Anadolu Efes Istanbul has made former EuroCup champion Dogus Ozdemiroglu its newest signing, inking the experienced combo guard to a two-year contract on Saturday. Ozdemiroglu (1.91 meters, 27 years old) arrives from the team he grew up with Darussafaka, and played for most of the last decade, including two seasons each in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the EuroCup between 2015 and 2020. He and Darussafaka became EuroCup champions together in 2018. 

Efes adds speedy Dogus Ozdemiroglu to backcourt

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has made former EuroCup champion [Dogus Ozdemiroglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dogus-ozdemiroglu/006640/) its newest signing, inking the experienced combo guard to a two-year contract on Saturday. Ozdemiroglu (1.91 meters, 27 years old) arrives from the team he grew up with Darussafaka, and played for most of the last decade, including two seasons each in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the EuroCup between 2015 and 2020. He and Darussafaka became EuroCup champions together in 2018. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Milli oyuncu <a href="https://twitter.com/dozdemiroglu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dozdemiroglu</a> ile 2 yıllık sözleşme imzaladık! ✍️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ho%C5%9FGeldin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HoşGeldin</a> Doğuş <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/WlmZvHxSbj">pic.twitter.com/WlmZvHxSbj</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1672639603348590594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Ozdemiroglu's numbers in each competition, about 3.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in under 12 minutes per game, do not speak to his effect as a live-wire defensive ace whose speed and hustle often changed games for Darussafaka. In his last EuroLeague season, 2018-19, he ranked second with 3.0 steals per 40 minutes, and the next year in the EuroCup was third in the same category at 3.3 on average. Since then, with more time on court, Ozdemiroglu has become an all-around threat for Darussafaka, averaging 14.5 points, 6.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds a 2.3 steals last season in the Turkish League. 

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has completed the signing of Tyrique Jones. The center, who earned 2022-23 All-EuroCup Second Team honors and was named as the 2022-23 Turkish League MVP, now gets the chance to bring his energetic play and highlight-reel dunks to the EuroLeague with Efes.

Anadolu Efes lands Turkish League MVP Tyrique Jones

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has completed the signing of [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) on a two-year contract. Jones (26 years old, 2.06 meters) shined in the 7DAYS EuroCup with Turk Telekom Ankara last season, averaging 12.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 steals and a 19.0 PIR as his team [finished as the runner-up](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2223-final-report-grancanaria-turktelekom/). The center, who earned 2022-23 All-EuroCup Second Team honors and was named as the 2022-23 Turkish League MVP, now gets the chance to bring his energetic play and highlight-reel dunks to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Efes.

Tyrique Jones | Best Plays | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

Coming off his debut season in the EuroCup with Turk Telekom, Jones seems ready for the step up to the EuroLeague. The American began his professional career just three years ago with Korean side Wonju DB Promy, with which he signed a short-term deal, before going on to join Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel. Jones made a good impact with Hapoel, averaging 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks in 16 Israeli League games, and that caught the eye of Italian outfit Victoria Libertas Pesaro. Despite moving to a new country and a new league, no acclimatization time was needed, as Jones posted averages of 13.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 33 Italian League fixtures. Then came Jones's breakout campaign with Turk Telekom, in which he dominated from the 5 position all season long, both domestically and in Europe.

Now comes his biggest test to date, as the 26-year-old prepares to come up against the best centers on the continent on a week-by-week basis. But, judging by how he has handled his professional career so far, it would be no surprise to see Jones take everything in his stride once again. Jones has the chance to once again work under Erdem Can, who was in charge of Turk Telekom last season, and they will be hoping to help Efes – the back-to-back EuroLeague champion in 2021 and 2022 – return to the top table of European basketball once again, having missed the playoffs in the 2022-23 season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Başarılı pivot Tyrique Jones ile 2 yıllık sözleşme imzaladık! ✍️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Welcome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Welcome</a> T-Jones <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/xcTh6qGXqj">pic.twitter.com/xcTh6qGXqj</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1672545099723440128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

New Anadolu Efes Istanbul signing Tyrique Jones during a Turk Telekom Ankara game in the 7DAYS EuroCup last season.

