FC Barcelona: 2023-24 games to watch

There has been plenty of change at FC Barcelona this summer, but the Spanish team remains as hungry as ever to end its wait to lift the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title once again. Barca last became the EuroLeague champion in the 2009-10 season, but it has reached the Final Four six times since then, including three trips in the last three years. Roger Grimau, the last Barça team captain to lift the EuroLeague, has replaced Saras Jasikevicius as head coach and he will now hope to guide this new-look Blaugrana side to new glories.

Check out [Barcelona's full schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/games/bar/?season=2023-24)

### A new era begins

[Round 1: FC Barcelona vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/2/#comparison)

The first game of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season pits Barca against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which beat the Blaugrana in the 2021 championship game. Barca has signed Spain internationals Joel Parra, Willy Hernangomez and Dario Brizuela this summer, and they will all be keen to make an instant impression in this Round 1 fixture. Like Barca, Efes has undergone some big changes, with Erdem Can coming in for Ergin Ataman as head coach, while Darius Thompson and Tyrique Jones will look to hit the ground running with their new team. For Barca, a positive result against this new-look Efes, which can still call upon star players Shane Larkin and Will Clyburn, would be the perfect way to show that it is still one of the strongest contenders to reach the Final Four.

It's a meeting of two Goliaths as the mighty Barça try to demonstrate their championship-credentials against title-holders Efes. The visitors have stuttered in their quest for a third crown, yet the hosts could signify their intent for the campaign with a statement result to delight the Palau Blaugrana faithful.

FC Barcelona vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Round 19 - Highlights

### Revenge on the cards?

[Round 14: FC Barcelona vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/125/#comparison)

Nikola Mirotic has been the talk of the summer and, following his move from Barca to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, this will be his first opportunity to come up against his former employers. With Mirotic at the club, Barca reached three Final Fours out of three – his first campaign, 2019-20, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic – and he was also named the 2021-22 EuroLeague MVP. Yet, given the way in which his departure was managed, Mirotic will no doubt be looking to exact some revenge when he first comes up against Barca. What's more, in front of an expectant crowd at Palau Blaugrana, a passionate atmosphere is all but guaranteed, which should also provide an interesting test for both Mirotic and Coach Grimau's Barca team.

2021-22 MVP of the Season: Nikola Mirotic, FC Barcelona

### The Clásico comes to Palau Blaugrana

[Round 18: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-real-madrid/E2023/159/#comparison)

Whenever the EuroLeague calendar gets released, the first fixture that fans of both Barca and Real Madrid look for is *El Clásico*. The first time that this famous rivalry takes place this season is in Round 5 at WiZink Center, but in both teams' first game of 2024, they will go to battle at Barca's home, Palau Blaugrana. What's more, it comes in the first game of a two-round week, which adds more intrigue to this contest. Last season, Barca beat Real at Palau Blaugrana, but it lost at WiZink Center. Then, in the Final Four, *Los Blancos* defeated the Blaugrana 66-78 to advance to the championship game. In Coach Grimau's first EuroLeague *Clásico*, getting a win to make up for last season's Final Four heartbreak would be the perfect way to start 2024 and show that Barca truly means business.

One of the most famous sporting rivalries in the world takes centre stage as Barça and Los Blancos go head-to-head for the first clasico of the campaign with two powerfully rebuilt rosters for a EuroLeague showpiece event.

FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid - Round 2 - Highlights

### Silencing a resurgent giant

[Round 31: Panathinaikos Athens vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-athens-fc-barcelona/E2023/279/#comparison)

In one of the final games of the regular season, Barca heads to Greece to take on Panathinaikos Athens at OAKA. The Greens, now led by Coach Ataman, have lofty ambitions and hope to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2012 after a summer of big-name additions. One player who ended up joining the Greens after being strongly linked with Barca is Juancho Hernangomez, who will face his older brother, Willy, in this late regular-season matchup. Both Panathinaikos and Barca are expected to be jostling for position with regard to the playoff places, which should make for a tremendous atmosphere at OAKA. A win for the Blaugrana on the road in Athens would be a big statement ahead of the final three games of the regular season.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul got confirmation of an injury blow before the pre-season even started as its summer signings Dogus Ozdemiroglou suffered an ACL tear. Ozdemiroglou was injured playing for the Turkish national team in a friendly game against Italy on Friday.

