Yakuba Ouattara extends stay at Monaco Basket

AS Monaco has confirmed that [Yakuba Ouattara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yakuba-ouattara/004197/) has renewed his contract for the 2023-24 season, which will be his eighth campaign at the club over three different spells. Ouattara (1.92 meters, 31 years old) averaged 3.9 points and 1.0 rebound as Monaco reached last season's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

Yakuba Ouattara highlights 2022-23

### Ouattara, Monaco have grown together

Ouattara, Monaco's team captain, has spent four of the last five seasons with the team, during which time he has witnessed the club's rapid ascent. He was with Monaco between 2018 and 2020, which allowed him to play in the BKT EuroCup after making his competition debut with Elan Chalon in the 2013-14 season. 

While Ouattara was not part of the Monaco squad that won the EuroCup in the 2020-21 campaign, he returned to the Cote de Sur side in the summer of 2021 as it embarked on its EuroLeague adventure. Since then, he has made 65 appearances, with 36 coming as a starter. Ouattara has usually been a role player, however, playing an average of 12:34 per night across his EuroLeague career. Despite that, he is one of the leaders in the Monaco locker room and heads into his eighth season at the club as the proud team captain.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">ʏᴀᴋᴜʙᴀ ᴏᴜᴀᴛᴛᴀʀᴀ ʀᴇsᴛᴇ sᴜʀ ʟᴇ ʀᴏᴄʜᴇʀ 🔴⚪️ <br><br>⏩️ C&#39;est le début d&#39;une 8️⃣e année au club pour le Yak&#39;, un longévité et une fidélité exceptionnelles 🫡 <br><br>🪖 Leader par l&#39;exemple sur le terrain et dans les vestiaires, son apport est essentiel à la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> 😤🇲🇨 <a href="https://t.co/c7nsAZVsTT">pic.twitter.com/c7nsAZVsTT</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1701960586924322871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Monaco News

Yakuba Ouattara has possession of the ball during AS Monaco's playoff series against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Yakuba Ouattara extends stay at Monaco

Valencia Basket's oft-injured point guard Martin Hermannsson underwent surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his left knee. The procedure was carried out by the club's chief medical officer, Dr. Muñozm at the IMSKE hospital. 

Valencia's Martin Hermannsson is recovering after knee surgery

Valencia Basket's oft-injured point guard [Martin Hermannsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/martin-hermannsson/008780/) underwent surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his left knee. The procedure was carried out by the club's chief medical officer, Dr. Muñozm at the IMSKE hospital. The operation was deemed to be a success and the estimated timetable for the player's return to action is three months.

Hermannsson, 28, missed the majority of last season recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the same knee in May 2022. He appeared in four Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games and 14 Spanish League games last season, his third with Valencia.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🏥✅🧡<br>¡Vamos Martin, a por la rehab! <br><br>Cas 👉 <a href="https://twitter.com/hermannsson15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hermannsson15</a>, intervenido con éxito en su rodilla izquierda en <a href="https://twitter.com/imskehospital?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imskehospital</a> <a href="https://t.co/olA7Rd9ftx">https://t.co/olA7Rd9ftx</a><br> <br>Val 👉 Martin Hermannsson, intervingut amb èxit en el seu genoll esquerre<a href="https://t.co/Vl75eVhCnL">https://t.co/Vl75eVhCnL</a><br><br>Eng 👉 Martin Hermannsson… <a href="https://t.co/vU2FdOzDaf">pic.twitter.com/vU2FdOzDaf</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1701967880210796624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It was like he had never left. Pablo Laso was quick-pacing the sidelines, barking out mistakes, applauding the action loudly, arguing with referees, and letting fly an expletive or two. As fate would have it, the team he had served for 11 years was Laso's first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague opponent in 15 months, since he and Real Madrid came within a whisker of winning the 2022 championship game. Now, he was pacing the sidelines for FC Bayern Munich.

Pablo Laso, FC Bayern Munich: 'Compete from the first minute'

It was like he had never left. [Pablo Laso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/pablo-laso-a-two-time-euroleague-champ-becomes-bayern-head-coach/) was quick-pacing the sidelines, barking out mistakes, applauding the action loudly, arguing with referees, and letting fly an expletive or two.

