Name: Top plays: Sylvain Francisco, 2024-25
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Lietkabelis inks Augustine Rubit on short term deal

[Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/lietkabelis-panevezys/roster/lkb/) has announced that veteran big man [Augustine Rubit](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/augustine-rubit/006477/) penned a short-term contract with the club. Lietkabelis signed Rubit (2.03 meters, 36 years old) as an injury replacement for [Fardaws Aimaq](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/lietkabelis-adds-ace-rebounder-fardaws-aimaq/), who joined the club earlier in the summer.

Rubit was a EuroLeague star before suffering an Achilles injury in February 2023. After that, he played two games with Rostock in the German League in April 2024, and spent last season with Al Kuwait SC, where he posted 19.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in five league appearances.

Rubit spent five seasons and logged 143 appearances in the EuroLeague earlier in his career with Brose Bamberg, Olympiacos Piraeus, Zalgiris Kaunas and FC Bayern Munich and also played two seasons in the EuroCup with ratiopharm Ulm.

The best plays of FC Bayern Munich forward Augustine Rubit in the 2022-23 Turkish Airline EuroLeague Regular Season.

Augustine Rubit's top plays in 2022-23

The American wing started his career with Tigers Tubingen of Germany in the 2014-15 season and then joined Ulm the following summer. He played 28 games in the EuroCup with Ulm between 2015 and 2017, posting 11.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.

The season after that, Rubit was given a chance to play in the EuroLeague with German side Bamberg, and made an instant impression in Europe's premier club basketball competition, averaging 10.1 points and 4.7 rebounds across 30 appearances in that 2017-18 season.

In years to come, Rubit spent a season with Olympiacos, then went on to play for Zalgiris in the 2020-21 campaign. He enjoyed a bench role at both clubs before Bayern gave him a chance to become a starter in two seasons there. He averaged 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and a 13.8 PIR in 20 EuroLeague games in the 2022-23, and even [earned the January MVP of the Month award](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mvp-for-january-augustine-rubit-fc-bayern-munich/), before his season was cut short due to an Achilles injury.

Rubit now brings all his experience to help Lietkabelis overcome preseason injury woes.

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More Lietkabelis news

The big man returns to the EuroCup after eight seasons away

Lietkabelis inks Augustine Rubit to short term deal

Sylvain Francisco lit up the 2024-25 EuroLeague season with his signature speed, sharp handles, and fearless shot-making. As the dynamic point guard for Zalgiris Kaunas, he brought intensity on both ends of the floor, breaking down defenses, hitting big shots, and pushing the tempo every night.

Top plays: Sylvain Francisco, 2024-25

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has signed Cole Swider for the 2025-26 season, the club announced Monday. The American forward arrives after two seasons in the NBA and a standout campaign in the G League

Anadolu Efes snags sniper Cole Swider

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/ist/) has signed Cole Swider for the 2025-26 season, the club announced Monday. The American forward arrives after parts of three seasons in the NBA and a standout campaign in the G League.

Swider (2.03 meters, 26 years old) played in the NBA for both the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors last season. He posted 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds over eight games with the Raptors. Swider was also worth 21.1 points on 44.3% three-point shooting and 6.2 rebounds in 13 games in the G League with the South Bay Lakers.

A product of Villanova and Syracuse University, Swider began his professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 season. He split time the next season with the Miami Heat and their G League affiliate in Sioux Falls. Swider is expected to bring perimeter scoring and floor spacing to Efes.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">✍️ Amerikalı oyuncu Cole Swider ile 1 sezonluk sözleşme imzaladık!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Welcome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Welcome</a> Cole<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/25jaPEB9SX">pic.twitter.com/25jaPEB9SX</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1954883030373273683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Anadolu Efes news

Stretch forward arrives after strong G League season

Aris reunites with Elijah Mitrou-Long

[Aris Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki/roster/ari/) continued revamping its roster by signing guard Elijah Mitrou-Long to a two-year deal, the club announced Monday. 

