French side ASVEL Villeurbanne is considered the front runner to land Italian guard Nico Mannion, as reported by Orazio Cauchi of Basketnews. Mannion is expected to part ways with Baskonia soon, since his role in the rotations has been very limited after the arrival of Dusko Ivanovic.
Italian guard has also drawn interest from multiple LBA teams, among which Tortona and Varese, but he could move to France where he would reunite with Italy NT coach Gianmarco Pozzecco.
Fonte: BasketNews.
ADA Blois announced the departure of Robert Woodard II and, a few hours later, the signing of Rashard Kelly on a deal until the end of the season.
Kelly arrives in France from Prometey, where he was producing 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game between ELBL and Eurocup.
Woodard ends his first experience in Europe with 9.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks.
🖋 𝗥𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗞𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗬 💚
Nous avons le plaisir d'accueillir Rashard Kelly au sein de notre effectif jusqu'à la fin de saison ! 💪
Bienvenue à @WizKellyy et à sa famille parmi nous ! 💚
+ 𝗱'𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝘀 👉 https://t.co/F5FuL9yZs1 #BetclicElite #ADABlois pic.twitter.com/0zR2xWRpXA
— 🐝 ADA Blois Basket 41 🐝 (@ADABloisBasket) December 16, 2023
Robert Woodard II ne jouera pas cet après-midi face à Cholet. Le Club et Robert ont décidé de mettre un terme au contrat qui les liait.
Le communiqué 👉 https://t.co/hQtsCVZKKD
Nous souhaitons à Robert le meilleur pour la suite de sa carrière 🏀#BetclicElite #ADABlois pic.twitter.com/3DV5xT2Dkg
— 🐝 ADA Blois Basket 41 🐝 (@ADABloisBasket) December 16, 2023
Rihards Lomasz is close to joining Derthona in Italian Serie A, sources tell Sportando.
The Latvian International is playing with Denizli averaging 15.4ppg in Turkey top division.
The current situation regarding Kevin Pangos, currently at the centre of a negotiation between Olimpia Milano and Valencia, is at an impasse.
Pangos, under contract with Olimpia until 2024, is out of the Milan club’s rotation.
Valencia has shown interest in the player to strengthen its external department. Although Pangos is in favour of the transfer and Olimpia is willing to let him leave, negotiations have slowed down due to the distance between the offer and the economic request for the termination of the existing contract.
The situation could evolve in the coming hours.
Post di @alessandro_luigi_maggiVisualizza su Threads
Zalgiris Kaunas issued an official statement in response to the rumours and speculation following yesterday’s game.
The Lithuanian club confirmed full confidence in coach Kazys Maksvytis, thus denying a forthcoming turnover with Andrea Trinchieri.
According to the website basketnews, the decisive factor was the position taken by the team. In fact, the players have reportedly informed the club that they disagree with Maksvytis’ dismissal, despite the fact that the management already had a verbal agreement with Andrea Trinchieri, who is expected in Kaunas later today.
There were a lot of rumors and speculations after yesterday’s game. We would like to assure you that head coach Kazys Maksvytis has the full confidence of the club and will continue to lead the team! 💚 pic.twitter.com/rc7lC8qasp
— BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) December 15, 2023
Quincy Miller has reached an agreement with the Toyama Grouses, a source told Sportando.
Miller, the No.38 pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, spent last year between the Converge Fiber Xers (over 29 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in PBA) and the Aishin Sea Horses (18.6 points and 8.7 rebounds) per game in B.League.
According to Sportal, Olimpia Milano made an offer to the London Lions for Matt Morgan, but the English club is not planning to let the player leave.
It is unclear whether Milan plans to continue the negotiations for the Cornell product, who is scoring 17.1 points with 3.9 assists per game in Eurocup.
After the latest injuries the Italian team remains active on the market to strengthen the backcourt.
Anadolu Efes announces the arrival of Ridvan Oncel on loan until the end of the season.
The Turkish guard, born in 1997, has produced an average of 5.4 points and 3.4 assists with Darussafaka in the BCL.
