FC Barcelona has confirmed the signing of Willy Hernangomez. Hernangomez (2.11 meters, 29 years old) spent the last seven seasons playing in the NBA. The Spanish center has previous experience of playing in the EuroLeague, having played 17 games for Real Madrid.

FC Barcelona signs EuroBasket MVP Willy Hernangomez

FC Barcelona has confirmed the signing of [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) on a three-year deal. Hernangomez (2.11 meters, 29 years old) has spent the last seven seasons playing in the NBA, most recently averaging 6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 12:05 minutes across 38 games for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2022-23 campaign. The Spanish center has previous experience of playing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, having played 17 games – all of which came from the bench – for Real Madrid in the 2012-13 and 2015-16 seasons, posting 3.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and a 4.4 PIR.

### Crossing the Real Madrid-Barcelona divide

Hernangomez came through Real's youth academy and made his EuroLeague debut in the 2012-13 campaign, playing a total of 14:24 minutes over three games. In that time, he scored 4 points and grabbed 3 assists. After a two-year loan spell at Sevilla between 2013 and 2015, which saw Hernangomez average 8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and a 10.3 PIR in 16 7DAYS EuroCup games in 2014-15, he got another chance in the EuroLeague with Real. In what proved to be his final season for *Los Blancos* before heading to the NBA, Hernangomez averaged 4.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and a 5.6 PIR in 11:10 minutes across 14 bench appearances in the 2015-16 campaign. Just like Nikola Mirotic and Nicolas Laprovittola before him, Hernangomez is the latest former Real player to sign for Barca.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">[𝐔́𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀]<br><br>Willy Hernangómez, culer fins al 2026! 💙❤</p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1679251267992842241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Once in the NBA, Hernangomez made a positive impact while playing for the New York Knicks, being named to the All-Rookie First Team in the 2016-17 season. Overall, the Spaniard has played a total of 312 games in the NBA, having spent two years with the Knicks (2016-18), two years with the Charlotte Hornets (2018-20) and three years with the New Orleans Pelicans (2020-23). 

### Spain success

In the summer of 2022, Hernangomez was named the MVP of the EuroBasket tournament after playing a key role in leading Spain to the gold medal. With the Spanish national team, the center was also been a part of the gold medal-winning squads at the 2015 EuroBasket and the 2019 FIBA World Cup. In 2017, Hernangomez achieved a bronze medal at the 2017 EuroBasket with *La Roja*. At youth level, he won a gold medal at the 2011 U18 European Championship and a silver made at the 2014 U20 European Championship. Now, seven years after leaving Real, he is now back in Spain and has a chance to display his talents with *Los Blancos*' archrival, Barca, in the EuroLeague.

Barcelona News

New FC Barcelona signing Willy Hernangomez in action for Real Madrid in the 2015-16 season, his final year at the club before heading to the NBA.

Barcelona signs EuroBasket MVP Willy Hernangomez

There are 13 years separating new Crvena Zvezda Belgrade arrivals Milos Teodosic and Marko Simonovic, yet both players head back to Serbia with a shared objective: success. Zvezda may not have reached the EuroLeague Playoffs since 2016, but the veteran point guard and the young big man hope to bring that run to an end next season.

New Crvena Zvezda signings Milos Teodosic, Marko Simonovic return to Serbia with one thing in mind

There are 13 years separating new Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade arrivals [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/crvena-zvezda-brings-home-legend-milos-teodosic/) and [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/crvena-zvezda-gets-bigger-with-marko-simonovic/), yet both players head back to Serbia with a shared objective: success. Zvezda may not have reached the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs since 2016, but the veteran point guard and the young big man hope to bring that run to an end next season.

