Basket rumors

Chris Jones remains with Valencia

Chris Jones announced on his social channels his decision to stay with Valencia next season, with a very clear message, ” Remain loyal to those that are loyal to you.”

Jones had long been on the radar of several teams due to Valencia’s exclusion from the Euroleague, but in the end he decided to honor his deal with the Taronjas.

Last season the point guard scored 12.6 points with 4.2 assists per game in Euroleague, and 12 points with 4 assists in ACB.

 

 

Sasha Vezenkov reportedly to sign with Olympiacos

Is Sasha Vezenkov about to return to Olympiacos? The news, also reported in recent days by Sportando, seems to find confirmation in these minutes.

According to Eurohoops, the agreement between the parties is confirmed. A decision is awaited from the Toronto Raptors, who as an official position would like to test the 2023 EuroLeague mvp in pre-season.

According to gazzetta.gr, a Greek portal, it’s done deal. Vezenkov has reportedly already informed Panathinaikos that he has chosen Olympiacos and is only waiting for the final details to resolve his contract with the Toronto Raptors.

Sasha Vezenkov is guaranteed over $6 million for the 2024-2025 NBA season. According to Sportando’s report on 29 June, Olympiacos would put a four-year, €16 million deal on the table. The parties reportedly met on Sunday in Sofia.

Nigel Hayes-Davis reportedly to sign an extension with Fenerbahce

Nigel Hayes-Davis will sign a three-year extension with Fenerbahce. The current deal expired in 2025, so credibly the extension will run until 30 June 2028.

Last season the forward produced an average of 13.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in the EuroLeague.

Reyer Venezia reportedly in advanced talks with Xavier Munford

Reyer Venezia is moving on the market with Xavier Munford as the main candidate to replace Rajyon Tucker in the shooting guard role, the player arriving from a season with Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Munford finished the Eurocup with an average of 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. The Venetian team is also considering other options, including Langston Galloway.

Source: La Nuova Venezia

Stanley Johnson to join Anadolu Efes

Stanley Johnson arrives in Europe for the first time in his career after eight seasons in the NBA and one in the G League, to become one of Anadolu Efes’ top players.

The parties have reached an agreement, according to Mike Scotto.

The former Arizona forward last year produced over 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game in G League with the Stockton Kings.

Brandon Davies close to leaving Valencia?

Valencia Basket could soon exercise the exit clause in the contract with former Olimpia Milano centre Brandon Davies. Nevertheless, the club could negotiate a new deal with Davies for a lower sum if both parties wish.

The club has until the end of this week to decide whether to break the contract, which currently ties Davies to the club until June 2025, by paying a penalty.

With the arrival of three new in-house players, Nate Sestina, Ethan Happ and Matt Costello, Davies’ expected salary increase in the second season would significantly reduce Valencia’s room for manoeuvre to complete the squad.

Davies, who is almost 33 years old and holds a Ugandan passport, does not occupy an extra-community place in the Liga Endesa. This season he has averaged 15 points, five rebounds and two assists in the ACB and 12 points, four rebounds and two assists in the Euroleague.

Source: Mundo Deportivo

Donatas Motiejunas: If Monaco does not tell us anything in the next few days, we will move to Milan

Olimpia Milano’s big market target, Donatas Motiejunas, is not hiding. These are the Lithuanian centre’s full statements to the local press before last night’s match against Mexico in San Juan.

‘If Monaco does not tell us anything in the next few days, we will have to move to Milan’. Very clear words in short, much clearer than those given by the media yesterday.

‘At the end of the season it was said that Monaco wanted to keep me, but for a month and a half the silence has been total. During this period I had no confrontation with the GM, with the coach, with anyone. I waited a long time, in the end Milan came forward. I had a chat with Messina, he explained his vision. We’ll see, we’re in the final stages’.

Sterling Brown officially leaves Alba Berlin

Sterling Brown officially leaves Alba Berlin. American guard exercised an exit clause in his two-year contract.

Brown averaged 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season in EuroLeague.

Partizan, Barcellona reportedly target Chima Moneke

According to reports in Catalonia by Sport, Partizan is facing strong competition for Chima Moneke.

Barcelona, in fact, has shown great interest in the Nigerian player, becoming the main contender.

