Name: Ben Saraf, Noa Essengue on trust, freedom at Ulm: 'They let us play'
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Meet Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue, rising stars from ratiopharm Ulm. Learn about their journey, standout highlights, and aspirations for the 2025 NBA Draft. See how trust, elite facilities, and top-tier competition in EuroCup and German basketball league are shaping their future. 

Ben Saraf, Noa Essengue on trust, freedom at Ulm: 'They let us play'

Zalgiris Kaunas is on the look for a new boss after parting ways with Coach Andrea Trinchieri by mutual consent at the end of the team's domestic season

Zalgiris parts ways with Coach Trinchieri 

Zalgiris Kaunas is on the look for a new boss after parting ways with Coach Andrea Trinchieri by mutual consent at the end of the team's domestic season. Trinchieri, 56, first joined the club in December 2023 and in his time with Zalgiris led it to two Lithuanian Cups and the 2025 Lithuanian League championship.

Trinchieri has coached 10 seasons for four clubs in the EuroLeague. He debuted with Cantu in 2011 and later coached Brose Bamberg and FC Bayern Munich for three years each. Trinchieri started his head coaching career with Vanoli Soresina of his native Italy. He has also coached Pepsi Caserta, Primo Veroli and Pallacanestro Cantu in Italy, UNICS Kazan in Russia, Brose Bamberg in Germany, Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, as well as the Greek national team.

He helped UNICS win the Russian Cup and reach the EuroCup Finals in 2014. That season he was also named EuroCup Coach of the Year. Trinchieri led Bamberg to three consecutive German championships from 2015 to 2017 plus the German Cup in 2017. He won Serbian Cups with Partizan in 2019 and 2020. During his time with Bayern, he also guided it to German Cups in 2021 and 2023.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zalgiris Kaunas and head coach Andrea Trinchieri have parted ways. Along with Andrea Trinchieri, assistant coach Massimiliano Menetti is also leaving the club. Thank you for your work and wish you success in future careers. 🙏🏻 <a href="https://t.co/wvwhZjuqVq">pic.twitter.com/wvwhZjuqVq</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1937083660265521516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More news from Zalgiris

Trinchieri spent a season and a half with the Kaunas club

U-BT Cluj-Napoca began its preparations for the 2025-26 season by signing combo guard Iverson Molinar

Cluj lands Panamanian scorer Iverson Molinar 

U-BT Cluj-Napoca began its preparations for the 2025-26 season by signing combo guard Iverson Molinar.

Molinar (1.91 meters, 25 years old) arrives from Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva/Dimona, where he averaged 18.7 points and 4.6 assists in 24 games in the Israeli League last season. He ranked fourth in scoring and eighth in assists. Molinar's best game came against the eventual BKT EuroCup champion, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, when he tallied 32 points and 7 assists to earn MVP of the round honors as he led Beer Sheva to the upset win.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥 welcome to U-BT, <a href="https://twitter.com/MolinarIverson3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MolinarIverson3</a>! 🏳🏴 <a href="https://t.co/Oz8Z6FuKaN">pic.twitter.com/Oz8Z6FuKaN</a></p>&mdash; U-BT Cluj-Napoca (@UBTCluj) <a href="https://twitter.com/UBTCluj/status/1936791543513563529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A native of Panama, Molinar moved to the United States in high school to pursue basketball and later played college basketball at Mississippi State University. After being named an All-SEC Conference First Team selection in 2022, Molinar began his professional career in the G League with the Wisconsin herd and later Mexico City Capitanes.  He also played for Ostioneros de Guaymas in Mexico before moving to Israel last year. Molinar is a long-time member of the Panamanian national team, too.

The latest Cluj news

The combo guard was fourth in the Israeli League in scoring last season

Zalgiris Kaunas is the Lithuanian League champion for the 25th time after holding off archrival Rytas Vilnius 76-69 on Saturday to win their best-of-five series 3-2

Zalgiris captures Lithuanian League crown

Zalgiris Kaunas is the Lithuanian League champion for the 25th time after holding off archrival Rytas Vilnius 76-69 on Saturday to win their best-of-five series 3-2. After losing in the finals a year ago, Zalgiris prevailed in what many are calling the best Lithuanian finals series ever.