Efes lands Turkish League MVP Tyrique Jones

Olympiacos Piraeus has announced the return of big man Nikola Milutinov. Milutinov (28 years old, 2.13 meters) has been one of the most prominent centers in the EuroLeague over the last few years, having shined with CSKA Moscow over the last three seasons. Milutinov previously played for Olympiacos between 2015 and 2020.

Olympiacos welcomes back Nikola Milutinov

Olympiacos Piraeus has announced the return of big man [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/), who has signed a deal with the Reds until the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Milutinov (28 years old, 2.13 meters) has been one of the most prominent centers in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague over the last few years, having shined with CSKA Moscow since 2020. Last season, the Serbia international averaged 14.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists with CSKA in the VTB United League. Milutinov last played in the EuroLeague in the 2021-22 campaign, when he averaged 7.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and a 13.6 PIR in 16 appearances.

The best plays of new Olympiacos Piraeus signing Nikola Milutinov between the 2017-18 season and the 2021-22 campaign.

Nikola Milutinov's top plays since 2017-18

This will be Milutinov's second stint at Olympiacos, where he previously played for five seasons between 2015 and 2020, during which time he emerged as one of the top big men in Europe. He made his EuroLeague debut with Partizan Belgrade in 2012 and, after two seasons there, he moved to Piraeus. In the summer of 2020, Milutinov joined CSKA and he remained in Moscow until the end of his contract, even though Russian teams were removed from the competition midway through the 2021-22 season.

Milutinov is heading into his 10th EuroLeague season. So far in his EuroLeague career, he has scored a total of 1,497 points, grabbed 1,106 rebounds and dished 177 assists in 200 games. Milutinov is ranked ninth all-time with 509 offensive rebounds, too. He was also named the MVP of the Month in December 2020 and has earned weekly MVP honors on six occasions.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">✍🏽 Η ΚΑΕ Ολυμπιακός ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του Νίκολα Μιλουτίνοφ.<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/xwXyNNPLD4">https://t.co/xwXyNNPLD4</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1672545211442970625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nikola Milutinov during his first spell at Olympiacos Piraeus.

Olimpia Milano is the Italian League champion for the second year in a row – and the 30th time in its history – after defeating Virtus Segafredo Bologna 4-3 in their best-of-seven series. At a sold-out Mediolanum Forum, Milan won 67-55 in Game 7, leading to jubilant scenes inside the arena. 

Olimpia Milano beats Virtus Bologna in Game 7 to retain its Italian League crown

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan is the Italian League champion for the second year in a row – and the 30th time in its history – after defeating Virtus Segafredo Bologna 4-3 in their best-of-seven series. At a sold-out Mediolanum Forum, Milan won 67-55 in Game 7, leading to jubilant scenes inside the arena. It proved to be more of an old-school series, with all seven games being won by the home team. Luckily for Milan, having secured the No. 1 seed in the regular season, it was able to host the pivotal Game 7 at Mediolanum Forum.

Gigi Datome put in an MVP performance for Milan on the night, as he turned back the clock to score a game-high 16 points. Billy Baron was Milan's second-highest scorer with 11 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter, while Shavon Shields also reached double figures for points with 10. Toko Shengelia was Virtus's leading scorer in the loss, as he had 13 points. Milos Teodosic ended the game with 10 points, too.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">⭐⭐⭐<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThirdStarTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThirdStarTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1672338064813998080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Milan got off to a great start in Game 7, closing the first quarter with a 21-9 lead thanks to 10 points from Datome. While Virtus was able to outscore Milan in the second quarter, 17-20, the hosts led 38-29 at the break. Of Milan's 38 points at halftime, Datome (13), Kyle Hines (8) and Shields (7) had 28 between them. For Virtus, Shengelia was the team's highest scorer in the first half with 8 points, while Jordan Mickey had 6 and Daniel Hackett had 5.

