Bayern Basketball have once again been successful in the transfer market, signing a US professional with NBA experience for the 2022/2023 season: Guard Cassius Winston, 24, moves from overseas to Munich to the EuroLeague quarterfinalist of the past two years. The playmaker was part of the squad of the Washington Wizards (29 games) in the past two seasons and also saw time in the NBA G League. He was drafted by Oklahoma in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, with the rights then going to the Wizards.
"I'm a real playmaker who knows how to win games and will just give it my all every night to do that. I always want to make the pass as a playmaker, but I want to score just as much - just do the right thing at every moment to win."
New Munich player Cassius Winston on his style of play
"Cassius is a true combo guard who can play both perimeter positions," Bayern Sports Director Daniele Baiesi characterized the latest addition. "With his skillset, he ideally adds playmaking, creativity and scoring to our existing backcourt. He has already tasted the NBA after topping the high-level program at Michigan State University. He already possesses a great basketball personality despite his young age."
Playmaker, scorer and NBA experienced
For Cassius Winston, who is currently getting in shape in his hometown of Detroit for the pre-season preparations that start in just over three weeks, it is naturally his first ever stay in Europe. "I'm very excited that it's about to start," says the 24-year-old, "because the best European basketball is played in the EuroLeague and I know there are great teams, arenas and a big fan base there."
One advisor in choosing his new club, according to Winston, was former NBA star and Bayern center Greg Monroe (2019 to Corona break/13.2 ppg), whose NBA comeback in January 2022 included playing two games for Washington and, like Winston, playing for its G League farm team (Capital City Go-Go).
Advisor Greg Monroe
"Greg spoke highly of the Bayern organization, the people there, the program and that they completely support you all day to get better," Winston says. How he characterizes himself as a player? "I'm a real playmaker who knows how to win games and who will just give everything every night to do that. I always want to make the pass as a playmaker, but I want to score just as much - just do the right thing at every moment to win."
The young leader, as mentioned by athletic director Baiesi, was already a leader at the high school level: In Detroit, he led his team to the 2016 MHSAA Class A State Championship and was named "Mr. Basketball of Michigan". The 6-foot-5 guard then played in the NCAA for the Michigan State University Spartans, where he was a starter as a sophomore.
With Michigan State in the NCAA Final Four
In his final two college years, his perfomance of 18.8 and 18.6 points per game (43% threes) and averages of 7.5 and 5.9 assists piqued the interest of NBA scouts. In 2019, Michigan State took him to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
Selected No. 53 overall in the 2020 draft, Cassius Winston received a so-called two-way contract in Washington, including a G League option. He made his NBA Development League debut in February 2021 for the Erie BayHawks of the New Orleans Pelicans; in his rookie season he made 22 short NBA appearances for the Wizards, up from seven last year.
In the NBA G League last season, Cassius Winston averaged 13.4 points and 5.1 assists. Most recently, the new Bayern guard played for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Summer League, where he averaged just under ten points and seven assists in five games.
CASSIUS WINSTON (*28. Februar 1998, Detroit/USA)
Point Guard/Shooting Guard – 6ft1 – 185 lb
Until 2016: University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy
2016 –2020: Michigan State University (NCAA)
2020 – 2022: Washington Wizards (NBA),
Erie BayHawks, Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League)
Awards/achievements
NBA Draft 2020 Pick Nr. 53
Second All-American Team 2019, 2020 (NCAA)
Big-Ten Conference Player of the Year 2019
First Team Big-Ten Conference 2019, 2020
Preseason All-American 2019
Third Team Big-Ten Conference 2018
Mr. Basketball of Michigan 2016
MHSAA Class A State Championship 2016 (High School)
(c) AP, Getty Images, USA Today