Rytas won the series opener in double-overtime in Kaunas before Zalgiris took Game 2 in the Lithuanian capital. Rytas won again on the road in Game 3 and led by 14 in the fourth quarter at home in Game 4 before Zalgiris stormed back to win on Sylvain Francisco's late three-pointer.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">These moments will last forever! 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/FTLuqmwv0o">pic.twitter.com/FTLuqmwv0o</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1936485921177883086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In Game 5, Rytas led by double figures in the third quarter and went into the fourth quarter up 5. With the game on the line, Ignas Brazdeikis scored 8 points in a 14-4 run to finish the game and lift Zalgiris to the championship. Francisco led Zalgiris with 15 points and 7 assists in Game 5 and was named Finals MVP after averaging 22 points and 5.4 assists for a PIR of 23.2 in the series.

Brazdeikis finished the series-decider with 14 points and Edgaras Ulanovas added 13. Ązuolas Tubelis and Parker Jackson-Cartwright paced Rytas with 16 points apiece.

Euroleague Basketball CEO Paulius Motiejunas spoke to the media after the announcement that the EuroLeague is extending to 20 clubs, with Valencia Basket, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Dubai Basketball joining the league.

Full transcript: Press conference with Euroleague Basketball CEO Paulius Motiejunas 

Competition Format | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup Competition Format | Euroleague Basketball

The 2025-26 BKT EuroCup Regular Season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 and to finish on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The top six teams from each regular season group advance to the playoffs. The first and second seeds from each group will go directly to the quarterfinals. The third through sixth seeds go to the eighthfinals to play opponents from the opposite group. The higher-placed regular season team will have home-court advantage in each pairing throughout the postseason.

The single-game BKT EuroCup Eighthfinals will be played on Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11. The winners will advance to play the first and second seeds from both regular season groups in the single-game quarterfinals, which will be held on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18.

The quarterfinals winners will advance to the best-of-three semifinals, which are scheduled from Tuesday, March 31, until Wednesday, April 8, in the event that three games are necessary in any series. The BKT EuroCup Finals are to begin on Wednesday, April 22, and conclude with the crowning of a champion on Friday, May 1, if a third game is necessary.

2025-26 BKT EuroCup Competition Format

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has announced the signing of Miha Cerkvenik, making him the first addition ahead of the 2025-26 season. The contract is for three season. 

Cedevita brings Miha Cerkvenik back home on 3-year-deal

[Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/roster/lju/?season=2024-25) has announced the signing of [Miha Cerkvenik](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/miha-cerkvenik/009432/), making him the first addition ahead of the 2025-26 season. The contract is for three season.

"Returning to Cedevita Olimpija and Stozice feels like coming home"

The shooting guard has spent the last three seasons with fellow Slovenian club Krka Novo Mesto. Cerkvenik (2.01 meters, 23 years old) averaged 11.9 points on 38.8% three-point shooting and 5.6 rebounds over 28 minutes per game in 29 appearances for Krka in the ABA League last season. He first joined Cedevita to play in the U12 categories and made his professional debut with the club. Cerkvenik was called up to the Slovenian national team last season, too.

"Returning to Cedevita Olimpija and Stozice feels like coming home. Deep down, I always wanted this, and I think it’s every Slovenian basketball player’s dream to play for our best club. I can’t wait for the new season to start, to begin training and competing,” Cerkvenik said.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Miha Cerkvenik is coming back to the Dragons Family!<br><br>Welcome back to Ljubljana, Miha!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> <a href="https://t.co/im49aMgQoj">pic.twitter.com/im49aMgQoj</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1936004364759433281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Cedevita news

The shooting guard is a product of the club's youth academy 

FC Barcelona has strengthened its roster by signing Myles Cale from Dolomiti Energia Trento, the club announced on Friday. 

Barcelona brings in swingman Myles Cale

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) has strengthened its roster by inking [Myles Cale](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/myles-cale/013269/) to a one-year deal, the club announced on Friday. He will wear the No 3 jersey.

Cale (1.98 meters, 26 years old) arrives from Dolomiti Energia Trento, where he averaged 10.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 18 BKT EuroCup games last season. He also helped his team win the Italian Cup. The new Barcelona signing posted 11.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 34 Italian League games.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">𝐌𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐜̧𝐚 💙❤ <a href="https://t.co/KxjSCNTfkY">pic.twitter.com/KxjSCNTfkY</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1936016647443431851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After finishing his college career at Seton Hall University, Cale played for the Greenboro Swarm of the G League and Hubo Limburg United of the Belgian League. He led Limburg to the Belgian Cup trophy in 2024. Cale has also been a member of the USA national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. 