Mitrou-Long (1.85 meters, 28 years old) last played with Varese, which he joined in February of last season and averaged 12.1 points, 4.3 assist and 2.8 rebounds in the Italian League action. The first part of last season Mitrou-Long spent in Israel with Hapoel Holon, where he posted 12.1 points and 4.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 23 games in all competitions.

This marks Mitrou-Long's return to Aris, where he already played during the 2022-23 campaign. Interestingly, he also played with city rival PAOK, where he started his pro career in 2020. Before that, Mitrou-Long played college basketball at Mount St. Mary's, the University of Texas and UNLV. 

During his career, Mitrou-Long has also played for the Niagara River Lions and Brampton Honey Badgers in his native Canada, Apollon Patras and Peristeri in Greece, and Levski Sofia in Bulgaria. He is now set to make his BKT EuroCup debut.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">‼️ Ο Ελάιζα Μήτρου - Λονγκ στον ΑΡΗ<br><br>Read More 👉 <a href="https://t.co/Wqol0SaVmh">https://t.co/Wqol0SaVmh</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%CE%91risBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ΑrisBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArisFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArisFamily</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FuelTheFlame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FuelTheFlame</a> <a href="https://t.co/CwueNoCK4g">pic.twitter.com/CwueNoCK4g</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1954839691569549568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The guard is back in Thessaloniki after three seasons away

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv announced on Sunday that is has signed swingman Braelee Albert to a three-year contract. Albert is expected to be loaned out for the 2025-26 season.

Maccabi pens long-term deal with Braelee Albert 	

[Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv/roster/tel/) announced on Sunday that is has signed swingman Braelee Albert to a three-year contract. Albert is expected to be loaned out for the 2025–26 season.

Albert (1.96 meters, 24 years old) played the last two seasons laying college basketball at Loyola of New Orleans in the NAIA, where he averaged 11.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 28.4 minutes over 48 games. He started in 30 of those appearances.

Born in Los Angeles, Albert began his college career at Vanderbilt University under head coach Jerry Stackhouse. He later transferred to Tulane and then to Loyola. He first drew Maccabi's attention when he won two gold medals at the Maccabiah Games with Team Maccabi USA.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">בריילי אלברט הוחתם ויושאל בעונה הקרובה &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/02vzeKxqAV">https://t.co/02vzeKxqAV</a> <a href="https://t.co/loGswxu8xn">pic.twitter.com/loGswxu8xn</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱 (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1954566206897205260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Maccabi Tel Aviv news

The swingman will likely spend the 2025-26 season on loan 

LDLC ASVEL has signed American point guard Glynn Watson Jr. for the 2025–26 season

ASVEL reloads its backcourt with French League star Glynn Watson Jr.

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) has signed American point guard Glynn Watson Jr. for the 2025-26 season, the club announced on Sunday.

Watson (1.83 meters, 28 years old) arrives from BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque, where he ranked fourth in scoring in the French League last season with 16.3 points per game along with 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists over 30 appearances.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲́𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝘆𝗻𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗿 ✍️🇺🇸<br><br>Formé à l’Université de Nebraska, passé par la Grèce, la Lituanie, la Pologne et l’Allemagne avant de découvrir la Betclic Élite, le meneur américain rejoint LDLC ASVEL après une saison réussie au BCM (4e meilleur marqueur… <a href="https://t.co/Ld3WRtqfLT">pic.twitter.com/Ld3WRtqfLT</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1954558490799689839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A Chicago native and former standout at the University of Nebraska, Watson has built a strong international résumé with stops in Greece (Lavrio and Kolossos Rhodes), Iceland (Thor Thorl), Lithuania (Jonavos), Poland (Trefl Sopot), and Germany (Telekom Bonn). Watson had his first taste of pan-European competition in the 2023-24 season with Bonn when he he averaged 12.7 points and 3.5 assists in 15 BCL games.

