Olympiacos Piraeus made a surprising acquisition at this point in the preseason by signing Ignas Brazdeikis away from Zalgiris Kaunas. 

Olympiacos acquires Brazdeikis from Zalgiris

Olympiacos Piraeus made a surprising acquisition at this point in the preseason by signing shooting guard [Ignas Brazdeikis ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ignas-brazdeikis/011983/)away from Zalgiris Kaunas. Brazdeikis (2.01 meters, 24 years old) had one year remaining on his contract with Zalgiris, which will receive a buy-out from Zalgiris. The new deal is for three seasons. Brazdeikis enjoyed a great debut season in the EuroLeague with 11.6 points and 2.9 rebounds to help Zalgiris reach the playoffs last season. He had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in his visit to Peace and Friendship Stadium to face Olympiacos last season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">✍️🏾 Η ΚΑΕ Ολυμπιακός ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του <a href="https://twitter.com/_iggy_braz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_iggy_braz</a> . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a><a href="https://t.co/2RhdTcvNzG">https://t.co/2RhdTcvNzG</a></p>&mdash; OLYMPIACOS BC (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1705912930883993748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“At this stage of the season, you don’t want to make a big change, but after receiving an offer from the EuroLeague runners-up, Brazdeikis expressed his desire to leave the team. We were also approached by Olympiacos Piraeus, so we had to look for a common solution and the best conditions in this situation. We expressed our position in the negotiations, and with the other side agreeing to it, we had to take this difficult decision. In any case, we thank Ignas for the year he spent here,” Zalgiris Kaunas Director said Paulius Jankunas on the team's website.

Though he was born in Lithuania, Brazdeikis grew up in Canada and spent his entire basketball career in the United States before last season. He played one year at Michigan University before being drafted by the New York Knicks of the NBA in 2019. Brazdeikis played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic in the NBA and for Westchester and Lakeland in the G League. He also plays for the Lithuanian national team.

The best plays of Zalgiris Kaunas guard Ignas Brazdeikis in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and Playoffs.

Ignas Brazdeikis's best plays, 2022-23

Valencia Basket guard Chris Jones has played in Mongolia, Switzerland, Belgium, Turkiye, Israel, France and now Spain to pursue his basketball dreams.

Basketball Nomads: Valencia Basket's Chris Jones on finding a 'home away from home'

The pro basketball path of Valencia Basket guard [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/) has been a roundabout one, featuring seven stops in seven different countries as he enters his fourth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. He is very much the definition of a basketball nomad.

The 30-year-old started his pro career in Mongolia, more than 10,000 kilometers away from Texas, where he grew up and went to both high school and university. From there he made stops in Switzerland (Starwings Basel, 2016-17), Belgium (Mons-Hainaut, 2017-19), Turkiye (Bursaspor, 2019-20), Israel (Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, 2020-21), France (LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, 2021-22) and finally Spain (Valencia, 2022-).

Changing countries so frequently as a young pro couldn't help but impact him.

"My first couple years, it was tough, you know, like the language barrier, finding food, being away from family and friends, but I think over the years I kind of got adjusted to it," Jones explains in a sit-down interview with Euroleague Basketball.

"I feel like the toughest part is being away from home, just something you're not used to. I mean, \[for\] food you can kind of find things that you like, but I think being away from family and friends – and you only can talk through FaceTime and \[Facebook\] Messenger – I feel like that's the toughest part."

### A chance to enjoy different cultures

Even though he has experienced so many different cultures, Jones says that he's a homebody at heart.

"Every country has its own unique thing, whether it’s the language or the different foods," he says. "Me personally, I'm kind of like a homebody. I mean, besides my teammates teaching me things about the culture, or seeing things online, I'm kind of to myself... My wife, she tries a lot of different things, so I'm forced to do it then."

Although some routine tasks can prove complicated when you change cultures annually, being a pro player has some perks, like when trying to find a new barber.

"Pretty much every country I've been to, somebody has written to me saying, 'Hey, I cut hair.' So you go through their Instagram page and see how they do," Jones comments. "Or you can ask a teammate or hopefully somebody who was there the year before, and it's like, 'Hey, who cut your hair here?' So, I feel like that's kind of the easy part."

