Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana bolstered its backcourt by signing playmaker Nikola Radicevic for the coming season. Radicevic (1.94 meters, 29 years old) will head into his seventh EuroCup campaign. 

Cedevita bolsters backcourt with Nikola Radicevic 

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana bolstered its backcourt by signing playmaker [Nikola Radicevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nikola-radicevic/002561/) for the coming season. Radicevic (1.94 meters, 29 years old) will head into his seventh EuroCup campaign. He last played in the competition with 7bet Lietkabelis Panevezys in 2021-22 during which he averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 12 games.

Radicevic arrives from Spanish side Bilbao with which he averaged on 6.2 points, 3.1 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game last season in the Spanish League. He has also played for Trefl Sopot in Poland; Promitheas Patras in Greece: UCAM Murcia, Gran Canaria and Cajasol Sevilla in Spain; Dolomiti Energia Trento in Italy; Partizan Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda Belgrade of his native Serbia; and Rytas Vilnius of Lithuania. In addition to 48 career appearances in the EuroCup, Radicevic has played 23 games over two seasons in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Zvezda and Gran Canaria.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr">Nikola Radičević joins us in Cedevita Olimpija.<br><br>Welcome to Ljubljana, Nikola! 💚🧡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevoSrce?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevoSrce</a> <a href="https://t.co/s88GHR9n0H">pic.twitter.com/s88GHR9n0H</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1695708485697011920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I am very happy to have become part of Cedevita Olimpija. I am pleased to be part of a new project that began with the arrival of a new head coach and sports director. I can’t wait to join my teammates. I hope we get along well, play good basketball to achieve competitive goals, and that the fans enjoy our game," Radicevic said after signing.

Cedevita Olimpija news

It was no easy task: Joventut Badalona playmaker Andres Feliz made his World Cup debut with the Dominican Republic against Philippines in front of an all-time record crowd of 38,115 at Manila Philippine Arena. Far from being intimidating by such noisy basketball atmosphere, Feliz took another step forwards in his career, leading Dominicana to an 87-81 win which could be critical to send his team to the next round in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.  


Joventut Badalona's Andres Feliz steps up in front of a record crowd

It was no easy task: Joventut Badalona playmaker Andres Feliz made his World Cup debut with the Dominican Republic against the Philippines in front of an all-time record crowd of 38,115 at Manila Philippine Arena. Far from being intimidating by such noisy basketball atmosphere, Feliz took another step forwards in his career, leading the Dominican Republic to an 87-81 win which could be critical to send his team to the next round in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

### Feliz starts, rises to the occasion

Feliz played a major role in this critical win, seeing more playing time than any of his teammates, almost 31 minutes, six more than All-NBA center Karl-Anthony Towns. He also led his team in performance index rating (20), finishing the game with a solid all-around performance: 12 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists.

Philippines led 69-72 midway through the third quarter when Feliz picked up a good pass from Dreamland Gran Canaria guard Jean Montero to strike from downtown to tie the game. When Montero found Antonio Peña for another three-pointer, the Dominican Republic took the lead for good. Feliz still had time to get three more rebounds and get another layup. Montero also helped it many ways, getting 6 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

### A late bloomer

Feliz is no longer a young prospect and at age 26, he has carefully taken many steps forward to showcase his best basketball at the prime of his career. His first professional stop was Joventut's affiliate team, CB Prat, where he played in the 2020-21 season, leading the Spanish third division in scoring at 18.9 points per game.

Fully aware of his potential, Joventut allowed Feliz to grow in each of the last three seasons, always seeing more playing time and posting better numbers. Last season, he averaged career highs of 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 21 BKT EuroCup games, leading the competition in three-point shooting (51.2% 3FG). All that EuroCup experience has allowed Feliz to have a great debut at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, as Dominican tries to go past the first group stage and set new goals in the tournament.

