Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has signed Khalifa Diop, the 2021-22 EuroCup Rising Star. Diop (21 years old, 2.08 meters) arrives from Gran Canaria, where he played an important role in helping the team win the EuroCup title – the club's first-ever continental crown – last season. Diop now has the chance to display his talent at the EuroLeague level.

Baskonia lands Khalifa Diop, the 2021-22 EuroCup Rising Star

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has signed [Khalifa Diop](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/khalifa-diop/008072/), the 2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup Rising Star, to a multi-year deal. Diop (2.08 meters, 21 years old) arrives from Dreamland Gran Canaria, where he played an important role in helping the team win the EuroCup title – the club's first-ever continental crown – last season. In terms of his statistics in the 2022-23 campaign, he averaged 8.2 points on 65.7% two-point shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and a PIR of 10.6 in 22 EuroCup games.

Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz signed center Khalifa Diop. He helped Dreamland Gran Canaria win the 7DAYS EuroCup last season, and was chosen as the 2021-22 EuroCup Rising Star.

Khalifa Diop: 2022-23 EuroCup highlights

Diop now has the chance to display his talent at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague level, having previously played just 7:20 minutes in one game during Gran Canaria's last experience in Europe's premier club basketball competition in 2018-19. Over the last three seasons, the talented center has featured in 56 games in the EuroCup, 13 of which have been as a starter, and he has averaged 5.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and a PIR of 7.6.

The talented big man made his presence felt during his 22 appearances en route to the EuroCup crown last season, scoring a double-digit number of points on nine occasions. In fact, between Rounds 6 and 11 in the regular season, Diop was on a roll. He started with a season-high 21-point outing against Dolomiti Energia Trento before scoring 10 points or more in each of the next five games. Diop had the 12th most rebounds in the EuroCup in the 2022-23 season with 108, too.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 ✍️ | Khalifa Diop, pieza de valor para el juego interior de Baskonia 🔥<br><br>📎 <a href="https://t.co/lg3O0DNo32">https://t.co/lg3O0DNo32</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OngiEtorriKhalifa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OngiEtorriKhalifa</a> 🔵🔴 <a href="https://t.co/L4gzjgsC2f">pic.twitter.com/L4gzjgsC2f</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1679844180107972609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Born in Senegal, Diop joined Gran Canaria at a very young age, making his EuroLeague and first-team debut at the age of 17 on March 28, 2019. He was promoted to Gran Canaria's first-team roster in 2021 and was chosen as the 2021-22 EuroCup Rising Star, having averaged 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for an average PIR of 12.6. Diop has also been a member of the Senegalese national team, and he achieved at a silver medal at the 2020 U18 African Championship.

Baskonia News

New Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz signing Khalifa Diop in action for Dreamland Gran Canaria during the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup season.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul added deep range and power to its froncourt by inking forward Nate Sestina to a one-year deal with an option for another season. Sestina (2.05 meters, 26 years old) arrives from Turk Telekom Ankara, where he averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 22 7DAYS EuroCup games last season. 

Fenerbahce adds forward Nate Sestina

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul added deep shooting range and power to its frontcourt by inking forward [Nate Sestina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nathan-sestina/011980/) to a one-year deal with an option for another season, the club announced on Friday. Sestina (26 years old, 2.05 meters) arrives from Turk Telekom Ankara, where he averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 22 7DAYS EuroCup games last season. He helped Turk Telekom reach the 2023 EuroCup Final, where it lost against Gran Canaria. His team also recorded a first-place finish in the Turkish League regular season (25-5). However, Pinar Karsiyaka Iszmir stood in Turk Telekom's way in the semifinals. 