Başarılı oyuncu @ridvanoncell sezon sonuna kadar kiralık olarak formamızı giyecek. ✍️
Hoş Geldin Rıdvan! #BenimYerimBurası pic.twitter.com/bHdlKbUDoL
— Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) December 14, 2023
Sasha Djordjevic next coach of Italbasket? The direct interested party denies on X, in Italian and Serbian, the rumors arrived from Eastern Europe about a forthcoming succession of China’s head coach to Gianmarco Pozzecco.
These are Sale’s words: ‘Before publishing news, one must make sure it is true and well-founded. Otherwise, one risks doing damage, even unintentionally, to all parties involved. I proudly continue with my role as coach of the Chinese national team’.
Prima di publicare notizie,bisogna assicurarsi che siano vere e fondate. Senno,si rischia di fare danno ,anche involontariamente a tutte le parti coinvolte.Continuo orgogliosamente col mio ruolo di CT della Nazionale Cinese
— Aleksandar Djordjevic (@CoachDjordjevic) December 14, 2023
Sasha Djordjevic is the next coach of Italbasket. The news comes from Serbia, by the website sportklub.
Djordjevic, who ended the last world championship at the helm of China with one victory, is expected to end his experience in Asia soon.
The Serbian site does not specify the timing of the succession with Gianmarco Pozzecco, but back in October Djordjevic had already been approached with Scariolo on the Azzurri bench for the post 2024 summer.
Nico Mannion is expected to leave Baskonia, a source told Sportando.
ASVEL, Olimpia Milano and Bertram Derthona among the teams interested in the Italian national team point guard .
Buducnost and Prometey have also inquired about Mannion.
Mannion at ASVEL would reunite with Gianmarco Pozzecco, the Italy CT who helped him to play his best basketball since his arrival in Europe.
Behind the departure from Baskonia the poor feeling with coach Ivanovic.
Mannion scored 6 points and dished out 2.2 assists in 13 minutes per game in Euroleague.
Ben McLemore is close to a deal with Manisaspor, reports Donatas Urbonas.
The former NBA Lottery Pick just left AEK Athens, where he was producing 9.5 points in 19 minutes per game between Greek league and BCL.
McLemore in 9 NBA seasons put together career-averages of 9 points (36% from three) in 22 minutes.
9-year NBA veteran Ben McLemore is close to signing with Manisaspor, per sources.
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) December 13, 2023
Fenerbahce has reportedly reached an agreement with Sarunas Jasikevicius. This was reported by the Turkish website Basketfaul.
The former Barcelona player is expected in Istanbul tomorrow and could already lead the team on Friday against Monaco. It would now only be a matter of details.
For Jasikevicius, the Fenerbahce team would be a return after his 2011 experience as a player. The candidature of Andrea Trinchieri has therefore been overcome.
Itoudis ❌
Jasi ✅— Fabrizio Lorenzi (@fabry23lorenzi) December 13, 2023
Monday night’s defeat in the derby with Efes will cost Dimitris Itoudis the bench at Fenerbahce. The news was reported by SDNA and confirmed to Sportando as well as other European media.
Fenerbahce want to end after little more than a season its collaboration with the Greek coach, two times EuroLeague winner with Cska after his years as Zeljko Obradovic’s assistant in the great Panathinaikos at the beginning of the millennium.
The turkish team, fresh from a less-than-exciting season, has a 6-7 record in EuroLeague and 8-3 in BSL, but -2 from Efes in Turkish ranking. Hence a sensational decision, albeit one that has yet to be made official.
For the succession, according to Sportando, the candidature of Andrea Trinchieri would be ahead of that of Sarunas Jasikevicius. The agreement would be one step away.
Varese Basketball is considering a sensational return of Colbey Ross to make up for the absence of injured Davide Moretti. This was reported by La Prealpina.
Despite the difficulty of the operation, given the high amount of money requested by Ross (almost three quarters of his two-year $800,000 contract with Buducnost Podgorica), there’s an opening for negotiations.
