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

 Rising rookies join EuroLeague point guard tradition at World Cup 

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

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

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

Justus Hollatz and Matteo Spagnolo in the BKT EuroCup.

VIDEO HLs: Hollatz and Spagnolo

### Long line of iconic playmakers

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

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

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

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

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

VIDEO HLs: Samar and Dos Santos

### More than just EuroLeague rookies in World Cup

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

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

Rising rookies join EuroLeague point guard tradition at World Cup

Saski Baskonia is the fifth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague club to get its training camp underway, following a season in which it had an 18-16 record and narrowly missed out on making the playoffs. Headlined by returning guard Markus Howard, the Baskonia players are already preparing for what could be a very promising season under second-year head coach Joan Penarroya.

Saski Baskonia comes back for training camp with renewed vigor

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz is the fifth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague club to get its training camp underway, following a season in which it had an 18-16 record and narrowly missed out on making the playoffs. Headlined by returning guard Markus Howard, the Baskonia players are already preparing for what could be a very promising season under second-year head coach Joan Penarroya.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🎙️ &quot;Es un mes de conocernos, aprender los unos de los otros y construir esa conexión de equipo&quot; <br><br>🙌 Al habla <a href="https://twitter.com/MaikKalev?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaikKalev</a> en el primer entrenamiento de la temporada ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/2dfqvxRQaI">https://t.co/2dfqvxRQaI</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/EThS657iUK">pic.twitter.com/EThS657iUK</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1694293994124042670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fans always love to see new faces through the door, and even more so when a player such as Darius Thompson has departed, with the American guard joining Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Baskonia has made five signings so far this summer, and four of those – Nico Mannion, Codi Miller-McIntyre, Chima Moneke and Khalifa Diop – were present during the first day of training camp. The other, forward Nikos Rogkavopoulos, is away with the Greece national team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡Primera toma de contacto con su NUEVO HOGAR! 🏡♥️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShowGoesOn?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShowGoesOn</a> <a href="https://t.co/1TmEYyVNcZ">pic.twitter.com/1TmEYyVNcZ</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1694292144083837093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Baskonia last made the EuroLeague Playoffs in the 2018-19 season, so Coach Penarroya will be hoping that this training camp will see the team build on its impressive chemistry from the last campaign and take another step forward. Only time will tell, but with a youthful roster, Baskonia will no doubt be one of the teams to once again keep an eye on in the coming EuroLeague season.

More Baskonia News

New Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz signing Chima Moneke sits alongside guard Markus Howard during the team's first training session of the new season.

Baskonia comes back for training camp with renewed vigor

Real Madrid: 2023-24 games to watch

For Real Madrid, last season couldn’t have gone much better. En route to becoming the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion for an 11th time, which came in Chus Mateo's first year as head coach, the team showed the Real Madrid DNA that has often been associated with the club's soccer team in recent years. Time and time again, particularly in the playoffs, Los Blancos defied the odds by returning from the dead to grab a big victory. Heading into Year Two under Coach Mateo, the goal will be what it always is at Real: to lift the EuroLeague title once again.

[Real Madrid's full regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/games/mad/?season=2023-24)

### The first Clásico of the season

[Round 5: Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-barcelona/E2023/40/#comparison)

As is the case for fans on both sides of the Clásico divide, one of the first fixtures that Real supporters seek out is the team's first matchup with archrival FC Barcelona. Last season, Los Blancos lost 75-73 at Palau Blaugrana in Round 2 before winning 91-86 in overtime in Round 21 at WiZink Center. Then, at the Final Four, Real advanced to the championship game after downing Barca 66-78 in the semifinals. While Real has been able to add Facu Campazzo to a championship-winning roster, without having lost any of its main pieces, this is a very different-looking Barca that will come to Madrid in Round 5, which should make for a very fascinating contest.

It's a clásico semi for the second season in a row. Barça hope to count on strong Kaunas support thanks to Head Coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius, yet Real's remarkable comeback in Game 5 against Partizan suggests the 10-time champions are unlikely to be intimidated.

FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid - Semi-Final - Highlights

### Pablo Laso returns home

[Round 14: Real Madrid vs. FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/real-madrid-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/119/#comparison)

Pablo Laso spent 11 years as Real head coach, winning two EuroLeague titles (2015, 2018) and reaching five championship games, as well as seven Final Fours out of a possible 10. In his first post since departing Los Blancos in the summer of 2022, Laso returns to his former home, WiZink Center, with his new FC Bayern Munich side. The Spanish tactician has been tasked with trying to turn Bayern into a EuroLeague force, and his new-look group will look to upset Real in this Round 14 clash. Laso will not only come up against some of his former players but also his former assistant, Chus Mateo, who has been Real's head coach since last season. Coach Laso should get a good reception from the crowd, but will he have the last laugh?

Real Madrid coach Pablo Laso gives us an in-depth look at what it takes to coach at the highest level.

Focus On: Pablo Laso

### Two Final Four contenders lock horns

[Round 22: AS Monaco vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-real-madrid/E2023/195/#comparison)

Whenever Real and Monaco come head-to-head, fireworks tend to follow. The French side grabbed its first win over the Spanish giant last season, winning 94-95 in overtime at WiZink Center after some heroics by Mike James in the final stages, but Real still leads the all-time series 3-1 after Mario Hezonja exploded for 30 points in a 91-95 Round 23 triumph last year. Nevertheless, to this point it has always been an incredibly close battle whenever the two teams have played each other, with the largest margin of victory being eight points. Both Real and Monaco made it to the 2023 Final Four, and they once again have aims of repeating that feat. A couple of big-name signings will play in this fixture next season, too, following Monaco's signing of Kemba Walker and Real's move for Campazzo.

In a highly-anticipated heavyweight bout, joint-third Monaco aim to overtake co-leaders Real Madrid, with Mike James and Dzanan Musa battling it out to further establish themselves as offensive hotshots.

AS Monaco vs Real Madrid - Round 23 - Highlights

### Going into the dragon's den

[Round 31: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-real-madrid/E2023/273/#comparison)

In Real's penultimate road fixture of the regular season, the reigning EuroLeague champion heads to Serbia to take on Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. The two sides faced off in a memorable playoff series last season – for both the right and wrong reasons – and there will surely be an extra degree or two added to the atmosphere at Stark Arena when Los Blancos take to the floor. What's more, with there being just three regular-season games remaining after this contest, the result of this fixture could go some way towards helping better paint the playoff picture. Make no mistake, though, Partizan will be hoping to get one over Real after last season's playoff heartbreak.

Real attempt to become the first team to ever recover from 0-2 down in a playoffs series by making it three straight wins against Partizan, who are significantly bolstered by the return of backcourt-leader Kevin Punter from a two-game suspension.

Real Madrid vs Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - Playoffs Game 5 - Highlights

More Real Madrid News

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has moved quickly to cover the injury of Dogus Ozdemiroglu, with the club signing Justus Hollatz on a one-year loan from Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Last season, he played outside of his native Germany for the first time last season, suiting up for Rio Breogan. A German international, he will back up star guards Darius Thompson and Shane Larkin at Efes next season. 

Anadolu Efes grabs talented point guard Justus Hollatz

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has moved quickly to cover the injury of Dogus Ozdemiroglu, with the club signing [Justus Hollatz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/justus-hollatz/009513/) on a one-year loan from Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Hollatz (1.91 meters, 22 years old) [joined Cedevita earlier this summer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/justus-hollatz-is-first-olimpija-reinforcement-for-2023-24/), but an agreement has been reached for him to spend the 2023-24 campaign at Efes. Last season, he played outside of his native Germany for the first time last season, averaging 7.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals for Rio Breogan in 34 Spanish League games. A German international, he will back up star guards Darius Thompson and Shane Larkin at Efes next season.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">KK Cedevita Olimpija&#39;dan kiraladığımız Justus Hollatz, 1 sezon boyunca Anadolu Efes forması giyecek. ✍️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Welcome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Welcome</a> Justus <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/HvoxrS9AEL">pic.twitter.com/HvoxrS9AEL</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1694252914334920787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### He already has European experience

In addition to representing Germany at the international level, Hollatz has also played in European competition at club level. After signing for Veolia Towers Hamburg in the 2018-19 season, he made his first-team debut in the 2019-20 campaign but had to wait until 2021-22 before playing in the BKT EuroCup for the first time. In 13 EuroCup games for Hamburg, Hollatz posted averages of 8.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals per night.

