Kleber marvels at pipeline of talent for Germany national team

DALLAS (USA) - Germany made it to the podium of a star-studded, ultra-competitive FIBA EuroBasket this past summer after playing wonderful team basketball under coach Gordie Herbert. Next step? The World Cup.

Expect this national team to be a major contender for honors for the foreseeable future, says power forward/center Maxi Kleber.

"I think the team, the coach, everyone knows what we're capable of," Kleber said of the team's successful run in Cologne and then Berlin. They famously overcame Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece in the Quarter-Finals and then bounced back from a narrow defeat to Spain in the last four with a convincing victory over Poland in the Third-Place Game.

"You have to bring the same energy, the same mentality, you can't just rely on what you did in the past. But it shows we have a lot of talent and we're headed in the right direction.  Youth basketball, the players that are coming up, there is so much more talent. Everything related to basketball in Germany now is so much better."

The facts should speak for themselves. Germany won the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Croatia in 2021 and reached the Quarter-Finals of the Tokyo Games.

“WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENT AND WE'RE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION" -  MAXI KLEBER

Now they've had a positive run at the EuroBasket, Germany excelled on the defensive while on offense, they displayed plenty of panache, power and impressive perimeter shooting.

The continued emergence of Franz Wagner, 21, was one of the biggest reasons for Germany's success. Wagner's 26.6 minutes per game was second only to Dennis Schroder (33.1). He was Germany's second leading scorer at just over 15 points per game and his average haul of four rebounds was third on the team.

Kleber says he wasn't surprised that Germany played well and that it continues to make strides.

"For one, we have more talent, with Franz Wagner coming in there, being a great leader," he said. "The way he plays, really calm, and the crowd helped big time."

Kleber: "For one, we have more talent, with Franz Wagner coming in there, being a great leader."

Wagner will be a central figure for Germany when they play at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The Philippines, Japan and Indonesia will host the event, which tips off August 25.

"Just look at Franz's NBA season right now," Kleber said of the Orlando Magic small forward. "He' s playing at an amazing high level."

Wagner is pouring in 19.8 points per game in the NBA. "Just having him in the national team will help a lot," Kleber said. "He has poise and calmness in his game and gets people in the right spot and there is almost every time a good look."

The summer of 2022 will go down as one of Germany's best. It ended a 17-year medal drought at the EuroBasket. They reached the Final of EuroBasket 2005, when Dirk Nowitzki was the tournament MVP.

Gordie Herbert deserved a lot of credit for how Germany performed at the EuroBasket

"Everyone was hyped and ready to play in front of the home crowd in Germany," Kleber said. "I think the whole team could feel that.

"I think the way the guys played, the way the coach put them together and figured out a system, was amazing. It was a lot of fun to watch. They played with a lot of energy, made the right plays. It was team basketball, so I really enjoyed it and I really enjoyed the success they had."

Kleber also paid tribute to Spain, who trailed Germany by 10 points in the final minute of the third quarter in their Semi-Final but hit back to win, 96-91. Spain then defeated France in the title game.

"Every time I watch Spain, it's a lot of fun," he said. "They have amazing talent, obviously. A lot of former players aren' t there, or whatever, but the next generation comes up, they play the same style."

With the World Cup coming up, and then the Olympics in 2024, Kleber wants Germany to experience the high of winning titles, too.

"We want to win a medal, ideally gold," he said. "It's not easy, but if you win with the national team, you have a fun summer, that's the number one goal for everyone."

Kleber also doesn't want to miss out next time.

"Last time I decided not to play because I physically couldn't," he said. "It was not an easy decision, obviously, because it was at home.

"But looking to the future, I'll talk to the coach, see how the body is... but obviously representing your country, wearing the jersey, is big."

FIBA