Experienced NBA guard Sterling Brown will make the jump to Europe with ALBA Berlin, the club announced on Tuesday. Brown (1.96 meters, 28 years old) appeared for the Los Angeles Lakers in four games last season and spend the rest of it with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. Including last season, he has appeared in a total of 268 NBA games over six seasons beginning in 2017. I

 ALBA brings on NBA veteran Sterling Brown 

Experienced NBA guard Sterling Brown will make the jump to Europe with ALBA Berlin, the club announced on Tuesday. Brown (1.96 meters, 28 years old) appeared for the Los Angeles Lakers in four games last season and spend the rest of it with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. Including last season, he has played in a total of 290 NBA games over six seasons beginning in 2017. In that span, he has posted 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.6 minutes on average. Brown, who signing a two-year deal, will make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut. He is the third new guard that ALBA has added in the offseason, after [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alba-picks-up-sharpshooter-matt-thomas/) and [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alba-signs-promising-guard-matteo-spagnolo/).

### 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Can‘t wait to see you play in 🟡 and 🔵, Sterling Brown! 🤩<br><br>Nach 292 NBA-Spielen und 30 Partien in der G-League wechselt der 28-jährige Flügelspieler nach Berlin. Bei uns hat <a href="https://twitter.com/thatnegus_sb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thatnegus_sb</a> einen Zweijahresvertrag unterschrieben. ✍️<br><br>Alle Infos: <a href="https://t.co/3c6xnPIahD">https://t.co/3c6xnPIahD</a> <a href="https://t.co/ld0tfKxK7S">pic.twitter.com/ld0tfKxK7S</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1691382868008693761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Five busy NBA seasons

After being a second-round draftee in 2017, Brown spent his first three pro seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, appearing in at least 52 games in each of them. In his best scoring season in Milwaukee, he averaged 6.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists. After moving to the Houston Rockets, his minutes jumped to 24.1 per game and his numbers to 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in the 2020-21 season. The following season, he played 49 games with the Dallas Mavericks, putting up 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds on average.

### Family tradition in the NBA

Brown is the younger brother by nine years of Shannon Brown, who won two NBA titles with the Lakers, in 2009 and 2010, and retired in 2018. Before that happened, though, he reunited on the court with his younger brother. Sterling had begun his pro career that same season with the Milwaukee Bucks, but was assigned at times to the team's G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, which brought the two together in late 2017 during what was that team's innaugural season. 

ALBA brings on NBA veteran Sterling Brown

FC Bayern Munich starts a new era with head coach Pablo Laso, who led Real Madrid back to the very elite of European basketball and intends to do so with his new club. Laso is the cornerstone of an ambitious project that will keep bringing good talent to Munich, as Bayern tries to earn what has been an elusive first Final Four appearance. Here are some of the key games Bayern will play during the regular season.

FC Bayern Munich: 2023-24 games to watch

FC Bayern Munich starts a new era with head coach Pablo Laso, who led Real Madrid back to the very elite of European basketball and intends to do so with his new club. Laso is the cornerstone of an ambitious project that will keep bringing good talent to Munich, as Bayern tries to earn what has been an elusive first Final Four appearance. Here are some of the key games Bayern will play during the regular season.

Check out [Bayern's regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/games/mun/?season=2023-24)

### A season-opening German derby

[Round 1: FC Bayern Munich vs. ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-alba-berlin/E2023/3/#comparison)

The German derby in the season-opener could be the teams' last EuroLeague showdown at Audi Dome. The brand new SAP Garden, 12,500-seat indoor arena, is set to be completed in 2024. There are always lot of crossed paths between these teams, with many players having worn the opponents' jersey in the past. Even Bayern general director Marko Pesic played for ALBA back in the late 1990s and early 2000s. For the first time, two Spanish coaches will be leading the teams: Laso and ALBA's Israel Gonzalez. Bayern is 6-1 in the EuroLeague against ALBA, whose only win came last season, 75-76, on a go-ahead dunk by Yanni Wetzell in the next-to-last second.

