Geoff Gillingham is the latest Euroleague.net staff member to offer their favorite moment from the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

My favorite moment from 2023-24: Geoff Gillingham

### When I got to see Mike James make history

*by Geoff Gillingham*

For those who are curious, [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) is the player who really got me hooked on the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Therefore, I was more than delighted when Euroleague Basketball Editorial Director Frank Lawlor asked me: “Geoff, would you like to go to Monaco to speak with Mike James, the MVP of the Month for February, and stay to cover him becoming the all-time leading scorer?” Even before I sat down with Mike ahead of the interview, I felt nervous. I never feel like this. But once we started talking, I calmed down and the interview went down a treat. James even stayed for 10 minutes after the interview to speak with me; I explained how much I’ve enjoyed watching him over the years and we shared some brief stories. On an individual basis, that’s something I’ll never forget.

Mike James, Monaco, February MVP: ‘I’m trying to enjoy all the love and support I’m getting’

Then came the big day. Needing just 12 points to surpass Vassilis Spanoulis as the EuroLeague’s scoring king, James got to work and scored 5 first-quarter points. Sitting in the media section at Salle Gaston Medecin, it was fascinating to see his every move – even when he didn’t have the ball – but disaster almost struck when he came up limping after getting up a shot in the lane. With his family and friends in attendance, as well as an English journalist from [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) called Geoff Gillingham, there was a fear that the 33-year-old’s night might be done early. Instead, he rested up on the bench and reentered the game with 8:47 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

In 70 seconds, James scored four points, meaning he needed just three to go past Spanoulis. With 6:40 minutes to go before halftime, the AS Monaco star hit a couple of free throws to officially tie the Olympiacos Piraeus legend’s tally of 4,455 points. Then, everyone was on the edge of their seats. It was clear what was coming next. Some two minutes and 47 seconds after his second make from the free-throw line, there we had it – history had been made. James dipped into his bag and scored a right sidestep mid-range jumper to go first all-time in points, leading to the game being paused and a big ovation from the crowd. While he doesn’t enjoy being the center of attention, it was a chance for James to realize the magnitude of what he had just accomplished.

Game paused to honor Mike James

Come the end of the game, he had 20 points and, importantly, had led Monaco to a seventh straight win in the EuroLeague. His name continued to ring around Salle Gaston Medecin in the final minutes of the game as the Monaco fans gave their hero his dues. Meanwhile, I had to race up to the media room for a special Mike James post-game press conference. There, Mike was gracious enough to answer questions from the French press pack before yours truly got to ask him a couple of questions. Just as he had been one day earlier, Mike was incredibly kind and there was mutual respect between us. And off I went back to the hotel to write about the game, while James basked in the glory of his memorable night, surrounded by his family and close friends.

AS Monaco star Mike James is showered with drinks by his teammates after becoming the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer.

In a season rich with magical moments and historic feats, who better to highlight them than the people who covered the league closest? We have asked the reporters from EuroLeague.net to reflect on their favorite moments from the 2023-24 campaign.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan announced the signing of center Josh Nebo, who set a EuroLeague record last season with 120 offensive rebounds. 

Milan tabs rebounding leader Josh Nebo

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan announced the signing of center [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/josh-nebo/011199/), who set a EuroLeague record last season with 120 offensive rebounds. The deal is for two seasons. Nebo (2.06 meters, 26 years old) spent the last two seasons with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. He averaged 11.2 points, a league-best 7.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game last season. Nebo also ranked in the top 10 in two-point accuracy (66.9%, ninth), blocks (eighth) and PIR (16.7, 10th).

“I’m excited for this next chapter of my career here in Milan," Nebo told the club website. "I’m looking forward to working towards building something special with the club and hopefully I will be able to help the team bring many wins and joy to our fans. I am looking forward to the next season and getting to see and meet everyone soon.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Josh Nebo: “Un nuovo capitolo, costruiamo qualcosa di speciale”<br><br>La Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano ha raggiunto un accordo fino alla stagione 2025/26 con il centro Josh Nebo, 2.06, nato a Houston il 19 luglio 1997, proveniente dal Maccabi Tel Aviv.<br><br>🇮🇹 Comunicato ufficiale 👉🏻… <a href="https://t.co/WkV86ebtU7">pic.twitter.com/WkV86ebtU7</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1805200540445421754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Milan will be Nebo’s third club in the EuroLeague. He began his professional career in Israel with Hapoel Eilat in 2020-21. Nebo moved to Lithuania the following season and made his EuroLeague debut with Zalgiris Kaunas. He returned to Israeli in the summer of 2022 and starred for Maccabi the last two seasons. He helped Maccabi to a pair of Israeli League championships in his time there.  

