
FC Barcelona announced that it has signed point guard Juan Nuñez to a multi-year contract. 

Barcelona makes Juan Nuñez its playmaker of the future

FC Barcelona announced that it has signed point guard Juan Nuñez to a three-year contract. Nuñez (1.92 meters, 20 years old) spent the past two seasons with ratiopharm Ulm where he established himself as a top-tier playmaker. He averaged 10.8 points, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals in 15 BKT EuroCup games last season. Nuñez was second in the competition in assists and fourth in steals. He was worth 9.4 points, 4.7 assists and 1.6 steals in the German League.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Benvingut a Barcelona, Juan! <a href="https://t.co/VoIb2Io2My">pic.twitter.com/VoIb2Io2My</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1816775851792310704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Nuñez is a product of the Real Madrid youth system and made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut during the 2021-22 season. He helped *Los Blancos* win the Spanish League that season and won the German championship with Ulm in 2023. Nuñez led Spain to the gold medal at the U20 European Championship in 2022 as tournament MVP and played for Spain’s senior men’s national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup last summer.

Best of Juan Nuñez - 2023-24

More FC Barcelona news

The Real Madrid product returns to Spain after two years in Germany

Now that he has sealed his return to Olympiacos BC, Sasha Vezenkov could be the key in bringing a first EuroLeague championship to the club since 2013.

Vezenkov was missed at Olympiacos last year - now he's back with a vengeance

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Fourteen months ago, [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) was enjoying a performance for the ages in the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game.

The 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP had 29 points against Real Madrid, the joint most ever in the title decider, but [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/)’s game-winning basket meant that Vezenkov and Olympiacos Piraeus went home without the trophy. It was a painful yet familiar feeling.

Just one year prior, [Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vasilije-micic/002580/) drained a three-pointer at the buzzer of Anadolu Efes Istanbul’s semifinal clash against Olympiacos, which left the Reds having to compete in the third-place game. After waiting five years to make the EuroLeague Final Four, it was a real smack in the face.

For Olympiacos and Vezenkov, those back-to-back frustrations were compounded by the forward’s decision to seal his long-awaited move to the NBA with the Sacramento Kings in the summer of 2023.

Sasha Vezenkov in the Sacramento Kings' jersey during an NBA game in the 2023-24 season. (PHOTO: NBA)

Admittedly, head coach Georgios Bartzokas was still able to take Olympiacos to a third straight Final Four for the first time in club history, but the team came up short – albeit not in as heartbreaking a situation – in the semifinals against Real.

Olympiacos then had to watch archrival Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens do what it could not do one year prior – defeat *Los Blancos* to become the EuroLeague champion. That is something no Reds fan will have enjoyed, including owners Giorgos and Panagiotis Angelopoulos.

Rather than decide to blow up the roster, Olympiacos has made tweaks to its playing squad this summer. The notable departures have included [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/isaiah-canaan-joins-kk-crvena-zvezda/), [Ignas Brazdeikis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/ignas-brazdeikis-heads-back-to-zalgiris-kaunas/) and [Luke Sikma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luke-sikma/006589/), but [Tyler Dorsey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-bc-tyler-dorsey-reunite/), [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/luca-vildoza-switches-panathinaikos-bc-for-olympiacos-bc/) and the injured [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-bc-signs-keenan-evans/), who is expected to be out for [four to six more months after undergoing knee surgery in May](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-star-keenan-evans-out-long-term-after-knee-surgery/), have bolstered the club’s options.

Yet, the whole time there has been one name on the fans’ lips: Vezenkov.

Once Vezenkov got traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Toronto Raptors on June 28, which came after early reports of a possible return to SEF, Olympiacos fans were glued to Twitter in the hope that the 28-year-old would not be a part of the franchise’s plans.

Well, on Monday, July 22, the supporters got what they wanted as he was waived by the Raptors, leaving him free to sign for the Reds once he passed the 48-hour waiver period. Then, Wednesday night saw the deal become official: Vezenkov is an Olympiacos player again, having penned a five-year deal at the club.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">Kalimera! ☀️☕️❤️<br><br>«Για όσα ζήσαμε, μα πιο πολύ για όσα θα ζήσουμε! Γύρισα στην οικογένειά μου» ~ Sasha Vezenkov <br><br>Καλώς όρισες Σάσα! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/dToZv5yvwb">pic.twitter.com/dToZv5yvwb</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1816367577431482570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Vezenkov remains an idol at Olympiacos after earning a place in the fans’ hearts between 2018 and 2023. Now he has the chance to become a legend at the club if he can bring a first EuroLeague championship to SEF since 2013.