Luis Scola has said he is willing to provide an additional budget to make the purchase possible.
Ross, currently the third point guard at his club and with few opportunities to take the court, could consider the option if circumstances permit.
The situation is still being evaluated and there are no guarantees, but the possibility exists, reports the Varese newspaper.
Abdel Nader is a new player of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, as announced by the Australian team.
The forward moves to the NBL after five NBA seasons between the Celtics, Thunder and Suns.
Nader signed a deal until the end of the NBL season.
Welcome to the Heartland, Abdel ✍️ @AbdelNader2
Former NBA Small Forward Abdel Nader has signed on for the remainder of the NBL24 season! 💚
📝Full Story ⤵️
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) December 11, 2023
Aris B.C. announced the signing of Jonathan Stark on a contract through the end of the season.
Stark last year produced over 12 points and 5 assists per game in France with Orleans.
‼️ O JONATHAN STARK ΣΤΟΝ ΑΡΗ Midea ‼️#Welcome to#TheEmperor
@_jonathanstark2Read more 👉 https://t.co/aoDCXSpa8D#ARISBC#ARISFAMILY#ARISBCTRANSFERS#ARISBC2324 pic.twitter.com/noXzhIapm3
— ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) December 12, 2023
Skylar Spencer is a new player of Pallacanestro Varese, the Italian team announced.
Spencer started the season in Mexico with the Libertadores de Queretaro (5.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.2 BPG).
The center spent last year in Italy with Trieste.
📣 #UFFICIALE‼️ Skylar #Spencer è un nuovo giocatore della Pallacanestro Varese ⚪️🔴 Facciamolo sentire subito a casa dandogli un caloroso saluto 👋 #WelcomeSkylar #NoiSiamoVarese #YourStoryOurStory pic.twitter.com/G80J95S06O
— Pallacanestro Varese (@PallVarese) December 12, 2023
Promitheas strengthens the backcourt with the signing of Tim Frazier.
The point guard spent the 2022-23 season between Aek Athens and SIG Strasbourg.
Frazier played 289 games in the NBA.
Παίκτης του Προμηθέα Πάτρας ο Tim Frazier#promitheaspatras #promitheasbc #proudtobeorangehttps://t.co/2HC0hHwKFa
— Promitheas Patras BC (@promitheasbc) December 11, 2023
Virtus Bologna is on the market for a big man, as reported by La Prealpina.
Tarik Black is a name the the Italian powerhouse is considering to add to the roster.
Black spent last season with Olympiacos averaging 8.8 points and 4 rebounds in Greek league.
Pallacanestro Varese is on the market for a guard and is considering the profile of Stanley Whittaker, as reported by La Prealpina.
Whittaker is playing with Dinamo Sassari averaging 7.6 points and 4.3 assists in 8 Serie A games.
Varese is on the market also due to the injury of Davide Moretti who may miss a month of action.
The future of Kevin Pangos at Olimpia Milano is being decided in these hours. Despite rumors of a possible exchange with Keenan Evans from Lithuania, it seems that an agreement with Valencia is imminent. Sources from 15min.lt and “Marca” report that Pangos is close to joining Valencia Basket in the EuroLeague.
His tenure with “Žalgiris” and later with Milano has been impactful, but this season he has been limited to an average of 7.2 points and 3 assists per game in the EuroLeague.
Pangos’ move to Valencia Basket would relieve Olimpia Milano of a couple of million euros in gross salary. However, an exchange with Evans from “Žalgiris” could have solved several problems for Ettore Messina’s roster, providing a starting playmaker to complement Maodo Lo and filling the gap in playmaking.
SIG Strasbourg is strengthening the backcourt with the arrival of Tyrus McGee, according to Gabriel Pantel-Jouve.
The 32-year-old guard spent last year between Galatasaray (11.5 PPG in BSL and 10.9 in BCL) and Fujian.
McGee previously played in France with Pau-Orthez in 2020.
