Basket rumors

3 June 2024

03/06/2024 13:40

Maccabi Tel Aviv reportedly extends Jasiel Rivero

Maccabi Tel Aviv has decided to extend the contract of Cuban centre Jasiel Rivero for another season.

Rivero has produced 7.6 points and 3.1 rebounds on average this season.

3 June 2024

03/06/2024 11:58

Barcellona reportedly in advanced talks with Trevion Williams

Barça is not stopping at Juan Núñez and could add another Ratiopharm Ulm player to its squad for next season.

In addition to the young Spanish playmaker, the Blaugrana club is very interested in the 2.07-metre, 23-year-old American pivot Trevion Williams.

Barça’s contacts with Williams are well advanced and there is already a pre-agreement with the player, pending the final decision on the hiring of the new coach who will replace Roger Grimau.

Source: Mundo Deportivo, article by José Ignacio Huguet and Lucas Clemente.

3 June 2024

03/06/2024 11:51

Xavi Pascual and the Other Three Candidates to Replace Grimau

After being eliminated in the Liga Endesa semifinals by Real Madrid, Barça has decided not to retain Roger Grimau as the head coach of their basketball team. The club is exploring the market for a replacement, with Xavi Pascual as the leading candidate. Pascual, who led Barça to the EuroLeague title in 2010, is currently without a contract after leaving Zenit St. Petersburg. However, his high salary poses a challenge unless President Joan Laporta provides additional budget support.

Other main candidates include Jaka Lakovic, currently coaching Gran Canaria, and Sergio Scariolo, the head coach of the Spanish national team. Lakovic is favored by the section head, Josep Cubells, while Navarro prefers Scariolo, who knows many of Barça’s current players well. Another option is Álex Mumbrú, available after his tenure with Valencia Basket, though his past with Real Madrid and Badalona could be an issue.

Other names like Dimitris Itoudis and Joan Peñarroya do not appear to be serious options at this time.

Source: Mundo Deportivo, article by José Ignacio Huguet.

3 June 2024

03/06/2024 10:20

Barcelona reportedly to sign Juan Núñez for next season

Barça, eliminated from the Liga Endesa title race, is already planning a significant team overhaul. One of the anticipated changes is the arrival of international point guard Juan Núñez, currently with Ratiopharm Ulm. Núñez, who turns 20 on Tuesday, is considered a creative and versatile player. He stepped up as Spain’s starting point guard at the 2023 World Cup, replacing Ricky Rubio, and performed admirably.

Núñez was once one of the top prospects in Real Madrid’s youth academy but left the club two years ago to seek more playing opportunities in Germany. Over the past two seasons with Ulm, he has averaged 9.4 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game in the German league.

The agreement between Núñez and Barça has been in place for months. Real Madrid will not exercise their right to match any offer for the player. Additionally, his relationship with one of Juan Carlos Navarro’s daughters, the manager of Barça’s basketball team, has helped finalize the deal.

Previously, Núñez had been linked with Olimpia Milano, but his future now lies with Barça.

Source: Mundo Deportivo, article by José Ignacio Huguet.

3 June 2024

03/06/2024 10:09

Another big name for Baskonia’s bench

Virtus Bologna says it is surprised by the rumours surrounding Luca Banchi. The Tuscan coach was approached by Repubblica-Bologna to the bench of Baskonia, who recently said goodbye to Dusko Ivanovic.

The future of the Basque bench remains open. For some time, the name of Jaka Lakovic has been mentioned, a Slovenian who just returned from a good two-year period with Gran Canaria, including winning the last EuroCup.

According to Sportando, however, Vassilis Spanoulis, coach of the year in BCL with Peristeri, just eliminated by Olympiakos in the playoff semifinals, is also in the running.

3 June 2024

03/06/2024 08:25

Luca Baraldi on Luca Banchi’s rumour: That is only intended to destabilise us

Luca Baraldi, CEO of Virtus Bologna, gave a long interview to the Carlino in the week marking the start of the LBA Finals 2024. Here we focus on some aspects related to the market.

ON THE MARKET

‘We are always vigilant about the market, but at the moment we have stopped at hypotheses. Since I’ve been managing Virtus we’ve always spent the money we had in the till, so until the budget is decided precisely we won’t move. I would like to point out that this year’s team cost 20% less than the previous year’s and it is also for this reason that the results we have achieved are to be considered extraordinary’.

ON LUCA BANCHI

‘The coach has a contract with us and unless he comes and asks us to leave he will stay here. We have no reason to make a change as we are satisfied with his work. I was surprised to read of his departure, also because this is indeed a rumour that can annoy and that is only intended to destabilise us’.

3 June 2024

2 June 2024

02/06/2024 22:18

Juan Carlos Navarro: No revolution, but two or three pieces have to be changed

Juan Carlos Navarro, symbol and manager of Barcelona released a statement after the knockout in game three against Real Madrid.

‘There will be changes. No revolution, but two or three pieces have to be changed.’ No reference to Roger Grimau’s position.

