According to news from Turkey, point guard Sharife Cooper is leaving Merkezefendi to conclude the season in Greece.
The former Auburn standout has reached an agreement with Aris BC, where he will compete in the Eurocup.
Cooper produced 15.8 points, 6 assists and 1.5 steals per game in BSL, in his first experience in Europe.
According to Eurohoops, Thomas Heurtel has reached an agreement to leave the Shenzhen Aviators and is ready to return to Europe.
On the French point guard, who produced over 18 points and 8 assists per game in the CBA, there is already interest from a number of clubs, including from the VTB League, where he already played from 2022 to 2024 with Zenit.
The Shanghai Sharks strengthen the roster with the return of Eric Bledsoe and the signing of Javontae Hawkins.
Bledsoe spent the last two seasons with the Chinese team, scoring 16.8 points with 5.6 assists in 22 minutes per game in 2023/24.
Hawkins comes from a year in the VTB League with Samara (11.2 PPG).
Talented young French basketball player Joan Beringer, who moved to Ljubljana from Strasbourg in the summer, has signed his first professional contract until 2028 with Cedevita Olimpija Basketball Club.
Beringer was initially expected to play on the youth team, but from day one the 18-year-old French athlete drew attention to himself, proving in training sessions and games that the Ljubljana club could seriously count on him. Even before the season began, he became a permanent member of the Cedevita Olimpija team and he is participating in Eurocup and ABA Liga for the first time in his career.
Beringer is producing 4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game Eurocup.
Nadarjeni 18-letni Joan Beringer je s Cedevito Olimpijo podpisal svojo prvo profesionalno pogodbo do leta 2028!
Joan se je ljubljanskemu klubu pridružil letošnje poletje, v kratkem času pa je postal eden od ključnih Zmajev v članski zasedbi!#ZmajevaDruzina pic.twitter.com/bxPkiQiRTj
— Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (@KKCedOL) November 19, 2024
Just one day after the announcement of Saša Obradović’s departure, Monaco has already secured a new head coach: Vassilis Spanoulis.
According to Meridian Sport, an agreement has been reached, and the current coach of the Greek national team, with a decorated EuroLeague career, will take over the team from the Principality.
Vassilis Spanoulis returns to the top European competition, which he has won three times: twice with Olympiakos and once with Panathinaikos.
Khalifa Koumadje is reportedly close to signing with Shangdong Hi-Speed Kirin in China.
The center is currently suspended by Alba Berlin.
Der von @albaberlin suspendierte Khalifa Koumadje wechselt offenbar – vorbehaltlich der medizinischen Tests – nach China zu Shangdong Hi-Speed Kirin.#easycreditBBL #EuroLeague pic.twitter.com/5mQnWdB2DM
— Robert Heusel (@RobertHeusel) November 18, 2024
Saša Obradović is no longer the head coach of Monaco, according to Meridian’s sources close to the club.
Following a loss to Le Mans and underwhelming performances in the EuroLeague and French league, the management has opted for a coaching change. A successor has yet to be named.
According to Michael Scotto, guard Brodric Thomas has reached an agreement with Manisa.
The 27-year-old spent a year in G League with the Ontario Clippers (11 points, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals).
Thomas also competed with NBA G League United in the last Intercontinental Cup.
Olimpia Milano reached an agreement with Freddie Gillespie. A 206 centimetres big man, former Bayern Munich and Crvena Zvezda, in this first part of the season was in the NBL, where he averaged 6.8 points and 5 rebounds with Breakers.
The announcement is expected by early next week
🚨Olimpia Milano reached an agreement with Freddie Gillespie. A 206 centimetres big man, former Bayern Munich and Crvena Zvezda, in this first part of the season was in the NBL, where he averaged 6.8 points and 5 rebounds with Breakers. The announcement is expected by early next… pic.twitter.com/IAsHpSQKnk
— Alessandro Luigi Maggi (@AlessandroMagg4) November 15, 2024
Real Madrid falls again in the EuroLeague, and Marca highlights the inadequacy of the roster’s depth for such a long season.
