Italian side UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia is reportedly considering the signing of Tall Blacks forward Finn Delany, according to newspaper La Prealpina. Delany, who has an Irish passport, returned to New Zealand last summer after winning the 2023 BCL with Bonn: he’s averaging 9.7 ppg for NBL side Breakers.
Partizan on Thursday night cashed in their third EuroLeague loss in a row, but Zeljko Obradovic’s position is not in question.
The club’s president, Ostoja Mijalovic wrote on X: “Since many are interested in a topic today and I have not responded to anyone in particular, I confirm that Željko Obradović, the players and all the club’s employees have my support.
“There are no rumours, the only truth is that we are in a results crisis. But it is important for everyone to know that the club is stable and functioning well. We are all one Bianconeri family both when we win and when we lose.”.
Pošto mnoge danas jedna tema interesuje, a nikome nisam posebno odgovarao, potvrđujem da Željko Obradović, igrači i svi zaposleni u klubu imaju moju podršku. Nema šumova, istina je jedino da smo u krizi rezultata. Ali je važno da znaju svi kako je klub stabilan i da nesmetano…
— Ostoja Mijailovic (@Ostoja1945) February 9, 2024
In Aba-Liga la squadra è terza in classifica dietro a Stella Rossa e Buducnost.
The Brooklyn Nets have agreed on a trade sending 3 and D forward Royce O’Neale to the Phoenix Suns for salaries and 3 second-round pick, Shams Charania reports.
Phoenix is acquiring also David Roddy from the Memphis Grizzles in the three-team deal.
Memphis is sending David Roddy to the Suns for a pick swap as part of a three-way with Phoenix and Brooklyn, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Suns pick up O'Neale and Roddy for their postseason rotation.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2024
Brooklyn is finalizing a trade sending Royce O’Neale to Phoenix for salaries and three second-round picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/sSSXacDYVz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2024
Crvena Zvezda Star president Nebojsa Covic responds to statements that appeared in Italy today and were attributed to Trapani Shark president Valerio Antonini.
“I don’t even respond to the statements of an arrogant and rich Italian president. Milos Teodosic will finish his career at Red Star.”
Trapani Shark in talks with Milos Teodosic? Valerio Antonini, president of Trapani Shark, makes a surprising statement to Corriere dello Sport about the upcoming season. The title of the interview, of which we will propose more sentences later, is this: ‘Trapani, I’ll take you to A and I’ll take Teodosic’.
It starts with this sentence: ‘We would not like to find ourselves unprepared. We already have an agreement with two very strong players. And negotiations are underway with a Serbian who is playing in his homeland and has been in Italy’.
The journalist, Fabrizio Fabbri, asks if he is Milos Teodosic: ‘You said it, journalist’s nose’.
According to Polish reporter Karol Wasiek, Michal Michalak will leave Czarni Slupsk to sign with PAOK BC.
Michalak was producing over 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game in the Polish league.
PAOK meanwhile announced the departure of Andrew Harrison ( 12.4 points and 3 assists average between Esake and BCL).
Λύση συνεργασίας ΚΑΕ ΠΑΟΚ mateco και Andrew Harrison
👉https://t.co/5SvFkPqLHY pic.twitter.com/a6GOjvcRZd— PAOK BC (@PAOKbasketball) February 6, 2024
Boom! 💣💣💣
Michał Michalak nie jest już zawodnikiem Icon Sea Czarnych Słupsk. Koszykarz złożył wypowiedzenie i opuszcza @PLKpl. Jego nowym pracodawcą będzie grecki zespół PAOK Saloniki. W tekście komentarz prezesa Michała Jankowskiego.#plkplhttps://t.co/aSkRnBlb1t
— Karol Wasiek (@K_Wasiek) February 6, 2024
According to Israelhayom, Maccabi Tel Aviv is working on the final details for the signing of Joe Thomasson.
The guard is under contract with Granada, but has an exit clause for the Euroleague.
The Israeli team is reportedly concerned about Lorenzo Brown’s physical condition, hence the need to strengthen the backcourt.
Thomasson is scoring 14 points with 3.4 assists and one steal per game in ACB .
Zalgiris Kaunas has added a new player for the rest of the season. Karolis Lukosiunas, who played here last year, returns to the roster of Lithuanian champions. The 26-year-old sniper has been signed until the end of the season.