The best basketball in Vezenkov’s career has come under Coach Bartzokas, first at FC Barcelona in the 2015-16 season and then at Olympiacos between January 2020 and July 2023. Now that they are together once again, they have one goal in mind – taking the Reds to the top of European basketball.

Seeing Panathinaikos not only win the EuroLeague trophy but also the Greek League title was a bitter pill to swallow, but Olympiacos now has what it hopes is its final piece in the jigsaw.

All eyes will be on Round 8 when the Reds and the Greens go to battle at OAKA, with an all-star cast of players set to be on display. The addition of Vezenkov certainly makes things very interesting when looking ahead to the first Greek derby of the year.

Vezenkov was the missing ingredient for Olympiacos last season. Now it seems the Reds have the full recipe as they aim to become the 2024-25 EuroLeague champions.

More Sasha Vezenkov News

Sasha Vezenkov in action for Olympiacos Piraeus at the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

The Bulgarian international returned to the Reds on Wednesday

The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, is already underway. The first competitions began on Wednesday, ahead of the Opening Ceremony, which takes place on Friday, July 26. 

Most of the events will be in the French capital, with some others scattered around the country. The surfing venue for Paris 2024 is Teahupo'o, Tahiti, more than 15,000 kilometers from the Eiffel Tower.

The Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament starts with a group stage in Lille, France, with a seating capacity of over 27,000 fans. The first stage features three groups, each with four teams. 

Australia, Greece, Canada and Spain are featured in Group A. France hosts World Cup champion Germany, Japan and Brazil in Group B. USA starts to defend its Olympic gold medal in Group C against Serbia, South Sudan and Puerto Rico. 

The best two teams in each group, along with the two highest-ranked third-place squads, advance to the quarterfinals. A draw will decide the quarterfinal pairings. The single-game quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will be played at Accor Arena in Paris.

### Rudy makes basketball history

Rudy Fernandez of Spain is taking part in a record sixth Olympics, where he will put an end to his legendary basketball career as one of the greatest winners ever.

The 39-year-old is currently tied with former Spanish national teammates Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro, Luis Scola of Argentina, Oscar Schmidt of Brazil, Andrew Gaze of Australia and Teofilo Cruz of Puerto Rico for the most appearances in the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament, with five apiece. 

Fernandez has a chance to win his fourth Olympic medal, which is something that only Carmelo Anthony of the USA, as well as Gennadi Volnos and Sergei Belov of the former Soviet Union, did in the past.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">📹 RECORD ALERT 🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/rudy5fernandez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rudy5fernandez</a> se convertirá en <a href="https://twitter.com/Paris2024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Paris2024</a> en el PRIMER JUGADOR masculino de la HISTORIA en disputar 6⃣ Juegos Olímpicos 🎩<br><br>Orgullosos de nuestro CAPITÁN 🥰<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaFamilia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaFamilia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SomosEquipo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SomosEquipo</a> <a href="https://t.co/e0AqBXTUsj">pic.twitter.com/e0AqBXTUsj</a></p>&mdash; Baloncesto España (@BaloncestoESP) <a href="https://twitter.com/BaloncestoESP/status/1810048538769871162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Spain is seeking its fifth Olympic medal. Also in Group A, Australia got the bronze medal in Tokyo 2020 and is looking for its second. Canada has not won an Olympic medal since getting silver at Berlin 1936 and arrives in Paris with arguably its best team ever and a Spanish coach, Jordi Fernandez. Greece features 10 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup players, as well as Giannis Antetokounmpo and a EuroLeague legend as head coach, Vassilis Spanoulis.

### France digs for gold at home

France looks for its first-ever gold medal with a dominant frontline led by former LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne big man Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, former EuroLeague star Nicolas Batum, two-time All-EuroLeague First team selection Mathias Lessort of Panathinaikos and EuroLeague champion Guerschon Yabusele of Real Madrid. This year's host nation won silver medals in London 1948, Sydney 2000 and Tokyo 2020, and hopes to climb one step higher.

