By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Arnaldo Toro inked a contract until the end of the calendar year to reunite with VEF Riga, the team announced on Monday.
Rihards Aleksandrovs, Adrians Andzevs, Rihards Berkolds, Dairis Bertans, Rodrigo Bumeisters, Raivo Butirins, Ben Carlson, Kristaps Kilps, Jekabs Niedra, Rostyslav Novitskyi, Zahir Porter, Illya Sydorov, and Ricards Vanags were already confirmed on the 2025-26 roster for the team coached by Martin Gulbis.
Toro, a regular with the senior national team of Puerto Rico, spent the 2023-24 season with the Latvian club, logging five Basketball Champions League appearances, besides winning the Pafbet LBL championship as the most valuable player and the Latvian Cup. Last season in Lithuania, he participated in the BCL Qualifiers with Uniclub Casino – Juventus.
Resurfacing in FIBA Europe’s top-tier club continental competition, the next assignment for the 27-year-old forward/center is in the Regular Season. AEK and NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz are the known opponents in Group F, with one more team pending via a Qualification Tournament in Samokov.
Toro’s previous European team, Juventus, is building a Qualifiers bid to join ALBA Berlin, ERA Nymburk, and Sabah in Group B. Adding to the 2025-26 squad, the Utena outfit secured the services of 29-year-old Paulius Valinskas. The Zalgiris youth product is a veteran of 29 BCL games with Lietkabelis and FMP Meridian.
Pelister Bitola, a candidate to enter Group C with Joventut Badalona, Hapoel Netanel Holon and Cholet, retained four domestic players, 26-year-old Damjan Krstevski, 31-year-old Darko Najdovski, 31-year-old Boban Stajic, and 25-year-old Luka Stojanovski.
Photo Credit: FIBA