Hapoel Tel Aviv announced on Thursday that forward Jaylen Hoard has signed a contract for the 2022-23 season. 

Hoard (2.03 meters, 23 years old) had been with the team during training camp on a short-term deal and now they have made a commitment for the full season. He arrives from Oklahoma City of the NBA, where Hoard averaged 14.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in seven games last season. He also made 39 appearances for Oklahoma City of the G League during the 2021-22 campaign during which he tallied 10.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal. Hoard is set to make his 7DAYS EuroCup debut this season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">מועדון הכדורסל הפועל ויגן פרנדלי ת&#39;&#39;א מודיע על החתמתו של ג&#39;יילן הורד (23, 2.03), בקבוצה עד לסיום העונה!<br><br>להודעה המלאה -&gt; <a href="https://t.co/xZ1CmWmMIR">https://t.co/xZ1CmWmMIR</a> <a href="https://t.co/C5m99TttEs">pic.twitter.com/C5m99TttEs</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1570344186045693953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hoard, a native of France, spent one year playing college basketball in the United States for Wake Forest University. After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, he played for Portland in the NBA and Texas in the G League. He then signed with Oklahoma City in December 2020, where he spent the next season and a half. 

Hapoel, Hoard pen deal for the season

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has added experience and firepower to its roster by inking shooting guard [Aaron Harrison](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aaron-harrison/008930/) to a short-term contract, the club announced on Thursday. Harrison (1.98 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Turk Telekom Ankara, where he averaged 16.0 points on 43.8% three-point shooting in seven 7DAYS EuroCup games last season. His 2021-22 campaign was cut short due to a season-ending knee injury. He started his career with Charlotte of the NBA and also played for Oklahoma City, Erie Bay, Greensboro and Reno of the G League, and Dallas of the NBA. He then moved to Europe with Galatasaray Istanbul of Turkey and Olympiacos Piraeus of Greece, where he made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut in the 2020-21 season. In 32 EuroCup career games with Galatasaray and Turk Telekom, Harrison has averaged 15.2 points on 40.6% three-point shooting.

"After learning that Zoran Dragic will be out of action for a long time due to a muscle injury, we had to react to the whole situation and bring in a new player," Cedevita sporting director Sani Becirovic said. "Harrison has experience playing in the EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup, and we will do our all to get him to fit into our system as quickly as possible, to get to know his teammates and to help us to the best of his ability."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aaron Harrison will join us in Cedevita Olimpija!<a href="https://twitter.com/AaronICE2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AaronICE2</a>, welcome among the Dragons! 💚🧡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevoSrce?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevoSrce</a> <a href="https://t.co/BaXjBfnObA">pic.twitter.com/BaXjBfnObA</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1570375316362641412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Cedevita adds experienced scorer Harrison

Paris Basketball has made another to its roster ahead of the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup season by signing [Amar Gegic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/amar-gegic/004466/) to a one-year deal. Gegic (2.00 meters, 24 years old) joins the club from KK Cibona, where he averaged 14.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 24 games in the Adriatic League last season. He has some experience in the EuroCup after suiting up for FC Bayern Munich and Partizan NIS Belgrade in 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively, although he managed just 5:48 minutes on the court of the former before playing more of a reserve role for the latter. Across these two seasons, Gegic has appeared in 14 EuroCup games – three of which as a starter – and posted averages of 2.1 points and 1.1 rebounds.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Welcome to Paris <a href="https://twitter.com/gegamali?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gegamali</a>🚨<br><br>Amar Gegic, jeune combo guard de 2m, international Bosnien rejoint le Paris Basketball pour la saison à venir 🙌<br><br>Il était le meilleur marqueur du Cibona Basket l’an passé avec +14 points par match 💪<br><br>Let’s go AG 🖤❤️💙 <a href="https://t.co/4Z55R9x2Zj">pic.twitter.com/4Z55R9x2Zj</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1570369279262068737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gegic began his career in his native Bosnia and Herzegovina with Spars Sarajevo, where he remained for three seasons as a professional before going on to play for Bayern (2016-2018), Partizan (2018-19) and Sloboda Tuzla of Bosnia (2019-20) before returning to Spars (2020-21). After one year back with Spars, he earned a move to Cibona, where he played well enough to earn a move back to the EuroCup with Paris.

