By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Coming out of a four-year run in the NCAA, 22-year-old Simas Lukosius returned to Europe and joined Rytas on a 1+1 contract. The youngster with Lithuanian and German citizenship landed in the Basketball Champions League after college basketball with Cincinnati and Butler. Back in 2020, he started his professional career with Telekom Baskets Bonn.
Among upcoming opponents in Group A, Promitheas Vikos Cola retained 23-year-old Antonis Karagiannidis, but on a loan assignment from Olympiacos. The Greek forward will add to his current tally of 20 appearances in the Champions League over the last two years with the Patras outfit.
Elsewhere in the four-team group, 31-year-old Ojars Silins inked a two-year contract extension with Legia Warszawa to return to the BCL. The experienced Latvian combo forward carries the experience of 11 games between Kalev/Cramo and Sidigas Avellino.
Two signings for Mersin
A busy Group G side, Mersin MSK picked up former Pinar Karsiyaka players, Hakan Sayili and Ergi Tirpanci. Added to the roster, the 25-year-olds previously featured in 31 and seven Champions League games, respectively.
In Group D, Bnei PenLink Herzeliya announced a 1+1 deal with 25-year-old Moriel Lutaty. Building toward the BCL, the newcomer logged 12 FIBA Europe Cup games with Hapoel B-Cure Laser Haifa.
In Group E, FIT/One Wurzburg Baskets secured the services of 25-year-old Leo Saffer. Penning a two-year contract, the German center will debut in both the Champions League and the easyCredit BBL.
PAOK welcomes three players
In the Qualification Rounds, PAOK mateco added three players, reuniting with 31-year-old Marvin Jones and 30-year-old Diamantis Slaftsakis, veterans of 38 and 16 BCL games, and also signing 27-year-old K.J. Jackson.
Basketball Lowen Braunschweig named 41-year-old Kostas Papazoglou as the new head coach after parting ways with Jesus Ramirez, who took over Casademont Zaragoza.
Reuniting with Kutaisi 2010, 30-year-old Detrek Browning will make his Champions League debut in the upcoming Qualifiers.
After a brilliant rookie campaign with Mega Tbilisi, 25-year-old Akolda Mawein moved to Patrioti Levice.
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