By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Basketball Champions League ecosystem experienced a major flurry of official roster developments on Thursday, highlighted by reigning easyCredit BBL champions ALBA Berlin securing their championship core. Power forward Justin Bean inked a long-term contract extension keeping him in the German capital through the 2028–29 campaign. The 29-year-old fan favorite, who recently guided the Albatrosse to the German championship win over archrivals Bayern Munich as the Finals Most Valuable Player by averaging 13.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, returns to the BCL Regular Season in Group G after previously tallying 11.7 points across 13 outings last season.
Concurrently, Group B competitor Legia Warszawa fortified its veteran frontline by penning Gyorgy Goloman to a one-year agreement. The 30-year-old center, who previously made 12 appearances with Falco Szombathely during the 2021–22 BCL campaign, will boost the back-to-back Orlen Basket Liga champion’s interior presence against looming group rivals Galatasaray, SIG Strasbourg, and Cibona. Looking toward developing future native talent, Italian side UnaHotels Reggio Emilia promoted 18-year-old prospect Luca Manfredotti to their senior squad ahead of their Group E campaign.
Heading to that same Group E of the Regular Season, Unicaja re-signed 22-year-old Yannick Nzosa for the 2026–27 season. After consecutive loan assignments over recent years, the Congolese center rejoins the Malaga outfit, looking to add to his career total of 11 BCL appearances from his 2021–22 journey with Unicaja. Txus Vidorreta’s lineup already consisted of Jonathan Barreiro, Ignas Brazdeikis, Alberto Diaz, Nihad Djedovic, Cameron Hunt, Tyler Kalinoski, David Kravish, Melwin Pantzar, Tyson Perez, and Kendrick Perry.
Similar adjustments also extended into the upcoming Qualification Rounds. Korisliiga champions Salon Vilpas signed 26-year-old D.J. Jeffries to replace the injured Aidan Hadaway, joining a finalized club roster featuring Karl Chavis, Leland Walker, and Mikko Koivisto.
Meanwhile, Slovakian champions Patrioti Levice bolstered their tournament squad by inserting 27-year-old guard Tevin Olison into a core group that already features veterans Tony Hicks, Jalen Brooks, and Boris Bojanovsky.
Finally, fellow qualification contenders Landau Lions successfully retained 30-year-old De’ Ondre Jackson, pairing him alongside recent roster renewal Gediminas Orelik.
Make