Only this time, he paced in front of FC Bayern Munich's bench. The other one, belonging to Real Madrid, was just a few meters away.

As fate would have it, the team he had served for 11 years was Laso's first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague opponent in 15 months, since he and Real came within a whisker of winning the 2022 championship game.

Now, in a small village gym in Spain, Laso was coaching up a storm, just like he always did for the team on the other side of the scorer's table.

"It's funny because when I signed with Bayern and spoke to the sports director, he said, 'Pablo, we're playing in the south of Spain, we have the chance to play a tournament. We'll play in Malaga, and we're playing Real Madrid.' And I said, 'So?' I think he was even more worried to tell me, like 'Maybe you don't want to play Real Madrid.' And I said 'No, preseason is preseason.'

"Pablo Laso's first time playing against Real Madrid? Great story for Real Madrid, great story for Pablo Laso. We've been together for 11 years, so great. But when the game starts, I think everyone is doing his job."

Pablo Laso, Bayern: 'Compete from the first minute'

In the end, it was not awkward because Laso was in his element again after a year of watching basketball from his sofa for the first time in his adult life.

"I missed the competition," he confessed. "I've been competing since I was 16, as a player and as a coach, so one year without competing, without being involved in the league, watching the games from outside and not preparing them...in fact, you miss it. It's normal. But at the same time, I also enjoyed watching games without pressure."

His ex-players, former coaching partners and staff at Real all greeted Laso warmly before tipoff, smiles all around. So if there was any pressure in facing his old club before a crowd of no more than 1,000 fans in a sweltering gym next to the beach in Malaga, it was the pressure Laso is putting on himself and his new team.

"It's going to take time, for sure. Do we coaches have time?" he asked. "That's a great question, because, in the end coaches are a lot of times a valued just because of their victories, because they're going to win games or lose games. And I think that if you want to win, you have to create the way where you will be successful. And successful doesn't mean just winning. We've just been together for two weeks. There are good things and bad things. We have to improve our good things, but we have to repair our bad things. And this is something that, as a coach, for me, is always going to be there."

Mistakes were a given when Laso faced his old team last weekend. Bayern was missing three players who would win the World Cup with Germany the next day. The rest of the backcourt was entirely new. Laso even brought in 41-year-old Tremmel Darden to help fill one hole in training camp. At one point Darden was on the floor with 16-year-old Ivan Kharchenkov, 25 years his junior.

Real, meanwhile, played with many of the lineups that were on the court when it won the EuroLeague title last spring. In fact, head coach Chus Mateo sent out a fivesome of Sergio Rodriguez, Fabien Causeur, Mario Hezonja, Gabriel Deck and Vincent Poirier to reclaim the lead after Bayern took it in the second quarter. After a close first half, though, Real's experience and years together showed plenty as the defending champions pulled away to win 85-65.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🧐 RESUMEN<br>▶ <a href=https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>@RMBaloncesto</a> 🆚 <a href=https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>@FCBBasketball</a> (85-65)<a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#HalaMadrid</a> <a href=https://t.co/c9h7CaWI1d>pic.twitter.com/c9h7CaWI1d</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href=https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1700623044023087262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>September 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script> 

Of course, Laso was in perpetual motion until the end, pushing his players in the final minute of long-decided game in a gym so small it had no parking lot. He was all about executing the remaining plays correctly, for their own good.

"There's a funny story," Laso recalled. "When we played Oklahoma City in Madrid once, Dino Radonjic and Luka Doncic played. And one of my sons was behind the bench of Oklahoma. And I think it was Russell Westbrook, coming back to the bench, who said 'It's not possible that these two kids are 16 or 17.' Why? Because of the way they competed. That's what I try to make my players understand. You have to compete from the first minute, from the first practice, and this is something that's going to make you a better player." 