The best plays of Justus Hollatz in the 2021-22 BKT EuroCup Regular Season with Veolia Towers Hamburg.

Justus Hollatz's top EuroCup plays in 2021-22

### Testing himself on foreign shores

Last summer, Hollatz took the decision to move away from Germany as he signed for Rio Breogan. The young point guard had some notable performances last season, including a 21-point outing against Real Madrid in early April, an 8-assist night against BAXI Manresa in Round 6 and a 5-steal performance against Coviran Granada at the end of January. Hollatz's displays on the court saw him named to the Spanish League Best Young Five for the 2022-23 season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">La <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBCOM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ACBCOM</a> anuncia el mejor quinteto joven de la temporada<br><br>Justus Hollatz<br>Jean Montero<br>Michael Caicedo<br>Aday Mara<br>Khalifa Diop<a href="https://t.co/pmuoo4oNnO">pic.twitter.com/pmuoo4oNnO</a></p>&mdash; Gigantes del Basket (@GIGANTESbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/GIGANTESbasket/status/1651889574031900672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### His first shot at the EuroLeague

Next season will see Hollatz make his long-awaited EuroLeague debut, and he will do so under Efes's first-year head coach Erdem Can. As noted above, Hollatz has the opportunity to learn under the likes of Thompson and Larkin on a day-by-day basis at Efes, which will no doubt work wonders for his development. The German came up against Thompson when the American was playing for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in the previous campaign, so he will now get to see what makes the playmaker tick up close and personal.

More Efes News

New Anadolu Efes Istanbul signing Justus Hollatz in action for Veolia Towers Hamburg in the 2021-22 BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

Efes grabs talented point guard Justus Hollatz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

### EuroLeague Basketball players at the FIBA World Cup

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

#### ANGOLA

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

#### BRAZIL

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

#### CANADA

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

#### CAPE VERDE

- **Walter Tavares** - Real Madrid

#### DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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

#### FINLAND

- **Mikael Jantunen** - Paris Basketball

#### FRANCE

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

#### GEORGIA

- **Tornike Shengelia** - Virtus Segafredo Bologna

#### GERMANY

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

#### GREECE

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

#### IRAN

- **Mohammad Amini** - AS Monaco

#### ITALY

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

#### LATVIA

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

#### LITHUANIA

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

#### MONTENEGRO

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

#### NEW ZEALAND

- **Yanni Wetzell** - ALBA Berlin

#### PUERTO RICO

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

#### SERBIA

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

#### SLOVENIA

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

#### SPAIN

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

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

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

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade had a memorable return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season, winning 16 of its last 21 regular-season games to storm into the playoffs, where the team then won the first two games and led by 18 points in Game 5 only to get ousted by eventual champion Real Madrid. In the process, Partizan broke all kinds of attendance records, making a visit to Stark Arena for any of the team's EuroLeague games a fixture on the bucket lists of basketball fans around the world. Now, Partizan is back to make a step further. Here are some of the matchups on Partizan's road that you definitely don't want to miss.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade: 2023-24 games to watch

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/games/par/?season=2023-24) had a memorable return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season, winning 16 of its last 21 regular-season games to storm into the playoffs, where the team then won the first two games and led by 18 points in Game 5 only to get ousted by eventual champion Real Madrid. In the process, Partizan broke all kinds of attendance records, making a visit to Stark Arena for any of the team's EuroLeague games a fixture on the bucket lists of basketball fans around the world. Now, Partizan is back to make a step further. Here are some of the matchups on Partizan's road that you definitely don't want to miss.

[Partizan's full regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/games/par/?season=2023-24)

### Home opener

[Round 3: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-fc-barcelona/E2023/22/#comparison)

Partizan does not get to play in front of its faithful fans until Round 3, and for that special occasion it will be none other than FC Barcelona visiting the Serbian capital. This game would have been must-watch regardless of the visitor because it will end the months-long wait for Partizan fans to see their team compete on Stark Arena's home floor in the EuroLeague. But with Barca, qualifier to the last three Final Fours, in down, expect the cacophonous noise levels and memorable images from Belgrade to be at a level you do not want to miss.