"I am happy to join Paris Basketball and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. I will do my best to help the team achieve its goals in the league and EuroCup," Gegic told Paris's website.

Paris inks swingman Gegic

EuroCup signings: Young guns 

The 7DAYS EuroCup has historically been a launching pad for the careers of great young talents and the 2022-23 edition should be no different. The list of former EuroCup Rising Stars includes the likes of Jonas Valanciunas, Bojan Dubljevic and Kristaps Porzingis, among others, and there are a great many more who graced the courts of the competition on their way to stardom. Here are some of the top young players poised to leave their mark on the EuroCup this season. 

### Athanasios Bazinas, Promitheas Patras

Promitheas has developed many strong players from its fantastic youth system. One of the most promising is Bazinas, a pass-first playmaker who will turn 20 in October. Despite his age, Bazinas enters his fourth EuroCup season. In his last EuroCup game last season, Bazinas tallied 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a PIR of 18 against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. That is a good sign of what Bazinas has to offer Promitheas in the coming years. 

Athanasios Bazinas Top Plays of the 2020-21 Regular Season, 2021-22 Regular Season and 1 other Season Part

EuroCup young guns: Athanasios Bazinas, Promitheas Patras

### Hugo Benitez, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse

Last season, Benitez showed hints of the great playmaker he will surely become when he averaged 6.1 points and 3.4 assists in a reserve role. His assists-to-turnover ratio (3.35) was the fifth-best in the 2021-22 EuroCup. Creative and with a high basketball IQ, the 21-year-old Benitez is also deadly from the foul line (95.7% last season) and has proven to be a very reliable option. With added experience, expect Benitez to take a significant leap forward. 

### Khalifa Diop, Gran Canaria

Diop was chosen by the competition's head coaches as the 2021-22 EuroCup Rising Star. He finished the campaign averaging 5.7 points on 58.2% two-point shooting to go with 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists. In games when Diop spent more than 15 minutes on the floor, he posted 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for an average PIR of 12.6. His huge dunks, impressive blocked shots and great character make Diop, now 20 years of age, a key player in Gran Canaria's rotation. 

### Ismael Kamagate, Paris Basketball

An intriguing prospect, Kamagate did well in the French League last season. A 2.11-meter, 21-year-old center, Kamagate averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 34 French League games with Paris last season while making 71.3% of his two-point shots. In his first EuroCup campaign, fans can expect more of the same: physicality, intimidation and effectiveness at both ends of the floor with an added measure of experience and maturity. 

EuroCup young guns: Hugo Benitez, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse

### Juan Nunez, ratiopharm Ulm

Nunez saw playing time in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game with Real Madrid last season. He then joined Ulm where he is expected to play a much larger role. A one-of-a-kind talent with great creativity and passing skills, Nunez was chosen as the youngest-ever MVP of the U20 European Championships over the summer at the tender age of 18. He should dazzle Ulm fans with his off-the-charts basketball IQ and unique assists all season long.

### Joel Parra, Joventut Badalona

Parra may be 22 years old, but he already knows what it takes to do well in the EuroCup. He averaged 10.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and a PIR of 12.4 last season and was in the mix to be chosen as EuroCup Rising Star. His strong campaign led to Parra's selection to represent Spain at EuroBasket 2022. A left-handed small forward with outstanding energy and versatility, Parra has well-rounded veterans around him, but his time to lead Joventut could be here very soon.

Khalifa Diop Top Plays of the 2020-21 Regular Season, 2020-21 Playoffs and 2 other Season Parts

EuroCup young guns: Khalifa Diop, Gran Canaria

### Mantas Rubstavicius, 7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys

Three of the players that were named to the 2022 U20 European Championships' all-tournament team will play in the EuroCup this season. One of them is Rubstavicius, who averaged 19.7 points and 4.4 rebounds at that event. Born in Panevezys, Rubstavicius, 20, arrives on loan from Zalgiris Kaunas, just like big man Paulius Murauskas. He has a golden opportunity to showcase his all-around scoring skills, defensive intensity and winning mentality. 

