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Umana Reyer Venice has announced that forward Jordan Parks has signed a contract extension at the club. Parks (29 years old, 2.01 meters) made his 7DAYS EuroCup debut with Reyer in the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and a PIR of 7.0. The American twice hit a high of 14 points, doing so in Rounds 10 and 14, while in the playoffs he had 13 points in a losing effort as Reyer bowed out to Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv in the eighthfinals. 

Jordan Parks extends his contract at Reyer

Umana Reyer Venice has announced that forward [Jordan Parks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jordan-parks/011909/) has signed a contract extension at the club. Parks (29 years old, 2.01 meters) made his 7DAYS EuroCup debut with Reyer in the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and a PIR of 7.0. The American twice hit a high of 14 points, doing so in Rounds 10 and 14, while in the playoffs he had 13 points in a losing effort as Reyer bowed out to Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv in the eighthfinals.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Jordan Parks rinnova in orogranata 🦁<br>“L&#39;affetto che ho ricevuto dai tifosi è gratificante, continuerò ad essere me stesso e a dare il massimo per regalare a loro importanti soddisfazioni”<br>Leggi il comunicato 👉 <a href="https://t.co/qUF8JnUTU5">https://t.co/qUF8JnUTU5</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinoAllaFine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinoAllaFine</a> <a href="https://t.co/61n2ctdT8j">pic.twitter.com/61n2ctdT8j</a></p>&mdash; Reyer Venezia (@REYER1872) <a href="https://twitter.com/REYER1872/status/1667109366556766208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gran Canaria has confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Miquel Salvo to renew the forward's contract until the end of the 2024-25 season. Salvo (28 years old, 2.01 meters) averaged 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a 7.2 PIR as Gran Canaria became the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup champion. Having spent the last two seasons with Gran Canaria, he will remain at the club for a further two years. Salvo made his EuroCup debut in the 2021-22 campaign, his first year at Gran Canaria, averaging 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a 9.0 PIR.

Miquel Salvo renews at Gran Canaria until 2025

Gran Canaria has confirmed that an agreement has been reached with [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/) to renew the forward's contract until the end of the 2024-25 season. Salvo (28 years old, 2.01 meters) averaged 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a 7.2 PIR as Gran Canaria became the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup champion. Having spent the last two seasons with Gran Canaria, he will remain at the club for a further two years. Salvo made his EuroCup debut in the 2021-22 campaign, his first year at Gran Canaria, averaging 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a 9.0 PIR.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">📝 NOTICIA | Miquel Salvó renueva dos temporadas con el Dreamland Gran Canaria.<br><br>▪ El alero catalán seguirá defendiendo la camiseta amarilla hasta la campaña 2024-25.<br><br>👀 <a href="https://t.co/aJJFsaMI4G">https://t.co/aJJFsaMI4G</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mjds4HbzFM">pic.twitter.com/Mjds4HbzFM</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1666748262743699456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Dolomiti Energia Trento made official on Thursday evening the signing of Paolo Galbiati as new head coach for the next three seasons. Galbiati, 39, spent last season as an assistant coach at Varese of Italy. Before that, he spent two seasons as head coach of Cremona in the Italian League. 

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. 

In 2021 and 2022, Galbiati was also part of the technical staff at the Italian national team, with which he took part in the Tokyo Olympics.

Trento announces Paolo Galbiati as new coach

Joventut Badalona has reached an agreement with Pau Ribas to extend the guard's contract until 2026. Ribas (36 years old, 1.94 meters) has never hidden his love for his boyhood club, with which he became a 7DAYS EuroCup champion in 2008, and he has penned a 2+1 deal that should see him continue suiting up in the green and black when he is 39.

Pau Ribas signs contract extension at Joventut until 2026

Joventut Badalona has reached an agreement with [Pau Ribas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/pau-ribas/jug/) to extend the guard's contract until 2026. Ribas (36 years old, 1.94 meters) has never hidden his love for his boyhood club, with which he became a 7DAYS EuroCup champion in 2008, and he has penned a 2+1 deal that should see him continue suiting up in the green and black when he is 39.