Efes loses guard Ozdemiroglou to ACL injury

Anadolu Efes Istanbul got confirmation of an injury blow before the pre-season even started as its summer signings [Dogus Ozdemiroglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dogus-ozdemiroglu/006640/) suffered an ACL tear. Ozdemiroglou was injured playing for the Turkish national team in a friendly game against Italy on Friday.

Upon player's return to Turkiye, "the examinations were performed in Istanbul, and a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament was detected", Efes said in a brief statement over the weekend, adding that Ozdemiroglou now awaits surgery.

Ozedmiroglu was set to return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague action for the first time since 2019, however, he will now miss significant time recovering from a serious knee injury.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Teşekkürler takım! 💙🤍 <a href="https://t.co/UPW3eLWlvd">https://t.co/UPW3eLWlvd</a></p>&mdash; Dogus Ozdemiroglu (@dozdemiroglu) <a href="https://twitter.com/dozdemiroglu/status/1688505571261988865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Guy Pnini, one of deserving legends in a storied history of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, announced retirement from professional basketball on Monday. Pnini, who lifted the trophy as a team captain when Maccabi won the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown in 2014, ended his 22-year long playing career a month short of his 40th birthday, and will be joining Maccabi coaching staff.

Former champ, Maccabi's Guy Pnini announces retirement

Guy Pnini, one of deserving legends in a storied history of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, announced retirement from professional basketball on Monday. Pnini, who lifted the trophy as a team captain when Maccabi won the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown in 2014, ended his 22-year long playing career a month short of his 40th birthday, and will be joining Maccabi coaching staff.

Pnini had three stints with Maccabi. First, in youth categories, then an eight-year stint between 2009 and 2017, and the final one last season when he signed a one-year deal.

Pnini helped Maccabi reach a pair of EuroLeague championship games and win the 2014 EuroLeague crown. In 154 career EuroLeague games, all with Maccabi, Pnini made 149 three-pointers and totaled 726 points.

Domestically, Pnini holds record with 521 Israeli League appearances, and has won a total of five Israeli League titles, including four with Maccabi, and helped Maccabi win eight Israeli Cups.

Prior to returning to Maccabi last summer, Pnini spent five seasons with Hapoel Holon, which he helped to the Israeli championship in 2022. He also won the Israeli Cup in 2018 with Holon. Pnini went through Maccabi Tel Aviv youth system before starting his career with Maccabi Raanana and later played for Bnei Hasharon and Hapoel Jerusalem before going abroad with FMP Zeleznik in Serbia and Keravnos in Cyprus. Pnini re-joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2009, and stayed there for eight years.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">בדרך לפרק הבא 📙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D7%99%D7%97%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%9A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#יחדכלהדרך</a> <a href="https://t.co/8knM0ruMmo">pic.twitter.com/8knM0ruMmo</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1688514959666204672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Pnini's new chapter starts on Maccabi coacing staff, where he is expected to bring loads of playing experience and great understanding of what it means to be a Maccabi player.

"Guy is one of the symbols that has accompanied Israeli basketball for many years and reached his peak as a player by winning the Euroleague as captain of Maccabi", said Maccabi sports director Avi Even. "Guy is first and foremost a Maccabist. He is a coach who grew up as a player in the youth department of the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club and has gone all the way from the little league, through the youth section to the senior team"

"I am very happy and I want to congratulate Guy Pnini, who is joining us on the coaching staff", said head coach Oded Kattash. "Guy is the kind of person you always want to have by your side. He understands the game at a very high level and will contribute a lot to the team. I wish him success in the new chapter he is starting in his career."

ALBA Berlin has announced the signing of guard Matt Thomas, who has penned a one-year contract on Monday. Thomas (1.96 meters, 28 years old) made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut during the 2022-23 campaign after joining Panathinaikos Athens in late January, averaging 8.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and a 6.7 PIR across 10 appearances. Thomas is now ready to emabark on his first full season in the competition in the German capital.