More Barcelona News

He is set to make his EuroLeague debut next season

Top 10 plays of the season | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

BAXI Manresa has completed the signing of Agustin Ubal, who has penned a four-year deal with the club.

Manresa seals move for Agustin Ubal

BAXI Manresa has completed the signing of [Agustin Ubal](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/agustin-ubal/010062/), who has penned a four-year deal with the club.

Ubal (1.98 meters, 21 years old) played for Granada in the 2024-25 season, averaging 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 30 Spanish League appearances. He has never played in the BKT EuroCup before.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🔏 𝗡𝗢𝗨 𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗫𝗔𝗧𝗚𝗘! 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗮 𝗔𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶́𝗻 𝗨𝗯𝗮𝗹!<br>🔴 L&#39;aler uruguaià, jugador de formació, signa fins el 2029 amb el BAXI <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manresa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Manresa</a>! 🙌 ¡Bienvenido, Agustín!<br><br> 💥Aler 📏 1,98m <br>🇺🇾 URU🪪 22 anys 🛬 <a href="https://twitter.com/CoviranGranada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoviranGranada</a> <br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/pQCy4lxhkx">https://t.co/pQCy4lxhkx</a> <a href="https://t.co/0Bk7SxKRx4">pic.twitter.com/0Bk7SxKRx4</a></p>&mdash; BAXI Manresa (@BasquetManresa) <a href="https://twitter.com/BasquetManresa/status/1935980756183945313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Uruguay international came through at FC Barcelona and featured in one Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game for the club, which came in Round 11 of the 2021-22 season against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. He played 2:38 minutes that night.

Prior to that, Ubal made 12 appearances in the adidas NextGen EuroLeague between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, all of which came with Barcelona. His career averages in the NextGen stand at 9.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Since turning professional, Ubal has played for Barcelona (2021-22), Rio Breogan (2021-22), Bilbao (2022-23), Palencia (2023-24) and Granada (2024-25), all in the Spanish top flight. 

More Manresa News

He will appear in the EuroCup for the first time next season

It was a year of many firsts for Wade Baldwin, which culminated in him lifting the 2025 EuroLeague championship.

Tribute to the Champs: Wade Baldwin

It was a year of many firsts for [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/). Having joined [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) last summer as a two-time All-EuroLeague guard, the 29-year-old had to adjust to a new team where he was not the first option on offense for the first time since his EuroLeague debut season, all while dealing with injuries that forced him to miss 12 of the first 26 rounds of the regular season.

The theme of career firsts continued late in the season, too. However, not in the sense of needed adjustments or problems, but as career highlights for Baldwin.

Wade Baldwin's top plays from the 2025 Final Four

In Fenerbahce’s playoff sweep of Paris Basketball, Baldwin was one of the team’s key factors with 11.3 points, 4.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds. A ’career-first’ hidden in there was the fact that Baldwin finally got over the hump; after losing three playoff series in Game 5, he was finally part of a team that won its series. Then, at the Final Four, Baldwin was one of Fenerbahce’s key contributors.

In the semifinal win against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Baldwin did just about everything, dishing 5 assists, pulling down 5 rebounds and picking up a pair of steals before scoring 10 second-half points. In the championship game, Baldwin played 27 minutes and 25 seconds, the third most on the team, and collected 13 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds as Fenerbahce defeated AS Monaco, which made him a EuroLeague champion, giving him and his teammates the status of, as he called it, legends.

More Fenerbahce News

In his sixth season with a fifth different team, he finally got to lift the EuroLeague trophy

The Assembly of Syndicated Shareholders of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) convened today to lay the foundation for the 2025–26 basketball season. Members reviewed the season’s By-Laws and took several key decisions, outlined below.

2025–26 EuroLeague and EuroCup season teams and calendar confirmed

The Assembly of Syndicated Shareholders of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) convened today to lay the foundation for the 2025–26 basketball season. Members reviewed the season’s By-Laws and took several key decisions, outlined below.

