Joel Parra has signed a multi-year deal with FC Barcelona. He arrives from Joventut Badalona, where he spent his whole career until now, and is set to make his EuroLeague debut with Barca. 

FC Barcelona signs Joel Parra to a long-term deal 

FC Barcelona announced that it has signed one of the best young forwards in Europe, [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/joel-parra/007464/), to a four-year deal. Parra (2.02 meters, 23 years old) arrives from regional rival Joventut Badalona, where he averaged 12.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 21 7DAYS EuroCup games last season. During the 2022-23 campaign, he ranked third overall in the EuroCup for three-point shooting (49.3%). Parra helped Joventut reach the semifinals of the EuroCup, the Spanish Cup and the Spanish League last season. The talented forward is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Barcelona next season.

Joel Parra led Joventut Badalona to the EuroCup semifinals last season.

Joel Parra: 2022-23 EuroCup highlights

### Joel Parra's journey to Barcelona

Parra's mother played for Joventut and he joined the club's prestigious youth academy as a child. He made his first-team debut in the 2017-18 campaign, and he played his first EuroCup game when Joventut returned to the competition in 2019. In 73 EuroCup career games with Joventut, Parra averaged 7.7 points and 3.5 rebounds.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">[𝐔́𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀]<br><br>El Barça i Joel Parra han arribat a un principi d’acord, pendent de revisió mèdica, per a les properes 4 temporades, fins el 30 de juny de 2027.</p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1677274240112795648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Parra has also been a member of the Spanish national team and helped it win the gold medal at EuroBasket 2022. Parra was equally successful with Spain at youth level, as he captured the gold medal at the 2016 U16 European Championship and silver medals at the 2017 U18 European Championship and the 2019 U20 European Championship.

Barcelona News

Barcelona signs Joel Parra to a long-term deal

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has completed a deal to sign All-EuroLeague point guard Darius Thompson. Thompson (28 years old, 1.92 meters) arrives from Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and is coming off a fantastic rookie season in the EuroLeague. Following the departure of Vasilije Micic, Thompson arrives as a new partner for Shane Larkin in Efes's backcourt.

Anadolu Efes inks All-EuroLeague playmaker Darius Thompson

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has completed a deal to sign All-EuroLeague point guard [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/) to a three-year contract. Thompson (1.92 meters, 28 years old) arrives from Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and is coming off a fantastic Turkish Airlines EuroLeague rookie season in which he established himself as one of the best playmakers on the continent. Following the departure of Vasilije Micic, Thompson arrives as a new partner for Shane Larkin in Efes's backcourt.

The best plays of Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz guard Darius Thompson in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Darius Thompson's best plays, 2022-23

### EuroLeague assists leader as a rookie

Thompson led the EuroLeague with 6.7 assists per game and he ranked second for steals with an average of 1.7. He also posted 12.6 points and 3.2 rebounds. All of this led to the American earning 2022-23 All-EuroLeague Second Team honors as voted by coaches, team captains, fans and media. Thompson dished at least 10 assists in nine games last season and led all guards with six double-doubles. He finished the season with the seventh-best average PIR (17.1) among all players, too.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Beklenen haberi vermeye geldik!<br><br>Başarılı oyun kurucu <a href="https://twitter.com/dthomp15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dthomp15</a> ile 3 yıllık sözleşme imzaladık. ✍️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Welcome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Welcome</a> Darius <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HouseOfBlue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HouseOfBlue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/p939owViVe">pic.twitter.com/p939owViVe</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1677271415051919360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The new Efes point guard heads to Turkiye for the first time in his career. Thompson made his professional debut with ZZ Leiden in the Netherlands in 2018-19, a season that saw him go on to be named the MVP of the Dutch League. Next up was a move to Italian side Brindisi, where he remained for two seasons. During his time at Brindisi, Thompson was chosen in the All-BCL Second Team in the 2020-21 campaign. Prior to joining Baskonia last summer, he spent the 2021-22 campaign with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, which was playing in the 7DAYS EuroCup. The goal for Thompson will now be to help Efes return to the glories of a couple of years ago, when the team won back-to-back EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022.

Efes News

Darius Thompson, the latest signing of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, attempts to score during a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game for Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in the 2022-23 season.

