Pic credit: Ladler-Photography

There were 5 seconds left with the contest dead locked 89-89 in Germany´s second game at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament and Slovenia had controlled the game for more than 3 quarters. Germany had showed their immense fighting qualities and staged a major comeback in the fourth quarter. The play before they had buckled together as a team and made the biggest stop of the game. Now they had the game in their hands and could end with the last shot. The in bounds was on the right wing. FC Bayern Munich wing Caspar Vossenberg took the ball and fed Skyliner Jamie Edoka (195-G-2008) on the baseline. Edoka was so focused and had little time. It was pretty obvious that he would take full responsibility and take the matter into his own hands. He took the ball on the baseline, but didn´t have a clear route to the basket as there was a 205cm wall with Martin Cizej in front of him. However Edoka used some physicality in his drive sweeping his defender back and then made a step back jumper that didn´t see net, but actually hit the side rim, then bounced back to the back board and fell in. That moment felt like an eternity, but that shot sealed the win and Germany was 2-0. “We wanted to get some one a good look. I got the ball and had the confidence that I could make it. I was a little nervous when I saw the ball bounce on the rim, but so much more happy when it went in. That shot ranks as one of my biggest shots in my career so far”, smiled Jamie Edoka. 6 days later they stood in the final and after 40 minutes were the 2026 Albert Schweitzer winner with an exceptional 7-0 record. “I was just so happy when the buzzer sounded in the final for the win. We had made it reaching our goal of winning after so much hard work”, stressed Jamie Edoka.

Germany played Bahrain first and used it as a warm up destroying the Asian team 116-59. They totally controlled the boards 55-31 and had 6 players score in double figures led by Lucai Anderson with 16 points. “This game was perfect for us getting into the tournament. We all came pretty much from different teams so this opening game allowed us to find a feeling for each other”, said Jamie Edoka. His teammate Dusan Ilic was an immense spark plug scoring 12 points in the big win. “He was great to have coming from the bench. He has a great shot and can create well for others. He always gave us good fresh wind from the bench”, added Jamie Edoka. Germany next faced Slovenia and had their toughest challenge of the tournament. Germany started slow and had to play catch up basketball for most of the game. Germany picked up the intensity in the fourth quarter at both ends and won it with the masterful game winner by Jamie Edoka. “This game taught us how to fight back and deal with adversity. In this game, we created will and a mind set to win that would help us until the final”, warned Jamie Edoka. Germany controlled the boards again 41-33 with 16 offensive rebounds and had 4 guys score in double figures. Lucal Anderson was top scorer with 16 points and nailed big three´s when Germany needed it in their come back. Caspar Vossenberg added 13 points and was one of those silent hero´s during the tournament stepping up in so many ways. “He is a player that can drive and shoot. He always gave us great energy and had a big motor. He was one of our most vital players coming from the bench”, stated Jamie Edoka. Germany next faced Turkey where many Turkish fans showed up adding to a beautiful atmosphere. Germany was in control in the first half, but had a horrible third quarter being outscored 24-4, but retreated in the fourth quarter demonstrating that they can flip the switch at any time exploding for 29 points and winning easily 95-80. “This game showed just how well we could play together as a team when we needed it most in the fourth quarter”, added Jamie Edoka. Germany once again dominated the boards 44-26 and offensive rebounds 20-8 and shot a potent 46% from outside. Germany was led by Lucai Anderson with 26 points and had 4 players in double figures. Fin Borczanowski had a solid game of 13 points, but was in the shadow of Lucai Anderson´s brilliant scoring game. “Fin is a big athletic wing with a good drive and shot. He also did a really good job on defense”, commented Jamie Edoka.

pic credit: Ladler Photography

Germany then faced Sweden in the fourth game and won 91-56. After a tight first quarter, Germany then played consistent ball in the last 3 quarters averaging 22 points and allowing only 11 points on the way to a comfortable victory. Germany led by as much as 35 points and won the rebound duel 61-32. They also forced them to 6/37 shooting from outside. “Sweden had 1-2 good shooters, but they couldn´t match our athleticism. We totally dominated them on the rebound”, expressed Jamie Edoka. Germany spread the love around with scoring once again totaling 5 players in double figures led by Edoka´s 15 points. Orange Academy big man Felix Kiehlneker had a great game of 12/13. “Felix has a really good feel for the game. He is a really good rebounder at both ends and is always a lob threat”, said Jamie Edoka. The German domination continued against Japan winning 103-78. After a tight first quarter, Germany then exploded for 62 points in the second and third quarters paving the win. “The game against Japan was similar to our game against Sweden. We were bigger, more athletic and ran more. We also dominated the rebound. We focused on us and not on them”, warned Jamie Edoka. Germany was led by Caspar Vossenberg with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again easily 61-32 with 20 offensive rebounds. Germany was 5-0 and now met Brazil in the semi-finals. Was any one going to stop them? Germany witnessed a tight scoring first half leading 51-50, but stepped it up in the third quarter exploding for 31 points and took it up another notch in the last frame with 39 points winning 121-98. Did Germany make any major adjustments in the second half? We didn´t really. It just took some time to really to get into a flow. Our self confidence was always there”, stated Jamie Edoka. Anderson and Edoka combined for 47 points as Anderson led all scorers with 26 points. “Lucai is an outstanding shooter. He also hits crazy shots. When both of us were on the court, the opponents defense always had to watch us. If I drove, it spread the floor and kept him open. We relied and trusted him to make shots. He has a lot of potential. Finding a role in a tournament like this is tough, but he got more and more comfortable in each game”, said Jamie Edoka. Germany won the rebound battle again 40-24, shot 42% from outside and only coughed up the ball 9 times.

Pic credit: Ladler-Photography

The final was a close battle against Slovenia. Germany led 46-38 at the break, but in the second half Slovenia led briefly until Germany got the lead back and never looked back despite winning the second half only 41-37. “I think that the difference was that our will was bigger than theirs. Plus we had great fan support. It was an up and down game with many runs. We had the last run. Our self-confidence was so great that it helped us to win”, expressed Jamie Edoka. Germany was led by Edoka with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again 49-36. “Our biggest strength was our pace in this tournament. We were able to hit shots and our offense was great, but no one could stop our fast break”, warned Jamie Edoka. After the win, coach Alan Ibrahimagic was greeted with a massive shower in the dressing room. Edoka unfortunately missed any further celebrations that night because he left early to attend the annual Skyliners gala in Frankfurt. The German who lists Thomas Acunzo of Italy, Maks Ciperle of Slovenian and Vazquez Dos Santos of Brazil as players that impressed him most during the tournament had a great week averaging 14/5/3 stats and was named MVP and to the all-tournament team. “I was content with my play. It took some time to find out exactly how I should play, but I´m flexible and did exactly what the team needed from me”, stressed Jamie Edoka. He played against 6 different nations and against the best youth players on earth which helped his game make another step. “I feel like I had the ability to watch and see exactly what the team always needed. I didn´t only score, but was a playmaker, rebounder or defender whenever the team needed it”, warned Jamie Edoka. It was the first time that he played for head coach Alan Ibrahimagic and was able to learn so much in such a short time. “He is a really good coach. I was able to really notice at what kind of level his coaching is. He didn´t scout the opponent, but moreover only focused on us. Nobody averaged m ore than 20 minutes. He had so much trust in every player”, warned Jamie Edoka. It was an amazing week for Germany and Edoka and just another stepping stone in the German prospect´s career.