Basketball Nomads: Chris Jones and his journey to finding a 'home'

### The impact on his family

Moving from country to country understandably has a knock-on effect for the player's immediate family. Jones, a father of two boys, had to be away from his now-eight-year-old son in Mongolia and Switzerland, but since then his family has been on the same peripatetic journey with him.

"\[My kids\] like it a lot," Jones notes. "To them, it's kind of like a super long vacation; I'm doing all the work, but they like it. They travel, see different countries and \[get\] stamps on their passports. Family and friends back at home are just amazed by it and wish they could come out here for some time.

"The experience is nice for myself and my family. You know, I never thought growing up that I'll be traveling and seeing different parts of the world, but basketball does a lot for me."

### Finding a place to call 'home'

Earning a three-year contract extension after his first year at Valencia means that Jones has finally found a basketball home, something he is very grateful for.

"Signing for another three years here, I think it's great for me and my family just to feel the family-oriented organization that \[Valencia\] is," Jones says. "I don't have to worry about the next couple of years of trying new things; I like the fact that I can come here and just be comfortable.

"Every year I've been to a different team in the hope of finding a home away from home. I was blessed to sign three more years here and, like I say, Valencia is home to me."

More Valencia News

Basketball Nomads: Chris Jones and his journey to finding a 'home'.

Valencia Basket's Chris Jones has passed through seven countries in eight years in pursuit of his basketball dreams.

Valencia's Chris Jones finds a 'home away from home'

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime, opens its 20th edition with the start of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. There are many ways to compete for the grand prize, a unique package that includes being guests of the Euroleague at the 2025 Final Four - flights, four hotel nights and VIP tickets. Even though the game has changed many times over its 20 years, there are some standard strategies that you can follow to be more successful. Here's some help to help you challenge your friends and even compete for the overall victory.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge: Get your strategy right!

[EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, powered by Ardu Prime](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home), opens its 20th edition with the start of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. There are many ways to compete for the grand prize, a unique package that includes being guests of the Euroleague at the 2025 Final Four - flights, four hotel nights and VIP tickets. Even though the game has changed many times over its 20 years, there are some standard strategies that you can follow to be more successful. Here's some help to help you challenge your friends and even compete for the overall victory.

### Coaches are critical

Picking the right head coach is critical, and being able to identify which team is really strong at home counts a lot. Last season, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv finished the regular season with a league-best 15-2 home record. Picking a winning coach should give you an edge over other candidates. Do not hesitate to spend credits on a head coach who should win his game and, of course, choose wisely.

### Rotation changes happen

It is very important to monitor injuries and to keep track of which players are not available in that particular moment. Not only will you avoid a player who scores 0 Fantasy points, but other players at his position should see more playing time and therefore have a better chance of getting a higher PIR. More minutes don't always mean a higher PIR, of course, but it usually goes that way.

### Check domestic leagues

This is crucial at the beginning of the season. The best way to find undervalued players is to check a team's domestic results and see who played a lot and did well. Be careful, though. It is not the same to check a 50-point win in which all players saw court time than to check a really close showdown in which the team was forced to play with its strongest rotation. That's the information we like, and when it comes to Fantasy Challenge, information is power.

### Be attached to nobody

Remember: Fantasy Challenge has no memory. Only the next game determines if a player's value will go up or down. For instance, if you buy a player who had a PIR of 30 for five consecutive weeks, and then the same player gets a PIR of -5, his value will drop heavily. Being able to read rosters and determine which star player has a better chance to put up a monster performance is a rare skill that pays off.

### Follow our podcasts and articles

Starting this season, Frankie Sachs and Javier Gancedo are co-hosting the [EuroLeague Fantasy Podcast, powered by Ardu Prime](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home). They will break down their teams, chat with special guests and analyze the fantasy week ahead. Our weekly fantasy tips article will give you five suggestions to enhance your team with star players and sleepers. So if you don't have time to scout, don't worry, we are here for you!

No matter what a player's age, the learning curve in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is steep for newcomers. Some players adapt quickly and put themselves on a track to impact the league long-term. That was true of many first-timers last season who now are back, though some with different teams, to show what they have learned. Here are the top 10 sophomores whom everybody, especially opponents, should be watching out for in the 2023-24 season.

