With Valencia Basket’s training camp preparations for its return to the EuroLeague in full swing, the team received some bad injury news on Jean Montero, Brancou Badio and Xavi Lopez-Arostegui.

Valencia loses Montero, Badio and Lopez-Arostegui to injuries

With Valencia Basket’s training camp preparations for its return to the EuroLeague in full swing, the team received some bad injury news.

It starts with guard [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jean-montero/010042/), All-EuroCup First Team selection and a EuroCup Rising Star winner last season, who underwent surgery at a local hospital on Thursday to repair a ligament injury in a finger on his right hand, the club announced.

The other two Valencia players suffered injuries in Wednesday’s friendly game, a 98-80 win over a fellow Spanish League side Casademont Zaragoza.

"Forward [Xabi Lopez-Arostegui](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/xabi-lopez-arostegui/005356/) sustained a laceration caused by a fracture in a finger on his left hand", the club announced in a statement. Meanwhile, in the same game, shooting guard [Brancou Badio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brancou-badio/007527/) "suffered a muscle injury in the back of his right thigh".

“In all three cases, the players will require several weeks of recovery, and their progress will determine when they are able to return to training”, the club announced.

With little over two weeks to go until the season tip off, Montero, Badio and Lopez-Arostegui are all in danger of missing time at the start of the EuroLeague regular season.

Each player is in danger of missing the start of the season

AS Monaco Basket fans will be watching Daniel Theis with intrigue at EuroBasket 2025, as the Germany center seems to have rediscovered his mojo at the tournament.

Daniel Theis finding his feet at EuroBasket 2025 is great news for Monaco

Last season was quite the experience for [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/), who marked his long-awaited return to Europe by joining EuroLeague force [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) in February on deal until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Theis – following eight and a half years in the NBA with six different franchises – made an immediate impact for coach Vassilis Spanoulis’s team and ended up helping the Monégasque outfit secure its first-ever appearance in the 2025 EuroLeague Championship Game. But by the end of the EuroLeague campaign, there was the feeling that the 33-year-old’s impact had diminished somewhat when compared to his first couple of months in the principality.

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After posting 13.8 points and 6.1 rebounds across eight regular-season games as Monaco locked up the fourth seed – and home-court advantage in the playoffs – he had a strong Game 1 performance against FC Barcelona with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Things then took a turn for the worse as he averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 boards from Game 2 until the championship game, but he picked things up in the title decider with 12 points and 8 rebounds – effectively doubling his averages from the previous five games.

In the end, [Monaco found itself on the losing side in Abu Dhabi as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul lifted its second EuroLeague championship with a 70-81 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-crowned-2025-champion-with-70-81-win-over-monaco/). Things did not get much better at home as Monaco failed to retain its French League crown with a 3-2 series defeat to Paris Basketball in the French League Finals, with Mike James not playing a single minute due to an in-house suspension. Theis and Monaco will no doubt be out for revenge in the coming season, and he has the chance to enter the new campaign in high spirits if everything goes to plan for himself and Germany.

Germany's Daniel Theis blocks Slovenia's Luka Doncic during the quarterfinals of EuroBasket 2025. (PHOTO: FIBA)

Theis is currently looking to add a EuroBasket gold medal to his résumé after helping Germany reach the semifinals with a 99-91 win over Slovenia, having already achieved a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The Monaco center earned Player of the Game honors for his part in the quarterfinal victory on Wednesday night after finishing with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, which came against Luka Doncic, in just over 26 minutes on the floor, while his EuroBasket 2025 averages stand at 11.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per night.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Daniel Theis (15 PTS, 9 REB, 1 BLK) dominates the paint for undefeated Germany 🇩🇪 as they clinch their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> Semi-Finals spot! <a href="https://t.co/dKvbFs6oHW">pic.twitter.com/dKvbFs6oHW</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1965884351062634979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Germany takes on a confident Finland side in the last four on Friday in a repeat of their group-stage meeting, a game Theis and co. won in dominant fashion, 61-91. The prize for the winner? A date with the victor from the other semifinal between Greece – led by Coach Spanoulis, no less – and Turkiye, with the final set for Sunday.

Theis and many of his Germany teammates already made history in 2023 and are keen to do so again, but for Theis personally, he seems to have rediscovered his mojo at EuroBasket 2025, which can only spell good news for Monaco next season.

More Monaco News

The German big man was pivotal in helping his nation reach the semifinals on Wednesday night (PHOTO: FIBA)

Entering his seventh season in charge of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, head coach Ettore Messina is delighted with the summer business he and general manager Christos Stavropoulos achieved.