For the 36-year-old Teodosic, he has joined the club he has been a die-hard fan of since he was a boy. It's unclear just how many more years of Milos magic we will be able to see before he retires – he has inked a one-year deal at Zvezda – but guiding the club to a playoff run would only enhance the strong connection that many Serbs, particularly those on the red-and-white side of Belgrade, have towards Teodosic.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Proslavljeni srpski košarkaš i jedan od najtrofejnijih igrača u istoriji naše zemlje, Miloš Teodosić, novo je pojačanje KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet!<br><br>Dobro došao, <a href="https://twitter.com/MilosTeodosic4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MilosTeodosic4</a>! <br><br>Detaljnije: <a href="https://t.co/PHcWnuP0YC">https://t.co/PHcWnuP0YC</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/DBVt8BJNZo">pic.twitter.com/DBVt8BJNZo</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1678730778383876097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It is a slightly different story for Simonovic. The 23-year-old Montenegrin has spent the last two years in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, but before that, between 2019 and 2021, he played for Serbian team Mega Basket. On his return to Europe – and to Serbia – he will get the chance to play in the EuroLeague for the first time in his career, which should provide the platform for Simonovic to establish himself as one of the continent's best young players.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Crnogorski centar i bivši igrač <a href="https://twitter.com/chicagobulls?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chicagobulls</a> Marko Simonović, novo je pojačanje KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet! <br><br>Detaljnije: <a href="https://t.co/HzJEHxo7L1">https://t.co/HzJEHxo7L1</a><br><br>Dobro došao, Marko!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeCan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeCan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/GKBDL2Aod6">pic.twitter.com/GKBDL2Aod6</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1677787319770775552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Teodosic brings pass-making pedigree

Zvezda's twin Argentinean point guards last season, Luca Vildoza and Facundo Campazzo, were instant fan favorites for the many magic moments they delivered. The addition of Teodosic ensures that Zvezda fans will continue to see unbelievable plays on a round-by-round basis.

What's more, Teodosic brings something that Campazzo nor Luca could not – a long-standing association with the supporters. Many Serbians have had to watch Teodosic from afar during his club career, with the veteran having played outside of the country since leaving FMP in 2007. The legendary point guard went on to become a superstar for Olympiacos Piraeus, being named the EuroLeague MVP in 2010, while he also became a EuroLeague champion in 2016 during his time playing for CSKA Moscow. Now, 16 years after leaving Serbia, Teodosic and his incredible playmaking is back on his home turf – and at a club that means so much to him in Zvezda.

The best plays of new Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade guard Milos Teodosic during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Milos Teodosic's top plays of the 2022-23 season

### Simonovic has an example to follow

For Simonovic, one player he should look to ahead of his first year at Zvezda is Filip Petrusev. Curiously, the two were teammates at Mega in their final year at the Serbian club before Simonovic headed stateside and Petrusev joined reigning EuroLeague champion Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Neither player had the season they would have been hoping for after leaving Mega, with Simonovic largely playing for Chicago's G League team and Petrusev seeing his role diminish as Efes headed into the playoffs.

Last summer, though, Petrusev was able to get his career back on track back. Following his decision to head back to Serbia and join Zvezda, Petrusev went on to average 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and a 12.6 PIR in the EuroLeague, making up for lost time and ensuring that everyone in Europe knew what he is capable of. In the case of Simonovic, he has posted good numbers in the G League – 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 2021-22 and 14.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 2022-23 – but he will now get to test himself against the best players in Europe on a week-by-week basis. If he follows the example of Petrusev, both Simonovic and Zvezda will be left beaming next summer.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Marko Simonović u Crvenoj zvezdi nosiće dres sa brojem 11 koji je svojevremno nosila legenda našeg kluba Ljubodrag Duci Simonović 🔴⚪️ <br><br>Želimo mu da ponovi neke od uspeha Ducija, kao i Marka Simonovića, jednog od najtrofejnijih igrača u istoriji kluba 🙌🏼<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://t.co/heJBAQB9Jc">pic.twitter.com/heJBAQB9Jc</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1677997938713276416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Positive signs for Zvezda

In addition to Teodosic and Simonovic, Zvezda has also completed deals to sign [Dejan Davidovac](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/zvezda-brings-back-swingman-dejan-davidovac/) and [Adam Hanga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/adam-hanga-is-crvena-zvezda-fourth-summer-signing/), while [Luka Mitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/crvena-zvezda-re-signs-fan-favorite-luka-mitrovic/) also penned an extension. The club has been linked with several other players, too, so there are plenty of reasons to be excited if you are a Zvezda fan. Let's wait and see if Teodosic and Simonovic can find a telepathic relationship on the court; going by the point guard's history, that is a bet that would be worth making.

