Aris Thessaloniki has added Georgios Tanoulis on a season-long loan from Olympiacos Piraeus for the 2025-26 campaign

Thessaloniki native Georgios Tanoulis joins Aris on loan from Olympiacos

[Aris Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki/roster/ari/) has added [Georgios Tanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/georgios-tanoulis/010631/) on a season-long loan from Olympiacos Piraeus for the 2025-26 campaign.

Tanoulis (2.10 meters, 23 years old) returns to the club where he began his basketball journey, bringing size, mobility, and national team experience. The big man joined the Reds on a long-term deal in 2023 and has spent the last two seasons away on loan. He played for Maroussi Athens last season and averaged 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 24 Greek League appearances. He also featured in the FIBA Europe Cup, contributing 4.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game across 14 contests.

A native of Thessaloniki, Tanoulis came through the youth ranks of Aris before moving to PAOK, where he made his professional debut at age 17. In 2020, he signed a five-year deal with Promitheas Patras, and in 2023, joined Olympiacos on a four-year contract. Tanoulis played parts of three EuroCup campaigns with Promitheas, appearing in 26 games. He has also represented Greece at multiple youth levels and made his senior national team debut in 2023, further solidifying his status as one of the country’s top young big men.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DM4v3ncooK3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DM4v3ncooK3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DM4v3ncooK3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by ARIS B.C. (@aris.basketball.club)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

The latest from Aris Thessaloniki 

The promising center will enter his fourth EuroCup season

We are into the second round of our matchups as we seek to crown the greatest All-EuroLeague First Team! This time it's 2024 against 2022!

Vote for the best All-EuroLeague First Team in history: 2024 vs. 2022

Each season, the top five players in Europe’s premier basketball competition are recognized with All-EuroLeague First Team honors. Over the past quarter century, these elite selections have showcased a who’s who of basketball legends, from rising stars to Hall of Famers and everything in between.

This summer, we're putting them all head-to-head to answer one big question: Which All-EuroLeague First Team stands above the rest?

We seeded all 24 teams into a bracket created by our panel of in-house EuroLeague experts.

Several times a week, we’ll reveal a new matchup on the official **EuroLeague Instagram account**, where you can vote for your favorite. In the first round, eight teams were eliminated and now 16 remain. Who will you vote into the quarterfinals?

Right here on the official EuroLeague website, you’ll find a quick breakdown of each matchup – and which team we think deserves the edge. This time it's 2024 vs. 2022.

Let the debates begin. Let the voting begin. Let the best team win!

**2024**

- [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/), Real Madrid (age 33)
- [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), AS Monaco (age 33)
- [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), Panathinaikos (age 28)
- [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/), Fenerbahce (age 29)
- [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), Panathinaikos (age 28)

 

**2022**

- [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/profile/007200/), Anadolu Efes (age 29)
- [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), AS Monaco (age 31)
- [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/), Olympiacos (age 26)
- [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), Barcelona (age 31)
- [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), Real Madrid (age 30)

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DM2P-fctBLV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DM2P-fctBLV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DM2P-fctBLV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by EuroLeague (@euroleague)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

The 2024 side advance at the expense of the 2001 side, but its lineup is flawed for a contest like this one. It plays with a three-guard lineup and Nigel Hayes-Davis at the '4'. The advantages that 2024 might normally have – speed, athleticism, basketball smarts – are negated by the 2022 side.

Forget the fact that Mike James is two years younger in his matchup against himself, he shares the backcourt with prime Shane Larkin. Nikola Mirotic and Sasha Vezenkov can both move without the ball and open the floor for mismatches galore. And Walter Tavares is the ultimate rim-protector.

For me, Team 2022 is better on the glass, more dangerous on offense and can hold its own defensively. Would this be a blowout? No way, 2024 is too good for that. But who would I expect to win? The answer is 2022, hands down.

Paris re-signs forward Daulton Hommes

[Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/) has re-signed forward [Daulton Hommes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daulton-hommes/011949/) for the upcoming season, the club announced. 

Hommes (2.03 meters, 29 years old) played six EuroLeague games for Paris last season due to injury problems, averaging 4.3 points and 2.0 rebounds.

