The teams of the 7DAYS EuroCup continue to work hard to build strong squads for the 2022-23 season. Here are some of the most-important signings from the past week.
The week in EuroCup signings
Reyer unveiled electric backcourt
Umana Reyer Venice added two very valuable pieces to its perimeter. First, Reyer signed point guard Marco Spissu to a multi-year deal. Spissu ranked second in three-point shooting (52.9% 3FG, 17-of-51) in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season, playing for UNICS Kazan. He is now set to make his 7DAYS EuroCup debut. Reyer also added scoring ace Allerik Freeman, one of the biggest stars in the 2021-22 EuroCup. He averaged 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in nine games for Frutti Extra Bursaspor before leaving to join CSKA Moscow. Expect both to be among Reyer's main pillars.
Ulm added fresh faces
As always, ratiopharm Ulm surprised fans and experts alike by signing a couple of newcomers at this level of continental basketball. Ulm found a new point guard in Yago Mateus Dos Santos, who inked a two-year deal in what will be his first experience outside of Brazil. Dos Santos arrives from Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, where he averaged 12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 41 Brazilian League games last season and lifted the Intercontinental Cup title. Ulm also got stronger inside with the addition of physical power forward Sagaba Konate on a two-year contract. Konate averaged 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 29 Italian League games for Pallacanestro Trieste.
Joventut brought in firepower
Aware that putting the ball in the basket is the biggest goal in basketball, Joventut Badalona signed two great shooters last week. Versatile forward William Howard, who ranks fifth all-time in three-point shooting in the EuroLeague (48.2%, 53-of-110), arrives from LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on a one-year deal. Joventut also signed shooting guard Kyle Guy, who played for three teams –Miami of the NBA, as well as Cleveland and Sioux Falls of the G League - in the 2021-22 season. Guy averaged 23.1 points in 14 G League games with Cleveland and is heading into his first EuroCup experience.
Hapoel inks Munford, keeps Young
Hapoel Tel Aviv kept one of its most experienced players and added a well-rounded guard who should have a key role next season. Swingman James Young averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 17.0 in 26 Israeli League games with Hapoel and knows a thing or two about do-or-die games, having led University of Kentucky in scoring at the Final Four of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Hapoel also landed Xavier Munford, who last played with South East Melbourne in Australia and previously was in the EuroLeague with FC Barcelona.
Best of the rest
Four other teams made two moves each this week. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana re-signed combo guard Yogi Ferrell and brought back Karlo Matkovic after three seasons on loan. Turk Telekom tabbed athletic center Tyrique Jones and kept playmaker Burak Gozeneli. Promitheas signed a couple of players, center Dimitris Kaklamanakis and playmaker Anthony Cowan. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica re-signed veteran forward Marko Jagodic-Kuridza and brought in Aleksa Ilic for a second stint with the club. In other moves, Gran Canaria signed forward Damien Inglis, a EuroCup champion with AS Monaco in 2021, London Lions landed Vojtech Hruban, Paris Basketball found a new coach in Will Weaver and on Sunday, and Lietkabelis brought back veteran forward Zeljko Sakic, who at age 34 should be one of the oldest EuroCup rookies next season!