Crvena Zvezda News

New Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade signing Milos Teodosic in action for Virtus Segafredo Bologna during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Zvezda signings Teodosic, Simonovic return to Serbia with only success in mind

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne announced that teen point guard Noam Yaacov will join the team's main roster for next season. Yaacov (1.85, 18 years old) has been in ASVEL's youth system since 2021 but went on loan to Hapoel Jerusalem over the winter and appeared briefly in several Basketball Champions League and Israeli League games. Until the loan, Yaacov had dominated earlier last season in the French Pro A League for ASVEL's U21 team, averaging 17.8 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds over 13 games.

 ASVEL brings back teen point guard Noam Yaacov 

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne announced that teen point guard [Noam Yaacov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/noam-yaacov/011386/) will join the team's main roster for next season. Yaacov (1.85, 18 years old) has been in ASVEL's youth system since 2021 but went on loan to Hapoel Jerusalem over the winter and appeared briefly in several Basketball Champions League and Israeli League games. Until the loan, Yaacov had dominated earlier last season in the French Pro A League for ASVEL's U21 team, averaging 17.8 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds over 13 games.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Noam YAACOV dans le groupe professionnel 👏<br><br>Après une saison passée à l’Hapoel Jerusalem, le jeune meneur de jeu (18 ans, 1m85) sera de retour à LDLC ASVEL, pleinement intégré au groupe professionnel dès la reprise.<br><br>🗞️ Plus d’infos : <a href="https://t.co/fwXAqNozkY">https://t.co/fwXAqNozkY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/mESLf3Xz3w">pic.twitter.com/mESLf3Xz3w</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1679123811491278849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 


Yaacov, who has dual Danish-Israeli citizenship, began his career with Hapoel Emek Hefer Afula in Israel. He appeared in seven games for ASVEL in the 2021-22 Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Three of those games came in the Belgrade qualifier and four in the finals in the same city. Overall, Yaacov posted 9.9 points, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 17 minutes per game that spring.

"Noam had shown great things with us, both with the \[youth teams\] and when we integrated him into the professional group," ASVEL head coach T. J. Parker said. "Last season allowed him to gain experience, to know a high level, and I am very happy that he is back in our club to continue his progress. He will have his say, a role to play and opportunities to seize throughout the season."

LDLC ASVEL NEWS

ASVEL promotes teen point guard Noam Yaacov

A fan favorite is back in green as Panathinaikos Athens has returned forward Ioannis Papapetrou to the Greek capital on a two-year deal until the end of the 2024-25 season. Papapetrou (2.06 meters, 29 years old) returns from a one-year stint with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and rejoins Panathinaikos, the club whose uniform he wore between 2018 and 2022.

Panathinaikos brings back favorite son Ioannis Papapetrou

A fan favorite is back in green as Panathinaikos Athens has returned forward [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/) to the Greek capital on a two-year deal until the end of the 2024-25 season. Papapetrou (2.06 meters, 29 years old) returns from a one-year stint with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and rejoins Panathinaikos, the club whose uniform he wore between 2018 and 2022.

"I am very happy to have returned to my family," Papapetrou said. "There is great excitement and huge motivation on my part. I don't want to say much now; the rest will be discussed on the court. I would like from the bottom of my heart to thank Mr. Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the Panathinaikos organization and the world for the love they show me. See you at OAKA."

A 10-year Turkish Airlines EuroLeague veteran with 257 appearances in the competition, Papapetrou posted 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds last season as he helped Partizan reach the EuroLeague Playoffs. He also averaged 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in Partizan's run to the title in the ABA League.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">OFFICIAL: &quot;Pap&quot; Is Back! ✍️☘️<br><br>Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός ανακοινώνει την επιστροφή του Ιωάννη Παπαπέτρου στην ομάδα μας για τα επόμενα δύο χρόνια! 💚<br><br>Read More 👉 <a href="https://t.co/P0Y5HTAuyJ">https://t.co/P0Y5HTAuyJ</a><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/huIEkXYCDg">pic.twitter.com/huIEkXYCDg</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1679135766314622987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Papapetrou returns to Greece

Papapetrou took his first steps in basketball at Ilysiakos's junior team and Florida Preparatory Academy. After playing one season of college basketball at Texas University, Papapetrou returned to Greece in 2013 and signed for Olympiacos Piraeus. He helped the Reds reach two EuroLeague Championship Games in 2015 and 2017. Papapetrou also helped Olympiacos win back-to-back Greek League titles in 2015 and 2016.