ALBA picks up sharpshooter Matt Thomas

ALBA Berlin has announced the signing of guard [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), who has penned a one-year contract on Monday. Thomas (1.96 meters, 28 years old) made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut during the 2022-23 campaign after joining Panathinaikos Athens in late January, averaging 8.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and a 6.7 PIR across 10 appearances. Thomas is now ready to embark on his first full season in the competition with the club from the German capital.

The best plays of Matt Thomas during Valencia Basket's BKT EuroCup-winning season in 2018-19.

Matt Thomas's best plays, 2018-19

### Downing ALBA in EuroCup Finals

This will be fourth campaign on European soil for the American shooting guard. Thomas's professional career began with Spanish side Obradoiro in the 2017-18 season, before he joined Valencia Basket. The sharpshooter impressed during his season playing at La Fonteta in 2018-19, posting 12.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and a 10.9 PIR as Valencia secured its fourth-ever BKT EuroCup title. He particularly shined in the EuroCup Finals in which the team on the opposite side was - ALBA Berlin.

Thomas regularly got the Spanish club's supporters off their seats with his performances, scoring double digits in seven of Valencia's 10 regular-season contests before scoring 9 points or more in all six of its Top 16 fixtures. In the playoffs, Thomas had 15 points in Game 1 of the quarterfinals against Rytas Vilnius, then he posted 13 and 15 points, respectively, in Games 1 and 2 of the semifinals against UNICS Kazan.

In the best-of-three EuroCup Finals against ALBA, he had 16 points in Game 1 as Valencia defended its home court to take a 1-0 lead in the series. In the closeout Game 3 back at La Fonteta, following a win by ALBA in Berlin in Game 2, Thomas erupted for 19 points – his highest tally in the playoffs – in a comfortable Valencia win.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Welcome to ALBA, <a href="https://twitter.com/Theiceman_21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Theiceman_21</a>! 👋💛💙<br><br>Der 29-Jährige bringt drei Jahre NBA-Erfahrung mit und hat in der letzten Saison bei Panathinaikos Athen gespielt. Bei uns hat der Guard einen Vertrag über eine Saison unterschrieben. ✍️<br><br>Alle Infos und Statements: <a href="https://t.co/4Nuk8gRC0U">https://t.co/4Nuk8gRC0U</a> <a href="https://t.co/bgibH7Gwtl">pic.twitter.com/bgibH7Gwtl</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1688504729125470210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### His journey post-Valencia

Following his EuroCup-winning campaign with Valencia, Thomas returned to North America after signing with the Toronto Raptors in the NBA.

He spent the 2019-20 season with Toronto and remained with the team during the bulk of the following year, but in March 2021 he was traded to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz opted to wave Thomas the following summer, but in September 2021 he signed for the Chicago Bulls, where he played during the 2021-22 season.

Then, having been without a team since the start of the campaign, Thomas penned a deal with Panathinaikos in January 2023 until the end of the 2022-23 season. Now, he joins ALBA for the 2023-24 campaign.

Valencia News

Matt Thomas, who has signed with ALBA Berlin, in action for Panathinaikos Athens during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has added a young talent to its roster by signing a multi-year deal with forward Yigit Hamya Mestoglu, the club announced on Monday. 

Fenerbahce invests in future with forward Mestoglu

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has added a young talent to its roster by signing a multi-year deal with forward Yigit Hamza Mestoglu, the club announced on Monday. Mestoglu (2.03 meters, 19 years old) arrives from La Roda of the Spanish third division where he posted 8.7 points on 45.2% three-point shooting, along with 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

The young forward has spent the last four years in Spain. Mestoglu moved as a 15-year old where he played in lower divisions with UCAM Murcia second team for couple of years, but even appeared with the first team in a pair of Spanish League games.

Mestoglu grew up with Banvit Bandirma, and has been representing his country in youth categories since 2019. Last summer, he helped Turkey win silver medal at the U18 European Championship.