The best plays of Joventut Badalona guard Pau Ribas in the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season.

Pau Ribas's best plays, 2022-23

The veteran played 13 games for Joventut in the EuroCup in 2022-23, nine of which were as a starter, averaging 9.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and an 11.0 PIR. While Ribas missed Joventut's playoff run due to injury, this new contract gives him the chance to help the Spanish side in its quest to return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, having last played in Europe's premier club basketball competition in 2008-09.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">📹 <a href="https://twitter.com/PauRibas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PauRibas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badalona%C3%89sFutur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BadalonaÉsFutur</a> <a href="https://t.co/sZhO0YjQS1">pic.twitter.com/sZhO0YjQS1</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1663620603771777025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ribas first joined Joventut when he was four years old and went on to play for the first team between 2005 and 2009, before representing Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2009-12), Valencia Basket (2012-15) and FC Barcelona (2015-20). In the summer of 2020, Ribas returned to Joventut and has played 40 games for the club in the EuroCup across the last three seasons. With a total of 165 appearances in the EuroLeague and 98 in the EuroCup, Ribas's experience will be key in helping Joventut return to Europe's top table once again.

Prometey Slobozhanske has made its second signing in as many days by wrapping up the arrival of Ukrainian power forward Andriy Voynalovych, who spent the 2022-23 campaign with Tartu in Estonia. Voynalovych (23 years old, 2.07 meters) is a Ukrainian international and he averaged 16.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in 33 games in the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League, the same league that Prometey is playing in. He will appear in the 7DAYS EuroCup for the first time next season.  

Prometey adds Ukrainian power forward Andriy Voynalovych

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BC &quot;Prometey&quot; signed a contract with Andriy Voynalovych <a href="https://t.co/W0wwE0hlAp">pic.twitter.com/W0wwE0hlAp</a></p>&mdash; BC Prometey (@BcPrometey) <a href="https://twitter.com/BcPrometey/status/1663451394089558017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Prometey Slobozhanske has already wrapped up its first arrival of the 2023-24 campaign by signing Ronald March, the second top scorer in the French League this season with an average of 21.4 points per game. March (29 years old, 1.96 meters) joins from Chorale Roanne and will make his 7DAYS EuroCup debut with Prometey when the season gets underway.

Prometey makes Ronald March its first signing of next season

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In addition to averaging 21.4 points per contest, March also posted averages of 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals across his 34 games in the French League in 2022-23. March leaves Roanne after three seasons at the club, in which he has averaged at least 13.7 points and increased his overall averages each year. The swingman began his professional career at Delhi in the Indian First Division before going on to play for Vevey Riviera in the Swiss First Division and Aix-Maurienne in the French Second Division. In 2020, March joined Roanne in the French top flight, but he now departs France as he embarks upon a new adventure with Prometey.

London Lions is the British League playoffs champions! London claimed the title by edging Leicester Riders 88-80 at the O2 on Sunday. Aaron Best and Jordan Taylor led the winners with 15 points apiece. Miye Oni added 14, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals while Tarik Phillip had 12 points for London. Phillip hit back-to-back three-pointers to give his team a 22-14 lead after 10 minutes. London kept a 44-36 lead at halftime              and extended it to 69-55 at the end of the third quarter, keeping a safe margin until the final buzzer. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏆 🦁 London Lions are your Play-off Final Champions!<br><br>A hard fought game from both teams but <a href=https://twitter.com/LondonLions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>@LondonLions</a> come out on top!<a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/NowYouKnow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#NowYouKnow</a> <a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/BritishBasketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#BritishBasketball</a> <a href=https://t.co/E1agpk2axl>pic.twitter.com/E1agpk2axl</a></p>&mdash; British Basketball League (@BBLofficial) <a href=https://twitter.com/BBLofficial/status/1657797085851267075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>May 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script></center>

London rounded a great domestic season in which it won the BBL Cup and the British Championship, finishing the regular season with a 32-4 record. Once in the playoffs, London swept Newcastle Eagles in the two-way quarterfinals, and did the same with Cheshite Phoenix in the two-way semifinals to reach the final at the O2. 

