Matteo Spagnolo will get his first taste of EuroLeague basketball next season after joining ALBA Berlin on a three-year deal. Spagnolo (1.94 meters, 20 years old) made his BKT EuroCup debut in the 2022-23 campaign for Trento. A product of Stella Azzurra Roma and Real Madrid's academies, the Italian has the opportunity to display his potential on the biggest stage in Europe following his move to ALBA.

ALBA signs promising guard Matteo Spagnolo

[Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/) will get his first taste of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague basketball next season after joining ALBA Berlin on a three-year deal the club announced Wednesday. Spagnolo (1.94 meters, 20 years old) made his BKT EuroCup debut in the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a 12.3 PIR in 13 games for Dolomiti Energia Trento. A product of Stella Azzurra Roma and Real Madrid's academies, the Italian has the opportunity to display his potential on the biggest stage in Europe following his move to ALBA.

The best plays of new ALBA Berlin signing Matteo Spagnolo during his rookie BKT EuroCup season with Dolomiti Energia Trento.

Matteo Spagnolo's top plays in 2022-23

### An impressive EuroCup season

Despite Trento's struggles last season, with the team going 4-14 through its 18 EuroCup regular-season games, the 20-year-old guard showed just why he is regarded as one of the best up-and-coming players on the continent. In fact, Spagnolo displayed his ability to both score the basketball and act as the lead playmaker.

Spagnolo reached double digits for points in all but three of the games he played in, twice breaking the 20-point barrier – he had 23 points against Gran Canaria in Round 15 and 21 points against Veolia Towers Hamburg in Round 17 – while he also had seven games with at least 5 assists.

In those two games against Gran Canaria and Hamburg, in particular, Spagnolo finished with season-best PIR marks, having had a season-high 29 PIR in Round 15 and a 28 PIR in Round 17. He ended the EuroCup campaign playing some of his best basketball, and he now has the chance to bring his talents to the EuroLeague.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Benvenuto, Matteo! 💛👋💙<br><br>Im Zuge einer Vereinbarung mit <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> haben wir das italienische Talent Matteo Spagnolo verpflichtet. Der 20-jährige Point Guard hat für drei Jahre bei uns unterschrieben. ✍️<br><br>Alle Infos: <a href="https://t.co/Bci6oa19QZ">https://t.co/Bci6oa19QZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/wVreW2RCuv">pic.twitter.com/wVreW2RCuv</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1689222182444896256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Joining a compatriot at ALBA

Spagnolo will get the chance to play alongside fellow Italian prospect Gabriele Procida, who showed glimpses of his potential in his rookie EuroLeague season. Procida started in four of his 27 appearances for ALBA in the 2022-23 campaign, posting 5.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and a 4.0 PIR in 14:34 minutes on the court. The shooting guard reached double figures on seven occasions, notably scoring a season-high 16 points in 18 minutes on the floor in Round 22 against AS Monaco.

Next season, Spagnolo and Procida, two of Italy's best prospects, will play alongside each other at ALBA as they look to continue their development and make an impact in the EuroLeague. ALBA fans should get ready for some exciting plays involving the Italian duo in the upcoming campaign.

ALBA Berlin News

New ALBA Berlin recruit Matteo Spagnolo in action for Dolomiti Energia Trento in the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup.

Since All-EuroLeague honors have been introduced, no player has been a first team member more times than Juan Carlos Navarro who was selected five times (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011). Dimitris Diamantidis was All-EuroLeague First Team honoree four times (2007, 2011, 2012, 2013), while Walter Tavares, with his selection this season, joined a select group of players with three first teams selections: Vassilis Spanoulis, Nando De Colo, Milos Teodosic, Nikola Vujcic, Dejan Bodiroga and Jan Vesely.

All-EuroLeague First Team Gallery

The makeup of the 2022-23 All-EuroLeague First Team consisted of two Real Madrid players, Walter Tavares and Dzanan Musa, Olympiacos Piraeus star Sasha Vezenkov, Lorenzo Brown of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Mathias Lessort of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. It marked Tavares's fourth All-EuroLeague nomination and his third time on the first team, while it was Vezenkov’s second first team selection.

