Basket rumors

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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Pallacanestro Varese reportedly in talks with Michael Gilmore

Pallacanestro Varese is back on the market after the defeat against Pallacanestro Reggiana last weekend.

As reported verbatim by La Prealpina, the defeat and: “Brown’s negative performance has led Openjobmetis to reopen negotiations with Michael Gilmore.

And again: “The ongoing dialogue would concern a 1+1 agreement”.

Now, of course, it is necessary to unblock the negotiations with Paok, where the 208 cm forward, born in 1995, has averaged 5.9 points and 4.8 rebounds this season.

Marcus Zegarowski joins Ironi Ness Ziona

Ironi Ness Ziona announced the arrival of Marcus Zegarowski on a contract until the end of the season.

The point guard ended his experience in Italy with Vanoli Cremona averaging 10.4 points and 2.3 assists in 21 minutes per game.

 

Kacper Gordon leaves Arka to sign with Legia

Kacper Gordon, Arka officially part ways.

Polish point guard is averaging 6.6 points, 2.5 assists in this OBL season.

Gordon to sign with Legia as reported Karol Wasiek.

Trapani Shark reportedly not reach an agreement with Sasha Djordjevic

According to the Giornale di Sicilia, the Trapani Shark had Sasha Djordjevic as their first target to replace Daniele Parente.

According to the paper: ‘The Trapani Sharks had Sasha Djordjevic in their sights, with whom they were unable to reach an agreement. The former Milan and Virtus Bologna coach has an important contract with the Chinese national team.

Olimpia Milano among teams interested in Josh Nebo for next season

Maccabi Tel Aviv center Josh Nebo will be among the most coveted big men on the Euroleague market next summer.

On the player, who just won the second Euroleague MVP of the round award this season, there would be interest from Olimpia Milano and Real Madrid, as well as Maccabi Tel Aviv itself, according to Orazio Cauchi.

Milano has several frontcourt players with expiring contracts, so in all likelihood we will see several changes for the 2024-25 season.

 

Nebo  is producing averages of 10.5 points, 7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game in Euroleague.

 

Spagna, Sergio Scariolo reportedly reached a new agreement until 2028

The Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and Sergio Scariolo have reportedly reached a new agreement until 2028, reports AS.

The only condition is the re-election of Elisa Aguilar as president of the federation after the Olympic Games, as is the case in every national federation.

Scariolo, at the helm of the selection since 2015, has led the team to first place in the FIBA rankings, winning four Eurobaskets, a World Championship in 2019 and two Olympic medals.

The renewal aims to provide continuity and develop new talent for Spanish basketball. The next challenge will be the Pre-Olympic Games in Valencia in July, with the aim of qualifying for the Olympic Games and preparing the team for future international competitions.

Liaoning Flying Leopards sign O.J. Mayo and Jaylen Adams

The Liaoning Flying Leopards strengthen the backcourt with the signings of two former NBA players, guard O.J. Mayo and point guard Jaylen Adams.

Mayo was playing in Egypt with Zamalek, while Adams ended the NBL season with over 19 points and 5 assists per game for the Sydney Kings.

The 36-year-old guard chosen No. 3 in the 2008 NBA Draft has already played with the Chinese club from 2019 to 2021.

Pınar on Darrun Hilliard: Negotiations are underway for the remainder of the season

Prior to their BCL clash with Lenovo Tenerife, Pinar Karsiyaka issued a statement that included an update on the situation surrounding Reyer Venezia target Darrun Hillard.

“Negotiations are underway between Darrun Hillard and our management for the remainder of the season. The player did not take part in the team’s trip”. The Turks lost 88-79 in Spain.

 

Zalgiris Kaunas reportedly close to a new deal with Brady Manek

Zalgiris Kaunas is in the process of extending the contract of EuroLeague rookie forward Brady Manek.

After signing a 1+1 year deal last summer that included an opt-out after the first season, both the player and the team are close to finalising a new deal that will extend Manek’s stay in Kaunas until at least 2025.

In the 2023-24 EuroLeague season, Manek averaged 7.5 points per game on 42.9 percent three-point shooting, 3.3 rebounds per game and a player rating (PIR) of 7.1 in less than 19 minutes per game.

Source: Basketnews

ALBA Berlin extends Malte Delow

ALBA Berlin announced that Malte Delow has extended his contract for another year, until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Delow this year is producing averages of 5.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 17 minutes per game in Euroleague.

Corey Davis Jr joins Vanoli Cremona

Corey Davis Jr signed a deal until the end of the season with Vanoli Cremona, the Italian team announced.

The Houston product started the year in ACB with Girona, where he averaged 7 points and 2.4 assists in 23 minutes per game.

Mike James: I want the chance to win. That’s the only thing I’m interested in

Mike James spoke to the Urbonus Podcast about his next contract. The Monaco leader has left his options open, insisting that he is only interested in competing at the highest level.

“I want the chance to win. That’s the only thing I’m interested in. Probably for three years. A three-year contract will give me 15 years, which is a good career. After that I can go and watch the sun go down. I don’t know where, I don’t care at the moment, as strange as it sounds. Today I feel it is something very far away and I feel we have a chance to do something good this year (with Monaco).

Basquet Girona waives Corey Davis

Basquet Girona has announced the release of Corey Davis.

The guard averaged 7 points and 2.4 assists in 23 minutes per game.

Davis spent the last few weeks training away from the team.

Real Madrid reportedly targets Lorenzo Brown

Real Madrid on the trail of Lorenzo Brown. Encestando reports.

The playmaker still has two years left on his contract in Israel, but the geopolitical situation and the consequent increase in costs for the club could lead to a farewell.

The Blancos see Sergio Rodriguez’s contract expire at the end of the season and, according to the portal, there is little confidence in Carlos Alocen.

Lorenzo Brown, of course, would play in the ACB with a Spanish passport.

Isaac Humphries signs new three-year deal with Adelaide 36ers

The Adelaide 36ers have continued their run of retaining key pieces heading into next season, and have re-signed star center Isaac Humphries to a three-year deal.

Humphries’ re-signing followed the retention of interim head coach Scott Ninnis on a two-year deal, and the three-year deal signed by star guard DJ Vasiljevic earlier in the season.

Humphries, a former Kentucky big man, ended the NBL season with 15.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

 

Casademont Zaragoza reportedly signs Finn Delany

Casademont Zaragoza signs Finn Delany.

The New Zealand winger, with Irish passport, produced an average of 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in the NBL with the Breakers this season.