London Lions win British playoffs, too! 

Jaka Lakovic now knows how it feels to win the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup. As a player, he helped FC Barcelona win the 2009-10 EuroLeague. As a head coach, Lakovic guided Gran Canaria to its first-ever EuroCup crown. Lakovic led a Gran Canaria team that even made it look easy. Gran Canaria was 13-0 in front of its fans, getting the most home wins by any EuroCup fan ever, and finished the season with a 19-3 record. Coach Lakovic already made headlines with ratiopharm Ulm last season by knocking out top-seeded team Joventut Badalona in the eighthfinals. This season, Coach Lakovic's team was the top seed and made the most of the home-court advantage. "Every week is filled with tension and the stress of a one-and-done game in which, with the home-court advantage, we were seen as a favorite. But the next-game mentality was most important for us, just taking it day by day," Lakovic said. "Somebody said it was actually a final game, somebody called it the game of the season, somebody else called it, I don't know, the game of his career. But at the end of the day, it was another do-or-die game, like the ones we played in the last four weeks."

**Congratulations on winning the EuroCup. It is your first title as head coach. How does it feel?** 

"Thank you. Yes, it is my first title as a head coach. As assistant coach, I was part of the staff who won the EuroBasket with Slovenia, which was very important for my national team. So yes, this one is the first as a head coach and it's a special one because of many things: because of the way we did it, and also what it means to the island of Gran Canaria, to the people here. So we are really, really proud and happy to bring it here." 

 "By calculations, we made the most kilometers traveled by all teams in the world, including the NBA."

**As you said, Gran Canaria has been chasing this title for many years. It must be special to win the EuroCup for this particular club that waited so long for this title.**

"It was a special season for us. Gran Canaria was indeed a couple of times very close in the battle for this title and they really wanted this important title for the club, for the island, for the great fans here. And I think the work that previous coaches did years back was a very important step to finish it off this year. And I was in this spot, fortunate to be here with this team, to be able to take it." 

**You had 19 wins in 22 games. You made it look easy, but I'm sure it wasn't easy. What was the toughest moment of the season for Gran Canaria?** 

"Well, yes, we had 19 wins in 22 games, so it looked easy, but I thought the season was tough because Gran Canaria is where it is. We traveled a lot. We had very tough road trips. In fact, by calculations, we made the most kilometers traveled by all teams in the world, including the NBA. So I think this was, for me as a coach here, coming to Gran Canaria for the first time, the toughest thing to adjust to and adjust not only the traveling, but also the practice loads. You have to keep in mind the travel. So I think this was the toughest thing to overcome at the beginning but, in the end, you get used to it. And I think we had a really, really good EuroCup season." 

**And that's why the home-court advantage was so important. In a way, you had to win a lot at home early to avoid playing on the road. It was like going full circle...** 

"Correct. I mean, at the beginning, we were not obsessed with getting the first place because we knew the format of EuroCup. We knew that we had to be the best when it counts the most. But as the season went on, when we saw the opportunity of having the number one seed throughout the playoffs, we said, 'yeah, we want to fight for it' because of the traveling times. It takes a lot from you. And in the end, we knew that when the playoff comes, the fans would fill out the arena. And this year, we were perfect at home in the EuroCup." 

**What was the game plan against Turk Telekom in general, and against Jerian Grant in particular?** 

"They are a great team with a great coach, a team which is first in the Turkish League as well, a competition that features EuroLeague powerhouses like Efes and Fenerbahce. So the preparation was really... not to say simple, but it was a very clear message. We have to be very solid one-on-one defensively. We had to run back to defend their transition game and control our defensive rebound. These were the three keys that we set out to do because in all of those three concepts, they were, throughout the season, one of the best teams."

"Every title is really special and it's always the team effort, the team process, which matters the most. But by difficulty... as a head coach is much more stressful."

