The 2024-2025 EuroLeague season has begun, and it’s time to miss every prediction with the Sportando Power Rankings.
Let’s start with the race to the Final Four, from the eighth to the first position. Enjoy the read.
8 – Partizan
Zeljko Obradovic has almost completely revamped Partizan’s roster, which presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The quality of the new additions is high, and players like Carlik Jones and Sterling Brown could make a big difference. However, it will take time to build team chemistry after a notably disappointing season. The Serbian team has the potential to make the playoffs, but much will depend on rotation management and the cohesion of so many individual talents, especially after the loss of a key player like Punter.
Coach: Zeljko Obradovic (retained)
PG: Ntilikina (Charlotte Hornets), Washington (G-League)
G: Lundberg (Bologna), Brown (ALBA), Jaramaz (retained)
SF: Bonga (Bayern), Marinkovic (Baskonia), Nakic (Igokea)
PF: Pokusevski (Charlotte Hornets), Mike (Bourg)
C: Davies (Valencia), Koprivica (retained), Jones (Efes)
7 – Anadolu Efes
Anadolu Efes boasts a talented roster, with Poirier and Johnson joining an already strong group, not to mention Nwora. Larkin and Beaubois remain the core of the team, but the real question lies with head coach Tomislav Mijatovic, who was unexpectedly retained after a prolonged negotiation with Xavi Pascual. If the new signings adapt quickly to the system, and Thompson truly takes charge of this team, Efes could be one of the squads to beat. However, the early part of the season will be crucial in determining whether they can realistically aim for the Final Four.
Coach: Tomislav Mijatovic (retained)
PG: Larkin (retained), Thompson (retained), Hollatz (retained)
G: Johnson (G-League), Beaubois (retained), Ozdemiroglu (retained), Tunca (retained), Oncel (retained)
SF: Nwora (Raptors), Bryant (retained), Yilmaz (retained)
PF: Willis (retained), Smits (Zalgiris), Yildizli (retained)
C: Poirier (Real Madrid), Osmani (retained), Altuntas (retained), Demirel (retained), Oturu (retained)
6 – Barcelona
Barcelona has embarked on a new journey under head coach Joan Penarroya (a surprising choice), and the team seems poised to compete at the highest level. The arrival of Kevin Punter provides a strong offensive leader, though the offensive hierarchy must be rewritten, and many egos will need managing when the pressure mounts. The lack of clear leadership could pose a problem, but if Penarroya can create a solid structure, Barça could return to being one of Europe’s most feared teams. Keep an eye on the frontcourt, where players like Vesely, Willy, Nnaji, Fall, Metu, and Parker could dominate.
Coach: Joan Penarroya (new)
PG: Laprovittola (retained), Satoransky (retained), Nunez (Ulm)
G: Punter (Partizan), Brizuela (retained), Sarr (youth team)
SF: Abrines (retained), Anderson (Valencia)
PF: Metu (Pistons), Parker (retained), Parra (retained)
C: Vesely (retained), Hernangomez (retained), Nnaji (retained), Fall (ASVEL)
5 – Monaco
Monaco continues to rise as a European basketball powerhouse, and the team led by Mike James could be one of the guiding forces of the season. The additions of Korkmaz and Papagiannis add depth, but balancing the roster will be key, though the potential is clear. This team has already proven it can compete at the highest levels, but to take the next step and aim for the title, they’ll need to improve defensively and find more consistency. Nick Calathes will play a crucial role as the team’s stabilizer, while James is expected to lead the offense, especially with Calathes no longer as an opponent.
Coach: Sasa Obradovic (retained)
PG: James (retained), Calathes (Fenerbahce), Strazel (retained)
G: Okobo (retained), Tarpey (retained), Diallo (retained), Begarin (Nanterre)
SF: Korkmaz (76ers), Blossomgame (retained)
PF: Brown V. (Pinar), Cornelie (retained)
C: Jaiteh (retained), Motiejunas (retained), Papagiannis (Fenerbahce)
4 – Real Madrid
Despite the summer changes, with Fernandez and Rodriguez retiring, Real Madrid remains one of Europe’s most dangerous teams, though they are incomplete. The Hezonja-Musa duo will be crucial, while the addition of Serge Ibaka strengthens the defense. This is a team that has always performed well under adversity, even when lacking in overall talent, but the presence of long-time veterans, now absent, was key. Chus Mateo will need to integrate the new signings effectively, and if he finds the right balance, Madrid will once again be among the top contenders, though the transfer market might still have some say.
Coach: Chus Mateo (retained)
PG: Campazzo (retained), Feliz (Badalona)
G: Llull (retained), Rathan-Mayes (Enisey)
SF: Musa (retained), Abalde (retained)
PF: Hezonja (retained), Deck (retained), Yabusele (retained)
C: Tavares (retained), Ibaka (Bayern), Garuba (NBA), Ndiaye (retained)
3 – Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce boasts a deep and talented roster, with Wade Baldwin and Bonzie Colson joining an already competitive squad, one capable of reaching the Final Four. Sarunas Jasikevicius has built a solid team, and the addition of Boban Marjanovic and Nicolo Melli strengthens the frontcourt, alongside Khem Birch. There’s a clear need for a pure playmaker, the true question mark of the season, but Jasikevicius has plenty of offensive options at his disposal. If they avoid injuries, Fenerbahce could be one of the strongest teams in the competition.
Coach: Sarunas Jasikevicius (retained)
PG: Wilbekin (retained), Baldwin (Maccabi), Zagars (retained)
G: Hall (Milano), Gazi (Efes), Guduric (retained), Mahmutoglu (retained)
SF: Pierre (retained), Colson (Maccabi), Biberovic (retained)
PF: Hayes-Davis (retained), Birsen (retained), Melli (Milano)
C: Sanli (retained), Birch (Girona), Marjanovic (NBA)
2 – Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos has further strengthened its roster after last season’s success. Lorenzo Brown, Cedi Osman, and Omer Yurtseven are the key additions, making the lineup incredibly deep. The team blends experience and talent perfectly, though there are concerns about Brown’s health, while Ataman will need to balance multiple egos. If they can maintain the right condition, Panathinaikos has everything necessary to repeat their title run. And as always, Ataman knows how to win.
Coach: Ergin Ataman (retained)
PG: Brown (Maccabi), Sloukas (retained), Grant (retained)
G: Grigonis (retained), Nunn (retained), Moraitis (retained)
SF: Osman (NBA), Papapetrou (retained), Kalaitzakis (retained)
PF: Hernangomez (retained), Mitoglou (retained), Mantzoukas (retained)
C: Lessort (retained), Antetokounmpo (retained), Yurtseven (NBA)
1 – Olympiacos
Olympiacos enters the 2024-25 season as the favorite, thanks to a high-level roster. The reasoning is simple: the Reds reached the Final Four even after Sasha Vezenkov returned home following just one season. The new additions, like Fournier (was he really necessary?) and Vildoza (waiting for Evans), bring even more options, while Tyler Dorsey’s return adds depth. Don’t forget about Keenan Evans, who could really elevate the team once he returns. This squad has everything to win the title that has eluded them in recent years.
Coach: Georgios Barzokas (retained)
PG: Walkup (retained), Evans (Zalgiris), Vildoza (Panathinaikos), Mitrou-Long (retained)
G: Fournier (NBA), Dorsey (Fenerbahce), Williams-Goss (retained), Larentzakis (retained)
SF: McKissic (retained), Papanikolaou (retained)
PF: Vezenkov (Raptors), Peters (retained)
C: Milutinov (retained), Fall (retained), Wright (retained)
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