When the teams returned for the second half, it was clear that tiredness was starting to become more of a factor, particularly given that this was Game 7 and they had already gone to battle six previous times in the last two weeks. Milan won a low-scoring third quarter 10-5 to extend its lead further, 48-34, but a valiant response from Virtus in the fourth threatened to turn the game on its head.

When Milos Teodosic scored a three-pointer to cut the deficit to eight points, 55-47, with 4:06 remaining, a late Virtus comeback seemed possible. But, a three-pointer by Billy Baron and then another by Datome soon after calmed any nerves inside Mediolanum Forum, 61-47. Shengelia went 2-for-2 from the line to keep Virtus's faint chances alive, but six straight points by Baron – a triple and 3 made free throws – put Milan well on its way towards the win, 67-49. Virtus scored the last six points of the game to make it a slightly more respectable final score of 67-55, but Milan was able to let time expire on the final possession as it started its celebrations early.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">L&#39;<a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpiaMI1936</a> vince le <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LBAFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LBAFinals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UnipolSai_CRP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnipolSai_CRP</a> e conquista la terza stella della sua storia 🌟🌟🌟<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TuttoUnAltroSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TuttoUnAltroSport</a> <a href="https://t.co/wK75hdn1S5">pic.twitter.com/wK75hdn1S5</a></p>&mdash; Lega Basket Serie A (@LegaBasketA) <a href="https://twitter.com/LegaBasketA/status/1672340459648163841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The EA7 Emporio Armani Milan players celebrate winning the Italian League title.

Milan beats Virtus in Game 7 to retain its Italian League crown

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Bet point guard Stefan Markovic, a man who dished more assists and had more steals than any other player in the history of the 7DAYS EuroCup, has announced his retirement from professional basketball. 

Stefan Markovic, a EuroCup all-time great, announces retirement

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Bet point guard [Stefan Markovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/stefan-markovic/lme/), a man who dished more assists and had more steals than any other player in the history of the 7DAYS EuroCup, has announced his retirement from professional basketball. At the age of 35, Markovic has brought an end to an accomplished career that spanned nearly two decades.

The veteran guard, who averaged 2.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and a 2.8 PIR across 29 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season, has spent the last two campaigns with Zvezda of his native Serbia. During his career, however, he had his biggest impact in the EuroCup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pefi hvala ti na svakom treningu, utakmici koje si kao i uvek odradio sa 101% mogućnosti, hvala ti što si kao igrač i čovek bio deo tvoje Crvene zvezde, kluba čija su ti vrata uvek otvorena! 🔴⚪️<br><br>Kraj karijere Zvezdinog ratnika: <a href="https://t.co/O8NBkRE00t">https://t.co/O8NBkRE00t</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeCan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeCan</a> <a href="https://t.co/kriEuVBWRv">pic.twitter.com/kriEuVBWRv</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1672220036893638660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

During his 11 EuroCup seasons, having made his debut as an 18-year-old with Serbian club Hemofarm Vrsac in 2006, Markovic dished 698 assists, which is nearly 200 more than the next best player, Andrew Albicy, who is second all-time with 518. Markovic also retires as the runaway leader for steals, with an all-time best mark of 214. No other player in EuroCup history has had more than 167 steals in their career.

Markovic also retires as the all-time leader in minutes played (3,738:01), games started (114), and his 142 appearances are second all-time, just two shy of the all-time leader, Rafa Martinez. Meanwhile, Markovic is fourth in accumulated PIR with 1,512.