Ettore Messina excited about Milan’s signings: ‘We have a group who can deliver’

Entering his seventh season in charge of [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/), head coach Ettore Messina is delighted with the summer business he and general manager Christos Stavropoulos achieved.

Milan enters the 2025-26 with six new faces on the roster, having brought in [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-completes-move-for-star-guard-marko-guduric/), [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-hands-playmaking-keys-to-lorenzo-brown/), [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-books-deal-with-devin-booker/), [Bryant Dunston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bryant-dunston-joins-milan-for-his-13th-euroleague-season/) and a pair of players who will make their EuroLeague debuts next season in [Vlatko Cancar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-strengthens-with-former-nba-champ-vlatko-cancar/) and [Quinn Ellis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-lands-up-and-coming-talent-quinn-ellis/).

“We identified areas where we needed to improve,” Messina told the assembled media at Milan’s training complex. “These days, everyone hopes to have a team that wants to pass the ball and defend, and above all, that shows mental toughness. We often had this quality, but we didn't always have it last year. Now we think we have a group of people who can deliver these qualities.”

One player who has really caught the eye so far in training camp is Brown, who arrives with six seasons of EuroLeague experience and a EuroBasket gold medal to his name. Overall, Coach Messina is more than happy with the guard options he has at his disposal.

“Lorenzo Brown is a player who has always given us a lot of trouble,” Messina said. “He has always put himself forward by playing very well against us, so we are happy to have him here. And a player like Quinn Ellis has a great future ahead of him. [Nico Mannion](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/niccolo-mannion/011064/) had a good summer and got off to a good start, and I'm happy to have [\[Diego\] Flaccadori](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/diego-flaccadori/005670/).

“With this abundance of options, we can think about playing Brown two out of three games, for example, considering the schedule, knowing that given his experience and charisma in the EuroLeague, he will be our starting point guard. But both Ellis and Mannion can play with him because he has the stature to do so.

“Nowadays, the point guard is not the one who carries the ball forward and calls the plays; he also has to play without the ball in his hands. The key is not to get stuck on a label. So far, Ellis has done well. We are convinced that he can have an immediate impact in the EuroLeague, and we are trying to help him succeed.”

Lorenzo Brown in action for Milan against FC Bayern Munich in preseason.

Fresh off winning the EuroLeague championship with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul last season, Milan’s move for Guduric certainly caught many by surprise, yet Messina is eager to stress the importance of rotation in order to ensure that elder statesmen on the team’s roster are primed for a strong end to the season.

“[Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/), for example, had a great season last year but suffered a physical decline after February,” he explained. “We also want to protect Marko Guduric and \[Josh\] Nebo. It's impossible to expect a small number of players to keep going for so many games without injuries. We'll try to have a team that can be as efficient as possible.”

Speaking of Nebo, Milan will be hoping that he can put the injury struggles he had last season behind him and join forces with new signing Booker to form one of the most dominant center rotations in the EuroLeague. Behind them will be another new addition in Dunston, who at 39 and with two EuroLeague championships in his back pocket will be there to impart his wisdom on the team

“Josh Nebo is an added value for us, in the sense that he will be as soon as he is back to 100 percent because right now we are managing him gradually,” Messina said. “The hope is that he won't have all the injuries and problems he had last year. But having a player like Booker behind him and also Dunston, who still has a lot of basketball to give, as well as incredible leadership in the locker room, makes us think we have our backs covered.”

Devin Booker dribbles with the ball during Milan's training camp.

One player who has caused plenty of intrigue is Cancar, having been with the Denver Nuggets for the last five years but been limited to just 148 games in that time due to injuries – an average of just under 30 games per season, well below the 82 NBA teams have to play in the regular season. But given his undoubted talent, Coach Messina felt confident to take a risk on the 28-year-old Slovenian forward.

“When I was in Treviso, Maurizio Gherardini adopted the philosophy of finding players to regenerate so that they could play at a high level for a few years,” he stated. “Cancar has enormous potential and proved it before he got injured. It seems to us that he is recovering well, and we think he can return to being the player he was. He is still young, and we want to help him because he would then be a very important player.”

Messina was also asked about his future as his contract comes to an end at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, but that is a topic he wants to put on the back burner this season.

