Basketball should be greatful to the Albert Schweitzer tournament

In 1958, the idea was born by Hans-Joachim Babiesto to establish in Mannheim, Germany, a great tournament for youth basketball players worldwide.

The former national coach and DBB honorary member, Hermann "Pascha" Niebuhr, asked for permission of Dr. Albert Schweitzer to name the tournament after the famous missionary and doctor. The Albert Schweitzer tournament has developed to be the greatest and best patronised basketball tournament in the world for juniors.

For years there has been a waiting list for nations who hope to be considered for an invitation. The organisational performance could not be more exemplary and the alliance between DBB, US-Army and the city of Mannheim meets all the requirements of the tournament. The sponsors, without whom a tournament of this magnitude would not be feasible, also play an important role.

The 24th Albert Schweitzer tournament meeting of 16 outstanding junior teams from around the world, starts in Mannheim on Saturday. Favourites to win are the US Americans, who have already won 10 of the previous 23 tournaments, and it will inevitably be to the delights of the many American spectators, mostly soldiers of the US-Army and other members.

Many club coaches and scouts from Europe and the NBA are expected to attend.

Since 1998 the winners have come from Europe, including Spain, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey and France. But the USA are now plannning to send players from national teams and coach Lionel Hollins wants to start a new winning streak at the anniversary tournament. The following groups have been drawn:

GROUP A: Turkey, Germany,Sweden, The Netherlands.
GROUP B: Spain, Argentina, Croatia, New Zealand.
GROUP C: Russia, Italy, Australia, Canada.
GROUP D: USA, Greece, France, Isreal.

The final will be played on Saturday week, March 29, at 4pm (CET) in the US Arena in Mannheim.

Some famous names have left their “calling cards” at the tournament over the years - Magic Johnson in 1977, the famous 2.20m centre Arvidas Sabonis from Lithuania followed in 1981. And the list of players who actually played the tournament before becoming stars of the game is very impressive - Toni Kukoc, Drazen Petrovic, Dino Radja, Valeri Tikhonenko, Igor Miglinieks, Antonello Riva, Juan San Epifanio, NBA star B.J. Armstrong and in 1993 Tim Duncan, triple NBA-champion with San Antonio Spurs.

In 1994 it was Vince Carter, NBA Slam Dunk champion in 2000 and member of the US gold medal team at the summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. In the same year NBA cracks Mehmet Okur (Turkey, Utah jazz), Hidayet Turkoglu (Turkey, Orlando Magic) and Darius Songaila (Lithuania, Chicago Bulls) all signed in. And in 2000 Tony Parker, triple NBA champion with San Antonio Spurs and a member of the French roster.

Fittingly, it was Dirk Nowitzki, member of the 1996 German team and now an NBA star with the Dallas Mavericks, who described his impressions in welcoming visitors to the 50th Anniversary tournament.

The Albert Schweitzer tournament is a very big step in the career of many young players. So it was for me when I played with the German national team in 1996.

I have many positive memories of the great atmosphere in the gyms and I can say that the AST has taken me a lot further. For the 50th anniversary I send my congratulations to the city of Mannheim, the US Army and the German Basketball Federation who make this tournament the success it is.

I'm sure the AST will continue to be a very important platform for young players in Germany and from all over the world. I'm excited to see which big talents the AST 2008 is going to bring out. Perhaps I will meet them some time here in the NBA.