In 2018, he crossed the divide to join Panathinaikos, a team where his father Argiris is a club legend, too. In four seasons with the Greens, Papapetrou helped the club win three Greek League crowns, being named the Greek League MVP in 2021. He also lifted two Greek Cup titles, while also becoming a team captain.

Panathinaikos News

Ioannis Papapetrou in the famous strip of Panathinaikos Athens during a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game in his first stint at the club.

Crvena Zvezda Belgrade has announced the signing of Adam Hanga on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season. Hanga (34 years old, 2.00 meters) heads to Serbia for the first time in his career, having come off a season in which he became a EuroLeague champion for the first time in his career with Real Madrid.

Adam Hanga is Crvena Zvezda's fourth summer signing

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has announced the signing of [Adam Hanga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/adam-hanga/005099/) on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season. Hanga (34 years old, 2.00 meters) heads to Serbia for the first time in his career, having come off a season in which he averaged 4.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and a 4.1 PIR in 27 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague appearances for Real Madrid last season. In May, Hanga became a EuroLeague champion for the first time in his career after Real defeated Olympiacos Piraeus in the championship game, with the Hungarian having played 30:40 minutes at the Final Four in Kaunas. Hanga is the fourth player to arrive at Zvezda this summer, following the signings of Dejan Davidovac, Marko Simonovic and Milos Teodosic.

The top plays of Real Madrid forward Adam Hanga in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Adam Hanga's best plays in 2022-23

### A EuroLeague veteran

Hanga arrives at Zvezda with a plethora of experience in the EuroLeague, having played 255 games and posted career averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and an 8.3 PIR. Of his 255 appearances in the EuroLeague, 75 came with Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, 122 were with FC Barcelona and 58 were in the jersey of Real. Despite only winning his first EuroLeague title in 2023, Hanga reached the championship game in both 2021 and 2022 with Barca and Real, respectively.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Bivši košarkaš Baskonije, Barselone i Reala iz Madrida i mađarski reprezentativac Adam Hanga novi je član KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet!<br><br>Welcome to Belgrade, Adam! <br><br>Detaljnije: <a href="https://t.co/2iVGKJ4Kiz">https://t.co/2iVGKJ4Kiz</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeCan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeCan</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zjek3Y0RPf">pic.twitter.com/Zjek3Y0RPf</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1679091065784004608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### His journey to Zvezda

The Budapest-born player began his career with Alba Fehervar in his native Hungary in 2009, where he remained for two years and established himself as one of the top prospects in Europe. Hanga agreed to join Spanish team Manresa in the summer of 2011 and he also stayed there for two years, before earning himself a move to Baskonia. He spent the 2013-14 campaign with Baskonia, but the following season he played on loan at Avellino in Italy.

Hanga returned to Baskonia ahead of the 2015-16 season and soon began to make a bigger impact in the EuroLeague, averaging a double-digit number of points (10.5 ppg.) for the first time in 2016-17. He was named the 2016-17 EuroLeague Best Defender thanks to his work on the other end of the floor in that season, too. At the end of that campaign, he signed for Barca, where he stayed for four years and became a EuroLeague runner-up in 2021. After joining Real in the summer of 2021, Hanga reached back-to-back championship games, losing the first and winning the second. Now, he takes his talents to Serbia for the first time in his career.

Adam Hanga, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade's latest signing, in action for Real Madrid during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Adam Hanga is Zvezda's fourth summer signing

Real Madrid and EuroLeague fans will be able to enjoy watching Sergio Rodriguez, otherwise known as 'Chacho', on our TV screens for another year after the veteran point guard penned a new one-year contract extension with Los Blancos. Rodriguez (1.91 meters, 37 years old) was a key member of the Real squad that became the 2022-23 EuroLeague champion. The Spaniard is heading into his 14th EuroLeague season and his eighth with Real.

