For Marco Belinelli, he has not been out of the basketball universe for long. Having called time on his 23-year professional career in mid-August, the legendary Italian player has accepted a role to return to Virtus Bologna as Brand Ambassador and Basketball Advisor.

Marco Belinelli returns to Virtus as Brand Ambassador and Basketball Advisor

For [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/), he has not been out of the basketball universe for long.

Having [called time on his 23-year professional career](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/marco-belinelli-announces-his-retirement-basketball-gave-me-everything/) in mid-August, the legendary Italian player has accepted a role to return to [Virtus Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-bologna/vir/) as Brand Ambassador and Basketball Advisor.

His responsibilities will see him serve as an advisor for the institutional, commercial, and sporting areas of the club.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗮 🤍🖤<br><br>Leggi il comunicato ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/fp5LHeAjlP">https://t.co/fp5LHeAjlP</a> <a href="https://t.co/MnNme1qvFc">pic.twitter.com/MnNme1qvFc</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Bologna (@VirtusBo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusBo/status/1970134541588431261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It feels strange, but it was time. In this new role I will try to be important,” Belinelli said at the presentation of Virtus’s new jersey on Tuesday. “I'm just starting out; it's a new world to discover. I'll try to bring my experience. With Virtus, it's an ambitious project.”

Belinelli began his playing career with Virtus in the 2002-03 season, spending just one campaign with the team, and returned to the club in 2020 following a 13-year career in the NBA. The 2014 NBA champion captained Virtus as it returned to the EuroLeague by winning the BKT EuroCup in 2021-22, and his final act was to lift the club’s 17th Italian League title in June. 

Now, Belinelli will continue to represent Virtus on the global stage – but this time away from the court.

More Virtus Bologna News

After hanging up his sneakers this past summer, the former captain will continue his association with the Italian club

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul beat Besiktas GAIN Istanbul 85-83 to lift the 38th edition of the President's Cup, which serves as the Turkish Supercup, on Wednesday night. 

Fenerbahce wins Turkish Supercup, fourth trophy in 2025

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) beat Besiktas GAIN Istanbul 85-83 to lift the 38th edition of the President's Cup, which serves as the Turkish Supercup, on Wednesday night. The reigning EuroLeague champions, who captured the triple crown last season having also won the Turkish League and Cup titles, have now lifted their fourth trophy of the calendar year.

[Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) was chosen as MVP after scoring 23 points on 4-for-6 three-point shooting, while [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) tallied 20 points with 5 assists in a victory. [Mikael Jantunen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mikael-jantunen/012613/), the summer addition who came from Paris Basketball, netted 19 going 4-for-5 from long range and had team-high 7 rebounds.

The game had drama at the end, although it did not appear close at all. Fenerbahce led from start to finish, had a by double digits by the end of the first quarter, and led 40-16 early in the second thanks to a 15-1 run.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ANOTHER ONE! 💪🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/K8iTz7wD1Y">pic.twitter.com/K8iTz7wD1Y</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1970956511892656631?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The margin was still 69-52 early in the fourth, and Besiktas cut it to 82-74 with little over a minute to go. Besiktas scored the next 5 points, and Devon Dotson even had a three-point attempt to win the game at the buzzer. However, Fenerbahce held on to lift another trophy.

Apart from the fourth quarter, Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius can certainly be pleased how his team looked in the first official game of the new season, and the final tune-up before the EuroLeague regular season starts next week.

The team outrebounded Besiktas 38-28, and shot 44.4% from three-point range. It’s wort noting that [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/) played only 5:38, while [Brandon Boston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brandon-elliott-boston-jr-/014016/), [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/), [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) and Talen Horton-Tucker were not on the 12-man roster. Neither was Sertac Sanli, who [parted way with the club](https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1970488358943039907) on Tuesday.