Mathias Lessort (Photo: FIBA)

Germany features 12 players with EuroLeague or EuroCup experience, led by Dennis Schroder, who will be his country's flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony, Franz Wagner and Johannes Voigtmann. After winning the World Cup, Germany hopes to get its first-ever Olympic medal. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">World Champion ✅<br>World Cup MVP ✅<br>Flag bearer for the country ✅<br><br>Dennis Schröder has marked a special place in 🇩🇪 history.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/nTOAyTNd7Y">pic.twitter.com/nTOAyTNd7Y</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1815839665527587104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Brazil grabbed respective bronze medals in 1948, 1960 and 1964, and hopes to be this tournament's Cinderella, led by Yago dos Santos and Bruno Caboclo. One of the few teams without EuroLeague players, Japan hopes to make history: its best finish in the tournament was ninth place in 1936. 

### USA has heavy-favorite pressure

USA leads Group C. Just like Rudy Fernandez, LeBron James and Kevin Durant can win their respective fourth Olympic medals. If things go well, Durant will become the only player ever with four Olympic golds. On the other hand, James already has a bronze medal with USA from Athens 2004 and could be the first player ever to not win a gold medal with Team USA in multiple Olympic games. The USA has won 16 gold medals in 19 Olympic appearances.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Selektor reprezentacije 🇷🇸 Srbije Svetislav Pešić je odredio kojih 12 igrača će biti deo <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamSerbia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamSerbia</a> na Olimpijskim igrama. 🏀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/YrgckIvds3">pic.twitter.com/YrgckIvds3</a></p>&mdash; Košarkaški savez SRB (@KSSrbije) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSSrbije/status/1815679742395212118?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Serbia won a silver medal at Tokyo 2020 and five more medals as part of the former Yugoslavia, including gold at Moscow 1980. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, two-time EuroLeague Final Four MVP Vasilije Micic and former EuroLeague champion Bogdan Bogdanovic lead an ambitious team ready to challenge any other team out there. Svetislav Pesic has a rare chance to add an Olympic gold medal to his EuroLeague crown with FC Barcelona in 2003. Only Alexander Gomelskiy won both competitions as head coach.

Wenyen Gabriel (Photo: FIBA)

South Sudan almost beat USA barely a week ago. Wenyen Gabriel, who recently signed for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, is ready to prove his value. Just like South Sudan, Puerto Rico looks for its first-ever Olympic medal. It will be Puerto Rico's 10th appearance in the tournament, and its first since Athens 2004. Its best finish was fourth place in Tokyo 1964.

The stage is ready for two crazy weeks of sports in general, and basketball in particular! We will be ready to tell you all about it right here on [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net)!

*(Top photo: FIBA)*

Twelve teams are going for gold in Paris, France 

Paris 2024 preview: Basketball takes center stage

FC Bayern Basketball has appointed Gordie Herbert as its new head coach on a two-year deal.

Bayern tabs world champion Gordie Herbert as head coach

FC Bayern Munich has chosen the head coach who led Germany to the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Gordie Herbert, to become its next head coach. He has signed a two-year deal at the club.

Herbert, 65, replaces Pablo Laso, who served one season in the position in Munich before resigning to return home to Spain.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐄 👋<br> <br>🇩🇪 Wir haben einen neuen Headcoach: Gordon Herbert unterschreibt bei uns einen Zweijahres-Vertrag bis 2026. 🥳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Herbert2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Herbert2026</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Personalupdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Personalupdate</a> presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/freelanceDE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@freelancede</a> || Fotos: FCBB, Sevastos/DBB</p>&mdash; 🏆 Deutscher Meister 🏆 (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1816420629547032889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Herbert returns to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 15 years after he last headed a bench in the continent's top competition, doing so with Aris Thessaloniki of Greece in the 2007-08 season.

He had debuted as a EuroLeague coach with Frankfurt Skyliners of Germany in 2001-02 for a single season and spent the same amount of time with Pau-Orthez of France in 2006-07. He led both Pau and Aris past the regular season and into the Top 16.

His overall record in the competition stands at 25-29.

Gordie Herbert at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. (PHOTO: FIBA)

Herbert started his coaching career in Finland, where he had played professionally between 1982 and 1994. His club coaching career subsequently took him to Austria, Germany, France, his native Canada, Finland again, and Russia, always in a head-coaching role except for when he was an assistant with the NBA's Toronto Raptors.

In addition to his EuroLeague experience, Herbert coached four seasons in the EuroCup, including two stints with Frankfurt, the last in the 2018-19 season, and one with ALBA Berlin. His overall record in the EuroCup is 21-27.

Along the way, he coached the national teams of Georgia and Canada before taking over the German team in 2021. He led Germany to the bronze medal at EuroBasket 2022 before the team thrilled observers by going unbeaten at 8-0, two wins better than any other team, to win the World Cup with an 83-77 final victory over Serbia in Manila, Philippines, on September 10.