2 June 2024

02/06/2024 12:16

Lorenzo Brown: I fully intend to stay with Maccabi Tel Aviv

Rumors about Lorenzo Brown’s departure from Maccabi Tel Aviv have started for some time now, despite the fact that the point guard is under contract with the Israeli team until 2026.

First Real Madrid, then Fenerbahce, and in all likelihood the list of teams in ‘pole position’ for Brown will continue to grow.

The Blancos, according to several local media outlets, are considered the most likely destination for the point guard who has also defended the colors of Spain.

Recently, however, it was Brown himself who gave a clear answer about his future, after Maccabi’s victory over Nes Ziona:

“I have no idea what is going on and from where these rumors are coming. I read a lot, like all of you, but I fully intend to stay with Maccabi Tel Aviv. I am very comfortable here, I think this is the best place I’ve ever played….I am looking forward to next season to embark on a new journey together with my teammates.”

2 June 2024

02/06/2024 10:17

Virtus Bologna among Euroleague teams reportedly interested in Rayjon Tucker

According to La Nuova, Reyer Venezia would like to retain Rayjon Tucker, but will have to beat competition from Euroleague teams such as Zalgiris Kaunas, Virtus Bologna and Crvena Zvedza, all interested in the explosive USA guard.

Tucker ended his first year in Europe with 14.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assist per game between LBA and Eurocup, shooting 49% from the field, 35% from beyond the arc and 75% from the foul line.

1 June 2024

01/06/2024 21:07

JL Bourg signs Xavier Castaneda, Joel Ayayi

JL Bourg strengthens the backcourt for the upcoming season with the signings of Xavier Castaneda and Joel Ayayi.

Castaneda comes from a year in Greece with Lavrio (15 PPG, 2.5 APG, 1.2 SPG), while Ayayi left Nanterre 92 after a season with averages of 8.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

1 June 2024

01/06/2024 20:24

NBA Prospect Nolan Traore signs new two-year deal with Saint-Quentin

Promising French guard Nolan Traore will continue to play in BetClic Elite with Saint-Quentin on a two-year contract.

The talented NBA prospect, who just turned 18, will remain in BetClic Elite despite offers from several major colleges-among others Duke, Arkansas, Gonzaga and Alabama-and from Euroleague and NBL teams.
According to Jonathan Givony, the French guard is a strong candidate for the Top 5 in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Traore averaged 12.3 points and 5.8 assists in 21 minutes per game in BetClic Elite.

Saint-Quentin will also compete in the BCL next season.

 

29 May 2024

29/05/2024 21:45

Surne Bilbao extends Melwin Pantzar

Swedish point guard Melwin Pantzar has reached an agreement with Surne Bilbao Basket to sign a new contract that extends his relationship with Bilbao Basket until the end of the 25/26 season.

The 24-year-old has averaged 8.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a PIR of 12.1 in his first full season in ACB. His numbers in the FIBA ​​Europe Cup have been even better, with 9.6 points, 4 rebounds and 2.6 assists

29 May 2024

29/05/2024 20:07

Mattia Udom joins Dinamo Sassari

Dinamo Banco di Sardegna officially announced that they signed a two-year contract with Mattia Udom.

The forward spent the last two years with Trento (5.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG between LBA and Eurocup).

29 May 2024

29/05/2024 19:58

Fenerbahce reportedly trying to lure Wade Baldwin IV from Maccabi Tel Aviv

Fenerbahce is on the market for a point-guard and, according to Turkish reporter Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, made an official offer to Wade Baldwin IV.

The Vanderbilt product would have accepted, but before signing with Fenerbahce he will have to get out of his contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Baldwin IV ended the last Euroleague with 17.4 points and 4.8 assists per game, shooting 45% from the field, 39% from beyond the arc and 85% from the foul line.

29 May 2024

29/05/2024 13:11

Two EuroLeague teams in the mix for Yam Madar

According to Israeli sources, Yam Madar, currently under contract with Fenerbahçe, is about to leave the Turkish club.

After a disappointing season, in which neither the player nor the team achieved the desired results, Madar could either return to Maccabi Tel Aviv or move to Bayern Munich.

Both clubs are interested in the Israeli playmaker for next season. During the last Euroleague season, Madar averaged 4.3 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game, with his best performance against Real Madrid, where he scored 17 points.

29 May 2024

29/05/2024 09:04

Pistoia Basket 2000 reportedly signs Luka Brajkovic

Estra Pistoia’s first shot on the market for the 2024-25 season is Luka Brajkovic, an Austrian forward from Kolossos Rhodes.

Brajkovic, class of 1999 and 211 centimetres tall, signed with the Tuscan club after a quick negotiation.

Last season in Greece, he averaged 13.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 26 minutes of play.

Source: La Nazione Pistoia

29 May 2024

29/05/2024 08:34

Baskonia reportedly targets Luca Banchi for the bench

Baskonia targets Luca Banchi for the nex season. The news is reported by Walter Fuochi of Repubblica-Bologna.

We remember, the parties were very close a year ago. The white smoke did not arrive when the Vitoria club took note of the Tuscan coach’s desire not to leave the bench of the Latvian national team.

