He just finished his sixth season with the club 


Cluj extends club legend Patrick Richard

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) announced that is has signed a new deal with playmaker [Patrick Richard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-richard/011801/), who will remain with the club through the end of the 2026-27 season.

Richard (1.95 meters, 35 years old) was selected to the 2023-24 All-EuroCup Second Team, but he missed most of the 2024-25 season due to injury. He averaged 3.3 points in seven BKT EuroCup games. In six seasons with the club, Richard has led Cluj to win five consecutive Romanian League crowns and three Romanian Cups. He also helped Cluj reach the EuroCup quarterfinals in each of the last two seasons.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/prichard_3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@prichard_3</a> <a href="https://t.co/RHbLMEJMO2">pic.twitter.com/RHbLMEJMO2</a></p>&mdash; U-BT Cluj-Napoca (@UBTCluj) <a href="https://twitter.com/UBTCluj/status/1934573146926989363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Richard started his career with Sangringham Sabres in Australia and also played for Matrixx Magixx Wijchen in the Netherlands, Mitteldeutscher Weissenfelds in Germany, Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket in France, Maccabi Rishon LeZion in Israel, Joventut Badalona in Spain, the New Zealand Breakers, and Reggio Emilia in Italy, before joining Cluj in 2019. Richard has also been a member of the Romanian national team. In 43 EuroCup career games with Cluj, Richard has averaged 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

Patrick Richard missed most of the 2024-25 EuroCup season due to injury

2024-25 EuroCup highlights: Patrick Richard, Cluj

"I want to say that I am very happy! I will stay in this team for two more years, in the place that has become home for me in the true sense of the word. My family feels great here and I am excited about the future. I want to continue working and building beautiful things together. Every year I want to contribute to the growth of the club. I am part of this project and want to be a part of all the great results," Richards said after the agreement. 

"I feel that I still have a lot to show on the court and I can't wait to get to work! I want to thank Branko Cuic and Mihai Silvaşan. They wanted me here, showing me how much trust they have in me as a player and leader. I can't leave out the best fans in Romania, whom I want to thank and assure them that we will fight for trophies!"

The veteran guard just completed his sixth season with the club 


Neptunas Klaiepda and forward Zane Waterman reached an agreement to remain together for another season.

Neptunas keeps forward Zane Waterman

[Neptunas Klaiepda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/neptunas-klaipeda/roster/kla/) and forward Zane Waterman have reached an agreement to remain together for another season.

Waterman (2.03 meters, 29 years old) averaged 10.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 38 Lithuanian League games last season, his first with the team. He started his professional basketball career with BG Goettingen of Germany and has also played for Ferrocarril Oeste in Argentina, Nova Hul Ostrava in the Czech Republic, Ene Astoria Bydgoszcz in Poland, the Franklin Bulls in New Zealand, Oliveirense in Portugal, the Hamilton Honey Badgers and the Ottawa Blackjacks in Canada, the Helsinki Seagulls in Finland, Apollon Limassol in Cyprus and Nedainiu Nevezis-Optibet in Lithuania. A true basketball globetrotter, Waterman is set to make his EuroCup debut with Neptunas next season.

"Our club appreciates the fact that players show a desire to stay and play in Klaipeda, and we were not a difficult choice for Zane," Neptunas director Martynas Mazeika said. "He has several years of LKL experience, has already played for Coach Petrauskas. Hopefully in the coming season, he will be even more useful and show all his potential."


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Waterman will make his EuroCup debut with the club

Umana Reyer Venice bolstered its frontcourt with the signing of center Chris Horton

Reyer adds size with center Chris Horton

[Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/roster/vnc/?season=2024-25) bolstered its frontcourt with the signing of center [Chris Horton](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-horton/011988/), the club announced Monday.

Horton (2.02 meters, 31 years old) arrives from Sportinvest Trapani Sharks, where he averaged 10.4 points on 68.1% two-point shooting and 6.4 rebounds in 36 Italian League games last season. He was eighth in the league in rebounding. Horton posted four double-doubles, including one against Reyer with 18 points and 14 rebounds in a 110-100 victory.

Horton started his career with Grand Rapids in the G League and has also played for Alba Fehervar in Hungary, GS Kymis in Greece, BCM Gravlines Dunkerque, Cholet Basket and Nanterre 92 in France, Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel and Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar in Russia. He made his EuroCup debut with Hapoel and averaged 6.8 points and 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in four EuroCup games.

Chris Horton highlights: 2022-23

"I am thrilled to be part of Reyer, a club with a great tradition and passion that can be felt from afar. I am enthusiastic and motivated, ready to give my all to contribute to the team's success. From the first contacts I felt a strong mutual interest," Horton said.

