Big names are always on the move in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, whether it’s superstars joining new teams or talented newcomers making their arrivals. Here are some of the most-important signings from the past week.
The week in EuroLeague signings
Former MVPs on the move
The biggest names to switch teams over the past weeks were former MVPs. On Thursday, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne announced that it was bringing 2016 EuroLeague MVP Nando De Colo back to France. He will play in his homeland for the first time since 2009. The next day, the 2019 EuroLeague MVP was on the move with FC Barcelona signing Jan Vesely. Barca will be Vesely’s third club in the competition. De Colo and Vesely were teammates last season at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, which already made moves to replace them by adding Scottie Wilbekin and Tonye Jekiri to the roster.
Maccabi continues rebuild
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv completely redid its perimeter with six new players signing with the club in a matter of six days. First to sign was Darrun Hilliard from FC Bayern Munich, then Austin Hollins from Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade, Rafi Menco from Israeli side Hapoel Holon, Lorenzo Brown from UNICS Kazan, Wade Baldwin from Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Josh Nebo from Zalgiris Kaunas. That’s after signing three players and appointing Oded Kattash as head coach the week before. Maccabi has been busy early in the offseason to build a contender.
Milan’s new shooting guard tandem
AX Armani Exchange Milan added a pair of top-notch scoring weapons with the signings of shooting guards Naz Mitrou-Long and Billy Baron. The two make Milan particularly dangerous from the perimeter. While Baron has knocked down 188 three-pointers in the EuroLeague over the past three seasons with Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade and Zenit St Petersburg, Mitrou-Long will make his debut in the competition after a stellar first season in Europe with fellow Italian side Germani Brescia. After placing third at the end of the regular season, Milan is looking good in the off-season.
Valencia solidifies its backcourt
Valencia Basket extended the contracts of point guards Sam Van Rossom and Martin Hermannsson and signed combo-guard Chris Jones this week in moves that stabilize the team’s backcourt. Jones, who comes off a breakout season with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, brings two years of EuroLeague experience to Valencia, which returns to the EuroLeague after a one-year hiatus. Van Rossom will begin his 10th season with Valencia and fifth in the EuroLeague. They’ll be joined by Hermannsson, who has two seasons of EuroLeague experience.
Panathinaikos names Radonjic head coach
The Greens of Athens will have a new look this season after naming Dejan Radonjic as the team’s head coach. Panathinaikos will be his third EuroLeague team after two stops at Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade and a stint with FC Bayern Munich. He will bring a new plan and outlook to the team and shortly after the club made two key additions with the signings of point guard Paris Lee from AS Monaco and forward Panagiotis Kalaitzakis from Lietkabelis Panevezys.