Last season was second in the EuroLeague for Hommes, who made his debut in the competition with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in the 2022-23 campaign. That season he averaged 7.0 points and 2.9 rebounds over 31 EuroLeague games, including 22 as a starter.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">DC IS BACK HOME ‼️🏠 <br><br>Nous sommes très heureux de vous annoncer que <a href="https://twitter.com/dchommes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dchommes</a> sera à nouveau parisien la saison prochaine 🖤❤️💙<br><br>LET’S GO 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/HOwDezSNYB">pic.twitter.com/HOwDezSNYB</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1951341900100772101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Before joining Paris last summer, Hommes underwent knee surgery and missed the better part of the 2023-24 campaign, which he finished with Dolomiti Energia Trento of Italy.

After playing college basketball in Western Washington and Point Loma Nazarene in NCAA's division II, Hommes began his professional career in the G-League with the Austin Spurs. He got his first taste of European basketball in Italy, spending the 2020-21 season with Vanoli Cremona. He also played for the Birmingham Squadron in the G League in 2022.

He has played 37 EuroLeague games in two seasons

Crvena Zvezda Belgrade made a major backcourt addition with the signing of experienced guard Devonte’ Graham to a multi-year deal

Crvena Zvezda strengthens backcourt with Devonte’ Graham

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/roster/red/)made a major backcourt addition with the signing of experienced guard Devonte’ Graham, the club announced on Friday.

Graham (1.85 meters, 30 years old), a veteran of six NBA seasons, arrives from the South Bay Lakers of the G League, where he averaged 13.4 points and 4.5 assists across eight games. A proven scorer and floor general, Graham was a college star with the Kansas Jayhawks, where he was a consensus All-American and the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year.

After he was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, Graham went on to play for the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs. His best season came in 2019-20, when Graham averaged 18.2 points and 7.5 assists in 63 games for Charlotte. A high-IQ guard with deep shooting range, Graham is expected to bring creativity and leadership to Zvezda’s offense as in his first EuroLeague campaign.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">✍️🏼🔴⚪️<br><br>Devonte&#39; Graham has signed contract with Crvena zvezda Meridianbet! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/1QmII0zuzh">pic.twitter.com/1QmII0zuzh</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1951294475076075816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More from Crevna Zvezda

The NBA vet comes to the EuroLeague for the first time

Tel Aviv’s road warriors: Hapoel's bold EuroLeague gamble

No team has made more headlines this summer than EuroLeague debutant [Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/roster/hta/). The reigning EuroCup champions were linked to numerous players, including a rumored offer to former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook – an approach team owner Ofer Yannay later denied.

Still, Yannay’s aggressive push to sign elite talent and build a stacked roster for Coach Dimitris Itoudis kept the rumor mill buzzing. The biggest splash came when [Hapoel inked former EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/vasilije-micic-signs-lucrative-deal-with-hapoel-tel-aviv/) to a lucrative three-year deal.

As we enter August, the roster is nearly complete. Nine players return from the 2024–25 campaign, and nine more have signed over the summer. The squad includes seven Israelis and eleven foreigners, creating a deep and diverse unit ready for action.

The looming question: what will Hapoel look like in its EuroLeague debut? While that’s a fair question for any newcomer, Hapoel's case is far from typical.

From a basketball perspective, the team seems well-prepared for longest ever EuroLeague Regular Season. As Coach Itoudis is fond of saying, the EuroLeague is a marathon, not a sprint, and never has that been truer than this season with 38 games.

Ofer Yannay

To further ease the transition, the club just brought in veteran executive Manos Papadopoulos to reinforce the front office with continental savvy.

But Hapoel faces an unprecedented challenge for a debuting EuroLeague side: playing every home game away from home. Since October 2023 – just before the war in Gaza began – Hapoel has been unable to host EuroCup games in Tel Aviv. In the two seasons since, home games have taken place in Belgrade (at two different arenas), Vilnius, and Bulgaria’s Samokov Arena. Each week, the team would begin in Israel for domestic play and then travel to its “home” venue abroad as if on a regular road trip.