Nemanja Bjelica has officially returned to Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, 13 years after leaving the club. Bjelica (2.09 meters, 35 years old) spent last season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, where he averaged 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in seven appearances in the EuroLeague. An injury meant that Bjelica could only make his second Fenerbahce debut in Round 24, having first played for the club between 2013 and 2015. Bjelica is Zvezda's 10th signing this summer.

Crvena Zvezda brings Nemanja Bjelica back home

[Nemanja Bjelica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nemanja-bjelica/001413/) has officially returned to [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/carousels/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22red%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=Crvena%20Zvezda%20Meridianbet%20Belgrade), 13 years after leaving the club. Bjelica (2.09 meters, 35 years old) spent last season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, where he averaged 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in seven appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. An injury meant that Bjelica could only make his second Fenerbahce debut in Round 24, having first played for the club between 2013 and 2015. Bjelica, who has signed a one-year deal at Zvezda, is the Serbian side's 10th signing this summer.

Looking Back: Nemanja Bjelica Highlights

### Becoming the EuroLeague MVP

Bjelica, who began his professional career with Traiskirchen Lions in Austria in the 2007-08 season before joining Zvezda in the summer of 2008, has earned plenty of accolades in his basketball career since leaving the Serbian club in 2010. Back then, he moved to Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, where he got his first taste of EuroLeague basketball. It took him a little while to get going, but in the 2012-13 season – his third at Baskonia – he truly announced himself, averaging 9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal as the Spanish side reached the EuroLeague Playoffs.

Those performances at Baskonia caught the attention of Fenerbahce, which didn’t hesitate in signing Bjelica. In Istanbul, Bjelica continued to improve his statistics and ended up securing the EuroLeague MVP, having posted 12.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals as Fenerbahce reached the 2015 Final Four. That season, 2014-15, he was also named to the All-EuroLeague First Team.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Bivši košarkaš Crvene zvezde, reprezentativac Srbije, MVP Evrolige i osvajač NBA lige, Nemanja Bjelica vratio se svojoj kući i potpisao u utorak ugovor sa crveno-belima!<br><br>Welcome back home, <a href="https://twitter.com/NemanjaBjelica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NemanjaBjelica</a>!<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://t.co/DaRk4Fuxyq">pic.twitter.com/DaRk4Fuxyq</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1701606184674062706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### An NBA champion and his EuroLeague return

Just like what happened at Baskonia, Bjelica's displays with Fenerbahce saw him earn another move, this time to the NBA. He spent the following seven years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Sacramento Kings, the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors, which is where he became an NBA champion in the 2021-22 campaign.

Last summer, Bjelica made an emotional return to Fenerbahce as part of Dimitris Itoudis's revolution at the Turkish club, but a calf injury prevented him from ever rediscovering his MVP-level performances from the 2014-15 season. Nevertheless, his return to the floor at Ulker Sports and Event Hall – and the standing ovation he received – will never be forgotten by Bjelica, who now gets the chance to return to the city of his birth, Belgrade.

Zvezda fans have been incredibly excited about all of the club's transfer activity this summer and the return of Bjelica is just the cherry on top of the cake. If he can stay healthy, Bjelica – a key contributor off the bench in Golden State's 2022 NBA title success – could be just what Zvezda needs to make the EuroLeague Playoffs.

More Crvena Zvezda News

Nemanja Bjelica, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade's latest signing, in action for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Basketball believers, now is your moment.

The smack of leather on hardwood keeps coming closer. The roar of the crowd echoes in your ears. The most competitive league on the planet is almost here. And the anticipation is oh-so-sweet.

It's about pride, passion and colors, all passed down through generations to craft a competition that sweeps across borders and inspires devotion wherever it touches down.

It's about capitals of culture where the languages, the food and the street life are as diverse as possible, but everyone comes to a stop to witness drama as impassioned as you'll find under one roof.

The rivalries are fierce as they come, but so are the friendships forged in a crucible of sweat, high-fives and mutual respect, fueled by commitment to fight injustice and light fires of social change.

This is a new definition of basketball. This is the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Basketball believers, now is your moment.

The smack of leather on hardwood keeps coming closer. The echo of the crowds beats in your ears. The most competitive league on the planet is almost here. And the anticipation is oh-so-sweet.

