Michael Rataj

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Michael Rataj

| image =

| caption =

| number = 12

| position = Power forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 9

| weight_lbs = 220

| team = Oregon State Beavers

| league = West Coast Conference

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|10|12|df=y}}

| birth_place =

| high_school =

| college = Oregon State (2022–present)

| career_start = 2019

| career_end =

| years1 = 2019–2021

| team1 = Bayern Munich II

| years2 = 2021–2022

| team2 = OrangeAcademy

| years3 = 2021–2022

| team3 = Ratiopharm Ulm

| highlights =

First-team All-WCC (2025)

}}

Michael Rataj (born 12 October 2003{{Cite web |title=Michael Rataj Player Profile, Oregon State - RealGM |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Michael-Rataj/Summary/151184 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=basketball.realgm.com |language=en}}) is a German college basketball power forward for the Oregon State Beavers of the West Coast Conference.

Early life

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.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-19 |title=German forward Rataj commits to Oregon State |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/32668505/oregon-state-men-basketball-lands-commitment-german-forward-michael-rataj |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} 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. In 2021, he committed to play college basketball at Oregon State University.{{Cite web |last=Daschel |first=Nick |date=2021-11-20 |title=Oregon State men’s basketball lands promising German small forward Michael Rataj |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2021/11/oregon-state-mens-basketball-lands-promising-german-small-forward-michael-rataj.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=oregonlive |language=en}}

College career

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.{{Cite web |title=Beavers’ Michael Rataj: ‘He is a fabulous kid to be around’ |url=https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/beavers-michael-rataj-he-is-a-fabulous-kid-to-be-around |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Kerry Eggers |language=en-US}} As a junior, Rataj began to have a breakout season, doubling his scoring production.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=Key matchup: Forward Michael Rataj stayed put at OSU, thriving in junior season |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jan/15/key-matchup-forward-michael-rataj-stayed-put-at-os/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Spokesman.com |language=en}} Against No. 16 Gonzaga, he scored 29 points, helping lead the Beavers to a 97–89 upset win in overtime.{{Cite web |last=Daschel |first=Nick |date=2025-01-17 |title=Michael Rataj heroics, Oregon State grit the difference in 97-89 OT win over No. 16 Gonzaga |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2025/01/michael-rataj-heroics-oregon-state-grit-the-difference-in-97-89-ot-win-over-no-16-gonzaga.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=oregonlive |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Denney |first=Jarrid |title=How Michael Rataj carried Oregon State men's basketball to marquee win over No. 16 Gonzaga |url=https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/sports/college/oregon-state/2025/01/17/how-rataj-carried-oregon-state-to-thrilling-signature-win-over-gonzaga/77764977007/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Statesman Journal |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Daschel |first=Nick |date=2025-01-20 |title=Oregon State’s Michael Rataj first Beaver honored as men’s basketball player of the week twice in a season in 11 years |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2025/01/oregon-states-michael-rataj-first-beaver-honored-as-mens-basketball-player-of-the-week-twice-in-a-season-in-11-years.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=oregonlive |language=en}} Against Santa Clara, he scored a career-high 30 points in an 83–69 victory.{{Cite web |last=Daschel |first=Nick |date=2025-01-26 |title=Michael Rataj’s second-half explosion leads Oregon State past Santa Clara |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2025/01/michael-ratajs-second-half-explosion-leads-oregon-state-past-santa-clara.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=oregonlive |language=en}}