Known for his quickness, shot-making, and defensive energy, Watson adds scoring punch to ASVEL’s backcourt as the club

More ASVEL News

The American point guard heads to Villeurbanne after breakout season with Gravelines

Vote for the best All-EuroCup First Team in history: 2022 vs. 2019

Each season, five standout players earn their place among the competition’s elite as members of the All-EuroCup First Team. Over the years, these selections have featured rising stars, future EuroLeague legends, and unforgettable EuroCup heroes who left their mark on the competition.

Now, it's time to see which lineup stands above the rest.

Our expert panel has seeded the All-EuroCup First Teams into a bracket, and each matchup will be decided by you, the fans! Several times a week, we’ll reveal a new battle on the official **EuroCup Instagram account**, where you can vote for the team that you believe deserves to advance.

Here on [EuroCupBasketball.com](http://EuroCupBasketball.com), we’ll break down each matchup, compare the rosters, and offer our take on who has the edge.

The next faceoff: 2022 vs. 2019. Two incredible squads. One spot in the next round.

Let the debate begin – and may the best team win!

2022

- [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/), Virtus Bologna
- [Will Cummings](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/will-cummings/007867/), Metropolitans
- [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/), Bursaspor
- [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/), ratiopharm Ulm
- [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mam-jaiteh/profile/002581/), Virtus Bologna

 

2019

- [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/), MoraBanc Andorra
- [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), UNICS Kazan
- [Rokas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/rokas-giedraitis/006436/), ALBA Berlin
- [Luka Sikma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/luke-sikma/006589/), ALBA Berlin
- [Bojan Dubljevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bojan-dubljevic/002742/), Valencia

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNDe6UlIIa2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNDe6UlIIa2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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Here we go with two teams from the same era with very different looks. Team 2022 is led by the Virtus duo with Teodosic pulling the string and Jaiteh owning the paint. It’s a true three-guard lineup with Teodosic, Cumming and Needham all able to handle the ball and score. Blossomgame, at the ‘4’, is a blue-collar player who can stretch the floor and finish at the rim.

Team 2019 has a little more balance and size with Giedraitis operating as a true small forward (who made 42.1% of his threes that season!). While McCollum can help at the point, he is this team’s shot maker, leaving Albicy to run the offense and neutralize the opponent’s top guard. Sikma's presence ups the team’s passing game and overall IQ and with him and Dubljevic, there is a big shooter to try and pull Jaiteh out of the paint.

Based on those themes, I think the 2019 version is the stronger team. Who agrees with me?

Join us on our journey to crown the greatest All-EuroCup First Team of all time!

Vote for the best All-EuroLeague First Team in history: 2013 vs. 2018

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

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

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

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

Right here on the official EuroLeague website, you’ll find a quick breakdown of each matchup – and which team we think deserves the edge.

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

2013 vs. 2018

2013

- [Dimitris Diamantidis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dimitris-diamantidis/jko/), Panathinaikos (age 33)
- [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/), Olympiacos (age 30)
- [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/), Real Madrid (age 28)
- [Nenad Krstic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nenad-krstic/auo/), CSKA Moscow (age 29)
- [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ante-tomic/002507/), Barcelona (age 26)

 

2018

- [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/), Panathinaikos (age 29)
- [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/), CSKA Moscow (age 30)
- [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/), Real Madrid (age 19)
- [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/), Baskonia (age 26)
- [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), Fenerbahce (age 28)

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

Team 2013 has a slight height advantage in that it plays with two centers – Krstic and Tomic, while the two big men from 2018 are more natural power forwards. However, I would think that Shengelia and Vesely are more than adept to defend their counterparts. Both teams have three-guard lineups as well with a Panathinaikos playmaker who is an elite defender (Diamantidis in 2013 and Calathes in 2013), a dangerous scorer (Spanoulis in 2013 and De Colo in 2018) and a do-it-all guard from Madrid (Rudy in 2013 and Doncic in 2018).

The 2018 team is more athletic in the paint and has more scoring upside, which are the main reasons I lean in their direction. Spanoulis was magical in 2013, but so was Doncic in 2018. Doncic playing alongside De Colo makes for a super-efficient tandem that I don’t think 2013 could match. What do you think?

