Paris Basketball enters its second season in the BKT EuroCup with almost a completely new squad and a newly appointed head coach. After leading Telekom Baskets Bonn to Basketball Champions League glory last year, Tuomos Iisalo joined Paris as head coach – and he has brought several players with him to the French capital. Paris remains hopeful of making the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in the not-too-distant future, but with so many EuroCup rookies on its roster, it will be interesting to see how Coach Iisalo and his players get on this season.

2023-24 Roster Rundown: Paris Basketball

[Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/?season=2023-24) enters its second season in the BKT EuroCup with almost a completely new squad and a newly appointed head coach. After leading Telekom Baskets Bonn to Basketball Champions League glory last year, [Tuomas Iisalo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-basketball-names-tuomas-iisalo-as-new-head-coach/) joined Paris as head coach – and he has brought several players with him to the French capital. Paris remains hopeful of making the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in the not-too-distant future, but with so many EuroCup rookies on its roster, it will be interesting to see how Coach Iisalo and his players get on this season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Ça lui va bien non ? <a href="https://t.co/d5Qj9ZxhhV">pic.twitter.com/d5Qj9ZxhhV</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1674427075154034689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### BACKCOURT

The team's star option in its backcourt is new arrival [T. J. Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-basketball-lands-champions-league-mvp-tj-shorts/), who is one of those who followed Coach Iisalo from Bonn to Paris. Last season, Shorts was named the MVP of the Basketball Champions League after leading Bonn to the title, while he also earned MVP honors in the German League following Bonn's run to the finals. Another talented player who joins Shorts in Paris's backcourt is French prodigy [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-secures-signing-of-french-prodigy-nadir-hifi/), who thoroughly impressed last season with 16.8 points in the French League for Le Portel. The 21-year-old point guard is likely to create a lot of buzz in the coming season, so keep an eye out for him in the first few rounds of the 2023-24 EuroCup campaign. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🔙👑 Quand <a href="https://twitter.com/NadirHifi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NadirHifi</a> avait sorti la plus grosse perf de la saison face au <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> ... Son futur club !<br><br>39 PTS - 8 RBDS - 4 PDS - 44 D&#39;ÉVALUATION 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BetclicELITE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BetclicELITE</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mb9fxJXQ5Q">pic.twitter.com/Mb9fxJXQ5Q</a></p>&mdash; LNB (@LNBofficiel) <a href="https://twitter.com/LNBofficiel/status/1666406649568071680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At shooting guard, [Sebastian Herrera](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/sebastian-herrera-joins-paris-basketball-from-bonn/) – another ex-Bonn player – offers experience and reliability. The Chilean international averaged 9.4 points per game in the BCL and, like Shorts and Hifi, he will make his EuroCup debut this season. Paris also has the 18-year-old [Jean Noba](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jean-noba/profile/012039/) as a potential option, but the bulk of the playing time is likely to fall on the shoulders of Shorts, Hifi and Herrera.

### FRONTCOURT

At the "three" position, team captain [Gauthier Denis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/gauthier-denis/011887/) is the only senior player to still be on Paris's roster from last season. The 26-year-old had some impressive displays in his rookie EuroCup campaign last year, averaging 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds for Paris. His competition for minutes is likely to come from another two former Bonn players: [Tyson Ward](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/tyson-ward-joins-paris-basketball/) and [Collin Malcolm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-signs-small-forward-collin-malcolm/). In the case of Ward, he spent the last two years playing under Coach Iisalo, averaging 8.1 points per game in the BCL last season. Malcolm, meanwhile, posted 8.8 points per night in Bonn's BCL-winning campaign in 2022-23. Another signing who will be waiting for his chance to play is 20-year-old forward [Enzo Shahrvin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-invests-in-future-with-enzo-shahrvin/), who has arrived from French League side Pau-Orthez. 

The best plays of Paris Basketball forward Gauthier Denis in the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup season.

Gauthier Denis's top plays in 2022-23

At power forward, Paris has a mixture of options. One player who is set to offer a veteran presence in the locker room is [Bandja Sy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-brings-in-veteran-bandja-sy/), the 33-year-old brother of former Paris forward and current sporting director Amara Sy. Bandja Sy has arrived from Metropolitans 92, which he helped get to the French League Finals last season, and he has 75 games of EuroCup experience under his belt. A different sort of player to Sy is [Mikael Jantunen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-lands-finnish-star-mikael-jantunen/), who was representing Finland at the 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer, averaging 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in five games. He has joined from Treviso in the Italian League. Don't forget [Mohamed Diawara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mohamed-diawara/profile/010801/), Paris's academy prospect, too. The 18-year-old made 14 appearances off the bench in the EuroCup last season and will be hoping to make even more of an impact in the coming campaign.

