Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv forced a decisive Game 3 in the Israeli League finals with a 67-85 victory over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Saturday night at Shlomo Group Arena. Xavier Munford started strong and led Hapoel with 25 points on 6-of-11 three-points shooting plus 5 assists. Jaylen Hoard added 15 points and 8 rebounds, Tyler Ennis tallied 11 points and 7 assists, Kyle Alexander also scored 11 and Tomer Ginat combined 10 points and 8 boards. Roman Sorkin paced Maccabi with 16 points, Bonzie Colson scored 15, Lorenzo Brown 13 and Tamir Blatt scored 11 points and dished 9 assists.

The game was stopped in the second minute with the score tied 2-2 after Hapoel fans lit flares. With the score tied 9-9, Ginat and Munford drilled threes in an 8-0 run as Hapoel took control. Munford remained hot, amassing 14 first-quarter points, and Hapoel extended the lead to 29-17 on a Bar Timor triple to end the opening period. Blatt heated up with 5 straight points midway through the second quarter to spark Maccabi, which got within 37-33 on a Josh Nebo slam. Braian Angola and Hoard answered for Hapoel, which held a 46-35 halftime lead.

Free throws by Ennis put Hapoel up 15 early in the second half. Colson scored 4 quick points to ignite a 0-9 Maccabi run that made it 44-50. After a Hapoel timeout, Ennis took charge with 7 points in a 10-0 Hapoel response that gave the hosts their biggest lead yet. It would reach 46-63 on Kyle Alexander’s layup before Sorkin made a three to end the third quarter with the score 49-63. Blatt opened the fourth with a three to give Maccabi hope, but the visitors were unable to mount a serious challenge after that and Hapoel held on to even the series.

The best-of-three series will be decided in Game 3 on Monday at Menora Mivtachim Arena

Hapoel beats Maccabi to even Israeli League finals

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has renewed a contract with guard [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/), who will stay in the Slovenian capital for two more seasons, the club announced on Saturday. Stewart (1.98 meters, 24 years old) made his BKT EuroCup debut last season, averaging 12.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists. In the ABA League last season, Stewart posted 11.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Stewart arrived to Cedevita last summer after a brief stint with Marineros de Puerto Plata of the Dominican Republic. He also played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the G League in the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 20.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 42 games.

During his college career, Stewart had a breakout 2020-21 season at Mississippi State University, averaging 16.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 33 games. He also played with the Austin Spurs of the G League before joining Cedevita Olimpija which he helped with the 2023-24 Slovenian League crown.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr">DJ Stewart ostaja v Ljubljani! 💚🧡<br><br>V dresu Zmajev bomo DJ-a lahko spremljali še vsaj prihodnji dve sezoni!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> <a href="https://t.co/30fwfnK6ml">pic.twitter.com/30fwfnK6ml</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (@KKCedOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL/status/1801947803448447008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Cedevita Olimpija renews guard Stewart for two more years

Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul signed promising center Marko Simonovic to a one-year deal on Saturday. 

Bahcesehir adds experienced big man Marko Simonovic 

Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul signed promising center [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) to a one-year deal on Saturday. Simonovic (2.10 meters, 24 years old) arrives from Besiktas Emjaklet Istanbul, where he averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 10 EuroCup games last season in helping his team reach the semifinals. He had a season-high PIR of 24 in Game 2 of the semifinals against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse as Besiktas won 82-71.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🙌 Marko Simonovic, Bahçeşehir Koleji’nde!<br><br>🤝 NBA ve Turkish Airlines EuroLeague tecrübesi bulunan ve son olarak Beşiktaş Emlakjet forması giyen uzun oyuncuyla, 2024-2025 sezonu için anlaşma sağladık.<br><br>🙋‍♂️ Welcome to our family, Marko! <a href="https://twitter.com/msimonovic99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@msimonovic99</a> <br><br>❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyHighTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyHighTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/qsXkGiVUYG">pic.twitter.com/qsXkGiVUYG</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1801933456462450858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Simonovic started the 2023-24 season with Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade, where he averaged 2.8 points in 11 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games before joining Besiktas in January. Born in Montenegro, Simonovic started his career with his hometown club Garstka Kolasin. He later played for OKK of Montenegro, PMS Moncalieri San Mauro and Mens Sana 1871 Siena of Italy, Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia and Mega Belgrade of Serbia before spending two years in the United States with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA and their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. Simonovic has also been a member of the Montenegrin national team.

Marko Simonovic averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 10 EuroCup games last season, helping Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul reach the semifinals. He had a season-high PIR of 24 in Game 2 of the semifinals against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse, leading it to an 82-71 victory.

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: Marko Simonovic, Besiktas

Bahcesehir adds big man Marko Simonovic 

He joined the team ahead of the 2023-24 season

Reyer re-signs power forward Wiltjer

Umana Reyer Venice has locked up the services of one of its core players by re-signing power forward [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) to a multi-year deal on Friday.

