Career: Bamberg (Germany-Bundesliga, 1997-2005).

Steffen Hamann is a tough-as-nails, scrappy defensive point guard who has a quick first step which can get him into the lane for some easy lay-ups. He is not the best of passers and sometimes gets out of control on the offensive side of the ball. But he understands his role with the team. Not a great outside shooter, Hamann will delegate playmaking duties to his fellow guard. But Hamann will cause problems for the opposing point guard, something National Team and club coach Dirk Bauermann appreciates more than anything else. Hamann had just worked his way into the number one point guard spot with the National Team when he tore an ACL just weeks before the 2005 EuroBasket. Devastated, Hamann was forced to watch Germany's majestic run to the final in Belgrade on television in Germany. But he was on hand for the celebrations after the team won the silver medal, showing that he belongs among the team. The Bamberg native was given extra motivation to come back as his home town club was playing for the first time in the Euroleague.

"Watching the EuroBasket was bad enough. I didn't want to have to watch the whole Euroleague season from the sidelines as well," Hamann said. And the point guard came back from his injury sooner than expected. And he retained his intensity, though it took him a while to get back to full fitness. But Hamann finished the season strong with Bamberg and is looking forward to helping Nowtizki and Bauermann continue Germany's strong ride.