Sergio 'Chacho' Rodriguez extends his stay at Real Madrid

Real Madrid and Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans will be able to enjoy watching [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/), otherwise known as 'Chacho', on our TV screens for another season after the veteran point guard penned a new one-year contract extension with *Los Blancos* until the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Rodriguez (1.91 meters, 37 years old) was a key member of the Real squad that became the 2022-23 EuroLeague champion, as he paired 12 points with 5 assists in the semifinals against FC Barcelona before recording 15 points and 9 assists in the championship game triumph over Olympiacos Piraeus. The Spaniard is heading into his 14th EuroLeague season and his eighth with Real, having returned for a second spell at the club in the summer of 2021.

The best plays of Real Madrid guard Sergio Rodriguez in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

2022-23 highlights: Sergio Rodriguez, Real Madrid

### Aging like fine wine

Together with teammates Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Llull, whose contracts also run until the end of this coming season, Chacho is a modern-day legend at Real. The 2014 EuroLeague MVP earned a big place in the hearts of *Los Blancos*' supporters in his first stint at the club between 2010 and 2016, helping the club win the 2015 EuroLeague title. He was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2014, too. After returning to WiZink Center last summer, Rodriguez won his third EuroLeague title and wowed fans once again with some highlight-reel assists and plays.

### Already in the history books

When fans look back on the career of Chacho in the years to come, they will see a player who firmly left his mark on European basketball. Currently the sixth-highest scorer in EuroLeague history with 3,630 points, 61 points behind teammate Llull in fifth, Rodriguez has also dished the second-most assists in competition history with 1,738 helpers – more than 200 above Kostas Sloukas in fourth, the next active player. Chacho still has some way to go if he is to beat Nick Calathes's tally of 1,902 assists, though. Even defensively, Rodriguez ranks eighth all-time for steals with 293 to his name.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🤍 <a href="https://twitter.com/SergioRodriguez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SergioRodriguez</a> 🤍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chacho2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chacho2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/FiR7H3fykV">pic.twitter.com/FiR7H3fykV</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1679070753646338050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The basketball journey of Chacho

 

Rodriguez began his career with Estudiantes back in the 2003-04 season, meaning this coming campaign will be his 20th as a professional. He remained at Estudiantes until 2006, when he moved to the NBA. Having played for the Portland Trail Blazers between 2006 and 2009 and then the Sacramento Kings and the New York Knicks in the 2009-10 season, Rodriguez returned to Spain by joining Real in the summer of 2010. He remained with Los Blancos for six years before returning to the NBA once again, suiting up for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016-17 campaign.

Chacho decided to head back to Europe the following summer, though, as he signed for CSKA Moscow in 2017. In his first season in Russia, Rodriguez was named to the 2017-18 All-EuroLeague Second Team, before becoming a EuroLeague champion for the second time in 2019. Following that success, the Spaniard signed for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, where he stayed for the next three years. Then, last summer, he rejoined Real and became a EuroLeague champion once again.

Real Madrid News

Sergio Rodriguez celebrates a made three-pointer during Real Madrid's victory against Olympiacos Piraeus in the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game.

Yam Madar, the 2022-23 EuroLeague Rising Star, has joined Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on a two-plus-one-year deal. Madar (1.90 meters, 22 years old) impressed for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in his rookie EuroLeague season. After playing under Zeljko Obradovic at Partizan, Madar will now suit up for the Serbian's former assistant, Dimitris Itoudis, at Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce seals move for Yam Madar, the 2022-23 EuroLeague Rising Star

[Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/), the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Rising Star, has joined Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on a two-plus-one-year deal the club announced on Wednesday. Madar (1.90 meters, 22 years old) impressed for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in his rookie EuroLeague season, averaging 5.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a 5.0 PIR in 13:24 minutes on the floor. The Israeli guard is the first signing to arrive at Fenerbahce this summer, with the club's last roster update being the contract renewals of [Dyshawn Pierre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-extends-dyshawn-pierre/) and [Metecan Birsen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-locks-metecan-birsen-in/) at the end of May. After playing under Zeljko Obradovic at Partizan, Madar will now suit up for the Serbian's former assistant, Dimitris Itoudis, at Fenerbahce.