A career-high individual performance in a must-win game allowed Kyle Wiltjer of Umana Reyer Venice to earn Round 14 MVP honors with a PIR of 39.

Kyle Wiltjer | Round 14 MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Wiltjer (2.06 meters, 33 years old) averaged 12.2 points on 42.7% three-pointers, 3.5 rebounds and a PIR of 12.8 in 16 BKT EuroCup games last season. He earned Round 14 MVP honors, leading Reyer to a 106-96 overtime home victory over Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul with a club-record 32 points on 2-of-5 two-point shooting, 7-of-11 on three-pointers and 7-of-7 free throws.

"For me, it was an honor to sign a contract with Umana Reyer already last year because I had the opportunity to live in a city like Venice together with my family and to be part of a large organization that is like a family," said Wiltjer. "I am thrilled to have renewed the agreement because I am convinced that although our season has been positive, we will continue the work with the hunger to complete some unfinished business.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">L&#39;Umana Reyer comunica con soddisfazione il rinnovo pluriennale di Kyle Wiltjer, ala trentunenne nativa di Portland 🤝<br>ll comunicato 👉 <a href="https://t.co/KEZNBRTIEe">https://t.co/KEZNBRTIEe</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/finoallafine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#finoallafine</a> <a href="https://t.co/3QkyKk2U1M">pic.twitter.com/3QkyKk2U1M</a></p>&mdash; Reyer Venezia (@REYER1872) <a href="https://twitter.com/REYER1872/status/1801587869619744860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I believe it is the perfect situation for us because this club has great ambitions and if we manage to face the season with the right spirit, desire and unity, we can achieve even more important goals in the \[Italian\] championship and EuroCup. I have played in many places and here in Venice, I have settled in very well, as have my family. I am convinced that it will be a season full of satisfaction and enthusiasm for everyone. I can't wait to get back to work and start a new journey."

The American started his career with the Houston Rockets in the NBA and he also played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Raptors 905 in the G League, Olympiacos Piraeus in Greece, Unicaja Malaga and Lenovo Tenerife in Spain, Turk Telekom Ankara in Turkiye and Zhejiang Guangsha Lions in China. Before that, he helped the University of Kentucky win the NCAA Tournament title in 2012. He also lifted the BCL trophy with Tenerife in 2022 and is a member of the Canadian national team. His father, Greg, also played professional basketball. 

Jordan Usher has officially signed for JL Bourg on a one-year deal.

JL Bourg signs small forward Jordan Usher

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse has announced the signing of Jordan Usher on a one-year deal. Usher (2.01 meters, 26 years old) spent last year playing for the Perth Wildcats in the NBL, averaging 12.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 31 games.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Jordan Usher est bressan 🔴<br><br>Ailier explosif, appuis ultra rapides, technicité proche du cercle. Et avec un tel patronyme, Ekinox est sûr d’être chaud patate la saison prochaine !<br><br>Welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/Callmeush?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Callmeush</a> 👋<br> <br> 📝 <a href="https://t.co/gD6gtZBNIV">https://t.co/gD6gtZBNIV</a> <a href="https://t.co/mUCS7mEMH2">pic.twitter.com/mUCS7mEMH2</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1801527504840143093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Usher's professional career began in the 2022-23 season when he joined the NBA's Utah Jazz, where he played four games. That same campaign, he went on to sign for Besiktas in Turkiye, averaging 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 29 Turkish League appearances. Then, last summer, Usher moved to Australia by joining Perth. Now, Usher heads to France to join a Bourg side hoping to continue its level of success under head coach Frederic Fauthoux.

More Bourg News

New Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse signing Jordan Usher in action for the Perth Wildcats in the 2023-24 NBL season.

He is the club's first signing of the summer

Bourg signs small forward Jordan Usher

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica has completed the signing of Djordije Jovanovic.

Buducnost moves for Djordije Jovanovic

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica has confirmed the signing of Djordije Jovanovic, who will play his basketball on the old continent once again after averaging 5.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 46 G League games for the Ontario Clippers last season. Jovanovic (1.97 meters, 21 years old) began his career with Danilovgrad in his native Montenegro and has represented his country at youth level. He's also played for Mladost, Dunav and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Serbia.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Next chapter ✍️<a href="https://t.co/nd1r2yp9VE">https://t.co/nd1r2yp9VE</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HukMora%C4%8De?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HukMorače</a> <a href="https://t.co/UAbubm2y1N">pic.twitter.com/UAbubm2y1N</a></p>&mdash; KK Budućnost VOLI (@KKBuducnostVOLI) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKBuducnostVOLI/status/1801314466400784683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Buducnost News

The young shooting guard returns to Europe after a year in the United States

Veolia Towers Hamburg bolstered its frontcourt by inking center Benedikt Turudic to a two-year deal, the club announced Thursday.

Hamburg inks center Benedikt Turudic

Veolia Towers Hamburg bolstered its frontcourt by signing center Benedikt Turudic to a two-year deal, the club announced Thursday. Turudic (2.07 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Telekom Baskets Bonn, where he averaged 3.0 points on 63.3% two-point shooting and 2.2 rebounds in 15 German League games last season. 

