By: Bill Morgal, sports information director
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SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Shippensburg University men’s basketball alumni Jake Biss ’21 and Carlos Carter ’23 have signed professional contracts with Eisbaren Bremerhaven, a team that plays in the second-tier circuit (Pro A) of professional basketball in Germany.
The two Raiders are already in Germany preparing for the team’s first preseason workouts, which begin tomorrow (Saturday, August 10).
Biss returns to the Pro A league after playing 18 games last season for Paderborn after recovering from an injury that kept him out at the start. He is reunited with his head coach from Paderborn, Steven Esterkamp, who took the head job at Bremerhaven in May.
The 2024-25 campaign will be his third season in professional basketball, as Biss also spent time in 2022 with the Den Helder Suns in The Netherlands.
“I’m excited to head back to Germany to continue my basketball career,” Biss said. “When I heard that Carlos was added to the roster I couldn’t wait to head over and get started. Having a familiar face and the great friend that Carlos is around will make things that much more enjoyable this season. We’re both looking forward to getting back on the court together and we’ll be sure to make Ship proud.”
Carter also returns to the Pro A league after playing 21 games last season for Muenster while also dealing with an injury. The 2024-25 campaign will be his second in professional basketball.
“I’m super excited and thankful for another opportunity to play the game I love!” Carter said. “I’m especially looking forward to teaming back up with Jake! It’s going to be a fun and great year.”
It is the third reported Raider men’s basketball alumni signing of the summer thus far, as Dustin Sleva ’18 joined Turkish club Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in late June.
Biss, the 2019-20 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Athlete of the Year and a 2020 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District honoree, completed his SU career ranked third in school history in career three-pointers (212), sixth in career assists (391), eighth in career free-throw percentage (.802), and ninth in career points (1,484). He is a three-time All-PSAC Eastern Division First Team selection.
Carter, the 2022-23 PSAC Eastern Division Athlete of the Year and a 2023 NABC All-District honoree, finished his collegiate career with 1,339 points, which ranks 15th in program history.
About Bremerhaven and “Pro A”
Bremerhaven is a port city in northern Germany approximately 40 miles northwest of Bremen. Hamburg is two hours to the east. Eisbaren translates to “ice bears,” or as we know them, polar bears – the team’s mascot.
The “Pro A” league is similar to most European leagues in that it has promotion and relegation. The Top 2 teams at the end of the league state are promoted to the top-flight German league – Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), while the two lowest teams in the standings are relegated to “Pro B.”
