MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg have become regulars in the Basketball Champions League and also with good success - finishing third in 2021-22 and fourth in 2017-18 and competing in five of the seven seasons over the life of the competition. Ludwigsburg also have made major strides in developing more and more talent over the years.

"It's an honor to be part of the first edition of the Youth Basketball Champions League and we are super excited to be traveling to Bursa in April, competing at such a high level. It will be a great challenge for our U18 team and an incredible experience for our players and coaches, as we are expecting tough competition and games that will really help our team to grow and develop."

- Timo Probst, Youth Coordinator of the club's youth team Porsche Basketball-Akademie

History of the Program | Domestic Success

U19
Quarter-Finals 2018, 2019 

U18
1st in 2012
3rd in 2014

U16
1st in 2015
3rd in 2011
3rd in 2018

Recent Youth Developments

Ludwigsburg was one of the first programs in Germany to have a full-time youth coach back in 1989 with Cäsar Kiersz. But the club’s efforts to improve its youth develop took off in 2009 when Ludwigsburg started their academy with most of the facilities already existing, including two schools, two gyms, outside courts, an outdoor sports stadium, a weight room and cafeterias. The club received access to a new dormitory with monitored living assistance for minors to help their young players who were still in school. The facility allowed Ludwigsburg to attract players outside the region as well. On the court, the club took a major jump in their youth development curve came on January 28, 2020 when the youth team - BSG Ludwigsburg - secured first place in the 2nd Regionalliga fifth division to earn promotion to the fourth division (1st Regionalliga). After taking 11 years to go from the 2nd Regionalliga to the 1st Regionalliga, Ludwigsburg had to wait a full season to play in the fourth division as the 2020-21 season was not played due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite using a youth team - essentially a group of U19 players - Ludwigsburg finished 2nd in the league and then made the major jump to the third division ProB. This season in the ProB, Ludwigsburg are playing with an U21 team and have already secured their spot in the league for the upcoming season.

YBCL Player to Watch

Esli Edigin | 2005 | SG

Edigin is averaging 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.6 steals in the German U19 NBBL league. He is also collecting 8.4 points on 43.1 percent three-point shooting, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 19 minutes in the third division ProB. He moved to Ludwigsburg from Rhöndorf this past summer and played in Brose Bamberg’s youth ranks. His older brother Eddy Edigin plays for Ludwigsburg’s pro team. Esli was named Best Defensive Player of the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp last summer. He contributed 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds for Germany at the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021. Edigin is a very good athlete and good on-ball defender. He has improved his three-point shot since arriving in Ludwigsburg, but still must develop as a ball-handler and decision-maker.

Program Alumni

Jacob Patrick | Ariel Hukporti | Lukas Herzog | Johannes Patrick | Besnik Bekteshi | Stefan Ilzhöfer | Tyreese Blunt | Alessio Calamita | Quirin Emanga | Robert Zinn

Jacob Patrick already has a long history with Ludwigsburg, playing with the club’s youth ranks since his father John Patrick took over as Ludwigsburg’s head coach in 2013. Jacob, who was born in Göttingen, made his professional debut in the German league playoffs bubble in 2020, becoming the fourth youngest player in league history and the youngest player to ever score at 16 years 6 months 19 days (a record that has since been eclipsed). Patrick also played 12 games in the BCL in 2021-22 as an 18-year-old.

Jacob Patrick with MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg at the Basketball Champions League Final Four in 2022.