Basket rumors

27 January 2024

27/01/2024 20:14

Karlo Matkovic to join New Orleans Pelicans

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana announced the departure of Croatian center Karlo Matkovic, who will join the New Orleans Pelicans at the beginning of February.

Matkovic, the No.52 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, was scoring 15.1 points with 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 28 minutes per game between ABA Liga and Eurocup.

27 January 2024

27/01/2024 19:58

Willie Cauley-Stein joins Indios de Mayaguez

Willie Cauley-Stein is a new player of the Indios de Mayaguez, as announced by the Puerto Rican club.

After a disappointing experience in Varese, the former Kentucky center will start over in BSN.

Cauley-Stein averaged 9.9 points, 9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 blocks in his 20 games with the Italian team.

26 January 2024

25 January 2024

25/01/2024 14:04

Joan Plaza is reportedly on the verge of stepping down from AEK

Joan Plaza is reportedly on the verge of stepping down as head coach of AEK, according to Eurohoops sources.

After taking over the technical leadership of the Greek club in June, Plaza led the team to a 5-1 record in Group D of the Basketball Champions League regular season, earning direct access to the round of 16.

However, a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, the last one against Promitheas, and a disappointing 6-9 record in the Stoiximan Greek Basketball League, have dropped the club to seventh place in the standings.

AEK is now considering options for a new head coach. Plaza, a veteran of 194 games in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Zenit, Unicaja, Zalgiris and Real Madrid, last coached Coosur Real Betis at the start of the 2021-22 season.

25 January 2024

25/01/2024 13:56

Olympiacos reportedly in advanced talks with Moses Wright

Advanced negotiations at Olympiacos for Moses Wright, currently with Merkezefendi in Turkey. According to BasketNews, Wright, a 25-year-old, 2.06m tall pivot, is close to joining the Greek club, thanks to a EuroLeague buyout clause in his contract.

The move comes at a crucial time for the Greek club, which is looking to fill the gaps left by the injury absences of key players such as Nikola Milutinov and Moustapha Fall.

Wright, who joined Merkezefendi in December as Dan Oturu’s replacement, quickly proved his worth in the Turkish league. In just five matches, he averaged 26.4 points (62.5 per cent from two-point range and 25.0 per cent from three), 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 stoppages and 1.2 steals per game.

His performances were particularly impressive, with several 30-plus point games, including 34 points and 12 rebounds against Pinar and a remarkable 36-point performance, with 13 of 16 from the field, against Galatasaray. In both cases, Merkezefendi came out on top.

This could be the third departure of a Merkezefendi player for the EuroLeague in the 2023-24 season. Previously, Rihards Lomazs had left the club to join Virtus.

Before joining Merkezefendi, Wright started the season in the Chinese league with the Shanxi Loongs, where he averaged 15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

According to Sportando, the club had also probed the return of Khem Birck and former Baskonia Steven Enoch, now at Turk.

24 January 2024

24/01/2024 20:58

UCAM Murcia extends Howard Sant-Roos

Howard Sant-Roos has signed a contract extension with UCAM Murcia until 2026, the spanish team announced.

The Cuban forward is producing 6.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game between ACB and BCL.

Sant-Roos’ two-year extension comes after those of Latvian Rodions Kurucus and coach Sito Alonso, key pillars of the project that UCAM Murcia continues to strengthen for the long term.

24 January 2024

24/01/2024 20:45

JaJuan Johnson to join Hapoel Eilat

Jajuan Johnson will end the season in Israel with Hapoel Eilat, on loan from Happy Casa Brindisi, a source told Sportando.

The big man remains under contract with the Italian club for next season.

Johnson in Brindisi produced averages of 10.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game between BCL and LBA.

23 January 2024

23/01/2024 22:08

Jordan Theodore reportedly joining Baskonia

Jordan Theodore has reached an agreement with Baskonia on a deal until the end of the season, Encestando reports.

The experienced point guard had a Euroleague exit clause in his contract with Metropolitans 92, where he was scoring 13.5 points with 3.9 assists per game in BetClic Elite.

Theodore is expected to replace the injured Chris Chiozza.

23 January 2024

23/01/2024 20:10

Dinamo Sassari considering parting ways with Piero Bucchi

The Dinamo Sassari finds itself in a delicate phase. First, the abrupt end to their Basketball Champions League journey with a clear defeat against Cholet, followed by Sunday’s loss in Treviso, leaving the team of President Stefano Sardara in twelfth place in the standings.

This Sunday, the team faces Olimpia Milano at the Mediolanum Forum d’Assago, but there could be developments in the coming hours. The performance of the players is under scrutiny, as well as the position of coach Piero Bucchi, who arrived in Sardinia in 2021 and had two excellent seasons, always ending in the playoffs.

Even the future of the Bolognese coach seems to be in question for a club seeking a change in direction. His dismissal now appears to be more than a possibility. According to Alessandro Maggi of Sportando and also reported by Fabrizio Lorenzi of Repubblica, there is a name in consideration for the succession: Nenad Markovic, who became a free agent after parting ways with Dijon in December.