More Fenerbahce news

Despite squandering a huge lead, Fenerbahce held on to win another trophy

Fenerbahce wins Turkish Super Cup, fourth trophy in 2025

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv could be without point guard Yam Madar to open the EuroLeague season with the latter scheduled to undergo an operation to have his appendix removed

Hapoel's Yam Madar goes under the knife

[Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/hta/) could be without point guard [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/) to open the EuroLeague season with the latter scheduled to undergo an operation to have his appendix removed. The club announced on Wednesday that Madar has an infected appendix and that he will need a surgical procedure to remove it.

Though the operation is a relatively minor one, he is unlikely to be back in shape for the opening week of EuroLeague games – against FC Barcelona and Anadolu Efes Istanbul. A more realistic target date should be the Round 3 fixture against fellow Israeli club Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv on October 8.

Madar, 24, has three seasons of EuroLeague experience with Partizan Belgrade, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and FC Bayern Munich. He played a key role in Hapoel winning the BKT EuroCup last season.

More Hapoel Tel Aviv news

The point guard will have his appendix removed

With the new EuroLeague season just around the corner, FC Bayern Munich announced signing a pair of players, center David McCormack and guard Aleksa Radanov, signing one-year deals on Tuesday. These two moves will give coach Gordon Herbert some wiggle room, after the long- and short-term injuries to Johannes Voigtmann, Elias Harris and Rokas Jokubaitis.

Bayern addresses depth with David McCormack, Aleksa Radanov

With the new EuroLeague season just around the corner, FC Bayern Munich announced an addition of a pair of players, center [David McCormack](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-mc-cormack/013386/) and guard [Aleksa Radanov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/aleksa-radanov/005683/), signing one-year deals on Tuesday. These two moves will give coach Gordon Herbert much-needed roster pieces, after the long- and short-term injuries to Johannes Voigtmann, Elias Harris and Rokas Jokubaitis.

McCormack (2.08 meters, 26 years old) split last season, his first in the EuroLeague, between EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and ALBA Berlin. Starting the season with Milan, he averaged 1.0 point per game in limited minutes as he averaged just 6:19 minutes on the floor across six EuroLeague appearances. With ALBA, however, McCormack was a significant factor. In 22 games he played 19 minutes per contest, posting 10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐃 &amp; 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐊𝐒𝐀! 👋<br><br>Wir reagieren auf die Personalsituation und legen mit David McCormack und Aleksa Radanov doppelt nach! Alle Infos auf unserer Website ⤵️<a href="https://twitter.com/freelanceDE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@freelancede</a> wünscht viel Erfolg im neuen Job.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1970499085204705581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The American center has played professionally for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2022-23), Darussafaka and Galatasaray (2023-24), and Milan and ALBA last season. At Besiktas, McCormack posted 9.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in 23 Turkish League games. Then with Darussafaka, he averaged 12.2 points and 5.8 boards in five Basketball Champions League fixtures, before posting 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 10 BCL games with Galatasaray.

Radanov (2.02 meters, 27 years old) is a product of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade where he played in youth categories and where he made his professional debut in 2015. The following season he was loaned to FMP Zeleznik, and he switched between FMP and Zvezda for several seasons until the end of 2020-21 campaign, during which he had 14 EuroLeague appearances.

The following season Radanov moved to Igokea in Bosnia Herzegovina, and went on to also play with Peristeri in Greece, Runa Moscow in Russia, Mega Belgrade in Serbia and finally last season with Legia Warszaw in Poland.

Radanov, who has also played for the Serbian national team over the years, has spent the last few weeks in training camp with Bayern and now has earned a one-year contract for the upcoming season.

Bayern announced two additions a week before the 2025-26 season tip off

Vildoza and head coach Dusko Ivanovic have reunited at Virtus Bologna.

They say the third time’s a charm, and that’s exactly what Luca Vildoza is hoping for with his move to Virtus Bologna. It’s another opportunity to work with Dusko Ivanovic, following previous player-coach stints at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Crvena Zvezda MeridianBet Belgrade. Ivanovic has always found a way to bring out the best in Vildoza, so their reunion feels natural. This time, however, there’s a twist: working with Ivanovic was one of the main reasons Vildoza chose to join Virtus. When asked, he was clear about it.

