MALTE DELOW, Germany / Alba Berlin GERMANY
Although he’s just made his debut with Germany, Malte Delow can’t be considered an under-the-radar guy in any way. A member of the Alba Berlin academy since he was 12, Delow earned the Best Young German Player award in the Bundesliga last season, and has already played more than 50 EuroLeague games. A regular name among Germany youth teams, he caught my attention last summer in the Toronto Global Jam suiting up for Germany U23. In Canada, Malte led his team (17.5pts off the bench) shooting 37% from three against the hosts U23 team, Team Africa and University of Kentucky. You can safely assume he is a classic sharpshooter, and his film vs the Wildcats would agree.
However, Malte’s offensive impact goes well beyond the shooting-wing archetype. He’s also a lively and skilled pick-and-roll ball-handler that gets the job done in different ways (52.9 True-Shooting %).
Everything begins with his spot-up threat and smooth two-motion form, though. No problem to let the rock fly from deep on the spot or off the dribble. In addition, Delow has a knack for using pump-fakes and jab-steps, opening driving lanes, accelerating, decelerating, and playing off-two-feet in the paint. While Malte is far from an elite downhill athlete, he makes up for it with his length, long steps and balance, finishing efficiently at the rim with the off-hand too (65% over 70 attempts per Synergy)
? GLOBL JAM wir kommen ?
Hier geht es zur GLOBL JAM-Seite?https://t.co/Yzjk4ooVxx
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?⚫️???#KoerbeFuerD#GLOBLJAM pic.twitter.com/1bdxPHYMyL— Dt. Basketball Bund (@DBB_Basketball) July 12, 2023
Delow’s offensive versatility means he still can put points on the board running the baseline/off-the- ball (1PPP), in the open floor or even with tips and put-backs due to his positioning and standing reach. But such versatility reaches its peak when the 6’6 German swingman provides for others.
Malte qualifies as an all-around playmaking wing for Synergy, ranked in the 79% percentile. A lot of Delow’s secondary creation comes as a ball-mover that finds shooters and cutters with quick and instinctive reads, especially in BLOB sets. Another good chunk comes in transition and then in ball screens.
Malte is dangerous in the catch-and-drive attacking through the middle with a head of steam from either side of the pick. As you might have guessed, Alba Berlin’s young backcourt is a bit short- handed these days in terms of playmaking, and the Delow has taken on the challenge. It’s easy to find shooters like Matt Taylor, Gabriele Procida, Matteo Spagnolo or Jonas Mattiseck at the end of Delow’s passing action, but wings and big men on the roll are benefiting from his passing chops as well. Have a look at his society with Oscar da Silva and his Berlin teammate Louis Olinde during this FIBA window.
#EuroBasketQualifiers A solid international debut for Alba Berlin product Malte Delow (01): 13pts, 4ast, 1reb & 1stl off the bench vs Montenegro
Intriguing display of size, shooting versatility and playmaking flashes for the 6'6 swingman. TBC vs Bulgaria today #FibaYouthBball ?? pic.twitter.com/INnPvqCt4n
— MaceoBaller (@MaceoBaller16) February 25, 2024
It’s not easy to break into an EuroLeague rotation or earn a spot with the current Wold Champions at 22. Nevertheless, Malte Delow’s path into the European elite it’s far from over. At glance, he needs to put more meat on the bone to be able to absorb contact. In defense, and whether he navigates screens or tries to stay in front 1vs1, improved strength and reaction time would go a long way. Ultimately, Malte is a functional and fundamentally sound team-player equipped with high IQ, light feet and a notable wingspan. Those are foundations that already make him extremely valuable on the glass, contesting shots, closing passing lanes and making help-side rotations. We will keep an eye on his evolution expecting to see a lot more of Malte Delow at the highest level in the years to come.
Jubel beim Vorjahres-Zweiten: Berlins Malte Delow ist bester U22-Spieler ?
Delow wurde mit dem Nachwuchs von @albaberlin Meister in der JBBL und NBBL. 2019 debütierte Delow unter Trainer Aito in der #easyCreditBBL.
Wir gratulieren zu einer besonders herausragenden Saison? pic.twitter.com/UFtQoJFrux— easyCredit BBL (@easyCreditBBL) May 3, 2023