Nate Sestina's 2022-23 EuroCup highlights

### Sestina's route to Turkiye

Fenerbahce is the third Turkish side that Sestina will suit up for. Sestina began his professional career with the Long Island Nets of the G League in early 2021, before going on to represent Hapoel Holon of Israel later in the 2020-21 campaign. He signed a one-year deal with Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket of Turkiye in the summer of 2021, and the following offseason saw him join Turk Telekom. Sestina is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Fenerbahce in the 2023-24 campaign.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It is his p̲r̲i̲m̲a̲r̲y̲ job in the world! 🏹<br><br>Welcome to Fenerbahçe Beko, Nate Sestina!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/zQGZI1Ltsp">https://t.co/zQGZI1Ltsp</a> <a href="https://t.co/9tdRIdlZct">pic.twitter.com/9tdRIdlZct</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1679778916385587200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Fenerbahce News

Fenerbahce lands forward Nate Sestina

The Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy, first awarded in 2005, is the Turkish Airline's EuroLeague's sole postseason award based on statistics.

EuroLeague Top Scorer, 2005 to present

The Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy, first awarded in 2005, is the Turkish Airline's EuroLeague's only postseason award based solely on statistics.

The Top Scorer Trophy is earned by the player who, after playing games in at least 51% of the rounds until the end of the playoffs, holds the highest scoring average in the competition.

### Alphonso Ford, heroic award namesake

The award is named for the late Alphonso Ford, who led the modern EuroLeague in scoring in each of its first two seasons, with Greek clubs Peristeri in 2000-01 and Olympiacos Piraeus in 2001-02, making him the only back-to-back top scorer of the century. His 2000-01 average of 26.0 points remains the highest in league history. In 2002-23, Ford ranked third and let Montepaschi Siena to the Final Four. He played all three of those seasons after being diagnosed with leukemia and died of the disease at age 32 on September 4, 2004.

Alphonso Ford Trophy

Alphonso Ford - Olympiacos Piraeus

Charles Smith - Scavolini Pesaro - EuroLeague 2004-05

Drew Nicholas - Benetton Treviso - EuroLeague 2005-06

Igor Rakocevic - Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - EuroLeague 2006-07

Marc Salyers - Chorale Roanne - EuroLeague 2007-08

Igor Rakocevic - Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - EuroLleague 2008-09

Linas Kleiza - Olympiacos Piraeus - EuroLeague 2009-10

Igor Rakocevic - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - EuroLeague 2010-11

Bo McCalebb - Montepaschi Siena - EuroLeague 2011-12

Bobby Brown - Montepaschi Siena - EuroLeague 2012-13

Keith Langford - Milan - EuroLeague 2013-14

Taylor Rochestie - Nizhny Novgorod - EuroLeague 2014-15

Nando De Colo - CSKA Moscow - EuroLeague 2015-16

Keith Langford - UNICS Kazan - 2016-17

Alexey Shved - Khimki Moscow Region - EuroLeague 2017-18

Mike James - Milan - EuroLeague 2018-19

Alexey Shved - Khimki Moscow Region - EuroLeague 2020-21

Vasilije Micic - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - EuroLeague 2021-22

Sasha Vezenkov - Olympiacos Piraeus - EuroLeague 2022-23

The Ford Trophy winners List:

[Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) with Olympiacos Piraeus 2022-23 | 17.6 ppg.

[Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vasilije-micic/002580/) with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2021-22  | 18.2 ppg.

[Alexey Shved](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alexey-shved/kvz/) with Khimki Moscow Region in 2020-21 (1)  | 19.8 ppg.

[Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) with Milan in 2018-19 (1)  | 20.2 ppg.

[Alexey Shved](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alexey-shved/kvz/) with Khimki Moscow Region in 2017-18  | 21.8 ppg.

[Keith Langford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keith-langford/001887/) with UNICS Kazan in 2016-17  | 21.8 ppg.

[Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) with CSKA Moscow in 2015-16  | 18.9 ppg.

[Taylor Rochestie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/taylor-rochestie/002972/) with Nizhny Novgorod in 2014-15  | 18.9 ppg.

[Keith Langford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keith-langford/001887/) with Milan in 2013-14  | 17.6 ppg.

[Bobby Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bobby-brown/000129/) with Montepaschi Siena in 2012-13  | 18.8 ppg.

[Bo McCalebb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bo-mccalebb/002014/) with Montepaschi Siena in 2011-12  | 16.9 ppg.

[Igor Rakocevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/igor-rakocevic/anb/) with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2010-11  | 17.2 ppg.

[Linas Kleiza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/linas-kleiza/001925/) Olympiacos Piraeus in 2009-10  | 17.1 ppg.