Herbert will take charge of Germany at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, before stepping down from his position as national team head coach.

More Bayern News

The 65-year-old guided Germany to the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup

Real Madrid Baloncesto has confirmed that Sergio Llull has signed a one-year contract extension at the club.

Sergio Llull re-ups at Real Madrid for another year

One of the most legendary players in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history, [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/), has signed a new one-year contract extension at Real Madrid.

Llull (1.90 meters, 36 years old) just completed his 17th season in the EuroLeague, averaging 7.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists as *Los Blancos* reached the 2024 EuroLeague Championship Game.

Next season will be Llull's 18th in the EuroLeague, which is the most of any current player.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Comunicado Oficial: Llull.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMBaloncesto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMBaloncesto</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Llull2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Llull2025</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1816413047847813170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A three-time EuroLeague champion with Real, having lifted the trophy in 2015, 2018 and 2023, Llull’s name is already in the league’s history books.

In addition to hitting the game-winning basket in the 2023 championship game, the veteran guard ranks second all time in games played (407), sixth in points (3,951), first in three-pointers made (632), and sixth in assists (1,394).

The best plays of Real Madrid guard Sergio Llull in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Llull's top plays in 2023-24

This coming season, it is not unthinkable to believe that Llull could move past former FC Barcelona legend [Juan Carlos Navarro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juan-carlos-navarro/adi/) (4,152) into third place in the all-time scoring charts, thus making him the leading Spanish scorer in EuroLeague history.

He is already the all-time leader in three-pointers, but Llull needs to play in just 19 games to move past [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/) (425) in first place. Hines is currently a free agent and it is unclear if he will play in the EuroLeague next season, which could create a path for Llull to take top spot in games played.

Sergio Llull seeks a teammate during the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

Llull, a member of the EuroLeague Basketball 2010–20 All-Decade Team, was named as the EuroLeague MVP in the 2016-17 season. That same campaign, he was selected to the All-EuroLeague First Team. In 2010-11, Llull was chosen for the All-EuroLeague Second Team.

More Real Madrid News

Sergio Llull in action for Real Madrid in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The veteran guard will remain at WiZink Center

Justin Anderson will remain in the EuroLeague after joining Barça Basket from Valencia Basket.

Barcelona brings in Justin Anderson

FC Barcelona has announced the signing of [Justin Anderson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/justin-anderson/012795/) for the 2024-25 season.

Anderson (1.98 meters, 30 years old) arrives from Valencia Basket, where he made an impressive impact as a mid-season signing last year. In his debut campaign in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, he averaged 6.1 points and 2.2 rebounds across 18 appearances last season.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🔵🔴 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐧𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜̧ 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐜̧𝐚<br><br>✅ L’aler nord-americà, de 30 anys i 1.98 metres, signa per una temporada<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/3w0dlK0ap3">https://t.co/3w0dlK0ap3</a> <a href="https://t.co/GawfluL9Uf">pic.twitter.com/GawfluL9Uf</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1816384567273484576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In fact, last season was Anderson's first outside of North America. He began the 2023-24 campaign with Spanish side Rio Breogan before opting to head to Valencia. Barcelona will therefore be the third Spanish team he has represented.

Between 2015 and 2022, Anderson played 257 games in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks (2015-17), Philadelphia 76ers (2017-18), Atlanta Hawks (2018-19), Brooklyn Nets (2019-20), Cleveland Cavaliers (2021-22) and Indiana Pacers (2021-22). 

The best plays of new FC Barcelona signing Justin Anderson while playing for Valencia Basket in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Justin Anderson's top plays in 2023-24

The American swingman also spent time in the G League, where he represented the Texas Legends (2015-16), Raptors 905 (2019-20), Long Island Nets (2019-20) and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021-23). 

In the G League, Anderson was named to the All-NBA G League First Team in 2021-22 and the All-NBA G League Third Team in 2019-20 and 2022-23.

More Barcelona News

New FC Barcelona recruit Justin Anderson in action for Valencia Basket in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

He made his EuroLeague debut last season with Valencia

Olympiacos BC has confirmed the signing of 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov, who returns to the club after one year in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings.

Sasha Vezenkov seals return to Olympiacos

Olympiacos Piraeus has completed a deal to bring [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/), the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP, back to Peace and Friendship Stadium on a five-year deal.

Vezenkov (2.06 meters, 28 years old) left Olympiacos last summer to join the Sacramento Kings in the NBA, where he averaged 5.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 44 games as a bench player.