Efes inks All-EuroLeague playmaker Darius Thompson

Valencia Basket has inked big man Damien Inglis to a XX-year deal. Inglis (2.04 meters, 28 years old) arrives from Gran Canaria. He is Valencia's fourth signing this summer, following the arrivals of Semi Ojeleye, Boubacar Toure and Brandon Davies.

Valencia Basket adds two-time EuroCup champ Damien Inglis

Valencia Basket has inked big man [Damien Inglis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/damien-inglis/003960/) to a two-year deal, the club announced on Friday. Inglis (2.04 meters, 28 years old) arrives from Dreamland Gran Canaria, where he averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 17 7DAYS EuroCup games last season and helped his team become the 2022-23 EuroCup champion. He is Valencia's fourth signing this summer, following the arrivals of [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencia-signs-forward-semi-ojeleye/), [Boubacar Toure](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencia-inks-center-boubacar-toure-to-multi-year-deal/) and [Brandon Davies.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencia-basket-signs-brandon-davies-to-multi-year-deal/)

Damien Inglis led Dreamland Gran Canaria to the 2022-23 EuroCup title. He lifted the trophy for the second time: Inglis previously won the EuroCup with AS Monaco in 2021.

Damien Inglis: 2022-23 EuroCup highlights

### Damien Inglis's best EuroCup season

In last year's EuroCup Playoffs, the Frenchman had a season-high 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting in the quarterfinals against Paris Basketball, before adding 11 points and a PIR of 14 in the semifinals against Joventut Badalona. Inglis is a two-time EuroCup champion, as he also lifted the trophy with AS Monaco in 2021. The 2022-23 campaign, Inglis's third season in the EuroCup, he posted his best numbers to date with career-high averages of 9.6 points and 4.1 rebounds.

Inglis is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Valencia next season. In 53 EuroCup career games with Limoges, Monaco and Gran Canaria, Inglis averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds. In the 2018-19 season, he posted 5.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 15 EuroCup games for Limoges. He returned to the EuroCup in 2020-21 with Monaco, averaging 5.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21 games as the French side went on to lift the trophy. Then, last season he became a EuroCup champion for the second time in three years, having not played in the competition in the 2021-22 campaign.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Aprovechamos el verano para dar clases en nuestra propia 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚 👩‍🏫 <a href="https://t.co/0ZKuv2qXZE">pic.twitter.com/0ZKuv2qXZE</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1677256145616904192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Inglis started his career with Center Federal du Basket-Ball (INSEP) in his native France. He has also played for Chorale Roanne, Limoges CSP and Strasbourg in France, the Canton Charge and the Westchester Knicks in the G League, the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, Betaland Capo d'Orlando in Italy and Bilbao Basket in Spain. The big man is also a member of the French national team. Inglis helped Strasbourg win the French Cup title in 2018.

Valencia News

Valencia Basket has signed versatile power forward Damien Inglis, who just won his second EuroCup title with Dreamland Gran Canaria. He also lifted the EuroCup trophy with AS Monaco in 2021. 

Valencia adds two-time EuroCup champ Damien Inglis

Virtus Segafredo Bologna retained the service one of Europe's most dangerous shooters, veteran guard Marco Belinelli, who signed a new three-year deal, the club announced on Friday.

Virtus extends veteran sharpshooter Belinelli

##### Virtus Segafredo Bologna retained the service one of Europe's most dangerous shooters, veteran guard [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/), who signed a new three-year deal, the club announced on Friday. 

Belinelli (1.96 meters, 37 years old) made 21 appearances off the bench last season, his first in the EuroLeague since 2006-07. He averaged 10.0 points on 40.7% three-point shooting for the season, including 13.2 points on 44.2% three-point shooting in games starting in Round 15. He finished the season ranked eighth with 2.1 triples made per game. Belinelli has played the last three seasons for Virtus, and has helped the team win the 2021 Italian League crown and the 2022 EuroCup championship.

Marco Belinelli Top 3-pointers of the 2022-23 Regular Season

Marco Belinelli ranked 8th in triples per game in 2022-23 season

Before joining Virtus in November 2020, Belinelli spent 13 consecutive seasons in the NBA. He played for Golden State, Toronto, New Orleans, Chicago, Sacramento, Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia and San Antonio in that time. Belinelli scored 8,370 points in 860 games, having made 1,216 three-point shots in his career. He helped San Antonio win the NBA title in 2014, a year in which he also lifted the three-point shootout trophy at the All-Star Game.

