Franz Wagner
Born 2001 · Age 25
German professional basketball player (born 2001). Played for Alba Berlin, Michigan Wolverines, and the Orlando Magic. World Cup 2023 champion and NBA All-Rookie First Team member.
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Life & Career Timeline
Skipped a grade in elementary school (early education milestone)
Reported to have skipped a grade in elementary school, later enabling him to take his Abitur early and debut as a pro at a younger age.
Played in Alba Berlin junior competitions
Played with Alba Berlin junior team at youth tournaments (e.g., Ciutat De L'Hospitalet).
Debut in Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) with Alba Berlin
Made his debut in Germany's top flight (Alba Berlin) at age 16, becoming the youngest player to wear an Alba jersey in that context.
Represented Germany at FIBA U16 European Championship (Podgorica)
Played for Germany at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship, averaging 7.4 points in five games and finishing 13th.
Albert Schweitzer Tournament — Gold Medal (Germany U18)
Played for the German U18 team and won gold at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament (Mannheim), averaging about six points per game.
Dual contract: Alba Berlin and SSV Lokomotive Bernau (2018–19)
Played on a dual contract in 2018–19 season (Alba Berlin in BBL and SSV Lokomotive Bernau in ProB), gaining senior-level minutes in Germany.
Alba Berlin junior team — German junior champions
Helped Alba Berlin junior team to a German junior championship at the end of the 2017–18 season and earned junior-level honors.
Invited to Basketball Without Borders Europe (could not attend due to injury)
Invited to the NBA/FIBA Basketball Without Borders Europe training camp but did not participate because of injury.
Averaged 4.6 points in 2018–19 BBL season
Finished the 2018–19 BBL season averaging 4.6 points in 12.4 minutes per game with Alba Berlin.
Played at 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship (Volos, Greece)
Averaged 13.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship; missed one game with a back injury.
Academic milestone — Pursued Abitur while debuting as a pro
While starting his professional career with Alba Berlin he continued to pursue his Abitur (German high school diploma), balancing academics and professional basketball.
Michigan: Started 55 consecutive games (college career milestone)
Started every game (55 consecutive starts) for Michigan in his two collegiate seasons (2019–21), finishing with 661 career points and numerous double-doubles.
Named BBL Best German Young Player (U22)
Awarded the Basketball Bundesliga's Best German Young Player for the 2018–19 season.
Standout in BBL Finals Game 2 vs Bayern Munich
Scored a team-high 14 points and went 6-for-6 from the field in Game 2 of the BBL Finals vs Bayern Munich.
Committed to Michigan (college signing)
Committed to play college basketball at the University of Michigan under head coach Juwan Howard; turned down a pro contract with Alba Berlin.
Enrolled at University of Michigan (began college career)
Joined the Michigan Wolverines for the 2019–20 season (after turning 18 on Aug 27, 2019).
Fractured right wrist (injury)
Suffered a fractured right wrist and was expected to miss 4–6 weeks during his freshman year at Michigan.
Battle 4 Atlantis title with Michigan
Contributed to Michigan's Battle 4 Atlantis tournament championship (wins over Iowa State, North Carolina, Gonzaga).
College debut for Michigan — Battle 4 Atlantis quarterfinal
Made his season and collegiate debut vs Iowa State in the Battle 4 Atlantis; logged 23 minutes with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block.
Posted then-career high 18 points vs Iowa (Big Ten opener)
Scored 18 points in Michigan's 103–91 victory over Iowa on Dec 6, 2019.
Big Ten Freshman of the Week (3x)
Earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors three times during the 2019–20 season (Feb. 3, Feb. 17 & March 2).
Career-high 22 points at Purdue
Scored a career-high 22 points at Purdue (Feb 22, 2020), per Michigan official bio.
First collegiate double-double vs Ohio State
Posted 18 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double in a 63–77 loss to Ohio State.
Named to Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman team following his freshman season (2019–20).
Academic honors at Michigan (CoSIDA & Academic All-Big Ten / Distinguished Scholar)
Earned CoSIDA Academic All-America (First Team), Academic All-Big Ten, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and other academic recognitions during his Michigan tenure.
Semifinalist for the Jerry West Award
Named a semifinalist for the Jerry West Award (top shooting guard) in 2021.