Joventut's Feliz steps up in front of a record crowd

Several more teams spent the next-to-last week of August gearing up for the new BKT EuroCup season, which is little more than a month away. Almost every team in the EuroCup has hit the floor for nearly full practice sessions by now, in addition to all the specialized physical training that takes place this time of year. With 20 players from 10 EuroCup clubs playing for as many countries at the World Cup, however, some teams won't be complete until closer to opening day. In the meantime, their teammates are going strong and will soon be crisscrossing Europe on their own preseason schedules to make sure that everyone is game-ready when the EuroCup starts on Tuesday, October 3.

Training camps filling up through the BKT EuroCup

### New look in Trento

[Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/roster/trn/?season=2023-24) opened its first camp under new head coach [Paolo Galbiati](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-announces-paolo-galbiati-as-new-coach/) on Tuesday with seven new players on the roster, including two who made their way from EuroLeague club and reigning Italian champion EA7 Emporio Armani Milan: foward [Davide Alviti](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-signs-davide-alviti-for-2-seasons/) and center [Paul Biligha](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-adds-muscle-with-veteran-biligha/). One of the five holdovers, forward [Andrejs Grazulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/trento-adds-forward-grazulis/), will re-join the team after he finishes his duties with the Latvian national team at the World Cup.

"The sensations of this first day are positive," Galbiati said after his first practice with the team. "There are those who want to take steps forward this year to become protagonists; there are those who want revenge; and there are those who need to confirm themselves at a high level. In short, there is a lot of motivation and a great desire to do well together."

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwVjaq_MFLZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwVjaq_MFLZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">Ver esta publicación en Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwVjaq_MFLZ/?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">Una publicación compartida de Aquila Basket Trento (@aquilabaskettrento)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Pianigiani returns to lead Cedevita

The week started with veteran Euroleague Basketball bench boss [Simone Pianigiani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/cedevita-names-simone-pianigiani-as-its-new-head-coach/), back from a three-year sojourn coaching in China, taking his new team, [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/roster/lju/?season=2023-24), through its first paces. Cedevita doesn't have veterans [Zoran Dragic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/cedevita-re-signs-veteran-dragic/) and [Jaka Blazic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/jaka-blazic-returns-to-cedevita-olimpija/) in camp, because they are at the World Cup with Slovenia, but 14 other players are. Among seven newcomers to the Slovenian capital is point guard [Justin Cobbs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/justin-cobbs-returns-to-the-eurocup-with-cedevita-olimpija/), whose EuroCup experience runs deep, as does that of Blazic, who returns for his third stint with Cedevita.

<CENTER>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Under the guidance of new head coach Simone Pianigiani, the Dragons have started the training camp ahead of the new season, in Stožice Arena.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevoSrce?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevoSrce</a> <a href="https://t.co/sjCVnYCHq3">pic.twitter.com/sjCVnYCHq3</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1693591309632594163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Voyage of discover for Reyer necomers

Training camp is a time for discovery, too, and that was true as ever for [Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/roster/vnc/?season=2023-24) players this week, especially six of the seven new players (center [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/reyer-adds-all-eurocup-big-man-bruno-caboclo/) is with Brazil and the World Cup) who were there for the start of practices. Besides getting to know the core of returning players, some of whom have been with Reyer for years, the club literally took the newcomers on a voyage of discovery to understand why Venice is unique and famous around the world.

<CENTER>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Discovering Venice 🦁<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinoAllaFine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinoAllaFine</a> <a href="https://t.co/d3GTu8Nn6G">pic.twitter.com/d3GTu8Nn6G</a></p>&mdash; Reyer Venezia (@REYER1872) <a href="https://twitter.com/REYER1872/status/1693850484099219478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Aris takes to the hills

Although [Aris ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/aris-thessaloniki/roster/ari/?season=2023-24)had already gotten together late last week, the historic club's EuroCup mission began in earnest on Wednesday when the team decamped for Karpenissi in central Greece for a mountain stage of training under head coach [Yannis Kastritis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/aris-and-coach-kastritis-agree-to-extension/) and his staff. The only players missing are [Lefteris Bochoridis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/bochoridis-heads-back-to-aris/) and [Silvio De Sousa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/aris-bolsters-frontcourt-with-de-sousa/), who are with the Greek and Angolan national teams, respectively, at the World Cup