Since All-EuroLeague honors have been introduced, no player has been a first team member more times than Juan Carlos Navarro who was selected five times (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011). Dimitris Diamantidis was All-EuroLeague First Team honoree four times (2007, 2011, 2012, 2013), while Tavares, with his selection this season, joined a select group of players with three first teams selections: Vassilis Spanoulis, Nando De Colo, Milos Teodosic, Nikola Vujcic, Dejan Bodiroga and Jan Vesely. Take a look back at the All-EuroLeague First Team selections over the years.

All-Euroleague team 2001-02 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Bologna 2002

All-Euroleague team 2002-03 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Barcelona 2003

All-Euroleague team 2003-04 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Tel Aviv 2004

All-Euroleague Team 2004-05 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Moscow 2005

All-Euroleague Team 2005-06 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Prague 2006

All-EuroLeague Team 2006-07 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Athens 2007

All-Euroleague First Team 2007-08 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Madrid 2008

All-Euroleague first and Second Team 2008-09 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Berlin 2009

All Euroleague Team 2009-10 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Paris 2010

All-Euroleague team 2010-11 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Barcelona 2011

All-Euroleague Team 2011-12 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Istanbul 2012

All-Euroleague first and Second Team 2012-13 - Efes Euroleague Awards Ceremony - Final Four London 2013

All-Euroleague First Team 2013-14 - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Milan 2014

Euroleague Awards 2014-15 - Opening Press Conference - Final Four Madrid 2015

Euroleague Awards 2015-16 - Opening Press Conference - Final Four Berlin 2016

All-EuroLeague First Team 2016-17 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Istanbul 2017

Awards ceremony - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Belgrade 2018

2018-19 Awards Ceremony - Awards Ceremony  - Final Four Vitoria-Gasteiz 2019

Vasilije Micic, Euroleague 2020-21 MVP - Final Four Cologne 2021

2021-22 Awards Ceremony - Final Four Belgrade 2022

2022-23 Awards Ceremony - Final Four Belgrade 2022

2023-24 Awards Ceremony - Final Four Kaunas 2023

All-Euroleague team 2002-03 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Barcelona 2003

All-Euroleague team 2003-03 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Tel Aviv 2004

All-Euroleague Second Team 2004-05 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Moscow 2005

All-Euroleague First  and Second Team 2005-06 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Prague 2006

All-EuroLeague second Team 2006-07 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Athens 2007

All-EuroLeague Second Team 2007-08 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Madrid 2008

All-Euroleague First  and Second Team 2008-09 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Berlin 2009

All-Euroleague Second Team 2009-10 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Paris 2010

All-Euroleague Second Team 2010-11 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Barcelona 2011

All-Euroleague Second Team 2011-12 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four Istanbul 2012

All-Euroleague First  and Second Team 2012-13 - Awards Ceremony - Final Four London 2013

All-EuroLeague Second Team Gallery

Olympiacos Piraeus: 2023-24 games to watch

Last season's runner-up, Olympiacos Piraeus is back to give the chase for Turkish Airlines EuroLeague glory another go. The Reds had the best regular-season record in the 2022-23 and were less than 4 seconds away from climbing back on the throne last season, but suffered a heart-breaking loss at the hands of Real Madrid. After going through minor, yet significant roster changes this summer, Olympiacos will be going for it all once again and will be tested very early.

[Olympiacos Piraeus regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/games/oly/?season=2023-24)

### A heavyweight home-opener

[Round 2: Olympiacos Piraeus vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-fc-barcelona/E2023/16/#comparison)

What a start to the season that will be for Olympiacos. After opening the season on the road against archrival Panathinaikos Athens, the Reds will play their home opener a week later when they welcome Barcelona. These teams were top two finishers in the 2022-23 regular season and while both clubs might have lost key pieces from their respective rosters from a year ago, that might add even more value to this early-season clash, making it even more interesting. Olympiacos sold out its season tickets earlier this summer, and Peace and Friendship Stadium will surely be rocking for this one.

