At just 15 years, nine months and 28 days, Kristian Ortelli of former series champions Brose Bamberg has set a record in the BBL.
The Bamberg teenager became the youngest player to be used since digital data was collected for the 1998/99 season by playing in Wednesday night’s 97-78 win in his own arena against s.Oliver Würzburg.
Shortly before the end of the Franconian derby, the point guard received final instructions from coach Oren Amiel, a pat on the back and was allowed to spend the last 40 seconds of the game on the floor. Martin Kalu (then Rasta Vechta) had set the previous youth best mark in the 20/21 season at 16 years and nine days.
Heckmann out for several months
The Bamberg team, meanwhile, had to cope with a setback in terms of personnel even before the game against Würzburg in front of 731 spectators. National player Patrick Heckmann will be out for several months due to foot surgery. The 29-year-old will also miss the two World Cup qualifiers against Israel (25 and 28 February). The winger has recently only been able to play under injections. Heckmann reportedly had an unstable bone fragment removed and a tendon reconstructed on the bone.