**After each win, you stressed the fact that you earned the right to play the next round. How important was this game-by-game mentality for your team?** 

"Oh, very important, especially coming down to the last four weeks where every week is filled with tension and the stress of a one-and-done game in which, with the home-court advantage, we were seen as a favorite. But the next-game mentality was most important for us, just taking it day by day. It was very important simply because of the psychology of the team. Also the final. We affronted it as another game in this four-week series of do-or-die games. We just said the objective in this game is different. Somebody said it was actually a final game, somebody called it the game of the season, somebody else called it, I don't know, the game of his career. But at the end of the day, it was another do-or-die game, like the ones we played in the last four weeks. That is how we affronted all those games." 

**Now that you have been through both experiences, how different is it to win a big European title as a player than as a coach?** 

"Actually, every title is really special and it's always the team effort, the team process, which matters the most. But by difficulty, having won a title, like this, as a head coach, I think it was much more stressful, it is much more tense just because of the process of preparing and leading the coaching staff, thinking about every detail. As a coach, you have to do that. As a player, actually, you want to put your best effort. You think about yourself and what you have to do, so it's a little bit more simple. Right now, I value more the degree of difficulty \[of winning\] as a coach."

**Despite battling back problems, John Shurna was chosen as the EuroCup Final MVP. How do you appreciate his effort, not just in the final but throughout the playoffs?** 

"John is a special player, a great person and a great teammate, and his effort on an everyday basis is just amazing. You don't even have to worry about John because he gives you 100% every day and we were actually really worried that he might miss the final. But with the help of our physiotherapist and his power of will, he came through and like I said to him, he got rewarded for his toughness, for his resilience and just for his work throughout the year." 

**A lot of former Gran Canaria players are now staff members. Sitapha Savane, whose jersey was retired by the club, became the team's president. How great has he been for the team's chemistry to have a president that Savane who understands basketball?** 

"Very good. Since Savane came in September or October, we made a great bond together. He also has great communication between the management and the team. This communication, this relationship became closer, more contact, more everyday presence. And that was, I think, important for me as a coach. But I also think the players recognized it and welcomed it with open arms because knowing that you have somebody that is around every day, that is ready to do whatever it takes to help the team, that is very important in a season which is full of up and downs and tough moments." 

**Of course, Gran Canaria earned the right to play in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague next year. How much as you looking forward to that challenge, to coach in the EuroLeague?**

"It's great as a competitor. I am talking about players, coaches, staff, everybody, also the fans... I think everybody is looking forward to the challenge. Everybody is looking forward to the next step. And of course, this is something that, as a competitor, you always look for: to make another step, to have another challenge and another motivation. And it's always great to have this as a reward for winning the EuroCup."

Coach Lakovic, Gran Canaria: 'It was a special season for us'

The London Lions have tied down Sam Dekker and Josh Sharma, two key players in its debut 7DAYS EuroCup season, to new contracts. Dekker (29 years old, 2.02 meters) has put pen to paper on a deal through the 2026 season, while Sharma (26 years old, 2.13 meters) will remain in the English capital through the 2025 campaign.

London signs Sam Dekker, Josh Sharma to new contracts

The London Lions have tied down [Sam Dekker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/) and [Josh Sharma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/josh-sharma/012020/), two key players in its debut 7DAYS EuroCup season, to new contracts. Dekker (29 years old, 2.02 meters) has put pen to paper on a deal through the 2026 season, while Sharma (26 years old, 2.13 meters) will remain in the English capital through the 2025 campaign.

 

Dekker finished the regular season as the EuroCup's leading scorer, averaging 18.9 points per game, while he also averaged 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and a 20.7 PIR, the second highest in the competition. There was a lot of hype and excitement surrounding Dekker's move to London, and he certainly lived up to the billing.

