Txus Vidorreta exits Tenerife, Mateusz Ponitka stays with Bahcesehir

By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

La Laguna Tenerife has officially parted ways with Txus Vidorreta just as the Spanish club prepares for its transition into the BKT EuroCup.

His legacy is inextricably linked to Canarias, where he orchestrated the most successful era in club history. Spanning two historic stints, from 2015 to 2017 and again from 2018 onward, the 59-year-old play-caller transformed the island-based club into a dominant European powerhouse.

Under his leadership, Tenerife captured two Basketball Champions League titles in 2017 and 2022. He also steered the club to global success, clinching two FIBA Intercontinental Cup championships in 2020 and 2023. During this tenure, Vidorreta cemented his status as the winningest coach in BCL history, shattering the unprecedented 100-win milestone and earning the prestigious Coach of the Decade honor.

The Bilbao native previously built his reputation across three decades, helming prominent ACB sides including Bilbao, Estudiantes, and Valencia. Besides his departure from the Canary Islands outfit, three other EuroCup teams announced roster moves on Monday.

Bahcesehir Koleji locked down a crucial piece of its core by securing a contract extension with Mateusz Ponitka, guaranteeing his stay through the 2026–2027 campaign.  A veteran of 145 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games, the 32-year-old forward pushed his EuroCup total to 94 over his last two seasons with the Istanbul outfit. Last season, he averaged 5.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals over 19 games, including six starts.

Continuing the roster rebuild, U-BT Cluj-Napoca penned 25-year-old forward Jalyn McCreary to a one-year deal.

Meanwhile, the London Lions bolstered their future roster by signing 18-year-old Lithuanian Emilis Zibuda.

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