Last but not least, Paris has signed two centers who were with Coach Iisalo at Bonn for the 2022-23 season: [Michael Kessens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-signs-center-michael-kessens/) and [Leon Kratzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/paris-basketball-grabs-german-center-leon-kratzer/). Both big men obviously played alongside each other last year, which should make their transition to Paris that much easier. Kessens averaged 4.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in the BCL in the last campaign, whereas Kratzer posted 5.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in the same competition. Kratzer makes his return to the EuroCup after last playing in the tournament with Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt in the 2018-19 season when he averaged 8.0 points and 6.7 rebounds.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Nadir Hifi would have been a good option here, but it has to be T. J. Shorts, right? The 25-year-old American is coming off a career year with Bonn, in which he became the talk of the German League and the BCL. Now, he gets the chance to make the step up by bringing his talents to the EuroCup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/TjShorts5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TjShorts5</a> is just getting started 😈 <a href="https://t.co/ANsiNuxT6n">pic.twitter.com/ANsiNuxT6n</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1696844788455100787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Shorts averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 assists en route to Bonn's BCL triumph last season, while he had similar numbers in the German League – 19.5 points and 7.2 assists – as Coach Iisalo's group reached the finals, losing to ratiopharm Ulm. The 2022-23 campaign will forever be remembered as the season in which Shorts announced himself to the European basketball community at large. Can he now take another forward in the EuroCup, this time as the face of Paris's ambitious project? Only time will tell.

### OUTLOOK

Paris concluded its debut EuroCup season with a quarterfinal finish, having lost to eventual champion Gran Canaria in the second round of the playoffs. The French club had a 10-8 regular-season record and defeated 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys in the eighthfinals, so building on that will be of the utmost importance for Coach Iisalo in his first year on the sideline. 

In theory, the six players who followed Iisalo from Bonn to Paris should already have decent chemistry between them, so it will be important for the others to get on the same page as soon as possible. With so many departures and incomings it is hard to know just how Paris will get on in the EuroCup, but the club's directors will be hoping that Iisalo can replicate last year's achievement with Bonn and end the campaign by lifting a European title.  

Returning to the BKT EuroCup after seven seasons away, Aris Midea Thessaloniki is preparing for new challenges with a totally revamped roster. Just three players and head coach Ioannis Kastritis remain from an Aris team that finished eighth in the Greek League last season. The learning curve will be steep for some newcomers, including two who are making their professional debuts, but with the famed Aris fans behind them and a chance to surprise all the established EuroCup teams in Group B, there will be no lack of motivation in Thessaloniki this season.

2023-24 Roster Rundown: Aris Midea Thessaloniki

Returning to the BKT EuroCup after seven seasons away, Aris Midea Thessaloniki is preparing for new challenges with a totally revamped roster. Just three players and head coach Ioannis Kastritis remain from an Aris team that finished eighth in the Greek League last season. The learning curve will be steep for some newcomers, including two who are making their professional debuts, but with the famed Aris fans behind them and a chance to surprise all the established EuroCup teams in Group B, there will be no lack of motivation in Thessaloniki this season.

### BACKOURT

Among those remaining players is point guard Vassilis Toliopoulos, who led the team in minutes last season. His familiarity with the ideas of Coach Kastritis will be of huge importance for this squad. Marcus Carr, brings a lot of energy and significant scoring abilities, but will face a learning curve in what is his first pro season. Giorgios Fillios, who just turned 21, was already a contributor last season and stands to do even more in this one.

The youthfulness of the playmakers will be offset in Aris backcourt with a pair of veteran guards, Eleftherios Bochoridis and Dimitris Katsivelis. And while the latter is a former two-time EuroLeague champion with Olympiacos Piraeus, Bochoridis has plenty of EuroLeague experience under his belt. He will have a larger role with Aris than he had with Panathinaikos Athens the past three seasons, but the go-to guy for Aris is expected to be scoring guard Roberto Gallinat, who scored big wherever he has played professionally so far in his career.

Eleftherios Bochoridis Top Plays of the 2022-23 Regular Season

Eleftherios Bochoridis - highlights of the 2022-23 season

### FRONTCOURT

Another potent scorer that Aris found this summer is small forward Ronnie Harrell, who will, just like Gallinat, try to prove what he can do at this level. While Diamantis Slaftsakis and Nikolaos Persidis will add depth at the wings, they are not expected to have huge roles. However, when it comes to the pieces inside, Aris has a quartet of players that can square off against anyone.

