Shock moment in the BBL
Bayern star unconscious after attempted dunking
03/03/2022, 06:45 am
Bayern Munich celebrates the next home win in the basketball Bundesliga, but worries about its player Nick Weiler-Babb. The 26-year-old fell heavily on his head after attempting a dunk, lost consciousness and had to be treated for several minutes.
The return of national player Paul Zipser for the Bayern Munich basketball team has been pushed into the background by a serious accident involving teammate Nick Weiler-Babb. The American fell to the ground after a dunk attempt at the 86:75 (28:46) of the Bundesliga leaders against the Hamburg Towers, was temporarily unconscious and had to be transported from the floor on a stretcher. According to a statement from the club late in the evening, the examinations in the hospital revealed a severe concussion.
“We’re lucky that we don’t have to comment on the next tragedy, albeit on a smaller scale,” said Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri before the diagnosis. “A player shouldn’t touch an opponent in the air. It’s dangerous. The referees should at least look at it.” Wardens had screened off the doctors’ treatment with towels for onlookers. A few minutes after the incident, Bayern informed MagentaSport that the American was conscious again.
Zipser back after brain surgery
With the victory, the 28-year-old from Zipser returned after a long rehabilitation phase and was back on the floor for the first time since his brain operation in June 2021. The ex-NBA pro came on for the last 15 seconds of the third quarter to applause but ultimately stopped playing. “It’s a blessing that we’re seeing him back on the floor,” said Bayern coach Trinchieri ahead of the game at Magenta Sport.
In the first half, Bayern were still dominated by the guests. Hamburg’s Caleb Homesley scored 25 points there, including 16 in the last three minutes before half-time. So the Towers had rushed to 46:28. At the beginning, Weiler-Babb fell hard on the floor. Thanks to an 11-0 start in the second half, Munich found their rhythm. The hosts reduced the lead to 58:60 before the final section and turned the game around with an 11:0 run in the fourth round.
Both teams made a mark of peace against the Russian invasion of Ukraine by wearing ‘No More War’ t-shirts during the warm-up and on the bench. In addition, the players presented a banner with the same inscription before kick-off.