Some players never need motivation to get into a defensive stance and deny their opponent. Whether using their quickness or length, they are there to disrupt and wear down their foes and to help their team regain the ball. 

Top 10 EuroLeague Best Defender Trophy candidates

Some players never need motivation to get into a defensive stance and deny their opponent. Whether using their quickness or length, they are there to disrupt and wear down their foes and to help their team regain the ball. 

The players best at filling those roles will find their names in the conversation to become the EuroLeague Best Defender Trophy winner at the end of the season. Here are my top 10 candidates to capture the award for 2023-24. 

### 10\. Arnas Butkevicius, Zalgiris Kaunas

No opponent wants to play the pick-and-roll when Butkevicius is around because he is the master of switching, and can guard any position, point guard through center. He is the anchor of the Zalgiris defense. 

### 9\. Serge Ibaka, FC Bayern Munich

The only thing stopping Ibaka from being higher on this list is time. He was a late addition for Bayern and has not played a EuroLeague game in more than a decade. After he adjusts, Ibaka should be a premier paint protector. 

### 8\. Kyle Hines, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Now entering his 14th EuroLeague campaign, the 27-year-old Hines may have seen a dip in minutes, but the three-time EuroLeague Best Defender is still as good a defender as there is. His combination of speed, strength and experience makes him tough to get past. 

Kyle Hines is the 2021-22 EuroLeague Best Defender!

### 7\. Isaac Bonga, FC Bayern Munich

Bonga, who will turn 24 in November, has all the physical traits and the desire to be a true defensive stopper. Now in his second EuroLeague season – and first under Coach Pablo Laso, he might just put everything together to shine. 

### 6\. Aleksa Avramovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 

His defensive wizardry was just on display at the Basketball World Cup, where Avramovic helped Serbia to the silver medal as an aggressive and energetic ball hawk. Prepare to see that mentality unleashed this season.  

### 5\. Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos Athens

Lessort enjoyed a breakout with Partizan last season using his high motor to wreak havoc in the paint and above the rim. He received the fourth-most votes in the 2022-23 Best Defender voting. 

2022-23 All-EuroLeague First Team: Mathias Lessort, Partizan Mozart Bet Belgrade

### 4\. Alessandro Pajola, Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Only 23 years old, Pajola has made a name for himself on the defensive end as well as a playmaker. He led the league in steals per minute last season with an average of 3.0 over 40 minutes. 

### 3\. Thomas Walkup, Olympiacos Piraeus

Walkup led the league in steals with 1.8 per game last season when he was the runner-up in Best Defender voting. He sets the tone for the Reds with his tenacious defense and never-ending hustle. 

### 2\. John Brown, AS Monaco 

Brown set a EuroLeague record for steals with 69 two seasons ago and those numbers only dropped last year because no one wanted to pass the ball near him. He has already stated his goal to capture the Best Defender Trophy this season. 

Walter Tavares of Real Madrid has been chosen as the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Best Defender for the third time in his career.

2022-23 EuroLeague Best Defender: Walter Tavares

### 1\. Walter Tavares, Real Madrid

The reigning EuroLeague Best Defender, Tavares is one of three men to ever win the award three times. He has led the league in blocks in each of the past four full seasons and is the competition's career leader with 372 rejections. 

The media day tour ahead of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season has come to its penultimate stop with a visit to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Wednesday afternoon.

The focus turns to Partizan on media day

The media day tour ahead of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season has come to its penultimate stop with a visit to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Wednesday afternoon.

Stark Arena and its practice facility was the place where Partizan players and coaches took part in photo shoots and interviews, recorded video clips for sponsors, partners and broadcasters, and engaged in social media activities and activations.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">More of the squad arrive 🙌<br><br>Which players do you want to hear from today? <a href=https://t.co/EzSLuCeMvs>pic.twitter.com/EzSLuCeMvs</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href=https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1707002917125832765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>September 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script>

Partizan came within one win from reaching the Final Four last season before bowing out in a five-game playoff series against eventual champion Real Madrid. This season, the team guided by the one and only nine-time EuroLeague winning head coach Zeljko Obradovic is looking to take another step.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TOO cold 🥶 <a href=https://t.co/KHQUhHZOGt>pic.twitter.com/KHQUhHZOGt</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href=https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1707025600290979948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>September 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script>

The team retained the majority of its core, starting with team captain Kevin Punter and big man Zach LeDay. Veteran swingman James Nunnally and defensive ace and fan-favorite Aleksa Avramovic also extended contracts and remained in black-and-white. The team injected new blood with the arrivals of guards Ognjen Jaramaz and PJ Dozier, forward Mateusz Ponitka and center Frank Kaminsky.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back in his native Serbia 🇷🇸 <br><br>Jaramaz has a message for <a href=https://twitter.com/PartizanBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>@PartizanBC</a> fans 🗣️ <a href=https://t.co/WMlbiNFToA>pic.twitter.com/WMlbiNFToA</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href=https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1707014865364099175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>September 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script>

Last season Partizan returned to the EuroLeague after eight years, but this season, with more depth on a roster that has plenty of EuroLeague experience, this team is poised to make another long run in the 2023-24 season which is set to tip off in eight days.

