By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Eli Ndiaye is set to make his debut in the Basketball Champions League after securing a loan move from Real Madrid to Asisa Joventut for the 2026–27 campaign.
The 22-year-old forward recently returned to Los Blancos following a brief stint in the NBA on a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks, and rehab from subsequent surgery on a torn labrum. His arrival significantly bolsters a formidable unit orchestrated by head coach Dani Miret. The Badalona outfit is surrounding their new asset with an array of proven talent, including Ricky Rubio, Ante Tomic, Nicolas Laprovittola, Simon Birgander, Kwan Cheatham Jr., Boogie Ellis, Ludde Hakanson, Isaac Nogues, Alex Reyes, and Emir Sulejmanovic. Together, this star-studded roster will lead Joventut in Group H of the Regular Season, where they face Bnei PenLink Herzliya, Porto, and Telekom Baskets Bonn.
Meanwhile, Qualifiers contenders across Europe made decisive moves to optimize their lineups for impending matchups. Glint Korfez reinforced their backcourt by picking up 26-year-old guard Mert Akay on Wednesday, injecting valuable expertise from his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague run with Darussafaka Tekfen in 2019. Also on Wednesday, Fribourg Olympic finalized a reunion by welcoming back 30-year-old Boris Mbala. Youth development is also taking center stage, as the Bakken Bears elevated 19-year-old Mads Ziegler to their primary roster on Thursday.
These final pieces are falling into position just in time, with the Qualification Rounds tipping off early next week, clearing the path for the primary phase to officially commence on October 6.
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