Jensen’s rise reflects Ulm’s commitment to youth – and his own relentless work ethic
From prospect to leader: Tobias Jensen’s Journey at ratiopharm ulm
Player Spotlight
8 Mins read
Tobias Jensen is just 21, but at ratiopharm Ulm, he’s already the voice of experience. The Danish point guard arrived at the Orange Campus as a 16-year-old in 2020. Six seasons later, he’s not only a fixture in the lineup but a leader on and off the court.
This year marks Jensen’s breakout. After averaging 2.6 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.0 assist across his first 36 EuroCup games, he’s now producing 11.7 points, 4.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in nearly 30 minutes per game—while hitting 42.3% from three-point range. For a player once seen as a long-term project, the leap has been dramatic.
The transformation began last spring and accelerated in February, when injuries opened the door and Jensen seized the moment. “I started every game and kept performing,” he said. “From then on, I was playing a lot and just needed to get more comfortable on the court.”
Jensen’s rise coincided with the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, where he starred for Denmark during the national team window. In two games, he totaled 24 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in 50 minutes — a confidence boost that carried into Ulm’s season.
“We had the February national team window, where I played and performed (well). And then when I got back after that window, I started every game and I kept performing,” Jensen said. “From then on, I was playing a lot and I just needed to get more comfortable on the court, which also showed in the box scores as I started scoring a lot more.”
By the German League Finals against FC Bayern Munich, Jensen was one of Ulm’s best players, averaging 9.8 points on 60% three-point shooting, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in nearly 30 minutes per game during the five-game series.
“Now to be able to be involved in the game and have a voice or having to do something is very nice.”
From young gun to locker room leader
Jensen debuted for Ulm’s pro team on November 20, 2022, but his role has evolved dramatically. “I've been here for many years and worked my way up from the youth teams to the first team,” he said. “In the beginning, I was just one of the young guys. I didn't play much. And now to be able to be involved in the game and have a voice or having to do something is very nice.”
He won’t turn 22 until May, yet Jensen is now one of Ulm’s longest-serving players. With veteran Tommy Klepeisz and only two other returnees — Nelson Weidemann and Alec Anigbata — Jensen has embraced a leadership role.
“It was something I had to get used to,” he admitted. “In the beginning, I was always used to other people on the team who could explain concepts to a new person. Now I have that job. I have to help my teammates with stuff they don't know, or tell them if they're doing something wrong. That’s definitely been a change.”
Family ties and offseason growth
Ulm’s philosophy of giving young talent a platform has shaped Jensen’s journey. From Killian Hayes to Juan Núñez, the club has consistently trusted teenagers with big roles. “It helps you in the way that you’re not the only young guy trying to figure everything out,” Jensen said. “There are other players my age, other players who are not that experienced. So it helps me in the way that there are other people I can talk with about stuff outside of practice.”
After last season, Jensen returned to Denmark for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Pre-Qualifiers and spent the summer training with his father, Jens Jensen, a Danish basketball legend who won 10 league titles and played 58 games for the national team.
“We worked a lot on me creating stuff for myself with the ball,” Tobias said. “Either the mid-range jump shot, creating a shot for myself, or different finishes around the rim.”
Growing up, Jens was both coach and dad — a dynamic Tobias remembers well. “He was always the ‘dad coach’, and it wasn’t easy going between ‘Okay, now we’re at practice, now he’s the coach; now we’re at home, now he’s the dad,’” Jensen recalled.
With his contract expiring last season, Jensen drew interest from other German clubs — especially since he counts as a domestic player. But he chose to stay. “Out of those teams, Ulm was by far the best option in terms of the facilities, but also because they play EuroCup and have a good history with young players improving in their program. So that was not really a no-brainer,” he said.
And so, Tobias Jensen remains Ulm’s steady hand — a veteran at 21, guiding a new generation while writing his own next chapter.