The German forward embraces new challenge as import player at Manresa
Louis Olinde finds growth beyond his comfort zone
Player Spotlight
4 Mins read
For years, Louis Olinde was one of the most recognizable faces in German basketball – a homegrown forward whose mix of athleticism, versatility, and quiet intensity made him a steady presence in the German League and the EuroLeague. From Hamburg to Bamberg and finally to ALBA Berlin, Olinde built his career step by step, always within the familiar rhythm of German basketball.
That rhythm changed this summer.
After five seasons with ALBA, Olinde decided it was time to test himself in a new country, a new league and a completely new environment. The 27-year-old signed with BAXI Manresa in Spain and stepped into the demanding world of the Spanish League.
“I’d been in Germany my whole life,” Olinde said. “I loved my time in Berlin, but I felt like I was stagnating a bit. I’d had some tough seasons and injuries, and I just wanted something new – a real fresh start. I wanted to enjoy basketball again.”
That sense of renewal has defined Olinde’s first months in Spain. Manresa is a world away from Berlin – not just in climate, but in culture and pace.
“It’s a small city, very relaxed,” he said with a laugh. “When I go out, it’s quiet. But that’s actually what I like about it. And it’s Spain – I’m sitting here, it’s 25 degrees in October. That never happens in Germany.”
But Olinde didn’t come to Catalonia for a holiday. He wanted to be tested anew. That meant leaving ALBA with a year left on his contract in a move agreed to by both sides. And Olinde was deliberate about his next move.
“The goal was the EuroLeague,” he admitted. “That was the plan at first. It didn’t work out, but Spain’s ACB is probably the next-best league. Maybe even better than the EuroCup or Champions League because there are 10 or 12 teams that could compete at that level every year. So for me, it’s still a great opportunity to grow.”
Manresa poses another challenge Olinde is facing for the first time. He is no longer the “local player” or the familiar face on a German roster. He’s a foreign import, expected to deliver right away while adapting to a new language and lifestyle.
“It’s a big change,” he said. “Not many people here speak English, so I’ve been taking Spanish lessons a few times a week. At the supermarket or pharmacy, you just have to speak Spanish. That’s how you learn – you’re forced to. It’s actually fun.”
He is also up to the challenge on the court.
“I think people in Germany already know what I can do. Now it’s about showing I can perform in another league, with a different style, against different players. That’s my goal this season,” he said.
The move has also rekindled his long-standing ambition to become a fixture with the German national team, a dream that has remained just out of reach through a mix of timing and circumstance. Olinde has been part of several training camps and FIBA windows but has yet to make a major tournament roster. Still, his motivation remains strong, especially after witnessing Germany’s historic rise to the top of international basketball.
“It’s inspiring, honestly. You see what those guys have done – winning the World Cup, then EuroBasket, competing for medals every summer. It’s huge for German basketball. And it’s motivating for players like me. I want to be part of that one day. Every time I get the call for a camp or a window, I enjoy it. Wearing that jersey means a lot.”
In the meantime, he is focused on taking the next steps with Manresa. And there is one special date already circled on his calendar – February 11, 2026. In the final round of the EuroCup Regular Season, Manresa will be traveling to Germany to face Veolia Towers Hamburg and Olinde will get a chance to face his former team in international competition.
“That one will be special,” he said with a grin. “To play back home, see friends and family, and hopefully get the win. I already told my coach: if we win, I’m staying for dinner with my parents.”
Leaving Germany wasn’t easy, but it might be the best thing he’s ever done for his career. Sometimes you have to step away from what’s comfortable to grow. For Louis Olinde, Spain is the challenge he needed.