**Expansion and Participating Teams**

Following [the Board’s approval to expand the EuroLeague to 20 teams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/news/euroleague-commercial-assets-board-addresses-strategic-developments-for-the-future-of-the-competitions/) starting with the 2025–26 season, the Assembly approved the official list of participating clubs for both the EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup.

**EuroLeague Teams (Alphabetical Order):**

Anadolu Efes Istanbul, AS Monaco, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Dubai Basketball, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Paris Basketball, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Real Madrid, Valencia Basket, Virtus Segafredo Bologna, and Zalgiris Kaunas.

AS Monaco and Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv earned their EuroLeague spots through EuroCup qualification rules.

**Long-Term Wildcards**

The Assembly approved the allocation of long-term wildcards to the following clubs:

- **Three-year duration:** Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Valencia Basket, Virtus Segafredo Bologna
- **Five-year duration:** Dubai Basketball

These wildcards aim to ensure the League’s long-term sustainability and support its strategic expansion to 20 teams. By fostering stability for participating clubs, the League reinforces its commitment to developing long-term projects across both established and emerging markets.

Additionally, it was agreed to continue conversations with Paris Basketball around a potential long-term collaboration.

**BKT EuroCup Teams (Alphabetical Order):** 

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, Aris Midea Thessaloniki, Bahcesehir College Istanbul, BAXI Manresa, Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse, Dolomiti Energia Trento, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, London Lions,  Neptunas Klaipeda, NINERS Chemnitz, Panionios Athens, ratiopharm Ulm, Slask Wroclaw, Turk Telekom Ankara, U-BT Cluj-Napoca, Umana Reyer Venice, Veolia Towers Hamburg. 

**2025–26 Season Calendar**

The Assembly of Syndicated Shareholders has officially approved the competitive calendar for the 2025–26 season. The EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup will tip off on September 30, 2025, with champions to be crowned on April 28 or May 1, 2026 for the EuroCup and on May 24, 2026 for the EuroLeague.

As part of the EuroLeague’s expansion to 20 teams, the Regular Season will increase from 34 to 38 rounds, offering fans even more high-level basketball throughout the year. The season will open with an action-packed double-Round week, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling campaign.

Additionally, games during November FIBA Qualifiers (windows) will be moved to Tuesday and Wednesday, in order to facilitate the availability of players to their National Teams.

Download the season calendar [HERE](https://euroleaguenet-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/diego_fernandez_euroleague_net/EavhRGDQio9FuFL_qLr7dRYBMlZ7PNrB0hwP_8FvfteIiw?e=bzuYAP).

**2026 and 2027 Final Four**

The Assembly reviewed the ongoing process for awarding hosting rights for the 2026 and 2027 EuroLeague Final Four editions. Discussions with candidate cities are progressing, with final decisions expected soon.

As part of the updated EuroLeague By-Laws, the Third-Place Game will be removed starting with the 2025–26 Final Four, which will now feature the two semifinals and the championship game.

**Competitive Balance Standards (CBS) Updates**

In preparation for the 20-team format, and to adapt the existing regulations to the expanded league ECA shareholders approved several enhancements to the Competitive Balance Standards, forming part of the broader Financial Stability and Fair Play framework. The CBS will be in force starting the 2025-26 season and will be progressively implemented, culminating in a full implementation by the 2027-28 season:

Key updates include:

**Base Remuneration Level (BRL):** Minimum set at €10 million net, up from €8 million net, applicable unless 40% of the Average Licensed Clubs Defined Revenues (ALCDR) falls above this threshold.

**Anchor Player Exception:** Clubs will now be permitted up to three designated anchor players under the BRL framework, increased from two.

**Transitional Financial Compensation Cap:** For the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons only, clubs exceeding the BRL will face a financial maximum compensation cap of 10% of their total net player remuneration for the relevant season.

**Extended Tenure Player Exception:** Deduction rate increased from 25% to 50%.

These changes aim to ensure financial sustainability, promote fair play, and maintain competitive balance as the EuroLeague continues its growth and evolution.

The existing regulations announced on September 16, 2024, prior to the approved enhancements, can be found [HERE](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/news/euroleague-basketball-introduces-competitive-balance-standards-for-2025-26-season/).

All decisions taken at the Assembly will be submitted to the ECA General Assembly for final approval on July 3, 2025.