In his MVP-winning season in the EuroLeague, the Bulgaria international posted 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and a 21.5 PIR as the Reds reached the championship game.

Vezenkov's last appearance in the EuroLeague saw him score 29 points as Olympiacos fell 78-79 to Real Madrid in the title decider. That points tally is tied with Anadolu Efes Istanbul's [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) (2019) for the joint most in the championship game.

A fans' favorite at Peace and Friendship Stadium, Vezenkov was also key in helping the Reds end their five-year wait to return to the Final Four. However, Olympiacos lost in the semifinals on a game-winning buzzer-beater by Efes's [Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vasilije-micic/002580/). 

Having made his professional debut with 	Aris Thessaloniki in 2011 and remained there until 2015, Vezenkov then joined FC Barcelona, which allowed him to play in the EuroLeague for the first time. 

He had a bit-part role in his first season at Barcelona in 2015-16 but really came to the fore in his second, which coincided with the arrival of head coach Georgios Bartzokas, averaging 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 30 games.

Yet, the departure of Coach Bartzokas the following summer led to a drop in Vezenkov's numbers, while injuries meant he played just 13 times. In 2018, he returned to Greece by joining Olympiacos.

Take a look at the best plays of 2022-23 Turkish AIrlines MVP Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus!

Sasha Vezenkov | Best Plays | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Vezenkov's first campaign at Peace and Friendship Stadium in 2018-19 left more to be desired, but in 2019-20 he started to find his feet once again, posting 7.1 points per game in 26 appearances. The appointment of Coach Bartzokas midway through that campaign certainly helped as Vezenkov finished the season strong.

The next year, 2020-21, Vezenkov had his best numbers to that point, averaging 11.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 31 games, then he further built on those numbers in 2021-22, posting 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 38 appearances as Olympiacos reached the Final Four. Then came his MVP season.

Given how well Vezenkov has played under the orders of Coach Bartzokas, at both Barcelona and Olympiacos, Reds fans should be excited to have their MVP back 'home'.

More Olympiacos News

Sasha Vezenkov in action for Olympiacos Piraeus in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP is back at Peace and Friendship Stadium after one season in the NBA

there is one night in February that could be the most action-packed of the season! Here are the games staff members are most excited about in February. 

Games I am looking forward to in February 

Based on their initial reactions, there is one night in February that could be the most action-packed of the season! Here are the games staff members are most excited about in February. They already selected their must-see games for [Round 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-round-1/), [October](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-october/), [November](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-november/), [December](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-december/) and [January](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-january/).

 

### Round 25: A Final Four rematch to start the double-round week

*Geoff Gillingham*

The seventh of eight double-round weeks takes place in early February, with [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25)welcoming [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25) to OAKA in the first of two games in three days. By the time this Round 25 contest comes around, the standings will be looking very interesting ahead of the final stretch of the campaign – and both Panathinaikos and Fenerbahce should be in the upper echelons of the table. These two first go head-to-head in Round 5, but with more likely to be on the line in this bout, the significance of a win or a loss could be crucial.

Two teams making their Final Four returns after many years away will face-off. After finishing the regular season in second, Panathinaikos survived a five-game playoff thriller against Maccabi, whilst Fenerbahce were sixth and upset Monaco to prevail. Who can take one step further to glory?

Panathinaikos-Fenerbahce | Semifinals Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Panathinaikos was able to defeat Fenerbahce [73-57 in the semifinals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/331/) at the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four to advance to the championship game, aided by a strong first and fourth quarter, so the Greens already know what it takes to defeat the Turkish side in a must-win game. While Panathinaikos will largely have the same squad, having made just one major addition in [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/), Fenerbahce will have a very different look after bringing in [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) and [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) to name just three. There will still be nine regular-season games after this contest, but the winning team could have a mental advantage looking ahead to the postseason, where their paths may cross again.

 

### Round 27: Baldwin, Bonzie make their Tel Aviv returns

*Frankie Sachs*

[Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-beko-signs-star-guard-wade-baldwin/) and [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-beko-signs-bonzie-colson-at-forward/) are coming off their best EuroLeague seasons to date in which they pushed [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2024-25) to a fifth-and-deciding playoff game against eventual champion [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25). Then, after leading Maccabi to the Israeli championships, both players announced that they were leaving Maccabi due to family reasons and wound up with [Fenerbahce](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25). This Round 27 game in February will mark their first game back in Israel since winning the domestic crown in June.