After seeing off Efes and Olympiacos in the previous two, Partizan search for a third consecutive major scalp against a Barca team determined to seal a top-four finish and armed with Jan Vesely returning to his first EuroLeague club.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs FC Barcelona - Round 31 - Highlights

### Season II of the Belgrade derby

[Round 5: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2023/39/#comparison)

Last season's first Belgrade derbies in EuroLeague history lived up to their billing and then some. In the first of them, Nemanja Nedovic's game-winning triple just before the buzzer lifted Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade to victory before Partizan's stunned home fans. Head coach Zeljko Obradovic's team bounced back later in the season, won on Zvezda's floor and eventually reached the playoffs, but Partizan will want to protect its home games at all costs, especially in a tricky early part of the season with just two home games in the first six rounds.

Nemanja Nedovic sinks a corner triple with 2.2 seconds left to win it for Zvezda.

7DAYS Magic Moment of the Night: Game-winner by Nedovic!

### Return of a fan favorite

[Round 11: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-panathinaikos-athens/E2023/95/#comparison)

Partizan's important three-game home stretch in early December starts with the arrival of Panathinaikos Athens. Partizan swept their series 2-0 last season, but this is a brand new Panathinaikos team that features a pair of players who wore Partizan black last season: Mathias Lessort and Ioannis Papapetrou. Lessort had a career season in 2022-23, earning All-EuroLeague honors while building a special bond with Partizan fans, leading wild celebrations after every victory and becoming [best man in a local wedding](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/lessort-serves-as-best-man-at-partizan-fans-wedding/). It will be an emotional night in Belgrade when he and Papapetrou return..

Lessort leads Partizan fans chants!

### Home rematch with the champs 

[Round 31: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-real-madrid/E2023/273/#comparison)

Considering everything that happened in their best-of-five playoff series last season, all eyes will be on Stark Arena when defending champion Real Madrid comes to visit. Real became the first team ever to come back from an 0-2 deficit to win a EuroLeague playoff series, but only after a bench-clearing fight late in Game 2. Most of the players from those games are still on these rosters. Partizan and its team captain, Kevin Punter, backed by their incredible fans, will try not to allow Walter Tavares, Mario Hezonja, Dzanan Musa & co. escape Stark Arena with another win, as they did in Games 3 and 4 of the playoffs.

While already missing the talents of Kevin Punter via suspension, Partizan try to cope without Aleksa Avramović after a hand injury versus a Los Blancos outfit led by the towering Walter Tavares and bidding to repeat the heroics in the previous encounter and level the tie.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs Real Madrid - Playoffs Game 4 - Highlights

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade news

FC Barcelona is back in business this week as its players underwent medical tests and had a first workout on Monday. Barca, which made it to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in each of the last three seasons, went through some substantial changes over the summer, bringing in new star players and hiring Roger Grimau as head coach. Grimau lifted the 2010 EuroLeague trophy, Barca's last one, as team captain and wants to do the same as head coach. If he does, he would be the fourth person to win the EuroLeague as player and coach, after Armenak Alachachan, Lolo Sainz and Svetislav Pesic.


New-look Barca gets down to business

FC Barcelona is back in business this week as its players underwent medical tests and had a first workout on Monday. Barca, which made it to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in each of the last three seasons, went through some substantial changes over the summer, bringing in new star players and hiring [Roger Grimau](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/saras-jasikevicius-leaves-barcelona-roger-grimau-is-new-head-coach/) as head coach. Grimau lifted the 2010 EuroLeague trophy, Barca's last one, as team captain and wants to do the same as head coach. If he does, he would be the fourth person to win the EuroLeague as player and coach, after Armenak Alachachan, Lolo Sainz and Svetislav Pesic.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🥵 L&#39;esforç tindrà recompensa <a href="https://t.co/xgXWsSUKiW">pic.twitter.com/xgXWsSUKiW</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1693677081421385853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Waiting for three newcomers

Barca has started preseason without five players who are getting ready for the World Cup with their respective national teams. [Alex Abrines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alex-abrines/003478/) and newcomers [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fc-barcelona-signs-eurobasket-mvp-willy-hernangomez/), [Joel Parra](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fc-barcelona-signs-joel-parra-to-a-long-term-deal/) and [Dario Brizuela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/shooting-guard-dario-brizuela-joins-fc-barcelona/) are with Spain, and [Rokas Jokubaitis ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/)is playing for Lithuania. [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/barcelona-lures-in-nba-star-forward-jabari-parker/) is the only new player who is actually in Barcelona. Even when he missed the team's first practice, Parker is ready to go and learn everything about European basketball after nine years in the NBA.