Barcelona was close to a deal with Unicaja’s Dylan Osetkowski, but unforeseen problems complicated the operation.

The Catalan club therefore turned its attention to Moneke, who is currently under contract with Baskonia, with a €1.5 million termination clause.

However, both Barcelona and Partizan hope to negotiate a lower price with the Vitoria club.

Live Sport: Olympiacos executives met Sasha Vezenkov on Sunday

Giorgios Skindilias and Christos Bafes, vice-president and sports director of Olympiacos respectively, met with Sasha Vezenkov and his family in Sofia on Sunday.

The player, already a EuroLeague mvp, is in the Piraeus team’s sights in case of a farewell to the NBA. Vezenkov still has one year guaranteed with the Toronto Raptors but has yet to meet with the franchise to understand his expected space next season.

Greek sports daily Live Sport reveals the meeting.

Olympiacos reportedly targets Svi Mykhailiuk

According to a report by Achilleas Mavrodontis of sport24.gr, Olympiacos is seriously considering Svi Mykhailiuk to strengthen the team.

Although Evan Fournier remains the top target, the difficulty of his recruitment is prompting the Greek club to consider alternatives.

Mykhailiuk, known for his shooting skills, is currently a free agent after playing with the Boston Celtics. Olympiacos coach Georgios Bartzokas thinks highly of the Ukrainian player, believing he can contribute significantly to the team.

Developments are awaited, especially in relation to the Fournier case.

Donatas Motiejunas: If Monaco does not respond in the next few days, we will have to do it

These are the decisive hours of the negotiation between Olimpia Milano and Donatas Motiejunas, the Lithuanian centre destined, according to Ettore Messina’s idea, to complete the red and white department with Josh Nebo.

Monaco has a renewal option on the player’s contract. But according to BasketNews there have been no developments.

Meanwhile, the Lithuanian version of BasketNews has picked up this statement from the Lithuanian centre: ‘If Monaco does not respond in the next few days, we will have to do it”.

Valencia to be able to sign Costello and Happ

Valencia Basket and Matt Costello will be able to sign a contract, once the deadline for Baskonia to match the taronja offer, subject to the right of first refusal, has expired.

Likewise, the Levante club and Ethan Happ will be able to sign a contract, as Dreamland Gran Canaria did not match the taronja offer, subject to the right of first refusal.

Sylvain Francisco joins Zalgiris Kaunas

A point guard with EuroLeague experience will play for Zalgiris Kaunas in the upcoming season. Sylvain Francisco will come to Kaunas on a 1+1 contract.

The 26-year-old 185 cm tall Frenchman wore a Bayern Munich jersey last season and made his debut in the old continent’s top tournament.

“I feel great and I am happy to be here. I really wanted to play for Andrea Trinchieri. I knew Zalgiris was a good club. In fact, for me it is one of the best clubs in Europe. I felt that I had to be somewhere where I could get more responsibility and play in a great atmosphere,” said Francisco.

Francisco averaged 10.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 19 minutes on the court during last EuroLeague season.

In the German league, the new Zalgiris player averaged 12.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

“Sylvain adapted quickly to the EuroLeague and impressed our organization as a EuroLeague rookie with a solid debut season. It is very important for us to see the potential of our players and to show it, and in this situation there is a lot of room for that,” said Zalgiris GM Gediminas Navickas.

Francisco has also worn the jersey of the French national men’s basketball team.

Before moving to the EuroLeague, he also played for Athens Peristeri (Greece), Manresa (Spain), Chorale Roane, Paris Basketball and Paris Metropolitans 92 (France).

Ibaka and Llull Sign One-Year Deals, Chus Mateo Extends for Two Years, Real Madrid Awaiting Garuba

According to “encestando,” Real Madrid Basketball has nearly finalized its roster for the upcoming season, with only the potential arrival of Usman Garuba remaining. Garuba, currently in the NBA, might decide to return to Europe, with an agreement already in place with the Madrid club.

The current roster includes new signings Andrés Feliz (2+1 contract), Serge Ibaka (one-year deal), and Xavier Rathan-Mayes (two-year contract), along with the renewals of Walter Tavares and Mario Hezonja. Despite the departures of veterans like Rudy Fernández and Sergio Rodríguez, Chus Mateo, who has extended his contract for two years, will need to integrate the new additions and redefine the team’s roles.