Luca Vildoza: "Dusko made me play my best basketball"

They say the third time’s a charm, and that’s exactly what [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/) is hoping for with his move to Virtus Bologna. It’s another opportunity to work with coach [Dusko Ivanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-bologna/vir/ivanovic-dusko), following previous player-coach stints at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

Ivanovic has always found a way to bring out the best in Vildoza, so their reunion feels natural. This time, however, there’s a twist: working with Ivanovic was one of the main reasons Vildoza chose to join Virtus. When asked, he was clear about it.

"This time, it was my decision to meet him again. I think the first two times I worked with him, he came after a coach cut," Vildoza told [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) during Virtus's media day. "He's really important in my career. Dusko made me play my best basketball, so that's why I decided to come here."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐃𝐎 🇦🇷<br>Luca Vildoza è un nuovo giocatore dei Campioni d&#39;Italia 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/G0g3Lej4TO">pic.twitter.com/G0g3Lej4TO</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Bologna (@VirtusBo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusBo/status/1937868841117233655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


Baskonia was Vildoza’s first European club. Fellow Argentine [Pablo Prigioni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/euroleague/players/pablo-prigioni/cbx/) - a two-time All-EuroLeague Second Team guard under Ivanovic at Baskonia - brought him over from Argentina to be the team’s floor general. Before Ivanovic returned in December 2019, Baskonia had hired [Pedro Martinez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/pam/martinez-pedro) and [Velimir Perasovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/it/euroleague/players/velimir-perasovic/profile/laf/).

That season ended in style for Baskonia, with Vildoza catching a brilliant pass from [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/) to score a backdoor layup that clinched the 2020 Spanish League championship against FC Barcelona.

"Dusko helped me to get 100% physically and that's what made me play my best basketball. We won the \[Spanish\] League in 2020, so I owe it to him," he said.

Vildoza is one of many Argentinians who elevated their game under Ivanovic. Prigioni, [Luis Scola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/euroleague/players/luis-scola/ajg/) and [Andres Nocioni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/euroleague/players/andres-nocioni/profile/apr/) all earned their first All-EuroLeague honors while playing for him at Baskonia. With Ivanovic as head coach, Baskonia reached the 2005 EuroLeague Championship Game with three Argentine players: Scola, Prigioni, and [Roberto Gabini](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/roberto-gabini/jkn/). Scola and [Fabricio Oberto](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/fabricio-oberto/aje/) were also part of the team that made the 2001 EuroLeague finals.

Vildoza doesn’t see this as a coincidence and points to a current EuroLeague star as an example.

"\[Ivanovic\] really likes the character and personality of Argentinians. In Crvena Zvezda we also had [Facu \[Campazzo\]](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/it/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) and I think he really liked the way Facu plays and his personality on the court. He knows that Facu is a killer on the court. Mentally, he's always at 100%, fighting for every position," Vildoza said.

"With me, I feel that we have a good connection on the court. I feel good playing for him."

&lt;center&gt;&lt;iframe width="560" height="315" src="<https://www.youtube.com/embed/lr7Y3eq24Lc?si=-JRy8UiY0TXlXcb7>" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/center&gt;

Naturally, Vildoza has spoken often about Ivanovic with members of Argentina’s Golden Generation who also played under him. As basketball has evolved over the past 25 years, Ivanovic has adapted his coaching style to remain relevant and influential in Europe’s top club competition.

"The number of games is not the same, so you can't train the way you used to. There are things that maybe he wants to do today, but we can't because we have games in two days. So it's a bit difficult," Vildoza said.

"I know that despite being a very hard coach in terms of practice, he is also intelligent. And he knows when to push a player and when not. So I think that he also had to adapt to the current league."