<CENTER>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">🏀 Αναχώρησε για το Καρπενήσι η αποστολή του ΑΡΗ Midea<br>Read More 👉 <a href="https://t.co/EL6fFlzdMD">https://t.co/EL6fFlzdMD</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISFamily</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBC2023_24?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBC2023_24</a> <a href="https://t.co/XFkxTLnlUd">pic.twitter.com/XFkxTLnlUd</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1694252660780613709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Buducnost players loom over Podgorica

Among the EuroCup teams that went through a substantial summer remake was [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2023-24), which hired no fewer than nine new players. Heading into its 17th EuroCup season, more than any other club, Buducnost leaned toward adding experience in the competition by adding shooter [Allerik Freeman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/buducnost-tabs-scoring-ace-allerik-freeman/) and forward [JaCorey Williams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/jacorey-williams-seals-move-to-buducnost/), among others. Each player's arrival was met with a unique social media campaign post showing the Buducnost heroes looming over the Montenegrin capital, as in the case with Williams.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Beast is here 😤<a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#KKB</a> <a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheFuture?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#TheFuture</a> <a href=https://t.co/2D2eS5tYfn>pic.twitter.com/2D2eS5tYfn</a></p>&mdash; KK Budućnost VOLI (@KKBuducnostVOLI) <a href=https://twitter.com/KKBuducnostVOLI/status/1691692622283145717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>August 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Prometey gets to work

One of the darlings of the last EuroCup season, semifinalist [Prometey Slobozhanske](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/prometey-slobozhanske/roster/pmt/?season=2023-24), started preparations for the next one this week. Again, the Ukrainian club will play its games in Riga, Latvia, due to the war. Prometey is concentrating first on making sure that several players who were rehabbing or had surgery over the summer, a list that includes [Illia Sydorov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/illia-sydorov/profile/011966/), [Ivan Tkachenko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ivan-tkachenko/profile/011943/), [Viacheslav Petrov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/viacheslav-petrov/profile/011946/), [Issuf Sanon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/prometey-re-signs-guard-issuf-sanon/), [Caleb Agada](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/prometey-re-signs-star-guard-caleb-agada/), [Ondrej Balvin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/prometey-bulks-up-with-balvin-at-center/), [Oleksandr Lypovyy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/oleksandr-lypovyy/profile/001686/) and [Denys Lukashov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/denys-lukashov/002691/). Nonethless, Prometey and coach Ronen Ginzburg are set to play in their first preseason game on August 31.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwS-nzdotPz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwS-nzdotPz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">Ver esta publicación en Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwS-nzdotPz/?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">Una publicación compartida de Prometey Basketball Club (@prometeybc)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

Training camps filling up throughout the BKT EuroCup

Sylvain Francisco of France and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Yago Dos Santos of Brazil and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Justus Hollatz of Germany and Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Dimitris Moraitis of Panathinaikos Athens, Ziga Samar of Slovenia and ALBA Berlin, and Matteo Spagnolo of Italy and ALBA are all 25 years old or younger and all headed to their EuroLeague debuts in October by way of the World Cup.

 Rising rookies join EuroLeague point guard tradition at World Cup 

It would be a rare elite international tournament that didn't feature EuroLeague Basketball point guards as focal points, but the upcoming FIBA World Cup presents fans with something rather unique – a new generation of floor leaders who will follow up that showcase by debuting in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague just a few weeks later.

[Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/bayern-munich-adds-france-international-sylvain-francisco/) of France and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/yago-dos-santos-makes-jump-to-euroleague-with-zvezda/) of Brazil and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, [Justus Hollatz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/anadolu-efes-grabs-talented-point-guard-justus-hollatz/) of Germany and Anadolu Efes Istanbul, [Dimitris Moraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/greens-tab-playmaker-dimitris-moraitis-on-3-year-deal/) of Panathinaikos Athens, [Ziga Sama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ziga-samar/007550/)r of Slovenia and ALBA Berlin, and [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alba-signs-promising-guard-matteo-spagnolo/) of Italy and ALBA are all 25 years old or younger and all headed to their EuroLeague debuts in October by way of the World Cup.

In so doing, they join a distinguished line of predecessors who have defined the virtuosity of playmaking in the European game this century.

Justus Hollatz and Matteo Spagnolo in the BKT EuroCup.

VIDEO HLs: Hollatz and Spagnolo

### Long line of iconic playmakers

The last two generations have seen the torch passed from one set of iconic floor generals – [Dimitris Diamantidis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dimitris-diamantidis/jko/), [Sarunas Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/saras-jasikevicius/adg/), [Theodoros Papaloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/theodoros-papaloukas/atw/), [Pablo Prigioni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/pablo-prigioni/cbx/) and others – to another with names like [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/), [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/), [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/), [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) and [Ricky Rubio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ricky-rubio/lfw/).

All led their clubs and countries to success while synthesizing the singular style of team play that distinguishes the ever-more-admired European game.

Not forgetting that some of that old guard – [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) of Spain and Real Madrid, [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) of France and ASVEL – and some EuroLeague playmakers in their primes – [Maodo Lo ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maodo-lo/007032/)of Germany and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, [Aleksa Avramovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/) of Serbia and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade – remain leaders on their national and club teams, this World Cup offers EuroLeague fans a chance to glimpse a new raft of playmakers they will likely be following for years to come.

Given their ages, this sextet of EuroLeague rookies-to-be may or may not play major roles at the World Cup, but the fact is they were all chosen for both their national and club teams for reasons that go beyond potential. Dos Santos, Hollatz, Samar and Spagnolo, for instance, have all proven themselves at the EuroCup level already, showing again how that competition continues to lead to greater things.

Yago Dos Santos and Ziga Samar played for ratiopharm Ulm and Veolia Towers Hamburg, respectively, in the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup.

VIDEO HLs: Samar and Dos Santos

### More than just EuroLeague rookies in World Cup

And while those six are yet to debut in the EuroLeague, they are far from alone as young Euroleague Basketball point guards to watch in the World Cup. Due to play major roles for their countries are already-established EuroLeague playmakers like 22-year-old [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) of Lithuania and FC Barcelona, the 2021-22 EuroLeague Rising Star Trophy winner and 23-year-old defensive ace [Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alessandro-pajola/006739/) of Italy and Segafredo Virtus Bologna. From the EuroCup, 19-year-old [Juan Nunez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/juan-nunez/010106/) of Spain and ratiopharm Ulm and a pair of 26-year-olds, [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andres-feliz/011247/) of Dominican Republic and Joventut Badalona and [Petar Popovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/petar-popovic/007398/) of Montenegro and Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, will be at the controls for their national teams, too.

Needless to say, knowing that these young playmakers have studied their iconic predecessors over the years, if they can come close to emulating them, too, both their countries and clubs will have new household names with the ball in their hands very soon.

Rising rookies join EuroLeague point guard tradition at World Cup

Dreamland Gran Canaria: 2023-24 games to watch

The reigning BKT EuroCup champion returns to the competition with history in mind. Dreamland Gran Canaria will be aiming to become the first team ever to defend its title. Of course, getting there will not be far from a walk in the park. On contrary, teams in the EuroCup don't usually have a chance to play a reigning champion, so Gran Canaria will have a rocky road in Group B as it will be entering each game knowing the opponent has a bit of an extra motivation. Here are some of the game to pay attention to.

