By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following four years and one NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors, Will Sheehey inked a one-year contract with the Bakken Bears to become an assistant coach and head of player development.
From assisting in video operations at the top of his spell with the Warriors, the 33-year-old former player has been assistant director of player development and innovation since 2024. A similar role with the team based in Aarhus reconnected him with Skyler Bowlin, a former teammate at s. Oliver Wurzburg in 2019 and the new head coach. Both spent the majority of their respective playing careers in various countries across Europe.
“My family and I are excited to join the Bears organization for many reasons. I have known Skyler for years and trust his vision to take the Bears to the next level. Coaching and developing younger players is a passion of mine. The opportunity to have a lifelong impact on these players is too good to pass up. The culture and mindset of the club and city are a perfect fit with my core values,” said Sheehey, “I can’t wait to get started.”
In addition to preparing for domestic competitions in Denmark, focusing on a bid for the tenth straight Basketligaen championship, the Bears will compete for a spot in the 2025-26 Regular Season of the Basketball Champions League via the Qualification Rounds. Action will tip off on September 19 in Samokov, Bulgaria.
VEF Riga welcomes two new players
A BCL newcomer in 25-year-old Zahir Porter, the US import signed a one-year contract with VEF Riga. Returning to the league after seven games with Ventspils in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, 24-year-old Kristaps Kilps also joined the Latvian club, heading to Group F to face AEK Betsson, NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz, and one more team coming out of the Qualification Rounds, with the list of potential entries including the Bears.
Other teams looking to join Group F were busy as well. Qualifiers host Rilski Sportist re-signed 37-year-old Chavdar Kostov for two more years, Kalev/Cramo retained 37-year-old Tanel Kurbas, Kutaisi 2010 reunited with 26-year-old Marquus Gilson, and Heroes Den Bosch announced a one-year deal with 26-year-old Keevan Veinot.
Heading to a meeting in the Quarterfinals of another Qualifiers tournament, FC Porto opened summer signings with 25-year-old Javian Davis, the Most Valuable Player of the 2024-25 season in Portugal with Imortal, and Falco Szombathely picked up 27-year-old Jubrile Belo.
Hugo Besson to Tofas
Elsewhere in the league, Tofas signed 24-year-old Hugo Besson, a third offseason addition after Marek Blazevic and Karahan Efeoglu. The French combo guard bounced back in the Champions League after putting up 17.2 points per contest over 14 appearances in the 2024-25 season with fellow Turkish club Manisa Divissa.
Back in 2022, Besson was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 58th overall pick of the NBA draft. His NBA rights were immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and from there to the New York Knicks last February.
His new team is heading to Group D of the next Regular Season, opposite La Laguna Tenerife, Bnei PenLink Herzliya, and Trapani Shark.
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