### Matteo Spagnolo, Dolomiti Energia Trento

Spagnolo has been under contract with Real Madrid since 2018, but has played on loan in each of the last two seasons. The 19-year-old averaged 12.2 points and 2.6 assists in 25 Italian League games with Vanoli Cremona last season. A natural-born scorer with unlimited shooting range (44.1% 3FG last season), Spagnolo arrives in Trento eager to gain valuable experience and pull the trigger from any angle. 

EuroCup young guns: Joel Parra, Joventut Badalona

### Ziga Samar, Veolia Towers Hamburg

Samar signed a long-term contract with ALBA Berlin this summer and was sent on loan to Hamburg. The 21-year-old is a very smart playmaker with outstanding passing skills and game knowledge. Samar has a strong one-on-one game that he uses to find good shots for himself and others. Samar averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 assists in 30 Spanish League games with Urbas Fuenlabrada last season. Hamburg's fast-paced playing style fits him perfectly, so Samar may surprise a lot of fans this season. 

### Fedor Zugic, ratiopharm Ulm

Fans should be looking forward to seeing Nuñez and Zugic play together, as Ulm put together one of the most fun-to-watch, young backcourt duos in EuroCup history. Zugic, 18. is a great all-around scorer, who likes to use his quickness to attack the rim. He thrives in transition, where he can make the most out of his athleticism. Zugic averaged 7.7 points for Ulm in the EuroCup last season and should play a much bigger role this year. 

Fedor Zugic Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

EuroCup young guns: Fedor Zugic, ratiopharm Ulm

EuroCup Young guns 

Promitheas Patras edged Peristeri 80-76 at home behind 27 points from Joseph Young. Anthony Cowan added 14, Dimitrios Kaklamanakis had 12 while Arnoldas Kulboka got 11 for Promitheas, which trailed 47-55 at the end of the third quarter. Young buried six three-pointers in the fourth period, getting help from Cowan and Kulboka to help Promitheas get the win. 

In other games, Hapoel Tel Aviv registered a 71-83 loss against Hapoel Jerusalem in the Eliat Tournament final. Xavier Munford led Hapoel Tel Aviv with 15 points. Basquet Girona stopped Joventut Badalona 89-93 at L'Hospitalet. Kyle Guy gired in 7-of-12 triples on his way to 27 points. Henry Ellenson added 13 points, Pau Ribas 12 and Zsombor Maronka 10 for Joventut, that trailed 38-47 at halftime and managed to lead the game, 69-68, on a basket by Ribas. Joventut still led 85-84 but it was not enough to win the game. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/promitheaspatras?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#promitheaspatras</a> 80<a href="https://twitter.com/peristeribc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peristeribc</a> 76<br><br>Ευχαριστούμε το Περιστέρι και όλους τους καλλιτέχνες που συμμετείχαν στον &quot;Αγώνα Ζωής&quot; και φυσικά όλο τον φίλαθλο κόσμο που βρέθηκε στο στο Δ. Τόφαλος και στήριξε αυτή τη σημαντική δράση.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/promitheasbc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#promitheasbc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/proudtobeorange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#proudtobeorange</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sharethefire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sharethefire</a> <a href="https://t.co/rS2iyuMOXV">pic.twitter.com/rS2iyuMOXV</a></p>&mdash; Promitheas Patras BC (@promitheasbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/promitheasbc/status/1570097994137051136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


Preseason results: Promitheas wins on Wednesday

### France edges Italy in overtime thriller

In a battle of classic powerhouses that went to overtime, France made it to the EuroBasket 2022 semifinals by edging Italy 93-85. France reached its fourth semifinal in the last five EuroBaskets, denying Italy the chance to reach this stage for the first time since 2003. Thomas Heurtel led the winners with 20 points. Rudy Gobert added 19 and 14 rebounds, Evan Fournier had 17 points and Guerschon Yabusele of Real Madrid got 15 for Les Bleus. Umana Reyer Venice guard Marco Spissu and Simone Fontecchio led Italy with 21 points apiece. Luigi Datome added 12 and his EA7 Emporio Armani Milan teammate Nicolo Melli had 10. Heurtel took the game to overtime with a driving layup and made the difference in the extra period, 