In what could become a precursor for a Final Four meeting, Olympiacos look to restore their championship-credentials against in-form Barça, who boast a five-game winning run. Rhythm may prove key as the hosts lead the league in assists, while the guests have allowed an average of just 13.4.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs FC Barcelona - Round 27 - Highlights

### The championship game rematch

[Round 12: Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-real-madrid/E2023/103/#comparison)

It is not just a re-match of the championship game in Kaunas, which Olympiacos lost in a heartbreaking fashion on Sergio Llull's jumper. It is also a clash of two perennial contenders and clubs that have combined to win five of the past 11 EuroLeague crowns. Olympiacos swept their regular season games in 2022-23, including a dramatic 87-89 win in Madrid. This season, these games will obviously carry more weight because of the recent history, and we are all fortunate to witness it.

A pair of Goliaths from European basketball battle for continental glory as the Reds and Los Blancos square off at Žalgirio arena. These teams boast some of the top players in the competition, but whose talents will come to the fore and secure the ultimate prize?

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Real Madrid - Championship Game - Highlights

### Monaco is back in town

[Round 19: Olympiacos Piraeus vs. AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-as-monaco/E2023/166/#comparison)

The club from the Principality has only spent two seasons in the EuroLeague, but the games between Olympiacos and Monaco have turned into a true rivalry. And it's no wonder, considering their fantastic five-game playoff series in 2022 and their Final Four semifinal clash last May in Kaunas. Olympiacos won both the Game 5 and the semifinal in which the Reds overcame a 12-point halftime deficit. But Monaco swept last season's regular season series, which included a 76-81 win in Piraeus behind 23 points from Elie Okobo. Monaco's roster looks even stronger after summer transactions and this team's arrival to Piraeus will be a must-watch show once again.

The action begins with Regular Season standings-leaders Olympiacos, who are gunning for a fourth EuroLeague title, taking on Final Four newcomers Monaco. Both had to go the distance in their respective playoff series, but who can offer one extra push to make the final?

Olympiacos Piraeus vs AS Monaco - Semi-Final - Highlights

### Sloukas and the Greens come to Piraeus

[Round 29: Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Panathinaikos Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-panathinaikos-athens/E2023/255/#comparison)

Olympiacos has ruled its rivalry against Panathinaikos in recent seasons, having won five of the last six EuroLeague clashes. The Reds have also been to the last two Final Fours, while Panathinaikos has not been in the playoffs since 2019. But this time the hunters come to Piraeus mid-March with a brand new roster and a former Red Kostas Sloukas running the point. If that's not enough, this game comes with a regular season finish line in sight and both teams figure to be among main title contenders. One of the goals for the Greens this season is to catch up to Olympiacos, but the Reds will want to keep them at bay in this must-see game.

Olympiacos are to prepare for the playoffs in the best possible style by testing themselves against fast-improving, but already-disqualified Panathinaikos, who can be solely motivated by securing the bragging rights and disrupting the momentum of their rivals.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Panathinaikos Athens - Round 32 - Highlights

FC Barcelona has given its frontcourt a significant boost for the upcoming season by agreeing on a one-year deal with forward Jabari Parker, the club announced Monday evening. Parker (2.03 meters, 28 years old), a former second pick in the NBA Draft, has last played for the Boston Celtics in the 2021-22 season, but has not played since then. He posted 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12 limited appearances that season.

Barcelona lures in NBA star forward Jabari Parker

FC Barcelona has given its frontcourt a significant boost for the upcoming season by agreeing on a one-year deal with forward Jabari Parker, the club announced Monday evening. Parker (2.01 meters, 28 years old), a former second pick in the NBA Draft, has last played for the Boston Celtics in the 2021-22 season, but has not played since then. He posted 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12 limited appearances that season.

Parker is an eight-year NBA veteran who appeared in 310 games, including 190 starts, and has averaged 14.1 points in 27.5 minutes per game. He has also posted 5.5 points and 2.0 assists for his NBA career that started in 2014 after the Milwaukee Bucks chose him as the second pick in the draft.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Des de Chicago, Illinois... <br>Número 2 del draft l&#39;any 2014...<br><br>El FC Barcelona fitxa Jabari Parker! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/wBZnVhWeXK">pic.twitter.com/wBZnVhWeXK</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1688596015283159046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Satoransky-Parker connection 

In Barcelona, Parker reunites with point guard Tomas Satoransky, as the two were teammates for the second part of the 2018-19 campaign with the Washington Wizards. In their first game together, Parker tied his career-best with 9 assists and had 11 rebounds in a game against Cleveland, and later that season he amassed 28 points while pulling down a career-best 15 rebounds in a game against Phoenix. 