Welcome to a new definition of basketball

Having finished the last three seasons just shy of the playoffs in either ninth or 10th place, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz will be focused on finally knocking down that door in the 2023-24 season. A few departures have left last season's top-scoring Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team looking to replace lost points and assists, but also taking the opportunity to shore up what was the competition's third-worst defense. A second season under head coach Joan Penarroya and solid returnees at key positions will provide the foundation for what Baskonia fans hope is a successful push into the post-season.

2023-24 Roster Rundown: Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Having finished the last three seasons just shy of the playoffs in either ninth or 10th place, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz will be focused on finally knocking down that door in the 2023-24 season. A few departures have left last season's top-scoring Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team looking to replace lost points and assists, but also taking the opportunity to shore up what was the competition's third-worst defense. A second season under head coach Joan Penarroya and solid returnees at key positions will provide the foundation for what Baskonia fans hope is a successful push into the post-season.

### BACKCOURT

Baskonia has put the ball in the hands of a EuroLeague newcomer, [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-completes-move-for-codi-miller-mcintyre/), who nonetheless is a veteran of four EuroCup seasons as a starting point guard and offers the kind of floor generalship and on-the-ball defense that can make all the team's parts work together. His main targets on the perimeter will be sharpshooter [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-hires-howard-as-point-man/), the team's top scorer last season, and new arrival [Nico Mannion](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-puts-mannion-in-the-backcourt/), who scratched the surface of his vast potential by scoring 5.9 points on average in 19 EuroLeague appearances with Virtus Segafredo Bologna. Another backcourt signing can be expected, but for the moment, Baskonia is using unsigned 22-year-old Hugo Besson, a tall point guard from France, in its training camp and preparation games. Still-young shooting ace [Vanja Marinkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-inks-sharpshooter-marinkovic/), who put up 9.1 points per game last season, gives Baskonia yet another scoring threat on the perimeter, while small forwards [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-extends-forward-sedekerskis/) and [Dani Diez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/dani-diez-to-stay-at-baskonia-next-season/) are exactly the kind of hustle players that the local fans adore.

Nico Mannion | 2022-23 Awards Candidate | Rising Star

### FRONTCOURT

An already-solid frontcourt has gotten deeper. At power forward, the team made two eye-catching signings. All-energy [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/chima-moneke-heads-back-to-spain-joins-baskonia/) brings rebounding and defense and comes off a Final Four appearance with AS Monaco in his half-season EuroLeague debut. Versatile 22-year-old forward  [Nikos Rogkavopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nikolaos-rogkavopoulos/011085/), a deep-shooting and rebounding threat in one, has already staked a sizeable role with the Greek national team at the World Cup. Utility forward [Sander Raieste](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sander-raieste/008850/) is back for his fourth consecutive EuroLeague season, gaining minutes with each new one.  [Maik Kotsar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-brings-in-big-man-kotsar/), very much a breakthrough player in his rookie EuroLeague season at center, stands to get even better as high- and low-post center with deceptive quickness. He and [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-tabs-power-forward-costello/), one of the league's best-passing centers, are the team's second-best scoring returnees, with 9.3 points per game each last season. To their savvy interior play, Baskonia has added high-flying [Khalifa Diop](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-lands-khalifa-diop-the-2021-22-eurocup-rising-star/), a former EuroCup Rising Star Trophy honoree who also won that competiton's title last spring. Diop gives Baskonia an elite shot-blocking presence and a constant dunking threat.

Markus Howard | Best Plays | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### PLAYER TO WATCH

As the competition's [top points-per-minute scorer on the most prolific offensive team last season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2022&statisticMode=perMinute&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score), shooting guard Markus Howard walks into his second EuroLeague season as a major threat to keep filling baskets in bunches. Howard attempted (7.3) and made (2.7) more three-pointers than any EuroLeague player last season, but that stat can be misleading. At least [20 major contributors for other teams harvested more of their points from downtown than Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=200&viewType=scoring&seasonCode=E2022&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=pointsMade3Rate), who can also get to the basket and the foul line, where he is good as gold. Finding good shots against EuroLeague defenses is not easy, but with a season under his belt, Howard will have learned how to locate more of them. Even if he doesn't eclipse his 12th-ranked 14.2-point average as a rookie, the attention that defenses must pay to Howard far from the basket will certainly open up more opportunities for his teammates. He can be a game-changer when he gets hot, but with experience, Howard can become a disruptor, too, even when his shot is not falling.