Lukosiunas has already played for Zalgiris Kaunas from 2018 to 2023, and last summer he left for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League.
He played five games in the G-League, averaging 3.8 points (35.7% three-point accuracy).
With the deadline for new player registrations in the EuroLeague closing, Zalgiris head coach Andrea Trinchieri stressed the need for a kind of insurance policy.
“Zalgiris is always on the market, but sometimes you have to focus on what you already have at home. Right now we have a team with great chemistry. They give 110% in every game, but at the same time, both in the locker room and on the court, we feel that we need to preserve this group of players. Given the workload and the schedule, we have decided to bring in a player who can help us to rest our guys,” said Trinchieri.
According to Zalgiris Kaunas Director Paulus Jankunas, the return of the sniper seemed like a proven option at the moment.
“He is a player who has been with our club for a long time and can play specific roles and contribute in certain situations. The coaches had a need for such a player at the moment, and Karolis fits that description. His adaptation should not take long and the team gets a proven player,” said Jankunas about the newcomer.
Lukosiunas has already become Lithuanian champion three times and won the King Mindaugas Cup four times.
Karolis Lukosiunas is back to the Zalgiris team for the rest of the season. 🤝
Welcome back, Karolis! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Ntz36av1EX
— BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) February 6, 2024
Ricky Rubio is close to signing with FC Barcelona: an imminent decision is expected within the next few hours. The EuroLeague transfer market closes on Wednesday 7 February, and Barça seem not to want to wait until the last moment to announce the player’s return.
Sources at Mundo Deportivo suggest that the official announcement could happen as early as today. Although Rubio has yet to be ready to play, his registration is necessary to participate in the continental competition this season.
Barça intends not to rush Rubio’s return to the court, leaving the player free to decide the timing of his return. Since Rubio announced his intention to return to play, training with Barça, the reception has been extremely positive, both from the club and the player himself, who immediately felt at home.
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta also publicly expressed his desire to see Rubio at Barça, emphasising the importance of his signing for the club’s basketball project.
AJ English will sign with Enea Zielona Gora as reported zkrainynba.com.
American guard started this season in Iraq averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5 assist in Arab Club Championships with Dijah.
Khem Birch has reached an agreement with Basquet Girona, Chema De Lucas reports.
The Canadian big man returns to Europe after 6 seasons in the NBA (5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 52% FG, 70% FT) between Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors.
Early in his career Birch played in Turkey with Usak Sportlif and in Greece with Olympiacos.
ÚLTIMA HORA: El Bàsquet Girona ya ha cerrado 🔒 y firmado el fichaje del pívot Khem Birch como adelantamos en #ListosparaRomperla. Tiene pasado #NBA en Orlando Magic y Toronto Raptors.https://t.co/YstYfWbV5A pic.twitter.com/yAuntoHwiM
— Chema de Lucas (@chemadelucas) February 3, 2024
The future of Walter Tavares, EuroLeague’s most dominant player, is under discussion. According to the Relevo website, Dubai is ready to make the Cape Verde centre the backbone of the team that should make its debut in the continent’s top competition, and in the ABA-Liga, next season.
On the table is 8 million euros gross per year, almost double the 3.6 million euros that Tavares currently collects in what is his last year of contract with Real Madrid.
There has been much talk about the player in recent weeks, including interest from Panathinaikos and Monaco.
Misko Raznatovic, Dzanan Musa’s agent, commented on the rumours that would have the Real Madrid player heading to Partizan next season: ‘Dzanan Musa’s contract with Real Madrid, excluding the option to go to the NBA, expires after the 2024/25 season.
Ugovor Dzanana Muse sa Real Madridom, izuzimajuci opciju odlaska u Nba, istice nakon sezone 2024 / 25!#BeoBasket
— Misko4Raznatovic (@MiskoRaznatovic) February 2, 2024
Partizan itself also denied the rumours in a lengthy statement: ‘In the middle of the season, news appears regarding Dzanan Musa, one of Real Madrid’s best players, and an offer from Partizan (…) this news is not true’.
Partizan, in short, has not come forward with either Musa or his agent: ‘This news in itself would not deserve so much attention if it were not yet another case in which fabulous offers from Partizan emerge during the course of the season. The club therefore expresses the doubt that these facts do not happen by chance’.