All-Big Ten honors (Second-team Coaches / Third-team Media)
During his sophomore season, was named second-team All-Big Ten by coaches and third-team by media.
Posted 13 points, 10 rebounds vs Florida State (NCAA Tournament)
Recorded a double-double in Michigan's NCAA Tournament run (13 pts, 10 rebounds vs Florida State).
Declared for 2021 NBA Draft (forwent remaining eligibility)
Declared for the 2021 NBA draft, foregoing his remaining college eligibility.
Selected 8th overall in 2021 NBA Draft by Orlando Magic
Taken with the 8th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic.
Signed rookie contract with Orlando Magic
Signed with the Orlando Magic (along with fellow lottery pick Jalen Suggs) to begin his NBA career.
First NBA double-double (14 pts, 11 rebounds, 6 assists)
Recorded his first NBA double-double with 14 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and 6 assists vs Brooklyn Nets.
Career-high 38 points vs Milwaukee Bucks
Scored a then-career-high 38 points in a 127–110 loss to the Bucks.
Named First-team Academic All-American (2021 academic year)
Recognized nationally for academic and athletic achievement as a First-team Academic All-American.
Named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (December 2021)
Shared the NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for games played in December 2021.
Recorded 10 assists (first Magic rookie forward to do so)
Notched his second NBA double-double with 14 points and a career-high 10 assists vs Washington Wizards — first Magic rookie forward to post 10+ assists in a game.
Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team
Selected to the 2021–22 NBA All-Rookie First Team following his rookie season.
EuroBasket 2022 — Bronze medal with Germany
Represented Germany at EuroBasket 2022, averaged 16.1 points and 4 rebounds and helped Germany win bronze in Berlin.
Season-high 31 points vs Sacramento (regular season)
Scored a season-high 31 points and recorded six assists in an overtime loss to the Kings.
Suspended one game by NBA
Suspended for one game without pay for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation in the game the day before vs Detroit Pistons.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 — Gold medal (Germany)
Helped Germany win its first-ever FIBA World Cup gold medal in 2023; named to the All-FIBA World Cup Second Team.
Game 4 (First Round) — 34 points & 13 rebounds to tie series
Recorded 34 points (13-of-17 shooting) and 13 rebounds in Game 4 to help Orlando tie the first-round series vs Cleveland 2–2.
Signed contract extension with Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic signed Franz Wagner to a contract extension (announcement made July 6, 2024). Specific terms not provided in source.
Named to Paris 2024 All-Second Team (Olympics tournament honors)
Named to the tournament's All-Second Team at the 2024 Olympics after averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals in 6 games.
NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week
Earned his first NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week Award (Nov 18, 2024 announcement).
Season-high 37 points with 11 assists and game-winning 3 vs Lakers
Scored 37 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, four steals and hit a game-winning three-pointer in a 119–118 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Third-consecutive 30-point game (franchise achievement)
Scored 30 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, marking his third consecutive 30-point game — making him one of a few Magic players with multiple such streaks.
Suffered torn right oblique (injury)
Announced that he had suffered a torn right oblique, an injury similar to teammate Paolo Banchero's earlier in the season.
Career cumulative earnings noted
Basketball-Reference indicates Franz Wagner 'has made at least $22,781,932 playing professional basketball' (figure reflective of salary earnings up to 2025).
Career summary and advanced metrics (ongoing NBA career)
Through the 2024–25 season and playoffs Wagner established himself as a primary starter for Orlando: multiple seasons averaging ~15–24 PPG, All-Rookie Team, international honors and playoff leadership.
Returned from oblique injury — scored 20 in return
Returned to action on Jan 23, 2025 and scored 20 points in a 101–79 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Playoffs (Game 3) — 32 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists in win vs Celtics
Flirted with a triple-double in Game 3 of the first round, finishing with 32 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals in a 95–93 win over the Boston Celtics.
Playoffs (Game 4) — 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists
Posted 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round vs Boston (reporting noted solid all-around performance).
Playoffs (Game 5) — team-high 25 points in loss
Scored a team-high 25 points in Game 5 of the first round loss to the Celtics (box score and team news entries).
Key Achievement Ages
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