Trefl Sopot has completed the signing of Nahiem Alleyne on a deal until the end of the season.

Nahiem Alleyne joins Trefl Sopot

[Trefl Sopot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/trefl-sopot/tso/) has signed Nahiem Alleyne on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Alleyne (1.93 meters, 23 years old) joins Trefl as a replacement for [Tarik Phillip, who left the club for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-jerusalem-brings-in-star-guard-tarik-phillip/) last Thursday. In his first season as a professional, Alleyne has arrived at Trefl from Greek side AEK Athens.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pl" dir="ltr">🆕 23-letni Nahiem Alleyne dołącza do składu mistrza Polski! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plkpl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#plkpl</a><br><br>Amerykański rzucający obrońca rozpoczął sezon w greckim AEK-u Betsson BC. Dla Nahiema to pierwszy sezon w profesjonalnej koszykówce po bardzo udanej karierze akademickiej, w trakcie której zdobył tytuł Mistrza… <a href="https://t.co/UgS6P9QRgM">pic.twitter.com/UgS6P9QRgM</a></p>&mdash; MISTRZ POLSKI 2024 🏆 (@treflsopot) <a href="https://twitter.com/treflsopot/status/1859922162712281181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

An NCAA champion in 2023 with UConn, Alleyne averaged 5.3 points in four Basketball Champions League games with AEK this season.

When he appears in the BKT EuroCup for the first time, he will make his competition debut.

More Trefl News

He will make his EuroCup debut when he steps onto the floor

Nahiem Alleyne joins Trefl

Aris BC has bolstered its frontcourt options by signing Darral Willis on a deal until the end of the current season.

Aris adds big man Darral Willis

Aris Midea Thessaloniki has bolstered its frontcourt options by signing Darral Willis on a deal until the end of the current season.

Willis (2.06 meters, 28 years old) returns to the BKT EuroCup after previously featuring in the competition for AS Monaco in the 2020-21 season, averaging 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in eight games. He left Monaco halfway through that season, meaning he did not was not on the roster as the team won the EuroCup Finals. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">‼️ O DARRAL WILLIS ΣΤΟΝ ΑΡΗ Midea <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Welcome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Welcome</a> to<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheEmperor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheEmperor</a><br>@darral_willis21 <br><br>Read more 👉 <a href="https://t.co/z1YoY5yyRw">https://t.co/z1YoY5yyRw</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISFAMILY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISFAMILY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBCTRANSFERS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBCTRANSFERS</a> <a href="https://t.co/QclxoKujP0">pic.twitter.com/QclxoKujP0</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1860999112155451713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He most recently played for the Levanga Hokkaido in Japan last season, where he posted 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.2 blocks across 57 Japanese League appearances.

In addition to Monaco and Hokkaido, Willis has also represented Keravnos (2018-19), Nizhny Novgorod (2019-20), Brescia (2020-21), Enisey (2021-22), Ponce (2022), the Seoul Thunders (2022-23), Lokomotiv Kuban (2022-23) in his professional together.

More Aris News

He is back in the EuroCup for the second time

Dolomiti Energia Trentino center Selom Mawugbe is expected to be sidelined for three weeks after suffering an injury to his rectus femoris, one of the quadriceps muscles, in training last week. 

Trento's Selom Mawugbe to miss several weeks

Dolomiti Energia Trentino center [Selom Mawugbe](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/selom-mawugbe/013271/) is expected to be sidelined for three weeks after suffering an injury to his rectus femoris, one of the quadriceps muscles, in training last week. Mawugbe, 26, has started all eight BKT EuroCup games this season, during which he has averaged 6.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 block in 22:31 minutes per game. He is tied for ninth in the competition in blocked shots.

More Trento news

The center suffered a quadriceps injury in training last week

After a brief break, the BKT EuroCup returns on Thursday with Round 9 bringing the regular season to its midway point. Here’s the state of play ahead of the action.

At a glance: The EuroCup is back with a bang!

After a brief break, the BKT EuroCup returns on Thursday with Round 9 bringing the regular season to its midway point. Here’s the state of play ahead of the action.