Top 10 super sophomores in the 2022-23 EuroLeague

Yam Madar, Semi Ojeleye and 2 others Top Plays of the Playoffs

Yam Madar, Semi Ojeleye, Shabazz Napier, Chima Moneke 2022-23 EuroLeague highlights

[10\. Chima Moneke, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/)

A midseason pickup, Moneke helped Monaco reach the Final Four with a solid Game 5 in the playoffs, but had best performance vs. Baskonia, where he has landed to showcase his forte: dominating the boards.

[9\. Semi Ojeleye, Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/)

Ojeleye averaged 12.6 points for Virtus over his last 17 games last season, his best of which came in Valencia. His shooting rates – 58.9% on two-pointers, 46.1% on threes and 87.0% at the foul line – were exceptional for a rookie.

[8\. Shabazz Napier, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/)

In 12 games with Milan, Napier averaged 15.0 points, 3.9 assists and 16.4 PIR while hitting 45.6% on triples and 87.5% on free throws. He also showed he can run an offense and defend the ball, which should make him invaluable for Zvezda.

[7 . Yam Madar, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/)

EuroLeague coaches voted him the Rising Star Award winner after he started more than half of Partizan's games for Zeljko Obradovic. Madar's head is always in the game, which is what Fenerbahce fans can count on from their dependable new point guard.

Bonzie Colson, Carsen Edwards and 1 other Top Plays of the 2022-23 Playoffs

Bonzie Colson, Carsen Edwards, Ignas Brazdeikis 2022-23 EuroLeague highlights

[6\. Carsen Edwards, FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/)

Edwards came off the bench for 8.0 points in 15 minutes per game for Fenerbahce, but showed he can take over, as in a Game 2 playoffs road win at Olympiacos. At Bayern, he will get a lot more opportunity to show even more.

[5\. Ignas Brazdeikis, Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ignas-brazdeikis/011983/)

In his rookie EuroLeague season, Brazdeikis dropped more points than any Zalgiris player and upped his output to 13.7 per game in the playoffs. He had 19 double-digit scoring games last season, but may not need to do that much now that he has changed jerseys for runner-up Olympiacos.

[4\. Bonzie Colson, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/)

He matched the second-highest PIR in any single game last season while helping Maccabi within a victory of the Final Four. Colson's top-10 finish in rebounding (5.6) and top-25 in PIR (13.1) stand to get better with a year of learning the competition behind him.

Maik Kotsar, Johnathan Motley and 1 other Top Plays of the Playoffs

Maik Kotsar, Johnathan Motley and Darius Thompson 2022-23 EuroLeague highlights

[3\. Maik Kotsar, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/maik-kotsar/004603/)

Kotsar opened his EuroLeague career as the MVP for Round 1 and finished the season ranked eighth in PIR per 40 minutes at 26.1, with three former season MVPs above him on that list. If he improves his free-throw shooting, the sky will become the limit for him.

[2\. Johnathan Motley, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/)

Ranked third in PIR (27.5) and fourth in points (24.9) per 40 minutes, Motley was a force to be reckoned with as a rookie. His top-12 finishes in scoring (14.5), rebounds (5.4) and PIR (16.0) leave little to improve upon. Fener fans would love a repeat performance.

[1\. Darius Thompson, Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/)

Walking into the EuroLeague and leading your team to within a victory of the playoffs is rare. Thompson's league-best 6.7 assists for Baskonia were just one indicator. His poise and late-game leadership landed him in Efes to replace Vasilije Micic, which indicates the rest.

Top 10 super sophomores in the 2023-24 EuroLeague

Thursday was AS Monaco's turn for Media Day at the Stade Louis II.

