2022-23 EuroLeague signings

Season in review: Anadolu Efes Istanbul

### Biggest win

This is a no-brainer. Can there be a bigger win than the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game? Efes joined some rare company when it outlasted Real Madrid 57-58 in Belgrade to successfully defend the EuroLeague crown. Vasilije Micic and Tibor Pleiss did the heavy lifting as the former scored 23 points and the latter tallied 19 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks to lead Efes. Best known for its offensive prowess, Efes turned to its defense to limit Real and march to the championship.

Top 5 Plays | Championship Game | Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Record-setting night

Efes set a EuroLeague record with 22 three-pointers made in a 109-77 rout of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Round 27. It missed only 12 shots from downtown and its three-point accuracy of 64.7% was a club record. Five players made multiple three in that game: Adrien Moerman (5 of 7), Vasilije Micic (4 of 5), Shane Larkin (4 of 6), James Anderson (3 of 3) and Elijah Bryant (2 of 2). Efes tallied 28 assists, which were a season-high and the second-most in club history. It finished with 109 points, the most it has scored in a home game this century, and a performance index rating of 149, which was the second-best ever.

An overtime loss to Olympiacos has dented Efes' hopes of reaching the playoffs, whilst Israeli champs Maccabi have Avi Even as interim-coach after Ioannis Sfairopoulos' departure.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv - Round 27 - Highlights

### New defensive standards

While the focus on Efes’s greatness has surrounded its scoring prowess, Coach Ataman’s charges proved whenever needed that they have the defensive chops to get the job done. And never was that more true than in the playoffs. Efes held AX Armani Exchange Milan to 48 points on the road in Game 1 of their playoff series and held the opponents to an average of 64.0 points in that phase. Every other team averaged at least 70 in the playoffs. What’s more, the Efes defense held Milan to the lowest three-point shooting (29.7%) and true shooting (39.6%) percentages of any playoff team. It was the best defensive showing in a playoff series in terms of points allowed since 2014 and the best in opponents’ true shooting since 2013! Efes needed that defense against Real Madrid once again in the championship game and the champs proved they can win with offense and defense.  

Anadolu Efes’s defensive highlights from Game 1 in Milan 

Anadolu Efes s defensive highlights from Game 1 in Milan

### Shooting stars

En route to the championship, Efes had an elite attack on display with several players who flirted with the famed 50-40-90 shooting club. James Anderson came up short, but only because the swingman didn’t shoot the ball enough. He made 54.5% of his two-pointers, 45.5% of his threes and shot 90.9% from the foul line, but only attempted 22 three-pointers and 11 foul shots. A single missed free throw kept Tibor Pleiss from becoming the tallest member of the 50-40-90 club. He made 59.8% of his twos, 44.2% of his threes and 89.1% of his foul shots. Shane Larkin was knocking on the door at the end of the regular season when he shot 53.2%, 39.9% and 91.9%, but those numbers dipped in the playoffs and at the Final Four to finish at 51.2%, 38.2% and 89.8%.  

Anadolu Efes Istanbul was up to the ultimate challenge in 2021-22 as it successfully defended its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown. Here’s a look back at Efes’s special season. 

Tribute to the Champs: Ergin Ataman

Under Coach Ataman, every player got his chance and those who played well earned bigger roles. Injuries throughout the season made it so that everyone saw ample time on the floor and Ataman reached the crucial moments of the season with an in-form and confident group. So even though key players like Krunoslav Simon, who missed the Final Four entirely, and Rodrigue Beaubois, who was limited in Belgrade, could not give the team what they would have initially expected at that time of year, there were many role players eager and able to step in.

Ataman was careful to always credit his veteran players for their ability to sacrifice egos for the betterment of the team and for players who had much larger roles with other teams to be happy to just do what was necessary to win at Efes. But that culture starts at the top and Ataman deserves a large share of credit for Efes’s success, not just last season, but for the club’s impressive four-year run.

