ratiopharm Ulm News Taylorhoops.com Ulm Update Wednesday April 29, 2009

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Wednesday April 29, 2009

BUNDESLIGA AWARDS!

ratiopharm Ulm was well represented in the official Bundesliga Awards announced earlier this week. During the successful season, ratiopharm Ulm earned their first Bundesliga playoff berth and enter Thursdays home game against Bremerhaven with a 20-12 record.  The team success has led to individual recognition as All Star Power forward Jeff Gibbs was named First team All-Bundesliga and Ulm's 'Mr Incredible' finished second in MVP Voting behind Ewe Baskets Oldenburg point guard Jason Gardner.  ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year.  Head coach Mike Taylor finished third in Coach of the Year voting. 

Bundesliga Rookie of the Year Per Gunther

A rookie from Hagan, Per Gunther has been outstanding as a young playmaker for ratiopharm Ulm.  After starter Dru Joyce was injured in preseason, Per stepped into the starting lineup at the age of 20 and led ratiopharm Ulm to a road win over Bamberg and home win over Braunschweig. Per has averaged 4.7ppg 1.4ast in 15minpg while playing an important role in the ratiopharm Ulm attack. 

Meanwhile, three time Bundesliga All Star Jeff Gibbs leads ratiopharm Ulm in scoring and rebounding at 13.3ppg and 10.2reb. Jeff also ranks as the most efficient player according to official Bundesliga statistics at 18.44 and is first in double doubles with 14.  Jeff was named second team All Bundesliga in 2006-2007 and has earned his second consecutive first team All Bundesliga honor.

Satistically, ratiopharm Ulm has several players ranking among league leaders.  Entering their final two games of the regular season, Jeff Gibbs leads the Bundesliga in rebounding at 10.2 rebounds per game, Lee Humphrey (76) is second and Dan Fitzgerald (67) tied for fourth in three pointers made respectively and Dru Joyce leads the Bundesliga in assists per game at 4.6ast.

First team All-Bundesliga Jeff Gibbs

BBL-Awards:

Most Valuable Player: Jason Gardner (EWE Baskets Oldenburg)
Coach of the Year: John Patrick (MEG Göttingen)
Newcomer of the Year: Roderick Trice (MEG Göttingen)
Rookie of the Year: Per Günther (ratiopharm Ulm)
Best Offensive Player: Julius Jenkins (ALBA Berlin)
Best Defensive Player: Immanuel McElroy (ALBA Berlin)

All-BBL-First-Team:
Point Guard: Jason Gardner (EWE Baskets Oldenburg)
Shooting Guard: Julius Jenkins (ALBA Berlin)
Small Forward: Rickey Paulding (EWE Baskets Oldenburg)
Power Forward: Jeff Gibbs (ratiopharm Ulm)
Center: Chris Ensminger (Paderborn Baskets)

All-BBL-Second-Team:
Point Guard: Kyle Bailey (MEG Göttingen)
Shooting Guard: Roderick Trice (MEG Göttingen)
Small Forward: Immanuel McElroy (ALBA Berlin)
Power Forward: Predrag Suput (Brose Baskets)
Center: Rasko Katic (WALTER Tigers Tübingen)

EUROLEAGUE FINAL FOUR!

ratiopharm Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor will travel to Berlin Friday morning for a fantastic weekend of basketball at the Euroleague Final Four.  Competing for the Euroleague Championship, this season's Euroleague Final Four will be played at the beautiful new O2 World Arena, home of ALBA Berlin. 

ratiopharm Ulm head coach Mike Taylor with the ALBA Berlin mascot at a Euroleague game earlier this season at O2 World Arena in Berlin.

In Friday's first Semifinal, Regal Barcelona tips off against CSKA Moscow at 6pm before the two Greek rivals Olympiacos and Panathinaikos battle at 9pm.  Sunday May 3rd, the consolation game begins at 5pm and the Euroleague Championship game tips off at 8pm Central European time.

click here for official website of the Euroleague

Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!

GO ULM!

MIKE T