Fournier had 9 quick points to give France an 11-3 lead. Spissu, Fontecchio and Datome buried a triple apiece to keep Italy within 21-17 late in the first quarter. Heurtel and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot each struck twice from beyond the arc to make it a double-digit game, 33-22. Achille Polonara of Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Melli of Milan brought Italy closer, 38-31, at halftime. Melli and Polonara kept pacing Italy, attacking the tim for easy points, and Datome buried a triple off a screen to make France call timeout at 53-52. Datome got help from Virtus Segafredo Bologna guard Nico Mannion and Polonara to complete the Italian comeback, 56-62, after 30 minutes. France found a go-to guy in Heurtel, who joined forces with Gobert to bring their team within 68-70 with 3 minutes left. Spissu hit free throws and found Fontecchio for a triple that seemed to seal the outcome, 68-75. France bounced back, however, to get as close as 75-77 on a tip-in by Terry Tarpey already in the final minute. Fontecchio missed free throws and Heurtel answered with a driving layup that tied the game, 77-77, with 5.2 seconds left in regulation. Fontecchio missed around the basket at the buzzer. Heurtel stayed on fire early in overtime with a jumper and a couple of layups, good for an 85-82 French lead. Gobert and Terry Tarpey made the difference down the stretch, sending France closer to the title. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TEAM 💙🤍❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamFranceBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamFranceBasket</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Passionn%C3%A9mentBleu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PassionnémentBleu</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FRAITA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FRAITA</a> <a href="https://t.co/RPcJIhx3tu">pic.twitter.com/RPcJIhx3tu</a></p>&mdash; Équipes de France de Basket (@FRABasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FRABasketball/status/1570084510393372675?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Poland beats Slovenia, makes history

Poland sent a message that echoed all around the competition by topping Slovenia 87-90. Poland reached the EuroBasket semifinals for the first time since 1971, and Mateusz Ponitka became the third player to register a triple-double since 1995, when rebounds started to be counted at the event. Ponitka finished the game with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, joining Toni Kukoc (Croatia, 1995) and Andrei Mandache (Romania, 2017) in the triple-double club. AJ Slaughter of Gran Canaria added 16 points, Michal Sokolowski 15, Jaroslaw Zyskowski 14 and Olek Balcerowski also of Gran Canaria 11. Vlatko Cancar had 21 points for Slovenia. Goran Dragic added 17, and former EuroLeague MVP and Final Four MVP Luka Doncic had 14. 

Balcerowski stepped up early with 9 quick points, giving Poland an 11-15 lead. Jaka Blazic followed a driving layup with a triple and Cancar added a fastbreak slam that tied it at 18-18. Slaughter stepped up for Poland, getting help from Zyskowski and Sokolowski to make Poland restore a 26-29 edge after 10 minutes. Sokolowski, Ponitka, Zyskowski and Aleksander Dziewa of Slask Wroclaw fueled a mamooth 2-22 run that seemed to break the game open, 31-54, but Slovenia had other ideas. Doncic and Cancar brought their team a bit closer, 39-58, at halftime. Slovenia improved its defense after the break and found a new go-to guy in Dragic, who got his team with single digits, 52-60. Poland kept struggling to score while Cancar and Blazic each struck from downtown to bring Slovenia back to life, 60-61, after a 24-3 run. Dragic hit a jumper to complete the Slovenian comeback, 65-64, early in the fourth quarter. Klemen Prepelic of Valencia Basket stepped up with 6 quick points but Slaughter made Poland regain a 74-76 lead. Ponitka had 5 points and a steal in an 0-8 run that put Poland ahead for good, 76-84. Ponitka sealed his fantastic performance with another triple that sealed the outcome, 80-87, in the next-to-last minute. Slovenia never gave up but Poland had plenty of reasons to celebrate after the final buzzer. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">POLAND ARE HEADING TO THE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUROBASKET?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EUROBASKET</a> SEMI-FINALS FOR THE 1ST TIME SINCE 1971! 🇵🇱<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1570148247632494592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

The EuroBasket 2022 quarterfinals are in the books. France beat Italy in overtime, 93-85. Poland made history, downing Slovenia 87-90 to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1951. Both teams join already-qualified Spain and Germany in the medal rounds. 