With the expanded schedule this season and the strain it places on players and staff – not to mention the logistics of courting big-name talent – management knew this arrangement was unsustainable. Their solution: relocate the team’s operational base to Sofia, Bulgaria.

According to Yannay, all 18 rostered players will reside in Sofia. For EuroLeague road games, 13 players will travel to the game site while five head to Israel. Afterward, seven will fly to Israel to prepare for the domestic league while six return to Sofia. Though the plan requires constant adjustment, it dramatically reduces fatigue and travel complications. The team has also committed to chartered flights to streamline logistics. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OBBT protocol:<br><br>18 players, all in Sofia <br><br>Assuming EL game day (GD)<br><br>GD minus 1 - 13 travel to game location, 5 travel to Israel <br><br>GD plus 0 (after the game):<br><br>7 fly to Israel <br>6 fly back to Sofia. <br><br>Rotations!<br><br>GD + 1 - <br>Day off in Sofia<br>Team practice in IL<br><br>GD + 2 - <br><br>Personal…</p>&mdash; Ofer (@OferYannay) <a href="https://twitter.com/OferYannay/status/1949519401931112473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yannay didn’t miss the chance to throw shade at city rival Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, remarking: “Run the simulation to see which protocol is better? Ours or yellow team protocol.”

Maccabi, by contrast, keeps its roster together throughout the season, accepting the grind of constant travel in favor of tighter team chemistry. That philosophy paid off last year for Hapoel when Marcus Foster – one of the team's EuroCup heroes  – [spoke to me last season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/marcus-foster-i-can-help-this-team-elevate/) about the camaraderie forged through travel:

“It gives us that bonding time… We’re a very close team, and not just the foreign players. The foreign players and the Israeli players are very close.”

A similar bond helped Maccabi push eventual champions Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to the brink in a thrilling 2024 playoff series.

But Hapoel is betting on star power and experience to fast-track chemistry, while its innovative travel model keeps players fresh. It’s too early to know if the gamble will pay off, but one thing’s certain: Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv remains the most talked-about team in the EuroLeague this summer.

Stars, strategy, and Sofia: how Hapoel is rewriting the playbook for EuroLeague newcomers

Tel Aviv’s road warriors: Hapoel's bold EuroLeague approach

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has penned promising French center Brice Dessert to a multi-year deal to reinforce its frontcourt

Efes adds promising big man Brice Dessert

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/ist/) has penned promising French center [Brice Dessert](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/-/010318/) to a four-year deal to reinforce its frontcourt, the club announced on Wednesday. 

Dessert (2.12 m, 22 years old) arrives from SIG Strasbourg, where he was a standout performer in the French League with 9.0 points on 68.8% shooting, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 block over 26 games last season.

A former standout at Pole France INSEP Paris – the French basketball academy at the National Institute for Sport, Expertise and Performance in Paris, Dessert broke into professional basketball with Rouen and ADA Blois before heading to Strasbourg in June 2024

Dessert has also featured for French youth national teams and was on the silver-medal winning squad at the 2019 U16 European Championship and the 2021 U19 Word Cup. He has since made his debut on France’s senior national team. At Efes he will join forces with countrymen Vincent Poirier and Rodrigue Beaubois.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">✍️ Genç pivot Brice Dessert ile 4 sezonluk sözleşme imzaladık!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bienvenue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bienvenue</a> Brice<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/NLAl2zYW8V">pic.twitter.com/NLAl2zYW8V</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1950526812145999934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

More Anadolu Efes news

The French center will join forces with countryman Vincent Poirier in Istanbul

Real Madrid has bolstered its frontcourt by signing dynamic American forward Chuma Okeke

Real Madrid reels in versatile forward Chuma Okeke

Real Madrid has bolstered its frontcourt by signing dynamic American forward Chuma Okeke to a two-year deal, the club announced on Wednesday. 

Okeke (2.01 meters, 26 years old) arrives from the NBA, where he played last season for the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers, the latter of with which he featured in the playoffs. He also spent time last season with the Westchester Knicks in the G League. He averaged 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 28 regular-season games with Westchester.