Roberts Blumbergs is a 2.08-meter power forward who made nearly 2.0 triples per game on 45.3% shooting last season in the Romanian League. Manny Bates, a center with great energy and rim-protecting instincts, will be Aris's tallest player at 2.11. Just like his countryman Carr, Bates will also be making his debut as a pro. Another center Aris brought in this summer is Silvio De Sousa, an Angolan international who has produced 11.6 points and 6.8 rebounds at the World Cup. Meanwhile, Ismael Sanogo is the only frontcourt player who was with also with Aris last season. At 2.03 meters, Sanogo's main forte is his rebounding, and he can be used both as a power forward and a center.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Signing with training camp already underway and joining the team late might not be ideal, but Aris's latest signing, Roberto Gallinat, was brought in with the expectation to put up points. Aris got to know him in domestic competition last season, when he carried Karditsas to four wins in 10 games scoring 20.7 points per game. It would not sound like a big deal, only that Karditsas had 1-11 record prior to Gallinat's arrival. And when he played against Aris, he scored 32 points, netting 6 of 8 three-pointers. Gallinat has posted big scoring numbers just about any place he has played professionally so far. He and Aris hope that the EuroCup is the next competition where he will put his scoring abilities on display.

### OUTLOOK

A new team with not much experience and several young pieces in important roles is not widely known as a recipe for success. But Aris needed fresh blood this summer and the team brought several players who have something in common: they are hungry to prove themselves on a new level in their respective careers. What Aris also has is an army of fans who will no doubt give the team an extra push any time it needs it. EuroCup basketball returning to Thessaloniki is a great thing, and Aris hopes to be ready to make that return a successful one.

Slask Wroclaw made a lot of roster moves over the summer in attempts to be more competitive in its third consecutive BKT EuroCup campaign. Slask made it to the EuroCup Playoffs in 2022, its goal again despite that being more difficult now due to just six teams per group advancing from the regular season. Slask brought back head coach Oliver Vidin and put together a different roster with a more athletic backcourt and a versatile frontcourt balanced by experienced players in the middle.

2023-24 Roster Rundown: Slask Wroclaw

Slask Wroclaw made a lot of roster moves over the summer in attempts to be more competitive in its third consecutive BKT EuroCup campaign. Slask made it to the EuroCup Playoffs in 2022, its goal again despite that being more difficult now due to just six teams per group advancing from the regular season. Slask brought back head coach [Oliver Vidin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/slask-wroclaw-reunites-with-head-coach-oliver-vidin/) and put together a different roster with a more athletic backcourt and a versatile frontcourt balanced by experienced players in the middle.

Lukasz Kolenda Top Plays of the 2022-23 Regular Season

2022-23 EuroCup highlights: Lukasz Kolenda, Slask

### BACKCOURT

[Jawun Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/slask-tabs-point-guard-jawun-evans/) is set to make his EuroCup debut after a breakout season in which he posted solid numbers in two different countries. He is a very active player on defense with great feel for steals, and a very solid floor general who can either score or put the ball in the right place. He is also dangerous to foul: Evans made 88.0% of his free throw attempts in the Lithuanian and Israeli leagues last season. [Aleksander Wisniewski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksander-wisniewski/profile/011901/) should be his backup after a really good season with the club's second team. At age 20, Wisniewski is considered one of the best Polish prospects right now and is ready for new challenges.

[Hassani Gravett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/slask-lands-guard-hassani-gravett/) is a very interesting signing, a great catch-and-shoot scorer with unlimited range who can also take the ball to the rim due to his strong driving skills. He is a very good pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop player, finding advantages in both situations. Combo guard [Lukasz Kolenda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/lukasz-kolenda/011165/) returns after a season in which he almost doubled his EuroCup scoring average, to 11.1 from 5.8 points per game in the 2021-22 season. More experienced now, Kolenda is ready to keep playing a leading role. [Daniel Golebiowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/daniel-golebiowski/011900/) offers defense, intensity and toughness off the bench.

Artsiom Parakhouski Top Plays of the 2022-23 Regular Season

2022-23 EuroCup highlights: Artsiom Parakhouski, Slask

### FRONTCOURT

Slask is very versatile at both forwards, with three players able to switch positions. [Saulius Kulvietis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/slask-adds-veteran-forward-kulvietis/) is a well-rounded veteran who is making his EuroCup debut after playing in six different countries. He is a three-point shooting specialist who can also play in the low post and run the floor well for a player his size. [Jakub Niziol](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jakub-niziol/005531/) is a fan favorite in Wroclaw due to his high-flying dunks and energy plays. He remains one of the team's leaders. [Szymon Nowicki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/slask-seals-move-for-promising-forward-szymon-nowicki/) helped U18 Real Madrid win the ANGT title last season and is set to fight for playing time, mainly at power forward, just as up-and-coming big man [Mikolaj Adamczak](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mikolaj-adamczak/011902/) will do.