Belinelli started his career with Virtus in the 2002-03 season and averaged 5.6 points in eight EuroLeague games. He also played for cross-town rival Fortitudo Bologna, which he helped to win the Italian League in 2005 and reach the EuroLeague championship game in 2004. Belinelli has also been a member of the Italian national team.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">🔊 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐈 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓<br>La 𝐕 nelle mani del Beli 🔥<br><br>Marco Belinelli rinnova con la Virtus Segafredo Bologna ❗️<a href="https://twitter.com/marcobelinelli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marcobelinelli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Beli2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Beli2025</a> <a href="https://t.co/AuGDPlTrbB">pic.twitter.com/AuGDPlTrbB</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1677251510156025857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Virtus extends veteran sharpshooter Marco Belinelli

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has confirmed the arrival of point guard Frank Jackson for the upcoming season. Jackson (1.94 meters, 25 years old) comes to the EuroLeague after playing 214 games in the NBA, most recently with the Utah Jazz. 

LDLC ASVEL brings Frank Jackson from the NBA

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has confirmed the arrival of point guard Frank Jackson for the upcoming season. Jackson (1.94 meters, 25 years old) comes to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after playing 214 games in the NBA, most recently with the Utah Jazz. During the 2022-23 campaign, Jackson spent the majority of his time playing for Utah's G League franchise, the Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 21.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 36 fixtures. He will make his EuroLeague debut next season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Welcome home Frank Jackson ! 🔥<br><br>L’arrière scoreur aux 212 matchs NBA et passé par la prestigieuse université de Duke a choisi LDLC ASVEL pour la saison prochaine, le pick 31 de la draft 2017 va découvrir l’Europe ! <br><br>🗞️ Plus d’infos : <a href="https://t.co/Ino9lRZftE">https://t.co/Ino9lRZftE</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/SJHfRM8Q81">pic.twitter.com/SJHfRM8Q81</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1677229185234870275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### His first experience outside the United States

 

Jackson, who was selected with the 31st pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, played 61 games with the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2018-19 NBA season, posting 8.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists. The following campaign, 2019-20, he appeared in a further 59 games for New Orleans, averaging 6.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists. In the summer of 2020, he moved to the Detroit Pistons, where he played 40 games in the 2020-21 season. That year, he averaged 9.8 points and 2.2 rebounds. In his second campaign with Detroit, he posted 10.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists across 53 fixtures. Then, last season, while a member of Utah, he played just one game in the NBA but featured heavily in the G League. Fans of Duke University will also remember Jackson for his one and only season playing for the team, as he averaged 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in the 2016-17 season.

 

### What is ASVEL getting in Jackson?

 

With legendary guard Nando De Colo already in its backcourt, ASVEL will be hoping that Jackson can hit the ground running after a season that saw the team finish in last place in the EuroLeague standings. The American has already displayed his ability to score in both the NBA and the G League, having averaged 8.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists across his 214-game NBA career. In that time, he shot 42.1% from the field and 33.2% from three-point territory. Immediately, ASVEL becomes a team that many will be tuning in to watch in order to see the backcourt duo of De Colo and Jackson on a round-by-round basis.

New LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne signing Frank Jackson in action for the Detroit Pistons in an NBA game.

ASVEL brings Frank Jackson from the NBA

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan an power forward Giampaolo Ricci have agreed to stay together for two more seasons, the club announced on Friday. Ricci (2.01 meters, 31 years old) has been a source of defense, rebounds and spot-shooting since coming over from Virtus Segafredo Bologna in 2021 to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Milan.

Milan, Giampaolo Ricci agree for 2 more years

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan an power forward [Giampaolo Ricci](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/giampaolo-ricci/001518/) have agreed to stay together for two more seasons, the club announced on Friday. Ricci (2.01 meters, 31 years old) has been a source of defense, rebounds and spot-shooting since coming over from Virtus Segafredo Bologna in 2021 to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Milan.