Monaco has Media Day in the Principality 

Thursday was AS Monaco's turn for Media Day. Few teams have garnered as much attention this summer as the team from the Principality of Monaco, which has been in the rise over the past few years. After winning the EuroCup in 2021, the team debuted in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague the following season and went all the way to Game 5 in the playoffs. And then last season, Monaco made history by reaching the Final Four. But before Coach Sasa Obradovic could talk about any of that at Media Day, he needed his morning coffee.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coach says “good morning ☕️”<br><br>It’s <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> Media Day 📸 <a href="https://t.co/lE6sO9QTfk">pic.twitter.com/lE6sO9QTfk</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1704764257726857669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Monaco will enter the 2023-24 season relying on the core from last season, with only four major additions. However, each of those newcomers carries significant weight, whether it four-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker, reigning EuroLeague champion Petr Cornelie, French national team player Terry Tarpey or 2022 EuroCup MVP Mam Jaiteh.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kemba’s got a message for you 👀<br><br>Only 2 weeks left 🙌 <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> <a href="https://t.co/u8XVh0hLGk">pic.twitter.com/u8XVh0hLGk</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1704820666329927704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After a long preseason training camp across two countries, there is already a bond among the players and the chemistry could be seen and felt as they ran through the various Media Day requirements, including posing for photo shoots, sitting down for interviews and taking part in social media activities. For some of the stars, it was too much!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mike is so excited for the new season, he can&#39;t keep a ball steady in his hands 🤭<a href="https://t.co/ActthgMjG7">pic.twitter.com/ActthgMjG7</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket EN 🏀 (@ASMBasket_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMBasket_EN/status/1704804236859465855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In addition to the EuroLeague media crew, local crews and sponsors who were interacting with the players on this day at Stade Louis II, the Monaco social media crew was there and on 🔥 too! Check out their thoughts on how many balls the star backcourt of Mike James, Kemba Walker, Elie Okobo and Jordan Loyd will need for every game.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You all were right, we will need 4⃣ balls this season 🤓 <a href="https://t.co/hVwT54LF8q">https://t.co/hVwT54LF8q</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket EN 🏀 (@ASMBasket_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMBasket_EN/status/1704807316988522866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Monaco already won its first official game of the season in the French League and will have several more contests in its domestic competition before it heads to Spain to visit Valencia Basket for its EuroLeague opener on Friday, October 6.

Monaco holds media day in the principality 

The name Blatt is forever stitched into the fiber of Maccabi Tel Aviv. That said, it is almost hard to believe that when Tamir Blatt takes the court for the first time this season, he will become the first member of his family to ever play for the club.

Tamir Blatt, Maccabi: 'I'm happy to be back'

The name Blatt is forever stitched into the fiber of Maccabi Tel Aviv. That said, it is almost hard to believe that when [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) takes the court for the first time this season, he will become the first member of his family to ever play for the club.

His father, David Blatt, led Maccabi to its last EuroLeague crown in 2014 and was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame last season. Tamir is a member of the Israeli national team, grew up rooting for Maccabi, and has played for several of the biggest clubs in Israel. Yet [this season will be his first wearing the yellow-and-blue uniform](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/maccabi-pens-tamir-blatt-to-two-year-deal/).

"I mean, as a child, I have great memories here," Tamir said. "You know, being 5-6 years old, they're coming to practice and watching all-time greats of the EuroLeague practicing and to the games, of course, yeah. And I have a lot of incredible memories from being a child and watching.

"Growing up, coming to games, I remember I was sitting right here at Gate 7 and watching the games, and with the energy and the incredible support from the fans, I wanted to be on the court. And now you have the chance to play for Maccabi. It's amazing."

Tamir played in the youth system of Lev Hasharon and began his professional career with Maccabi rival Hapoel Tel Aviv. He also had stints with Hapoel Holon and Hapoel Jerusalem before heading abroad for the past two seasons to play for ALBA Berlin in the EuroLeague. Now the younger Blatt is poised to take on a key role with Maccabi. But he is not trying to step out of his father's shadow, but rather embracing his special status. 

"First of all, I'm always David Blatt's son. That's the first thing," he noted. "And then, yeah, I mean, I always wanted to create my own story and I have done that. And now coming to Maccabi, playing in the EuroLeague is a is another step for me and I'm very excited about it."

Despite the many teams Tamir played for and David coached, it never worked out for the former to play for the latter. The son recognizes that there could have been tough times if that happened, but he would have embraced it. 

"It's very tough, 'cause, I mean, he's my father and I just want him to be on my side, supporting me always," said Tamir. "But if I had the chance to play for him, for sure I would want that because he's one of the best coaches in the history of the game, in my opinion."

