By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Babatunde Olumuyiwa signed a 1+1 contract to join Baxi Manresa, the team announced Friday.
The runner-ups of the 2021-22 edition of the Basketball Champions League have been building a strong bid for another big run. Apart from retaining both Juan Pablo Vaulet and Brancou Badio, they added Giordano Bortolani and Jerrick Harding. The team coached by Pedro Martinez picked up Olumuyiwa as well covering the gap from Yankuba Sima’s move to Umana Reyer Venezia. The latest newcomer spent the last three seasons at MoraBanc Andorra playing in Spain’s Liga Endesa and the 7DAYS EuroCup.
Explosive point guard Jalen Riley penning a one-year contract with PAOK mateco will be looking to build on his Champions League experience starting last season at VEF Riga. The former East Tennesee State standout has also played in Portugal, France, Lithuania, Iceland, and Slovakia. Earlier in the offseason, the Greek club picked up Vassilis Christidis, Zaccheus Darko-Kelly, Yannick Franke, Jaylen Hands, Vangelis Margaritis, and Nikos Tsiakmas, and also re-signed Nate Renfro.
Darussafaka completed yet another addition as Hakan Sayili inked a one-year contract to join the team based in Istanbul. The previous offseason moves feature securing the services of Can Korkmaz, Canberk Kus, Ercan Osmani, Markel Starks, and Akwasi Yeboah. In addition, Doruk Dora, Gabriel Olaseni, and Wayne McCullough signed contract extensions. Key player Dogus Ozdemiroglu is coming back as well for the team coached by Selcuk Ernak.
Bahcesehir Koleji retained 38-year-old forward Hadi Ozdemir for the next season. The FIBA Europe Cup champion also kept captain Oguz Savas along with Muhammed Baygul, Berkay Candan, Emir Gokalp, Langston Hall, Kartal Ozmizrak, Jamar Smith, Ahmet Safa Yilmaz, and Ali Yuceoral from last season. Plus landed Yigit Arslan, Jaka Blazic, Jerry Boutsiele, Vladimir Brodziansky, and Gorkem Dogan.
Coming off a run to the BCL Round of 16, Hungary champion Falco KC Szombathely acquired former Milwaukee standout Matt Tiby and reunited with Hungarian forward Marko Krivacevic. Both players penned one-year contracts. Tipping off the offseason, Boris Barac, Akos Keller, and Peter Veraszto all signed contract extensions.
Experienced center Victor Arteaga penned a deal to join Rio Breogan. Looking to survive the Qualifying Rounds to be played in Belgrade, the Lugo outfit added Sergi Garcia, Ethan Happ, Justus Hollatz, Stefan Momirov, Toni Nakic, and Nemanja Nenadic, and also re-signed Marko Lukovic this summer.
The international point guard from Ukraine, Vitaliy Zotov will stay at VEF Riga through the next season. The team based in the capital of Latvia already confirmed the additions of Rihards Berzins, Roberts Berzins, Gerry Blakes, and Nysier Brooks.
Bradley product Donte Thomas switched to Heroes Den Bosch for the 2022-23 season. Further reinforcements are Jito Kok and Chris-Ebou Ndow, while Thomas van der Mars and Austin Price extended their contracts with the Dutch champions this summer.
Also, BBL MVP Geno Crandall opted out of his contract to move from the Leicester Riders to BG Gottingen. He had re-signed with the BBL champions in July.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net