By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
National coach Alex Mumbru has narrowed Germany’s focus for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers by naming a concise 15-player squad, solidifying plans after initial widespread availability from top leagues.
His selections were announced by the German Basketball Federation, DBB, on Tuesday.
The announcement shifts the reigning world and European champions from broad summer expectations into direct tactical preparation, scheduled to begin on Monday in Hamburg.
While earlier updates projected a heavily NBA-centric roster potentially featuring seven North American players, the final selection includes three crucial pillars from the United States, including captain Dennis Schroder, alongside Tristan da Silva and Isaiah Hartenstein. Younger NBA talents like Ariel Hukporti, Christian Anderson Jr., and Hannes Steinbach will not feature in this window, with ALBA Berlin’s Jack Kayil removed as well. The Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz, remain unavailable as previously indicated.
Instead, Mumbru has struck a formidable balance by leaning on experienced EuroLeague depth. This approach is reinforced by a veteran core comprising seven World Cup champions from 2023 and eight EuroBasket champions from 2025. EuroLeague standouts like Daniel Theis, Isaac Bonga, Maodo Lo, Johannes Thiemann, Oscar da Silva, David Kramer, and Andreas Obst made the list. Kay Bruhnke, Malte Delow, Kostja Mushidi, Louis Olinde, and Nelson Weidemann were called up as well.
The squad will first test its chemistry at the Turkish Airlines Supercup in Hamburg on August 21 and 22, before diving into Group K play. Currently carrying a comfortable 5-1 record, Germany is well-positioned inside the top-three qualifying zone for next summer’s tournament in Qatar.
The finalized roster will immediately put Mumbru’s competitive vision into practice during the upcoming FIBA window. They will host the Netherlands at Cologne’s Lanxess Arena on August 27, followed by a demanding away matchup against Poland in Gdansk on August 30.
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