The best plays of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard Yam Madar in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and Playoffs.

Yam Madar's best plays, 2022-23

### Making an impact in the EuroLeague

Madar may not have had the minutes of a typical starter, yet he was named in the starting five in 24 of his 38 appearances last season. All throughout the campaign, Madar jumped off the screen with his energetic approach to the game on both ends of the floor, which saw him reach double figures for points 10 times in the regular season and once in the playoffs. He also had six games with 2 steals or more, including the postseason. When it came to dishing the rock, too, Madar had 10 games featuring 3 assists or more. During Partizan's five-game playoff series against Real Madrid, he took his game to another level, increasing his averages for points, rebounds and assists, but it was ultimately not enough for his team to reach the Final Four.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Yam Madar Fenerbahçe Beko’da!✍️💛💙<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/I1CYx6UXLe">https://t.co/I1CYx6UXLe</a> <a href="https://t.co/KJ7GvbegEF">pic.twitter.com/KJ7GvbegEF</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1679038131104776193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Yam Madar's career to this point

The guard began his career in his native Israel back in the 2018-19 season, playing 32 games for Hapoel Tel Aviv. Madar remained with Hapoel for a further two years, first being named the Israeli Premier League Most Improved Player in the 2019-20 season before establishing himself as one of the country's best players in 2020-21 with averages of 17.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals across 30 Israeli League appearances. In the summer of 2021, Madar signed for Partizan and appeared in the BKT EuroCup for the first time, posting 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and a 9.6 PIR in 17 games, four of which were as a starter. Then, last season, he handled the jump to the EuroLeague with aplomb. Madar now heads to Türkiye to begin his journey under Coach Itoudis at Fenerbahce.

Partizan publicly protested Madar's signing hours later and announced its intention to contest the transfer.

Fenerbahce News

Yam Madar, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's new signing, in action for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Looked at purely from a basketball perspective, the signing of Kostas Sloukas by Panathinaikos on Saturday was immediately one of the biggest moves of the summer. However, the fact that Sloukas abandoned Olympiacos to join its cross-town archrivals made it an even bigger bombshell.

Kostas Sloukas's jump to Greek archrival is not so rare

Looked at purely from a basketball perspective, the [signing of Kostas Sloukas by Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) on Saturday was immediately one of the biggest moves of the summer. However, the fact that Sloukas abandoned Olympiacos Piraeus to join its cross-town archrivals made it an even bigger bombshell.

On the other hand, players moving between both sides of one of the most heated rivalries in sports is not all that rare. Sloukas will become the 25th Greek player to suit up for both clubs, while 10 high-profile foreign players have done the same. Most of those moves have come since 2000, too.

Sloukas's decision is striking, nonetheless, due to his status as a three-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion who is still in his prime and his choice to take a straight-line route from one archrival to the other. Those two things make his situation comparable to just a handful of similar moves in the past, most notably the now-legendary Vassilis Spanoulis leaving the Greens for the Reds in 2010.

On the long list of Greek players who dressed for both teams, many – including names like Sofoklis Schortsanitis, Ioannis Bourousis, Nikos Oikonomou and Ian Vougioukas – took an indirect route to the second archrival, playing at least a year for another team prior to joining either Olympiacos or Panathinaikos. The list of those who took off one jersey to immediately put on the other is comparatively short.

### Following the Spanoulis example?

Spanoulis was famously dogged to explain why he made the switch, and one of his fullest explanations saw him explain that he had always enjoyed the challenge of playing a big role for an underdog, which Olympiacos had been throughout the 2000s, when Panathinaikos was winning four EuroLeague titles and the Reds none. Panathinaikos won the championship again the season after he left, yet Spanoulis soon led the Reds to back-to-back EuroLeague crowns in 2012 and 2013, something the club had never accomplished. Those two trophies in a row, something Panathinaikos never did, are the last time that either side has won the continental title. But Olympiacos has been to three more championship games since then, while Panathinaikos has not seen the Final Four in a decade. In a sense, Sloukas has chosen the underdog now.