No team has won more games over the past four seasons than Anadolu Efes Istanbul and that period of time coincides with the first full season of Coach Ergin Ataman’s current reign on the team’s sidelines. Ataman has been the perfect fit for his squad as he combines the confidence his team needed, the ability to get all of his players to buy in and the tactical knowledge necessary to build a juggernaut. And while all of that was also true when Efes won its first crown in 2021, Ataman’s ability to steady the ship through the difficulties of a title defense was even more impressive.

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade finished its 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign. Check this Slide Show with its best 10 pictures! 

Top 10 Photos of the 2021-22 Season: Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Nate Wolters - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Dejan Davidovac - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Luka Mitrovic - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Nikola Kalinic - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade 

Ognjen Dobric - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Austin Hollins - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Nikola Ivanovic - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Aaron White - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Ognjen Kuzmic - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Maik Zirbes - Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade knocked at the door of the playoffs all the way until the end of its 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign. Check this Zvezda's best 10 pictures of the season! 

Season in review: Olympiacos Piraeus 

### Biggest win

Olympiacos qualified for the Final Four by downing AS Monaco 94-88 in Game 5 of an outstanding playoff series. The Reds, pushed by a sellout crowd, trailed most of the way and were down 80-81 with over 4 minutes left. Kostas Sloukas had 7 points in a 9-2 run that gave Olympiacos control of the game until the final buzzer. Tyler Dorsey sealed the outcome from the three-point line, getting the basketball party started at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. Shaquielle McKissic led the way with 18 points and Thomas Walkup added 17. 

Monaco rallied to the final minute to produce a remarkable comeback in Game 4 and force a final showdown decider. Olympiacos aim to heal the wounds from a frustrating evening and book their Final Four spot.

Olympiacos Piraeus v AS Monaco - Playoffs Game 5 - Highlights

### Biggest highlight

It was chosen as the 7DAYS Magic Moment of the season. Sloukas's game-winning shot against Anadolu Efes Istanbul had everything you look for in a highlight. Efes led 84-85 in overtime and Vasilije Micic missed a shot with 10 seconds left. Sloukas grabbed the rebound and found McKissic, who gave him the ball back in the right corner with 2 seconds remaining. Sloukas faked a shot to get Adrien Moerman to fly past him and then buried the game-winner on the buzzer, much to the delight of thousands of Olympiacos fans in the stands! 

Fans choose game-winner by Sloukas as the 7DAYS Magic Moment of the Season!

### Impressive numbers

Sasha Vezenkov was chosen to the All-EuroLeague First Team for the first time in his career and his great consistency allowed him to earn this achievement. He had a PIR of at least 20 as many as 13 times during the regular season. Vezenkov ranked fifth in that phase in PIR (17.8) and ninth in rebounds (5.6 rpg.) while shooting the ball well from all distances (67.7% 2FG, 38.8% 3FG, 84.0% FT). He was even better in the playoffs, ranking first in rebounds (6.6 rpg.) and fifth in PIR (18.0). Vezenkov was an all-around leader in taking Olympiacos to its first Final Four in five years. 

Sasha Vezenkov enjoyed his finest season as a professional this year to help get Olympiacos back to the Final Four. He led the Reds in both scoring (13.7 ppg.) and rebounding (5.8 rpg.), ranking ninth in the competition in the latter.

2021-22 All-EuroLeague First Team: Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos Piraeus

### Bidding farewell

He hinted at it in the Third Place Game; it was probably Georgios Printezis's last EuroLeague showdown. And then after he helped the Reds win the Greek League championship, he confirmed that news. An All-EuroLeague First Team selection in 2016-17, Printezis walks away ranked fourth all-time in scoring (3,599 points), sixth in rebounds (1,452) and seventh in PIR (3,818). Printezis is second on the career charts in two-point shots made (1,194) and games played (375). He helped Olympiacos to five Final Four appearances and win back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Most famously, he authored one of the most iconic shots in competition history - a last-second, one-handed baseline floater that gave Olympiacos the 2011-12 EuroLeague crown. 