The report reads: “The injuries to Andrés Feliz, who returned to action against Efes only to play five seconds, Usman Garuba, and Dzanan Musa have overloaded the core group of Chus Mateo’s team with excessive minutes.
The roster already seemed too limited to handle another season with over 80 games. From the start, it appeared necessary to add a few more players.
With these absences, reinforcements are being called for loudly. Real Madrid is active in the market, many names are being linked, but no one has arrived. The financial situation is not ideal. When they finally decide to bring someone in—if they ever do—it might be too late.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv last night announced the two-year deal signed with Marial Shayok.
The forward arrives from the Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese league, where he produced 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists this season.
Shayok at Maccabi will reunite with Weynen Gabriel, his teammate in the South Sudan national team.
✒️ @MarialShayok pic.twitter.com/6Fksew65rx
— Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱 (@MaccabiTLVBC) November 13, 2024
Dimitris Itoudis will be the new head coach of Hapoel Tel Aviv. According to Sportando, an agreement has been reached, and only the official announcement is pending.
Stefanos Dedas, the current head coach, will remain on the staff as an assistant. Itoudis, who won two EuroLeague titles with CSKA, has been inactive since 2023 following the end of his tenure with Fenerbahce.
🚨 DONE DEAL: Dimitris Itoudis is the new Hapoel Tel Aviv head coach 🤝🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/upnhnrm0Wc
— Alessandro Luigi Maggi (@AlessandroMagg4) November 14, 2024
Negotiations between Dimitris Itoudis and Hapoel Tel Aviv have progressed, with the Greek coach reportedly close to accepting the Israeli club’s offer.
Greek media suggest the talks have accelerated recently, as Itoudis considers the ambitious project favorably.
Club owner Ofer Yanai confirmed plans to bring in a top-tier coach to work alongside Stefanos Dedas. Itoudis, a two-time EuroLeague champion with CSKA Moscow, could soon say yes.
The Shanxi Loongs strengthened the roster with the signing of Harry Giles III.
The 26-year-old former Duke big man was released by the Hornets during Training Camp.
Giles III last season played 23 games between the Nets and Lakers.
Virtus Bologna CEO Luca Baraldi has closed the door on Real Madrid for Isaia Cordinier, confirming the Frenchman until his contract expires.
“Cordinier is not moving. We will keep our commitments. Cordinier will stay with us until the end of the season, and this is not only my thought, but also that of the partners.
The player is at the centre of our technical project and since we are serious people and we have made a commitment to those who have put their trust in us, I am referring to our subscribers and the companies that sponsor us, it is not our intention to change the cards on the table once the season has started.
I am the managing director of the club and I believe there are no reasons to justify his departure, also considering his future ambitions”.
Source: Il Carlino
Isaia Cordinier’s transfer to Real Madrid appears increasingly likely. According to Repubblica Bologna, Octagon, Cordinier’s agency, has been on alert for days to secure a €500,000 buyout offer.
With Real Madrid facing a challenging period, the Spanish club has emerged as a viable destination for Cordinier. Octagon now awaits the green light from Bologna to finalize the move, suggesting the transfer could be imminent.
The Shanghai Sharks have released point guard Tremont Waters and center John Egbunu.
The Chinese team is second-to-last in the CBA with 1 win in 10 games.
Waters was scoring 18.5 points with 7.8 assists but also 4 turnovers per game.
Egbunu played a total of 36 minutes in 5 games.
The news emerged late last night. Real Madrid is attempting to acquire Isaia Cordinier, according to reports from Simone Motola, later confirmed by Superbasket.
An offer of €500,000 has reportedly been made to release the French player from Virtus Bologna, with the Italian team potentially eyeing a young replacement, possibly Hugo Gonzalez from Real Madrid.
Cordinier is currently under contract with Virtus until June 30, 2025. This season, he is averaging 10.3 points in LBA and posting 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in EuroLeague.
Further confirmations are awaited, also from Spain. Virtus faces Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight at 8:30 PM in the eighth round of EuroLeague.
Keifer Sykes will replace Nico Mannion in the ranks of Openjobmetis Varese.
