With one eye on its opening game in little more than a month, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv held the first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague media day of the new season at its home in Menora Mivtachim Arena on Thursday. Under the orders of head coach Oded Kattash for a second year in a row, Maccabi will look to go at least one step further than last season, when its quest for a return to the Final Four ended with a Game 5 loss in the playoffs to AS Monaco. 

 Maccabi hosts season's first media day! 

With one eye on its opening game in little more than a month, [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/games/tel/?season=2023-24) held the first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague media day of the new season at its home in Menora Mivtachim Arena on Thursday. Under the orders of head coach [Oded Kattash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/tel/kattash-oded/?season=E2023) for a second year in a row, Maccabi will look to go at least one step further than last season, when its quest for a return to the Final Four ended with a Game 5 loss in the playoffs to AS Monaco.

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cwnbqy6sKy2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cwnbqy6sKy2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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### Homecoming for Tamir Blatt

To improve upon that outcome, Maccabi tweaked its roster with four new arrivals, among them up-and-coming point guard [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/), who traded the yellow of ALBA Berlin for that of his home country's most famous club over the summer. Blatt, whose father David coached Maccabi to its last EuroLeague title in 2014, proved happy to be back in Israel and wearing Maccabi's shade of yellow for the first time on Thursday.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The new signing is happy to be here 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/tkXKNwNAXC">pic.twitter.com/tkXKNwNAXC</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1697213682961334502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 



### Dynamic duo in demand

One of the best backcourt duos on the Old Continent last season, [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) and [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/), were naturally in demand on media day to answer questions about their ambitions in a second season together with Maccabi. Baldwin, when asked, had no doubt what game he has marked on his EuroLeague calendar: the [season opener at home against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/4/#roster). "As a competitor," Baldwin said, "I can't wait to get out there and play."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What are these two looking at? 👀 <a href="https://t.co/52qFLgsfKn">pic.twitter.com/52qFLgsfKn</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1697258277556629769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Cohen's special ties to EuroLeagueTV

Like all the other players, Baldwin and Brown went through their paces in photo shoots and posing for the cameras to prepare some of the best broadcasts in basketball for EuroLeague fans in the upcoming season. That includes the unique second career of center Jake Cohen, who debuted The Players View on EuroLeagueTV last season by commentating on games of other EuroLeague teams all the way to the Final Four!

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Jasiel Rivero

James Webb and Jasiel Rivero

John DiBartolomeo and Jake Cohen

Jasiel Rivero and Bonzie Colson

Lorenzo Brown and Wade Baldwin

Rafi Menco

John DiBartolomeo

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv news

Maccabi hosts season's first media day!

The new-look Panathinaikos Athens was the last of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams to launch its new season with the opening of training camp practices on Thursday morning. The Greens revamped their whole team over the summer, starting with appointing a back-to-back EuroLeague champion on the bench, Ergin Ataman, who has arrived from Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

 Panathinaikos opens the Ataman era in Athens 

The new-look [Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2023-24) was the last of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams to launch its new season with the opening of training camp practices on Thursday morning. The Greens revamped their whole team over the summer, starting with appointing a back-to-back EuroLeague champion on the bench, [Ergin Ataman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/two-time-euroleague-champ-ergin-ataman-takes-charge-at-panathinaikos/), who has arrived from Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

[Panathinaikos's EuroLeague Games to Watch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-athens-2023-24-games-to-watch/)

### Many new faces in green

The first session saw many new faces on the floor, including veteran point guard [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kostas-sloukas-switches-olympiacos-for-archrival-panathinaikos/), who joined Panathinaikos after spending eight seasons – split over two stints – wearing the red of archrival Olympiacos Piraeus. Other new faces present in Athens were guard [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-signs-playmaker-luca-vildoza/), shooting ace [Kyle Guy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-grabs-sharpshooter-kyle-guy/) and big men [Kostas Antetokoumpo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kostas-antetokounmpo-lands-at-panathinaikos/) and [Olek Balcerowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-adds-size-with-balcerowski/). 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thursday’s morning was all green and white ☘️ <br><br>Season 23/24 just started! ✅👌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> <a href="https://t.co/rTmi0YLiLP">pic.twitter.com/rTmi0YLiLP</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1697203444262777008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### National team absences