A German derby awaits on the continental stage with Bayern out to reform defensively after conceding over a century to Olympiacos, whereas rock-bottom ALBA go in search of respite from a troublesome campaign and amend a concerning sequence of a solitary win in ten EuroLeague outings.

FC Bayern Munich vs ALBA Berlin - Round 29 - Highlights

### Coach faces old rival

[Round 4: FC Barcelona vs. FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/34/#comparison)

There are more similarities to Barca ([@FCBbasket](https://twitter.com/FCBbasket)) and Bayern ([@FCBBasketball](https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball)) than the teams' Twitter handles. Barca and Bayern faced each other in a hard-fought playoff series in 2022, in which both teams won at home and on the road. Barca ended up winning Game 5 at Palau Blaugrana, 81-72. Last season, Barca beat Bayern twice, but once again, the game at Blaugrana went down to the wire. Cory Higgins made the go-ahead jumper in a 72-70 win in which Bayern had the final shot to win the game at the buzzer. Of course, it will be Coach Laso's first game in Barcelona since leaving Real, which adds more anticipation to this exciting showdown.

### Laso's return to Madrid

[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)

Real fans will have their first opportunity to thank Coach Laso for what he accomplished during his 11 seasons with *Los Blancos.* With Laso holding the reins, Real won six Spanish League, six Spanish Cup and seven Spanish SuperCup titles, as well as the 2015 Intercontinental Cup. Above all, Laso led Real to EuroLeague championships in 2015 (the club's first since 1995) and 2018, as well as title game appearances in 2013, 2014 and 2022. In short, Laso made Real great again and fans at WiZink Center should not miss the opportunity to give him a well-deserved standing ovation before the game because once the ball goes up, nobody's friends anymore!

He can’t play anymore, so Pablo Laso is doing what he likes best: coaching. Proud of what he’s already accomplished with Real Madrid, Laso has his team aiming high again this season.

Focus on: Pablo Laso, Real Madrid

### A budding rivalry

[Round 19: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-fc-bayern-munich/E2023/168/#comparison)

Bayern made history by becoming the first German team to reach the EuroLeague Playoffs in the 21st century. Since then, each and every game against Milan has been special, forging a new rivalry. Back in 2021, Milan took a 2-0 lead in the series, winning the opener 79-78 on a buzzer-beating alley-oop layup by Zach LeDay. Bayern tied the series with back-to-back wins in Munich behind an amazing Vladimir Lucic, but Milan won Game 5 and went to its first Final Four in 29 years. Milan has prevailed in the team's last three showdowns. Take in to account that this will be the second clash between the teams in 30 days.

Milan once appeared consigned to a premature EuroLeague exit, yet seven wins from eight has them surging up the standings, whilst Bayern have wounds to heal since becoming undone in the German derby and are unlikely candidates to advance beyond the regular season.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs FC Bayern Munich - Round 30 - Highlights

FC Bayern Munich news

Anadolu Efes Istanbul continued adding depth to its roster by signing power forward Burak Can Yildizli to a one-year contract on Monday. Yildizli (2.04 meters, 29 years old) last played with another Istanbul club, Besiktas, averaging 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 30 Turkish League games last season.  Yildizli also played the 2020-21 EuroCup with Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul, putting up 7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 8 games as a starter. 

 Efes adds power forward Burak Can Yildizli 

Anadolu Efes Istanbul continued adding depth to its roster by signing power forward [Burak Can Yildizli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/burak-yildizli/004093/) to a one-year contract on Monday. Yildizli (2.04 meters, 29 years old) last played with another Istanbul club, Besiktas, averaging 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 30 Turkish League games last season. Yildizli also disputed the 2020-21 EuroCup with Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul, putting up 7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 8 games as a starter. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Başarılı oyuncu <a href="https://twitter.com/byildizli11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@byildizli11</a> ile 1 sezonluk sözleşme imzaladık! ✍️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ho%C5%9FGeldin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HoşGeldin</a> Burak Can <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HouseOfBlue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HouseOfBlue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/UIz5Ez5NT0">pic.twitter.com/UIz5Ez5NT0</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1691052225571778560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 


