Returning for a fourth season as the starting center for ratiopharm Ulm, Maksym Shtein has established himself as a premiere post player in the 2.Bundesliga South.  A 6'9 power player from Odessa in the Ukranie, Max brings a unique mix of skill and physical play to the Ulm post. 

Last season, Max rated as Ulm's most efficient player according to league Efficiency ratings while averaging 15.5ppg and a team best 7.1reb a game.  Max made a team best 56.4% of his shots from the floor and was the third best free throw shooter at 65.8%.  During his strong 2005-2006 seasons, Shtein played big in the 81-75 home win over USC Heidelberg scoring 22pts with 8reb on November 6th, 2004.  Max dominated over a midseason weekend posting back to back double doubles with 16pts 14reb in a 100-78 win at Crailsheim Friday January 14th, 2005 and following it up with 17pts 11reb in the teams 96-87 road win at Breitengussbach Sunday January 16th, 2005.  Shtein also finished the season strong leading Ulm in scoring for 5 straight games in March before a season best 25pt performance in the teams season finale April 30th, 2005 in a 91-76 home win over Breitengussbach. In 2003-2004, Max averaged a strong 15.4ppg with 6.8rpg for Ulm.  Regarded as one of the best inside scorers in the league, Max lead the 2.Bundesliga South that season in field goal percentage at 63.9%.  Shtein led ratiopharm Ulm in scoring 8 times in 2003-2004 including a tremendous 29 point 5 rebound night in the German Cup loss to Karlsruhe and a 27 point outburst against TuS Jena on Feb 21st, 2004.  Max also came up big for Ulm when it counted scoring 26 points and making clutch free throws in the first classic Tubingen game.  One of Ulm's most consistent players over the last two seasons, Max is expected to remain as a dominant inside scoring presence for the team this season. "Thunder Max" has started the 2005-2006 strong with an excellent preseason including a team leading 22pt game againt Belgian Champ and ULEB Cup team Euphony Bree in the Fritz & Macziol Cup and a 13pt 11reb double double against Bundesliga Walter Tigers Tubingen in the Fritz & Macziol Championship game.  He followed up the Fritz & Macziol Cup with a tremendous run in the Michelin Cup played at Karlsruhe where Shtein was named tournament MVP.   During the offseason, Shtein spends enjoyable time in Israel, a place he loves to visit.  With family in Stuttgart, Max sees his mother, younger brother Mischa and uncles as much as possible.  Shtein also prepares well for his future working for Waitzinger Incorporated during the day time while in Ulm. Look for more big things from Big number 15!