[Art Parakhouski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/artsiom-parakhouski/003034/) is a solid bet at center, a very experienced and reliable player. He rebounds really well at both ends and has a very effective set of post skills, highlighted by his jump hook. Parakhouski can also bury mid-range jumpers with consistency and is a good shot blocker due to his great timing. [Dusan Miletic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/slask-wroclaw-brings-in-dusan-miletic/) can play alongside him or at the "five" spot. He is more mobile and his shooting range goes beyond the three-point line, and it will be very interesting to see if Coach Vidin finds an effective way to play them together.

Jakub Niziol Top Plays of the 2022-23 Regular Season

2022-23 EuroCup highlights: Jakub Niziol, Slask

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Niziol should take an important step forwards in his second EuroCup season. Niziol did a little bit of everything last season, averaging 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and a PIR of 9.4 as Slask's starting small forward. He thrilled fans with his blocked shots and fastbreak slams. Niziol, however, needs to work on his outside shooting to become the complete package. He made just 9 of 44 three-pointers (20.5%) last season. By being a more consistent threat from beyond the arc, Niziol could take his game to a whole new level, as he has everything else to get there: athleticism, energy, poise and game knowledge.

### OUTLOOK

Slask's initial goal is being competitive right away and improve its chances for a sixth spot that would give the team access to the 2024 playoffs. Its combined record in the last two seasons is 4-30 (11.8% wins) but there are reasons to be positive. Players like Kolenda and Niziol are more experienced and ready to lead, and Slask is really deep at center with Parakhouski and Miletic. Ewans and Gravett should adjust quickly, and if they do, Slask could surprise a lot of teams next season and become a playoff contender.

Lukasz Kolenda will be one of Slask Wroclaw's leader this season

This season will be the seventh in a row for Dolomiti Energia Trento in the EuroCup and for it, the club will present a much different look. Coach Paolo Galbiati is now in charge and half of his charges are new to the competition. Moreover, most of the roster is in its early-to-mid 20s. Let's get to know the players who will try to at a minimum get Trento past the regular season for the first time since 2021. 

2023 Roster Rundown: Dolomiti Energia Trento

This season will be the seventh in a row for [Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/roster/trn/?season=2023-24) in the EuroCup and for it, the club will present a much different look. Coach [Paolo Galbiati](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-announces-paolo-galbiati-as-new-coach/) is now in charge and half of his charges are new to the competition. Moreover, most of the roster is in its early-to-mid 20s. Let's get to know the players who will try to at a minimum get Trento past the regular season for the first time since 2021. 

### BACKCOURT

The excitement begins in the backcourt where both [Kamar Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-gets-guard-kamar-baldwin/) and [Prentiss Hubb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-completes-roster-with-prentiss-hubb/) are combo-guards making their EuroCup debuts. Though Baldwin may be the more accomplished scorer and Hubb has averaged more assists in his career, both can function as either playmakers or scorers and they also both have a knack for collecting steals. Quinn Ellis, 20, steps up to the top league in Italy for the first time after breaking out as an all-tournament selection at the adidas EuroCamp in June. He could assume a key role as a natural point guard off the bench. At the other end of the experience spectrum is 37-year-old [Toto Forray](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-forray-agree-on-new-deal/), who heads into his eighth EuroCup campaign and will serve as a stabilizing force next to all the new faces.  

[Myles Stephens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-tabs-versatile-swingman-myles-stephens/) is an athletic and hardworking small forward, who despite standing 1.96 meters was fifth in the German League in blocked shots last season. His willingness to do whatever the team needs to win will make everyone with Trento better. [Davide Alviti](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-signs-davide-alviti-for-2-seasons/) joined Trento after playing two seasons with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, during which he only appeared in 11 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games, but gained valuable experience that he hopes to unleash in his first EuroCup season since 2014-15. [Luca Conti](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/luca-conti/profile/007828/), 22, played a bigger role in the rotation last season and should add some scoring punch off the bench.  

