Basket rumors

Stefano Tonut: I would definitely be happy to stay

Stefano Tonut talked about his future in Olimpia Milano with Sport Mediaset: “I have an option to stay here. I am happy with these two years and also with the fact that the fans support me. The coach, the staff, all my teammates love me. That’s something I think is very important. I was lucky in my career to do long periods in teams, where I got to know many players and I always had a good feeling, a good relationship, even afterwards. Yes, I would definitely be happy to stay. Let’s say that now comes the most important period of the season for everyone, where so much of our future will be decided. So we’ll try to push, try as I’m already doing, to get ready for the most important part of the season.

Anadolu Efes plans to make an important offer to Kendrick Nunn

Anadolu Efes is ready to make an important offer for Kendrick Nunn.

The former NBA player signed in November a deal until the end of the season with Panathinaikos (€1.5 million according to sport24), who are working on a new multi-year contract.

Will he be the first big target of the Pascual era?

VL Pesaro reportedly signs Johnny Hamilton

VL Pesaro has closed the deal with Johnny Hamilton. The news is reported by Carlino and Corriere Adriatico.

The agreement has been reached. A class of 1994, 213 centimetres, Hamilton was born in Rio Claro in Trinidad and Tobago, after the G League he has been in Europe since 2019, in 2020-2021 he will also play in the EuroLeague with Fenerbahce.

This season he produced 10.8 points on average with Busaspor with 6.8 rebounds.

VL Pesaro’s Scott Bamforth leaves Italy

Home VL Pesaro, Scott Bamforth leaves Italy due to serious family problems. This was reported by the Corriere Adriatico.

Il Resto del Carlino confirms that the player has already received the green light from the club.

The guard ends his experience with Pesaro with an average of 13.7 points, 3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. His high was 23 with Treviso and Varese.

Augustine Rubit reportedly joining Rostock Seawolves

Augustine Rubit has reached an agreement until the end of the season with the Rostock Seawolves, according to Rupert Fabig.

The power forward is returning to the game after the Achilles tendon injury he suffered during last season with Bayern Munich.

Rubit will help the BBL team, currently fourth-last with six wins in 25 games, avoid relegation.

Sharife Cooper signs with Liaoning Flying Leopards

Sharife Cooper has reached an agreement with the Liaoning Flying Leopards, as announced by his agency.

Cooper, the No.48 pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, leaves US for the first time in his career to help the Chinese team win a third consecutive CBA title.

The Auburn product started the season in G League with the Cleveland Charge, averaging 18.6 points, 7.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Promising big man Ariel Hukporti returns to Ludwisburg

Ludwisburg announced the return of Ariel Hukporti on a deal through the end of the season.

The 21-year-old German big man, No. 58 in ESPN’s Top 100 for the 2024 NBA Draft, previously played with MHP RIESEN from 2018 to 2020.

Hukporti spent the last three years with Melbourne United (7.9 PPG, 7 RPG, 1.5 BPG in 17 minutes per game in the 2024 NBL).

 

Xavi Pascual’s agent: At this stage there are no movements regarding his future

Xavi Pascual heading to Anadolu Efes? The Spanish coach’s agent, Vadim Mikhaelevskiy, commented as follows to the Russian website Match TV: “Pascual has an existing contract with Zenit until the end of the season, so we have not yet reached an agreement with anyone. Remember that last summer he ‘transferred’ to five Euroleague teams, but in the end he stayed in St. Petersburg. That is why it is too early to talk about a new contract’.

In short, caution is normal this season: ‘At this stage there are no movements regarding Pascual’s future. He has an existing contract with Zenit and is only focused on the end of the season’.

Virtus Bologna targets John Petrucelli for the next season

Virtus Bologna are already active on the market for next season. According to Sportando, negotiations are underway to bring John Petrucelli to the Bianconeri.

Petrucelli, a 1992 Hicksville graduate and Italian international, has one year left on his contract with Pallacanestro Brescia, but with a reduced buyout for EuroLeague teams.