 

"Sam has been an integral piece to the organization, both on and off the court," London GM Brett Burman told the Lions' official website. "He showed extreme efficiency this season as a versatile scoring wing, a guy who can get to his spots and dictate the flow of the game. We're thrilled to have Sam, Olivia \[his wife\] and their family as long-term members of the club and the London community."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DEKKER &amp; SHARMA LOCKED IN! ✍️🦁<a href="https://twitter.com/dekker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dekker</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Josharma20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Josharma20</a> <br><br>The London Lions have agreed to contract extensions with Sam Dekker through the 2026 season and Josh Sharma through the 2025 season.<br><br>Read more ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/9YSmcKMSq0">https://t.co/9YSmcKMSq0</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wearelondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wearelondon</a> <a href="https://t.co/8educZywyb">pic.twitter.com/8educZywyb</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1655979612860448768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sharma, meanwhile, averaged 4.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks across 18 appearances, which featured 2 starts. The big man was a notable presence on both offense and defense, scoring some highlight-reel dunks and also creating some Magic Moments with his blocks.

 

"We believe that Josh is a game-changer at both ends of the floor who is yet to enter his prime," stated Burman. "His impression on the game does not always show up in the boxscore, but his impact on winning is invaluable. Already a fan favorite, we are thrilled to watch him grow as a vital member of the club."

 

London reached the playoffs in its first-ever season in the EuroCup and the hope is that the likes of Dekker and Sharma play key roles in helping the English team establish itself as a force to be reckoned with at the European level.

When Gran Canaria completed [its 71-67 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/gran-canaria-turk-telekom-ankara/U2022/195/) over Turk Telekom Ankara in the 7DAYs EuroCup Final, one of the happiest players on the floor was playmaker [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2022-23). It took Albicy 101 games over seven EuroCup seasons, the last three with Gran Canaria, to finally lift the EuroCup trophy. Albicy led Gran Canaria in PIR (18) in that game. He was already one of the competition's all-time greats when it came to assists and steals, ranking second and fourth all-time, respectively. A trophy was missing, but not anymore. He believes that losing a final before inspired Gran Canaria to not let this opportunity go away. "We have been to the final before, so this was their second time in the final. And for sure, when you lose once, you always want to come back and win after this loss," Albicy said. "And for me, it is also very special to win it with Gran Canaria. I love being here."

**Congratulations on winning the 7DAYS EuroCup!** 

"It's so nice, and it is a big accomplishment for me and the club. I'm just happy we did what we showed all season because, with this format, we know it is very difficult to go to the end. But we did it! We were solid at home, winning all 13 games here. So for us, it was a big step forwards not to lose at home, in front of our fans in Gran Canaria." 

**How special was it to win it with Gran Canaria, a team that chased the EuroCup title for so long?** 

"It is very special for the club. We have been to the final before, so this was their second time in the final. And for sure, when you lose once, you always want to come back and win after this loss. And for me, it is also very special to win it with Gran Canaria. I love being here. My girlfriend is from Gran Canaria, my baby was born in Gran Canaria so for me, it is a very special place. I am very comfortable and thankful to be here so if I can finish my career here, I will be very, very thankful for everything." 

"If I can finish my career here, I will be very, very, very thankful for everything."

**Let's talk about the final against Turk Telekom. You had a great start but Turk Telekom came back. What allowed you to hold them off down the stretch?** 

"I think some defensive actions changed the game a little bit. I remember a steal by Nico \[Brussino\] and a big shot by John \[Shurna\]. I took two offensive fouls and having that changed the game because it was close. They did a great job coming back and putting pressure on us but like I said, John made the big shot for us to be a little bit comfortable. We got stops after that and that's why we won this game."

**You, Shurna, A.J. Slaughter and Oliver Stevic won your first EuroCup title after more than 100 games in the competition. How great was it to win it together for the first time?** 

"Well, John was the first guy I went for after we won. It was easy because he was close, but it was very special for me to be with John and Stevic because they have been the teammates I have played longer with, six years with Stevic and five with John. So for us, it was a big moment because we lose two semifinals together in the past. We really wanted to win this competition and we did it. I was very happy, it was special for us to win this trophy." 

**Shurna played the final with back problems and still was chosen as the game's MVP. How much did he lead by example?** 

"John is an amazing player and an amazing guy and I am so happy that he won this trophy because I think he can play at a better level. He can reach the EuroLeague, for sure, and never had this opportunity. And next year, he will have it, so I am very happy for him. Like I said, after all the work he did for many years, it is great that he won the MVP and especially the EuroCup."