Photo: facebook.com/AquilaBasketTN

### FRONTCOURT

After starting in 15 EuroCup games last season and then playing a big role for Latvia in its impressive showing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, [Andrejs Grazulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-adds-forward-grazulis/) will be one of the team's most important frontcourt players. [Mattia Udom](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/official-trento-brings-in-mattia-udom-june-15-2022/) should share minutes at the '4' spot with Grazulis and his rebounding and outside shooting ability could both be game-changers. 

The well-traveled [Derek Cooke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-adds-rebounding-ace-cooke/) will compete in the EuroCup for the first time. An accomplished rebounder, Cooke's physical game in the paint will be critical for Trento. Veteran [Paul Biligha](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-adds-muscle-with-veteran-biligha/) has spent the last four seasons with Milan and his defensive prowess and experience should be of great value for the squad. The only young player in the frontcourt is 21-year-old [Maximilian Ladurner](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maximilian-ladurner/profile/008446/), though he has already racked up 49 EuroCup appearances over four seasons in the competition. It is safe to expect to see Ladurner take on an even bigger role this season. 

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Don't sleep on Prentiss Hubb. Though he may not yet be a household name in Europe, at age 24 his best basketball is clearly in front of him. A four-year starter in college, Hubb looked like anything but a rookie in his first professional season with Riesen Ludwigsburg. He not only stuffed the stat sheet, but Hubb helped Ludwigsburg reach the German League semifinals and to a winning record in the Basketball Champions League. On any given night, he could lead the team by scoring, creating for teammates or locking down the opponents' best scorer. And if he proves capable of doing those things in the EuroCup, Trento will be a very dangerous team. 

### OUTLOOK

Coach Galbiati surely has his work cut out for him. The rosy outlook is that the young backcourt comes together and becomes a nightmare for opponents and the wily vets in the frontcourt take a step forward as Trento gets to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016. The pessimistic outlook is that the young players take too long to gel and Trento cannot make it out of its regular season group. Where will the truth reside? Only time will tell. What is certain is that this Trento roster is flush with talent and will be exciting to watch as it tries to put it all together.

Aris inks scoring threat Roberto Gallinat

Aris Thessaloniki added another piece to its roster for the upcoming return to the BKT EuroCup by signing shooting guard Roberto Gallinat on a one-year deal, the club announced Monday. Gallinat (1.93 meters, 26 years old) split last season between Sluc Nancy in France and AS Karditsas in the Greek League. Gallinat posted 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists with Nancy, before dominating with 20.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists with Karditsas.

Gallinat helped Karditsas avoid relegation, leading the team to wins in four of the 10 games he was with the team. The club had 1-11 record when he arrived. He particularly impressed in a 78-77 overtime win against Aris, when he scored 32 points on 6-for-8 three-point shooting.

After two season playing NCAA basketball at the University of Pacific, Gallinat started his professional career with Horsens in Denmark. He moved to play one season with Eurobasket Roma in the Italian second division, and spent the second part of the 2021-22 campaign with Yalova Belediye Spor in Turkiye. Last season with Nancy was the only stop in Gallinat's pro career so far where he did not average more than 16.0 points per game. He is now set to make his EuroCup debut.

A perennial candidate to go all the way in the BKT EuroCup, Joventut Badalona faces a 2023-24 season with some big challenges as head coach Carles Duran will be charged with match the team's rhythm from last season despite having lost some key contributors. In the 2022-23 season, Joventut reached the EuroCup Semifinals, falling to eventual champion Dreamland Gran Canaria. True to its name and tradition, the Catalan team will surely give its all to go at least as far as last year, but will first have to survive a difficult Group A in the regular season under a new format that lets just six teams advance.

2023-24 Roster Rundown: Joventut Badalona

A perennial candidate to go all the way in the BKT EuroCup, [Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/roster/jov/?season=2023-24) faces a 2023-24 season with some big challenges as head coach Carles Duran will be charged with match the team's rhythm from last season despite having lost some key contributors. In the 2022-23 season, Joventut reached the EuroCup Semifinals, falling to eventual champion Dreamland Gran Canaria. True to its name and tradition, the Catalan team will surely give its all to go at least as far as last year, but will first have to survive a difficult Group A in the regular season under a new format that lets just six teams advance.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🦾 𝙎𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙖!<a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badalona%C3%89sFutur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#BadalonaÉsFutur</a> <a href=https://t.co/IDYDUitcWj>pic.twitter.com/IDYDUitcWj</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href=https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1697179958265729429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script>