Of course, several players were missing from practice due to their obligations with their respective national teams playing at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, including Greek duo [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-brings-back-favorite-son-ioannis-papapetrou/) and [Dimitris Moraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/greens-tab-playmaker-dimitris-moraitis-on-3-year-deal/), [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/juancho-bo-cruz-hernangomez-signs-with-panathinaikos/) of Spain and [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-secures-center-mathias-lessort/) of France. Back also for the first training session was power forward [Dinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/dinos-mitoglou-rejoins-panathinaikos/), sporting a bandage on his left hand after having been forced to miss the World Cup at the last minute due to an injury.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🎥 Green Preseason: Day 1 ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> <a href="https://t.co/Arpmq3uCFA">pic.twitter.com/Arpmq3uCFA</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1697228400404959519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The road to opening day

Panathinaikos will soon start to play friendly games to get things in order ahead of the start of the EuroLeague season. One of the highlights will, of course, be hosting the fifth edition of the memorial Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament on September 23 and 24, which will feature EuroLeague sides Efes, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and FC Bayern Munich, as well as the Greens. What's more, it all leads up to a truly special opening day in the EuroLeague, with [Panathinaikos hosting Olympiacos on Friday, October 6, in what is the earliest Greek derby of the century ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-athens-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/7/#roster)on the international stage.

Panathinaikos Athens news

Panathinaikos opens the Ataman era in Athens

The bar is naturally set high for AS Monaco. Over the last three seasons, the club from the principality has continually exceeded expectations by winning the EuroCup, reaching Game 5 of the playoffs as a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debutant, and getting to the Final Four. Coach Sasa Obradovic and his men are not satisfied and they enter the 2023-24 season looking to build on their most successful campaign to date with a deep and talented roster. 

2023-24 Roster Rundown: AS Monaco

The bar is naturally set high for [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2023-24). Over the last three seasons, the club from the principality has continually exceeded expectations by winning the EuroCup, reaching Game 5 of the playoffs as a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debutant, and getting to the Final Four. Coach Sasa Obradovic and his men are not satisfied and they enter the 2023-24 season looking to build on their most successful campaign to date with a deep and talented roster. 

### BACKCOURT

AS Monaco boasted one of the best backcourt in the EuroLeague last season with three players among the top 25 scorers in the league. [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/superstar-guard-james-stays-in-monaco/), [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-lands-combo-guard-okobo/) and [Jordan Loyd](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-brings-in-scoring-ace-loyd/) are all back and joining them is four-time NBA All-Star [Kemba Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-basket-signs-four-time-nba-all-star-kemba-walker/). James, who early this season figures to become the fourth player in competition history to amass 4,000 career points, has been an All-EuroLeague selection in both of his seasons with Monaco and is the team's most dangerous weapon. 

Remember The Why | Mike James | Adidas x EuroLeague

Walker has all the tools to complement James and turn the backcourt into something of legend, though there may be a learning curve early as he adjusts to basketball on the Old Continent. It's safe to assume that Monaco will play some three-guard sets with Okobo and Loyd, too. All four players can handle the ball and score, which should lead to plenty of open shots whenever any of them break down defenses and penetrate. 

When looking for a natural point guard, 21-year-old [Matthew Strazel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-tabs-guard-strazel/), who is entering his fifth EuroLeague campaign, is the top option. Another EuroLeague debutant is swingman [Terry Tarpey.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-signs-france-international-terry-tarpey/) A do-it-all type of player, Tarpey is a French national team player who will help the team on both ends. Fellow small forward [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-re-signs-forward-diallo/) was a Swiss Army knife for Monaco last season as he ranked among the team's top four in every major statistical category despite coming off the bench in more than half of his appearances.  