Parker spent four seasons with Milwaukee to begin his career, but suffered a torn ACL after just 25 games his rookie season. His career-best season also came with the Bucks, in the 2016-17, when he averaged 20.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He split the 2018-19 campaign between Washington and the Chicago Bulls, then played with the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings in the 2019-20, before joining Boston.

### Teenage standout

Before Parker's professional career has started being plagued by injuries, he was a high school and a college basketball standout in the USA. He received numerous accolades, including the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year in 2011, an award that honors the best US performer in international basketball, as he led the United States to gold medals at the U16 FIBA Americas in 2011, and U17 World Championships in 2012. He spent one year playing college basketball at Duke, scoring 19.1 points and earning All-American honors, before turning pro.

Now, Parker is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut as part of Barcelona's re-tooled frontcourt which saw earlier this summer Willy Hernangomez also arrive from the NBA.

FC Barcelona: 2023-24 games to watch

There has been plenty of change at FC Barcelona this summer, but the Spanish team remains as hungry as ever to end its wait to lift the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title once again. Barca last became the EuroLeague champion in the 2009-10 season, but it has reached the Final Four six times since then, including three trips in the last three years. Roger Grimau, the last Barça team captain to lift the EuroLeague, has replaced Saras Jasikevicius as head coach and he will now hope to guide this new-look Blaugrana side to new glories.

Check out [Barcelona's full schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/games/bar/?season=2023-24)

### A new era begins

[Round 1: FC Barcelona vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/2/#comparison)

The first game of the 2023-24 EuroLeague Regular Season pits Barca against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which beat the Blaugrana in the 2021 championship game. Barca has signed Spain internationals Joel Parra, Willy Hernangomez and Dario Brizuela this summer, and they will all be keen to make an instant impression in this Round 1 fixture. Like Barca, Efes has undergone some big changes, with Erdem Can coming in for Ergin Ataman as head coach, while Darius Thompson and Tyrique Jones will look to hit the ground running with their new team. For Barca, a positive result against this new-look Efes, which can still call upon star players Shane Larkin and Will Clyburn, would be the perfect way to show that it is still one of the strongest contenders to reach the Final Four.

It's a meeting of two Goliaths as the mighty Barça try to demonstrate their championship-credentials against title-holders Efes. The visitors have stuttered in their quest for a third crown, yet the hosts could signify their intent for the campaign with a statement result to delight the Palau Blaugrana faithful.

FC Barcelona vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Round 19 - Highlights

### Revenge on the cards?

[Round 14: FC Barcelona vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/125/#comparison)

Nikola Mirotic has been the talk of the summer and, following his move from Barca to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, this will be his first opportunity to come up against his former employers. With Mirotic at the club, Barca reached three Final Fours out of three – his first campaign, 2019-20, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic – and he was also named the 2021-22 EuroLeague MVP. Yet, given the way in which his departure was managed, Mirotic will no doubt be looking to exact some revenge when he first comes up against Barca. What's more, in front of an expectant crowd at Palau Blaugrana, a passionate atmosphere is all but guaranteed, which should also provide an interesting test for both Mirotic and Coach Grimau's Barca team.

2021-22 MVP of the Season: Nikola Mirotic, FC Barcelona

### The Clásico comes to Palau Blaugrana

[Round 18: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-real-madrid/E2023/159/#comparison)

Whenever the EuroLeague calendar gets released, the first fixture that fans of both Barca and Real Madrid look for is *El Clásico*. The first time that this famous rivalry takes place this season is in Round 5 at WiZink Center, but in both teams' first game of 2024, they will go to battle at Barca's home, Palau Blaugrana. What's more, it comes in the first game of a two-round week, which adds more intrigue to this contest. Last season, Barca beat Real at Palau Blaugrana, but it lost at WiZink Center. Then, in the Final Four, *Los Blancos* defeated the Blaugrana 66-78 to advance to the championship game. In Coach Grimau's first EuroLeague *Clásico*, getting a win to make up for last season's Final Four heartbreak would be the perfect way to start 2024 and show that Barca truly means business.