[Igor Rakocevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/igor-rakocevic/anb/) with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2008-09  | 18.0 ppg.

[Marc Salyers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marc-salyers/teu/) with Chorale Roanne in 2007-08  | 21.8 ppg.

[Igor Rakocevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/igor-rakocevic/anb/) with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2006-07  | 16.2 ppg.

[Drew Nicholas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/drew-nicholas/kng/) with Benetton Treviso in 2005-06  | 18.5 ppg.

[Charles Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/charles-smith/ctn/) with Scavolini Pesaro in 2004-05  | 20.7 ppg.

EuroLeague Top Scorer Gallery

FC Barcelona is building a new roster for a new era, with shooting guard Dario Brizuela signing a three-year deal at Palau Blaugrana. Brizuela (1.88 meters, 28 years old) arrives from Unicaja Malaga. Last season, the man nicknamed 'Basque Mamba' averaged 9.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 34 Spanish League games. New Barca signing Brizuela is set to make his EuroLeague debut in 2023-24.

Shooting guard Dario Brizuela joins FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona is building a new roster for a new era, with shooting guard [Dario Brizuela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/dario-brizuela/009992/) signing a three-year deal at Palau Blaugrana. Brizuela (1.88 meters, 28 years old) arrives from Unicaja Malaga, where he has established himself as one of Europe's most impressive shooting guards since joining the club in 2019. Last season, the man nicknamed 'Basque Mamba' averaged 9.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 34 Spanish League games and was one of the main factors behind Unicaja's Spanish Cup triumph in 2023. New Barca signing Brizuela is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut in 2023-24.

The best plays of Dario Brizuela with Unicaja Malaga in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 BKT EuroCup seasons.

Dario Brizuela's best EuroCup plays

### Brizuela's European experience

Brizuela appeared in two seasons of the BKT EuroCup during his time with Unicaja, playing in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 editions of the competition. Over those two seasons, he played a total of 21 games, averaging 12.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists. In his rookie EuroCup campaign, the Spaniard achieved his career high for points with the 23 he scored against Joventut Badalona in the Top 16. That season, 2019-20, he posted 12.3 points, 1.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a 9.4 PIR across seven games, of which two were as a starter. Then, in the following campaign, Brizuela started two of his 14 appearances and posted 12.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and an 11.9 PIR. In the 2022-23 season, he led Unicaja to the Basketball Champions League Final Four, too.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">[𝐔́𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀]<br><br>Dario Brizuela, nova incorporació blaugrana 💙❤</p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1679499212541554691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### His success with Spain

Brizuela is a regular member of the Spanish national team and will be a part of *La Roja*'s squad for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Last summer, he was one of the Spain players that won the gold medal at the 2022 EuroBasket in Germany, and he also took a silver medal with the U20 national team at the 2014 EuroBasket in Greece.

Having come through Estudiantes's youth academy, he made his professional debut with the club in 2013. He was sent to Huesca on loan in the 2014-15 season, but he returned to Estudiantes in the summer of 2015, this time as a starter. Then, in 2019, he signed for Unicaja. Now, four years later, he heads to Barca and will play in the EuroLeague for the first time in his carer.

Barcelona News

New FC Barcelona signing Dario Brizuela in action for Unicaja Malaga in the BKT EuroCup.

Shooting guard Dario Brizuela joins Barcelona

Virtus Bologna has added versatility and athleticism on both ends of the floor with the signing of swingman Ognjen Dobric, who has signed a two-year deal at the club. Last season in the EuroLeague, Dobric started in a career-high 19 games for Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, averaging 9.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Virtus Bologna inks swingman Ognjen Dobric

Virtus Segafredo Bologna has added versatility and athleticism on both ends of the floor with the signing of swingman [Ognjen Dobric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-dobric/004007/), who has signed a two-year deal at the club. For Dobric (2.00 meters, 28 years old), this will be the first time playing outside of his native Serbia. Last season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, he started in a career-high 19 games for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, averaging 9.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and an 8.1 PIR.

