By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Emil Rajkovic was appointed head coach of Tofas to start preparations for the 2025-26 edition of the Basketball Champions League and domestic competitions in Turkiye.
After four consecutive continental seasons in the BCL, including a run to the Quarterfinals in 2022, the 2024-25 journey was limited to the FIBA Europe Cup and reaching the Quarterfinals. Returning to the top tier of FIBA Europe competitions, Tofas named 46-year-old Rajkovic as the new play-caller on Thursday. The experienced tactician coached CSKA between 2022 and 2024, following earlier jobs with Avtodor, Astana, BM Slam Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski, MZT, Slask Wroclaw, Rabotnicki, Feni Industries, and Karpos Sokoli.
Earlier Thursday, the back-to-back BCL champion, Unicaja, announced a contract extension for 25-year-old Melwin Pantzar and loaned him to Surne Bilbao for a third straight season. The new deal lasts until the end of the 2029-30 season and contains an option for one additional season. Headlining his 2024-25 efforts, the Swedish point guard stood out as the Finals Most Valuable Player as the Basque club edged out PAOK mateco in a home-and-away series to win the Europe Cup.
Meanwhile, Kaiser Gates, a veteran of 15 appearances in the BCL between last season with UCAM Murcia and the 2021-22 campaign with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, penned a one-year contract extension with the Universitarios. The fellow ACB outfit is heading to the next set of Qualification Rounds in late September, looking to clinch a berth in the 2025-26 Regular Season, which tips off on October 7.