George King and NINERS Chemnitz are in talks on terminating their contract, agent Charles Misuraca of Slash Sports told Sportando.
King, a 2018 NBA second-round pick, has averaged 8.5 points over 20.5 minutes while shooting 56.3% from 3-point range through four games in the German BBL.
The South East Melbourne Phoenix have announced the signing of high-flying American point guard Keifer Sykes as their second import on a one-year deal.
The 26-year-old Chicago native has played for a number of clubs across the world – most recently at EuroLeague giants Panathinaikos – since finishing a stellar college career at Green Bay.
He’s also represented Cleveland, Golden State and Denver at the NBA Summer League, and the Austin Spurs in the NBA G-League.
Sykes won two Horizon League Player of the Year awards at college, has led the Turkish Basketball League in scoring, and averaged over 28 points in China.
He says winning an NBL title with the Phoenix is the driving factor behind his latest move.
“I just believed that this was my best chance to win a championship,” Sykes said.
“I came over here to be a point guard, to lead, and to win. My number one thing I want to always do is win.
“I think the NBL will bring out the best in all of my abilities and that’s why I’m excited to be here. I just want to win at the end of the day and take this team to the playoffs and see how far we can go.”
The 5’11 (180cm) point guard is known for his elite athleticism and jaw-dropping dunks, having participated in multiple dunk contests over his career.
“I like to play an exciting style of basketball; dunks and plays that people have never seen,” he said.
“I’m excited to meet the fans, meet the team, meet the staff, and I’m just excited for this season.”
Sykes joins star forward Mitch Creek, fellow Chicago import Ben Moore and Australian Boomer Cam Gliddon in an exciting Phoenix line-up.
Phoenix Head Coach Simon Mitchell first saw Sykes play in Las Vegas in 2018 when he was travelling as an assistant coach with Melbourne United and said the guard “dominated the session” and “terrified opposition guards”.
Mitchell and Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer watched him play with the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Summer League last year and sparked a mutual interest with the guard, now coming into fruition a year on.
“I love his speed, quickness, and tenacity. It stands out on both sides of the ball,” Mitchell said.
“His ability to score or deliver to teammates out of the pick and roll is exceptional and will be enhanced with the shooting we will be putting on the floor with him. He also has that next level athletic ability when he gets into the paint.
“Most importantly, from our discussions, Keifer just talks about winning and his willingness to do whatever it will take to win.”
Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer added: “Keifer is an incredibly talented and exciting player who we’ve had our eyes on for a while now, so it’s fantastic to secure him as the final piece of our roster.
“With Keifer’s inclusion adding to what we believe is already a really strong squad, we have high hopes of making a finals push and shaking things up in our second season.”
Sykes is currently quarantining in Sydney and is set to arrive in Melbourne and will join the team’s NBL21 preparations in mid-to-late December.
The Phoenix roster now includes Keifer Sykes (import), Ben Moore (import), Mitch Creek, Cam Gliddon, Reuben Te Rangi, Kyle Adnam, Dane Pineau, Kendall Stephens, Yanni Wetzell, Adam Gibson, Izayah Le’afa (development player), Tristan Forsyth (development player).
The club’s main roster is now complete, with an optional ‘Next Star’ prospect the only possible addition.
Fonte: NBL.
According to Baskaetfaul, Josh Magette has reached an agreement with Darussafaka.
The pointguard spent last year between the Orlando Magic and the Lakeland Magic (21.1 ppg, 9.8 apg, 2.2 spg).
Fonte: Basketfaul.
Virtus Segafredo Bologna announced the firing of coach Aleksandar Djordjevic.
The italian team started the season with 6 win in 7 games in Eurocup, and 4 over 8 games in the top italian division.
Aleksandar Djordjevic sollevato dall’incarico di responsabile tecnico della prima squadra
— Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@Virtusbo) December 7, 2020
David Gale is the new head coach of Nevezis.
Gale is a former Raptors 905 and Delaware 87ers assistant coach who spent the past two years with Ludwigsburg as the first assistant coach.
Fortitudo Bologna announced the hiring of Luca Dalmonte as head coach to replace Meo Sacchetti, fired on Sunday.
Dalmonte has been assistant coach in Fortitudo from 1993 to 1998.
He recently coached Tezenis Verona.
Today will be Luca Dalmonte’s day at Fortitudo Bologna as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and local press.
Former Italy NT assistant coach will replace Meo Sacchetti after the defeat against Germani Brescia on Saturday.
Luca Dalmonte has already coached Fortitudo Bologna in 1996 in the won Bologna’s derby for 80-63 with 31 points of Carlton Myers.
Cervando Tejeda, agent for Yogi Ferrell, denied that they have talked to Barcelona.
Ferrell is still free agent looking for another NBA opportunity.
“Ferrell is in US working out and waiting for another NBA opportunity and no talks have happened with Barcelona as of now” Tejeda told Sportando.
Gani Lawal has signed a deal with Al Rayyan in Qatar.
The veteran center is making his debut in Qatar today against Al Ahli.
Fonte: FIBA Live Stats.
KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has officially announced the signing of Slovenian guard Luka Rupnik to a deal until 2022.
