Franz Wagner Could Take the Next Step Playing For Team Germany
Aug 20, 2025
Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner was better than ever in 2024-25, but he could continue to refine his skills while playing for Team Germany at EuroBasket 2025.
EuroBasket will take place in multiple locations, and the finals will be played in Riga, Latvia. The event will feature megastars like Nikola Jokic (Team Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Team Greece) and Luka Doncic (Slovenia).
Team Germany has built an impressive roster with Dennis Schroeder at point guard and German-Brazilian forward Tristan da Silva. But the star of the show is 23-year-old forward Franz Wagner.
Wagner was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, coming to the United States to play college basketball at Michigan. He was selected 8th overall by the Orlando Magic in 2021.
The forward showed he belonged in the league as a 20 year-old, averaging 15.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Wagner has only gotten better in the three years since, improving his scoring average from 18.6 to 19.7 to 24.2. Last season also saw the 6-10 forward notch career highs in rebounds (5.7), assists (4.7), steals (1.3) and minutes (33.7)
The German forward has also excelled in international play. He was named to the All-Olympic Second Team, as he was the 6th leading scorer in the tournament, averaging 18.5 points per game for the fourth-place German team.
If Wagner can takee another step this year, the Magic could make some serious noise in the Eastern Conference. The team returns All-Star Paolo Banchero and traded for star guard Desmond Bane.