We are into the second round of our matchups as we seek to crown the greatest All-EuroLeague First Team! This time it's 2013 against 2018!

Aris Thessaloniki signed center Steven Enoch to a multi-year deal, the club announced Saturday. The deal will keep Enoch in Greece through the 2026-27 campaign.  

Aris strengthens frontline by signing Steven Enoch 

[Aris Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki/roster/ari/) signed center [Steven Enoch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/steven-enoch/011239/) to a multi-year deal, the club announced Saturday. The deal will keep Enoch in Greece through the 2026-27 campaign.  

Enoch (2.08 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Rytas Vilnius, where he averaged 9.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in the BCL last season, along with 7 points and 3.7 rebounds in the Lithuanian League.

A college basketball standout at Louisville, Enoch began his professional career in 2020 with Obradoiro in Spain. He spent the next two years with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, where he made his EuroLeague debut. In 2023, Enoch joined Turk Telekom Ankara and faced Aris twice in the BKT EuroCup. In his lone season in the EuroCup, Enoch averaged 12.4 points, ranked fourth in the competition with 7.9 rebounds and was seventh with 1.1 blocks per game.

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More from Aris Thessaloniki 

Former Baskonia and Turk Telekom big man lands in Thessaloniki

Panathinaikos Athens has signed American big man Richaun Holmes

Panathinaikos pounces on premier pivotman Richaun Holmes 

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/) has signed American big man Richaun Holmes on a one-year deal with an option for another season, the club announced Saturday.

Holmes (2.08 meters, 31 years old) arrives after a decade-long NBA career that included stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards. He averaged 7.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 31 games with the Wizards last season, shooting an efficient 64.7% from the field. Holmes best NBA season came in 2020-21, when he posted 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Kings.

A second-round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Sixers, Holmes played college basketball at Bowling Green, where he earned First-Team All-Metro-Athletic Conference honors and was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. Holmes now makes his European debut with Panathinaikos, bringing rim protection, rebounding, and veteran poise to an already strong frontcourt.

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

NBA veteran brings power, poise, and presence to the Greens’ frontcourt

Baskonia Vitoria-Gastiez announced Friday afternoon that it has signed Paolo Galbiati as the new head coach for the next two seasons, as the team also officially parted ways with Pablo Laso. For the Italian technician, this will be the first head coaching gig in the EuroLeague, and also first outside of his native country.

Baskonia appoints Paolo Galbiati as new coach

Baskonia Vitoria-Gastiez announced Friday afternoon that it has signed Paolo Galbiati as the new head coach for the next two seasons, as the team also officially parted ways with Pablo Laso. For the Italian technician, this will be the first head coaching gig in the EuroLeague, and also first outside of his native country.

Galbiati, 41, arrives from BKT EuroCup side Dolomiti Energia Trento, which he led the past two seasons. Trento had a 13-23 record in the EuroCup over that span, while Galbiati guided the team to a fourth-place regular-season finish in the Italian League last season.

He is now set to make his EuroLeague debut with Baskonia, replacing Coach Laso who led his hometown team to a 14-20 record in the EuroLeague last season and a playoff appearance in the Spanish League.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">📋 Paolo Galbiati, nuevo entrenador de Baskonia <br><br>🗞️ <a href="https://t.co/pDiZxzSKP3">https://t.co/pDiZxzSKP3</a><br> <br> Benvenuti alla vostra nuova casa 🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OngiEtorriPaolo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OngiEtorriPaolo</a> <a href="https://t.co/oS866fZys8">pic.twitter.com/oS866fZys8</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1953823858512867754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Galbiati had a brief career as a player, and in 2007 he already started coaching youth teams, and he worked his way up until he won the U17 league title with Olimpia Milan in 2013. In 2016 he made his debut in the Italian League as an assistant coach to Luca Banchi first and Carlo Recalcati later in Turin. A couple of years later, in 2018, Galbiati led Turin to the Italian Cup trophy. He stayed in Turin the following season to assist Larry Brown and later to take the lead once more, and after that he joined Biella, where he could not finish the 2019-20 season due to COVID.