Glasine, objave, targetiranja, transferi i finansijsko poslovanje.
🗣️ https://t.co/BVQlUmenwE#KKPartizan pic.twitter.com/A1TX7C9JPi
— KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) February 2, 2024
The news of an offer from Partizan to Musa, moreover protagonist of the clamorous brawl in game 2 of the last playoffs in Madrid, was published in recent days by Defensa Central, a portal historically close to Real.
The report spoke of a contract expiring in 2024 (an aspect denied, as said, by BeoBasket), and of a three-year maxi-proposal of 2 million euros net per season. Currently, according to Defensa Central, Musa earns €1 million net.
Partizan, in recent weeks, had denied the rumor of a 2.5 million euro per season offer to Nicolò Melli, captain of Olimpia Milano.
Joventut Badalona announced that 17-year-old Croatian forward Michael Ruzic has signed a five-year contract extension.
Ruzic is playing 17 minutes per game between Spain and Eurocup, with averages of 5.7 points with 2.8 rebounds and 0.5 blocks.
In Eurocup the promising forward scored a season-high of 17 points with 21 rating against Paris Basketball.
💎 Michael Ruzic: la perla croata que brillarà a Badalona fins al 2029
🤝 El Joventut i l’aler pivot arriben a un acord per ampliar el vincle cinc temporades més
🔗 La notícia: https://t.co/a0RUDJYfMX#BadalonaÉsFutur #SomElBressol pic.twitter.com/0W8PHa3V16
— Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) February 1, 2024
Rumours about the Anadolu Efes bench are growing after the news of Erdem Can’s dismissal.
Sergio Scariolo and Dimitris Itoudis are confirmed for the succession, but there would be another hot name.
According to the Greek journalist Vetakis, the quotations of Yakup Sekizkok are growing.
Τα ονόματα των Scariolo,Itoudis είναι στο τραπέζι της Efes για τη θέση του Erdem Can(ο 8ος στην Euroleague που απολύεται),όμως φαβορί μοιάζει ο YAKUP SEKIZKÖK.
Βοηθός του Ataman,αποχώρησε μαζί του το καλοκαίρι&ανέλαβε τη Darussafaka.Λέγεται πως έχει ήδη πρόταση&από τη Galatasaray— Sh⭕t Vetakis (@TheShot71) February 1, 2024
Born in 1980 like Can, Sekizkok has a long career as an assistant, which started in 2007 at Banvit. In 2010 he moved to Besiktas, then Galatasaray and since December 2017 he has been at Efes, where he won two EuroLeagues with Ergin Atman.
Sekizkok left the club in the summer upon Ataman’s departure, and took over the Darussafaka bench for the first time as head coach. Currently with the green club he is sixth in the BSL with nine wins and nine losses.
His name is also being mentioned at the moment by Galatasaray, who dismissed Zvezdan Mitrovic on Wednesday.
Givova Scafati, in the midst of the ‘Logan case’, doesn’t sit idly by and gets its hands on Gerry Blakes. It was announced by Pianeta Basket Tv, the Campania basketball web TV.
According to the media, “Starting today, at coach Boniciolli’s disposal is the player who had produced 6.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in Tuscany, shooting 57% from 2-point range and 21% from 3-point range.
Gerry Blakes has just been released by Estra Pistoia.
Anadolu Efes part ways with Erdem Can, EuroLeague bench number 8 in the 2023-2024 season.
After the change between Scariolo and Banchi at the helm of Virtus Bologna before the start of the season, here are the other changes:
Fenerbahce: from Dimitris Itoudis to Sarunas Jasikevicius
Baskonia: from Joan Penarroya to Dusko Ivanovic
Red Star: from Dusko Ivanovic to Ioannis Sfairopoulos
Zalgiris Kaunas: from Kazys Masksvytis to Andrea Trinchieri
Asvel: from TJ Paker to Gianmarco Pozzecco to Pierric Poupet
Erdem Can, born in Ankara in 1980, arrived at Efes in the summer after the departure of Ergin Ataman, the club’s two EuroLeague coaches. For nine years assistant to Zeljko Obradovic on the Fenerbahce bench, he is on the Turkish national team staff and also worked for a year in the NBA with the Utah Jazz.
Last season he was EuroCup coach of the year with Turk, which he took all the way to the final of the competition.
