Ludwigsburg's Schwachhofer helped out by 3x3 game

BURSA (Turkey) - Sebastian Schwachhofer came to the Youth Basketball Champions League with the title as reigning continental champion, having helped Germany win the FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup 2022. And the Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg big man admits the 3x3 game really helped him develop his 5x5 skills.

Schwachhofer teamed up with Ludwigsburg teammate Simon Feneberg as well Fabian Giessmann and Tebbe Moeller to win the 3x3 crown last summer. Giessmann threw down a dunk with 37 seconds left as Germany beat Latvia 21-20 in the Final for the country's first podium finish in the discipline.

"One of the greatest memories I like to repeat in my mind over and over again is when Fabian made the final point for the win and we all just ran on the court, hugged each other and laid on the floor because we all were so exhausted but happy," Schwachhofer remembered.

Schwachhofer has contributed 5.8 points and 6.3 rebounds to Ludwigsburg's efforts at the YBCL, including scoring 4 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the team's sole win against Bnei Herzliya. Schwachhofer said his game has improved significantly thanks to the things he learned playing 3x3 basketball.

"Playing 3x3 basketball can be a great way to develop and work on specific skills," he said. "Since there are fewer players on the court with you, you can't rely on somebody else to help you defending your player. And this goes for many aspects of the game.

"In order to adapt to this you have to learn to play good defense against any position by yourself and be independent in general. These improved skills then be directly translated to 5x5 basketball."

Schwachhofer has excelled for Ludwigsburg in the German U19 NBBL league, averaging 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals. And the team is still in the hunt for the NBBL Final Four.

Back in the YBCL, the victory over Herzliya meant Schwachhofer and Ludwigsburg would be playing in the Classification 5-8 with the hopes of finishing as high as fifth place. The center said it would be a solid result for Ludwigsburg.

"A win in an international tournament like this would be an opportunity to show everybody that Ludwigsburg should be looked at as a big name in basketball and would draw attention to the club," he said. "I also feel like this would improve the reputation of German basketball in general since I believe that many people still underrate it."

Even though Schwachhofer is the reigning European 3x3 U17 champion.