Stefan Markovic highlight reel, 2019-2021

Stefan Markovic highlight reel 2019-2021

He spent his first four years in the EuroCup with Hemofarm (2006-10), before playing a year with Benetton Treviso (2010-11) and the next two seasons at Valencia Basket (2011-13). Markovic also spent one campaign with Banvit Bandirma (2013-14) and one with Zenit St. Petersburg (2016-17), as well as two seasons with Virtus Bolgona (2019-21). In the EuroLeague, Markovic enjoyed six seasons in Europe's premier club basketball competition, representing Unicaja Malaga (2014-16), Khimki Moscow Region (2017-19) and Zvezda (2021-23).

Winning the EuroCup crown somehow escaped him, as he lost in the finals with Valencia in 2012. His teams came up short in the semifinals in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2021, too. Markovic helped Khimki reach the EuroLeague Playoffs in 2017, and domestically he won the Italian League title with Virtus in 2021 and the Adriatic League crown with Zvezda in 2022, in addition to the Serbian League and Cup titles in both 2022 and 2023.

He enjoyed plenty of success with the Serbian national team, however, winning silver medals at EuroBasket 2009, the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul extended another member of its championship core by signing guard Rodrigue Beaubois to a contract extension. The deal is for one season with an option for a second.  

Efes, Rodrigue Beaubois come to terms on new deal

Anadolu Efes Istanbul extended another member of its championship core by signing guard [Rodrigue Beaubois](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rodrigue-beaubois/006590/) to a contract extension. The deal is for one season with an option for a second.  Beaubois (1.90 meters, 35 years old) is a veteran of eight EuroLeague seasons, the last five of which have been with Efes.  Last season, he averaged 10.8 points on 48.6% three-point shooting, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks in 30 games. Beaubois ranked fourth in the league in three-point accuracy. In his time with Efes, Beaubois won the EuroLeague twice, the Turkish League three times and the Turkish Cup once.

Rodrigue Beaubois stays in Anadolu Efes

Beaubois started his career with Cholet Basket, before leaving for the NBA where he spent four seasons from 2009 until 2013 with the Dallas Mavericks. He played a total of 182 games and was a member of Dallas's NBA championship squad in 2011. Beaubois spent the end of 2013-14 season with Belgacom Spirou Charleroi of Belgium and also played for Le Mans Sarthe Basket in France before joining Strasbourg for the 2016-16 season, in which he made his EuroLeague debut. He has been a member of the French national team, too.

Beaubois has averaged 10.6 points in 237 career EuroLeague games. He is ranked 15th on the EuroLeague all-time charts with 410 three-pointers made. Beaubois’s career success rate of 41.8% is third-best among players with at least 400 career triples. He could notch a pair of career milestones this season as he nears 500 assists (453) and 100 blocks (98).

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Sayısız başarımızda büyük rol üstlenen Rodrigue Beaubois ile olan sözleşmemizi 1+1 sezon daha uzattık! ✍️ <br><br>&quot;Ooooo la la la Rodrigue Beaubois!&quot; 🎤<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/qMHnkKyURn">pic.twitter.com/qMHnkKyURn</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1672182764861284353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Coach Ergin Ataman era is off to a host start in Athens as Panathinaikos announced point guard Dimitris Moraitis as its second signing in as many days. The Greens signed big man Kostas Antetokounmpo on Thursday. Moraitis (1.94 meters, 24 years old) arrives from Peristeri Athens, where he played the past two seasons. Last season he averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 19 Greek League games.

Moraitis began his professional career with Panionios and has also played for AEK Athens and Kolossos Rhodes. In his time with AEK, he won the Greek Cup and the Basketball Champions League, both in 2018. He has also played for the Greek national team at nearly every level, from U16 upwards, including at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του Δημήτρη Μωραΐτη για τα επόμενα τρία χρόνια! ✍️☘️<br><br>Διαβάστε περισσότερα εδώ 👉 <a href="https://t.co/rk55FEPLmv">https://t.co/rk55FEPLmv</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> <a href="https://t.co/7pB5qcejEn">pic.twitter.com/7pB5qcejEn</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1672172739262554114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Greens tab playmaker Dimitris Moraitis on 3-year deal

Small forward Gabriel Deck enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career and played a key role for Real Madrid throughout the season, which ended prematurely for him due to a knee injury suffered in the playoffs. 