For the succession the basketfaul website mentions the names of Sergio Scariolo and Dimitris Itoudis. The former, coach of Spain, is still under contract with Virtus Bologna. The second was recently exonerated by the hated rivals Fenerbahce.
But at the moment it all seems rather premature. In the meantime, tomorrow the team is expected to play in the EuroLeague against Olimpia Milano.
Hapoel Eilat has chosen Max Menetti’s successor: Stefanos Dedas. Walla reports.
Greek born in 1982, already Holon’s guide between 2019 and 2021, after his experience at Aek Dedas was Dimitris Itoudis’ assistant at Cska and Fenerbahce.
Galatasaray has reportedly decided to relieve coach Zvezdan Mitrovic. This was announced by journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.
The Montenegrin coach was dismissed after a quarrel with some fans. Last night the Turkish team lost to Dijon in BCL.
Basketboldaki rezalete dur diyecek bir Galatasaray yöneticisi yok mu?
Dünyanın en popüler 2. branşı basketbolda, GS markasını küçük düşürenler için kimse hesap sormayacak mı?
Aylardır bu koçla olmaz diyoruz, paramızla rezil oluyoruz diyoruz yazık günah değil mi bu taraftara? pic.twitter.com/Z2JJEIO1C7— Eyüp Yıldız (@eyupyildiz) January 30, 2024
Elan Chalon announced the signing of Kaleb Wesson on a contract until the end of the season.
The former Ohio State big man started the season in Bulgaria with CSKA Sofia (15.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG).
Kaleb Wesson rejoint l’Elan Chalon ! Bienvenue Kaleb 🔴⚪️
L'intérieur de 2m08 arrive sur les bords de Saône et jouera dimanche !
+ d'informations ℹ https://t.co/JGQ94bPo5J#RougeEtBlanc pic.twitter.com/cd03Ux7r1C— Elan Chalon (@ELANCHALON) January 29, 2024
Cska Moscow will sign Will Barton until the end of the season as reported by Artem Komarov.
NBA veteran ended last season with Toronto Raptors averaging 7.7 points in 17 games.
NBA veteran Will Barton is joining CSKA Moscow on a deal until the end of the season.
— Artem Komarov (@art_basket) January 29, 2024
Merkezefendi announced the signing of Nike Sibande.
The Pittsburgh product arrives from Joensuun Kataja, where he was voted MVP of the FIBA Europe Cup preliminary round (20 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 41% from three).
Sibande, in his first professional season, was also scoring over 22 points with 8 rebounds per game in the Finnish league.
Nike Sibande Yukatel Merkezefendi’de!
Takımımız kadrosunu 1999 doğumlu guard Nike Sibande ile güçlendirdi. Kolej kariyeri sonrası Dallas Mavericks forması ile 2023 NBA Yaz Ligi’nde mücadele eden Sibande Avrupa kariyerine Finlandiya’nın Kataja takımında başladı. Amerikalı oyuncu,… pic.twitter.com/3XjoYImrE3
— Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi (@merkezefendigsk) January 26, 2024
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.
V začetku februarja se v Ligo @NBA seli @KarloMatkovic15.
Slednjega so leta 2022 na @NBADraft izbrali @PelicansNBA.
Karlo bo v dresu Cedevite Olimpije odigral še gostujoči tekmi s SC Derbyjem in Borcem ter domačo tekmo z Londonom.#ZmajevaDruzina pic.twitter.com/NwDUT46mmf
— Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (@KKCedOL) January 26, 2024
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.
Olympiacos has reached an agreement with Moses Wright.
The announcement of the centre is expected as early as today according to Sport24.
The player arrives to cover the absences of Milutinov and Fall on the roster.
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.
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.
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.
🚨 OFICIAL 🚨
🔥 Howard Sant-Roos renueva con el UCAM Murcia CB
🏀 El cubano amplía su contrato con el club hasta 2026
📰 https://t.co/IAEzvVURvR#TheLegacy pic.twitter.com/QRlQN3KfpU
— UCAM Murcia (@UCAMMurcia) January 24, 2024
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.
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.
En las próximas horas se le espera ya en Vitoria para firmar hasta junio, me dicen https://t.co/G6TUSsHb9a
— www.encestando.es (@webEncestando) January 23, 2024