Olympiacos Piraeus had a successful season as it reached the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four for the first time since 2017. Let's take a look back at its outstanding 2021-22 campaign. 

Top photos 2022 Final Four - Re-live Final Four weekend in pictures

Hassan Martin and Shaquielle McKissic - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Chris Singleton - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Trophy and Ball, Final Four Belgrade 2022 

Teams Captains photo session - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Noah Penda - U18 PFYM INSEP Paris - Next Generation Tournament Final Four Belgrade 2022

2022 Final Four Official Press Conference

Nikola Mirotic 2021-22 EuroLeague MVP - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Players FC Barcelona practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Felipe Reyes and Adam Hanga - Real Madrid practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Nikola Djurisic - U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade - Next Generation Tournament Final Four Belgrade 2022

One Team session volunteers - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Stark Arena - Final Four Belgrade 2022

FanZone - Final Four Belgrade 2022

EB Institute, Sports Business MBA - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Players Educational Session - Next Generation Tournament Final Four Belgrade 2022

Fans Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Kostas Sloukas - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Shane Larkin - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Anadolu Efes Istanbul celebrates - Final Four Belgrade 2022 

Guerschon Yabusele - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Nicolas Laprovittola - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Walter Tavares - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Luka Vudragovic - U18 Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade - Next Generation Tournament Final Four Belgrade 2022

Championship Game Press Conference - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Platinum and Ambassadors Game - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Rodrigue Beaubois - Anadolu Efes Istanbul practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Jordi Bertomeu - Final Four Belgrade 2022

One Team Session at FanZone - Final Four Belgrade 2022

U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade champ Next Generation Tournament Final Four Belgrade 2022

Stark Arena, 3rd place, Barcelona vs. Olympiacos - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Shaquielle McKissic - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Rokas Jokubaitis - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Show - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Vincent Poirier - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Tibor Pleiss - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Vasilije Micic MVP - Anadolu Efes Istanbul champ Final Four Belgrade 2022

Anadolu Efes Istanbul champ Final Four Belgrade 2022

Ergin Ataman in Locker Room - Anadolu Efes Istanbul champ Final Four Belgrade 2022

Shane Larkin, Ergin Ataman and Vasilije Micic - Anadolu Efes Istanbul photo shoot - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Top photos 2022 Final Four: Re-live Final Four weekend in pictures

Fenerbahce, Akpinar agree on extension

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard [Ismet Akpinar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ismet-akpinar/004056/) will remain with the club for at least one more season after the sides agreed to a contract extension on Thursday. Akpinar (1.93 meters, 27 years old) joined Fenerbahce last summer and contributed 4.8 points on 41.7% three-point in 14 EuroLeague games in a reserve role. He raised that to 6.0 points on 45.8% three-point shooting in domestic action to help Fenerbahce win the Turkish championship. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">İsmet Akpınar bir yıl daha bizimle! 💛💙✍️<br><br>Bu anlaşmanın Kulübümüze ve İsmet Akpınar’a hayırlı olmasını diliyor, oyuncumuzun sarı-lacivertli forma altında zaferlerle dolu bir sezon yaşamasını temenni ediyoruz.<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/CsZAy3DB92">https://t.co/CsZAy3DB92</a> <a href="https://t.co/fW4iedkr0l">pic.twitter.com/fW4iedkr0l</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1539896064878288896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Akpinar, whose brother Mutlu also plays professional basketball, started his career with Hamburg Tigers in his native Germany and played for SC Rist Wedel, ALBA Berlin and ratiopharm Ulm in Germany before joining Besiktas Istanbul in 2019. He finished that season with FC Bayern Munich and played for Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul before signing with Fenerbahce. Akpinar helped ALBA win a German Cup in 2016 and has been a member of the German national team. 

AX Armani Exchange Milan bolstered its frontcourt with the signing of center Brandon Davies to a two-year deal. 