Ognjen Dobric best plays of the 2022-23 season

Dobric has spent the past seven years wearing Zvezda's jersey, having come through the club's youth academy but spent the first three years of his career on loan at the club's affiliate team, FMP Zeleznik. During his time with Zvezda, Dobric has played in six EuroLeague campaigns, averaging 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and a 6.3 PIR.

### Dobric is coming off his best season to date

The 28-year-old set a number of new personal bests in the 2022-23 season, having career highs of 306 points, 78 rebounds, 49 assists and an accumulated PIR of 252. Dobric had his lowest number of turnovers, 31, over the last three years, too. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">🔏 OGNJEN DOBRIC ARRIVA A BOLOGNA, UNO DI NOI!<br><br>Welcome to Bologna ⚪️⚫️<a href="https://twitter.com/OgnjenDobric?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OgnjenDobric</a> <a href="https://t.co/Gnn1F7XQfp">pic.twitter.com/Gnn1F7XQfp</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1679470116331741184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### A number of accolades

Domestically, Dobric has achieved plenty of success with Zvezda, including winning the triple – the Adriatic League, the Serbian League and the Serbian Cup – in 2017, 2021 and 2022. In total, he has lifted the Adriatic League title four times, the Serbian League trophy on six occasions, the Serbian Cup four times and the Adriatic League Super Cup once. Dobric is someone who has often come into his own at the business end of the season, being named the Adriatic League Finals MVP in 2022, the Serbian League Playoffs MVP in 2017 and 2021, and the Serbian Cup MVP in 2021. Dobric is also a member of the Serbian national team.

Virtus Bologna News

Ognjen Dobric, the latest recruit at Virtus Segafredo Bologna, looks for a pass during a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in the 2022-23 season.

Virtus inks swingman Ognjen Dobric

Luke Sikma has completed his move to Olympiacos Piraeus, signing a two-year contract with the Greek side. Sikma (2.03 meters, 33 years old) is heading into his first EuroLeague season away from ALBA Berlin and his fifth in total. At Olympiacos, Sikma will be hoping to make the EuroLeague Playoffs for the first time in his career.

Olympiacos Piraeus adds playmaking forward Luke Sikma

[Luke Sikma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luke-sikma/006589/) has completed his move to Olympiacos Piraeus, signing a two-year contract with the Greek side. Sikma (2.03 meters, 33 years old) is heading into his first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season away from ALBA Berlin – and his fifth in total – after a campaign that saw him average 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.0 steals and a 12.9 PIR. The Round 3 MVP in the 2022-23 season has become a favorite among EuroLeague fans for his passing ability from the 4 position and the way in which he puts his fingerprints on the game. At Olympiacos, Sikma will be hoping to make the EuroLeague Playoffs for the first time in his career.

The best plays of ALBA Berlin forward Luke Sikma during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Luke Sikma's top plays in 2022-23

### A forward who thinks like a guard

One of the most enjoyable parts about Sikma's game is his playmaking, as the power forward regularly racks up assists and seems tailor-made to play under a coach like Georgios Bartzokas. The likes of Thomas Walkup and the now departed Kostas Sloukas have thrived in Olympiacos's system in recent years, with both players recording more than 200 assists apiece in the 2022-23 campaign, and it would be a surprise if Sikma did not immediately fit in at Peace and Friendship Stadium. In fact, Sikma had a total of 161 assists last season, the 11th most in the EuroLeague and 51 more than the next highest forward in this list, Dzanan Musa in 20th with 110.

Even with rebounds, Sikma often finds a way to battle with opposition centers and secure extra possessions for his team. The American closed the last campaign with a sum of 175 rebounds, good enough for 16th best in the EuroLeague. With Sasha Vezenkov having thrived in this aspect for Olympiacos, grabbing an incredible 274 boards in the 2022-23 season, it will be important that Sikma also makes an impact in this regard, too.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">✍️🏽 Η ΚΑΕ Ολυμπιακός ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του Λουκ Σίκμα.<br><br>Welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/LCSikma43?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LCSikma43</a>!<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/fWWMMfOkUs">https://t.co/fWWMMfOkUs</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1679445566860804098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Four seasons in the EuroLeague

Sikma has spent the last four years playing in the EuroLeague, having made his competition debut with ALBA in 2019-20. Since then, he has gone on to play in 121 games, starting 112 times and posting 8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steals and a 14.3 PIR. Curiously, his best statistical season in the EuroLeague was his first in the competition, as he averaged 9.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 16.6 PIR in 28 games. During the last campaign, however, Sikma did have his best-ever year for assists, recording 4.9 dimes per game.