“Right now, what my future holds, where I'll be, isn't important in the sense that I don't want it to become a distraction for the team, so it's a topic we'll come back to at the end of the season,” he said. “As a group, we weren't geniuses after winning three championships in a row, and it wasn't all bad after a season in which we fell short of the goals we had set for ourselves.

“We know we need to regain confidence and earn the support of the fans, and we will try to do that step by step. This is the toughest season for any EuroLeague team because it will be a season with so many double rounds. The clubs that have the most cohesion and manage to be united not only in good times but also in bad times will have a better chance of getting where they want to be.”

More Milan News

The Italian coach spoke to the media at the club’s training complex

The two Cinderella stories at EuroBasket 2025 came head to head on Wednesday afternoon, but in the end it was Finland which advanced to the semifinals at the expense of Georgia – thanks in large part to new Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward Mikael Jantunen.

Mikael Jantunen takes Finland to new EuroBasket heights

The two Cinderella stories at EuroBasket 2025 came head to head on Wednesday afternoon, but in the end it was Finland which advanced to the semifinals at the expense of Georgia – thanks in large part to new [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) forward [Mikael Jantunen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mikael-jantunen/012613/).

In a 93-79 victory, the 25-year-old finished as the Player of the Game after netting 19 points – which tied his competition-best mark – while also grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing 2 assists and making 1 steal. His importance to Finland's triumph was exemplified by his +12 in the plus-minus column.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mikael Jantunen (19 PTS, 5 REB, 3 3PM) leads Finland to a historic <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> Semi-Finals spot! <a href="https://t.co/yNxL7mQrGU">pic.twitter.com/yNxL7mQrGU</a></p>&mdash; FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1965817050271555793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This isn't the first game in which Jantunen has had a telling impact, either. While Serbia was largely expected to waltz its way into the quarterfinals, the former Paris Basketball player was an integral part in Finland pulling off one of the biggest shocks in FIBA basketball history as it won 86-92 to set up a last-eight date with Georgia.

Another of Finland's stars, Lauri Markkanen, earned many plaudits that night, but Jantunen's heroics at this EuroBasket tournament have already given him legendary status back home.

Mikael Jantunen celebrates a basket during Finland's quarterfinal win over Georgia. (PHOTO: FIBA)

The beautiful thing is that there is at least still one more chapter to be written in Finland and Jantunen's story. Finnish basketball now finds itself in unchartered territory, but the Wolf Pack – as Finland's nickname goes – remain hungry and want more.

A semifinal against reigning world champion Germany or Luka Doncic's Slovenia awaits, so it will be far from easy. But Jantunen and his teammates wouldn't have it any other way.

More EuroBasket 2025 News

Finland is heading to its first-ever semifinal appearance at the tournament (PHOTO: FIBA)

Real Madrid has strengthened its frontcourt by inking power forward Trey Lyles, who joins after a lengthy career in the NBA.

Real Madrid adds power forward Trey Lyles

Real Madrid has strengthened its frontcourt by inking power forward Trey Lyles to a one-year deal, the club announced Wednesday.

Lyles (2.06 meters, 29 years old) arrives from the Sacramento Kings, where he posted 6.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 70 NBA games last season.

In 650 NBA regular season career games, Lyles averages 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds. He also took part in 12 NBA playoff games with the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets and Kings, averaging 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🙌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeLyles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeLyles</a> 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/Sv1gdWAjO9">pic.twitter.com/Sv1gdWAjO9</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1965769646398951618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Born in Saskatoon, Canada, Lyles played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, reaching the 2015 NCAA Tournament Final Four, before starting his professional career with the Jazz. He has also played for the Nuggets, the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons. 

Lyles has been a member of the Canadian national team and played at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

More Real Madrid News

The 28-year-old arrives to the EuroLeague after a long NBA career 


Veteran point guard Stefan Jovic is back in the EuroLeague with a familiar club, as he rejoins FC Bayern Munich for the 2025–26 season. 

Bayern brings back backcourt boss Stefan Jovic

Veteran point guard [Stefan Jovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/stefan-jovic/004863/) is back in the EuroLeague with a familiar club, as he rejoins [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/) for the 2025–26 season. The Serbian international returns to Munich after previously playing for the German powerhouse from 2017 to 2019.

Jovic (1.96 meters, 34 years old) brings a wealth of experience and playmaking to Coach Gordon Herbert’s revamped backcourt. His return comes at a crucial time for Bayern, which was forced to re-enter the point guard market following [Rokas Jokubaitis's injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bayerns-rokas-jokubaitis-suffers-knee-injury/) at EuroBasket 2025.