From Turkish Airlines EuroLeague newcomers to mid-level contributors until now, some players seemed poised to be difference-makers for their teams this season even if they have not been tagged as stars. Here are 10 would-be impact players who may not be on everyone's radar yet, but whose talents could very well complete the puzzles for their teams. They shouldn’t be sleepers for long!

Top 10 sleepers before the 2022-23 EuroLeague starts

Derek Willis, Jerian Grant and 1 other Top Plays of the 2022-23 Regular Season

2022-23 EuroCup highlights Derek Willis, Jerian Grant and Nate Sestina

### 10\. Nate Sestina, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Sestina proved a steady contributor at power forward as Turk Telekom reached the EuroCup Finals last season, averaging 10.4 points and 4.0 rebounds off the bench. If he can approach those numbers in the EuroLeague, Fenerbahce fans will be delighted.

### 9\. Derek Willis, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Willis made leaps in quality in each of his three EuroCup seasons, peaking with 12.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and a 15.0 PIR last season in Venice with great shooting accuracy: 58.8% on two-pointers, 47.5% on threes and 90.7% at the foul line. If he can replicate even some of that as a EuroLeague rookie, Efes will have gotten a steal.

### 8\. Jerian Grant, Panathinaikos Athens

Last season's EuroCup MVP did it all with finalist Turk Telekom, ranking in the top 15 in scoring, assists, steals and PIR. A season removed from seeing sparse time in his EuroLeague debut, Grant will get the chance at Panathinaikos to show the full range of his talents.

Naz Mitrou-Long, Mike Tobey and 2 others Top Plays of the 2022-23 Final Four

2022-23 EuroLeague highlights: Naz Mitrou-Long, Mike Tobey, Jasiel Rivero and Ognjen Dobric

### 7\. Jasiel Rivero, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

The Cuban center averaged 9.4 points in under 19 minutes as a EuroLeague rookie with Valencia. His low-post game and offensive rebounding will be welcome at Maccabi, where he should find plenty of easy baskets as defenses focus on the team's high-scoring backcourt.

### 6\. Naz Mitrou-Long, Zalgiris Kaunas

After averaging 12.4 points in his first seven EuroLeague games last season, Mitrou-Long tailed off to 4.9 per game for Milan. With Ignas Brazdeikis having left for Olympiacos over the weekend, however, he'll get another chance with Zalgiris to show he can be consistent.

### 5\. Ognjen Dobric, Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Dobric has been a double-digit scorer over the last two seasons of his seven with Crvena Zvezda, but even then his live-wire all-around game should get another boost with Virtus, his first team outside of Serbia.

### 4\. Mike Tobey, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

Tobey has started rarely and never averaged more than 19 minutes in any of his three EuroLeague seasons, but his mid-range and baseline game fit well amid Zvezda's other strengths, so expect Tobey to fill an important role in balancing his new team's offense.

Jared Harper, Andreas Obst and 1 other Top Plays of the 2022-23 Regular Season

2022-23 EuroLeague highlights: Jared Harper, Andreas Obst and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

### 3\. Andreas Obst, FC Bayern Munich

Considered by many to be a pure sharpshooter before starring in Germany's World Cup gold medal run, Obst has diversified his game heading into the prime of his career. Under new Bayern boss Pablo Laso, who perfected the deployment of a similar player in Jaycee Carroll, Obst should be an even bigger threat than his 9.9 points per game last season.

### 2\. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

In his first, truncated EuroLeague season, Luwawu-Cabarrot's flashed of an ability to dominate by scoring 14 points or more in 10 of his 22 games, including all but one in which he played 25 minutes or more. Don't be surprised to see him become a force for ASVEL, where he can expect plenty of court time.

### 1\. Jared Harper, Valencia Basket

After averaging 10.4 points and 3.3 assists for Valencia in his first taste of European basketball last season, ranking 11th among all EuroLeague players on a per-40-minute basis in both categories, Harper stands to get even more of an opportunity to use everything he learned in his second season with the Spanish club.