For this coming season the plan for Mestoglu is to be mostly playing for Fenerbahce's second division team, but will also be a part of head coach Dimitris Itoudis's first team roster.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">2023-24 sezonunda çifte lisans uygulamasıyla Fenerbahçe Beko kadrosunda da yer alacak genç sporcumuza &quot;Ailemize hoş geldin&quot; diyoruz! 💛💙<a href="https://twitter.com/YMestoglu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YMestoglu</a> <a href="https://t.co/UoRZspmOGR">https://t.co/UoRZspmOGR</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1688476263428599808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Raul Neto will make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut next season after signing with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on Saturday. The contract is for one season with an option for a second. Neto (1.88 meters, 31 years old) has spent the last eight years playing in the NBA, most recently with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 3.2 points and 1.6 assists across 50 appearances in a reserve role with Cleveland last season. The Brazilian point guard is the fifth player to join Fenerbahce this summer, following the additions of Yam Madar, Sertac Sanli, Nate Sestina and Georgios Papagiannis.

Fenerbahce inks ex-NBA guard Raul Neto

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">😉 Bem-vindo! <a href="https://t.co/6Fjc5uZAum">pic.twitter.com/6Fjc5uZAum</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1687750534445387776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Raul Neto's NBA career

Having played 464 games in the NBA, split across the regular season and the playoffs, Neto arrives at Fenerbahce with plenty of experience under his belt. He spent the first four years of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, where he first established himself in America. The 31-year-old appeared in 199 regular-season contests for Utah, as well as 20 games in the postseason, between the 2015-16 and 2018-19 seasons. In that time, Neto averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

In the summer of 2019, Neto moved to the Philadelphia 76ers. He played 56 games for the team in the 2019-20 campaign, posting 5.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists. From there, he spent the next two seasons with the Washington Wizards, playing 134 regular-season games and five times in the playoffs. In the 2020-21 season, he had averages of 8.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Then, in the 2021-22 campaign, Neto posted 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists before joining Cleveland on a one-year deal.

<center>
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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmZtwRTOjbt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Raul Togni Neto 🏀 (@raulneto08)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### His return to Europe

Neto began his professional career with Minas Tenis Clube in his native Brazil, where he played between 2008 and 2011. He moved to Spain in the summer of 2011 and signed with Gipuzkoa Basket. After three years with Gipuzkoa, where he played under ex-EuroLeague coach Sito Alonso, Neto joined UCAM Murcia, where he stayed for the 2014-15 season prior to beginning his journey in the NBA. Now, the point guard will start a new experience in the EuroLeague with Fenerbahce, which has aims of returning to the Final Four for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.

Fenerbahce News

New Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul signing Raul Neto in action for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2022-23 NBA season.

Fenerbahce inks ex-NBA guard Raul Neto 

The marriage of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Nikola Mirotic brings together a player and club both worthy of championships. 

Mirotic heads to the Fashion Capital hoping to push Milan to storied heights 

The marriage of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) brings together a club and [player both worthy of championships](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/the-best-to-never-win-mirotic-james-have-chance-to-shed-that-title/). Mirotic has come agonizingly close in the past, he helped FC Barcelona reach the 2021 championship – after beating Milan in the semifinal – and had a monster semifinal at the 2022 Final Four, but his team came up short in each of the past three Final Fours. That's in addition to reaching championship games with Real Madrid in 2013 and 2014.

The most decorated club in Italian basketball, Milan has won the EuroLeague three times, but the most recent triumph was in 1988. In the modern era, club owner and fashion magnate Giorgio Armani has given the club all the tools to succeed. Coach Ettore Messina, a four-time champion himself, put Milan back on the list of contenders with a march to the Final Four in 2021 and a third-place finish in the 2021-22 regular season, but injuries tripped up his plans last season.

Can Mirotic and Milan be what each other was missing to climb to the top of the podium?

"I'm happy to become part of this big family that is Olimpia Milano and to be able to contribute to making this team and this prestigious club ever more competitive," Mirotic said after signing. "I will try to do my best to reward the trust that Mr. Armani and President Dell'Orco have shown me. I'm also very happy to be back playing for Coach Messina who I met when I was starting out. I'm sure next season will be a fun season and our fans will be proud of us."