Focus on: Alpha Diallo, AS Monaco

### FRONTCOURT

Coach Obradovic will enjoy great depth this season thanks to a versatile group of forwards who can allow him to play with big or small lineups. [John Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-tabs-steals-record-breaker-brown/) has been one of the top defenders in the league and can spend time at both the '3' and '4' spots. Though he is less of an offensive threat, Brown was among the league's top 10 in offensive rebounds last season. After earning All-EuroCup honors two seasons ago, [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-adds-all-eurocup-forward-blossomgame/) was a part-time starter last season as a EuroLeague rookie and could take a step forward now in Year 2. 

One of only two new faces in the frontcourt, [Petr Cornelie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/petr-cornelie-bolsters-monaco-basket-options/) helped Real Madrid win the EuroLeague last season. A classic stretch-4, Cornelie should benefit from all the attention paid to Monaco's backcourt stars as, at 2.11 meters, he can exploit mismatches on the perimeter and the blocks. One of the best athletes his size in the league, [Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-lands-forward-makoundou/) showed glimpses of his potential last season as a rookie and will look to earn a bigger role this time around. 

As impressive as Monaco's backcourt depth is, the team is just as stacked at center. Starting center [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-basket-re-signs-center-donatas-motiejunas/) returns to give the team a low-post presence on offense and physicality in the paint. He is also the most experienced of the Monaco bigs. [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-locks-up-high-flying-big-man-hall/) has been one of the most effective players in the league over the past two seasons. The perfect pick-and-roll finisher for the Monaco guards, Hall's high-flying style also lends itself to big plays on the defensive end. [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-signs-2021-22-eurocup-mvp-mam-jaiteh/) joins after a strong season with Virtus Segafredo Bologna and can serve as a blend between the other two '5's on the roster, giving the team a guaranteed 40 minutes of strong play in the paint plus the potential to use twin-tower looks, too. 

Donta Hall | Best Plays | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### PLAYER TO WATCH

Though he may have played more professional basketball games than anyone else on the Monaco roster, Kemba Walker is the least experienced player when it comes to European basketball. All eyes will rest on Walker as the season begins with fans, players and coaches alike curious to see if Walker can adapt his game to the European style and duplicate the magic that made him a star in the NBA. 

Skill-wise, there should be no doubts. Moreover, Walker has a deep and experienced team to lean on as he adapts and the bevy of guards who can both create and score should help make things easier for him. Regardless of how things play out, it is safe to say that the masses will be paying attention, making Walker an obvious player to watch. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕞 🎯 <a href="https://t.co/NNvAWXpKRP">pic.twitter.com/NNvAWXpKRP</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1693282571923116228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### OUTLOOK

The Monaco arrow is pointing up and the team made it a point to bring back the head coach plus 10 players from last season's Final Four squad and then to make four top-tier additions. On paper, this roster is a title contender. The only real question is whether the Walker experiment puts Monaco over the top or has unintended consequences on what a deep backcourt was already. It may be a gamble, but it has the upside of a championship coming to the principality. 

Olympiacos Piraeus, last season's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague runner-up, hit the ground running this week with its first practice of training camp as it ramps up its preparations for the new campaign. Coach Georgios Bartzokas had a group that included familiar faces, plus some new arrivals, in order to prepare a new assault for the EuroLeague crown.

Olympiacos B.C. starts its preparation for new season

[Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2023-24), last season's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague runner-up, hit the ground running this week with its first practice of training camp as it ramps up its preparations for the new campaign. Coach Georgios Bartzokas had a group that included familiar faces, plus some new arrivals, in order to prepare a new assault for the EuroLeague crown.

