It's a weird time to be a hoops fan in Munich. Honestly, if you looked at the FC Bayern basketball roster just a few months ago, you’d see a completely different vibe than what’s currently hitting the hardwood at the SAP Garden. The team has been through a blender. We saw Gordon Herbert, the man who led Germany to World Cup gold, leave the head coaching post just weeks ago in December 2025. Now? Svetislav Pesic is back. The legend. The 76-year-old who basically built the foundation of this modern era is back to steady the ship for the 2025-26 season.
It’s not just the coaching. The player turnover has been dizzying. One minute Spencer Dinwiddie is the big-name savior in the backcourt, and the next, he's mutually parting ways with the club. It leaves you wondering: who is actually left to carry the load?
The New Backcourt Reality
The biggest news hitting the wire right now is the arrival of Nenad “Neno” Dimitrijevic. He’s a 27-year-old North Macedonian guard who basically fell into Bayern’s lap after Dinwiddie exited. He’s wearing number 0. If you haven't watched him, he’s a former VTB League MVP with Unics Kazan and spent time at Olimpia Milan. He’s a "Pesic guy"—gritty, high-IQ, and someone who can actually create his own shot when the shot clock is bleeding out.
But he’s not alone back there. Stefan Jovic is back for another stint, bringing that veteran Serbian floor general energy that Pesic loves. Then you have Andreas Obst. You know the name. The man who doesn't miss from the corner. He’s still the primary floor spreader, and his presence makes life ten times easier for the slashers.
The rest of the guard rotation is a mix of youth and "prove it" talent:
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- Justus Hollatz: The young German hope, signed through 2028.
- Kamar Baldwin: A scoring threat who can get hot in a hurry.
- Xavier Rathan-Mayes: A Canadian guard who adds some much-needed athleticism.
- Rokas Jokubaitis: Though he's been battling knee issues, he remains one of the highest-ceiling players on the team.
Size and the Frontcourt Puzzle
Bayern’s big men have had a rough go with injuries lately. Johannes Voigtmann is the anchor, but he’s been in and out of rehab training. When he's healthy, he's basically a seven-foot point guard. His ability to pass out of the post is what makes this offense click. Without him, things get a bit clunky.
To cover for the gaps, the front office had to scramble. They brought in David McCormack, an NCAA champion from Kansas, who previously spent time with ALBA Berlin and Milan. He’s a traditional banger in the paint. He’s joined by Wenyen Gabriel, whose NBA experience brings a level of verticality and shot-blocking that Bayern has lacked in previous seasons.
Then there’s Oscar da Silva. Coming from Barcelona, he’s sort of the Swiss Army knife for this roster. He can play the three or the four, switch onto guards, and he’s a Munich native. It’s a homecoming story that actually worked out.
The Veteran Glue: Lucic and Giffey
You can't talk about the FC Bayern basketball roster without mentioning Vladimir Lucic. He is the captain. The heart. The guy who will dive for a loose ball even if his knees are screaming. He’s 36 now, and while he isn't playing 30 minutes a night anymore, his leadership under Pesic is non-negotiable.
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Niels Giffey provides similar stability. Between Giffey and Lucic, you have two guys who have seen everything in European basketball. They don't panic when the EuroLeague crowds get loud in Belgrade or Athens.
Why the Recent Mid-Season Changes Matter
Most teams hate mid-season upheaval. Bayern, however, seems to thrive in the chaos. By bringing in Aleksa Radanov and Dimitrijevic, they've prioritized players who are familiar with the "Balkan school" of basketball that Pesic preaches. It’s a specific style: heavy on defense, disciplined in the half-court, and zero tolerance for mental lapses.
The departure of Dinwiddie might actually be a blessing in disguise for the team's chemistry. While he’s a talent, the EuroLeague is a different beast. It’s less about isolation and more about the "extra pass." Dimitrijevic fits that mold better. He’s hungry to prove he belongs at the top level after a stint in Russia.
What to Watch For Next
If you're following the team this season, keep an eye on the SAP Garden home games. The transition from the old BMW Park has changed the atmosphere, and the team is still figuring out their "home court" advantage there.
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- Watch the PG Rotation: How Pesic balances Jovic’s experience with Dimitrijevic’s scoring will decide their EuroLeague fate.
- Health Check: If Voigtmann and Jokubaitis can stay on the floor together for a full month, Bayern becomes a dark horse for the playoffs.
- The "Pesic Factor": Expect the defense to get much tighter. If a player misses a rotation, they’re going to hear about it.
The current FC Bayern basketball roster isn't the most expensive in Europe, nor is it the youngest. It is, however, one of the most experienced. With a legendary coach back at the helm and a backcourt that finally looks settled, the second half of the 2025-26 season is going to be about one thing: discipline.
For fans, the move is to track the injury reports closely. If this roster stays whole, they have the shooting (Obst), the grit (Lucic), and the playmaking (Dimitrijevic/Jovic) to challenge anyone in the BBL. The real test is whether the older legs can hold up through the grueling double-week schedules of the EuroLeague.
Check the official team app for the latest gameday updates, especially regarding the status of Jokubaitis, as his return to the rotation changes the team's speed entirely.