We are convinced team players - because we know that complex tasks are best solved together. That's why we are always looking for new team players who are open minded, curious and flexible. We always welcome career changers who bring fresh ideas and perspectives.

Akeem Vargas, professional basketball player and captain of the MLP Academics Heidelberg, proves in every game how important agility, speed and, last but not least, teamwork are. We are delighted to have him with us as a trainee in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) during the current Bundesliga season.


Do you see parallels between basketball and M&A, the merging of companies or the purchase of business units?
Both a basketball season and the purchase of a company are highly dynamic processes in which an enormous amount happens at different intervals. Constant flexibility and commitment are required. In addition, the character attributes of a professional athlete fit very well with the requirements that are needed during an M&A process. Far-reaching decisions often have to be made, sometimes under enormous time pressure, and of course these are all situations that can be transferred almost one-to-one from basketball.

How did you get into basketball?
My first great love was soccer, then at 15 I switched to basketball and in retrospect that was absolutely the right decision.

Are there certain values that are particularly important to you on the playing field?
Anyone who knows me knows that commitment and character are always at the forefront. My motto has always been “hard work beats talent”. At least in most cases, hard work can more than make up for less talent.

Do you have a role model / idol?
I always liked the "trash talk" of Muhammed Ali and the toughness/work ethic of Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens). Within the basketball world my idol was always Kobe Bryant, his attitude towards the sport combined with his unbridled will to win was impressive to me.

You've been with comcross for a few weeks now - what do you think about comcross?
I am delighted with the friendly atmosphere. From my first visit to the present day, everyone there has given me an open and warm welcome. All employees work with great passion and are approachable and communicative. This also applies to the management, who are always on hand with help and advice.

At comcross, you immediately sense a great team spirit, which is certainly a huge parallel to sport. At the same time, however, you also notice a great sense of individual performance and there is a strong demand for individual “delivery”. These two points are almost congruent with my everyday life as a professional basketball player.

What would you tell your younger self?
Life and success is a journey and not a destination - enjoy this journey, because you only get to experience it once.