## Thursday, November 28

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Joventut Badalona (17:00 CET)

Group A leader Bahcesehir (7-1) will attempt to keep hold of first place by downing dangerous Joventut (3-5). The Spanish side revived its fortunes before the break, ending a four-game losing streak by battling past Buducnost. That victory owed a lot to 26 points from backcourt star [Devon Dotson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devon-durrell-dotson/013285/), who faces a good battle on Thursday with the dynamic [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/), who is in the best form of his career with 23 and 20 points in the last two games. Bahcesehir boasts a five-game winning streak partly thanks to the best three-point shooting game in the competition, converting 39.3% beyond the arc. So Joventut’s perimeter defense must pay attention to the likes of [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/), who averages 12.0 points on 44.1% three-point shooting.

Round 9 Head-to-Head: Simonovic vs. Pustovyi

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki (18:00 CET)

Cluj (4-4) is aiming to stay in Group B’s all-important top six by downing struggling Aris (2-6), which is desperate to climb away from a share of last place. Cluj has won four of its last five games thanks to an excellent offense, averaging 88.1 points per game – second best in the EuroCup. Aris, conversely, has the worst scoring output in the competition with just 74.0 points per night. The Greek team could boost its playmaking by giving a debut to new signing [Sharife Cooper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sharife-cooper/013500/), and also needs enough defense to restrict the influence of outstanding Cluj playmaker [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/), who runs his team with averages of 18.6 points and a top-ranked 6.9 assists.

\-

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Umana Reyer Venice (18:00 CET)

Two teams just outside the Group B playoff places go head to head as Lietkabelis (2-5) welcomes Reyer (3-5). The Lithuanian team likes to crash the glass, averaging 12.4 offensive rebounds (second best in the EuroCup) behind 2.7 per night from [Marko Pecarski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-pecarski/005656/). That intent will be resisted by Reyer big man [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mfiondu-tshimanga-kabengele/012796/), who averages a competition-high 10.4 boards per game. The Italian team boosted its confidence before the break by claiming a vital home victory over Turk Telekom thanks to 20 points from [Rodney McGruder](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/rodney-mc-gruder/012800/), who has quickly become Reyer’s key man with an average of 16.8 points during his four games with the team.

\-

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (18:30 CET)

Cedevita (4-4) will look to snap a three-game losing streak as it welcomes a fast-rising Hamburg team (2-6) which won two of the last three games before the break. Cedevita’s recent problems have been defensive, allowing 90, 94 and 109 points in its three losses. That can be exploited by Hamburg playmaker [Brae Ivey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brae-ivey/013308/), who had 15 points and 5 assists in the Round 8 victory over Aris. The German team also offer a major threat in the paint with center [Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kur-kuath/013313/) (9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game), so Cedevita will need outstanding prospect [Joan Beringer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joan-beringer/012996/) to continue his strong form after grabbing 8 boards in each of the last two games.

\-

### Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. Valencia Basket (19:30 CET)

Valencia (7-0) will look to extend its status as the EuroCup’s only unbeaten team with a trip to last season’s finalist Bourg (5-3). The French team has lost three of its last four games due to an uncharacteristically leaky defense, which will be heavily tested by Valencia’s competition-best offense (95.4 points per game). The Spanish team has been further reinforced by the return of [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-jones/010568/) from injury, while the collective ethic was demonstrated by seven players – led by [Josep Puerto](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/josep-puerto/006643/) with 15 points – scoring in double digits last time out against Cedevita. Bourg will look for leadership from [Xavier Castaneda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xavier-castaneda/013266/), who has scored in double digits every game this season.

Round 9 Head-to-Head: Pansa vs. Pradilla

### Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. ratiopharm Ulm (19:30 CET)

[Dimitris Itoudis will make his coaching debut](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/itoudis-is-motivated-and-honored-to-take-over-at-hapoel/) for Hapoel (5-3) with a visit from Ulm (4-4) in a key meeting between direct rivals in Group A. Hapoel showed its capabilities with a 29-point thrashing of Trefl in its last game, led by 21 points and 8 rebounds from [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/). After losing four of its last five games, Ulm must improve a defense which allowed more than 100 points in three of those losses. Offensively, the German team will look for inspiration from [Alfonso Plummer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/plummer-alfonso/012077/), who averages 15.1 points on 44.4% three-point shooting. But Hapoel boasts the league’s best two-point shooting conversation rate, 61.7%, so Ulm’s interior defense must stay strong against the likes of [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) (11.0 points per game, 66% on twos).