"My personal goals align perfectly with those of the team: we want to win, we want to compete at the highest level. To do so, it will be essential that each of us is willing to fight for the teammate next to him. Strength comes from unity. I am ready to make myself completely available to the group, on and off the court, to build the right chemistry and a solid identity together. I can't wait to get started."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">L’Umana Reyer annuncia con soddisfazione l’ingaggio del centro statunitense Chris Horton, 203 cm e classe 1994 🔥<br>Benvenuto Chris 👊<br><br>Il comunicato 👉 <a href="https://t.co/yOfsBWOouS">https://t.co/yOfsBWOouS</a> 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/wCdHDg6ib2">pic.twitter.com/wCdHDg6ib2</a></p>&mdash; Reyer Venezia (@REYER1872) <a href="https://twitter.com/REYER1872/status/1934537805696242030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Umana Reyer news

After a long career in Europe, he will get a second chance in the EuroCup

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse strengthened its backcourt by signing scoring machine Darius McGhee on Sunday

Bourg adds three-point threat Darius McGhee

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse strengthened its backcourt by signing scoring machine Darius McGhee on Sunday. McGhee (1.75 meters, 26 years old) arrives from Telekom Baskets Bonn, where he averaged 15.5 points and 4.2 assists in 31 German League games last season. 

He boosted his scoring average to 17.4 points in 10 BCL games. McGhee had a couple of stellar performances in the German League, including 40 points on 10-of-16 three-point shooting against EWE Baskets Oldenburg, and 44 points on 12-of-16 from deep against Niners Chemnitz.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Darius McGhee est Bressan 🔴<br><br>💥 162 tirs à 3pts en NCAA en une saison — record partagé avec un certain... Stephen Curry<br>🔥 15,4 pts / 4,3 ast avec <a href="https://twitter.com/TelekomBaskets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TelekomBaskets</a> cette saison<br><br>Poste 1 explosif, shooteur longue distance!<br><br>📝<a href="https://t.co/JEIjHTb1Ej">https://t.co/JEIjHTb1Ej</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeRedy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeRedy</a> <a href="https://t.co/caJ2FRpQcV">pic.twitter.com/caJ2FRpQcV</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1933902433522274745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

McGhee had a decorated college basketball career at Liberty University. He was a three-time ASUN Conference Player of the Year and one of only five players in NCAA history to make more than 500 three-pointers. McGhee ranks second overall (528) on the all-time Division I charts only trailing Antoine Davis (588) and ahead of Max Abnas (512) and Fletcher Magee (509), who played the 2024-25 EuroCup with Buducnost VOLI Podgorica. 

McGhee shares the NCAA record with Stephen Curry for most three-pointers in a season with 162. He started his professional basketball career with the Indiana Mad Ants of the G League before joining Bonn last season.

The sharpshooter is set to make his BKT EuroCup debut with the club

He arrives from another BKT EuroCup team, U-BT Cluj-Napoca


Bourg brings in swingman Adam Mokoka 

[Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/roster/bou/?season=2024-25) signed swingman [Adam Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/) to a one-year deal, the club announced Sunday.

Mokoka (1.96 meters, 26 years old) arrives from [U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/clu/), where he averaged 11.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 18 EuroCup games off the bench last season. In his two seasons with Cluj, Mokoka helped helped Cluj win back-to-back Romanian League titles and lift the Romanian Cup in 2025. He started his career with BCM Gravelines Dunkerque in his native France, and also played for Mega Basket in Serbia, the Chicago Bulls of the NBA; Windy City Bulls, Austin Spurs and Oklahoma City Blue of the G League, as well as for Umana Reyer Venice in Italy before joining Cluj in 2023.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">♦️ 𝗡𝗼𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮 𝗝𝗟 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗴 !<br><br>Afin de compléter les postes 2 et 3, c’est un joueur qu’Ekinox connait bien qui fera son arrivée à la rentrée !<br><br>Adam Mokoka (1m96 – 26 ans) est Rouge et Blanc 🔥<br>Le communiqué 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/ZS1w4gYWvL">https://t.co/ZS1w4gYWvL</a> <a href="https://t.co/zmr1NjRWwJ">pic.twitter.com/zmr1NjRWwJ</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1934211426798702992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Mokoka has been a member of the French national team and was successful in youth categories. He helped France win respective gold medals at the 2014 U16 European Championships and the 2016 U18 European Championships. He played 37 EuroCup games with Cluj, amassing 366 points and 111 rebounds, and helped his team reach the quarterfinals in each of his two seasons there. An explosive player, Mokoka is now ready to thrill Bourg fans with his energy and high-flying dunks.

He spent the last two seasons with fellow BKT EuroCup team, U-BT Cluj-Napoca


Cluj claimed its fifth consecutive Romanian crown 


U-BT Cluj-Napoca is the Romanian League champion

U-BT Ckuj-Napoca is once again the Romanian League champion! Cluj won its 10th Romanian League title, winning its fifth consecutive crown after previously lifting the trophy in 1992, 1993, 1996, 2011 and 2017. It all came down to a do-or-die Game 5 in which Cluj edged CSM CSU Oradea 67-68 on the road to successfully defend the title. Zavier Simpson scored the go-ahead layup with 26 seconds left and led the way with 26 points. D.J. Seeley added 10 for Cluj, that won the best-of-five series 2-3. Simpson was chosen as the Romanian finals MVP. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">CAMPIONII ROMÂNIEI 🇷🇴 <a href="https://t.co/5srMM2fmE3">pic.twitter.com/5srMM2fmE3</a></p>&mdash; U-BT Cluj-Napoca (@UBTCluj) <a href="https://twitter.com/UBTCluj/status/1933835262569976230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


Simpson had 25 points to lead Cluj to an 82-89 road win in Game 1. Seeley added 20 while DeShawn Stephens had 16. Oradea took Game 2 at home, 80-68, and stole a 68-74 road victory in Game 1 to get a 2-1 lead in the series. In a do-or-die situation, Cluj defeated Oradea 92-83 at home behind 21 points from Sasu Salin. Zach Hankins added 19, Patrick Richard had 17 while Todor Somecescu got 10 for Cluj, which took the series to make-or-break Game 5 and won it to walk away with another Romanian League trophy! 