New arrivals on the first day included [Luke Sikma](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-piraeus-adds-playmaking-forward-luke-sikma/), [Georgios Tanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-tabs-greek-prospect-georgios-tanoulis/) and [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/nigel-williams-goss-returns-to-olympiacos/), while big man [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-welcomes-back-nikola-milutinov/) was not present due to his national team duties with Serbia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Some other players missing due to their presence at the World Cup were [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-extends-walkup-long-term/), [Michalis Lountzis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/reds-land-lountzis-on-long-term-deal/), [Giannoulis Lartentzakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/giannoulis-larentzakis-olympiacos-finalize-three-year-contract-extension/) and [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kostas-papanikolaou-reds-pen-3-year-extension/), all of whom playing for Greece, while [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-fall-pen-extension-through-2025/) is also taking part with France.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏀 Pre Season - 🗓️ Day 1: Passion first and everything will fall into place! <br><br>For more 📸 <a href="https://t.co/vijObCZMnK">https://t.co/vijObCZMnK</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/LiSJQHEDTa">pic.twitter.com/LiSJQHEDTa</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1696113070932660325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Coach Bartzokas could retain most of Olympiacos's core from the team last season, which should help with the new players' integration. Even if its two main pillars, Sasha Vezenkov and Kostas Sloukas, left the team this summer, players like [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-brings-in-point-guard-canaan/), [Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-extends-swingman-mckissic-until-2025/) and [George Papas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-signs-rookie-guard-papas/) were present during the Reds' first session as they look to build on from last season's accomplishments. Meanwhile, youngsters Panagiotis Tsamis, Sotiris Ekonomopoulos, Benjamin Abosi, Anastasis Rozakeas, Efstratios Papastavrou and Stefanos Spartalis completed the group for the start of the preseason.

Last season, Olympiacos was one of the best teams in the EuroLeague and only lost to Real Madrid only in the last seconds of the championship game, which prevented it from securing Europe's crown for a fourth time.

### Olympiacos's pre-season fixtures

The Reds will start their preparation games on September 7 against Promitheas Patras and then again three days later in front of no spectators. Later, it will also play EA7 Emporio Armani Milan a couple times (one of them also without spectators) and then a few more scrimmages up to September 23.

The 2022-23 finalist starts its preparation for new season

Othello Hunter, one of the best-ever offensive rebounders in EuroLeague history and a 2019 champion, confirmed on social media late on Wednesday that he is ending his professional career at the age of 37. A 10-year EuroLeague veteran who spent the past two seasons with FC Bayern Munich, Hunter made his EuroLeague debut in 2013 with Montepaschi Siena. He played in Europe's premier club basketball competition ever since.

Former EuroLeague champ Othello Hunter announces retirement

[Othello Hunter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/othello-hunter/005160/), one of the best-ever offensive rebounders in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history and a 2019 champion, confirmed on social media late on Wednesday that he is ending his professional career at the age of 37. A 10-year EuroLeague veteran who spent the past two seasons with FC Bayern Munich, Hunter made his EuroLeague debut in 2013 with Montepaschi Siena. He had played in Europe's premier club basketball competition ever since.

Hunter will go down in history as a EuroLeague champ, having helped CSKA Moscow win the title four years ago. In the 2019 championship game against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, he had 7 points and 1 rebound in 17 minutes on the floor. That happened to be his fourth and final time reaching the Final Four. The veteran big man first helped Olympiacos Piraeus reach the championship game in 2015, before losing in the semifinals with Real Madrid in 2017 and CSKA in 2018.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Me beyond measure. The guy who was convinced to play basketball 😆 so funny how that statement provide me wrong. The love for this game grew more and more everything I asked, dreamed and prayed about you made them come true. To my mom, dad and sisters thank you for just</p>&mdash; Othello hunter (@O_hunter5) <a href="https://twitter.com/O_hunter5/status/1696897279100178929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Othello Hunter is one of the EuroLeague's greats

Only [two players in EuroLeague history](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=OffensiveRebounds&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=) have pulled down more offensive rebounds than Hunter's 611: Kyle Hines (789) and Felipe Reyes (705). With an average of 2.2 offensive boards per game, he is one of only two players – Walter Tavares being the other – with more than 200 games played to be [ranked among Top 25](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=OffensiveRebounds&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=perGame&phase=) in average offensive rebounds.