Top 10 sleepers before the 2023-24 EuroLeague starts

Media day is an exciting time for all professional basketball teams and this season for Panathinaikos Athens it is even more so with more than 10 new players joining the Greens. Chief among them is two-time EuroLeague champion Coach Ergin Ataman, who looks quite at home already in the Greek capital. 

New-look Panathinaikos Athens greets the media

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A new challenge for coach Ataman 👀 <a href="https://t.co/6rbA6wN7mX">pic.twitter.com/6rbA6wN7mX</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1706668938346815753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Among the new faces, one stands out more than the others. Kostas Sloukas was a superstar for Panathinaikos's archrival Olympiacos Piraeus until making the big switch this summer. Sloukas is already looking forward to facing his former team.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kostas checking in 🤳🏻<a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@paobcgr</a> ☘️ <a href="https://t.co/Aio56VOsfi">https://t.co/Aio56VOsfi</a> <a href="https://t.co/GH6TdpmXDg">pic.twitter.com/GH6TdpmXDg</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1706656015964418206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Three of the new players, Juancho Hernangomez, Kyle Guy and Kostas Antetokounmpo, have been putting in the time to get close to the clubs' famous fans. Here they are displaying their progress with the Panathinaikos song.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">They’re learning the chants 🎤☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@paobcgr</a> <a href="https://t.co/Uo6tagih1M">pic.twitter.com/Uo6tagih1M</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1706665429958328699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The main part of media day is to allow the EuroLeague media department and rights holders to gather all the material they need for the season, including photos and videos, interviews and special material for sponsors. Some of the extra activities for social media end up being the most fun for the players.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">📸 <a href="https://twitter.com/ThiasLsf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThiasLsf</a> X <a href="https://twitter.com/juanchiviris41?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@juanchiviris41</a> 💈 <a href="https://t.co/bR43nWrbu2">pic.twitter.com/bR43nWrbu2</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1706664628686590031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Panathinaikos will open its season next Friday, October 6, against Olympiacos in what is known as the Derby of Eternal Enemies. We are all excited for it!

New-look Panathinaikos greets the media

Who said You Can't Go Home Again? (Actually, it is a novel by Thomas Wolfe, but that's not the point.) When you have a club where people appreciate you, you can go home again!

More and more players in recent years have been looking for a second opportunity with clubs for which they previously played. Here are the top 10 homecomings of the season, featuring players returning to their hometowns or to a former club.

Top 10 homecomings for the 2023-24 EuroLeague

Who said You Can't Go Home Again? (Actually, it is a novel by Thomas Wolfe, but that's not the point.) When you have a club where people appreciate you, you can go home again!

More and more players in recent years have been looking for a second opportunity with clubs for which they previously played. Here are the top 10 homecomings of the season, featuring players returning to their hometowns or to a former club.

### 10 – Edwin Jackson, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | Last time at ASVEL: 2019-20 season

In an unthinkable move, [Jackson ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edwin-jackson/000229/)has gone from Hestia Menorca of the Spanish third division all the way back to play in the EuroLeague with ASVEL. An accomplished scorer, Jackson is in his third stint with the club.

Dejan Davidovac Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

2021-22 EuroLeague highlights: Dejan Davidovac, Zvezda

### 9 – Dejan Davidovac, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | Last time at Zvezda: 2021-22 season

[Davidovac ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dejan-davidovac/007960/)returns to Zvezda after a season with CSKA Moscow. His high basketball IQ, great ballhandling skills and extreme versatility were missed last season. Not anymore, as Davidovac is back with Zvezda to help in many ways.

### 8 – Ognjen Jaramaz, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | Last time at Partizan: 2020-21 season

[Jaramaz ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-jaramaz/004058/)left Belgrade to play for FC Bayern Munich the past two seasons. He returns as a more mature, stronger and more confident player. Jaramaz is in the right environment to keep getting better.

### 7 – Nigel Williams-Goss, Olympiacos Piraeus | Last time at Olympiacos: 2018-19 season

[Wiliams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) spent his EuroLeague rookie season with Olympiacos. He now returns as a reigning champion; he lifted the trophy with Real Madrid last spring. Williams-Goss is back with a new, improved role as a floor general.

### 6 – Nemanja Bjelica, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | Last time at Zvezda: 2009-10 season

[Bjelica ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nemanja-bjelica/001413/)left Zvezda at age 22. He returns as a EuroLeague MVP (with Fenerbahce Istanbul in the 2014-15 season) and NBA champion (with the Golden State Warriors in 2022). When healthy, Bjelica can play a critical veteran role.