 

[Gran Canari's full regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/games/can/?season=2023-24)

 

[Round 1: Aris Thessaloniki vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/aris-thessaloniki-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2023/9/#comparison)

### Start to a title defense

The title defense for Gran Canaria starts in northern Greece against a team whose army of fans will do anything to help get their favorite team's return to the competition on the right foot. Aris Thessaloniki is back in the EuroCup after a seven-year hiatus, and has never played Gran Canaria. Meanwhile, Gran Canaria enters this game on an eight-game winning streak and a road win in a tough environment in a season-opener would immediately confirm Gran Canaria's status as a team to beat this season.

Gran Canaria - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 8 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Round 9: Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/dreamland-gran-canaria-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2023/88/#comparison)

### Staying perfect against old rival

Both teams combine for 33 EuroCup seasons, and even when Gran Canaria qualified to the 2018-19 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Buducnost also made it to Europe's top competition as the Adriatic League champion. And while they split home wins that season in the EuroLeague, they have faced each other eight times in the EuroCup and Gran Canaria won all of them, however, needed overtime to beat Buducnost at home last season. With Buducnost not hiding its ambitions to finally earn a right to host a playoff game this season, this clash has all the makings of a highly important, must-watch game.

 

[Round 15: Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/dreamland-gran-canaria-turk-telekom-ankara/U2023/147/#comparison)

### A rare EuroCup finals re-match

This season we are set to witness something that has never happened before in the competition, a re-match of the previous season's EuroCup Finals, and in Round 15, Gran Canaria and Turk Telekom Ankara both come back to the venue where they were battling it out for EuroCup crown this past May. It was clash in which Gran Canaria prevailed 71-67. With this game scheduled during the final stretch of the regular season, it will be a clash you will not want to miss.

Gran Canaria -Turk Telekom Ankara | Final Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

With the 2023 FIBA World Cup just a few days away, fans of both the EuroLeague and the EuroCup will be glad to know that many of their favorite players will be taking part in the tournament. In fact, across Europe's top two club basketball competitions, 77 players – 60 from the EuroLeague and 17 from the EuroCup – and three coaches will be in Manila, Philippines, for the World Cup.

Euroleague Basketball is at the heart of the 2023 FIBA World Cup

With the 2023 FIBA World Cup just a few days away, fans of both the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup will be glad to know that many of their favorite players will be taking part in the tournament. In fact, across Europe's top two club basketball competitions, 85 players – 60 from the EuroLeague and 25 from the EuroCup – and three coaches will be in Manila, Philippines, for the World Cup.

Of those 85 players and three coaches, they cover 20 of the 32 nations competing at the World Cup, with these countries being: Angola, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, New Zealand, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

One of the fairy tale stories of the World Cup is no doubt going to be Cape Verde on its first-ever trip to the tournament, with Real Madrid center [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) having led the team there. Tavares is coming off another dominant season with Real, in which the club won its 11th EuroLeague title, and he will no doubt be keen to put on a show when he takes to the floor with Cape Verde.

Walter Tavares | Best Plays | 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Some Euroleague Basketball clubs have more representation than others, too, with Spain and Greece leading the way with nine players apiece. Both Spain and Greece also have a EuroLeague head coach guiding the teams, with Virtus Segafredo Bologna's **Sergio Scariolo** in charge of the former and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's **Dimitris Itoudis** leading the way for his native Greece. When it comes to just EuroLeague players, France joins Spain and Greece in having eight players from Europe's premier club basketball competition.

### EuroLeague Basketball players at the FIBA World Cup

Below, these are the 85 Euroleague Basketball players and three coaches that will be taking part in the World Cup in Manila. (Final rosters may change before play begins on Friday, September 25.)