Last season, Ricci came off the bench for 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds on average in 29 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague appearances for head coach Ettore Messina. All told over his two seasons in Milan, Ricci has put up 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 11 minutes on average over 65 games. He has shot a solid 62.1% on two-point attempts in that span. He and Milan have won consecutive Italian League titles together. Ricci's new contract follows that of iconic center [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kyle-hines-signs-on-for-another-season-with-milan/) and the addition of another big man, [Guglielmo Caruso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olimpia-milano-inks-big-man-guglielmo-caruso-long-term/), as Milan's frontcourt for the 2023-24 season continues to take shape.

Focus on: Giampaolo Ricci, AX Armani Exchange Milan

Prior to Milan, Ricci spent two EuroCup seasons with Virtus, for whom he scored 6.9 points and pulled down 4.1 rebounds over 37 games. He reached the 2021 EuroCup Semifinals and won the Italian League title the same year with Virtus. Ricci started his career with Stella Azzurra Roma and also played for other Italian teams such as Assigeco Casalpusterlengo, Tezenis Verona, Orsi Derthona Basket Tortona and Vanoli Basket Cremona before joining Virtus in 2019. He helped Cremona lift the Italian Cup title in 2019. Ricci has also been a member of the Italian national team.

Valencia's most recognizable faces have now become club legends. It is time to move on and look for something different. 

Valencia has bulked up for a new, more physical era

**Valencia's most recognizable faces have now become club legends. It is time to move on and look for something different.** 

It is the end of an era for Valencia Basket. Center Bojan Dubljevic is leaving the club after 11 seasons and earlier this summer playmaker Sam Van Rossom parted ways with Valencia after a decade together. Both of them will see their jerseys retired in the future; Valencia already announced that. Now is the time for Valencia to look forward and create a team with a different look. Head coach Alex Mumbru and recently-signed sports director Luis Arbalejo are already working on it.

 

### Davies steps in for 'Dubi'

Replacing Dubljevic is no simple task. He was equally effective in the low post and from the three-point line, where he could spread the floor with his long-distance shots. Last season, Dubljevic took more shots from downtown (116) than inside the arc (110). Valencia is looking for a different profile with [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/), who penned a two-year deal. Davies is a mobile big man but plays closer to the rim, just like Dubljevic did in his early years. Davies took 20 three-point shots last season against 211 two-pointers, gets to the foul line often and gives Valencia more versatility and physicality.  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back to Spain Brandon‼️<br>Benvingut. <a href="https://t.co/jYmBIuVnbJ">https://t.co/jYmBIuVnbJ</a></p>&mdash; Luis Arbalejo (@arbalejo) <a href="https://twitter.com/arbalejo/status/1676548580872421377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Toure brings extra athleticism

In search of even more physicality, Valencia is betting on [Boubacar Toure](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/valencia-inks-center-boubacar-toure-to-multi-year-deal/), an intriguing big man with great shot-blocking skills. A late bloomer, Toure is only in his fourth year as a professional player. He comes off a strong season with Tofas Bursa, in which he showcased his defensive skills, ranking fourth in the Turkish League in rebounds (8.2 rpg.) and fifth in blocked shots (1.0 bpg.). What makes him even more interesting is the way he played against a EuroLeague Playoff team, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, in the Turkish League playoffs; he averaged 23.5 points and 9.0 rebounds. Toure may surprise a lot of people next season.

Valencia found out the hard way about the importance of being athletic in the EuroLeague, particularly at the '5' position, and has put a lot of effort into signing very different players who fill that pattern. Toure plays above the rim, and Davies can beat anyone with his post skills, highlighted by a deadly turnaround jump hook.

### Shooting guards get next

With [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/) and a healthy [Martin Hermannsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/martin-hermannsson/008780/) sharing the point guard duties, Valencia may now focus on finding more firepower for the perimeter. Valencia has been efficient at replacing its departing stars, and it is now time to balance the roster and try to reach the EuroLeague Playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Again, Dubljevic and Van Rossom will be missed due to their deep roots in the city, the club and with its fans. They led Valencia to four titles, including EuroCup crowns in 2014 and 2019 and a Spanish League championship in 2017. Valencia is quickly moving forward to adjust to the EuroLeague's physical requirements, and that is good news for everyone at La Fonteta.