### BACKCOURT

Joventut's backcourt will start with a newly signed EuroCup favorite, [Andrew Andrews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/joventut-adds-scoring-ace-andrews/), at point guard. Andrews had a tremendous EuroCup debut in 2020-21 with Bursaspor, averaging 14.0 points and 4.2 assists. Andrews will be aided by veteran guards raised in the Joventut youth system like [Guillem Vives](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/guillem-vives-extends-joventut-contract-until-2026/) and [Pau Ribas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/pau-ribas-signs-contract-extension-at-joventut-until-2026/). Their experience will pair up with the energy and disposition of [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/joventut-re-signs-playmaker-feliz/), who starred for the Dominican Republic in the World Cup and will be playing his third season in Badalona. He has had a bigger role each season at Joventut, so expect even more from him in 2023-24. Young guard [Yannick Kraag](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/joventut-re-signs-swingman-kraag/) will be a backup in the guard rotation, but with four seasons' worth of EuroCup experience will be ready to play more minutes and increase his contribution.

On the wings, [Pep Busquets](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/busquets-joventut-together-until-2025/) will continue to be a mainstay at the "three" position. He's been playing more minutes with each passing season, and even started seven EuroCup games in the last one. He will be joined by [Jordi Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jordi-rodriguez/010709/), another young talent from the Joventut youth system who made his EuroCup debut last season. The main addition at forward will be seasoned scorer [DeShaun Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/joventut-badalona-adds-experienced-forward-deshaun-thomas/), a EuroLeague veteran who returns to the EuroCup for the first time since 2014. Thomas's experience at the highest level -- eight EuroLeague seasons with seven different teams -- will be a key ingredient for a Joventut team that wants to adapt to every and any situation.

Deshaun Thomas played for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan last season. It was his seventh team in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Deshaun Thomas's top plays in 2022-23

### FRONTCOURT

Moving towards the paint, [Chinanu Onuaku](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/joventut-badalona-seals-move-for-chinanu-onuaku/) starred in his EuroCup debut, averaging 10.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks for a PIR of 15.1 as he helped Hapoel Tel Aviv reach the quarterfinals last season before falling precisely to Joventut. Onuaku will play alongside a tried and true European basketball legend, [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/joventut-extends-star-center-tomic/), who is back in Badalona for his fourth season with the club. What's more, he'll wear his favorite number, 44, after the departure of Joel Parra to FC Barcelona. Onuaku's physicality and Tomic's know-how and court vision could be a deadly combination. Power forward [Vladimir Brodziansky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/brodziansky-joventut-together-until-2025/) returned to Badalona last season and is ready to show that, just liked during his first stint with the team, he fits well with Coach Duran's system. The frontcourt is completed by youngster [Ruben Prey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/joventut-signs-angt-star-ruben-prey-long-term/), a player who has shined in the last years at the adidas Next Generation Tournament and will now be ready to make his EuroCup debut.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

When Chinanu Onuaku played his first EuroCup game last season with Hapoel Tel Aviv in Round 5, he scored 0 points and had a PIR of -2. He had been signed that same week and arrived with 2021-22 Israeli League MVP credentials. Head coach Danny Franco stated that signing a player at that stage of the season was dangerous because it meant the team had to re-adjust, but that that the chance to sign Onuaku was just too good to pass up. It was all definitely uphill from there. Onuaku exploded in the following game with 15 points and 5 rebounds and he quickly became a key piece in a Hapoel machine that took the league by storm when not many expected it. He quickly became one of the EuroCup's shot-blocking specialists and ended up averaging 1.5 per game, tied for first place with Ismael Kamagate.

Chinanu Onuaku has picked up his first-ever MVP of the Round accolade after shining in Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv's 60-78 win at Dolomiti Energia Trento, which clinched the team's spot in the playoffs.

Chinanu Onuaku | Round 13 MVP | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

Onuaku's physicality played a huge role in his personal success - as well as his team's -- last season, and now he will try to bring that energy with him to Badalona to take Joventut to new heights. In his quarterfinals game against his new team last season, Onuaku was limited to 7 points, but he was huge in the paint with 10 rebounds. He will now form a fearsome duo with Ante Tomic, and if he can make it all happen as quickly as he did last season, Onuaku is set for big things with Joventut.