Milan signs star center Davies

AX Armani Exchange Milan bolstered its frontcourt with the signing of center [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) to a two-year deal. Davies (2.08 meters, 30 years old) spent the past three seasons with FC Barcelona and averaged 9.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 36 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games last season. In the last two seasons, Davies helped Barca win the 2021 Spanish League titles, the last two Spanish Copa el Reys and reach the 2021 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📝 Brandon Davies all&#39;Olimpia: &quot;Felice di essere qui, non vedo l&#39;ora di cominciare&quot; ➡ <a href="https://t.co/oaoWD6bx46">https://t.co/oaoWD6bx46</a><br><br>📝 Brandon Davies is coming to Olimpia: &quot;Excited to be here, I can&#39;t wait to start&quot; ➡ <a href="https://t.co/9a179SBCib">https://t.co/9a179SBCib</a> <br><br>⚪🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeBrandon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeBrandon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Brandon_Davies0?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Brandon_Davies0</a> <a href="https://t.co/zoeAhFs9lr">pic.twitter.com/zoeAhFs9lr</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1540262794037235712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Davies started his professional basketball career with Philadelphia and Brooklyn of the NBA and also played for Austin of the G League, Chalon-sur-Saone and AS Monaco in the French League and Pallacanestro Varese in Italy before making his EuroLeague debut with Zalgiris Kaunas in the 2017-18 season. He helped Zalgiris reach the 2018 Final Four and win back-to-back Lithuanian League titles in 2018 and 2019. Davies was named the EuroLeague MVP for April 2018 and was chosen to the 2018-19 All-EuroLeague First Team and the 2020-21 all-EuroLeague Second Team. In 169 EuroLeague career games, Davies has averaged 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds.

“I’m excited to be here and play for the Italian Champions. I can’t wait to start working, alongside this group of guys. See you all soon.”

Milan signs star center Davies 

Test featured news title

One Team news

Just one month ago today, the basketball world was abuzz waiting for tipoff of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game. That sweet anticipation hit a crescendo with the pre-game floor show, Space 4 Glory, a cosmic-themed spectacle with DJs falling out of the sky and flames shooting up to it, 30 million pixels of video magic, 150 kilowatts of musical power, and the most energetic and effervescent of choreography and dancers. It hyped you then and it'll hype you again with this new take culled from footage taken from cameras throughout Stark Arena. The previous season's Final Four pre-game show won an international award, and this year was no less breathtaking. Check it out!

Re-watch the season finale’s pre-game show from all angles!

Top 10 Alley-Oops | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Final Four MVP Vasilije Micic of Anadolu Efes Istanbul reflects on all the team and individual successes of the just finished 2021-22 season.

Interview: Vasilije Micic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Interview: Vasilije Micic

Top 10 Assists | 2021-22 | Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Top 10 Blocks | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach Ergin Ataman talks about his championship team, key moments from the Final Four and looks ahead to next season in this exclusive interview.

Interview: Coach Ergin Ataman

Coach Ataman on his championship team

Reexperience the highlights of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Semifinals game between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona with EuroLeague TV’s Ronald Macintosh and Joe Arlauckas on the mic.


Broadcaster highlights from the Final Four: Real vs Barcelona

Reexperience the highlights of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Semifinals game between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona with EuroLeague TV’s Ronald Macintosh and Joe Arlauckas on the mic.

How EuroLeague TV experts called the Olympiacos-Efes semifinalIf you ever wondered how broadcast announcers look while making their calls in the biggest games, check out the entertaining outtakes of play-by-play man Liam Canny and color commentator Jiri Zidek working this season's spectacular semifinal between Olympiacos Piraeus and Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

How EuroLeague TV experts called the Olympiacos-Efes semifinal

Olympiacos Piraeus v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2022-05-19T16:00:00.000Z)

2021-22 was a season to remember. Let’s go back and review what made this season so special.

2021-22 Season in Review

MVP Micic and coach Ataman are answering journalists' questions at the post-game pressc onference when the teams arrive to celebrate again!

