// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Michael Rataj a rat catcher?
_by_Sandro_Halank%E2%80%93099.jpg) Rataj in 2026 | |
| Ratiopharm Ulm | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward |
| League | Basketball Bundesliga EuroCup |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 12 October 2003 |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
| Playing career | 2019–present |
| Career history | |
| 2019–2021 | Bayern Munich II |
| 2021–2022 | OrangeAcademy |
| 2021–2022 | Ratiopharm Ulm |
| 2026 | Alba Berlin |
| 2026–present | Ratiopharm Ulm |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Michael Rataj (born 12 October 2003[1]) is a German professional basketball player for Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroCup.
Early life
[edit]Rataj grew up in Augsburg, Germany. He represented Germany at the 2021 FIBA U18 European Challengers, averaging 15 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.[2] After beginning his career with Bayern Munich, Rataj split time between OrangeAcademy and Ratiopharm Ulm, becoming the second youngest player to compete in the EuroCup.[2] In 2021, he committed to play college basketball at Oregon State University.[3]
College career
[edit]During his first two seasons, Rataj averaged 6.1 points and 4.1 rebounds as a freshman and 8.3 points and a team-high 5.8 rebounds as a sophomore.[4] As a junior, Rataj began to have a breakout season, doubling his scoring production.[5] Against No. 16 Gonzaga, he scored 29 points, helping lead the Beavers to a 97–89 upset win in overtime.[6][7] For his performance, he was named the West Coast Conference co-player of the week, becoming the first Beaver to be named conference player of the week twice during a single season since Roberto Nelson during the 2013–14 season.[8] Against Santa Clara, he scored a career-high 30 points in an 83–69 victory.[9]
Following the 2024-25 season, Rataj transferred to Baylor for his final season of eligibility.[10]
Professional career
[edit]On April 15, 2026, he signed with Alba Berlin of the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).[11]
On July 14, 2026, he signed with Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).[12]
Career statistics
[edit]| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Oregon State | 32 | 16 | 20.9 | .438 | .373 | .596 | 4.1 | 1.0 | .7 | .3 | 6.1 |
| 2023–24 | Oregon State | 29 | 23 | 28.0 | .443 | .288 | .738 | 5.8 | 1.6 | .9 | .5 | 8.3 |
| 2024–25 | Oregon State | 32 | 32 | 32.4 | .484 | .351 | .788 | 7.2 | 2.0 | 1.6 | .6 | 16.9 |
| 2025–26 | Baylor | 34 | 19 | 23.1 | .423 | .218 | .707 | 4.6 | 1.7 | .5 | .4 | 7.2 |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Michael Rataj Player Profile, Oregon State - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- 1 2 "German forward Rataj commits to Oregon State". ESPN.com. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ↑ Daschel, Nick (2021-11-20). "Oregon State men's basketball lands promising German small forward Michael Rataj". oregonlive. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ↑ "Beavers' Michael Rataj: 'He is a fabulous kid to be around'". Kerry Eggers. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ↑ "Key matchup: Forward Michael Rataj stayed put at OSU, thriving in junior season". Spokesman.com. 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ↑ Daschel, Nick (2025-01-17). "Michael Rataj heroics, Oregon State grit the difference in 97-89 OT win over No. 16 Gonzaga". oregonlive. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ↑ Denney, Jarrid. "How Michael Rataj carried Oregon State men's basketball to marquee win over No. 16 Gonzaga". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ↑ Daschel, Nick (2025-01-20). "Oregon State's Michael Rataj first Beaver honored as men's basketball player of the week twice in a season in 11 years". oregonlive. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ↑ Daschel, Nick (2025-01-26). "Michael Rataj's second-half explosion leads Oregon State past Santa Clara". oregonlive. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ↑ "MBB Adds Oregon State Transfer Michael Rataj". baylorbears.com. 2 April 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
- ↑ "Official: Alba Berlin sign Michael Rataj". Sportando. April 15, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Rückkehr als Deutscher Meister". ratiopharmulm.com (in German). July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 20, 2026.