One of the most famous sporting rivalries in the world takes centre stage as Barça and Los Blancos go head-to-head for the first clasico of the campaign with two powerfully rebuilt rosters for a EuroLeague showpiece event.

FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid - Round 2 - Highlights

### Silencing a resurgent giant

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

In one of the final games of the regular season, Barca heads to Greece to take on Panathinaikos Athens at OAKA. The Greens, now led by Coach Ataman, have lofty ambitions and hope to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2012 after a summer of big-name additions. One player who ended up joining the Greens after being strongly linked with Barca is Juancho Hernangomez, who will face his older brother, Willy, in this late regular-season matchup. Both Panathinaikos and Barca are expected to be jostling for position with regard to the playoff places, which should make for a tremendous atmosphere at OAKA. A win for the Blaugrana on the road in Athens would be a big statement ahead of the final three games of the regular season.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul got confirmation of an injury blow before the pre-season even started as its summer signings Dogus Ozdemiroglou suffered an ACL tear. Ozdemiroglou was injured playing for the Turkish national team in a friendly game against Italy on Friday.

Efes loses guard Ozdemiroglou to ACL injury

Anadolu Efes Istanbul got confirmation of an injury blow before the pre-season even started as its summer signings [Dogus Ozdemiroglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dogus-ozdemiroglu/006640/) suffered an ACL tear. Ozdemiroglou was injured playing for the Turkish national team in a friendly game against Italy on Friday.

Upon player's return to Turkiye, "the examinations were performed in Istanbul, and a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament was detected", Efes said in a brief statement over the weekend, adding that Ozdemiroglou now awaits surgery.

Ozedmiroglu was set to return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague action for the first time since 2019, however, he will now miss significant time recovering from a serious knee injury.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Teşekkürler takım! 💙🤍 <a href="https://t.co/UPW3eLWlvd">https://t.co/UPW3eLWlvd</a></p>&mdash; Dogus Ozdemiroglu (@dozdemiroglu) <a href="https://twitter.com/dozdemiroglu/status/1688505571261988865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Guy Pnini, one of deserving legends in a storied history of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, announced retirement from professional basketball on Monday. Pnini, who lifted the trophy as a team captain when Maccabi won the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown in 2014, ended his 22-year long playing career a month short of his 40th birthday, and will be joining Maccabi coaching staff.

Former champ, Maccabi's Guy Pnini announces retirement

Guy Pnini, one of deserving legends in a storied history of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, announced retirement from professional basketball on Monday. Pnini, who lifted the trophy as a team captain when Maccabi won the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown in 2014, ended his 22-year long playing career a month short of his 40th birthday, and will be joining Maccabi coaching staff.

Pnini had three stints with Maccabi. First, in youth categories, then an eight-year stint between 2009 and 2017, and the final one last season when he signed a one-year deal.

Pnini helped Maccabi reach a pair of EuroLeague championship games and win the 2014 EuroLeague crown. In 154 career EuroLeague games, all with Maccabi, Pnini made 149 three-pointers and totaled 726 points.

Domestically, Pnini holds record with 521 Israeli League appearances, and has won a total of five Israeli League titles, including four with Maccabi, and helped Maccabi win eight Israeli Cups.

Prior to returning to Maccabi last summer, Pnini spent five seasons with Hapoel Holon, which he helped to the Israeli championship in 2022. He also won the Israeli Cup in 2018 with Holon. Pnini went through Maccabi Tel Aviv youth system before starting his career with Maccabi Raanana and later played for Bnei Hasharon and Hapoel Jerusalem before going abroad with FMP Zeleznik in Serbia and Keravnos in Cyprus. Pnini re-joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2009, and stayed there for eight years.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">בדרך לפרק הבא 📙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D7%99%D7%97%D7%93%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%9A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#יחדכלהדרך</a> <a href="https://t.co/8knM0ruMmo">pic.twitter.com/8knM0ruMmo</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1688514959666204672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Pnini's new chapter starts on Maccabi coacing staff, where he is expected to bring loads of playing experience and great understanding of what it means to be a Maccabi player.