### OUTLOOK

Joventut Badalona's ambitions are always the highest in the EuroCup. After early elimination in 2021-22, the team performed as expected last season and made it to the semifinals, where it fell to a Gran Canaria that would go on to win the EuroCup title. Now, a new opportunity for EuroCup glory awaits. Coach Duran kept many players, but lost a couple of key pieces, Parra and shooter Kyle Guy, both of whom are EuroLeague-bound. Their absence is an obstacle that Joventut will have to overcome as soon as possible. The new additions bring plenty of points, rebounds and experience, which should be a big plus, especially early in the season when Joventut will have to fight its way through a difficult Group A. If Joventut makes its homework during the summer pay with early wins, there's no limit to what this team can achieve.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">- 𝑫𝒆𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒎𝒃 𝒍𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒂 𝒅𝒆 𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒆𝒏𝒚𝒂 ✔️<a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badalona%C3%89sFutur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#BadalonaÉsFutur</a> <a href=https://t.co/IL5E6HbvkI>pic.twitter.com/IL5E6HbvkI</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href=https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1696538802464923796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>August 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script>

Latvia's Andrejs Grazulis shined bright on Sunday to lead his country to an impressive 84-104 triumph over Brazil at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta and into the FIBA Basketball World Cup quarterfinals. The Dolomiti Energia Trento forward erupted for 24 points and 5 assists to pace the winners. 

Latvia KO's Brazil behind dominant Grazulis to reach World Cup quarters

Latvia's [Andrejs Grazulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrejs-grazulis/005738/) shined bright on Sunday to lead his country to an impressive 84-104 triumph over Brazil at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta and into the [FIBA Basketball World Cup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-is-at-the-heart-of-the-2023-fiba-world-cup/) quarterfinals. The [Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/trn/) forward erupted for 24 points and 5 assists to pace the winners. The victory lifted Latvia to 4-1 and secured it top two finish in Group L. Latvia will face either Slovenia or Germany in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

### A breakout for Grazulis

After averaging 10.8 points and 1.3 assists for a performance index rating of 13.5 through his first four appearances in the tournament, Grazulis more than doubled that output against Brazil. Moreover, he did so with outstanding shooting numbers; Grazulis made 9 of 12 two-point shots and 2 of his 3 three-point tries. His PIR of 30 and his scoring tally were the highest in the game.  

Grazulis comes off a strong season with Trento in which he averaged 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18 EuroCup games. It was his second season in the competition. Now after playing such a big role for Latvia, expectations for his second campaign with Trento will be even higher.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reel Cam x Latvia = Top Content ❤️🎥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForLatvia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForLatvia</a> <a href="https://t.co/EQSl0XadFC">pic.twitter.com/EQSl0XadFC</a></p>&mdash; FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC/status/1698294375929823604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Latvia ran away after halftime

Latvia went into halftime with a 42-45 lead before exploding for 36 third-quarter points Former Joventut Badalona prospect Arturs Zagars scored 10 of his 17 points in the first 4 minutes of that quarter and Davis Bertans netted 8 of his 14 in the frame. Grazulis contributed 6 points and 2 assists in the third.

[Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) of Zalgiris Kaunas added 10 points for Latvia.  Brazil star [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) of Umana Reyer Venice led his team with 20 points and [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/) of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade contributed 14.

Yago Dos Santos stole plenty of headlines after scoring 4 clutch points in Brazil's shock 65-69 win over Canada at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but the South American nation would not have even been in a position to win the game were it not for the play of Bruno Caboclo. The new Umana Reyer Venezia signing put in a commanding display for Brazil, which has been a regular theme throughout this entire World Cup. One thing's for sure: Reyer has a EuroCup MVP candidate on its hands.

Reyer Venezia's Bruno Caboclo dominates as Brazil causes biggest upset so far at 2023 FIBA World Cup

Yago Dos Santos stole plenty of headlines after scoring 4 clutch points in Brazil's shock 65-69 win over Canada at the [2023 FIBA World Cup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-is-at-the-heart-of-the-2023-fiba-world-cup/), but the South American nation would not have even been in a position to win the game were it not for the play of [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/). The [new Umana Reyer Venice signing](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/reyer-adds-all-eurocup-big-man-bruno-caboclo/) put in a commanding display for Brazil, which has been a regular theme throughout this entire World Cup. One thing's for sure: Reyer has a BKT EuroCup MVP candidate on its hands entering next season.

Through his four games with Brazil at the World Cup, Caboclo is close to posting a double-double, with averages of 15.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. Against Canada, the 27-year-old paired 19 points with 13 rebounds, while he also had 2 steals and 3 blocks – the definition of dominance.

### Using the EuroCup as a springboard

These performances followed a very impressive rookie campaign in the EuroCup, as Caboclo averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and a 19.6 PIR following a mid-season move to ratiopharm Ulm. Despite only making his EuroCup debut in Round 10, the Brazilian big man quickly established himself as one of the competition's best players, leading many to think he would make the jump to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Ulm ended up crashing out of the EuroCup in the quarterfinals, losing 86-76 to eventual finalist Turk Telekom Ankara, but Caboclo impressed nonetheless with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks in the defeat. Rather than let that disappointment affect the rest of Ulm's season, Caboclo and fellow Brazil teammate Dos Santos had one goal in mind: winning the team its first-ever German League title.

