FC Bayern Basketball has a new centre. Transfers also announced by Hamburg Towers and s.Oliver Würzburg.
The FC Bayern basketball team has signed US centre Freddie Gillespie. As the Munich Bundesliga club announced on Monday, Gillespie signed a two-year contract. The 25-year-old first played in the NBA for the Orlando Magic last season and later in the G League for Memphis Hustle. Gillespie made a total of 29 appearances in the NBA, 20 of them in his first professional season in 2020/2021 for the Toronto Raptors.
“What I’m going to bring is first and foremost my mentality of wanting to get the most out of every situation; rebounding, defence, defending the ring, setting screens, going to the offensive rebound and my physicality,” explains the 6-foot-6 Gillespie.
“Freddie is a young, very promising player who will provide us with a huge presence with his physical skills in the zone and defending the ring,” found Munich sport director Daniele Baiesi.
Kotsar leaves Hamburg – Welp to Würzburg
Maik Kotsar, meanwhile, will leave Veolia Towers Hamburg. After two years, the Estonian national player is moving to Spain to join top club Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz. Kotsar, who last played against the German team in the World Cup qualifiers, averaged 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in the past BBL season.
Bundesliga rivals s.Oliver Würzburg have signed the son of European champion Christian Welp for two years. Collin Welp (23) comes from the University of California in Irvine, the Lower Franconians announced on Monday. “We were looking for a young German player with a lot of potential. Collin played both big positions in college and is a good all-rounder with a solid shot,” said Kresimir Loncar, Manager Sport and Scouting in Würzburg. Welp, who was born in Seattle, only recently received a German passport.
His father Christian had thrown the German national team in the 1993 European Championship final in Munich against Russia to win its only title to date. Six years ago, the former NBA professional died after a heart attack. Collin Welp (2.06 m) can play as a centre and power forward.