After playing college basketball at Auburn, which he helped reach the NCAA Final Four for the first time in school history, Okeke was drafted with the 16th overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2019 NBA Draft. He sat out the 2019-20 season while recovering from a torn ACL and then played four seasons with the Magic, his best being in 2021-22 when he averaged 8.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals over 70 games.

A versatile and athletic forward known for his defensive instincts, Okeke becomes the latest addition to a Real Madrid squad that is looking to get back to the EuroLeague Final Four in its first season under Coach Sergio Scariolo.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🙌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeOkeke?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeOkeke</a> 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/aQYTnlDvyH">pic.twitter.com/aQYTnlDvyH</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1950485662722904248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Real Madrid news

A former NBA first-round pick, Okeke comes to play in Europe for the first time

He made his EuroLeague debut with AS Monaco in 2021


ASVEL signs forward Armel Traore 

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/roster/asv/) added another weapon to its roster by inking forward [Armel Traore](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/armel-traore/010319/) to a two-year deal, the club announced on Tuesday.

Traore (2.03 meters, 22 years old) arrives from BAXI Manresa, where he averaged 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in five Spanish League games last season. He began the 2024-25 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA and also played for the South Bay Lakers of the G League, where he averaged 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds in 13 games.

The forward started his career with INSEP and joined AS Monaco for the 2021-22 season. He made his EuroLeague debut on December 10, 2021, playing seven seconds against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. He has also played for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans and ADA Blois Basket 41 of France. Traore helped France win a gold medal at the 2023 U20 European Championships, and respective silver medals at the 2021 U19 World Cup and the 2019 U16 European Championships.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Bienvenue Armel ! 🇫🇷<br><br>LDLC ASVEL poursuit la construction de son effectif et est heureux de vous annoncer la signature d’Armel Traoré pour les deux prochaines saisons au sein du club.<br><br>Champion d’Europe U20 en 2023, passé par les Mets, Blois, les Los Angeles Lakers et plus… <a href="https://t.co/eT1sOsNw0a">pic.twitter.com/eT1sOsNw0a</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1950111603531128899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

More ASVEL news

FC Bayern Munich picked up some scoring punch by signing Xavier Rathan-Mayes, who made his EuroLeague debut last season with Real Madrid

Bayern adds scorer Xavier Rathan-Mayes

[FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/) picked up some scoring punch by signing [Xavier Rathan-Mayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/xavier-rathan-mayes/013378/), who made his EuroLeague debut last season with Real Madrid. He signed a one-year deal with an option for another season.

Rathan-Mayes (1.91 meters, 31 years old) appeared in 23 EuroLeague games – including 5 starts – for *Los Blancos* last season and averaged 5.3 points and 1.4 assists. The Canadian guard helped Real Madrid make the EuroLeague Playoffs and win the Spanish League.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Best of 2024-25

His springboard into the EuroLeague came from a fantastic 2023-24 campaign with Russian side Enisey, with which he led the VTB United League in scoring with 25.4 points per game. He also ranked 10th with 4.5 assists per game and contributed 1.1 steals over 39 appearances.

After playing college basketball at Florida State University, Rathan-Mayes has traveled the world as a professional. In addition to a stint in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, he has also played in Greece (AEK Athens), Israel (Bnei Herzliya), Canada (Hamilton Honey Badgers and Scarborough Shooting Stars), Romania (CSU Sibiu), Turkiye (Yukatel Merkezefendi), Australia (Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United), Russia (Enisey) and Spain (Real Madrid).

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐗𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐑 👋<br><br>Wir verpflichten den kanadischen Guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes vom spanischen Titelträger Real Madrid. <a href="https://twitter.com/freelanceDE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@freelanceDE</a> wünscht viel Erfolg im neuen Job.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kaderupdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kaderupdate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/xrm_22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@xrm_22</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1950116829587759484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

"I have been following what has been happening in Munich over the past year or two, and now I really want to be a part of it. I have also been in close contact with Coach Herbert recently, so the move to Bayern was a no-brainer for me," Rathan-Mayes said after the agreement. "I haven't had an easy year, and I want to prove that I am a high-level player, one who is there on both sides of the court, as a dynamic playmaking guard who scores and passes, but also as a tough defender."

More Bayern Munich news

The Canadian made his EuroLeague debut last season with Real Madrid 