### OUTLOOK

Despite welcoming several newcomers most seasons, Baskonia is accustomed to going deep in the playoff hunt. The difference this time is that Coach Penarroya will likely depend on less-experienced newcomers like Mannion, Moneke, Rogkavopoulos and Diop to maintain the team's ability to contend. Having a point guard with proven EuroLeague experience as in the past would have made their transition easier. Instead, there will be lot of learning and getting to know each other's styles between Miller-McIntyre and his teammates, with games coming fast and furious in the first half of the regular season. How quickly Baskonia can ride that learning curve and not wait for things to come together will go a long way toward determining if its goal of making the playoffs will be feasible later.

The 20th edition of EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime is coming your way very soon, and this season, it's even better! As always, all teams have the same chances to win the grand prize: a EuroLeague VIP package highlighted by a trip to the 2025 Final Four! The basic rules are the same, too: each manager uses a budget of 100 credits to build a team of four guards, four forwards, two centers and one head coach.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge sneak peak

The 20th edition of EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime is coming your way very soon, and this season, it's even better!

As always, all teams have the same chances to win the grand prize: a EuroLeague VIP package highlighted by a trip to the 2025 Final Four! The basic rules are the same, too: each manager uses a budget of 100 credits to build a team of four guards, four forwards, two centers and one head coach.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge will launch at 12 noon CET on Wednesday, September 13, at which time full list of player prices will be public and managers can start experimenting with their teams.

But to get you in the Fantasy Challenge spirit, here is a sneak peak at what you can expect.

The most expensive player in the game is 2023 Final Four MVP [Edy Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real Madrid at 16.0 credits. The center spot is always critical and thus, getting Tavares comes at a price. [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) of FC Barcelona are tied for the second-highest prices at 15.5 credits apiece.

Completing the top 10 are Kemba Walker of AS Monaco (15.2 credits), [Will Clyburn ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/)of Anadolu Efes Istanbul (15.0), [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (14.8), [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) of Panathinaikos Athens (14.8), [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) of Monaco (14.7), [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) of Maccabi (14.6), Juancho Hernangomez of Panathinaikos (14.5) and [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) of Efes (14.5).

All players are priced between 16.0 and 4.0 credits. In fact, there are 20 players listed at the lowest price possible. Over time, player's values will fluctuate based on performance, but when it comes to EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, it is important to find players who will outperform their price tag right away.

Players who were new to the competition last season and return with a year of EuroLeague experience are often the biggest bargains at the start of the game, so keep an eye on players like [Gabriele Procida ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriele-procida/008384/)of ALBA Berlin (7.7 credits), [Ignas Brazdeikis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ignas-brazdeikis/011983/) of Zalgiris Kaunas (9.7), [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) of FC Bayern Munich (7.7) and [Jaime Pradilla](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jaime-pradilla/010393/) of Valencia Basket (5.5).

There are some well-rounded veterans who are fairly cheap at the start of the season, too, and have the experience and talent to do well right away such as [Charles Kahudi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/charles-kahudi/kir/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (5.5 credits), [Victor Claver](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/victor-claver/000556/) of Valencia (6), [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/) of Virtus Segafredo Bologna (9.8), [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) of Real (7.4) and [Adam Hanga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/adam-hanga/005099/) of Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (7.0).

Among the biggest risks are new players making their EuroLeague debuts, but they can pay off right away. Some star newcomers under the 10-credit mark include Justin Bean of ALBA (9.7 credits), [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/joel-parra/007464/) of Barca (9.5), [Nikos Rogkavopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nikolaos-rogkavopoulos/011085/) of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (9.0) and Kassius Robertson of Valencia (8.2).