Round 9 Head-to-Head: Foster vs. Saraf

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (19:30 CET)

Group B high-fliers Jerusalem (6-2) face a tough test from one of the three teams currently tied for fourth place, Turk Telekom (4-4). Jerusalem’s offense should be boosted by a debut for [new signing Tarik Phillip](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-jerusalem-brings-in-star-guard-tarik-phillip/), who averaged 12.6 points during his eight games for Trefl Sopot this season. Turk Telekom has faltered recently with just one win in five, and needs better offensive production after scoring just 67 points in the Round 8 loss to Reyer. Expect a fierce rebounding battle, with the visitor ranked second in the league in boards (38.9 per game), while Turk Telekom isn’t far behind with 37.4 per night. [Kyle Alexander](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-alexander/011973/) (8.1 rpg) and [Austin Wiley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/austin-wiley/013278/) (7.8) lead their respective teams in rebounding and will play central roles again.

Round 9 Head-to-Head: Brown vs. Morgan

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (20:00 CET)

Two teams hoping the break will spark a return to winning ways go head to head with a vital matchup between Trento (3-5) and Besiktas (4-4). The Turkish team boasts a potent offense averaging 86.0 points, third best in the competition, with [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) in particularly fine form after pouring in 21 and 19 in his last two games. One huge disparity between the teams is three-point shooting, with Trento making just 28.6% of long-range strikes while Besiktas has converted 39.2%, so the Italian team would love shooters like [Anthony Lamb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-lamb/013272/) – who averages 14.5 points per game but has only made 22.7% of triples – to find better accuracy beyond the arc.

\-

### Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Trefl Sopot (21:00 CET)

Winless Trefl (0-8) will attempt to cause a major upset by gaining its first victory with a trip to Group B’s second-placed Gran Canaria (6-2). Trefl will have to find a new offensive leader following the departure of Tarik Phillip to Jerusalem, with [Jakub Schenk](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/schenk-jakub/013298/) set to play an even more prominent role after solid averages of 13.4 points and 4.0 assists per game so far. The Spanish side has won three of its last four games behind a rock-solid defense which has allowed only 75.6 points per game, with plenty of help on the offensive end from [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/), who has scored in double digits in three consecutive games on 12-of-15 two-point shooting.

\-

## Friday, November 29

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (19:00 CET)

In Friday’s only game, the red-hot Wolves (5-3) will aim to keep on climbing the Group A rankings with a tough trip to Buducnost (3-5), which is also still in the playoff picture despite three losses out of four. The Lithuanian team has won five in a row, most recently outshooting Trento largely thanks to 23 points from backcourt star [Andrew Andrews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-andrews/011248/), who ranks fourth in the competition with 2.5 three-pointers made per game. Buducnost’s ongoing search for consistency will depend on leadership from veteran guard [Rasheed Sulaimon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/rasheed-sulaimon/011150/), who averages 12.2 points and 3.4 assists per game but will be looking to improve his three-point shooting percentage of just 29.2%.

Round 9 Head-to-Head: Ferrell vs. Cowan

In a change to the usual scheduling, games will take place on Thursday and Friday this week

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-11-28T19:00:00.000Z)

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v Valencia Basket (2024-11-28T18:30:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2024-11-29T18:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024-11-28T17:00:00.000Z)

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Trefl Sopot (2024-11-28T20:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-11-28T18:30:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2024-11-28T17:30:00.000Z)

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Umana Reyer Venice (2024-11-28T17:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2024-11-28T18:30:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Joventut Badalona (2024-11-28T16:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana reinforced its frontline with the signing of veteran center Andrija Stipanovic for the remainder of the season. 