Since ALBA's return to Europe's premier club basketball competition in 2019, the club has not only failed to reach the playoffs in each of the last four years but it has failed to have a .500 record. Over the last four years, ALBA has gone 44-80 in the EuroLeague, so upon Sikma's move to Olympiacos, he should have a better chance of not only having a winning record but securing a spot in the postseason.

The 33-year-old began his professional career in Spain with La Palma in 2011-12 before going on to play for Burgos (2012-13), Tenerife (2013-15), Valencia Basket (2015-17) and, for the last six years, ALBA. Sikma was named the BKT EuroCup MVP in 2019 after helping guide ALBA back to the EuroLeague, which, in addition to three German League titles, means that he leaves the club as a modern-day legend.

Olympiacos News

Luke Sikma, who has just joined Olympiacos Piraeus, in action for ALBA Berlin in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Olympiacos adds playmaking forward Luke Sikma

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has announced a signing of veteran small forward Mateusz Ponitka, who comes on a two-year deal. Ponitka (1.98 meters, 29 years old) has spent last season with Panathinaikos Athens where he averaged 8.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 27 EuroLeague appearances mostly off the bench.

Partizan adds versatility with Mateusz Ponitka

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has announced a signing of veteran small forward [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/), who comes on a two-year deal. Ponitka (1.98 meters, 29 years old) has spent last season with Panathinaikos Athens where he averaged 8.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 27 EuroLeague appearances mostly off the bench.

Ponitka is a veteran of six EuroLeague seasons. Before playing with Panathinaikos, he spent three seasons with Zenit St Petersburg. This will be Ponitka’s fourth EuroLeague side after also playing making his debut in the competition with Asseco Prokom in 2012-13, and 2015-16 season with Stelmet Zielona Gora, both of his native Poland.

The best plays of new Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade forward Mateusz Ponitka from the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Mateusz Ponitka's top plays of the 2022-23 season

A summer ago, Ponitka impressed the world of basketball leading the Polish national team to the semifinal at EuroBasket 2022. He averaged 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.6 steals at the tournament and was at his best with a triple-double of 26 points, 16 boards and 10 assists in a quarterfinal upset of Slovenia.

A product of the youth system at Kasprowiczanka Ostrow, Ponitka made his professional debut with Tempcold AZS Politechnika. He has also played for Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar in Russia, Iberostar Tenerife in Spain, Telenet Ostend in Belgium and Pinar Karsiyaka in Turkey. 

Ponitka was chosen as the 2015-16 EuroCup Rising Star and named to the All-EuroCup Second Team after leading Zielona Gora to the EuroCup Quarterfinals that season. Ponitka has won both the Polish League crown and the Belgium League championship twice, lifted the Belgian Cup two times and captured the Intercontinental Cup in 2017 with Tenerife. He also helped Zenit win the VTB United League championship in 2022.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Welcome to Belgrade, Mateusz!✊🏽🖤🤍<br><br>Mateuš Ponitka je novo pojačanje Partizana Mozzart Bet!<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/Z6ZZgvVSsc">https://t.co/Z6ZZgvVSsc</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://t.co/ETzK4hgXlg">pic.twitter.com/ETzK4hgXlg</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1679434261491851264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has confirmed the signing of Sertac Sanli until the end of the 2024-25 season. Sanli (31 years old, 2.12 meters) arrives from FC Barcelona. He heads back to Türkiye after a two-year spell at Barca, in which the club reached two Final Fours in a row. Sanli, a EuroLeague champion with Anadolu Efes in 2021, has played 135 games in the competition over a six-season span.