Despite having only played 106 EuroLeague games, Nebo is already ranked 43rd all-time with 279 offensive rebounds. He is 11th in competition history with a career 65.8% two-point shooting percentage.

Here are some of the 120 offensive rebounds, often finished with dunks, that Jish Nebo of Maccanbi Playtika Tel Aviv grabbed during the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Nebo sets single-season offensive rebounds record

The athletic big man led the EuroLeague last season with 7.1 boards per game

At the tail end of an up-and-down season, Luca Vildoza gave Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens exactly what it needed in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game to take down Real Madrid and celebrate his first title. 

Tribute to the Champs: Luca Vildoza

At the tail end of an up-and-down season, [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/) gave Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens exactly what it needed in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game to take down Real Madrid and celebrate his first title. The 29-year-old Argentinean was coming off his finest season to date with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade when he signed with the Greens with a big role waiting for him in Coach Ergin Ataman’s backcourt. In his first six appearances, Vildoza had at least 4 assists four times, scored in double figures three times and twice made 4 triples. He also had three games with at least 3 turnovers as finding a consistent role in the new team proved to be an issue.

Best of Luca Vildoza: 2023-24

Vildoza had plenty of bright moments, such as a 19-point outburst – including the game-tying basket in the final minute – in an 81-82 road win at Valencia Basket in Round 19. He later averaged 7.7 points on 6-of-9 three-point shooting in 3 playoff games against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

When he was needed in Berlin, Vildoza was ready. Despite not featuring in the semifinal, Vildoza proved himself when foul trouble plagued the backcourt in the championship game. He first entered the game with 6:13 left in the second quarter and the Greens trailing by 10. His energy helped shift the momentum as Panathinaikos immediately went on a 5-14 charge to get within 46-45 on a Vildoza triple. He was reinserted less than 3 minutes into the second half and again his team got hot, outscoring *Los Blancos* 5-12 to lead 61-64 at the end of the third quarter. Vildoza finished the game with just 3 points in 13:16 minutes, but his +/- of 12 was third-best on the team and the only players better than him played more than 30 minutes.  

Tribute to the Champs

The Argentinean playmaker was a difference maker when it mattered most this season

Olimpia Milano has signed Nenad Dimitrijevic to a two-year contract. 

Olimpia Milano brings in Nenad Dimitrijevic at point guard

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has signed [Nenad Dimitrijevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nenad-dimitrijevic/profile/006085/) to a two-year contract, the club announced Saturday.

Dimitrijevic (1.86 meters, 26 years old) comes off a monster season with Russian side UNICS Kazan, during which he averaged 18.6 points, 6.9 assists and 1.2 steals for a PIR of 23.4.

He ranked third in the VTB United League in scoring, assists and PIR in helping UNICS finish atop the regular season standings and reach the playoff finals.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Dimitrijevic: &quot;Grato ed entusiasta di arrivare all&#39;Olimpia&quot;<br><br>La Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano ha raggiunto un accordo fino alla stagione 2025/26 con il playmaker Neno Dimitrijevic, 1.83, nato a Skopje, Macedonia, il 23 febbraio 1998, proveniente dall’Unics Kazan, in Russia.<br><br>🇮🇹… <a href="https://t.co/SVq0vb4Run">pic.twitter.com/SVq0vb4Run</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1804444743998255126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I’m very happy and grateful to be now a part of this historic club," Dimitrijevic told Milan's official club media. "I’m excited for the opportunity to be part of the history of Olimpia and will try to help the team win hopefully important trophies. I can’t wait to get started, I will see you all very soon.”

Dimitrijevic is a product of the Joventut Badalona youth system and he made his professional debut there, playing five seasons for the senior team, including two in the EuroCup.

The best plays of new EA7 Emporio Armani Milan signing Nenad Dimitrijevic while playing for Valencia Basket in the 2021-22 BKT EuroCup season.

Dimitrijevic's top plays in 2021-22

He spent the 2021-22 season with Valencia Basket before moving to UNICS. Dimitrijevic led UNICS to the 2023 VTB championship in their first season together and was named MVP of the playoffs. A native of North Macedonia, Dimitrijevic has also been a regular on his country’s national team.

More Milan News

New EA7 Emporio Armani Milan recruit Nenad Dimitrijevic in action for Valencia Basket in the 2021-22 BKT EuroCup season.

