By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The runner-up of the previous edition of the Basketball Champions League, Galatasaray MCT Technic, announced a contract extension for head coach Yakup Sekizkok. The 45-year-old tactician committed for the next season with the latest deal also featuring an option for the 2026-27 season. Earlier in the offseason, Will Cummings also re-signed, while Christian Bishop, Errick McCollum, and Jerome Robinson were added to the 2025-26 squad.
Among the opponents for the Lions in a six-game double-legged round-robin schedule in Group E of the upcoming BCL Regular Season, FIT/One Wurzburg Baskets secured the services of former Towson standout Charles Thompson. After starting his professional career with the Leicester Riders, the newcomer penned a three-year contract, moving his talents to Germany.
ERA Nymburk is heading to Group B, packing 35-year-old Vojtech Hruban, the third leading scorer in Champions League history, and also ranked fourth in the all-time list of players with the most appearances. The experienced Czech winger inked a three-year contract extension.
Fellow Group B team, Sabah, penned 23-year-old Ramiz Guliyev to a one-year contract extension.
Gran Canaria keeps Samar
Jumping in the BCL and recently drawn into Group H, Dreamland Gran Canaria transitioned from a loan agreement with ALBA Berlin to complete a transfer and keep 24-year-old Ziga Samar for the next season. The Slovenian winger is set to debut in the Champions League.
Preparing to compete in Group C, Cholet signed 25-year-old Daylen Kountz. A former NCAA player with Northern Colorado and Colorado started his professional career in the second-tier division of the ABA League and spent last season in Hungary.
In Group D, Tofas welcomed 21-year-old Karahan Efeoglu. Heading to a third consecutive BCL campaign, the Turkish winger, a youth product of Anadolu Efes, carries the experience of nine games played between Galatasaray Ekmas and Aliaga Petkimspor.
Diagne re-signs with Murcia
Strengthening a bid to reach the 2024-25 Regular Season via the Qualification Rounds, UCAM Murcia retained 31-year-old Moussa Diagne for the next two seasons. The Senegalese center is a veteran of 39 BCL games between the Universitarios and Lenovo Tenerife.
The Qualifiers Quarterfinals opponent of the team coached by Sito Alonso, PGE Start Lublin, announced a contract extension for Roman Szymanski, sending the 34-year-old big to a ninth straight season with the Polish club.
Recently drawn against each other in another Qualification Round tournament, CSM CSU Oradea and Windrose Antwerp Giants re-signed 21-year-old Luca Nastrut and picked up 27-year-old Mateo Colak, respectively.
Elsewhere in the pack of teams to start the new continental season in late September, Kutaisi 2010 opened summer signings with 26-year-old Nika Darbaidze and 20-year-old Luka Alavidze.