National player Justus Hollatz signs with Bayern Basketball until 2028

Justus Hollatz Joins Bayern Basketball Until 2028

FC Bayern Basketball has secured a long-anticipated signing: national player Justus Hollatz, 23, is moving from Turkish EuroLeague contender Efes Istanbul to the German champions. The point guard's contract extends beyond this season for an additional three years, running until 2028. Born in Hamburg, Hollatz was part of the German national team that won the sensational 2023 World Championship under head coach Gordon Herbert. While Hollatz cannot participate in the EuroLeague this season due to transfer regulations, he joined his first training session at the BMW Park on Thursday.

"A Prototype of a Modern Point Guard"

"We’re all very happy that we were able to bring Justus in," said FC Bayern Basketball’s sports director, Dragan Tarlac. "We see him as another key piece for the long-term development of our team, focused on having the best German national players outside the NBA." Tarlac added: "Justus is a perfect addition to our guard rotation and brings good size for the position. He’s the prototype of a modern point guard. He already knows the coach and several teammates from the national team – and thanks to our excellent team chemistry, he will adapt quickly. Justus now has the chance to earn significant playing time in the BBL and showcase his great talent in Munich."

Most recently, Hollatz played for Anadolu Efes Istanbul. | © Moschandreou

"I Want to Take the Next Steps with Bayern"

Justus Hollatz, who has already completed all checks, expressed his excitement: "I’m really, really happy to be here in Munich and back in Germany. Bayern Munich is a global brand, and representing it feels great. My goal is clear: to win titles, develop as a player, and bring things to the team that it might still need. I’m coming from a situation where I played less, so now playing is the priority—integrating into the team and attacking in the BBL. I already know Gordie [Gordon Herbert] and many of the players, which, along with the great prospects of this club, are all reasons why I’m here. I’ve been following Bayern’s development for years, and I like what I see. I’m glad to be part of it now and want to take the next steps with Bayern, both personally and as a team. Along the way, I want to take on responsibility."

In 2019, Hollatz, then just 17, became a key rotation player as the Hamburg Towers were promoted to the easyCredit BBL. After three Bundesliga seasons (87 games, averaging 7.7 points and 5.6 assists) with Hamburg and 26 EuroCup appearances (averaging 8.2 points, 48% from three-point range, and 4.2 assists), he moved to Spain’s ACB league in 2022, joining CB Rio Breogán in Galicia. Competing in Europe’s toughest league, Hollatz averaged 7.9 points and 3.3 assists in about 24 minutes per game as a rookie.

Hollatz has already played 41 games for the German national team (DBB). | © basketball-bund.de

World Champion and European Championship Bronze Medalist under Gordon Herbert

The two-time EuroLeague champion Anadolu Efes acquired Justus Hollatz shortly before the 2023 season began, transferring him from EuroCup team Ljubljana. However, amidst the prominent guards in Istanbul, such as Shane Larkin, Rodrigue Beaubois, Elijah Bryant, Darius Thompson, and newly added Perry Dozier, the young German player had limited playing time, averaging just around nine minutes per game across 35 EuroLeague appearances. In the national Süper Lig, he was hardly used this season due to restrictions on foreign players (2023/2024: 13 games, 21 minutes per game, 7.1 points per game).

Hollatz made his debut for the German national team (DBB) at the age of 19 in February 2021. He contributed to the team’s bronze medal at the 2022 European Championship and played an important role in the team’s victory at the 2023 World Championship, being part of the core group of the successful national squad. In Munich, he will reunite with his national teammates, including head coach Gordon Herbert, Niels Giffey (who retired), Andi Obst, Oscar da Silva, Jo Voigtmann, and Nick Weiler-Babb.

JUSTUS HOLLATZ (*April 21, 2001, Hamburg)

Point Guard – 1.94 m – 95 kg

2017 – 2021: SC Rist Wedel (2nd Bundesliga ProB)
2017 – 2018: Piraten Hamburg (Youth Bundesliga NBBL)
2018 – 2022: Hamburg Towers (Dual license/BBL, EuroCup)
2022 – 2023: Club Baloncesto Rio Breogán (ACB)
2023 – Jan./2025: Anadolu Efes S.K. Istanbul

Achievements/Awards:

World Champion 2023
European Championship Bronze 2022
BBL Promotion 2019
ProA “Youngster of the Year” 2019
BBL “Youth Player of the Year” 2021, 2022

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