The playmaker will make his EuroLeague debut in the Fashion Capital 

Milan brings in Nenad Dimitrijevic at point guard

Jaron Blossomgame has signed a two-year contract extension at AS Monaco Basket.

Jaron Blossomgame pens new deal at Monaco

AS Monaco has confirmed that small forward [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/) has signed a two-year contract renewal, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025-26 season, the club announced on Friday.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’re excited to announce that Jaron Blossomgame signed a new two-year deal with the Roca Team! 💪🇲🇨 <a href="https://t.co/sUHBcBKtO3">pic.twitter.com/sUHBcBKtO3</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket EN (@asmonaco_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/asmonaco_en/status/1804122129937383459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Blossomgame (1.99 meters, 30 years old) averaged 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 39 EuroLeague games for Monaco last season. In two years in the principality, Blossomgame helped his team win back-to-back French League titles, in addition to lifting the French Cup trophy in 2023 and making it to the EuroLeague Final Four that year, too. 

In 77 EuroLeague games with Monaco, Blossomgame averages 5.8 points on 61.1% two-point shooting and 3.0 rebounds.

Jaron Blossomgame Top Plays from 10/01/2022 to 06/17/2024

Best of Jaron Blossomgame: 2022-24

He started his career with the Austin Spurs in the G League and also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Windy City Bulls in the G League, Ironi Nahariya in Israel and ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. 

Blossomgame had a stellar BKT EuroCup campaign with Ulm, leading the 2021-22 regular season in PIR (20.4) and helping his team reach the quarterfinals.

Monaco fans can now breathe easy, knowing that they will be able to continue watching Blossomgame and his all-action play for another couple of years.

More Monaco News

AS Monaco forward Jaron Blossomgame in action during the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The versatile American is staying put in the principality

Nikola Kalinic has sealed his return to KK Crvena zvezda, signing a multi-year deal with the club.

Crvena zvezda reunites with Nikola Kalinic

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has boosted its roster with experience, leadership and toughness by reuniting with former EuroLeague champion [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/), who has signed a three-year deal at the club.

Kalinic (2.02 meters, 32 years old) returns to Belgrade after spending the last two seasons with FC Barcelona. Last year, he averaged 7.3 points, shooting 40.6% from three-point range, and collected 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists without missing a game in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague action, starting in 38 of his 39 appearances.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sr" dir="ltr">КК Црвена звезда Меридианбет са поносом обавештава јавност да се освајач две трипле круне са Црвеном звездом, Никола Калинић вратио кући!<br><br>Welcome back home, Kalina! 🔴⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrvenoBelaPorodica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CrvenoBelaPorodica</a> <a href="https://t.co/7QCXqiU5QW">pic.twitter.com/7QCXqiU5QW</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1804080303671038365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For Kalinic, this will be his third stint with Crvena Zvezda, the club where he made his EuroLeague debut in the 2014-15 season and also played in the 2021-22 campaign, when he was Zvezda's leader averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in EuroLeague action. In each of those seasons with the club, Kalinic helped Zvezda win the triple crown – ABA League, Serbian League and Serbian Cup titles.

In between two previous stints with Zvezda, Kalinic spent five seasons with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and the 2020-21 campaign with Valencia Basket. With the Turkish powerhouse, Kalinic won the 2017 EuroLeague title and reached the 2016, 2018 and 2019 Final Fours as well. He also made it to the 2022 Final Four with Barcelona.

2021-22 EuroLeague highlights: Nikola Kalinic, Zvezda

Highlights from Kalinic's last spell with Zvezda

A veteran of 309 EuroLeague games, including 205 in a starting role, Kalinic has averaged 24 minutes per game in his career, posting 8.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. In Zvezda's uniform, he has made 56 appearances in the competition, posting 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Kalinic started his professional basketball career with Serbian side Subotica and also played at Novi Sad and Radnicki. During his career, Kalinic has also won silver medals at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Olympics with the Serbian national team.

More Crvena Zvezda News

New Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade signing Nikola Kalinic in action for FC Barcelona in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

This will be the club and player's third stint together

Crvena Zvezda reunites with Nikola Kalinic

KK Partizan has confirmed the signing of Frank Ntilikina, who returns to Europe after spending seven years in the NBA.

Frank Ntilikina returns to Europe, joins Partizan

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has completed the signing of [Frank Ntilikina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/frank-ntilikina/006591/) on a two-year deal.