Cedevita brings back Andrija Stipanovic 

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana reinforced its frontline with the signing of veteran center [Andrija Stipanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrija-stipanovic/005113/) for the remainder of the season. Stipanovic (2.08 meters, 37 years old) arrives from 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, where he averaged 11.0 points on 61.3% shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists for a PIR of 19.0 in five BKT EuroCup games this season. This is his eighth EuroCup season and he has suited up for six different clubs in that time.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrija Stipanović returns to Stožice after a little more than four years.<a href="https://twitter.com/ANDROSTIPAN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ANDROSTIPAN</a>, welcome back to the Dragon family! 💚🧡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> <a href="https://t.co/uvmsPP8GqB">pic.twitter.com/uvmsPP8GqB</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1860979178343977232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Stipanovic started his professional basketball career with Hermes Analitica Zagreb and later played for Split and Velika Gorica of his native Croatia as well as Liege Basket and Oostende of Belgium, Caserta and Vanoli Cremona of Italy, Trabzonspor and Buyukcemece of Turkiye, U-BT Cluj-Napoce of Romania, Lietkabelis in Lithuania, and Cedevita Zagreb of Croatia, which later merged to become Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. He helped Cluj win four consecutive Romanian League championships and two Romanian Cups, too. He also won the Croatian League and Cup double with Cedevita Zagreb in 2018 and defended the Croatian Cup in 2019.

Cedevita Olimpija head coach

"We've brought in an experienced center who has been playing in the EuroCup for many years. His experience both on the court and in the locker room will undoubtedly help the team. At the same time, we hope that young Joan Beringer will make further progress alongside him. We know Stipanovic as a competitive player and he will definitely help us improve our rotation of big men, an area where we faced significant challenges in the first third of the season." 

In 105 career EuroCup games with Oostende, Trabzonspor, Cedevita Zagreb, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Cluj and Lietkebelis, Stipanovic has amassed 1,122 points (10.7 ppg.) and 505 rebounds (4.8 rpg.). He is 5 points away from cracking the all-time time 20 in EuroCup scoring. Stipanovic is second all-time in two-point shots made with 476, fifth with 211 offensive rebounds, tied for sixth in career rebounds, and ninth in accumulated PIR (1,334).

Andrija Stipanovic's best plays with Lietkabelis

More Cedevita Olimpija news

The center previously played for the club in 2019-20

Valencia Basket announced on Sunday that big man Nate Reuvers has suffered a broken finger on his left hand. 

Valencia loses Nate Reuvers to broken finger

Valencia Basket announced on Sunday that big man [Nate Reuvers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nathan-reuvers/012738/) has suffered a broken finger on his left hand. He is expected to undergo surgery in Valencia this week after which a timetable for his recovery will be established. Reuvers suffered the injury while playing for the Hungarian national team in a EuroBasket 2025 qualifying game on Friday in Istanbul. The big man has averaged 6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 13:39 minutes over seven EuroCup games this season, his first in the competition.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">🏥🧡 ¡Ánimo, <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuvers35?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@reuvers35</a>!<br><br>Cas 👉 Parte médico Nate Reuvers<a href="https://t.co/vmsHk0Jbjb">https://t.co/vmsHk0Jbjb</a><br><br>Val 👉 Comunicat mèdic Nate Reuvers<a href="https://t.co/PB6WiqADTf">https://t.co/PB6WiqADTf</a><br><br>Eng 👉 Nate Reuvers medical report<a href="https://t.co/BgRk2Rh3xy">https://t.co/BgRk2Rh3xy</a> <a href="https://t.co/IcMWk3QbCU">pic.twitter.com/IcMWk3QbCU</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1860639509693813174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Valencia Basket news

He suffered the injury playing for the Hungarian national team

New Hapoel Tel Aviv BC head coach Dimitris Itoudis was formally presented at a press conference at Hapoel’s arena in Tel Aviv, where for nearly an hour, he spoke about the team’s goals, his relationship with Ofer Yannay, working alongside Stefanos Dedas again and much more. 

Dimitris Itoudis is 'motivated' and 'honored' to take over at Hapoel Tel Aviv

Ofer Yannay has a lot to be proud of since taking over as Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv's owner. He reached a new high last week with the signing of two-time EuroLeague champion Dimitris Itoudis as the club's new head coach. Itoudis will step in as head coach, while the previous head coach, Stefanos Dedas, will remain as an assistant coach, the same role he held under Itoudis before at CSKA Moscow and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

On Sunday, Itoudis was formally presented at a press conference at Hapoel’s arena in Tel Aviv, where for nearly an hour, he spoke about the team’s goals, his relationship with Yannay, working alongside Dedas again and much more.

"Hapoel always had the best fan base and what we did in the summer, we managed to get to have a pretty good roster and now we have the best coaching staff," Yannay said while introducing Itoudis. "If you want to be competitive, if you want to build something for the long term, all of the things are extremely important and I'm very very happy to have Coach Itoudis with us and I am looking forward to see what's going to happen next."