Andrew Albicy led Gran Canaria to the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup title!

Albicy's best assists this season

**You played with many young big guys. Have you seen such a competitive pair of centers of this age on the same team?** 

"I don't think so! They have very big potential to become even better players. They are good players now, but I think they can have a really great career, especially in the EuroLeague. They need a little bit of time to learn but they will do the job. They really want to learn. They listen every time we talk to them and I think they are improving every time on the court. I think they have a great future ahead of them, for sure." 

**Did your EuroCup experience, seven years in the competition, pay off in the final?** 

"Like I said, I know this competition and its format. It changed now, but I know the previous format was tough, too, maybe even tougher! It has more impact if you have a better team because, in one game, you can have a bad day, but if you play home and away, the better team is shown. So this format is very, very tough but you have only one way to win, which is winning every game. Then you don't have problems reaching the trophy. But it's true, experience was big for us. It is why we changed the game in the final minutes the other day, playing hard defense and hitting big shots, because we have the experience to do this at a high level. I think this is why we won the game, too, because maybe they had less experience than us." 

**We know you like to say you are second all-time in assists. How much would you like to go past Stefan Markovic and be first?** 

"Yes, it is something I want to reach. Why not? Like, I think I have five years in my legs, so why not try to reach this first place in assists? I am just happy to be part of the history of Gran Canaria and the EuroCup because now, I know my name is on the trophy, and that's most important for me."

"We forgot the trophy in the arena! When we got to the restaurant, I was like, 'Where is the trophy?'"

**Home-court advantage was big for you and your fans gave you a big push. How important were your fans to this success?** 

"They pushed us because especially the quarterfinal and semifinal were tough. And the eighthfinal was tough for us, too. When we were down, our fans pushed a lot and we felt this energy that helped us make a great play or do extra, do more than we normally do. I think everybody playing at home gets this power from their fans and that is definitely our case, especially this year. We didn't lose a home game in the EuroCup and haven't lost at home in the ACB since November. For us, it was very important to play at home." 

**How was the celebration?** 

"Nice! I wanted to enjoy more, but we had to come back to reality. But We enjoyed with our families, friends and teammates, and it was great. We forgot the trophy in the arena! When we got to the restaurant, I was like, 'Where is the trophy?' But it was good that it stayed in the arena because the people that work for us could take pictures with it and enjoy that moment, too. So it was not a bad thing to leave the trophy in Gran Canaria Arena."

Andrew Albicy, Gran Canaria: 'We really wanted to win this competition, and we did it'

John Shurna, Gran Canaria: 'It’s something special'

We are the EuroCup champions! It is definitely a special moment for our team, for our fans, for our club. We have worked really hard and played against a great Turk Telekom team that has shown fight throughout the entire season and the entire playoffs, so credit to them. They fought until the very end. So it was a hard-fought game but we are the champs! We are feeling good, going to celebrate and remember this for the rest of our lives! 

Like I said, it was a tough game, as everybody expected. Again, credit to Turk Telekom. They are an excellent team, and I think throughout the playoffs, that's what they have shown, that they never give up and they fight, especially in that second half, in which they turn it up a notch. It was a battle all the way to the end, so they deserve a lot of credit. We stayed poised at the very end and were able to get a win, and seeing Oliver \[Stevic\] lifting the trophy was something special. 

"This is something I will remember forever."

Everybody stepped up and made big plays for the team throughout the game. You could go down the whole roster and speak about their contributions to winning this title. I think Andrew \[Albicy\]'s play at the end really stands out, whether it was taking a charge, getting a steal, reading the game really well. I was fortunate to be on the receiving end of one of his passes at the end of the game.

I have been playing with Andrew for a long time now and we have a good connection, and he passed me the ball and believed in me. I just tried to shoot it with confidence and was fortunate to knock it down. Like I said before in this blog, Andrew, Oliver and I have played together since we were with Morabanc Andorra, and we had been to the semifinals twice before. We had lost a heartbreaking game to Andorra last year, too, so finding a way to win with these guys is something special. And like I said, those are two guys who are phenomenal basketball players, but do it all for the team. They are even better people, so I think to share that moment with them is something I will remember forever. 