Devin Booker Top Plays of the 2018-19 Regular Season

2018-19 EuroLeague highlights: Devin Booker, Bayern

### 5 – Devin Booker, FC Bayern Munich | Last time at Bayern: 2018-19 season

[Booker ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devin-booker/007056/)played three seasons for Bayern and returns after two years each with Khimki Moscow Region and Fenerbahce. At age 32, Booker is now more experienced and still an explosive player who can finish above the rim.

### 4 – Ioannis Papapetrou, Panathinaikos Athens | Last time at Panathinaikos: 2021-22 season

[Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/), whose father Argyris was a Panathinaikos team captain, returns to the Greens after a season with Partizan under Coach Zeljko Obradovic. He will now be coached by another multi-EuroLeague winner in Ergin Ataman.

### 3 – Milos Teodosic, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | Last time in Belgrade: 2006-07 season

After playing for FMP, [Teodosic ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/)earned 2009-10 EuroLeague MVP honors with Olympiacos, won the EuroLeague with CSKA and lifted the EuroCup trophy with Virtus Bologna, among other highlights. 'The Magician' is back in Belgrade!

### 2 – Nikola Milutinov, Olympiacos Piraeus | Last time at Olympiacos: 2019-20 season

[Milutinov ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/)played for the Reds for five seasons from 2015 to 2020, during which he reached the EuroLeague Championship Game in 2017. At age 28, he is in the prime of his career and has one goal in mind: capturing the EuroLeague crown.

Facundo Campazzo Top Plays of the 2020-21 Regular Season

2020-21 EuroLeague highlights: Facundo Campazzo, Real

### 1 – Facu Campazzo, Real Madrid | Last time at Real: 2020-21 season

[Campazzo ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/)is the reigning champs' only addition. He previously helped *Los Blancos* win EuroLeague titles in 2015 and 2018. Campazzo signed a long-term contract and should be Coach Mateo's main floor general to make good things happen.

Following a summer of big changes, FC Bayern Munich held its annual Media Day ahead of the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

A revamped FC Bayern Munich opens its doors for Media Day

There have been plenty of changes at [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/carousels/fc-bayern-munich/?q=%7B%22articleId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22categoryId%22%3A%22%22%2C%22linkedId%22%3A%7B%22sourceSystem%22%3A%22FS_BASKETBALL_TEAM%22%2C%22sourceSystemId%22%3A%22mun%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=FC%20Bayern%20Munich) this summer, including [Pablo Laso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/pablo-laso-a-two-time-euroleague-champ-becomes-bayern-head-coach/) being appointed as head coach and five new players joining the club. The construction of a new arena, which is set to be completed in spring 2024, has set pulses racing in Munich, so the arrival of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's annual Media Day is the ideal way for Bayern to welcome the 2023-24 season.

Many of the Bayern players have been making the most of Oktoberfest in recent days, with new recruit [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fc-bayern-munich-signs-serge-ibaka/) – a 2019 NBA champion – posting a short video with the caption 'Prost', which is German for 'Cheers'. The three 2023 FIBA World Cup winners from the Germany squad – [Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/), [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) and [Niels Giffey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/niels-giffey/001557/) – were seen celebrating their triumph with a few beers at Oktoberfest, too.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Prost 🍻 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oktoberfest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#oktoberfest</a> <a href="https://t.co/kt9kxou1SV">pic.twitter.com/kt9kxou1SV</a></p>&mdash; Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) <a href="https://twitter.com/sergeibaka/status/1706338377908334621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

During Tuesday's Media Day activities, that Bavarian pride was on show as the squad showed good harmony while getting their photos taken. The squad engaged in banter throughout the day, with the players' tasks including promotion content, activities for social media and interviews for both TV and online media.

### Plenty of new faces

In addition to Ibaka, Bayern has also signed [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/bayern-munich-lands-point-guard-carsen-edwards/), [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/bayern-munich-adds-france-international-sylvain-francisco/), [Leandro Bolmaro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/leandro-bolmaro-completes-move-to-bayern/) and [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/devin-booker-returns-to-bayern-munich/) this summer as it looks to improve on last season's 11-23 finish, which saw it finish 15th and comfortably miss the playoffs. Coach Laso is a two-time winner of the EuroLeague, while he has made the Final Four on seven occasions. As such, he will be determined to bring a winning mentality to Bayern as soon as possible.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ibaka and his warm personality led to him being one of the more vocal voices throughout the Media Day, with Bayern likely to lean on the 34-year-old's experience in the coming campaign. With Edwards and Francisco both being 25, and Bolmaro being 23, the youthful feel to this Bayern squad should make the German team one of the most interesting sides to watch in the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

More FC Bayern News

FC Bayern Munich held its Media Day ahead of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season on Tuesday, September 26.