Efes players celebrate at the press conference!

FC Barcelona v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2021-05-30T18:30:00.000Z)

Countless highlights were produced during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Here's a look at the 5 best plays of Belgrade 2022!

Top 5 Plays | Final Four | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was full of vicious stops! Check out the best blocks of the Final Four!

Top 5 Blocks | Final Four | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was full of vicious stops! Check out the best blocks of Final Four!


Top 5 Assists | Final Four | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The passer's vision and execution were both faster than the defense in Belgrade. Check out the Final Four best assists!

The desire to get to the rim and score no matter what inspired some high-flying heroics from EuroLeague players. Here's a look at the 5 best dunks of the Final Four!

Top 5 Dunks | Final Four | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

All-Access as Anadolu Efes locks up the back-to-back title and cements its place in history!

In the Paint - Saturday

Bryant Dunston - Anadolu Efes Istanbul champ Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21-FFF

Latest videos

SEASON IN REVIEW

TRIBUTE TO THE CHAMPS

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: REAL VS. EFES

FINAL FOUR FANS

Top perfomers

AX Armani Exchange Milan strengthened its backcourt by signing guard Stefano Tonut to a multi-year deal. 

Milan tabs guard Tonut

AX Armani Exchange Milan strengthened its backcourt by signing guard[ Stefano Tonut](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/stefano-tonut/006509/) to a two-year deal, the club announced Saturday. Tonut (1.94 meters, 28 years old) arrives from Umana Reyer Venice, where he played the last seven seasons. He helped Reyer reach a new golden age with its first official titles in 74 years. Tonut won Italian League championships with Reyer in 2017 and 2019, lifted the FIBA Europe Cup in 2019 and claimed the Italian Cup in 2020.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📝 Stefano Tonut all&#39;Olimpia Milano: &quot;Esaudisco un sogno, sono felice ed emozionato&quot; ➡ <a href="https://t.co/eKiwvwPjwL">https://t.co/eKiwvwPjwL</a><br><br>📝 Stefano Tonut is coming to Olimpia: &quot;It is a dream come true for me, I&#39;m so happy&quot; ➡ <a href="https://t.co/OczYLIKtL8">https://t.co/OczYLIKtL8</a><br><br>⚪️🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeStefano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeStefano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveBucket7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveBucket7</a> <a href="https://t.co/n5CXEZHD9q">pic.twitter.com/n5CXEZHD9q</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1540622897894592515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Tonut is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Milan. In four 7DAYS EuroCup campaigns with Reyer, Tonut averaged 7.9 points in 51 games. He was chosen as the best domestic player in the 2020-21 Italian League. Tonut, whose father Alberto won a gold medal with Italy at EuroBasket 1983, also played for Monfalcone and Pallacanestro Trieste before joining Reyer in 2015. He has also been a member of the Italian national team, which he helped to a fifth-place finish at the 2020 Olympic Games.

FEATURED NEWS

Milan signs star center Davies

Article

Season in review: Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Article

Tribute to the Champs: Ergin Ataman

Article

Top 10 Photos of the 2021-22 Season: Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Article

Season in review: Olympiacos Piraeus

Article

Top photos 2022 Final Four: Re-live Final Four weekend in pictures

Article

Fenerbahce, Akpinar agree on extension

Article

Latest videos

Re-watch the season finale’s pre-game show from all angles!

Top 10 Alley-Oops | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Interview: Vasilije Micic

Top 10 Assists | 2021-22 | Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Top 10 Blocks | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Interview: Coach Ergin Ataman

Broadcaster highlights from the Final Four: Real vs Barcelona

How EuroLeague TV experts called the Olympiacos-Efes semifinal

2021-22 Season in Review

Efes players celebrate at the press conference!

Top 5 Plays | Final Four | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Top 5 Blocks | Final Four | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Top 5 Assists | Final Four | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Top 5 Dunks | Final Four | 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

In the Paint - Saturday

Top Performers