In addition to his father, there were many men involved in the building of Tamir into a savvy, high-IQ playmaker. For example, he was fortunate to learn from several of the great players David coached.

"One of them was Nikos Zisis that I really, I really liked the way he played and liked his personality. And yeah, I still talk to him to this day," Tamir said. 

Then there is his coach at Maccabi, Oded Kattash, who is reunited with Tamir for a fourth time. 

"That is one of the reasons I wanted to join Maccabi," Tamir confirmed. "You know, him being the head coach, he had a great influence on my career. I mean, I played for him in Jerusalem. I started \[my\] career with him and I was with him in the Under 20 \[European\] Championship. So we had a lot of games together and success and he's taught me a lot. I really like the way he coaches and his character and I'm looking forward to it."

Another key in preparing Tamir for what to expect with Israel's biggest club was Tamir going to Germany and getting his feet wet in the EuroLeague with ALBA.

"I grew a lot. You know, moving outside the country for the first time was a challenge. The beginning was very hard," recalled Tamir. "I had a couple of tough months, and I could really relate to players, you know, leaving their country and playing overseas... So I grew a lot also on the court, off the court. And yeah, it helped me for sure."

Tamir played in 60 EuroLeague games, including 17 starts, in his time with ALBA. He is taking everything that he learned there to make sure he blends in as seamlessly as possible at Maccabi. 

"We have a lot of guys coming back from last year that they're continuing the second year and I'm joining with a few new guys and you know, we want to make that chemistry work," he added. "I just know that I want to help the team to be successful... to be a good teammate, support the guys when I step on the court, give my best."

Most of all, Tamir is happy to be home again. 

"It was tough to be away from everybody and I really missed them," he summed up. "And yeah, I'm happy. I'm happy to be back."

Astroballe, the home arena for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne for over a quarter-century, hosted its final EuroLeague media day on Wednesday. The famed Lyon arena will pass the baton as ASVEL's home to LDLC Arena in November. Until then, there is still plenty of basketball to be played and the 2023-24 edition of the French giant was preparing for it on and off the court.

Media Day visits France to spend time with ASVEL

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You asked for it, here he is, double zero in the building ! <a href="https://t.co/PtK0KxTkcm">pic.twitter.com/PtK0KxTkcm</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1704497066897002789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wednesday's media day came only after the ASVEL players finished their training session, which was open to the club's guests from the EuroLeague media department.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/CKahudi5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CKahudi5</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/DalloBoris12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DalloBoris12</a> making it oddly satisfying 👌 <a href="https://t.co/r4nGEOAy4l">pic.twitter.com/r4nGEOAy4l</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1704460195437420689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

ASVEL is welcoming no fewer than six new players for the coming season: [John Egbunu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/john-egbunu/), [Frank Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/frank-jackson/), [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/), [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/), [Mbaye Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mbaye-ndiaye/) and [Mike Scott](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-scott/). In addition, two former players, [Edwin Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edwin-jackson/000229/) and [Boris Dallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/boris-dallo/003274/), are returning to the club after playing there in the past. Likewise young point guard [Noam Yaacov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/noam-yaacov/011386/) rejoins the club after playing on loan last season. Thus, it was no surprise to see one of the team leaders, former EuroLeague MVP [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/), explaining some things to Egbunu.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One on one lesson going on 👨🏻‍🏫<br>Teacher <a href="https://twitter.com/NandoDeColo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NandoDeColo</a> for rookie John Egbunu <a href="https://t.co/MdzeAcIi25">pic.twitter.com/MdzeAcIi25</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1704447733766009236?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Like at all media days, the ASVEL players ran through all the required stops from photo shoots to sit-down interviews to fun activities for social media. And now that media day is behind them, the players and staff at ASVEL will put all of their focus on the games. They already won their season opener in the French League on Sunday and will visit the Serbian capital to face Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 1 of the EuroLeague in just two weeks.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New year, new look for <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/MwiXPAR4WJ">pic.twitter.com/MwiXPAR4WJ</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1704501365576188185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Media day visits France to spend time with ASVEL

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague reigning champions Real Madrid rolled out the red carpet for its Media Day activities in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