23 January 2024

23 January 2024

21 January 2024

20 January 2024

20/01/2024 20:34

Malik Dime to join Granada

Granada strengthens the frontcourt with the signing of Malik Dime.

The 31-year-old Senegalese big man started the season in Venezuela after a good year (8.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 BPG) in the VTB League with Parma Perm.

19 January 2024

19/01/2024 14:07

Limoges reportedly to part ways with Kevin Anstett

New turbulence seems to be stirring at Limoges CSP. According to lepopulaire, the club has reportedly decided to part ways with its sporting director, Kevin Anstett, who is currently on sick leave, due to an alleged ‘faute grave’, i.e. serious professional misconduct.

Anstett had joined the club in July 2022, taking Crawford Palmer’s place, and until now has played a significant role at the club, although he was recently excluded from the choice of Limoges CSP’s new coach, as confirmed by Franck Butter, the club’s vice-president, during the first press conference of Jean-Marc Dupraz, the new coach.

In addition to this news, further internal problems have emerged at the club: Piotr Pigla, the physical trainer who is highly regarded by the players, has reportedly decided to leave Limoges CSP.

The exact reasons behind these moves are not yet clear.

18 January 2024

18/01/2024 20:06

Chris Singleton reportedly joining Al Arabi Club

According to Eurohoops Chris Singleton has reached an agreement with the Al Arabi Club in Doha, Qatar.

The veteran forward has played for Anadolu Efes over the past four seasons, with two Euroleague titles won under his belt.

In 2022-23 Singleton played only 13 games in the Euroleague and one in BSL.

18 January 2024

18/01/2024 19:38

Austin Hollins joins Aek Athens

Aek Athens announced the signing of Austin Hollins on a contract until the end of the season.

The guard comes from a short stint with Zalgiris Kaunas (3.9 points in 11 minutes per game in Euroleague).

 

16 January 2024

16/01/2024 19:39

John Egbunu leaves ASVEL

ASVEL announced the mutual termination of John Egbunu’s contract.

The big man averaged 2.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11 minutes per game between BetClic Elite and Euroleague.

 

16 January 2024

16/01/2024 11:23

VL Pesaro reportedly in talks with Markis McDuffie

According to an article by Elisabetta Ferri in the Carlino, VL Pesaro is changing strategy on the market, focusing on a wing, with the specific aim of acquiring Markis McDuffie.

This move is due to the imminent return of Scott Bamforth, which makes the acquisition of a new guard less necessary. McDuffie, previously in Napoli and cut by Turk Telekom Ankara, is a versatile player who can play both the strong and small wing roles.

The decision to target McDuffie is driven by the desire to add quality and athleticism to the wing role. However, there are uncertainties regarding the timing of McDuffie’s signing, who is currently in the United States and needs to obtain a visa.

14 January 2024

14/01/2024 20:43

Bertram Derthona to sign Ismael Kamagate on loan to replace Amine Noua

Ismael Kamagate will leave Olimpia Milano to move to Bertram Derthona. The announcement of the loan transfer is expected early next week.

Derthona will cut Amine Noua, according to Sportando. The French forward, who arrived in December, produced 6.6 points on average in the LBA with 4.6 rebounds.

14 January 2024

14/01/2024 16:05

Keith Hornsby to join Surne Bilbao

Surne Bilbao has reached an agreement with Keith Hornsby, Encestando reports.

The guard started the season with Lietuvos Rytas, scoring 8.2 points in 18 minutes per game between LKL and BCL.

 

14 January 2024

12 January 2024

12/01/2024 13:10

Ismael Kamagate in advanced talks with Derthona. Also Aek and Reggio Emilia in the mix

Ismael Kamagate towards Bertram Derthona. Although on the French centre’s tracks, there would also be UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia and Aek Athens.

However, Kamagate’s loan transfer is on the way. Fabrizio Lorenzi in Repubblica: “On Sunday (5 p.m.), Tortona arrives for the first game back at the Forum, with the probable last game in red and white for the long Kamagate, who should become a player of the Piedmontese from Monday.

11 January 2024

11/01/2024 16:16

Partizan Belgrade responds to Reyer Venezia on Caboclo: We paid €150.000 and got LOC

Regarding the player’s move to Serbia, Reyer Venezia prevailed in an Italian court action against Bruno Caboclo and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. The President of the Club reacted to the information.

The Brazilian big player was expected to complete his obligations to the club, according to the Italian league court, which upheld the validity of the contract he had signed. Ostoja Mijailovic, the president of Partizan, responded to a question about the decision on Mozzart Sport.

“KK Partizan Mozzart Bet was ordered by FIBA to compensate the player with 150,000 euros and get a Letter of Credit (LOC), without which the player would not have been able to register at all. As a result, everything is crystal apparent, and no arbitration ruling that isn’t even appropriate in this instance can change anything,” Mijailovic stated.

10 January 2024

10/01/2024 22:10

Martin Hermannsson returns to ALBA Berlin

ALBA Berlin strengthens the backcourt with the return of Martin Hermannsson.