Sertac Sanli returns to Türkiye, joins Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has confirmed the signing of center [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) on a two-year deal. Sanli (31 years old, 2.12 meters) arrives from FC Barcelona, where he averaged 6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and a 5.1 PIR across 36 appearances, of which 20 came as a starter, in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. He heads back to Turkiye after a two-year spell at Barca, in which the club reached two Final Fours in a row. Sanli, a EuroLeague champion with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2021, has played 135 games in the competition over a six-season span.

The top plays of FC Barcelona center Sertac Sanli in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Sertac Sanli's top plays in 2022-23

### Making a name in the EuroLeague

Sanli first appeared in the EuroLeague back in the 2011-12 campaign with Galatasaray Istanbul, playing limited minutes across three games. Seven years later, in the 2018-19 season, the big man returned to Europe's premier club basketball competition with Efes, again playing limited minutes. The following season, however, he saw a big jump in his game time before doubling his time on the court in the 2020-21 campaign, which is when Efes won the first of its back-to-back titles. In the summer of 2021, Sanli opted to join Saras Jasikevicius's project at Barca, with the Turkiye international going on to reach two Final Fours in a row with the Blaugrana; in European basketball's showpiece event, Barca twice fell in the semifinals to archrival Real Madrid. Sanli is coming off a season in which he played by far the most minutes in his EuroLeague career, 617:56, an increase of 133:53 minutes compared to the 2021-22 campaign, which goes to show how highly Coach Jasikevicius thought of him.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Sertaç Şanlı Fenerbahçe Beko’da! ✍️💛💙<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/SDZEq9XrMP">https://t.co/SDZEq9XrMP</a> <a href="https://t.co/zdbHgzTH98">pic.twitter.com/zdbHgzTH98</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1679415699981193220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Sanli's journey back to Turkiye

After beginning his career with Pi Koleji Ankara in his native Turkiye in 2008, Sanli joined Galatasaray in 2010 and remained there until 2015, but he did go out on loan to Tofas Bursa in 2011, to Royal Hali Gaziantep in the 2013-14 season and to Usak Sportif in the 2014-15 campaign. The following year, in 2015-16, he moved to Trabzonspor Basket on a permanent deal, before spending the next two seasons – 2016-17 and 2017-18 – at Beşiktas Basketbol. In 2018, Sanli signed for Efes, which saw him return to the EuroLeague. Since then, Sanli has established himself as one of the most versatile big men in the competition. Next season, he will hope that he can reach another EuroLeague Final Four, this time playing under the orders of Fenerbahce head coach Dimitris Itoudis.

New Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul signing Sertac Sanli in action for FC Barcelona during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Sertac Sanli returns to Turkiye, joins Fenerbahce

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has brought back a fan favorite to the Serbian capital, signing guard Ognjen Jaramaz to a two-year deal.

Ognjen Jaramaz returns to Partizan Belgrade

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has brought back a fan favorite to the Serbian capital, signing guard [Ognjen Jaramaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-jaramaz/004058/) to a two-year deal, the club announced on Thursday. Jaramaz (1.93 meters, 27 years old) arrives from FC Bayern Munich, where he spent the last two years, his first two in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Last season, in 25 appearances, he averaged 6.4 points, 1.5 assists and 1.2 rebounds.

Ognjen Jaramaz's best plays with Bayern

### Returning to Partizan

Prior to his time in Bayern, Jaramaz played two and a half seasons with Partizan, where he was one of the team leaders and helped the side capture back-to-back Serbian Cups. He also appeared in 26 BKT EuroCup games with Partizan, posting 9.2 points, 2.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds over that span.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">@jaramazognjen is back home!🖤🤍<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/Q9EiM35LF4">https://t.co/Q9EiM35LF4</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://t.co/WmbZte8MY9">pic.twitter.com/WmbZte8MY9</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1679394416300109824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jaramaz is a product of the Partizan youth system but moved to Mega Belgrade, where he made his professional debut in 2013. He also played half of a season with Burgos in Spain. At youth level, Jaramaz was a member of Serbia's gold-medal winning team at the 2015 U20 European Championship and also won a bronze at the same tournament a year earlier. He is now a member of the Serbian national team.

Partizan News

Ognjen Jaramaz, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's newest signing, in action for FC Bayern Munich in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.