Coming to Italy in 2021 at the instigation of Marco De Benedetto, Petrucelli is now a player of great interest on the national market. According to Sportando, the virtussina proposal would be on a two-year basis.

With an extraordinary EuroLeague on the line and a Scudetto sprint on the horizon, the Bianconeri are wasting no time in launching an ambitious plan for next season.

Kevin Porter jr. to sign a $10,000 one-month contract with PAOK

Kevin Porter Jr. to sign a $10,000 one-month contract with PAOK as reported Harris Stavrou.

Former Rockets player would make his debut on Lavrio’s court this week, and then play the other three matches of the second phase of the Greek top league.

In case of playoff qualification, the agreement would be extended until the end of the season.

Partizan reportedly in talks to extend Zeljko Obradovic’s contract

Partizan offered a new contract extension until 2026 to Željko Obradović. This move demonstrates the club’s intention to retain Europe’s most successful coach on a long-term basis.

Currently, Obradović’s focus is on the upcoming challenges on the court, with Partizan preparing for a crucial game in Berlin against Alba to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the Euroleague play-in.

Since his return to Partizan in 2021, Obradović has guided the team to remarkable success, culminating in winning the ABA League last season and the EuroLeague playoffs with Real Madrid.

Source: Mozzart Sport

Amar Alibegovic officially leaves Cagdas to sign with Trapani Shark

Amar Alibegovic officially leaves the Cagdas to sign with the Trapani Shark. The player said goodbye to the Turkish club on Instagram.

“It was definitely a difficult season for all of us, but I will never forget this experience. I met many great people who I will keep as close friends and I found a place where I can feel at home. My only regret is that I did not achieve the higher goals that we have the potential to achieve. I would like to thank the coaching staff, the management and all my fantastic teammates. Thanks to all the fans who came to support us.”

“I will miss this place and wish this club all the best for the future”.

 

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Barcellona reportedly in talks with Jabari Paker for ax extension

Barcelona and Jabari Parker negotiate contract renewal.

This season the former NBA player is averaging 10.3 points in EuroLeague with 4 rebounds.

Wayne Selden joins Chorale Roanne

Wayne Selden is a new player of Chorale Roanne, as announced by the French club.

The Kansas product started the season in Taiwan with the Fubon Braves (15.3 PPG).

Selden will replace the injured Jalen Jones.

 

Andrea Trinchieri on Alex Poythress: I’ve always liked him

Zalgiris Kaunas targets Alex Poythress for next season. The question was put directly to Lithuanians’ coach Andrea Trinchieri in a press conference during the presentation of the match against Olimpia Milano.

“I’ve always liked him. He’s a long player with great energy and dynamism. He brings a lot of energy to the team. He was unavailable, he’s back and he’s playing great”.

Big3 offered $5 million to Caitlin Clark

Big3 wants to sign emerging women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark to a $5 million contract.

Ice Cube wrote: “America’s women athletes should not be forced to spend their off seasons playing in often dismal and dubious foreign countries just to make ends meet.”.

Marca: Mario Hezonja-Real Madrid, a divorce not only financial

Mario Hezonja is on the verge of leaving Real Madrid for Panathinaikos, not for financial reasons but because he feels unappreciated, according to a report in Marca.

The Spanish gazette, through its journalist Jesús Sánchez, insists that the issue of Hezonja’s transfer is over.

The Croatian’s decision to move on is described as a personal one, based on a desire for recognition and importance within the team, rather than an improvement to his contract.

Also Fenerbahce reportedly in the mix for Rokas Jakubaitis

Zalgiris wants to bring Rokas Jakubaitis back to Kaunas next season. But not only that. The news launched by Sportando last night is also confirmed by the Lithuanian website 15min.lt.

But not only that. According to the portal, Fenerbahce is also evaluating the player leaving Barcelona at the end of the season.

Sarunas Jasikevicius is in fact the coach who launched Jokubaitis at Zalgiris and then brought him to Barcelona. According to 15min, possible farewell to Yan Madar, whose minutes have dropped since Jasikevicius’ arrival.

