By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Oleksandr Kovliar inked a two-year contract to join Buducnost VOLI, the team announced on Saturday. As the first offseason addition of the team based in Podgorica, following a contract extension to Yogi Ferrell, the 23-year-old Ukrainian point guard is returning to the BKT EuroCup. Last season, he logged 15 appearances with 7bet-Lietkabelis, averaging 12.5 points, 4.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks per contest.
On Friday, 30-year-old Ismet Akpinar reunited with Bahcesehir Koleji, four years after he departed from the Istanbul-based club. Committing to play through the 2025-26 journey, he will add to his current tally of 85 EuroCup games, including 19 with Turk Telekom in the 2024-25 edition of Euroleague Basketball’s second-tier club continental competition, amounting to 5.1 points per contest.
Also on Friday, fellow Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi participant, Turk Telekom, secured the services of 26-year-old Kris Bankston, a veteran of 16 EuroCup games with Aris Midea in the 2023-24 season. Adding to the new roster on Saturday, the Ankara outfit signed 31-year-old Andrejs Grazulis, a veteran of 45 appearances, and 24-year-old newcomer Yavuz Gultekin.
Meanwhile, Dolomiti Energia Trento announced a two-year deal with 24-year-old Andrej Jakimovski. Returning to Europe following five NCAA seasons between Washington State and Colorado, he will debut in the EuroCup. Back in the 2019-20 season, he opened his professional career with Reale Mutua Torino.
With the 20 participants recently split into two equal groups, the new EuroCup season tips off on September 30.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net