Ratiopharm Ulm has pulled off a minor coup following the departure of Christian Sengfelder. The Swabian club has signed Michael Rataj from Alba Berlin.
As announced by the 2023 German champions, Rataj has signed a two-year contract with the Danube-based club. The 22-year-old had only recently made his debut with the national team, playing his first minutes as a national team member in the game against Latvia in Riga. He scored six points in 19 minutes.
Alba had recently expressed optimism that they could keep the young player. He had put in strong performances in the playoffs after joining the Berlin team just last April. The forward had initially finished his college season, where he most recently played for the Baylor Bears.
“We would have liked to keep Michael with us. We wish him nothing but the best for his future,” Alba’s sports director, Himar Ojeda, is quoted as saying in a statement.
Before his time in college, Rataj had already played in Ulm, appearing in three Bundesliga games and six EuroCup games.” “Following his outstanding college career and the championship with Alba Berlin, this is a significant signing for us,” said Coach Ty Harrelson. “Michael is a versatile offensive player who is capable of scoring both in the paint and from the three-point line.”
Rataj: Is Ulm a stepping stone to the NBA?
In Ulm, Rataj now hopes to fulfill his big dream: a chance in the NBA. The Swabians have served as a stepping stone for several young players in the past, and their youth development center, the OrangeAcademy, enjoys an excellent reputation throughout Europe.
This signing is also important for Ulm, as captain Christian Sengfelder unexpectedly left the team last week, leaving a gap in the German rotation and in the frontcourt in general.
