Noah Berge

Noah and basketball – a bond that will never be broken. Even though Noah may not have seemed tall enough for the sport, the basket and the ball were among his closest friends. Missing a shot never put Noah off – on the contrary, it spurred him on! Just like all of his
companions, his basketball family. United in their perseverance, struggles, joy (and sometimes sorrow), they played, loved and celebrated basketball and their life together.

His joy, determination and passion for basketball took Noah from USC Leipzig via the Central German selection to the Sports High School in Chemnitz, then to the Niners and on to ProB with the Titans in Dresden. A career in the German national team seemed to be
within reach...

A serious traffic accident brought this close relationship to an abrupt end. Playing basketball was out of the question, as the accident had left him paralysed from the neck down. He now used the determination he had learned through sport to fight for his health. Contrary to all medical prognosis, Noah learned to breathe on his own again, but his arms and legs remained paralysed. Despite being immobile and in a wheelchair, he was back at his boys’ side when he became co-coach of his former team at USC Leipzig.

This year, Noah would have turned 27 years old. Perhaps he would already have been working as a sports instructor, teaching children. And I am sure he would still have been playing basketball.

At the beginning of 2022, Noah chose the path of self-determination and freedom. He passed away on 5 February 2022, at his own request. But Noah lives on – in the hearts of his family, his friends, and through this tournament, which has again become a central part
of the Niners’ youth program since 2023. Thanks to the initiative of youth coach Sascha Prötzig, the tournament now bears Noah’s name.

Basketball was his life, his love, and his team colleagues were his family. This is the feeling that Noah would have liked to pass on to others, and it is the spirit of this tournament!

Because of the Noah Berge Cup, along with your passion and love for basketball, Noah is here – forever and ever!

So get out there and shoot hoops, beat your opponents and have fun, he’s wishing you a wonderful tournament!

Claudia Berge, Noah’s Mum