Many teams from the BKT EuroCup have hit the ground running with the start of preseason practices and training camps this week. Among the many teams that have already got the ball rolling are newcomer Wolves Vilnius, Paris Basketball, Slask Wroclaw, 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, Veolia Hamburg Towers, Mincidelice Jl Bourg en Bresse, Aris Thessaloniki, Besiktas Istanbul, Joventut Badalona, Umana Reyer Venice, London Lions, last season's runner-up, Turk Telekom Ankara, and defending champions Dreamland Gran Canaria!
2023-24 BKT EuroCup preseason camps are underway!
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The champs hit the hardwood
Gran Canaria, which has the rare opportunity to win a second consecutive EuroCup title, is off and running toward that goal. The reigning champs have started official practices, helped by seven players from the club's third-division squad, while Roko Prkacin, Nico Brussino and Jean Montero play with their respective national teams.
Head coach Jaka Lakovic already had his first press conference at Gran Canaria, saying: "We are happy to start, looking forward to it. I think we have to be very humble at the start of the preseason, knowing that we have to work very hard. We won't change a lot. The players we signed are smart and have played at a very high level. They join a group pf players who are already here and will help them adjust fast. I think we will be very versatile and smart on offense, which should give us a plus. On defense, we have to be very solid and also very smart."
From newcomers to regulars
Wolves, the only EuroCup newcomer this season, started to get ready on Tuesday. By that time, Paris had been doing workouts for a week. Indeed, Paris has already played a friendly exhibition game, walloping Spirou Charleroi 93-59 in its first game under new head coach Tuomas Iisalo as 20-year-old guard Nadir Hifi had 32 points in his debut with the team.
Once again, Slask was one of the first EuroCup teams to hit the hardwood, with newcomers Dusan Miletic and Jawun Evans showing that they are raring to go to work. Slask has its earliest friendly game scheduled against Stal Ostrow on August 22.
Former EuroCup star Roberts Stelmahers is back to the competition, coaching Lietkabelis, and his team is already getting ready for the new season.
Meanwhile, Hamburg had its first team meeting on August 9, and plays its first preseason game on August 24. The team was treated to a city tour and dinner on August 15 to start bonding right away.
London hosts Rooftop Rumble
London went one step further and already had a meeting with fans in an event called Rooftop Rumble in the British capital, setting an indoor basketball court on top of a building and inviting fans over to play with them.
Cluj players were all smiles when they met for the first time on August 14. Jarell Eddie and Emanuel Cate had already played together in Spain. Aris and Besiktas are back in the competition for the first time since 2016, and both teams are already practicing and trying to gel as soon as possible. Joventut players underwent medical tests, and marquee signings Andrew Andrews and DeShaun Thomas are already in Badalona. Turk Telekom, last season's finalists, is back in action, too, as well as Reyer.
Some teams will be missing players who are with their national teams getting ready for the 2023 World Cup in the Philippines. After that, the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup season is right around the corner!