Tyrus McGee with the POSTER OF THE YEAR in Serie Apic.twitter.com/CPbxxhSUKM
— Emiliano Carchia (@Carchia) June 20, 2019
La SIG Strasbourg va enregistrer une belle recrue pour la suite de la saison : l'arrière Tyrus McGee va rejoindre la formation alsacienne. #BasketballCL X #BetclicELITE
— Gabriel Pantel-Jouve (@GabrielPJ_) December 8, 2023
Besiktas strengthens the backcourt with the signing of Kyle Allman Jr.
The point guard started the season with Darussafaka (12.8 PPG, 4.7 APG between BSL and BCL).
Kyle Allman Beşiktaş Emlakjet’te
Beşiktaş Emlakjet Takımımız, Birleşik Amerikalı oyun kurucu Kyle Allman ile sözleşme imzaladı.
🔗 https://t.co/6p04Kaf4Bq pic.twitter.com/Iyr2p0mtZ0
— Beşiktaş Emlakjet (@BJK_Basketbol) December 5, 2023
Reyer Venezia is working on Khem Birch, but potential and very dangerous rivals are emerging in the race for the former NBA player: Maccabi Tel Aviv and Red Star.
As also confirmed by the president of the Orogranata team, Federico Casarin, Khem Birch is a real target for coach Neven Spahija’s roster.
But also in the EuroLeague something could move. According to what Sportando has learned, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Red Star could enter the negotiations.
Reyer Venezia has been working on Khem Birch for some time. However, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Red Star could also enter the negotiations for the former NBA Im told pic.twitter.com/XRNHG5uRJE
— Alessandro Luigi Maggi (@AlessandroMagg4) December 7, 2023
Federico Casarin, president of Umana Reyer Venezia, comments on the Khem Birch entry in la Nuova: “He’s a great player, who has done well in Europe, both in Turkey and Greece, as well as having a background in the NBA. There are many situations that we are monitoring, players that are being released, always with the aim of implementing the staff because we are happy with all the players on the roster’.
Varese Basketball would be close to an agreement with Skylar Spencer. This was reported by La Prealpina.
Long, class of 1994, 206 centimetres, seen in Trieste last season (8.2 points of average, 7.9 rebounds and 1 stoppage per game), Spencer is currently in Mexico, where he is producing 5.8 points of average and 5.4 rebounds with Libertadores.
Valencia on the trail of Kevin Pangos. The ‘taronja’ club is looking for reinforcements on the outside, and the Canadian point guard would be on the list.
Virtually out of Olimpia Milano’s rotation, Kevin Pangos has played 5 LBA and 5 EuroLeague games this season, averaging 7.2 points in the top continental competition with 3 assists.
Born in 1993, Kevin Pangos is under contract with the Biancorossi until June 30, 2024. The Gonzaga product has already played in ACB with Gran Canaria (2015-2016) and Barcelona (2018-2020).
Reyer Venezia is looking for Khem Birch to complete the roster at coach Neven Spahija’s disposal.
A 208 centimetres centre born in 1992, after two seasons in Europe with Usak (2015-2016) and Olympiacos (2016-2017), Birch played with the Magic and Raptors, with whom he produced an average of 2.2 points with 1.3 rebounds in 20 games last year.
Released a month ago by the Spurs, Birch is reportedly re-entering the European market. According to Sportando, negotiations with Reyer Venezia are underway. A complex agreement, but the Orogranata management is hopeful.
Slovenian basketball player Klemen Prepelič has left Cedevita Olimpija after just over a month. The experienced guard, arriving from Huventud, made a significant contribution to Simone Pianigiani’s team. Prepelič debuted on October 28 against SC Derby, finishing the match with a double-double of 23 points and 13 assists. During his time in Ljubljana, where he signed a two-month open contract, he continued to deliver excellent performances. According to Meridian Sport, the 2017 European champion with Slovenia will continue his career with Galatasaray. In the Eurocup, Prepelič averaged 16.2 points, 8.7 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game, while in the ABA League, he averaged 14.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per match.