When asked about Ivanovic’s greatest strengths, Vildoza echoed what many experts believe. Ivanovic demands intensity and focus from his players, especially on defense. His defensive philosophy has made him one of Europe’s top coaches and influenced the way other teams approach physicality.

"I think his defense allowed him to keep being successful all these years. Defensively, he has some rules that bother the other teams. And then offensively, he always finds a way for the team to work," Vildoza explained.

"Dusko always makes some of his players take a step forward, he always makes some of them work a little more. And that's what I highlight about his process as a coach."

Under Ivanovic’s leadership, Vildoza earned EuroLeague MVP honors in December 2022, averaging a PIR of 17.7 and 15.8 points per game. He shot 63.0% on two-pointers, 42.9% from three, and 94.1% from the free-throw line, while also contributing 4.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Ivanovic had joined Crvena Zvezda just two weeks earlier, on November 14, 2022.

Vildoza, meanwhile, went on to play for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, winning the EuroLeague title in 2024, and Olympiacos Piraeus before joining Virtus.

From title-winning moments to standout individual performances, Vildoza has consistently thrived under Ivanovic. As the 2025–26 EuroLeague season begins, keep an eye on this player-coach duo. Virtus Bologna opens the season at home against Real Madrid on September 30.

Vildoza and head coach Dusko Ivanovic have reunited at Virtus Bologna


Luca Vildoza: ‘Dusko made me play my best basketball’

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has signed Leonardo Tote, marking a new chapter for both the club and the Italian big man

Big Leonardo Tote bags deal with Milan

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/roster/mil/) has signed [Leonardo Tote](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/leonardo-tote/006277/) to a multi-year deal, marking a new chapter for both the club and the Italian big man.

Tote (2.11 meters, 28 years old) arrives from Napoli Basket, where he averaged 14.0 points on 63.4% shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 30 Italian League appearances last season. He ranked ninth in the league in average PIR (17.3).

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Totè: “Tradizione e obiettivi, Milano per me è un sogno che si avvera”<br><br>La Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano comunica di aver raggiunto un accordo pluriennale con Leonardo Totè, centro di 2.11, nato a Negrar, in provincia di Verona, l’8 luglio 1997, proveniente da Napoli.<br><br>🇮🇹… <a href="https://t.co/3xR2Eoz0dB">pic.twitter.com/3xR2Eoz0dB</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1970065547330306522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I am happy, proud, and honored to join a prestigious and successful club like Olimpia Milano, with its tradition and goals," Tote said after the signing was announced. "For me, it's like a dream come true. I can't wait to start working with my new teammates, the coaching staff, and finally play in front of the Olimpia fans.”

The big man began his professional career with Brescia in 2015, where he helped the team gain promotion from Serie A2 to the top flight. He then spent time with Verona and Jesi in the Italian second division before joining Pesaro for a breakthrough campaign in Italy’s top division. Over subsequent years, Tote featured for Fortitudo Bologna and Pesaro – with a stint in Spain with Bilbao Basket in between – before moving to Napoli last summer.

Tote has also been a regular on the Italian national team in recent years, after representing his country at the U17, U18, U19 and U20 levels. For Milan the signing of Tote adds another weapon to a frontline that has dealt with injuries in recent seasons.

More Milan news

The Italian national team center arrives to a EuroLeague club for the first time

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem took control midway through the third quarter and held off a late Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv rally to win the Israeli SuperCup 79-84 on Sunday night at Menorah Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv

Jerusalem sinks Maccabi to win Israeli SuperCup

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem took control midway through the third quarter and held off a late Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv rally to win the Israeli SuperCup 79-84 on Sunday night at Menorah Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv. Khadeen Carrington was named MVP of the game after scoring 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Roman Sorkin dominated early for Maccabi, which led 22-17 after 10 minutes and 42-35 at halftime. Carrington tied it for Jerusalem in the third quarter and some big shots by Roy Paretsky helped stretch the lead to 56-61 entering the fourth quarter. Jerusalem kept the pressure on and an Anthony Lamb triple with 2:08 remaining made it 70-81, seemingly wrapping up the win. Maccabi caught fire with the next 9 points and had the ball down 3 with 8.5 seconds remaining, but Carrington stole the ball from Jimmy Clark and made 2 free throws to ice the game.