### A product of the Efes system

Yildizli came up in the Efes system between 2010 and 2015, playing three games for the club in the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament, but spent most of that time with Pertevniyal Istanbul in the Turkish second division before making the jump to first-division side Buyukcekmece for the 2015-16 season. He stayed there for three years before joiing Besiktas for the next two, reaching highes of 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in the 2019-20 season. He then played the last three successive seasons with Bahcesehir, Pinar Karsiyaka and, again, Besiktas prior to getting the call from Efes to make his EuroLeague debut next season.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul news

Efes adds power forward Burak Can Yildizli

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has added youth, size and skill in the frontcourt by inking Ercan Osmani to a one-plus-one contract, the club announced on Monday. Osmani (2.13 meters, 25 years old) arrives from another Istanbul club, Darussafaka, with whom he posted 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists over 22 minutes per game in 32 Turkish League appearances last season

 Efes lands young big man Ercan Osmani 

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has added youth, size and skill in the frontcourt by inking Ercan Osmani to a one-plus-one contract, the club announced on Monday. Osmani (2.13 meters, 25 years old) arrives from another Istanbul club, Darussafaka, with whom he posted 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists over 22 minutes per game in 32 Turkish League appearances last season. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 boards and 1.0 assists in the FIBA Basketball Champions League. Osmani is currently playing for the Turkish national team in the ongoing Olympic Pre-Qualifying tournament in Istanbul.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Başarılı oyuncu <a href="https://twitter.com/erxhanosmani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@erxhanosmani</a> ile 1+1 sezonluk sözleşme imzaladık. ✍️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ho%C5%9FGeldin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HoşGeldin</a> Ercan <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HouseOfBlue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HouseOfBlue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/5skTvLWxan">pic.twitter.com/5skTvLWxan</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1690999349621268481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Osmani, who was born in Albania, started playing in the lower divisions in Turkey with Bandirma Kirmizi and graduated with the team to the Turkish League in 2016, when he averaged 8.1 points and 5.2 rebounds as an 18-year-old starter playing in 26 games. He boosted those numbers to 12.9 points and 8.4 rebounds the next season before moving to Banvit in the same city, Bandirma, and posting 20.7 points and 11.4 rebounds in the 2019-20 season. His next stop was Besiktas, where he put up 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds over two seasons before spending the last one with Darussafaka.

Efes lands young big man Ercan Osmani 

European basketball prowess took center stage as Pau Gasol, Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki were part of the 2023 class inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, Massachusetts early on Sunday.

Pao Gasol, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki inductions make for historic Hall of Fame night

European basketball prowess took center stage as [Pau Gasol, Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki were part of the 2023 class inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/european-giants-gasol-nowitzki-parker-to-enter-hall-of-fame/) is located in Springfield, Massachusetts early on Sunday.

Gasol began and ended his pro career in the EuroLeague with FC Barcelona while Parker is the current owner of EuroLeague club LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Nowitzki hails from Germany. The trio won seven NBA titles between them and were chosen for a total of 26 NBA All-Star teams. On the international stage they combined for 17 Olympics, World Cup and EuroBasket medals as team leaders for Spain, France and Germany, respectively. 

### Inspired by pioneers

To add to the European flavor of the ceremony, Gasol chose as one of his presenters three-time EuroLeague champion Toni Kukoc and Parker did the same for former EuroLeague champion Manu Ginobili.

"Toni was a great player, heckuva player," Gasol said, addressing Kukoc in his Hall of Fame speech. "He inspired so many European players growing up. I looked up to you and you inspired me to follow your steps."

Gasol also thanked EuroLeague icon Juan Carlos Navarro, his long-time friend and a current FC Barcelona basketball executive, as well as the many Europeans who paved the way to NBA success, among them Kukoc.

"Being from where I am from, from Europe and Spain, I wanted to give a special mention to those first Europeans who came here, across the ocean, who took a chance and opened doors for players like myself: Fernando Martin -- the first Spanish player to ever play in the NBA – Drazen Petrovic; Sarunas Marciulionis, Detlef Schrempf, Arvydas Sabonis, Toni Kukoc, Vlade Divac, Dino Radjo, Rik Smits."