The parties have reached an agreement, a source told Sportando.
Sykes will return to Italy after previous experiences in Avellino and Milan.
Following a recent loss to Bahçeşehir, Hapoel Tel Aviv is considering a coaching change. The main candidates to replace Stefanos Dedas, whose position is now under review, are Dimitris Itoudis and Sergio Scariolo.
Sports director George Yiannas has already traveled to Greece to meet Itoudis, who might even work alongside Dedas.
Meanwhile, Scariolo, coach of Spain’s national team, is re-evaluating the offer after initially declining. A decision is expected by the end of the week.
Alex Tyus is a new player of Openjobmetis Varese, as announced by the Italian team.
The veteran big man has signed a contract until the end of the season.
Tyus previously played in Italy early in his career with Cantù.
Former Chicago Bulls player Onuralp Bitim is set to return to Europe, signing a long-term deal with Fenerbahce Istanbul.
Due to a crowded rotation, he is expected to be loaned to Bayern Munich for the remainder of the season. In his rookie NBA season, Bitim averaged 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 12 minutes per game.
💣✅BOOM
Onuralp Bitim signs a multi-year contract with Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul. DONE DEAL, per sources.Olimpia Milan and Anadolu Efes were the other teams interested in the player.#EuroLeague #NBA #Fenerbahçe #FenerbahçeBeko #Efes #Milano pic.twitter.com/0qB5gNyo04
— Andrea Calzoni (@Andrea__Calzoni) November 5, 2024
Onuralp Bitim, who averaged 3.5 points with the Bulls last season, is set to join Fenerbahce Istanbul and is expected to be loaned to Bayern Munich, per sources.
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) November 5, 2024
Olimpia Milan has reached a multi-year agreement with point guard Niccolò Mannion, 1.90mt, born in Siena on 14 March 2001, coming from Openjobmetis Varese.
NICO MANNION – “I am proud and deeply motivated to be part of such a prestigious organization with all its history. My intention is to make sure all the energy I have will be available to the coaching staff and to my teammates in order to achieve the best results together. I will work hard every day, aiming to win as much as possible in all competitions. My desire is to demonstrate that I am a player capable of playing at this level, but, even more, I want to contribute to the club’s successes. I am open to learning as much as possible because I am aware that I still have great room for improvement as a player. Finally, I want to thank Olimpia for this opportunity and what was done to bring me to Milan.”
HIS CAREER – Born in Siena to an American father – Pace Mannion, who played for six NBA teams and then had a very long and successful European career, almost all of it in Italy, with Cantù and Treviso as the most relevant stops – and an Italian mother – Gaia Bianchi, a national volleyball team former player -, Nico Mannion grew up in Italy before moving with his family to the United States, to Salt Lake City and finally to Arizona. He attended Pinnacle High School in Phoenix which he led to the state title in 2018 while finishing the season averaging 23.4 points and 5.8 assists per game. In 2019, he led his team to a second consecutive championship, finishing with 43.4 points and 6.2 assists per game in addition to being named Arizona Player of the Year. In 2019 he enrolled at the University of Arizona. At the end of the season, he was named to the all-freshman Pac 12 conference team and second team overall before declaring himself for the NBA draft. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the number 48, in the second round. In his first year as a professional he played 30 games for the Warriors (4.1 points and 2.3 assists per game) and nine in the G-League for the Santa Cruz Warriors (19.3 points and 6.8 assists per game). In 2021, he signed for Virtus Bologna where he stayed for two seasons, playing the first in the Eurocup and the second in the EuroLeague. In the Italian league he had 9.4 points and 4.6 assists per game in 2021/22 and 10.5 points and 3.3 assists per game in 2022/23. In 2023 he moved to Baskonia, playing 20 games between the EuroLeague and the Spanish league and then signed for Varese where he ended the season with 20.3 points and 6.6 assists per game.