Christopher James Jones Jr, Martin Hermannsson Top 3-pointers, Deep 3'S from 11/01/2022 to 07/06/2023

Chris Jones hitting threes for Valencia in 2022-23

After four seasons away, Achille Polonara is returning home to Italy after signing with Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Polonara (2.05 meters, 31 years old) split last season with Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams Zalgiris Kaunas and Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

Achille Polonara returns to Italy with Virtus Bologna

After four seasons away, [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/profile/002084/) is returning home to Italy after signing with Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Polonara (2.05 meters, 31 years old) split last season with Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams Zalgiris Kaunas and Anadolu Efes Istanbul. After joining Zalgiris in early January, he averaged 4.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.7 steals per game over 20 games. Polonara has also played for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the EuroLeague. Over the past four years, he has tallied 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 125 EuroLeague games, mostly off the bench.

Achille Polonara's best plays 2019-2023

### Polonara’s career to date

Polonara first rose to continental prominence with Reggio Emilio, for which he posted strong numbers in the EuroCup for two seasons between 2014 and 2016. Before that, he played in the EuroCup for Varese. Polnara has also suited for Teramo and Dinamo Sassari.

He has won national championships in Spain (2020), Turkey (2022) and Lithuanian (2023). Last season, Polonara also helped Zalgiris with the Lithuanian Cup. He lifted the 2019 FIBA Europe Cup with Sassari and the 2015 Italian Super Cup with Reggio Emilio. As a member of the Italian national team, Polonara has competed in the Olympic Games and European Championship, too.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">🔏 ACHILLE POLONARA ARRIVA A BOLOGNA, UNO DI NOI!<br><br>Welcome to Bologna ⚪️⚫️<a href="https://twitter.com/ilpupazzo33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ilpupazzo33</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZvsOJh6HpF">pic.twitter.com/ZvsOJh6HpF</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1676954603164938242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Achille Polonara, Virtus Segafredo Bologna's latest signing, in action for Zalgiris Kaunas last season.

Achille Polonara returns to Italy with Virtus 

Olympiacos Piraeus and team captain Kostas Papanikolaou signed an agreement to remain together for three more years, through the end of the 2025-26 season, the club announced Thursday.

Kostas Papanikolaou, Reds pen 3-year extension

##### Olympiacos Piraeus and team captain [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) signed an agreement to remain together for three more years, through the end of the 2025-26 season, the club announced Thursday.

Papanikolaou (2.04 meters, 32 years old) is set to start his 13th Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season with the Reds. He averaged 8.7 points on 42.9% three-point shooting and 3.8 rebounds in 38 EuroLeague games last season, taking his team to the Championship Game. Papanikolaou also helped Olympiacos win the Greek League and Cup double.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">✍🏽 Η ΚΑΕ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟΣ ανακοινώνει την ανανέωση της συνεργασίας της με τον <a href="https://twitter.com/K_pap16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@K_pap16</a> έως το 2026.<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/U4gLUGz7NQ">https://t.co/U4gLUGz7NQ</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1676952810456518658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Previous stops

Papanikolaou started his career with Proteas Grevenon and also played for Aris Thessaloniki before joining Olympiacos in 2009. In his first stint with the Reds, Papanikolaou helped Olympiacos win back-to-back EuroLeague titles in 2012 and 2013. He was his team's top scorer in the 2012 championship game against CSKA Moscow with 18 points. Papanikolaou was chosen as the 2012-13 EuroLeague Rising Star, too. He went on to play for FC Barcelona of Spain, with which he won the Spanish championship in 2014, and also played for the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets in the NBA before returning to the Reds in 2016.

Olympiacos Piraeus powerhouse Kostas Papanikolaou discusses playing on the biggest stage.

Focus On: Kostas Papanikolau

### All-time marks

In 320 EuroLeague career games with Olympiacos and Barca, Papanikolaou has amassed 2,321 points, 1,189 rebounds, 494 assists, 272 steals and 108 blocks. He enters the 2023-24 season ranked 11th on the all-time EuroLeague charts in steals, tied for 16th in rebounding, ranked 22nd with 352 three-pointers made and 41st in scoring.

More on Kostas Papanikolaou

### What's in the trophy case?

He helped Olympiacos win four Greek championships and four Greek Cups. Papanikolaou has also been a member of the Greek national team and was successful in youth competitions, winning gold medals at the 2008 U18 European Championships and the 2009 U20 European Championships, and silver medals at the 2007 U18 European Championships and the 2010 U20 European Championships. Papanikolaou is now set to keep fighting for titles on his way to becoming an Olympiacos legend.