Top 5 All-EuroLeague First Team: Nikola Mirotic

While he may be the marquee name, all involved know that winning must be more than a one-man show and Milan has built a very strong frontline that will complement Mirotic's abilities. Alongside the returning trio of Kyle Hines, Jonannes Voigtmann and Nicolo Melli, Milan also signed Ismael Kamagate, Alex Poythress and Guglielmo Caruso this summer. In addition to depth, Milan has the tools in place to be fierce on the boards at both ends of the court, to protect the rim and to stretch the floor.

One of [three players in EuroLeague history ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=40&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=fieldGoalsMade3)to make 300 career three-pointers and grab 1,000 rebounds, Mirotic will be able to shine again in these categories thanks to the talent around him. Though it may take time initially to find which pairings work best, it is easy to envision Mirotic playing alongside Kamagate, Voigtmann, Hines, Poythress or Melli, as matchups dictate, and creating plenty of headaches along the way.

In fact, Coach Messina shared with Italian newspaper [La Repubblica](https://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2023/08/04/news/nikola_mirotic_olimpia_armani_basket_milano-409959068/) that Mirotic won't exclusively play his natural position: "Since we lost Luigi Datome \[due to retirement\], I'll use Nikola also as a small forward, a role that he has already played both in the NBA and in FC Barcelona."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">⚪️3️⃣3️⃣🔴<br><br>🏆 Euroleague MVP 2022<br>🏆All-Euroleague First Team 2021, 2022<br>🏆All-Euroleague Second team 2013, 2014, 2022<br>🏆 Euroleague Rising Star 2013, 2014<br>🏆Euroleague Player Of The Month (7)<br>..<br>and many other trophies💪🏼🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/welcomenikola?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#welcomenikola</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/trentatre?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#trentatre</a> <a href="https://t.co/6lruVjcNdK">pic.twitter.com/6lruVjcNdK</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1687182536374358016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Such a lineup would allow Milan to play big, potentially with features former all-EuroLeague small forward Shavon Shields at the 2. And in such a lineup, Mirotic's ability to shine in the low post would be even more dramatic.

Regardless of lineups, Mirotic's high basketball IQ has helped him find ways to be effective whether playing alongside other scorers or as the main protagonist with a natural playmaker. In Milan, he will get a chance to do both.

Maodo Lo, Diego Flaccadori and Giordano Bortolani all signed for Milan this summer and join Kevin Pangos, Billy Baron, Devon Hall and Stefano Tonut in a crowded backcourt. Indeed, this mix of players gives Coach Messina great flexibility in creating lineups.

Only three players (Kamagate, Bortolani and Caruso) arrive without EuroLeague experience and virtually all of the players are considered to be team-first types. With a superstar like Mirotic setting the standard, Milan could well be a team that may not have many league-leaders in the stats section, but more importantly, in the mix to take the crown in Berlin in May.

Edwin Jackson is returning home to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne for the coming season. Jackson grew up with ASVEL and made his professional debut with the club. He split time last season between Nanterre 92 in France and Menorca in Spain. Jackson averaged 2.8 points in four games with Nanterre and then had 18.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20 appearances with Menorca in Spain's third division.

ASVEL and Edwin Jackson reunite for a third time

[Edwin Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edwin-jackson/000229/) is returning home to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne for the coming season. Jackson (1.91 meters, 33 years old) grew up with ASVEL and made his professional debut with the club. He split time last season between Nanterre 92 in France and Menorca in Spain. Jackson averaged 2.8 points in four games with Nanterre and then had 18.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20 appearances with Menorca in Spain's third division.

Jackson boasts five previous seasons in the EuroLeague with four different clubs. He first played in the EuroLeague with FC Barcelona in 2014 and had his last experience with ASVEL in 2019-20. His best EuroLeague campaign came with Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in 2018-19 when he averaged 9.8 points on 42.9% three-point shooting, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30 games. In total Jackson has scored 679 points in 91 career EuroLeague games.

