Ulm's Mayor, Martin Ansbacher, lauds Ratiopharm Ulm's impressive season as "spectacular."
In the heart of Germany, the city of Ulm has been buzzing with excitement following Ratiopharm Ulm's extraordinary season. Despite a narrow loss in the championship game, the team has left an indelible mark on the easyCredit BBL and beyond.
Mayor Martin Ansbacher, in a letter of congratulations, praised the Ulm team for their exceptional performance in the championship game. He expressed sympathy for their disappointment but emphasised that they should be proud of their achievements. The loss, described as "extremely narrow," was almost unbelievable, according to Ansbacher, and it was the "crucial moments" like these that make sports so captivating.
The season's motto, "Can you feel it?", certainly resonated with the fans, who acted as the "sixth man" in the arena, providing an electric atmosphere throughout the games. This sensational home record was a testament to the team's strong bond with the city and its people.
Ratiopharm Ulm's journey to the finals was marked by notable performances from standout player Karim Jallow. He led the team with crucial performances, including a game where he scored 26 points against FIT/One Würzburg Baskets. Jallow was also named the Domestic Player of the Year in the easyCredit BBL for his exceptional contributions.
The season was a significant one for the club, with two of its players, Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue, being drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft. This milestone underscores the team's ability to nurture talent and its growing reputation as a feeder team for the NBA.
With talents like Jallow and the emergence of younger players like Saraf and Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm is poised to remain competitive in the future. The team's championship ambitions are clear, with their recent run to the finals indicating a strong desire to win titles in the coming seasons.
The city of Ulm and its people have been proud to see their team represent them in German and international basketball. Ulm's recognition and respect in international basketball are the result of years of dedicated work. Fans and sponsors remain loyal to the club, and this loyalty was evident in the invitation for a friendly match against the Portland Trail Blazers, highlighting Ulm's importance in international basketball.
As the season comes to a close, Ansbacher thanked the team on behalf of the people of Ulm for their outstanding representation of the city. He praised the team for a "magnificent" season and looked forward to the next season with a strong Ulm team. The arena is expected to have a magnificent atmosphere in the next season, as the city continues to rally behind its beloved team.
In five years, five young players have made it from Ratiopharm Ulm to the NBA via the draft, a testament to the team's commitment to nurturing talent and its success in the sporting world. As the team prepares for the next season, the people of Ulm can be confident that their team will continue to make them proud, both on and off the court.
Theloss in the championship game, despite being extremely narrow, has further emphasized the captivating nature of sports, especially basketball in the NBA. Ratiopharm Ulm's notable performances and the drafting of Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue in the NBA Draft underscore the team's growing reputation as a feeder team for the NBA, proving that they are poised to continue dominating the sport of basketball, not only in Germany but also in the international arena.