#### ANGOLA

- **Kevin Kokila** - Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse
- **Silvio De Sousa** - Aris Thessaloniki

#### BRAZIL

- **Yago Dos Santos** - Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade
- **Raul Neto** - Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul
- **Bruno Caboclo** - Umana Reyer Venice
- **Georginho De Paula** - ratiopharm Ulm

#### CANADA

- **Kevin Pangos** - EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
- **Kyle Alexander** - Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

#### CAPE VERDE

- **Walter Tavares** - Real Madrid

#### DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

- **Andres Feliz** - Joventut Badalona
- **L.J. Figueroa** - ratiopharm Ulm
- **Angel Delgado** - Besiktas Istanbul

#### FINLAND

- **Mikael Jantunen** - Paris Basketball

#### FRANCE

- **Terry Tarpey** - AS Monaco
- **Elie Okobo** - AS Monaco
- **Yakuba Ouattara** - AS Monaco
- **Sylvain Francisco** - FC Bayern Munich
- **Nando De Colo** - LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne
- **Moustapha Fall** - Olympiacos Piraeus
- **Mathias Lessort** - Panathinaikos Athens
- **Guerschon Yabusele** - Real Madrid
- **Isaia Cordinier** - Virtus Segafredo Bologna

#### GEORGIA

- **Tornike Shengelia** - Virtus Segafredo Bologna

#### GERMANY

- **Johannes Thiemann** - ALBA Berlin
- **Maodo Lo** - EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
- **Johannes Voigtmann** - EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
- **Isaac Bonga** - FC Bayern Munich
- **Andreas Obst** - FC Bayern Munich
- **Niels Giffey** - FC Bayern Munich
- **Justus Hollatz** - Anadolu Efes Istanbul

#### GREECE

- **Nikos Rogkavopoulos** - Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz
- **Georgios Papagiannis** - Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul
- **Kostas Papanikolaou** - Olympiacos Piraeus
- **Thomas Walkup** - Olympiacos Piraeus
- **Giannoulis Larentzakis** - Olympiacos Piraeus
- **Michalis Lountzis** - Olympiacos Piraeus
- **Ioannis Papapetrou** - Panathinaikos Athens
- **Dinos Mitoglou** - Panathinaikos Athens
- **Dimitris Moraitis** - Panathinaikos Athens
- **Eleftherios Bochoridis** - Aris Thessaloniki
- **Dimitris Itoudis** (head coach) - Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

#### IRAN

- **Mohammad Amini** - AS Monaco

#### ITALY

- **Gabriele Procida** - ALBA Berlin
- **Matteo Spagnolo** - ALBA Berlin
- **Giampaolo Ricci** - EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
- **Stefano Tonut** - EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
- **Nicolo Melli** - EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
- **Achille Polonara** - Virtus Segafredo Bologna
- **Alessandro Pajola** - Virtus Segafredo Bologna
- **Marco Spissu** - Umana Reyer Venice

#### LATVIA

- **Rolands Smits** - Zalgiris Kaunas
- **Andrejs Grazulis** - Dolomiti Energia Trento

#### LITHUANIA

- **Tomas Dimsa** - Zalgiris Kaunas
- **Donatas Motiejunas** - AS Monaco
- **Tadas Sedekerskis** - Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz
- **Rokas Jokubaitis** - FC Barcelona
- **Ignas Brazdeikis** - Zalgiris Kaunas
- **Deividas Sirvydis** - 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys
- **Gabrielius Maldunas** - 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys
- **Kazys Maksvytis** (head coach) - Zalgiris Kaunas

#### MONTENEGRO

- **Marko Simonovic** - Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade
- **Vladimir Mihailovic** - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
- **Andrija Grbovic** - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
- **Andrija Slavkovic** - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
- **Aleksa Ilic** - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
- **Petar Popovic** - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica

#### NEW ZEALAND

- **Yanni Wetzell** - ALBA Berlin

#### PUERTO RICO

- **John Holland** - Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

#### SERBIA

- **Vanja Marinkovic** - Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz
- **Dejan Davidovac** - Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade
- **Marko Guduric** - Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul
- **Nikola Milutinov** - Olympiacos Piraeus
- **Aleksa Avramovic** - Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade
- **Ognjen Dobric** - Virtus Segafredo Bologna