Pau Gasol's Hall of Fame speech

### A historic night

The Hall of Fame class of 2023 also included Dwayne Wade, Becky Hammon and six coaches; Gregg Popovic, who coached both Parker and Gasol, as well as his fellow coaches Gene Bess, David Hixon, Gene Keady, Gary Blair and the late Jim Valvano.

At a press conference earlier in the weekend, Gasol summed up the historic nature of Saturday's ceremony, which saw more Europeans enter the hall at once than ever.

"For European basketball, I think this class is an incredible accomplishment; for international basketball, as well," he said. "I think the game has grown so much since we first started playing and came to the NBA. I think we can be proud of having taken the international game to a higher lever and I'm very proud of seeing how the present  and current players are talking it to the next level. So, it's very special to share this moment with Dirk and Tony, because it's remarkable. It's just something that was unthinkable not too long ago. It's beautiful to show and share the message that things are possible, that things do change, things do improve, things are exciting and allow any kid, boy or girl, to dream."

Tony Parker's Hall of Fame speech

Gasol, Parker, Nowitzki inductions make for historic Hall of Fame night

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has added more size and firepower to its backcourt by recruiting PJ Dozier, the club announced Saturday. Dozier (1.98 meters, 26 years old) has joined the Serbian powerhouse on a one-year contract, giving more options to legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic as he looks for his team to build on last season's playoffs qualification.

Partizan adds defensive ace PJ Dozier to the mix

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade has added more size and firepower to its backcourt by recruiting PJ Dozier, the club announced Saturday. Dozier (1.98 meters, 26 years old) has joined the Serbian powerhouse on a one-year contract, giving more options to legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic as he looks for his team to build on last season's playoffs qualification.

Dozier has spent majority of his career playing between the NBA and G-League, and so the case last season when he spent time between the Sacramento Kings and G-League side Iowa Wolves as he was returning from an ACL injury he suffered in December 2021. He averaged 1.9 points playing 19 games in a limited fashion with Sacramento last season, and posted 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assist and 1.3 steals in 24 appearances with Iowa.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pi Džej Doužer je novo pojačanje Partizana Mozzart Bet!✊🏽⚫️⚪️<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/n3V5mSAbkz">https://t.co/n3V5mSAbkz</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://t.co/PX4LhXAhzi">pic.twitter.com/PX4LhXAhzi</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1690452964018667520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 


After graduating from South Carolina College, Dozier started his professional career with Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017. He later played for Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and eventually Sacramento Kings, racking up 136 NBA appearances despite injury problems. Well-know as a defensive specialist, Dozier has career averages of 5.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in the NBA. During his career, he also played for G-League teams Oklahoma City, Maine and Windy City.

The American guard's arrival is the next step in ambitious Partizan's plans to develop a roster capable of challenging for the EuroLeague title, with this summer also seeing the arrival of Ognjen Jaramaz and Mateusz Ponitka along with new contracts for key players including Zach LeDay and Kevin Punter.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv made its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs return last season and pushed AS Monaco to a maximum five games in the quarterfinals before bowing out. Now Coach Oded Kattash and his charges hope to go at least one stage farther to end a decade-long Final Four drought. With the core of the players from 2022-23 back and the fan base hungry for more success, there is plenty to look forward to. Here are some key games on the Israeli champs' schedule.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv: 2023-24 games to watch

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv made its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs return last season and pushed AS Monaco to a maximum five games in the quarterfinals before bowing out. Now Coach Oded Kattash and his charges hope to go at least one stage farther to end a decade-long Final Four drought. With the core of the players from 2022-23 back and the fan base hungry for more success, there is plenty to look forward to. Here are some key games on the Israeli champs' schedule.

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/games/tel/?season=2023-24)

### Starting a new season at home

[Round 1: Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/4/#comparison)

Opening night is always an event in Tel Aviv and Maccabi has been victorious in its home opener in each of the past four seasons. The team also has a strong track record in Tel Aviv against Partizan, winning six of their seven matchups on the Israeli coast. Hosting another team that made the playoffs last season, with former Maccabi player James Nunnally among its stars, is another reason to expect Menorah Mivtachim Arena to be bouncing on October 5 as the season gets underway.