Focus on: Bonzie Colson, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

They can expect to receive warm welcomes as fans show their appreciation for the two seasons each played for Maccabi. Baldwin and Colson also left on good terms with the handful of their former teammates – as well as Coach Oded Kattash. All of that should go a long way toward creating a fantastic atmosphere before the tip – and an intense battle once the ball goes up.

 

### Round 27: A battle of MVPs at the Forum 

*Javier Gancedo*

Round 27 brings a battle of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague superstars at the Forum, as [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/roster/mil/?season=2024-25) welcomes [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2024-25) on February 27, 2025. There are a several reasons why I am looking forward to this one. First, reigning EuroLeague MVP [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) has had memorable performances against Milan since he parted ways with the team. In his three trips to Milan with Monaco, James has averaged 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and a PIR of 21.0.

This time, he will be sharing the backcourt with the EuroLeague's all-time assists leader, [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-tabs-euroleague-assists-king-nick-calathes/). Milan relies on another former EuroLeague MVP, [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), to make the difference at power forward. Mirotic has not played well against Monaco in recent years, only going once over the 15-point mark in three years, and that should be an extra motivation for him. Honestly, what's not to like? 

 

### Round 27: ‘El Clasico’ is a game not to be missed

*Igor Petrinovic*

I am not hiding it, I love big rivalry derbies… Especially late in the season. So, what could be a better return to EuroLeague action after the traditional February break due to cup and national team qualifiers then [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2024-25) visiting [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2024-25)? It is hard to find a better game to get us right back into the thick of things and set us up for the final stretch of the regular season.

It's a stage where stars are born and legacies are made. Check out some classic EuroLeague showdowns between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid from the last decade!

Lookback: El Clásico showdowns from the last decade!

When it comes to *El Clasicos*, during the EuroLeague regular season, the teams have split home wins in each of the last two campaigns, but all four games were decided by 5 points or fewer. The last time a road team won in their head-to-head clashes was Barcelona in February 2022. So, I'd say the drama in this one is all but guaranteed. Then, add a little spice in the shape of [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-adds-scoring-threat-in-kevin-punter/), as of now the lone Barcelona summer re-enforcement, who has had some monster performances at Real's Wizink Center in the past, and this has all the makings of another great one.

Now that the schedule for the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season has been unveiled, EuroLeague.net's staff is eyeing all the mouth-watering action.

Olimpia Milano has added some valuable leadership and experience, not to mention a winning pedigree, by signing small forward Fabien Causeur for the 2024-25 season. 

Olimpia Milano tabs two-time champion Fabien Causeur 

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has added some valuable leadership and experience, not to mention a winning pedigree, by signing small forward [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/).

Causeur (1.96 meters, 37 years old) arrives from Real Madrid, where he spent the last seven seasons, during which he helped the club win EuroLeague championships in 2018 and 2023 and reach five Final Fours.

Last season Causeur averaged 5.1 points on 39.4% three-point shooting, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 15:13 minutes in 32 EuroLeague games.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Causeur: &quot;Orgoglioso di questa opportunità&quot;<br><br>La Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano comunica di aver raggiunto un accordo con Fabien Causeur, guardia di 1.96, nato il 16 giugno 1987 a Brest in Francia, proveniente dal Real Madrid dove ha giocato nelle ultime sette stagioni.<br><br>🇮🇹… <a href="https://t.co/ELBovuiHVv">pic.twitter.com/ELBovuiHVv</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1816051208622088645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Causeur first made his EuroLeague debut with French side Cholet Basket in the 2010-11 season, and he has been a consistent presence in Europe’s premier basketball competition ever since. 

The Frenchman went on to play for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, where he stayed for four years, and Brose Bamberg prior to his arrival at Real Madrid in 2017. 

He is 15th on the all-time list of games played with 335. Causeur enters the season ranked 33rd with 314 three-pointers, 42nd in scoring with 2,400 points, 51st in assists with 536 and 53rd in steals with 187.

Best of Fabien Causeur: 2023-24

In addition to his EuroLeague crowns, Causeur won four Spanish League championships and a pair of Spanish Cups with Real. He also won the French League with Cholet in 2010 and the German League and Cup double with Bamberg in 2017. 

He has represented the French national team at the FIBA World Cup and the Olympic Games.

More Milan News

New EA7 Emporio Armani Milan recruit Fabien Causeur makes a heart shape with his hands after Real Madrid's semifinal victory at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

The veteran spent the last seven seasons with Real Madrid