EuroBasket: France, Poland reach the semis

The 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague lands with a bang on Thursday, October 6, as the first in a season full of classic showdowns sees 10-time champion Real Madrid, the competition's winningest club ever, travels to face a new-look Panathinaikos Athens, owner of six continental titles, the most of the Final Four era. 

The following day, legendary head coaches Zeljko Obradovic and Sergio Scariolo lead Partizan NIS Belgrade and Virtus Segafredo Bologna in their respective EuroLeague returns. Virtus will host AS Monaco in a showdown between the last two 7DAYS EuroCup champions. 

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For the full schedule, visit the [Game Center](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/). And remember, you can see [all the 7DAYS EuroCup games](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/), too!

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Get your early-bird EuroLeagueTV discount now! 

Roster rundown: Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria reached the 7DAYS EuroCup Quarterfinals last season and now one of the competition's classic teams is ready to give it another go with a new philosophy. The club brought in Jaka Lakovic to be the new head coach and a bunch of new faces have come as well to make sure that Granca can go even further this season.

### BACKCOURT

Two newcomers will be at the helm of the team at guard - [Ferran Bassas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/granca-gets-a-floor-general-in-bassas/) and [Vitor Benite](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-grabs-shooting-guard-benite). These two players have plenty of EuroCup experience. They are joining a couple of other guards who also boast their own fair share of experience in the competition, [AJ Slaughter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aj-slaughter/profile/003637/) (eight seasons) and [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-extends-albicy-through-2025/) (six seasons). While Slaughter likes to light it up from deep, Albicy is among the best passers ever in the league. Young [Jovan Kljajic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jovan-kljajic/profile/007560/) will be the fifth guard in reserve, waiting for a chance to shine. The wings of Granca's backcourt will be covered by [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-tabs-forward-salvo/), who averaged 7.2 points in his EuroCup debut season, and [Nicolas Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-brussino-agree-again/).

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">📝 CRÓNICA | El Gran Canaria muestra en Menorca el trabajo de pretemporada con triunfo (76-71).<br><br>▪ Los claretianos superaron al Bàsquet Girona con un completo partido.<br><br>👀 <a href="https://t.co/jPgQtN6BZe">https://t.co/jPgQtN6BZe</a> <a href="https://t.co/y2BLHjUFXd">pic.twitter.com/y2BLHjUFXd</a></p>&mdash; CB Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1568659556271796224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### FRONTCOURT

The best young player of the EuroCup last season, [Khalifa Diop](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-keeps-eurocup-rising-star-diop/), will be staying in Gran Canaria to lead the frontcourt. He will surely become an even more important piece of the puzzle. [Aleksander Balcerowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksander-balcerowski/profile/007553/) is another staple in the team who will be the main presence in the paint. [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/john-shurna/profile/006588/) also stayed for one more season to provide his size and mobility that allows him to look out for open shooting positions. The only new acquisition this summer for Granca's backcourt has been [Damien Inglis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-lands-power-forward-inglis/), a EuroCup champ with Monaco in 2021, who averaged double digits in scoring in the Spanish League last season.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Khalifa Diop had his biggest season last year. He averaged 5.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists and a PIR of 7.4 in his 20 EuroCup games. Those numbers earned him the Rising Star Trophy as the best young player in the league. Diop remains in Gran Canaria and will now look to climb another step in his career and become a more important piece of the team. Last season, Diop only started in only four 20 games and his main goal this season will be to try to establish himself as a starter and get more and more minutes in his rise to try to become one of the most unstoppable players in the EuroCup.