Over the past decade, Hunter amassed 275 appearances, scoring a total of 2,246 points and making 904 two-point shots. In addition, he pulled down 1,424 total rebounds, which [ranks him eighth](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=TotalRebounds&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=) on the all-time charts.

Most big guys want to shoot the ball. Even if they can’t shoot, they want to shoot!

Othello Hunter’s Three Point Revolution

### Finding new ways to be effective

Even though he did not step on the EuroLeague floor until he was 27 years old, Hunter seemed to be still developing aspects of his game in recent seasons. Many of his career-best performances came in the past four seasons, including pulling down a career-high 14 rebounds in Round 17 last season on the road against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. During the 2022-23 campaign, he also made 24 three-pointers, having made a total of 7 in nine seasons before that.

Between CSKA and Bayern, Hunter spent two seasons with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv between 2019 and 2021. Prior to his EuroLeague debut, he started his career back in 2008 with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. His other stops saw him play for Anaheim Arsenal in the G League, Ilysiakos Athens in Greece, Dinamo Sassari in Italy, the Shandong Lions and the Jiangsu Dragons in China, Azovmash in Ukraine and Valladolid in Spain. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🎩<br>Great person….. <br>Great player….<br>Great career…..<br>It was a pleasure coached him. <a href="https://t.co/qTE0kiamNu">pic.twitter.com/qTE0kiamNu</a></p>&mdash; Pablo Laso (@pablolaso) <a href="https://twitter.com/pablolaso/status/1697252761648435486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

More Othello Hunter News

Othello Hunter celebrates a made basket during his time with FC Bayern Munich in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Former champ Othello Hunter announces retirement

The ball started rolling for Zalgiris Kaunas on Wednesday as the Lithuanian champs got back to work preparing for the 2023-24 season. Kevarrius Hayes even arrived in Kaunas two weeks earlier than expected because he could not wait to start the new campaign.

Zalgiris gets to work with goals set high

The ball started rolling for [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/roster/zal/?season=2023-24) on Wednesday as the Lithuanian champs got back to work preparing for the 2023-24 season. [Kevarrius Hayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-kevarrius-hayes-agree-to-extension/) even arrived in Kaunas two weeks earlier than expected because he could not wait to start the new campaign. "I feel pretty good." Hayes said. "I came out to work a little early, I enjoy the first work out. I couldn't wait. It's great to see a lot of the guys here, we are missing some to the national team. But we showed good energy so far. I came earlier also because I want to get my sleep adjusted and I also want to see a little more of the city. Now that I live close to the center I can walk to many places."

This summer, Zalgiris kept most of its roster from the previous season and only three new faces joined the team. [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-re-signs-ulanovas-for-two-more-years/), [Arnas Butkevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-inks-butkevicius/), [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/birutis-returns-home-to-zalgiris-on-two-year-deal/) and Hayes had already started working with athletic coaches Justinas Grainys and Nerijus Navickas and were later joined by [Dovydas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-tabs-point-man-giedraitis/), [Lukas Lekavicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-re-signs-ulanovas-for-two-more-years/), [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-lands-playmaker-evans/) and newcomers [Danielius Lavrinovicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-tabs-forward-lavrinovicius/) and [Brady Manek](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-adds-brady-manek-to-frontline/). The last player to arrive in Kaunas will be [Naz Mitrou-Long](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-signs-naz-mitrou-long/), who already had a medical check-up in Kaunas earlier.