### Thoughts on Sloukas joining Panathinaikos

"No one expected this from Sloukas," admitted Ioannis Papapetrou, according to Eurohoops. He is the last high-profile player before Sloukas to switch from one Greek rival to another, and gave further explanation.

"It is a professional decision, and I can understand it more than anyone. He has proven himself and has already given a lot, with more to come. It’s his decision, and it deserves respect. I wish him good health and all the best."

Olympiacos legend Georgios Printezis also offered his opinion on the move that Sloukas, his long-time teammate, made this past weekend, giving him full support.

"Kostas is a big boy, he’s 33 years old. He’s mature. He took the decision he deemed it was the best for him, his family and his future," Printezis said, according to Eurohoops.

"Others may view this more emotionally, others more professionally. You can’t say that something is right and something is wrong," Printezis added. "On a personal note, we grew up together, we are humans above all. He took a decision he deemed it was the best for him."

Kostas Sloukas | Best Plays | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Kostas Sloukas in action for Olympiacos Piraeus during the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game against Real Madrid.

Kostas Sloukas's jump between Greek archrivals is not so unusual

Olimpia Milano has decided to give Giordano Bortolani an opportunity to play in the first team in the 2023-24 season, following several loan spells elsewhere. Bortolani (1.93 meters, 22 years old) began last season with Manresa, averaging 10.1 points and 1.7 rebounds across seven Spanish League games, before finishing the campaign with Scaligera Basket Verona, where he posted 9.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 22 Italian League appearances. 

Giordano Bortolani heads back to Olimpia Milano

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has decided to give [Giordano Bortolani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/giordano-bortolani/006701/) an opportunity to play in the first team in the 2023-24 season, following several loan spells elsewhere. Bortolani (1.93 meters, 22 years old) began last season with Manresa, averaging 10.1 points and 1.7 rebounds across seven Spanish League games, before finishing the campaign with Scaligera Basket Verona, where he posted 9.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 22 Italian League appearances. Having had experience in the BKT EuroCup in the 2020-21 season with Germani Brescia, Bortolani will now get a chance to feature in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for the first time in his young career.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Giordano Bortolani nell’Olimpia 2023/24: “Giocare qui è una sensazione unica” ➡ <a href="https://t.co/XSZGMSPQYs">https://t.co/XSZGMSPQYs</a><br><br>Giordano Bortolani is coming home: “For me this is something unique” ➡ <a href="https://t.co/q3WdDgUafN">https://t.co/q3WdDgUafN</a><br><br>⚪🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeBackGiordano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeBackGiordano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/35w6wHf2lL">pic.twitter.com/35w6wHf2lL</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1678787774822899712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Giordano Bortolani and his path back to Milan

Having come through Milan's youth academy and made his first-team debut back in the 2017-18 season, Bortolani has gone on to play for seven clubs on loan. First came an experience with Brianza Casa in the Italian third tier, also in the 2017-18 campaign, before he spent the 2018-19 season with Legnano Basket in the Italian Second Division. Next up was a season-long spell with Biella, again in the second division, and then he joined Brescia ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. At Brescia, Bortolani made his EuroCup debut, averaging 6.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 14:20 on the floor across nine appearances, two of which were as a starter. He also played 26 times for Brescia in the Italian first division, posting 6.2 points and 1.2 rebounds.

Just two seasons ago, in 2021-22, a loan move to Treviso saw Bortolani really begin to show what he is capable of. Across 30 appearances in the Italian top flight, he averaged 11.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists, while in 17 games in the Basketball Champions League, he posted 14.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Following his performances with Treviso, Bortolani was named the Basketball Champions League Best Young Player. Last season, as mentioned, the guard suited up for Manresa and Verona. A member of the Italian national team, too, Bortolani will be hoping to make an impact in his rookie EuroLeague season next year.

Milan News

Giordano Bortolani, who has returned to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, during a game for Scaligera Basket Verona last season.