U-BT Cluj-Napoca is the Romanian League champion!

BAXI Manresa will hand its offense off to Hugo Benitez after signing the talented point guard to a three-year deal

Manresa lands Hugo Benitez on 3-year deal

BAXI Manresa will hand its offense off to [Hugo Benitez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/) after signing the talented point guard to a three-year deal.

Benitez (1.92 meters, 24 years old) brings with him five seasons of BKT EuroCup experience with [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/), including a run to the 2024 EuroCup Finals. Last season he averaged 8.8 points, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals over 17 EuroCup appearances. He was tied for fifth in the competition in assists.

Best of Hugo Benitez: 2024-25

Benitez enters the 2025-26 season – his first outside of his native France – tied for 30th on the all-time EuroCup charts with 288 career assists. He has played on the French national team at both the junior and senior levels.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🔏 𝗟𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗮̀!!<br>🏔️ Des de més enllà del Pirineu arriba el nostre segon fitxatge de l&#39;estiu.<br>⚡️ Hugo Benitez és del BAXI <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manresa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Manresa</a>! Benvingut <a href="https://twitter.com/benitezhugo7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@benitezhugo7</a>!<br><br>🪀 Base/escorta 📏 1,92m<br>🇫🇷 FRA 🪪 24 anys 🛬 <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JLBourgBasket</a><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/xkQUl8Hq3X">https://t.co/xkQUl8Hq3X</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nii0UBVT3R">pic.twitter.com/Nii0UBVT3R</a></p>&mdash; BAXI Manresa (@BasquetManresa) <a href="https://twitter.com/BasquetManresa/status/1933900054806356063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Manresa news

The playmaker led Bourg to the EuroCup Finals in 2024

Panionios Viva Juices Athens announced a new deal with center Giorgios Tsalmpouris 

Panionios re-signs center Giorgios Tsalmpouris

[Panionios Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/panionios-athens/roster/nio/) announced a new deal with stretch center [Giorgios Tsalmpouris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/giorgos-tsalmpouris/006548/) on Saturday.

Tsalmpouris (2.16 meters, 28 years old) averaged 8.1 points on 36.7% three-point shooting and 2.9 rebounds in 27 Greek League games last season, his first with the club. He started his career with SFR Perikos Atheiaos before playing college basketball for Iowa State University in the United States.

Tsalmpouris has since suited up for AEK Athens, Kolossos Rhodes, Larissa and Apollon Patras in Greece, as well as for Real Betis Sevilla and Surne Bilbao Basket of Spain. He helped AEK win the Intercontinental Cup in 2019 and has been a member of the Greek national team.

"I am very happy to continue at Panionios. I want to believe that we will have a remarkable year, first of all with good health, building a good team that will enable us to take the next step and have a better season than last year. I am excited to be back on the court as a Panionios player and with a European competition now, which is important for every player," Tsalmpouris said.

"Coach Pavicevic played a decisive role in my decision to remain in the team. I want to be where they want me. I had a great time at Panionios, I have found an environment that is healthy and professional and I believe that we will constantly improve at all levels."

The big man is expected to debut in the BKT EuroCup this season

Panionios Viva Juices Athens has reached an agreement with playmaker Nikos Gkikas to remain together for another season

Panionios extends playmaker Nikos Gkikas

[Panionios Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/panionios-athens/roster/nio/) has reached an agreement with playmaker [Nikos Gkikas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nikolaos-gkikas/011080/) to remain together for another season.

Gkikas (1.86 meters, 34 years old) comes off an outstanding first campaign with Panionios in which he led the Greek League in assists with 7.9 per game. He also averaged 11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals over 34 games. Gkikas started his career with Filathilikos and has also played for Aris Midea Thessaloniki, AE Nea Kifisia Dimoulas Athens, AEK Athens and Promitheas Patras in Greece as well as for Ventspils of Latvia.

He made his BKT EuroCup debut in his second stint with Promitheas and averaged 5.0 points and 3.2 assists in 30 games during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns. Gkikas helped Promitheas reach the 2019 Greek League finals and the 2023 EuroCup quarterfinals. He also helped AEK reach the BCL championship game in 2020. Gkikas has been a member of the Greek national team, too.

"This is a new effort and I am very happy to participate in it. We must all, each in his own role, rally around this new beginning because a particularly demanding year awaits us," Gkikas said. "I am optimistic, however, that through hard work, effort, dedication to our goal and unity, we will manage to succeed."

Gkikas led the Greek League in assists last season