He went on to spending two seasons as head coach of Cremona in the Italian League, then a year as an assistant coach at Varese. In 2021 and 2022, Galbiati was also part of the technical staff at the Italian national team, with which took part in the Tokyo Olympics. He also led U20 Italian national team at the 2024 European Championship.

The club also announced parting ways with Pablo Laso

Hapoel Tel Aviv announced that it has extended the contract of forward Oz Blayzer through the end of the 2027-28 season

Oz Blayzer extends stay with Hapoel Tel Aviv

[Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/roster/hta/) announced that it has extended the contract of forward [Oz Blayzer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/oz-blayzer/009877/) through the end of the 2027-28 season.

Blayzer (2.00 meters, 32 years old) joined Hapoel in 2024 and appeared in 16 games in the EuroCup to help the team take the crown. He averaged 5.5 points and 3.0 rebounds over 26 Israeli League games, too.

A seasoned veteran, Blayzer began his professional career with Hapoel Afula in 2011 and has since played for Bnei Herzliya, Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Rishon LeZion, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem. His career highlights include winning the Israeli League in 2021 with Maccabi Tel Aviv and raising the Israeli Cup three times. He is a four-time Israeli League All-Star and was named Rising Star in 2014.

Best of Oz Blayzer: 2024-25

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">מועדון הכדורסל הפועל &quot;IBI&quot; תל אביב שמח לבשר על הארכת חוזהו של הפורוורד עוז בלייזר עד לסיום עונת 2027/28. <br><br>עוז העמיד ממוצעים של 5.5 נקודות, 3.0 ריבאונדים ו-39.3% לשלוש בעונה החולפת בליגת ווינר. הפורוורד היה מהשחקנים המובילים בליגה במדד הפלוס מינוס, סחיטת עבירות תוקף ואחוזים מחוץ… <a href="https://t.co/1sNiLdKONo">pic.twitter.com/1sNiLdKONo</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1953774585268363531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More from Hapoel Tel Aviv

The veteran forward has a contract with Hapoel for three more seasons

Maccabi’s calculated gamble: Can talent trump experience?

It’s not unusual to see a EuroLeague team overhaul its roster in one summer. In fact, over the past decade, [Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv/roster/tel/) has done it more than once. But this summer feels different.

Under new general manager Claudio Coldebella, five of Maccabi’s first six signings had never played in the EuroLeague. The lone exception, [Lonnie Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/lonnie-walker-returns-to-the-euroleague-with-maccabi/), suited up for just half a season with Zalgiris Kaunas.

It’s undeniably a gamble. But like any gamble, it comes with both risk and potential reward. Here's a breakdown of who Maccabi has brought in, the questions surrounding the new roster, and the upside that could change the equation.

### Maccabi’s 2025–26 roster

Following the recent addition of [Uros Trifunovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-snags-serbian-swingman-uros-trifunovic/), Maccabi now has 14 players under contract. However, it’s widely expected that one of them – Rokas Jokubaitis – will soon leave for another EuroLeague team. Meanwhile, an additional center is likely to join before training camp opens.

Assuming that scenario plays out, Maccabi would return six players from last season: guards Tamir Blatt, John DiBartolomeo and Jimmy Clark, and forwards Roman Sorkin, Jaylen Hoard and Will Rayman. Of the seven newcomers, only two have EuroLeague experience: Walker and Trifunovic. The latter logged 54 appearances for Partizan Mozzart Belgrade from 2022 to 2024.