When it was Itoudis’s turn to talk, he said that Yannai's "passion and his vision matches my expectations of trying to build something great."

The coach went on to liken the building of a team to building a house, commenting on a new home he recently built in Greece. While the original timetable was planned for before the spring, he did not get the keys until after the summer. Likewise, there is no rush on getting Hapoel to be its best version of itself, there is time for that later.

Dimitris Itoudis's introductory press conference

"We're still looking how we gonna become a better team. As I said, with all the coaching staff, we had a four-hour meeting yesterday and a practice. I cannot get deeply into the details because I want to be honest with you, I haven't seen the team in action in full roster. I scouted the team. I watched games. I talked with Stef \[Dedas\] a lot of times about the team, but still, if I'm not coaching the team then, I cannot go into more details. The expectations and the wish to accomplish things is great. We need to also be in reality sometimes because basketball you're not playing alone, you have great opponents," Itoudis continued.

The coach lamented the fact that the timing of the FIBA national team window will keep several players away from training this week, including center Bruno Caboclo, who will not practice under Itoudis until after the team travels to Bulgaria for Thursday's game against ratiopharm Ulm.

He later explained how important being able to work with the players one-on-one is to building the team he envisions. "I need to challenge some of the players to see how they're gonna react under pressure. You know people that they work with me, they know how much I'm gonna get deeply into the criticism because I believe in eye-to-eye contact and criticism. The picture never lies. I do spend a lot of time watching film."

Naturally, both Yannay and Itoudis were asked about the status of star center Johnathan Motley, who was one of the club’s marquee signings over the summer, but left the club abruptly several weeks ago. The big man has a relationship with Itoudis from their time together at Fenerbahce.

"Jonathan Motley is a great player. The contract with him is valid and we expect him to return. I can say that his agent communicated with George Hinas on Friday evening," Yannay said. "I hope this is the first step to him coming back to Hapoel."

Itoudis followed by saying: "Mot is a point of emphasis for us. It’s a completely different team when Mot is in and contributes offensively and defensively and when he’s not. We as a coaching staff, we would love to know the situation sooner than later because this is how we can move to the next step."

More Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv news

The two-time EuroLeague champion head coach was introduced in Tel Aviv on Sunday

Itoudis is 'motivated' and 'honored' to take over at Hapoel

Aris adds Cooper to backcourt

Aris Midea Thessaloniki strengthened its perimeter by signing guard Sharife Cooper until the end of the season, the club announced Friday. Cooper (1.85 meters, 23 years old) arrives from the Turkish side Merkezefendi where he averaged 15.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals this season.

For the young guard this is already his fourth professional season. Cooper played only 12 games in college at Auburn University, before splitting time between the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA and College Park SkyHawks in the G-League during his first pro campaign in the 2021-22. The next two seasons, Cooper played with the Cleveland Charge in the G-League, before finishing last season with Liaoning in China. He is now set to make his BKT EuroCup debut.

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Rimantas Kaukenas, a European basketball star as a player, has made sure he leaves a positive impact in his native Lithuania long after retiring thanks to his Rimantas Kaukenas Charitable Foundation.

Rimantas Kaukenas Charitable Foundation: Providing joy for ill children

[Rimantas Kaukenas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rimantas-kaukenas/bjr/) was a European basketball star as a player and has made sure he leaves a positive impact in his native Lithuania since retiring. In 2011, he founded the Rimantas Kaukenas Charitable Foundation while he was still an active player. More than 13 years later, Kaukenas is now president of BKT EuroCup club [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/wol/) and his foundation is one of the biggest and most recognized in the Baltics.

His foundation is a nonprofit charity that provides help to seriously ill children, supporting families raising children with oncological, genetic and other critical diseases. From surprises involving basketball players, singers or athletes to activities in hospitals and many different sorts of events, the Rimantas Kaukenas Charitable Foundation makes sure it brings joy to the daily lives of seriously ill children. It also cooperates with several hospitals in the country. The foundation has created a community involving the children's heroes and their parents, ready to help each other whenever it is needed. In this video, Kaukenas talk about his foundation's achievements, its growth over the years, and how committed he is to it.