   The champions roll out the Media Day red carpet

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague reigning champions Real Madrid rolled out the red carpet for its Media Day activities in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

Theirs was a highlight on the media day tour that goes to each and every team in the competition in preparation for the new EuroLeague season that starts early next month. Real lifted the EuroLeague trophy for the 11th time last season and has the chance to win back-to-back continental crowns for the first time since 1968.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐓𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒 ↔️ 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐑 <br><br>Name a better duo for defending the rim (if you can)🔐 <a href="https://t.co/ytE9rDaqvF">pic.twitter.com/ytE9rDaqvF</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1704447056604013012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Media Day for the champs took place at Real Madrid City in Valdebebas, just outside of the Spanish capital, where the club’s football and basketball teams usually practice. As always, Real players engaged on photo shoots, interviews, social media activities and much more.

Real is back with almost all the same players who lifted the trophy last season. There is only one new player, and he already knows the club inside out: playmaker [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/), who helped Los Blancos win their two previous EuroLeague titles, in 2015 and 2018.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FCauseur1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCauseur1</a> check in’ in 👀👇<a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> <a href="https://t.co/PVapS5GDwE">pic.twitter.com/PVapS5GDwE</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1704426404660531386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carlos-alocen/010623/), who has been injured for the best part of the last two seasons, was ready for Media Day action. One of the most requested players was 2023 Final Four MVP [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), as well as team captain [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/), who is set to enter his 17th consecutive season with Los Blancos.

It was a busy morning, but Real players have all been through this before and made sure the work was done efficiently and on time. Next stop: try to successfully defend the EuroLeague crown!

The champions roll out the media day red carpet

The latest club to open its doors for the EuroLeague's annual media day session is FC Barcelona, which held the event on Wednesday afternoon at the Blaugrana's training complex. The 2023-24 season is just around the corner, with 15 days until tipoff in Round 1, so this media day was the perfect way for Barca to get pulses racing ahead of the coming campaign.

Barça Basket joins the Media Day fun

The latest club to open its doors for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's annual media day session is [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/carousels/fc-barcelona/?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%22bar%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D&carouselTitle=FC%20Barcelona), which held the event on Wednesday afternoon at the Blaugrana's training complex. The 2023-24 season is just around the corner, with 15 days until tipoff in Round 1, so this media day was the perfect way for Barca to get pulses racing ahead of the coming campaign.

 

New faces such as [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fc-barcelona-signs-eurobasket-mvp-willy-hernangomez/) and [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fc-barcelona-signs-joel-parra-to-a-long-term-deal/) were the first to get their pictures taken in their new jerseys, while a little later the entire squad posed for a group photo. From there, more players had to pass through the photographers, before going off to fulfil commitments with partners and conduct interviews for both TV and digital. Barca soccer player Ilkay Gundogan came over to say hello to the players as well.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Molta qualitat junta 🔥<br><br>2️⃣1️⃣ &amp; 2️⃣2️⃣ <a href="https://t.co/9nIprVY692">pic.twitter.com/9nIprVY692</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1704490052309401933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There has been plenty of change at Barca during the offseason, with Sarunas Jasikevicius departing as head coach and 2022 EuroLeague MVP Nikola Mirotic leaving the club, but there is a sense of optimism among the group about what the 2023-24 season has in store.

 

Hernangomez, Parra, [Dario Brizuela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/shooting-guard-dario-brizuela-joins-fc-barcelona/) and [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/barcelona-lures-in-nba-star-forward-jabari-parker/) have all joined the club this summer, and they have clearly already integrated themselves into the group dynamics. New head coach [Roger Grimau](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/saras-jasikevicius-leaves-barcelona-roger-grimau-is-new-head-coach/) – the last Barca captain to lift the EuroLeague title – has quickly established a good rapport with the players, too, which should spell good news for Blaugrana supporters.

[Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/), Barca's new team captain heading into the 2023-24 EuroLeague season, did a great job of keeping things light during the day, while Brizuela, [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/), [Oscar da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/) and [Oriol Pauli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/oriol-pauli/003204/) could not stop smiling. [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) were in great spirits, too.

 

Barca starts its EuroLeague season at home to Anadolu Efes Istanbul on October 5 before back-to-back road games at Olympiacos Piraeus and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively.