Basket rumors

Zenit signs Denis Zakharov

In the past Zakharov played for Sparta and Ko, Nizhny Novgorod, Dinamo, Enisey and Lokomotiv Kuban.

General manager of Zenit Alexandr Tserkovny:

– Denis made a big progress in the last season, including games against Zenit, too. So, our coaching staff got interested in him. I hope he’ll keep going this way and add some energy and balance to our back court.

Head coach of Zenit Xavi Pascual:

– Today we are very happy for the incorporation of Denis Zakharov in our team.  We believe that it is a good step in his career and that at 27 he can further evolve his game, so we think we are incorporating a player from the present but also from the future.  It will cover two positions, both 1 and 2 and can give us creation speed and points as well as defensive aggressiveness in some aspects.

Zenit guard Denis Zakharov:

– Moving to Zenit is a big step forward in my career. It’s a big level of competition both in VTB League and in Euroleague, and the club has big goals in both of them, so it’s good for me. I made the right choice because it’s flattering to every player to know that a Euroleague club wants to have him. I was amazed by Zenit fans when I saw them at the games, I suppose they root even louder during Euroleague games. I hope we’ll see this level of support throughout the whole season no matter what the result is, and I’ll try to do my best on the court.

Olimpia Milano’s Kevin Punter got Serbian citizenship

Kevin Punter, recently signed by Olimpia Milano to a one-year deal, got the Serbian citizenship.
The American guard spent the season with Olympiacos and Crvena Zvezda and before the national cup scheduled in February, he got the Serbian passport.

Punter will play again in Italy next season after having spent the 2018-2019 year with Virtus Bologna.

His new passport won’t change Milano’s plans for next season because he will need one of the seven working visas available for Olimpia for next season.

Andrej Jakimovski commits to Washington State

Macedonian forward Andrej Jakimovski has committed to Washington State, he told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Jakimovski, 19, appeared in eight games in the Italian Serie A2 with Torino this season. He also played for Dinamo Sassari in the Italian NextGen Cup.

Charis Giannopoulos, AEK Athens part ways

AEK Athens announced that the team has parted ways with forward Charis Giannopoulos.

Josip Sobin signs with BM Slam Stal

Croatian forward Josip Sobin has signed with BM Slam Stal of the Polish EBL, the team announced.

Sobin spent this past season in the Italian Serie A, averaging 4.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for Vanoli Cremona.

Turk Telekom keeps Muhammed Baygul

Muhammed Baygul signed a one-year contract to remain with Turk Telekom Ankara, as announced by the turkish team.
The guard this year averaged 10.7 points and 2.9 assist over 37 games between BSL and BCL.

Mathias Calfani re-signs with Kawasaki Brave Thunders

Mathias Calfani will stay another season with Kawasaki Brave Thunders, the japanese team announced.
This year the Uruguayan swingman averaged over 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assist and 2 steals per game, shooting 57% from the field, 48% from long range and 64% from the foul line.

Sources: Alessanrdo Gentile, Dolomiti Energia Trento to part ways

Alessandro Gentile and Aquila Basket Trento have an agreement in place to part ways, a source told Sportando.
The news will be official early in July.
Gentile had one year left on his deal with Trento but he won’t remain also considering Dolomiti Energia will not play in Eurocup.

The 27 year old forward this year played 33 games between LBA and Eurocup, with averages of 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assist.

Zenith denies rumors on Aaron Harrison

Despite recent reports, Zenit is not interested in former Galatasaray guard Aaron Harrison and never offered him a contract, a source told Sportando.

This year the guard averaged 14.7 points, 3 assist and 1.4 steals per game for Galatasary, shooting 44% from the field, 39% from beyond the arc (6.4 attempts x game) and 79% from the foul line.

Orlandina Basket signs rookie Jordan Floyd

Orlandina Basket announced the signing of rookie guard Jordan Floyd.

This year Floyd has been named Ron Lenz National Player of the year and first team All-America by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA).

He averaged 31.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assist and 1.9 steals per game, shooting 50% from the field, 42% from beyond the arc and 81% from the foul line.

Zenit’s Marko Popovic on Arturas Gudaitis: “I like him, he’s one of Euroleague top centers”

Interview by Mindaugas Kuzminskas’ show on Delfi TV, Zenit St Petersburg Sporting Director Marko Popovic has spoken about a possibile interest for Olimpia Milano’s center Arturas Gudaitis.

“He’s one of the best prospects and one of Euroleague’s best centers. He has athleticism and strength, I like him a lot. We have many players on our list. Is he the first? Maybe. Is the fifth? Maybe. But I can tell you that I respect him a lot”, he said.

Jaleen Smith agent to Sportando: “Virtus Bologna is among the teams interested for next season”

Jaleen Smith’s agent Teddy Archer has confirmed the Virtus Bologna offer for Ludwigsburg guard to Sportando.

“Virtus Bologna is among the teams which have offered Jaleen for the next season. However, even if we’re proud that Jaleen’s is getting interest from very important teams, at this point there’s no deal in place and we’ve postponed any talks until after the end of the BBL season. Jaleen is focused on winning a championship with Ludwigsburg”, Archer has said. Smith’s Ludwigsburg will face Ratiopharm Ulm in the semifinals of the easycredit BBL season.

Virtus Bologna express interest in Jaleen Smith

Virtus Bologna is interested in Jaleen Smith and offered him a two-year deal, a source told Sportando.

Smith has had breakout season with Ludwigsburg and is currently finishing the BBL season with the German team. He has averaged, in 2019-20, 10.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 2.2 apg, shooting 34.3% from 3pt. 

His figures have risen sharply in Munich’s final tournament, and he has been one of the figures in Ludwigsburg stunning upset of Bayern Munich in BBL quarterfinals.

Marko Jeremic joins KK Mornar Bar

Marko Jeremic signed with KK Mornar Bar, his agent announced.
The guard spent the past 3 seasons with FMP Beograd.
This year Jeremic averaged 10 points and 1.7 assist per game, shooting 48% from beyond the arc.

Daniel Vujasinovic joins Helios Domzale

Daniel Vujasinovic signed with Helios Domzale, the team announced.
This year the Slovenian point guard averaged over 8 points and 4 assist for Rogaska Crystal, in the top slovenian division.

Obradoiro re-signs Pepe Pozas

Mondus Obradoiro announced the renewal of Pepe Pozas.
This year the pointguard averaged over 4 points, 4 assist and 1 steal per game in ACB.
Pozas has played the last 7 seasons with the spanish team.

Jason Rich agrees to terms with Varese

Jason Rich has agreed to terms with Pallacanestro Varese of the Italian Serie A, a source told Sportando.

Rich previously played in Italy with Cantù, Cremona and Avellino. He was the MVP of the 2017-18 Italian Serie A season.

Rich spent this past season in Turkey with Gaziantep.

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