Tribute to the champs: Gabriel Deck

Small forward [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career and played a key role for Real Madrid throughout the season, which ended prematurely for him due to a knee injury suffered in the playoffs. Deck set career highs in nearly every statistical category as he averaged 12.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 26:02 minutes over 31 games. His performance index rating of 15.7 ranked 13th in the league.

Deck started the season strong and set a pair of personal bests in the first month of the campaign. On opening night, he collected 13 rebounds in a road win at Panathinaikos Athens. He then poured in 28 points and posted a PIR of 33 in Round 5 against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Deck would match that PIR total twice more during the season, against FC Barcelona in Round 21 and against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in the first game of their playoff series.

Gabriel Deck's best plays 2022-23

When the pressure was on in the playoffs, Deck proved up to the challenge. He only missed a single shot from the field in Game 1 en route to 24 points plus 8 rebounds in Game 1. Deck was suspended for Game 3 after his role in the altercation at the end of the second game of the series, but returned to the starting lineup for Game 4 and posted 14 points. However, in the closing minutes of that game, Partizan player Zach LeDay collided with Deck while chasing a loose ball. It left Deck with a ruptured internal collateral ligament in his left knee and he could not play again for the remainder of the season.

The 28-year-old Deck has played five seasons with *Los Blancos* and is his collection of skills and willingness to adapt his game to whatever his team needs on a given night or against a given opponent has made a valuable asset to his teammates and coaches. Moreover, thanks to his aggressive style of play, Deck is beloved by the Madrid faithful. All of the above will hope that Deck makes a full recovery in time to open the season with his teammates as a key cog in Real Madrid’s title defense.

Tribute to the champs

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade captured the ABA League crown for the first time since 2013 by blasting archrival Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 96-85 in Game 5 of the finals on Thursday to take the best-of-five series 3-2. 

Partizan wins the ABA League championship

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade captured the ABA League crown for the first time since 2013 by blasting archrival Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 96-85 in Game 5 of the finals on Thursday to take the best-of-five series 3-2. The game set the league record for attendance with 22,198 fans at Stark Arena. Kevin Punter shined with 32 points to lead all scorers and was named MVP of the playoffs. Zach LeDay added 15 for the winners and James Nunnally scored 12. Ognjen Dobric paced Zvezda with 18 points, Ben Bentil had 15, Nemanja Nedovic 12 and Facu Campazzo tallied 10 points, 8 assists and 5 steals in defeat. This marks Partizan’s seventh ABA championship and ends Zvezda’s run of three consecutive crowns.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="lv" dir="ltr">ŠAMPIONI!🖤🤍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABALiga?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ABALiga</a> <a href="https://t.co/gVVMw90YiR">pic.twitter.com/gVVMw90YiR</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1671989206325907457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



Punter scored the game’s first 6 points and Partizan raced to a 14-6 lead on a triple by Nunnally. A three by LeDay made it 30-18 after 10 minutes and the margin reached 21 points in both the second and third quarters. Zvezda erupted for 34 points in the third quarter and came roaring back to make it 75-68 on a Campazzo triple at the end of the third. It was 79-75 with 6 minutes remaining, but Nunnally and Dante Exum helped Partizan regain the momentum and the hosts held on down the stretch.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PartizanBC</a> captain <a href="https://twitter.com/KPJunior_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KPJunior_</a> is the NLB MVP of the 2023 AdmiralBet <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ABAPlayoffs</a>. <br><br>Congratulations, Kevin! 👏👏👏<br><br>Read more at: <a href="https://t.co/IxTvUM9DFX">https://t.co/IxTvUM9DFX</a> <a href="https://t.co/IGUkrdl7gP">pic.twitter.com/IGUkrdl7gP</a></p>&mdash; AdmiralBet ABA League (@ABA_League) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABA_League/status/1671985473634328582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>