NOTES – Nico Mannion played for the Italian national team in the 2017 Under 16 European Championships (19.9 points per game) and in the same year he made his debut with the senior national team. In 2021 he averaged 17.7 points and 4.0 assists per game in the Belgrade Olympic qualifying tournament won by the Azzurri. At the Tokyo Olympics he averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. He also played the 2022 European Championships and the 2024 Olympic qualifiers.
Payton Willis and Tenerife are parting ways, as just announced by the Spanish club.
The guard was scoring 7.3 points – shooting 38% from the field- in 17 minutes per game between ACB and BCL.
Willis last year was the LBA’s sixth-best scorer with 15.7 points per game.
OFICIAL | Acuerdo de desvinculación con #PaytonWillis ➡️ https://t.co/A3oOQTmGSd
🙏 El Club agradece su trabajo y profesionalidad durante estos meses y le desea la mejor de las suertes
¡Muchas gracias por todo y mucha suerte, Payton! pic.twitter.com/E2u0xkI7pX
— La Laguna Tenerife (@CB1939Canarias) November 4, 2024
Maccabi Tel Aviv has reached an agreement with Aris BC on the buyout for David DeJulius, who will soon sign with the Israeli team and could be available for the Euroleague game against Virtus Bologna.
The news was reported by Eurohoops.
The 25-year-old point guard was scoring 17 points (60% FG, 56% 3P, 71% FT) with 3.5 assists per game between Eurocup and Greek league.
According to Sport5, Bruno Caboclo has an offer from Real Madrid in his hand.
The player’s agent Daniel Hazan: ‘He has received offers from EuroLeague clubs’.
Patrick Beverley is another Hapoel Tel Aviv player who is being followed by EuroLeague teams. There is no news at the moment about his willingness to leave Israel, but Real Madrid might ask about it. And the Spanish club has also reportedly made an offer to Bruno Caboclo.
— Alessandro Luigi Maggi (@AlessandroMagg4) November 1, 2024
The Johnathan Motley case explodes on the European market. Hapoel Tel Aviv announces the player’s desire to leave Israel. Behind it, according to Sportando, is Crvena Zvezda.
Johnathan Motley at the centre of the market. Thus Hapoel Tel Aviv this morning: “In the late hours of the night, it emerged that Jonathan Motley went to the Shlomo Arena to collect his personal belongings.
In recent days, the player has taken actions that are not in line with the generous agreement signed with him.
The club has initiated the relevant legal proceedings.
We take very seriously the actions of the player, who has a two-year contract with the club.
The club has invested, and will continue to invest, significant resources and commitments to build a team of the highest quality, with the aim of successfully competing in the ambitious targets set for all competitions in which the team participates”.
Jonathan Motley wants to leave Hapoel Tel Aviv for Crvena Zvezda
— Alessandro Luigi Maggi (@AlessandroMagg4) November 1, 2024
בשעות הלילה המאוחרות נודע לנו שג’ונתן מוטלי הגיע להיכל קבוצת שלמה על מנת לאסוף את חפציו.
השחק נקט בימים האחרונים פעולות שאינן עומדות בהלימה להסכם הנדיב שנחתם עמו.
המועדון החל לפעול באפיקים המשפטיים הרלוונטיים.
אנו רואים בחומרה רבה את מעשיו של השחקן, שחתום במועדון לשנתיים.… pic.twitter.com/KvrNkJsP8q
— Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) November 1, 2024
Nico Mannion will sign with Olimpia Milano on a 2+1 contract, with a buyout fee of €300,000 paid to Pallacanestro Varese.
The deal is guaranteed until 2026, with an option for an additional season. Mannion will join the Italian champions starting November 4, pending medical exams.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. has signed a deal with the Shanghai Sharks, a team currently in second-to-last place in the CBA.
The 22-year-old big man spent the preseason with the Chicago Bulls.
Lofton Jr averaged 4.6 points in 21 games in the last NBA season.
Jordan Mickey is a new player of the Qingdao Eagles, as announced by the club currently ranked eighth in the CBA.
This is the first experience in the CBA for the 30-year-old big man, after a two-year stint in Italy with Virtus Bologna.
Mickey in the last Euroleague put together averages of 8.2 points and 4 rebounds in 22 minutes per game.