Maccabi's 33-point loss at Real Madrid was their third heaviest EuroLeague defeat in their history. They seek to restore pride and winning-ways versus in-form Partizan, who are on the cusp of a fifth consecutive victory and outside-contenders to snatch a spot in the top-eight.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - Round 18 - Highlights

### Returning to the site of last season’s finish

[Round 5: AS Monaco vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/41/#comparison)

The playoff series between Monaco and Maccabi was a roller coaster and the final turn in Game 5 left Maccabi feeling blue. After erupting for a 104-69 victory in Game 4, there was optimism among the Maccabi faithful that it could win the finale on the road and that proved justified as Coach Kattash's men led with 4 minutes remaining. A 10-0 Monaco run turned the game on its head. What is the best way for Maccabi to get rid of that losing feeling? Claiming a victory in its visit to the Principality would be a good start.

Mike James became the star of the show as a dazzling display in Game 3 handed Monaco the series lead for the first time. The Maccabi faithful played their part in creating a ferocious atmosphere, but can they roar their team on to bring the showdown to a final decider?

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs AS Monaco - Playoffs Game 4 - Highlights

### A new rivalry on the horizon

[Round 23: Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-panathinaikos-athens/E2023/202/#comparison)

The rivalry between the Greens and the Yellow was among the EuroLeague's best in the early part of the century. They met in several continental championship games and Final Fours including in 2000, when Kattash as a Panathinaikos player hit a key three down the stretch to beat Maccabi for the crown. With Coach Ergin Ataman on the sidelines, Panathinaikos is eager to rise up and challenge again after a few rough years, just as Maccabi is on the rise too. This could spell the perfect time to rekindle the magic.

Fast-starting Maccabi look to resume an impressive opening and maintain a perfect home record when they welcome a Panathinaikos outfit fresh from two successive losses, yet bolstered by the arrival of Dwayne Bacon.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs Panathinaikos Athens - Round 5 - Highlights

### The frontcourt faces old friends

[Round 32: Valencia Basket vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/283/#comparison)

Maccabi raided the Valencia frontcourt with the signings this summer of James Webb and Jasiel Rivero, two players that Kattash eyes big roles for. This will be the first trip back to Valencia for these two big men. Not only will it be special to see old friends, as will be the case for Valencia's ex-Maccabi guard Chris Jones, but one can be sure that Webb and Rivero will want to play their best as will the new Valencia big men signed in their place. Maccabi is 8-2 all-time against Valencia.

Valencia have surged towards the playoff-places with five straight wins. Awaiting them are fellow postseason-hopefuls Maccabi, who are on an opposite trajectory and require a reverse in fortune if they're to avoid a premature exit.

Valencia Basket vs Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv - Round 23 - Highlights

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv news

Zalgiris Kaunas ended a three-year playoff drought last season under Coach Kazys Maksvytis by reaching the quarterfinals against FC Barcelona and the Lithuanian champs will accept nothing less in 2023-24. It won't be easy, at least early on, as Zalgiris plays most of its games in the first third of the season on the road, but will have four of its last five games of the season at home. Here is a look at some of the more interesting games on the Zalgiris schedule this season.

Zalgiris Kaunas: 2023-24 games to watch

Zalgiris Kaunas ended a three-year playoff drought last season under Coach Kazys Maksvytis by reaching the quarterfinals against FC Barcelona and the Lithuanian champs will accept nothing less in 2023-24. It won't be easy, at least early on, as Zalgiris plays most of its games in the first third of the season on the road, but will have four of its last five games of the season at home. Here is a look at some of the more interesting games on the Zalgiris schedule this season.