#### SLOVENIA

- **Ziga Samar** - ALBA Berlin
- **Mike Tobey** - Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade
- **Jaka Blazic** - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
- **Zoran Dragic** - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

#### SPAIN

- **Dario Brizuela** - FC Barcelona
- **Willy Hernangomez** - FC Barcelona
- **Joel Parra** - FC Barcelona
- **Alex Abrines** - FC Barcelona
- **Juancho Hernangomez** - Panathinaikos Athens
- **Rudy Fernandez** - Real Madrid
- **Sergio Llull** - Real Madrid
- **Victor Claver** - Valencia Basket
- **Juan Nunez** - ratiopharm Ulm
- **Sergio Scariolo** (head coach) - Virtus Segafredo Bologna

What's more, if you look at the World Cup rosters in general, there are a number of ex-EuroLeague and EuroCup players who are set to be among the star players in Manila. Some of the standout names in this regard are Slovenia's **Luka Doncic** (Real Madrid), Serbia's **Bogdan Bogdanovic** (Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul), Montenegro's **Nikola Vucevic** (Buducnost VOLI Podgorica), Lithuania's **Jonas Valanciunas** (Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius) and **Domantas Sabonis** (Unicaja Malaga), Italy's **Simone Fontecchio** (EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, ALBA Berlin, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz), Germany's **Franz Wagner** (ALBA Berlin) and France's **Rudy Gobert** (Cholet Basket).

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan guard Maodo Lo (Germany), Real Madrid's Walter Tavares (Cape Verde), FC Barcelona's Rokas Jokubaitis (Lithuania) and Milan forward Nicolo Melli (Italy) will all be playing at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines.

Hapoel Sholomo Tel Aviv bolstered its frontcourt by inking center [Jeff Withey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jeff-withey/008906/) to a one-year deal, the club announced Tuesday. Withey (2.13 meters, 33 years old) arrives from Surne Bilbao Basket, where he averaged 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 24 Spanish League games last season. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">הפועל שלמה ת&#39;&#39;א מודיעה על צירופו של הסנטר ג&#39;ף וויטי (33, 2.13). בשנתיים האחרונות שיחק וויטי בבילבאו מהליגה הספרדית, כשבעונה החולפת העמיד ממוצעים של 8.8 נקודות ויותר משישה ריבאונדים למשחק ב-19 דקות. קודם לכן בין היתר בעירוני נס ציונה שם קלע 14.1 נקודות יחד עם.9.9 ריבאונדים. בנוסף… <a href="https://t.co/9XjRIJFpGl">pic.twitter.com/9XjRIJFpGl</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1693959295694409731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Withey started his professional basketball career with New Orleans of the NBA, and also played for Utah and Dallas joining joining Tofas Bursa of Turkiye in the 2018-19 season. He made his BKT EuroCup debut that season, averaging 7.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Withey has also played for Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona of Israel and Goyang Orions of South Korea before joining Bilbao in 2021. He has also been a member of the USA U18 national team and helped the University of Kansas reach the NCAA Tournament final in 2012. 

Hapoel signs center Jeff Withey

London Lions: 2023-24 games to watch

The London Lions come back for a second consecutive BKT EuroCup season after a debut campaign in 2022-23 which saw them fall in the eighthfinals. The British team underwent some pivotal roster changes in the off-season, but it retained key pieces like Sam Dekker or Luke Nelson, and will try to build from there with the new additions. The Lions will try to solidify their position in the EuroCup, even if they landed in [Group A](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/2023-24-bkt-eurocup-group-a-at-a-glance/) in the draw last july, which means a tough road lies ahead if they want to match their success from last season.

[London Lions full regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/london-lions/games/lli/?season=2023-24)

 

[Round 6: London Lions vs. Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-joventut-badalona/U2023/54/#comparison)

### Eighthfinals rematch

In Round 6, the Lions will welcome Joventut Badalona - the team that ousted them in the eightfinals last season - to London. Joventut is always a candidate to go all the way in the EuroCup, and it was only stopped by eventual champ Dreamland Gran Canaria in semis last season. The visit of Joventut will surely be a big attraction for the London basketball fans and it comes with a little extra as the hosting team will try to make up for the loss of that first-ever encounter by both teams.

