Maximilian Kleber Bio
Maximilian Kleber (born 29 January 1992) is a German professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He spent the first seven years of his career playing in Germany and Spain before joining the Dallas Mavericks in 2017, with whom he would play until getting traded to the Lakers in 2025 as part of the controversial trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. Kleber is known for his versatility as a power forward and has made significant contributions to his teams throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Maximilian Kleber was born in Würzburg, Germany. He began playing basketball at a young age and was involved in the youth ranks of local clubs, including TG Veitshöchheim, SC Heuchelhof, and TG Würzburg. His early exposure to basketball laid the foundation for his future career in the sport. Kleber’s dedication and talent were evident from a young age, leading him to pursue professional opportunities in basketball.
Path to Basketball
Kleber made his professional debut in Germany’s top-flight Basketball Bundesliga during the 2011–12 season, representing the s.Oliver Baskets, a team based in his hometown of Würzburg. In his first year, he played a limited role, averaging just seven minutes per game. However, he quickly became an important player for the team, averaging 9.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in his second season. After declaring for the NBA draft in 2012 and later becoming auto-eligible in 2014, he went undrafted but continued to develop his skills in Europe.
Maximilian Kleber Career
Early Career (2011–2017)
After his debut with s.Oliver Baskets, Kleber played for several teams in Europe. He signed a two-year deal with Spanish club Obradoiro CAB in 2014, where he gained recognition by being named MVP of round 25 in the ACB league. He averaged 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during the 2014–15 season. Following his time in Spain, he returned to Germany to play for Bayern Munich, where he continued to improve his performance, averaging 9.0 points and 5.3 rebounds during the 2016–17 season.
Breakthrough (2017–2025)
Kleber’s breakthrough came when he signed with the Dallas Mavericks on 13 July 2017. He made his NBA debut on 21 October 2017 against the Houston Rockets. Over the next few years, he evolved from a bench player to a key rotation player, consistently increasing his statistical contributions. In the 2019–20 season, he averaged a career-high 9.1 points per game and led the league in games played.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Kleber has received several accolades, including being named to the All-EuroCup Second Team in 2017 and earning two German League All-Star selections in 2015 and 2017. He was also recognized as the German League Most Effective Player in 2017. His performance in the playoffs has been notable, including a standout game where he scored 25 points and hit eight three-pointers against the Utah Jazz in 2022.
Maximilian Kleber Award Nominations
Maximilian Kleber has received multiple nominations and accolades throughout his basketball career, showcasing his talent and contributions to the sport.
Maximilian Kleber Awards Won
Kleber has won several awards, including the All-EuroCup Second Team and multiple selections as a German League All-Star. He was also recognized as the German League Most Effective Player in 2017, highlighting his impact in the league.
Maximilian Kleber Family
Information regarding Maximilian Kleber’s family is not publicly available, and details about his personal life remain private.
Personal Life
Maximilian Kleber has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye. There is no verifiable information regarding his marital status, partners, or children. His focus appears to remain on his professional basketball career.