The rest are EuroLeague rookies. That said, three – [Jeff Dowtin Jr.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/jeff-dowtin-jr-becomes-the-latest-piece-in-the-maccabi-puzzle/), [Oshae Brissett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-brings-oshae-brisset-to-the-euroleague/) and [T.J. Leaf](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-brings-t-j-leaf-back-to-his-roots/) – bring notable NBA résumés, while big man [Marcio Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-inks-marcio-santos-to-three-year-deal/) arrives from the BKT EuroCup. Israeli forward [Gur Lavy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-lands-israeli-leagues-most-improved-player-gur-lavy/), 24, remains an intriguing option with minimal experience at the top level.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">מישהו רוצה למסור לך משהו 🔊<a href="https://twitter.com/JeffD_11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffD_11</a> <a href="https://t.co/XgR69xbBSf">pic.twitter.com/XgR69xbBSf</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1952734941344563549?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### What are the risks?

Overhauling more than half of a roster is always risky, though recent history suggests it can work. Just ask Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, who pulled it off en route to the title two seasons ago. Still, Maccabi’s approach is unique.

Chief among the concerns is the plan to give major minutes to Dowtin at point guard. Very few American point guards have entered the EuroLeague without prior international experience and immediately made a major impact. Tyus Edney was the last to truly do so.

There have been American stars, no doubt. But many followed a different path. The likes of Mike James, J.R. Holden, Terrell McIntyre and T.J. Shorts played for other clubs in Europe before reaching the EuroLeague. For Shane Larkin and Wade Baldwin, the breakout came in the second season, while Kendrick Nunn and Trajan Langdon played off ball.

Maccabi will be counting on Dowtin to buck that trend – and potentially to do it surrounded by players with little or no EuroLeague experience. Picture a lineup of Dowtin, Walker, Brissett, Leaf and Santos. The talent is there. The experience in the competition is not.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here&#39;s what <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffD_11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffD_11</a> brings to the table 👇 <a href="https://t.co/LXWUJQVd5R">pic.twitter.com/LXWUJQVd5R</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1952661343984644541?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Calculated risks, not blind faith

To its credit, Maccabi knows what it’s doing. Dowtin brings something the team felt it lacked at point guard: size.

After an impressive debut season in Tel Aviv, Jokubaitis was in line for a new contract in June. But when the conflict with Iran led to the Israeli League canceling its playoffs – and most foreign players, including Jokubaitis, leaving the country – his stance on returning changed. Despite being under contract, he now appears headed elsewhere.

At 1.93 meters, Jokubaitis offered the length to share the court with shorter guards like Blatt and DiBartolomeo. A smaller replacement would have created a logjam. Maccabi prioritized finding a point guard who could also slide to the ‘2’. Enter Dowtin.

There’s also built-in chemistry. Dowtin spent part of last season with both Walker and Brissett on the Philadelphia 76ers. He logged 83:29 of court time alongside Walker across 10 games, including a 30-point explosion in one of his final appearances. He also shared the floor for over 42 minutes with Brissett. Those minutes matter – especially for a team light on EuroLeague experience.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">בקרוב שוב יחד, הפעם בצהוב-כחול 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/lonniewalker_4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lonniewalker_4</a> X <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffD_11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffD_11</a> <br>[Gettyimages] <a href="https://t.co/vPeEHGoCaW">pic.twitter.com/vPeEHGoCaW</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1953004348876693952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The potential payoff

Last season, Paris Basketball showed that experience isn’t everything. Despite having one of the lowest budgets in the competition, the EuroCup champs reached the EuroLeague Playoffs by leveraging speed, athleticism, and efficiency.

Could Maccabi do the same? With Oded Kattash – an offensive savant both as a player and coach – why not? The goal may not be to adapt to the EuroLeague's style, but to force the league to adapt to Maccabi’s.

Dowtin, of course, still has a learning curve. So does Walker, even after flashes of brilliance with Zalgiris. But when Walker got going last season, he was nearly unstoppable. With a full preseason under his belt, he could emerge as one of the league’s premier scorers – and make life easier for his teammates in the process.

Leaf and Brissett also bring untapped potential. Leaf, a former NBA first-round pick, has a natural connection to the team; he was born in Tel Aviv, played for Israel’s youth teams alongside Blatt, and his father Brad was once teammates with Tamir Blatt’s father, David.