Jovic spent the past two seasons with Valencia Basket. Last season he averaged 4.7 points, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals in just 15 minutes per game in the EuroCup, ranking seventh in assists across the competition.

"It is no secret that we had to react to the serious injury of Rokas Jokubaitis, and that this was a very difficult undertaking so late in the summer. We are therefore even happier to have been able to bring in Stefan, an experienced and well-known playmaking point guard who, in our opinion, fits perfectly into our system. In addition, he knows Munich and the EuroLeague very well. Stefan also showed at the recent EuroBasket that he is in very good shape," said FCBB sporting director Dragan Tarlac. "We look forward to this reinforcement for the backcourt and his positive influence on our team."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐅𝐀𝐍 👋<br><br>Stefan Jovic kehrt zu uns zurück! Alle Infos zum neuen Engagement unseres Meisterspielers von 2018 &amp; 2019 ⤵️<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> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kaderupdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kaderupdate</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1965752794381738488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A seasoned EuroLeague contributor, Jovic has played 154 games in the competition over eight seasons with Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, Bayern, Khimki Moscow Region, Panathinaikos Athens and Valencia. He holds career EuroLeague averages of 6.3 points and 4.2 assists. He enters the season ranked 37th in EuroLeague history with 654 career assists.

Jovic's previous stint with Bayern was marked by success, as he helped the club win back-to-back German League championships and the 2018 German Cup. At one time, Jovic was the EuroLeague single-game record-holder for assists with 19, which he set for Crvena Zvezda against Bayern in November 2015.

Jovic sets assists record in Crvena Zvezda win at Bayern

More FC Bayern Munich news

The veteran playmaker returns to Munich for the 2025–26 campaign

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four will take place in Athens, Greece, returning the prestigious event to one of basketball’s most storied destinations.

Athens to host 2026 EuroLeague Final Four 

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four will take place in Athens, Greece, returning the prestigious event to one of basketball’s most storied destinations.

The 2026 EuroLeague Final Four will be held at the Telekom Center Athens, a venue with a capacity of over 18,000 spectators. Originally built in 1994 and extensively renovated for the 2004 Olympic Games, Telekom Center Athens has since hosted countless legendary basketball moments. The semifinals will take place on May 22, followed by the Championship Game on May 24.

This will mark the second time the Greek capital hosts the Final Four, the first being in 2007. Nearly two decades later, the EuroLeague's showcase event returns to the iconic venue, reaffirming Athens’ status as a cornerstone of European basketball.

“Athens is a city with a deep basketball heritage and one of the most passionate fan bases in Europe. We are thrilled to return in 2026 to Athens, a city that has hosted some of the most unforgettable moments in EuroLeague history," said Dejan Bodiroga, President of Euroleague Basketball. “Greece remains a key market for Euroleague Basketball, with two top-level clubs competing annually, an incredibly devoted fan community, and strong appeal as a global tourist destination. Bringing the Final Four back to Athens is a natural decision, one we are confident will deliver another spectacular event.”

"The return of the Final Four to Athens reflects the strong commitment we continue to build with our traditional markets" said Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO. “The city’s commitment to basketball, combined with its rich history and the passion of Greek fans, makes it an ideal stage for our biggest event. I would like to thank the Greek Government and the Ministry of Sports for their confidence in Euroleague Basketball. Their support and commitment have been instrumental in bringing the Final Four back to Athens after nearly two decades. With their continued backing, we are confident that we will once again deliver an unforgettable event.”

Hosting the Final Four again in Athens highlights Euroleague Basketball’s focus on delivering world-class live experiences for fans while strengthening the competition’s global profile.

EuroLeague Final Four to be played at Telekom Center Athens for the second time

Just hours before leading his first practice in his second stint with Real Madrid, Sergio Scariolo was awarded the Royal Cross Order of Sports Merit by the Spanish Council of Ministers. 

Sergio Scariolo awarded Royal Cross Order of Sports Merit

Just hours before leading his first practice in his second stint with [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/), [Sergio Scariolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-brings-back-coach-sergio-scariolo/) was awarded the Royal Cross Order of Sports Merit by the Spanish Council of Ministers. 

This prestigious distinction – Spain’s highest honor in sports – is granted annually by the King of Spain, upon the recommendation of the National Government through the Higher Sports Council. It recognizes exceptional contributions to Spanish sport across various ranks and categories.