He started his career with Giessen 46ers and has also played for Basketball Akademie Giessen Mittelhessen, ALBA Berlin's second team, Cedevita Zagreb's U18 team, Mitteldeuscher, BSW Swans Sandersdof, MBC Weissenfels, BG Goettingen and Basketball Loewen Braunschweig.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Benedikt Turudic kommt aus Bonn (bis 2026) 📝🏀<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/PtG0FmxtXp">https://t.co/PtG0FmxtXp</a><br><br>Den Werdegang des beweglichen 2,07 Meter großen Centers verfolgen HC Barloschky &amp; Sportchef Willoughby schon seit längerer Zeit, diesen Sommer stimmt das Timing! 🤗 <a href="https://t.co/uwYtyBltCe">pic.twitter.com/uwYtyBltCe</a></p>&mdash; Veolia Towers Hamburg (@hamburgtowers) <a href="https://twitter.com/hamburgtowers/status/1801176462277362136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"Benedikt and I have known each other for a few years. I liked his attitude and way of working even then. He is characterized by his toughness, plays with a lot of energy and is always able to pick up and get his team and the fans excited," Hamburg coach Benka Barloschky said. "I am very happy that it has now worked out and that we will be working together in Hamburg."

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica continued preparing for the next season by re-signing sharpshooter Fletcher Magee to a new two-year deal, the club announced. He is club's second signing this offseason, after Buducnost secured the services of Yogi Ferrell earlier in the week.

Buducnost extends sharpshooter Magee

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica continued its preparations for the next season by re-signing sharpshooter [Fletcher Magee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/fletcher-magee/012630/) to a new two-year deal. He is club's second signing this offseason, after Buducnost secured the [services of Yogi Ferrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/buducnost-yogi-ferrell-pen-contract-extension/) earlier in the week.

Magee (1.93 meters, 27 years old) posted 6.3 points in his debut BKT EuroCup campaign. Last season in the ABA League, Magee averaged 9.0 points and 2.1 three-pointers made per game on 49.5% shooting from behind the arc.

Magee started his professional career in the 2019-20 campaign in the Spanish League with Monbus Obradoiro, then spent three seasons with city rival SC Derby before joining Buducnost in the summer of 2023. Prior to that, Magee attended Wofford College where he was a two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year, and made 509 career three-pointers. That stood as a record until last summer when two players passed him. Magee has done it with an impressive 43.5% accuracy, by far the highest for a player with at least 400 three-point shots made in NCAA history.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Bullseye 🎯<a href="https://t.co/Hgz46ailfm">https://t.co/Hgz46ailfm</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hukmora%C4%8De?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hukmorače</a> <a href="https://t.co/mCxlFry3nZ">pic.twitter.com/mCxlFry3nZ</a></p>&mdash; KK Budućnost VOLI (@KKBuducnostVOLI) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKBuducnostVOLI/status/1800951233550618859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Aleksej Nikolic has completed a move to join KK Cedevita Olimpija.

KK Cedevita Olimpija brings in Aleksej Nikolic

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has completed a deal to sign guard [Aleksej Nikolic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksej-nikolic/003703/), the club confirmed Wednesday. Nikolic (1.91 meters, 29 years old) was a EuroBasket 2017 champion with the Slovenian national team and will represent the Slovenian giants of Cedevita in the coming season. Last year, Nikolic averaged 12.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists for Chalon in the French League.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Slovenian national team player Aleksej Nikolić is the new Point Guard for Cedevita Olimpija!<a href="https://twitter.com/AliNikolic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AliNikolic</a>, welcome to the Dragon&#39;s Family! 💚🧡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> <a href="https://t.co/3F834vPg8B">pic.twitter.com/3F834vPg8B</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1800862541327032412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He has two years of experience in the BKT EuroCup, having played for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in 2018-19 and Germani Brescia in 2022-23, and spent three years in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Brose Bamberg between 2015 and 2018.

“Aleksej Nikolic is a player I have known for quite some time," said new Cedevita head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic. "He is a local player, a member of the Slovenian national team and a great guy, which is the most important thing. He improves his game every season, and he had a brilliant season in France \[last year\]. He will help us in the creation of our game. He has a good and solid character and with his quality, he will be a very important member of our team."

The top plays of new Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana signing Aleksej Nikolic while playing for Germani Brescia in the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup signing.

Nikolic's best plays in 2022-23

Nikolic made his professional debut with Spars Sarajevo, where he played between 2011 and 2015, while he's also represented: Bamberg (2015-18), Partizan (2018-21), BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque (2020-21), San Pablo Burgos (2021-22), Dinamo Sassari (2022-23), Brescia (2022-23), Dreamland Gran Canaria (2022-23), and most recently Chalon (2023-24).

More Cedevita News

New Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana signing Aleksej Nikolic in action for Brescia in the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup season.

The Slovenian point guard will orchestrate the team's offense next season