pic credit: Angel Media

It was the last pre season game for the 2026-2027 season for the EPG Baskets Koblenz and one could say that the team closed out the game in real style not just beating possible playoff team PS Karlsruhe, but destroying them 104-74. I have watched countless games with EPG Baskets Koblenz sport director Thomas Klein the last years and have witnessed many kinds of moods from positive to negative, but after the buzzer sounded, I saw a guy who seemed surprised. I mean this is a guy who loves the team over everything as his passion and love is tremendous, but to defeat a team like PS Karlsruhe was seemingly un heard of. After the game, he was all smiles and hugging the players as if they had won their first ever playoffs game, as he proclaimed we are ready for the season. “We gave really good energy in the first quarter which was clear by the score after 10 minutes. Our good defense was key for us having the big lead. We let up in the second quarter with less defensive intensity and no structure on offense. However we came back in the second half and totally dominated. It was a big win”, smiled German forward Jannis Sonnefeld (207-PF-2002, agency: LHZ Sport Agency). The team always had good offensive players in the last 3 Pro A seasons, but this season, there is something different that wasn´t there in the past. “The difference this season is that we are all versatile. Everyone can score, shoot and are athletic. We have 6-7 guys who cans core in double figures on any night. We have good ball movement and have that unselfishness in our games. We have aggressive defenders on ball and we all know to help. We strive to play good team defense”, stressed Jannis Sonnefeld.

The 23 year old 207cm forward who has easyCredit BBL experience with Bamberg and lists Euroleague star Mike James as his toughest opponent so far in his career is playing his second season with the EPG Baskets. The club had their best season in the Pro A last season finishing in 14th place and could of even finished better if they had learned to finish games better last season. They had some good character guys last season, but that we feeling instead of me feeling just wasn´t in place last season. This season the character of the team will be an important aspect in terms of if the team will have success or not. “I feel like we have a team filled with winners. We are more physical than last season with the additions of Chase Johnson and Camaron Tongue. Everyone can have the ball in their hands this season. Everyone is happy for the others success. It is really so much fun this season”, stated Jannis Sonnefeld. A big question this season for success will be how well can the club defend. The club defense has gotten worse each season in terms of how many points they gave up. In their debut Pro A season they allowed 80 points, while in the second season it rose to 87 points while last season it ballooned to 90 points. A big reason was the team´s hedge and recover where they were beat way too much on account of their lack of mobility and athleticism of their bigs. Also their 1-1 defense struggled time in and time out, because their was missing athleticism. A guy like defensive ace Devonte McCall did all he could, but there simply weren´t enough guys like him on the team. “We will be better in this area with Camaron Tongue and better on 1-1 defense with the physicality and athleticism of a player like Chase Johnson”, added Jannis Sonnefeld. The overall athleticism is improved this season which should lead to less points per game.

When you begin to name Sonnefeld´s new teammates, a big smile rolls over his face. The incredible things is all Americans are rookies and one never knows how well they will pan out? Will they make the adjustment smoothly to overseas ball or be released after a few months. When observing the pre season games against other Pro A teams, the newcomers Chase Johnson and Tyren Moore all have game. Not too mention veteran Dragos Diculescu of Romania. The others Jayden Williams, Camaron Tongue and Mason Kraus all have shown so far that they can be valuable players at the Pro A level. The EPG Baskets Koblenz have had good point guards the last seasons, but never one that had the leading qualities needed. Could Tyren Moore be that player? “Tyren is a real baller. At times, he doesn´t look quick, but he is so effective. He is so calm and leads us very well. He will be a good 1-2 defensive punch with Chase Johnson. He is very smart and reads the game so well”, warned Jannis Sonnefeld. The top 2 additions for me could truly be Chase Johnson who is a work horse at both ends and will be the defensive anchor while Dragos Diculescu is the definition of a real versatile player and ultimate vocal leader. “Chase brings so much energy at both ends. He is a real motor. The positive thing is when he makes pressure, we all follow him. He is also a really good character. He is trying to learn German. “Dragos could be our X-factor. His experience and IQ is so valuable for us. Even on the bench he helps everyone. He is a great leader”, warned Jannis Sonnefeld.

Even if Jannis Sonnefeld who takes himself in 1-1 battles in practice with teammate Jonas Niedermanner is only 23 years old, he has been blessed of already having much experience. He played a top 4 with Breitengussbach in the NBBL, played his first BBL game with Bamberg, received his first Pro A experience with Trier and had his Pro B break out season with Paderborn. Last season he played 27 Pro games with Koblenz averaging 4,8ppg and 3,0rpg in 15 minutes per game. It is only logical that he wants his game to grow further this season. “I want to make the next step this season with my game. I want to be able to double my stats from last season. I want to get more looks and also be more of a factor on the rebound”, stressed Jannis Sonnefeld. Being able to get more minutes could be in the cards this season especially since he started games in pre season. “I believe that I can get more minutes this season, but It doesn´t matter to me if I start or don´t. The most important thing is that I always have trust in coach”, warned Jannis Sonnefeld. He knows that in order to up his stats, he will have to improve certain things on his game. “My shot has to become more consistent and I also want to be more stable on my drive and finish with more consistency. I have to be more awake off ball and be quicker on ball”, warned Jannis Sonnefeld. One person who has been a big help since his arrival in 2025 has been the versatile and experienced Jonas Niedermanner. Has he been like a mentor for him? “Jonas isn´t necessarily a mentor, but he helps me a lot. He points certain things out like to keep doing the back door cut even if it isn´t happening in the plays. He is always pushing me and brings me up when I´m down”, stated Jannis Sonnefeld. The EPG Baskets Koblenz are a real interesting team to observe this season as every player will have their own story on the court. This could be a ground breaking season for Jannis Sonnefeld who will give his 2 cents and more to the success of the EPG Baskets Koblenz this season.