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"The guys that we brought in are buying in," Carrington said in crediting his new teammates. "We want to win championships. We don’t just want to win games, we want championships."

Reigning EuroCup MVP Jared Harper tallied 20 points and 4 assists for Jerusalem, Anthony Lamb added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Justin Smith contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds. Roman Sorkin stood out with 22 points for Maccabi and Clark, Oshae Brissett and John DiBartolomeo scored 12 each.

Maccabi was without Uros Trifunovic, who is recovering from a sprained ankle, and Lonnie Walker, who rested because of back pain. Clifford Omoruyi was also left off the roster due to the restrictions on foreign players.

More Maccabi news

Roman Sorkin's 22 points were not enough for Maccabi

Roland Garros has long been a stage for tennis greatness, but this weekend it was basketball that took center stage as the French Super Cup made its way to the iconic stadium. For those lucky enough to be in attendance, they may have just witnessed the 2025-26 EuroLeague champion in the making in AS Monaco.

Monaco seeking 'sweet taste' in EuroLeague after French Super Cup triumph

Roland Garros has long been a stage for tennis greatness, but this weekend it was basketball that took center stage as the inaugural French Super Cup made its way to the iconic stadium. For those lucky enough to be in attendance, they may have just witnessed the 2025-26 EuroLeague champion in the making.

[AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) fans certainly won't forget this weekend in a hurry. After a commanding 25-point win over Boulazac (70-95) in the semifinals, the Monégasque side matched that margin of victory one day later, cruising past Le Mans (104-79) to clinch the Super Cup. The win was particularly sweet for Mike James and his teammates, who avenged two painful defeats to Le Mans in last season’s French Cup and Leaders Cup finals. In fact, Monaco endured a trophyless 2023-24 campaign, having also fallen short to Paris Basketball in the French League Finals.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">SUPERCHAMPIONS DE FRANCE !! 🏆🇫🇷<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperCoupe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuperCoupe</a> <a href="https://t.co/kLXFY9mWRd">pic.twitter.com/kLXFY9mWRd</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1969816382041965014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One of the most captivating storylines for Monaco heading into the French Super Cup was the debut of [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), who made his first official appearance in his new team’s jersey. After contributing 13 points in the semifinals, the 34-year-old forward followed up with 11 in the final.

“I never imagined I would play here \[at Roland Garros\]. It’s a huge privilege,” Mirotic said in an interview with L’Equipe before the semifinals. “There are Super Cups in Spain and Italy, but this one will be something special.”

The tournament also marked the return of Mike James to Monaco’s roster, having missed last season's French League Finals due to an internal suspension. Although he wasn’t as prolific in the semifinals, scoring just 6 points, he still showcased his elite playmaking skills with 8 assists. He stepped up when it mattered most in the final, contributing 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Now 35, James is eager to make this season one to remember as he and Mirotic both aim for their first EuroLeague title.

However, the weekend wasn’t just about the veterans. Two players who truly stood out were [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) and [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/), proving the incredible depth of Monaco’s squad. Okobo had 15 points and 8 assists against Boulazac before following it up with 16 points and 7 assists against Le Mans. Diallo was equally impactful, doing a bit of everything with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in the semifinals, then adding 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in the final. While they don’t always grab the headlines, Okobo and Diallo are indispensable contributors to Monaco’s success.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">😤💥 Alpha Power !<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperCoupe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuperCoupe</a> <a href="https://t.co/mJrzRy4BoF">pic.twitter.com/mJrzRy4BoF</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1969803900544065850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We respected our opponents, played with the right intensity, shared the ball and trusted our teammates,” Okobo said to L’Equipe after the Super Cup win. “Everyone is contributing well in their role, and we need to keep it going. We have a very talented team.”