This isn’t a blind leap. It’s a calculated risk. One that might just reshape what we think is possible for a EuroLeague roster.

Whether it works or not, it’s going to be fascinating to watch.

More on Maccabi 

The roster is loaded with NBA-caliber newcomers, but most lack EuroLeague reps. Will the risk pay off?

Baskonia has added elite athleticism by signing explosive swingman Hamidou Diallo on a two-year contract

Baskonia lands former NBA Dunk Contest champ Hamidou Diallo

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/roster/bas/) added elite athleticism by signing explosive swingman Hamidou Diallo on a two-year contract, the club announced Thursday.

Diallo (1.99 meters, 26 years old) arrives from Shanxi Loongs of the Chinese Basketball Association, where he posted standout numbers. He averaged 22.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game with Shanxi, including a career-high 46-point performance against Zhejiang.

He is a native of New York City and holds a Guinean passport. He was selected 45th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft and played 265 games in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards. He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2019 and built a reputation as a high-energy defender and transition scorer. Diallo now joins Baskonia with the goal of becoming a key contributor.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">✍️🏀 OFICIAL |  Hamidou Diallo,  potencia y físico para el perímetro de juego de Baskonia<br><br>📎<a href="https://t.co/Uq0NPRAeM9">https://t.co/Uq0NPRAeM9</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OngiEtorriDiallo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OngiEtorriDiallo</a> <a href="https://t.co/xML4MbPRzk">pic.twitter.com/xML4MbPRzk</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1953384119884190109?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Baskonia news

Athletic swingman joins on two-year deal following standout CBA campaign

Aris Thessaloniki announced that forward Georgios Gkiouzelis will remain with the club for two more seasons, extending his contract through the end of the 2027-28 campaign

Aris retains Georgios Gkiouzelis for two more seasons

[Aris Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki/roster/ari/) announced that forward [Georgios Gkiouzelis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/georgios-gkiouzelis/013356/) will remain with the club for two more seasons.

Gkiouzelis (2.04 meters, 29 years old) joined Aris in 2024 and featured in both Greek League and EuroCup action last season. Known for his defensive energy and hustle, he posted 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in limited minutes in the EuroCup and 3.1 points and 1.8 boards in Greek league action.

A native of Serres, Greece, Gkiouzelis played for the Panathinaikos Athens youth teams and began his professional career in 2014 with Agia Paraskevi. He has played for a wide range of Greek clubs including Ionikos Nikaias, Peristeri, Koroivos Amaliadas, Diagoras Dryopideon, Iraklis, Karditsa, and Apollon Patras.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">‼️ Παραμένει στον ΑΡΗ ο Γιώργος Γκιουζέλης<br><br>Read More 👉 <a href="https://t.co/kQ23KEeUiD">https://t.co/kQ23KEeUiD</a> <a href="https://t.co/4R3pcH6cfP">pic.twitter.com/4R3pcH6cfP</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1953365898942623910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Veteran forward commits to the club through the 2026–27 season

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem has signed Ukrainian center Dmytro Skapintsev for the 2025–26 season, with an option for a second year

Hapoel Jerusalem signs Ukrainian center Dmytro Skapintsev

[Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-jerusalem/roster/jer/) signed Ukrainian center Dmytro Skapintsev for the 2025–26 season, with an option for a second year, the club announced on Thursday. The 27-year-old arrives in Israel after spending the past two seasons in the G League, most recently with the Portland Trail Blazers’ affiliate.

Skapintsev (2.16 meters, 27 years old) began his professional career with Cherkasky and also played for BC Kyiv and Pieno Zvaigzdes in Lithuania before joining the New York Knicks in 2022. He appeared in only two games for the Knicks, spending more time with their G League affiliate, Westchester, before joining the Maine Celtics and later the Rip City Remix. Known for his size, rim protection, and rebounding instincts, Skapintsev averaged 10.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game last season in the G League.

Hapoel head coach

“Dima will give us toughness, rebounding, and smart decision-making under the rim. He’s a player with tremendous potential and a real presence in the paint.”

