. We have a really talented roster and guys who like to play with each other.”
It all started with Gordon Herbert taking the head coaching job with the national team.
“He’s doing a phenomenal job, not just X’s and Os wise, but also relating to players, finding a connection to each player individually.”
Due to the previous great success, everyone will be looking at Germany during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“There’s always pressure. If there was no pressure, it wouldn’t be as much fun. More than anything, I’m excited to be a part of the Olympics. We earned our right to play there. That doesn’t happen all the time for our country in basketball, so I see it as a huge honor to be there. We just gotta see, but if we do our job, we are a dangerous team.”
How did the national team’s success affect the growth of basketball in Germany?
“It already gained momentum with a good European championship back at home. Winning the World Cup helped a lot with the momentum. A lot more kids are starting to play basketball, and hopefully, we continue that trend,” Franz Wagner said.