The status of Fabien Causeur remains uncertain, while it is yet to be seen if Hugo González will secure a spot in the first team. The possibility of adding a specialist shooter like Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is still under consideration.

Besiktas signs Kelan Martin and Emanuel Terry

Besiktas announced the signings of two former NBA players, guard Kelan Martin and big man Emanuel Terry.

Martin last year defended the colors of Pinar Karsiyaka (13.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 53% FG, 45% 3P in BSL), while Terry played with Manisa (12.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 64%FG between BSL and FIBA Europe Cup).

 

Rio Breogan signs EJ Onu

Rio Breogan announced the arrival of big man EJ Onu to reinforce the roster under the basket.

The player, recently likened to Varese, spent his first season in Europe with Brose Bamberg.

Onu produced averages of 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 18 minutes per game, finishing as the third-best shot blocker in the German league.

 

Sasha Vezenkov close to a deal with Olympiacos

Sasha Vezenkov is close to return to Europe by signing a four-year deal with Olympiacos.

No Panathinaikos then: agreement for 16 million euros. The formalities are awaited.

But there is one condition to return to Europe: Vezenkov would have to find a buyout agreement with the Raptors as there is a $6.6 million salary for the 2024-25 NBA season involved.

An agreement between the parties is in the works.

Hapoel Jerusalem in the mix for Awudu Abass

What future for Awudu Abass? According to Sportando, it is now choice time for the national team and Virtus Bologna forward.

1 July 2024 as the key date. On the table, for Awudu Abass, four options: the permanence in Virtus Bologna, Olimpia Milano’s interest, Trapani Shark’s offer and the foreign option, Hapoel Jerusalem.

In an interview with the Gazzetta, Valerio Antonini, president of Trapani Shark, confirmed the court to the player: ‘I have also made an important offer to Awudu Abass: if he accepts he would become the king of Trapani, as well as the perfect player to demonstrate the seriousness of the project and ambitions.

Bayern Monaco targets also Vassilis Spanoulis to replace Pablo Laso

Bayern Munich is working to choose a replacement for Pablo Laso, as of today and for three years coach of Baskonia.

Among the hot names, that of Greece coach Vassilis Spanoulis, who has just finished two excellent seasons with Peristeri, is also surfacing.

Fenerbahce reportedly reached an agreement with Wade Baldwin

Fenerbahce has reportedly reached an agreement with Wade Baldwin.

The american guard will leave Maccabi Tel Aviv to sign a two-year contract in Turkey. The value of the contract will be $5 million.

The American guard produced an average of 17.4 points in the last EuroLeague season.

Partizan reportedly close to Tyrique Jones and Isiaha Mike

The revolution continues at Partizan, as they are close to finalizing the signings of Tyrique Jones and Isiaha Mike, according to Meridian Sports.

Jones comes from a season with Anadolu Efes (7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds in Euroleague, 10.5 with 6.4 rebounds in BSL), while Mike spent a good two years with JL Bourg (12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals in Eurocup).

The Serbian team just announced the departure of Alen Smailagic.

Zalgiris, Virtus Bologna and Bayern Munich reportedly targets

According to Encestando, Tyson Carter’s stay at Unicaja Malaga is in doubt. The player’s exit clause, set at €250,000 until July 7, has attracted the attention of several Euroleague teams, including Zalgiris, Virtus Bologna and Bayern Munich.

Carter, who could leave Unicaja in the coming days, is being monitored with interest for his guard role, with his situation likely to be resolved soon.

James Webb reportedly to leave Maccabi Tel Aviv

According to reports from Encestando, James Webb is set to leave Maccabi Tel Aviv. Webb, who will turn 31 in August, averaged six points and three rebounds per game last season.

Already known in Spain for his experiences with UCAM Murcia and Valencia Basket, Webb has been offered to several European teams, with Unicaja particularly interested, given the need for a big forward.

The American passport issue could complicate the transfer, given that Unicaja already has two non-EU players in the team, Tyson Carter and Kameron Taylor.