EuroCup and EuroLeague teams and calendar for 2025–26 confirmed

Yonatan Alon will remain the head coach of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem for the 2025-26 season

Coach Alon to return for a third season on Jerusalem bench

[Yonatan Alon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/jer/alon-yonatan/?season=U2024) will remain the head coach of [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/roster/jer/?season=2024-25) for the 2025-26 season, the club announced on Thursday. In his first full season on the sidelines with Jerusalem, he guided the team to the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals with an 11-8 record and to the Israeli League Finals.

Alon, 43, joined Jerusalem as the club's general manager at the start of the 2022-23 season and became head coach in March 2024 when Ilias Kantzouris was dismissed. Alon then led Jerusalem to victory over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in that season's Israeli Cup final.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">יונתן אלון ימשיך כמאמן הקבוצה בעונת 25/26 🔴⚫️<br>לכל הפרטים &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/7gKKCm3N49">https://t.co/7gKKCm3N49</a> <a href="https://t.co/hLip63gABS">pic.twitter.com/hLip63gABS</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerusalemBasket/status/1935659922995159098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Alon began his career as youth coach in the Jerusalem system when he was in his early 20s and was promoted to assistant coach on the senior team in 2009, at the age of 28. Alon was also an assistant at Bnei Hasharon, Hapoel Holon and Maccabi Ashdod. He previously served as Jerusalem’s head coach at the end of the 2020-21 season

"We went through a long and intense season and maintained the club's spirit in the tough and good moments. We were able to connect our fans to our path and were able to provide some record moments. I am happy to continue as a coach of Jerusalem as well next season and believe that we are in a very healthy process with great continuity. We will try to get stronger in the right places. We have a job to finish."

More on Hapoel Jerusalem

Alon led the team to the EuroCup Quarterfinals last season

**2025–26 Season Calendar**

The Assembly of Syndicated Shareholders has officially approved the competitive calendar for the 2025–26 season. The EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup will tip off on September 30, 2025, with champions to be crowned on April 28 or May 1, 2026 for the EuroCup and on May 24, 2026 for the EuroLeague.

As part of the EuroLeague’s expansion to 20 teams, the Regular Season will increase from 34 to 38 rounds, offering fans even more high-level basketball throughout the year. The season will open with an action-packed double-Round week, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling campaign.

Additionally, games during November FIBA Qualifiers (windows) will be moved to Tuesday and Wednesday, in order to facilitate the availability of players to their National Teams.

Download the season calendar [HERE](https://euroleaguenet-my.sharepoint.com/personal/diego_fernandez_euroleague_net/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fdiego%5Ffernandez%5Feuroleague%5Fnet%2FDocuments%2FMicrosoft%20Teams%20Chat%20Files%2F2526%20EB%20Season%20Calendar%201%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Fdiego%5Ffernandez%5Feuroleague%5Fnet%2FDocuments%2FMicrosoft%20Teams%20Chat%20Files&ga=1).

FC Barcelona has announced that Joel Parra has renewed his contract at the club for a further year, meaning he has committed his future to the Blaugrana until the summer of 2028.

Joel Parra pens one-year extension at Barcelona

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) has announced that [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-parra/007464/) has renewed his contract at the club for a further year, meaning he has committed his future to the *Blaugrana* until the summer of 2028.

Parra joined Barcelona in the offseason of 2023 and signed a four-year contract. Thanks to his impressive performances in the 2024-25 campaign, the 25-year-old has been rewarded with a new deal.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖 💙❤ <a href="https://t.co/Eok4bTBW3z">pic.twitter.com/Eok4bTBW3z</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1935653903305171129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Spanish forward is coming off a year in which he posted 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 31 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games, but in his final 10 appearances of the campaign – the final five games of the regular season and Barcelona's five-game playoff series against AS Monaco – he improved his numbers to 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per night.

Next season will be Parra's third in the EuroLeague, having played 57 times to date since the summer of 2023. He previously came through at Joventut Badalona, where he made 73 BKT EuroCup appearances for the club between 2019 and 2023.

The big man has already spent two seasons with the 'Blaugrana'

Joel Parra commits to Barcelona through 2028

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce the extension of its partnership with SKY Italia, which will be the exclusive broadcaster of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup in Italy through the 2027-28 season.