Joventut Badalona - London Lions | Eighthfinals Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Round 13: Paris Basketball vs. London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-london-lions/U2023/125/#comparison)

### Visiting city of lights

It will be a new edition of the capitals derby in Round 13 when the Lions travel to the city of lights to meet Paris Basketball. Last season, both teams were in their first EuroCup incursion and each managed to pull a road win. This regular season we will all be able to enjoy a couple more chapters in this rivalry that could go a long way in the EuroCup. London will try to repeat their road success from last season in the other biggest European capital.

Paris Basketball - London Lions | Round 18 Highlights | 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup

[Round 16: London Lions vs. Besiktas Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/london-lions-besiktas-istanbul/U2023/153/)

### Besiktas comes to town

When the regular season is in its final stretch, the Lions will be welcoming Besiktas Istanbul in their first encounter ever. The huge Turkish community in London will probably want to go see one of the most traditional Turkish sports institutions, so the hosts should expect almost a road atmosphere in their on home with this one. Besiktas is always a contender to anything it plays in, so the Lions will be right in expecting anything in this game, hopefully playing for big goals at this stage of the season.

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!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔜 Esto empieza a 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗿. <a href="https://t.co/EVoOZjnezr">pic.twitter.com/EVoOZjnezr</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1691749135836193228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### 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."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back to work 🐺💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreWolves?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreWolves</a> <a href="https://t.co/jgwsaO1di2">pic.twitter.com/jgwsaO1di2</a></p>&mdash; BC WOLVES (@wolves_bc) <a href="https://twitter.com/wolves_bc/status/1691357450253828097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### 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.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Belle victoire de nos Parisiens 93-59 hier soir pour leur 1er match de préparation de la pré-saison ! <a href="https://twitter.com/NadirHifi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NadirHifi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tyson_Ward24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tyson_Ward24</a> et <a href="https://twitter.com/BandjaSy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BandjaSy</a> dans le top 3 du scoring 💪👏 <br>Prochain RDV dimanche contre <a href="https://twitter.com/bcm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCM</a> ! 🏀 <a href="https://t.co/6PUpIRBMqA">pic.twitter.com/6PUpIRBMqA</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1692127356855427571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

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.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pl" dir="ltr">Dzień dobry, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plkpl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#plkpl</a>! ☀<br><br>Dziś porozmawiamy z Dusanem Mileticiem. Chcielibyście o coś go zapytać? 🤔 <a href="https://t.co/fyiXDttFSR">pic.twitter.com/fyiXDttFSR</a></p>&mdash; WKS Śląsk Wrocław - koszykówka (@WKS_SlaskBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/WKS_SlaskBasket/status/1691728230934352068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

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](https://twitter.com/hamburgtowers/status/1691479870562258944) to start bonding right away.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Was für ein Teamevent in der schönsten Stadt der Welt! ☀️⛴️<br>Gudrun &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BarkassenMeyer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BarkassenMeyer</a> haben uns gestern eine exklusive Tour von den Landungsbrücken bis nach Wilhelmsburg beschert. Im Anschluss hat uns das <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/W%C3%A4lderhaus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wälderhaus</a> im Inselpark mit einem köstlichen Dinner verwöhnt. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TowersFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TowersFamily</a> <a href="https://t.co/0EcQeyhuIL">pic.twitter.com/0EcQeyhuIL</a></p>&mdash; Veolia Towers Hamburg (@hamburgtowers) <a href="https://twitter.com/hamburgtowers/status/1691479870562258944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### 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.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The vibes! 🦁❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreLondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreLondon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RooftopRumble?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RooftopRumble</a> <a href="https://t.co/OFF9F6dnVe">pic.twitter.com/OFF9F6dnVe</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1691489442295427073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

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!