### Core players, key contributors

Some of the team's most experienced players – [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/), [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/), [Nikola Kalinic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-kalinic/004866/) and [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) – are set to be Barca'a backbone. Others, like [James Nnaji](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/james-nnaji/010641/), [Oscar da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/) and [Oriol Pauli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/barcelona-brings-back-oriol-pauli/), have a golden chance to prove themselves to Coach Grimau, who had been head coach of Barca junior teams. Some players from the club's second team are set to join the preseason camp, especially for five-on-five drills.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Així ha estat la nostra tornada a la feina<br><br>🗣 Parla Sato <a href="https://t.co/wsYlvbiNqT">pic.twitter.com/wsYlvbiNqT</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1693641513794764960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Preseason games coming soon

Barca is set to spend most of its preseason camp at its own Palau Blaugrana. It will play its first game there against Forca Lleida behind closed doors  and possibly another friendly game, yet to be defined, before competing in two games of the Catalonian League on September 11 and 12. Barca will fight for the Spanish SuperCup title in Murcia, Spain, playing the semifinal on September 16 and if it wins, the championship game the day after. [Barca's first EuroLeague game is at home against Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/2/#roster) on October 5.

Panathinaikos Athens: 2023-24 games to watch

With the arrival of head coach Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos Athens went on a mission this summer. The club signed a dozen new players to put together a brand-new Green team, with a clear goal in mind of contending for a EuroLeague title after missing the playoffs every season since 2019. The mixture of Panathinaikos status as a long-time EuroLeague powerhouse, combined with the arrivals of many new shiny pieces, this team will have a series of mouth-watering matchups throughout the year. Here are some of them.

[Panathinaikos's full regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-athens/games/pan/?season=2023-24)

### Greek derby to start the season

[Round 1: Panathinaikos Athens vs. Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-athens-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/7/#comparison)

It's the first thing every Panathinaikos fan checks when the schedule comes out every summer – when does Olympiacos Piraeus come to OAKA Altion. Well, this time, there will be no waiting as the clash in the opening round. Olympiacos has been dominating this matchup in recent years, and has won the last three EuroLeague games in Athens, including by 24 points last season and by 19 a year before that. Now, with Coach Ataman at the helm, Kostas Sloukas and Luca Vildoza running the offense and All-EuroLeague big man Mathias Lessort's energy in the paint, the brand new Greens will be focused on ending that negative streak.

The basketball world comes to a standstill in preparation for two Greek Goliaths colliding. There's a meeting of the competition's top and third-highest scorers in the Greens' Dwayne Bacon and Olympiacos Sasha Vezenkov, but who will hold the bragging rights come the buzzer?

Panathinaikos Athens vs Olympiacos Piraeus - Round 16 - Highlights

### Ataman's homecoming

[Round 12: Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-panathinaikos-athens/E2023/101/#comparison)

Coach Ataman has been in charge at Anadolu Efes Istanbul from late 2017 until this past June, and guided the team to back-to-back EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022, also a championship game in 2019, and was named the EuroLeague Coach of the Year in 2021, too. He now returns to his home that is Sinan Erdem Dome where the fans and the home team will surely greet him to the warmest of welcomes. Apart from all those festivities, Efes is aiming to be a contender once again and win in this one would be a big one for Panathinaikos.

The return of Ergin Ataman to its bench in late 2017 triggered Anadolu Efes Istanbul's quick climb to the ranks of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions, and he is wholly confident that his team can stay at the top.