Ntilikina (1.93 meters, 25 years old) last played with the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA, where he played sparingly last season.

The French point guard returns to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after making four appearances for Strasbourg during the 2015-16 season, the year before he went to the NBA.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Frank Entilikina je novi košarkaš crno-belih!✊🏽⚫️⚪️<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/MXqqPn4Cbc">https://t.co/MXqqPn4Cbc</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/OPagAxtoFE">pic.twitter.com/OPagAxtoFE</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1803820695148728459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Ntilikina spent the last seven years in the NBA. After being selected with the eighth overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 2017 NBA Draft, he played for the Knicks until 2021 before going on to play for the Dallas Mavericks (2021-23) and the Hornets (2023-24).

His first three seasons in the NBA were particularly impactful, notably averaging 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 78 games in 2017-18. The following year, 2018-19, he posted 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 43 appearances. Then, in 2019-20, Ntilikina had his best scoring season in the NBA by averaging 6.4 points, as well as 2.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists, in 56 games.

Frank Ntilikina's reborn at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019!

After one more year in New York, he had backup roles with Dallas and Charlotte.

Ntilikina has also suited up for the French national team, including at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2020 Olympic Games.

More Partizan News

New Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade signing Frank Ntilikina in action for the New York Knicks in the NBA.

The Frenchman spent the last seven years in the NBA

Frank Ntilikina returns to Europe to join Partizan

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has continued revamping its roster for the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season by signing experienced guard Iffe Lundberg, the club announced.

Partizan puts Iffe Lundberg into backcourt

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has continued revamping its roster for the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season by signing experienced guard [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/), the club announced. Lundberg (1.93 meters, 29 years old) arrives from Virtus Bologna, where he spent the last two campaigns.

Last season, Lundberg posted 9.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 35 appearances in the EuroLeague. He made several clutch baskets, including a game-deciding three-pointer in the Play-in Showdown road win over Anadolu Efes Istanbul as well as in a Virtus road win over Partizan. In two games against Partizan last season, Lundberg averaged 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and and average PIR of 23.0.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Iz crno-bele Bolonje u crno-beli Beograd. Ife Lundberg je novi košarkaš Partizana Mozzart Bet!✊🏽⚫️⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IffeLundberg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IffeLundberg</a> <a href="https://t.co/NfiWa0K7Hx">pic.twitter.com/NfiWa0K7Hx</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1803767729511403522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


It will be the fifth season in the competition for Lundberg, who first established himself as a EuroLeague level talent during two seasons with CSKA Moscow between 2020 and 2022. He also became the first Danish player to play in the NBA when he appeared in four games for Phoenix Suns in 2022.

The Danish international previously played in Spain for BAXI Manresa and Lenovo Tenerife, winning the 2020 edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup with the latter. He grew up with Falcon, Copenhagen and Horsens in his native country, and also played for Zielona Gora in Poland.

Focus on: Iffe Lundberg, Virtus Segafredo Bologna

More Partizan news

The guard is Partizan's  second off-season roster addition

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne has a new man under the rims with the addition of center [Neal Sako](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/neal-sako/010545/), the club announced on Thursday. Sako (2.10 meters, 25 years old), who has signed a two-year deal, arrives from a fellow French club Cholet where he spent the last two years.

Last season, Sako averaged 11.9 points on 72.6% two-point shooting, and ranked third in the French League with 7.6 rebounds. Sako also posted 10.9 points, and ranked second with 8.1 rebounds in the Basketball Champions League.

Sako started his career in the French capital with Paris-Levallois, playing there with the youth team, before making his professional debut in the 2018-19 season. In 2020-21, he appeared in 13 EuroCup games with Boulogne Metropolitans, but seeing limited action while helping the team reach the quarterfinals in that competition.

Sako left Paris after that season, and spent a year with Chalons-Reims Basket, before joining Cholet in 2022. Sako is now set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut in an ASVEL jersey.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">🆕🇫🇷 Neal Sako sera villeurbannais pour les deux prochaines saisons ! 🫡<br><br>Pivot dominant des parquets de Betclic Elite, formé à Paris-Levallois et 5ème meilleure évaluation (17,7) du championnat l&#39;année dernière avec <a href="https://twitter.com/CB_officiel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CB_officiel</a>, Neal occupera la raquette de LDLC ASVEL jusqu&#39;en… <a href="https://t.co/8NlVMt0lFC">pic.twitter.com/8NlVMt0lFC</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1803730062736257488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The center has been one of the best rebounders in the French League