Zalgiris started the sessions without the trio of [Tomas Dimsa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-signs-dimsa-for-3-more-seasons/), [Ignas Brazdeikis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zalgiris-adds-forward-brazdeikis/) and [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/rolands-smits-signs-contract-extension-at-zalgiris-until-2026/), who are all busy with their respective national teams at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Assistant coaches Gintaras Krapikas and Tautvydas Sabonis will work with the players during the training camp, replacing head coach Kazys Maksvytis and Evaldas Berzininkaitis, who will be leading the Lithuanian national team at the World Cup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zalgiris gathers for the first day of preseason! ⏳ <a href="https://t.co/xmd6clDDCB">pic.twitter.com/xmd6clDDCB</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1696897452677148866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Zalgiris will play two friendlies in Kaunas before the official start of the season: on September 9 against BKT EuroCup side London Lions and on September 13 against VEF Riga. After these tests, Zalgiris will play its first official game of the season on September 17 in the Lithuanian League against Gargzdai in Klaipeda. Later, Zalgiris will also take part in a preseason tournament between four EuroLeague teams, playing against Olympiacos Piraeus and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Nicosia, Cyprus, on September 22-23.

Veteran forward Ioannis Papapetrou put all his talent on display on Wednesday in Manila, Philippines as he pushed Greece to a come-from-behind 83-74 win in a do-or-die game against New Zealand. The win qualified Greece for the next stage, but it is hard to imagine it would have happened without the massive effort of Papapetrou, who returned to Panathinaikos Athens this summer after a year with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

Papapetrou carries Greece to huge World Cup win

Veteran forward Ioannis Papapetrou put all his talent on display on Wednesday in Manila, Philippines as he pushed Greece to a come-from-behind 83-74 win in a do-or-die game against New Zealand. The win qualified Greece for the next stage, but it is hard to imagine it would have happened without the massive effort of Papapetrou, who returned to Panathinaikos Athens this summer after a year with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

Greece trailed by as many as 28-43 in penultimate minute of the second quarter, and was down 40-48 when Papapetrou re-entered the game with 6:30 left in the third quarter. Papapetrou scored 7 points before the end of the quarter, including a triple that cut the deficit to 50-51. Among his contributions in the fourth quarter, Papapetrou nailed a three-pointer to open a 68-61 lead, and stole the ball with 23 seconds left to seal the deal.

Papapetrou finished the game with 27 points, making 4-of-8 twos and 4-of-7 threes, while pulling down 6 rebounds, including 3 on the offensive end during 29:29 on the floor off the bench. Another player who stepped up for Greece off the bench was Olympiacos's Giannoulis Larentzakis, who netted 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter.

For Papapetrou it was a performance that reminded of his production during his four-year first stint with Panathinaikos, and a career-best 2020-21 season when he scored in double figures in 18 of 27 EuroLeague games, averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

A former Greens' team captain returned to his beloved club this summer, and for Panathinaikos fans he will be a rare familiar face on a revamped roster. A performance like this, however, just show how deep that new Panathinaikos roster will be, and are yet another reason for optimism ahead of the upcoming campaign.

As for Greece (2-1), it faces Lithuania (3-0) and Montenegro (2-1) in the next stage, in a group that will also features USA (3-0).

Real Madrid will welcome home one of its favorite sons for an exhibition game as former EuroLeague MVP Luka Doncic leads the Dallas Mavericks into the Spanish capital. The game, set for Tuesday, October 10, will be the first meeting between teams from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the NBA since 2016.

One of the global greats of the game, Doncic spent his formative years with Los Blancos. He was 13 years old when he was signed by Real Madrid for the youth categories and made his senior debut at age 16. Doncic led Real to the Adidas Next Generation Tournament championship in 2015 as the tournament MVP and before long was collecting trophies with the senior squad.

Over the next three years, Doncic's flame burned bright as he was twice named the EuroLeague Rising Star and in 2018 became the EuroLeague MVP and Final Four MVP after leading the club to its 10th continental championship. He also pocketed three Spanish League crowns with Real and was chosen as the 2018 Spanish League MVP.

During his time in Madrid, Doncic played alongside current Real stars Facu Campazzo, Fabien Causeur, Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Llull, Sergio Rodriguez and Walter Tavares and under head coach Chus Mateo, who was an assistant in those years.

There is a long history of games between teams from the world's top two basketball competitions dating back to when FC Barcelona welcomed Memphis Grizzlies in October 2003. Real Madrid has faced NBA teams eight times, most recently a 142-137 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in October 2016.

