By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the Basketball Champions League and its Qualifying Rounds shaping up for an exciting 2026–27 season, Unicaja retained veteran Nihad Djedovic for his fifth campaign in Malaga, while Openjobmetis Varese kept center Nate Renfro after letting his opt-out clause expire. In France, Cholet bolstered its backcourt by inking point guard Jarrod West to a one-year deal, and SIG Strasbourg added French guard Neftali Difuidi on a two-year contract. Germany’s BMA365 Bamberg Baskets strengthened their frontcourt with power forward Jonathan Bahre, and Rasta Vechta recruited Matt Lewis to fortify their defense and shooting ahead of September’s qualifiers.
Several domestic champions and contenders also finalized key roster moves. Reigning BCL champion Rytas welcomed back homegrown forward Oskaras Pleikys on a two-year contract, while Orlen Basket Liga champions Legia Warszawa signed Estonian Markus Ilver. In Czechia, Opava added Matej Svoboda from ERA Nymburk, and KVIS Pardubice promoted young talent Michael Skoda to the senior squad. Defending Korisliiga champions Salon Vilpas rounded out their roster by adding Aidan Hadaway and teenager Patrik Taipale.
The movement extended to Sabah announcing Jean-Marc Pansa’s transfer to UCAM Murcia, and Turkish side Trabzonspor picking up combo forward Yigit Hamza Mestoglu from Fenerbahce Beko. Meanwhile, Bnei PenLink Herzliya signed veteran shooting guard Dusty Hannahs, Igokea m:tel tabbed Bosnian Armin Hrstic, and Slovakia’s Patriots Levice added winger Jalen Brooks as their third foreign signing. Further bolsterings saw the Bakken Bears welcome Quinton Mincey, Fribourg Olympic pen Izan Le Meut, and Landstede Hammers re-sign Nelson Haskin.
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