Of course, these examples only scratch the surface of the many players and coaches to choose from. A good start is always important, so best of luck to all managers when EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge powered by Ardu Prime launches on Wednesday!

ALBA Berlin underwent more changes over the summer than in any recent year, not only bringing in more than a half-dozen new faces compared to last season, but also expecting them to assume main roles after foundational pieces departed. Head coach Israel Gonzalez will have plenty of work on his hands with a team that is blessed with a lot of talent, but not an awful lot of experience. In addition to talent, this ALBA squad also has size. No player on the roster is shorter than 1.90 meters and six frontcourt players are at least 2.05.

2023-24 Roster Rundown: ALBA Berlin

ALBA Berlin underwent more changes over the summer than in any recent year, not only bringing in more than a half-dozen new faces compared to last season, but also expecting them to assume main roles after foundational pieces departed. Head coach [Israel Gonzalez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/ber/gonzalez-israel/?season=E2023) will have plenty of work on his hands with a team that is blessed with a lot of talent, but not an awful lot of experience. In addition to talent, this ALBA squad also has size. No player on the roster is shorter than 1.90 meters and six frontcourt players are at least 2.05.

### BACKCOURT

The main characteristic of ALBA's backcourt is youth, where five players are 23 years of age or younger. And that starts at point guard where a pair of new faces, [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/), 20, and [Ziga Samar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ziga-samar/007550/), 22, will be in charge of ALBA's offense. While they might lack experience, this playmaking duo should certainly not lack creativity or wit, especially playing in ALBA's trademark up-tempo style. The other two newcomers this summer, [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alba-berlin-brings-on-nba-veteran-sterling-brown/) and [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), should bring much-needed veteran leadership. Sharpshooter Thomas is ready to embark on his first full EuroLeague season, while swingman Brown will taste his first season on the continent.

Matt Thomas top plays of the 2022-23 season

Matt Thomas's top plays from the 2022-23 season

Both Brown and Thomas are eager to take on big roles with their new team, as are the three backcourt players who remain from last season. Talented swingman [Gabriele Procida](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriele-procida/008384/) is expected to take a step forward in his development after getting his feet wet in the EuroLeague last season and will form an Italian connection with Spagnolo. Homegrown talents, combo guard [Jonas Mattisseck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jonas-mattisseck/007025/) and swingman [Malte Delow](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/malte-delow/008211/), already have 185 EuroLeague appearances between them over the past four seasons and hope to earn even more minutes. Meanwhile, teenager Elias Rapieque will look to make his competition debut after being promoted to the first squad.

### FRONTCOURT

ALBA's frontcourt will have plenty of familiarity since the only newcomer in this group is [Justin Bean](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alba-berlin-wraps-up-justin-bean-signing/), an undersized power forward who thrives on the glass. Apart from Bean, ALBA will rely heavily on forward [Louis Olinde](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/louis-olinde/006919/) and recently-crowned world champion center [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/), who both stand at 2.05 meters, and both can hurt opposing defenses from the outside as well as close to the rims. Olinde and Thiemann, just like the rest of the returning players, are set to have larger roles than in previous seasons.

Jonas Mattisseck shows Justin Bean around ALBA's training facility

Big forward [Tim Schneider](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tim-schneider/006251/) is another homegrown player with plenty of EuroLeague experience; he shot 43.2% from long range last season. ALBA's two true centers are [Christ Koumadje](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/christ-koumadje/010791/) and [Yanni Wetzell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yanni-wetzell/011934/). Both are set for more playing time, especially Wetzell who came off the bench in all but one game last season, while the 2.23-meter Koumadje will try to continue to impose his towering presence on the opposing teams. Croatian big man [Kresimir Nikic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kresimir-nikic/006819/) is back after a season on loan.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

At the age of 22, Slovenian playmaker [Ziga Samar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ziga-samar/007550/) has big shoes to fill at the point guard position. Samar signed with ALBA last summer, but spent a year gaining experience on loan at Veolia Towers Hamburg, where he impressed in the EuroCup with 9.8 points, 6.1 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals. He also averaged 6.1 assists in German League action last season, too. A lot of weight will be on the young point guard's shoulders, but Samar has all the tools to run an offense smoothly and make it look fun, which are among the many reasons to keep an eye on the talented playmaker in his EuroLeague debut season.