[Zalgiris Kaunas regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/games/zal/?season=2023-24)

### An opening night test in Italy

[Round 1: Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/5/#comparison)

Zalgiris opens the season in Bologna against a Virtus team that it beat twice last season. It is also an opportunity for Zalgiris to check in on power forward Achille Polonara, who played for Zalgiris in the second half of last season. But the real reason this is a game to watch is the expected return of Keenan Evans, who was authoring a breakout last season when he was stricken down by a torn Achilles tendon. With Evans back, Zalgiris will test its weapons against Virtus and another win in Bologna could be the perfect start for a Zalgiris team with a tough schedule in the first months of the season.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna - Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 18 | Highlights

### Starting a key homestand

[Round 5: Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-valencia-basket/E2023/45/#comparison)

With eight of its first 12 games on the road, Zalgiris will have a tough run of things early in the season. The only time it will play back-to-back home games in that stretch will be in Rounds 5 and 6. To avoid finding itself in a big hole, the Lithuanian champs must make the most of those few early home games. Zalgiris has won three in a row against Valencia, including a 95-74 rout late last season. The home team will also welcome Brandon Davies, a key force in the club's 2018 Final Four squad, back to Kaunas for the night.

Zalgiris Kaunas - Valencia Basket | Round 32 | Highlights

### A playoff rematch

[Round 16: Zalgiris Kaunas vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-fc-barcelona/E2023/144/#comparison)

For years the visits of FC Barcelona to Zalgirio Arena have been marked dates on Zalgiris fans' calendars. Even though some of that may have had to do with Sarunas Jasikevicius coaching Barça, his departure has not changed things drastically since the Catalan club still boasts former Zalgiris player Rokas Jokubaitis on its roster. Moreover, Zalgiris features former Barça player Rolands Smits. Add to that the 3-0 playoff sweep Zalgiris suffered at the hands of Barcelona last season, and you have a game that the home team will be fired up for.

Two defeats mean Žalgiris face the mountainous task of needing three consecutive victories over Barça. They can count on the backing of a sold-out crowd, but local hero Šarūnas Jasikevičius should have no mercy as his team seeks a quick return to Žalgirio Arena for the Final Four.

Žalgiris Kaunas vs FC Barcelona - Playoffs Game 3 - Highlights

### One final visit from Real’s Old Guard

[Round 34: Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/zalgiris-kaunas-real-madrid/E2023/302/#comparison)

Real Madrid's visits to Zalgirio Arena over the years have been somewhat legendary. Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Llull and Sergio Rodriguez have all played key roles in Kaunas before and that doesn’t include what they all did en route to the championship at last season's Final Four at Zalgiris's home. This game may prove to be the final visit for some of those stars and the knowledgeable fans in Lithuania will be sure to give them a fitting sendoff. What's more, this regular-season finale could also be pivotal for the playoff picture.

Zalgiris Kaunas - Real Madrid | Round 14 | Highlights

ALBA Berlin has been busy in the transfer market this summer, but its overall strategy remains unchanged

New-look ALBA: different...but the same

A year ago, ALBA Berlin was enjoying a rare summer of stability as it prepared for the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, counting upon virtually the same roster of players which had mustered a solid 12-16 record the previous campaign.

What followed was the ultimate sporting expression of hot and cold, hit or miss, hero to zero, as ALBA oscillated wildly between beating everybody (winning its first three games of the season) and beating nobody (losing its next 12 in a row). Eventually, Israel Gonzalez’s squad finished on 11-23, third from bottom of the standings – not exactly a colossal failure for a club with ALBA’s budget and long-term outlook, but not a roaring success either, especially when combined with a disappointing quarterfinals exit from the domestic championship.

### Summer makeover

So now it’s time for a new approach, and the summer picture in the German capital is looking very different from the continuity of 12 months ago. Yes, coach Gonzalez is still there, but many of his most important and most experienced players have departed.

Veteran do-it-all leader Luke Sikma has taken his entertaining brand of creative basketball to Olympiacos Piraeus; backcourt general Maodo Lo will be calling the shots for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan; sharpshooter Jaleen Smith has also headed to Italy, joining Virtus Segafredo Bologna; Tamir Blatt and Yovel Zoosman are both back in their native Israel with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem respectively; dynamic big man Ben Lammers has returned to Spanish basketball, joining reigning EuroCup champion Dreamland Gran Canaria.