Scariolo earned the award in recognition of his 15-year tenure as head coach of the Spanish men’s basketball team, where he built a successful program spanning youth development to the senior squad. Under his leadership, Spain captured the 2019 FIBA World Cup and four EuroBasket titles (2009, 2011, 2015, and 2022). He also guided the team to two Olympic medals: silver in London 2012 and bronze in Rio 2016.

Beyond his achievements on the court, Scariolo has shown deep commitment to social causes through the Cesare Scariolo Foundation, which supports children battling cancer.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🎖️ <a href="https://twitter.com/sergioscariolo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SergioScariolo</a>, reconocido con la Gran Cruz de la Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo.</p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1965385458680303628?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pilar Alegría, Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, praised Scariolo’s legacy, calling the award “the perfect ending to an impeccable path on and off the court.” She added: “He has elevated basketball to the highest level of global sport, always putting the team first. ‘La Familia’ isn’t just a nickname for the national team – it’s a philosophy, a unique bond between coach and players that continues to bring us joy.”

Alegría also emphasized the "inestimable worth" of Scariolo’s contributions to Spanish basketball. Notably, Scariolo becomes the first non-Spanish citizen to receive the Royal Cross Order of Sports Merit, joining an elite group that includes [Pau Gasol](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/pau-gasol/adf/), Rafael Nadal, Andrés Iniesta, Teresa Perales, Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, Carlos Sainz, and Miguel Induráin.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🎙️ <a href="https://twitter.com/sergioscariolo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SergioScariolo</a> 🎙️</p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1965455156868272445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I’m proud to be included on this list despite not being a Spanish citizen,” Scariolo said. “I’ve always tried to give everything I could to Spanish sport, especially the national team, to make it competitive and admired worldwide. This award belongs to the entire team that allowed me to share our passion for basketball and achieve great results.”

He continued: “Together, we’ve built a sports culture that transcends medals and titles. It’s a culture that embraces players of all ages and showcases the best values of sport. I share this honor with my former teammates in the national team – they deserve it as much as I do.”

The 64-year-old Real Madrid head coach receives Spain’s highest sports honor

With preseason training camp already underway, new Virtus Bologna signing Derrick Alston Jr. was presented to the media at the club’s Palestra Porelli training complex on Tuesday.

Derrick Alston Jr., Virtus’s new No 21: ‘Following in the footsteps of Toko Shengelia is not easy’

With preseason training camp already underway, new [Virtus Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/roster/vir/?season=2025-26) signing [Derrick Alston Jr.](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/virtus-adds-forward-derrick-alston-jr/) was presented to the media at the club’s Palestra Porelli training complex on Tuesday.

Just like he did for Boise State University, the Salt Lake City Stars, Rostock Seawolves and BAXI Manresa, the 27-year-old will wear the No 21 jersey – the number worn by [Toko Shengelia until his exit from Virtus this summer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-binds-toko-shengelia-through-2028/).

“I know that following in the footsteps of Toko Shengelia, who played the same position as me and wore the number 21, is not easy,” Alston Jr. said. “We are different players, and for me, the most important thing is to do whatever it takes for the team to win. But if I can do even half of what he did here, I can say I've spent my time well.”

For Alston Jr., the No 21 has special significance, too.

“It's always been my number,” he continued. “My father wore it when he played in the NBA, and I've worn it since college. I knew it would be difficult to get it, but in the end I succeeded, and I want to do great things with it here too.

“\[My father\] has been fundamental. Ever since I was a child, he has given me lots of advice, allowed me the freedom to make mistakes and get back up again, and he’s always helped me. He has been decisive, especially in dealing with new experiences such as those abroad. Having someone like that by your side is special, and having him as a father is truly a privilege.”

<center>
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It might be early days, but the American power forward – coming off averaging 16.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists for Manresa in the Spanish League last season – has been made to feel right at home at Virtus.

“The welcome has been fantastic,” he said. “Everyone made me feel part of the group right away and we are building team chemistry day by day. Being Virtus's first choice on the market is a great honor. A club with a history of victories and competitiveness – both in Italy and Europe – is the right place for me to grow.”

Alston Jr. will have the chance to do just that as he prepares for his rookie campaign in the EuroLeague.

“I think that since I've been in Europe, I've always faced important challenges,” he commented. “I've learned to exploit my strengths, speed, and athleticism, and now I'm facing another leap forward: playing in the best league on the continent. It will be a challenge and will require a period of adjustment, but I'm excited. It's what I've always wanted and worked for. I can't wait to continue improving and winning.”

More Virtus Bologna News

He will make his EuroLeague debut this coming season