A new era has started for FC Bayern Munich as its new head coach, two-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Pablo Laso, took the reins of the first practice session in preparation for the 2023-24 season. The preliminary roster under Laso was completed for the official start of practices with Niklas Wimberg, Elias Harris, Nelson Weidemann, Danko Brankovic and FCBB youngsters Martin Kalu and Ivan Kharchenkov.
Of course, the new faces were the highlight of the first session. Leandro Bolmaro was the first player to arrive in Munich days earlier and Carsen Edwards was also present at practice, as well as returnee Devin Booker, who comes back to Munich for a second stint after he left in 2019. Some players could not be present due to their duties with their respective national teams at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup: Isaac Bonga, Niels Giffey and Andreas Obst are playing with Germany and newcomer Sylvain Francisco is with France, but should join the team soon since France has been eliminated from the tournament.
Last season, Bayern finished 15th in the final standings with an 11-23 record. The team struggled and also lost one of its best players, January MVP Augustine Rubit, to a long-term injury. Rubit remains with Bayern for this season, but is still in recovery from the injury.