EWU's Seiferth returns to Germany, signs to play professional basketball

Armed with a new professional contract, and soon his degree in communication studies from Eastern Washington University, 6-foot-10 center Martin Seiferth will return to his native Germany for an opportunity to play professional basketball.

Seiferth will play for Alba in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague in 2014-15, EWU head men’s basketball coach Jim Hayford announced July 7.

Seiferth, the first player to be signed by Alba for the 2014-15 season returns to the Berlin-based club, after previously playing for Alba’s youth teams. He helped his club to the U19 German title in 2009.

“We are very happy for Martin to realize his dream of playing professional basketball for one of the top teams in his home country,” Hayford said. “I am even more proud of his great work in the classroom and earning his degree this summer.”  

The Berlin native was on EWU’s Dean’s List this past spring, and he will complete requirements for his communications studies degree this summer. He was twice named to the Big Sky Conference All-Academic team and has a 3.33 grade point average at Eastern.

Last season, Seiferth averaged 7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest in the Big Sky conference.

“He is a player with potential we want to develop,” ALBA Berlin sporting director Mithat Demirel said on the team’s website. “With his athletic and strong defensive play, and his attitude to give everything for his team in training and on the court, he fits in well with the ALBA Berlin’s concept, and our chosen path.”

In his career, Seiferth averaged 7.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game. His 112 career blocked shots rank second in school history behind the 115 of teammate Venky Jois.