By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Dubai Basketball have signed Simonas Lukosius, with the 24-year-old immediately joining Unicaja Malaga on loan for the upcoming season.
The arrangement will allow Lukosius to continue his development in Spain before linking up with Dubai in the future. Unicaja will gain an elite perimeter threat who arrives after playing a leading role in Rytas Vilnius’ Basketball Champions League triumph.
Lukosius averaged 8.3 points across 16 BCL appearances last season while shooting an exceptional 51 percent from three-point range. He saved his best performance for the Final, scoring 23 points and making seven three-pointers to secure the trophy and earn Final Four MVP honors.
In domestic competition, the two-meter wing averaged 6.5 points and 2.4 rebounds over 31 Lithuanian League appearances.
Lukosius developed in the United States, spending two seasons with Butler before completing his NCAA career at Cincinnati. He subsequently returned to Europe with Rytas and has also represented the German national team.
His shooting, movement without the ball and positional versatility should provide an immediate boost to Unicaja, while Dubai retain control of a player they view as part of their long-term plans.
Cibona reunites with Domagoj Vukovic
Elsewhere in the Champions League, Domagoj Vukovic has staged a homecoming by reuniting with Cibona on Monday, just one year after his second departure from the club. The 32-year-old power forward is set to make his career debut in the competition, boosting a squad marshaled by head coach Ivan Rudez. He integrates into a robust roster featuring Roko Badzim, Vigo Bart, Khalif Battle, Bruno Bubalo, Marjan Cakarun, Ante Garac, Lovro Gnjidic, Kamaka Hepa, Borna Katanovic, Lovro Mazalin, Rickey McGill, Tre Mitchell, Jan Palokaj, Zdravko Peric, Renato Serdarusic, and Antonio Sikiric. Vukovic and his teammates face a demanding continental campaign after being drawn into Regular Season Group B alongside Galatasaray MCT Technic, Legia Warszawa, and SIG Strasbourg.
Heading to the Qualification Rounds in Samokov, Benfica reinforced its long-term vision announcing a contract extension on Sunday with 20-year-old prospect Jhonathan Andrade. This new agreement secures the talented youngster’s services and ties him to the Lisbon-based powerhouse through the end of the 2027–28 season.
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