Olympiacos working to extend Georgios Bartzokas’ contract

Olympiacos continues to work for next season, not only on the player front.

The Reds are looking to extend coach Georgios Bartzokas’ contract until 2027, a source told Sportando.

The Greek coach has been sitting on the Olympiacos bench since January 2020 and his current contract expires in 2025.

In the Euroleague, after the historic victory in 2013, Bartzokas led the Reds to 4th place in 2022 and second last season.

Olympiacos is currently fifth in the Euroleague standings with 19 wins in 31 games.

Olympiacos reportedly signs Keenan Evans. All details

Keenan Evans will be an Olympiacos player next season. This was reported by Greek newspaper Live Sport. The Greek club has denied it.

Evans is averaging 17.3 points on the season with 3.9 assists. Olympiacos reportedly putting up €1.8 million per season until 2026. Evans reportedly accepted the offer while rejecting Fenerbahce’s. Barcelona also reportedly probed the situation.

“The 2023-24 season is in full swing and Olympiacos, which has achieved two of its four goals (Super Cup and National Cup, ed.), continues to strive to offer our fans more great moments.

Everything that is written about transfers, purchases, plans and agreements is not true’.

Olympiacos had been on Mike James for months. This move by the Greeks, however denied, seems to prelude a closing of that track. And to the credible permanence of the EuroLeague’s all-time top scorer at Monaco.

Sasha Vezenkov: I had difficult years at Barcelona

Sasha Vezenkov, currently with the Sacramento Kings, reflects on his experience at Barça and does not rule out a possible return despite admitting that he was not treated well during his time at the club. Here are his words to Mundo.

Would you like to play for Barça again if you returned to Europe?

I had difficult years at Barcelona, I think they didn’t treat me well, but not the people who lead the organisation, with Juan Carlos Navarro I have a very good relationship and I learnt a lot from him. I have friends in the organisation, I never say no, but it’s like my time there was difficult for the team and for me. I can’t predict the future, but I have friends I respect a lot.

If I understand you correctly, are you saying you were not treated well at Barça?

Yes, 100 per cent. 100%.

What was the reason? Are you angry with someone?

I don’t feel angry, life goes on. Especially with two people, maybe three. They didn’t give me the right opportunities even playing well. 100%, they didn’t treat me well.

I know, I can say that. But that was five or six years ago, Barça is a great club, I have friends there, I have a lot of respect for Juan Carlos Navarro, he is a legend, I learned a lot from him, we have a good relationship and good conversations when we see each other. As I said, I have something left, but not with the club, but with the people who are no longer there’.

Who are these people?

I don’t name names, they know very well who I am, but I don’t care because I went my own way. But then it was difficult because there was a purpose behind it. It’s all right, I have made my way and as I said, everything is fine and calm now.

Source: Mundo Deportivo

Ettore Messina on Denzel Valentine: He knows the game

Ettore Messina, speaking after the game against Napoli, commented on the arrival of Denzel Valentine, who was announced during the week but not registered for this Sunday’s LBA match.

“He’s a player we’ve been following for a long time with Vacirca, who plays three roles on the outside. He was an excellent college player and a good NBA player, especially in Chicago. He knows the game, he is going through his medical and as soon as he gets the OK, he should join us.

Asvel reportedly makes an offer to Freddy Fauthoux for next season

Freddy Fauthoux is at the centre of off-season rumours that he has received an offer from ASVEL to become the team’s head coach next season. Tribune 47 reports.

Currently hovering between a renewal with Bourg and a possible return to ASVEL, Fauthoux’s decision will come in the coming weeks. Performance in the Eurocup could play a key role in his final choice.

Julyan Stone joins Marinos de Anzoategui

Julyan Stone, a 35-year-old all-around who spent the last few seasons in the LBA, is one of the 3 USAs with NBA experience recently signed by the Marinos de Anzoategui.

The other two are Trayvon Palmer and Landers Nolley II.

Stone last year produced averages of 6.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.1 steals with Givova Scafati.

 

 

 

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