<center><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Guess who’s back ? Back again…<br><br>Edwin JACKSON de retour, l’arrière aux 266 matchs avec LDLC ASVEL vient rejoindre l’effectif villeurbannais pour la saison prochaine et poursuivre sa longue Histoire avec son club de coeur. <br><br>🗞️ Plus d’infos : <a href="https://t.co/0o67ndgtzj">https://t.co/0o67ndgtzj</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/QckHYDYwHZ">pic.twitter.com/QckHYDYwHZ</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1687436469072216064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He has also played for Rouen in France, Unicaja Malaga and Estudiantes Madrid in Spain, Guangdong in China and the French national team. Jackson helped Buducnost to the Montenegrin League and Cup double in 2019. On an individual level, Jackson led the Spanish League in scoring in 2017-18 with 21.8 points per game for Estudiantes. He was the French League MVP in 2013 and helped France to a bronze medal at the Basketball World Cup in 2014.

"Edwin arrives with enormous motivation and the desire to prove things," club president Tony Parker said. "Having him with us the year we arrive at the LDLC Arena is an important symbol, he marked the history of our club and he is a true lover of ASVEL!"

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne: 2023-24 games to watch

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is back for another season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with two goals in mind - improving on the results from last season and reclaiming its spot as French league powerhouse, which AS Monaco snagged last season. The EuroLeague is becoming more competitive year after year and there is less room for error. Here are some of the key games on the ASVEL calendar it must win to help it reach its goals.

### De Colo and Lauvergne return to Istanbul

[Round 4: Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/28/#comparison)

It will be a special night in Istanbul when ASVEL visits Fenerbahce in Turkey. Two of its most recognizable players in the league, Nando De Colo and Joffrey Lauvergne, will return to the place that was once their home. De Colo spent three seasons at Fener from 2019 to 2022 for a total of 77 games and became a fan-favorite, just like in every other place he has played at. Lauvergne was in Fener from 2018 to 2020 and a teammate of De Colo's there during the 2019-20 season.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul - LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne  | Round 3 | Highlights

### Seeking another upset in Barcelona

[Round 11: FC Barcelona vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/98/#comparison)

ASVEL might not have had a great 2022-23 season, but it still featured some memorable moments that were pure gold. The biggest of them might have been a last-second win on the road at FC Barcelona in Round 12. Veteran ace Nando De Colo pulled up for a game-winner in the last second that just proved that any team can beat any other in this competition, no matter if at home or on the road. Barcelona fans will surely remember this and ASVEL will travel to the Catalan capital with the goal of repeating last season's feat.

Reigning MVP Nikola Mirotić is expected to return and help embolden Palau Blaugrana as Barça's fortress, whilst out-of-sorts ASVEL prepare for a colossal challenge to put an end to a troublesome period and source encouragement for the remainder of their crusade.

FC Barcelona vs LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne - Round 12 - Highlights

### Welcoming the defending champs

[Round 17:  LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-real-madrid/E2023/148/#comparison)

One of the highlights of the season for any team in any sport is welcoming the defending champion to its home. That's what will happen when Real Madrid lands in Lyon in Round 17. Last season, Los Blancos got the best of ASVEL for a 2-0 sweep in the regular season, including a 92-73 home blowout win. Real is keeping most of its team from last season and ASVEL rebuilt much of the roster, but the hunger to defeat the defending champs to prove their worth in the league will still be there.

ASVEL's European crusade is seemingly back on course after three wins on the spin, two of which were earned by game-winning shots in the dying seconds. They trek to Madrid as Los Blancos attempt to regain pace with the competition's elite after falling to Žalgiris.

Real Madrid vs LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne - Round 15 - Highlights

### A critical French League derby

[Round 32: AS Monaco vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/62/#comparison)

The battle for hegemony between French League teams continue with every edition of the derby against Monaco. Last season, ASVEL dropped both EuroLeague games against a Monaco team that would go on to make the Final Four for the first time ever and win the French championship. With a longer tradition in the EuroLeague, ASVEL will look to reclaim its throne by trying to come out on top against the team from the principality. A great atmosphere can be expected in both these games and the Round 32 derby in Lyon could have major implications on the teams' playoff pushes.

All eyes turn to France for a derby that sees both targeting a return to winning-ways. ASVEL’s hopes of hitting the postseason are fading fast following a run of two wins in nine, while Monaco attempt to to harden the defense after allowing 95 points in a defeat to Real Madrid.