Rupnik has already played for two different teams this season in Nymburk and Zaragoza. He now returns to his home country to play in the ABA Liga and EuroCup.
Fonte: KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana.
ESPN’s Olgun Uluc reports that the NBL has rescinded Nahziah Carter’s deal with Melbourne United after it became public that an investigation from the University of Washington alleged that he sexually assaulted two students.
Carter was suspended from the university’s basketball team activities in October for violating the Intercollegiate Athletics Code of Conduct. After announcing on Dec. 4 that he would pursue a pro career, it was reported Carter was finalizing a deal to join Melbourne United as a Next Stars player. That deal is now ‘off the table’, per Uluc.
Fonte: ESPN.
Fortitudo Bologna announced the firing of coach Meo Sacchetti.
Sacchetti joined Fortitudo during the summer after his experience in Cremona.
Sacchetti remains as head coach of Italbasket.
Italian and Basketball Champions League side Fortitudo Bologna is expected to announce soon the firing of coach Meo Sacchetti, a source told Sportando.
Italy NT coach arrived at Fortitudo earlier this year, but went on to win just one game out of 10 between LBA and BCL. Yesterday’s loss against Brescia was the 7th consecutive loss for the Italian side between league and cup.
Łukasz Majewski has resigned as coach of Polish side Arged BMSlam Stal, as reported by Patryk Pankowiak.
Majewski has been appointed as coach of Stal Ostrow in 2019, after ending his player career with the same team.
Euroleague and ACB giant FC Barcelona is showing interest in US guard Yogi Ferrell, a source told Sportando and Chema de Lucas.
Ferrell has spent the last four seasons in the NBA, appearing for Brooklyn, Dallas and Sacramento. In 2019-20 he averaged 4.3 points and 1.3 assists in 50 games played for the Kings.
Jordan Mathews has reached an agreement with Enisey Krasnoyarsk, source told Sportando.
The American guard spent last season with Vanoli Cremona where he was averaging 10ppg in Italian Serie A before pandemic.
Lietkabelis announced the arrival of Djordje Gagic.
The big man started last season with Aris BC, but later moved to BC Igokea, where he averaged over 11 points and 3 rebounds per game in ABA Liga.
His agency confirmed the news.
Djordje Gagic is moving to Lithuania, as the Serbian big man inks with Lietkabelis and will feature in @EuroCup and the domestic LKL league #octagon pic.twitter.com/zNwbAD3W3t
— Octagon Basketball Europe (@OctagonBballEU) December 3, 2020
Fonte: lietkabelis.lt.
Mike Young is a new player of Ironi Nahariya.
The forward out of Pittsburgh spent last season between France and the Winner League, where he averaged over 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assist for Hapoel Galil Gilboa.
מועדון הכדורסל עירוני נהריה מתכבד להודיע על החתמתו של השחקן מייקל לאמור יאנג ג'וניור ( 26,2.03) פ. פורוורד , בוגר אוניברסיטת פיטסבוגר, יאנג שיחק בעונה אשתקד במדיה של הפועל גלבוע/גליל .
קרדיט תמונה : לירן מולדובן , מנהלת הליגה . pic.twitter.com/YPKeTH2rEE— Ironi Nahariya BC (@INahariya) December 1, 2020
After announcing his decision to leave the University of Washington, Nahziah Carter is now finalizing a deal to join Melbourne United as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program, according to ESPN’s Olgun Uluc.
Carter, who happens to be Jay-Z’s nephew, left Washington after being suspended from the school in October. Last year, he averaged 12.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a junior.
Fonte: ESPN.
American/Nigerian swingman Daniel Utomi has bought himself out of his contract with Kauhajoki Basket to become a free agent, a source told Sportando.
He averaged 12.6 points per game on 53.7% from 3-point range before the Finnish Korisliiga was suspended until at least Dec. 23 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Point guard Glenn Cosey has signed a contract with Lavrio in Greece, the team announced.
Cosey played for the Bakken Bears in the Danish BasketLigaen and Basketball Champions League earlier this season.
Fonte: Lavrio.
Jeremiah Wilson signed a contract to play in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad.
The veteran forward played last year in Italy’s Serie A, averaging 9.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Veteran Croatian guard Roko Leni Ukic is expected to leave Cedevita Olimpija and join KK Split.
Ukic’s place in Cedevita will be taken by Slovenian guard Luka Rupnik.
Slovenian guard Luka Rupnik is joining KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, a source tells Sportando.
Rupnik has already featured for two different teams this season: Czech side Nymburk and Spanish side Zaragoza, for which he averaged 4.5 points and 2.6 assists in 6 ACB games.
The Brisbane Bullets have secured their second and final import for the 2020/21 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season with the signing of recent NBA player Vic Law.
Law is coming off a 2019/20 season where he played for the Orlando Magic and their G-League affiliate the Lakeland Magic. The 24-year-old appeared in nine games for Orlando, which included a 10-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans in August in the NBA bubble.
The 6’7” small forward made the 2020 All-NBA G-League Third Team after averaging 19.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for Lakeland.
Law played four seasons at college with the Northwestern Wildcats, averaging 15.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in his senior season in 2018/19.