Over his first two G League campaigns, he posted averages of 10.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 blocks, showcasing a well-rounded skill set and consistent interior presence. He has also represented Ukraine at EuroBasket 2022 and in multiple youth competitions.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">דמיטרו סקפינצב חתם בהפועל! 🔴⚫️<br>לכל הפרטים &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/5bBkXdXO0S">https://t.co/5bBkXdXO0S</a> <a href="https://t.co/etH4TcL0sD">pic.twitter.com/etH4TcL0sD</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerusalemBasket/status/1953373078194389126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Hapoel Jerusalem news

Former G League standout heads to the Israeli capital on one-year deal with option

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv has signed Serbian swingman Uros Trifunovic

Maccabi snags Serbian swingman Uros Trifunovic

[Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv/roster/tel/) has signed Serbian swingman [Uros Trifunovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/uros-trifunovic/007673/), the club announced on Thursday. The sides penned a two-year-contract.

Trifunovic (1.98 meters, 24 years old) arrives from Tofas Bursa, where he delivered a standout campaign in the Turkish League, averaging 11.3 points on 40.7% three-point shooting and 2.2 rebounds over 32 games.

Best of Uros Trifunovic: 2022-23

A product of Partizan Belgrade’s youth system, Trifunovic played two full EuroLeague seasons with the Serbian powerhouse from 2022 to 2024, gaining valuable experience at the highest level. Known for his excellent outside shooting, defensive intensity, off-ball movement, and ability to guard multiple positions, he’s expected to bring depth and versatility to Maccabi’s perimeter rotation.

Trifunovic is currently training with the Serbian national team ahead of EuroBasket 2025, hoping to earn a spot on the final roster. Interestingly, with Maccabi still playing many of its home games in Belgrade, Trifunovic may spend much of the season in his native city.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">כל הפרטים &gt; <a href="https://t.co/vLkXhnnvp3">https://t.co/vLkXhnnvp3</a> <a href="https://t.co/deA0zTWxSr">pic.twitter.com/deA0zTWxSr</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1953379982039781823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The latest news from Maccabi

The former Partizan player returns to the EuroLeague after a breakout season in Turkiye

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica has added a major presence in the paint with the signing of American big man James Thompson

Buducnost brings aboard rebounding force James Thompson

[Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/) has added a major presence in the paint with the signing of American big man James Thompson, the club announced on Thursday.

Thompson (2.08 meters, 30 years old) arrives in Podgorica after finishing the season with Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico, and brings a reputation as a highly competitive rebounder. He posted 9.2 points on 63.4% shooting and 7.2 boards in 17 games in Puerto Rico. Thompson began the 2024-25 campaign in China with the Jiangsu Dragons, where he averaged 15.7 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Još jedan momak iz Baton Ruža zadužuje &quot;plavo-bijeli&quot; dres ✍️<a href="https://t.co/5hHNLAuazX">https://t.co/5hHNLAuazX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkb</a> <a href="https://t.co/SAAUuIxgBE">pic.twitter.com/SAAUuIxgBE</a></p>&mdash; KK Budućnost VOLI (@KKBuducnostVOLI) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKBuducnostVOLI/status/1953343350347567308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is where fellow Buducnost [newcomer Skylar Mays](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/buducnost-bags-backcourt-boost-with-skylar-mays/) grew up, Thompson played four seasons of college basketball at Eastern Michigan University. He finished his career as Eastern Michigan's all-time leading rebounder with 1,452 and was ranked third in career bocks and sixth in scoring.

Thompson began his professional career in the Italian second division with Montegranaro before stops in Germany (Telekom Bonn), Israel (Hapoel Haifa), Russia (Enisey and Samara), France (Cholet), China and Puerto Rico. Known for his rebounding instincts, defensive toughness, and high-efficiency scoring near the rim, Thompson gives the Buducnost frontcourt a force to rely on as it readies for a BKT EuroCup run.

More Buducnost news

Veteran center brings his global experience to Podgorica