A few months later, Ulm downed Telekom Baskets Bonn in the German League Finals, with Caboclo shining once again while Dos Santos earned Finals MVP honors. Yago ended up sealing a move to EuroLeague side Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade off the back of those displays, whereas Caboclo, who was named to the All-EuroCup Second Team in 2022-23, accepted an offer from Reyer to join the Italian club's ambitious project.

The top plays of new Umana Reyer Venezia signing Bruno Caboclo during the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup season.

Bruno Caboclo's 2022-23 EuroCup highlights

### Caboclo makes Reyer EuroCup title contenders

Thanks to Caboclo's presence alone, Reyer enters the 2023-24 EuroCup season as one of the favorites to win the title come the end of the campaign. The additions of Aamir Simms from Paris Basketball and ex-NBA guard Rayjon Tucker from Melbourne United have garnished Caboclo's arrival, making Reyer an even bigger threat under 2010 EuroCup champion coach Neven Spahija.

Only time will tell if Caboclo is able to dominate the EuroCup and guide Reyer to the EuroLeague for the first time in club history, but this is a player who enjoys breaking down barriers. Just ask any fan of Ulm, the new German champion.

### World Cup quarterfinals on the cards?

Similarly, few people were tipping Brazil to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup, given it is competing in a second-round group with Canada, Spain and Latvia. However, following the first set of games in the second round, with Latvia defeating Spain and Brazil beating Canada, all four teams in Group L have a record of 3-1 from their first four fixtures.

Next up for Brazil and Caboclo is a test against Latvia on Sunday, while Canada takes on Spain. All four nations know that a win will be enough to secure their spot in the last eight of the World Cup, but only two will make it. Brazil fans across the globe will be hoping that Caboclo's heroics can continue, while Reyer supporters will no doubt be impressed with what they have seen from their new star.

More Reyer Venice News

New Umana Reyer Venezia signing Bruno Caboclo dunks the ball for Brazil in its 2023 FIBA World Cup game against Canada.

Caboclo dominates as Brazil causes the biggest World Cup upset so far

After the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season proved to be one of the most competitive in the history of elite basketball, the initiatives that were generated around it by Euroleague Basketball and its partners are now being showered with award nominations within the sports business world.

Euroleague, partners share seven Sports Business Award nominations

After the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season proved to be one of the most competitive in the history of elite basketball, the initiatives that were generated around it by Euroleague Basketball and its partners are now being showered [with award nominations](https://sportsbusinessawards.co.uk/2023-finalists/) within the sports business world.

The recently announced shortlists for the [Sports Business Awards 2023](https://sportsbusinessawards.co.uk/2023-finalists/), whose winners will be revealed in November, features no fewer than seven categories featuring Euroleague Basketball and its partners.

From the season's promotional video to the Final Four broadcasts, the One Team corporate social responsibility program, technological advances in virtual reality and bodycams on referees, and the new Euroleague Basketball websites, the nominations recognize the content and community initiatives that filled last season with much more than basketball for fans.

The [Sports Business Awards](https://sportsbusinessawards.co.uk/), launched in 2017, highlight and reward achievement by those behind the scenes in the sporting industry and celebrate the vital influence of business within sport by recognizing the organizations, teams and individuals who excel in their roles.

**Best Sports-Related Commercial or Promotional Video**

[The EuroLeague Maze](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb7rPpLmZqU&t=2s) - Euroleague Basketball

**Most Successful Sports Event Broadcast**

[2023 EuroLeague Final Four](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxK1F8T-onE&t=45s) - IMG Productions

**Best Sports Community or CSR Scheme (non-football)**

[One Team project](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/) - EuroLeague Basketball

**Best Sports Marketing Initiative**

[Taking Basketball to a Global Fanbase](https://www.unrvld.com/work/euroleague-basketball) - UNRVLD and EuroLeague Basketball

**Sponsorship/Partnership of the Year**

[Taking Basketball to a Global Fanbase](https://www.unrvld.com/work/euroleague-basketball) - UNRVLD and EuroLeague Basketball

**Sports Innovation Award**

[2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four referees bodycam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynrS9fivSVA) – MindFly

**Sports Technology of the Year**

[EuroLeague TV VR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-basketball-and-ybvr-to-stream-euroleague-games-in-vr/) - Yerba Buena VR