Gran Canaria forward John Shurna completed a magical season with another individual accolade as the 7DAYS EuroCup Finals MVP. Shurna was the leading scorer with 18 points as Gran Canaria held off Turk Telekom Ankara 71-67 to win the EuroCup for the first time and earn a ticket to the 2023-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

John Shurna | Final MVP | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

In the end, we had a very successful EuroCup, but it has not been an easy EuroCup season for us, not at all. It was tough, especially traveling from the island. This competition is difficult, so I think that's a credit to our entire staff, whether it is trainers, coaches, players. Everyone knows we have a deep team and I think we showed that throughout the entire season. Everybody has stepped up and made plays. Everyone's done a great job preparing us for these moments, so I think this is truly a great team win. 

I was named the EuroCup Final MVP. I don't know. I was shocked, I guess! I think to see my teammates reactions and to get to share that with my oldest son, as well, was amazing. But I really think you could pick anyone from our team and everyone would say, "Yeah, that guy deserves." Like, you could pick anyone. We have, like I said, a deep roster and everybody stepped up and contributed, but I'm obviously happy to receive the honor and to share that with my son is something I'll remember forever as something really special. 

Also, this club, they have been forever in the EuroCup and they won it for the first time. There's a lot of staff members who have been here forever. This win is for all of them, from our president \[Sitapha Savane\] to Victor \[Garcia\] our assistant coach, who has been with this club for a long time, to everybody else. I think to share that moment with them is great. They have been here since the old gym \[Centro Insular de Deportes, where Gran Canaria played until 2014\], and they had great memories there. And I hope this one is near the top for them because it's something special. Everyone has worked really hard, and to share this moment with them, to see the joy on their face is something special. I am happy to be a part of it.

Also, a big "thank you" to our great fans. To have the home-court advantage was huge throughout these playoffs for us, in terms of not traveling, but also getting that support from our crowd each night was huge. It is definitely special to do this on our home court and celebrate with them. 

We are going to enjoy this! As for what's next, talk to me in a couple of days. I am just going to enjoy this moment for now and then we will go from there!

Paris Basketball is already putting its plans for next season into place, with the club announcing the signing of talented point guard Nadir Hifi from fellow French side Le Portel. He will now be hoping to take his game to the next level with Paris, as he takes part in the 7DAYS EuroCup for the first time in his young career.

Paris secures signing of French prodigy Nadir Hifi

Paris Basketball is already putting its plans for next season into place, with the club announcing the signing of talented point guard Nadir Hifi from fellow French side Le Portel on a three-year deal. Hifi (20 years old, 1.84 meters) impressed with Le Portel in the French top flight in the 2022-23 season, averaging 16.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals across 33 games.

"I'm very proud and honored to be signing with Paris Basket!" Hifi said during his introductory press conference. "At this stage of my career, I really think it's the best project for me to continue my development. I fully share the club's ambition and am determined to help it achieve its many goals! I can't wait to meet my teammates and the staff and start this new adventure!"

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">‼️🔔🚨<br><br>Nadir est parisien 🖤❤️💙<br><br>On pouvait pas le laisser nous mettre 39 points comme ça 😈<br><br>Sensation de notre championnat avec 17 points de moyenne cette saison, Nadir Hifi portera les couleurs parisiennes pour les trois prochaines saisons 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/esoQWRVckH">pic.twitter.com/esoQWRVckH</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1666369694914301956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After making his debut with Le Portel's senior team in 2020-21, playing limited minutes in three games, the Strasbourg-born guard made 24 appearances in 2021-22, averaging 6.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Hifi managed to improve on those numbers this season, and he also averaged nine minutes more on the court each night (21.8 mpg. in 2021-22 vs. 30.8 mpg. in 2022-23). He will now be hoping to take his game to the next level again with Paris, as he takes part in the 7DAYS EuroCup for the first time in his young career.

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