Focus on: Ergin Ataman, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

### Legendary coach makes another visit

[Round 22: Panathinaikos Athens vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-athens-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/196/#comparison)

There are several strong ties between the two clubs, the most recent being Mathias Lessort and Ioannis Papapetrou arriving this summer to Athens from Partizan, where they helped the team return to the EuroLeague Playoffs and win the domestic crown. But few things compare in the basketball world to the legacy that current Partizan head coach Zeljko Obradovic has left with Panathinaikos in his 13 seasons on the bench, winning five EuroLeague crowns between 2000 and 2011. No matter the mutual love and respect, Coach Obradovic guided Partizan to a win in Athens last season, and the Greens will not want to allow him to do that once again.

Panathinaikos Athens - Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | Round 6 | Highlights

### A clash of brothers in a legendary rivalry

[Round 31: Panathinaikos Athens vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-athens-fc-barcelona/E2023/279/#comparison)

Panathinaikos will be on the road in four of five games between Rounds 29 and 33. The only home tilt in that playoff-deciding stretch is the one against Barcelona. Aside from a great history between the two rivals, which includes 1996 EuroLeague title game and best-of-five series in 2011 and 2013, this will be also a clash that will two Hernangomez brothers on opposite sides. Both of them were splash signings this past summer, with Willy choosing Barcelona and Juancho choosing Panathinaikos. All of that in a packed OAKA with just four games to go in the regular season.

Eliminated, yet fast-improving, Panathinaikos wishes to underline a recent upturn in form by claiming a prestigious victory against a Barça group that find themselves on the precipice of a playoffs-berth, despite having fallen to defeat in three of the last four on-the-road showdowns.

Panathinaikos Athens vs FC Barcelona - Round 30 - Highlights

More Panathinaikos News

Monaco Basket began its training camp in the Italian town of Bornio over the weekend, with new signings Kemba Walker, Petr Cornelie and Mam Jaiteh all present. The club's fourth summer addition, Terry Tarpey, will join up with the squad at a later date as he is preparing to represent France at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Monaco Basket gears up for its third EuroLeague season

AS Monaco began its training camp in the Italian town of Bornio over the weekend, with new signings [Kemba Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-basket-signs-four-time-nba-all-star-kemba-walker/), [Petr Cornelie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/petr-cornelie-bolsters-monaco-basket-options/) and [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-signs-2021-22-eurocup-mvp-mam-jaiteh/) all present. The club's fourth summer addition, [Terry Tarpey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/monaco-signs-france-international-terry-tarpey/), will join up with the squad at a later date as he is preparing to represent France at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which is the same situation for French duo Elie Okobo and Yakuba Ouattara, as well as Lithuanian center Donatas Motiejunas.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">😅 𝖫𝖾 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝖺̀ 𝗌𝖾 𝗃𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖽𝖺𝗇𝗌 𝗅𝖾 (𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗇𝖽) 𝗯𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱 🥶 𝗠𝗮𝗺 𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾́ 𝖺̀ 𝗅𝖺 𝖽𝖾́𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗍𝖾 𝖽𝖾𝗌 𝗯𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝖽𝖾 𝗅𝖺 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗲̀𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲̀𝘁𝗲 🤫 <a href="https://t.co/dBKYFnhlQB">pic.twitter.com/dBKYFnhlQB</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1693610308521140399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Heading into its third season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Monaco hopes to continue its upwards trajectory after making the playoffs in its debut campaign before reaching the Final Four last season. With the arrival of Walker garnishing a backcourt that already boasted Mike James, Okobo and Jordan Loyd, expectations are high for the French side heading into the new campaign.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕞 🎯 <a href="https://t.co/NNvAWXpKRP">pic.twitter.com/NNvAWXpKRP</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1693282571923116228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

EuroLeague fans have already started to ponder what sort of impact Walker could make in his rookie season, and the four-time NBA All-Star has shown glimpses of what he could bring in just a few social media clips, linking up with center Donta Hall for an alley-oop and getting some three-pointers up with Jaron Blossomgame and Matthew Strazel.

More Monaco News

AS Monaco players Jaron Blossomgame and Matthew Strazel during the club's first training session of the season in Bormio, Italy.

Rising rookies join EuroLeague point guard tradition at World Cup

Baskonia comes back for training camp with renewed vigor

Real Madrid: 2023-24 games to watch

Efes grabs talented point guard Justus Hollatz

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

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade: 2023-24 games to watch

New-look Barca gets down to business

Panathinaikos Athens: 2023-24 games to watch

Monaco gears up for its third EuroLeague season