New backup center [Kevarrius Hayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevarrius-hayes/010390/) also showed his worth with strong performances off the bench, while [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) – fresh off his EuroBasket 2025 title – notched 12 points in the final as he added another piece of silverware to his trophy cabinet. Hayes contributed 9 points and 7 rebounds against Le Mans, proving that Monaco’s center rotation is in capable hands. This 1-2 punch will be crucial as it frees up space for James, Okobo, Mirotic and the rest of Monaco’s dynamic roster to shine.

With Vassilis Spanoulis capturing his first trophy as a head coach, the next goal will be to avenge last season’s heartbreaking loss to Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the EuroLeague Championship Game. But this was a strong start.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">👑 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝<br><br>Vassilis Spanoulis remporte son premier titre avec la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> 🏆🇲🇨<br><br>Félicitations coach ! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperCoupe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuperCoupe</a> <a href="https://t.co/WxAOXqQZXl">pic.twitter.com/WxAOXqQZXl</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1969826260487643321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We want to win everything,” Okobo also told L'Equipe following the title decider. “After coming so close last season in the EuroLeague final and the French League Finals, it left a bitter taste. We want this season to have a sweeter ending.”

Monaco’s quest for that “sweet taste” begins with back-to-back home games to open the EuroLeague season – against Zalgiris Kaunas on October 1 and Dubai Basketball on October 3.

More AS Monaco News

With new additions and key veterans stepping up, the Monégasque side aims to carry its Super Cup success into a promising EuroLeague campaign

The seventh annual Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament came to a close with a double-header on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney with EuroLeague sides Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade returning home as winners

Panathinaikos, Partizan leave Australia on winning note

The seventh annual Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament came to a close with a double-header on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney with EuroLeague sides Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade returning home as winners. The Greens recorded a 106-89 victory over the Adelaide 36ers and Partizan bested the Sydney Kings 93–90.

Reigning EuroLeague MVP Kendrick Nunn ran riot with 26 points and Nikos Rogkavopoulos posted 14 points and 8 rebounds to lead Panathinaikos. Adelaide started strong and led for most of the two and a half quarters. It was 39-47 at the break before Panathinaikos went on a 10-2 run to even things and eventually pulled ahead 73-68 by the end of the third quarter. The Greens then scored the first 8 points of the fourth quarter and cruised the rest of the way.  

Richaun Holmes added 14 points for the winners, Kostantinos Mitoglou scored 12, Jerian Grant netted 11, Juancho Hernangomez 10 and Vassilis Toliopoulos contributed 9. Bryce Cotton paced Adelaide with 24 points and Dejan Vasilievic had 22 in defeat.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game Stats 📊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adelaide36ers</a> 106-89<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PavlosGiannakopoulosTournament?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PavlosGiannakopoulosTournament</a> <a href="https://t.co/rvMBwEqGxA">pic.twitter.com/rvMBwEqGxA</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1969736663304712506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In the other game, Sydney jumped ahead early before Jabari Parker gave Partizan its first lead, which became 30-23 after 10 minutes. Partizan extended it to double digits in the second quarter and with Uros Danilovic and Uros Mijailovic connecting from deep, Partizan rolled on before Sydney trimmed the gap to 50-46 at halftime.

Partizan extended the lead to 10 again in the third only to see Sydney come back and tie it. A three-quarter's court heave by Vanja Marinkovic left Partizan up after three quarters. After Sydney took a 76-78 lead, Sterling Brown heated up and Carlik Jones helped put the game away.

Parker paced the Partizan attack with 24 points, Shake Milton was good for 21, Jones scored 18 and Brown 17. In addition to the injured Frank Ntilikina, Tyrique Jones, Mario Nakic and Aleksej Pokusevski, who did not travel for the game, Duane Washington and Dylan sat out this game. Jaylin Galloway led Sydney with 20 points and Kendric Davis added 19.

The Greens bested Adelaide and Partizan triumphed over Sydney