Brisbane Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis said: “When we went to our trusted network of scouts, as always, there were a plethora of names suggested, but one that seemed to consistently appear was Vic Law. As a staff, the more we dug into Vic’s skill set, the more confident we became that it complements the rest of the group nicely. The mix of skills in any team is important.
“The interview with Vic, like Orlando (Johnson), was outstanding. Our research had indicated that he is a fine young man with strong values and the interview certainly confirmed that to be true. This is Vic’s first international experience as a pro, so there will be the usual adaptation challenges that come with that and we look forward, as a team, to helping him make that transition quickly and smoothly. It’s great that we were able to find a quality player so quickly. We now look forward to getting the entire group on court together by Christmas and seeing how it all looks.
“Will Magnay signing an NBA deal was a great achievement, not only for Will, but us as a club. Two players in four seasons getting NBA deals straight from the Bullets is an achievement the envy of clubs around the world and a tremendous reflection on our program. We’re very proud of the program we have built here and the fact that athletes improve during their time with us. No doubt, our strong reputation in this space was influential in convincing Vic to play here this season.”
Law said: “I’m really excited. I think this is a great opportunity for me and a great new experience and new adventure coming to Australia into the NBL and getting to face some really good competition.
“The opportunity from Brisbane came along and it seemed like an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. When Brisbane came and offered the deal it seemed like something we had to look into. After doing some research it seemed like the perfect fit for me.”
Law joins Harry Froling, Matt Hodgson, Orlando Johnson, Anthony Drmic, Jason Cadee, Nathan Sobey, Tyrell Harrison, Tanner Krebs, Tamuri Wigness and Callum Dalton (development player) on the Bullets’ roster for the 20/21 season.
Fonte: Brisbane Bullets.
Ryan Harrow signed a contract until the end of the 2020/21 season with Peristeri, the greek team announced.
The pointguard defended the colors of Peristeri during the 2018/19 season (12.5 ppg, 4.8 apg).
Harrow started this season with Coosur Real Betis, where he averaged 8 points, 1.8 assist and 1 steals in just 14 minutes per game.
🏀Ο Ράιαν Χάροου επιστρέφει πιο δυνατός για νέες επιτυχίες🦅 με τη φανέλα του Περιστερίου.🔥
🔗 https://t.co/ojfRSdifpg#TogetherWeFly #peristeribc #StoiximanBasketLeague #BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/L698XxvEhN— Peristeri B.C. (@peristeribc) December 3, 2020
Lester Medford Jr is a new player of Legia Kosz, the polish team announced.
The guard out of Baylor started the year with Start Lublin, with averages of 6.6 points, 5 assist and 2.1 steals.
#LegiaKoszTransfery by LOTTO! 🏀 Lester Medford Jr (@BeAwitness20) wzmacnia szeregi legionistów! 🔥💪 Okazją do debiutu Amerykanina będzie niedzielny mecz #plkpl z @KingWilki 🔜👊
Szczegóły 👉 https://t.co/K0V5mAtzff@totalizator_sp pic.twitter.com/F9ocZv4l5f— Legia Kosz (@LegiaKosz) December 3, 2020
Scottie Reynolds signed with KK Cibona a contract until the end of the current season, the croatian team announced.
The guard out of Villanova defended the colors of Cibona in the 2016/17 season.
Reynolds spent last year with Strasbourg, where he averaged over 10 points and 6 assist per game in Jeep Elite.
Cibona uoči FMP-a potpisala još jedno poznato lice! Vratio se Scottie Reynolds!💪
Welcome back, Scottie!🔥
🔗:https://t.co/WXrEezQQk0 #HejaHejaCibosi pic.twitter.com/mjOlIQWzdl— KK Cibona (@kk_cibona) December 3, 2020
Justin Bibbins is a new player of Pau-Orthez, the french team announced.
Bibbins moves to France after a strong start to the season in Poland where he was averaging 18.5 points and seven assists per game for Legia Warsaw.
📣 Recrutement
🆕 L'Elan Béarnais est heureux d'accueillir le meneur de jeu 🇺🇸 @justinbibbins1 🔥🔥
Toutes les infos 👉https://t.co/yovyETR2s9
📸Piotr Koperski – https://t.co/9dGowBre16#ELANation #JeepELITE pic.twitter.com/HUthLUAXaH— EBPLO (@EBPLO) December 2, 2020
Urbas Fuenlabrada has reached an agreement for the signing of Canadian center Kyle Alexander until the end of the season, only subject to the player passing a medical examination when he arrives in Fuenlabrada at the beginning of next week.
The big man out of Tennessee last year was a two-way player of the the Miami Heat.
He averaged 10.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in G League.
💥 Preacuerdo para el fichaje de Kyle Alexander
Pívot 🇨🇦 de 2,11 metros de altura y 24 años de edad
🏀 Temporada pasada en Sioux Falls Skyforce y Miami Heat
🗞️ https://t.co/1wNJiFByGl#fuenlADN #TanLejosTanCefrca pic.twitter.com/Llyg36xCDr
— Urbas Fuenlabrada (@BFuenlabrada) December 2, 2020