LUBBOCK (USA) - Germany have become all the rage in the basketball world as the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 champions as well as Semi-Finalists at the 2024 Olympics. But Christian Anderson is ready this summer to show the globe at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 that Germany's youth teams are ready to take the world by storm as well.
Anderson was named to the All-Star Five in helping Germany make history last summer by winning the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 - the nation's first continental men's youth title. That result gave Germany their first spot at the FIBA U19 World Cup since 2017 when they finished fifth.
It's an honor to be part of Germany's advancement. World champs on the men’s side and Euro champs on the youth side
"It's an honor to be part of Germany's advancement globally. World champs on the men’s side and Euro champs on the youth side help us transitioning the sport. It's great to play a vital role in that,” said Anderson, who averaged 20.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game last summer.
The point guard, whose father, Christian Anderson Sr., is German and played briefly in Germany's top flight, is very much looking forward to playing on the global stage for the first time.
"Representing Germany and having an opportunity to win it in Switzerland is exciting," said Anderson, who plays college basketball in the United States with Texas Tech University.
"Since I have a unique opportunity to play on both sides of the world, it's going to feel familiar from a competition standpoint as I have faced most elite players worldwide at that age."
Anderson and Germany have been drawn into Group B of the U19 World Cup from June 28 to July 6. They will be facing Slovenia, China and Canada in the group stage before moving into the Knockout Phase.
The favorite for the tournament is probably record eight-time champions USA, who will be extra motivated after crashing to fourth place at the 2023 U19 World Cup. In addition to the allure of playing against the Americans, there is also a connection for Anderson to the USA team. The Texas Tech head coach is Grant McCasland, who will be the assistant coach for the USA team in Lausanne.
"It's not something we have discussed yet," Anderson said with a smile. "I wish him and USA well, but it's not going to distract us from our goal, which is to keep up success in those global competitions."
USA are currently ranked No. 1 in the FIBA World Ranking, Presented by NIKE - Boys. Germany jumped one spot in the most recent rankings to No. 9. Four other European countries - Spain at No. 2, Italy No. 4, Türkiye No. 6 and Lithuania No. 8 - are ahead of the Germans but will not be playing in Lausanne. World number 3 France and 5th-ranked Serbia are also at the U19 World Cup this summer.
Anderson and co. are ready to show what Germany has coming up.
Top tier wold class talent
"We have proven that we have top tier world class talent in our youth programs, and it will be amazing for all of us to again display it against the best, including the Americas this time," he said.
And in front of a global audience.
FIBA