"Guy is one of the symbols that has accompanied Israeli basketball for many years and reached his peak as a player by winning the Euroleague as captain of Maccabi", said Maccabi sports director Avi Even. "Guy is first and foremost a Maccabist. He is a coach who grew up as a player in the youth department of the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club and has gone all the way from the little league, through the youth section to the senior team"

"I am very happy and I want to congratulate Guy Pnini, who is joining us on the coaching staff", said head coach Oded Kattash. "Guy is the kind of person you always want to have by your side. He understands the game at a very high level and will contribute a lot to the team. I wish him success in the new chapter he is starting in his career."

ALBA Berlin has announced the signing of guard Matt Thomas, who has penned a one-year contract on Monday. Thomas (1.96 meters, 28 years old) made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut during the 2022-23 campaign after joining Panathinaikos Athens in late January, averaging 8.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and a 6.7 PIR across 10 appearances. Thomas is now ready to emabark on his first full season in the competition in the German capital.

ALBA picks up sharpshooter Matt Thomas

ALBA Berlin has announced the signing of guard [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), who has penned a one-year contract on Monday. Thomas (1.96 meters, 28 years old) made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut during the 2022-23 campaign after joining Panathinaikos Athens in late January, averaging 8.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and a 6.7 PIR across 10 appearances. Thomas is now ready to embark on his first full season in the competition with the club from the German capital.

The best plays of Matt Thomas during Valencia Basket's BKT EuroCup-winning season in 2018-19.

Matt Thomas's best plays, 2018-19

### Downing ALBA in EuroCup Finals

This will be fourth campaign on European soil for the American shooting guard. Thomas's professional career began with Spanish side Obradoiro in the 2017-18 season, before he joined Valencia Basket. The sharpshooter impressed during his season playing at La Fonteta in 2018-19, posting 12.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and a 10.9 PIR as Valencia secured its fourth-ever BKT EuroCup title. He particularly shined in the EuroCup Finals in which the team on the opposite side was - ALBA Berlin.

Thomas regularly got the Spanish club's supporters off their seats with his performances, scoring double digits in seven of Valencia's 10 regular-season contests before scoring 9 points or more in all six of its Top 16 fixtures. In the playoffs, Thomas had 15 points in Game 1 of the quarterfinals against Rytas Vilnius, then he posted 13 and 15 points, respectively, in Games 1 and 2 of the semifinals against UNICS Kazan.

In the best-of-three EuroCup Finals against ALBA, he had 16 points in Game 1 as Valencia defended its home court to take a 1-0 lead in the series. In the closeout Game 3 back at La Fonteta, following a win by ALBA in Berlin in Game 2, Thomas erupted for 19 points – his highest tally in the playoffs – in a comfortable Valencia win.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Welcome to ALBA, <a href="https://twitter.com/Theiceman_21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Theiceman_21</a>! 👋💛💙<br><br>Der 29-Jährige bringt drei Jahre NBA-Erfahrung mit und hat in der letzten Saison bei Panathinaikos Athen gespielt. Bei uns hat der Guard einen Vertrag über eine Saison unterschrieben. ✍️<br><br>Alle Infos und Statements: <a href="https://t.co/4Nuk8gRC0U">https://t.co/4Nuk8gRC0U</a> <a href="https://t.co/bgibH7Gwtl">pic.twitter.com/bgibH7Gwtl</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1688504729125470210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### His journey post-Valencia

Following his EuroCup-winning campaign with Valencia, Thomas returned to North America after signing with the Toronto Raptors in the NBA.

He spent the 2019-20 season with Toronto and remained with the team during the bulk of the following year, but in March 2021 he was traded to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz opted to wave Thomas the following summer, but in September 2021 he signed for the Chicago Bulls, where he played during the 2021-22 season.

Then, having been without a team since the start of the campaign, Thomas penned a deal with Panathinaikos in January 2023 until the end of the 2022-23 season. Now, he joins ALBA for the 2023-24 campaign.

Valencia News

Matt Thomas, who has signed with ALBA Berlin, in action for Panathinaikos Athens during the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.