Real Madrid to host Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks in October exhibition

When Crvena Zvezda Belgrade announced the signing of Yago Dos Santos, fans with knowledge of the EuroCup knew that the Serbian club was getting a gem. On Wednesday, he stepped up in a do-or-die game for Brazil as it booked its place in the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a 77-89 win over the Ivory Coast in Jakarta, Indonesia.

New Crvena Zvezda star Yago Dos Santos leads Brazil into 2023 FIBA World Cup second round

When [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade announced the signing of Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/yago-dos-santos-makes-jump-to-euroleague-with-zvezda/), fans with knowledge of the BKT EuroCup knew that the Serbian club was getting a gem. The 24-year-old impressed during his rookie season on the old continent, leading ratiopharm Ulm to the EuroCup Quarterfinals and becoming a German League champion. On Wednesday, he stepped up in a do-or-die game for Brazil as it booked its place in the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a 77-89 win over the Ivory Coast in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Dos Santos finished the contest with game highs of 24 points and 12 assists, with the bulk of his scoring coming in the first half. Through the first two quarters, Yago scored 19 points and dished 4 assists to ensure that Brazil went into the halftime break with a 46-50 lead.

After the interval, the point guard's playmaking took center stage as he dished 8 assists to record a double-double, while he hit a couple of late free throws with 3:39 minutes to go to keep Brazil in the driving seat, 71-79. Then, Yago put the final nail in the coffin by draining a deep three to make it a 74-85 ballgame with 1:50 remaining.

### The Yago-Caboclo partnership

On a day when Bruno Caboclo, Brazil's star through the first two games and [a new addition for Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/reyer-adds-all-eurocup-big-man-bruno-caboclo/), saw his influence somewhat limited, it was Yago who led the South American country into the next stage of the tournament.

In addition to his 24 points and 12 assists, Yago recorded 4 rebounds, 1 steal and had a +22 in the plus-minus column. He was clearly Brazil's star against the Ivory Coast, and he – together with ex-Ulm teammate Caboclo – will have plenty to say in what is left of the World Cup.

Caboclo has been playing at an incredibly high level for Brazil, following on from his stellar performances alongside for Dos Santos for Ulm. That spells good news for Reyer, which has ambitions of winning next season's EuroCup. While Yago and Caboclo will not be teammates at club level in the 2023-24 campaign, their journeys will be fascinating to follow as they bring their Brazilian flair to the EuroLeague and EuroCup, respectively.

### Yago is ready to shine in Belgrade

Looking ahead to his rookie season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Zvezda, Yago has already got an excited fan base even more eager to see his play on the court.

The Brazilian has plenty of competition for minutes in the Serbian team's backcourt, with the likes of Milos Teodosic, Shabazz Napier and potential new signing Alexey Shved all vying for minutes at the 1, but Dos Santos has shown in his first year in Europe that he has the quality to succeed at the highest level.

After securing finals MVP honors as Ulm won its first-ever German League title, and wowing EuroCup fans with weekly highlight plays while averaging 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and a 17.6 PIR, Yago has the chance to make a real splash in a Zvezda uniform.

Anyone tuning in to watch Brazil will have been thoroughly impressed by Yago, and EuroLeague fans can expect to see plenty of Magic Moment plays from the 1.75-meter guard during the upcoming campaign. With the EuroLeague season just five weeks away, Zvezda fans should be in for a treat when Dos Santos takes to the floor in Round 1 at home to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on October 5.

More Crvena Zvezda News

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade guard Yago Dos Santos scores for Brazil during its game against the Ivory Coast at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Maccabi hosts season's first media day!

Panathinaikos opens the Ataman era in Athens

2023-24 Roster Rundown: AS Monaco

The 2022-23 finalist starts its preparation for new season

Former champ Othello Hunter announces retirement

Zalgiris gets to work with goals set high

Papapetrou carries Greece to huge World Cup win

Real Madrid to host Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks in October exhibition

Yago Dos Santos leads Brazil into World Cup second round