Today, interest is alive again after the separation between Baskonia and Dusko Ivanovic. According to Walter Fuochi: ‘As this horizon is about to clear, the temptation intrigues both betrothed. The coach has another year on his contract with Virtus, after this first one that was at times radiant and at times stressful, but nothing must be excluded, waiting for the bowls to stop. There the outcome of the Scudetto game will obviously count, but so will the strength of the offer flying in from the Pyrenees’.

28 May 2024

28/05/2024 16:27

Kasparas Jakucionis reportedly heading to Illinois

Promising Lithuanian prospect Kasparas Jakucionis will leave Barcelona to play at Illinois and prove himself in College Basketball.
The news was reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, who considers the 17-year-old point guard ‘one of the most promising international prospects in the 2024 class’ and ‘a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft’.

Jakucionis was included on the 2023-24 EB ANGT Finals Berlin All-Tournament Team, where he dished out 38 assists in 3 games and posted a new record with 17 assists in a game.

28 May 2024

28/05/2024 16:00

Official: Xavier Cooks returns to Sydney Kings

The Sydney Kings have announced the return of Xavier Cooks in NBL on a three-year deal.

After a brief stint with the Wizards in 2022/23, the forward spent last season in Japan with the Chiba Jets (13.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game).

 

28 May 2024

28/05/2024 14:50

Walter Tavares reportedly signing five-year extension with Real Madrid

According to Encestando, Walter Tavares has already signed a new five-year contract with Real Madrid.

The center will stay in Madrid basically until the end of his career.

The Blancos will still have to go back on the market for a center to replace Vincent Poirier, who is headed to Anadolu Efes.

Real Madrid will also lose young center Ismaila Diagne, who is reportedly moving to Gonzaga.

28 May 2024

28/05/2024 09:46

Valencia Basket reportedly reached an agreement with Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martínez, the coach who led Valencia Basket to La Liga victory in 2017, has reached an agreement with the club to return to lead the team in the 2024-2025 season.

After seven years, Martínez returns to Fonteta without yet knowing whether Valencia will play in the Euroleague or the Eurocup. The contract will be signed today.

Fonte: Las Provincias

27 May 2024

27/05/2024 21:26

Fenerbahce reportedly frontrunner for Chris Jones

Chris Jones is leaving Valencia, with Fenerbahce topping the list of suitors.

The playmaker has a €300,000 clause to leave his contract with the Spaniards, which expires in 2026.

It is therefore credible that this is the Turks’ plan B after Lorenzo Brown, for which Real Madrid is the big favourite, even after the ventilated agreement with Xavier Rathan-Mayes.

According to rumours, there is also interest in Chris Jones from Baskonia, Partizan and Virtus Bologna.

27 May 2024

27 May 2024

27/05/2024 17:30

Joventut Badalona inks Keye van der Vuurst

Joventut Badalona announced the signing of Keye van der Vuurst on a three-year contract.

The promising Dutch point guard arrives from Zunder Palencia, where he ended the ACB season with 10.6 points and 5.6 assists (third in ACB), shooting 53% from 2-points, 35.3% from long range and 85% from the free throws line.

Previously, van der Vuurst spent five seasons in Ostend.

 

 

27 May 2024

27 May 2024

27/05/2024 14:13

AS Monaco reportedly signing Nick Calathes, extending Elie Okobo

According to Basketnews, AS Monaco has finalized two moves for the backcourt, the signing of Nick Calathes and the extension of Elie Okobo.

Both players agreed to a two-year contract.

Calathes comes from a two-year stint with Fenerbahce (7 PPG, 4.8 APG in Euroleague) and was a crucial factor in the playoff series right against AS Monaco.

Okobo ended the Euroleague season with 11 points and 3.1 assists per game, while in BetClic Elite he is scoring 13.1 points with 4.8 assists.

27 May 2024

27 May 2024

27/05/2024 08:52

Real Madrid reportedly close to sign Xavier Rathan-Mayes

Xavier Rathan-Mayes is close to signing a deal with Real Madrid. According to a report by Donatas Urbonas (Basket News), the 30-year-old 1.93-metre Canadian point guard is ready to move to Europe after various experiences in the United States, Europe and Australia.

The news comes a few hours after Real Madrid’s defeat in the Euroleague final against Panathinaikos.

Rathan-Mayes, who comes from Enisey Krasnoyarsk, will strengthen Real Madrid’s outfield department, which could undergo significant changes with the departure of Rudy Fernández and the uncertainties over Sergio Rodríguez and Fabien Causeur.

This season Xavier Rathan-Mayes has produced 25.4 points on average in VTB with Enisey in addition to 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

27 May 2024

27/05/2024 08:42

Usman Garuba reportedly to sign with Real Madrid

Usman Garuba has decided to leave the NBA to return to Real Madrid, according to Eurohoops sources.

The 22-year-old, who grew up in the Spanish club’s youth academy, had left the team in 2021 to play in the NBA, playing 105 games between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.

Despite the lingering interest from the NBA, Garuba, who finished the season in the G-League, could become a key element in Real Madrid’s future, effectively replacing Frenchman Vincent Poirier.