From Baumholder to Britain: Piggé realizes pro basketball dream in Manchester

Chandler Piggé has started jotting down his goals on paper again.

The 2021 Baumholder graduate can thank a second-grade school project discussing his future for inspiration. Piggé wrote down two options: becoming a professional basketball player or doctor. It was the first time he verbalized his dreams outside of his family and close friends.

“I just threw it out there in faith and hope that it comes true,” the two-time Stars and Stripes European boys basketball Athlete of the Year said of the project. “To see it now actually happening in real life all these years later is so surreal.”

On July 20, Manchester Basketball of Great Britain’s Super League Basketball announced it had signed Piggé for the 2026-27 season.

The move to Britain’s top league comes a few months after Piggé graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and completed a decorated four-year career with the men’s basketball program.

The 6-foot-5 guard totaled 965 points, 477 rebounds, 216 assists and 135 steals over 99 games. Piggé was a two-time team captain, including his senior season in which the Crimson qualified for the Ivy League tournament for the first time in six years.

He made the All-Ivy League squad twice — honorable mention as a junior and second team as a senior. He also earned the program’s Raymond P. Lavietes Most Valuable Player award as a junior.

Harvard guard and Baumholder graduate Chandler Piggé drives to the basket against University of Pennsylvania forward T.J. Power during the semifinals of the Ivy League basketball tournament on March 14, 2026, at Newman Arena in Ithaca, N.Y. (Edward Monigan IV/Harvard Athletics)

Harvard guard and Baumholder graduate Chandler Piggé dribbles at the top of the key during the semifinals of the Ivy League basketball tournament against the University of Pennsylvania on March 14, 2026, at Newman Arena in Ithaca, N.Y. (Edward Monigan IV/Harvard Athletics)

Harvard guard and Baumholder graduate Chandler Piggé dribbles during a Feb. 7, 2026, basketball game against Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. (Nate Gardner/Harvard Athletics)

Piggé said he hoped he could latch onto an NBA Summer League squad, but his agents told him that he was going to receive international offers. When Manchester expressed interest, his agents advised Piggé to take a look, and the former Buccaneer agreed.

Manchester Basketball coach Matthew Otten praised Piggé after the signing.

“He’s an athletic wing who can run the floor and has a strong presence on the defence end and capable of defending multiple positions,” Otten said in a news release. “He has the reputation of a winner and a great teammate that I think will fit our culture here.”

The Mancunians won’t have to worry about Piggé struggling with culture shock.

The son of Dewayne and Felicia Piggé, Chandler spent his entire childhood outside of the United States, with his first 13 years in Japan at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and then five years attached to the United States Army Garrison Baumholder in Germany.

Piggé also isn’t new to squaring off with international opposition. The Houston native competed in the 3x3 basketball tournament at the 2025 International University Sports Federation World University Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, where he won a silver medal.

While his lone experience in England was going to an NFL game between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars in London in 2019, he expects a smooth transition.

“There’s always going to be a small adjustment, but I’m not nervous for it at all,” Piggé said. “I lived over there, and I’m familiar with the European lifestyle.”

Manchester Basketball is more than just a culture fit — the club goes well with Piggé’s basketball experiences.

The club is in its third year of existence. As is the SBL, which rose from the ashes of England’s previous top-tier league that had folded in 2024. And Manchester Basketball is seeking to rise not only in the British league but also qualify for European competition.

“Being that the team is so young, I’m super excited to be able to be a part of history,” Piggé said. “I think that’s always something that’s been consistent throughout my story.”

Piggé has helped his previous team make great strides. Along with Harvard’s resurgence, Piggé played a role in the start of Baumholder’s current dynasty with three Division III titles from 2018-2020.

Sure, Piggé credited Harvard coach Tommy Amaker and his staff for helping grow his game, specifically his 3-point shooting (31.5% his senior year after going 12.5% as a freshman) and his leadership skills.

Still, the defensive intensity he picked up from his father, a long time DODEA coach, first attracted him to Amaker.

Chandler Piggé of Baumholder passes off to a teammate between Brendan Henderson and Alexander Adams of Ansbach in the boys Division III championship game at the DODEA-Europe basketball finals in Wiesbaden, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. Baumholder won 50-43. (Michael Abrams)

Baumholder's Chandler Piggé goes up for a lay-up during the Division III basketball championship game between Baumholder and Ansbach at Clay Kaserne Fitness Center, Germany, Feb. 23, 2019. Baumholder won the game 70-65. (Stars and Stripes)

Piggé expressed his desire to be role models like Vilseck graduates Kyle Hinton and Zavier Scott, who play in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, respectively.

“I always consider myself a DODEA product,” Piggé said. “I’m a person who wants to represent DODEA well because that’s been my entire life. I want to be someone kids can look to as you can pursue your dreams.

“I’m very grateful that I can … be a role model for DODEA kids, and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the journey ends up.”