Paul Zipser said that he would "miss all the "crazy" people here" before his NBA adventure began. "FC Bayern has done so much for me, I came here injured and learned so much as a human being and a player, that's why I'll always be happy to come back." A good three years later, the now 25-year-old returns to the German champion as the Bayern basketball team has signed him for two years. The winger had matured into a Bundesliga and national player at the FCBB before he was picked 48th by the Chicago Bulls in the 2016 NBA draft. Last season, Zipser played for Burgos in the Spanish ACB after an injury break in January.
Player profile
"I'm very happy to be back in town with my club, where I know so many people, including players," said Paul Zipser on his return. "It will be a small new beginning for me, a second new start after almost two years with a foot injury, but now I am fit and healthy. We have a strong team and big goals. It's funny that I'm finally playing with Danilo (Barthel) again after one year at the ProA in Heidelberg."
Bayern Sports Director Daniele Baiesi said: "This is a kind of homecoming for Paul and he will now try again in Munich to reach the level he belongs in. Paul is very motivated and committed and will also strengthen the our team. With him, we'll get even more athleticism and versatility."
Matured as a national player in Munich, 98 NBA appearances
Until his change, the 6ft6 forward played 95 BBL games for Bayern (6 ppg) and 33 European Cup games (18 times EuroLeague, 4.7 ppg). In Chicago he received a two-year contract. In his first NBA season, he scored 5.5 points in 44 games and in the playoffs (against Boston) he increased the average to 7.3 points and 3.5 rebounds. Zipser wore the Bulls-Jersey 98 times in the NBA. In the summer of 2018 he cured a fatigue break in his foot before he was signed to CB San Pablo Burgos at the beginning of 2019 (16 games, 6.4 ppg).
Paul Zipser joined the Bavarians in January 2013 as an 18-year-old from Heidelberg. At first still injured and convalescing, "Paule" worked his way up to the professional team under coach Svetislav Pesic via the second team (then 1st Regionalliga Süd-Ost) and gradually moved into the rotation. In the 2014 play-off quarter-finals with the champions to be - Zipser suffered a serious knee injury.
After his comeback, the Heidelberg player finally developed into a regular. in 2015/2016 he averaged18 minutes, with 7.1 points and 3.6 rebounds. In 2016 he was voted best U22 player in the league and convinced as MVP of the "adidas Eurocamp" in Treviso. Previously, Zipser made his debut with the national team and was a ray of hope for the German team at the European Championship 2015 (5.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg).
In the meantime, he has 31 appearances in the DBB jersey, and this week he is preparing with the German squad for the World Cup in China (August 31st - September 15th), together with his Munich teammates Maodo Lo and Captain Barthel.
PAUL ZIPSER (*18 February 1994, Heidelberg)
Small forward - 6ft6 - 231 lbs
2010 - 2012: USC Heidelberg
Jan. 2013 - 2016: FC Bayern Basketball
2016 - 2018: Chicago Bulls
from Jan. 2019: CB San Pablo Burgos (ACB)
SUCCESSES/AWARDS:
All-Tournament Team Albert-Schweitzer-Tournament 2012
German Champion 2014
EM participation 2015
MVP adidas Eurocamp 2016
Best U22 junior player of the BBL 2016