7DAYS EuroCup Rising Star: Khalifa Diop, Gran Canaria

### OUTLOOK

Coach Lakovic arrives to a new team after having solid season with ratiopharm Ulm last year. He has most of the core from last season back, so the chemistry part of the job is already half done. The key will be to make the new acquisitions adapt fast. Lakovic has a lot of experience in the guard department and that could make it easier for everyone to get those wheels turning. As always, Granca will have to make the most of its home games, as by default it is the team that has the longest trips in the competition. In Group B, Gran Canaria is one of the teams that, on paper, should make it to the elimination rounds, but with a bunch of new teams in the fold and several staples in the EuroCup around, the road will not be easy.

Germany showcased a great offensive performance in beating Greece 107-96 in front of the home crowd in Berlin, Germany. Germany finished the night hitting 17 threes on 31 attempts, and also outrebounded Greece 46-32. FC Bayern Munich sharpshooter Andreas Obst opened the game on fire, scoring 8 points, two triples in the first 4 minutes to open 19-9 lead. Greece closed within 28-27 late in the first quarter behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. Olympiacos Piraeus shooter Giannoulis Larentzakis scored 8 points, including two triples early in the second, but Germany spent most of the second quarter in front with a help of a triple from ALBA Berlin's Maodo Lo, and two more threes from Obst. But Olympiacos point guard Kostas Sloukas finished the half strong, including a half-court buzzer beater that put Greece up 57-61 at halftime.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">KOSTAS SLOUKAS WHAT HAVE YOU DONE. 🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TissotBuzzerBeater?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TissotBuzzerBeater</a> <br><br>📺 <a href="https://t.co/XA74Vlj3Yw">https://t.co/XA74Vlj3Yw</a> <a href="https://t.co/BOVGrs3Syz">pic.twitter.com/BOVGrs3Syz</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1569771218789695489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

However, Germany opened the second half with a 7-0 run, that saw another three-pointer from Obst, then a 13-0 run with a pair of threes from Franz Wagner and one from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan forward Johannes Voigtmann that helped open a 77-62 margin. Greece never got closer than 9 points the rest of the way, as the margin broke the 20-point barrier in the closing minutes. Dennis Schroder paced the winners with 26 points and 8 assists, Obst netted 19 in as many minutes on 5-for-6 three-point shooting, and Wagner also scored 19 in a victory. Johannes Thiermann of ALBA Berlin was another scorer in double digits with 10 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds and Larentzakis had 18 points on 4-for-4 from long range in a losing effort.

Spain rallied from 15 points down to beat Finland 100-90 and reach the semifinals of the EuroBasket 2022 in Berlin, Germany. Finland hit 7 triples in the first half and led by Lauri Markkanen and Sasu Salin, and led as many as 15 points on three occasions in the second quarter. But Lorenzo Brown of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and former EuroLeague Rising Star Usman Garuba sparked Spain's run at the end of the half that closed a halftime gap to 43-52. After the break Lorenzo Brown and Willy Hernangomez fueled a big run, capped by Joventut Badalona's Joel Parra corner triple that gave Spain 60-57 lead midway through the third quarter. A three-pointer from Rudy Fernandez helped Spain take 73-65 lead late in the third quarter, and after Finland closed within 82-80 behind Alexander Madsen, Fernandez assisted for a triple from Dario Brizuela, then nailed one himself to make it 90-82 with 3 minutes to go, and Spain never looked back. Willy Hernangomez paced Spain with 27 points and Brizuela scored 14. Fernandez was 3-for-5 from three-point range and finished with 11 points, while Brown had 10 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds in a victory. Markkanen collected 28 points plus 11 rebounds in a loss.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Year 18 of clutch Rudy Fernandez threes<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a><br><br>📺 <a href="https://t.co/XA74VljBO4">https://t.co/XA74VljBO4</a> <a href="https://t.co/fz1x7JbbDg">pic.twitter.com/fz1x7JbbDg</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1569732108792512512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

In the first two EuroBasket 2022 quarterfinals on Tuesday, Germany knocked down 17 three-pointer shots in ousting Greece to reach the semifinals where it will play Spain which rallied to down Finland.