Matt Thomas top plays of the 2022-23 season

### New three-point slinger in town

Amid so many departures, it has been necessary for ALBA to undertake a pretty drastic remodeling of its roster, as sporting director Himar Ojeda admitted in an interview with the club’s website in July.

“Due to many expiring contracts, it is not easy to keep the squad together this year,” he explained. “At the same time, it also gives us the opportunity to sign new players and bring in a breath of fresh air. Many clubs renew their squad every two years, whereas we have recently taken a different path with more continuity. But now this summer we have to change a few more things and dare to make a little bit of a fresh start.”

That fresh start entails some new faces, but it doesn’t mean a radical change in sporting approach. And [the acquisition of Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alba-picks-up-sharpshooter-matt-thomas/) suggests that Gonzalez will be sticking to his run and gun, fast-paced, open style of basketball.

During his half-season with Panathinaikos Athens earlier this year, Thomas sent a reminder of the quality that first became evident to European basketball fans when he helped Valencia Basket win the EuroCup title back in 2018-19: that he is one of the most prolific three-point shooters out there. In the last 10 games of the season Thomas attempted 42 three-point attempts, converting a handy 40.5%. That shows he is ready to quickly adapt to ALBA’s style and perhaps inherit the role of Smith, who ranked fifth in the league with an average of 6.0 three-point shots per game last season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/simofonte13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@simofonte13</a>, look what you have started… <a href="https://t.co/kR9rfhixp5">pic.twitter.com/kR9rfhixp5</a></p>&mdash; Himar Ojeda Pérez (@Himar_Ojeda) <a href="https://twitter.com/Himar_Ojeda/status/1689261321710190593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Good enough is old enough

ALBA’s summer recruitment is also staying true to the club’s established philosophy by betting on young talent...and especially young Italian talent. First it was Simone Fontecchio, who enjoyed a breakout season in Berlin in 2020-21, then it was Gabriele Procida, and now it’s the turn of Matteo Spagnolo. The 20 year-old guard [has been snapped up](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alba-signs-promising-guard-matteo-spagnolo/) from Real Madrid, and knows that his lack of experience will not be a hindrance to playing time at a club which has traditionally lived by the mantra that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

The same applies to a returning youngster and another former Real youth talent, Slovenian point guard Ziga Samar. The 22 year-old has been recalled from a season on-loan at Hamburg Towers, where he gained invaluable high-level continental experience in the EuroCup and excelled with impressive averages of 9.8 points and 6.1 assists per game. Now Samar will have the chance to step up to the highest level in Europe, taking over the playmaking responsibilities previously held by Lo and Blatt.

ALBA’s willingness to give youthful and hungry players a chance to develop is also evident in [the recruitment of Justin Bean](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alba-berlin-wraps-up-justin-bean-signing/). At the age of 26, the American forward is not exactly young, but his career remains very much in its early stages. Impressive numbers at Utah State – where he averaged Sikma-like numbers of 17.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in his final year – have not yet led to any significant impression at professional level, but Bean should find the perfect nurturing environment to unfurl his interesting talents in the German capital. And notably he is another player with great shooting range, averaging a remarkable 46.5% from three-point range in his final year at college.

ALBA is likely not done bringing in new faces, but it already had an unusually busy summer in the transfer market, and perhaps we can conclude that the new-look ALBA will be different, but the same.

Slovenian 22-year old point guard Ziga Samar has been recalled from a season on-loan at Hamburg Towers, where he gained invaluable high-level continental experience in the BKT EuroCup and excelled with impressive averages of 9.8 points and 6.1 assists per game.

ALBA brings on NBA veteran Sterling Brown

FC Bayern Munich: 2023-24 games to watch

Efes adds power forward Burak Can Yildizli

Efes lands young big man Ercan Osmani

Gasol, Parker, Nowitzki inductions make for historic Hall of Fame night

Partizan adds defensive ace PJ Dozier to the mix

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv: 2023-24 games to watch

Zalgiris Kaunas: 2023-24 games to watch

New-look ALBA: Different... but the same