Franz Wagner

Franz Wagner is a real hero when it comes to having a mature attitude to life at a young age, pursuing his dreams and fighting hard for them. Giving up is not an option for him. The professional basketball player has already become a legend at the age of 21: in May 2021, he will take part in the NBA draft and was selected eighth overall by the Orlando Magic. 23 years have passed since a German basketball player was selected as one of the first ten players.

When he makes his professional debut in 2017, he will be 16 and, in addition to his basketball career, will be taking his high school diploma. Yes, at 16, because the young talent skipped a grade in elementary school. He makes the impossible possible and manages to do both. And then he risks the safe money and goes to college, because he does not want half measures. And lo and behold: at the young age of 21, he's been playing for Orlando Magic since 2021 in the Professional basketball league in North America. He proudly plays for the national team in his home country in his first international game and fits in as naturally as if he had always played there. His ambition and discipline make him a real hero.

Franz Wagner was born in Berlin on August 27, 2001.

He played for two years in the youth of Alba Berlin and in the second men's team from 2017. In April 2018, at the age of 16, he followed his brother, Moritz Wagner and moved to the Basketball Bundesliga, becoming the youngest player to wear an Alba jersey in this context. Alba's junior team became German champions at the end of that season. In the process, he was able to enjoy two awards: league rookie of the year and best player of the final tournament.

August of 2018 meant a great opportunity for him: he was invited to "Basketball without Borders Europe", a training camp organized by the NBA and the world federation FIBA. But unfortunately, he could not participate for the time being due to an injury.

That was far from the end of his career. From the 2018/19 season Wagner got the double license and played for Alba Berlin and SSV Lokomotive Bernau in the 2nd Bundesliga.

At the end of the 2018/19 season, he was named "Best German Young Player U22".

His further path led the young talent to join his brother in the USA: in July 2019, he began playing as a neutral in Michigan.

In early May 2021, his career continued with a major milestone: he participated in the NBA draft and was selected eighth overall by the Orlando Magic. This meant, for him: after 23 years it happened for the first time that a German basketball player was selected as one of the first ten players. Back then, in 1998, it was Dirk Nowitzki. With this selection, both Wagner siblings have now been playing on the same team ever since.