The Icelandic point guard, already in Berlin from 2018 to 2020, comes from 3 1/2 seasons at Valencia -the last two affected by a serious left knee injury-.

Hermannsson signed a contract until 2026.

 

10 January 2024

10/01/2024 18:14

Olimpia Milano signs Rodney McGruder

Olimpia Milano has reached an agreement until the end of the season with Rodney McGruder, a 1.94 mt guard, born on 29 July 1991 in Landover, Maryland, who was with the Detroit Pistons last season. “As we enter the decisive phase of the season, we have decided to deepen our guard department with an athletic player who has the skills and the character necessary to adapt well to our needs,” says general manager Christos Stavropoulos. “It is a pleasure to be a part of such an historic organization and to play for the fans of this beatiful city. I can’t wait to get on the court and compete to get all the wins we can possibly can. Milan, I’m excited, “says Rodney McGruder.
HIS CAREER – Born and raised in Landover, Maryland, Rodney McGruder attended the Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington and then moved to Jacksonville, Florida. In 2009 he began his four-year college career at Kansas State. In his second season, he averaged 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game; in his third year he averaged 15.8 points per game and was included in the All- Big 12 Conference second team; as a senior, in his fourth year of college eligibility, he averaged 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, leading Kansas State to the first place in the Big 12. In 2013 he was not chosen in the NBA draft but was signed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and released on the eve of the season. From there he moved to Hungary to Atomeromu Paks (14.4 points and 5.3 rebounds on average). In the 2014/15 season he started with Golden State and then went to Boston but failed to make his NBA debut, so he spent the year in Maine and Sioux Falls of the G-League. In the summer of 2015, he was signed by Miami but failed to make the team: he spent another season in Sioux Falls winning the G-League championship. Finally in 2016 he signed a three-year contract with Miami, playing 162 NBA games with 112 starts, 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. After his experience in Miami, he played one year with the Los Angeles Clippers (56 appearances) and then spent another three years in Detroit, with 99 appearances on the court, 16 starts and averaged 5.5 points per game.
NOTES – In his last year in Detroit he shot 42.3 percent on threes, for his NBA career he shot 36.0 percent from beyond the arc

10 January 2024

10/01/2024 10:46

Also Bertram Derthona in the mix for Ismael Kamagate

Ismael Kamagate’s future could be in Italy. On the French centre, leaving on loan from Olimpia Milano, Bertram Derthona is making a comeback.

Kamagate, who has a contract until 2025 with Olimpia Milano, had been approached in recent hours by Rio Breogan in Spain. But Derthona may have made the overtaking move. The next few hours will be decisive.

9 January 2024

09/01/2024 11:01

Hapoel Eilat to cut Deishuan Booker

Deishuan Booker’s future is uncertain. The former Treviso man is also about to be cut by Hapoel Eilat, according to Sportando.

A 1996 class guard, Booker has produced 10.5 points and 4.1 assists this season in the LBA with Treviso, 14.6 and 2.7 in the Winner League.

9 January 2024

09/01/2024 08:49

Ismael Kamagate to sign on loan with Rio Breogan

Ismael Kamagate will end the season on loan. This is what Sportando has learned in these hours.

The French centre’s future could be in Spain, at Rio Breogan, which would free Momo Diouf.

Kamagate, who has another year left on his contract with Olimpia Milano, has scored 12.1 minutes in LBA in 11 games with the Biancorossi, averaging 6.3 points with 2.7 rebounds. He made 9 appearances in EuroLeague with 2.9′ and 1.1 points.

7 January 2024

07/01/2024 23:03

Ettore Messina on Rodney McGruder’s rumors: If there’s any news, Stavropoulos will tell me

The hot name in house Olimpia Milano is that of Rodney McGruder. The news, anticipated by TeleSport in Serbia, was confirmed to ROM and Sportando. Ettore Messina, in the press room at PalaTrento, does not confirm.

Olimpia Milano then in negotiations for Rodney McGruder. A product of Kansas State in 2013, nine NBA seasons behind him, McGruder is a 193 centimetres shooting guard born in 1991. Last season he produced 5.7 points with the Detroit Pistons in 32 games with 42.3% from 3. On 21 October he was released by the Golden State Warriors.

Pianetabasket reported Ettore Messina’s comment after the PalaTrento game: “If there’s any news, Stavropoulos will tell me.”

7 January 2024

07/01/2024 22:44

Blossomgame and Mike James jokes on Bahcesehir-Okobo’s rumors

Monaco players are ironic about the rumour that Bahcesehir are after Elie Okobo. Taking the floor are Jaron Blossomgame and Mike James.

The former jokes with a gif dotted with question marks, the latter goes on the attack: ‘You should be ashamed that you actually thought this was a possibility. People are in such a hurry to tweet something and don’t even bother to get the facts right”.

The comments come under the tweet of Italian Luca D’Alessandro, who quotes Semith Tuna of Eurohoops. And the news does not mention a negotiation close to closure, but only an attempt by the Turkish club.