FC Bayern Munich's new-look roster is ready for the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

A revamped Bayern opens its doors for Media Day

The EuroLeague media core decended upon a familiar site on Tuesday when they visited Zalgiris Kaunas at Zalgirio Arena, the home of the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. On the court where the last EuroLeague champion was crowned, Zalgiris prepared for a new season with big goals. 

Zalgiris Kaunas is back on the court for media day

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Media Day with the one and only <a href="https://twitter.com/NazzyJML?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NazzyJML</a>! 📲 <a href="https://t.co/uOP4msQXU1">pic.twitter.com/uOP4msQXU1</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1706661872869761101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fans of the Lithuanian champs will see most of the same roster that made the playoffs last season with Brady Manek, Naz Mitrou-Long and Danielus Lavrinovicius serving as the only off-season signings. There was naturally a lot of curiosity around the trio, who all looked strong in the team's first game this season in the Lithuanian League. There was also plenty of excitement surrounding Keenan Evans, who was in the midst of a breakout season when he ruptured his Achilles tendon last season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Media day at <a href="https://twitter.com/ZalgirioArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZalgirioArena</a>! 📸🎥 <a href="https://t.co/vy3BlG0ULL">pic.twitter.com/vy3BlG0ULL</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1706599330117746831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The players went through all the typical Media Day rounds from sit-down interviews, to posing for photo shoots, engaging in social media activities and taking part in sponsors' campaigns. And most of them did it with a smile!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="lt" dir="ltr">Danielius Lavrinovicius &amp; Dovydas Giedraitis tried out the IG filter! 😅 <a href="https://t.co/d6HHm48b9X">pic.twitter.com/d6HHm48b9X</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1706593435321258214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At the end of the long day of work, the Zalgiris players were pleased with the end result and ready to turn their collective focus to next week. Zalgiris begins its EuroLeague campaign on the road next Thursday at Virtus Segafredo Bologna. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bczalgiris</a> looking ready for the upcoming season 💪 <a href="https://t.co/MPJAnINKyh">pic.twitter.com/MPJAnINKyh</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1706626541495394715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Zalgiris is back on the court for media day

The legendary Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in the Serbian capital was buzzing on Tuesday as a revamped and ambitious Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade hosted its Media Day ahead of the upcoming Turkish Airilnes EuroLeague season.

This is Zvezda's 10th campaign in the competition, and therefore, the club's 10th media day. 10 is also the number of new players that Zvezda brought this summer, and all of them showed up in a good mood and ready for a busy day.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝓑𝓪𝓬𝓴 in Serbia 🙏<br><br>Who’s excited to see <a href="https://twitter.com/MilosTeodosic4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MilosTeodosic4</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kkcrvenazvezda</a> this season? <a href="https://t.co/rqd4GnqtF1">pic.twitter.com/rqd4GnqtF1</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1706592180716880143?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, Milos Teodosic, Nemanja Nedovic & co. went through the series of interviews and photo shoots, have obliged to sponsorship and broadcasters' requests, and engaged in social media activities.

Zvezda roster counts 16 players, and only two of them – Marko Simonovic and Yago Dos Santos - have not previously played in the EuroLeague. Meanwhile, four players - Teodosic, Joel Bolomboy, Ognjen Kuzmic and Adam Hanga - have won the EuroLeague title in the past.

This experienced group, led by veteran head coach Dusko Ivanovic, is poised to make noise and no one at Zvezda is shying away from the high expectations this season. With the team set to play all its games at Stark Arena, players can't wait for a season tip off, certain they will give Zvezda fans many chances for joy and celebration this season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Kako se igrači osećaju nakon četvrtog sata na <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroleagueMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroleagueMediaDay</a> 😂<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/UjvIM8Fybz">pic.twitter.com/UjvIM8Fybz</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1706625801267892453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Zvezda brings Media Day to Belgrade

The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast returns with Episode No. 2. This time hosts Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs are joined by a special guest.

Here's Episode 2 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast

The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast returns with Episode No. 2. This time hosts Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs are joined by a special guest.

Arale Weisberg is the head of the basketball desk at Walla! Sport in Israel and, more importantly, a fantasy basketball junkie!

The three of them choose some of the best bargains in the game, in their opinion, as we all put together our fantasy teams in anticipation of opening night next week.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This episode was recorded before shooting guard [Ignas Brazdeikis was acquired by Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olympiacos-acquires-brazdeikis-from-zalgiris/) from Zalgiris Kaunas. 