On a June evening in 1994, a young basketball-obsessed Stefan Hoops stayed up past his bedtime to watch the Houston Rockets claim victory over the New York Knicks, even though it was a school night. It was the first time the NBA finals had been broadcast live in Germany so Hoops’ parents gave him permission for the special occasion.

Almost 30 years later, the DWS chief executive hosted Houston Rockets veteran Robert Horry in Frankfurt for a basketball practice session as part of the asset manager’s global sponsorship of the Los Angeles Lakers.