SKY Italia to exclusively broadcast Euroleague Basketball competitions until 2028

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce the extension of its partnership with SKY Italia, which will be the exclusive broadcaster of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup in Italy through the 2027-28 season.

This renewed three-year agreement further strengthens the collaboration between Euroleague Basketball and SKY Italia, which has been the official broadcaster in the Italian market since 2021. Under the new deal, Sky will provide comprehensive coverage of all games featuring Italian teams in both competitions, broadcasting them live on Sky and NOW, along with at least two additional EuroLeague games per week. The deal was secured by Euroleague Basketball’s strategic partner IMG.

Sky’s coverage will extend beyond live games, with daily updates on Sky Sport 24, exclusive pre-game studio programs for each EuroLeague Round, and enhanced news coverage on [skysport.it](http://skysport.it) and Sky Sport’s official social media platforms, ensuring fans remain fully engaged throughout the season.

"We are thrilled to continue our successful partnership with Sky Italia," said Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Chief Marketing Communications Officer of Euroleague Basketball. "Sky has consistently demonstrated its commitment to delivering high-quality coverage and promoting the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup to Italian fans. This renewal ensures that basketball enthusiasts in Italy can continue to enjoy best-in-class access to the top competitions in European basketball."

Marzio Perrelli, Executive Vice President Sport of Sky Italia: "We are proud to be able to exclusively broadcast the two top European basketball club competitions, EuroLeague and EuroCup.  Two competitions that go to enrich the new Sky Sport Basket Channel, testifying to our commitment to basketball, among the fundamental pillars of our Casa dello Sport".

With this extension, Sky Italia reaffirms its status as the premier destination for basketball coverage in Italy, offering fans exclusive access to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, BKT EuroCup, NBA, and FIBA National Team competitions—all under one roof.

NINERS Chemnitz has welcomed back a fan favorite and proven leader with the signing of Kaza Kajami-Keane, who returns to the club after spending last season with Serbian side Spartak Subotica

Kaza Kajami-Keane returns to NINERS Chemnitz

NINERS Chemnitz has welcomed back a fan favorite and proven leader with the signing of Kaza Kajami-Keane, who returns to the club after spending last season with Serbian side Spartak Subotica.

Kajami-Keane (1.85 meters, 31 years old) played a pivotal role in Chemnitz’s historic 2023–24 campaign, guiding the club to its first-ever European title. He earned Finals MVP honors in the FIBA Europe Cup after scoring 40 points across the two-game series against Bahcesehir College Istanbul and leading the “Orange Army” to glory.

In his previous stint with the NINERS, Kajami-Keane averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 assists in the German League and elevated his play in the postseason. He posted 15.2 points and 5.7 assists per game during the FIBA Europe Cup knockout rounds and proved his ability to perform under pressure. Last season he averaged 9.5 points and 3.4 assists over 25 games in the ABA League with Spartak.

“Kaza is one of those players who elevates his game when it matters most,” said head coach Rodrigo Pastore. “He’s a floor general, a leader, and someone who brings balance at both ends of the court. His presence will be key in helping us shape a strong identity.”

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">KAZA IS BACK: Europapokalheld zurück im NINERS-Jersey 🧡<br><br>➡️ Zur Pressemitteilung: <a href="https://t.co/89G9GBQXLy">https://t.co/89G9GBQXLy</a> <a href="https://t.co/0ZEeIDkU0K">pic.twitter.com/0ZEeIDkU0K</a></p>&mdash; NINERS Chemnitz (@ninerschemnitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/ninerschemnitz/status/1935707494363332974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Canadian international played college basketball at Illinois State and Cleveland State before returning home to play his final two seasons at Carleton University. He also started his professional career in Canada with Raptors 905 in the G League. Kajami-Keane struck gold in his first season in Europe, leading Landseted Zwolle to the Dutch League crown as the Playoffs MVP. He has since played for Syntainics MBC in Germany, Le Mans in France, and Spartak in Serbia.

“The decision to return to Chemnitz and play in front of our amazing fans with great teammates and coaches was easy,” Kajami-Keane shared. “I’m excited to help build something special again. If we stay smart, tough, and play as one, we can make our fans, the club, and ourselves proud.”

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The fan favorite was the Europe Cup Final MVP in 2024 when he led NINERS to the crown