Ziga Samar's top plays 2022-23 EuroCup season

Ziga Samar's top plays from the 2022-23 EuroCup season

### OUTLOOK

Due to the roster turnover and having a youthful team, it is reasonable to temper expectations when it comes to ALBA this season. But this situation where the roster is put together for the long run is not new for the club from the German capital and this team with its potent offense should not be underestimated. With so much up-and-coming talent and enough veteran leadership in the likes of Thiemann, Thomas and Brown, ALBA is destined to grow as the season progresses. And make no mistake, Coach Gonzalez will have his team ready to play and compete every single week.

Germany is the FIBA Basketball World Cup champion for the first time and it did so with a team made mostly of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars! Team Germany outlasted Serbia 83-77 in the championship game in Manilla. No fewer than seven EuroLeaguers highlighted the German roster and several of them made major contributions to the winning effort.

Johannes Voigtmann comes up big as Germany wins World Cup

Germany is the FIBA Basketball World Cup champion for the first time and it did so with a team made mostly of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars! Team Germany outlasted Serbia 83-77 in the championship game in Manilla. No fewer than seven EuroLeaguers highlighted the German roster and several of them made major contributions to the winning effort.

Chief among them was big man [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, who posted 12 points on near-perfect shooting and led his team with 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a performance index rating of 22. The German lineups that played the best were with EuroLeague stars too as [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) produced a game-high +/- of 9 and his FC Bayern Munich teammate [Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/) and Voigtmann each had 8.

Dennis Schroder named tournament MVP after scoring 28 points, including a game-clinching layup to make it 81-77 with 21.4 seconds remaining. Franz Wagner added 19 points for the winners. Bonga, who made major contributions on the defensive end, and Obst scored 7 points apiece.

After a thrilling first half that featured 15 lead changes ended with the teams knotted at 47-47, Germany outclassed Serbia 22-10 in the third quarter. Serbia rallied in the fourth and came within 79-77 on free throws by Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) with 39.5 seconds remaining. However Schroder answered on the next possession and Germany was able to celebrate.

The other EuroLeague players who are now world champions with Germany are [Niels Giffey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/niels-giffey/001557/) from Bayern, [Justus Hollatz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/justus-hollatz/009513/) from Anadolu Efes Istanbul, [Maodo Lo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maodo-lo/007032/) from Milan and [Johannes Thiemann ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/)from ALBA Berlin.

### Avramovic was brilliant in defeat

[Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade was brilliant in defeat for Serbia. He sparked the fourth-quarter comeback by scoring 16 of his 21 points in the final 10 minutes. In addition to his excellent scoring, Avramovic played intense defense and was a constant pain in Germany's side.

Former EuroLeague champs [Bogdan Bogdanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bogdan-bogdanovic/002821/) and [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) added 17 and 10 points, respectively. [Vanja Marinkovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vanja-marinkovic/004761/) of Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz got off to a strong start with 9 first-quarter points, but did not score again.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I&#39;ll add some classical music to it, and call it a masterpiece. 🎨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForAll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForAll</a> <a href="https://t.co/5XzYsvRqu1">pic.twitter.com/5XzYsvRqu1</a></p>&mdash; FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC/status/1700858015933452573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The other EuroLeague players to take home silver medals from the tournament are [Dejan Davidovac](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dejan-davidovac/007960/) from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, [Ognjen Dobric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-dobric/004007/) from Virtus Segafredo Bologna, Guduric from Fenerbahce and [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) from Olympiacos Piraeus. Dobric started the game, but was fouled and helped to the locker room with an ankle injury after just 2 minutes and 20 seconds of playing time.  He did not return.

Earlier Sunday, Canada captured the bronze medal with a 188-127 overtime victory over the United States of America. Dillon Brooks erupted for 39 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 12 assists for the winners. Anthony Edwards led the Americans with 24 points.